FWIW

[vman]

Below is a list of 10 of the most experienced college football teams in the country heading into this fall’s action. Not all of these schools are destined for big things throughout the next few months but the familiarity and depth that has formed with them is clearly a big asset:

Southern Miss – Last year the Golden Eagles welcomed back the fewest returning starters in Conference USA (10) and now they head into this season with the most returning starters in the country (19). One of the Eagles’ main strengths is the fact that they bring back all nine of their starting linemen (five offensive and four defensive).

Toledo – The Rockets have the highest percentage of returning letterman in the country, bringing back nearly 90 percent of last year’s team. Toledo will need that experience to rebound from what was, at 3-9, by far its worst season in the last decade. All of this is a huge boon to first year coach Tim Beckman, who takes over after spending the last two years as Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator.

East Carolina – They’re baaaaack. The Pirates were responsible for a pair of the biggest upsets in college football last year and now they bring back 16 of 22 starters. That includes seven three-year starters and 12 seniors on the first string. Also, they will again be strong in the trenches with eight of nine offensive and defensive linemen back in the fold.

UAB – Blazers responsible for 98.1 percent of UAB’s offense last year are back on campus and that group includes 11 offensive starters back. UAB has 18 starters back, total, and an exceptional 11 of those players are three-year starters. Their top nine linemen are back and the Blazers are one of just nine teams with more than 100 career starts from their o-line.

Stanford – Captain Comeback, Jim Harbaugh, took a one-win team from 2006 and has posted four and five wins in each of his last two years. Now, with 17 starters back – including 11 of the three-year variety – he may be ready to take the next step. The Cards are especially loaded on defense, where they’re rolling out seven three-year starters. They have multiple experienced quarterbacks and a lot of extra backups with starting experience.

Pittsburgh – It’s easy to focus on the loss of LeSean McCoy from the Panthers and believe that they don’t have the guns to take the Big East this year. But other than McCoy, everyone is back for a program that won nine games last year for the first time since 2002. Counting the return of senior linebackers Adam Gunn and Shane Murray to the starting lineup, the Panthers have nine bodies back on the front line with this year’s defense. Eight of those 17 starters are three-year first stringers and 12 members of the first team are seniors.

Minnesota – The Gophers are No. 8 in the nation in terms of returning lettermen at 80 percent. Minnesota will be backing 17 returning starters, 12 of which are seniors, from a squad that posted a six-win improvement between 2007’s 1-11 club and last year’s 7-6 bowl squad.

Auburn – Like Toledo, Auburn is a team that has a load of experience between the lines but is breaking in a new coach and staff. Auburn has 17 starters back including seven seniors and nine three-year starters. Their skill players are particularly well seasoned, with two wideouts, a running back and a tight end entering their third year as Tigers.

Arkansas State – Last year the Sun Belt’s Louisiana Cajuns were nearly able to pull a pair of upsets (at Illinois and at Kansas State) behind the talent and experience of an exceptional quarterback-running back combination. Arkansas State will try to replicate that blueprint behind three-year starting quarterback Corey Leonard and four-year starting running back Reggie Arnold. They are two of the 14 senior starters leading the Red Wolves this season.

Ole Miss – With 16 starters back, including stud quarterback Jevon Snead and not counting behemoth defensive end Greg Hardy, the Rebels are well defensed against a letdown year in 2009. The core of last year’s 9-4 crew is intact, with eight three-year starters and 13 seniors on the first string this year.

[deliverance]

Is this a list of 10 of the most experienced teams that are the most underrated going into 2009? Where did you grab this from Vman?

[frostlion]

I wouldn't be shocked if Minnesota had a very solid year. With their new on campus stadium (which is very impressive) there should be a lot of excitement surrounding that program.

[vman]

Is this a list of 10 of the most experienced teams that are the most underrated going into 2009?

Below is a list of 10 of the most experienced college football teams in the country heading into this fall’s action.

Where did you grab this from Vman?

http://www.docsports.com/2009/most-experienced-col

[The Ancient Enemy]

Frosty, I like that coach at Minnesota but I have a feeling those coaching changes have derailed his potential. They've had 3 different DC's in 3 years and have already changed offenses again. If they would have given him time instead of sticking him on the hotseat so quickly, I think he could have really made that program reasonably relevant.