College Football Preview Part IX

Welcome Back!

Today I continue my 5 weeks of my college football previews. I begin with 3 weeks of individual team previews, and then conclude with 2 weeks of conference previews.

In case you are interested, I get all of my information from various sources. I use the 3 main preview magazines (Phil Steele, Lindy's, and Athlon), but I also use many different websites, including (but not limited to): Google, Winsipedia, sports-reference.com, ESPN.com, TeamRankings.com, NCAA.com, and, of course, individual school websites.

I don't have a staff- it's just me- so all of the research is my own from these various sources (it doesn't help when they contradict each other...), so any mistakes are mine. I also don't have an editor/proofreader, so you are likely to find several (many? I hope not) typos, such as commas where periods should be (or vice versa), a misspelled or missing word, doubled words ("the the" in the middle of a sentence, for example), etc. 

Finally, feel free to leave a comment. Interacting is much of the fun! Of course, if you know me personally, just text me. I'll get that a lot quicker.

So, on with the previews! 

50- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 7-6/5-3

Coach: Brent Key (4th year, 4th overall)

Coach FBS Record/Rank: 18-16/.529/72nd

3-year record/rank: 19-19/.500/72nd

6-year record/rank: 28-44/.389/109th

10-year record/rank: 52-69/.430/98th

Last League Title: 2009 ACC co-champs/1990 ACC champions/2014 ACC Coastal champions

Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 2 years/2024/2023

Bowl Record/Rank: 26-21/.553/31st

CFP Playoff Appearances: 0

AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None

Last Undefeated Season: 1990/11-0-1 under HC Bobby Ross (UPI national champions)

Last Winless Season: 1902/0-6-2 under HC John McKee

All-time Record/Rank: 763-546-43/.580/39th

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 28.9/55th/8th ACC

Rushing: 187.0/32nd/2nd

Passing: 237.5/54th/10th

Total: 424.5/35th/6th

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 25.2/67th/8th

Rushing: 122.2/30th/6th

Passing: 220.7/69th/6th

Total: 342.8/42nd/4th

Returning Starters (Off/Def): 7/7

Schedule: 

Aug 29 @ Colorado

Sep 6 Gardner-Webb

Sep 13 Clemson

Sep 20 Temple

Sep 27 @ Wake Forest

Oct 11 Virginia Tech

Oct 18 @ Duke

Oct 25 Syracuse

Nov 1 @ NC State

Nov 15 @ Boston College

Nov 22 Pittsburgh

Nov 29 Georgia (Mercedes Benz Stadium)

Notes: The Yellow Jackets start and end their season on Friday nights; GT is on a 2-game losing streak, including a bowl loss to Vandy; 3 of 6 losses were by 8 points or less, while 4 of 7 wins were by 7 points or less; the Jackets have won 5 of their last 6 home games, and 7 of their last 9; QB Haynes King (2,114 yds, 72.9%, 14 TDs, 2 INT, 587 yds rushing, 4.7 ypc) returns (for his 3rd season), as does his backup, Aaron Philo (565 yds, 51.4%, 1 TD, 2 INT); K Aidan Burr (15-22 FGs) returns, and P will be Miss St/UNLV transfer Marshall Nichols (44.3 avg/39.2 net).


Outlook: Georgia Tech is on the verge of a breakthrough season, and they have the schedule to get there. Their OOC slate is tough, but fair: at Colorado (could set the tone), FCS G-W, Temple, and rival UGA in Mercedes Benz Stadium (have gone from losing 45-0 in 2021, to losing 37-14 in ‘22, losing 31-23 in ‘23, and finally in 4 OTs last year by a score of 44-42, so they may be poised to pull the upset). In the ACC, they open with Clemson at home, but the rest of the conference schedule is relatively easier, though they miss Miami, which is unfortunate because they seem to have the ‘Canes number. They also miss SMU, FSU, Louisville, and UNC, with Pitt (also at home) the only seeming threat. I see 8 to 10 wins from the Jackets, and perhaps a berth in the ACC Championship Game.

49- UTSA Roadrunners 7-6/4-4

Coach: Jeff Traylor (6th year, 6th overall)

Coach FBS Record/Rank: 46-20/.697/15th

3-year record/rank: 27-13/.675/24th

6-year record/rank: 50-28/.641/26th

10-year record/rank: 68-58/.540/58th

Last League Title: 2022 CUSA champions

Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 5 years/2024/2024

Bowl Record/Rank: 2-4/.333/116th

CFP Playoff Appearances: 0

AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None

Last Undefeated Season: Never (since 2011); best season was 12-2 in 2021 under HC Jeff Traylor

Last Winless Season: Never; worst seasons were 3-9 in both 2015 under HC Larry Coker and 2018 under HC Frank Wilson

All-time Record/Rank: 91-81/.529/75th

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 33.2/27th/4th AAC

Rushing: 167.7/54th/8th

Passing: 283.5/11th/2nd

Total: 451.2/12th/2nd

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 30.1/103rd/8th

Rushing: 109.3/11th/1st

Passing: 265.8/124th/12th

Total: 375.2/71st/6th

Returning Starters (Off/Def): 9/2

Schedule: 

Aug 30 @ Texas A&M

Sep 6 Texas State

Sep 13 Incarnate Word

Sep 20 @ Colorado State

Oct 4 @ Temple

Oct 11 Rice

Oct 18 @ North Texas

Oct 30 Tulane

Nov 6 @ USF

Nov 15 @ Charlotte

Nov 22 East Carolina

Nov 29 Army

Notes: UTSA has won 4 of their last 5 games (including a bowl win over CCU), with 3 of their 6 losses by 5 points or less (combined 8 points); the Roadrunners were 6-0 at home last season, and have won 10 straight home games, and 17 of their last 18 at home, but were also 0-6 on the road, and have lost 7 in a row away from home (not counting bowl games); 11 of last 12 wins have been by at least 14 points; QB Owen McCown (3,424 yds, 63%, 25 TDs, 10 INT, 340 rushing yds, 4.0 ypc) returns; K will be new, but P Caile Hogan (40.0 avg/39.8 net) returns.


Outlook: The Roadrunners open the season at Texas A&M, then follow them up with Texas State (lost 49-10 last year) and Incarnate Word at home, and Colorado State on the road. It’s possible they come out of the OOC portion with a 3-1 record, but 2-2 seems more likely, as they’ve done 2 of the last 3 years (1-3 in 2023). In the AAC, they avoid Memphis and Navy, and get Tulane and Army at home (91% winning pct at home under HC Traylor). This team can get to 10 wins, but I’m a little concerned that they’ve gone from 12 wins in 2021, to 11 in ‘22, 9 in ‘23, and 7 wins last year. They need to reverse this downward trend, and that starts with how they do in their 1st 7 games. If they can be 5-2 or 6-1 at that junction, then they probably get to 8+ wins. Anything less, and they could backslide even more to just 6 wins.

48- Wisconsin Badgers 5-7/3-6

Coach: Luke Fickell (3rd year, 10th overall FBS)

Coach FBS Record/Rank: 76-38/.667/21st

3-year record/rank: 19-19/.500/72nd

6-year record/rank: 42-30/.583/46th

10-year record/rank: 84-42/.667/17th

Last League Title: 2012 Big Ten champions/2019 Big Ten West champions

Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 1 year bowl-less/2023/2022

Bowl Record/Rank: 19-16/.543/36th

CFP Playoff Appearances: 0

AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None

Last Undefeated Season: 1912/7-0 under HC William Juneau

Last Winless Season: 1968/0-10 under HC John Coatta (3-26-1 from 1967-69)

All-time Record/Rank: 747-525-53/.584/36th

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 22.6/108th/13th Big Ten

Rushing: 153.7/78th/8th

Passing: 196.7/102nd/14th

Total: 350.3/99th/11th

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 23.1/47th/10th

Rushing: 165.0/91st/17th

Passing: 177.7/14th/5th

Total: 342.7/41st/12th

Returning Starters (Off/Def): 6/8

Schedule: 

Aug 28 Miami, Oh

Sep 6 Middle Tennessee

Sep 13 @ Alabama

Sep 20 Maryland

Oct 4 @ Michigan

Oct 11 Iowa

Oct 18 Ohio State

Oct 25 @ Oregon

Nov 8 Washington

Nov 15 @ Indiana

Nov 22 Illinois

Nov 29 @ Minnesota

Notes: The Badgers are on a 5-game losing streak, their longest since 1991; only 1 of 7 losses were by less than 15 points; all of their wins were by at least 14 points; last year was the 1st time Wisconsin had missed a bowl since they were 5-7 in 2001, under HC Barry Alvarez, a string of 22 consecutive years, and the Badgers have not missed a bowl in back-to-back years since missing in 8 straight from 1985-92, encompassing HCs Dave McClain (1985), Jim Hilles (1986), Don Morton (1987-89), and Barry Alvarez (1990-92, as they were 10-1-1 in 1993); K Nathanial Vakos (12-19 FGs, long 53) and P Atticus Bertrams (45.3 avg/40.1 net) both return; QB is likely to be Maryland transfer Billy Edwards, Jr. (2,881 yds, 65%, 15 TDs, 9 INT); defense had just 17 sacks, UW’s fewest since 1983 (not counting 2020 when they played only 6 games and a bowl).


Outlook: Wisconsin has an absolutely brutal schedule. It starts off innocently enough, with a MAC team and a CUSA team, but then they travel to Alabama (lost 42-10 at home last year), and after Maryland and an off week, embark on a nightmare of an October: at Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, and at Oregon. After another off week, they host Washington, travel to Indiana, host Illinois, and then travel to Minnesota for their annual rivalry game with the Gophers. Unless the offense and defense both make a huge leap from last year, I don’t see 6 wins on this schedule. I’m not sure I see 5 wins. The Badgers will flirt with a bowl, but I think 5 wins is the likely outcome.

47- Syracuse Orange 10-3/5-3

Coach: Fran Brown (2nd year, 2nd overall FBS

Coach FBS Record/Rank: 10-3/.769/11th

3-year record/rank: 23-16/.590/44th

6-year record/rank: 34-40/.459/87th

10-year record/rank: 56-67/.455/90th

Last League Title: 2012 Big East co-champs/1998 Big East champions

Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 3 years/2024/2024

Bowl Record/Rank: 17-11-1/.603/21st

CFP Playoff Appearances: 0

AP Championships/Last AP Championship: 1/1959

Last Undefeated Season: 1987/11-0-1 under HC Dick McPherson

Last Winless Season: 1892/0-8 under HC Jordan C. Wells

All-time Record/Rank: 753-580-49/.563/52nd

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 34.1/21st/5th ACC

Rushing: 97.6/126th/15th

Passing: 370.0/1st/1st

Total: 467.6/7th/2nd

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 29.2/96th/14th

Rushing: 150.2/69th/13th

Passing: 227.3/82nd/9th

Total: 377.5/78th/11th

Returning Starters (Off/Def): 2/6

Schedule: 

Aug 30 Tennessee (Atlanta)

Sep 6 UConn

Sep 12 Colgate

Sep 20 @ Clemson

Sep 27 Duke

Oct 4 @ SMU

Oct 18 Pittsburgh

Oct 25 @ Georgia Tech

Oct 31 North Carolina

Nov 8 @ Miami

Nov 22 @ Notre Dame

Nov 29 Boston College

Notes: Syracuse enters 2025 on a 4-game winning streak, and have won 8 of their last 9 home games; 2 of 3 losses were by 6 points or less (combined 8 points), and 7 of 10 wins were by 8 points or less; the Orange have been to 3 consecutive bowls for the 1st time since they went to 5 in a row between 1995-99 under HC Paul Pasqualoni; offense scored 31+ points in 10 games, and have done so in 6 straight games; QB will be LSU transfer Rickie Collins, and Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli is also available; K will be new, and P Jack Stonehouse (45.7 avg/36.2 net, 2-time All-ACC) returns; SU allowed 3 blocked punts, 2 blocked FGs, and 2 TDs on returns, so special teams need to improve.


Outlook: The Orange have a recent history of starting the season strong, then collapsing down the stretch, but last season did not play out that way. With the loss of record setting QB Kyle McCord, I expect the offense to take a step back. If the defense can take a step forward, that might be enough to maintain their success from last season. Except… my gosh does this team have a tough schedule! They open with Tennessee in Atlanta, but should be no worse than 2-1 when they open ACC play. At Clemson. And they also play SMU on the road. And Georgia Tech on the road. And Miami on the road. And Notre Dame on the road. And for fun, they get Duke, Pitt, UNC, and BC, teams that were a combined 29-23 last year (and all 4 were bowl teams) at home. With the toughest ACC schedule (plus UT and ND), this is not conducive to repeating their 10 wins from last year. It will be a huge accomplishment just to get back to a bowl game for a 4th straight year.

46- Toledo Rockets 8-5/4-4

Coach: Jason Candle (10th year, 10th overall)

Coach FBS Record/Rank: 73-40/.646/27th

3-year record/rank: 28-13/.683/23rd

6-year record/rank: 45-27/.625/31st

10-year record/rank: 82-42/.661/18th

Last League Title: 2022 MAC champions/2023 MAC West champions

Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 4 years/2024/2024

Bowl Record/Rank: 12-10/.545/34th

CFP Playoff Appearances: 0

AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None

Last Undefeated Season: 1995/11-0-1 under HC Gary Pinkel

Last Winless Season: 1920/0-3 under HC Watt Hobt

All-time Record/Rank: 589-456-24/.562/53rd

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 28.3/64th/4th MAC

Rushing: 115.7/108th/9th

Passing: 254.2/40th/1st

Total: 369.9/86th/6th

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 23.2/48th/5th

Rushing: 150.7/70th/6th

Passing: 207.9/47th/5th

Total: 358.6/54th/5th

Returning Starters (Off/Def): 8/5

Schedule: 

Aug 30 @ Kentucky

Sep 6 WKU

Sep 13 Morgan State

Sep 20 @ Western Michigan

Sep 27 Akron

Oct 11 @ Bowling Green

Oct 18 Kent State

Oct 25 @ Washington State

Nov 5 Northern Illinois

Nov 12 @ Miami

Nov 22 Ball State

Nov 29 @ Central Michigan

Notes: Toledo has lost 2 of their last 3 games, including a bowl win over Pitt in 6 OTs; the Rockets have been to a bowl in 12 of the last 15 years, including the last 4, winning 2 of the last 3; QB Tucker Gleason (2,808 yds, 60.5%, 24 TDs, 8 INT, 364 rushing yds, 3.8 ypc, 7 TD) returns; K Dylan Cunanan (15-21 FGs, long 54) and P Emilio Duran (43.1 avg/38.8 net) both return; the Rockets have averaged almost 9 wins per year over the last 4 years (35-19); Bryson Hammer, who had a 13.4 avg on punt returns, and was 2nd team All-MAC, also returns; HC Candle needs 1 more win to surpass former HC Gary Pinkel (73 wins) for most wins in UT history; Toledo hasn’t had a losing season since 2009 (5-7), a string of 15 consecutive non-losing seasons.


Outlook: The Rockets went to Starkville last year and defeated MSU by 24 points. They’ll get another chance to take down an SEC team when they open against Kentucky in Lexington. After that, it’s CSUA team WKU (lost 26-21 in Bowling Green,KY last year) and an FCS team, with a trip to Washington State in late October. While it’s possible they could repeat last season’s 3-1 OOC record, that seems doubtful; 2-2 seems more likely. In the MAC, they avoid Buffalo, Ohio, EMU, and UMass, but have Miami on the road. Toledo has to be the clear favorite in the MAC, and if they can run the table, they could make the CFP, especially if UK and Wazzu have better than expected seasons.

 

45- NC State Wolfpack 6-7/3-5

Coach: Dave Doeren (13th year, 15th overall)

Coach FBS Record/Rank: 110-69/.615/41st

3-year record/rank: 23-16/.590/44th

6-year record/rank: 44-31/.587/42nd

10-year record/rank: 76-51/.598/39th

Last League Title: 1979 ACC champions

Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 3 years/2024/2017

Bowl Record/Rank: 17-18-1/.486/70th

CFP Playoff Appearances: 0

AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None

Last Undefeated Season: 1910/4-0-2 under HC Edward L. Greene

Last Winless Season: 1900/0-4 under HC John McKee

All-time Record/Rank: 646-607-55/.515/85th

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 28.5/62nd/9th ACC

Rushing: 145.2/83rd/9th

Passing: 232.6/58th/11th

Total: 377.8/76th/10th

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 29.7/99th/15th

Rushing: 157.0/79th/14th

Passing: 233.8/93rd/11th

Total: 390.8/88th/14th

Returning Starters (Off/Def): 8/7

Schedule: 

Aug 28 East Carolina

Sep 6 Virginia

Sep 11 @ Wake Forest

Sep 20 @ Duke

Sep 27 Virginia Tech

Oct 4 Campbell

Oct 11 @ Notre Dame

Oct 25 @ Pittsburgh

Nov 1 Georgia Tech

Nov 15 @ Miami

Nov 22 FSU

Nov 29 North Carolina

Notes: HC Dave Doeren has the 6th longest tenure in FBS, working in Raleigh since 2013; NC State has lost 3 of their last 4 games, including a bowl loss to ECU, against whom they open the season with a chance for revenge; defense allowed 51+ points twice, and 26+ points 7 times; QB CJ Bailey (2,413 yds, 64.9%, 17 TDs, 10 INT, 279 yds rushing, 2.8 ypc, 3 TDs) returns; K Kanoah Vinesett (18-24 FGs, long 52, 34-34 PATs) and P Caden Noonkester (43.6 avg/39.3 net) both return; both OC Kurt Roper (promoted from within) and DC D.J. Eliot are new to the job at NCSU; the Wolfpack don’t leave the state of North Carolina until game 7 at Notre Dame; last year was NCSU’s 1st losing season since 2019 (4-8); HC Doerun has the most wins (87) of any NCSU coach in history; the Wolfpack are on a 5-bowl losing streak, with their last win in the 2017 Sun Bowl over Arizona State; game against Virginia in week 2 will not count in the standings, as it is considered a non-conference game.


Outlook: The Wolfpack are almost always good, but never great. Their only 10-win season was in 2002, when they were 11-3 under HC Chuck Amato, and finished #12 in the AP Poll, their 2nd highest finish ever (#11 in 1974, when they were 9-2-1 under HC Lou Holtz). This year they could (should?) go 3-1 in OOC games, with the almost certain loss being at Notre Dame. In the ACC, they avoid Clemson, SMU, and Louisville, but get Miami and Pitt on the road. NC State could win 8 or more games, but I think 6 or 7 wins is the more likely outcome.

44- Ohio Bobcats 11-3/7-1

Coach: Brian Smith (2nd year, 2nd overall)

Coach FBS Record/Rank: 1-0/1.000/115th

3-year record/rank: 31-10/.756/12th

6-year record/rank: 43-26/.623/33rd

10-year record/rank: 77-45/.631/23rd

Last League Title: 2024 MAC champions

Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 3 years/2024/2024

Bowl Record/Rank: 8-8/.500/55th

CFP Playoff Appearances: 0

AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None

Last Undefeated Season: 1960/10-0 under HC Bill Hess

Last Winless Season: 1994/0-11 under HC Tom Lichtenberg

All-time Record/Rank: 615-586-48/.512/88th

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 29.1/54th/1st MAC

Rushing: 213.1/12th/1st

Passing: 192.4/104th/7th

Total: 405.5/9th/1st

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 18.1/13th/1st

Rushing: 90.6/4th/1st

Passing: 212.6/50th/6th

Total: 303.1/9th/2nd

Returning Starters (Off/Def): 7/3

Schedule: 

Aug 28 @ Rutgers

Sep 6 West Virginia

Sep 13 @ Ohio State

Sep 20 Gardner-Webb

Sep 27 Bowling Green

Oct 4 @ Ball State

Oct 18 Northern Illinois

Oct 25 @ Eastern Michigan

Nov 4 Miami

Nov 11 @ Western Michigan

Nov 18 UMass

Nov 28 @ Buffalo

Notes: Ohio is on a 7-game winning streak, including the bowl win over Jax State and the MAC CG win over Miami, winning their last 7 home games, and 15 of their last 16 home games; offense has scored 30+ points in 7 of their last 10 games, while the defense has held 6 of their last 7 opponents to 21 points or less; QB Parker Navarro (2,423 yds, 66.1%, 13 TDs, 11 INT, 1,054 yds rushing, 6.6 ypc, 18 TDs, 2nd team All-MAC, 1st ever in Bobcat history with a 2000/1000 season) returns; both K and P will be new; the Bobcats are 31-10 over the last 3 seasons; Ohio has won 6 straight bowl games.


Outlook: This team has lost a lot since last season ended, from HC Albin to transfers and graduation, and their 1st 3 games are just brutal: at Rutgers, WVU, and at Ohio State. If they can come out of those 3 games healthy, then they have a chance to make some noise in the MAC and make it to a 4th consecutive bowl, but they will be hard pressed to get to 10 wins again. In the MAC, they avoid Toledo, CMU, Akron, and Kent State, and they get BGSU, NIU, and Miami at home. The game at Buffalo on the day after Thanksgiving could determine who gets to play Toledo in the MAC CG.

43- Liberty Flames 8-4/5-3

Coach: Jamey Chadwell (3rd year, 8th overall FBS)

Coach FBS Record/Rank: 60-27/.690/18th

3-year record/rank: 29-10/.744/14th

6-year record/rank: 55-21/.724/9th

10-year record/rank: 61-27/.693/14th

Last League Title: 2023 CUSA champions

Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 6 years/2024/2021

Bowl Record/Rank: 3-3/.500/55th

CFP Playoff Appearances: 0

AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None

Last Undefeated Season: Never (since 1973); best year was 13-1 in 2023 under HC Jamey Chadwell, and 10-1 in 2020 under HC Hugh Freeze
Last Winless Season: Never; worst years were 1-9 in 1981 under HC Tom Dowling and 1986 under HC Morgan Hout, and 1-10 in 2005 under HC Ken Karcher
All-time Record/Rank: 307-259-4/.542/69th

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 28.8/60th/2nd CUSA

Rushing: 250.7/4th/2nd

Passing: 167.8/123rd/8th

Total: 418.5/38th/2nd

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 23.5/52nd/3rd

Rushing: 154.1/76th/3rd

Passing: 196.3/35th/5th

Total: 350.4/48th/3rd

Returning Starters (Off/Def): 7/8

Schedule: 

Aug 30 Maine

Sep 6 @ Jacksonville State

Sep 13 @ Bowling Green

Sep 20 James Madison

Sep 27 @ ODU

Oct 8 @ UTEP

Oct 14 New Mexico State

Nov 1 Delaware

Nov 8 Missouri State

Nov 15 @ FIU

Nov 22 @ La Tech

Nov 29 Kennesaw State

Notes: The Flames have the 9th longest bowl streak at just 6 years; Liberty has lost 2 games in a row, including the bowl game to Buffalo, but has won 13 of their last 14 home games; defense allowed exactly 24 points to 4 different opponents, all in the 1st 5 games, and all of them wins (1 in OT); QB will be CCU transfer Ethan Vasko (2,110 yds, 54.6%, 14 TDs, 8 INT, 447 yds rushing); defense had only 8 INTs; K will be new, but P Max Morgan (42.4 avg/38.5 net) returns; LU has won at least 8 games in 6 consecutive seasons, and has never had a losing season at the FBS level (6-6 in their 1st year, 2018); 2 of 4 losses were by 3 points or less (combined 5 points), and one other was by 10.


Outlook: Liberty has a great chance to go undefeated in the regular season, like in 2023, as their toughest games are at BGSU and ODU, and against James Madison at home. In CUSA they avoid WKU, MTSU, and SHS, though they do travel to JSU and La Tech. Anything less than 10 wins for the Flames would be a disappointment, and they should be back in the CUSA Championship Game.

42- James Madison Dukes 9-4/4-4

Coach: Bob Chesney (2nd year, 2nd overall FBS)

Coach FBS Record/Rank: 9-4/.692/16th

3-year record/rank: 28-9/.757/11th

6-year record/rank: N/A

10-year record/rank: N/A

Last League Title: 2021 Colonial Athletic Association/2023 Sun Belt East (ineligible)

Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 2 years/2024/2024

Bowl Record/Rank: 1-1/.500/55th

CFP Playoff Appearances: 0

AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None

Last Undefeated Season: 1975/9-0-1 under HC Challace McMillan

Last Winless Season: 1972/0-4-1, their 1st year playing, also under Challace McMillan

All-time Record/Rank: 378-229-4/.622/22nd

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 33.3/26th/3rd SBC

Rushing: 191.5/28th/5th

Passing: 216.1/81st/8th

Total: 407.6/47th/5th

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 20.5/21st/1st

Rushing: 115.4/26th/1st

Passing: 206.5/45th/4th

Total: 321.8/23rd/1st

Returning Starters (Off/Def): 4/6

Schedule: 

Aug 30 Weber State

Sep 5 @ Louisville

Sep 20 @ Liberty

Sep 27 Georgia Southern

Oct 4 @ Georgia State

Oct 11 Louisiana

Oct 18 ODU

Oct 28 @ Texas State

Nov 8 @ Marshall

Nov 15 Appalachian State

Nov 22 Washington State

Nov 29 @ Coastal Carolina

Notes: James Madison has lost 2 of their last 3 games, with the bowl contest against WKU their only win in that span; JMU was 5-1 at home, with the only loss by 2 in 2 OT to SBC champ Marshall; QB is still unsettled, with 2024 starter Alonza Barnett III (2,598 yds, 60.0%, 26 TDs, 4 INT, 442 yds rushing, 3.3 ypc) still recovering from a knee injury, so his availability is still in question; other candidates include Holy Cross/UNLV transfer Matthew Sluka (1, 728 yds, 62%, 20 TDs, 5 INT, 1,247 yds rushing in 2023 under HC Chesney at HCS) and Richmond transfer Camden Coleman (2,031 yds, 65%, 13 TDs, 5 INT, 342 yds rushing); both K and P will be new; last year was the 1st year (since 2022) at the FBS ranks where the Dukes were not ranked, and the 1st year they did not win the SBC East; JMU has a 28-9 record at the FBS level; the Dukes allowed 2 PR TDs last year; 4 losses last year were their most since 2018 (9-4 under HC Mike Houston); 2 of 4 losses were by 2 points each; offense scored 30+ points in 8 games, and defense held 5 opponents to 7 points or less, and 7 to 17 points or less.


Outlook: The Dukes look to get to the Sun Belt Championship Game for the first time, and they are expected to get there. Their OOC games are challenging- at Louisville, at Liberty, and Wash State at home- but if they can go 3-1 (including a win over FCS foe Weber State), then going undefeated in the SBC and winning the title game could get them in the CFP. In the SBC, their crossover games are Louisiana at home and Texas State in San Marcos, neither of which will be easy. In fact, there could be a rematch with either team in the CG. Within the division, they get App State and Ga Southern at home, so all the ingredients are there for a championship season.

41- Auburn Tigers 5-7/2-6

Coach: Hugh Freeze (3rd year, 13th overall FBS)

Coach FBS Record/Rank: 93-57/.620/37th

3-year record/rank: 16-21/.432/93rd

6-year record/rank: 37-37/.500/69th

10-year record/rank: 70-57/.55/55th

Last League Title: 2013 SEC champions/2017 SEC West champions

Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 1 year bowl-less/2023/2018

Bowl Record/Rank: 24-21-2/.532/41st

CFP Playoff Appearances: 0

AP Championships/Last AP Championship: 2/2010

Last Undefeated Season: 2010/14-0 under HC Gene Chizik

Last Winless Season: 1950/0-10 under HC Earl Brown

All-time Record/Rank: 804-478-47/.623/21st

Offense/ranks:

Scoring: 27.8/71st/12th SEC

Rushing: 165.5/62nd/7th

Passing: 263.9/28th/6th

Total: 429.4/29th/6th

Defense/ranks:

Scoring: 21.3/28th/8th

Rushing: 117.8/27th/6th

Passing: 213.0/52nd/9th

Total: 330.8/31st/9th

Returning Starters (Off/Def): 9/6

Schedule: 

Aug 29 @ Baylor

Sep 6 Ball State

Sep 13 South Alabama

Sep 20 @ Oklahoma

Sep 27 @ Texas A&M

Oct 11 Georgia

Oct 18 Missouri

Oct 25 @ Arkansas

Nov 1 Kentucky

Nov 8 @ Vanderbilt

Nov 22 Mercer

Nov 29 Alabama

Notes: The Tigers are one of 14 teams with more than 800 all-time victories with 804, 4 behind #13 Clemson; Auburn has won 2 of its last 3 games, and 4 of its 7 losses were by 8 points or less; only 1 of 5 wins (Texas A&M, 43-41 in 4 OTs) was by less than 14 points; offense was held to 17 points or less 6 times, while the defense held 7 opponents to 21 points or less; QB will be Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold (1,421 yds, 63%, 12 TDs, 3 INT, 444 yds rushing); defense allowed only 3.08 ypc rushing (9th FBS); K and P will be new; defense had only 13 takeaways as the Plainsmen had a -9 turnover margin; the Tigers have not been shutout for 155 games (49-0 to Alabama on Nov 17, 2012); AU has had 5 losses for 5 consecutive years for the 1st time in its history (have lost 7 games each of the last 4 years).


Outlook: As SEC schedules go, this one is relatively “easy”. But AU’s game at Baylor could set the tone; win in Waco, and this could be a breakthrough season for HC Freeze that perhaps could get the War Eagles to their 1st winning season since 2020 (6-5). The Tigers haven’t had 5 consecutive losing seasons since 1946-1950, when they were 4-6 and 2-7 under HC Carl Voyles, and 1-8-1, 2-4-3, and 0-10 under HC Earl Brown (Hall of Fame HC Ralph “Shug” Jordan arrived the next year, in 1951). So their 1st priority is to get to 7 wins. A win at Baylor likely gets them to 4-0 in OOC games, meaning a 3-5 record in the SEC gets them to the coveted 7 wins (or 2-6 plus a bowl win, but they’ve lost their last 4 bowl games as well). AU gets their toughest games at home- Georgia, Missouri, Kentucky, and Alabama- and their “easier” ones on the road- Oklahoma, TAMU, Arkansas, and Vandy. Surely there are 2 or 3 wins among those 8. And they have gone 2-6 or 3-5 in the SEC for each of the last 4 years. So again, we come back to the opener at Baylor as being the key. Look for the Tigers to flirt with bowl eligibility, and perhaps get as many as 8 wins, but 6 or 7 are most likely, with yet another 5-win season- which would be their 3rd in 4 years- a distinct possibility.

Make sure you come back tomorrow as I continue my previews!

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