FAVORITE TEAMS

The Independent looks smaller, but normal as usual. Nothing has changed since it’s technically not a conference. However, Don Brown continues his tough rebuild with UMass (no winning record at the FBS level since 1904), but improvement is possible. Army struggled this past season but won six games with an important win over Navy. They made changes to their offensive scheme, however. UConn could follow up their six-win season. They broke their drought of 5-straight losing seasons to make a bowl, and hope for similar results and more. Notre Dame battles for a college football playoff spot, but criticism surrounds the offensive coordinator hire. Let’s see how that plays out after acquiring Sam Hartman in the transfer portal.

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

Last season was unfair to put high expectations on Marcus Freeman. This season is now an expectation for him to make the playoffs. One of those reasons is Wake Forest transfer quarterback, Sam Hartman. Ohio State, USC, and Clemson are gauntlet matchups. Road games at NC State and Duke will be a little tricky too. Hartman, Freeman, and company must navigate through if they want to be considered in a wildly packed Top 25 for a playoff berth.

ARMY BLACK KNIGHTS

Army won six games but it wasn’t enough to qualify for a bowl game for just the second time in seven seasons. They change offensive schemes for the first time after decades (and probably centuries) of running the triple-option offense. With their new offensive coordinator, Drew Thatcher, they’re switching to the shotgun formation going forward. It looks like Bryson Daily takes over at quarterback and hopefully he can get things going with a new-look offense. They have the first two games to adapt before they face their next five tough opponents. A return to a bowl game is possible.

UCONN HUSKIES

The Huskies had a surprising season in Jim Mora’s first season there. After a 1-4 start, they won five of their last seven games to reach a bowl for the first time in five seasons. They set a way-too early tone last year with upsets over Fresno State, Boston College, and Liberty (all at home. Their 2023 schedule is fair enough to win more than six games this season, but their tough matchups are NC State, at Georgia State, Duke, at Boston College, at Tennessee, and at James Madison. UConn returns more than half of their starters on both sides. However, the passing game must make somewhat of an improvement no matter who the starter is at quarterback.

UMASS MINUTEMEN

When Don Brown was a head coach back in the early ’90s and the 2000s, he was a winner. He had winning seasons on three different teams. Now he returns to UMass for his second stint after turning them into good program between 2004-2008. Last season was his first losing season since 2001 as a Northeastern head coach. He sees this season to be a massive improvement for the Minutemen, defensively that is.