ACCESS BOWL DARK HORSES
The biggest prize in G5 football is the Access Bowl. We decided to look at a few teams that might not immediately come to mind when predicting who will make this years Access Bowl but who never the less have a chance to represent the G5 in this important bowl game.
1. Arkansas State: Head Coach Blake Anderson has a terrific reputation among College football coaches. Now that Coach Anderson is in his 2nd year as head coach of the Arkansas State 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 greatest QB in College Football, he is steady and could prove to have a very nice Senior campaign. The Red Wolves have some nice talent in RB Michael Gordon and last years leader in yards at WR 6'2 Tre Houston.
If the Oline can continue to give solid play and the Defense improve from last years very average effort, the Arkansas Red Wolves could be making headlines in January 2016.
2. Colorado State: Colorado State begins life without their former Head Coach Jim McElwain this year. Fortunately, McElwain, who took the Florida Gator job shortly after the season ended, did not leave the Ram cupboard bare including All American WR Rashard Higgens.
New Head Coach Mike Bobo( formerly the OC for the Georgia Bulldogs) has an excellent football mind and should have plenty to work with when he prepares the Ram's for their season opener against Savannah State in Sept at Hughes Stadium. The biggest questions for the Rams will be finding a replacement for Qb Garrett Grayson and learning to co exist with their new head coach. Don't be surprised however, if the Rams make a nice run at and are in the mix for the Access Bowl in January.
3. NAVY: Navy should not be as competitive as it against FBS teams. Navy players are typically undersized, under recruited and often under tremendous pressure in their every day school lives to perform tasks that most college students are not asked to perform. This is why Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo is such asset to the Navy program. Coach Niumatalolo understands the Naval Academy culture and instead of bemoaning the challenges that face Navy football players, he turns them into assets.
Don't feel to sorry for this Navy team however, as it boasts some quality players and a Veer offense that makes even the best of the FBS look foolish. All world Senior QB Keenan Reynolds returns for his Senior year and should continue to run the Navy offense like a well oiled machine. Navy joins the AAC Conference this year and could make a run for both the AAC Championship and the Access Bowl in January.
4.HOUSTON COUGARS: Houston Cougar fans are hungry for a football team that lives up to expectations and the level of talent on the team. Attracting gifted players has never been an issue for the Cougars. Finding a way win with those players however, has been the achilles heel for this program.
Last year when Houston hired Coach Tom Herman, the former OC for Ohio State and winner of the Frank Broyles Award for the best assistant coach in FBS football, the Cougars made a giant step towards rectifying their underperforming history. Coach Herman is one of the best recruiters in the country and has a very good football mind to boot. Combine this with returning QB Greg Ward Jr and the Cougars could be hot on the trail of the Access Bowl this January.
Stay tuned.
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