DALLAS – Week five of the CUSA football season marks the transition week before the start of Weekday CUSA next Thursday, Oct. 2. The light six-game slate includes three conference games, two more showdowns with Sun Belt foes and the 115^th meeting of the Rio Grande Rivalry between New Mexico State and New Mexico.  
 
NEW MEXICO STATE (2-1, 0-1 CUSA) AT NEW MEXICO (2-1)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 27
Time: 3 p.m. CT
Location: Albuquerque, N.M. (University Stadium)
Broadcast: Mountain West Network
Announcers: Robert Portnoy (PxP), DonTrell Moore (Analyst)
All-Time Series: New Mexico leads 74-35-5
 
Both teams enter the meeting with a winning record for the first time since 1992 and the second time since 1964. The Aggies are also seeking their first 3-1 start since 1999 and back-to-back wins in Albuquerque since 2011. Quarterback Logan Fife has upped his passing total in each of his last two starts, throwing for 283 yards in his last time out against LA Tech. He aims to make it three-straight improvements against a Lobos defense that ranks 99^th in FBS in passing yards allowed (244.3).
 
 
MTSU (1-3) AT KENNESAW STATE (2-2)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 27
Time: 5 p.m. CT
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. (Fifth Third Stadium)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Announcers: Nolan Alexander (PxP), Caleb O’Neal (Analyst), Lexi Bowden (Reporter)
All-Time Series: MTSU leads 1-0
 
The Blue Raiders make their first trip to Kennesaw after defeating the Owls, 14-5, in the team’s first meeting last season. The matchup figures to be a battle in the trenches as both MTSU and KSU rank 28^th and 32^nd, respectively, in tackles for loss, while both also rank in the bottom 30 in tackles for loss allowed. A key for the Blue Raiders will be the turnover battle as MTSU ranks 43rd in turnover margin, while the Owls rank 123^rd. KSU will look to gain an advantage on conversion downs, where the Blue Raiders have struggled early on.
 
LIBERTY (1-3, 0-1 CUSA) AT OLD DOMINION (2-1)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 27
Time: 5 p.m. CT
Location: Norfolk, Va. (S.B. Ballard Stadium)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Announcers: Scott Jackson (PxP), Andy Mashaw (Analyst)
All-Time Series: Liberty leads 4-1
 
The Flames conclude non-conference play against another in-state foe and look to extend their winning streak against the Monarchs to five games. The top story in this matchup is the continued development of quarterback Ethan Vasko’s upper-body injury that he suffered just before halftime in the loss to James Madison. Vasko – Liberty’s second-leading rusher – could play a vital role against ODU’s defense, which ranks 124^th in FBS in rushing defense (204.0). If he doesn’t go, the Flames will need a big game from sophomore running back Evan Dickens.  
 
 
JAX STATE (2-2, 1-0 CUSA) AT SOUTHERN MISS (2-2, 1-0 SBC)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 27
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Hattiesburg, Miss. (M.M. Roberts Stadium)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Announcers: Jason Baker (PxP), Austin Davis (Analyst)
All-Time Series: Southern Miss leads 2-1
 
Hopefully third time’s the charm for the Gamecocks as they seek their first road win under Charles Kelly after a pair of one-touchdown losses at UCF and Georgia Southern. Offensively, Jax State should continue to produce chunk run plays as the Gamecocks rank fourth nationally in percentage of runs over 12 yards (17.05) and 18^th in percentage of plays over 10 yards (16.61). Defensively, Jax State has allowed just three points per red zone trip, while Southern Miss has struggled to come away with points per red zone trip (3.90).  
 
 
WKU (3-1, 1-0 CUSA) AT MISSOURI STATE (2-2)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 27
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Springfield, Mo. (Robert W. Plaster Stadium)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Announcers: Don West (PxP), Tom Mast (Analyst)
All-Time Series: WKU leads 8-2
 
In their first CUSA contest, the Bears host WKU, which happens to be the alma mater of MSU Director of Athletics Patrick Ransdell and head coach Ryan Beard. The matchup pits the top two passing offenses in CUSA as the Hilltoppers (322.5) lead the way, followed by the Bears (277.3). The game presents an opportunity for MSU running back Shomari Lawrence against a WKU rush defense allowing more than 200 yards per game. The Tops will look to remain dominant in the red zone, where they rank 14^th nationally in touchdown percentage (83.33).
 
LA TECH (3-1, 1-0 CUSA) AT UTEP (1-3)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 27
Time: 8 p.m. CT
Location: El Paso, Texas (Sun Bowl)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Announcers: Andy Morgan (PxP), Ed Stansbury (Analyst)
All-Time Series: LA Tech leads 17-3-1
 
Seeking their first 4-1 start since 2019, the Bulldogs head to the prestigious Sun Bowl to take on the Miners, who continue a three-game homestand with their CUSA opener. Both teams boast talented defensive fronts as each rank in the top 25 in FBS in tackles for loss (UTEP -10^th; LA Tech – 25^th) and are tied for the league lead in sacks (2.5). The Bulldogs also rank top 10 in defensive touchdowns, interceptions and turnovers gained, while the Miners have thrown five interceptions. As long as he takes care of the ball, it could spell success for UTEP quarterback Malachi Nelson, who’s coming off a 400-yard game and going up against a LA Tech defense that ranks 114^th in passing yards allowed (264.3).