The calm before the storm... (2024 CFB Preview thread)

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

NCAA votes to ease limit on 'countable' coaches

The NCAA on Tuesday approved a rule change that will allow any staff member to "provide technical and tactical instruction to student-athletes during practice and competition."

www.espn.com

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Buffalo

Preview segment: The Buffalo Bulls

Last season: A tough 3-9 record, which included another loss to an FCS team. So coach Maurice Linguist is out, and veteran Pete Lembo is in.

Good news: Line play should be the highlight of this Buffalo team; the O-line returns 4 starters and the D-line looks good as well. RB Jacqez Barksdale should rack up rushing yards, and watch Marcus Fuqua in the secondary.

Bad news: QB Cole Snyder transferred to Eastern Michigan, and Buffalo has SIX guys trying to take his place. Oh sure, CJ Ogbonna has the edge, but can he wake up the passing game? Oh, and Buffalo came up empty in the transfer portal (more or less) thanks to the late start by Lembo and his staff.

Key games:
9/7 @ Missouri (Buffalo lucked out on the schedule front; this game looks to be the only "impossible" game for them in 2024.)
9/21 @ Northern Illinois (Going to Dekalb looks scary, but Buffalo can win this game if their passing game shows up.)
11/12 vs. Ball State (The Bulls can send Mike Neu to the unemployment line if they beat the Cardinals here.)
11/20 @ Eastern Michigan (So Buffalo is facing their former starting QB... on EMU's Senior Day. Of course the Bulls will circle this game on the calendar.)

Bottom line: You know... For a rebuilding team, Buffalo has lucked out so far. Their line play looks good. Pete Lembo is a known program builder. And if you take away the Missouri game, the Bulls schedule looks very good. Buffalo won't be bowling in 2024, but don't be surprised if they upset a big MAC team this fall.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Eastern Michigan

Preview segment: The Eastern Michigan Eagles

Last season: I honestly don't know what to make of Eastern Michigan's 2023 season. On one hand, they lost their bowl game 59-10 and had the 129th-ranked offense in the country. But on the other hand, EMU continues to be a constant threat in the MAC West. And they now have, what, 5 bowl appearances over the last 6 years?

Good news: QB Cole Snyder has come in from Buffalo to help the offense out. The kicking game looks very good, and Peyton Price has become one of the best players in the MAC. Also, the school is getting some needed upgrades (led by former player Maxx Crosby) that will help them in the long term.

Bad news: The short term, however, doesn't look all that good. A lot of playmakers are gone from last year's team, most noticeably RB Samson Evans. EMU is also thin on the O-line.

Key games:
9/14 vs. Jacksonville State (Hopefully, EMU will do better against Jacksonville State at home than they did last year in Alabama.)
10/12 vs. Miami-Ohio (Has the Eagles really won their last 2 meetings against Miami-Ohio?)
10/19 vs. Central Michigan (EMU was unable to beat either one of their in-state MAC rivals in 2023. They'll host the Chippewas this year, so let's see if the Eagles can get revenge.)
11/30 @ Western Michigan (And here's the other in-state MAC rival that EMU is hoping to top in 2024.)

Bottom line: With the lack of Samson Evans on this team, I don't think EMU will compete for the MAC West title this year. But never count out Chris Creighton and his coaching staff; they'll compete for yet another bowl appearance as they set things up for 2025 and beyond.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Central Michigan

Preview segment: The Central Michigan Chippewas

Last season: CMU went 5-7 in 2023, with a 3-game losing streak to end things (which pushed them out of a bowl). Now the coaching staff wants the Chippewas to "finish better" this season.

Good news: QB Bert Emanuel Jr. flashed some good skills last season, so if he stays healthy the CMU offense should fly. That's because Bert will have a bevy of experienced options at RB and WR.

Bad news: Aside from safety Donte Kent, nobody really stands out on the CMU defense. The kicking game could be a mess, and I still haven't figured out who the new offensive coordinator for CMU is yet.

Key games:
9/14 @ Illinois (The schedule for CMU in 2024 is nicer than last year's, as this game could be their toughest challenge.)
10/12 vs. Ohio (A simple challenge match for both teams. And CMU needs to do well here, because they must go to EMU one week later.)
11/12 @ Toledo (November will be busy for Central Michigan. First they'll host Bowling Green, then challenge Toledo for a chance at the MAC West title.)
11/19 vs. Western Michigan (After that, CMU will host their bitter rivals from Kalamazoo before finishing at Northern Illinois.)

Bottom line: In the MAC conference, offense usually wins. So CMU needs to find a new coordinator for that side of the ball quickly. If they do that and then make sure the defense doesn't suck, the Chippewas will be back in a bowl game and maybe be a challenger in the MAC West.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Northern Illinois

Preview segment: The Northern Illinois Huskies

Last season: Thomas Hammock and his Northern Illinois program continues to vex and confuse us. They start the 2023 campaign by beating Boston College, then lose to SOUTHERN Illinois the very next week! Then NIU goes on a 4-game losing streak, then a 3-game winning streak, then another losing streak, and then NIU ends the year with 3 straight wins (including their bowl game).

Good news: Maybe the volatile antics of NIU will stop in 2024; they return 16 starters from last year (which is rare in the portal era). Highlighting the returns are a proud special teams unit, 8 starters from a Top-25 defense in 2023, and Antario Brown leading a group of proud RB's.

Bad news: The O-line is missing a couple of starters, but the biggest worry is at the most important point: Quarterback. Rocky Lombardi has graduated, and expect the battle between Ethan Hampton and Jalen Macon to continue into summer camp.

Key games:
8/31 vs. Western Illinois (NIU has road dates with Notre Dame and NC State in September. But to me, Huskies fans will be happy if they just don't lose against another in-state foe from the FCS.)
10/12 @ Bowling Green (Breaking Bowling Green's defense will be key for NIU to win this MAC contest.)
10/19 vs. Toledo (If Northern Illinois wants to win the MAC West, they have BETTER silence the rival Rockets this time around.)
11/30 vs. Central Michigan (Hmm... Could the Chippewas ruin the MAC title dreams of the Huskies?)

Bottom line: On paper, Northern Illinois is ready to compete for the MAC title. The defense looks great, and the running game is solid. Maybe all NIU has to do is find a new, capable QB to guide them to the top. That is, if the coaching staff can finally get some CONSISTENCY!
Remember that word, folks. Consistency. That's what Northern Illinois will finally have to get if they want to be back on top of the MAC.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Western Michigan

Preview segment: The Western Michigan Broncos

Last season: A tough 4-8 in Lance Taylor's 1st year.

Good news: The Broncos wanted an offensive jolt when they hired Lance, and they could get it this year. RB Jalen Buckley was the MAC Freshmen of the Year, and he has a good O-line to help him get more yards. The D-line has some good depth...

Bad news: ...but depth could be a problem in other key areas, like at WR (a new deep threat needs to be found). The defense needs to find some true playmakers, but early trips to Wisconsin and Ohio State might not help matters.

Key games:
9/28 @ Marshall (Let's see how the Broncos do against a team that used to be in the MAC many moons ago.)
10/19 @ Buffalo (The early part of the MAC slate is pretty easy for Western Michigan in 2024. But they should just be careful against Buffalo.)
11/6 vs. Northern Illinois (However, the month of November will be BUSY for the Broncos. Can WMU do better against the Huskies than the 24-0 stinkbomb they dropped last year?)
11/19 @ Central Michigan (The Broncos have now won 5 of their last 6 games against the rival Chippewas.)
11/30 vs. Eastern Michigan (This might decide a bowl berth for both teams.)

Bottom line: Oh! I almost forgot. Western Michigan has a new offensive (Walt Bell) and defensive coordinator (Scott Power)! If those two settle in quickly, maybe the Broncos can get back to bowl contention in 2024. Just don't expect them to seriously contend for the MAC.