College Football 2011: 14 Dark Horse National Championship Contenders

When Auburn won the BCS National Championship last season, the Tigers began the year as the ultimate underdog.

That's just one of 100,000 things that makes college football such a hit with fans.

To pull off what Auburn did, there's no question a team needs a little luck. But the Tigers had the talent that came together under Gene Chizik.

So is it possible there is another Auburn out there for 2011?

Maybe, but it has to be a true dark horse. Not a single ACC team made the list because neither Florida State nor Virginia Tech is that far off the radar to be considered a dark horse.

However, there might be some big names that are.

Read on as we make a case for 14 dark horse national championship contenders.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oklahoma State returns the nucleus of a squad that went 11-2 and crushed Arizona in the Alamo Bowl. The Cowboys will need to replace running back Kendall Hunter, which will not be easy.

Oklahoma State must also adjust to not having offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen.

Why It Could Happen: With Brandon Weeden (quarterback) and Justin Blackmon (receiver) back the Cowboys should score points in bunches. Oklahoma State's offensive line is also one of the best in the Big 12.

Why Tt Won't Happen: Until the Cowboys become a serious threat to Oklahoma, it's hard to envision Mike Gundy's team winning the Big 12, much less get a shot at the title. There are still major concerns about the defense.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

There are many who think year three will be the final one for Dan Mullen at Mississippi State. But it's easy to see why he just might stay.

Mullen is amassing the type of talent that could one day be a serious SEC contender. You win the SEC and you have a 99.9 percent chance you'll get a shot at the BCS title.

Why It Could Happen: Mullen is that good of a coach, and the Bulldogs are loaded with special players at the skill positions.

Why It Won't Happen: Mississippi State's schedule is brutal. An SEC team can lose one game and still be a title contender, but the Bulldogs are likely to drop one road game (Auburn, Georgia and Arkansas) and at least one home game (LSU, South Carolina, Alabama).

Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State usually enters every season these days as a perennial favorite to win the Big Ten and play in the BCS Championship game.

However, Ohio State has gone through some serious turmoil, so if the Luke Fickell-led Buckeyes reach the title game it will be nothing short of a miracle.

Why It Could Happen: Even without Terrelle Pryor and Jim Tressel, Ohio State has plenty of talent and the team knows how to win.

Why It Won't Happen: The Buckeyes have too many tough road games, starting with a trip south to take on Miami (Sept. 17). OSU also plays at Nebraska and Michigan.

Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M was one of the feel-good stories of 2010.

After opening up the season 3-3, the Aggies reeled off six consecutive wins...including a 33-19 win at home against Oklahoma and a 9-6 win over Nebraska.

Why It Could Happen: Mike Sherman has to be excited about the offensive unit he'll be putting on the field each week. Ryan Tannehill had a great second half of 2010, and he has a chance to compete with the best quarterbacks in the conference. Cyrus Gray is also a bruising running back.

Why It Won't Happen: The Aggies' defensive unit won't be as good as last season, and that group allowed 41 against LSU in the Cotton Bowl. There's also a question of confidence. It has been since the 1990s that A&M has been in this position.

Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas got a taste of a BCS Bowl last year and that experience is important. Now the Razorbacks must win the SEC, and Bobby Petrino may get a shot at his first national championship.

It's going to take a few breaks, but Arkansas may not be as big a long shot as many believe.

Why It Could Happen: Unlike in the past, Petrino has the defense to support his high-octane offense.

Why It Won't Happen: There's always a concern when going with a new quarterback, even in Petrino's system. There are also a lot of new faces on the offensive line.

West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia is the only Big East team to make the list.

The Mountaineers are considered the favorite to win the league, but very few people consider them a serious BCS Championship contender.

Why It Could Happen: With the whole Bill Stewart-Dana Holgorsen drama behind them, the Mountaineers will enter the season focused and loaded with talent at the skill positions.

Why It Won't Happen: West Virginia will have to upset LSU in Morgantown, as well as not have one of its normal meltdowns in a conference game. One loss in the Big East and there's no way the Mountaineers will get into the title game.

Missouri Tigers

If Blaine Gabbert had returned for his senior season, Missouri might be a Top 10 team to being the season.

The Tigers still have plenty of talent back in 2011, including 16 returning starters. Missouri's best player is probably tight end Michael Egnew.

Why It Could Happen: Missouri's defensive line, which is led by defensive ends Brad Madison and Jacquies Smith, is good enough to take over a game. If the defense can keep it close all season, one break is all the Tigers may need for the win.

Why It Won't Happen: Inexperience at quarterback. The top teams in the Big 12 have superstar potential at QB. Also, Missouri's second game of the season is a tough road game at Arizona State.

A loss in that game and any legitimate shot is probably lost.

Boise State Broncos

Even though Boise State has had some top-notch seasons and won a couple BCS bowl games, the Broncos have never cracked the BCS ceiling to reach the top game.

While the Broncos are expected to contend for BCS spot again this year, no one really thinks Boise will play for a championship.

Why It Could Happen: Boise State is once again loaded with experienced players, including accurate quarterback Kellen Moore. If the Broncos go undefeated, Chris Petersen's team will have won enough big game to earn the spot.

Why It Won't Happen: This will be one of the more challenging schedules that Boise has played ever, so a slip up one week is more likely than in the past.

Georgia Bulldogs

Mark Richt's job may be on the line, but nothing would cure his ills more than reaching the BCS title game.

It won't be easy for a Georgia team that went 6-7 last year.

Why It Could Happen: Quarterback Aaron Murray is that good. Richt believes freshman running back Isaiah Crowell will make an immediate impact.

Why It Won't Happen: Georgia probably has more question marks than any team on this list. With the potential to have seven new starters on offense, Murray is going to have to carry the load.

Houston Cougars

A Conference USA team is eventually going to break through, right?

OK, maybe not. But if one team could pull it off, it just might be Houston.

Why It Could Happen: Just look at Houston's schedule and it's not that hard to envision Kevin Sumlin's team run the table before playing in the Conference USA title game. Win that game and the Cougars may be one of the only undefeated teams in the nation.

Why It Won't Happen: The defense gives up yards, and it's just hard to believe college football's powers would actually reward an undefeated Houston with a shot at the title.

Arizona State Sun Devils

Most experts believe Oregon or Stanford will win the Pac-12 and likely represent the conference in the championship game.

But Arizona State was so close in so many games last year that Dennis Erickson's could turn those close losses into wins this year.

Why It Could Happen: Arizona State's defense can shut down any team it plays, and the offense has some talented skill players.

Why It Won't Happen: The Sun Devils need to learn how to win. If they lose an early game to Missouri (Sept. 9), Illinois (Sept. 17) or USC (Sept. 24) and a few more losses may follow.

South Carolina Gamecocks

Since the day Steve Spurrier arrived in Columbia, S.C., he's wanted to prove his coaching superiority by winning big with the Gamecocks.

Last year was a good step, but Spurrier wants more. Nothing would be better than getting a second championship.

Why It Could Happen: The SEC East is still the weaker half of the conference and South Carolina should come out on top.

The defense has the potential to be something special, and then add into the mix true freshman Jadeveon Clowney at defensive end, and this unit could be the SEC's best. 

Why It Won't Happen: It's simple. Stephen Garcia.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

It's Brian Kelly's second year in South Bend and he's shaping the team to fit his style of play.

Now it's a better bet to take Notre Dame to play in the championship next year, but Kelly has never really followed a script. He just wins, and it could happen now.

Why It Could Happen: Linebacker Manti Te'o will lead a defensive unit that improved a great deal over the second half of the season. If the defense lives up to its potential, then the offense will be that much better.

Why It Won't Happen: Notre Dame has concerns at running back, which will likely come back to hurt the Irish in at least two games.

TCU Horned Frogs

Much like Boise State, TCU has become such a consistent winner that the Horned Frogs have earned enough national respect that no one would question them if they made it to the big game.

Gary Patterson has done a remarkable job of amassing talent, but it might take a miracle to go undefeated in 2011.

Why It Could Happen: TCU's defense could be better than last year, so if the offense can muster enough points each game or simply not lose the game, then a magical season may be in store.

Why It Won't Happen: Quarterback Andy Dalton meant that much to the Horned Frogs that it's likely TCU will lose at least two in 2011.