May 24, 2007
The next up & comers?
Rivals.com took a look at three teams on the verge - Louisville, Boise State, and Rutgers - as examples of how to build (or rebuild, in some instances) a college football program.
Now, David Fox of Rivals.com is looking ahead to the next three up and coming teams:
South Florida Bulls All signs are pointing for a breakout season for the Bulls in 2007 - the 10th year of the program. In many ways, USF has similar characteristics to Rutgers, the oldest program in college football. Both are Big East teams coming off the first consecutive bowl trips in school history. Like Rutgers, USF has stability in its leadership – Jim Leavitt is the only head coach in the program's history. USF has a strong recruiting base in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area of Florida. The move to the Big East vaulted USF ahead of in-state rival Central Florida, and now the Bulls have their sights set on turning the Big Three of Florida, Florida State and Miami into a Big Four. A Sept. 8 game at Auburn will be a measuring stick for USF, which returns 16 offensive and defensive starters.Hawaii Warriors
If South Florida is something of a parallel to Rutgers, then Hawaii reflects Boise State with its prolific offense and local bowl game. Boise State has lost only one WAC game since 2002, but Hawaii could end that streak when Boise leaves the mainland on Nov. 23. Quarterback Colt Brennan is a Heisman contender and could put up a second-consecutive double-digit win season. Holding Hawaii back from a BCS bowl could be the Warriors scheduling troubles with the Lower 48. Hawaii made a road trip to Alabama last year (and lost 25-17), but has no such trip this year. Brennan put the pressure on the administration to address facilities woes when he publicly criticized Hawaii's locker rooms in May.Arizona Wildcats
Arizona, which last played in a bowl in 1998, seems to be labeled a Pac-10 sleeper each year. This season is as good a time as any to break out and meet that expectation. Wildcats coach Mike Stoops comes from a long lineage of coaches who have revived or built programs in the past. Stoops comes out of the Hayden Fry/Bill Snyder coaching tree. It's branches also include Mike Stoops' brother Bob, Barry Alvarez, Bret Bielema, Jim Leavitt and Kirk Ferentz. Quarterback Willie Tuitama is a third-year starter, but he will play for offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes, who brings his pass-oriented offense from Texas Tech. With Dennis Erickson now at Arizona State, the pressure should be on fifth-year coach Stoops to make his move.
No disagreements here. I think USF, Hawaii, and Arizona are the next three up & comers. What say you?
If I could expand on the list, I think I would also be tempted to throw in TCU and Illinois.
And way, way out there on the horizon? Hmmm..... Cincinnati, Central Florida, and Ohio.
Comments:
Regan said:
posted on May 24, 2007 4:59 PM — 192.24.243.21 — link — abuse?
I'm not so certain about some of these.
Louisville and Boise State are good examples, and have been developing under a few different coaches to the level they are at now. There are going to be some question marks in the next 2 years or so now that signature coaches have left, though.
I'd give Rutgers some more time before calling them an up-and-comer, mainly due to the fact that their success so far hinges on Schiano. If he left tomorrow, I wouldn't think they would be nearly as strong.
I'll back this up by pointing out that Wake Forest is not on the list, likely for the same reason.
South Florida? I don't know much about them, but what I do know kinda scares me with regards to the possibilities for success there. They could go from nowhere in 1998 to nasty in 2008.
Hawaii? No idea what June Jones is building out there, but every time I see them, they do look better.
Arizona, I'm really not so sure about. With the coaching talent they have had for the past 5 years, they really should have been making more of a splash in the Pac-10 than we have seen. Then again, I am certainly no Pac-10 expert...
So Cal USMC said:
posted on May 24, 2007 5:28 PM — 204.62.68.23 — link — abuse?
San Jose State/Dick Tomey would be another program to "keep your eye on", well at least among the Mid-Major ranks.
Also, watch whereever Coach Brian Kelly goes (Cincy, I think), he built-up Central Michigan into a nice little team, quick, since he came up from Division II.
Hawaii getting a BCS Bowl bid this year, was something I was considering making one of my "2007, Out-on-a-Limb Predictions", but this guy, in a way, beat me to the punch here.
Southern Miss/Jeff Bower is a program thats been consistanty good/decent for a while now, but havent broken out, havent been "great".
SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on May 24, 2007 7:27 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
I agree with Regan. How can Rutgers be on the list and WF be left off the list? They are practically identical.
Also, what about Colorado? They only won two games last year but they gave UGA all they could handle between the hedges and I expect them to be much better this coming year.
Diggs the Mountie said:
posted on May 24, 2007 9:05 PM — 68.48.90.248 — link — abuse?
I've been debating on whether to call it now or wait till the game begins? I can't wait any longer. Auburns toughest home game besides the "Iron Bowl" will be the USF Bulls. Yes, I'm going to make this my "upset of the year".
goodolnuma5 said:
posted on May 24, 2007 9:30 PM — 65.60.178.58 — link — abuse?
Yo! What about Va, and North Carolina? Both teams have some history, Tradition, and now incentive(money) to improve their programs. Ya'll just wait.
Tomcat said:
posted on May 25, 2007 2:06 AM — 69.148.172.85 — link — abuse?
TCU
Even though it changes every year Coach Patterson has got it going on at least 10 wins 4 outa the last 5 years, victories over teams from BCS conferences Oklahoma,Iowa State, Baylor and Texas Tech. They will be tested early this season with a game @Texas and one hosting BU.Ok St
Coach Gundy's third year with an experienced QB they should be firing on all cylinders.Even though they lost to Houston{Kolb& Co} Texas and OU they whuped Nebraska and won their bowl.
The first two against the SEC foes will see what happensWake won their conference and their bowl-Right?
trying to recall from memory correct me if I'm wrong
#5 BU just kidding DO what? Beat CU at Boulder
Beat K-State
Beat KU
scored 31 points against the Horns in Austin
Hookem-Horns Sicem-BearsTomcat said:
posted on May 25, 2007 3:07 AM — 69.148.172.85 — link — abuse?
# 7 sorry guys my mistake,Louisville won that game, I remembered right after my post.
Scratch Wake and instead put Tulsa
Coach Grahm will take the Golden Hurricanes to the next level, might take a few years, maybe not in one year at Rice he took a team from 1-11 to7-6 purty impressiveZac said:
posted on May 25, 2007 8:42 AM — 65.31.230.72 — link — abuse?
Man! I don't know what happened, but I meant to post the following here. I guess I was the one who needed some sleep. Anyway, there it is.
Rutgers & S FL are the 2 reasons I think WVU will repeat last year's 10-2 mark. The Mountaineers travel to both places. Though Brohm will likely light it up in Morgantown, I'm not at all worried about Louisville's visit. It's 2008, when Rutgers & S FL return to Morgantown; that's the year WVU has the best shot to go 12-0 and vie for the NC. If only Slaton & White will stick around for it.
I too am surprised Wake wasn't discussed, not to mention some of the others. It's Troy St that's got me intrigued. They gave FSU fits in Tallahassee last year. They went bowling and won. Though their "O" line is hurting a bit from graduation, their back field, receiving corps, and defense are solid. And talk about a tough non-conference schedule; these guys aren't afraid to play anyone or go anywhere - at AR, at FL, at GA, and at home with OK St. (Let's see ND try that one on for size, in addition to MI, PA St, and USC.) Last year Troy visited FSU, GA Tech, NE, and UAB. If Troy can go undefeated in conference play this year, and pick up one upset out of the 4 non-cons, they could prove to be real tough in 2008.
Doug said:
posted on May 25, 2007 9:29 AM — 169.200.185.26 — link — abuse?
Will the Wake Forest / Nebraska game this fall be a moment where Wake is looked at as a solid program? Or will it still be that if the coach left today they would drop back to 4-7 every year? I still say the Wake coaching job is as good as any. It is in a BCS conf., highly ranked U,and you can be 6-6 every year and everyone is happy.
Brushpile Bill said:
posted on May 25, 2007 12:29 PM — 70.138.225.24 — link — abuse?
No school with a direction in it's name will ever be top tier. Since 'State' is already taken by the former girls school SF is going to be somewhat challenged to come up with an appropriate solution to this problem
(NC doesn't count cause the direction is in the state name)
Doug said:
posted on May 25, 2007 1:07 PM — 169.200.185.25 — link — abuse?
In my eyes all the teams mentioned above have had more then one good year if you take the last 10 years as an overall photo. Since I know the Acc take Wake for example the last 8 years, 3 bowl games, two they won,4 winning seasons, the non-winning seasons if I remember correctly 3 fumbles the other way and instead of 4-7 they are 7-4. and a conf. title.
Tampa Hurricane said:
posted on May 25, 2007 3:31 PM — 24.96.199.254 — link — abuse?
How can anyone that isn't mentally retarded include Illinois as a program that is considered the next up & comer?!? Their records are as follows for the past 5 years:
2002 5-7
2003 1-11
2004 3-8
2005 2-9
2006 2-10If you take the total combined wins for the past 3 seasons 7, that would be considered terrible for any good program for a win total for one year! As Zook proved at UF, it doesn't matter if you can have great recruiting classes, if you coach is an idiot, you will still lose!
CyberBull said:
posted on May 25, 2007 6:21 PM — 62.210.96.108 — link — abuse?
Brushpile Bill says:
posted on May 25, 2007 12:29 PM — IP: 70.138.225.24 — link
No school with a direction in it's name will ever be top tier. Since 'State' is already taken by the former girls school SF is going to be somewhat challenged to come up with an appropriate solution to this problem(NC doesn't count cause the direction is in the state name)
Hmmm....
Southern Cal has done a few good things....
West Virginia seems to be doing all right...
So Cal USMC said:
posted on May 25, 2007 6:55 PM — 204.62.68.23 — link — abuse?
TCU, Id say, is already established as a quality program, so it cant be an "up-n-comer" in a true sense or the term. Just my view, Tomcat... but dont you think thats true? TCU is a Power among Mid-Majors. They're coming off of TWO 11-Win seasons! They're already "Came Up".
Tomcat said:
posted on May 25, 2007 9:00 PM — 68.90.181.49 — link — abuse?
#10 Zac I have to agree that Troy was very impressive last year, and as far as scheduling is concerned man they have the gajones[huevos] something that should impress just about anybody including ND & USC fans.I saw their bowl game last year and they were a very physical strong team.Simular to what someone said about USF getting the left overs from the big three Fla. schools I guess you could say the same about Troy in the great state of Alabama.
Hookem HornsTomcat said:
posted on May 25, 2007 9:17 PM — 68.90.181.49 — link — abuse?
#16 Tampagator I would have to agree to a certain extent, that a losing record is a losing record, however I wouldnt call Coach Zook bad names it was his rectuits that Meyer led to the N.C. right? Maybe it will take a few years for them to turn things around at ILL.We will all see what happens and it is way premature to consider them as up & coming.
Does anybody have the inclination to consider the Pitt Panthers as team that should be improving. Perhaps not a up & comer right now, but in the near future?They have the coach and they are recruiting historicly one of the best regions of the country.
Hookem-Horns
GIGem-Aggies
Sicem-Bears
Roll TideZac said:
posted on May 25, 2007 10:29 PM — 65.31.230.72 — link — abuse?
Tomcat: I don't understand what's going on at Pitt. Two years ago, when Waannstedt took over, it was said he inherited a good foundation of players. I wasn't surprised with the loosing record, however; it's quite common with 1st year coaches. He followed his 1st season with a good recruiting class. Last year, Pitt started off with a bang, 3-0, with solid wins against VA and at Cincy. Then, MI St came to town and pulled the carpet right out from under them. It seemed Pitt wasn't the same after that. But this year, they were said to have not only the best recruiting class in the Big East, but one of the best in the country. So, on paper at least, they should be decent. The question is, will they under achieve again?
Speaking of MI St, there's a team that has under achieved. Like Pitt, last year MI St won their 1st 3 games including the win at Pitt. Then they played ND, had them by 10 pts and had the ball, all with less than 5 minutes to play. A couple of bone-head plays on offence and a couple on defense, and wham! MI St snatches defeat from the jaws of victory. It didn't seem as though they were the same team after that. I thought they'd gotten their pride back with the big comeback against NW, but they followed that with four losses; admittedly, 2 of them tough. Like Pitt, MI St seems to get good recruiting class, and on paper appear to be decent. Will they continue to under achieve?
SC Football Fan said:
posted on May 26, 2007 1:15 AM — 66.27.66.132 — link — abuse?
Louisville should have another winning season with Brian Brohm leading the offense. Standouts like Brohm and Michael Bush have been major contributors to the Cardinal's program.
And with Heisman contender,QB Colt Brennan leading Hawaii, the team could put up a second-consecutive winning season. Thank God USC doesn't have to play them!
It would be nice to see Coach Mike Stoops and Arizona have a good year. He needs to turn the program around and if he is going to do it, this should be the year.
Tomcat said:
posted on May 27, 2007 12:02 AM — 68.90.181.49 — link — abuse?
#29 AgRyan04 You know I kinda glad you made that comment.TCU is and has been ranked in the top 25, coming off back to back 11 win seasons.
Yes they will be tested by Baylor an old SWC rival.Where you at the Texas A&M vs BU game at Floyd Casy Stadium in 2004? Baylor had one of their worst seasons and beat the Aggies in O.T.
I wish I coulda been there for one of the greatest moments in college football history.
Thats why the game is played on the feild and every Saturday anything can happen. For example in 2005 TCU had 1 loss SMU, Baylor beat SMU that year.Iowa State beat Iowa and Baylor beat Iowa St.
Upsets are a exciting part of college football and every year is different.
My son is predicting BU to beat TCU
TCU to beat Texas
Im just the opposite TCU over BU
UT over TCU
I'm giving the edge to the home team on both games, however they both look like good ones to me.
Good luck this season @ Miami and @ OU
Yall got The Horns & Bears at home
Hookem-Horns
Sicem-Bears
Gigem-Aggies
OU-suxAgRyan04 said:
posted on May 27, 2007 8:32 PM — 70.122.231.65 — link — abuse?
I was not at the game in '04 but that doesn't have anything to do with the fact that TCU shouldn't have any problems with Baylor.
In the 11 seasons the Big 12 has been in existance the Bears have a total of 11 conference wins. It is not a good football program.
If TCU is to be considered a Top 25 type program they should not be tested by Baylor.
Tomcat said:
posted on May 27, 2007 11:07 PM — 68.90.181.49 — link — abuse?
AgRyan I certainly apreciate your opinion and on paper it looks very favorable for the Frogs.
Baylor is the only small independant school in the XII and yes they have had some less than desireable seasons in football 5-6 and 4-8. They have had some bright spots as well and that is why the game is played on the feild. For instance last year the Aggies were about 6 points away from being undefeated during the regular season right? The Aggies barley got by Army, I saw the game, it was really close. Thats the same Army team that lost to Rice. Upsets happen and that is an exciting part of CFB wouldnt you agree.
Baylor lost a close on to Army an upset.
Texas hammered Rice and lost to K-State an upset
Baylor beat K-State. When you look at it objectively every game is different and just about anything can happen.
2006 Baylor beat CU in OT in Boulder
Thats the same CU that gave UGa and A&M trouble, right?
CU beat TTech
TTech beat A&M-close one
TCU beat TTech-whuped them
TCU beat Baylor-close one
Doesnt really matter who's ranked or who's favored, because just about anything can happen.
Did you see the BU vs TCU game last year, BU dominated TCU until the 4th quarter I beleive the final was 17-7 not bad against a top 25 team.
Can BU beat TCU-hell yes-maybe
What happened in 06 Mizzu started off 7 wins
lost one to Iowa St the worst team in the league.
2006 UT over OU
UT over TTech
UT over Neb
OU over A&M
TTech over A&M
Neb over A&M
A&M over UT
Hookem-Horns
Sicem BearsOU-Ron said:
posted on June 1, 2007 8:36 AM — 68.12.27.79 — link — abuse?
AgRyan04 # 36
You could probably save a lot of battery life in your keyboard and mouse by not responding to some of Tomcat’s rant’s---of course you never know which Tomcat shows up, the one with somewhat logic or the one with no meaning or reasoning. Anyway, look forward to seeing the OU—A&M game in Norman this year. Good luck with the cowhorns this season.
Texass sucks
GO SOONERS
Tomcat said:
posted on June 5, 2007 5:09 PM — 68.93.142.91 — link — abuse?
# 36 AgRyan Well maybe Yes to a certain extent.
Looking at TCU's schedule Utah, BYU, UT and BU all look like great games. SMU I dunno however I remember the year they beat OU they lost to SMU, and BU beat SMU that season.
Texas A&M was tested by Army last year right? They were not tested against Citadel
2007 looks like the XII south is going to be crazy
OU vs A&M
UT vs OU
A&M vs UT its all up for grabs and you can never underestimate those Red Raiders or Cowboys
Hookem-Horns
Gigem-Aggies
Beat the H outa UM & OU
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So Cal USMC said:
posted on May 24, 2007 4:04 PM — 204.62.68.23 — link — abuse?This dude is stealing my predictions.