As the 2022 FCS college football season 2022 is around the corner, where an all time record of 130 programs will hit the field. Now, there is a lot of buzz around that who will lift the prestigious youth trophy.
Well, it all starts with North Dakota State’s pursuit of double figures with its FCS championship trophy collection. Although, that is a very safe answer.
Lets have a look at five bold predictions for the FCS 2022:
More FCS conferences than not will have a new champion:
From 14 leagues, the strongest chances for repeats are in the Missouri Valley (North Dakota State), MEAC (South Carolina State) and Patriot League (Holy Cross). But, elsewhere, it’s anybody’s guess. There definitely will be new champs in the ASUN-SWAC Challenge (Sam Houston ineligible) and Big South (Kennesaw State left the conference), but expect it to occur in a bunch of conferences.
CAA Football features the most interesting conference race:
The FCS’ new largest conference, 13 schools will take part this season, 15 next year will boast many title contenders given national power James Madison’s leaving to the FBS. Moreover, new quarterbacks, transfers and unbalanced schedules will affect the race as well. Including the departed Dukes, till now, 11 different CAA teams have qualified for the FCS playoffs since 2015, and Monmouth comes aboard having done the same.
Sam Houston, Jacksonville State face bumpy ride toward the sunset:
Jacksonville State and Sam Houston face challenges despite having more scholarships than their competition. Neither of them will be eligible for the ASUN-WAC Challenge title or the FCS playoffs, and opponents are going to have extra motivation and privilege due to the two FBS-bound programs leaving next year. Their two common opponents, Stephen F. Austin and Eastern Kentucky, are Top 25-caliber. Also, Sam Houston, which won the 2020 national title in a playoff held last spring, returns only three starters on each side of the ball. Jacksonville State will be getting in touch to new coach Rich Rodriguez, having lost some key players to in the transfer window.
Jackrabbits desperate for a maiden FCS title win:
If you can make a choice between FCS dynasty North Dakota State and the field to win the national title, take the field because it includes South Dakota State. Of course, that sounds a bit weird because NDSU is loaded with experienced players and the team to beat again, but the Jackrabbits are also not less and as far as the FCS is concerned, they are a clear No. 2 choice, having advanced to at least the FCS semifinals in four of the last five seasons.
