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Conference USA Football Rankings: Spring 2026 First Look
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- Conference USA Football Rankings: Spring 2026 First Look
How good is everyone in Conference USA this season?
The league has gotten leaner and meaner, going from 12 teams to 10 - losing Louisiana Tech to the Sun Belt, and UTEP to the Mountain West - and it's still fighting the good fight to be more of a national factor.
The new additions over the last few seasons from the FCS - Delaware, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Missouri State, and Sam Houston - did what they were supposed to do.
This season should be more competitive from top to bottom, and going into spring ball, we take a first look at just how good each team should be.
Ranking Every Conference USA Team Heading Into Spring Practice
Nov 22, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head coach Tyson Helton looks on against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Tiger Stadium. © Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Related: American Conference Football Rankings: Spring 2026 First Look
This story was originally published by College Football News on Feb 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
