20 Teams with the Best Chances of Running the Table in 2012

The SEC is the unquestioned "big dog" in the college football yard.

Naturally, this list includes several teams from that conference.

However, they are not alone.

This list runs down the 20 teams that have the potential to run the table in 2012.

That's not to say that these teams are locks to go without a loss, but out of the entire FBS universe, these are the squads that have the best shot.

20. Washington Huskies

Keith Price is worth the price of admission to a Washington Huskies football game.

This young quarterback put up seven scores in the Huskies' bowl game and will return with more experience for the 2012 season.

This is one of the biggest stretches in this list, but Price's ability to lead an offense, coupled with some seasoning for a young team, could be the catalyst for a dream season.

The Pac-12 will be tough, but with Oregon losing some talent, this is the Huskies' chance to take a shot at the North Division title.

19. Marshall Thundering Herd

Rakeem Cato is the catalyst for this squad's offense.

The sophomore (in 2012) quarterback is a solid passer and has the legs to do some damage in the rushing game.

It seems that every season, a team from one of the "minor" conferences makes a run at a perfect record.

Marshall has as good a shot as anyone else in 2012.

18. Temple Owls

Bernard Pierce will be back from serious injury, and the Owls will be fielding a stout defense yet again.

Although it's difficult to see them going undefeated, given some of the games they have to play (Maryland, at Penn State), but with talent such as Bernard Pierce, it's not out of the realm of possibility.

17. Michigan Wolverines

Right, a Big Ten team is going to go undefeated...

You may not think so, but this Michigan team should not be underrated.

Brady Hoke has had some success implementing his system and will have all of spring and fall practice to solidify the system with this team.

Throw in the talent that is Denard Robinson and a weak conference, and if the Wolverines can sneak out a win against Alabama, they could go all the way without a blemish.

Of course, Ohio State may have something to say about that.

16. Ohio Bobcats

Tyler Tettleton is one of the best quarterbacks you probably have not heard about.

The man led the Bobcats to the MAC title game, which they lost, and was poised beyond his years (sophomore) in the 'Cats' bowl win.

While it's not often a team from this conference makes it through the season unscathed, the Bobcats have the talent to do so.

Now, if they can just get a win against Penn State, we might be on to something.

15. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Taylor Martinez may not be the best pure passer in the country, but if this offense clicks, there is a chance.

It's a long shot, but Bo Pelini has put together a very talented defensive unit, and it has the talent on offense to make some noise in the conference.

With another year to adjust to their new conference, the Huskers should be serious contenders.

14. Clemson Tigers

Sammy Watkins is a man-child; let's just get that out of the way right now.

Clemson, the 2011 Atlantic Division champs, is in good shape to win it once again, and with a little luck, the Tigers could finish the season unscathed.

The departure of four key defensive linemen make this a tall order for Dabo Swinney's club, but new defensive coordinator Brent Venables might be the man to make a quick turnaround.

Between Watkins, Andre Ellington and Tajh Boyd, the Tigers have enough talent to score 40-plus points per contest.

If they can play some defense, an undefeated season is not out of the question.

13. West Virginia Mountaineers

Dana Holgorsen, you have a believer in this writer.

Any questions regarding Holgorsen's ability to get the Mountaineers to the next level offensively should have been dispelled by their 70-point outburst against Clemson in the Orange Bowl.

Geno Smith and Tavon Austin, as well as Stedman Bailey, are all back and will all provide plenty of sparks to help this offense put up a ridiculous amount of points.

The schedule is still unsettled, but with an offense like that one, it's not too far-fetched to imagine this team not losing a single game.

It's also not difficult to imagine Holgorsen sporting a toupee, but that's neither here nor there.

12. Oregon Ducks

The Ducks' hopes of finishing without a loss took a blow with the departure of Darron Thomas, but his replacement, Bryan Bennett, showed flashes of promise in limited time in 2011.

Chip Kelly's defense is going to be better in 2012 than it was last season and play-makers such as Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas make this team nearly as scary on the offensive side of the ball as it has ever been.

Circle that date with USC and the Pac-12 Championship Game; they will be the toughest games for the Ducks to win and finish without a loss.

11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Yes, we seem to overrate the Irish every season, and every season, they find a way to let us down.

However, you can bet that the 2012 edition of this team will not cough up the ball nearly as much, which should equal roughly three more wins on the season.

Manti Te'o is returning and leads a defense loaded with talented guys who will look to make life miserable for opposing offensive coordinators.

If the Irish can sort out the convoluted quarterback situation together with a manageable schedule, they have a shot at a perfect season.

10. Ohio State Buckeyes

Yes, a third Big Ten team.

Even without a postseason game to look forward to, this team is going to be extremely successful.

Urban Meyer is an incredible coach and has pulled in some great young talent.

Throw in the stout defense the Buckeyes can field, and they are likely to be near the top of the conference yet again.

Braxton Miller grew into the quarterback position over the course of last season and will enter 2012 as one of the most dynamic players in the Big Ten.

9. TCU Horned Frogs

By this point, we should have learned not to underestimate the Horned Frogs.

Going into the Big 12 next season is perfect for them.

Oklahoma State loses tons of key talent, and Texas is still on the way up, but has a way to go.

Oklahoma and possibly West Virginia pose the biggest threats, but Casey Pachall has proven to be an extremely capable quarterback, and Gary Patterson always throws together incredibly stout defenses.

8. Alabama Crimson Tide

Nick Saban led an incredibly talented defense to the BCS title this season.

Some of that key talent is departing.

Trent Richardson, Dre Kirkpatrick and Dont'a Hightower are all departing with another season of eligibility remaining.

That said, this team is still stacked, and if A.J. McCarron plays next season the way he did in the title game, this team has a great shot at going undefeated.

7. Virginia Tech Hokies

Sure, David Wilson and four offensive linemen are gone.

However, the defense only loses one starter.

Frank Beamer has proven to be a defensive genius, and quarterback Logan Thomas will continue to progress as a quarterback.

The Hokies are going to have one of the best defenses in college football and should be the favorite to come out of the ACC Coastal division in 2012.

If a running back emerges as a solid option for the offense, this team will be scary good.

6. South Carolina Gamecocks

The Gamecocks seemed due for failure in 2011 after Stephen Garcia got kicked off the team and star running back Marcus Lattimore suffered a season-ending injury.

However, quarterback Connor Shaw stepped up, and the Gamecocks defense was stout.

Next season, SC will challenge Georgia for the SEC East title and has a shot at finishing undefeated.

With a defense as deep as the one Steve Spurrier can field, it's not out of the question for USC to be the undefeated team that comes out of the SEC in 2012.

5. Georgia Bulldogs

Mark Richt is going to go from hot seat to title contender in two seasons.

This team returns just about everybody to an explosive defense, and quarterback Aaron Murray is one of the best in the country.

Other than a tangle with South Carolina, the schedule looks almost easy, with no serious SEC contenders on tap.

The rushing game needs to get better, and this team could run the table.

4. Arkansas Razorbacks

Knile Davis, the SEC's leading rusher in 2010, will be back to punish defenders with his bruising style of rushing.

Couple that with quarterback Tyler Wilson and his great arm, an improving defense and a coach that knows what he is doing, and this team is set to challenge for the BCS title in 2012.

The SEC is brutal, and this season will be no exception, with games against LSU, Alabama and South Carolina on the schedule.

However, this team is loaded with talent at the skill positions, and Bobby Petrino is a wizard...

3. Oklahoma Sooners

Kenny Stills and Dominique Whaley will be back, and that is a scary proposition for the rest of the country.

With an improved Landry Jones returning, the passing game will be better than the 2011 version, and the Sooners defense is loaded with playmakers.

Notre Dame will present some interesting challenges, but this team, plus new defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, should be better than last season's squad.

2. LSU Tigers

LSU is going to be at least as good next year as it was in 2011.

Tyrann Mathieu will lead an incredibly talented group of defensive stars, including four on the defensive line.

While the quarterback position is unsettled, whoever gets the reins will step into a good position.

The Tigers are stacked at running back and wide receiver, and this team is going to be itching for redemption after its embarrassing loss in the title game.

This Tigers team will go as far as Les Miles' ability to make adjustments will take it.

1. USC Trojans

The return of Matt Barkley and T.J. McDonald for another year is a huge part of the reason the Trojans have a shot at going without a loss in 2012.

Barkley is easily the best quarterback returning for next season, and with weapons such as Robert Woods and Marqise Lee for him to distribute the ball to, this offense is going to be scary good.

Lane Kiffin has done a great job of recruiting, even with the limitations on the program, and the Trojans schedule is favorable.

Hawaii and Syracuse are not exactly non-conference opponents to strike fear in the hearts of a heavy-hitter like USC, and the Trojans get to host Oregon in what will likely be the game of the year in the conference.