Opponent tidbits:
FIU:
FIU football picked to finish sixth out of seven teams in Conference USA’s East Division. New coach, new scheme. so question marks with how fast he can rebuild FIU. We beat them good last year.
Memphis:
Predicted to win West side of conference. New coach, but lots of returning players. "coming off an 8-5 season, will return nine offensive starters from a unit that ranked at or near the top of the conference in several statistical categories last year. The Tigers will return three first-team all-conference players (linebacker Genard Avery, kick returner Tony Pollard and punter Spencer Smith) and arguably the most explosive quarterback-wide receiver tandem in the league in seniors Riley Ferguson and Anthony Miller."
Georgia Tech:
Todd Stansbury returns to Bright---er---Spectrum Stadium. Quick Read on articles they have experience defense and skill players. No QB though, yet. Big question mark. But, usually pretty good.
Maryland:
Tough OT loss last year. UCF looking for revenge. Probably evenly matched teams this year. @maryland. So toss up.
Maine:
Div2A or something like that. don't expect to lose.
Cinci:
down this year, new coach, not reading anything good on them this year.
ECU:
Always a tough game. Not really following them too much. But, we will see. I think a win.
Navy:
Toss up. At least we will have the GaTech game to figure out the triple option. Should be interesting. They were pretty good last year but got tons of injuries and lost final 3 games.
SMU:
I'm expecting win. But, read something somewhere that they have improved since last year.
UCONN:
uh, yeah, win.
Temple:
last year's conference champs. New coach, lost some players. So marking it as a win but tough.
USF:
I'm just not buying that duh*bulls will be good this year. New coach is a lot more conservative than previously and will slow them down. Plus, their top notch RB is gone. I suspect Quinton Flowers will be injured some time before black friday trying to do everything and impress the heisman voters (LOL, not). I actually think they struggle and lose their first game @sanjosestate and Lovie Smith's Illinois return to tampa stadium and they beat them. But, will be interesting. I'm torn between wanting them to be undefeated going into black friday and the opposite and having them suck eggs prior. I'd enjoy both since I think UCF wins this one regardless.