D'ville's Full-Service CFB Preview Thread for 2020!

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Nevada

Preview segment: The Nevada Wolfpack

Last season: It was a mix of good and bad for Nevada last year. On the bright side, they defeated teams like Purdue and San Diego State to go bowling. On the negative side they lost their bowl game, lost the "Fremont Cannon" to UNLV, and their offensive numbers were bad.

Good news: Improvement on offense is very likely, as it returns 9 starters including some good RB's. The special teams also looks good, the O-line returns nearly everyone, and QB Carson Strong is ready to be a multi-year starting QB.

Bad news: That O-line was crap last year, so hopefully it gets it's act together in 2020. The defense has some good pieces, but it also has a new coordinator.

Key games:
9/5 @ Arkansas (Over the last 2 years, both Colorado State and San Jose State had upset Arkansas. Will Nevada join this list?)
9/26 vs. San Diego State (Like Air Force/Boise State in the Mountain, this game won't decide the West division but will play a BIG role in who does win it.)
10/3 @ Hawaii (Last year Nevada lost to Hawaii 54-3. In Reno!!)
11/7 @ San Jose State (San Jose is under the delusion that they can challenge for the West this year.)
11/28 @ UNLV (One of the bigger priorities for Nevada this year is taking back the "Fremont Cannon" from the Rebels.)

Bottom line: This could be a big year for the Nevada Wolfpack; maybe all they need to do to win their first West division title is to make sure their defense runs well. If it does, Carson Strong and company should do the rest. That early game with San Diego State looms large, however.

 

[We Are Decent]

Nice, keep up the good work.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Nevada-Las Vegas

Preview segment: The UNLV Rebels

Last season: Another tough year for the Rebels as they went 4-8. Now Tony Sanchez is gone and replaced by former Oregon offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo.

Good news: The skill positions (RB and WR) look pretty good, and the D-line looks to keep improving. Plus, Arroyo has already improved recruiting for the Rebels.

Bad news: UNLV has one of the toughest schedules in school history staring them down, which is not good for a defense that's missing it's top 3 defenders from a year ago.

Key games:
8/29 vs. California (Maybe it's to open up UNLV's new place [Alleigant Stadium] with a bang, but the Rebels will have Cal, Louisiana Tech, and Arizona State visiting the place. And the Golden Bears will be there with UNLV to open the place.)
10/24 vs. Colorado State (If UNLV's offense is on point, this game looks winnable.)
11/7 vs. Fresno State (See above game)
11/28 vs. Nevada (It'll be interesting to see how the first "Battle of the Fremont Cannon" played at Alleigant Stadium goes down.)

Bottom line: That was a LOT harder than I thought it was gonna be; the new coach and the new stadium will both be positive steps for the UNLV program, but first they gotta get their ducks in a row. But it'll be hard with a defense to fix and a miserable schedule in front of them. If the Rebels don't do anything big in September, you can ignore them the rest of the way.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

San Diego State

Preview segment: The San Diego State Aztecs

Last season: 2019 was another fine year for the Aztecs; they scored another 10-win season, another bowl win, and their 1st-ever win over UCLA. In fact, the last decade has been great for them; this is now the longest run of sustained success SDSU has had since the 1960's and 70's. But could it end this year?

Good news: Did you know SDSU had one of the Top 5 defenses in the nation last year? Well, 7 starters from that vicious unit are back. On offense, 3 starters return on the O-line and there are some good pass catchers over there.

Bad news: Wait a minute, Aztecs? You won all of those games in 2019 while your offense sucked [110th overall last year]? Well, this year QB Ryan Agnew is gone, so let's hope your new starting man (Carson Baker) is ready for the grind. Oh, and waking up your dormant running game wouldn't hurt, either.

2020 X-factor: New head coach Brady Hoke- In a rather odd move, Rocky Long left San Diego last winter to help his former school (New Mexico) fix their defense. And replacing him is former Aztec and Michigan coach Brady Hoke. Will this retread work? I mean, the first time Brady was there he bolted after only 2 years.

Key games:
9/19 vs. UCLA (Last year, SDSU did indeed beat the mighty Bruins. Let's see them do that again, this time in San Diego.)
9/26 @ Nevada (Wait. The Aztecs play UCLA right before this epic conference opener? How is the Aztec offense gonna handle this?!)
10/24 vs. San Jose State (San Diego has won their last 7 meetings with San Jose State, but this year the Spartans has the talent to take them out.)
11/21 @ Fresno State (Can't forget this in-state rivalry game.)
11/28 vs. Hawaii (About the only thing the Aztecs did wrong in 2019 was lose to Hawaii 14-11... which costed them the West division.)

Bottom line: Wait. I just remembered something. Wasn't Brady Hoke the defensive line coach last year? Hmmm... now this coaching change doesn't look so bad! At least San Diego State will have some continuity over there. If the Aztec offense is able to beat Nevada on September 26th, they should be able to ride their great defense to another division crown.

 

[Duckboy33]

Nevada-Las Vegas

Preview segment: The UNLV Rebels

Last season: Another tough year for the Rebels as they went 4-8. Now Tony Sanchez is gone and replaced by former Oregon offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo.

Good news: The skill positions (RB and WR) look pretty good, and the D-line looks to keep improving. Plus, Arroyo has already improved recruiting for the Rebels.

Bad news: UNLV has one of the toughest schedules in school history staring them down, which is not good for a defense that's missing it's top 3 defenders from a year ago.

Key games:
8/29 vs. California (Maybe it's to open up UNLV's new place [Alleigant Stadium] with a bang, but the Rebels will have Cal, Louisiana Tech, and Arizona State visiting the place. And the Golden Bears will be there with UNLV to open the place.)
10/24 vs. Colorado State (If UNLV's offense is on point, this game looks winnable.)
11/7 vs. Fresno State (See above game)
11/28 vs. Nevada (It'll be interesting to see how the first "Battle of the Fremont Cannon" played at Alleigant Stadium goes down.)

Bottom line: That was a LOT harder than I thought it was gonna be; the new coach and the new stadium will both be positive steps for the UNLV program, but first they gotta get their ducks in a row. But it'll be hard with a defense to fix and a miserable schedule in front of them. If the Rebels don't do anything big in September, you can ignore them the rest of the way.

Arroyo is improving their recruiting but it's going to take a while for the Rebels to make noise in the MWC IMO

 

[Boise4Life]

Arroyo is improving their recruiting but it's going to take a while for the Rebels to make noise in the MWC IMO

Yep. Need the Jimmys and the Joes and they ain’t got them yet.

 

[Duckboy33]

Yep. Need the Jimmys and the Joes and they ain’t got them yet.

What are your thoughts on the MWC for next season?

 

[Boise4Life]

What are your thoughts on the MWC for next season?

In terms of who will win I’d probably say Boise. Really going out on a limb I know. That‘s far from a sure thing though. We lost every starting lineman on both lines expect for one. We have a studly end and also an interior lineman who are both ready to burst but I am concerned with our O line. We dropped two multi-year first team conference dudes and even with them we somewhat underperformed. If we can block we should be fine everywhere else though.

Air Force finished #22 and will be tough again. They’re a division rival and they get us at home. They are replacing a ton of starters but are bringing the most important ones back. Their O line is solid and they return all 5. They also bring back Hammond at QB who will likely be the preseason conference player of the year and their RB is an absolute stud. I like him better than Holani at Boise who is very highly regarded.

Wyoming should be in the mix. They have a tough defense and their QBs and RB are excellent runners. They are a conference rival to Boise and they will also get them at home. I saw them at 25/1 conference title odds in Vegas. Those are good odds to consider taking a flier on.

Also I’d say San Diego State who will have an easier path coming from the weaker West division could be in the mix. Their defense kicks ass, but I’m not sure I trust them with Long out and Hoke in at coach. Plus their offensive line was mysteriously horrible last season and their offense was completely inept. Big improvements will have to be made in those areas in order for them to compete for a title.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Wyoming

Preview segment: The Wyoming Cowboys

Last season: Wyoming went into the 2019 season with a lot of question marks, but the Cowboys were able to get past them; they finished 8-5 with a opening-night win over Missouri and a win in the Arizona Bowl. In fact, 4 of their 5 losses on the year were by a TD or fewer.

Bad news: Most of the production from Wyoming's defense a year ago is gone, and they have a new defensive coordinator. The kicking game is completely starting over from scratch, and none of the WR's stand out as a threat.

Good news: The D-line does return a bit of experience, and Wyoming may have 2 QB's but I think they can make it work. And the running game should be brilliant; Xazavian Valladay headlines a great RB group, and the O-line is STACKED with starters.

Key games:
9/12 @ Louisiana-Lafayette (I know it looks strange, but I think Wyoming's game with Louisiana could be great; the Cajuns has big plans for 2020.)
9/19 vs. Utah (Wyoming's win over Missouri last year took place in Laramie, plus Utah is facing a big talent drain.)
10/24 vs. Air Force (Alphabetically, we got the one that's first [Air Force] vs. the one that's last [Wyoming]! And both the Falcons and Cowboys don't care; this game will be crucial in the Mountain division race.)
11/21 vs. Boise State (But of course, it all begins and ends with mighty Boise State. Wyoming has beaten the Broncos only once [2016 in Laramie].)

Bottom line: Wyoming must also deal with San Diego State and Nevada, so it's gonna be a tough road for them [especially with so much change happening on defense]. But Craig Bohl has earned the benefit of the doubt, so it shouldn't take too much for Wyoming to make another bowl trip... and maybe challenge the Falcons and the Broncos.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Utah State

The last preview segment for the Mountain West: The Utah State Aggies

Last season: It was a middling start to Gary Andersen's 2nd tenure at Utah State, as the Aggies went 7-6. Maybe it was injuries on that defense that let the Aggies down.

Bad news: There are changes on both sides of the ball, as the defense lost key players like David Woodward and the offense lost their star QB Jordan Love.

Good news: The O-line returns nearly intact, and 4 of their top 5 pass targets from a year ago are back as well.

Key games:
9/3 vs. Washington State (We may not find out too much about the Aggies until the opener, where they'll host Washington State in Nick Rolovich's debut as coach of the Cougars.)
10/3 @ BYU (The Aggies DID defeat BYU the last time they went to Provo.)
10/10 vs. San Diego State (Utah State might have to strike fast if they want to defeat the Aztecs this year.)
11/28 vs. Air Force (Maybe the Aggies can ruin Air Force's grandiose plans for this season.)

Bottom line: This may be strictly a rebuilding year for Utah State, as they just have too many unknowns for me right now. They might just be happy with scrapping together a bowl berth in 2020... IF they avoid the injury bug that killed them a year ago.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Mountain West predictions

And here we go with the first round of conference predictions for the 2020 season:

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

Mountain Division:
1. Boise State (Conference champs, maybe "New Year's Six")
2. Air Force
3. Wyoming
4. Utah State
T-5. New Mexico
T-5. Colorado State

Starting tomorrow, I begin my look at an AAC conference that no longer has divisions... and yet still wants a championship game.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Southern Methodist

The first preview segment for the American Athletic Conference: The SMU Mustangs

Last season: QB Shane Buechele was great. The defense was quite aggressive. And with that going for them in 2019, SMU football got it's first 10-win season since 1984... which was during the pre "Death Penalty" days. Now fans in Dallas are hoping that they can somehow get that again.

Bad news: The running game is lacking a proven playmaker, and the kicking game needs an upgrade. The defense only returns 4 starters...

Good news:...but the transfer portal was kind to SMU last winter, as they got a collection of players that can help out over there. Buechele is back for one more year, and he has a diverse group of pass-catchers led by WR Reggie Robertson Jr.

Key games:
9/26 vs. TCU (SMU fans had a feeling that 2019 was gonna be a great year when the Mustangs defeated TCU for the first time since 2011. This year, the "Battle For the Iron Skillet" will take place for the 100th time.)
10/1 vs. Memphis (However, SMU must deal with the Memphis Tigers 5 days after facing the Horned Frogs.)
10/24 vs. Cincinnati (It's challenge time once again for the Mustangs! Beating Cincinnati would prove that SMU is ready for a AAC title.)
11/5 @ Temple (Weirdly, this may be the toughest road game SMU will have all year.)
11/21 vs. Houston (SMU is enjoying a winning streak in this series for the first time since 1985-86.)

Bottom line: Despite losing some key personnel, SMU is primed to continue their challenge for a conference title. And the schedule is very kind, with all of their big games in Dallas, so another decent bowl looks like a gimme. Now if only they can stop Memphis and Cincinnati...

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Temple

Preview segment: The Temple Owls

Last season: Another fine year for the Owls as they scored 8 wins. They were also just 2 points away from beating Cincinnati and maybe winning the AAC East. But they flopped badly in their bowl game, and now Temple must go through 2020 without some key pieces.

Bad news: A lot of playmakers are gone from Temple's defense, including 3 first-string linebackers from a year ago and stud defensive-end Quincy Roche [who's now at Miami... where Temple must go to in their opener]. The Owls must also replace some bodies on the O-line.

Good news: If Temple gets better consistency from QB Anthony Russo, the offense should be very good thanks to some fine skill players. The defense DOES have depth in the secondary.

Key games:
9/19 vs. Rutgers (These 2 teams used to play each other every year from 1977 to 2004. The last time Temple defeated Rutgers was back in 2002.)
9/26 @ Navy (An important conference opener for the Owls, as they face a rebuilding Navy team.)
10/24 @ Memphis (Temple handed Memphis it's only regular season loss of the 2019 season.)
11/14 @ UCF (Uh oh... I don't like Temple's chances in the AAC in 2020 anymore.)

Bottom line: Temple definitely has the horses to make it's 6th straight bowl game, which is pretty amazing for this program. But unless some new playmakers emerge on defense to combat a hard schedule, they can forget about seriously contending for the AAC title.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

East Carolina

Preview segment: The East Carolina Pirates

Last season: Mike Houston's 1st ECU team started out OK as the Pirates started 3-2. But when they entered conference play, reality came a knockin' and ECU finished 4-8.

Good news: The offense found it's footing late last season, thanks to QB Holton Ahlers. Expect Ahlers to put up more numbers with another wicked collection of WR's helping him. ECU's defense has a solid secondary...

Bad news: ...but it has questions everywhere else; the D-line needs some new starters ASAP. The O-line also has a lot of questions (and holes) that must be addressed.

Key games:
8/29 vs. Marshall (ECU's line play has to be ready right away, as they start the season with an old rival from their days in Conference USA.)
9/24 vs. UCF (Maybe if the Pirates crack UCF's defense, they can pull off the upset.)
10/10 @ USF (Here's a chance to snatch an all-important win in the AAC for ECU.)
10/17 vs. Navy (Navy gave ECU it's worst loss of last year, beating them up 42-10.)

Bottom line: It is getting better for East Carolina under Mike Houston's leadership, and the offense should do good things again. But nearly everyone else in the AAC is LOADED, so I don't like ECU's chances at the postseason... at least in 2020.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Houston

Preview segment: The Houston Cougars

Last season: ...Well, the Dana Holgorsen era really started with a big thud, now didn't it? Houston started 1-3, then QB D'Eriq King sat out the rest of the season... partly because of a ACL injury, but mostly to save himself for the 2020 season. Then the O-line suffered a lot of injuries, the defense still sucked, and it all ended with Houston finishing 4-8.
Cougars fans are now hoping that 2019 was just an anomaly, and that Dana will get them back to contention in the AAC.

Good news: The offense returns nearly everyone, including some proud RB's and their top 4 pass catchers. And Houston's special teams unit may be the best in the whole AAC.

Bad news: That Houston defense may continue to suck unless some transfers can step up. And where is D'Eriq King, the man who wanted to play in 2020? Well, he WILL play QB in 2020... just over at Miami and not Houston.

2020 X-factor: QB Clayton Tune- So with D'Eriq gone, new starting QB Clayton Tune will have to step in. He saw a lot of action last year, but also dealt with nagging injuries. If he stays healthy, he can make a big improvement in his 2nd year.

Key games:
9/12 @ Washington State (Houston will have a chance to upset Washington State... IF they can stop Wazzu's offense.)
9/19 @ Memphis (Then the following week, Houston must go and visit the defending AAC champs. The Cougars hasn't beaten Memphis since 2015.)
10/31 vs. UCF (This is a straight-up glamour game for the AAC, and Houston must be ready for it...)
11/7 @ Cincinnati (...because then they must visit Cincinnati in another AAC glamour game.)
11/21 @ SMU (I'll bet Houston is so jealous about all the attention SMU got in 2019.)

Bottom line: As you can probably see, Houston's schedule is not kind as they must deal with the unholy AAC power trio of Cincy, UCF, and Memphis. The good news, if the defense finally gets it's shit together, Houston should be able to beat at least one of those 3 and reemerge as a AAC contender. It's a big ask, however, so let's hope the Cougar offense is on point as well.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

South Florida

Preview segment: The South Florida Bulls

Last season: A rough 4-8 campaign. So out goes Charlie Strong and in comes former Clemson offensive coordinator Jeff Scott.

Good news: USF has some attractive options at the RB position, and the secondary looks good.

Bad news: The defensive line can stand to be more productive, but the real problem is at the passing game; the starting QB spot is up for grabs and USF really needs to find some dependable receivers quick.

Key games:
9/19 vs. Nevada (We'll see if USF's offense can keep up with the Air-Raid attack of Nevada.)
9/26 @ Florida Atlantic (USF has lost a lot of ground in the state of Florida over the last couple of years. Here's a chance to get some of it back.)
10/10 vs. East Carolina (A chance for USF to get a conference win.)
11/27 vs. UCF (Hopefully USF can make this installment of their rivalry with UCF much closer than it was a year ago.)

Bottom line: Jeff did a great job with Step #1 of rebuilding this program: Installing accountability with a mixing of optimism. Fixing that slow offense should be Step #2 for Jeff and crew, but with 9 bowl teams from last year on USF's schedule, progress on the field will be slow for the Bulls in 2020.

 

[Olyduck]

Mountain West predictions

And here we go with the first round of conference predictions for the 2020 season:

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

Mountain Division:
1. Boise State (Conference champs, maybe "New Year's Six")
2. Air Force
3. Wyoming
4. Utah State
T-5. New Mexico
T-5. Colorado State

Starting tomorrow, I begin my look at an AAC conference that no longer has divisions... and yet still wants a championship game.

solid im porbably a little higher on Wyoming than AF and not as much on Utah State.
i also think San Jose over Hawaii but we are talking about a win here and there difference in opinion.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Cincinnati

Preview segment: The Cincinnati Bearcats

Last season: For the most part, 2019 was another great year for Cincinnati as they went 11-3 and won the Birmingham Bowl. However, the Bearcats had two (count them, TWO!) chances to defeat Memphis and make the "New Year's Six"... and failed. Oh well, there's always this year (since Luke Fickell is still here)!

Good news: Despite losing Michael Warren III, the running game looks to be strong once again. The secondary unit could be something special, and I'm confident that QB Desmond Ridder can regain his dominant form from 2018. The D-line is deep...

Bad news: ...but it'll be missing proud linebackers like Bryan Wright and Perry Young. Tight-end Josiah Deguara is also gone, and Cincy has some questions at the WR position too.

Key games:
9/26 @ Nebraska (This will be a marquee game in Week 4 of the season. If Cincinnati is truly serious about challenging for the "New Year's Six", they'll go to Nebraska and upset the Cornhuskers.)
10/24 @ SMU (The Mustangs has turned themselves into a AAC contender, so this should be a good one.)
10/31 vs. Memphis (Wait! Now I remember! Those two games that Cincinnati lost to the Tigers? They both took place in Memphis. Let's see if the Bearcats can return the favor when Memphis visits Nippert Stadium!)
11/21 @ UCF (This is looking more and more like a preview of the AAC title game in 2020; both of these teams are loaded.)
11/28 @ Temple (Will the Owls sabotage Cincinnati's AAC hopes on "Rivalry Week"?)

Bottom line: Fresh off a #21 finish in the final AP poll of 2019, Cincinnati are ready to make another push for an AAC title. I guess THAT'S why Luke Fickell spurned those "Power 5" jobs in the offseason; he wants to finish the job he started.
A lot of production from 2019's team is returning, so all Cincy has to do is fix a few small problems to maybe get a "New Year's Six" berth in 2020.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Central Florida

Preview segment: The UCF Golden Knights

Last season: On the surface, it was another fine year for Central Florida as they won 10 games (including one against Stanford) and finished in the AP rankings for the 3rd year in a row. But they've been so dominant over 2017 and 2018, a drop-off seemed inevitable.
And that's what happened; Pittsburgh broke that aura of invincibility, and then Cincinnati took away the AAC East title. Now the Golden Knights are hoping to take the AAC back in 2020.

Good news: Nearly every position has either good depth or powerful talent; UCF has QB Dillon Gabriel (who did well as a freshmen) and three good RB's on offense, and a powerful secondary on defense.

Bad news: About the only real concern for UCF to fix in preseason is at wide-receiver; Gabriel Davis left early for the NFL and new guys has to step up.)

Key games:
9/4 vs. North Carolina (UCF's first game is against a confident UNC squad. This might be a matchup of Top 25 teams.)
9/18 @ Georgia Tech (And then, UCF must go to Atlanta to face a Georgia Tech team that most likely will be better than they were last year.)
10/3 vs. Tulsa (Losing to Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, I understand. Losing to a Tulsa team that finished 4-8, that I simply don't get. And even though this rematch is in Orlando, Tulsa will be ready for it.)
10/16 @ Memphis (...Just know that this may be a preview of the AAC title game coming up in December.)
11/21 vs. Cincinnati (See above game)

Bottom line: With North Carolina and Georgia Tech staring UCF down, it's safe to say that the Golden Knights will have to earn it's keep in the "New Year's Six" discussion very early. But I think they got the least amount of worries of any "Group of Five" school this year, so I've got UCF as my favorite to make a big-ticket bowl once again.
Trouble is, both Cincy and Memphis has that same dream, too.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Tulane

Preview segment: The Tulane Green Wave

Last season: On the surface, 2019 was another good year for Tulane as they had a winning season and a victory over old rival Southern Miss in the Armed Forces Bowl. But Jeff Monken (and a few other prognosticators) wanted Tulane to be not just good, but great last year. And that simply didn't happen as Tulane nearly blew a 5-1 start thanks to a disappointing D-line and bad penalties.

Bad news: That disappointing D-line returns nearly intact, by the way. Only 4 starters return on offense, with an unproven QB game and a O-line that's replacing some people.

Good news: Maybe an extra year together will help that D-line get better. And besides, the linebacker group is VERY deep over here. The special teams look good, and the RB group also has a LOT of options on tap.

Key games:
9/12 @ Northwestern (Hopefully Tulane finds a starting QB by this game, because the Wildcats will post a big challenge.)
9/19 vs. Navy (Tulane nearly shocked a loaded Navy team in Annapolis last year. So I like Tulane's chances to beat a depleted Navy team in New Orleans.)
10/31 vs. Temple (A game Tulane must win to better their bowl chances.)
11/21 @ Tulsa (See above game)

Bottom line: Hmmm... I can't really seem to generate much excitement for this particular Tulane squad. Hopefully the Wave can find a QB so that they can make their 3rd straight bowl game (which would be a program first). But better discipline is also needed, too.