10 college football teams with momentum heading into 2017
These 10 college football teams will enter next season with high expectations after generating some momentum at the end of 2016.
With another thrilling season of college football in the books, it’s time to start looking forward to next year.
The Clemson Tigers took down the Alabama Crimson Tide, 35-31, on Monday night at Raymond James Stadium in an incredible rematch from the 2015 title game. That marked the first national championship for Clemson since 1981, with more possibly to come under Dabo Swinney.
While both teams will lose a lot of NFL-caliber talent, they should be among the favorites to reach the College Football Playoff heading into the 2017 season. They figure to be joined by other perennial contenders like the Ohio State Buckeyes and Florida State Seminoles at the top of the initial AP Poll next summer.
It may be business as usual in the first rankings of 2017, but every college football season is going to provide some surprises. Several programs around the country ended this year on a high note, which could help them build towards a playoff run in the near future.
Outside of the two participants in Monday’s title game, these 10 teams will enter the 2017 season with momentum after finishing the year with lengthy winning streaks or huge bowl victories.
10. BYU Cougars
Following the surprise departure of longtime head coach Bronco Mendenhall in the offseason, the Cougars enjoyed a promising first season under Kalani Sitake and look to be set up well for the future.
BYU qualified for a bowl every year under Mendenhall from 2005-2015 and reached 10 wins five separate times. While the program has stagnated somewhat since 2010, Mendenhall had plenty of success, and the Cougars took a risk by hiring a rookie head coach.
Sitake, who played at BYU under the legendary LaVell Edwards, brought some new energy to the team and led the Cougars to a strong 9-4 season. BYU took down Wyoming in the Poinsettia Bowl for its first postseason victory since 2012, and its four losses came by a combined eight points.
Following a 28-27 road defeat against Boise State on October 20, the Cougars closed the season on a five-game winning streak to build some momentum heading into the offseason. Sitake already has the Cougars playing terrific defense, and quarterback Tanner Mangum should improve with another year of experience.
As always, BYU faces an impossibly tough schedule that includes LSU and Wisconsin. A New Year’s Six berth might be too much to ask for, but Sitake appears well on his way to making BYU a force.