Rankings are out of 130. The first post is the bottom 7.
#130 - UAB - After a two-year hiatus, the Blazers make their return to the gridiron on Sept. 2 against Alabama A&M. Considering all of the new faces on the depth chart, it’s hard to know what to expect out of this team in 2017. However, one thing is for certain: UAB is in good hands with Bill Clark leading the program. Clark guided the Blazers to a 6-6 mark back in 2014 and has recruited well during the hiatus to ensure this team can be competitive right away. A couple of transfers are likely to lead the way on offense. Former Middle Tennessee quarterback A.J. Erdely is the favorite to start under center, while Collin Lisa returned to Birmingham after a stint at Buffalo to work as the team’s go-to target. There’s also a cast of talented options at running back, including Kalin Heath, Donnie Lee, James Noble and Jonathan Haden. Senior Shaq Jones is the lone returning starter from the 2014 team and should be one of the leaders for Clark this fall. True freshman Thomas Johnston was the top recruit in UAB’s 2017 signing class and could push for snaps right away at linebacker.
#120 - UTEP - The Miners have one bowl appearances and winning mark (2014) under coach Sean Kugler, but this program has posted a losing record in three out of the last four seasons. And after a 4-8 mark in 2016, the pressure is building on Kugler to get UTEP back on track. That’s not an easy assignment for the former NFL assistant, as standout running back Aaron Jones left for the pros and the defense is a concern after giving up 34.9 points per game in 2016. Quadraiz Wadley was slated to replace Jones this fall, but he’s out after suffering a shoulder injury in spring practice. With Wadley out, sophomore Walter Dawn and true freshman Joshua Fields could handle the majority of the carries. Regardless of which player earns carries, he should find running room behind a standout offensive line. This unit is anchored by All-America candidate Will Hernandez and center Derron Gatewood. Quarterback Ryan Metz (1,375 yards, 10 TDs) was steady last fall, but the Miners connected on just 12 passes of 30 or more yards. More is needed out of Metz and the receiving corps without Jones to lean on in 2017. The defense has major concerns up front, but the back seven should be a strength. Linebacker Alvin Jones is one of Conference USA’s top defenders, and safety Devin Cockrell is another all-conference candidate.
#118 - Rice - Rice is one of Conference USA’s toughest jobs, but it’s notable that the Owls have watched their win total decrease in three consecutive years after a 10-4 finish in 2013. Coach David Bailiff has won 56 games since taking over in 2007 and could be facing a make-or-break campaign. In order for Rice to snap a string of two losing seasons in a row, finding a quarterback is Bailiff’s top priority. Sophomores Jackson Tyner and J.T. Granato and freshmen Sam Glaesmann and Miklo Smalls will battle for the job in the fall. Until a quarterback emerges, expect the offense to lean heavily on a solid line that returns all five starters and running back Samuel Stewart. Sophomore Kylen Granson could be in for a breakout year at receiver. Rice was porous on defense last season, giving up 37.3 points a game, more than 200 yards a contest on the ground and 32 plays of 40 yards or more. New coordinator Brian Stewart should build his 2017 group around linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee and a solid defensive line. The pass defense has to improve for the Owls to cut down on last year’s 37.3 points per game total allowed.
#108 - North Texas - Seth Littrell was one of the top coaching hires from the 2016 cycle and provided an instant spark for the Mean Green last year. After North Texas won just one game in 2015, this program finished 5-8 last fall and earned a trip to a bowl due to APR scoring. Littrell still has a lot of work to do, but the Mean Green are clearly trending in the right direction. In order for this team to push for a winning record in 2017, more is needed from an offense that averaged only 24.8 points per game last fall. Sophomore quarterback Mason Fine (1,572 yards, six TDs) showed promise, but he could be pushed by junior Quinn Shanbour this fall. Fine’s development will be aided by one of Conference USA’s top running backs in senior Jeffery Wilson, along with junior college recruit Jalen Guyton at receiver. The offensive line returns three starters but must cut down on the sacks after giving up 43 last fall. The defense was a key cog in last year’s improvement. After surrendering 41.3 points per game in 2015, North Texas cut that total to 32.6 last year. There’s a new coordinator (Troy Reffett) and some turnover (just four returning starters), but the Mean Green have the pieces in place to improve on this side of the ball. The secondary is one of the best in Conference USA, and Kansas State transfer Bryce English is a name to remember in the front seven. Another bowl trip is within reach for Littrell’s team.
#103 - South Alabama - The Jaguars had an interesting 2016 season. Despite a 2-6 record in Sun Belt play, South Alabama made its second bowl appearance in program history. Thanks to upset victories against Mississippi State and San Diego State in non-conference play, the Jaguars reached the six-win mark for the third time in four years. With 11 returning starters and one of the Sun Belt’s best defenses in place, South Alabama shouldn’t need upsets in non-conference play to go bowling in 2017. The line is anchored by Louisville transfer Finesse Middleton and standout tackles Tyree Turner and Tre Alford. Safety Jeremy Reaves is also a first-team All-Sun Belt selection by Athlon Sports for 2017. The offense averaged 25.4 points per game last season and needs more help from the line to improve on the stat sheet. Quarterback Dallas Davis should rank among the league’s top signal-callers while running back Xavier Johnson should push for 1,000 yards after rushing for 831 last season. The receiving corps must be retooled after losing its top four options from 2016.
#98 - FAU - The Owls will be one of college football’s most intriguing teams this fall. And the reason for that is pretty simple: Lane Kiffin. The former Alabama offensive coordinator takes over in Boca Raton and inherits a team that has won just nine games over the last three years. While Kiffin’s last stint as a head coach at USC ended in his firing, the guess here is this stint goes significantly different. FAU is a program with potential in a fertile recruiting territory, and with Kiffin helping to make the final push, the Owls inked C-USA’s No. 1 signing class. Included in that haul was former Florida State quarterback De’Andre Johnson, a junior college transfer who is expected to start in 2017. Johnson is surrounded by a deep group of skill players, including standout running back Devin Singletary and receivers Kalib Woods and Kamrin Solomon. The offensive line should get a boost from the return of tackle Reggie Bain, who missed all of 2016 due to injuries suffered in an offseason car wreck. Scoring points shouldn’t be a problem for Kiffin’s team, but the defense could be an issue. Standout end Trey Hendrickson expired his eligibility, adding to the concerns for a run defense that gave up 245.4 yards per game in 2016. Anchored by cornerback Raekwon Williams and safety Jalen Young, the secondary should be the strength of the defense. The personnel is in place for Kiffin to lead FAU to a bowl game in his first year in Boca Raton.
#94 - UTSA - The Roadrunners are a program on the rise under second-year coach Frank Wilson and will continue to build off the momentum from last season’s six wins. Wilson is known as a standout recruiter, but he’s already proving his mettle as a head coach by guiding UTSA to its first bowl trip in program history last fall. This year’s team is projected third in Conference USA's West Division, but there’s little gap between the Roadrunners and second-place Southern Miss. For UTSA to take a step forward in the win column, the offense needs more consistency out of its passing attack and quarterback Dalton Sturm. This unit is loaded with options at receiver and features talented running back Jalen Rhodes, who is ready to step in for Jarveon Williams. The offensive line allowed a whopping 43 sacks last fall and has to improve for this team to challenge Louisiana Tech at the top of the West. The defense should be a strength for the Roadrunners. Linebacker Josiah Tauaefa (115) is a tackling machine and already one of the top defenders in Conference USA as a sophomore. He’s joined by senior La’Kel Bass at linebacker, while end Marcus Davenport and safety Nate Gaines are also among the best at their respective position. The defense allowed 27.9 points per game in 2016 and should cut that total even lower this fall.
#130 - UAB - After a two-year hiatus, the Blazers make their return to the gridiron on Sept. 2 against Alabama A&M. Considering all of the new faces on the depth chart, it’s hard to know what to expect out of this team in 2017. However, one thing is for certain: UAB is in good hands with Bill Clark leading the program. Clark guided the Blazers to a 6-6 mark back in 2014 and has recruited well during the hiatus to ensure this team can be competitive right away. A couple of transfers are likely to lead the way on offense. Former Middle Tennessee quarterback A.J. Erdely is the favorite to start under center, while Collin Lisa returned to Birmingham after a stint at Buffalo to work as the team’s go-to target. There’s also a cast of talented options at running back, including Kalin Heath, Donnie Lee, James Noble and Jonathan Haden. Senior Shaq Jones is the lone returning starter from the 2014 team and should be one of the leaders for Clark this fall. True freshman Thomas Johnston was the top recruit in UAB’s 2017 signing class and could push for snaps right away at linebacker.
#120 - UTEP - The Miners have one bowl appearances and winning mark (2014) under coach Sean Kugler, but this program has posted a losing record in three out of the last four seasons. And after a 4-8 mark in 2016, the pressure is building on Kugler to get UTEP back on track. That’s not an easy assignment for the former NFL assistant, as standout running back Aaron Jones left for the pros and the defense is a concern after giving up 34.9 points per game in 2016. Quadraiz Wadley was slated to replace Jones this fall, but he’s out after suffering a shoulder injury in spring practice. With Wadley out, sophomore Walter Dawn and true freshman Joshua Fields could handle the majority of the carries. Regardless of which player earns carries, he should find running room behind a standout offensive line. This unit is anchored by All-America candidate Will Hernandez and center Derron Gatewood. Quarterback Ryan Metz (1,375 yards, 10 TDs) was steady last fall, but the Miners connected on just 12 passes of 30 or more yards. More is needed out of Metz and the receiving corps without Jones to lean on in 2017. The defense has major concerns up front, but the back seven should be a strength. Linebacker Alvin Jones is one of Conference USA’s top defenders, and safety Devin Cockrell is another all-conference candidate.
#118 - Rice - Rice is one of Conference USA’s toughest jobs, but it’s notable that the Owls have watched their win total decrease in three consecutive years after a 10-4 finish in 2013. Coach David Bailiff has won 56 games since taking over in 2007 and could be facing a make-or-break campaign. In order for Rice to snap a string of two losing seasons in a row, finding a quarterback is Bailiff’s top priority. Sophomores Jackson Tyner and J.T. Granato and freshmen Sam Glaesmann and Miklo Smalls will battle for the job in the fall. Until a quarterback emerges, expect the offense to lean heavily on a solid line that returns all five starters and running back Samuel Stewart. Sophomore Kylen Granson could be in for a breakout year at receiver. Rice was porous on defense last season, giving up 37.3 points a game, more than 200 yards a contest on the ground and 32 plays of 40 yards or more. New coordinator Brian Stewart should build his 2017 group around linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee and a solid defensive line. The pass defense has to improve for the Owls to cut down on last year’s 37.3 points per game total allowed.
#108 - North Texas - Seth Littrell was one of the top coaching hires from the 2016 cycle and provided an instant spark for the Mean Green last year. After North Texas won just one game in 2015, this program finished 5-8 last fall and earned a trip to a bowl due to APR scoring. Littrell still has a lot of work to do, but the Mean Green are clearly trending in the right direction. In order for this team to push for a winning record in 2017, more is needed from an offense that averaged only 24.8 points per game last fall. Sophomore quarterback Mason Fine (1,572 yards, six TDs) showed promise, but he could be pushed by junior Quinn Shanbour this fall. Fine’s development will be aided by one of Conference USA’s top running backs in senior Jeffery Wilson, along with junior college recruit Jalen Guyton at receiver. The offensive line returns three starters but must cut down on the sacks after giving up 43 last fall. The defense was a key cog in last year’s improvement. After surrendering 41.3 points per game in 2015, North Texas cut that total to 32.6 last year. There’s a new coordinator (Troy Reffett) and some turnover (just four returning starters), but the Mean Green have the pieces in place to improve on this side of the ball. The secondary is one of the best in Conference USA, and Kansas State transfer Bryce English is a name to remember in the front seven. Another bowl trip is within reach for Littrell’s team.
#103 - South Alabama - The Jaguars had an interesting 2016 season. Despite a 2-6 record in Sun Belt play, South Alabama made its second bowl appearance in program history. Thanks to upset victories against Mississippi State and San Diego State in non-conference play, the Jaguars reached the six-win mark for the third time in four years. With 11 returning starters and one of the Sun Belt’s best defenses in place, South Alabama shouldn’t need upsets in non-conference play to go bowling in 2017. The line is anchored by Louisville transfer Finesse Middleton and standout tackles Tyree Turner and Tre Alford. Safety Jeremy Reaves is also a first-team All-Sun Belt selection by Athlon Sports for 2017. The offense averaged 25.4 points per game last season and needs more help from the line to improve on the stat sheet. Quarterback Dallas Davis should rank among the league’s top signal-callers while running back Xavier Johnson should push for 1,000 yards after rushing for 831 last season. The receiving corps must be retooled after losing its top four options from 2016.
#98 - FAU - The Owls will be one of college football’s most intriguing teams this fall. And the reason for that is pretty simple: Lane Kiffin. The former Alabama offensive coordinator takes over in Boca Raton and inherits a team that has won just nine games over the last three years. While Kiffin’s last stint as a head coach at USC ended in his firing, the guess here is this stint goes significantly different. FAU is a program with potential in a fertile recruiting territory, and with Kiffin helping to make the final push, the Owls inked C-USA’s No. 1 signing class. Included in that haul was former Florida State quarterback De’Andre Johnson, a junior college transfer who is expected to start in 2017. Johnson is surrounded by a deep group of skill players, including standout running back Devin Singletary and receivers Kalib Woods and Kamrin Solomon. The offensive line should get a boost from the return of tackle Reggie Bain, who missed all of 2016 due to injuries suffered in an offseason car wreck. Scoring points shouldn’t be a problem for Kiffin’s team, but the defense could be an issue. Standout end Trey Hendrickson expired his eligibility, adding to the concerns for a run defense that gave up 245.4 yards per game in 2016. Anchored by cornerback Raekwon Williams and safety Jalen Young, the secondary should be the strength of the defense. The personnel is in place for Kiffin to lead FAU to a bowl game in his first year in Boca Raton.
#94 - UTSA - The Roadrunners are a program on the rise under second-year coach Frank Wilson and will continue to build off the momentum from last season’s six wins. Wilson is known as a standout recruiter, but he’s already proving his mettle as a head coach by guiding UTSA to its first bowl trip in program history last fall. This year’s team is projected third in Conference USA's West Division, but there’s little gap between the Roadrunners and second-place Southern Miss. For UTSA to take a step forward in the win column, the offense needs more consistency out of its passing attack and quarterback Dalton Sturm. This unit is loaded with options at receiver and features talented running back Jalen Rhodes, who is ready to step in for Jarveon Williams. The offensive line allowed a whopping 43 sacks last fall and has to improve for this team to challenge Louisiana Tech at the top of the West. The defense should be a strength for the Roadrunners. Linebacker Josiah Tauaefa (115) is a tackling machine and already one of the top defenders in Conference USA as a sophomore. He’s joined by senior La’Kel Bass at linebacker, while end Marcus Davenport and safety Nate Gaines are also among the best at their respective position. The defense allowed 27.9 points per game in 2016 and should cut that total even lower this fall.
