Conference USA Football 2026 Predictions

NCAAF College Football
June 3, 2026
College Football, Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens, FIU Panthers, Jacksonville State Gamecocks, Kennesaw State Owls, Liberty Flames, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, Missouri State Bears, New Mexico State Aggies, Sam Houston State Bearkats, Sports, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

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Change has been the only constant for Conference USA in recent years. That theme continued into the 2026 college football season, as Louisiana Tech departed for the Sun Belt, and UTEP left for the Mountain West, dropping CUSA to 10 members. While the membership is changing again, what’s not expected to be any different is the action on the gridiron. After a year where six teams had a winning record in conference play, and preseason favorite Liberty dropped to a surprising 4-8 mark, another tight battle is expected in ‘26.

Any of the projected top six teams – Western Kentucky, Liberty, Kennesaw State, Jacksonville State, Delaware or FIU – has a path to a spot in the conference title. The intrigue continues to the bottom of the league, where new Missouri State coach Casey Woods hopes to keep the program in the mix for a postseason spot, and New Mexico State, Middle Tennessee, and Sam Houston look to take a step forward after losing marks in ‘25.

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How does Athlon Sports project Conference USA for 2026? Steven Lassan predicts and ranks all 10 teams in CUSA for this fall:

The Bearkats finished 2-10 in coach Phil Longo’s debut last fall and have numerous question marks to address in hopes of improving on that mark in ‘26. Just three starters are back on a team that ranked last in Conference USA in scoring (17.8 points per game) and surrendered 37.8 a contest. Sophomore quarterback Landyn Locke needs to take a big step forward for the offense to improve, but he does have intriguing skill talent to work with, including running backs Landan “Coco” Brown and Alton McCaskill and receiver Chris Reed. A rebuilt offensive line could hold Longo’s offense back. Senior Dylan Frazier headlines the renovation effort on a defense that ranked No. 130 nationally in success rate. The Bearkats dipped into the portal for help at all three levels and need instant impacts from several newcomers to turn around the defense this fall.

With a 6-18 record through two seasons, the ‘26 campaign is clearly a make-or-break year for coach Derek Mason. The Blue Raiders aren’t without optimism, however. Quarterback Roman Gagliano averaged just over 360 total yards in the team’s final three games last season and is poised for a breakout year as the full-time starter. In addition to aiding Gagliano’s development, new play-caller Anthony Scelfo has to find a way to spark a ground game that has ranked near the bottom of CUSA for back-to-back years and help to restock a receiving corps. A revamped offensive line is a major concern entering fall practice. Considering Mason’s background on defense, it’s surprising Middle Tennessee has allowed over 30 points in back-to-back seasons. After finishing third in CUSA in rush defense last year, the defensive front needs new faces to emerge after facing an offseason overhaul.

After losing four Conference USA games by one score last year, coach Tony Sanchez’s team must find a way to generate more production on offense to challenge for a bowl. The Aggies averaged only 21.6 points a game last year and were unable to establish a consistent ground attack (No. 127 nationally in success rate). Furman transfer Trey Hedden was a solid pickup from the portal to start under center, and optimism is also high for an improved ground game with Delaware State transfer James Jones joining the backfield. Receiver TK King (four receptions of 40-plus yards) also ranks among CUSA’s top playmakers. In addition to Hedden’s play, the Aggies hope a revamped offensive line can mesh early in the season. Five starters – including standout linebackers Sone Aupiu and Tory Gethers – return to anchor the defense. Shoring up the rush defense (10th in CUSA games last year) is a priority for coordinator Joe Morris.

After recording seven wins and a bowl appearance in its FBS debut last fall, the Bears are starting over in 2026. New coach Casey Woods arrives in Springfield after spending the last four years working under Rhett Lashlee to build high-powered offenses at SMU. Woods’ ability to build a successful attack will be put to the test right away. The offensive line features zero returning starters and needs an infusion of transfers to fill key voids right away. A pair of portal adds in Henry Belin IV (Duke) and Skyler Locklear (UTEP) will battle to start at quarterback this fall. The winner of this competition has plenty of talent at the skill spots to make this offense go, including running backs Ramone Green Jr. and Jambres Dubar and receivers Jmariyae Robinson, James BlackStrain and Makai Cope. Linebacker Jared Lloyd (77 tackles) and an experienced secondary headline a defense returning four starters. How a revamped front performs will decide just how a unit that allowed 5.9 yards per play in ‘25 develops under the new staff.

The Panthers are trending up under second-year coach Willie Simmons. The program finished with seven wins and earned the team’s first bowl appearance since ‘19 last season. Another step forward into CUSA title contention is a reasonable expectation, but FIU returns only four starters, so several new faces have to quickly emerge to keep Simmons’ team near the top of the conference. Former Iowa State/Appalachian State signal-caller JJ Kohl is expected to replace Keyone Jenkins under center, and the 6-foot-7 quarterback has ample weapons at his disposal. The Panthers should have one of CUSA’s deepest backfields with Anthony Carrie and Devonte Lyons returning, while three of the top four receivers from ‘25 are back, with Rhode Island transfer Greg Gaines III primed for an instant impact. How a revamped line comes together is likely to decide just how effective Simmons’ offense is. A secondary featuring safety Shamir Sterlin and should be the strength of FIU’s defense, while end Kenton Simmons and linebacker Josiah Taylor are among CUSA’s top returning defenders at their respective positions.

Coach Ryan Carty’s Blue Hens rank fifth in Athlon’s CUSA predictions, but there’s little separation among the top five in this conference. Scoring points won’t be a problem for a Delaware team that averaged 32.7 points in CUSA play last year. Quarterback Nick Minicucci returns as CUSA’s top signal-caller, with running back Jo Silver, receiver Sean Wilson, and three starters back on the offensive line to provide support. If the Blue Hens are to make a run at the CUSA title, the defense has to show major progress after giving up 5.9 yards a play last fall. Five starters are back, including linebacker Gavin Moul, end Noah Matthews, and safety KT Seay. However, in addition to overall improvement across the board, Carty’s group needs to cut down on the big plays allowed and improve its third-down defense.

Despite a major roster overhaul from a 2024 squad that won the Conference USA title, coach Charles Kelly found a way to reload and nearly guided Jacksonville State to another championship last year. A similar storyline is set to unfold in ‘26, as the Gamecocks must replace star running back Cam Cook and have holes to fill on both sides of the ball. However, don’t expect Kelly’s team to miss much of a beat. Quarterback Caden Creel returns after ranking second on the team with 1,075 rushing yards and throwing for 1,514 yards and nine scores. He should improve in his second year as the starter behind new play-caller Taylor Housewright, especially with No. 1 receiver Deondre Johnson (24.1 yards per catch in ‘25) back to lead the weapons on the outside. The Gamecocks are likely to lean on a committee of backs to replace Cook’s production. Even with some turnover up front, Kelly’s defense should rank near the top of CUSA. Mac Sanders and Walker O’Steen return to lead a standout linebacker unit, while cornerback Tre’Quon Fegans and safety Caleb Nix headline a solid secondary.

The Owls were among the most-improved teams in college football last season, finishing 10-4 and winning the Conference USA title behind new coach Jerry Mack. Another trip to the conference title game isn’t out of the question for ‘26. However, Mack has his work cut out this offseason. Just two starters are back on offense, with quarterback Amari Odom, the team’s top two running backs, and top three statistical wide receivers departing. Former Syracuse and LSU quarterback Rickie Collins or junior college product Landon Varnes will replace Odom under center. Mack also hit the portal for help in the backfield and at receiver, while also targeting a couple of transfers to start on the offensive line. The outlook is slightly better on defense with five returning starters. In that group are a couple of key cogs from a unit that held teams to 25.5 points a game last year, including linebacker Baron Hopson, safety Isaac Paul, and defensive back Kody Jones. This team has a lot to replace from last year’s squad that was among the biggest surprises in the Group of 6 ranks. Despite the turnover, Mack should find a way to keep the Owls in the mix to win the CUSA title.

The Flames were considered a heavy favorite to win Conference USA last season but slumped to a disappointing 4-8 record. An inability to win close games (four losses by one score), along with 21 lost turnovers, were two of the biggest reasons for last year’s disappointment. Although there are questions here, a rebound back into contention for the CUSA title game is a reasonable expectation. A pair of transfers in Deshawn Purdie (Wake Forest) and Jaylen Henderson (West Virginia) are the frontrunners to start under center. Whichever quarterback wins the No. 1 spot inherits arguably the top offensive line in CUSA, along with a promising collection of skill talent that includes transfer running backs in Kanye Udoh (Arizona State), Kam Davis (Florida State), and Peyton Jones (Duke). New coordinator Shawn Quinn is tasked with elevating a defense that ranked No. 92 nationally in success rate. With linebacker Derrell Farrar and tackle Mike Jarvis back, optimism is high for improvement against the run (179.1 yards a game allowed last year). A handful of incoming transfers will help to restock a thin secondary.

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The Hilltoppers have won eight or more games in six of coach Tyson Helton’s seven seasons in charge. The missing piece? A Conference USA title. That’s within reach in ‘26, as Helton continues to find ways to overcome significant roster turnover and reload the two-deep into contention each year. Sophomore quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. is a rising star, and receiver K.D. Hutchinson headlines a talented group of playmakers on the outside. Former Nebraska and Miami running back Ajay Allen should headline the ground game, with a revamped offensive line among the top concerns for Helton and new coordinator Bodie Reeder. The Hilltoppers were willing to bend (420.9 yards a game allowed in CUSA play) but held opponents to 25.9 points a game in conference action. Matching those totals won’t be easy with just two returning starters, but Helton and this staff have earned the benefit of the doubt.

Western Kentucky over Liberty

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Conference USA Football 2026 Predictions

Western Kentucky over Liberty

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