MOBILE, Ala. — The website SportsRatings has ranked South Alabama football No. 116 out of 124 Football Bowl Subdivision programs in its 2012 preseason ratings, placing the Jaguars last among Sun Belt Conference teams.
South Alabama enters the second and final year of its two-year transition to the FBS. SportsRatings, which publishes rankings, power ratings, BCS projections and analysis, projects a 4-9 record for the Jaguars.
How Other Previews Rank the Jaguars
Other preseason publications have South Alabama near the bottom as well. Lindy’s ranks the Jaguars No. 121, Athlon ranks them No. 123 with a projected 2-11 record, and Phil Steele places them last nationally.
Projected Wins
SportsRatings lists Nicholls State, Florida Atlantic and Middle Tennessee as the Jaguars’ most likely wins and rates games against Troy and Texas-San Antonio as toss-ups. The site described a finish better than 4-9 as “out of the question.”
Offense
The site projects the South Alabama offense to rank No. 123 nationally against a tougher schedule, with the passing game at No. 108. It noted that quarterback C.J. Bennett threw 17 interceptions and seven touchdown passes last season, and cited the return of receivers Bryant Lavender and Corey Waldon, the team’s top pass catchers a year ago.
SportsRatings also pointed to the 21 sacks South Alabama allowed in 10 games last season and projected that total could climb into the 30s against stronger competition. Most of last season’s running backs return, but the site expects rushing totals to decline as the offense becomes more balanced.
Defense and Recruiting
The defense received the Jaguars’ best projection, at No. 87 nationally. South Alabama returns 15 of its top 17 tacklers from last season, and linebacker Ken Barefield is the only departure from the linebacker group. SportsRatings expects improvement in rush defense. Defensive backs Charles Harris, B.J. Scott and Gabe Loper all return in the secondary.
The site ranked South Alabama’s 2012 recruiting class No. 113.
Joey Jones is South Alabama’s head coach, and the Jaguars play home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
