The Buffalo Bulls put together a nice 8-5 season in 2013 and now hope that they can make it 2 bowl games in a row, which is something they have never done. Some big pieces are gone from last year’s squad, but head coach Jeff Quinn hopes that the solid recruiting they have done will really carry them through this year. Preview & schedule are below.
The Bulls scored 9 more ppg last year (30.3) then they did in 2012 (21.3), but two key pieces of that offense are gone in RB Branden Oliver (1535 yards rushing) and WR Alex Neutz (1024 yards receiving). QB Joe Licata is back after tossing 24 TDs last year and is rated as the 2nd best QB in the MAC. Despite the loss of WR Neutz, the Bulls still have some solid young talent ready to step up, including Boise Ross, who played in 9 games last year. The RB corps last 5 of its top 6 ball carriers from last year, but second leading rusher Anthone Taylor is back after rushing for 399 yards and 3 TDs last year. The OL is a strength of this offense with all 5 starters back and 4 of them being seniors. Defense took some big hits also, especially with the loss of Khalil Mack. The Bulls have recruited well on this side of the ball and it’s time for those youngsters to step up. There are 3 big players on this defense that coach Quinn has coming back to build around. They are Kristjan Sokoli, who started all 13 games last year and had 5 TFL on the year. Next is LB Adam Redden (12 TFL), who was All-Mac last year. Finally there is DB Lee Skinner, who has started all 37 games in his career. That’s a solid player at each level of this defense.
The Bulls made a statement in the MAC last year and look to at least repeat that performance, but they have big holes at the WR, RB and Secondary to fill, plus must also find someone to fill Khalil Mack’s cleats. The Offense will be solid overall, but I don’t see 30.2 ppg from them again this year. The defense should take a step back as well, with the loss of 7 starters, including the aforementioned. The Schedule may save them some here, as they get 4 of their first 5 games, with 2 of them being vs FCS foes Duquesne and Norfolk State. They do have road games vs Bowling Green and Ohio, but also get Akron and Kent State at home. The Bulls may not have overall bowl caliber talent, but the schedule should give them at least 6 wins on the year. KEY TREND: 0-9 ATS at home vs an opponent with revenge.
2014 Buffalo Bulls Football Schedule
Aug. 30 Duquesne
Sep. 6 at Army
Sep. 12 Baylor
Sep. 20 Norfolk State
Sep. 27 Miami Univ.
Oct. 4 at Bowling Green
Oct. 11 at Eastern Michigan
Oct. 18 OPEN DATE
Oct. 25 Central Michigan
Nov. 5 at Ohio
Nov. 11 Akron
Nov. 19 Kent State
Nov. 28 at UMass
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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