Bowling Green State University Athletics
Sporting News Ranks BGSU Among Top Mid-Major Teams
July 30, 2002 | Football
July 30, 2002
By Tom Dienhardt, The Sporting News
Most of the nation tends to focus on the six Bowl Championship Series conferences: Pac-10, Big 12, Big Ten, ACC, Big East and SEC. It makes sense, considering that's where the national title contenders wage battle. But each year, there are several good squads in the mid-major leagues. In fact, the football on this level still is very good.
FYI: I DEFINE mid-major as Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, Western Athletic and Sun Belt, and every independent but Notre Dame. With that, here's my preseason mid-major Top 25.
1. Louisville. The Cardinals figure to be this year's version of Fresno State, TCU, Tulane - a team that threatens to crash the BCS party by nabbing an at-large spot in a BCS bowl. QB Dave Ragone is a legit Heisman contender and the defense returns 10 starters. But the offense needs to replace four linemen and is looking for playmaking receivers. College football
2. Marshall. QB Byron Leftwich is college football's version of Daunte Culpepper. He's surrounded by great skill talent. The key is how well the defense improves after being unable to consistently stop the run last year.
3. Southern Miss. Defense once again will be the calling card of the Golden Eagles under Jeff Bower. The line, headed by Skylor Magee and Terrell Paul, looks especially tough. But the offense will break in a new starting quarterback for just the second time in seven years.
4. Boise State. The Broncos are loaded on both sides of the ball with seven returning starters on offense and defense. Plus, both kickers are back. Ryan Dinwiddie might be the best quarterback you have never heard of.
5. Colorado State. QB Bradlee Van Pelt is expected to take the next step in his development, but he needs some receivers to emerge. Some how, some way, Sonny Lubick always forges a strong defense.
6. Utah. The Utes will feature a terrific defense headed by Sheldon Deckart, Antwoine Sanders, Jason Kaufusi and Garrett Smith. But will the offense shine without stud running backs Dameon Hunter and Adam Tate? At least QB Lance Rice is back.
7. Bowling Green. The offense has seven starters back, so all looks well. Receiver Robert Redd is a standout. A big key will be how the rebuilt defensive line develops. No doubt, coach Urban Meyer is a rising star.
8. Louisiana Tech. Luke McCown might be the best of the three quarterbacking McCown boys. But he loses two key wideouts. The defense must adapt from a 3-4 to 4-3. At least six starters are back. Jack Bicknell is an underrated coach.
9. TCU. The Frogs think they can run, but a passing threat has to develop. The defense and special teams should matchup with any C-USA team.
10. Fresno State. QB David Carr has left the building. Too bad. Expect the Bulldogs to rely on the ground game. The return of eight starters means a gambling defense should lead the way early on. Safety Bryce McGill and end Nick Burley are playmakers for coach Pat Hill.
11. Cincinnati. Rick Minter has done the impossible by winning steadily in the Queen City. Eight starters are back on offense, including star QB Gino Guidugli. The defense is as loaded with eight starters back. End Antwan Peek gets after it.
12. BYU. The key is replacing QB Brandon Doman and running back Luke Staley. Running back Marcus Whalen is supposed to be a star. The defense always needs an injection of athletic ability. Last year's leaky crew returns just three starters. Maybe that's a good thing.
13. Memphis. Tommy West and Co. will be challenged by a tough schedule, but things could be good in Memphis if QB Danny Wimprine builds on a strong freshman season and the defense plays to the form West demands.
14. UNLV. QB Jason Thomas has to be over his junior slump. A quarterbacks coach will help. The defense has to tighten up after a flop in 2001. A rugged schedule won't help matters for coach John Robinson.
15. Central Florida. The Knights debut in the MAC and think they can win it. They might behind the play of QB Ryan Schneider. But end Elton Patterson is one of just two starters back on defense.
16. New Mexico. This could be a Cinderella team if a ground game is established and the defense lives up to its potential with seven starters back.
17. Hawaii. June Jones is a great coach. QB Timmy Chang is back from an injury. He's a good one, but he must stay healthy. The defense is stacked with eight returning starters, including linebacker Chris Brown.
18. Toledo. It might be rebuilding time for "Toledo" Tom Amstutz, who debuted 10-2 and won the MAC title game. Gary Pinkel never did that. The offense has just four starters back and the defense features just as many holes. But Toledo always has talent.
19. Miami (Ohio). Few teams in the mid-major ranks will be able to pass like the RedHawks, who are led by QB Ben Roethlisberger. The key will be if the defense can keep up.
20. Western Michigan. The defense looks good. But is the offense up to par? That will be the key. Keep a close eye on how the running back and quarterback develop.
21. East Carolina. Never underestimate a Steve Logan-coached team. He is one of the best in biz. Expect a varied offense and the defense to be led by a strong secondary. The schedule is rugged.
22. Ball State. The Cardinals have shown improvement the last two years. QB Talmadge Hill is a playmaker and the defense is loaded with speed.
23. SMU. This is Phil Bennett's chance to show he has head coaching stuff. The defense, Bennett's specialty, looks good, but the passing game has to develop to give the offense balance.
24. Air Force. Fisher DeBerry is a great coach. He'll need to be at his best with little experience on both sides of the ball. In the end, this might be a prove-it year for DeBerry, who has gone 6-5 and 6-6 in two of the last three seasons.
25. Middle Tennessee State. Coach Andy McCollum might not be in Murfreesboro for long. The man can coach. He'll play four SEC teams this year. At least he has running back Dwone Hicks to lean on. But a smallish defense could get rolled often.
