Sitake's Ups And Downs
During its first six years as an
independent team, BYU won 52 games, with never fewer than 8 victories in any
one season. In 2017, however, the Cougars' fortunes suffered a major plummet,
winning just 4 games behind an offense that ranked No. 118 in the nation -
worse than Kansas, Rice and Ball State. It was BYU's first losing season
since 2004, making them a true "mission team" - in more ways than one - in
2018.
The Mormons rebounded, as expected,
in its mission season last year, when the routed Western Michigan in the Famous
Idaho Potato Bowl. It marked the first time the team actually improved both is
offensive and defensive numbers from one year to the next under Kalani Sitake.
Status Quo
The ranks of football
independents have increased and decreased with each passing season since 2011
when BYU left the Mountain West Conference.
It increased by two
teams in 2013 when the Western Athletic Conference dropped football, paving the
way for the inclusion of New Mexico and Idaho. Then in 2014, it lost two
teams when Idaho and New Mexico State became football only members of the Sun
Belt Conference. In 2015 Navy bolted for the American Athletic Conference
as a football-only entrant. 2016 saw the addition of UMass, with New Mexico
State returning in 2017. Liberty joined the Independents in 2018 as the
revolving door continued to swing like a turnstile. Now, however, for the first
time in seven years, the same 6 teams comprise the Independents this season
that did in 2018.
Note: Team write-ups are excerpts from the 2019
PLAYBOOK Football Preview Guide magazine on sale at newsstands nationwide. The
numbers following each team name represent the amount of returning starters on
offense and defense, along with the number of returning linemen, with an
asterisk (*) designating a returning quarterback. The RPR represents each
team's overall, offensive and defensive rankings in overall returning
production experience.
ARMY
Off -
*7/3 Def - 4/0 RPR: 47/16/102
TEAM
THEME: THIS IS THE NEW ARMY
How does
a team that won 11 games last season for the first time, took Oklahoma to the
wire before falling in overtime and hammered Houston, 70-14, in the Armed
Forces Bowl, tying the FBS record for the most lopsided result in a bowl game,
improve on those kinds of numbers? We're not sure it's possible but we do
know the Black Knights are one of only two teams that will face only three
opponents that owned a winning record last year (UAB the other). Then consider
this: Army has defeated Navy and won a bowl game the same year four
times. They've gone 9-3, 1o-3 and 11-2 the following seasons. Stay tuned.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: After bowling just two times in 27
years, the Cadets have now done so three years in a row.
PASS
BYU
Off -
*9/4 Def - 8/3 RPR: 65/48/85
TEAM
THEME: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
To his
credit, Kalani Sitake went with a youth-infusion during last year's "mission
season" and it looks as if it's going to pay off in spades in 2019. That's
because the Cougars' freshmen started the 4th most amount of games in 2018
(22.1%). Defensively, BYU returns 8 starters from a unit that ranked No. 18 in
total defense. In addition, the special teams unit was 4th best in the nation
last year according to ESPN. QB Zach Wilson returns after starting the final
seven games in 2018. Wilson was a perfect 18 for 18 for 317 yards and 4 TDs in
last year's bowl win over Western Michigan.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: For the first time in their
history, BYU and Utah meet to open the season. The Cougars blew a 20-0 halftime
lead in an 8-point loss to the Utes last year.
PLAY ON: vs. Utah (8/29)
LIBERTY
Off -
*9/4 Def - 7/2 RPR: 25/19/52
TEAM
THEME: BOYS TO MEN
After
successfully debuting as the "New Kids On The Block' last season, the Flames
suddenly welcome an experienced unit back in 2019 as they evolve from "Boys to
Men." They enter Year Two in FBS waters having gone 94-55 the past thirteen
seasons - all six-plus win years - and would be bowl eligible should they
continue the skein in 2019. A nasty 4 game road trek starting in late
October will be the real test as to whether or not they are, indeed, bowl
worthy. Meanwhile, new head coach Hugh Freeze has risen from the ashes to
take over the program knowing it will be hard to top last year's 52-10 over Old
Dominion in their FBS debut.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: Head coach Hugh Freeze is 17-5 ATS
versus non-conference foes, including 10-1 ATS versus foes coming off a
loss.
PLAY ON: at UMass (11/2)
NEW MEXICO STATE
Off -
*8/3 Def - 6/2
RPR: 58/20/109
TEAM
THEME: THE CLIMB
After
playing in and winning its first bowl game-ever in 2017, it appeared that the
Aggies had finally broke on through to the other side. After all, 57 years is a
long, long time between drinks of water. The defense improved over 100 yards
per game and nine of those starters were back. And then just as injuries,
death, and taxes will do, the grim reaper rolled in and reminded Frank Martin
that success is never a given. Now after a dreadful return to the mean in 2018,
NMSU is tasked with getting things back to where they were two years ago. A
deeply experienced offense becomes the starting point as the ascent begins.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: Martin is 1-10 ATS in his career in
conference games when coming off a SU favorite loss.
PLAY ON: at New Mexico (9/21)
NOTRE DAME
Off -
*7/4 Def - 6/2
RPR:
97/86/95
TEAM
THEME: CORRECTED VISION
Notre
Dame had visions of a perfect season last year until they crossed paths with
Clemson in a CFP semifinal game in the Cotton Bowl. Nonetheless, the Fighting
Irish holds the college football record with 42 straight winning seasons from
1889-1932. A quick check of the calendar reminds us it will be at least 2059
should they tie that record, provided they put 40 more winning seasons in a row
together between now and then. Before we get ahead of ourselves, QB Ian Book
returns this year along with four starting OL and two of their top three wide
receivers. With no back-to-back away games, they'll be as popular as ever in
2019.
STAT YOU WILL LIKE: Since 2011, Kelly has won only 14 of 29 games played from
Halloween on out.
PLAY
AGAINST: vs. Michigan (10/26) - *KEY as a
favorite
UMASS
Off -
5/2 Def - 5/3
RPR:
128/121/114
TEAM
THEME: SOUND THE BELL
When
Mark Whipple stepped down as head coach at the conclusion of last season, the
Minutemen hired promising young coach Walt Bell. A former assistant at
Maryland, Florida State, Southern Miss, and Arkansas State, Bell inherits a
bare-bones roster that was gutted by graduation losses. Gone is star WR Andy
Isabella, drafted in the 2nd round of the draft by Arizona, along with both
starting QBs, their leading rusher and five of its top six defenders. It's one
thing to take over a program familiar with winning. It's another to seize
one that is allergic to winning. Remember, they were loaded with returning
starters last season and lost twice as many games as they won.
STAT YOU
WILL LIKE: Since entering the FBS, the
Minutemen are 5-1 ATS as underdogs of 29 or more points.
PASS
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