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2008 Arizona State Sun Devils Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:00:02 -0500

ASU won 10 games, Dennis Erickson stayed out of trouble and the Sun Devils played, for the most part, disciplined, smart football. The trick now will be to build on that success and move forward. The pieces are there: ASU returns six starters offensively, including quarterback Rudy Carpenter, and seven on the defensive side of the ball.

2008 Michigan Wolverines Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:00:01 -0500

Rich Rodriguez is changing things. Out is the old, pro-style offense, with its emphasis on the power ground game and safe passes. In is the high-speed spread. Out is the classic 4-3 defense, replaced (eventually) by a 3-3-5 stack. Gone is the comfortable, “family” approach, exchanged for an aggressive, in-your-face style. Michigan may take a step back at first under Rodriguez, but there is no reason to believe the Wolverines will falter long-term.

2008 South Florida Bulls Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0500

With experience at quarterback and the skill positions, along with a solid returning corps on defense, the potential is there for South Florida to transform its season finale at West Virginia into the de facto Big East championship game. But without more consistency, the potential is also there for the Bulls to settle for a minor bowl trip.

2008 Florida Atlantic Owls Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:55:31 -0500

Howard Schnellenberger’s latest foray into program-building sped ahead of schedule by winning the Sun Belt Conference and the New Orleans Bowl with a boatload of sophomores and juniors at the controls. With 17 starters returning, Florida Atlantic is ideally positioned to repeat.

2008 UL Monroe Warhawks Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:28:23 -0500

Look for ULM’s improved depth on the offensive and defensive lines to help them weather the BCS storm and get them ready for Sun Belt play. Competing for a league title might be a bit of a stretch, but there is no reason ULM can’t be in the hunt for an upper-division finish.

2008 UL Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:25:04 -0500

Michael Desormeaux and Tyrell Fenroy will allow the Cajuns to move the ball, but to score consistently they must improve the passing game. Also, stopping the pass is key for a defense that gave up big plays at the most inopportune moments last year.

2008 Troy Trojans Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:22:48 -0500

The Trojans have been solid for nearly two decades under Larry Blakeney and should be the same this year. But there’s a big fear lurking. Troy depended heavily on the talented Omar Haugabook in its first two years in the spread offense, and his departure leaves a gaping hole that won’t be instantly filled.

2008 North Texas Mean Green Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:05:33 -0500

UNT is likely another year away from contending for the Sun Belt crown, and Todd Dodge still doesn’t have his full allotment of personnel. Nevertheless, UNT could surprise plenty of conference front-runners if Gary DeLoach’s defense can come close to matching UNT’s offensive production.

2008 MTSU Blue Raiders Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:03:35 -0500

Depth and injury issues from last season linger on Middle Tennessee’s roster. Two years removed from their first FBS bowl bid in 2006, the Blue Raiders may be headed for their first true rebuilding year in coach Rick Stockstill’s three-year tenure.

2008 Arkansas State Red Wolves Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:02:01 -0500

The PC-induced nickname change kicks in this season, but the former Indians better not take long to get used to their Red Wolves moniker. An Aug. 30 date awaits with Texas A&M, and three other bowl teams dot the non-conference schedule. What ASU would rather get used to is road success, since the final campaign as a Tribe included zero wins away from Indian Stadium.

2008 FIU Golden Panthers Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:00:19 -0500

The Golden Panthers move into their glistening new digs (FIU Stadium) with an eye toward exorcising a 1–23 blight that settled over the program during the past two years.

2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:51:21 -0500

Three wins, nine losses. At Notre Dame?!? Believe it. Charlie Weis is relatively certain it was a one-year mirage. Notre Dame likely won’t be ready for a run at a BCS bid until 2009 or 2010. But the days of three-victory seasons should be a thing of the past.

2008 Tulsa Golden Hurricane Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:10:45 -0500

Football at Tulsa these days starts and ends with offense. Under coordinator Gus Malzahn’s watch, the Golden Hurricane averaged 41.1 points per game and led all of college football in yards per game (543.9) and total plays (1,126). But head coach Todd Graham — defensive coordinator during Tulsa’s 2003-05 renaissance — wouldn’t mind a little tackling now and again.

2008 Clemson Tigers Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:50:51 -0500

Heading into Tommy Bowden’s 10th season with the Tigers, “No Excuses” might be an apt motto. With every important offensive skill player returning from last season, plus a boatload of talent on defense, there’s plenty of reason to think this team should be in Tampa for the fourth annual ACC Championship Game on Dec. 6.

2008 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Preview

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:30:37 -0500

The Hilltoppers enter the back half of a two-year transitional period after stepping up to the Bowl Subdivision. WKU recorded its 12th consecutive winning season in 2007, but this year, the schedule is more difficult as WKU prepares to enter the Sun Belt Conference as a full-time member in 2009.