Conference USA enters 2026 with 10 teams following the departures of Louisiana Tech and UTEP. The league looks unusually balanced: Liberty owns the highest ceiling, Jacksonville State has been the most consistent winner, Kennesaw State is the defending champion, and both Western Kentucky and Delaware have championship-caliber quarterbacks. Conference USA confirmed the new 10-team alignment.
Sportsvival Conference USA Rankings
1. Liberty Flames
After a disappointing 4–8 season, Liberty is my rebound team and narrow favorite to win the conference. The Flames added enough talent to revitalize the offense, while Deuce Spurlock and Mike Jarvis give the defense two potential all-conference anchors.
2. Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Jacksonville State has won nine games and reached the conference championship in each of its last two seasons. The Gamecocks must replace several major offensive contributors, but their offensive line, deep defense and elite kicker make them the safest bet to return to Arlington.
3. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Rodney Tisdale Jr. supplied a major late-season spark as a freshman, throwing for 1,432 yards and nine touchdowns after taking over the offense. WKU’s brutal early schedule could distort its overall record, but the Hilltoppers should become increasingly dangerous as the season progresses.
4. Kennesaw State Owls
Jerry Mack authored one of the country’s best turnarounds, taking Kennesaw State from 2–10 to a 2025 conference championship. Quarterback is the primary question, but linebacker Baron Hopson and a veteran defensive core should keep the Owls in the title race.
5. Delaware Blue Hens
Nick Minicucci makes Delaware the league’s most dangerous passing team after producing 3,683 yards, 23 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing scores last season. The Blue Hens also host Liberty and Jacksonville State, giving this experienced second-year FBS program a legitimate path to the championship game.
6. FIU Panthers
Willie Simmons immediately produced FIU’s first bowl appearance since 2019, and the Panthers possess several of the conference’s best individual defenders. A difficult league schedule—with road games against Jacksonville State, Liberty, Kennesaw State and Delaware—keeps them outside my top five.
7. Missouri State Bears
Missouri State should be more comfortable in its second FBS season and has intriguing offensive pieces in tight end Jeron Askren and all-purpose threat Jmariyae Robinson. The Bears are capable of reaching bowl eligibility, but defensive consistency will determine whether they can climb higher.
8. New Mexico State Aggies
New Mexico State’s defensive front, led by Henry Davis and Gabe Peterson, could be one of the better units in Conference USA. The larger concern is whether the Aggies can create enough explosive offense to escape the bottom half of the standings.
9. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
The Blue Raiders have useful veterans in Cam’ron Lacy, Reese Tripp, Reggie Johnson and Jason Hardy. However, an offense that struggled to finish drives in 2025 still has substantial ground to make up against the conference contenders.
10. Sam Houston Bearkats
Sam Houston is undergoing another offensive reset, although quarterback Landyn Locke, running back Alton McCaskill and returner Tim Burns Jr. provide some upside. The Bearkats need dramatic improvement in the trenches before they can consistently win conference games.
Sportsvival Preseason First-Team All-Conference USA
Offense
QB: Nick Minicucci, Delaware
RB: Jo Silver, Delaware
RB: Anthony Carrie, FIU
WR: K.D. Hutchinson, Western Kentucky
WR: Deondre Johnson, Jacksonville State
WR: Jmariyae Robinson, Missouri State
TE: Jeron Askren, Missouri State
OL: Steven Demboski, Delaware
OL: Lucas Mrachkovskiy, Jacksonville State
OL: DJ Geth, Liberty
OL: Karsten Upchurch, Western Kentucky
OL: Nikola Milovac, Kennesaw State
Defense
DL: Kenton Simmons, FIU
DL: Mike Jarvis, Liberty
DL: Marcus Patterson, Kennesaw State
DL: Jawaun Campbell, Jacksonville State
LB: Baron Hopson, Kennesaw State
LB: Deuce Spurlock, Liberty
LB: Mac Sanders, Jacksonville State
LB: Gavin Moul, Delaware
DB: Tre’Quon Fegans, Jacksonville State
DB: Shamir Sterlin, FIU
DB: KT Seay, Delaware
DB: Jaylen Lewis, Western Kentucky
Special Teams
K: Garrison Rippa, Jacksonville State
P: Ashton Logan, Middle Tennessee
Returner: Tim Burns Jr., Sam Houston
The league’s official coaches’ watch list includes five players from every member, while Minicucci, Hopson and Rippa were selected as its preseason offensive, defensive and special-teams players of the year. CUSA preseason watch list, CUSA preseason awards.
Sportsvival Conference USA Predictions
Champion: Liberty
Runner-up: Jacksonville State
Offensive Player of the Year: Nick Minicucci, Delaware
Defensive Player of the Year: Baron Hopson, Kennesaw State
Special Teams Player of the Year: Garrison Rippa, Jacksonville State
Breakout Player: Rodney Tisdale Jr., Western Kentucky
Surprise Team: Delaware
Championship Game: Liberty over Jacksonville State
Final Thoughts
Conference USA lacks an overwhelming favorite, which should make it one of the country’s most competitive races. Liberty has the roster and resources to rebound, but Jacksonville State’s consistency, WKU’s quarterback upside, Kennesaw State’s championship defense and Delaware’s passing attack leave at least five legitimate title contenders.
My pick is Liberty over Jacksonville State, but Delaware is the team most capable of upsetting the expected order. If Minicucci approaches last season’s production and the Blue Hens protect their home field, they could reach the championship game in only their second FBS season.