| Rank | Team | Final '97 AP Ranking | '97 Record | Returning Starters | Schedule Strength |
| 81 | Utah State | N.R. | 5-6 | 11 | 106 |
|
New coach Dave Arslanian moves up the road and up in class from I-AA Weber State
|
| 82 | Temple | N.R. | 3-8 | 13 | 59 |
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Bobby Wallace, who won three Division II championships at North Alabama, is the new man in charge
|
| 83 | Illinois | N.R. | 0-11 | 16 | 38 |
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Illini, who had nation's worst scoring offense in 1997, have lost 17 straight games
|
| 84 | Maryland | N.R. | 2-9 | 12 | 31 |
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Terrapins were last in ACC in rushing, passing, scoring and total offense in 1997; expect more ACC futility
|
| 85 | Oregon State | N.R. | 3-8 | 19 | 21 |
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Senior DE Inoke Breckterfield (249 pounds; team-high eight sacks) is top returnee on a lithe line (252-pound average)
|
| 86 | Duke | N.R. | 2-9 | 16 | 35 |
|
Loss in Tallahassee on Sept. 19 would give Blue Devils ACC-record 19th consecutive conference defeat
|
| 87 | Texas Christian | N.R. | 1-10 | 14 | 84 |
|
Horned Frogs' leading receiver, junior Patrick Batteaux (27 catches), has been moved to backup quarterback
|
| 88 | Alabama-Birmingham | N.R. | 5-6 | 14 | 98 |
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NFL-caliber linebacker Brian Smith will meet future colleagues when the Blazers visit Nebraska and Tennessee
|
| 89 | Ball State | N.R. | 5-6 | 12 | 93 |
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U da man: Defensive end Sunungura (Go-Go) Rusununguko anchors unit that led MAC in rushing defense
|
| 90 | UTEP | N.R. | 4-7 | 17 | 74 |
|
Defensive end Leif Larsen of Tofte, Norway, is former WAC shot put champ |
| 91 | Baylor | N.R. | 2-9 | 15 | 9 |
|
Middle linebacker Kris Micheaux reminds Baylor fans of alumnus Mike Singletary |
| 92 | Iowa State | N.R. | 1-10 | 17 | 26 |
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Win now! Fourth-year coach Dan McCarney has imported 17 juco transfers
|
| 93 | NE Louisiana | N.R. | 5-7 | 20 | 104 |
|
Indians play six home games—three against I-AA opponents—for first time since moving up to I-A in 1994
|
| 94 | Kent | N.R. | 3-8 | 12 | 107 |
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In two fewer games Eugene Baker caught seven more passes (103) than MAC daddy Randy Moss in 1997
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| 95 | Navy | N.R. | 7-4 | 7 | 83 |
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With 10 new starters on defense, Middies' two-year streak of winning seasons is likely to end
|
| 96 | Army | N.R. | 4-7 | 11 | 54 |
|
Option-loving Cadets employ don't-ask-don't-tell policy when queried about passing game; QB Johnny Goff threw for one TD
|
| 97 | Hawaii | N.R. | 3-9 | 14 | 72 |
|
Sophomore tailback Charles Tharp led Rainbows in rushing yards (796), receptions (42) and receiving yards (435)
|
| 98 | UNLV | N.R. | 3-8 | 19 | 60 |
|
Leaving Las Vegas: Record-setting QB Jon Denton transferred to Eastern Kentucky; fifth-year man Kevin Crook steps in
|
| 99 | Central Michigan | N.R. | 2-9 | 17 | 99 |
|
Walk-on Bryan Schorman has caught on as Chippewas' alltime
receptions leader
|
| 100 | Boise State | N.R. | 4-7 | 22 | 112 |
|
Dirk Koetter becomes Broncos' third coach in as many seasons
|
| 101 | San Jose State | N.R. | 4-7 | 17 | 66 |
|
Leading rusher Carlos Meeks (503 yards in '97) quit team to join rap group Cutty and the Committee
|
| 102 | Akron | N.R. | 2-9 | 19 | 96 |
|
Zips tight ends caught all of three passes last season
|
| 103 | North Texas | N.R. | 4-7 | 15 | 89 |
|
John Baker averaged 47.2 yards per punt, second best in the nation; he also got lots of practice—his 62 attempts ranked fifth
|
| 104 | New Mexico State | N.R. | 2-9 | 18 | 90 |
|
Denvis Manns could become only third back (Tony Dorsett, Amos Lawrence) with four 1,000-yard rushing seasons
|
| 105 | Arkansas State | N.R. | 2-9 | 19 | 103 |
|
Despite having 25% lung capacity because of asthma, senior offensive tackle Todd Frohbieter has never allowed a sack
|
| 106 | Tulsa | N.R. | 2-9 | 16 | 75 |
|
New blood on defensive line (including five J.C. transfers) can't help but help nation's worst rushing defense
|
| 107 | Northern Illinois | N.R. | 0-11 | 19 | 97 |
|
Huskies averaged 2.4 yards per punt return in 1997—this year's strategy: fall forward
|
| 108 | Idaho | N.R. | 5-6 | 14 | 109 |
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Vandals' Sept. 26 visit to LSU will be one of the year's worst mismatches
|
| 109 | Eastern Michigan | N.R. | 4-7 | 9 | 81 |
|
Eagles hope sophomore quarterback Walt Church has big-pray ability
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| 110 | Bowling Green | N.R. | 3-8 | 13 | 70 |
|
Sophomore Matt Bunsey, Falcons' top returning receiver, had five catches in 1997—all in the season finale
|
| 111 | SW Louisiana | N.R. | 1-10 | 12 | 88 |
|
New defensive coordinator Miles Aldridge, from Arkansas, brought in to repair unit that gave up NCAA-record 553 points
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| 112 | Rutgers | N.R. | 0-11 | 14 | 64 |
|
D that yielded 45.1 points and 479.3 yards per game (both worst in school history) lost its best player (LB Brian Sheridan)
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