College Football Predictions: 10 Teams Not Ready for Season To Start

With all the preseason polls having already been released, the start of the college football season is only a few days away. 

Teams have been slotted by the national media and the coaches based not only on talent, but also on reputation. 

There is no question, that some teams are going to be much hungrier than others heading into the 2010 season and for that reason, they may come out a little stronger.

On the other hand, there are always a few teams that are not quite ready for the start of the season for one reason or another and their season is over before they know it.

Here is a list of ten teams who are not ready for the start of the college football season. 

10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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SOUTH BEND, IN - DECEMBER 11: Brian Kelly speaks to the media at a news conference after being named new football head coach at Notre Dame University on December 11, 2009 in South Bend, Indiana. Kelly most recently led the University of Cincinnati to two

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish certainly have high hopes entering the 2010 season under new head coach Brian Kelly.

Kelly is a mastermind who has won everywhere he has been. He will do so in South Bend, it just may take a while. 

The addition of a new head coach and the subtraction of a star quarterback leave questions as to whether or not Notre Dame is ready for the upcoming season. 

The fans seem to think the Irish are back. I say wait another year before getting your hopes up. 

9. Oregon State Beavers

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EUGENE,OR - DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Sean Canfield #47 of the Oregon State Beavers walks off the field after teammate Jacquizz Rodgers #1 is tackled by Kiko Alonso #47 of the Oregon Ducks during the second quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on December

Nothing is harder in college football than replacing a starting quarterback. 

That is something the Oregon State Beavers are certainly not looking forward to. 

Sean Canfield was the the man under center for the past four seasons for Oregon State, and replacing him is no easy chore.

With a new quarterback, the Beavers will certainly not be in mid-season form when the season begins and a few early season losses are definitely in the making.  

8. Pittsburgh Panthers

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Dave Wannstedt of the Pittsburgh Panthers walks around before the start of their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on December 26, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Panthers are the favorites to win the Big East this year, and have a lot of talent coming back from a 10-3 squad last season. 

Only problem is they don't have a quarterback. Replacing Bill Stull is going to be as difficult a job for Pitt as any team has in the country at replacing their quarterback. 

While Stull was not great, he managed the games and what they have behind him is not exactly top of the line. 

Couple that with a brutal schedule and Pittsburgh is definitely not ready for the start of the season. 

7. Boise State Broncos

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos looks over to his sideline in the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glen

Never in the history of college football has a non-BCS team been ranked as high as Boise State at No. 3 to begin the season. 

Think that has gotten to their heads just a little. 

Maybe not, but chances are, these guys are beaming from ear to ear, and rightfully so. 

Whether or not the publicity and notoriety gets to them remains to be seen, but my guess is these guys may not be able to handle the early season pressure that some of the the big name schools are used to. 

6. Florida Gators

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GAINESVILLE, FL - APRIL 10: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators coaches his team during the Orange & Blue game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on April 10, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Florida Gators and head coach Urban Meyer are without question one of the most talented teams in the country year in and year out, and 2010 is no different. But, the Gators just don't seem ready for what is in store in 2010. 

After being slightly over-ranked by the preseason polls, the Florida Gators begin 2010 minus one of the best college players of all time in Tim Tebow. 

My guess is Urban Meyer and some of the Florida players aren't going to know how to react when the first sign of adversity sets in. 

The departure of other stars to the NFL and the off the field activities from over the summer, also point toward an early season loss or two for the Gators. 

5. Michigan Wolverines

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ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 24: Head Coach Rich Rodriguez of the Michigan Wolverines looks on while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 24, 2009 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Penn State won the game 35-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/

Barring a miracle, head coach Rich Rodriguez is entering his final season in Ann Arbor. If his teams weren't prepared in past years, don't expect them to be now. 

The Wolverines have been miserable in recent seasons and with the off-season troubles, 2010 will be no different.

I just kind of feel bad for a team that will not be ready for the season opener with all the extra practice hours they have put in. 

Connecticut will throttle the Wolverines in 'The Big House' next weekend. 

4. Miami Hurricanes

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Randy Shannon of the Miami Hurricanes watches his team take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Land Shark Stadium on September 17, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Miami defeated Georgia Tech 33-17. (Pho

For years the Miami Hurricanes were the premier program in the country. 

All the talent in the state of Florida took their games to South Beach to play for 'The U'. After a few years of obscurity head coach Randy Shannon has the 'Canes back in the top 25. 

But, for some reason, I don't think they are ready for the start of the season. I just see a team getting a little too cocky after getting back some national respect, and being a little overconfident entering the season. 

I may be wrong, but don't be surprised if Miami comes out and lays an egg or two early in the season. 

3. Oregon Ducks

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks stands on the sidelines during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the 96th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Oregon Ducks were one of the biggest surprises in college football last season and like many other teams on this list, had a high profile offseason. 

Star quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has now officially left the program to join Ole Miss. That without a doubt has left many questions surrounding the Ducks.

With all the issues last season and the stinging loss in the Rose Bowl to a much more talented Ohio State team, the Oregon Ducks have to wonder if they are for real without their star quarterback.

Probably not, and that has to be in the back of the minds of some of these players. 

All these question marks must have head coach Chip Kelly wondering if his squad is up for the challenge of the Pac-10 this season. 

2. Tennessee Volunteers

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: Safety Eric Berry #14 of the Tennessee Volunteers gets ready for action during the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hokies beat the Volunteers 37-1

The Tennessee Volunteers have been one of the most maligned programs over the past couple of years, thanks in part to the departed Lane Kiffin. 

Kiffin left the Vols high and dry, taking the head coaching job at USC. 

The Volunteers seem to still be reeling from his departure as players are still finding ways to get themselves into trouble with the law. 

New head coach Derek Dooley looks like a solid choice, but this program has more issues than what is happening on the field and it will certainly show in the early season. 

1. USC Trojans

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 01: Quarterback Matt Barkley #7 throws a pass during the USC Trojans spring game on May 1, 2010 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Topping the list are the USC Trojans. 

It is hard to remember a team that has gone through an off-season of more turmoil than this team has. 

There is certainly no way they are fully focused on football and ready for the season. Not with allegations coming out about former stars, and current players jumping ship almost weekly. 

New head coach Lane Kiffin may be back home, but good luck getting ready for the start of the season.