29. UTEP--UTEP was not a bad team in 2011 but the Miners were not good.
UTEP was right in the middle nationally offensively scoring 26.6 points per
game, good for 62nd best in the country. The Miners were held to 14 points or
fewer in 2 games. The defense was torched against some very good offenses last
fall. The Miner defense gave up 40+ points in 4 games last fall and gave up
30.3 points per game ranking them 86th nationally.
28. Hawaii--Hawaii followed the traditions set from the June Jones
years and were a hard to stop air offense that could not stop anyone on
defense. The Warriors threw for over 300 yards per game but were the 7th worst
rushing attack in the country. Defensively, the Warriors gave up 30 or more
points 6 times and every opponent scored at least 14 points on them. The
defensive issues must be figured out if the Warriors want to go bowling again
in 2012.
27. Ball State--Ball State started 2011 with a 5-3 record including
losses to 2011 bowl teams South Florida, Oklahoma, and Temple. The final 4
games saw the Cardinals fall flat with 3 losses in 4 games, albeit against
three bowl teams. The problem for Ball State is that they beat who they were
supposed to be and lost to who they were supposed to lose to. With an
out-of-conference schedule that should leave them at 2-2 the Cardinals must be
one of the big three of the MAC; Toledo, NIU or Ohio or risk running the table
in the MAC otherwise to earn a bowl berth this fall.
26. Eastern Michigan--In similar fashion to the week one opponents from
Ball State, Eastern Michigan was 5-3 at one point last fall with fate in their
own hands. Just like Ball State, the Eagles lost 3 of 4 to end the season at
6-6. The Eagles must rely upon their talented running game with a schedule that
is not easy but is winnable. Road trip to Purdue and Michigan State highlight
the non-conference slate but EMU could easily go 3-1 non conference and only
have to win 4 conference games to be bowl eligible.
25. Navy--The triple option attack of Navy let them down in 2011 with
the Midshipmen struggling to a 5-7 record that saw them go on a 6-game losing
streak. During that losing streak, the Midshipmen lost by an average of
39.5-26.5. The Midshipmen had the ability in game 11 to salvage a chance at
going for a winning record versus Army but lost to San Jose State 27-24 and
doom Navy to sitting at home during bowl season. With a lightened schedule that
includes a trip to Ireland to start the season versus Notre Dame and a week 2
matchup versus Penn State, the Midshipmen should bounce back and go bowling
again this fall.
24. East Carolina--East Carolina again had a very strong passing attack
but failed to perform running the ball condemning the Pirates to a 5-7 record
and no bowl. The defense improved from 2010 but still left gaping holes for
opponents to exploit conceding 32.3 points per game, good for 23rd worst in the
nation. The Pirates pride themselves with a difficult non-conference slate
annually with South Carolina, North Carolina, and Navy all on the schedule.
Virginia Tech is replaced with Appalachian State giving the Pirates a bit of a
break. A return to bowl form is possible this fall.
23. Bowling Green--The Bowling
Green Falcons struggled to a 5-7 record in 2011 that was capped by two
mid-season 3-game losing streaks. The Falcons were right on the cusp in some of
the losses with 3 of the 7 losses coming by a touchdown or less. One-point
losses to Wyoming and Ohio were both huge losses. If the Falcons can get by a
tough opening stretch to start the season with games at Florida, Toledo, and
Virginia Tech, then a winning record is very possible for Bowling Green.
22. Air Force--Air Force had an up and down 2011 season that saw the
Falcons win versus every team they were expected to be and lose versus every
team that was better than them. Every team that Air Force lost to was a 2011
bowl team headed by Boise State. 2012 sees Air Force with a much easier
schedule that no longer has Notre Dame, Boise State or TCU. The Falcons could
work this schedule to 10+ wins with a bowl win this fall.
21. Wyoming--The Wyoming Cowboys pulled off an interesting feat in
2011. The Cowboys went 8-5 but were outscored by 1.7 points per game on the
season. The Cowboys lost to 5 bowl teams in Nebraska, Utah State, TCU, Boise
State, and Temple last fall. 2012 could be a good year for Wyoming with only
three scary road games on the schedule (Texas, Nevada, Fresno State). Getting
Toledo, Air Force, Boise State, and San Diego State all at home could end with
the Cowboys going 2-2. Another 8-win season is expected in Laramie.
20. Western Michigan--The Western Michigan Broncos used a passing game
that averaged 337 yards per game in 2011 to make it to a bowl game and a 7-6
record last fall. The Broncos were the 18th ranked scoring offense in 2011 with
35.3 points per game but allowed 28.7 points per game on the season. With the
return of Alex Carder and his 7234 career yards and 61 touchdowns, everyone
expects the Broncos to make a major move for a division title this fall.
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