Predicted Order of Finish
*2023 Record in Parenthesis
*Rosters are Subject to Change
1. Liberty (13-1)
Good News- junior QB Kaiden Salter is back after posting 44 total TD’s in 2023 and sophomore DE TJ Bush anchors a strong D-line
Bad News- last year’s leading tackle and C-USA Defensive Player of the Year LB Tyren Dupree is gone
OVER/UNDER TOTAL WINS 10.5
2. Western Ky. (8-5)
Good News- there are plenty of viable options to step in at WR following the departure of Malachi Corley to the NFL
Bad News- the Hilltoppers’ defense ranked 108th nationally in yards allowed (419.7) last year and now must replace 7 starters
OVER/UNDER TOTAL WINS 7.5
3. Jacksonville St. (9-4)
Good News- HC Rich Rodriquez guided the Gamecocks to 9 wins in their 1st full FBS season and has plenty of option to replace longtime starting QB Zion Webb
Bad News- the defense lost its’ top pass rusher in DL Chris Hardie (8.5 sacks) and will be breaking in a new coordinator
OVER/UNDER TOTAL WINS 7.5
4. Middle Tenn. (4-8)
Good News- returning junior starting QB Nicholas Vattiato (3,092, 23 TD’s) get his top target back in senior TE Holden Willis
Bad News- new HC Derek Mason has a plethora of holes to fill on defense and the Blue Raiders drew non-conference road games against Ole Miss and Memphis
OVER/UNDER TOTAL WINS 4.5
5. UTEP (3-9)
Good News- energetic 1st-year HC Scotty Walden, who went 26-14 in 4 seasons at FCS Austin Peay, will undoubtedly inject life into last year’s sluggish offense
Bad News- road trips to Nebraska, Liberty, and Tennessee will expose the Miners' lack of depth and experience
OVER/UNDER TOTAL WINS 4.5
6. Louisiana Tech (3-9)
Good News- the Bulldogs hope newly hired, veteran coordinator Jeremiah Johnson can erase back-to-back forgettable seasons on defense
Bad News- HC Sonny Cumbie’s Air Raid attack on offense lacks experience at WR
OVER/UNDER TOTAL WINS 4.5
7. New Mexico St. (10-5)
Good News- returning 4 starters on the O-line takes some of the sting out of losing C-USA Player of the Year Diego Pavia at QB
Bad News- new HC Tony Sanchez has yet to prove he can win at the FBS level (20-40) and faces high expectations following last year’s 10-win campaign
OVER/UNDER TOTAL WINS 4.5
8. Sam Houston (3-9)
Good News- senior LB Kavian Gaither (72 tackles) returns as the leader on defense and the Bearkats get C-USA favorites Liberty and Western Kentucky at home
Bad News- QB is unsettle with junior transfer Jase Bauer (Central Michigan) and 2023 backup Grant Gunnell battling for the job
OVER/UNDER TOTAL WINS 4.5
9. FIU (4-8)
Good News- sophomore QB Keyone Jenkins returns to direct the offense which gets back 2022 leading rusher in senior Lexington Joseph after missing all of 2023 (ACL)
Bad News- top receiver Kris Mitchell transferred to Notre Dame and the defense must generate more pressure after ranking 124th in sacks (12) last season
OVER/UNDER TOTAL WINS 4.5
10. Kennesaw St. (3-6)
Good News- the Owls have a valuable asset in junior punter Joshua Huiet (42.9 yards per punt) and will lean heavily on returning senior RB Michael Benefield (546 yards)
Bad News- sophomore QB Davis Bryson provided little passing threat last year and the defense must replace its’ top 2 tacklers
OVER/UNDER TOTAL WINS 2.5
Buy
None
Sell
New Mexico St. (CUSA)- Sanchez has yet to post a winning season in 5 years as a HC at the FBS level. With questions at QB following the departure of Pavia to Vanderbilt the Aggies will be hard pressed to reach a third straight bowl game.
Jacksonville St. (CUSA)- The Gamecocks' defense faces a lot of uncertainty with a new coordinator and many of last year's key pieces gone. A tougher schedule this time around that includes road games against C-USA favorites Liberty and WKU makes matching last year's 9 wins seem far-fetched.
2023 FBS Statistical Rankings
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