NCAA Football Preview - South Alabama Jaguars

Aug 18, 2014 - 3:02 PM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -

2013 SEASON IN REVIEW: The South Alabama Jaguars struggled through their first season in the FBS in 2012 (2-11), but they emerged in 2013 to become one of the most pleasant surprises in the Sun Belt Conference.

The Jaguars were in solid position in late October after winning three of their first five games -- a pair of strong non-conference wins overs Tulane (41-39) and Kent State (38-21) as well as a 31-24 triumph versus Western Kentucky in the Sun Belt opener -- but things came apart over the next few weeks with three straight losses.

South Alabama salvaged its season with three consecutive wins to close things out, including a 30-8 victory over Louisiana on Dec. 7 to spoil the Ragin' Cajuns' bid for an outright league championship. The squad finished 6-6 and in a four-way tie for third place in the conference with a 4-3 league record, but it was not invited to a bowl game despite reaching the six-win threshold.

2014 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: South Alabama's offense took a big leap forward in 2013, as it ranked in the upper half of the league in both scoring (29.4 ppg) and yardage (425.5 ypg), but even with the departure of quarterback Ross Metheny (2,622 passing yards, 604 rushing yards, 25 TDs), the team welcomes back plenty of experience with eight returning starters.

Filling Metheny's shoes under center will be Brandon Bridge, a senior who has paid his dues over the years. He was underwhelming in limited action last season (29-of-66, 398 yards, TD, two INTs) but the 6-foot-5, 235-pound physical specimen was a strong rusher (170 yards, TD) and has the confidence to thrive as the starter.

"I've been waiting for this a very long time," Bridge said. "I'm not going to let this opportunity slip by."

Bridge is fortunate enough to be surrounded by plenty of returning talent and will be protected by four experienced starters on the offensive line. With receivers Shavarez Smith (50 receptions, 940 yards, six TDs) and Jereme Jones (40 receptions, 457 yards, three TDs) as well as tight end Wes Saxton (50 receptions, 635 yards), all three of the team's leading pass-catchers return.

Jay Jones was limited by Metheny's rushing stats but still put together a strong campaign with 737 yards and five scores on 143 carries (5.2 ypc), and he's expected to take another step forward in running behind the strong line.

DEFENSE: The Jaguars' defense thrived a season ago, as they ranked first in the Sun Belt in both points (25.2 ppg) and yards (384.2 ypg) allowed, although the unit retains less than half its starters in 2014.

The strength of the defense comes in the secondary, where three starters return. Cornerback Qudarius Ford was second on the team in tackles (76) and added two interceptions and a blocked kick to his resume. Terrell Brigham (65 tackles, FF) and Montell Garner (60 tackles, three INTs) are also integral playmakers.

Maleki Harris anchors the linebacking unit and will try to replicate his stat- stuffing 2013 (63 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, INT, two FR).

Defensive tackle Jesse Kelley (6.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks) is the only returning starter along the defensive line, although Jerome McClain (4.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks) saw plenty of rotational work and will be inserted into the starting lineup hoping to fill the void left by departed pass-rushers Alex Page (14.0 TFL, 7.5 sacks), Romelle Jones (13.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks) and Pat Moore (13.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks).

SPECIAL TEAMS: Aleem Sunanon was arguably the Sun Belt's best kicker a year ago, knocking through 18-of-23 field goal attempts (including 8-of-10 from 40 yards and longer). Brandon McKee is expected to take over punting duties for the graduated Scott Garber.

Back for his senior season is T.J. Glover, who handled most of the kickoff and punt returns last year. He was strong on kickoffs (576 yards on 23 returns) but managed to pick up just 89 yards on 15 punt returns.

OUTLOOK: South Alabama has risen from cellar dwellers to legitimate contenders in its short amount of time in the Sun Belt, and its expectations are higher than ever in 2014 as it was picked third in league's preseason coaches poll.

"It's an honor for our players to even be mentioned in that realm and so quickly," South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said. "I don't know how that is going to affect the players on our team. I know our guys are hungry and they want to do great things. But to do great things they have to do all the little things that allow great things to hap. We're worried about the little things right now."

The beginning of the Jaguars' conference schedule looks promising, as they open up at home against newcomer Georgia Southern on Sept. 20, then take on a pair of winnable road games at Idaho and Appalachian State before returning to Mobile to play Georgia State and Troy. However, if they want to win the Sun Belt title, they'll have to wade through a tough early-November road stretch at conference-favorites Louisiana and Arkansas State.

In addition to its Sun Belt slate, South Alabama also had a difficult non- conference schedule (Kent State, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Navy). Last year proved that bowl bids are not easy to come by for Sun Belt squads, so it'll likely need to get to at least eight regular season wins to land in the postseason, which seems to be an ambitious goal.