The 2023 football season is set to begin in just over two weeks. It will be Liberty’s first year competing in Conference USA. The nine-team league will feature a full round robin schedule this year with the top two teams at the end of the regular season meeting for the league’s championship.
As we prepare for the beginning of the season, here are our preseason power rankings for CUSA, and we will be updating these weekly during the season.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of ESPN FPI. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Western Kentucky #88
The Hilltoppers have won 9 games in three of four years under head coach Tyson Helton. Now, with Austin Reed returning from a season where he threw for over 400 yards in four games and 4,744 yards on the season, WKU has their eyes set on the conference title.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 2 vs South Florida, 3:30 p.m., CBSSN
2. Liberty #97
The Flames enter CUSA with high expectations despite a lot of turnover since the 2022 season. Head coach Jamey Chadwell has been a winner everywhere he’s been, and now he’s hoping to bring that success over to Liberty and CUSA.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 2 vs Bowling Green, 12:00 p.m., CBSSN
3. UTEP #124
The Miners have 15 returning starters and have a favorable schedule this year. They are a sleeper candidate to make a run at the conference championship this year. UTEP gets to play both Liberty and WKU on their home field.
Next up: Saturday, Aug. 26 @ Jacksonville State, 5:30 p.m., CBSSN
4. Middle Tennessee #112
The Blue Raiders are a model of stability in the CUSA. They do have to play both WKU and Liberty on the road, so the conference slate is challenging.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 2 @ Alabama, 7:30 p.m., SECN
5. FIU #129
The Panthers should be able to improve this year under second year head coach Mike MacIntyre. He has been able to turn poor teams around at his previous stops and FIU is next up on his list. They should be able to flirt with getting to a bowl game this year.
Next up: Saturday, Aug. 26 @ Louisiana Tech, 9:00 p.m., CBSSN
6. Louisiana Tech #101
Sonny Cumbie is in his second season at Louisiana Tech and some improvement should be expected. The Bulldogs should be improved on offense and can only get better on defense. They have won only three games in each of the past two seasons but should be able to improve on that mark this year.
Next up: Saturday, Aug. 26 vs FIU, 9:00 p.m., CBSSN
7. New Mexico State #130
After starting 0-4 last season, the Aggies won 7 out of 9 games to finish the season with a winning record after winning the 2022 Quick Lane Bowl over Bowling Green. QB Diego Pavia is back to help prove that was not a fluke.
Next up: Saturday, Aug. 26 vs UMass, 7:00 p.m., ESPN
8. Sam Houston #132
The Bearkats went 21-1 in two seasons in the FCS prior to last year’s 5-4 mark. Though in 2022, Sam Houston did elect to redshirt several key pieces to prepare for their FBS slate. It is likely they won’t finish at the bottom of the standings and will be a tough out in conference play.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 2 @ BYU, 10:15 p.m., FS1
9. Jacksonville State #131
Like Sam Houston, Jacksonville State has been one of the better FCS programs in recent years. With head coach Rich Rodriguez in tow, the Gamecocks will look to have some immediate success at the FBS level.
Next up: Saturday, Aug. 26 vs UTEP, 5:30 p.m., CBSSN
