2021 college football rankings – Page 4

NFL Draft Rankings By Conference Last 5 Years: 2021 CFN Program Analysis

After the 2021 NFL Draft, the CFN 5-Year Program Analysis ranks the college football conferences based on how many players were drafted.

Which college programs are doing the best jobs of cranking out the pro talents? Here are the rankings by conference of the college teams and how many players they sent to the NFL over the last five years.

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How have each of the college football conferences done at sending players to the NFL Draft over the last five years? Come up with a slew of great teams and great seasons, get players drafted, get recruits more interested in your program.

After the 2021 NFL Draft, here are the rankings by team and conference over the last five years.

NFL Draft Rankings Over The Last 5 Years: Players Drafted By Conference Average

Average number of players drafted per conference over the last five years

1. SEC 21

2. Big Ten 14.21

3. Pac-12 13.17

4. ACC 13.14

5. Big 12 10.3

6. American Athletic 7

7. Independents 6.29

8. Mountain West 3.26

9. Conference USA 2.5

10. MAC 2.36

11. Sun Belt 2.1

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NFL Draft Rankings Over The Last 5 Years: By Conference

11. Sun Belt NFL Draft Picks 2017-2021

1 Louisiana 7

2 Appalachian State 4

3 Georgia Southern 3

T4 Coastal Carolina 2

T4 South Alabama 2

T6 Georgia State 1

T6 Troy 1

T6 ULM 1

T9 Arkansas State 0

T9 Texas State 0

NFL Draft Picks 2017-2021: 21

NEXT: NFL Draft Rankings By Conference Over The Last 5 Years: No. 10

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NFL Draft Rankings By College Last 5 Years: 2021 CFN Program Analysis

In the CFN 5-Year Program Analysis, here are the 1-130 rankings of the college teams and how many guys they sent to the NFL Draft.

In the CFN 5-Year Program Analysis, here are the 1-130 rankings of the college teams and how many guys they sent to the NFL Draft.

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Colleges love to sell the idea that if you come play for their team, you have a real shot at going to the NFL. Recruits might like the schools for their academics and the atmosphere and the program and … they all dream of the pros.

In the 5-Year Program Analysis, here are the rankings of the teams based on who had the most players drafted.

One note, unlike all of the other categories in the 5-Year Program Analysis that go from 2016 to 2020, this one is from 2017 NFL Draft to the 2021 version.

NFL Draft Rankings: 2021 5-Year Program Analysis

T124 Arkansas State

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 0
2020: T122, 2019: T121

T124 Army

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 0
2020: T122, 2019: T121

T124 Kent State

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 0
2020: T122, 2019: T121

T124 Old Dominion

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 0
2020: T122, 2019: T121

T124 Rice

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 0
2020: T122, 2019: T110

T124 Texas State

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 0
2020: T122, 2019: T95

T124 UNLV

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 0
2020: T122, 2019: T121

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T111 Air Force

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 1
2020: T109, 2019: T110

T111 Ball State

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 1
2020: T109, 2019: T121

T111 Bowling Green

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 1
2020: T109, 2019: T110

T111 Georgia State

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 1
2020: T109, 2019: T110

T111 Liberty

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 1
2020: T109, 2019: T121

T111 Middle Tennessee

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 1
2020: T96, 2019: T95

T111 Navy

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 1
2020: T96, 2019: T95

T111 Nevada

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 1
2020: T109, 2019: T110

T111 New Mexico

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 1
2020: T109, 2019: T110

T111 North Texas

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 1
2020: T122, 2019: T121

T111 Troy

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 1
2020: T109, 2019: T110

T111 UAB

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 1
2020: T122, 2019: T95

T111 UTSA

5-Year NFL Draft Total: 1
2020: T96, 2019: T95

NEXT: NFL Draft Rankings: 2021 5-Year Program Analysis Top 110

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MAC Football Rankings: CFN 2021 Pre-Spring

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the MAC teams.

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the MAC teams.

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2021 MAC Rankings: Pre-Spring

MAC East

1. Kent State Golden Flashes

Why To Be Happy: Sean Lewis is still the head coach. He’s a strong young talent who’s overdue for a next step up job, but he’s around, as is QB Dustin Crum, who’s back for his senior-plus year. All five starters are expected back on the O line, just enough is back on defense to be okay, and landing S Antwaine Richardson from Maryland and WR Nykeim Johnson from Syracuse is huge.

What To Work On: Matthew Trickett was one of the best kickers in 2019 and was fine in his limited work last year. Now he’s at Minnesota, and good backup QB Woody Barrett is in the transfer portal. The D has to be a whole lot better despite losing a few key parts.

Bottom Line: It’ll be a good fight to be at the top of the MAC East, but the Golden Flashes should have too much offense to not make a run to the MAC Championship game.

2. Buffalo Bulls

Why To Be Happy: The team caught a break when RB Kevin Marks apparently decided to come back. He might not put up Jaret Patterson numbers, but he’s All-MAC good. At least seven starters are expected back on defense, and the quarterbacks are in place to be fine, but …

What To Work On: The team has to replace enough talent to be a problem. The O line needs some reworking, the receiving corps has to find parts, TE Zac Lefebvre took off for WKU, and DE Malcolm Koonce is one of the key defensive stars who’s done.

Bottom Line: This is likely going to be a weaker version of the team that should’ve won last year’s MAC title, but it’s still going to be one of the stars in the East if the O line comes together fast.

3. Ohio Bobcats

Why To Be Happy: Thanks to the return of a De’Montre Tuggle for his senior-plus season, the offensive backfield should be terrific. A few of the receivers are gone, and the line has to do some reshuffling, but the defense that was so young at so many parts should be a bit tighter.

What To Work On: Overall, the pass rush has to be a whole lot stronger, the defense has to be more disruptive, and the passing game has to be more dangerous. That’s a lot to fix, but they’re more tweaks than total overhauls.

Bottom Line: Ohio was supposed to be a whole lot better last year, but it should be a player in the MAC East race as long as the defensive line can start making more things happen in the backfield.

4. Miami University RedHawks

Why To Be Happy: The defensive front seven/six should be strong enough with the returning parts to be among the best in the MAC. QB Brett Gabbert is back along with a slew of decent receivers, and there’s a massive get from the transfer portal with Northwestern’s Isaiah Bowser coming in.

What To Work On: The O line needs new starts. Left tackle Tommy Doyle was a senior who’s now off to try out the NFL, and C Danny Godlevske is not an Oklahoma State Cowboy.

Bottom Line: There’s enough defensively to be terrific with a little time, and the offensive backfield will be good enough to shine if the line can quickly replace Doyle and Godlevske.

5. Akron Zips

Why To Be Happy: The Zips get back just about everyone on offense after going really, really young over the last few years, and the defense is almost all back full, too. There hasn’t been a whole lot coming in from the transfer portal – Michigan State RB Anthony Williams should play a role – but the veterans are there to improve.

What To Work On: Akron has to be better on the lines. The defensive front has to start making things happen in the backfield, and the offense needs to be far, far better in pass protection.

Bottom Line: It has been a brutal run over the last few years, but after two rough seasons under Tom Arth, at least the experience is there to potentially make a little bit of noise.

6. Bowling Green Falcons

Why To Be Happy: The offense should be a bit better. Syracuse transfer Drew Gunther is another option at quarterback, Andrew Clair is a veteran back, and this is when all the young receivers should step up. The D won’t be a brick wall, but it’ll be among the most experienced in the MAC.

What To Work On: The passing game has to work. That’s the whole reason for Scot Loeffler to be the head coach – the O is supposed to rock. It has taken a while, but as long as the turnovers slow down, the team will be a whole lot better.

Bottom Line: Baby steps need to be leaps. It’s the third year under Loeffler and this is when the rebuild needs to be complete. The team needs something it can rely on.

– 2021 Pre-Spring MAC Rankings West

2021 MAC Rankings: Pre-Spring 7-12

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Independent Football Rankings: CFN 2021 Pre-Spring

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Independent teams.

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Independent teams.

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2021 Independent Rankings: Pre-Spring

1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Why To Be Happy: The defense should be fine. There are just enough losses to matter, but if Kyle Hamilton isn’t the best safety in college football he’ll be up there, and the line gets back the interior with Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa and Kurt Hinish coming back. QB Ian Book might be gone, but Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan and newbie Tyler Buchner are interesting options to go with. However …

What To Work On: The Irish lose a ton. The offensive line has become a factory, but there’s a lot of work to be done up front, the linebacking corps has to replace key parts, and the receiving corps loses the top wideouts.

Bottom Line: The Irish will be fine. They’re still full of talented players working around a good group of talent waiting to step up, and the recruiting classes have stocked the shelves. The issue will be the expectations. Notre Dame has done the College Football Playoff thing – it wants to win it. It’s going to take a whole lot of reworking to get there.
– 2021 Notre Dame Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Scenarios

2. Liberty Flames

Why To Be Happy: Almost everyone has decided to come back. Total yard star QB Malik Willis – back. RB Joshua Mack – back. All the 2020 seniors on the O line, almost all of the top receivers, and everyone on D? Back, back, and close to all back full. Throw in a few interesting transfers – like Utah RB TJ Green and defensive backs Skyler Thomas (Washington State) and Cedric Stone (UTEP) and the Flames should once again be outstanding.

What To Work On: Expectations? Liberty – think about that for a moment … Liberty – will be in a whole lot of preseason top 25 rankings and will be expected to repeat the huge 2020 and be a killer every time out. The turnovers have to slow, and the explosion has to be there against big boys, but now the spotlight is on.

Bottom Line: With all of the returning talent and with head coach Hugh Freeze still around – and not at Tennessee – anything less than another amazing year will be a massive disappointment.

3. BYU Cougars

Why To Be Happy: This might not be the high-flying fun show of last year, but it’ll still be a tough team with a great group of skill parts despite some huge losses. The running backs are good, the defensive should be fine in the back seven, and the team will still be physical on the lines. However …

What To Work On: Last year’s powerhouse loses a ton. QB Zach Wilson, OT Brady Christensen, WR Dax Milne, OG Tristen Hoge, and on and on and on. The Cougars have enough good players to be more than just good and not drop off all that much, QB Baylor Romney isn’t going to be Wilson.

Bottom Line: It’ll be another strong season for the Cougars, but the high-end talent loss is too much to expect a special repeat season like 2020.

4. Army Black Knights

Why To Be Happy: The running backs return. The Black Knights are expected to get back their top five rushers, QB Tyhier Tyler, and for what it’s worth, almost everyone who caught a pass. Eight of the top ten tacklers should be back, but …

What To Work On: The offensive line needs a ton of reworking. It’s Army, so plenty of players have been trained over the years to be ready to fill in, but it’s still going to take a bit to mix in four new starters to get all the timing down.

Bottom Line: You know exactly what you’re getting. The Army D might not be quite as nasty as it was throughout 2020, but it won’t be all that far off. The offensive side will do what it does, but again, it needs the line to gel in a hurry.

5. New Mexico State Aggies

Why To Be Happy: It’ll be a very, very interesting season for the Aggies. They not only get a season again after missing 2020, but they’ll have a real spring football session with three games from late February to early March to tune things up for the real thing this this Fall.

What To Work On: Since winning the New Mexico Bowl at the end of the 2017 season the program has won three games against FBS teams. The program has to find an offense that can keep things moving, and the nation’s second-worst run D in 2019 has to be a whole lot better.

Bottom Line: It’s one of the most interesting situations in a long, long time thanks to the three game spring session. There are a whole slew of new, young parts who weren’t around in 2020 ready to get a chance.

6. UConn Huskies

Why To Be Happy: There might not have been a 2020 season, but almost everyone is expected to be back. This was going to be a very young team last year, and now the program has had a year of upping the weightlifting and conditioning. But …

What To Work On: The program has just one win over an FBS program since 2017 and is 1-27 in its last 28 games against the big-league teams. That one win? UMass. It all starts with figuring out a defense that did nothing for a few years before the 2020 cancellation.

Bottom Line: It’s going to be a rough year, but it’s a young team in full reboot mode with no expectations and a whole lot of players ready to start playing again.

7. UMass Minutemen

Why To Be Happy: The coaching staff has been active in the transfer portal. It got its quarterback – maybe – in Tyler Lytle from Colorado, it’s running back in – maybe – Kay’Ron Adams from Rutgers, and with a whole lot of help for the defensive front and the secondary. However, on the other side …

What To Work On: Around 18-to-20 players are expected to be gone through the transfer portal. It’s not like the Minutemen were able to do much of anything with that group in place, but it’s going to take a full offseason to figure out any semblance of a proper depth chart.

Bottom Line: After scoring one touchdown and 12 points in four games, and after going 1-17 in the last 18 games, the program still has a whole lot of work to do under head man Walt Bell. He’s fighting the good fight, but this is going to be a grind.

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Sun Belt Football Rankings: CFN 2021 Pre-Spring

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Sun Belt teams.

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Sun Belt teams.

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2021 Sun Belt Rankings: Pre-Spring

Sun Belt: East

1. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

Why To Be Happy: All the parts are back – almost (more on that in a moment). Everything you liked about the 2020 Chanticleers should kick in again, including the shocking return of head coach Jamey Chadwell after not getting hired away yet. The offense should get ten starters back, almost everyone returns on D, but …

What To Work On: Two very, very, very important parts are off to the next level. RB CJ Marable and DT Tarron Jackson were two of the Sun Belt’s best players as two difference-makers who helped take a very good team and make it special. There are parts to try replacing them, but they were just that good.

Bottom Line: It’s not the slam dunk that you might thing that a loaded team that did all that is going to be every bit as good, or better. Appalachian State and others in the league are strong, too, but the expectations are through the roof now – and rightly so.

2. Appalachian State Mountaineers

Why To Be Happy: Nothing stops. The defensive front is back and loaded, the offensive backfield is loaded with top running backs – helped by getting Jahmir Smith from Notre Dame – and the senior receivers are coming back for new QB Chase Brice – the former Clemson Tiger and Duke Blue Devils.

What To Work On: The offensive line loses parts. Brice needs to be prove he can be a mistake-free and consistent playmaker in place of Zac Thomas, and he’ll have to do it behind a retooled front

Bottom Line: Coastal Carolina will continue to be the darling of the Sun Belt – and rightly so – but the Mountaineers are a steady quarterback away from being right back in the Sun Belt title mix.

3. Georgia State Panthers

Why To Be Happy: All 11 starters are expected to be back – or close to it – from a fantastic offense that’s bringing in even more parts from the transfer portal. At the moment, eight starters appear to be back on the defensive side, but as long as QB Cornelious Brown and the offense can keep on improving, look out.

What To Work On: The offense has to be stronger at not turning the ball over and the defense has to be better in pass coverage. The experience should help both things – the defensive losses should be up front – but there are just enough tweaks needed to be just behind the best in the East.

Bottom Line: The Panthers are rising. No one’s going to put them ahead of Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State, but they’re going to be strong enough to beat either one and be a dangerous player in the chase.

4. Troy Trojans

Why To Be Happy: There’s an interesting influx of talent coming in to go along with an already experienced team. The quarterback situation is fine, but Taylor Powell is coming in from Missouri. The running backs are good, and in comes La’Damian Webb from Florida State. As is, at the moment, all 22 starters might just be back.

What To Work On: The turnovers have to stop and the ground game has to be more dangerous. This is going to be a very good, very experienced team that should be able to hang with anyone in the league, but it has to be a whole lot tighter to challenge for the East.

Bottom Line: The parts are there to possibly win the division. The team lost four of their last five games and weren’t close to consistent enough, but watch out for a big turnaround.

5. Georgia Southern Eagles

Why To Be Happy: Losing a veteran QB like Shai Werts who knows exactly how to run this offense would be devastating, but in comes James Graham from option-era Georgia Tech. Outside of Werts, there aren’t enough big losses to need a major overhaul, but …

What To Work On: The offensive line is the one area that’s going to near reworking. Just enough is gone off the front five to need a full offseason to get right, and now throw in the new quarterback aspect in a division loaded with great QBs.

Bottom Line: Don’t get hung up on this ranking – all five teams in the division could end up in any order. As always, Georgia Southern is going to be a thorn in everyone’s side, but unlike the top teams, there are just enough missing parts to be behind the the rest of a strong division.

– 2021 Pre-Spring Sun Belt: West

2021 Sun Belt: West Rankings: Pre-Spring 7-12

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SEC Football Rankings: CFN 2021 Pre-Spring

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the SEC teams.

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the SEC teams.

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2021 SEC Rankings: Pre-Spring

SEC East

1. Georgia Bulldogs

Why To Be Happy: There’s a nice group of players returning to set the foundation for what should be a stronger year. Start with JT Daniels settling the quarterback situation, continue with RB James Cook and OT Jamaree Salyer to go along with all the high-end receivers and defensive talents returning, and most the players are there to get to the College Football Playoff.

What To Work On: The offense has to be better in the bigger games. The defense was strong all season and will be again, but the O wasn’t consistent enough, especially against Alabama, Florida, and at least on the ground, against Cincinnati.

Bottom Line: Win the SEC East, Georgia. Considering all of the big replacements being made at Alabama, there’s no reason to shoot for anything less than a conference championship.
– 2021 Georgia Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Case Scenarios

2. Florida Gators

Why To Be Happy: The Gators might be losing a ton of the key 2020 parts, but several very, very nice prospects are coming in to ease the pain. Clemson RB Demarkcus Bowman was a huge recruit, as were Auburn DT Daquan Newkirk and LSU TE Arik Gilbert. Emory Jones adds more mobility to the quarterback position, and enough starters return on defense to be okay. However …

What To Work On: No, really, Kyle Pitts was Heisman-caliber good numbers-wise. Yes, part of the reason the Gators flopped against Oklahoma was the lack of the star receiver talent, and now TE Kyle Pitts and WRs Kadarius Toney and Trevon Grimes are gone.

Bottom Line: The Gators are going to reload in a hurry and could be even more dangerous if the receivers rise up right away. However, going into spring football they look like they might be a step or two behind Georgia.
– 2021 Florida Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Case Scenarios

3. Missouri Tigers

Why To Be Happy: There were losses in the transfer portal, but the Tigers got plenty of wins. They might have lost star LB Nick Bolton to the NFL, but they picked up a very, very good safety-sized playmaker in Blaze Allredge from Rice. Plug him into the lineup, and with the return of tackles Kobie Whiteside and Markell Utsey for their senior-plus seasons, and now …

What To Work On: The defense has to be a whole lot stronger than it was at the end of the season. Solid at times, it couldn’t handle the bigger boys on the slate and then it all melted down over the last three games.

Bottom Line: RB Larry Rountree is gone, but almost everyone else is back on O, almost everyone is back on D, and head coach Eliah Drinkwitz had a year to get things in place. Mizzou is about to make a jump.
– 2021 Missouri Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Case Scenarios

4. Kentucky Wildcats

Why To Be Happy: QB Terry Wilson might be transferring out, but the offense might be more dynamic with either Joey Gatewood or Beau Allen under center. With leading receiver Josh Ali coming back the passing game should be solid, and …

What To Work On: Kentucky loses enough good players to matter. P Max Duffy, LB Jamin Davis and CB Kelvin Joseph are just a few who’ll be missed, the O and D lines need a slew of replacements, and …

Bottom Line: Kentucky will still be Kentucky. It’ll have its style on both sides that will work just enough to be a bother. There will be just enough missing to be a contender, but no one will grind harder or better.
– 2021 Kentucky Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Case Scenarios

5. Tennessee Volunteers

Why To Be Happy: Not everyone entered the transfer portal. The Vols were able to bring in Virginia Tech’s talented QB Hendon Hooker and … uhhhhh … Hooker is good. Getting Cade Mays back for the offensive line is terrific, and the defensive front returns enough veterans to be a potential plus.

What To Work On: The offense has got to start moving the ball better. It was a disaster on third downs and everything fell flat except against the weak and the sad. Also, the defense has got to start coming up with third down stops.

Bottom Line: Okay … so almost everyone is apparently entering the transfer portal, but that should change and possibly reverse now that things have settled a bit after hiring Josh Heupel. If nothing else, the offense is about to be a whole lot more fun. No matter what you think about the hire, Tennessee has a direction.
– 2021 Tennessee Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Case Scenarios

6. South Carolina Gamecocks

Why To Be Happy: The program is going to get time to grow and get the young parts working, starting with RB Kevin Harris and – most likely – QB Luke Doty behind an O line that might not be all that bad. The new coaching staff has been active on the transfer portal with a whole slew of reinforcements coming in.

What To Work On: Find a passing game right away. Harris is going to be options 1, 2 and 3, but being more dangerous down the field is a must for an offense that sputtered and coughed throughout the second half of the season. The offense needs a higher-octane identity.

Bottom Line: You wanted Will Muschamp gone. Done, now the rebuild begins under Shane Beamer. There’s going to be a “no one believes in us” factor with the Gamecocks for 2021 – the pressure is off. The starting 22 should be okay with a little more help.
– 2021 South Carolina Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Case Scenarios

7. Vanderbilt Commodores

Why To Be Happy: Yeah, a slew of Commodores are in the transfer portal, but most of the key ones didn’t play big roles in 2020 after being a bigger part of the 2019 team. Vandy went young, suffered through the problems, and now returns experienced in a few areas to hope for a quick improvement.

What To Work On: Scoring. The Commodores scored 21 points or fewer in eight of their nine games and 17 or fewer in seven of those. Go back to 2019 and the program has scores 17 or fewer in 13 of their last 17 games.

Bottom Line: New head coach Clark Lea has a massive task ahead of him with a total overhaul of a program that went 2-18 against FBS teams over the last two seasons.
– 2021 Vanderbilt Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Case Scenarios

– 2021 Pre-Spring SEC West

2021 SEC West Rankings: Pre-Spring 8-14

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Pac-12 Football Rankings: CFN 2021 Pre-Spring

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Pac-12 teams.

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Pac-12 teams.

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2021 Pac-12 Rankings: North Pre-Spring

Pac-12 North

1. Oregon Ducks

Why To Be Happy: The team was supposed to need a year of seasoning, and it got it – and still won the Pac-12 title. Both Tyler Shough and Anthony Brown are back at quarterback, RB CJ Verdell and WR Jaylon Redd are returning, and the defense is loaded with DE Kayvon Thibodeaux and LB Noah Sewell leading the way.

What To Work On: The talent is there, the pieces are in place, and everything is set up to be amazing. Now the team has to play like it, and that means it has to lift the turnovers, generate a better pass rush, and be more consistent.

Bottom Line: It’s strange to win the Pac-12 Championship and be a disappointment, but that’s exactly what Oregon was. Years of recruiting upped the talent level, Mario Cristobal is locked into place, and everything is there to not just win another title, but to go to the CFP.

2. Washington Huskies

Why To Be Happy: Just about everyone is back on offense. WR Ty Jones is leaving for Fresno State, and a few quarterback options are done, but the attack is loaded with veterans. With the return of LB Ryan Bowman for another year, none defensive starters are projected to be back, too.

What To Work On: Can the Huskies generate more of a pass rush? They were able to get to the quarterback enough to be a bother, but they didn’t come up with a whole slew of tackles for loss. The veterans are there to do more, and …

Bottom Line: Jimmy Lake has a fantastic team returning after a solid first run – even if it was just four games. As long as Dylan Morris or Colorado State transfer Patrick O’Brien can shine at quarterback, the Dawgs have everything in place to win the North.

3. Stanford Cardinal

Why To Be Happy: After a fun and sneaky-good season, enough talent returns on offense to be okay. The quarterback situation has to be settled, and the O line needs to come up with a few replacements, but it’ll be fine. Most of the starters are back on the defensive back seven, DE Thomas Booker is back at one end, and there’s enough in place to make a push for the North.

What To Work On: The quarterback play has to be strong from the start. The defense has to get into the backfield more and the run D has to be a whole lot better, but it comes down to the QBs with Jack West and Tanner McKee battling it out to replace Davis Mills.

Bottom Line: David Shaw has another good team that will be even more competitive than the 2020 version as long as there aren’t any major injuries on the lines. However, there’s just enough missing to be a step behind Oregon and Washington.

4. Cal Golden Bears

Why To Be Happy: QB Chase Garbers is back for yet another year, the offensive line should be almost all back – depending on the configuration – and with Wisconsin RB Bradrick Shaw coming in, the skill spots should be a plus. Just enough experience is back on defense – helped by the return of LB Kuony Deng and S Elijah Hicks – to be even better.

What To Work On: The offensive line has to be a whole lot stronger. It allowed way too many plays in the backfield and the running game didn’t work for the Pac-12’s worst overall offense. There has to be more explosion.

Bottom Line: There aren’t a slew of major stars, but with Garbers returning along with the best skill parts yet in the Justin Wilcox era, there’s a chance to a big boost after a rough and disjointed year.

5. Oregon State Beavers

Why To Be Happy: If the Beavers can get the quarterback play right, there’s a whole lot to like about the offense. The line should be good, the receiving corps will be solid, and the defense is full of veterans even without CB Nahshon Wright and OLB Hamilcar Rashed.

What To Work On: The pass rush has to be better. The quarterback play will be front and center with the hope that Tristan Gebbia can be stronger, but the Beavers have to get into the backfield on a more consistent basis.

Bottom Line: There are just enough key parts gone to be a problem, and losing RB Jermar Jefferson is an issue, but head coach Jonathan Smith is putting together a solid program that should keep improving.

6. Washington State Cougars

Why To Be Happy: Did Nick Rolovich get his quarterback? Jarrett Guarantano is a veteran coming in from Tennessee with the skills to potentially take over right away in an already decent situation. With OTs Abraham Lucas and Liam Ryan returning for another year, Wazzu has a solid pair of bookends to work around.

What To Work On: The pass defense has to be a whole lot better. It was a small sample size, but the Cougars were last in the Pac-12 against the pass and didn’t come up with nearly enough third down stops.

Bottom Line: Throw in the return of RB Max Borghi and WR Renard Bell, and there are plenty of skill parts to make the O go. In a strong North, though, the defensive improvements this offseason are everything.

– 2021 Pre-Spring Pac-12 South

2021 Pac- 12 South Rankings: Pre-Spring 7-12

Pages: 12

Mountain West Football Rankings: CFN 2021 Pre-Spring

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Mountain West teams.

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Mountain West teams.

[jwplayer GOXHcfXn]

2021 Mountain West Rankings: Pre-Spring

Mountain West: Mountain

1. Boise State Broncos

Why To Be Happy: The main men for the offense are back. The backfield of QB Hank Bachmeier and RB George Holani return along with the top receivers and three of the five starting linemen. There’s still a question mark about a few key defensive players, but the front seven will be fine.

What To Work On: As good as Boise State was, it didn’t run the ball well enough – the right side of the O line has to be replaced – and this wasn’t the normal killer Bronco D. Even with all of the issues and inconsistencies, the team still went to the Mountain West title, and …

Bottom Line: The Andy Avalos era should kickstart things back to a championship level. Bryan Harsin was obviously fantastic – Auburn seems more than happy to get him – and the 39-year-old Avalos is inheriting a good team that should be the favorite to win the Mountain West title.

2. Colorado State Rams

Why To Be Happy: The parts that really needed to return are returning. QB Patrick O’Brien is transferring out, but this was probably going to be Todd Centeio’s job anyway. TE Trey McBride is coming back for one more year, and on the defensive side, getting back DE Scott Patchan and DT Manny Jones is massive.

What To Work On: The production has to be there. This will once again be among the best teams in the country at getting into the backfield, but can the offense come up with a third down conversion? Can that pressure from the D translate into takeaways?

Bottom Line: Let’s try this again. From off-the-field issues to the COVID problems, the Colorado State 2020 season never got going. It was only a four game season going 1-3, but Year Two under Steve Addazio should be far stronger.

3. Wyoming Cowboys

Why To Be Happy: Experience won’t be an issue. The Cowboys are loaded at quarterback with Levi Williams expected back after suffering a broken leg, RBs Trey Smith and Xazavian Halladay return behind a veteran O line that should return all five starters, and with Garrett Crall back on the end, the defensive front is all back full.

What To Work On: The offense has to start working again. The Cowboys didn’t have any semblance of a passing attack, they struggled to come up with third down conversions, and everything stalled late in the season. Now …

Bottom Line: Wyoming has to find its groove again. You know what it wants to do – control the clock and the tempo, run well, get the D to dominate – and it’ll have the experience to do it.

4. Utah State Aggies

Why To Be Happy: Utah State has a terrific head coach in Blake Anderson. Arkansas State might have struggled over the last few years, but Anderson will bring the offense, the explosion, and he should be great with a bit of a reset. He gets a loaded O line, he’s hitting the transfer portal hard, and he’s bringing QB Logan Bonner from ASU to help push for the gig.

What To Work On: Yeah, there’s experience, and now it all has to work. Utah State was awful on both sides of the ball, there wasn’t a passing game, the points were hard to come by, and the defense was the worst in the Mountain West. But …

Bottom Line: This will be a relatively quick fix. Utah State was a mess from the start, and now things should settle in with Anderson getting a decent base of players to push for an instant improvement.

5. Air Force Falcons

Why To Be Happy: This was a good Air Force team that should be just as strong as long as the offensive line can boost up fast. Haaziq Daniels turned into a reliable quarterback and leading rusher Brad Roberts returns at fullback. There are enough defensive backs returning to be okay, but …

What To Work On: It’s Air Force, so there are always players ready to roll in the system, but while more teams are loaded with veterans in this weird year, the Falcons have to replace the entire offensive line and five of the seven starters on the defensive front.

Bottom Line: Yeah, it’s Air Force. It’s going to be fine in time, but it’s hardly a plus to lose the key parts that the 2020 team will. The running game will still be amazing, but can the defense be among the best in the nation again?

6. New Mexico Lobos

Why To Be Happy: The Lobos will finally have some continuity, starting with the offensive line that should have all five starters returning, DE Joey Noble returns to a defensive front three that’s loaded with veterans, and the offensive backfield gets back enough key parts to get fired up.

What To Work On: The passing game has to be better. It’s not efficient enough, it’s not explosive enough and … the secondary has to be better, too. The pass defense has to be stronger against the good offenses, the D as a whole has to be better, and …

Bottom Line: The Lobos might be quickly be a whole lot better. Few teams had to go through more than New Mexico did in 2020 – no true home games, and now it should be be a whole lot stronger with a double-digit number of seniors expected to be back.

– 2021 Pre-Spring Big Ten West

2021 Mountain West: West Rankings: Pre-Spring 7-12

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Big Ten Football Rankings: CFN 2021 Pre-Spring

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Big Ten teams.

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Big Ten teams.

[jwplayer GOXHcfXn]

2021 Big Ten Rankings: Pre-Spring

Big Ten East

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

Why To Be Happy: It’s still Ohio State and it’s still a loaded team with as much talent as anyone in college football. The return of WR Chris Olave for another year is massive, the O line should be almost as good as the 2020 version, and the return of DE Tyreke Smith helps an already great situation on the defensive front. However …

What To Work On: Again, it’s Ohio State – it’ll be more than fine – but the back seven is going to need some tuning up and key replacements. The offense will be deadly again, but the pressure is on CJ Stroud to be the next superstar quarterback and losing RB Trey Sermon hurts a bit.

Bottom Line: Ohio State gets framed differently than everyone in the Big Ten. It’s going to be the league’s best team, and it’s easily the favorite to win another Big Ten title, but – remember, this is January – this version needs a lot more tuning than the 2020 version, which wasn’t as strong as the 2019 team.

2. Michigan Wolverines

Why To Be Happy: Jim Harbaugh is still around … and yeah, that’s a reason to be happy, at least for this year. There might be a few high-profile transfers, but Hassan Haskins is a strong back to lead the way, there are plenty of QB options without Dylan McCaffrey, and the line and receiving corps are experienced. Kwity Paye might be gone on the end, but just about everyone else is back on D.

What To Work On: Quarterback, quarterback, quarterback, quarterback, quarterback. Really, Michigan has players. Really, the coaching staff is fine. None of it matters unless the Wolverines can finally get top-shelf quarterback play. Cade McNamara, Joe Milton and JJ McCarthy – one of them has to be great.

Bottom Line: Michigan won’t win the Big Ten, but it’ll bounce back to be solid again. Unlike 2020, the Wolverines will beat everyone they’re supposed to, lose one game against a strong team, and then … you know how this works with Ohio State.

3. Penn State Nittany Lions

Why To Be Happy: The run at the end of the season was more like the real Penn State than the one that got off to a historically disastrous start. Sean Clifford is a veteran now, getting RB John Lovett from Baylor helps, and there are just enough good players coming back – like CB Tariq Castro-Fields – to be okay, but …

What To Work On: There are a whole lot of important parts moving on. From OG Will Fries to DEs Shaka Toney and Jayson Oweh to S Lamont Wade and on and on. James Franklin has more strong recruits ready to step up, but in this year when so many teams are so experienced, there are a whole slew of key losses.

Bottom Line: Penn State will be one of the Big Ten’s most interesting calls as the offseason goes on. There are offensive playmakers, and – as always – defensive stars will emerge up front, but there are just enough lost starters to be annoying.

4. Indiana Hoosiers

Why To Be Happy: The Hoosiers get a slew of their guys back. Michael Penix Jr. is expected to return okay from his knee injury, star WR Ty Fryfogle is coming back, and with guard Mackenzie Nworah returning, four starters are expected to be around for the O line. S Jamar Johnson is leaving early for the NFL, but almost everyone else is expected back on the defensive side.

What To Work On: Is Penix really going to be ready? It’ll be less than a year for his knee to heal up. WR Whop Philyor is going to the NFL, and so is RB Stevie Scott from a running game that was among the worst in the nation.

Bottom Line: The expectations are a whole lot higher now, but Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State aren’t going to be that bad again. IU will still be good, but it’ll be a lot more of a fight.

5. Michigan State Spartans

Why To Be Happy: The transfer portal is providing some instant help to a team that already is full of veterans. RB Harold Joiner is coming in from Auburn, QB Anthony Russo is at least a veteran backup option from Temple, and again, there’s a ton of experience back helped by C Matt Allen anchoring the line. But …

What To Work On: After finishing last in the Big Ten in scoring and last in scoring D, there’s a little bit of work to do. The secondary lost a slew of key parts, the offense needs playmakers to emerge, and one of the quarterbacks has to step up and be great.

Bottom Line: Mel Tucker really didn’t get enough time to get things going in his first year, and it’s going to take another year to start to get everything to work. The team will be better, but so will the rest of the Big Ten East.

6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Why To Be Happy: Rutgers has experience, it has a few actual playmakers, and it has the coaching staff now to have … hope? The offensive backfield should be interesting with enough options to play around with, a little shuffling should lead to a decent O line, and the receiving corps has real, live explosion. The D gets back linebackers Tyshon Fogg and Olakunle Fatukasi to work around.

What To Work On: Even with all of the improvement, the the offense and defense were still the second-worst in the Big Ten, the passing game needs more downfield plays, this is still a building job. However …

Bottom Line: The Scarlet Knights should keep being more and more competitive under Greg Schiano, and they have enough experience to keep building on the 3-6 season that was a whole lot more fun than the final record.

7. Maryland Terrapins

Why To Be Happy: Head coach Mike Locksley is known for being a superstar recruiter, and his team showed glimpses of starting to do something right. Taulia Tagovailoa is the quarterback to work around, there’s a solid recruiting class coming in, and …

What To Work On: Uh oh. There are whole lot of players taking off with leading rusher Jake Funk off to the NFL, top linebacker Chance Campbell transferring out, key DB Antwaine Richardson off to Kent State, and on and on and on. As of right now, 12 Terps are expected to transfer and there’s still plenty of work to do.

Bottom Line: Things are hardly dire, even with the personnel losses. The lines still need working on, and consistency will be vital for a program that hasn’t had any, but there are enough playmakers to be interesting. However, few teams in the Big Ten need every practice more than Maryland.

– 2021 Pre-Spring Big Ten West

2021 Big Ten West Rankings: Pre-Spring 7-11

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Conference USA Football Rankings: CFN 2021 Pre-Spring

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Conference USA teams.

The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Conference USA teams.

[jwplayer GOXHcfXn]

2021 Conference USA Rankings: Pre-Spring

Conference USA East

1. Marshall Thundering Herd

Why To Be Happy: The offense won’t be as bad as it was at the end of the year. It can’t be. New head coach Charles Huff brings in a background of offense after coaching up the running backs at Alabama over the last few years. All of the top skill guys are expected to be back, but …

What To Work On: The loss of Darius Hodge early to the NFL hurts. The other losses to the next level hurt, but they were expected – Hodge was 50/50. Offensively, everything was fine throughout the season, and then everything crashed with fewer than 270 yards in each of the last three games – all losses.

Bottom Line: It was a strange move to lose Doc Holliday after all of his success and a 7-0 start, but the program is going in a new direction with a new energy in Huff. The talent is there to think Conference USA championship or bust.

2. Florida Atlantic Owls

Why To Be Happy: Willie Taggart is starting to get the offensive parts. The defense got the job done last season, but the O couldn’t get going. Bringing in RB Johnny Ford from USF is a good step, landing Penn State WR John Dunmore helps, and there’s a good group of young quarterbacks to work around.

What To Work On: The D is getting back CB Zyon Gilbert and LB Caliph Brice, but DE Leighton McCarthy is off to the NFL. The D should be okay, but the offense has to find a spark after having one of the nation’s least-efficient passing games and averaging just 325 yards of total offense.

Bottom Line: Taggart had to fight through rebuilding in the COVID year, and now it’s time to take off. The offense has to get more out of the line and more playmakers have to show up, but the D should be great again

3. WKU Hilltoppers

Why To Be Happy: Oh will this be fun. Does the name Bailey Zappe ring any sort of a bell? All he did was put up ridiculous numbers against North Texas, Texas Tech, and Louisiana Tech, finishing the four-game season with 1,833 passing yards – well over 400 yards per game – with 15 touchdowns. Now he’s the WKU quarterback to an offense that needs the help. As if getting Zappe isn’t enough, two of his targets are coming along – along with three other new targets from the transfer portal.

What To Work On: More points. Welcome to the fundamental shift in how WKU does business after finishing 120th in the nation in total offense and 115th in passing efficiency. There’s going to be scoring this year, but it might take a bit.

Bottom Line: WKU has been fine, but it’s making a big push to take a step to the next level. Few teams have been more active in the transfer portal, but that’s not necessarily a plus with over 20 players leaving.

4. FIU Golden Panthers

Why To Be Happy: This was a relatively young team after the front-line starters and now the hope is for the new guys to be ready to roll right away to go along with a good nucleus. Start with the all-star defensive back brother tandem of Richard and Rishard Dames coming back along with LB Jamal Gates for one side. The O has its back in D’vonte Price, and former Maryland QB Max Bortenschlarger returns.

What To Work On: There’s a long way to go to get back to respectability after a disastrous shortened season throwing the ball. The offensive line is Job One, doing nothing in pass protection and struggling to get the ground game working.

Bottom Line: There should be a quick turnaround after a rotten 2020, but a whole slew of reserves who were supposed to be part of the turnaround are transferring out. Unless the O line can be better fast, it’s going to be another long year.

5. Charlotte 49ers

Why To Be Happy: The team is getting in a few nice transfers in QB James Foster from Texas A&M and RB Shadrick Byrd from Iowa, and landing DE Kofi Wardlow from Notre Dame should help a big-time need area.

What To Work On: Losing star S Ben DeLuca and DE Romeo McKnight takes away two key starters off the D that didn’t do enough last year. The pass rush her to emerge and far more big things have to happen behind the line.

Bottom Line: The offense should be ahead of the defense throughout the offseason, but if all the key guys can stay healthy – and if the D line can be a whole lot better, the 49ers can bounce back into a factor in the East.

6. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

Why To Be Happy: Yeah, do-it-all QB Asher O’Hara entered the transfer portal, but the program made up for it by landing NC State’s Bailey Hockman to likely take over. It might have been an inconsistent season overall, but there were a whole lot of underclassmen playing key roles on O, and most of the starters are back on D, but …

What To Work On: The defense has to be night-and-day better. It struggles throughout the season allowing 446 yards per game, and it was. disaster on third downs.

Bottom Line: The program has been too solid for too long to be so lousy, but major changes are being made starting with a new offensive coordinator. Middle Tennessee played for the Conference USA title in 2018 and fell off a cliff. This is a make-or-break year.

7. Old Dominion Monarchs

Why To Be Happy: After a year off in the COVID season, the Monarchs return relatively loaded and whole lot stronger. Start with landing UCF QB Darriel Mack and Georgia WR Trey Blount from the transfer portal to boost up a veteran base that waited to get going.

What To Work On: There’s a big turnover factor after missing 2020. The program’s last win over an FBS team was in early November of 2018, and there’s going to be a whole lot of new parts to work with on both sides of the ball.

Bottom Line: A massive disappointment in 2019, now Old Dominion is starting over. Head coach Ricky Rahne didn’t get his chance to get things going last year, and now comes a renewed energy and an X factor team for 2021.

– 2021 Pre-Spring Conference USA Rankings West

2021 American Athletic Conference Rankings: Pre-Spring 7-11

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