<div id="bluebar"> Rivals.com Preseason Top 120 Countdown </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 120. North Texas
The Mean Green have struggled mightily on defense under Todd Dodge. The offense has had its moments, and Riley Dodge should provide a steady hand at quarterback. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 119. Idaho
The Vandals gave up 35 rushing touchdowns last season, and unless that figure drops by 10 or so, they are going to finish at or near the bottom of the WAC again. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 118. Western Kentucky
Four of the first six games are at home, so the Hilltoppers need to make some hay early in the season. The non-conference schedule is tough, but the toughest league games are at home. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 117. Eastern Michigan
The Eagles haven't had a winning season since 1995, so there's a lot of work for new coach Ron English and his staff. If EMU can get to five wins, it will be a hugely successful first season for English. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 116. Tulane
The Green Wave regressed last season, not surprising considering that Matt Forte was such a huge part of the offense in 2007. A lot depends on how well QB Joe Kemp plays this season; 20 TD passes from him is a legitimate expectation. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 115. New Mexico State
On paper, it doesn't appear as if DeWayne Walker and his staff have a lot to work with offensively. The transition from Hal Mumme's pass-happy system could take a while. Then again, there are some OK running backs on hand. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 114. Army
New coach Rich Ellerson has to find a way for Army to throw the ball better - the Cadets were absolutely inept in that category last season - and become more physical on defense. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 113. Miami (Ohio)
Five of the first seven games are on the road; plus, the first three games and five of the first six are against bowl teams from last season. What that means is that the growing pains on both sides of the ball could be severe <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 112. Louisiana-Monroe
Back-to-back home games against Florida International and Arkansas State - teams that should contend for the Sun Belt title - in early October will be a good gauge as to how ULM will fare in the league race. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 111. UAB
The Blazers open the season with two winnable conference games at home before playing five of their next six on the road. Any bowl hopes depend on a fast start. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 110. Kent State
RB Eugene Jarvis needs to stay healthy and the defense has to make a huge improvement. Kent State hasn't had a winning record since 2001, and that streak should reach eight years this season. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 109. Utah State
Five wins should be the goal, but the tough schedule may preclude the Aggies from getting that many. This team could - and should - be better than last season, but the record may not reflect it. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 108. Toledo
The non-conference schedule is a bear. The Rockets do not have a schedule that will lead to a lot of wins. If the Rockets can get to five, it will have been a great first season for coach Tim Beckman. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 107. San Diego State
There are three winnable games among the first five. Finishing with at least six wins and nabbing a bowl bid would take everything breaking exactly right, and that doesn't seem likely. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 106. Louisiana-Lafayette
The potential exists for a strong rushing attack because of the line, but the passing attack is a huge mystery. Defensively, the line must play better if the Ragin' Cajuns are to again contend for the league crown. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 105. SMU
Growing pains were severe in Jones' first season, but better days should be ahead. This could be a five- or even six-win team if things go well. Realistically, though, a four-victory season would be something to celebrate. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 104. Washington State
The Cougars have a long way to go to become respectable again in the Pac-10. Quarterback play must take a quantum leap to even reach the mediocre level, and the defensive front has to show some toughness against the run. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 103. Ohio
The Bobcats' defense gives them a chance to contend for the MAC East title. But the offense has to get a lot better. October will tell the tale for the Bobcats. The potential exists for at least a 3-2 mark in that month. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 102. Syracuse
Syracuse plays seven of its first eight games at home and is one of just seven teams with eight home games this season. But expecting more than four victories is foolish in Doug Marrone's first season. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 101. Middle Tennessee
The season's success likely comes down to how well QB Dwight Dasher plays. Even if the defense struggles again, MTSU still should be able to win five league games if the offense comes through. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 100. Wyoming
School officials hope Dave Christensen's arrival jump-starts a program that faded to the bottom of the Mountain West standings while other conference programs reached new heights. This is a tough rebuilding job. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 99. Hawaii
Hawaii has one of the best home-field advantages in college football, but any hope for another bowl appearance likely will depend upon whether the Warriors can win three or four games on the mainland. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 98. UNLV
After the Rebels had been stuck at the two-win mark for three seasons, five victories is progress. If UNLV can get a full season out of QB Omar Clayton while improving the defense, the Rebels could end a nine-year bowl drought. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 97. Washington
The Huskies could tie the Pac-10's longest losing streak at 15 with a loss to LSU in the opener, but it could turn around after that. After four seasons under the bland Tyrone Willingham, Steve Sarkisian has brought energy and life to the program. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 96. Akron
Excitement surrounds a program that christens a new stadium this fall. Say "good-bye" to the Rubber Bowl and "hello" to 30,000-seat InfoCision Stadium. And the Zips have a good chance to break in their new digs with a strong season. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 95. Memphis
Memphis has been one of the most consistent bowl teams in Conference USA - five appearances in the past six seasons - but expecting the Tigers to get to the postseason again this season appears to be asking a bit much. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 94. Central Florida
A winning season in '09 will require vastly better offensive production buthe defense should be fine again. After an easy opener, the Knights play six games in a row and eight of their next nine against teams that went bowling last season. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 93. San Jose State
With only one bowl bid since 1990, San Jose State's goal should be to reach the postseason. As one of the few defense-minded teams in the WAC, the Spartans need to find an offense to match to contend in the conference. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 92. Florida International
Coach Mario Cristobal - a former player and assistant coach at crosstown Miami - has FIU poised to be a sleeper in the Sun Belt this season. Four of the first five games are on the road, but FIU gets Troy and Florida Atlantic at home. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
</div> <div id="rankteam"> 91. Ball State
New coach Stan Parrish is in his 39th season as a coach and has been a head coach at Kansas State and Marshall. Still, he'll be hard-pressed to get Ball State back into the postseason with so many questions, particularly on offense. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div>
The Mean Green have struggled mightily on defense under Todd Dodge. The offense has had its moments, and Riley Dodge should provide a steady hand at quarterback. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
The Vandals gave up 35 rushing touchdowns last season, and unless that figure drops by 10 or so, they are going to finish at or near the bottom of the WAC again. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
Four of the first six games are at home, so the Hilltoppers need to make some hay early in the season. The non-conference schedule is tough, but the toughest league games are at home. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
The Eagles haven't had a winning season since 1995, so there's a lot of work for new coach Ron English and his staff. If EMU can get to five wins, it will be a hugely successful first season for English. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
The Green Wave regressed last season, not surprising considering that Matt Forte was such a huge part of the offense in 2007. A lot depends on how well QB Joe Kemp plays this season; 20 TD passes from him is a legitimate expectation. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
On paper, it doesn't appear as if DeWayne Walker and his staff have a lot to work with offensively. The transition from Hal Mumme's pass-happy system could take a while. Then again, there are some OK running backs on hand. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
New coach Rich Ellerson has to find a way for Army to throw the ball better - the Cadets were absolutely inept in that category last season - and become more physical on defense. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
Five of the first seven games are on the road; plus, the first three games and five of the first six are against bowl teams from last season. What that means is that the growing pains on both sides of the ball could be severe <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
Back-to-back home games against Florida International and Arkansas State - teams that should contend for the Sun Belt title - in early October will be a good gauge as to how ULM will fare in the league race. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
The Blazers open the season with two winnable conference games at home before playing five of their next six on the road. Any bowl hopes depend on a fast start. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
RB Eugene Jarvis needs to stay healthy and the defense has to make a huge improvement. Kent State hasn't had a winning record since 2001, and that streak should reach eight years this season. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
Five wins should be the goal, but the tough schedule may preclude the Aggies from getting that many. This team could - and should - be better than last season, but the record may not reflect it. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
The non-conference schedule is a bear. The Rockets do not have a schedule that will lead to a lot of wins. If the Rockets can get to five, it will have been a great first season for coach Tim Beckman. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
There are three winnable games among the first five. Finishing with at least six wins and nabbing a bowl bid would take everything breaking exactly right, and that doesn't seem likely. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
The potential exists for a strong rushing attack because of the line, but the passing attack is a huge mystery. Defensively, the line must play better if the Ragin' Cajuns are to again contend for the league crown. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
Growing pains were severe in Jones' first season, but better days should be ahead. This could be a five- or even six-win team if things go well. Realistically, though, a four-victory season would be something to celebrate. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
The Cougars have a long way to go to become respectable again in the Pac-10. Quarterback play must take a quantum leap to even reach the mediocre level, and the defensive front has to show some toughness against the run. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
The Bobcats' defense gives them a chance to contend for the MAC East title. But the offense has to get a lot better. October will tell the tale for the Bobcats. The potential exists for at least a 3-2 mark in that month. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
Syracuse plays seven of its first eight games at home and is one of just seven teams with eight home games this season. But expecting more than four victories is foolish in Doug Marrone's first season. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
The season's success likely comes down to how well QB Dwight Dasher plays. Even if the defense struggles again, MTSU still should be able to win five league games if the offense comes through. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
School officials hope Dave Christensen's arrival jump-starts a program that faded to the bottom of the Mountain West standings while other conference programs reached new heights. This is a tough rebuilding job. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
Hawaii has one of the best home-field advantages in college football, but any hope for another bowl appearance likely will depend upon whether the Warriors can win three or four games on the mainland. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
After the Rebels had been stuck at the two-win mark for three seasons, five victories is progress. If UNLV can get a full season out of QB Omar Clayton while improving the defense, the Rebels could end a nine-year bowl drought. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
The Huskies could tie the Pac-10's longest losing streak at 15 with a loss to LSU in the opener, but it could turn around after that. After four seasons under the bland Tyrone Willingham, Steve Sarkisian has brought energy and life to the program. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
Excitement surrounds a program that christens a new stadium this fall. Say "good-bye" to the Rubber Bowl and "hello" to 30,000-seat InfoCision Stadium. And the Zips have a good chance to break in their new digs with a strong season. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
Memphis has been one of the most consistent bowl teams in Conference USA - five appearances in the past six seasons - but expecting the Tigers to get to the postseason again this season appears to be asking a bit much. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
A winning season in '09 will require vastly better offensive production buthe defense should be fine again. After an easy opener, the Knights play six games in a row and eight of their next nine against teams that went bowling last season. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
With only one bowl bid since 1990, San Jose State's goal should be to reach the postseason. As one of the few defense-minded teams in the WAC, the Spartans need to find an offense to match to contend in the conference. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
Coach Mario Cristobal - a former player and assistant coach at crosstown Miami - has FIU poised to be a sleeper in the Sun Belt this season. Four of the first five games are on the road, but FIU gets Troy and Florida Atlantic at home. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div> <div id="logos">
New coach Stan Parrish is in his 39th season as a coach and has been a head coach at Kansas State and Marshall. Still, he'll be hard-pressed to get Ball State back into the postseason with so many questions, particularly on offense. <nobr>[ 2009 season preview ]</nobr> </div>