Let me say it straight: I was wrong. Dead wrong. My CUSA takes? Missed the mark like a field goal off the upright in overtime. Sometimes the film doesn’t tell the whole story. Sometimes coaches rise, programs surge, and narratives flip. Let’s run it back and take a hard look at where I fumbled the ball.
1. Sam Houston – The Threat, Not Just a Threat
I didn’t just sleep on Sam Houston — I hit snooze. I flipped my pick and now I see why. Coach Vic came in with a 13-27 record, and yeah, that didn’t inspire confidence at first. But watching him coach this team? He played a beefy brand of football. Gritty, physical, and unapologetically tough. Sam Houston didn’t climb the ladder — they fell down it and dared anyone to fall harder. Vic has turned the Bearkats into the not so fast pre sesson rankins in CUSA, and I won’t make the mistake of underestimating other coaches again. 5 conference left but does he want it or is he just playing for draft status
2. Liberty – Old Dog, Explosive Tricks
Coach Mtwasik, year 32, 208-219 record, 12 bowl wins — I saw that and thought maybe the fire had dimmed. Wrong again. Liberty plays with veteran precision and explosive flare. They don’t just win — they wear teams down and then break games open in the fourth. Mtwasik has seen it all, and he’s still dishing out lessons weekly. This team’s a strong No. 2 and breathing down Sam Houston’s neck, now last among active coaches in CUSA but has plenty of time to catch up.
3. Middle Tennessee – Quiet No More
Coach Maverick04 came into his second season with a 6-7 mark, and I called him “quietly dangerous.” That was putting it too mildly. This team is loud on both sides of the ball now. Balanced? Yes. Battle-tested? Absolutely. But Maverick’s squad is also fearless, aggressive, and making serious noise in the standings. They’re no longer under the radar — they’re on everyone’s watchlist. Now 2-5 but still has 5 conference and can make a push but that comes with winning some games.
4. Western Kentucky – Holding Receipts and Balling Out
Coach Wasted Memory — yeah, we’ve got history. I questioned him, I questioned Finley, and I wondered aloud if the defense could hold up. But here we are, and he’s got WKU firing. The offense? Still electric. The defense? Improved. Finley? Holding down the job and slinging it like a seasoned vet. I’ll keep those receipts, but I’ll also give credit where it’s due. WKU is back in the mix. Now 2-5 with 5 conference games left can they make a push to finish 5-2 in CUSA and prove the doubters wrong.
5-7. FIU, Jacksonville State, Louisiana Tech – New Faces, New Energy
I gave a simple “best of luck” to coaches Ric1112 (FIU), Lsumavsman (JSU), and Skupe (La Tech). But that didn’t do justice to the energy they’ve brought. Each has quickly installed identity and culture. The growing pains are real, but so is the upside. Don’t be surprised if one or more breaks out in 2026. Now lets dont wait till 2026 we are having breakout seasons from Jax St who leads the pack in Cusa and La Tech who is tied for 2nd in CUSA.
8-10. UTEP, New Mexico State, Kennesaw State – Still Searching. Now while we are searching for a New Mexico ST and Kennesaw ST coach, Akpatrick42 took over UTEP and has had a specular season with only one loss which was to LA Tech and that could be a big deal id they both win out turning a great season into a tie breaker let down for CUSA title game.
Final Word
This league doesn’t wait for narratives to catch up. It rewrites them every week. I was wrong about CUSA — about Vic, Mtwasik, Maverick, and yes, even Wasted Memory. But here’s the beauty of sports: you can be wrong today and learn for tomorrow. This conference? It’s earned my full respect.
CONNECT WITH US ONLINE:
WHOS ONLINE:
31 Guests in the last 5 minutes Legend: NDL Admin | Conference Commish | Media Team | NDL Coaches
NDL Hall of Fame:
659 Coaches Newest Member: Shotty_mac90
HOME
Discord