College football countdown: No. 95 Buffalo Bulls

Sporting News previews the Bulls as we count down our preseason top 100 college football teams leading into the season opener on Sept. 2. Last year: 5-7, 3-5 MAC Buffalo safety Davonte Shannon has 332 tackles over the past three seasons. 2010 projected record: 4-8, 3-5 MAC (5th East) Why we know we're right: Well, because Turner Gill no longer coaches the Bulls. Gill's time at UB marks its football golden age, highlighted by a 2008 MAC championship. And although most of his recruits will play for new coach Jeff Quinn, a former Cincinnati assistant, the Bulls will suffer in the transition. A switch to the spread offense, plus the transfer of 2009 starting quarterback Zach Maynard, will prove too much to overcome. Why we might be wrong: Thanks to some of that leftover talent, the Bulls might boast a better defense than any of the ones from Gill's tenure. Safety Davonte Shannon ranks among the East division's best players, and the move to a 3-4 base defense should le...