Five Teams That Could End the SEC's National Title Run

The Southeastern Conference seems to have created a monopoly on the National Title game. They even went as far as to place two of their programs—from the same division no less—in the Championship game, effectively securing a sixth-straight title for the conference.

Furthermore, it isn't like the SEC is being dominated by one or two teams. Those six championships have come at the hands of four different squads—three from the West and the other one from the East. Florida, Alabama, Auburn, and LSU are just barely skimming the talent from the conference as Arkansas, Georgia, and South Carolina all have the potential to be in the same position sometime in the near future.

With the additions of Texas A&M and Missouri—both solid football programs—SEC Commisioner Mike Slive is now lobbying for his conference to receive an additional BCS slot. If he somehow pushes it through, the other five BCS-AQ conferences will be retching as they watch their most powerful brother easily land three teams in the BCS every postseason.

Next year, however, there is some hope. The ACC, Big 12, Pac-12, and Big Ten all have at least one team with enough talent and clout to knock the SEC off their high horse. The college football world waits in anticipation as we analyze and debate who could be the magical squad to end the title tyranny.

We take a look at the top five candidates any of us can put our hopes in for what will be one of the most exciting football seasons ever.

Virginia Tech

The Hokies, unfortunately, are only returning just 12 starters combined on offense and defense next season. Luckily for them, though, one of those 12 is big-time QB Logan Thomas and his potent dual-threat ability.

Under head coach Frank Beamer, however, I would put V-Tech on this list if the returning QB was Bugs Bunny. That's how good Beamer and his staff really are as they continue to add years to the 10-win season streak.

This past season, they totaled 11 wins with just three losses—two of which came to the same team—and the other at the hands of a powerful Michigan squad at the Sugar Bowl in overtime.

This team no doubt will have experience on both sides of the ball, given the return of two defensive all-conference players in DE James Gayle and CB Kyle Fuller. The loss of a versatile RB in David Wilson will be tough, but I still expect this team to pull out another ACC Title and take a trip to a BCS Bowl.

A very strong option yet the lowest on my list, any SEC squad would have their hands full with Virginia Tech in the title game.

West Virginia

Every postseason, the BCS always includes that joke team that no one thinks has a chance at winning. They're the champion of the worst conference in the country, or they are a non-AQ program from somewhere in the Pacific Northwest (I will not name names).

The last couple of seasons that joke squad was a member of the Big East—and people prepared for them to lose miserably. Oklahoma's shellacking of UConn in last year's Fiesta Bowl is a case in point.

This season was no different as the top Big East Co-Champion West Virginia walked into the Orange Bowl, with talking heads predicting the potent Clemson squad would destroy them.

QB Geno Smith and company thought differently, however. The Mountaineers put up 70 points in a major BCS Bowl, against a team that had just allowed a max of 45 in the regular season. It was incredible to watch, and just plain jaw-dropping.

Well guess who is back? The Mountaineers return 15 starters, including superstar QB Geno Smith and WR Tavon Austin. Four all-conference teammates return for what should be West Virginia's first season in the Big 12—this is a squad to be reckoned with.

The SEC would have major problems containing a player of Smith's caliber, even with their potent defenses and NFL speed. The only problem for WVU is on the defensive side of the ball. Could they out-score teams that usually allow under 15 points a game?

Oklahoma

The Sooners have always been about football. One of the most powerful programs in the nation, OU proved themselves as a college football jewel when they forced the desperate Big 12 to fire their commissioner Dan Beebe in lieu of keeping the Oklahoma in the conference.

This offseason, OU fans received some fantastic news. Landry Jones, the stud QB who holds the school record for all-time passing, decided to stay for his senior season. Even though he had some rough games this past year, he is the choice of Bob Stoops to lead this squad in 2012.

In addition to Jones, the Sooners return 14 other starters, including almost every buffet buster on the offensive line. With four all-conference players and one AP All-American returning as well, this team will be extremely dangerous next season on both sides of the ball.

Still, the SEC and OU have a history in bowl games, and it is not in favor of the Sooners. Stoops is one bad season from losing his job, and 2012 will be integral in the program's decision to keep him on as head coach.

One easy way to quell everyone's doubts would be a second national title over a conference Stoops has had trouble with for years.

With such a talented returning starter list, this team can threaten almost any SEC squad come bowl season. Strong on both sides of the ball, the Sooners and the Mountaineers should be at the center of the Big 12's power come next year.

Watch for that matchup to be huge in deciding who heads to a BCS location come next January. 

Michigan

Under first year head coach Brady Hoke, Michigan seemingly began the long journey of a return to prominence. After years of falling short, one of the most storied programs in the nation seems to have found itself one of the best in the business.

A huge BCS Bowl victory over V-Tech in overtime secured Hoke's presence in Wolverine country for years to come. Michigan is now in prime position to threaten for the Big Ten Championship and a slot in the National Title game if they can rattle off an undefeated season.

With a highly decorated starting QB coming back in Denard Robinson, the Wolverines have the talent to be an offensive powerhouse in 2012. Unfortunately, Michigan lost many of its top wide receivers, and therefore will be forced to rely on young up-and-comers for the passing game.

The Wolverines are in better shape than it may seem, despite bringing back just 14 starters. With two all-conference returners and almost all of the defense coming back for 2012, Michigan is the Big Ten juggernaut.

Led by the versatility of Robinson and the brilliance of Hoke, the Wolverines are one of my top choices for knocking off the SEC in the title game.

Although the Big Ten now owns a reputation for beating up one another in conference play, Michigan has all the right tools to go undefeated, steal a Big Ten title and end the SEC's reign down in Miami.  

USC

The Trojans are back and they will be better than ever.

After surviving the last couple of years under a bowl ban, USC is a giant threat again to take over the college football world. Head coach Lane Kiffin and company are in the best positions of their careers to go head-to-head with the SEC—and come away victorious.

USC returns a star-studded cast—16 players coming back to win not only a Pac-12 title, but also a National Championship. Nine of those players are all-conference, while two come in boasting All-American status, making USC the top threat on my list of teams to wreck on the SEC.

The big name making his last appearance in the college football arena is QB Matt Barkley. One of the most impressive leaders in the game right now, this young man has shown he has all the potential to take this squad to the next level.

Of all the programs out there, USC has to be the most confident. Even under NCAA restrictions, they still managed to not only be successful, but just plain own their division in the Pac-12. They also defeated the eventual Rose Bowl Champions—at Autzen Stadium—and will be the team to beat in their conference come next season.

The SEC powerhouses must make their focus on USC a top priority. Going undefeated and heading to National Title game is well within the realm of possibilities for the Trojans come next year, as one of the best squads in the sport look to redeem themselves in their first season back.