Weekday CUSA Previews: 2026 Week 9

We’ve reached the end of the road. Welcome to the final slate of Weekday CUSA games in 2026. Throughout the month of October, the CUSA has graced our television screens on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and even Friday nights, allowing football fans to have their fix every day of the week.

In November, the torch will be passed to Midweek MACtion. But to round out this month, the CUSA plays two Tuesday and two Wednesday games in Week 9, before resuming action Saturday with a matchup between FIU and Liberty.

Here is a look at the four weekday matchups:

Delaware @ WKU

Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 7 pm ET on CBS Sports Network

Spread: WKU (-1.5)

Over/under: 57.5

Delaware (3-4, 1-2 CUSA) enters Bowling Green, KY with a different sense of energy. The Fightin’ Blue Hens returned star quarterback Nick Minicucci last week against Missouri State, and that made all the difference. Minicucci finished sixth nationally in passing yards last season and picked up right where he left off, while rocking a giant brace on his right leg. He tied a program record five passing touchdowns in his return, added one on the ground, and led Delaware to a 61-point performance. The Fightin’ Blue Hens, ranked 119th in rushing offense, also got stronger run support last week, fully unlocking a dynamic offense. Other standouts on offense include wide receiver Sean Wilson and center Steven Demboski as Delaware looks to carry its offensive success to the road. Defensively, the Fightin’ Blue Hens allowed 431 yards last week but tightened in the second half by forcing three consecutive turnovers. They rank eighth-to-last nationally in passing defense but get to the quarterback more than anyone else in the CUSA with 2.6 sacks per game, led by outside linebacker Blake Matthews.

WKU (3-4, 2-1 CUSA) had about as brutal of a start as anyone in college football, starting 0-4 against FBS competition with a minus-144 differential in those games. But the Hilltoppers kept chipping away, and now they’re coming off back-to-back wins with a renewed sense of confidence. Defense, particularly containing the ground, was a major struggle in the early weeks. However, those problems were solved last outing against Sam Houston as WKU allowed just three points and limited the Bearkats to 177 yards total. The Hilltoppers’ strength defensively is an aggressive secondary that flies to the ball quickly, headlined by safeties Jaylen Lewis and Dave Herard. Offensively, WKU still seeks more consistency. The Hilltoppers have started Brock Glenn the past two weeks, incorporating his mobility as a focal point of the offense. It’s not your typical Tyson Helton WKU that throws for over 300 yards per game. Still, there is talent in the receiver room, namely Jonathan Stafford Jr., who averages seven catches per game in CUSA play.

Prediction: Delaware 42, WKU 31

Sam Houston @ Missouri State

Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 8 pm ET on ESPN2

Spread: Missouri State (-6)

Over/under: 51.5

Sam Houston (1-6, 0-3 CUSA) has significantly tailed off since a promising non-conference showing. The Bearkats went toe-to-toe with Troy and Tulsa and even remained competitive with Texas Tech for a half. But they’re 0-3 in CUSA play, failing to score a touchdown against Liberty and WKU and falling at home to New Mexico State last Wednesday. Quarterback Landyn Locke played through an injury last week and finished with 235 passing yards, but he remains in search of his 300-yard performances that defined the early portion of Sam Houston’s season. The Bearkats will rely heavily on Locke and the receivers, considering their run game is dead last in the FBS at 83 yards per game. Defensively, Sam Houston has created havoc recently, staying in the New Mexico State game thanks to a punt block touchdown and two takeaways. Outside linebacker Dean Ford has 24 tackles and three tackles for loss across his last three games, while the pass defense ranks third nationally in fewest yards allowed per game at 141, doing so on an opponent completion percentage of 52.4.

Missouri State (2-5, 1-2 CUSA) enjoyed its best offensive showing of the season last week at Delaware, but a brutal performance from the defense resulted in a 61-38 defeat. The Bears turned to Henry Belin IV at quarterback, and the Duke transfer has been productive with back-to-back 300-yard outings with multiple touchdowns. Expect plenty of Belin’s passes to go in the direction of Isaiah Myers, who ranks sixth nationally and first in the CUSA with 796 receiving yards. Myers has exceeded 130 yards four times this season, including his 242-yard explosion last week, and his 20.9 yards per reception are second in the FBS among all receivers with 30 catches (only trailing Jesse Legree). Missouri State can inflict damage through the air, but its defense ranks 130th in points allowed per game and 129th in yards allowed per game. Inside linebacker Jared “Bird” Lloyd is the main name to watch on that end, contributing 79 tackles and four tackles for loss on the season.

Prediction: Missouri State 21, Sam Houston 17

Kennesaw State @ Middle Tennessee

Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 7 pm ET on CBS Sports Network

Spread: Middle Tennessee (-2.5)

Over/under: 50.5

Kennesaw State (1-6, 0-3 CUSA) is evidence how quickly the hierarchy of the CUSA can shift. Last season, the Owls rattled off 10 victories and won the conference championship. Now, they’re on the brink of missing a bowl game and still haven’t defeated FBS competition in 2026. Kennesaw State had several close calls, losing to Jacksonville State and Missouri State on last-minute field goals. But last week against Liberty, the Owls failed to notch a touchdown in a 34-6 beatdown. Kennesaw State is now evaluating its quarterback room, shifting from Rickie Collins to Landon Varnes in the middle of last week’s game. It is unclear who the Owls start Wednesday, but the 124th-ranked scoring offense is in desperate need of a spark, and the team has thrown more interceptions (6) than passing touchdowns (4) in 2026. On defense, the Owls are led by talented linebackers Baron Hopson and Tywon Christopher, who combine for 105 tackles. But the team seeks more from the secondary, as the passing defense is 96th nationally, while only intercepting three passes through seven games.

Middle Tennessee (4-3, 2-1 CUSA) might warrant the title of the CUSA’s most improved team. The Blue Raiders collected back-to-back victories over Delaware and FIU, and now they have their winningest season in three years of the Derek Mason era. Quarterback Roman Gagliano is at the forefront of the newfound success, and he’s exhibited an impressive 19-to-2 touchdown to interception ratio since taking over as the Blue Raiders’ quarterback late last season. Additionally, Middle Tennessee got things done on the ground last week at FIU, as running back Terrence Brown Jr. produced 158 rushing yards — the most the program has seen since 2019. However, it is notable that its third down offense is currently the second-worst in the FBS. Meanwhile, the defense is 116th in yards allowed, but the Blue Raiders have only allowed more than 30 points once all season. But one thing Middle Tennessee does better than anyone else in the conference: special teams. The Blue Raiders are 10-of-11 on field goals and own the fifth-best punting average in the country.

Prediction: Middle Tennessee 30, Kennesaw State 10

Jacksonville State @ New Mexico State

Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 8 pm ET on ESPN2

Spread: Jacksonville State (-3)

Over/under: 49.5

Jacksonville State (5-2, 3-0 CUSA) is doing the typical Jax State season again. The Gamecocks had yet another slow start in non-conference play but have stepped it up against their CUSA peers. Jax State is now 23-4 in regular season CUSA games since joining the FBS, currently having a clear path to a third-straight conference championship appearance. This Gamecock offense is more versatile than the previous iterations, considering the frequency of the passing game. Caden Creel still runs the football effectively and leads the team with 500 rushing yards, but he’s taken a significant leap as a passer, firing for 1,637 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 6’8” Deondre Johnson is the target that makes this offense click, and Johnson has 431 receiving yards on an explosive 19.6 yards per carry. Jax State’s defense has also been consistent, holding six-straight opponents below 30 points. Free safety Caleb Nix has been the game changer on that end, leading the team with 43 tackles, two interceptions, and three pass breakups, while cornerback Tre’Quon Fegans has also been effective in one of the CUSA’s better passing defenses. Also, if this matchup gets close, keep an eye on kicker Garrison Rippa, who has already hit two game-winners in Weekday CUSA games this year.

New Mexico State (3-4, 2-1 CUSA) has been on a roller coaster of a season, regularly alternating between lopsided losses and commanding victories. The Aggies are fresh off their first one score game and first road victory of the season, emerging at Sam Houston 30-24 last Wednesday. Running back James Jones was key to the winning effort with 178 yards, and now he ranks 14th in the country and first in the FBS with 777 rushing yards. Additionally, wide receiver AJ Williams III made several spectacular end zone catches to keep the offense multidimensional. Now, the Aggies just need consistency on that end, as they have been held below 20 points in all four losses. The defense delivered plenty of promise last week, holding Sam Houston to 13 rushing yards. Linebackers Sione Aupiu and Tory Gethers have been effective against the run, while strong safety Nick Session has controlled the back end, and as a result, the Aggies have allowed just four offensive touchdowns in three games of CUSA play.

Prediction: Jacksonville State 27, New Mexico State 19