DALLAS – Conference USA will be sending seven schools to play in bowl games this holiday season – the most for the league since 2021. CUSA Champion Kennesaw State leads the group, joined in the postseason by FIU, Jacksonville State, Louisiana Tech, WKU and FBS newcomers Delaware and Missouri State.
 
Led by CUSA Coach of the Year Jerry Mack, the Owls (10-3, 7-1 CUSA) posted the largest win improvement (+8) by a CUSA team since Florida Atlantic in 2017 and claimed a CUSA Championship in just its second year in FBS. KSU is set for a showdown with MAC Champion Western Michigan (9-4, 7-1 MAC) in the Myrtle Beach Bowl at 10 a.m. CT on Friday, Dec. 19, on ESPN from Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C.
 
The Gamecocks (8-5, 7-1 CUSA), which hosted the CUSA Football Championship for the second consecutive year in the first year under head coach Charles Kelly, are headed to a bowl game for the third time in as many years in the FBS. Jax State will face in-state foe Troy (8-5, 6-2 Sun Belt) in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl at 8 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 16 on ESPN from the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.
 
The Hilltoppers (8-4, 6-2 CUSA) are headed to a bowl game for the seventh time in as many seasons – one of just 11 FBS programs with an active bowl participation streak of seven or longer – under the direction of head coach Tyson Helton. WKU will face Southern Miss (7-5, 5-3 Sun Belt) in the New Orleans Bowl at 4:30 p.m. CT on ESPN from the Caesars Superdome.
 
The Bears (7-5, 5-3 CUSA) enjoyed a stellar debut season in the FBS and in Conference USA, earning four road wins during the 2025 campaign – including a 21-17 victory at Liberty on Nov. 8. Missouri State will take on Arkansas State (6-6, 5-3 Sun Belt) in the Xbox Bowl at 8 p.m. CT on Thursday, Dec. 18 on ESPN2 from the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas.
 
The Panthers (7-5, 5-3 CUSA) experienced a resurgence under first-year head coach Willie Simmons, who has guided FIU to its first bowl game since 2019 and first winning season since 2018. The Panthers match up with UTSA (6-6, 4-4 American) in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Dec. 26 on ESPN from Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas.
 
LA Tech (7-5, 5-3 CUSA) heads back to the Independence Bowl after falling to Army in the 2024 game. With a 42-30 win over Missouri State, the Bulldogs secured their first winning season since 2019. LA Tech is set for a showdown with Coastal Carolina (6-6, 5-3 Sun Belt) at 1 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 30, on ESPN from Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La.
 
Delaware (6-6, 4-4 CUSA) also had a successful coming out party in the FBS ranks, including a 44-41 overtime win over 9-3 UConn early in the year for the Fightin’ Blue Hens’ first-ever win over an FBS opponent. Delaware is set for a showdown with Louisiana (6-6, 5-3 Sun Belt) in the 68 Ventures Bowl at 7:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Dec. 17, on ESPN from Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala.