Coastal Carolina fell one game shy of a bowl appearance last season, only their third as an FBS member, but took a huge step forward in catching up to their peer programs. Even if they take another step forward in 2020, their record may not reflect it.
The Chanticleers, ranked 119th in the HERO Sports Preseason College Football Rankings, return 75 percent of their production from last year, ranked 19th nationally, including 88 percent on offense (fifth nationally), led by two experienced quarterbacks in Jamey Chadwell's spread option system, Fred Payton and Bryce Carpenter. Like most transitioning low-level programs, they're battling consistency issues, particularly in the red zone (scored on only 78 percent of their total red-zone possessions) and in close games. In three one-score losses last year, they went just 14-for-39 on third downs and committed seven turnovers, including four in a seven-point loss vs. Eastern Michigan.
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Coastal Carolina gets another shot at Eastern Michigan this year with a Week 2 trip to Ypsilanti, the second of back-to-back road games to open the season. They don't host an FBS team until Kansas visits in Week 4.
| Date | Opponent | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | at South Carolina | Loss (0-1) |
| Sept. 12 | at Eastern Michigan | Loss (0-2) |
| Sept. 19 | vs. Duquesne | Win (1-2) |
| Sept. 26 | vs. Kansas | Loss (1-3) |
| Oct. 3 | vs. Arkansas State | Loss (1-4) |
| Oct. 17 | at Louisiana | Loss (1-5) |
| Oct. 24 | vs. Georgia Southern | Loss (1-6) |
| Oct. 29 | at Georgia State | Loss (1-7) |
| Nov. 7 | vs. South Alabama | Win (2-7) |
| Nov. 14 | at Troy | Loss (2-8) |
| Nov. 21 | vs. App State | Loss (2-9) |
| Nov. 28 | at Texas State | Win (3-9) |
