Welcome to the 2020 FCS summer preview series.

Every week will be dedicated to a conference as we break down the top teams, top players and what you need to know about the league heading into the season. We'll have standings predictions, preseason All-Conference teams, top players to keep an eye on, podcasts and more.

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The full conference-by-conference schedule and all of our preview content can be seen right here.

This week, we have the …

Big South Conference

[divider]MORE:

• Preseason FCS Top 25
• Preseason FCS All-American
• Best Player To Wear Each Jersey Number, 99-1
• FCS Preview Central

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Our Take

For a more in-depth look at the conference, check out the new episodes of B-Mac and Herd's FCS Podcast coming this week.

THE FAVORITE: Kennesaw State — Last summer, we hinted in our 2019 Big South Preview that although KSU had earned the right to start out atop the Big South preseason rankings, it was going to be pushed harder than it had been in years — dating back 2016 when Charleston Southern last ruled. Monmouth looked like the biggest threat, and as it turns out — it was. This year, we're going to go back to our preseason feelings of 2018 when we declared KSU the clearcut preseason leaders of the Big South.

The reasoning? Monmouth had an incredible 2019, the best in school history in fact, but the program will be rebuilding some this year (though still will be a winning program). Meanwhile, the Owls of KSU had a lot of new faces get playing time last year and still made a postseason run of things. In many other conferences in the FCS this year, we've used the word "parity." That word probably won't fit the Big South this year, at least not for the No. 1 spot. You can put the Owls' in ink.

We'll let KSU's sports information office sum it up: The offense returns eight starters from a team that led the country in rushing (342 yards per game) while ranking No. 1 in the nation in passing yards per completion. On defense? The Owls return seven of 11 starters on a defense that ranked No. 3 and held opponents to 279 yards and 19 points per game. See what we mean? This is from a team that won 11 games, went two rounds in the playoffs and nearly upended a very good Weber State team in Utah (six-point loss) — in a season where we thought they'd be rebuilding some. 

THE THREATS: Monmouth, Charleston Southern — Monmouth has players who know how to win, as its 28-9 record the past three years (and two playoff trips) would convey. Juwon Farri is back at running back, and he was the 2018 leading rusher who was ruled ineligible by the school last year but is back for 2020. There is serious talent back on defense for the Hawks, too. There are also question marks. On the flip side, Charleston Southern returns a good chunk of talent (Anton Williams anyone?) from a 6-6 team that wrapped its season on a four-game winning streak. Former Notre Dame star Autry Denson has this program heading in the right direction and there seems to be a special vibe coming from this program that hasn't been seen since early 2016, when CSU had a swagger that nearly had the Bucs come out of Fargo with an overtime win over North Dakota State. Keep an eye on the Bucs. 

THE DARK HORSE: Gardner-Webb — Yes, the Runnin' Bulldogs have won only seven total games the past three years, but listen up … this program returns 20 starters (7 on offense, 9 on defense, 4 on special teams), has landed a former 4-star prospect/transfer from Wake Forest at quarterback (Tayvon Bowers), who will battle one of last year's starters for the nod (Jordan Smith, coming off injury). And here's the other thing … three of their Big South losses in 2019 were by four points or less. GWU was close last year, has the youngest head coach in Division I football in Tre Lamb (30 years old) and has weapons to score with. How good could this program be? Well it hasn't finished higher than third in the Big South in 14 seasons, but this year, there's a chance that could change. 

BEST OFFENSE: Kennesaw State — We already talked about this up above so there's no reason to repeat the statistics. The Owls run a lethal option attack that is very difficult to prepare for in a short prep week, and that's a massive advantage … plus they have the personnel that knows how to run it.

BEST DEFENSE: Kennesaw State — The numbers don't lie. This was a Top 10 defense last year, nationally, and the offense actually helps the defense by squeezing the clock and letting the "D" re-energize for when it does need to hit the gridiron. That's exactly what's going to happen again in 2020.

THE TRUTH: There's no question Kennesaw State is the clearcut favorite, thus the reason we at HERO Sports had it at No. 11 in the preseason FCS poll. This program is built like a tank. After that? It should be pretty interesting. Could a team rise up and win nine games and make an argument for a playoff berth, like we've seen twice with the Big South in the past three years? It'd be good for the league to have that, for sure. The real question here is "who is No. 2" just like it is in the FCS nationally behind North Dakota State. While Monmouth and Charleston Southern seem to be the logical choices for that spot, don't count out Campbell or Gardner-Webb. Hampton seems to be in full rebounding mode, while we continue to think North Alabama is one of those "it's just a matter of time" situations before UNA is a Big South power. 

WHAT ELSE?: The Big South is bouncing back in the "big picture" sense. While Presbyterian has moved on to the independent ranks (and soon the non-scholarship Pioneer League), this league has improved … adding North Alabama fully now, while HBCU national power North Carolina A&T will join Hampton as recent MEAC departures to choose the Big South as their new homes. Also, in mid-June, Robert Morris announced that it will eventually move into the Big South football league. Just a few years ago, this conference looked like it might dry up, with teams like Liberty and Coastal Carolina moving on to the FBS. Now, with the recent additions, there's no question this conference is heading in the right direction. Campbell has been a good addition, North Alabama is a former D-2 powerhouse and N.C. A&T has won repeated HBCU national championships. Hampton and Robert Morris definitely help boost the numbers. All of this takes care of the health of the league.

As for taking the field this fall? Obviously the first question you have for a school like Monmouth in New Jersey and really any school in the country is — how will CoVid affect the season? That remains to be seen. But should things get back to normal at some point, this should be a pretty good battle for who is next up behind Kennesaw State. 

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Names To Know

THE NFL PROSPECT: Bryson Armstrong, Kennesaw State, LB — Getting sick of this guy yet, Big South? You should be, he's been a postseason/preseason recognized ballhawk since day one at Kennesaw. And … heeeeeeee's back! Albeit for a final time. He led the Owls in tackles with 95 (by the way, he did that as a freshman way back in 2017, too). He also racked up 12 tackles for loss and just annoys other teams, who are we kidding? 

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Hajj-Malik Williams, Campbell, QB — Yes, he's only going to be a sophomore. No, we don't care. This First-Team HERO Sports Freshman All American last year was incredible, rushing for 653 yards and 9 TDs while passing for 2,042 yards and 17 TDs. He even caught a 23-yard touchdown, if that gives an idea of what he's capable. When stud QB Daniel Smith moved on to Villanova to explode in the CAA, Williams slid right in and Campbell helped post a winning record and nearly take out 11-win Kennesaw State at home (three-point loss). Look for the Camels to improve behind this star.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Anton Williams, Charleston Southern, DE — One of the top negative-yardage guys back in the FCS, Williams posted 17 tackles for loss and 8 sacks last year, along with 54 tackles … in just 10 games. A former high school quarterback in Florida, he has proven to be just one key talent on what should be an improved CSU defense in 2020.

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Returning Standouts

Most Returning All-Conference/HERO Sports All-American Players From 2019

Any returning player that had a 2019 on-field honor from their conference counts toward their team total, including honorable mentions and All-Newcomer Teams.

8- Monmouth

6- Campbell

5- Charleston Southern, Kennesaw State

4- Gardner-Webb

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​Brian and Sam discuss their preseason Top 25 on B-Mac and Herd's FCS Podcast, which is also available on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify, iHeart, Stitcher and Spreaker.​​

SUBSCRIBE: B-Mac and Herd's FCS Podcast