Conference USA sent the Liberty Flames to the New Year’s Six last season, and that same program could well be in contention for a College Football Playoff berth in the new format this fall. The Conference USA season predictions showcase that Jamey Chadwell’s team is the one to beat once more, but what do they say about the rest of the teams in the expanded conference?
Conference USA Season Predictions for 2024
It’s never too early to preview the season ahead, and FanDuel has posted the current odds for projected regular-season wins from each CUSA team. One team stands clearly above the rest, but there are several Conference USA teams with the potential to outplay their win totals in the 2024 college football campaign.
Conference USA Season Predictions – Regular-Season Win Totals
- Liberty: 10.5 wins
- Jacksonville State: 7.5 wins
- Western Kentucky: 7.5 wins
- FIU: 4.5 wins
- Louisiana Tech: 4.5 wins
- Middle Tennessee: 4.5 wins
- New Mexico State: 4.5 wins
- Sam Houston: 4.5 wins
- UTEP: 4.5 wins
- Kennesaw State: 2.5 wins
Liberty waltzed undefeated through the regular season and landed the CUSA title at the first time of asking. While repeating as champions is a realistic goal, the Appalachian State Mountaineers loom as a potential blot on the schedule. The return of star quarterback Kaidon Salter after a transfer portal dalliance should make the program one of the highest-scoring offenses in the nation this fall — and the CUSA frontrunner.
From the top of the conference to the bottom, the Kennesaw State Owls enter FBS life this fall, and the Conference USA season predictions showcase the difficulty of making the leap from the FCS. They’re among two programs that showcased that the transition can contain extreme highs and lows. UT-Martin, UTEP, and Sam Houston will be circled as “must-win” games.
The New Mexico State Aggies joined Liberty in the Conference USA title game last fall, but their success last year may prove difficult to replicate. Jerry Kill worked wonders with the program, winning more games in two seasons than the Aggies had in the previous five campaigns combined. The head coach and star QB Diego Pavia are both gone, with likely disastrous consequences.
The Aggies have the same win totals in the Conference USA season predictions as five other programs, demonstrating the level of competition we can expect to see this fall. The pressure is on Sonny Cumbie at Louisiana Tech while Middle Tennessee enters a new era under Derek Mason following the departure of long-time leader Rick Stockstill after a disappointing campaign.
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Of those six teams, Sam Houston could be the intriguing one to watch this season. The Bearkats went 0-8 to open their inaugural FBS campaign but won three of their final four to carry some momentum into 2024. A fully healthy Zach Hrbacek should give them a more potent offense, as should the addition of former Central Michigan quarterback Jase Bauer from the transfer portal.
With low expectations for New Mexico State, Jacksonville State and Western Kentucky should battle to take on Liberty in the CUSA title game. Former Texas State QB TJ Finley could be the next Hilltopper to put up eye-popping numbers with the program if he wins the starting job, and multiple high-profile departures could hinder the Gamecocks’ run to a title game spot.
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