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NCAA Football Top 120 Countdown
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By Rivals.com Staff
August 2, 2010
Rivals.com presents its 2010 countdown, ranking the teams from No. 1 through No. 120.
We started at the bottom, and our No. 1 team will be unveiled Aug. 19 -- two weeks from the start of the season.
After that, you won't see any team rankings from Rivals until early October. The reason: We will wait until enough games have been played so we can legitimately rank the teams.
The team rankings were compiled by college football writers Olin Buchanan, Tom Dienhart, David Fox, Mike Huguenin and Steve Megargee.
For team rankings 1-17, visit Rivals.com.
18. ARKANSAS
A powerful offense has coach Bobby Petrino and Arkansas poised for a breakout season, but defense will be key if the Razorbacks are going to challenge for the SEC West crown.
19. PENN STATE
Evan Royster is closing in on the Penn State rushing record and figures to get the chance for a third consecutive 1,000-yard season as the leader of the Nittany Lions' offense.
20. CONNECTICUT
After a strong finish in 2009, Randy Edsall and Connecticut have their sights set on winning the Big East championship. With 16 starters back, they have a good chance to do just that.
21. FLORIDA STATE
The Bobby Bowden era at Florida State is over, and Jimbo Fisher is the new man in charge. The Seminoles have a chance to be among the nation's most improved teams this season.
22. OREGON STATE
Oregon State star running back Jacquizz Rodgers is looking to reach 1,000 yards for the third time in his career, but he has a much bigger goal in mind - a Pac-10 championship.
23. NAVY
Ken Niumatalolo has kept up the winning tradition at Navy, which eyes its eighth straight season with at least eight wins. The Midshipmen could be a top 25 team at season's end.
24. CINCINNATI
After back-to-back Big East titles and BCS berths, Brian Kelly left to coach Notre Dame. Butch Jones is now in charge, and he looks to keep the Bearcats on top in the conference.
25. GEORGIA
Georgia is the only team in the country that has won at least eight games for 13 straight years, but the program's perceived loss of momentum has Mark Richt on a bit of a hot seat.
26. UTAH
The Utes had perfect seasons, including BCS wins, in 2004 and 2008. Can they do it in 2010 before moving on to the Pac-10? The offense looks good, but the defense has some holes.
27. GEORGIA TECH
The Yellow Jackets may have won the ACC title last season, but coach Paul Johnson brought in Al Groh as defensive coordinator to try and improve on that side of the ball.
28. MISSOURI
Coach Gary Pinkel didn't have as much to cheer about last season, but Missouri still recorded eight victories. The Tigers will try to return to their throne in the Big 12 North.
29. HOUSTON
Kevin Sumlin has made Houston one of the hottest programs in the country. Now he hopes to lead the Cougars to a Conference USA championship and - maybe even - a BCS bid.
30. NOTRE DAME
Perhaps no major program in the nation is undergoing as much transition as Notre Dame, starting with new coach Brian Kelly. Will the changes produce a change in results?
31. SOUTH CAROLINA
It's been a long wait for Steve Spurrier and South Carolina, but this could be the season the Gamecocks break through and win the SEC East. Or it could be just another disappoinment.
32. WEST VIRGINIA
Star RB Noel Devine decided to return for his senior season, meaning the Mountaineers
will have a chance to return to the top spot in the Big East after a two-year absence.
33. STANFORD
More than a decade has passed since Stanford won a Pac-10 title, but this may be the year. RB Toby Gerhart is gone, but QB Andrew Luck is back and could be a Heisman contender.
34. BYU
Bronco Mendenhall has led BYU to at least 10 victories in each of the past four seasons. So while TCU and Utah look better on paper, don't count out the Cougars in the Mountain West.
35. BOSTON COLLEGE
Mark Herzlich's return from cancer is the big story as the Eagles get ready for the season. But there are other storylines at BC, which hopes to reach the ACC championship game.
36. WASHINGTON
Steve Sarkisian nearly led the Huskies to a bowl game in his first season as coach.
Now he's hoping to make Washington a factor in the Pac-10 race, and it could happen.
37. CLEMSON
The Tigers already have to replace one of their most dynamic players ever in C.J. Spiller. Now they may be without QB Kyle Parker, who may play pro baseball instead of football.
38. CALIFORNIA
Not much is expected from Cal this season, which is a good thing. When the Bears aren't ranked high, they usually surprise. But they need better QB play this season to succeed.
39. AUBURN
Gene Chizik had a successful first season as coach at Auburn, winning eight games, including a New Year's Day bowl. Now he looks to lead the Tigers to an SEC West title.
40. RUTGERS
QB Tom Savage led the Scarlet Knights to eight wins in his freshman season. With Savage and WR Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers hopes to take the next step and win its first Big East title.
41. MICHIGAN
Rich Rodriguez has guided Michigan to a total of eight victories in two seasons, and conventional wisdom says he must win more games in 2010 in order to keep his job.
42. AIR FORCE
Air Force has gone to three consecutive bowl games under coach Troy Calhoun. Now the Falcons set their sights on a Mountain West Conference championship, but it won't be easy.
43. TEXAS A&M
Texas A&M took baby steps in coach Mike Sherman's second season, finishing 6-7 after an Independence Bowl loss to Georgia. This season, and with the return of QB Jerrod Johnson, the Aggies look to make a big move.
44. OLE MISS
Houston Nutt led Ole Miss to a 9-4 season and a Cotton Bowl win in 2009, but the year was considered a disappointment. The Rebels are rebuilding in 2010, so 9-4 would be good.
45. USF
Despite all the strides Jim Leavitt oversaw in the program's history, USF seemed to welcome a change when Skip Holtz took over. Holtz will try to coax more consistency out of the Bulls, but it will be difficult in his first season.
46. TEXAS TECH
Texas Tech is in the midst of the best run in school history. But the coach responsible lost his job in an ugly manner in December. New coach Tommy Tuberville is a proven winner who has helped settle things down.
47. MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State is coming off a disappointing 2009 that saw them finish under .500. Still, there is hope because numerous starters return and the schedule has some believing Michigan State could be a contender for the Big Ten crown.
48. ARIZONA
Arizona has made great strides in six seasons under coach Mike Stoops. Whether the Wildcats can make a giant leap is subject to debate, but overall there is an optimistic feeling in Tucson that the Wildcats are ready to take the next step.
49. TENNESSEE
Derek Dooley took over a team in flux, and more roster turnover after he was hired hasn't helped. To get to a bowl, Tennessee must win every game it's supposed to; considering the schedule, it might be too difficult.
50. COLORADO
It's likely the last chance for Dan Hawkins to show he can win at Colorado, and it won't be easy this season. There's some talent on the Buffs roster but also a lot more questions as the season nears.
51. UCF
UCF has struggled in even-numbered years under coach George O'Leary, following winning seasons with disappointing ones. But the Knights the talent to buck that trend this season.
52. KENTUCKY
Kentucky hasn't threatened to win the SEC East, but it has become a perennial bowl team (four consecutive postseason appearances). The streak could continue under new head coach Joker Phillips.
53. SOUTHERN MISS
Southern Miss has been to a bowl in each of coach Larry Fedora's two seasons, but the Golden Eagles haven't gotten appreciably better since longtime coach Jeff Bower was forced out after the 2007 season.
54. KANSAS
Turner Gill brings a fresh start, but the results might not be much different than last year's 5-7 finish, at least in the early going. The Jayhawks are staring at the realistic possibility of a second consecutive losing season.
55. TULSA
Tulsa was expected to challenge for the Conference USA West title in 2009 but instead struggled to a 5-7 finish, including a 3-5 mark in league play. Expect a return to form by the Golden Hurricane this season.
56. OKLAHOMA STATE
The Cowboys are seeking to post at least nine wins for the third consecutive season, a feat never accomplished in Stillwater. That mark won't be easily reached with Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska on the schedule.
57. NORTHWESTERN
In the past seven seasons, Northwestern has the sixth-best Big Ten record. Expect the Wildcats to continue that success and shoot for a third consecutive postseason appearance for the first time in school history.
58. TEMPLE
Temple is coming off one of the best seasons in school history, earning its first bowl bid since 1979. Can the Owls deal with success for the first time in a long time, or will they fold under expectations?
59. SMU
It took coach June Jones just two seasons to turn SMU from a joke into a bowl team, and it doesn't look like a fluke. The Mustangs return 15 starters, and though the schedule is difficult, another bowl bid looks likely.
60. N.C. STATE
N.C. State should be able to throw the ball effectively, but will the Wolfpack be able to stop anyone? Don't be surprised if the Wolfpack lose quite a few shootouts on their way to another 5-7 finish.
61. MISSISSIPPI STATE
It's become rather common for teams to make tremendous strides in the second season of a coach's tenure. Mississippi State fans are hoping for similar gains this fall under Dan Mullen.
62. PURDUE
Coach Danny Hope enters his second season looking to get the Boilermakers back into the bowl business after they missed the postseason the past two campaigns.
63. UCLA
The Bruins made progress in '09, but a postseason victory over Temple won't satisfy anyone. The Bruins are entering their third year under Rick Neuheisel and it's time for the offense to make significant improvement.
64. EAST CAROLINA
East Carolina has won back-to-back Conference USA titles, but the Pirates looked to have lost too much -- including their coach -- to win a third crown in a row.
65. NEVADA
The WAC has been Boise State's playground for the past few years, but Nevada has hung tough against the Broncos, losing by a total of 20 points over the past three seasons.
66. FRESNO STATE
The Bulldogs should be bowl-bound, but they have some uncertainty in their future: the departure of Boise State from the WAC, Hill's unsigned contract extension and financial questions.
67. NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Look for a run at the MAC title, but the Huskies must survive an early-season schedule that features games at Iowa State, Illinois and Minnesota. In all, Huskies play four of their first five and seven overall on the road.
68. WAKE FOREST
If Wake couldn't finish above .500 with a good quarterback and two experienced defensive tackles last season, it's tough to imagine the Deacons having a winning season now that they're in much worse shape at each of those positions.
69. ARIZONA STATE
Dennis Erickson has endured back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in his college coaching career. The defense should be strong enough to keep the Sun Devils in contention, but can the offense take advantage?
70. MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Middle Tennessee is coming off its first 10-win season since moving to FBS in 1999, and the talent is on hand for another 10-win season. Other than a game at Georgia Tech on Oct. 16, the schedule is navigable.
71. WYOMING
Dave Christensen made a major impact in his first season by guiding an offensively challenged team to a bowl. Getting back to the postseason could be difficult with this schedule.
72. BAYLOR
The offensive line is bigger and the defense appears faster, but there still are too many issues for Baylor to challenge Texas and Oklahoma in the division.
73. OHIO
the schedule appears manageable for a program that looks bowl-bound again. Still, the unsettled situation in the offensive backfield at quarterback and running back gives some pause.
74. TROY
for the first time in that span, the Trojans look vulnerable. It's bad enough that 13 starters are gone. Thing is, most of the team's star power is gone, too.
75. IOWA STATE
The non-conference slate includes a trip to rival Iowa (Iowa State lost 35-3 to the Hawkeyes in Ames last season) and a home game against Utah. Returning to a bowl may be difficult.
76. MINNESOTA
While Tim Brewster has improved the talent and injected some energy, he hasn't taken the program any farther than predecessor Glen Mason. Brewster could use a good season.
77. SAN DIEGO STATE
San Diego State remains a long-term rebuilding project, but second-year coach Brady Hoke proved he could turn a program around at Ball State. There's no reason he can't do it here.
78. IDAHO
Idaho was one of the nation's feel-good stories last season, reaching the postseason for the first time since 1998. The Vandals have the talent and experience to play in another bowl.
79. MARSHALL
Doc Holliday is the new coach at Marshall, and he's well known as an excellent recruiter. After pulling in a good 2010 recruiting class for the Herd, it's time to see if he can coach.
80. UTEP
Mike Price led UTEP to back-to-back bowl games when he took over as coach, but the Miners have had four losing seasons since and he's likely fighting for his job this year.
81. FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Florida Atlantic has just four home games -- the fewest in the nation for an FBS team -- which won't make it easy as Howard Schnellenberger's team looks to rise in the Sun Belt.
82. BOWLING GREEN
Bowling Green has massive holes to fill with the departures of QB Tyler Sheehan and WR Freddie Barnes, and a lot of youth could make this a rebuilding season for the Falcons.
83. KANSAS STATE
The return of Bill Snyder has coach last season only brought one more victory on the field. But the biggest change was in attitude, and the Wildcats look for that to continue in 2010.
84. ILLINOIS
Ron Zook shook up his staff in what may be a make-or-break season for him at Illinois. He's had just one winning season in five years, and his job is likely on the line this fall.
85. SYRACUSE
The future of suspended running back Delone Carter is still in doubt. That could be key as Syracuse looks for improvement in the second season under coach Doug Marrone.
86. HAWAII
Hawaii won four of its last five games in 2009 and hopes to continue the momentum in '10. But the Warriors need to cut down on turnovers and be more efficient in the red zone.
87. WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan has some big holes to fill on an offense that was powerful last season, but coach Bill Cubit hopes an improved defense will lead to a better record in 2010.
88. AKRON
New coach Rob Ianello has ditched the spread offense for a pro-style attack, one of many changes he's making to a Zips program that has had four consecutive losing seasons.
89. VANDERBILT
After going 7-6 and winning the Music City Bowl in 2008, Vanderbilt bottomed out last season. The Commodores have some talent, but their depth will be tested in 2010.
90. VIRGINIA
Mike London is the new coach at Virginia, and he's switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense. He got off to a fast start in recruiting, so the future looks good. This year could be tough.
91. LOUISVILLE
Charlie Strong waited a long time for a head-coaching job, but he may have to wait a little bit longer to field a winning team. But the Cards do have talent, especially at running back.
92. MARYLAND
After winning just one game against an FBS opponent last season, Maryland has nowhere to go but up. But the Terps still might not rise out of the ACC Atlantic Division cellar this year.
93. DUKE
David Cutcliffe has Duke moving in the right direction over the long haul, but the Devils may take a small step back this season. Matching their 5-7 record of 2009 won't be easy.
94. CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Central Michigan has to replace one of the greatest MAC players of all time in quarterback Dan LeFevour, and that's not the only problem facing new coach Dan Enos.
95. ARMY
Army stayed in bowl contention until the final week of the season and enjoyed its best year since 1996 in 2009, but the Cadets have a long way to go to catch Navy and Air Force.
96. KENT STATE
Kent State had a weak ground attack last season but should get a boost from the return of Eugene Jarvis, the nation's second-leading active runner who was out with an injury in '09.
97. INDIANA
Indiana shouldn't have trouble scoring points this season, but preventing them could be another story. The Hoosiers hope mixing up their defensive sets will help them in 2010.
98. TOLEDO
The rebuilding effort continues for second-year coach Tim Beckman, but a young roster filled with talent offers hope. Replacing QB Aaron Opelt, though, won't be easy.
99. WASHINGTON STATE
Paul Wulff has managed only three wins in two seasons as coach and looks to avoid the worst three-year stretch in Washington State history - or else he may lose his job.
100. ARKANSAS STATE
Arkansas State was expected to be a Sun Belt title contender last season but finished 4-8. A fast start in the league could have the Red Wolves in the Sun Belt championship hunt.
101. LOUISIANA TECH
Sonny Dykes is the new coach, and the Bulldogs will go from a run-oriented offense to one that throws the ball all over the place. But does he have the QB needed to be successful?
102. NORTH TEXAS
Todd Dodge has had trouble turning his high school success into a winner at North Texas, and he could be battling for his coaching job this season. The 'D' needs to improve - fast.
103. UTAH STATE
Gary Andersen took over at Utah State last season and guided the Aggies to four wins. Improvement on defense is needed if they hope to improve on that win total this season.
104. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
Mario Cristobal is just 9-27 as he enters his fourth season as head coach, and there's some angst in the program. But a fine group of receivers, led by T.Y. Hilton, gives FIU hope.
105. UNLV
Bobby Hauck, who had plenty of success at Montana, an FCS school, will now be the latest coach to try to turn around the program at UNLV. A tough early schedule won't help.
106. RICE
Despite four of the first five games and seven overall being at home, the schedule is a tough one. And Rice doesn't have the offensive playmakers to overcome what looks to be another overmatched defense.
107. COLORADO STATE
This is the Mountain West's mystery team. The defense looks as if it could be quite good, but the offense could be awful. Thing is, if the offense can just be mediocre, the Rams could finish fifth or sixth in the league.
108. BALL STATE
Ball State was one of the nation's best stories in 2008 going 12-2. But the Cardinals lost their final two games that season and the slide continued -- in a big way -- last season. Can they bounce back?
109. LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE
ULL was 6-2 last season when it forced at least two turnovers, and the secondary is an opportunistic group. But can the offense maintain any consistency with a rebuilt line and an unsettled situation at tailback?
110. MEMPHIS
The defense struggled last season, when the Tigers had a veteran offense. This season, the skill-position starters are new and that could put a huge burden on a defense that doesn't appear up to the task.
111. MIAMI UNIVERSITY
The RedHawks were inept offensively for much of last season, meaning coach Michael Haywood's first year was a disaster. But 17 starters return this season, so there are some good vibes around the program.
112. NEW MEXICO
Last season was a nightmare on and off the field for new coach Mike Locksley. Another one-win season -- coupled with all the turmoil that went on last season -- might mean he will be shown the door.
113. NEW MEXICO STATE
Outside of Boise State, everyone in the WAC is vulnerable -- but New Mexico State doesn't look as if it will be good enough to take advantage. The schedule isn't all that difficult, but, again, that really doesn't matter.
114. UAB
Eight offensive starters are back off a team that went 4-4 in C-USA. Alas, do-everything QB Joe Webb isn't one of them and the Blazers appear poised for a fall. The defense is likely to stand out again for its problems.
115. BUFFALO
Turner Gill, who helped this program rise from the dead, left to become coach at Kansas. The new coach is Jeff Quinn, who promises that he will have a wide-open attack. But that could be a problem this season.
116. LOUISIANA-MONROE
Despite two 6-6 records the past three seasons, ULM decided to fire Charlie Weatherbie. Todd Berry is the new coach, and he will be under pressure to deliver better results.
117. EASTERN MICHIGAN
Ron English went 0-12 in his first season as coach at EMU. And the play of his defense had to be especially disappointing for the former Michigan defensive coordinator.
118. TULANE
The Green Wave struggled on offense last season and lost its two best players on that side of the ball. In an offensive-minded league like Conference USA, that could spell trouble.
119. SAN JOSE STATE
Mike MacIntyre is the new coach. He replaces Dick Tomey, who retired. SJSU may struggle this season, but Tomey left the program in better shape than he found it.
120. WESTERN KENTUCKY
Willie Taggart, who was running backs coach at Stanford, takes over at his alma mater, which went 0-12 last season. Taggert has installed a West Coast offense, but will it help?
• NCAA Football News Archive Index:
2010, 2009
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