A sneak peek to FCS 2016
By CRAIG HALEY
STATS FCS Senior Editor
(STATS) - And the team favored to win the FCS national title in 2016...
If you aren't saying North Dakota State, then you haven't been paying attention.
With a veteran team set to return next season, the five-time reigning FCS champion Bison could very well add a sixth straight title to their collection.
Northern Iowa could give NDSU's dynasty the toughest time in the always-loaded Missouri Valley Football Conference, and Southland Conference power Sam Houston State knows how to make a deep run in the postseason, although the Bison have been there to slam the door on the Bearkats and everybody else. They certainly did that to Jacksonville State in the national championship game this past Saturday.
Knowing the FCS standard, it's not too early to look at FCS 2016 through a Sweet 16 countdown of teams. OK, we'll also throw in Montana so Griz fans won't be fuming at us (they sent such nice Christmas cards).
Northern Arizona, Portland State, Towson and Youngstown State just missed the cut here, but they now have some bulletin board material.
One final note: The early top five all return experienced quarterbacks.
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17. Montana (8-5, 6-2 Big Sky; 2015 final ranking: 14) - The Griz defense has been strong in recent years, but it will lose eight starters from coach Bob Stitt's impressive first season, which included wins over North Dakota State, Northern Arizona, North Dakota, Eastern Washington, Montana State and South Dakota State. All-Big Sky defensive tackle Caleb Kidder is the key returnee on defense. Of course, Stitt is known for offense and he gets back quarterback Brady Gustafson, leading rusher John Nguyen and wide receiver Ellis Henderson to a veteran unit. The road portion of the schedule is particularly difficult. FBS opponent: None.
16. McNeese State (10-1, 9-0 Southland; 2015 final ranking: 7) - There is continuity with defensive coordinator Lance Guidry elevated to the next Cowboy up, replacing head coach Matt Viator after he left for Louisiana-Monroe. But the only team to go unbeaten in the 2015 regular season has suffered big losses, including quarterback Daniel Sams and safety Wallace Scott, the Southland Conference's defensive player of the year. The strength of their DWA (Defense With Attitude) will be up front with defensive tackle Isaiah Golden as the anchor and defensive end Brian Hines returning from injury. The offensive game plan will shift to running back Ryan Ross and wide receiver Kent Shelby as juniors. The Cowboys figure to add some FBS transfers. FBS opponent: Louisiana-Lafayette.
15. James Madison (9-3, 6-2 CAA Football; 2015 final ranking: 11) - Losing a home playoff game in consecutive seasons will motivate the Dukes, who have to replace coach Everett Withers after he took the Texas State job. The offense will remain high-powered behind running backs Khalid Abdullah and Cardon Johnson, and quarterback Bryan Schor is more acclimated to the No. 1 role after being thrown into the mix when Vad Lee was injured in late October. And then there are the four All-CAA first-teamers at the new coach's disposal: wide receiver Brandon Ravenel, offensive lineman Mitch Kirsch, linebacker Andrew Ankrah and cornerback Taylor Reynolds. Great talent, but a team that's underperformed in the postseason. FBS opponent: North Carolina.
14. William & Mary (9-4, 6-2 CAA Football; 2015 final ranking: 12) - The Tribe offense will be ahead of the defense, with four-fifths of the offensive line returning to set up quarterback Steve Cluley, tailback Kendell Anderson, wide receiver/returner DeVonte Dedmon and tight end Andew Caskin. With three All-CAA first-teamers gone on defense (defensive tackle Tyler Claytor, linebacker Luke Rhodes and free safety DeAndre Houston-Carson), coach Jimmye Laycock is factoring some redshirt freshmen into the mix. Having All-America kicker Nick Dorka and punter Hunter Windmuller back helps give the Tribe some of the best special teams in the FCS. FBS opponent: North Carolina State.
13. Eastern Washington (6-5, 5-3 Big Sky; 2015 final ranking: unranked) - Let's go 13 in case it all turns unlucky for the Big Sky power. Unstoppable wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the national offensive player of the year, seeks to complete one of the greatest careers in FCS history. Quarterbacks Jordan West and Reilly Hennessey will battle for the starting job - the winner gaining from depth in the skill positions with the likes of wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Shaq Hill and running back Jabari Wilson. But coach Beau Baldwin must replace seven seniors on the offensive line - yikes - and is still trying to get a stronger defense to match the high-scoring offense. This past season's young unit must grow up quickly behind senior defensive end Samson Ebukam. The non-conference schedule (at Washington State and North Dakota State and versus Northern Iowa) is probably too tough. FBS opponent: Washington State.
12. North Dakota (7-4, 5-3 Big Sky; 2015 final ranking: unranked) - What the Fighting Hawks have is running back John Santiago coming off a freshman season in which he averaged nearly 237 all-purpose yards against Big Sky opponents. What they don't have are Eastern Washington, Montana and Portland State on their 2016 conference schedule (advantage UND). Still, quarterback Keaton Studsrud and the offense have to improve, and the interior of their offensive line will be new. The defense appears suited to overcome the big loss of leading tackler Will Ratelle with the return of three starters who were lost to injury in 2015, including Ratelle's sidekick at linebacker, Taj Rich. Coach Bubba Schweigert and his squad are motivated by the fact they were one of the last two teams left out of the 2015 playoff field. FBS opponent: Bowling Green.
11. Illinois State (10-3, 7-1 Missouri Valley; 2015 final ranking: 5) - It's time to get to know sophomores-to-be Jake Kolbe and George Moreira, who are expected to take over for quarterback Tre Roberson and running back Marshaun Coprich, respectively. Considering the loss of that dynamic duo, it will be hard for the Redbirds to match the success of the past two seasons. But they return the other nine offensive starters, including big-play wide receiver Anthony Warrum and a physical offensive line led by center Mark Spelman. Recruiting has risen under coach Brock Spack, and it needs to show because they suffered key losses at defensive end and linebacker. FBS opponent: at Northwestern.
10. Chattanooga (9-4, 6-1 Southern; 2015 final ranking: 9) - At least the Mocs can say they have experience with replacing a three-time conference player of the year - defensive end Davis Tull a year ago - as they face it with quarterback Jacob Huesman. His loss might seem like too much, but the Mocs lose only five starters (two on offense and three on defense). People around the program are excited about left-handed signal-caller Alejandro Bennifield, who is smaller than Huesman but has outstanding speed and a lot of potential. Running back Derrick Craine is coming off the program record for rushing yards in a season, and Corey Levin will pave the way up front. Defensive end Keionta Davis replaced Tull quite well with a Mocs single-season record of 13.5 sacks. FBS opponent: at national champion Alabama.
