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2014 College Football Preview: Independents
By: Brian Graham - StatFox
Published: 8/22/2014  at  12:00:00 PM
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To get you prepared for the upcoming college football season, we conclude our run of all FBS conference previews over the next several weeks. For complete coverage, download your copy of the 2014 StatFox Edge Football Preview. The four Independent schools are the final previews.

Here is the BetDSI Sportsbook breakdown of odds for the first week of the college football season:

ARMY BLACK KNIGHTS


2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 3-9
ATS Record: 4-8 (33%)
Over/Under: 5-7
Points Scored: 24.4 PPG (93rd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 31.6 PPG (92nd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 100/1 (Field)

2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 9
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
New Head Coach: Jeff Monken
Ex-Georgia Southern coach Jeff Monken brings his version of the triple option. QB Angel Santiago (6.4 YPA; 593 rush yds, 10 TD) is more mobile, but A.J. Schurr (7.8 YPA, 3.1 YPC) is a better passer. RB Raymond Maples (2,612 career rush yds) got a fifth season of eligibility and joins RB Terry Baggett (1,113 rush yds). The subpar 3-4 defense is especially thin at linebacker.

BYU COUGARS


2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5
ATS Record: 6-7 (46%)
Over/Under: 3-9
Points Scored: 30.2 PPG (55th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 22.1 PPG (T-22nd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 300/1

2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 5
QB Taysom Hill (2,938 pass yds, 1,344 rush yds) should improve in Year 2 of Robert Anae’s up-tempo offense. BYU returns RB Jamaal Williams (1,233 rush yds), but must replace top WR Cody Hoffman. The front seven is solid despite the loss of LB Kyle Van Noy. The returns of CBs Jordan Johnson and Trent Trammell (missed all of ’13 with torn ACLs) solidify the secondary.

NAVY MIDSHIPMEN


2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4
ATS Record: 10-3 (77%)
Over/Under: 5-8
Points Scored: 33.5 PPG (12th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 24.4 PPG (T-40th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 100/1 (Field)

2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
QB Keenan Reynolds (8.3 YPA; 1,346 rush yds, 31 TD) has run Navy’s triple option nearly to perfection, and there’s no reason to expect a decline in 2014 with three solid fullbacks and four O-Line starters back. Defensively, Navy lost a lot up the middle with starters at both ILB and safety spots. LB Jordan Drake (43 tackles) could shift inside to anchor the 3-4 alignment.

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH


2013 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4
ATS Record: 5-7-1 (42%)
Over/Under: 5-8
Points Scored: 27.2 PPG (74th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 22.4 PPG (27th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1

2014 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 5
QB Everett Golson (7.6 YPA in 2012) returns from academic suspension to battle redshirt freshman dual-threat QB Malik Zaire for the starting job. Either will be an upgrade over Tommy Rees. New defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder oversees a rebuilt, but talented unit. LB Jaylon Smith (67 tackles) will anchor the run defense, while sophomore S Max Redfield and S Austin Collinsworth (3 INT) could be the top safety tandem in FBS. The school is investigating four players for academic fraud -- WR DaVaris Daniels (745 rec yds, 7 TD), LB Kendall Moore, LB Ishaq Williams and DB KeiVarae Russell -- and there is no timetable as to when the investigation will be completed.

All 2014 College Football Previews:

American Athletic Conference
Conference USA
MAC
Mountain West
Sun Belt
ACC
Big 12
Big Ten
Pac-12
SEC
Independents

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