College Football Preview (All Teams)

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College Football Preview: Texas A&M


TEXAS A&M AGGIES

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4 (6-2 in Big 12)
ATS Record: 7-5
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 31.2 PPG
Points Allowed: 21.9 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 20/1

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple Pro - Starters Returning: 9
Expectations are high in College Station this year as Texas A&M returns 17 starters to a team that finished the regular season with six straight wins. QB Ryan Tannehill orchestrated the win streak after replacing Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year Jerrod Johnson. Tannehill threw for 1,409 yards (235 YPG) with 11 TD and just 3 INT in the six games. His top two receivers, Jeff Fuller (72 rec, 1,066 yds, 12 TD) and Ryan Swope (72 rec, 825 yds, 4 TD) will help Tannehill continue to improve. But the heart of the offense is the two-headed rushing attack of Christine Michael (631 rush yds, 5.0 YPC, 4 TD), who suffered a broken leg in October, and Cyrus Gray, who filled in for Michael with seven straight 100-yard games and 10 TD to finish the season. With four starters returning to the offensive line, this will be quite an exciting duo to watch in 2011.

Defense:
Base 34 - Starters Returning: 8
The defense only lost three starters, but two of them will be difficult to replace in All-American OLB Von Miller and leading tackler LB Michael Hodges. Demontre Moore backed up Miller as a freshman last year and posted 5.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. He’ll be joined by two other strong LBs in senior ILB Garrick Williams (112 tackles, 5 TFL) and junior OLB Sean Porter (7 TFL, 6 PD). The secondary returns all four starters, and is expected to improve on its No. 89 ranking in passing defense (234 YPG). Both CBs Coryell Judie and Dustin Harris had 4 INT last year.

2011 Schedule:
Sun, Sept. 4 – SMU
Sat, Sept. 17 – Idaho
Sat, Sept. 24 – Oklahoma State
Sat, Oct. 1 – vs. Arkansas (in Arlington)
Sat, Oct. 8 – at Texas Tech
Sat, Oct. 15 – Baylor
Sat, Oct. 22 – at Iowa State
Sat, Oct. 29 – Missouri
Sat, Nov. 5 – at Oklahoma
Sat, Nov. 12 – at Kansas State
Sat, Nov. 19 – Kansas
Thu, Nov. 24 – Texas

******* Take: This will be a fun year at College Station. The Aggies only play four true road games, and they will be favored in three of those contests (Texas Tech, Iowa State, Kansas State). The lone exception is the Nov. 5 showdown in Norman that will likely decide who wins the Big 12. An Oct. 1 matchup with Arkansas will be a great barometer to see just how good Texas A&M will be this year, and the two toughest home dates expect to be Sept. 24 versus Oklahoma State and then two months later in the Thanksgiving Day meeting with rival Texas. Prediction: 11-1 record.

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College Football Preview: Texas


TEXAS LONGHORNS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 5-7 (2-6 in Big 12)
ATS Record: 3-9
Over/Under: 4-8
Points Scored: 23.8 PPG
Points Allowed: 23.7 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 40/1

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Spread - Starters Returning: 8
A disastrous 2-7 finish to the 2010 season was followed by the departure of DC/coach-in-waiting Will Muschamp and ousting of OC Greg Davis. Most of the offense returns, but it’s a unit that didn’t score more than 22 points in any Big 12 game last year. The Longhorns turned the ball over 30 times and were one of five FBS teams with a minus-1 TO margin per game. Junior QB Garrett Gilbert should be able to hold off Case McCoy and keep his starting job, but Gilbert ranked 95th in the nation in passing efficiency. In Big 12 play, he only threw 6 TD with 16 INT. But QB isn’t the only problem area, as leading WR James Kirkendoll and three O-Line starters need to be replaced. The RB unit is led by seniors Cody Johnson (592 rush yds, 6 TD) and Fozzy Whittaker (351 rush yds, 2 TD), but neither has big-play potential like freshman Malcolm Brown. Co-offensive coordinators Major Applewhite and Bryan Harsin (Boise State) should infuse new life into the offense.

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 6
New DC Manny Diaz left Mississippi State to fill the big void left by Muschamp. Diaz will bring an attacking mentality to a defensive unit that is led by MLB Emmanuel Acho (79 tackles, 8.5 TFL) and converted DE Alex Okafor who had five sacks in the spring game. DT Kheeston Randall and WLB Keenan Robinson (105 tackles) are also quality players. Texas only had eight interceptions last year, and both starting corners have to be replaced.

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – Rice
Sat, Sept. 10 – BYU
Sat, Sept. 17 – at UCLA
Sat, Oct. 1 – at Iowa State
Sat, Oct. 8 – vs. Oklahoma (in Dallas)
Sat, Oct. 15 – Oklahoma State
Sat, Oct. 29 – Kansas
Sat, Nov. 5 – Texas Tech
Sat, Nov. 12 – at Missouri
Sat, Nov. 19 – Kansas State
Thu, Nov. 24 – at Texas A&M
Sat, Dec. 3 – at Baylor

******* Take: Considering the ‘Horns were 2-7 last year against teams on the 2011 schedule (beating only Rice and Texas Tech), Texas will have a challenging task to get back to its typical 10-win season. The Big 12 home schedule is pretty easy, with Oklahoma State looking like the only formidable opponent coming to Austin. The Longhorns will likely have to win both the neutral-site matchup with Oklahoma and Thanksgiving rivalry game at Texas A&M to have a chance to win the Big 12, which doesn’t seem likely. A major bowl should be in the cards, though. Prediction: 9-3 record.

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College Football Preview: Texas Tech


TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5 (3-5 in Big 12)
ATS Record: 5-7-1
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 33.1 PPG
Points Allowed: 30.9 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 100/1

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Single Back Spread - Starters Returning: 5
It was an up-and-down season for the Red Raiders, who started 4-4, but finished strong with four victories in the final five games. The high-octane offense ran pretty smoothly in Tommy Tuberville’s first season as head coach, ranking seventh in the nation in passing yards (319 YPG) and 23rd in scoring (33.1 PPG). TTU scored 48.0 PPG in the final three games (all wins). QB Taylor Potts has departed, and junior Seth Doege (41-65, 427 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT in career) will likely replace Potts. Unfortunately for Doege, the team’s top two receivers, Lyle Leong and Detron Lewis do not return with their combined 161 catches, 1,778 yards and 25 touchdowns. Alex Torres (39 rec, 481 yds, 3 TD) will see many more balls thrown his way this year.

Defense:
4-2-5 - Starters Returning: 8
The young defense hopes to reap the rewards of its growing pains last year, when they allowed 294 passing YPG (third-worst in nation), and 30.9 PPG (93rd in nation). New DC Chad Glasgow comes over from TCU and will implement his 4-2-5 defense, which is a big change from last year’s 3-4 look. DE Scott Smith (3 sacks, 4 TFL in five games) will be tasked with replacing the team sack leader Brian Duncan, while sophomore Terrance Bullitt will occupy the third safety spot (nickel back) in the 4-2-5 set.

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – Texas State
Sat, Sept. 17 – at New Mexico
Sat, Sept. 24 – Nevada
Sat, Oct. 1 – at Kansas
Sat, Oct. 8 – Texas A&M
Sat, Oct. 15 – Kansas State
Sat, Oct. 22 – at Oklahoma
Sat, Oct. 29 – Iowa State
Sat, Nov. 5 – at Texas
Sat, Nov. 12 – Oklahoma State
Sat, Nov. 19 – at Missouri
Sat, Nov. 26 – vs. Baylor (in Arlington)

******* Take: With so many changes this year, the schedule works in Texas Tech’s favor with its four weakest opponents to start the season. But November is quite a bear with trips to Texas and Missouri and showdowns with Oklahoma State and Baylor. The Red Raiders also play the two best Big 12 teams in October, in Texas A&M and Oklahoma. Assuming they use this schedule to help them progress throughout the year, expect Texas Tech to chalk up just enough wins to go bowling. Prediction: 6-6 record.

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College Football Preview: Cincinnati


CINCINNATI BEARCATS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 4-8 (2-5 in Big East)
ATS Record: 4-8
Over/Under: 4-7
Points Scored: 27.1 PPG
Points Allowed: 28.0 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Spread - Starters Returning: 5
The Bearcats return three key offensive weapons last year in QB Zach Collaros (2,902 pass yds, 26 TD), RB Isaiah Pead (1,029 rush yds) and WR D.J. Woods (898 rec yds, 8 TD). The offense is explosive, but also inconsistent, as Cincy failed to score 20 points six times last year.

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 11
They also return all 11 starters on defense, the same crew that surrendered 27+ points in every Big East game in 2010. All this experience should help Cincy improve on its minus-15 turnover ratio, which was second-to-last in the nation.

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – Austin Peay
Sat, Sept. 10 – at Tennessee
Sat, Sept. 17 – Akron
Thu, Sept. 22 – NC State
Sat, Oct. 1 – at Miami Ohio
Sat, Oct. 15 – Louisville
Sat, Oct. 22 – at South Florida
Sat, Nov. 5 – at Pittsburgh
Sat, Nov. 12 – West Virginia
Sat, Nov. 19 – at Rutgers
Sat, Nov. 26 – at Syracuse
Sat, Dec. 3 – Connecticut

******* Take: The Bearcats could start out 4-1, or even 5-0 if they pull out wins at Tennessee and MAC champion Miami Ohio. However, their first three Big East games are against the three other best teams in the conference (Louisville, South Florida and Pittsburgh) with two of those contests coming on the road. Cincinnati only plays three Big East home games (four on the road), but this potent offense and improving defense will provide enough wins to comfortably make a bowl game. Prediction: 8-4 record.

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College Football Preview: Connecticut


CONNECTICUT HUSKIES

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5 (5-2 in Big East)
ATS Record: 8-5
Over/Under: 5-7
Points Scored: 26.4 PPG
Points Allowed: 22.0 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 6
New head coach Paul Pasqualoni returns to the Big East where he coached Syracuse from 1991-2004. He will be joined by new offensive coordinator George DeLeone, who he also worked with at Syracuse. The Huskies have some big holes to fill on offense, most notably QB Zach Frazer and RB Jordan Todman. Four signal callers will vie for starting duty, and USC transfer D.J. Shoemate was the top RB in spring ball.

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 9
Don Brown takes over at defensive coordinator but expected to keep the same 4-3 scheme employed last year. The defense will have to replace two senior LBs, but the D-Line is excellent with Jesse Joseph (8.5 sacks) returning, and the secondary is also top-notch with stud CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson and safety Jerome Junior.

2011 Schedule:
Thu, Sept. 1 – Fordham
Sat, Sept. 10 – at Vanderbilt
Fri, Sept. 16 – Iowa State
Sat, Sept. 24 – at Buffalo
Sat, Oct. 1 – Western Michigan
Sat, Oct. 8 – at West Virginia
Sat, Oct. 15 – South Florida
Wed, Oct. 26 – at Pittsburgh
Sat, Nov. 5 – Syracuse
Sat, Nov. 19 – Louisville
Sat, Nov. 26 – Rutgers
Sat, Dec. 3 – at Cincinnati

******* Take: The Huskies have a very favorable schedule to help them deal with all the offseason changes in both coaches and players. There’s no reason UConn can’t start 5-0, with the only dangerous non-conference game being at an improving Vanderbilt team. The Big East schedule is a different story. The Huskies play three of the four top teams in the conference on the road (West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati) and could be 0-3 in Big East play entering a November in which they don’t play outside of Rentschler Field. Prediction: 7-5 record.

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College Football Preview: Louisville


LOUISVILLE CARDINALS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6 (3-4 in Big East)
ATS Record: 7-6
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 26.4 PPG
Points Allowed: 19.4 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 4
The Cardinals lost five games by eight points or less last year. Junior Will Stein (two career starts) will likely beat out true freshman Teddy Bridgewater for the starting QB job. RB Victor Anderson (5.4 YPC, 14 TD in career) finally looks healthy after two injury-riddled seasons and will replace Bilal Powell as the featured back.

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 7
Louisville’s biggest weakness is its secondary that lost two starting cornerbacks, but most of the defense, which ranked in the nation’s top 20 in yardage, points and sacks, returns.

2011 Schedule:
Thu, Sept. 1 – Murray State
Fri, Sept. 9 – Florida International
Sat, Sept. 17 – at Kentucky
Sat, Oct. 1 – Marshall
Sat, Oct. 8 – at North Carolina
Sat, Oct. 15 – at Cincinnati
Fri, Oct. 21 – Rutgers
Sat, Oct. 29 – Syracuse
Sat, Nov. 5 – at West Virginia
Sat, Nov. 12 – Pittsburgh
Sat, Nov. 19 – at Connecticut
Fri, Nov. 25 – at South Florida

******* Take: The Cardinals have quite a challenging Big East schedule with four road games (three at home), comprised of what should be four of the five best teams in the conference. Louisville does have the ability to go winless on the road and still be bowl eligible due to a weak home schedule. Other than Pittsburgh, no team should leave Kentucky with a win over the Cardinals. Prediction: 6-6 record.

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College Football Preview: Pittsburgh


PITTSBURGH PANTHERS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5 (5-2 in Big East)
ATS Record: 7-4-2
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 26.3 PPG
Points Allowed: 19.0 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 100/1

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 4
Todd Graham takes over head coaching duties for a team that won six of its final eight games in 2010. He’ll install his no-huddle, spread attack that worked very well at Tulsa and arm returning QB Tino Sunseri (16 TD) with three and four-receiver sets out of the shotgun. RB Ray Graham (922 rush yds, 6.2 YPC, 10 total TD) will be the focal point of the offense and WR Mike Shanahan (43 rec, 589 yds) will see more targets with Jonathan Baldwin gone.

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 7
The nation’s eighth-best yardage defense (305 YPG) should be solid again with seven starters returning under new defensive coordinator Keith Patterson.

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – Buffalo
Sat, Sept. 10 – Maine
Sat, Sept. 17 – at Iowa
Sat, Sept. 24 – Notre Dame
Thu, Sept. 29 – South Florida
Sat, Oct. 8 – at Rutgers
Sat, Oct. 15 – Utah
Wed, Oct. 26 – Connecticut
Sat, Nov. 5 – Cincinnati
Sat, Nov. 12 – at Louisville
Fri, Nov. 25 – at West Virginia
Sat, Dec. 3 – Syracuse

******* Take: The Panthers have eight home games and only four road trips this season. The Big East champion will likely be whoever wins the Backyard Brawl on Nov. 25 when Pittsburgh visits rival West Virginia. Despite the school-record eight games at Heinz Field, two non-conference visitors will be tough to beat with Notre Dame and Utah coming to town. The Panthers also travel to Iowa, which starts a difficult stretch of three games in 13 days. Prediction: 9-3 record.

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College Football Preview: Rutgers


RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 4-8 (1-6 in Big East)
ATS Record: 3-9
Over/Under: 7-4
Points Scored: 20.8 PPG
Points Allowed: 26.5 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Pro Style - Starters Returning: 10
The Scarlet Knights ranked 114th in total offense (295 YPG), but are strong in the skill positions. QB Chas Dodd has an exciting WR trio with Mark Harrison (9 receiving TD), Mohamed Sanu and redshirt frosh Brandon Coleman. Jeremy Deering and stud recruit Savon Huggins can both run the football. But they still have major worries about an offensive line that allowed the most sacks in the nation last year (61).

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 5
The defense, which gave up 37.7 PPG during its season-ending six-game losing skid, is most thin on the defensive line, but is pretty bad in all facets.

2011 Schedule:
Thu, Sept. 1 – North Carolina Central
Sat, Sept. 10 – at North Carolina
Sat, Sept. 24 – Ohio
Sat, Oct. 1 – at Syracuse
Sat, Oct. 8 – Pittsburgh
Sat, Oct. 15 – Navy
Fri, Oct. 21 – at Louisville
Sat, Oct. 29 – West Virginia
Sat, Nov. 5 – South Florida
Sat, Nov. 12 – at Army (in Bronx, NY)
Sat, Nov. 19 – Cincinnati
Sat, Nov. 26 – at Connecticut

******* Take: The Scarlet Knights only play four true road games this season, with seven home tilts and a neutral-site meeting with Army at Yankee Stadium. The road slate is pretty manageable as Rutgers has the offensive firepower to win a few away games. The big problem is the Big East home schedule that features the four best teams in the conference. The three non-conference home games (UNC Central, Ohio and Navy) should give Rutgers just enough victories to earn a bowl bid. Prediction: 6-6 record.

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College Football Preview: South Florida


SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5 (3-4 in Big East)
ATS Record: 5-7
Over/Under: 4-8
Points Scored: 24.1 PPG
Points Allowed: 20.0 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Spread - Starters Returning: 4
The Bulls are coming off an 8-5 season, but they were very fortunate with the final four wins by a total of 12 points. B.J. Daniels (11 TD, 13 INT) returns at QB, and needs to improve in a big way for Skip Holtz to throw the football more. USF will remain a run-first offense with RBs Demetris Murray (6 total TD) and transfers Darrell Scott (Colorado) and Dontae Aycock (Auburn).

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 6
The defense, which ranked 17th among FBS schools in yardage (318 YPG) last year, has great depth in the secondary. South Florida also possesses a serviceable group of linebackers and defensive linemen.

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – at Notre Dame
Sat, Sept. 10 – Ball State
Sat, Sept. 17 – Florida A&M
Sat, Sept. 24 – UTEP
Thu, Sept. 29 – at Pittsburgh
Sat, Oct. 15 – at Connecticut
Sat, Oct. 22 – Cincinnati
Sat, Nov. 5 – at Rutgers
Fri, Nov. 11 – at Syracuse
Sat, Nov. 19 – Miami (FL)
Fri, Nov. 25 – Louisville
Thu, Dec. 1 – West Virginia

******* Take: The Bulls have a unique schedule with four non-Saturday games and only two October contests because of bye weeks. They have to play the majority of their Big East games on the road, and also have to face two historical national powers outside of the conference in Notre Dame and Miami (FL). If USF can somehow survive the early part of the Big East slate (four of first five games on the road), the Dec. 1 showdown with West Virginia could determine the league’s champion. Prediction: 7-5 record.

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College Football Preview: Syracuse


SYRACUSE ORANGE

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5 (4-3 in Big East)
ATS Record: 8-5
Over/Under: 4-7
Points Scored: 22.2 PPG
Points Allowed: 19.3 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple Pro - Starters Returning: 8
Most of the Orange offense returns with QB Ryan Nassib (19 TD, 8 INT) and WR Van Chew (611 yds) trying to improve on Syracuse’s 11.5 PPG in its last four regular-season games. RB Antwon Bailey (5.1 YPC career) must make the jump from a third-down back to the featured rusher replacing Delone Carter.

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 5
The defense ranked seventh in the nation in yardage (301 YPG), but has significant question marks with six lost starters including both defensive tackles, both cornerbacks and leading tackler Derrell Smith.

2011 Schedule:
Thu, Sept. 1 – Wake Forest
Sat, Sept. 10 – Rhode Island
Sat, Sept. 17 – at USC
Sat, Sept. 24 – Toledo
Sat, Oct. 1 – Rutgers
Sat, Oct. 8 – at Tulane
Fri, Oct. 21 – West Virginia
Sat, Oct. 29 – at Louisville
Sat, Nov. 5 – at Connecticut
Fri, Nov. 11 – South Florida
Sat, Nov. 26 – Cincinnati
Sat, Dec. 3 – at Pittsburgh

******* Take: The Orange received a pretty favorable schedule with seven home games and only three conference road tilts in the improving Big East. They have a unique blend of non-conference opponents from all over the land, but they could certainly win four out of the five games, with the exception being at USC. In conference play, Syracuse benefits from hosting title contenders West Virginia and South Florida, and has a decent shot to win road trips to Louisville and Connecticut. Expect another bowl bid for the Orange. Prediction: 7-5 record.

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College Football Preview: West Virginia


WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4 (5-2 in Big East)
ATS Record: 7-5
Over/Under: 4-8
Points Scored: 25.2 PPG
Points Allowed: 13.5 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 15/1

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Spread - Starters Returning: 8
Offensive genius Dana Holgorsen replaced Bill Stewart as head coach. In the past five seasons as an OC at Texas Tech, Houston and Oklahoma State, Holgorsen’s teams racked up 2,617 points. QB Geno Smith (24 TD, 7 INT) and WR Tavon Austin (787 rec. yds) should reap the benefits from this pass-happy attack. Starting RB duties are up for grabs with Noel Devine departed.

Defense:
3-3-5 - Starters Returning: 4
The nation’s No. 3 defense in points (13.5 PPG) and yards (261 YPG) lost a lot, but still has DE Bruce Irvin (14 sacks) and CB Keith Tandy (6 INT).

2011 Schedule:
Sun, Sept. 4 – Marshall
Sat, Sept. 10 – Norfolk State
Sat, Sept. 17 – at Maryland
Sat, Sept. 24 – LSU
Sat, Oct. 1 – Bowling Green
Sat, Oct. 8 – Connecticut
Fri, Oct. 21 – at Syracuse
Sat, Oct. 29 – at Rutgers
Sat, Nov. 5 – Louisville
Sat, Nov. 12 – at Cincinnati
Fri, Nov. 25 – Pittsburgh
Thu, Dec. 1 – at South Florida

******* Take: The interesting thing about WVU’s Big East portion of the schedule is that it gets incrementally harder with each game. The Mountaineers have a pretty easy October, but November features the four best teams in conference with the top two fellow contenders in the season’s final pair of games (Pittsburgh and at South Florida). The non-conference schedule includes what should be three blowout wins (Marshall, Norfolk State and Bowling Green), but a trip to Maryland and a home game versus national power LSU will both be tricky. That being said, WVU has the talent to reach double-digit wins and claim the Big East title. Prediction: 10-2 record.

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College Football Preview: Indiana


INDIANA HOOSIERS

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 5-7 (1-7 in Big Ten)
ATS Record: 6-6
Over/Under: 6-5
Points Scored: 27.2 PPG
Points Allowed: 34.0 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win Big Ten Championship: 100/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 50/1 (Field)

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Spread - Starters Returning: 7
Former Oklahoma OC Kevin Wilson takes over an Indiana team that went 1-7 in Big Ten play and loses QB Ben Chappell who accounted for 276 YPG of total offense. Sophomores Dusty Kiel and Edward Wright-Baker will compete for the starting QB job and are a combined 9-of-29 for 151 yds, 1 TD and 3 INT. The 112th-ranked running game (100 YPG) is also in sad shape as Darius Willis (4.3 YPC), Antonio Banks (3.5 YPC) and Xavier Whitaker are all coming off season-ending knee injuries. Wide receiver is the team’s one position of strength with Damarlo Belcher (78 rec, 832 yds) and Tandon Doss (63 rec, 706 yds).

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 6
Indiana’s defense will remain terrible. The Hoosiers, who only had 15 sacks and 13 turnovers (T3rd-fewest in FBS), will switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense. Senior DE Darius Johnson (4.5 sacks) is the only DL left with more than two sacks last year. Senior LBs Jeff Thomas (82 tackles, 7.5 TFL) and Leon Beckum (69 tackles) will have to lead this defense, which lost its best player and secondary leader, SS Mitchell Evans.

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – vs. Ball State (in Indianapolis)
Sat, Sept. 10 – Virginia
Sat, Sept. 17 – South Carolina State
Sat, Sept. 24 – at North Texas
Sat, Oct. 1 – Penn State
Sat, Oct. 8 – Illinois
Sat, Oct. 15 – at Wisconsin
Sat, Oct. 22 – at Iowa
Sat, Oct. 29 – Northwestern
Sat, Nov. 5 – at Ohio State
Sat, Nov. 19 – at Michigan State
Sat, Nov. 26 – Purdue

******* Take: The Hoosiers only leave Indiana once in the first six games of the season with four home contests and one neutral-site tilt in Indianapolis. The second half of the schedule is brutal, as Indiana travels to Wisconsin, Ohio State and Michigan State, who are three of the four best teams in the conference. An easy non-conference slate could give the Hoosiers a 4-0 start to the season, but there are really only two Big Ten games that they have a legitimate shot of winning on paper (Northwestern and Purdue). Prediction: 4-8 record.

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College Football Preview: Illinois


ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6 (4-4 in Big Ten)
ATS Record: 9-4
Over/Under: 7-5
Points Scored: 32.5 PPG
Points Allowed: 23.5 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win Big Ten Championship: 20/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 200/1

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 7
The Illini offense was a bit one-dimensional last year, ranking 11th in the nation in rushing (246 YPG) and 111th in the country in passing (151 YPG). With monster TB Mikel Leshoure leaving for the NFL, they should be more balanced in 2011. Senior TB Jason Ford (480 rush yds, 7 TD) will replace Leshoure and has the luxury of three returning O-Linemen blocking for him. Sophomore QB Nathan Scheelhaase is still developing as a passer (58.7% completion rate), but he is a legitimate dual-threat QB (868 rush yds). No. 1 WR, senior A.J. Jenkins (56 rec, 746 yds, 7 TD), returns, but the other wideouts need work.

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 6
The defense has big holes to fill with the losses of DLs Corey Liuget and Clay Nurse, and LBs Martez Wilson and Nate Bussey who combined for 13.5 sacks last year. Despite the lack of pass rushers up front, the back seven is still be pretty decent with junior LBs Ian Thomas (67 tackles, 6.5 TFL) and Justin Staples (4.5 TFL), and an improving secondary with two heady seniors -- FS Trulon Henry (3 INT) and SS Tavon Wilson (8 PD).

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – Arkansas State
Sat, Sept. 10 – South Dakota State
Sat, Sept. 17 – Arizona State
Sat, Sept. 24 – Western Michigan
Sat, Oct. 1 – Northwestern
Sat, Oct. 8 – at Indiana
Sat, Oct. 15 – Ohio State
Sat, Oct. 22 – at Purdue
Sat, Oct. 29 – at Penn State
Sat, Nov. 12 – Michigan
Sat, Nov. 19 – Wisconsin
Sat, Nov. 26 – at Minnesota

******* Take: With a whopping EIGHT home games this year, the Illini are a legitimate darkhorse candidate to win the Leaders Division. They play the division’s best two teams at home (Wisconsin and Ohio State), but they will have to visit Penn State. Illinois also avoids the top three teams in the Legends Division (Nebraska, Michigan State and Iowa), which gives the Illini three road games they should be favored in (at Indiana, at Purdue and at Minnesota). With only one quality non-conference opponent in Arizona State, Illinois could reach double-digit wins this year in a best-case scenario. Prediction: 8-4 record.

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College Football Preview: Iowa



IOWA HAWKEYES

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5 (4-4 in Big Ten)
ATS Record: 6-5-1
Over/Under: 4-8
Points Scored: 28.9 PPG
Points Allowed: 17.0 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win Big Ten Championship: 20/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 100/1

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Pro Style - Starters Returning: 5
The Hawkeyes encountered a huge roster turnover with only 10 total starters remaining. Productive QB Ricky Stanzi is gone, but the coaching staff is very high on his replacement, junior James Vandenberg (47-95, 515 yds, 3 TD, 5 INT in career). With RB Adam Robinson transferring, the rushing workload falls on the capable shoulders of sophomore TB Marcus Coker (622 rush yds, 5.5 YPC). Coker rumbled for 219 yards and two scores in last year’s Insight Bowl against Missouri. The WR corps is a little thin, but at least Iowa still has one great wideout in senior Marvin McNutt (53 rec, 861 yds, 8 TD).

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 5
This defense was excellent last season, ranking among the nation’s top seven teams in rushing (102 YPG), scoring (17.0 PPG) and TO margin (+1.0 per game). But the D-Line loses two all-conference performers in DE Adrian Clayborn and DT Karl Klug. Senior DT Mike Daniels (4 sacks, 11 TFL) is the only returning lineman with more than 1 TFL last year. MLB James Morris (70 tackles) is left to control the middle of the field, while the secondary welcomes back two excellent corners in Micah Hyde (82 tackles, 4 INT, 7 PD) and Shaun Prater (68 tackles, 4 INT, 6 PD).

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – Tennessee Tech
Sat, Sept. 10 – at Iowa State
Sat, Sept. 17 – Pittsburgh
Sat, Sept. 24 – Louisiana-Monroe
Sat, Oct. 8 – at Penn State
Sat, Oct. 15 – Northwestern
Sat, Oct. 22 – Indiana
Sat, Oct. 29 – at Minnesota
Sat, Nov. 5 – Michigan
Sat, Nov. 12 – Michigan State
Sat, Nov. 19 – at Purdue
Fri, Nov. 25 – at Nebraska

******* Take: The Hawkeyes catch a break with not having to face the two best teams in the Leaders Division in Wisconsin and Ohio State. They also draw Michigan State at home, leaving Nebraska as the only brutal road game in the season finale. That’s not to say there aren’t tough opponents throughout. Trips to rival Iowa State and improving Penn State will be challenging, as will a September home tilt with Big East power Pittsburgh. Despite the major losses in personnel, Iowa should have no problem finishing above .500. Prediction: 8-4 record.

[StarDust Bum]

College Football Preview: Michigan

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

2010 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6 (3-5 in Big Ten)
ATS Record: 3-10
Over/Under: 7-5
Points Scored: 32.8 PPG
Points Allowed: 35.2 PPG
2011 Odds:
Odds to Win Big Ten Championship: 20/1
Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship: 75/1

2011 Preview:
Offense:
Multiple - Starters Returning: 9
Brady Hoke, a former Michigan defensive coach, takes over for Rich Rodriguez after successful stints with Ball State and SDSU. Hoke inherits electric QB Denard Robinson (329 YPG of offense, 2nd in FBS; 131 rush YPG, 4th in FBS). But he’ll have to adjust to a multiple-set offense after thriving in the spread. Robinson benefits from four starters returning to an excellent O-Line that allowed just 11 sacks last year. He also has skill-position weapons in WR Roy Roundtree (72 rec, 935 yds, 7 TD) and TB Vincent Smith (601 rush yds, 4.4 YPC).

Defense:
Base 43 - Starters Returning: 8
The defense was brutal last year in all facets, ranking 110th in yardage (451 YPG), 108th in scoring (35.2 PPG), and amassing just 18 sacks. New DC Greg Mattison is switching from a 3-3-5 to a 4-3 defense. DE Ryan Van Bergen (4 sacks) is the team’s best pass rusher, but the linebacker unit is extremely weak without graduated WLB Jonas Mouton. The secondary remains intact, but this group allowed 262 passing YPG in 2010.

2011 Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 3 – Western Michigan
Sat, Sept. 10 – Notre Dame
Sat, Sept. 17 – Eastern Michigan
Sat, Sept. 24 – San Diego State
Sat, Oct. 1 – Minnesota
Sat, Oct. 8 – at Northwestern
Sat, Oct. 15 – at Michigan State
Sat, Oct. 29 – Purdue
Sat, Nov. 5 – at Iowa
Sat, Nov. 12 – at Illinois
Sat, Nov. 19 – Nebraska
Sat, Nov. 26 – Ohio State

******* Take: With eight home games and a load of talent on both sides of the ball, this team is a legitimate darkhorse candidate in the Legends Division. If the Wolverines can take care of Notre Dame at home in Week 2, they will most likely start 5-0 heading into a difficult portion of their schedule featuring four road dates in a five-game stretch. However, all of those road games are winnable, and Michigan’s top two conference opponents (Nebraska and Ohio State) travel to the Big House this year. With no Wisconsin or Penn State on the schedule, this team should win at least half its Big Ten games for the first time since 2007. Prediction: 7-5 record.