Since the Pac-2 isn’t a real thing, Conference USA can boast that it is the smallest league in FBS. And you know what? Good things can come in small packages.
Unlike some of their G5 rivals, Conference USA has a legitimate Playoff contender. It also has the only new member to FBS for the 2024 season, Kennesaw State. Somewhat of a safe haven for programs looking to make the jump, the Owls are the third such school to do so as part of C-USA in the past two years (the others being Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State in 2023).
Whether that continues well into the future is hard to predict, but the eclectic mix of programs in this league makes it worth paying some attention.
Teams I Like
Liberty
It’s a lot easier to put the Flames on this list now that Hugh Freeze isn’t there, but truthfully, even if Freeze still coached Liberty I would have a hard time fading the program like that. The Flames lose a few stars on both sides of the ball but are still without a doubt the most talented team in C-USA and one of the better teams in the entire country. Jamey Chadwell, always the creative, has a powerful rushing attack at his disposal and even the loss of first team all-conference running back Quinton Cooley won’t prevent Liberty from being one of the best in the country in that area in 2024.
Looking at the schedule, not many opportunities to trip up exist, thus why Chadwell’s team is one of the favorites from the G5 leagues to make the Playoff. It will be interesting to see if last year’s Fiesta Bowl result against Oregon, the first game the Flames played against a Power opponent, will sway CFP voters away from giving Chadwell’s squad a second chance at the big stage if they finish the regular season unbeaten.
Florida International
Head coach Mike MacIntyre has made a career out of turning programs around, objectively accomplishing that feat at previous stops Colorado and San Jose State. This season might be the breakout year he needs to add Florida International to his list. Defensively the Panthers will be better than the 436.7 yards per game allowed in 2023 (worst in C-USA) if the offense also improves upon its numbers, which ranked near the bottom of the conference in most major categories. Only injuries can prevent a betterment on such paltry figures.
The schedule softens in the second half of the year, so if the Panthers are able to weather the storm in the first half and guys like Keyone Jenkins are making strides (literally) while managing to avoid getting injured, this is a squad that has surprise postseason appearance written all over it.
Not High On
UTEP
The Miners are undergoing a complete overhaul of how the program is run with Scotty Walden now in charge, and although it might work out in the long run, I don’t like the potential for overly positive results in 2024. UTEP was just 3-9 last season, so changing the strategy to pull from the JUCO ranks and instead focus on recruiting at the high school level isn’t a terrible idea, but it is something that typically takes time. Additionally, Walden will rely heavily on trusted assets from his previous stop, Austin Peay, bringing along his defensive and special teams coordinators to run the same units in El Paso. A bunch of players join him as well.
I’m not a believer in the “playing up” approach, at least in year One, and I think that will be reflected in the wins column for the Miners this season. I actually see a drop in wins from 2023 to 2024, but maybe Walden can convince his bosses of progress.
Players To Watch
Kaidon Salter, Liberty quarterback
Only three players in FBS eclipsed the exotic 1,000-1,000 Club (passing-rushing yards), and Salter was one of them along with Jayden Daniels and Boston College’s Thomas Castellanos. What was interesting and perhaps most impressive about Salter’s performance is that he was the only of the three that didn’t lead his team in rushing yards.
Jamey Chadwell’s offense works as well as it does because his quarterback is able to be a threat in the run game, but Salter proved last year that he’s just as effective doing normal quarterback things as well, breaking Malik Willis’s school record of 44 touchdown passes in a single season. I send a “good luck” to any defensive coordinator, especially those in Conference USA, that must gameplan to stop Salter and the Liberty offense.
Keyone Jenkins, Florida International quarterback
It’s unusual for a Conference USA player to have a nickname as presumptuous as “Lights Out”, but then it also makes sense that Jenkins didn’t initially expect to land at Florida International. The sophomore, a former three-star recruit, ended up with the Panthers last fall having initially committed to play in the SEC with Auburn. He quickly ascended to the top of the depth chart and although he was inconsistent at times in 2023, showed potential to be one of the conference’s best this coming season.
In addition to a strong arm, Jenkins is light on his feet, but to maximize his growth the FIU coaching staff will likely try to keep him in the pocket as long as possible. I expect his accuracy and thus his TD-INT ratio to improve significantly this season and for the Panthers to totally flip the narrative in terms of their offensive prowess compared to 2023.
Games to Watch (Non-Conference)
Jacksonville State at Louisville (September 7)
The Gamecocks were a major surprise in 2023 and although they won’t sneak up on anyone this year, have the talent to give the Cardinals some trouble at home in this early season matchup.
Liberty at Appalachian State (September 28)
One of the best G5 out-of-conference matchups in college football this season is also Liberty’s toughest regular season contest.
Games to Watch (Conference)
Florida International at Jacksonville State (November 16)
This matchup kicks off a three week period in Conference USA where at least one game per week should feature two teams vying for a title game bid.
Western Kentucky at Liberty (November 23)
Possibly the best opportunity to see Liberty get knocked off in-conference, but the Flames get to play it at home.
Jacksonville State at Western Kentucky (November 30)
A cap to a season-defining period for the Gamecocks, which will play at Liberty, home against FIU and Sam Houston State, and away at Western Kentucky within in a 32-day span.
Aw, Shuck It (3 Bets to Place)
*odds via DraftKings at time of publication. Around The Corn is not responsible for lost bets!
Liberty to make Playoff (+400)
Based on its schedule, Liberty has the best shot of any team in the country at going unbeaten. The Flames have also done it before, just a season ago, in Jamey Chadwell and Kaidon Salter’s first season working together. That year of experience for both is to every opponent’s detriment.
UTEP under 4 wins (+105)
I made my case earlier in this preview and while it may seem harsh, don’t think that the Miners will sniff the over.
Florida International to make the Conference USA title game (+2000)
Vegas is sleeping on the Panthers, who are led by Mike MacIntyre in his third year with the program and is known to orchestrate massive turnovers at places by the third or fourth season. If Jenkins is playing lights out, the defense by default will do better and this isn’t such a longshot.
Predictions
- Liberty (12-0, [8-0])
- Western Kentucky (8-4, [6-2])
- Florida International (8-4, [6-2])
- Jacksonville State (7-5, [5-3])
- Sam Houston State (5-7, [5-3])
- Louisiana Tech (5-7, [3-5])
- Middle Tennessee State (4-8, [3-5])
- New Mexico State (4-8, [2-6])
- UTEP (2-10, [1-7])
- Kennesaw State (1-11, [0-8])
Conference Title Game
Western Kentucky at Liberty
Champion: Liberty
