Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
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Getty Images fileMOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE GAME OF THE YEAR
Nov. 22: Brigham Young at Utah
Looking for your Boise State/Hawaii of 2008? Look no further than the winner of the Holy War. The Cougars have the nation's longest win streak (10 games) while the Utes return seven starters from a defense that finished 5th nationally in points allowed. Ten of the past 11 games have been decided by a TD or less.
NON-CONFERENCE GAME OF THE YEAR
Aug. 30: Utah at Michigan
The Utes are Appalachian by another appellation. Last August the FCS (i.e., I-AA) Mountaineers pulled off the biggest upset in college football history — until Stanford shocked USC five weeks later. Utah may return as many as 10 starters from a defense that was fifth in the nation in scoring defense a year ago. Just what Rich Rodriguez wants to see for his UM debut as he breaks in a new quarterback, running back and set of receivers.
OTHER KEY NON-CONFERENCE GAMES
Aug. 31: Colorado State vs. Colorado, Denver
Buffs-Rams is always fun, and last six games have been decided by a TD or less.
Sept. 6: San Diego State at Notre Dame
Aztecs must replace last year's quarterback, top two rushers and receivers, and four O-line starters. Remind you of anyone, Charlie?
Sept. 13: UCLA at BYU
Bruins and Cougars meet for third time in 371 days (BYU edged them in Las Vegas Bowl)
Sept. 13: North Dakota State at Wyoming
The Bison won at Minnesota and waxed MAC champs Central Michigan last year. Look out, Cowboy Joe.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Air Force
Falcons will miss rushing production of QB Shaun Carney and Z-back Chad Hall.
Brigham Young
Cougars have the nation's longest winning streak, 10 games.
Colorado State
MLB Jeff Horinek, Rams' top tackler (94 in '07), also sports a 3.9 GPA.
New Mexico
Lobos, bowl-eligible each of the past seven seasons, play 12 consecutive weeks without a bye.
San Diego State
Aztecs, 118th in rush defense in '07, have Sept. 6 date in South Bend.
Texas Christian
Horned Frogs, 1-5 on Thursday nights since '05, must play Utah and BYU on that evening.
UNLV
WR Casey Flair has a 35-game receptions streak, nation's second-longest.
Utah
Utes return 10 starters to unit that ranked 5th nationally in scoring defense (16.9 ppg) last season.
Wyoming
"Cowboy Joe" Glenn, Wyoming's coach, leads a cattle-drive to Knoxville on November 8.
SUN BELT CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE GAME OF THE YEAR
Oct. 7: Troy at Florida Atlantic
The Trojans have the conference's best defense; the Owls its most prolific offense. Troy linebacker Boris Lee, who led them in tackles last season as a sophomore, is a budding star. FAU quarterback Rusty Smith, in Lee's class in every way, was the conference's Player of the Year. Troy will have already visited LSU and Ohio State by this date. A pilgrimage to Boca Raton against the defending Sun Belt Conference champs is not about to scare them.
NON-CONFERENCE GAME OF THE YEAR
Aug. 30: Louisiana Monroe at Auburn
The Warhawks are 0-14 in road openers since 1994, but the Tigers are listening to none of that. With its withering defense ULM shocked — and embarrassed — Auburn's blood rival, Alabama, in Tuscaloosa last November. Could be that the Tide was guilty of looking ahead to the next week's foe: Auburn.
OTHER KEY NON-CONFERENCE GAMES
Aug. 30: Florida Atlantic at Texas
Upset special. These aren't the Rice Owls, Coach Brown. This program is the Sunshine State's next big thing, and their coach, Howard Schnellenberger, knows a thing or two about that. QB Rusty Smith is a future pro.
Aug 30: Florida International at Kansas
Golden Panthers look to improve upon last year's 55-3 loss in Lawrence.
Sept. 20: Troy at Ohio State
Trojans visit Horseshoe just a week after Buckeyes visited those other Trojans in L.A. Better hope they're in a good mood.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Arkansas State
RB Reggie Arnold has topped 1,000 yards in each of his first two collegiate seasons and averaged 6.5 YPC in '07.
Florida Atlantic
Conference POY Rusty Smith (32 TD passes in '07) is one of 17 returning starters for the Owls.
Florida International
Golden Panthers ranked last in the nation in scoring (15.1 ppg) last year.
Louisiana-Lafayette
Ragin' Cajuns were only team in the nation with two top-40 rushers — QB Kent Desormeaux and RB Tyrell Fenroy — last season and both return.
Louisiana-Monroe
Warhawks return eight defensive starters from unit that held Alabama to 14 points in last year's 21-14 upset in Tuscaloosa.
Middle Tennessee
"Suber Star": CB Alex Suber led Blue Raiders in tackles (59) as a sophomore.
North Texas
Best WR in the Lone Star State not named Michael Crabtree? The Mean Green's Casey Fitzgerald (111 catches, 12 TDs).
Troy
Trojans face both BCS title game programs — LSU and Ohio State — on the road in September.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
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Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
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