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Five under the radar college football teams to watch in 2023

By Andrew Miller

Dec 21, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers quarterback Austin Reed (16) poses with the MVP trophy after defeating the South Alabama Jaguars at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers quarterback Austin Reed (16) poses with the MVP trophy after defeating the South Alabama Jaguars at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /
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PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 17: La’Damian Webb #3 of the South Alabama Jaguars runs during a game between the UCLA Bruins and the South Alabama Jaguars at Rose Bowl on September 17, 2022 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 17: La’Damian Webb #3 of the South Alabama Jaguars runs during a game between the UCLA Bruins and the South Alabama Jaguars at Rose Bowl on September 17, 2022 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

No. 2: The South Alabama Jaguars

Perhaps a trigger warning for any State fans should be necessary here, as I know the words “South Alabama” tends to send a shiver down the spine of Bulldogs everywhere. I myself have shuddered a bit whilst typing this.

But haunting memories of Dan Mullen wearing shorts aside, South Alabama has quickly turned into a force in the Sun Belt. After having no winning seasons and just two bowl appearances in their first decade as a FBS program, the Jags exploded to 10-wins in 2022 under second-year HC Kane Wommack.

USA was one of the more complete teams in the G5 last year, finishing 4th in the Sun Belt in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Wommack’s calling-card is defense, and the Jags impressed on that side of the ball, allowing just over 21 points per game and finishing 5th nationally in rushing defense.

Nine starters are back from that group. Do-it-all DB Jaden Voisin led the way with 80 tackles to go along with a pair of INTs and five passes broken up. Edge rusher Jamie Sheriff returns after six sacks a year ago. LB Trey Kiser recorded 11 TFL, and nickel Yam Banks had an outstanding six INTs and 11 PBUs.

The Jags did lose their top CB and one of their better pass rushers, but this defense has more than enough star power to improve upon last season.

Offensively, USA has one of the Sun Belt’s top QBs in Carter Bradley, who completed nearly 65% of his passes for 3343 yards and 28 TDs in 2022. If he can cut down on the turnovers (12 INTs in 2022), this offense can really take off.

La’Damian Webb (who you may recall initially signed with Mississippi State out of high school) had a breakout season at RB for the Jags last year, rushing for 1090 yards and 13 TDs. The receiving corps brings back a pair of wideouts who went over 800 receiving yards in 2022, as well as the top TE. The OL should be a good group.

South Alabama was just a few plays away from an undefeated regular season last year. A 9-win UCLA team needed a last second FG to defeat them (must be nice to not miss a game-winner against USA…), and their loss to conference champ Troy was a 10-6 slugfest.

Their schedule isn’t easy with road trips to Tulane, Oklahoma State, James Madison, and Troy. But this is probably the best team top to bottom in the Sun Belt going into 2023. It’s not completely out of the realm of possibility that they contend for a New Years Six berth.

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