9 CFB Teams That Need to Start the 2012 Season Hot to Jump-Start Recruiting

The 2012 college football season is set to begin in only two weeks, folks. I'm excited, as I know you are. This should be another outstanding and fun-filled season, and it is also going to be more interesting because we all know that a playoff is coming in only a few more years.

Some teams face the daunting task of making up ground on the recruiting trail, and the best way to do that in the season is to get hot. Reeling off a chunk of wins and getting hot will make recruits take notice.

Once recruits take notice and get interested in your program, then your recruiting will be jump-started so you can catch up with your rivals. Here are nine programs that need to see this scenario happen.

9. Kansas State

The Wildcats will begin the season inside the Top 25 of the polls, but their recruiting is not going so well for 2013. Bill Snyder's program has just six pledges, and none are from any highly touted 4-star or 5-star prospects.

K-State showed last year that it has what it takes to get hot, shocking many en route to a 10-win season. The Wildcats will need to do that again to help salvage their 2013 recruiting efforts. 

8. Missouri

Last cycle, Mizzou appeared in a few different top-25 recruiting rankings thanks to the signing of WR Dorial Green-Beckham, the nation's No. 1 recruit for 2012.

This year, 247Sports.com has the Tigers outside the top 25 class rankings, but a good start could see them creep inside the party.

With DGB now catching passes for Gary Pinkel and James Franklin getting healthy, look for Missouri to try to start the season hot to not only prepare for SEC play but also boost its 2013 recruiting momentum.

7. Michigan State

The Spartans are a team that I do expect to start the season off hot and be in contention for the Big Ten title. Right now they have just 11 commitments, so their quantity is lacking.

With that said, they still boast solid quality, especially when you start with LB Jon Reschke and QB Damion Terry. A good start to the season will see them pick up more quality prospects and could get them inside the top-25 recruiting rankings next February.

6. Pittsburgh

The Panthers are playing to win over two key prospects this year: OT Dorian Johnson and WR Robert Foster. Both are from the Keystone State, and Pitt has a good chance to land both of them.

However, the Panthers must not start the season with too many losses because this could turn off the two talented recruits. Paul Chryst is in his first year at Pitt, and he's already facing some recruiting pressure.

It'll be fascinating to see how Pitt starts the season.

5. Wisconsin

The Badgers have only 13 players committed, but 247Sports.com shows three are at the 4-star clip. That's not too bad considering the fact that Wisconsin isn't a recruiting juggernaut like USC, Alabama or Florida.

I would add that a good start to this season, especially for a team expected to have something to say about who represents the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl, would help ignite more momentum for Bret Bielema's recruiting efforts.

4. California

The Bears had magic working on the recruiting trail last year, but it all fell apart down the stretch pretty quickly. 2013 has seen them get 10 commitments, but only one is a 4-star prospect, per 247Sports.com.

Cal is a bit of an enigma this year on the field, but if Jeff Tedford can get his team gelling, then it can pull of some upsets. A couple upsets will bring the recruiting enthusiasm back, and the magic that was in Berkeley last recruiting cycle could return soon after that.

3. TCU

TCU begins year one as a Big 12 member and is a preseason No. 17 team in the USA Today Coaches' Poll.

247Sports.com has the team's 14-commit recruiting class ranked at No. 34 overall, with three commitments rated as 4-star prospects. The Horned Frogs are looking to have the juice to contend for talent that Texas and Texas A&M usually get with their new Big 12/BCS affiliation.

A hot start to this 2012 season will surely see TCU get the attention of talent around the Lone Star State.

2. Louisville

The Cardinals are looking to make a big jump this year under Charlie Strong. Teddy Bridgewater returns as the starting QB, and he's poised for a big season.

However, 247Sports.com ranks their 2013 recruiting class just 73rd in the country. Louisville, thanks to a good start to the season, should start to see its ranking improve as we move forward.

1. Arizona State

According to 247Sports.com, the Sun Devils and their cool uniforms have just the 64th-best recruiting class in America right now. Todd Graham bolted from Pitt for this job and needs to get going on the trail.

Showcasing his spread offense should help add to his current 10-man recruiting class. Graham needs to recruit well if he is going to catch up with Lane Kiffin, Chip Kelly, David Shaw and Steve Sarkisian.

A great start to the season should help jump-start things in Tempe.

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams: the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects and writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (now ESPN Rise-HS).

A syndicated scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a college football and NFL draft magazine.