College Football: 50 Reasons Why 2012 Will Exceed the 2011 Season

For those college football diehards, this is the time of the year that can be the most difficult. The NFL draft and spring practice are over and fall practice is still more than two months way. .

That can make for some difficult times, and it can be challenging to find enough football to talk about.

The 2011 college football season was one of the most exciting in recent memory and 2012 will be even better.

Here are 50 reasons why.

50. An Improved ACC

The ACC has been down the past few seasons and part of that is due to the fact that Florida State, among other teams, has not held up their end of the bargain.

In 2012, things will be a little different. While the ACC isn't nearly as talented as the SEC or many of the other BCS Conferences, it will be much better this season.

Everyone knows what to expect from Virginia Tech and Clemson should be improved from last year.

The Seminoles will finally live up to the hype and North Carolina State could be one of the surprise teams in the country.

49. Texas A&M and Missouri in the SEC

As if the SEC couldn't get any better; in 2013 it will be. The conference has added two quality institutions and while they may be middle-of-the-pack in the conference, they are certainly welcome additions.

Texas A&M and Missouri will make things even more interesting in the best conference in college football.

The SEC continues to improve every year.

48. New Rivals

With multiple teams joining new conferences, there are definitely going to be some rivalries that come about.

Many of those could come from TCU, who is joining the Big 12. The Horned Frogs will give the conference another team from Texas and maybe a TCU-Texas rivalry could emerge.

Who will Missouri and Texas A&M learn to hate in the SEC?

47. West Virginia in the Big 12

West Virginia would have certainly won the Big East had they been forced to stay another season, and they may even have the talent to win the Big 12.

This will be their first year in the conference and it will be very interesting to see how they fair against the other explosive offenses in the league.

One thing is certain, there are going to be some competitive, high-scoring Big 12 games in 2012.

46. Illinois Will Finally Get Something Out of Their Talent

Former Toledo head coach Tim Beckman has taken over the head coaching job at Illinois and it is nice to finally know that the Fighting Illini will be getting something out of their talent.

Ron Zook could recruit all the talent in the world, but had trouble coaching that talent. That is not exactly the case for Beckman as he proved at Toledo.

No matter what happens, the college football world is better now that Zook is no longer a part of it.

45. Last Hurrah for Big East

With Syracuse and Pittsburgh now trying to leave the Big East quicker than expected, this could be the final hurrah for what we know as the Big East and it may not be a bad thing. 

Temple is new to the conference and others will be coming, but it may be best for the Big East to just give up their football dreams.

The BCS automatic qualifying status will be up in 2013 and it is unlikely the league will get to retain it unless they make some serious changes.

44. New Kickoff Rules

With the growing danger on kickoffs, college football has made a smart decision and gone in the direction of the NFL by moving the kickoffs to the 35-yard line.

Also, a touchback will place the ball at the 25-yard line instead of the 20-yard line.

This is a great decision for college football and should cut down on the injuries for 2012.

43. An Offense at Alabama

There may be offense in Tuscaloosa this season as the Alabama Crimson Tide have hired former Washington Huskies offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.

He did amazing things at Washington, particularly with the quarterbacks.

Things are certainly looking up on the offensive side of the ball in 2012 and beyond.

42. A Scandal Free Season

The 2011 college football season was marred by one scandal after another and it can't possibly get any worse in 2012.

From the Ohio State saga to Jerry Sandusky to the allegations at Miami, college football had its fair share of dark days last season.

The 2012 year will be much brighter.

41. Boise State vs. Michigan State

What better way to start off the college football season than with a marquee out of conference matchup?

There are plenty of people who want Boise State to knock off Michigan State, but there are many more who root against the Broncos.

This may be one of the best out of conference games the entire season and fans from the BCS Conferences will be rooting heavily against Boise State.

40. Explosive Big 12 Offenses

The Big 12 might not be the best conference in college football, but it is hard to argue with the talent on the offensive side of the ball.

With West Virginia joining the conference and Oklahoma coming back healthy, the Big 12 will be as high scoring as ever.

Throw in Collin Klein and Kansas State along with TCU joining the conference and the offenses in the Big 12 will be fun to watch.

39. More Balance Than 2011

While there were a few good teams last season, only a couple had a chance to play for a national championship. In somewhat of a downer, both SEC teams were taken.

This season there is likely to be more balance as nearly a dozen teams have a shot to play for the BCS National Championship.

We should be in for an exciting year.

38. Return of Collin Klein

Collin Klein is one of the most interesting college football players and has a chance to be a dark horse Heisman contender.

He is the ultimate combination of a quarterback who can do it with his arms or legs.

Last season he was the main reason for the success of Kansas State and it will be interesting to see what he can do in 2012.

37. Legitimate Chance for a National Championship Repeat

Some people may not like a repeat national champion, but there are many others who do and 2012 is as good a chance as ever to have it happen.

There has not been a repeat national champion since the inception of the BCS and the Crimson Tide are looking to become the first.

While the fans in Alabama will certainly be rooting for it, many outside of the state will be rooting hard against it.

Either way it makes for some interesting football.

36. Charlie Weis Is Back

Charlie Weis will try to bring some sustained success and stability to the Kansas program with his quarterback Dayne Crist.

Crist transferred from Notre Dame and will join Weis in Lawrence.

The college football world will certainly be watching in anticipation.

35. Alabama vs. LSU

They played twice last year and hopefully for the sake of college football, they only play once this season.

That game is set for November 3rd in Baton Rouge and is one of the most anticipated games of the college football season.

These are certainly two of the best teams in the country and their matchup will likely be for the SEC West title.

34. Less BCS Controversy

There was a ton of controversy surrounding the BCS last season, particularly with the selection of Alabama over Oklahoma State to play for the national championship.

There was also a little debate about whether or not Virginia Tech deserved to play in the Sugar Bowl.

Hopefully we'll have less of that as this will likely be the last season without some type of a playoff.

33. A Team with a Losing Record Will Not Get a Bowl Game

The UCLA Bruins finished last season 6-7, yet still managed to play in and lose the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl to the 6-6 Illinois Fighting Illini.

That allowed them to finish the season 6-8. No team with that type of record should ever be able to play in a bowl game and it was king of embarrassing. 

Hopefully that does not happen again this season. Chances are it won't.

32. Notre Dame's Return to the National Spotlight

Notre Dame is perhaps the most storied program in the country and when they are winning, college football is much more interesting.

The 2012 season may finally be their return to a BCS bowl game. That is not to say that it is certain to happen, but they may just have the talent this year to get there.

All they need to do is go 10-2 and they are a lock. That could very easily happen.

31. TCU in the Big 12

TCU has finally joined the big time and will be one of the most scrutinized teams in college football next season.

How will they fare playing in a tough conference every week?

They are likely to be a top 20 team, but those seasons of 11 and 12 wins are going to be much harder to come by starting in 2012.

30. Possible Georgia Breakthrough

If anybody can break through and knock off either Alabama or LSU, it is the Georgia Bulldogs.

That might be something the college football world would love to see. Georgia has been getting better every year and this may be their best chance not only to win the SEC, but also a a national championship.

If they can stay healthy, look out for the Bulldogs.

29. Impact Freshmen

There were a few impact freshmen last season, but this year there are going to be some players who will make a big splash for their teams.

Leading the way for those players is Dorial Green-Beckham. He is one of the most complete players to come out in a while and the Missouri wide receiver could have as big an impact as any freshman in recent memory.

Other players who could become household names next season are Maryland receiver Stefon Diggs and Miami cornerback Tracy Howard.

28. No More Kellen Moore

Kellen Moore had one of the most successful careers of any college football quarterback ever. It did however seem like he spent eight years at Boise State.

While I am not glad he is gone, I do think it will be interesting to see how the Broncos fair without him.

Next season will be a big one for Boise State as they try to stay near the top of the college football world.

27. No Lopsided Orange Bowl

The 2012 Orange Bowl was not only one of the most lopsided BCS bowl games of all time, but also one of the biggest blowouts of any bowl game ever.

Clemson simply could not hang with the West Virginia Mountaineers and were dismantled 70-33 in a game that could have been much worse.

Don't expect to see anything like that in 2012.

26. No Bobby Petrino

Bobby Petrino was an excellent college football coach, but he did have some poor qualities. Now that he is no longer at Arkansas, the university and the college football world are much better off.

John L. Smith will take over for Petrino and Arkansas still has enough talent to win the SEC. Petrino knew how to recruit, but the Razorbacks will be fine next season without him.

25. Matt Barkley

Matt Barkley coming back for his senior year was one of college football's biggest surprises at the end of last season.

He will be the best quarterback in the country next season and it won't even be close. In what will sort of be a farewell tour for Barkley, USC will be battling for a national championship.

Watching Barkely compete next season as the front runner for the Heisman will be one of the highlights of the 2012 campaign.

24. Mike Leach at Washington State

Mike Leach is one of the true characters of the college football world and whether people agree or not with how he does things, the man can coach.

He took Texas Tech to new heights and now will attempt to do the same at Washington State.

Things will not be as easy, however, in the great northwest.

23. Florida State Will Live Up to Expectations

Florida State has been a top 10 team to start off the season ever since Jimbo Fisher arrived there and 2012 will be the year they finally live up to expectations.

They are likely to be ranked right around No. 10 and there is too much talent, particularly on the defensive side of the ball for them to disappoint.

Jimbo Fisher will finally do something with all that talent in 2012.

22. Texas Longhorns Will Be Back

Texas has been relatively young for the past few years and while they will still be much younger this year than a lot of teams, they have the talent to win eight or nine games.

Mack Brown has assembled quite a defense and the Longhorns will be a force next season in the Big 12.

That is good for the college football world.

21. More Than Just 2 Teams in the SEC Race

While some people may not believe it, there are more than just two teams who could contend for an SEC title in 2012.

Georgia likely has the best shot to dethrone either LSU or Alabama, but don't sleep on Arkansas even though Bobby Petrino is gone.

A dark horse could be South Carolina. Likely to start the season in the top 15, South Carolina has a chance to turn some heads in the SEC.

20. Rich Rodriguez at Arizona

Rich Rodriguez has found a new home with the Arizona Wildcats and 2012 will be his first year running the show there.

The man who was once regarded as one of the best coaches in college football will get another shot, this time at Arizona.

There are plenty of new coaches in the Pac-12, but Rodriguez is easily the biggest name of the bunch.

19. Coaches on the Hot Seat

As always, there are a few coaches on the hot seat heading into 2012. None more so than Frank Spaziani, who could be on his way out at Boston College.

There is nothing like watching and waiting for college coaches to get fired. It is something that happens every season whether or not they deserve it.

Other names on the hot seat include Derek Dooley at Tennessee, Mike Riley at Oregon State and Tommy Tuberville at Texas Tech.

18. A Crazier Brian Kelly

Brian Kelly is one of the loudest and most abrasive coaches in college football. He is not afraid to yell at an official or even get in the face of a player.

Needless to say that judging by the pattern he is taking, next season will be even more crazier than 2011.

If any coach in college football could get tossed out of a game, Kelly is that guy.

17. More Offense

As if there wasn't enough offense last season, look for even more in 2012, particularly from the Big 12 and the SEC.

The SEC is known as a defensive conference, but teams like Arkansas and Georgia will be able to put some points on the board against the tougher defenses.

Points will be scored at will in Big 12 games, which should make for some fun television.

16. A Healthy Oklahoma Team

No team in college football was decimated more by injuries in 2011 than the Oklahoma Sooners, and that really derailed any chance they had at playing for a national championship.

In 2012, they will have one of the best offenses in the country and should be a fun team to watch as long as they can stay healthy.

The Big 12 race could be one of the best of any conference next season.

15. 7 in a Row for the SEC

The SEC has already won six national championships in a row, why not make it one more?

The eyes of the college football world will be on the big showdown and most will be hoping that the SEC will not make it seven in a row. 

Odds are they will have one team in the BCS National Championship to give them a chance to do so.

14. Return of Injured Running Backs

There were a lot of talented running backs last season who were injured in 2011 that will come back and give their respective teams a boost in 2012.

Knile Davis from Arkansas may be the biggest name, but there's also Marcus Lattimore out of South Carolina and Ray Graham from Pittsburgh.

There are other big-name running backs that will be back next season as well.

13. USC and Oregon Can Play in the Pac-12 Championship

Due to the NCAA sanctions, what could have happened last season didn't as USC was not allowed to play Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship.

This season USC is eligible and all signs are pointing toward a showdown that will pit two of the best five teams in the country for a berth in the BCS National Championship.

These two teams do play in the regular season, but the Pac-12 Championship is likely to be their second contest of the year.

12. B1G Legends Race

The B1G Legends Division is one of the strongest in college football and should be an interesting three-team race to the finish.

Michigan may be the slight favorite, but do not tell that to the MSU fans who are quick to point out their dominance over the Wolverines.

Do not count out the Nebraska Cornhuskers as they are a perennial top 20 team as well.

11. Bill O'Brien at Penn State

After everything that happened last season at Penn State, it will be good to get somewhat of a fresh start in 2012.

The college football world would like to quickly forget about the scandal that took place at Penn State last year and while it will take a lot of time, winning some games next season will help the Nittany Lions.

The 2012 season will be a step toward forgetting what happened last year at the university.

10. More Touches for the Black Mamba

Oregon freshman running back De'Anthony Thomas did get 101 touches last season, 55 on the ground and 46 through the air.

With LaMichael James now gone, expect more touches next season for Thomas.

He is one of the most explosive players in college football, leading the team last year in receiving yards and averaging nearly 11 yards a carry on the ground.

Not many players will be as fun to watch as Thomas next season.

9. Continued Conference Realignment

It seemed for a while that conference realignment was on its way to being over, but that certainly is not the case.

Pittsburgh and Syracuse appear headed to the ACC earlier than expected and Boise State to the Big East is still up in limbo.

8. Michigan vs. Alabama

What better way to start the college football season than with one of the best non-conference games in recent memory?

Michigan and Alabama will do battle at Cowboy Stadium in what should be quite a battle.

There hasn't been many college football games as good as this one to kick off the football season.

7. Notre Dame vs. Navy in Dublin

The game is slated to kick off at 9:00 am, which should help make for a complete day of college football.

What is more intriguing than Notre Dame taking the field in Ireland to battle Navy? College football has started to try and appeal more globally, much like a lot of other sports have done in recent years.

No matter what the score, this will be very entertaining to watch.

6. ACC Transformation

There has been speculation in recent weeks of Miami and possibly others leaving the ACC for greener pastures, though it's being denied (via Miami Herald).

While that would significantly change the college football landscape, it is still a long way away. A lot more will be known after 2012.

It will certainly be a big year for the ACC in many ways.

5. Pac 12 vs. SEC

The four best teams in the country heading into 2012 are likely all from the SEC and Pac-12.

Oregon, USC, LSU and Alabama are as good as it gets in college football, and likely the winner of each conference will have a good shot to play for a national championship.

These two conferences possess two completely different styles of play and would make for quite a National Championship Game.

4. The BCS National Championship Will Have Some Points

With it seems likely that USC, Oregon or some other team outside of the SEC has a shot to play for the national championship, at least we will get to see some points.

Last year was a big yawner as crossing the 50-yard line seemed to be a difficult enough task.

Some points would be nice this year. Nothing can be more boring than what we had to watch last season.

3. USC Is Bowl Eligible and Relevant Again

USC is finally bowl eligible again and what a time for that to happen as they have fielded their best squad in seven years.

The Trojans are likely the best team in the country and one of the odds on favorites to play for the national championship.

They still have work to do, but the Trojans will be a force in 2012.

2. Urban Meyer at Ohio State

Urban Meyer has returned home to Ohio and the Buckeyes could not be happier. Ohio State is not eligible for a bowl game in 2012, but that does not matter much to them. 

The Buckeyes have as bright a future as anybody in college football and Meyer is bringing at lot to Columbus.

The years where Ohio State and Michigan dominate the B1G could be happening again real soon.

1. No All-SEC National Championship

Surely we won't see an all-SEC National Championship Game again in 2012. That would be too much to handle.

Never say never, but the chances of it happening again are very slim. That is great news for the rest of the college football world outside of the conference.

It is also the biggest reason why the 2012 college football season will exceed 2011.