Looking both back and forward in college football.

I was looking at a lot of things from the college football season and I realized, there are a lot of disappointing things this season. There aren't as many exciting things happening this year to shift away from the disappointments, no real upsets, nobody is really taking charge of the heisman race and having an amazing season. I think we have been spoiled the past few seasons in College Football and we always expect the upset at the top, and it just hasn't happened yet this year. The top three teams have pretty much been the top three teams the whole season. The story lines are just not there. However, there are a lot of exciting things I was looking at too for next year, and it really looks like it could be a very good season next year with a lot of stars coming back. So, today I am going to list the most disappointing teams and players in college football this year, and the things to look forward for next year.

The Most Disappointing teams in College Football

#5 Ole Miss

To me, Ole Miss is a big disappointment to me. They are good team, don't get me wrong, but I think everyone thought that Ole Miss would be a factor in the SEC and maybe challenge Alabama, LSU, Florida at the top, but it definitely has been a disappointing season for Ole Miss and their talented quarterback Jevan Snead. I personally think Ole Miss misses the loss of Michael Oher on that offensive line and Jevan Snead has made bad decisions all year. Maybe Ole Miss can challenge the top of the SEC when Superman leaves the Swamp.

#4 USC

At #5 there is the University of Southern California. Really, when we think about it, they are only a 3 loss team, and a lot of teams would kill to be a a 3 loss team, but for Pete Carroll's USC Trojans, this is a huge disappointment. I think we knew they would drop a little with the losses on both sides of the ball, but I don't think anyone expected a 3 loss season. Even with the players that went on into the NFL, Carroll was always able to reload and get players to perform at a high level and maybe the losses finally caught up with him. They just don't have the play makers they used to, which is disappointing to all of the football fans in Los Angeles.

#3 Michigan

Now, I don't think anyone expected something huge out of Michigan this year, but they started off 4-0 and Tate Forcier looked like an early heisman candidate. However, since then they have fallen off the map and are now 5-7 as they finish off their season 1-6. Overall, because of their start Michigan was expected to have a winning record and maybe a bowl game, now Rich Rod is looking at back to back losing seasons and maybe a hot seat in the offseason.

#2 Kansas

Overall, this pick is basically based on both their start and the off field issues that have gone on in Lawrence. Right out of the gate Kansas looked like their 2007 BCS Bowl team and were very impressive, but since week 5 they have lost 5 straight and are probably going to be clobbered by Texas this weekend to go to under .500. Todd Reesing isn't coming back and looks like Mangino won't either. Just another disappointment in college football.

#1 Notre Dame

Is anybody really surprised by this? Notre Dame had a schedule full of creampuffs and have some of the best offensive weapons in College in Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate. The major problem with Notre Dame is their defense, and it is much worse than last year and if Notre Dame had even a top 50 defense, they would have 8 - 9 wins this season instead of 6. Overall, this season is a huge disappointment and Charlie Weis is probably done as Notre Dame coach after this season.

Honorable Mentions: Penn State, Oklahoma, Florida State, Missouri, Virginia Tech.

Those to me are the most disappointing teams in college football in an overall disappointing season in the sport.

Now to look forward to next season and the excitement that could take place in College. The potential stars that could come back is pretty good, and I would like to see how some teams go on with losing some of their biggest stars, Florida with Tim Tebow and how bad Notre Dame will be without Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate probably not coming back. I'm also trying to figure out in my mind which players will bounce back after disappointing seasons and which players can break out. I have a few players that could break out next year and a few players to watch out for next season.

Breakout players to watch for next season.

#5 Matt Barkley, University of Southern California. Matt Barkley has been far from stellar this season, but, he is only a true freshman. Look at the one game that Barkley didn't start, USC suffered a horrible loss, one of three terrible losses this seasons, but that isn't Barkley's fault, the defense has been shredded those last few games. Matt Barkley was the number one quarterback in high school football only two years ago, and looks like he will eventually play in the pros. The traditional Pro-Style USC Quarterback, and will probably be taken in the first round. I think he will have a USC-Caliber Season next year with the experience under his belt.

#4 Greg McElroy, Alabama. Greg McElroy has had a solid season, not a huge one, but, he hasn't had any very bad decisions, and also hasn't had a fully healthy Julio Jones for most of this season. I think next year with the experience of this season and both Julio Jones and Mark Ingram on offense, McElroy will have a great year.'

#3 Zach Collaros, Cincinnati. In relief of Tony Pike, Collaros has been one of the biggest play makers for the Bearcats. He had 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions and is much more mobile than Tony Pike. The Bearcats didn't miss a beat with Collaros in there and won't next season either.

#2 Andrew Luck, Standford. Many people have him as the number one pick overall when he goes into the NFL Draft, most notably Todd McShay, but, right now I have him as my number 2 breakout player, it was a tossup between him and my number one choice. But, right now, he has amazing potential, probably the most in the Pac-10 with Barkley right behind him, and he will be a great college quarterback.

#1 Blaine Gabbert, Missouri. Blaine Gabbert just has the look of a Joe Flacco and Big Ben like quarterback. A full 6'5" and a huge arm. He took over for Chase Daniel and has done an amazing job with 20 touchdowns and 7 interceptions as a first year starter. I have a feeling this year is only a foreshadow of what he can do throughout his career. He will have a great season next year and will be probably the best second best Quarterback in the Big 12 next season behind Baylor Quarterback Robert Griffin, with the likes of Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, and Todd Reesing leaving.

Honorable Mentions: Landry Jones, Oklahoma. Julio Jones, Alabama. AJ Green, Georgia.

Those are my favorite picks for breakout player of the year next year, now I am going to pick my bounce back player of the year for next year.

#5 Tate Forcier, Michigan. He looked like a heisman trophy candidate at the beginning of the season, and was expected to lead Michigan to a winning season and a bowl game, but then his Wolverines went 1 - 7 the rest of the season, leading his coach to say the starting QB job is up for grabs next season. However, Forcier was the best choice going into this season, and he will be next season. He has the talent and ability to run the spread, and I believe he will have a good season next year with the experience from this year.

#4 Julio Jones, Alabama. This pick was mostly due to injury and a season full of nicks and bruises. I think Julio Jones will have a huge year, he has the physical ability to be an amazing receiver throughout the rest of his college career and in the pros. With an improving Greg McElroy and Mark Ingram to open up to offense, Julio Jones will have a big year if he is healthy.

#3 Christian Ponder, Florida State. I think both Florida State and Christian Ponder will have a bounce back season next year, Ponder has been a decent quarterback with very good accuracy, but, I think he can do more for his team. The defense of Florida State has let them down, hopefully they will improve and Ponder will have a good season next year.

#2 Jahvid Best, California. This pick is basically because concussions are hard to come back from, and that fall that Best took looked just plain nasty. Jahvid Best was probably the best running back in the country, he had 12 touchdowns and 867 yards before he went down with the concussion against Oregon State. I think he will come into the season as a heisman favorite and will need a big year if he wants to be a high draft pick.

#1 Jevan Snead, Ole Miss. Just look at the games he has played this year, there are very few games in which he looked close to the Jevan Snead coming into the year as a heisman trophy candidate and possibly the best NFL prospect in college. In possibly the biggest games this year he has had his worst games of the year. Against an albeit, great Alabama defense, Snead had 4 interceptions and no touchdowns as his team only got a field goal. Against Tennessee he only had 133 yards and 1 interception. Against Auburn, 16 of 35 with 1 touchdown and 2 picks. Overall it has been a disappointing season for the talented Snead. He has all the physical tools to be a great quarterback, and it is almost a given he will come back for his senior season and will need to have a great season to get back in favor of the pro scouts. Jevan Snead will have a big year next year.

Overall as we go into the final weeks of this college football season, I look back at the disappointments of a bland season, maybe the bowl games will provide some excitement, but, so far this season there hasn't been much. Though, I am looking forward to next year as a statement year. As far as the top returning players, it all depends on who does what, I'm almost certain Jimmy Clausen will go into the draft, Jake Locker should come back for his senior season, and Sam Bradford shouldn't even touch a football again in college. Overall, my top returning players based on this is as follows.

#5 Jevan Snead, Ole Miss.

#4 Jahvid Best, California.

#3 Mark Ingram, Alabama.

#2 Toby Gerhart, Stanford. (He is eligible for a 5th year)

#1 Jake Locker, Washington.

Honorable Mention: Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh. Robert Griffin, Baylor. Kellen Moore, Boise State. Andrew Luck, Standford. Zach Collaros, Cincinnati. Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon.

There is my thoughts on what could lie ahead in college football next season. Even though this season isn't over I think looking ahead, College football will have an exciting season next year and it should be fun to watch.