Way too early top 10

A way too early look at the non-big five schools and the top 10 programs among them. This is all based on my thought and information gathering. May change after spring practice.


1. Boise State:

2014 Record: 12-2, MWC Champions, Fiesta Bowl Champions
Key Losses: Jay Ajayi (1st team All-MWC RB), Grant Headrick (2nd team All-MWC QB), Cody Wichmann (2nd team All-MWC OL), Dan Goodale, Sr. (Honorable Mention All-MWC PK), Beau Martin, Sr. (Honorable Mention All-MWC DL)
Key Returnees: Marcus Henry (1st team All-MWC OL), Kamalei Correa (1st team All-MWC DL), Darian Thompson (1st team All-MWC, DB), Jake Roh (Honorable Mention All-MWC TE), Shane Williams-Rhodes (Honorable Mention All-MWC WR), Rees Odhiambo (2nd team All-MWC OL), Tanner Vallejo (2nd team All-MWC LB), Donte Deayon (2nd team All-MWC DB)

Until the king gets removed from his throne, he is still the king. As is the case with the Broncos after a 12-2 season in 2014 that saw them win the MWC title and another Fiesta Bowl win, this time over Pac-12 runners up Arizona. The Broncos are vulnerable after losing starting running back Jay Ajayi and starting quarterback Grant Headrick from the 2014 season but there are several competent replacements on the talented Boise State roster. Eight returning players earned postseason honors with Henry, Correa and Thompson all making MWC first team all-conference.

The Broncos pulled in a great recruiting class with several big signees, including the nephew of former Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien who is the highest rated recruit to sign to a non-big 5 program this year.

The Broncos have a reasonable out of conference slate with trips to BYU and Virginia while Pac-12 foe Washington and FCS program Idaho State make the trip to Boise. The MWC conference schedule has yet to be released.

2. Northern Illinois:

2014 Record: 11-3, Lost to Marshall in Boca Raton Bowl
Key Losses: Tyler Loos (First team All-MAC, OL), Jason Meehan (First team All-MAC DL), Da'Ron Brown (2nd team All-MAC, WR), Dechane Durante (2nd team All-MAC, DB), Cameron Stingily (3rd team All-MAC, RB)
Key Returnees: Andrew Ness (First team All-MAC, OL), Paris Logan (First team All-MAC, DB), Perez Ford (2nd team All-MAC, DL), Boomer Mays (2nd team All-MAC, LB), Rasheen Lemon (3rd team All-MAC, LB)

The Huskies were the MAC Champions in 2014 after rolling to an 10-2 regular season followed by a dominant 51-17 win over Bowling Green in the MAC title game. Those good feelings came to an end in the Boca Raton Bowl where Marshall destroyed the Huskies to the tune of 52-23 in the CUSA-MAC bowl game. NIU looks to rebound from that loss in 2015 despite losing five award winning players from last season including first team All-MAC players Tyler Loos (OL) and Jason Meehan (DL).

Though losing very important players on both sides of the ball, the Huskies return 5 award winners with first team All-MAC performer Andrew Ness solidifying the offensive line and fellow first teamer Paris Logan holding court in the defensive backfield. Four of the five returning award winners are on the defensive side of the ball, giving the Huskies a chance to work out any offensive issues early in the season.

NIU has a fairly ambitious non-conference slate with trips in back-to-back weeks to 2014 national champion Ohio State followed by Boston College. Rounding out the non-conference schedule are MWC foe UNLV and FCS program Murray State.

3. Louisiana Tech:

2014 Record: 9-5, Beat Illinois in Heart of Dallas Bowl
Key Losses: Mitchell Bell (1st team All-CUSA, OL), Houston Bates (2nd team All-CUSA, DL), WR - Hunter Lee (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, WR), Tony Johnson (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, LB), Tre Carter (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, OL), Terrell Pinson (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, LB), Le'Vander Liggins (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, DB)
Key Returnees: Xavier Woods (1st team All-CUSA, DB), Kenneth Dixon (2nd team All-CUSA, RB), Trent Taylor (2nd team All-CUSA, WR), Kirby Wixson (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, OL), Vernon Butler (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, DL), Vontarrius Dora (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, DL), Kentrell Brice (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, DB), Adairius Barnes (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, DB), Kyle Fischer (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, PK), Carlos Henderson (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, KR)

Louisiana Tech was a surprise good and bad in 2014 in rolling to a 9-5 overall record and second place finish in Conference USA. The Bulldogs looked to be in trouble in week 4 after a loss to FCS foe Northwestern State before winning 5 of their next 6 games to get to 7-3. Louisiana Tech finished the season with an impressive 35-18 win over Big Ten foe Illinois in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. The Bulldogs must replace seven award winners though only two were on the first or second team All-CUSA squads.

The Bulldogs return All-CUSA first team member Xavier Woods in the secondary as well as second team members Kenneth Dixon (RB) and Trent Taylor (WR). Several 2014 honorable mention players will have a chance to make a name for themselves with improved play this fall.

Louisiana Tech plays a rather difficult non-conference slate with trips to SEC recent power Mississippi State as well as a trip to Manhattan to face the Kansas State Wildcats while hosting FCS program Southern and Sun Belt program and fellow in-state school Louisiana.

4. BYU:

2014 Record: 8-5, Lost to Memphis in the Miami Beach Bowl
Key Losses: N/A
Key Returnees: Michael Davis (8 starts, DB), Bronso Kaufusi (10 starts All-Independent, LB), Remington Peck (9 starts, DL), Manoa Pikula (8 starts, 49 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 INT, LB), Traviz Tuiloma (12 starts, DL), Taysom Hill (6 starts, QB), Kyle Johnson (13 starts, OL), Tejan Koroma (13 starts, Freshman All-American, OL), Mitch Mathews (13 starts, All-Independent, WR)

The Cougars are coming off of a disappointing 8-5 season that fell apart with the loss of quarterback Taysom Hill to injury. Coinciding with the injury was a four-game losing streak that derailed the season completely with losses to Utah State, UCF, Nevada and Boise State. BYU rallied to win their final four games before losing to Memphis in the Miami Beach Bowl.

The Cougars return a total of 13 starters (6 or more starts in 2014) from last season with wide receiver Mitch Mathews and linebacker Bronso Kaufusi leading the way on their respective sides of the ball.

BYU is not going light with their 2015 schedule as 9 opponents out of 12 made bowls in 2014. The Cougars are making trips to Big ten foes Nebraska and Michigan, Pac-12 team UCLA, SEC foe Missouri, and San Jose State. BYU welcomes Boise State, UConn, East Carolina, Cincinnati, Wagner and MWC foe Fresno State. Missing from that list is in-state foe Utah which will be the first time the "Holy War" hasn't been played since 1945.

5. Toledo:

2014 Record: 9-4, Defeated Arkansas State in the GoDaddy Bowl
Key Losses: Jordan Haden (2nd team All-MAC, DB), Josh Hendershot (2nd team All-MAC, OL), Jeff Myers (2nd team All-MAC, OL), Jeremiah Detmer (2nd team All-MAC, PK), Junior Sylvestre (1st team All-MAC, LB), Greg Mancz (First team All-MAC, OL)
Key Returnees: Alonzo Russell (3rd team All-MAC, WR), Orion Jones (2nd team All-MAC, DL), Treyvon Hester (2nd team All-MAC, DL), Corey Jones (2nd team All-MAC, WR), Kareem Hunt (First team All-MAC, RB)

The Rockets failed yet again to overcome their nemesis in Northern Illinois during the 2014 season. Despite being easily one of the two best MAC schools in 2014, the Rockets finished second in the division to NIU and could not play in the MAC title game despite a 7-1 conference mark. Toledo loses first team All-MAC members Junior Sylvestre (LB) and Greg Mancz (OL) as well as second teamers Haden (DB), Hendershot (OL) and Myers (OL). The offensive line will be the biggest question mark of the 2015 season.

Despite those losses, Toledo returns first team All-MAC running back Kareem Hunt, one of the more productive and explosive backs in the nation last fall. Second team wide receiver Corey Jones and third team wide receiver Alonzo Russell will help to lengthen the field for the offense. Defensive linemen Orion Jones and Treyvon Hester will bring stability to a defense that will be breaking in several new players this fall.

Toledo only has to leave town for one non-conference game with a trip down south to face SEC foe Arkansas in Little Rock. In the other three non-conference games, the Rockets host Arkansas State, Iowa State and Stony Brook.

6. Utah State:

2014 Record: 10-4, Won New Mexico Bowl over UTEP
Key Losses: B.J. Larsen (1st team All-MWC DL), Zach Vigil (1st team All-MWC, MWC Def. POY LB), Frankie Sutera (1st team All-MWC DB), Jaron Bentrude (Honorable Mention All-MWC P), Elvis Kamana-Matagi (Honorable Mention All-MWC DL), Brian Suite (Honorable Mention All-MWC DB)
Key Returnees: Kevin Whimpey (1st team All-MWC OL), JoJo Natson (1st team All-MWC Ret.), Nick Vigil (1st team All-MWC LB), Nick Diaz (2nd team All-MWC PK), Devin Centers (Honorable Mention All-MWC DB), JoJo Natson (Honorable Mention All-MWC WR) Jordan Nielsen (Honorable Mention All-MWC DL), Hunter Sharp (Honorable Mention All-MWC WR), Jake Simonich (Honorable Mention All-MWC OL), Austin Stephens (Honorable Mention All-MWC OL)

The Aggies ended 2014 with another 10+ win season at 10-4 with all four losses coming to bowl teams. USU made their name on defense last season but lose five defensive award winners including three first team All-MWC performers and Zach Zigil, the 2014 MWC Defensive Player of the Year. Punter Jaron Bentrude, honorable mention, is also lost to graduation.

Despite the losses, the Aggies are full of returning award winners from last fall. In total, 10 players made 1st, 2nd or honorable mention lists for Utah State. Whimpey (OL), Natson (Ret.) and Nick Vigil (LB) were all first team members and will led the Aggies to glory in 2015 under another strong defense. Quarterback Chuckie Keeton is back for another year after earning a medical redshirt recently. If he can return to form, the Aggies can be a team to watch this fall.

The Aggies play a tough non-conference slate with trips to Washington and Utah while hosting BYU and Southern Utah.

7. Georgia Southern:

2014 Record: 9-3
Key Losses: Manrey Saint-Amour (1st team All-SBC, OL), Garrett Frye (1st team All-SBC, OL), Edwin Jackson (1st team All-SBC, LB)
Key Returnees: Matt Breida (1st team All-SBC, RB), Kevin Ellison (2nd team All-SBC, QB), Matt Dobson (2nd team All-SBC, DB)

The defending Sun Belt champions are looking to finally go to a bowl game in 2015 after losing out on that chance due to the technicality of being in their first year as an FBS program. Now that they are through their transitional phase, they are eligible for a bowl in 2015. The Eagles lose three first team All-SBC performers with Manrey Saint-Amour and Garrett Frye leaving the offensive line to graduation and Edwin Jackson (LB) exhausting his eligibility.

Despite the losses, Georgia Southern is returning the quarterback, Keving Ellison, and running back, Matt Breida, that were major cogs in the impressive Eagle rushing attack. Matt Dobson was second team All-Sun Belt in 2014 and will be depended upon to led the Eagle defense in 2015.

The Eagles are not messing around with a non-conference slate that includes trips to Morgantown to face West Virginia as well as a trip to face in-state foe Georgia between the hedges. Rounding out the non-conference slate are home games versus The Citadel and MAC foe Western Michigan.

8. Colorado State:

2014 Record: 10-3, Lost in Las Vegas Bowl to Utah
Key Losses: Garrett Grayson (1st team All-MWC, MWC Off. POY, QB), Ty Sambrailo (1st team All-MWC OL), Dee Hart (2nd team All-MWC RB), Bernard Blake (Honorable Mention All-MWC DB), Max Morgan (Honorable Mention All-MWC LB), Jared Roberts (Honorable Mention All-MWC PK), Aaron Davis (2nd team All-MWC LB)
Key Returnees: Rashard Higgins (1st team All-MWC WR), Steven Walker (1st team All-MWC TE), Hayden Hunt (Honorable Mention All-MWC P), Cory James, Jr. (Honorable Mention All-MWC LB), Joe Kawulok (Honorable Mention All-MWC DE), Trent Matthews (Honorable Mention All-MWC DB), Kevin Pierre-Louis (Honorable Mention All-MWC DB), Fred Zerblis (Honorable Mention All-MWC OL)

The Rams were the surprise team of college football in 2014 with a 10-3 record and one of the more explosive offenses in the nation under the helm of head coach Jim McElwain. Gone is McElwain to the SEC and Florida along with MWC Offensive Player of the Year Garrett Grayson, along with starting running back Dee Hart. Overall, the Rams lost seven players from the 2014 season that earned postseason honors.

Despite the loss of so many important pieces to the 2014 puzzle, Colorado State has eight returning award winners from 2014 led by 1st team All-MWC and national leading receiver Rashard Higgins. Tight end Steven Walker also comes back after earning a spot on the first team in 2014. The remaining 6 players were honorable mention winners but have the ability to make the next step to first or second team honors in 2015.

The Rams have a doable non-conference slate with a trip to UTSA and a neutral site game versus Colorado in Denver as well as hosting Big 10 member Minnesota and FCA foe and perennial stomping boy Savannah State. MWC conference matchups have yet to be announced.

9. Western Kentucky:

2014 Record: 8-5, Bahamas Bowl win over Central Michigan
Key Losses: Cameron Clemmons (2nd team All-CUSA, OL), Mitchell Henry (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, TE), Cam Thomas (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, DB),
Key Returnees: Brandon Doughty (2nd team All-CUSA, QB), Leon Allen (2nd team All-CUSA, RB), Jared Dangerfield (2nd team All-CUSA, WR), Wonderful Terry (2nd team All-CUSA, DB), Forrest Lamp (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, OL), Taywan Taylor (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, WR), Nick Holt (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, LB), Garrett Schwettman (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, PK), Nolan Dowling (Honorable Mention All-CUSA, LS)

One of the most explosive offenses in the nation and one of the worst defenses in the nation made the Hilltoppers must watch football in 2014. Under first year head coach Jeff Brohm, the Hilltoppers went 8-5 and were one of the hottest teams in the nation as the season ended. WKU only has three star performers to replace as second team All-CUSA lineman Cameron Clemmons, tight end Mitchell Henry (honorable mention) and defensive back Cam Thomas (honorable mention) leave the program after their senior seasons.

Despite the losses, WKU is stacked in 2015 with national leading passer Brandon Doughty and 1,500 yard rusher Leon Allen among the four second team All-CUSA players returning. Five other players earned honorable mention honors with both the long snapper and the place kicker earning honors.

The Hilltoppers bit off a difficult non-conference slate in 2015 with trips to Nashville to face Vanderbilt, to Bloomington to face Big Ten program Indiana and to Baton Rouge to face SEC and national power LSU. Mac program Miami (OH) will come to Bowling Green to face the Hilltoppers and fill out the non-conference schedule.

10. Louisiana:

2014 Record: 9-4, Defeated Nevada in the New Orleans Bowl
Key Losses: Daniel Quave (1st team All-SBC, OL), Justin Hamilton (1st team All-SBC, DL), Christian Ringo (1st team All-SBC, DL), Corey Trim (2nd Team All-Sun Belt, DB)
Key Returnees: Elijah McGuire (1st team All-SBC, RB, AP, Off. POY, Sun Belt Player of the Year), Mykhael Quave (2nd team All-Sun Belt, OL)

The Ragin Cajuns continue to roll out and win 8+ games on a yearly basis since Mark Hudspeth took over the program. Louisiana went 9-4 in 2014 with three of their four losses coming to bowl teams last fall. Louisiana loses first team All-Sun Belt offensive lineman Daniel Quave as well as first teamers Justin Hamilton (DL), Christian Ringo (DL), and second teamer Corey Trim (DB).

Though losing quite a bit on the defensive side of the ball, the Ragin Cajuns bring back Mykhael Quave on the offensive line and Sun Belt player of the year Elijah McGuire. McGuire earned honors for rushing the football, best all-purpose player, offensive player of the year and overall player of the year. He will be the player to watch in the Sun Belt this fall.

Louisiana will look to challenge themselves with non-conference trips to Louisiana Tech and SEC program Kentucky while hosting MAC foe Akron and FCS foe Northwestern State at Cajun Field.