2018
Coastal Carolina
College Football
Betting Preview
Coastal Carolina lost five Games by eight points or less last year, but finishing with three wins wasn’t terrible in its FBS season. The Chanticleers also had to go through much of the season without head coach Joe Moglia as he dealt with health issues. They’re expected to be a little better this year, although still have long +10000 odds to win the Sun Belt with an over/under of Four wins at 5Dimes Sportsbook.
The offense has a chance to be better than the 23.7 points per Game it scored. Kilton Anderson, who started the final three Games, is the projected starting quarterback with three other guys creeping behind him on the depth chart. Anderson won the last two Games of the year, but it’s hard to say that was because of the offense as he ended up completing only 45 percent of his passes on 6.82 yards per attempt. Compare that to regular starter Tyler Keane, who got hurt and was much better at 58.8% and 8.47 yards per attempt. An improved line should help even if it’s still young with every starter back and Four of them are sophomores. Alex James (274 yards) and Marcus OUtlow (279 yards) are the top returning running backs, but Presbyterian transfer Torrance Marable will also be in the mix. Anderson has plenty to work with at wide receiver with top guys Malcolm Williams (793 yards, 7 TDs), Ky’Jon Tyler (313 yards) and Omar Black (271 yards) still there.
The defense doesn’t have quite the same level of returning talent as only Four starters are back and they get to work with a new coordinator in Marvin Sanders, who spent the last few years coaching high school, although he has plenty of college experience at USC, Nebraska and UNC. OUtside of the last couple Games, this group didn’t have a lot of positives from 2017 allowing 34 points per Game. The front Four is extremely young outside of tackle Ja’Ree Tolbert with three sophomores set to start. Top returning linebacker Silas Kelly is also a sophomore. The secondary could be the best unit only because Four upperclassmen will see time with two returnees in seniors Anthony Chesley and Fitz Wattley.
Coastal Carolina would like to reach a bowl this year, but it’s going to take all-around improvement, namely at quarterback to do so. It doesn’t help that all three home Games in November are against the projected best teams in the Sun Belt, meaning the Chanticleers may need a road win or two to hit the over. Then again, this team almost beat Arkansas last season in a 39-38 loss. OUtside of the South Carolina and Troy Games, all of their road trips are winnable, yet that doesn’t mean they’ll win them. The defense is still young and unknown, while the offense is working with a questionable quarterback behind a young line.
2018 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Football Schedule
Sept. 1 at South Carolina
Sept. 8 vs. UAB
Sept. 15 vs. Campbell
Sept. 22 at Louisiana
Sept. 29 at Troy
Oct. 13 vs. UL Monroe
Oct. 20 at Massachusetts
Oct. 27 at Georgia State
Nov. 3 vs. Appalachian State
Nov. 10 vs. Arkansas State
Nov. 17 vs. Georgia Southern
Nov. 23 at South Alabama