Welcome back to Inside Hilltopper Sports' annual C-USA Football Preview! If you are new to the series, each year, we put together a countdown of each C-USA squad; we start with [who we presume will be] #14 and work our way up to the #1 C-USA preseason team.

Enough chit chat. Let's get to business.

The Charlotte 49ers kick things off...

Record: 1-11

Wins: UAB

Losses: Eastern Michigan, Kansas State, North Carolina A&T (FCS), Georgia State, FIU, Marshall, WKU, ODU, MTSU, Southern Miss., FAU

It has not been pretty for the Charlotte 49ers. Under the direction of Brad Lambert, the program joined C-USA in 2015. In their three seasons with the conference, Charlotte is 7-29 and averaging a season of, about, 2.3-9.6. 2017 was the worst season, yet, as the the 49ers went 1-11. Their sole win came against UAB on October 21, 2017 at Jerry Richardson Stadium: 25-24 in OT.

Quarterback

Hasaan Klugh returns for his senior campaign after starting the past two seasons. However, nothing is ever certain, especially with a new offensive coordinator. In December 2017, Brad Lambert named Youngstown State Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Shane Montgomery OC/QB coach with Charlotte. Montgomery aims to install a pro-style offense: a change from the spread that allowed dual-threat Klugh to rush for 532 yards and 9 touchdowns. In addition, Evan Shirreffs - a Miami (FL) transfer - could possibly nab the starting gig.

Overall, the 49ers need efficiency out of their quarterback. Since 2016, Klugh has averaged a 50.2% completion rate, 1,440 passing yards per season, 5.75 yards per pass, 10 passing touchdowns, 8 interceptions, and 17.5 sacks. This is not to marginalize Klugh's impressive run game since 2016: 479 rushing yards per season, 4.35 yards per carry, and 8.5 rushing touchdowns.

Running Back

Benny LeMay returns after leading the 49ers run game in 2017. LeMay rushed for 732 yards, averaged 5.3 yards per carry, and 2 touchdowns. Aaron McAllister, likewise, returns after rushing 458 yards and averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and 2 touchdowns. The team rushed for a total of 1,995 yards, averaged 4.7 yards per carry, accumulated 13 touchdowns, and averaged 166.3 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Klugh accounted for 9/13 or 69.0% of the rushing touchdowns.

Calvin Camp - a redshirt freshman - can provide some depth behind LeMay and McAllister. Camp displayed a spark and potential during the 49ers spring game: rushing for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The run game should be solid - or, at the very least, consistent - behind three interior starters.There is definitely some big-play potential; however, the run game has yet to bring enough pop to energize the offense.

Receivers

As OC/QB Coach Montgomery installs a new offensive style, one could expect more downfield passing. Only time will tell if there is more production.

The 49ers return 2 of their 3 top receivers from 2017: [slot] Mark Quattlebaum and [wideout] Workpeh Kofa. Quattlebaum accumulated 31 receptions, 343 receiving yards, 11.1 yards per catch, and 1 touchdown. Kofa had 25 receptions, 338 receiving yards, 13.5 yards per catch, and 1 touchdown.

Considering the recruiting class and transfers - like Tyler Ringwood - the new guys will have to make an instant impact. Otherwise, the receiving corps will fall flat and underwhelm in the new system.

Offensive Line

As previously mentioned, the 49ers return three interior starters: including all-star guard Nate Davis. The experience is there, but the o-line must create some lanes for bigger runs.

Keys to the Offense in 2018

1. Convert on third down

The 49ers struggled to keep the chains moving in 2017. Charlotte finished dead last in converting 26% of its 3rd downs. Yikes.

2. Efficiency out of QB

Whoever the starting quarterback, they must be efficient in the new offensive scheme. A 50% completion rate is not going to cut it.

3. Leaders & Playmakers

LeMay, McAllister, Quattlebaum, Kofa, etc. can play. There is no doubt. However, there was little pizazz. New recruits and transfers need to light a fire underneath the upperclassmen and make it a daily competition. Consistent leaders and playmakers must emerge.

Just as the offense picked up a new OC, defense picked up a new defensive coordinator. Oklahoma State assistant Glenn Spencer takes over and will, likely, implement a 4-3 scheme.

Secondary

Safety Ben DeLuca is one of Charlotte's best players. DeLuca totaled 102 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 0.5 sacks, 6 pass breakups, 1 quarterback hurry, 3 fumble recoveries, and 5 forced fumbles. Corner Quinton Jordan and safety Ed Rolle, also, return. Jordan accounted for 48 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 5 pass breakups. Rolle accounted for 46 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery.

However, their efforts in 2017 did not redeem a secondary that needed to do a lot more.

Simply put, there were not enough breakups...not enough third down stops...and they allowed a conference-worst 249 passing yards per game. In addition, the entire defense only had 2 interceptions: one came from the secondary.

Yes, the secondary should be better in 2018. However, any more injuries and a lackadaisical effort could put the secondary right back where they were in 2017.

Linebackers

DC Spencer inherits the likes of outside linebackers Juwan Foggie and Tyriq Harris, as well as inside linebackers Jeff Gemmell and Anthony Butler. The 4 combined for 22 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 1 interception, 7 pass breakups, 12 quarterback hurries, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 forced fumbles.

Considering the 1-11 record, an offense that couldn't move the chains, and a secondary that felt non-existent, the linebackers were definitely a positive.

Overall, the linebackers did a good job at preventing big run plays.

Defensive Line

Speaking of running plays, Charlotte's defense allowed 205.8 rushing yards per game: third-worst in the conference. In addition, the defense only generated 11 sacks: 3 of which came from the defensive line. More specifically, those 3 sacks solely came from Zach Duncan. On the year, Duncan totaled 38 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 4 quarterback hurries, and 1 forced fumble. Big man, Timmy Horne (311 lbs.), also returns. In 2017, Horne posted 16 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 quarterback hurries.

Although the 3-4 defense allowed for some more exotic blitzes, Spencer's 4-3 defense will add more size up front.

Keys to the Defense in 2018

1. Improve against the pass

It is a no-brainer that allowing 249 passing yards and ranking dead-last in the conference is not sufficient. The issue is that Charlotte was allowing big games out of [some] average quarterbacks. 7 times, the 49ers' secondary allowed a quarterback to make at least 71% of his passes.

2. Continue success at linebacker

If Charlotte's secondary and defensive line can improve, while maintaining at linebacker, the defense could make a solid turnaround.

On the rare occasions that Charlotte scored or set up a scoring chance, the kickers could not capitalize. Between 3 kickers, the 49ers went 4-13 and had 2 blocked kicks. They, additionally, missed 3 PATs.

Charlotte will have a new punter and return men in 2018. There is no telling which direction special teams will go.

Lambert is the only coach that Charlotte has ever known. He has been there since the program's first, true season in 2013. With a new athletic director, Lambert knows that improvement must be made...and must be made sooner rather than later (cue in the two new coordinators).

Unfortunately, Charlotte's schedule leaves no margin for error. If the 49ers cannot defeat Fordham, Game 1, and come out with a couple of upsets, then it will be an ugly season.

Hey, miracles have happened before.

There is more experience, more depth, a few more points should be scored, and the defense will be able to keep the 49ers in most games.

September 1 vs. Fordham
September 8 vs. App. State
September 15 vs. ODU
September 22 @ UMass
September 29 @ UAB
October 13 vs. WKU
October 20 @ MTSU
October 27 vs. Southern Miss
November 3 @ Tennessee
November 10 @ Marshall
November 17 vs FIU
November 24 @ FAU

Projected Record: 1-11 with the potential for an upset or two
Projected Wins: Fordham