Group of Five season preview: Who is this year’s Cinderella?

Storylines to watch

Can UCF’s keep it rolling without McKenzie Milton?

With McKenzie Milton set to miss all of 2019 and Darriel Mack Jr recovering from ankle surgery, Brandon Wimbush is likely the game one starter.

Wimbush is a transfer from Notre Dame, and while he has the athleticism to make plays when things break down, he is not a consistent thrower. Teams may prey on this fact and force Wimbush to be them with his arm, which could be an issue for the Knights. They face Stanford early in the season, and that game will tell you a lot about his progress as the thrower. The Cardinals have a solid secondary including potential high draft pick Paulson Adebo.

The Knights are in a position where they don’t have to rely on Wimbush to do everything given their plethora of offensive talent. However, Notre Dame learned that you couldn’t hide your quarterback for very long.

UCF hasn’t lost a regular-season game in two years, so I doubt they want that to end in 2019.

How good can Houston be with Dana Holgorsen?

Dana Holgorsen’s move from West Virginia to Houston was an exciting twist in the coaching cycle. Now all eyes will be on him to see just exactly how good his Cougars can be in 2019.

Holgorsen has a great starting piece in D’Eriq King, who is one of the best quarterbacks in college football. Combine that with Holgorsen offensive scheme, and you’ve got a recipe for fireworks on offense.

Though if the Cougars are going to win more games in 2019, they got to improve their terrible defense.

There have been positive signs in camp with the scheme change with reports that the unit is playing with far more aggression.

If the defense can even get to average, this Houston team could be very dangerous.

Can Boise State replace Alexander Mattison?

The Broncos have high aspirations in 2019 that could including getting to a major bowl game. However, if they’re going even to make it through the Mountain West, they’ll need to replace Alexander Mattison’s elite production. Mattison finished his junior season with over 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns. The next closest running back was Andrew Van Buren with 163 yards.

Boise State is riding a 10-year streak of having a 1000 yard rusher in their backfield, so it’s clear they value running the ball.

There are currently five running back on the roster, so this could end up being a committee. Or perhaps it starts like that and one of them will emerge as the season progresses.

Head coach Bryan Harsin was on the record during fall camp, via Idaho Statesman, saying despite the perceived uncertain at the position, and he likes what they have.

"“We’ve been better when we’ve had a couple of guys (getting the ball) and we’ve had one guy get into a groove,” coach Bryan Harsin said. “… I think we have a guy like that on our team. I just don’t know who it is yet. But you’ve got to want to do that.”"

There is little reason to doubt the Broncos when it comes to producing an effective run game, but with a new quarterback to start 2019 it is needed more than ever.