Five Under-the-Radar FCS Teams to Watch in 2024
Which teams could surprise folks this year?
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2024/2/14/24048646/fcs-2024-north-alabama-lions-portland-state-vikings-tennessee-state-tigers-rmu-colonials
3. Portland State
https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O5FT_k4oy50VQXa4b58lxERYorM=/0x0:3365x2242/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:3365x2242):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25279329/1789661644.jpg
Consistency is key, especially in a deep league like the Big Sky, and Portland State will have it with head coach Bruce Barnum coming into his tenth season. That being said, it’s not just coaching experience that should have the Vikings on people’s radars this year. PSU showed some glimpses of what could be last fall, beating teams like Eastern Washington and keeping it within two scores against FBS Wyoming.
One thing that should work in Portland State’s favor this year is how the schedule lines up. They avoid road trips to Montana State, Idaho and UC Davis and that’s huge. Barnum’s team has gone 6-4 at home over the last two years and getting some the conference’s heavy hitters in Hillsboro Stadium will be important.
Also big for the Vikings will be the fact that dynamic QB Dante Chachere is back for his senior season. Chachere was one of two 600-yard rushers on the team last year and threw for 16 touchdowns. The squad’s leading sack-getter, Slade Shufelt, also returns meaning both sides of the ball will have veteran leadership. Will PSU win the Big Sky? Likely not. But don’t be shocked if they’re making a postseason push come November.
Which teams could surprise folks this year?
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2024/2/14/24048646/fcs-2024-north-alabama-lions-portland-state-vikings-tennessee-state-tigers-rmu-colonials
3. Portland State
https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O5FT_k4oy50VQXa4b58lxERYorM=/0x0:3365x2242/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:3365x2242):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25279329/1789661644.jpg
Consistency is key, especially in a deep league like the Big Sky, and Portland State will have it with head coach Bruce Barnum coming into his tenth season. That being said, it’s not just coaching experience that should have the Vikings on people’s radars this year. PSU showed some glimpses of what could be last fall, beating teams like Eastern Washington and keeping it within two scores against FBS Wyoming.
One thing that should work in Portland State’s favor this year is how the schedule lines up. They avoid road trips to Montana State, Idaho and UC Davis and that’s huge. Barnum’s team has gone 6-4 at home over the last two years and getting some the conference’s heavy hitters in Hillsboro Stadium will be important.
Also big for the Vikings will be the fact that dynamic QB Dante Chachere is back for his senior season. Chachere was one of two 600-yard rushers on the team last year and threw for 16 touchdowns. The squad’s leading sack-getter, Slade Shufelt, also returns meaning both sides of the ball will have veteran leadership. Will PSU win the Big Sky? Likely not. But don’t be shocked if they’re making a postseason push come November.
