The Five Best Non-BCS Teams Not Named TCU or Boise State

Well, they’ve finally gotten the respect.

Boise State and TCU are finally ranked in the preseason top ten after years of clamoring for the voters' respect.

In the current AP Poll, Boise State is situated in the No. 3 spot, while the Horned Frogs sit in sixth in the early standings.

The two schools have finally gotten the attention of the college football world after they both ran through the 2009 regular season in undefeated fashion, dominating pretty much every opponent along the way.

The two met up in the Fiesta Bowl where Boise prevailed 17-10.

After all they’ve accomplished, the two teams have the right to bask in the glory as the cream of the crop from the lower conferences.

That doesn’t mean, however, that there aren’t some other quality teams roaming around in the lower ranks, ready to make some noise this season.

Here’s a look at five teams from non-BCS conferences that are shaping to have big 2010 campaigns.

1. Utah Utes

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Jordan Wynn #3 of the Utah Utes looks to pass the ball in the second quarter of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martine

Sophomore Jordan Wynn takes over full-time at the quarterback position this season. Wynn, only 6‘1, makes up for his lack of size with good intangibles and solid decision making.

He threw eight touchdowns in Utah’s final six games of the 2009 season. That includes a three touchdown performance in a victory over CAL in the Poinsettia Bowl.

Head Coach Kyle Whittingham has to fill in some key holes on defense, but with Wynn under center, the Utes have what it takes to challenge TCU for the Mountain West crown.

2. Tulsa Golden Hurricane

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 04: Damaris Johnson #3 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes runs past Charles Harris #21 of the Tulane Green Wave at the Louisiana Superdome on September 4, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The state of Oklahoma has seen some monstrous hurricanes over the years, but they may have never seen as powerful as this one.

The Golden Hurricane of Tulsa possess an offense that could be the most explosive in all of college football.

You may ask...if this offense is so explosive, then why did they fail to score 30 points a game in 2009?

It’s true, Tulsa’s inexperience was clearly evident on the offensive side of the ball last year.

But with playmakers like QB GJ Kinne and WR Damaris Johnson returning, this offense is capable of scoring with anybody this year.

3. Nevada Wolf Pack

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COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack rolls out during the first half of the game against the Missouri Tigers on September 13, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty I

This season is senior quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s swan song after starting all three years, and leading the team to three straight bowl appearances.

The problem for Kaepernick: he’s failed to come away with a win in all three tries.

Kapernick and the rest of the talented Wolf Pack senior class want to finish this season off right.

A bowl victory and a run at the WAC Championship is there for the taking this year. Especially since two of the best players in the league, WR Brandon Wimberley and DE Dontay Moch, are suiting up in Reno.

They have Boise State standing in their way, but the firepower needed to overthrow the kings of the conference is there.

4. Houston Cougars

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Case Keenum #7 of the Houston Cougars throws the ball against the Tulane Green Wave at the Louisiana Superdome on October 17, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Quarterback Case Keenum is preparing to break some big passing records in 2010.

The senior is coming off consecutive 5,000-yard passing seasons, and it’s because of Keenum that many are picking Houston to win the Conference USA title.

Keenum’s main targets, James Cleveland (104 catches), Tyron Carrier (91 catches), and Patrick Edwards (85 catches), are all back for another season.

If Houston wants to average 40 points a game for a third straight year, they will need some big performances out of all three.

Coach Kevin Sumlin is entering his third year as leader of this team. He currently holds an 18-9 record as the Cougars' head man.

After a 10-4 season put him on the map last year, Sumlin will be auditioning his coaching services to BCS schools in 2010 and should be ready to motivate this squad to success.

5. Temple Owls

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STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Bernard Pierce #30 of the Temple Owls carries the ball during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on September 19, 2009 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty

Temple head coach Al Golden has done a quality job taking the leftover recruits from Pennsylvania and New Jersey and molding them into a team that competes and works as hard as any other in the land.

Once the laughingstock of the conference, the Owls now have the most talented roster out of the 13 teams currently competing in the Mid American Conference.

Temple finished 7-0 in conference play in 2009, but the team came up short against Ohio without star freshman running back Bernard Pierce.

If Pierce stays at full health this year, this squad should be the undoubted favorite to win the MAC.