Dodd: Gotta get good quick with two-year improvement plan

In two seasons, the following five programs combined to improve by 29 games from their 1998 record to 2000.

Hiring a new coach was the decisive event in the turnarounds, but also consider this: Four of the schools switched to a one-back offense, which means offense not only sells tickets, it helps win games.

Oklahoma

Where they were: The Sooners were coming off the worst three-year stretch in their history, going 12-22 in the John Blake era.

Who They Hired In 1999: Bob Stoops, defensive coordinator at Florida.

Making changes: Stoops scrapped OU's traditional running offense, bringing in Mike Leach from Kentucky to install a wide-open passing attack. Stoops found the right positions for Blake's talented recruits, and recruited hidden JC gems in QB Josh Heupel and LB Torrance Marshall.

The result: A 13-0 national championship season in 2000, capped by a 13-2 victory over Florida State and Heisman-winning quarterback Chris Weinke.

The future: Get used to it -- Oklahoma is back among the nation's elite.

South Carolina

Where they were: The program had been to only one bowl game in 10 seasons, and gave Brad Scott his walking papers after suffering through a 1-10 season.

Who They Hired In 1999: Lou Holtz, a winner everywhere he has been in college.

Making changes: The Gamecocks stumbled to 0-11 in Holtz's first season, although the defense showed signs of greatness. In the offseason, Holtz switched to a spread offense ... and both sides of the ball took flight.

The result: An 8-4 season, capped by a New Year's Day 24-7 victory over Ohio State in the Outback Bowl.

The future: The SEC East isn't for the meek, but the Gamecocks will be a tough out for Florida, Tennessee and Georgia.

Northwestern

Where they were: They were 3-9 when Gary Barnett left for Colorado in January of 1999, having retreated from the dizzying heights of 1995 (Rose Bowl season) and 1996 (co-Big Ten Championship).

Who They Hired In 1999: Randy Walker, head coach at Miami of Ohio.

Making changes: Using a conservative offense in 1999, Northwestern was a boring 3-8, but the coaching staff took a few tips from St. Louis Rams assistant head coach John Matsko, switching to a spread offense that created space for RB Damien Anderson.

The result: An 8-4 bowl season with the offense averaging 38.6 points -- an improvement of nearly 26 points per game.

The future: With 10 starters back on offense, the Wildcats are aiming for a Big Ten title.

Oregon State

Where they were: The most woebegone program in America, with an NCAA-record 29 consecutive losing seasons, including an improved 5-6 in Mike Riley's last season.

Who They Hired In 1999: Dennis Erickson, recently fired from the Seattle Seahawks, and master of the one-back offense.

Making changes: Erickson built on Riley's progress by bringing big-time credibility and confidence (national titles with Miami), his offense ... and valuable junior college talent.

The result: After a 7-5 bowl season in 1999, the Beavers soared to 11-1 and a 41-9 flogging of Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.

The future: Erickson seems committed to staying, so look for the good times to continue to roll in Corvallis.

Auburn

Where they were: The Tigers were suffering through a messy divorce from coach Terry Bowden, who resigned after a 1-5 start in 1998. Auburn finished 3-8 with Bill Oliver as the fill-in coach.

Who They Hired In 1999: Tommy Tuberville, head coach at Mississippi.

Making changes: Auburn took a step in the right direction with a 5-6 mark in 1999, and then Tuberville upgraded a woeful running game with junior college star Rudi Johnson.

The result: A 9-4 season and a New Year's Day appearance in the Citrus Bowl.

The future: Short-term outlook is iffy because Johnson, fullback Heath Evans and WR Ronney Daniels all left early for the NFL. Long term, Tuberville built stability at Ole Miss, and appears to be doing the same at Auburn -- the Tigers might not be the SEC West favorite this season, but they're certainly a team to contend with.