College football teams that need to rebuild starting in 2021

If you had to create a list of college football teams rebuilding every year, you’d write a novel. Everyone’s definition of rebuilding is different. Teams such as Alabama lose a couple of players, while others like Baylor and Michigan State endure an entire overhaul. Many programs are going through this process, but these teams need to start this year.

Power Five college football teams that need to start rebuilding in 2021

Four of these Power Five teams need to begin turning their programs around this season.

Florida State Seminoles

The Seminoles technically began the rebuilding process last year, but they were more in survival mode. This will be the first year that Mike Norvell starts the rebuilding process, emphasizing the building part of that word. He brings in former UCF star quarterback McKenzie Milton to create competition. And Norvell is recruiting well to get Florida State back to the top of college football.

This team could be a surprise in college football, which would be a fitting way to honor the late Bobby Bowden. The former Seminoles head coach built the team from a struggling independent program to a national championship winner. And fans are hoping Norvell can rival that success at some point. 

Michigan State Spartans

Mel Tucker came to East Lansing with mixed reviews, and that remains true after one season. In his defense, Tucker acquired a program that needed a rebuild on and off of the field, which takes some time. However, a step must be taken in 2021, so the rebuilding starts now, and two big things must improve.

When the Spartans competed for Big Ten championships, they ran the ball efficiently and played suffocating defense. Last year, the Spartans averaged 91.4 yards per game on the ground, which drastically affected the offense.

Michigan State averaged 4.92 yards per play (107th in the country) and only scored touchdowns on 14.6% of their drives (122nd). The Spartans’ defense also struggled, allowing 35.1 points per game, though it didn’t fall nearly as far.

Tennessee Volunteers 

Josh Heupel’s hire produced mixed reviews, but that’s okay given that the Volunteers must rebuild now. Tennessee hasn’t been a competitor in the SEC since Phillip Fulmer was running the show in the early 2000s, so it’s safe to say there’s room for improvement. Heupel’s ability to recruit at a high level determines how well this transition goes, and many are concerned with his struggles at UCF to get top talent to stay in the state.

One thing’s for sure: Tennessee’s offense will be exciting to watch. Heupel knows how to build an explosive college football offense. His Knights finished second in total yards per game, second in passing yards per game, and fifth in scoring last season. Yet, scoring against SEC defenses won’t be as easy.

Also, while we know he can build an offense, no one knows if he can build an entire program. Fans are ready for something better on the field, and there won’t be a ton of time for Heupel to waste getting them the product they want.

Texas Longhorns

Until Texas competes for a College Football Playoff spot, the jokes will continue. Head coach Steve Sarkisian comes to Austin to rebuild the expectations for the Longhorns program. They have the talent, facilities, and essentially everything else already available.

Texas needs to reconstruct the product on the field. Sark inherits two talented quarterbacks in Hudson Card and Casey Thompson. Additionally, he has a potential superstar in running back Bijan Robinson.

Again, Sarkisian has all the tools needed to do it, but we need to see progress immediately. So many programs would love to have a 25-12 record over the past three seasons, but Longhorns fans set higher expectations for their program. They haven’t been a serious contender in college football since 2009 when Mack Brown and Colt McCoy were at the helm.

Group of Five college football teams that need to start rebuilding in 2021

This pair of Group of Five programs have enjoyed success recently but must turn their attention toward the future.

Buffalo Bulls

Don’t get me wrong, the Bulls will compete for a MAC title again this year, but they’re in a rebuilding phase. Over the past four seasons, Lance Leipold won 30 games, including winning 10 for the first time in program history in 2018. His success landed him the Kansas job, and it’s doubtful that Maurice Linguist continues winning at that rate.

This year, the Bulls sit 116th in the country in returning production, so even keeping this team near the top of the conference will be tough.

Linguist needs to own his vision of what Buffalo looks like under his watch. Trying to match what Leipold built won’t end well unless he does it his way. So, it’s possible that Linguist makes this program his own and keeps Buffalo competing at a high level while rebuilding. However, history tells us there will be a step back before they move forward.

UCF Knights

Gus Malzahn inherits a talented roster, so this isn’t a rebuild from the ground up, but some things need improving. The Knights finished 6-4 last year, a record that didn’t sit well with fans. Malzahn has to rebuild the culture more than anything, as UCF’s looking to get back to the top of the AAC. With the players on the roster, he has an excellent baseline to cultivate. And he’s already bringing in quality recruits to elevate this program.

This rebuild isn’t drastic, but the previous staff damaged the on-field product we saw. Luckily for the Knights, the old staff is out, and UCF hired a proven winner at the highest level. UCF already has the brand and the gameday atmosphere. Now, they have the coach who’s proven he can compete for national championships.

Teams with current or potential NCAA sanctions

One team has already received its sanctions while another awaits the NCAA’s ruling.

Arizona State Sun Devils

This pick heavily depends on what sanctions are headed towards the Sun Devils. If they’re light or nonexistent, they don’t belong on this list since they’ll be one of the best college football teams in the country. However, if the NCAA hammers Arizona State for the violations committed over the last year, it’s time to rebuild. Herm Edwards came in with plenty of flare, and unfortunately, he’s gotten into trouble early in his tenure.

Baylor Bears

The Bears were already in a rebuilding phase even before the NCAA handed out its sanctions. Head coach Dave Aranda has his work cut out for him with the Bears, who went from 11 wins to two in one season. The sanctions certainly don’t help, and Aranda was already on a learning curve as a first-year head coach. 

Don’t get me wrong, Baylor has future NFL talent on their roster, but producing an elite product on the field won’t be easy. The Bears’ defense features some intriguing players, but the offense needs to find a way to revive itself. Baylor finished 101st in scoring in 2020, and they also finished worse than 100th in the country in nearly every statistical category, according to Football Outsiders.