What to watch for

Being a fan of a new team, or school, can be daunting. If you are looking for sports this fall, look no further. Here's a list of the teams, athletes and games on campus that you can't miss this fall season.

Games to watch:

Football vs. Connecticut, Sept. 28

After losing the 2009 International Bowl to the Huskies, Buffalo has been unable to win any of its three regular season contests with Connecticut. The Bulls will have two full weeks to prepare for this game and it will be Buffalo's last game before conference play begins and a golden opportunity to gain momentum.

Men's Soccer vs. Akron, Oct. 18

Akron is perennially one of the best teams in the country, and with a conference tournament that only features four teams, every game counts for the men's soccer team. UB coach Stu Riddle has upset the Zips before as the head coach at Western Michigan and this team has the returning talent to take Akron down to the wire. If you watch any soccer games this year, this one is as good as any.

Football vs. Ohio, Nov. 5

In the midst of the Bulls' midseason losing-streak last year, they held a 14-0 lead over then-undefeated Ohio, only to see the lead slowly but surely disappear in the second half. Buffalo and Ohio don't like each other, and you can bet with a roster full of talented seniors, the Bulls will look t_o gain vengeance in a nationally televised game against the Bobcats.

Players to watch

Senior linebacker Khalil Mack

Mack is one of the best players at his position in the country. At the beginning of June, Phil Steele named him a third-team All-American. Mack has the chance to break a significant NCAA all-time record in tackles for loss and has the potential to be selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, depending on his output this season. We are witnessing history with Mack.

Senior forward Javon McCrea

McCrea shined bright at times last season, finishing third in MAC Player of the Year voting, but it will be interesting to see how much better he can be in a new system and with a full season of senior point guard Jarod Oldham.

Senior guard Jarod Oldham

Oldham is coming off a broken wrist that cost him his final 25 games of the season last year. Teamed up with new head coach Bobby Hurley and two established big men in Will Regan and McCrea, Oldham has the potential to become a household name for MAC basketball fans. It is no secret Hurley's offense will be guard orientated - giving Oldham the opportunity to create his final legacy. Expect to see him penetrating the lane, looking to pass and score often. Also, don't be surprised to see him holding some individual hardware come the end of winter.

Story lines

Jeff Quinn and the football team

Not many people approved of Quinn's contract extension last fall, and though his contract is now in place until 2017, this season will tell us everything we need to know about him as UB's head football coach. With one of the best rosters in program history, if the football team doesn't fulfill its expectations, it could be a demoralizing foreshadowing of what's to come in the next few years.

Basketball season

Athletic Director Danny White's decision to fire Reggie Witherspoon drew fury, but his decision to hire Bobby Hurley brought praise. Now, fans can't stop counting down the days until they see which was more deserved. If Hurley can't take this talented group to the promise land this year, it could be one of the biggest disappointments in UB sports history.

Bobby Hurley new basketball head coach

Hurley performed his first trick just days on the job, getting top recruit Shannon Evans to recommit after Witherspoon's firing. Many expect Hurley to expand Buffalo's recruiting, bringing in top talent from all over the country, as he can provide the opportunity for players to learn from one of college basketball's greatest players. For this season, Hurley searches to tap into the potential of Oldham and sophomore guard Jarryn Skeete. You can guarantee a more up-tempo and guard-orientated game plan under Hurley, and it will be interesting to see how quickly the entire team can translate the strategy into victories.

Teams to watch

Men's basketball

Even though it is the first year on the job for Hurley, there is still pressure to win this season. McCrea is undoubtedly a top player in the MAC and one the best the program has seen. We may not see another player like him at this university for a long time, so it's important that we see this team succeed as it is built to in McCrea's final season.

Men's soccer

This team hasn't been far off the past two seasons. Two years ago, the Bulls made it to the MAC Tournament, and last season, they suffered from a freakishly long goal-less drought. But new head coach Stu Riddle has a reputation for turning around MAC programs, and he has a goal-scoring pedigree himself. Look for Riddle to lead the Bulls back to the MAC Tournament and make some noise this year.

Baseball

'They have Division I baseball at Buffalo?' Yes, we do, and the squad had arguably the most successful 2012-13 season of any team on campus. Consistent winning, however, is something rarely achieved in Western New York, so let's see if this program can break the trend. Buffalo will lose the reigning Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, Jason Kanzler, but return virtually the rest of its starting lineup and pitching staff. This year is Buffalo's best opportunity to cement itself atop the MAC in consecutive seasons.

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