FCS 2020 PREVIEW: Big South Preseason Rankings

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.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

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:

[divider]

THE REASONING: If you missed our in-depth Big South Conference discussion, well … you missed a real fire-starter. And you know what? That's alright. Monmouth faithful are spinning their heads and wondering "how do we beat a Kennesaw State team by 20-plus points and end up No. 2". And the funny thing is? One year ago right now? Kennesaw State fans were wondering the same thing … why is there was any doubt that the Owls wouldn't win a third straight Big South title after the continued dominance. But we weren't sold that it was 100 percent guaranteed. And we said it. And ultimately? We were right. Hey, I'm just being honest here folks, and as we always say on the B-Mac and Herd FCS Podcast?: We don't care who wins, we're just saying it as we see it.

My overwhelming take here is this: This is the most interesting season in the Big South in half a decade. Kennesaw State should run away with this, that's our stance and check back with us around Christmas to see if we were right. Two years ago? This wasn't even a question, with Chandler Burks running that lethal KSU option and that program giving a shot of novocaine to everybody it ran into during the Big South slate (stealing a line from Remember the Titans). Last year was a bit different looking in the preseason. Monmouth did appear to be the one team that could topple the KSU machine. This year? We could have threats coming from many different directions, mainly from old guard members (Charleston Southern), new guard members (Campbell and North Alabama) and even a long-time FCS member in Gardner-Webb. Truly? This could be very, very interesting … and beyond 2020? It's going to get better.

So let's be loud … the Big South, if all parts are allowed to move forward considering the current situation with this blasted virus? This could be a very, very interesting season … easily the most interesting in this conference since Liberty and Coastal Carolina jettisoned to go take their programs to the FBS.

Preseason Rankings

NOTE: These rankings are a prediction of what the standings will look like at the end of the season. It is the opinion of the author of this story and may differ from the order of our staff's Top 25 FCS rankings. Conference schedules are taken into consideration.

Rank	Team
1	Kennesaw State
2	Monmouth
3	Charleston Southern
4	Gardner-Webb
5	Campbell
6	North Alabama
7	Hampton

[divider]

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