Every summer since 2007 I have created an intricate set of college football predictions for each upcoming season.  This year is no exception, as I will be using my blog over the next few hours to publish my 19th annual college football preview guide which will contain 19 entries in all. The records below reflect each team’s predicted regular season overall record followed by their conference record.  These records include conference title games for the top two division champions but exclude bowl games which will be previewed later on in a separate column on this blog.  The teams marked in bold font are the ones predicted to gain bowl eligibility.  Without further ado, here are my predictions for Conference USA in 2025, which is now firmly established as the worst conference in FBS, a fact that will hurt the league champion’s chances of making the 12 first-ever team playoff this fall.

1	Liberty (11-2, 8-0)– conference champion

Last Year’s Record: 8-4 (My 2024 prediction: 13-0)

Positional Strength: Offensive Line

Positional Weakness: Wide Receiver

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: at Louisiana Tech (November 22)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Old Dominion (September 27)

Bottom Line: The Flames had a disappointing 2024 campaign, as they dropped three games to FBS newbies: Kennesaw State, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston. However, with Ethan Vasko entering the fold at quarterback and one of the easiest schedules in the country (for the third straight season), the Flames should regain their straglehold on this league and make a run at an unbeaten season and potential CFP bid.

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2	Louisiana Tech (9-4, 7-1)– conference runner-up

Last Year’s Record: 5-8 (My 2024 prediction: 7-5)

Positional Strength: Linebacker

Positional Weakness: Running Back

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Western Kentucky (October 21)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: vs. Liberty (November 22)

Bottom Line: Sonny Cumbie finally got this program to turn a corner last season as they ended their three year run of 3-9 seasons and made a bowl game. This year, thanks to an experienced quarterback and a favorable schedule, the Bulldogs should be able to take the next step and contend for a league title in wide open conference race.

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3	Western Kentucky (8-4, 6-2)

Last Year’s Record: 8-6 (My 2024 prediction: 7-6, I was dead on with the Hilltoppers for the second straight year!)

Positional Strength: Wide Receiver (same as last year)

Positional Weakness: Running Back (same as last year)

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Middle Tennessee (November 15)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Louisiana Tech (October 21)

Bottom Line: The Hilltoppers are in the midst of somewhat of a rebuilding year after losing both coordinators and 19 starters. However, the Hilltoppers should always have enough talent to compete for a league title in this downtrodden conference.

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4	FIU (6-6, 5-3)

Last Year’s Record: 4-8 (My 2024 prediction: 8-4)

Positional Strength: Quarterback

Positional Weakness: Wide Receiver

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: at Middle Tennessee (November 8)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: vs. Delaware (September 20)

Bottom Line: I overrate this team almost every year, as their talent level never quite produces the results on the field that it should. However, with a new coach that has injected some much needed energy into the program and the return of a skilled quarterback (Keyonte Jenkins) and the league’s best defender (Brian Blades II), I am calling (again) for FIU to make a bowl game for the time this decade in 2025.

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5	Middle Tennessee (8-4, 5-3)

Last Year’s Record: 3-9 (My 2024 prediction: 3-9)- another dead-on prediction from 2024!

Positional Strength: Defensive Line

Positional Weakness: Running Back

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Jacksonville State (October 29)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: vs. FIU (November 8)

Bottom Line: The Blue Raiders should make a big year 2 jump on both sides of the ball as they return their starting quarterback and 6 of 7 guys in their defensive front. Expect Middle Teneessee to go bowling for the first time since 2022 this year.

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6	Jacksonville State (6-6, 4-4)

Last Year’s Record: 9-5 (My 2024 prediction: 4-8)

Positional Strength: Running Back

Positional Weakness: Quarterback

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Western Kentucky (November 29)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: vs. Delaware (October 15)

Bottom Line: I majorly underrated this team in each of the past two seasons but there is no way they can avoid taking a step back in 2025 with the departure of Rich Rod and the loss of 16 starters. Nevertheless, this league is weak enough for the Gamecocks to collect enough wins to gain bowl eligibility in 2024.

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7	UTEP (4-8, 4-4)

Last Year’s Record: 3-9 (My 2024 prediction: 5-7)

Positional Strength: Wide Receiver

Positional Weakness: Quarterback

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: at Sam Houston (October 15)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Delaware (November 29)

Bottom Line: After an abysmal first half of the season, this team started playing some good football down the stretch and actually won two of their final three games. I think they will take another step foward in 2025 under up and coming coach Scott Walden, but I still don’t think they have quite enough talent to attain bowl eligibility this season.

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8	New Mexico State (7-5, 4-4)

Last Year’s Record: 3-9 (My 2024 prediction: 3-9)- another perfect preseason pick in 2024!

Positional Strength: Linebacker

Positional Weakness: Defensive Line

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Middle Tennessee (November 29)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at UTEP (November 22)

Bottom Line: I called for Head Coach Tony Sanchez to have success in his prior stint at UNLV but it never panned out. And despite his putrid start to his tenure in Las Cruces, I think New Mexico State gets back to bowl eligibility in 2025 thanks to their acquisitions of experienced offensive coordinator David Yost and talented quarterback Logan Fife.

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9	Delaware (5-7, 3-5)

Last Year’s Record: 9-2 (My 2024 prediction: N/A)

Positional Strength: Linebacker

Positional Weakness: Quarterback

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. UConn (September 13)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Sam Houston (November 15)

Bottom Line: It seems like several FCS programs have had a surprising amount of success recently in their first season transitioning to FBS (see James Madison and Jacksonville State), and I think Delaware is positioned to do the same in 2025. The Blue Hens bring back two experienced quarterbacks and 15 total starters from a squad that won 9 games in each of the past two seasons on the FCS level.

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10	Kennesaw State (2-10, 1-7)

Last Year’s Record: 2-10 (My 2024 prediction: 1-11)

Positional Strength: Defensive Back

Positional Weakness: Offensive Line

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Missouri State (November 22)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: vs. UTEP (October 28)

Bottom Line: This program has a long way to go before they are competitive at the FBS level, but I think the hiring of new coach Jerry Mack is the first step in the right direction.

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10	Sam Houston (1-11, 1-7)

Last Year’s Record: 10-3 (My 2024 prediction: 5-7)

Positional Strength: Offensive Line

Positional Weakness: Defensive Back

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Delaware (November 15)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: vs. UTEP (October 15)

Bottom Line: The Bearkats exceeded mine, and everyone else’s, wildest expectations with their Cinderella 10-3 season last year that culminated with the program’s first bowl victory. However, they are basically starting over this year with new coach Phil Longo, as he has to replace the team’s best running back, receiver, andi its top 16 tacklers from 2024.

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12	Missouri State (1-11, 0-8)

Last Year’s Record: 8-4 (My 2024 prediction: N/A)

Positional Strength: Quarterback

Positional Weakness: Linebacker

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. UT-Martin (September 20)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Kennesaw State (November 29)

Bottom Line: Not every team find success during their initial jump to FBS, and I think the Bears will struggle to find it in 2025. They have a good returning quarterback but an inexperienced defense coupled with a relatively tough scheudle will be Missouri State’s downfall this season.

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