As stated at the end of our spring coverage, this season looks to be a challenging one for the 49ers. They are the youngest team in the FBS.
Looking over the schedule and according to Vegas, the only games the 49ers have a chance in are Week 1 at Akron and Weeks 13 and 14 against James Madison
and Coastal Carolina, who also made the FBS leap this year.
The biggest tests come in weeks 3 & 5 the 49ers face their biggest challenges of the year against NC State and Miami (FL). Both games are on the road and
we'll see how well new offensive coordinator Michael Doctor's scheme works against top level competition.
Conference Outlook
Vegas has Charlotte finishing at the bottom of the conference standings. They are also the favorites to land as the independent team this year.
East Carolina is the favorite to win the conference with Florida Atlantic and Buffalo as the lead challengers. Connecticut and Florida International are expected to also
make a run for the conference.
HB Alan Barnwell and Terrence Winchester have been named to the pre-season all-conference first team, while QB Matt Johnson, RG Daniel Blutch, RE James Middleton
and SS Martay Mattox were named to pre-season all-conference second team.
National Outlook
Clemson QB Trevor Lawerence and Ohio State QB Justin Fields lead the Heisman race with Alabama RB Najee Harris, Oklahoma State RB Chuba Hubbard
and LSU WR Ja'Marr CHase just behind them.
The top five teams in the country are Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia and LSU. The SEC looks to be a battle this year. While Clemson should repeat as
ACC champions. Ohio State is the favorite in the Big 10, Oklahoma in the Big 12 and Oregon is the overwhelming favorite in the Pac 12. On the relegation side of things,
Temple and Syracuse are the favorites to be relegated in the ACC, Kansas and North Texas in the Big 12, Rutgers and Illinois in the Big 10, Colorado and
Hawaii in the Pac-12 and Arkansas State and Vanderbilt in the SEC. College Football has added not only a great championship race but now even the bottom
feeder teams will look to fight.
Stay tuned for our Week 1 preview for the 49ers at Akron.