Conference USA media members don’t appear to have much confidence in Missouri State’s inaugural Football Bowl Subdivision and Conference USA season.
The Bears, who enter the league from the Football Championship Subdivision along with Delaware, were picked 12th in Friday’s preseason media poll.
This poll wasn’t as conventional as previous years.
Conference USA unveiled its first edition of its Bowl Confidence Index, providing a score from media members on the likelihood of each member reaching postseason play. Bowl qualifiers often have to win at least six games.
Though Missouri State isn’t eligible for postseason play in 2025 due to its initial transition year, it was given a 12.50 percent confidence rating, last among the 12 members. Delaware, which also isn’t eligible due its transition season, was picked eighth (29.17 %).
The poll’s order: Liberty (100%), Western Kentucky (100%), Jax State (91.67%), Louisiana Tech (75%), Sam Houston (45.83%), UTEP (41.67%), FIU (37.5%), Delaware (29.17%), Middle Tennessee (25%), New Mexico State (25%), Kennesaw State (16.67%) and Missouri State (12.5%).
Missouri State and Delaware could reach a bowl in 2025 under these conditions: not enough FBS teams qualify for the scheduled bowls or qualifying teams opt out of their respective bowls. MSU and/or Delaware would have to be bowl-eligible from a wins total and be selected to fill an empty bowl slot from a bowl committee.
Conference USA said it opted to use the Bowl Confidence Index poll format due to the sizable turnover of rosters in the ever-changing transfer portal and NIL landscape.
Last year, Missouri State was picked ninth in the 11-team Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll before then-second-year head coach Ryan Beard’s went 8-4 and finished ranked No. 23 in the final FCS coaches poll.
Five Bears selected to CUSA watch lists
Missouri State’s Jmariyae Robinson heads upfield for positive yardage during the Bears’ 38-31 win over Youngstown State on Sept. 28. (Photo by Bruce Stidham)
Conference USA coaches released the 2025 preseason watch list on Monday that included five returning Missouri State players.
Walter Payton Award finalist, First-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference and MSU record-breaking quarterback Jacob Clark; all-MVC offensive lineman Cash Hudson; FCS Freshman All-American freshman kicker Yousef Obeid; two-year MSU starter and speedy wide receiver Jmariyae Robinson; and returning defensive end Davon Townley were selected.
Clark completed 262 of 376 passes for 3,604 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions with a 169.8 efficiency and 3,608 yards of total offense last season, spearheading one of the country’s top offenses.
Robinson, one of Clark’s primary targets, hauled in 38 receptions for 585 yards and four touchdowns. He entered the transfer portal in December before opting to return.
CUSA media day in Dallas area
Coaches and players from Conference USA’s 12 member institutions will be at PGA of America in Frisco, Texas, on Tuesday, July 22, for the annual CUSA Kickoff.
The gathering will feature a series of events and interviews with league media members. Missouri State will be representated by head coach Ryan Beard, quarterback Jacob Clark and safety J.J. O’Neal, a Logan-Rogersville graduate.
ESPN+ is broadcasting the CUSA Kickoff Show, beginning at 9:20 a.m. with ESPN host Mike Corey.
Ryan Collingwood covers college and high school sports in the Springfield metropolitan area for the Daily Citizen. Have a story idea or gripe? Send an email to rcollingwood@sgfcitizen.org, call or 417-837-3660, or follow Ryan on social media at X.com/rwcollingwood. More by Ryan Collingwood