The Rest of the Independents

There are three teams still listed as Independents with Temple moving on to the MAC. Army, Navy, and of course Notre Dame, along with newcomer to Division 1A Western Kentucky to leave us with still 4 independents.

The Army Black Knights are coming off a 3-9 season with wins coming against Kent State, @Baylor, and Virginia Military Institute. This season I see the Black Knights having another tough year again only winning a handful of games with Carson Williams again running the show at QB. Sure he didn't have the best season last year, but he was a true freshman and looks to improve in his second year. The rest of the Black Knight backfield is back, too, so look for a more potent attack to be there this season. The defense won't be great, so a bowl might be a year away. Top stud DE Cameron Craig isn't there anymore along with the top three tacklers from last year's team. Looks like home dates with Rhode Island and Temple will provide the best chances of wins. The final date against the Midshipmen is always fun, and the best rivalry in college sports!

2007 Schedule (projected wins)
@Akron
Rhode Island
@Wake Forest
@Boston College
Temple
Tulane
@Central Michigan
@Georgia Tech
@Air Force
Rutgers
Tulsa
Navy


The Navy Midshipmen are coming off a 9-4 campaign in 2006 (including a close 25-24 loss in their bowl game against Boston College) with no signs of slowing down. Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada is back at QB after taking over midseason for Brian Hampton, and really should be good in the Navy attack. The top speed backs return along with FB Adam Ballard who returns from injury to bring the ground game back to form. The defense isn't going to be great with only three starters coming back from last season. The offensive line loses some big guys upfront, but I think they will be able to reload. The passing game was the worst in the nation last year and with the loss of top WR Jason Tomlinson isn't going to be much better. Luckily, the schedule includes only three bowl teams from a year ago. They may not pull off another 9 wins, but another bowl game should definitely be a reality with the offense being great again this season.

2007 Schedule (projected wins)
@Temple
@Rutgers
Ball State
Duke
Air Force
@Pittsburgh
Wake Forest
Delaware
@Notre Dame
@North Texas
Northern Illinois
@Army


The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are beginning their first season of D1a football. I don't know much about the Hilltoppers other than the fact that they are led by Coach David Elson who has been on the WKU staff since 1996 and is in his 5th year as the head man. Over the last 11 years WKU has gone 91-41 going to the NCAA 1-AA playoffs 6 times. Since Elson took over they have gone 30-17 (63.8%). The 35 year-old Elson has a contract through 2012 with the team. WKU is currently an independent, but they will be eligible for the Sun Belt Conference championship and a bowl birth beginning in 2009. WKU won the Div1-AA national championship in 2002, along with top-15 finishes in 2003 and 2004 and then were ranked as high as #1 twice in 2005. Last year was a down year with the team going 6-5, though they did have the 23rd best offense. With this their first year in D1A not a lot is to be expected out of WKU, but look out for this team to make some noise in 2009. Lots of D2 teams are still on the schedule, surely a holdover from previous years. Look for this team to have a better record than expected, but upon looking at their SOS, it will be more clear. The biggest challenge for Coach Elson will be trying to hold the defending national champion Florida Gators under 100 in their first game

2007 Schedule (projected wins)
@Florida
West Virginia Tech
Eastern Kentucky
@Middle Tennessee State
@Bowling Green
@Ball State
@Indiana State
North Carolina Central
@Chattanooga
Troy
Morehead State
@North Texas