Year 1 of the Ryan Beard era in Coastal Carolina features a manageable schedule.
The Chanticleers face a pair of Conference USA squads, one FCS opponent, and a Big 12 program. They also get some of their tougher Sun Belt games at home. College football betting odds have the Chanticleers’ win total at Over/Under 4.5 wins, with the Over at -150 and the Under at +115.
Here are game-by-game predictions for CCU’s 2026 slate:
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at West Virginia
Prediction: Loss
It won’t be easy taking a trip to Morgantown to open the season. The Chants might compete, but I don’t expect an upset.
vs. Fordham
Prediction: Win
There should be a lot of hype surrounding Conway in CCU’s home opener. I expect an electric atmosphere to help Coastal cruise to a victory.
at Delaware
Prediction: Loss
A trip to the northeast is much nicer in September than November. The Blue Hens will be good this year and have most of their returning production from last year. I expect this will be a good game. UD has been dominant at home under Ryan Carty, and I think that continues.
vs. Liberty
Prediction: Win
Now comes the second CUSA date against a Liberty team that stumbled last season, finishing 4-8 after head coach Jamey Chadwell was dealing with health issues. I expect the Flames to be back to one of the top teams in the conference – but this Thursday night tilt isn’t a conference game.
vs. Georgia Southern
Prediction: Loss
CCU opens conference play off a mini-bye and with a huge test against a Georgia Southern team that I think will have one of the best defenses in the league. The Eagles will be coming off a tough stretch of games but I think will find a way to prevail.
at Marshall
Prediction: Win
I expect Marshall quarterback Carlos Del-Rio Wilson will make Marshall one of the tougher offenses to contain in the Sun Belt, but I think CCU’s defense will be solid this year and will be able to limit him.
vs. App State
Prediction: Win
App State brings a lot of question marks entering the season. However, I do believe the Mountaineers will be a middle of the pack team and will flirt with .500, potentially even winning four league games. I don’t think this is one of them.
at Georgia State
Prediction: Win
After starting the season 1-2, I think the Chanticleers earn four consecutive league wins. Do they slip up and overlook the Panthers? I doubt it.
vs. Old Dominion
Prediction: Loss
Aside from Georgia Southern, this should be another test for CCU’s offense. I think this will be a low-scoring slugfest but the Monarchs steal one on the road and CCU’s win streak comes to an end.
vs. Arkansas State
Prediction: Win
The Red Wolves bring back some key players on both sides of the ball but need to replace an electric QB in Jaylen Raynor. I think they’ll be entering this matchup on a two-game win streak, but I don’t think they’ll extend it to three.
at Louisiana
Prediction: Loss
The first of two tough games to close out the regular season, CCU visits Lafayette and a team that has been steady under Michael Desormeaux. I think the Chants might be looking ahead to the final game of the regular season against JMU, which will come back to bite them.
at James Madison
Prediction: Loss
If bowl-eligibility or perhaps even a conference title berth are on the line, this isn’t a great spot for a must-win game. JMU will have a new-look roster and a new coaching staff, but it’s hard to imagine the Dukes not maintaining their position as the standard in the Sun Belt.
This game could also have postseason implications for the Dukes, who will be playing at home for the first time in a month. Even during Thanksgiving break, I think it’ll be a rowdy crowd.
Coastal Carolina Win Total Prediction
I predict the Chanticleers go Over 4.5 wins.
This is somewhat high expectations for a first-year head coach and a roster overhaul. However, I like what Beard was able to do at Missouri State, and I think he can bring some of that success to Conway early on. Getting to five victories with this schedule is attainable.
