Five Mid-Majors That Could Play, and Compete, in the SEC

"You couldn't survive an entire SEC schedule."

If I had a dollar for every time I heard that, well, I doubt I'd be writing for Bleacher Report. I'd probably be off somewhere retired at an early age, enjoying the rest of my life.

You don't have to grow up in Fresno or Boise or even Provo, UT to hear the aforementioned phrase. It's something that's been uttered quite a few times when a mid-major picks up a win against one of the better BCS teams.

While these BCS teams have also gotten the better of some of the mid-majors and the "I told you so's" start coming out, the mid-majors have also played the role of David, knocking off Goliath with just a sling and a stone.

Could some of those mid-majors survive a full SEC schedule? The answer may never be known as none of those teams will ever make the move to the SEC or ever play more than one or two SEC teams during a full season schedule.

So, for now, all we have is the opinions of fans. But that's what makes for a fun debate, right?

Houston

This might be the most surprising pick on this list, but they're here for a reason.

Houston led the nation in total offense in 2009 (581.2 ypg) and they had the nation's leading passer as well in Case Keenum (5,671 yards).

In consecutive weeks the Cougars had knocked off No. 5 Oklahoma State, who had just come off a win over No. 13 Georgia, and followed that up with a come from behind win over Texas Tech.

Where Houston's argument may come to an end is on defense. Look up their stats from 2009 and you'll find a team that gave up 442.7 yards per game and you wonder how they'd stack up against elite offenses such as Florida and Alabama.

While that may be a good point, I still believe Houston has the kind of offense that can put up points against anyone at any time.

TCU

After Utah's perfect 2008 season, it was TCU's turn to show they could be just as dominant.

It didn't take them long to start opening eyes. After wins over Virginia and Texas State, TCU went to Clemson and knocked off the Tigers, 14-10.

Though the Horned Frogs had a scare against Air Force, TCU left no doubt the rest of the 2009 season who was the best in the Mountain West.

Over their next seven games, TCU averaged 47 points per game and were giving up just over 10 points per game (10.43), scoring under 40 just once in that same span.

When the regular season came to a close, TCU was unbeaten and looked prime for a BCS bowl. They were selected to play in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl against a team they had faced in the Poinsettia Bowl just a year earlier, Boise State.

Though TCU would get the better of Boise State in that game, they wouldn't in this game as they were on the losing end of a 17-10 decision.

Though TCU's schedule may not be looked as one of the toughest with games against Oregon State, Baylor and SMU, they will have a date with Texas Tech in 2011.

Utah

Much like the start to BYU's 2009 season, the Utah Utes began their season by going to The Big House to face the University of Michigan.

In front of 108,000 Michigan fans, Utah held the Wolverines to just 203 total yards and squeaked away with a 25-23 win.

Just a year prior, it was Appalachian State that shocked the Wolverines in Ann Arbor.

Utah closed the 2008 regular season unbeaten and was selected to play in the All-State Sugar Bowl. Their opponent was none other than SEC's own Alabama Crimson Tide.

Not only did Utah beat Alabama that night, but they did so in convincing fashion, 35-17.

The Utes aren't shying away from a challenge in 2010, facing Pitt, Iowa State, and Notre Dame.

BYU

Say what you want about BYU or the Mountain West Conference, but the Cougars have a long tradition of being one of those mid-majors that no one wants to face.

They are also not afraid to schedule some of the best teams that college football has to offer, scheduling non-conference games with Oklahoma and Florida State in 2009 and traveling to Tallahassee to take on the Seminoles again in 2010.

Not to mention the Cougars also have a date in Austin with the Longhorns in the second week of the 2011 season.

Every time you face a team like BYU, you do so with an air of caution because you can never take a team like this lightly.

The Cougars finished the 2010 season in the top 15 in points per game (34.8), top 20 in total offense (437.1 ypg), top 15 in passing offense (288.9 ypg).

Another reason I believe BYU could contend in the SEC is their ability to recruit, finishing with a recruiting class ranked in the top 25 (No. 22) by Rivals.com.

Put a team like that in a big-time BCS conference and that recruiting class may very well end up in the top ten.

While there are some teams that are in a big time conference and still not competing (Baylor), BYU woucan and would succeed.

Boise State

Whether you like them or hate them, you've got to respect what they've been able to accomplish.

Maybe their most famous play, and victory, came against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl.

Even as regulation came to a close, most people were already talking about this as an instant classic and one of the best games in bowl history.

But, the overtime period would just solidify that opinion, especially after a "Statue of Liberty" scored Boise State the 43-42 upset of the Sooners. A play that is still shown on replays to this day, especially when bowl season comes back around.

Fast forward to 2009 and the Broncos have lost just once in the last two seasons. They led the nation in scoring last season (44.2 ppg), eighth in total offense (460.5 ypg), 13th in total defense (299.6 ypg).

The Broncos will have arguably their toughest test since facing Oklahoma as they will kick off the season in Washington DC against Virginia Tech. This game will be the most telling and will show just what Boise State is really made of.