Conference USA Football Rankings: Spring 2026 First Look

10 Sam Houston

2025 Record: 2-10
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 123 | Final: 132
Top Transfer: Elijah Groves, LB NC State
Top Transfer Lost: Kolt Dietrich, OT to Washington

It’s another season of overhauling, and it’s even worse than that. At the immediate moment, there’s no quarterback listed on the roster. The D line will be good right away.

9 Middle Tennessee

2025 Record: 3-9
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 125 | Final: 128
Top Transfer: Reese Tripp, OG Minnesota
Top Transfer Lost: Jekail Middlebrook, RB to Virginia

This hasn’t been working under Derek Mason, and there’s far more to do. Locking down the QB is the key, but the massive transfer haul needs to take over immediately.

8 New Mexico State

2025 Record: 4-8
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 117 | Final: 129
Top Transfer: James Jones, RB Delaware State
Top Transfer Lost: Armando Nieves, OT to South Carolina

It would be nice to have more options for the offensive side, and the quarterback situation will need some work, but there’s enough in place to be even more competitive.

7 Missouri State

2025 Record: 7-6
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 118 | Final: 104
Top Transfer: King Large, OT Missouri State
Top Transfer Lost: Tristan Gardner, WR to Coastal Carolina

Casey Woods takes over, but finding new playmakers on both sides of the ball will take the entire offseason. Lots and lots of transfers will fill in the gaps.

6 FIU

2025 Record: 7-6
2025 CFN RankingsPreseason: 115 | Final: 97
Top Transfer: JJ Kohl, QB, App State
Top Transfer Lost: Xion Chapman, DT to Minnesota

It will take the whole offseason to get everything in place. The D has to be night-and-day better - the transfers for the line are great - and the offense needs playmakers.

5 Delaware

2025 Record: 7-6
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 128 | Final: 118
Top Transfer: George Mullins, S Michigan State
Top Transfer Lost: Anwar O’neal OT to Louisville

There’s a strong team returning with a nice mix of reliable veterans, solid young players, and good transfers to fill in the gaps. There’s a real shot to win the CUSA title.

4 Jacksonville State

2025 Record: 9-5
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 127 | Final: 89
Top Transfer: Rob Billings IV, S Clemson
Top Transfer Lost: Emmanuel Oyebadejo, DT to Florida

The Gamecocks underwent a complete overhaul last year and still won the CUSA title. The portal wasn’t kind, but the defense should once again be terrific.

3 Liberty

2025 Record: 4-8
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 75 | Final: 121
Top Transfer: Kam Davis, RB Florida State
Top Transfer Lost: Donte Lee Jr. WR to Texas Tech

A surprisingly underwhelming year should be far, far different with a loaded transfer class with a whole slew of strong skill parts. The quarterback battle will be fierce.

2 Kennesaw State

2025 Record: 10-4
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 126 | Final: 785
Top Transfer: Rickie Collins, QB Syracuse
Top Transfer Lost: Christian Moss, WR to Washington

After a breakthrough campaign, the Owls should be every bit as dangerous once the offensive parts fill in. Getting new QB Rickie Collins (Syracuse) going is everything.

1 Western Kentucky

2025 Record: 9-4
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 108 | Final: 88
Top Transfer: Roq Montgomery, OT Alabama
Top Transfer Lost: Dylan Flowers, CB to Duke

Can Florida State transfer QB Brock Glenn handle the high-powered attack? Overall, the portal was a gut-punch, but WKU is in better shape than the rest of CUSA.