College Football Preview (All Teams)

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College Football Preview: BYU

BYU COUGARS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6
ATS Record: 8-5
Over/Under: 4-9
Points Scored: 26.2 PPG
Points Allowed: 21.6 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 130/1

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 10
The Cougars left the Mountain West, but with 10 offensive starters to help win five tough road contests (Ole Miss, Texas, Oregon St., TCU, Hawaii). QB Jake Heaps (2,316 pass yds, 15, TD, 9 INT), RB JJ Di Luigi (1,397 total yds, 5.2 YPC, 9 TD) and WR Cody Hoffman (42 rec, 527 yds, 7 TD) comprise a great offensive trio.

Defense:
Base 34 - Starters Returning: 7
The defense is solid, but BYU still needs an adept pass rusher and three new starters in the secondary. LB Brandon Ogletree (76 tackles) leads a quality linebacker corps, and DB Travis Uale can hit (42 tackles).

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – at Ole Miss
Sat, Sept. 10 – at Texas
Sat, Sept. 17 – Utah
Fri, Sept. 23 – UCF
Fri, Sept. 30 – Utah State
Sat, Oct. 8 – San Jose State
Sat, Oct. 15 – at Oregon State
Sat, Oct. 22 – Idaho State
Fri, Oct. 28 – at TCU
Sat, Nov. 12 – Idaho
Sat, Nov. 19 – New Mexico State
Sat, Nov. 26 – at Hawaii

******* Take: This is quite the lopsided schedule for the Cougars with five brutal road games, but only a couple of challenging home dates. The wealth of returning starters will be key through a difficult September, which begins at Ole Miss and at Texas. But BYU should win each of its final five home games by double-digit margins. Prediction: 8-4 record.

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College Football Preview: Army

ARMY BLACK KNIGHTS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6
ATS Record: 6-6
Over/Under: 8-4
Points Scored: 26.6 PPG
Points Allowed: 24.3 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 15/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Spread Triple Option - Starters Returning: 6
The Black Knights played in their first bowl since 1996 last year, winning 16-14 over SMU. They could enjoy more success in 2011 with junior QB Trent Steelman (7 pass TD, 3 INT; 721 rush yds, 3.7 YPC, 11 TD) and junior FB Jared Hassin (1,013 rush yds, 5.3 YPC, 9 TD) both returning to an offense ranking third in the nation in sacks allowed (8) and TO margin (+16).

Defense:
Double-Eagle Flex - Starters Returning: 5
The defense lost arguably its five best players. The top returnees are DT Jarett Mackey (4 sacks), LB Steve Erzinger (76 tackles) and CB Richard King (4 INT).

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – at Northern Illinois
Sat, Sept. 10 – San Diego State
Sat, Sept. 17 – Northwestern
Sat, Sept. 24 – at Ball State
Sat, Oct. 1 – Tulane
Sat, Oct. 8 – at Miami Ohio
Sat, Oct. 22 – at Vanderbilt
Sat, Oct. 29 – Fordham
Sat, Nov. 5 – at Air Force
Sat, Nov. 12 – vs. Rutgers (in Bronx, NY)
Sat, Nov. 19 – at Temple
Sat, Dec. 10 – vs. Navy (in Landover, MD)

******* Take: There is no opponent on this schedule that will likely finish the season in the Top 25, but Army will still be hard-pressed to get back to a bowl. The Knights only have four home games, with just one West Point contest in their final seven games. Four road dates against MAC teams will provide a stiff test, and Army should be a significant underdog at Vanderbilt and Air Force, two improved squads. Prediction: 5-7 record.

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College Football Preview: Air Force


AIR FORCE FALCONS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4 (5-3 in MWC)
ATS Record: 5-7-1
Over/Under: 3-9
Points Scored: 30.8 PPG
Points Allowed: 21.1 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win MWC Championship: 12/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 15/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple Set Triple Option - Starters Returning: 6
The Falcons continued their ascent under Troy Calhoun, going 9-4 to run his four-year win total to 34. QB Tim Jefferson has developed into a legitimate dual-threat QB (1,459 pass yds, 10 TD, 6 INT; 794 rush yds, 15 TD) and his O-Line allowed an FBS-low five sacks. TB Asher Clark (1,031 rush yds) helped AFA rank second in the nation rushing offense (307 YPG).

Defense:
Base 34 - Starters Returning: 7
The Falcons also ranked second in FBS in pass defense (148 YPG) led by CB Anthony Wright (6 PD) and S Jon Davis (93 tackles, 3 INT). The front seven lost some key players.

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – South Dakota
Sat, Sept. 10 – TCU
Sat, Sept. 24 – Tennessee State
Sat, Oct. 1 – at Navy
Sat, Oct. 8 – at Notre Dame
Thu, Oct. 13 – San Diego State
Sat, Oct. 22 – at Boise State
Sat, Oct. 29 – at New Mexico
Sat, Nov. 5 – Army
Sat, Nov. 12 – Wyoming
Sat, Nov. 19 – UNLV
Sat, Nov. 26 – at Colorado State

******* Take: The Falcons have a pretty favorable schedule, especially with seven home games. The only real tough visitor to Colorado Springs will be TCU, but Air Force benefits from this game being early in the year since the Horned Frogs could still be in transition mode after losing half their starters from their Rose Bowl champion team. If Air Force is to win the conference title, it will likely have to beat Boise State on its blue turf on Oct. 22. The Falcons also have three other road games in October, including trips to Navy and Notre Dame. But with such an easy schedule, Air Force will have no problem making a bowl. Prediction: 8-4 record.

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College Football Preview: Boise State

BOISE STATE BRONCOS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 12-1 (7-1 in WAC)
ATS Record: 9-4
Over/Under: 5-7-1
Points Scored: 45.1 PPG
Points Allowed: 12.8 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win MWC Championship: 2/7
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 12/1

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 7
The Broncos move from the WAC to the MWC, but their dominance should continue. Despite losing OC Bryan Harsin, the offense is in good hands with QB Kellen Moore (3,845 pass yds, 35 TD, 6 INT) and TB Doug Martin (1,260 rush yds, 12 TD). Brent Pease is the new offensive coordinator, but he doesn’t need to change much with a quarterback that has 99 career TD passes and just 19 interceptions. Pease’s biggest challenge will be to find replacements for WRs Titus Young and Austin Pettis, who combined for 2,166 rec yds and 19 TD, but this roster is stockpiled with talent.

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 7
The defense is also primed for a big year with DEs Shea McClellin (9.5 sacks) and Tyrone Crawford (7 sacks, 13.5 TFL), MLB Byron Hout (4 TFL in 9 games) and FS George Iloka (5 PD). Boise State allowed just 12.8 PPG last year, which was second in the nation behind TCU (12.0 PPG).

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College Football Preview: Colorado State


COLORADO STATE RAMS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 3-9 (2-6 in MWC)
ATS Record: 6-6
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 16.5 PPG
Points Allowed: 34.7 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win MWC Championship: 15/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 15/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 7
The Rams had a rough season, going 3-9 and getting outscored by an average of 35 to 17. They had a minus-11 TO margin and allowed 44 sacks (4th-most in FBS). QB Pete Thomas (2,662 pass yds, 11 TD, 13 INT) and leading WR Lou Greenwood (474 rec yds) are back, but the 103rd-ranked ground game (113 YPG) lost its top rusher.

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 6
On defense, LB Mychal Sisson (7 FF, 15 TFL) is tremendous, but the D-Line lost its only good player and the awful secondary has no playmakers (4 INT, zero players with more than 2 PD).

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – at New Mexico
Sat, Sept. 10 – Northern Colorado
Sat, Sept. 17 – vs. Colorado (in Denver)
Sat, Sept. 24 – at Utah State
Sat, Oct. 1 – San Jose State
Sat, Oct. 15 – Boise State
Sat, Oct. 22 – at UTEP
Sat, Oct. 29 – at UNLV
Sat, Nov. 12 – San Diego State
Sat, Nov. 19 – at TCU
Sat, Nov. 26 – Air Force
Sat, Dec. 3 – Wyoming

******* Take: The Rams have had back-to-back 3-9 seasons, but the 2011 campaign should be much better with a more manageable schedule. They only play in five true road games, and four of them are quite winnable (New Mexico, Utah State, UTEP and UNLV). They also play three of their final four games at home against fellow mid-level conference teams in San Diego State, Air Force and Wyoming. All of this should be enough for CSU to finish above .500. Prediction: 7-5 record.

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College Football Preview: New Mexico

NEW MEXICO LOBOS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 1-11 (1-7 in MWC)
ATS Record: 4-8
Over/Under: 9-3
Points Scored: 15.8 PPG
Points Allowed: 44.3 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win MWC Championship: 50/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 15/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple Spread - Starters Returning: 7
The Lobos were arguably the nation’s worst team at 1-11 and last among FBS schools in offense (266 YPG) and scoring defense (44.3 PPG). The only quality offensive player is All-MWC TE Lucas Reed (33 rec, 459 yds, 5 TD) as RB Kasey Carrier (373 rush yds, 3.6 YPC) and the QB position as a whole (5.2 YPA, 11 TD, 15 INT) are subpar.

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 9
The defense was also atrocious (469 YPG) aside from playmaking LB Carmen Messina (115 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 PD), but UNM only loses two starting defenders as the back seven all return.

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – Colorado State
Sat, Sept. 10 – vs. Arkansas (in Little Rock)
Sat, Sept. 17 – Texas Tech
Sat, Sept. 24 – Sam Houston State
Sat, Oct. 1 – New Mexico State
Sat, Oct. 15 – at Nevada
Sat, Oct. 22 – at TCU
Sat, Oct. 29 – Air Force
Sat, Nov. 5 – at San Diego State
Sat, Nov. 12 – UNLV
Sat, Nov. 19 – at Wyoming
Sat, Dec. 3 – at Boise State

******* Take: The Lobos are 2-22 in two seasons under Mike Locksley, but they should be slightly better this year. They will certainly lose five of their six non-home games, with the exception being a trip to Wyoming. However, New Mexico (returning 16 starters) benefits from playing four of its first five games at University Stadium, including seemingly favorable matchups with Sam Houston State and New Mexico State. The Lobos won’t get many victories after October 1, but they should be more competitive in those contests. Prediction: 3-9 record.

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College Football Preview: San Diego State


SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4 (5-3 in MWC)
ATS Record: 8-4-1
Over/Under: 5-7
Points Scored: 35.0 PPG
Points Allowed: 22.1 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win MWC Championship: 5/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 15/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 7
DC Rocky Long replaces Brady Hoke as SDSU’s head coach. Long knows what to do, as he was New Mexico’s head man for 11 years. It also helps that the Aztecs bring back stars QB Ryan Lindley (3,830 pass yds, 28 TD, 14 INT) and RB Ronnie Hillman (1,532 rush yds, 5.8 YPC, 17 TD).

Defense:
3-3-5 - Starters Returning: 5
The defense lost six starters, but still has great experience with Long’s deep rotation in 2010. OLB Miles Burris (20 TFL, 9.5 sacks, 4 FF) is the best of the returnees, but NT Jerome Long (6 TFL) and CB Leon McFadden (12 PD) are also top-notch.

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – Cal Poly
Sat, Sept. 10 – at Army
Sat, Sept. 17 – Washington State
Sat, Sept. 24 – at Michigan
Sat, Oct. 8 – TCU
Thu, Oct. 13 – at Air Force
Sat, Oct. 29 – Wyoming
Sat, Nov. 5 – New Mexico
Sat, Nov. 12 – at Colorado State
Sat, Nov. 19 – Boise State
Sat, Nov. 26 – at UNLV
Sat, Dec. 3 – Fresno State

******* Take: With seven home games and a tame road slate, SDSU is a legitimate darkhorse contender in the Mountain West. The Aztecs play both of the conference’s top teams at home (TCU and Boise State) and should earn some confidence-boosting wins in September against Army and Washington State, but probably not at Michigan. The hardest MWC road trip will be traveling to Air Force on a Thursday night just five days after playing TCU. Prediction: 8-4 record.

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College Football Preview: TCU

TCU HORNED FROGS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 13-0 (8-0 in MWC)
ATS Record: 7-6
Over/Under: 5-7
Points Scored: 41.6 PPG
Points Allowed: 12.0 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win MWC Championship: 5/2
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 60/1

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 5
Many starters left the 2011 Rose Bowl Champions, but Gary Patterson (36-3 in the past three years) still has great talent. QB Andy Dalton has departed, but junior Casey Pachall has loads of potential. RB Ed Wesley (1,078 rush yds, 11 TD) and WR Josh Boyce (646 rec yds, 6 TD) are already great.

Defense:
4-2-5 - Starters Returning: 6
The defense can’t possibly get better after an FBS-best 228 YPG and 12.0 PPG allowed. LBs Tank Carder (9.5 TFL) and Tanner Brock (106 tackles) return to lead a TCU team with a deep defensive line and an improving secondary.

2011 Schedule:
Fri, Sept. 2 – at Baylor
Sat, Sept. 10 – at Air Force
Sat, Sept. 17 – Louisiana-Monroe
Sat, Sept. 24 – Portland State
Fri, Sept. 30 – SMU
Sat, Oct. 8 – at San Diego State
Sat, Oct. 22 – New Mexico
Fri, Oct. 28 – vs. BYU (in Arlington, TX)
Sat, Nov. 5 – at Wyoming
Sat, Nov. 12 – at Boise State
Sat, Nov. 19 – Colorado State
Sat, Dec. 3 – UNLV

******* Take: This will be the last Mountain West season for TCU before they move to the Big East in 2012. While the conference winner will likely be determined on Nov. 12 in Idaho when TCU visits Boise State, the Frogs will certainly be tested in two other MWC road games -- at Air Force and at San Diego State. Non-conference clashes at Baylor and versus BYU at Cowboys Stadium could also prevent them from posting a fourth straight 10-win season. Prediction: 9-3 record.

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College Football Preview: UNLV

UNLV REBELS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 2-11 (2-6 in MWC)
ATS Record: 5-8
Over/Under: 9-4
Points Scored: 18.4 PPG
Points Allowed: 39.7 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win MWC Championship: 75/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 15/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple Spread - Starters Returning: 7
The Rebels went 2-11 and lost by an average of 21.3 PPG (39.7 to 18.4) in Bobby Hauck’s first season. They will look to improve with a new QB (likely sophomore Caleb Herring) and a young O-Line that lost three starters. The top offensive players are RB Tim Cornett (546 rush yds, 6 TD) and WR Phillip Payne (19 career rec TD).

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 5
The defense allowed 450 YPG with only 12 sacks, but DE B.J. Bell has breakout potential (51 tackles), and CBs Will Chandler (5 INT) and CB Quinton Pointer (72 tackles in ‘09) are great cover men.

2011 Schedule:
Thu, Sept. 1 – at Wisconsin
Sat, Sept. 10 – at Washington State
Sat, Sept. 17 – Hawaii
Sat, Sept. 24 – Southern Utah
Sat, Oct. 8 – at Nevada
Sat, Oct. 15 – at Wyoming
Sat, Oct. 29 – Colorado State
Sat, Nov. 5 – Boise State
Sat, Nov. 12 – at New Mexico
Sat, Nov. 19 – at Air Force
Sat, Nov. 26 – San Diego State
Sat, Dec. 3 – at TCU

******* Take: The Rebels were lit up on defense last year, but this season could be much, much worse with FIVE opponents who finished in the top 10 in points among FBS schools last year. All five of these teams (Boise State 2nd, TCU 4th, Wisconsin 5th, Nevada 8th and Hawaii 10th) averaged at least 40 points per game. If UNLV doesn’t beat Colorado State at home on Oct. 29, it will likely finish its Mountain West schedule with zero wins. The Rebels have not won more than one road game in a season since 2003, going 4-30 (.118) away from home over that span. Prediction: 2-10 record.

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College Football Preview: Wyoming

WYOMING COWBOYS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 3-9 (1-7 in MWC)
ATS Record: 5-6-1
Over/Under: 5-6
Points Scored: 19.2 PPG
Points Allowed: 30.3 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win MWC Championship: 20/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 15/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Spread - Starters Returning: 8
The Cowboys return most of their starters from last year’s dismal 3-9 campaign. QB Austyn Carta-Samuels transferred, leaving the 116th-ranked offense (286 total YPG) to one of three freshmen. But TB Alvester Alexander (792 rush yds, 14 TD) is ready to run behind an experienced O-Line.

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 9
The 92nd-ranked defense (414 YPG) should improve with a returning front seven featuring DE Josh Biezuns (61 tackles, 6.5 sacks) and LB Brian Hendricks (80 tackles). Senior CB Tashaun Gipson (9 PD, 3 INT) leads the group of DBs.

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – Weber State
Sat, Sept. 10 – Texas State
Sat, Sept. 17 – at Bowling Green
Sat, Sept. 24 – Nebraska
Sat, Oct. 8 – at Utah State
Sat, Oct. 15 – UNLV
Sat, Oct. 29 – at San Diego State
Sat, Nov. 5 – TCU
Sat, Nov. 12 – at Air Force
Sat, Nov. 19 – New Mexico
Sat, Nov. 26 – at Boise State
Sat, Dec. 3 – at Colorado State

******* Take: Wyoming only has one bowl appearance in the past six seasons, but this schedule could allow the Cowboys to return to the postseason this year. The first half of the schedule is very favorable with the exception of Nebraska, but they will need to rack up the wins in September because the second half of the 2011 slate is very tough. In addition to playing the conference favorites Boise State and TCU in November, three other challenging MWC road games will test their mettle. Expect Wyoming to fall just short of the bowl eligibility mark. Prediction: 5-7 record.

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College Football Preview: Akron


AKRON ZIPS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 1-11 (1-7 in MAC)
ATS Record: 5-7
Over/Under: 4-6-1
Points Scored: 15.6 PPG
Points Allowed: 35.1 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win MAC East Division: 5/1
Odds to Win MAC Championship: 10/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Pro Style - Starters Returning: 6
The 1-11 Zips had the second-fewest FBS yards (269 YPG) and third-fewest points (15.6 PPG). QB Patrick Nicely wasn’t good (49% comp. rate, 10 TD, 13 INT), and JUCO transfer Clayton Moore could possibly win the starting job. The other skill positions are also a big problem with the loss of 1,301 rushing yards from RBs Alex Allen and Nate Burney, plus 772 receiving yards from departed WRs Jeremy LaFrance and Jalil Carter. Broderick Alexander should return from an Achilles’ tear to win the starting TB job, while WR Keith Sconiers (9 rec, 75 yds) could be the top passing target.

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 7
Akron’s defense will be terrible again, especially with the loss of DE Shawn Lemon. The best defenders remaining are DE Hasan Hazime (7.5 TFL), MLB Brian Wagner (130 tackles, 6 PD) and CB Manley Waller (6 TFL, 5 PD).

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – at Ohio State
Sat, Sept. 10 – Temple
Sat, Sept. 17 – at Cincinnati
Sat, Sept. 24 – VMI
Sat, Oct. 1 – at Eastern Michigan
Sat, Oct. 8 – Florida International
Sat, Oct. 22 – Ohio
Sat, Oct. 29 – Central Michigan
Thu, Nov. 3 – at Miami (OH)
Sat, Nov. 12 – Kent State
Sat, Nov. 19 – at Buffalo
Fri, Nov. 25 – at Western Michigan

******* Take: This is not a very kind schedule for a rebuilding program coming off a one-win season. The Zips start their year with a trip to the Big Horseshoe and then have to travel to face a Cincinnati team with a potent offense. If Akron is to win any MAC games, it’s unclear who that victory would come against. Of the four schools with the longest odds to win the conference (Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Ball State and Bowling Green), the Zips only face Kent State at home and don’t play BSU or BGSU at all. Prediction: 2-10 record.

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College Football Preview: Ball State


BALL STATE CARDINALS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 4-8 (3-5 in MAC)
ATS Record: 4-8
Over/Under: 6-4
Points Scored: 22.0 PPG
Points Allowed: 30.4 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win MAC West Division: 12/1
Odds to Win MAC Championship: 30/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 8
Former Elon head coach Pete Lembo is the new sheriff in town, looking to turn around this program that suffered two long years under Stan Parrish (6-18) after a 12-2 season in 2008. Lembo brings a no-huddle, pass-happy offense to Muncie, which will probably be orchestrated by sophomore QB Keith Wenning (14 TD, 14 INT) who started the final 10 games over junior Kelly Page (38-71, 470 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT). Plenty of skill positions return, namely TB Eric Williams (613 rush yds, 4.8 YPC, 8 total TD) and top WR Jack Tomlinson (29 rec, 484 yds, 6 TD).

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 7
The D-Line is a major problem area, as no BSU returnee had more than one sack last year. But the back seven is decent, led by MLB Travis Freeman (109 tackles), OLB Tony Martin (76 tackles), FS Sean Baker (88 tackles, 6 INT) and CB Jason Pinkston (4 INT, 7 PD).

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – vs. Indiana (in Indianapolis)
Sat, Sept. 10 – at South Florida
Sat, Sept. 17 – Buffalo
Sat, Sept. 24 – Army
Sat, Oct. 1 – at Oklahoma
Sat, Oct. 8 – Temple
Sat, Oct. 15 – at Ohio
Sat, Oct. 22 – Central Michigan
Sat, Oct. 29 – at Western Michigan
Sat, Nov. 5 – at Eastern Michigan
Tue, Nov. 15 – at Northern Illinois
Fri, Nov. 25 – Toledo

******* Take: A non-conference road schedule featuring Oklahoma, South Florida and Indiana are sure to hang three losses on the Cardinals. They also play the three MAC West favorites (Northern Illinois, Toledo and Western Michigan) in the final four games of the season. In non-divisional play, BSU draws two of the top three East teams in Temple and Ohio. There simply aren’t enough easy games for Pete Lembo to bring this program back to a bowl. Prediction: 3-9 record.

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College Football Preview: Bowling Green



BOWLING GREEN FALCONS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 2-10 (1-7 in MAC)
ATS Record: 5-7
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 21.2 PPG
Points Allowed: 33.6 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win MAC East Division: 12/1
Odds to Win MAC Championship: 20/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 6
After 21 wins in three seasons, the Falcons were a dismal 2-10 last year. Sophomore QB Matt Schilz was partly to blame (8 TD, 14 INT), but BGSU had the worst rushing offense among all FBS schools (63 YPG). Non-productive Jordan Hopgood (2.2 YPC, 167 rush yds, 6 TD) is the top RB remaining, but explosive WR Kamar Jorden (96 rec, 1,109 yds, 4 TD) is also back. If the offensive line doesn’t improve immensely (35 sacks allowed), it will be another long season.

Defense:
Base 42 - Starters Returning: 7
The defensive line was also horrible, with just 17 sacks, and was a big reason why BGSU ranked 102nd in yards (432 YPG) and 100th in scoring (33.6 PPG). The key players are LB Dwayne Woods (134 tackles) and an experienced secondary led by senior safeties Jovan Leacock (91 tackles) and Keith Morgan (67 tackles), and sophomore CB Cameron Truss (7 PD).

2011 Schedule:
Thu, Sept. 1 – at Idaho
Sat, Sept. 10 – Morgan State
Sat, Sept. 17 – Wyoming
Sat, Sept. 24 – at Miami Ohio
Sat, Oct. 1 – at West Virginia
Sat, Oct. 8 – at Western Michigan
Sat, Oct. 15 – Toledo
Sat, Oct. 22 – Temple
Sat, Oct. 29 – at Kent State
Tue, Nov. 8 – Northern Illinois
Wed, Nov. 16 – Ohio
Fri, Nov. 25 – at Buffalo

******* Take: The Falcons have a tough draw in MAC play with the four best teams in the conference on the schedule (Northern Illinois, Temple, Miami Ohio and Toledo). They also don’t have the luxury of playing the two worst MAC East teams in Ball State and Eastern Michigan. BGSU has some winnable games in September, but three straight tough road games (at Miami Ohio, at West Virginia and at Western Michigan) should set the tone for another long losing season in Bowling Green. Prediction: 4-8 record.

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College Football Preview: Buffalo



BUFFALO BULLS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 2-10 (1-7 in MAC)
ATS Record: 2-10
Over/Under: 4-7
Points Scored: 14.2 PPG
Points Allowed: 27.8 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win MAC East Division: 8/1
Odds to Win MAC Championship: 15/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 8
First-year head coach Jeff Quinn saw his team score the fewest points in the land (14.2 PPG) including a dreadful 10.6 PPG during a season-ending, seven-game losing streak. The Bulls committed 33 turnovers (3rd-most in FBS) and didn’t get good QB play from either Jerry Davis (16 TD, 16 INT) or Alex Zordich (1 TD, 6 INT). The ground game was also brutal (3.0 YPC) with leading rusher Branden Oliver (298 yds, 2.9 YPC) needing to improve in a big way. The bright spot was the starting WRs who both return this year (Marcus Rivers: 690 yds, Alex Neutz 414 yds).

Defense:
Base 34 - Starters Returning: 3
The defense played pretty well with 25 turnovers and 181 passing YPG (19th in nation). But eight starters are gone, including the entire secondary. DE Steven Means (4.5 sacks) and OLB Khalil Mack (68 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 10 PD) are two valuable returnees.

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – at Pittsburgh
Sat, Sept. 10 – Stony Brook
Sat, Sept. 17 – at Ball State
Sat, Sept. 24 – Connecticut
Sat, Oct. 1 – at Tennessee
Sat, Oct. 8 – Ohio
Sat, Oct. 15 – at Temple
Sat, Oct. 22 – Northern Illinois
Sat, Oct. 29 – at Miami Ohio
Sat, Nov. 12 – at Eastern Michigan
Sat, Nov. 19 – Akron
Fri, Nov. 25 – Bowling Green

******* Take: The Bulls have a manageable conference schedule with three of the four best MAC teams (NIU, Temple and Miami Ohio), but also three of the four worst MAC teams (Eastern Michigan, Ball State and Bowling Green). The non-conference slate is brutal though, with trips to Pittsburgh and Tennessee, as well as a home game against Connecticut. The amount of turnover on the defensive side of the ball will prevent the Bulls from flirting with a bowl bid. Prediction: 3-9 record.

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College Football Preview: Central Michigan



CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 3-9 (2-6 in MAC)
ATS Record: 6-6
Over/Under: 5-6
Points Scored: 24.4 PPG
Points Allowed: 26.0 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win MAC West Division: 13/2
Odds to Win MAC Championship: 10/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 8
The Chippewas lost eight of their final nine games last year, as QB Ryan Radcliff (3,358 yds, 17 TD, 17 INT) had his moments, but was no Dan LeFevour, the legendary QB he replaced. Radcliff now has to work with an O-Line that lost two All-MAC players, C Colin Miller and RG Jeff Maddux. The ground game is also suspect (106 YPG, 108th in nation), but Paris Cotton (651 rush yds, 4.6 YPC) showed flashes of potential. Junior WR Cody Wilson (83 rec, 1,137 yds, 5 TD) is excellent, but the Chippewas need to find other reliable targets for Radcliff.

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 6
On defense, no lineman had more than 2.5 sacks, while the team only had a total of 4 INT. The best remaining defenders are LB Armond Staten (78 tackles, 5 FF) and DBs Jahleel Addae (80 tackles, 4 PD) and Avery Cunningham (51 tackles).

2011 Schedule:
Thu, Sept. 1 – South Carolina State
Sat, Sept. 10 – at Kentucky
Sat, Sept. 17 – at Western Michigan
Sat, Sept. 24 – at Michigan State
Sat, Oct. 1 – Northern Illinois
Sat, Oct. 8 – at North Carolina State
Sat, Oct. 15 – Eastern Michigan
Sat, Oct. 22 – at Ball State
Sat, Oct. 29 – at Akron
Fri, Nov. 4 – at Kent State
Thu, Nov. 10 – Ohio
Fri, Nov. 18 – Toledo

******* Take: The Chippewas have a very difficult first half of the schedule with MAC favorite Northern Illinois and four road games, including three against quality BCS schools in Michigan State, Kentucky and NC State. However, CMU has the good fortune of facing the three worst MAC teams in the final six games (at Kent State, Eastern Michigan, at Ball State) and closes the season with two of its five home games. Prediction: 5-7 record.