South Alabama Football: Jaguars facing do-or-die season in 2020

How will South Alabama football fare in 2020?

The South Alabama Jaguars are projected to have a much better season than the first two seasons with Steve Campbell as head coach. While this is not to the standard that programs want, it is a step in the right direction. Some variables alter and make the Jaguars’ road to a more productive season more difficult.

Here is the breakdown of the schedule for the Jaguars in 2020:

• Game 1: at Southern Miss (L) – The Jaguars start the season with a loss against a nearby foe.
• Game 2: Grambling State (W) – South Alabama opens up their new on-campus with an easy win versus an FCS opponent.
• Game 3: at Florida (L) – The Jaguars travel to a tough Gainesville environment against a Gators team projected to win the SEC East.
• Game 4: UAB (L) – UAB will come to Mobile with a complete team as they might be the second-best team the Jaguars play this season.
• Game 5: Troy (L) – This rivalry is completely unpredictable and could shift the favor for South Alabama.
• Game 6: Texas State (W) – The Jaguars catch a break with their first conference win of the season.
• Game 7: ULM (W) – ULM is projected to take another rebuilding season and be one of the worst in the Sun Belt West.
• Game 8: at Georgia Southern (L) – The Jaguars lost to the Eagles at home last season and will face them in an away setting.
• Game 9: at Coastal Carolina (W) – Coastal Carolina is coming off a tough stretch of top-tier Sun Belt opponents before playing South Alabama.
• Game 10: at Louisiana (L) – The Jaguars will have a hard time controlling one of the top rushing offenses in the nation.
• Game 11: Georgia State (W) – Georgia State’s offense is looking to be one of the weakest offenses in the conference.
• Game 12: at Arkansas State (L) – Their first taste of a postseason bowl appearance comes in a tough road test against a team that wants revenge.

Prediction: 5-7 (4-4 Sun Belt)

While a 4-8 or a 5-7 record is not what most programs want for their football team, this shows the progress that Campbell is establishing with the program. There is plenty of positivity to go around the South Alabama Jaguars for pushing for a 5-7 record after winning only five games in two seasons.

The Jaguars’ offense will be in much better shape because it had a little impact last season in the RPO. Whether Desmond Trotter or Chance Lovertich is the starting quarterback, they will have a strong supporting cast of young, dynamic running backs, multiple receiving weapons and a stable offensive line.

Defensively, there will need to be more efficient playmakers to make the big plays and get the opposing offense off the field.

The schedule for the South Alabama Jaguars is not too demanding in terms of playing within the conference. The Jaguars can win against weaker Sun Belt teams like Texas State, Louisiana-Monroe and Coastal Carolina. There will be great situations where the Jaguars can win some surprising games like their in-state rivals in Troy. South Alabama is wanting to achieve an extra goal for 2020 by beating the Trojans for the first time since 2017.

Many media outlets project the Jaguars to finish third in the Sun Belt West ahead of ULM and Texas State. It does help them that they don’t have to play against the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

Not only can coach Campbell and his coaching staff use this season to save their jobs but they can develop the Jaguars eve further to contend for a potential divisional title in next year’s 2021 season.