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RollTide1987 
Alabama Fan
Pensacola, Florida
Member since Nov 2009
17725 posts
| College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/14/13 at 10:25 pm)
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Florida State
While the Seminoles met most preseason expectations with a 12-win season and an ACC Championship, matching those totals in 2013 will be difficult. EJ Manuel wasn’t an All-American quarterback, but he did throw for 41 touchdowns over the last two seasons. While Clint Trickett or Jameis Winston will need some time to learn the ropes as a full-time starter, the rest of the offense should be solid, especially with the return of Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr. at running back. The defense finished 2012 ranked second nationally in yards allowed but will struggle to reach that mark in 2013. The line loses talented ends Bjoern Werner and Brandon Jenkins and must replace standout cornerback Xavier Rhodes. New coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is regarded as an excellent recruiter but has not called the plays on the collegiate level. Florida State isn’t going to fall out of the top 25, but the Seminoles will have trouble matching 12 wins and an ACC title next season.
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 64th 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.
Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights were on the doorstep of winning the Big East title in 2012 but lost in what was a de facto Big East title game to Louisville in the regular season finale. First-year coach Kyle Flood did a good job of keeping continuity from Greg Schiano’s tenure, but Rutgers lost its last three games and struggled to establish its offense. Flood will be tested even more in 2013, as the Scarlet Knights lose seven starters on defense, including standout linebacker Khaseem Greene and cornerback Logan Ryan. The offense must replace running back Jawan Jamison and needs to get quarterback Gary Nova back on track after a disappointing finish. The Big East isn’t a deep league in 2013, so the Scarlet Knights could be picked by most to finish as one of the conference’s top four teams. However, Rutgers may not reach nine victories in his final season of Big East play next year.
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TT9 
Illinois Fan
Global Warming
Member since Sep 2008
45230 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/14/13 at 10:26 pm to RollTide1987)
Tiger rant
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Dubosed
Alabama Fan
NWF
Member since Nov 2012
568 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/14/13 at 10:33 pm to RollTide1987)
As long as Jimbo's clueless arse is roaming the sideline in Tallahassee they will never win a MNC.
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JJ27 
LSU Fan
Member since Sep 2004
41223 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/14/13 at 10:34 pm to RollTide1987)
Didn't Bama lose more starters than LSU?
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LSUbase13
Col. of Charleston Fan
Charleston, SC
Member since Mar 2008
10239 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/14/13 at 11:01 pm to RollTide1987)
Notre Dame?
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Robot Santa 
SMU Fan
#firegrant
Member since Oct 2009
27455 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/14/13 at 11:03 pm to LSUbase13)
quote:
Notre Dame?
I was wondering the same thing. Weren't like 13 or 14 of their starters seniors?
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Louie T
LSU Fan
Member since Dec 2006
28477 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/14/13 at 11:09 pm to RollTide1987)
In LSU's case, it has more to do with not playing crappy teams from the East and losing a lot to the draft.
Thinking the entire program is on the decline is fairly idiotic
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castorinho 
Oklahoma Fan
13623 posts
Member since Nov 2010
18425 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/14/13 at 11:11 pm to Louie T)
Did you even read the article?
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Louie T
LSU Fan
Member since Dec 2006
28477 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/14/13 at 11:18 pm to castorinho)
Nope. We have someone talking about how FSU won't win a national championship under Jimbo, so I assumed they were talking about the general directions of programs and not a single year win totals. Poorly titled article... being on the decline and a decline in wins are two different things
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Dr RC 
Texas A&M Fan
Dallas
Member since Aug 2011
6273 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/14/13 at 11:22 pm to Louie T)
it clearly says "on the decline for 2013"
is that not specific enough for you?
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castorinho
Oklahoma Fan
13623 posts
Member since Nov 2010
18425 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/14/13 at 11:26 pm to Dr RC)
He mad 
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Dubosed
Alabama Fan
NWF
Member since Nov 2012
568 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/14/13 at 11:32 pm to Louie T)
quote:
We have someone talking about how FSU won't win a national championship under Jimbo,
I apologize
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Louie T
LSU Fan
Member since Dec 2006
28477 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/14/13 at 11:38 pm to castorinho)
Sure thing
Football opinions make me really mad
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iliveinabox 
New Orleans Saints Fan
in a box
Member since Aug 2011
10425 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/15/13 at 12:26 am to Louie T)
rutgers? 
This post was edited on 1/15 at 12:39 am
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Brendoni
LSU Fan
Oklahoma City, Ok
Member since Apr 2009
16582 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/15/13 at 12:27 am to RollTide1987)
can't agrue with what they said about LSU. they should be a top 15 team, but they won't be in the NC hunt. having said that, if the offensive line and wr's show up, LSU very well could be in the NC mix.
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lsufan251875
LSU Fan
Member since Jul 2008
1164 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/15/13 at 12:36 am to RollTide1987)
quote:
LSU will be a top-15 team in 2012
quote:
LSU Final AP Ranking #14
quote:
Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013
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Buckeye Fan 19 
Notre Dame Fan
South Bend, IN
Member since Dec 2007
34940 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/15/13 at 1:00 am to Robot Santa)
quote:
quote:
Notre Dame?
I was wondering the same thing. Weren't like 13 or 14 of their starters seniors?
Eleven seniors started, but ND lists by academic standing, not athletic eligibility. Three of the senior starters are coming back for fifth-years, so ND loses eight senior starters (five on O, three on D), not too different than most teams. No juniors left early.
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Patrick_Bateman 
USA Fan
Member since Jan 2012
5253 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/15/13 at 7:36 am to Dubosed)
quote:
MNC
Sorry for my ignorance, but what does this mean? _____ national championship?
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Patrick_Bateman
USA Fan
Member since Jan 2012
5253 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/15/13 at 7:38 am to Brendoni)
quote:
they won't be in the NC hunt
quote:
if the offensive line and wr's show up, LSU very well could be in the NC mix
This post was edited on 1/15 at 7:38 am
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graychef 
George Mason Fan
Broussard
Member since Jun 2008
14044 posts
| re: College Football's Top 5 Teams on the Decline for 2013 (Posted on 1/15/13 at 7:57 am to Patrick_Bateman)
quote:
_____ national championship?
Mythical
It's used in reference to the BCS not being sanctioned by the NCAA like most other sports.
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