DALLAS — Sam Houston has been selected to finish in the middle of the pack of Conference USA this season, the league announced on Friday morning.
 
The Bearkats have been picked to tie for fifth place with NM State with both schools picking up 97 points in the poll. Liberty, behind the strength of 18 first-place votes for 197 points, is predicted to win the conference with Western Kentucky (two first-place votes) second at 173.
 
Jax State is penciled in to place third followed by Middle Tennessee, Sam Houston and NM State, Louisiana Tech, FIU, UTEP and newcomer Kennesaw State.
 
The Bearkats went 3-9 last season and 2-6 in CUSA play. Sam Houston did, however, lose six games by a touchdown or less in 2023. Sam Houston opens the season at Rice on Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.
 
2024 CUSA Predicted Order of Finish
School (first-place votes)    Total
1. Liberty (18) 197
2. WKU (2)         173
3. Jax State       166
4. MTSU               98
t5. NM State    97
t5. Sam Houston         97
7. LA Tech          88
8. FIU   81
9. UTEP                76
10. Kennesaw State   27