Nick Ut / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rick Neuheisel has UCLA's program turned in the right direction, says Sporting News columnist Matt Hayes.

5. Kansas: This program stumbled into the perfect coach, Mark Mangino, then nearly ran him off early in his tenure. It will take a unique set of circumstances for KU to win the Big 12, beginning with (but not limited to) the league heavies (Texas, OU) going through transition seasons with new quarterbacks. As long as Mangino is around, he'll have KU within striking distance if everything aligns for a title run. KU could win its first North Division championship next fall.

6. Syracuse: The Orange played in a BCS game (Orange Bowl) 10 years ago; they're not that far removed from competing for championships. Recruiting has suffered the last decade with Rutgers, UConn and Pitt digging deep into what used to be a solid Northeast base for Syracuse. New coach Doug Marrone, an SU alum, badly wanted the job. He even had a list of recruits to show AD Daryl Gross during the interview process.

7. Kentucky: In 2007, this team was briefly ranked in the top 10 and beat eventual national champion LSU. The big question: What happens in the transition from coach Rich Brooks (who brought this program back from the dead) to coach-in-waiting Joker Phillips? The obvious obstacle for UK is recruiting against the rest of the SEC. The only way to break through the eight-win plateau (their last nine-win season was 1984) is winning head-to-head battles in recruiting.

8. Duke: For those who believe Duke can't win championships in football, we give you Wake Forest. Of course it can happen. Look how far this team came in one season under David Cutcliffe: four wins (same number of wins over the four previous seasons combined) and four losses by a combined 25 points. More impressive: Duke's recruiting class was ranked 51st by Rivals.com. The Blue Devils beat Florida and Georgia for RB Desmond Scott, and they beat Georgia and Georgia Tech for DT John Drew.

9. Arizona: The further we get from the Dick Tomey era, the more we embrace the magnificent job he did in Tuscon. Last year was make-or-break for coach Mike Stoops, and the 'Cats won eight games with a senior quarterback and the Pac-10 in flux. Arizona's situation is different from that of Indiana in one aspect: There aren't as many steps to climb. Look at Oregon State. Had the Beavers beaten Oregon in the season finale, they would've won a share of the Pac-10 title.

10. Indiana: This is the hardest job of all the basketball schools. It takes the right coach with the right charisma and the ability to push players beyond their abilities until IU becomes a desired program for high school stars. The Hoosiers had that coach in Terry Hoeppner, who passed away. And now? Bill Lynch isn't exactly a dynamic personality. But if Northwestern can win multiple Big Ten championships in the last 15 years, why can't IU win one?

More news

AP

Slain UConn CB's family wants $5M

CFT: Stabbed to death following an altercation at a school-sponsored dance in October 2009, Jasper Howard‘s parents are seeking significant financial compensation for the parties they believe are at least partly responsible.

CFT: SEC's Slive no fan of plus-one playoff model

Headlines

• Label

Ex-QB Brian Johnson still directing Utes offense

CFT: Miami says it's 'committed to the ACC'

CFT: Clemson would listen to other conferences

CFT: Tennessee TE booted following felony arrest

CFT: Potential Cal starter kicked off team

Friends, fans mourn loss of Stewart

CFT: Ohio St. 'not facing any major ... violations'

CFT: Pitt FB suffers stroke, career likely over