Schedule Strength: Moderate
Key Losses: CB Nevin Lawson and S Maurice Alexander
NFL Draft Prospects: QB Chuckie Keeton, OLB Kyler Fackrell and ILB Zach Virgil
Summary: Even with just eight total starters back, the Aggies are setup for a very good season. They'll need QB Chuckie Keeton to come back from his knee injury because he's does he's good enough to carry the load for an inexperienced group. But he'll also have help on defense where the Aggies two LBers Fackrell and Virgil are play makers. The Mountain West likely comes down to their game at Boise State to end the year.
Marshall Thundering Herd
Schedule Strength: Ridiculously Easy
Key Loss: OT Garrett Scott
NFL Draft Prospects: QB Rakeem Cato, WR Tommy Shuler, C Chris Jasperse, ILB Jermaine Holmes and FS AJ Leggett
Summary: There are two things that will have the Thundering Herd finishing in the Top 25 this season. They have the best roster in Conference USA and they might have the easiest schedule in all of FBS. QB Rakeem Cato and WR Tommy Shuler combined for nearly 1,200 yards last season and that should only improve. But let's be real. If Marshall loses more than a game this season should be a disappointment. They're toughest game by far is vs Rice and that's at home. This is a good team, but they really won't be tested.
Boise State Broncos
Schedule Strength: Tough
Key Losses: LT Charles Leno, C Matt Paradis and DE Demarcus Lawrence
NFL Draft Prospects: RB Jay Ajayi, WR Matt Miller and FS Jeremy Ioane
Summary: With Chris Peterson now at Washington it's going to be interesting to see how the Broncos do. Having former Broncos assistant Bryan Harsin take over will help because he brings continuity. Mainly running the ball. Peterson loved to do it, and Harsin did it at Texas and Arkansas State. RB Jay Ajayi will be their bell cow and a guy to count on. However they'll need somebody to step up and fill Demarcus Lawrence's 10.5 sacks. Next best is 2.5. They have a tough schedule, but they'll be in a spot to win the conference if they beat Utah State on November 29th.
BYU Cougars
Schedule Strength: Moderate
Key Loss: OLB Kyle Van Noy
NFL Draft Prospects: QB Taysom Hill, RB Jamaal Williams and DE Bronson Kaufusi
Summary: With the QB/RB duo of Hill and Williams and an experienced offensive line the Cougars should continue to have success running the ball (267 yards per game). However they'll need Hill to improve as a passer and cut down from the 14 INTs last season. Defensively they should be fine, but have to replace two of their top three tacklers. But the Cougars should be the best independent team this season.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Schedule Strength: Brutal
Key Losses: WR TJ Jones, TE Troy Niklas, LT Zack Martin, G Chris Watt, DE Stephon Tuitt, DT Louis Nix, OLB Prince Shembo and CB Bennett Jackson
NFL Draft Prospects: QB Everett Golson, WR DaVaris Daniels, TE Ben Koyack, LT Ronnie Stanley, G Conor Hanratty, C Nick Martin, DE Sheldon Day, DT Jarron Jones, OLB Ishaq Williams and CB KeiVarae Russell
Summary: Without QB Everett Golson the Irish went from a National Title Game to four losses and the Pinstripe Bowl. He's back now and he'll have some rust to shake off, but they schedule is back heavy which will allow him to his feet under him. Steady QB play will allow the offense to play with more consistency and take pressure off the defense. Defensively they'll continue to have NFL level talent, but they need to improve on the 28 points per game they gave up last year. Notre Dame will have a better team that last year, but I don't see them having a better record due to their schedule.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Schedule Strength: Easy
Key Losses: No Players Drafted
NFL Draft Prospects: QB Gunner Kiel and LT Eric Lefeld
Summary: With Louisville out of the AAC the Bearcats are the team primed to take control. A lot will hinge on QB Gunner Kiel who was the top QB his his class. He was projected to be a future 1st round pick, but because he's transferred from Notre Dame (Cincy is his 4th school) he hasn't seen the field yet. If he is the real deal the Bearcats could cruise through their easy schedule and make some noise. Defensively they don't have any star players but have one of the best defenses in their conference.
Houston Cougars
Schedule Strength: Moderate
Key Losses: No Players Drafted
NFL Draft Prospects: WR Deontay Greenberry, G Rowdy Harper, OLB Efrem Oliphant, ILB Derrick Matthews and FS Trevon Stewart
Summary: Right there with Cincinnati, the Cougars are looking to take control of the AAC. Houston could have the advantage since they likely have the best roster in the conference. WR Deontay Greenberry could end up being one of the top WRs in the country and return their top five tacklers. ILB Derrick Matthews had seven sacks last year. The only thing stands in their way is that Cincinnati avoids UCF and hosts Houston to end the season.
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
Schedule Strength: Moderate
Key Losses: No Players Drafted
NFL Draft Prospects: QB Terrance Broadway, G Daniel Quave and DT Justin Hamilton,
Summary: Coming off their conference championship last season, the Ragin' Cajuns are poised for back to back titles. Having 17 starters back is going to help with all of their key players back. With games at Mississippi and Boise State, don't be surprised if they knock one of them off. This season could be the one that gets their head coach Mark Hudspeth a job with a Power 5 conference team.
Rice Owls
Schedule Strength: Moderate
Key Loss: CB Phillip Gaines
NFL Draft Prospects: WR Jordan Taylor, TE Connor Cella, DT Christian Covington and CB Bryce Callahan
Summary: Returning 18 starters last year the Owls enjoyed a ten win season and the Conference USA Title. Now the Owls aren't as experienced this year, but they do return quite a bit of talent. Finding a replacement for QB Taylor McHargue will be key, but defensively the Owls should improve on the 24 points per game they gave up. DT Christian Covington could be that breakout player nobody knows about yet.
Bowling Green Falcons
Schedule Strength: Moderate
Key Losses: No Players Drafted
NFL Draft Prospect: QB Matt Johnson
Summary: It will be tough losing head coach Dave Clawson, but the offense returns seven starters including QB Matt Johnson and new coach Dino Babers will bring in a similar spread offense. Babers is coming off a very successful stint at Eastern Illinois and with a loaded roster he should be able to lead the Falcons to another MAC Title.
Top 20 Non Power 5 Conference NFL Draft Prospects
1. Kyler Fackrell OLB Utah State
2. Chuckie Keeton QB Utah State
3. Christian Covington DT Rice
4. Justin Hardy WR East Carolina
5. Ishaq Williams OLB Notre Dame
6. Ben Koyack TE Notre Dame
7. Devante Davis WR UNLV
8. Deontay Greenberry WR Houston
9. Jay Ajayi RB Boise State
10. Derron Smith S Fresno State
11. Sheldon Day DE Notre Dame
12. Jamaal Williams RB BYU
13. Kei'Varae Russell CB Notre Dame
14. Wes Saxton TE South Alabama
15. Eric Lefeld OT Cincinnati
16. Tyeler Davison DT Fresno State
17. Lorenzo Doss CB Tulane
18. Clayton Geathers S UCF
19. Tyler Matakevich OLB Temple
20. Tommy Shuler WR Marshall
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