With the season drawing to an end and a lot of awards being given out, I figured I'd list 10 teams that are going to be on the rise next year and 10 that are in decline. Some of these teams have fared well, while others have struggled:
Teams "On the Rise"
1. Cincinnatti Bearcats (10-2) #13
While Brian Kelly was expected to help improve this program, the Bearcats weren't expected to finish 10-2 and claim their first Big East title and a BCS bid. With a senior-laden defense and Quarterback Tony Pike recovering from a broken arm to lead them, the Bearcats have been a pleasant surprise.
2. Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-3) #14
That's right, Mike Gundy is 41, and he's a man. It would appear that benching Bobby Reid has turned out all right for the Cowboys, as they have improved from two 7-6 seasons to 9-3 this year. Their three losses came to the No. 1-, No. 2-, and No. 3-ranked teams (Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma), which is a first in NCAA history. Look for them to play well in '09 as well.
3. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-3) #15
Paul Johnson wasn't expected to do big things with GT, but with the help of his triple option offense, the Yellow Jackets have exploded onto the national scene, trumping mighty rival Georgia last week as well. With a solid recruiting class, the foundation is there. Look for this team to challenge in the ACC for years to come
4. Buffalo Bulls (7-5)
Turner Gill took a former MAC doormat and turned them into a very competitive team that will challenge Ball State for the MAC title this week. Gill has done it the right way and is attracting major attention from BCS programs. Buffalo is definitely on the rise.
5. Ole Miss Rebels (8-4) #25
Who'd have thought Houston Nutt would improve a very mediocre Ole Miss team this much in one year? The Rebels became the first team in NCAA history to defeat the previous two national champions (LSU, Florida) in the same year. Beware the wildcat.
6. Ball State Cardinals (12-0) #12
It's taken Brady Hoke a few years, but with a fearsome offense, the Cardinals look to clinch the MAC title this week and also look to make their mark against a quality opponent in a bowl game. But this won't be a one-year wonder. No, the Cardinals are going to be very good in the coming seasons.
7. Rice Owls (9-3)
Being a Conference USA team, the Owls haven't gotten much attention, but have quietly put up massive numbers on offense and have played strong much of the season. With the team's second bowl game in sight, the future is looking bright for the Rice Owls.
8. Northwestern Wildcats (9-3) #22
Pat Fitzgerald brought youth and enthusiasm back to the Wildcats, and it showed, as they posted nine wins for the first time in many years. No longer will the Wildcats be considered "doormats" or an "easy win" in the Big 10 conference.
9. Alabama Crimson Tide (12-0) #1
13 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Michael McCarthy 7 months ago
It's nice to see Rice get some love (God knows they haven't gotten much in their history), and they had a great season this year, but I wouldn't say they're a team on the rise. Much of their success this year had to do with seniors Chase Clement and Jarret Dillard. They are one of the most successful pitch and catch combos in the history of the game, and when they leave a lot of production on offense will have to be made up for. I do think they are in for better days overall compared with the rest of their history, but I'd look to their crosstown rival Houston for a team on the rise. Kevin Sumlin is a great coach, their quarterback Case Keenum is a sophomore, and just about their entire receiving corps is made up of freshmen (Patrick Edwards, Tyron Carrier, Kierre Johnson, not to mention their top running back Bryce Beall). That's big for a team that throws as much as they do. If their defense can make some improvements, look for big things from UH in the future.
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Jeff Contizano 7 months ago
You bet. I had almost put Houston on this list, they were my honorable mention for sure. I've seen them put up some pretty huge numbers this year so it looks like the future is bright. Thanks for the comment!
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Ryan Thomas 7 months ago
Let me begin by saying GO POKES! Gundy is a man, and we're damn proud of him. Stoops wishes he could be a man. Texas Tech game notwithstanding, the Cowboys had a hell of a season, beating #3 Mizzou in their house, playing #1 Texas at their place two weeks later and taking it right down to the wire, and just this past weekend playing (arguably) the best team in the country heads-up for 4 quarters. Don't let the score (61-41) fool you, it was a much closer game than that.
On another note, few things make me happier than seeing Les Miles get his butt whipped.
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Matt Wright 7 months ago
Don't forget Baylor...as wierd as that sounds......
Robert Griffin has sparked the Bears and they were very competitive all year long, almost upsetting UConn and Texas Tech on the road! Also stomping a horrible Texas A&M team...I look for them to be bowl-bound in a year or two if they momentum continues. Or they could just do the typical Baylor season, but nobody will see them coming, sort of like Vandy this season...can they be consistent? That will be the question.
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Michael McCarthy 7 months ago
You have a point, Matt. My comment about Houston being in the discussion wouldn't be possible if it weren't for the job Art Briles did to resurrect that program. He's an offensive genius, has a very aggressive personality, and knows high school coaches in the state of Texas (and thus is in prime position to recruit). Rebuilding Baylor will be tough in the most brutal division in football, but if anybody can do it, it's Art. I only wish he were still around at UH, where we considered him a god. Also, about Griffin, that dude is the real deal. My best friend was a coach of his at Copperas Cove high school, and he swears up and down about what that kid can do. He's a superb athlete, and showed poise above his years playing quarterback. The future does look bright for Baylor.
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Edgar Antonio Nunez 7 months ago
Jeff, no love for the U? We flirted with a BCS ranking late in the season. Yeah, we got spanked by GT and went flat for the rest of the season, but I think Miami is getting back on the map, even if only in the 20s.
Great article!
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Jeff Contizano 7 months ago
Another one of my honorable mentions! A few weeks ago I thought Miami would be pushing into the top 25 but remember this team is still very young. Great mention and thanks for reading!
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Deke Barron 7 months ago
Anyone who paid attention to Ole Miss knew what kind of turnaround Nutt would provide. He didn't take over a talentless team. Orgeron could recruit with the best, the problem was he was a terrible gameplanner and game manager. Nutt took a bunch of great talent and turned them into a football team.
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Patrick Snow 7 months ago
I can't believe the lack of love for Oregon State!
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Jeff Contizano 7 months ago
I'm a huge OSU fan. But the thing is I knew they would be solid this year! Good point though, they will continue to be on the rise.
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Patrick Snow 7 months ago
I'm not an OSU fan by any idea, but I have been greatly impressed by them. They were a game away from knocking USC off of their Rose bowl perch.
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Jeff Contizano 7 months ago
The funny thing is, they've been the most consistent team in the Pac-10 the last few years behind USC and maybe Cal. They are just way out on the west coast so most east coasters don't see them play.
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Ryan Jelley 7 months ago
Nice List Jeff. I bet West Virginians miss RR alot more now. I know someone who was at the Penn State game and in front of him a Penn State fan was talking to three West Virginia players who were at the game and they were explaining to him that RR must have been really upset during that game because Penn State's D was very susceptible to a mobile QB and that they believed they would have been 6-0 had Rodriguez been at the helm.
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