Conference USA has been in the midst of a restructuring period, acquiring several schools that were not previously part of the conference or FCS ranks, but now it looks like it will be dominated by one new entrant.
The Liberty quickly dominated Conference USA, going 13-1 en route to the league title and a berth in the Fiesta Bowl. With a host of returning players, the Flames were expected to win the conference again, and their double-digit win total was proof of that.
The conference lacks quality talent and a loaded non-conference schedule means that only two teams — Western Kentucky and Jacksonville State — have win records that would put them above .500 in the league.
Here are the win numbers for each team in Conference USA, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
4.5 (Over +138/Under -170)
Mike MacIntyre’s squad will benefit from an incredibly easy schedule, as they face Indiana, one of the Power Five teams, and have six winnable games against teams expected to win six or fewer games at home.
7.5 (Over -134/Under +110)
Jacksonville State is off to a strong start in 2023, its first season ranked in the FBS. The team is ranked 103rd in returning players, according to ESPN, but Rich Rodriguez’s fast-paced tactics have oddsmakers optimistic the school can contend for a championship in 2024.
The team is expected to win at least eight games 57% of the time.
2.5 (above -110/below -110)
This is the Owls’ first season in the FBS, but they are not eligible to play in the conference title game, and oddsmakers have Kennesaw State as the team with the fewest wins in the league.
10.5 (Over -134/Under +106)
The Flames, the favorites to win the division, are hoping to make an appearance in the first-ever expanded College Football Playoff, and oddsmakers are bullish on Jamey Chadwell’s squad, which returns under center quarterback Kaydon Salter.
Based on the listed odds, the Flames are projected to have a 57% chance of winning their 11 games or going undefeated.
4.5 (Over -150/Under +122)
Louisiana Tech struggled to be consistent last season and it could be another tough year in Ruston, with the Bulldogs given a 60% chance of winning at least five games.
4.5 (Over -122/Under +100)
Derek Mason will take over from longtime head coach Rick Stockstill to lead the Blue Raiders, but oddsmakers aren’t betting on a full rebound from last season’s four-win team, giving the team a 54.95% chance of breaking the record.
4.5 (Over +108/Under -132)
The Aggies had a great run last season leading up to the conference title game, but they rank 128th in return records, and that’s evident in the team’s declining win totals.
4.5 (Over -134/Under +110)
Sam Houston was competitive in its first season in the FBS rankings but didn’t win many games, starting the season 0-8 before finishing with three wins in its final four games. Oddsmakers believe the Bearcats can make at least a little progress, with the team having a 57.3% chance of winning five or more games.
4.5 (Over +104/Under -128)
Scotty Walden will be at the helm in El Paso, but it may take some time as the Miners are projected to win just 56 percent of the time.
7.5 (above -110/below -110)
Tyson Helton has had five successful seasons with the Hilltoppers and the team is expected to compete for the CUSA championship again as one of just three teams with a winning percentage of at least .500.
The team surpassed that win total in all but one season (2020) during his time at WKU.
Game odds are updated regularly and are subject to change.
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