2026 College Football Preview Part VI
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 4 main preview magazines (Phil Steele, Lindy's, Athlon, and The Sporting News (which returns for the 1st time since 2012!), but I also use many different websites, including (but not limited to): Google, Winsipedia.com, sports-reference.com, ESPN.com, TeamRankings.com, Wikipedia, NCAA.com, and, of course, individual school websites.
In case you are interested, I get all of my information from various sources. I use the 4 main preview magazines (Phil Steele, Lindy's, Athlon, and The Sporting News, which returns for the 1st time since 2012!), but I also use many different websites, including (but not limited to): Google, Winsipedia.com, sports-reference.com, ESPN.com, TeamRankings.com, Wikipedia, NCAA.com, and, of course, individual school websites.
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!
80- UConn Huskies 9-4
Coach: Jason Candle (1st year, 11th overall)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 81-44/.648/29th
3-year record/rank: 21-17/.553/55th
6-year record/rank: 28-35/.444/91st
10-year record/rank: 37-74/.333/121st
Last League Title: 2010 Big East co-champs/1998 Atlantic 10
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 2 years/2025/2024
Bowl Record/Rank: 4-5/.444/T88th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1924/6-0-2 under HC Sumner Dole
Last Winless Season: 1932/0-6-2 also under HC Sumner Dole
All-time Record/Rank: 539-617-38/.467/115th
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 35.3/15th
Rushing: 160.8/63rd
Passing: 284.4/11th
Total: 445.2/21st
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 27.0/61st
Rushing: 199.5/122nd
Passing: 218.5/64th
Total: 418.0/113th
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 1/4
Schedule:
Sep 5 Lafayette
Sep 12 Maryland
Sep 19 @ Southern Miss
Sep 26 @ Miami, Oh
Oct 3 Syracuse
Oct 10 @ Temple
Oct 23 UMass
Oct 31 @ Air Force
Nov 7 North Carolina
Nov 14 James Madison
Nov 21 ODU
Nov 28 @ Wyoming
Notes: UConn has 7 home games this season; TO margin was +15, 3rd best in FBS; 539 wins ranks 100th, 9 behind Texas State, and 5 ahead of Akron; QB will likely be Toledo transfer Kalieb Osborne (427 yds, 61.5%, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 282 yds rushing, 5.5 ypc), but Tennessee transfer Jake Merklinger (174 yds, 54.2%, 2 TDs, 0 INT) is also in the mix; both K and P are transfer- K Mike Baker (1-1 PAT) from Ole Miss and P Tommy Warner (40.1 avg/38.8 net) from FCS NW Mo State; UConn has won 4 of their last 5 games (bowl loss to Army), and 8 of their last 10; 2 of 4 losses were in OT, and a 3rd was in 2 OT; 4 wins were by 6 points or less, so 7 contests were 1-score games; the Huskies were 6-0 at home, have won 8 in a row in Storrs, and 13 of their last 14 home games.
Outlook: Though they have a tougher schedule, the Huskies should get to at least 7 wins for a 3rd straight winning season, something that hasn’t happened since they had 4 in a row, from 2007-2010 (combined 33-19 under HC Randy Edsall). Objectively, UConn made a coaching upgrade when they hired Jason Candle to replace Jim Mora (better win pct), but we will have to see how that transition plays out. UConn has had back-to-back 9-win seasons for the 1st time in their history, but with the more difficult schedule, I doubt they can get that many again. However, they should win anywhere from 6 to 8 games, so I guess a bowl victory could get them to a coveted 3rd straight 9-win season.
79- Troy Trojans 8-6/6-2 (1st in West)
Coach: Gerad Parker (3rd year, 4th overall)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 12-20/.375/106th
3-year record/rank: 23-17/.575/52nd
6-year record/rank: 45-32/.584/47th
10-year record/rank: 81-47/.633/28th
Last League Title: 2023 Sun Belt Conference champions
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 1 year/2025/2022
Bowl Record/Rank: 6-5/.545/35th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1912/3-0 under HC George Penton
Last Winless Season: Never; worst seasons were 1-8 in 1960, 1961 and 1965, all under HC William Clipson
All-time Record/Rank: 587-445-28/.567/47th
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 23.5/T93rd/11th SBC
Rushing: 98.0/128th/14th
Passing: 209.2/88th/8th
Total: 307.2/121st/14th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 23.9/58th/4th
Rushing: 176.8/102nd/10th
Passing: 196.2/34th/3rd
Total: 373.0/66th/3rd
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 4/2
Schedule:
Sep 5 Sam Houston
Sep 12 Alabama State
Sep 19 @ Missouri
Sep 26 @ Utah State
Oct 6 Southern Miss
Oct 17 @ Louisiana
Oct 24 ULM
Oct 29 @ James Madison
Nov 14 @ South Alabama
Nov 21 Georgia Southern
Nov 28 @ Arkansas State
Notes: The Trojans had a TO margin of 0, tied for 71st; 587 wins is tied for 79th with Washington State, just 1 behind FSU and 2 ahead of Iowa State, Kansas State, and Tulane; QB Will “Goose” Crowder (1,327 yds, 58.7%, 11 TDs, 5 INTs) returns, as does co-starter Tucker Kilcrease (1,869 yds, 61%, 12 TDs, 7 INTs the last 2 years); K will be new, but P Evan Crenshaw (45.7 avg/42.6 net, 29 punts inside the 20- Best in FBS, SBC Special Teams Player of the Year, Ray Guy Award Finalist) returns; OL allowed an FBS worst 59 sacks last season; Troy is on a modest 2-game losing streak, including the bowl loss to Jax State and the SBC CG loss to JMU; 3 wins were by 7 points or less; offense scored 16 points or less 6 times, and 10 or less 3 times, including a shutout at the hands of ODU; defense allowed 31+ points just 3 times.
Outlook: Troy tends to start seasons slow (2-3 in 2021, 1-2 in 2022 & ‘23, 0-3/1-7 in ‘24, and 1-2 last year), but that looks to change this year, as they open against Sam Houston and an FCS squad at home, so a likely 2-0 start. After that, they travel to Missouri and Utah State, so at worst they should be 2-2, and 3-1 at best. The Trojans will be looking for their 2nd straight SBC CG appearance, and their 4th in the last 5 years, but much will depend on if QBs Crowder and/or Kilcrease can stay injury-free, as both have missed time in each of the last 2 seasons. The crossover games are tough: at JMU and Ga Southern at home, so they may need to rely on running the table within the division to reach the CG. While they get USM and La Tech at home, they go on the road to face favorite Louisiana, as well as South Alabama and Arkansas State. 8 wins for a 2nd straight year seem possible, as does a berth in the SBC CG.
78- Rutgers Scarlet Knights 5-7/2-7 (tied for 14th)
Coach: Greg Schiano (7th year back, 18th overall FBS- all here)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 99-108/.478/89th
3-year record/rank: 19-19/.500/68th
6-year record/rank: 31-41/.431/98th
10-year record/rank: 40-80/.333/121st
Last League Title: 2012 Big East co-champs
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 1 year bowl-less/2024/2023
Bowl Record/Rank: 7-6/.538/T39th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1976/11-0 under HC Frank R. Burns (no, not the MASH doctor…)
Last Winless Season: 1997/0-11 under HC Terry Shea
All-time Record/Rank: 683-708-42/.491/102nd
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 28.7/59th/10th Big Ten
Rushing: 141.0/84th/11th
Passing: 266.1/T23rd/3rd
Total: 407.1/43rd/6th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 31.8/T115th/T16th
Rushing: 209.9/129th/18th
Passing: 222.9/T76th/15th
Total: 432.8/125th/18th
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 5/8
Schedule:
Sep 3 UMass
Sep 11 @ Boston College
Sep 19 USC
Sep 26 Howard
Oct 3 Indiana
Oct 17 @ Maryland
Oct 24 @ Northwestern
Oct 31 Michigan
Nov 7 @ Wisconsin
Nov 14 Nebraska
Nov 21 @ Penn State
Nov 28 Michigan State
Notes: Rutgers has never had a winning record in Big Ten play since joining the league in 2014, with 4-5 in ‘24 their best; TO margin was 0, tied for 71st; 683 wins is 44th all-time, 6 ahead of Stanford and 2 behind Maryland; 708 losses is 3rd most; QB will likely be Boston College transfer Dylan Lonergan (2,025 yds, 66.9%, 12 TDs, 5 INTs); Both K Jai Patel (13-18 FGs, long of 51) and P Jakob Anderson (44.2 avg/41.8 net) return; Rutgers is on a 2-game losing streak, and have lost 7 of their last 9; 2 of 5 wins were by 3 points each, and 2 losses were by 4 points or less; the Scarlet Knights have lost 4 of their last 5 Big Ten home games, and 4 of their last 5 away games (both overall and in conference); RU had only 2 winning records in the 8 seasons Sciano was gone, and he’s had 2 in the 6 years he’s been back.
Outlook: The Scarlet Knights haven’t been nearly as good in this 2nd iteration under HC Schiano, with a .431 winning percentage versus a .503 the first time. However, he has done slightly better this 2nd time (31-41 vs 30-41) if you count only the 1st 6 years of his 1st tenure. The difference, of course, is the range of wins; in his 1st tenure, those ranged from 1 win in 2002 to 11 wins in 2006, while this stint includes a low of 3 wins in 2020 to a high of 7 wins in 2023 and ‘24. Having said all this, Schiano is still the winningest HC in Rutgers history, and if the defense improves, then they could get back to a bowl for the 4th time in his recent 7 years here. The OOC portion of the schedule is hardly intimidating: UMass, at Boston College, and an FCS team, but that is typical here as the Scarlet Knights have started the season at least 3-0 for each of the last 5 seasons. In the Big Ten, they drop OSU, Illinois, and Iowa from last year, but add in Indiana, USC, and Michigan, but all 3 are at home. The potential is there for 8 wins, but I’ll say they get to 6 and make it back to a bowl game.
77- UCF Knights 5-7/2-7 (tied for 13th)
Coach: Scott Frost (2nd year back, 9th overall)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 40-45/.471/92nd
3-year record/rank: 15-22/.405/108th
6-year record/rank: 39-35/.527/60th
10-year record/rank: 80-46/.635/25th
Last League Title: 2018 AAC champion
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 2 years bowl-less/2023/2021
Bowl Record/Rank: 6-9/.400/T103rd
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 2017/13-0 under HC Scott Frost
Last Winless Season: 2015/0-12 under HC George O’Leary
All-time Record/Rank: 302-249-1/.548/64th
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 24.3/88th/13th Big 12
Rushing: 158.0/67th/11th
Passing: 220.8/74th/10th
Total: 378.8/74th/12th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 23.6/56th/7th
Rushing: 150.7/72nd/9th
Passing: 185.1/22nd/3rd
Total: 335.8/37th/4th
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 6/7
Schedule:
Sep 3 Bethune-Cookman
Sep 12 @ Pittsburgh
Sep 19 Georgia State
Sep 26 TCU
Oct 3 @ Houston
Oct 10 @ Oklahoma State
Oct 24 BYU
Oct 31 Baylor
Nov 7 @ Kansas
Nov 14 Arizona State
Nov 20 Iowa State
Nov 28 @ Colorado
Notes: UCF has 7 home games; the Knights are 7-20 in their 3 years in the Big 12, but are only 2-12 on the road in conference games; TO margin was -4, tied for 99th; 302 wins 124th in FBS (fewest in Big 12, and fewest in P4), 9 behind Liberty, and 29 ahead of UNLV; the last 2 years are the 1st back-to-back bowl-less seasons since they achieved their 1st bowl in 2005; QB will be JMU transfer Alonza Barnett (2,806 yds, 58 %, 23 TDs, 8 INTs, 589 yds rushing, 4.8 ypc, 15 TDs, Sun Belt POY); offense scored TDs on only 55% of red zone trips; K will be Texas transfer Will Stone (no FG attempts in 4 seasons, 2-2 PATs) and P will be Wisconsin transfer Atticus Bertrams (41.5 avg/37.3 net); UCF has lost 4 of their last 5 games, were 0-5 on the road, and have lost 9 consecutive (and 14 of their last 16) away from the Bounce House; the Knights are 2-12 in Big 12 road games, but are 9-4 in Orlando; offense scored 21 or less in 8 games (including 4 of their last 5), and were held under 10 points twice; defense held 1st 3 opponents to 10 points or less each, then allowed 30 or more to 5 of their last 9 foes.
Outlook: The (don’t call us Golden) Knights should be improved this year, but much depends on if this is the good Scott Frost (1st stint at UCF) or the bad Scott Frost (Nebraska). UCF has started every season at least 2-1 since the start of the 2018 season (8 years), and this year should be no different. They avoid Texas Tech and Utah in the Big 12, and get TCU and BYU at home, but have Houston on the road. All-in-all, their conference slate is relatively easy, but they still have to win them, which is certainly not guaranteed, especially with their Big 12 road record so far. If they win the games they should, I see at least 7 wins, which would get them their 1st winning season since 2022, and perhaps their 1st winning record within the Big 12. But let’s hedge my bets a bit and say 6 to 8 wins, with a top half finish in the Big 12.
76- Kansas Jayhawks 5-7/3-6 (tied for 11th)
Coach: Lance Leipold (6th year, 12th overall FBS)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 64-68/.485/88th
3-year record/rank: 19-18/.514/65th
6-year record/rank: 27-44/.380/113th
10-year record/rank: 36-83/.303/126th
Last League Title: 1968 Big Eight co-champs/1930 Big Eight champions/2007 Big 12 North co-champs
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 2 years bowl-less/2023/2023
Bowl Record/Rank: 7-7/.500/T59th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1923/5-0-3 under HC Potsy Clark and 1908/9-0 under HC Doc Kennedy
Last Winless Season: 2020/0-9 under HC Les Miles
All-time Record/Rank: 615-693-58/.471/109th
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 28.1/62nd/10th Big 12
Rushing: 168.3/56th/9th
Passing: 222.3/70th/7th
Total: 390.5/66th/11th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 26.8/80th/12th
Rushing: 173.1/95th/12th
Passing: 214.1/57th/8th
Total: 387.2/85th/11th
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 6/6
Schedule:
Sep 4 Long Island
Sep 11 Missouri
Sep 19 Arizona State (London)
Oct 3 Middle Tennessee
Oct 10 @ Utah
Oct 17 @ Kansas State
Oct 24 Baylor
Oct 31 @ TCU
Nov 7 UCF
Nov 14 @ West Virginia
Nov 21 BYU
Nov 28 @ Oklahoma State
Notes: KU has had only 1 winning record in the Big 12 since 2007 (5-4 in 2023); Kansas hasn’t had back-to-back winning seasons since 2007-2008, and haven’t had 3 consecutive winning records since 1960-62 (7-2-1, 7-3-1, 6-3-1 under HC Jack Mitchell); the Jayhawks play the last 9 weekends of the season (Oct 3-Nov 28) without a break, matched or exceeded by only 7 other P4 teams; KU has 7 home games, though they play 5 Big 12 road games, and one of their “home” games is in London (just 3 true Big 12 home games); TO margin was -3, tied for 88th; 615 wins 71st, 2 ahead of Middle Tennessee, and 2 behind Texas Tech; 693 losses is 5th most, just 4 fewer than Wake Forest, and just 23 from having the most; last year’s backup QB Cole Ballard (445 yds, 54.7%, 3 TDs, 4 INTs, 209 yds rushing in 3 years) seems to be the heir apparent to 6-year starter Jalon Daniels, who is out of eligibility; K will be Michigan State transfer Martin Connington (12-16 FGs, long of 50) and P Matthew Gill is new; KU is on a 3-game losing streak, has lost 5 of their last 6 games, 5 of their last 6 road games, and their 3-6 conference record was their worst since they were also 3-6 in 2022; offense scored 31+ points in each of their 1st 5 games, but 21 or less in 5 of their last 7; defense held 3 teams to 10 points or less, but allowed 31+ points 6 times.
Outlook: Is it just me, or does it seem like the Jayhawks squandered the Jalon Daniels years? I realize he was hurt a lot, but it seems they could never quite put it all together, though they did go 9-4 in 2023 with a bowl win. But the last 2 years were each 5-7, and now that he’s gone, where is the hope? Actually there is hope, as OC Andy Kotelnicki returns after 2 years at Penn State. And if their defense can improve by even a FG per game, this could be another bowl team, the 1st since that 9-4 2023 season.They should be able to go no worse than 2-1 in OOC games, with an FCS squad, Mid Tenn, and Missouri, all at home, but in the Big 12, they play at Utah, KSU, and TCU, and also host BYU. If they can improve by at least a FG per game both offensively and defensively, they could win as many as 8 games. I think 5-7 wins is the correct range, with a fantastic chance to get back to a bowl, but their real goal should be 5 Big 12 wins for the 1st time since 2023, and just the second time since they were 7-1 in 2007 under HC Mark Mangino.
75- Oklahoma State Cowboys 1-11/0-9 (16th)
Coach: Eric Morris (1st year, 4th overall FBS)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 22-16/.579/57th
3-year record/rank: 14-24/.368/116th
6-year record/rank: 41-35/.539/56th
10-year record/rank: 76-52/.594/40th
Last League Title: 2011 Big 12 champions
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 2 years bowl-less/2023/2023
Bowl Record/Rank: 22-12/.647/15th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1945/9-0 under HC Jim Lookabaugh
Last Winless Season: 1991/0-10-1 under HC Pat Jones
All-time Record/Rank: 641-592-48/.519/80th
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 14.2/132nd/16th Big 12
Rushing: 118.3/113th/16th
Passing: 174.1/114th/16th
Total: 292.4/128th/16th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 33.3/124th/16th
Rushing: 165.9/91st/11th
Passing: 252.4/119th/15th
Total: 418.3/114th/15th
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 7/4
Schedule:
Sep 5 @ Tulsa
Sep 12 Oregon
Sep 19 Murray State
Sep 26 @ West Virginia
Oct 10 UCF
Oct 17 @ Houston
Oct 24 Colorado
Oct 31 @ Iowa State
Nov 7 @ Kansas State
Nov 14 Texas Tech
Nov 21 @ Arizona State
Nov 28 Kansas
Notes: The Cowboys own the 2nd longest current losing streak at 11 games, the longest among P4 teams, but they have lost 20 FBS games in a row, 2nd only to UMass, who has lost 24 consecutive FBS contests; 4 wins over the last 2 years is their fewest since 1991 and 1992, when they were 0-10-1 followed by 4-6-1 under HC Pat Jones, but their 20 losses are their most ever over a 2-year period; TO margin was -5, tied for 103rd; 641 wins is 64th, 2 ahead of BYU and 2 behind Marshall; OSU has lost their last 19 Big 12 games, starting with their loss in the 2023 CG; QB will be, of course, Drew Mestemaker (4,379 yds, 68.9%, 34 TDs, 9 INTs), who follows his coach from UNT; RB Caleb Hawkins (1,434 yds, 6.2 ypc, 25 TDs, 370 yds receiving, 4 TDs, FBS Freshman record 29 total TDs) and WR Wyatt Young (1,264 yds, 18.1 ypc, 10 TDs) are among the 18 transfers from UNT; K will be SMU transfer Sam Keltner (14-20 FGs, long of 51) and FCS Stephen F. Austin transfer Lachie Pozzobon (41.8 avg/40.5 net, FCS Freshman All-American) will be P; OSU has lost 10 consecutive away games, and 10 straight home games vs FBS opponents; offense scored 17 points or less in 9 games, with a high of 27 (twice), and defense allowed 38+ points 7 times, but held each of the last 3 foes to 20 or less.
Outlook: The Cowboys were so bad last year that there really is no direction to go but up. I guess they could stay the same, but I don’t see that happening with the new regime. They should go 2-1 in OOC games, with the loss to Oregon at home, but the opener at Tulsa could be perilous (but HC Morris knows the Golden Hurricane having shared a conference with them the last 3 years). In the Big 12, they have Texas Tech at home, and Houston on the road, but no one else is formidable against a normal Oklahoma State squad. Even with 5 conference road games, I think the Cowboys flirt with bowl eligibility, winning from 5-7 games.
74- Virginia Tech Hokies 3-9/2-6 (tied for 13th)
Coach: James Franklin (1st year, 16th overall)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 128-60/.681/21st
3-year record/rank: 16-22/.421/104th
6-year record/rank: 30-43/.411/106th
10-year record/rank: 63-63/.500/69th
Last League Title: 2010 ACC champions/2016 ACC Coastal champions
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 1 year bowl-less/2024/2023
Bowl Record/Rank: 14-22/.389/T106th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1954/8-0-1 under HC Frank Moseley
Last Winless Season: 1950/0-10 under HC Robert McNeish
All-time Record/Rank: 781-521-46/.596/29th
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 21.4/T111th/14th ACC
Rushing: 182.4/34th/3rd
Passing: 166.3/117th/17th
Total: 348.8/95th/14th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 30.2/105th/15th
Rushing: 153.3/75th/13th
Passing: 224.8/81st/8th
Total: 378.1/71st/10th
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 10/8
Schedule:
Sep 5 VMI
Sep 12 ODU
Sep 19 @ Maryland
Sep 26 @ Boston College
Oct 2 Pittsburgh
Oct 10 @ California
Oct 17 Georgia tech
Oct 24 @ Clemson
Nov 7 @ SMU
Nov 14 Stanford
Nov 20 @ Miami, Fl
Nov 28 Virginia
Notes: HC James Franklin has 128 wins, 8th most among active coaches, and tied for 106th all-time; TO margin was -8, tied for 115th; 781 wins is 18th, 5 ahead of Pitt, and 9 behind Washington; last year was their 1st losing record since 2022, and the Hokies haven’t had back-to-back losing conference records since 1961-62 as members of the Southern Conference (VT was an independent from 1965-1990, when they joined the newly formed Big East in 1991); QB will be Penn State transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer (1,339 yds, 69.1%, 8 TDs, 4 INTs); defense had only 19 sacks last season; new DC is Brent Pry, who was fired as HC here after 3 games last season; K John Love (15-20 FGs, long of 56) returns, a P is Marshall transfer Nathan Totten (45.0 avg/40.4 net); VT is on a 4-game losing streak, and has lost 6 of their last 7; the Hokies have lost 6 of their last 7 games away from Lane Stadium, and have also lost 6 of their last 7 FBS games at home; defense allowed 30+ points 7 times, while the offense was held to 23 or fewer 9 times, and 17 or less in 5 games, including each of their last 4.
Outlook: Virginia Tech has been somewhat of an enigma the last few years. From 1993 to 2019, the Hokies won at least 8 games in all but 5 seasons, with 4 of those netting 7 wins, and only 2018 being a 6-7 record. That includes 14 seasons of double-digit wins, including 8 in a row from 2004-11. But over the last 6 seasons, they’ve averaged just 4.83 wins and 7.17 losses per season. Perhaps HC Franklin can get things turned around here, as he did at Vandy, but can he do it this year? The Hokies have a relatively easy 1st 4 games (though they lost to ODU last year at home), so the could be 4-0 when they host Pitt on Oct 2. They’re 5 conference road games are pretty tough. After traveling to BC in week 4, they visit Cal, Clemson, SMU, and Miami, with tough home games vs GT and rival Virginia. Many prognosticators are picking a bowl for Va Tech, but I’m not so sure, as I just don’t see 6 wins on this schedule. Of course, a lot depend on the QB, and improvement on the defensive side of the ball. ^ or 7 wins is possible, but I’ll be surprised if they get more than 5.
73- Miami Redhawks 7-7/6-2 (tied for 2nd)
Coach: Chuck Martin (13th year, 13th overall FBS)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 72-74/.493/85th
3-year record/rank: 27-15/.643/36th
6-year record/rank: 42-29/.592/46th
10-year record/rank: 69-55/.556/56th
Last League Title: 2023 MAC champions
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 5 years/2025/2024
Bowl Record/Rank: 9-8/.529/T45th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1974/10-0-1 under HC Dick Crum (were 11-0 in 1973 under HC Bill Mallory)
Last Winless Season: 2013/0-12 under HC’s Don Treadwell (0-5) and Mike Bath (0-7)
All-time Record/Rank: 740-496-44/.595/30th
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 23.5/T93rd/6th MAC
Rushing: 150.3/78th/6th
Passing: 187.3/104th/7th
Total: 337.6/106th/7th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 21.7/41st/2nd
Rushing: 134.3/46th/2nd
Passing: 200.4/39th/4th
Total: 334.6/36th/2nd
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 6/6
Schedule:
Sep 5 @ Pittsburgh
Sep 12 Holy Cross
Sep 19 Cincinnati (Paycor Stadium)
Sep 26 UConn
Oct 3 Bowling Green
Oct 10 @ UMass
Oct 17 Akron
Oct 25 @ Central Michigan
Nov 3 Buffalo
Nov 10 Ohio
Nov 17 @ Kent State
Nov 24 @ Western Michigan
Notes: HC Chuck Martin has been at Miami since 2014, tied for the 5th longest tenure in FBS (and tied with EMU’s Creighton for the longest in the MAC); Miami has been to 6 consecutive bowls (longest streak in their history (not counting 2-1 season in 2020), have had a winning MAC record 8 of the last 10 years (4-4 in 2017 and 2022), and have played in the MAC Championship Game in 4 of the last 7 years; the Redhawks have more MAC titles (17) than any other team; HC Martin is the winningest coach in Miami history (72 wins); game against Cincinnati will be played at the home of the Cincinnati Bengals; TO margin was +5, which ranked 41st; Miami’s .595 winning percentage is best in the MAC; 740 wins ranks 28th all-time, 1 ahead of Delaware and 6 behind Army, and is 82 more than any other team in the MAC; QB will likely be ‘25 backup Thomas Gotkowski (575 yds, 44%, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 115 yds rushing, 3.7 ypc, 1 TD), but he may be pushed by Kansas transfer David McComb (redshirted last year); RB Rodney Nelson (1,802 yds, 18 TDs) was CAA Player of the year at FCS Monmouth last season; K Kellan McLaughlin (KO specialist last 3 years) takes over for FGs and PATs, but P Pierse Stainton (42.3 avg/39.9 net) returns; Miami is on a mild 2-game losing streak (MAC title game and bowl); offense was held to 3 points or less 3 times with 1 shutout, and 20 or less in 7 games (half); defense held opponents to 20 points or less 7 times, including 1 shutout; each of their last 4 games- the entire month of November- will be played on a Tuesday.
Outlook: The RedHawks have been to the MAC Championship Game each of the last 3 seasons, but have lost the last 2. Once again, Miami plays 2 P4 teams, but this time one is at a “neutral” site in the city of their opponent, rival Cincinnati. They do trade out a home game with UNLV for a home game with UConn, but that’s a pretty even swap, considering the Rebels were 10-4 last year while the Huskies were 9-4. I think the RedHawks have a great chance for a 4th consecutive trip to the title game as their MAC schedule is relatively easy. The toughest contests will be at CMU, Ohio at home, and at WMU in the final weekend. Win 1 of those 3 and they match last year’s 6-2 conference record. I see at least 7 or 8 wins overall and a return to the MAC CG.
72- West Virginia Mountaineers 4-8/2-7 (tied for 13th)
Coach: Rich Rodriguez (2nd year back, 9th year here, 20th overall FBS)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 140-99/.586/52nd
3-year record/rank: 19-19/.500/68th
6-year record/rank: 36-37/.493/75th
10-year record/rank: 66-57/.537/60th
Last League Title: 2011 Big East co-champs/2005 Big East champions
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 1 year bowl-less/2024/2023
Bowl Record/Rank: 17-24/.415/98th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1922/10-0-1 under HC Clarence Spears
Last Winless Season: 1960/0-8-2 under HC Gene Corum
All-time Record/Rank: 791-541-45/.591/32nd
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 21.8/108th/14th Big 12
Rushing: 160.6/64th/10th
Passing: 188.9/101st/15th
Total: 349.5/94th/14th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 30.8/T112th/14th
Rushing: 143.8/61st/8th
Passing: 265.4/127th/16th
Total: 409.2/104th/14th
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 7/5
Schedule:
Sep 5 Coastal Carolina
Sep 12 UT Martin
Sep 19 Virginia (Charlotte)
Sep 26 Oklahoma State
Oct 3 @ Iowa State
Oct 10 Arizona
Oct 17 Cincinnati
Oct 24 @ TCU
Nov 7 @ Texas Tech
Nov 14 Kansas
Nov 21 Houston
Nov 29 @ Utah
Notes: West Virginia has only 4 true road games, with the Virginia game being played in Charlotte; TO margin was +2, tied for 55th; 791 wins is the most in the Big 12 and is 16th all-time, just 1 ahead of Washington, and 6 behind Texas A&M; QB is likely to be Oklahoma transfer Michael Hawkins (950 yds, 61.9%, 6 TDs, 2 INTs last 2 years at OU), but Scotty Fox (1,276 yds, 59%, 7 TDs, 6 INTs201 yds rushing, 2.4 ypc) returns; Jax State transfer RB Cam Cook (1,659 yds, 16 TDs) led the nation in rushing yards in ‘25; K will be WKU transfer Jack Cassidy (3-3 FGs, long of 55) and P will be Colorado State transfer Bryan Hansen (FBS leading 47.9 avg/44.1 net); WVU is on a modest 2-game losing streak, but has lost 7 of their last 8 games away from Morgantown; 3 of 8 losses were by 7 points or less; offense scored 17 points or less in 6 games (half), including being shut out once. Defense allowed 35 points or more 6 times.
Outlook: HC Rich Rodriguez is in his 2nd season at the site of his greatest successes. The Mountaineers have won more than 6 games just once in the last 7 years (9-4 in 2023), so the bar for success isn’t real high- just 7 wins would be an improvement. And that’s possible, but they better get those wins early, because 4 of their last 5 games are brutal: at TCU, at TT, Houston, and at Utah. I expect a slight improvement, anywhere from 5-7 wins.
71- ODU Monarchs 10-3/6-2 (2nd in East)
Coach: Ricky Rahne (7th year, 7th overall)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 30-33/.476/90th
3-year record/rank: 21-17/.553/55th
6-year record/rank: 30-33/.478/82nd
10-year record/rank: 50-62/.446/94th
Last League Title: 2016 CUSA East
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 1 year/2025/2025
Bowl Record/Rank: 2-2/.500/T59th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1931/1-0-1 under HC Tommy Scott (when they were known as the Braves)
Last Winless Season: 1940/0-6 under HC Tommy Scott (after this season, ODU suspended their football program until returning as the Monarchs in 2009, moving up to FBS in 2014)
All-time Record/Rank: 107-89-4/.546/68th
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 32.0/29th/2nd SBC
Rushing: 238.3/7th/2nd
Passing: 216.4/T81st/6th
Total: 454.7/33rd/2nd
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 18.5/14th/2nd
Rushing: 140.3/53rd/3rd
Passing: 191.5/29th/2nd
Total: 331.5/33rd/2nd
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 1/6
Schedule:
Sep 5 Norfolk State
Sep 12 @ Virginia Tech
Sep 19 East Carolina
Sep 26 James Madison
Oct 3 @ Georgia State
Oct 10 @ Appalachian State
Oct 15 Georgia Southern
Oct 24 @ La Tech
Oct 31 Marshall
Nov 7 @ Coastal Carolina
Nov 21 @ UConn
Nov 29 Southern Miss
Notes: ODU achieved their 1st winning season (and 2nd ever) since 2016, when they were 10-3 under HC Bobby Wilder in their 3rd year at the FBS level; the Monarchs have won 6 straight games, tied for the 3rd longest active streak behind Indiana and Notre Dame; TO margin was +1, tied for 65th; 107 wins ranks 130th, 8 ahead of FIU and 22 behind FAU; ‘25 backup Quinn Henicle (184 yds, 42.5%, 487 yds rushing, 6.2 ypc) looks to be the starting QB; defense held 8 opponents to 10 points or fewer with 1 shutout; K Nathaniel Eichner (7-10 FGs, long of 32) returns, as does P Ian Brandt (41.0/35.8 net avg); OL has 0 returning starters, and in fact, has 0 FBS starts; only 1 win was by less than 14 points; interestingly, their closest loss was to Indiana (27-14); ODU was 6-0 at home; the Monarchs don’t leave the state of Virginia until October, and will be looking for a 2nd straight win at Va Tech.
Outlook: The Monarchs have never been to a bowl in back-to-back seasons, but have been in 3 of the last 5 years. Hey have a schedule built for success, as they have a decent chance at 2-2 in OOC games- FCS team, at VT, ECU, at UConn- but if they can get to 3-1, that would almost guarantee a winning season. In the SBC, they have JMU and Marshall at home, and the crossover games are at La Tech and USM. ODU has a legitimate chance at winning the Sun Belt East for the 1st time ever, but I think they finish 2nd again, with 8 or 9 wins.
Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!
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