There's
one very important distinction in the CFN preseason rankings: these
are based on how good the teams are going into the season and NOT
how they're going to finish. Some teams have easier
schedules than others, some get tougher road games and some will
need a little bit of time to jell meaning they might be better than
their final record might indicate. Going into the year, these are
how good the teams appear to be from No. 1 through 119.
The predicted finishes don't take into account possible bowl games
or conference championships.
No. 1 to No. 10
| No. 11 to
20 |
No. 21 to 29 |
No. 30 to
39 |
No. 40 to 49
No. 50 to
59 |
No. 60 to 69 |
No. 70 to
79 |
No. 80 to 89 |
No. 90 to
99
No. 100 to
109 |
No. 110 to 119
119. Temple
Predicted Finish:
0-12 2005 Predicted Finish: 1-10 2005 Record: 0-11
Like all new coaching staffs and new eras, Al Golden and his young group
comes in bringing a new energy with big ideas and bigger dreams. Give
Golden this; he's not afraid to take on a challenge. His first goal is
the change the mindset of Temple football taking this city college that
has no interest in football and coming up with something to get excited
about before becoming a full blown member of the MAC. Winning a few
games would be a big first step.
Relative Strengths: wide receivers, offensive line Relative
Weaknesses: defensive line, special teams
118. Florida Atlantic
Predicted Finish:
1-11 2005 Predicted Finish: 0-11 2005 Record: 2-9
The 2007 Owls will have experience and depth to burn just about
everywhere. The 2006 Owls have to find some semblance of a pass
rush after generating six sacks. They have to get a more
consistent passing game going despite losing the top two
receivers and leader Danny Embick at quarterback. They have to
navigate their way through a brutal first half of the season
with a defensive front seven that's among the smallest in the
country, an offensive line with little depth, and special teams
that were a nightmare last season and are in total disarray
going into this year.
Relative Strengths: secondary, running back
Relative Weaknesses: special teams, defensive line
117.
Buffalo
Predicted Finish:
2-10 2005 Predicted Finish: 3-8 2005 Record: 1-10
Built to be a good defensive program under former head coach Jim Hofher,
the Bulls have never been able to do much offensively averaging a mere
15.3 points per game over the last seven seasons. There are plenty of
young prospects for new head man Turner Gill to work with led by a
decent group of quarterbacks, a good backfield with four nice options,
and tight end Chad Upshaw leading a promising receiving corps. The
offensive line is big and bigger, and now it needs to use its bulk to
shove someone around.
Relative Strengths: secondary, linebackers Relative
Weaknesses: offensive line, special teams
116. New
Mexico State
Predicted Finish:
3-9 2005 Predicted Finish: 2-10 2005 Record: 0-12
Things can't be worse than last year, and they won't be with enough
experienced players to expect better overall production and a
quarterback in Chase Holbrook who should be far, far more efficient than
Royal Gill and Joey Vincent were last year. It's also a plus to play in
the WAC where immediate results can come right away with just a little
bit of better overall play.
Relative Strengths: wide receivers, running backs Relative
Weaknesses: secondary, defensive line
115. UL
Monroe
Predicted Finish:
2-10 2005 Predicted Finish: 6-5 2005 Record: 5-6
This is the fourth year under head coach Charlie Weatherbie and it's a
transition season. It's going to be at least a year before the Warhawks
will field the strongest team over the last several years, so Weatherbie
and his staff will have a tricky task of blending the young backups with
the decent veterans. With only six senior starters, every game has to be
about improving with an eye towards the future.
Relative Strengths: secondary, offensive line Relative
Weaknesses: defensive line, linebackers
114. San
Jose State
Predicted Finish:
2-10 2005 Predicted Finish: 1-10 2005 Record: 3-8
In the WAC, you have to be prepared to get involved in some firefights,
and the Spartans are better equipped. The offense should be appreciably
better with one of the best lines the program has had in several years
along with a solid backfield with several good options. The quarterback
situation will work itself out and the receiving corps shouldn't be too
bad after a little bit of time. The defense, well, the offense should be
better.
Relative Strengths: offensive line, special teams Relative
Weaknesses: linebackers, secondary
113. FIU
Predicted Finish:
5-7 2005 Predicted Finish: 3-8 2005 Record: 5-6
Things are on the upswing after a strong finish to the 2005 season.
Quarterback Josh Padrick should grow into the role as the league's best
quarterback and needs to carry the offense on his back using his
experience and live arm to make the attack more productive. The defense
will be a work in progress, but it has two sure-thing All-Sun Belt stars
to work with in linebacker Keyonvis Bouie and defensive end Antwan
Barnes.
Relative Strengths: quarterback, linebackers Relative
Weaknesses: special teams, offensive line
112. Utah
State
Predicted Finish:
1-11 2005 Predicted Finish: 2-10 2005 Record: 3-8
With only one winning season since 1993, the Aggies don't have to do too
much to have one of their best seasons in recent years. But with only a
few seniors in the two-deep depth chart, this might be a stepping stone
to 2007. The passing game should be better with the return of All-WAC
candidates Kevin Robinson and Tony Pennyman at receiver and Leon Jackson
III at quarterback. Robinson and Pennyman are two of the nation's
better return men.
Relative Strengths: wide receiver, return game Relative
Weaknesses: offensive line, defensive line
111. Army
Predicted Finish:
4-8 2005 Predicted Finish: 3-8 2005 Record: 4-7
This year's team has some fantastic pieces to build around with the
potential for its strongest, most efficient passing attack in years. All
five starters return to the offensive line and everyone is back in the
linebacking corps. The kicking game is sound, the receiving corps could
be the strength of the team, and safety Caleb Campbell will once again
be among the nation's most productive safeties. However, the weaknesses
are major.
Relative Strengths: linebackers, special teams Relative
Weaknesses: running backs, defensive line
110. Rice
Predicted Finish:
0-12 2005
Predicted Finish: 4-7 2005 Record: 1-10
For this year, it's all about just getting from phase one to phase two
and getting the team in line with what Todd Graham and the new coaching
staff wants to do. The previous regime made a passing nod to throwing it
more when it tried to implement a bit of a spread offense in an effort
to save a sinking ship, but Rice still finished dead last in the nation
in passing. Graham has to make the square pegs fit into the round holes.
Relative Strengths: running backs, secondary Relative
Weaknesses: defensive line, quarterback
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