Another Addition To The Division 1 College Sports Gameday Preview

Aug. 29, 2012 - PRLog -- #105-108:
Still a long way off
#108: Army
Schedule strength: 101
Roster strength: 122
Overall potential: 88

The short on the Cadets:
Army does have a loaded backfield, headed up by Raymond Maples, and several other running backs. But a leaky defense is where the Cadets must make vast improvements if the Cadets are to have a chance.

#107: Tulane
Schedule strength: 117
Roster strength: 80
Overall potential: 112

The short on the Green Wave:
Another school with a new head coach, Curtis Johnson has some talent on offense to work with. Wide Receivers Xavier Rush, Justyn Shackleford, and Wilson Van Hooser will be the go-to trio on offense. QB Ryan Griffin needs to be more consistent this season if Tulane has any hopes of going anywhere this year.
#106: Memphis
Schedule strength: 118
Roster strength: 71
Overall potential: 119

The short on the Tigers:
First season head coach Justin Fuente has too many holes to fill and very little talent to work with. Memphis is literally in rebuild mode. Wins will be hard to come by.
#105: New Mexico State
Schedule strength: 115
Roster strength: 98
Overall potential: 95

The short on the Aggies:
There are plenty of taleneted players on the New Mexico State team, but getting the job done seems to be a problem. New Mexico State knows how to score, but mental mistakes and lapses on defense proved costly for the Aggies last season. How the team matures and comes together as a team this season will be the key to the Aggies success in 2012.
#93-96:
Not quite there now, maybe later
#96: San Jose State
Schedule strength: 104
Roster strength: 100
Overall potential: 76

The short on the Spartans:
Head coach Mike MacIntyre needs to make a name for himself, and very soon. There is a load of talent on the Spartans team, both on offense and defense, that is going to waste. The best receiving corps in the WAC, several running backs that can carry the weight, and solid front lines on both offense and defense will carry San Jose State to several wins. The problem remains at quarterback. It has been a revolving door in recent years, and needs to stop if the Spartans want to return to a bowl game.
#95: Wyoming
Schedule strength: 83
Roster strength: 109
Overall potential: 79

The short on the Cowboys:
Wyoming has been mediocre at best in recent years due to a lack of talent at receiver. An absent passing game has hindered the Cowboys ability to win more games than it could. No real breakthrough receiver stands out this season either. On the plus side, the Cowboys do have a solid defense and several quality running backs. Wyoming will win some, but not quite a bowl contender.
#94: Kansas
Schedule strength: 92
Roster strength: 74
Overall potential: 105

The short on the Jayhawks:
New head coach Charlie Weis takes over a Kansas team in search of an identity. He inherits a team with one of the worst defenses in the conference, an offense that sprung too many holes last season, and returns doesn't have any star power on the roster. Weis' challenge will be to make the team believe they can win, and at Notre Dame they did. Will he make it happen again? Wait and see.
#93: Bowling Green
Schedule strength: 94
Roster strength: 106
Overall potential: 70

The short on the Falcons:
Bowling Green has stumbled in recent years due to holes on the offensive line and inconsistent play on offense. New recruits to plug those holes have shown promise in spring drills and may lead to brighter days in the future. As for the here and now, the Falcons are a young, loaded, and potential team. There will be some wins this season, next season will be their year.
#101-104:
Not quite ready, too many questions
#104: Eastern Michigan
Schedule strength: 112
Roster strength: 101
Overall potential: 92

The short on the Eagles:
Another team that is making slow steady inroads. Eastern Michigan has a running game that can deliver. Quarterback Alex Gillett has come a long way in reducing turnovers and has a receiver corps that complements the running game. But a questionable defense could spell doom.
#104: Eastern Michigan
Schedule strength: 112
Roster strength: 101
Overall potential: 92

The short on the Eagles:
Another team that is making slow steady inroads. Eastern Michigan has a running game that can deliver. Quarterback Alex Gillett has come a long way in reducing turnovers and has a receiver corps that complements the running game. But a questionable defense could spell doom.
#102: Texas-El Paso
Schedule strength: 93
Roster strength: 102
Overall potential: 108
The short on the Miners:
A defense that was slow to stop the opposing offense sank the Miners last season and no real offensive star spells another long season. Injuries took its toll on UTEP in spring drills. If the team can get healthy, the Miners have a chance. There are several capable wide receivers returning, but a quarterback that wants to be the leader needs to step up. Can UTEP pull it all together by fall? Wait and see.
#101: Rice
Schedule strength: 97
Roster strength: 92
Overall potential: 111

The short on the Owls:
Another team with a poor defense. Rice allowed over 36 points per game last season. Can Rice get anywhere without a reliable defense? Unlikely. And this years roster doesn't have any answers. Over on offense, how consistent will Taylor McHargue be at quarterback? When he is on, the Owls win. When he is off, Rice loses. A weak schedule will be the only reason Rice will win a few games this season.
#89-92:
One "fairly good season" isn't good enough
#92: Utah State
Schedule strength: 86
Roster strength: 115
Overall potential: 67

The short on the Aggies:
Utah State hasn't had much luck on the gridiron, and last season's 7-6 season was a breakthrough for the Aggies. Head coach Gary Anderson has made some believe they belong with the big boys. But there isn't much talent on this team. No set in stone quarterback, no workhorse running back, and a lot of young inexperienced players on the roster. The Aggie defense did do it's job last season, a major reason for the winning record, and will be a key factor this season. Bottom line, without any star power on offense, last year's success will be a distant memory this year.
#91: Western Kentucky
Schedule strength: 105
Roster strength: 75
Overall potential: 85

The short on the Hilltoppers:
Last year's 5-7 finish may lead many to believe that Western Kentucky is capable of playing at the top level. Or are they? The Hilltoppers still do not have blue chippers on the roster, and the recent recruits have shown they have the potential to win. A four year starter at quarterback, Kawaun Jakes had his breakthrough season last year, but still has a lot of room to improve upon. The 'Topper defense isn't spectacular, the offensive line is ok, and the running backs and receivers are all groomed and ready. If Jakes comes into his own, then a bowl awaits. Stay tuned.
#90: Miami of Ohio
Schedule strength: 95
Roster strength: 81
Overall potential: 87

The short on the RedHawks:
Oh how the mighty have fallen. An 11 win season just a few years back, Miami of Ohio hasn't been able to repeat. Senior quarterback Zac Dysert has developed into a steady passer the past three seasons, and barring injury will become the schools top passer alltime. Questions on defense have haunted Miami in recent years, plugging them remains an issue. Miami isn't bowl ready this year, but the RedHawks will keep games entertaining.
#89: Duke
Schedule strength: 103
Roster strength: 52
Overall potential: 103

The short on the BlueDevils:
Duke landed a load of quality recruits in the past season, but this team still has a long way to go this season. Four seasons in, David Cutcliff still hasn't turned the corner for Duke. Quarterback Sean Renfree is still rough around the edges and needs to mature fast. There are no big names on the team and play in the ACC will be brutal. Another long season is in store. The future may be brighter.