THE RFC MYC: FCS Independents-Merrimack and Sacred Heart

Overview: Thanks to the constantly changing nature of conference realignment in college sports, two FCS programs must adjust to not playing in a conference, possibly for the foreseeable future.

Those two programs are the Merrimack College Warriors from North Andover, Massachusetts, and the Sacred Heart University Pioneers from Fairfield, Connecticut. Both schools' football teams left the Northeast Conference because the athletics officials decided to join the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) for all sports except football. The MAAC sponsored football from 1993 to 2007.

As a result of those moves, the Warriors and Pioneers' respective football teams will play as independents, starting in 2024 and possibly beyond. As for 2023, Merrimack finished at 5-6 overall and 4-3 in NEC play, while Sacred Heart struggled significantly at 2-9 overall and 2-5 in the NEC.

Without a conference to fall back on, both teams must win as many games as possible to earn an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs this season. Merrimack's only postseason appearance came in 2006, where they finished 1-1 all-time in the NCAA Division II playoffs, while Sacred Heart holds a 0-4 all-time mark in the FCS playoffs, advancing in 2013, 2014, 2020 (spring 2021) and 2021 (fall 2021).   

2024 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to find the schedules)

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not linked, the team failed to submit its schedule for the 2024 season. Once 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 more.

Merrimack

Sacred Heart

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THE RFC MYC: Northeast Conference (NEC)-(FCS)

Northeast Conference (NEC)-(FCS)

Overview: The Duquesne University Dukes overcame multiple early-season struggles to finish Northeast Conference play at 6-1, and advance to the FCS playoffs as that conference's automatic qualifier after finishing the regular season at 7-4. The Dukes' 2023 season ended at 7-5 overall after losing to Youngstown State in the first round.

The biggest news in the NEC came during the offseason, as Merrimack and Sacred Heart announced that they were leaving for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Since the MAAC currently doesn't sponsor football, the Warriors from North Andover, Massachusetts, and the Pioneers from Fairfield, Connecticut, will have to settle for playing as independents, likely for the foreseeable future. 

One team, however, will rejoin the NEC this fall, as Robert Morris University returns after spending the past four seasons in the Big South and Ohio Valley Conferences. The Mercyhurst University Lakers from Erie, Pennsylvania will join the Colonials as NEC members, moving from the NCAA Division II ranks after a long stint in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). 

Going into 2024, Duquesne will look to win its second straight NEC title, while the other five playoff-eligible teams will try to "put up their dukes" hoping to dethrone the Dukes this fall.

2024 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to find the schedules)

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not linked, the team failed to submit its schedule for the 2024 season. Once 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 more.

Final 2023 Northeast Conference Football Standings


Central Connecticut State

Duquesne

LIU

Mercyhurst*

Robert Morris

St. Francis (Pa.)

Stonehill*

Wagner

*-Transitioning from the NCAA Division II level.

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THE RFC MYC: Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)-(FCS)

Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)-(FCS)

Overview: Nothing was what it seemed in the newly-rebranded Coastal (formerly Colonial) Athletic Association (CAA) for 2023, as three teams finished the regular season at 7-1 at conference play. 

It was an unlikely contender in the University at Albany, or UAlbany, Great Danes that found their way to the CAA's automatic bid to the FCS playoffs last fall. An upset win over then #16 Villanova on September 30, followed by another key win over then #24 William & Mary on November 4, proved to be the difference in the Great Danes advancing to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2019. 

Once in the playoffs, UAlbany had a run for the ages. The Great Danes opened postseason play with a convincing 41-13 win over fellow CAA foe Richmond in the second round. They followed up that performance by shocking then #4 seed Idaho in front of a national television audience 30-22 in the quarterfinals, before succumbing to eventual national champion South Dakota State in the semifinals to finish their season at 11-4. 

In addition to UAlbany's historic performance, two other CAA teams won at least one playoff game last season. Villanova downed Youngstown State in the second round before losing at South Dakota State to finish 10-3.

Elsewhere, Richmond crushed North Carolina Central 49-27 in the first round before falling to UAlbany in the second round, with the Spiders settling for a 9-4 finish, and Delaware rallied from a double-digit deficit down the stretch to stun Lafayette 36-34 in the first round, only to see its season end in Montana in a 49-19 loss. The Blue Hens finished their 2023 campaign at 9-4.

Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, the continuing conference realignment has led to the eventual departures of two longtime CAA mainstays at the end of this season. Delaware has announced that the Blue Hens will move from the FCS to the FBS level in 2025, joining Conference USA. While they will play a full CAA schedule this season, the Blue Hens will be ineligible for postseason play during the two-year transition process. 

Another longtime league member who will be bidding farewell to the CAA after this season will be Richmond. The Spiders announced on May 14 that their football program will join the Patriot League starting in 2025. Those moves will leave the league at 14 football teams once Delaware and Richmond leave.

In the meantime, don't be surprised if a different squad wins the CAA crown while also making a surprisingly deep postseason run.      

2024 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below  to find the schedules)

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is unavailable, it still needs to submit its schedule for the 2024 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 more.

Final 2023 Coastal Athletic Association Football Standings

Albany (N.Y.)

Campbell

Delaware*

Elon

Hampton

Maine

Monmouth (N.J.)

New Hampshire

North Carolina A&T

Rhode Island

Richmond

Stony Brook

Towson

Villanova

William & Mary

*-Delaware is transitioning from the FCS to the FBS (Group Of Five) level in 2024 and will be ineligible for postseason play.

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THE RFC MYC: Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Alliance (FCS)

Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Alliance (FCS) 

Overview: Despite some early-season struggles in non-conference play, the Gardner-Webb University Runnin' Bulldogs found a way to win their second straight conference championship and advance to the FCS playoffs for the second straight season.

Gardner-Webb parlayed its' 5-1 mark in Big South-Ohio Valley Conference play into an eventual 7-4 regular-season finish. However, their upset win over then #13 UT Martin on  October 28 helped the Runnin' Bulldogs seal another postseason berth. G-W fell to Mercer 17-7 in the first round of the FCS playoffs to finish the 2023 season at 7-5 overall.

Looking ahead to 2024, expect UT Martin and Eastern Illinois to mount serious challenges to Gardner-Webb in the race for the BS-OVC title. While the Skyhawks and Panthers finished their respective 2023 campaigns at 8-3 overall, UTM finished 5-1 in conference play, while EIU finished at 4-2. Unfortunately, though, neither team advanced to postseason play.  

Finally, the BS-OVC will undergo several membership changes this fall, with Bryant leaving for the CAA, while Robert Morris left to rejoin the Northeast Conference (NEC). Meanwhile, Western Illinois will move from the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) to the BS-OVC after finishing winless at 0-11 in 2023. 

The departures of Bryant and Robert Morris, and the addition of Western Illinois, will give the BS-OVC nine football teams in 2024. 

2024 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below  to find the schedules)


NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule needs to be highlighted, it still needs to submit its schedule for the 2024 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 more.

Final 2023 Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Alliance Standings

Charleston Southern

Eastern Illinois

Gardner-Webb

Lindenwood*

Southeast Missouri State

Tennessee State

Tennessee Tech

UT-Martin

Western Illinois

*-Lindenwood is transitioning from the NCAA Division II to the FCS level and therefore ineligible for postseason play. 

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

Sun Belt Conference (FBS Group Of Five)

Overview: The Sun Belt Conference once again proved why it was the toughest of all Group Of Five Conferences in 2023, with all but two squads becoming bowl-eligible last season. Additionally, the SBC finished 16-8 overall against other G5 leagues last season, which included a 5-1 mark against FBS independents not named Notre Dame.

But once the bowl season arrived, the SBC struggled tremendously, finishing a combined 5-7 in postseason play. However, the 23-year-old league got quality wins during December, with Appalachian State (Cure vs. Miami [Ohio]), Georgia State (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl vs. Utah State), South Alabama (68 Ventures vs. Eastern Michigan, Coastal Carolina (Hawaii vs. San Jose State) and Texas State (First Responder vs. Rice) all ending their seasons on a winning note.

Heading into the 2024 season, expect the Sun Belt Conference to stay strong from top to bottom, with Troy hoping to win its' third-straight league title under new head coach Gerad Parker. He replaces Jon Sumrall, who stepped down to take the Tulane head coaching job before the start of bowl season. The Trojans finished their 2023 campaign at 11-3 overall losing to Duke 17-10 in the Birmingham Bowl.

Also, expect James Madison to be a serious contender for the crown under another new head coach in Bob Chesney, who replaced now-Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti. JMU advanced to its first-ever FBS bowl appearance despite technically not being bowl-eligible last season, due to a lack of bowl-eligible teams. The Dukes fell to Air Force 31-21 in the Armed Forces Bowl to finish their season at 11-2 overall, with their only other loss coming to Appalachian State.

But in a conference that's filled with parity, don't be surprised if a different team comes out on top come early December.

2024 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to find the schedules)

NOTE: If the team's schedule isn't highlighted, it didn't enter its schedule for the 2024 season. When the team's schedule is available, the link (s) to it will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and more.

Final 2023 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 

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

Mountain West Conference (FBS Group Of Five)

Overview: In another season filled with parity from top to bottom, the Mountain West Conference produced a champion that finished on top of its' league despite a late-season coaching change. 

Following the firing of then-head coach Andy Avalos in November, the Boise State University Broncos responded positively under interim head coach Spencer Danielson, winning their final two regular-season games, as well as an upset win over UNLV (9-5 overall in 2023) in the MWC championship game on December 2. 

Despite a season-ending loss to UCLA in the L.A. Bowl on December 16 to finish the 2023 season at 8-6 overall, Boise State named Danielson the permanent head coach heading into the 2024 season. 

The Broncos were one of three teams in the Mountain West to finish in a three-way tie for first place in conference play at the end of the regular season at 6-2, with San Jose State (7-6 in 2023) and UNLV being the others.

The MWC sent seven teams to postseason play last season, going 3-4 overall in bowl games. Fresno State (New Mexico Bowl), Air Force (Armed Forces), and Wyoming (Arizona) won their bowl games, while Boise State (LA Bowl), Utah State (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl), San Jose State (Hawaii), and UNLV (Guaranteed Rate) all lost their postseason contests.

The 2024 season will some changes to the Mountain West Conference football landscape, as Oregon State and Washington State will join the 12 current full-time members in a two-year scheduling alliance, due to the collapse of the Pacific 12 Conference. The alliance is expected to continue until the end of the 2025 season.

Don't be surprised if another surprise team ends up on top in the MWC again this fall.

2024 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to find the schedules)

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is unavailable, the team still needs to submit its schedule for the 2024 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 more.

Final 2023 Mountain West Conference Football Standings

2024 Mountain West Conference Composite Schedule

Air Force

Boise State 

Colorado State

Fresno State

Hawai'i

New Mexico

Nevada

Oregon State*

San Diego State

San Jose State

UNLV

Utah State

Washington State*

Wyoming

*-Members of the Pac-2/Mountain West Conference scheduling alliance.


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

Mid-American Conference (FBS Group Of Five)

Overview: The 2023 regular season in the Mid-American Conference was dominated by two teams: the University of Toledo Rockets and the Miami University Redhawks.  

After losing a 30-28 heartbreaker at Illinois to open their season on September 2, Toledo reeled off 11 straight wins, including an unbeaten 8-0 mark in MAC action, to win the East Division title. But  Miami (Ohio) stopped the Rockets' quest to claim the overall championship, as the Redhawks pulled off the 23-14 upset win in the title game at Ford Field on December 2. Both teams finished the 2023 season at 11-3 overall after Miami and Toledo lost close games in the Cure and Arizona Bowls, respectively. 

As for the bowl season, the MAC struggled considerably, as the six squads that advanced to bowl games combined for a disappointing 2-4 overall record. Ohio (Myrtle Beach Bowl) and Northern Illinois (Camellia Bowl) were the only two teams to win their bowl games. On the other hand, Appalachian State (Cure Bowl), Eastern Michigan (68 Ventures Bowl), Bowling Green (Quick Lane Bowl), and Toledo (Arizona Bowl) all lost their postseason contests.

Changes will come to the MAC's overall football format in 2024, as the league chose to eliminate its East and West Divisions, with the top two teams in the final regular season standings advancing to the MAC championship game on December 7. Additionally, the conference will add a new member to its' mix next fall, as the University of Massachusetts Minutemen will join the league for all sports starting in 2025.

But for now, expect the unexpected for the MAC this upcoming season.

2024 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access the schedules)


NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule isn't highlighted, that team did not submit its schedule for the 2024 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 more.

Final 2023 Mid-American Conference Football Standings

2024 Mid-American Conference Composite Schedule

Akron

Ball State

Bowling Green

Buffalo

Central Michigan

Eastern Michigan

Kent State

Northern Illinois

Miami (Ohio)

Ohio

Toledo

Western Michigan

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

Conference USA (FBS Group Of Five)

Overview: After an amazing 2023 season where they won every single game by double digits, including the conference championship game, the Liberty Flames will enter the 2024 season looking to defend the Conference USA championship that they won in finishing unbeaten at 8-0 in their inaugural league campaign.

However, the Oregon Ducks snuffed out the Flames dream season in the Fiesta Bowl, cruising to a convincing 45-6 win on January 1, 2024. Liberty finished its' 2023 campaign at 13-1 overall. All 13 of the Flames' wins came by at least 10 or more points.

Looking ahead to 2024, expect Liberty to be the team to beat, as the Flames hope to win back-to-back Conference USA crowns this fall. But there'll be plenty of challengers looking to knock Liberty off of the C-USA throne, with New Mexico State (10-5, 7-1 in 2023), Jacksonville State (9-4, 6-2) and longtime league member Western Kentucky (8-5, 3-3) being among the contenders. 

Speaking of JSU, the Gamecocks managed to earn a bowl invitation despite technically not being bowl-eligible in their first FBS season. They wasted no time in taking full advantage of that opportunity, knocking off Louisiana 34-31 in the New Orleans Bowl on December 16.

Finally, Conference USA will add three more members to its ranks from the FCS level, starting with Kennesaw State in 2024, followed by Delaware and Missouri State in 2025. Those moves will give C-USA 12 members by then.

2024 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access 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 2024 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 2023 Conference USA Football Standings

FIU

Jacksonville State

Kennesaw State*

Liberty

Louisiana Tech

Middle Tennessee State

New Mexico State

Sam Houston State

UTEP

Western Kentucky

*-The program is transitioning from the FCS to the FBS level, and is ineligible for postseason play.

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THE RFC MYC: 2024 Debut-American Athletic Conference

Editor's Note: Welcome to the 2024 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 Four" conferences (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, and SEC), throughout the mid-to-late spring, as well as the summer of 2024. As to what the "Group Of Five" conferences are, they currently 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: Another change to the membership of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) will come in 2024, with the 2023 champion SMU Mustangs moving on to the ACC this fall. 

After pulling off the upset over the 2022 champion Tulane Green Wave 26-14 in the 2023 AAC title game on December 2, SMU's run as a Group Of Five Conference program ended with a 23-14 loss to Boston College in the Fenway Bowl on December 28. The Mustangs ended their season at 11-3 overall following the loss to BC.

With SMU moving on the "power conference" ranks as a newcomer to the ACC, Army will replace the Mustangs as the AAC's 14th football-playing member this season. The Black Knights will join their fellow longtime service academy rivals in the Navy Midshipmen, with both teams playing against each other in their traditional season-ending contest on December 14, at Commander's Field in Landover, Maryland.

With SMU now out of the picture, expect Tulane (11-3 overall in 2023) and UTSA (9-4 in 2023), to be among the contenders for the AAC crown in 2024. Both the Green Wave and Mustangs finished AAC action undefeated at 8-0 prior to their conference title game clash on December 2, with SMU bowing out of the league on a winning note with that aforementioned 12-point upset win.

Still, don't be surprised if Memphis (10-3, 7-1 in 2023) makes a serious run for the title, and then some. 

2024 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access the schedules)

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule isn't highlighted, the team still needs to submit its schedule for the 2024 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 more.

Final 2023 American Athletic Conference Football Standings

2024 American Athletic Conference Composite Schedule

Army

Charlotte

East Carolina

Florida Atlantic

Memphis

Navy 

North Texas

Rice

Temple

Tulane

Tulsa

UAB

USF

UTSA

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