5 Mid-Major College Football Programs taking over in 2016

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Five schools are continuing to climb up the ever-changing, mid-major ladder. Some are newcomers, while others are returning to the top of college football.

Mid-major college football can sometimes be a crapshoot of up-and-down programs. Some are lucky enough to rise to the top of the lower-tier leagues and become powerhouses. TCU, Utah and Boise State are prime examples of small schools on the larger market. The Horned Frogs and Utes joined power five conferences after their rises, while the Broncos continue their Mountain West dominance.

Obviously, it takes time to build a mid-major program into a powerhouse. This season there are few schools that are making their presence known in the main college football realm. Some aren’t exactly 10-win-a-year programs, but they are getting there. In terms of conference, the American Athletic Conference leads the way for powerful mid-majors. They had the opportunity to absorb a lot of the Big East cast-offs along with adding some strong lower powers.

It’s turned them into a strong and tough conference. Yes, they are a part of the group of five, but they play well above that. Houston, USF, Memphis, Navy and at times Temple and Tulsa bolster a premier conference.

Oct 6, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Riley Ferguson (4) passes the ball to Tigers wide receiver Phil Mayhue (89) against the Temple Owls during the second half at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis Tigers defeats Temple Owls 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Tigers

5-1

Last week: W 24-14Last rank: 2nd in American Athletic Conference (West Division)

The Memphis Tigers are known more for their on-court talent than on-field. They began to display their ability in 2014 under head coach Justin Fuente and quarterback Paxton Lynch. Their explosive passing game put up loads of numbers and wins. Fuente went a combined 19-6 in 2014 and 2015 and things seemed to be looking up for the Memphis football program.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, Fuente moved on to a premier job at Virginia Tech and Lynch moved on to the NFL. The program’s progression could’ve been lost in the shuffle of the college football coach carousel. The Tigers didn’t subscribe to that idea and its shown in 2016. The 2016 Memphis team is certainly the team to point to. I know people want to say the past two years put them on the map, but this team carried the torch.

New head coach Mike Norvell didn’t try to change too much offensively, but he should be credited for keeping them successful. He got JUCO transfer Riley Ferguson to come to Memphis and quarterback the Tigers. All he’s done is lead them to a 5-1 season with running back Doroland Dorceus. With a balanced attack the Tigers are quietly winning against some solid college football programs.

Ferguson has followed Lynch’s lead throwing for nearly 1,600 yards, 12 touchdowns and just six interceptions. His backfield mate Dorceus is a big-time playmaker. He averages 7.3 yards per carry on his way to 430 yards. The defense has dominated teams as they have intercepted 11 passes and recovered seven fumbles through just six games.

They’ve only played a couple of decent opponents, but don’t be disappointed if they win at least nine games.

Sep 17, 2016; Boone, NC, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers quarterback Taylor Lamb (11) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Appalachian State Mountaineers

4-2

Last week: W 24-0Last rank: 2nd Sun Belt

This team would’ve easily been number one if they beat the Tennessee Volunteers in week one. They ended up falling 20-13 in overtime, but people began to take notice of Mountaineers. These aren’t your older brothers’ Mountaineers. They’ve risen above the FCS chaos to become a strong FBS mid-major squad. I know a lot people find them unimpressive. People think they are just a Sun Belt squad built up by the 2007 win over Michigan, false.

This team is an up-and-coming squad in college football. In just four seasons, head coach Scott Satterfield has improved them every season (4-8, 7-5, 11-2). Their record might be lower this year, but their two losses were to Miami and Tennessee. They’ve dominated in three of their four wins. In total, they’ve won all four of their games with a point differential of 117-48.

An opportunistic defense leads the way with nine interceptions. Senior leadership has been a huge key to their success. Senior defensive lineman Antonious Sims leads the team in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (six). While fellow senior linebacker Kennan Gilchrist covers the field with a team-leading 51 total tackles.

On offense, it’s the same story in terms of senior leadership. Quarterback Taylor Lamb is an efficient dual threat signal caller. He carries a career TD-to-INT ratio of 55-to-23, while rushing for more than 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. If they can continue their rise they won’t be a team power five school’s schedule much longer. The Mountaineers are just halfway through their schedule, but there’s little doubt they’ll fail to finish below nine or 10 wins.

Oct 14, 2016; Fresno, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) runs the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the third quarter at Bulldog Stadium. The Aztecs defeated the Bulldogs 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego State Aztecs

5-1

Last week: W 17-3Last rank: 1st Mountain West (West Division)

A team that’s been on the rise long before this, but isn’t getting near the credit is San Diego State. Head coach Rocky Long’s ground heavy attack has built up an impressive reputation. During Long’s tenure, the Aztecs are 48-24 including a 5-1 start to this season.

The main reason behind all this success is senior running back Donnel Pumphrey. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound back is big-time. He’s the Aztecs’ all-time career leading rusher. He’s rushed for 5,383 yards and 56 touchdowns in three and a half years. They’ve become a threat to the Boise State dynasty in the Mountain West.

Since the Aztecs’ 1-3 start last year, they’ve gone 15-1 without much of a passing game. It’s impressive what they’re able to do with a run-based offense in the air raid era. Now not all of the credit can be given to the offense. the defense allows under 300 yards per game and is ranked 32nd overall in points allowed giving up just 20 points per game.

Long’s offense was able to outgun Cal’s Sonny Dykes in the second game of the season leading to a 45-40 win. Pumphrey rushed for 281 yards and three touchdowns topping a 500-plus yard performance by Davis Webb. The Aztecs have a solid shot to repeat as conference champions if they can beat Boise State.

Oct 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers (9) runs out of the pocket against the East Carolina Pirates during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

South Florida Bulls

6-1

Last week: W 42-27Last rank: 1st American Athletic Conference (East)

If you like innovative offenses and a lot of points then the South Florida Bulls are for you. Head coach Willie Taggart built up a high-scoring offense in a short time and Quinton Flowers is the vessel to carry it out. The offense averages more than 500 yards per game at 7.0 yards per play.

The Bulls use an exciting variation of the spread offense. Their play selection is about 43-to-30 run-to-pass. They average a ridiculous 269.1 yards per game while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Running back Marlon Mack and Flowers shred defense. Mack will grind and grind and then explode for a big run. He’s a wonderful power back to Flowers speedy style. They’ve combined for more than 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns in just seven games.

When it comes to the passing game, Taggart loves to let Flowers air-it-out. The completion percentage isn’t brilliant at 58.6, but the TD-to-INT ratio of 13-to-5 is. Flowers and wide receiver Rodney Adams are the perfect quarterback-wide receiver combo. He’s averaged 16 yards per catch his entire career and a touchdown machine with 18 total touchdowns in his last 20 games.

Taggart has done a wonderful job of turning the program around. It wasn’t long ago that they were competing for Big East titles. They certainly can compete with the big boys of college football and this season is no different.

Nov 18, 2015; DeKalb, IL, USA; Western Michigan Broncos head coach P.J. Fleck during the second quarter against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Huskie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Western Michigan Broncos

7-0

Last week: W 41-0Last rank: 1st Mid American Conference (East)

P.J. Fleck is a miracle worker plain and simple. His recruiting has been masterful as he’s achieved the school’s highest-ranked recruiting every year he’s been at Western Michigan. There’s no doubt he’s going to have bigger programs chasing him soon.

He’s made vast improvements from year one to four going 1-11, 8-5, 8-5 and 7-0 this season. The key player in the turnaround is senior signal caller Zach Terrell. He’s been nothing short of magnificent this season. His numbers don’t look real as he’s thrown for 1,597 yards, 17 touchdowns and zero interceptions while completing 70 percent of his passes. He’s attempted 174 passes this season so he’s certainly had opportunities for that to happen.

However, the passing game is used only 33 percent of the time in the Broncos explosive offense. Running backs Jarvion Franklin and Jamauri Bogan are a great 1-2 punch. The Broncos’ rushing attack averages nearly 50 carries for 265.6 yards and three touchdowns per game.

They are one of college football’s hidden gems, and it takes more than just a good offense to be number one on this list. They forced 13 turnovers in just seven games. The pass defense is underrated forcing a completion percentage of just 56.5. They aren’t a stifling unit, but more of a bend-but-don’t-break defense.

Fleck has created a winning atmosphere in Kalamazoo and it’s something that all of college football should respect. Not all of these programs will be built for long-term success. However, as long as Fleck is at Western Michigan they’ll be alright.