What is lost in all of this talk about parity in college football is the complete collapse of some of the nations premier programs. Notre Dame, Nebraska, Florida State and Miami have all descended into mediocrity (thanks for the line, Pederson) and this should be one of the main stories this season. While South Florida, Uconn, Kentucky and South Carolina have all had great seasons but what has been lost in all of their success has been the complete downfall of the once great powers that were mentioned above. Nebraska is coming off of one of their worst games in team history, one in which they gave up 76 points to Kansas (yes, that Kansas). Notre Dame just snapped a 43 game winning streak over Navy by losing at home and falling to 1-8 on the year. Miami lost to NC State (at home, no less) and fell to 5-4 on the season while their arch rivals Florida State scored an upset after beating Boston College. Who would have ever thought that Florida State beating Boston College would be a monumental upset? Lost in all of the talk of parity has been the complete explosion of the old guard which led us at GOTG to look at how long it should take the aforementioned programs to get back to a title contending state.
1. Notre Dame
Notre Dame has been able to recruit good players over the course of the last few years. If they can limit the amount of big games they play to 4-5 instead of 7-8 they should be able to get into that 9 win range which would mean a BCS game for Notre Dame. Now, I do not think Charlie Weis is as good of a coach as the media would want you to believe which is why I do not think he will ever win a title at ND. Look for ND to get back into the national title discussion in the next 2-3 years.
2. Florida State
In what has become one of the greatest mysteries over the course of the last 5 years has been the demise of Free Shoe. They continually get top notch recruits and they play in an average conference yet they seem to be destined for mediocrity. They have already lost 3 ACC games (including a loss to Wake Forest for the 2nd year in a row) and their offense looks down right embarrassing most of the time. There is a lot of talent on this FSU team so it should only be a matter of time before they can get back in the national title race. Look for FSU to take the ACC in the next 1-2 years following that up with a run at a national title in 3-4.
3. Miami
Miami, like Florida State, has been able to recruit talent to Coral Gables but they have been lacking in results. New coach Randy Shannon has is work cut out for him as he, much like Bowden at FSU, cannot seem to field an offense that can put up more than 20 points on a consistent basis. Miami is in much worse shape than FSU and it should take them much longer to get back into the national title hunt. Look for the Canes to play well in the coming years but they are 4-5 years away from a title run.
4. Nebraska
The Huskers seemed to be on their way last year having lost to 4 top 10 teams but an average of 9 points. Then this year began. A blowout loss to USC, Missouri, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Kansas will get you fired every time and it will be no exception for Bill Callahan. This Nebraska team has completely given up on their coaches and has showed nothing but a pathetic half-assed effort for most of the season. The players look slow and have zero heart which is not what Nebraska was known for back in the day. Nebraska and Miami are in the same boat in terms of issues and neither of which should be in the national title hunt anytime soon. Look for Callahan to get fired immediately following the Colorado game and whomever gets the task of returning Nebraska to glory should be given at least 5 years because that is what it is going to take.
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