Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 128 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2015-16 season. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 128 to our projected No. 1 team. Today at No. 82: Buffalo Coach: Lance Leipold (0-0, entering first season; 109-6 overall record) 2014 record: 5-6, 3-4 in the Mid-American Conference; third in East Division Look back: With experience on the roster and an easy early schedule, expectations were high for Buffalo last season. But after splitting its four nonconference games — including wins over Football Championship Series opponents Duquesne and Norfolk State — and later suffering back-to-back losses to Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan, athletic director Danny White stunned many by firing Jeff Quinn. White cited lack of development of the program as the reason for the dramatic change. During the offseason, White hired Lance Leipold, who won six national championships at Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater, to lead the Bulls. Offensive starters returning: 7 Offensive starters lost: 5 Defensive starters returning: 4 Defensive starters lost: 8 Key losses: OL Jake Silas, OL Andre Davis, WR Devon Hughes, C Trevor Sales, NG Kristjan Sokoli, DE Tedroy Lynch, LB Lee Skinner, LB Jake Stockman, CB Cortney Lester, SS Adam Redden, FS Witney Sherry Top returnees: QB Joe Licata, RB Anthone Taylor, OL Robert Blodgett, WR Marcus McGill, TE Matt Weiser, WR Ron Willoughby, LB Okezie Alozie, DL Brandon Crawford, LB Jarrett Franklin, CB Boise Ross Strengths: Leipold’s transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision level will be a lot smoother thanks to quarterback Joe Licata and running back Anthone Taylor. The pair combined for 4,044 yards of total offense and 43 total touchdowns in 2014. Licata, who is starting his fourth season, was second in the MAC in passing efficiency (150.7) and already has left an indelible mark on the program. Taylor, meanwhile, put together one of the better seasons in school history after rushing for 1,403 yards and 12 touchdowns. An injection of youth at wide receiver last season provides Buffalo with some solid options. Senior Ron Willoughby led the team in receptions (50), receiving yards (771) and receiving touchdowns (9), while sophomore Jacob Martinez (28 catches for 280 yards and 3 TDs) should see more action with the departure of Devon Hughes. Marcus McGill (22, 343, 3 TDs) and tight end Matt Weiser (15, 286, 4 TDs) also provide plenty of options for Licata. Weaknesses: New defensive coordinator Brian Borland is implementing a 4-3 scheme with a unit that only returns four starters. Last season, Buffalo ranked in the middle of the league in scoring defense (32 points per game) and total defense (398 yards per game). Junior Brandon Crawford started a half-dozen games at defensive end in 2014 and his return is crucial for a defensive line lacking experience. The team’s top tackler, Lee Skinner, is gone and replacing his leadership and production will be key. Senior tackles Robert Blodgett and John Kling are the only returning starters from last season’s offensive line. The group allowed just 16 quarterback sacks in 2014…
Continue Reading: Buffalo chases bowl bid under new coach, Bulls ranked No. 82
