G5 SPORTS AND NEWS TOP 15 (GANG OF 5 SCHOOLS)

CINCY BEARCATS ARE TOP OF THE G5 THIS SEASON

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With August Football Camp just around the corner  it's time to name the G5 Sports and News Top 15 . I will update rankings as the 2015 College Football Season gets underway. Stay tuned


TOP 15 

1. CINCINNATI 
2. BYU 
3. UTAH STATE 
4. BOISE STATE 
5. WESTERN KENTUCKY
6. APPALACHIAN STATE
7. TEMPLE
8. ARKANSAS STATE
9. UCF
10. MARSHALL
11. WESTERN MICHIGAN
12. NIU
13. NAVY
14. ECU
15 . COLORADO STATE



TOP 15 BREAKDOWN

1.  CINCINNATI BEARCATS: The Access Bowl is Cincy's to lose this year. With excellent weapons in QB Gunner Kiel, Senior Wr's Shaq Morrison and Mekale Mckay, Rb's Mike Boone and Hosey Williams, and 3 returning  OLine( Cincy Oline was hit hard last year with injuries) the Bearcats are simply loaded on Offense this season. While the Cincy Def will not be a top 10 unit this year, they do have enough talent to keep teams from scoring more than the Cincy Offense will.

2. BYU COUGARS: After a nasty brawl last year at the conclusion of  the Miami Bowl in which BYU and Memphis players fought  each other on National TV, the Cougars look to return to the gridiron with a renewed sense of purpose and energy. With the best fan base among the Gang of 5 schools and a seemingly endless supply of talented football players who want to play for BYU, the Cougars are loaded again this year at almost every position. With Senior QB Taysom Hill back this year for BYU and an Oline  that is one of the best among the G5 ,BYU is  at the top of the G5 food chain. The one caveat for BYU this year however,  has to be their brutal schedule. With games against Boise, Michigan, UCLA and Nebraska, BYU may be limping to the finish line at the end of the season.

3. UTAH STATE AGGIES: Chuckie Keeton is the X factor for Utah State and if he can stay healthy this season look for him to lead Utah State to a MWC title. In front of Keeton is an experienced line that returns 4 of 5 starters. The Oline struggled some last season, but I expect that with  an extra year under their belts  the line will give Keeton the time he needs to make a plethora of  big plays with his feet and arm.Combine this with a solid Aggie Defense lead by 6'2, 230 OLB Nick Vigil and you have a Utah State team state that should be clicking on all cylinders this year

4. BOISE STATE BRONCOS: Boise State returns the majority of its best players from last years excellent squad.  Something that in most seasons would place them at the top of the MWC and Gang of 5 food chain.  The main issue for the Bronco's this year  is their need to replace  Grant Hedrick at  QB.  Hedrick( now playing in the CFL) ably lead 
last season's Bronco team to both a MWC title and Access Bowl win over Arizona State. If Boise did not have to break in a new QB, they would easily be my pick to win the MWC and repeat as Access Bowl Champs. They are loaded this year but the new Qb will have to prove he can lead the Broncos into Championship territory.

5. WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS: Not only does WKU have one of the best QB's in the country in  Brandon Doughty ,they also have the services of talented RB Leon Allen( Allen will need to stay out of trouble however, if he is to help Western Kentucky next season). In addition to Doughty and Allen, the Hilltoppers return the majority of its Defensive unit from last year. Western Kentucky struggled on defensive last season, but the return of so many players on that side of the ball will only help to improve this group.  Look for Western Kentucky to slice through their CUSA schedule in easy fashion in  2015 and be a dark horse contender for the Access Bowl as well.

6.APPALACHIAN STATE MOUTAINEERS: With 20 returning starters, an up and coming  QB(Taylor Lamb) with experience under his belt, a very good offensive line and  talent at the RB position( Junior Marcus Cox had 19 TD's last year) Appalachian State looks to be a force in the Sun Belt this year. Coach Scott Satterfield( APP STATE FINDS ITS SWAGGER LINK) is finding his voice and the App State players are responding very well to his winning philosophy. Look for App State to gain some national attention this year from College Football fans.

7. TEMPLE OWLS: While a number 6 ranking might seem to high for non Owl fans, for those who follow the Temple program it won't. With 11 starters returning from last years excellent defense , including all world LB Tyler Matakevich( one of the best LB last names ever) Head Coach Matt Rhule has all kinds of ways to reek havoc on  opposing AAC offenses this year. The OWl's also return a solid group of Rb's and veteran  WR's. I expect the OWL's ubber athletic Qb, PJ Walker, to finally put the pieces together and have an outstanding year. Temple is a solid number 6 as the College Football season begins.

8. ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES :Now that Coach Anderson is in his 2nd year as head coach of the Arkansas State Red Wolves look for him to continue to create a culture of winning at Ark State.  Red Wolves QB Fred Knighten returns for Senior year. While not the most talented  QB in College Football, he is steady and could prove to have a very nice Senior campaign. The Red Wolves also have some nice talent in RB Michael Gordon and last years leader in yards  6'2 WR  Tre Houston.  If the Oline can continue to give solid play and the Defense improve from last years very average effort, the Arkansas State Red Wolves could be making headlines this season. 

9.UCF KNIGHTS: Head Coach George O'Leary does not like to lose. Look for the Knights to rebound from last years season( no Access Bowl) and put together a UCF campaign that relies on smart offensive play calling  and a very good Defensive front 7. With   QB Justin Holman expected to win the starting job, and the Knights sporting a trio of good rb's, look for UCF to make a run at the AAC Conference title and be in the hunt for the Access Bowl this year.

10. MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD: Marshall fans experienced a roller coaster of emotions last season. While the Thunder Herd had one of the most dominate Gang of 5 teams last last year,  Marshall suffered from some credibility gaps at the hands of the College Football Playoff Committee. The Playoff committee believed the Herd schedule to be to weak to earn an Access Bowl invite. While Marshall losses quite a bit of talent from last years team, including its all century QB Rakeem Cato, the Herd  will still sport a  dangerous squad. Look for Marshall to   rely heavily on their very talented rb, Devon Johnson to run the ball early and often, especially as new QB, Michael Birdsong learns the Herd offense.. While I think WKU wins CUSA this year, don't be surprised if the Herd finds a way to beat the Hilltoppers and capture the CUSA title this year.

11. WESTERN MICHIGAN

12. NIU

13. NAVY

14. ECU

15. COLORADO STATE