College Football Recruiting 2013: The 50 Most Attractive Destinations

There are many different factors that influence a recruit's decision about which college to attend.

This list breaks them down, and ranks each destination based on five categories:

1. Campus: This takes into consideration several different factors, including hot spots, location and aesthetic positives.

2. Coach: It's pretty self-explanatory, ranking a coach based on his performance and impact on the program.

3. History of Success: Factors include titles, both on a national and conference level, recent BCS games and conference wins, and win totals.

4. Co-eds: This explains itself.

5. NFL Pedigree and Access: How many former players does a team have in the NFL? How good are they? Does the team have a record of quality NFL players?

Each category was awarded points on a scale of 1-5, five being excellent and 1 being not so hot.

50 schools are ranked, in order of accumulated points, from lowest score total to highest.

Cincinnati

Cool Campus: 1

Hot spots on campus? Activity after 11? Not much here. Most students use their own transportation or the campus transit to go into Cincinnati to the hot-pots, leaving the campus less than hopping in the evening.

Great Coach: 2

Let's be honest. Butch Jones was the beneficiary of starpower on his offense in the Bearcats' run to the top of the Big East in 2011. This season is a tipping point, and how his team performs after losing Isaiah Pead and Zach Collaros will determine how long he hangs around.

History of Success: 1

The Bearcats do claim 11 conference titles in their history, but since they have been around since 1885, that's a sad number.

Co-eds: 4

You may think that Cinci is not a hot-spot for cute coeds. You would be wrong. as mentioned above, you just won't find them on campus.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 2

The Bearcats currently have 17 former players in the NFL. Those include Brent Celek, the underrated tight end of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Total: 10

UConn

Cool Campus: 3.5

The facilities on campus are great, and Storrs is a solid little college town. New England is beautiful, and Connecticut and underrated state as far as scenery goes.

Great Coach: 2

Paul Pasqualoni may not have been the best choice to replace Randy Edsall. However, let's give him a few more seasons.

History of Success: 2

For a program that is in it's FBS infancy, the Huskies have enjoyed moderate success, including a BCS bowl appearance.

Co-eds: 2

Connecticut is not known for being a hotbed of hotties. if I have been misinformed or fooled, somebody please let me know.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 1

The man, the myth, the legend, Dan Orlovsky. That's right, Orlovsky went to UConn. learn something new every day, don't you?

Total: 10.5

Texas Tech

Cool Campus: 3

Lubbock is a great college town, but that can be a double-edged sword. The school spirit and support is incredible, but other than the campus, there is not really a whole lot in town. The beautiful campus brings this score up a notch or two, so the situation is not totally lost.

Great Coach: 2

Tommy Tuberville is no Nick Saban or Chip Kelly, but he seems to be making headway in Lubbock. With a winning season or two competing near the top of the Big 12, he would vault up the rankings.

History of Success: 2

The Red Raiders seem to consistently fall under the shadow of their Texas rivals, Texas, Texas A&M and TCU. At least they aren't Baylor.

Co-eds: 3

For some reason, it seems that Tech is just a step behind it's Texas brethren in this department.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 2

Tech had only eleven guys on rosters in 2011. That said, two of them are pretty high-impact guys, Michael Crabtree and Wes Welker.

Total: 12

Missouri

Cool Campus: 4

History is important. Missouri has plenty of that on campus, along with a great place to hang out in the tower of Memorial Union. The beautiful remains of six pillars that were part of Academic Hall are a part of the scenery. Why is this so special? The building was destroyed by fire in 1892.

Great Coach: 3

Gary Pinkel has raised this program to heights which they have never reached. The issues with the law in the past season put a little smear on his name, but if he keeps recruiting guys like James Franklin, Missouri fans will forget easily.

History of Success: 1

No national titles and comparatively few conference titles in recent seasons do not equate to a history of success.

Co-eds: 3

Forgive me, but moving to the SEC does not automatically make your coeds look better.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 2

The Tigers do not have a plethora of guys in the NFL, but they have been breaking new ground in the past few years. Their last two quarterbacks are in the NFL, although not enjoying much success.

Total: 13

Purdue

Cool Campus: 4

The setting is beautiful, and the facilities and faculty very impressive.

Great Coach: 2

The one down side is that the crime seems to be worse in West Lafayette than in most college towns. This could be due to lack of football success, but a link has yet to be found.

Eh, Danny Hope has not been bad, but he has not adequately replaced Joe Tiller, either.

History of Success: 1

The Boilermakers have not enjoyed a whole lot of success in the Big Ten. For a program that has been in existence since 1887, 11 conference titles seems pitiful.

Co-eds: 2

There is a little something to be desired among the female population of Purdue University...what that might be, I will just leave alone, as I value my life.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 4

The Boilers have sent some extremely good defensive ends to the NFL in the past few seasons, and seem to regularly have the kind of talent that fares well in the pros. Throw in Drew Brees, and that pedigree looks pretty dang good.

Total: 13

Kansas State

Cool Campus: 2

The campus is solid, as far as being aesthetically pleasing, but the action on campus leaves a little something to be desired. There are some good places to hang out in Manhattan, but the places to enjoy on campus are limited.

Great Coach: 5

Bill Snyder turned this program around, retired, came back, and took the program to within a hair's-breadth of a BCS game last season. he may be aging, but still knows how to get the job done.

History of Success: 1

The Wildcats won four conference titles before 1934, and one in 2003. While the program is a far cry from the state it was in during the years they were known as "Futility U."

Co-eds: 3

Kansas State pulls in a solid "3" for their coeds. Solid, but not going to blow you away, kinda like the football team.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 2

The Wildcats have had moderate success sending players to the pros. Jordy Nelson is probably the first to come to mind, but Darren Sprole and Josh Freeman are both former Wildcats,as well. Overall, when compared to other schools, the number of players that make it to the NFL is small.

Total : 13

Texas A&M

Cool Campus: 4

"The 12th Man" and "Welcome to Aggieland" leave a lasting impression, and should be enough to convince many recruits to attend A&M. The fact that the campus has a railroad dividing it is pretty cool, while there are plenty of places to have a good time when not, ahem, studying.

Great Coach: 1

Maybe. Kevin Sumlin flourished last season at Houston, and has demonstrated he knows how to find talent. Whether he can accomplish this in an SEC setting remains to be seen.

History of Success: 2

For all the tradition and history surrounding this program, they only claim one national title, back in 1939. It's not likely that a conference or national title is in the near future, either, as the SEC is a brutally difficult conference in which to compete.

Co-eds: 4

They say everything is bigger in Texas, but they lied. The girls at A&M most definitely are not of the large variety.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 2

The Aggies currently have 22 players in the NFL, including Von Miller. However, they have had very little top-flight talent succeed on Sundays in recent seasons. A new coach with a new season could change that, but that remains to be seen.

Total: 13

Boston College

Cool Campus: 5

This campus is incredibly aesthetically pleasing. While the weather can get a bit chilly, the local flavor and great looking campus helps these facilities stand up next to any facility in the country.

Great Coach: 1.5

Give Frank Spaziani some credit. He has not had much talent to work with, but has managed a .500 record in his time with the Eagles.

History of Success: 2

Nothing good in recent memory, but a 13-9 bowl record is pretty solid.

Co-eds: 1

Boston College has co-eds?

NFL Access/Pedigree: 4

Matt Ryan, B.J. Raji and Matt Hasselbeck all went to BC, and all of them have enjoyed at least moderate success at the next level. It's possible to depart BC and make a splash in the NFL.

Total: 13.5

Michigan State

Cool Campus: 4

East Lansing borders the campus, and there are few college towns as beautiful. The campus itself is filled with beautiful scenery, and makes for a great trek across campus.

Great Coach: 3.5

Mark Dantonio has made great strides with this program, to the point where they probably should have had Wisconsin's place in the past two Rose Bowls. Without a conference title, it's difficult to give him   a better grade.

History of Success: 3

The Spartans do have three claimed national titles, although none since 1966. With the recent successes the Spartans have enjoyed, it's no too far-fetched to imagine another one in the future.

Co-eds: 2

You never hear about Michigan State coeds. Why?

NFL Access/Pedigree: 1

The pickings are slim in the NFL for Michigan State right now. There were only thirteen guys on NFL rosters last season. Under Mark Dantonio, I think we will see that number jump significantly, but until it does, the grade remains low.

Total: 13.5

Boise State

Cool Campus: 2

There are some cool places to eat and hang out, such as the Boise Fry Company, but seriously, it's Boise. Good college town, but somewhat limited in party scene. And it's ridiculously cold.

Great Coach: 4.5

The only reason Chris Petersen does not earn top marks is because his wins have come against less then stellar competition. Oh, and he has yet to win anything of note. However, the man can coach, there is no way around that.

History of Success: 3.5

Sure, the program has averaged a ridiculous 13 wins per season since Petersen took over, but still has yet to get to the title game. When given the opportunity against BCS conference opponents, they win.

Coeds: 1.5

No offense to the good people of Boise, but really, did you expect better?

NFL Access/Pedigree: 2.5

There is some work to be done on this front. The Broncos don't carry the cachet going into the NFL that some of the BCS programs have, and for this reason, and possibly the level of college competition, they have fewer players in the NFL then you would expect given their recent success.

Total: 14

West Virginia

Cool Campus: 4

West Virginia's campus is large enough to permit whatever type of college experience you prefer. Partying? Check. Studying? Check. The Student Union, "The Mountain Lair" is a great on-campus place for students to hang out.

Great Coach: 4.5

Dana Holgorsen is an offensive wizard. Returning to the Big 12, he has the opportunity to make a big splash.

History of Success: 1.5

The Mountaineers made steps in the right direction by beating the crap out of Clemson in last season's Orange Bowl, but still have a long way to go to approach the level of other traditional powers in the Big 12.

Coeds: 3

The Mountaineer is the best looking girl on campus. I keed, I keed.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 1

There are just not a whole lot of former Mountaineers wandering around the NFL. Some of the guys on this year's squad and the years to come may reverse this trend, but for the time being, it remains as is.

Total: 14

Southern Miss

Cool Campus: 3.5

If it was good enough for Brett Favre and Jimmy Buffet, Hattiesburg is good enough for me.

Great Coach: 1

Ellis Johnson is yet unproven. Let's leave it at that.

History of Success: 3

Believe it or not, the Golden Eagles won two national title back in the day. They also enjoyed moderate success in C-USA last season, and finished up Houston's unbeaten season with a beat-down in the conference title game. There is potential at this program, but it will take the right coach.

Co-eds: 4

Mississippi has some wonderful girls in the state, and apparently many of them attend USM.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 2.5

USM does not send many guys to the NFL. This entire grade is Brett Favre. Just don't tell anybody...

Total: 14

Virginia

Cool Campus: 4

This one gets high marks for different reasons than other programs. How cool is it to have libraries designed in different ways so students can study in an environment that they find comfortable? Pretty fly. On top of that, Charlottesville is a beautiful city, and the buildings on campus are absolutely stunning.

Great Coach: 3

Mike London has done a great job of beginning the resurrection of a program with tons of potential. There are still strides to be made, but fans have to be happy with the progress.

History of Success: 1

The Cavs are one of the programs on this list that have not enjoyed success in a long time. They have only won three conference titles in their history, and the last was in 1995.

Coeds: 3

All the cute coeds in the state go to Virginia Tech...just kidding.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3

The Cavaliers have sent some solid talent to the pros, including Heath Miller and Matt Schaub. There is still progress to be made, but Mike London has this thing headed the right direction.

Total: 14

Hawaii

Cool Campus: 4.5

It's in Hawai'i, any more questions.

Great Coach: 2.5

Norm Chow is a great hire, and can get this team back to the top of the WAC.

History of Success: 1

This is minimal. The Warriors have won four conference titles, but little else in their history, and their one BCS appearance was a disastrous loss to Georgia.

Co-eds: 4

Definitely the best of the non-contiguous United States.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 2.5

No surprise here, Hawai'i's wide receivers seem to flourish and become solid NFL talent. Not stars, but still solid options.

Total: 14.5

Washington

Cool Campus: 4

Pardon me while I wax a bit poetic. The cherry trees blooming on the Quad at Washington are gorgeous. As a matter of fact, the beautiful vistas of Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains are second to none in the country, and really serve to help brighten the mood in an early morning after a long night.

Great Coach: 3

Still up in the air. Steve Sarkisian, while a solid recruiter, has not seen much success as yet at UW. The 2012 season could be the tipping point. He is .500 in his first three seasons with the Huskies.

History of Success: 3

Unlike many teams on this list, the Huskies have a title in the past quarter century. Of course, they haven't done much since then, but the program does have 15 conference titles. (1916, 1919, 1925, 1936, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 2000)

Co-eds: 3

There is an overabundance of girls perambulating around the Washington campus. That said, the weather keeps people indoors. Of course, if you know where to go, you can find them, but as a casual visitor, it might be difficult.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 2

Recent season have been only minimally good to the Huskies as far as the NFL is concerned. Washington had only 13 guys on NFL rosters in 2011.

Total: 15

N. C. State

Cool Campus: 4

Raleigh has a great social scene, and the college is close enough to take advantage whenever possible. The campus is legit, with great architecture and lay-out.

Great Coach: 3

Tom O'Brien has had his detractors, especially in the wake of letting Russell Wilson go. However, the team is on the upward swing, and O'Brien has done a great job of bringing in solid talent.

History of Success: 1

No national titles and 11 conference titles in over 120 years is not much to brag about.

Co-eds: 4

Don't overlook these ladies just because they are from a state college. There are plenty of beautiful options on campus.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3

It's possible to make good in the NFL out of N.C. State's program. Just ask Philip Rivers. However, it does not happen quite as often as recruits might like to see.

Total: 15

Utah

Cool Campus: 3

It appears that more students live off campus than is usual, which somewhat puts a damper on the party scene. The campus itself is close enough to Salt Lake City that students can easily get into town and enjoy their entertainment of choice.

Great Coach: 4

Kyle Whittingham has done some great things since taking over at Utah. Last season, he coached his team to a respectable showing in their first season as part of a BCS conference, and has them poised for another good run in 2012.

History of Success: 2

The Utes have no national titles, but multiple conference titles, and have moved from a non-automatic qualifying conference to the Pac-12. There is definitely some work to be done here, but things are headed in the right direction.

Co-eds: 3

The options are somewhat limited here, but there are a few highlights. You just have to look for them.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3

20 former players on 2011 NFL rosters is a pretty solid contingent. With the move to the Pac-12, the level of athlete the Utes are able to recruit will get better, as will their NFL connections and prospects.

Total: 15

Stanford

Cool Campus: 4

This is one of the better campuses in the country. Their are plenty of beautiful historic sites, stunning vistas, if that's your thing, and plenty of options for partying.

Great Coach: 2

Still withholding judgment on this one. David Shaw appears to be a great option, but needs more time without Andrew Luck and his cronies along the offensive line to prove he is legit.

History of Success: 2

The Cardinal have two claimed national titles, but neither of them is in the last 70 years. They have enjoyed moderate success in the Pac-12 over the past few seasons, but due to the greatness of recent Oregon squads, have not been able to win the conference.

Co-eds: 3

It's California, how can you go wrong?

NFL Access/Pedigree: 4

The Cardinal have seen a resurgence in the number of NFL players they send to the NFL in recent seasons. Last season, there were 23 of them playing, and in th e2012 draft there will be at least three of them drafter in the first few rounds.

Total: 15

BYU

Cool Campus: 4

Provo is a solid little town. in spite of the fact that some people can't handle the religious atmosphere, i would contend that the positive values and moral beliefs make this place a perfect place to attend school.

Great Coach: 3.5

Bronco Mendenhall has dealt with injury, conference change, and the usual issues coaches must deal with, and still fielded a very credible threat to win ten games. The man deserves some props.

History of Success: 3

One national title automatically pulls a middle of the pack score in this category, coupled with 23 conference titles.

Coeds: 3.5

You might think that due to the religious affiliations with the school, there is a shortage of good-looking coeds. You would be wrong.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 1

This is rough, the Cougars just don't send a ton of talent to the NFL. Whether that is a lack of potential, or lack of the desire, it just doesn't happen much.

Total: 15

Oklahoma State

Cool Campus: 3

When you have a booster for the program such as T.Boone Pickens, it's no surprise that all facilities are state of the art. Stillwater is not exactly a hotbed of activity, but can be a great spot for a college student actually focused on graduating.

Great Coach: 4

If only for his famous rant, Mike Gundy earns a high mark. The man does a great job of recruiting to his system and implementing players into it. Even after Dana Holgorsen departed for West Virginia, Gundy has kept the ball rolling.

History of Success: 2

The Cowboys have a solid 12-8 bowl record, and have won nine conference titles in their history. Even with their recent conference title and BCS bowl appearance, they still remain lightyears behind Oklahoma when it comes to tradition.

Coeds: 3.5

Underrated beauties roam this campus, but so do some, shall we say, less than "perfect 10's".

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3

The Cowboys have limited amounts of former players currently on NFL rosters. Of course, the greatest running back of all time had a great career at OSU and did big things in Detroit.

Total: 15.5

North Carolina

Cool Campus: 5

Chapel Hill is a beautiful college town, and this 700-acre campus fits in perfectly. The Old Well is one of the highlights of a beautiful campus, and the landscaping and foliage is second to none.

Great Coach: 1

It's easy, really, the man has no experience at this level. Sure, Larry Fedora enjoyed moderate success at Southern Miss, but the ACC is a far cry from C-USA, and it remains to be seen whether he will be unsuccessful.

History of Success: 2

The Tar Heels have never won a national title. This is not unusual among FBS teams, but it does put a dent in this grade. The reason they pulled a "2", is their conference titles. UNC has nine in it's history.

Co-eds: 4

Anything south of the Mason-Dixon Line is automatically a 3-plus.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 4

While you may no think of the program as a hotbed of NFL talent, the number of players currently in the League belies that belief. The Tar Heels have 30 former players who were on NFL rosters in 2011, including two guys who played for the Super Bowl Champion Giants.

Total: 16

UCLA

Cool Campus: 5

There are few campuses that approach the beauty of UCLA's. Sculptures, gardens, beautiful architecture are all highlights of this incredible facility. It's location in Southern Cal mean that some of the prime party spots in the country are located within a short drive.

Great Coach: 1

Not so much. Jim L. Mora has not yet had a chance to improve the situation at UCLA, so we reserve judgment.

History of Success: 2

For all the talent floating around SoCal, UCLA cannot gain traction and make noise on a national level. The bruins have only one a single national title, but have 17 Pac-12 titles.

Co-eds: 5

I'm sorry, did you really have to ask about this? Once again, location, location, location.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3

The Bruins have some talent on NFL rosters, but the pickings have been somewhat slim in recent seasons. Maurice Jones-Drew being the notable exception, and one should never forget the indomitable punter, Chris Kluwe. Gotta love that name.

Total: 16

Ole Miss

Cool Campus: 5

The Grove takes this one, hands down. It's a top ten tailgating location. Throw in the beautiful Greek architecture in some of the buildings, and we have a great-looking campus.

Great Coach: 1

Hugh Freeze has his work cut out for him. This program has enjoyed next to no success for quite some time.

History of Success: 2

The Rebels claim three national titles, which is more than most schools. However, none of them has taken place since 1962.

Co-eds: 5

Ole Miss is one of those schools that is known for it's coeds. Socially available recruits will find the sea full of plenty of fish.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3

Even the worst team in the SEC has multiple players in the NFL. Current standouts include Mike Wallace of the Steelers and Patrick Willis of the 49ers.

Total: 16

Iowa

Cool Campus: 4.5

Simply put, the campus is great, but the distance from civilization brings this score down a tad. Add the visitor's pink locker rooms, and you get a full extra point.

Great Coach: 3.5

Kirk Ferentz has seemed to have some discipline issues, but he's loyal, and knows how to get the most out of his players. While recruiting could get better, Iowa City is a difficult sell.

History of Success: 1.5

The Hawkeyes have won 11 conference titles in their history, with one claimed national title back in 1958. Right now, pickings are slim, and Kirk Ferentz has his hands full trying to turn this thing around to the point where they compete on a national level.

Co-eds: 2.5

I don't know if it is the team's color scheme, or just my eyesight, but they really don't look that great.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 4

Any program that has more than 30 guys on NFL rosters is doing something right. The pro-style offense that Ferentz runs seems to be conducive to success at the next level.

Total: 16

USF

Cool Campus: 4.5

This is a no-brainer. Who cares about the campus, though the weather is great and proximity to all kinds of attractions make it even better. It's in South Florida. Where people go to get away from everywhere else in the country on vacation.

Great Coach: 2.5

Skip Holtz took over a young program two years ago and has helped it make significant strides. While they are not a major power by any stretch of the imagination, Holtz has shown the ability to coach his team to big wins, and there is a wealth of talent in South Florida.

History of Success: 1

It's been only a decade since this program joined the FBS, and they have enjoyed limited success. For a team that came from the lower tiers of college football, they have to be happy with the progress, but have a long way to go.

Co-eds: 5

It's South Florida. Enough said.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3

The number of South Florida Bulls that make it onto an NFL roster is increasing. There is still a long way for this program to go, but they are headed the right direction.

Total: 16

Wisconsin

Cool Campus: 5

Madison is a beautiful city, and this campus has some great scenery to enjoy. on top of that, it's consistently rated one of the top party schools in the country. The party scene on State Street is legendary.

Great Coach: 3

Bret Bielema took over for the legendary Barry Alvarez, the man that turned this program around. He has enjoyed great success, winning consecutive Big Ten titles, and boasting one of the best records in the conference during his time at UW. That said, he has yet to win a BCS bowl game, and has a losing record in the post-season.

History of Success: 3

The Badgers have no claimed national titles, but do have conference titles in each of the past two seasons. This program seems to be trending upward.

Co-eds: 2

There are plenty of beautiful people floating around the UW-Madison campus. The problem is finding them when the temperatures are below zero. Yes, I said below zero.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 4

The Badgers run a pro-style offense, in which NFL scouts love to see guys operate. They currently have 22 players on NFL rosters, including nine offensive linemen/tight ends.

Total: 17

Georgia Tech

Cool Campus: 4

It's different, that's for sure. That's what earns Tech this mark. The campus is smack in the middle of Atlanta, which opens up a world of opportunity socially, and yet, when on campus, it's easy to forget how close the city is due to the nice community feel.

Great Coach: 3.5

Paul Johnson can make his system work. He led Navy to nearly unprecedented success, and has had Tech on the cusp of ACC greatness a few times. If he can keep the program out of trouble with the NCAA, he can do work.

History of Success: 3.5

Four national titles means points in this category. The most recent was over 20 years ago, but the fact that they have four is still pretty impressive.

Co-eds: 3

Never really been impressed. Not extremely disgusting, but not overly impressive, either.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3

Tech is pretty average when it comes to NFL talent and connections. There are no really big names that blow you away. Oh wait, yes there are. Calvin (Megatron) Johnson attended Tech.

Total: 17

Clemson

Cool Campus: 4

The campus itself is beautiful, but the perfect college town that is Clemson, South Carolina adds extra cachet to Clemson's rep. There are plenty of spots to hang out near the campus, and if students want a night out, Greenville is a short drive away.

Great Coach: 3

Dabo Swinney took his team to the ACC title game and an Orange Bowl berth last season. it remains to be seen whether he can fill the holes left by departing talent and return them to a place atop the ACC.

History of Success: 2

The Tigers have never had a Heisman winner, but did win a national title back in 1981. They have enjoyed pretty solid success in the ACC, winning 14 conference titles as a member of the conference.

Co-eds: 5

Seriously? You have to ask? This is one campus that is replete with plenty of options.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3

Two-thirds of the guys in the NFL that played at Clemson played a defensive position.

Obviously, there have been some tremendous players to come out of the program in recent years, especially on that side of the ball. in the next few seasons, given the crop of offensive talent, expect these numbers to start to even out a bit.

Total: 17

Cal

Cool Campus: 3.5

This campus is one of the more visually stunning in the country. The San Fransisco Bay can be seen from campus, and Berkley is a beautiful town. There are plenty of great places to hang out in the city, and the campus is visually stunning.

Great Coach: 3

Jeff Tedford has had more success in his ten years at Cal than you might think. in ten seasons, he has a winning percentage of .622.

History of Success: 3.5

The Golden Bears have a solid number of national titles. As a matter of fact, they boast five. While it has been a very long time since their last one, ti's still a solid selling point for recruits.

Coeds: 3.5

While not quite on par with their counterparts in the southern part of the state, these coeds are not to be overlooked.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3.5

Guys like DeSeasn Jackson, Jahvid Best and Nnmadhi Asomugha are all former Golden Bears, and Tedford seems to come up with NFL talent every season.

Total: 17

South Carolina

Cool Campus: 4.5

This venerable campus is one of the more beautiful in the South. Throw in the great social scene in Columbia, as well as the short drive to other college towns of Charleston and Charlotte, N.C., and you have plenty of opportunities for a good time.

Great Coach: 4

Steve Spurrier has championship credentials, swagger and the ability to get his guys to play ball. It's been a huge project at SC, but Spurrier has been up to the task thus far.

History of Success: .5

To be fair, the Gamecocks have enjoyed moderate success since the arrival of Steve Spurrier. That said, only one conference title in history is pretty rough.

Coeds: 5

South Carolina girls are second to none. Too bad the same cannot be said for the football team.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3

This number is getting better since Spurrier took over. The level of talent the Gamecocks have fielded has improved, and in turn, this has led to more guys making it at the next level.

Total: 17

Penn State

Cool Campus: 3

The campus is not bad, other than the eyesore that is Beaver Stadium, and places to hang out off College Ave. such as Cafe 210 and Indigo make up for a lack of options on campus.

Great Coach: 2.5

Bill O'Brien has a huge job ahead of himself, trying to repair the damage done by the Sandusky controversy. He seems to be the type of guy to turn things around, but we will have to wait a few seasons to be sure.

History of Success: 3.5

The Nittany Lions claim two national titles, and have won the conference three times since joining the Big Ten. Lately, they have struggled to match-up with the conferences elite teams.

Co-eds: 3

There are co-eds at State? Just kidding. Seriously, where are they?

NFL Access/Pedigree: 5

PSU routinely sends a large contingent of players to the NFL. Of course, not all of them succeed, but when you consider that they have more guys currently on the roster then programs such as LSU and Notre Dame, the program's ability to send guys to the NFL has obviously been underrated. At least, it's not talked about enough. Does it surprise anybody that their are currently nine linebackers that played at PSU on NFL rosters?

Total: 17

Pitt

Cool Campus: 5

The architecture on this campus is stunning. The building pictured is the Cathedral of Learning. Absolutely gorgeous. The location in Pittsburgh means there are plenty of things to do for students in off time.

Great Coach: 2

Paul Chryst is perfect for Pitt. He ran one of the most balanced, potent offenses at Wisconsin, and is a great football mind. if he proves to be a great recruiter, and can balance that offense with some defense, Pitt will be a force.

History of Success: 5

There are few programs in the country that can boast more than the nine national titles that Pitt can claim. That said, eight of them were in 1937 or earlier.

Coeds: 2.5

Not that great, although it could be much worse.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3

Most notably, Larry Fitzgerald came from Pitt, so there have been some inroads made into the NFL world from Pitt. However, it seems as if their cachet is not what it was half a century or more ago.

Total: 17.5

Arkansas

Cool Campus: 3.5

Old Main Lawn and the Greek Theater are solid hang-out spots on campus, but the nightlife in town leaves something to be desired for those that are under 21.

Great Coach: 3.5

Bobby Petrino, for all his loyalty issues, has made some progress at Arkansas. His offense is one of the best in the conference, and in any other conference, the Razorbacks would be conference champs.

History of Success: 3

The Hogs have a national title on their resume, along with multiple SEC titles. Recently, their performance in the conference has fallen short of only Alabama and LSU.

Coeds: 4

The girls in Fayatteville are great, but not quite on par with the ladies in SoCal or at other SEC schools.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3.5

Felix Jones, Ryan Mallett and Darren McFadden are all former Hogs, and have all made names for themselves in the NFL. The talent bobby Petrino has brought in in recent seasons leads me to believe we will see more great talent from the Razorbacks head to the next level very soon.

Total: 17.5

Florida

Cool Campus: 3

The Swamp is insane, and this campus is located in Florida. The size of the campus and number of students can be a detriment at times, but there are few campuses in the country that have as much to offer.

Great Coach: 2.5

Will Muschamp has had a tough start to his Florida tenure. Last season, it seemed nearly impossible to find a quarterback that could make the offense go, in spite of a stout defense. it will be interesting to see how the offense performs in the absence of former offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis.

History of Success: 3.5

The Gators boast three national titles, all of them over the course of the past 25 seasons, and two of them in the past five. Without Urban Meyer, things have not been quite as smooth, but with the level of talent available in the state, and a great recruiter, it won't be long before they are back atop the college football universe.

Coeds: 5

It's Florida, and nothing compares to that except SoCal.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 4

There are a plethora of stars from Florida perambulating around the NFL on Sundays. The talent level at the school is off the charts, and recruits can expect to get all kinds of looks from NFL scouts.

Total: 18

Virginia Tech

Cool Campus: 5

The duckpond is great, Blacksburg is a hot college town, and Hokie Stone is so incredibly unique that it helps bring up this score. The Hokies are set up well with a beautiful campus.

Great Coach: 4

Frank Beamer is an incredible coach, and has sustained that success for longer than his players in 2012 have been alive. While that national title has been incredibly elusive, there is no team that has demonstrated as much consistency as Beamer's squad.

History of Success: 2

In the regular season, the Hokies regularly post double digit win totals. However, in post-season play, they are a paltry 9-14, with only seven conference titles.

Coeds: 3.5

There are some beautiful girls on this campus, and there are some not so beautiful. The slight advantage goes to the better looking group.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3.5

There are some successful former Hokies in the NFL ranks, most notably Michael Vick. With the wealth of talent that can be find in Virginia, it's surprising that more Hokies have not made their way to the next level.

Total: 18

Oregon

Cool Campus: 3

Oregon students prefer to spend their leisure time off campus, usually at places nearby. However, the facilities are great, with beautiful buildings that can be seen whenever it's not pouring rain.

Great Coach: 4

I love Chip Kelly, especially since his gimmick offense finally beat a competitor from another power conference. The man can recruit, make adjustments, and knows how to win. What's not to love?

History of Success: 3

This is improving, at least in recent seasons. The Ducks have had no Heisman winners and only 4 All-Americans in their history. However, of their ten conference titles, five of them have been in the last decade.

Co-eds: 5

Just because this school is in the frigid, wet northwest does not mean the coeds are less than attractive. Quite the contrary, Oregon girls can compete with the best of them.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 3

In recent season, things seem to have gotten better for Oregon players trying to make an impact in the NFL. They do not have as many players in the pros as other programs on this list, but with guys such as LaMichael James looking to knock down the doors, the prospects are going to get better.

Total: 18

Nebraska

Cool Campus: 3.5

Nebraska is another "dry" campus, so all of the partying has to take place off-campus. The campus itself is second to none, but Lincoln is not the greatest place to live as a college student.

Great Coach: 3

I like Bo Pelini, but what has he won? He has done a great job of recruiting great talent, but until that translates to success in a major way, his score stays down.

History of Success: 4.5

The Huskers claim five national titles, and have won a whopping 43 conference titles. The transition to the Big Ten last season was rough, but they will add to that total in the near future.

Co-eds: 4

Contrary to popular belief and the whole "corn-fed" stereotypes, There are some good-looking ladies wandering around Lincoln, Nebraska.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 4

Ever hear of a guy named Suh? Vanden Bosch? Amukamara? All in the NFL, all attended Nebraska, and every one of them is an impact player at their position.

Total: 19

Florida State

Cool Campus: 4

Forget the campus, the stadium itself is ridiculous. It's the largest brick building in the U.S., and is incredibly imposing. And what other campus in the country allows a guy to hurl a flaming spear inside the stadium?

Great Coach: 3

Jimbo Fisher has continued the successful recruiting tradition at FSU, and routinely brings in incredible talent. Of Course, that recruiting has yet to pay off on the field, so Jimbo sits at a "3".

History of Success: 3

Two national title, the most recent in 1999 earn them this grade. Of course, Jimbo Fisher has yet to do a whole lot with the program, but there is still hope.

Co-eds: 5

Much has been made about Jen Sterger. however, she is not alone in the pantheon of great-looking individuals at FSU

NFL Access/Pedigree: 4

The Seminoles routinely send players to the NFL, and boasted a large contingent of 31 on rosters in 2011. Like many of the southern schools, they have an incredible amount of NFL ready talent, and scouts love to see the athleticism.

Total: 19

USC

Cool Campus: 1

USC gets such a low grade mainly due to location. Like all cities, Los Angeles has its least desirable parts and the campus is near one.

Great Coach: 3.5

Lane Kiffin is one of the most abrasive, annoying coaches in today's game, but he sure knows how to recruit. If he can lead the Trojans to a Pac-12 title and BCS berth in their first season back from post-season ban, he will earn an even better score.

History of Success: 5

Eleven national titles, six Heisman winners and more Rose Bowl appearances then any team in the country earn the Trojans a high mark.

Co-eds: 5

It's SoCal, that's all.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 5

54. That's how many former players the Trojans had on NFL rosters in 2011. Ridiculous. With the talent level and system the Trojans have in place, recruits should expect to get all kinds of attention from NFL talent evaluators.

Total: 19.5

TCU

Cool Campus: 4

Location is key here, as is size. They campus is not overly large, but very well-designed and close to Ft. Worth, which has just about any type of entertainment a college student can ask for.

Great Coach: 5

No doubt. Gary Patterson is loyal, can recruit, and wins big games. There are few better coaches in the country.

History of Success: 3.5

The Horned Frogs have enjoyed great success as an "underdog". Let's see how they do in a "traditional power conference." Toss in the 2011 Rose Bowl win, and you have a pretty attractive destination.

Co-eds: 5

TCU is second to none in this department. The young ladies at this campus can stand toe-to-toe with the ladies of the SEC and emerge on top.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 2

This is the spot where the Horned Frogs need to improve. With the recent talent they have produced and the move to the Big 12, this will improve rapidly.

Total: 19.5

LSU

Cool Campus: 3

While not as picturesque as other campuses on this list, the LSU campus has a charm all it's own. Students are not big fans of the parking situation, however.

Great Coach: 4

Check this one off the list. For all Les Miles' foibles and time-management issues, there is still no denying he is one of the greatest coaches roaming the sidelines today. The reason he loses a point is for his refusal to make the necessary adjustments in the BCS title game to even give his team a chance.

History of Success: 3

It seems as if the Tigers have won more national title than they actually have. LSU has three, 1958, 2003 and 2007. Throw in 14 SEC titles, and it's pretty obvious that the program knows how to win.

Co-eds: 5

Let's be honest, it's tough to go wrong here. It's officially against the law in Louisiana to be below an "8".

NFL Access/Pedigree: 4.5

LSU routinely send a major contingent to the NFL. Guys such as Joseph Addai, Dwayne Bowe and Patrick Peterson have recently made some major noise in the NFL, and the program has demonstrated that it recruits the best athletes in the country.

Total: 19.5

Notre Dame

Cool Campus: 5

This campus is gorgeous. The style of the buildings on campus is unique, and the tradition in which the campus is steeped is second to none. "The Grotto" is one of the most beautiful sights to be found on any college campus in the country.

Great Coach: 3

This still remains in question. Kelly was able to get Cincinnati to a BCS game, but has struggled at Notre Dame. Of course, he gets a 5 for his ability to throw a tantrum.

History of Success: 4

The Irish claim 11 national titles(1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988) and seven Heisman winners. The only reason the program does not get a perfect score is because of those eleven titles, none of them is in the last 20 years. For a recruit expecting to win, this can be detrimental.

Co-eds: 3

The ratio is killing me. There are 5.4 males on campus to every 4.6 females. not enough to go around.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 5

You don't need to know a whole lot about this category, except for the fact that Joe Montana is one of the players from ND that thrived in the NFL. Check out this list of players that have gone on to the NFL. As for recent success, there are 30 former Irish playing on Sundays, including the indomitable Tom Zbikowski.

Total: 20

Georgia

Cool Campus: 5

Athens is a great college town, with plenty of local flavor to enjoy when in pursuit of great sustenance or entertainment. The campus is beautiful, with great walkways, if walking is something that does it for you.

Great Coach: 3.5

Mark Richt is too up and down to be much higher than this. Richt is a great recruiter, and the bulldogs are consistently stacked with talent, but that has not always translated to success on the field.

History of Success: 3

It's been 30 years since the Dawgs won a national title, but it's tough to come out of the SEC unscathed. Two national titles and 11 SEC titles are enough to earn this score.

Coeds: 5

Schools in the south are known for their beautiful coeds. Georgia is head and shoulders above the rest of them.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 4

For a testimonial to the opportunities available to Georgia guys in the NFL, look no further than Champ Bailey and Matthew Stafford. Bailey has been around the league forever, and was an impact cornerback for a very long time. Stafford has been a key piece in the Lions' resurgence.

Total: 20.5

Texas

Cool Campus: 5

There are few campuses in the nation that can match this one, and the nightlife around town is phenomenal. It can get a little warm at times, but who cares?

Great Coach: 3

Yes, that's right, a "3". It's time for Mack Brown to step up. The only time he has had any sort of success is when riding on the coattails of an All-American quarterback.

History of Success: 4

There are very few teams that have won more than 20 conference titles in their history, but Texas is one of them. Throw in three national titles, including one in the last decade, and the 'Horns get a great score in this category.

Co-eds: 4

As has already been mentioned, while many things are larger in Texas, the woman are not.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 5

Whether they win while at Texas or not, it seems as if former 'Horns move on to bigger and better things consistently in the NFL. There were 38 on rosters in 2011, and once this crop of young players matures, many of them will be NFL ready, as well.

Total: 21

Miami

Cool Campus: 5

Anywhere this close to South Beach and the Grove deserves top marks.

Great Coach: 3

Al Golden has a tall order taking this program out of the muck in which it is mired and returning them to the top of the college football food chain. Golden has to keep the team out of trouble, and with the talent he has at his disposal will make some noise very soon.

History of Success: 4

The 'Canes have five national titles that they can flaunt to potential recruits, and a plethora of incredible talent and tradition. The recent issues with dirty boosters and such puts a little damper on that rep, but what recruit wouldn't want to help bring the swagger back to the "U'?

Co-eds: 5

Ever been to South Beach? Pit Bull wasn't kidding.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 4

The number of stars that Miami has sent to the NFL is just ridiculous. From Ray Lewis and Devin Hester, to Vince Wilfork and Andre Johnson, there are few programs that produce the level of talent that Miami seems to mass-produce.

Total: 21

Auburn

Cool Campus: 4

The Auburn University campus is a gorgeous facility, with plenty of local hang-outs where students can escape for good food and beverages. If you decide to visit, make sure that the Oyster Bar and Grill is on your to-do list.

Great Coach: 3.5

Gene Chizik has demonstrated the ability to recruit, and win a championship with the best players. The sample size of only a few years for Chizik is too small to call him "great" as yet.

History of Success: 4

Auburn has three claimed national titles, including the 2010 BCS title. They also have staked a claim to seven SEC titles. That pedigree is fantastic, and not many schools can compare to it, but when placed in the shadow of in-state rival Alabama's 14 titles, it loses some of it's luster.

Co-eds: 5

At times, the vitriol spewed from the lips of the Auburn faithful toward 'Bama masks their appearance. However, in a standard setting the young ladies at this fine institution stack up with just about any program in the country.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 5

The Tide may have the advantage in most categories, but this is one where the Tigers have the advantage, at least for now. Auburn had 35 former players on NFL rosters in 2011, and the floodgates have opened in recent years with the level of athlete Gene Chizik has been able to recruit.

Total: 21.5

Michigan

Cool Campus: 5

So I'm a sucker for places where they actually have four seasons. This campus has some great spots to hang out and buildings that have been around since before my grandfather was born. The allure of playing at the largest stadium in the nation might be too good to pass up for many kids.

Great Coach: 3

Check. Year one of the Brady Hoke Project worked out pretty well. The Wolverines came away with a BCS bowl win, and in spite of Denard Robinson's passing issues, the team showed marked improvement.

History of Success: 5

It's been a while since Michigan has been believably relevant on a national scale, but you cannot ignore their storied history. Three Heisman winners, 11 national titles, and a whopping 42 conference titles speak for themselves.

Co-eds: 4

Yes, surprisingly enough, the Wolverines pulled a four in this department, which is the only time they will ever approach the level of an SEC team.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 5

There are few programs that seem to send more guys to the NFL than Michigan. As a matter of fact, there are six guys who played for the Wolverines that were on NFL rosters in 2011 who have Super Bowl rings.

Total: 22

Oklahoma

Cool Campus: 4

The campus itself is a beautiful facility, but loses points for being a "dry" campus. There are plenty of places to party on Campus Corner, however, especially on the weekends.

Great Coach: 4

Coach Stoops has been a force with Oklahoma, dominating the Big 12, and winning one of the seven titles to which the Sooners stake a claim in 2000.

History of Success: 5

Of the 31 awards handed out post-season to Oklahoma players, 19 of them have been under Stoops' watch. The Sooners boast a whopping 43 conference titles, and seven national titles.

Co-eds: 4

Midwestern girls are so underrated, the Oklahoma campus is replete with several of these outstanding beauties.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 5

The Sooners have as many former player making an impact at an extremely high level in the NFL as any school. Adrian Peterson stands out, but guys such as DeMarco Murray and Sam Bradford are repping their program well.

Total: 22

Ohio State

Cool Campus: 3.5

High Street is a great spot to hang out, and the capital of Ohio offers plenty of opportunity to enjoy whatever entertainment you desire. The campus boasts a beautiful setting and although it gets a bit chilly in winter, this campus still earns solid marks.

Great Coach: 5

Without even coaching a down, we can clearly state that urban Meyer is one of the greatest coaches to coach in the last decade. Besides his recruiting acumen, the man has championship experience.

History of Success: 5

The Buckeyes lay a claim to seven national titles, and 34 conference titles to go with seven Heisman winners. They dominated the Big Ten for the entire first decade of the 2000's, and with Urban Meyer taking over, will rise to the top of the conference in short order.

Coeds: 4

Forget the stereotypes about women in the north and midwest, they don't apply here.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 5

The buckeyes send scads of players to the NFL, and many of them enjoy incredible success. Any recruit that joins this program can expect to grow and develop into a legit NFL prospect.

Total: 22.5

Alabama

Cool Campus: 4

The tornadoes that ravaged the city of Tuscaloosa destroyed lives and property with reckless abandon. The place is still a great college town, and there are multiple hang-outs near campus that provide plenty of local flavor. The campus itself is nice, but the atmosphere provided by the town is what makes this place special.

Great Coach: 5

Like him or not, think he is Satan's spawn or not, nick Saban is a great coach.

History of Success: 5

Obviously there was the most recent BCS title, but that is only one of the 14 that the Tide claim, along with 22 SEC titles. When it comes to winning, there is no program in the country that can match 'Bama's history of success.

Co-eds: 4.5

The only reason this is not a "5" is right here.

NFL Access/Pedigree: 4

Of 27 former players that were on NFL rosters in 2011, 17 of them played in the NFL Playoffs last season. The Tide send scads of players to the pros, and many of them enjoy high levels of success.

Total: 22.5