Conference USA Football: Power rankings, top players and key games for 2022

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UTSA fans and players celebrate winning the Conference USA championship

Dec 3, 2021; San Antonio, TX, USA; UTSA Roadrunners head coach Jeff Traylor carries UTSA Roadrunners running back Sincere McCormick (3) after defeating the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 49-41 in the Conference USA championship game the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /

Conference USA Football Preseason Power Rankings

11. Rice Owls

Although there is reason to be tentatively optimistic regarding the Owls, they’re still the worst team in the league.

10. FIU Panthers

There is a lot of work to do for Mike McIntyre here. After a 1-11 mark in 2021, it’s not going to be that much better this year.

9. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

The receivers are solid, and Parker McNeil may end up being a great quarterback, but the defense needs a lot of work.

8. Charlotte 49ers

This team could rapidly improve, so long as Will Healy’s squad manages to find some consistency in 2022.

7. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Bailey Zappe and Jerreth Sterns are no longer on the roster, and 2021 Hilltopper offensive mastermind Zach Kittley is off to Texas Tech. Former WVU QB Jarrett Doege is here, but WKU is going to look like a whole new ball club this year.

6. North Texas Mean Green

North Texas has lost quite a bit of defensive talent to the portal, and their offense looked fairly suspect last year as well.

5. MTSU Blue Raiders

The offense should be solid again, and they’ve got a great defensive line. That line is anchored by edge rusher Jordan Ferguson, who had eight sacks last season.

4. Florida Atlantic Owls

Willie Taggart is flagging in his second job. The offense was absent down the stretch last year, and inconsistency has been ever-present in his two years on the job in Boca Raton. Still, though, there’s some talent on this roster.

3. UTEP Miners

The Miners still have 3,000-yard passer Gavin Hardison on the roster, but without Jacob Cowing and Justin Garrett, the offense is assured to take a step back. At least they still have defensive end Praise Amaewhule, who earned first-team All-C-USA honors last year.

2. UAB Blazers

UAB is a solid team, though there still may be some weakness on the lines. Especially on defense, the team is lights-out, and the offense is good enough to keep them in most ballgames.

1. UTSA Roadrunners

A lot of talent has departed from last year’s squad. Most notable of those departures include running back Sincere McCormick and cornerback Tariq Woolen. But, Frank Harris is back at quarterback, and the job Jeff Traylor has done in recruiting should keep the Roadrunners as the league’s top team.

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