We’re fully immersed in Weekday CUSA. Last week was a soft launch, as New Mexico State and WKU battled Thursday night, while Delaware and Liberty met in a Friday night showdown. Now, the conference shifts to Wednesday and Thursday for the second week of Weekday CUSA action.
This eight-game Weekday CUSA slate is higlighted by a 2025 CUSA Championship Game rematch of Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State. Also on Wednesday, FIU will rep pink and teal as it host its annual “Vice Night” against New Mexico
State, looking to improve upon an 0-3 record in previous Vice Nights.
On Thursday, an improved Sam Houston team travels to a red-hot Liberty team that rides a four-game win streak. Simultaneously, Casey Woods seeks his first CUSA win at Missouri State against a WKU squad in desperate need of momentum.
Here’s a look at all four matchups:
Jacksonville State @ Kennesaw State
Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7 pm ET on CBS Sports Network
Spread: Jacksonville State (-3)
Over/under: 50.5
Jacksonville State (3-2, 1-0 CUSA) is no stranger to slow starts. With a horde of veteran talent, the Gamecocks aren’t satisfied at 3-2 with losses to North Dakota State and Ohio. But the team is trending in the right direction after defeating Georgia Southern and Middle Tennessee in its last two games. When Jax State started slow in 2024 and 2025, it often introduced new offensive personnel that turned its season around. That might be the case in 2026, as the Gamecocks appeared to find a bellcow running back to complement mobile quarterback Caden Creel. That back is redshirt freshman Lucas Farrington, who produced 138 rushing yards on 16 carries in the last two wins. Jax State’s RPO-heavy offense is favoring the pass more than usual, and its defense has the tools to counter the pass. Cornerback Tre’Quon Fegans and free safety Caleb Nix are among the best defensive backs in the conference. Nix already has two touchdowns this year — one from a pick-six and another from a punt return.
Kennesaw State (1-3, 0-0 CUSA) looks to defend its CUSA title. The Owls defeated Jacksonville State in the conference championship last December after converting a 4th-and-14 in the final minute and delivering the go-ahead touchdown on the ensuing play. This year’s Owls team needs to prove it still has that championship mettle. Kennesaw State is 0-3 against FBS opponents this year, but its slate remains clean in conference play. Syracuse transfer quarterback Rickie Collins looks to inflict damage with his mobility, looking to boost an offense averaging 13.3 points per game against FBS competition. The defense, led by inside linebacker and reigning CUSA Defensive Player of the Year Baron Hopson, pulled its weight last game against Arkansas State, and it hopes to do the same Wednesday at Fifth Third Stadium — “The Fraction.”
Prediction: Jacksonville State 28, Kennesaw State 14
New Mexico State @ FIU
Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN2
Spread: FIU (-6)
Over/under: 46.5
New Mexico State (2-3, 1-0 CUSA) captured the first win of Weekday CUSA, defending its homefield in a 21-point win over WKU. The Aggies handed the keys to quarterback Adam Damante for the first time this season, and he helped guide a victory. However, the star of the show was running back James Jones, who ranks 14th in the FBS and first in the CUSA with 510 rushing yards. The Aggies’ skill position talent can rival almost anyone in the CUSA, as wide receivers TK King and Brodie Malone-Bradford can also take over games. However, the unit was been hampered by turnovers. On defense, the Aggies have struggled to defend the passing game, and only six teams have surrendered more 30-yard passing plays. However, they can wreak havoc. New Mexico State is tied for second nationally with three defensive touchdowns. Strong safety Nick Session, who also serves as the leading tackler, has a pick-six, while cornerback De’Marcus Peters has both a pick-six and scoop-and-score.
FIU (2-2, 0-0 CUSA) is quietly home to one of the best defenses in college football. The Panthers haven’t surrendered more than 20 points in any of their four matchups. They rank eighth nationally in total defense and 18th in scoring defense, allowing just 14.5 points per game. Even Florida Atlantic’s 37.2 points per game offense managed just 16 against the Panthers. FIU has been elite in stopping both ground and aerial endeavors, with Elisha Baldridge leading the front and Shamir Sterling headlining the secondary. The offense has moved the ball exceptionally under quarterback JJ Kohl, who leads the nation’s 20th-ranked passing offense. But there’s a significant anomaly: FIU ranks first in the CUSA in total offense and last in scoring offense. The Panthers finished a minus-3 in turnovers in both of their losses and have scored touchdowns on just 35.7 percent of red zone attempts — the fourth-worst mark in the FBS.
Prediction: FIU 20, New Mexico State 16
Sam Houston @ Liberty
Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 pm ET on ESPNU
Spread: Liberty (-13.5)
Over/under: 52.5
Sam Houston (1-3, 0-0 CUSA) is proof that records can be deceiving this early in the season. The Bearkats are flying under the radar after a strong non-conference showing — at least compared to last year’s 2-10 product. Sam Houston fought reigning Sun Belt runner-up Troy down to the wire, was five yards away from upsetting Tulsa, and battled Texas Tech for a half. There are multiple reasons for the Bearkats’ improvement. One is the emergence of Landyn Locke. In his first three starts this season, Locke threw for 335, 316, and 322 yards. Those are the three highest passing total since Sam Houston joined the FBS in 2023. The receiving corps is strong, and the Bearkats are improved on defense. NC State transfer outside linebacker Elijah Groves has reinvigorated the pass rush with 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, while cornerback Ishmel Atkins has been a force in the secondary with five pass breakups.
Liberty (4-1, 1-0 CUSA) is on a tear right now. The Flames stumbled in their first two matchups, scoring just 13 against James Madison and requiring a late comeback to survive FCS Gardner-Webb. But in the three games since, Liberty looks exactly like a CUSA contender. Jamey Chadwell’s team has fonud its groove on offense, getting things done in both facets. Deshawn Purdie has seven touchdown passes and zero interceptions, while his No. 1 target Makai Jackson has been the definition of explosive — generating a 50-yard reception in all four games of the win streak. Kam Davis has hit his stride in the run game with 313 rushing yards across the last two weeks. And most impressively, the defense has been dominant. Liberty has shut out opponents in seven of the last 12 quarters, and two of those games were on the road.
Prediction: Liberty 34, Sam Houston 21
Missouri State @ WKU
Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 pm ET on CBS Sports Network
Spread: WKU (-2.5)
Over/under: 56.5
Missouri State (1-3, 0-0 CUSA) struggled in September last season. Then October arrived and the Bears rattled off five-straight wins. This year features a new coaching staff led by Casey Woods, but this retooled Missouri State team has shown signs of progress. In its last outing, it possessed the ball in the fourth quarter on the road at SMU, trailing just 21-18. While it ultimately lost by 10, that performance could bode well for CUSA play. Although he got dinged up in the SMU game, Skyler Locklear is expected to remain the starting quarterback, looking to build on an efficient season featuring a 70.2 percent completion rate and a 4-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’s established a strong rapport with Isaiah Myers, who currently ranks third in the CUSA in receiving. However, the defense must improve in CUSA play, as it ranks 130th in yards allowed per game.
WKU (1-4, 0-1 CUSA) already matched its loss total from last season. It’s been a turbulent start for one of CUSA’s most consistent winners, and the Hilltoppers’ average differential of minus-36 points per game against FBS opponents is the second-worst in the country. The No. 1 factor contributing to WKU’s newfound struggles is a run defense that allows 6.22 yards per carry — the most in the FBS. The Hilltoppers have picked up things in the passing game lately with back-to-back efficient 300-yard passing performances from Rodney Tisdale Jr. and a talented receiving corps, headlined by Jonathan Stafford Jr. and Cameron Flowers. However, the offense has other areas it needs to progress, improving upon a minus-5 turnover margin and improving pass protection.
Prediction: Missouri State 38, WKU 33
