Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2012-2013 Record: 9-4 (5-2)
Last Bowl Game: L, 13-10 (OT) vs Virginia Tech
Head Coach: Kyle Flood
Returning Starters: Offense- 7, Defense- 5
2013 Schedule
at Fresno State
Norfolk State
Eastern Michigan
Arkansas
at SMU
at Louisville
Houston
Temple
Cincinnati
at UCF
at Connecticut
USF
Offense Preview
Leading WR and highly regarded prospect Brandon Coleman comes back as the cornerstone of the Rutgers offense. While he is back, other WR Mark Harrison will be leaving along with their starting running back, and Redskins 7th round draft choice, Jawan Jamison, who accounted for 1,075 yards. A lot of the team’s success will rely on QB Gary Nova who threw six interceptions to- of all the teams- Kentucky State.
Defense Preview
Three of the team’s four leading tacklers won’t be returning in 2013, excluding linebacker Jamal Merrell. Also, all but one of last season’s interceptions by the Scarlet Knights are attributed to players who won’t be returning. A large chunk of their defensive success will depend on the Merrell twins (Jamal is a linebacker, Jamil is a defensive lineman).
Top Newcomer: Chris Laviano, Quarterback- Ranking as an ESPN Top 300 recruit, the 4-star QB will have likely become the starter in or before 2016 and continue the school’s success.
Key Games
@ Louisville- Teddy Bridgewater is the king of the AAC, this will be Rutgers chance to dethrone him.
@ Connecticut- The Scarlet Knights must show they can beat their rivals once again.
Season Prediction: 9-3, Bowl Eligible
Southern Methodist Mustangs
2012-2013 Record: 7-6 (5-3)
Last Bowl Game: W, 43-10 vs Fresno State
Head Coach: June Jones
Returning Starters: Offense- 6, Defense- 4
2013 Schedule
Texas Tech
Montana State
at Texas A&M
at TCU
Rutgers
at Memphis
Temple
at Cincinnati
Connecticut
at USF
at Houston
UCF
Offense Preview
Senior QB Garrett Gilbert, who accumulated a total of 25 touchdowns, will be back along with a majority of his WRs, which should lead to a repeat in passing production. Although, RB Zach Line, the man responsible for racking up 1,278 of the team’s rushing yards, is no longer a Mustang and leaves behind some huge shoes to fill for his successor.
Defense Preview
With the return of only four starters from the previous season, there will be endless struggles among the fresh faces adapting to their starting roles. 18.5 of the Mustangs 24 sacks last season were accumulated by three players who won’t be stepping onto the Mustangs field again.
Top Newcomer: Traylon Shead, Running Back- With the loss of Zach Line, Shead may come in from his transfer out of Junior College and make an immediate impact.
Key Games
at TCU- While TCU is clearly the better team, the Mustangs must earn their respect in this rivalry
at USF- This game may be the deciding factor in whether SMU can be a .500 team.
Season Prediction: 4-8, not eligible
Temple Owls
2012-2013 Record: 4-7 (2-5)
Last Bowl Game: W, 37-15 vs Wyoming (2011-2012 Season)
Head Coach: Matt Rhule
Returning Starters: Offense- 7, Defense- 6
2013 Schedule
at Notre Dame
Houston
Fordham
at Idaho
Louisville
at Cincinnati
Army
at SMU
at Rutgers
UCF
Connecticut
at Memphis
Offense Preview
Montel Harris, the running back who scored 12 touchdowns for the Owls last season, won’t be returning. To fill the void, 2012 QB Chris Coyer has made the transition to running back, allowing Junior QB Connor Reilly to become the starter. With most of the non-returning players being lineman, the Owls may struggle and lose the wars up front.
Defense Preview
Freshman linebacker Nate Smith racked up 75 tackles and 3.5 tackles, second only to Tyler Matakevich and John Youboty, respectively. Matakevich was also only a Freshman and creates a talented, young LB duo with Smith. Freshman DB Tavon Young lead the team in interceptions with two. The Owls sport a ton of young talent that prove to be very promising.
Top Newcomer: Zaire Williams, Running Back- While Coyer should see a majority of the carries in 2013, Williams gives the Owls a solid young athlete that may shine in the future.
Key Games
at SMU- Temple’s fate as a .500 will come down to close match ups such as this one.
UCF- A late season victory over the Knights would likely put the Owls at .500 or even better.
Season Prediction: 7-5, Bowl Eligible
Central Florida Golden Knights
2012-2013 Record: 10-4 (7-2)
Last Bowl Game: W, 38-17 vs Ball State
Head Coach: George O’Leary
Returning Starters: Offense- 8, Defense- 4
2013 Schedule
Akron
at FIU
at Penn State
South Carolina
at Memphis
at Louisville
Connecticut
Houston
at Temple
Rutgers
USF
at SMU
Offense Preview
Dual-threat QB Blake Bortles returns with his four leading WRs from last season to run a high powered offense. While they may have lost Latavius Murray (signed with Raiders), Storm Johnson is more than capable and should put up solid numbers in the run game to support Bortles’ passing attack.
Defense Preview
The offense may be seeing a lot of similar faces, but the defense will be quite the opposite. With the defensive line accounting for three of the returning players, the back seven will struggle to keep themselves afloat.
Top Newcomer: Seyvon Lowry, Defensive End- At 6’3” and 225 Lbs., Lowry already possesses great size. While he won’t start this year, he adds solid depth and a future stud pass rusher.
Key Games
South Carolina- UCF needs to prove their worth against SEC competition.
USF- The heated rivalry game is even more crucial with the season nearing it’s end.
Season Prediction: 7-5, Bowl Eligible
South Florida Bulls
2012-2013 Record: 3-9 (1-6)
Last Bowl Game: W, 31-26 vs Clemson (2010-2011 Season)
Head Coach: Willie Taggart
Returning Starters: Offense- 5, Defense- 7
2013 Schedule
McNeese State
at Michigan State
FAU
Miami (FL)
Cincinnati
at Connecticut
Louisville
at Houston
Memphis
SMU
at UCF
at Rutgers
Offense Preview
1,574 of USF’s 1,824 total rushing yards are accredited to three players who won’t be returning next season, including QB BJ Daniels. With the loss of BJ Daniels, the flock of returning WRs must step it up for the next QB in line (Matt Floyd or Bobby Eveld).
Defense Preview
Notre Dame transfer Aaron Lynch is arguably the nation’s second best pass rusher behind Jadeveon Clowney. Much of the defense’s success depends on how well Lynch and Giddins can get to opposing QBs, especially considering the loss of cornerback Kayvon Webster.
Top Newcomer: Aaron Lynch, Defensive End- After playing his Freshman year at Notre Dame, Lynch sat out 2012 in order to transfer “home” to South Florida. He will greatly improve the pass rush.
Key Games
Miami (FL)- The in-state game will push the Bulls to their limits to prove they aren’t to be taken lightly.
at UCF- Rivalry games are important enough, let alone at the end of a season.
Season Prediction: 4-8, not eligible