Liberty flamed the Conference USA in 2023, going undefeated and taking home the conference title. Unfortunately for the other nine teams, including newcomer Kennesaw State, the Flames are the favorites to run the table again.
But are there any programs that could play spoiler on the 2024 Conference USA Power Rankings?
2024 Conference USA Power Rankings
10) Kennesaw State Owls
The Owls join the CUSA as one of the weakest schools in the nation. Last season, they went 3-6, with all three of their wins coming against Division II programs. That’s not the whole story, as head coach Brian Bohannon guided his squad to four FCS playoff berths from 2017-2021.
Kennesaw State’s future is bright, particularly in EA Sports College Football 25’s dynasty mode. Still, with question marks at QB and the offensive line, its inaugural season in the FBS won’t be the most welcoming.
9) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Following two straight 3-9 campaigns to begin his tenure, Sonny Cumbie’s seat is heating up. And if the 2024 Conference USA Rankings are anything to go by, this season could be his last. Only six starters return, and much of the team’s projection rests on the shoulders of QB Jack Turner.
If he takes a step forward in his development, the Bulldogs could rattle off enough wins to keep Cumbie in town. If he doesn’t, the program will have a “now hiring” sign outside Joe Aillet Stadium.
8) Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
For the first time since 2006, Middle Tennessee will have a new head coach at the helm, as Derek Mason succeeds Rick Stockstill.
The last time we saw Mason as a leading man, Vanderbilt went 0-8 (he posted zero winning seasons across seven years). And the last time we saw him at all, he coached the 2022 Oklahoma State defense that allowed 440 yards per game, one of the worst marks in the nation.
In short, I’m not sure Mason was the correct hire, but he’ll have a chance to prove me wrong. The offense returns some intriguing skill-position talents and will be led by QB Nicholas Vattiato once again. The offensive line will have four new starters, which isn’t ideal, and the defensive first team only has two familiar names from last season.
With Ole Miss, Western Kentucky, Duke, Memphis, Liberty, and Jacksonville State on the schedule, don’t expect much from Mason’s inaugural campaign.
7) Sam Houston Bearkats
Sam Houston had a rude awakening in the FBS last season, going 3-9. But a closer look shows reason for optimism. The Bearkats ended the year strong, winning three of their final four games. Additionally, they dropped six games by 10 points or less, including a five-point defeat to 2023 CUSA champ Liberty and an overtime loss to Jacksonville State.
The defense should remain strong, even after coordinator Joe Morris left. HC K.C. Keeler hired former Abieline Christian DC Skyler Cassity to run the unit after he helped his former program hold 14 of its 19 FCS opponents under their season scoring averages from 2022-2023. The offense just needs to score more than their 20 points per game from last season (second lowest in the CUSA)
6) UTEP Miners
UTEP went 38-85 under the previous two coaches, but that’s going to change with Scott Walden now at the helm. He began his head coaching career at 26 with Division III East Texas Baptist, becoming the youngest NCAA coach to hold the title in 2016.
Walden’s program went 7-3, and he left the following year to coach DI as an assistant at Southern Miss. Then, in 2020, he got his next HC shot at FCS Austin Peay, leading the Governors to a 26-14 record, two conference titles, and a playoff bid across four years.
He brought many of his players with him to UTEP, so there’s reason to believe in an improvement from the Miners’ 3-9 performance last year. However, traveling to Nebraska, Liberty, and Colorado State to start the year won’t boost morale, and neither will a bout with Tennessee toward the end of the season.
5) New Mexico State Aggies
New Mexico State just had its best two-year stretch (17 wins) in six decades, but with its head coach and quarterback off to Vanderbilt, the program will likely return to Earth in 2024.
New HC Tony Sanchez has been with the school as a WRs coach since 2022, so there’s at least some continuity. However, his head coaching track record isn’t all that exciting, as UNLV posted a 20-40 record during his time leading the Rebels (2015-2019).
How the Aggies perform against Liberty (Week 2) and Fresno State (Week 3) early in the season will dictate how much confidence fans should have in Year 1 of the Sanchez era.
4) FIU Panthers
If you couldn’t tell already, the CUSA is one of the weakest conferences in the country, but this is where the fun begins. Did FIU go 4-8 last year? Yes. Does HC Mike MacIntyre return 11 starters, including rising true sophomore Keyone Jenkins? Also yes.
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Lexington Joseph, who put up 536 yards and five TDs in 2022, returns from injury, bolstering a backfield that already has Shomari Lawrence and Kejon Owens.
Losing star WR Kris Mitchell to Notre Dame will sting, and the offensive line must improve after allowing 46 sacks last fall, but there is enough talent on both sides of the ball to make a bowl game for the first time since 2019.
3) Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Rich Rodriguez’s Gamecocks wasted no time introducing themselves to the FBS, going 9-4 with a bowl victory. The element of surprise is gone, but Jacksonville State has the talent to repeat its success in 2024.
One of Zion Turner, Logan Smothers, and Tyler Huff (or a combination) will take over for Zion Webb under center, and RBs Anwar Lewis and Ron Wiggins return after rushing for 920 yards and nine TDs last year. All-American guard Clay Webb will help pave the way.
Although the defense has some turnover to navigate, EDGE J-Rock Swain, CB Derek Carter, and safety Fred Perry are back to ease the transition from DC Zac Alley (now at Oklahoma) to Luke Olson.
2) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Tyson Helton has led the Hilltoppers to eight or more wins in four out of the last five seasons, and they’re the biggest threat to Liberty on the 2024 Conference USA Power Rankings. Texas State’s T.J. Finley transfers in to man the offense and has the arm talent to mitigate any drop-off from Austin Reed.
Malachi Corley’s departure to the NFL hurts the WR corps, but there are several standout options still available, including Dalvin Smith, Kisean Johnson, and Michael Mathison. While starting the year against Alabama certainly won’t help build confidence, WKU doesn’t have many tough matchups before squaring up against Liberty and Jacksonville State to end the season.
1) Liberty Flames
Liberty stormed to an undefeated regular season and the C-USA title in its conference debut. With QB Kaidon Salter and RB Quinton Cooley returning and a soft schedule on deck, the Flames are primed for a repeat performance in 2024.
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The bulk of the team’s starters are back, although there’s some turnover on defense, specifically in the secondary. Nevertheless, a Sept. 28 date at Appalachian State is the Flames’ toughest on-paper matchup — a place in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff is well within reach.
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