Charlotte 49ers 2016 NCAA Football Preview
CHARLOTTE 49ers
Conference USA
2015 Record – 2-10
ATS – 3-6-2
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
East Division #7
Conference #11
2015 Recap
It seemed so easy at first. Wins over Georgia St and Presbyterian put Charlotte at 2-0 to start the campaign. Then they lost 10 games in a row to finish up at 2-10. To be fair, expectations were low in 2015 as the 49ers got their feet wet in C-USA play. To be honest, we were pretty impressed with them most of the season, and they easily could have had a couple of more wins.
2016 Preview
OFFENSE
The offense returns 9 starters this season and looks ready to improve significantly. Technically, one of the “returning starters” is at QB, but it is apparent that Miami Fla transfer Kevin Olsen will have the starting job come week one. Charlotte’s QB situation was a debacle last year and Olsen brings some much needed talent and stability to the position. And now they have depth.
Senior RB Kalif Phillips came very close to a 1,000-yard season in 2015 and we think he will exceed that benchmark this year. Former QB Matt Johnson moves to RB and will provide a nice mix of power running (6-3 233) and potential for TRICKERATION. The offensive line should improve in their 2nd year of C-USA play and they return 4/5 starters to the unit.
It is unclear if the WR group contains any significant game-breakers but they do have experience. Our guess is that QB Olsen will improve their production.
DEFENSE
The defense was exposed last year vs the more explosive offenses that they faced. This season they have a lot more experience with seven returning starters. NT Larry Ogunjobi is a monster on the DL and tallied 2.5 sacks and 14.5 total TFL. Leading tackler LB Nick Cook is back this season as are a pair of senior CBs. They still lack the depth of a more mature program but will be more stingy this season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
As expected, the 49ers’ special teams struggled last season and looks to be a weak area heading into 2016. PK Blake Brewer only made 14/27 FGs last season. The punting, as well as the return game, also left something to be desired.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 6.0
MEGALOCKS says:
The 49ers could very well start the season 2-2 before conference play kicks into gear. Road games at Louisville and Temple will probably lead to woodshed-treatment, but they also get to face Elon and Eastern Michigan, and those teams are both well within their area code in terms of talent.
Overall, we give the 49ers a 6.0 ATS Value Rating (Above Average) this season. We don’t know how many games that Charlotte will win this season. What we do feel confident in saying is that there will be plenty of opportunities to cover inflated point spreads. This team has the potential to do well against the number in 2016. On the watch list.
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News
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