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
79.
Cincinnati
Predicted Finish:
4-8
2005 Predicted Finish: 3-8 2005 Record: 4-7
Quarterback Dustin Grutza has a year of experience and has decent
weapons around him to work with. Doug Jones is one of the Big East's top
tight ends, there are several experience backs to take the heat off, and
receiver Earnest Jackson is a rising star. However, it all hinges on a
line that has to rebuild after an awful 2005. The defense, head coach
Mark Dantonio's specialty, should be far better with a strong back seven
and a young line that should be good enough to dominate by next season.
The linebacking corps of Corey Smith and Anthony Williams on the outside
and Kevin McCullough in the middle should shine, while corner Mike
Mickens and free safety Haruki Nakamura are strong enough to grow into
All-Big East performers.
Relative Strengths: linebackers, secondary Relative
Weaknesses: offensive line, special teams
78.
Stanford
Predicted Finish:
5-7
2005 Predicted Finish: 3-8 2005 Record: 5-6
A better attack should be an almost certainty with senior QB Trent
Edwards possibly being this year's version of Jay Cutler and becoming a
rising favorite among the NFL scouts. There's no depth in the receiving
corps, but the combination of Mark Bradford and Evan Moore will arguably
be second in the league only to USC's dynamic duo of Dwayne Jarrett and
Steve Smith. The line is very big and very experienced, but it has to
keep Edwards clean after allowing 83 sacks in the last two seasons and
getting no push whatsoever for the running game. The backs aren't good
enough to make plays on their own. The defense will struggle against the
good Pac 10 attacks.
Relative Strengths: quarterbacks, receivers Relative
Weaknesses: defensive line, running backs
77.
Illinois
Predicted Finish:
5-7
2005 Predicted Finish: 4-7 2005 Record: 2-9
Despite the concerns with the coaching staff and the lines, there's
still reason to be optimistic for a surprise season thanks to all the
returning experience with 49 letterwinners and 21 starters returning.
The skill players on offense aren't that bad, and there are several very
athletic, very promising players on defense that should grow into steady
playmakers. The schedule isn't all that bad with enough average games to
reasonably shoot for six wins, which would obviously be hailed as a huge
campaign considering the program has won four D-I games in the last two
seasons.
Relative Strengths: running backs, quarterbacks Relative
Weaknesses: defensive line, secondary
76.
Nevada
Predicted Finish:
8-4
2005 Predicted Finish: 6-5 2005 Record: 9-3
This is a dangerous team with a scary mix of veterans and confidence.
There's decent depth at some spots, but the margin is razor thin in
others needing more offensive tackles to emerge and needing a reliable
second and third option behind Robert Hubbard in the backfield. The
defense had a hard time stopping anyone last year, but defenses never
put up great stats in the WAC.
Relative Strengths: quarterbacks, receivers Relative
Weaknesses: secondary, defensive line
75.
Washington
Predicted Finish:
4-8
2005 Predicted Finish: 2-9 2005 Record: 2-9
If you believe the adage that veteran teams win close games, then the 15
returning starters, along with all the experienced depth in many key
spots, should be enough to win the squeakers that last year's struggling
team lost. If QB Isaiah Stanback can be this year's Michael Robinson and
make the senior year transformation the former Penn State star was able
to make, and if the deep stable of running backs turns into something
special, and if the questions can be answered at corner, and if there
can be some semblance of a steady pass rush from the front four, this
really, truly could be a turnaround season.
Relative Strengths: running back, quarterback Relative
Weaknesses: secondary, offensive line
74. Houston
Predicted Finish:
7-5
2005 Predicted Finish: 5-6 2005 Record: 6-6
It all starts with QB Kevin Kolb, who has the ability to crank out 400
yards of total offense when he gets hot, but has the knack for throwing
interceptions at the worst times. But that's a recent problem; he's
generally a good decision maker who should go ballistic this year with a
receiving corps that should be the best in the league thanks to the
return of Vincent Marshall and the arrival of Arizona transfer Biren
Ealy. The defense should make an even bigger jump with a linebacking
corps and a secondary that should be among the best in the league, and a
front three that has size and potential with sophomore end Cody Pree and
Phillip Hunt ready to break out.
Relative Strengths: quarterback, receiver Relative
Weaknesses: running back, defensive line
73.
Kentucky
Predicted Finish:
4-8
2005 Predicted Finish: 2-9 2005 Record: 3-8
Who's the starting quarterback going to be? Can the veteran offensive
line get any sort of a push for the ground game? Is there a number two
receiver to help out Keenan Burton, and can Burton finally stay healthy?
Will the front four do anything after getting shoved all over the place
while failing to generate any sort of a pass rush? Can the secondary
pick off a pass after helping the D pick off only five passes? Can new
placekicker J.J. Housley produce like Taylor Begley? And the biggest
question of all, is Rich Brooks the right coach for the program? There
are still too many question marks and a sure problem with continuity
just about everywhere, so it might be another long season unless
everything clicks at once.
Relative Strengths: running back, offensive line Relative
Weaknesses: secondary, defensive line
72. East
Carolina
Predicted Finish:
6-6
2005 Predicted Finish: 2-9 2005 Record: 5-6
If top receiver Aundrae Allison and running back Chris Johnson return
healthy after missing spring ball with injuries, they'll combine with
quarterback James Pinkney to form one of Conference USA’s best offenses.
The offensive line has some patching up to do, but it's expected to be
fine. The defense needs to be better against the run after getting
steamrolled over last season, but there's enough size up front and
experience in the front four to hope for an improvement. The secondary
should be excellent with several good veterans returning from one of the
league's best pass defenses. Remember, it wasn't all that long ago when
this was one of the best programs in Conference USA, and Skip Holtz
appears to have it close to being there again.
Relative Strengths: receiver, secondary Relative Weaknesses:
defensive line, offensive line
71.
San Diego State
Predicted Finish:
8-5
2005 Predicted Finish: 4-8 2005 Record: 5-7
While he won't have nearly the same talent he enjoyed as the
offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, Long has pieces in place to build
around and do big things with. Running back Lynell Hamilton has
next-level talent and can carry the offense if needed. Quarterback
Kevin O'Connell is a productive veteran who can do a little of
everything well. The cornerback tandem of Terrell Maze and Donny
Baker is one of the best in the league, and end Antwan Applewhite
has the potential to be the Mountain West's best pass rusher. This
is hardly a complete enough team to win the Mountain West title, but
it's more than good enough to be a major player in the race as long
as there's a stop to those annoying misfires.
Relative Strengths: running back, quarterback Relative
Weaknesses: defensive line, offensive line
70. Hawaii
Predicted Finish:
9-4
2005 Predicted Finish: 5-7 2005 Record: 5-7
Is this the best Hawaii offense ever? It might be with QB Colt
Brennan and a loaded receiving corps certain to put up huge numbers.
However, the defense, as always, will be a big issue. Hawaii has
never been a road team, so throw any hopes of a WAC title out the
door with away dates at Boise State and Fresno State, but a bowl
season should be a lock with an offense this good.
Relative Strengths: receiver, quarterback Relative
Weaknesses: secondary, running back
