Power 5 or Group 5? How Coastal Carolina is Making Waves for Group of 5 Schools

Historically speaking, there has not been much debate between which universities are better between Group of 5 schools and Power 5 Major Universities. For the average fan, the difference between Group of 5 and Power 5 schools are schools like Clemson and Marshall University. Excluding the pandemic responses, this season has looked a little different in that the only unbeaten university in a conference has come from a Group of 5 conferences and that is the Sunbelt to be exact. 

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are currently 7-0 in the overall standings and maintain a large lead in conference play. Not only have the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers won every game this season, but they have won the majority of their conference games in a convincing fashion, silencing critics of G5 schools who argue against the competition level. In a convincing 51-0 defeat over conference opponent Georgia State, the Chanticleers quickly began to move up college football rankings. Since moving up to the Sunbelt from FCS Big South Conference, this is Coastal Carolina’s first official ranking in the top 25 and they do not have any plans to look back. 

Not only is Coastal Carolina a team to watch as a Group of 5 schools, but they are only a few years removed from being an FCS contending University. 2017 was Coastal Carolina’s first official year in FBS as an independent university and the following year they were granted bowl eligibility. As this fairly new, but good football team makes waves around college football, will they win enough to make a permanent stamp? 

The strength of Coastal Carolina starts with their efficiency on offense. Averaging just under 40 points per game and converting over 52% of 3rd down conversions, the Chanticleers offense has been super high powered and they have given defenses a tough time trying to slow them down. Their offensive guru, CJ Marable has absolutely dominated opposing defenses this season on the ground. Marable has over 500 yards of total offense this season accompanied by 10 touchdowns on the season with a perfect balance of 5 on the ground and 5 receiving. To assist Marable, wide receiver, Javon Heiligh, has proven to be a standout target racking in 6 touchdowns on the season accompanied by a team-leading 35 receptions and 610 yards. 

Coastal Carolina is not the only current non-power 5 school that is undefeated either. Liberty University is off to their best start ever as an FBS university, however, because they are currently independent, we have decided to exclude them this early in the rankings. With Coastal Carolina scratching the top 15 rankings and with a few more games remaining in the season, the sky is the limit for this undefeated team. 

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-By: LeMarkus Bailey