College Football's Top 10 Stories from the Offseason

Besides the NFL draft, there's a dead period in college football once the season ends in early January. 

Luckily for college football fanatics, this offseason hasn't lacked headlines. 

With some big names changing places in the coaching ranks, and a few stars returning for another year of action, 2012 figures to be an exciting season. 

Let's take a look at the top 10 stories of the offseason. 

Urban Meyer to Ohio State

So much for Urban Meyer's retirement. 

The man who won two titles with the Florida Gators resigned after the 2010 season, citing health and family reasons. After working as a game analyst for ESPN for a good portion of the 2011 season, he decided to take his talents to Columbus. 

Following the dismissal of Jim Tressel, Meyer is the one coach who may actually outperform his predecessor. Meyer boasts a 104-23 record during his 10-year coaching career. 

His reputation led to some immediate boosts in recruiting which should help the Buckeyes get back to their winning ways. 

It also doesn't hurt inheriting Braxton Miller, a dual-threat quarterback who should be an ideal fit for Meyer's spread offense. 

While Meyer hasn't always avoided controversy, his coaching abilities are among the best.

Joe Paterno's Death

For more than half a century, Joe Paterno was Penn State University. 

Joe Pa arrived in State College, Pa., in 1950 as an assistant coach before taking over as head coach in 1966. 

Throughout his 46-year tenure, he produced more than 33 first-round picks, including Courtney Brown and LaVar Arrington, the top two picks in 2000. 

Despite a legendary career, Paterno's exit from the program came at the hands of a truly disturbing case involving his former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. While the backlash from Penn State fans spoke volumes about their allegiance to Paterno, the media began to question what knowledge he had of Sandusky's alleged crimes. 

As if his abrupt dismissal didn't rock the college football world enough, Paterno passed away on Jan. 22 from complications related to his lung cancer. 

Former New England Patriots' offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien was hired to take over the program, but it'll be impossible to truly replace Paterno. 

Firing of Bobby Petrino

For the second time in his career, Bobby Petrino made a shameful exit from football. 

The coach who once quit out on the Atlanta Falcons was shown the door in April after a lengthy list of off-field transgressions. 

According to the ESPN report, Petrino had multiple chances to come clean about his misdeeds, which included unfairly hiring his mistress, yet it's Petrino who's left without a job. 

The end of the Petrino era at Arkansas overshadows his impressive four-year run as head coach. During his time with the Razorbacks, he compiled a 34-17 record with two bowl victories. 

Despite a solid on-field coaching career, Petrino's decision-making skills have left a lot to be desired. 

Greg Schiano Bolts to the NFL

After spending the last 11 years turning around the Rutgers University program, Greg Schiano is trying to be the rare college coach who finds success in the NFL. 

When Schiano took over the Rutgers program in 2001, it was a laughing stock. By the end of his reign, the program had enjoyed six winning seasons in the last seven years. 

Schiano's no-nonsense approach helped foster the success of future NFL stars like Ray Rice, Kenny Britt and Devin McCourty. 

As the new coach of Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Schiano inherits a team with a franchise quarterback in Josh Freeman and a young, but talented defense. With a strong draft and the development of former first-rounders Adrian Clayborn and Gerald McCoy, Schiano stands a good chance of finding success at the NFL level. 

Matt Barkley Returns to USC

For much of his life, Matt Barkley has been the best. 

In foregoing the 2012 NFL draft, Southern California's star quarterback made one thing clear: He wants to win a national championship. 

The 6'2", 220-pounder could have been a top-10 pick in April, but the former 5-star recruit will have to wait another year to hear his name called at Radio City Music Hall. 

With two dynamic receivers in Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, Barkley may even improve on an already impressive junior campaign.

After throwing 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2010, the projected first-round pick posted a 39:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2011. 

USC has a history of quarterbacks announcing their decision to turn pro.

Luckily, the Trojan nation will get another year with Barkley. 

Ronald Powell Tears ACL

Though he hasn't lived up to the expectations as the top recruit of the 2010 class, losing Ronald Powell is a huge loss for the Florida Gators.

The hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker largely underwhelmed during his first two years in Gainesville, posting only seven sacks in 25 career appearances. However, the 6'4", 250-pound junior reportedly showed tremendous improvement during spring practice and was expected to become a major force in 2012. 

Unfortunately for the Gators, Powell tore his ACL in his left knee during the team's spring game and will miss four to six months. 

Even if he returns, it's hard to imagine he'll be at full strength. 

With rising defensive tackle Dominique Easley working his way back from a torn ACL suffered at the end of the 2011 season, Florida's defense may be without two of its top stars in the fall. 

Charlie Weis Leaves Florida for Kansas

With a big name and an even bigger gut, Charlie Weis sure captures a lot of attention. 

His arrival in Gainesville last year was expected to provide a big boost to an underachieving offense, but Weis' presence didn't do much besides take up room on the sidelines. 

It wasn't the first time Weis failed to live up to big expectations as the former offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots flamed out quickly as the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. 

Despite a nondescript year at Florida, the University of Kansas signed Weis to a five-year contract with more than $10 million guaranteed. 

Along with his buyout from Notre Dame, Weis is set to take home millions in 2012 and beyond, assuming he does better than he did for the Fighting Irish. 

Mike Leach Returns to Coaching

One of college football's most innovative play-callers spent the last two seasons away from the game. 

However, by taking over the dismal Washington State program, Mike Leach is back. 

The former Texas Tech head coach enjoyed a brilliant decade of success before he was fired on Dec. 30, 2009, amidst alleged inappropriate treatment of one of his players. 

With Leach gone, the Red Raiders lost the coach who went 84-43 with five bowl game victories and five Associated Press Top 25 finishes. 

While he was out of the coaching spotlight, Leach worked as an analyst on CBS College Sports Network and wrote two books, according to a USA Today article. 

Although he inherits a much less talented Washington State program, Leach has already installed his signature spread offense and hopes to improve on a last-place finish in the Pac-12's North Division. 

USC Back in Title Contention

After a two-year postseason ban and other sanctions, the Southern California football program is back in business. 

The Trojans run as a perennial contender took a hit in 2010 after an NCAA investigation into improper benefits for former star running back Reggie Bush and basketball player O.J. Mayo resulted in some harsh penalties. 

Along with the postseason ban, USC was given four years' probation, a loss of 30 scholarships over three years and was forced to vacate its 2005 BCS National Championship. 

With the postseason ban over, the Trojans finally have a chance to compete for a national title. 

Led by star quarterback Matt Barkley and budding receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, the Trojans enter 2012 as the team to beat, according to ESPN's "College Football Live" rankings. 

Possible Playoff System

What the fans want, the fans may just get. 

After years of debate, there have been significant developments to implement a playoff system in college football. 

It comes with no surprise the SEC, the toughest and most talented conference, is at the forefront of the proposed system. 

According to the Associated Press, SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said, "If we're going to go to a four-team playoff, which I anticipate we are, it needs to be, and the fans would expect us to provide, the best four teams in the country." 

The SEC has won six consecutive BCS National Championship titles, and implementing a top-four playoff system would give the league an excellent chance to have two teams in the race. 

While the other conferences aren't as keen on the SEC's proposed plan, the fact that there's movement to change the current system is a good sign.