College Football 2011: Texas and 5 Other Teams That Need Rebound Seasons
The 2010 season brought a lot of excitement to the world of college football that concluded with Auburn defeating Oregon in the BCS National Championship.
There were plenty of surprises, expectations met, and disappointments throughout the season.
Looking ahead to 2011, there are certain teams, and head coaches, that need bounce-back seasons.
The following teams don't necessarily have coaches that are on the hot seat, but following a subpar season, they very well could be.
However, there is a coach or two on one of these teams, whose future rests in the balance of performing well in this upcoming season.
With that being said, who are the teams that desperately need a bounce-back season in 2011?
The Big East Conference
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The first item on this list is not a team, but rather an entire conference. The Big East conference, as a whole, needs a bounce-back season in 2011.
It doesn't necessarily matter who it is, but as a conference, they need to finish with better results than 2010.
A team in the top 25 would be a good place to start.
Chances are, the Big East will not be as bad as it was last year, and that will only improve college football.
Whether it's Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Louisville or any other member, a top 25 finish is a must.
TCU will join the Big East following this season, so if any of these teams want a realistic shot at winning the conference, they will need to capitalize this year.
Georgia Bulldogs
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2010 Record: 6-7
The Georgia Bulldogs finished with a losing record for the first time since 1996.
Following the season, it appears that Mark Richt is on the hot seat, and he can not afford another subpar season.
Aaron Murray was phenomenal in his first year and should be even better in his second year at quarterback.
Although the Bulldogs lost A.J. Green and Justin Houston, they also brought in one of the best recruiting classes in the nation.
The schedule isn't that difficult—despite the fact that they are in the SEC.
The Bulldogs have only four true road games against Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech.
The nation will know exactly how good this team is following their opening week games against Boise State, as well as the conference opener against South Carolina that following weekend.
If the Bulldogs can start 2-0, then there is a good chance that this team will make it to Atlanta.
Alabama Crimson Tide
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2010 Record: 10-3
Normally, a team that went 10-3 wouldn't need a bounce back season, but, with the talent that Nick Saban has down at Alabama, they will have to perform better.
After finishing fourth in the SEC West, they defeated Michigan State in the Captial One Bowl.
The Crimson Tide will have to deal with some major losses including Julio Jones, Greg McElroy and Marcel Dareus. However, they have one of the top recruiting classes coming to Tuscaloosa next season.
Alabama is one of the favorites to go to New Orleans to play in the BCS title game, and they definitely have the team to make it there.
The schedule is brutal like almost every single SEC team. Their first true test will come as a road game against Penn State, and the conference slate includes games against Arkansas, LSU, Auburn, Florida and Tennessee.
The Crimson Tide should bounce-back and compete for a national championship.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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2010 Record: 8-5
The past couple years Notre Dame has been hyped coming into the season but haven't lived up to expectations.
Brian Kelly will be in his second year as head coach of the Irish and will look to improve on the 8-5 mark he recorded in his first year.
Notre Dame brings in one of the best recruiting classes, and some of those players will make an immediate impact.
The schedule doesn't appear to be that difficult, but there are still some games against some quality opponents.
They will have games against Michigan, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, USC and Stanford.
The Fighting Irish will be a good team next year, and, if they can get off to a good start, there is a chance they could make it to a BCS bowl.
Michigan Wolverines
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2010 Record: 7-6
Rich Rodriquez was never able to have that much success at Michigan, and, consequently, was let go after three years.
Enter Brady Hoke.
Hoke was the former coach at San Diego State, but he actually grew up he was a Michigan fan.
No one knows if that will help him out in 2011, but Hoke brings a fire to this Michigan team that they have lacked in the last couple years.
The schedule is somewhat favorable, and their two toughest games will be at the end of the year at home against Nebraska and Ohio State.
Leading up to those tests, the Wolverines still have to play Notre Dame and Michigan State.
Denard Robinson will lead this team in 2011, and the success of the season will lie partly in his hands. However, the defense will also need to step up if Michigan is going to bounce-back.
Florida Gators
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2010 Record: 8-5
Florida finished with a trip to the Gator Bowl and an 8-5 record to close out the 2010 season.
The Gators will go under new direction in 2011 after Urban Meyer left due to health reasons. Will Muschamp, the former Texas defensive coordinator, will take over.
Florida has the talent to bounce back, but the only problem is the gauntlet of a schedule they will play in the SEC.
The October schedule for the Gators is brutal. Following a home game against Alabama, the Gators will go on the road to play LSU and Auburn. After a bye week, they will play Georgia in Jacksonville.
However, their only tough games aren't in October, in the other months they have to play South Carolina, Florida State, and Tennessee.
Florida needs a bounce-back season, but that schedule will make it a very difficult task.
Texas Longhorns
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2010 Record: 5-7
The Longhorns had a very disappointing season in 2010 and were not even able to make it to a bowl game.
Looking ahead to 2011, they are a team that desperately needs a bounce-back season. With the talent that Mack Brown has, this shouldn't be that difficult of a task.
Texas will have to do without the defensive leadership of Will Muschamp, who left the Longhorns to coach the Florida Gators.
The Longhorns will compete in the new Big 12 look that will not have Nebraska or Colorado.
The toughest stretch for the Longhorns will be in the middle of October with back-to-back meetings against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
Following those two games, the nation will get a very good idea if this Longhorns team is back.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
