College Football Bowl Picks 2016-2017: New Mexico Bowl to New Orleans Bowl

Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego St.

Gildan New Mexico Bowl (December 17th)
UTSA Roadrunners (6-6) vs. New Mexico Lobos (8-4)

The 2016-2017 bowl season will kick off with a battle of two pretty big surprises. New Mexico has been solid over the last few years but they have had a better 2016 than many imagined, and are now just one victory away from just their fifth nine-win season in program history. Meanwhile, UTSA will be playing in their first bowl game ever after winning six games in the crowded Conference USA. The Roadrunners know what they need to stop to have a shot at beating UNM: the ground attack. With nearly 361 yards a game on the ground, the Lobos have the No. 1 rushing offense in the entire land, topping offenses that usually find themselves up there, like option-orientated Georgia Tech or Navy. Backs Teriyon Gipson and Tyrone Owens give New Mexico a dangerous two-headed attack, particularly Gipson, who is coming off a 217-yard day in the team's season finale over Wyoming. UTSA's rush defense is inconsistent and while it has faced many high-octane offenses in the C-USA, adjusting to this ground game could prove to be challenging. The Lobos don't do much through the air, but Washington State transfer Austin Apodaca has a big enough arm that the Roadrunners have to be prepared for the long pass. UTSA has a solid running back themselves in Jarveon Williams (775 yards in '16) and don't turn the ball over. However, the aerial attack is not very diversified and New Mexico has an athletic defense. Unless the Roadrunners can find some magic or completely shut down New Mexico on the ground, they are going to be in for a challenge. UTSA is a great story (the fastest program to go from a startup to bowl-eligible) but they could be overmatched against the skilled Lobos.
New Mexico, 35 UTSA, 21

Las Vegas Bowl presented by Geico (December 17th)
Houston Cougars (9-3) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (10-3)

Two of the nation's best non-Power Five teams are set to collide in Las Vegas, as the 9-3 Cougars hope to overtake the underrated Aztecs. Life after Tom Herman begins for the Cougars, who went 22-4 under the head coach, before he left to take the job at Texas. New head man Major Applewhite still has enough talent to lead UH to a victory. Senior signal-caller Greg Ward Jr. is still one of the nation's best, and his dual threat ability should give the SDSU defense issues. On defense, Houston not only has a ball-hawking secondary but one of the nation's top freshman in defensive linemen Ed Oliver. Oliver will hope to create enough chaos to disrupt the extremely efficient and methodical Aztec offense. That offense is headed by Donnel Pumphrey, who finished the year with 2,018 yards and 16 touchdowns. Pumphrey is a dynamic ball-carrier that can break the game open at any moment. The Cougars' defense has played well on the year, but is still prone to big plays, which could be extremely worrying. That defense will also be tasked with stopping quarterback Christian Chapman. Chapman does not exactly stuff the stat sheet full (1,866 yards and 19 passing touchdowns on the year) but he does the little things well and has proven he can overcome tough defenses. An important factor in this one could be the motivation level. The Aztecs are fresh off a Mountain West Conference Title and eager to prove they are a Top 25 team, while Houston's younger guys will hope to have a big day to insure their future under Applewhite. It should be a fun game, but the Aztecs are the more balanced team. They should be able to pull off this one in a thriller.
San Diego State, 27 Houston, 24

Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (December 17th)
Appalachian State Moutaineers (9-3) vs. Toledo Rockets (9-3)

If you like offense, Toledo may just be the team for you. The Rockets went 9-3 this season, thanks in large part to their explosive O, which averaged nearly 530 yards per game, along with 38.8 points per game. They are hopeful that offense can lead them to a victory against a sound Appalachian State team, who finished off the season 9-3 and remains incredibly consistent. The Rockets will turn to their stars at the skill positions, namely gunslinger Logan Woodside, who finished off the season with 43 passing touchdowns. Woodside will be supported by fabulous back Kareem Hunt (1,355 yards, eight scores) and a number of weapons on the perimeter. That should be enough to give App. State enough issues on the defensive side of the ball, even though the Mountaineers have shown they can handle talented offenses (see the season opener against Tennessee). While Toledo is explosive and up-tempo, Appalachian State thrives because of a smart, controlled offense. Senior QB Taylor Lamb has a great mind for the game, and can hurt you with his legs just as much as his arm. Paired with sophomore Jalin Moore, the Mountaineers have enough to keep pace in the scoring battle. Turnovers could play a huge role in this one, as they often do. Toledo scores often, but they have struggled with turnovers on offense, as while as forcing them. Meanwhile, App. State doesn't turn the ball over very much, and the defense is much more consistent. With that in mind, they should be able to overcome Toledo's explosiveness. No matter what, expect plenty of points in another bowl that should be down to the wire.
Appalachian State, 37 Toledo, 33

AutoNation Cure Bowl (December 17th)
UCF Knights (6-6) vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves (7-5)

Last season at this point, Central Florida was coming off a disastrous 0-12 season and preparing for what appeared to be a long rebuild. Instead, they have made quick strides under former Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost, who already has them in a bowl. The Knight are a defense-orientated team that has plenty of experience on that side of the ball. Offensively, they are fairly balanced, but don't have many perimeter playmakers. They will get a tough test from one of the most consistent Group of Five programs in the country, Arkansas State. The Red Wolves started off the year slowly once more, but caught fire inside the Sun Belt. Arkansas State is extremely balanced offensively, with big-armed quarterback Justice Hansen joined by solid back Warren Wand. However, the real strength on this team is what can be a stifling defense. The group allows just around 22 points per game (tied for 24th nationally) and has had some dominant moments, like when they held 9-3 Troy to just three points, in a resounding 32-point victory. That group should be hyped up and ready for the Knights, and it could be very physical. While many of the early bowl matchups I could envision being shootouts, I could see this being more of a defensive struggle. This bowl will be played in Orlando, so it is basically at home for UCF. However, I think Arkansas State is very hot right now, and has a more experienced team ready to bring this one home.
Arkansas State, 26 UCF, 20

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (December 17th)
Southern Miss Golden Eagles (6-6) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (6-6)

Talk about different ways to start your season. Southern Miss opened up 2016 with a victory over an SEC program in Kentucky (who ended up 7-5, by the way) and started off 4-1 with their only loss being to Troy. Meanwhile, the Ragin' Cajuns opened up 2-4, including three straight losses towards the midpoint of the season. While Southern Miss has lost live of seven, Lafayette has trended the other way, and here they meet. The Golden Eagles have tons of talent, namely veteran quarterback Nick Mullens (2,926 yards, 26 touchdowns) and underrated back Ito Smith (1,321 yards), but they made too many mistakes last year. Defensively, they were putrid at times, surrendering 55 points to UTSA, and 45 to a pedestrian LSU offense. Controlling Elijah McGuire, the Cajuns' elusive back could be a trouble. LSU transfer Anthony Jennings has fit right in with the Cajuns, and should look to throw all over a weak Golden Eagles' secondary. However, that offense has had some poor moments all year, namely laying a zero against Appalachian State. With that in mind, the edge has to go to Southern Miss, even if they are trending in the wrong direction. If the defense can play hard and make a few stops, they should be in prime position to push to a victory.
Southern Miss, 34 Louisiana-Lafayette, 24

College Football Preview 2016-2017: 6. Houston Cougars

Greg Ward Jr. 

6. Houston Cougars

Conference: American Athletic (West)
Location: Houston, Texas
2015-2016 Record: 13-1 (7-1 AAC)
Bowl Result: Victory in Peach Bowl
Breakout Player: RB Duke Catalon
Heisman Hopeful: QB Greg Ward Jr.
X-Factor: CB Howard Wilson
Recruiting Rundown (via Rivals)
Schedule
Roster

How did former Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman follow up helping lead the Buckeyes on a miraculous journey to the National Championship in 2014-2015? By taking over as head coach at Houston and promptly working some wonderful magic there. The Cougars, who had underachieved as of late, went on to dominate the American Athletic Conference, with their only loss coming to UConn, when star quarterback Greg Ward Jr. was injured late. A dominant showing to win the conference and a beat down of Florida State on national TV in the Peach Bowl showed just how quickly the program had risen and the result was a 13-1 mark. Entering 2016, the expectations have raised significantly for Herman (who opted to stay with UH despite plenty of other job offers) and the Cougars, but some rich talent still remains. With Ward leading the charge, expect Houston to work some magic once again, and possibly even fight for a CFB Playoff berth.

Backfield: Once relegated to receiver duties, Greg Ward Jr. has evolved into a superstar and a legit Heisman candidate entering '16. Ward, who entered 2014 playing receiver after sophomore John O'Korn won the QB job, soon took over and hasn't looked back. Last year, Ward threw for 2,828 yards and 17 touchdowns while also showcasing his playmaking abilities with his legs, with 1,108 yards on the ground and another 21 scores. Ward is undersized, standing at just 5'11", 185 pounds and some worry about his durability, especially considering he is a fearless rusher. Herman may hope Ward is a little bit more cautious this season, but will still let Ward use his huge arm to stretch the field and open things up for the Cougs. If anything does happen to Ward, junior Kyle Postma saw a decent dose of snaps last season, and looked very good. He isn't the runner that Ward is and isn't nearly as explosive, but he has a more accurate arm. The Cougars will also be excited for another quarterback to debut, although one that isn't eligible until next season. Former Texas A&M transfer Kyle Allen arrives and will give the position a bright future even though Ward enters his final season. The running back position will undergo some transitions this season after Kenneth Farrow and Ryan Jackson both depart. Farrow just missed back-to-back 1,000 yard campaigns in '14 and '15, as he was slowed by injuries last season, while Jackson provided a great change of pace and had four touchdowns. Due to injuries, Houston did use cornerback Brandon Wilson at back in the Navy game and he played very well. However, Wilson enters his senior season playing an important defensive role, so don't expect him to be seeing much carries offensively. The player most likely to take over the rushing load is sophomore Duke Catalon, who started his career at Texas. Catalon was a highly touted high school prospect who held offers from a number of big-time programs but never got on the field at UT due to a hamstring injury early in his career. In Houston's up-tempo, spread scheme Catalon should get plenty of carries and some big holes to run through; he could be in store for a major breakout. Houston is extremely thin beyond Catalon however, without any proven commodity in the backfield. Newcomer Mulbah Carr and redshirt freshman Josh Burrell are two playmakers that could see some action and make an impact.

Receivers: As exciting as Greg Ward was last season, the Cougars most electrifying player was probably receiver Demarcus Ayers. The big, athletic wide out recorded 1,222 yards off of 98 receptions and had six touchdowns. Unfortunately, Ayers made the relatively surprising jump to the NFL (seventh round, Pittsburgh Steelers). That leaves the Cougars without their top receiving option, but the cupboard is far from bare. Senior Chance Allen should take over as Ward's go-to weapon in UH's dynamic passing attack. Allen is a former Oregon transfer who showed reliable hands and a great feel for the game last season, as he picked up 752 yards and six touchdowns himself. Allen isn't the type of player Ayers was; he isn't quite as explosive or agile, but makes up for it with his good size (6'3", 215 pounds) and soft hands. Junior Steven Dunbar also returns to help out Ward in the passing game, after he produced solid numbers in 2015. Dunbar picked up 382 yards off of 31 catches and showed he was a threat to pick up big yards every time he touched the ball. Dunbar benefited last year from defenders focusing more on Ayers and Allen, a luxury he won't have this season. Even so, expect his numbers to jump with an increased role in the Cougars' offense. Sophomore Isaiah Johnson and junior Ra'shaad Samples are also going to be weapons the Cougars will utilize in different ways. Johnson is inexperienced with just six receptions all of last season, but he is a burner who could become a lethal deep threat. He has shown plenty of promise in practice and spring, and could surprise some AAC defenders. Samples is yet another transfer that could play a big role in the Houston offense. Samples began his career at Oklahoma State, and knows how to succeed in a spread offense. He is another good athlete that should stretch the field and open things up. True freshman Courtney Lark was Houston's top offensive recruit. Lark is a four-star prospect from Texas that can make plays every time he touches the ball. He will certainly need time to adjust to the collegiate level, but the talent is there for him to make an impact early in his career. At tight end, Houston will lean heavily on senior Tyler McCloskey. The tight end position doesn't play a huge role in the Cougars' offense, but McCloskey still proved he could help out, with 14 receptions for 157 yards. Sophomore Romello Booker and Iowa State transfer Alex Leslie should help out the senior at the position.

Offensive Line: The Cougars' offensive line may not get a lot of credit with the speed and explosiveness they have at other positions, but it does play a pivotal role in their success. The unit should be okay in 2016, but will have to overcome the loss of three starters. Junior Marcus Oliver will be looked at as the star of the group, as he brings the most experience and plays a key role at left tackle. Oliver isn't as big as other tackles around the nation, but he makes up for it with great athleticism and mobility. Oliver will not be alone as the only experienced piece on Houston's offensive line, as sophomore Will Noble returns. Noble wasn't supposed to see much action last season with the talent in front of him but was forced in due to injuries and poor play. Noble earned Freshman All-American honors for his great play, and should be even better in 2016. The other remaining spots on the unit are up for grabs. Sophomore Kameron Eloph made four starts last season, two at each guard spot. He could lock down a starting job at either right or left this season. Sophomore Mason Denley and junior Josh Thomas could also fight for snaps at either guard position. The Cougars are hoping for big things from newcomer Na'Ty Rodgers, who enters his junior season. Rodgers was a Under Armour High School All-American who ended up signing with South Carolina. He never really got the right opportunities with South Carolina and transferred to join the junior college ranks for two years. He arrives as a pretty highly touted JUCO transfer, and could start at right tackle, where Houston is very thin. Fellow newcomers Keenan Murphy and Braylon Jones could provide valuable depth to the unit.

Defensive Line: Houston runs an aggressive defensive scheme, and that starts with their defensive line. The unit should once more be strong in '16, thanks to the return of a number of veterans and a big-name newcomer. Senior Cameron Malveaux is an important returnee to the unit after posting solid numbers a season ago. Malveaux isn't extremely explosive but he has good power and uses his sturdy frame to his advantage. The veteran had 33 tackles and six tackles for loss last season and should continue to grow as a defensive end. Also returning is sophomore Jerard Carter, who should lock down a spot at defensive tackle. Carter proved he could be a solid helper in run support, with 13 tackles last season. Houston will ask more from him this season, and he bulked up to become a better pass rusher. Fellow defensive tackle B.J. Singleton was Second-Team All-AAC last season, and will compete for snaps. Singleton had 20 tackles a year ago and also proved he could disrupt the passing attack, batting down three balls with his long, athletic frame. The American Athletic has plenty of good running backs (Marlon Mack at USF, Jahad Thomas at Temple) so having those two veterans in the heart of their defensive line should give the Cougars a distinct edge. The other defensive end spot is up for grabs as solid Tomme Mark departs after making all 14 starts a season ago. Junior Nick Thurman is a well-rounded defender who had 27 tackles last year, with five of them going for a loss. Former tight end Chauntez Jackson is going to see playing time as well as he continues to transition to end. Jackson is a great athlete, and possesses plenty of upside. While he'll provide valuable depth, the Cougars are ready to see what another defensive end can do named Ed Oliver. Oliver was just Houston's second ever five-star recruit as the local product opted to stay close to home and play for the rising Cougars. Oliver has the versatility to help out at either tackle or defensive end, but is more natural coming off the edge and getting after the QB. While Malveaux and Thurman may well lock down the starting jobs at end, defensive coordinators Todd Orlando and Craig Naivar should give Oliver plenty of action to see what he can do.

Linebackers: Houston's new 3-4 scheme that was implemented last year by Orlando and Naivar may not have benefited any player more than inside linebacker Elandon Roberts. It finally gave Roberts the playing time and role he needed, and the former Morgan State transfer showed what he could do. He recorded a whopping 142 tackles, six sacks and 13 tackles for loss, while making plays all across the field. Unfortunately, Roberts departs and so does his impressive stat-line. Houston will obviously miss him, but there is enough returning at linebacker that someone will pick up the slack. If not for Roberts, senior Steven Taylor would have led the Cougs in tackles, as he finished off with 92 last season. Taylor is a prototypical inside linebacker with good size and speed to the ball, and he has a ton of experience. With 165 tackles and 19.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, it is reasonable to believe he will put up huge numbers again in 2016. The other returning starter to the unit is fellow senior Tyus Bowser, who plays a much different role than Taylor. Bowser is a pass rusher off the edge that Houston often unleashes on blitzes. He is pretty one-dimensional but he does his job very well, proven by his 50 tackles and 5.5 sacks last year. Great play by Malveaux, Thurman and Oliver should help Bowser as blockers will spend more time on the other guys, opening up lanes for the vet to work with. The question of who will take over Roberts' absent inside 'backer spot will be interesting to watch and will likely last deep into fall camp. Sophomore Emeke Egbule showed plenty of promise in his true freshman campaign last year, with 11 tackles. With a 6'3", 240 pound frame and fabulous instincts, Egbule could be a breakout candidate. Junior Matthew Adams had 40 tackles last season and has more experience, but may not have quite the upside. Junior D'Juan Hines is another guy that could compete for a starting job after showing he could produce at a high level last season, with 17 tackles. Overall, the group may undergo some growing pains as they won't have Roberts to support them, but Taylor and Bowser can certainly lead the charge. It should still be a very good group of players.

Brandon Wilson

Secondary: This past NFL Draft, perhaps no defensive player shot up draft boards quite like cornerback William Jackson III after the NFL Combine. A great showing had NFL scouts drooling at the former Houston playmaker. He ended up going No. 22 overall to Cincinnati, and Houston will obviously miss him as well, as his loss may have more of an impact than the departure of Roberts. Jackson served as the Cougars No. 1 cornerback last season and proved he could get his hands on everything, batting away a staggering 23 balls and also picking off five passes. Jackson is not the only departure, as Houston also saw safeties Adrian McDonald and Trevon Stewart. McDonald had 92 tackles and four picks himself, while Stewart added 76, six sacks and four interceptions as well. Those losses will push Houston to find new playmakers to step up. Senior Brandon Wilson is at least back, but he'll play a hybrid role at nickelback. Wilson proved he could play running back (as he did in high school) but also showcased good potential as a defender. With 58 tackles and eight pass break-ups, he can certainly make plays. Without Jackson, Houston is hoping junior Howard Wilson can take over No. 1 CB duties. Wilson has played extremely well as a reserve, including 48 tackles in 2014. However, he took a medical redshirt last season and it is unknown how he will recover from injury. Sophomore Jeremy Winchester and sophomore Carmen Mayfield return to fight for the the other corner spot. Winchester had two starts a season ago and proved he could use his great speed to his advantage. Safety is possibly Houston's thinnest position on their entire roster. Sophomore Garrett Davis is going to see some action, as well as junior Khalil Williams and redshirt freshman Darius Gilbert. None of those players are very proven, but they at least bring plenty of potential. The addition of some junior college transfers will certainly help in a big way. Terrell Williams arrives from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M CC as a pretty highly touted option and he could certainly find some action at strong safety. Also arriving is J.J. Dallas, a corner with significant upside from the JUCO ranks. Dallas comes from JUCO powerhouse Blinn College and knows how to help defenses in a multitude of ways. With no clear cut option next to Wilson, Dallas could even start. Houston will have to figure out their defensive backfield issues fast. Oklahoma and Baker Mayfield will be throwing against it on the first weekend, and it could be a big problem if nobody steps up.

Special Teams: Senior kicker Ty Cummings is back to give Houston a pretty reliable option. Cumming split time last season, but was perfect when he was kicking, going 51 for 51 on extra points, and knocking down 8 for 8 field goals. Punter is thin for the Cougars, and backup QB Kyle Postma was listed as the starter in the spring. If he doesn't work out, Cummings could also serve there. Houston will miss Demarcus Ayers in the return game.

When the College Football Playoff was introduced it left something very clear: Non-Power Five teams (not in the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 or SEC) would have a tough time leaping those teams to get into the small, four-team field. Even so, Houston could challenge that, as they do have a decent shot at running the table. Sure, Oklahoma to begin the season on September 3rd will be a huge challenge, but a win very well could give them a huge resume booster to carry them through. A late date with Louisville on Nov. 17th will also be perilous, but this Houston team beat them last season and is talented enough to do much the same this season. There isn't a team in the AAC West that can really challenge Houston if they stay healthy; Ward is an elite quarterback, Herman is a wonderful coach and the defense is filled with good, strong veterans. Even if UH doesn't beat OU or Louisville and doesn't run the table, they still are the best Non-Power Five team. Perhaps even at the very least, another New Year's Six Bowl could be in store.

Bowl Picks 2015: Miami Beach Bowl to GoDaddy Bowl

Tyler Matakevich, Temple, Boca Raton Bowl

Miami Beach Bowl, Miami, @Marlins Park (Dec. 21st, 1:30 pm CT on ESPN)
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (11-2) vs. South Florida Bulls (8-4)

Get ready for the "Willie Taggart Bowl". Taggart, who helped develop Western Kentucky into a considerable Group of Five power, is experiencing his first dose of real success at South Florida, who won eight games this year after a slow start to his tenure. Now, Taggart will hope to lead USF to a victory against his former Hilltoppers, which could be quite the challenge. Over the past few years, WKU has been among the nation's most explosive teams, and that has not changed a bit this season. The Hilltoppers are averaging 44.2 points per game on the year, behind a passing attack that is ranked sixth in the nation. Much of that is due to Brandon Doughty's huge arm. The senior quarterback has been on fire all year long, with 4,594 yards and 45 touchdowns. He'll be joined by a dynamic group of receivers that should give the Bulls' defense plenty of fits. Taywan Taylor is the most legit of the deep group of wide outs; he has 1,363 yards and 17 touchdowns on the campaign. Though, guys like Nicholas Norris, Jared Dangerfield and more should find ways to contribute. The Hilltoppers will also bring a dangerous back to the equation, in Anthony Wales. Wales is an extremely explosive runner that can break open games at any chance. He has 986 yards total on the year, with seven touchdowns, while averaging seven yards a rush. South Florida's defense will clearly have their hands full. The tough thing about WKU is that not any can they can score at any moment and unbelievably quickly. That means the momentum of the game can flip like a switch at any moment. Though, the Bulls have a sound defensive unit that should be up for the fight. On offense, expect South Florida to lean heavily on their ground attack, which is averaging well over 200 yards per game on the year. Their feature back, Marlon Mack, is a stud who has 1,273 yards on the year (6.6 yards per carry), while dual threat QB Quinton Flowers can do it all. South Florida doesn't have the explosive offense that the Hilltoppers possess, but they should still definitely compete in this one. They are blazing hot, winners of four straight, with wins over Temple and Cincinnati. They don't have to absolutely shut down Doughty, Taylor and Wales, but at least contain them. I think they can, and increase their win streak to five, while granting Taggart his first bowl win in South Florida.
South Florida, 38 Western Kentucky, 34

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Boise, @Albertsons Stadium (Dec. 22, 2:30 pm CT on ESPN)
Akron Zips (7-5) vs. Utah State Aggies (6-6)

This bowl game features two teams trending in very opposite directions. Akron, which is seeking it's first bowl win in their history, has used a great second half to improve to 7-5, with four straight victories. They closed things out with absolutely dominant victories over Buffalo and rival Kent State. Meanwhile, Utah State has kind of limped down the stretch, entering this game at 6-6, a pretty large disappointment. The Aggies' chances all year long have been hurt seriously by an early-season injury to star quarterback Chuckie Keeton. It was the third straight year that Keeton has suffered a pretty serious injury, overshadowing the unbelievable talent the longtime veteran has. Though, Keeton has returned the past few games, and hopes to end his Utah State career on a high note. His favorite target, receiver Hunter Sharp, will hope to help out the senior quarterback, while the Aggies will also try to push a mediocre running game. Defensively, Akron is very strong, though some of the teams they have played in the MAC are terrible. Their secondary has been stout, but Keeton could still get something going. The Zips have an offense that is far from explosive, particularly through the air. Akron will still roll with sophomore Thomas Woodson, though he has had his fair share of ups-and-downs on the year and has been prone to turnovers. Running back Conner Hundley has been strong all campaign, especially in short yardage and goal line situations. Though, he'll be tasked with quite the challenge. The Aggies have a strong rush defense, headed by Nick Vigil, the brother of longtime linebacker Zach. Nick has made quite the name for himself though, recording 140 tackles on the season. He also recorded 12.5 tackles for loss, and made a living constantly disrupting opposing backfields. He'll be supported by Kyler Fackrell, another stud linebacker who has 76 tackles this year, with 13.5 of them going for a loss. On paper, Utah State looks like the much better game, but it is very tough to bet against a very hot Akron team. I think the Zips should do enough defensively to help them pull out a very close win.
Akron, 24 Utah State, 21

Marmot Boca Raton Bowl, Boca Raton (FL), @FAU Stadium (Dec. 22, 6 pm CT, on ESPN)
Temple Owls (10-3) vs. Toledo Rockets (9-2)

For a decent chunk of the 2015 college football season, it appeared these two teams could be battling in out for the lone spot for a Group of Five team in a New Year's Six Bowl. Though, Toledo had some tough losses down the stretch, while Temple lost to Houston (who did earn that New Year's Six bid) in the AAC Championship Game. Even though they didn't win the conference, it was still one great year for Temple. The Owls went 10-3 on the year, beat Penn State, won their division, and just as importantly, managed to retain rising head coach Matt Rhule for the foreseeable future. Temple is a very good offensive team, one that is very balanced. Quarterback P.J. Walker has put together a strong campaign, while back Jahad Thomas rushed for well over 1,000 yards and 17 scores. The Rockets had their moments on the defensive side of the ball this season, but they could still struggle against the Owls' balanced attack. While their offense should play a major role, it may be defensively where Temple can win this game. The defense is led by the Chuck Bednarik Award winner (given to the nation's best defensive player) Tyler Matakevich. Matakevich, a relatively little known recruit, has had over 100 tackles every single season since stepping on Temple's campus. He finished off this year with 126 tackles, along with 15.5 tackles for loss and five interceptions. He will lead an extremely aggressive front seven, one that should wreak some serious havoc against Toledo. The Rockets will try to respond offensively with a combination of different weapons. Former Alabama backup QB Phillip Ely has found a second life in Toledo, finishing off the campaign with 2,680 yards and 21 touchdowns. He'll be joined by running back Kareem Hunt (894 yards, 10 touchdowns) and a veteran-laden group of receivers. Toledo's offensive line will also have to be up for a task against a Temple defense that loves to dial up a variety of blitzes. The Rockets first rose up on the college football landscape this year with a magical victory over Arkansas. They'll need some similar magic in this one, against a Temple team that is better than them in nearly every major category. Even so, expect Toledo to put up a legitimate fight.
Temple, 27 Toledo, 17

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, San Diego, @Qualcomm Stadium (Dec. 23, 3:30 pm CT on ESPN)
Boise State Broncos (8-4) vs. Northern Illinois Huskies (8-5)

Over the past few seasons, Northern Illinois and Boise State have positioned themselves as some of the voice of the underdogs in the college football world. Boise State stirred up constant chaos in the BCS picture and has had some unbelievable moments, capped by their famous "Statue of Liberty" victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl years ago. Meanwhile, NIU earned themselves a berth in the Orange Bowl just a couple years ago and continues to be the most consistent program in the MAC. Both teams have had bumpy roads all year long, with Boise finishing off 8-4 and NIU going 8-5 after losing in the MAC Championship. The Broncos have been effective all year long offensively, even after the loss of stud running back Jay Ajayi. Jeremy McNichols has taken over for Ajayi this year and responded by running for 1,244 yards and 18 scores. McNichols has shown amazing vision, power and balance. The Huskies will also have their hands full containing explosive receiver Thomas Sperbeck on the perimeter. Sperbeck, who has quickly emerged as QB Brett Rypien's favorite target, recorded 82 catches and eight scores on the year. On the other side, Northern Illinois also will be rolling with a very balanced, multi-dimensional offensive attack. Quarterback Drew Hare hasn't been much more than average this year, but he has a plethora of weapons at receiver that he can get the ball to. Back Joel Bouagnon has emerged as a quiet star for this Northern Illinois team. He has now rushed for 1,269 yards and 18 touchdowns. Though, Boise State does have a strong defense, and a fierce front seven. That front seven is led by defensive end Kamalei Correa, an absolute monster off the edge, who could play a huge role in this one. Correa will be the ringleader of a defense that loves to create pressure, and will hope to feed off it this game. Both of these Group of Five teams are established programs who should once more be scary next year. I think Boise State is the more sound football team, and rides into this game with a solid dose of momentum.
Boise State, 30 Northern Illinois, 21

GoDaddy Bowl, Mobile (AL), @Ladd-Pebbles Stadium (Dec. 23 7 pm CT on ESPN)
Georgia Southern Eagles (8-4) vs. Bowling Green Falcons (10-3)

The coaching carousel of the 2015-2015 college football scene was quick and frantic. It included Dino Babers, the former head coach of Eastern Illinois and then Bowling Green, who would take the head coach gig at Syracuse. It will be a tough loss for Bowling Green, but the Falcons enter the GoDaddy Bowl fresh off a MAC Championship. BG's success this year can be mainly credited to quarterback Matt Johnson. Johnson threw for 4,700 yards and 43 scores on the year, I'm surprised there were no strong efforts to push him to a Heisman finalist. Johnson is a dynamic player that thrives on the open play. Georgia Southern defenders will have to be careful about how they defend the opposing quarterback, and must stay disciplined. The Falcons will also certainly lean on the services of back Travis Greene, as well. Greene had 1,219 yards and 14 touchdowns on the campaign, and dazzled with his incredible burst. He will certainly help bring more balance to the Bowling Green offense. That will only give Southern even more issues on the defensive side of the ball, where they have been inconsistent. On offense though, the Eagles have been rock solid, running their triple-option attack. Georgia Southern may not exactly be pretty, but they have run through the Sun Belt for two straight years, going 8-4 this year. Matt Breida (1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns), LA Ramsby and quarterback Kevin Ellison have led a truly scary unit. It will be interesting to see how Bowling Green defends the triple option. The Falcons have played pretty good defensively this year, but have made mistakes. They haven't had a ton of time to prepare for this unorthodox offense, which could spell problems. While Boise State and NIU feature two Group of Five powers, this game features two rising teams. A win would prove Bowling Green has a bright future after Babers. Meanwhile, Georgia Southern will be eager to continue their recent hot streak. Though, their offense just may not be explosive enough to firmly keep in place with BG.
Bowling Green, 35 Georgia Southern, 28

NFL Mock Draft 2016: Edition 1

Paxton Lynch to Cleveland

It is a tough and bitter pill to swallow but it is the truth: the fall weekends filled with football are slowly drawing to a close. College football is already done with it's regular season, while the NFL season moves on to December, where already many teams are thinking about next year. For those particular teams, the 2016 Draft process has already begun. There is so much to happen between now and spring, where injuries, off-the-field issues and the Combine will all play a role. But, as things stand right now, here is my first edition of the 2016 NFL Mock Draft...

1. Cleveland Browns Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

It appeared as though Mike Pettine and Cleveland were at least making progress, after recording a 7-9 mark a year ago. Though, by all standards, this year has been a disaster for the Browns. They have limped to a 2-8 mark behind a porous defense and an offense that has lacked any punch whatsoever. To make things even tougher, the quarterback situation has been terrible. Johnny Manziel has shown flashes of something in his time in Cleveland, but continous off-the-field issues could mean his days in the city are numbered. I'm not sold on Paxton Lynch yet, but the Memphis quarterback has good size, can make all the throws and is an experienced winner.

2. Tennessee Titans Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

The Titans believe they have found their franchise quarterback in Marcus Mariota, who has played well despite injuries and an average offensive line. The Titans should reinforce their shaky O-Line by selecting Tunsil out of Ole Miss. Tunsil has dealt with a freak injury to his knee in last year's Peach Bowl and eligibility issues throughout this year. Even throughout all that, he is still widely seen as the best offensive line prospect in the 2016 Draft. That should show you just how much scouts love his strong, athletic frame.

3. San Diego Chargers Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

This hasn't been a very fun season in San Diego. Forget about the relocation questions surrounding the franchise, the Chargers have been a major disappointment all year long. Both the offensive line and defensive lines could use revamping, and San Diego would love to select Tunsil. Though, if he isn't available, Bosa would be one heck of a consolation prize. The stud defensive end hasn't absolutely dominated this season, but he has been faced with constant double and triple teams. Bosa has the size, strength and versatility to be the impact pass rusher San Diego lacks.

4. San Francisco 49ers Jared Goff, QB, California

Remember just a few years ago when Colin Kaepernick was the new, star quarterback bursting on to the scene? When he led San Francisco to a Super Bowl appearance just weeks after taking over for Alex Smith? It certainly feels like a longtime ago in San Francisco. Kaepernick was benched in favor of Blaine Gabbert, so that should tell just how bad he has been. Jared Goff is an intriguing prospect; the Cal QB has an insane arm and has tremendous pocket awareness. But, scouts worry about the system he played at in college, and the junior struggled against some of the elite Pac-12 defenses this season. Even so, San Fran is desperate for a new face of the franchise and Goff could be that guy.

5. Baltimore Ravens Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State

The Ravens have been about as consistently good as you can ask for under Ozzie Newsome. So, it will be very weird to see them selecting in the Top 10 (most likely) this year for the first time since the early 2000's. While injuries have played a major role, the Ravens also have to realize they have some major holes, particularly in their secondary. Ramsey is about as versatile as you can get at the position, and his ball skills and hard hits could soon remind Baltimore fans of Ed Reed. 

6. Detroit Lions Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

A slow start to the year seemed to indicate Detroit was ready for what would likely be a rebuild, as they began to shift away from Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson. But now, the Lions have gone on a four game tear and Stafford and Johnson may still have a future in the Motor City. If so, Detroit needs to add a tackle to help support Stafford. Stanley is a big, bulky linemen with great footwork who would work well.

7. Dallas Cowboys Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Injuries to Tony Romo and Dez Bryant have ruined any postseason aspirations for Dallas. While the Cowboys may be interested in selecting some extra insurance for their offense, they should focus on one of their bigger holes, the defensive backfield. Their safety positions are extremely weak and at cornerback, Morris Claiborne is set to be a free agent. Jerry Jones would love Jalen Ramsey, but Hargreaves, a proven shutdown corner at Florida, would also do the trick.

8. Miami Dolphins Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
It has been a rough year in Miami, and the team could go in any direction in this year's upcoming draft. But, their rush defense hasn't been great, and their linebacker corps are extremely limited. Jack, a talent out of UCLA, is coming off a torn ACL, but has the raw talent and versatility to be an immediate upgrade from Day One for the 'Fins.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss
This year has been a disappointing one for Nkemdiche, a former highly coveted recruit who has contributed at Ole Miss since the second he stepped on campus. Injuries have kept the defensive linemen from truly dominating, which we are sure he can do. Nkemdiche's massive frame screams NFL, while his deceptive speed could allow him to contribute in multiple areas. Jacksonville did add former Florida defensive end Dante Fowler last year, but picking up Nkemdiche would only strengthen a defensive line that head coach Gus Bradley could play with.

10. New Orleans Saints Emmanuel Ogbah, DL, Oklahoma State
Big changes could be on the horizon for New Orleans, as Sean Payton and Drew Brees may be on their last legs in the Crescent City. Even so, New Orleans' defense has been absolutely terrible for years and they need some young pieces. Emmanuel Ogbah has been a monster at Oklahoma State and is a pure pass rusher. He could certainly help the Saints' ailing pass rush and grow into a more formidable defender in run support as well.

11. Chicago Bears Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
Jay Cutler isn't going to ever win anything in Chicago but the team is too invested in him to go elsewhere at the moment. That could mean at least helping him out by bringing in a left tackle that can block. Taylor Decker has been a stud for a long time at Ohio State, and should quickly develop into an above-average linemen with the Bears.

12. St. Louis Rams Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
Overall, the Rams have actually done a solid job building their team. They have a legit stud in Todd Gurley in the backfield, a strengthened offensive line and they are great everywhere defensively. The one thing that has lagged behind just happens to be the most important: the quarterback position. Nick Foles has been only slightly better than Sam Bradford, and his future with St. Louis is cloudy. Cook, who just helped MSU to a Big Ten Championship, is a pro-ready quarterback who may be a slight reach here, but would work well for the Rams.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
The Bucs as a whole have taken huge strides in the first year of the Jameis Winston era, but there is still work to be done in Tampa. Defensively, the Bucs could use an upgrade at either defensive end or cornerback. Alexander could be the ideal fit; although just a redshirt sophomore, Alexander is a proven corner good size and athleticism for the position.

14. Philadelphia Eagles Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
If Chip Kelly is going to be back in Philadelphia next year he will have to make some major changes. While the defenses has holes aplenty, the quarterback position and offensive line are even more severe question marks. With no top level quarterback available here, Kelly should play it smart and go with a proven offensive tackle here. Conklin is an experienced leader for Michigan State, who has NFL size and stamina.

15. New York Giants Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
A major reason for the Giants' defensive struggle this season has been the lack of a consistent pass rush, that has only been hurt by the longtime absence of Pro-Bowl defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. "JPP" should be able to regain his dominant form, but the Giants could still use a strong defensive linemen in this draft. Billings has been an absolute monster at Baylor, and he gives New York the best interior pass rusher in this draft.

16. Oakland Raiders A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama
After selecting Khalil Mack in the 2014 Draft, and then spending big on Justin Tuck this past summer, Oakland's front seven has improved drastically. Even so, the defensive line is a problem, nobody beyond Tuck and Dan Williams is very inspiring in the 4-3 look. Expect Oakland to give Robinson a go. Despite being well over 300 pounds, Robinson's versatility and agility are impressive, and he is bound to be a difference-maker for the Raiders.

17. Washington Redskins Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama
The Redskins have been a pleasant surprise so far this season, and they still appear to have allegiance with Kirk Cousins at QB going forward. With that in mind, Washington should look to improve it's defense, particularly it's front seven in the draft. Reed isn't flashy whatsoever, but he played in a great and established system at Alabama and is a gritty, hard-working defender.

18. Houston Texans Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
It may be time for Houston to accept the situation at running back: Arian Foster may never, ever be the same. Sure, Houston could still hold on to him for a few years considering he is only 30 and is owed quite a bit of money over the coming years. But, injuries have completely decimated his career, and the Texans need a solution. Zeke Elliott is the best tailback in the draft, as he absolutely punished people at Ohio State.

19. Buffalo Bills Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
Both Mario Williams and Kyle Williams have disappointed on Buffalo's defensive line this season, and Kyle turns 33 this offseason. Expect Buffalo to look for a long-term replacement to pair with Marcel Dareus inside here. Clark is a high energy guy who was extremely productive player at UCLA. He is the type of hungry defender that Rex Ryan would love to have on his defense.

20. Atlanta Falcons DeForest Buckner, DE/LB, Oregon
Even though Atlanta selected Vic Beasley eighth overall in the 2015 Draft, they have the lowest sack total in the NFL at the moment. They could find their solution in Buckner, a massive pass rusher out of Oregon. Gifted with a wide, 6'7" frame, Buckner also could spend some time at outside linebacker. Paired with Beasley, Atlanta could have a strong pass rushing duo for years to come.

21. New York Jets Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Give credit to the Jets, who have exceeded many expectations to likely finish over .500 with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback and a new head coach. The main reason for the success has been the Jets' usual stout defense. Todd Bowles could further reinvigorate the unit by acquiring an impact inside linebacker, which would only help New York's rush defense. Ragland is a gifted linebacker that would be a great fit.

22. Seattle Seahawks Vadal Alexander, OL, LSU
Seattle's offensive line as a whole this season has looked weak, and things could only get worse when linemen Russell Okung and J.R. Sweezy hit free agency this summer. The Seahawks could use those possible departures as a way to get younger on the O-Line, by selecting Alexander. A versatile blocker that can punish anywhere, Alexander would be a welcome addition on the West Coast.

23. Indianapolis Colts Leoard Floyd, LB, Georgia
The Colts made a pick that made no sense when they selected Phillip Dorsett in the first round a year ago. Sure, it added a high-upside weapon to their system, but it did little to solve their offensive or defensive line issues. They certainly could look at improving the trenches here, but the pass rush altogether needs reinforcements. Floyd is lethal as a 3-4 edge linebacker and could even spend time as an undersized defensive end. He could take over Robert Mathis' role, as his career is certainly on it's last legs.

24. Kansas City Chiefs Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor
Former No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher has struggled in his time in Kansas City, which could lead Andy Reid, who loves bolstering the trenches, to look for help at tackle here. Spencer Drango, an experienced and proven blocker at Baylor, has all the tools to be a superb addition to the Chiefs. The only issue could be the scheme fit; Drango will have to adjust from a quick, up-tempo offense at Baylor, to the more slow, methodical KC offense.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
Pittsburgh's pass defense is not completely abysmal, it has actually been solid all year. But, its currently pieced together by veterans, and Pittsburgh needs some long-term solutions. Tre'Davious White is just scratching the surface of what he can be as a cornerback but the raw talent is there for the LSU product to be a shutdown corner for years to come.

26. Minnesota Vikings Su'a Cravens, S/LB, USC
While the Vikings currently have one of the league's best defensive backs in Harrison Smith, extra insurance is needed in the secondary, as little remains beyond him at safety. Cravens is about as versatile as you can get; he starred at both safety and linebacker for the Trojans, and offers tremendous upside. He would add another young stud to Mike Zimmer's rising defense.

27. Green Bay Packers Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri
The Packers' defense has somehow been able to survive with a 35-year-old Julius Peppers as it's go-to pass rusher and Clay Matthews playing inside and outside and anywhere they need him. Green Bay would be better suited to allow Matthews to play his natural edge linebacker spot and pick up a young inside linebacker in the Draft. Brothers was a tackling machine in his time at Mizzou, and he brings plenty of potential.

28. Denver Broncos Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Denver's defense has been great all year, particularly their pass rushing duo of Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe. But, both ends are set to hit free agency in the summer and are likely to be paid quite a bit. Denver could retain one and bring in Lawson, who has dominated at Clemson this year. Lawson could bring more youth and upside to an established pass rush.

29. Cincinnati Bengals Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
As good as A.J. Green is, Cincinnati has absolutely nothing beyond the elite pass-catcher. Expect that to change after this year's Draft, especially considering the amount of pure talent that should be left at receiver late in the first round. After putting up insane stats all year at Baylor, Coleman should continue to produce at the next level, and alleviate some of the pressure away from Green.

30. Arizona Cardinals Noah Spence, DE/LB, Eastern Kentucky
Few defensive line prospects in this year's Draft have the talent that Spence possesses. He has an explosive first step, but brings an unbelievably high motor. But, drug abuse got him kicked out at Ohio State, and he is truly a wild card. Though, Arizona is a great organization with a number of veterans that should keep him in line. If he works out, he could pair with an aging Calais Campbell to form a formidable D-Line.

31. Carolina Panthers Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
Give credit to Cam Newton; he has put up an-MVP caliber season with nothing at receiver. While having Kelvin Benjamin back next year will help, Carolina will need to continue to address the position. Thomas offers great size and playmaking ability, and should work perfectly well with Newton. 

Bracketology: In/Out for College Basketball's Top Bubble Teams

With college football and the Super Bowl seeming like just days ago (it has now been nearly two weeks since the Patriots stifled Russell Wilson and Seattle for their fourth title), it has overshadowed the fact that March Madness is fast approaching, now just a month away. For many teams, like Kentucky, Virginia, Wisconsin, etc., they will not have to worry about playing in March, no matter what happens in the month between now and then. But, for others, now is the most important part of their seasons. Every single game could mean the difference between playing in the Big Dance or sitting at home watching it on TV. Which of the sports' biggest bubble teams appear destined to make some noise in March, and which appear destined for the NIT (or worse)?

Will Cummings and Temple

Temple Owls 18-7, 9-3 conference (American Athletic)
RPI: 34 SOS: 56 Big Win: vs. Cincinnati, February 10th

Fran Dunphy's first season leading the Owls in the new look American Athletic Conference was by all standards a complete disaster. A program that had perennial success in the Atlantic 10, the Owls limped to a 9-22 overall record, and a 4-14 conference mark. But, this year they have looked great, going 18-7, 9-3 in the conference (3rd as of right now), even with some injuries. Despite having little offensive threats beyond sharpshooting guard Will Cummings, Temple has been strong all year and does have some solid wins. An overtime victory against UConn adds a nice win to their resume, and getting vengeance against Cincinnati this past Tuesday really helped. Though, the thing helping the Owls' case the most, is the fact they have no bad losses. Outside of a two-point loss to St. Josephs early on the year, all of their losses have been to likely tournament teams, and strong tourney teams at that. While Dunphy's club has a tough stretch ending February (face the two teams in front of them inside the conference, Tulsa and SMU) they appear to be in very good position to get back to the tourney.
Verdict: In

Miami Hurricanes 15-9, 5-6 conference (ACC)
RPI: 64 SOS: 52 Big Win: @ Duke, January 13th

The Hurricanes have been one of those weird teams that is so tough to get a read on this whole season, and if the season ended today, it would probably be a toss up whether they would be dancing or not. An exciting win over Florida, who was ranked No. 8 at the time, has lost most it's luster, but beating Duke in Durham and dropping 90 on them still is a huge win. The 'Canes also have wins over Syracuse, Illinois and pushed Virginia to double overtime before losing. Though, there have been some bad, bad losses. They lost by nearly 30 points to Eastern Kentucky, lost by 20 to an underwhelming Georgia Tech team and were downed earlier this week by Wake Forest, dropping them to a sub-500 conference record. Miami is an extremely talented team, led by two Big 12 transfers, explosive Kansas State transplant Angel Rodriguez and Texas transfer Sheldon McClellan, and their schedule isn't terrible down the stretch. Though, their bad losses are so weak it overshadows a pretty decent strength of schedule and that big win over Duke.
Verdict: Out

Seton Hall Pirates 15-9, 5-7 conference (Big East)
RPI: 68 SOS: 76 Big Win: vs. Villanova, January 3rd

Through the first half of the season, Seton Hall was one of the nation's biggest surprises. Behind electric guards Sterling Gibbs and Isaiah Whitehead, the Pirates got off to a fast start, going 12-2 with victories against Top 25 teams in Villanova and St. John's to begin conference play. But, they have fallen apart lately, losing six of eight, with their lone wins coming against struggling Marquette and at home against Xavier. They sit at 15-9 at the moment but 5-7 inside the Big East is not very impressive to the committee, despite the fact the conference has been much improved this season. Sure, the win over Villanova was nice, but St. John's is now a bubble team, and adding in a weak SOS, Seton Hall appears to be on the outside looking in now.
Verdict: Out

Boise State Broncos 18-6, 8-3 conference (Mountain West)
RPI: 39 SOS: 91 Biggest Win: vs. San Diego State, February 8th

One of college basketball's stronger conferences over the past few years, the Mountain West has a legit shot to only put in two teams into the field, especially if Boise State misses out (San Diego State and Colorado State appear to be relative locks). The Broncos resume on paper is rather underwhelming. Their only two wins over Top 50 teams were inside the conference, against those two other likely tourney squads, Colorado State and SDSU, and they have a number of bad losses, including losses to Utah State, Wyoming and Loyola (Illinois). But, a recent hot streak, winning their last eight games, has put them in prime position to possibly get into the tournament and bumped them to an 18-6 overall record. While their weak SOS and bad losses could haunt them, they have a very nice schedule along the rest of the regular season to possibly run the table. If they do, the Mountain West will almost certainly be a three-bid league.
Verdict: In

Purdue Boilermakers 16-9, 8-4 conference (Big Ten)
RPI: 69 SOS: 78 Biggest Win: vs. Ohio State, February 4th

Although the Big Ten has been done this year, mainly because of the struggles of the two Michigan schools, it is still a tough conference to win in and Matt Painter has done a great job keeping Purdue in tournament contention. The Boilermakers have a relative decent resume, a strong conference record with wins over Ohio State and Indiana to boot, and with no terrible losses outside of a bad performance against Gardner-Webb that wrapped up non-conference play. Unfortunately, their non-conference slate could hold them back. Outside of Notre Dame, the Boilermakers played a very soft slate of teams, and the Irish appear like they may be the only team in their non-conference schedule to make the NCAA Tournament. Their weak non-conference schedule puts them at a 78 SOS, very low for a team from a notable conference like the Big Ten. The Boilermakers aren't out of it yet though, an early March slate will be tough (Ohio State, Michigan State and Illinois, all likely tourney teams) but it could also greatly boost Purdue's resume.
Verdict: Out

UCLA Bruins 15-10, 7-5 conference (Pac-12)
RPI: 42 SOS: 18 Biggest Win: vs. Utah, January 29th

From November to early January, the Bruins appeared dead in the water. UCLA was sitting at 8-7 and had embarrassed on countless occasions. They were dominated by Kentucky and Gonzaga, but even more alarming were losses to Alabama and Colorado. Though, mid-January, few teams have been as scary as the Bruins, whose win over Oregon State this week bumps them to a 15-10 mark overall. The Bruins avenged a loss earlier in the year to Utah (in which they lost by over 30 and scored just 39) by upsetting the Utes in late January. UCLA got a big win later by beating Stanford, who appears to be firmly in the tournament, and they have an opportunity to get a huge win in a week's time, when they get seventh-ranked Arizona. Their brutal non-conference slate has helped them gain an RPI of 42 and an SOS of 18, two numbers usually reserved for tournament teams. While Steve Alford still has a ton of pressure on him, the Bruins appear to have figured things out, and would likely barely sneak into the field if the regular season ended today.
Verdict: In

SMU Alum Dickerson: "Kill the Program"

Former SMU QB Garrett Gilbert

On February 25th, 1987, the NCAA Infractions Committee handed down a penalty to Southern
Methodist University that would change the college football landscape: the death penalty. The death penalty would cost SMU their 1987 season (they decided not to play at all in 1988) and would cast a long shadow over the program for a long time. Though, in 2009, things appeared to be taking a major turn. After years of being a bottom dweller in the now-defunct Southwest Conference and the Conference USA, the Mustangs dominated a good Nevada team in the Hawaii Bowl, winning 45-10 under rising head coach June Jones. While the program appears to be improving, the story of SMU football took another turn when former SMU running back Eric Dickerson took a shot at the university stating "I talked to four former players yesterday, and we all said if they don't want to do anything, just kill the program", following the resignation of Jones.

Since 1989, here are some of SMU's football records: 91-193-3 overall, while also managing just two victories over Top 25 teams in over two decades. And while the program certainly took some major steps under Jones, it was far, far away from returning to anything remotely similar to the "Pony Express" days of the early 1980s. 2014 has been a pure nightmare for SMU and we are still in early September. The Mustangs first two games of the year: starting the season off with a 45-0 loss to Baylor and then an embarrassing 37-point struggle against North Texas (things don't look much brighter on the horizon, Texas A&M and TCU will get up a lot of points as well). Then, the resignation of Jones, a pretty well-known coach who turned around Hawaii. And then, to add insult to injury, the Mustangs learned their starting quarterback, Neal Burcham would miss the rest of the season. This year is clearly not the year that SMU makes a serious breakthrough and it doesn't appear the near future will see one either. What does SMU need to do to turn around the program that has been just plain terrible for well over two decades? Should Dickerson's comments be taken into serious consideration?

First things first, the Mustangs need a coach. Since Forest Gregg in the 90s and Jones just recently, SMU really hasn't had any memorable head coach who has done anything to improve the program. This hiring could be one of the most important in school history, and they need to make it count. Some of the big names involved with the vacant position include former Arkansas and Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt along with Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris. Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Mark Hudspeth along with Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables are two of the other big name possibilities for the job. One thing is clear: frustration for alumni is as strong as ever (which makes sense after 25 years of losing and seeing your team lose to North Texas by 37) and some new life needs to be poured into the program. Despite the fact the program has been a complete joke for years and years it is a relatively attractive job, at least for some. It is right smack dab in the heart of Dallas, a thriving city and it also has access to the rich recruiting basin that Texas is. Also, while the American Athletic Conference is essentially a C-USA 2.0, it would be a step up for Hudspeth and other coaches for Non-Power Five conferences. No matter who takes over they have to do some important things. First and foremost, inject some life into the fan base, the team and the program. 25 years of perennially losing isn't going to get any fan base excited and the program has gone back into its hibernating state, following some jolts of life under Jones. They will need to recruit with the best of Texas (most of the coaches SMU is considering have strong Texas ties) and above all else they have to win. The American Athletic is not exactly very tough to have success in and while this team has struggled so much this year it has some pieces. If a new coach can attract some great Southwest prospects, the Mustangs will be on their way. Though, the most important thing a new coach must have is patience, and the fans and alums must have it as well. And, it isn't easy to have patience when you've seen a team stink for just so long. But, taking this program back to their glory days won't happen overnight, considering it hasn't shown any signs of returning to that state in three decades.

Obviously, Dickerson is frustrated. It doesn't take a genius, a college football expert or anyone else special to tell you that. After being a key member of the dominant "Pony Express", Dickerson certainly hasn't had much fun watching SMU football since then. Not only has he been frustrated with the play on the field, he has been frustrated with some of the athletics departments coaching moves. But, like I said, patience will be key for the former college football star. And, like I said, that certainly won't be easy. One thing is painfully clear for SMU and it has been painfully clear for some time: they need to win, and win now. The infamous death penalty was 25 years ago and it is time to stop using that as an excuse. Some moves need to made and quick, or else we will continue to hear more and more stories of alums frustrated, much like Dickerson.

College Football Preview 2014-2015: Previewing the Non-Power Five Conferences

Deontay Greenberry

American Athletic Conference
Rankings 
 
 
1. UCF
2. Cincinnati
3. Houston
4. East Carolina
5. SMU
6. Temple
7. Memphis
8. UConn
9. Tulane
10. Tulsa
11. South Florida


Top Players to Watch:
Terrance Plummer, LB, UCF
The senior was an All-AAC player a year ago and should lead a fantastic Central Florida defense. He moves exceptionally well and is gifted with incredible instincts.
Deontay Greenberry, WR, Houston
Expect the Cougars to throw the ball all around the field this year, with Greenberry and quarterback John O'Korn returning. Greenberry is extremely fast and should be a very scary deep threat this season.
Lorenzo Doss, CB, Tulane
A big reason for the Green Wave's surprising 7-6 mark in 2013 was Doss, an All-Conference USA corner a year ago. He picked off seven passes last year and is one of the nation's elite shutdown cornerbacks.



Rakeem Cato

Conference USA
Rankings:
East Division

1. Marshall
2. Western Kentucky
3. Middle Tennessee
4. Old Dominion
5. Florida Atlantic
6. UAB
7. Florida International

West Division

1. North Texas
2. UTSA
3. Rice
4. Louisiana Tech
5. UTEP
6. Southern Mississippi

Top Players to Watch:
Rakeem Cato, QB, Marshall
Cato has put up huge numbers so far in his Marshall career, and he should do much the same in 2013. He has a huge arm and is a dual threat, he could be a dark horse Heisman candidate if Marshall runs the table or wins the conference.

Cyril Lemon, OG, North Texas
The three-year starter for the Mean Green is extremely durable and hard-working. The senior isn't the biggest player on the field but he is very mobile and he is extremely powerful.

Taylor Heinicke, QB, Old Dominion
Heinicke, the Walter Payton Award winner in 2012 (award given to best FCS offensive player) has the talent to keep the Monarchs in the mix in their first full year in FBS football. He has thrown for career marks of 11,483 yards and 102, while completing 70% of his passes.

Conference USA Championship: Marshall over North Texas

MAC
Rankings:

Jawon Chisholm

East Division

1. Bowling Green
2. Buffalo
3. Akron
4. Ohio
5. Kent State
6. Miami (Ohio)
7. UMass

West Division

1. Northern Illinois
2. Toledo
3. Ball State
4. Central Michigan
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Western Michigan

Top Players to Watch:
Matt Johnson, QB, Bowling Green
In new head coach Dino Babers' air raid offense, Johnson should put up huge numbers. He has the strong arm, smarts and mobility to give defenses serious fits.

Titus Davis, WR, Central Michigan
The senior playmaker is a talent you rarely see inside the MAC. He has a scary mix of size (6'2", 190 pounds) and speed to really have a fantastic final season in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Jawon Chisholm, RB, Akron
Now a senior, Chisholm has been a playmaker for the Zips for years. Last season, the playmaker ran for 869 yards and caught 27 passes, proving that he can hurt defenses in a variety of ways. If he can stay healthy, Chisholm could compete for Offensive Player of the Year honors.

MAC Championship: Bowling Green over Northern Illinois

Mountain West
Rankings:

West Division

Chuckie Keeton

1. San Diego State
2. Fresno State
3. UNLV
4. Nevada
5. San Jose State
6. Hawaii

Mountain Division

1. Utah State
2. Boise State
3. Colorado State
4. New Mexico
5. Wyoming
6. Air Force

Top Players to Watch:
Chuckie Keeton, QB, Utah State
Keeton could have put up huge numbers last year before a knee injury sidelined him for the last eight games of 2013. Now healthy, Keeton's huge arm and his plethora of options makes him a dark horse for the Heisman.

Derron Smith, S, Fresno State
The senior free safety is an elite playmaker; he has picked off 14 career interceptions, the FBS' active leader. He is also a dangerous blitzer who will be very disruptive in 2014.

Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State
The talented junior linebacker does it all. In 2013, he recorded 82 tackles, 13 tackles for loss along with five sacks. He leads a talented linebacker corps that also includes the two Vigil brothers, Nick and Zach.

Terrance Broadway

Mountain West Championship: Utah State over San Diego State

Sun Belt
Rankings:

1. Louisiana-Lafayette
2. Arkansas State
3. Troy
4. South Alabama
5. Texas State
6. Louisiana-Monroe
7. Georgia Southern
8. Appalachian State
9. Idaho
10. Georgia State
11. New Mexico State

Top Players to Watch:
Wes Saxton, TE, South Alabama
Saxton will be South Alabama's most dangerous weapon this year after a strong 2013. The 6'4", 240 pound playmaker is not only an exceptional blocker but also has receivers' hands and superb speed.

Terrance Broadway, QB, Louisiana-Lafayette
Few quarterbacks in the history of the Sun Belt are as talented as Broadway, a dual threat who is so tough to stop. He threw for 2,419 yards and ran for 442 more, while completing over 62 percent of his passes.

Michael Orakpo, LB, Texas State
Orakpo was terrific a year ago, and he might only grow as a pass rusher this season. He picked up 4.5 sacks and 71 tackles in 2013 but has looked stronger this spring. He will be a monster this season for the Bobcats.

College Football Preview 2014-2015: 20. UCF Knights

J.J. Worton

20. UCF Knights

Coach: George O'Leary (11th year)
2013-2014 Record: 12-1 (8-0 American Athletic)

Schedule:
August 30th vs. Penn State (Dublin, Ireland)
September 13th @ Missouri
September 20th vs. Bethune-Cookman
October 2nd @ Houston
October 9th vs. BYU
October 18th vs. Tulane
October 25th vs. Temple
November 1st @ UConn
November 14th vs. Tulsa
November 22 vs. SMU
November 28th @ South Florida
December 4th @ East Carolina

Despite the fact they were a great program in the Conference USA under the tenure of George O'Leary, 2013-2014 still came as a major surprise. The Knights went 12-1, undefeated in the inaugural year of the American Athletic Conference, beat Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl and their lone loss was a three-point loss to SEC power to South Carolina. Although Blake Bortles and Storm Johnson both left for the NFL early, O'Leary and UCF have developed a staying power and a weaker AAC means they could still be a national title threat.

Backfield: It certainly is not going to be easy to replace Bortles, who threw or 3,581 yards and 25 touchdowns in his junior year before being drafted No. 3 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. A number of different candidates are in serious competition to replace him, including sophomore Justin Holman, redshirt freshman Pete DiNovo and true freshman Tyler Harris. Boise State transfer Nick Patti, who will eligible this year, should also be in the mix. Neither have much experience, Holman is the only player who has thrown a pass in a Central Florida uniform, he was 9 for 14 with 75 yards in mop up duty for Bortles. He should have the slight edge because of how comfortable he is in the Knights' offense but Harris has potential and is a quick learner and DiNovo has a big arm. Johnson left a year early as well, leaving a big hole in the backfield after he rushed for 1,139 yards last season. Sophomore William Stanback is likely to replace him, the powerful back ran for 443 yards and 6 touchdowns last year. He isn't very explosive but he is a short-yardage playmaker and can run over people. Three-star back C.J. Jones should also contend to be in the mix in the backfield; a talent from Port Orange, Florida could be a nice change of pace to Stanback, he is explosive and elusive.

Receivers: Most people might remember senior receiver J.J Worton for his spectacular one-handed grab in the end zone against Temple, perhaps the catch of the year. He can make excellent grabs but he is also a very productive overall pass-catcher. Worton had 47 receptions for 721 yards and also recorded 7 touchdowns. He is a great route runner and has pretty dangerous speed and his superb athleticism enables him to grab everything thrown near him. Also back in the receiving corps is senior Rannell Hall and junior playmaker Breshad Perriman. Hall was the Knights' leading receiver last year and managed 886 yards while Perriman proved to be a big play threat, averaging nearly 21 yards per catch. Tight end Justin Tukes is a proven option in the passing game, while excelling as well as a blocker. He had just one touchdown last year but if he stays healthy he could become a real threat in the red zone. Expect three-star prospects Jordan Franks and Tre'Quan Smith, both dangerous playmakers from Florida. Franks also is gifted with great size, standing at 6'4" and could be very productive his first season in Orlando.

Offensive Line: Some important pieces are gone on Central Florida's offensive line, which was one of the nation's strongest lines in the nation in 2013-2014. All-AAC studs Justin and Jordan McCray graduated this offseason, leaving a big hole on their line. The good news is that senior Torrian Wilson is back, an experienced linemen with real talent. He could move from left tackle to left guard this year to fill the big need at that position. Wilson has an impressive motor with a solid frame and an expansive knowledge of UCF's offensive system. The left tackle slot is likely to be manned by gigantic sophomore Chester Brown, a 6'5", 325 pound beast of a player. Although young, his size is very impressive and he has been very impressive this spring. The right side of the O-Line is a major question mark, as the Knights will have to break in two new starters on that side. Aaron Evans is a redshirt freshman with an NFL body and pretty great athleticism. He could really help Stanback grow as a back with him opening lanes. Two offensive line prospects also come in with this class, both could have an impact. Wyatt Miller, a three-star find from Georgia has the tools to become a really talented offensive tackle and Luke Palmer adds depth.

Defensive Line: The Knights had the nation's 29th ranked defense, allowing just 362 yards per game, much of that is thanks to the defensive line, who can apply pressure to the quarterback. Second-team All-AAC performer Thomas Niles returns at one of the defensive end spots. Niles is a speedy threat off the edge who is a great wrap-up tackler; he had four sacks in 2013. Also back on the D-Line is defensive tackle Demetris Anderson, another junior. Anderson started in all 13 games for Central Florida last year and proved to be a very productive player, recording 24 tackles and 7 tackles for loss. O'Leary and staff raided the junior college ranks by adding talented defensive tackle Lance McDowell (they also added linebacker Errol Clarke II). McDowell, who is from Nassau Community College in New York, has the frame and strength to make some big plays for the Knights' defense. Junior Miles Pace is back at the other defensive end position, who appeared in eight games last season. He recorded 4 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in those appearances and his athleticism could help him grab some more of those statistics this year.

Terrance Plummer

Linebackers: Senior Terrance Plummer returns to lead the UCF defense, after an impressive 2013 in which he had 110 total tackles and 2 interceptions while also forcing two fumbles. Plummer has great speed and a nose for the ball, he is gifted with incredible instincts, he can make tackles all across the field. He was an All-AAC linebacker who could be even better this year with even more snaps under his belt. Senior Troy Gray is also returning after a strong campaign last year, starting at outside linebacker. Gray had 62 tackles and two interceptions last year, he is not a very dangerous pass rusher but he is an underrated coverage 'backer with great athleticism. Clarke, a JUCO transfer from Garden City Community College (Kansas), could see some serious action this year. He began his career at Cincinnati and was very productive while at Garden City, he was a three-star prospect this year. The other outside linebacker position is a relative question after the team lost Sean Maag. Sophomore Justin McDonald and senior Michael Easton will compete for the open spot.

Secondary: Central Florida's pass defense was a real weakness in 2013, as it allowed nearly 240 yards per game through the air, good for 76th in the entire nation. Though, it could be a real strength this year with all four starters returning in the defensive backfield, including talented safeties Brandon Alexander and Clayton Geathers. Both are playmaking seniors, who can make big plays; Alexander landed three picks and Geathers two, along with 100 tackles, managing an All-AAC season. Both of these safeties are great coverage players, which should help take some pressure off the Knights' cornerbacks. Sophomore Jacoby Glenn was decent in his first year as starter but he has the potential to be great. A great athlete with hard-hitting ability, Glenn should see big improvements this season. The likely starter at the cornerback slot should be senior Jordan Ozerities, who had 59 tackles. The gem of this year's recruiting class is safety Kyle Gibson, a four-star talent who has all the tools to be a great player at the collegiate level. Excellent range with great tackling ability, Gibson could contribute right away.

Special Teams: This could also be a major strength for the Knights, as they return kicker Shawn Moffitt and punter Caleb Houston. The senior, Moffitt, was 21 of 23 from field goals and Houston was quite productive. Worton and Hall aren't just great receivers; they are also both dangerous in the return game, especially Worton, who averaged 12 yards per punt return.

Even with questions at both quarterback and back and also the offensive line, the Knights have the talent to win double-digit games. The AAC is extremely weak with Louisville and Rutgers now gone and outside of early tests against Missouri and Penn State (in Dublin) the Knights have a very favorable schedule. O'Leary and the Knights have reached a point of sustainability where, even with some severe losses, they still have enough talent and experience to be in serious contention.

College Football Preview: Heisman

Although the past couple of years, the Heisman winner has been a surprise (Johnny Manziel, Robert Griffin) it is still tradition to think about what players may be fighting for this year's Heisman. Here are a list of the top contenders:

Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

Johnny Manziel

Since he won it last year it would be silly not to put Johnny Football on this list. Manziel should still be one of the most exciting players in college football and it is reasonable to think that he will improve this year. Although, he didn't have a lot of weaknesses in 2012 and he shredded some of the nation's top defenses, Manziel still made bad decisions and struggled in close games. Other than a pivotal matchup with Alabama on September 14th, the Aggies schedule is pretty
favorable. Other than dates with LSU and Ole Miss, Texas A&M should be able to win easily. If Johnny Manziel performs as well as 2012 and manages to beat the Tide once more another Heisman will be in his hands.

Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State
Ohio State is the class of the Big Ten and they should be picked to win every single game this season. They will be favored to go 13-0 and appear in the national championship game meaning Miller will automatically get a lot of hype because he is the quarterback of an undefeated team. Everybody loves a dual threat for a Heisman and Miller is definitely one; he threw for 2,039 yards and ran for 1,271 more. If Miller's passing game continues to develop and the Buckeyes do indeed go undefeated in the regular season, Miller might well be the favorite.

A.J. McCarron, QB, Alabama
Many believe (including me) that the Tide will win their third straight national title this year. If McCarron has the year he had in 2012, 30 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions it will be tough for Heisman voters not to give him the nod. McCarron isn't the exciting, dual threat that Miller and Manziel are but he is still a proven winner who is the leader of the nation's best team. If 'Bama beats Texas A&M and Virginia Tech, McCarron should be the favorite early on the season. The Tide's late-season schedule is relatively easy so if he does become the early favorite, McCarron could ride all the way to a Heisman.

Teddy Bridgewater

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
The strong-armed quarterback out of Louisville who will likely be the first QB taken in next year's draft, Bridgewater should put up the numbers to sneak into the Heisman race. The question for him will be whether Louisville has the schedule for him to win it. The Cardinals play in the weak American Athletic and even if they do go undefeated it may be tough for them to get into the national championship game. Bridgewater should put up some huge numbers but he may remind some people of Boise's former QB Kellen Moore; a stat machine who doesn't play in enough big games to win the big one.

Others
De'Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon
Thomas has the explosiveness and excitement to get votes, especially if Oregon manages to win the Pac-12.

Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
If a defensive player is to win the Heisman anytime soon it will likely be Clowney. The massive, athletic end should be a sack machine and an impact player the whole year.

Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Lee had a magical 2012 but Matt Barkley is gone and we still don't know who will be the QB at USC this year. Even if there are QB issues, Lee should still be a playmaker.

2013 Heisman Winner: Braxton Miller