New Mexico State football picked fifth in Conference USA poll
DALLAS –A panel of media members that cover Conference USA schools forecast a championship game matchup of WKU and newcomer Liberty.
The New Mexico State football team was picked to finish fifth in the Aggies' first year in the league, one spot ahead of rival UTEP.
The Aggies open the season on Aug. 26 against Massachusetts at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
The 2023 season format is without divisions and will pit the top two teams in conference play against one another in the 2023 Conference USA Championship Game, which will be hosted by the team with the best league winning percentage.
More: Ranking New Mexico State's 2023 road games from easiest to hardest
WKU earned 18 first-place votes as the Hilltoppers seek their first conference crown since 2016. WKU is coming off a 9-5 season in 2022 that saw the Tops win its second consecutive bowl game, knocking off 10-win South Alabama in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. WKU returns the nation’s leading passer in Austin Reed, as well as the nation’s leading returning receiver in Malachi Corley. Defensively, the Hilltoppers led the nation in takeaways (32) and defensive touchdowns (six) and are led by highly-regarded linebacker JaQues Evans.
Liberty is one of four new members in 2023 and has been projected to meet WKU in the CUSA Championship Game, receiving four first-place votes. The Flames enter the 2023 season with a new head coach in Jamey Chadwell and are coming off an 8-5 season with the program’s fourth straight bowl appearance. Liberty returns a pair of quarterbacks — Jonathan Bennett and Kaidon Salter — who shared time in 2022.
Middle Tennessee is coming off an 8-5 season in 2022 that saw the Blue Raiders win their second consecutive bowl game after knocking off San Diego State in the Hawai’i Bowl. Offensively, leading rusher Frank Peasant returns, as does a pair of big-play receivers in DJ England-Chisolm and WR Elijah Metcalf. Defensively, MTSU ranked second nationally in interceptions (20) in 2022 and fourth in defensive touchdowns (four).
The Conference USA slate opens on Aug. 26, with five teams in action and a pair of league contests. The league’s 19th Conference USA Football Championship Game is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 1.
Conference USA media preseason poll
Western Kentucky (18)
Liberty (4)
Middle Tennessee
UTEP
Jacksonville State
FIU
Sam Houston
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: New Mexico State football picked fifth in Conference USA poll
