Near the Bottom ...
These teams should struggle to make much noise
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.
109. North Texas
Predicted Finish:
4-8 2005 Predicted Finish: 7-4 2005 Record: 2-9
After owning the Sun Belt for several years with trip after trip to
the New Orleans Bowl, North Texas found out what it's like to be on
the other side of things finishing dead-last in the conference.
Considering the team was at or near the bottom in just about every
major statistical category and loses only nine lettermen off of last
year's team, there's reason to believe a turnaround can be just as
quick as a fall from grace.
Relative Strengths: running backs, linebackers Relative
Weaknesses: secondary, quarterback
108. Arkansas State
Predicted Finish: 4-8 2005 Predicted Finish: 4-7 2005 Record: 6-6
Arkansas State has to try to become the new North Texas and be a
yearly participant in the New Orleans Bowl. Head coach Steve Roberts
has the program on the right track and he has the talent to be the
best team in the league with a little bit of luck. ASU got a taste
of success last year with its first non-losing season since 1995,
and that could be just the beginning. Relative Strengths: linebackers, secondary Relative
Weaknesses: quarterback, defensive line
107. Idaho
Predicted Finish: 3-9 2005 Predicted Finish: 3-8 2005 Record: 2-9
It'll take a little while, but new head man Dennis Erickson has
certainly generated plenty of excitement with his four and five wide
receiver sets and sophisticated offense that should provide a
consistency that hasn't been there in years. The return of QB Steven
Wichman for his senior season provides a veteran to run the attack,
and the running game should finally get going again with Jayson Bird
coming back from a collarbone injury. But the big problem for Idaho
has been defense allowing 39 points per game over the last two
seasons. Relative Strengths: quarterback, running backs Relative
Weaknesses: defensive line, secondary
106. Troy
Predicted Finish:
4-8 2005 Predicted Finish: 6-5 2005 Record: 4-7
After looking like the potential dominator in the Sun Belt, Troy has
to prove that last season's setback was a fluke. The conference is
better from top to bottom, but if the offense can generate a bit
more production, the Trojans could finally pull off a conference
title.
Troy will still be known for its defense. It'll be among the best in
the Sun Belt despite some key losses and a big hope for several
decent prospects to turn into stars, but the offense has to be far,
far more prodductive. Relative Strengths: special teams, defensive line
Relative Weaknesses: quarterback, wide receivers
105. MTSU
Predicted Finish: 5-7 2005 Predicted Finish: 5-6 2005 Record: 4-7
It’s going to take a little while for new head coach Rick Stockstill
and his coaching staff to figure out what they’re doing, but they
have good pieces to work with led by QB Clint Marks. The defense
won't be the killer it was last year after losing seven top
starters, but it's not going to fall off the map with several good
prospects ready to step in and linebacker J.K. Sabb and corner
Bradley Robinson to build around. If the offense comes though with a
better season, the D will be good enough to win the Sun Belt title
with. Relative Strengths: quarterback, running backs Relative
Weaknesses: defensive line, offensive line
104. Ohio
Predicted Finish: 2-10 2005 Predicted Finish: 3-8 2005 Record: 4-7
This isn't a good enough team to challenge for the MAC East title,
but there should be plenty of improvement with 20 returning
starters..
There's no question the running game will be among the
best in the MAC thanks to the return of a huge, veteran line and
potential all-star RB Kalvin McRae, but the passing game needs a
lot of tinkering. Unfortunately, the schedule doesn’t work out well. This will be a
better team than the final record will indicate.
Nine starters return to a defense that got shoved all over
the field against the run and bombed on by anyone who could throw a
football overhand. The linebacking corps will be the strength with MLB
Matt Muncy among the best in the country and Tyler Russ and Michael
Graham strong returning starters on the outside.
Relative Strengths: running backs, linebackers Relative
Weaknesses: defensive line, quarterback
103. Eastern Michigan
Predicted Finish: 3-9 2005 Predicted Finish: 3-8 2005 Record: 4-7
The 2006 Eagles have a mix of major strengths and screaming
concerns. Four starters return to an offensive line that welcomes
JUCO transfer star Tom Schmeding, but the backfield is starting from
near-scratch breaking in new quarterback Tyler Jones and a slew of
small, quick backs. The linebacking corps has the potential to be
sensational and Kevin Howe is one of the best defensive ends in the
conference, but the secondary is going to be abysmal right off the
bat. Relative Strengths: wide receivers, linebackers
Relative Weaknesses: secondary, running backs
102. Ball State
Predicted Finish: 5-7 2005 Predicted Finish: 2-9 2005 Record: 4-7
For a program that hasn't had a winning season since 1996 and has
only ten wins in the three-year Brady Hoke era, it's not exactly the
time to get greedy and start shooting for the MAC title, but there's
no reason this can't be one of the league's sleeper teams. Ten starters return on offense helped immensely by a line
that should be night-and-day better now that tackles Andre Ramsey
and Robert Brewster aren't true freshmen anymore. Joey Lynch has the
potential to be one of the MAC's better quarterbacks with a good
receiving corps to throw to. There's hope for improvement on defense
with a good, deep linebacking corps returning and
two excellent safeties in Erik Keys and Trey Lewis. The big
problems are on the line and at corner. Relative Strengths: quarterbacks, linebackers Relative
Weaknesses: secondary, defensive line
101.
UL Lafayette
Predicted Finish: 7-5 2005 Predicted Finish: 3-8 2005 Record: 6-5
The talent and experience is there for this to be the Sun Belt's
best team, and now it has to show it can handle expectations. If
nothing else, the ground attack will be worth the price of
admission. However, this is a flawed team with a complete overhaul
needed on the special teams and a passing game that only threw three
touchdown passes last season. Relative Strengths: running backs, quarterbacks Relative
Weaknesses: offensive line, defensive line
100. Kent State
Predicted Finish:
2-10 2005 Predicted Finish: 6-5 2005 Record: 1-10
After averaging eight points per game over the final five games,
it's hard to believe the Golden Flash machine will instantly turn
on. Even with several good newcomers, the running game still has to
prove it can move the ball, QB Michael Machen has to prove he isn't
a multi-interception game waiting to happen, and the linebacking
corps needs time to jell. There might be talent to build around, but
don’t expect miracles. Relative Strengths: linebackers, running backs Relative
Weaknesses: linebackers, wide receivers
