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Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Cincinnati

Cincinnati's hire of Tommy Tuberville didn't work out. Tubs went 29-22 in four seasons at Cincinnati, and a 4-8 record in 2016 was the final straw.

The Bearcats made a solid hire in Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell, but it could take some time to reverse the downward trend. Trips to Michigan, Navy and South Florida won't help.

Predicted record: 4-8

Connecticut

You can't go home again. Or can you? UConn is about to find out with Randy Edsall. He led the best period in Husky history, taking them from the FCS to the Fiesta Bowl in his final season and winning 74 games in 12 seasons. But after going 22-34 at Maryland, he was a surprising choice to replace Bob Diaco.

UConn had the nation's worst scoring offense last fall, and Edsall won't be able to fix it right away, especially with nonconference games against Boston College, Virginia and Missouri.

Predicted record: 3-9

Florida Atlantic

After a 3-9 season, Florida Atlantic made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason by hiring controversial Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin.

Kiffin will garner plenty of attention for the Owls, but will that translate into wins immediately? We'll see.

Former Florida State quarterback De'Andre Johnson will run the offense, and with 18 returning starters overall, FAU should be improved.

Predicted record: 7-5

Florida International

Following a 4-8 record in 2016, Florida International took a chance on 65-year-old Butch Davis.

Davis had great success at Miami before jumping to the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, but this return to south Florida could be different.

FIU returns 15 starters but plays three of its first four games (Central Florida, Indiana and Rice) on the road. The Golden Panthers also travel to Florida Atlantic but host Western Kentucky to close the season.

Here's guessing Davis will find the sledding a lot tougher across town.

Predicted record: 3-9

Fresno State

Tim DeRuyter had a steady decline at Fresno State, going from 11-2 in 2013 to 1-7 before being fired in 2016. The answer? Former Cal coach Jeff Tedford.

Tedford won 10 games in 2004 and 2006 at Cal but steadily declined and had losing records in two of his final three years, including a 3-9 mark in 2012.

He understands Fresno State after spending five seasons there as an assistant coach (four as offensive coordinator), but trips to Alabama and Washington in September, as well as later-season jaunts to San Diego State and Wyoming, could make his first year tough.

Predicted record: 3-9

Georgia State

Georgia State is something of a sleeping giant. The Panthers have a great location in Atlanta and a fertile recruiting ground. But coach Trent Miles never got it going and was fired after going 9-38 in four seasons.

South Carolina offensive line coach Shawn Elliott was a solid hire given his ties to the region. But the Sun Belt is an improving league, and making inroads will take time.

Predicted record: 4-8