Mountain West – Page 44 – Syndication Server

Group of Five Teams In New Year’s Six Bowl Hunt: 21 For 2021 Preview Topics

21 for 2021 preseason topics: No. 10. The top Group of Five college football teams that should be in the New Year’s Six bowl chase.

21 for 2021 preseason topics: No. 10. The top Group of Five college football teams that should be in the New Year’s Six bowl chase.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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This piece is almost certainly going to be wrong.

Two years ago we didn’t get Memphis – who ended up getting the New Year’s Six Bowl nod – and last season we weren’t even in the right zip code when it came to the rise of Coastal Carolina and Louisiana.

But we did have Cincinnati on the 2020 list.

So far in the College Football Playoff era, six teams from the Group of Five conferences – the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt – have been the highest-ranked conference champion in the final CFP rankings to get the New Year’s Six spot. None of them have been able to get into the playoff, but if the tournament expands, that will change.

Boise State beat Arizona in the first shot for the Group of Five, and Houston followed it up with a win over Florida State. Western Michigan, Memphis, Cincinnati, and UCF (twice) are the other schools to get the big spotlight game, going 3-4 overall and generally playing very, very well in the losses.

This year, the Group of Five champion – if it’s not in the College Football Playoff – will either play in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl or the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

21 for 2021 Preview Topics (so far)
21. Thoughts, Wishes, Hopes for 2021
20. Best Teams To Not Make CFP
19: Teams That Will Rebound Big
18. Teams That Will Fall Back
17: Every Power 5 Team’s Letdown Game
16. Expectations For New Head Coaches
15. Expectations For 2nd Year Head Coaches
14. Power 5 Hot Seat Coach Rankings
13. 21 Key Transfers You Need To Know
12. Group of 5 over Power 5 Upset Alerts
11. 5 of College Football’s New Superstars

– CFN 2021 Preview: All 130 Team Previews

So what does it take for a Group of Five program to get that New Year’s Six slot? Realistically – but not technically – 1) needs to go unbeaten or finish with just one loss, 2) it should have at least one signature win to impress the College Football Playoff committee that does the rankings, and 3), as part of the requirement, it has to win its conference championship.

Here’s hoping that a few teams will rise up and shock the world, but assume that one of these teams will likely have the best shot at getting the New Year’s Six nod.

Let’s start with a total cop-out.

College Football Group of Five Programs in the New Year’s Six Hunt

5. San Jose State at Nevada winner

– CFN 2021 San Jose State Preview

Boise State is always the instant pick from the Mountain West to have a shot at the New Year’s Six bowl bid, but this year’s team is undergoing a coaching overhaul and it has a few tweaks it has to make, but there are three problems …

Non-conference schedule, non-conference schedule, non-conference schedule.

The Broncos should be strong enough in a relatively weak Mountain Division to get to the Mountain West title game, but they have to start the season at UCF, host Oklahoma State, and they have to go to BYU.

If they win all three they should probably be No. 1 on this list, if they win two of the three they’ll be in the hunt, and if they win just one, forget it. Throw in the road games at San Diego State, Colorado State and Fresno State, and it’s a tough ask.

– CFN 2021 Nevada Preview

From the West, Fresno State will be dangerous, San Diego State always has a puncher’s chance to get to the NY6, and Hawaii will be plucky, but it should – like last year – come down to the showdown between San Jose State and Nevada.

The Spartans have to go to USC, but they other three non-conference games are against Western Michigan, New Mexico State and Southern Utah. If they’re good enough to win the Mountain West title, they’ll be good enough to win all three of those.

They don’t have to play Boise State and get San Diego State and Fresno State at home. However, they start November with a trip to Reno.

The Wolf Pack are loaded with high-octane offensive talent, the overall experience is in place, and the coaching staff is hitting its stride. They have to at least split the road games against Cal and Kansas State, and they follow that up with a trip to Boise State. Throw in road games at San Diego State and Fresno State, and there’s a problem.

However, get by San Jose State, go on to win the Mountain West title, and they should be in the hunt.

NEXT: Group Of Five Teams In New Year’s Six Bowl Hunt, No. 5

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College Football’s Breakout Superstars: 21 For 2021 Preview Topics

21 for 2021 preseason topics: Five college football players who were already great, but are about to break out and become national stars.

21 for 2021 preseason topics: No. 11 The college football players who are already terrific, but are about to go to a whole other level. Here are five breakout national stars to watch for.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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You already know who most of the superstars should be going into the 2021 college football season, but which guys are about to go from very good to next-level amazing?

If you’re a die-hard fan you probably already know these five players below, and if you don’t, you’re about to.

They’re the great players about to go nuclear, and they’ll soon be a big part of your college football Saturdays – and most likely your NFL Sundays.

– CFN 2021 Preview: All 130 Team Previews

How’d we do on these calls over the past few years? We didn’t exactly go out on a huge limb, but again, the goal was/is to highlight the good players who might take their respective games up a several notches.

2019 Breakout Star Predictions

5. S Grant Delpit, LSU
Thorpe Award winner for the epic national title team.

4. RB Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
Led the nation with 2,094 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

3. WR Laviska Shenault, Colorado
While he was okay, he didn’t blow up as expected with 56 catches for 764 yards and four scores.

2. QB Adrian Martinez, Nebraska
Martinez hit just 59% of his passes for 1,956 yards and ten touchdowns with nine picks in 2019, and he ran for 626 yards and seven touchdowns.

1. RB Najee Harris and/or Brian Robinson, Alabama
Harris turned it on to finish with 1,224 yards and 13 touchdowns, Robinson was second on the team with 441 yards and five scores. Harris also caught seven touchdown passes.

2020 Breakout Star Predictions

5. QB Sam Howell, North Carolina
He threw for close to 3,600 yards with 30 touchdowns and seven picks, and now he’s being talked about as a possible No. 1 overall draft pick.

4. LB Hamilcar Rashed, Oregon State
He couldn’t get his 2020 going – he was banged up all year and fought through injuries. A pass rushing terror in a a dominant 14-sack, 22.5-tackle for loss run in 2019, he failed to come up with a sack with 23 tackles and two tackles for loss.

3. DE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
Opted out on the season, but he was still the 30th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

2. QB KJ Costello, Mississippi State
Yeah, this call didn’t work, but he’ll forever be remembered for the 623-yard, five-touchdown day to beat LSU to start the season.

1. RB Najee Harris, Alabama
Ww went back to the well from our 2019 No. 1 spot, thinking Harris would go up another whole level from his great 2019 season – and he did. The Doak Walker winner led the national champion Tide team with 1,466 rushing yards and 26 scores, along with 43 catches for 425 yards and four touchdowns.

Five (potential) College Football Breakout Superstars

5. DE George Karlaftis, Purdue

– CFN 2021 Purdue Preview

The Big Ten is going to have to deal with him again.

Karlaftis started out his Purdue career as a dominant force with 54 tackles with 7.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in an All-Big Ten season. He was steady, sensational, and relentless with his sack production spread out over the 2019 season and with at 1.5 tackles for loss in eight games.

All primed and ready to roll for a massive 2020, he couldn’t get going with COVID issues along with a leg injury. He only saw time in three games, but he came up with a sack against both Iowa and Illinois to start the season, and then that was about it.

Now he’s back.

The 6-4, 275-pounder is a mortal lock to earn All-Big Ten honors both on the field and in the classroom, and he’s a repeat of the 2019 season away from being a sure-thing first round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft – and possibly a top 15 selection.

He’ll get a few games to warm up before being part of the national discussion. Oregon State and UConn should be in big trouble before he’s turned loose on Notre Dame.

NEXT: Florida’s next amazing defensive back

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2021 CFN Preseason All-America Team: Offense

Who are the best and brightest stars going into the 2021 season? The CFN Preseason All-America Team – the offense.

Who are the best and brightest stars going into the 2021 season? The CFN Preseason All-America Team – the offense.

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– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews

They’re among the best offensive players going into the 2021 college football season. After last year with all of the opt-outs and late changes, this year’s CFN All-America Offense should be just a tad more solid, but there might be a few tweaks needed to be made just before the season.

CFN 2021 All-America Quarterbacks

CFN 2021 First Team All-America Quarterback

DJ Uiagalelei, Soph. Clemson
It’s not often you lose a superstar, can’t-miss, No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick and simply keep on going.

Uiagalelei has a whole lot to prove, do, and develop before being Trevor Lawrence, but the talent is there, the arm strength is otherworldly, and he should be more than ready to handle the pressure of running a national championship-level team.

In his few games of real work last year – stepping in when Lawrence was out with COVID – Uiagalelei threw for 342 yards and two scores in the comeback win over Boston College, and when challenged by Notre Dame, he bombed away for 439 yards and two touchdowns with rushing scores in both games.

Yeah, Clemson has another quarterback who can be right up there with Trevor, Deshaun and Tajh.
Clemson Preview | Schedule

CFN 2021 Second Team All-America Quarterback

Spencer Rattler, Soph. Oklahoma
Remember, he had to work his way in the system and didn’t have a few years to get his feet wet in the college game like past quarterbacks under Lincoln Riley – and he was still fantastic.

No, Rattler’s not the runner that Kyler Murray or Jalen Hurts were, and he might not be quite the same passer that Baker Mayfield turned into, but the first homegrown/recruited starting quarterback in the Riley era is about to go ballistic after throwing for over 3,000 yards with 28 touchdowns, seven picks, and with six touchdowns. Oh yeah … he also led the team to a Big 12 championship.
Oklahoma Preview | Schedule

CFN 2021 Honorable Mention All-American Quarterbacks

3. Sam Howell, Jr. North Carolina
4. Kevon Slovis, Jr. USC
5. JT Daniels, Jr. Georgia
6. Desmond Ridder, Sr. Cincinnati
7. Carson Strong, Jr. Nevada
8. Malik Willis, Jr. Liberty
9. Jayden Daniels, Soph. Arizona State
10. Brock Purdy, Sr. Iowa State
11. Dillon Gabriel, Jr. UCF
12. Dustin Crum, Sr. Kent State

2021 CFN All-America Team: Offense
RB | WR | TE | C | OG | OT
– 2021 CFN Previews of all 130 teams

NEXT: CFN 2021 All-America Running Backs

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21 Power Five vs Group of Five Upset Alerts: 21 For 2021 College Football Topics, No. 12

21 for 2021 college football topics. The most dangerous upset alert games for Power Five teams vs. Group of Five programs.

21 for 2021: 21 most dangerous upset alert games for Power Five teams vs. Group of Five programs.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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You want to make a statement as a Group of Five program? You want to sit at the lunch table with the cool kids? Beat the Power Five teams.

The Group of Five – American Athletic, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt – doesn’t have the success you might think it does against the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC.

The Gof5ers went 4-8 last season against the P5, and that’s after going 22-81 in 2019.

But they’re there. There are big wins to be had to cripple the seasons of the schools with the big money, bigger names, and snobby expectations.

Here are 21 Group of Five vs. Power Five games to watch out for.

– CFN 2021 Preview: All 130 Team Previews

21 College Football Group of Five vs. Power Five Upset Alerts

21. Syracuse at Ohio, Sept. 4

It’s a new era of Ohio football in the first game after the Frank Solich retirement, but there won’t be any sort of a slowdown. Syracuse is the better team, but it’s a road trip to start the season for a program that hasn’t blocked a pass rush in a few years.
Syracuse Preview | Ohio Preview

20. Georgia Southern at Arkansas, Sept. 18

Curveball game alert. It’s about as big a sandwich as this gets for Arkansas, playing Texas the week before and Texas A&M right after. Georgia Southern is 0-10 against Power Five programs since moving into the full-time FCS world in 2014 – more often than not getting stomped – but if the option attack starts to work like it did against Minnesota in 2019 and Alabama in 2011, this could be interesting.
Arkansas Preview | Georgia Southern Preview

19. Army at Wisconsin, Oct. 16

In theory, Wisconsin is the perfect team to destroy Army. Through the years, the Badgers generally have had problems with the better passing games and hurry-up attacks. Army’s slow, deliberate running game along with a smallish defensive front should be right in Bucky’s wheelhouse. However, if the knuckleball is working, and if Wisconsin is a bit off after playing Notre Dame, Michigan, and Illinois in the Bret Bielema game, there might be problems.
Army Preview | Wisconsin Preview

18. South Carolina at East Carolina, Sept. 11

Call this the puncher’s chance game. South Carolina will get a warm-up against Eastern Illinois to start the Shane Beamer era, but East Carolina should have a dangerous offense that might catch the Gamecocks looking ahead to the SEC road opener to Georgia up next. The last time ECU had a home game against a Power Five program, it rim-rocked North Carolina 41-19 in 2018.
East Carolina Preview | South Carolina Preview

17. Fresno State at Oregon, Sept. 4

Be very, very careful here. Fresno State has a Pac-12-caliber quarterback in Jake Haener leading a high-powered offense that’s going to keep on pushing. It might be the season opener for the Ducks, but their attention might already be on the monster date at Ohio State the following week. Speaking of Pac-12 vs. Big Ten focus …
Fresno State Preview | Oregon Preview

16. Arkansas State at Washington, Sept. 18

Can Washington hit the four-foot putt? The Huskies should be able to roll if they’re fully focused, but this comes right after the trip to Michigan and just before the Pac-12 opener against Cal. Ask 2020 Kansas State what Arkansas State can do – the Red Wolves pulled off a 35-31 shocker – and new head coach Butch Jones has a dangerous team. Speaking of Sun Belt road stunners …
Arkansas State Preview | Washington Preview

NEXT: Top 15 College Football Group of Five vs. Power Five Upset Alerts

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College Football Rankings: CFN Preseason Ranking Of All 130 Teams

The College Football News Preview 2021 preseason college football rankings with top players, games, and predicted finishes for all 130 teams

The College Football News Preview 2021 preseason college football rankings with top players, games, and predicted finishes for all 130 teams.

The CFN preseason rankings are about how good the teams appear to be going into fall camp. It’s about the right now and NOT about the projected finish, but …

Each team’s preseason prediction is added. Remember, that’s about the schedule and timing as much as team talent and depth – records and rankings don’t always correspond thanks to the other factors.

Also listed is every team’s top player, past rankings, and key September game. The opponent might not be the toughest to deal with in the first month, but it’s the one must-win early game.

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Contact @ColFootballNews

CFN Preview 2021 Rankings
All 130 Team Previews
76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10

CFN Preview 2021 Preseason College Football Rankings

130. UMass Minutemen

Player You Need to Know: CB Josh Wallace, Soph.
September Key Game: Sept. 18 Eastern Michigan
2021 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2020 Record: 0-4
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 126
2020 CFN Final Rank: 127
2019 CFN Final Rank: 130
UMass Preview | Schedule

129. UConn Huskies

Player You Need to Know: LB Omar Fortt, Sr
September Key Game: Sept. 18 at Army
2021 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2020 Record: 0-0
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 130
2020 CFN Final Rank: Not Ranked
2019 CFN Final Rank: 126
UConn Preview | Schedule

128. Old Dominion Monarchs

Player You Need to Know: LB Jordan Young, Jr.
September Key Game: Sept. 25 Buffalo
2021 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2020 Record: 0-0
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 121
2020 CFN Final Rank: Not Ranked
2019 CFN Final Rank: 125
ODU Preview | Schedule

127. Bowling Green Falcons

Player You Need to Know: RB Terion Stewart, RFr.
September Key Game: Sept. 11 South Alabama
2021 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2020 Record: 0-5
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 125
2020 CFN Final Rank: 126
2019 CFN Final Rank: 124
BGSU Preview | Schedule

126. New Mexico State Aggies

Player You Need to Know: OT Sage Doxtater, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 11 at New Mexico
2021 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2020 Record: 0-0
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 128
2020 CFN Final Rank: Not Ranked
2019 CFN Final Rank: 127
New Mexico Preview | Schedule

125. Akron Zips

Player You Need to Know: RB Teon Dollard, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 11 Temple
2021 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2020 Record: 1-5
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 129
2020 CFN Final Rank: 123
2019 CFN Final Rank: 129
Akron Preview | Schedule

124. ULM Warhawks

Player You Need to Know: LB Traveion Webster, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 25 Troy
2021 Preseason Prediction: 1-11
2020 Record: 0-10
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 124
2020 CFN Final Rank: 124
2019 CFN Final Rank: 100
ULM Preview | Schedule

123. UTEP Miners

Player You Need to Know: DE Praise Amaewhule, Soph
September Key Game: Sept. 25 New Mexico
2021 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2020 Record: 3-5
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 127
2020 CFN Final Rank: 121
2019 CFN Final Rank: 128
UTEP Preview | Schedule

122. South Alabama Jaguars

Player You Need to Know: QB Jake Bentley, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 4 Southern Miss
2021 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2020 Record: 4-7
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 123
2020 CFN Final Rank: 108
2019 CFN Final Rank: 119
South Alabama Preview | Schedule

121. Northern Illinois Huskies

Player You Need to Know: CB Jordan Gandy, Soph.
September Key Game: Sept. 11 Wyoming
2021 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2020 Record: 0-6
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 117
2020 CFN Final Rank: 122
2019 CFN Final Rank: 92
NIU Preview | Schedule

120. Rice Owls

Player You Need to Know: WR Bradley Rozner, Jr.
September Key Game: Sept. 11 Houston
2021 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2020 Record: 2-3
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 116
2020 CFN Final Rank: 106
2019 CFN Final Rank: 115
Rice Preview | Schedule

119. Charlotte 49ers

Player You Need to Know: WR Victor Tucker, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 25 Middle Tennessee
2021 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2020 Record: 2-4
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 115
2020 CFN Final Rank: 116
2019 CFN Final Rank: 93
Charlotte Preview | Schedule

118. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

Player You Need to Know: S Reed Blankenship, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 18 at UTSA
2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2020 Record: 3-6
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 102
2020 CFN Final Rank: 119
2019 CFN Final Rank: 107
MTSU Preview | Schedule

117. Eastern Michigan Eagles

Player You Need to Know: LB Terry Myrick, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 25 Texas State
2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2020 Record: 2-4
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 113
2020 CFN Final Rank: 107
2019 CFN Final Rank: 80
EMU Preview | Schedule

116. Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Player You Need to Know: LB Hayes Maples, Soph.
September Key Game: Sept. 18 Troy
2021 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2020 Record: 3-7
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 98
2020 CFN Final Rank: 117
2019 CFN Final Rank: 68
USM Preview | Schedule

115. FIU Golden Panthers

Player You Need to Know: CB Rishard Dames, Jr.
September Key Game: Sept. 11 Texas State
2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2020 Record: 0-5
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 110
2020 CFN Final Rank: 125
2019 CFN Final Rank: 85
FIU Preview | Schedule

114. Texas State Bobcats

Player You Need to Know: CB Jarron Morris, Jr.
September Key Game: Sept. 11 at FIU
2021 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2020 Record: 2-10
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 121
2020 CFN Final Rank: 111
2019 CFN Final Rank: 114
Texas State Preview | Schedule

113. Utah State Aggies

Player You Need to Know: S Shaq Bond, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 18 at Air Force
2021 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2020 Record: 1-5
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 80
2020 CFN Final Rank: 114
2019 CFN Final Rank: 46
Utah State Preview | Schedule

112. Troy Trojans

Player You Need to Know: LB Carlton Martial, Jr.
September Key Game: Sept. 11 Liberty
2021 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2020 Record: 5-6
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 105
2020 CFN Final Rank: 84
2019 CFN Final Rank: 90
Troy Preview | Schedule

111. Ohio Bobcats

Player You Need to Know: RB De’Montre Tuggle, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 18 at Louisiana
2021 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2020 Record: 2-1
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 96
2020 CFN Final Rank: 109
2019 CFN Final Rank: 51
Ohio Preview | Schedule

110. UNLV Rebels

Player You Need to Know: RB Charles Williams, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 25 at Fresno State
2021 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2020 Record: 0-6
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 109
2020 CFN Final Rank: 120
2019 CFN Final Rank: 106
UNLV Preview | Schedule

109. Miami University RedHawks

Player You Need to Know: DE Kameron Butler, Jr.
September Key Game: Sept. 4 at Cincinnati
2021 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2020 Record: 2-1
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 111
2020 CFN Final Rank: 93
2019 CFN Final Rank: 47
MU Preview | Schedule

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108. Central Michigan Chippewas

Player You Need to Know: DE Troy Hairston, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 25 FIU
2021 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2020 Record: 3-3
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 107
2020 CFN Final Rank: 105
2019 CFN Final Rank: 71
CMU Preview | Schedule

107. Kent State Golden Flashes

Player You Need to Know: B Dustin Crum, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 25 at Maryland
2021 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2020 Record: 3-1
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 106
2020 CFN Final Rank: 89
2019 CFN Final Rank: 66
Kent State Preview | Schedule

106. New Mexico Lobos

Player You Need to Know: QB Terry Wilson, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 25 at UTEP
2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2020 Record: 2-5
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 118
2020 CFN Final Rank: 95
2019 CFN Final Rank: 120
UNM Preview | Schedule

105. USF Bulls

Player You Need to Know: LB Antonio Grier, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 24 at BYU
2021 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2020 Record: 1-8
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 101
2020 CFN Final Rank: 113
2019 CFN Final Rank: 104
USF Preview | Schedule

104. East Carolina Pirates

Player You Need to Know: CB JaQuan McMillian, Soph.
September Key Game: Sept. 2 Appalachian State (in Charlotte)
2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2020 Record: 3-6
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 91
2020 CFN Final Rank: 99
2019 CFN Final Rank: 108
East Carolina Preview | Schedule

103. Air Force Falcons

Player You Need to Know: LB Demonte Meeks, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 11 at Navy
2021 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2020 Record: 3-3
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 74
2020 CFN Final Rank: 80
2019 CFN Final Rank: 24
Air Force Preview | Schedule

102. North Texas Mean Green

Player You Need to Know: DT Dion Novel, Sr.
September Key Game: Sept. 18 UAB
2021 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2020 Record: 4-6
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 108
2020 CFN Final Rank: 118
2019 CFN Final Rank: 111
North Texas Preview | Schedule

101. Florida Atlantic Owls

Player You Need to Know: DE Jaylen Joyner, Soph.
September Key Game: Sept. 11 Georgia Southern
2021 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2020 Record: 5-4
2020 CFN Preseason Rank: 87
2020 CFN Final Rank: 101
2019 CFN Final Rank: 13
FAU Preview | Schedule

CFN Preview 2021 Rankings
All 130 Team Previews
76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10

NEXT: CFN Preview 2021 Preseason College Football Rankings: Top 100

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Mountain West Preseason Rankings: CFN College Football Preview 2021

The College Football News 2021 Mountain West preseason rankings along with a quick take on every team.

The College Football News 2021 Mountain West preseason rankings along with a quick take on every team.

This is NOT a ranking of where the teams are going to finish. This is based on how good we think the Independent teams are going into the 2021 season.

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2021 CFN Mountain West Preseason Rankings: Mountain

1. Boise State Broncos

Quick Take: New head coach Andy Avalos doesn’t have a heater of a Boise State team – the program didn’t win the Mountain West title last year – but it’s good enough to be the best in the Mountain Division by far. As long as QB Hank Bachmeier is in one piece, the offense will be great, and the defensive front seven is outstanding.
Boise State Preview | Schedule

2. Colorado State Rams

Quick Take: Second-year head coach Steve Addazio got through a rough first year, and he’s got a very, very interesting team that could be a bit of an X factor. The defensive front will be a problem for the rest of the Mountain West, and the offense should have a little bit of pop.
CSU Preview | Schedule

3. Wyoming Cowboys

Quick Take: You know what Wyoming is going to be. Great coaching, outstanding defense, strong ground attack, questionable passing game. The schedule isn’t bad, and if there’s something happening through the air, this could be a huge year.
Wyoming Preview | Schedule

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4. Air Force Falcons

Quick Take: Air Force needs some rebuilding, but that’s nothing new – it’s how the program rolls every season. The defense has the playmakers – especially in the secondary – but like always, the season will come down to how effective the running game is. (Hint: It’ll be fine.)
Air Force Preview | Schedule

5. New Mexico Lobos

Quick Take: Second-year head coach Danny Gonzales will try to capitalize on the two-game winning run at the end of 2020 to finally turn this thing around. The Lobos haven’t won more than three games in a season since 2016, and this year’s version should do it. There are some nice parts with Kentucky transfer QB Terry Wilson leading a strong backfield.
New Mexico Preview | Schedule

6. Utah State Aggies

Quick Take: New head coach Blake Anderson might be able to turn this around fast – admittedly, this ranking might look ridiculous in a hurry. The linebacking corps is great to build around, and bringing over QB Logan Bonner from Arkansas State was a huge help.
Utah State Preview | Schedule

NEXT: 2021 CFN Mountain West Preseason Rankings: West

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Mountain West Preseason Predictions For Every Game: Preview 2021

The College Football News Mountain West preseason predictions for every game, predicted order of finish, and lookahead to the 2021 season.

The College Football News Mountain West preseason predictions for every game, predicted order of finish, and lookahead to the 2021 season.

Mountain West Preseason Predictions: Mountain

Mountain West: Mountain Predicted Finish

1. Boise State
2. Air Force
T3. Colorado State
T3. Wyoming
T5. New Mexico
T5. Utah State

Air Force Falcons

2021 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2021 Mountain West Prediction: 4-4
2018: 5-7 2019: 11-2 2020: 3-3

Sept. 4 Lafayette W
Sept. 11 at Navy W
Sept. 18 Utah State W
Sept. 25 Florida Atlantic W
Oct. 2 at New Mexico W
Oct. 9 Wyoming W
Oct. 16 at Boise State  L
Oct. 23 San Diego State  L
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 Army (in Arlington, TX)  L
Nov. 13 at Colorado State  L
Nov. 20 at Nevada  L
Nov. 27 UNLV W
– Air Force 2021 Preview

Boise State Broncos

2021 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2021 Mountain West Prediction: 7-1
2018: 10-3 2019: 12-2 2020: 5-2

Sept. 4 at UCF  L
Sept. 11 UTEP W
Sept. 18 Oklahoma State  L
Sept. 25 at Utah State W
Oct. 2 Nevada W
Oct. 9 at BYU  L
Oct. 16 Air Force W
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Colorado State W
Nov. 6 at Fresno State W
Nov. 13 Wyoming W
Nov. 20 New Mexico W
Nov. 27 at San Diego State  L
– Boise State 2021 Preview

Colorado State Rams

2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 Mountain West Prediction: 3-5
2018: 3-9 2019: 4-8 2020: 1-3

Sept. 4 South Dakota State W
Sept. 11 Vanderbilt W
Sept. 18 at Toledo  L
Sept. 25 at Iowa  L
Oct. 2 OPEN DATE
Oct. 9 San Jose State  L
Oct. 16 at New Mexico W
Oct. 23 at Utah State W
Oct. 30 Boise State  L
Nov. 6 at Wyoming  L
Nov. 13 Air Force W
Nov. 20 at Hawaii  L
Nov. 27 Nevada  L
– Colorado State 2021 Preview

New Mexico Lobos

2021 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2021 Mountain West Prediction: 2-6
2018: 3-9 2019: 2-10 2020: 2-5

Sept. 2 Houston Baptist W
Sept. 11 New Mexico State W
Sept. 18 at Texas A&M  L
Sept. 25 at UTEP W
Oct. 2 Air Force  L
Oct. 9 at San Diego State  L
Oct. 16 Colorado State  L
Oct. 23 at Wyoming  L
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 UNLV W
Nov. 13 at Fresno State  L
Nov. 20 at Boise State  L
Nov. 27 Utah State W
– New Mexico 2021 Preview

Utah State Aggies

2021 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2021 Mountain West Prediction: 3-5
2018: 11-2 2019: 7-6 2020: 1-5

Sept. 4 at Washington State  L
Sept. 11 North Dakota W
Sept. 18 at Air Force  L
Sept. 25 Boise State  L
Oct. 1 BYU  L
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at UNLV  L
Oct. 23 Colorado State  L
Oct. 30 Hawaii W
Nov. 6 at New Mexico State W
Nov. 13 at San Jose State  L
Nov. 20 Wyoming W
Nov. 27 at New Mexico  L
– Utah State 2021 Preview

Wyoming Cowboys

2021 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2021 Mountain West Prediction: 3-5
2018: 6-6 2019: 8-5 2020: 2-4

Sept. 4 Montana State W
Sept. 11 at Northern Illinois W
Sept. 18 Ball State W
Sept. 25 at UConn W
Oct. 2 OPEN DATE
Oct. 9 at Air Force  L
Oct. 16 Fresno State  L
Oct. 23 New Mexico W
Oct. 30 at San Jose State  L
Nov. 6 Colorado State W
Nov. 13at Boise State  L
Nov. 20 at Utah State  L
Nov. 27 Hawaii W
– Wyoming 2021 Preview

NEXT: Mountain West Preseason Predictions: West Predictions

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New Mexico Lobos: CFN College Football Preview 2021

College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the New Mexico football season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the New Mexico football season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– New Mexico Football Schedule Analysis
– New Mexico Lobos Previews
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

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2020 Record: 2-5 overall, 2-5 in Mountain West
Head Coach: Danny Gonzales, 2nd year, 2-5
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 95
2020 CFN Preview Ranking: 118
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 120

New Mexico Lobos College Football Preview 2021: Offense

– The offense showed signs of potentially being a whole lot of fun in the first year under new head coach Danny Gonzales. The yards were there early on with a decent balance, but the defense couldn’t hold up. The running game rolled late, the two wins came, and now there’s something to get excited about with a with a whole bunch of main parts returning. However …

– The quarterback situation just got a lot more interesting with veteran Terry Wilson coming in from Kentucky. He might not be a high-powered passer, but he’s been through the SEC wars and is more than capable of adding a steady leader to the mix.

However, Tevaka Tuioti is still around – he’s fantastic when he can stay healthy – Trae Hall led the team in passing, and Isaiah Chavez led the way to the team’s two wins in the final two games.

The receiving corps is good enough, but it needs the ball more. The running game is the star, but Emmanuel Logan-Greene is a dangerous playmaker who led the team with 30 catches for 277 yards, and Andrew Erickson is a good-sized veteran who can stretch the field a bit. However, the most dangerous receiver – Jordan Kress – is in the transfer portal.

– The offensive line that was good for the ground game but struggled in pass protection returns four starters. It’s not a huge group around star C Kyle Stapley – there aren’t an earth-moving 300+ guys – but it should be effective.

The running back situation is a tad thin. Leading rusher Bobby Cole is a solid, shifty-quick runner who averaged 5.6 yards per carry with 548 yards and six scores, but second-leading rusher Nathaniel Jones is in the transfer portal and third-leading rusher Bryson Carroll is gone.

– What You Need To Know: Defense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– New Mexico Football Schedule Analysis

NEXT: New Mexico Lobos College Football Preview 2021: Defense

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Boise State Broncos: CFN College Football Preview 2021

College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Boise State football season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Boise State football season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Boise State Football Schedule Analysis
– Boise State Broncos Previews
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

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2020 Record: 5-2 overall, 5-2 in Mountain West
Head Coach: Andy Avalos, 1st year
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 49
2020 CFN Preview Ranking: 43
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 10

Boise State Broncos College Football Preview 2021: Offense

– Can the offense get any semblance of consistency from the quarterback spot for a full season? The offense one averaged 349 yards per game, but it averaged a Mountain West high 34 points.

The ground game struggled, the passing attack wasn’t consistent enough, and the stalls against BYU, Wyoming and San Jose State – scoring 20 points or fewer in each – wasn’t okay.

New offensive coordinator Tim Plough comes over from UC Davis with a high-octane passing game, but in order for new head coach Andy Avalos to get off to a hot start, but …

– Again, the quarterback situation has to be consistent. Hank Bachmeier is the team’s star, and he’s a difference-maker when he’s playing, but he missed a few games hurt and struggled in the Mountain West Championship loss. Former USC transfer Jack Sears is a terrific No. 2, but he got hurt last year, too.

The receiving corps is outstanding, starting with First Team All-Mountain West performer Khalil Shakir coming off a 52-catch, six-touchdown season. He’s back along with super-senior CT Thomas – a quick target who was second on the team with 20 catches averaging over 17 yards per grab – and leading receiving tight end Riley Smith returns.

– The offensive line was okay in pass protection, but it could do more for a ground game that finished last in the Mountain West. Four of the five starters are expected back up front, with three all-stars returning around John Ojukwu at left tackle and Jake Stetz at one of the guard spots.

The talent is there at running back to do a whole lot more. Andrew Van Buren led the team with 382 yards and eight scores, and 2019 1,000-yard rusher George Holani returns after missing most of last year with a knee injury.

– What You Need To Know: Defense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Boise State Football Schedule Analysis

NEXT: Boise State Broncos College Football Preview 2021: Defense

Pages: 12345

San Diego State Aztecs: CFN College Football Preview 2021

College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the San Diego State season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the San Diego State season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– San Diego State Schedule
– San Diego State Aztecs Previews
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

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2020 Record: 4-4 overall, 4-2 in Mountain West
Head Coach: Brady Hoke, 2nd year, 4-4 (82-76 overall)
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 73
2020 CFN Preview Ranking: 61
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 30

San Diego State Aztecs College Football Preview 2021: Offense

– Even under the new coaching staff the offense was able to run well – averaging close to 200 yards per game – but the passing attack just couldn’t click. There wasn’t much happening down the field and there were too many stalls against the better teams on the back half of the schedule. That’s why …

– Finding a quarterback is Job One in fall camp. Georgia Tech transfer Lucas Johnson was okay in his limited work, and Jordon Brookshire was a bit better when he got his chances, but Carson Baker led the team with 617 passing yards and three scores – and now he’s in the transfer portal. In comes Jalen Mayden from Mississippi State to make it a three-way race for the gig.

Also coming over from Mississippi State is Tyrell Shavers, a 6-6 super-recruit receiver for Alabama who left to play for Mike Leach and the Bulldogs. He joins a deep group with the top seven wide receivers returning, including 21-catch tight end Daniel Bellinger coming off an all-star season.

– The offensive line might need the most shuffling around and work. There’s size and enough overall experience to be okay around Zachary Thomas at one tackle spot, but no matter how this puzzle gets put together, the group has to be far stronger at keeping defenses out of the backfield.

The running game will get production from the quarterback, but the companion of Greg Bell and Chance Bell are back and should combine to average at least five yards per carry. The ground attack improved by over a full yard per carry – that will continue.

– What You Need To Know: Defense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– San Diego State Schedule

NEXT: San Diego State Aztecs College Football Preview 2021: Defense

Pages: 12345