Covering All College Sports Since 2012
College Sports Journal announces their 2018 Fearless Prediction for the Order of finish of Conference USA, the third of our Group of Five Conference previews. C-USA had a landmark season by sending a league record nine teams to bowl games. Florida Atlantic won the league last year and also won the Boca Raton Bowl. Florida.
Boise State Broncos Location: Boise, ID Coach: Bryan Harsin (49-17) 5th Season Stadium: Albertsons Stadium (Capacity: 36,387) CSJ Projections: 1st: Mountain West (1st Mountain Division) 1st: Idaho 32nd: FBS 33rd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: After two seasons of not only not winning the Mountain West Conference but also not even winning the Mountain Division,.
South Florida Bulls Location: Tampa, FL Coach: Charlie Strong (10-2@ USF, 63-39 overall) 2nd Season Stadium: Raymond James Stadium (Capacity: 65,890) CSJ Projections: 3rd: AAC (2nd East Division) 4th: Florida 40th: FBS 41st: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Bulls were a win away from the AAC title game in losing at rival UCF.
Florida Atlantic Owls Location: Boca Raton, FL Coach: Lane Kiffin (11-3 @FAU, 46-24 overall) 2nd Season Stadium: FAU Stadium (Capacity: 29,495) CSJ Projections: 1st: Conference USA (1st in East Division) 5th: Florida 45th: FBS 47th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: In Coach Lane Kiffin’s first season at FAU, he lead a team that had three.
Fresno State Bulldogs Location: Fresno, CA Coach: Jeff Tedford (10-4 @FSU, 92-61 overall) 2nd Season Stadium: Bulldog Stadium (Capacity: 41,031) CSJ Projections: 2nd: Mountain West (1st West Division) 3rd: California 51st: FBS 53rd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Bulldogs, who were coming into the season after finishing 1-11 in 2016, overcame two early losses.
Wyoming at New Mexico State When: Saturday, August 25, 8:00 PM MDT Where: Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, NM TV/Streaming Coverage: ESPN2/Watch ESPN Wyoming: CSJ’s 2018 Preview Capsule Wyoming was in the consciousness MWC pick last season because of eventual first round pick Josh Allen starring at quarterback. Allen actually had a modest year especially being injured, but.
College Sports Journal announces their 2018 Fearless Prediction for the Order of finish of the Sun Belt Conference, the second of our Group of Five Conference previews. It has been addition by subtraction for the Sun Belt Conference as two teams are out and the league now will be the last of the FBS conferences.
College Sports Journal announces their 2018 Fearless Prediction for the Order of finish of the MAC, the first of our Group of Five Conference previews. For the last few seasons, it has not been difficult to pick the MAC winners as the preseason favorite ultimately would win the league. A year ago, Toledo won the.
Appalachian State Mountaineers Location: Boone, NC Coach: Scott Satterfield (41-22) 6th Season Stadium: Kidd Brewer Stadium (Capacity: 21,650) CSJ Projections: 1st: Sun Belt (1st East Division) 4th: North Carolina 56th: FBS 58th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Appalachian State won a share of the Sun Belt Conference title with Troy last year in finishing 9-4.
San Diego State Aztecs Location: San Diego, CA Coach: Rocky Long (64-29 @SDSU, 129-98 overall) 8th Season Stadium: SDCCU Stadium (Capacity: 70,561) CSJ Projections: 3rd: Mountain West (2nd West Division) 6th: California 59th: FBS 57th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Aztecs have become a dominant force in the Mountain West, although SDSU slipped.
Army-West Point Black Knights Location: West Point, NY Coach: Jeff Monken (24-26 @Army, 62-42 overall) 5th Season Stadium: Michie Stadium (Capacity:38,000) CSJ Projections: 2nd: FBS Independents 1st: New York 58th: FBS 60th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Black Knights are coming off a 10-3 season that included winning the Commander-in-Chief Trophy (first time since 1996).
Houston Cougars Location: Houston, TX Coach: Major Applewhite (7-6) 2nd Season Stadium: TDECU Stadium (Capacity: 40,000) CSJ Projections: 5th: AAC (3rd West Division) 5th: Texas 59th: FBS 61st: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Cougars finished an up and down season at 7–4, having signature wins over Arizona and South Florida, but having suffered inexplicable.
Ohio Bobcats Location: Athens, OH Coach: Frank Solich (97-71 @Ohio, 155-90 overall) 14th Season Stadium: Penden Stadium (Capacity: 24,000) CSJ Projections: 1st: MAC (1st in East Division) 2nd: Ohio 61st: FBS 64th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: With an offense that produced over 39 points per game, Ohio looked poised to make the MAC title game.
Troy Trojans Location: Troy, AL Coach: Neal Brown (25-13) 3rd Season Stadium: Veterans Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 30,402) CSJ Projections: 2nd: Sun Belt (2nd East Division) 3rd: Alabama 63rd: FBS 66th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: The Trojans won a share of the Sun Belt title after defeating Arkansas State in a thriller in the regular season finale.
Toledo Rockets Location: Toledo, OH Coach: Jason Candle (21-7) 3rd Season Stadium: Glass Bowl (Capacity: 26,248) CSJ Projections: 2nd: MAC (1st in West Division) 3rd: Ohio 65th: FBS 68th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: For all of the success the Rockets has enjoyed in recent years, Jason Candle’s 2017 Rockets accomplished something that had not been.
Temple Owls Location: Philadelphia, PA Coach: Geoff Collins (7-6) 2nd Season Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field (Capacity: 68,532) CSJ Projections: 6th: AAC (3rd East Division) 3rd: Pennslyvania 67th: FBS 70th: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: In Coach Collins’ first year, Temple went 7-6 and defeated Florida International in the Gasparilla Bowl–the first bowl win since 2011 and just.
Wyoming Cowboys Location: Laramie, WY Coach: Craig Bohl (22-29 @Wyo., 125-61 overall) 5th Season Stadium: War Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 29,181) CSJ Projections: 4th: Mountain West (2nd Mountain Division) 1st: Wyoming 70th: FBS 73rd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: Coming off a MWC Mountain Division title and having an All-American quarterback returning, most thought the.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Air Force Falcons Location: Colorado Springs, CO Coach: Troy Calhoun (82-60) 12th Season Stadium: Falcon Stadium (Capacity: 46,692) CSJ Projections: 7th: Mountain West (5th Mountain Division) 3rd: Colorado 87th: FBS 93rd: Division I 2017 In A Sentence: It was a rough season for the Falcons, stumbling to a 5-7 record with Commander In Chief trophy losses.
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.
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..
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
