Tuscaloosa News College Football Preview 2017 by Tuscaloosa News

RUNNING WILD

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 17

ALABAMA BOASTS A LOADED BACKFIELD THAT IT WILL LEAN ON HEAVILY

A P R E M I UM EDI T I ON O F

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

CONTENTS

Alabama roster 4 Complete Crimson Tide roster and proposed depth chart Cover story 5 The Crimson Tide is not hurting for depth at the running back position

WEST ALABAMA 36 A overview of the Tigers 2017 season SCHEDULES 37-40 Complete schedules for teams from Alabama and the nation

Cecil Hurt 7 Given Nick Saban's history, it's not hard to predict where Alabama will be at the end of the season Alabama coaches 8 Some familiar names return on defense while some new faces take over on offense ALABAMA OFFENSE Quarterbacks Running backs Offensive line Receivers Tight ends

9 10 11 12 13

ALABAMA DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS Defensive line Linebackers Defensive backs Kicking

14 15 16 17

2016 statistics 18 A look back at the Crimson Tide's numbers from returning starters

Published Sept. 1, 2017 Executive Editor Michael James | 205-722-0190 Executive Sports Editor Tommy Deas | 205-722-0224 Follow us www.tuscaloosanews.com

Twitter @tuscaloosanews @tidesports

Facebook www.facebook.com/tuscnews www.facebook.com/ tidesports

RUNNING WILD S E PT E MB E R 20 17

Alabama season overview 19-22 A breakdown of the Crimson Tide's 2017 opponents SEC PREVIEWS Arkansas Auburn Florida Georgia Kentucky LSU Mississippi State Missouri Ole Miss South Carolina Tennessee Texas A&M Vanderbilt

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

A PREM IUM E D IT IO N OF

ON THE COVER Returning Alabama running backs Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough and Josh Jacobs will lead what promises to be a monster running game for the Crimson Tide in 2017. [PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/GARY COSBY JR.]

The Tuscaloosa News needs your help

ootball is ingrained into the culture of America. Around here, however, it is more than just sport and entertainment. Some even liken it to a religion. Without question, it is part of who we are as a society. That’s why The Tuscaloosa News is conducting an in-depth research project on football. With growing medical concerns about the longterm impact of concussions and collisions, and with the emergence of generations of young people who seem more interested in video games than participating in real, physical sport, we have decided to take a deep look into the topic. Specifically, we are asking the question: “Should your kid play football?” We seek to explore all angles – from the benefits of playing to concerns of parents and questions about short- and long-term medical implications of participation. As part of this, we are conducting a survey, and we invite you to participate. The survey consists of less than 20 questions, and should take up no more than 10 minutes of yourtime. The questions range from basic background data (your age and gender, whether you have children, etc.), whether you played football, whether your children play, and what benefits or repercussions have come from that. You do not have to have children to participate. The survey allows you to leave contact information for followup interviews if you wish to make yourself available, but that is not required. You can take the survey and choose to not be contacted. The data from this – along with information gained from numerous interviews and collected from studies and research by professionals in various fields – will be used to produce a package or series of stories and videos that will be published in the fall. We hope the final product will provide parents and prospective players with a comprehensive and detailed picture that will allow them to make an informed decision on participation. You can find a link to the survey on The Tuscaloosa News Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tuscnews/. We thank you for your help. – Tommy Deas, Executive Sports Editor

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

2017 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE ROSTER

No. Player

1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 11 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 17 18 19 19 20 21 21 22 24 24 25 26 28 29 30 30 30 31 32 32 33 34 36 36 37 37 39 40 40

Ben Davis Robert Foster Jalen Hurts Tony Brown Calvin Ridley Daniel Wright Christopher Allen Jerry Jeudy Ronnie Clark Shyheim Carter DeVonta Smith Hootie Jones Trevon Diggs Dylan Moses Joshua Jacobs Bo Scarbrough Da'Shawn Hand Mac Jones Henry Ruggs III Chadarius Townsend Nigel Knott Tua Tagovailoa Deionte Thompson Tyrell Shavers JK Scott Ronnie Harrison Jamey Mosley Cam Sims Montana Murphy Austin Johnson Xavian Marks Shaun Dion Hamilton Jared Mayden Rogria Lewis Najee Harris Brian Robinson Jr. Terrell Lewis Xavier McKinney Kyriq McDonald Anthony Averett Minkah Fitzpatrick Daniel Skehan Mack Wilson Ryan Burns Keaton Anderson Rashaan Evans Swade Hutchinson Anfernee Jennings Damien Harris Mac Hereford Markail Benton Donavan Mosley Jonathan Rice Levi Wallace Giles Amos Joshua McMillon

Ht. Wt.

6-4 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-1 6-2 6-6 6-6 6-3 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-2 5-8 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-2 6-1 6-5 6-1 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-3 5-11 6-2 6-2 5-10 6-4 6-0 6-4 6-3

237 194 218 198 190 185 239 187 224 195 165 215 195 232 212 235 288 190 175 191 183 219 194 209 204 214 248 214 205 202 174 235 197 196 227 218 254 197 195 185 202 205 236 214 201 234 190 262 221 215 237 188 215 183 242 241

Pos.

LB WR QB DB WR DB LB WR TE DB WR DB DB LB RB RB DL QB WR RB DB QB DB WR P DB LB WR QB QB RB LB DB DB RB RB LB DB DB DB DB WR LB DB DB LB WR LB RB WR LB DB WR DB TE LB

Class

R-Fr. R-Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Jr. So. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. R-So. Fr. Sr. Jr. R-Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. Jr. Sr. So. So. R-So. Sr. Sr. R-So. Jr. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. R-So.

Hometown

41 42 42 43 43 44 45 45 46 47 47 48 49 50 52 53 56 58 59 60 62 63 65 66 67 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 81 82 83 84 85 87 88 89 90 92 92 93 94 95 95 97 97 98 98 99

Gordo, Ala. Monaca, Pa. Houston, Texas Beaumont, Texas Coconut Creek, Fla. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Baton Rouge, La. Deerﬁeld Beach, Fla. Calera, Ala. Kentwood, La. Amite, La. Monroe, La. Gaithersburg, Md. Baton Rouge, La. Tulsa, Okla. Northport, Ala. Woodbridge, Va. Jacksonville, Fla. Montgomery, Ala. Tanner, Ala. Madison, Miss. Ewa Beach, Hawaii Orange, Texas. Lewisville, Texas Denver, Colo. Tallahassee, Fla. Mobile, Ala. Monroe, La. Southlake, Texas Elba, Ala. Rosenberg, Texas Montgomery, Ala. Sachse, Texas Birmingham, Ala. Antioch, Calif. Tuscaloosa, Ala. Washington, D.C. Roswell, Ga. Madison, Ala. Woodbury, N.J. Old Bridge, N.J. Lancaster, Pa. Montgomery, Ala. Dallas, Ga. Florence, Ala. Auburn, Ala. Atlanta, Ga. Dadeville, Ala. Berea, Ky. Birmingham, Ala. Phenix City, Ala. San Antonio, Texas. Madison, Ala. Tucson, Ariz. Perry, Ga. Memphis, Tenn.

Chris Herring Jacob Parker Keith Holcombe Parker Bearden VanDarius Cowan Kedrick James Hunter Bryant Thomas Fletcher Joseph Harvey Bo Grant Christian Miller Mekhi Brown Isaiah Buggs Vohn Keith Scott Meyer Ryan Parris Brandon Kennedy Daniel Powell Dallas Warmack Kendall Randolph Hunter Brannon J.C. Hassenauer Deonte Brown Lester Cotton Josh Casher Joshua Frazier Alex Leatherwood Ross Pierschbacher Richie Petibon Jonah Williams Jedrick Wills Jr. Bradley Bozeman Scott Lashley Matt Womack Elliot Baker Chris Owens Derek Kief Irv Smith Jr. Cam Stewart Hale Hentges Donnie Lee Jr. Miller Forristall Major Tennison LaBryan Ray Jamar King Andy Pappanastos Quinnen Williams Phidarian Mathis Da'Ron Payne Johnny Dwight Taylor Wilson Joseph Bulovas Mike Bernier Brannon Satterﬁeld Preston Knight Raekwon Davis

6-4 6-1 6-4 6-1 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-2 5-9 6-2 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-3 5-11 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-1 6-4 6-6 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-7 6-7 6-7 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-8 6-5 6-0 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-4 5-11 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-7

170 226 236 218 236 272 226 220 211 201 240 241 293 248 233 228 305 246 308 309 290 295 350 324 291 315 322 303 308 301 314 314 310 324 302 307 204 246 246 249 202 238 245 272 290 190 285 306 308 301 276 212 217 223 212 306

WR TE LB DB LB TE TE LS TE DB LB LB DL DL LS SN OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR TE TE TE WR TE TE DL DL PK DL DL DL DL DL K P P P DL

So. Sr. R-Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Sr. R-Jr. R-So. Jr. Sr. R-Fr. Jr. R-So. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. R-Fr. Jr. R-Jr. Sr. Fr. R-Jr. R-So. So. Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-So. Jr. R-Fr. R-Jr. So. So. Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. R-Sr. R-Fr. Fr. Jr. R-Jr. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. So.

Tampa, Fla. Meridianville, Ala. Tuscaloosa, Ala. Bessemer, Ala. Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Waco, Texas Roswell, Ga. Georgetown, Texas Tyrone, Ga. Valley, Ala. Columbia, S.C. Columbus, Ga. Ruston, La. Mobile, Ala. Alpharetta, Ga. Madison, Ala. Wetumpka, Ala. Aliceville, Ala. Atlanta, Ga. Madison, Ala. Cullman, Ala. Woodbury, Minn. Decatur, Ala. Tuscaloosa, Ala. Mobile, Ala. Springdale, Ark. Pensacola, Fla. Cedar Falls, Iowa Annapolis, Md. Folsom, Calif. Lexington, Ky. Roanoke, Ala. West Point, Miss. Hernando, Miss. San Fransisco, Calif. Arlington, Texas Cincinnati, Ohio New Orleans, La. San Jose, Calif. Jefferson City, Mo. Northport, Ala. Cartersville, Ga. Flint, Texas Madison, Ala. Detroit, Mich. Montgomery, Ala. Birmingham, Ala. Monroe, La. Birmingham, Ala. Rochelle, Ga. Huntington Beach, Calif. Mandeville, La. Madison, Ala. Austin, Texas Prattville, Ala. Meridian, Miss.

DEPTH CHART

Defense

Offense QB RB RT RG C

Jalen Hurts Bo Scarbrough or Damien Harris Matt Womack Lester Cotton Bradley Bozeman

LG LT TE WR WR

Ross Pierschbacher Jonah Williams Miller Forristall Calvin Ridley Cam Sims

DL DL DL OLB OLB ILB

Da'Shawn Hand Da'Ron Payne Josh Frazier Christian Miller Anfernee Jennings Shaun Dion

Hamilton ILB Nickel CB CB S S

Special teams Rashaan Evans Tony Brown Anthony Averett Trevon Diggs Minkah Fitzpatrick Ronnie Harrison

K P

Andy Pappanastos JK Scott

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

COV E R S T O RY

Alabama running back Damien Harris stiff-arms Arkansas defensive back Ryan Pulley in Fayetteville. Harris led the Crimson Tide in rushing last season with 1,037 yards. [STAFF PHOTO/GARY COSBY JR.]

Carried away Crimson Tide has five unique and quality running backs, and will need all of them this season

By Aaron Suttles Sports Writer

It’s a fair assessment to label the running back situation at Alabama as talented. There might be different iterations of “talented.” Some will label it an embarrassment of riches. Opponents might just shake their heads. However it’s described, it’s true. Alabama is loaded with quality running backs of different shapes, sizes and skill sets — all for a unit that averaged 5.75 yards per carry a season ago. Meet them: • Damien Harris, the junior who led the team in rushing in 2016. • Bo Scarbrough, the jumbo-sized, injury-riddled runner who amazes with his sheer size and speed.

• Josh Jacobs, the elusive and speedy back who gets through a hole quickly. • Najee Harris, the highly-touted freshman who was coveted by every program in the country. • Brian Robinson, the local product who runs tough and isn’t intimated by the competition. Each could have a role in this year’s offense with first-year offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who knows that each is a weapon to be used to exploit defenses. “Look, running back is a position that you can’t have too many of,” Daboll said. “You can find creative ways to try to use them, and everyone will have a role if they earn that role. So, there’s good players with all five of those guys, really. continued on page 6

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

continued from page 5

They’ve done a good job in the spring. But all of the guys are smart, they work really hard, are wellcoached, so we’ll find some roles that we can use them as we see fit.” As absurd as it sounds, Alabama really can’t have too many running backs — even when it looks like it does. Look back to 2015 when the offense was forced to hand it off to Derrick Henry 395 times. Running back depth can be depleted quickly. Alabama’s 2013 class featured four running backs (Henry, Altee Tenpenny, Tyren Jones and Alvin Kamara). Henry was the only one to stay with the program and was gone after three seasons. That’s why five running backs isn’t too many this season. They can all have their own roles, including on special teams. “If somebody goes down, we always have somebody to back them up,” Scarbrough said. He’s somewhat of an expert on injuries. His season ended on the turf of Raymond James Stadium in the national championship game against Clemson, the victim of a broken leg. He tore his ACL his freshman season. “You can’t avoid injuries. Whatever happens, happens,” he said. “I worked to get back to where I was, and now I’m better.” Even in the face of his injury history and stellar competition, Scarbrough isn’t insecure. He doesn’t really view it as competition. “It’s not all about competing. It’s about creation because we’re on the same team together,” he said. “It’s just like seeing your brother graduate. When you see your brother graduate, you’re happy right? When I see them do anything spectacular or anything good to help the team it makes me happy.” Scarbrough, who said he keeps his goals to himself, said his favorite running back to watch is Jacobs due to his quickness. In Najee Harris he sees quick body movements and the ability to get up field fast. Damien Harris is much the same.

In fact, it’s like both backs are reading out of the same playbook when it comes to their feelings of how many great backs are on the team. “We’re willing to do anything we can to help the team,” he said. “It’s fun. Knowing you get to play with the best players in the country, it’s a good feeling. There’s no selfishness. There’s no ego. We try to eliminate all that at the door.” Harris likes to watch Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and Pittsburgh Steelers back Le’Veon Bell. He studies them closely, just like he studies himself. “I watch to see how I can make better runs,” he said. “Most importantly you try to see how defenses react to certain things — certain formations, certain runs, how certain techniques play certain gaps. I watch all the running backs. “Ezekiel Elliott. Him and Le’Veon Bell, those are my two guys I like to watch in the pro level. They’re both so explosive. Bell is more of a patient runner. He lets the run develop and sets up his blocks. I just love watching the way his patience to the hole and then his speed through the hole. They’re both physical running backs. They’re both great in protection and in blocking.” Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@ tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.

TOP: Alabama running back Joshua Jacobs tries to break a tackle by Auburn defensive back Daniel Thomas (24) during the Crimson Tide’s 30-12 win. Jacobs ran for 567 yards last season. [STAFF PHOTO/GARY COSBY JR.]

BOTTOM: Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough carries the ball during the ﬁrst half of the SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Scarbrough averaged 117 yards over the last four games last season, running for 454 yards in that span. He broke his leg during the national championship game against Clemson. [STAFF PHOTO/ERIN NELSON]

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

C O M M E N TA R Y

Given Saban’s consistency, Tide’s chances for title are high

n determining the eventual outcome of the University of Alabama’s football season in every year of the Nick Saban era, with the exception of the transition year of 2007, you have to take a good hard look at the Crimson Tide. But you’d better take a harder look at everyone else. What Saban has done since 2008 — and it is probably his single greatest achievement, although people tend not to view it from this perspective — is create a constant in a volatile universe. With a sole outlier in the data (2010), every Alabama team Saban has coached has played in a championship game, an actual semifinal, or a de facto semifinal. Here’s the list: • 2008 — The BCS was still in effect, meaning the “playoff” was simply a two-team affair. The SEC Championship Game between Alabama and Florida was a obvious play-in game. The winner was certain to play Ohio State (and probably beat them, as the Tim Tebow-led Gators went on to do.) • 2009 — Alabama beat Texas for the BCS title. • 2010 — A strange year, and one that clearly frustrated Saban. There’s an argument to be made that the 2010 team seemed to suffer from the entitlement and wandering attention to detail that infuriates Saban. Taking nothing away from Cam Newton or Stephen Garcia, who deserve credit as great opposing quarterbacks (Garcia, like fish without ice, was fresh for one day only), there were also internal reasons that Alabama team lost three SEC games in a season when no other Saban team since 2008 has lost more than one. • 2011 — Lost what could have

Cecil Hurt been a season-killer against LSU, the Crimson Tide got an external break or two along the way and dominated the Tigers in the rematch for the BCS title. Even if you spend your days sitting in the bayou and cursing LSU’s luck, Alabama was that season’s best team. • 2012 — Alabama beat Notre Dame in the championship game after what was, for all intents and purposes, a classic semifinal against Georgia in Atlanta. • 2013 — The Crimson Tide’s game at Auburn was a “championship” game only in terms of the SEC West, but that essentially meant a title shot against Florida State. Missouri wasn’t going to stop either team in Atlanta if you spot them three touchdowns. • 2014 — SEC champions and College Football Playoff semifinalist. • 2015 — SEC and College Football Playoff champions. Arkansas helped by beating Ole Miss (in insane fashion) and at least clearing up the SEC picture, but, again, Alabama was dominant by the end of the year. • 2016 — SEC Champions and College Football Playoff finalist. Once you take off the eclipse-thickness lenses of “national-championship-ornuthin’” expectations, you see a picture of almost stunning consistency, season after season of a team being in control of its fate when the time requires that control. The very concept of “college football dynasty” is defined by such

consistency. control. What the Crimson Tide So what about 2017? Should the does control is this: a roster filled conclusion be foregone? Is the with talent and speed, and a coachFlorida State game a glorious but ing staff that can capitalize on that survivable exhibition in Week One? roster. The quarterback has a year’s Is Auburn capable of contending in experience. The defense is young but the West until Thanksgiving and gifted. making Alabama’s trip to JordanThere are no guarantees in college Hare Stadium a battle for all the football. Young men make bad decigiblets? Have Georgia or Florida sions, or their bodies simply break rebuilt themselves into potential under the grueling physical demands roadblocks in Atlanta, a town famous of the sport. But nothing comes for its blocked (or burning) roads. closer to a constant, at this point, Will the playoff feature an opponent than Alabama giving itself a chance with a generational quarterback, like at a championship. Deshaun Watson was for Clemson? Most of those questions require Reach Cecil Hurt at cecil@tideanswers that are beyond Alabama’s sports.com or 205-722-0225.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

C O AC H E S

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW Defense has familiar faces on sidelines; offense has coaching overhaul By Aaron Suttles Sports Writer

Brian Daboll takes over as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator. He served as the tight ends coach for the New England Patriots in the NFL the last three years. [STAFF PHOTO/GARY COSBY JR.]

early the entire Alabama offensive coaching staff was replaced from a season ago, with the lone holdover coming in offensive line coach Brent Key. The entire defensive coaching staff returns from a last season. That’s the changed dynamic in the coaches’ meetings. Although most analysis will focus on the new offensive coordinator, three coaches replaced on one side of the ball is unusual. Gone is offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, wide receivers coach Billy Napier and tight ends coach Mario Cristobal. In are Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator, Mike Locksley as wide receivers coach and Joe Pannunzio as the tight ends coach. On the other side of the ball, Alabama held onto outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi even in the face of other Power 5 programs offering him defensive coordinator positions. Every other coach is back, too. UA head coach Nick Saban and the offensive players have been complimentary of Daboll, who came from the NFL, where he served as tight ends coach for the New England Patriots. Out of the college game for nearly two decades, Daboll said the change hasn’t been that radical. “There’s some time requirements there that you can’t, maybe, meet as much, but, again, the philosophy of the organization and the structure and the detail that Coach Saban provides for us is very similar to the

system that I came from,” he said. “Coaching fundamentals is coaching fundamentals, so whether you’re coaching a 30-year-old man or an 18-year-old young man, a 19-yearold young man, you still got to coach the fundamentals and make sure they do it properly. And those don’t change based on age. So, leverage, hand placement, pad level, route detail, reads, footwork, those are all the same whether you’re coaching in professional or you’re coaching here. Your job as a coach is to show them how to do it and really accept no excuses. Demand they do it the right way and then if they mess it up or it’s not exactly the way you want it, you’ve got to get it fixed.” As for the defense, it is in safe hands under the guidance of second-year coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. Pruitt’s 2016 defense was arguably Alabama’s best of the Saban era. “…I think he did a fabulous job,” Saban said. “I think statistically, we were better in a lot of categories than even the year before, granted we had a lot of good players, but he got the good players to play well and I think that’s the key. “I think that the fact that we have all the coaches on defense, the continuity on defense, the understanding, how we coach things, how we do things, it’s probably a benefit. It’s probably a benefit with all the young players that we have and all the players that we have to replace that, hopefully, will enhance the development of those players so that we can get them where they need to be to play effectively this year.” Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@ tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

Q UA R T E R BAC K

ENCORE PRESENTATION

Expectations higher for Jalen Hurts after phenominal freshman season

Returning starter: Jalen Hurts Starter lost: None

THE STARTER

What a freshman season it was for Jalen Hurts. After coming in on the third series of the season opener against Southern Cal, Hurts never relinquished the job. He accounted for 3,734 total yards and 36 touchdowns, rushing for 954 and 13 touchdowns while passing for 3,734 and 36 touchdowns. He was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year. But last year is in the books for Hurts, who said minutes after the loss in the national championship game that his sophomore season started the morning after the loss.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Tua Tagovailoa arrived during the spring, and the Hawaii native immediately grabbed attention with his lightning-quick release and accuracy. His performance on A-Day impressed.

BACKUPS

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts [STAFF PHOTO/ ERIN NELSON]

Freshman Tua Tagovailoa arrived to much fanfare and showed his potential in the A-Day spring game. The left-hander has a quick release and can spin the ball. Listed at 6-foot-1, 219 pounds, Tagovailoa has the size to play if pressed into action. Nick Saban has said Tagovailoa will play this season. With no experience behind Hurts, it will fall on Tagovailoa to be the backup. Fellow freshman Mac Jones, from Jacksonville, Fla., is the other scholarship quarterback on the roster. Jones, 6-2, 190, has some physical maturing to do and he’s made progress already. He’ll spend the season likely gaining weight and and strength while also learning the offense.

YOU NEED TO KNOW

Alabama hasn’t had a returning starter at quarterback since AJ McCarron returned for his senior season in 2013.

OUTLOOK

The focus of the offseason has centered on the development of Hurts as a passer. His running skill is evident and clearly a big part of his game. Alabama isn’t going to take that away from the offense. However, to achieve balance, Hurts will need to consistently complete passes down the ﬁeld and not rely so heavily on wide receiver screens and jet sweeps. With a wide receiving corps stacked with talent, including Calvin Ridley, Robert Foster, Jerry Jeudy and more, taking advantage of mismatches down the ﬁeld is a must.

KEY STAT

188

Hurts averaged 185 yards passing a game, but the season ended with him passing for 57 yards against Washington in the College Football Playoff semiﬁnal and 131 against Clemson in the national championship game for 188 total passing yards.

QUOTABLE

“We'll only be as good as we work, as hard as we work to be. It's on us and we have to go out and improve every day, work hard, because it's not going to happen overnight. It's not going to happen in the blink of an eye. Nothing's given to us, we've got to earn everything.” – Jalen Hurts

— Compiled by Aaron Suttles

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

R U N N I N G B AC K S

FULLY LOADED

Scarbrough, Harris lead talented group in the backfield

Returning starters: Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough Starter lost: None

THE STARTERS

YOU NEED TO KNOW

Damien Harris led the team in rushing with 1,037 yards and 7.1 yards per carry. Bo Scarbrough rushed for 812 yards in 13 games, averaging 6.5 yards per carry, while leading the running backs in rushing touchdowns with 11 (only behind quarterback Jalen Hurts’ 13). Both entered 2016 with little experience in meaningful situations during games after the departure of Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry. Both played up to the standards expected, although better ball security is needed this season.

Bo Scarbrough was playing the best football of his career before he ssustained a broken leg in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Clemson. He doesn’t look to have skipped a beat in fall camp.

BACKUPS

Josh Jacobs played in all 15 games and averaged 6.7 yards per carry. He’s the quickest at getting through the hole of the returning backs and his lateral quickness makes him a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. Freshman Najee Harris arrives as the top-ranked high school running back in the country, according to some recruiting analysts. He was impressive in the Crimson Tide’s open practice, especially in the passing game, where in open space he can be a handful for a defender to bring down or even get his hands on. Fans are excited about how new offensive cooordinator Brian Daboll might use him this season. Hillcrest High School’s Brian Robinson has also earned positive reviews. Robinson might earn a role on special teams even if he doesn’t compete for a starting running back spot right away.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough [STAFF PHOTO/GARY COSBY JR.]

Najee Harris enrolled at UA in the spring as the most heralded prep running back in the country. Nothing he's done during his time on campus has diminished that status.

OUTLOOK

The biggest question mark for the running back group might be in how the carries are divided. In 2015, Derrick Henry carried the ball 395 times. Last year Harris led the running backs with 146 carries while Scarbrough totaled 125. Jacobs contributed 85 carries. Those are the three leading experienced backs, but Najee Harris shows such promise it’s hard to imagine that he’ll not play a role in some capacity this season.

KEY STAT

954

Quarterback Jalen Hurts was second on the team in rushing yards (954 yards) and ﬁrst in rushing touchdowns (13). Running is a big part of Hurts’ game, so he’ll still be a part of the Crimson Tide’s rushing attack in 2017.

QUOTABLE

“Running back is a position that you can’t have too many of. You can ﬁnd creative ways to try to use them, and everyone will have a role if they earn that role. So, there’s good players with all ﬁve of those guys, really. – Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll

- Compiled by Aaron Suttles

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

OFFENSIVE LINE

PLENTY OF OPTIONS

Tide has solid group of veterans, talented newcomers

Returning starters: Bradley Bozeman, Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher Starters lost: Cam Robinson, Korren Kirven

TOP CANDIDATES

Right guard appears to be a battle between redshirt freshman Deonte Brown and junior Lester Cotton, a Tuscaloosa product from Central High. Both are big, powerful road graders. Cotton’s technique kept him from being more consistent last year, and Brown’s conditioning could be an issue. Redshirt sophomore Matt Womack and freshman Jedrick Wills are ﬁghting for the starting job at right tackle. J.C. Hassenauer provides quality depth at center, and junior Dallas Warmack saw some playing time with the backups at guard last season.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH Alabama signed three offensive tackles, a guard and a center in this class. The most excitement may be for Alex Leatherwood, the nation’s No. 4 player. He arrived on campus during preparation for last season's national championship game and could make his way into the two-deep.

YOU NEED TO KNOW Bozeman and Pierschbacher are back at center and left guard, respectively. Williams is making the move from right tackle, where he acclimated himself well as a true freshman, to left tackle.

Alabama offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman [PHOTO/LAURA CHRAMER]

OUTLOOK

There’s no shortage of options or talent on the offensive line, but there’s less certainty about how it all fits together. Alabama started four different players at right guard last year and would like to find more continuity there this season. The offensive line looks wellstocked for the future, but there’s no extra time to break in the new starters. Florida State has two stout defensive tackles and enough pass rushers to test the group in the very first game.

KEY STAT

5.75

Alabama’s offense averaged 5.75 yards per carry last year, its second-best average in the Nick Saban era. But Alabama actually performed better against some of its tougher competition. The Crimson Tide averaged over six yards per carry in conference games, and averaged 6.5 yards per carry in the national championship game against Clemson.

QUOTABLE “Like Coach Saban always says, we’ll play the ﬁve best. You might not always like it but it’s always fair.” — Jonah Williams

– Compiled by Ben Jones

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

WIDE RECEIVER

WELL RECEIVED

Newcomers for Crimson Tide are dynamic playmakers

Returning starter: Calvin Ridley Starter lost: ArDarius Stewart, Gehrig Dieter

TOP CANDIDATES

OUTLOOK

Robert Foster looked like a rising star in 2015 before a shoulder injury ended his season in the third game. He was a non-factor last season even though he was healthy, and has one more chance to produce. Cam Sims is a big (6-5/214) target who played well in spots last year, and has received compliments for his blocking. Derek Kief also has good size and has been waiting for a chance to break into the receiving rotation.

ArDarius Stewart set the tone for the group last year, handling a sledgehammer on the sideline and leading the team in receiving yards. Ridley is one of the country’s best playmakers on the outside but will need some help. Counting Trevon Diggs, who is now playing defense full time, Alabama lost three of its top ﬁve wide receivers from last season. That means Alabama will be counting on some freshmen for quality depth, and maybe even more than that. All eyes will be watching to see if Jalen Hurts can connect with the receivers downﬁeld this year. The talent appears to be in place.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

There are four true freshman receivers from the 2017 class. Jerry Jeudy turned heads with ﬁve catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns in the spring game and looks like a good bet to see the ﬁeld this season. Montgomery native Henry Ruggs III could also have a chance to contribute. Alabama also landed DeVonta Smith, the No. 1 player in Louisiana and Tyrell Shavers, a 6-6 Texan.

YOU NEED TO KNOW

Calvin Ridley [STAFF PHOTO/GARY COSBY JR.]

Calvin Ridley’s receiving yards dipped from 1,045 yards as a freshman to 769 yards as a sophomore, like Julio Jones (924 yards as a freshman, 596 as a sophomore) and Amari Cooper (1,000 yards, then 736) before him. But Ridley still has 1,814 career receiving yards in his ﬁrst two seasons, more than either Jones or Cooper. Both Jones and Cooper posted their best numbers as juniors. Ridley will turn 23 in December, which could play a factor in whether he chooses to enter the NFL draft at the end of this season.

KEY STAT

Ridley needs 68 receptions to break Cooper’s record of 228 career catches. He surpassed that number each of the last two seasons and has a strong chance of doing it this year. It would likely take another year for him to challenge Cooper’s career record of 3,463 yards; Ridley has 1,814.

QUOTABLE

“The sledgehammer means savage mentality. Even if we don’t have the sledgehammer, we still have (that mentality) in the locker room." — Cam Sims

- Compiled by Ben Jones

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

TIGHT ENDS

LOOKING FOR PRODUCTION

Returning starter: Hale Hentges Starter lost: O.J. Howard

With loss of Howard, young players expected to step up TOP CANDIDATES

YOU NEED TO KNOW

QUOTABLE

Hale Hentges is the veteran of the group, a junior who played in all 15 games in 2016. Mainly a blocker, he caught three passes for 10 yards. Expect more production from sophomore Miller Forristall, who also played in all 15 games and caught ﬁve passes for 73 yards. Forristall should move into the No. 1 tight end position given his size full set of skills. Another young tight end to watch this season is Irv Smith, an athletic sophomore from New Orleans. Smith’s skills could have him playing tight end and H-back this season. A pair of freshmen joined the group this year in Major Tennison and Kedrick James, both from Texas. Tennison is a 6-foot5, 245-pounder from Flint, Texas. ESPN ranked him the No. 8 tight end in the 2017 class. James, 6-5, 272 pounds, actually got a look on the defensive line as fall camp opened, but he moved back to the sideline in the ﬁrst week. James was ranked the No. 9 tight end in the country according to ESPN. Ronnie Clark, a 6-2, 224 pounds, is a redshirt junior, who can play H-back.

Forristall has added weight and strength in his one year in the program. The talented sophomore has gained 20-30 pounds since joining the program in 2016.

“I saw (Nick Saban say I was O.J. Howard-like). One of my guys on the team commented on it on Twitter. It was pretty funny. I’m not quite O.J., and I know that. I don’t want to be. I just want to do my job, be Miller Forristall.” — Miller Forristall

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Irv Smith, a sophomore, is an athletic target, who could make an impact at the H-back position. Smith moves more like a running back or wide receiver than he does a tight end. He added to a good unit.

OUTLOOK

It’s a different feel for the group this season. That’s mainly due to the departure of O.J. Howard to the NFL. It’s also due to new coach Joe Pannunzio, who takes over for Mario Cristobal. It’s a young group with Forristall and Smith expected to add athletic depth to the unit. Smith’s skill could be a good

— Compiled by Aaron Suttles

match to new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Hentges is the veteran of the group and he’ll continue contributing as a blocker.

KEY STAT

595

Alabama must replace O.J. Howard, who was third on the team in receptions (45) and yardage (595).

Alabama tight end Hale Hentges [STAFF PHOTO/ERIN NELSON]

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

DEFENSIVE LINE

FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE Depth primary issue for front line this season

Returning starters: NT Da'Ron Payne Starters lost: DE Jonathan Allen, DE Dalvin Tomlinson

TOP CANDIDATES

YOU NEED TO KNOW

There's a serious search for new names to step up in 2017 with only Da'Ron Payne being a ﬁxture from a year ago. There was a great deal of speculation about just how valuable senior defensive end Da'Shawn Hand might be before camp started, for some reason, There has been less talk since practice started, but Hand fulﬁlling the expectations of a former No. 1 high school prospect matters. Raekwon Davis, a sophomore, must also start to match the hype, although he is still early in his development. Josh Frazier is another veteran who needs to step up and provide Payne some sweet relief from time to time. For the rest of the unit, only game experience will tell the story.

Alabama has had two keys to defensive line success under Nick Saban. Great talent comes ﬁrst, but it has also had tremendous depth. Finding enough players to go eight or nine deep is going to depend on names like Quinnen Williams and Johnny Dwight emerging during the season.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

You don't bring in junior college players to sit and watch at a position of need, so junior Isaiah Buggs, a 292-pound end from Ruston, La., is being counted on to push Davis at his position. Buggs was one of Alabama's most touted recruiting successes a year ago.

Da’Ron Payne [STAFF PHOTO/ERIN

OUTLOOK

Payne may be the lone indispensable player on the Crimson Tide roster. There's not a sure-ﬁre replacement no matter how Alabama shufﬂes the deck, and that's even allowing for help from a freshman or two, either LaBryan Ray or Phildarian Mathis, or both. Otherwise, as Saban says, fatigue becomes an issue because "when those big guys run out of gas, it takes a lot longer for them to recover."

KEY STAT

Alabama did not allow a 100-yard rusher last season —or a 90-yard rusher — or an 80-yard rusher. Keith Ford of Texas A&M had the best rushing day against Alabama, gaining 62 yards on 15 carries.

QUOTABLE

"Da'Ron is a freak. He runs like a 4.9 (40-yard dash) and he weighs more than me and is a stud in the weight room. We've seen other guys like that, like A'Shawn (Robinson,) I went up against him. I haven't had it easy here." — Alabama offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher

NELSON]

– Compiled by Cecil Hurt

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

L I N E B AC K E R S

NOT MISSING A BEAT Despite big losses, next group of stars take over at linebacker

Returning starters: ILB Rashaan Evans, ILB Shaun Dion Hamilton Starters lost: OLB Ryan Anderson, ILB Reuben Foster, OLB Tim Williams

TOP CANDIDATES

YOU NEED TO KNOW

OLB Anfernee Jennings will be looked to as the anchor against the run, a role Ryan Anderson ﬁlled for two years. If anyone is going to help Rashaan Evans replace a substantial amount of graduated pass rushing power, it will probably be OLB Christian Miller. Many are looking for him to rise to stardom as Evans rises to superstardom. Terrell Lewis, who changed his last name from Hall in the offseason, should provide quality depth. Sophomore ILB Mack Wilson made his biggest impact (literally) on special teams but should combine with Shaun Dion Hamilton and Evans to give Alabama a ﬁerce inside presence.

That Alabama isn't replacing the three departed linebackers from the 2016 team -- all now shining in NFL camps -- without missing a beat. There is another potential superstar in Evans, who is versatile enough to move outside and rush the passer or stay on the inside as needed. He is also the leading player advocate for a live elephant mascot, endearing him to the pachyderm-loving segment of the Alabama fan base. There is an abundance of young talent at all the friendly-sounding linebacker spots (Sam, Mike, Will and Jack could easily have been the four members of a British Invasion pop band). But no one has the pure physicality of Foster and Anderson, or the edge speed of Williams. At least not yet.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Dylan Moses has been a familiar name to college football fans since he was an eighth-grade sensation sporting scholarship offers from Nick Saban and Les Miles among others. Now, he's an Alabama freshman and could crack the talented rotation. He might even have another Baton Rouge freshman -- Chris Williams -right next to him.

OUTLOOK

Hamilton's return from a knee injury that kept him out of Alabama's 2016 postseason -- an absence that is too often overlooked -- and the 2017 A-Day game is critical. He has looked solid in August but the real test will come against Florida State. Evans can play either spot on the inside or slide outside. The two most imposing physical prospects on the inside are sophomore Wilson and freshman Moses. As they gain experience, Keith Holcombe provides a steady hand and sophomore Keaton Anderson is dependable. All have the potential to be special teams monsters as well.

KEY STAT

3.6

Alabama sacked the quarterback an average of 3.6 times per game last season (54 in 15 games, easily the best in the SEC). While Saban has returned to talking about "affecting" quarterbacks more than dropping them, the outside linebackers could still be a signiﬁcant source of pressure.

QUOTABLE

“We have several guys returning at outside linebacker that had an opportunity to play last year like Terrell Lewis, Christian Miller and Anfernee Jennings. The inside is the same. They're all working. That's why we practice.” -- Defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt

Rashaan Evans [STAFF PHOTO/GARY COSBY JR.]

– Compiled by Cecil Hurt

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

D E F E N S I V E B AC K S

GOT IT COVERED

Strong group returns to roam the secondary

Returning starters: CB Anthony Averett, CB Tony Brown, S Minkah Fitzpatrick, S Ronnie Harrison Starter lost: CB Marlon Humphrey

TOP CANDIDATES

OUTLOOK

Based on the returning players, most of the starting spots seem secure. Safety Hootie Jones has experience at all three deep spots, although he has gotten a strong camp push from sophomore Deionte Thompson. Cornerback Shyheim Carter continues to improve but it's a crowded picture at cornerback, especially when Alabama chooses to use Minkah Fitzpatrick as a corner.

Fitzpatrick is the immediately recognizable name, but this could also be a breakout year for Averett and Harrison, both considered as possible high-round NFL draft choices in 2018. Brown, an NCAA All-American hurdler and sprinter in outdoor track, is still seeking consistency. Depth at the corners will come from former walk-on Levi Wallace and freshman Jared Mayden. If Averett and Diggs can control the cornerback spots, Alabama will have one of the top safety duos in the NCAA with Fitzpatrick and Harrison. Thompson would probably be the next option here, especially when Fitzpatrick works at nickelback. Jones gives Alabama another experienced player in the mix. Carter could be on the ﬁeld in either the nickel or dime packages for Alabama, again depending on the progress Brown makes in terms of consistency. Redshirt freshman Nigel Knott has worked as a backup at both nickel and star.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

While he isn't technically a newcomer to the team, sophomore Trevon Diggs only chose to devote himself to defense as a full-time occupation at the start of fall camp. Though he showed ﬂashes at wide receiver last year, the secondary seems to be his natural home (and also a team area of need). If you insist on a freshman here, Xavier McKinney of Roswell, Ga., might be one to watch.

YOU NEED TO KNOW

Minkah Fitzpatrick

Alabama uses as many as six defensive backs on the field at the same time in its dime package, so "returning starters" can be stretched well beyond the traditional four-man defensive backfield. Minkah Fitzpatrick — named a first-team preseason All-American by Sports Illustrated — is especially valuable because he can play any of the six positions. He had six interceptions in 2016 and ran back two of them for touchdowns, averaging 31 yards per return.

KEY STAT

Alabama was fourth in the SEC in passing yardage allowed in 2016 (197.9 yards per game) and while some of that was due to the difﬁculty of running against the Tide, it's a number that could be improved.

QUOTABLE

"I think we have good players in the secondary. I think the biggest focus I have is trying to get them in the right spots, how we match up the best, what kind of depth can we develop. That's what I would be concerned with." — Nick Saban

[STAFF PHOTO/ GARY COSBY JR.]

– Compiled by Cecil Hurt

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

SPECIAL TEAMS

GETTING A LEG UP

Competition for kicker is wide open

Returning starters: JK Scott, Trevon Diggs, Xavian Marks Starters lost: Adam Grifﬁth, Cole Mazza, ArDarius Stewart

TOP CANDIDATES

YOU NEED TO KNOW

The biggest question will be how Alabama replaces kicker Adam Griffith. Redshirt senior Andy Pappanastos was used on six PATs in blowouts last year and converted all six. He also made a 33-yard field goal against Chattanooga. Freshman arrival Joseph Bulovas will also compete for the job. He was 68 of 76 on PATs and 11 of 25 on field goals in his high school career. Scott will remain a weapon in the punting game that Alabama can rely on. Trevon Diggs returned 13 punts and seven kickoffs last year, most of any returning player. Xavian Marks, Joshua Jacobs and some of Alabama’s freshman receivers might also get a chance to contribute in the return game.

Joe Pannunzio is in his ﬁrst year as Alabama’s special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, but his role may change after this year. The NCAA approved the addition of a 10th on-ﬁeld assistant to coaching staffs beginning on Jan. 9, 2018 (the national championship game is on Jan. 8). Nick Saban has long lobbied for the addition of a 10th assistant, in part to bolster special teams coaching.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Thomas Fletcher will be expected to handle the long snapping duties after four-year starter Cole Mazza exhausted his eligibility. Fletcher played at IMG Academy last season and has been at Alabama since spring. He was as highly ranked as a long snapper can be and played in the 2017 Army All-American Bowl. Mazza delivered all 583 snaps successfully during his career.

JK Scott

OUTLOOK

Alabama fans might have a queasy feeling about the kicking situation for the ﬁrst few games, but the rest of the unit looks strong. Scott is one of the best players at his position on the team. There’s enough talent and depth that coverage teams should be strong, and the return units will probably be asked to set up the offense more than supply big plays.

KEY STAT

46.3

JK Scott remains Alabama’s leader in career punting average by a signiﬁcant margin. He has averaged 46.3 yards per punt over his ﬁrst three years; the next closest was Greg Gantt’s 43.6-yard average.

QUOTABLE

“It's one thing to go out there and kick ﬁeld goals on air. It's another thing when there are 11 guys rushing and a lot of stuff happening around you.” — Nick Saban

– Compiled by Ben Jones

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

2016 BY THE NUMBERS Statistic leaders from returning starters

RUSHING

PUNT RETURNS

Player Damien Harris Jalen Hurts Bo Scarbrough Josh Jacobs

gp 15 15 13 15

att 146 191 125 85

gain 1065 1161 844 585

loss 28 207 32 18

net 1037 954 812 567

avg 7.1 5.0 6.5 6.7

td 2 13 11 4

lg 73 60 85 56

avg/g 69.1 63.6 62.5 37.8

Total

639

4044

369

3675

5.8

245.0

Opponents

476

1573

614

959

2.0

63.9

PASSING Player Jalen Hurts

gp effic 15 139.12

comp-att-intpct 240-382-9 62.8

yds 2780

td 23

lg 71

avg/g 185.3

Total

15 143.34

265-417-9 63.5

3154

210.3

Opponents

15 106.47

273-507-16 53.8

2968

197.9

RECEIVING Player gp Calvin Ridley 15 Josh Jacobs 15 Cam Sims 14 Damien Harris 15 Trevon Diggs 15 M. Forristall 15 Robert Foster 10

no. 72 14 14 14 11 5 5

yds 769 156 152 99 88 73 55

avg 10.7 11.1 10.9 7.1 8.0 14.6 11.0

td 7 0 0 2 1 0 0

lg 52 30 31 56 17 32 27

avg/g 51.3 10.4 10.9 6.6 5.9 4.9 5.5

Total

265

3154

11.9

210.3

Opponents

273

2968

10.9

197.9

Player

Trevon Diggs Xavian Marks

no. 13 5

TEAM STATISTICS

yds 130 105

avg 10.0 21.0

td 0 1

lg 47 75

Total

528

15.5

Opponents

213

10.6

INTERCEPTIONS Player no. M. Fitzpatrick 6 S. Hamilton 2 Tony Brown 2 Ronnie Harrison 2

yds 186 40 9 64

avg 31.0 20.0 4.5 32.0

td 2 0 0 1

lg 100 40 9 58

Total

398

24.9

100

10.7

Player no. Xavian Marks 7 Trevon Diggs 7

yds 123 166

avg 17.6 23.7

td 0 0

lg 25 41

Total

547

19.5

Opponents

1212

21.3

Opponents

KICK RETURNS

OPP

SCORING Points Per Game Points Off Turnovers First downs Rushing Passing Penalty

582 38.8 136 315 181 122 12

195 13.0 34 217 71 125 21

RUSHING Yards gained Yards Rushing Attempts Average Per Rush Average Per Game TDs

3,675 4,044 lost 639 5.8 245.0 Rushing

959 1,573 369 476 2.0 63.9 33

PASSING Comp.-Att.-Int. Average Per Pass Average Per Catch Average Per Game TDs Passing

3154 265-417-9 7.6 11.9 210.3 26

2968 273-507-16 5.9 10.9 197.9 15

TOTAL OFFENSE Total Plays Average Per Play Average Per Game

6,829 1056 6.5 455.3

3,927 983 4.0 261.8

614

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

2016 ALABAMA OPPONENTS

Capsules by Tommy Deas and Ben Jones

GAME 1 | FLORIDA STATE

GAME 2 | FRESNO STATE

GAME 3 | COLORADO STATE

Date: Sept. 2 Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Kickoff: 7 p.m. TV: ABC Last meeting: Florida State beat Alabama 21-14 in Jacksonville in 2007. You need to know: Nick Saban is 10-0 in season openers at Alabama. Jimbo Fisher is 7-0 in openers at Florida State. The storylines for this game are endless. Both programs are national championship contenders. Fisher was once Saban’s offensive coordinator at LSU. It’s the first game in state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Alabama and Florida State often face each other in recruiting battles, and the ACC and SEC have both claimed to be the toughest conference in recent years. This is being billed as one of the best kickoff games in college football history. It’s just a matter of whether the game itself can live up to all of that hype. Keep an eye on: Florida State safety Derwin James could be the best defensive player in the nation. He and Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick won’t face off, but will likely be the first two defensive backs chosen in the 2018 NFL draft should they both declare. James played only two games last year before a knee injury ended his season. As a freshman, he had 91 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. He’s a monster matchup problem because he can line up anywhere in the secondary or at linebacker, and he can also pass rush. FSU’s defense never fully recovered without him last year. Outlook: FSU has played in one of the six major bowl games each of the last five seasons, and finished in the top ten in five of those years. The Seminoles expect to compete for a national championship this season but face a brutal schedule, including Clemson and Florida on the road. Both programs are loaded with talent and tradition. It’s possible the loser of this game could still win its conference make the playoff. It’s likely the winner will become the favorite to win the national championship.

Date: Sept. 9 Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. TV: ESPN2 Last meeting: This is the first meeting between Alabama and Fresno State. You need to know: The last time Fresno State won a game east of the Mountain Time Zone was in 2009, when it beat Illinois 53-52 in Champaign. The Bulldogs were 125th nationally in scoring last season and also surrendered more than 30 points per game. Their first game is against Incarnate Word, an FCS program that went 3-8 last season. Fresno State ought to be 1-0 entering this game but will face difficulties getting its players ready to play a program like Alabama. Keep an eye on: There won’t be many players who can keep up with Alabama in this game, but outside linebacker James Bailey is an interesting prospect. He started for the Bulldogs as a freshman and sophomore and has 106 tackles, including seven tackles for loss. He’s listed at 6-½25 and Fresno State’s other linebackers are listed at 240 and 245 pounds. They should have the size to make tackles against Alabama’s running backs, but might struggle if asked to do much in coverage. Outlook: Fresno State was one of the worst FBS teams in the country last season, finishing 1-11. Its only win was against FCS Sacramento State, and even that was a seven-point game going into the fourth quarter. New head coach Jeff Tedford built his reputation on coaching quarterbacks like Trent Dilfer, David Carr, Joey Harrington, Kyle Boller and Aaron Rodgers earlier in his career. The Bulldogs do return starting quarterback Chason Virgil and their top two receivers from last season, but don’t overthink this one. Alabama should dominate every play of this game at every position from start to finish.

Date: Sept. 16 Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium Kickoff: 6 p.m. TV: ESPN or ESPN2 Last meeting: Alabama beat Colorado State 31-6 in 2013 in Tuscaloosa. You need to know: The Rams have quietly become one of the country’s more consistent mid-major programs in recent years, posting winning records in each of the last four seasons under Jim McElwain and Mike Bobo. Colorado State averaged 33.8 points per game during those four seasons. The Rams will open their season a week earlier than Alabama and play Oregon State on Aug. 26, then Colorado the next week. Alabama should have a good idea of what to expect based on those two games. Keep an eye on: The Rams have both of their top receivers back this season along with their starting quarterback. Senior Michael Gallup had 76 catches for 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns last season and was deadly down the stretch. He had 1,024 yards and 12 touchdowns in the last eight games alone. Junior Olabisi Johnson wasn’t as consistent but was a big-play threat. He averaged 21.9 yards per catch on 28 catches. In their bowl loss to Idaho, Gallup and Johnson combined for 13 catches for 373 yards and five touchdowns. Outlook: The Colorado State defense, which gave up more than 30 points per game last season and allowed 214 rushing yards per game, shouldn’t be too much trouble. But there could be fireworks to keep this one interesting. The Rams could compete for the Mountain West championship this season if things fall their way. Alabama may have an opportunity to play some young players in this game, but they’ll be tested when they hit the field.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

2016 ALABAMA OPPONENTS

GAME 4 | VANDERBILT

GAME 5 | OLE MISS

GAME 6 | TEXAS A&M

Date: Sept. 23 Location: Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Kickoff: TBA TV: TBA Last meeting: Alabama beat Vanderbilt 34-0 in Nashville in 2011. You need to know: Four of the five SEC teams with a better defense than Vanderbilt last year finished the season ranked. The Commodores could start nine seniors on defense this year and be even better despite losing linebacker Zach Cunningham. The Commodores weren’t flashy last year, but they limited their turnovers (15) and hung around in a lot of games. Four of their six losses were by a touchdown or less. Keep an eye on: It may feel like running back Ralph Webb has been around forever. That’s because in three seasons he’s rushed for 3,342 total yards and scored 24 touchdowns. Another 1,000-yard season would move him into the top five of the conference’s all-time rushers, ahead of Bo Jackson, Emmitt Smith and Derrick Henry, among others. Webb also has 45 receptions in the last two seasons. Quarterback Kyle Shurmur improved from his freshman to sophomore year and may take another step as a junior, but Webb is the foundation of the offense. Outlook: Things may have looked bleak for Derek Mason when he went 3-9 in 2014 after James Franklin posted nine wins in back-to-back seasons, but the Commodores have rebounded since then. Vanderbilt showed some bite against SEC teams last year by beating Georgia, Ole Miss and Tennessee. The offense has nearly every contributor at the skill positions back and three linemen, while the defense has seven starters back. Vanderbilt should beat some more SEC teams this season. But it’s not likely Alabama will be one of those teams.

Date: Sept. 30 Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium Kickoff: TBA TV: TBA Last meeting: Alabama won 48-43 in Oxford, Mississippi, last season. You need to know: Ole Miss had an unexpected coaching change in July when Hugh Freeze resigned after evidence emerged of calls on his universityprovided phone to a number linked to an escort service. Matt Luke, a 40-year-old who had been co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, has been promoted to interim head coach. He takes over an embattled program that has self-imposed a postseason ban and other penalties, and may get more from the NCAA. Keep an eye on: Quarterback Shea Patterson took over last year after Chad Kelly was injured and showed some promise. He completed 72 of 132 passes for 880 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions while starting the ﬁnal three games of his freshman season. Patterson averaged nearly 300 yards per game in his starts and also rushed for 169 yards on 41 attempts. A highly-touted recruit, Patterson will need a big season to keep the Rebels aﬂoat. Outlook: Ole Miss lost half its starters from last year’s team, not to mention its head coach and whatever incentive the possibility of a bowl bid might have provided. The program looks like a long-term reclamation project, and the 2017 season projects to be painful to Rebels fans. Last season, Ole Miss went 5-7 and won just two SEC games, and might be doing well to duplicate that kind of record this year. Four starters return on the offensive line and three are back in the secondary, but other spots look thin.

Date: Oct. 7 Location: Kyle Field in College Station, Texas Kickoff: TBA TV: TBA Last meeting: Alabama defeated Texas A&M 33-14 last season in Tuscaloosa. You need to know: The Aggies have finished 8-5 three seasons in a row, and haven’t won more than four SEC games in any of those years. Last year, Texas A&M lost five of its last seven games, starting with the loss at Alabama. The Aggies return seven starters on defense and will be looking for improvement on that side in John Chavis’ second year at coordinator. The offense returns three interior linemen who started along with a running back and receiver. Keep an eye on: Christian Kirk is an explosive wideout and kick returner who can be a game-breaker. Kirk led the nation with three punt returns for touchdowns last season and he also had the highest average per return at 21.7 yards. He also led the SEC in receptions with 83 while rolling up 928 receiving yards. He accounted for 1,418 all-purpose yards, fourth-best in the SEC, and is one of the most electric players in the land. Outlook: Texas A&M needs to find a way to finish a season. The Aggies have swooned late in the last few years, but this year the schedule isn’t quite so back-loaded. A&M’s biggest challenges are a bit more spread out, with Alabama and Florida backto-back in October and contests vs. Auburn and LSU to start and finish the November portion of the schedule. How well the Aggies finish will determine what kind of season this will be.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

2016 ALABAMA OPPONENTS

GAME 7 | ARKANSAS

GAME 8 | TENNESSEE

GAME 9 | LSU

Date: Oct. 14 Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium Kickoff: TBA TV: TBA Last meeting: Alabama defeated the Razorbacks 49-30 last season in Fayetteville, Arkansas. You need to know: Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen lit up Alabama’s defense for 400 yards last season. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder is back as a senior after leading the SEC in passing with 3,430 yards in 2016. He threw for two or more touchdown passes in nine games (including three against Alabama, to go with three interceptions). Fifteen of his 25 touchdown passes were against teams ranked in the top 25. Keep an eye on: The Hogs can pass the ball, for sure, but the thing to watch for is the running game. If Arkansas has enough offensive balance, it can present a challenge to any defense. Head coach Bret Bielema has edged away from the power running game in the last couple of seasons, creating a better air attack but leaving Arkansas lacking a bit on the ground. Devway Whaley is the leading returning rusher with 602 yards and three touchdowns a year ago. Outlook: This is important year for Arkansas, which hasn’t won more than eight games since Bobby Petrino’s departure after the 2011 season. The Razorbacks were picked to ﬁnish fourth in the always-tough SEC West in the annual preseason media poll, and will have to negotiate a schedule that includes road trips to Alabama, South Carolina and LSU, as well as a tough home date with Auburn, to make some noise.

Date: Oct. 21 Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium Kickoff: TBA TV: TBA Last meeting: Alabama rumbled through the Volunteers for a 49-10 victory last season in Knoxville, Tennessee. You need to know: Tennessee returns four starters on the offensive line, three of them seniors and all of them 300 pounds or bigger. Jashon Robertson leads the unit with 35 career starts, including every game last season. The left guard and the blockers around him will be expected to pave the way for what should be a solid running game with junior John Kelly back after rushing for 630 yards last season. Keep an eye on: The defensive line is a big question, with only one returning starter. Experience abounds at linebacker and in the secondary, but redshirt senior Kendal Vickers is the only player with real starting experience in the trenches. Brady Hoke, who served as head coach at Michigan, joins the staff to coach up the unit, and he’ll need to work fast to mold the unit into one that can hold up to SEC blockers. Outlook: Last year was supposed to be Tennessee’s year, with a veteran quarterback in Josh Dobbs and more depth than in recent memory, but it didn’t happen that way. The Vols return seven starters on each side of the ball, but don’t have a lot of proven playmakers. Tennessee broke a losing streak to one rival, Florida, but hasn’t defeated Alabama since 2006. The Vols need to reach the 10-win plateau to be seen as making progress.

Date: Nov. 4 Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium Kickoff: TBA TV: TBA Last meeting: Alabama escaped Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with a 10-0 victory last season in a game that was scoreless going into the fourth quarter. You need to know: Matt Canada is the new offensive coordinator, and a big part of the mandate for the new coaching staff in the wake of the Les Miles era is to find some spark on that side of the ball. Canada has had offensive coordinator stops at Pitt, North Carolina State and Indiana, among other places, and has a penchant for high-scoring attacks. LSU wants to get away from the ground-and-pound style of play to incorporate a more spread-based scheme and try to develop mobile, dual-threat quarterbacks. Keep an eye on: LSU is looking for linebackers after losing three starters from last season. Arden Key, an outside linebacker, is the leading returning tackler after making 56 total stops with 12 sacks last season, but he’s going to need help. Whether LSU can find productive players to fill in the other starting spots will go a long way in determining what kind of defense the Tigers will have in 2017. Outlook: Ed Orgeron took over a team that still abounds with NFL-level talent, but the search for a game-changer at quarterback continues. The Tigers return four starts on the offensive line to block for Derrius Guice, who rushed for 1,387 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, and have a top wideout in D.J. Chark. Whether Danny Etling, or someone else, can trigger that offense is the big question.

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2016 ALABAMA OPPONENTS

GAME 10 | MISSISSIPPI STATE

GAME 11 | MERCER

GAME 12 | AUBURN

Date: Nov. 11 Location: Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi Kickoff: TBA TV: TBA Last meeting: Alabama defeated the Bulldogs 51-3 last season in Tuscaloosa. You need to know: Of all the quarterbacks Alabama will face this season, MSU’s Nick Fitzpatrick may mean more to his team than any other. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder led the SEC in total offensive yards last season with nearly 3,800, including eight 100-yard rushing games. He also passed for 2,423 yards and 21 touchdowns, but threw 10 interceptions. If the Bulldogs can keep him healthy, Fitzpatrick could give MSU a chance against most opponents. Keep an eye on: Wideout Donald Gray is a big-play machine. He has averaged 17.7 yards per catch in his career, and ﬁve of his seven touchdown receptions have come on plays of 49 yards or longer. The senior has had just two 100-yard receiving games in his career, but will likely play a big role in this year’s Mississippi State attack. He comes into the 2017 season with 62 career receptions for 1,095 yards, and has done so on a team that relies heavily on the quarterback as a runner rather than passer. Outlook: Dan Mullen is widely regarded as one of the better coaches in the country, but winning consistently at MSU isn’t easy. He won 10 games in 2014 and nine a year later, but the Bulldogs backslid to a losing record in 2016. Mississippi State returns 14 total starters, but only one each at linebacker and on the defensive line. Developing productivity along the front seven on defense will be Mullen’s biggest challenge.

Date: Nov. 18 Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium Kickoff: TBA TV: TBA Last meeting: This is the first meeting football between the schools. You need to know: Mercer is a Football Championship Subdivision team that plays in the Southern Conference. The Bears discontinued their program after the 1941 season with the outbreak of World War II, and didn’t play again until reviving it in 2013. Mercer has won 17 games over the last three seasons and went 6-5 last year, losing 35-10 to Georgia Tech in its only game against a major-conference opponent. Alabama and Mercer signed a two-game deal, with the second installment scheduled for the 2021 season. Keep an eye on: The score ticker. The outcome of this game hasn’t been in doubt since the moment the contract was signed, but there are a few other interesting matchups on this Saturday-beforeRivalry-Week. Nationally, UCLA at Southern Cal and Michigan at Wisconsin will draw attention. The SEC has a few other cupcake games, but the league schedule also includes LSU at Tennessee, Kentucky at Georgia, Mississippi State at Arkansas, Texas A&M at Ole Miss and Missouri at Vanderbilt. Outlook: The reason this game is scheduled is because Auburn is next. The Tigers host LouisianaMonroe, a step above Mercer but not exactly a challenge. The thing both want to accomplish going into the Iron Bowl is winning without significant injury. Mercer can’t play with Alabama, but anyone can get hurt at any time on a football field, so getting a quick early lead to rest the starters will be the Crimson Tide’s objective, and one it should be able to accomplish.

Date: Nov. 25 Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn Kickoff: TBA TV: TBA Last meeting: Alabama thumped the Tigers 30-12 in last season’s Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa. You need to know: Alabama has won seven of the last nine in the cross-state rivalry after Auburn had won six in a row – its longest winning streak in the series – from 2002-07. The Crimson Tide has also won the last three meetings by an average margin of 15 points. Auburn is one of the few schools to boast multiple wins against Nick Saban-coached Alabama teams, winning in 2010 with a second-half rally and in 2013 on a return of a missed field goal on the game’s final play. Those victories still resonate on the Plains, and the defeats still sting in Tuscaloosa. Keep an eye on: Transfer quarterback Jarrett Stidham, a sophomore, began his collegiate career at Baylor but has become the focus point of the offense at Auburn. He passed for 1,265 yards in 10 games with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions, completing nearly 69 percent of his passes as a freshman for the Bears. If Stidham lives up to his billing, he should be able to inject some bigplay passing potential into Auburn’s offense. Outlook: Auburn was picked to finish second in the SEC West going into the season, and was picked above any team in the SEC East to win the overall conference title (finishing second to Alabama in voting by the media). The Tigers don’t have a gaping area of inexperience, with multiple starters returning on both sides of the line, at linebacker, wideout, defensive back and at running back. With bruiser Kamryn Pettway providing run support, Auburn’s offense should be formidable with Stidham at quarterback.

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SEC PREVIEWS

ARKANSAS

Arkansas’ Austin Allen attempts a pass against Virginia Tech during the ﬁrst half of the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

Tough road ahead for Hogs in loaded SEC West By Ehsan Kassim Special to The Tuscaloosa News

After seeing improvement in each of their first three seasons under Bret Bielema, the Arkansas Razorbacks took a step back during the 2016 season. Arkansas was two games worse in conference and won one fewer game, finishing at 7-6. Coach Bret Bielema feels good about his team moving forward, saying he believes the program is in a good position. The Razorbacks have come a long way from when Bielema took over the program in 2013. “Obviously, the end of last season was a unique situation for me,” Bielema said during SEC media days in the summer. “In fact, even when we went 3-9, which I've never had a losing season in my career, other than the first year at Arkansas, I felt at the end of the year we were getting better at moving in the right direction. And last year, our last two games were not highlights, especially the way they both ended.” Arkansas lost at Missouri and to Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl to close out last season. The Razorbacks will look to improve on a 25-26 conference record under Bielema. One of the keys will be quarterback Austin Allen. The senior will look to build on a 2016 season where he passed for 3,340 yards with 25 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. “Austin has done some pretty good things,” Bielema said.“There's some things he has to do better. We had conversations about that. I wouldn't do anything but truly sit back and watch a guy that's going to be able to go to some heights that people never thought he would be able to do. In the end he'll probably be the one smiling.” Arkansas opened its season on Thursday, Aug. 31, in Little Rock against Florida A&M.

2017 Schedule

Aug. 31 Florida A&M* Sept. 9 TCU Sept. 23 Texas A&M+ Sept. 30 New Mexico State Oct. 7 at South Carolina Oct. 14 at Alabama Oct. 21 Auburn Oct. 28 at Ole Miss Nov. 4 Coastal Carolina Nov. 11 at LSU Nov. 18 Mississippi State Nov. 25 Missouri * Little Rock, Arkansas + Arlington, Teas

2016 Record: 7-6 (3-5 Conf./T-5th in SEC West) All-time SEC championships: 0 Bowl appearances: 42 (15-24-3)

Returning statistical leaders Rushing

Devwah Whaley

2016 Results

Sept. 3 Louisiana Tech Sept. 10 at TCU Sept. 17 Texas State Sept. 24 Texas A&M Oct. 1 Alcorn State Oct. 8 Alabama Oct. 15 Ole Miss Oct. 22 at Auburn Nov. 5 Florida Nov. 12 LSU Nov. 19 at Mississippi State Nov. 25 at Missouri Dec. 31 vs. Virginia Tech* * Belk Bowl

Passing

Austin Allen W 21-20 W 41-38 W 42-3 L 24-45 W 52-10 L 30-49 W 34-30 L 3-56 W 31-10 L 10-38 W 58-42 L 24-28 L 24-35

Receiving

Jared Cornelius

Tackles

Josh Liddell

Att Yards 110

602

Comp-Att

INT

245-401

Rec Yards 32

Total 63

515

Avg

5.5

TD 3

TD Yards 25

3430

Avg

16.1

Int Sacks TFL 2

Starters Returning: 12 Offense: 6 Defense: 5 Specialty: 1 Starters Lost: 12 Offense: 5 Defense: 6 Specialty: 1 Returning offensive starters: Austin Allen (QB, Sr.), Hjalte Froholdt (OL, Jr.), Hayden Johnson (FB, So.), Frank Ragnow (OL, Sr.), Jake Raulerson (OL, Sr.), Brian Wallace (OL, Jr.) Returning defensive starters: Dre Greenlaw (LB, Jr.), Josh Liddell (DB, Sr.), Ryan Pulley (DB, Jr.), Santos Ramirez (DB, Jr.), Henre’ Toliver (DB, Sr.)

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SEC PREVIEWS

AUBURN

With playmakers on offense, Tigers ready to step on the gas this season

Auburn running back Kamryn Pettway (36) rushed for 1,224 yards and scored seven touchdowns for the Tigers last season. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

By Cody Estremera Special to The Tuscaloosa News

Every year since Gus Malzahn took the head coaching job at Auburn, he has had a fast-paced offense. This year will be no different. Auburn brings back both Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson. The dynamic running back duo accounted for 2,119 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. Pettway was the starter for most of last year, rushing for 1,224 yards (fifth-best in the SEC) while missing four games. Johnson finished with 895 rushing yards, which ranked 13th in the SEC. “Kerryon is one of our most versatile players,” Malzahn said at SEC Media Days. “Kerryon is an excellent running back in his own right, too. He's a tough guy; he can catch and can do a lot of things.” The biggest change for the Tigers this year will be the offensive coordinator. Rhett Lashlee left to coach at UConn. His replacement: Chip Lindsey. “I'm excited about Chip,” Malzahn said. “I got a lot of confidence in Chip. He's going to provide more balance for us. And he's a quarterback guru, too. So I feel very good about that.” For the last two years, quarterback play has hurt the Tigers. Sean White was the best quarterback last year, throwing for 1,679 yards and nine touchdowns in 11 games. John Franklin III transitioned to wide receiver, then transferred before this season to Florida Atlantic. The quarterback who is drawing the most excitement is Jarrett Stidham, a transfer from Baylor, who was recently named the starter. At Baylor, he threw for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns. “The biggest comfort right now is we have quality depth at the quarterback position,” Malzahn said.

2017 Schedule

Sept. 2 Georgia Southern Sept. 9 at Clemson Sept. 16 Mercer Sept. 23 at Missouri Sept. 30 Mississippi State Oct. 7 Ole Miss Oct. 14 at LSU Oct. 21 at Arkansas Nov. 4 at Texas A&M Nov. 11 Georgia Nov. 18 Louisiana-Monroe Nov. 25 Alabama

2016 record: 8-5 (5-3 Conf./ tied for 2nd in SEC West) All-time SEC Championships: 8 All-time bowl appearances: 41 (23-16-2)

Returning statistical leaders Rushing

Att

Yards

Avg

Passing

Comp-Att

INT

Yards

Rec

Yards

Avg

Total

Int

Sacks

TFL

Kamyrn Pettway

2016 Results

Sept. 3 Clemson Sept. 10 Arkansas State Sept. 17 Texas A&M Sept. 24 LSU Oct. 1 La.-Monroe Oct. 8 at Mississippi State Oct. 22 Arkansas Oct. 29 Ole Miss Nov. 5 Vanderbilt Nov. 12 at Georgia Nov. 19 Alabama A&M Nov. 26 at Alabama Jan. 2 Oklahoma * Sugar Bowl

Sean White L 13-19 W 51-14 L 16-29 W 18-13 W 58-7 W 38-14 W 56-3 W 40-29 W 23-16 L 7-13 W 55-0 L 12-30 L 19-35*

Receiving

Ryan Davis

Tackles

Tray Matthews

209

133-208

1,224

194

112.4

7.8

1,679

Starters returning: 17 Offense: 7 Defense: 6 Specialty: 4 Starters lost: 13 Offense:5 Defense: 6 Specialty: 0 Returning offensive starters: Darius James (OL, Sr.), Austin Golson (Ol,Sr.), Braden Smith (OL, Sr.), Sean White (QB, Jr.), Kamryn Pettway (RB, Jr.), Chandler Cox (FB, Jr.) Eli Stove (WR, So.), Darius Slayton (WR, So.), Daniel Carlson (K, Sr.) Tyler Stovall (H, Sr.) Ike Powell (LS, Sr.) Returning defensive starters: Dontavius Russell (DL, Jr.), Marlon Davidson (DL, So.), Deshaun Davis (LB, Jr.), Tré Williams (LB, Sr.) Darrell Williams (LB, Jr.), Carlton Davis (DB, Jr.), Stephen Roberts (DB, Sr.), Tray Matthews (DB, Sr.)

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SEC PREVIEWS

FLORIDA

QB still in doubt, but McElwain, Gators ready to push through for SEC title By Kyle Weber Special to The Tuscaloosa News

Coming off back-to-back SEC East Divsiion titles, Jim McElwain and the Florida Gators look to capture the title for the third straight year. McElwain is the first coach in SEC history to make it to the SEC Championship Game in his first two seasons. Though that is an impressive feat, Florida has plenty to correct before the upcoming season. Florida was the last ranked total offense in the SEC a season ago. A big reason for that was the quarterback position, where Florida has struggled throughout McELwain’s tenure. Florida returns quarterback Luke Del Rio, who led the gators in passing a year ago. Del Rio will compete with redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks and Notre Dame Transfer Malik Zaire. “We’ve got some real options there,” McElwain said at SEC Media Days this summer. “And that’s a good thing. And yet you know, he’s a guy (Zaire) that can light up the room with his smile. He’s excited to be there and excited to compete, and we’re looking forward to what happens this fall.” Whoever wins the QB competition is going to have a very talented offensive unit. “We love our running backs, have experience on the offensive line, loaded at wide receiver, and competition going on between quarterbacks,” Florida offensive tackle Martez Ivey said at SEC Media Days. “On the offensive side of the ball, I see that the sky is the limit. It is about execution, doing things right, and how bad we want it. I see us doing big things this fall.” Defensively, Florida loses leading tackler Jarrad Davis, along with cornerbacks Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson, but expectations will remain high for a defense that has ranked near the top of the SEC since McELwain’s arrival.

Florida wide receiver Antonio Callaway had 721 receiving yards in 2016 and is looking to put up bigger numbers this season. The only question entering the season is who Callaway will be catching passes from as the Gators have three candidtes for the job. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

2017 Schedule

Sept. 2 Michigan (Dallas) Sept. 9 Northern Colorado Sept. 16 Tennessee Sept. 23 at Kentucky Sept. 30 Vanderbilt Oct. 7 LSU Oct. 14 Texas A&M Oct. 28 Georgia (Jacksonville) Nov. 4 at Missouri Nov. 11 at South Carolina Nov. 18 UAB Nov. 25 Florida State

2016 Record: 9-4 (6-2 Conf./1st SEC East) All-time SEC championships: 8 All-time bowl appearances: 43 (22-21)

Returning Statistical Leaders Rushing

Att

Yards

Avg

Passing

Comp-Att

INT

TDs

Yards

Rec

Yards

Avg

Total

Int

Sacks

TFL

Jordan Scarlett

2016 Results

Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 15 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Nov. 26 Dec. 3 Jan. 2

Luke Del Rio Massachusetts W 24-7 Kentucky W 45-7 North Texas W 32-0 at Tennessee L 28-38 at Vanderbilt W 13-6 Missouri W 40-14 Georgia* W 24-10 at Arkansas L 10-31 South Carolina W 20-7 at LSU W 16-10 at Florida State L 13-31 Alabama L 54-16 Iowa W 30-3

Receiving

179

Antonio Callaway

Tackles

Marcell Harris

114-201

889

721

13.4

1,358

Starters returning: 18 Offense: 9 Defense: 6 Specialty: 3 Starters Lost: 8 Offense: 2 Defense: 6 Specialty: 0 Returning offensive starters: Martez Ivey (OL, Jr.), Tyler Jordan (OL, Jr.), Jawaan Taylor (OL, So.), Fred Johnson (OL, Jr.), Jordan Scarlet (RB, Jr.), DeAndre Goolsby (TE, Sr.), C’yontai Lewis (TE, Jr.), Antonio Callaway (WR, Jr.), Brandon Powell (WR, Sr.) Returning defensive starters: Jordan Sherit (DL, R-Sr.), Cece Jefferson (DL, Jr.), Keivonnis Davis (DL, Jr.), Duke Dawson (DB, Sr.), Marcell Harris (DB, R-Sr.), Nick Washington (DB, R-Sr.)

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SEC PREVIEWS

GEORGIA

Dynamic duo of Chubb, Michel set to carry Bulldogs By Kyle Weber Special to The Tuscaloosa News

Following an up-and-down year for Georgia, second-year coach Kirby Smart strives for consistency while balancing the high expectations for this year’s team. “When you come to the University of Georgia, the expectation is to win championships,” Smart said. “That’s what we expect to do at the University of Georgia, and that’s the standard we’ll be held to.” Georgia was a tale of two teams a season ago. They won their first three games, then dropped four of the next five, before winning four of their last five contests. Georgia returns one of the nations most elusive running back duos in senior Nick Chubb and senior Sony Michel. Chubb, who is the second leading rusher in Georgia history, rushed for 1,130 yards and eight touchdowns last season, while Michel carried the ball for 840 yards. ‘The attitude is the standard is high,” Michel said. “Nick and I are seniors so we have been down this road before. This is not our first rodeo so we just have to take what comes with it, embrace it, and take it to the team and lead. This is our chance to try to lead our team and lead them to something great.” Georgia returns junior linebacker Roquan Smith, who had 95 tackles and five tackles for loss a season ago, looks to be the leader of the defense. “I would say I try to lead by example,” Smith said at SEC Media Days this summer. “A lot of guys want to be great so they look up to me and watch the way I go about my things, and the way I work, and I think that speaks for itself.” Georgia opens the season against Appalachian State, followed by a trip to Notre Dame.

Georgia running back Nick Chubb rushed for 1,130 yards last season. Chubb, along with Sony Mitchel, is part of a backﬁeld duo that is the envy of the SEC. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

2017 Schedule

Sept. 2 Appalachian State Sept. 9 at Notre Dame Sept. 16 Samford Sept. 23 Mississippi State Sept. 30 at Tennessee Oct. 7 at Vanderbilt Oct. 14 Missouri Oct. 28 Florida (Jacksonville) Nov. 4 South Carolina Nov. 11 at Auburn Nov. 18 Kentucky Nov. 25 at Georgia Tech

2016 Record: 8-8 (4-4 Conf./2nd in SEC East) All-time SEC championships: 12 All-time bowl appearances: 52 (30-19-3)

Returning Statistical Leaders Rushing

Att

Yards

Avg

Passing

Comp-Att

INT

TDs

Yards

Rec

Yards

Avg

Total

Int

Sacks

TFL

Nick Chubb

2016 Results

Sept. 3 North Carolina Sept. 10 Nicholls Sept. 17 Missouri Sept. 24 Ole Miss Oct. 1 Tennessee Oct. 9 South Carolina Oct. 15 Vanderbilt Oct. 29 Florida Nov. 5 Kentucky Nov. 12 Auburn Nov. 19 Louisiana-Lafayette Nov. 26 Georgia Tech Dec. 30 TCU *Jacksonville, Fla. +AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Jacob Eason W 33-24 W 26-24 W 28-27 L 14-45 L 31-34 W 28-24 L 16-17 L 10-24* W 27-24 W 13-7 W 35-21 L 27-28 W 31-23+

Receiving Terry Godwin

Tackles

Roquan Smith

224

204-370

95 0

1,130

397

5.0

10.4

2,430

Starters returning: 21 Offense: 8 Defense: 10 Specialty: 3 Starters Lost: 5 Offense: 3 Defense: 1 Specialty: 3 Returning offensive starters: Jacob Eason (QB, So.), Isaiah Wynn (OG, Sr.), Lamont Gaillard (OG, Jr.), Nick Chubb (TB, Sr.), Christian Payne (FB, Sr.), Jeb Blazevich (TE, Sr.), Terry Godwin (WR, Jr.), Michael Chigbu (WR, Jr.) Returning defensive starters: Trenton Thompson (DT, Jr.), John Atkins (N, Sr.), Devin Bellamy (OLB, Sr.), Natrez Patrick (ILB, Jr.), Roquan Smith (ILB, Jr.), Lorenzo Carter (OLB, Sr.), Deandre Baker (CB, Jr.), Malkom Parrish (CB, Sr.), Dominick Sanders (DB, Sr.), Aaron Davis (DB, Sr.)

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SEC PREVIEWS

KENTUCKY Strong 2016 finish has Wildcats brimming with confidence

Kentucky’s Benny Snell Jr. (26) rushed for 1,091 yards last season and scored 13 touchdowns. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

By Molly Catherine Walsh Special to The Tuscaloosa News

Kentucky finally broke through last season to make it to a bowl game under Mark Stoops, upending rival Louisville to earn a bid to the TaxSlayer Bowl. Stoops returns for his fifth season as head coach of the Wildcats with higher expectations and confidence in his program. The Wildcats started last season 0-2, then won five of their next six – with the only loss coming at Alabama – to bounce back. “We feel like we have an experienced football team,” Stoops said this summer at SEC Media Days. “We’re returning 17 starters – nine on offense, eight on defense – and the maturity level of the team is getting better. They can handle more, so it will be much of the same this summer, push them harder and be more consistent.” One of those 17 returning starters is quarterback Stephen Johnson, who stepped up to replace the previous season’s starter, Drew Baker, who went down with an injury. Johnson finished the season with a 5-2 record as primary quarterback. “If you watched us evolve last year, we leaned heavier on the run game and play-action pass,” Stoops said. “I think Stephen was very efficient in throwing play-action pass and throwing the ball down the field. “He’s made good decisions in the pocket with pulling the ball down, scrambling. If you watch some of our close games last year, some of our victories, he made critical plays by any means necessary. And that’s a winner.” Kentucky will open at Southern Miss, followed by a home game against Eastern Kentucky before entering SEC play on the road at South Carolina.

2017 Schedule

Sept. 2 at Southern Miss Sept. 9 Eastern Kentucky Sept. 16 at South Carolina Sept. 23 Florida Sept. 30 Eastern Michigan Oct. 7 Missouri Oct. 21 at Mississippi State Oct. 28 Tennessee Nov. 4 Ole Miss Nov. 11 at Vanderbilt Nov. 18 at Georgia Nov. 25 Louisville

2016 record: 7-6 (4-4 Conf/4th in SEC East) All-time SEC championships: 2 Bowl appearances: 16 (8-8)

Returning statistical leaders Rushing

Att

Yards

Avg

Passing

Comp-Att

INT

Yards

Rec

Yards

Avg

Total

Int

Sacks

TFL

Benny Snell Jr

2016 results

Sept. 3 Southern Miss Sept. 10 Florida Sept. 17 New Mexico State Sept. 24 South Carolina Oct. 1 Alabama Oct. 8 Vanderbilt Oct. 22 Mississippi State Oct. 29 Missouri Nov. 5 Georgia Nov. 12 Tennessee Nov. 19 Austin Peay Nov. 26 Louisville Dec. 31 Georgia Tech * TaxSlayer Bowl

L 35-44 L 7-45 W 62-42 W 17-10 L 6-34 W 20-13 W 40-38 W 35-21 L 24-27 L 36-49 W 49-13 W 41-38 L 18-33*

Stephen Johnson

Receiving

Garrett Johnson

Tackles

Jordan Jones

186

143-265

109

1,091

583

5.9

15.0

2,037

15.5

Starters returning: 19 Offense: 9 Defense: 8 Specialty: 2 Starters lost: 5 Offense: 2 Defense: 3 Specialty: 0 Returning offensive starters: Dorian Baker (WR, Sr.), C.J. Conrad (TE, Jr.), Nick Haynes (G, Sr.), Garrett Johnson (WR, Sr.), Stephen Johnson (QB, Sr.), Kyle Meadows (T, Sr.), Cole Mosier (T, Sr.), Bunchy Stallings (G, Jr.) Returning defensive starters: Josh Allen (LB, Jr.), Derrick Baity (CB, Jr.), Mike Edwards, SS, Jr.), Jordan Jones (LB, Jr.), Courtney Love (LB, Sr.), Adrian Middleton (DT, Sr.), Naquez Pringle (NG, Sr.), Denzil Ware (DE/LB, Jr.), Chris Westry (CB, Jr.)

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SEC PREVIEWS

LSU

Guice will be the engine for Tigers' offense By Ehsan Kassim Special to The Tuscaloosa News

Ed Orgeron is at his dream job and will look to build on his 6-2 record from last season. He took over when LSU fired Les Miles after a 2-2 start. Orgeron’s two losses came against Alabama and Florida. LSU will build its offense around running back Derrius Guice, who played backup to star rusher Leonard Fournette and now inherits his spot. “Everything that we do is going to be based around our best player, Derrius Guice,” Orgeron said at the SEC Media days in July. “We feel we have one of the best running backs and one of the best offensive players in the country coming back, lead the SEC in rushing. “Derrius is a great player. He runs the ball like Warren Sapp played the defensive line for me at Miami. He runs with an attitude.” While Guice will be the engine for the Tigers offense, by LSU wants better production from its quarterbacks. Senior Danny Etling, the starter last season, returns, but there has been competition at the position.. LSU’s defense will be rebuilding, returning only five starters from last season. That will not deter the confidence Orgeron has in it, however. “We feel that we have a very good defense,” Orgeron said. “We are going to be young. We have to go through some growing pains at the beginning of the season.” Arden Key, a junior linebacker, led the team with 12 sacks last season. LSU kicks off its season in Houston with a matchup against BYU on Sept. 2.

LSU running back Derrius Guice will be looked to as a leader for the Tigers this season. He rushed for 1,387 yards in 2016 and scored 15 touchdowns. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

2017 Schedule

Sept. 2 BYU Sept. 9 Chattanooga Sept. 16 at Mississippi State Sept. 23 Syracuse Sept. 30 Troy Oct. 7 at Florida Oct. 14 Auburn Oct. 21 at Ole Miss Nov. 4 at Alabama Nov. 11 Arkansas Nov. 18 at Tennessee Nov. 25 Texas A&M * Houston

2016 Record: 8-4 (5-3 Conf./T-2nd in SEC West) All-time SEC championships: 11 Bowl appearances: 48 (25-22-1)

Returning statistical leaders Rushing

Att

Yards

Passing

Comp-Att

INT

Rec Total

Derrius Guice

2016 Results

Sept. 3 Wisconsin Sept. 10 Jacksonville State Sept. 17 Mississippi State Sept. 24 at Auburn Oct. 1 Missouri Oct. 15 Southern Miss Oct. 22 Ole Miss Nov. 5 Alabama Nov. 12 at Arkansas Nov. 19 Florida Nov. 24 at Texas A&M Dec. 31 vs Louisville * Green Bay. Wisconsin + Citrus Bowl

L 14-16* W 34-13 W 23-20 L 13-18 W 42-7 W 45-10 W 38-21 L 0-10 W 38-10 L 10-16 W 54-39 W 29-9+

Danny Etling 23

Receiving

D.J. Chark

Tackles Arden Key

183

160-269

1,387

Avg

7.6

TD Yards 11

Yards

Avg

Int

Sacks

TFL

466

38.8

14.5

Starters Returning: 1 Offense: 8 Defense: 5 Specialty: 1 Starters Lost: 14 Offense: 6 Defense: 7 Specialty: 1 Returning offensive starters: Derrius Guice (RB, Jr.), D.J. Chark (WR, Sr.), Danny Etling (QB, Sr.), John David Moore (FB, Jr.), K.J. Malone (OT, Sr.), William Clapp (OL, Jr.) Toby Weathersby (OT, Jr.), Maea Teuhema (OT, Jr.) Returning defensive starters: Donte Jackson (CB, Jr.), Christian LaCouture (DE, Sr.), John Battle (FS, Sr.), Arden Key (OLB, Jr.), Greg Gilmore (NT, Sr.)

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SEC PREVIEWS

MISSISSIPPI STATE Bulldogs expect Fitzgerald to be more productive this season By Cody Estremera Special to The Tuscaloosa News

Dak Prescott left Mississippi State as the most decorated player in school History. He was the second player in SEC history to throw for 8,500 yards while rushing for 2,000 yards. Overall, he owns 38 school records, 15 of which are career marks. He also has the best winning percentage as a starter in school history. But all of that is history. Nick Fitzgerald stepped into the almost impossible role of following Prescott last season. He led the Bulldogs to a 6-7 record and a win in the St. Petersburg Bowl, in which he was named MVP. He accounted 37 total touchdowns, 16 of which were rushing. He finished with 1,375 rushing yards, which led the team by almost 700 yards, and was second in the SEC. He broke two single-season rushing records, recording eight 100-yard rushing games as a quarterback and averaging 7.1 yards per rush. He’s back to lead Mississippi State in 2017. “Since the day he's got on campus, he was our most athletic quarterback,” head coach Dan Mullen said at SEC Media Days this summer. “We knew he was a great runner. He ran a lot of wishbone in high school. So when you get into making decisions in the run game, that that was going to be very natural for him.” Fitzgerald also threw for 2,423 yards, eighth-best in the SEC, but finished fourth in the league in passing touchdowns with 21. “I knew he had a really strong arm. So it was going to be how he adapted to playing every day, his decision-making within the pass game,” Mullen said. “I think from game one to the final game of the season, you saw a great deal of improvement with him doing those things and understanding the system.” Mississippi State opens at home against Charleston Southern on Sept. 2

Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald accounted for the majority of the Bulldogs’ offense last season. He passed for 2,423 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 1,375 yards and 16 touchdowns. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

2017 Schedule

Sept. 2 Charleston Southern Sept. 9 at Louisiana Tech Sept. 16 LSU Sept. 23 at Georgia Sept. 30 at Auburn Oct. 14 BYU Oct. 21 Kentucky Oct. 28 at Texas A&M Nov. 4 UMass Nov. 11 Alabama Nov. 18 Arkansas Nov. 23 Ole Miss

2016 record: 6-7 (3-5 Conf./ tied for 5th in SEC West) All-time SEC Championships: 1 All-time bowl appearances: 20 (12-8)

Returning statistical leaders Rushing

Att

Yards

Passing

Comp-Att

INT

Rec

Total

Nick Fitzgerald

2016 Results

Sept. 3 South Alabama Sept. 10 South Carolina Sept. 17 at LSU Sept. 24 at UMass Oct. 8 Auburn Oct. 14 at BYU Oct. 22 at Kentucky Oct. 29 Samford Nov. 5 Texas A&M Nov. 12 at Alabama Nov. 19 Arkansas Nov. 26 at Ole Miss Dec. 26 vs Miami (OH) * St. Petersburg Bowl

L 20-21 W 27-14 L 20-23 W 47-35 L 14-38 L 21-28 2OT L 38-40 W 56-41 W 35-28 L 3-51 L 42-58 W 55-20 W 17-16*

Nick Fitzgerald

Receiving

Donald Gray

Tackles Leo Lewis

195

196-361

1,375

Avg

7.1

TD.

TD Yards 21

2,423

Yards

Avg

TDs

Int

Sacks

TFL

709

17.3

4.5

Starters returning: 20 Offense: 7 Defense: 6 Specialty: 1 Starters lost: 10 Offense: 4 Defense: 5 Specialty: 1 Returning offensive starters: Deion Calhoun (OL, Jr.), Nick Fitzgerald (QB, Jr.) Donald Gray (WR, Sr.) Farrod Green (TE, So.), Elgton Jenkins (OL, Jr.), Martinas Rankin (OL, Sr.), Aeris Williams (RB, Jr.) Returning defensive starters: Brandon Bryant (S, Jr.), Lashard Durr (CB, Sr.), J.T. Gray (DB, Sr.), Leo Lewis (LB, So,), Mark McLaurin (S, Jr.), Cory Thomas (DL, Jr.)

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SEC PREVIEWS

MISSOURI

Missouri quarterback Drew Lock passed for 3,399 yards last season and 23 touchdowns. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

Tigers have dangerous offense, explosive playmakers By Kyle Weber Special to The Tuscaloosa News

Following a 4-8 campaign under firstyear head coach Barry Odom, Missouri looks to bounce back with an dangerous offense and tough defense. Quarterback Drew Lock and running back Damarea Crockett give the Tigers one of the most explosive backfields in the nation. Lock threw for 3,999 yards and 23 touchdowns as a sophomore, ranking in the top 10 nationally, while Crockett led all SEC freshman in rushing, carrying the ball 153 times for 1,062 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, Lock isn’t focused on his stats or where he stacks up against the rest of the quarterbacks in the country, he is focused on winning games. “My main goal is not necessarily the stats, we want to win games at the University of Missouri,” Lock said at SEC Media Days this summer. “To do that I need to be more accurate with the ball. My accuracy was not where I wanted it to be (last season), it was OK, and if I do that and take care of the ball, we will win football games.” In order to win games, Missouri will have to get back to playing the hard-nose defense they played while capturing back to back SEC East titles in 2013 and 2014. “We’ve got a great opportunity to be really good on defense,” Odom said at SEC Media Days. “We’ve got a bunch of guys coming back. Five or six had meaningful snaps in this league. We recruited well, we got great coaches on that side of the ball, and I’m looking forward to get that started and building that back the way we need to.”

2017 Schedule

Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18 Nov. 25

Missouri State South Carolina Purdue Auburn at Kentucky at Georgia Idaho at UConn Florida Tennessee at Vanderbilt at Arkansas

2016 Record: 4-8 (2-6 Conf./7th in SEC East) All-time SEC championships: 0 All-time bowl appearances: 15-16

Returning Statistical Leaders Rushing

Att

Yards

Avg

Passing

Comp-Att

INT

TDs

Yards

Rec

Yards

Avg

Total

Int

Sacks

TFL

Demarea Crockett

2016 Results

Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Nov. 25

at West Virginia Eastern Michigan Georgia Delaware State at LSU at Florida Middle Tennessee Kentucky at South Carolina Vanderbilt at Tennessee Arkansas

Drew Lock

L 11-16 W 61-21 L 27-28 W 79-0 L 7-42 L 14-40 L 41-45 L 21-35 L 21-31 W 26-17 L 37-63 W 28- 24

Receiving J’Mon Moore

Tackles

Thomas Wilson

153

237-434

1,062

1,012

6.9

16.3

3,399

1.5

Starters returning: 15 Offense: 10 Defense: 5 Specialty: 0 Starters Lost: 6 Offense: 1 Defense: 5 Specialty: 0 Returning offensive starters: Paul Adams (OL, Jr.), Sam Bailey (OL, Jr.), Tyler Howell (OL, Sr.), Johnathon Johnson (WR, So.), Drew Lock (QB, Jr.), Dimetrios Mason (WR, So.), J’Mon Moore (WR, Sr.), Kevin Pendleton (OL, Jr.), Adam Ploudre (OL, Sr.), Ish Witter (TB, Sr.), Demarea Crockett (TB, So.) Returning defensive starters: Joey Burkett (LB, Sr.), Marcell Frazier (DE, Sr.), A.J. Logan (DT, Sr.), Anthony Sherrils (CB, Sr.), Thomas Wilson (S, Sr.)

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SEC PREVIEWS

OLE MISS

Rebels trying to put off-field issues behind them

By Cody Estremera Special to The Tuscaloosa News

After improving over the last four years under Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss took a huge step back. Before the season even started, the school self-imposed a one-year bowl band and a reduction of 10 scholarships for the 2017 season in the wake of an NCAA investigation. That happened in February, and a week after SEC Media Days in July, Freeze resigned after a new wave of scandal. Former co-offensive coordinator Matt Luke will take the helm as interim coach. He has had ties to Ole Miss since his father played there, and he also played for the Rebels from 1995-98 as the team’s center. “I've been an Ole Miss Rebel all my life. It's all I can remember,” Luke said at the press conference introducing him as the head coach. “I can truly tell y'all today that this is my dream job. It's a job I've been preparing my whole life for.” The Rebels finished 5-7 last year and were one of two SEC teams not to make a bowl game, marking the first time since 2009 that the program had failed to make a bowl. "My expectation is that we put a product on the field that plays with passion, that plays with energy, and we put a product on the field that all the Ole Miss fans are going to be proud of,” Luke said. “My vision is that we play the game the way it's supposed to be played – with passion, energy and toughness." The team returns quarterback Shea Patterson, who started the last three games in 2016 after Chad Kelly was injured. He threw for six touchdowns in those games. Defensive end Marquis Haynes opted to return for his senior season. He is third in school history in sacks with 24.5.

Ole Miss quarterback Shea Patterson passes against Vanderbilt in the ﬁrst half Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

2017 Schedule

Sept. 2 South Alabama Sept. 9 UT Martin Sept. 16 at California Sept. 30 at Alabama Oct. 7 at Auburn Oct. 14 Vanderbilt Oct. 21 LSU Oct. 28 Arkansas Nov. 4 at Kentucky Nov. 11 Louisiana-Lafayette Nov. 18 Texas A&M Nov. 23 at Mississippi State

2016 record: 5-7 (2-6 Conf./ 6th in SEC West) All-time SEC Championships: 6 All-time bowl appearances: 37 (24-13)

Returning statistical leaders Rushing

Att

Yards

Avg

Passing

Comp-Att

INT

Yards

Rec

Yards

Avg

Int Sacks

TFL

Eugene Brazley

2016 Results

Sept. 5 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Nov. 26 * Orlando

vs Florida State* Wofford Alabama Georgia Memphis at Arkansas at LSU Auburn Georgia Southern at Texas A&M at Vanderbilt Mississippi State

L, 34-45 W, 38-13 L, 43-48 W, 45-14 W, 48-28 L, 30-34 L, 21-38 L, 29-40 W, 37-27 W, 29-28 L, 17-38 L, 20-55

Shea Patterson

Receiving Van Jefferson

Tackles

DeMarquis Gates

72-132

Total

261

543

4.3

11.1

880

5.5

Starters returning: 13 Offense: 5 Defense: 6 Specialty: 2 Starters lost: 13 Offense:6 Defense: 5 Specialty: 2 Returning offensive starters: Van Jefferson (WR, So.), Javon Patterson (OL, Jr.), Sean Rawlings (OL, Jr.), Jordan Sims (OL, Jr.), Rod Taylor (OL, Sr.) Returning defensive starters: DeMarquis Gates (LB, Sr.), Myles Hartsﬁeld (DB, So.), Maquis Haynes (DE, Sr.), Jalen Julius (DB, So.), Breeland Speaks (DT, Jr.), Zedrick Woods (DB, Jr.)

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SEC PREVIEWS

SOUTH CAROLINA

All signs point to improvement for Gamecocks under Muschamp in Year 2

South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel is the Gamecocks’ leading returner at receiver. He caught 59 passes for 783 yards in 2016. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

By Molly Catherine Walsh Special to The Tuscaloosa News

Will Muschamp has learned some things as he enters his second season as South Carolina’s head coach. He was let go by the Florida Gators after the 2014 season, and has worked to build a system at South Carolina to ensure that won’t happen again. “Will I sit here and say I’ll do the exact same things I did at Florida?” Muschamp said at SEC Media Days this summer. “You know what will happen? I’ll get fired again. So, no I don’t think I‘ll do everything the same.” To Muschamp, it comes down to proper management of every aspect that is in any way relevant to the team, whether it be campus life, recruiting or even public relations for the program. Muschamp coached under Alabama coach Nick Saban earlier in his career, and wants to see South Carolina catch up to be competitive with the Crimson Tide. In order to reach that point, the coach said he must first move on from the idea that his team is too finesse-oriented. “The ability to run the ball against good people and the inability to stop the (run) against good people goes back to toughness,” Muschamp said. “We didn’t do that against good people, that’s called soft.” Jake Bentley will return as starting quarterback to carry the team after moving into the role as a freshman last season. He started the final seven games of last season and finished with 1,420 passing yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions. South Carolina will open the season against North Carolina State in Charlotte, followed by a matchup at Missouri.

2017 Schedule

Sept. 2 North Carolina State* Sept. 9 at Missouri Sept 16 Kentucky Sept. 23 Louisiana Tech Sept. 30 at Texas A&M Oct. 7 Arkansas Oct. 14 at Tennessee Oct. 28 Vanderbilt Nov. 4 at Georgia Nov. 11 Florida Nov. 18 Wofford Nov. 25 Clemson * Charlotte

2016 record: 6-7 (3-5 Conf./T5th East) All-time SEC championships: 0 Bowl appearances: 21 (8-13-0)

Returning statistical leaders Rushing

Att

Yards

Passing

Comp-Att

INT 4

9, 1420

Rec

Yards

Avg

Int Sacks

TFL

Rico Dowdle

2016 results

Sept. 1 Vanderbilt Sept. 10 Mississippi State Sept. 17 East Carolina Sept. 24 Kentucky Oct. 1 Texas A&M Oct. 8 Georgia Oct. 22 Massachusetts Oct. 29 Tennessee Nov. 5 Missouri Nov. 12 Florida No. 19 Western Carolina Nov. 26 Clemson Dec. 29 USF * Birmingham Bowl

Jake Bently W 13-10 L 14-27 W 20-15 L 10-17 L 13-24 L 14-28 W 34-28 W 24-21 W 31-21 L 7-20 W 44-31 L 7-56 L 39-46*

Receiving

Deebo Samuel

Tackles D.J. Smith

133

125-190

Total 80

764

783

Avg 5.7

TD Yards

13.3

Starters returning: 16 Offense: 10 Defense: 6 Specialty: 0 Starters lost: 8 Offense: 1 Defense: 5 Specialty: 2 Returning offensive starters: Zack Bailey (OT, Jr.), Jake Bently, (QB, So.), K.C. Crosby (TE, Jr.), Rico Dowdle (RB, So.), Bryan Edwards (WR, So.), Cory Helms (G, Sr.), Hayden Hurts (TE, Jr.), Alan Knott (C, Sr.), Deebo Samuel (WR, Jr.), Malike Young (T, Jr.) Returning defensive starters: Bryson Allen-Williams (LB, Sr.), Ulric Jones (DT, Sr.), JaMarcus King (CB, Sr.), Chris Lammons (CB, Sr.), D.J. Smith (S, Sr.), Taylor Stallworth (DT, Sr.)

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SEC PREVIEWS

TENNESSEE

Vols looking for a new quarterback, consistency By Ehsan Kassim

Tennessee running back John Kelly returns to the backﬁeld for the Vols this season. He ran for 630 yards and ﬁve TDs last year. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

Special to The Tuscaloosa News

After back-to-back wins over rival Florida and Georgia, Tennessee was in the driver’s seat to win the SEC East in 2016, as had been predicted by the media before the season. The Volunteers sat at 5-0 and looked well on their way to posing a challenge to Alabama before their season fell apart with three straight losses to Texas A&M, Alabama and South Carolina. Tennessee managed to right the ship after that, winning three of its final four games, but a loss to Vanderbilt marred the run. Tennessee won nine games for the second consecutive season. “We're very proud of the fact that it's very, very difficult to win in the Southeastern Conference, and we're one of only three programs that have won nine games two years in a row,” Tennessee coach Butch Jones said this summer at SEC Media Days. “We've been very fortunate to have three straight bowl victories, first time in 20 years in our great program's history and tradition.” Jones will be entering his fifth season and is looking to improve upon a 14-18 conference record. The Vols return seven starts on defense and seven on offense. Senior defensive back Todd Kelly Jr. projects to be the leader on his side of the ball. Junior running back John Kelly will be the main offensive weapon returning. Tennessee will be looking for a new offensive leader, with quarterback Joshua Dobbs off to the National Football League. Junior Quinten Dormady and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano battled through the preseason for the chance to replace Dobbs. “I'm really, really excited about the quarterbacks that we have in our program, and I think the competition at that position is really elevated the level of play of everyone else around them,” Jones said. Tennessee opens the season on Monday, Sept. 4, against Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

2017 Schedule Sept. 4 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18 Nov. 25 * Atlanta

Georgia Tech* Indiana State at Florida UMass Georgia South Carolina at Alabama at Kentucky Southern Miss at Missouri LSU Vanderbilt

2016 Record: 9-4 (4-4 Conf./T-2nd in SEC East) All-time SEC championships: 13 Bowl appearances: 52 (28-24)

Returning statistical leaders Rushing

Att

Yards

Avg

Passing

Comp-Att

INT

Yards

Rec

Yards

Avg

Total

Int

Sacks

TFL

John Kelly

2016 Results

Sept. 1 Appalachian State W 20-13 Sept. 10 Virginia Tech W 45-24* Sept. 17 Ohio W 28-19 Sept. 24 Florida W 38-28 Oct. 1 at Georgia W 34-31 Oct. 8 at Texas A&M L 38-45 Oct. 15 Alabama L 10-49 Oct. 29 at South Carolina L 21-24 Nov. 5 Tennessee Tech W 55-0 Nov. 12 Kentucky W 49-36 Nov. 19 Missouri W 63-37 Nov. 26 at Vanderbilt L 34-45 Dec. 30 vs Nebraska W 38-24+ * Bristol, Tenn. + Music City Bowl

Quinten Dormady

Receiving

Jauan Jennings

Tackles

Todd Kelly Jr.

11-17

630

580

6.4

8.6

148

Starters Returning: 16 Offense: 7 Defense: 7 Specialty: 3 Starters Lost: 8 Offense: 4 Defense: 4 Specialty: 0 Returning offensive starters: Brett Kendrick (OL, Sr.), Jauan Jennings (WR, Jr.), Drew Richmond (OL, So.), Jashon Robertson (OL, Sr.), Josh Smith (WR, Sr.), Coleman Thomas (OL, Sr.), Ethan Wolf (TE, Sr.) Returning defensive starters: Micah Abernathy (DB, Jr.), Rashaan Gaulden (DB, Jr.), Todd Kelly Jr (DB, Sr.), Darrin Kirkland Jr. (LB, Jr.), Cortez McDowell (LB, Sr.), Emmanuel Moseley (DB, Sr.), Kendal Vickers (DT, Sr.)

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SEC PREVIEWS

TEXAS A&M

Sumlin believes Aggies have the talent to compete for SEC title By Ehsan Kassim Special to The Tuscaloosa News

After going 11-2 and 6-2 in conference play in his first season at Texas A&M, head coach Kevin Sumlin has seen his team play .500 or worse in conference play and lost five games three seasons in a row. As a result, he could be on the hot seat heading into 2017. Sumlin does not feel there is added pressure to perform better, much less try and catch Nick Saban and Alabama. “I don't know that it's pressure,” Sumlin said this summer at SEC Media Days. “I think what it is, is in just about every league – well, not really every league, but you go through a time where one team has – is really the mark. And we've looked at it that way since we've been here. “I know that that's the mark that everybody wants to be. You know what you have to do to get to Atlanta, in our situation. And then you know what you need to do to try to win a championship.” The Aggies lost their best player, Myles Garrett, to the National Football League. With seven returning starters, Sumlin still believes the defense could be strong. Senior defensive back Arami Watts will be the leader on that side of the ball. He had 56 tackles, two interceptions and two recovered fumbles in 2016. Trevor Knight, the starting quarterback for the Aggies last season, has moved on to the NFL. Jake Hubenak, Nick Starke and Kellen Mond have competed for the role. Sumlin believes the pieces around the quarterback will help the starter succeed. “With all of the starters up front and Christian Kirk, this offense will be quarterback-friendly,” Sumlin said.

Texas A&M running back Trayveon Williams was the workhorse for the Aggies last season, running for 1,057 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s back to lead the Aggies’ running attack. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

2017 Schedule

Sept. 3 at UCLA Sept. 9 Nicholls State Sept. 16 Louisiana-Lafayette Sept. 23 Arkansas Sept. 30 South Carolina Oct. 7 Alabama Oct. 14 at Florida Oct. 28 Mississippi State Nov. 4 at Auburn Nov. 11 New Mexico Nov. 18 at Ole Miss Nov. 25 at LSU

2016 Record: 8-5 (4-4 Conf./4th in SEC West) All-time SEC championships: 0 Bowl appearances: 48 (17-21)

Returning statistical leaders Rushing

Att

Yards

Passing

Comp-Att

INT

Rec

Total

Trayveon Williams

2016 Results

Sept. 3 UCLA Sept. 10 Prairie View Sept. 17 at Auburn Sept. 24 Arkansas Oct. 1 at South Carolina Oct. 8 Tennessee Oct. 22 at Alabama Oct. 29 New Mexico State Nov. 5 at Mississippi State Nov. 12 Ole Miss Nov. 19 Texas-San Antonio Nov. 25 LSU Dec. 31 vs Kansas State * Arlington, Texas + Texas Bowl

Jake Hubenak W 31-24 W 67-0 W 29-16 W 45-24* W 24-13 W 45-38 L 14-33 W 52-10 L 28-35 L 28-29 W 23-10 L 39-54 L 28-33+

Receiving Christian Kirk

Tackles

Otaro Alaka

156

61-104

1057

Avg

6.8

TD Yards 6

844

Yards

Avg

Int

Sacks

TFL

928

11.2

Starters Returning: 14 Offense: 5 Defense: 7 Specialty: 2 Starters Lost: 10 Offense: 6 Defense: 4 Specialty: 0 Returning offensive starters: Christian Kirk (WR, Jr.), Connor Lanfear (RG, Jr.), Erick McCoy (C, So.), Colton (LG, So.), Keith Ford (RB, Sr.) Returning defensive starters: Zaycoven Henderson (DT, Sr.), Kingsley Keke (DT, Jr.), Otaro Alaka (LB, Jr.), Donovan Wilson, Nic, Sr.), Nick Harvey (CB, Sr.), Priest Willis (CB, Sr.), Armani Watts (FS, Sr.)

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SEC PREVIEWS

VANDERBILT

Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb is the Commodores’ career leading rushing with 3,342 yards. He ran for 1,283 yards this past season and scored 13 touchdowns. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

Commodores not satisfied; close to breaking through By Molly Catherine Walsh Special to The Tuscaloosa News

Ask Vanderbilt football head coach Derek Mason and he will say that the team and the program are on the rise. Vanderbilt is set to play Alabama on Sept. 23, marking the first time the Crimson Tide and the Commodores have faced off since 2011. Mason believes his team is building something special and has what it takes to compete. “I want to say we have depth,” Mason said at SEC Media Days this summer. “For the first time in my tenure, I look at depth on this football team and I truly believe we have a chance to do something special.” Vanderbilt finished last season 6-7 with an appearance in the Independence Bowl, where it lost to North Carolina State. Mason said he is “definitely not satisfied.” Perhaps this season, satisfaction is like an object in the rearview mirror: closer than it appears. Mason has an experienced coaching staff and some top recruits to go with the optimism in his words. “I said this before, but when your team grows up, you’ve got a chance,” Mason said. “As I look at where we are offensively, the future is bright, but the future is now.” Andy Ludwig will continue to coach offense for the third year. Mason’s background is defense, and he oversees that unit. Kyle Shurmur is expected to lead in his role as quarterback. Last season, Shurmur finished with 2,409 passing yards and nine touchdowns. He’s surrounded by veterans like running back Ralph Webb, and wide receivers Trent Sherfield and Caleb Scott. Vanderbilt will start the season at Middle Tennessee, followed by a home game vs. Alabama A&M.

2017 Schedule

Sept. 2 at Middle Tennessee Sept. 9 Alabama A&M Sept 16 Kansas State Sept. 23 Alabama Sept. 30 at Florida Oct. 7 Georgia Oct. 14 at Ole Miss Oct. 28 at South Carolina Nov. 4 Western Kentucky Nov. 11 Kentucky Nov. 18 Missouri Nov. 25 at Tennessee

2016 record: 6-7 (3-5 Conf./T-5th East) All-time SEC championships: 0 Bowl appearances: 8 (4-3-1)

Returning statistical leaders Rushing

Att

Yards

Passing

Comp-Att

INT

Rec

Yards

Ralph Webb

2016 results

Sept. 1 South Carolina L 13-10 Sept. 10 Middle Tennessee W 24-47 Sept. 17 Georgia Tech L 7-38 Sept. 24 Western Kentucky W 31-30 OT Oct. 1 Florida L 13-6 Oct. 8 Kentucky L 13-20 Oct. 15 Georgia W 17-16 Oct. 22 Tennessee State W 17-35 Nov. 5 Auburn L 16-23 Nov. 12 Missouri L 17-26 Nov. 19 Ole Miss W 17-38 Nov. 26 Tennessee W 34-45 Dec. 26 North Carolina State L 17-41* * Independence Bowl

Kyle Shurmur

Receiving C.J. Duncan

Tackles

LaDarius Wiley

250

204-375

Total

1,283

Avg

5.1

TD Yards 9

2,409

Avg

Int Sacks

TFL

494

11.2

2.5

Starters returning: 18 Offense: 9 Defense: 7 Specialty: 2 Starters lost: 5 Offense: 2 Defense: 3 Specialty: 0 Returning offensive starters: Kyle Shumar (QB, Jr.), Ralph Webb (RB, Sr.), C.J. Duncan (WR, Sr.), Trent Sherﬁeld (WR, Sr.), Kalija Lipscomb (WR, So.), Nathan Marcus (TE, Sr.), Bruno Reagan (G, Jr.), Ean Pfeifer (G, So.), Justin Skule (T, Jr.) Returning defensive starters: Nonathan Wynne (DL, Sr.), Nifae Lealao (DL, Sr.), Oren Burks (LB, Sr.), Tre Herndon (CB, Sr.), LaDarius Wiley S (Jr.), Taurean Ferguson (DB, Sr.), Ryan Wyate, (S, Sr.)

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WEST ALABAMA TIGERS

MANTRA FOR TIGERS: DON'T FLINCH After missing playoffs last season, UWA more focused on getting back in 2017

By Spencer Main Special to The Tuscaloosa News

After the University of West Alabama football team failed to find a spot in the playoffs in 2016, coach Brett Gilliland capitalized on the raw emotions that reverberated across campus. Players and coaches wear wristbands with the mantra “don’t flinch.” “You know we’re disappointed at the end of last season and we tried to use that as motivation moving into the spring,” Gilliland said. “Coming into the summer we had about sixtyfive guys here the whole month of July, on their own, who came here to volunteer to work.” The Tigers matched its win total from the season before by finishing 7-4. With 19 starters returning, Gilliland didn’t have to worry about players forgetting how last season ended. The wristbands are simple but layered with motivation for the new season. “You know we don’t want to harp on it but we want it to be motivation going in,” Gilliland said. “I think every time we say leave no doubt it brings a little of it up.” Wide receiver Donta Armstrong doesn’t use last season’s West Alabama's Donta Armstrong (17) and Rashaad Lee (6) are back this season to help the Tigers try and get to the playoffs after missing out in 2016. [STAFF PHOTO/ERIN NELSON]

shortcomings as future motivation. Once the final whistle blew, the preseason All-Gulf South Conference selection went back to square one. “I don’t reflect off last year,” Armstrong said. “We haven’t missed a heartbeat since the summer and we are going to carry that into the season.” The Gulf-South Conference coaches predicted the Tigers to finish fifth this season and Armstrong is eager to change the narrative. “They are on the outside looking in,” Armstrong said. “They don’t know what we have on this team. We are just going to surprise everybody.” As Armstrong dug his cleats deeper into the artificial turf, the wide receiver put faith in his peers and the coaching staff. Regardless of record, the Mississippi native realized the team’s blueprint didn’t need to be thrown out. “We just don’t flinch and keep pushing forward and move on to the next play,” Armstrong said. “I just keep grinding with my brothers and they keep pushing me daily through adversity and I keep pushing them.” Coordinator Don Bailey described the Tigers’ system as an attackspread offense. However after the departure of quarterback Austin

Grammer, Bailey needed a new general to spearhead the season-long campaign. “I mean Harry Satterwhite and Gabe Tiller have been here,” Bailey said. “Harry started against Mississippi State College last year when Austin Grammer got dinged.”

Even though Bailey is tasked with finding a new leader to spearhead the season-long campaign, he doesn’t have to create a new project. “We have some guys that have been around,” Bailey said. “They’re not brand new but they’ve been in this system.”

WEST ALABAMA TIGERS

STARTERS LOST

Location: Livingston Founded: 1835 Enrollment: 3,986 Stadium: Tiger Stadium (7,000) Affiliation: Gulf South Conference Head coach: Brett Gilliland (fourth year at UWA) School postseason record: 5-5-1 2016 record: 7-4 GSC record/finish: 6-2/T 2nd Returning lettermen: 49 Lettermen lost: 12

STARTERS RETURNING (19)

Offense (9) WR Corey Davis, 6-2, 210, Sr. TE Christian Patterson, 6-2, 230, Jr. OG Isaiah Webster, 6-5, 345, Sr. C Call Dyer, 6-4, 340, So. OG Devin Smith, 6-2, 285, Sr. OT Brandon Anderson, 6-3, 287, So. WR Tra Fletcher, 5-9, 190, Sr. WR Donta Armstrong, 5-10, 160, Sr. RB Lakendric, Thomas, 5-10, 220, Sr.

2017 Schedule

Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 Nov. 11

QB Austin Grammer OT Xavier Hemingway CB Dee Virgin SS Felix Woods LB Qyen Grifﬁn DE J’herron Jones

Defense (7) CB Se’Quan Steele, 6-0, 180, Sr. LB Tavarious Hutchinson, 5-10, 180, So. S Taderion Myhand, 6-0, 175, Jr. LB Terry Samuel, 6-2, 200, Jr. DE Darius Ellis, 5-10, 215, Jr. DT Michael Williams, 6-1, 310, Sr. DT Ashton Derico, 6-4, 245, Sr. Special teams (3) K Jordan Bennett, 6-0, 170, Jr. P Zach Gaines, 6-1, 195, So. LS Jared Adair, 6-2, 205, So.

Lenoir Rhyne, Hickory, N.C. Samford, Birmingham, Ala. Mississippi College, Livingston, Ala. North Alabama, Florence, Ala. Shorter, Livingston, Ala. Delta State, Cleveland, Miss. West Georgia, Livingston, Ala. Florida Tech, Melbourne, Fla. West Florida, Livingston, Ala. Valdosta State, Valdosta, Ga. North Greenville, Livingston, Ala.

6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 4 p.m. 1 p.m. 4 p.m. 2 p.m. 2 p.m.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

All Times EST

STATE TEAMS ALABAMA Sept. 2 Florida St., 8 p.m. Sept. 9 Fresno St., 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Colorado St., 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Vanderbilt, TBA Sept. 30 Mississippi, TBA Oct. 7 at Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 14 Arkansas, TBA Oct. 21 Tennessee, TBA Nov. 4 LSU, TBA Nov. 11 at Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 18 Mercer, TBA Nov. 25 at Auburn, TBA ALABAMA A&M Sept. 2 at UAB, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Vanderbilt, 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at South Alabama, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 Texas Southern, 7 p.m. Sept. 30 Ark.-Pine Bluff, 3 p.m. Oct. 7 at Southern U., 7 p.m. Oct. 14 MVSU, TBA Oct. 28 at Alabama St., TBA Nov. 4 at Alcorn St., 3 p.m. Nov. 11 Jackson St., 2 p.m. Nov. 18 Kentucky St., 2 p.m. ALABAMA ST. Sept. 2 Tuskegee, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 at Troy, 6 p.m. Sept. 16 Kennesaw St., 8 p.m. Sept. 23 Prairie View, 8 p.m. Oct. 5 Alcorn St., 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Texas Southern, 3 p.m. Oct. 28 at Alabama A&M, TBA Nov. 4 at Jackson St., 2 p.m. Nov. 11 Grambling St., 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at MVSU, 2 p.m. Nov. 23 Cheyney, 3 p.m. AUBURN Sept. 2 Georgia Southern, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Clemson, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 Mercer, 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at Missouri, TBA Sept. 30 Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 7 Mississippi, TBA Oct. 14 at LSU, TBA Oct. 21 at Arkansas, TBA Nov. 4 at Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 11 Georgia, TBA Nov. 18 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Nov. 25 Alabama, TBA JACKSONVILLE ST. Aug. 26 Chattanooga, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Georgia Tech, 12:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Liberty, 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at Tennessee Tech, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Austin Peay, 5 p.m. Oct. 14 E. Kentucky, 4 p.m. Oct. 21 at E. Illinois, 3 p.m. Oct. 28 SE Missouri, 4 p.m. Nov. 4 Murray St., 2 p.m. Nov. 11 at UT-Martin, 3 p.m. Nov. 16 Tennessee St., 7 p.m. SAMFORD Aug. 31 Kennesaw St., 7 p.m. Sept. 7 West Alabama, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at Georgia, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at W. Carolina, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 30 The Citadel, 3 p.m. Oct. 7 at VMI, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Wofford, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28 Chattanooga, 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at Mercer, TBA Nov. 11 ETSU, 3 p.m. Nov. 18 Furman, 3 p.m.

SOUTH ALABAMA Sept. 2 at Mississippi, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 Oklahoma St., 8 p.m. Sept. 16 Alabama A&M, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 Idaho, TBA Sept. 30 at Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Troy, 8 p.m. Oct. 21 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Oct. 26 at Georgia St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Nov. 11 Arkansas St., TBA Nov. 18 at Georgia Southern, 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at New Mexico St., 4 p.m. TROY Sept. 2 at Boise St., 3:45 p.m. Sept. 9 Alabama St., 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at New Mexico St., 8 p.m. Sept. 23 Akron, TBA Sept. 30 at LSU, TBA Oct. 11 South Alabama, 8 p.m. Oct. 21 at Georgia St., TBA Oct. 28 Georgia Southern, TBA Nov. 2 Idaho, 9:15 p.m. Nov. 11 at Coastal Carolina, TBA Nov. 24 Texas St., TBA Dec. 2 at Arkansas St., TBA UAB Sept. 2 Alabama A&M, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Ball St., 3 p.m. Sept. 16 Coastal Carolina, TBA Sept. 23 at North Texas, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7 Louisiana Tech, TBA Oct. 14 Middle Tennessee, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Charlotte, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Southern Miss., 7 p.m. Nov. 4 Rice, TBA Nov. 11 at UTSA, 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at Florida, TBA Nov. 25 UTEP, TBA

NCAA TEAMS

Nov. 25 at Georgia St., TBA Dec. 2 Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA ARIZONA Sept. 2 N. Arizona, 11 p.m. Sept. 9 Houston, 10:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at UTEP, 10:15 p.m. Sept. 22 Utah, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Colorado, TBA Oct. 14 UCLA, TBA Oct. 21 at California, TBA Oct. 28 Washington St., TBA Nov. 4 at Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 11 Oregon St., TBA Nov. 18 at Oregon, TBA Nov. 25 at Arizona St., TBA ARIZONA ST. Aug. 31 New Mexico St., 10:30 p.m. Sept. 9 San Diego St., 11 p.m. Sept. 16 at Texas Tech, 8 p.m. Sept. 23 Oregon, TBA Sept. 30 at Stanford, TBA Oct. 14 Washington, TBA Oct. 21 at Utah, TBA Oct. 28 Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 4 Colorado, TBA Nov. 11 at UCLA, TBA Nov. 18 at Oregon St., TBA Nov. 25 Arizona, TBA ARKANSAS Aug. 31 Florida A&M, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 TCU, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Texas A&M, TBA Sept. 30 New Mexico St., TBA Oct. 7 at South Carolina, TBA Oct. 14 at Alabama, TBA Oct. 21 Auburn, TBA Oct. 28 at Mississippi, TBA Nov. 4 Coastal Carolina, TBA Nov. 11 at LSU, TBA Nov. 18 Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 24 Missouri, 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 10 at UNLV, 10:30 p.m. Nov. 18 UMass, 3 p.m. Nov. 25 at Hawaii, 10 p.m. BALL ST. Sept. 2 at Illinois, Noon Sept. 9 UAB, 3 p.m. Sept. 16 Tennessee Tech 3 p.m. Sept. 23 at W. Kentucky, 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at W. Michigan, TBA Oct. 7 at Akron, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Cent. Michigan, 3 p.m. Oct. 26 Toledo, 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at E. Michigan, 6 p.m. Nov. 9 at N. Illinois, 7 p.m. Nov. 16 Buffalo, 7 p.m. Nov. 21 Miami (Ohio), 7 p.m. BAYLOR Sept. 2 Liberty, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 UTSA, 8 p.m. Sept. 16 at Duke, 12:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Oklahoma, TBA Sept. 30 at Kansas St., TBA Oct. 14 at Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 21 West Virginia, TBA Oct. 28 Texas, TBA Nov. 4 at Kansas, TBA Nov. 11 Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 18 Iowa St., TBA Nov. 24 at TCU, Noon BOISE ST. Sept. 2 Troy, 3:45 p.m. Sept. 9 at Washington St., 10:30 p.m. Sept. 14 New Mexico, 8 p.m. Sept. 22 Virginia, 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at BYU, 10:15 p.m. Oct. 14 at San Diego St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Wyoming, TBA Oct. 28 at Utah St., 10 p.m. Nov. 4 Nevada, TBA Nov. 11 at Colorado St., 10:30 p.m. Nov. 18 Air Force, TBA Nov. 25 at Fresno St., 3:30 p.m.

AIR FORCE Sept. 2 VMI, 2 p.m. Sept. 16 at Michigan, Noon Sept. 23 San Diego St., 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at New Mexico, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Navy, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 14 UNLV, TBA Oct. 20 at Nevada, 9:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Colorado St., 3 p.m. Nov. 4 Army, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11 Wyoming, TBA Nov. 18 at Boise St., TBA Nov. 25 Utah St., TBA

ARKANSAS ST. Sept. 2 at Nebraska, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 Miami, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Ark.-Pine Bluff, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at SMU, 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at Georgia Southern, 8 p.m. Oct. 14 Coastal Carolina, TBA Oct. 19 Louisiana-Lafayette, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at New Mexico St., 8 p.m. Nov. 11 at South Alabama, TBA Nov. 18 Texas St., TBA Nov. 25 at Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Dec. 2 Troy, TBA

AKRON Sept. 2 at Penn St., Noon Sept. 9 Ark.-Pine Bluff, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Iowa St., Noon Sept. 23 at Troy, TBA Sept. 30 at Bowling Green, TBA Oct. 7 Ball St., 3:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at W. Michigan, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Toledo, TBA Oct. 28 Buffalo, 11:30 a.m. Nov. 4 at Miami (Ohio), 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 Ohio, TBA Nov. 21 Kent St., 7 p.m.

ARMY Sept. 1 Fordham, 6 p.m. Sept. 9 Buffalo, Noon Sept. 16 at Ohio St., 4:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Tulane, TBA Sept. 30 UTEP, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Rice, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14 E. Michigan, Noon Oct. 21 Temple, Noon Nov. 4 at Air Force, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11 Duke, Noon Nov. 18 at North Texas, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9 Navy, 3 p.m.

BOWLING GREEN Sept. 2 at Michigan St., Noon Sept. 9 South Dakota, 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at Northwestern, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m. Sept. 30 Akron, TBA Oct. 7 at Miami (Ohio) TBA Oct. 14 Ohio, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21 N. Illinois, TBA Oct. 31 at Kent St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 Toledo, 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at E. Michigan, 7 p.m.

APPALACHIAN ST. Sept. 2 at Georgia, 6:15 p.m. Sept. 9 Savannah St., 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Texas St., 7 p.m. Sept. 23 Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 7 New Mexico St., TBA Oct. 14 at Idaho, 5 p.m. Oct. 21 Coastal Carolina, TBA Oct. 28 at UMass, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Louisiana-Monroe, 3 p.m. Nov. 9 Georgia Southern, 7:30 p.m.

BYU Aug. 26 Portland St., 3 p.m. Sept. 2 LSU, 9:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Utah, 10:15 p.m. Sept. 16 Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at Utah St., 8 p.m. Oct. 6 Boise St., 10:15 p.m. Oct. 14 at Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 21 at East Carolina, TBA Oct. 28 San Jose St., TBA Nov. 4 at Fresno St., TBA

BUFFALO Aug. 31 at Minnesota, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Army, Noon Sept. 16 Colgate, 6 p.m. Sept. 23 FAU, TBA Sept. 30 at Kent St., TBA Oct. 7 W. Michigan, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 14 N. Illinois, TBA Oct. 21 at Miami (Ohio), TBA Oct. 28 at Akron, 11:30 a.m. Nov. 7 Bowling Green, 7:30 p.m.

BOSTON COLLEGE Sept. 1 at N. Illinois, 9:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Wake Forest, 1 p.m. Sept. 16 Notre Dame, Noon Sept. 23 at Clemson, TBA Sept. 30 Cent. Michigan, TBA Oct. 7 Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 14 at Louisville, TBA Oct. 21 at Virginia, TBA Oct. 27 Florida St., 8 p.m. Nov. 11 NC State, TBA Nov. 18 UConn, 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at Syracuse, TBA

Nov. 16 at Ball St., 7 p.m. Nov. 24 Ohio, TBA CALIFORNIA Sept. 2 at North Carolina, 12:20 p.m. Sept. 9 Weber St., 5 p.m. Sept. 16 Mississippi, 10:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Southern Cal, TBA Sept. 30 at Oregon, TBA Oct. 7 at Washington, TBA Oct. 13 Washington St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Arizona, TBA Oct. 28 at Colorado, TBA Nov. 4 Oregon St., TBA Nov. 18 at Stanford, TBA Nov. 24 at UCLA, 10:30 p.m. CENT. MICHIGAN Aug. 31 Rhode Island, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Kansas, 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at Syracuse, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Miami (Ohio), TBA Sept. 30 at Boston College, TBA Oct. 7 at Ohio, TBA Oct. 14 Toledo, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Ball St., 3 p.m. Nov. 1 at W. Michigan, 8 p.m. Nov. 8 E. Michigan, TBA Nov. 14 at Kent St., TBA Nov. 24 N. Illinois, TBA CHARLOTTE Sept. 1 at E. Michigan, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Kansas St., Noon Sept. 16 NC A&T, 6 p.m. Sept. 23 Georgia St., 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at FIU, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 Marshall, 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at W. Kentucky, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 21 UAB, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Old Dominion, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11 Middle Tennessee, 2 p.m. Nov. 18 at Southern Miss., 3 p.m. Nov. 25 FAU, 2 p.m. CINCINNATI Aug. 31 Austin Peay, 7 p.m. Sept. 9, at Michigan, Noon Sept. 16 at Miami (Ohio), 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at Navy, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 30 Marshall, TBA Oct. 7 UCF, TBA Oct. 21 SMU, TBA Oct. 28 at South Florida, TBA Nov. 4 at Tulane, TBA Nov. 10 Temple, 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at East Carolina, TBA Nov. 25 UConn, TBA CLEMSON Sept. 2 Kent St., Noon Sept. 9 Auburn, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at Louisville, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Boston College, TBA Sept. 30 at Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 7 Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 13 at Syracuse, 7 p.m. Oct. 28 Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 4 at NC State, TBA Nov. 11 Florida St., TBA Nov. 18 The Citadel, TBA Nov. 25 at South Carolina, TBA COASTAL CAROLINA Sept. 2 UMass, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at UAB, TBA Sept. 23 W. Illinois, TBA Sept. 30 at Louisiana-Monroe, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 Georgia St., TBA Oct. 14 at Arkansas St., TBA Oct. 21 at Appalachian St., TBA Oct. 28 Texas St., TBA Nov. 4 at Arkansas, TBA Nov. 11 Troy, TBA Nov. 18 at Idaho, 5 p.m.

Dec. 2 Georgia Southern, TBA COLORADO Sept. 1 Colorado St., 8 p.m. Sept. 9 Texas St., 2 p.m. Sept. 16 N. Colorado, 2 p.m. Sept. 23 Washington, TBA Sept. 30 at UCLA, TBA Oct. 7 Arizona, TBA Oct. 14 at Oregon St., TBA Oct. 21 at Washington St., TBA Oct. 28 California, TBA Nov. 4 at Arizona St., TBA Nov. 11 Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 25 at Utah, TBA COLORADO ST. Aug. 26 Oregon St., 2:30 p.m. Sept. 1 Colorado, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 Abilene Christian, TBA Sept. 16 at Alabama, 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at Hawaii, 11:59 p.m. Oct. 7 at Utah St., TBA Oct. 14 Nevada, TBA Oct. 20 at New Mexico, 10:15 p.m. Oct. 28 Air Force, 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at Wyoming, 7 p.m. Nov. 11 Boise St., 10:30 p.m. Nov. 18 San Jose St., 3:30 p.m. DUKE Sept. 2 NC Central, 6 p.m. Sept. 9 Northwestern, Noon Sept. 16 Baylor, 12:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at North Carolina, TBA Sept. 29 Miami, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Virginia, TBA Oct. 14 Florida St., TBA Oct. 21 Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 28 at Virginia Tech, TBA Nov. 11 at Army, Noon Nov. 18 Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 25 at Wake Forest, TBA E. MICHIGAN Sept. 1 Charlotte, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Rutgers, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Ohio, TBA Sept. 30 at Kentucky, TBA Oct. 7 at Toledo, TBA Oct. 14 at Army, Noon Oct. 21 W. Michigan, 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at N. Illinois, 7 p.m. Nov. 2 Ball St., 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at Cent. Michigan, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at Miami (Ohio), 7 p.m. Nov. 21 Bowling Green, 7 p.m. EAST CAROLINA Sept. 2 James Madison, 6 p.m. Sept. 9, at West Virginia, Noon Sept. 16 Virginia Tech, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 30 South Florida, TBA Oct. 7 Temple, TBA Oct. 14 at UCF, TBA Oct. 21 BYU, TBA Oct. 28 at Houston, TBA Nov. 4 at UConn, TBA Nov. 11 Tulane, TBA Nov. 18 Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 25 at Memphis, TBA FAU Sept. 1 Navy, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 at Wisconsin, Noon Sept. 16 Bethune Cookman, 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at Buffalo, TBA Sept. 30 Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Old Dominion, 6 p.m. Oct. 21 North Texas, TBA Oct. 28 at W. Kentucky, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Marshall, 6 p.m. Nov. 11 at Louisiana Tech, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 18 FIU, 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at Charlotte, 2 p.m.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULES FIU Aug. 31 at UCF, 6 p.m. Sept. 9 Alcorn St., TBA Sept. 16 at Indiana, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Rice, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 Charlotte, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Middle Tennessee, 3 p.m. Oct. 14 Tulane, 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at Marshall, 2:30 p.m. Nov. 4 UTSA, 7 p.m. Nov. 11 Old Dominion, 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at FAU, 7 p.m. Nov. 24 W. Kentucky, 7 p.m. FLORIDA Sept. 2 Michigan, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 N. Colorado, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Kentucky, TBA Sept. 30 Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 7 LSU, TBA Oct. 14 Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 28 Georgia, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Missouri, TBA Nov. 11 at South Carolina, TBA Nov. 18 UAB, TBA Nov. 25 Florida St., TBA FLORIDA ST. Sept. 2 Alabama, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 Lousiana-Monroe, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 Miami, 8 p.m. Sept. 23 NC State, TBA Sept. 30 at Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 14 at Duke, TBA Oct. 21 Louisville, TBA Oct. 27 at Boston College, 8 p.m. Nov. 4 Syracuse, TBA Nov. 11 at Clemson, TBA Nov. 18 Delaware St., TBA Nov. 25 Florida, TBA FRESNO ST. Sept. 2 Incarnate Word, 10 p.m. Sept. 9 at Alabama, 3:30 p.m Sept. 16 at Washington, 9:30 p.m. Sept. 30 Nevada, 10 p.m. Oct. 7 San Jose St., TBA Oct. 14 New Mexico, 10 p.m. Oct. 21 at San Diego St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 28 UNLV, 10 p.m. Nov. 4 BYU, TBA Nov. 11 at Hawaii, 11:59 p.m. Nov. 18 at Wyoming, 2 p.m. Nov. 25 Boise St., 3:30 p.m. GEORGIA Sept. 2 Appalachian St., 6:15 p.m. Sept. 9 at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Samford, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Mississippi St., TBA Sept. 30 at Tennessee, TBA Oct. 7 at Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 14 Missouri, TBA Oct. 28 Florida, TBA Nov. 4 South Carolina, TBA Nov. 11 at Auburn, TBA Nov. 18 Kentucky, TBA Nov. 25 at Georgia Tech, TBA GEORGIA SOUTHERN Sept. 2 at Auburn, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 New Hampshire, 6 p.m. Sept. 23 at Indiana, TBA Oct. 4 Arkansas St., 8 p.m. Oct. 14 New Mexico St., 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at UMass, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Troy, TBA Nov. 4 Georgia St., 3 p.m. Nov. 9 at Appalachian St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 South Alabama, 3 p.m. Nov. 25 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Dec. 2 at Coastal Carolina, TBA GEORGIA STATE Aug. 31 Tennessee St., 7 p.m.

Sept. 16 at Penn St., 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Charlotte, TBA Sept. 30 Memphis, TBA Oct. 7 at Coastal Carolina, TBA Oct. 14 at Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Oct. 21 Troy, TBA Oct. 26 South Alabama, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Georgia Southern, 3 p.m. Nov. 11 at Texas St., TBA Nov. 25 Appalachian St., TBA Dec. 2 Idaho, TBA GEORGIA TECH Sept. 4 Tennessee, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 Jacksonville St., 12:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at UCF, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Pittsburgh, TBA Sept. 30 North Carolina, TBA Oct. 12 at Miami, 8 p.m. Oct. 21 Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 28 at Clemson, TBA Nov. 4 at Virginia, TBA Nov. 11 Virginia Tech, TBA Nov. 18 at Duke, TBA Nov. 25 Georgia, TBA HAWAII Aug. 26 at UMass, 6 p.m. Sept. 2 W. Carolina, 11:59 p.m. Sept. 9 at UCLA, 5 p.m. Sept. 23 at Wyoming, TBA Sept. 30 Colorado St., 11:59 p.m. Oct. 7 at Nevada, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 14 San Jose St., 11:59 p.m. Oct. 28 San Diego St., TBA Nov. 4 at UNLV, TBA Nov. 11 Fresno St., 11:59 p.m. Nov. 18 at Utah St., TBA Nov. 25 BYU, 10 p.m. HOUSTON Sept. 2 at UTSA, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Arizona, 10:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Rice, 8 p.m. Sept. 23 Texas Tech, TBA Sept. 30 at Temple, TBA Oct. 7 SMU, TBA Oct. 14 at Tulsa, TBA Oct. 19 Memphis, 8 p.m. Oct. 28 East Carolina, TBA Nov. 4 at South Florida, TBA Nov. 18 at Tulane, TBA Nov. 24 Navy, TBA IDAHO Aug. 31 Sacramento St., 9 p.m. Sept. 9 UNLV, 9 p.m. Sept. 16 at W. Michigan, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at South Alabama, TBA Oct. 7 Louisiana-Lafayette, 5 p.m. Oct. 14 Appalachian St., 5 p.m. Oct. 21 at Missouri, TBA Oct. 28 Louisiana-Monroe, 5 p.m. Nov. 2 at Troy, 9:15 p.m. Nov. 18 Coastal Carolina, 5 p.m. Nov. 25 at New Mexico St., 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at Georgia St., TBA ILLINOIS Sept. 2 Ball St., Noon Sept. 9 W. Kentucky, 8 p.m. Sept. 15 at South Florida, 7 p.m. Sept. 29 Nebraska, 8 p.m. Oct. 7 at Iowa, Noon Oct. 14 Rutgers, TBA Oct. 21 at Minnesota, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 28 Wisconsin, Noon Nov. 4 at Purdue, TBA Nov. 11 Indiana, TBA Nov. 18 at Ohio St., TBA Nov. 25 Northwestern, TBA INDIANA Aug. 31 Ohio St., 8 p.m. Sept. 9 at Virginia, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 FIU, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Georgia Southern, TBA

Sept. 30 at Penn St., TBA Oct. 14 Michigan, Noon Oct. 21 at Michigan St., 3:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Maryland, 3:30 Nov. 4 Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 11 at Illinois, TBA Nov. 18 Rutgers, TBA Nov. 25 at Purdue, TBA IOWA Sept. 2 Wyoming, Noon Sept. 9 at Iowa St., Noon Sept. 16 North Texas, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Penn St., TBA Sept. 30 at Michigan St., TBA Oct. 7 Illinois, Noon Oct. 21 at Northwestern, TBA Oct. 28 Minnesota, TBA Nov. 4 Ohio St., TBA Nov. 11 at Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 18 Purdue, TBA Nov. 24 at Nebraska, 4 p.m. IOWA ST. Sept. 2 N. Iowa, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 Iowa, Noon Sept. 16 at Akron, Noon Sept. 28 Texas, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 14 Kansas, TBA Oct. 21 at Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 28 TCU, TBA Nov. 4 at West Virginia, TBA Nov. 11 Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 18 at Baylor, TBA Nov. 25 at Kansas St., TBA KANSAS Sept. 2 SE Missouri, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 Cent. Michigan, 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at Ohio, 2 p.m. Sept. 23 West Virginia, TBA Oct. 7 Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 14 at Iowa St., TBA Oct. 21 at TCU, TBA Oct. 28 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 4 Baylor, TBA Nov. 11 at Texas, 6 p.m. Nov. 18 Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 25 at Oklahoma St., TBA KANSAS ST. Sept. 2 Cent. Arkansas, 7:10 p.m. Sept. 9 Charlotte, Noon Sept. 16 at Vanderbilt, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 Baylor, TBA Oct. 7 at Texas, TBA Oct. 14 TCU, TBA Oct. 21 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 28 at Kansas, TBA Nov. 4 at Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 11 West Virginia, TBA Nov. 18 at Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 25 Iowa St., TBA KENT ST. Sept. 2 at Clemson, Noon Sept. 9 Howard, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Marshall, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Louisville, TBA Sept. 30 at Buffalo, TBA Oct. 7 at N. Illinois, TBA Oct. 14 Miami (Ohio), 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Ohio, TBA Oct. 31 Bowling Green, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at W. Michigan, TBA Nov. 14 Cent. Michigan, TBA Nov. 21 at Akron, 7 p.m. KENTUCKY Sept. 2 at Southern Miss., 4 p.m. Sept. 9 E. Kentucky, Noon Sept. 16 at South Carolina, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Florida, TBA Sept. 30 E. Michigan, TBA Oct. 7 Missouri, TBA Oct. 21 at Mississippi St., TBA

Oct. 28 Tennessee, TBA Nov. 4 Mississippi, TBA Nov. 11 at Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 18 at Georgia, TBA Nov. 25 Louisville, TBA LSU Sep. 2 BYU, 9:30 p.m. Sep. 9 Chattanooga, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 16 at Mississippi St., 7 p.m. Sep. 23 Syracuse, TBA Sep. 30 Troy, TBA Oct. 7 at Florida, TBA Oct. 14 Auburn, TBA Oct. 21 at Mississippi, TBA Nov. 4 at Alabama, TBA Nov. 11 Arkansas, TBA Nov. 18 at Tennessee, TBA Nov. 25 Texas A&M, TBA LOUISIANA TECH Sept. 2 Northwestern St., 7 p.m. Sept. 9 Mississippi St., 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at W. Kentucky, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at South Carolina, TBA Sept. 30 South Alabama, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at UAB, TBA Oct. 21 Southern Miss., 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at Rice, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4 North Texas, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11 FAU, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at UTEP, 3 p.m. Nov. 25 UTSA, TBA LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE Sept. 2 SE Louisiana, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Tulsa, 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at Texas A&M, Noon Sept. 23 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Oct. 7 at Idaho, 5 p.m. Oct. 12 Texas St., 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Arkansas St., 7:30 p.m Nov. 4 at South Alabama, TBA Nov. 11 at Mississippi, TBA Nov. 18 New Mexico St., TBA Nov. 25 Georgia Southern, TBA Dec. 2 at Appalachian St., TBA LOUISIANA-MONROE Sept. 9 at Florida St., 7 p.m. Sept. 16 Southern Miss., 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Sept. 30 Coastal Carolina, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Texas St., TBA Oct. 14 Georgia St., 5 p.m. Oct. 21 at South Alabama, TBA Oct. 28 at Idaho, 5 p.m. Nov. 4 Appalachian St., 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at Auburn, TBA Nov. 25 Arkansas St., 3 p.m. LOUISVILLE Sept. 2 Purdue, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at North Carolina, Noon Sept. 16 Clemson, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Kent St., TBA Sept. 30 Murray St., TBA Oct. 5 at NC State, 8 p.m. Oct. 14 Boston College, TBA Oct. 21 at Florida St., TBA Oct. 28 at Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 11 Virginia, TBA Nov. 18 Syracuse, TBA Nov. 25 at Kentucky, TBA MARSHALL Sept. 2 Miami (Ohio), 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at NC State, 6 p.m. Sept. 16 Kent St., 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Cincinnati, TBA Oct. 7 at Charlotte, 6 p.m.

Oct. 14 Old Dominion, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m. Oct. 28 FIU, 2:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at FAU, 6 p.m. Nov. 11 W. Kentucky, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at UTSA, 7 p.m. Nov. 25 Southern Miss., 2:30 p.m. MARYLAND Sept. 2 at Texas, Noon Sept. 9 Towson, Noon Sept. 23 UCF, TBA Sept. 30 at Minnesota, TBA Oct. 7 at Ohio St., TBA Oct. 14 Northwestern, TBA Oct. 21 at Wisconsin, Noon Oct. 28 Indiana, TBA Nov. 4 at Rutgers, TBA Nov. 11 Michigan, TBA Nov. 18 at Michigan St., TBA Nov. 25 Penn St., TBA MEMPHIS Aug. 31 Louisiana-Monroe, 9 p.m. Sept. 9 at UCF, 8 p.m. Sept. 16 UCLA, Noon Sept. 23 S. Illinois, 8 p.m. Sept. 30 at Georgia St., TBA Oct. 6 at UConn, 7 p.m. Oct. 14 Navy, TBA Oct. 19 at Houston, 8 p.m. Oct. 27 Tulane, 8 p.m. Nov. 3 at Tulsa, 8 p.m. Nov. 18 SMU, TBA Nov. 25 East Carolina, TBA MIAMI Sept. 2 Bethune-Cookman, 12:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Arkansas St., 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Florida St., 8 p.m.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULES Sept. 23 Toledo, TBA Sept. 29 at Duke, 7 p.m. Oct. 12 Georgia Tech, 8 p.m. Oct. 21 Syracuse, TBA Oct. 28 at North Carolina, TBA Nov. 4 Virginia Tech, TBA Nov. 11 Notre Dame, TBA Nov. 18 Virginia, TBA Nov. 24 at Pittsburgh, TBA MIAMI (OHIO) Sep. 2 at Marshall, 6:30 p.m. Sep. 9 Austin Peay, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 16 Cincinnati 8 p.m. Sep. 23 at Cent. Michigan, TBA Sep. 30 at Notre Dame, 5 p.m. Oct. 7 Bowling Green, TBA Oct. 14 at Kent St. 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Buffalo, TBA Oct. 31 at Ohio, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 Akron 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 E. Michigan, 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at Ball St., 7 p.m. MICHIGAN Sept. 2 Florida, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Cincinnati, Noon Sept. 16 Air Force, Noon Sept. 23 at Purdue, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 7 Michigan St., TBA Oct. 14 at Indiana, Noon Oct. 21 at Penn St., TBA Oct. 28 Rutgers, Noon Nov. 4 Minnesota, TBA Nov. 11 at Maryland, TBA Nov. 18 at Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 25 Ohio St., Noon MICHIGAN ST. Sept. 2 Bowling Green, Noon Sept. 9 W. Michigan, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Notre Dame, 8 p.m. Sept. 30 Iowa, TBA Oct. 7 at Michigan, TBA Oct. 14 at Minnesota, TBA Oct. 21 Indiana, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Northwestern, TBA Nov. 4 Penn St., TBA Nov. 11 at Ohio St., TBA Nov. 18 Maryland, TBA Nov. 25 at Rutgers, TBA MIDDLE TENNESSEE Sept. 2 Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Syracuse, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Minnesota, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Bowling Green 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at FAU, 6 p.m. Oct. 7 FIU, 2 p.m. Oct. 14 at UAB, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 20 Marshall 6 p.m. Nov. 4 UTEP, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Charlotte, 1 p.m. Nov. 17 at W. Kentucky, 7 p.m. Nov. 25 Old Dominion 2 p.m. MINNESOTA Aug. 31 Buffalo, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Oregon St., 10 p.m. Sept. 16 Middle Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 30 Maryland, TBA Oct. 7 at Purdue, TBA Oct. 14 Michigan St., TBA Oct. 21 Illinois, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Iowa, TBA Nov. 4 at Michigan, TBA Nov. 11 Nebraska, TBA Nov. 18 at Northwestern, TBA Nov. 25 Wisconsin, TBA MISSISSIPPI Sept. 2 South Alabama, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 UT-Martin, Noon Sept. 16 at California, 10:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Alabama, TBA Oct. 7 at Auburn, TBA

Oct. 14 Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 21 LSU, TBA Oct. 28 Arkansas, TBA Nov. 4 at Kentucky, TBA Nov. 11 Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Nov. 18 Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 23 at Mississippi St., 7:30 p.m. MISSISSIPPI ST. Sept. 2 Charleston Southern , 4 p.m. Sept. 9 at Louisiana Tech, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 LSU, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Georgia, TBA Sept. 30 at Auburn, TBA Oct. 14 BYU, TBA Oct. 21 Kentucky, TBA Oct. 28 at Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 4 UMass, TBA Nov. 11 Alabama, TBA Nov. 18 at Arkansas, TBA Nov. 23 Mississippi, 7:30 p.m. MISSOURI Sept. 2 Missouri St., Noon Sept. 9 South Carolina, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 Purdue, 4 p.m. Sept. 23 Auburn, TBA Oct. 7 at Kentucky, TBA Oct. 14 at Georgia, TBA Oct. 21 Idaho, TBA Oct. 28 at UConn, TBA Nov. 4 Florida, TBA Nov. 11 Tennessee, TBA Nov. 18 at Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 24 at Arkansas, 2:30 p.m. N. ILLINOIS Sept. 1 Boston College, 9:30 p.m. Sept. 9 E. Illinois, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Nebraska, Noon Sept. 30 at San Diego St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 7 Kent St., 3:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Buffalo, TBA Oct. 21 at Bowling Green, TBA Oct. 26 E. Michigan, 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at Toledo, 6 p.m. Nov. 9 Ball St., 7 p.m. Nov. 15 W. Michigan, 7 p.m. Nov. 24 at Cent. Michigan, TBA NC STATE Sept. 2 South Carolina, 3 p.m. Sept. 9 Marshall, 6 p.m. Sept. 16 Furman, 12:20 p.m. Sept. 23 at Florida St., TBA Sept. 30 Syracuse, TBA Oct. 5 Louisville, 8 p.m. Oct. 14 at Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 28 at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4 Clemson, TBA Nov. 11 at Boston College, TBA Nov. 18 at Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 25 North Carolina, TBA NAVY Sept. 1 at FAU, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 Tulane, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Cincinnati, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Tulsa, TBA Oct. 7 Air Force, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Memphis, TBA Oct. 21 UCF, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Temple, TBA Nov. 11 SMU, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at Houston, TBA Dec. 9 Army, 3 p.m. NEBRASKA Sept. 2 Arkansas St., 8 p.m. Sept. 9 at Oregon, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 16 N. Illinois, Noon Sept. 23 Rutgers, TBA Sept. 29 at Illinois, 8 p.m. Oct. 7 Wisconsin, TBA Oct. 14 Ohio St., TBA Oct. 28 at Purdue, TBA

Nov. 4 Northwestern, TBA Nov. 11 at Minnesota, TBA Nov. 18 at Penn St., TBA Nov. 24 Iowa, 4 p.m. NEVADA Sept. 2 at Northwestern, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Toledo, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 Idaho St., 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Washington St., TBA Sept. 30 at Fresno St., 10 p.m. Oct. 7 Hawaii, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Colorado St., TBA Oct. 20 Air Force, 9:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Boise St., TBA Nov. 11 San Jose St., TBA Nov. 18 at San Diego St., 10:30 p.m. Nov. 25 UNLV, 4 p.m. NEW MEXICO Sept. 2 Abilene Christian, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 New Mexico St., 8 p.m. Sept. 14 at Boise St., 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at Tulsa, TBA Sept. 30 Air Force, 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at Fresno St., 10 p.m. Oct. 20 Colorado St., 10:15 p.m. Oct. 28 at Wyoming, TBA Nov. 4 Utah St., 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 17 UNLV, 9:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at San Diego St., 3:30 p.m. NEW MEXICO ST. Aug. 31 at Arizona St., 10:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at New Mexico, 8 p.m. Sept. 16 Troy, 8 p.m. Sept. 23 UTEP, 8 p.m. Sept. 30 at Arkansas, TBA Oct. 7 at Appalachian St., TBA Oct. 14 at Georgia Southern, TBA Oct. 28 Arkansas St., 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at Texas St., TBA Nov. 18 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Nov. 25 Idaho, 4 p.m. Dec. 2 South Alabama, 4 p.m. NORTH CAROLINA Sept. 2 California, 12:20 p.m. Sept. 9 Louisville, Noon Sept. 16 at Old Dominion, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Duke, TBA Sept. 30 at Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 7 Notre Dame, TBA Oct. 14 Virginia, TBA Oct. 21 at Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 28 Miami, TBA Nov. 9 at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. Nov. 18 W. Carolina, TBA Nov. 25 at NC State, TBA NORTH TEXAS Sept. 2 Lamar, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at SMU, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at Iowa, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 UAB, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Southern Miss., 7 p.m. Oct. 14 UTSA, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at FAU, TBA Oct. 28 Old Dominion, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Louisiana Tech, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11 UTEP, 5 p.m. Nov. 18 Army, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at Rice, 1 p.m. NORTHWESTERN Sept. 2 Nevada, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Duke, Noon Sept. 16 Bowling Green, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Wisconsin, TBA Oct. 7 Penn St., Noon Oct. 14 at Maryland, TBA Oct. 21 Iowa, TBA Oct. 28 Michigan St., TBA Nov. 4 at Nebraska, TBA Nov. 11 Purdue, TBA Nov. 18 Minnesota, TBA

Nov. 25 at Illinois, TBA NOTRE DAME Sept. 2 Temple, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Georgia, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Boston College, Noon Sept. 23 at Michigan St., 8 p.m. Sept. 30 Miami (Ohio), 5 p.m. Oct. 7 at North Carolina, TBA Oct. 21 Southern Cal, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 NC State, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4 Wake Forest, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Miami, TBA Nov. 18 Navy, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at Stanford, TBA OHIO Sept. 2 Hampton, 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at Purdue 8 p.m. Sept. 16 Kansas, 2 p.m. Sept. 23 at E. Michigan, TBA Sept. 30 at UMass, TBA Oct. 7 Cent. Michigan, TBA Oct. 14 at Bowling Green, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Kent St., TBA Oct. 31 Miami (Ohio), TBA Nov. 8 Toledo, TBA Nov. 14 at Akron, TBA Nov. 24 at Buffalo, TBA OHIO ST. Aug. 31 at Indiana, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 Oklahoma, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Army, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 23 UNLV, TBA Sept. 30 at Rutgers, TBA Oct. 7 Maryland, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Nebraska, TBA Oct. 28 Penn St., 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Iowa, TBA Nov. 11 Michigan St., TBA Nov. 18 Illinois, TBA Nov. 25 at Michigan, Noon OKLAHOMA Sept. 2 UTEP, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Ohio St., 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Tulane, 6 p.m. Sept. 23 at Baylor, TBA Oct. 7 Iowa St., TBA Oct. 14 Texas, TBA Oct. 21 at Kansas St., TBA Oct. 28 Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 4 at Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 11 TCU, TBA Nov. 18 at Kansas, TBA Nov. 25 West Virginia, TBA OKLAHOMA ST. Aug. 31 Tulsa, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at South Alabama, 8 p.m. Sept. 16 at Pittsburgh, Noon Sept. 23 TCU, TBA Sept. 30 at Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 14 Baylor, TBA Oct. 21 at Texas, TBA Oct. 28 at West Virginia, TBA Nov. 4 Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 11 at Iowa St., TBA Nov. 18 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 25 Kansas, TBA OLD DOMINION Sept. 2 Albany (NY), 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at UMass, TBA Sept. 16 North Carolina, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 7 FAU, 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at Marshall, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 20 W. Kentucky, TBA Oct. 28 at North Texas, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 Charlotte, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at FIU, TBA Nov. 18 Rice, 2 p.m. Nov. 25 at Middle Tennessee, 3 p.m. OREGON

Sept. 2 S. Utah, 8:15 p.m. Sept. 9 Nebraska, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Wyoming, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Arizona St., TBA Sept. 30 California, TBA Oct. 7 Washington St., TBA Oct. 14 at Stanford, TBA Oct. 21 at UCLA, TBA Oct. 28 Utah, TBA Nov. 4 at Washington, TBA Nov. 18 Arizona, TBA Nov. 25 Oregon St., TBA OREGON ST. Aug. 26 at Colorado St., 2:30 p.m. Sept. 2 Portland St., 2 p.m. Sept. 9 Minnesota, 10 p.m. Sept. 16 at Washington St., 5:30 p.m. Sept. 30 Washington, TBA Oct. 7 at Southern Cal, TBA Oct. 14 Colorado, TBA Oct. 26 Stanford, 9 p.m. Nov. 4 at California, TBA Nov. 11 at Arizona, TBA Nov. 18 Arizona St., TBA Nov. 25 at Oregon, TBA PENN ST. Sept. 2 Akron, Noon Sept. 9 at Pittsburgh, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Georgia St., 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Iowa, TBA Sept. 30 Indiana, TBA Oct. 7 at Northwestern, Noon Oct. 21 Michigan, TBA Oct. 28 at Ohio St., 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Michigan St., TBA Nov. 11 Rutgers, Noon Nov. 18 Nebraska, TBA Nov. 25 at Maryland, TBA PITTSBURGH Sept. 2 Youngstown St., 1 p.m. Sept. 9 at Penn St., 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Oklahoma St., Noon Sept. 23 at Georgia Tech, TBA Sept. 30 Rice, TBA Oct. 7 at Syracuse, TBA Oct. 14 NC State, TBA Oct. 21 at Duke, TBA Oct. 28 Virginia, TBA Nov. 9 North Carolina, 8 p.m. Nov. 18 at Virginia Tech, TBA Nov. 24 Miami, TBA PURDUE Sept. 2 Louisville, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 Ohio, 8 p.m. Sept. 16 at Missouri, 4 p.m. Sept. 23 Michigan, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 7 Minnesota, TBA Oct. 14 at Wisconsin, TBA Oct. 21 at Rutgers, Noon Oct. 28 Nebraska, TBA Nov. 4 Illinois, TBA Nov. 11 at Northwestern, TBA Nov. 18 at Iowa, TBA Nov. 25 Indiana, TBA RICE Aug. 26 Stanford, 10 p.m. Sept. 9 at UTEP, 8 p.m. Sept. 16 at Houston, 8 p.m. Sept. 23 FIU, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 7 at Army, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at UTSA, 7 p.m. Oct. 28 Louisiana Tech, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at UAB, TBA Nov. 11 at Southern Miss., 3:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Old Dominion, 2 p.m. Nov. 25 North Texas, 1 p.m. RUTGERS Sept. 1 Washington, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 E. Michigan, 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 16 Morgan St., 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 30 Ohio St., TBA Oct. 14 at Illinois, TBA Oct. 21 Purdue, Noon Oct. 28 at Michigan, Noon Nov. 4 Maryland, TBA Nov. 11 at Penn St., Noon Nov. 18 at Indiana, TBA Nov. 25 Michigan St., TBA SMU Sept. 2 Stephen F. Austin, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 North Texas, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at TCU, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Arkansas St., 7 p.m. Sept. 30 UConn, TBA Oct. 7 at Houston, TBA Oct. 21 at Cincinnati, TBA Oct. 27 Tulsa, 9 p.m. Nov. 4 UCF, TBA Nov. 11 at Navy, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Memphis, TBA Nov. 25 Tulane, TBA SAN DIEGO ST. Sept. 2 UC Davis, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Arizona St., 11 p.m. Sept. 16 Stanford, 10:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Air Force, 8 p.m. Sept. 30 N. Illinois, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at UNLV, TBA Oct. 14 Boise St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Fresno St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Hawaii, TBA Nov. 4 at San Jose St., TBA Nov. 18 Nevada, 10:30 p.m. Nov. 24 New Mexico, 3:30 p.m. SAN JOSE ST. Aug. 26 South Florida, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 Cal Poly, TBA Sept. 9 at Texas, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Utah, 10 p.m. Sept. 23 Utah St., TBA Sept. 30 at UNLV, TBA Oct. 7 at Fresno St., TBA Oct. 14 at Hawaii, 11:59 p.m. Oct. 28 at BYU, TBA Nov. 4 San Diego St., TBA Nov. 11 at Nevada, TBA Nov. 18 at Colorado St., 3:30 p.m. Nov. 25 Wyoming, TBA SOUTH ALABAMA Sept. 2 at Mississippi, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 Oklahoma St., 8 p.m. Sept. 16 Alabama A&M, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 Idaho, TBA Sept. 30 at Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Troy, 8 p.m. Oct. 21 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Oct. 26 at Georgia St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Nov. 11 Arkansas St., TBA Nov. 18 at Georgia Southern, 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at New Mexico St., 4 p.m. SOUTH CAROLINA Sept. 2 NC State, 3 p.m. Sept. 9 at Missouri, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Louisiana Tech, TBA Sept. 30 at Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 7 Arkansas, TBA Oct. 14 at Tennessee, TBA Oct. 28 Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 4 at Georgia, TBA Nov. 11 Florida, TBA Nov. 18 Wofford, TBA Nov. 25 Clemson, TBA SOUTH FLORIDA Aug. 26 at San Jose St., 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 Stony Brook, 4 p.m. Sept. 9 at UConn, Noon Sept. 15 Illinois, 7 p.m.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULES Sept. 21 Temple, TBA Sept. 30 at East Carolina, TBA Oct. 14 UMass, TBA Oct. 21 at Tulane, TBA Oct. 28 Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 4 Houston, TBA Nov. 16 Tulsa, TBA Nov. 24 at UCF, TBA

Sept. 30 Houston, TBA Oct. 7 at East Carolina, TBA Oct. 14 UConn, TBA Oct. 21 at Army, Noon Nov. 2 Navy, TBA Nov. 10 at Cincinnati, 7 p.m. Nov. 18 UCF, TBA Nov. 25 at Tulsa, TBA

SOUTHERN CAL Sept. 2 W. Michigan, 5:15 p.m. Sept. 9 Stanford, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Texas, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at California, TBA Sept. 29 at Washington St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 7 Oregon St., TBA Oct. 14 Utah, TBA Oct. 21 at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Arizona St., TBA Nov. 4 Arizona, TBA Nov. 11 at Colorado, TBA Nov. 18 UCLA, TBA

TENNESSEE Sept. 4 at Georgia Tech, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 Indiana St., 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at Florida, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 UMass, TBA Sept. 30 Georgia, TBA Oct. 14 South Carolina, TBA Oct. 21 at Alabama, TBA Oct. 28 at Kentucky, TBA Nov. 4 Southern Miss., TBA Nov. 11 at Missouri, TBA Nov. 18 LSU, TBA Nov. 25 Vanderbilt, TBA

SOUTHERN MISS. Sept. 2 Kentucky, 4 p.m. Sept. 9 Southern U., 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at Louisiana-Monroe, 7 p.m. Sept. 30 North Texas, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at UTSA, 7 p.m. Oct. 14 UTEP, 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Oct. 28 UAB, 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at Tennessee, TBA Nov. 11 at Rice, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 18 Charlotte, 3 p.m. Nov. 25 at Marshall, 2:30 p.m. STANFORD Aug. 26 Rice, 10 p.m. Sept. 9 at Southern Cal, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at San Diego St., 10:30 p.m. Sept. 23 UCLA, TBA Sept. 30 Arizona St., TBA Oct. 7 at Utah, TBA Oct. 14 Oregon, TBA Oct. 26 at Oregon St., 9 p.m. Nov. 4 at Washington St., TBA Nov. 10 Washington, 10:30 p.m. Nov. 18 California, TBA Nov. 25 Notre Dame, TBA SYRACUSE Sept. 1 CCSU, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 Middle Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Cent. Michigan, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at LSU, TBA Sept. 30 at NC State, TBA Oct. 7 Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 13 Clemson, 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at Miami, TBA Nov. 4 at Florida St., TBA Nov. 11 Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 18 at Louisville, TBA Nov. 25 Boston College, TBA TCU Sept. 2 Jackson St., 8 p.m. Sept. 9 at Arkansas 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 SMU, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Oklahoma St. TBA Oct. 7 West Virginia, TBA Oct. 14 at Kansas St., TBA Oct. 21 Kansas, TBA Oct. 28 at Iowa St., TBA Nov. 4 Texas, TBA Nov. 11 at Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 18 at Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 24 Baylor, Noon TEMPLE Sept. 2 at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Villanova, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 15 UMass, 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at South Florida, TBA

TEXAS Sept. 2 Maryland, Noon Sept. 9 San Jose St., 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Southern Cal, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Iowa St., 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 Kansas St., TBA Oct. 14 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 21 Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 28 at Baylor, TBA Nov. 4 at TCU, TBA Nov. 11 Kansas, 6 p.m. Nov. 18 at West Virginia, TBA Nov. 24 Texas Tech, 8 p.m. TEXAS A&M Sept. 3 at UCLA, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Nicholls, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 Louisiana-Lafayette, Noon Sept. 23 Arkansas, TBA Sept. 30 South Carolina, TBA Oct. 7 Alabama, TBA Oct. 14 at Florida, TBA Oct. 28 Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 4 Auburn, TBA Nov. 11 New Mexico, TBA Nov. 18 at Mississippi, TBA Nov. 25 at LSU, TBA TEXAS ST. Sept. 2 Houston Baptist, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Colorado, 2 p.m. Sept. 16 Appalachian St., 7 p.m. Sept. 23 UTSA, TBA Sept. 30 at Wyoming, TBA Oct. 7 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Oct. 12 at Louisiana-Lafayette, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Coastal Carolina, TBA Nov. 4 New Mexico St., TBA Nov. 11 Georgia St., TBA Nov. 18 at Arkansas St., TBA Nov. 24 at Troy, TBA TEXAS TECH Sept. 2 E. Washington, 4 p.m. Sept. 16 Arizona St., 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at Houston, TBA Sept. 30 Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 7 at Kansas, TBA Oct. 14 at West Virginia, TBA Oct. 21 Iowa St., TBA Oct. 28 at Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 4 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 11 Baylor, TBA Nov. 18 TCU, TBA Nov. 24 at Texas, 8 p.m. TOLEDO Aug. 31 Elon, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Nevada, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 Tulsa, 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at Miami, TBA Oct. 7 E. Michigan, TBA

Oct. 14 at Cent. Michigan, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Akron, TBA Oct. 26 at Ball St., 7 p.m. Nov. 2 N. Illinois, 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at Ohio, TBA Nov. 15 at Bowling Green, TBA Nov. 24 W. Michigan, TBA TROY Sept. 2 at Boise St., 3:45 p.m. Sept. 9 Alabama St., 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at New Mexico St., 8 p.m. Sept. 23 Akron, TBA Sept. 30 at LSU, TBA Oct. 11 South Alabama, 8 p.m. Oct. 21 at Georgia St., TBA Oct. 28 Georgia Southern, TBA Nov. 2 Idaho, 9:15 p.m. Nov. 11 at Coastal Carolina, TBA Nov. 24 Texas St., TBA Dec. 2 at Arkansas St., TBA TULANE Sept. 2 Grambling St., 8 p.m. Sept. 9 at Navy, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Oklahoma, 6 p.m. Sept. 23 Army, TBA Oct. 7 Tulsa, TBA Oct. 14 at FIU, TBA Oct. 21 South Florida, TBA Oct. 27 at Memphis, 8 p.m. Nov. 4 Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 11 at East Carolina, TBA Nov. 18 Houston, TBA Nov. 25 at SMU, TBA TULSA Aug. 31 at Oklahoma St., 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Louisiana-Lafayette, 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at Toledo, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 New Mexico, TBA Sept. 30 Navy, TBA Oct. 7 at Tulane, TBA Oct. 14 Houston, TBA Oct. 21 at UConn, TBA Oct. 27 at SMU, 9 p.m. Nov. 3 Memphis, 8 p.m. Nov. 16 at South Florida, TBA Nov. 25 Temple, TBA UAB Sept. 2 Alabama A&M, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Ball St., 3 p.m. Sept. 16 Coastal Carolina, TBA Sept. 23 at North Texas, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7 Louisiana Tech, TBA Oct. 14 Middle Tennessee, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Charlotte, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Southern Miss., 7 p.m. Nov. 4 Rice, TBA Nov. 11 at UTSA, 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at Florida, TBA Nov. 25 UTEP, TBA UCF Aug. 31 FIU, 6 p.m. Sept. 9 Memphis, 8 p.m. Sept. 16 Georgia Tech, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Maryland, TBA Sept. 30 Maine, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Cincinnati, TBA Oct. 14 East Carolina, TBA Oct. 21 at Navy, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at SMU, TBA Nov. 11 UConn, TBA Nov. 18 at Temple, TBA Nov. 24 South Florida, TBA UCLA Sept. 3 Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Hawaii, 5 p.m. Sept. 16 at Memphis, Noon Sept. 23 at Stanford, TBA Sept. 30 Colorado, TBA Oct. 14 at Arizona, TBA Oct. 21 Oregon, TBA

Oct. 28 at Washington, TBA Nov. 3 at Utah, 9:30 p.m. Nov. 11 Arizona St., TBA Nov. 18 at Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 24 California, 10:30 p.m. UCONN Aug. 31 Holy Cross, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 South Florida, Noon Sept. 16 at Virginia, Noon Sept. 30 at SMU, TBA Oct. 6 Memphis, 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at Temple, TBA Oct. 21 Tulsa, TBA Oct. 28 Missouri, TBA Nov. 4 at East Carolina, TBA Nov. 11 at UCF, TBA Nov. 18 at Boston College, 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at Cincinnati, TBA UMASS Aug. 26 Hawaii, 6 p.m. Sept. 2 at Coastal Carolina, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 Old Dominion, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Temple, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Tennessee, TBA Sept. 30 Ohio, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at South Florida, TBA Oct. 21 Georgia Southern, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 28 Appalachian St., 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 11 Maine, 4 p.m. Nov. 18 at BYU, 3 p.m. UNLV Sept. 2 Howard, 9 p.m. Sept. 9 at Idaho, 9 p.m. Sept. 23 at Ohio St., TBA Sept. 30 San Jose St., TBA Oct. 7 San Diego St., TBA Oct. 14 at Air Force, TBA Oct. 21 Utah St., TBA Oct. 28 at Fresno St., 10 p.m. Nov. 4 Hawaii, TBA Nov. 10 BYU, 10:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at New Mexico., 9:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at Nevada, 4 p.m. UTEP Sept. 2 at Oklahoma, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Rice, 8 p.m. Sept. 15 Arizona, 10:15 p.m. Sept. 23 at New Mexico St., 8 p.m. Sept. 30 at Army, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 7 W. Kentucky, 8 p.m. Oct. 14 at Southern Miss., 7 p.m. Oct. 28 UTSA, 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at Middle Tennessee, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at North Texas, TBA Nov. 18 Louisiana Tech, 3 p.m. Nov. 25 at UAB, TBA UTSA Sept. 2 Houston, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 at Baylor, 8 p.m. Sept. 16 Southern, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Texas St., TBA Oct. 7 Southern Miss., 7 p.m. Oct. 14 North Texas, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Rice, 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at UTEP, 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at FIU, 7 p.m. Nov. 11 UAB, 7 p.m. Nov. 18 Marshall, 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at Louisiana Tech, TBA UTAH Aug. 31 North Dakota, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at BYU, 10:15 p.m. Sept. 16 San Jose St., 10 p.m. Sept. 22 at Arizona, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 7 Stanford, TBA Oct. 14 at Southern Cal, TBA Oct. 21 Arizona St., TBA Oct. 28 at Oregon, TBA

Nov. 3 UCLA, 9:30 p.m. Nov. 11 Washington St., TBA Nov. 18 at Washington, TBA Nov. 25 Colorado, TBA UTAH ST. Sept. 1 at Wisconsin, 9 p.m. Sept. 7 Idaho St., 8 p.m. Sept. 16 at Wake Forest, 3 p.m. Sept. 23 at San Jose St., TBA Sept. 29 BYU, 8 p.m. Oct. 7 Colorado St., TBA Oct. 14 Wyoming, TBA Oct. 21 at UNLV, TBA Oct. 28 Boise St., 10 p.m. Nov. 4 at New Mexico, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18 Hawaii, TBA Nov. 25 at Air Force, TBA VANDERBILT Sept. 2 at Middle Tennessee, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 Alabama A&M, 4 p.m. Sept. 16 Kansas St., 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Alabama, TBA Sept. 30 at Florida, TBA Oct. 7 Georgia, TBA Oct. 14 at Mississippi, TBA Oct. 28 at South Carolina, TBA Nov. 4 W. Kentucky, TBA Nov. 11 Kentucky, TBA Nov. 18 Missouri, TBA Nov. 25 at Tennessee, TBA VIRGINIA Sept. 2 William & Mary, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Indiana, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 UConn, Noon Sept. 22 at Boise St., 8 p.m. Oct. 7 Duke, TBA Oct. 14 at North Carolina, TBA Oct. 21 Boston College, TBA Oct. 28 at Pittsburgh, TBA Nov. 4 Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 11 at Louisville, TBA Nov. 18 at Miami, TBA Nov. 24 Virginia Tech, TBA VIRGINIA TECH Sept. 3 West Virginia, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Delaware, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at East Carolina, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Old Dominion, TBA Sept. 30 Clemson, TBA Oct. 7 at Boston College, TBA Oct. 21 North Carolina, TBA Oct. 28 Duke, TBA Nov 4 at Miami, TBA Nov 11 at Georgia Tech, TBA Nov 18 Pittsburgh, TBA Nov 24 at Virginia, TBA W. KENTUCKY Sept. 2 E. Kentucky, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Illinois, 8 p.m. Sept. 16 Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 Ball St., 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at UTEP, 8 p.m. Oct. 14 Charlotte, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Old Dominion, TBA Oct. 28 FAU, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 11 at Marshall, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17 Middle Tennessee, 8 p.m. Nov. 24 at FIU, 7 p.m. W. MICHIGAN Sept. 2 at Southern Cal, 5:15 p.m. Sept. 9 at Michigan St., 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Idaho, 8 p.m. Sept. 23 Wagner, TBA Sept. 30 Ball St., TBA Oct. 7 at Buffalo, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 14 Akron, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at E. Michigan, 2 p.m. Nov. 1 Cent. Michigan, 8 p.m. Nov. 8 Kent St., TBA

Nov. 15 at N. Illinois, 7 p.m. Nov. 24 at Toledo, TBA WAKE FOREST Aug. 31 Presbyterian, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Boston College, 1 p.m. Sept. 16 Utah St., 3 p.m. Sept. 23 at Appalachian St., TBA Sept. 30 Florida St., TBA Oct. 7 at Clemson, TBA Oct. 21 at Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 28 Louisville, TBA Nov. 4 at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Syracuse, TBA Nov. 18 NC State, TBA Nov. 25 Duke, TBA WASHINGTON Sept. 1 at Rutgers, 8 p.m. Sept. 9 Montana, 8 p.m. Sept. 16 Fresno St., 9:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Colorado, TBA Sept. 30 at Oregon St., TBA Oct. 7 California, TBA Oct. 14 Arizona St., TBA Oct. 28 UCLA, TBA Nov. 4 Oregon, TBA Nov. 10 at Stanford, 10:30 p.m. Nov. 18 Utah, TBA Nov. 25 Washington St., TBA WASHINGTON ST. Sept. 2 Montana St., 10:30 p.m. Sept. 9 Boise St., 10:30 p.m. Sept. 16 Oregon St., 5:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Nevada, TBA Sept. 29 Southern Cal, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Oregon, TBA Oct. 13 at California, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Colorado, TBA Oct. 28 at Arizona, TBA Nov. 4 Stanford, TBA Nov. 11 at Utah, TBA Nov. 25 Washington, TBA WEST VIRGINIA Sept. 3 Virginia Tech, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 East Carolina, Noon Sept. 16 Delaware St., Noon Sept. 23 at Kansas TBA Oct. 7 at TCU TBA Oct. 14 Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 21 at Baylor TBA Oct. 28 Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 4 Iowa St. TBA Nov. 11 at Kansas St., TBA Nov. 18 Texas TBA Nov. 25 at Oklahoma TBA WISCONSIN Sept. 1 Utah St., 9 p.m. Sept. 9 FAU, Noon Sept. 16 at BYU, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 30 Northwestern, TBA Oct. 7 at Nebraska, TBA Oct. 14 Purdue, TBA Oct. 21 Maryland, Noon Oct. 28 at Illinois, Noon Nov. 4 at Indiana, TBA Nov. 11 Iowa, TBA Nov. 18 Michigan, TBA Nov. 25 at Minnesota, TBA WYOMING Sept. 2 at Iowa, Noon Sept. 9 Gardner-Webb, TBA Sept. 16 Oregon, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 Hawaii, TBA Sept. 30 Texas St., TBA Oct. 14 at Utah St., TBA Oct. 21 at Boise St., TBA Oct. 28 New Mexico, TBA Nov. 4 Colorado St., 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at Air Force, TBA Nov. 18 Fresno St., 2 p.m. Nov. 25 at San Jose St., TBA