Covering All College Sports Since 2012
Arkansas Razorback Location: Fayetteville, AR Coach: Chad Morris (0-0 @Ark., 14-22 overall)1st Season Stadium: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (Capacity: 54,120) CSJ Projections: 12th: SEC (7th in West Division) 1st: Arkansas 71st: FBS 74th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: After five years under Coach Bret Bielema, Arkansas decided to go another direction especially after last.
College Sports Journal announces their 2018 Fearless Prediction for the Order of finish of the Big Sky Conference. CSJ picks Weber State to repeat as the Big Sky champions this season, due to the return of five All-Americans and 10 players that earned All-Big Sky honors off last year’s championship team. Leading the Wildcats this.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Location: Lincoln, NE Coach: Scott Frost (0-0 @Neb., 19-7 overall) 1st Season Stadium: Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 85,458) CSJ Projections: 11th: Big Ten (6th West Division) 1st: Nebraska 72nd: FBS 75th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Nebraska suffered its worst season in 56 years with a record of 4–8 and then terminated Riley the day.
Northern Illinois Huskies Location: DeKalb, IL Coach: Rod Carey (44-24) 6th Season Stadium: Huskie Stadium (Capacity: 24,000) CSJ Projections: 3rd: MAC (2nd in West Division) 2nd: Illinois 73rd: FBS 76th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: NIU used its defense to get back to a winning season after finishing 5-7 in 2016 to finish 8-5 but.
Maryland Terrapins Location: College Park, MD Coach (interim): Matt Canada (0-0) Stadium: Maryland Stadium (Capacity: 52,454) CSJ Projections: 12th: Big Ten (6th East Division) 2nd: Maryland 74th: FBS 77th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Maryland started the season with a huge win at Texas, which seemed at the time to springboard the team to.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Location: Ruston, LA Coach: Skip Holtz (38-29 @ LT, 126-99 overall) 6th Season Stadium: Joe Aillet Stadium (Capacity: 32,227) CSJ Projections: 2nd: Conference USA (1st in West Division) 2nd: Louisiana 75th: FBS 78th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Louisiana Tech missed out on a third division title in four years because of.
Weber State Wildcats Location: Ogden, UT Coach: Jay Hill (26-23) 5th Season Stadium: Stewart Stadium (Capacity: 17,312) CSJ Projections: 1st: Big Sky 2nd: Utah 4th: FCS 79th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Wildcat progression has been a consistent upward trend under Coach Hill–last year WSU won a share of the Big Sky title.
Vanderbilt Commodores Location: Nashville, TN Coach: Derek Mason (18-31) 5th Season Stadium: Vanderbilt Stadium (Capacity: 40,550) CSJ Projections: 13th: SEC (6th in East Division) 2nd: Tennessee 77th: FBS 81st: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: In a relativity down SEC East, Vanderbilt finished just 5-7 overall without a bowl bid and with a 1-7 conference slate–the.
Colorado State Rams Location: Fort Collins, CO Coach: Mike Bobo (21-18) 4th Season Stadium: Canvas Stadium (Capacity: 41,200) CSJ Projections: 5th: Mountain West (3rd Mountain Division) 2nd: Colorado 78th: FBS 82nd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: CSU went 7-6 for the third straight year under Coach Bobo in what has to be considered a disappointing.
Marshall Thundering Herd Location: Huntington, WV Coach: Doc Holliday (61-42) 9th Season Stadium: Joan C. Edwards Stadium (Capacity: 32,227) CSJ Projections: 3rd: Conference USA (2nd in East Division) 2nd: West Virginia 79th: FBS 83rd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: After an unexpected down 2016 season (3-9 record), the Thundering Herd rebounded back to its winning ways and.
SMU Mustangs Location: Dallas, TX Coach: Sonny Dykes (0-0 @SMU, 41-45 overall) 1st Season Stadium: Gerald J. Ford Stadium (Capacity: 32,000) CSJ Projections: 8th: AAC (4th West Division) 6th: Texas 80th: FBS 84th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: SMU is coming off its first bowl appearance in five years after finishing the regular season at 7-5 but.
Western Michigan Broncos Location: Kalamazoo, MI Coach: Tim Lester (6-6@WMU, 46-29 overall) 2nd Season Stadium: Waldo Stadium (Capacity: 30,200) CSJ Projections: 4th: MAC (3rd in West Division) 3rd: Michigan 81st: FBS 85th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: After Western Michigan went 13-1 and had a Cotton Bowl appearance in 2016 and also lost its head.
Arkansas State Red Wolves Location: Jonesboro, AR Coach: Blake Anderson (31-20) 5th Season Stadium: Centennial Bank Stadium (Capacity: 30,382) CSJ Projections: 3rd: Sun Belt (1st West Division) 2nd: Arkansas 82nd: FBS 86th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Red Wolves have been a consistent Sun Belt winner and finished 7-5 last season although a.
Utah State Aggies Location: Logan, UT Coach: Matt Wells (34-32) 6th Season Stadium: Maverik Stadium (Capacity: 25,513) CSJ Projections: 6th: Mountain West (4th Mountain Division) 3rd: Utah 83rd: FBS 87th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Coming off a 3-9 season in 2016, the Aggies improved to finish with six wins and an Arizona Bowl.
Tulane Green Wave Location: New Orleans, LA Coach: Willie Fritz (9-15@TU, 202-89-1 overall) 3rd Season Stadium: Yulman Stadium (Capacity: 30,000) CSJ Projections: 8th: AAC (5th West Division) 3rd: Louisiana 84th: FBS 88th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Green Wave were stopped near the goal line in the last regular season game to lose to.
Tennessee Volunteers Location: Knoxville, TN Coach: Jeremy Pruitt (0-0) 1st Season Stadium: Neyland Stadium (Capacity: 102,455) CSJ Projections: 14th: SEC (7th in East Division) 3rd: Tennessee 85th: FBS 90th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: There is no way to put the Tennessee season but state it was a disaster although it started 3-1 but finished 1-7.
Buffalo Bulls Location: Buffalo, NY Coach: Lance Leipold (13-23 @UB, 122-29 overall) 4th Season Stadium: UB Stadium (Capacity: 29,013) CSJ Projections: 5th: MAC (3rd in East Division) 3rd: New York 86th: FBS 92nd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Bulls won the final three games of the season to finish 6-6 and gain bowl eligibility.
Eastern Michigan Eagles Location: Ypsilanti, MI Coach: Chris Creighton (15-34) 5th Season Stadium: Rynearson Stadium (Capacity: 30,200) CSJ Projections: 6th: MAC (4th in West Division) 4th: Michigan 88th: FBS 94th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: After Western Michigan went 13-1 and had a Cotton Bowl appearance in 2016 and also lost its head coach in.
Baylor Bears Location: Waco, TX Coach: David Beaty (1-11 @BU, 29-34 overall) 2nd Season Stadium: McLane Stadium (Capacity: 45,140) CSJ Projections: 9th: Big 12 8th: Texas 89th: FBS 95th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Bears won just a single game to finish 1-11 overall thanks to a road trip to Kansas but four losses were.
Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders Location: Murfreesboro, TN Coach: Rick Stockstill (79-72) 13th Season Stadium: Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium (Capacity: 30,788) CSJ Projections: 4th: Conference USA (3rd in East Division) 4th: Tennessee 91st: FBS 97th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: MTSU looked as if it could have had a very special season to start but injuries.
Central Michigan Chippewas Location: Mount Pleasant, MI Coach: John Bonamego (21-18) 4th Season Stadium: Kelly/Shorts Stadium (Capacity: 30,255) CSJ Projections: 8th: MAC (3rd in West Division) 5th: Michigan 92nd: FBS 98th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Chippewas were a surprise team in the MAC in finishing 8-5 overall and got there by winning.
North Texas Mean Green Location: Denton, TX Coach: Seth Littrell (14-13) 3rd Season Stadium: Apogee Stadium (Capacity: 30,850) CSJ Projections: 5th: Conference USA (2nd in West Division) 9th: Texas 93rd: FBS 99th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Mean Green came up with a nine-win season (9-5) with a shot at the Conference USA title,.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles Location: Hattiesburg, MS Coach: Jay Hopson (15-11) 3rd Season Stadium: M.M. Roberts Stadium (Capacity: 36,000) CSJ Projections: 6th: Conference USA (3rd in West Division) 3rd: Mississippi 94th: FBS 101th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Southern Miss finished just about where so called experts picked the Golden Eagles–tied for 2nd in the C-USA West.
BYU Cougars Location: Provo, UT Coach: Kalani Sitake (13-13) 3rd Season Stadium: LaVell Edwards Stadium (Capacity:63,470) CSJ Projections: 3rd: FBS Independents 4th: Utah 95th: FBS 102nd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: BYU finished with its worst season since 1970 at 4-9 with the main culprit in last season’s slide was an offense that averaged just 17.1 points per game..
Eastern Washington Eagles Location: Cheney, WA Coach: Aaron Best (7-4) 2nd Season Stadium: Roos Field (Capacity: 8,600) CSJ Projections: 2nd: Big Sky 3rd: Washington 8th: FCS 103rd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Eagles got snubbed from the FCS playoffs after finishing the season at 7-4 overall after coming off a semifinal appearance in.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane Location: Tulsa, OK Coach: Phillip Montgomery (18-20) 4th Season Stadium: H.A. Chapman Stadium (Capacity: 30,000) CSJ Projections: 9th: AAC (6th West Division) 3rd: Oklahoma 96th: FBS 104th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Just one year after an incredible 10-3 season, Tulsa fell hard in 2017 in slumping to a 2-10 record, which.
Miami (OH) Redhawks Location: Oxford, OH Coach: Chuck Martin (16-33) 5th Season Stadium: Yager Stadium (Capacity: 24,286) CSJ Projections: 8th: MAC (3rd in East Division) 4th: Ohio 97th: FBS 106th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The RedHawks took a step back with a 5-7 record in 2017. after finishing 6-7 and a bowl bid in 2016-.
UTSA Roadrunners Location: San Antonio, TX Coach: Frank Wilson (12-12) 3rd Season Stadium: Alamodome (Capacity: 65,000) CSJ Projections: 7th: Conference USA (4th in West Division) 10th: Texas 98th: FBS 107th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: UTSA started the season at 3-0 but then only won three of its last eight to finish 6-5 overall and missed.
New Mexico State Aggies Location: Las Cruces, NM Coach: Doug Martin (17-44 @NMSU, 46-97 overall) 6th Season Stadium: Aggie Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 30,343) CSJ Projections: 4th: FBS Independents 1st: New Mexico 99th: FBS 109th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: In its final year in the Sun Belt, the Aggies ended the nation’s longest bowl drought at 57.
Nevada Wolf Pack Location: Reno, NV Coach: Jay Norvell (3-9) 2nd Season Stadium: Mackay Stadium (Capacity: 29,993) CSJ Projections: 8th: Mountain West (3rd West Division) 1st: Nevada 100th: FBS 110th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Nevada made legitimate offensive strides in the second half of Coach Norvell’s first season, and after starting 0-5, the Pack finished.
Northern Iowa Panthers Location: Cedar Falls, IA Coach: Mark Farley (135–68) 18th Season Stadium: UNI-Dome (Capacity: 16,324) CSJ Projections: 3rd: Missouri Valley Football Conference 3rd: Iowa 11th: FCS 111th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: UNI made the FCS playoffs for the third time in four years last year but after an opening round win.
Florida International Golden Panthers Location: Miami, FL Coach: Butch Davis (8-5 @FIU, 87-48 overall) 2nd Season Stadium: Riccardo Silva Stadium (Capacity: 23,500) CSJ Projections: 8th: Conference USA (4th in East Division) 7th: Florida 101st: FBS 112th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: FIU exceeded expectations with an eight-win (8-5 overall) season and went to a bowl.
Akron Zips Location: Akron, OH Coach: Terry Bowden (31-44 @Akron, 171-106-2 overall) 7th Season Stadium: Doyt Perry Stadium (Capacity: 24,000) CSJ Projections: 9th: MAC (4th in East Division) 5th: Ohio 102nd: FBS 113th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Akron finished 6-2 within the MAC to win the East Division of the conference but lost in blowout.
UNLV Rebels Location: Las Vegas, NV Coach: Tony Sanchez (12-24) 4th Season Stadium: Sam Boyd Stadium (Capacity: 35,000) CSJ Projections: 9th: Mountain West (4th West Division) 2nd: Nevada 103rd: FBS 115th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: It was a season of what might have been for the Rebels where they finished 5-7 but had three.
Cincinnati Bearcats Location: Cincinnati, OH Coach: Luke Fickell (4-8 @UC, 10-15 overall) 2nd Season Stadium: Nippert Stadium (Capacity: 40,000) CSJ Projections: 10th: AAC (4th East Division) 6th: Ohio 104th: FBS 116th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Luke Fickell era got off to a rough start in 2017 as he came to Cincinnati with a.
UAB Blazers Location: Birmingham, AL Coach: Bill Clark (14-11 @UAB, 25-15 overall) 3rd Season Stadium: Legion Field (Capacity: 71,594) CSJ Projections: 9th: Conference USA (5th in West Division) 6th: Alabama 105th: FBS 117th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: In its first season after a two year hiatus from playing, the Blazers surprised everyone to an eight-win.
East Carolina Pirates Location: Greenville, NC Coach: Scottie Montgomery (6-18) 3rd Season Stadium: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (Capacity: 50,000) CSJ Projections: 11th: AAC (5th East Division) 6th: North Carolina 106th: FBS 118th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Pirates finished the season just as they did in 2016 with a 3-9 record on a team that produced.
Oregon State Beavers Location: Corvallis, OR Coach: Jonathan Smith (0-0) 1st Season Stadium: Recer Stadium (Capacity: 43,363) CSJ Projections: 12th: Pac-12 (6th in North Division) 2nd: Oregon 107th: FBS 119th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: OSU, which stumbled out of the gate with troubling non-conference performances, eventually finished with just a 1-11 (only win was.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Location: Bowling Green, KY Coach: Mike Sanford (6-7) 2nd Season Stadium: Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium (Capacity: 22,000) CSJ Projections: 10th: Conference USA (5th in East Division) 3rd: Kentucky 108th: FBS 120th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: In a transitional season under new Coach Sanford, WKU still managed a six-win season and.
Illinois Fighting Illini Location: Champaign, IL Coach: Lovie Smith (5-19@UI, 89-87 NFL) 3rd Season Stadium: Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 60,670) CSJ Projections: 14th: Big Ten (7th West Division) 3rd: Illinois 109th: FBS 124th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Illini had 31 first-time starters last season, which was the second-most in the entire country to slump to.
Connecticut Huskies Location: Storrs, CT Coach: Randy Edsall (73-72 @UConn, 95-106 overall) 13th Season (2nd in 2nd Stint) Stadium: Rentschler Stadium (Capacity: 40,642) CSJ Projections: 12th: AAC (6th East Division) 1st: Connecticut 110th: FBS 126th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Huskies first season back with Coach Edsall (previously coach from 1999-2010) lost its.
Youngstown State Penguins Location: Youngstown, OH Coach: Bo Pelini (23-15@YSU, 90-42 overall) 4th Season Stadium: Dike Beede Field at Stambaugh Stadium (Capacity: 20,630) CSJ Projections: 4th: Missouri Valley Football Conference 7th: Ohio 21st: FCS 131st: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Youngstown State won its final three games to end the 2017 campaign to salvage a winning season.
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks Location: Monroe, LA Coach: Matt Viator (8-16 @ULM, 86-49 overall) 3rd Season Stadium: Malone Stadium (Capacity: 27,617) CSJ Projections: 4th: Sun Belt (2nd West Division) 4th: Louisiana 111th: FBS 132nd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Warhawks had no trouble scoring (averaged just short of 34 points per game and scored over 50.
Montana Grizzlies Location: Missoula, MT Coach: Bobby Hauck (80-17 @ UM, 95-67 overall) 8th Season (2 Stints, 1st year back this year) Stadium: Washington Grizzly Stadium (Capacity: 25,203) CSJ Projections: 3rd: Big Sky Conference 1st: Montana 22nd: FCS 133rd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Grizzlies failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive.
Massachusetts Minutemen Location: Amherst, MA Coach: Mark Whipple (61-62) 11th Season Overall (2 stints) Stadium: McGuirk Alumni Stadium (Capacity: 17,000) CSJ Projections: 5th: Independents 2nd: Massachusetts 112th: FBS 134th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The season was a tail of two halves for the Minutemen—started 0-6 and then won four its last six, including wins.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds Location: Cedar City, UT Coach: Demario Warren (15-8) 3rd Season Stadium: Eccles Coliseum (Capacity: 8,500) CSJ Projections: 4th: Big Sky Conference 5th: Utah 24th: FSC 136th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Thunderbirds shared the Big Sky Conference title last year with Weber State and advanced to the FCS playoffs but lost to their.
South Dakota Coyotes Location: Vermillion, SD Coach: Bob Nielson (12-12 @USD, 198–92–1 overall) 3rd Season Stadium: DakotaDome (Capacity: 10,000) CSJ Projections: 5th: Missouri Valley Football Conference 2nd: South Dakota 26th: FSC 138th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Coyotes advanced to their first ever FCS playoff appearance and won its opening round game at Nicholls.
Georgia State Panthers Location: Atlanta, GA Coach: Shawn Elliott (7-5 @GSU, 8-10 overall) 2nd Season Stadium: Georgia State Stadium (Capacity: 25,000) CSJ Projections: 5th: Sun Belt (3rd East Division) 4th: Georgia 113th: FBS 139th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Panthers defeated Western Kentucky 27-17 in the AutoNation Cure Bowl for their first bowl game.
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks Location: Flagstaff, AZ Coach: Jerome Souers (119–107 overall) 21st season Stadium: Walkup Skydome (Capacity: 17,500) CSJ Projections: 5th: Big Sky 3rd: Arizona 27th: FCS 140th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Lumberjacks finished 7–5, (6–2 BSC) and in a three-way tie for third place in the Big Sky receiving an at-large bid.
New Mexico Lobos Location: Albuquerque, NM Coach: Bob Davie (30-45 @ UNM, 65-70 overall) 7th Season Stadium: Dreamstyle Stadium (Capacity: 39,224) CSJ Projections: 10th: Mountain West (6th Mountain Division) 2nd: New Mexico 114th: FBS 141st: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Lobos began 2017 with three wins in five games, and then lost on at.
