THE RFC MYC: Big Sky Conference (FCS)

Big Sky Conference (FCS) 

Overview: The traditional fall 2021 season proved to be yet another competitive campaign for the Big Sky Conference, with six of the league's 13 teams finishing with a .500 or better record, both in the conference and overall play. Of those six squads, four of those teams advanced to postseason play, with Sacramento State finishing unbeaten in Big Sky action at 8-0 en route to a final overall record of 9-3, falling to South Dakota State in the second round of the FCS playoffs.

On the other hand, the other three Big Sky squads that advanced to the FCS playoffs represented their league well during the postseason. One of those teams was second-place Montana State University. The Bobcats knocked out the two teams that played for the FCS title on May 16, 2021, in then-defending national champion Sam Houston State and national runner-up South Dakota State, respectively, to advance to the title game on January 8, 2022. The Bobcats lost to North Dakota State, 38-10, to finish their season at 12-3 overall, as well as 7-1 in Big Sky Conference play.

The other two teams to advance to the FCS playoffs were the Eastern Washington University Eagles and the University of Montana Grizzlies. The Eagles outlasted Northern Iowa, 19-9, in the first round before succumbing to the Grizzlies in the second round by a final score of 57-41. Montana advanced to the quarterfinals the following week, losing to eventual national runner-up James Madison 28-6 on December 3. Both teams finished the 2021 fall season at 10-3 overall.

Fast-forwarding to 2022, the Big Sky Conference will have one less program going into this season, as the Southern Utah University Thunderbirds have left for the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), leaving the former league with 12 teams to take the field this fall. Even with the departure of SUU to the WAC, expect another close race for the Big Sky crown this season.

2022 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)


NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. The link (s) will appear in each blog post when the team's schedule is submitted. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.

Final (Fall) 2021 Big Sky Conference Football Standings

Cal Poly

Eastern Washington

Idaho

Idaho State

Montana

Montana State

Northern Arizona

Northern Colorado

Portland State

Sacramento State

UC Davis

Weber State

THE RFC MYC: Atlantic Sun Conference (FCS)

Atlantic Sun Conference (FCS)

Overview: The Atlantic Sun Conference (A-Sun) is undergoing numerous changes long before beginning its second season of play within the FCS ranks. In November 2021, the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks announced their intentions to leave the FCS and A-Sun and join the FBS and Conference USA in time for the 2023 season. That will leave the fledgling circuit with just five teams taking the field this fall in Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Kennesaw State, and North Alabama.

For the second straight season, the A-Sun will join forces with another relative newcomer to the FCS ranks in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Like the A-Sun, the WAC will have just five squads playing football this season, with Abilene Christian, Incarnate Word, Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, and Southern Utah squaring off for supremacy on that side of the alliance. Also, the WAC will lose one of its charter members to the FBS ranks, as Sam Houston State will join Jacksonville State in moving to Conference USA in 2023.

For those fans looking for a favorite to finish in first place in a five-team A-Sun Conference this fall, Kennesaw State (11-2 overall) appears to be that team, as the Owls hope to advance to the FCS playoffs for the fifth time in the last six seasons dating back to the 2017 season. However, they must push their way past a tough early-season schedule that includes visits to Samford and defending American Athletic Conference (AAC) champion Cincinnati during the first two weeks of 2022.

2022 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.

Austin Peay

Central Arkansas

Eastern Kentucky

Jacksonville State*

Kennesaw State

North Alabama

*-Ineligible for the conference title and postseason play, transitioning to the FBS.

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THE RFC MYC: FBS Independents (FBS Group Of Five)

FBS Independents (FBS Group Of Five)

Overview: The same three teams that were independents at the FBS level (not named Notre Dame) that were bowl-eligible in 2020 qualified once again in 2021, with Army (9-4 overall in 2021), BYU (10-3), and Liberty (8-5) all advancing to postseason play last fall.

During the 2021 bowl season, the Black Knights knocked off Missouri in the closing seconds to win the Armed Forces Bowl, while the Cougars were upset in the Independence Bowl by UAB, and the Flames scorched their way past Eastern Michigan in the Lending Tree Bowl.

The upcoming 2022 season is expected to be the final season for three of the programs listed below, as BYU will leave for the Big 12 Conference as early as the 2023 season, while Liberty and New Mexico State hope to join Conference USA by 2023 as well. 

In the meantime, Army, BYU, and Liberty all hope to keep themselves in the postseason conversation for this fall, while New Mexico State, UConn, and UMass all hope to turn things around in 2022 after struggling tremendously in 2021.

2022 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)


NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.

Army 

BYU  

Liberty 

New Mexico State

UConn

UMass

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THE RFC MYC: Sun Belt Conference (FBS Group Of Five)

Sun Belt Conference (FBS Group Of Five)

Overview: The 2021 season proved to be another banner year for the Sun Belt Conference, with four of its 10 teams qualifying for postseason play last fall while finishing 3-1 in bowl games, as Appalachian State (10-4 overall in 2021) suffered the league's lone loss after losing to Western Kentucky in the Boca Raton Bowl. Coastal Carolina outlasted Northern Illinois 47-41 in the Cure Bowl on December 17 for the Chanticleers' first-ever bowl win to finish the season at 11-2 overall. That was followed up by Louisiana knocking off future SBC member Marshall at the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl the following night (December 18) to finish a league-best 13-1 overall. Georgia State (8-6 overall) ended the Sun Belt Conference's postseason run on a winning note, with the Panthers crushing Ball State 51-20 in the Camellia Bowl on Christmas Day.  

Looking ahead to the 2022 season, Louisiana will look to win its second straight outright SBC title after outlasting Appalachian State 24-16 in the 2021 championship game on December 4. While the Ragin' Cajuns hope to carry over a season-ending 13-game winning streak into this upcoming season, they must try to accomplish this feat under new head coach Michael Desormeaux, who replaced now Florida head coach Billy Napier at the end of last season.

If that wasn't enough, the Ragin' Cajuns also must try to build on the success of the last three years (34-5 overall since 2019) while welcoming four new members to the Sun Belt Conference in perennial FCS powerhouse James Madison, as well as Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Mississippi. The three latter programs join the SBC from Conference USA, with the Thundering Herd (New Orleans Bowl) and Monarchs (lost to Myrtle Beach Bowl) becoming bowl-eligible at the end of the 2021 season. JMU lost to eventual FCS national champion North Dakota State on December 17 to finish its season at 12-2 overall. The Dukes are ineligible for the SBC title because of their transition from the FCS to the FBS.

With the addition of the aforementioned four institutions listed above, expect more "fun" in the Sun Belt Conference this fall. In fact, don't be surprised if two teams other than Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, or Louisiana play for the league title come early December.

2022 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.

Final 2021 Sun Belt Conference Football Standings

East Division

Appalachian State

Coastal Carolina

Georgia Southern 

Georgia State

James Madison*

Marshall

Old Dominion

West Division

Arkansas State

Louisiana

South Alabama

Southern Mississippi

Texas State

Troy

ULM 

*-Ineligible for the Sun Belt Conference title, transitioning from the FCS level.

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THE RFC MYC: Mountain West Conference (FBS Group Of Five)

Mountain West Conference (FBS Group Of Five)

Overview: After a 2020 season that was cut short due to COVID-19, the Mountain West Conference (MW) had a somewhat normal 2021 season, with eight of its 12 squads qualifying for postseason play last fall. Utah State (11-3 overall in 2021) crushed San Diego State (12-2 in 2021) by a convincing margin of 46-13 to win the conference championship on December 4. Both teams, however, would go on to win their respective bowl games, with the Aggies outlasting Oregon State, 24-13, to win the inaugural Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl, while the Aztecs bounced back to beat UTSA, 38-24, on December 21, to win the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl.

As for the other bowl-eligible teams in the Mountain West, there were mixed results among the remaining teams, with Air Force (ServPro First Responder Bowl), Fresno State (New Mexico Bowl), and Wyoming (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl) winning their respective contests, Nevada falling to Western Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl, while Boise State (Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl) and Hawai'i (Hawai'i Bowl) both had their games canceled due to COVID-19.

With the 2022 season still to come, it'll be interesting to see how the upcoming campaign will shape up for the Mountain West Conference, as both San Diego State and Utah State hope to earn a return visit to the MW title game in December, while Air Force, Boise State, and Fresno State will look to make their own cases for winning a conference championship this fall.

2022 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)

Editor's Note: At the time this post was uploaded, there is a possibility that the 2021 college football season could be postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As always, follow RFC @realfootball and/or other media sources for any developments.

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.

Final 2021 Mountain West Conference Football Standings

2021 Mountain West Conference Composite Schedule

Mountain Division

Air Force

Boise State 

Colorado State

New Mexico

Utah State

Wyoming

West Division

Fresno State

Hawai'i

Nevada

San Diego State

San Jose State

UNLV

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THE RFC MYC: Mid-American Conference (FBS Group Of Five)

Mid-American Conference (FBS Group Of Five)

Overview: After a 2020 season that was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, things slowly but surely returned to normal for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 2021, as the races in both divisions came down to the final week of the regular season. In the end, it was the Northern Illinois University Huskies that won the MAC championship with a 41-23 win over the Kent State University Golden Flashes on December 4. Less than two weeks later, on December 17, the Huskies lost a heartbreaker to Coastal Carolina in the Cure Bowl by the final score of 47-41. NIU finished the 2021 season at 9-5 overall with the loss to the Chanticleers.

Eight of the MAC's 12 teams qualified for postseason play, with Central Michigan, Miami (Ohio)-(Frisco Football Classic), and Western Michigan (Quick Lane Bowl) claiming the conference's only bowl wins. However, the biggest of those three victories came on the last day of 2021, with CMU knocking off Washington State to win the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl on New Year's Eve. With the win, the Chippewas finished the season at 9-4 overall, ending their campaign with five straight wins. 

As for what the 2022 season might have in store, expect more uncertainty in the MAC, as the "MACtion" is expected to "heat up" even more this fall.

2022 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)


NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.

Final 2021 Mid-American Conference Football Standings

2022 Mid-American Conference Composite Schedule

East Division

Akron

Bowling Green

Buffalo

Kent State

Miami (Ohio)

Ohio

West Division

Ball State

Central Michigan

Eastern Michigan

Northern Illinois

Toledo

Western Michigan

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THE RFC MYC: Conference USA (FBS Group Of Five)

Conference USA (FBS Group Of Five)

Overview: It was another competitive season for Conference USA in 2021, with UTSA having its best season since moving to the FBS level, as the Roadrunners finished the season at 12-2 overall. UTSA's lone losses came to North Texas in the regular-season finale on November 27, as well as to San Diego State in the Tropical Smoothie Frisco Bowl on December 21. The Roadrunners' biggest win of the season came in the C-USA championship game earlier in the month on December 3, as they outlasted Western Kentucky, 49-45. The Hilltoppers would go on to knock off Appalachian State in the Boca Raton Bowl to finish their season at 9-5 overall.

Other C-USA squads had mixed results during the 2021 bowl season, with Middle Tennessee (Bahamas Bowl) and UAB (Independence Bowl) winning their games, while Marshall (New Orleans Bowl), North Texas (Frisco Football Classic), Old Dominion (Myrtle Beach Bowl), and UTEP (New Mexico Bowl) all lost their respective contest. Conference USA finished 3-5 overall in postseason play.

As for developments off the field, Conference USA is expected to go through tremendous changes over the next 2-to-3 years, with six of its current members: Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and UTSA, hoping to leave for the American Athletic Conference (AAC) by the start of the 2023 season, pending the successful negotiation of exit fees. Also, Liberty is among the multiple institutions expected to replace the six schools listed above, with fellow independent New Mexico State joining longtime FCS powers Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State in the C-USA fold at some point.

Going into 2022, Conference USA will operate with 11 schools, with Marshall (7-6 overall in 2021), Old Dominion (6-7), and Southern Mississippi (3-9) all moving into the Sun Belt Conference this fall. In the meantime, expect both Western Kentucky and UTSA to be in the conversation for the C-USA championship this fall.

2022 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.


Final 2021 Conference USA Football Standings

Charlotte

Florida Atlantic

FIU

Louisiana Tech

Middle Tennessee

North Texas

Rice

UAB

UTEP

UTSA

Western Kentucky

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THE RFC MYC: 2022 Debut-American Athletic Conference

Editor's Note: Welcome to the 2022 debut of the "RFC MYC", with the "MYC" initials standing for "Mark Your Calendars". The purpose of the previews at the Real Football Central blog is to present the schedules of every college football team outside of the so-called "Power Five" conferences (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12, and SEC), throughout the mid-to-late spring, as well as the summer of 2022. As to what the "Group Of Five" conferences are, they consist of the following conferences:

American Athletic Conference (AAC)

Conference USA (C-USA)

Mid-American Conference (MAC)

Mountain West Conference (MWC)

Sun Belt Conference (SBC)

So, once again, what are we waiting for? Let's get started.

American Athletic Conference (FBS Group Of Five)

Overview: After becoming the first-ever team from a current "Group Of Five" conference to advance to the College Football Playoff (CFP), what can the University of Cincinnati Bearcats (13-1 overall in 2021) do for an encore? With former standout quarterback Desmond Ridder currently trying to make his mark with the Atlanta Falcons after being drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Bearcats will have their work cut out for them in terms of even returning to a New Year's Six Bowl, never mind the CFP. UC has critical early-season tests against the likes of Arkansas, Miami (Ohio), and Indiana before beginning the defense of their American Athletic Conference (AAC) title at Tulsa on October 1.

The only other team to finish AAC regular-season play undefeated was the University of Houston Cougars. After losing their 2021 season-opener to Texas Tech on September 4, the Cougars reeled off 11 straight wins before losing to Cincinnati in the AAC title game on December 4. However, Houston managed to bounce back in a big way, with the Cougars bouncing back to beat Auburn, 17-13, in the Birmingham Bowl on December 28, to finish their season at 12-2 overall.

Of course, the big off-the-field news for the AAC involves conference realignment, as both UC and UH will join UCF in the "Power Five" Big 12 Conference in time for the 2023 season. Replacing that trio will be the following six teams from Conference USA: Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and UTSA.

In the meantime, the three aforementioned teams in Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF all hope to make one final run for the AAC crown in 2022. But don't be surprised if squads like SMU, Memphis, Tulsa, and East Carolina, among others, make a serious run for the title this fall.

2022 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.

Final 2021 American Athletic Conference Football Standings

2022 American Athletic Conference Composite Schedule

Cincinnati

East Carolina

Houston

Memphis

Navy 

SMU

Temple

Tulane

Tulsa

UCF

USF

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.