South Alabama Jaguars 2023 College Football Preview
July 4, 2023
2022 Recap
Record – 10-3
ATS – 7-6
The Jags pulled off their first winning season as a member of the FBS (!) and they did it with style! They finished the regular season with a mark of 10-2 and their only losses came by one point at UCLA (L 32-31) and to the eventual Sun Belt Champs from Troy (L 10-6). They were hammered in the New Orleans Bowl by Western Kentucky, but as far as the season went overall, it was a successful journey.
Can they seal the deal in 2023 and win their first conference title?
South Alabama Jaguars 2023 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Jags did the majority of their work thru the air LY thanks to the fine play of QB Carter Bradley (3,336, 28-12 TD to INT) and he’s back in the saddle this season. They also retain the vast majority of their WR/TE bodies including their top-two WRs Devin Voisin and Caullin Lacy who combined for over 1,600 yards and 11 TDs in 2022. The HITS KEEP COMING when you consider that the Jags bring back their top-three RBs including 1,000-yard rusher La’Damian Webb (13 TD) and those boys will be running behind a talented and large OL that features four returning starters. Yup, these guys are gonna be dangerous on offense.
DEFENSE
South Alabama played rock solid defense vs the run LY (#4 FBS, 93 YPG) but they had challenges from time to time vs the THROW GAME (#9 Sun Belt pass efficiency D, 60%, 22-13 TD to INT). We’re happy to report that things look really good on this side of the football heading into 2023 as the Jags retain their top-six (!) tacklers and return nine starters overall. There’s simply talent all over the place, yo. Everyone is back up front, Trey Kiser and James Miller are a potent LB duo (combined 17.5 TFL LY), and S/NB YAM Banks is one of the best defensive players in the Sun Belt (6 TFL, 6 INT, 11 PBU). We rate this as the best stop unit in the conference.
SPECIAL TEAMS
It’s almost unfair, but here’s another team strength. There’s continuity across the board and they’ve got one of the deadliest PKs in college football in Diego Guajardo (18-19 FG LY). Punter Jack Brooks does a good job (43.1) and PR Caullin Lacy is a dangerous PR (9.0, TD).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The Jags have to deal with a tough pair of non-conference road games before Sun Belt play kicks in (Tulane, Oklahoma St) but they should wipe the floor with SE Louisiana and Central Michigan. The Sun Belt schedule is nasty as they draw Marshall (H) and James Madison (A) from the East and have to play Troy on the road.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at ULM (Oct 7)
This might not be the best spot to lay the lumber with the road favorite. Note that South Alabama will be coming off a yuuuge date with James Madison and they have an important divisional game on deck (Southern Miss).
Season Win Total
Market consensus July 4
Over 7.5 -150
Under 7.5 +120
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
Six wins in FUN BELT play will almost certainly be good enough for the ‘over’ to hit. Seems reasonable.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
In 1965, the South Alabama Board of Trustees selected the Jaguar as the University’s official mascot. During the late 1960s, USA housed a live Jaguar on the campus. In related news, an annoying woman named “Karen” was seen near the jaguar enclosure in 1967. She was never seen again. **
** needs fact check
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
Hang on, folks. This should be a fun ride. South Alabama just might have the best roster in the FUN BELT and they’ll be hungry after just missing out on some hardware in 2022. It doesn’t take a genius to tell you that the game at Troy will be absolutely massive in terms of deciding the Sun Belt West. Good luck, Jags!