Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 2023 College Football Preview
July 6, 2023
2022 Recap
Record – 9-4
ATS – 4-9
For the most part, it was business as usual for the Chanticleers. They rocketed out to a 6-0 start, were POLEAXED by Old Dominion (L49-21) (!), and then calmly went about their business and won the Sun Belt East. Troy beat them convincingly in the title game and East Carolina spanked them in the Birmingham Bowl to end the campaign. They lost those two games by a combined tally of 98-55.
Let’s check in with the program and see what new head coach Tim Beck has to work with in 2023.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 2023 Outlook
OFFENSE
Yes, guy.
Coastal Carolina is thrilled that All-Universe QB Grayson McCall is back for one more season under center. McCall has posted ridiculous numbers during his tenure and last year was no exception, even tho he was injured (or playing hurt) for a yuuuge chunk of the season (24-2 TD to INT, 6 TD rush). The CHANTS have the best skill position doods in the conference including their starting WR trio (Pinckney, Brown, Mobley) that combined for over 2,200 yards and 14 TDs in 2022. Their powerful 1-2 punch at RB in CJ Beasley and Reese White is also back for battle (combined 1,261, 10 TD) and note that Beasley is also a dangerous receiver out of the backfield (19, 193, 10.2, TD LY). The offensive line could be a bit of a weak link as they lose a pair of excellent starters including 1st Team Sun Belt honoree center Willie Lampkin. They’ve tried to address the holes thru the transfer portal and we’ll see how things go. We’re really excited to see this offense hum and they’ve got a lot of weaponry at their disposal.
DEFENSE
The CHANTS were a major disappointment on defense last season as they ranked #11 in the Sun Belt in total defense (418 YPG) and 2nd-last (!) in scoring defense (31.8 PPG). Only six starters return on this side of the football but at least they retain six of their top-seven tacklers. We don’t love the look of the DL on paper as they only return one starter and lose star DE Josaiah Stewart (10 TFL, 5 QBH LY). The LB unit is the strength of the defense and it returns intact led by #1 tackler JT Killen (6.5 TFL). The 2022 Coastal Carolina pass defense was worse than the recent Disney flop, INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF THE CHILD GROOMERS (#128 FBS pass efficiency D, 28-9 TD to INT), and they’ve gotta reload at CB this year. Maybe that’s a good thing?
SPECIAL TEAMS
Coastal Carolina should be fine in this area as they’ve got continuity at P,PK,KR and PR. PK Kade Hensley was 8/11 on FG attempts LY and KR Matthew McDoom was one of the best at his position in the Sun Belt (22.6, TD).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – This is some SWEET ACTION. The non-conference docket is soft outside of the opening week visit to UCLA, but then again, South Alabama only lost by one point at UCLA last year. They get a dream draw from the West (at Ark St, Texas St) and get to host Marshall and James Madison.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Army (Nov 18)
This will be their 5th road game in seven and it’s never easy to face the tough Black Knights. Also note that the potentially yuuuge game with James Madison is on deck.
Season Win Total
Market consensus July 6
Over 7.5 -135
Under 7.5 +105
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
They should be able to roll out of bed and win six games. A bit more effort should get them two or three more.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
Let’s dial up some facts about the home town of the Chanticleers.
The population of Conway, SC was 24,849 at the 2020 census. The City Hall building was designed by Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monument. Conway is about a 30 minute drive from the fun and sun in MYRTLE BEACH and not too far from the TEAM MEGALOCKS vacation hideaway.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
It’s not often that a team with a new head coach is a legit favorite to take down their division, but here we are. The offense is loaded and we’re super-pumped to get one more season from QB Grayson McCall. We’re not in love with the defense tho and that makes them vulnerable to an upset or two. They’re our PICK to CLICK in the East but certainly not a MORTAL LOCK. Go CHANTS!