Group of Five New Year’s 6 Watch, Week 8: Coastal Carolina atop Sun Belt

3. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (4-0, 2-0 Sun Belt)

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are in the AP Top 25 for the first time in its history. Part of their ranking is due to their victory against Louisiana last Wednesday. After opening the season with a win against Kansas, the offense has run through every opponent they’ve faced this season

Grayson McCall is a Group of Five superstars. The tight end/wide receiver of Jaivon Heiligh and Isaiah Likely helps keep defenses off balance while McCall and running back CJ Marable ground and pound in the running game. The unsung heroes of the “Chants” are the undersized yet well-coached offensive line.

It does not get any easier for Coastal as they play Shai Werts and the always dangerous Georgia Southern Eagles. Both Troy and Appalachian State loom later in their schedule as well. This is when we learn if the Chanticleers can play with expectations.

2. Cincinnati Bearcats  (3-0, 1-0 AAC)

The Bearcats do not play like any other team in their conference and very few countries. There’s no Air-Raid or RPO’s in Nippert at night. Cincinnati wants to ground and pound. It is a formula that has worked for Luke Fickell during his time as head coach. So far, that approach has worked.

It has worked thus far against inferior defenses. The Bearcats have defeated Army, South Florida and FCS Austin Peay this season. The Army was by far the best team they’ve faced. With their game against Tulsa canceled last week, Cincy enters the meat of their schedule. This week is a pivotal game against SMU. The winner remains undefeated and keeps pace with Navy for first place in the American

The question for the Bearcats is whether or not they can score with the teams left of their schedule. Cincinnati is good enough to keep SMU, Memphis, Houston and UCF to season-low point totals, but they have to score in the mid-30s to win these games. Ground and pound might not be enough.