NDL Conference USA race is heating up with some clear front-runners, wild swings in momentum, and a handful of programs searching for stability. With high-powered offenses, stingy defenses, and coaches trying to put their stamp on the season, C-USA is quickly shaping into one of the most unpredictable Group of Five leagues in the country.
Here’s how the league stacks up after the first month of play:
Power Rankings
1. #23 Missouri State Bears (5-0, 1-0 C-USA) — Coach Jose
Missouri State has emerged as the class of the conference. Coach Jose’s Bears boast the league’s best scoring offense (222 points) while still controlling games defensively. Despite facing opponents with a combined losing record, the dominance speaks volumes. Until someone knocks them off, the Bears are the gold standard.
Coach Weasel has Middle Tennessee looking like a dark horse playoff buster. Balanced on both sides of the ball (134 PF, 66 PA), the Blue Raiders have shown efficiency and discipline. Their strength of schedule hasn’t been elite, but they’ve handled business with ease. Circle their clash with Missouri State as a potential C-USA title preview.
3. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (4-2, 1-1 C-USA) — Coach Meros
Louisiana Tech hasn’t been perfect, especially on the road, but their ability to score (217 points) keeps them in any game. If the Bulldogs’ defense can stiffen up, this is a sleeper title contender.
4. Sam Houston Bearkats (3-1, 2-0 C-USA) — Coach Addilopes
Bearkats are quietly sitting atop the conference standings. Coach Addilopes has his team battle-tested after a tough non-conference slate. While the point differential (96 PF, 96 PA) suggests razor-thin margins, Sam Houston keeps finding ways to win.
5. Jacksonville State Gamecocks (2-3, 1-0 C-USA) — Coach Glizzysaurusrexx
Coach Glizzysaurusrexx’s team is far better than their record suggests. The Gamecocks can score with anyone (191 points, 2nd in C-USA), but the defense continues to leak big plays. If the defense tightens, this could be the most dangerous “middle-of-the-pack” squad in the league.
6. UTEP Miners (2-2, 1-0 C-USA) — Coach vicktim7
The Miners are as gritty as they come. While the defense has given up more than it would like (136 PA), Coach Vicktim7’s squad has shown flashes of toughness in close games. They need to find more consistency in the passing game to keep pace with the league’s top offenses.
The FCS darlings are learning the hard way how deep C-USA runs. Coach Kool-Aid’s squad is still adjusting to the physicality of the league, but the talent is there. Expect growing pains, but also expect them to play spoiler down the stretch.
8. New Mexico State Aggies (1-2, 0-2 C-USA) — Coach oldschoola
The Aggies sit near the bottom of the standings, but they’re not as bad as their record shows. They’ve been competitive in every game, and Coach Oldschoola’s crew has a chance to climb if they can finish games stronger.
9. Kennesaw State Owls (1-3, 0-1 C-USA) — Coach Neal
The Owls are still finding their identity. Coach Neal’s offense has shown flashes, but turnovers and defensive lapses have cost them dearly. With one of the tougher schedules so far (opponents 24-18 combined), don’t count them out yet.
10. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1-3, 0-2 C-USA) — Coach Triplesteezed
The Hilltoppers have had one of the toughest schedules in the league (opponents 29-14), but Coach Triplesteezed knows that doesn’t excuse execution. They’re giving up too many explosive plays, and until that changes, they’ll remain in the bottom tier.
11. Liberty Flames (0-4, 0-1 C-USA) — Coach mtwasik
Coach Mtwasik’s Flames can score (98 points) but can’t stop anyone (153 PA). The pieces are there offensively, but the defense is a weekly liability. Until they find a way to string together stops, Liberty will remain winless.
12. Florida International Panthers (0-0, 0-0 C-USA) — Coach Wave214
FIU hasn’t played a game yet, which makes them the ultimate mystery team. Coach Wave214 has a blank slate and plenty of time to prepare, but until they take the field, they stay at the bottom.
Final Thoughts
1. Missouri State -looks like the runaway favorite, but **Middle Tennessee** and **Louisiana Tech** are lurking.
2. Sam Houston - has been the grittiest team so far, finding ways to win despite close margins.
3. Jacksonville State - is the biggest wildcard: dangerous, but inconsistent.
4. At the bottom, Liberty and FIU have a lot to prove before they can climb the ladder.
The C-USA race is far from decided, and with so many explosive offenses, expect shootouts to define the second half of the season.
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