Up and Coming Programs in NCAA Football 09

[RaychelSnr]

After last week's article discussing the top five rebuilding jobs in College Football, it is only prudent to look at the top five programs which could be on the cusp of greatness already. Check out the top up and coming programs in NCAA Football 09.

"College football is a sport built around big-time programs facing off against each other in colossal match-ups to determine conference or national championships. However, every few years there is a newcomer to the Hall of Greatness that tries to spoil the party with a great season of its own.

Past national champions who were not perennial powers include Clemson in 1981, BYU in 1984, Colorado and Georgia Tech in 1990, and Tennessee in 1998. Nowadays, it seems the giants have a firm grip on the top of the college football world."

[elvistatexas]

awesome stuff dude awesome stuff

[Ghettoshark]

I don't think the Badgers though are that great. The defense was horrible in 07. You have a very deep RB core to run with, but since EA left out Zach Brown (over 500 yards last year as #3 back) for some no name freshman, it's not going to be as great. PJ Hill is good in real life but won't succeed in the digital world, where speed means everything. You do have the nation's best receiving TE however in Travis Beckum, but the QB situation is a mess. EA also left out two major freshmen WRs last year, Sophs. Kyle Jefferson and David Gilreath. Jefferson is projected to be the #1 WR this year, and Gilreath was the all-Big Ten team's returner.

[Village Idiot]

Re: Up and Coming Programs in NCAA Football 09

Past national champions who were not perennial powers include Clemson in 1981, BYU in 1984, Colorado and Georgia Tech in 1990, and Tennessee in 1998.

I would be offended by this if I were a Tennessee fan.

[piggypablo7]

i was actually thinkin about playing with Clemson before i ever read this article...playin with their RB tandum would be insane

[janglar]

BYU has been the best under the radar team the last few years. This year is their Boise State/Utah year. I still can't believe Wisconsin once was 12-1 and didn't even make the BCS, they have to get past Ohio State. Clemson=perennial underachievers, and being a fan of the Bowdens, it pains me to admit it. South Florida has built a powerhouse from scratch in record time, if they can make it to at least a debate about challenging the Gators for best team in Florida, then they are here (Of course, getting the wood put to them by a 5th string scout team QB in the Sun Bowl didn't help). Missouri is a complete team, they just don't appear to be as physically tough as Oklahoma; and that is what keeps them out of the BCS.
My up and comers:
Arizona State: Dennis Erickson touches gold wherever he goes at the college level, and he knows how to recruit speed and aggression.
Texas Tech: If a defense arrives anything remotely close to what is being hyped this season, the Big XII New World Order will arive.
North Carolina: Long shot at best, but Butch Davis ain't no slouch
Notre Dame: Their recruiting isn't strictly artificially solid on paper, they get great athletes. And there is only one direction this program can go after last year.
Baylor: Laugh all you want, I strangely sense a solid program rising in Waco

[RaychelSnr]

I would be offended by this if I were a Tennessee fan.

I know some Tennessee fans might not like this, but they can't be mentioned in the same breath as USC, Ohio State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Miami, etc. One national championship in the last 50 years isn't a powerhouse

[RaychelSnr]

BYU has been the best under the radar team the last few years. This year is their Boise State/Utah year. I still can't believe Wisconsin once was 12-1 and didn't even make the BCS, they have to get past Ohio State. Clemson=perennial underachievers, and being a fan of the Bowdens, it pains me to admit it. South Florida has built a powerhouse from scratch in record time, if they can make it to at least a debate about challenging the Gators for best team in Florida, then they are here (Of course, getting the wood put to them by a 5th string scout team QB in the Sun Bowl didn't help). Missouri is a complete team, they just don't appear to be as physically tough as Oklahoma; and that is what keeps them out of the BCS.
My up and comers:
Arizona State: Dennis Erickson touches gold wherever he goes at the college level, and he knows how to recruit speed and aggression.
Texas Tech: If a defense arrives anything remotely close to what is being hyped this season, the Big XII New World Order will arive.
North Carolina: Long shot at best, but Butch Davis ain't no slouch
Notre Dame: Their recruiting isn't strictly artificially solid on paper, they get great athletes. And there is only one direction this program can go after last year.
Baylor: Laugh all you want, I strangely sense a solid program rising in Waco

I considered AZ State, Texas Tech and Notre Dame as well for this list. Those three schools, with the talent they have, are all good choices if you want to win quick but feel the gratification of bringing a program up a notch in the prestige ranks

[wazzucoug02]

Re: Up and Coming Programs in NCAA Football 09

Good list and I agree with most of them.

I think you should do a list of the schools that have first year head coaches. I for one love taking over a program that has a new coach, because well...it's more realistic then taking over for Joe Pa. I'm just happy that my Cougs have a new coach this year so it just makes sense that I should be taking over.

Just a thought.

[RaychelSnr]

i was actually thinkin about playing with Clemson before i ever read this article...playin with their RB tandum would be insane

I think I have narrowed it down to Clemson or Georgia Tech myself. Not sure which of the two I want to do yet.

[RaychelSnr]

Good list and I agree with most of them.

I think you should do a list of the schools that have first year head coaches. I for one love taking over a program that has a new coach, because well...it's more realistic then taking over for Joe Pa. I'm just happy that my Cougs have a new coach this year so it just makes sense that I should be taking over.

Just a thought.

Not a bad idea man. I might just do that in the coming days as I used to do that as well

[thudias]

Re: Up and Coming Programs in NCAA Football 09

Good read....thanks

[Luca Brasi]

Re: Up and Coming Programs in NCAA Football 09

Obviously this is a homer thing to say but Colorado imho is an up and coming type of team. Young qb,oline and wr's,young D...a top 15 recruiting class that included the top rb prospect and 2 top 10 lb prospects.

Ditto for Pitt. LeSean McCoy on O,a GREAT D and a top 25 recruiting class.

[mcarta]

Great insight. I can't wait to get the game and reading articles like this just builds my excitiment.

[RaychelSnr]

Obviously this is a homer thing to say but Colorado imho is an up and coming type of team. Young qb,oline and wr's,young D...a top 15 recruiting class that included the top rb prospect and 2 top 10 lb prospects.

Ditto for Pitt. LeSean McCoy on O,a GREAT D and a top 25 recruiting class.

Colorado isn't a bad choice. For the purposes of this article I was talking about schools you could take in year one and realistically have a shot to win 10-12 games right off the bat with a team that usually isn't considered a contender. I think both Colorado and UNC (mentioned earlier) are programs on the rise, but neither team is loaded with enough talent to win 10-12 games this year.