Going through the last few years there are programs in many sports that have become major forces around the country.

Gonzaga was a little known WCC school until they started making their NCAA runs, now everybody knows them. Wichita State had made 1 NCAA tournament in 24 years prior to Gregg Marshall becoming coach there. In football we all know UCF and Houston have awoken in the past few years.

There are other programs though which could be huge if they have success at the right times.

Charlotte- Basically a dead program now with no football success to speak of and the basketball team having won 5 games all year and firing their coach in early December this year. Get the right basketball or football coach though and Charlotte could gain a lot more popular. Top 25 metro area, dedicated fan base, decent conference to do well in.

Georgia State- They are definitely gaining a lot of popularity, especially over the past few years. The new football stadium at Turner Field will give them an edge in recruiting, but they also need a new basketball arena to cash in on the success they’ve had recently (especially the upset over Baylor). Can recruit anybody from metro Atlanta.

Seattle- Most people think Grand Canyon is the sleeping giant in the west, but Seattle is another. Formerly made it all the way to the NCAA finals in 1958 (lost to UK), but dropped to NAIA in 1980, then moved back to D1 a few years back. Western Washington version of Gonzaga, but has more resources than Gonzaga had prior to 1999. A couple NCAA years and that program could grow quick.

What are your thoughts of programs that are sleeping giants?