Missouri State football's future move to Conference USA rules storylines heading into 2024

Missouri State’s final season at the FCS level is quickly approaching and there’s no shortage of storylines heading into the year.

Second-year head coach Ryan Beard looks to build off a 4-7 season. An unorthodox year will see the Bears ineligible to qualify for the postseason while also hoping to build momentum heading into a new era of Bears football.

Here are the biggest storylines we’ve been thinking about heading into 2024:

How motivated will Missouri State be with no postseason possibility?

There will be a lot of “coach speak” in 2024 with Missouri State trying to convince themselves and the fans that they will play this season for the love of the game while trying to chase down a regular-season conference championship.

Missouri State can’t make the FCS Playoffs in 2024 because of its upcoming move to the FBS. This season is the first in a two-year transitional period making the Bears ineligible for a bowl game in 2025.

More: Missouri State football coach Ryan Beard on CUSA roster management, Jacob Clark's health

From the first media availability you hear coaches and players, they’ll tell us how they’ll try and win a Missouri Valley Football Conference title. That’s a tall task considering South Dakota State and North Dakota State still being in the league but it would be a heck of a statement on the Bears’ way out the door.

You’ll also hear them talk about how much they’ll compete to win because they’re “competitors” and that’s what competitors do. The chance to put film together for pro scouts might be thrown in as well.

But what happens if the Bears lose a game or two and are knocked out of MVFC contention? It could be interesting to see how some players respond.

It will also be worth watching how the Bears manage their younger players and their playing time throughout the season. It might not be worth throwing away a player’s redshirt during what could be looked at as somewhat of a meaningless season.

Can starting quarterback Jacob Clark stay healthy?

Hopefully starting quarterback Jacob Clark was wrapped in bubble wrap this offseason. He came out of seemingly every one of his four games last season with some sort of injury before requiring season-ending shoulder surgery.

Missouri State had a great backup last season but it would be preferred if Clark stays on the field this year. He showed he has some pro-potential and could have challenged school passing records. It would be ideal if the Bears roll into Conference USA knowing they have a solidified starter behind center instead of having to find someone more durable.

More: How Missouri State has been proactive in its mental health offerings for student-athletes

Who will step up at wide receiver after Raylen Sharpe’s departure?

Missouri State’s slot receiver, Raylen Sharpe, transferred to Fresno State during the offseason, leaving an all-conference void in their offense after one of the best receiving seasons in school history.

Someone, or multiple players, will have to make up for him.

Jmariyae Robinson is one to keep an eye on after catching 45 passes for 500 yards and five scores last season. MSU also returns Hunter Wood who took a big step a year ago.

More: Missouri State President Richard 'Biff' Williams updates school's AD search, timeline

FBS transfers will also be worth watching with James BlackStrain (Georgia Tech), Jaquez Smith (Indiana), Deamikkio Nathan (UNLV) and Dash Luke (Louisana Monroe) joining the fray.

Will Missouri State look like a team that can compete in Conference USA?

No one will think Missouri State will join Conference USA in 2025 and be a league champion immediately. What we’ll learn this year is if they’ll be a team that could be competitive.

Much of this season can be viewed as somewhat of a measuring stick. MSU starts the season with one of the better FCS programs at Montana and then follows with a visit to FBS Ball State. The Bears still haven’t beaten an FBS team since 1990 and Ball State is among the worst FBS teams in the country.

You can also put a lot of stock into the Bears’ final two games of the season when they travel to North Dakota State and South Dakota State — the two powerhouses favored to win the FCS national championship.

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How the Bears compete with the two best teams, who could very well be competitive FBS teams in their own rights, will tell us a lot about what’s needed in the offseason and how far away the Bears have to go ahead of their first-year at the next level.

Will Ryan Beard instill confidence in Missouri State heading into FBS?

Former MSU athletics director Kyle Moats threw a lot of money at Beard before departing for Eastern Kentucky. After two years, fans will want to see the Bears heading in the right direction with Beard having four more years and over $2 million of guaranteed money in his contract.

A year ago, fans got some optimism heading into the offseason when the Bears beat then-ranked Northern Iowa, knocking the Panthers out of playoff contention. MSU can play spoiler in the second half of the season against playoff contenders like UNI, Southern Illinois, NDSU and SDSU. A marquee win or two could go a long way.

The development of the youth on the roster will be one of the biggest things to watch this season. Beard preached last year that much of the Bears’ defensive struggles had to do with youth. If the defense takes a jump, with Beard having a defensive background, excitement could build for the future.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State football's future move to Conference USA rules storylines heading into 2024