MACON, Ga. — With Season 3 only a week away its time to look at the turbulent Atlantic Sun Conference! Boasting nine new coaches, the Atlantic Sun will be a hotbed of chaos in the coming months. Our staff took a brief minute to analyze the teams and give their initial thoughts as well as assembled some way-too-early power rankings.

14. Bethune-Cookman University

The Wildcats said goodbye to the wildly successful Coach Joks after a heartbreaking loss in the playoff quarterfinals. With no current coach at the helm, this HBC drops to the bottom of the conference while scrambling to find a replacement. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Game to Watch: Week 7 @ Jacksonville University

13. Jacksonville University

Little is known about this team. Some say they are going to surprise everyone and go undefeated, others say they will challenge Bryant for “most irrelevant.” One thing is certain: they are the only team located in Jacksonville, Florida.

Game to Watch: Week 3 vs the University of Central Arkansas

12. Alabama A&M University

Coach Joseph aims to come out firing from the hip as he scheduled the defending national champions, on the road, to start the season. While one would hope this would set up the Bulldogs for success, one would also hope that it doesn’t push the season south too fast. No disrespect is meant by this ranking but our staff reserves judgement until Week One is finished.

Game to Watch: Week 1 @ California Polytechnic University

11. Eastern Tennessee State University

Coach Paulson is eager to see the Buccaneers experience real success on the field. Last season’s coach was rather inactive and won many games due to the fact that the opponents either gave up or went home. The first real test for the Bucs comes in the out-of-conference schedule and we should know more about them come Week 5.

Game to Watch: Week 4 @ Mississippi Valley State University

10. Stetson University

A welcome coaching change for the Hatters means that they are relatively unknown heading into this season. Coach Maclin has been actively scheduling out of conference games to get his team ready for the conference schedule. While it will be hard to match the success of the interim head coach, look for the Hatters to be a dark horse in the Atlantic Sun.

Game to Watch: Week 4 @ Incarnate Word

9. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

The Mocs fall down on the power rankings to start the season as there is a new coach at the helm. The writers don’t doubt Coach Hampton’s abilities but haven’t seen anything to prove that Chattanooga will return to the conference championship game.

Game to Watch: Week 9 vs Savannah State

8. Samford University

The Bulldogs are moved up to 8 in our rankings due to them actually having an active coach this season. An abysmal showing in Season 2 means fans have high hopes for Coach Dilley and we wait with baited breath to see the results.

Game to Watch: Week 5 vs Bethune-Cookman

7. Savannah State University

The Tigers are hoping to keep the same coach for the whole season. As Coach Babatunde flies his commuter jet back and forth from Clemson to Savannah it will be interesting to see if fans remain happy with the results on the field. Since his main focus is the Tigers of South Carolina it is not a stretch to believe the Georgia Tigers will win some games and lose some games this season.

Game to Watch: Week 11 vs Alabama A&M University

6. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw was a mystery last season with several coaches rotating in and out. Stability at the helm will help the Owls find some solid footing this season and we expect they will finish near the top half of the division.

Game to Watch: Week 6 @ Florida A&M University

5. Campbell University

The Camels were disappointed with last season’s results. A fumble inside the Jacksonville State red zone in Week 12 sealed their fate and Coach Average knows fans were left desiring more. With a gauntlet of an out-of-conference schedule ahead of them, we will know what Campbell is made of this year by the time Week 5 rolls around. Look for the Camels to come up just short once again.

Game to Watch: Week 3 vs the University of Montana

4. Mercer University

Uncle Rico and the Bears are bound and determined to make up for last season’s lackluster finish. With several grad transfers rounding out the roster it will be important for Mercer to find consistency early on. After several close losses last season the Bears will be on a revenge tour and nobody should take that lightly.

Game to Watch: Week 12 @ Kennesaw State

3. Alabama State University

Alabama State made little-to-no noise in the conference last year but hired Coach Turk late in the season and immediately saw improvement. The Hornets will be much improved and an active force to be reckoned with in the conference this season.

Game to Watch: Week 12 @ Alabama A&M University

2. Florida A&M University

Coach Slowlow had the Rattlers ready to rumble almost immediately when he took over midway through Season 2. Taking Bethune-Cookman down to the wire is not something that should be overlooked. Watch for Florida A&M to make some statement wins early on in the year.

Game to Watch: Week 5 @ Jacksonville State University

1. Jacksonville State University

The Gamecocks have security at the head coaching position and this breeds consistency on the field. While JSU narrowly missed the conference championship game last year it is difficult to imagine them failing to do the same again. A playoff team determined to repeat is always a scary prospect. Look for Coach Alexander to have his numbers on lock this season.

Game to Watch: Week 10 @ Campbell University

Predicted Playoff Teams: Alabama State, Florida A&M, Jacksonville State University, Mercer

Predicted Conference Champion: Jacksonville State University