If you’re going to bet Coastal Carolina over 7.5 wins in 2023, you’re doing so for one primary reason: Grayson McCall. The gunslinger is returning to Coastal Carolina in 2023, and he’s the obvious favorite for Sun Belt Player of the Year.
McCall rarely makes mistakes – throwing 78 career touchdowns to just eight interceptions – and he’s able to create game-changing plays. He’s a college superstar and one of the best players across the entire Group of Five.
Thanks largely to McCall, college football betting odds suggest Coastal Carolina can contend for the Sun Belt East in 2023. The Chanticleers’ win total is 7.5 with -135 odds for the over and +110 for the under.
New coach Tim Beck inherits what could be an elite offense, although the defense will need to improve for the Chanticleers to win the Sun Belt East. New defensive coordinator Craig Naivar is experienced, and he’ll need to quickly get his defense firing on all cylinders for the program to take full advantage of McCall’s return.
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
Defense needs work
Coastal Carolina had the second-worst scoring defense in the Sun Belt last season, as the Chanticleers succeeded despite their defense. They need to make improvements on that side of the ball to reach eight or more wins in 2023.
The secondary was a massive issue in 2022, as Coastal Carolina had the least efficient passing defense in the conference. The Chanticleers allowed 28 passing touchdowns while only generating nine interceptions. By comparison, Marshall’s elite defense only allowed 12 passing touchdowns while intercepting 18 passes.
Coastal Carolina doesn’t need to become Marshall, but the Chanticleers can’t finish at the bottom of the conference in passing defense if they want to win eight or more games in Beck’s first season.
The team was respectable at stopping the run and generating sacks in 2022. If Coastal Carolina builds on the run defense and improves the secondary, it gives McCall and the offense chances to win games with 30-point outputs.
Schedule sets up well for eight wins
An opening game against UCLA is a major test, but that’s a winnable game for the Chanticleers. Other matchups with Jacksonville State, Duquesne, and Army make for a manageable non-conference schedule.
League play in the Sun Belt East figures to be tough, but Coastal Carolina faces Marshall and JMU at home. The team’s West division foes are Arkansas State and Texas State.
In some ways, it’s surprising to see Coastal Carolina’s win total as low as 7.5. The Chanticleers’ offense should be among the best in the Sun Belt, and coaching changes should lead to at least minimal defensive improvements.
I’m high on Coastal Carolina’s potential in 2023, and I like the team’s win total over.
Sure, the program was a bit lucky at times in 2022 and struggled down the stretch, but McCall makes the Chanticleers a contender, and their non-conference schedule and cross-division opponents aren’t scary. Coastal Carolina could win 10+ games in 2023 if the defense makes noticeable steps forward to help out McCall and a dynamic offense.
Bennett Conlin is a college football contributor for HERO Sports, and he works full-time covering sports betting industry news and legislation for Sports Handle and US Bets.
