Coastal Carolina football continues New Year’s Six push vs. Troy

Can Coastal Carolina football remain undefeated as they travel to Troy in hopes of increasing their lead in the race to claim the Sun Belt East?

Many college football experts and fans have been focused on the success of Cincinnati and BYU from the non-Power Five schools that are undefeated. However, the Sun Belt’s Coastal Carolina Chanticleers may be a likely candidate to make it a New Year’s Six bowl game assuming they go undefeated in regular-season play.

Coastal Carolina transitioned from FCS to FBS in 2017 and they have only won a total of five games each of the past two seasons.

This season, not only are the Chanticleers destined to go to their first bowl game but if they remain undefeated and win their four remaining scheduled games as well as being victorious in the Sun Belt title game, they could easily get an invite to a New Year’s Six bowl.

First, Coastal Carolina has a more difficult task than many may believe when they travel to play a conference opponent in Troy. The Trojans are currently standing at 4-3 with one of those losses being on the road to No. 8 ranked BYU. Troy also only lost by two points against Georgia State and lost on the road after leading at halftime to Georgia Southern last week.

The Trojans have road wins against Middle Tennessee State and Arkansas State in which both were impressive double-digit victories. However, The Chanticleers this weekend’s opponent for Troy has defeated both Georgia State and Georgia Southern whom the Trojans lost to.

Coastal Carolina opened the season by defeating a Big 12 opponent in Kansas for the second straight year. They defeated the Jayhawks on the road by double digits but more impressively, they were beating Kansas 28-3 at the half.

They followed up that game by defeating both Campbell and Arkansas State at home before traveling to play No. 21 Louisiana who had earlier in the season defeated Iowa State who is now currently in first place in the Big 12 conference. The Chanticleers ended up winning the game on a last-second 40-yard field goal to remain undefeated.

Coastal Carolina was ranked for the first time at No. 25 as they defeated Georgia Southern by two touchdowns. Then in their most impressive game of the season, they went on the road, beating Georgia State 51-0.

Last week, the Chanticleers defense stepped up again only allowing six total points in a 23-6 victory over South Alabama. Their upcoming game fourth against Troy will be their fourth road game of the season.

Here is how you will be able to watch Coastal Carolina vs. Troy on Saturday.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
Time: 12:00 p.m ET
Venue: Veterans Memorial Stadium
Location: Troy, Ala.
TV: ESPN 2
Live Stream: WatchESPN or FuboTV

Prediction

It is looking to be not only a special season for Coastal Carolina but a historical one as well for their football program.

The Sun Belt schedule for the Chanticleers has been somewhat challenging but not overwhelming as Coastal Carolina has remained undefeated. If the Chanticleers can beat the Trojans on the road, which will be no walk in the park, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that not only can they qualify for a New Year’s Six spot but even mentioned for a possible playoff berth.

A lot would have to happen for that to be a reality Coastal Carolina would also need Cincinnati and BYU to lose a game as well as they are not any undefeated teams in the Power Five.

Based on common opponents and the ability of the Chanticleers to perform well on the road, their defense should perform well against the Troy offense and the offense of Coastal Carolina should be able to score enough points to secure another double-digit conference victory.

This game will not end in a blowout and Coastal Carolina can not look ahead to their next week’s matchup against Appalachian State. However, the Chanticleers will remain undefeated for their eighth win of the season.

Final Score: Coastal Carolina 31, Troy 17