Covering All College Sports Since 2012
North Carolina A&T Aggies Location: Greensboro, NC Coach: Sam Washington (0-0) Stadium: Aggie Stadium (Capacity: 21,500) CSJ Projections: 1st: MEAC 7th: North Carolina 1st: HBCU 14th: FCS 121st: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Aggie fans were accustomed lately to great football teams, but a historic 12-0 season, with a win over an FBS team.
Furman Paladins Location: Greenville, SC Coach: Clay Hendrix (8-5) Stadium: Paladin Stadium (Capacity: 16,000) CSJ Projections: 2nd: SoCon 3rd: South Carolina 15th: FCS 122nd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Clay Hendrix had a fine debut campaign as head coach of the resurgent Paladins, marred only by season bookend losses at Wofford. Biggest Shoes to.
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.
Central Arkansas Bears Location: Conway, AR Coach: Nathan Brown (0-0) 1st Year at Central Arkansas Stadium: Estes Stadium (Capacity: 10,000) CSJ Projections: 2nd: Southland 3rd: Arkansas 16th: FCS 124th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: For the second straight season, Central Arkansas made the FCS playoffs under head coach Steve Campbell, but after the season.
Elon Phoenix Location: Elon, NC Coach: Curt Cignetti (8-4) 2nd Season at Elon Stadium: Rhodes Stadium (Capacity 13,100) CSJ Projections 4th: CAA 8th: North Carolina 17th: FCS 125th: Division I 2017 In a Sentence: Elon played in a lot of tight games in 2017, with 9 games ending within one score. They came out on.
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.
Austin Peay Governors Location: Clarksville, TN Coach: Will Healy (8-15) Stadium: Fortera Stadium (Capacity: 10,000) CSJ Projections: 2rd: OVC 5th: Tennessee 17th: FCS 127th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The case was convincing for the committee to include 8-4 Austin Peay for inclusion in the FCS Playoffs – an 8-4 record, with a 7-1 record.
Delaware Blue Hens Location: Newark, DE Coach: Danny Rocco (7-4) 2nd Season at Delaware Stadium: Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium (Capacity 22,000) CSJ Projections 5th: CAA 1st: Delaware 18th: FCS 128th: Division I 2017 In a Sentence: Delaware struggled on offense for most of 2017, especially at the quarterback position. The Blue Hens put.
Wofford Terriers Location: Wofford, SC Coach: Josh Conklin (0-0) Stadium: Gibbs Stadium (Capacity: 13,000) CSJ Projections: 3rd: SoCon 4th: South Carolina 19th: FCS 129th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence:The Terriers rode consistent play and good fortune to claim the league title, thanks to the leadership of their legendary head coach, Mike Ayers; but were.
Villanova Wildcats Location: Villanova, PA Coach: Mark Ferrante (5-6) 2nd Season at Villanova Stadium: Villanova Stadium (Capacity 12,000) CSJ Projections 6th: CAA 4th: Pennsylvania 20th: FCS 130th: Division I 2017 In a Sentence: Its hard to follow a coaching legend, but that’s what Mark Ferrante was tasked with in 2017 replacing Andy Talley, the legendary head coach who.
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.
McNeese State Cowboys Location: Lake Charles, LA Coach: Lance Guidry (15-7) 3rd Year at McNeese State Stadium: Cowboy Stadium (Capacity: 17,410) CSJ Projections: 3rd: Southland 5th: Louisiana 23rd: FCS 135th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: A highly-successful 9-2 season ended in disappointment when the Cowboys weren’t invited to the FCS playoffs, doomed by a.
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.
Yale Bulldogs Location: New Haven, CT Coach: Tony Reno (32-27) 7th Season at Yale Stadium: Yale Bowl (Capacity: 64,246) CSJ Projections: 1st: Ivy League 2nd: Connecticut 25th: FCS 137th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Great milestones were achieved with the 2017 Bulldogs – back-to-back wins against Harvard in “The Game” for the first time since.
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.
Illinois State Redbirds Location: Normal, IL Coach: Brock Spack (68-40) 10th Season Stadium: Hancock Stadium (Capacity: 13,391) CSJ Projections: 6th: Missouri Valley Football Conference 4th: Illinois 28th: FCS 142nd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Redbirds started the year 6-2 and seemingly only needed one more win in their last three games but unfortunately lost.
Nicholls State Colonels Location: Thibodeaux, LA Coach: Tim Rebowe (16-18) 4th Year at Nicholls State Stadium: Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium (Capacity: 10,500) CSJ Projections: 4th: Southland 6th: Louisiana 29nd: FCS 143rd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: After shocking McNeese State in the first week of the season thanks to a late.
Georgia Southern Eagles Location: Statesboro, GA Coach: Chad Lunsford (2-4) 2nd Season Stadium: Allen E. Paulson Stadium (Capacity: 25,000) CSJ Projections: 6th: Sun Belt (4th East Division) 5th: Georgia 115th: FBS 144th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Eagles struggled with six straight losses and fired Coach Tyson Summers, who tried to stray away from the.
Sacramento State Hornets Location: Sacramento, CA Coach: Jody Sears (18-27 at Sac St., 22-46 overall) 5th Season Stadium: Hornet Stadium (Capacity: 21,195) CSJ Projections: 6th: Big Sky 7th: California 30th: FCS 145th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Hornets had one of its best seasons in the Division I era for a team that moved.
Western Illinois Leathernecks Location: Macomb, IL Coach: Jared Elliott (0-0) 1st Season Stadium: Hanson Field (Capacity: 16,368) CSJ Projections: 7th: MVFC 5th: Illinois 31st: FCS 146th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Leathernecks won eight games, 5-3 in the always tough MVFC, to make the FCS playoffs but lost in the opening round to Weber.
Montana State Bobcats Location: Bozeman, MT Coach: Jeff Choate (9-13) 3rd Season Stadium: Bobcat Stadium (Capacity: 17,777) CSJ Projections: 7th: Big Sky 2nd: Montana 32nd: FCS 147th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Bobcats finished 5-6 overall but three of the losses were by eight points or less and the highlight of the season.
Bowling Green Falcons Location: Bowling Green, OH Coach: Mike Jinks (6-18) 3rd Season Stadium: Doyt Perry Stadium (Capacity: 24,000) CSJ Projections: 10th: MAC (5th in East Division) 8th: Ohio 116th: FBS 148th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Falcons were a very young team and slumped to a 2-10 overall record (2 wins coming in.
Richmond Spiders Location: Richmond, VA Coach: Russ Huesman (6-5) 2nd Season at Richmond Stadium: Robins Stadium (Capacity 8,217) CSJ Projections 7th: CAA 4th: Virginia 33rd: FCS 149th: Division I 2017 In a Sentence: The Spiders averaged 31 points a game on offense and were the only team in the regular season to stay within one score.
College Sports Journal announces their 2018 Fearless Prediction for the Order of finish of the SWAC, picking Alcorn State to win the Eastern division and picking Grambling to win the Western division. The Braves are four-time defending SWAC East Division champions, and were picked to win it again by College Sports Journal. Alcorn State features.
Idaho Vandals Location: Moscow, ID Coach: Paul Petrino (19–41) 6th Season Stadium: Kibbie Dome (Capacity: 16,000) CSJ Projections: 8th: Big Sky 2nd: Idaho 34th: FCS 150th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: In the Vandals last FBS season, the team slumped to a 4-8 overall mark (3-5 Sun Belt) after the team finished 9-4 in 2016.
Western Carolina Catamounts Location: Cullowhee, NC Coach: Mark Speir (26-43) Stadium: E.J. Whitmire Stadium (Capacity: 13,742) CSJ Projections: 4th: SoCon 9th: North Carolina 35th: FCS 151st: Division I 2017 In A Sentence:WCU had a solid bounce-back season from 2016, but their modest playoff hopes were derailed by overripe non-league slate and two tough road losses.
Old Dominion Monarchs Location: Norfolk, VA Coach: Bobby Wilder (72-37) 10th season Stadium: Foreman Field (Capacity: 19,818) CSJ Projections: 11th: Conference USA (6th in East Division) 5th: Virginia 117th: FBS 152nd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: After a 10-win and Bahamas Bowl victory in 2016, the Monarchs slumped mainly due to a slew of injuries to.
The Citadel Bulldogs Location: Charleston, SC Coach: Brent Thompson (15-8) Stadium: Johnson Hagood Stadium (Capacity: 21,000) CSJ Projections: 5th: SoCon 5th: South Carolina 36th: FCS 153rd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: After winning two consecutive SoCon championships, in 2017 the Bulldogs all too often wound up red-faced in the Red Zone, losing their final three.
South Alabama Jaguars Location: Mobile, AL Coach: Steve Campbell (60-23 overall, 0-0 at USA) 1st Season Stadium: Ladd-Pebbles Stadium (Capacity: 33,471) CSJ Projections: 8th: Sun Belt (4th West Division) 7th: Alabama 119th: FBS 156th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Jaguars kept most games close but could not finish games to slump to a 4-8.
UC Davis Aggies Location: Davis, CA Coach: Dan Hawkins (117–67–1 overall, 5-6 at UCD) 2nd Season Stadium: Aggie Stadium (Capacity: 10,743) CSJ Projections: 9th: Big Sky 8th: California 37th: FCS 155th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: In Coach Hawkins first season at his alma mater, the Aggies improved to a 5-6 overall mark after finishing 3-8.
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns Location: Lafayette, LA Coach: Billy Napier (0-0) 1st Season Stadium: Cajun Field (Capacity: 41,426) CSJ Projections: 7th: Sun Belt (3rd West Division) 7th: Louisiana 118th: FBS 154th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: After a 5-7 overall record,Louisiana-Lafayette fired its head coach Mark Hudspeth, who led the Cajuns to five straight New Orleans Bowls.
Colgate Raiders Location: Hamilton, NY Coach: Dan Hunt (26-21) Stadium: And Kerr Stadium (Capacity: 10,221) CSJ Projections: 1st: Patriot 5th: New York 38th: FCS 157th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Raiders dominated every team on their Patriot League conference schedule – except Lehigh, who eked out a narrow victory in Hamilton. It was enough.
Southern Illinois Salukis Location: Carbondale, IL Coach: Nick Hill (8-14) 3rd Season Stadium: Saluki Stadium (Capacity: 15,000) CSJ Projections: 8th: MVFC 6th: Illinois 39th: FCS 158th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: SIU looked poised to be in the FCS playoff hunt in the middle of the MVFC slate but an injury to QB Sam Straub.
College Sports Journal announces their 2018 Fearless Prediction for the Order of finish of the Northeastern Conference. Last year, Central Connecticut State won the NEC championship and qualified for their first-ever FCS Playoff appearance, and in 2018 CSJ picks them to repeat as conference champions. Central’s offense, which is slated to return eight starters,.
UT Martin Skyhawks Location: Martin, TN Coach: Jason Simpson (78-59) Stadium: Graham Stadium (Capacity: 7,500) CSJ Projections: 3rd: OVC 6th: Tennessee 40th: FCS 159th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: After a 3-1 start to the year and two upsets of FCS Top 25 teams, the Skyhawks dropped three straight league games to drop them out.
College Sports Journal announces their 2018 Fearless Prediction for the Order of finish of the Pioneer Football League. The San Diego Toreros are picked by CSJ to repeat as PFL Champions. Last year San Diego won its second consecutive PFL crown in finishing 10-3 overall (8-0 in conference play) and also won its second playoff contest.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Location: Conway, SC Coach: Joe Moglia (51-15) 5th Season Stadium: Brooks Stadium (Capacity: 21,000) CSJ Projections: 9th: Sun Belt (5th East Division) 5th: South Carolina 120th: FBS 160th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: After a season-opening win over UMass, Coastal Carolina endured nine consecutive losses (but none by more than 8 points) and.
Dartmouth Big Green Location: Hanover, NH Coach: Buddy Teevens (87-91-2) 19th Overall Season at Dartmouth Stadium: Memorial Field (Capacity: 15,600) CSJ Projections: 2nd: Ivy League 2nd: New Hampshire 41st: FCS 161st: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Two games – two unfortunate, close, agonizing single-digit losses to Columbia and Harvard were the difference. Had only one.
Southeastern Louisiana Lions Location: Hammond, LA Coach: Frank Scelfo (0-0) 1st Year at Southeastern Louisiana Stadium: Strawberry Stadium (Capacity: 7,408) CSJ Projections: 5th: Southland 8th: Louisiana 42nd: FCS 162nd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: After guiding the Lions to a 6-5 mark in his 6th season as head coach, Ron Roberts was hired away.
Princeton Tigers Location: Princeton, NJ Coach: Bob Surace (38-43) 9th Season at Princeton Stadium: Princeton University Stadium (Capacity: 27,773) CSJ Projections: 3rd: Ivy League 2nd: New Jersey 43rd: FCS 163rd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: On October 21st, Princeton sat at 5-1 after a 52-17 throttling of longtime rival Harvard – but then the wheels.
Kansas Jayhawks Location: Lawrence, KS Coach: David Beaty (3-33) 4th Season Stadium: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 50,071) CSJ Projections: 10th: Big 12 2nd: Kansas 121st: FBS 164th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Jayhawks won just a single game (season opener against FCS Southeast Missouri) and then lost 11 in a row to.
Mercer Bears Location: Macon, GA Coach: Bobby Lamb (32-25 at Mercer, 99-65 overall) Stadium: Five Star Stadium (Capacity: 10,200) CSJ Projections: 6th: SoCon 6th: Georgia 44th: FCS 165th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Mercer’s ludicrous non-conference schedule (which included Alabama and Auburn) masked a decent transition season for the Bears (and a respectable 5-4 record against.
Monmouth Hawks Location: West Long Branch, NJ Coach: Kevin Callahan (144-118) Stadium: Kessler Field (Capacity: 4,000) CSJ Projections: 2nd: Big South 3rd: New Jersey 45th: FCS 166th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Despite losing on the final weekend to Kennesaw State for the Big South Championship, the 9-2 Hawks made it to the FCS.
Grambling State Tigers Location: Grambling, LA Coach: Broderick Fobbs (39-11) 5th Season at Grambling State Stadium: Eddie Robinson Stadium (Capacity: 19,600) CSJ Projections: 1nd: SWAC (1st in West Division) 2nd: HBCU 9th: Louisiana 46th: FCS 167th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: For the second straight year, Grambling defeated Alcorn State in the SWAC Championship game.
