Top Six Non-BCS Teams in 2012 - jmik58's Blog

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Top Six Non-BCS Teams in 2012 Stuck

Posted on August 22, 2012 at 03:54 PM.

(6)

Cinderella is down to her final two BCS dances in college football.

Thanks to the agreement by conference commissioners in June we will have our first four-team playoff and subsequently the end of the BCS in 2014. One of the greatest aspects of college football is that of parity and as much as we love to groan about injustice, the BCS is a system that gives us our underdogs -- or non-BCS teams.

But only two more seasons remain until the term non-BCS is non-existent. As Cinderella settles in for her closing act, who will be the best representative in 2012?

6. Louisiana Tech 8-4 (6-0)
Few teams will have a turnaround season like that of the Bulldogs this year. Four of their opening five games are against the likes of Texas A&M, Houston, Illinois, and Virginia -- leaving the 'Dawgs with what could easily be a 1-4 start. Luckily for Louisiana Tech it doesn't end there. The last hurrah for the WAC should see the conference's most talented offense run away with things -- a guaranteed six wins. If LA Tech can pull victories from the likes of UNLV and Rice they have a good shot at a solid eight-win season.

5. Louisiana 10-2 (8-0)
The Ragin' Cajuns aren't sneaking up on anyone this year after a 9-4 campaign in 2011. The squad returns an impressive nine starters on offense but only four on the defensive side. In non-BCS conferences defense rarely makes as big an impact as the opposite side of the ball which is why i look for Blaine Gautier to sling Louisiana to a conference championship in the Sun Belt. The big test will be a week-two visit to Troy -- the perennial power in the conference. If the Ragin' Cajuns can pull a win there they should be on their way to an undefeated conference slate.

4. Boise State 8-4 (7-1)
Placing the Broncos this low on a list they have defined may be considered blasphemy in some corners of the country. Boise State is good, but are they good enough to overcome only seven returning starters across the entire team? A few key, talented guys return at receiver, offensive line, and linebacker; but with that many question marks I can't say with any confidence it will be another magical year for the Broncos -- they just have too much to prove with new names filling big shoes.

3. Nevada 11-1 (8-0)
The Wolfpack have grown tired of playing second-fiddle to Boise State. A thrilling overtime win to ruin the national title chances of the Broncos in 2010 was a program highlight for head coach Chris Ault, but a 7-6 finish in 2011 was not the catapult response the program had in mind. This year the 'Pack returns six starters on offense and six on defense, led by WAC freshman player of the year, quarterback Cody Fajardo. Nevada boasts a very solid offensive line and the best secondary in the conference -- something that will come in handy for the regular season finale at home against those hated Broncos.

1a. Houston 11-1 (8-0)
Head coach Kevin Sumlin took the money and ran for Texas A&M after last year's 13-1 performance. Tony Levine is the new man in charge, but the results should be much the same as he comes from within the program. The Cougars boast the best returning halfback in the conference in Charles Sims, but a fresh face at quarterback will be the biggest question mark. Houston, however, is full of solid talent and experience and should retain their offensive firepower. The balance of the Cougars should be enough to carry them through a relatively easy schedule. Their week two and three matchups against Louisiana Tech and UCLA, respectively, will likely be the toughest contests of the regular season.

1. UCF 11-1 (8-0)
The Knights will be one of the nation's biggest rebound stories and much of the country sees it coming from a mile away. Tyler Gabbert -- former Mizzou player and brother of Blaine -- will run the show on offense as the UCF quarterback. Running back Storm Johnson is as good as his name implies and receiver Quincy McDuffie is one of the five fastest receivers in the NCAA. Throw in one of Conference-USA's best offensive lines and you have enough for an undefeated conference season. Don't step there, however, as the defensive line is one of CUSA's best as well, while the linebacking corps is the best; complimented by a deep and experienced secondary. A collision course with Houston would likely determine who the true non-BCS champion is of 2012 and the CUSA title game is waiting -- too bad the NCAA levied a one-year postseason ban for the Knights due to recruiting violations and institutional control.

Who are your top non-BCS teams for the 2012 college football season?

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper or send him a PM with your comments, questions, or future blog ideas.

Comments

# 1 real deal @ Aug 22

are these teams good in ncaa football 13

# 2 Joobieo @ Aug 22

Boise State is pretty nice to use in NCAA '13.

# 3 THE YAMA @ Aug 22

Glad to see UCF getting some love as a non-BCS team. With our favorable schedule, we could definitely make some noise in the rankings.

# 4 padsfan92 @ Aug 22

UCF can't even go to a bowl game or conference championship game this year....

# 5 jmik58 @ Aug 22

UCF hasn't official appealed the NCAA's August 1st sanctions, but regardless of their postseason fate they're still one of the best non-BCS teams. Tough break for their players.

# 6 scottyo60 @ Aug 22

Gotta ask a few things and Yama feel free to discuss... Tyler Gabbert won't be the starter? I don't see where the UCF love is coming from in preseason. I've talked to several ECU fans and my Marshall fans and we are all miffed. Good, but not great team is the vibe I'm getting.

Houston lost every starting WR and QB. Plus losing Sammy Brown will be a massive blow... I like the CUSA love, but I view SMU and Tulsa being the stars of the conference in the West.