NCAAF · 1 year ago

NCAA Football Betting: 2024 C-USA Power Rankings

Grant White

Host · Writer

1. Liberty Flames
C-USA Championship Odds: -195
Odds to Make CFP: +440

Last year's college football darlings, the Liberty Flames, look to recapture the glory of their perfect regular season. Of course, it all came crashing down in the Fiesta Bowl, but that doesn't dampen their outlook heading into 2024.

This was an offseason of change for the Flames. Liberty lost several prominent starters, including top pass-catcher CJ Daniels and stalwart defender Tyren Dupree. Still, there's plenty of firepower to get the Flames to the top of the C-USA standings.

Led by Kaidon Salter and Quinton Cooley, Liberty's offense will run rampant over the mediocre competition all season long. But without a meaningful non-conference matchup on their schedule, the Flames might be relegated to watching the College Football Playoff from home.
10. Kennesaw State Owls
C-USA Championship Odds: N/A
Odds to Make CFP: N/A

The Kennesaw State Owls, who started their football program in 2015, have experienced a rapid ascent. However, their inclusion in the C-USA power rankings is merely a formality. The team remains ineligible for the conference championship or bowl games, meaning their only hope in 2024 is embracing the role of spoiler for every other team in Conference USA.
9. FIU Panthers
C-USA Championship Odds: +10000
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

Another year of development doesn't inspire a ton of confidence in the FIU Panthers. They remain a distant challenger in the C-USA.

The Panthers finished last year as the worst total defense in the conference, improving only marginally in offense. Their 320.3 yards per game were the second-fewest in the C-USA, resulting in just 20.1 points per game and a 1-7 record in conference play.

Kris Mitchell's departure diminishes FIU's offensive capacity, while significant improvement isn't expected on defense. If they can improve their on-field product, the outlook heading into 2025 might be marginally better.
8. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
C-USA Championship Odds: +2500
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs had one of the busiest offseasons, adding a plethora of unproven talent via the transfer portal. Their success this season depends on how quickly Sonny Cumbie can bring his team together, but we're not expecting big things from L-Tech in 2024.

A rebuilt offensive line protects a shaky Jack Turner and a rehabilitated Marquis Crosby. Turner completed just 57.1% of his 147 pass attempts last year, throwing as many touchdowns as interceptions (five). Likewise, Crosby carried the ball only once for 20 yards after appearing in just one game while resolving an injury from early in the season.

Even though Crosby had a standout freshman season in 2022 and is on the Doak Walker watchlist, a return to full action isn't enough to spur the Bulldogs into contention.
7. UTEP Miners
C-USA Championship Odds: +6000
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

With just one winning record since 2015, head coach Scotty Walden brings a fresh perspective to the UTEP Miners. He brings a batch of fresh recruits via the transfer portal, which is the change of culture this program desperately needs.

Of note, the team poached a pair of three-star recruits, Dorian Hopkins and Tray Dunson, stabilizing their linebackers corps, adding Jevon Jackson as their primary running back on offense. Combined with an upgraded receivers room and improved efficiency from quarterback Cade McConnell, the Miners could finally be digging themselves out of this seemingly never-ending hole.

The outlook isn't as bleak as the betting price implies. UTEP needed change, and Walden is delivering before the season even starts.
6. New Mexico State Aggies
C-USA Championship Odds: +8000
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

A once highly sought-after prospect, eliciting offers from the Georgia Bulldogs and Tennessee Volunteers, Deuce Hogan joins his third team in as many years. The New Mexico State Aggies are better because of it, but they have much to prove before moving up the C-USA power rankings.

Hogan brings renewed optimism to New Mexico State, as does running back Monte Watkins. The Louisiana native ran for an astonishing 572 yards on 59 carries last year, averaging 9.7 yards per carry. If the Aggies can get the most out of their pass-catchers, there's no reason this team should be priced as low as they are.

New Mexico State's defense was strong last year, but a bevy of new additions brings some uncertainty. Still, we are high on the Aggies' chances in a weak C-USA, making them a true dark horse to return to the conference championship game.
5. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
C-USA Championship Odds: +2500
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

Concerns on the defensive side of the ball limit the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders' potential in 2024. But with their offense largely intact, we could see some high-scoring games at Johnny 'Red' Floyd Stadium this season.

Nicholas Vattiato returns for his junior season, looking to improve on last year's passing totals of 3,092 yards and 23 touchdowns. His preferred passing target, tight end Holden Willis, is also back in the fold, ensuring the team doesn't feel the impact of Elijah Metcalf's departure. With their running back tandem of Jaiden Credle and Frank Peasant accounted for, there's plenty of continuity on offense.

Middle Tennesee's defense will be a limiting factor. But if they can pull off a couple of road upsets throughout the season, the Blue Raiders could be better than advertised.
4. Jacksonville State Gamecocks
C-USA Championship Odds: +750
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

Defense carried the Jacksonville State Gamecocks to a 9-4 record and a bowl game in their first season in the FBS in 2023, but they are unlikely to replicate that success this season.

Jax State lost five of their top six defenders from last year, impacting every level of their defense. Now, they're left with an unproven unit to go along with their lackluster offense, which also lost their top pass-catcher and leading rusher.

Temper expectations, Gamecocks fans; this season won't match last year's energy.
3. Sam Houston Bearkats
C-USA Championship Odds: +1700
Odds to Make CFP: +6000

The Sam Houston Bearkats hope the addition of Jase Bauer and Jay Ducker will elevate their offense in 2024, but that won't be enough to offset some of their defensive losses.

The Bearkats feature four new starters on defense, which will primarily impact their D-line and secondary. But the loss of Trevor Williams from the linebacker corps will be felt the most.

Ducker is two years removed from his lone 1,000-rushing campaign, while Bauer failed to elevate the Central Michigan Chippewas against inferior competition last year. Nevertheless, if it comes together quickly, Sam Houston could move up the C-USA power rankings early in the season.
2. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
C-USA Championship Odds: +450
Odds to Make CFP: +6000

As improbable as it seems, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers might have the best chance of representing C-USA in the College Football Playoff. The Hilltoppers start the season with a marquee showdown against the perennial powerhouse Alabama Crimson Tide, followed by non-conference dates against the upstart Toledo Rockets and Power 4 Boston College Eagles. But that's assuming this team lives up to the hype and takes at least two of those three contests as well as the C-USA crown.

After stops with the LSU Tigers, Auburn Tigers, and Texas State Bobcats, T.J. Finley's collegiate career brings him to Western Kentucky. The junior signal-caller had a coming-out party in 2023, throwing for 3,439 yards and 24 touchdowns while adding five rushing touchdowns.

Finley adds a new dimension to the Hilltoppers' offense, but it doesn't solve all their problems. Western Kentucky needs more out of running back Elijah Young and its revamped defense. If all the pieces come together, they could give the Liberty Flames a run late in the season.
1. Liberty Flames
C-USA Championship Odds: -195
Odds to Make CFP: +440

Last year's college football darlings, the Liberty Flames, look to recapture the glory of their perfect regular season. Of course, it all came crashing down in the Fiesta Bowl, but that doesn't dampen their outlook heading into 2024.

This was an offseason of change for the Flames. Liberty lost several prominent starters, including top pass-catcher CJ Daniels and stalwart defender Tyren Dupree. Still, there's plenty of firepower to get the Flames to the top of the C-USA standings.

Led by Kaidon Salter and Quinton Cooley, Liberty's offense will run rampant over the mediocre competition all season long. But without a meaningful non-conference matchup on their schedule, the Flames might be relegated to watching the College Football Playoff from home.
10. Kennesaw State Owls
C-USA Championship Odds: N/A
Odds to Make CFP: N/A

The Kennesaw State Owls, who started their football program in 2015, have experienced a rapid ascent. However, their inclusion in the C-USA power rankings is merely a formality. The team remains ineligible for the conference championship or bowl games, meaning their only hope in 2024 is embracing the role of spoiler for every other team in Conference USA.