Athlon: 5 teams on the decline (3 TCU opponents)

[FeistyFrog]

http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/college-footballs-top-5-teams-decline-2013


Kansas State

There’s a very simple rule to follow when making predictions for the upcoming Big 12 season: Never count out the Wildcats as long as Bill Snyder is on the sidelines in Manhattan. Although Snyder is one of college football’s top coaches, Kansas State has a lot of personnel losses to overcome if it wants to repeat as Big 12 champions. Heisman finalist Collin Klein will be missed at quarterback, while receiver Chris Harper also departs after leading the team with 58 catches in 2012. While the offense shouldn't suffer much of a drop in production with one of the Big 12's top offensive lines and running back John Hubert returning, the defense is another story. The Wildcats are losing a handful of key players, including end Meshak Williams, linebacker Arthur Brown and cornerback Nigel Malone. Expect another bowl berth for Kansas State in 2013 but another conference title is out of reach.
LSU

No team has been impacted by the NFL Draft’s early entry deadline quite like LSU. The Tigers lost 11 players, including defensive linemen Barkevious Mingo, Bennie Logan and Sam Montgomery, along with cornerback Tharold Simon and safety Eric Reid. Although LSU always recruits top talent, it will be difficult to replace the departing talent in just one offseason. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger showed some progress at the end of the year but needs to shoulder more of the offensive workload in 2013. Defensive coordinator John Chavis is regarded as one of the best in the nation but will have his hands full with a rebuilt line, the departure of linebacker Kevin Minter and two starters leaving from the secondary. LSU will be a top-15 team in 2012 but contending for a BCS bowl or SEC West title is unlikely.
Oklahoma

The Sooners have been one of college football’s most consistent winners since Bob Stoops arrived in Norman. Since 2000, Oklahoma has only two seasons of less than 10 wins and has won 32 games over the last three years. After losing 41-13 in the Cotton Bowl to Texas A&M, Stoops and his staff have been heavily criticized, especially for a defense that allowed 192.2 rushing yards per game and finished 64[sup]th[/sup] nationally in yards allowed. There’s no shortage of talent in Norman, but Oklahoma will have trouble recording a double-digit win total in 2013. Quarterback Landry Jones is gone, and there’s plenty of uncertainty about who emerges as the new No. 1 passer. Blake Bell has shown promise in a limited role, but can he be the full-time quarterback? Considering the defense loses at least seven starters, it may take half of the season for Oklahoma to find the right pieces on that side of the ball. The Sooners aren’t going to fall out of the top 25, but it’s hard to envision this team winning a Big 12 title next year or matching the 10 victories from 2012.

 

[Despite the odds Frog]

Dumb. These teams might not win it all but they will be competitive. LSU and OU have plenty of talent to crush anyone on any givem day being top 5 recruiting classes over most years. TCU would love to have the talent that these teams get yearly. This is an excuse for these teams. People making excuses for them. TCU ranked #40 in recruiting classes every year doesn't nearly get the talent these two even three get year after year. If TCU were to be top 5 recruiting like LSU I think wouldnt matter if TCU lost 11 kids they would be marked to win the Big 12 every year. So next year TCU could beat LSU, OU, and KState and people are going to brush it away again saying this was down years for those teams. Hogwash! Excuses excuses excuses. Cry me a river. Giving fans an out. For years Ive heard these teams backups would crush TCU.

 

[Frognosticator]

Dumb. These teams might not win it all but they will be competitive. LSU and OU have plenty of talent to crush anyone on any givem day being top 5 recruiting classes over most years. TCU would love to have the talent that these teams get yearly. This is an excuse for these teams. People making excuses for them. TCU ranked #40 in recruiting classes every year doesn't nearly get the talent these two even three get year after year. If TCU were to be top 5 recruiting like LSU I think wouldnt matter if TCU lost 11 kids they would be marked to win the Big 12 every year. So next year TCU could beat LSU, OU, and KState and people are going to brush it away again saying this was down years for those teams. Hogwash! Excuses excuses excuses. Cry me a river. Giving fans an out. For years Ive heard these teams backups would crush TCU.

Not sure where it says they won't be competitive. They said KSU makes a bowl game, LSU will be in the top 15, and OU will be in the top 25. That's competitive in my book.

That being said, I completely agree with the analysis. Especially for LSU. We may be favorites going into that game.

 

[Frogs1983]

I think "decline" is relative regarding these teams.Still not going to be easy games.None at home,so maybe that's a good thing? :unsure:

 

[Despite the odds Frog]

This is the start of excuses.

 

[frognutz]

I think "decline" is relative regarding these teams.Still not going to be easy games.None at home,so maybe that's a good thing? :unsure:

Yes, relative indeed. All of these teams were top 5 teams at one point last season.

 

[Pure Purple]

Rest assured that coming out on top against any of those three

won't be a walk in the park. Bring your 'A' game or else....

 

[NubomTurk]

I'm just glad Barkevious Mingo is gone. That's a scary name.

 

[BABYFACE]

I'm just glad Barkevious Mingo is gone. That's a scary name.

More scary than Harry Dingo?

Not a FB player but some character from a movie.

 

[mrnicefrog]

The top juco QB is coming to k-state this year, so their fall off may not be as much as everyone thinks