National Columnist Mike Farrell is here with the 3-Point Stance looking at the biggest program progressions in the last 20 years, some wide receivers who won’t be overshadowed this season, and five things we will see in 2023 that we are very used to.
Most Improved Teams Since 2000
— I looked at teams that regressed the most in the last 20 years last week, but how about a positive spin? These teams have come a long way.
1. Clemson
– This one is easy. They went from “Clemsoning” to winning a couple of national titles and becoming a yearly contender to win it all.
2. Utah
— Urban Meyer had them really good back in 2004 and they were also really good in 2008 as well but those years were in the Mountain West. After an up-and-down start in the PAC 12, they have emerged as a consistent double-digit winner and PAC 12 favorite. Kyle Whittingham remains one of the most underrated coaches nationally year after year.
3. Oregon
— The Ducks were up and down at the start of the century but caught fire under Chip Kelly. They’ve had 10 seasons of 10 or more wins since 2007 and are perennial PAC 12 contenders.
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4. Kentucky
— The Wildcats weren’t good 20 years ago. And they stunk up until Mark Stoops took over. They aren’t a power by any means, but two 10-win seasons in the last five years is a far cry from what they were.
5. Baylor
— The Bears stunk 20 years ago and even though Art Briles did it the wrong way, Matt Rhule and now Dave Aranda have all made them consistent threats in the Big 12. There have been down years but from 1996 to 2009 their best win total in a season was 5.
Wide Receivers Stepping Into the Spotlight
— We continue our series on players who won’t be overshadowed anymore with the WRs led by a name you might not be as familiar with as you should be.
1. Malik Nabers, LSU
Overshadowed by: Jalin Hyatt
Nabers had an outstanding year in his own right in 2022 – leading the SEC in receptions with 72 and finishing with over 1,000 yards. But he only found the endzone three times all season, which was definitely a fluke. The true junior has first-round potential, and I’d be willing to bet he shows that off in 2023 in his second season with Jayden Daniels.
2. Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
Overshadowed by: AT Perry, Josh Downs, Zay Flowers
The son of the former Cowboys and Dolphins standout, Gadsden had one of the best freshman seasons in the country that no one talked about. With Sean Tucker off to the draft, he’ll be the focal point of the Orange’s attack in 2023. After finishing sixth in the conference in yards last season, he’s a good bet to lead the league.
3. Brennan Presley, Oklahoma State
Overshadowed by: Quintin Johnston, Marvin Mims, Xavier Hutchinson
Amidst all of the turnover in Stillwater, the Cowboys’ leading receiver Presley is back for his senior season and that’s a boon to Mike Gundy. Teammate Bryson Green left for Wisconsin after a strong true freshman season, leaving Presley as the unquestioned leader in a wide receiver room that will see a lot of targets even with a new quarterback.
4. CJ Johnson, ECU
Overshadowed by: Nathaniel Dell, Isaiah Winstead, Rashee Rice
Johnson managed to crack the 1,000-yard mark last season despite not even being the top target on his own team, which should tell you just how much of a threat he is. The 6’2, 220 lb. true X turns 50/50 balls into 80/20 balls and has deceiving speed. He could make a run at following in the footsteps of Zay Jones and earning All-American honors for the Pirates.
5 Familiar Things in 2023
— And finally, after looking at some strange things we’ll see in 2023, here are five things we will see this season that we are used to — some good and some bad.
1. Georiga and Alabama Running the SEC
LSU was a nice story last year, but let’s be real. Alabama still has as much talent on the roster as anyone in the country, and they are the odds-on favorite to win the West. And no matter who is taking snaps for the Dawgs they will be dominant. Sorry Vols fans, it’s going to take a minute before you’ve closed that talent gap and LSU will have to wait.
2. Michigan vs. Ohio State for the Big Ten East
Yes, we wrote that it was strange to have Michigan as the favorite in the conference in our last column. But let’s be clear – the Wolverines and the Buckeyes are head and shoulders above everyone else in that division, even if Penn State begs to differ.
3. Lackluster Iowa offense
The Brian Ferentz experiment has failed. Pure and simple. His new contract is an absolute joke, and Cade McNamara has to be fuming right now. Ferentz has shown zero ability to create any semblance of a passing game, and their offense as a whole is a national joke. Bringing him back just means more memes for the rest of us while Hawkeye fans wail in dismay.
4. Lincoln Riley with no defense
Do we still think that Alex Grinch is the answer? The Trojans couldn’t stop a nosebleed, finishing 106th in total defense last year. Yet Riley is running it back with Grinch for the fifth consecutive season, despite never even coming close to having a good defensive unit, much less a great one. Until he moves on and finds a coordinator that can turn them into a top 25 unit nationally, they’re never going to win a national title.
5. Louisville is the most volatile team in the country
Bringing back beloved son Jeff Brohm is a great move for both parties involved. So while the hiring of Ron English as DC is questionable, it also helps the Cardinals remain the most volatile team in the country. What do I mean by that? Well, for the past decade-plus, it’s felt like they could beat any team in the country or lose to any team in the country on any given Saturday. And Jeff Brohm’s Purdue teams knew a thing or two about doing just that. If nothing else, the Brohm’s Louisville teams will be a wild ride.
