In the Sun Belt preseason coaches' poll, the Dukes were picked to finish second place in the East division.[2]
Media poll (East division)
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Appalachian State
96 (12)
2
James Madison
79 (2)
3
Coastal Carolina
67
4
Georgia Southern
50
5
Marshall
49
6
Old Dominion
32
7
Georgia State
19
Offensive lineman Cole Potts and punter Ryan Hanson were awarded to be in the preseason All-Sun Belt first team offense and special teams, respectively.[3] Offensive lineman Tyshawn Wyatt, defensive lineman Eric O'Neill, and cornerback Chauncey Logan were named to the second team.