It is good to have a objective in life. Convention USA’s objective is to function the official FBS welcome mat.
With the additions of Delaware and Missouri State, there at the moment are 136 groups within the Soccer Bowl Subdivision. CUSA has at one level or one other housed practically 1 / 4 of them. Of the ten packages to maneuver up from FCS since 2014, eight joined CUSA upon their arrival. Convention realignment hasn’t been extremely sort to this league of late, with three faculties leaving for the AAC in 2014, three going to the Solar Belt in 2022 and six heading for the AAC in 2023. (UTEP departs for the Mountain West subsequent yr.) However serving because the Ellis Island of FBS assures the convention of each an identification and, nicely, amount.
Two of those relative FBS newcomers have received the league the previous two years — Liberty (first FBS yr: 2018) took the title and a Fiesta Bowl bid two years in the past, and in 2024 Jacksonville State did the deed in simply its second yr aboard. Sam Houston, one other second-year program, went a formidable 10-3.
On paper, Liberty seems fairly prone to take the mantle again in 2025, however nobody noticed JSU coming a yr in the past. Would possibly we have now one other shock in retailer? Let’s preview Convention USA!
Via the summer season, Invoice Connelly will preview one other FBS convention, in the end together with all 136 FBS groups. The previews will embrace 2024 breakdowns, 2025 previews and team-by-team capsules.
2024 recap
On paper, Liberty graded out barely forward of the pack in SP+ final yr. The Flames nonetheless had quarterback Kaidon Salter and operating again Quinton Cooley (plus three all-conference offensive linemen) and scored not less than 31 factors seven instances. However random duds — a 27-24 loss to Kennesaw State and its No. 134 protection, a 20-18 loss to Sam Houston — rendered the Flames also-rans within the CUSA race, and Wealthy Rodriguez’s Jacksonville State took full benefit. The Gamecocks misplaced to Western Kentucky within the final week of the common season however administered a 52-12 thumping of the Hilltoppers every week later to take the title.
Sam Houston, in the meantime, additionally took a beautiful step ahead, albeit one tinged with luck. Each JSU and SHSU then misplaced their head coaches and ready to begin once more.
Continuity desk
The continuity desk seems at every staff’s returning manufacturing ranges (offense, protection and total), the variety of 2024 FBS begins from each returning and incoming gamers and the approximate variety of redshirt freshmen on the roster heading into 2025. (Why “approximate”? As a result of faculties typically make it very onerous to establish who redshirted and who did not.) Continuity is an more and more tough artwork in roster administration, however some groups pull it off higher than others.
(* For consistency’s sake, I tried to report solely FBS begins within the “returning/incoming begins” columns, so FBS newcomers Delaware and Missouri State return none of these. However their returning manufacturing numbers present that each return strong bases of expertise.)
This convention runs the gamut within the continuity division. Kennesaw State changed coach Brian Bohannon with Jerry Mack after its first FBS season, and Mack managed to maintain a strong quantity of the Owls’ two-deep intact whereas importing a wholesome quantity of expertise from the switch portal. In the meantime, of 136 FBS groups, Jacksonville State returns the second-lowest quantity of manufacturing, and WKU and Sam Houston did not hit the 40% mark on this regard. These have been the highest three groups in final yr’s standings. That provides you a reasonably good concept why Liberty appears poised to rebound.
2025 projections
Western Kentucky, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston stay in CUSA’s projected prime 4, however the projected win totals are fairly telling. From No. 107 Sam Houston to No. 123 UTEP, six groups are projected to win between 4.8 and 5.8 video games; whoever wins their shut video games inside this batch will take pleasure in a reasonably good season.
Liberty and WKU are CUSA’s most confirmed entities for the time being — Liberty has received not less than eight video games for six straight seasons (common SP+ rating on this span: 61.4), whereas WKU has reached 4 CUSA championship video games, profitable two, since becoming a member of the league in 2014. Between them, the Flames and Hilltoppers begin out with a virtually 50% probability of profitable the convention. However each different eligible staff has not less than a 4% probability, and final yr’s champ, Jax State, began out at simply 7%. We’re not too distant from a chaotic race.
5 finest video games of 2025
Listed below are the 5 convention video games that function (a) the very best mixed SP+ rankings for each groups and (b) a projected scoring margin beneath 10 factors.
Aug. 23: Sam Houston at Western Kentucky. Week 0’s headline recreation is Kansas State vs. Iowa State in Dublin; the winner of that one will instantly turn out to be one of many Large 12’s favorites. However again within the States, this recreation could have an identical affect. The winner will transfer to the highest of the CUSA challengers checklist.
Sept. 6: Liberty at Jacksonville State. CUSA is not messing round! We’ll get one other huge recreation in Week 2, with the 2024 champs internet hosting the 2023 champs. JSU is admittedly a thriller this yr, however an early house win would assist to stop a Liberty coronation run.
Oct. 21: Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech/Nov. 22: Liberty at Louisiana Tech. Louisiana Tech has struggled to generate momentum beneath Sonny Cumbie, profitable simply 11 video games in three seasons. However the Bulldogs have an attention-grabbing alternative this yr because of a schedule that includes house video games towards contenders WKU, SHSU and Liberty. Cumbie handed his offense to freshmen and sophomores final yr, and if improvement produces a breakthrough — and first rate house crowds: Tech averaged 20,439 in house attendance in 2019 however hasn’t topped 16,000 since — a Bulldog rise is not out of the query.
Nov. 29: Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State. Final yr, we headed into the ultimate week of the common season with two enormous, pivotal video games — JSU at WKU and Liberty at SHSU — deciding who would play within the CUSA championship. If issues are equally undecided in 2025, this recreation might find yourself moderately pivotal.
Convention title (and, due to this fact, CFP) contenders
Liberty Flames
Head coach: Jamey Chadwell (third yr, 21-5 total)
2025 projection: 69th in SP+ (62nd offense, 69th protection), 9.3 common wins, 6.4 convention wins
Final yr, coming off a triumphant 13-1 season, Jamey Chadwell’s Flames returned their star quarterback (Kaidon Salter), their 1,400-yard rusher (Quinton Cooley) and 6 defensive starters. They have been projected forty first in SP+. They completed 30 spots decrease.
With out star receiver (and LSU switch) CJ Daniels, the large performs disappeared — Salter went from averaging 16.3 yards per completion to 12.8 — and whereas Cooley and the run recreation have been nonetheless glorious, passing downs have been abruptly an issue. The protection performed about the identical, however the offense fell from 3.1 factors per drive (sixth nationally) to 2.4 (forty ninth), and Liberty averaged simply 17.5 factors per recreation in 4 losses.
Chadwell’s offensive observe report stays sturdy, and in his previous 5 seasons at Coastal Carolina and Liberty, he is a mixed 50-12. However final yr’s No. 60 offensive SP+ rating was the worst for a Chadwell staff since 2019; he and offensive coordinator Willy Korn have inquiries to reply in that regard.
Ethan Vasko, who initially signed with Chadwell at Coastal Carolina, transfers in to possible begin at quarterback; he’ll arrange behind a line that returns three starters (together with heart Aaron Fenimore, who earned all-conference honors as a freshman) and provides Florida State guard switch Christian Williams. The receiving corps provides Colorado State possession man Jamari Particular person and returns a pair of potential big-play guys in Elijah Canion and Reese Smith. Although the RB corps is extremely unproven after dropping Cooley and backup Billy Lucas, (A) Chadwell offenses all the time transfer the ball on the bottom, and (B) returnees Vaughn Blue and Julian Grey averaged 6.0 yards per carry between them in a restricted pattern, and incoming freshman Jaylon Coleman is a four-star prospect.
The protection wanted to select up slack final yr with the offense much less constant, and it did not actually accomplish that. The Flames defended the run fairly nicely, however their blitzes did not get house, they usually acquired burned for fairly just a few huge go performs. It is onerous to say the go rush will enhance with out sacks chief TJ Bush Jr., who transferred to Cal this spring, however the addition of edge transfers Aaron Hester (Florida State) and Derrell Farrar (Appalachian State) might assist, and the LU protection total may gain advantage considerably from pure expertise. Sophomores resembling finish Brenton Williams, linebacker Ethan Crisp and nook Jamal Miles might take pleasure in star turns, however Liberty additionally might begin a full 11-man lineup of juniors and seniors, together with confirmed entities resembling finish (and ace run-stopper) CJ Bazile Jr. and security A’Khori Jones.
When it comes to each expertise and upside, that is essentially the most confirmed roster in Convention USA. However we stated the identical factor final yr. The Flames bear a bit extra burden of proof this time round.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Head coach: Tyson Helton (seventh yr, 48-32 total)
2025 projection: eighty fifth in SP+ (102nd offense, 68th protection), 7.7 common wins, 5.6 convention wins
Tyson Helton and WKU have received eight or 9 video games for 4 straight seasons with a stellar common SP+ rating of 66.5. After making among the finest coordinator hires of the 2020s — Zach Kittley got here to city in 2021, and WKU surged from one hundred and twentieth to seventh in offensive SP+ — Helton has seen his offense get just a little shakier every year, however his protection has slowly picked up the slack. Regardless of fairly just a few coordinator modifications and a median of 18 transfers per yr in and 21 transfers out over the previous 4 seasons, WKU by some means has managed to place out the identical outcomes.
If the outcomes do not change this yr, they by no means will. Helton is coping with his most upheaval but. He’ll be breaking in his fourth offensive coordinator in 5 years (Rick Bowie) and his first new defensive coordinator in 4 years (co-coordinators, really: Da’Von Brown and Davis Merritt). In the meantime, in accordance with the numbers at 247 Sports activities, 37 gamers have transferred out whereas 43 have transferred in. That is half a roster! Solely two starters stay from final yr’s lineup — two! — however Helton introduced in 4 starters from different FBS defenses, and the offense will boast prolific and explosive gamers in quarterback Maverick McIvor (3,828 yards at Abilene Christian final yr) and receivers Jairus Mack (22.0 yards per catch at Charlotte), Isaiah Myers (18.2 YPC at Charlotte) and Matthew Henry (18.9 YPC at Western Illinois).
With Bowie, Helton is principally calling again to 2021, when Kittley got here from Houston Christian and introduced a variety of HCU stars with him, together with quarterback Bailey Zappe, who proceeded to throw for five,967 yards and 62 TDs. Bowie was Abilene Christian’s (and McIvor’s) offensive coordinator final yr because the Wildcats practically beat Texas Tech — McIvor threw for 506 yards and three TDs in a 52-51 loss — and reached the FCS playoffs for the primary time. Relying nearly solely on newcomers is a reasonably scary prospect, however the potential is apparent. Along with the receivers above, McIvor will even have Kody Epps (BYU), Kelby Williams (Previous Dominion) and high-potential holdovers Ok.D. Hutchinson and Cameron Flowers operating routes. Sort out Marshall Jackson, the lone returning starter, is sweet, and Helton signed eight transfers and 5 juco gamers to flesh out the two-deep up entrance. The RB corps is unproven, however I do not get the impression WKU will run a lot.
The protection is equally new and probably much less confirmed. Of the batch of 16 incoming transfers (plus three juco gamers), essentially the most intriguing newcomers are in all probability rush finish Dominic Oliver (San Diego State), 315-pound defensive sort out Rylen Su’a-Filo (Southern Utah) and sophomore nook Braxton Myers (Southern Miss), however the total statistical résumé of the brand new defenders is not fairly as sturdy.
A few breaks away from a run
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Head coach: Charles Kelly (first yr)
2025 projection: 104th in SP+ (one hundred and fifth offense, 99th protection), 6.6 common wins, 4.5 convention wins
Continuity hires aren’t assured to work. When Michigan changed Jim Harbaugh with former lieutenant Sherrone Moore in 2024, it did not cease the Wolverines’ win whole from getting minimize in half. And simply because Ohio promoted offensive coordinator Brian Smith after profitable 31 video games in three years and dropping head coach Tim Albin, that does not imply the Bobcats will not fall astray. Each new rent is a chance to cost ahead or crumble, no matter how nicely the brand new man is aware of the final man.
I am nonetheless struggling a bit with the change at Jacksonville State, nevertheless. With an ever-delightful, run-centric offense, Wealthy Rodriguez led the Gamecocks to instant FBS success, going 18-9 over JSU’s first two seasons earlier than returning to West Virginia. Offensive coordinator Rod Smith served as JSU’s interim head coach towards Ohio within the Treatment Bowl, however as a substitute of handing the reins to Smith or a equally offense-minded coach, JSU changed Rodriguez with defensive veteran Charles Kelly.
The 57-year-old Kelly is an Alabama man who served, delightfully, as each JSU offensive coordinator (1996) and defensive coordinator (1997-98) early in his profession. He has coached for Jimbo Fisher, Nick Saban, Deion Sanders and Hugh Freeze within the final decade alone. And after hiring balance-minded offensive coordinator Clint Trickett and having to exchange principally 18 starters, he will lead a very totally different JSU staff onto the sphere this fall, for higher or (extra possible, in my estimation) worse.
Kelly has introduced some well-traveled former blue-chippers with him: quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (Rutgers/Kentucky), operating again Cam Prepare dinner (TCU), defensive sort out Khurtiss Perry (Alabama/Virginia Tech), nickel again Tre’Quon Fegans (Alabama/USC/UCF). He did not do a ton of portal work within the trenches — which made sense on protection (4 of final yr’s prime six linemen return) however much less so on offense (six of final yr’s prime seven are gone) — however he introduced in fairly just a few wideouts and DBs.
JSU’s historical past of success stretches far past Wealthy Rod: The Gamecocks received a Division II title within the Nineteen Nineties and reached the FCS title recreation within the 2010s. With correct program help, Kelly may be capable of win huge too. However within the brief time period, not less than, I am not practically as optimistic as SP+.
Sam Houston Bearkats
Head coach: Phil Longo (first yr)
2025 projection: 107th in SP+ (118th offense, 91st protection), 5.2 common wins, 4.2 convention wins
I not too long ago checked out good and dangerous luck for 2024, from three totally different angles: turnovers, shut video games and accidents/lineup consistency. One staff was among the many 15 most lucky in all three classes: KC Keeler’s Sam Houston. The Bearkats did a lot proper in charging from 3-9 to 10-3 — the offense restricted errors and damaging performs, and the protection defended the go superbly — however glad turnover and harm luck, mixed with a 6-0 report in one-score video games, is nearly inconceivable to copy.
With Keeler off to Temple, new head coach Phil Longo takes over a program that may be a) prone to see fewer glad breaks, b) changing each single defensive starter and c) enjoying its house video games in Houston, 70 miles away from Huntsville, whereas Bowers Stadium undergoes renovations. This appears … suboptimal. After a principally woebegone stint as Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator, Longo may generate fast offensive success at SHSU — quarterback Hunter Watson is again, as are three beginning linemen and Watson’s two most explosive receivers (Qua’Vez Humphreys and Michael Phoenix II), and Longo introduced two Wisconsin QB signings with him simply in case. Plus, in transfers Shane Porter (North Texas) and Elijah Inexperienced (Indiana), he welcomes two RBs who averaged 6.7 yards per carry between them. Throw in Lengthy Island receiver switch Aviyon Smith-Mack (18.0 yards per catch), and you may discuss your self into the offense.
The protection, nevertheless, is totally beginning over. Even together with three transfers, solely 4 Bearkat defenders noticed greater than 110 FBS snaps final season. I am intrigued by smaller-school transfers linebacker JaMair Diaz (21 TFLs and 12 sacks at Glenville State) and defensive finish Keelan Cox (six sacks at Texas Southern), however it’s onerous to imagine new defensive coordinator Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay could have the depth he wants, notably up entrance.
Even with a poor Wisconsin run, the Longo rent made some sense — he has loads of offensive success on his résumé, and you may nearly actually discover what you might want to run a high-tempo, free-flowing offense in Texas. However regardless that the projections are not less than semi-optimistic, this appears like an enormous Yr Zero scenario for Longo and SHSU.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Head coach: Sonny Cumbie (fourth yr, 11-26 total)
2025 projection: 109th in SP+ (126th offense, eightieth protection), 6.0 common wins, 4.1 convention wins
Between the stunning house schedule and offensive expertise talked about above and my aforementioned skepticism of each Jax State and SHSU, I believe Louisiana Tech has a chance to do one thing attention-grabbing this season. It has been a short time. Three years beneath Sonny Cumbie have not borne fruit, and Tech hasn’t received greater than 5 video games in a season since 2019.
Growth will probably be key. In 2024, Tech was led in passing by a redshirt freshman (Evan Bullock) and in dashing by a sophomore JUCO switch (Omiri Wiggins); the 2 most explosive go catchers have been sophomores (Jay Wilkerson and tight finish Eli Finley), and essentially the most snaps on the offensive line went to a different redshirt freshman (sort out Hayden Christman). There have been veterans too — senior slot man Tru Edwards caught 85 passes, senior guard Bert Hale earned honorable point out all-CUSA — however the Bulldogs’ offense was awfully unseasoned.
That Bullock accomplished 66% of his passes with a 14-to-3 TD-to-INT ratio was encouraging, even when there have been a whole lot of nibbling, brief passes concerned. However the return of those skilled gamers, plus the addition of among the finest RBs in NAIA (Keiser’s 6-foot-2, 225-pound Andrew Burnette), has me intrigued. So does the return of Tony Franklin. An early Air Raid adopter, the 67-year-old is again for his second stint as Tech’s OC, and he returns to full-sized soccer after a quick however dominant stint as Military’s dash soccer OC. There’s rather a lot to exchange on the offensive line, however it positive looks as if Franklin may need some enjoyable with Bullock and a quick ability corps.
After all, I would really feel even higher about Tech if Cumbie had held onto Jeremiah Johnson. The previous Northern Iowa defensive coordinator labored wonders in enhancing the Bulldogs from 122nd to 67th in defensive SP+ final season, however he was lured away by Coastal Carolina. Cumbie changed him with former Jax State DC Luke Olson, and Olson could have his work minimize out for him: Of the 11 gamers who noticed not less than 200 snaps within the entrance six final season, eight are gone, together with all six linemen. The secondary, led by security Jacob Fields, ought to be sound, however a very sturdy run protection wants to begin over.
Center Tennessee Blue Raiders
Head coach: Derek Mason (second yr, 3-9 total)
2025 projection: one hundred and twenty fifth in SP+ (one hundred and thirtieth offense, 109th protection), 5.3 common wins, 3.5 convention wins
In a phrase, Derek Mason’s first yr succeeding Rick Stockstill at MTSU was horrendous. The Blue Raiders ranked 131st in SP+ (131st on offense, 122nd on protection) and solely completed 3-9 as a result of they received all three of their video games that have been determined by single digits. Their 9 losses got here by a median rating of 41-17. The passing recreation was first rate, the protection was sporadically in a position to bend with out breaking, and plenty of freshmen acquired expertise, particularly within the trenches. However Mason, the previous Vanderbilt head coach, wasn’t in a position to provide you with many solutions, even when MTSU did function fairly nicely within the uncommon tight recreation. (Vandy was first rate in these conditions beneath Mason, too.) Issues felt principally hopeless.
I am admittedly not making this sound like a “couple of breaks away” staff, am I? Effectively, that in all probability says one thing about what number of notably iffy groups CUSA appears to have this season. However it additionally says one thing about what MTSU returns. In a convention stuffed with poor returning manufacturing numbers, the Blue Raiders rank a strong forty sixth nationally, and fourth in CUSA, behind solely a staff with a brand new head coach (Kennesaw State) and the 2 FBS newcomers. Mason introduced again each coordinators — Bodie Reeder on offense, Brian Stewart on protection — and the Blue Raiders return a strong and skilled quarterback (Nicholas Vattiato), a pair of disruptive defensive tackles (Shakai Woods and Damonte Smith, who mixed for 11.5 TFLs and 20 run stops), and a possible all-conference security in John Howse IV. Mason additionally discovered some potential portal gems in operating again Rickey Hunt Jr. (Ohio), receiver Amorion Walker (Michigan) and 6-foot-7 sort out Jacob Otts (Rhode Island).
Defensively, I actually anticipated just a few extra transfers. Mason introduced in three transfers and two JUCOs within the secondary however principally let it journey with the entrance six. Possibly that can repay if Woods and one other promising sophomore, finish Anthony Bynum, maintain creating. But when a unit takes a bit step ahead in 2025, I am guessing will probably be the offense. Regardless, MTSU has a stage of continuity and expertise that others within the CUSA haven’t got; possibly that pays off.
New Mexico State Aggies
Head coach: Tony Sanchez (second yr, 3-9 total)
2025 projection: 122nd in SP+ (106th offense, 124th protection), 5.4 common wins, 3.4 convention wins
Jerry Kill received 17 video games in two seasons at NMSU (2022-23). Within the 19 seasons earlier than his arrival, the Aggies averaged 2.8 wins per yr. Of their first after his departure, they received three. In case somebody forgot how onerous a job this one may be, actuality struck the second Kill left.
Whereas Kill was serving as chief guide to the pinnacle coach at Vanderbilt in 2024 (and serving to to create a sudden renaissance with quarterback Diego Pavia and different former Aggies), Tony Sanchez was making an attempt to plot a brand new manner ahead in Las Cruces. His 2024 Aggies nonetheless ran the ball fairly nicely, and the play-action recreation sometimes struck gold. However there was no consistency within the passing recreation, and an aggressive protection did not make sufficient huge performs to counteract those it was permitting. The Aggies might interact in observe meets at instances — they scored 28 or extra factors in 5 video games — however they nonetheless ranked simply one hundred and twentieth in factors per drive, and the protection was shaky sufficient that they received solely two of these 5 prolific video games.
Whereas the run recreation was a energy, each main rushers and 6 of final yr’s prime seven linemen are gone. The road nonetheless has strong measurement, and former blue-chip backs Kadarius Calloway (Cal) and Dijon Stanley (Utah) will be part of both incumbent quarterback Parker Awad or Montana switch Logan Fife within the backfield. However new offensive coordinator David Yost, an expansion offense outdated hand, normally likes to throw the ball a bit. PJ Johnson III is sweet at go routes, however we’ll see which of 5 pass-catching transfers emerges as attention-grabbing weapons.
Defensively, we’ll begin with the great: Linebackers Tyler Martinez and Sone Aupiu (mixed: 23 run stops) are rock strong playmakers, Dakerric Hobbs is without doubt one of the most aggressive (and sometimes profitable) cornerbacks within the convention, and with Sanchez signing seven JUCO defensive backs, together with six safeties, it is fairly possible {that a} couple will emerge as strong choices. However while you rank 127th in defensive SP+, then lose eight starters, enchancment is not precisely assured. Sanchez caught with coordinator Joe Morris, and I just like the aggression, however odds are good that the Aggies will nonetheless get burned fairly a bit.
Simply in search of a path to 6-6
UTEP Miners
Head coach: Scotty Walden (second yr, 3-9 total)
2025 projection: 123rd in SP+ (122nd offense, 113th protection), 4.8 common wins, 3.3 convention wins
If Sam Houston was essentially the most lucky staff within the convention in 2024, UTEP was the least. The Miners ranked one hundred and first in turnovers luck, one hundred and fifth in close-game fortune and 124th in lineup stability. Solely three offensive or defensive gamers began all 12 video games and, by my rely, 44 began not less than one. That may be a quantity I would not have thought doable. That the staff went 3-3 down the stretch may need been a slight signal of enchancment, however it was a misplaced season from the beginning.
Of these 44 starters, 21 return in 2025, together with explosive wideout Kenny Odom and disruptive defenders in sort out KD Johnson and out of doors linebacker Nate Dyman. However Scotty Walden was super-aggressive this offseason, bringing in two new coordinators — former TCU QBs coach Mark Cala on offense, former Montana State DC Bobby Daly on protection — and 30 transfers. Former USC and Boise State blue-chipper Malachi Nelson was the most important identify of the bunch, however a majority of the transfers have been defenders. Among the many extra intriguing: defensive finish Ashaad Corridor (11 sacks at SC State) and security Tyler Jones (4 TFLs and 14 passes defended at Tennessee State). Daly’s first Miners protection will probably be aggressive and fairly skilled.
Both Nelson or incumbent QB Skyler Locklear could have a good pair of veteran receivers in Odom and slot man Kam Thomas, however the run recreation was abysmal final season, and that would make explosive former Charlotte RB Hahsaun Wilson (6.1 yards per carry in 2024) practically as essential as Nelson. The offensive line misplaced three starters however ought to nonetheless be huge and fairly senior-heavy.
Kennesaw State Owls
Head coach: Jerry Mack (first yr)
2025 projection: 131st in SP+ (136th offense, 93rd protection), 4.3 common wins, 3.0 convention wins
I hated that, after one powerful season in FBS, Kennesaw State fired the one head coach in its historical past. Brian Bohannon had the Owls within the FCS playoffs by their third yr in existence; it was straightforward to assume he ought to get a first-year FBS mulligan.
I additionally liked the alternative rent. Jerry Mack was glorious at NC Central within the mid-2010s, and after just a few years as Rice’s offensive coordinator and an RBs coach with Tennessee (2023) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2024), he took over at KSU in December. He stored a strong portion of final yr’s protection intact — 13 of the 17 gamers with not less than 200 snaps return — and he additionally added a Large Ten starter (Purdue linebacker Antonio Stevens), previously well-touted recruits like finish Nasir Smith (Georgia Southern), nickel Kody Jones (Michigan), nook Caleb Offord (Notre Dame/Alabama State) and security Isaiah Thomas (Miami), and thrilling smaller-school transfers like finish Elijah Harper (Emory & Henry) and sort out Mike Jones (Virginia Union). This ought to be a top-half-of-CUSA protection.
The offense, nevertheless, tasks because the worst within the nation. Longtime Josh Heupel assistant Mitch Militello takes the reins of a former choice assault; beginning quarterback Davis Bryson is now a receiver, and essentially the most confirmed passer is both Georgia Southern switch Dexter Williams II (248 yards final season) or Wofford switch Amari Odom (1,565 in FCS). In the meantime, no returning rusher topped 29 dashing yards final yr, and no returning receiver topped 203 receiving yards. Seven offensive line transfers (together with two FBS starters) might rework that unit, however it may take a yr of experimentation for Militello to determine what he has.
Florida Worldwide Panthers
Head coach: Willie Simmons (first yr)
2025 projection: 129th in SP+ (124th offense, 118th protection), 4.5 common wins, 2.9 convention wins
In 21 FBS seasons, FIU has completed with a profitable report 4 instances and received both zero or one recreation 5 instances. Its final two hires — former Miami head man Butch Davis and former San José State and Colorado coach and resurrection knowledgeable Mike MacIntyre — have been each extraordinarily logical, however after a quick run of success beneath Davis, the Golden Panthers have gone a mixed 13-40 over the past 5 seasons. This one ranks fairly excessive on the onerous jobs checklist.
MacIntyre’s final staff each threw the ball and defended the go fairly nicely, and FIU improved from 128th to 112th in SP+, however a 1-5 report in one-score finishes resulted in MacIntyre’s firing. One might recommend this was rash, however as with Kennesaw State, the alternative rent was intriguing. A Tallahassee native, Willie Simmons was glorious as head coach at each Prairie View A&M and Florida A&M. His first portal haul included a variety of former power-conference prospects, together with operating again Anthony Carrie (Georgia Tech), receiver JoJo Stone (Louisville), guard Antonio Tripp Jr. (Miami), and defensive ends Dante Anderson and Lamont Inexperienced Jr. (each from Florida State).
It does not really feel like there are practically sufficient items, although. Undersized defensive sort out Jamarrion Solomon and nook Brian Blades II are first rate veteran constructing blocks on protection, however they’re additionally the one two returning defenders who began greater than 5 video games. In the meantime, quarterback Keyone Jenkins (2,557 yards, 22 TDs) returns, however he misplaced his two finest receivers to the portal, and the offensive two-deep will possible be loaded with sophomores. I actually just like the Simmons rent, however there are in all probability no fast fixes right here.
Welcome to the get together
Delaware Blue Hens
Head coach: Ryan Carty (fourth yr, 26-11 total)
2025 projection: a hundred and tenth in SP+ (113th offense, one hundred and fifth protection), 5.5 common wins, 3.8 convention wins
And now, the newbies. Neither Delaware nor Missouri State is eligible for the CUSA title recreation (and would solely be bowl eligible with six-plus wins if there aren’t sufficient bowl-eligible groups elsewhere), however each might be fairly first rate out of the FBS gate.
That is very true for Delaware. Although ineligible for the FCS playoffs final season, the Blue Hens went 9-2 and ranked fifth in FCS SP+, equal to about a hundredth (between Sam Houston and Louisiana Tech) in FBS. They have been good regardless of three quarterbacks logging main minutes — two of them, senior Zach Marker and junior Nick Minicucci, return — and regardless of fairly just a few then-sophomores enjoying main roles. The offense’s two finest playmakers (RB Marcus Yarns and WR Phil Lutz) are gone, however RB Jo’Nathan Silver is confirmed, and 6 returnees (together with Silver) caught double-digit passes. The road, led by left sort out Anwar O’neal and left guard Patrick Shupp, actually passes the FBS measurement take a look at.
The protection was pretty much as good because the offense final season and returns 17 of the 22 gamers with double-digit tackles, although star finish Melkart Abou-Jaoude transferred to North Carolina. Dimension up entrance is likely to be a problem — sort out Dominick Brogna is the one participant who was listed at greater than 280 kilos final season — however the secondary is huge and bodily, and security KT Seay ought to instantly be among the finest within the convention.
Ryan Carty was KC Keeler’s offensive coordinator when Sam Houston received the FCS nationwide title in spring 2021, and he instantly reestablished Delaware as a top-15ish FCS program when he took over in 2022. He is letting it journey in 2025, having introduced in just a few transfers (most of them redshirt freshmen or sophomores), and his first FBS staff is a projected favourite in 5 video games and solely a slight underdog in 4 others. I would be stunned if this weren’t a reasonably enjoyable and aggressive season for the Hens.
Missouri State Bears
Head coach: Ryan Beard (third yr, 12-11 total)
2025 projection: 127th in SP+ (76th offense, 136th protection), 4.0 common wins, 3.2 convention wins
Missouri State wasn’t fairly pretty much as good as Delaware in 2024 (18th in FCS SP+) and does not return fairly as a lot of final yr’s manufacturing — the Bears should exchange a big portion of their ability corps and about half of their defensive regulars. However you might perceive if MSU is not feeling all that intimidated by the transfer as much as FBS. Convention USA is likely to be higher than the Missouri Valley on common, however the Bears are actually used to enjoying towards FCS super-programs like North Dakota State and South Dakota State, that are yearly pretty much as good as one of the best CUSA groups. Robust competitors ranges do not robotically make you a robust staff, however MSU is fairly battle-tested for a beginner.
If the Bears take pleasure in first-year success, it would possible be due to the offense: It ranked fifth in offensive SP+ in FCS final season, and 6-foot-5 quarterback Jacob Clark (3,604 yards, 26 TDs) is straight away one of many extra confirmed QBs in Convention USA. He’ll be with out 5 of the seven gamers who caught not less than 20 passes final yr, however the splendidly named returning duo of Jmariyae Robinson and James BlackStrain mixed for 62 catches and 953 yards. Ryan Beard was involved sufficient concerning the offensive line so as to add 4 transfers, however measurement will not be a problem, not less than. (Total, Beard was extra energetic within the portal than Carty, although he, too, introduced in additional children than instant-impact guys.)
Dimension also needs to maintain up on protection, the place coordinator L.D. Scott could have a line anchored by Gilles Tchio (310 kilos) and Sterling Smithson (325). Possibly that drives strong run protection, however MSU is changing final yr’s prime two go rushers and prime three cornerbacks. That is an apparent concern.
The projections aren’t as optimistic for MSU — the Bears are favorites in solely two video games. However 5 different video games are projected inside 4 factors, so it would not take a lot overachievement to construct a strong first-year win whole.
