College Football Rankings: 15 Programs That Need a Complete Overhaul In 2011
Powerhouses will pick right back up and build off last season's success.
But many college football teams will need some drastic changes this offseason if they hope to restore their reputation and not drive off into a ditch this fall. I'm not talking about your gutter teams that are consistently near the bottom of major college football, either.
Some powerhouses need to make adjustments, some of them across the board. In the case of Michigan, it's already begun with a coaching change, as Brady Hoke was hired to replace Rich Rodriguez. Mack Brown also will have a new defensive and offensive coordinator at Texas, and Will Muschamp is taking his Monster Energy like enthusiasm to Florida.
Each of those schools are on here, but who else?
Here are 15 that grabbed my attention:
15. Florida
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Will Muschamp's passion will certainly help, but it may take two to three years before you really see the Gators return to dominance.
Florida (8-5) was 88th nationally in passing last year, at just over 184 yards per game. That's just bizarre to read. Quarterback John Brantley finished six games without a touchdown pass.
A turn around will come quickly. The cupboard's not bare, and Florida remains one of the marquee schools in the state and the Southeastern Conference. They can recruit nationally, and take their pick of kids to come to Gainesville.
14. Cincinnati
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At first glance, you may not think there's a problem: The Bearcats were first in the Big East in total offense (417.3 total yards/game) and scoring (27.1). But they were held to 10 points or less in losses to Syracuse, West Virginia and Pitt.
They were also 68th nationally, and last in the Big East, in scoring defense, at 28 points allowed per game.
13. Miami
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The Hurricanes were fifth in the ACC in scoring offense (26.3), first in total offense (421.3) and first in passing defense (150.5). Even with those numbers, they lost to three ranked teams in Ohio State, Florida State and Virginia Tech.
In their 33-17 loss to Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl, they had 422 total yards.
To me, they're like the Texas Longhorns of the ACC: All that talent, and not much to show for it. Speaking of Texas...
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
12. Texas
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Your program has turned recruiting into an artform, and you can get your pick of elite players in the state of Texas.
And this is what it produces last year: 50th nationally in passing yards (232), 66th in rushing (150.5) and 88th in scoring offense (23.8).
After losing to UCLA 34-12 on Sept.25, Texas later came back to beat Nebraska, but then lost five of its last six. Sophomore quarterback Garrett Gilbert, who looked impressive in the BCS National Championship against Alabama, also regressed in his first year as starter.
11. Texas Tech
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With the Texas Longhorns, you can say it was a simple off year. But the Red Raiders went from being consistently successful, and tied for the Big 12 South Division title, to being an afterthought.
In Tommy Tuberville's first year as head coach, Texas Tech was next to the last in the Big 12 South (just ahead of Texas). The Red Raiders ranked 93rd nationally in scoring defense (30.9) and suffered losses to Texas and Iowa State along with the three division champs.
Taylor Potts threw for 3,726 yards and Lyle Leong had 19 touchdown catches, but the tandem didn't exactly live up to the Graham Harrell-Michael Crabtree level of taking over games.
10. Tennessee
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Certain schools are just used to high expectations, and Rocky Top is one of them.
Tennessee (6-7) was 2-6 in its first games, with wins against Tennessee-Martin and UAB. The Volunteers eventually finished tied for third in the SEC East with Georgia, and reached a bowl game, but were 105th in rushing yards (109.2). They were also 58th in scoring offense (27.0).
Not atrocious, but remember, the standards are a little higher in Knoxville.
9. Clemson
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The Tigers (6-7) were next to last in the ACC Atlantic Division last season.
Clemson has had the talent, but it's always been confusing to me why they haven't capitalized on it. Last year, the Tigers were 86th in scoring (24.0), 10th in the ACC in total offense (334.6) and 79th nationally in rushing yards per game (139.0).
This is the same team, mind you, that almost knocked off Auburn last year.
8. Georgia
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As crazy as it seems, Mark Richt will probably be on the hotseat this fall.
Last year, the Bulldogs began 1-4, including a 29-27 loss to Colorado. They finished 6-7 following a 10-6 loss to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl.
A sub-500 record may be tolerated if you're Vanderbilt, or Kentucky, but when you're one of the SEC's elite teams, with as proud a tradition as Georgia's, this just doesn't happen.
7. Pittsburgh
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You can go ahead and take it to the bank that an overhaul is coming under new coach Todd Graham, who will bring his let-it-rip, video game offense to the Panthers from Tulsa.
Pitt was fourth in the Big East in scoring offense (26.3) and total offense (366.9) last season. Expect those numbers to go up substantially this fall.
6. Ole Miss
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There were problems from the beginning with the Rebels (4-8) last year when they lost to Jacksonville State 49-48 in double overtime. Two weeks later, it was a 28-14 loss to Vanderbilt.
Ole Miss' offense was basically Jeremiah Masoli (pictured) and a bunch of dudes. Brandon Bolden was the team's leading rusher with 976 yards and 14 touchdowns. Not bad if you're a freshman, but unacceptable if you're a junior.
Worth noting too: Ole Miss had 50 dropped on them twice last year by Tennessee and Auburn.
5. Purdue
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The Boilermakers (4-8) closed out the year with six straight losses, including a 34-31 overtime loss to Big Ten doormat Indiana in the season finale.
But it wasn't just that that was shocking. It was watching Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor throwing for 270 yards and three touchdowns, being held to three points the entire second half against Wisconsin and having Kirk Cousins lead a 22-point fourth quarterback comeback for Michigan State in a 35-31 win on Nov.20.
4. Colorado
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An overhaul is probably underway with new head coach Jon Embree, a former Colorado tight end in the mid 1980s who later was an assistant for legendary coach Bill McCartney.
Embree is bringing along former Buffs great Eric Bieniemy, who will be the offensive coordinator and running backs coach.
Colorado was 91st last season in points against (30.8) and lost five straight games during one span.
3. Oregon State
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It's a shame Jacquizz Rodgers was on such a bad team.
Oregon State (5-7) beat then No.9 Arizona 29-27, but that big highlight was snuffed out when Stanford dropped 470 total yards on them.
Besides losing to Washington in double overtime, Oregon State also lost to UCLA and Washington State.
2. UCLA
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The only team worse than the Bruins (4-8) in the Pac 10 last year was Washington State.
UCLA's only competitive loss in conference play came against Arizona, which won 29-21. The rest were extremely lopsided. The Bruins were 116th nationally in passing (141.1) and 104th in scoring offense as 20.2 points per game.
1. Michigan
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I have no problem with teams losing, but there's no excuse why Michigan should suffer its worst bowl defeat in school history to Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs beat the Wolverines 52-14 in the Gator Bowl, but that symbolizes just how low things have got. Michigan is 108th in scoring defense, at just over 35 points per game. Wisconsin's backup running backs combined for six touchdowns this year against the Wolverines (7-6).
They've become an afterthought, both in national recruiting and the Ohio State rivalry, but that could change quickly under new coach Brady Hoke.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
