Lucky_Lefty
Dreams Are Colder Than Death...
Last year, because of its historically successful coach and the school's resources, Insider identified Washington as a program that should've earned a spot in the College Football Future Power Rankings. But the Huskies fell just outside the top 25.
Sure enough, the Huskies entered the 2016 rankings at No. 21, with ESPN's panelists indicating they think U-Dub has the momentum to climb even higher.
Who is this year's version of Washington? Which programs just missed out on the top 25 but should've been included in this year's edition of FPR?
1. Texas A&M (FPR rank: 26)
OK, let's just project the worst-case scenario. Let's say that Kevin Sumlin is out after a mediocre season. Given the donors' deep pockets and the vast resources in place in College Station, you'd have to think the Aggies could attract a relatively big name, a proven winner or an up-and-comer, to take Sumlin's place.
A&M was ranked No. 13 a year ago. It should never sink this low in a three-year projection with so much going for it, including what opposing coaches say is the finest stadium-football building combination in the country.
A 6.9 rating (out of 10) in the recruiting category was a particular overreaction to the current climate.
2. Utah (28)
Akin to Stanford in the Pac-12's other division, Utah has proved it can win in the Pac-12 South with physical play. Establishing that identity has served the Utes well as they work to overcome any recruiting deficiencies compared to division opponents in California and Arizona.
A system based on relying on defense and a strong run game is the reason why Utah belongs in the top 25 of any three-year projection. It's sustainable and is less subject to the ebbs and flows of recruiting cycles.
With an 8.1 score in the coaching category, at least Kyle Whittingham (95-46 record in 11 seasons) is getting his due for leading the program to the Power 5 level.
3. Wisconsin (29)
Wisconsin's story is similar to Utah's in that it wins with a strong run game and defense, an identity that is similarly sustainable. Add to that a far easier division than the Utes' Pac-12 South, and the Badgers should be a shoo-in pick for a top-25 spot in FPR.
Most curious, perhaps, is that Paul Chryst's coaching rating (6.6) is just below Mike Riley's at division rival Nebraska. It's as if the panel missed Chryst leading Wisconsin to a 10-3 record in his first season as the head man at his alma mater. (Riley's team finished 6-7.) Chryst brings an air of stability to a program that needed it in the wake of two coaching changes in four seasons.
Even with those changes, the Badgers have been highly consistent: Panelist Sharon Katz, with ESPN's Stats & Info Group, pointed out that UW has the eighth-highest winning percentage in the FBS over the past decade.
"There is no reason to believe its run is about to come to an end," Katz said.
4. North Carolina (30)
Because of its proximity to quality recruits and overall athletic brand, coaches have long pointed to UNC as a potential sleeping giant in college football. With AD Bubba Cunningham in charge, there has been more institutional support directed toward Larry Fedora's football program. The payoff has come in the form of a division title and an undefeated ACC regular season in 2015, and the success should only continue. That would theoretically boost the modest 6.6 rating in the foundation category.
Fedora and his staff have recruited well. Respected new coaches in the division such as Mark Richt (Miami) and Justin Fuente (Virginia Tech) might have something to say about it in the three-year window, but for now the Heels are the lead team in the ACC Coastal.
5. Virginia Tech (34)
Hop aboard the Fuente bandwagon while you still can. Coaches around the country, including his mentor, Gary Patterson, believe wholeheartedly in his ability to build a program. And, really, we already know that after seeing him take Memphis from seven wins in his first two seasons to 19 in his final two.
"It's hard not to be impressed by that," panelist Brad Edwards said. "The Hokies are in a division that could allow them to make a quick rise with better quarterback play -- an issue I expect Fuente to quickly resolve."
To that point: Look out for juco Jerod Evans this fall.
Sure enough, the Huskies entered the 2016 rankings at No. 21, with ESPN's panelists indicating they think U-Dub has the momentum to climb even higher.
Who is this year's version of Washington? Which programs just missed out on the top 25 but should've been included in this year's edition of FPR?
1. Texas A&M (FPR rank: 26)
OK, let's just project the worst-case scenario. Let's say that Kevin Sumlin is out after a mediocre season. Given the donors' deep pockets and the vast resources in place in College Station, you'd have to think the Aggies could attract a relatively big name, a proven winner or an up-and-comer, to take Sumlin's place.
A&M was ranked No. 13 a year ago. It should never sink this low in a three-year projection with so much going for it, including what opposing coaches say is the finest stadium-football building combination in the country.
A 6.9 rating (out of 10) in the recruiting category was a particular overreaction to the current climate.
2. Utah (28)
Akin to Stanford in the Pac-12's other division, Utah has proved it can win in the Pac-12 South with physical play. Establishing that identity has served the Utes well as they work to overcome any recruiting deficiencies compared to division opponents in California and Arizona.
A system based on relying on defense and a strong run game is the reason why Utah belongs in the top 25 of any three-year projection. It's sustainable and is less subject to the ebbs and flows of recruiting cycles.
With an 8.1 score in the coaching category, at least Kyle Whittingham (95-46 record in 11 seasons) is getting his due for leading the program to the Power 5 level.
3. Wisconsin (29)
Wisconsin's story is similar to Utah's in that it wins with a strong run game and defense, an identity that is similarly sustainable. Add to that a far easier division than the Utes' Pac-12 South, and the Badgers should be a shoo-in pick for a top-25 spot in FPR.
Most curious, perhaps, is that Paul Chryst's coaching rating (6.6) is just below Mike Riley's at division rival Nebraska. It's as if the panel missed Chryst leading Wisconsin to a 10-3 record in his first season as the head man at his alma mater. (Riley's team finished 6-7.) Chryst brings an air of stability to a program that needed it in the wake of two coaching changes in four seasons.
Even with those changes, the Badgers have been highly consistent: Panelist Sharon Katz, with ESPN's Stats & Info Group, pointed out that UW has the eighth-highest winning percentage in the FBS over the past decade.
"There is no reason to believe its run is about to come to an end," Katz said.
4. North Carolina (30)
Because of its proximity to quality recruits and overall athletic brand, coaches have long pointed to UNC as a potential sleeping giant in college football. With AD Bubba Cunningham in charge, there has been more institutional support directed toward Larry Fedora's football program. The payoff has come in the form of a division title and an undefeated ACC regular season in 2015, and the success should only continue. That would theoretically boost the modest 6.6 rating in the foundation category.
Fedora and his staff have recruited well. Respected new coaches in the division such as Mark Richt (Miami) and Justin Fuente (Virginia Tech) might have something to say about it in the three-year window, but for now the Heels are the lead team in the ACC Coastal.
5. Virginia Tech (34)
Hop aboard the Fuente bandwagon while you still can. Coaches around the country, including his mentor, Gary Patterson, believe wholeheartedly in his ability to build a program. And, really, we already know that after seeing him take Memphis from seven wins in his first two seasons to 19 in his final two.
"It's hard not to be impressed by that," panelist Brad Edwards said. "The Hokies are in a division that could allow them to make a quick rise with better quarterback play -- an issue I expect Fuente to quickly resolve."
To that point: Look out for juco Jerod Evans this fall.
