College Football Predictions – Charlotte 49ers 2017 NCAA Football Preview
2016 Recap
2016 Record – 4-8
2016 ATS – 5-7
The 49ers started out a bit slow at 1-4 but then had a stretch of five games in which they won three times and lost the other two by a combined TWO points (FIU, Rice). Almost a FIVE BAGGER. Four wins doubled their win total from 2015. Can they make another step forward ? Let’s dig in.
2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
Conference USA – TBD
East Division – TBD
OFFENSE
Charlotte may have found something last season with QB Hasaan Klugh as he finished up with a 10-3 TD to INT ratio while rushing for 8 TDs. The 49ers are not going to blow you away with the passing attack so Klugh just needs to play smart and move the chains any way he can.
Last year’s leading WR Austin Duke departs but the #2 and #3 options (TJ Ford, Workpeh Kofa) are both back in the mix. The 49ers will also move on without their leading rusher from 2016 Kalif Phillips (907) but do have some promising backs on the depth chart. The offensive line did a good job in 2016 and returns 3/5 starters. The offense will not be explosive but probably similar to the 2016 team in terms of production (#6 rushing CUSA, #11 total offense).
DEFENSE
The 49ers are going to have a tough time moving up in the CUSA pecking order without making improvements on defense. Last season they ranked #10th in total defense in the conference. They were decent against the run but SPANKED by good passing teams (310 yards per game allowed through the air). They also struggled getting PENETRATION (14 sacks – tied last CUSA). More bad news ? Star NT Larry Ogunjobi is gone.
This season they return six starters on defense and it is unclear whether they have the talent to move the needle forward. The DL will miss Ogunjobi and appears to be lacking in size. A pair of starters return at LB and 3/4 in the secondary. Overall this feels like a defense that is going to struggle once again in 2017.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This unit is a concern. They will break in a new PK and struggled punting last year. The return units were mediocre. Feels like more of the same.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot
Nothing stands out. The schedule has several winnable games.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Jerry Richardson Stadium has a capacity of just over 15,000 which makes it the smallest venue in the FBS.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 2.0
MEGALOCKS says:
Overall, we give the 49ers a 2.0 ATS Value Rating (Poor) this season.
It pains us to give a negative rating on this squad since we are cheering for them to do well. The reality is that they still need an injection of talent on offense, defense and special teams. They will get there but it may take some time. This may be one of those teams to keep on your fade list.
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