Why Texas State Could Make the 12-Team Playoff

© Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Two years ago it seemed the Texas State Bobcats were doomed to be one of the worst FBS teams yearly. They routinely finished well below .500 and when matched with Power Five teams, they would get dominated.

That all changed last season with first-year coach GJ Kinne leading the Bobcats to its first-ever win against a Power Five team when they beat the Baylor Bears in Waco, Texas. He also led the team to its first-ever bowl appearance and win in the First Responders Bowl against Rice giving the Bobcats their best season ever as an FBS program. Still, there is a real possibility that Texas State could sneak into the 12-team playoff this season.

2024 Bobcat Offense Could Be Better

Quarterback TJ Finley put up great numbers last season for the Bobcats and one would think there would be a downgrade at the position this season but with the addition of James Madison transfer quarterback Jordan McCloud—the reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year—could be an upgrade over what Finley was.

© Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports

The Bobcats will also be returning one of the least talked about players in college football, running back Ismail Mahdi, who finished first in the FBS in all-purpose yards a season ago. Wide receiver Joey Hobert looks to be someone who has the potential to be a true No. one receiver for this team taking over for Ashtyn Hawkins. The Bobcats will return three of their top four receivers.

The offensive line was a bit of a problem last year. Still, the group gained a year of experience and picked up transfer linemen Tellek Lockette from Louisianan-Monroe and Sully Burns from Tulane, who will compete for starting spots. The offense is poised to be even better in 2024 despite averaging almost 40 points per game last season.

New Leadership for Bobcat Defense

The main concern is the defense and while playing fast can help score many points, it also means the defense has to play more often. The Bobcat defense struggled at times last year against bad offenses. After losing defensive coordinator Jonathan Patke to Duke, Texas State promoted defensive backs, coach Dexter McCoil Sr., to co-defensive coordinator and Bradly Dale Peveto, who came to San Marcos from UTEP.

© Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The defense will rely on getting pressure and causing havoc like last year. The additions of transfer defensive linemen Tunmise Adeleye from Michigan State and Steven Parker from Incarnate Ward look to help solidify the line. While the Bobcats did lose most of their production from the linebacker position, they did bring in some options in Florida transfer Mannie Nunnery and Houston transfer Treylin Payne. The secondary is bringing back almost everyone and with a year of experience could be one of the best groups in the SBC.

Texas State Bobcats 2024 Outlook

The Bobcats' schedule also looks incredibly easy at this point and the very least, they should make the SBC Championship game. The Bobcats have a shot at finishing undefeated if they can get through Arizona State on Sept. 12 and if that happens who knows where they could be ranked. This Texas State team is a real dark horse that could surprise many college football fans and experts this coming season.