It’s in the air people. You smell it. I smell it. Everyone smells it. The grass is getting cut. The lines in the field are getting drawn. Football players everywhere are starting to get nervous because football season is ALMOST UPON US!
Every year I predict how every single FBS college football team is going to perform. I breakdown every team by conference and put some serious thought into these predictions. I like to pride myself on being correct (who doesn’t these days though?) so I go over every single team with a fine tooth comb.
College football is a unique sport. The roster transition from year-to-year can make it so a team can go from a 12-0 season to a 3-9 season with no time to stop and think about what the hell went wrong. No other sport deals with the kind of roster changes that college football head coaches have to deal with every year. That in itself makes college football one of the most interesting sports out there in my opinion.
And guess what folks? Kick-off is right around the corner so it’s time to nut up and find out what the wonderful world of college football has in store for us this year. It’s time for the 2018 College Football preview so sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride.
The Guide:
Last Year’s Record: Pretty self-explanatory
Last Year”s Bowl Game: Did the team compete in a bowl last year
Last Bowl Game Appearance: If the team wasn’t in a bowl last year, when’s the last time they made a bowl game?
Head Coach: The team’s leader
Head Coach Effect: A nice little formula featuring +/- that lets you know how good your coach performed last season. A + grade is how many wins I credit the coach for last season while a – grade means the coach did a pretty bad job with what he was working with
Top Returning Players: These are the best players from last year that are returning this year
Top Incoming Players: The top recruits in the Nation who will be joining your favorite team
Potential NFL Hopefuls: These are the guys on your favorite team’s roster that are already on the NFL’s radar. Obviously the more NFL talent you have on your team, the more I like your team
Schedule Ranked By Difficulty: How difficult is your schedule compared to the other 129 FBS teams? Credit to Phil Steele for the schedule rankings
Predicted Record: How good will your team be next season?
And that’s it. ENJOY THE PREVIEW FOLKS!!!!!!
12. New Mexico Lobos
Last Year’s Record: 3-9
Last Year’s Bowl Game: No bowl game
Last Bowl Game Appearance: 2016 New Mexico vs. UTSA (Won 23-20)
Head Coach: Bob Davie (30-45 @ New Mexico, 65-70 all-time)
Head Coach Effect For 2017-18 Season: -3
Top Returning Players: Aaron Jenkins (OL), Tyrone Owens (RB), Charlie Grammel (OL), Jalin Burrell (DB), Jay Griffin (WR), Delane Hart-Johnson (WR), Q’ Drennan (WR), Marcus Williams (TE), Cody Baker (DL), Jordan Flack (LB), Alex Hart (LB), D’Angelo Ross (DB), Bijon Parker (DB)
Top Incoming Players: Patrick Peek (DB), Stephen Ruiz (K)
Potential NFL Hopefuls: Aaron Jenkins (OL)
Schedule Ranked By Difficulty: 73rd
Predicted Record: 2-10 (0-8)
11. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Last Year’s Record: 3-9
Last Year’s Bowl Game: No bowl game
Last Bowl Game Appearance: 2016 Hawaii vs. Middle Tennessee (Won 52-35)
Head Coach: Nick Rolovich (10-16 all-time)
Head Coach Effect For 2017-18 Season: -3
Top Returning Players: Jahlani Tavai (LB), John Ursua (WR), Solomon Matautia (LB), Cedric Byrd (WR), J.R. Hensley (OL), Asotui Eli (OL), Samiuela Akoteu (DL), Rojesterman Farris (DB), Eugene Ford (DB), Ryan Meskell (K), Stan Gaudion (P)
Top Incoming Players: None worth my time
Potential NFL Hopefuls: John Ursua (WR), Jahlani Tavai (LB)
Schedule Ranked By Difficulty: 95th
Predicted Record: 3-10 (1-7)
10. Colorado State Rams
Last Year’s Record: 7-6
Last Year’s Bowl Game: New Mexico vs. Marshall (Lost 28-31)
Last Bowl Game Appearance: 2017 New Mexico vs. Marshall (Lost 28-31)
Head Coach: Mike Bobo (21-18 all-time)
Head Coach Effect For 2017-18 Season: -1
Top Returning Players: Olabisi Johnson (WR), Josh Watson (LB), Colby Meeks (OL), Richard King (DL), Izzy Matthews (RB), Jordan Fogal (DB), Ryan Stonehouse (P), Wyatt Bryan (K), Cameron Butler (TE), Ben Knox (OL), Arjay Jean (DL), Tre Thomas (LB), Anthony Hawkins (DB)
Top Incoming Players: Nikko Hall (WR), Damion Dickens (DL), Kavesz Sherard (OL), Devin Phillips (DL), Trey McBride (TE)
Potential NFL Hopefuls: Preston Williams (WR), Josh Watson (LB), Wyatt Bryan (K)
Schedule Ranked By Difficulty: 81st
Predicted Record: 3-9 (2-6)
9. San Jose State Spartans
Last Year’s Record: 2-11
Last Year’s Bowl Game: No bowl game
Last Bowl Game Appearance: 2015 Cure vs. Georgia State (Won 27-16)
Head Coach: Brent Brennan (2-11 all-time)
Head Coach Effect For 2017-18 Season: -1
Top Returning Players: Josh Oliver (OL), Owen Roberts (DL), Tyler Nevens (RB), Sailosi Latu (DL), Bryson Bridges (DL), Bryce Crawford (K), Josh Love (QB), Bailey Gaither (WR), Tre Hartley (WR), Justin Holmes (WR), Jack Synder (OL), Troy Kowalski (OL), Jamal Scott (DL), Ethan Aguayo (LB), Bobby Brown (DB)
Top Incoming Players: None worth my time
Potential NFL Hopefuls: Josh Oliver (OL), Bryce Crawford (K)
Schedule Ranked By Difficulty: 82nd
Predicted Record: 3-9 (2-6)
8. Nevada Wolfpack
Last Year’s Record: 3-9
Last Year’s Bowl Game: No bowl game
Last Bowl Game Appearance: 2015 Arizona vs. Colorado State (Won 28-23)
Head Coach: Jay Norvell (3-9 all-time)
Head Coach Effect For 2017-18 Season: -2
Top Returning Players: McLane Mannix (WR), Malik Reed (LB), Dameon Baber (DB), Kelton Moore (RB), Brenden O’Leary-Orange (WR), Sean Krepsz (OL), Asauni Rufus (DB), Ty Gangi (QB), Jake Nelson (OL), Korey Rush (DL), Anthony Palomares (OL), Jarius McDade (DL), Gabe Sewell (LB), Nephi Sewell (LB), Spencer Pettit (K), Quinton Conaway (P)
Top Incoming Players: Kevin Scott (DL), Josiah Bradley (LB), Toa Taua (RB)
Potential NFL Hopefuls: Kelton Moore (RB), Sean Krepsz (OL), Malik Reed (LB), Daemon Baber (DB)
Schedule Ranked By Difficulty: 110th
Predicted Record: 3-9 (2-6)
7. Air Force Falcons
Last Year’s Record: 5-7
Last Year’s Bowl Game: No bowl game
Last Bowl Game Appearance: 2016 Arizona vs. South Alabama (Won 45-21)
Head Coach: Troy Calhoun (82-60 all-time)
Head Coach Effect For 2017-18 Season: +2
Top Returning Players: Griffin Landrum (OL), Micah Capra (DL), Arion Worthman (QB), Parker Wilson (FB), Marcus Bennett (WR), Ronald Cleveland (WR), Cody Gessler (DL), Lakota Willis (LB), Kyle Floyd (LB), Jeremy Fejedelem (DB), James Jones (DB), Charlie Scott (P)
Top Incoming Players: U.S. Military Academy prohibits names of recruited athletes to be released until just before the season starts
Potential NFL Hopefuls: None
Schedule Ranked By Difficulty: 74th
Predicted Record: 5-7 (3-5)
6. Fresno State Bulldogs
Last Year’s Record: 10-4
Last Year’s Bowl Game: Hawaii vs. Houston (Won 33-27)
Last Bowl Game Appearance: 2017 Hawaii vs. Houston (Won 33-27)
Head Coach: Jeff Tedford (10-4 @ Fresno State, 92-61 all-time)
Head Coach Effect For 2017-18 Season: +3
Top Returning Players: KeeSean Johnson (WR), Jeffrey Allison (LB), Kyle Riddering (TE), Marcus McMaryion (QB), Jamire Jordan (WR), Jared Rice (TE), Micah St. Andrew (OL), George Helmuth (LB), Jaron Bryant (DB), Jordan Mims (RB), Michiah Quick (WR), Netane Muti (OL), Juju Hughes (DB), Mike Bell (DB), Christian Cronk (OL), James Bailey (LB), Blake Cusick (P), Anthoula Kelly (DB)
Top Incoming Players: Tyrone Sampson (OL), Isaiah Johnson (DL)
Potential NFL Hopefuls: KeeSean Johnson (WR), Kyle Riddering (TE), George Helmuth (LB), Jeffrey Allison (LB), Jaron Bryant (DB)
Schedule Ranked By Difficulty: 98th
Predicted Record: 8-4 (6-2)
5. UNLV Rebels
Last Year’s Record: 5-7
Last Year’s Bowl Game: No bowl game
Last Bowl Game Appearance: 2013 Heart of Dallas vs. North Texas (Lost 14-36)
Head Coach: Tony Sanchez (12-24 all-time)
Head Coach Effect For 2017-18 Season: +1
Top Returning Players: Lexington Thomas (RB), Nathan Jacobson (OL), Justin Polu (OL), Armani Rogers (QB), Brandon Presley (WR), Sid Acosta (OL), Gabe McCoy (LB), Kendal Keys (WR), Donovan Outlaw (OL), Nick Dehdashtian (DL), Roger Mann (DL), Farrell Hester (LB), Javin White (LB), Jericho Flowers (DB), Dalton Baker (DB), Evan Pantels (K), Hayes Hicken (P)
Top Incoming Players: Kenyon Oblad (QB)
Potential NFL Hopefuls: Armani Rogers (QB), Lexington Thomas (RB)
Schedule Ranked By Difficulty: 104th
Predicted Record: 8-4 (6-2)
4. Wyoming Cowboys
Last Year’s Record: 8-5
Last Year’s Bowl Game: Famous Idaho Potato vs. Central Michigan (Won 37-14)
Last Bowl Game Appearance: 2017 Famous Idaho Potato vs. Central Michigan (Won 37-14)
Head Coach: Craig Bohl (22-29 all-time)
Head Coach Effect For 2017-18 Season: +6
Top Returning Players: Carl Granderson (DL), Youhanna Ghaifan (DL), Logan Wilson (LB), Andrew Wingard (DB), Zach Wallace (OL), Austin Conway (WR), Kaden Jackson (OL), Tim Zaleski (P), Kellen Overstreet (RB), Austin Fort (TE), James Price (WR), Tyree Mayfield (TE), Eric Abojei (OL), Alonzo Velazquez (OL), Sidney Malauulu (DL), Kevin Prosser (DL), Cassh Maluia (LB), Marcus Epps (DB), Cooper Rothe (K)
Top Incoming Players: Sean Chambers (QB), Jackson Marcotte (TE)
Potential NFL Hopefuls: Youhanna Ghaifan (DL), Marcus Epps (DB)
Schedule Ranked By Difficulty: 97th
Predicted Record: 8-4 (7-1)
3. Utah State Aggies
Last Year’s Record: 6-7
Last Year’s Bowl Game: Arizona vs. New Mexico State (Lost 20-26)
Last Bowl Game Appearance: 2017 Arizona vs. New Mexico State (Lost 20-26)
Head Coach: Matt Wells (34-32 all-time)
Head Coach Effect For 2017-18 Season: +4
Top Returning Players: Ron’Quavion Tarver (WR), Dax Raymond (TE), Quin Ficklin (OL), Roman Andrus (OL), Adewale Adeoye (DL), Suli Tamaivena (LB), Tipa Galeai (LB), Christoper ‘Unga (DL), Chase Christiansen (LB), Gaje Ferguson (DB), Dominik Eberle (K), Aaron Dalton (P), Jordan Love (QB), Savon Scarver (WR), Rob Castaneda (OL), Sean Taylor (OL), Alfred Edwards (OL), Devon Anderson (DL), Ja’Marcus Ingram (DB)
Top Incoming Players: None worth my time
Potential NFL Hopefuls: Suli Tamaivena (LB), Ja’Marcus Ingram (DB), Dominik Eberle (K)
Schedule Ranked By Difficulty: 109th
Predicted Record: 9-3 (6-2)
2. San Diego State Aztecs
Last Year’s Record: 10-3
Last Year’s Bowl Game: Armed Forces vs. Army West Point (Lost 35-42)
Last Bowl Game Appearance: 2017 Armed Forces vs. Army West Point (Lost 35-42)
Head Coach: Rocky Long (64-29 @ San Diego State, 129-98 all-time)
Head Coach Effect For 2017-18 Season: 0
Top Returning Players: Keith Ismael (OL), Tyler Roemer (OL), Juwan Washington (RB), Noble Hall (DL), Ronley Lakalaka (LB), Tariq Thompson (DB), Parker Baldwin (DB), Kahale Warring (TE), Ron Smith (DB), John Baron (K), Christian Chapman (QB), Dominic Gudino (OL), Daishawn Dixon (OL), Ryan Pope (OL), Chibu Onyeukwu (DL), Troy Cassidy (LB), Brandon Heicklen (P)
Top Incoming Players: J.R. Justice (WR), Kobe Smith (WR), Nic McTear (TE), Zidane Thomas (RB), Matt Araiza (K)
Potential NFL Hopefuls: Juwan Washington (RB), Tyler Roemer (OL), Keith Ismael (OL), Noble Hall (DL), Ron Smith (DB)
Schedule Ranked By Difficulty: 103rd
Predicted Record: 9-4 (6-3)
1. Boise State Broncos
Last Year’s Record: 11-3
Last Year’s Bowl Game: Las Vegas vs. Oregon (Won 38-28)
Last Bowl Game Appearance: 2017 Las Vegas vs. Oregon (Won 38-28)
Head Coach: Bryan Harsin (42-12 @ Boise State, 49-17 all-time)
Head Coach Effect For 2017-18 Season: +1
Top Returning Players: Brett Rypien (QB), Alexander Mattison (RB), Curtis Weaver (DL), David Moa (DL), Tyler Horton (DB), Kekoa Nawahine (DB), John Molchon (OL), Ezra Cleveland (OL), Durrant Miles (DL), Jabril Frazier (DL), A.J. Richardson (WR), Tyson Maeva (LB), DeAndre Pierce (DB), Octavius Evans (WR), Eric Quevedo (OL), Sonatane Lui (DL), Kekaula Kaniho (LB), Avery Williams (DB), Haden Hoggarth (K), Quinn Skillin (P)
Top Incoming Players: John Hightower (WR), Khalil Shakir (WR), Tyneil Hopper (TE), Andrew VanBurren (RB), Brandon Hawkins (LB), Riley Smith (QB)
Potential NFL Hopefuls: Brett Rypien (QB), Alexander Mattison (RB), John Molchon (OL), Curtis Weaver (DL), Durrant Miles (DL), David Moa (DL), Jabril Frazier (LB), Tyler Horton (DB), Kekoa Nawahine (DB)
Schedule Ranked By Difficulty: 75th
Predicted Record: 11-2 (8-1)
