2026 Conference USA Football Season Preview

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No conference has turned over more than Conference USA. Fourteen years ago, the league featured the likes of Houston, Memphis, SMU, Tulane, and UCF. Now, the conference’s longest tenured members are FIU and Middle Tennessee, which joined in 2013.

Exactly half of the 10 members were added from the FCS since 2022, but those additions have paid early dividends. In three seasons as an FBS member, Jacksonville State has already hosted two conference championships and won one. In two seasons, Kennesaw State has already produced a 10-win campaign complete with a CUSA title. Sam Houston has recorded a 10-win season during its three years of membership, while 2025 newcomers Delaware and Missouri State both posted 7-6 records in their transition seasons.

There are no new additions this year — only subtractions — as the CUSA loses Louisiana Tech to the Sun Belt and UTEP to the Mountain West this year. Still, the 10-member league enters 2026 with established stars such as Nick Minicucci, Caden Creel, and Baron Hopson, who will revel in the national spotlight during weeknight games in October.

With the season almost underway, here’s a team-by-team look at the 2026 CUSA:

Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens

2025 record: 7-6 overall, 4-4 CUSA

2025 postseason: defeated Louisiana in 68 Ventures Bowl, 20-13

Delaware handled its transition from the FCS to FBS with poise. In a 7-6 season, the Fightin’ Blue Hens took down three teams with winning records — UConn, FIU, and Louisiana Tech — and capped the year with a 68 Ventures Bowl victory over Louisiana.

Now that the Fightin’ Blue Hens have gotten their feet wet, they’re ready to fully immerse themselves as a winning CUSA program. Head coach Ryan Carty remains on campus, and Delaware retains a CUSA-high 12 starters, including three all-conference selections and two honorable mentions. The headliner is quarterback Nick Minicucci, who finished sixth in the FBS in passing yards (3,683) with 23 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns. Minicucci wasn’t even the original starter but was thrust into the role due to Zach Marker’s Week 1 injury, and he never looked back. Now he has a full season of experience and offseason as QB1 under his belt, which could further unlock his game.

Delaware also returns its top two running backs Jo Silver, who won 68 Ventures Bowl MVP, and Viron Ellison Jr. The run game, however, could vastly improve after ranking 102nd nationally in rushing average at 3.79 yards per carry. Minicucci’s top target Sean Brown (68 receptions, 877 yards, 3 TD) also remains in Newark, and he’ll be joined by wide receiver Bryson Graves, who posted 330 yards at Coastal Carolina last year. Three starters return to the offensive line, highlighted by All-CUSA center Steven Demboski, who earned the conference’s lone Outland Trophy watchlist nod.

The Fightin’ Blue Hens were more renowned for their offense than defense in 2025 after finishing 116th in scoring defense and 103rd in total defense. However, free safety KT Seay (91 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions) returns for his senior season as one of two First Team All-CUSA defenders still with their 2025 team. Middle linebacker Gavin Moul, who led the unit with 111 tackles, is another key cog returning to a defense that bring backs five starters.

Delaware finished 5-1 at home and 4-2 in one-score games last season. The Fightin’ Blue Hens now look to leverage that success into CUSA title contention. The last two conference champions — 2024 Jacksonville State and 2025 Kennesaw State — were both second-year FBS programs, a description that fits Delaware in 2026.

FIU Panthers

2025 record: 7-6 overall, 5-3 CUSA

2025 postseason: lost to UTSA in First Responder Bowl, 57-20

Willie Simmons wasted no time in righting the ship at FIU. In year one at the helm, the former Clemson quarterback guided the Panthers to their first winning season since 2018. He delivered several signature wins, defeating Florida Atlantic for the first time in nine years, while taking down Delaware, Liberty, and Jacksonville State in conference play. But when FIU lost, it tended to lose badly — five of the six defeats came by at least 19 points.

The Panthers now must rebuild without several of their top pieces from an effective offense. Starting quarterback Keyone Jenkins and leading receiver Alex Perry transferred, while 1,300-yard rusher Kejon Owens left for the NFL. Simmons brought in the 6’7”, 250 pound JJ Kohl to take the reins at quarterback. Kohl started six contests for Appalachian State in 2025, producing 1,465 passing yards and 12 touchdowns to two interceptions.

FIU has churned out plenty of talented running backs and receivers lately, and the program will largely rely on internal development to produce its 2026 stars. Anthony Carrie and Devonte Lyons should take over at running back after ranking second and third in rushing. Meanwhile, Kyle McNeal, Maguire Anderson, and JoJo Stone (second, third, and fourth in receiving yards) could form a new corps, along with 1,000-yard FCS transfer Greg Gaines III from Rhode Island.

The defense was inconsistent last year. It ranged from holding the CUSA’s top scoring offense WKU to six points on the road to allowing more than 50 in blowout losses to UConn and UTSA. When FIU held its opponent below 31 points, it went 7-1. Otherwise, it was 0-6. Two starters are back, headlined by All-CUSA strong safety Shamir Sterlin. Sterlin thrived as a redshirt freshman with 65 tackles and two interceptions, and he’ll be the leader of a secondary that loses CUSA pass breakups leader Mister Clark.

Another standout to watch is defensive end Kenton Simmons, who remains in the 305 after registering team-highs in sacks (6.0) and tackles for loss (8.0). FIU ranked atop the CUSA in sacks per game (2.39) a year ago, and the Panthers add South Alabama transfer defensive tackle RJ Moss Jr. to keep the disruption alive on the interior.

Jacksonville State Gamecocks

2025 record: 9-5 overall, 7-1 CUSA

2025 postseason: lost to Kennesaw State in CUSA Championship, 19-15; defeated Troy in Salute to Veterans Bowl, 17-13

Jacksonville State has been the model of consistency in its three years holding FBS membership. All three seasons featured exactly nine wins. In both seasons the Gamecocks were eligible for the CUSA Championship, they finished 7-1 in conference play and hosted the title game. Additionally, they’ve ranked top-five in the FBS in rushing offense in three-straight years, despite three different starting quarterbacks and three different starting running backs.

This fall, Jax State won’t have to worry about changing coaches or quarterbacks. Charles Kelly returns for his second season after keeping the winning tradition alive in 2025. Caden Creel also retains his quarterback duties after ranking third among FBS quarterbacks with 1,075 rushing yards — and he only started nine games. Creel should be highly-effective in his second season operating this zone read-based offense, but he needs his running mate.

Last year, Cam Cook shared the backfield with Creel and ranked first in the entire FBS with 1,659 rushing yards. Cook transferred to West Virginia, making Khristian Lando, Andrew Paul, and Justus Savage the candidates to take over as the new RB1 in Jacksonville. The Gamecocks could also opt for a committee approach. But it’s important to spend less time experimenting this season. Jax State started 2-3 in 2025 before finishing 7-2, and 0-3 in 2024 before finishing 9-2, requiring an acclimation period to sort out its depth chart in each of the past two seasons.

The Gamecocks aren’t renowned for passing. They ranked 125th in attempts per game in 2025), but they feature one of the conference’s top draft prospects at wide receiver. Opponents often stack the box against this ground attack, and the 6’8”, 215 pound Deondre Johnson made them pay with 24.1 yards per reception during a 724-yard season alst fall.

Defensively, Jax State continues to excel in the turnover battle. The Gamecocks have produced at least 24 turnovers in all three seasons since making the FBS jump, ranking top 20 nationally each time. This year’s takeaway effort will be spearheaded by a star-studded secondary. Free safety Caleb Nix picked off four passes for a CUSA-best 191 yards in 2025, while cornerback Tre’Quon Fegans deflected a team-best nine passes as a Jim Thorpe Award watchlist nominee.

Kennesaw State Owls

2025 record: 10-4 overall, 7-1 CUSA

2025 postseason: defeated Jacksonville State in CUSA Championship, 19-15; defeated Louisiana in 68 Ventures Bowl, 20-13

Kennesaw State was a champion not many people saw coming in 2025. One year prior, the Owls struggled with their transition to the FBS, finishing 2-10 and parting ways with Brian Bohanon — the program’s first and only head coach at the time of the decision. Jerry Mack took over and rattled off 10 wins. None were more memorable than the CUSA Championship at Jacksonville State, where the Owls converted a 4th and 14 in the final minute before scoring the winning touchdown one play later.

Amari Odom, the author of those two signature plays, departed for Syracuse this offseason. While trades aren’t official in college football — at least not as of 2026 — the Orange offered their quarterback Rickie Collins in return. Collins started five games for Syracuse in 2025, and he’ll compete for the job with JUCO standout Landon Varnes, who led the NJCAA in passing yards per game and touchdowns in 2025.

Offensive tackles JaDarious Lee and Nikola Milovac are the offense’s only returning starters, and the unit will be heavily transfer-led this fall. Kennesaw State could see three transfers stepping in on the line, as well as newcomers starting at running back and wide receiver. The Owls targeted small-school transfers such as running back Latrelle Murrell (West Georgia) and wide receiver Brayden Munroe (Northern Colorado) to fill their numerous vacancies in an effort to build another championship-caliber squad.

If Kennesaw State showed fight on defense, it was nearly unbeatable last, finishing 9-1 when holding opponents below 35 points. The unit was led by CUSA Co-Defensive Player of the Year Baron Hopson, who returns to defend his individual title and the team’s championship in 2026. Hopson ranked fifth nationally with 138 tackles, adding 9.0 tackles for loss and an interception in his first season as an Owl.

Not only is Hopson back, but the Owls keep their second and third leading tacklers. Outside linebacker Tywon Christopher and free safety Isaac Paul played significant roles in Kennesaw State’s greatest season in history. There are improvements to be made, especially fixing the 115th-ranked run defense, but Mack enters his second year at Kennesaw State with a firm foundation on defense.

Liberty Flames

2025 record: 4-8 overall, 3-5 CUSA

2025 postseason: did not qualify

Liberty joined the FBS in 2018 and made the transition look seamless. The Flames never endured a losing record in their first seven years — producing an undefeated regular season, conference championship, and Fiesta Bowl appearance all prior to their first sub-.500 finish.

The streak ended last fall in stunning 4-8 fashion. However, Liberty wasn’t that far off from seven or eight wins. The Flames dropped four-straight one-score heartbreakers to conclude the year — including three-straight in overtime fashion — consistently struggling to deliver in crunch time. They never lost by more than 18 points, and that lone defeat of more than two scores came to College Football Playoff participant James Madison.

That being said, Liberty may not be far off from returning to contention. Although the Flames have an incumbent starting quarterback in Ethan Vasko, they will test him against two transfers before determining a starter. Jaylen Henderson arrives after stops at Texas A&M and West Virginia, while Deshawn Purdie brings experience from Charlotte and Wake Forest. Both transfers showcase decent mobility, which is a necessity in Jamey Chadwell’s spread option scheme.

The biggest difference between previous Chadwell teams and 2025 Liberty was the ability to run the football. Liberty ranked first in the FBS in rushing in 2023 (293 yards per game on 6.1 average) and fourth in 2024 (251 yards per game on 5.5 average), yet plummeted to 26th (194 yards per game on 4.6 average) in 2025. Evan Dickens was sharp as RB1, but the lack of quarterback mobility prevented the offense from reaching its true potential. Just like at quarterback, Liberty brought in a horde of transfer running backs to replace Dickens after his transfer to Boston College. Kanye Udoh (Arizona State), Kam Davis (Florida State), and Terron Kellman (Wyoming) all bring valuable experience to an offense that has averaged more than 42 rushing attempts per game in each of Chadwell’s three seasons.

Another factor that held Liberty back was the lack of a pass rush, as the Flames ranked last in the CUSA with 1.33 sacks per game. The defensive front doesn’t consist of too many transfers, so it will be up to an incumbent cast of characters to generate more backfield pressure in 2026. Defensive tackle Mike Jarvis (25 tackles, 3.0 TFL) and ‘joker’ Brenton Williams (27 tackles, 3.0 sacks) are among those ready to make a difference.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

2025 record: 3-9 overall, 2-6 CUSA

2025 postseason: did not qualify

In the 11-year span from 2012-22, Middle Tennessee finished .500 or better nine times. The Blue Raiders were consistent under longtime head coach Rick Stockstill, but after a 4-8 record in 2023, the program opted to go in a different direction. So far, that direction hasn’t been positive, as Middle Tennessee is fresh off back-to-back 3-9 finishes — its worst two seasons since 2011.

This is a make-or-break year for Derek Mason, whose Blue Raiders captured momentum late in 2025 by winning their final two contests after a 1-9 start. But the 1-9 start can’t be overlooked. Middle Tennessee was the only FBS program last season to lose to FCS competition by multiple scores, falling 34-14 to Austin Peay in the opener. There was steady improvement throughout the year, and the Blue Raiders had competitive, one-possession defeats to bowl teams Kennesaw State, Missouri State, Delaware, and Jacksonville State.

The No. 1 reason for optimism in 2026 is quarterback Roman Gagliano. Gagliano started the final three games of the season and posted a 2-1 record. He averaged 304 passing yards per start and delivered seven touchdowns to zero interceptions. The now-redshirt sophomore showcased his mobility as well, averaging 61 rushing yards per game as a starter. Middle Tennessee’s offense averaged 19.7 points per game before Gagliano entered the lineup and 29.3 points per game during the quarterback’s prosperous three-game reign.

There’s more to the offense than just a rising quarterback. Leading wide receiver Cam’ron Lacy is back and provides a sure set of hands after a 549-yard season. His receiving counterpart AJ Jones also returns to campus after scoring a team-high five touchdowns. Antonio Martin was a promising backup running back at Kansas State, averaging 6.8 yards per carry, and he could be RB1 in Murfreesboro. But there are areas to improve. The offensive line surrendered 2.5 sacks per game, and the offense converted just 8-of-27 fourth down attempts — third-worst in the FBS.

Middle Tennessee has a long way to go defensively. The Blue Raiders were 115th in scoring defense and allowed 256 passing yards per game, which was the 13th-highest mark in the country. The pass rush wasn’t bad, and Middle Tennessee can build around edge rusher Reggie Johnson, who posted 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2025 (second on the team in both categories).

Missouri State Bears

2025 record: 7-6 overall, 5-3 CUSA

2025 postseason: lost to Arkansas State in Xbox Bowl, 34-28

Missouri State is the only CUSA program that underwent a head coaching change in the offseason. The Bears were victims of their own success, as Ryan Beard departed for Coastal Carolina after Missouri State to seven wins in its inaugural FBS season. Missouri State went 5-3 in conference play, and two of its three CUSA losses were by one score, proving the program — albeit ineligible for a championship last season — wasn’t far from the top.

However, Beard’s departure forces a major reset, and former SMU offensive coordinator Casey Woods takes over for his first collegiate head coaching gig. Woods oversaw three top-12 scoring offenses in four seasons at SMU, guiding the Mustangs to an American Conference title in 2023 and ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff appearances in 2024.

Woods navigated a quarterback battle between Kevin Jennings and Preston Stone at SMU, and he’ll oversee another two-man competition as he debuts at Missouri State. The candidates are UTEP transfer Skyler Locklear and Duke transfer Henry Belin IV, who both arrive with substantial experience. Locklear started 16 games with the Miners, firing for 3,001 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions, and he’s the favorite for the job. Meanwhile, Belin started two games for the Blue Devils, including a 2023 victory over NC State.

The quarterbacks will have established targets to work with. Missouri State returns three offensive starters, including a capable wide receiver and tight end. Jmariyae Robinson is a prime candidate for an All-CUSA season after tallying 632 receiving yards and seven touchdowns a year ago. Tight end Jeron Askren is a Mackey Award watchlist candidate after securing five touchdowns on 224 receiving yards. Nine Bears corralled at least 19 receptions last season, and four are back: Robinson, Askren, wide receiver Makai Cope, and running back Ramone Green Jr. It’s a new coaching staff, but Woods has the tools to sustain a stellar passing offense that ranked 16th nationally in yards per game last fall.

Middle linebacker Jared Lloyd is the face of the defense, fresh off a season in which he generated a team-high 77 tackles. With Lloyd leading the way, this unit was the primary determinant in Missouri State’s success last year. When the Bears allowed fewer than 25 points, they were 7-0. Otherwise, they were 0-6.

New Mexico State Aggies

2025 record: 4-8 overall, 2-6 CUSA

2025 postseason: did not qualify

New Mexico State is still recovering from a storybook 2023 campaign that featured 10 wins, a CUSA Championship appearance, and a 21-point thrashing of Auburn under the Jerry Kill and Diego Pavia combination. Tony Sanchez now enters year three at the helm after finishing 7-17 in his first two seasons.

Sanchez enjoys greater roster retention in 2026 than he did in his previous two years. The Aggies retained three offensive and six defensive starters, and they’ll field one of the conference’s most experienced teams as a result. The key offensive starter back is wide receiver TK King. King missed the first month of 2025, but the electrifying 5’9”, 180 pound senior returned and posted 132 yards in his Aggie debut against Sam Houston before capping the year with 178 yards against Middle Tennessee. He’s also a former First Team All-Mountain West kick returner with the ability to ignite explosives on special teams.

Other returning starters include three linebackers — middle linebacker Sone Aupiu, will linebacker Tory Gethers, and edge rusher Gabe Peterson. Gethers and Aupiu ranked second and third on the unit in tackles, and the duo combined for 157 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles. The secondary also retains three starters in cornerback Josiah Charles and safeties Bernock Iya and Nick Session. Iya, a fifth-year senior, enjoyed a breakout 2025 with 53 tackles and four interceptions, while Session added 62 tackles and three pass breakups.

With all the returning talent, what’s new in Las Cruces? Trey Hedden arrives from FCS Furman as the projected starting quarterback. Hedden amassed 2,967 passing yards last year, delivering 17 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.

But New Mexico State’s primary offensive goal is elevating the floor of the run game. The Aggies were dead last in the FBS in rushing yards per game (77.3) and second-to-last in rushing average (2.60). Sacks are factored into those numbers, and they allowed an alarming 2.83 per game. In additio to solving offensive line woes, they need to unearth a semblance of a run game, and Iowa transfer TJ Washington Jr. and Delaware State transfer James Jones aim to be part of the solution.

Sam Houston Bearkats

2025 record: 2-10 overall, 1-7 CUSA

2025 postseason: did not qualify

Sam Houston’s 2025 campaign almost seemed destined to fail before it started. The Bearkats lost head coach K.C. Keeler to Temple, nearly every starter from a successful 2024 team, and their home stadium. While Bowers Stadium underwent renovations, Sam Houston traveled 70 miles south to downtown Houston for their “home” games. It was a lot of chaos for first-year head coach Phil Longo to endure, and the end result was 2-10.

Sam Houston eyes brighter days in 2026. Bowers Stadium will open its doors to fans again, and Longo has established chemistry with a staff that remains almost fully intact. There is no ongoing quarterback battle either. Landyn Locke is the clear QB1 after starting the Bearkats’ final three contests in 2025, including an upset victory over Delaware. A more experienced Locke aims to improve his efficiency after finishing 71-of-141, and he should gain extra comfort in the offense surrounded by returning starting receivers Chris Reed and Tim Burns Jr.

Sam Houston’s offense never scored more than 27 last season. The Bearkats ranked 121st in yards per game and were particularly plagued by a shaky red zone offense that scored touchdowns on 13-of-32 attempts — the third-worst showing in the FBS. Also, at 22.5 percent, they fielded the worst third-down offense in the country.

The most intriguing part of Sam Houston’s offense during this rebuild is the line. The Bearkats lost all five starters but impressively reloaded through the portal, bringing in a slew of FBS additions headlined by center Josiah Chenault. Chenault was a First Team All-CUSA selection for the reigning conference champion Kennesaw State. He’ll learn to gel with Denell Nix Jr. (Appalachian State), Brock Stukes (NC State), Elijah Collins (Western Carolina), and Carter Kadow (Rutgers) in a melting pot of a unit with serious potential.

The Bearkats tied for the third-worst scoring defense after surrendering 37.8 points per game. Approximately half the defensive starting spots could be occupied by transfers, but there are returning pieces to build around. One is 6’5”, 280 pound defensive tackle Dylan Frazier, who recorded 41 stops and 4.0 tackles for loss. Another is Dean Ford, whose 35 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss are the most among returning linebackers.

WKU Hilltoppers

2025 record: 9-4 overall, 6-2 CUSA

2025 postseason: defeated Southern Miss in New Orleans Bowl, 27-16

Tyson Helton has coached Western Kentucky longer than seven of the 10 teams have been in the CUSA. And aside from the pandemic-stricken 2020 campaign, the head coach has produced eight or nine wins in every year since taking over in 2019. WKU is always in the CUSA title race, but shockingly, the Hilltoppers haven’t claimed a conference championship since 2016.

Helton’s consistency is especially impressive considering his lack of consistency at offensive coordinator. He will have a seventh different OC in a seven-year span, as Bodie Reeder arrives from Middle Tennessee to replace Rick Bowie, who departed for UTSA. Reeder will be tasked with maintaining the top scoring offense in the CUSA from a year ago, which averaged 29.5 points per game.

Rodney Tisdale Jr. split time at quarterback with Maverick McIvor in 2025, and only Tisdale returns for 2026. Tisdale displayed remarkable efficiency as a freshman with a 65.9 percent completion rate. He exceeded the 300-yard mark in two of his starts, which is typically the norm for WKU quarterbacks, considering the Hilltoppers have housed the nation’s leading passer four times since 2014.

With great passing offenses come great receivers. WKU also totes an impressive wide receiver lineage, and KD Hutchinson is next in line. Hutchinson produced a team-high 66 receptions in 2025, stacking up 618 yards and three touchdowns. He’ll be joined by incumbent receiver Cameron Flowers, Georgia Tech transfer Zion Johnson, and Sam Houston transfer Qua’Vez Humphreys in a revamped but very capable receiving corps.

While WKU is renowned for its offenses, the Hilltoppers were one of the CUSA’s better defenses during their 9-4 finish last year. They ranked second in the CUSA in scoring defense and produced the 10th-lowest opponent completion rate and fourth-lowest opponent fourth down conversion rate on a national level. Strong safety Jaylen Lewis is the top returning player from an effective secondary after managing 74 tackles, three interceptions, and five pass deflections in the prior year.

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