[6] The Mountaineers started the season 2–2, losing in two overtimes to a ranked North Carolina squad as well as to Wyoming on a last-second interception thrown by Joey Aguilar.
After Week 7, the Mountaineers sat at just 3–4 and faced the prospect of missing a bowl game for the second straight season.
Thanks to James Madison's postseason ineligibility due to NCAA transfer rules for programs moving from FCS to FBS, the Mountaineers earned a berth in the Sun Belt Championship, where they lost to Troy, 49–23.
After opening the season with a 38–3 loss at the hands of Miami (FL), the RedHawks rattled off six straight wins, including a 31–24 overtime victory over Cincinnati as a two-touchdown underdog.
The RedHawks won their next four games to close out the regular season, and clinched the MAC East division title with a 23–10 win over Buffalo.