2017
Coastal Carolina
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule
Coastal Carolina enters its first FBS season with plenty of questions including at quarterback with only 10 starters returning. Head coach Joe Moglia has been great for the Chanticleers and even with a nice job in recruiting at a higher level, still faces a big task this year. At the least, there are plenty of opportunities for them to accrue multiple wins.
The biggest question will be finding a starting quarterback. Tyler Keane (10 TDs, 2 INTs) started most of last season, yet will likely be replaced by Syracuse graduate transfer Austin Wilson. In what Moglia is calling a new spread-option offense, quarterback will be a vital role, especially with top running back De’Angelo Henderson gone. Osharmar Abercrombie (396 yards) should split time with incoming Marcus OUtlow, who comes over from Boston College. Without much of a passing Game last year, it’ll be interesting to see how things play out with either Keane or Wilson tossing to speedster Chris Jones (323 yards) as the likely top receiver. The line may also be a bit of a concern with only two starters returning and none of the projected five being seniors.
The defense returns more starters from a group that was solid last year, but still loses its top linebacker. And while they dominated FCS level allowing less than 20 points per Game, the Chanticleers still gave up 59 points in a loss to Charleston Southern. Shane Johnson (66 tackles) will take over as the top linebacker with a slew of experienced players in the front, namely Marcus Williamson and Tarrol Stafford on the ends. The good news is that the Sun Belt isn’t too pass heavy, so a questionable secondary may not be a huge issue in the end.
To help get off to a good start, Coastal Carolina opens with an extremely favorable Schedule with the first five Games all being winnable. But making the jump to FBS won’t be easy and the Schedule picks up in the middle of October with a trio of road Games against two of the best teams in the Conference as well as a trip to Arkansas. While the start of the year could go well, the only Game the Chanticleers may be favored in is the one against Texas State.
This is a team that could reach Four or five wins due to a nice early slate, but the odds are still heavy against them at +11500 to win the Conference (at 5Dimes Sportsbook), only above Texas State in the projections. This team should challenge plenty of teams this year, but winning is a different thing and an over/under of Four is about right for them.
2017 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Football Schedule
Sept. 2 vs. Massachusetts
Sept. 16 at UAB
Sept. 23 vs. Western Illinois
Sept. 30 at UL Monroe
Oct. 7 vs. Georgia State
Oct. 14 at Arkansas State
Oct. 21 at Appalachian State
Oct. 28 vs. Texas State
Nov. 4 at Arkansas
Nov. 11 vs. Troy
Nov. 18 at Idaho
Dec. 2 vs. Georgia Southern