As the 2025 college football season approaches, the CUSA is preparing for one of its most wide-open and intriguing campaigns in years. Following a 2024 season filled with emerging programs, surprise contenders, and high-scoring offenses, the conference returns with a 12-team lineup and a renewed sense of competition.
The conference welcomes two new members this season (Delaware and Missouri State) as they begin their transition from the FCS ranks to the FBS. While both programs will be ineligible for postseason play in 2025, their addition adds fresh energy and long-term potential to the league!
The non-conference slate will once again offer opportunities for national exposure, with CUSA programs set to face opponents from the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Sun Belt. Several matchups against top 25 caliber opponents give the league a chance to make early-season noise and prove that it is a higher-profile conference than what the current national perception is of the CUSA.
Liberty enters the season as the preseason favorite, looking to reclaim the conference title after an disappointing 2024 campaign behind a talented but retooled roster. Western Kentucky, Jacksonville State, and Louisiana Tech are among the programs expected to challenge, while other teams such as Kennesaw State, FIU, and Sam Houston look to take a step forward under new coaching staffs and key transfer additions.
With coaching changes at multiple programs, incoming talent from the transfer portal, and a schedule that should produce weekly drama, the 2025 CUSA season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and entertaining in the Group of Five landscape.
So where do each of these teams stand within the CUSA Pecking Order? Let’s go ahead and dive in down below:
12) Kennesaw State
New Head Coach Jerry Mack has proven he can win at the FCS Level, but he can win at the FBS Level and ignite an offense that scored less then 17 points per game last year?
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 133
- Potential Toss-Up Games: Mid Tenn State, UTEP, Missouri State
- Record Prediction: 3-9
- Best Case Scenario: 4-8
- Worst Case Scenario: 1-11
11) New Mexico State
In Tony Sanchez’s first year coaching the Aggies, he had to start the process of overhauling the roster. But this year, he’ll have much more to work with since he returns 11 starters and an intriguing backfield duo with Seth McGowan/ Montana Transfer Logan Fife.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 131
- Potential Toss-Up Games: Tulsa, Sam Houston, Missouri State, Mid Tenn State
- Record Prediction: 5-7
- Best Case Scenario: 6-6
- Worst Case Scenario: 2-10
10) Middle Tennessee State
Entering Year 2 of the Derek Mason Era, the Blue Raiders should be an improved team from last season. Nicholas Vattiato comes back as one of the better quarterbacks in CUSA, but how much improvement do we see from a defense that allowed over 34 points per game last season?
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 130
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT Kennesaw State, Missouri State, Jacksonville State, FIU, Sam Houston, AT New Mexico State
- Record Prediction: 3-9
- Best Case Scenario: 7-5
- Worst Case Scenario: 1-11
9) Missouri State
This program is capable of surprising some people in its first year at the FBS thanks to key pieces like Jacob Clark. To do that, a defense that struggled to stop teams at times at the FCS Level last year must get better.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 128
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT Mid Tenn State, AT New Mexico State, FIU, UTEP, AT Kennesaw State, Louisiana Tech
- Record Prediction: 3-9
- Best Case Scenario: 7-5
- Worst Case Scenario: 1-11
8) FIU
Willie Simmons becomes the new head coach of FIU after building winning programs at multiple places in the FCS Ranks. He’ll have essentially a clean slate to work with due to just three starters returning but one of the more exciting QBs in the CUSA in Keyone Jenkins.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 124
- Potential Toss-Up Games: FAU, Delaware, AT Missouri State, AT Mid Tenn State, Jacksonville State
- Record Prediction: 4-8
- Best Case Scenario: 7-5
- Worst Case Scenario: 2-10
7) UTEP
Scotty Walden’s squad in his second season with the program can surprise some people if Skyler Locklear can develop and the offensive line can successfully reload. They also should have the best receiving duo in CUSA with Kenny Odom and Kam Thomas both back with the team.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 120
- Potential Toss-Up Games: ULM, Louisiana Tech, AT Kennesaw State, Jacksonville State, AT Missouri State
- Record Prediction: 5-7
- Best Case Scenario: 7-5
- Worst Case Scenario: 2-10
6) Sam Houston
So literally the entire starting defense from last year is gone, BUT under new head coach Phil Longo the offense should be even better. Expect to see several shootouts this season from Sam Houston Games.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 116
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT New Mexico State, Jacksonville State, Delaware, AT Mid Tenn State
- Record Prediction: 6-6
- Best Case Scenario: 6-6
- Worst Case Scenario: 2-10
5) Delaware
With Studs like Jo’Nathan Silver, KT Seay, Dillon Trainer, and Gavin Moul leading a relatively experienced team, Ryan Carty’s squad appears well equipped for its transition up to the FBS Level.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 112
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT FIU, Louisiana Tech, AT Sam Houston
- Record Prediction: 4-8
- Best Case Scenario: 6-6
- Worst Case Scenario: 3-9
4) Jacksonville State
With a brand new head coach in Charles Kelly and just 6 returning starters from last year, this team is going to look completely different from last season. While Gavin Wimsatt transfers in from Kentucky to potentially be the starting QB, they’ll need a significant number of new faces to contribute right away in order to achieve bowl eligibility.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 111
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT Sam Houston, AT Mid Tenn State, AT UTEP, AT FIU
- Record Prediction: 4-8
- Best Case Scenario: 7-5
- Worst Case Scenario: 3-9
3) Louisiana Tech
Sonny Crumbie needs to start showing results in a pivotal year for Louisiana Tech Football. If Evan Bullock can continue to develop and the defense also continues to show signs of improvement, this can be a Darkhorse team to win the CUSA.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 106
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT UTEP, Western Kentucky, AT Delaware, AT Missouri State
- Record Prediction: 7-5
- Best Case Scenario: 9-3
- Worst Case Scenario: 5-7
2) Western Kentucky
Bringing in both Rick Bowie and Mavrick McIvor from the FCS Ranks should Western Kentucky one of the toughest G5 Offenses to stop.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 89
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT Louisiana Tech
- Record Prediction: 10-2
- Best Case Scenario: 10-2
- Worst Case Scenario: 9-3
1) Liberty
There’s no denying it… this team fell short of expectations last year. But even with the roster turnover that took place this offseason, I think Jamey Chadwell can lead this team back to the top of CUSA once again.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 67
- Potential Toss-Up Games: James Madison
- Record Prediction: 12-0
- Best Case Scenario: 12-0
- Worst Case Scenario: 11-1
