2019 FCS PREVIEW

                                                                              

James Madison's Rashad Robinson (Northern Virginia Daily)

                                                                 

 The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 That’s never been more evident than in this year’s race for the FCS national title. Both of the leading contenders – defending champ North Dakota State and experience-laded James Madison – saw their head coaches move up to the FBS level, yet expectations have not wavered. That’s called building a culture, and each program has done that well enough that a new face in charge on the sideline will not alter the end result.

 Unlike recent previous seasons, the Bison do not come in as overwhelming favorites. In fact, the Dukes could be a bit better thanks to a dozen returning all-league picks and standout defensive back Rashad Robinson, who spent much of last season hobbled by injury. Not to worry, though. NDSU has a defensive standout of its own in LB Jabril Cox and has enough talent on hand to weather whatever experience losses it may have suffered.

 If either of the top two candidates stumble there are plenty of teams waiting in the wings.

 South Dakota State should have an explosive offense with returning 1,000-yard rusher Pierre Strong Jr and standout receiver Cade Johnson, though replacing quarterback Taryn Christion won’t be easy. Linebacker Christian Rozeboom leads what should be an ornery defense.

 UC Davis got on the map last season thanks to a high-powered offense led by returning All-America candidate Jake Maier at quarterback. Favorite target Keelan Doss is gone to the NFL, which may mean a little bit more of running back Ulonzo Gilliam, who nearly broke the 1,000-yard barrier as a freshman last season. You can be sure coach Dan Hawkins – yes, THAT Dan Hawkins – will find a way to make the offense lethal once again. If the defense can hold up the Aggies could advance beyond last year’s quarterfinal placing.

 Eastern Washington will have something to say about UC Davis’ supremacy in the Big Sky – as will No. 9 Weber State – even if it only returns nine starters from a year ago. But there are enough guys around who received playing time last year that it shouldn’t be a huge transition. Quarterback Eric Barriere was thrown into the fire after starter Gage Gubrud (who has since transferred to Washington State) went down with an injury, and he performed well, throwing for nearly 2,500 yards and 24 scores. The defense should be tough with five potential all-league candidates, highlighted by sophomore linebacker Mitchell Johnson, a freshman All-America a year ago.

 Jacksonville State should bring a potent offense to the table under the guidance of quarterback Zerrick Cooper and 14 other returning starters, including wideout Josh Pearson. Maine will once again look to a ferocious defense – one that forced 47 sacks in 2018 – to smother foes, and leading the way DL Kayon Whitaker and linebacker Deshawn Stevens, who combined for 18.5 of those sacks. Towson won just seven games a year ago but appears ready to take a leap, thanks to the arm of quarterback Tom Flacco (CAA Offense Player of the Year) and snarling linebacker Robert Heyward. Weber State has won the last two Big Sky titles and will certainly be in the running for a third, especially if DL stalwarts Jonah Williams and Adam Rodriguez play as expected. Running back Josh Davis was a revelation as a frosh, running for nearly 1,400 yards, and he will power a very good offense. Nine starters return for a Wofford team that averaged nearly 30 points per contest in 2018. The Terriers bludgeoned people with their ground attack but may look to throw a bit more this season. Getting nose tackle Mikel Horton back from injury should boost the defense.    

FCS PRESEASON TOP 25

     1  James Madison

     2  North Dakota State

     3  South Dakota State

     4  UC Davis

     5  Eastern Washington

     6  Jacksonville State

     7  Maine

     8  Towson

     9  Weber State

   10   Wofford

   11   Nicholls

   12   Montana State

   13   Illinois State

   14   Furman

   15   Colgate

   16   Kennesaw State

   17   Indiana State

   18   Northern Iowa

   19   Elon

   20   Delaware

   21   SE Missouri

   22   Sam Houston State

   23  North Carolina A&T

   24   Central Arkansas

   25   East Tennessee State

   JUST MISSED: Yale; Montana; Incarnate Word; Chattanooga; San Diego; Alcorn State; McNeese; 

   Eastern Kentucky; Princeton; Duquesne

College Football Focus 2017 FCS Preview

 You can bet that North Dakota State has been seething, wondering what it could have done differently to reverse the outcome of its 27-17 semifinal loss to eventual national champion James Madison. The Bison had won five straight national titles and were looking to once again assert their dominance over the rest of FCS football.

 But the Dukes had other ideas, and went on to beat unlikely finalist Youngstown State 28-14, winning its first national title since 2004.

 Both NDSU and James Madison will be squarely in the mix in 2017, but the loss by the Bison shows that maybe the gap between the best and "the others" isn't quite as large as perceived.

 Here is College Football Focus' 2017 FCS top 10:

NDSU's Tre Dempsey

 1. North Dakota State (12-2 in 2016) -- The Bison welcome back 16 starters, including a host of defensive stars, notably safety Tre Dempsey, linebacker Nick DeLuca and end Greg Menard, which means they once again should be lethal. Quarterback Easton Stick is back, as is wideout Darius Shepherd, which makes NDSU the favorite a seventh consecutive Missouri Valley title -- and maybe to begin a new national championship streak.

 2. James Madison (14-1) -- As long as the Dukes have quarterback Bryan Schor -- and they will through this, his senior, year -- they have a shot to repeat. The backfield is deep, and gains the services of former Georgia Tech runner Marcus Marshall. The Dukes will be challenged with a season opening trip to East Carolina, but that's a winnable game. The best CAA teams must venture to Harrisonburg.

 3. Sam Houston State (12-1) -- The Bearkats were another team knocked off by James Madison in the playoffs, to the tune of 65-7. The sting of that loss has driven quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe (57 TD passes in 2016) to be even better this year, which is a frightening thought. He has a strong group of receivers, led by Yedidiah Louis, and a nice ground attack. The defense is rebuilding, but the Bearkats are still the class of the Southland.

 4. South Dakota State (9-4) -- Look for footballs to be flying around Brookings, S.D., as the Jackrabbits possess a wealth of pass-catching talent. Quarterback Taryn Christian was MVC player of the year, and he has NFL prospects in tight end Dallas Goedert and wideout Jake Wieneke, who combined for 170 catches and 27 scores a year ago. The defense has a few holes, but South Dakota State may just take the "let's outscore everyone" approach on the road to success.

 5. Richmond (10-4) -- The Spiders have reached back into their history books to grab first year coach Russ Huesman, the defensive coordinator on their last national title team in 2008, from Chattanooga. Quarterback Kyle Lauletta returns, as does running back Deontez Thompson, who gained over 1,000 yards last season as a redshirt freshman. The defense is rebuilding, but Richmond should be the primary obstacle to James Madison in the CAA.

 6. Villanova (9-4) -- The Wildcats also have a new coach, bumping up longtime assistant Mark Ferrante. Villanova does it with defense (nation's-best 15 ppg) and returns safety Rob Rolle, who pilfered seven passes a year ago. Aaron Forbes and Matt Gudzyk could be the best 1-2 running punch in FCS.

 7. Eastern Washington (12-2) --The Eagles return 14 starters from last year, most notably quarterback Gage Gubrud, who set a single-season FCS record by throwing for 5,160 yards, with 48 TD. Jay-Tee Tiuli provides some bulk (6-4, 315) up front for the defense.

EWU's Gage Gubrud (Getty Images)

 8. Jacksonville State (10-2) -- The Gamecocks return a wealth of talent -- nine first- or second-team all-conference players -- but one who is gone is quarterback Eli Jenkins, the OVC offensive player of the year. Look for running back Roc Thomas (formerly Auburn) to become more of a focal point. The defense allowed just 18.3 ppg and returns NFL prospect Darius Jackson at end. He netted 10 sacks and 15.5 TFL last year.

 9. Chattanooga (9-4) -- The Mocs went to Division III and nabbed uber-successful John Carroll boss Tom Arth to run the show, and he gets back exciting quarterback Alejandro Bennifield, who threw 26 TD passes last season. Chattanooga loses 13 starters, but one of the returnees is senior defensive back Lucas Webb, who had nine pass break ups and has been all-conference in each of his first three seasons.

10. Wofford (10-4) -- Defense will be the buzzword in Spartanburg, S.C. as the Terriers bring back eight starters from a crew that allowed just 17.1. ppg and just over 101 yards rushing per game a year ago. Tyler Vaughn had eight sacks and 17.5 TFL, while offensively, senior quarterback Brandon Goodson is one of six starters returning.

Look Out For -- North Dakota (9-3); Lehigh (9-3); New Hampshire (8-5); Penn (7-3); Weber State (7-5); Charleston Southern (7-4); North Carolina A&T (9-3); Youngstown State (12-4); Fordham (8-3); San Diego (10-2)

FCS ALL-AMERICA TEAM
OFFENSE
QB Jeremiah Briscoe/Sam Houston State
RB Chase Edmonds/Fordham
RB Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks/Albany
FB Joe Protheroe/Cal Poly
WR Jake Wieneke/South Dakota State
WR Justin Watson/Penn
TE Dallas Goedert/South Dakota State
OL Ben Huss/Duquesne
OL Justin Lea/Jacksonville State
OL Timon Parris/Stony Brook
OL Aaron Stinnie/James Madison
OL Stockton Mallet/Central Arkansas

DEFENSE
DL P.J. Hall/Sam Houston State
DL Darius Jackson/Jacksonville State
DL Pat Afriyie/Colgate
DL Miles Brown/Wofford
LB Dale Warren/Chattanooga
LB Darius Leonard/South Carolina State
LB Brett Taylor/Western Illinois
DB Mike Basile/Monmouth
DB Cole Reyes/North Dakota
DB Tre Dempsey/North Dakota State
DB Davontae Harris/Illinois State

SPECIALISTS
 K   Griffin Trau/Richmond
 P    Ian Berryman/Western Carolina
KR  Shane Simpson/Towson
PR  Terry Wallen/Drake