Predicting When Each Remaining Unbeaten College Football Team Will Falter

With over a month of the college football season in the books, many teams throughout the country have had to overcome at least one loss on the gridiron. If your program is one of the 16 teams that remain unbeaten through six weeks of college football, you are probably all asking yourself the same exact question.

What are the chances we can run the table?

The truth is, in today's sports world, it is very hard to finish the regular season undefeated, and with conference play getting tougher and tougher, many of these teams have yet to even face some of its more difficult matchups.

An unbeaten month of September is impressive, but there is a great chance many of these teams will fall sooner or later.

Let's take a look at the undefeated clubs in 2012 and see when or if each team will suffer its first loss.

Note: All stats come from cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted.

Rutgers

Record: 5-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: South Florida and Arkansas

Key Games Left: At Cincinnati, vs. Louisville 

When They Will Lose: Nov. 29 vs. Louisville

Louisville has won the last two meetings against Rutgers and seems to be the better team early on in the season. Both squads are terrific defensively, but it is the Cardinals that are more consistent on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is playing out of his mind at the moment, while Rutgers has only scored 30 or more points once in five games.

Overall, the winner of that end of the season meeting will likely win the Big East and earn a trip to the BCS' Discover Orange Bowl.

Cincinnati

Record: 4-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: Virginia Tech

Key Games Left: At Louisville, vs. Rutgers 

When They Will Lose: Oct. 26 at Louisville

Cincinnati has been playing surprisingly well through the first quarter of games, but a trip to Louisville won't be easy. The Cardinals are 24th in the country in total defense and the combination of Bridgewater and running backs Senorise Perry and Jeremy Wright make this a tough offense to defend as well.

Although the Bearcats seem to match up well with the Cardinals and are getting explosive plays from running back George Winn, you have to give the edge to the home team.

Louisville

Record: 5-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: North Carolina and Southern Miss

Key Games Left: vs. Cincinnati, at Rutgers 

When They Will Lose: They won't

Louisville will run the table for the first time in program history and reach a BCS bowl for the first time since 2006.

While each contender in the Big East plays solid defense, it is the play of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater that makes all of the difference in this conference. While Rutgers and Cincinnati are struggling to find consistent play from its signal-callers, Bridgewater is completing 73 percent of his passes and has been automatic in the red zone.

The offense as a whole is converting over 58 percent of its third downs, which makes the Cardinals look like the most balanced team this conference has to offer.

Ohio State

Record: 6-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: Michigan State and Nebraska

Key Games Left: At Wisconsin, vs. Michigan

When They Will Lose: They won't

With the Big Ten struggling the way it is, there should be very few questions about Ohio State being the best team in the conference. Although the Buckeyes are banned from postseason play, an undefeated season has been the goal and will likely be the result when the 2012 season comes to a close.

Quarterback Braxton Miller is growing up before our eyes, becoming a better leader and unstoppable player on the football field. The defense has forced 13 turnovers, picked up 16 sacks and has only allowed nine touchdowns on 18 red zone trips.

Ohio State is a team that is improving throughout the year and with the Wolverines coming to Columbus, an undefeated season doesn't seem too difficult.

Kansas State

Record: 5-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: Miami and Oklahoma

Key Games Left: At West Virginia, vs. Oklahoma State, vs. Texas

When They Will Lose: Oct. 20 at West Virginia

The Big 12 has become a conference that believes defense is illegal, as eight of the 10 teams are averaging at least 30 points per contest. Kansas State is building off of last year's success and quarterback Collin Klein is putting his name into the Heisman conversation.

The problem is that taking a trip to Morgantown is no joke and neither is playing the West Virginia Mountaineers. The newbies of the Big 12 are putting up video-game type numbers on offense and are averaging 570 yards a game.

With the lack of a consistent passing game for the Wildcats, I'm not sure Kansas State will be able to keep up with Geno Smith and company, especially playing in an SEC-type atmosphere.

West Virginia

Record: 5-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: Baylor and Texas

Key Games Left: vs. Kansas State, vs. TCU, at Oklahoma State, vs. Oklahoma

When They Will Lose: They won't

Maybe I'm drinking the Geno Smith Kool-Aid. And to be honest, I can't believe myself I have a team that is allowing 460 yards on defense to run the table.

But who in this conference is actually playing defense and who in this conference will be able to keep up with West Virginia offensively?

The Mountaineers already have 10 plays of over 40 yards, has scored 20 touchdowns on 24 red-zone trips and Smith is completing 81 percent of his passes. Who needs defense when you are averaging over 50 points per game and punting the ball less than three times per contest?

With three of the tougher games taking place in West Virginia, it is really hard seeing a team keep up with this offensive machine.

Notre Dame

Record: 5-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: Michigan State, Michigan and Miami

Key Games Left: vs. Stanford, at Oklahoma, at USC

When They Will Lose: Oct. 27 at Oklahoma

The defense of Notre Dame has been incredible, but the Hurricanes showed that the secondary can be beaten. The only problem is that Miami receivers couldn't catch a cold, let alone a football, which didn't help in a blowout by Notre Dame.

Oklahoma has a veteran quarterback in Landry Jones, who will throw the ball and test an Irish backfield that features three first-year starters. The Sooners also have experienced receivers that won't drop the football.

With the game taking place in Oklahoma, you have to believe that this is where the luck of the Irish runs out.

Ohio

Record: 6-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: Penn State

Key Games Left: At Kent State

When They Will Lose: They won't

The Bobcats offense is one of the more balanced in the country, as quarterback Tyler Tettleton is doing a good job of managing this football team and making the necessary throws. Running back Beau Blankenship has become the workhorse for this team and leads the MAC with 843 rushing yards on the season.

The turnover ratio with this club is also incredible, as the Bobcats defense has forced 16 turnovers, while the offense has only coughed the ball up three times.

With the schedule looking the way it does, Ohio could very well go undefeated for the first time in school history.

Oregon

Record: 6-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: Arizona and Washington

Key Games Left: At USC, vs. Stanford, at Oregon State

When They Will Lose: They won't

Until USC plays like the team we all thought they would be before the season started, I don't see the Oregon Ducks losing. Stanford simply does not have the offensive firepower to keep up with the Ducks, while the same could be said about Oregon State, who is 106th in rushing yards.

The Ducks are once again averaging over 50 points per game, while the defense may also be one of the best this program has seen. The defense has forced 17 turnovers in six games and has racked up 40 tackles for loss.

The Trojans were expected to be the best football team outside of the SEC, but it is looking more and more like it is Oregon instead.

Oregon State

Record: 4-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: Wisconsin and UCLA

Key Games Left: At BYU, at Stanford, vs. Oregon

When They Will Lose: Oct. 13 at BYU

BYU isn't the greatest of teams on the offensive side of the ball, but is so tough on defense that the Cougars are more than capable of pulling off the upset this weekend. The team is ranked fifth in the country in total defense, has only allowed three red-zone touchdowns all year and has the best rush defense in the country.

With this game taking place on the road for the Beavers and with Oregon State averaging over nine penalties a game, there will likely be one less undefeated team in a week.

South Carolina

Record: 6-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: Georgia

Key Games Left: At LSU, at Florida, at Clemson

When They Will Lose: Oct 20. at Florida

Although next week’s game against LSU takes place in Death Valley, South Carolina should be able to take advantage of a struggling Tigers team. Although it is the game against Florida that should give the Gamecocks trouble, as it would make back-to-back SEC road games and the third straight Top 10 game in a row for the squad.

The Gators showed that their defensive unit is no joke and should be able to bottle up Marcus Lattimore and force quarterback Connor Shaw to win with his arm. The Florida offense also managed to wear down an LSU defense and rushed for over 170 yards, something we haven't seen very often from this unit.

We could certainly say that the Gamecocks are the second most talented SEC team next to Alabama, but knocking off three straight SEC opponents and in two back-to-back road games would really shock me and a lot of other people. 

Florida

Record: 5-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: Texas A&M and LSU

Key Games Left: vs. South Carolina, vs. Georgia and at Florida State

When They Will Lose: They won't

I didn't expect much from this Florida Gators football team in the beginning of the season, but things are slowly beginning to come together for this club. The defense is playing terrific, as it currently ranks fourth-best in the SEC and the running game is the third-best in the conference.

Quarterback Jeff Driskel is growing up and is taking on a similar role that AJ McCarron had last season at Alabama, as more of a game manager. And although the schedule remains tough, the Gators do get the Gamecocks and Georgia (Although in Jacksonville), at home. Florida State showed last weekend that while the defense is great, the offense still has a ways to go.

While Florida may not seem like the perfect team in the SEC, this is a program that is getting better and better throughout the weeks and looked extremely impressive last week against LSU.

The Gators could lose to possibly Alabama in the SEC Championship, but I think Will Muschamp's club will reach the big game without a regular-season scratch. After all, it has the formula for success in running the ball and playing great defense.

Alabama

Record: 5-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: Michigan and Arkansas

Key Games Left: vs. Mississippi State, at LSU, vs. Texas A&M

When They Will Lose: They won't

There is a reason why Alabama has received every first-place vote in the latest AP Poll. Nick Saban's team has played some remarkable football over the last few weeks, as the offense has scored over 30 points in each game and the defense has forced 15 turnovers.

AJ McCarron is completing nearly 66 percent of his passes and has yet to throw an interception while true freshman T.J. Yeldon has provided this team with an explosive spark on the offensive side of the ball as well.

The schedule is very favorable for this team to run the table to the SEC Championship Game, as the Crimson Tide looks like the best team in the country at the moment.

Mississippi State

Record: 5-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: Auburn

Key Games Left: At Alabama, vs. Texas A&M, at LSU

When They Will Lose: Oct. 27 at Alabama

Despite losing many key players on both sides of the ball during the offseason, Mississippi State has jumped out to an impressive start and continues to climb up in the polls. But with the brutal SEC West schedule approaching, the party will soon come to an end.

The Bulldogs have lost the last four meetings against Alabama and will likely continue that streak this season. It will really be this team’s first true test and the Crimson Tide is way too polished on both sides of the ball to lose this game at home.

This season should still be considered a success for Mississippi State, but there are a couple of losses in the cards for the Bulldogs, as this team isn't quite there yet.

UTSA

Record: 5-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: N/A

Key Games Left: At Louisiana Tech

When They Will Lose: Nov. 3 at Louisiana Tech

The University of Texas at San Antonio is doing well in its first season in the WAC under head coach Larry Coker. The problem is that the team has yet to play anybody worth mentioning, unless you consider teams such as Georgia State and South Alabama any good. 

A trip to Louisiana Tech should get the job done, as the Bulldogs have much better athletes and one of the best offenses in the country. It is nice to see Coker rebound after the way things went down with the Miami Hurricanes, but the Roadrunners have a ways to go before they can compete with better teams in the FBS.

Louisiana Tech

Record: 5-0

Key Teams They Have Knocked Off: Virginia

Key Games Left: vs. Texas A&M

When They Will Lose: Oct. 13 vs. Texas A&M

I was giving the Bulldogs a chance to knock off the Aggies in the season opener, but Hurricane Isaac forced the game to be postponed to this weekend. The push back has helped the Aggies, as the team has already gotten its feet wet against SEC competition and freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel has played extremely well.

Texas A&M has created 17 sacks on the year and is averaging over 500 yards of total offense. Playing a Louisiana Tech team that is ranked 109th in scoring-defense isn't going to sit well with a balanced SEC team that is still out to prove itself to the rest of the college football world.