It comes as no surprise, but it is now official – Liberty is the preseason favorite to repeat as Conference USA champions in 2024, the league announced Friday.
Let’s look at the full results:
CUSA PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Liberty (18)
2. Western Kentucky (2)
3. Jacksonville State
4. Middle Tennessee
t5. New Mexico State, Sam Houston
7. Louisiana Tech
8. FIU
9. UTEP
10. Kennesaw State
The panel of media members forecast a championship game matchup of WKU and Liberty for a second straight year, as these were the top two picks in the preseason poll a year ago. The 2024 format, similar to that of 2023, is without divisions and will pit the top two teams in conference play against one another in the 2024 Conference USA Championship Game, which will be hosted by the team with the best league winning percentage.
Liberty earned 18 of the 20 first place votes as the Flames seek their second consecutive conference crown under second year head coach Jamey Chadwell. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers picked up the remaining two first place votes.
Jacksonville State, the surprise team in CUSA in 2023, is picked to finish third in the league this season, followed by Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, Louisiana Tech, FIU, UTEP, and conference (and FBS) newcomer Kennesaw State.
This year’s CUSA slate opens on Thursday, Aug. 29 with Jacksonville State hosting Coastal Carolina on CBS Sports Network. The remaining nine schools, including Liberty, begin their campaign on Saturday, Aug. 31. The 2024 CUSA Football Championship Game is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 6. The league’s annual media day is on Tuesday, July 23.
