College Football: 10 top teams who should start looking towards 2017

10 Top college football teams who should start looking to 2017

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 27, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running backs Qadree Ollison (37) and Darrin Hall (22) celebrate a touchdown by Hall against the Miami Hurricanes during the third quarter at Heinz Field. Miami won 29-24. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Pitt Panthers

2015 Finish: 8-5, 2nd in ACC Coastal
Key 2016 Losses: WR Tyler Boyd

Pat Narduzzi has the Panthers on the way back to being relevant again, and he’s returning almost an entire team, but Pitt isn’t quite there yet.

What the Panthers do have on their side is playing in the ACC Coastal – a division that will be pretty much up for grabs again this season. Pitt may be able to overtake UNC, Miami and others and even find themselves in the ACC Championship game.

But this team isn’t quite up to the rigors of beating battle-tested teams such as FSU or Clemson (who they play in the regular season) yet, and non-conference games against Penn State and Oklahoma State will really make their year a tough one.

By 2017, this team may own the ACC Coastal and be as regular in the ACC title game as FSU has been, but they need one more year of Narduzzi’s coaching and recruiting before they get there.

Next: Miami Hurricanes

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