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10 college football teams with momentum heading into 2017

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans coach Clay Helton poses with the Leishman Trophy after the 103rd Rose Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans coach Clay Helton poses with the Leishman Trophy after the 103rd Rose Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2016; Birmingham, AL, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers (9) looks to pass during the second quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; Birmingham, AL, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers (9) looks to pass during the second quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

8. South Florida Bulls

While it’s rare for a Group of Five team to have much offseason momentum following a coaching change, the Bulls made the best replacement hire possible and have enough returning talent to win the AAC and more in 2017.

After two tough campaigns to begin his stint at South Florida, Willie Taggart generated some confidence for the program with an 8-5 record in 2015. The Bulls followed that up with an 11-2 mark and a Birmingham Bowl win over South Carolina this year, the best season in school history.

Taggart built one of the best offenses in the country, as the Bulls averaged 43.8 points per game to rank fourth in the nation. South Florida’s only losses were to Florida State and Temple, as the combination of quarterback Quinton Flowers and running back Marlon Mack was too much for most of the AAC to handle.

With Taggart heading to Oregon, the Bulls hired former Texas head coach Charlie Strong, who looks like a terrific fit on paper. If Strong can improve the defense quickly, South Florida could have a dangerous team in 2017 with Flowers set to return.

Strong should be able to recruit well at South Florida, which sets up the program well for success in the future. The Bulls shouldn’t be troubled by an easy non-conference slate and will be in contention for the New Year’s Six if Flowers can repeat his success from last season under the new coaching staff.

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