San Jose State Spartans 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: San Jose State enters the 2018 season by having lost 24 consecutive games to Power 5 opponents, and has 2 more on the schedule this season, plus Independent Army. They turned the football over 11 more times than any other team in the nation. They were outscored by an average of 26 points per game. Of their 2 wins in 2017, one came against FCS member Cal Poly. Can it get any worse for the Spartans? Actually, yes. The program is spiraling the drain, and fan apathy is completely a thing. Not only should we expect San Jose State to be the worst team in the Mountain West this fall, they could be one of the 5 worst programs in the nation.
Breakdown Offense: Montel Aaron returns at QB for a team that averaged just 15.8 points per game last fall, and ranked 111th in passing and 120th in total offense. He passed for 1531 yards last fall, but tossed 8 TD passes to 10 INTs. He does not have a firm hold on the job, as Josh Love, who started 5 games last season, RS freshman Terrell Carter, and senior Michael Carrillo all got looks in the spring, and will continue to get reps in the fall.
Tyler Nevins returns as the leading rusher from last season, as he ran for 670 yards, but just one score. Malike Roberson is in position to be the backup once again, while DeJon Packer and Jamar Williams attempt to add some kind of depth. San Jose State finished just 128th in rushing offense out of 129 teams last fall.
Tre Hartley and Justin Holmes are the returning starters at WR. Hartley led the team with 37 receptions last fall, and averaged 14.24 yards per catch. Holmes caught 26 passes in 12 games. Tre Walker is expected to win the open starting job, as he caught 26 balls as a freshman. JaQuan Blackwell returns as well and caught 32 passes on the year. Bailey Gaither, Austin Liles, and Thai Cottrell will try to add some depth.
Josh Oliver caught 35 passes and returns and adds on as another in the long legacy of solid TEs at SJSU. Billy Humphries is the backup after catching 7 passes as a freshman.
Both tackles return in Troy Kowalski and Jack Snyder, but the interior line is a mixed bag. Jake Coleman (LG), Dominic Frederickson (C), and Jesse Chamberlain (RG) are the projected starters. Jake Colman is a swing reserve at OG/OT, but there is very little depth to be found here.
Breakdown Defense: The Spartans were actually decent against the pass last season, ranking 51st nationally in passing defense, but why pass against them when you can run wild? San Jose State ranked 128th against the run, 126th in scoring defense, and 124th in total defense. These are all bottom 10 national numbers.
The line returns all 3 starters in DE Bryson Bridges, NT Owen Roberts, and DT Sailosi Latu. Roberts was the best of the group last season with just 5 TFLs. This group has simply got to get better penetration to open up lanes for play makers behind them. Sinjun Astani and Christian Johnson are the backups at DE, while there is no real developed depth inside.
Frank Ginda left early, and William Ossai graduated at LB, leaving a massive production hole in the middle of the Spartans defense. Ethan Aguayo and Jamal Scott return as starters. Aguayo totaled 84 tackles last fall, while Scott added 10 TFLs. Scott added 70 tackles. Tysyn Parker is expected to fill one open spot, while Alii Matau is slated to fill the other. Rico Tolefree could get a look outside. Again, depth is minimal.
The entire secondary is in reboot mode. Dakari Moore and Tre White are penciled in at CB, while Tre Webb (SS) and Bobby Brown II (FS) are slated at the Safety spots. Brandon Ezell could fight for one spot at CB, Jonathon Leonard could fight for one of the Safety spots. Chandler Hawkins could provide some depth at Safety as well.
Breakdown Special Teams: Bryce Crawford is back at PK after being one of the few bright spots from last season, as he hit 14/17 FG attempts. He did, however, miss 4 PAT tries, and on a team like this, you simply cannot afford to leave points on the field.
Michael Carrizosa is gone at Punter, and that is a huge loss. Crawford will handle the Punting duties as well as PK this fall.
The Spartans will be looking for a new KR man this fall, and the PR job will be. worked out in camp as well.
Final Analysis: The Spartans are in terrible shape, and the hiring of Brent Brennan as head coach may not have been the right road to travel down. The program needs someone experienced and solid in this job, and while I am not saying that Brennan is not solid, he certainly lacks any real experience in leading a program, especially a program as much of a dumpster fire as this one is. Unfortunately, there is not much positive spin to give here, and you can very much expect a long year in 2018 once again.
Friday, June 29, 2018
2018 College Football Team Previews: South Alabama Jaguars
South Alabama Jaguars 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: It became fairly obvious last fall that Joey Jones no longer had the answers in Mobile, and he finally walked away to let another staff take a shot at getting the engine moving in the right direction for South Alabama football. The Jaguars then went out and hired a guy who knows something about winning in Steve Campbell, the former coach at Central Arkansas, Delta State, and Mississippi Gulf Coast. Campbell is a winner, through and through, and while it may take some time, the rest if the Sun Belt should start to be worried about what he will bring there moving forward.
Breakdown Offense: Cole Garvin played in 8 games last fall, and passed for 1490 yards and 7 TDs, but he also tossed 7 INTs and completed just 52.6% of his passes on the season. Thatleft the door wide open for freshman QB Cephus Johnson to step into the competition, and he may very well have won it. That battle carries into fall camp. Evan Orth looks to be the 3rd QB either way. Dallas Davis left the program right before spring camp began.
The Jaguars had one of the worst rushing attacks in the nation last fall, averaging just 97.3 yards per game (125th nationally). Tre Minter, who ran for just 341 yards and averaged just 3.19 yards per carry, is expected to be the starter, but Deonta Moore could give him a solid push for reps. There is very little in the way of experience or depth after that.
USA gets all 3 starters back at WR in Jamarius Way, Sam Harris, and Malik Stanley. Way caught 47 passes to lead the team last fall. He totaled 762 yards and 3 scores while averaging 16.21 yards per grab. Harris caught 41 passes for 570 yards and 2 scores, while Stanley caught 27 passes last fall.
Jordan McCray and Kawaan Baker add some depth there.
Both Tackles return in Noah Fisher and Ryan Alexander, but the entire interior must be replaced. Roy Albritton and Rowan Godwin are penciled in at the OG spots, while Brian Ankerson projects to start at Center. The new staff will spend the fall trying to sort out depth here.
Breakdown Defense: New DC Greg Stewart gets 6 starters back on defense, including 2 on the line in DE Sean Grayer and DT Tyree Turner. They combined for just 6.5 TFLs last fall, so more will be needed from this front unit for improvement to show. Jeffrey Whatley will be the new starter at NT. Riley Cole will see some work up front as well at DE. Darius Whitfield, a South Carolina signee originally, is a JC transfer that can add some depth as well.
Riley Cole will work out at both LB and DE in the fall, and he could be used in both places, depending on the package and situation. He totaled 55 tackles last fall. He could be joined at LB by starters in Bull Barge and Roy Yancey. Barge totaled 77 tackles last fall, while Yancey is new and raw.
Three starters return in the secondary in CB Darian Mills, ROV Malcolm Buggs, and SS Nigel Lawrence. Mills finished the year with 13 PBUs, but he did not convert any of those into INTs or turnovers. Lawrence finished with 87 tackles last fall. Travis Reed (CB) and DJ Daniels (FS) are expected to fill vacant spots in fall camp.
Breakdown Special Teams: Gavin Patterson is a rock at PK, as he hit 16/19 FGs last fall. He will be joined in the kicking game by Corliss Waltman, who has a cannon leg at Punter and averaged 45.24 yards per punt in 2017.
Kawaan Baker may inherit the KR duties, while Sam Harris returns to the PR job after averaging 6.8 yards per punt last fall.
Final Analysis: The hiring of Campbell last fall was one of the better FBS hires of all. He turned Central Arkansas into a big winner in the FCS Southland Conference, won at Delta State, and won a JC National Title at Mississippi Gulf Coast. South Alabama really is not very far away from being competitive again in the Sun Belt, and while you may not see a major move this fall, you will see the needle pointing up very soon in Mobile. This should be a fun team to watch fairly soon.
Opening Statement: It became fairly obvious last fall that Joey Jones no longer had the answers in Mobile, and he finally walked away to let another staff take a shot at getting the engine moving in the right direction for South Alabama football. The Jaguars then went out and hired a guy who knows something about winning in Steve Campbell, the former coach at Central Arkansas, Delta State, and Mississippi Gulf Coast. Campbell is a winner, through and through, and while it may take some time, the rest if the Sun Belt should start to be worried about what he will bring there moving forward.
Breakdown Offense: Cole Garvin played in 8 games last fall, and passed for 1490 yards and 7 TDs, but he also tossed 7 INTs and completed just 52.6% of his passes on the season. Thatleft the door wide open for freshman QB Cephus Johnson to step into the competition, and he may very well have won it. That battle carries into fall camp. Evan Orth looks to be the 3rd QB either way. Dallas Davis left the program right before spring camp began.
The Jaguars had one of the worst rushing attacks in the nation last fall, averaging just 97.3 yards per game (125th nationally). Tre Minter, who ran for just 341 yards and averaged just 3.19 yards per carry, is expected to be the starter, but Deonta Moore could give him a solid push for reps. There is very little in the way of experience or depth after that.
USA gets all 3 starters back at WR in Jamarius Way, Sam Harris, and Malik Stanley. Way caught 47 passes to lead the team last fall. He totaled 762 yards and 3 scores while averaging 16.21 yards per grab. Harris caught 41 passes for 570 yards and 2 scores, while Stanley caught 27 passes last fall.
Jordan McCray and Kawaan Baker add some depth there.
Both Tackles return in Noah Fisher and Ryan Alexander, but the entire interior must be replaced. Roy Albritton and Rowan Godwin are penciled in at the OG spots, while Brian Ankerson projects to start at Center. The new staff will spend the fall trying to sort out depth here.
Breakdown Defense: New DC Greg Stewart gets 6 starters back on defense, including 2 on the line in DE Sean Grayer and DT Tyree Turner. They combined for just 6.5 TFLs last fall, so more will be needed from this front unit for improvement to show. Jeffrey Whatley will be the new starter at NT. Riley Cole will see some work up front as well at DE. Darius Whitfield, a South Carolina signee originally, is a JC transfer that can add some depth as well.
Riley Cole will work out at both LB and DE in the fall, and he could be used in both places, depending on the package and situation. He totaled 55 tackles last fall. He could be joined at LB by starters in Bull Barge and Roy Yancey. Barge totaled 77 tackles last fall, while Yancey is new and raw.
Three starters return in the secondary in CB Darian Mills, ROV Malcolm Buggs, and SS Nigel Lawrence. Mills finished the year with 13 PBUs, but he did not convert any of those into INTs or turnovers. Lawrence finished with 87 tackles last fall. Travis Reed (CB) and DJ Daniels (FS) are expected to fill vacant spots in fall camp.
Breakdown Special Teams: Gavin Patterson is a rock at PK, as he hit 16/19 FGs last fall. He will be joined in the kicking game by Corliss Waltman, who has a cannon leg at Punter and averaged 45.24 yards per punt in 2017.
Kawaan Baker may inherit the KR duties, while Sam Harris returns to the PR job after averaging 6.8 yards per punt last fall.
Final Analysis: The hiring of Campbell last fall was one of the better FBS hires of all. He turned Central Arkansas into a big winner in the FCS Southland Conference, won at Delta State, and won a JC National Title at Mississippi Gulf Coast. South Alabama really is not very far away from being competitive again in the Sun Belt, and while you may not see a major move this fall, you will see the needle pointing up very soon in Mobile. This should be a fun team to watch fairly soon.
2018 College Football Team Previews: San Diego State Aztecs
San Diego State Aztecs 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: This has been somewhat of a golden age for San Diego State football under Rocky Long. The Aztecs missed out on the Mountain West title last fall when their only two regular season losses came against Boise State and Fresno State. Strangely enough, both losses came in San Diego. The Aztecs have another shot at a strong start once again in 2018, but they play both Boise State and Fresno State on the road this time. The rest of the schedule is manageable, and even with the loss of star RB Rashaad Penny and others, there is still plenty of talent left in the cupboard for OC Jeff Horton, and the promoted DC Zach Arnett.
Breakdown Offense: Even with some serious talent returning in the RB group, QB Christian Chapman must still improve his overall game for the Aztecs to make another serious run at division favorite Fresno State. He passed for just 1873 yards last fall, with 13 TDs, but only 4 INTs. He completed 60.1% of his passes, but averaged just 144 yards passing per game. SDSU ranked 117th nationally in passing yards per game. Junior QB Ryan Agnew returns as the primary backup, but attempted just 7 passes last fall.
Juwan Washington is up to bat in the long line of talented Aztec RBs. He has rushed for 1200 yards in the last 2 seasons as a reserve, and he may be the fastest of the last 3 backs that the Aztecs have had, and gets the full blessings of his predecessor in Perry. He averaged 5.98 yards per carry last fall, and 8.02 yards per carry the year before. Chase Jasmin, who carried the ball 33 times last fall as the 3rd back, will be the primary backup, but unlike years past, the Aztecs lack real depth at the position. Isaac Lessard will be the starting FB, and will be paving the road.
The Aztecs must find 2 new starters at WR, and Fred Trevillion and Tim Wilson are the projected starters. They caught a combined 18 passes last season. JR Justice, a freshman and son of former Atlanta Braves great David Justice, is another solid option right out of the gate, but depth is very thin overall.
Kahale Warring is the starter at TE this fall, and caught 18 passes. Parker Houston, a junior, could push him in fall camp.
The line returns both Tackles (Tyler Roemer, Ryan Pope), both guards (Deishawn Dixon, Keith Ismael), but will need a new starting Center this fall. That job likely falls to Dominic Gudino, a sophomore. Kyle Spalding backs up at the Tackle spots and Zachary Thomas backs up at Guard.
Breakdown Defense: Arnett will need to find 2 new starters on the line in the 3-3-5 defense, both at DE. Chibu Onyeukwu and Anthony Luke appear to have the edge on those jobs heading into camp. They combined for 6.5 TFLs last fall, with both playing in 13 games each. Noble Hall is the returning starter at NT. He led the team last fall with 8.5 TFLs, and added 3.5 sacks. Myles Cheatum, a junior, is the backup at the DE spots, but overall depth is not great here.
Ronley Lakalaka and Troy Cassidy both return at LB for the Aztecs. Lakalaka led the team in tackles last season with 82, while Cassidy added 30. They should be joined by junior Kyahva Tezino, who totaled 6 TFLs last fall, and he totaled 59 tackles in 11 games. Andrew Aleki, a sophomore, is a key backup, but again, depth may be thin moving forward.
Ron Smith (CB), Tariq Thompson (S), and Parker Baldwin (S) are the returning starters in the secondary. Smith is one of the best lock down corners in the nation, as he totaled 16 PBUs last fall. He picked off 2 passes, and totaled 62 tackles. Thompson totaled 63 tackles last season, and added 4 PBUs, and was the team leader with 5 INTs. Baldwin finished 2nd on the team with 76 tackles last season. Kyree Woods steps in at CB and played 12 games as a sophomore last fall, while Dwayne Johnson (not The Rock or any known family member), steps in at the open Safety spot. Darren Hall and Tayler Hawkins are depth off the bench for now, while Israel Cabrera adds more depth at Safety.
Breakdown Special Teams: John Barron II returns at PK after hitting 12/15 FG attempts last fall, and he hit all 52 of his PAT attempts as well.
Brandon Heicklen is the Punter once again, but struggled last season, as he averaged 38.27 yards per punt.
Washington should step right into Penny's spot on KR duty, and averaged 23.79 yards per return last fall, and took 2 back for scores. A new PR man must be found in fall camp.
Final Analysis: The Aztecs have been on quite a run, and I don't see them slowing down just yet. This is not as good an overall roster as it has been the last few years, but there is plenty of talent left, and the recruiting pool has gotten deeper under Long than it has likely ever been. This program is still strong, and wit the Chargers out of LA, SDSU has the ability to become the focus of one of the greatest cities in the nation. Things may only get better from here. Expect the Aztecs to be in a race with Fresno State for the Mountain West Mountain Division, but they have to win some critical road games to push the Bulldogs aside.
Opening Statement: This has been somewhat of a golden age for San Diego State football under Rocky Long. The Aztecs missed out on the Mountain West title last fall when their only two regular season losses came against Boise State and Fresno State. Strangely enough, both losses came in San Diego. The Aztecs have another shot at a strong start once again in 2018, but they play both Boise State and Fresno State on the road this time. The rest of the schedule is manageable, and even with the loss of star RB Rashaad Penny and others, there is still plenty of talent left in the cupboard for OC Jeff Horton, and the promoted DC Zach Arnett.
Breakdown Offense: Even with some serious talent returning in the RB group, QB Christian Chapman must still improve his overall game for the Aztecs to make another serious run at division favorite Fresno State. He passed for just 1873 yards last fall, with 13 TDs, but only 4 INTs. He completed 60.1% of his passes, but averaged just 144 yards passing per game. SDSU ranked 117th nationally in passing yards per game. Junior QB Ryan Agnew returns as the primary backup, but attempted just 7 passes last fall.
Juwan Washington is up to bat in the long line of talented Aztec RBs. He has rushed for 1200 yards in the last 2 seasons as a reserve, and he may be the fastest of the last 3 backs that the Aztecs have had, and gets the full blessings of his predecessor in Perry. He averaged 5.98 yards per carry last fall, and 8.02 yards per carry the year before. Chase Jasmin, who carried the ball 33 times last fall as the 3rd back, will be the primary backup, but unlike years past, the Aztecs lack real depth at the position. Isaac Lessard will be the starting FB, and will be paving the road.
The Aztecs must find 2 new starters at WR, and Fred Trevillion and Tim Wilson are the projected starters. They caught a combined 18 passes last season. JR Justice, a freshman and son of former Atlanta Braves great David Justice, is another solid option right out of the gate, but depth is very thin overall.
Kahale Warring is the starter at TE this fall, and caught 18 passes. Parker Houston, a junior, could push him in fall camp.
The line returns both Tackles (Tyler Roemer, Ryan Pope), both guards (Deishawn Dixon, Keith Ismael), but will need a new starting Center this fall. That job likely falls to Dominic Gudino, a sophomore. Kyle Spalding backs up at the Tackle spots and Zachary Thomas backs up at Guard.
Breakdown Defense: Arnett will need to find 2 new starters on the line in the 3-3-5 defense, both at DE. Chibu Onyeukwu and Anthony Luke appear to have the edge on those jobs heading into camp. They combined for 6.5 TFLs last fall, with both playing in 13 games each. Noble Hall is the returning starter at NT. He led the team last fall with 8.5 TFLs, and added 3.5 sacks. Myles Cheatum, a junior, is the backup at the DE spots, but overall depth is not great here.
Ronley Lakalaka and Troy Cassidy both return at LB for the Aztecs. Lakalaka led the team in tackles last season with 82, while Cassidy added 30. They should be joined by junior Kyahva Tezino, who totaled 6 TFLs last fall, and he totaled 59 tackles in 11 games. Andrew Aleki, a sophomore, is a key backup, but again, depth may be thin moving forward.
Ron Smith (CB), Tariq Thompson (S), and Parker Baldwin (S) are the returning starters in the secondary. Smith is one of the best lock down corners in the nation, as he totaled 16 PBUs last fall. He picked off 2 passes, and totaled 62 tackles. Thompson totaled 63 tackles last season, and added 4 PBUs, and was the team leader with 5 INTs. Baldwin finished 2nd on the team with 76 tackles last season. Kyree Woods steps in at CB and played 12 games as a sophomore last fall, while Dwayne Johnson (not The Rock or any known family member), steps in at the open Safety spot. Darren Hall and Tayler Hawkins are depth off the bench for now, while Israel Cabrera adds more depth at Safety.
Breakdown Special Teams: John Barron II returns at PK after hitting 12/15 FG attempts last fall, and he hit all 52 of his PAT attempts as well.
Brandon Heicklen is the Punter once again, but struggled last season, as he averaged 38.27 yards per punt.
Washington should step right into Penny's spot on KR duty, and averaged 23.79 yards per return last fall, and took 2 back for scores. A new PR man must be found in fall camp.
Final Analysis: The Aztecs have been on quite a run, and I don't see them slowing down just yet. This is not as good an overall roster as it has been the last few years, but there is plenty of talent left, and the recruiting pool has gotten deeper under Long than it has likely ever been. This program is still strong, and wit the Chargers out of LA, SDSU has the ability to become the focus of one of the greatest cities in the nation. Things may only get better from here. Expect the Aztecs to be in a race with Fresno State for the Mountain West Mountain Division, but they have to win some critical road games to push the Bulldogs aside.
2018 College Football Previews: SMU Mustangs
SMU Mustangs 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Just when Chad Morris was turning the corner with the SMU football program, he bolted for Arkansas, and in came Sonny Dykes, who had longed for a return to the State of Texas so much that he killed his job at California when he was constantly looking to leave. Dykes is a solid hire for the SMU offense, as his personality fills right in to what Morris was building, but the major issue with Dykes' teams are that they never play defense at all. Dykes also made a big mistake by agreeing to coach SMU in the Frisco Bowl, as he was not prepared, and his defense caved in a 51-10 loss to Louisiana Tech. With just 5 starters on offense, and 4 on defense, can Dykes keep SMU on an upward trend, or will the wheels get wobbly in his first full season?
Breakdown Offense: Dykes is in a fairly lucky situation, as he inherits a rising star in QB Ben Hicks, who will throw the ball until his arm falls off. He passed for 3569 yards and 33 TDs to just 12 INTs last fall, but can use some work on accuracy, as he completed 58.5% of his passes. Still, he should be one of the top 3 QBs in AAC football heading into the season. Austin Upshaw and DJ Gillins are in a battle for the backup job as we head to camp.
Xavier Jones also returns at RB, which is more good news, as he rushed for 1075 yards and 9 scores while averaging 5.91 yards per carry last fall. Braeden West rushed for 568 yards last season, and will return as the backup, but Ke'Mon Freeman, who rushed for 543 yards and a team leading 11 scores is also in the mix for some carries.
James Proche moves from the 3rd receiver slot to the top receiver billing after catching 40 passes for 816 yards and 6 scores. He is an excellent field stretch receiver, as he averaged over 20 yards per catch last fall. Tyler Page, who caught just one pass as a freshman, had a big spring, and could start, as could Brandon Benson, whose one catch last fall as a freshman went for a 72 yard score. Josh Shelmire and Judah Best are the backups, and West could get as much work at receiver in as he gets at RB.
Ryan Becker caught 2 passes last fall, and moves in to start at TE for the Mustangs. Corey Rau is the reserve.
Only 2 starters return on the line. Chad Pursley (LT) and Hayden Howerton (C) are those starters. Nick Dennis (LG), Jacob Todora (RG), and Levon Livingston (RT) are projected to be the new starters. Matthew Huhn and Braxton Webb are the backups at Tackle, while Kadarius Smith and Alan Ali are the backups at Guard. Beau Morris is the backup at Center.
Breakdown Defense: Pono Davis is the only returning starter slated to begin the season on the defensive line at NT. He totaled 4 TFLs last fall as a sophomore. Delontae Scott and Toby Ndukwe are the new starters at DE, while Demerick Gary is the new starter at DT. Michael Badejo and Turner Coxe are the backups at DE coming out of the spring, while Ken McLaurin and Chris Biggurs are the backups inside. There is not a ton of overall experience with this group.
There are no returning starters at LB. Richard Moore, a Texas A&M transfer, is slated in to start at the MIKE spot this fall, and he is being relied on to bring some aggression to a defense that finished 121st in total defense last season. Trevor Denbow and Shaine Hailey are both sophomores, and are the starters at the OLB spots. Myles Duke and Jordan Ward are the backups outside, while Matt McNew is the backup in the middle behind Moore.
Mikial Onu and Rodney Clemons both return at Safety. Onu led the team with 105 tackles last fall, and totaled 7 PBUs. He added 2 INTs and a forced fumble. Clemons totaled 10 PBUs, one INT, and 68 tackles. Kayce Medlock and Elijah McQueen are the backups.
Jordan Wyatt is back at CB as well, and totaled a team leading 4 INTs, 2 TDs, 8 PBUs, 3 forced fumbles, and 49 tackles, 40 of which were solo jobs. Robert Hayes, a junior, is expected to win the opposite CB job. Kevin Johnson and Ar'Mani Johnson are the backups.
Breakdown Special Teams: Josh Williams returns at PK after hitting 14/20 FG attempts last fall, but he missed 5 PATs on the year, so more consistency will be needed, or else he gets pushed.
Jamie Sackville returns after a decent season of 40.61 yards per punt.
West and Kevin Johnson are the returning primary KR men, while the PR job is open heading into camp.
Final Analysis: Now is the time that we will find out if Chad Morris was a program builder, or a guy who can get things running before the talent departs, and everything bottoms out again. This first year under Dykes will be the true test of that legacy. Dykes is a solid offensive coach, but he lands at a program where the defense was nothing short of awful last season, as they ranked 117th in scoring defense, 107th in rushing defense, 117th against the pass, and 121st in total defense. With the defense already a mess when he walked in the door, history tells me that this may not change much under Dykes, who loves to outscore people. A slide of some sort would not surprise me with all of the departed talent that SMU had after last fall, but they may have enough in the tank to get to another bowl in 2018. If not, the defense will likely be to blame.
Opening Statement: Just when Chad Morris was turning the corner with the SMU football program, he bolted for Arkansas, and in came Sonny Dykes, who had longed for a return to the State of Texas so much that he killed his job at California when he was constantly looking to leave. Dykes is a solid hire for the SMU offense, as his personality fills right in to what Morris was building, but the major issue with Dykes' teams are that they never play defense at all. Dykes also made a big mistake by agreeing to coach SMU in the Frisco Bowl, as he was not prepared, and his defense caved in a 51-10 loss to Louisiana Tech. With just 5 starters on offense, and 4 on defense, can Dykes keep SMU on an upward trend, or will the wheels get wobbly in his first full season?
Breakdown Offense: Dykes is in a fairly lucky situation, as he inherits a rising star in QB Ben Hicks, who will throw the ball until his arm falls off. He passed for 3569 yards and 33 TDs to just 12 INTs last fall, but can use some work on accuracy, as he completed 58.5% of his passes. Still, he should be one of the top 3 QBs in AAC football heading into the season. Austin Upshaw and DJ Gillins are in a battle for the backup job as we head to camp.
Xavier Jones also returns at RB, which is more good news, as he rushed for 1075 yards and 9 scores while averaging 5.91 yards per carry last fall. Braeden West rushed for 568 yards last season, and will return as the backup, but Ke'Mon Freeman, who rushed for 543 yards and a team leading 11 scores is also in the mix for some carries.
James Proche moves from the 3rd receiver slot to the top receiver billing after catching 40 passes for 816 yards and 6 scores. He is an excellent field stretch receiver, as he averaged over 20 yards per catch last fall. Tyler Page, who caught just one pass as a freshman, had a big spring, and could start, as could Brandon Benson, whose one catch last fall as a freshman went for a 72 yard score. Josh Shelmire and Judah Best are the backups, and West could get as much work at receiver in as he gets at RB.
Ryan Becker caught 2 passes last fall, and moves in to start at TE for the Mustangs. Corey Rau is the reserve.
Only 2 starters return on the line. Chad Pursley (LT) and Hayden Howerton (C) are those starters. Nick Dennis (LG), Jacob Todora (RG), and Levon Livingston (RT) are projected to be the new starters. Matthew Huhn and Braxton Webb are the backups at Tackle, while Kadarius Smith and Alan Ali are the backups at Guard. Beau Morris is the backup at Center.
Breakdown Defense: Pono Davis is the only returning starter slated to begin the season on the defensive line at NT. He totaled 4 TFLs last fall as a sophomore. Delontae Scott and Toby Ndukwe are the new starters at DE, while Demerick Gary is the new starter at DT. Michael Badejo and Turner Coxe are the backups at DE coming out of the spring, while Ken McLaurin and Chris Biggurs are the backups inside. There is not a ton of overall experience with this group.
There are no returning starters at LB. Richard Moore, a Texas A&M transfer, is slated in to start at the MIKE spot this fall, and he is being relied on to bring some aggression to a defense that finished 121st in total defense last season. Trevor Denbow and Shaine Hailey are both sophomores, and are the starters at the OLB spots. Myles Duke and Jordan Ward are the backups outside, while Matt McNew is the backup in the middle behind Moore.
Mikial Onu and Rodney Clemons both return at Safety. Onu led the team with 105 tackles last fall, and totaled 7 PBUs. He added 2 INTs and a forced fumble. Clemons totaled 10 PBUs, one INT, and 68 tackles. Kayce Medlock and Elijah McQueen are the backups.
Jordan Wyatt is back at CB as well, and totaled a team leading 4 INTs, 2 TDs, 8 PBUs, 3 forced fumbles, and 49 tackles, 40 of which were solo jobs. Robert Hayes, a junior, is expected to win the opposite CB job. Kevin Johnson and Ar'Mani Johnson are the backups.
Breakdown Special Teams: Josh Williams returns at PK after hitting 14/20 FG attempts last fall, but he missed 5 PATs on the year, so more consistency will be needed, or else he gets pushed.
Jamie Sackville returns after a decent season of 40.61 yards per punt.
West and Kevin Johnson are the returning primary KR men, while the PR job is open heading into camp.
Final Analysis: Now is the time that we will find out if Chad Morris was a program builder, or a guy who can get things running before the talent departs, and everything bottoms out again. This first year under Dykes will be the true test of that legacy. Dykes is a solid offensive coach, but he lands at a program where the defense was nothing short of awful last season, as they ranked 117th in scoring defense, 107th in rushing defense, 117th against the pass, and 121st in total defense. With the defense already a mess when he walked in the door, history tells me that this may not change much under Dykes, who loves to outscore people. A slide of some sort would not surprise me with all of the departed talent that SMU had after last fall, but they may have enough in the tank to get to another bowl in 2018. If not, the defense will likely be to blame.
2018 College Football Team Previews: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Rutgers showed a few signs of life under Chris Ash last fall, and were off to a more respectable 3-4 start before the wheels fell off and they managed to finish 1-4 to skid in with a final record of 4-8. Ash is now just 6-18 after his first two years, but make no mistake, the needle is pointing in the right direction, and people are taking some notice. If the Knights are to get to a bowl in year 3, which is what the math adds up to, they have to win early games and navigate a very manageable non con schedule to get to the 6 wins necessary, because the back end of the schedule, the final month, is absolutely brutal.
Breakdown Offense: Rutgers will start a true freshman at QB for the first time since 2001 in Artur Sitkowski. He had a massive spring game after enrolling early, and opened everyone's eyes with his performance. Finding a big play QB is paramount for the next phase of program development under Ash, and he likely found his guy here. Gio Rescigno is the only QB on the roster with Big 10 experience, and is a 5th year senior, and will likely leave camp as the primary backup.
Boston College Jon Hilliman is likely to get the nod at RB for the Scarlet Knights, and has more game experience than any other back on the roster. He should be expected to share the load with Raheem Blackshear, who many feel still has a shot to become the primary back in fall camp. He is a speed back who can break big plays when needed. Trey Snead, Isaiah Pacheco, and Charles Snorweah are all looking for reps in camp as well.
Rutgers will be looking for 3 new starting receivers in camp. Bo Melton and Hunter Hayek are expected to step into 2 of those roles, with Shameen Jones being the 3rd. This will be a severely raw and inexperienced group, but with Sitkowski slinging the football, they all have a shot to get developed quickly. Everett Wormley, Eddie Lewis, and Mohamed Jabbie will all look for work in camp.
Jermoe Washington led the team with 28 receptions last fall, and will return to start at TE. He missed spring ball with an injury, and that left the door open for Travis Vokolek and Nakia Griffin-Stewart to get in some reps.
The Scarlet Knights get both Tackles back (Tariq Cole, Kamaal Seymour) and their Center (Michael Maietti). Jonah Jackson and Nick Krimin are projected to win the Guard jobs in camp. Look for Mike Langsdorf, however, to steal the LG spot away in camp, as he left spring ball in lock step for the job. Zach Venesky will back up at OG. Zach Miseo and Sam Vretman will back up at LT, and Zack Heeman joins freshman Raiqwon O'Neal will back up at RT. Sam Howson and Micah Clark will back up at RG.
Breakdown Defense: The defense specifically showed some improvements in 2017, and will now need to take the next step with 6 starters returining for DC Jay Niemann.
DE Kevin Wilkins will join DT Jon Bateky as the returning starters on the line. Wilkins finished the season with 5.5 TFLs, while Bateky added 3. The team will need more from them this fall, especially with 2 new starters coming in up front in DT Julius Turner and DE Elorm Lumor. They combined for 4 TFLs off the bench last fall. Mike Tverdov and CJ Onyechi are the backups at DE, while Willington Previlon and Jaohne Duggan are the backups inside.
Travis Morris and Deonte Roberts are the returning starters at LB. Morris led the Knights with 118 tackles last fall, while Roberts added 104. They should be more than enough help to cover for a new starter in Tyreek Maddox-Williams, a sophomore. The corps is loaded with talent, but not experience, behind them in Tyshon Fogg, Brendan DeVera, Olakunle Fatukasi, and JC transfer Malik Dixon. Rashawn Battle, Austin Rosa, and Izaia Bullock are also looking for work in camp.
The secondary returns starters in Isaiah Wharton (CB) and Saquan Hampton (FS). Wharton finished last fall with 9 PBUs, but did not pick off any passes. Hampton was limited to 8 games last fall, and totaled 3 PBUs and 38 tackles. Blessuan Austin figures in at the open CB spot, while KJ Gray projects as the new starter st SS. Austin was limited to 4 games last fall, while Gray finished with 5 PBUs in 10 games. Damon Hayes, Trey Avery, and Jelani Garvin are the reserves at CB, and the staff recruited this position well, and will have additional help in fall camp with incoming freshmen. Naijee Jones, Kobe Marfo, and Lawrence Stevens are the backups at Safety, but they have little to no experience.
Breakdown Special Teams: Rutgers is hitting the reboot at both PK and P this fall. Look for a pair of sophomores in Justin Davidovicz (PK) and Adam Korsak (P) to take over those jobs.
Blackshear struggled a bit on KR duty, and may get pushed some in camp for the job. The PR job is open.
Final Analysis: Rutgers is slowly improving under Ash, as they went from 2 wins in 2016 to 4 wins last season. That is slow and measurable improvement, so the expectation would be to push for a bowl bid in year 3. In short, the progress is promising. Don't expect fireworks this fall, but the Scarlet Knights are moving in the right direction as a team, recruiting has picked up, and now they have their QB of the future and now in Sitkowski. Rugters has to win the early games on the schedule, as I said in the opening, because the final month is a meat grinder for them. If they can get off to a fast start, a bowl his highly possible to attain this fall.
Opening Statement: Rutgers showed a few signs of life under Chris Ash last fall, and were off to a more respectable 3-4 start before the wheels fell off and they managed to finish 1-4 to skid in with a final record of 4-8. Ash is now just 6-18 after his first two years, but make no mistake, the needle is pointing in the right direction, and people are taking some notice. If the Knights are to get to a bowl in year 3, which is what the math adds up to, they have to win early games and navigate a very manageable non con schedule to get to the 6 wins necessary, because the back end of the schedule, the final month, is absolutely brutal.
Breakdown Offense: Rutgers will start a true freshman at QB for the first time since 2001 in Artur Sitkowski. He had a massive spring game after enrolling early, and opened everyone's eyes with his performance. Finding a big play QB is paramount for the next phase of program development under Ash, and he likely found his guy here. Gio Rescigno is the only QB on the roster with Big 10 experience, and is a 5th year senior, and will likely leave camp as the primary backup.
Boston College Jon Hilliman is likely to get the nod at RB for the Scarlet Knights, and has more game experience than any other back on the roster. He should be expected to share the load with Raheem Blackshear, who many feel still has a shot to become the primary back in fall camp. He is a speed back who can break big plays when needed. Trey Snead, Isaiah Pacheco, and Charles Snorweah are all looking for reps in camp as well.
Rutgers will be looking for 3 new starting receivers in camp. Bo Melton and Hunter Hayek are expected to step into 2 of those roles, with Shameen Jones being the 3rd. This will be a severely raw and inexperienced group, but with Sitkowski slinging the football, they all have a shot to get developed quickly. Everett Wormley, Eddie Lewis, and Mohamed Jabbie will all look for work in camp.
Jermoe Washington led the team with 28 receptions last fall, and will return to start at TE. He missed spring ball with an injury, and that left the door open for Travis Vokolek and Nakia Griffin-Stewart to get in some reps.
The Scarlet Knights get both Tackles back (Tariq Cole, Kamaal Seymour) and their Center (Michael Maietti). Jonah Jackson and Nick Krimin are projected to win the Guard jobs in camp. Look for Mike Langsdorf, however, to steal the LG spot away in camp, as he left spring ball in lock step for the job. Zach Venesky will back up at OG. Zach Miseo and Sam Vretman will back up at LT, and Zack Heeman joins freshman Raiqwon O'Neal will back up at RT. Sam Howson and Micah Clark will back up at RG.
Breakdown Defense: The defense specifically showed some improvements in 2017, and will now need to take the next step with 6 starters returining for DC Jay Niemann.
DE Kevin Wilkins will join DT Jon Bateky as the returning starters on the line. Wilkins finished the season with 5.5 TFLs, while Bateky added 3. The team will need more from them this fall, especially with 2 new starters coming in up front in DT Julius Turner and DE Elorm Lumor. They combined for 4 TFLs off the bench last fall. Mike Tverdov and CJ Onyechi are the backups at DE, while Willington Previlon and Jaohne Duggan are the backups inside.
Travis Morris and Deonte Roberts are the returning starters at LB. Morris led the Knights with 118 tackles last fall, while Roberts added 104. They should be more than enough help to cover for a new starter in Tyreek Maddox-Williams, a sophomore. The corps is loaded with talent, but not experience, behind them in Tyshon Fogg, Brendan DeVera, Olakunle Fatukasi, and JC transfer Malik Dixon. Rashawn Battle, Austin Rosa, and Izaia Bullock are also looking for work in camp.
The secondary returns starters in Isaiah Wharton (CB) and Saquan Hampton (FS). Wharton finished last fall with 9 PBUs, but did not pick off any passes. Hampton was limited to 8 games last fall, and totaled 3 PBUs and 38 tackles. Blessuan Austin figures in at the open CB spot, while KJ Gray projects as the new starter st SS. Austin was limited to 4 games last fall, while Gray finished with 5 PBUs in 10 games. Damon Hayes, Trey Avery, and Jelani Garvin are the reserves at CB, and the staff recruited this position well, and will have additional help in fall camp with incoming freshmen. Naijee Jones, Kobe Marfo, and Lawrence Stevens are the backups at Safety, but they have little to no experience.
Breakdown Special Teams: Rutgers is hitting the reboot at both PK and P this fall. Look for a pair of sophomores in Justin Davidovicz (PK) and Adam Korsak (P) to take over those jobs.
Blackshear struggled a bit on KR duty, and may get pushed some in camp for the job. The PR job is open.
Final Analysis: Rutgers is slowly improving under Ash, as they went from 2 wins in 2016 to 4 wins last season. That is slow and measurable improvement, so the expectation would be to push for a bowl bid in year 3. In short, the progress is promising. Don't expect fireworks this fall, but the Scarlet Knights are moving in the right direction as a team, recruiting has picked up, and now they have their QB of the future and now in Sitkowski. Rugters has to win the early games on the schedule, as I said in the opening, because the final month is a meat grinder for them. If they can get off to a fast start, a bowl his highly possible to attain this fall.
Thursday, June 28, 2018
2018 College Football Team Previews: Rice Owls
Rice Owls 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: It befuddles the mind when you think of how many years the Owls wasted just hoping that David Bailiff was going to get the program on the right track and keep it there. The last 2 seasons were especially brutal, and it became apparent that the Bailiff era was just a ton of wasted time. Mike Bloomgren, the Stanford OC, was hired finally to get the job done at Rice that Bailiff could not do in 11 seasons. With the Owls coming off of a one win season, Bloomgren will certainly have his work cut out for him moving forward. He brings in Jerry Mack as OC, who turned North Carolina Central into a MEAC power, and Brian Smith arrives to fix a defense that ranked 112th in defensive scoring, as the Owls allowed 35.8 points per game. This rebuild may take a while.
Breakdown Offense: There are no easy answers at the QB position, and the staff will just have to work with what they have. Jackson Tyner has been given the early edge in the race heading into camp, but he completed just 47.4% of his passing attempts last fall in 7 games. He is simply a place holder until someone better comes along. Sam Glaesmann returns, and will likely also have a shot to win the job, but the talent level at QB is not anywhere near solid.
Emmanuel Esukpa, a junior, has the edge to start at RB, despite only carrying the football 57 times in 10 games last season. He had a rock solid showing in the spring, but he has to prove he can do what he did in game action. Nashon Ellerbe and Collin Whitaker are the backups, but again, there is no depth. Will Phillips is the FB.
Austin Walter and his brother Aston Walter are both at WR now, and will have the ability to win starting jobs. Austin was at receiver last fall and caught 18 passes. Austin Trammell, who caught just 4 passes, has an edge to start, as does Aaron Cephus, who led the team with 25 receptions last season in 11 games. Cameron Montgomery and Cameron Johnson will try to provide some depth.
Jordan Myers gets the crack at the Halfback job, but again, depth is another issue.
RT Sam Pierce is the lone returning starter on the line. Uzoma Hanusa (LT), Joseph Dill (LG), Shea Baker (C), and Crockett Mokry (RG) are the projected starters. Cole Elms and Matt Terrill are the depth up front.
Breakdown Defense: Both interior players return on the line in NT Zach Abercrombia and DT Roe Wilkins. They should be joined by new starters at DE in Parker Hannusa and Grayson Schantz. Wilkins is promising inside, as he finished with 8.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks. There is not a ton of depth here.
Martin Nwakamma is slated to return as a starter at LB, but finished last fall with just 40 tackles. He is being flanked by Dylan Silcox and Anthony Ekpe. Experience is thin, depth is thinner. Antonio Montero, who finished as the defensive player of the year in Minnesota, could start as a freshman.
Brandon Douglas-Dotson returns as a starter at CB, and George Nyakwol returns as the starter at FS. D'Angelo Ellis could start at the open CB spot, while Houston Robert has the edge at the open Safety spot. Nyakwol was a star in the spring game.
Breakdown Special Teams: Will Harrison is back at PK this fall, but made just 2/4 FG attempts in 8 games last fall. There is virtually no real talent here to push him.
Jack Fox, on the other hand, is one of the best punters in the nation, and averaged 44.21 yards per punt. He could get used quite a bit this fall.
Trammell and Ellerbe figure to work out at KR in camp, but neither did anything spectacular last season. Trammell averaged 7.8 yards per punt return.
Final Analysis: There is not much to be said here. Bloomgren and his staff are starting with an empty cupboard this fall, and they can only build upon a foundation that they will lay this fall. There is not a lot of actual talent on the roster, so they will have to recruit their own help in. Expect nothing this season, as the staff tries to employ baseline tactics just to install a system. The talent will come later.
Opening Statement: It befuddles the mind when you think of how many years the Owls wasted just hoping that David Bailiff was going to get the program on the right track and keep it there. The last 2 seasons were especially brutal, and it became apparent that the Bailiff era was just a ton of wasted time. Mike Bloomgren, the Stanford OC, was hired finally to get the job done at Rice that Bailiff could not do in 11 seasons. With the Owls coming off of a one win season, Bloomgren will certainly have his work cut out for him moving forward. He brings in Jerry Mack as OC, who turned North Carolina Central into a MEAC power, and Brian Smith arrives to fix a defense that ranked 112th in defensive scoring, as the Owls allowed 35.8 points per game. This rebuild may take a while.
Breakdown Offense: There are no easy answers at the QB position, and the staff will just have to work with what they have. Jackson Tyner has been given the early edge in the race heading into camp, but he completed just 47.4% of his passing attempts last fall in 7 games. He is simply a place holder until someone better comes along. Sam Glaesmann returns, and will likely also have a shot to win the job, but the talent level at QB is not anywhere near solid.
Emmanuel Esukpa, a junior, has the edge to start at RB, despite only carrying the football 57 times in 10 games last season. He had a rock solid showing in the spring, but he has to prove he can do what he did in game action. Nashon Ellerbe and Collin Whitaker are the backups, but again, there is no depth. Will Phillips is the FB.
Austin Walter and his brother Aston Walter are both at WR now, and will have the ability to win starting jobs. Austin was at receiver last fall and caught 18 passes. Austin Trammell, who caught just 4 passes, has an edge to start, as does Aaron Cephus, who led the team with 25 receptions last season in 11 games. Cameron Montgomery and Cameron Johnson will try to provide some depth.
Jordan Myers gets the crack at the Halfback job, but again, depth is another issue.
RT Sam Pierce is the lone returning starter on the line. Uzoma Hanusa (LT), Joseph Dill (LG), Shea Baker (C), and Crockett Mokry (RG) are the projected starters. Cole Elms and Matt Terrill are the depth up front.
Breakdown Defense: Both interior players return on the line in NT Zach Abercrombia and DT Roe Wilkins. They should be joined by new starters at DE in Parker Hannusa and Grayson Schantz. Wilkins is promising inside, as he finished with 8.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks. There is not a ton of depth here.
Martin Nwakamma is slated to return as a starter at LB, but finished last fall with just 40 tackles. He is being flanked by Dylan Silcox and Anthony Ekpe. Experience is thin, depth is thinner. Antonio Montero, who finished as the defensive player of the year in Minnesota, could start as a freshman.
Brandon Douglas-Dotson returns as a starter at CB, and George Nyakwol returns as the starter at FS. D'Angelo Ellis could start at the open CB spot, while Houston Robert has the edge at the open Safety spot. Nyakwol was a star in the spring game.
Breakdown Special Teams: Will Harrison is back at PK this fall, but made just 2/4 FG attempts in 8 games last fall. There is virtually no real talent here to push him.
Jack Fox, on the other hand, is one of the best punters in the nation, and averaged 44.21 yards per punt. He could get used quite a bit this fall.
Trammell and Ellerbe figure to work out at KR in camp, but neither did anything spectacular last season. Trammell averaged 7.8 yards per punt return.
Final Analysis: There is not much to be said here. Bloomgren and his staff are starting with an empty cupboard this fall, and they can only build upon a foundation that they will lay this fall. There is not a lot of actual talent on the roster, so they will have to recruit their own help in. Expect nothing this season, as the staff tries to employ baseline tactics just to install a system. The talent will come later.
2018 College Football Team Previews: Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue Boilermakers 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Purdue was on track to do some special things last season on offense, but lost both QBs to season ending injuries. Jeff Brohm did something very right in his first season in West Lafayette, and he made Purdue football relevant and exciting again. By winning 7 games and beating Arizona in the Foster Farms Bowl, he exceeded all expectations, and Purdue should be ready to make the next step in 2018.
Breakdown Offense: Brohm runs the offense with his brother Brian, and the situation that they have is nothing short of enthralling in 2018. Both David Blough and Elijah Sindelar return from injuries, and there is reason to be excited about both of them, as we may very well see another 2 QB rotation based on situational need. Sindelar is the pocket passer with power and arm strength that are rare commodity in the college game. He passed for 2099 yards with 18 TDs and 7 INTs last fall. He needs to improve on the TD:INT ratio this fall, and his accuracy needs a boost, as he completed just 56.8% of his passes. Blough went from being a turnover machine, to finding some accuracy and added smart decision making to his resume, as he passed for 1103 yards and 9 TDs to 4 INTs. He completed 65% of his passes last fall.
Purdue does not really push the run as much as they should in this offense, as the Boilermakers ranked just 82nd in rushing offense at 151.5 yards per game. Markell Jones is the likely starter, but expect DJ Knox, Richie Worship, and Tario Fuller to all see some carries as well. This unit could use to find a breakout star this season.
The receivers were not as good as they could be last fall, and finding some lightning in this group is necessary for Purdue to elevate once again in 2018. Rondale Moore was a Texas commit, but Brohm pulled the speedster away, and he should see some significant action this season. Jackson Anthrop returns as the only returning starter this season. He caught 47 passes as a freshman last season, but averaged under 10 yards per catch. Isaac Zico and Terry Wright are also expected to start, but they combined for a total of 35 receptions last season. Jared Sparks adds some depth, as does Jarrett Burgess and Beneiah Franklin.
Cole Herdman is the returning TE this fall, and caught 20 passes last season. Brycen Hopkins should see several reps as the backup as well. Darius Pittman is the 3rd TE.
The line returns 4 starters this season in Grant Hermanns (LT), Shane Evans (LG), Kirk Barron (C), and Matt McCann (RT). Michael Mendez, a junior, is penciled in as the new starter at RG. There is plenty of experience to go around with this unit.
Breakdown Defense: The Boilers return just 4 starters on defense from a unit that ranked 52nd in total defense last fall, and 24th in scoring defense.
DT Lorenzo Neal is the lone returning starter on the line. He totaled 5.5 TFLs as a sophomore last fall, and is now the leader of the defensive front line. Giovanni Reviera will likely start at DE as a freshman, while Kai Huggins starts as a junior opposite him. Anthony Watts is the other starter inside. None of the new starters as much as recorded a single TFL last season.
Markus Bailey is the lone returning starter at LB. He finished 2nd on the team with 89 tackles last season, and added 11 TFLs, and led the team with 7 sacks. Tobias Larry and Derrick Barnes are the other projected starters joining him.
Both Safety spots are filled with the return of Jacob Thieneman (SS) and Navon Mosley (FS). Mosley totaled 3 PBUs and 65 tackles last fall, and Thieneman totaled 80 tackles and 2 PBUs.
Both CBs need to be replaced, with Dedrick Mackey and Kenneth Major penciled in as starters there as we head to fall camp.
Breakdown Special Teams: Spencer Evans was solid at PK last fall, as he hit 8/11 FG attempts on the year, and will have the job all to himself after sharing it last season.
Joe Schopper is a total utility Punter, as he pins balls inside the 20s, and converted on 4 fake punts last fall. He averaged 40.45 yards per punt on the season.
Knox is back on KR duty, but should get pushed in camp, as he was below average last fall. The Boilermakers should also be seeking a new PR man in camp as well.
Final Analysis: Purdue took a huge step in the right direction by hiring Brohm, and he exceeded all expectations last fall. The defense is a real concern for the Boilers this season, but with an improved receiver corps, and experience at QB and on the line, expect bigger things for Purdue moving forward, as they should be in a position to start to be able to outscore people on a weekly basis until the defense is able to gel. If all things come together this fall, Purdue could push for as high as second in the Big 10 West, although I can see them settling in at 3rd or 4th.
Opening Statement: Purdue was on track to do some special things last season on offense, but lost both QBs to season ending injuries. Jeff Brohm did something very right in his first season in West Lafayette, and he made Purdue football relevant and exciting again. By winning 7 games and beating Arizona in the Foster Farms Bowl, he exceeded all expectations, and Purdue should be ready to make the next step in 2018.
Breakdown Offense: Brohm runs the offense with his brother Brian, and the situation that they have is nothing short of enthralling in 2018. Both David Blough and Elijah Sindelar return from injuries, and there is reason to be excited about both of them, as we may very well see another 2 QB rotation based on situational need. Sindelar is the pocket passer with power and arm strength that are rare commodity in the college game. He passed for 2099 yards with 18 TDs and 7 INTs last fall. He needs to improve on the TD:INT ratio this fall, and his accuracy needs a boost, as he completed just 56.8% of his passes. Blough went from being a turnover machine, to finding some accuracy and added smart decision making to his resume, as he passed for 1103 yards and 9 TDs to 4 INTs. He completed 65% of his passes last fall.
Purdue does not really push the run as much as they should in this offense, as the Boilermakers ranked just 82nd in rushing offense at 151.5 yards per game. Markell Jones is the likely starter, but expect DJ Knox, Richie Worship, and Tario Fuller to all see some carries as well. This unit could use to find a breakout star this season.
The receivers were not as good as they could be last fall, and finding some lightning in this group is necessary for Purdue to elevate once again in 2018. Rondale Moore was a Texas commit, but Brohm pulled the speedster away, and he should see some significant action this season. Jackson Anthrop returns as the only returning starter this season. He caught 47 passes as a freshman last season, but averaged under 10 yards per catch. Isaac Zico and Terry Wright are also expected to start, but they combined for a total of 35 receptions last season. Jared Sparks adds some depth, as does Jarrett Burgess and Beneiah Franklin.
Cole Herdman is the returning TE this fall, and caught 20 passes last season. Brycen Hopkins should see several reps as the backup as well. Darius Pittman is the 3rd TE.
The line returns 4 starters this season in Grant Hermanns (LT), Shane Evans (LG), Kirk Barron (C), and Matt McCann (RT). Michael Mendez, a junior, is penciled in as the new starter at RG. There is plenty of experience to go around with this unit.
Breakdown Defense: The Boilers return just 4 starters on defense from a unit that ranked 52nd in total defense last fall, and 24th in scoring defense.
DT Lorenzo Neal is the lone returning starter on the line. He totaled 5.5 TFLs as a sophomore last fall, and is now the leader of the defensive front line. Giovanni Reviera will likely start at DE as a freshman, while Kai Huggins starts as a junior opposite him. Anthony Watts is the other starter inside. None of the new starters as much as recorded a single TFL last season.
Markus Bailey is the lone returning starter at LB. He finished 2nd on the team with 89 tackles last season, and added 11 TFLs, and led the team with 7 sacks. Tobias Larry and Derrick Barnes are the other projected starters joining him.
Both Safety spots are filled with the return of Jacob Thieneman (SS) and Navon Mosley (FS). Mosley totaled 3 PBUs and 65 tackles last fall, and Thieneman totaled 80 tackles and 2 PBUs.
Both CBs need to be replaced, with Dedrick Mackey and Kenneth Major penciled in as starters there as we head to fall camp.
Breakdown Special Teams: Spencer Evans was solid at PK last fall, as he hit 8/11 FG attempts on the year, and will have the job all to himself after sharing it last season.
Joe Schopper is a total utility Punter, as he pins balls inside the 20s, and converted on 4 fake punts last fall. He averaged 40.45 yards per punt on the season.
Knox is back on KR duty, but should get pushed in camp, as he was below average last fall. The Boilermakers should also be seeking a new PR man in camp as well.
Final Analysis: Purdue took a huge step in the right direction by hiring Brohm, and he exceeded all expectations last fall. The defense is a real concern for the Boilers this season, but with an improved receiver corps, and experience at QB and on the line, expect bigger things for Purdue moving forward, as they should be in a position to start to be able to outscore people on a weekly basis until the defense is able to gel. If all things come together this fall, Purdue could push for as high as second in the Big 10 West, although I can see them settling in at 3rd or 4th.
2018 College Football Team Previews: Pittsburgh Panthers
Pittsburgh Panthers 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Pat Narduzzi was a perfect choice when hired to lead the Pitt football program, but Pitt has still not developed as a threat in the overall ACC race, and last season's 5 win season did nothing to tell us that they are getting closer to being a factor in the conference. At some point, he has to turn a corner with this program, or forever risk this team being a middling mess in a league that is not overwhelmingly full of football power. Narduzzi is just 21-17 in 3 years, and the program may be lucky to finish with 6 wins this fall.
Breakdown Offense: Kenny Pickett jumped onto the scene late last fall, and is now the only real QB with starting experience left on the roster for the Panthers. He did manage to manufacture a win over Miami last fall, but he still has not done enough, in my eyes, to deserve a lot of the pre-season hype that he has been getting. With former USC recruit Ricky Town in the mix as a transfer, he will have to hold him off in fall camp. Ben DiNucci, who played in 10 games last fall, took a transfer to James Madison.
The run game simply lacks a star for the Panthers. Darrin Hall and Qadree Ollison both return, but neither has been able to take the reins and run with them. Hall rushed for 628 yards last fall, while Ollison rushed for 398. They did manage to combine for 14 scores, but again, the position lacks any real star power. AJ Davis is the most experienced back returning after those two, and he carried all of 16 times last fall.
Rafael Araujo-Lopes returns as a starting receiver, and caught 43 passes last fall, but the Panthers are thin at the position, and they have not identified a deep threat in the unit as of yet. Maurice Ffrench, who moved over from DB last season, is the projected starter opposite, and caught 25 passes last fall. Aaron Mathews is likely the first receiver off the bench, but caught just 16 passes all of last fall.
Tyler Sear projects as the starter at TE, but caught just one pass in 2017, and there were only 3 TEs on the spring roster.
The only starter returning on the line is LT Alex Booker. Connor Dintino (LG), Jimmy Morrissey (C), Mike Herndon (RG), and Bryce Hargrove (RT) are expected to be the new starters, but that entire group could get jumbled up in fall camp. Again, depth is a mystery.
Breakdown Defense: The news on the defensive line is solid, as all 4 starters return for another go in 2017. That's excellent news for a defense that finished 41st nationally in total defense. Rashad Weaver and James Folston are the ends, while Shane Roy and Amir Watts return inside. Weaver played in all 12 games as a freshman last fall, and totaled 6 TFLs, while Folston finished with just 2 TFLs in 12 games as a junior. Watts was good for 5 TFLs inside, and Roy had just one TFL in 12 games. Dwayne Hendrix and Patrick Jones II should both see rotational time at DE, while Keyshon Camp and Jaylen Twyman will serve as depth at DT and NT.
Oluwaseun Idowu and Elijah Zeise will return at the OLB spots this fall. Idowu will be the start of this defense, as he led the team in tackles last fall with 94, and also led with 11.5 TFLs. Zeise recorded 49 tackles last fall. Quinton Wirginis is the projected starter at MLB after missing last fall with a hamstring injury. Saleem Brightwell could push him in the middle in fall camp, and Elias Reynolds is around to add a bit of depth. Chase Pine backs up one OLB spot, while Anthony McKee backs up the other.
Dane Jackson (CB) and Damar Hamlin (FS) are the returning starters in the secondary, but this unit needs to show major improvement after Pitt finished ranked 105th nationally in passing defense. Jackson totaled 9 PBUs last fall, and totaled 2 INTs. Hamlin totaled 41 tackles, but does not do much in pass coverage. Paris Ford redshirted his first season last fall as he dealt with academics, and should start at the open CB spot. The Panthers envision him having some role on offense as well. Dennis Briggs is the new starter at SS. Phillipie Motley will push Ford for the open CB job. Jason Pinnock will add some depth on that side. Damarri Mathis and Therran Coleman are the backups behind Jackson. Phil Campbell III and Bricen Garner are the reserves at Safety, with Jazze Stocker adding depth there.
Breakdown Special Teams: Alex Kessman returns as the PK, but he did not exactly have the best year in 2017, He hit just 11/19 FG attempts, despite hitting all 34 of his PAT attempts.
RS freshman Kirk Christodoulou is the new Punter, as he tries to replace Ryan Winslow, who had a cannon for a leg.
With the departure of Qadree Henderson, both KR and PR spots will be battled out in camp.
Final Analysis: The Panthers are not moving in the right direction these days. They have not been a factor in the ACC in one single area, and are not any closer to being so. Pickett is getting a lot of hype for winning one game, and if history tells me anything, it's not smart to put all of your eggs in the basket of someone who has not done much outside of a short streak. There is no star in the run game, and the receivers are thin. The line is a jumbled up mess heading into camp, and these are just the issues on offense. Defensively, the Panthers were essentially a middle of the road program last fall, and despite a wealth of starter coming back on the line, none of them are stars. I don't trust that the talent currently on the roster is going to blow up and be special this season, so I would start preparing for a bottom 4 finish overall in the ACC this fall. By the way, the non con schedule is fairly brutal.
Opening Statement: Pat Narduzzi was a perfect choice when hired to lead the Pitt football program, but Pitt has still not developed as a threat in the overall ACC race, and last season's 5 win season did nothing to tell us that they are getting closer to being a factor in the conference. At some point, he has to turn a corner with this program, or forever risk this team being a middling mess in a league that is not overwhelmingly full of football power. Narduzzi is just 21-17 in 3 years, and the program may be lucky to finish with 6 wins this fall.
Breakdown Offense: Kenny Pickett jumped onto the scene late last fall, and is now the only real QB with starting experience left on the roster for the Panthers. He did manage to manufacture a win over Miami last fall, but he still has not done enough, in my eyes, to deserve a lot of the pre-season hype that he has been getting. With former USC recruit Ricky Town in the mix as a transfer, he will have to hold him off in fall camp. Ben DiNucci, who played in 10 games last fall, took a transfer to James Madison.
The run game simply lacks a star for the Panthers. Darrin Hall and Qadree Ollison both return, but neither has been able to take the reins and run with them. Hall rushed for 628 yards last fall, while Ollison rushed for 398. They did manage to combine for 14 scores, but again, the position lacks any real star power. AJ Davis is the most experienced back returning after those two, and he carried all of 16 times last fall.
Rafael Araujo-Lopes returns as a starting receiver, and caught 43 passes last fall, but the Panthers are thin at the position, and they have not identified a deep threat in the unit as of yet. Maurice Ffrench, who moved over from DB last season, is the projected starter opposite, and caught 25 passes last fall. Aaron Mathews is likely the first receiver off the bench, but caught just 16 passes all of last fall.
Tyler Sear projects as the starter at TE, but caught just one pass in 2017, and there were only 3 TEs on the spring roster.
The only starter returning on the line is LT Alex Booker. Connor Dintino (LG), Jimmy Morrissey (C), Mike Herndon (RG), and Bryce Hargrove (RT) are expected to be the new starters, but that entire group could get jumbled up in fall camp. Again, depth is a mystery.
Breakdown Defense: The news on the defensive line is solid, as all 4 starters return for another go in 2017. That's excellent news for a defense that finished 41st nationally in total defense. Rashad Weaver and James Folston are the ends, while Shane Roy and Amir Watts return inside. Weaver played in all 12 games as a freshman last fall, and totaled 6 TFLs, while Folston finished with just 2 TFLs in 12 games as a junior. Watts was good for 5 TFLs inside, and Roy had just one TFL in 12 games. Dwayne Hendrix and Patrick Jones II should both see rotational time at DE, while Keyshon Camp and Jaylen Twyman will serve as depth at DT and NT.
Oluwaseun Idowu and Elijah Zeise will return at the OLB spots this fall. Idowu will be the start of this defense, as he led the team in tackles last fall with 94, and also led with 11.5 TFLs. Zeise recorded 49 tackles last fall. Quinton Wirginis is the projected starter at MLB after missing last fall with a hamstring injury. Saleem Brightwell could push him in the middle in fall camp, and Elias Reynolds is around to add a bit of depth. Chase Pine backs up one OLB spot, while Anthony McKee backs up the other.
Dane Jackson (CB) and Damar Hamlin (FS) are the returning starters in the secondary, but this unit needs to show major improvement after Pitt finished ranked 105th nationally in passing defense. Jackson totaled 9 PBUs last fall, and totaled 2 INTs. Hamlin totaled 41 tackles, but does not do much in pass coverage. Paris Ford redshirted his first season last fall as he dealt with academics, and should start at the open CB spot. The Panthers envision him having some role on offense as well. Dennis Briggs is the new starter at SS. Phillipie Motley will push Ford for the open CB job. Jason Pinnock will add some depth on that side. Damarri Mathis and Therran Coleman are the backups behind Jackson. Phil Campbell III and Bricen Garner are the reserves at Safety, with Jazze Stocker adding depth there.
Breakdown Special Teams: Alex Kessman returns as the PK, but he did not exactly have the best year in 2017, He hit just 11/19 FG attempts, despite hitting all 34 of his PAT attempts.
RS freshman Kirk Christodoulou is the new Punter, as he tries to replace Ryan Winslow, who had a cannon for a leg.
With the departure of Qadree Henderson, both KR and PR spots will be battled out in camp.
Final Analysis: The Panthers are not moving in the right direction these days. They have not been a factor in the ACC in one single area, and are not any closer to being so. Pickett is getting a lot of hype for winning one game, and if history tells me anything, it's not smart to put all of your eggs in the basket of someone who has not done much outside of a short streak. There is no star in the run game, and the receivers are thin. The line is a jumbled up mess heading into camp, and these are just the issues on offense. Defensively, the Panthers were essentially a middle of the road program last fall, and despite a wealth of starter coming back on the line, none of them are stars. I don't trust that the talent currently on the roster is going to blow up and be special this season, so I would start preparing for a bottom 4 finish overall in the ACC this fall. By the way, the non con schedule is fairly brutal.
2018 College Football Team Previews: Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State Nittany Lions 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: James Franklin has to be considered as one of the best coaches in college football. If you can get Vanderbilt to bowl games, and then continue to build on the ruins at Penn State and win big, that's the status you achieve. The great news is that Penn State, despite losing Joe Moorhead as OC and Saquan Barkley and others to the NFL, should still be in a position to push Ohio State in the Big 10 East this fall, and will be a top 15 program entering the season. Trace McSorley returns as the top QB in the Big 10, and everything starts with him and a line that returns 4 starters on offense. What may slow things down is that only 3 starters return on defense, and there are play makers to replace on both sides of the football. If all things come together, Penn State makes a push for the division title, but if not, they are still good enough to finish in the upper half of the division.
Breakdown Offense: Trace McSorley is back to run the offense, and with Barkley, Mike Gesicki and DaeSean Hamilton all gone, his leadership will be the key to moving things forward this fall. He passed for 3570 yards last fall, and added 28 TDs to 10 INTs. He completed 66.5% of his passes as well, and is the absolute leader of this offense. The Nittany Lions got some great news in the spring when Tommy Stevens, the top backup, announced that he would not transfer. That gives the offense some program experience in the backup spot. Jake Zembiec, a RS sophomore, will be the 3rd QB in fall camp, with a pair of freshmen behind him.
Expect Penn State to go to more of a committee approach at RB this fall. Miles Sanders, Mark Allen, and Jonathon Thomas all figure to get plenty of reps in fall camp, but the hope here is that the line improves greatly this fall, and that would enable this group to operate more freely. Barkley made a very average line look amazing last fall at times, and this group should not have to do the same.
Juwan Johnson and DeAndre Thompkins are back as starters at WR. Johnson caught 54 passes last fall for 701 yards and a score, and will likely be asked to absorb some of the work that Hamilton did last fall as a pass catcher. Thompkins caught 28 passes, and averaged over 15 yards per catch. He should be able to become the new field stretcher with big play ability. Brandon Polk likely takes the 3rd starting receiver job. He caught 10 passes as a sophomore last season. There is zero experience after these three, however, as the next 6 receivers on the depth chart are all RS or true freshmen.
Jonathon Holland, a junior, takes over the starting TE spot. He caught just 3 passes as a sophomore last fall. Nick Bowers could be in the conversation as well, but missed last fall due to injury. Danny Dalton also could figure in for some reps, and a pair of freshmen are in the mix in Zack Kuntz and Pat Freiermuth.
Hope for the line improving this fall is rooted in the fact that 4 starters return. Ryan Bates (LT), Steven Gonzalez (LG), Connor McGovern (C), and Will Fries (RT) are all back in the fold. Fries and Bates could swap spots as well. Chasz Wright and Sterling Jenkins will look for reps at the Tackle spots as well. Alex Gellerstadt is also in line for some playing time, and could give Penn State one of the deepest Tackle groups in the nation. Michal Menet, a former 5 star recruit, looks ready to take over at RG as a sophomore. Depth inside is the best it has been at Penn State in years.
Breakdown Defense: Penn State has just 3 total starters returing to action in 2018 from a team that ranked 7th in defensive scoring, 14th against the run, and 17th in total defense. The defensive line gets 2 f those returning starters in DE Shareef Miller and DE Ryan Bucholz. Miller led the team with 11 TFLs last fall, and added 5 sacks, 37 tackles, and 9 QB hurries. He is a hand full for any Tackle to deal with. Bucholz earned the job by the end of the year, and played in 10 games as a sophomore. Kevin Givens and Robert Windsor are penciled in as the new starters at DT, and both are juniors. Experience and depth inside could be issues. Torrence Brown gives the Nittany Lions depth at DE, and some younger players who got pushed into service last season now have experience they were not expecting.
Koa Farmer is the lone returning starter at LB, and recorded 48 tackles as a junior last fall. Cam Brown and Jarvis Miller are both juniors, and are penciled in to start with Farmer. Micah Parsons, a freshman, could push for the job at MLB in camp. He was a former Ohio State commit. The roster is dotted by 7 RS or true freshmen coming into fall camp at LB, so again, experience is thin.
The entire secondary must be replaced heading into fall camp. Amani Oruwariye and John Reid are projected to be named starters at CB, while Garrett Taylor (SS) and Nick Scott (FS) are penciled in at the Safety spots. Oruwariye was outstanding in the NB role last fall. Reid missed all of last season with a knee injury. Lamont Wade, a top CB recruit, moved to Safety in the spring.
Breakdown Special Teams: There will be a 3 way battle for the open PK job in fall camp, as Punter Blake Gillikin will look to add to his duties, but will be battling walk on Carson Landis and freshman Jake Pinegar for the job.
Gillikin had a strong season at Punter, and averaged 43.2 yards per punt. He should be one of the bets in the nation this fall.
The KR job is wide open in camp with the loss of Barkley, while Thompkins will once again return punts after averaging 13.29 yards per return with one score last season.
Final Analysis: Penn State, despite their losses in personnel on offense, should still have enough firepower to compete this fall, especially if the line improves as much as it should. The real questions will be based on the defensive side of the football, where depth and experience are not plentiful. Brent Pry will have to do one of his best jobs as DC of his career to hold the unit together and learn through the developmental process in every area. The schedule is manageable early on, as the Nittany Lions should blow through their first 4 games of the season before running into Ohio State at home on September 29th. If Penn State can steal that win, the race is wide open in the Big 10 East.
Opening Statement: James Franklin has to be considered as one of the best coaches in college football. If you can get Vanderbilt to bowl games, and then continue to build on the ruins at Penn State and win big, that's the status you achieve. The great news is that Penn State, despite losing Joe Moorhead as OC and Saquan Barkley and others to the NFL, should still be in a position to push Ohio State in the Big 10 East this fall, and will be a top 15 program entering the season. Trace McSorley returns as the top QB in the Big 10, and everything starts with him and a line that returns 4 starters on offense. What may slow things down is that only 3 starters return on defense, and there are play makers to replace on both sides of the football. If all things come together, Penn State makes a push for the division title, but if not, they are still good enough to finish in the upper half of the division.
Breakdown Offense: Trace McSorley is back to run the offense, and with Barkley, Mike Gesicki and DaeSean Hamilton all gone, his leadership will be the key to moving things forward this fall. He passed for 3570 yards last fall, and added 28 TDs to 10 INTs. He completed 66.5% of his passes as well, and is the absolute leader of this offense. The Nittany Lions got some great news in the spring when Tommy Stevens, the top backup, announced that he would not transfer. That gives the offense some program experience in the backup spot. Jake Zembiec, a RS sophomore, will be the 3rd QB in fall camp, with a pair of freshmen behind him.
Expect Penn State to go to more of a committee approach at RB this fall. Miles Sanders, Mark Allen, and Jonathon Thomas all figure to get plenty of reps in fall camp, but the hope here is that the line improves greatly this fall, and that would enable this group to operate more freely. Barkley made a very average line look amazing last fall at times, and this group should not have to do the same.
Juwan Johnson and DeAndre Thompkins are back as starters at WR. Johnson caught 54 passes last fall for 701 yards and a score, and will likely be asked to absorb some of the work that Hamilton did last fall as a pass catcher. Thompkins caught 28 passes, and averaged over 15 yards per catch. He should be able to become the new field stretcher with big play ability. Brandon Polk likely takes the 3rd starting receiver job. He caught 10 passes as a sophomore last season. There is zero experience after these three, however, as the next 6 receivers on the depth chart are all RS or true freshmen.
Jonathon Holland, a junior, takes over the starting TE spot. He caught just 3 passes as a sophomore last fall. Nick Bowers could be in the conversation as well, but missed last fall due to injury. Danny Dalton also could figure in for some reps, and a pair of freshmen are in the mix in Zack Kuntz and Pat Freiermuth.
Hope for the line improving this fall is rooted in the fact that 4 starters return. Ryan Bates (LT), Steven Gonzalez (LG), Connor McGovern (C), and Will Fries (RT) are all back in the fold. Fries and Bates could swap spots as well. Chasz Wright and Sterling Jenkins will look for reps at the Tackle spots as well. Alex Gellerstadt is also in line for some playing time, and could give Penn State one of the deepest Tackle groups in the nation. Michal Menet, a former 5 star recruit, looks ready to take over at RG as a sophomore. Depth inside is the best it has been at Penn State in years.
Breakdown Defense: Penn State has just 3 total starters returing to action in 2018 from a team that ranked 7th in defensive scoring, 14th against the run, and 17th in total defense. The defensive line gets 2 f those returning starters in DE Shareef Miller and DE Ryan Bucholz. Miller led the team with 11 TFLs last fall, and added 5 sacks, 37 tackles, and 9 QB hurries. He is a hand full for any Tackle to deal with. Bucholz earned the job by the end of the year, and played in 10 games as a sophomore. Kevin Givens and Robert Windsor are penciled in as the new starters at DT, and both are juniors. Experience and depth inside could be issues. Torrence Brown gives the Nittany Lions depth at DE, and some younger players who got pushed into service last season now have experience they were not expecting.
Koa Farmer is the lone returning starter at LB, and recorded 48 tackles as a junior last fall. Cam Brown and Jarvis Miller are both juniors, and are penciled in to start with Farmer. Micah Parsons, a freshman, could push for the job at MLB in camp. He was a former Ohio State commit. The roster is dotted by 7 RS or true freshmen coming into fall camp at LB, so again, experience is thin.
The entire secondary must be replaced heading into fall camp. Amani Oruwariye and John Reid are projected to be named starters at CB, while Garrett Taylor (SS) and Nick Scott (FS) are penciled in at the Safety spots. Oruwariye was outstanding in the NB role last fall. Reid missed all of last season with a knee injury. Lamont Wade, a top CB recruit, moved to Safety in the spring.
Breakdown Special Teams: There will be a 3 way battle for the open PK job in fall camp, as Punter Blake Gillikin will look to add to his duties, but will be battling walk on Carson Landis and freshman Jake Pinegar for the job.
Gillikin had a strong season at Punter, and averaged 43.2 yards per punt. He should be one of the bets in the nation this fall.
The KR job is wide open in camp with the loss of Barkley, while Thompkins will once again return punts after averaging 13.29 yards per return with one score last season.
Final Analysis: Penn State, despite their losses in personnel on offense, should still have enough firepower to compete this fall, especially if the line improves as much as it should. The real questions will be based on the defensive side of the football, where depth and experience are not plentiful. Brent Pry will have to do one of his best jobs as DC of his career to hold the unit together and learn through the developmental process in every area. The schedule is manageable early on, as the Nittany Lions should blow through their first 4 games of the season before running into Ohio State at home on September 29th. If Penn State can steal that win, the race is wide open in the Big 10 East.
2018 College Football Team Previews: Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State Beavers 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Gary Anderson has left the athletic building in Corvallis, and former QB Jonathon Smith has taken over the reigns as head coach of a Beaver program that has been in a nose dive for years now. This will be the first head coaching job for Smith, and he hired former Beavers coach Mike Riley as a consultant, but that was a short lived hire, as Riley then left last week for a job in the new American Alliance of Football, as head coach of their San Antonio franchise. Smith has worked for Christ Petersen in Washington, so he has that experience as OC to rely on, but this could be a bumpy ride out of the gate.
Breakdown Offense: Jake Luton has returned from a thoracic spinal fracture, but he may not be able to walk right into the QB job, as Conor Blount has given him a ride for his money. Blount is a more diversified athletic threat, as Luton is a pure pocket passer. At the end of the day, you could not find two more different types of play from these two, and it will all come down to what Smith feels best about in the position. Jack Colletto could also play his way into the mix, but was well behind in spring ball after transferring from Arizona Western (JC).
The Beavers lose their top 2 rushers in Ryan Nall and Thomas Tyner, and will be hitting the reboot with Artavis Pierce, who was the 3rd back last fall. He carried 68 times for 323 yards and one score as a sophomore last fall. Calvin Tyler and BJ Baylor are the backups, but they have just 3 career carries between them, and they all belong to Tyler. Baylor is a RS freshman. This is going to be a bit of a red flag position until things get ironed out.
The WR corps returns 2 starters in Isaiah Hodgins and Timmy Hernandez. Hernandez caught 30 passes for just 357 yards last season, while Hodgins caught 31 passes for just 275 yards. Travon Bradford steps in as the 3rd receiver, but caught just 11 passes last fall. Bradford, however, may be the best bet for a big play receiver in the group, as he averaged 18.55 yards per catch. Depth is a huge issue here.
Noah Taogiai is back to start at TE, but had off-season ankle surgery, and was not available for spring ball. He led the Beavers last fall with 34 receptions for 461 yards. His backup Tuli Wily-Matagi returns as well, but also missed spring ball. Quinn Smith is the 3rd TE, but early enrollee Isaiah Smalls had a strong spring, and should climb the depth chart quickly.
The line is not in terrible shape, as 4 starters return. Blake Brandel is the most experienced starter on the offensive side of the football at LT, and has started the last 24 games. Gus Lavaka (LG), Sumner Houston (C), and Trent Moore (RT) also return. Yanni Demogerontas is penciled in at RG after starting spring ball in the running to start at C. Houston is a converted defensive lineman. Keli'i Montibon and Clay Cordaso are a pair of JC transfers that will back up at the Tackle spots, while Kammy Delp and Onesimus Clarke will back up inside. Delp started one game last fall, while Clarke is a RS freshman. Nous Keobounnam is the backup at C.
Breakdown Defense: There were few teams worse defensively than the Beavers in 2017, as they ranked 120th nationally in total defense. Tim Tibesar will try to fix that issue with just 4 returning starters in the mix.
Kalani Vakameilalo started at NT last fall, but could kick out to DE in the 3-4 set that the Beavers will employ. In any event, he is the lone returning starter up front. He totaled 3 TFLs last fall from the middle. Isaac Garcia is also in the mix at DE for that spot in particular, as is Lamone Williams. Jeremy Reichner is looking like a lock at the opposite DE spot after transferring from Los Angeles Valley College. Williams could end up backing him up as well, and Vakameilalo could move inside to NT still. Elu Ayden and Isaac Hodgins are well within the mix in the middle as well.
Jonathon Willis is the lone returning starter at LB, and will be playing with 3 new starters this fall. He will likely move inside. Hamilcar Rasheed will likely start at one OLB spot, as projected starter Bright Ugwoegbu was suspended indefinitely and missed spring ball. His status is still unclear. Kee Whetzel is projected to start at the opposite OLB spot as a sophomore. Andrzej Hughes-Murray should be backing him up. Shamar Smith moves inside to join Willis. Doug Taumoelau and Hamilton Hunt will likely serve as key reserves inside. Hughes-Murray and Taumoelau will still be in the hunt for starting jobs as we head into fall camp.
The Beavers will be looking for 2 new starters at CB this fall. Xavier Crawford and Dwayne Williams figure to be those new starters, but both missed a huge portion of the season last year due to injuries, and were still hobbled in spring ball. Isaiah Dunn, a sophomore, and Justin Gardner, a RS freshman, are the only options should the starters fail to be able to go.
David Morris and Jalen Moore both return at Safety to start. Morris did not play in spring ball after having off-season leg surgery. Omar Hicks-Onu and Moku Wilson were both projected as 2nd team players heading into spring ball, but both were lost with injuries, and Jeffrey Manning, Jr. and Drew Kell moved up the depth chart and passed them by.
Breakdown Special Teams: Jordan Choukair is back at PK, but he struggled last fall, and hit just 12/19 FG attempts on the season. He was perfect on 30 PATs, however. He needs to show some major improvement this fall, or risk getting pushed. Zach Standish returns as his backup as a RS junior.
Alex Bland got some work in last fall as the Punter, and takes over as the likely full time starter, but he struggled badly, averaging just 35 yards per punt in limited duty. Daniel Rodriguez will try to push him for the job in camp, and could also push for work at PK.
Pierce was the primary KR man last fall, and should be the guy again this fall after averaging 20 yards per return. Bradford is the returning PR man.
Final Analysis: Smith will have his hands full in returning to Corvallis as head coach. The roster is loaded with JC transfers and cast offs, and the talent level is not what one would ever call fantastic. There are a couple of pieces dotted around the roster to begin building a foundation, but this program is easily 3 years away from even sniffing at a bowl right now. As I said, this is going to be a bumpy road, and finishing dead last in the PAC-12 overall standings and in the North should be expected.
Opening Statement: Gary Anderson has left the athletic building in Corvallis, and former QB Jonathon Smith has taken over the reigns as head coach of a Beaver program that has been in a nose dive for years now. This will be the first head coaching job for Smith, and he hired former Beavers coach Mike Riley as a consultant, but that was a short lived hire, as Riley then left last week for a job in the new American Alliance of Football, as head coach of their San Antonio franchise. Smith has worked for Christ Petersen in Washington, so he has that experience as OC to rely on, but this could be a bumpy ride out of the gate.
Breakdown Offense: Jake Luton has returned from a thoracic spinal fracture, but he may not be able to walk right into the QB job, as Conor Blount has given him a ride for his money. Blount is a more diversified athletic threat, as Luton is a pure pocket passer. At the end of the day, you could not find two more different types of play from these two, and it will all come down to what Smith feels best about in the position. Jack Colletto could also play his way into the mix, but was well behind in spring ball after transferring from Arizona Western (JC).
The Beavers lose their top 2 rushers in Ryan Nall and Thomas Tyner, and will be hitting the reboot with Artavis Pierce, who was the 3rd back last fall. He carried 68 times for 323 yards and one score as a sophomore last fall. Calvin Tyler and BJ Baylor are the backups, but they have just 3 career carries between them, and they all belong to Tyler. Baylor is a RS freshman. This is going to be a bit of a red flag position until things get ironed out.
The WR corps returns 2 starters in Isaiah Hodgins and Timmy Hernandez. Hernandez caught 30 passes for just 357 yards last season, while Hodgins caught 31 passes for just 275 yards. Travon Bradford steps in as the 3rd receiver, but caught just 11 passes last fall. Bradford, however, may be the best bet for a big play receiver in the group, as he averaged 18.55 yards per catch. Depth is a huge issue here.
Noah Taogiai is back to start at TE, but had off-season ankle surgery, and was not available for spring ball. He led the Beavers last fall with 34 receptions for 461 yards. His backup Tuli Wily-Matagi returns as well, but also missed spring ball. Quinn Smith is the 3rd TE, but early enrollee Isaiah Smalls had a strong spring, and should climb the depth chart quickly.
The line is not in terrible shape, as 4 starters return. Blake Brandel is the most experienced starter on the offensive side of the football at LT, and has started the last 24 games. Gus Lavaka (LG), Sumner Houston (C), and Trent Moore (RT) also return. Yanni Demogerontas is penciled in at RG after starting spring ball in the running to start at C. Houston is a converted defensive lineman. Keli'i Montibon and Clay Cordaso are a pair of JC transfers that will back up at the Tackle spots, while Kammy Delp and Onesimus Clarke will back up inside. Delp started one game last fall, while Clarke is a RS freshman. Nous Keobounnam is the backup at C.
Breakdown Defense: There were few teams worse defensively than the Beavers in 2017, as they ranked 120th nationally in total defense. Tim Tibesar will try to fix that issue with just 4 returning starters in the mix.
Kalani Vakameilalo started at NT last fall, but could kick out to DE in the 3-4 set that the Beavers will employ. In any event, he is the lone returning starter up front. He totaled 3 TFLs last fall from the middle. Isaac Garcia is also in the mix at DE for that spot in particular, as is Lamone Williams. Jeremy Reichner is looking like a lock at the opposite DE spot after transferring from Los Angeles Valley College. Williams could end up backing him up as well, and Vakameilalo could move inside to NT still. Elu Ayden and Isaac Hodgins are well within the mix in the middle as well.
Jonathon Willis is the lone returning starter at LB, and will be playing with 3 new starters this fall. He will likely move inside. Hamilcar Rasheed will likely start at one OLB spot, as projected starter Bright Ugwoegbu was suspended indefinitely and missed spring ball. His status is still unclear. Kee Whetzel is projected to start at the opposite OLB spot as a sophomore. Andrzej Hughes-Murray should be backing him up. Shamar Smith moves inside to join Willis. Doug Taumoelau and Hamilton Hunt will likely serve as key reserves inside. Hughes-Murray and Taumoelau will still be in the hunt for starting jobs as we head into fall camp.
The Beavers will be looking for 2 new starters at CB this fall. Xavier Crawford and Dwayne Williams figure to be those new starters, but both missed a huge portion of the season last year due to injuries, and were still hobbled in spring ball. Isaiah Dunn, a sophomore, and Justin Gardner, a RS freshman, are the only options should the starters fail to be able to go.
David Morris and Jalen Moore both return at Safety to start. Morris did not play in spring ball after having off-season leg surgery. Omar Hicks-Onu and Moku Wilson were both projected as 2nd team players heading into spring ball, but both were lost with injuries, and Jeffrey Manning, Jr. and Drew Kell moved up the depth chart and passed them by.
Breakdown Special Teams: Jordan Choukair is back at PK, but he struggled last fall, and hit just 12/19 FG attempts on the season. He was perfect on 30 PATs, however. He needs to show some major improvement this fall, or risk getting pushed. Zach Standish returns as his backup as a RS junior.
Alex Bland got some work in last fall as the Punter, and takes over as the likely full time starter, but he struggled badly, averaging just 35 yards per punt in limited duty. Daniel Rodriguez will try to push him for the job in camp, and could also push for work at PK.
Pierce was the primary KR man last fall, and should be the guy again this fall after averaging 20 yards per return. Bradford is the returning PR man.
Final Analysis: Smith will have his hands full in returning to Corvallis as head coach. The roster is loaded with JC transfers and cast offs, and the talent level is not what one would ever call fantastic. There are a couple of pieces dotted around the roster to begin building a foundation, but this program is easily 3 years away from even sniffing at a bowl right now. As I said, this is going to be a bumpy road, and finishing dead last in the PAC-12 overall standings and in the North should be expected.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
2018 College Football Team Previews: Oregon Ducks
Oregon Ducks 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Oregon is on their 3rd football coach in 3 years with Mario Cristobal being promoted from line coach to head coach after Willie Taggart played a one and done deal on the Ducks after a 7-5 season in 2017. Taggart is off to Florida State now, but Cristobal returns after coaching the Ducks in a 38-28 Las Vegas Bowl loss to Boise State. The major coup for Cristobal was in retaining DC Jim Leavitt, who almost went with Taggart to FSU. Cristobal had the full support of the players on the team, and keeping him as coach went a long way to creating a continuity that would have been lacking here had they went elsewhere. The Ducks have talent on hand, and are finally ready to break back out again, but the national title chasing Ducks under Chip Kelly may not be heard from again for some time. The Ducks just have to get stable, for now.
Breakdown Offense: Justin Herbert probably returns to the Ducks as the best starting QB in the PAC-12, with all due respect to Khalil Hill of Arizona. Herbert passed for 1983 yards in 8 games last fall, and tossed 15 TDs to just 5 INTs, and completed 67.5% of his passes on the season. His major issue is staying healthy and on the field, as he missed another 5 games last fall, after missing a chunk of the 2016 season as well. Herbert added another 183 yards and 5 scores as a runner. Braxton Burmeister is the backup, but tossed 6 INTs to just 2 TD passes in relief last season. Freshman Tyler Shough could push for the backup spot in camp.
With Royce Freeman and Kani Benoit moving on, Tony Brooks-James becomes the starting RB after rushing for 498 yards and 2 scores last fall. With the departures, the Ducks lose 26 rushing TDs in production. Darrian Felix is the projected backup this fall, but depth is a major issue.
Dillon Mitchell and Johnny Johnson are back to start at WR. Mitchell caught 42 passes for 517 TDs and 4 scores, while averaging 12.31 yards per catch. Johnson caught 21 passes as a freshman last fall, and averaged 14.24 yards per catch. Brendan Schooler is slated to be the 3rd starter at WR, and caught 20 passes last season. Malik Lovette, Jaylon Redd, and Daewood Davis are the backups, but this group, like the RB corps, is not deep in production.
Jacob Breeland is back as the starter at TE. He caught 18 passes last season in 12 games played. Cam McCormick caught 6 passes as a freshman last season, and will be the primary backup.
The line returns 4 players with starting experience, but only 3 who finished the season as starters in Shane Lemieux (LG), Jake Hanson (C), and Calvin Throckmorton (RT). Brady Aiello, a junior, is slated to try and replace Tyrell Crosby at LT, while Jacob Capra is penciled in to start at RG. Logan Bathke and Alex Forsyth (freshman) are the backups at the Tackle spots, while Sam Poutasi and Charlie Landgraf are the backups at OG. Ryan Walk (freshman) is the backup at Center.
Breakdown Defense: Leavitt improved Oregon's total defense by 80 spots nationally in one season in Eugene last fall. He gets 2 of 3 starters back on the line in DE Jalen Jelks and NG Jordan Scott. Jelks led the Ducks with 15.5 TFLs last season, and is one of the best ends in the nation. He totaled 6.5 sacks, 58 tackles, 7 PBUs, 4 QB hurries, and a blocked kick. Scott totaled 4.5 TFLs last fall, and added 2 sacks and 34 tackles. Austin Faoliu is the projected starter at the open DE spot. He totaled 2.5 TFLs in 12 games as a freshman last fall. Gary Barker and Gus Cumberlander are the projected backups at DE, Malik Young is still awaiting to hear about his eligibility at this time for an additional year. Popo Aumavae is the backup at NG.
Troy Dye and Justin Hollins are back at LB this fall. Dye led the Ducks with 107 tackles last fall, and added 13.5 TFLs, 4 sacks, 4 PBUs, a QB hurry, and a forced fumble. Hollins recorded 59 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 3 QB hurries, 3 forced fumbles, and a blocked kick. Isaac Slade-Matautia is projected to win the JACK spot this fall. He is a freshman. Kaulana Apelu is the backup at Slade-Matautia, Keith Simms backs up Dye, and Bryson Young backs up Hollins.
The secondary gets 2 starters back in CB Thomas Graham and S Ugochukwu Amadi. Graham finished with 4 PBUs as a freshman last fall, and tied for the team lead with 3 INTs. Amadi broke up 8 passes, and also had 3 INTs. He also totaled 43 tackles. Deommodore Lenoir is expected to be the new starter at CB, while Mattrell McGraw is the new starter at S.
Breakdown Special Teams: Aidan Schneider is gone at PK, so expect Adam Stack to take over as both the PK and Punter this fall. That may not be the best news, as Stack struggled punting the ball, averaging just 38.37 yards per punt last season.
Brooks-James is back and should be returning kicks once again after averaging 25.71 yards per return last fall. He took one back for a score as well. Dillon Mitchell averaged 8.09 yards per return on punts last fall, and also returns to the role.
Final Analysis: The Ducks have some weapons on offense, but the key to success will be whether or not Herbert can stay healthy or not. They thrive with him, and die on the vine without him. Oregon averaged just 15 points per game when he was not available to them last fall. There are questions about depth and overall talent at RB and WR, and the offensive line is a bit in flux, and lacks overall experience and depth. The defense, on the other hand, could actual continue to improve, and has some stellar talent in the front seven with Jelks on the line, and Dye and Hollins at LB. I expect good things from that side of the football. It all comes down to kep players producing and staying healthy. I am not certain that Oregon is in the kind of shape they need to be just yet to win the PAC-12 North, but if they stay healthy, they can make it interesting.
Opening Statement: Oregon is on their 3rd football coach in 3 years with Mario Cristobal being promoted from line coach to head coach after Willie Taggart played a one and done deal on the Ducks after a 7-5 season in 2017. Taggart is off to Florida State now, but Cristobal returns after coaching the Ducks in a 38-28 Las Vegas Bowl loss to Boise State. The major coup for Cristobal was in retaining DC Jim Leavitt, who almost went with Taggart to FSU. Cristobal had the full support of the players on the team, and keeping him as coach went a long way to creating a continuity that would have been lacking here had they went elsewhere. The Ducks have talent on hand, and are finally ready to break back out again, but the national title chasing Ducks under Chip Kelly may not be heard from again for some time. The Ducks just have to get stable, for now.
Breakdown Offense: Justin Herbert probably returns to the Ducks as the best starting QB in the PAC-12, with all due respect to Khalil Hill of Arizona. Herbert passed for 1983 yards in 8 games last fall, and tossed 15 TDs to just 5 INTs, and completed 67.5% of his passes on the season. His major issue is staying healthy and on the field, as he missed another 5 games last fall, after missing a chunk of the 2016 season as well. Herbert added another 183 yards and 5 scores as a runner. Braxton Burmeister is the backup, but tossed 6 INTs to just 2 TD passes in relief last season. Freshman Tyler Shough could push for the backup spot in camp.
With Royce Freeman and Kani Benoit moving on, Tony Brooks-James becomes the starting RB after rushing for 498 yards and 2 scores last fall. With the departures, the Ducks lose 26 rushing TDs in production. Darrian Felix is the projected backup this fall, but depth is a major issue.
Dillon Mitchell and Johnny Johnson are back to start at WR. Mitchell caught 42 passes for 517 TDs and 4 scores, while averaging 12.31 yards per catch. Johnson caught 21 passes as a freshman last fall, and averaged 14.24 yards per catch. Brendan Schooler is slated to be the 3rd starter at WR, and caught 20 passes last season. Malik Lovette, Jaylon Redd, and Daewood Davis are the backups, but this group, like the RB corps, is not deep in production.
Jacob Breeland is back as the starter at TE. He caught 18 passes last season in 12 games played. Cam McCormick caught 6 passes as a freshman last season, and will be the primary backup.
The line returns 4 players with starting experience, but only 3 who finished the season as starters in Shane Lemieux (LG), Jake Hanson (C), and Calvin Throckmorton (RT). Brady Aiello, a junior, is slated to try and replace Tyrell Crosby at LT, while Jacob Capra is penciled in to start at RG. Logan Bathke and Alex Forsyth (freshman) are the backups at the Tackle spots, while Sam Poutasi and Charlie Landgraf are the backups at OG. Ryan Walk (freshman) is the backup at Center.
Breakdown Defense: Leavitt improved Oregon's total defense by 80 spots nationally in one season in Eugene last fall. He gets 2 of 3 starters back on the line in DE Jalen Jelks and NG Jordan Scott. Jelks led the Ducks with 15.5 TFLs last season, and is one of the best ends in the nation. He totaled 6.5 sacks, 58 tackles, 7 PBUs, 4 QB hurries, and a blocked kick. Scott totaled 4.5 TFLs last fall, and added 2 sacks and 34 tackles. Austin Faoliu is the projected starter at the open DE spot. He totaled 2.5 TFLs in 12 games as a freshman last fall. Gary Barker and Gus Cumberlander are the projected backups at DE, Malik Young is still awaiting to hear about his eligibility at this time for an additional year. Popo Aumavae is the backup at NG.
Troy Dye and Justin Hollins are back at LB this fall. Dye led the Ducks with 107 tackles last fall, and added 13.5 TFLs, 4 sacks, 4 PBUs, a QB hurry, and a forced fumble. Hollins recorded 59 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 3 QB hurries, 3 forced fumbles, and a blocked kick. Isaac Slade-Matautia is projected to win the JACK spot this fall. He is a freshman. Kaulana Apelu is the backup at Slade-Matautia, Keith Simms backs up Dye, and Bryson Young backs up Hollins.
The secondary gets 2 starters back in CB Thomas Graham and S Ugochukwu Amadi. Graham finished with 4 PBUs as a freshman last fall, and tied for the team lead with 3 INTs. Amadi broke up 8 passes, and also had 3 INTs. He also totaled 43 tackles. Deommodore Lenoir is expected to be the new starter at CB, while Mattrell McGraw is the new starter at S.
Breakdown Special Teams: Aidan Schneider is gone at PK, so expect Adam Stack to take over as both the PK and Punter this fall. That may not be the best news, as Stack struggled punting the ball, averaging just 38.37 yards per punt last season.
Brooks-James is back and should be returning kicks once again after averaging 25.71 yards per return last fall. He took one back for a score as well. Dillon Mitchell averaged 8.09 yards per return on punts last fall, and also returns to the role.
Final Analysis: The Ducks have some weapons on offense, but the key to success will be whether or not Herbert can stay healthy or not. They thrive with him, and die on the vine without him. Oregon averaged just 15 points per game when he was not available to them last fall. There are questions about depth and overall talent at RB and WR, and the offensive line is a bit in flux, and lacks overall experience and depth. The defense, on the other hand, could actual continue to improve, and has some stellar talent in the front seven with Jelks on the line, and Dye and Hollins at LB. I expect good things from that side of the football. It all comes down to kep players producing and staying healthy. I am not certain that Oregon is in the kind of shape they need to be just yet to win the PAC-12 North, but if they stay healthy, they can make it interesting.
2018 College Football Team Previews: Old Dominion Monarchs
Old Dominion Monarchs 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: The Monarchs got crushed by the injury bug last fall, losing 17 total players to season ending injuries during a campaign that saw them fall from 10 wins to 5 in 2017. If there is a silver lining to that statement and fact, it's that the team was forced to develop depth across the board last fall, and that should pay off in 2018, as 9 starters return on offense, and 7 return on defense. Bobby Wilder has a veteran team now, and the Monarchs could be a mild surprise in the CUSA race in 2018.
Breakdown Offense: The injury bug crushed the offense last fall, and the Monarchs finished scoring just 20.7 points per game, which ranked 113th nationally. Fixing this starts with Steven Williams getting straightened out at QB, and avoiding 20 total team turnovers once again. A -4 turnover margin ranked 93rd.
Williams played in 10 games at QB as a freshman last fall, and passed for 1528 yards, but he tossed just 6 TDs to 11 INTs, and that ratio will not do again in 2018. He also needs to improve on accuracy, as he completed just 55.9% of his passes on the year. Blake LaRussa, a junior, is the backup, but did little to push Williams last season.
Ray Lawry is gone at RB, and he leaves a large void in the run game. He missed 4 games last fall, and Jeremy Cox will take over after rushing for 621 yards and 4 scores. He is not a big play threat, as he averaged just 4.22 yards per carry last fall. Brandon Sinclair moves into the second spot, while Gemonta Jackson likely takes over the 3rd back role.
Isaiah Harper and Travis Fulgham led the Monarchs in receiving last season, and both return to the starting lineup. Harper posted a line of 39-462 last fall, but never scored once. Fulgham posted a line of 30-394-1, but more must come of their efforts in 2018 to bring this offense up. Jonathon Duhart steps into the 3rd receiver role, but missed 10 games last season, and caught just 7 passes. Hasaan Patterson could push for more time this fall, but caught just 5 passes in 9 games. Jake Herslow and Noah Ellison both return as well.
Freshman Keion White is projected to win the job at TE with Melvin Vaughn moving on. Marcus Joyner and Nijee Cox are also in the mix there.
The line may be the deepest and most talented unit on the offensive side in 2018, as all 5 starters return in Isaac Weaver (LT), Tony Barnett (LG), Nick Clarke (C), Andrew Larson (RG), and Chad Hendricks (RT). Eric Magwood, Andrew Lawson, Jace Mallory, Jack Miller, and Elijah Rivers all serve as backups, giving the Monarchs the deepest offensive line unit in CUSA football.
Breakdown Defense: The defensive line will have 3 starters back from a defense that took a beating last season and allowed 204.2 yards rushing per game. Pressure from an offense that did not perform and turned the ball over often did not help matters. Oshane Ximines (DE), Miles Fox (DT), and Pat Toal (DT) all return to the lineup. Ximines is one of the best in CUSA, as he led the team with 14 TFLs last season. He added 8.5 TFLs, 44 tackles, 3 PBUs, 7 QB hurries, and 4 forced fumbles on the season. Fox added 9 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 57 tackles, one QB hurry, and one forced fumble. Toal added 5.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 37 tackles, 2 QB hurries, and a blocked kick. Daniel Appouh is slated to start at the open DE spot, and totaled 6.5 TFLs last fall.
Jordan Young and Marvin Branch are the returning starters at LB, and they were the team's leading tacklers last fall. Branch was the leader with 96 tackles on the year, while Young finished with 85 tackles on the season. They are two of the best LBs in the conference.
The secondary has been completely depleted, with just one starter returning in NB Sean Carter. He totaled 5 PBUs last fall, and did lead the team with 3 INTs on the season. He added 54 tackles and 3.5 TFLs. Jelani Carter and Jo Jo Headen are penciled in as the new starters at CB, and Justin Noye (SS) and Justice Davila (FS) will likely take up the Safety jobs.
Breakdown Special Teams: Nick Rice is back at PK after hitting 15/20 FG attempts last season, and he was perfect on 21 PATs. The Monarchs will be needing more consistency out of him this fall.
Baily Cate is also returning after having a decent season in which he averaged 40.52 yards per punt.
Harper is back as the primary KR man, and he brought 3 kicks back for scores last fall while averaging 29.08 yards per return. He is obviously one of the more dangerous kick return men nationally speaking. Darrell Brown averaged 8.4 yards per return on punts last fall, and should hold that job down once again.
Final Analysis: The Monarchs are fairly loaded in the front seven on defense, but unfortunately, I am not entirely sold on their talent across the board otherwise. Bobby Wilder has done some solid things with this program in a very short program history, but there is now a longer road to travel. There should be plentiful depth on the line offensively, but there are no real stars in the receiving corps or at RB. Looking at the overall schedule, I can actual see a chance for further regression, or a return to another 5 win season, at best. It maybe another full season before the Monarchs are back on the upward arch again.
Opening Statement: The Monarchs got crushed by the injury bug last fall, losing 17 total players to season ending injuries during a campaign that saw them fall from 10 wins to 5 in 2017. If there is a silver lining to that statement and fact, it's that the team was forced to develop depth across the board last fall, and that should pay off in 2018, as 9 starters return on offense, and 7 return on defense. Bobby Wilder has a veteran team now, and the Monarchs could be a mild surprise in the CUSA race in 2018.
Breakdown Offense: The injury bug crushed the offense last fall, and the Monarchs finished scoring just 20.7 points per game, which ranked 113th nationally. Fixing this starts with Steven Williams getting straightened out at QB, and avoiding 20 total team turnovers once again. A -4 turnover margin ranked 93rd.
Williams played in 10 games at QB as a freshman last fall, and passed for 1528 yards, but he tossed just 6 TDs to 11 INTs, and that ratio will not do again in 2018. He also needs to improve on accuracy, as he completed just 55.9% of his passes on the year. Blake LaRussa, a junior, is the backup, but did little to push Williams last season.
Ray Lawry is gone at RB, and he leaves a large void in the run game. He missed 4 games last fall, and Jeremy Cox will take over after rushing for 621 yards and 4 scores. He is not a big play threat, as he averaged just 4.22 yards per carry last fall. Brandon Sinclair moves into the second spot, while Gemonta Jackson likely takes over the 3rd back role.
Isaiah Harper and Travis Fulgham led the Monarchs in receiving last season, and both return to the starting lineup. Harper posted a line of 39-462 last fall, but never scored once. Fulgham posted a line of 30-394-1, but more must come of their efforts in 2018 to bring this offense up. Jonathon Duhart steps into the 3rd receiver role, but missed 10 games last season, and caught just 7 passes. Hasaan Patterson could push for more time this fall, but caught just 5 passes in 9 games. Jake Herslow and Noah Ellison both return as well.
Freshman Keion White is projected to win the job at TE with Melvin Vaughn moving on. Marcus Joyner and Nijee Cox are also in the mix there.
The line may be the deepest and most talented unit on the offensive side in 2018, as all 5 starters return in Isaac Weaver (LT), Tony Barnett (LG), Nick Clarke (C), Andrew Larson (RG), and Chad Hendricks (RT). Eric Magwood, Andrew Lawson, Jace Mallory, Jack Miller, and Elijah Rivers all serve as backups, giving the Monarchs the deepest offensive line unit in CUSA football.
Breakdown Defense: The defensive line will have 3 starters back from a defense that took a beating last season and allowed 204.2 yards rushing per game. Pressure from an offense that did not perform and turned the ball over often did not help matters. Oshane Ximines (DE), Miles Fox (DT), and Pat Toal (DT) all return to the lineup. Ximines is one of the best in CUSA, as he led the team with 14 TFLs last season. He added 8.5 TFLs, 44 tackles, 3 PBUs, 7 QB hurries, and 4 forced fumbles on the season. Fox added 9 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 57 tackles, one QB hurry, and one forced fumble. Toal added 5.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 37 tackles, 2 QB hurries, and a blocked kick. Daniel Appouh is slated to start at the open DE spot, and totaled 6.5 TFLs last fall.
Jordan Young and Marvin Branch are the returning starters at LB, and they were the team's leading tacklers last fall. Branch was the leader with 96 tackles on the year, while Young finished with 85 tackles on the season. They are two of the best LBs in the conference.
The secondary has been completely depleted, with just one starter returning in NB Sean Carter. He totaled 5 PBUs last fall, and did lead the team with 3 INTs on the season. He added 54 tackles and 3.5 TFLs. Jelani Carter and Jo Jo Headen are penciled in as the new starters at CB, and Justin Noye (SS) and Justice Davila (FS) will likely take up the Safety jobs.
Breakdown Special Teams: Nick Rice is back at PK after hitting 15/20 FG attempts last season, and he was perfect on 21 PATs. The Monarchs will be needing more consistency out of him this fall.
Baily Cate is also returning after having a decent season in which he averaged 40.52 yards per punt.
Harper is back as the primary KR man, and he brought 3 kicks back for scores last fall while averaging 29.08 yards per return. He is obviously one of the more dangerous kick return men nationally speaking. Darrell Brown averaged 8.4 yards per return on punts last fall, and should hold that job down once again.
Final Analysis: The Monarchs are fairly loaded in the front seven on defense, but unfortunately, I am not entirely sold on their talent across the board otherwise. Bobby Wilder has done some solid things with this program in a very short program history, but there is now a longer road to travel. There should be plentiful depth on the line offensively, but there are no real stars in the receiving corps or at RB. Looking at the overall schedule, I can actual see a chance for further regression, or a return to another 5 win season, at best. It maybe another full season before the Monarchs are back on the upward arch again.
2018 College Football Team Previews: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State Cowboys 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Times have been solid in Stillwater the last few years with Mason Rudolph tossing the ball to James Washington and others, but those days are gone now, and the Cowboys have to start thinking about a retooling on offense that puts Justice Hill up front as the face of the team. Hill is a back capable of rushing for 2000 yards, and if he is made the focus of the offense, especially early, a rebuilding offense has some room to grow. Defensively, the Cowboys are also in a bit of a retool mode, which is not great, considering that they already ranked just 79th nationally in total defense, and 116th nationally against the pass. It may be a step back to the middle of the wide open Big 12 in 2018.
Breakdown Offense: Rudolph finished his career as the all-time leading passer in Oklahoma State history, and that is a huge mark to attain. It's also a huge level of production to simply replace in one off-season, and now the Cowboys are looking at as many as 4 QBs to replace Randolph in camp. Taylor Cornelius, who attempted all of 10 passes last fall seems to have an edge, but don't count out Hawaii transfer Dru Brown, as he is the most accomplished of the group. Keondre Wudtree is also in the mix, as is Spencer Sanders, an incoming freshman.
Justice Hill is the new, and most experienced, star on offense. He rushed for 1467 yards and 15 TDs last season, and should be one of, if not the very best, returning backs in the Big 12. He averaged 5.47 yards per carry last fall on 20.62 carries per game. JD King rushed for 469 yards last fall, and is once again the primary backup. LD Brown carried 34 times as a freshman last fall, and will be the 3rd back once again.
Jalen McCleskey is the lone returning starter at WR, but he does have some talent. He caught 50 passes last fall for 645 yards and 5 scores, but is not the pbig play receiver that the Cowboys lost after last season. He did average 12.9 yards, but is more the possession type. Dillon Stoner, a sophomore, is slated to replace a starter, and caught 44 passes as a freshman. Tyron Johnson caught 18 passes as a sophomore, and will also project to start. Tylan Wallace, Tyrell Alexander, Braydon Johnson, and Austin Parker all look to add some depth and take some reps this fall.
Britton Abbott caught 4 passes last fall, and returns as the starter at TE, but Jake Ross could pass him up in fall camp.
The line also has to replace 3 starters this fall, as only Marcus Keyes (LG) and Johnny Wilson (C) return as starters. Teven Jenkins (LT), Larry Williams (RG), and Arlington Hambright (RT) are slated to lock down starting jobs in camp.
Breakdown Defense: A new DC arrives on campus in Jim Knowles, and he has some work to do. He does have the availability of 7 returning starters, with 3 coming on the defensive line in DE Jordan Brailford, DE Cole Walterscheid, and DT Darrion Daniels. Brailford finished last season with 11 TFLs, 5 sacks, 57 tackles, and 3 QB hurries. Walterscheid totaled 6.5 TFLs, one sack, 20 tackles, 3 QB hurries, and 2 forced fumbles. Daniels finished with 5 TFLs, 26 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 2 QB hurries. Enoch Smith is slated in as the new starter at DT. He totaled 5.5 TFLs on rotation last fall, and added 2.5 sacks, 14 tackles, and one QB hurry.
The LB corps returns 2 starters in Justin Phillips and Calvin Bundage. Phillips totaled 64 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 2 PBUs, and 2 QB hurries last season. Bundage totaled 54 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, one PBU, and 3 QB hurries. Kenneth Edison-McGruder is the new starter with the unit. He totaled 21 tackles in 9 games last fall, and will be a senior.
The secondary gets both starters back at CB in Rodarius Williams and AJ Green. Williams was one of the better cover guys in the Big 12 last fall with 10 PBUs, but he needs to start turning some of those into turnovers to stop drives. Green led the team with 4 INTs, and totaled 5 PBUs in total. Thabo Mwaniki is penciled in as the new starter at S, while Malcolm Rodriguez is penciled in at FS. Both are sophomores.
Breakdown Special Teams: Matt Ammendola was a busy guy at PK as a sophomore, as he attempted 29 FGs last season, hitting 23 of them. He was perfect on 70 PATs.
Zach Sinor is back at Punter after a successful season that saw him average 43.13 yards per punt on the year.
Tyron Johnson is back to return kicks after averaging 20.3 yards per return in 2017, and LD Brown is the second guy on kickoff returns. Stoner and McCleskey are also back to handle PR duty.
Final Analysis: There is plenty of talent coming back on defense, but defense has not been a strong suit in Stillwater for some time, as has been the issue throughout the Big 12. Offensively, the Cowboys lose far too much talent and production to even think that they can get close to what they were able to do last fall, when they averaged 45 points per game and ranked 4th nationally with that number. The QB issue probably will not be entirely ironed out until week 3 of the regular season, after games against Missouri State and South Alabama, which should both be easy wins. The final 3 games of the season are a brutal stretch for the Cowboys, and that period of time should cement their place somewhere in the middle of the conference. A bowl game should be well within reach, but competing for the Big 12 title is a major stretch this season.
Opening Statement: Times have been solid in Stillwater the last few years with Mason Rudolph tossing the ball to James Washington and others, but those days are gone now, and the Cowboys have to start thinking about a retooling on offense that puts Justice Hill up front as the face of the team. Hill is a back capable of rushing for 2000 yards, and if he is made the focus of the offense, especially early, a rebuilding offense has some room to grow. Defensively, the Cowboys are also in a bit of a retool mode, which is not great, considering that they already ranked just 79th nationally in total defense, and 116th nationally against the pass. It may be a step back to the middle of the wide open Big 12 in 2018.
Breakdown Offense: Rudolph finished his career as the all-time leading passer in Oklahoma State history, and that is a huge mark to attain. It's also a huge level of production to simply replace in one off-season, and now the Cowboys are looking at as many as 4 QBs to replace Randolph in camp. Taylor Cornelius, who attempted all of 10 passes last fall seems to have an edge, but don't count out Hawaii transfer Dru Brown, as he is the most accomplished of the group. Keondre Wudtree is also in the mix, as is Spencer Sanders, an incoming freshman.
Justice Hill is the new, and most experienced, star on offense. He rushed for 1467 yards and 15 TDs last season, and should be one of, if not the very best, returning backs in the Big 12. He averaged 5.47 yards per carry last fall on 20.62 carries per game. JD King rushed for 469 yards last fall, and is once again the primary backup. LD Brown carried 34 times as a freshman last fall, and will be the 3rd back once again.
Jalen McCleskey is the lone returning starter at WR, but he does have some talent. He caught 50 passes last fall for 645 yards and 5 scores, but is not the pbig play receiver that the Cowboys lost after last season. He did average 12.9 yards, but is more the possession type. Dillon Stoner, a sophomore, is slated to replace a starter, and caught 44 passes as a freshman. Tyron Johnson caught 18 passes as a sophomore, and will also project to start. Tylan Wallace, Tyrell Alexander, Braydon Johnson, and Austin Parker all look to add some depth and take some reps this fall.
Britton Abbott caught 4 passes last fall, and returns as the starter at TE, but Jake Ross could pass him up in fall camp.
The line also has to replace 3 starters this fall, as only Marcus Keyes (LG) and Johnny Wilson (C) return as starters. Teven Jenkins (LT), Larry Williams (RG), and Arlington Hambright (RT) are slated to lock down starting jobs in camp.
Breakdown Defense: A new DC arrives on campus in Jim Knowles, and he has some work to do. He does have the availability of 7 returning starters, with 3 coming on the defensive line in DE Jordan Brailford, DE Cole Walterscheid, and DT Darrion Daniels. Brailford finished last season with 11 TFLs, 5 sacks, 57 tackles, and 3 QB hurries. Walterscheid totaled 6.5 TFLs, one sack, 20 tackles, 3 QB hurries, and 2 forced fumbles. Daniels finished with 5 TFLs, 26 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 2 QB hurries. Enoch Smith is slated in as the new starter at DT. He totaled 5.5 TFLs on rotation last fall, and added 2.5 sacks, 14 tackles, and one QB hurry.
The LB corps returns 2 starters in Justin Phillips and Calvin Bundage. Phillips totaled 64 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 2 PBUs, and 2 QB hurries last season. Bundage totaled 54 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, one PBU, and 3 QB hurries. Kenneth Edison-McGruder is the new starter with the unit. He totaled 21 tackles in 9 games last fall, and will be a senior.
The secondary gets both starters back at CB in Rodarius Williams and AJ Green. Williams was one of the better cover guys in the Big 12 last fall with 10 PBUs, but he needs to start turning some of those into turnovers to stop drives. Green led the team with 4 INTs, and totaled 5 PBUs in total. Thabo Mwaniki is penciled in as the new starter at S, while Malcolm Rodriguez is penciled in at FS. Both are sophomores.
Breakdown Special Teams: Matt Ammendola was a busy guy at PK as a sophomore, as he attempted 29 FGs last season, hitting 23 of them. He was perfect on 70 PATs.
Zach Sinor is back at Punter after a successful season that saw him average 43.13 yards per punt on the year.
Tyron Johnson is back to return kicks after averaging 20.3 yards per return in 2017, and LD Brown is the second guy on kickoff returns. Stoner and McCleskey are also back to handle PR duty.
Final Analysis: There is plenty of talent coming back on defense, but defense has not been a strong suit in Stillwater for some time, as has been the issue throughout the Big 12. Offensively, the Cowboys lose far too much talent and production to even think that they can get close to what they were able to do last fall, when they averaged 45 points per game and ranked 4th nationally with that number. The QB issue probably will not be entirely ironed out until week 3 of the regular season, after games against Missouri State and South Alabama, which should both be easy wins. The final 3 games of the season are a brutal stretch for the Cowboys, and that period of time should cement their place somewhere in the middle of the conference. A bowl game should be well within reach, but competing for the Big 12 title is a major stretch this season.
2018 College Football Team Previews: Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: The Buckeyes are probably wishing that they could take back one absolutely horrible day in Iowa City last November 4th, as they failed to get off the bus in a 55-24 drubbing by the highly average Hawkeyes of Iowa. That one game, compounded with an earlier loss to Oklahoma in September effectively eliminated Ohio State from playoff consideration, not necessarily because of the second loss of the season, but because of how, and against whom, it happened. That loss has resounding tones coming into the 2018 season, as if Ohio State is to be knocked off the top of the Big 10 heap, it's got to come this season. The Buckeyes are starting over at QB, and only 4 starters return on defense. The Buckeyes may just be as vulnerable as they have been in years.
Breakdown Offense: JT Barrett is gone at QB, and a lot of experience went out the door with him. Dwayne Haskins has been given the blessing as the starter heading into camp this fall, as he edged out Tate Martell in the spring battle. Joe Burrow, who also lost out on the job, ended up taking a transfer to LSU. Haskins was strong in limited duty last season, and even filled in for an injured Barrett at one point. He completed 70.2% of his passes for 4 scores and just one INT, passing for 565 yards. He is not quite the runner that Barrett was, so expect some small changes in how the Buckeyes game plan with him. Not saying he cannot run, just that he does not run like Barrett. With Burrow out, Martell is the only depth that they have left, and he has yet to take a collegiate snap.
JK Dobbins came in and yanked the starting RB job from Mike Weber in week one, and went on to rush for 1403 yards and 7 scores last fall. Weber still managed to rush for 626 yards and 10 games, but missed 2 contests to injury last season, which opened the door for Dobbins early. They are both home run threats in the run game, as Dobbins averaged 7.23 yards per carry, and Weber averaged 6.2 YPC. Antonio Williams rushed for 3 scores last fall and averaged 5.09 yards per carry as the 3rd back, and he returns as well.
Parris Campbell is back at H-Back, and led the Buckeyes with 584 yards receiving, while scoring 3 times and averaging 14.6 yards per catch last fall. KJ Hill, who led the team with 56 receptions, is also back and will work with Campbell in the H-Back slot. Demario McCall, who caught 2 passes as a freshman last season, rounds out the group.
The Buckeyes did not exactly have the most explosive WR group in the nation last fall, but both starters return in Austin Mack and Johnnie Dixon. They caught a combined 42 passes last fall for 765 yards and 10 scores last fall. Dixon scored 8 times, and is the more explosive of the 2, and must be used more in the long game this season, as he averaged over 23 yards per catch. Mack caught just 1.8 passes per game last season. Terry McLauren and Benjimen Victor are the immediate post spring backups, while Jaylen Harris and incoming freshman Jaylen Babb bring up the 3rd unit.
The Buckeyes have to rebuild the offensive line from Center to the Right this fall, as only LT Isaiah Prince and LG Michael Jordan return. Brady Taylor, a 5th year senior, is expected to step in at C, while Brandon Bowen (RG) and Theyer Munford (RT) are expected to win the jobs on the right side of the line. Joshua Alabi will likely back up the LT spot, while true freshman Nick Petit-Frere is expected to be the only depth at RT, which could be concerning. Matthew Burrell and Demetrius Knox are the backups at OG, and Josh Meyers is the backup at C.
Breakdown Defense: The Buckeyes only allowed 19.1 points per game last fall, which was actually a downturn, as they allowed 15.1 points per game in 2016. Still, that is not the reason anyone needs to be concerned. That would be because the Buckeyes return just 4 starters on defense in 2018.
The defensive line will see 2 of those returning starters, including a great one in DE Nick Bosa. Bosa totaled 16 TFLs last fall, and led the team with 8.5 sacks. He totaled 34 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 9 QB hurries. He will be joined as a returning starter by DT Dre'Mont Jones. He totaled 5 TFLs last season, and added one sack, 20 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 2 QB hurries. Sophomore Chase Young fills in at the open DE spot, while Robert Landers is likely the new starter at DT. Young has a ton of potential and hype, but nothing to show for it yet. Jonathon Cooper and Jashon Cornell are the backups at DE, while the DT spots are backed up by Haskell Garrett and true freshman Antwuan Jackson.
Tuf Borland is the lone returning starter at LB this fall. He recorded 58 tackles as a freshman last fall. He recorded 3.5 TFLs, one sack, and one QB hurry. Malik Harrison and Keandre Jones, both juniors, are expected to flank him in camp. Harrison totaled 36 tackles as a sophomore last fall, while Jones finished with 15. Dante Booker will back up Harrison, while Baron Browning backs up both Borland and Jones. Depth is not great as it pertains to experience or production, and Browning could end up covering the starting job for Borland, as he may not be ready for fall camp, and missed all of spring ball. If that is the case, depth suffers.
The secondary took some hits after last season, but 2 starters return in CB Damon Arnette and S Jordan Fuller. Arnette finished the season with 8 PBUs, 2 INTs, and 44 tackles on the year. Fuller finished with 2 PBUs, 2 INTs, and finished 2nd on the team with 70 tackles. Kendall Sheffield is the projected new starter at CB, while sophomore Isaiah Pryor is penciled in at S. Jeffrey Okudah and Shaun Wade are the backups at CB, while Jahsen Wint and Brendon White are the backups at Safety.
Breakdown Special Teams: Sean Nuernberger returns at PK after hitting 17/21 FG attempts last season. He hit all 71 of his PAT attempts, and is about as solid as can be.
Drue Christman is one of the better Punters in the nation, and averaged 44.24 yards per punt last season.
Campbell, KJ Hill, and Mike Weber all took shots at KR last fall, and all 3 return. Campbell and Hill should be the primary guys there. Hill averaged 5.54 yards per return on punts.
Final Analysis: The Buckeyes are still the overall favorite in the Big 10, but Wisconsin should be breathing down their necks this fall. If there has ever been a year under Urban Meyer that the Buckeyes can be taken down outright, it would be now. There are several questions across the board, and with a largely rebuilt defense coming back, the Buckeyes are in position to be taken out. This window will not stay open long, and it may not be open very widely, but this is the chance for Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State to all take their shot.
Opening Statement: The Buckeyes are probably wishing that they could take back one absolutely horrible day in Iowa City last November 4th, as they failed to get off the bus in a 55-24 drubbing by the highly average Hawkeyes of Iowa. That one game, compounded with an earlier loss to Oklahoma in September effectively eliminated Ohio State from playoff consideration, not necessarily because of the second loss of the season, but because of how, and against whom, it happened. That loss has resounding tones coming into the 2018 season, as if Ohio State is to be knocked off the top of the Big 10 heap, it's got to come this season. The Buckeyes are starting over at QB, and only 4 starters return on defense. The Buckeyes may just be as vulnerable as they have been in years.
Breakdown Offense: JT Barrett is gone at QB, and a lot of experience went out the door with him. Dwayne Haskins has been given the blessing as the starter heading into camp this fall, as he edged out Tate Martell in the spring battle. Joe Burrow, who also lost out on the job, ended up taking a transfer to LSU. Haskins was strong in limited duty last season, and even filled in for an injured Barrett at one point. He completed 70.2% of his passes for 4 scores and just one INT, passing for 565 yards. He is not quite the runner that Barrett was, so expect some small changes in how the Buckeyes game plan with him. Not saying he cannot run, just that he does not run like Barrett. With Burrow out, Martell is the only depth that they have left, and he has yet to take a collegiate snap.
JK Dobbins came in and yanked the starting RB job from Mike Weber in week one, and went on to rush for 1403 yards and 7 scores last fall. Weber still managed to rush for 626 yards and 10 games, but missed 2 contests to injury last season, which opened the door for Dobbins early. They are both home run threats in the run game, as Dobbins averaged 7.23 yards per carry, and Weber averaged 6.2 YPC. Antonio Williams rushed for 3 scores last fall and averaged 5.09 yards per carry as the 3rd back, and he returns as well.
Parris Campbell is back at H-Back, and led the Buckeyes with 584 yards receiving, while scoring 3 times and averaging 14.6 yards per catch last fall. KJ Hill, who led the team with 56 receptions, is also back and will work with Campbell in the H-Back slot. Demario McCall, who caught 2 passes as a freshman last season, rounds out the group.
The Buckeyes did not exactly have the most explosive WR group in the nation last fall, but both starters return in Austin Mack and Johnnie Dixon. They caught a combined 42 passes last fall for 765 yards and 10 scores last fall. Dixon scored 8 times, and is the more explosive of the 2, and must be used more in the long game this season, as he averaged over 23 yards per catch. Mack caught just 1.8 passes per game last season. Terry McLauren and Benjimen Victor are the immediate post spring backups, while Jaylen Harris and incoming freshman Jaylen Babb bring up the 3rd unit.
The Buckeyes have to rebuild the offensive line from Center to the Right this fall, as only LT Isaiah Prince and LG Michael Jordan return. Brady Taylor, a 5th year senior, is expected to step in at C, while Brandon Bowen (RG) and Theyer Munford (RT) are expected to win the jobs on the right side of the line. Joshua Alabi will likely back up the LT spot, while true freshman Nick Petit-Frere is expected to be the only depth at RT, which could be concerning. Matthew Burrell and Demetrius Knox are the backups at OG, and Josh Meyers is the backup at C.
Breakdown Defense: The Buckeyes only allowed 19.1 points per game last fall, which was actually a downturn, as they allowed 15.1 points per game in 2016. Still, that is not the reason anyone needs to be concerned. That would be because the Buckeyes return just 4 starters on defense in 2018.
The defensive line will see 2 of those returning starters, including a great one in DE Nick Bosa. Bosa totaled 16 TFLs last fall, and led the team with 8.5 sacks. He totaled 34 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 9 QB hurries. He will be joined as a returning starter by DT Dre'Mont Jones. He totaled 5 TFLs last season, and added one sack, 20 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 2 QB hurries. Sophomore Chase Young fills in at the open DE spot, while Robert Landers is likely the new starter at DT. Young has a ton of potential and hype, but nothing to show for it yet. Jonathon Cooper and Jashon Cornell are the backups at DE, while the DT spots are backed up by Haskell Garrett and true freshman Antwuan Jackson.
Tuf Borland is the lone returning starter at LB this fall. He recorded 58 tackles as a freshman last fall. He recorded 3.5 TFLs, one sack, and one QB hurry. Malik Harrison and Keandre Jones, both juniors, are expected to flank him in camp. Harrison totaled 36 tackles as a sophomore last fall, while Jones finished with 15. Dante Booker will back up Harrison, while Baron Browning backs up both Borland and Jones. Depth is not great as it pertains to experience or production, and Browning could end up covering the starting job for Borland, as he may not be ready for fall camp, and missed all of spring ball. If that is the case, depth suffers.
The secondary took some hits after last season, but 2 starters return in CB Damon Arnette and S Jordan Fuller. Arnette finished the season with 8 PBUs, 2 INTs, and 44 tackles on the year. Fuller finished with 2 PBUs, 2 INTs, and finished 2nd on the team with 70 tackles. Kendall Sheffield is the projected new starter at CB, while sophomore Isaiah Pryor is penciled in at S. Jeffrey Okudah and Shaun Wade are the backups at CB, while Jahsen Wint and Brendon White are the backups at Safety.
Breakdown Special Teams: Sean Nuernberger returns at PK after hitting 17/21 FG attempts last season. He hit all 71 of his PAT attempts, and is about as solid as can be.
Drue Christman is one of the better Punters in the nation, and averaged 44.24 yards per punt last season.
Campbell, KJ Hill, and Mike Weber all took shots at KR last fall, and all 3 return. Campbell and Hill should be the primary guys there. Hill averaged 5.54 yards per return on punts.
Final Analysis: The Buckeyes are still the overall favorite in the Big 10, but Wisconsin should be breathing down their necks this fall. If there has ever been a year under Urban Meyer that the Buckeyes can be taken down outright, it would be now. There are several questions across the board, and with a largely rebuilt defense coming back, the Buckeyes are in position to be taken out. This window will not stay open long, and it may not be open very widely, but this is the chance for Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State to all take their shot.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
2018 College Football Team Previews: Ohio Bobcats
Ohio Bobcats 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Ohio increased scoring last fall by almost a full 13 points per game, as they ranked 9th nationally, scoring 39.1 points per game. Even with that in mind, they still finished behind Akron in the MAC East by virtue of dropping their final 2 regular season games to the Zips and Buffalo. They lost those games by a total of 10 points, something that cannot be repeated in 2018, if they want to return to the top of a watered down heap in the MAC East.
Breakdown Offense: Nathan Rourke returns at QB after passing for 2203 yards and 17 TDs last fall. He added 912 yards rushing and scored a whopping 21 times on the ground. Areas of concern with him include passing accuracy, and his TD/INT ratio. He completed just 55.1% of his passes, while tossing 7 INTs against his 17 scoring passes, barely above a 2:1 ratio. If he can solidify his passing ability, it keeps Ohio from being too run dependent, and will keep defenses more honest in coverage of him.
AJ Ouellette rushed for 1006 yards and 7 scores last fall, and returns at RB, as does Julian Ross, who was far less explosive in 8 games as a freshman than Ouellette was as a runner. Ouellette averaged 5.24 yards per carry, while Ross averaged 4.17. David Burroughs will be looking for some time on the field as a senior after averaging 8.89 yards per carry in limited duty last season.
Papi White and Andrew Meyer are both back at WR this fall to start, and Elijah Ball is projected to start as the 3rd receiver. White led the team with a line of 36-631-3, and averaged 17.53 yards per catch. Meyer posted a line of 35-483-2, while Ball lost the season to injury last fall. Cameron Odom had 20 receptions last fall, and also returns, while DL Knock and Bryan Long add some depth to the group.
Connor Brown projects to win the job as the starter at TE this fall. He did not catch a pass last season, and the Bobcats lose their top 2 TEs from a year ago.
The line returns 3 starters in Joe Lowery (LT), Joe Anderson (LG), and Austen Pleasants (RT). Brett Kitrell (C) and Durrell Wood (RG) are projected as the new starters heading into camp. Steven Hayes, a JC transfer, could figure in at C, and Hagen Meservy could be in the mix at RG as well. Marques Grimes will handle backup duty at OT, while Kyle Kuhar will be the key reserve at Guard.
Breakdown Defense: This is the side of the football that could create some headaches for Frank Solich and his staff. The Bobcats must replace all 4 starters on the line, and also must replace 2 of 3 LBs this fall.
Will Evans and Austin Conrad are penciled in at DE, while Kent Berger is slated for the NG job and Andrew Payne is in line for the DT spot. Chukwudi Chukwu and Will Evans should be in the mix for the DE spots, while depth behind the projected starters at NG and DT is incredibly thin on experience.
Evan Croutch is the lone returning starter at LB. He totaled 70 tackles last fall, and added 6 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 2 PBUs, and 3 QB hurries last fall. He is likely to be joined by Dylan Conner in the middle, and Austin Clack at SLB. Conner finished with 17 tackles as a freshman, and Clack totaled 13 as a sophomore. Depth, once again, is extremely thin.
The secondary is likely the strength of this unit, as 3 starters return, but this group also finished ranked 109th nationally against the pass, allowing 261.2 yards passing per game. Javon Hagan (SS) and Kylan Nelson (FS) are both back at Safety. Hagan finished with 7 PBUs, 2 QB hurries, and 85 tackles, which was good for 2nd on the team. Nelson totaled 8 PBUs and 53 tackles.
Jalen Fox is the returning starter at CB. Fox totaled 11 PBUs, 2 INTs, and 42 tackles last fall. Marlin Brooks, a sophomore, gets first crack at replacing Brad Ellis, who totaled 19 PBUs last season. He played in 7 games as a freshman.
Tyler Gullett is the backup at Safety, while Jamal Hudson is the 3rd CB.
Breakdown Special Teams: Louie Zervos is back at PK after hitting 15/18 FG attempts last fall, and shoulr be one of the better kickers in the MAC.
Michael Farkas was deent as a sophomore at Punter last fall, averaging 40.55 yards per punt, but expectations are higher this fall.
Julian Ross will likely inherit KR duties in camp, while Nelson and White could share PR duties.
Final Analysis: Ohio has most of the weapons they could possibly need on offense, but their undoing could be a defense that has to replace almost all of the front 7, and will be dependent on an experienced secondary that largely got torched last fall. The Bobcats are still the odds on favorite to win the MAC East, but remember, it's not exactly a division that could be compared to a murderers row. A quick start with a forgiving non con schedule could help, and the conference schedule is not exactly a pressure cooker. Ohio, even with a massive defensive skid, could still find a way to easily win the MAC East.
Opening Statement: Ohio increased scoring last fall by almost a full 13 points per game, as they ranked 9th nationally, scoring 39.1 points per game. Even with that in mind, they still finished behind Akron in the MAC East by virtue of dropping their final 2 regular season games to the Zips and Buffalo. They lost those games by a total of 10 points, something that cannot be repeated in 2018, if they want to return to the top of a watered down heap in the MAC East.
Breakdown Offense: Nathan Rourke returns at QB after passing for 2203 yards and 17 TDs last fall. He added 912 yards rushing and scored a whopping 21 times on the ground. Areas of concern with him include passing accuracy, and his TD/INT ratio. He completed just 55.1% of his passes, while tossing 7 INTs against his 17 scoring passes, barely above a 2:1 ratio. If he can solidify his passing ability, it keeps Ohio from being too run dependent, and will keep defenses more honest in coverage of him.
AJ Ouellette rushed for 1006 yards and 7 scores last fall, and returns at RB, as does Julian Ross, who was far less explosive in 8 games as a freshman than Ouellette was as a runner. Ouellette averaged 5.24 yards per carry, while Ross averaged 4.17. David Burroughs will be looking for some time on the field as a senior after averaging 8.89 yards per carry in limited duty last season.
Papi White and Andrew Meyer are both back at WR this fall to start, and Elijah Ball is projected to start as the 3rd receiver. White led the team with a line of 36-631-3, and averaged 17.53 yards per catch. Meyer posted a line of 35-483-2, while Ball lost the season to injury last fall. Cameron Odom had 20 receptions last fall, and also returns, while DL Knock and Bryan Long add some depth to the group.
Connor Brown projects to win the job as the starter at TE this fall. He did not catch a pass last season, and the Bobcats lose their top 2 TEs from a year ago.
The line returns 3 starters in Joe Lowery (LT), Joe Anderson (LG), and Austen Pleasants (RT). Brett Kitrell (C) and Durrell Wood (RG) are projected as the new starters heading into camp. Steven Hayes, a JC transfer, could figure in at C, and Hagen Meservy could be in the mix at RG as well. Marques Grimes will handle backup duty at OT, while Kyle Kuhar will be the key reserve at Guard.
Breakdown Defense: This is the side of the football that could create some headaches for Frank Solich and his staff. The Bobcats must replace all 4 starters on the line, and also must replace 2 of 3 LBs this fall.
Will Evans and Austin Conrad are penciled in at DE, while Kent Berger is slated for the NG job and Andrew Payne is in line for the DT spot. Chukwudi Chukwu and Will Evans should be in the mix for the DE spots, while depth behind the projected starters at NG and DT is incredibly thin on experience.
Evan Croutch is the lone returning starter at LB. He totaled 70 tackles last fall, and added 6 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 2 PBUs, and 3 QB hurries last fall. He is likely to be joined by Dylan Conner in the middle, and Austin Clack at SLB. Conner finished with 17 tackles as a freshman, and Clack totaled 13 as a sophomore. Depth, once again, is extremely thin.
The secondary is likely the strength of this unit, as 3 starters return, but this group also finished ranked 109th nationally against the pass, allowing 261.2 yards passing per game. Javon Hagan (SS) and Kylan Nelson (FS) are both back at Safety. Hagan finished with 7 PBUs, 2 QB hurries, and 85 tackles, which was good for 2nd on the team. Nelson totaled 8 PBUs and 53 tackles.
Jalen Fox is the returning starter at CB. Fox totaled 11 PBUs, 2 INTs, and 42 tackles last fall. Marlin Brooks, a sophomore, gets first crack at replacing Brad Ellis, who totaled 19 PBUs last season. He played in 7 games as a freshman.
Tyler Gullett is the backup at Safety, while Jamal Hudson is the 3rd CB.
Breakdown Special Teams: Louie Zervos is back at PK after hitting 15/18 FG attempts last fall, and shoulr be one of the better kickers in the MAC.
Michael Farkas was deent as a sophomore at Punter last fall, averaging 40.55 yards per punt, but expectations are higher this fall.
Julian Ross will likely inherit KR duties in camp, while Nelson and White could share PR duties.
Final Analysis: Ohio has most of the weapons they could possibly need on offense, but their undoing could be a defense that has to replace almost all of the front 7, and will be dependent on an experienced secondary that largely got torched last fall. The Bobcats are still the odds on favorite to win the MAC East, but remember, it's not exactly a division that could be compared to a murderers row. A quick start with a forgiving non con schedule could help, and the conference schedule is not exactly a pressure cooker. Ohio, even with a massive defensive skid, could still find a way to easily win the MAC East.
Monday, June 25, 2018
2018 College Football Team Previews: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Notre Dame managed the impossible last season, as they managed to win 10 games while dealing with a QB position that was largely well below average almost the entire season. Brandon Wimbush may have broken a school record for total scores by the position (30), but his passing ability was anything but that. With major holes across the board, a reshuffled offensive line, and a defense that was not exactly one of a "shut down" nature returning, can Notre Dame do the impossible once more and become the first Irish team to win 10 games in back to back seasons since 1992-93?
Breakdown Offense: Wimbush returns, and while he did plenty to help scoring (34.2 points per game as a team, 30 total TDs for him), when the Fighting Irish needed him to throw the football, they were often let down. His accuracy, in a word, was abysmal. He completed just 49.5% of his passes last fall, and averaged just 155.8 yards passing per game. He had a strong spring, and outplayed Ian Book, who was really never in the actual conversation to replace him anyway. He passed for just 1870 yards last fall with 16 TDs to 6 INTs, and rushed for 803 yards and another 14 TDs, while averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Book is the presumed backup after attempting 75 passes last fall.
The run game will largely be effected by the loss of Josh Adams. Dexter Williams, who carried all of just 39 times last season, is the expected replacement. He rushed for 360 yards and 4 scores, but did manage an eye popping Tony Jones, Jr. is also back after carrying 44 times, and averaging 5.27 yards per carry. There is very little actual developed depth behind them.
The Fighting Irish must replace 2 starters at WR, as only Chase Claypool returns after catching 29 passes last fall for 402 yards. He is the leading returning receiver as far as production is concerned. Michael Young and Miles Boykin are penciled in as starters. They combined for 16 receptions last season. Chris Finke and former QB Avery Davis are the only remaining depth, and it really falls off after that.
Alize Mack gets yet one more shot at TE. He cuaght 19 passes as a junior last fall, but has never lived up to his billing out of high school. Cole Kmet caught 2 passes as a freshman last fall, and is the backup.
The line has been reshuffled to make up for the losses of Quentin Nelson and Mike McGlinchey. Alex Bars is the LG, Sam Mustipher is at C, and Tommy Kraemer is the RG. That leaves for finding 2 new starters to fill the Tackle spots. Liam Eichenberg slots in at LT, while Robert Hainsey comes in at RT heading into camp. Sophomore Aaron Banks is the primary reserve at Tackle, while Josh Lugg and Dillon Gibbons are the backups at Guard. Trevor Ruhland is the backup at Center.
Breakdown Defense: Clark Lea is a DC for the first time, but he has 9 starters returning on defense, including 3 on the line in DE Daelin Hayes, NG Jonathon Bonner, and DT Jerry Tillery. Hayes totaled 6.5 TFLs last season, and added 3 sacks, 30 tackles, and 4 QB hurries. Bonner ended the season with 3.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 30 tackles, and 4 QB hurries. Tillery added 9 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 56 tackles, and 11 QB hurries. Junior Khalid Kareem is slated to be the new starter at DE. He has experience, as he finished last fall with 5.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 21 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 6 QB hurries. Julian Okwara and Adetokunbo Ogundeji are the backups at DE, while Kurt Hinish backs up at NG. Myonr Tagavailoa-Amosa is the backup at DT.
The LB corps returns 2 starters in Te'Von Coney and Drue Tranquill. Coney led the Irish in tackles last fall with 116, while adding 12.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, and 5 QB hurries. Tranquill totaled 85 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 3 PBUs, and 3 QB hurries. Asmar Bilal is slated in as the new starter at LB. He totaled 18 tackles in 13 games last season as a reserve. Jonathon Jones, Jordan Genmark-Heath, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah are the immediate backups at all 3 spots.
The secondary also gets 2 startes back in CB Julian Love and FS Jalen Elliott. Love is probably one of the top 5 returning corners in the college game, as he totaled 20 PBUs a year ago, and he returned 2 of his 3 INTs for scores. He finished the season with 68 tackles as well. Elliott recorded 43 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 2 QB hurries last season. Troy Pride is slated to start at the open CB spot, but Shaun Crawford will battle him for it. Pride totaled 2 PBUs last fall, while Crawford added 5, and added 2 INTs. Alohi Gilman, a transfer from Navy, starts at SS. Elliott could also slide over to SS, with Gilman taking over at FS.
Breakdown Special Teams: Justin Yoon returns at PK after hitting 14/18 FG attempts last fall. He was perfect on 49 PATs.
Tyler Newsome is back at Punter, and should be among the nation's best after averaging 43.63 yards per punt last fall as a junior.
Tony Jones is the lead KR man, while Chris Finke returns to his PR duties this fall.
Final Analysis: The schedule, alone, dictates that Notre Dame should probably win 10 games once again, as this is not exactly a schedule filled with potential loss candidates. Michigan and Stanford come to South Bend, and even if they split these games, they should probably still steamroll through most of what remains, with exception of a road trip to Virginia Tech. The depth is not what one would hope for, but there is certainly enough talent across the board to push for that 10 win mark once again, which would get the Irish back among the elite of the national scene. It's been a long time since anyone thought of this program that way, but the potential is there.
Opening Statement: Notre Dame managed the impossible last season, as they managed to win 10 games while dealing with a QB position that was largely well below average almost the entire season. Brandon Wimbush may have broken a school record for total scores by the position (30), but his passing ability was anything but that. With major holes across the board, a reshuffled offensive line, and a defense that was not exactly one of a "shut down" nature returning, can Notre Dame do the impossible once more and become the first Irish team to win 10 games in back to back seasons since 1992-93?
Breakdown Offense: Wimbush returns, and while he did plenty to help scoring (34.2 points per game as a team, 30 total TDs for him), when the Fighting Irish needed him to throw the football, they were often let down. His accuracy, in a word, was abysmal. He completed just 49.5% of his passes last fall, and averaged just 155.8 yards passing per game. He had a strong spring, and outplayed Ian Book, who was really never in the actual conversation to replace him anyway. He passed for just 1870 yards last fall with 16 TDs to 6 INTs, and rushed for 803 yards and another 14 TDs, while averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Book is the presumed backup after attempting 75 passes last fall.
The run game will largely be effected by the loss of Josh Adams. Dexter Williams, who carried all of just 39 times last season, is the expected replacement. He rushed for 360 yards and 4 scores, but did manage an eye popping Tony Jones, Jr. is also back after carrying 44 times, and averaging 5.27 yards per carry. There is very little actual developed depth behind them.
The Fighting Irish must replace 2 starters at WR, as only Chase Claypool returns after catching 29 passes last fall for 402 yards. He is the leading returning receiver as far as production is concerned. Michael Young and Miles Boykin are penciled in as starters. They combined for 16 receptions last season. Chris Finke and former QB Avery Davis are the only remaining depth, and it really falls off after that.
Alize Mack gets yet one more shot at TE. He cuaght 19 passes as a junior last fall, but has never lived up to his billing out of high school. Cole Kmet caught 2 passes as a freshman last fall, and is the backup.
The line has been reshuffled to make up for the losses of Quentin Nelson and Mike McGlinchey. Alex Bars is the LG, Sam Mustipher is at C, and Tommy Kraemer is the RG. That leaves for finding 2 new starters to fill the Tackle spots. Liam Eichenberg slots in at LT, while Robert Hainsey comes in at RT heading into camp. Sophomore Aaron Banks is the primary reserve at Tackle, while Josh Lugg and Dillon Gibbons are the backups at Guard. Trevor Ruhland is the backup at Center.
Breakdown Defense: Clark Lea is a DC for the first time, but he has 9 starters returning on defense, including 3 on the line in DE Daelin Hayes, NG Jonathon Bonner, and DT Jerry Tillery. Hayes totaled 6.5 TFLs last season, and added 3 sacks, 30 tackles, and 4 QB hurries. Bonner ended the season with 3.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 30 tackles, and 4 QB hurries. Tillery added 9 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 56 tackles, and 11 QB hurries. Junior Khalid Kareem is slated to be the new starter at DE. He has experience, as he finished last fall with 5.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 21 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 6 QB hurries. Julian Okwara and Adetokunbo Ogundeji are the backups at DE, while Kurt Hinish backs up at NG. Myonr Tagavailoa-Amosa is the backup at DT.
The LB corps returns 2 starters in Te'Von Coney and Drue Tranquill. Coney led the Irish in tackles last fall with 116, while adding 12.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, and 5 QB hurries. Tranquill totaled 85 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 3 PBUs, and 3 QB hurries. Asmar Bilal is slated in as the new starter at LB. He totaled 18 tackles in 13 games last season as a reserve. Jonathon Jones, Jordan Genmark-Heath, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah are the immediate backups at all 3 spots.
The secondary also gets 2 startes back in CB Julian Love and FS Jalen Elliott. Love is probably one of the top 5 returning corners in the college game, as he totaled 20 PBUs a year ago, and he returned 2 of his 3 INTs for scores. He finished the season with 68 tackles as well. Elliott recorded 43 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 2 QB hurries last season. Troy Pride is slated to start at the open CB spot, but Shaun Crawford will battle him for it. Pride totaled 2 PBUs last fall, while Crawford added 5, and added 2 INTs. Alohi Gilman, a transfer from Navy, starts at SS. Elliott could also slide over to SS, with Gilman taking over at FS.
Breakdown Special Teams: Justin Yoon returns at PK after hitting 14/18 FG attempts last fall. He was perfect on 49 PATs.
Tyler Newsome is back at Punter, and should be among the nation's best after averaging 43.63 yards per punt last fall as a junior.
Tony Jones is the lead KR man, while Chris Finke returns to his PR duties this fall.
Final Analysis: The schedule, alone, dictates that Notre Dame should probably win 10 games once again, as this is not exactly a schedule filled with potential loss candidates. Michigan and Stanford come to South Bend, and even if they split these games, they should probably still steamroll through most of what remains, with exception of a road trip to Virginia Tech. The depth is not what one would hope for, but there is certainly enough talent across the board to push for that 10 win mark once again, which would get the Irish back among the elite of the national scene. It's been a long time since anyone thought of this program that way, but the potential is there.
2018 College Football Team Previews: Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern Wildcats 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Northwestern won 10 games last season, including a win over Kentucky in the Music City Bowl, but that win may have been costly, as Clayton Thorson, the prized starting QB, blew his ACL in that win. We don't yet know whether or not he will be ready to go when the season starts at Purdue on 8/30, and if he isn't available, things could look very differently indeed for the Wildcats to start the season, and 10 wins may be a dream that cannot be attained by reality. The Wildcats have tons of questions on both sides of the football, so 10 wins may not be a reality in any event.
Breakdown Offense: So much success really depends on the knee of Thorson, who passed for 2844 yards and 15 TDs last fall, while completing 60.4% of his passes. He is not the perfect QB, as he also tossed 12 INTs, but he added 8 short yardage TDs last fall, and losing that production will hurt the offense overall, especially when you consider who replaces him, as the options are a walk on in TJ Green, a sophomore in Aidan Smith, and a RS freshman in Andrew Marty. Green is the most experienced of that group, with all of one passing attempt in a college game.
Justin Jackson is gone, and will be replaced by Jeremy Larkin, but it is a big set of shoes to replace, as Jackson was one of 9 college RBs all time to rush for 1000 yards in 4 different seasons. Larkin ran for 503 yards and 5 scores, and averaged 5.99 yards per carry as the understudy. Sophomore Jesse Brown is the most experienced back after Larkin, and he carried all of 9 times last fall. Projected talent is one thing, and this roster has some, but experience is quite another, and this group is lacking. John Moten IV carried just 17 times.
Flynn Nagel and Bennett Skowronek are back to start at WR, while Solomon Vault is penciled in as the starting 3rd receiver. Skowronek led the team with 644 yards and 5 scores, while Nagel led the team with 48 receptions. Vault missed all of last season due to injury. Jace James caught 3 passes as a freshman last fall, but will be asked to add depth. Jelani Roberts and Riley Lees are also back, but neither caught a pass last season.
Cameron Green caught 20 passes last fall, and will likely start at SB.
The line should be the most solid part of the offense in 2018, as 4 starters return in Blake Hance (LT), JB Butler (LG), Tommy Doles(RG), and Rashawn Sister (RT). Jared Thomas is penciled in as the new starter at C, and if Thorson is not available, this could be problematic, as they would have a new starter at C working with inexperienced QBs. Jesse Meyler adds depth at Tackle, while Cam Kolwich and Nik Urban are the key backups at OG. There is little depth at C.
Breakdown Defense: Mike Hankwitz's defense excelled last fall in most areas, finishing 20th in scoring defense, 9th against the run, and 34th in total defense. One area that fell well short was passing defense, where the Wildcats ranked just 100th. That will be an issue when you consider that only one starter returns in the secondary in CB Montre Hartage. Hartage did manage to finish with 7 PBUs last season, and he recorded 3 INTs, good for 2nd on the team. He also added 57 tackles. Trae Williams is projected to start opposite him. He totaled 3 PBUs as a sophomore last season in 11 games played. Alonzo Mayo projects as the 3rd CB, but there is little experience or depth behind him.
Both Safeties must be replaced. Jared McGee and JR Pace are penciled in to start. McGee played in 12 games as a junior last season, while Pace totaled 12 games as a freshman and picked off 2 passes. Again, depth is thin.
The defensive line got a real break, as all 4 starters return in DE Joe Gaziano, DE Samdup Miller, DT Alex Miller, and DT Jordan Thompson. Gaziano finished 2nd on the team with 12.5 TFLs last season, and he added 9 sacks, which led the team. He totaled 36 tackles, 5 PBUs, 12 QB hurries, and 4 forced fumbles. Miller was also outstanding, finishing with 8.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 32 tackles, one PBU, and 4 QB hurries. Alex Miller totaled 4.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 22 tackles, 5 PBUs, and 3 QB hurries. Thompson totaled 4.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 26 tackles, one PBU, 4 QB hurries, and one forced fumble.
Trent Goens and Fred Wyatt add depth inside and out, while Ben Oxley brings additional depth. This should be one of the better DL units in the Big 10.
Paddy Fisher is the leader of the defense at MLB. He finished with 113 tackles, 9 TFLs, 3 PBUs, 2 QB hurries, and 4 forced fumbles. He is joined by returning starter Nate Hall at SLB. Hall totaled 79 tackles, a team leading 16.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 6 PBUs, and 2 QB hurries last season. Blake Gallagher projects to be the new starter at WLB. He finished with 33 tackles as a freshman last fall. Nathan Fox totaled 11 tackles last season, and is the only real experienced depth left over.
Breakdown Special Teams: Charlie Kuhbander had a solid freshman season at PK, hitting 13/16 FG attempts. He also finished 43/44 on PATs. He will once again handle the job.
Daniel Kubiuk is the Punter this season with the departure of Hunter Niswander, who averaged over 43 yards per punt last fall.
Lees and Moten return as the KR guys, but did not blow the door off last season. Lees is solid on PR duty, averaging 9.75 yards per return.
Final Ananlysis: Making another 7-2 run in Big 10 play seems a bit of a stretch for the Wildcats in 2018, especially if Thorson cannot go early in the season. Larkin has to prove himself at RB, and the receivers do not bring a big play feel to the offense as is. Thorson is hardly perfect, but is better than what else is available by miles. The defense should be rock solid in the front 7, but the secondary could get beaten, but you should expect some improvement in that unit based on talent. Of course, depth, across the board, is not great. Expecting another 10 win season in 2018 would be pure folly, but another bowl should be in reach, but only if those questions on offense get answered.
Opening Statement: Northwestern won 10 games last season, including a win over Kentucky in the Music City Bowl, but that win may have been costly, as Clayton Thorson, the prized starting QB, blew his ACL in that win. We don't yet know whether or not he will be ready to go when the season starts at Purdue on 8/30, and if he isn't available, things could look very differently indeed for the Wildcats to start the season, and 10 wins may be a dream that cannot be attained by reality. The Wildcats have tons of questions on both sides of the football, so 10 wins may not be a reality in any event.
Breakdown Offense: So much success really depends on the knee of Thorson, who passed for 2844 yards and 15 TDs last fall, while completing 60.4% of his passes. He is not the perfect QB, as he also tossed 12 INTs, but he added 8 short yardage TDs last fall, and losing that production will hurt the offense overall, especially when you consider who replaces him, as the options are a walk on in TJ Green, a sophomore in Aidan Smith, and a RS freshman in Andrew Marty. Green is the most experienced of that group, with all of one passing attempt in a college game.
Justin Jackson is gone, and will be replaced by Jeremy Larkin, but it is a big set of shoes to replace, as Jackson was one of 9 college RBs all time to rush for 1000 yards in 4 different seasons. Larkin ran for 503 yards and 5 scores, and averaged 5.99 yards per carry as the understudy. Sophomore Jesse Brown is the most experienced back after Larkin, and he carried all of 9 times last fall. Projected talent is one thing, and this roster has some, but experience is quite another, and this group is lacking. John Moten IV carried just 17 times.
Flynn Nagel and Bennett Skowronek are back to start at WR, while Solomon Vault is penciled in as the starting 3rd receiver. Skowronek led the team with 644 yards and 5 scores, while Nagel led the team with 48 receptions. Vault missed all of last season due to injury. Jace James caught 3 passes as a freshman last fall, but will be asked to add depth. Jelani Roberts and Riley Lees are also back, but neither caught a pass last season.
Cameron Green caught 20 passes last fall, and will likely start at SB.
The line should be the most solid part of the offense in 2018, as 4 starters return in Blake Hance (LT), JB Butler (LG), Tommy Doles(RG), and Rashawn Sister (RT). Jared Thomas is penciled in as the new starter at C, and if Thorson is not available, this could be problematic, as they would have a new starter at C working with inexperienced QBs. Jesse Meyler adds depth at Tackle, while Cam Kolwich and Nik Urban are the key backups at OG. There is little depth at C.
Breakdown Defense: Mike Hankwitz's defense excelled last fall in most areas, finishing 20th in scoring defense, 9th against the run, and 34th in total defense. One area that fell well short was passing defense, where the Wildcats ranked just 100th. That will be an issue when you consider that only one starter returns in the secondary in CB Montre Hartage. Hartage did manage to finish with 7 PBUs last season, and he recorded 3 INTs, good for 2nd on the team. He also added 57 tackles. Trae Williams is projected to start opposite him. He totaled 3 PBUs as a sophomore last season in 11 games played. Alonzo Mayo projects as the 3rd CB, but there is little experience or depth behind him.
Both Safeties must be replaced. Jared McGee and JR Pace are penciled in to start. McGee played in 12 games as a junior last season, while Pace totaled 12 games as a freshman and picked off 2 passes. Again, depth is thin.
The defensive line got a real break, as all 4 starters return in DE Joe Gaziano, DE Samdup Miller, DT Alex Miller, and DT Jordan Thompson. Gaziano finished 2nd on the team with 12.5 TFLs last season, and he added 9 sacks, which led the team. He totaled 36 tackles, 5 PBUs, 12 QB hurries, and 4 forced fumbles. Miller was also outstanding, finishing with 8.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 32 tackles, one PBU, and 4 QB hurries. Alex Miller totaled 4.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 22 tackles, 5 PBUs, and 3 QB hurries. Thompson totaled 4.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 26 tackles, one PBU, 4 QB hurries, and one forced fumble.
Trent Goens and Fred Wyatt add depth inside and out, while Ben Oxley brings additional depth. This should be one of the better DL units in the Big 10.
Paddy Fisher is the leader of the defense at MLB. He finished with 113 tackles, 9 TFLs, 3 PBUs, 2 QB hurries, and 4 forced fumbles. He is joined by returning starter Nate Hall at SLB. Hall totaled 79 tackles, a team leading 16.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 6 PBUs, and 2 QB hurries last season. Blake Gallagher projects to be the new starter at WLB. He finished with 33 tackles as a freshman last fall. Nathan Fox totaled 11 tackles last season, and is the only real experienced depth left over.
Breakdown Special Teams: Charlie Kuhbander had a solid freshman season at PK, hitting 13/16 FG attempts. He also finished 43/44 on PATs. He will once again handle the job.
Daniel Kubiuk is the Punter this season with the departure of Hunter Niswander, who averaged over 43 yards per punt last fall.
Lees and Moten return as the KR guys, but did not blow the door off last season. Lees is solid on PR duty, averaging 9.75 yards per return.
Final Ananlysis: Making another 7-2 run in Big 10 play seems a bit of a stretch for the Wildcats in 2018, especially if Thorson cannot go early in the season. Larkin has to prove himself at RB, and the receivers do not bring a big play feel to the offense as is. Thorson is hardly perfect, but is better than what else is available by miles. The defense should be rock solid in the front 7, but the secondary could get beaten, but you should expect some improvement in that unit based on talent. Of course, depth, across the board, is not great. Expecting another 10 win season in 2018 would be pure folly, but another bowl should be in reach, but only if those questions on offense get answered.
2018 College Football Team Previews: Northern Illinois Huskies
Northern Illinois Huskies 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: There were Husky fans calling for the head of coach Rod Carey in 2016, which was simply idiotic. No coach in college football has had worse luck with QB injuries, and injuries in general, than Carey over the last 3 seasons. If they can stay healthy this fall, NIU should find themselves in the running for a MAC West title, and an overall conference title, which could be their first MAC title since 2014. 13 total starters return in 2018, headlined by breakout QB Marcus Childers and the insanely beastly DE Sutton Smith. This could be a huge season in DeKalb.
Breakdown Offense: There is no doubt that Rod Carey has had some bad luck with his QBs being able to stay upright. Marcus Childers, a sophomore, helped stabilize that situation as a freshman last fall, playing in 12 games, and passing for 1674 yards and 16 scores to just 5 INTs, and he added 473 yards rushing with another 5 scores on 11.92 carries per game. He has room to grow this fall, as he did only manage to complete 57.4% of his passes last season, and he managed to pass for just 139.5 yards per game, but he is building into the prototype NIU dual threat QB that we are used to seeing. RS sophomore Anthony Thompson is the primary backup this fall, but Ryan Graham could have something to say about that.
With leading rusher Jordan Huff moving on, the Huskies need to find a step up RB that can get the job done. Marcus Jones, a junior, has been penciled in as being that guy heading into fall camp. He rushed for just 350 yards off the bench last fall, and averaged just 4.22 yards per carry. Tre Harbison, a Virginia transfer, appears to be the primary backup heading into camp. He averaged 5.27 yards per carry in limited duty last fall. Depth is not great. Jaden Huff, a transfer from St. Cloud State, will try to add some.
Spencer Tears and DJ Brown are both back to start at WR. Tears led the team with 43 receptions last fall for 528 yards and 4 scores, and averaged 12.28 yards per catch. Brown caught 42 passes, mostly of the shorter variety. Jauan Wesley is slated in as the 3rd receiver, and caught just 10 passes last fall. Christian Blake and Chad Beebe, who combined for 68 catches, are both gone, and depth has taken a hit.
The line is in solid shape after returning 4 starters, including All-MAC candidate Max Scharping (LT), Luke Shively (C), Nathan Veloz (RG), and Jordan Steckler (RT). Benn Olson, a sophomore, is penciled in at RG heading into camp. RS junior Ryan Roberts gives the Huskies a reserve who could start at Tackle. Dale Brown and Isaac Hawn provide depth at Guard and Tackle, giving the Huskies one of the deepest lines in the Group of 5 conferences.
Breakdown Defense: The Huskies were, quietly, one of the best defensive football teams in the nation last season. They ranked 32nd in scoring defense, 16th against the run, and 26th in total defense. If there was one area that fell off, it was against the pass, as they ranked 57th in that area.
The Huskies bring back a DE who is simply one of the best defenders in the nation in DE Sutton Smith. Smith totaled a whopping 29.5 TFLs last fall, with 14 sacks, 63 tackles, 3 PBUs, 8 QB hurries, and 3 forced fumbles. He is incredibly undersized for his position, but you will find few better at edge defender anywhere. Josh Corcoran is the DE opposite Smith, and he recorded 8.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 34 tackles, one PBU, and 3 QB hurries. Matt Lorbeck will be the primary reserve at DE, and is a sophomore. Drequan Brown adds even more depth, as he totaled 3 TFLs off the bench last fall.
Ben LeRoy returns as the starter at DT this fall. He totaled 7.5 TFLs last season, and added 3 sacks. He is a prototype pocket collapser inside. Weston Kramer is penciled in as the lone new starter on the line at NT as a sophomore. Jack Heflin will compete for him for the job in camp. Marcus Kelly, Herlandez Corley, and Devin Webster add depth, again, giving the Huskies one of the deepest defensive lines in college football.
The Huskies must replace all 3 starters at LB that started in the Quick Lane Bowl loss to Duke. Antonio Jones-Davis, Kyle Pugh, and Lance Deveaux, Jr. are all projected to start as juniors. Jones-Davis is the most experienced of the group, as he totaled 45 tackles last season. Pugh recorded 35 tackles, while Deveaux finished with 8. There is not a ton of depth behind this group that has yet been developed.
The secondary gets one starter back at CB and Safety. Albert Smalls is back to start at CB. and recorded 6 PBUs last season. He did not record an INT, however. Mykelti Williams is back at Safety, and also recorded 6 PBUs. He finished with 73 tackles, good for 3rd on the team, and picked off a pass. Jalen Embry (CB) and Trayshon Foster (S) are projected as the new starters. Embry finished last fall with 3 PBUs, while Foster played in 13 games as a sophomore. Tifonte Hunt is the 3rd CB, while Adam Buirge is the reserve at Safety.
Breakdown Special Teams: Christian Hagan largely struggled at PK last fall, and is gone. He is being replace dby Cincinnati grad transfer Adrew Gantz, who is a 2 time Lou Groza finalist. That should be a huge upgrade, as the Huskies left 21 points on the field in missed field goals last fall.
Matt Ference, who averaged 41.2 yards per punt as a freshman last season, should see some growth this fall.
DJ Brown should step into the KR job, but really did not wow anyone last season in that role, and Chad Beebe is gone. The Huskies must replace Beebe as the punt return man as well.
Final Analysis: The Huskies simply have the best defense in the MAC, and the offensive line is one of the deeper lines to be found anywhere. If they can continue to find health and growth at QB, and find some big play targets downfield, the Huskies could really move the needle once again in 2018, especially if they can find a bull in the run game. The defense should be rock solid once again, as even the new starters at LB have solid experience. Look for the Huskies to make a major run in the conference race, and don't be fooled, as that non con schedule is not nearly as tough as people seem to think. If the Huskies can split games against Iowa, Utah, Florida State, and BYU, they could really push for a 10 win season. It's not impossible, and not one of those teams is indestructible.
Opening Statement: There were Husky fans calling for the head of coach Rod Carey in 2016, which was simply idiotic. No coach in college football has had worse luck with QB injuries, and injuries in general, than Carey over the last 3 seasons. If they can stay healthy this fall, NIU should find themselves in the running for a MAC West title, and an overall conference title, which could be their first MAC title since 2014. 13 total starters return in 2018, headlined by breakout QB Marcus Childers and the insanely beastly DE Sutton Smith. This could be a huge season in DeKalb.
Breakdown Offense: There is no doubt that Rod Carey has had some bad luck with his QBs being able to stay upright. Marcus Childers, a sophomore, helped stabilize that situation as a freshman last fall, playing in 12 games, and passing for 1674 yards and 16 scores to just 5 INTs, and he added 473 yards rushing with another 5 scores on 11.92 carries per game. He has room to grow this fall, as he did only manage to complete 57.4% of his passes last season, and he managed to pass for just 139.5 yards per game, but he is building into the prototype NIU dual threat QB that we are used to seeing. RS sophomore Anthony Thompson is the primary backup this fall, but Ryan Graham could have something to say about that.
With leading rusher Jordan Huff moving on, the Huskies need to find a step up RB that can get the job done. Marcus Jones, a junior, has been penciled in as being that guy heading into fall camp. He rushed for just 350 yards off the bench last fall, and averaged just 4.22 yards per carry. Tre Harbison, a Virginia transfer, appears to be the primary backup heading into camp. He averaged 5.27 yards per carry in limited duty last fall. Depth is not great. Jaden Huff, a transfer from St. Cloud State, will try to add some.
Spencer Tears and DJ Brown are both back to start at WR. Tears led the team with 43 receptions last fall for 528 yards and 4 scores, and averaged 12.28 yards per catch. Brown caught 42 passes, mostly of the shorter variety. Jauan Wesley is slated in as the 3rd receiver, and caught just 10 passes last fall. Christian Blake and Chad Beebe, who combined for 68 catches, are both gone, and depth has taken a hit.
The line is in solid shape after returning 4 starters, including All-MAC candidate Max Scharping (LT), Luke Shively (C), Nathan Veloz (RG), and Jordan Steckler (RT). Benn Olson, a sophomore, is penciled in at RG heading into camp. RS junior Ryan Roberts gives the Huskies a reserve who could start at Tackle. Dale Brown and Isaac Hawn provide depth at Guard and Tackle, giving the Huskies one of the deepest lines in the Group of 5 conferences.
Breakdown Defense: The Huskies were, quietly, one of the best defensive football teams in the nation last season. They ranked 32nd in scoring defense, 16th against the run, and 26th in total defense. If there was one area that fell off, it was against the pass, as they ranked 57th in that area.
The Huskies bring back a DE who is simply one of the best defenders in the nation in DE Sutton Smith. Smith totaled a whopping 29.5 TFLs last fall, with 14 sacks, 63 tackles, 3 PBUs, 8 QB hurries, and 3 forced fumbles. He is incredibly undersized for his position, but you will find few better at edge defender anywhere. Josh Corcoran is the DE opposite Smith, and he recorded 8.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 34 tackles, one PBU, and 3 QB hurries. Matt Lorbeck will be the primary reserve at DE, and is a sophomore. Drequan Brown adds even more depth, as he totaled 3 TFLs off the bench last fall.
Ben LeRoy returns as the starter at DT this fall. He totaled 7.5 TFLs last season, and added 3 sacks. He is a prototype pocket collapser inside. Weston Kramer is penciled in as the lone new starter on the line at NT as a sophomore. Jack Heflin will compete for him for the job in camp. Marcus Kelly, Herlandez Corley, and Devin Webster add depth, again, giving the Huskies one of the deepest defensive lines in college football.
The Huskies must replace all 3 starters at LB that started in the Quick Lane Bowl loss to Duke. Antonio Jones-Davis, Kyle Pugh, and Lance Deveaux, Jr. are all projected to start as juniors. Jones-Davis is the most experienced of the group, as he totaled 45 tackles last season. Pugh recorded 35 tackles, while Deveaux finished with 8. There is not a ton of depth behind this group that has yet been developed.
The secondary gets one starter back at CB and Safety. Albert Smalls is back to start at CB. and recorded 6 PBUs last season. He did not record an INT, however. Mykelti Williams is back at Safety, and also recorded 6 PBUs. He finished with 73 tackles, good for 3rd on the team, and picked off a pass. Jalen Embry (CB) and Trayshon Foster (S) are projected as the new starters. Embry finished last fall with 3 PBUs, while Foster played in 13 games as a sophomore. Tifonte Hunt is the 3rd CB, while Adam Buirge is the reserve at Safety.
Breakdown Special Teams: Christian Hagan largely struggled at PK last fall, and is gone. He is being replace dby Cincinnati grad transfer Adrew Gantz, who is a 2 time Lou Groza finalist. That should be a huge upgrade, as the Huskies left 21 points on the field in missed field goals last fall.
Matt Ference, who averaged 41.2 yards per punt as a freshman last season, should see some growth this fall.
DJ Brown should step into the KR job, but really did not wow anyone last season in that role, and Chad Beebe is gone. The Huskies must replace Beebe as the punt return man as well.
Final Analysis: The Huskies simply have the best defense in the MAC, and the offensive line is one of the deeper lines to be found anywhere. If they can continue to find health and growth at QB, and find some big play targets downfield, the Huskies could really move the needle once again in 2018, especially if they can find a bull in the run game. The defense should be rock solid once again, as even the new starters at LB have solid experience. Look for the Huskies to make a major run in the conference race, and don't be fooled, as that non con schedule is not nearly as tough as people seem to think. If the Huskies can split games against Iowa, Utah, Florida State, and BYU, they could really push for a 10 win season. It's not impossible, and not one of those teams is indestructible.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)