My turn:
Buy, Sell, Hold based on 2017's results, coaching changes, returning players etc.
Here are my picks:
UAB: HOLD. The Blazers had a disappointing bowl game appearance after a really good year in 2017. But the "element of surprise" is lost for the Blazers. UAB won't sneak up on anyone in 2018. However, OOC games against Savannah St, Coastal and Tulane sets the Blazers up for an easy 3-0 start. This should position UAB to win 7 or 8 games easily.
Charlotte: SELL. As Mortimer Duke said in the movie "Trading Places", SELL, SELL, SELL!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDI6SEIzwNM Who knows what's going on in the halls of the Charlotte AD's office. Does this basketball school know they play football too? Much respect for their
basketball history, but football there is a puzzle.
FIU: HOLD. Another bad bowl appearance after a very good (8-4) regular season. IMO, expect a similar performance from FIU in 2018, or possibly even a small downturn (7-5?).
FAU: BUY. People bought this stock throughout the 2017 season after Lane Kiffin was hired. And it produced. Problem is, expectations are so high for this program, the stock may take a rest. Can this stock go higher in 2018? Maybe. But probably not. I expect a 2-2 start, and a 9-3 or 8-4 finish for FAU. Still, FAU is a great investment as long as Lane Kiffin is there.
Louisiana Tech: BUY. As one of the previous posters said, "
no spectacular gains expected". Well, I agree. That's when you
want to buy. Remarkably, LA Tech's stock is terribly undervalued despite one of the best returning (and most experienced) rosters and 4 consecutive bowl wins, including a Frisco Bowl smack down of the AAC's SMU. Expect Tech to pay solid dividends throughout the year, capped by a 8-4 finish and its' 5th consecutive bowl win.
Marshall: BUY. Yes, there will be big fluctuations in this stock price if last year is any kind of guide. But when Marshall shows up, the Herd can show up big. After a 4-4 start due to a tough schedule, Marshall finishes 8-4 and gets a bowl.
MTSU: HOLD. After a 3-3 start, MTSU hangs on for a 6-6 or 7-5 finish.
North Texas: SELL. You better sell this stock while you can. This is the classic
over-heated stock. By their standards, UNT had a great season in 2017, even though they experienced two blowout losses to end the season. The bowl game loss to a Sunbelt team was difficult to stomach. Take your cash and run to door on this one.
ODU: SELL. I don't understand why ODU is faltering so badly, but they are. Unfortunately I don't see a turn-around in 2018.
Rice: BUY. Another stock that's beat down, so it may be a good time to buy. The new head coach will make a difference at Rice. At worst, Bloomgren gets his new team to 3 or 4 wins vs last years 1. So, even if its a "dead cat bounce", he will look like a hero to the Rice faithful in 2018. Since Rice's stock is hated by investors right now, it's available at a fire-sale price. But the risk is low, and that makes it a good time to buy and expect
some good upside in 2018.
Southern Miss: HOLD. Might be a long year in Hattiesburg. I just don't think their coach is "the guy" for this program in the long run.
UTEP: SELL. I don't like this coaching hire at all. Too much rebuilding involved to buy this stock right now. Maybe next year.
UTSA: HOLD. I thought UTSA was on the upswing, But now I'm not so sure. And with the loss of their QB and some top receivers, the offense could struggle thru the first 6 games or so. UTSA's coach is still good though, so they likely make a bowl.
Western Kentucky: SELL. Could this team be better than some people expect in 2018? Maybe. But I can't see this team getting by FAU, Marshall and MTSU in the east.