5 More College Football Teams and Coaches with a Bunch to Prove in 2011

A few days ago I posted the article "5 College Football Teams and Coaches with the Most to Prove in 2011" on my blog All About Sports.

As I was thinking of my next blog post, I just kept coming back to more teams I think really have something to prove in 2011. Here’s the next five.

6) Clemson Tigers

The Tigers had six players drafted in the 2011 NFL draft—one for each win they had in 2010. This was a team talented enough to have eventual national champion Auburn on the ropes for four quarters and an OT and still lost seven games.

So, after a 6-7 season, and back to back losses in 2009 and 2010 to in-state rival South Carolina, Clemson fans are starting to get a little restless.

Dabo Swinney signed a monster recruiting class. That helped calm things down for now, but even with a new QB in Tajh Boyd, Clemson needs to start playing to their talent level, which arguably is in the top four in the ACC.  

7) Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Cowboys have won 29 games the last years, but when you think of football in the state of Oklahoma are you thinking OU or OSU? Oklahoma State might not be good on defense, but they might be spectacular offensively with QB Brandon Weeden and WR Justin Blackmon back. Coach Mike Gundy has elevated the Cowboys into a consistent winner, but are these guys ready to take the next step and go from good to great?

They lost plenty on defense, but the opportunity is there for a great season. The Cowboys haven't had back to back 10-win seasons since a guy name Barry Sanders was there in the late '80s.

8) USC Trojans

You know who is one of my least favorite coaches in college football? It's Lane Kiffin. He says stupid stuff and he's a secondary violation waiting to happen. He won five games as a NFL coach in two years, and was hardly a home run at Tennessee going 7-6 his first year then spurning the Vols to go to USC.

That being said, Kiffin appears to have done a better job recently of keeping quiet, and I'm ready to see if he can really be a great coach. The Trojans are in the middle of a bowl ban, and reduced scholarships. I don't expect a championship season, but if Kiffin can find a way to win eight or nine, he'll start proving he might be the guy to bring the Trojans back to their glory days.

9) Boise St. Broncos

Why is Boise St. here? Haven't they done enough to prove they are an elite team? Schools like TCU and Boise St. can compete with anyone. Yes, they can, but until they get fair shot at a national title, the proving doesn't stop. Boise St. and their non-BCS brethren need to win as many high profile games against BCS schools as possible.

The Broncos will have a Heisman candidate at QB in Kellen Moore, and should open the season in the top 15. The prove-it game is the first one. They head to the heart of SEC country Atlanta, Georgia to face the Georgia Bulldogs in a prime time nationally televised game. The last time these two hooked up, the Bulldogs ran Boise St. out of Georgia.  

10) Ohio State Buckeyes

You know what the Buckeyes need to prove in 2011? The Buckeye program needs to prove at some point in 2011 that Jim Tressel  is not bigger than Ohio State. I don't know how they should do it, but what they've done to date almost gives the impression they just want to keep winning football games and forget this whole little affair. 

Harsh, I know, but I'm going to start calling Jim Tressel "Teflon Tressel" if he comes out of this with the proverbial slap on the wrist he's gotten so far. A year suspension and half his 2011 salary would be a start in my opinion.