BCS Party Crashers: Top Non-BCS Teams Looking To Crash The BCS In 2009

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In the past few years, the whisper that once was the non-BCS conferences has now become a distinct roar. It started in 2004 when Utah went undefeated and was the first to crash the BCS party. Since then we have seen Boise St, Hawaii, and Utah once again crash the party. This year is no different and has the potential to possibly put a non-BCS school in the National Championship game.

Here is a preview of the top teams in non-BCS conferences that have a chance to make some noise.

7. Utah: The BCS busters from last season return a load of starters for a very stingy D and monster RB Matt Asiata. But they also lose QB Brian Johnson and place kicker Louie Sakoda not to mention the core of last years wide receivers. Even though watching Utah spank Alabama was one of the greatest things I've witnessed in recent memory, it is hard to expect that Utah will once again be standing alone a top college football as the only undefeated team. With road games at Oregon, TCU, and BYU I would be shocked if they were able to win 2-of-3.

6. ECU: The Pirates made a lot of noise in the first few weeks last season but faded as the year went on. This year however they return starting QB Patrick Pinkney and every offensive lineman. The Pirates certainly have there work cut out for them as they have road games at West Virginia and North Carolina then host Virginia Tech later in the season.

5. Houston: Are we sure that these guys are in the right conference? Because the Cougars can put some serious numbers up on the board and in a hurry. They also have loads of talent which makes you wonder why the heck they aren't in the Big Twelve. Case Keenum is returning at QB for the Cougars and in a lot of ways reminds me of Drew Brees; He is an undersized QB from Texas that can straight up throw the football. With games against Oklahoma St. and Texas Tech the Cougars will for sure have a chance to show the country what they are made of and could be in the top 15 when the regular season is said and done.

4. Southern Miss: The Golden Eagles might be something of a sleeper to people who haven't really payed any attention to C-USA, but to those who have they know USM has some serious play-makers. At the top of the list is freakishly good WR DeAndre Brown and a very good young QB in sophomore Austin Davis. He is surrounded by a lot of players that could start in the SEC as well as every o-linemen from last year. On defense the Eagles also return the entire D-Line and defensive phenom Scottie Williams should create havoc at OLB/DE. What hurts the Eagles is the lack of a stellar non-conference schedule; Don't get me wrong road games at Kansas, Louisville, Houston, and ECU is no easy task but I think USM should come through it unscathed and end up in the top 10.

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