College Football Teams with Something to Prove
By:
Jim Feist |
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
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. Clemson didn't have a disappointing season two years ago,
but did lose the national title game. That had to be on the minds of the
Clemson players last season as they got back to the title game, this time
topping Alabama in a thriller on the final play.
Ohio State had a pair of 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
the next year while winning the national title. Other times bad seasons can be
a motivating factor, such as TCU going 4-8 SU/ATS 2013, followed by a 12-1 SU,
11-2 ATS campaign.
Four years ago Auburn marched all the way
to the title game following a dismal 3-9 2012 campaign. Six 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 2017.
Iowa: The Hawkeyes went 12-2 two years ago
with a powerhouse defense and returned a stellar group last season. However,
they went just 8-5, losing to Northwestern (38-31) as 11-point chalk, 41-14 to
Penn State and a stunner at home to North Dakota State (23-21) a 2 TD
favorite.
The offense stumbled in 2016 so they have
a new offensive coordinator in Brian Ferentz, the former O-line coach.
They should have excellent balance with four offensive linemen back and
star senior Tailback Akrum Wadley (1,081 yards, 6.4 ypc, 10 TDs).
However, there are new receivers, a young QB and a lot of new faces on
defense. At least they get the revenge game against Penn State at home.
Texas: After a 5-7 campaign the Longhorns
have changed directions bringing in hot coaching commodity Tom Herman.
Sophomore QB Shane Buechele is back and Herman has developed dynamic ground
attacks at Houston. New defensive coordinator Todd Orlando preaches a
hard-hitting unit that is designed to cause chaos and turnovers. Look for Texas
to blitz a lot shake up Big 12 QBs. They lost five games by seven points
or fewer, so Texas wasn't that far from a winning season last fall.
Arizona: The Wildcats are off a dismal 2-9
season under Rich Rodriguez, plagued by injuries. There is hope for quick
improvement with the return of dual-threat QB Brandon Dawkins and a pair
of talented RBs in Nick Wilson and J.J. Taylor. The defense was adjusting to
new DC Marcel Yates last year and struggled, but they should be better in Year
2. Arizona has better personnel in 2017 suited for the blitz-heavy 3-4 scheme.
Northwestern: Hard to believe this team went 7-6
with excellent production from QB Clayton Thorson (22 TDs, 9 INTs, 3,182
yards), RB Justin Jackson (1,524 yds, 5.1 ypc) and a defense that was #23
in the nation in points allowed. They lost to Ohio State 24-20 as a +26 dog.
But the Wildcats are primed for a strong campaign with their best
players back. The secondary will be a strength (16 picks in 2016) led by junior
corner Montre Hartage and junior safety Jared McGee. Note that
Northwestern is on a 32-14-1 run under the total with that defense.
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