By: JC Nevils
Normally you have some teams who usually perform up to their
program’s standards such as Alabama and Ohio State, but then you
also have some historically great programs who have just not found
a way to get it done recently such as Miami and Nebraska. Even
though that may be true, even the top tier programs can have a down
year. Other programs may also be ready to hit their stride at the right
time. Here I discuss some teams who are primed to breakout this
upcoming season and get over the hump.
1. Nebraska
Nebraska over the last decade or so has been dormant, to
say the least. They have only had two winning seasons in the last 10
years, and those only came with nine wins in those couple of seasons.
Ever since Bo Pelini had the program afloat somewhat, there has
been none of that since he was fired back in 2014. Even with fan favorite Scott
Frost coming back was no help. Now with Matt Rhule at the helm I
fully see them improving each year, and rapidly at that. While he
only went 5-7 in his first season, they lost most of those games by a
very slim margin. That means they are not far off, and he is well
known to turn around programs. I see them surprising a lot of people
this season, especially with five-star Dylan Raiola eventually taking over as the prime signal caller.
2. Oklahoma
Oklahoma has been a juggernaut ever since I can
remember. They always seem to show up and win with whomever and whatever
they have. Bob Stoops had a big part in that bringing them back to
life when he won their last national championship back in 2000,
which was only his second season. When he stepped down he gave
the keys to OC Lincoln Riley, in which the winning didn’t slow
down one bit. Now he couldn’t get them over the hump in the
college football playoffs, but nevertheless he won a whole bunch.
Now with former Clemson DC Brent Venables as the head man,
there has been a little drop off. He finished the 2022 season going 6-7,
which is not normal for Sooner country. This past season was alot better with the Sooners finishing 10-3. Even with that improvement that is not what the Oklahoma faithful are used to, especially losing bowl games. This year though I see them
bouncing back even more with the way he has recruited along
with fixing the little things. With a big time player in Jackson Arnold under center
now I see them getting back to normal. It won’t be easy though with
them joining the SEC as of this year.
Scoff at your own risk. Brent Venables’ program is only getting stronger.
🔺 Top 10 classes every year
🔺 Elite defenders at every level
🔺 Protege running the defense— The Main Line Podcast (@TheMainLinePod) June 12, 2024
More Sports News
3. Miami
The Hurricanes have been trying to get back to the glory
days since the early 2000’s when they were winning and playing in
championship games. Ever since then it has been in complete
disarray. Despite the one season where they thought they were
“back” with former Georgia HC and alum Mark Richt in 2017, nothing has
been done to excite the fans. In comes Mario Cristobal. While he is
known as an excellent recruiter on the trail, the head coaching
results are still to be seen. He did a good job at Oregon, but this is a
different beast. In his first season Miami finished with a record of
7-6, which isn’t terrible, but with the talent they have on South
Beach they should be winning a whole lot more. Especially with the way they lose and the teams they lost to, which just isn’t acceptable. This season with
stud QB Cam Ward transferring in from Washington State, I see him
leading all of that talent to a year that all of Miami faithful can be
proud of.
Is new Miami QB Cam Ward the most likely QB to make a Jayden Daniels-like run to the Heisman and the top of the draft?
— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) July 5, 2024
4. Clemson
While Clemson hasn’t played THAT bad over the past few
seasons, it’s not what they have become used to. The Tigers have
become accustomed to nothing but college football playoff
appearances along with national championships. Dabo Swinney has
created a monster program, but he also has had some shortcomings. He
hasn’t been too fond of the transfer portal, and with that it has hurt
him a little along with assistant coaches leaving for head coaching
jobs. With that combined they have not been their usual selves, but
coming into this season I feel like Clemson will be back to their
normal winning ways. Cade Klubnik should be seasoned by now, and he also has a plethora of weapons at his disposal along with a stingy
defense. Watch out ladies and gentlemen.
5. Colorado
In Coach Prime’s first season at the helm for the Buffaloes,
things didn’t quite go as planned. They were by far the most popular
and most watched team all summer going into the season. Even
through week four they were 3-1 with wins over TCU, whom just
had a national championship appearance, and their hated rival Nebraska. Not
long after that the train would come off the rails. They would go on
to lose seven of their last eight games with a couple being downright
embarrassing. Now with even more turnover in the portal, Sanders
looks to hit on some of these players in what he would call “Louie
luggage”. That along with some coaching changes and Shedeur Sanders along with Travis Hunter being healthy, I see them
improving immensely. If the defense can hold up, the Buffs should
be a very happy fan base.
