2020 preseason college football rankings – Page 2

MAC Rankings: 2020 CFN Five Year College Football Program Analysis

In the 2020 CFN Five-Year College Football Program Analysis, where do all the MAC teams rank?

In the 2020 CFN Five-Year College Football Program Analysis, where do all the MAC teams rank?

It’s our annual look at where all the college football programs rank with a five-year snapshot looking at attendance, players drafted, APR, and wins, wins, wins.

How do all of the MAC college football programs stack up over the last five seasons?

Which college football programs are doing the best jobs overall, which once have all the advantages, and most of all, who’s winning?

How are the rankings determined? Click here for all of the category descriptions.

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Contact @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

12 Kent State 22.52

2020 National Ranking: 125
2019 National Ranking: 130
2018 National Ranking: 125
2017 National Ranking: 106

11 Ball State 25.76

2020 National Ranking: 120
2019 National Ranking: 119
2018 National Ranking: 111
2017 National Ranking: 89

– 2020 CFN Five Year Program Analysis: Rankings 1-130

10 Akron 30.75

2020 National Ranking: 112
2019 National Ranking: 106
2018 National Ranking: 99
2017 National Ranking: 115

9 Bowling Green 30.98

2020 National Ranking: 111
2019 National Ranking: 103
2018 National Ranking: 78
2017 National Ranking: 60

8 Eastern Michigan 36.64

2020 National Ranking: 104
2019 National Ranking: 114
2018 National Ranking: 122
2017 National Ranking: 124

7 Central Michigan 41.48

2020 National Ranking: 99
2019 National Ranking: 95
2018 National Ranking: 85
2017 National Ranking: 88

6 Miami Univ. 41.97

2020 National Ranking: 98
2019 National Ranking: 111
2018 National Ranking: 120
2017 National Ranking: 120

5 Buffalo 44.12

2020 National Ranking: 95
2019 National Ranking: 99
2018 National Ranking: 107
2017 National Ranking: 110

4 Northern Illinois 52.71

2020 National Ranking: 78
2019 National Ranking: 60
2018 National Ranking: 57
2017 National Ranking: 45

3 Ohio 60.06

2020 National Ranking: 60
2019 National Ranking: 69
2018 National Ranking: 69
2017 National Ranking: 67

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2 Toledo 68.78

2020 National Ranking: 48
2019 National Ranking: 38
2018 National Ranking: 41
2017 National Ranking: 42

1 Western Michigan 69.95

2020 National Ranking: 47
2019 National Ranking: 53
2018 National Ranking: 60
2017 National Ranking: 71

– CFN Program Analysis Ranking Categories

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Sun Belt Rankings: 2020 CFN Five Year College Football Program Analysis

In the 2020 CFN Five-Year College Football Program Analysis, where do all the Sun Belt teams rank?

In the 2020 CFN Five-Year College Football Program Analysis, where do all the Sun Belt teams rank?

It’s our annual look at where all the college football programs rank with a five-year snapshot looking at attendance, players drafted, APR, and wins, wins, wins.

How do all of the Sun Belt college football programs stack up over the last five seasons?

Which college football programs are doing the best jobs overall, which once have all the advantages, and most of all, who’s winning?

How are the rankings determined? Click here for all of the category descriptions.

[jwplayer zttcjcuk]

Contact @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

10 Texas State 15.25

2020 National Ranking: 128
2019 National Ranking: 124
2018 National Ranking: 118
2017 National Ranking: 114

9 Coastal Carolina 23.18

2020 National Ranking: 124
2019 National Ranking: 125
2018 National Ranking: 128
2017 National Ranking: 127

– 2020 CFN Five Year Program Analysis: Rankings 1-130

8 ULM 30.38

2020 National Ranking: 114
2019 National Ranking: 115
2018 National Ranking: 113
2017 National Ranking: 104

7 Georgia State 34.45

2020 National Ranking: 108
2019 National Ranking: 116
2018 National Ranking: 124
2017 National Ranking: 126

6 South Alabama 34.70

2020 National Ranking: 107
2019 National Ranking: 93
2018 National Ranking: 87
2017 National Ranking: 99

5 Louisiana 45.28

2020 National Ranking: 90
2019 National Ranking: 98
2018 National Ranking: 90
2017 National Ranking: 70

4 Georgia Southern 46.48

2020 National Ranking: 89
2019 National Ranking: 92
2018 National Ranking: 104
2017 National Ranking: 97

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3 Arkansas State 51.37

2020 National Ranking: 80
2019 National Ranking: 72
2018 National Ranking: 68
2017 National Ranking: 56

2 Troy 57.25

2020 National Ranking: 67
2019 National Ranking: 71
2018 National Ranking: 74
2017 National Ranking: 91

1 Appalachian State 84.08

2020 National Ranking: 27
2019 National Ranking: 45
2018 National Ranking: 61
2017 National Ranking: 86

– CFN Program Analysis Ranking Categories

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Pac-12 Preseason Rankings: CFN College Football Preview 2020

In what might be the craziest of college football seasons, how good are all of the teams? Here are the CFN Pac-12 Preseason Rankings.

In what might be the craziest of college football seasons, how good are all of the teams? Here are the CFN Pac-12 Preseason Rankings of every team.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

This is NOT a ranking of where the teams are going to end up. This is only based on how good we think the Pac-12 teams are going into whatever the 2020 season is going to be.

– CFN Preview 2020: All 130 Team Previews

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12. Arizona Wildcats

Arizona CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the offense should be more dangerous. As long as Grant Gunnell can be steady at quarterback, the receiving corps will be in place to make the league’s third-best passing game from last year even more effective.

Be Concerned About … the defense still needs a whole lot of work. The transfer of LB Tony Fields stings from a D that finished dead last in the Pa-12 and 120th in the nation in total yards allowed and gave up 36 points per game. The line has to start finding its way into the backfield.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the Cats go bowling. It’s the third year under Kevin Sumlin without a bowl appearance, a winning season, or a win over Arizona State. Coming into the year on a seven-game losing streak, a hot start is a must.

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11. Colorado Buffaloes

Colorado CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the start of the Karl Dorrell era. No, really … he’s going to be better than he’s being given credit for. Okay, so he’s not the Eric Biemiemy hire that so many Buff fans were hoping would happen, but he’ll be a steady hand who should hang around the program for a while. He takes over a defensive front that should turn into something solid at getting into the backfield, but …

Be Concerned About … it’s going to take a big change to start generating more pressure. Former head coach Mel Tucker was a defensive coach, and the Buffs still finished last in the Pac-12 in tackles for loss and gave up too many big pass plays. The ends are there, and now the plays behind the line have to come.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the Buffs finish .500 or better – depending on how the conference slate looks. 5-7, 5-7, 5-7 – that has been Colorado over the last three seasons. Winning half the games or better would be a huge start for the new staff.

– Ranking All Head Coaches: By Conference

10. UCLA Bruins

UCLA CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the offensive pieces that are supposed to be in place in the third year under Chip Kelly. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a veteran now who should know what he’s doing, and Washington transfer Colson Yankoff is an option, too. It’s time for this whole thing to work, but …

Be Concerned About … a defense that desperately needs the secondary to be better. The experience is there, Stephan Blaylock is a terrific safety, and there should be a little bit of a pass rush. After finishing with the second-worst pass defense in college football, there’s almost nowhere to go but up.

The Season Will Be Successful If … UCLA goes to a bowl game. This was supposed to be the year when everything was rocking and rolling, but the Bruins are only 7-17 under Kelly. The Pac-12 South is still mediocre, but the window might be closing to take advantage of it.

NEXT: More Pac-12 Preseason Rankings

Pages: 123

Big Ten Preseason Rankings: CFN College Football Preview 2020

In what might be the craziest of college football seasons, how good are all of the teams? Here are the CFN Big Ten Preseason Rankings.

In what might be the craziest of college football seasons, how good are all of the teams? Here are the CFN Big Ten Preseason Rankings of every team.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

This is NOT a ranking of where the teams are going to end up. This is only based on how good we think the Big Ten teams are going into whatever the 2020 season is going to be.

– CFN Preview 2020: All 130 Team Previews

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14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … new head coach Greg Schiano isn’t going to make this too difficult. The Rutgers offense needs to be able to do something right, and it’s going start by pounding away with RB Isaih Pacheco and hope for the defensive front to hold up better. But …

Be Concerned About … the offensive line isn’t good enough to blast away. The Scarlet Knights were second-to-last in total and scoring offense averaging 273 yards and 13.3 points per game. The front five wasn’t totally miserable last year, but it needs a redo.

The Season Will Be Successful If … it wins three games. That might be a sad goal to shoot for, but with an all-Big Ten schedule, finding one win – considering the Maryland game will likely be on the road – would be good, much less three.

13. Maryland Terrapins

Maryland CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the potential of the passing game. The Terps were disastrous at times through the air last season, but if Josh Jackson can stay in one piece and be more consistent – Alabama transfer Taulia Tagovailoa will likely have to sit a year – the receivers are there for the offense to start moving.

Be Concerned About … the secondary. There are a whole lot of concerns and issues going into the season – starting to score again would be nice – but stopping someone’s passing game could be the biggest thing to deal with. The Terps were dead last in the Big Ten in pass defense allowing 271 yards per game.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the Terps win three games. That’s a BIG ask considering head coach Mike Locksley’s career record is 6-40, but there aren’t going to be a whole lot of easy wins in whatever the Big Ten-only schedule will be. Rutgers is one, and … ?

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12. Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … enough in the starting 22 to hang around with most teams on the slate. The depth is concerning, and the skill parts are just okay, but the lines are good enough, the special teams should be great, and the defensive back seven will be a plus. But …

Be Concerned About … the offense that struggled to consistently get anything going. The Fighting Illini couldn’t go on long drive and averaged just 330 yards per game. Josh Imatorbhebhe is a terrific receiver, but there’s a whole lot of meh around him.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the Illini go back to a bowl game. Now the bar has been set. The Lovie Smith era has had enough time to get going to have all the parts he needs in place, and beating Wisconsin and Michigan State showed what’s possible. There’s no taking any steps back now.

11. Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … a passing game that should go from very good to a whole other level. The Boilermakers led the Big Ten averaging 310 yards per game, and now if the quarterback situation is settled and consistent, Rondale Moore and the receiving corps will make sure the numbers are phenomenal.

Be Concerned About … the running game that will be totally blown off from time to time. The passing attack is too good to not keep using, and the defense won’t be good enough to clamp down in what should be shootout after shootout, but being dead last in the Big Ten in rushing again won’t be okay.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the Boilermakers go bowling. It’s the fourth season under Jeff Brohm, and he’s coming off two straight losing seasons. Rutgers, at Illinois, and Northwestern are winnable, but the team has to be good enough to beat a few of the better teams, too.

NEXT: Big Ten Preseason Rankings Top Ten

Pages: 123

SEC Preseason Rankings: CFN College Football Preview 2020

In what might be the craziest of college football seasons, how good are all of the teams? Here are the CFN SEC Preseason Rankings.

In what might be the craziest of college football seasons, how good are all of the teams? Here are the CFN SEC Preseason Rankings of every team.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

This is NOT a ranking of where the teams are going to end up. This is only based on how good we think the SEC teams are going into whatever the 2020 season is going to be.

– CFN Preview 2020: All 130 Team Previews

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14. Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the parts that return for new head coach Sam Pittman aren’t all that bad. It’s been a rough ride for Arkansas football over the last few years, but the offensive backfield of QB Feleipe Franks and RB Rakeem Boyd is a great place to start a new era.

Be Concerned About … the D line isn’t up to SEC snuff. The offensive skill parts and linebacking corps are solid, but it’s going to be tough to make a big push if the defensive front – and the run defense that was last in the conference and 124th in the nation – isn’t more active.

The Season Will Be Successful If … there’s a big upset on the way to a push for five wins. That might be asking for the world – especially if the schedule takes away some or all of the non-conference games – but 2016 was the last time the Hogs won more than four games.

13. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the defense is about to be a thing. Vanderbilt will never be able to keep up with the better offenses in shootouts, but the defense might not let that happen with the fantastic linebackers and safeties to keep games close.

Be Concerned About … the offense that was dead last in the SEC – averaging 299 yards and 16.5 points per game – needs to find a whole lot more pop. The passing game that couldn’t do much to make things happen down the field has to be a whole lot stronger.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the Commodores flirt with bowl eligibility. That’s going to be tough considering the schedule, but the defense should be nasty enough to pull off an upset or three to come up with a decent run.

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12. Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the Lane Train is about to enter the station. New head man Lane Kiffin brings the star power, the attention, and the coaching chops – he did a whale of a job at Florida Atlantic – to make Ole Miss the annoying fly that buzzes around the big boys. He’s got the passing game to make things fun right away.

Be Concerned About … the secondary has to be a whole lot stronger. Even though the pass rush was impressive – it finished second in the SEC – the Rebels allowed the most passing yards in the conference. The offensive front has to be better, too, after giving up way too many plays behind the line.

The Season Will Be Successful If … Ole Miss goes bowling again. It’s been four years since the program has enjoyed a swag-bag game – going 10-3 with a Sugar Bowl win over Oklahoma State in 2015 – but even in a strong SEC West, the Rebels should be decent under the new coaching staff.

11. Missouri Tigers

Missouri CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the Eliah Drinkwitz era should kick off with a whole lot of energy. Former head man Barry Odom caught a raw deal, but Drinkwitz is at least a change for the Tigers after a few mediocre seasons. It’s a good all-around team without a whole lot of major concerns, but …

Be Concerned About … a pass rush that didn’t show up. Getting to the quarterback has been one of the calling cards of Mizzou football since if joined the SEC, and finishing last in the conference in sacks last season wasn’t okay. The line is good, but it has to make more big things happen.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the Tigers go bowling. They missed out on a bowl game – not their fault last year – in three of the last five seasons, and getting off to a big start would be huge for Drinkwitz. He only had one year as the Appalachian State head man, so there’s still a bit of a prove it factor.

NEXT: SEC Preseason Rankings Top Ten

Pages: 123

Big 12 Preseason Rankings: CFN College Football Preview 2020

In what might be the craziest of college football seasons, how good is the Big 12? Here are the CFN Big 12 Preseason Rankings of every team.

In what might be the craziest of college football seasons, how good are all of the teams? Here are the CFN Big 12 Preseason Rankings of every team.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

This is NOT a ranking of where the teams are going to end up. This is only based on how good we think the Big 12 teams are going into whatever the 2020 season is going to be.

– CFN Preview 2020: All 130 Team Previews

10. Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … Les Miles has some skill guys to work around. Pooka Williams is one of the Big 12’s best running backs, the receiving corps should be the best the program has had in a while, and there’s still Les Miles – give him more time.

Be Concerned About … the quarterback who can get everyone the ball. Thomas MacVittie and Miles Kendrick might be fine, but the real concern is on the other side with a defense that was the second-worst in the nation at taking the ball away and 122nd overall.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the Jayhawks win four games. It might be a sad goal, but the bar isn’t set all that high for a program that hasn’t won more than three games since 2009.

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9. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the passing game that should have Alan Bowman back at quarterback for a longer period of time – at least that’s the hope. Injured too often so far in his short career, he’s back along with a great receiving corps to make the passing game rock.

Be Concerned About … the offensive line that was just okay throughout last year still isn’t going be anything amazing. There’s experience in the secondary, but the pass defense that finished 128th in the nation needs more out of the veteran corners.

The Season Will Be Successful If … it goes bowling. Injuries played a big role in last season’s 4-8 clunker, but the program has missed out on a bowl game in three of the last four years. That’s not okay.

8. West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the defensive line should be a killer. Dante and Darius Stills are killers up front, and there’s enough to like in the secondary – especially at safety – to give the Mountaineers one of the better defenses they’ve had in a long, long time.

Be Concerned About … an offense that didn’t work until it was way too late. The running game was non-existent, there weren’t enough big plays down the field, and the rebuilding year in Neal Brown’s first season turned out to be just that.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the O works. Brown is too good a head coach to have another clunker of a season, but this is West Virginia. It’s not supposed to be scoring just 247 points in a season – the lowest output since 2001. Set the bar at a bowl game and go from there.

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7. Baylor Bears

Baylor CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … an offense with a whole lot of really, really good parts back. QB Charlie Brewer leads an attack that was third in the Big 12 last season and should be almost as good again. However …

Be Concerned About … a defense that loses almost everyone. That’s not quite fair – there are a whole lot of good parts to start with, and new head coach Dave Aranda is a star defensive mind who comes in from all the fun LSU just had, but there’s a lot of lost personnel.

The Season Will Be Successful If … it looks like the transition from Matt Rhule to Aranda is seamless. Baylor won’t play for the Big 12 title again – the defensive back seven will take a step back – but going to a bowl has to be a given.

6. Kansas State Wildcats

Kansas State CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … Kansas State being Kansas State. The defense will once again be good, the special teams are among the best in the nation, and it seems like Chris Klieman is the perfect fit to take over Bill Snyder’s program. Think of 2019 Kansas State, only better.

Be Concerned About … the lines that are fine, but are hardly filled with all-stars. There have to be more plays in the backfield, and a pass rush would be nice here and there. There’s work to do on the offensive front.

The Season Will Be Successful If … there’s a sneaky-close run to get into the Big 12 Championship. There’s too much missing to get there, but three of the five losses last season were by four points or fewer. Klieman doesn’t have the program that far away from big things.

NEXT: Big 12 Preseason Rankings Top Five

Pages: 12

ACC Preseason Rankings: CFN College Football Preview 2020

In what might be the craziest of college football seasons, how good are the teams? Here are the CFN ACC Preseason Rankings of every team.

In what might be the craziest of college football seasons, how good are all of the teams? Here are the CFN ACC Preseason Rankings of every team.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

This is NOT a ranking of where the teams are going to end up. This is only based on how good we think the ACC teams are going into whatever the 2020 season is going to be.

CFN in 60: The CFN Preseason Rankings …
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– CFN Preview 2020: All 130 Team Previews

14. Boston College Eagles

Boston College CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … another terrific running game. AJ Dillon might be gone, but David Bailey is another big, pounding runner working behind a great line.

Be Concerned About … the defensive side could use some work up front and in the secondary. It’s not a bad situation, but the D isn’t going to be a rock early on. The Eagles finished dead last in the ACC and 122th in the nation against the pass.

The Season Will Be Successful If … new head coach Jeff Hafley can get the Eagles to a bowl game. It’ll be a fight to battle through the ACC slate, but BC is probably the best of the last-ranked teams among the Power Five conferences. It can get to a bowl.

13. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Georgia Tech CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the lines that had a year to get the pieces in place. Georgia Tech needed to undergo a total overhaul on offense, but the D line needed help, too. They’ll be better.

Be Concerned About … a passing game that still needs work. The tweaking from the option attack under the old regime will still take a while to get going.

The Season Will Be Successful If … Geoff Collins can make the Yellow Jackets more competitive. There should be a nice turnaround, but the team got blown out seven times last season and lost to Citadel. Flirting with a. bowl game is a must.

12. Syracuse Orange

Syracuse CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … a passing game that should be dangerous. As long as the offensive line can keep QB Tommy DeVito from getting beaten up, the Orange will have a potent attack.

Be Concerned About … that O line. That’s still going to be an issue, and the defensive front is still just okay. The secondary will clean up a lot of messes, but the run defense has to be stronger.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the Orange look and play more like the 2018 version that went 10-3. Dino Babers has to turn the program into a consistent threat, but getting to a bowl game would be a good rebound after a losing 2019.

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11. Duke Blue Devils

Duke CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … a really, really good defense that gets a whole lot of key parts back including a sneaky-good pair of defensive ends in Chris Rumph and Victor Dimukeje. It’s Duke – the offense won’t be as bad as it was in the middle of last year.

Be Concerned About … the offense that was really that bad in the middle of last year. Passing efficiency and simply moving the chains were both major problems. Clemson QB transfer Chase Brice might be able to solve both issues.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the Blue Devils can start out fast like they did in 2019 and keep it going, at least offensively. Three bowl appearances in four years would show that last season was just a blip.

10. NC State Wolfpack

NC State CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … a team that went through an ugly transition last year and should enjoy the payoff. There are still a slew of question marks on both sides of the ball, but the defensive front seven will be great and the kicking game should be among the nation’s best.

Be Concerned About … the passing game that was way too inefficient and an offense that stalled way too often. NC State should bounce back quickly after going 4-8, but now the Dave Doeren era has question marks.

The Season Will Be Successful If … NC State gets to the nine-win mark, or the equivalent of a normal season with that sort of success depending on what the schedule is. Doeren had two straight nine-win seasons before last year’s clunker.

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9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Wake Forest CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … a passing game that should still be really effective and really fun. Sage Surratt would be among the nation’s better receivers, and QB San Hartman is in for a big year.

Be Concerned About … the running game should be just okay and the secondary will be suspect. The O will put points on the board, and the D might give them up just as quickly.

The Season Will Be Successful If … Wake Forest goes bowling for a fifth straight season. Dave Clawson has done one of the better jobs in college football considering what he has to work with.

8. Florida State Seminoles

Florida State CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … a team loaded with NFL talent on the defensive side of the ball. If new head coach Mike Norvell can do what he does offensively, the other side will take care of the rest.

Be Concerned About … an offensive line that hasn’t been there for years. The Noles haven’t been able to fix the front five, and that’s been the primary issue for the mediocre seasons. It should be better, but the star power is still missing.

The Season Will Be Successful If … FSU looks like it’s about to turn the corner back into superpower status. Norvell is inheriting a nice group to build around. There can’t be any stressing over getting bowl eligible.

7. Louisville Cardinals

Louisville CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the exciting offense that should be a weekly thrill ride. Scott Satterfield turned the program around in just one year, and now he’s has a loaded receiving corps for the good quarterback options to work with.

Be Concerned About … an offensive line that allowed the most tackles for loss in college football. The defensive side has to be better against the run after finishing second-to-last in the ACC.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the Cardinal offense firmly establishes itself as a thing the rest of the ACC has to freak out about on a regular basis. ing considered one of the league’s top five teams would be a great step forward.

6. Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … a rock-solid team under Bronco Mendenhall that might have lost QB Bryce Perkins, but doesn’t have any major weaknesses. There might not be a whole lot of flash, but the special teams, coaching, and defensive back seven are going to be outstanding.

Be Concerned About … Bryce Perkins. It’s not like the offense will fall off the map, but there wasn’t enough of a ground game and now the Cavaliers have to go on without its heart-and-soul quarterback.

The Season Will Be Successful If … Virginia goes into the regular season finale with a shot at the Coastal. This isn’t going to be the team that won the division and went to the ACC Championship and Orange Bowl, but it should be able to be a factor in the race.

NEXT: ACC Preseason Rankings Top Five

Pages: 12

College Football Rankings 2020, CFN Previews Of All 130 Teams

The CFN Preview 2020 college football rankings, with the preseason look at all 130 teams.

The CFN Preview 2020 college football rankings, with the preseason look at all 130 teams.

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a world with a college football season that’s about to kick into high gear with practices, media days, and …

Okay, so nothing is going on like normal.

No matter what happens over the next several weeks and months, we can still take an educated guess as to how good all 130 FBS college football teams are as they go into whatever a 2020 college football season will/can/might be.

Spring football was almost non-existent at most places – making doing all the previews and rankings far more interesting than normal – and injures, the transfer portal, and this sinister virus are all going to play roles over the next several weeks. We’ll do this all again just before whatever this season is – hopefully, and most importantly, safely – kicks off.

For now, the rankings aren’t about where the teams are projected to end up – those are coming later once the new-look schedules are locked down. The 2020 CFN Preview rankings are based on how good we think all the teams are right now.

Contact @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

CFN Preview 2020 Rankings
All 130 Team Previews | 101-130
76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10

130. UConn Huskies

Relative Strength: Special Teams
Relative Concern: Offensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 126
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 126
UConn Quick Take: Life as an independent will be interesting for a UConn program that has to rely on a slew of transfers and young parts to turn around an ugly run. The Huskies are still in a rebuilding mode.
– UConn 2020 CFN Team Preview

129. Akron Zips

Relative Strength: Wide Receiver
Relative Concern: Offensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 129
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 125
Akron Quick Take: There’s no way, no how the Zips can be as bad as they were last season as the only FBS program to go winless. The offense will do something as long as the line can figure something out fast. Losing a few transfers and not having a real offseason to get things in place hurts.
– Akron 2020 CFN Team Preview

128. New Mexico State Aggies

Relative Strength: Secondary
Relative Concern: Linebacker
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 129
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 127
New Mexico State Quick Take: There’s a veteran crew returning on a defense that was totally miserable, especially against the run. The production has to be there with all of the experience, and the offense has to find something that consistently works.
– New Mexico State 2020 CFN Team Preview

127. UTEP Miners

Relative Strength: Wide Receiver
Relative Concern: Defensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 128
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 130
UTEP Quick Take: The defense has been an ongoing problem for the Miners, but the woes on an offense that just can’t get working have been the bigger issue. There’s hope for a little more punch, but the defensive front has to stop someone.
– UTEP 2020 CFN Team Preview

126. UMass Minutemen

Relative Strength: Wide Receiver
Relative Concern: Defensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 130
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 128
UMass Quick Take: There’s still a whole lot of work to still do for a defense that was magnificently miserable against the run. There’s a little hope for an offense that should be better up front and has a few promising playmakers, but this is another season about building things up.
– UMass 2020 CFN Team Preview

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125. Bowling Green Falcons

Relative Strength: Running Back
Relative Concern: Defensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 124
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 124
Bowling Green Quick Take: There’s a shot this turns out to be a way-too-low ranking if the offense finally learns how to score a little bit. The defense isn’t going to be a brick wall, but the offense should improve with steadier quarterback play.
– Bowling Green 2020 CFN Team Preview

124. Texas State Bobcats

Relative Strength: Wide Receiver
Relative Concern: Defensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 114
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 119
Texas State Quick Take: Eventually the up-tempo offense will start to work and the Bobcats will tag someone decent. The defense can’t let the team get out of games so quickly, but the offense has to go on a few early scoring drives to help the cause.
– Texas State 2020 CFN Team Preview

123. South Alabama Jaguars

Relative Strength: Linebacker
Relative Concern: Defensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 119
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 112
South Alabama Quick Take: Where’s the positive offensive identity? The Jaguars need to get more out of the backfield. On the other side, the back eight is promising, but the defensive line is all but starting from scratch.
– South Alabama 2020 CFN Team Preview

122. ULM Warhawks

Relative Strength: Wide Receiver
Relative Concern: Offensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 100
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 111
ULM Quick Take: This might be an embarrassingly low preseason ranking if the quarterback play is sharp from the start. The receivers are going to be excellent, but the O line is going through an overhaul. The defense has to do more to hold serve after finishing as the third-worst in the nation.
– ULM 2020 CFN Team Preview

121. Old Dominion Monarchs

Relative Strength: Linebacker
Relative Concern: Running Back
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 125
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 115
Old Dominion Quick Take: There are a few great players who’ll be among the best in Conference USA – there just aren’t enough of them. The lines have to be a whole lot more consistent, and the secondary needs to be better early on. New head coach – and former Penn State offensive coordinator – Ricky Rahne should provide some pop.
– Old Dominion 2020 CFN Team Preview

120. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

Relative Strength: Offensive Line
Relative Concern: Secondary
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 96
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 127
Coastal Carolina Quick Take: Very, very quietly, this could be a sneaky-good Sun Belt squad with a strong-looking O line paving the way for RB CJ Marable. The D needs more of a pass rush.
– Coastal Carolina 2020 CFN Team Preview

119. UTSA Roadrunners

Relative Strength: Secondary
Relative Concern: Offensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 118
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 113
UTSA Quick Take: After years of trying to win football games without scoring points, UTSA appears ready to try cranking up an offense under new head coach Jeff Traylor. The parts aren’t great, though. The D has enough playmakers to keep games close.
– UTSA 2020 CFN Team Preview

118. New Mexico Lobos

Relative Strength: Quarterback
Relative Concern: Defensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 120
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 104
New Mexico Quick Take: There’s a shot to turn things around quickly under new head coach Danny Gonzales if the program can finally know what it’s like to have a healthy quarterback. The receivers aren’t awful, but they’ll have to be ready for shootouts to make up for a rough defense.
– New Mexico 2020 CFN Team Preview

117. Northern Illinois Huskies

Relative Strength: Linebacker
Relative Concern: Defensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 92
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 88
Northern Illinois Quick Take: This could go one of two ways. Either this is really, really low, and NIU kicks it all in under Thomas Hammock with an offense that will be far better, or this is just about right considering the MAC is going to be stronger. The defense could’ve really used a normal offseason.
– Northern Illinois 2020 CFN Team Preview

116. Rice Owls

Relative Strength: Wide Receiver
Relative Concern: Offensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 115
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 122
Rice Quick Take: It took a few years to get things going under head man Mike Bloomgren, and now is when the payoff is supposed to start. The Owls have one of the sneakiest-good receiving corps in Conference USA, and nine starters should be back on D.
– Rice 2020 CFN Team Preview

115. Charlotte 49ers

Relative Strength: Running Back
Relative Concern: Defensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 72
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 103
Charlotte Quick Take: The overall talent is still lacking for the young program, but there’s a lot of experience on a team that’s a whole lot of fun. RB Benny LeMay and a potentially loaded receiving corps should make up for issues on the defensive side.
– Charlotte 2020 CFN Team Preview

114. Georgia State Panthers

Relative Strength: Offensive Line
Relative Concern: Quarterback
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 75
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 118
Georgia State Quick Take: Replacing QB Dan Ellington is tough, and the offense likely won’t be as time or as explosive, but it’s a solid team across the board that needs to get stronger in the secondary.
– Georgia State 2020 CFN Team Preview

113. Eastern Michigan Eagles

Relative Strength: Defensive Line
Relative Concern: Running Back
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 80
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 110
Eastern Michigan Quick Take: This isn’t the Eastern Michigan of several years ago – it’s expected to be decent now – but it’s still going to be a fight to rebuild. The offensive backfield needs too much work and the defense will be more plucky than nasty after allowing over 430 yards per game.
– Eastern Michigan 2020 CFN Team Preview

112. Liberty Flames

Relative Strength: Running Back
Relative Concern: Linebacker
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 65
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 116
Liberty Quick Take: Hugh Freeze is always going to pump out a great offense, but the Flames lose some terrific parts, starting with WR Antonio Gandy-Golden. Watch out for Maine transfer Joshua Mack at running back to carry the load with little drop-off on O, but the defense will struggle too much early on.
– Liberty 2020 CFN Team Preview

111. Miami University RedHawks

Relative Strength: Offensive Line
Relative Concern: Linebacker
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 47
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 107
Miami University Quick Take: Even with the MAC championship, the offense was never anything special. It could be a whole lot better if the talented, veteran line is stronger. After a year of living in opposing backfields, the defense has some overhauling to do.
– Miami University 2020 CFN Team Preview

110. FIU Golden Panthers

Relative Strength: Offensive Line
Relative Concern: Wide Receiver
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 85
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 79
FIU Quick Take: Butch Davis hasn’t had a problem at reloading parts, but he has to do a whole lot with a defense that misses most of its stronger tacklers – getting into the backfield is going to be a problem. The offensive line will be great, but the rest of the attack has to take advantage of it.
– FIU 2020 CFN Team Preview

109. UNLV Rebels

Relative Strength: Quarterback
Relative Concern: Defensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 106
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 98
UNLV Quick Take: New head coach Marcus Arroyo has a nice offensive backfield to work with, and the offense should be more explosive, but the change only works if the defense starts to be more consistent.
– UNLV 2020 CFN Team Preview

108. North Texas Mean Green

Relative Strength: Wide Receiver
Relative Concern: Offensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 111
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 82
North Texas Quick Take: Can the offense get its groove back after a stunningly mediocre year? The offensive backfield needs some work, but the receivers are there to be good again. The secondary that got rocked needs a big improvement.
– North Texas 2020 CFN Team Preview

107. Central Michigan Chippewas

Relative Strength: Wide Receiver
Relative Concern: Quarterback
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 71
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 121
Central Michigan Quick Take: The program that was so close to winning the MAC title in the first year under Jim McElwain – a massive turnaround – has a huge overhaul to deal with. The receiving corps will be good and the defense should be fine, but there are way too many key losses.
– Central Michigan 2020 CFN Team Preview

106. Kent State Golden Flashes

Relative Strength: Quarterback
Relative Concern: Defensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 66
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 123
Kent State Quick Take: After a brilliant finish to last season with a fun-FlashFast offense that went on a magical run, the team should come into the season all puffy-chested and confident. QB Dustin Crum is a veteran now who can crank up the attack, but the defense front has to be stronger to start winning more.
– Kent State 2020 CFN Team Preview

105. Troy Trojans

Relative Strength: Wide Receiver
Relative Concern: Defensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 90
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 90
Troy Quick Take: If the Trojans don’t have the best receiving corps in the Sun Belt, they’re not all that far off. The defensive front and secondary are too much of a problem to win the Sun Belt, but the offense will hang with everyone.
– Troy 2020 CFN Team Preview

104. Toledo Rockets

Relative Strength: Offensive Line
Relative Concern: Linebacker
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 73
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 93
Toledo Quick Take: Even when Toledo isn’t great – like last year – it’s still pretty good. This year it should be better, starting with one of the MAC’s best offensive lines and running games. The defense has to prove it can be a whole lot better.
– Toledo 2020 CFN Team Preview

103. Western Michigan Broncos

Relative Strength: Defensive Line
Relative Concern: Secondary
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 42
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 96
Western Michigan Quick Take: Yeah, this might be laughably low if the offense is steady and the defensive front seven really does take over like it probably should. There are a few better teams in the MAC, but winning the conference title is on the table.
– Western Michigan 2020 CFN Team Preview

102. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

Relative Strength: Quarterback
Relative Concern: Defensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 107
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 99
Middle Tennessee Quick Take: After a down year with a different style of overall play, the Blue Raiders should be more dangerous with Asher O’Hara a good all-around quarterback who should shine behind a veteran line. The defensive front, though has to be a whole lot better.
– Middle Tennessee 2020 CFN Team Preview

101. USF Bulls

Relative Strength: Defensive Line
Relative Concern: Offensive Line
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 104
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 78
USF Quick Take: There’s WAY too much talent in place to be quite this bad in the first season under Jeff Scott, but the offense has a long way to go to be merely mediocre. The defense will keep the Bulls in most games.
– USF 2020 CFN Team Preview

CFN Preview 2020 Rankings
All 130 Team Previews | 101-130
76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10

NEXT: CFN Preseason 2020 Rankings, Top 100

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