Conference USA 2010-Tulane Green Wave

2009 Record: 3-9 (1-7)
Head Coach: Bob Toledo (4th season, 9-27...87-95 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Dan Dodd (4th season)
Defensive Coordinator: Steve Sanard (2nd season)
2009 Bowl Game: The Wave hasn't sniffed a bowl since 2002

Offense: Tulane struggled mightily on offense last season, which is something that is uncharacteristic of Bob Toledo football teams. Sophomore QB Ryan Griffin returns, and this is the first time during the Toledo era that he'll have the same QB from one season to the next. Casey Robottom is the lone returnee at WR, while TE Tyler Helin also returns to give Griffin two quality targets. MOre receivers will have to develop to get the offense moving. Antoine Duplessis was supposed to be the main focus at RB, but he was let go in the spring, so Albert Williams seems to be the man now. 4 starters return on the line, with RT being given to Eric Jones, a sophomore.

Defense: Tulane runs a 4-2-5 defensive scheme, and it didn't work last season, as the Green Wave finished 102nd in total defense. Add the fact that only 3 starters return, and you have a recipe for a debacle. The entire front six is being replaced, as CB Phillip Davis, SS Alex Wacha, and FS Shakiel Smith are the lone returnees from the disaster that was 2009. The staff has been completely shaken up as well, so Tulane has basically hit the reset button.

Special Teams: This area has been affected by the reset as well, as new coordinator Doug Lichtenberger takes over the unit, and freshman Ryan Rome takes over at both PK and P.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 SE Louisiana

Toss Up Games: 10/9 Army, 11/13 Rice

Losses: 9/11 Ole Miss, 9/25 @ Houston, 10/2 @ Rutgers,10/16 @ Tulsa, 10/23 @ UTEP, 10/30 SMU, 11/6 Southern Miss, 11/20 Central Florida, 11/27 @ Marshall

The most you can expect out of this is 3 wins max. If the Army game was on the road, I'd tag it as a loss. Thank God for the 1-AA Lions, otherwise Tulane would not have a guaranteed win at all.

Outlook: Toledo is feeling some heat to get this ship headed in the right direction, but it seems that everything is working against that. There is very little talent here, as it seems that recruiting to Tulane gets harder and harder. Love Toledo as a coordinator and as a great guy...not such a fan of his as a head coach.

Conference USA 2010-Rice Owls

2009 Record: 2-10 (2-6)
Head Coach: David Bailiff (4th season, 15-22...36-37 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: David Beaty (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Chuck Dreisbach (4th season)
2009 Bowl Game: Not in the same universe as bowl eligible

Offense: Rice was the 111th ranked team in total offense in 2009. That's how you go 2-10. Nick Fanuzzi is back to run the offense at QB, but he missed spring ball, and now there is competition lining up to bump him off the top of the depth chart, as Taylor McHargue and Miami transfer Taylor Cook got all of the reps in Fanuzzi's absence. Michigan transfer Sam McGuffie is the primary back in the spread offense. McGuffie showed flashes at Michigan, so this could be a very nice pick up for the Owls. Patrick Randolph and Pierre Beasley are back at WR, but will both have to bump their games way up to help improve a lifeless offense. TE Vance McDonald is expected to be heavily involved in the passing game as well. All 5 linemen return, so there is some experience here, but it won't mean a thing unless everyone gets better at what they do.

Defense: The Owls were the worst team in 1-A football last season in points allowed (43.1). They ranked 117th in total defense, were 102nd against the run, and were 114th against the pass. Those numbers are as ugly as it gets in college football. Only once all season did the Owls hold a football team to under 27 points, and that was against Tulane. DEs Cheta Ozougwu and Scott Solomon registered more tackles than any other duo in the conference, and they will lead the line. S Travis Bradshaw racked up 121 tackles and averaged 7.5 unassisted tackles per game, best in the nation, but your safety should not be making that many tackles in isolation. This should be a total rebuild job philosophically and physically.

Special Teams: Junior Brandon Yelovich is the new PK, and is completely untested. Punter Kyle Martens was a top 20 punter last season, but has to remain healthy, which was an issue last season.

2010 Schedule

Wins: None

Toss Up Games: 9/11 @ North Texas, 11/13 @ Tulane

Losses: 9/4 Texas, 9/18 Northwestern, 9/25 Baylor, 10/2 SMU, 10/9 @ UTEP, 10/16 Houston, 10/23 @ Central Florida, 11/6 @ Tulsa, 11/20 East Carolina, 11/27 UAB

No doubt, this is ugly. There is not one guaranteed win on the dockett foe the Owls. Another 2-10 season could be on the horizon...or worse.

Outlook: I was never a hige fan of the Bailiff hiring. He never had sustained success at 1-AA Texas State before being hired at Rice, and he was following a very short, but very energetic era after Todd Graham bolted for league rival Tulsa after one season. Graham had the Owls on the right track, and it all came unraveled at Bailiff's expense. I don't see a very good season or future for this program right now. One note...Rice was one of the two youngest football teams in the nation last season, but that's not a great excuse as to how bad this team was.

Conference USA 2010-UTEP Miners

2009 Record: 4-8 (3-5)
Head Coach: Mike Price (7th season, 34-38...163-160)
Offensive Coordinator: Bob Connelly (3rd season) and Aaron Price (3rd season)
Defensive Coordinator: Andre Patterson (1st season)
2009 Bowl Game: None, and it's 5 seasons and counting

Offense: UTEP seems to be a two trick pony on offense. The top weapon is TB Donald Buckram, who is one of the best backs in the nation. What makes him even more scary this season than last is that he has bulked up without losing any speed for 2010. He should be more effective hitting the holes and will be a force to contend with all over the field. Wepaon number 2 is QB Trevor Vittatoe. Vittatoe is just over 1400 yards from becoming the school's all time leading passer. However, he had surgery this offseason and had some off-field issues, so it'll be interesting to see how he responds. Kris Adams is the lone returning starting WR, and he was a huge let down in 2009. The left side of the line needs to be replaced.

Defense: UEP ranked 110th in the nation in total defense last season, and Andre Patterson is being tasked to fix the problem. The main issue is that the Miners could not stop the run in 2009, giving up 200.8 yards per game on the ground. The 3-3-5 has been scrapped for a more traditional 4-3 look., but DE Robert Soleyjacks is the only returning starting lineman, so depth is a major issue. Anthony Morrow and Royzell Smith return to give the Miners experience in the LB corps, but they have to be better than before. Braxton Amy is the lone returnee in the secondary, so again, depth is a problem, and considering that UTEP gave up 246 yards per game through the air, this is not encouraging.

Special Teams: JC transfer Dakota Warren is going to handle both the PK and punter jobs in 2010. He did not enroll for the spring, so he is going into fall camp cold turkey.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 9/18 New Mexico State, 9/25 Memphis, 10/2 @ New Mexico, 10/9 Rice, 10/23 Tulane

Toss Up Games: 10/16 @ UAB, 10/30 @ Marshall

Losses: 9/10 @ Houston, 11/6 SMU, 11/13 @ Arkansas, 11/20 @ Tulsa

The end of the season will be brutal. The last month is stacked with losses. Despite the lack of depth, this schedule is front loaded with cupcakes, so if UTEP can steal a win or two (possible in the wacky CUSA) The Miners could actually slip into a bowl unexpectedly.

Outlook: Everything depends on development on defense, and finding some quality targets for Vittatoe. He is a quality QB, but he does not have many toys to play with. Buckram is a future NFL guy, and he will be depended on to keep the pressure off of the developing passing game. The outlook is not entirely bleak, but a lot of things have to happen to make this a succesful season, and it's all within reach.

Conference USA 2010-SMU Mustangs

2009 Record: 8-5 (6-2)
Head Coach: June Jones (3rd season, 9-16...85-57 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Jones and Dan Morrison (3rd season)
Defensive Coordinator: Tom Mason (3rd season)
2009 Bowl Game: Hawaii Bowl, defeated Nevada 45-10

Offense: The Mustangs rode their passing game to a bowl for the first time since before the death penalty. But two of the main weapons in the arsenal from last season are gone in WR Emmanuel Sanders and RB Shawnbrey McNeal. However, June Jones has two solid QBs in Kyle Padron and New Mexico State transfer JJ McDermott. Zach Line is the new RB, but he is very limited in experience. Aldrick Robinson and Terrence Wilkerson return at WR to give the QB two star potential targets. LT Kevin Beachum is the leader on the line, which returns 3 starters.

Defense: The defense held Case Keenum to a mortal 233 yards and limited Nevada, the national leader in team rushing, to 137 yards in individual games last season. Taylor Thompson and Marquis Frzier return at the ends, but the NT job is wide open going into the fall. Pete Fleps, Youri Yenga, and Ja'Gared Davis all return at LB, with Taylor Reed coming in as a new starter in the 4th LB spot. The secondary is under construction as FS Chris Banjo is the lone returning starter.

Special Teams: Matt Szymanski returns to handle both kicking jobs in 2010, and he excels at both, so there will be no issues here.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/11 UAB, 9/18 Washington State, 10/2 @ Rice, 10/30 @ Tulane, 11/27 @ East Carolina

Toss Up Games: 10/9 Tulsa, 11/6 @ UTEP, 11/20 Marshall

Losses: 9/5 @ Texas Tech, 9/24 TCU, 10/16 @ Navy, 10/23 Houston

The schedule gets very difficult from the end of September through October, but SMU can pull a few tricks if they are careful. The only problem is that when you come out of nowhere, everyone then puts a target on you. SMU may suffer from that issue this season.

Outlook: This could be another solid season for the Mustangs. June Jones has done an incredible job at showing people that SMU football could be relevant again. Look for another bowl bid this season, and look for possible conference championship contention next season.

Conference USA 2010-Tulsa Golden Hurricane

2009 Record: 5-7 (3-5)
Head Coach: Todd Graham (4th season, 26-14...33-20 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Herb Hand (4th season) and Chad Morris (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Paul Randolph (4th season) and Keith Patterson (5th season)
2009 Bowl Game: Missed by 12 points

Offense: GJ Kinne is back as a junior, and as long as he doesn't get knocked around like a rag doll because of the inept play of the line, than he should be a great one at QB. The line was just awful last season, and they gave up sacks by the bucket full. 4 starters return there, so they had better be improved, or else another insanely disappointing season could be upon us. Damaris Johnson is by far the best receiver in this unit, and he has plenty of talented depth around him with Charles Clay, AJ Whitmore, and Oklahoma transfer Jameel Owens. Charles Clay is also a guy that can carry the football in rushing situations in the spread, and is the key in goal line situational sets. Jamal Williams returns at RB, which means that almost every skill position is filled by a returnee.

Defense: Odrick Ray and Cory Davis are back at the ends for Tulsa, and Gabe McGee and Darrell Zellers will look to share the NT job this season. There is a complete rebuild job at LB, where Tanner Antle is the lone returning starter. Curnelius Arnick has played in 26 games, but is a new starter at OLB. Dexter McColl and DeAundre Brown return at safety, but both CB spots are open, as well as the nickel back spot in the 3-3-5 set. Tulsa only allowed 9 rushing TDs last season.

Special Teams: Kevin Fitzpatrick is back at PK, and he is as automatic as they come. Michael Such is also one of the best punters in the country, ranking in the top 10 last season.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/5 @ East Carolina, 9/11 Bowling Green, 9/25 Central Arkansas, 10/2 @ Memphis, 10/16 Tulane, 11/6 Rice

Toss Up Games: 9/18 @ Oklahoma State, 10/9 @ SMU, 11/20 UTEP, 11/27 Southern Miss

Losses: 10/30 @ Notre Dame, 11/13 @ Houston

This could be a very nice season, or a very average one, depending on the defensive holes. The offense has the potential to be almost as stellar as Houston's, so expect some of the wins to be high scoring...in other words, take the over. Tulsa could actually play an upset in either one of the games in the loss box.

Outlook: This needs to be a bounce back season for Tulsa. They lost three games by 12 points, and the line was a mess. f they can get these things fixed, and rebuild the LB corps, than Tulsa could take a crack at challenging Houston for conference superiority.

Conference USA 2010-Houston Cougars

2009 record: 10-4 (6-2)
Head Coach: Kevin Sumlin (3rd season, 18-9)
Offensive Coordinator: Jason Phillips (3rd season) and Kliff Kingsbury (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Brian Stewart (1st season)
2009 Bowl Game: Armed Forces Bowl, lost to Air Force 47-20

Offense: Case Keenum is the man at QB. Keenum is one of only 2 players in NCAA history to throw for 5000 yards in consecutive seasons. He will be a top 5 favorite to win the Heisman in 2010. WRs James Cleveland, Tyron Carter, and Patrick Edwards all return at WR, and all of them busted the 1000 yard mark in 2009. Charles Sims and Bryce Beall also both return at RB, and they are the last two freshmen if the year in CUSA. 4 linemen also return, so let the fireworks begin in Houston. This unit ranked 1st nationally in total offense, and averaged over 433 yards passing per game last season.

Defense: This could be a problem. As great as the offense was, the defense was that bad. The Cougars ranked 111th nationally in total defense in 2009. DE Matangi Tonga and LB Sammy Brown are two JC transfers that have been brought in to try and shore things up in 2010. LB Marcus McGraw returns from a season in which he logged 157 tackles. CB Jamal Robinson is the only sure thing as a starter in the secondary. Brian Stewart is the former Dallas Cowboys DC, and he has been brought in to change the defensive mindset. this unit has to stay healthy to have a shot, and if the D does falter again, than it won't matter how good the offense is, this team will be in a middle tier bowl.

Special Teams: Matt Hogan basically is the PK by default, as there is nobody else with any consistent ability. As many as three different punters could see the field in 2009.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 Texas State, 9/10 UTEP, 9/225 Tulane, 10/9 Mississippi State, 1/16 @ Rice, 10/23 @ SMU, 10/30 @ Memphis, 11/13 Tulsa

Toss Up Games: 9/18 @ UCLA, 11/5 Central Florida, 11/20 @ Southern Mississippi, 11/27 @ Texas Tech

Losses: None

There is not a game on the slate that Houston should outright lose. They will have a chance in every game, but the defense will tell the tale. The schedule is challenging, but not inhibiting.

Outlook: The defense needs to be so much better than it was, and if it is, than Houston could be in range to crash the BCS party. The offense will be awesome again, but Keenum must avoid games like the bowl game where he threw 6 picks. We could see this team i the Fiesta Bowl, or we could see them in the Armed Forces Bowl again.

Conference USA 2010-Memphis Tigers

2009 Record: 2-10 (1-7)
Head Coach: Larry Porter (1st season, 0-0)
Offensive Coordinator: Eric Price (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Jay Hopson (1st season)
2009 Bowl Game: And the futility continues...

Offense: No clue as to who the QB will be, as 5 kids are fighting for the job. Cannon Smith and Ryan Williams are the front runners, but they are by no means cemented in. There are no returnees at RB or WR, so that too will be an issue. 4 starters return on the line, but they have to be wondering who they will be blocking for.

Defense: DE Frank Trotter has been moved from DT to DE, and had a solid spring, but this unit is a hodge podge of position changes and issues. Jamon Hughes transferred from Mississippi State and played last season at LB, and was a bright spot where there weren't many. Marcus Ball lines up at SS this season, and is known for a big play here and there. This unti ranked 116th in total defense in 2009.

Special Teams: Nothing special at all...There will be two new kickers, and the kick return game was non-existent last season.

2010 Schedule

Wins: None at all

Toss Up Games: 11/20 @ UAB

Losses: 9/4 @ Mississippi State, 9/11 @ East Carolina, 9/18 Middle Tennessee, 9/25 @ UTEP, 10/2 Tulsa, 10/9 @ Louisville, 10/16 Southern Miss, 10/30 Houston, 11/6 Tennessee, 11/13 @ Marshall, 11/27 Central Florida

The Tigers could potentially lose every game this season.

Outlook: As bad as it gets...There is a ton of work to be done, so you really have to give Porter about 4 years to start to show any kind of real progress, and then pray that it happens quicker. The Liberty Bowl will have a ton of empty seats this year.

Conference USA 2010-UAB Blazers

2009 Record: 5-7 (4-4)
Head Coach: Neil Calloway (4th season, 11-25)
Offensive Coordinator: Kim Helton (4th season)
Defensive Coordinator: Eric Schumann (4th season)
2009 Bowl Game: None, and it's been 6 years since the last

Offense: QB Joe Webb, who was everything on offense to the Blazers in 2009, is gone. That is a massive void. Nobody seems to be in a panic because the staff is really high on David Isabelle, who brings the same kinds of intangibles as Webb had, and he played a good deal in 2009. JC transfer Pat Shed looks to be the new RB, but Daniel Borne and Justin Brooks will get plenty of carries as well. 4 of the top 5 receivers are back, with Frantrell Forrest and Roddell Carter starting. 3 starters return on the line. UAB ranked 22nd nationally in total offense last season, but with Webb at QB.

Defense: Here's the problem. UAB can't stop the pass...at all. They ranked dead last at 120th against the pass in 2009, and yet Schumann is back as DC. UAB only had 19 sacks in 2009, and the two starting ends, Bryant Turner and Derek Slaughter, had 9.5 of them. This is not good. Chase Daniel is back at FS, and a JC transfer, Jamie Bender, was brought in to try and shore up some semblance of a pass D.Hiram Atwater was supposed to be back at safety as well, but missed all of spring and his status is uncertain at best.

Special Teams: Josh Zahn is back at PK, but missed 1/3 of his kicks in 2009. Trey Ragland is back at punter, and he is fantastic.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 Florida Atlantic, 11/20 Memphis, 11/27 @ Rice

Toss Up Games: 9/18 Troy, 11/11 East Carolina

Losses: 9/11 @ SMU, 9/25 @ Tennessee, 10/6 @ Central Florida, 10/16 UTEP, 10/23 @ MIssissippi State, 10/30 Southern Mississippi, 11/6 Marshall

The Blazers should finish strong, but it's going to be tough getting out of the gate. UAB will struggle against some great passing teams on the schedule.

Outlook: Expect anywhere between 3 to 5 wins max. Until UAB shores up the pass D issues, there is no way that they can compete in this league. I see a long road on the horizon.

Defense:

Conference USA 2010-Marshall Thundering Herd

2009 Record: 7-6 (4-4)
Head Coach: Doc Holliday (1st season, 0-0)
Offensive Coordinator: Tony Peterson (1st season) and Bill Legg (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Chris Rippon (1st season)
2009 Bowl Game: Pizza Bowl, defeated Ohio U. 21-17

Offense: There will be plenty of changes at Marshall, as Holliday is going to open up the passing game. Brian Anderson is the returnee at QB, but he is being pushed by AJ Graham, Florida's Mr. Football 2008. Willy Korn also joins the fight after transferring from Clemson. Korn was supposed to be the guy at Clemson, but he could never shake injury issues. Antavious Wilson is back at WR, and he has huge big play potenital, as does Aaron Dobson, who averaged 24 yards every time he touched the ball in 2009. Courtney Edmonson is back as well as Chuck Walker to give the Herd a decent group of guys for the QB to go to. TE Lee Smith is also a solid reciever, and could be an NFL prospect. Martin Ward and Andre Booker will share the TB duties. The right side of the line must be replaced.

Defense: This group is actually solid against the rush, but must get better against the pass. Rippon will run a standard 4-3 defense, rather than the 3-3-5 that Holliday was used to seeing at WVU. The group is led by Mario Harvey, the OLB who had 117 tackles in 2009. Kellen Harris starts in the middle and had 71 tackles last season. DT Michael Janac returns at DT after posting 21 starts the last two season. Vinny Clark will line up next to Janac, and he registered 59 tackles long with 8.5 TFLs in 2009. CB DeQuan Bembry was supposed to start at CB, but was suspended in the spring, and there is no set date for a return. Ahmed Shakoor will be the other starter at CB returning, with Bembry's spot up for grabs. Omar Brown is a monster at FS, having registered 73 tackles and 10 pass breakups last season. The CB spot is an issue, as Marshall only ranked 90th against the pass last season.

Special Teams: Tyler Warner is lined up to be the new PK, and has huge shoes to fill, as Criag Ratanamorn was a Groza semi-finalist in 2009. Kase Whitehead will be a third year starter at punter, but he was killed by poor kick coverage last year.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/18 @ Bowling Green, 9/25 Ohio, 10/23 East Carolina, 11/6 @ Uab, 11/13 Memphis, 11/27 Tulane

Toss Up Games: 10/30 UTEP

Losses: 9/2 @ Ohio State, 9/10 West Virginia, 10/2 @ Southern Mississippi, 10/13 Central Florida, 11/20 @ SMU

The schedule is very difficult in September with games against Ohio State and West Vriginia. 7 wins are very realistic, but a steal or two from the loss box could be possible. I see bowl potential.

Outlook: I don't think that it will be long before Holliday has Marshall back to the glory days. This is a perfect opportunity at a place with tremendous tradition to turn around a middling ship. I don't know if Mark Snyder was ever the right fit as coach, as even as an alumnus, he never really seemed to have the energy to get this thing going. I like the future of this football team.

Conference USA 2010-East Carolina Pirates

2009 Record:9-5 (7-1)
Head Coach: Ruffin McNeill (1st season, 1-0 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Lincoln Riley (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Brian Mitchell (1st season)
2009 Bowl Game: Liberty Bowl, lost to Arkansas 20-17 (OT)

Offense: When McNeill was pushed out at Texas Tech along with Mike Leach, he brought Riley, Tech's WR coach, to run the Raider offense at his alma mater. WR Dwayne Harris is going to be the main benefactor from the air raid offense. Harris became ECU's all time leading receiver last season, so his numbers sould explode even more. Darryl Freeney returns at WR as well, and is a solid compliment to Harris. Freeeney had 3 games over 100 yards in 2009. 3 players are battling to replace Patrick Pinkney at QB. Sophomore Brad Wornick has the lead, but Rio Johnson and Josh Jordan are right on his heels.Jonathon Williams and Michael Dobson are the front runners to share RB duties, but Alex Owah is expected to be a contributer as a freshman, and may be the future at the position for the Pirates. 3 linemen return, with C and RT up for grabs.

Defense: Only 2 players return on defense. Both are at CB, where Travis Simmons and Emanuel Davis are back. DT Josh Smith should emerge to lead the line as he had 4 sacks last season. Expect nothing from this unit in 2010, as their is a whole new process to go through, and new sets and schemes to learn.             

Special Teams: Harris is also an exceptional kick return guy, where he ran up over 100 yards and 3 TDs in 2009. The kicking game is starting over across the board as well, with Ben Ryan (PK) and freshman Matt Millisor (P) taking over.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/11 Memphis, 10/23 Marshall, 11/13 @ UAB, 11/20 @ Rice

Toss Up Games: 9/5 Tulsa

Losses: 9/18 @ Virginia Tech, 10/2 @ North Carolina, 10/9 @ Southern Mississippi, 10/16 NC State, 10/30 @ Central Florida, 11/6 Navy, 11/26 SMU

This schedule is freaking brutal. There will be very few opportunities to build confidence with this ass get kicked lineup. There will be blood...lots of it, and it'll be Purple.

Outlook: This is a mess. A new coach, new coordinators, no depth, and a terrible schedule that does not lend to helping with the other stuff that's going on. Skip Holtz bolted for South Florida at just the right time. No bowl for you...NEXT!!!

Conference USA 2010-Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

2009 Record: 7-6 (5-3)
Head Coach: Larry Fedora (3rd season, 14-12)
Offensive Coordinator: Blake Anderson (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Todd Bradford (3rd season)
2009 Bowl Game: New Orleans Bowl, lost to Middle Tennessee State 42-32

Offense: Austin Davis returns at QB after missing most of last season with a foot injury, and Martevious Young, who started most of last season, also comes back. Both QBs have benefits, and both could probably start anywhere in the league other than at Houston and UTEP. Three backs will compete to start at RB in 2010, with VJ Floyd, Desmond Johnson, and Tracey Lampley battling for carries. DeAndre Brown is one of the best receivers in the country, and is always a big threat to score when not covered properly.The line replaces everyone but the center.

Defense: Almost everyone returns, but everyone has to get better to move USM up in the world. The D only ranked 80th nationally in total D in 2009, and that is why the Eagles can't move up from 7 wins. Every single member returns on the front 7. LB Korey Willams had 121 tackles and 11 TFLs in 2009. There will be 2 new starters in the secondary with CB CJ Bailey, and all CUSA pick, and SS Justin Wilson coming back.

Special Teams: Danny Hampmann takes over at PK in 2010, a position that was nothing but migraines for Coach Fedora in 2009. Kickers missed 10 EPs in 2009. Peter Boehme returns at punter, but is nothing special. Tracey Lampley is a dangerous kick return guy, and can score both on punt aqnd kickoff returns, as he did last season.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/11 Prarie View, 9/25 @ Louisiana Tech, 10/2 Marshall, 10/9 East Carolina, 10/16 @ Memphis, 10/30 UAB, 11/6 Tulane

Toss Up Games: 9/17 Kansas, 11/13 @ UCF, 11/26 @ Tulsa

Losses: 9/2 @ South Carolina, 11/20 Houston

If the Eagles can get their issues together in fall camp, than 7 to 10 wins are possible. There really are no easy wins for USM in CUSA play, as everyone just shoots it out, but The schedule is manageable.

Outlook: Larry Fedora is desperate to move USM over the 7 win hump. This team has not been any better since Jeff Bowers was forced out after 17 seasons with Fedora at the helm, and he is trying to make the faithful realize that he was a solid choice. This has to be the year that tangeable proof is on the table. I see a bowl, and if the issues are straightened out on the o-line and on defense, this could be the year.

Conference USA 2010-Central Florida Knights

2009 Record: 8-5 (6-2)
Head Coach: George O'Leary (7th season, 34-41...86-74 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Charlie Taeffe (2nd season)
Defensive Coordinator: Dave Huxtable (3rd season)
2009 Bowl Game: St. Petersburg Bowl, lost to Rutgers 45-24

Offense: Rob Calabrese has been a starter at QB before, but he always manages to lose the job. He has it again coming out of spring camp, but is being pushed hard by freshman Jeffrey Godfrey. This will play into fall camp. TB Brynn Harvey was a developing star at TB last  season, and was expected t be the starter in 2010. He injured a knee in spring ball, and now may miss some time in the fall. Brendan Kelly will man the job until Harvey gets back to speed. AJ Guyten, Kamar Aiken, and Quincy McDuffie look to round out the WR group. 4 starters return on the line, with C Jordan Rae looking to be the new starter.

Defense: 7 starters return from a group that ranked 4th in the nation against the run in 2009. David Williams and Bruce Miller are back at DE, but both DTs must be replaced. Derek Hallman and Lawrence Young return at LB, but the MLB job is open with Josh Linam and Chance Henderson duking it out to see who will start there. WIth all of the interior jobs open, it stands to reason that the rush defense may take a step back. Josh Robinson and Emery Allen return at CB, while FS Kemal Ishmael is back as well in the secondary, but again, the SS spot is open, but Darin Baldwin looks to have won the job. Justin Boddie will also contribute at CB.

Special Teams: Nick Cattoi returns at PK, and is solid from long range. He is basically average from closer in. Blake Clingen returns to punt, but will have to improve on his 37.1 yard average from 2009. He is very good at pinning balls down inside the 20.

2010 Schedule
Wins: 9/4 South Dakota, 9/18 @ Buffalo, 10/6 UAB, 10/13 @ Marshall, 10/23 Rice, 10/30 East Carolina, 11/20 @ Tulane, 11/27 @ Memphis

Toss Up Games: 9/25 @ Kansas State, 11/13 Southern Mississippi

Losses: 9/11 NC State, 11/5 @ Houston

The schedule works well for the Knights. There are no major issues, and the NC State game could be stolen out of the loss box. If UCF can pull everything together and steal both toss games, than 10 wins is a very real goal. How the defense replaces their interior players will make all the difference as to how the Knights can do against some of the tougher teams in the toss and loss boxes.

Outlook: Very good...UCF can compete with Houston for the CUSA crown in 2010, and remember, UCF beat Houston last season. If Calabrese can overcome his issues at QB, or if his replacement blows up, than this could be a special season in Orlando. The defensive replacements need to get up to par quickly, and if they do, than UCF can dominate in the eastern division.

Big 12 2010-Oklahoma State Cowboys

2009 Record: 9-4 (6-2)
Head Coach: Mike Gundy (6th season, 36-27)
Offensive Coordinator: Dana Holgorsen (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Bill Young (2nd season)
2009 Bowl Game: Cotton Bowl, Lost to Ole Miss 21-7

Offense: This unit was a huge disappointment in 2009, and so Holgorsen was brought in to improve things. He has a hell of a lot less to work with in 2010 than he would have had in 2009. Of course, star WR Dez Bryant was suspended and then left school, and QB Zac Robinson was hurt on and off and then was unusually underproductive, and then RB Kendall Hunter was hurt as well. Hunter is the only one who is back. Holgorsen is a good pick to upgrade the offense, as he ran the show at Houston last season, and Texas Tech before that. Brandon Wheedon, a 26 year old junior, will now be the QB. Hubert Anylam and Josh cooper return at WR, where there will also be two new players starting. Lane Taylor (C) is the lone returnee on the line.

Defense: There are many questions on this side of the ball as well. OSU had a solid defense last year, but many of the starters from that team are now gone. Jamie Blatnick and Ugo Chinasa return at DE, but both tackles will be new starters. The entire LB corps is composed of new starters. SS Markelle Martin is the lone returnee in the secondary at SS. This defense is being rebuilt from the ground up.

Special Teams: Quinn Sharp is simply one of the best punters in college footbaqll today. His services will be very important with a new look rebuilt defense. Dan Bailey is basically an average PK, but returns to get more experience and hopefully to improve.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 Washington State, 9/11 Troy, 10/8 @ Louisiana-Lafayette

Toss Up Games: 9/18 Tulsa, 10/30 @ Kansas State, 11/6 Baylor, 11/20 @ Kansas

Losses: 9/30 Texas A&M, 10/16 @ Texas Tech, 10/23 Nebraska, 11/13 @ Texas, 11/27 Oklahoma

As sketchy as the roster is on talent, OSU can still manage a bowl bid with this team. Every game in the toss box is winnable, so 7 wins is not entirely out of whack. However, if the roster failes to gel, and the wheels get wobbly for any reason, the Cowboys could plummet to 3 or 4 wins this season. Stay tuned.

Outlook: This is not Baylor, where losing has become the norm. There is a competetive spirit at OSU that won't let the Cowboys stay down for long. This is going to be a wild ride this season, and expectations should not get out of hand. Hope for limited success and celebrate anything more.

Big 12 2010-Baylor Bears

2009 Record: 4-8 (1-7)
Head Coach; Art Briles (3rd season, 8-16...42-44 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Randy Clements (3rd season) and Philip Montgomery (3rd season)
Defensive Coordinator: Brian Norwood (3rd season)
2009 Bowl Game: Not since 1994

Offense: There is one huge x-factor on offense for the Bears. QB Robert Griffin has to return from a major knee injury and prove that he is still the same dynamice talent that he was before it. Griffin scored a combined 28 TDs as a freshman, and that kind of offense would be hard for many teams to control. He is just starting full contact at fall camp, so we'll see how he responds. If he falters, than the Bears turn to Nick Florence, who played much of last year. Kendell Wright  and Lanear Sampson return at WR, with Terrance Williamsand Josh Gordon fighting it out to see whho will start at the 3rd WR slot. Jay Finley returns at RB, but he was injured a bunch last season and had ankle surgery during the off season. The line returns three starters, but both guards must be replaced.

Defense: There are question marks all over the place on D. NG Phil Taylor and DE Zac Scotten are back, but the other 2 linemen are new starters. Antonio Johnson is the lone returning starter at LBElliot Coffey and Chris Francis are expected to be the new starters going into fall camp. Chance Casey is the lone returnee at CB, while FS Tim Atchinson is the lone returning safety as a starter.

Special Teams: Ben Parks and Aaron Jones are in a heated battle for the PK job coming into fall ball. Derek Epperson returns to punt, and averaged just under 45 yards per punt in 2009. His leg will be very much needed, especially if Griffin can't return full speed or at all.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 Sam Houston State, 9/11 Buffalo, 9/25 @ Rice

Toss Up Games: 10/2 Kansas, 10/16 @ Colorado, 10/23 Kansas State

Losses: 9/18 @ TCU, 10/9 Texas Tech (@ Dallas), 10/30 @ Texas, 11/6 @ Oklahoma State, 11/13 Texas A&M, 11/20 Oklahoma

I don't see many opportunities for the Bears to distinguish themselves with this schedule. I see them starting out hot and then running into a wall. 6 wins would be possible, but that means stealing every game in the toss box. Even then, a bowl would not be possible as Baylor would have one win against a 1-AA squad in Sam Houston State.

Outlook: Expectations always have to be tempered with Baylor. They have a phenominla talent in Griffin if he is healthy, but there is not exactly a ton of talent around him that makes this football team competitive in the Big 12, especially in the South. Baylor will actually benefit when divisional play goes away in 2011 wth the departure of Nebraska and Colorado. Art Briles is a decent coach who is probably getting more out of this team than most could.

Big 12 2010-Texas Tech Red Raiders

2009 Record: 9-4 (5-3)
Head Coach: Tommy Tuberville (1st season...110-60 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Neal Brown (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: James Willis (1st season)
2009 Bowl Game: Alamo Bowl, defeated Michigan State 41-31

Offense: Neal Brown was brought in from Troy to try to keep the high flying offense that Raider fans enjoyed during the Mike Leach era. He has a very cool dilemma to have, which is the issue of choosing either Taylor Potts or Stephen Sheffield as his QB. Both are potentially awesome number QB guys, and both tossed 7 TD passes in a game last season. Baron Batch returns at RB, and will be tasked with balancing out the passing game with the running game. Expect Batch to get many more carries out of different formations this season. All 4 receivers return from last season too. Alex Torres caught 67 passes last season, and IR Detron Lewis returns as well (65 catches). Lewis figures to be a leader this season. The right side of the line is being rebuilt, and there will be a new LT (Terry McDaniel or Chris Olson).

Defense: This is an area that ought to be vastly improved from this point going forward. Mike Leach never paid any attention to his defense, and it led to issues between players. James Willis was the former LB coach at Alabama, so look for a more physical and focused approach on D. Colby Whitlock will be the NT, but both ends will be new. Bront Bird and Brian Duncan return at LB, with Julius Howard grabbing an open spot. The 4th LB spot is open for competition. LaRon Moore returns at CB, with the other spot being fought out in fall camp. Franklin Mitchem and Cody Davis return at the safety spot.

Special Teams: Matt Williams returns at PK, and is very accurate. Russell Erxelben will punt once again, and his leg is a valued asset for the Raiders.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/5 SMU, 9/11 @ New Mexico, 10/2 @ Iowa State, 10/9 Baylor (@ Dallas), 10/23 @ Colorado, 11/20 Weber State

Toss Up Games: 10/16 Oklahoma State, 10/30 @ Texas A&M, 11/6 Missouri, 11/27 Houston

Losses: 9/18 Texas, 11/13 @ Oklahoma

There are 6 wins, with the potential for 8 if they split the toss games. The Houston game on 11/27 should be one hell of a show.

Outlook: If Tech can take their prolific offense and add a dominant defense to the mix, than Oklahoma and Texas could finally have a real live challenger. Tuberville was a solid hire after the debacle with Mike Leach. The players have already discussed how much more focused camp is, and how much calmer the process is than before. Tech could have a very nice season.

Big 12 2010-Texas A&M Aggies

2009 Record: 6-7 (3-5)
Head Coach: Mike Sherman (3rd season, 10-15)
Offensive Coordinator: Sherman
Defensive Coordinator: Tim DeRuyter (1st season)
2009 Bowl Game: Independence Bowl, lost to Georgia 44-20

Offense: Jerrod Johnson is the most prolific passer in school history. A&M managed to finish 16th nationally in passing while riding his arm. There is support in the running game with Christine (not a woman) Michael and Cyrus Gray sharing the load. WR Jeff Fuller returns after missing half of last season. He still managed 568 yards and 7 scores on half of a slate. There is a huge amount of depth at WR, so Johnson will have no shortage of targets to toss the ball to. The line has some rebuilding going on as only the guards return from a year ago. Johnson had better put on some scrambling shoes, as we all saw what a rebuilding line did to Sam Bradford last season.

Defense: OLB Von Miller led the nation with 17 sacks last season, and is back to lead a revamped defense led by first year DC DeRuyter. 2 of three starters return on the line, but there is very little depth, so one injury could be nasty. Michael Hodges and Garrick Williams both return to join Miller at LB. Dustin Harris and Terrence Frederick will return as the corners, but they hardly shut anyone down a season ago as the Aggies finished 106th against the pass. Trent Hunter returns at SS, but the FS spot is wide open.

Special Teams: Randy Bullock is an average PK, and the punting job is wide open after the Aggies finished near the bottom of the conference in that category. Sophomore Ryan Epperson has a beat on the job heading into fall.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 Stephen F. Austin, 9/11 Louisiana Tech, 9/18 Florida International, 10/23 @ Kansas, 11/13 @ Baylor

Toss Up Games: 9/30 @ Oklahoma State, 10/16 Missouri, 10/30 Texas Tech

Losses: 10/9 Arkansas (@ Arlington), 11/6 Oklahoma, 11/20 Nebraska, 11/25 @ Texas

Who the hell is their scheduler? Nebraska and Texas 5 days apart is a death wish. A&M could very well be in a spot where they would need a win or two at that time of year to get into a bowl, and that will be the deal killer. Other than Arkansas, the non-conference slate is a farce. The Aggies are screwed in not only playing Nebraska and Texas, but Oklahoma as well as part of their divisional schedule package.

Outlook: It's very foggy right now. The offense is talented and deep, but other than a couple of very nice parts, the defense is suspect and thin. The Aggies look likely to nail down 6 wins again, but will that be enough to keep the heat off of Mike Sherman?

Big 12 2010-Oklahoma Sooners

2009 Record: 8-5 (5-3)
Head Coach: Bob Stoops (12th season, 117-29)
Offensive Coordinator: Kevin Wilson (9th season)
Defensive Coordinator: Brent Venables (12th season)
2009 Bowl Game: Sun Bowl, defeated Stanford 31-27

Offense: The 23rd ranked offense from last season returns largely intact at the skill positions. Landry Jones was force fed to the wolves at QB last season as a freshman when Sam Bradford went down, and he played exceptionally well, including in the bowl game when he passed for 418 yards. He is going to be a huge player in the Big 12 this season. DeMarco Ryans has rushed for just under 2500 yards in his career at OU, and even though he was not spectacular last season, he is always just a play away from busting loose. There is insane depth at the RB position behind Ryans. Ryan Broyles missed two games in 2009 at WR, but still broke a school record with 89 grabs. He makes Jones that much better at QB just by being on the field. DeJuan Miller and Jaz Reynolds are lining up at the other spots, but look out for freshman Kenny Stills, as he was a star back in the spring (he enrolled early). Trent Ratterree  will start at TE, but James Hanna will see lots of time there as well. Three starters return on the line, but there is depth here as well.

Defense: Six starters return from what was the 6th best defense in the country a year ago. DE Jeremy Beal had 11 sacks last season at DE, and Frank Alexander will man the other end. Travis Lewis is the lone returning starter at LB. The rest of the LB corps is young and untested, but very athletic. Both CB spots will have new starters. Demontre Hurst looks to have locked one spot down, but the other spot is still wide open. Jonathon Nelson and Quinton Carter both return at safety.

Special Teams: Tress Way ranked 3rd nationally as a freshman at Punter in 2009. He averaged over 45 yards per punt. Patrick O'Hara and Jimmy Stevens will once again battle eachother to be the starting PK. Broyles handles all kick return duties, and excels rather well there, too.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 Utah State, 9/11 Florida State, 9/18 Air Force, 10/16 Iowa State, 10/23 @ Missouri, 10/30 Colorado, 11/6 @ Texas A&M, 11/13 Texas Tech, 11/20 @ Baylor, 11/27 @ Oklahoma State

Toss Up Games: 9/25 @ Cincinnati, 10/2 Texas (@ Dallas)

Losses: None

The Texas game will say it all, but the game at Cincy is a bit of a trap. Oklahoma should handle the rest of this schedule, maybe not with extreme ease every week, but with definition. The non-conference slate is not exactly daunting outside of Cincy.

Outlook: This is a typical Sooners team, minus some questions on defense. If everything comes together, and I have every reason to believe that it will, than OU is in the hunt for the national prize. Landry Jones will be the best sophomore QB in the country, and will be one of the best in any class overall when it's all done. The Texas game will decide who goes to the final Big 12 title game from the South.

Big 12 2010-Texas Longhorns

2009 Record: 13-1 (8-0)
Head Coach: Mack Brown (13th season, 128-27...214-101-1 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Greg Davis (13th season)
Defensive Coordinator: Will Muschamp (3rd season)
2009 Bowl Game: BCS National Championship, lost to Alabama 37-21

Offense: How do you replace a legend at QB with the loss of Colt McCoy to graduation? When McCoy went down to injury against Alabama, Longhorn fans got a glimpse of the future in Gilbert Brown. Brown is a completely different kind of QB than McCoy was, and won't run as much, but he showed some real promise. You can still expect a learning curve from him, as he is only a sophomore. There is no true starter at TB, with several players expected in a rotation.Tre Newton is the closest thing to a starter, but Chris Whaley had a huge spring game, and Fozzy Whittaker is also forcing his way in. There is a huge loss at WR as well, with Jordan Shipley moving on. Malcolm Williams returns, as does James Kirkendoll, and John Chiles and Marquise Goodwin are also capable. There is a new TE in Barrett Matthews, and the line has to be rebuilt from center right.

Defense: 7 starters return from 2009. Sam Acho returns at DE, and he is a beast (pre-season AA). He had 10 sacks last season, when he wasn't the primary rusher. Alex Okafor looks to be the starter at the other end. NT Kheeston Randall returns, and Calvin Howell looks to have won the DT job in the spring. There is solid depth at LB in Emannuel Acho and Keenan Robinson, while new starter Dravannti Johnson has the coaches all fired up about his potential. Curtis Brown and Chykie Brown are NFL type corners for the Horns. Aaron Williams will be the nickel back, and he could start anywhere else. Blake Gideon returns at FS.

Special Teams: Justin Tucker is the new full time PK, as he handled kickoffs last season. John Gold will move into the punter spot.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 Rice, 9/11 Wyoming, 9/18 @ Texas Tech, 9/25 UCLA, 10/23 Iowa State, 10/30 Baylor, 11/6 @ Kansas State, 11/13 Oklahoma State, 11/20 Florida Atlantic, 11/25 Texas A&M

Toss Up Games: 10/2 Oklahoma (@ Dallas), 10/16 @ Nebraska

Losses: None

There is a really tough stretch with UCLA, Oklahoma, and Nebraska coming all in a row. If the Horns can survive that, than the rest is cake.

Outlook: A shot at another title is on the table. The Horns are loaded on defense, and the offense will get 3 weeks to warm up before that three week test in the schedule. If a solid running game develops, and Brown doesn't play QB like a sophomore, great things can happen again in Austin. The Oklahoma game will decide the winner of the Big 12 South once again.

Big 12 2010-Kansas State Wildcats

2009 Record: 6-6 (4-4)
Head Coach: Bill Snyder (19th season, 142-74-1)
Offensive Coordinator: Dell Miller (2nd season) and Dana Dimel (2nd season)
Defensive Coordinator: Chris Cosh (2nd season)
2009 Bowl Game: Had they only not played UMass or Tennessee Tech...

Offense: Everything goes through RB Daniel Thomas. He led the Big 12 in rushing last season. He runs plays at QB in the Wildcat formation. He pretty much does it all. On a better team, he would be a super star, yet most people outside of his region don't know who he is. He also benfits from two things...a punishing FB in Braden Wilson, and 4 starters returning on the line, 3 of which (LG Zach Kendall, C Wade Welbert, and RG Kenneth Mayfield) are seniors. Thomas should have another outstanding year, but now we reach a tempest that may prevent him from repeating his success of 2009...The lack of a QB. There is not a star amongst the group composed of Carson Coffman, who was benched as a starter last season, Collin Klein, who was a WR last season, and Sammuel Lamur. There aren't any real playmakers at WR either.

Defense: This area is a strong suit for the Wildcats. KSU ranked 16th against the run last season, and ranked 39th overall in total defense. Brandon Herald will returnat DE after missing almost all of 2009 to injury. He was a freshman AA in 2008. Antonio Felder returns at the other DE spot, but his job is not noted as being safe. The DT positions are up for grabs as well. All three LBs need to be replaced. Alex Hrebec looks good to man the middle, while Kevin Rohleder looks like a lock at one OLB slot. The othe OLB spot looks to be a battle between Kadero Terrell and Thomas Ferguson. The safeties look solid with Emmanuel Lamur returning at SS, and Tysyn Hartman coming back at FS. Lamur was the leading tackler last season.Stphen Harrison returns at one CB spot, while Troy Butler and Darious Thomas look to battle it out for the other CB job.

Special Teams: Josh Cherry will return to handle the PK job, while the punting job is split between long kicker Ryan Doerr and short or pooch yardage kicker DJ Fulhage. John Hubert and Tysyn Hartman look to battle to become the primary kick return guy.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/11 Missouri State, 9/25 Central Florida, 11/20 @ Colorado, 11/27 @ North Texas

Toss Up Games: 9/4 UCLA, 9/18 @ Iowa State, 10/16 @ Kansas, 10/23 @ Baylor, 10/30 Oklahoma State

Losses: 10/7 Nebraska, 11/6 Texas, 11/13 @ Missouri

The UCLA game will tell a bunch about this team in game 1. Iowa State and Baylor would be wins if they were home games. Nebraska and Texas both come to Manhatten, but there isn't much of a chance to steal a win from the loss box.

Outlook: KSU could return to a bowl game in 2010, as it's probable that the Cats will steal the necessary 3 wins from the toss box to qualify. Bill Snyder did a good job of building K State before, but it's hard to come home again. The usual Snyder-esque cream puffs remain on the schedule with Missouri State and North Texas. Som things never change.

Big 12 2010-Iowa State Cyclones

2009 Record: 7-6 (3-5)
Head Coach: Paul Rhodes (7-6 2nd season)
Offensive Coordinator: Tom Herman (2nd season)
Defensive Coordinator: Waly Burnham (2nd season)
2009 Bowl Game: Insight Bowl, defeated Minnesota 14-13

Offense: Austen Arnaud returns at QB, but will that make ISU better than teh 94th ranked passing team? He will be pushed somewhat by Jerome Tiller, but Tiller is clearly the backup coming into 2010. Alexander Robinson is the TB and star of the offense. He'll be expected to carry a huge load again in 2010. Sedrick Johnson, Jake Williams, and Darius Darks return at WR, but all had health issues in 2009, and that must be overcome if the passing game is to improve. 4 starters return on the line, led by 327 lb LT Kelechi Osemele and C Ben Lamaak, both all Big 12 selections in 2009.RT Braydon Burris is the lone new starter and is by far the lightest (276 lbs) player in the group.

Defense: The defense must improve as well, after ranking 99th in the nation last season in total. Every starter in the LB group must be replaced. The group will be young and inexperienced. There will be a five man secondary in most situations, and Leonard Johnson will be the lone returning starter at CB. David Sims and Ter'ran Benton will be two of the safeties. , but the pass defense was pourous at best in 2009.

Special Teams: Grant Mahoney is the returning PK. He has a strong leg, but is all over the place. Kirby VanDerKamp is the new punter, and he is just a freshman who has never kicked in a college game. There's a first time for everything I suppose.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/25 Northern Iowa

Toss Up Games: 9/2 Northern Illinois, 9/18 @ Kansas State, 10/30 Kansas, 11/13 @ Colorado

Losses: 9/11 @ Iowa, 10/2 Texas Tech, 10/9 Utah, 10/16 @ Oklahoma, 10/23 @ Texas, 11/6 Nebraska, 11/20 Missouri

Don't look for a return to a bowl for the Cyclones. This schedule is brutal with Texas Tech, Utah, Oklahoma, and Texas all in a row.

Outlook: The schedule dictates that ISU will not be as good as they were last season. This is brutal and way beyond their means. By the way, the Cyclones have not won a league title of any kind since 1912 (Missouri Valley Conference).

Big 12 2010-Colorado Buffaloes

2009 Record: 3-9 (2-6)
Head Coach: Dan Hawkins (16-33, 5th season...69-44 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Eric Kiesau (2nd season)
Defensive Coordinator: Ron Collins (5th season)
2009 Bowl Game: Oh, hell no!!!

Offense: The offense ranked 104th overall in 2009. That does not cut it. Tyler Hanson finally seems to have beaten out Cody Hawkins for the starting job.He really started to look solid in the final month of 2009, but the Buffaloes still went 1-3 during that span. Scotty McKnight, Toney Clemons, and Markques Simas will compose the WR corps, and McKnight will become the all-time leading receiver, most likely against Colorado State in the opener.Rodney Stewart holds the starting job at TB right now, but there will be a huge group pushing him in the fall. LT nate Solder (pre-season AA) leads a very experienced line that returns all 5 starters.

Defense: Former NFL super star Ashley Ambrose will coach the secondary this season. That is a solid hire. Jalil Broan and Jimmy Smith return to man the corners, with Anthony Perkins coming back at safety. This group ranked 34th against the pass, and will only get better in 2010. Ray Polk has the beat on the FS job, but was a RB last season. BJ Beatty will be the only returning starter at LB. Will Pericak and Curtis Cunningham (DTs) will join Marquez Herrod (DE) as the returnees on the line. Forrest West looks to have grabbed the other DE spot.

Special Teams: Aric Goodman returns as the PK, but he has been nothing short of awful, and he had hip surgery in the spring. The punting game is a mess with as many as 4 or 5 players competing for the job.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 @ Colorado State, 10/16 Baylor, 11/13 Iowa State

Toss Up Games: 9/18 Hawaii, 11/20 Kansas State

Losses: 9/11 @ California, 10/2 Georgia, 10/9 @ MIssouri, 10/23 Texas Tech,10/30 @ Oklahoma, 11/6 @ Kansas, 11/26 @ Nebraska

This schedule is a bit brutal when you break it down. Cal, Nebraska, Missouri, and Oklahoma are all on the road. There's a drop 4 for you right there. The rest isn't much better.

Outlook: This will likely be the final season for Hawkins, as it is definately the end for Colorado in the Big 12. They will bolt for the PAC 12 next season, which will be a sold move for CU in the long term. This swan song in the Big 12 will likely go down with a resounding thud.

Big 12 2010-Missouri Tigers

2009 record: 8-5 (4-4)
Head Coach: Gary Pinkel (67-46, 10th season)
Offensive Coordinator: David Yost (2nd season)
Defensive Coordinator: Dave Steckel (2nd season)
2009 Bowl Game: Texas Bowl, lost to Navy 35-13

Offense: One almost had to expect a dropoff in production when Dave Christensen left as OC to coach Wyoming last season. The drop was not horrific, but it was evident, espcially in the run game, which only ranked 85th nationally. Blaine Gabbert came in at QB and had huge shoes to fill, but he did an admirable job last season. He should have more success this season if Derrick Washington picks up where he left off in the spring at TB. The huge problem is the loss of WR Danario Alexander, who hauled in 113 catches for 1781 yards last season, which are impossible numbers to expect any one player to recreate. Wes Kemp is the lone returning starter from last season at the WR spot, with Jerell Jackson and Rolandis Woodland coming up from the bench. L'Damian Washington and TJ Moe (a former QB) will also work into the rotation. TE Michael Egew will replace Chase Coffman at TE this seaosn, and had a nice spring as well. Four Starters return on the line, which will benefit everyone.

Defense: The pass defense was a huge problem area, and even the run D fell apart in the bowl game. All American LB Sean Weatherspoon departed but Andrew Gachkar, Will Ebner, and Luke Lambert will combine to take up the slack with Zaviar Gooden taking up Weatherspoon's old OLB spot. Aldon SMith was a monster at DE as a freshman last season with 11.5 sacks, and he is joined by DT Dominique Hamilton and DE Jacquies Smith as fellow returning starters on what is expected to be a highly productive line. Kevin Rutland and Carl Gettis return at CB, but will have to be much more solid than they were last season, as they were shredded against the pass. Jasper Simmons will return at the SS spot, while there will be a freshma, Matt White, looking to be the new FS.

Special Teams: Grant Ressel returns after a phenominal season in 2009. Ressel hit 26 of his 27 FG attempts last year. Trey Barrow seems to have a lock on the punting job.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 Illinois (@ St. Louis), 9/11 McNeese State, 9/18 San Diego State, 9/25 Miami (Ohio), 10/9 Colorado, 11/13 Kansas State, 11/20 @ Iowa State, 11/27 Kansas (@ Kansas City)

Toss Up Games: 10/16 @ Texas A&M, 11/6 @ Texas Tech

Losses: 10/23 Oklahoma, 10/30 @ Nebraska

The non-conference slate is insanely easy to navigate. Mizzou should be bowl eligible without having to worry about the toss box, but both of those games should be winnable for the Tigers, and would be enough for a quality mid-tier bowl. The McNeese State game should not harm Mizzou in any way, as they will win wnough around it to not let it be a deterent to bowl qualification.

Outlook: Fairly good...The Tigers have plenty on hand to challenge Nebraska if the Huskers stumble. The Tigers still may only be the 4th or 5th best team in the conference, but they are solid against teams from outside the league. That Navy loss was uncharacteristic of a Gary Pinkel team. The pass D has to improve, as the Tigers only ranked 104th against the pass a season ago. If you want to beat them , then throw until they stop you.

Big 12 2010-Kansas Jayhawks

2009 Record: 5-7 (1-7)
Head Coach: Turner Gill (1st season...20-30 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Chuck Long (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Carl Torbush (1st season)
2009 Bowl: Mid-season collapse screwed that up

Offense: Let's start with the good news. The line has a group of 5 players coming back with strating experience. There is also plenty of depth behind that group, and the group is rugged and athletic. Now the bad news...QB Todd Reesing is gone. WRs Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier are gone. Kale Pick and Jordan Webb are still battling for the QB job, with Pick holding the edge entering fall camp. Daymond Patterson moves from CB to be the new slot receiver, but Bradley McDougald and Jonathon Wilson give experience to the WR corps as starters. Toben Opurum was the power or short yardage back last season, and now will be the feature back. The focus on the offense will be more traditional looks this season, rather than Mangino's fast paced no huddle system from last season.

Defense: Only two players return in the front seven, which could prove to be troublesome this season. Jake Laptad returns at DE, and he is expecting to have a big season, while Hulden Tharp returns at OLB. DTs Richard Johnson and Jamal Greene both have experience but are new full time starters. Steven Johnson and Justin Springer both seem to have a lock on the two other LB spots, but there is a ton of depth there, but the cast is young behind these two guys. Chris Harris returns at CB, but is not a typical shut down man. Expect the D to shift between a traditonal 4-3 and a 4-2-5 look this season.

Special Teams: PK Jacob Branstetter nailed a 57 yarder against Oklahoma, but only connected on 13 of 19 kicks in 2009. Alonso Rojas is an excellent punter, and he is highly accurate, and will be a great weapon this season.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 North Dakota State, 9/25 New Mexico State, 10/30 @ Iowa State, 11/6 Colorado

Toss up Games: 9/17 @ Southern Mississippi, 10/2 @ Baylor, 10/16 Kansas State, 11/20 Oklahoma State

Losses: 9/11 Georgia Tech, 10/23 Texas A&M, 11/13 @ Nebraska, 11/27 Missouri

Anything can happen this season, and it all falls to those pesky toss games. The Jayhawks barely escaped Southern Miss last season at home, and the Eagles will be better and at home. Baylor could be much improved with the return of QB Griffith. Kansas has to take 3 of those games to bowl qualify, as NDSU is a 1-AA opponent.

Outlook: This could go either way. Turner Gill's coaching style will be a breath of fresh air on campus, and he hired well at the coordinator spots. Torbush is one of the best on D, and Long was a solid OC at Oklahoma and knows the conference well. If the depth comes through on defense, than KU has a shot. I think offensively, losing the players that left, will be too much to overcome this season. A bowl will be a huge task to acquire.

Defense

Big 12 2010-Nebraska Cornhuskers

2009 Record: 10-4 (6-2)
Head Coach: Bo Pelini (20-8, 3rd season)
Offensive Coordinator: Shawn Watson (4th season)
Defensive Coordinator: Carl Pelini (3rd season)
2009 Bowl Game: Holiday Bowl, defeated Arizona 33-0

Offense: If there is a weak link on this football team, it's the offense. This unit ranked 99th nationally in 2009, 101st passing. Zac Lee was not exactly the greatest QB in team history as a junior last season, and lost the spring to arm surgery. Cody Green and Taylor Martinez battled for reps, and are in the mix to push Lee out. However, Martinez has missed some time this fall to undisclosed reasons, which would lead one to think that he is falling back again. 15 total players return with starting experience, so there is plenty to build around. Health is the key word to the I-Backs, with Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead both suffering through injuries last season. Niles Paul will return at WR to give whoever wins the QB job a nice target. The line is solid with 4 returning starters.

Defense: How do you replace a gaping void in the time space contiuam that was Ndamukong Suh? You try using the son of a legend, of course. Blake Steinkuhler is going to be the first guy to try an d plug that massive hole on the Husker front. Jared Crick has huge potential on the line, so the loss can be mitigated slightly. Eric Hagg will be the Peso Back, which has him as a LB against run formations, and a DB against spread formations. Both CBs return(Alfonso Dennard and Prince Amukamara), but both safeties will be new starters (PJ Smith and DeJon Gomes). All in all, this unit finished 7th nationally in 2009, and with all of the experience coming back, I don't see a slip coming.

Special Teams: Alex Henery will handle both jobs plus kickoffs in 2010. He is automatic at both P and PK, and will give opponents fits al season.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 Western Kentucky, 9/11 Idaho, 9/25 South Dakota State, 10/7 @ Kansas State, 10/23 @ Oklahoma State, 10/30 Missouri, 11/6 @ Iowa State, 11/13 Kansas, 11/26 Colorado

Toss Up Games: 9/18 @ Washington, 10/16 Texas, 11/20 @ Texas A&M

Losses: None

Lock the Huskers in for the 2010 conference championship game (the last the conference will ever have, as NU moves to the Big 10 next season). If they can steal all three toss games, plus win the conference championship game, than the Huskers could be playing for a title. If not, they still deserve better than the Holiday Bowl this season.

Outlook: Great things are happening in Lincoln. They are ditching the Big 12 after this season, and head to a better fit in the Big 10. They are also good enough to be amongst the national elite this season, and have a great chance of sticking it up the ass of the conference that they are leaving. It should be a huge year in Big Red Country.

Big Ten 2010-Minnesota Golden Gophers

2009 Record: 6-7 (3-5)
Head Coach: Tim Brewster (14-24, 4th season)
Offensive Coordinator: Jeff Horton (1st season) and Thomas Hammock (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Kevin Cosgrove (2nd season) and Ronnie Lee (2nd season)
2009 Bowl Game: Insight Bowl, Lost to Iowa State 14-13

Offense: This group finished last in the Big Ten, and ranked 109th nationally overall. They went scoreless twice and posted 21 points or less seven times. What is normally a very strong rushing attack only averaged 99.5 yards per game last season. Adam Weber was marginally better, as the passing attack finished 75th at 207 yards per game. This is a sunit that only scored 16 points against South Dakota State. 9 starters return to play for 2 new OCs in 2010, and there had better be progress, or else. Weber is a 5th year senior, and it seems loke he has been there longer than that. He has an NFL build, but he had better find some consistant play, or else he can forget about sniffing at Sundays next year. Tryo Stoudermire and Da'John McKnight will be Weber's main targets, but Stoudermire is very streaky. The line is expected to be much better than a season ago, as they were frankly terrible and injury hampered most of the season. Junior DeLeon Eskridge is being handed the task of moving the Gopher run game back to previous times in Gopher history where that part of the game was a steadfast tower, not a rediculous hinderance.

Defense: There is not much left here from 2009. Only 2 full time starters return on the D in 2010, and they are both safeties (Kyle Theret and Kim Roysten). The defense was not completely awful, but did look foolish when up against big time runners last season, such as John Clay, who just bullied his way through the line at will. With this much inexperience, I don't see the situation getting any better. There is virtually no depth.

Special Teams: Eric Ellestad returns as the PK in 2010, and he is quite a good one, with big game ability. Dan Orseske will punt, and was slated to do so last season before coming down with mono.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/11 South Dakota

Toss Up Games: 9/2 @ Middle Tennessee, 9/25 Northern Illinois

Losses: 9/18 USC, 10/2 Northwestern, 10/9 @ Wisconsin, 10/16 @ Purdue, 10/23 Penn State, 10/30 Ohio State, 11/6 @ MIchigan State, 11/13 @ Illinois, 11/27 Iowa

As you can plainly see, it is going to be a potentially heinous season in Minneapolis. I am being very generous by placing the Middle Tennessee game in the toss box, as I think that the Gophers can easily lose that game on the road against a very good team. The defense is in too much flux, and the offense has yet to show anyone anything. There was very little physicality on this squad in 2009, so teams that play in your grill defense and agressive offense will blow these guys away week after week.

Outlook: Really not good. There are so many issues here, that it will be difficult for me to find an excuse not to fire Brewster after this season. He is definatley on the hot seat this season, and things will only get tougher next season when Nebraska joins the conference. his looks like a dead end season.

Big Ten 2010-Indiana Hoosiers

2009 Record: 4-8 (1-7)
Head Coach: Bill Lynch (14-23, 4th season...95-90-3 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Matt Canada (4th season)
Defensive Coordinator: Brian George (6th season) and Joe Palcic (6th season)
2009 Bowl Game: Not a shot

Offense: 8 starters return from a unit that ranked 35th nationally passing, but only managed to rank 96th in rushing. That is going to have to balance out in 2010 for the Hoosiers. Ben Chappell is a solid QB,maybe one of the best on the conference when everything is clicking. He is a very smart passer that is very good at shifting in the pocket and finding throws even when routes break down. He will rely heavily on sophomore RB Darius Willis to pick up the load in the running game, as that will help open up the passing game. Willis missed three games last season, but still rushed for 607 yards...not bad, but not great. He needs to go over 1000 this season to be considered productive given that IU will stay with the Pistol offense. All three WRs return from last season with Terrance Turner, Demario Belcher, and Tandon Doss forming up the starting corps. That group alone contributed 173 receptions in 2010. There will be new starters at LT and RG, but there is depth on the line.

Defense: There is trouble on this front. Only 4 starters return from a group that gave up 401 yards per game in 2010 and ranked 88th, which means the Hoosiers are starting over here. SS Mitchell Evans and CB Matt Ernest will both be new starters, but both are former WRs...not good news. Laary Black and Adam Repogle will return to man the DT spots, but will have to be more productive against the run, and teasm ran against IU at a 159.1 yards per game clip. The entire secondary is new, which is also bad news, and Tyler Repogle is the lone returnee at LB.

Special Teams: Nick Freeland returns as the PK, and Chris Hagerup returns at P. The main story for both of these kickers is consistancy. Both had issues with that, but with Hagerup it was due to recovery from knee surgery. He still managed an average of just over 40 yards per punt in 2009. Freeland barely managed to make just over 50% of his kicks as a redshirt freshman.

2009 Schedule

Wins: 9/2 Towson, 9/18 @ Western Kentucky, 9/25 Akron, 10/16 Arkansas State

Toss Up Games: 10/23 @ Illinois, 10/2 Michigan, 11/27 @ Purdue

Losses: 10/9 @ Ohio State, 10/30 Northwestern, 11/6 Iowa, 11/13 @ Wisconsin, 11/20 Penn State

I see 5 guaranteed losses, and the Hoosiers will have to take all 3 toss games just to qualify for a bowl in 2010. Towson will not count as they are a 1-AA squad, but beware...IU has struggled mightily with 1-AA teams in the last decade. Towson is not a good team though, so IU should coast through that game.

Outlook: Not great, but it could be worse. The defense has a ton of issues and will depend heavily on 3 JC transfers to shore up open spots. Big Ten schools are not really known for being JC havens, so Bill Lynch must be desperate. If IU gets to a bowl, it would be a miracle, but not on the level of Illinois getting to one.

Big Ten 2010-Illinois Fighting Illini

2009 Record: 3-9 (2-6)
Head Coach: Ron Zook (21-39, 6th season...44-53 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Paul Petrino (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Vic Koenning (1st season)
2009 Bowl Game: Not even remotely possible

Offense: This team was last in offensive scoring in 2009. That obviously is no good, and change has to happen. I don't see how it will. There will be a 3 way QB battle between Nathan Scheelhasse, Jacob Charest, and Chandler Whitmer. Scheelhasse has the edge, but that can change in a minute. Mikel LeShoure will be the RB, and AJ Jenkins, Jarred Fayson, and former QB Eddie McGee are the WR group. There is not much to be excited about with this group.

Defense: LB Martez Wilson will be a key component as to how good the defense can be in 2010. the defense was not very good in 2009, but there was no offense to support it either. Wilson missed almost all of last season after a neck injury in game two against Illinois State knocked him out for the rest of the season. I could go all out as to who can end up at which position, but there are way too many question marks at almost every spot. This looks like a potenital train wreck.

Special Teams: Derek Dimke finished strong at PK last seaosn, and returns to grab the job again. He will be a very important piece to the gameplan. Anthony Santella returns as a 4th year starter at punter.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/11 Southern Illinois, 10/23 Indiana, 11/13 Minnesota

Toss Up Games: 9/18 Northern Illinois, 12/3 @ Fresno State

Losses: 9/4 Missouri (@ St. Louis), 10/2 Ohio State, 10/9 @ Penn State, 10/16 @ Michigan State, 10/30 Purdue, 11/6 @ Michigan, 11/20 @ Northwestern

Brutal. Even if the Fightless Illini win both toss games, there will still be no bowl. The non conference game is full of pit falls, and the guranteed wins aren't even all that solid.

Outlook: Grim. Zook should be gone after this season, as if you can't win with guys like Juice Williams and Arrelius Benn, than how can you win with these guys? Zook actually should have been fired after last season, as his record is a nightmare. It was probably all about the buyout.

Big Ten 2010-Michigan State Spartans

2009 Record: 6-7 (4-4)
Head Coach: Mark Dantonio (22-17, 4th season...40-34 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Don Treadwell (4th season)
Defensive Coordinator: Pat Narduzzi (4th season)
2009 Bowl Game: Alamo Bowl, lost to Texas Tech 41-31

Offense: QB Kirk Cousins launched himself onto the landscape last season, helping to hold a drifting team together well enough to get into a bowl game. He can be expected to have a pretty big season in 2010. Keshawn Martin, Mark Dell, BJ Cunningham, and Keith Nichol (a former QB) will form a solid group of targets at WR for Cousins to throw to. The RB job is up for competition amongst a group consisiting of Larry Caper, Edwin Baker, Nick Hill, and Le'Veon Bell. Charlie Gantt returns at TE, and there is ample depth behind him. The left side of the line is set, but everything from center right needs a new starter.

Defense: There will be issues on the line, as DT Jaret Worthy is the lone returnee from a year ago. This defense was nailed to the wall on the pass, ranking only 112th in the country. Chris Rucker returns at CB, and FS Trenton Robinson return in the secondary, but the other CB and SS spots are up for grabs. That does not lend confidence that things can get much better against the pass. Eric Gordon and Greg Jones return at LB, and Jones is in the running to be the 2010 conference defender of the year, and is a potential top ten draft pick next spring.

Special Teams: Record Holding Pk Brett Swenson is gone, and will be replaced by a freshman in Kevin Muma this fall. There is a huge drop off there. He will be pushed by Don Conroy. Aaron Bates can be one of the best in the conference at the punter spot.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/4 Western Kentucky, 9/11 Florida Atlantic (@ Detroit), 9/25 Northern Colorado, 10/16 Illinois, 11/6 Minnesota

Toss Up Games: 9/18 Notre Dame, 10/9 @ Michigan, 10/23 @ Northwestern, 11/20 Purdue

Losses: 10/2 Wisconsin, 10/30 @ Iowa, 11/27 @ Penn State

Ohio State is not on the schedule. The Spartans can win anywhere between 6 and 8 games, depending if they can take the two home toss games against Notre Dame and Purdue. A steal on the road against Michigan would mean 9 wins if they take the two toss games at home. No real chance for a steal from the loss box.

Outlook: This season depends on the development of the rushing game and the right side of the o-line on offense, and the ability to somehow develop a pass defense. If those those items are accomplished, than there is a solid shot at 8 or 9 wins. Without theose goals being met, I see 6 or 7 wins. A bowl is likely either way.

Big Ten 2010-Michigan Wolverines

2009 Record: 5-7 (1-7)
Head Coach: Rich Rodriguez (8-16, 3rd season...113-78-2 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Calvin Magee (3rd season)
Defensive Coordinator: Greg Robinson (2nd season)
2009 Bowl Game: Two miserable wins away

Offense: For the first time since arriving in Ann Arbor, Rodriguez will have a returning QB to give his spread option offense some stability. He has two young QBs who have developed rather well considering the pressures of the position. Tate Forcier looke spectacular at times, and has some fire. Denard Robinson is freakishky athletic, and has his own skill sets seperate from Forcier. One of them will start, but don't be surprised if Rodriguez uses them both again. 4 players will battle it out to be the new RB (Vincent Smith, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Michael Shaw, and Mike Cox). Junior Hemmingway and Martavious Odoms return at WR, and Darryl Stonum and Roy Roundtree will rotate in as well. The line returns three starters, which will help tremendously.

Defense: Brandon Graham is gone, but there is depth on the line, so there is no need to panic. There will be a new 3-3-5 scheme, so there will be two returning starters on the line, making Greg Banks or Will Heininger the only new starter at DE. Craig Boh returns at LB, as do Jonas Mouton and Obi Ezeh. Boh is a special player and is about to break out. Kevin Leach and JB Fitzgerald are expected to push Mouton and Ezeh for playing time. The secondary will be extremely young, as CB Troy Woolfolk will be the only player (senior) older than a sophomore to man a starting spot. The staff is very high on redshirt freshman FS Cam Gordon.

Special Teams: Will Hagerup, a freshman, is expected to take over at punter for Zoltan Mesko, who was drafted by New England. A freshman is also expected to win the PK job (Brendon Gibbons). This could get interesting.

2010 Schedule

Wins: 9/18 UMass, 9/25 Bowling Green, 10/2 @ Indiana, 11/6 Illinois

Toss Up Games: 9/4 UConn, 9/11 @ Notre Dame, 10/9 Michigan State, 11/13 @ Purdue

Losses: 10/16 Iowa, 10/30 @ Penn State, 11/20 Wisconsin, 11/27 @ Ohio State

There is virtually zero chance that the Wolverines can steal a win from the loss box. There is a solid chance that they can steal three from the toss box to qualify for a bowl, albiet a small bowl. The Wolverines need to make a bowl this season to show enough progress for Rodriguez to keep his job. He has been a lightning rod and has brought scandal to previously scandal free Ann Arbor. There will be major heat in the Big House in 2010, and it will all be on the coach.