2010 College Football Predictions: The 15 Most Unpredictable Teams

What makes college football so attractive?

What is it that makes us yearn for more and never be quite satisfied?

College football is a lot like Thanksgiving, we anticipate every flavor, every morsel is enjoyed, we stuff ourselves full and when it’s over we can barely back away from the table. 

Sated, bloated, and happy, we lie on the couch and moan, miserable but exultant.  And then, about two hours later, we come back ready for more.

It seems we could point to many factors that combine to make college football so alluringly attractive. 

The importance of each game, the pageantry, the tradition, the outside chance that any of the 120 teams that start the season could run the tables and compete for something more.

The forced turnover in personnel, the instability of coaching positions, and the fact that after all the predictions, forecasts and calculated assessments are made we still don’t know what will actually happen when the ball is kicked off.

Unpredictability is the essence of college football.

 Who could have known that the 2009 edition of the Fighting Irish would be 8-2 going into the manageable final four games of their season only to drop consecutive games to Navy, Pitt, UConn and Stanford?

All though the four games were lost by a total margin of only 17 points the writing was on the wall in South Bend, spelling the exit of Weis and the entrance of Cincinnati’s successful Brian Kelly.

Who knew that outspoken Lane Kiffin whose mouth was more unpredictable than his offense would take over at Tennessee after the 2008 season with promises of a new era of Volunteer football only to bolt suddenly from Knoxville for the USC job only hours before national signing day?

Indeed, who could have foretold the fortunes of teams such as Cincinnati, Pitt and Wisconsin who were unranked in the preseason AP/USA Todaypolls but finished 2009 ranked eighth, 15th, and 16th, respectively?

On the flip side, what of the misfortunes of teams with high hopes and preseason acclaim such as Oklahoma (No. 3 preseason), Oklahoma State (No. 10 preseason), Cal (No. 12 preseason) and Georgia (No. 13 preseason) who would all tank and finish completely out of the Top 25?

Who would have predicted that the preseason No. 21 Iowa Hawkeyes would earn a BCS Orange Bowl berth resulting in a victory over Georgia Tech?

And, who could have foretold of a BCS Championship game where Texas’ Colt McCoy was injured in the first quarter only to be replaced by freshman Garrett Gilbert who bravely attempted a stunning upset against the surging Alabama Crimson Tide?

In college football as in life, reality is often weirder than fiction. 

So, which teams will be the most unpredictable in 2010?

Indeed, who is riding that narrow line with success on one side and utter defeat on the other?

It could be the season that turns everything around, or, it could be the rock bottom...

Have we peaked? Have we reached a plateau? Or is it the coach we can’t predict?

Perhaps someone is on the “hot seat.”  That guy has all his players in place now...No more excuses.

Or is it the hopeful promises of a new coach, a new regime.

Perhaps we have a great team, a great coach, and great facilities; but are overmatched in what is a ruthless, heartless schedule.

Or, are we putting all our apples in one cart? Yes, if this one guy gets hurt...we are D O N E.

Regardless of why; college football is wonderfully, beautifully, and provocatively unpredictable. 

Almost every team has an element of unpredictability about it, but this slideshow attempts to identify those that represent the best chance of being fantastically volatile in 2010.

Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish have had three head coaches since Lou Holtz resigned in 1996.  Bob Davie, Tyrone Willingham and Charlie Weis have a combined record of 91-67 netting in a .575 winning percentage.

It is surprising, given the fact that so much negativity surrounds each of the three coach’s tenures in South Bend, that none of the three had a losing record at Notre Dame.

But, each had winning percentages just over .500 which is simply not good enough for a program that has 11 national titles, the second highest winning percentage in history (.734), the fewest losses of all teams with a minimum of 700 games played and the third most wins ever with 837.

Who cares that the Irish haven’t won a national title since 1988 and before that all but three of the other titles were won prior to 1950?

Notre Dame is a program that expects to win now, again next year, and in the future.

Nothing else is acceptable.

So how will Brian Kelly do in the pressure cooker that is South Bend, Indiana?

Can he win, and can he win now? 

Kelly managed immediate success at Grand Valley State and Cincinnati, but it took him two years to right the ship at Central Michigan.

So, will Kelly and company’s refocus on conditioning and his introduction of a tempo disciplined system be enough to not just win games at Notre Dame, but, win a lot of games?

Worst Case Scenario

The new coach and positive thinking are not enough to make up for a defense that finished 86^th overall in 2009 and a quarterback who has thrown a total of 20 passes at Notre Dame.

The Irish win the opener at home vs. Purdue and follow this win with a convincing victory over Michigan and a nail biter at Michigan State.  The Michigan State game was closer than anticipated but seems harmless when it reality it foreshadows deeper issues leading to losses against Stanford, Boston College, Pittsburgh, Navy, Utah and USC.

Notre Dame goes 6-6 and doesn’t go bowling.  Fans are disappointed but don’t call for Kelly’s head. 

NBC, who was initially elated with Kelly’s hiring and the renewed national enthusiasm for Irish football, is crushed and hires Joe Theisman and Joe Montana to cover the 2011 Irish.

Best Case Scenario

The “era of good feelings” in South Bend spills over onto its football team and Brian Kelly is considered a miracle worker.

Dayne Crist picks up Kelly’s system easily and Michael Floyd leads a group of talented receivers who light up the scoreboard with touchdowns and the stats sheets with yards.

The Irish defense rises from the depths of despair and shuts down opposing offenses with relative ease. 

Notre Dame’s only losses are to Pittsburgh and USC.  They go 10-2 and are the darlings of the BCS.

NBC tries to buy-out ESPN to gain coverage of the Sugar Bowl. Their bid is unsuccessful but Dick Enberg sets up in the end zone and attempts to cover the game anyway.  He is carried away by Chris Fowler and Rece Davis who no one can tell apart but support enthusiastically nonetheless.

Cincinnati

The question in South Bend is how will Brian Kelly do at Notre Dame while the question in Cincinnati is what will the Bearcats do without Brian Kelly?

How much of the Bearcats stunning successes over the past three seasons can be accredited directly to Kelly and how much do they stand to lose without him at the helm?

The Bearcats have won 16 regular season games in a row and two consecutive Big East titles.

Besides the new coach, the Bearcats will break in a new starting quarterback (who did play successfully as a backup last season) and new receivers.  Additionally, they still have big questions with a defense that allowed 131 points in the final three games of the 2009 season (including 51 points to Florida in a Sugar Bowl shellacking).

Incoming Bearcat Coach Butch Jones put up together impressive 27-13 run while at Central Michigan.  That said, it is worrying that his defenses at Central Michigan ranked last in the MAC during two of his three seasons there.

Worst Case Scenario

The Bearcats struggle defensively.  Though the offense shows promise and scores a lot of points the defense just can’t keep up.

Cincinnati loses to Fresno State, Oklahoma, South Florida, West Virginia, UConn and Pitt.

The two-time defending Big East Champions finish 6-6 are barely bowl eligible and settle for a disappointing PapaJohns.com bowl.

The city of Cincinnati wearily turns its football attention back to the Bengals where a seemingly omnipotent Marvin Lewis takes a group of (in some cases questionable) individuals and turns them into a team that wins the AFC North and makes a bid for the AFC Championship.

Best Case Scenario

The Bearcats take a step back but only a very small step back.

Butch Jones uses the talent he was left with combined with capable newcomers and makes a run for a third straight Big East title that falls just short.

Cincinnati loses only to Oklahoma, West Virginia and then drops a nail biter vs. Pitt in the season finale to decide the Big East title.

They finish the season 9-3 and play in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando.

Jones takes the Bearcats back to the top of the charts in 2010 and spends several seasons leading Cincinnati to winning campaigns.

After Brian Kelly takes the Fighting Irish to several near misses and then finally a BCS title he returns home to Boston to take over for Bill Belichick as the head coach of the Patriots.

Butch Jones winds up as the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Florida State

Former LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher has the unenviable task of taking over for Bobby Bowden at Florida State.

Bowden, in his 33 year tenure at FSU amassed two national titles, 22 ACC crowns, and 304 victories.

Bowden is indeed a hard act to follow.

But, there are bigger questions in the land of Chief Osceola than that of coaching. 

Fisher, who has been the “coach in waiting” under Bowden since 2007 has to deal with a defense that ranked 108th overall in 2009 and a quarterback (Cristian Ponder) who is coming off a season ending shoulder injuring in 2009.

Will Florida State begin its return to college football dominance in 2010, or, is the revival of Seminole championship football another year off?

 Worst Case Scenario

Christian Ponder just isn’t the same quarterback and then reinjures his right shoulder during the September 11^th meeting with Oklahoma in Norman.  He

returns to play in week three vs. BYU, but, he never seems to return to his prior dominant form.

The Seminole defense proves porous and never truly has a chance to jell against what Phil Steele has deemed the 11^th hardest schedule in 2010.

Losses to Oklahoma, BYU, Miami, North Carolina, Clemson and rival Florida barely allow the Seminoles to manage a .500 schedule and a bowl appearance.

After another less than stellar campaign in 2011 (and rumors of Tommy Bowden being offered the FSU job) Jimbo Fisher begins to recruit defensive talent and has the Seminoles back at the top of the ACC by 2012.

Best Case Scenario

Christian Ponder returns to full speed and regains leadership of an offense returning 90 percent of its starters from 2009. 

The Seminole defense proves better than anyone could have hoped for and under Mark Stoops improves enough to allow the offense on the field long enough to score a massive number of points.

FSU rolls and suffers losses only at Oklahoma, at Miami and vs. Clemson at home.  In a barnburner in Tallahassee in the finale the Seminoles knock off rival Florida with a late score.

The Seminoles win the ACC Atlantic division only to be beaten in the ACC Championship vs. Miami by a missed field goal in the final seconds.  The kick is not Wide Right V or Wide Left II but instead is blocked by the Hurricanes' special teams unit.

South Florida

The Bulls of South Florida didn’t even exist as a football team until only 15 years ago. 

For all 15 years of their lifespan and all 95 wins and 57 losses the program has respectively enjoyed and suffered, Jim Leavitt has been the head coach.

2010 marks the very first year of a different head coach at USF with Skip Holtz taking over the reins in Tampa.

South Florida has made a bowl appearance in each of its five years as a member of the Big East and has gone 3-2 in those postseason games.

The Bulls have made a name for themselves by knocking off top-ranked opponents early and then slowly fizzling as the season came to a close.  After beginning a combined 16-0 in the previous three seasons South Florida has finished these three campaigns with a 7-13 mark.

For 2010, Skip Holtz will start his tenure at USF with a defense that lost a great deal of its talent to the NFL, questions at running game and a quarterback in BJ Daniels (who took over for the injured Matt Grothe early in 2009) who is still maturing.

So, will Holtz turn college football on its ear in 2010 by taking the Bulls to the next level, or, instead will South Florida suffer growing pains and be forced to utter the most dreaded words in all of college football: “maybe next year.”

 Worst Case Scenario

The defense crumbles, there is no effective pass rush and the secondary gets lit up.  Despite good protection by the offensive line quarterback Daniels and the running back corps prove less effective than necessary.

Despite all of this, turnovers drop by half and the penalties and mistakes previously a regular part of Bull football decrease dramatically.

The Bulls have easy wins over Stony Brook, Western Kentucky, Florida Atlanta, Syracuse and edge Louisville and Cincinnati on the road.  Losses are suffered to Florida, West Virginia, Rutgers, Pitt, Miami and UConn resulting in a 6-6 mark for 2010.

The Bulls finish sixth in the Big East and sit out of the postseason for the first time in five seasons.

Skip Holtz begins to recruit the Tampa area with reckless abandon and is successful in drawing in the best local talent.

The 2011 schedule lacks both the very easy and very difficult games allowing the Bulls the first consistent season in recent memory.  The Bulls win nine games and challenge for the Big East title.

Best Case Scenario

The new personnel on defense outperform all expectations and BJ Daniels has a breakout season.

Again, the Bulls win easy over Stony Brook, Western Kentucky, Syracuse and Florida Atlantic.  The games vs. Louisville and Cincinnati are not as close and USF adds hard earned victories against Rutgers and UConn.

USF goes 7-5 in 2010 earning a bid to the Beef O’Brady’s bowl in St. Petersburg.

This is only the beginning of Holtz’s five year successful blitz at USF where he taps the Tampa Bay area’s recruiting talent and manages to make the Bulls the team to beat in the Big East.

But, when Urban Meyer decides to leave Florida will Holtz drop the “S” and move the 140 miles from USF to UF? 

Tennessee

There is a lot of talk about which programs will endure the most change in 2010. 

But, it is difficult to imagine a team that has tolerated more upheaval than have the Tennessee Volunteers since the later part of the 2008 season.

In November of 2008 longtime coach Philip Fulmer announced his resignation effective at the end of the 2008 season.  This led to the very quick announcement that Lane Kiffin would take over for Fulmer at Tennessee. 

Just over a year later Kiffin suddenly departed Knoxville for the USC job sending Tennessee into a frantic search for a new head coach finally landing Louisiana Tech’s Derek Dooley.

That amounts to three head coaches in under 22 months.

How Dooley will fare at Tennessee is a complete unknown.  Despite a fine coaching pedigree his overall record as a head coach is 17-20.  This mark was amassed during his three year stint at Louisiana Tech where he enjoyed but one winning season resulting in a berth and win in the Independence Bowl.

Unfortunately, the Volunteers have more to worry about than the monumental instability at the head coaching position.

Tennessee returns no starters at offensive line, has lost three playmakers on defense, have a new quarterback and despite a bang-up 2010 recruiting class are overall paper thin (at least on paper).

Additionally, per Phil Steele’s dependable rankings, the Volunteers have the 26^th hardest 2010 schedule in the nation.

 Worst Case Scenario

The Volunteers struggle mightily.  Though there is promise in a group of talented recruits and a defense that retains some of its swagger, Tennessee stumbles through a difficult schedule.

Early season losses to Oregon and Florida lead to further defeats at LSU, at Georgia, the Crimson Tide at home and at South Carolina.  The Vols drop one more against Ole Miss but finish relatively strong with wins at Vandy and vs. Kentucky in Knoxville.

When the long season finally comes to a close Tennessee is 5-7 and the Volunteer fans are forlorn.

Derek Dooley gets another shot in 2011 and begins to right the ship in Knoxville.  The 2010 class starts to mature and if Dooley can find a way to recruit Tennessee will be back in the SEC mix.

Best Case Scenario

The Volunteers gain confidence in their season opener vs. Tennessee-Martin and come close to knocking off Oregon in Knoxville.  A loss to the Gators is followed by a big win over UAB and another close loss on the road to LSU. 

The team starts to jell and manages a stunning upset at Georgia followed by a close loss to Alabama. Wins on the road at South Carolina and at Memphis are followed by a home victory vs. Ole Miss. 

The Vols finish strong with wins over Vandy and Kentucky and finish at 8-4 which is considered by many to be a minor miracle.

Tennessee football is back in business and Dooley is successful in recruiting and matures along with his young team.

When 2013 rolls around the Vols make an unbelievable run including a SEC Championship and a trip to the BCS National Championship where they meet Lane Kiffin and his now unbanned Trojans.

The Volunteers find more than the mere “silver lining” in the black clouds of Lane Kiffin’s snubbing and Dooley’s subsequent hiring as Tennessee whips the Trojans in the title game by 27 points.

Texas Tech

Regardless of the positive attitude seething from the well polished Tommy Tuberville, and, despite his talk of “championships” and such; the Red Raider nation is unsettled.

Across the South Plains and to the remote locales of Texas Tech fans across the globe a great football people await the first snap of a new era of Red Raider football.

Mike Leach is the most successful coach in Texas Tech history; he amassed an 84-43 record, 10 straight winning seasons and 10 straight bowl appearances.

But, regardless of the questions swirling about his sudden dismissal, had he taken the Red Raiders as far as he could and what will happen with him off the sidelines?

Indeed, how much did Leach personally have to do with the stunning successes at Tech and what will become of the fan crazed Air Raid offense with his departure?

Will it be boring?

Will Tuberville screw it all up?

Will defense really be revived and will this and the work of Neal Brown on the offensive side of the ball really equal hitherto unseen Championships in dusty Lubbock?

Can Texas Tech sustain its success and have the opportunity to exceed it without Leach and with Tuberville?

All these questions explain why the sales of antacids are up 47 percent in Lubbock and its outlying areas.

All coaching questions aside, Tech will be lead by one of two proven senior quarterbacks, a top notch receiving corps and a proven rusher in Baron Batch.

The defense has showed progress but do they have the quickness needed to run James Willis’ 3-4 alignment? 

Worst Case Scenario

The Texas Tech offense does not flourish as expected under Tuberville and Brown.  Though they are productive and the running game improves, numbers are nowhere near what they had been under Leach.

The defense plays with more physicality but struggles to stop Big 12 offenses.  They give up a lot of points and are paired with an offense that can’t score as many.

Tech beats SMU in the opener and wins at New Mexico but then drops a not so close game to the Longhorns in Lubbock.

A win at Iowa State is followed by an embarrassing loss to Baylor in the Cotton Bowl.  A close win over Oklahoma State is followed by another close win at Colorado.  Losses at Texas A&M, vs. Missouri and at Oklahoma are followed by wins in the two final games of the season vs. Weber State and Houston.

Tech finishes 6-6 representing their worst mark since going 6-6 under Spike Dykes in 1994.

Even though expectations are high and fans are mightily disappointed, Tech remains a patient safe haven for coaches, and, Tuberville and company are around for a much improved 2011 campaign.

Given the chance to recruit and fine tune both offensive and defensive units Tuberville finally takes Texas Tech to the next level where they finally earn a BCS berth in 2013.

Best Case Scenario

Tech’s offense continues to roll under Tuberville and Brown.  They run the ball more and don’t go for it on 4^th down in their own territory, but, theycontinue to dominate and befuddle opposing defenses.

James Willis manages to fire up his first defensive unit at Tech who jell into a formidable squad that confuses Big 12 offenses.

Mistakes, penalties and turnovers are down; conditioning and coats and ties are up.

Tech wins its first two games and then beats a Texas team still trying to deal with their own changes. 

The Texas win fires the Red Raider nation back up and leads to wins over five straight opponents (Iowa State, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Colorado and Texas A&M) before losing a heartbreaker to Mizzou in Lubbock.

This leads up to the monumental meeting with Oklahoma in Norman.  Red Raider fans are on edge considering the 2008 debacle that squashed the dreams of a great people.  2010 though is different as Tuberville and company manage the first Tech victory in Norman during the Bob Stoops era.

A late win over Weber State is capped off by a revenge stomping of the Houston Cougars in the season finale in Jones Stadium.

Tech earns its first spot in the last ever Big 12 Championship where it stuns Bo Pelini’s Cornhusker “black shirt defense” with a 21 point win.

Big 12 Champion Texas Tech is 12-1 and plays in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl for its first ever BCS appearance. 

Tuberville spends the remainder of his storied career on the South Plains where the Red Raiders eventually win three national titles.

A statue of Tommy Tuberville graces the campus at Tech and future generations are blissfully unaware of the tribulations the Red Raider nation of 2009 and 2010 were forced to endure.

USC

Though USC is reeling from NCAA sanctions culminating in four years of probation (including a two-year bowl ban) the Trojans remain hopeful that these infractions and the exit of beloved coach Pete Carroll will not spell substantial steps backwards for a team that has been consistently ranked in the top five.

Lane Kiffin inherits a team with many questions, especially on defense but with loads of talent on both sides of the ball.

But, the bottom line is can Lane Kiffin coach?  We know he can recruit, but, can he win?

The sanctions against USC may actually work to Kiffin’s advantage, since he can’t win a National Title in 2010 or 2011 he won’t be expected to win one.   The pressure to win is still there, but with nowhere to go an antsy Trojan fan base will be willing to wait.

But, how will the sanctions effect recruiting? 

Regardless, it will be fun to watch how Kiffin and company handle their new positions in LA.

Worst Case Scenario

Year one of the Lane Kiffin experiment flops.  Though the Trojans have an abundance of talent the offensive line, secondary and linebacker squads never come together completely.

USC still manages a seven win season and could have been eligible for a bowl game, but, they suffer their worst campaign in 11 years.

Kiffin is given time to bring things together at USC which he does in time for the 2013 schedule.

Best Case Scenario

Even without Carroll at the helm, the Trojans “Fight On” and win all but two games in 2010 (at Oregon State and Notre Dame).

Even without a post season opportunity, USC fans are satisfied with Kiffin and look forward to 2013 and another potential run at a national title.

The question looms as to what will become of Kiffin if he is not successful at USC.  Unfortunately for him the definition of success at USC is quite a bit different than almost anywhere else in the country. 

One thing seems certain though, Kiffin won’t be making any bathroom stops in Knoxville when he and the family is road tripping across the USA.  

Baylor

The Baylor Bears have not been to the postseason in 16 years which means they have never been to a bowl game as members of the Big 12.

In fact, Baylor has only won 14 conference games in the 14-year history of the Big 12.  Baylor is 14-98 (12.5 winning percentage) in Big 12 play since 1996.

Three of these 14 wins (or roughly 20 percent) have come during the two-year tenure of head coach Art Briles.

To say that the Baylor Bears are ready for a breakout season resulting in a .500 or better record and a bowl berth may be one of the biggest understatements in college football.

Despite a punishing offensive line, a solid receiving corps and talent at defensive line the hopes and dreams of Bear fans seem to rest squarely on the shoulders of quarterback Robert Griffin who as a freshman in 2008 amassed 2934 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Griffin and the Bears were hyped as a Big 12 South dark horse coming into 2009 but the fantasies of the Baylor football faithful were not to be when Griffin went down in the third game of the season with an ACL injury.

Though there are questions regarding a defense that was 94th overall in

2009, the big question in Waco, Texas is if Robert Griffin can finally bring the Bears back to the Promised Land.

Worst Case Scenario

Despite reports that Griffin looks to be fully recovered and ready for fall practice, he does not return to his stunning form from 2008. 

The defense also struggles and the Bears lose games to TCU, Kansas, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma. 

Wins over Sam Houston, Buffalo, Rice, Colorado and Oklahoma State increase their win total to five which is a one-game improvement over 2009.

The Bears finish at a disappointing 5-7, a record that does not reflect improved play and a tough Big 12 schedule.

Briles and Griffin both return for 2011 when the Bears finally manage that sixth elusive win and a berth in the Texas Bowl.

Best Case Scenario

A fully recovered Robert Griffin leads the Bears to a stunning seven game season.  Wins over Kansas and Kansas State are added to victories over Sam Houston, Buffalo, Rice, Colorado and Oklahoma State.

The defense is improved but does not provide the stops necessary to beat the Horned Frogs, Red Raiders, Longhorns, Aggies and Sooners

The Bears go 7-5 and earn a berth in the Texas Bowl.

But, can Briles sustain the success Baylor desperately needs not so much to placate its patient fan base but to be in a position to accept an invitation from another super conference if the Big 12 should finally dissolve?  

Iowa State

In his first year at the helm Paul Rhoads lead his Iowa State Cyclones to their best season in since 2005. The 7-6 mark included an Insight bowl victory over Minnesota.

The 2009 Cyclones broke a 17-year road losing streak with their September 19^th victory over Kent State and then went on to beat Baylor for their first Big 12 conference win in 11 games.  Iowa State’s 9-7 victory over Nebraska marked its first win in Lincoln in 32 years.

So, where do the Cyclones go from their substantial successes in 2009?

Though Iowa State returns almost everyone on offense, it averaged only 20 points per game in 2009 which ranked 103rd overall.  Additionally, the Cyclones have seven new starters on defense.

Even with all these variables, the 2010 Iowa State squad could certainly be even better than the 2009 version.

But, then there is the schedule which per Phil Steele is the hardest in all of college football for 2010.

If Banarama was to sing about the Cyclone’s slate of opponents it might sound something like “It’s a cruel, cruel schedule." 

Road games at Iowa, Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado are matched with home meetings with Texas Tech, Utah, Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri. Ouch.

So, will the Cyclones be able to manage measurable progress in 2010 or will the schedule prove too much for a team that is better but not quite ready to handle a brutal list of foes?

Worst Case Scenario

Iowa State’s defense struggles early and never has an opportunity to jell.  Though the offense continues to improve they never score enough points to outlast offensive Big 12 powerhouses.  

The Cyclones win the opener vs. Northern Illinois but then drop the next game at Iowa.  Next they manage a win vs. Kansas State in Kansas City and then win again vs. Northern Iowa.

With high hopes Iowa State enters the most brutal run of the season suffering losses vs. Texas Tech, Utah, at Oklahoma, at Texas, Kansas and then Nebraska.

The Cyclones win at Colorado and then lose the finale at home vs. Missouri.

Iowa State finishes the season a disappointing 4-8 which masks the fact that the Cyclones are actually an improved team.

2011 spells massive turnover on offense but an easier schedule puts the Cyclones back in bowl contention.

Best Case Scenario

Iowa State manages more points on offense and the new defense jells quickly and stiffens as the season goes on.

After a win in the opener vs. Northern Illinois the Cylcones lose to in-state rival Iowa and then rack up wins vs. Kansas State and Northern Iowa.

A loss to Texas Tech is followed by a win vs. Utah and two consecutive losses at Oklahoma and at Texas. A win over Kansas and then a loss to Nebraska is followed by wins at Colorado and the home closer with Missouri.

Iowa State goes 7-5 and makes it to the Dallas Football Classic bowl.  Nationally speaking, Rhodes and the Cyclones don’t receive the credit they deserve for a seven-win season vs. the toughest set of opponents in all of 2010.

Connecticut

Can the Huskies finally win ten games and breakthrough to win a sole Big East crown and a BCS Bowl bid?

Wait, are we talking about UConn?

Yes, the team that joined the FBS just 10 short years ago in 2000 and became a member of the Big East in 2004 is in a position to break through, now.

The Huskies will ride a formidable offensive line, running back and defense into a 2010 season full of promise.

But, will this finally be the year that the Huskies break through from up and coming to a truly elite college football team?

Or, instead will 2010 be another year for the Huskies to “almost” achieve their lofty goals.

Worst Case Scenario

Despite all the Huskies valiant efforts they don’t manage ten or even nine wins.  The running game is strong but proves too predictable, opposing defenses shut down the run and the passing game does not dazzle.

Losses at Michigan, at Rutgers and at home vs. West Virginia, Pitt and Cincinnati lead to a disappointing 8-4 season.

The Huskies are bowl bound once again but yearn for more.

Best Case Scenario

Zach Frazer shines under center and the Huskies running game benefits from the more balanced offensive approach.

A huge win in the opener vs. Michigan in the Big House is followed by six additional consecutive wins (TSU, Temple, Buffalo, Vandy, at Rutgers and at Louisville).

The Huskies get man handled by West Virginia and then lose in a nail biter to Pitt in Rentschler Field.

The two losses don’t discourage an UConn team who at last clearly sees the path to a ten win season.

A win at Syracuse is followed by a big win over Cincinnati at home.  The Huskies then travel to Tampa to meet South Florida where they win what is arguably one of the biggest victories in the program’s history.

Though UConn goes 10-2 they don’t capture the Big East title, but, its hard work is rewarded with a berth in the Champs Sports Bowl.

Iowa

The Hawkeyes were a whopping 8-0 going into their November seventh game vs. Northwestern in 2009. 

Unfortunately, Iowa couldn’t overcome quarterback Ricky Stanzi’s ankle injury and lost by one touchdown to the Wildcats.  This loss was followed by an overtime defeat at Ohio State.

Though the Hawkeyes earned a spot in the BCS via the Orange Bowl, in reality they were only 10 points away from a Big 10 title and the opportunity to play for a BCS national championship.

2010 has the Hawkeye nation hopeful that Kirk Ferentz and company can finish what they started in 2009 and finally eclipse Ohio State and win a Big 10 Championship and possibly much, much more.

Big questions surround an offensive line that replaced three seniors but the defense looks solid, it will be difficult to run against Iowa.

Though Ricky Stanzi has developed a reputation for being a bit careless with the football (15 interceptions on 304 attempts in 2009) he also has made a name for himself by managing to make plays that win big, close games.

So, will the 2010 Hawkeyes soar above Ohio State (and Wisconsin) to the top of the Big 10, or, will they disappoint the people of Iowa who have waited six long seasons to claim a piece of the Big 10 (or 11 or 12) pie?

Worst Case Scenario

The offensive line problems don’t get solved early and continue to be an issue throughout the season.  Stanzi is more accurate, but, the magic and last minute heroics have vanished in mid air.

The running game that was meant to be improved falters with the lack of an offensive line to open rushing lanes.

The defense plays well enough to keep the Hawkeyes in a string of close games.

After starting the season 4-0 the Hawkeyes drop a game to Penn State at home, they beat Michigan but then lose at home to a Wisconsin team who is ready to drop the “third best in the Big 10” label.

Wins vs. Michigan State, at Indiana and at Northwestern lead to the big game at the home vs. the Buckeyes which is close but Ohio State squeaks by.

The season ends with a win at Minnesota and the Hawkeyes finish the season 9 -3 and are bound for the Insight Bowl.

Best Case Scenario

The offensive line jells, the running game features the triple threat of Adam Robinson, Brandon Wegher and Jewel Hampton and Ricky Stanzi shows improvement in only one category; interceptions.

The defense builds on its number 10 national ranking from 2009 and slams the door on opposing offenses.

All the stars finally align in Iowa City, and, a favorable schedule that features home games vs. Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State propel the Hawkeyes to a perfect season and a spot in the BCS Championship.

The Hawkeye nation is ecstatic and Kirk Ferentz turns down offers to coach both at the University of Michigan and for the Detroit Lions.

Michigan

It’s hard to say what it would take to save Rich Rodriguez’s job at Michigan.

Would a .500 record do it?  Or maybe a winning record would seal the deal?  A bowl invitation and win couldn’t hurt . . . right?

If this doesn’t seem like enough to save Rodriguez then he may already be gone.

The Wolverines don’t look to have the type of squad to bring back their storied program from the literal depths of despair and compete for anything more than a winning record, at least this season.

Michigan only won a single Big 10 game last year (in a three-point victory vs. Indiana in the Big House) which netted the Wolverines their worst conference finish in 47 years.

You have to wonder how many Wolverine fans are secretly hoping for an additional ugly, repulsive season just so Rodriguez will be out of the picture at Michigan.

But, how much of the debacle in Ann Arbor can be credited (or discredited) to Rodriguez?  And, what if, despite all the forecasts Michigan will finally start playing Wolverine football again in 2010?

Indeed, what if...

Worst Case Scenario

Tate Forcier improves and doesn’t make near the mistakes he did in his freshman campaign.  In fact, the entire offense looks better.

But, the defense is just not good.  A squad that ranked 91st overall in rushing defense suffers through a Big 10 schedule and basically gets run over.

To make matters worse, the kicking game is awful and the Wolverine’s 115^th ranking in turnover margin only improves nominally.

Michigan opens with a huge win over UConn in the Big House.  The Wolverine faithful are cautiously optimistic but are mightily disappointed by a big loss in South Bend on the following weekend.

Wins over UMass and Bowling Green are expected but celebrated and then followed by a narrow victory at Indiana.

Michigan State and Iowa both come to Ann Arbor and both win easily.  These losses are followed by a disastrous trip to Penn State, a win over Illinois and then three straight losses at Purdue, vs. Wisconsin and in the finale at Ohio State.

The Wolverines go 5-7 again and the Rich Rodriguez era at Michigan is over.  Rodriguez goes on to become a very successful head coach at Marshall.

Michigan offers its job to Kirk Ferentz who turns them down and winds up with Jim Harbaugh. 

Best Case Scenario

Somehow, someway Michigan starts improving.  Tate Forcier again improves and the offense takes huge steps forward; the option suddenly seems like a good option.

Progress on the defense starts with a defensive line that is rock solid, again, players find a way to get it done.

Michigan beats UConn in the opener, and, again the Wolverine faithful remain cautiously optimistic.  A close loss at Notre Dame disappoints but does not send the season into the expected tail spin.

Wins over UMass, Bowling Green, and at Indiana are followed by a season changing win vs. Michigan State at the Big House.

A loss to Iowa at home is closer than expected and Wolverine fans start to believe that maybe, just maybe, this team can win football games.

Michigan travels to Penn State and shocks the nation with a victory in Happy Valley.  This win is followed with a convincing victory back in Ann Arbor vs. Illinois.

A win at Purdue is followed by two disappointing though not disastrous losses vs. Wisconsin and at Ohio State.

Rodriguez and company do not beat the Buckeyes, but, they finish the season as over achievers with an 8-5 record and a bowl appearance.

Michigan fans cannot decide if they are happy with the improvements or disappointed that another year will be spent with Rodriguez at the helm.

North Carolina

It might be safe to say that enthusiasm and expectations for Tar Heel football are both at an all time high.

Carolina has enjoyed two consecutive eight win seasons and two bowl appearances. Its defense was ranked sixth nationally last season and in 2010 will feature seven players that could possibly picked in the first half of the 2011 NFL draft.

But, there are concerns about the young offensive line and receiving corps and the accuracy of senior quarterback TJ Yates.  In fact, the Tar Heel offense ranked a dismal 108^th nationally last season.

Regardless, the Tar Heels should be improved in 2010 and might have an opportunity to finally breakthrough in the ACC where they have only been 4-4 over the past two seasons (including consecutive losses to in-state foe NC State).

But, facing what Phil Steele claims is the 24^th hardest schedule in college football will the Tar Heels break out or break down?

Worst Case Scenario

The offensive line struggles and TJ Yates’ accuracy again becomes an issue.  Yates is replaced by red shirt freshman Bryn Renner who makes his own share of mistakes as a first time starter.

The defense is awesome and gives Carolina a real chance against a slate of talented opponents.

Carolina losses the opener to LSU in Atlanta and then drops a disappointing loss to Georgia Tech in Chapel Hill.

Wins at Rutgers and vs. East Carolina are followed by a loss to Clemson, a win at Virginia and then a close loss at Miami.

An expected win vs. William & Mary sets up two disappointing losses at Florida State and then vs. Virginia Tech at home.

The Tar Heels beat the Wolfpack for the first time in three tries and then finish with a win over round ball arch rival Duke.

North Carolina finishes the season 6-6 and though they are improved by the end of the year their record does not reflect these gains or tell of the difficulty of the schedule.

Best Case Scenario

Problems on offense are addressed during a loss in the opener vs. LSU in Atlanta.  The offensive line finds its feet and Yates matures past any real concerns over interceptions.

The defense is fantastic and coupled with an improved offense the Tar Heels are a formidable opponent.

Wins over Georgia Tech, Rutgers, East Carolina, Clemson, Virginia and William & Mary are capped off by a stunning road upset at Florida State where the Carolina defense stuffs Christian Ponder and company.

The Tar Heels are 7-2 going into the last three games of the season.  A huge win over Virginia Tech sets up the much awaited victory over NC State and the grand finale win at Duke.

Carolina finishes the season 10-2 and plays Florida State again, this time for the ACC Championship.

Tar Heel fans’ 30 year wait is finally over as Carolina beat the Seminoles and captures the ACC Championship.

Butch Davis is eventually lured away by Oklahoma when Bob Stoops leaves to coach the Dallas Cowboys.

Oregon

Without the loss of Jeremiah Masoli the talk around Eugene would have been of BCS National Championships.

With the loss of Masoli the word on the street has been downgraded to predictions of just how the Ducks will fare without him.

Will it be Nate Costa, Darron Thomas or both under center for the Ducks in 2010?  And regardless of who or what combination of both, can they effectively run an offense that ranked eighth nationally in scoring in 2009?

We do know for certain that no matter who plays quarterback they will have one of the most solid supporting casts in college football.  Simply put, the Ducks are stacked both offensively and defensively.

So, will it come down to the quarterback(s), or will it be several big plays or a combination of both that decide the fate of the 2010 Ducks?

Chances are it could be a magnificent season or a magnificent disappointment.

Worst Case Scenario

Costa and Thomas just can’t provide the magic that Masoli did in 2009.  The real missing piece is Masoli’s ability to scramble and confuse defenses.

The Ducks are 7-0 when they travel to play USC.  A close loss to the Trojans is followed by a shocking loss to Washington in Eugene and then a loss at Cal where they haven’t won since 2001.

The season ends with wins over Arizona and at rival Oregon State but even this is a disappointment as national title dreams fizzle into an underwhelming 9-3 season.

Best Case Scenario

Though by no stretch of the imagination are Costa and Thomas the answer to the Duck’s prayers, they do a solid job, in tandem, of handling a high powered Oregon attack.

The defense is spectacular and it seems that they were overlooked in all the preseason hype regarding the Duck’s issues on offense.

Again the Ducks are 7-0 coming into the road trip to USC, but, this is a different team all together, brimming with confidence and eager to prove that they are national title contenders.

The Ducks beat the Trojans, then the Huskies and capture their first win at Cal in nine years.  A win over Arizona is followed by the most memorable Civil War game with Oregon State in recent history. 

In the end, Oregon loses to Oregon State on a missed field goal and goes 11-1 on the season.  The Ducks win the Pac-10 and play in the Rose Bowl vs. a one-loss Ohio State squad.

Washington

The Washington Huskies have not been to a bowl game since 2002. 

Will 2010 be the year that Washington finally posts a winning record and sees the postseason?

The answer to this question seems on the surface to lie in the capable hands of fifth-year senior quarterback Jake Locker.

Locker is already being touted as a lock for the first pick in the 2011 NFL draft and leads a talented Husky offense with stars such as Chris Polk and Jermaine Kearse.

But in reality whether or not Washington can produce a winning season and a postseason appearance will come down to a Husky defense that has struggled especially on the line.

The questions at defense combined with a vicious schedule (ranked seventh hardest nationally by Phil Steele) make the run at the postseason uncertain at best.

So, can the defense hold the score down enough for Jake Locker and the Washington Huskies to finally earn a long awaited bowl appearance? 

Worst Case Scenario

The defense improves but the wicked schedule makes six wins impossible for the Huskies to manage.

Washington drops the opener at BYU, beats Syracuse and then looses two tough games to Nebraska and at USC.

The Huskies top Arizona State but then drop a game to Oregon State. The Huskies beat both Arizona and Stanford but their defense just can’t stop Oregon.

Losses to UCLA and Cal seal the Huskies fate and even a big win in the Apple Bowl vs. Washington State won’t get Washington into the post season. 

The Huskies finish 2010 5-7.

Best Case Scenario

The defense finds a way to make a few crucial stops in critical situations and ultimately allows Jake Locker and the offense to get back on the field and score game winning points. 

The opener at BYU sets the tone as the Huskies win a close game in Provo.  This is followed by a win over Syracuse and losses to Nebraska and USC.

The Huskies beat Arizona State but falter at home vs. the Beavers.  Wins over Arizona and Stanford are followed by a disappointing loss at Oregon.

The Oregon loss sets the stage for the Huskies coming out party as the defense jells and Washington wins its final three games vs. UCLA, Cal, and Washington State.

The Huskies find themselves 8-5 and Sun Bowl bound.

Jake Locker goes No. 2 overall in the NFL draft and enjoys a great career with the Washington Redskins.