Since it looks like we're going to have football this fall (thank God), I've started thinking about what the 2020 season might look like, results-wise. It could be a rough season with so many question marks and a fairly tough schedule. BUT, I think it's a transition to better things in 2021 and potentially great things in 2022.

Realistically we're looking at between 4 and 7 wins in 2020. The win total could be slightly higher or lower depending on how things go with unproven players and injuries, but I would say a range of 4 to 7 wins is most likely. This is assuming all 12 games get played, which is starting to seem unlikely. If the final two games are dropped as the NCAA has suggested, I would amend the forecast to 3 to 6 wins.

Out of conference we're looking at 1 to 2 wins. It will be a pleasant surprise if this team wins at Maryland or Iowa. While neither of those teams is great, our team has tons of question marks. Rhode Island is a must win of course. BYU is a maybe because it's a "home" game, if it gets played at all. If social distancing is required I could see this game getting pushed to a later year or moved to Provo.

As far as the MAC schedule goes, every game in the West will be a struggle. There's no weak sister this year. Preseason polls will probably rank this team last in the West and frankly I don't know who you would put them in front of. Everyone else has more going for them on paper. Which is not to say they'll finish last of course, CMU just went worst to first last year, but it does indicate how tough the challenge will be. Crossovers will be a challenge too, as Buffalo and Kent State are good and Bowling Green is on the upswing. So in conference we're probably looking at somewhere between 3 and 5 wins.

Do the math and you end up with 4 to 7 wins on the season. I also based that on a review of each position group, which is as follows.

Quarterback
This season will be all about the quarterback. Given how many question marks there are about this team, the QB has to play very well for them to have a chance. Most of the variability in my win total projection centers on the QB. If Bowers stays healthy and plays really well and gets solid support he could lift this team to 7 or 8 wins. If not we could be looking at 3 or 4 wins.

Bowers was not good last year, completing just under 58 percent of his passes with more interceptions than touchdowns. It was not all his fault of course. He arrived late on the scene last summer to a new team and new system with a brand new coaching staff, and his supporting cast was not good. Still, he has to look a lot more like his Cal highlight tape than he did last year in order for this team to succeed. Hopefully he makes the leap in his second year in the system.

We have no idea what will happen if Bowers gets hurt since we haven't seen the other QBs in practice, much less games. One of them might turn out to be awesome but I'd rather not find out this year.

Tailback
There will be a new rotation this year with Tre Harbison having left. Much as I appreciated Harbison's hardnosed style, I'm looking forward to some backs who can create chunk yards once in a while, something Harbison rarely did. We saw a little teaser in last year's finale against WMU when Rondarius Gregory and the unfortunately retired Rahveon Valentine bounced outside a few times and picked up some nice yardage. There's been a lot of enthusiasm from the coaches about Rondarius, Erin Collins and Jay Ducker, and if Jordan Nettles ever achieves his potential we could have a dynamic group there. This group may not be as good on third and short/goal line situations as Harbison was, but I'll make that trade if they can start making dynamic plays once in a while.

Fullback
Brett Bostad has experience and seems solid in that role.

Tight End
Last year's team had the dynamic duo of Daniel Crawford and Mitch Brinkman. Although Brinkman has moved on I think this group will be just fine with Crawford, Liam Soraghan, Corey Lersch and possibly others. Crawford could set records if he stays healthy.

Wide Receiver
The receiver group did not produce very well last year. Cole Tucker was good, Tears was OK, Tyrice Richie showed flashes and that was about it. Dennis Robinson had too many drops and Mike Love couldn't get separation as he took his freshman lumps. There's a chance this group could be much improved this year. The coaches are real high on Richie and the three freshmen Mohamed Toure, Fabian McCray and Messiah Travis. If Robinson and Love can take the next step you have the makings of a good group.

Offensive Line
This is a pretty inexperienced unit beyond Brayden Patton, Benn Olson, Marques Cox and Logan Zschernitz who are pretty much locks to start. As far as their alignment, it will depend on which guys emerge beyond that group. If the fifth guy is Nolan Potter or Leif Engstrand then the lineup would probably be Cox, Patton, Olson, Zschernitz and Potter/Engstrand left to right. If the fifth guy is Owen Rozumalski then the lineup might be Cox, Olson, Rozumalski, Zschernitz and Patton left to right. Here's hoping Coach Agpalsa can work some magic in year two and create an O-line closer to what we're used to seeing. Last year's was pretty weak.

Defensive End
With the departure of Matt Lorbeck we're looking at Cam Mattox and who knows at end. Mike Kennedy might get spotted as a situational pass rusher. Some freshmen will probably see significant playing time which might yield growing pains this year but benefits in subsequent years. The pass rush was almost nonexistent last year and it's hard to see it getting significantly better in 2020 with this inexperienced group.

Defensive Tackle
This should be a solid group even with the departure of Jack Heflin. Weston Kramer and Demond Taylor are probable starters, backed up by James Ester, Jeff Griffin and possibly Miles Baggett, Jack Hugunin and others. The coaches are super high on Taylor and Ester, saying they could have played last year if needed.

Linebacker
The return of Kyle Pugh and Lance Deveaux makes this a super solid unit along with Jordan Cole, Nick Rattin and possibly one or two others. No issues here at all.

Cornerback
While young, this unit has a chance to be really good. Some combination of Dillon Thomas, Mark Aitken, Antwain Walker and JD Harris will be on the field. All have shown great potential, they just need to stay healthy.

Safety
This is another big question mark since it's a young group with virtually no game experience. The coaches are high on Joshua Earl and true freshman CJ Brown who participated in the abbreviated spring practice session. We'll have to see who else emerges from among umpteen freshmen.

Specialists
The team should be real solid at Punter, Kicker and Long Snapper with Matt Ference, John Richardson and Erik Abrell, respectively. For returns they can sort through tons of young, fast guys as the roster evolves. They can always use Cole Tucker as old reliable on punt returns, although it would be nice to use someone with big play ability there.

2020 and Beyond
2020 looks like a transition year as the coaches continue to turn over the roster to fit their vision. It could be a good season if a lot of things go right (Bowers stays healthy, playmakers emerge at tailback and receiver, the offensive line is better, they find good players at defensive end and safety). Could happen but that's a lot of if's. More likely is that a ton of young guys get playing time and the team fights for bowl eligibility.

2021 looks to be better, even with the need to find a quarterback. A lot of the best players on this year's team will return and young talent will begin to mature and benefit from playing time they got in 2020. The year I've circled though is 2022. That will be this staff's fourth year and the roster will be almost all theirs. It should be a veteran team and the schedule is manageable too, with Eastern Illinois, Tulsa, Vandy and Kentucky. That's a year where we can dream of running the table.

Thank god it looks as if we're going to have a 2020 college football season.

GO HUSKIES!

This is great! Thank you!

Well done, 81. Obviously you have a ton of knowledge about the roster and presented it in a well written, pretty unbiased fashion. This really is a great site when we get stuff like this. Thank you!

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of true freshman playing this season. The recruiting class was massive, there were a ton of transfers, and I’m sure the coaching staff is looking to get their guys in the field. With that said, I hope that Ducker and Fletcher both redshirt this season.

I would argue on paper that is one of the best linebacker groups we’ve ever had.

I think Weston Kramer will be all Mac this season has played really well and his time to shine. Hopefully someone else steps up on the d line. If so the defense could be pretty good.

Worried about the O-Line, but I have faith they come together pretty good this year. Last year I am hoping was just a learning curve for all. I think we are .500 this year or a game over. If bowers gets some blockers and stays healthy. I’m think 7-8

I would be very surprised if Woody Appolon is not in the mix to start at one of the safety spots.

Excellent analysis

NIU1981, thanks for your time and effort putting this together, and a very good summary and analysis!

Starting to get psyched about the 2020 season. I agree with your thoughts about this and the next 2 seasons. For 2020, I am hoping we are competitive in the West, get bowl eligible, and avoid games that got away from us, like the Central and Eastern Michigan games.