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College Conference · NCAA Division I

Conference USA

Conference USA — a national FBS conference from Florida to New Mexico, refreshed by 2025 additions Delaware and Missouri State.
✓ Last reviewed: August 2026
Founded1995

What is the Conference USA?

Conference USA (CUSA) is a Division I FBS conference whose footprint stretches across the South and Southwest, from Florida to New Mexico.[1][2]

Members and sports

Members include Liberty, Western Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Middle Tennessee, Louisiana Tech and New Mexico State, with Delaware and Missouri State joining in 2025; UTEP departed for the Mountain West in 2026. CUSA sponsors championships across the NCAA sports.[1][3]

Since when does it exist?

Founded in 1995; the league has repeatedly reinvented its membership through realignment while keeping FBS status.[1]

Why does the Conference USA matter?

An FBS conference with automatic access to bowl football and full Division I championships — Liberty's New Year's Six appearance came as a CUSA member.[1][2]

References

  1. Conference USA — official site. Accessed August 2026.
  2. NCAA — About the NCAA. Accessed August 2026.
  3. Underdog Dynasty — UTEP's move to the Mountain West. Accessed August 2026.