CFN 2008 Pre-Preseason Rankings
No. 101 to 119
- 2008
Top 25 |
No. 26 to 50 |
No. 51 to 75 |
No. 76 to 100
- 2007 CFN Pre-Preseason Rankings
101.
Memphis 2007 Record: 7-6
2007 was a bit of a mirage beating a lot of really bad teams while
losing to almost everyone with a pulse. If Will Hudgens can build on
what Martin Hankins did at quarterback, the offense should be fine with
Duke Calhoun and Earnest Williams a strong 1-2 receiving punch. The
defense loses a few linebackers and CB LaKeitharun Ford, but there's no
excuse to not come back better.
102. Louisiana Tech 2007
Record: 5-7
Derek Dooley had a nice first season to get the program off the mat, and
now he has to show he has the young players ready to step in and shine
with the loss of most of the defensive front seven, both offensive
tackles, and QB Zac Champion. The offense will revolve around Patrick
Jackson and the running game.
103. Kent State 2007 Record:
3-9
When 6-0, 195-pound QB Julian Edelman is healthy, the offense rocks. If
he's banged up again, there will be problems. 5-5, 170-pound Eugene
Jarvis might also be wee, but he'll be one of the nation's leading
rushers behind a good O line. Even though the receivers aren't used,
they're experienced. Nine starters return on defense, but losing NT
Colin Ferrell hurts.
104. Akron 2007 Record:
4-8
Losing seven starters on defense isn't a positive, but the offense
should be better if experience counts. Getting more consistent
quarterback play is a must with the battle between Chris Jacquemain and
Carlton Jackson the key to the off-season. Eight starters return, but
there's no replacing WR Jabari Arthur.
105. Middle Tennessee 2007 Record:
5-7
The perennial underachieving program has the pieces in place to finally,
finally get over the hump and win the Sun Belt title with QB
Dwight Dasher back to battle with Joe Craddock working behind an O line
that should be good, even with Franklin Dunbar leaving early for the
NFL. The big problem will be at defensive end with the loss of Tavares
Jones and Erik Walden, and losing FS Damon Nickson isn't a plus.
106. Arkansas State 2007
Record: 5-7
ASU was close to being a major Sun Belt player in 2007, and will be one
of the early favorites with QB Corey Leonard and RB Reggie Arnold likely
to be among the nation's most productive backfield tandems. One problem:
the O line. A strength in the Steve Roberts era, it now has to start
from near-scratch. The secondary won't be able to replace star safeties
Tyrell Johnson and Khayyam Burns.
107. Rice 2007 Record: 3-9
The team just started to rock and roll by the end of the season, and now
the hope will be for an explosive 2008 with QB Chase Clement returning
along with WR Jarett Dillard and RB Justin Hill. Three starters return
on the O line, while seven starters are back on defense including MLB
Brian Raines. The big issue will be on the inside losing tackles George
Chukwu and Jonathan Cary.
108. New Mexico State 2007
Record: 4-9
It's time for the Aggies to combine all the big passing production with
wins. It's the fourth season in the Hal Mumme era, and it should be a
blast with QB Chase Holbrook back along with most of the stars in the
receiving corps, led by diminutive receiver Chris Williams. The
defensive line will be the biggest concern losing depth along with two
starters.
109. SMU 2007 Record: 1-11
June Jones is walking into a fantastic situation with Justin Willis one
of Conference USA's best quarterbacks and almost all the receiver talent
returning. The defense, especially the line, was extremely young last
year and can only be better. The running backs are better than anything
Jones ever had in Hawaii.
110. Eastern Michigan 2007
Record: 4-8
If a team can be on the upswing with a 4-8 record, this is it. The
Eagles lose a few offensive linemen and RB Pierre Walker, but QB Andy
Schmitt should blossom and provide more pop. The defensive line will be
the early concern with top tackle Jason Jones gone, but LB Daniel
Holtzclaw is back along with the rest of the back seven.
111. Tulane 2007 Record:
4-8
Matt Forte isn't around to carry the offense anymore so head coach Bob
Toledo might actually have to incorporate some semblance of a passing
game. It'll be a three-way battle at quarterback this spring between
Anthony Scelfo, Kevin Moore and Scott Elliott, but now some reliable
targets have to emerge. Losing strong defensive tackles Antonio Harris,
Avery Williams and Frank Morton will be a problem.
112. UAB 2007 Record: 2-10
The hope will be that last year was a learning experience all the way
around in Neil Callaway's first season at the helm. With Sam Hunt gone,
the quarterback job is all Joseph Webb's ... maybe. Webb might stay at
receiver. There are a few concerns at guard and free safety, where Will
Dunbar will be missed, but for the most part the experience is there.
Talent is the question.
113. UL Monroe 2007 Record:
6-6
Can the Warhawks finally match up a good first half of the year with a
strong second half? RB Calvin Dawson is gone, but QB Kinsmon Lancaster
returns along with quick back Frank Goodin. The offensive line has
holes, both starting corners have to be replaced, PK Cole Wilson is gone
and new tackles need to be found.
114. UL Lafayette
2007 Record: 3-9 U
QB Michael Desormeaux is back for what seems like his 19th season in the
Ragin' Cajun offense, and Tyrell Fenroy is a lock for at least 1,000
yards. Four starters are back on the O line, the entire receiving corps
is back, and the linebacking corps should be tremendous. The secondary
will be the big problem early on, especially if the production of
linemen Rodney Hardeway and Korey Raymond can't be replaced.
115.
Army 2007 Record: 3-9
Stan Brock's first season had its moments, and now he has to hope
promising QB Carson Williams finally plays up to his billing. The loss
of WR Jeremy Trimble is devastating; receiving talents like him don't
hang around the program. Three starters, all in the interior, are gone
off the offensive line. Defensively, three starters are gone off the
secondary, including tackling-machine safety Caleb Campbell, while two
starters are gone off the line along with MLB Brian Chmura.
116. North Texas 2007 Record:
2-10
The first year of the Todd Dodge era didn't yield much in the way of
results, but it sure was fun. QB Giovanni Vizza learned the ropes in an
inconsistent freshman season, and now he should be among the nation's
passing leaders with top receiver Casey Fitzgerald returning along with
the entire offensive line. The problem is the defense which loses just
enough key pieces to potentially be even worse ... if that's possible.
117. Idaho 2007 Record:
1-11 UU
Things can't be much worse after a rough first year under Robb Akey, and
with everyone returning on offense, they won't be. The defense has to
replace a few starters in the back seven, but there's a good chance for
a night-and-day turnaround if all the experience translates into
production.
118. Utah State 2007 Record:
2-10 UU
The Aggies played hard in yet another ugly season record-wise, and now
the hope will be for Derrvin Speight to have a big year running behind a
potentially decent offensive line. Losing do-it-all receiver/returner
Kevin Robinson is a killer, and replacing QB Leon Jackson isn't a plus.
The defense gets everyone back but DT Frank Maile.
119. Florida International
2007 Record: 1-11 U
Mario Cristobal's first year got better as it went on, and now all the
lumps taken should payoff with ten starters returning on offense and
eight on defense. Can QB Paul McCall finally get the passing game going?
Will A'Mod Ned and Julian Reams provide a running game? The Golden
Panthers won't win the Sun Belt, but they'll be better.
- 2008
Top 25 |
No. 26 to 50 |
No. 51 to 75 |
No. 76 to 100
- 2007 CFN Pre-Preseason Rankings