Every Power 5 Conference Team's Biggest Concern Heading into Fall Camp
It’s almost time. Across the nation, college football conference media days are in full swing. Watch lists are being populated with, well, let’s be honest, too many players from every league. And we’re not far away from players strapping on pads and helmets and beginning serious preparation for the 2016 college football season.
Graduation, attrition and the NFL draft mean that change is the only constant, and every team, from returning College Football Playoff qualifiers to a Kansas team that finished 0-12 in 2015, has questions. Some have more than others, of course, but all coaches will spend the next month trying to answer their most pressing queries before the regular season kicks off.
Here’s a look at the biggest concern for every Power Five team entering fall camp.
Note: All recruiting rankings are courtesy 247Sports.
Alabama
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As Nick Saban enters his 10th season at Alabama, the expectations are as high as ever. He took a program seeking a return to glory and has delivered in a huge way, bringing four national titles to Tuscaloosa, including last season’s 45-40 win over Clemson. However, the Crimson Tide have questions aplenty after returning 11 starters.
The biggest is under center. Saban and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin went with one-year senior starters the past two seasons in Blake Sims and Jake Coker. They were successful (both won SEC titles and made the College Football Playoff, and Coker won a national title), but Coker’s graduation means Alabama is looking for another starting quarterback.
Junior Cooper Bateman, sophomore David Cornwell, redshirt freshman Blake Barnett and true freshman Jalen Hurts competed through spring practice, with Bateman taking the lead thanks to his experience in the offense, per AL.com's John Talty. However, he has not locked down the job, and with a tough September slate that includes Southern California and a trip to Ole Miss, settling on a starter quickly is crucial.
Arizona
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Rich Rodriguez and Arizona enjoyed a special season in 2014. The Wildcats won 10 games, took the Pac-12 South title and made the Fiesta Bowl. They took a step backward last fall, thanks in part to the injury issues of dynamic backfield duo Anu Solomon and Nick Wilson.
Solomon missed multiple games with concussion symptoms and saw his stats slip, going from 3,793 yards with 28 touchdowns and nine interceptions as a freshman to 2,667 yards, 20 scores and five picks as a sophomore. That dip played a big role in Arizona’s slide to 7-6, although a poor defense (35.8 points per game, No. 107 nationally) didn’t help either.
This fall, Solomon’s hold on a starting role is uncertain. Backup Brandon Dawkins performed well in a 52-37 loss to Arizona State and pushed him this spring, and freshman Khalil Tate could also challenge for time. RichRod needs to figure out if he can trust Solomon or if the offense is better off in Dawkins’ hands.
Arizona State
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2016 will be a season of change for the Arizona State offense. The Sun Devils enjoyed tremendous success under offensive coordinator Mike Norvell’s guidance, averaging 34.6 points per game last fall. But Norvell departed to become Memphis’ head coach, and ASU returns just four offensive starters.
They have a deep backfield with Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage but must replace quarterback Mike Bercovici, who threw for 3,860 yards, 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions in his only full season as a starter.
Four underclassmen (Manny Wilkins, Brady White, Bryce Perkins and Dillon Sterling-Cole) will compete for the starting quarterback role in preseason practice. Wilkins, White and Perkins didn’t impress during spring practice. With a defense that allowed 337.8 passing yards last fall, the Sun Devils must find a way to keep the offense humming with new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsay if they hope to make another bowl game.
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Arkansas
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At Wisconsin, Bret Bielema built his reputation using a powerful ground-and-pound offense with speedy power backs and burly offensive linemen. Through three years at Arkansas, he’s found success with a similar philosophy. Two years ago, both Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins rushed for at least 1,100 yards, and after Williams suffered a season-ending preseason foot injury, Collins rushed for 1,577 yards and 20 scores as a junior.
However, both backs entered the NFL draft, which leaves a big hole in the Razorbacks backfield. Kody Walker, Rawleigh Williams and Devwah Whaley will all compete for carries. There are injury concerns with Walker (coming off a broken foot) and Williams (who missed much of 2016 following a serious neck injury). Whaley might be the best of the bunch and one of the most talented backs Arkansas has ever signed.
If the past is any indication, Bielema will lean on multiple players to tote the rock. He and offensive coordinator Dan Enos must find several backs they can trust before the season begins.
Auburn
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This is a crucial season for Gus Malzahn in Auburn. Following a smashing debut in 2013 that saw the Tigers go 12-2 with miraculous last-minute wins over Georgia and Alabama, and push Florida State to the wire before falling in the BCS National Championship Game, AU regressed, going 15-11 with a 6-10 SEC record over the last two seasons.
Auburn was fortunate to even make a bowl last fall, squeezing into the Birmingham Bowl with a 6-6 record and defeating Memphis for a winning season. Quarterback play was a major culprit; Jeremy Johnson began the season with Heisman Trophy hype but finished it splitting time with Sean White. The pair combined to throw 11 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.
Johnson and White spent spring competing with transfer John Franklin III for the starting role. Auburn senior receiver Marcus Davis told AL.com's Tom Green that both are "more hungry" to win the job this fall.
"I think they're more hungry, especially Jeremy," said Davis. "There's a lot more at stake for him because it's his last year and he wants to go out the right way. Those guys come in to work every day. Sean, he's just a really consistent guy that's always willing to work as well."
None truly separated, although Franklin, a dual-threat passer, is closest in style to Nick Marshall, who excelled running the offense in 2013. Malzahn needs to settle on a leader soon; the Tigers welcome national runner-up Clemson to begin the season.
Baylor
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No team had a more tumultuous offseason than Baylor. Following a solid 10-3 season, off-field issues took center stage. Successful coach Art Briles was fired, while chancellor Kenneth Starr was stripped of his power, and athletic director Ian McCaw resigned after an independent investigator concluded that Briles and his staff had obstructed and misled investigations into allegations of sexual assault and dating violence against his players.
Former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe was brought in as “acting” head coach, but the damage was done. Per John Werner of the Waco Herald-Tribune, 12 recruits, half of Baylor’s 2016 class, have been released from their national letters of intent, including star guard/tackle Patrick Hudson and top receiver Devin Duvernay. Talented sophomore quarterback Jarrett Stidham also announced plans to transfer, and star receiver KD Cannon (868 yards and six scores in 2015) recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.
Returning starting quarterback Seth Russell and powerful backfield duo Shock Linwood and Johnny Jefferson provide offensive punch, but the Bears return just one starting offensive lineman and no starting defensive linemen.
Most important for the team? Grobe must create unity and keep the Bears focused on on-field matters, because they do have plenty to play for this season.
Boston College
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Boston College slipped badly last fall, going from two consecutive bowl trips to a 3-9 record. The Eagles had an excellent defense (15.3 points per game, No. 4 nationally and a national-best 254.3 yards per game), but their offense was punchless. BC averaged 17.2 points per game, No. 121 nationally, and four quarterbacks combined for eight touchdowns against nine interceptions.
New offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler hopes to improve those numbers with a new system and a new quarterback. Kentucky graduate transfer Patrick Towles, who was supplanted as the Wildcats’ starter, looks for a fresh start in Chestnut Hill. He’ll compete with dual-threat passer Darius Wade, who claimed the starting role last fall before suffering a season-ending broken ankle in the season’s third game against Florida State.
Boston College starts the season in Ireland against Georgia Tech, and following a road trip to UMass, the Eagles travel to Virginia Tech. That's not an easy beginning. Ideally, head coach Steve Addazio would probably prefer a competent starter emerge quickly.
California
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Sonny Dykes’ third season at Cal showed tremendous progress. Two years after a 1-11 debut season, the Bears finished 8-5 and capped the season with an Armed Forces Bowl win over Air Force. Building on that will be difficult. Prolific quarterback Jared Goff left to become the top overall pick in the NFL draft, and while Dykes and new offensive coordinator Jake Spavital secured a commitment from graduate transfer Davis Webb, who's well-versed in the Air Raid system, there are questions about whom he’ll throw to.
Cal’s top six receivers from 2015 graduated, leaving Chad Hansen (19 receptions, 249 yards, one score) as the leading returning pass-catcher. Five-star receiver Demetris Robinson made a splash with a late commitment, and he’ll play early and often in this offense. Still, Dykes and Spavital must identify reliable receivers who have good chemistry with Webb before the Bears kick off the 2016 season against Hawaii in Sydney on Aug. 27.
Clemson
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Clemson has won just one national title in its history—with Danny Ford in 1981—but the Tigers were so close that they could taste it last season. Dabo Swinney’s group began the season a program-best 14-0 and entered the national title game against Alabama as the No. 1 team, pushing the Crimson Tide to the brink before falling, 45-40. Swinney and the Tigers would love to finish the drill this fall, and the presence of prolific quarterback Deshaun Watson and eight returning starters on offense will help.
However, defensive coordinator Brent Venables has some work ahead. The Tigers return just three defensive starters after losing six underclassmen to the NFL draft, led by physical cover corner Mackensie Alexander and defensive end Shaq Lawson. Keeping the defense in the top 10 nationally, as it has been the past two years, will be difficult.
The biggest issues are in the secondary, where senior cornerback Cordrea Tankersley is the only returning starter. Venables needs players such as corners Mark Fields and Marcus Edmond and safeties Jadar Johnson and Van Smith to prove themselves trustworthy. The Tigers will score plenty, but they’ll need capable defense to stay among the nation’s elite programs.
Colorado
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In three seasons at Colorado, Mike MacIntyre has yet to show signs that he’s the guy who can stop the Buffaloes’ run of 10 consecutive losing seasons. He is 10-27, including a 4-9 record in 2015. The Buffs do return 15 starters (including nine on defense), which is a major plus in the tough Pac-12 South.
However, there are reasons to be worried about the offense. Senior quarterback Sefo Liufau saw his junior season end early because of a Lisfranc foot injury. Liufau has been cleared to play this fall, per ESPN.com's Ted Miller, although he'll be cautious early on. He is the Pac-12’s most experienced quarterback, with 7,397 passing yards over 29 career starts.
He must prove himself truly healthy and ready to go over the next month. That would give MacIntrye a feeling of relief as he enters an important season in Boulder.
Duke
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David Cutcliffe has done a tremendous job at Duke. He has turned around one of the nation’s most historically moribund programs and made it a consistent winner, going to four consecutive bowl games. Last fall, the Blue Devils put together an 8-5 record and won their first bowl game since 1961, beating Indiana, 44-41, in overtime in the Pinstripe Bowl.
This will be a season of transition for Duke, which returns 10 starters. Cutcliffe’s best seasons have come with talented quarterbacks, and he needs Thomas Sirk badly. Sirk led the Duke offense in multiple ways last fall, passing for 2,625 yards with 16 touchdowns against eight interceptions and also leading the Devils in rushing with 803 yards and eight scores.
However, Sirk’s 2016 was in jeopardy after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in February. He made a strong comeback and is on pace to be ready for the season opener against North Carolina Central Sept. 3, per Steve Wiseman of the (Durham) Herald-Sun (via the News & Record). That would be gigantic for the offense, which otherwise would rely on junior Parker Boehme. Sirk’s health is paramount to Duke making another run at postseason play.
Florida
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As he enters his second season at Florida, Jim McElwain has given Gators fans some reasons for hope. Florida went 10-4 and won the SEC East in McElwain’s first season. But Florida ended the season on a three-game losing streak, getting outscored 97-24 in losses to Florida State, Alabama and Michigan. The main culprit? Instability at quarterback.
Will Grier emerged as a capable threat, but his suspension midway through the season following a positive NCAA test for performance-enhancing drugs threw the offense into chaos. Treon Harris was not the answer, and Florida spent spring picking between transfers Luke Del Rio and Austin Appleby for the starting role (Grier would have been eligible at midseason, but he transferred to West Virginia).
Del Rio was excellent in spring, and if a young offensive line that allowed a national-worst 45 sacks last season matures, it’ll be huge for the Gators’ hopes. But it would be optimal to settle on a starting quarterback before the Sept. 3 opener against UMass.
Florida State
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How good has Florida State been under Jimbo Fisher? Well, consider this: The Seminoles went 10-3 and made a “New Year’s Six” bowl in 2015. And it was a reloading year. That a 10-win campaign can be a disappointment speaks to the Seminoles’ recent success; 2015 ended a run of three consecutive ACC titles, a national title and a College Football Playoff appearance.
2016 figures to be a return to form. Florida State returns 15 starters, including nine on offense, led by dynamic junior tailback Dalvin Cook, who rushed for 1,691 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior while battling through leg injuries. The biggest question? Quarterback.
Senior Sean Maguire missed spring practice while recovering from ankle surgery. He was good—not great—as a junior, passing for 1,520 yards with 11 touchdowns against six interceptions while splitting time with Everett Golson. His absence opened the door for redshirt freshman Deondre Francois and true freshman Malik Henry, who flashed dual-threat skills with Maguire sidelined.
Florida State has a huge neutral-site opener against Ole Miss and travels to Louisville on Sept. 17. It’s tantamount for Fisher to get a capable quarterback picked very quickly, whether it’s Maguire or a freshman.
Georgia
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Kirby Smart begins his first season in Athens with big expectations. Mark Richt won 145 games and two SEC titles in 15 seasons but parted ways after missing the SEC Championship Game in three consecutive seasons. Smart, Nick Saban’s top lieutenant at Alabama, returns 13 starters across the board.
There are serious questions at quarterback, where heralded freshman Jacob Eason will battle with senior Greyson Lambert and junior Brice Ramsey for the starting role. But the bigger issues are at tailback. Both Nick Chubb and Sony Michel have 1,000-yard rushing seasons on their resumes, but both are questionable for Sept. 3’s Georgia Dome opener against North Carolina.
Chubb will likely play this season, but he’s still recovering from multiple torn knee ligaments suffered last Oct. 10 against Tennessee. And Michel was poised to lead the way in the backfield before suffering a broken forearm in a recent ATV accident. If neither is 100 percent, it’ll hamper the beginning of Smart’s Georgia tenure. Per Jason Butt of the Macon Telegraph, Smart told ESPN's Mike & Mike program that he won't have certainty about Chubb until UGA's first scrimmage.
“I think Nick Chubb’s going to be fine,” Smart said. “But I won’t know that until the first scrimmage. Or the second scrimmage. When we get to go live and tackle and hit and he gets over that mental aspect of taking that first hit.”
Georgia Tech
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Georgia Tech was one of the most disappointing teams of 2015. One year after an 11-win season that included an ACC Coastal Division title and an Orange Bowl title, the Yellow Jackets fell off sharply to a 3-9 record.
Quarterback Justin Thomas’ fortunes epitomized Tech’s struggles. As a sophomore, Thomas threw for 1,719 yards with 18 touchdowns against six interceptions and rushed for 1,086 yards and eight touchdowns.
With multiple new offensive pieces around him, his production slipped significantly. He threw for 1,345 yards with 13 touchdowns against eight interceptions, completing just 41.7 percent of his passes. His rushing stats were down sharply, too, as he rushed for 488 yards and six scores, averaging just 3.4 yards per attempt. As a team, Tech rushed for 256.2 yards per game, worst in Paul Johnson’s tenure.
The Yellow Jackets offensive line struggled to create holes. While Tech returns a number of key offensive contributors, including leading rusher Marcus Marshall, the key to 2016 success should revolve around the line’s improved maturity. Three starters return, and they’ll have to make the flexbone offense hum this fall.
Illinois
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For the first time in 21 years, Lovie Smith is back in college football. Smith, the former head coach of the NFL’s Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is Illinois’ third head coach in less than a calendar year, following Tim Beckman and Bill Cubit. He inherits a 5-7 team that just missed a bowl game but returns only nine starters.
One of the Fighting Illini’s best assets is senior quarterback Wes Lunt, who threw for 2,761 yards with 14 touchdowns against six interceptions last fall. Illinois finished third in the Big Ten in passing. That said, one must wonder whom he’ll throw to. Mike Dudek had 1,038 receiving yards as a freshman, but the passing game received a serious blow when he suffered his second torn ACL in as many years in April.
Malik Turner had 39 receptions for 510 yards and three scores as a sophomore, and sophomore Desmond Cain had a solid freshman year, making 53 catches for 492 yards and a score.
Both are capable of being a No. 1 receiver, but they’ll need to build chemistry with Lunt as the main man in August if Illinois hopes to get off to a solid start and chase a bowl in Smith’s first season.
Indiana
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In his fifth season, Kevin Wilson finally relieved some pressure after leading Indiana to its first bowl in eight seasons. The Hoosiers lost the Pinstripe Bowl, 44-41, to Duke in overtime, finishing with a 6-7 record. The challenge now? Build on that and record a winning record with a core of 13 starters returning.
That won’t be easy. Improvement is needed on a defense that yielded 37.6 points per game last season (No. 117 nationally), but new coordinator Tom Allen should help. So should seven returning starters, including the entire secondary.
The biggest concern entering fall? Finding a replacement for quarterback Nate Sudfeld, who threw for 3,573 yards with 27 touchdowns against seven interceptions as a senior. Richard Lagow and Danny Cameron battled during spring and will continue that fight in August. The opening schedule is favorable (at Florida International, home against Ball State and Wake Forest), but Wilson would feel better heading into a Big Ten slate that starts with Michigan State and Ohio State if he had an established starter under center.
Iowa
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The biggest question in the Big Ten this season? That’s easy. Can Iowa repeat its feats of 2015? Sure, the Hawkeyes left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth with a 45-16 Rose Bowl loss at Stanford’s hands. But they were one of the nation’s best stories after going from 7-6 to a 12-0 regular season and Big Ten West championship, narrowly missing the College Football Playoff after Michigan State put together a 22-play touchdown drive to win the Big Ten title game.
Kirk Ferentz’s team returns a solid core of 13 starters, including senior quarterback C.J. Beathard and senior corner/return star Desmond King, the reigning Jim Thorpe Award winner. The Hawks return eight starters from a very good defense that allowed 20.4 points per game last fall, No. 19 nationally.
But one big hole exists on the defense, courtesy of the NCAA. In May, All-Big Ten defensive end Drew Ott’s injury waiver requesting a fifth season was denied, ending his career. That will leave sophomore Matt Nelson as the likely starter. He’ll need to prove he can generate pass rush alongside fellow sophomore Parker Hesse to leave Iowa feeling a bit more comfortable entering September.
Iowa State
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Matt Campbell has yet to coach a regular-season game in Ames, but he has already filled Iowa State fans with optimism. ISU’s administration had finally seen enough of Paul Rhoads following a 3-9 season capped with late collapses against Oklahoma State and Kansas State, and Campbell, who went 35-15 as Toledo’s coach, has wowed followers with his energetic touch.
Iowa State has major offensive talent in sophomore tailback Mike Warren (1,339 rushing yards as a freshman), junior receiver Allen Lazard and junior quarterback Joel Lanning. But it’s hard to score points when you can’t protect the quarterback.
The Iowa State offensive line has major issues. Left tackle Jake Campos is the only returning starter from a line that lost a collective 111 starts from 2015. The Cyclones need young and inexperienced players to prove they can keep Lanning upright and calm in the pocket. With road games at Iowa and TCU ahead in September, that’s a must-do this August.
Kansas
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Finding the biggest problem with Kansas’ program entering the 2016 season is a difficult proposition. When you’re 0-12 and your roster has more holes than a Swiss cheese factory, problems are everywhere. David Beaty and the Jayhawks enter this fall just looking for something positive to build on following the disastrous tenure of Charlie Weis.
Beaty has taken over as Kansas’ offensive coordinator, and his first order of business will be settling on a starting quarterback. Ryan Willis was the starter last fall after throwing nine touchdowns against 10 interceptions and 1,719 yards, but he missed time in spring with a wrist injury. That could open the door for 2014 starter Montell Cozart to reclaim the job.
Beaty needs to decide quickly. Gaining momentum before the Big 12 slate is important, and the season starts with a winnable game against FCS foe Rhode Island. Picking a quarterback he can live with should be job one for Beaty and the Jayhawks in August.
Kansas State
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Bill Snyder has enjoyed plenty of seasons to remember at Kansas State. 2015 was not one of them. Injuries hit Wildcats quarterbacks hard, with Jesse Ertz and Alex Delton both suffering season-ending knee injuries within the first two weeks of the season. That left the offense in the hands of former walk-on Joe Hubener, and the results were rather mediocre.
K-State quarterbacks combined to throw 14 touchdowns against 13 interceptions, and the Wildcats had to win their final three games just to squeeze into the Liberty Bowl, where they were whipped, 45-23, by Arkansas. The Wildcats return nine starters (only three on offense), and hope for improvement around the quarterback spot.
Ertz and Delton will compete for the job in preseason practice. Ertz is more of a passer and Delton a better runner, but the offense will be better served with either at the helm. Now, Snyder just has to decide which quarterback suits him best.
Kentucky
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Kentucky has been close to a breakthrough under Mark Stoops. So, so close. In each of the last two seasons, the Wildcats needed only a win over Louisville in the season finale to secure a bowl bid. Both times, however, they blew a lead and finished 5-7, consigning themselves to a holiday season spent at home. That’s a frustrating feeling, and Stoops’ fourth season could bring a different result.
The Wildcats return 13 starters, including nine on offense. But the biggest issues lie on the other side of the ball, where sophomore linebacker Denzil Ware is the only returning starter in UK’s front seven.
Stoops’ staff imported a pair of transfers in former Nebraska linebacker Courtney Love and Minnesota linebacker De’Niro Laster. The schedule does not offer a chance to ease the defense in, with upset-minded Southern Miss visiting followed by a trip to defending SEC East champ Florida.
The defense needs to be sharp early on for Kentucky to build momentum for a postseason push.
LSU
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Following a 2015 season marked by inconsistency (a 7-0 start trailed by an ugly 0-3 November stretch), LSU and Les Miles have the ingredients for a huge season. The Tigers return 18 starters, including 10 on defense, and have perhaps the nation’s best tailback and a strong Heisman Trophy candidate in bruising junior Leonard Fournette, who rushed for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns in 12 full games last season.
However, LSU’s Achilles' heel remains its passing game. Quarterback Brandon Harris finally seized the starting role last fall over since-transferred Anthony Jennings and threw for 2,165 yards with 13 touchdowns against six interceptions.
He had one 300-yard game and four games with fewer than 100 passing yards. Harris needs to show more consistency and take more pressure off Fournette and a nasty defense led by new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda.
Maryland
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Not much went right for Maryland in 2015. The Terrapins went 3-9 and bid adieu to head coach Randy Edsall at midseason. Not only were the Terps bad, but they also were often uncompetitive. Seven of their nine losses came by at least 16 points, and they allowed 34.4 points per game—No. 103 nationally.
New coach D.J. Durkin has an energetic style and a solid track record as defensive coordinator on Jim Harbaugh's and Urban Meyer’s staffs. Perhaps that enthusiasm can make up for a lack of talent across the board.
One of the biggest areas Durkin must target in August is finding a reliable quarterback. Seniors Perry Hills and Caleb Rowe were both ineffective last fall, combining for 15 touchdowns against 29 interceptions. Neither quarterback has to be a world-beater for the Terrapins to improve in a tough Big Ten East. They just have to show more consistency than they did in 2015. Getting that from either guy early on would be an early win for Durkin and his staff.
Miami
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Miami scored a major coup by landing Mark Richt as its new coach. Richt, a former Hurricanes quarterback and South Florida native, brings some much-needed buzz to a program seeking to recapture its glory days of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. Doing so, of course, means winning the ACC Coastal—something the ‘Canes have yet to accomplish.
Al Golden left some very solid pieces, including 16 returning starters. Quarterback Brad Kaaya is one of the nation’s top pocket passers and the ACC’s top quarterback behind Deshaun Watson. Junior Joseph Yearby is a returning 1,000-yard rusher, and Mark Walton creates a solid one-two punch.
However, those skills haven’t shown up on the field. Miami managed just 119.1 rushing yards per game last fall—No. 117 nationally. That was partially due to an offensive line that struggled to open holes for the running game.
The Hurricanes return four starting offensive linemen. With a year’s experience playing together, will they be better? Richt and his staff need to find out in August.
Louisville
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Bobby Petrino’s second stint as Louisville’s head coach is going well. The Cardinals are 16-10 with a pair of bowl wins in two seasons under Petrino 2.0, but there are two big roadblocks in their path to the top of the ACC Atlantic Division. Namely national powers Clemson and Florida State, who have both qualified for the College Football Playoff within the past two seasons. However, Louisville returns 16 starters, led by emerging star quarterback Lamar Jackson and a senior-laden defense.
The Cardinals have a chance to make their Atlantic case against FSU and Clemson in a three-week span between Sept. 17 and Oct. 1. The key? Protecting Jackson better.
At times, the offensive line showed all-around inconsistency. Four starters return, and if the line can make gains, it could be huge for Petrino and the Cardinals.
Michigan
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One of the most underrated factors in Jim Harbaugh’s strong debut season at Michigan was the quarterback play. Jake Rudock left Iowa as a graduate transfer and landed with the Wolverines, giving the offense some much-needed stability. He threw for 3,017 yards with 20 touchdowns against nine interceptions and helping Michigan to a 10-3 record. However, Rudock was a senior, which left Harbaugh searching for a new offensive leader this spring.
Sophomore Wilton Speight, who served as Rudock’s backup last fall and led a comeback win at Minnesota, was impressive during spring. But Houston transfer John O’Korn was the 2014 American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and will push him hard for the role. Harbaugh hasn’t named a leader between the pair.
Michigan returns 14 starters and added a very good recruiting class highlighted by the nation’s top overall recruit in defensive tackle Rashan Gary. The arrow is pointing up, but finding a starting quarterback will only help.
Michigan State
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Mark Dantonio and Michigan State had an unforgettable run last fall. The Spartans vanquished Big Ten East rivals Michigan and Ohio State and squeaked past Iowa in the Big Ten title game to make the program’s first College Football Playoff. Even a 38-0 Cotton Bowl loss to Alabama didn’t remove all of the shine from a 12-2 season.
Repeating it? That will be tough. Dantonio has built a talented roster, but the Spartans return just nine starters, with steady leader Connor Cook and talented defensive end Shilique Calhoun both having graduated. Cook’s backup, Tyler O’Connor, will add some stability at quarterback (he won at Ohio State while Cook sat with a shoulder injury), but lack of depth at wide receiver is a major concern.
Senior R.J. Shelton had 43 catches for 503 yards and four touchdowns, but no other returning receiver had more than six catches last fall—DeAnthony Arnett had six for 106 yards and two scores. August will be key for O’Connor to get up to speed with a group of new receivers and building trust, especially with a trip to Notre Dame and a Big Ten opener against Wisconsin in the first three games.
Minnesota
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When Jerry Kill was forced to resign midway through 2015 for health reasons, Minnesota officials already had a successor in mind in Tracy Claeys. Claeys went just 2-4 in relief of Kill, but Gopher officials removed the interim tag before the regular season ended. Minnesota has potential to go bowling again in his first full season.
The Gophers return 14 starters, led by senior quarterback Mitch Leidner, and underwent an offensive makeover with new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson. One of the biggest issues, however, will be in the secondary, which lost standout seniors in Briean Boddy-Calhoun and Eric Murray.
Rising senior Jalen Myrick and sophomore KiAnte Hardin are the top candidates to replace them. Are they ready? Leidner and the Gopher offense will test them in practice all preseason.
Mississippi State
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Mississippi State will never forget Dak Prescott. The dual-threat quarterback made the Bulldogs relevant in the SEC West, leading MSU to 19 wins over his last two seasons, including five weeks as the nation’s No. 1 team in 2014.
Prescott graduated after throwing for 3,793 yards with 29 touchdowns against five interceptions last fall and also serving as MSU’s leading rusher with 588 yards and 10 scores on the ground. That kind of production and leadership will be tough for Dan Mullen to replace.
The Bulldogs return 11 starters, but the biggest hole is the one Prescott leaves behind at quarterback. Sophomore Nick Fitzgerald is the heir apparent after serving as his backup last fall and completing 11 of 14 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns. He has not officially been named the starter, and Mullen needs to find out in August if he can count on Fitzgerald as “the man” in Starkville in 2016.
Missouri
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With Barry Odom in charge, 2016 will be a year of change for Missouri. Odom was elevated to succeed longtime coach Gary Pinkel after guiding one of the nation’s top defenses through a 5-7 season. The Tigers yielded 302 yards per game (No. 6 nationally) and 16.2 points per game (No. 5 nationally). That wasn’t the problem last fall.
The issue was the offense, which was one of the nation’s worst, scoring only 13.6 points per game—second-worst in the FBS. Quarterback Drew Lock had a rather ugly freshman season, throwing four touchdowns against eight interceptions and completing just 49 percent of his passes.
For Missouri to have any shot at a bowl game this fall, Lock must be significantly better and take pressure off the defense. The Tigers’ receiver corps is maturing and adds Alabama graduate transfer Chris Black, but the onus will be on Lock to prove he can survive as an SEC starting quarterback.
North Carolina State
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As Dave Doeren enters his fourth season at N.C. State, it's clear progress has been made. The Wolfpack have won 15 combined games the past two seasons and made bowl games both years. However, in a tough ACC Atlantic Division led by Clemson and Florida State, making true headway can be difficult.
State fans could learn that the hard way in 2016. The Wolfpack return 14 starters, but mobile quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who accounted for 26 touchdowns last fall, is not one of them.
The quarterback situation is not clear as Doeren prepares for preseason camp. Backup Jalan McClendon is a candidate, but so is freshman Jakobi Meyers, who battled him in spring. Complicating matters is the arrival of Boise State graduate transfer Ryan Finley, who worked under new offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz at Boise.
A three-way duel for the starting quarterback role in August? A soft early schedule provides cushion, but that’s certainly not what Doeren had hoped for upon Brissett’s graduation.
Nebraska
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Mike Riley’s first season as Nebraska head coach was entirely forgettable. The Cornhuskers lost five games by five points or less, backed their way into a bowl game with a 5-7 record and finished with only the program’s third losing season since 1969.
Improvement is imperative in Riley’s second season leading the Big Red. And Nebraska does return 11 starters, led by senior quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr., who threw 22 touchdowns against 16 interceptions but should show improvement with a year’s experience in Riley’s pro-style system.
One of the biggest issues, however, resides across the ball. Nebraska returns no defensive line starters, and the depth is inexperienced as well. Defensive tackle Kevin Maurice has just one start, and ends Freedom Akinmoladun and Ross Dzuris have eight combined. That lack of polish could come back to bite the Huskers quickly, with tough September games against Oregon and Northwestern.
Developing depth and getting the new starters ready will be of vital importance in preseason practice.
North Carolina
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Following an excellent 2015 season, expectations are higher for Larry Fedora and North Carolina. With good reason. The Tar Heels return 13 starters from an 11-3 team that won 11 consecutive games and claimed the ACC Coastal Division title. The Coastal is again unsettled, and it’s easy to see the Heels winning a second consecutive division crown.
Productive dual-threat quarterback Marquise Williams is gone, but backup Mitch Trubisky is talented and tested in Fedora’s fast-paced offense. The biggest concern is on the other side of the ball. North Carolina’s defense was improved but still a sore spot in 2015 under new defensive coordinator Gene Chizik.
The Heels allowed 247.4 rushing yards per game—worst in the ACC and No. 122 nationally. What’s more, they must replace their entire starting linebacker corps, including productive now-graduated seniors Shakeel Rashad and Jeff Schoettmer. Sophomore Andre Smith figures to hold down the middle, and junior Cayson Collins will be the man at “Sam” linebacker.
Chizik needs to find a way to get more out of the young players and the rest of his defense to take some of the scoring load away from a prolific offense.
Northwestern
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Northwestern was one of the nation’s most pleasant surprises last fall. Following consecutive 5-7 seasons, the Wildcats broke through for a 10-win campaign that wound up in the Outback Bowl. They succeeded with defense. Northwestern held foes to 18.6 points per game (No. 12 nationally) with star linebacker Anthony Walker leading the way with 120 tackles.
They won in spite of offense. Northwestern averaged only 19.5 points per game, worst in the Big Ten. The Wildcats were also last in the Big Ten in total offense and passing offense. Quarterback Clayton Thorson threw seven touchdowns against nine interceptions in his first season as starter, passing for 1,522 yards.
As Thorson prepares for his sophomore season, he’ll need to show progress for NU’s offense to carry a larger load. August will be a critical time for him to show coaches he’s on the right track.
Ohio State
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In four years at Ohio State, Urban Meyer has again proved he belongs among the ranks of the nation’s elite head coaches. He is 50-4 with a national title, Big Ten title and College Football Playoff appearance with the Buckeyes, and now he has three national crowns on his resume. This fall might test his patience, however.
The Buckeyes were ravaged by the NFL draft, losing 12 draft picks (including nine underclassmen) and return just six starters (three on each side of the ball). That means he’ll go through some growing pains with talented but inexperienced players who are taking on bigger roles.
Such areas exist all over the field, but the offensive backfield is an area worth serious focus in August. Ezekiel Elliott’s early departure after 1,821 yards and 23 touchdowns leaves big shoes to fill. H-back Curtis Samuel (17 carries, 132 yards, one score in 2015) is the only returning back with more than 28 yards rushing.
Bri’onte Dunn was considered a strong candidate for significant carries until he was booted from the team this week.
That leaves the door wide open for redshirt freshman Mike Weber, who was very good in spring, and incoming freshman Demario McCall. Samuel could also see some carries in a hybrid role. That said, the position has gone from one of strength to one with precious little experience.
Oklahoma
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There are a lot of reasons to like Oklahoma entering 2016. The Sooners are coming off an excellent 2015 season that saw them go 11-2, win the Big 12 title and make the College Football Playoff. They return 12 starters, including aggressive dual-threat quarterback Baker Mayfield and one of the nation’s best backfield duos in Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon.
Mayfield is a Heisman Trophy contender after throwing for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns last fall, but he’ll only fulfill his promise with trusted targets in the passing game. Top receiver Sterling Shepard graduated after making 86 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 scores, and No. 3 receiver Durron Neal also graduated.
That leaves senior Dede Westbrook as the top remaining option. He had 46 receptions for 743 yards and four scores as a junior but can’t function without some help. That should come from Penn State graduate transfer Geno Lewis, who had an up-and-down career catching passes from Christian Hackenberg.
Beyond him, Mark Andrews (19 receptions, 318 yards, seven TDs) is the best remaining option. Mayfield will need to build rhythm and chemistry with this group over the summer and in August to be ready for a tough September schedule that includes a trip to Houston and a visit from a young but talented Ohio State team.
Oklahoma State
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Under Mike Gundy’s watch, Oklahoma State has always been known for a high-powered Air Raid attack. So it’s no surprise the offense found the spotlight last fall in a 10-3 season. The Cowboys averaged 39.5 points per game, No. 14 nationally, and were seventh nationally with 353.2 passing yards per game. That made up for an anemic run offense.
The Cowboys ranked ninth in the 10-team Big 12 and No. 114 nationally with 126.8 yards per game on the ground, and leading rusher Chris Carson had just 517 yards, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. The onus will be on Carson to improve, and he will be pushed hard by Barry Sanders Jr., a graduate transfer from Stanford, where his role was limited behind Heisman Trophy runner-up Christian McCaffrey.
Sanders, the son of Oklahoma State legend and Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders, should add some punch to the run game. He and Carson will battle in August to shore up the backfield.
Ole Miss
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Hugh Freeze has made Ole Miss truly relevant in the SEC. Although the Rebels are currently under an NCAA investigation into their program for potential recruiting violations, they’re making waves on the field, too. A year ago, Ole Miss won 10 games and capped the season with a Sugar Bowl rout of Oklahoma State and defeated eventual national champion Alabama for the second consecutive year.
This fall, Freeze must replace 12 starters across the board, including three NFL first-round picks in tackle Laremy Tunsil, defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche and receiver Laquon Treadwell. Tunsil’s departure casts the biggest shadow.
Despite missing multiple games with NCAA-related eligibility issues, he was a rock for the Rebel offensive line. Incoming freshman Greg Little is one of the nation’s top offensive line recruits, but can he step in and immediately protect dual-threat quarterback Chad Kelly, the SEC’s top passer? If not, sophomore Javon Patterson will have to be ready to go. Freeze must find out in August.
Oregon
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Oregon’s first year post-Marcus Mariota was inconsistent at best. The Ducks began 3-3 with embarrassing home losses to Utah and Washington State but reeled off six consecutive wins entering the Alamo Bowl. They built a 31-0 lead over TCU and blew every bit of it in a 47-41 triple-overtime loss.
Coach Mark Helfrich had seen enough, demoting defensive coordinator Don Pellum in favor of former Michigan coach Brady Hoke.
Hoke inherits a defense that ranked No. 117 nationally, allowing 485.3 yards per game. The Ducks return four defensive starters, and maybe some fresh blood is a good thing. However, Hoke must find solutions in a linebacker corps that has no returning starters. He’s moved Oregon to a 4-3 attacking system, which places a premium on athletic backers. Pellum, now coaching linebackers, must find guys he can trust before the season begins, with nonconference matchups against Virginia and Nebraska on tap in September.
Oregon State
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Gary Andersen’s first season as Oregon State’s head coach probably didn’t unfold the way he’d hoped when he bolted Wisconsin for Corvallis after just two seasons. Mike Riley didn’t leave a lot of talent behind when he left to Nebraska, which was represented in the Beavers’ 2-10 record.
Oregon State allowed 37 points per game (No. 114 nationally) and lost all but two games by at least 15 points, with six losses of at least 20 points. Defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake somehow got a better job out of the mess, replacing Bronco Mendenhall at BYU. There are problems all over the field, but OSU will enter preseason camp without an established quarterback.
A year ago, three quarterbacks combined to complete 46.9 percent of their passes with 10 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. Seth Collins has moved to a dual-threat role, while Nick Mitchell left the program. That leaves Marcus McMaryion to compete with Utah State transfer Darell Garretson for the starting role. That’s hardly an enviable position for a team that clearly needs to generate more offense in Andersen’s second season.
Penn State
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In two seasons at Penn State, James Franklin has yet to inspire the confidence he generated with a strong three-year run at Vanderbilt. The Nittany Lions have made postseason play both years but have a 14-12 record with twin 7-6 marks. The offense struggled with NFL draft pick Christian Hackenberg at quarterback, averaging 23.2 points per game (No. 101 nationally). Hackenberg looked uncomfortable in Franklin’s offense and often ran for his life behind a shaky offensive line.
Franklin hired Fordham coach Joe Moorhead to run an uptempo spread attack, and quarterbacks Trace McSorley and Tommy Stevens should thrive in the system. USA Today's Paul Myerberg wrote Moorhead brings optimism to State College.
“There’s definitely a feeling of a fresh start,” said junior offensive tackle Andrew Nelson. “Coach Moorhead has done a great job in saying, ‘Forget about the past. We’re moving forward. This is our goal. This is our vision. This is the direction we’re moving in.’ And the guys have really adopted that.”
But there are questions: Can an offensive line that returns four starters protect the quarterback and give him time to work?
With a September that includes trips to Pitt and Michigan and a visit from Temple (which whipped the Lions 27-10 a year ago), the line and offense as a whole must jell quickly.
Pittsburgh
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Under Pat Narduzzi, Pitt seems to be moving in the right direction. After four consecutive seasons with either six- or seven-win campaigns, Narduzzi energized the Panthers, leading them to an 8-5 record, their highest win total since 2010.
With 16 starters returning, Pitt should be a strong contender in the typically wide-open ACC Coastal. The Panthers will get 2014 ACC Offensive Player of the Year James Conner (who missed the season following a knee injury and cancer diagnosis) back and pair him with returning 1,000-yard rusher Qadree Ollison. Quarterback Nathan Peterman showed signs of promise after throwing for 20 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
His biggest issue will be finding reliable targets following Tyler Boyd’s departure to the NFL draft. Dontez Ford is the leading returning receiver with 26 catches for 505 yards and two scores. He’s the only returnee with more than 13 receptions. Peterman must identify receivers he can count on beyond Ford, and that could be a big challenge.
Purdue
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As he enters his fourth season at Purdue, Darrell Hazell returns 16 starters across the board. Is that a good thing? Well, take a look at the Boilermakers’ 2015 season and decide for yourself. The Boilers went through 2010, scoring their only wins coming against FCS foe Indiana State and Nebraska, losing nine of their final 10 games. Hazell is 6-30 at Purdue and facing pressure to win—and win now.
The defense returns nine starters but allowed 36.5 points per game in 2015—No. 112 nationally. That’s not good, and the secondary is the weakest area. The Boilers return starting safeties Leroy Clark and Robert Gregory but must replace standout corners Anthony Brown and Frankie Williams. Their potential replacements include sophomore Tim Cason and junior Da’Wan Hunte.
Although the nonconference slate (Eastern Kentucky, Cincinnati and Nevada, all at home) is hardly imposing, the secondary must come together to avoid an embarrassing month that would put even more pressure on Hazell.
Rutgers
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An ugly 2015 season wound up being Kyle Flood’s last at Rutgers. Ohio State defensive coordinator Chris Ash was left to rebuild following a 3-9 season and to do so in a Big Ten East that features power schools Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State. He’ll install an uptempo spread system, but that could lead to a bumpy transition with an offense full of players recruited to a pro-style system under Flood.
The biggest area of concern is at quarterback, where neither Chris Laviano nor Hayden Rettig truly separated as the starter in spring practice. Laviano threw for 2,247 yards with 16 touchdowns against 12 interceptions but faces an offense that lost its top target when Leonte Carroo graduated. Athletic senior Janarion Grant is one of the nation’s top punt returners, but can he be a true No. 1 wideout?
Ash must pick Laviano or Rettig in August and hope for the best, but this could be rough.
Southern California
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New Southern California coach Clay Helton has an excellent story. Helton served as the Trojans’ interim coach three times, but the third was the charm. He relieved Steve Sarkisian following an ugly 3-2 start and led USC to the Pac-12 South title, earning the full-time job. He returns 14 starters, led by do-everything cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and receiver JuJu Schuster-Smith, who had 89 receptions for 1,454 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore.
Junior Max Browne and freshman Sam Darnold are battling to replace Cody Kessler at quarterback, but the real story is across the ball where new defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast has switched to a 5-2 defensive scheme.
The Trojans have only one returning starter in the front seven (sophomore linebacker Cameron Smith), although Porter Gustin and Osa Masina have pass-rushing talent, while sophomore Rasheem Green is also highly regarded.
However, a tough early-season schedule (defending national champion Alabama at AT&T Stadium and road trips to Stanford and Utah in the first month) mean some rough spots could await Helton’s first team.
South Carolina
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Steve Spurrier did an impressive job with South Carolina, turning the Gamecocks into a legit power with three consecutive 11-win seasons and a dominance of archrival Clemson. Those days seem long gone, however. Recruiting took a nosedive at the end of Spurrier’s tenure, and midway through the 2015 season, he walked away from what became a 3-9 team that lost at home to FCS foe The Citadel.
Will Muschamp inherits a really tough situation. The Gamecocks return just seven starters and lost senior linebacker Skai Moore to season-ending neck surgery.
Holes abound on this roster, but one of the biggest concerns is at quarterback. Gamecock quarterbacks combined for 16 touchdowns against 12 interceptions last season and were largely ineffective. South Carolina has a very unsettled situation there, with holdovers Perry Orth and Lorenzo Nunez competing with freshman Brandon McIlwain (who was the most impressive passer in the spring) as well as incoming freshman Jake Bentley.
It’s a fascinating competition, but with back-to-back SEC games to start the season against Vanderbilt and at Mississippi State, it’s one that Muschamp would like to wrap up before 2016 begins.
Stanford
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Stanford has become the gold standard for Pac-12 football. The Cardinal aren’t a flashy bunch. They run the ball well in a pro-style offense and play hard-nosed defense. But it works—and quite well. Stanford has won three of the last four league titles and is a strong contender to make it four of five in 2016.
The Cardinal return just nine starters from 2015’s 12-2 team, but one of them is Heisman Trophy runner-up Christian McCaffrey, who set the NCAA single-season all-purpose-yardage mark with 3,864 total yards and 2,109 rushing yards. McCaffrey’s presence can make up for some shortcomings, but one that must be solved is the quarterback quandary.
Kevin Hogan, a steady force in the offense, graduated after an excellent career. Sophomore Keller Chryst and junior Ryan Burns are vying to replace him. Both have the frame of a pro-style quarterback who can thrive in Shaw’s offense, but neither separated during spring.
With a tough September slate that features Kansas State, Southern California and trips to UCLA and Washington, Shaw would be well-served to decide on a quarterback sooner rather than later.
Syracuse
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It’s a new era in Syracuse. Out is Scott Shafer and a stodgy style that led to seven wins over two seasons, ultimately costing Shafer his job. In is former Eastern Illinois and Bowling Green coach Dino Babers, fresh off a MAC Championship that the Falcons won with a fast-paced, exciting offense. 2016 will be a transition period for the system with eight starters returning. Babers will push the offense, led by quarterback Eric Dungey and wide receiver Steve Ishmael, to move as fast as possible.
But can the defense keep up? The Orange return seven starters on defense, but it’s debatable whether that’s a good thing. Syracuse allowed 438.5 yards per game last fall—worst in the ACC and No. 99 nationally. No starters return on the defensive line, and defensive end is a weak spot with no experienced players returning.
Redshirt freshman Jake Pickard and converted linebacker Kenneth Ruff stood out in spring, and Syracuse also hopes a trio of true freshmen can contribute. Still, that looks like a major issue for new defensive coordinator Brian Ward to solve.
TCU
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The Air Raid offense has been very, very good for Gary Patterson and TCU. The Horned Frogs have won 23 games over the last two seasons with one of the nation’s most potent offenses; a year ago, they averaged 42.1 points per game (No. 7 nationally) and 562.8 yards per game (No. 3 nationally). But 2016 will be a year of reloading. Prolific dual-threat quarterback Trevone Boykin is gone, and rangy, productive wide receiver Josh Doctson left early for the NFL draft.
In all, TCU returns just one offensive starter (junior left tackle Joseph Noteboom). Either Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill or backup Foster Sawyer would be a good choice to lead the offense, and a wide receiver corps full of young, emerging players like KaVontae Turpin, Jaelan Austin, Jarrison Stewart and junior college transfer Taj Williams would provide some appealing targets.
However, it’ll be tough for the starting quarterback to make connections if he’s running for his life. Left guard Matt Pryor, center Austin Schlottman and right guard Patrick Morris (all juniors) and senior right tackle Aviante Collins all have experience in TCU’s offense. But can they get used to working together in time to hit the ground running for a Sept. 10 game against Arkansas? It bears watching in August.
Tennessee
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It’s good to be Butch Jones these days. As Jones enters his fourth season at Tennessee, he has a once-flagging Volunteer program infused with upward mobility. The Vols have won five, seven and nine games in his three seasons and more is expected in 2016—with good reason. Eighteen starters return from a 9-4 team that thumped Northwestern in the Outback Bowl, led by steady senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs and speedy, powerful junior tailback Jalen Hurd (1,288 yards, 12 touchdowns as a sophomore).
What could hold Tennessee back from SEC stardom? A thoroughly uninspiring receiver group. Josh Malone is the leading returning receiver with 31 catches for 405 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Smith is right behind with 23 receptions for 307 yards and two scores. Sophomore Jauan Jennings (14 receptions, 149 yards) will be counted on for more this season as well.
For Tennessee to move into true SEC power territory, the passing game will have to be better. Dobbs and his receivers need to get on the same page in August.
Texas
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In two seasons at Texas, Charlie Strong hasn’t lived up to expectations. Brought in to instill toughness lacking in the waning days of the Mack Brown era, Strong has improved Texas’ collective attitude, if not its overall results. The Longhorns are 11-14 under his watch, and Strong hired Tulsa offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert to install the Air Raid, with true freshman quarterback Shane Buechele standing out as an immediate difference-maker in spring practice.
Texas returns 11 starters, including six on defense. And while plenty of attention will be focused on offensive progress under Gilbert, the experience on the defensive line could raise some red (or burnt-orange) flags in Austin.
The Longhorns could have an entirely new starting front this fall, and experience is particularly lacking at defensive tackle. Paul Boyette and Poona Ford could start, but the veterans will be pushed by a recruiting class that features talents like Chris Daniels, Jordan Elliott and Marcel Southall. That’s exactly what the defense needs: a good push. How they get it remains up for discussion.
Texas A&M
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This is a crucial season for Kevin Sumlin at Texas A&M. Following a smashing 11-2 debut in A&M’s inaugural SEC season in 2012, the Aggies are 25-14 (11-13 in SEC play) and have finished fourth or worse in the SEC West for three consecutive seasons. Following 2015’s 8-5 season, highly regarded quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray both transferred and Sumlin parted ways with offensive coordinator Jake Spavital.
In a way, 2016 is a bit of a reset for Sumlin. New offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone (who also runs a wide-open scheme) is on board, and so is Oklahoma graduate transfer Trevor Knight, who claimed the starting quarterback role in spring practice.
A&M has a bevy of quick, talented receivers led by Christian Kirk, who had 80 receptions for 1,009 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman, as well as Ricky Seals-Jones, Josh Reynolds and Speedy Noil. Knight’s time at Oklahoma was marked by inconsistency. To keep his job (and perhaps save Sumlin’s), he’ll need to prove he can feed those wideouts on a week-in, week-out basis.
Texas Tech
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For Texas Tech, scoring is not a problem. Former Red Raider quarterback Kliff Kingsbury has taken the Air Raid offense he thrived in and built on it. The Raiders scored seemingly at will in 2015. They averaged 45.1 points per game (second-best nationally) and led the nation in passing with 388.2 passing yards per game. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 4,653 yards with 36 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. He’s back this season, which means the Raiders offense will be fine.
Defense? That’s another story. Tech yielded an ugly 43.6 points per game last fall—No. 125 nationally. The rush defense was even worse, allowing 279.9 yards per game—second-worst nationally. This fall, defensive coordinator David Gibbs will be replacing three of four defensive line starters, with impact sophomore defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko the only holdover. Transfers like Michigan’s Ondre Pipkins and Notre Dame’s Kolin Hill will be counted upon to bolster the line immediately.
Mahomes and the offense can score with ease, but they’d surely appreciate a little help from the defense once in a while. That starts up front.
UCLA
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Last season was a step back for UCLA. Following consecutive 10-win seasons, the Bruins slipped to 8-5 and lost three of their last four games. However, Jim Mora Jr.’s team has potential for a bounce-back effort in 2016. UCLA returns 12 starters, eight on defense, and also gets back star defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, who suffered a torn ACL early in the 2015 season.
The Bruins also have sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen, who showed signs of being a poised pocket passer as a true freshman while throwing for 3,669 yards with 23 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. To push forward in his development, though, Rosen will have to work with an almost entirely new group of front-line receivers. UCLA lost four of its top five receivers from 2015, including Jordan Payton, who made 78 receptions for 1,106 yards.
The leading returning receiver is junior Darren Andrews, who had 43 receptions for 443 yards and a touchdown. He’ll need help from the likes of freshman Theo Howard and junior Eldridge Massington. Can Rosen continue his rise with new targets and keep UCLA’s offense humming? The first month, which features trips to Texas A&M and BYU and a home date with defending Pac-12 champ Stanford, will be telling.
Utah
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Kyle Whittingham is one of the nation’s most underrated head coaches. In 11 seasons at Utah, he has quietly won 95 games, including 2015’s 10-3 record capped with a Las Vegas Bowl win over rival BYU. With 11 starters returning, another solid campaign should be ahead, especially since the Utes bring back six starters from one of the Pac-12’s best defenses.
One of the biggest question marks is at quarterback, where steady senior Travis Wilson graduated after throwing for 2,095 yards with 13 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Utah got no clarity after a three-way quarterback duel in spring.
Washington transfer Troy Williams, backup Brandon Cox and freshman Tyler Huntley all battled for the job, but none really stood out. They’ll continue their competition in preseason practice. It’s imperative that one claims the role by September, especially with BYU and Southern California both visiting in September. Whoever wins the job will have the security blanket of a veteran offensive line returning five starters.
Vanderbilt
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If Vanderbilt fans looked closely enough, they saw progress in 2015. Following a dismal 3-9 debut season, coach Derek Mason fired both coordinators and took the reins of the Commodores defense. Vanderbilt was significantly improved on that side of the ball, allowing 21 points per game.
Trouble was, they scored just 15.2 points per game (No. 124 nationally). Narrow two-point losses to Western Kentucky and Florida by a collective 23-19 score were the difference between postseason play and the 4-8 record Vandy wound up with.
To make a bowl, the ‘Dores must show passing-game improvement. Vandy quarterbacks combined to throw 11 touchdowns against 16 interceptions last fall. Consistent targets for starter Kyle Shurmur would help, too.
The leading returning receiver is junior Caleb Scott, who made 24 catches for 339 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore C.J. Duncan should contribute following a 2015 injury redshirt as well, but to succeed, Shurmur will need his targets to achieve consistent separation against SEC defenses. They’ll start by welcoming South Carolina for the season opener Sept. 1.
Virginia
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When Virginia lured Bronco Mendenhall away from BYU, it was a major coup. In 11 seasons with the Cougars, Mendenhall made 11 bowls and won 99 games. Even a 50 percent postseason success rate would satisfy Cavalier fans, who watched Mike London make one bowl in six seasons while going 27-46.
Virginia returns 10 starters from 2015’s 4-8 team and has solid defensive pieces in linebacker Micah Kiser (117 tackles) and safety Quin Blanding as well as Taquan Mizzell, who led the team in both rushing and receiving while accounting for eight total touchdowns.
But quarterback is a major sticking point. Matt Johns is the returning starter, but he threw an FBS-worst 17 interceptions. As a result, he’s being pushed by Connor Brewer and East Carolina graduate transfer Kurt Benkert.
Will Johns show accuracy in August, or will he be supplanted? With tough road games at Oregon and UConn in September, the Cavaliers’ staff needs to find out if the team has any hope of pushing for a bowl in Mendenhall’s first season.
Virginia Tech
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Frank Beamer didn’t leave the cupboard bare for Justin Fuente. Far from it. Sure, Virginia Tech needed change after going 29-23 in Beamer’s final four seasons in Blacksburg (which followed a run of eight consecutive seasons of at least 10 wins), but the Hokies return 14 starters, have some excellent offensive weapons in wide receivers Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips and tight end Bucky Hodges, and still have one of the nation’s top defensive coordinators in Bud Foster.
While there are questions on Foster’s front seven, the biggest issue facing Tech as it begins Fuente’s first season is under center.
Michael Brewer has graduated, and Fuente brought a fast-paced offense with him. Senior Brenden Motley and junior college transfer Jerod Evans competed for the starting quarterback role in spring, but neither gained a real edge. Motley got experience last fall, while Brewer missed six games with a broken collarbone. He threw for 1,155 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions, but the Hokies were 3-3 in that span.
Evans was Fuente’s first recruit after arriving at Tech and looked at home in the spring game, throwing for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Following a very winnable opener against in-state FCS foe Liberty, The Battle at Bristol against Tennessee with more than 150,000 fans expected on hand looms. That will be a pressure-packed environment, and if Fuente hasn’t settled on a starter by then, the Hokies could be in trouble.
Wake Forest
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Dave Clawson has yet to gain traction at Wake Forest. In two seasons, he is 6-18 in Winston-Salem, although with 15 starters returning and a soft schedule that doesn’t include North Carolina, Virginia Tech or Miami from the ACC Coastal Division and a nonconference slate including Tulane, Delaware, Army and Indiana, the Demon Deacons have a chance to go bowling this season.
To do so, they must improve their running game. Wake Forest ranked No. 123 nationally in rushing last fall, averaging 105.2 rushing yards per game. Tyler Bell was the leading rusher with 451 yards and one rushing touchdown.
He must improve and become a true front-line back if Wake Forest has any hopes of making a bowl game and creating a truly balanced offense with either John Wolford or Kendall Hinton at quarterback. Will he be able to do so? Clawson surely hopes to find out early on.
Washington
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Washington is in position to become one of the nation’s top turnaround teams in 2016. Despite a 7-6 record in 2015, the Huskies return 17 starters and have a talented young backfield duo in quarterback Jake Browning and tailback Myles Gaskin and an excellent secondary anchored by safety Budda Baker and cornerback Sidney Jones.
Are there areas where Chris Petersen’s team could improve? Of course. Leading receiver Jaydon Mickens graduated, leaving junior Dante Pettis as the top returning wideout with 30 receptions for 414 yards and one touchdown. Brayden Lenius had 26 catches for 307 yards and three scores, although John Ross adds explosiveness and versatility after redshirting 2015 with a knee injury.
Still, the lack of a true go-to receiver is problematic, although an early schedule of Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State (all at home) could help Browning build trust with his new top targets.
Washington State
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Mike Leach loves to throw the ball. And throw the ball. And throw it some more. Last fall, Washington State quarterback Luke Falk threw 644 times, completing 447 passes for 4,561 yards with 38 touchdowns and eight interceptions. It was a huge factor in the Cougars’ improvement to 9-4 and a Sun Bowl win over Miami. Washington State led the nation in passing, averaging 389.5 passing yards per game.
However, the offense was truly yin and yang. Wazzu averaged only 80.1 rushing yards per game, last among FBS programs. Leading rusher Gerard Wicks had 610 yards and three touchdowns on just 107 attempts. The Air Raid is pass-first, but Washington State and Leach could use a little more balance. That starts with relying on Wicks and freshman back James Williams a little bit more and easing the load on Falk and a prolific passing game.
West Virginia
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Dana Holgorsen and West Virginia are finding that life in the Big 12 is tougher than they might have expected. Following a 10-3 record, Big East title and Orange Bowl rout of Clemson in his debut season, Holgorsen is just 26-25 in the ensuing four seasons, with a 20-23 Big 12 league record. Holgo could be feeling the heat in Morgantown.
Coming off an 8-5 season capped by a Cactus Bowl win over Arizona State, the Mountaineers return 11 starters but just three from a defense that yielded 24.6 points per game—second-best in the Big 12. An area of major concern is the secondary, which returns just one starter in free safety Dravon Askew-Henry and lost NFL first-round pick Karl Joseph. Three seniors are expected to start beside Askew-Henry in the secondary, but their lack of front-line experience is concerning.
This is a crucial season for Holgorsen, and with Missouri and BYU in the first three weeks, a slow start could be tough to overcome against a typically tough Big 12 slate that includes road games at Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Texas.
Wisconsin
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Paul Chryst’s first year coaching his alma mater turned out pretty smoothly. The Badgers won 10 games but did so in a way longtime fans aren’t quite as familiar with. They passed more than they ran and excelled at defense with the nation’s top total defense (268.5 yards per game) and top scoring defense (13.7 points per game).
However, the run game was atypically poor. A year after Melvin Gordon put together the second-best rushing season in FBS history, the Badgers averaged just 150.3 rushing yards per game, 10th in the Big Ten and No. 95 nationally.
Corey Clement’s expected breakout season didn’t happen, as he carried just 48 times for 221 yards and five scores. Dare Ogunbowale led the way with 819 yards and seven scores. Both are back this fall, as are three starting offensive linemen. If Clement can prove he’s healthy, the Badgers should be much better on the ground. They’ll have to be while breaking in a replacement for graduated quarterback Joel Stave.
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