110. UL Monroe[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 5-6
Why to get excited: After coming excruciatingly close to winning the Sun Belt title, the Indians should be well motivated. Charlie Weatherbie and his coaching staff appear to have hit their stride making the program stable and on the right track; the offensive line should be among the best in the Sun Belt.
Why to be grouchy: There are way too many key personnel losses to be the league’s champion. QB Steven Jyles is gone, and WR Drouzon Quillen has left early for the NFL. The defensive line needs to be completely replaced.
The number one thing to work on is: Punt returns. The offense isn’t good enough to be stuck in bad field position, and the punt return game has to be more effective after finishing last in the nation averaging 3.05 yards per try.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Steven Jyles
Biggest defensive loss: DE Brandon Guillory
[/SIZE][/FONT]111. North Texas[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 2-9
Why to get excited: Just about all the key parts return, and Jamario Thomas is all set to take over the running game for the departed Patrick Cobbs. Last season might have been ugly, but the coaching staff, and the winning tradition, is in place to expect a quick bounceback year.
Why to be grouchy: Are there any killers on defense? The program made a name for itself with running backs, but has succeeded with tremendous defenders. The run defense has to be much, much tougher.
The number one thing to work on is: Getting the passing game going. Daniel Meagher never looked comfortable his entire redshirt freshman season, but now he’s a veteran and has to start playing like it. He has receivers to throw to and a back in Thomas to take the heat off.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Patrick Cobbs
Biggest defensive loss: CB Ja’Mel Branch
[/SIZE][/FONT]112. Troy[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 4-7
Why to get excited: Troy plays in the Sun Belt. If there’s just a little bit of offensive output, the Trojans should be among the class of the league as long as the defense can rebuild and continue to live up to its high standards. However ...
Why to be grouchy: … the D loses some major playmakers. The defensive line needs an overhaul and top linebacker Bernard Davis and corner Johnny Faulk are gone. The only steady offensive performer, RB Joel Whinghter, is gone.
The number one thing to work on is: Finding some offensive consistency. The attack was brutally painful against any defense with a pulse only scoring more than 21 points twice. There was little production from the passing game, and since no one respected the quarterbacks, loaded up against the ground game.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Joel Whinghter
Biggest defensive loss: LB Bernard Davis
[/SIZE][/FONT]113. Rice [FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 1-10
Why to get excited: Under new head coach Todd Graham, the defense should make an instant improvement. If nothing else, the D can’t be much worse than last year when it allowed 455 yards and 41 points per game. He was a miracle worker at Tulsa turning the defense around and he has plenty of pieces to work with.
Why to be grouchy: Everyone returns on offense. Everyone. While that might be cause to jump for joy at most places, the parts aren’t there for a massive change from an option attack to whatever new offensive coordinator Major Applewhite will want to do in his first season.
The number one thing to work on is: Keeping points off the board. This defense got tagged by everyone last year allowing fewer than 30 points just once, and that was in a 27-7 loss.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Nick Aranda
Biggest defensive loss: DE John Syptak
[/SIZE][/FONT]114. Kent State[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 1-10
Why to get excited: This was a tremendously young team on both sides of the ball, so head coach Doug Martin has to hope that experience translates into more production. Throwing the ball won’t be a problem with the return of QB Michael Machen and receivers Najah Pruden and Marcus Hill returning.
Why to be grouchy: Former QB Joshua Cribbs is still done with his eligibility. This team has a long way to go to become balanced on offense and is losing one of its top weapons, PK Travis Mayle.
The number one thing to work on is: Running, running, running. Not only was Kent State dead last in the nation in rushing, it wasn’t even close averaging 45.9 yards per game; a full 27 behind the nation’s second worst rushing team, Ole Miss.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Derrick Bush
Biggest defensive loss: LB Justin Parrish
[/SIZE][/FONT]115. New Mexico State[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 0-12
Why to get excited: You’d have to expect it would take at least one full season to make the transformation into a high-flying passing team. While the Aggies won’t be this year’s UCF thanks to quarterbacks Joey Vincent (defense) and Royal Gill (transfer) gone, many of the other offensive starters return.
Why to be grouchy: The offense should be crisper, but the defense still has miles to go before it’s merely decent. This was the nation’s second worst defense last year (only 0.09 ahead of Northwestern) and now it’ll be without tackling machine Jimmy Cottrell.
The number one thing to work on is: Hanging on to the ball. Besides the lousy defense and inconsistent offense, the Aggies were horrific game in and game out when it came to turnovers committing 38 on the year finishing last in the nation in turnover margin.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Paul Dombrowski
Biggest defensive loss: LB Jimmy Cottrell
[/SIZE][/FONT]116. FIU[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 5-6
Why to get excited: Big strides were made in the team’s first season in D-I with good players in QB Josh Padrick and LB Keynovis Bouie to work around for 2006. The Sun Belt title is a realistic goal.
Why to be grouchy: The defense needs a ton of work on the front seven while the offensive line will take a while to come together.
The number one thing to work on is: Owning the Sun Belt. Winning the final three games of the season was big, even though one was against Western Kentucky, and there should be plenty of momentum going into this season as long as the defense is stronger against the pass.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Cory McKinney
Biggest defensive loss: CB Nick Turnbull
[/SIZE][/FONT]117. Buffalo[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 1-10
Why to get excited: The program starts fresh with new head coach Turner Gill taking over. Former head man Jim Hofher put together a solid defense, but Gill will do far, far more for the offense. For good or bad, most of the top offensive skill players are back.
Why to be grouchy: The defensive front seven got whacked hard by graduation, especially the line. The offense isn’t going to crank out 50 points a game any time soon, so the defense needs just as much attention this off-season.
The number one thing to work on is: Figuring out who can put points on the board. Gill has to find his quarterback early this spring, and he has to quickly pump some life into an attack that averaged ten points per game.
Biggest offensive loss: OT Zach Love
Biggest defensive loss: CB Gemara Williams
[/SIZE][/FONT]118. Florida Atlantic[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 2-9
Why to get excited: This was a relatively young team in 2005 that never really got a break. A few tweaks here and there to the offense, and a lot of improvement against the run, and Howard Schnellenberger’s squad could be a factor in the Sun Belt
Why to be grouchy: And more offense will come from … ? QB Danny Embick was just about the only player keeping the attack afloat, and now he’s gone meaning it’ll be a scramble to find a new leader and more playmakers.
The number one thing to work on is: Putting points on the board and stopping the run. The Owls allowed a whopping 218 yards per game on the ground and only averaged 13.82 points per game. That’s not a good combination.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Danny Embick
Biggest defensive loss: LB Shomari Earls
[/SIZE][/FONT]119. Temple[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 0-11
Why to get excited: There’s nowhere to go but up after finishing dead last, or near the bottom, in every major statistical category. The MAC is still a year away giving new head coach Al Golden a season to get the pieces in place.
Why to be grouchy: This was a senior dominated team last year and it still stunk. Golden will really, really be starting from scratch.
The number one thing to work on is: Establishing an offensive identity. The offense scored in double-digits just five times and never scored more than 17.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Mike McGann
Biggest defensive loss: DT Antwon Burton[/SIZE][/FONT]
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 5-6
Why to get excited: After coming excruciatingly close to winning the Sun Belt title, the Indians should be well motivated. Charlie Weatherbie and his coaching staff appear to have hit their stride making the program stable and on the right track; the offensive line should be among the best in the Sun Belt.
Why to be grouchy: There are way too many key personnel losses to be the league’s champion. QB Steven Jyles is gone, and WR Drouzon Quillen has left early for the NFL. The defensive line needs to be completely replaced.
The number one thing to work on is: Punt returns. The offense isn’t good enough to be stuck in bad field position, and the punt return game has to be more effective after finishing last in the nation averaging 3.05 yards per try.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Steven Jyles
Biggest defensive loss: DE Brandon Guillory
[/SIZE][/FONT]111. North Texas[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 2-9
Why to get excited: Just about all the key parts return, and Jamario Thomas is all set to take over the running game for the departed Patrick Cobbs. Last season might have been ugly, but the coaching staff, and the winning tradition, is in place to expect a quick bounceback year.
Why to be grouchy: Are there any killers on defense? The program made a name for itself with running backs, but has succeeded with tremendous defenders. The run defense has to be much, much tougher.
The number one thing to work on is: Getting the passing game going. Daniel Meagher never looked comfortable his entire redshirt freshman season, but now he’s a veteran and has to start playing like it. He has receivers to throw to and a back in Thomas to take the heat off.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Patrick Cobbs
Biggest defensive loss: CB Ja’Mel Branch
[/SIZE][/FONT]112. Troy[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 4-7
Why to get excited: Troy plays in the Sun Belt. If there’s just a little bit of offensive output, the Trojans should be among the class of the league as long as the defense can rebuild and continue to live up to its high standards. However ...
Why to be grouchy: … the D loses some major playmakers. The defensive line needs an overhaul and top linebacker Bernard Davis and corner Johnny Faulk are gone. The only steady offensive performer, RB Joel Whinghter, is gone.
The number one thing to work on is: Finding some offensive consistency. The attack was brutally painful against any defense with a pulse only scoring more than 21 points twice. There was little production from the passing game, and since no one respected the quarterbacks, loaded up against the ground game.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Joel Whinghter
Biggest defensive loss: LB Bernard Davis
[/SIZE][/FONT]113. Rice [FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 1-10
Why to get excited: Under new head coach Todd Graham, the defense should make an instant improvement. If nothing else, the D can’t be much worse than last year when it allowed 455 yards and 41 points per game. He was a miracle worker at Tulsa turning the defense around and he has plenty of pieces to work with.
Why to be grouchy: Everyone returns on offense. Everyone. While that might be cause to jump for joy at most places, the parts aren’t there for a massive change from an option attack to whatever new offensive coordinator Major Applewhite will want to do in his first season.
The number one thing to work on is: Keeping points off the board. This defense got tagged by everyone last year allowing fewer than 30 points just once, and that was in a 27-7 loss.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Nick Aranda
Biggest defensive loss: DE John Syptak
[/SIZE][/FONT]114. Kent State[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 1-10
Why to get excited: This was a tremendously young team on both sides of the ball, so head coach Doug Martin has to hope that experience translates into more production. Throwing the ball won’t be a problem with the return of QB Michael Machen and receivers Najah Pruden and Marcus Hill returning.
Why to be grouchy: Former QB Joshua Cribbs is still done with his eligibility. This team has a long way to go to become balanced on offense and is losing one of its top weapons, PK Travis Mayle.
The number one thing to work on is: Running, running, running. Not only was Kent State dead last in the nation in rushing, it wasn’t even close averaging 45.9 yards per game; a full 27 behind the nation’s second worst rushing team, Ole Miss.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Derrick Bush
Biggest defensive loss: LB Justin Parrish
[/SIZE][/FONT]115. New Mexico State[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 0-12
Why to get excited: You’d have to expect it would take at least one full season to make the transformation into a high-flying passing team. While the Aggies won’t be this year’s UCF thanks to quarterbacks Joey Vincent (defense) and Royal Gill (transfer) gone, many of the other offensive starters return.
Why to be grouchy: The offense should be crisper, but the defense still has miles to go before it’s merely decent. This was the nation’s second worst defense last year (only 0.09 ahead of Northwestern) and now it’ll be without tackling machine Jimmy Cottrell.
The number one thing to work on is: Hanging on to the ball. Besides the lousy defense and inconsistent offense, the Aggies were horrific game in and game out when it came to turnovers committing 38 on the year finishing last in the nation in turnover margin.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Paul Dombrowski
Biggest defensive loss: LB Jimmy Cottrell
[/SIZE][/FONT]116. FIU[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 5-6
Why to get excited: Big strides were made in the team’s first season in D-I with good players in QB Josh Padrick and LB Keynovis Bouie to work around for 2006. The Sun Belt title is a realistic goal.
Why to be grouchy: The defense needs a ton of work on the front seven while the offensive line will take a while to come together.
The number one thing to work on is: Owning the Sun Belt. Winning the final three games of the season was big, even though one was against Western Kentucky, and there should be plenty of momentum going into this season as long as the defense is stronger against the pass.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Cory McKinney
Biggest defensive loss: CB Nick Turnbull
[/SIZE][/FONT]117. Buffalo[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 1-10
Why to get excited: The program starts fresh with new head coach Turner Gill taking over. Former head man Jim Hofher put together a solid defense, but Gill will do far, far more for the offense. For good or bad, most of the top offensive skill players are back.
Why to be grouchy: The defensive front seven got whacked hard by graduation, especially the line. The offense isn’t going to crank out 50 points a game any time soon, so the defense needs just as much attention this off-season.
The number one thing to work on is: Figuring out who can put points on the board. Gill has to find his quarterback early this spring, and he has to quickly pump some life into an attack that averaged ten points per game.
Biggest offensive loss: OT Zach Love
Biggest defensive loss: CB Gemara Williams
[/SIZE][/FONT]118. Florida Atlantic[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 2-9
Why to get excited: This was a relatively young team in 2005 that never really got a break. A few tweaks here and there to the offense, and a lot of improvement against the run, and Howard Schnellenberger’s squad could be a factor in the Sun Belt
Why to be grouchy: And more offense will come from … ? QB Danny Embick was just about the only player keeping the attack afloat, and now he’s gone meaning it’ll be a scramble to find a new leader and more playmakers.
The number one thing to work on is: Putting points on the board and stopping the run. The Owls allowed a whopping 218 yards per game on the ground and only averaged 13.82 points per game. That’s not a good combination.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Danny Embick
Biggest defensive loss: LB Shomari Earls
[/SIZE][/FONT]119. Temple[FONT=verdana, arial,
sans serif][SIZE=-1] 2005 Record: 0-11
Why to get excited: There’s nowhere to go but up after finishing dead last, or near the bottom, in every major statistical category. The MAC is still a year away giving new head coach Al Golden a season to get the pieces in place.
Why to be grouchy: This was a senior dominated team last year and it still stunk. Golden will really, really be starting from scratch.
The number one thing to work on is: Establishing an offensive identity. The offense scored in double-digits just five times and never scored more than 17.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Mike McGann
Biggest defensive loss: DT Antwon Burton[/SIZE][/FONT]