As the NDL embarks on a historic 33rd season on the virtual gridiron there are a myriad of storylines, rivalries, and title chases to follow. The most interesting though just may be the change in coaching contract goals and the impact it will have on the NDL landscape. Not only are Conference win goals are higher but, the +5 mandate will inevitably lead us to an end of season run like the NDL has never seen. The high stakes game of musical chairs begins soon and many top level coaches will be left without a seat when the music stops. Today we’ll start in the Group of 5 as we dive into the small pond in search of big fish with big talent, big goals, and even bigger expectations. Each team listed will enter the season needing 9+ Wins
American Athletic Conference
The AAC enters S33 with 4 teams setting the expectation to either finish in the top 3 or play in the AAC championship game. Someone, possibly more than one, will be left on the outside looking in calculating their draft position!
Memphis Tigers
Win 9.5 and finish top 3 in conference
Key AAC Matchups:
Week 9 vs South Florida
Week 11 vs Tulane
Week 14 @ UTSA
Memphis has the interesting distinction of being the only G5 team selected in the top 10 of this years draft. Despite a likely focus from outsiders on QB Brendon Lewis it may be the high rated secondary and special teams play that dictate Memphis future.
South Florida Bulls
Win 9 games and play in AAC Championship
Coach DCane is no stranger to pressure having just finished his tenure at Georgia. Despite the move to a quieter conference the stiff demands will follow. USF likely has the best talent in terms of skill position players on offense and avoids a meeting with Tulane.
UTSA Roadrunners
Win 10 Games and Finish Top 3 in AAC
Key AAC Matchups:
Week 10 vs Tulane
Week 11 @ South Florida
Week 14 vs Memphis
While UTSA does benefit from getting 2 of the 3 main contenders at home they also have a higher win goal than the others due to a weaker OOC schedule. UTSA will not play a single P4 Team this year. Which begs the question will they be tested enough early to prepare them for those 3 massive games in the last 4 weeks of the season?
Conference USA
CUSA sees one team stand alone above the rest on the ratings sheet. With that perch comes stress. The new and old blood added to the conference will give Liberty everything they can handle.
Liberty Flames
Win 10 games and play in CUSA Championship
Key CUSA Matchups:
Week 12 @ FIU
The Flames will be our lone entry from CUSA. Despite having the best overall rating in the conference it can be argued that they aren’t that far ahead of their peers in talent at important spots. QB Ethan Vasko has much to prove but the Flames will only go as far as the RB Combo of Gray and Blue will take them.
Mid-American Conference
The MAC boasts just 2 teams rated above 73 and both enter the season with difficult demands. All the while the looming buzzsaw of the Central Michigan offense can be heard across campuses around the conference.
Buffalo Bulls
Win 9 games and finish top 2 in MAC
Key MAC Matchups:
Week 9 vs Akron
Week 10 @ Bowling Green
Week 12 @ Central Michigan
The Bulls have the best collection of talent in the MAC despite being rated below Toledo. The positive for both is they avoid each other in conference play. Having to go to CMU is a massive test and through their play in the cup we’ve seen Akron become an under the radar tough out. RB Al-Jay Henderson and MLB Red Murdock should be All-Conference performers
Toledo Rockets
Win 10 games and play in MAC Championship
Key MAC Matchups:
Week 4 @ Western Michigan
Week 7 @ Bowling Green
Week 14 @ Central Michigan
The Rockets have the harder run of the 2 contenders. Beating both directional Michigan’s and rival Bowling Green on the road is no easy task. The 3 headed monster of QB Tucker Gleason and WRs Rudolph and Vandeross will be tested early and often.
Mountain West Conference
While the running joke that the MWC is the NDL retirement home may gets some laughs there's nothing funny about the expectations for the top teams in the conference. Boise will get the headlines but the goals of SDSU and UNLV are equally as tough
Boise State Broncos
Win 9.5 games and win the MWC Championship
Key MWC Matchups:
Week 8 vs UNLV
Week 12 @ SDSU
Coach Iroccafella and the Broncos are no stranger to lofty expectations. Last years MWC Champions are off to a hot start with a win over Utah in the Beefy cup but it remains to be seen if the running game can reach the heights it did with Ashton Jeanty. HB Malik Sherrod will try to fill those big shoes.
San Diego State Aztecs
Win 9.5 games and finish top 3 in MWC
Key MWC Matchups:
Week 9 @ Fresno State
Week 12 vs Boise State
The Aztecs return coach BigZ but face question marks at QB. The big positives are missing out on a matchup with UNLV and getting Boise at home. A late season matchup with San Jose could also be a stumbling block but given rating they were not added to the key matchup list.
UNLV Rebels
Win 9 Games and finish Top 3 in MWC
Key MWC Matchups:
Week 8 @ Boise State
Week 11 @ Colorado State
Another returning coach in BlackRain sees yet another QB transition as Virginia transfer Colandrea takes the “rains”. The Rebels have 2 strong RBs and a very solid secondary for the conference. The big ask will be how much they can get out of the passing game.
Sunbelt Conference
Two veteran coaches become the focus in the Sunbelt as BigRed and JasonUK stare down the barrel of both needing to win 10 games and a conference title. The drama will be on full display when they meet in week 5!
Georgia Southern Eagles
Win 10 games and play in SBC Championship
Key SBC Matchups:
Week 5 @ James Madison
Week 9 @ Arkansas State
Week 11 @ Appalachian State
Coach BigRed returns to the site of his best season. The schedule gods were not kind at all to the Eagles. Three of their toughest conference matchups will be played on the road and with the biggest of all coming in week 5 there’s not much time to get locked into top form. The WR tandem Dallas and Cobb will be must see TV.
James Madison Dukes
Win 10 Games and play in SBC Championship
Key SBC Matchups:
Week 5 vs Georgia Southern
Week 7 vs Louisiana
Week 12 vs Appalachian State
While BigRed got the short end of the schedule returning coach JasonUK gets the positive side. With all 3 key matchups coming at the friendly confines of Bridgeforth Stadium. QB Alonza Barret is far and away the best QB in the conference and is flanked by Pettaway and Adeyi in the backfield as two of the better RBs.
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