Explore · Settle the Argument

Settle the Argument.

You've already had it. Now go settle it.

Every card here starts with something fans actually say — then runs it against the same canonical Verdict projection that ranks the board. Matchup Central predicts the game. This settles the argument.

The argument everybody has

“Put them through our schedule and see what happens.”

TRADE SCHEDULES

Swap two schedules, same venues, and run both seasons out. Who was carrying a schedule, and who was being carried by one.

Team
Trade with
CCU
Coastal Carolina

Forgiving schedule of their own · Appalachian State's is forgiving

Was
6-5
On Appalachian State's schedule
6-5
-0.1 wins
Expected wins now
5.8
Was
5.9
Where it lands
6+59%
APP
Appalachian State

Forgiving schedule of their own · Coastal Carolina's is forgiving

Was
6-5
On Coastal Carolina's schedule
6-5
no change
Expected wins now
5.8
Was
5.8
Where it lands
6+59%
10+1%
Who benefits

Nobody, meaningfully. Trade these two slates and neither projection moves enough to call it a difference.

Coastal Carolina · toughest games they inherit
At
NCSU
NC State
15%
At
ECU
East Carolina
21%
At
USA
South Alabama
55%
3 games on Appalachian State's slate they would not have played.
Appalachian State · toughest games they inherit
At
WVU
West Virginia
21%
At
UL
Louisiana
51%
Vs
ARST
Arkansas State
52%
5 games on Coastal Carolina's slate they would not have played.
The record test
Coastal Carolina: The record will flatter them · No. 95 strength / No. 62 projected wins
Appalachian State: The record will flatter them · No. 96 strength / No. 76 projected wins
The verdict
Maybe it wasn't the schedule.

Swap them and almost nothing moves. Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State are what they are.

Each team is run through the other's exact schedule, same venues. Head-to-head games between the two are set aside so both slates are the same size. 11 of 12 games modeled. Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State play each other, so that game is set aside — neither team can inherit itself.

More arguments to settle

2026 Preseason Model · Partial roster evidence · data as of 2026-07-11. QB continuity and verified personnel changes are included. Returning-production and updated coaching data are still pending. Projections are model estimates for analysis, not guarantees.

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