Former All-SEC Alabama wide receiver Joey Jones is the head coach of the Jaguars. He has done a solid job in preparing the program as they get ready for the season. It will likely take a few years before they can play for a bowl game though. South Alabama has 15 starters returning, but they could be at the bottom of the barrel in the Sun Belt. With that being said, they should be able to hold their own against the weaker teams in the conference.

Offense

Sophomore quarterback C.J. Bennett will continue to be the starting quarterback. In 10 starts against FCS opponents, he threw for just 1,650 yards with 7 touchdowns to 17 interceptions. Bennett figures to struggle against even better competition now that the team will play full-time in the FBS in 2012.

South Alabama should have no issues at running back with a pair of talented sophomores returning to the backfield. Kendall Houston and Demetre Bakers combined last season for 1,049 yards and 17 touchdowns and the duo should be effective again this year.

The Jaguars are quite thin at wide receiver, which is why they will likely rely heavily on the running game. They do bring back their top two threats from last year in Bryant Lavender and Corey Waldon, but neither player was that impressive last season.

The offensive line is really the huge question mark for this offense as they have just two starters coming back from last year. They do add highly touted Alabama transfer Darius McKellar to start at left guard, but they will be very inexperienced at the two tackle spots. With the team facing even tougher competition, this unit will struggle to produce at the level needed to win games.

Defense

South Alabama regressed a bit on defense last year, allowing 21.7 points per game after allowing just 13.0 point per game in 2010. That number could get even worse this season as the Jags will be playing against more talented offenses.

The Jaguars really struggled stopping the run last year, which is to be expected as they played against better teams for the most part. They allowed opposing offenses an average of 141 yards/game after giving up only 81 yards/game in 2010. The only positive thing you can spin from last year’s defensive debacle was that they were able to hold their own against NC State and Kent State, limiting them to 104 yards and 93 yards respectively.

South Alabama has a lot of experience returning at linebacker. Senior middle linebacker Jake Johnson is the player to keep an eye on as he led the team with 83 tackles last year. They also get back starting strong-side linebacker Clifton Crews and weak-side linebacker Enrique Williams.

South Alabama will feature one of the top safeties in the entire conference in B.J. Scott. Also coming back is strong safety Charles Harris, whose return could form quite a combo in the defensive backfield. Junior college transfer Darrius Morrow is a solid player who will step in and start right away.

Sun Belt Prediction – 10th Place

Until proven otherwise, this team still belongs in the basement in their first season in the Sun Belt. The offensive and defensive lines are major concerns heading into the season, which is a good indicator that a team is going to end up on the wrong side of the scoreboard.

Jack Jones is a handicapper and writer for Betfirms.com. You can visit there now to read even more about South Alabama’s upcoming season.

South Alabama Football: Why The Jaguars Finish Last In The Sun Belt is a post from: WiredWriter

Offense

The offense put up 26.5 points and 385 total yards per game last season. The Falcons were obviously pretty good on this side of the ball, but their -13 turnover differential was really the reason why they weren’t able to win more games. With seven starters returning, this offense will be experienced, which will hopefully limit their mistakes in 2012.

Junior QB Matt Schill is coming back after a season in which he completed 59.5% of his passes for 3,024 yards with 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. 2012 should be his most productive season yet as he enters his third year as starter.

Bowling Green running back Anthon Samuel was the Freshman of the Year in the MAC last year thanks to 844 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. He returns this year and should be even more productive as a sophomore. Jordan Hopgood and Jamel Martin may see some sporadic carries, but Samuel will carry the bulk of the load.

The team’s biggest losses come at wide out as Bowling Green loses its top two pass catchers from a year ago in Kamar Jorden and Eugene Cooper. Their top returnees are junior WR Shaun Joplin and junior TE Alex Bayer. The Falcons have a very talented Michigan transfer in junior WR Je’Ron Stokes heading their way, and he will likely be their go-to-guy this year.

With four starters returning up front in senior C Chip Robinson, junior LG Dominic Flewellyn, senior LG Dominique Wharton and senior RT Jordon Roussos, this unit has a great opportunity to be the best that Clawson has had in his four years here. Talented redshirt freshman RG Alex Huettel and LT Fahn Cooper are expected to be inserted into the starting lineup this year.

Defense

Bowling Green’s defense allowed 28.8 points and 406 yards per game last year. With 10 returning starters, this may end up being the most improved unit in the conference.

This team is going to be strong at the point of attack on both sides of the ball considering the defensive line returns nine of its top 10 players from last season. The projected starters are first-team All-MAC DT Chris Jones, junior DT Ted Ouellet, sophomore DE Charlie Walker and sophomore DE Zach Colvin. Junior DT Jairus Campbell and junior DE Ronnie Goble return to provide solid depth.

The linebacker corps returns intact and features the team’s #1, #2 and #5 tacklers from last year. They are first-team All-MAC MLB Dwayne Woods, junior Jerry “BooBoo” Gates and junior BLB Paul Swan. Gates has moved to strong safety, which allows sophomore Gabe Martin to start at the team’s Rover position. Sophomore DJ Lynch is a nice option coming off the bench.

With Gates moving to safety in the spring, the secondary now features six players who all have starting experience. The main players coming back in the defensive backfield will junior CB Cameron Truss, sophomore CB DeVon McKoy, sophomore S Ryland Ward and sophomore CB Darrell Hunter.

MAC East Prediction – 3rd Place

Under the tutelage of Clawson, there is no doubt that the Bowling Green is on the rise. The past few years have been a rebuilding year for Clawson, and he will finally have his work payoff as he has a ton of talent coming in to 2012. This team is in a prime position to contend in the next few years as only four of the 22 projected starters are seniors. They also have a favorable schedule in 2012 as they have easy road games at Akron and Umass, while avoiding Western Michigan, Northern Illinois and Central Michigan from the West. Their matchup against Ohio on November 7 could easily decide the East, and the Falcons are definitely capable of going to their first MAC title game since ’03.

Jack Jones is an expert handicapper who writes for Betfirms.com. You can head there now to read more about the Falcons’ upcoming season.

Bowling Green Football: How The Falcons May Surprise In The MAC is a post from: WiredWriter

Because of back-to-back blowout losses to end the season last year, this team has some negative momentum heading into 2012. However, they have 12 starters and 42 lettermen returning, which should get back on track in 2012. You can follow the odds and get expert picks on the Cavs this season with Football Free Picks.

Offense

Virginia had no problem moving the ball last year, averaging 400 yards per game, but turnovers did them in as they averaged just 23.2 points/game. The Cavaliers should benefit with another year of experience, and with seven starters returning, this should be an improved team offensively.

Junior QB Michael Rocco returns after a surprisingly productive sophomore campaign. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor deserves some of the credit for Roccos’s production last year, and likely continued improvement in 2012.

The Cavs are set at running back with their top four rushers returning in 2012. The backfield will be led as by the dynamic duo of Perry Jones and Kevin Parks, but sophomore Clifton Richarson could see some significant carries as well.

Receiver Kris Burd is probably the biggest loss for the Cavs from last season. They have only returning starter in this unit and the Cavaliers are expected start sophomores Darius Jennings and Dominique Terrell.

The offensive line loses two starters as well, including second-team All-American LG Austin Pasztor. This unit does return three starters and 58 career starts, including second-team All-ACC LT Oday Aboushi and third-team All-ACC RT Morgan Moses. Junior RG Luke Bowanko is their other returning starter.

Defense

The Cavs were pretty solid on defense last year, giving up just 23.8 points and 352 yards per game. Unfortunately, they return just five starters and lose five of their top eight tacklers.

The defensive line suffers the biggest blows as DT Matt Conrath, DE Cam Johnson and DT Nick Jenkins all depart. Starters Jake Snyder and senior DE Bill Schautz both return, and senior NT Will Hill returns as well. While they may have lost some great players, this defensive line still has enough experience to be good once again.

The linebacker corps will be the most experienced unit on defense with four of their top six coming back. Senior MLB Steve Greer is an absolute beast, and senior WLB LaRoy Reynolds is pretty good as well. These two will likely be 1-2 in tackles once again in 2012.

The secondary will have to replace three solid players in CB Chase Minnifield, SS Rodney McLeod and FS Corey Mosley. They do have returning sophomore Demetrious Nicholson, arguably the team’s best defensive back last year. They may be forced to start four sophomores, which will likely lead to more mistakes in pass coverage this season.

ACC Coastal Division Prediction – 4th Place

Slowly but surely, London has the Cavaliers competing at a high level in the ACC. They have key players coming back from last season, so Virginia can very well be in the thick of things in the Coastal Division. They avoid both Florida State and Clemson from the Atlantic. They will face tough road games against Georgia Tech, NC State and Virginia Tech. By the end of the season, they may show a 4-4 record in conference play and a middle-of-the-pack finish in the Coastal Division.

Jack Jones is a professional handicapper who writes and makes picks for Betfirms.com. Head there now to read more about the Cavs’ upcoming season.

Virginia Football: Why The Cavs Take A Step Back This Year is a post from: WiredWriter

Rutgers hired Schiano’s assistant Kyle Flood in the hopes that he could maintain Schiano’s program. Flood takes over the team with some real talent and 15 starters returning. They had a record of 9-4 last season, and the transition to the new coaching staff will certainly be easier, but it’s still a concern. You can get picks and follow the odds on the Scarlet Knights all season long at Football Free Picks.

Offense

Rutgers never did find consistency at quarterback last year. Freshmen Gary Nova and Chas Dodd both saw time, but neither emerged as the QB of the future. Heading into fall practice, it’s still not clear who will be the starter.

Regardless of who ends up starting at quarterback, they need to find a way of turning things around in the running game. They averaged a measly 98 yards/game and only 2.8 yards/carry last year. The Scarlet Knights once again struggled to crack the 3.0 yards/carry mark. It was certainly a surprise to see the team struggle with their running game as much as they did last year. Rutgers landed one of the top recruits in the nation in Savon Huggins but he struggled to make a lasting impact until his season ended seven games into the season. Red-shirt freshman Jawan Jamison managed to lead the team with 897 yards and nine touchdowns, but it’s likely he takes a step back to Huggins in 2012.

The Scarlet Knights must find a way to replace the production of 4th Team All-American receiver Mohamed Sanu. The departure of Sanu would have definitely hurt more if it wasn’t for the emergence of freshman Brandon Coleman last year.

Despite having a mediocre quarterback under center and an unproven running game, their offensive line should be one of the best in the Big East this coming season. They have to replace three starters, but the addition of Maryland transfer R.J. Dill at right tackle, the emergence of Andre Civil as one of the top left guards in the conference and with 3rd Team Freshman All-American left tackle Kaleb Johnson coming back, this unit looks to be deadly in 2012.

Defense

Rutgers returns eight starters on defense, meaning this side of ball may very well be the team’s saving grace. With the talent they will have on the field, expect this to be one of the strongest defenses in the Big East.

Despite losing starting defensive tackle Justin Francis and defensive end Manny Abreu, the defensive line should be even better than it was a year ago. Rutgers returns one of the premier defensive tackles in all of college football in Scott Vallone, and add in one of the top ten freshman defensive ends in the country in Darius Hamilton. They also expect big things out of highly touted red-shirt defensive tackle Marquise Wright.

The return of all three starting linebackers from last year is what is keeping this team as one of the top defenses in the Big East this season. Weak-side linebacker Khaseem Green headlines this unit and he was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.

Rutgers has some great talent and depth returning in the secondary. They return one of the best corners in the country in Logan Ryan, and they bring back one of their most exciting playmakers in free safety Duron Harmon. Starting corner Brandon Jones and a great backup corner in Mason Robinson also return.

Big East Prediction – 4th Place

The loss of Schiano is the biggest reason this team slips to 4th place. Flood can still lead this team to a Big East title, but chances are they will disappoint. They have a very hard schedule where they face both South Florida and Pittsburgh on the road. Both teams are among the two highest rated teams in the conference.

Jack Jones is an expert handicapper who writes and provides his winning picks for Betfirms.com. You can head there now and read more about the upcoming season for the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers Football: Scarlet Knights Start A New Era is a post from: WiredWriter