In today’s installment of the countdown, can two blossoming powers maintain last season’s momentum and can three traditional powers retool for 2016? 15. Houston Cougars — So what can Tom Herman possibly do for an encore in just his second season as the Cougars coach? He only went 13-1 and beat Florida State in a bowl game in his first season and although other bigger-name schools came calling, Herman stayed and why not? Houston is one of the nation’s biggest cities and with his recruiting base, he could turn the Cougars into new national power, maybe in the Big 12. Greg Ward is back after being one of just two quarterbacks in all of NCAA Division I to throw for over 2,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 last year (Clemson’s Deshaun Watson was the other). His top two receivers return, as does four linemen, and two transfers will shore up any offensive holes. They lost three in the secondary, but if those spots can be filled, look out. The opener against Oklahoma could be very interesting indeed. 14. Ole Miss Rebels — If any program in the country can’t wait to get football started, it’s has to be the…
Continue Reading: The College Football Countdown, Part III
