We kickoff our annual CUSA Football Preview with the Charlotte 49ers. Before I get this started, I would like to take a quote from a previous piece ("What they are saying about WKU Football"):

Predictions are not gospel...but they are fun.

Record: 4-8

Wins: Elon, FAU, Marshall, Southern Mississippi

Losses: Louisville, Eastern Michigan, Temple, Old Dominion, FIU, Rice, Middle Tennessee, UTSA

In 2016, Charlotte lost to two teams - FIU and Rice - by 1 point. Just 1 point. Had they won those games, the 49ers would have been 6-6 and bowl eligible. Even against a strong Middle Tennessee squad, Charlotte only lost by 7. To put it into perspective, in 2015, Charlotte went 0-8 in conference: losing by an average of 21.25 points. In 2016, Charlotte went 3-5 in conference and lost by an average of 12.6 points.

Were they great? No. But should fans feel a sense of pride and look forward to upcoming seasons? Yes.

Rome wasn't built in a day.

OFFENSE

Quarterback Hasaan Klugh could have a breakout season after 7 starts and playing in 11/12 games. Klugh went 120-224 for 1,356 yards and 10 touchdowns. The dual-threat quarterback also ran for 426 yards and 8 touchdowns. Klugh was just the man the 49ers needed after quarterback Kevin Olsen - brother of Carolina Panther Greg Olsen - could not get the job done. In Klugh's first start, he led the 49ers to their first-ever CUSA win against FAU.

Klugh certainly has some experienced targets, including wide receivers T.L. Ford II and Workpeh Kofa. In 2016, Ford II had 36 receptions for 430 yards and 4 touchdowns; Kofa had 27 receptions for 329 yards and 5 touchdowns. Returning after a redshirt season (due to injury), wide receiver Trent Bostick could add some speed and athleticism to the perimeter. If Klugh can improve accuracy, maintain his rushing ability, and continue building relations with his receiving corps, the Klugh/Ford II/Kofa/Bostick crew could cause issues for any defense.

With the departure of Kalif Phillips to the big leagues (907 net rushing yards, 4 touchdowns, 242 receiving yards, and 1 receiving touchdown in 2016), Benny LeMay and Robert Washington will have big shoes to fill. Washington had a solid freshman campaign with 489 net rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns; he is poised to have a great 2017. LeMay accumulated 175 net rushing yards.

The offensive line will be led by tackle Chris Brown, Honorable mention guard Nate Davis, as well as three others who say starts in 2016. However, 3 starters departed after 2016.

DEFENSE

One of the main questions heading into 2017 is "how will the 49ers defense hold up?" In 2016, the 49ers gave up 453 yards per game (#103), allowed 309.8 points per game (#124), and allowed 34.6 points per game (#102). The silver lining was that they allowed 143.4 rushing yards per game (#38). However, after losing Brandon Banks, Tanner Fleming, and Larry Ogunjobi, the defensive line will need some work. Nick Carroll and Randy Suydam will likely start on the ends while Tyler Fain is set to replace Ogunjobi.

At linebacker, Karrington King is on pace to become the 49ers' all-time leading tackler. King heads into 2017 with 205 total tackles from 2014 - 2016. In 2016, King also had 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 pass break ups, 2 pass deflections, and 3 quarterback hurries. King will be joined by returning starter Tyriq Harris (46 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 pass break ups, 2 pass deflections, and 6 quarterback hurries) and Anthony Butler will see an increased role.

The secondary looks to improve after giving up more than 275 passing yards on 8 occasions. Free safety Ben DeLuca had and impressive freshman year with 68 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass break ups, 6 pass deflections, 1 recovered fumble, and 1 forced fumble. Strong safeties will include AJ McDonald (45 total tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss) and Ed Rolle (49 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 3 pass break ups, and 6 pass deflections). Corners will include Robert Cheatem and Marquavis Gibbs.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter Arthur Hart averaged 39.2 yards per attempt. His average is not great, but Hart did put 19 inside of the 20. Last checked, there was a competition for kicker between Kyle Corbett and Virginia Tech transfer Jackson Vansickle. The punt return squad only averaged 2.9 yards per punt return and 19.7 yards per kickoff returns. The 49ers will have to increase their speed and aggressiveness in 2017.

SUMMARY

The offense looks very promising, but the defense still needs a lot of work as well as special teams. The 49ers lost 27 seniors from last season's team; of the 27, 19 were part of the program's first recruiting class. There are simply too many question marks right now. However, that does not mean that things cannot change. It is only a matter of time until [head coach] Brad Lambert's 49ers click and prove the naysayers wrong. I just do not know if it will be this year or the year after...

SCHEDULE & PREDICTION

Sept. 1 @ Eastern Michigan

Sept. 9 @ Kansas State

Sept. 16 vs. NC A&T

Sept. 23 vs. Georgia State

Sept. 30 @ FIU

Oct. 7 vs Marshall

Oct. 14 @ WKU

Oct. 21 vs. UAB

Nov. 4 @ Old Dominion

Nov. 11 vs. Middle Tennessee

Nov. 18 @ Southern Miss

Nov. 25 vs. FAU

Prediction: 3-9 or 4-8 with wins over NC A&T, Georgia State, FAU, and/or FIU.