Grading College Football's New Coaches for 2012

Arizona's hire of Rich Rodriguez was one of the best in college football.

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

When the 2012 season kicks off, 27 teams will have a new coach roaming the sidelines. Athlon examines each hire and grades the moves by each school. Grading new hires is never an exact science, but one can get a good snapshot of a coach by looking at his resume and previous experience.

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College Football Early Top 25

Can AJ McCarron lead Alabama back to the national championship next season?

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

It's never too early to start thinking about next season. Spring practice will kick off for some teams in late February and before we know it, the 2012 Athlon Sports' preseason college football annuals will be hitting newsstands across the nation.

Athlon's updated top 25 for 2012 reflects the coaching changes and early entries into the NFL Draft, but expect several tweaks before our official preseason poll is released in May.

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Very Early 2012 ACC Predictions

Is Florida State the team to beat in 2012?

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

Very Early 2012 ACC Predictions

Atlantic Division

1. Florida State

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College Football 2012: Who Are the Early Favorites?

Can USC end the SEC's run of dominance?

It's never too early to start thinking about 2012. Alabama claimed its second national title in three years by dominating LSU 21-0 on Monday night, and both teams are expected to be back in the national title mix next season.

Athlon's official preseason top 25 won't come out until May, but here's a very early top 25 for 2012.

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Clemson's Orange Bowl Defeat Caps Another Disappointing Season

West Virginia trounced Clemson in the Orange Bowl. Another disappointing finish for the Tigers.

by Josh Kipnis

Michigan players were rocking shirts that read “Pour some Sugar on me.” After their victory in LA, the Oregon Ducks “Rose to power.” Oklahoma State proclaimed to Stanford fans that the Fiesta Bowl was “Nacho Victory.”

West Virginia asked Clemson, “Orange you glad we won?”

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College Football 2012: Three Teams on the Decline

Oklahoma State could have trouble repeating its 2011 win total next season.

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

It's never too early to start thinking about next season, and Athlon kicked off our lookahead to 2012 with a very, very early top 25. Of course, a lot is going to change between now and when our official preseason poll is released in May, but we are taking an early glimpse of how things could look.

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Orange Bowl Preview: Clemson vs. West Virginia

Expect plenty of fireworks in this ACC-Big East matchup.

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

Orange Bowl
Clemson (10-3) vs. West Virginia (9-3)
Date: Jan. 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Fla.

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College Football 2012: Three Teams on the Rise

Behind quarterback Keith Price, Washington is a team on the rise in 2012.

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

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Sugar Bowl Preview: Virginia Tech vs. Michigan

Can David Wilson find running room against Michigan's much-improved defense?

by Mark Ross

Allstate Sugar Bowl
Michigan (10-2) vs. Virginia Tech (11-2)
Date: Jan. 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, La.

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Chick-fil-A Bowl Preview: Auburn vs. Virginia

The Cavaliers look to earn their first bowl victory since 2005.

by Rob Doster