10 College Football Teams That Are One Signing Class Away from BCS Championship

It seems every year there are certain college football programs that have an excellent recruiting class, but can never put anything together and contend for a national championship.

But, the truth of the matter is these teams need to put together at least two to three good recruiting classes to sustain some level of success and truly contend for that all elusive BCS National Championship.

With National Signing Day only two weeks away, there are some teams who are putting together a solid recruiting class for the third straight year.

Here are 10 teams who are one class away from contending for a BCS National Championship and just may have that class this year.

10. Miami

While the Miami Hurricanes may not be a realistic contender for a national championship, particularly with star running back Lamar Miller bolting early to be a first-round draft choice, they have had some impressive recruiting classes in recent years.

The 2009 class was ranked No. 15 according to Rivals.com, led by Miller, they followed that up with a class in 2010 that was No. 16, and even though last year's class only ranked No. 36, the group they have coming in this year is the best they have gotten in some time.

The Hurricanes already have a commitment from the No. 2 running back in the country in 5-star recruit Randy Johnson, and have a class that is currently ranked No. 6.

The Canes are certainly on the rise with this 2012 class.

9. South Carolina

The Ol' Ball Coach just hasn't been able to get over the hump and contend for a national championship since his arrival at South Carolina, but this year Steve Spurrier may just have enough talent to do that.

The Gamecocks have had classes ranked No. 12, 24 and 18 respectively in each of the past three seasons.

After settling for a boatload of 4-star recruits in 2009, Spurrier got his man when he signed Marcus Lattimore in 2010.

Lattimore was a 5-star recruit, the No. 1 running back in the country and the No. 10 player overall, according to Rivals.com.

South Carolina followed that up in 2011 with an even better class, and 2012 will likely be the best of them all.

This class could allow South Carolina to contend with Georgia for the SEC East title and possibly more.

8 Michigan

The Michigan Wolverines have had solid recruiting classes the past three seasons, and 2012 will certainly be the best of them all.

It all started with the 2009 class that was ranked No. 8 in the country. That helped them build a strong foundation.

Former coach Rich Rodriguez followed that up with a No. 20 class in 2010, and Michigan still managed a class that ranked No. 21 in 2011 despite being between coaches.

The 2012 class is certain to finish in the top five.

They have not had a 5-star recruit since 2009, but already have two committed for next season and with what the Wolverines have coming back, this class could put them over the top and in contention for a national championship.

7. Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Sooners had a disappointing 2011, but have a lot coming back and are hoping to stay injury-free in 2012.

They are in line to have another top 10 recruiting class, and that may give them an edge to contend for a national championship.

The 2009 class ranked No. 13, and their biggest class in recent years in 2010 finished No. 7. That class was headlined by wide receiver Kenny Stills and quarterback Blake Bell who will both be entering their third seasons in the program.

The 2011 class was ranked No. 14 and the 2012 class is currently at No. 9, headlined by 5-star recruit and wide receiver Trey Metoyer.

6. Ohio State

The Ohio State Buckeyes had one of their best recruiting classes in 2009 as it ranked No. 3 according to Rivals.com.

There were two 5-star recruits and numerous 4-stars. These players will be entering their fourth year in the program.

The 2010 class was down a little at No. 25, but had talented players on both sides of the ball. The 2011 class finished No. 11, despite not having a coach, and produced many talented freshmen who saw ample playing time last year.

True freshman Braxton Miller was one of the most exciting freshmen in the country and the talented sophomore class will be joined by a 2012 group that currently ranks No. 5.

There are already commitments from two 5-star defensive ends who could see immediate playing time.

Although Ohio State cannot play for a national championship next season, the future is looking bright in Columbus.

5. Florida

The Florida Gators may not even be a preseason Top 25 team, but that does not mean they do not have talent, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

Their 2009 recruiting class ranked No.11 and was headlined by three 5-star recruits. In 2010, the class was No. 2 in all of the land with four 5-star recruits on the defensive side of the ball.

The 2011 class slipped to No. 11 between coaches, but the number of 5-star recruits Florida has signed on defense will certainly help them in the next few years.

There are already two 5-stars committed in a 2012 class that ranks No. 3.

No matter what happens in the preseason rankings, the Gators are building a strong defensive front in Gainesville.

4. Florida State

The Florida State Seminoles have had a Top 10 class in each of the past four seasons and have not been able to live up to the hype.

Fortunately for them, 2012 may just be the year.

The 2009 class for Florida State was ranked No. 7. with a pair of 5-star recruits. They followed that up in 2010 with the No. 10 class and two more defensive 5-star recruits.

In 2011, the Seminoles had the No. 2 class in the country with a lot of talent on both sides of the ball.

This year, the 2012 class is currently ranked No. 7 in the country and is headlined by the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the nation and No. 10 player overall, Jameis Winston.

The Seminoles also have the top two defensive ends in the country in Mario Edwards who is the No. 4 overall player and Dante Fowler Jr. who ranks No. 35.

3. Georgia

The Georgia Bulldogs are a sleeper many have been picking to contend for a national championship due to strong recruiting classes over the past few years.

The 2009 class was ranked No. 6 and headlined by 5-star recruit Branden Smith and quarterback Aaron Murray.

In 2010, the class fell to No. 15, but as usual filled up with talent on the defensive side of the ball. 

The 2011 class was one of the best in the country and ranked No. 5 overall with two 5-star recruits headlining it.

In 2012, Mark Richt once again has a top 20 class that currently ranks No. 19.

A few more big name recruits would be beneficial, but either way, the classes over the past four years are making Georgia a contender for a BCS National Championship.

2 Texas

The Texas Longhorns and Mack Brown are never short on big name recruits. They have had top five classes each of the past four years, and 2012 may be their best yet.

The 2009 class for Texas was rated No. 5 overall and produced three 5-star recruits. In 2010, the class only got better and finished ranked No. 3 overall with two talented 5-stars on the defensive side of the ball.

In 2011, Brown put together another class that finished ranked No. 3 in the country, headlined by the No. 1 running back in the nation and No. 10 overall player in Malcolm Brown.

The 2012 class may be the best yet for Brown. It currently ranks No. 2 overall and is filled with 4- and 5-star talent.

The Longhorns are certainly ready to make some noise in 2012.

1. USC

The USC Trojans may be the early season favorite to unseat the SEC in 2012, and if they do so, it will be because of talented recruiting classes over the past four years.

It all started with the 2009 class that ranked No. 4 overall and was headlined by the No. 5 overall player and No. 1 quarterback in Matt Barkley.

The 2010 class was even better and produced three 5-star receivers and a 5-star running back, including Robert Woods, who has developed into one of the best receivers in the country.

That class was ranked No. 1 overall and in 2011, the Trojans followed that up with the No. 4 overall class, headlined by star receivers including Marquise Lee, who had an impressive true freshman season. 

The class for 2012 only ranks No. 18, but because of scholarship reductions, it is not likely to get into the top 10.

Good thing for USC it doesn't have to be, as the Trojans are poised for a BCS National Championship run in 2012.