College Football’s 2025 Week 0 is just about here. Don’t fret, though. There is still time to get your NCAA College Football futures placed! As the teams get ready to take the field, let’s get ready to hit the books! The Conference USA is an interesting one. As teams enter the FBS, they seem to start here in the CUSA. Jacksonville State won it last year. Who will win it this year? Let’s take a look at the Conference USA Preview and Best Bets!
College Football 2025: Conference USA Preview and Best Bets
Odds to Win the C-USA in 2025
Liberty -115
Western Kentucky +425
Louisiana Tech +900
UTEP +1200
Jacksonville State +1400
Middle Tennessee +1800
Sam Houston State +2000
Florida International +3000
New Mexico State +3500
Kennesaw State +5000
Western Kentucky Under 7.5 Regular Season Wins
Western Kentucky was so close last year. However, this year in our Conference USA preview and best bets, we’re fading them. After finishing with eight wins last year, they’ll struggle to repeat that success, only retaining 36% of their production.
We’ll find out right away in Week 0 how this team is going to be set up as they take on Sam Houston. The winner of this game will move to the top of the CUSA’s potential winners, while the loser will be left wondering how the full season will go. Personally, my money is already on Sam Houston.
Western Kentucky has won over eight games in four straight seasons. This feels like the year it changes. What comes up, must come down, and this is the year that Western Kentucky finally comes down a little. Maverick McIvor from Abilene Christian will quarterback this team.
However, they’ll be lucky if they can catch lightning in a bottle like they did with Bailey Zappe back in 2021. It’s a similar situation, the offensive coordinator and quarterback coming into the team. I just don’t think it’s the same talent. I think they hit right at seven wins, so I’m taking the under.
Jacksonville State Over 5.5 Wins (EVEN)
Jacksonville State had a conference-best record last year, going 7-1 in the conference and 9-5 overall. However, out of all Conference USA teams, they’re returning the least amount of production, which makes me want to fade them in my bets.
On top of returning very few players, Charles Kelly enters his first year coaching Jacksonville State. That’s just too much turnover for me to get behind. Kelly has been around for a while and coached under some great coaches. However, I still have concerns with the hire.
My biggest concern for this team, though, is their offensive line. Six of last year’s top seven are gone, and they didn’t exactly do much in the portal to address it. Yes, they bring in quarterback Gavin Wimsatt and running back Cam Cook. However, they won’t be able to put much offense up if the line doesn’t block for them.
I’m still a firm believer that football is won in the trenches. Their win total dropping to 5.5 after just having won 9 games the prior year is telling. The confidence isn’t high on this team, and for good reason. Perhaps the Kelly hire will all make sense, but I don’t think it’ll be this year.
Liberty C-USA Champions (-115)
The Liberty Flames enter the year as the favorites to win the CUSA, and there’s a reason taking them to win it is one of the best Conference USA bets. Jamey Chadwell is entering his third year with the program. He has an impressive 21-5 record overall, including going 13-1 last season.
They’re returning 59% of their production across the board on both offense and defense. They no longer have Kaidon Salter. However, they do have Ethan Vasko. He’ll start behind an offensive line that is returning three starters. He’ll also have weapons such as former Colorado State receiver Jamari Person and big-play receivers like Elijah Canion and Reese Smith.
This will be harder for them than it was last year. However, they’re an incredibly well-coached team. In fact, between Liberty and Coastal Carolina in the last five seasons, Chadwell is 50-12. He’s known for having offensive powerhouses. Despite all the changes, they still have one of the most proven rosters in the CUSA. I expect Chadwell to have them playing at a high level and to take down this conference, once again.
