Following the conclusion of week 3 of the 2023 football season, here are our updated power rankings for CUSA.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of ESPN FPI. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Liberty (3-0, 1-0) #72
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This week: W, 55-27 @ Buffalo
What a start for Liberty under first year head coach Jamey Chadwell. The Flames’ offense is explosive and will be tough for any team to slow down. Kaidon Salter finished the game at Buffalo with 5 passing touchdowns and another rushing.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 23 @ FIU, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+
2. Western Kentucky (2-1, 0-0) #91
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This week: L, 63-10 @ Ohio State
Not sure we can read too much into this score for WKU against Ohio State. Sure, it would have been a better showing for the league if they could have kept it closer, but that wasn’t meant to be. The Hilltoppers fell behind early and were unable to make things interesting throughout the contest. This week, a test at Troy, one of the top teams in the Sun Belt.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 23 @ Troy, 12:00 p.m., ESPNU
3. Middle Tennessee (1-2, 0-0) #101
no change
This week: W, 35-14 vs Murray State
Murray State stayed within two scores with a touchdown in the 2nd quarter and again in the 4th quarter, but it wasn’t enough to stay with the Blue Raiders. This was Middle Tennessee’s first game against a non-SEC team as they take on the FCS opponent. We might begin to learn just how good they are this week as they face a G5 team in Colorado State.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 23 vs Colorado State, 7:00 p.m., ESPN+
4. FIU (3-1, 0-1) #128
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This week: W, 24-17 @ UConn
Keyone Jenkins threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third to stake FIU to a 21-point halftime lead and the Panthers held off a late rally to post the win at UConn. The Huskies scored two second half touchdowns and were poised to tie the game in the final minute of regulation before being stopped on 4th down.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 23 vs Liberty, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+
5. Jacksonville State (2-1, 1-0) #99
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This week: Bye
The Gamecocks had a week off before hosting Eastern Michigan this weekend.
Next up: Saturday, Sept. 23 vs Eastern Michigan, 5:00 p.m., ESPN+
6. Sam Houston (0-2, 0-0) #119
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This week: Bye
The Bearkats had the week off before they play at Houston this coming Saturday.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 23 @ Houston, 7:00 p.m., ESPN+
7. New Mexico State (2-2, 0-1) #113
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This week: W, 27-17 @ New Mexico
Diego Pavia threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns and added another 96 yards on the ground to spark the Aggies to a win over rival New Mexico.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 23 @ Hawaii, 11:59 p.m.
8. Louisiana Tech (2-2, 1-0) #115
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This week: L, 40-37 vs North Texas
North Texas made a 31-yard field goal as time expired to lift North Texas over Louisiana Tech on Saturday night. The Bulldogs entered the fourth quarter down 30-14 but scored three touchdowns and a field goal to even the score at 37. Quite the challenge for LA Tech this week as they head on the road to face Nebraska.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 23 @ Nebraska, TBD
9. UTEP (1-3, 0-1) #124
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This week: L, 31-10 @ Arizona
UTEP’s offense was unable to do much of anything against Arizona and their defense broke down against Arizona’s offense in the second half. The Miners kept it close in the first half against a Power Five opponent for the second straight week, only to wear down again in the second half.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 23 vs UNLV, 9:00 p.m., ESPN+
