College Football Preview Part VII
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!
70- New Mexico Lobos 9-4/6-2 (tied for 1st)
Coach: Jason Eck (2nd year, 2nd overall FBS)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 9-4/.692/15th
3-year record/rank: 18-19/.486/79th
6-year record/rank: 25-43/.368/118th
10-year record/rank: 42-75/.359/118th
Last League Title: 1964 WAC Co-champs/2016 MWC Mountain Champs/ 1963 WAC Champs
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 1 year/2025/2016
Bowl Record/Rank: 4-9-1/.321/125th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1927/8-0-1 under HC Roy W. Johnson
Last Winless Season: 1987/0-11 under HC Mike Sheppard
All-time Record/Rank: 513-651-31/.442/122nd
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 27.1/72nd/4th MWC
Rushing: 152.1/76th/5th
Passing: 204.8/90th/5th
Total: 356.8/88th/5th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 22.3/46th/2nd
Rushing: 112.8/21st/1st
Passing: 229.2/86th/3rd
Total: 341.9/41st/1st
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 6/6
Schedule:
Sep 5 Central Michigan
Sep 12 Mercyhurst
Sep 19 @ Oklahoma
Sep 26 @ New Mexico State
Oct 3 UTEP
Oct 17 @ Hawaii
Oct 24 North Dakota State
Oct 31 @ San Jose State
Nov 7 @ Nevada
Nov 14 UNLV
Nov 21 @ Wyoming
Nov 28 Air Force
Notes: The Lobos haven’t won a bowl game since 2016 (their last appearance), the 7th longest bowl win drought, but did break the 3rd longest bowl drought; New Mexico hasn’t blocked a punt since 2009, the longest streak in FBS; TO margin was -6, tied for 106th; the offense was less effective than in ‘24, but the defense improved by about 15 ppg and 150 ypg!; 513 wins is 104th, 2 ahead of Arkansas State and Boise State, and 14 behind San Jose State; last year was their 1st winning record overall and in the conference since they had the exact same records in 2016 under HC Bob Davie, except they won their bowl that year; QB Jack Layne (2,486 yds, 65%, 13 TDs, 10 INTs, 152 yds rushing) returns, and is the likely starter, but could be pushed by Oregon transfer Luke Moga; OL returns 4 starters; Wagner transfer Nick Romero (13-14 FGs, long of 44, 18-20 PATs) is the likely K, and Cal transfer Michael Kern (41.6 avg/35.9 net) is the likely P; 9 wins last year are the most ever by a 1st year HC at UNM; the Lobos were 6-0 at home, undefeated at home for the 1st time since 1962 under HC Bill Weeks, and have won 7 home games in a row, and 8 of their last 9; UNM had a 6-game winning streak snapped (all of them MWC games) with an OT loss to Minnesota in the bowl game; defense held 7 teams to 20 points or less, allowing a high of 41 to Boise State, while the offense scored 32 or more 5 times.
Outlook: New Mexico hasn’t had back-to-back winning seasons since 2015-16 under HC Bob Davie, and before that it was 3 in a row from 2003-2005 under HC Rocky Long. They’ve only had one other winning season, 9-4 in 2007, also under HC Long, in the interim. This is a team with the talent and experience to finish in the top 2 in the new-look Mountain West Conference, and could make their 1st ever MWC CG. Aside from a game at Oklahoma, the OOc slate isn’t overly challenging, and they get NDSU, UNLV, and Air Force all at home. The only tough road game appears to be at Hawaii. This is a team that could win 10 games in the regular season, so I expect 8-10 wins.
69- Western Michigan Broncos 7-6/5-3 (5th)
Coach: Lance Taylor (4th year, 4th overall FBS)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 20-19/.513/80th
3-year record/rank: 20-19/.513/66th
6-year record/rank: 37-33/.529/58th
10-year record/rank: 70-52/.574/45th
Last League Title: 2025 MAC
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 2 years/2025/2025
Bowl Record/Rank: 3-10/.231/130th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1941/8-0 under HC Mike Gary
Last Winless Season: Never (since 1906); worst season was 1-11 in 2013 under HC P.J. Fleck
All-time Record/Rank: 613-492-24/.554/62nd
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 30.8/39th/2nd MAC
Rushing: 197.0/22nd/2nd
Passing: 207.9/89th/5th
Total: 404.9/47th/3rd
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 17.4/9th/2nd
Rushing: 125.6/34th/2nd
Passing: 179.9/18th/2nd
Total: 305.5/17th/2nd
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 7/3
Schedule:
Sep 5 @ Michigan
Sep 12 Monmouth
Sep 19 @ Rice
Sep 26 Boise State
Oct 3 @ Buffalo
Oct 10 Kent State
Oct 17 @ Central Michigan
Oct 24 @ Toledo
Oct 31 Bowling Green
Nov 10 @ Akron
Nov 17 Eastern Michigan
Nov 24 Miami, Oh
Notes: WMU has won their last 6 games, tied for the 3rd longest active winning streak in FBS; the Broncos open the season with 9 consecutive games, one of only 2 teams (Indiana is the other) to do so; WMU’s last 3 games are all on a Tuesday; TO margin was +9, tied for 15th and best in the MAC; 613 wins is tied for 72nd with Middle Tennessee, 8 ahead of San Diego State, and 2 behind Kansas; QB Broc Lowry (1,803 yds, 63.4%, 9 TDs, 3 INTs, 963 yds rushing, 4.7 ypc, 14 TDs, MAC Offensive POY) returns; the Broncos have been to back-to-back bowls for just the 3rd time in its history, and haven’t been to 3 in a row since 2014-2016; K Palmer Domschke (13-19 FGs, 10-13 from 40+, long of 50) and P Ryan Millmore (42.4 avg/38.9 net) both return; WMU has won 5 straight MAC home games, and 7 of their last 8, and have a 5-game home winning streak against all competition; offense scored 30+ points 6 times, but only scored a combined 6 points against their 2 P4 foes; defense held 10 of their last 11 opponents to 21 points or less, including a shutout; 3 wins were by 4 points or less.
Outlook: Western Michigan has to be considered a favorite, if not the favorite to win a 2nd consecutive MAC title. The Broncos have a tough OOC schedule (as usual, but could actually 2-2 for the 1st time since they were 3-1 in 2021. In the MACthey have to travel to Buffalo, CMU, and Toledo, but get Miami at home for the finale, which has a good chance of being a preview of the MAC CG the following week in Detroit. Look for 8-10 wins in the regular season and a MAC CG appearance for the 2nd year in a row.
68- Arkansas Razorbacks 2-10/0-8 (16th)
Coach: Ryan Silverfield (1st year, 7th overall)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 50-25/.667/24th
3-year record/rank: 13-24/.351/118th
6-year record/rank: 32-41/.438/93rd
10-year record/rank: 47-75/.385/112th
Last League Title: 1989 Southwest Conference champions/2006 SEC West champions
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 1 year bowl-less/2024/2024
Bowl Record/Rank: 18-24-3/.433/T94th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1964/11-0 under HC Frank Broyles (finished #2 in AP Poll)
Last Winless Season: Never (since 1894); worst seasons were 2-10 in 2018 and 2019 under HC Chad Morris, and 2-10 last year
All-time Record/Rank: 749-555-40/.572/44th
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 32.9/23rd/5th SEC
Rushing: 191.9/28th/2nd
Passing: 262.9/28th/5th
Total: 454.8/13th/4th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 33.8/127th/16th
Rushing: 185.9/114th/15th
Passing: 239.3/103rd/13th
Total: 425.2/120th/16th
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 8/5
Schedule:
Sep 5 North Alabama
Sep 12 @ Utah
Sep 19 Georgia
Sep 26 Tulsa
Oct 3 @ Texas A&M
Oct 10 Tennessee
Oct 17 @ Vanderbilt
Oct 31 Missouri
Nov 7 @ Auburn
Nov 14 South Carolina
Nov 21 @ Texas
Nov 28 LSU
Notes: The Razorbacks have lost 10 games in a row, tied for the 3rd longest active streak; the Razorbacks have 7 home games, and 5 SEC home games; UA plays at Texas for a 2nd year in a row; TO margin was -11, tied for 123rd and worst in the SEC; 749 wins is tied with Minnesota for 25th place, 3 ahead of Army, and just 2 behind Wisconsin; Arkansas was 0-8 in the SEC for the 3rd time in the last 8 seasons, and haven’t had a winning conference record since they were 5-3 in 2015 under HC Bret Bielema; 2025 backup QB KJ Jackson (441 yds, 61.1%, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 52 yds rushing, 4.7 ypc) returns, but Memphis transfer AJ Hill (223 yds, 59%, 1 TD, 1 INT) is in the mix after following his HC; Tennessee transfer Max Gilbert (14-19 FGs, long of 53) will be K, and the P will be Gavin Rush; Razorbacks were the 2nd most penalized team last season; defense allowed 4.7 ypc rushing; 6 losses were by 6 points or less, and 3 were to teams ranked in the top 17 at the time; offense scored 31+ points 8 times, but 6 were losses as the defense allowed 9 teams to score 31 or more, all in the last 10 games; UA has lost 11 straight SEC games, 6 consecutive away games, and 7 SEC home games in a row.
Outlook: Arkansas is starting over as HC Silverfield is the 3rd HC in the past calendar year. Unfortunately, their schedule is brutal, as they play at Utah in OOC games, and face UGA and LSU at home, and Texas A&M, Vandy, and Texas on the road. All is not lost, however, as the Hogs could win up to 6 games (which would be a HUGE improvement) if the ball bounces their way, but I think 4 or 5 wins is the likely outcome.
67- WKU Hilltoppers 9-4/6-2 (3rd)
Coach: Tyson Helton (7th year, 7th overall FBS)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 57-36/.613/42nd
3-year record/rank: 25-15/.625/41st
6-year record/rank: 48-32/.600/41st
10-year record/rank: 77-55/.583/42nd
Last League Title: 2016 CUSA champions/2021 CUSA East champions
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 7 years/2025/2025
Bowl Record/Rank: 9-4/.692/8th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1963/10-0-1 under HC Nick Denes
Last Winless Season: 2009/0-12 under HC David Elsen
All-time Record/Rank: 632-436-30/.589/34th
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 29.5/49th/1st CUSA
Rushing: 134.5/93rd/5th
Passing: 272.2/20th/2nd
Total: 406.7/44th/4th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 22.8/T47th/1st
Rushing: 176.5/100th/7th
Passing: 224.2/80th/3rd
Total: 400.8/85th/3rd
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 4/3
Schedule:
Sep 5 @ Nevada
Sep 12 @ Georgia
Sep 19 @ Indiana
Sep 26 Mercyhurst
Oct 1 @ New Mexico State
Oct 8 Missouri State
Oct 14 @ Sam Houston
Oct 27 Delaware
Nov 7 @ Middle Tennessee
Nov 14 Jacksonville State
Nov 21 @ Liberty
Nov 28 Kennesaw State
Notes: The Hilltoppers have the 10th longest bowl streak, at just 7 years; Western Kentucky has had 5 straight winning seasons, with 8 or 9 wins each season and 2 appearances in the CUSA Title Game (both losses); almost ⅓ of losses the last 4 years have been to P4 teams (8 out of 25); TO margin was -7, tied for 110th; 632 wins places them in 65th, 2 ahead of Jax State, and 3 behind Vandy; QB is likely to be Rodney Tisdale, Jr. (1,432 yds, 66%, 9 TDs, 7 INTs, 108 yds rushing, 2.1 ypc) but FSU transfer Brock Glenn (895 yds, 43%, 6 TDs, 7 INTs in 7 starts the last 3 yrs) could be in the mix; defense was 3rd best in the nation by allowing TDs on only 34.7% of trips into the red zone (only Indiana and Ohi State wer better); both K Michael Buck and P Jackson Smith are new, and neither has kicked in a college game; defense allowed 4.9 ypc rushing; Western Kentucky has lost 2 of their last 3 games, with the win in the bowl over Southern Miss; WKU was 5-1 at home last season, and are 22-8 (.733) in Bowling Green since the start of the 2021 season; offense scored 31+ points in 6 games, while the defense held 5 opponents to 16 points or less; 3 wins were by 5 points or less, with 2 of 3 losses by 3 points each.
Outlook: WKU has been very consistent since HC Helton arrived, winning 8 or 9 games in 6 out of 7 years (5-7 in 2020 with a bowl loss). It would be easy to just say “8 wins” and move on. Only a handful of teams begin the season with 2 games on the road, but the Hilltoppers start with 3 away from I.T. Smith Stadium, and 2 of those are doozies: at Georgia and Indiana! In addition, they have 7 road games overall. In CUSA play, they avoid FIU, so they play all of the expected contenders. However, they get Delaware, JSU, and KSU at home, with only Liberty on the road, so it looks like yet another 8 or 9 win season, and I would give them a good chance of making the CUSA CG.
66- UCLA Bruins 3-9/3-6 (tied for 12th)
Coach: Bob Chesney (1st year, 3rd overall FBS)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 21-6/.778/7th
3-year record/rank: 16-21/.432/94th
6-year record/rank: 36-33/.565/52nd
10-year record/rank: 53-69/.434/98th
Last League Title: 1998 Pac 10 champions/2012 Pac 12 South champions
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 2 years bowl-less/2023/2023
Bowl Record/Rank: 17-20-1/.461/83rd
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1954/9-0 under HC Red Sanders (were also 6-0-4 in 1939 under HC Babe Horrell)
Last Winless Season: 1924/0-5-3 under HC James J. Cline
All-time Record/Rank: 645-462-37/.580/41st
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 18.2/T123ed/17th Big Ten
Rushing: 139.7/85th/12th
Passing: 180.3/113th/16th
Total: 319.9/118th/16th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 33.4/125th/18th
Rushing: 190.4/117th/17th
Passing: 196.6/35th/8th
Total: 387.0/84th/15th
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 10/8
Schedule:
Sep 5 @ California
Sep 12 San Diego State
Sep 19 Purdue
Sep 26 @ Maryland
Oct 10 @ Oregon
Oct 17 Wisconsin
Oct 24 Michigan State
Oct 31 Nevada
Nov 7 @ Minnesota
Nov 14 Illinois
Nov 21 @ Michigan
Nov 28 USC
Notes: The Bruins had a TO margin of -3, tied for 88th; 645 wins is 58th, 1 ahead of Purdue, and 1 behind Arizona; Qb Nico Iamaleava (1,928 yds, 64.4%, 13 TDs, 7 INTs, 505 yds rushing led UCLA, 4.5 ypc) returns for a 2nd season, and 4th overall; RB Wayne Knight (1,373 yds, 9 TDs) follows HC Chesney from JMU; OL allowed 27 sacks last season; K Mateen Bhaghani (16-20 FGs, long of 57) returns, and Sam Houston transfer Curtis Gerrand (43.1 avg/40.2 net) takes over as P; special teams allowed 2 returns for TDs; defense was last in FBS with 10 sacks (0.83/game) and in TFL’s with just 40; UCLA is on a 5-game losing streak, with only 1 of those losses by less than 19 points; 2 of 3 wins was by 5 points or less, and 3 losses were by 7 points or less; offense scored 14 points or less 7 times, and 23 or less in 1o contests; defense allowed 29 points or more 8 times, and 48+ in 3 games; the Bruins are 6-12 in the Big Ten so far, but only 2-4 in OOC games the last 2 seasons, losing to teams from the SEC, Big 12, and Mountain West (2-2 record); UCLA has lost 6 of their last 7 games away from the Rose Bowl.
Outlook: UCLA has only been to 2 bowl games the last 8 years (the 2021 bowl game was canceled), so their primary goal should be getting to 6 wins. The OOC schedule is manageable, with a game at Cal and home contests with SDSU and Nevada. In the Big Ten, they have only 4 rad games (only 5 overall), with challenges at Oregon, Minnesota, and Michigan. The home schedule includes Illinois and USC sandwiched around the Michigan trip at the end of the season, so they’ll want to get their 6 wins early, if they can. I can easily see 7 wins on this schedule, but they will probably stumble and lose to someone they shouldn’t (though they could also pull an upset). Let’s go with 5-7 wins, but only 2-4 in the Big Ten.
65- Liberty Flames 4-8/3-5 (8th)
Coach: Jamey Chadwell (4th year, 9th overall FBS)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 64-35/.646/30th
3-year record/rank: 25-13/.658/33rd
6-year record/rank: 51-24/.680/14th
10-year record/rank: 65-35/.650/19th
Last League Title: 2023 CUSA champions
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 1 year bowl-less/2024/2021
Bowl Record/Rank: 3-3/.500/T59th
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: 311-266-4/.539/73rd
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 25.6/82nd/T6th CUSA
Rushing: 194.0/26th/2nd
Passing: 195.5/99th/7th
Total: 389.5/67th/7th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 26.5/T76th/4th
Rushing: 179.1/107th/8th
Passing: 196.8/36th/1st
Total: 375.8/69th/1st
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 7/6
Schedule:
Sep 5 @ James Madison
Sep 12 Gardner-Webb
Sep 19 Ball State
Sep 24 @ Coastal Carolina
Oct 2 @ Delaware
Oct 8 Sam Houston
Oct 21 @ Kennesaw State
Oct 31 FIU
Nov 7 @ New Mexico State
Nov 14 Middle Tennessee
Nov 21 WKU
Nov 28 @ Missouri State
Notes: Liberty has 4 consecutive non-Saturday games in mid-season; TO margin was -7, tied for 112th; 311 wins is 123rd, 9 ahead of UCF and 22 behind ULM; QB Ethan Vasko (1,961 yds, 56.8%, 10 TDs, 12 INTs, 258 yds rushing, 2.6 ypc) returns, but is coming off of shoulder surgery, so the starter could be Wake Forest transfer Deshawn Purdie (618 yds, 50%, 6 TDs, 3 INTs) or Texas A&M/West Virginia transfer Jaylen Henderson; OL returns 4 starters; Both K Carson Jones and P Sam Crosson are new (no stats); the Flames are on a 4-game losing streak, with the last 3 losses all in OT (1 in 2OT); LU has lost 6 of their last 7 away games, and 4 of their last 5 CUSA away games; 4 losses were by 7 points or less; offense scored 19 points or less in 5 games, while the defense allowed 30+ points 6 times, 4 of their last 5 games, and 34+ in their last 3.
Outlook: Last year was the 1st time the Flames experienced a losing record at the FBS level, and their 1st since they were 1-10 in 2005 under HC Ken Karcher. It was also their 1st conference losing record since joining CUSA in 2023, and 1st sine that 2005 season (2018-22 as an FBS Independent). This season, they have road games at 2 Sun Belt teams- JMU and CCU- and a home game against Ball State, so that should give us an indication of how this season could go. In CUSA, they miss fellow contender Jax State and get WKU at home, with Delaware and KSU on the road. They should be able to get back to a bowl and a winning season as the schedule just isn’t that difficult (Phil Steele ranks it 135th). Count on 6-8 wins, unless things really are falling apart and last year wasn’t an aberration, but the beginning of a trend.
64- Iowa State Cyclones 8-4/5-4 (tied for 7th)
Coach: Jimmy Rogers (1st year, 2nd overall FBS)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 6-6/.500/82nd
3-year record/rank: 26-13/.667/28th
6-year record/rank: 46-30/.605/39th
10-year record/rank: 72-55/.567/51st
Last League Title: 1912 Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Association co-champs/2004 Big 12 North co-champs
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 1 year bowl-less/2024/2024
Bowl Record/Rank: 6-13/.316/126th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1892/1-0-1 under HC Ira C. Brownlie (1st year as a team)
Last Winless Season: 1994/0-10-1 under HC Jim Walden
All-time Record/Rank: 585-685-46/.462/119th
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 27.4/69th/11th Big 12
Rushing: 174.7/49th/7th
Passing: 221.4/73rd/9th
Total: 396.1/59th/9th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 20.2/26th/5th
Rushing: 138.0/50th/6th
Passing: 218.5/65th/9th
Total: 356.5/54th/6th
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 2/2
Schedule:
Sep 5 Southeast Missouri
Sep 12 @ Iowa
Sep 19 Bowling Green
Sep 26 Utah
Oct 3 West Virginia
Oct 9 @ BYU
Oct 24 @ Arizona
Oct 31 Oklahoma State
Nov 7 @ Baylor
Nov 14 Cincinnati
Nov 20 @ UCF
Nov 28 Kansas State
Notes: ISU is on a 4-game winning streak, tied for the 6th longest; the Cyclones have 7 home games and 5 Big 12 home games; TO margin was +4, tied for 42nd; all-time winning percentage of .462 is the worst in the Big 12; 585 wins is tied with Kansas State and Tulane for 81st, 2 ahead of Nevada, Sam Houston, and Utah State, and 2 behind Troy and Washington State; QB will be Arkansas State transfer Jaylen Raynor (3,361 yds, 66.5%, 19 TDs, 11 INTs, 423 yds rushing, 2.7 ypc); K Kyle Konraddy (14-18 FGs, school record long of 63) returns, but P Ethan Gurney will be new; defense had only 13 sacks last season, tied for 129th; RB Aiden Flora averaged 26.1 on PR and 21.4 on KOR; ISU turned down a bowl last year, but they’ve been to 7 bowls in the last 9 years; the Cyclones are on a modest 3-game winning streak, but 5 wins were by 8 points or less, as were 3 losses (8 one-score games); ISU has won 6 of their last 8 games played in Ames.
Outlook: Iowa State is starting over under new HC Jimmy Rogers after their long-time HC Matt Campbell left for Penn State. Rogers was very successful at South Dakota State (27-3 in 2 years) and was a respectable 6-6 at Washington State last year. The problem is that this is almost an entirely new team, as many of the best players followed Campbell to Penn State, and many others transferred elsewhere. The Cyclones should at least go 2-1 in OOC games, with the only possible loss to rival Iowa. In the Big 12, they have a relatively easy schedule, at least on paper, but the best teams seem to change from year to year in this conference more than in any other. While ISU hosts Utah and plays at BYU and Arizona, they avoid Texas Tech, Houston, TCU, and Arizona State, teams that have been relatively successful lately. What I’m saying is that this team could struggle to win 3 games, or they might win 8. So I’ll split the middle and say they’ll flirt with bowl eligibility and win 5-6 games.
63- Texas State Bobcats 7-6/3-5 (tied for 5th in West)
Coach: G.J. Kinne (4th year, 4th overall FBS)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 23-16/.590/50th
3-year record/rank: 23-16/.590/48th
6-year record/rank: 33-42/.440/92nd
10-year record/rank: 43-80/.350/119th
Last League Title: 2008 Southland Conference champions
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 3 years/2025/2025
Bowl Record/Rank: 3-0/1.000/T1st
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season: 1982/14-0 under HC Jim Wacker
Last Winless Season: Never (since 1951); worst seasons were 2-10 in 2016 and 2017 under HC Everett Withers, and 2020 under HC Jake Spavital
All-time Record/Rank: 548-511-25/.517/83rd
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 36.5/12th/1st Pac 12
Rushing: 222.1/10th/1st
Passing: 250.8/41st/1st
Total: 472.8/5th/1st
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 29.0/94th/6th
Rushing: 164.8/89th/6th
Passing: 218.1/61st/5th
Total: 382.9/78th/6th
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 7/4
Schedule:
Sep 5 @ Texas
Sep 12 UTSA
Sep 19 North Texas
Oct 3 @ San Diego State
Oct 17 Colorado State
Oct 24 Utah State
Oct 31 @ boise State
Nov 7 @ Oregon State
Nov 14 Fresno State
Nov 21 Washington State
Nov 28 @ Colorado State
Notes: Texas State has won their last 4 games, including the bowl win over Rice, tied for 6th longest active streak; TSU has 7 home games; TO margin was -4, tied for 96th; 548 wins ranks 99th, 9 ahead of UConn, and just 1 behind Colorado State; QB Bad Jackson (3,224 yds, 71.3%, 21 TDs, 7 INTs, 744 yds rushing, 4.3 ypc, school record 17 TDs) returns; WRs Beau Sparks (84 catches, 1200 yds, 10 TDs) and Chris Dawn, Jr (65 catches, 1,007 yds, 4 TDs) also return; RB Jaylen Jenkins led the Sun Belt with a 27.0 KOR avg and had a 100-yd TD; offense has averaged 36.5 ppg the last 3 seasons; Toledo transfer Dylan Cunanan (8-11 FGs, long of 46) will be K, and P Thomas Flintoff is new; 4 of 6 losses were by 7 points or less; only 1 win was by less than 17 points; offense scored at least 30 points 11 times, buth the defense allowed 31+ in 7 games, including 40+ in 4.
Outlook: The Bobcats will play their 1st Pac 12 conference game at SDSU in early October, and will host CSU for their 1st Pac 12 home game 2 weeks later. The key for Texas State will be how well the defense does. I’m pretty confident the offense will be potent again, so if the defense can be at least adequate, the Bobcats could challenge for a berth in the Pac 12 CG. The OOC slate is tough but fair, with the opener at Texas and 3 home games- 2 vs American Conference teams and the 3rd against HC Kinne’s old FCS team, UIW. Two of their 3 toughest Pac 12 games are on the road- at SDSU and Boise State, so winning the Pac 12 may be a bit much to ask this year. Expect 5-7 wins, with an outside chance at 8 or 9.
62- Wisconsin Badgers 4-8/2-7 (tied for 14th)
Coach: Luke Fickell (4th year, 11th overall)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 80-46/.635/33rd
3-year record/rank: 16-21/.432/94th
6-year record/rank: 36-34/.514/65th
10-year record/rank: 78-47/.624/29th
Last League Title: 2012 Big Ten champions/2019 Big Ten West champions
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 2 years 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: 751-533-53/.582/39th
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 12.8/133rd/18th Big Ten
Rushing: 116.7/115th/16th
Passing: 136.4/130th/18th
Total: 253.1/133rd/18th
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 21.6/39th/9th
Rushing: 105.3/15th/4th
Passing: 218.3/62nd/13th
Total: 323.5/24th/7th
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 6/5
Schedule:
Sep 6 Notre Dame (Green Bay)
Sep 12 Western Illinois
Sep 19 Eastern Michigan
Sep 26 @ Penn State
Oct 3 Michigan State
Oct 17 @ UCLA
Oct 24 USC
Oct 31 @ Iowa
Nov 7 Rutgers
Nov 14 @ Maryland
Nov 21 @ Purdue
Nov 28 Minnesota
Notes: The Badgers missed a bowl in back-to-back years for the first time 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); Wisconsin has 5 Big Ten road games, and a neutral site game with Notre Dame; TO margin was -11, tied for 123rd, and next to last in the Big Ten; 751 wins is 24th, 2 ahead of Arkansas and Minnesota, and 5 behind Syracuse; QB is likely to be ODU transfer Colton Joseph (2,624 yds, 60%, 21 TDs, 10 INTs, 1007 yds rushing, 6.4 ypc)) but Louisville transfer Deuce Adams (112 yds, 71%, 0 YDs, 0 INTs) may play; offense had only 33 runs of 10 yards or more (less than 3 a game); both K Gavin Lahm and P Sean West are new; UW lost 2 of their last 3 games, were 0-5 on the road, and have lost 7 consecutive road games and 6 Big Ten road games in a row; offense scored 14 points or less in 9 games, 10 or less in 7, 7 or less in 3, and were shut out twice (scored 17, 27, and 42 in other 3 games); defense held 4 opponents to 10 points or less, with 1 shutout; the Badgers have lost 12 of their last 14 Big Ten contests.
Outlook: Wisconsin has gone from 7 wins, to 5 wins, to 4 wins, as they ended the 3rd longest active bowl streak (22 years, which ties for the 8th longest all-time). To be fair, they have had problems keeping QBs healthy, and had a difficult schedule last season. This year, after opening with Notre Dame in Green Bay, their schedule is much easier: no Ohio State, no Oregon, no Indiana, and no Michigan. They get USC and Minnesota at home, and their toughest road games are at Penn State and Iowa. In fact, their Big Ten opponents were 28-53 in conference games last season (and just 51-61 in all games). This means if the offense can improve by a TD per game or more, and the defense remains stout, that the Badgers have a good chance to make it back to a bowl (and perhaps save HC Fickell’s job). I see a possibility of 6-8 wins, which would be a huge improvement.
61- Baylor Bears 5-7/3-6 (tied for 11th)
Coach: Dave Aranda (7th year, 7th overall)
Coach FBS Record/Rank: 36-37/.493/84th
3-year record/rank: 16-21/.432/94th
6-year record/rank: 36-37/.493/74th
10-year record/rank: 62-63/.496/72nd
Last League Title: 2021 Big 12
Bowl Streak/Last Bowl Season/Last Bowl Win: 1 year bowl-less/2024/2021
Bowl Record/Rank: 14-14/.500/T59th
CFP Playoff Appearances: 0
AP Championships/Last AP Championship: None
Last Undefeated Season:1910/6-0-2 under HC Ralph Glaze (adjusted to 6-1-1 by NCAA- forfeited tie with Texas) & 1900/3-0 under HC R.H. Hamilton
Last Winless Season: 1969/0-10 under HC Bill Beall
All-time Record/Rank: 638-614-44/.509/89th
Offense/ranks:
Scoring: 31.1/33rd/5th Big12
Rushing: 141.5/83rd/13th
Passing: 309.6/4th/1st
Total: 451.1/18th/3rd
Defense/ranks:
Scoring: 32.6/120th/15th
Rushing: 197.2/120th/15th
Passing: 194.9/31st/5th
Total: 392.1/87th/12th
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 6/7
Schedule:
Sep 5 Auburn (Atlanta
Sep 12 Prairie View A&M
Sep 19 La Tech
Sep 26 Colorado
Oct 3 @ Arizona State
Oct 17 TCU
Oct 24 @ Kansas
Oct 30 @ UCF
Nov 7 Iowa State
Nov 14 @ BYU
Nov 21 Texas Tech
Nov 28 @ Houston
Notes: Baylor has 5 Big 12 road games and a neutral site game against Auburn in Atlanta in their opener; TO margin was -13, tied for 131st, and worst in the Big 12; HC Dave Aranda is one of 6 coaches hired in 2020 that is still at the same school; 638 wins place the Bears 63rd, 3 ahead of Vandy, and just 1 behind BYU;QB will be Florida transfer D.J. Lagway (2,264 yds, 63%, 16 TDs, SEC-leading 14 INTs, 136 yds rushing); K Rhett Armstrong hasn’t attempted a FG, but P Palmer Williams (46.9 avg/45.0 net) was a Ray Guy Award finalist; the Bears have lost 3 in a row, and 5 of their last 6; 2 wins were by 3 points or less, and 3 losses were by 7 or less.
Outlook: The Bears have had 3 losing seasons in the last 4 years, though they were 6-7 in 2022. With the opener versus Auburn in Atlanta, they should be no worse than 2-1 entering the Big 12 portion of the schedule. The goal should be to win as many games as possible early, because the closing stretch- at BYU, Texas Tech in Waco, and at Houston- probably won’t be kind.The rest of the schedule is filled out with the large rabble of teams that could be anywhere from 2-7 to 7-2 in the conference. I see 4-6 wins, but if the offense takes off, that could be 6-8 wins.
Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!
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