Charlotte football aiming for second bowl berth in program history in 2020

How will Charlotte football fare in 2020?

With a solid team coming returning on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, the 49ers have a solid chance to go to a bowl game once again this season.

The loss of spring ball will be tough for this young group of coaches as they are trying to push the expectations of this young program. With the all conferences still looking into whether conference games only or keep the non-league for the 2020 season, the schedule will be based on all 12 contests.

Here is the breakdown of the 49ers schedule for 2020:

• Game 1: at Tennessee (L) – Last season, the Volunteers were shocked against a lower-tier opponent in Georgia State, they will look to avoid that same mistake again.
• Game 2: vs. Norfolk State (W) – The 49ers will get their first victory of the season versus a Norfolk State team that went 5-7 last season.
• Game 3: at Duke (L) – Charlotte will have their second tough road trip in three weeks when they travel to Duke.
• Game 4: vs. Georgia State (W) – With their last non-conference game of the season, the 49ers look to capitalize before taking on their C-USA opponents.
• Game 5: at Florida Atlantic (L) – The Owls looks to have one of the top offenses in the conference once again even without head coach Lane Kiffin.
• Game 6: at North Texas (W) – Charlotte will take the Mean Green on the road, who will be missing key contributors on the offensive side of the ball last season.
• Game 7: vs. FIU (W) – The 49ers will match up efficiently against the Golden Flashes on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
• Game 8: vs. UTEP (W) – The Miners are projecting to be one of the worst teams in the conference as the game will be in Charlotte.
• Game 9: at Middle Tennessee State (W) – With depleted defense, the 49ers will have no problems scoring against the Blue Raiders.
• Game 10: vs. Old Dominion (W) – The Monarchs have a long way to go after accounting for a 1-11 record this past season.
• Game 11: at Marshall (L) – The Thundering Herd will have home-field advantage and the revenge factor against the 49ers.
• Game 12: vs. Western Kentucky (L) – Western Kentucky will reload quickly on the offensive side of the ball once again.

Prediction: 7-5, 5-3 C-USA

The 49ers are in line to go to their second consecutive bowl in six years as an FBS program. This progress is highly unique and unheard that matches the potential of Boise State and their progress as a top Group of Five program.

Even if all conferences in the FBS decide to go conference only scheduling, the 49ers will still likely come out of the 2020 season with a winning record.

Offensively, the 49ers will rebound with their vast amount of experienced starters returning. Quarterback Chris Reynolds has the potential to be one of the explosive players in the conference. He will help progress the receiving corps, who are already at an elite level in the conference. The full potential of the offense will depend on which running back will get the start and if the offensive line will have rebound with three new season starters.

On the defensive side of the ball, the 49ers have a talented defensive line and an experienced secondary to rely. They will need to find starters at the outside linebacker positions to help relieve their fatal flaw in defending the rushing game.