The Sun Belt's power balance seems to favor the West Division once again as Troy and South Alabama should be ranked as the top two teams in the conference this fall. The Trojans look to repeat as the reigning Sun Belt champs, but the Jaguars have all the puzzle pieces in place to get to the top in the conference in 2023.

The East Division is certainly crowded too, as Coastal Carolina, James Madison, and Marshall each have a claim to case of #1. Appalachian State isn't too far behind them, while Georgia State and Georgia Southern seem to be tough outs for the rest of the division.

How does ATFS project the Sun Belt for 2023? Jakub Dodson predicts and ranks all 14 teams in Sun Belt for this fall:

- - -

 
 
 
 
 
 
### **Sun Belt Football 2023 Predictions**
 
##### **1.) Coastal Carolina**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 6-2**

**2022 Overall Record: 9-4**

 
**B****iggest Question:**  **Can new HC Tim Beck replace Jamey Chadwell?**

**HC Time Beck has gigantic shoes to fill in replacing Jamey Chadwell, but the former NC State OC’s move to HC will be eased by the return of the Sun Belt’s top QB in Grayson McCall, RBs Brayden Bennett and Reese White, WRs Jared Brown and Sam Pinckney. Odds are Beck doesn’t change the offense too much due to its success which means all eyes will be on whether or not the defense will improve. The defense allowed 6.5 yards a snap and 31.8 points a game last season. Luckily for Coastal Carolina, the schedule leans in their favor with both Marshall and James Madison coming to Conway and they miss both Troy and South Alabama.**
 
##### **2.) Marshall**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 5-3**

**2022 Overall Record: 9-4**

 
**B****iggest Question:**  **Are they disciplined enough to overcome a tough schedule?**

**After starting the 2022 campaign at 3-3, the Thundering Herd was able to close out the season by winning six out of seven games including a 28-14 win over UConn in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. All the pieces seem to be in place for Marshall to win the Sun Belt East, but a tough schedule stands in their way with road games against Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, and South Alabama. After rushing for 1401 yards in 2021, RB Rasheen Ali missed the entirety of the 2022 season. He’s slated to make a comeback this year and handle a full workload this fall. QB Cam Fancher showed some promise in the late-season surge, but the passing game overall needs a new #1 contender to emerge after QB Corey Gammage transferred out of the program. Marshall led the conference in fewest points a game (16) and let only 4.6 yards a play last season. The defense does have a new coordinator and a measly three starters returning, but they get help with 15 transfers coming in to reinforce the unit.**


##### **3.) South Alabama**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 7-1**

**2022 Overall Record: 10-3**

 
**B****iggest Question:**  **Tough schedule on the horizon…can the Jaguars actually do it this year?**

**HC Kane Wommack’s program returns almost all of the roster from last season’s 10-win year, but an away game to Troy looms very large in the overall picture for the Sun Belt West title. South Alabama was just a couple plays away from something special, but came up short in two significant games last season as they fell to Troy 10-6 and UCLA 32-31 in early September. A breakout defense returns 10 total starters and stars at all three levels, including welcoming back S Keith Gallmon who missed all of 2022 due to injury. C James Jackson and WR Jalen Wayne are going to be significant losses offensively, but QB Carter Bradley, who threw for 3334 yards and 28 TDs last season, and RB La’Damian Webb, who rushed for 1065 yards, both return. The schedule does not favor the Jaguars as they catch Tulane, Troy, Oklahoma State, and James Madison away from Mobile.**
 
##### **4.) Troy**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 7-1**

**2022 Overall Record: 12-2**

 
**B****iggest Question:**  **Will it be Troy or South Alabama?**

**It’s too close to call between the Trojans or the Jaguars as to who will be crowned the Sun Belt West contender for the conference title game. Troy is the reigning, defending, undisputed conference champs and managed to finish #19 nationally after an impressive 12-2 debut under HC Jon Sumrall last year. A challenging defense led the way for the Trojans last season and is likely to lead this program once again. This defense allowed only 17.1 points a contest and 4.7 yards a splay and only one team (Appalachian State) scored more than 30 points against them. LB Carlton Martial will be sorely missed, but Sumrall's defense still returns breakouts up front in T.J. Jackson, Richard Jibunor, and Javon Solomon, while Reddy Steward is back to secure the back end. Much more is needed from an offense that ranked eighth in the Sun Belt in scoring with an average of 25.6 points a game. QB Gunnar Watson has managed to cut down on the mistakes with only 12 INTs last season, while the team's top two WRs (Tez Johnson and RaJae' Johnson) have departed. Kimani Vidal, who rushed for 1,132 yards, is one of the Sun Belt's top returning RBs.**
 
##### **5.) James Madison**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 6-2**

**2022 Overall Record: 8-3**

 
**B****iggest Question:**  **How will the new QB feel in this scheme?**

**James Madison made a successful transition to the FBS level last fall, coming off an 8-3 season that included a road win at Appalachian State and a 47-7 massacre of Coastal Carolina. HC Curt Cignetti’s program is, unfortunately, once again ineligible for the conference crown but will play a key role in shaping the battle for the top spot again. An offense that led the conference in scoring with 37 points a game last season must replace QB Todd Centeio. Arizona transfer QB Jordan McCloud and Alonza Barnett were the leading candidates for the starting spot after spring camps. Helping to ease the new QB into the starting position will be an offensive line that returns all five starters, and a talented one-two combo at RB with Latrele Palmer and Kaelon Black. Six starters return to a defense that limited teams to just 20.9 points a contest and 4.7 yards a play last year.**
 
##### **6.) Appalachian State**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 3-5**

**2022 Overall Record: 6-6**

 
**B****iggest Question:**  **Was last season a fluke?**

**6-6. The lowest win total since moving to the FBS in 2014. Granted, five of the six defeats came by one score or less. Marshall and Coastal Carolina come to town this season so HC Shawn Clark’s team will get plenty of opportunities to rebound. But, first things first, they must find someone to replace Chase Brice at QB. Forecasts are mostly projecting Ryan Burger (medium rare) to take over as the signal-caller. If App State can settle a QB into the scheme relatively early, this team has the potential to be very explosive on the offensive side of things behind new OC Frank Ponce. Returning to the backfield for the Mountaineers is RB Nate Noel who rushed for an average 6.94 yards per carry last season. The O-line and WR units both rank among the top in the Sun Belt. DC Scot Sloan is back in town to call the shots on the defense, but he’ll face turnover at nearly every level on his defense. He does, however, get S Nick Ross and LBs Andrew Parker and Brendan Harrington back as some building blocks.**
 
##### **7.) Southern Miss**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 4-4**

**2022 Overall Record: 7-6**

 
**B****iggest Question:**  **Can we please get some consistency from the QB position?**

**Major steps forward from year one to year two was a great achievement for HC Will Hall as the team went from 3-9 in 2021 to 7-6 last fall. The only way to keep improving in the win column is to figure out the QB position after two years of extremely inconsistent play and injuries. It seems as though Clemson transfer QB Billy Wiles is the frontrunner to start under center after having a solid spring season. Regardless of the starting QB though, the offensive scheme has and will always remain the same: Get the ball in Frank Gore Jr.’s hands. The preseason All-American returns after putting up 1573 yards and 13 total TDs last season. He also finally gets an improved O-line to run behind. The defense should remain among the top in the Sun Belt, but must maneuver some transitioning in the secondary. With six starters returning, DC Dan O’Brien (transferred over after Austin Armstrong left for Florida) should find his first season slightly easier than most.**
 
##### **8.) Louisiana**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 4-4**

**2022 Overall Record: 6-7**

 
##### **9.) Arkansas State**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 1-7**

**2022 Overall Record: 3-9**

 
##### **10.) Georgia Southern**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 3-5**

**2022 Overall Record: 6-7**

 
##### **11.) Georgia State**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 3-5**

**2022 Overall Record: 4-8**

 
##### **12.) Old Dominion**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 2-6**

**2022 Overall Record: 3-9**

 
##### **13.) Texas State**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 2-6**

**2022 Overall Record: 4-8**

 
##### **14.) ULM**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 3-5**

**2022 Overall Record: 4-8**

***(article by Jakub Dodson of A Terrible Football Show)***

With Quite a Few Teams Strong Enough, Who Will Take the Belt?

Sun Belt Preseason Power Rankings

The marathon to capture the Mountain West title this season will look slightly different this upcoming season than in 2022. The divisions - Mountain and West - are gone, and, in its place, is a 12-team, one division format. The top two teams at the end of the season will meet in the conference title game, which all eyes will be on as the conference looks to return back to a New Year's Six Bowl game for the first time since 2014.

With QB Taylen Green and a phenomenal ground attack leading the charge for Boise State, they take the top spot in this power rankings for the start of the 2023 campaign. But the Broncos will have some teams hot on their trail as Air Force, Fresno State, and San Diego State look to state their claim to the conference. Three teams that may surprise some will be Colorado State, Utah State, and UNLV.

How does ATFS project the Mountain West Conference for the 2023 campaign? Jakub Dodson predicts and ranks all 12 teams in the MWC for this fall:

- - -

### **Mountain West Football 2023 Predictions**
 
##### **1.) Boise State**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 8-0**

**2022 Overall Record: 10-4**

 
**Biggest Question:**  **Can they make it back to the title picture?**

**2019 was the last time the Broncos won a Mountain West title, but HC Andy Avalos’ unit is certainly poised to return to the tip of the conference this season. Rising star QB Taylen Green returns after a solid campaign in 2022 amounting for 2628 total yards and 24 TDs overall. With his dual-threat ability (586 rushing yards in 2022), he adds to a prolific combo that includes both RB George Holani and Ashton Jeanty. On offense, the biggest concern will be replacing two starters, but OC Bush Hamdan seems prepared to fix that issue. The defense, on the other hand, lost three key pieces and will be highly tested the very first week of the season when Boise State takes on Washington.**
 
##### **2.) Air Force**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 5-3**

**2022 Overall Record: 10-3**

 
**Biggest Question:**  **Can they resupply the offense with talent?**

**The Falcons’ phenomenal ground attack will be without their two best threats with both QB Haaziq Daniels and RB Brad Roberts leaving the program. But, as per usual, expect HC Troy Calhoun to find the right solutions in order to keep the offense on track. Lucky for coach Calhoun, four starters on the offensive line (including two 1st team All-Mountain West) will provide an ease in transition for the next QB-RB duo. While the offense looks to find their new identity, Air Force’s defense enters this season with minimal concerns. After allowing just 13.4 points a game last season and also managing to hold opponents to less than 30% on 3rd down conversion, this group will bring back eight of the players who helped in doing so. Odds are, this defense will be the top in the conference.** 
 
##### **3.) Fresno State**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 7-1**

**2022 Overall Record: 10-4**

 
**Biggest Question:** **How quickly will the offense recover from offseason turnovers?**


**Bye-bye QB Jake Haener. Adiós WR Jalen Moreno-Cropper. Hello UCF transfer QB Mikey Keene and a collection of returning options, transfers, and JUCO products for the WR room. This offense might look…different to say the least next season after Haener and Moreno-Cropper led the Bulldogs to the Mountain West Championship last season. Needless to say, the defense might carry the team this year as seven starters return after having a season where they allowed only 19.4 points per game. Biggest area of concern of the defense will be the secondary due to the departure of four starters including S Evan Williams who transferred to Oregon.** 
 
##### **4.) San Diego State**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 5-3**

**2022 Overall Record: 7-6**

 
**Biggest Question:**  **Is it time?**

**With the emergence**  **of QB Jalen Mayden (2261 total yards and 15 TDs), the Aztecs were able to find an offensive spark in the second half of the 2022 season. OC Ryan Lindley will look to build on the success of Mayden’s solid finish last year and hopefully bring more overall improvement to a squad that averaged just 21.5 points a game in 2022. Adding to the challenge that Lindley has this season, was the departure of his top WRs in Tyrell Shavers and Jesse Matthews and a couple of key losses in the trenches. With only two starters returning on defense, the Aztec defense should still find a way to be among the best in the conference with transfer Cody Moon (New Mexico) helping at LB. Being able to host both Fresno State and Boise State is huge for San Diego State and should help return them to the conference title game.** 
 
##### **5.) San Jose State**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 5-3**

**2022 Overall Record: 7-5**

 
**B****iggest Question:** **Can they overcome what looks like a difficult season ahead?**

**It was an impressive season for the Spartans last season (all things considered). They tallied seven wins and posted a bid to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The thing is, it nearly was an even bigger season for San Jose State as they lost three games by eight points or less. QB Chevan Cordeiro returns as he looks to prove that he’s the top signal-caller in the conference after putting up 3251 yards and 23 TDs last season. He’ll be working behind an experienced O-line this season that seems like one of the top units in the conference. A major blow this offseason was the loss of WR Elijah Cooks who had 69 catches last year, but Justin Lockhart and Charles Ross look to make up for that loss as the new combination of go-to targets. Six starters return on defense, but their leading sackers (Viliami Fehoko and Cade Hall) have departed which will be huge voids that will need to be filled ASAP. The Spartans’ schedule seems against them this year as they catch Fresno State, Boise State, Air Force, and San Diego State in conference play.**
 
##### **6.) Wyoming**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 5-3**

**2022 Overall Record: 7-6**

 
**B****iggest Question:**  **Could we be looking at a conference title berth?**

**HC Craig Bohl has managed to lead this team to at least six wins or better in each of the last six full seasons. He gets 15 returning starters this season. He has all the pieces, but can he put it together to push for a Mountain West title game? QB Andrew Peasley returns but is under a tight grip as he needs to improve this season (5.7 yards per pass and 9 interceptions). The strength of this offense will once again be the ground attack as Northern Illinois transfer RB Harrison Waylee and Dawaiian McNeely form a one-two combo in the backfield. With 10 starters back, the defense could be even better than the 2022 version that held teams to 23.9 points per game.**
 
##### **7.) UNLV**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 3-5**

**2022 Overall Record: 5-7**

 
##### **8.) Utah State**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 5-3**

**2022 Overall Record: 6-7**

 
##### **9.) Colorado State**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 3-5**

**2022 Overall Record: 3-9**

 
##### **10.) Hawaii**\*\*
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 2-6**

**2022 Overall Record: 3-10**
**Biggest Question:** **How far can they leap in progression?**

**HC Timmy Chang's debut season for his alma mater had its fair share of struggle as the Rainbow Warriors went 3-10 in 2022, but Hawai'i showed glimpses of improvement towards the end of the year and managed to take down both UNLV and Nevada in conference play. With plans in place to bring back the run-and-shoot offense, Chang will need QB Brayden Schager to take a few steps forward in his progression after throwing for only 2348 yards and 13 TDs in 2022. The Rainbow Warriors also lost their best offensive puzzle piece (RB Dedrick Parson) and will have to replace a few starters up front. Their defense ranked last in the Mountain West in points allowed (34.7 a game) and will miss DT Blessman Ta'ala and LB Penei Pavihi.**

 
##### **11.) Nevada**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 0-8**

**2022 Overall Record: 2-10**

 
##### **12.) New Mexico**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 0-8**

**2022 Overall Record: 2-10**

***(article by Jakub Dodson of A Terrible Football Show)***

What Will Come from the Mountain West?

Mountain West Conference Preseason Power Rankings

Out of all of the conference realignment changes in college football, the AAC (American Athletic Conference) has seen its fair share of big moves. UCF, Cincinnati, and Houston, arguably the three biggest teams in the conference, have all bid farewell as they move over to the Big-12. But the American responded quickly by adding six newcomers into the fold - North Texas, Rice, UAB, UTSA, FAU, and Charlotte - to help boost the league's membership to 14 teams.

Even with numerous changes for the conference, it seems the top-2 teams to beat are going to be Tulane and UTSA. Both teams combined for a total of 23 wins in the 2022 season. After winning the Cotton Bowl against USC last year, the Green Wave look to try and replicate their historic run of 2022, while the UTSA Roadrunners hope that a concrete defense and a returning Frank Harris at QB will be enough to push them over-the-top and get them to one of college football's biggest bowl games. Second tier teams for the AAC include SMU, FAU, and Memphis for 2023.

How does ATFS project the American Athletic Conference for the 2023 campaign? Jakub Dodson predicts and ranks all 14 teams in the AAC for this fall:

- - -

#### **AAC 2023 PREDICTIONS**

##### **1.) Tulane**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 7-1**

**2022 Overall Record: 12-2**

 
**Biggest Question****: Can they repeat?**

 
**The Green Wave will certainly be tested with early match-ups consisting of South Alabama and Ole Miss, but the biggest match-up of the year for them will be a visiting UTSA in late November. They get one of the top signal callers in the country returning in QB Michael Pratt (3488 total yards; 34 total scores in 2022), but lose RB Tyjae Spears (1581 rushing yards) to the NFL Draft.**
 
##### **2.) UTSA**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 8-0 (C-USA)**

**2022 Overall Record: 11-3**

 
**Biggest Question:** **New Year’s Six bowl this fall?**

**With a returning star QB in Frank Harris (333.2 total yards per game) and 16 additional returning starters, the Roadrunners should, in theory, be vying for a coveted New Year’s Six bowl game this year. The only potential bump in the way of that success, is how they transition to new signal-caller Justin Burke.**

 
##### **3.) SMU**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 5-3**

**2022 Overall Record: 7-6**

 
**Biggest Question:** **Will the defense be ready?**

**Up and down the board, this SMU offense, on paper, is (and likely will be) going to push both Tulane and UTSA for a AAC title game spot this year. The defense, however, let up 33.8 points per game last year. HC Rhett Lashlee and DC Scott Symons have their hands full this year in what could be a potential fantastic season...or go horribly bad (there’s not much room between).**

 
##### **4.) Memphis**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 3-5**

**2022 Overall Record: 7-6**

 
**Biggest Question:** **Can they reach the next level?**

**The Tigers are 11-13 in conference play in the past three seasons under HC Ryan Silverfield, but have managed to reach a bowl game in each of those seasons. The changing team membership of the AAC should work in Memphis' favor in 2023, especially with HC Silverfield returning one of the league's top QBs in Seth Henigan (3,571 yards and 22 TDs). Old Dominion transfer Blake Watson is a big-time pickup for the backfield, but Henigan's WR corps needs a couple of transfers to step up right away with the departure of the team's top four targets from 2022. Five starters return from a defense that fared well on a per-play basis (5.3) but allowed too many points a contest (29.3).**

 
##### **5.) FAU**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 4-4 (C-USA)**

**2022 Overall Record: 5-7**

 
**Biggest Question:** **Will it be a smooth transition for new HC Tom Herman?**

**All of the pieces are in place for FAU to surprise a lot of people this year. A huge pick-up in signal-caller Casey Thompson (formerly with Nebraska and Texas) will provide a significant addition to an already stacked (in AAC terms) backfield. The WR corps needs to find its identity this year and the defense must improve from a below-average 6.03 yards a snap in 2022.**

 
##### **6.) East Carolina**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 4-4**

**2022 Overall Record: 8-5**

 
**Biggest Question:** **Who’s going to step up?**

**Coming off of their best season under HC Mike Houston (8-5), the Pirates have a tremendously tough task ahead of the 2023 season. Losing QB Holton Ahlers, RB Keaton Mitchell, and WRs Isaiah Winstead and C.J. Johnson are huge blows to an offense that averaged 32.5 points a contest last season. Only a single starter is returning for the offensive line. The QB battle between Mason Garcia and Alex Flinn still isn’t very clear, but signs that Garcia will start week 1 are starting to show. The Pirates will likely have to lean on their six returning defensive starters early this season as the offense molds itself into a cohesive unit.**

 
##### **7.) North Texas**

**2022 Conference Record: 6-2 (C-USA)**

**2022 Overall Record: 7-7**

 
**Biggest Question:** **Will the defense improve?**

**New coach Eric Morris is a Texas native, played his college ball at Texas Tech and spent time as a FCS head coach at Incarnate Word (from 2018-21). All of that experience, plus the ties to the Lone Star State, make the former Red Raider a perfect fit in Denton. The offense is certainly in good hands, but the upcoming season will live or die by the Mean Green defense. They gave up 6.1 yards a play and allowed nearly 200 yards (197.8 rushing yards a game) last season. New DC Matt Caponi does have eight returning starters, but will have key missing players not returning such as LB KD Davis.**

 
##### **8.) Temple**

**2022 Conference Record: 1-7**

**2022 Overall Record: 3-9**

 
##### **9.) Navy**

**2022 Conference Record: 4-4**

**2022 Overall Record: 4-8**

 
##### **10.) Tulsa**

**2022 Conference Record: 3-5**

**2022 Overall Record: 5-7**

 
##### **11.) UAB**

**2022 Conference Record: 4-4 (C-USA)**

**2022 Overall Record: 7-6**

 
 
##### **12.) Rice**

**2022 Conference Record: 3-5**

**2022 Overall Record: 5-8**

 
##### **13.) USF**

**2022 Conference Record: 0-8**

**2022 Overall Record: 1-11**

 
##### **14.) Charlotte**

**2022 Conference Record: 2-6**

**2022 Overall Record: 3-9**

***(article by Jakub Dodson of A Terrible Football Show)***

How does the AAC stack up this season?

American Athletic Conference Preseason Power Rankings

The Toledo Rockets start the football season exactly where it ended for them: One of the top teams in the MAC. They will look to acquire a rare repeat as conference champs, and HC Jason Candle certainly has plenty of reasons to look forward to this season, including a returning QB Dequan Finn and seven total returns on defense. Even with Toledo seeming to be clear favorites to win the West Division, the East is shaping up to be very competitive. Miami (OH) and the Ohio Bobcats both can make a strong claim to the #1 spot for their division, with Bowling Green and Buffalo following close behind them.

Out of 12 MAC teams last season, nine recorded at least five wins. Yet another season of parity in the middle (with multiple teams fighting between themselves for bowl eligibility), while Ohio, Miami (OH), and Toledo separate at the top is seeming very likely.

How does ATFS project the Mid-American Conference for the 2023 campaign? Jakub Dodson predicts and ranks all 12 teams in the MAC for this fall:

- - -

### **MAC Football 2023 Predictions**
 
 
 
##### **1.) Ohio**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 7-1**

**2022 Overall Record: 10-4**

 
**B****iggest Question:** **Will Rourke be ready and 100%?**

**Suffered late into the 2022 campaign, QB Kurtis Rourke’s torn ACL will hold the key to the success of this year’s Bobcats team. Prior to the injury though, Kurtis was among the top tier of QBs in the country by passing for 3256 yards and throwing 25 TDs (also added 249 yards rushing). Returning this year to help keep this offense high-powered is a 1000-yard rusher in Sieh Bangura and, what could be, the conferences’ top receiving room which is headlined by WR Sam Wiglusz who had 74 catches for 883 yards. After ranking last in the MAC in yards per snap allowed (6.2) and giving up an average of 28.3 points a game, Ohio’s defense will lean on the transfers DC Tim Albin was able to snag in the portal. There is a bit of optimism on defense though because the Bobcats will welcome back six starters this season.**
 
##### **2.) Toledo**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 5-3**

**2022 Overall Record: 9-5**

 
**B****iggest Question:**  **Repeat?**

**No MAC team has been able to repeat as conference champion since Northern Illinois was able to do it back in 2010 and 2011. Returning a whopping total of 16 starters is the first step in the right direction if HC Jason Candle wishes to repeat. QB Dequan Finn (2891 total yards with 32 TDs) will return this season after coming off of a stellar performance as one of the MAC’s top playmakers. As for his weapons, the Rockets return both WR Jerjuan Newton (53 catches) and Devin Maddox (39 catches). Toledo also sports a deep RB squad and an elite offensive line that gets back five starters with plenty of experience. After leading the MAC in fewest yards per snap allowed (4.8) last season, Toledo’s defense returns seven starters, but unfortunately lost All-MAC stars Jamal Hines, Dyontae Johnson, and Desjuan Johnson in the offseason. With a week one matchup against Illinois, the Rockets will have an opportunity for an early season surprise that could open-up quite a few eyes.**
 
##### **3.) Buffalo**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 5-3**

**2022 Overall Record: 7-6**

 
**B****iggest Question:**  **Can they keep improving?**

**After going 4-8 in his debut season in 2021, HC Maurice Linguist was able to improve the Bulls to a 7-6 record that included a win against the eventual MAC champion (Toledo 34-27). Buffalo's ability to force a stellar 26 turnovers certainly helped win the team four games that were decided by one score or less. There is some forecasted regression to the takeaway department this season so development on both sides of the ball will need to be developed this time around. On offense, the Bulls were only able to muster-up a pitiful 4.89 yards a snap last fall. With new OC DJ Mangas brought into the fold, the offense will have a decent foundation for further improvement considering they return QB Cole Snyder, RBs Mike Washington and Ron Cook, and three starters for the line.**
 
##### **4.) Eastern Michigan**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 5-3**

**2022 Overall Record: 9-4**

 
**B****iggest Question:**  **Can they retool the offensive line?**

**This program is one of the toughest to win at historically. From 1987-2015, the Eagles only made a single bowl appearance. But since 2016, HC Chris Creighton has led Eastern Michigan to five postseason games and tied Toledo at 5-3 for first place in the MAC West last year. One of the biggest obstacles for Creighton and his coaching staff will be retooling the depleted offensive line as three starting linemen were lost over the offseason including standouts Sidy Sow and Marcellus Johnson. The backfield will remain the strength of the offense with Samson Evans returning (1166 yards). The offense will be led by new starting QB Austin Smith who has shown promise in his limited playing time. Defensive-wise, eight starters are returning, which is fantastic, but this squad can improve even more as their ceiling is very high under new DC Ben Needham.**
 
##### **5.) Northern Illinois**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 2-6**

**2022 Overall Record: 3-9**

 
**B****iggest Question:**  **Will the defense hinder this team from returning to the MAC title picture?**

**NIU’s hopes of repeating as MAC champs was severely hindered by injuries to QB Rocky Lombardi and WR Trayvon Rudolph as, without them, the team slipped to 3-9 and put HC Thomas Hammock on a potential hotseat in 2023. But, luckily for his sake, both Lombardi and Rudolph return this season at 100% which will give the Huskies’ offense the spark that led to a conference title a few years ago. NIU’s offense will also include perhaps one of the conference’s top backs (RB Antario Brown) that will be running behind an offensive line that returns mostly intact from last season. Standing in between this team and a MAC championship game berth is their defense that has finished 10th or worse in the MAC in points allowed for three straight seasons. It’s not going to be an easy task turning this unit around with the loss of LBs Kyle Pugh and Daveren Rayner, DE Izayah Green-May, and CB Jordan Gandy, but DC Nick Benedetto seems to be up to the challenge.**
 
##### **6.) Miami (OH)**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 4-4**

**2022 Overall Record: 6-7**

 
**B****iggest Question:**  **Who will be the next breakout star WR?**

**The Redhawks have the potential of beating Ohio for the top spot in the MAC East, but a few key factors may hinder that success. Firstly, Miami (OH) faces both Toledo (home game) and Ohio in Athens. Secondly, returning QB Brett Gabbert (who missed all of 2022 due to injury) lost his best target with departure of WR Mac Hippenhammer and also two starting linemen (Rusty Feth (Iowa) and Caleb Shaffer (Oklahoma)) transferred to Power 5 teams. The defense could very well be the best in the conference after allowing just 22.6 points per game.**
 
##### **7.) Bowling Green**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 5-3**

**2022 Overall Record: 6-7**

 
##### **8.) Western Michigan**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 4-4**

**2022 Overall Record: 5-7**

 
##### **9.) Kent State**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 4-4**

**2022 Overall Record: 5-7**

 
##### **10.) Ball State**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 3-5**

**2022 Overall Record: 5-7**

 
##### **11.) Central Michigan**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 3-5**

**2022 Overall Record: 4-8**

 
##### **12.) Akron**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 1-7**

**2022 Overall Record: 2-10**

***(article by Jakub Dodson of A Terrible Football Show)***

Will it be a Back-to-Back Season for Toledo?

Mid-American Conference Preseason Power Rankings

Realignment within the college football realm certainly hit Conference USA hard, as the conference lost three teams to the Sun Belt before 2022 and had six teams bow-out to the American Athletic Conference this offseason. The C-USA did send out invites, which were accepted, to two top FCS schools - Jacksonville State and Sam Houston - while Liberty and New Mexico State said bye-bye to FBS Independence and hello to the C-USA. With its fair share of turnover within the last couple of years, its not gonna be easy to get a solid read on this conference going into the 2023 campaign.

Even with the main topic for Conference USA being change, one single constant remains which is the dominance of Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers are Jakub Dodson's top pick to win C-USA, as HC Tyson Helton's unit is 18-10 over the last two seasons and was in a showdown for the conference title in 2021. For Liberty, Jamey Chadwell's arrival should help speed up the transition to the conference, while Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, and New Mexico State should all be somewhere in the mix for bowl eligibility this coming postseason.

How does ATFS project Conference USA for the 2023 campaign? Jakub Dodson predicts and ranks all 14 teams in C-USA for this fall:

 
 
- - -

### **C-USA 2023 PREDICTIONS**
 
##### **1.) Western Kentucky**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 6-2**

**2022 Overall Record: 9-5**

 
**Biggest Question:** **N/A**

**With all of the conference changes, this conference is very difficult to predict, but one thing should be concrete…the Hilltoppers should easily win the conference title this season. Even with a new OC (Drew Hollingshead; formerly with Mississippi State), I wouldn’t expect Western Kentucky’s high-flying offense to skip a beat considering QB Austin Reed and WR Malachi Corely are returning. Defense has a few holes to fill since only four starters are returning, but DE JaQues Evans returns and should captain the D-line to the top of the stat boards.**

 
##### **2.) Liberty**

**2022 Conference Record: N/A (IND)**

**2022 Overall Record: 8-5**

 
**Biggest Question:**  **How long will the transition take?**

**There’s a new sheriff in town at HC. Coming from Coastal Carolina, Jamey Chadwell will look to inject his offensive mindset into this unit  in hopes that a major drop in production is prevented. A solid amount of transfers will help fill the ranks on the O-line and both the RB and WR rooms. The biggest question mark on the offense, however, is the empty starting position at QB which is still in a battle between, presumably, Seniors Johnathon Bennett and Trey Lowe. The defense was hit the worst by offseason losses at every single level which will make replicating last seasons’ 4.96 yards a play allowed tough for new DC Skylor Magee (Coastal Carolina).**

 
##### **3.) Middle Tennessee**

**2022 Conference Record: 4-4**

**2022 Overall Record: 8-5**

**Biggest Question:**  **Will the program stability lead to a title?**

**HC Rick Stockstill has led the Blue Raiders seven bowl games out of the last 10 years. Considering the conference has experienced drastic changes over the offseason, Middle Tennessee’s stability and track record of above average success should place them into the mix for a conference title game berth. They receive nine starters returning on defense that, just last season, allowed 6.1 yards per play which should take a step forward. With the defense squared away, this should allow focus to be more centered on the offensive side of the ball. Will they be able to recoup from losing quite a few WRs and QB Chase Cunningham?**

 
##### **4.) New Mexico State**
 
**2022 Conference Record: N/A (IND)**

**2022 Overall Record: 7-6**

**Biggest Question:**  **Can the upward trend continue?**

**HC Jerry Kill made a massive impact on the Aggies after only one tenured season taking New Mexico State from 2-10 in 2021 to 7-6 in 2022 and included a bowl win over Bowling Green. With the transition to the C-USA, things should get slightly easier for the program now that they are no longer a FBS Independent. QB Diego Pavia (19 total touchdowns last season) returns and a plethora of depth at RB and WR should keep the offense stable. From 2021 to 2022, the defense went from allowing 40.4 points per game to only allowing 23.9 points which doesn’t happen quite often. With only four starters returning on the defensive side of the ball, the Aggies need key transfers to emerge as stars in order to keep the D improving.**
 
##### **5.) Louisiana Tech**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 2-6**

**2022 Overall Record: 3-9**

 
##### **6.) UTEP**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 3-5**

**2022 Overall Record: 5-7**

 
##### **7.) Jacksonville State**
 
**2022 Conference Record: 5-0 (FCS Atlantic Sun)**

**2022 Overall Record: 9-2**
 
##### **8.) Sam Houston**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 3-2 (FCS Western Atlantic)**

**2022 Overall Record: 5-4**
 
##### **9.) FIU**
 
 
**2022 Conference Record: 2-6**

**2022 Overall Record: 4-8**

***(article by Jakub Dodson of A Terrible Football Show)***

Will the former FCS teams bring glory to this conference?

Conference-USA Preseason Power Rankings

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A Terrible Football Show is one of the worst sports show on the internet and we embrace that.
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A Terrible Football Show S1

Season 3 of ATFS for the 2023-2024 NFL & College season

A Terrible Football Show S3

Season 2 of A Terrible Football Show for the 2022-2023 season! A Terrible Football Show is one of the worst sports show on the internet and we embrace that.
Join with us every week to get our thoughts on all the latest news around the league and hear our predictions every single week as well as give some fantasy thoughts that you should most definitely not listen to!
Hosted by Alex Light, Shane Marks, Ricky Nooner & Jakub Giggity!