Post by Bornthrilla on Jul 8, 2005 0:27:04 GMT -5
Extra Point -Preseason Rankings: No Clear Choice for No. 1
By Matt Dougherty, The Sports Network
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -Going into last year’s playoffs, conventional wisdom said Southern Illinois, Georgia Southern and Furman had separated themselves from the pack of I-AA playoff teams and were the only real contenders for the championship game in Chattanooga. By the end of the first round, people touting that theory had egg on the face and crow to eat.
The Salukis and Eagles went down in the first round, Furman followed in round two, and William & Mary’s semifinal loss to James Madison meant that for the first time no seeded team advanced to the I-AA title game.
Of last year’s semifinal participants, only Montana (No. 3) earned a preseason ranking. Sam Houston State came in at 38th, James Madison was 45th and William & Mary couldn’t even accumulate enough votes to make the list.
So for those who say the preseason rankings are meaningless, I’m with you. If the No.1 team isn't obvious in November, how can we pick one in July?
The chances of preseason rankings coming anywhere close to fruition in December are about as good as winning the Powerball jackpot or enjoying a Pauley Shore movie. But since it’s July, and the vacations at the beach will soon turn into Saturdays at the stadium, it's time to get the juices going and impart my wisdom about who might have the best team in I-AA football in 2005.
The problem is that a case could easily be made for a dozen or so teams as the top squad in the preseason. Defending champion James Madison returns a great defense and all its skill position players. Eastern Washington boasts I-AA’s best pass-catch duo with Erik Meyer and Eric Kimble, Montana’s only big question is at quarterback, three Gateway teams have the potential to make a run, and once again almost half of the Atlantic 10 has a legitimate shot to make a run at the top spot. And who knows, based on last year’s results, teams perceived to fall in the middle of the pack could be holding the trophy come December.
While the questions greatly outweigh the answers, Furman seems to have the most complete roster as we approach the 2005 season. The Paladins have a playmaker at quarterback, stable of running backs, strong offensive line, and talented players across the board on defense. Even though they lost 11 starters, Furman’s younger players gained experience with last year’s injury problems and the Paladins don’t have any real weakness for teams to exploit. So take your bulls-eye, Paladins, and wear it well.
Below I take my guess at a preseason national ranking, with a prediction on all 120 I-AA teams. The 98 schools that play at a scholarship or quasi- level are separated from the 22 that play at a true non-scholarship or mid-major level. Last year’s record is in parentheses. The official Sports Network I-AA Top 25 and I-AA-Mid-Major preseason polls, which are voted on by a panel of sports information directors and media throughout the country, will be revealed in August:
1. Furman (10-3) - The Paladins have early tests with a trip to Jacksonville State and visit from Hofstra, but if they get through that Furman could take a perfect record into a Nov. 5 date at Georgia Southern.
2. Eastern Washington (9-4) - With Erik Meyer and Eric Kimble leading an extremely talented offense, the Eagles will be a threat to go all the way if the defense is just adequate.
3. James Madison (13-2) - Justin Rascati and most of the skill position players are back and the defense loses some depth at linebacker but should still be solid. The Dukes, however, drew the bad hand from the A-10 schedule maker with visits to playoff contenders Hofstra, Massachusetts, Delaware and William & Mary.
4. Montana (12-3) - The Grizzlies return most players on a defense that improved greatly throughout the 2004 season, and Lex Hilliard is on the verge of a breakout season at running back. Replacing Craig Ochs is the biggest concern heading into the fall.
5. Western Kentucky (9-3) - The Hilltoppers could use a more consistent season from quarterback Justin Haddix, but they have a solid defense and running game and 17 total starters back. Playing Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa at home doesn’t hurt WKU's cause.
6. New Hampshire (10-3) - A lot of people don’t think the Wildcats can match their surprising 2004 success, but the duo of Ricky Santos and David Ball returns on offense along with most of the starters on defense. New Hampshire also misses James Madison and Delaware on this year’s schedule.
7. Georgia Southern (9-3) - The Eagles need to rebuild the defensive line and lose the experience and explosiveness of Chaz Williams running the option at quarterback. Still, Georgia Southern rolled through opponents a year ago and will always be in the playoff mix.
8. Northwestern State (8-4) - The Demons’ defense will be ferocious and DaVon Vinson solidified his spot at quarterback late last season. Northwestern State can’t afford to repeat last year’s road struggles with trips to McNeese State, Texas State, Sam Houston State and a pair of Sun Belt opponents set for 2005.
9. Southern Illinois (10-2) - The Salukis still have Joel Sambursky at quarterback, Arkee Whitlock at running back and a strong defense. They do, however, face the challenging task of entering 2005 with an entirely new starting offensive line.
10. UNI (7-4) - If Eric Sanders continues to develop, the Panthers should make a move back to the playoffs with a solid defense and running game already in place.
11. William & Mary (11-3) - Almost all of the starters are back and the defense will improve for the Tribe, but the losses (Lang Campbell and Dominique Thompson) will be very difficult to overcome.
12. Montana State (6-5) - The offense should roll with 10 starters back, and a healthier unit on defense could get the Bobcats back to the playoffs in Travis Lulay’s senior season.
13. Delaware (9-4) - The 2003 national champions suffer major losses on both lines, and begin the year with just four returning starters on defense. Delaware is, however, aided by a schedule with seven home dates and visits from Massachusetts and James Madison.
14. Massachusetts (6-5) - The Minutemen have a chance to make a rise back to the top of the Atlantic 10 with everyone returning on defense in the second season at the helm for Don Brown.
15. Lehigh (9-3)- The Mountain Hawks are solid across the board and have the weapons to compensate for the loss of tight end Adam Bergen and rise to the top of the Patriot League. Lehigh faces some early tests with non-conference visits to Delaware and Harvard.
16. Harvard (10-0) - The Crimson lose quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, but enters the year with a I-AA best 11-game win streak. If Harvard gets past Brown and Lehigh in the season’s first three weeks, the win streak could last quite a while.
17. Hofstra (5-6) - If the Pride defense kicks it up a notch, Hofstra could be a playoff team with one of I-AA’s best passing attacks. Despite last year’s 5-6 record, the Pride was competitive in almost every game.
18. Hampton (10-2) - All-American Jerome Mathis is gone, but Hampton still has the most talent in the MEAC and a realistic shot to run the table against a soft schedule.
19. North Dakota State (8-3) - The Bison need to rebuild some of the offensive line, but looked very good at the end of 2004. NDSU gets to prove it’s for real with challenging road trips to Montana State, Southern Illinois, and Northwestern State.
20. Texas State (5-6) - The Bobcats bring back 19 starters and have all of their tough Southland games at home. That’s good news, because with two Division II games and a trip to Texas A & M, they probably need to win the Southland Conference to have a good shot at the postseason.
21. Brown (6-4) - The Bears bring back 16 starters and nine All-Ivy players and should emerge as the biggest challenger to Harvard in the Ancient Eight if they get consistent play at quarterback.
22. Jacksonville State (9-2) - Through two seasons, the Gamecocks have emerged as the clear top team in the Ohio Valley Conference. The season opener against Furman will show if this year’s cast can compete with the national elite.
23. Sam Houston State (11-3) - Noah Allen comes in to replace Dustin Long at quarterback, but the tougher challenge will be blending in a new receiving corps for a team that excelled in the passing game last year.
24. Cal Poly (9-2) - The Mustangs will need last season’s late offensive surge to carry over as the defense tries to compensate for the loss of six starters including Buchanan Award winner Jordan Beck.
25. Lafayette (8-4) - Almost everyone is back on defense, but the offense could fall off a bit with the loss of tailback Joe McCourt and four starters on the line for the 2004 Patriot League champions.
26. South Carolina State (9-2) - The Bulldogs’ running game should be solid, and they have the talent to match last year’s 9-2 mark and challenge Hampton for the MEAC crown.
27. Villanova (6-5) - Marvin Burroughs picked up his play in the second half of 2004, and will need to keep it up against a schedule that includes trips to Rutgers, New Hampshire and James Madison.
28. Appalachian State (6-5) - Replacing DaVon Fowlkes’ production provides a challenge for the offense, but the Mountaineers’ defense figures to improve on last year’s 32.5 ppg allowed.
29. Wofford (8-3) - The Terriers have been known for their strength on both lines in the past, but have their work cut out after losing top players on each side along with both contributors at quarterback.
30. Portland State (7-4)- The Vikings are solid on defense, but must replace quarterback Joe Wiser and running back Ryan Fuqua quickly with a schedule that includes trips to Oregon State and Boise State as well as Eastern Washington and Montana.
31. Southwest Missouri State (6-5) - Running back Michael Cooper, a late addition as a transfer from Georgia, gives the Bears a dynamic threat on offense as they try to compete with the top three in the Gateway.
32. Grambling State (6-5) - GSU played well at the end of head coach Melvin Spears’ first season, and figures to be in the mix for the SWAC title with stars Bruce Eugene and Leonard Patton back after missing the 2004 season.
33. Alabama State (10-2) - With Tavaris Jackson and Keldrick Williams back, the Hornets are the clear favorite to repeat as SWAC East champions.
34. Coastal Carolina (10-1) - The Chanticleers are an intriguing team to keep an eye on in September with games against James Madison, Appalachian State and South Carolina State.
35. Maine (5-6) - The Black Bears lose half of their the starters on both sides of the ball, but suffered a few tough luck losses a year ago and had more talent than their 5-6 record indicated.
36. McNeese State (4-7)- The young Cowboys took their lumps a year ago. They may not be back among the elite this season, but should improve on last year’s 4-7 mark and turn in a better effort in the Southland Conference.
37. UC Davis (6-4) - The Aggies stumbled down the stretch a year ago and have a very tough September with New Hampshire, Portland State and Stanford to open the season.
38. Penn (8-2) - The Quakers need to replace most of the starters from a defense that has performed admirably in recent seasons. Still, that shouldn’t stop Penn from competing for the Ivy League crown again.
39. Richmond (3-8) - The Spiders probably aren’t a postseason contender just yet, but they return 19 starters and have a great shot to play the spoiler against one or two Atlantic 10 playoff hopefuls.
40. Northern Arizona (4-7)- If Jason Murrietta can bounce back from a mediocre 2004, the Lumberjacks have a shot to get back in the playoff picture even with Roger Robinson departed at running back.
41. Eastern Illinois (5-6) - The Panthers could have moved even higher if quarterback Justin Midgett was with the team, but Eastern Illinois has 17 starters back and should be one of the biggest challengers to Jacksonville State in the OVC.
42. Eastern Kentucky (6-5) - The Colonels got behind the eight-ball early last year with a tough September schedule, and have to perform better this time around against Appalachian State, Western Kentucky and Jacksonville State.
43. Stephen F. Austin (6-5) - First-year head coach Robert McFarland will have his work cut out as the Lumberjacks lose top players at quarterback and running back.
44. Colgate (7-4) - With 2003 Payton Award winner Jamaal Branch, quarterback Chris Brown and wide receiver Luke Graham all graduated, the Raiders figure to slip a bit in 2005.
45. Bethune-Cookman (6-4) - The Wildcats lose some of their top players on defense, but as a whole they were a young team a year ago and can always be counted on to compete for the MEAC title.
46. Indiana State (4-7) - A new quarterback, coach and athletic director could lead to a change in fortunes as Indiana State tries to get the football program on track.
47. Youngstown State (4-7) - With nine returning starters on offense, the Penguins should have a strong attack after averaging 24 points a game in 2004.
48. Southern (8-4) - The Jaguars have to replace quarterback Thomas Ricks, but as usual Southern should wind up in contention for the SWAC title.
49. Northeastern (5-6) - Five of the six losses came by single digits for Northeastern, and though the Huskies return 15 starters they could be hurt by losing quarterback Shawn Brady and linebacker Liam Ezekiel.
50. Cornell (4-6) - The Big Red regained respectability in the first season under Jim Knowles, and will try to make another step forward after losing all six games by 10 points or less a year ago.
51. Chattanooga (2-9) - The Mocs continue to stockpile talent from I-A schools, but will it be enough to turn around one of the worst defenses in I-AA last year?
52. Southeastern Louisiana (7-4) - With the surprising departure of quarterback Martin Hankins, new starter Trey Willie becomes the player to the watch in the Lions’ passing offense.
53. Murray State (7-4) - A strong rushing attack should give the Racers a shot to compete for the title in the OVC.
54. Western Illinois (4-7) - Travis Glasford gives the Leathernecks a major threat for a capable offense, but the defense needs to improve on last season’s horrendous 37.2 ppg allowed.
55. Western Carolina (4-7) - With Bennett Swygert out for the season, the Catamounts need to get consistent play at quarterback from Russell Hemby and Justin Clark to aid what should be a solid defense.
56. Bucknell (7-4) - Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Sean Conover leads a solid unit, but replacing do-everything quarterback Daris Wilson is a daunting task.
57. Nicholls State (5-5) - Seven starters are back on both sides of the ball for a Colonels teams that needs to play more consistently to have a chance to compete in the Southland
58. Princeton (5-5) - The Tigers dropped three games by three points or less a year ago, and will need an experienced offensive line to dominate with unproven players at quarterback and running back.
59. South Dakota State (6-5) - The Jackrabbits scored a nice home win against North Dakota State, but finished just 3-5 against I-AA teams in their first season in the sub-classification and star quarterback Brad Nelson has departed.
60. Howard (6-5) - The Bison need a much better performance from the quarterback position to complement a strong rushing attack.
61. Illinois State (4-7) - Limited experience at quarterback and the loss of All-American linebacker Boomer Grigsby leaves the Redbirds with a ton of questions entering the season.
62. Rhode Island (4-7) - The Rams were brutal in the last four games of 2004, and there’s no reason to believe they can win more than a game or two in the highly competitive Atlantic 10 this year.
63. Northern Colorado (2-9) - While they do have nine starters back on offense, the fact that Vincent Jackson is not in that group will hurt the Bears’ attack.
64. Tennessee Tech (6-5) - The Golden Eagles made a valiant run in 2004 and have enough talent to compete in the OVC again.
65. Alabama A & M (7-4) - The Bulldogs narrowly lost to Alabama State to halt a chance at winning the SWAC East, and have a solid defense to lead the attempt to get over the hump.
66. Idaho State (3-8) - The Bengals’ passing attack will be formidable again even without quarterback Mark Hetherington. The defense, which surrendered 32.5 ppg last year, is a different story.
67. Fordham (5-6) - The Rams have questions on the defensive side of the ball with six starters gone, and went 0-4 against the top Patriot League teams last year.
68. North Carolina A & T (3-8) - After winning the conference title in 2003, the Aggies were hit hard by injuries last year and need to establish consistency at quarterback and running back to get back near the top of the MEAC in 2005.
69. Tennessee State (4-7) - First-year head coach James Webster can’t be expected to lead the Tigers back to postseason glory right away with Charles Anthony gone from the backfield.
70. Towson (3-8) - The Tigers went undefeated outside the Atlantic 10 and winless in conference games last year. Don’t be surprised to see a repeat performance in 2005.
71. Weber State (1-10) - Brady Fosmark is the bright spot and the Wildcats aren’t bad on either side of the line. Still, it would be a huge surprise to see Ron McBride take Weber State to the top half of the Big Sky in his first season.
72. Southern Utah (6-5) - With the quality linebacking corps and quarterback Casey Rehrer gone from a year ago, the Thunderbirds will have a tough time recording a winning mark again.
73. Gardner-Webb (5-6) - The Bulldogs need quarterback Nick Roberts to be a little more careful with the ball (17 interceptions), but do have a good shot at a solid mark against a lackluster schedule.
74. The Citadel (3-7) - A brutal schedule, new offensive scheme and a new coach that arrived late in March isn’t likely to add up to a good season for the Bulldogs.
75. Arkansas Pine Bluff (6-3) - The Golden Lions were just one game away from winning the SWAC West, and should be back in contention this season.
76. Sacramento State (3-8) - After losing offensive stars Ryan Leadingham and Fred Amey, it’s hard to see the Hornets posing much of a threat to the top teams in the Big Sky.
77. Alcorn State (7-4) - The Braves have a talented wide receiver duo with Charlie Spiller and Nate Hughes, but who’s going to throw them the ball?
78. Holy Cross (3-8) - The Crusaders still have a ways to go to become a winning team, but should at least be exciting on offense with every starter back from last year.
79. Liberty (6-5) - The Flames will try to build on the momentum from last season’s four-game win streak and contend with Coastal Carolina and Gardner- Webb in the Big South.
80. Yale (5-5) - Yale will have to pick up the pieces after losing quarterback Alvin Cowan, running back Robert Carr, and 11 of 22 starters overall from a year ago.
81. Southeast Missouri (3-8) - The Redhawks defense gave up a brutal 36.7 ppg in 2004, and with questions at quarterback the offense might have trouble picking up the slack this year.
82. Florida A & M (3-8) - With all of the turmoil at Florida A & M and the June dismissal of head coach Billy Joe, the Rattlers will be happy just to get the season going.
83. Dartmouth (1-9) - Buddy Teevens returns for his second season at the helm with the Big Green, and Dartmouth should improve on last season’s 1-9 mark that included five losses by seven points or less.
84. Delaware State (4-7) - The Hornets have to hope the progress made in coach Al Lavan’s first season won’t be stopped by the unexpected departure of quarterback Bryan Botts.
85. Jackson State (4-7) - Cornerback Cletis Gordon is considered one of the top NFL prospects at the I-AA level, but he might be one of few bright spots for the Tigers.
86. Elon (3-8) - With the surprising loss of John Taylor, the Phoenix will have a tough time finishing much higher than the cellar of the Southern Conference.
87. Samford (4-7) - Last year’s main sources for offense, Ray Nelson and Efrem Hill, are gone and the defense (32.6 ppg) has a long way to go.
88. Morgan State (5-6) - The Bears’ defense is atrocious, and without Bradshaw Littlejohn the offense won’t be quite as dynamic.
89. Columbia (1-9) - The loss of seven starters on the defensive side of the ball leaves Bob Shoop with plenty of work to do to get the Lions back to .500 after a 1-9 finish last year.
90. Tennessee-Martin (2-9) - The Skyhawks have not finished with a winning record since 1993, and it’s hard to imagine turning that stat around this year after being outscored by an average of 35-15 a year ago.
91. Charleston Southern (5-5) - Buccaneers’ players will have to cope on and off the field with the tragic June death of star wideout Eddie Gadson.
92. Georgetown (3-8) - Blowout losses to Duquesne and Monmouth were among the 2004 lowlights for a Georgetown team that has yet to prove it can compete in the Patriot League.
93. Mississippi Valley State (3-8) - The Delta Devils only wins a year ago came against NAIA Paul Quinn and SWAC stragglers Prairie View and Texas Southern.
94. Prairie View (3-8) - Prairie View actually began the 2004 campaign with a 2-0 record, but reverted to form to finish 3-8 and only knocked off Texas Southern among the I-AA ranks.
95. VMI (0-11) - The Keydets don’t lose much from last year’s roster, and did show a glimmer of hope in a 19-18 loss to Wofford to close 2004. Of course, after an 0-11 record, it’s hard to have a lot of optimism.
96. Norfolk State (1-8) - First-year head coach Pete Adrian would have to be a miracle worker to lead this team to more than three or four wins.
97. Savannah State (2-8) - Savannah State managed to win a few games in 2004. That doesn’t make five games of allowing 50 points or more any more acceptable, and things figure to be just as ugly this season.
98. Texas Southern (0-11) - The Tigers were bad in every phase of the game in 2004, and only came within single digits once in an 0-11 season. Obviously just about anything they do in 2005 would be an improvement.
By Matt Dougherty, The Sports Network
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -Going into last year’s playoffs, conventional wisdom said Southern Illinois, Georgia Southern and Furman had separated themselves from the pack of I-AA playoff teams and were the only real contenders for the championship game in Chattanooga. By the end of the first round, people touting that theory had egg on the face and crow to eat.
The Salukis and Eagles went down in the first round, Furman followed in round two, and William & Mary’s semifinal loss to James Madison meant that for the first time no seeded team advanced to the I-AA title game.
Of last year’s semifinal participants, only Montana (No. 3) earned a preseason ranking. Sam Houston State came in at 38th, James Madison was 45th and William & Mary couldn’t even accumulate enough votes to make the list.
So for those who say the preseason rankings are meaningless, I’m with you. If the No.1 team isn't obvious in November, how can we pick one in July?
The chances of preseason rankings coming anywhere close to fruition in December are about as good as winning the Powerball jackpot or enjoying a Pauley Shore movie. But since it’s July, and the vacations at the beach will soon turn into Saturdays at the stadium, it's time to get the juices going and impart my wisdom about who might have the best team in I-AA football in 2005.
The problem is that a case could easily be made for a dozen or so teams as the top squad in the preseason. Defending champion James Madison returns a great defense and all its skill position players. Eastern Washington boasts I-AA’s best pass-catch duo with Erik Meyer and Eric Kimble, Montana’s only big question is at quarterback, three Gateway teams have the potential to make a run, and once again almost half of the Atlantic 10 has a legitimate shot to make a run at the top spot. And who knows, based on last year’s results, teams perceived to fall in the middle of the pack could be holding the trophy come December.
While the questions greatly outweigh the answers, Furman seems to have the most complete roster as we approach the 2005 season. The Paladins have a playmaker at quarterback, stable of running backs, strong offensive line, and talented players across the board on defense. Even though they lost 11 starters, Furman’s younger players gained experience with last year’s injury problems and the Paladins don’t have any real weakness for teams to exploit. So take your bulls-eye, Paladins, and wear it well.
Below I take my guess at a preseason national ranking, with a prediction on all 120 I-AA teams. The 98 schools that play at a scholarship or quasi- level are separated from the 22 that play at a true non-scholarship or mid-major level. Last year’s record is in parentheses. The official Sports Network I-AA Top 25 and I-AA-Mid-Major preseason polls, which are voted on by a panel of sports information directors and media throughout the country, will be revealed in August:
1. Furman (10-3) - The Paladins have early tests with a trip to Jacksonville State and visit from Hofstra, but if they get through that Furman could take a perfect record into a Nov. 5 date at Georgia Southern.
2. Eastern Washington (9-4) - With Erik Meyer and Eric Kimble leading an extremely talented offense, the Eagles will be a threat to go all the way if the defense is just adequate.
3. James Madison (13-2) - Justin Rascati and most of the skill position players are back and the defense loses some depth at linebacker but should still be solid. The Dukes, however, drew the bad hand from the A-10 schedule maker with visits to playoff contenders Hofstra, Massachusetts, Delaware and William & Mary.
4. Montana (12-3) - The Grizzlies return most players on a defense that improved greatly throughout the 2004 season, and Lex Hilliard is on the verge of a breakout season at running back. Replacing Craig Ochs is the biggest concern heading into the fall.
5. Western Kentucky (9-3) - The Hilltoppers could use a more consistent season from quarterback Justin Haddix, but they have a solid defense and running game and 17 total starters back. Playing Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa at home doesn’t hurt WKU's cause.
6. New Hampshire (10-3) - A lot of people don’t think the Wildcats can match their surprising 2004 success, but the duo of Ricky Santos and David Ball returns on offense along with most of the starters on defense. New Hampshire also misses James Madison and Delaware on this year’s schedule.
7. Georgia Southern (9-3) - The Eagles need to rebuild the defensive line and lose the experience and explosiveness of Chaz Williams running the option at quarterback. Still, Georgia Southern rolled through opponents a year ago and will always be in the playoff mix.
8. Northwestern State (8-4) - The Demons’ defense will be ferocious and DaVon Vinson solidified his spot at quarterback late last season. Northwestern State can’t afford to repeat last year’s road struggles with trips to McNeese State, Texas State, Sam Houston State and a pair of Sun Belt opponents set for 2005.
9. Southern Illinois (10-2) - The Salukis still have Joel Sambursky at quarterback, Arkee Whitlock at running back and a strong defense. They do, however, face the challenging task of entering 2005 with an entirely new starting offensive line.
10. UNI (7-4) - If Eric Sanders continues to develop, the Panthers should make a move back to the playoffs with a solid defense and running game already in place.
11. William & Mary (11-3) - Almost all of the starters are back and the defense will improve for the Tribe, but the losses (Lang Campbell and Dominique Thompson) will be very difficult to overcome.
12. Montana State (6-5) - The offense should roll with 10 starters back, and a healthier unit on defense could get the Bobcats back to the playoffs in Travis Lulay’s senior season.
13. Delaware (9-4) - The 2003 national champions suffer major losses on both lines, and begin the year with just four returning starters on defense. Delaware is, however, aided by a schedule with seven home dates and visits from Massachusetts and James Madison.
14. Massachusetts (6-5) - The Minutemen have a chance to make a rise back to the top of the Atlantic 10 with everyone returning on defense in the second season at the helm for Don Brown.
15. Lehigh (9-3)- The Mountain Hawks are solid across the board and have the weapons to compensate for the loss of tight end Adam Bergen and rise to the top of the Patriot League. Lehigh faces some early tests with non-conference visits to Delaware and Harvard.
16. Harvard (10-0) - The Crimson lose quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, but enters the year with a I-AA best 11-game win streak. If Harvard gets past Brown and Lehigh in the season’s first three weeks, the win streak could last quite a while.
17. Hofstra (5-6) - If the Pride defense kicks it up a notch, Hofstra could be a playoff team with one of I-AA’s best passing attacks. Despite last year’s 5-6 record, the Pride was competitive in almost every game.
18. Hampton (10-2) - All-American Jerome Mathis is gone, but Hampton still has the most talent in the MEAC and a realistic shot to run the table against a soft schedule.
19. North Dakota State (8-3) - The Bison need to rebuild some of the offensive line, but looked very good at the end of 2004. NDSU gets to prove it’s for real with challenging road trips to Montana State, Southern Illinois, and Northwestern State.
20. Texas State (5-6) - The Bobcats bring back 19 starters and have all of their tough Southland games at home. That’s good news, because with two Division II games and a trip to Texas A & M, they probably need to win the Southland Conference to have a good shot at the postseason.
21. Brown (6-4) - The Bears bring back 16 starters and nine All-Ivy players and should emerge as the biggest challenger to Harvard in the Ancient Eight if they get consistent play at quarterback.
22. Jacksonville State (9-2) - Through two seasons, the Gamecocks have emerged as the clear top team in the Ohio Valley Conference. The season opener against Furman will show if this year’s cast can compete with the national elite.
23. Sam Houston State (11-3) - Noah Allen comes in to replace Dustin Long at quarterback, but the tougher challenge will be blending in a new receiving corps for a team that excelled in the passing game last year.
24. Cal Poly (9-2) - The Mustangs will need last season’s late offensive surge to carry over as the defense tries to compensate for the loss of six starters including Buchanan Award winner Jordan Beck.
25. Lafayette (8-4) - Almost everyone is back on defense, but the offense could fall off a bit with the loss of tailback Joe McCourt and four starters on the line for the 2004 Patriot League champions.
26. South Carolina State (9-2) - The Bulldogs’ running game should be solid, and they have the talent to match last year’s 9-2 mark and challenge Hampton for the MEAC crown.
27. Villanova (6-5) - Marvin Burroughs picked up his play in the second half of 2004, and will need to keep it up against a schedule that includes trips to Rutgers, New Hampshire and James Madison.
28. Appalachian State (6-5) - Replacing DaVon Fowlkes’ production provides a challenge for the offense, but the Mountaineers’ defense figures to improve on last year’s 32.5 ppg allowed.
29. Wofford (8-3) - The Terriers have been known for their strength on both lines in the past, but have their work cut out after losing top players on each side along with both contributors at quarterback.
30. Portland State (7-4)- The Vikings are solid on defense, but must replace quarterback Joe Wiser and running back Ryan Fuqua quickly with a schedule that includes trips to Oregon State and Boise State as well as Eastern Washington and Montana.
31. Southwest Missouri State (6-5) - Running back Michael Cooper, a late addition as a transfer from Georgia, gives the Bears a dynamic threat on offense as they try to compete with the top three in the Gateway.
32. Grambling State (6-5) - GSU played well at the end of head coach Melvin Spears’ first season, and figures to be in the mix for the SWAC title with stars Bruce Eugene and Leonard Patton back after missing the 2004 season.
33. Alabama State (10-2) - With Tavaris Jackson and Keldrick Williams back, the Hornets are the clear favorite to repeat as SWAC East champions.
34. Coastal Carolina (10-1) - The Chanticleers are an intriguing team to keep an eye on in September with games against James Madison, Appalachian State and South Carolina State.
35. Maine (5-6) - The Black Bears lose half of their the starters on both sides of the ball, but suffered a few tough luck losses a year ago and had more talent than their 5-6 record indicated.
36. McNeese State (4-7)- The young Cowboys took their lumps a year ago. They may not be back among the elite this season, but should improve on last year’s 4-7 mark and turn in a better effort in the Southland Conference.
37. UC Davis (6-4) - The Aggies stumbled down the stretch a year ago and have a very tough September with New Hampshire, Portland State and Stanford to open the season.
38. Penn (8-2) - The Quakers need to replace most of the starters from a defense that has performed admirably in recent seasons. Still, that shouldn’t stop Penn from competing for the Ivy League crown again.
39. Richmond (3-8) - The Spiders probably aren’t a postseason contender just yet, but they return 19 starters and have a great shot to play the spoiler against one or two Atlantic 10 playoff hopefuls.
40. Northern Arizona (4-7)- If Jason Murrietta can bounce back from a mediocre 2004, the Lumberjacks have a shot to get back in the playoff picture even with Roger Robinson departed at running back.
41. Eastern Illinois (5-6) - The Panthers could have moved even higher if quarterback Justin Midgett was with the team, but Eastern Illinois has 17 starters back and should be one of the biggest challengers to Jacksonville State in the OVC.
42. Eastern Kentucky (6-5) - The Colonels got behind the eight-ball early last year with a tough September schedule, and have to perform better this time around against Appalachian State, Western Kentucky and Jacksonville State.
43. Stephen F. Austin (6-5) - First-year head coach Robert McFarland will have his work cut out as the Lumberjacks lose top players at quarterback and running back.
44. Colgate (7-4) - With 2003 Payton Award winner Jamaal Branch, quarterback Chris Brown and wide receiver Luke Graham all graduated, the Raiders figure to slip a bit in 2005.
45. Bethune-Cookman (6-4) - The Wildcats lose some of their top players on defense, but as a whole they were a young team a year ago and can always be counted on to compete for the MEAC title.
46. Indiana State (4-7) - A new quarterback, coach and athletic director could lead to a change in fortunes as Indiana State tries to get the football program on track.
47. Youngstown State (4-7) - With nine returning starters on offense, the Penguins should have a strong attack after averaging 24 points a game in 2004.
48. Southern (8-4) - The Jaguars have to replace quarterback Thomas Ricks, but as usual Southern should wind up in contention for the SWAC title.
49. Northeastern (5-6) - Five of the six losses came by single digits for Northeastern, and though the Huskies return 15 starters they could be hurt by losing quarterback Shawn Brady and linebacker Liam Ezekiel.
50. Cornell (4-6) - The Big Red regained respectability in the first season under Jim Knowles, and will try to make another step forward after losing all six games by 10 points or less a year ago.
51. Chattanooga (2-9) - The Mocs continue to stockpile talent from I-A schools, but will it be enough to turn around one of the worst defenses in I-AA last year?
52. Southeastern Louisiana (7-4) - With the surprising departure of quarterback Martin Hankins, new starter Trey Willie becomes the player to the watch in the Lions’ passing offense.
53. Murray State (7-4) - A strong rushing attack should give the Racers a shot to compete for the title in the OVC.
54. Western Illinois (4-7) - Travis Glasford gives the Leathernecks a major threat for a capable offense, but the defense needs to improve on last season’s horrendous 37.2 ppg allowed.
55. Western Carolina (4-7) - With Bennett Swygert out for the season, the Catamounts need to get consistent play at quarterback from Russell Hemby and Justin Clark to aid what should be a solid defense.
56. Bucknell (7-4) - Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Sean Conover leads a solid unit, but replacing do-everything quarterback Daris Wilson is a daunting task.
57. Nicholls State (5-5) - Seven starters are back on both sides of the ball for a Colonels teams that needs to play more consistently to have a chance to compete in the Southland
58. Princeton (5-5) - The Tigers dropped three games by three points or less a year ago, and will need an experienced offensive line to dominate with unproven players at quarterback and running back.
59. South Dakota State (6-5) - The Jackrabbits scored a nice home win against North Dakota State, but finished just 3-5 against I-AA teams in their first season in the sub-classification and star quarterback Brad Nelson has departed.
60. Howard (6-5) - The Bison need a much better performance from the quarterback position to complement a strong rushing attack.
61. Illinois State (4-7) - Limited experience at quarterback and the loss of All-American linebacker Boomer Grigsby leaves the Redbirds with a ton of questions entering the season.
62. Rhode Island (4-7) - The Rams were brutal in the last four games of 2004, and there’s no reason to believe they can win more than a game or two in the highly competitive Atlantic 10 this year.
63. Northern Colorado (2-9) - While they do have nine starters back on offense, the fact that Vincent Jackson is not in that group will hurt the Bears’ attack.
64. Tennessee Tech (6-5) - The Golden Eagles made a valiant run in 2004 and have enough talent to compete in the OVC again.
65. Alabama A & M (7-4) - The Bulldogs narrowly lost to Alabama State to halt a chance at winning the SWAC East, and have a solid defense to lead the attempt to get over the hump.
66. Idaho State (3-8) - The Bengals’ passing attack will be formidable again even without quarterback Mark Hetherington. The defense, which surrendered 32.5 ppg last year, is a different story.
67. Fordham (5-6) - The Rams have questions on the defensive side of the ball with six starters gone, and went 0-4 against the top Patriot League teams last year.
68. North Carolina A & T (3-8) - After winning the conference title in 2003, the Aggies were hit hard by injuries last year and need to establish consistency at quarterback and running back to get back near the top of the MEAC in 2005.
69. Tennessee State (4-7) - First-year head coach James Webster can’t be expected to lead the Tigers back to postseason glory right away with Charles Anthony gone from the backfield.
70. Towson (3-8) - The Tigers went undefeated outside the Atlantic 10 and winless in conference games last year. Don’t be surprised to see a repeat performance in 2005.
71. Weber State (1-10) - Brady Fosmark is the bright spot and the Wildcats aren’t bad on either side of the line. Still, it would be a huge surprise to see Ron McBride take Weber State to the top half of the Big Sky in his first season.
72. Southern Utah (6-5) - With the quality linebacking corps and quarterback Casey Rehrer gone from a year ago, the Thunderbirds will have a tough time recording a winning mark again.
73. Gardner-Webb (5-6) - The Bulldogs need quarterback Nick Roberts to be a little more careful with the ball (17 interceptions), but do have a good shot at a solid mark against a lackluster schedule.
74. The Citadel (3-7) - A brutal schedule, new offensive scheme and a new coach that arrived late in March isn’t likely to add up to a good season for the Bulldogs.
75. Arkansas Pine Bluff (6-3) - The Golden Lions were just one game away from winning the SWAC West, and should be back in contention this season.
76. Sacramento State (3-8) - After losing offensive stars Ryan Leadingham and Fred Amey, it’s hard to see the Hornets posing much of a threat to the top teams in the Big Sky.
77. Alcorn State (7-4) - The Braves have a talented wide receiver duo with Charlie Spiller and Nate Hughes, but who’s going to throw them the ball?
78. Holy Cross (3-8) - The Crusaders still have a ways to go to become a winning team, but should at least be exciting on offense with every starter back from last year.
79. Liberty (6-5) - The Flames will try to build on the momentum from last season’s four-game win streak and contend with Coastal Carolina and Gardner- Webb in the Big South.
80. Yale (5-5) - Yale will have to pick up the pieces after losing quarterback Alvin Cowan, running back Robert Carr, and 11 of 22 starters overall from a year ago.
81. Southeast Missouri (3-8) - The Redhawks defense gave up a brutal 36.7 ppg in 2004, and with questions at quarterback the offense might have trouble picking up the slack this year.
82. Florida A & M (3-8) - With all of the turmoil at Florida A & M and the June dismissal of head coach Billy Joe, the Rattlers will be happy just to get the season going.
83. Dartmouth (1-9) - Buddy Teevens returns for his second season at the helm with the Big Green, and Dartmouth should improve on last season’s 1-9 mark that included five losses by seven points or less.
84. Delaware State (4-7) - The Hornets have to hope the progress made in coach Al Lavan’s first season won’t be stopped by the unexpected departure of quarterback Bryan Botts.
85. Jackson State (4-7) - Cornerback Cletis Gordon is considered one of the top NFL prospects at the I-AA level, but he might be one of few bright spots for the Tigers.
86. Elon (3-8) - With the surprising loss of John Taylor, the Phoenix will have a tough time finishing much higher than the cellar of the Southern Conference.
87. Samford (4-7) - Last year’s main sources for offense, Ray Nelson and Efrem Hill, are gone and the defense (32.6 ppg) has a long way to go.
88. Morgan State (5-6) - The Bears’ defense is atrocious, and without Bradshaw Littlejohn the offense won’t be quite as dynamic.
89. Columbia (1-9) - The loss of seven starters on the defensive side of the ball leaves Bob Shoop with plenty of work to do to get the Lions back to .500 after a 1-9 finish last year.
90. Tennessee-Martin (2-9) - The Skyhawks have not finished with a winning record since 1993, and it’s hard to imagine turning that stat around this year after being outscored by an average of 35-15 a year ago.
91. Charleston Southern (5-5) - Buccaneers’ players will have to cope on and off the field with the tragic June death of star wideout Eddie Gadson.
92. Georgetown (3-8) - Blowout losses to Duquesne and Monmouth were among the 2004 lowlights for a Georgetown team that has yet to prove it can compete in the Patriot League.
93. Mississippi Valley State (3-8) - The Delta Devils only wins a year ago came against NAIA Paul Quinn and SWAC stragglers Prairie View and Texas Southern.
94. Prairie View (3-8) - Prairie View actually began the 2004 campaign with a 2-0 record, but reverted to form to finish 3-8 and only knocked off Texas Southern among the I-AA ranks.
95. VMI (0-11) - The Keydets don’t lose much from last year’s roster, and did show a glimmer of hope in a 19-18 loss to Wofford to close 2004. Of course, after an 0-11 record, it’s hard to have a lot of optimism.
96. Norfolk State (1-8) - First-year head coach Pete Adrian would have to be a miracle worker to lead this team to more than three or four wins.
97. Savannah State (2-8) - Savannah State managed to win a few games in 2004. That doesn’t make five games of allowing 50 points or more any more acceptable, and things figure to be just as ugly this season.
98. Texas Southern (0-11) - The Tigers were bad in every phase of the game in 2004, and only came within single digits once in an 0-11 season. Obviously just about anything they do in 2005 would be an improvement.
