College Football Preview Part X 7-29-22

Welcome Back!

Today continues my preview of all 131 teams. These will be presented from #131 to #1, and are based on my own formula. At the end of the individual teams, which will take 3 weeks, I will present my conference predictions, which will take 2 weeks. Then, finally, it will be time for the first game week! Except it's called Week Zero. Whatever...

Anyway, here is what to expect, and what not to expect, from these previews. You will NOT get an extensive write up on each team, nor will you get each team's schedule. There are several fine magazines and websites where you can find that sort of information. Instead, I will present the team name, their record last year, and their coach. I will then present some data that I find interesting and can't be found anywhere else, as I do them myself- in other words, you would need to do them yourself to get the same info. This data is how each team has done over the last 3, 6 and 10 years- their record, their winning percentage, and where that ranks within the FBS. And then I'll give you some data that can be found elsewhere- last league title, last bowl (or last year they didn't go to a bowl), and last year's offensive and defensive stats and where they rank nationally and within their conference. Finally, I give you my personal assessment of what would constitute a successful season and what what would qualify as a disappointment (yes, it's different for each team), and I give you some interesting notes on each team. Some teams will have more written about them, some less, but basically it's what I found fascinating, and focuses mostly on QBs, kickers and punters, some interesting stats not covered above, and some interesting historical facts.

I hope you find these entertaining and informative! You are more than welcome to disagree. Feel free to leave a comment. Please realize that since I do all this myself, I have no editor, and though I proofread everything, there are likely to be typos and misspellings. Finally, during the 1st game week, I'll reprint the Power Rankings in one list; that way you don't have to keep referring back to 3 weeks worth of blogs, or make the effort to write these down. Please realize that this is not a prediction of where the teams will finish the season; this is an assessment of where they stand now. And other than the actual write-ups, none of the rankings are based on my opinion. I use several different formulas to come up with my rankings, and then combine them to get my final Power Ranking. I will adjust these each week of the season based on wins and losses, and I will eventually drop my preseason factors, so that by midseason, the Power Ranking will be based on results from this season only.

Enjoy! 

40- Iowa State Cyclones 7-6/5-4

Coach: Matt Campbell (7th year, 11th overall)

3-year record/rank: 23-15/.605/T39

6-year record/rank: 42-34/.553/55

10-year record/rank: 56-69/.448/89

Last League Title: 1912 Missouri Valley co-champs

Last Time Didn’t Go Bowling:  2017

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 31.3 ppg- 43rd/4th Big 12

Rushing: 160.1 ypg- 69th/7th

Passing: 263.8 ypg- 32nd/1st

Total: 423.9 ypg- 49th/4th

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 20.5 ppg- 20th/3rd

Rushing: 122.5 ypg- 21st/3rd

Passing: 188.2 ypg- 11/1st

Total: 310.7 ypg- 9th/2nd

TO Margin: +2/+0.15/gm- 53rd/5th

A good season means… 7 or more wins and a top half finish in the Big 12, as expectations are low considering the losses on offense and defense. Their OOC slate is manageable, with FCS SE Missouri, their annual tilt against Iowa, this time in Iowa City, and Ohio, and most of their tougher Big 12 games are at home. They do play Kansas, Texas, Okla St and TCU on the road, though.

A disappointing season means… 6 wins or less, which would be the fewest wins since going 3-9 in 2016, and/or a bottom half finish in the conference.

Notes: QB will be Hunter Dekkers (193 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 55.6% completions, 61 yds rushing, 15.3 ypc, 1 TD, replacing 4 yr starter Brock Purdy) and RB will be Jirehl Brock (174 yds, 4.7 ypc, 1 TD, replacing Breece Hall); Edge rusher Will McDonald IV is the all-time sacks leader (29); both K and P will be new; defense allowed only 43 plays of 20+ yds (22nd FBS); Cyclones are 16-3 in October since 2017, but just 7-11 in September since 2016; ISU has lost by 14+ just twice in last 64 games; 5 of 6 losses were by 7 pts or less; Cyclones are 21-4 at home the last 4 years.

39- Kansas State Wildcats 8-5/4-5

Coach: Chris Klieman (4th year, 4th overall FBS)

3-year record/rank: 20-16/.556/T56

6-year record/rank: 42-32/.568/T47

10-year record/rank: 76-50/.603/38

Last League Title: 2012

Last Time Didn’t Go Bowling: 2009 

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 27.5 ppg- 76th/8th Big 12

Rushing: 162.4 ypg- 64th/6th

Passing: 199.9 ypg- 96th/9th

Total: 362.3 ypg- 95th/9th

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 21.0 ppg- 23rd/4th

Rushing: 129.5 ypg- 31st/5th

Passing: 215.2 ypg- 44th/4th

Total: 344.7 ypg- 29th/3rd

TO Margin: +4/+0.31- 40th/3rd

A good season means… finally breaking through that 8 win mark under HC Klieman and perhaps challenging for a spot in the Big 12 CG. They have a good chance at being 3-0 heading into their conference opener @Oklahoma as their OOC games are all at home: FCS S Dakota, Missouri, and Tulane. However, they do have 5 Big 12 road games, their others being ISU, TCU, Baylor, and WVU. If they can go 6-3 in the conference for the 1st time since 2016, they could reach that coveted 9 win plateau.

A disappointing season means… 6 wins or less, and/or a bottom half finish in the Big 12. A result like this probably means that they ran into some injury trouble, as their depth in key areas is lacking.

Notes: Defense was 2nd in the Big 12 in sacks and INTs; RB Deuce Vaughn (1,404 yds, 6.0 ypc, 18 TDs rushing, 49 receptions, 468 yds, 9.6 ypv, 4 TDs receiving) returns, but QB will likely be Nebraska graduate transfer Adrian Martinez (2,863 yds, 14 TDs, 10 INTs, 61.8% completions, 525 yds rushing, 3.9 ypc, 13 TDs); K Chris Tennant (5-8 FGs, long of 51, 16-16 PATs) and P Ty Zentner (43.7 avg, 38.9 avg net) return; defense allowed 48 plays of 20+ yds (56th FBS); Malik Knowles had 2 TDs on KOR (33.1 avg).

38- Minnesota Golden Gophers 9-6/6-3

Coach: PJ Fleck (6th year, 10th overall)

3-year record/rank: 23-10/.697/T23

6-year record/rank: 44-27/.620/T33

10-year record/rank: 72-51/.585/43

Last League Title: 1967 co-champs

Last Time Didn’t Go Bowling: 2020

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 25.5 ppg- 83rd/7th Big Ten

Rushing: 198.1 ypg- 27th/3rd

Passing: 162.0 ypg- 118th/12th

Total: 360.1 ypg- 99th/9th

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 17.3 ppg- 6th/2nd

Rushing: 97.5 ypg- 8th/2nd

Passing: 181.2 ypg- 8th/2nd

Total: 278.8 ypg- 3rd/2nd

TO Margin: +4/+0.31/gm- 40th/5th

A good season means…another 8 or 9 wins, with a possibility for double digits, as they could challenge for the Big Ten West title. They should go 3-0 against their OOC slate (New Mexico St,  FCS W Illinois, and Colorado, all at home), but then again, they did lose to Bowling Green at home last year, still the most baffling result from the 2021 season, in my opinion. Their crossover games are @Mich St, @Penn St, and Rutgers, and they must travel to Illinois, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, but they get Iowa at home. If they can stay away from injuries, improve their offense, and somewhat maintain the defensive production, this could be a special season in Minneapolis.

A disappointing season means… 7 wins or less and/or a bottom half finish in the Big Ten West. This would probably mean that the Golden Gophers had to deal with injuries again, had problems filling holes on the OL, and saw their defense take a big step back from their phenomenal season last year.

Notes: QB Tanner Morgan (2,044 yds, 10 TDs, 9 INTs, 59.6% completions) returns for a 6th season; RBs Mo Ibrahim, Bryce Williams, and Trey Potts all return after season-ending injuries last year; K Matthew Trickett (17-25 FGs, long of 50, 3 misses from 50+) and P Mark Crawford (41.7 avg, 40.9 avg net) both return; Gophers were 119th in KOR; Minnesota has lost 5 straight vs Iowa; UM has won 9+ in a season only 4 times since 1905; Gophers were 2nd FBS in starting field position allowed (24.4 YL); defense allowed only 34 plays of 20+ yds (6th FBS); defense allowed just 3.4 ypc rushing.

37- Fresno State Bulldogs 10-3/6-2

Coach: Jeff Tedford (4th year, 15th overall)

3-year record/rank: 17-14/.548/T59

6-year record/rank: 40-31/.563/T50

10-year record/rank: 69-54/.561/T52

Last League Title: 2018

Last Time Didn’t Go Bowling: 2020

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 33.4 ppg- 26th/2nd MWC

Rushing: 138.2 ypg- 90th/7th

Passing: 326.7 ypg- 9th/2nd

Total: 464.8 ypg- 14th/1st

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 20.5 ppg- 20th/4th

Rushing: 125.1 ppg- 24th/3rd

Passing: 222.0 ypg- 58th/7th

Total: 347.1 ypg- 32nd/3rd

TO Margin: +2/+0.15/gm- 53rd/5th

A good season means… winning the MWC West and perhaps the Mountain West title. They have a tough OOC schedule- FCS Cal Poly, Oregon St, @USC, and @UConn- but they went 1-1 against the PAC 12 last year, and could do so again. Their crossover games are @Boise St, @New Mexico, and Wyoming, and they get both SDSU and SJSU at home. 8 or 9 wins should be a given, with 10 being a possibility.

A disappointing season means… finishing 2nd place or lower in the MWC West, and/or winning 6 games or fewer. 

Notes: QB Jake Haener (4,096 yds, 33 TDs, 9 INTs, 67.1% completions) returns; WRs Jalen Cropper and Josh Kelly (combined for 137 catches, 1,677 yds, 14 TDs) both return; Bulldogs haven’t had a PR for a TD since 2013, or a KOR TD since 2008; K Abraham Montano (5-5 FGs, 14-14 PATs in 4 games) and P Carson King (42.1 avg, 41.0 avg net) return; FSU only had 46 PR yds all season.

36- Ole Miss Rebels 10-3/6-2

Coach: Lane Kiffin (3rd year, 11th overall FBS)

3-year record/rank: 19-16/.543/64

6-year record/rank: 35-36/.493/T81

10-year record/rank:69-54/.561/T52

Last League Title: 1963

Last Time Didn’t Go Bowling: 2019

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 33.7 ppg- 24th/4th SEC

Rushing: 217.6 ypg- 12th/3rd

Passing: 274.8 ypg- 22nd/3rd

Total: 492.5 ypg- 6th/1st

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 24.7 ppg- 51st/8th

Rushing: 190.6 ypg- 105th/12th

Passing: 230.0 ypg- 68th/9th

Total: 420.6 ypg- 97th/11th

TO Margin: +8/+0.62/gm- 19th/1st

A good season means… at least 8 wins, and perhaps more, but I would be surprised if they repeat last season’s 10 wins in the regular season. They have a good chance to start the season 6-1 or 7-0, as their OOC games are Troy, FCS Cent Arkansas, @Ga Tech, and Tulsa, and then have their 2 crossover games with Kentucky at home and Vandy on the road before starting division play with Auburn at home. Their last 5 games will determine their season: @LSU, @TAMU, Alabama, @Arkansas, and Miss State in the Egg Bowl. With 3 of those on the road and Bama at home, I don’t see 3 (or 4) wins out of those 5.

A disappointing season means… a drop back to 6 wins or less, which would match their results from 2016-2020, proving that 2021 was a fluke, at least in the minds of their rivals and HC Kiffin’s detractors.

Notes: QB will be between USC transfer Jaxson Dart (1,353 yds, 9 TDs, 5 INTs, 61.9% completions) and last year’s backup to Matt Corral, Luke Altmyer (192 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 54.1% completions); RBs will be TCU transfer Zach Evans and SMU transfer Ulysses Bentley IV (great name!); K Caden Costa (14-17 FGs, long of 50) is appealing a year-long NCAA suspension, so both K and P could be new; 10 wins in the regular season was a first for the Rebels; offense attempted 40 4th down conversions (most in FBS) and converted 60%; defense allowed almost 14 ppg less than in ‘20 and had 39 sacks; Ole Miss is only original SEC West team without a West title; Rebels were undefeated at home for 1st time since 1992, and have a 9-game home winning streak; last year was 1st 10-win regular season in school history!

35- Tennessee Volunteers 7-6/4-4

Coach: Josh Heupel (2nd year, 5th overall)

3-year record/rank: 18-18/.500/T71

6-year record/rank: 36-37/.493/T79

10-year record/rank: 62-61/.504/70

Last League Title: 1998

Last Time Didn’t Go Bowling: 2020

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 39.3 ppg- 7th/2nd SEC

Rushing: 217.8 ypg- 11th/2nd

Passing: 257.1 ypg- 40th/4th

Total: 474.9 ypg- 9th/3rd

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 29.1 ppg- 90th/12th

Rushing: 148.5 ypg- 59th/8th

Passing: 273.2 ypg- 122nd/14th

Total: 421.7 ypg- 99th/12th

TO Margin: +3/+0.23/gm- 46th/4th

A good season means… 8 wins or more, showing improvement from last season, and perhaps challenging for the SEC East crown. They should go 3-1 in OOC games, at worst, as they play Ball St, @Pitt, Akron, and FCS UT Martin (doesn’t get much easier than that). Their crossover games are difficult- @LSU and rival Alabama at home- so they will need to go 5-1 within the division (probably, or 4-2) to get to 8 wins in the regular season. That means beating Kentucky and/or Florida and/or @UGA as well as the others. 

A disappointing season means… a drop back to 6 wins or less, and finishing lower than 3rd in the SEC East, which would be a step backwards from last year. A lot will depend on if their offense can stay potent, their OL can cut down on sacks allowed, and if their defense can improve. As always, injuries and turnovers could play a part, too.

Notes: Offense set a record for points in a season (511 pts); defense allowed 500+ yds in 5 games; QB Hendon Hooker (2,945 yds, 31 TDs, 3 INTs, 68.0% completions, 616 yds rushing- despite 40+ sacks, 3.7 ypc, 5 TDs) returns, with Michigan transfer Joe Milton the backup (injured early last year); defense allowed 42.1% of 3rd down conversions (103rd FBS); K Chase McGrath (12-16 FGs, long of 48, 66-66 PATs) P Paxton Brooks (44.0 avg, 42.1 avg net) both return; UT will face each of the last 3 national champions, 2 on the road, as does Auburn; offense added almost 18 ppg from 2020; HC Heupel one of only 4 UT coaches since 1941 to win 7+ in their debut season (Can you name the others? Answers at the end!); WR Tillman (64 catches, 1,081 yds, 12 TDs) also returns; OL allowed 44 sacks (most in SEC); defense set a school record with 102 TFLs; defense allowed 59 plays of 20+ yds; UT outscored opponents 190-51 in the 1st quarter; (Answer to trivia: Bill Battle in 1970 was 11-1, Phillip Fulmer in 1993 was 9-2-1, and Lane Kiffin was 7-6 in 2009, his only year).

34- Texas Longhorns 5-7/3-6

Coach: Steve Sarkisian (2nd year, 8th overall)

3-year record/rank: 20-15/.571/50

6-year record/rank: 42-32/.568/T79

10-year record/rank: 70-55/.560/55

Last League Title: 2009

Last Bowl: 2020 Alamo

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 35.2 ppg- 18th/2nd Big 12

Rushing: 199.0 ypg- 26th/2nd

Passing: 225.4 ypg- 72nd/7th

Total: 424.4 ypg- 47th/3rd

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 31.1 ppg- 99th/8th

Rushing: 201.6 ypg- 114th/8th

Passing: 224.0 ypg- 62nd/5th

Total: 425.6 ypg- 100th/8th

TO Margin: -4/-0.33/gm- 93rd/8th

A good season means… Texas is back! Seriously, the Longhorns simply need to get back to a winning season, since last year saw their 1st losing record since 2016. They should go 2-1 in their OOC games- ULM, Alabama, and UTSA, all at home, but the Roadrunners could give them a scare, especially coming on the heels of the Bama game. They do have 2 tough road games, OSU and KSU, and Oklahoma in Dallas, of course, but they have a good shot at a winning record, with all of the major preseason magazines putting them in their top 30 and saying they should challenge for the conference title. I’m not convinced, and think they will be closer to 6 or 7 wins and should be thrilled returning to finishing in the top half of the Big 12.

A disappointing season means… a 2nd straight losing season, more late game collapses, and a defense that doesn’t improve enough to help the offense. The OL also needs to do its part to keep their QB on his feet. Losing to Kansas for a 2nd straight year could start the fans in Austin rumbling.

Notes: Texas will be joining the SEC in 2025 (or earlier- who knows?); Defense had only 20 sacks (101st FBS), had only 7 INTs (104th) and allowed a passer rating of 137.83 (80th); former TCU HC Gary Patterson has been hired as a “special assistant”; K and P will be new; 6-game losing streak last year was longest since 1956 (year before Darrell Royal arrived); QB will be between Ohio St transfer Quinn Ewers and returnee Hudson Card (590 yds, 5 TDs, 1 INT, 61.4% completions), who started the 1st 2 games last year; RB Bijan Robinson (1,127 yds, 5.8 ypc, 11 TDs, 26 catches, 295, yds, 11.3 ypc, 4 TDs) returns; defense allowed 5.1 ypc rushing; offense scored on 93.02% of red zone opportunities (6th).

33- San Diego State Aztecs 12-2/7-1

Coach: Brady Hoke (3rd year back, 16th overall)

3-year record/rank: 26-9/.743/T11

6-year record/rank: 54-21/.720/11

10-year record/rank: 89-39/.695/13

Last League Title: 2016

Last Time Didn’t Go Bowling: 2020

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 27.4 ppg- 78th/7th MWC

Rushing: 174.3 ypg- 54th/3rd

Passing: 167.9 ypg- 115th/9th

Total: 342.2 ypg- 105th/9th

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 19.8 ppg- 17th/3rd

Rushing: 80.3 ypg- 3rd/1st

Passing: 244.1 ypg- 93rd/11th

Total: 324.4 ypg- 12th/2nd

TO Margin: +10/+0.71/gm- 14th/2nd

A good season means… double digit wins again and a return to the MWCCG, which means winning the division for the 2nd year in a row. Icing on the cake would be winning the MWC title for the 1st time since 2016. Their OOC schedule is pretty tough- Arizona, FCS Idaho St, @Utah, and Toledo, but they beat both PAC 12 schools last year, and could do it again, though it took 3 OTs to defeat Utah at home. Their crossover games are @Boise St, @New Mexico, and Air Force, and they get Fresno St on the road, so getting to 10 wins will be difficult, but not impossible. The Fresno St game will probably decide the division.

A disappointing season means… finishing 2nd or lower in the MWC West Division, which probably means only 8 or 9 wins and a 2nd straight loss to Fresno St and/or an upset loss to another MWC team along the way.

Notes: QB is likely to be Va Tech grad transfer Braxton Burmeister (1,960 yds, 14 TDs, 4 INTs, 55.7% completions, 521 yds rushing, 4.5 ypc, 2 TDs), their 4th new starting QB in the last 4 years, but RS freshman Will Haskell is waiting in the wings; K and P will be new (replacing all-everything Matt Araiza); SDSU is opening a new stadium in Mission Valley (San Diego) called Snapdragon Stadium (played home games last 2 years in Carson, CA- 113 miles away); Jordan Byrd avg 7.2 PR and 27.1 KOR with 1 TD; 12 wins last year was a school record; Aztecs were 7-0 for 1st time since 1975; SDSU is 7-2 vs PAC 12 since 2016; this is SDSU’s 100th year of football; 6 of 12 wins were by 8 pts or less; defense allowed only 2.7 ypc rushing.

32- Auburn Tigers 6-7/3-5

Coach: Bryan Harsin (2nd year, 10th overall)

3-year record/rank: 21-16/.568/T51

6-year record/rank: 47-30/.610/38

10-year record/rank: 76-52/.594/41

Last League Title: 2013

Last Time Didn’t Go Bowling: 2012

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 27.8 ppg- 71st/11th SEC

Rushing: 161.5 ypg- 66th/9th

Passing: 240.0 ypg- 59th/8th

Total: 401.5 ypg- 67th/10th

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 21.8 ppg- 27th/5th

Rushing: 128.1 ypg- 29th/5th

Passing: 245.8- 96th/12th

Total: 373.8 ypg- 61st/9th

TO Margin: +1/+0.08/gm- 64th/8th

A good season means… winning 7 or more games, but would 7 wins be enough to save HC Harsin’s job? How about 8 or 9? I’m not sure, but let’s check out their schedule to see what their chances are. Their OOC isn’t a cakewalk, but they should go 3-1 at worst: FCS Mercer, San Jose St, and Penn St to start the season, and then WKU before Alabama at the end, all at home. Their crossover games are Missouri and @UGA (of course!) and barring an upset in Athens, which could happen, that’s 1-1, so that gets them to 4-2. With only Ole Miss, Miss St and Bama on the road, that means they have a total of 8 home games! If they can go 3-3 in the division that gets them to 7-5. 4-2 means an 8-4 season, and 5-3 in the SEC, probably good enough for 3rd or 4th in the division. With all of the off-season turmoil, I believe anything less than 9 wins and/or a 2nd place finish in the SEC West may not save HC Harsin’s job, as it seems like AU people are looking for a reason to let him go. But if he can somehow defeat Alabama and/or Georgia…

A disappointing season means… a 3rd straight season with 6 wins, or worse, less than that, and/or a 2nd straight season finishing in the bottom half of the SEC West.

Notes: QB is an open competition between former LSU transfer TJ Finley (started 3 games for AU last season, 827 yds, 6 TDs, 1 INT, 54.7% completions), Texas A&M transfer Zach Calzada (2,185 yds, 17TDs, 9 INTs, 56.1% completions), Oregon transfer Robby Ashford, and Holden Geriner to replace the departed Bo Nix; RB Tank Bigsby (1,102 yds, 4.9 ypc, 10 TDs) returns; both OC and DC are new; Anders Carlson (14-21 FGs), coming off an ACL tear, and P Oscar Chapman (44.1 avg, 41.8 avg net) both return; AU is on a current 5-game losing streak; OL allowed only 18 sacks, but offense had only 14 passing TDs; 35.1% of offensive drives began inside their own 25 YL; Nehemiah Pritchett avg 31.3 KOR; offense had just 22 ppg in SEC games.

31- Houston Cougars 12-2/8-0

Coach: Dana Holgorsen (4th year, 12th overall)

3-year record/rank: 19-15/.559/55

6-year record/rank: 43-29/.597/41

10-year record/rank: 77-47/.621/T32

Last League Title: 2015

Last Time Didn’t Go Bowling: 2019

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 35.9 ppg- 15th/3rd AAC

Rushing: 141.8 ypg- 86th/9th

Passing: 271.6 ypg- 23rd/3rd

Total: 413.4 ypg- 60th/6th

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 20.4 ppg- 19th/2nd

Rushing: 107.2 ypg- 10th/1st

Passing: 194.0 ypg- 18th/3rd

Total: 301.2 ypg- 6th/1st

TO Margin: +9/+0.64- 17th/2nd

A good season means… double digit wins and a berth in the AAC title game, as they avoid both Cincinnati and UCF in the conference. Their OOC games are challenging, but winnable: @UTSA, @Texas Tech, Kansas, and Rice, but they better not sleep on the Roadrunners! Their AAC road games are Memphis, Navy, SMU, and ECU, so they have a great shot at going at least 7-1 in the conference. This is a schedule made for success and perhaps a NY6 bowl game.

A disappointing season means… finishing in 3rd place in the AAC or below and missing out on a chance to play in the AACCG. Anything less than 9 wins in the regular season would also be a letdown.

Notes: Cougars will be joining the Big 12 next year; QB Clayton Tune (3,544 yds, 30 TDs, 10 INTs, 68.3% completions) returns for his 4th season; WR Nathaniel Dell had 90 catches for 1,329 yds and 12 TDs; defense had 45 sacks (5th FBS), and DL (call themselves “Sack Avenue”) accounted for 34.5 of them; K will be new, but  Laine Wilkins (42.1 avg, 39.6 avg net) returns; defense allowed only 29.7% conversions on 3rd downs (1st FBS); UH allowed 3 KOR TDs, but had 6 kick blocks; last year was 3rd ever with 12+ wins (2011 & 2015); 3 wins , all in the AAC, were by 8 pts or less, AAC opponents were only 23-41 in the conference last year (easiest schedule).

That's all for today! Come back Monday for Part XI- #s 30-21, and check out my past blogs for previous previews.

Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!