College Football Teams with Something to Prove

College Football Teams with Something to Prove

by Jim Feist

Frustration and failure can prove excellent motivating factors in sports. We see quality teams get beaten badly all the time, then bounce back the next game with a terrific performance with an easy win. This can also take place with teams that are off disappointing seasons. Ohio State had two thumping losses at the end of the 2013 season, to Michigan State (34-24) and Clemson (40-35). The Buckeyes certainly looked like a team playing with a chip on its shoulder last year while winning the national title. TCU was off a 4-8 SU/ATS campaign in 2013, then went 12-1 SU, 11-2 ATS last fall. 

 Two years ago Auburn marched all the way to the title game following a dismal 3-9 2012 campaign. Three years ago Notre Dame had close losses to Michigan, South Florida, Stanford and Florida State. The loss to the Seminoles was the hardest to swallow, an 18-14 bowl game defeat getting outscored 15-0 in the fourth.  After the loss Coach Brian Kelly said, "The players that are going to be back for the 2012 football season will be committed to stepping up." Indeed they did, going 12-0 that season and making it to the national title game. When channeled properly, frustration can be focused into positive energy. Here are some college football teams that may have something to prove in 2015.

Texas A&M: The Aggies did win a bowl game, but there were a lot of embarrassing down moments after a 5-0 start. Texas A&M suspended their quarterbacks, the defense fell apart, and they gave up 48 to Mississippi State and got steamrolled by Alabama, 59-0. They also were a 32-point favorite over Monroe and barely won, 21-16. 

Kevin Sumlin and his staff have recruited 3 straight top-10 recruiting classes and they have 8 starters back on both sides of the line.  Sophomore QB Kyle Allen (16 TDs, 7 INTs) had 4 TDs, 294 yards in the Liberty Bowl, a 45-37 win over West Virginia as +3 dog. The WRs corps is loaded and the defense adds new coordinator John Chavis, from L.S.U. They get Bama and Auburn at home and hope to turn around a 10-16 ATS run with better defense. 

Michigan:  Brady Hoke's teams at Michigan: 11-2, 8-5, 7-6 and 5-7, in that order. Now Jim Harbaugh steps in to try and resurrect the program. 9 starters are back on offense, 8 on defense. That defense was fine, 27th in the nation in points allowed and new defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin inherits a good group. 

It's the offense that was a mess averaging 20.9 points.  Harbaugh has to teach junior QB Shane Morris (0 TDs, 3 INTs, 128 yards), but at least there are excellent options around him. RB Ty Isaac (a USC transfer ) is a former 5-star recruit who sat out 2014, teaming with junior RB Derrick Green (471 yards, 5.7 ypc) and sophomore WR Moe Ways.  Michigan is 19-25 SU/18-26 ATS its last 44 road games. 

South Carolina: The Gamecocks stumbled to a 7-6 SU/5-8 ATS campaign as the defense imploded. 7 starters return on offense, 8 on defense for Steve Spurrier. The big battler is between sophomore QB Conner Mitch (19 yards), junior QB Perry Orth and sophomore QB Michael Scarnecchia. 

Senior RB Brandon Wilds (570 yards, 5.4 ypc) and sophomore RB David Williams will be an effective one-two punch at running back and junior WR Pharoh Cooper (1,136 yards) is one of the best in the SEC.  The defense went from 12th in the nation in points to 91st, so former Houston Texans DB coach John Hoke has been brought in as co-defensive coordinator.  A lot of young talent was forced in last year, so that should pay dividends. 

Indiana: The Hoosiers went 4-8 despite an electrifying offense for coach Kevin Wilson. 7 starters are back on both sides of the line. The offense lost QB Nate Sudfeld (6 TDs, 3 picks, 1,151 yards) to an injury. In 2013 he had 21 TDs, 9 INTs, 2,523 yards).  The Hoosiers beat eventual SEC champions Missouri (31-27) on the road in September, then went toe-to-toe with national champion Ohio State in Columbus for three-and-a-half quarters before losing 42-27.

UAB transfer junior RB Jordan Howard is aboard.  At UAB, he finished seventh nationally with an average of 132.3 rushing yards per game. Fixing the defense (32.8 ppg allowed) is key. Junior CB Antonio Allen was honorable mention All Big 10 and is back along with soph S Donovan Clark, senior LB Zack Shaw and junior DL Shawn Heffern. The schedule is easier and Indiana would add to a 15-9 run over total.  

Northwestern: No bowl for the Wildcats over the last two seasons. Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald's teams are on a 8-16 ATS run but have 7 starters back on offense and defense. Senior QB Zack Oliver (2 TDs, 3 INTs) steps in and running back Justin Jackson returns after a standout freshman season (1,187 yards and 10 TDs). The defense should be the strength of the team, led by senior DE Dean Lowry. Revenge game: they lost 48-7 at Iowa last year, and host Iowa on October 17. Northwestern is on a 15-6-1 run under the total with a strong D.