Make no mistake, the 2024 FCS school soccer season may have its share of groups that go from flying underneath the radar within the offseason to having folks reward them by common season’s finish, and past. Here’s a record of candidates who hope to vary the nationwide perspective.
Every summer season, there’s a query throughout FCS school soccer: What groups are going to emerge within the fall that weren’t being speaking about nationally in July?
Certain, everybody who follows the extent is aware of South Dakota State is loaded … once more.
Certain, the dynamic duo in Montana every has the type of program to as soon as once more dominate.
And North Dakota State will all the time be North Dakota State.
However what groups may change into a playoff seed that perhaps we didn’t see coming, what HBCU program may make the Celebration Bowl that perhaps we weren’t speaking about previous to Week 0, who could also be a shock in a convention race?
We check out some potential under-the-radar FCS groups:
Prime Candidates for a Head-Turning Season
No. 1: Japanese Illinois Panthers
2023 File: 8-3
What to Know: EIU had as many wins final season as its 5 earlier seasons mixed, and it performs in a convention – the Huge South-OVC – that it may win handily as a result of a shocking quantity of expertise. The latest pattern of the NCAA switch portal has improved the Panthers immensely, as they’ve discovered a strategy to mix that expertise with their very own homegrown recruits out of the highschool ranks. The summer season switch haul was spectacular for a staff that was only a breath away from the 2023 FCS playoffs. This might be the Panthers’ finest season for the reason that Jimmy Garoppolo days of going 12-2 in 2013.
Coach Chris Wilkerson has stabilized this program, and with returnees reminiscent of quarterback Pierce Holley, operating again M.J. Flowers and huge receiver Eli Mirza on offense, and defensive finish Joel Barrows, linebacker Elijawah Tolbert and a very good secondary on protection, this ought to be a particular season.
Pivotal Matchup: Sept. 21 at Illinois State. This in-state sport is shaping as much as be one of many prime non-conference video games within the FCS. With EIU enjoying each Illinois and Northwestern in FBS matchups, the Mid-America Traditional towards ISU is pivotal by way of what the Panthers’ resume can be for the postseason.
No. 2: Morgan State Bears
2023 File: 4-6
What to Know: Morgan State got here oh-so-close to an enormous 2023 season, coming inside 22 factors of an 8-2 file. With eight starters returning to the protection, the Bears are loaded with expertise, together with main tackler Erick Hunter, defensive lineman Elijah Williams and defensive again Carlvainsky Decius. The offense has seven starters again, however will hardly have to attain 40 factors a sport to win. It’s lining as much as be a particular season for coach Damon Wilson’s staff.
The underside line is, the Bears appear to be they’ve their finest staff for the reason that 2014 season, once they gained a share of the MEAC title and superior to the FCS playoffs. They might find yourself rumbling towards their finest general file since they completed 9-2 in … gulp … 1979.
Pivotal Matchup: Nov. 23 vs Howard. Whereas Morgan State’s sport with North Carolina Central additionally looms giant, this conventional rivalry sport with the defending MEAC champion Bison is a pivotal one for the Bears. However then once more, what’s new?
No. 3: Mercer Bears
2023 File: 9-4
What to Know: After having its most achieved season since re-entering the realm of school soccer in 2013 after a 70-year hiatus, the Bears are hardly sneaking up on anyone. After successful 22 video games the previous three seasons underneath coach Drew Cronic, they gained’t shock anybody by having a robust marketing campaign. Mercer made the FCS playoffs (and gained a sport) for the primary day out of the extremely aggressive Southern Convention, ending nationally ranked at No. 17. The commencement of huge receivers Ty James and Devron Harper Jr. can be the explanation to miss the Bears, however don’t make the error. Beginning with the spectacular linebacking duo of Isaac Dowling and Ken Standley, the Bears have expertise.
Other than Mercer’s standard non-conference sport towards an SEC opponent – this time Alabama – there isn’t one sport on the schedule that doesn’t appear to be a possible win. What if the Bears went 11-0 towards the FCS and picked up a top-eight playoff seed?
Pivotal Matchup: Oct. 12 vs. Princeton. It will be simple to go along with a matchup towards Chattanooga to open the SoCon schedule or Western Carolina in October … or actually any convention battle. However this Princeton sport might be pivotal for the Bears as they proceed to construct their model as a nationwide energy. Can they knock off a standard Ivy League title contender?
No. 4: Illinois State Redbirds
2023 File: 6-5
What to Know: The Redbirds all the time play black-and-blue soccer, so there are a pair issues you may depend on for 2024: 1. They’ll be stout up entrance on the offensive line, and a couple of. A operating again will doubtless do properly. Mason King returns off being the 2023 Missouri Valley Soccer Convention newcomer of the 12 months, Wenkers Wright led the staff in speeding two seasons in the past and Western Illinois switch Seth Glatz paced the staff in speeding within the spring sport. And who will play quarterback? Kansas State switch Jake Rubley definitely seemed good within the spring. Don’t overlook move targets Eddie Kasper and Daniel Sobkowicz, who may choose up nationwide honors if the QB scenario is stable.
Defensively, this program is normally stout – as final 12 months’s 20-5 factors per sport allowed would point out. 4 of ISU’s 5 losses had been by three factors or much less (nationwide champion South Dakota State beat the Redbirds by 19), so coach Brock Spack’s program wasn’t removed from the playoffs.
Pivotal Matchup: Sept. 21 vs. Japanese Illinois. Non-conference matchups are going to go a great distance at figuring out whether or not ISU has the postseason in its future. Certain, all MVFC video games are key, however the Redbirds have to win this large in-state rivalry matchup and avenge final 12 months’s 14-13 loss.
No. 5: Western Carolina Catamounts
2023 File: 7-4
What to Know: There’s no query the Catamounts have misplaced key expertise from final 12 months’s staff, however the argument is that this: Was final 12 months an anomaly or an indication of issues to return in Cullowhee, North Carolina? The reply is that this offensive system underneath coach Kerwin Bell goes to attain a boatload of factors. The offensive line is usually intact, huge receiver Calvin Jones and operating again Brandon Adams are again, and, most significantly, quarterback Cole Gonzales returns.
There’s a buzz round WCU soccer, and whereas this program tripped itself up down the stretch final 12 months – not coincidentally with star operating again Desmond Reid injured – the Catamounts had been just some factors away from being 9-1 towards FCS opponents and within the playoffs for the primary time since a nationwide runner-up end in 1983.
Pivotal Matchup: Oct. 26 at Mercer. This may increasingly settle a playoff spot and perhaps the SoCon race in what is usually a parity-filled league.
Different FCS Groups to Think about (Alphabetical)
Elon Phoenix
What to Know: The Phoenix are coming off a 6-5 season, and with the craziness of CAA schedule rotation in an unlimited league, they’re a staff to think about as a title menace. They’re historically a tricky out in one of many FCS’ higher leagues, and may depend on nice QB play from 2023 switch Matthew Downing, who threw for greater than 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns (with no interceptions) within the remaining 4 video games final season.
Robert Morris Colonials
What to Know: It’s onerous to disregard what the Colonials (4-7 within the Huge South-OVC final 12 months) have returning and what they added with Merrimack switch operating again Tyvon Edmonds, Jr. (1,247 speeding yards – tied for the eighth-most within the FCS). Now that RMU is again within the Northeast Convention, look for lots of offense and a possible title run.
Weber State Wildcats
What to Know: Primarily based on their latest successes, it could be dumb to low cost the Wildcats, however they dipped to 6-5 general and 4-4 within the Huge Sky final 12 months, so some followers may overlook them. That wouldn’t be sensible, contemplating their latest historical past of stable protection and wonderful particular groups play in a convention recognized for its offense. It begins up entrance with defensive linemen Matt Herron and Brayden Wilson.
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