2007
Preseason Rankings
Probably Rebuilding - No. 90 to No. 99
At least two of these teams will finish much higher
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.
CFN 2007 Preseason Rankings
1 to 10 |
11 to 20 |
21 to 29 |
30 to 39 |
40 to 49 |
50 to 59
60 to 69 |
70 to 79 |
80 to 89 |
100 to 109 |
110 to 119
90.
UCF
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UCF Preview |
Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... the offense should be
excellent as long as a few receivers show up. Kevin Smith is a strong
back to carry the offense until QB Kyle Israel gets comfortable with his
new targets. The defense took its lumps last season with a slew of
inexperienced players seeing time in key spots, and now the results
should come, especially in the secondary.
The ranking is too high because ... everything will have to align
perfectly to be a player in the Conference USA race. There are several
concerns from the linebacking corps to the shaky, but experienced,
secondary to the average offensive line. After the way last year played
out with a lousy 4-8 campaign, anything less than a good start could be
disastrous for the team's confidence.
Relative Strengths: Running Back, Special Teams
Relative
Weaknesses: Linebacker, Wide Receiver
91.
East Carolina
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East Carolina
Preview |
Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... this is the toughest team in
Conference USA to figure out. If the offense can get steady play out of
the skill players, and the secondary can be decent, the Pirates will be
the wild-card in the league race. The defensive line should be the best
in the conference, and good enough to make the rest of the defense look
great at times. The tight ends will provide excellent safety valves for
new starting quarterback Rob Kass.
The ranking is too high because ... there are way too many X
factors to count on a consistent season. The cornerbacks will be a
problem early on, the receiving corps will be a work in progress, and
the offensive line needs to make a major jump in production from last
year. This could be the type of team that can beat anyone in the league,
and can lose to anyone.
Relative Strengths: Defensive Line, Linebacker
Relative
Weaknesses: Secondary, Special Teams
92.
Navy
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Navy Preview |
Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... under head coach Paul Johnson,
the team always produces better than its talent level should allow. If
you thought the Navy running game was good before, wait until you see
this year's version. This is the most experienced, talented backfield
Johnson has had with a ground game that can score from anywhere on the
field. Few teams are better at quickly plugging personnel holes with new
starters who know exactly what to do.
The ranking is too high because ... any injury could be
devastating to a thin line with no depth. Only three starters and seven
lettermen return to a defense that'll have a hard time stopping if it
has to be on the field for an extended length of time. Rashawn King is a
good corner, but the secondary will likely get picked apart early on
until a pass rush emerges. As always, there won't be any passing game
outside of the occasional big play when opposing defenses have their
guard down.
Relative Strengths: Running Back, Quarterback
Relative
Weaknesses: Wide Receiver, Linebacker
93.
UNLV
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UNLV
Preview
|
Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... the potential is there for a
big, big turnaround after two tremendously disappointing seasons. The
receiving corps is loaded with weapons, the ground game has good backs
to work with, and Rocky Hinds should be better after gutting it out last
year on a torn ACL. The defense should get to the quarterback on a
regular basis while the back seven will be among the most athletic in
the Mountain West, even if it's not all that talented.
The ranking is too high because ... the team was so bad last year
that it has to hope for several big things to happen to see a big jump
in the standings. Hinds, while healthier, is still coming off a knee
injury, the defense has to show it can stop someone early on before
things get out of hand. The secondary should be an issue and will
desperately miss Eric Wright.
Relative Strengths: Wide Receiver, Special Teams
Relative
Weaknesses:
Linebacker,
Defensive Back
94. San
Diego State
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San Diego
State Preview |
Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... if everyone is healthy on
offense, the attack could be devastating. Head coach Chuck Long is too
good an offensive mind to allow for another mediocre year, and if he can
have QB Kevin O'Connell, RB Lynell Hamilton, and his veteran line
together for a full season, watch out. This is the type of team that
could rise up and shock anyone in the Mountain West on a given day.
The ranking is too high because ... the defense isn't going to be
up to snuff. If the offense isn't vastly improved, the D won't be able
to pick up the slack. There's no apparent pass rush, the secondary is a
potential nightmare, and there's no depth to rely on. The offense, while
improved, has to make big strides after averaging just over 14 points
per game.
Relative Strengths: Running Back, Quarterback
Relative
Weaknesses: Defensive Line, Linebacker
95.
Ohio
- Ohio Preview
|
Offense |
Defense
|
Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... just like last year, the
Bobcat running game will be devastating with Kalvin McRae pounding his
way behind a good line. The defense should once again be among the MAC's
best thanks to a great line and strong secondary. If the linebackers
come through, few teams will be able to move the ball consistently.
The ranking is too high because ... the offense is supposed to be
more versatile, but won't be. Oh sure, the Bobcats will try to throw the
ball to keep the heat off McRae, but the receivers are mediocre and Brad
Bower is an average passer. The team, like last year, is good enough to
be among the MAC's top five, but not strong enough to win the whole ball
of wax.
Relative Strengths: Running Back, Special Teams
Relative
Weaknesses: Wide Receiver, Quarterback
96.
Miami
University
- Miami Univ. Preview |
Offense
|
Defense
|
Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... the offense should be
night-and-day better as long as the line is healthy. This is a big,
experienced line that got hit by every wave of bad luck imaginable. If
everyone is in place, the offense will hum thanks to QB Mike Kokal and
RB Brandon Murphy. Defensively, it's a veteran crew that should be over
the growing pains of last year and should be far better.
The ranking is too high because ... last year's 2-10 campaign
might not have been an aberration. While the defensive back seven has
the potential to be among the MAC's best, there are still way too many
question marks on the line. Offensively, the line might be experienced,
but it has to prove it can play. There's no true number one receiver to
rely on right away.
Relative Strengths: Special Teams, Quarterback
Relative
Weaknesses: Defensive Line, Receiver
97. UTEP
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UTEP Preview |
Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... admittedly, the team should be
much better than the ranking after a little while. The running game that
was absent for most of last year should be stronger with Marcus Thomas
getting more work. Nine starters return on a defense that should
generate a consistent pass rush and should be decent in the secondary as
the year goes on.
The ranking is too high because ... the D didn't stop anyone late
last year and now has to replace the entire line. Offensively, the line
needs to be far, far better to get Thomas and the running game rolling
on a consistent basis. Jordan Palmer might not have been great
game-in-and-game-out, but he was a good enough passer to carry the
offense. Now the Miners have a glut of untested quarterbacks to replace
their former star.
Relative Strengths: Running Back, Linebacker
Relative
Weaknesses: Offensive Line, Defensive Line
98.
Air Force
- Air Force
Preview
|
Offense |
Defense
|
Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... considering the coaching
change and the different offensive philosophy in place, having a
smart, veteran quarterback like Shaun Carney is a luxury. As always,
the Falcons should be able to run effectively as long as it's able
to make the transition to a varied attack. The defense has two
anchors to build around in linebacker Drew Fowler and safety Bobby
Giannini.
The ranking is too high because ... the passing game isn't
going to be there for a while, so the Falcons will have to rely on
the ground game time and again to move the ball. Since the attack
isn't going to be special anymore, without the option to rely on all
the time, the offense could become stagnant at times. The defense is
too small and too slow to see a big change in production after a
lousy last few seasons.
Relative Strengths: Quarterback, Running Back
Relative
Weaknesses: Wide Receiver, Defensive Line
99. Akron
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Akron Preview |
Offense |
Defense
|
Depth Chart
The ranking is too low because ... the defense was a major
plus last season and should be one of the MAC's best this season
with eight starters returning. The linemen are large, the
linebackers are quick, and the secondary is more than solid with
nice depth. The offense has a good 1-2 rushing punch in Dennis
Kennedy and Andre Walker to work around. The receiving corps is fast
enough and experienced enough to be a strength.
The ranking is too high because ... the quarterback situation
takes a downturn with the loss of Luke Getsy and the lack of a
proven number one. The new starter won't have the best offensive
line to work behind and will be challenged time and again with
everyone loading up to stop the run. The special teams are just
mediocre enough to get the Zips beat a few times.
Relative Strengths: Defensive Back Seven, Receiver
Relative
Weaknesses: Offensive Line, Quarterback
