A Preview To Upcoming College Football Season
During the first week of June, about the time hard core football fans begin to chomp-at-the-bit, we get a little teaser of the action to come through the courtesy of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon, when they host a media-only event which provides an opportunity to hear what the head football coach of every college football program in Georgia has to say about the upcoming season, and enjoy some great barbecue.
The following is a brief synopsis of what we can expect to see on the gridiron this year. For the sake of order only, it is presented by NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Division II, Division lll, and NAIA.
Georgia Bulldogs
(FBS): Look for the Dawgs to put up some offensive shows this year. They only lost one of their starting offensive linemen. Add on the fact they brought in Brian Schottenheimer (18 years of NFL experience) as the coordinator and you have the formula for some fireworks. Head Coach Mark Richt, entering his 15th season, wouldn’t make a commitment on the quarterback position. He said, “The key for quarterbacks is to collectively lead the team in the off season. I’m looking for a guy who will progress properly and make timely and accurate decisions.”
On the defensive side the Dawgs have some holes to fill, but do have several key playmakers returning.
Coach Richt added, “The spring was good for us in that we established how to make better decisions in throwing and catching, and how we are going to go about our business this fall.”
The team should get off to a good start on September 5 in their first game at home versus FCS team Louisiana-Monroe. You might want to mark your calendar on October 3 when they take on Alabama in Athens. This is the first time this has happened since 2008 when the Tide prevailed 41-30. Look for Brice Ramsey to step up at the quarterback position and for the Dawgs to win the SEC East.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
(FBS): Tech led the ACC in 15 statistical categories last year, including rushing offense, scoring offense, pass efficiency and turnover margin en route to winning 11 games, winning the ACC East Conference and winning the Capital One Orange Bowl. The Jackets also led the nation in third down conversions and blocked kicks, as well as setting a school record for scoring six defensive touchdowns.
The team escaped two near-loses to Virginia Tech and Georgia Southern and seemed to get better as the season progressed, and only lost by two points to Florida State in the ACC Championship Game.
Head Football Coach Paul Johnson said, “We are returning eight starters on defensive, five offensive linemen and Quarterback Justin Thomas. We are looking to build on our momentum from last year even though our schedule will be tougher because we have to play Florida State during the regular season, as well as Clemson, and the third game of the season we’ll be playing Notre Dame.”
The Jackets first two games are versus Alcorn State and Tulane, but then they travel to South Bend on September 19, and that’s when we’ll see if they might be able to win the ACC in 2015.
Georgia Southern Eagles
(FBS): The Eagles moved up to the FBS last year into the Sun Belt Conference, went 8-0, won the championship but had to stay home due to rule of being non-bowl eligible in the first year of play.
They also narrowly lost their games with North Carolina State and Georgia Tech by a combined five points and held leads in the final two minutes. The defense returns eight starters, and although only one offensive line starter returns, veteran players are stepping up. Also, the team returns their top-four rushers from last year when the team averaged 380 yards rushing per game.
Head Football Coach Willie Fritz, the Sun Belt Coach of the Year said, “Besides going 8-0 in the Sun Belt Conference last year we played close games with two power teams. Our goal is to get to a 13th game this year.”
The Eagles begin their season on September 5 when they travel to West Virginia. Another non-conference game on their schedule is the Georgia Bulldogs on November 21. Look for the Eagles to win the Sun Belt Conference Championship again and to be invited to their first bowl game ever.
Mercer University
(FCS): The Bears begin their third season of modern-day football, and their second season competing in the Southern Conference. The team went 6-6 overall last year and 1-6 in the Southern Conference. Head Football Coach Bobby Lamb, in his third season said, “We know more of what to expect competing in the Southern Conference as we head into year two. We only had 38 players on scholarship last year. That has been increased to 53 this year, but we still have 10 less than the standard of 63.”
The Bears kick off their season on September 6 versus Austin Peay on the road. Their first home game versus Stetson at Five Star Stadium is scheduled for September 12. Their first conference game is versus Woffard at home scheduled for October 3. Look for the Bears to be more competitive this year, but still trail in the final Southern Conference standings.
Savannah State University
(FCS): The Tigers, competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, are looking to improve over their 1-23 overall record for the last two seasons. Look for them to have a difficult time in accomplishing this task in their first game versus Colorado State University on the road September 5. Their first conference game is also scheduled on the road versus Bethune-Cookman University on October 3.
Valdosta State
(Div II): Although the Blazers went 10-3 overall and 6-3 in Gulf South Conference play they finished third in a conference they usually dominate as evidenced by their six time conference championship and three-time national championship. Returning six starters on each side of the ball it could be well into the season before we see what kind of team ninth year Head Football Coach David Dean has. They open their season with Albany State on September 5 and play their first conference game on the road versus North Alabama on October 3.
University of West Georgia
(Div II): Head Football Coach Will Hall and the Wolves made an unprecedented run to the NCAA Semifinals in 2014, playing and winning three games on the road en route to a Super Region 2 championship and a trip to Colorado-Pueblo to face the Thunderwolves as two of the last four teams standing in Division II football. The run ended there with a 10-7 loss, closing the best season in the school history with a 12-3 record. Preseason rankings have the Wolves ranked in the top 10 nationally and as the number one team in the Gulf South.
The Wolves will kick off their 2015 campaign in Salisbury, N.C. on September 5 versus Catawba, and begin region competition on October 3 at West Alabama. Look for the Wolves to do some major howling this fall.
Kennesaw State
(FCS): After several years of preparation, the Owls, competing in the Big South Conference, will play their first football game ever on September 3 on the road versus East Tennessee State. Then on September 12 they are scheduled to play their first home game ever versus Edward Waters University at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Head Football Coach Brian Bohannon, who played football at Georgia, coached at Gardner-Webb, Georgia Southern, Navy and Georgia Tech, was hired in 2013.
Coach Bohannon said, “Our five-year plan is to compete for a championship. All of our home games are sold-out for the inaugural season and our strength is in the bond and camaraderie our players have developed.” With approximately 85 who have signed in the last two years and 14 transfers, look for the Owls to be competitive in their first year.
Morehouse College
(Div II): The Maroon Tigers posted a record of 6-4 overall last year and went 4-3 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Head Coach Rich Freeman and the Maroon Tigers haven’t earned a playoff spot since 2010, and with only seven starters on offense and five on defense, they may be facing another long season. Their season is scheduled to get under way on September 5 at home versus Edward Waters College, and conference play on September 26 at Miles College.
Albany State University
(Div II): The Golden Rams play in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference under Interim Head Football Coach Dan Land. The Golden Rams went 7-1 in conference play last year and lost the conference championship 47-41 to Tuskegee. They are scheduled to start their season this year at home versus Valdosta State on September 5, and begin conference play at home versus Stillman College on September 19,
LaGrange College
(Div III): The Panthers went 5-5 last year competing in the USA South Conference under second year Head Football Coach Matt Mumme. With six returning starters on both sides of the ball, including three talented receivers, this could be a breakout year for Coach Mumme. Their first game is scheduled for September 5 at home versus Birmingham Southern, and their first conference game is scheduled for October 3 at Averett.
Reinhardt University
(NAIA): The Eagles junior starting linebacker is Monticello’s own, A.J. Thomas. The school’s 2015 signing class also includes Monticello Hurricane standouts Quincy Standifer, Garrison Williams and Lane Thomas. Drew Cronic takes over as head coach from his father who retired. This fall will be the Eagles’ third football season with an all time record of 12-8, a conference record of 7-3 and one conference championship (Mid-South Conference West Division). Look for this to be a break-out year for the Eagles with some experience to go with their talent. They begin their season versus Point University scheduled for August 29, and region play is scheduled to begin on October 10 versus Faulkner at home.
Morehouse College
(Div II): The Maroon Tigers posted a record of 6-4 overall last year and went 4-3 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Head Coach Rich Freeman and the Maroon Tigers haven’t earned a playoff spot since 2010, and with only seven starters on offense and five on defense, they may be facing another long season. Their season is scheduled to get under way on September 5 at home versus Edward Waters College, and conference play on September 26 at Miles College.
Point University
(NAIA): Located in West Point, GA, the Skyhawks enter their third football season under Head Football Coach Mike McCarty. They are scheduled to meet Reinhardt on August 29 at home. The team posted a record of 1-9 last year, and according to their schedule might have a tough time bettering it.
Berry College
(Div III): The Vikings posted a record of 2-8 last year, in their second year of having a football program, playing in the Southern Athletic Association Conference. However, they have 10 returning starters on offense and 10 on defense, 15 juniors and five sophomores. Look for the Vikings to turn that record around this fall under three-year Head Football Coach Tony Kunczewski. They begin their season on September 5 at Maryville, and play their first conference game on September 19 at home versus Rhodes.
Shorter University
(Div II): The Hawks record last year was 3-8, and they went 1-6 in Gulf South Conference play. Going into his 11th year, since the inception of the program, Head Football Coach Phil Jones said, “We’ll be doing what we need to do this fall and it will be with a lot more experience.” The Hawks return all 11 starters on defense and eight starters on offense, so look for them to make a little noise in the Gulf South Conference this fall. They begin their season on September 12 at home versus University of Faith, and conference play on October 3 at Mississippi College.