Who’s No. 1 in our 2022 preseason Group of Five football power rankings?
Troy was 5-7 last year but found themselves within striking distance in a majority of their 2021 games. They lost five games by two possessions or fewer, which should help build confidence for 2022.
New head coach Jon Sumrall takes over for Chip Lindsey, who was fired near the end of last season. Sumrall is a former Kentucky linebacker and puts tons of emphasis on having great defenses. Luckily for him, he inherits a largely returning defense and offense. Can they buy into his philosophy?
It’ll be easier with the help of returning linebacker Carlton Martial, who’s a sixth-year senior and the heart and soul of this defense.
The Memphis Tigers started out 2021 incredibly strong, winning three in a row, including one against Mississippi State at home. However, they finished the rest of the season 3-6 and barely earned a bowl game invitation.
Sophomore quarterback Seth Hennigan is the bright spot on the team, as he looks to build on a terrific year as a true freshman in 2021 that saw him pass for more than 3,000 yards, throw 25 touchdowns and only give up eight interceptions.
2022 presents a tough schedule that includes Mississippi State, Houston, and UCF.
The Miami (OH) Redhawks look to build on some of the momentum developed in the second half of last year’s schedule. The Redhawks won five of their final seven games of the season, including a big win over North Texas in the Frisco Bowl.
Head Coach Chuck Martin will have an easier time improving on last year’s seven-win season with the help of a veteran offense.
Four offensive linemen return for 2022 to help quarterback Brett Gabbert continue building his case to be named the best passer in the MAC. Gabbert, the younger brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert, looks to build on the 2,648 passing yards and 26 touchdowns he recorded in 2021.
He’ll have his work cut out for him during the non-conference slate, which includes dates with Kentucky and Cincinnati.
After nearly two decades in Conference USA, Marshall makes the move to the Sun Belt conference to compete in the ultra-tough East.
Marshall has been really solid for the past 10 years or so, posting seven or more wins in eight of the last nine seasons.
To continue that trend, they’ll have to find their way without QB Grant Wells, the 2021 starter that threw for more than 3,500 yards. He’s transferred to Virginia Tech and projects to be the Hokies’ starting quarterback in 2022.
That means returning RB Rasheen Ali will have to carry an even larger responsibility than he did last season when he rushed for more than 1,400 yards and recorded 23 touchdowns.
Western Kentucky has a lot of work to do to replace an all-time season from both Bailey Zappe and Jerreth Sterns. Zappe is listed as the fourth-most passing yards in team history (5,967) and he only played at WKU for one season. Sterns is fifth all-time in team history for receiving yards (1,902).
But, head coach Tyson Helton has done a great job in recruiting and bringing up talent from the FCS over the years.
The Hilltoppers are one of the few college football teams that will hit the field during Week 0. They have a matchup against Austin Peay, which is set for a 12 p.m. ET kickoff on CBSSN.
Western Kentucky is 35-6-1 all-time against the Governors and they should use Tyson Helton’s high-octane offense to run away with an easy win on Aug. 27.