Five College Football Teams That Could Surprise in 2010

I'm going to be putting together a little two-part series in the next few days starting with "What 5 teams could surprise you in 2010," and I'll follow that with "What 5 teams could disappoint you in 2010." In addition, check out my post spring top 25  at my blog All About Sports which I also featured here at B/R.

North Carolina Tar Heels 

The Tar Heels went 8-5 last season. It was a roller coaster of a year for Butch Davis' bunch who were good enough to beat Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, but bad enough to lose to Virginia at home. Davis isn't in any trouble, but Heel fans are getting a little frustrated, as Virginia Tech keeps winning, Georgia Tech is coming off an ACC Title, and Miami looks improved. It's time for Heels to move forward or get out of the way.

Why they might surprise:

It's the defense, the defense and more defense. All five North Carolina's All-ACC Juniors decided to return for their senior seasons. This is from a defense that ranked sixth in the country last year. DE Robert Quinn is a star in the making. This should be a dominant unit. If they can get any kind of consistency from the offense, which was pretty bad last year, the Heels can challenge the upper echelon of the ACC for a division title. The key will be QB T.J Yates or whomever ends up playing quarterback. The Heels need better production from that position.

Georgia Bulldogs

Last season was considered a disappointment in Athens. The Dawgs finished the season 8-5, but needed late season wins over Georgia Tech and Texas A&M to salvage even that. No one is calling for Coach Mark Richt's head. Like Butch Davis at UNC, Bulldog fans are getting a little restless. There are even whispers that the program is in decline.

Why they might surprise:

The schedule helps a lot this year. Mississippi State replaces LSU, and the non-conference games are Idaho State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Colorado instead of Oklahoma State, Tennessee Tech, and Arizona State. That's at least one more and probably two more wins right there. Also, the defense should improve with the hiring of Todd Grantham from the Dallas Cowboys. The offensive line will be one of the SEC's best, and of course, playmaking WR A.J. Green is back. In addition, the SEC East doesn't look very daunting. Even Florida has question marks. There are quarterback issues to be sorted out, but with a few breaks, this team can win 10 games and contend for a SEC East title.

Iowa Hawkeyes

The Hawkeyes were one of the most physical teams in the country last year; just ask Penn State and Georgia Tech. They started the year 9-0, and finished the season 11-2 and an Orange Bowl win.

Why they might surprise:

Iowa will probably open the season in the top 10, so a good season is not unexpected. What might be is a national title game appearance and Big 10 title. Iowa is my early sleeper pick to get there to the title game. The defense should again be one of the best in the country. QB Ricky Stanzi is back, and the Hawkeyes didn't lose a game he finished last year. All of Iowa's toughest games are at home. Penn St., Ohio St, and Wisconsin all come to Kinnick Stadium. If Iowa finishes the season in the top 50 in offense and scoring they are an 11-1 or 12-0 team.

Stanford Cardinal

Jim Harbaugh is building something special at Stanford. In 2009 the Cardinal went 8-5, including a 55-21 massacre of the USC Trojans. That's two out of the last three years Stanford has beaten the mighty Trojans.

Why they might surprise:

Was the 8 win season a fluke? I don't think so. Even with the loss of Toby Gerhart, the Cardinal may be able to contend for a Pac-10 title. USC is in transition without Pete Carroll at the controls. Who knows what to expect from new coach Lane Kiffin. Oregon has had a mess of off-season issues, and Oregon St. has to break in a new QB. Stanford returns QB Andrew Luck and plenty of offensive talent. Harbaugh has changed the attitude at Stanford and if the 90th ranked defense from last year can improve, the Cardinal could have a special season.

Baylor Bears

2009 was supposed to be the year the Bears broke through, and finally get to a bowl game. QB Robert Griffin got hurt and the season went south. A 3-1 start turned into a 4-8 finish.

Why they might surprise:

First, Griffin may be the most exciting player in college football in 2010. He's as versatile a quarterback as there is in the nation. If he 100 percent healed from last year's ACL injury, the Baylor offense becomes very dangerous. The defense won't even be great, but we aren't talking about winning a national title. The Bears are just trying to get to a bowl game. Baylor opens up with Sam Houston St, Buffalo, at TCU, at Rice, then Kansas. A 4-1 start would give the Bears that opportunity to get the six wins they need. It's not out of the question, but Griffin has to be healthy for this to happen.