Beating the Odds: 5 Long Shot Teams That Could Win It All in 2011

Each year before College Football starts, many media outlets give us their "Preseason Top 25." They are the Top 25 teams out of 120 teams in the FBS, but there are always those other 95 schools. For those 95 schools, they could be a "long shot" championship team.

Sometimes, even Preseason Top 25 schools can be considered doubtful, and here are five of the 2011's long shots.

No. 5: Mississippi State Bulldogs

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Chris Relf #36 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs rushes against the Michigan Wolverines during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Field on January 1, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida (Photo by Rick Dole/Getty Images)

It seems Mississippi State is well on its way to becoming a year after year powerhouse. All three of its leading offensive players return, as well as its head coach Dan Mullen.

It seems that the sky is the limit for the Bulldogs, at least right now.

They were beat down 52-14 by Rich Rod's Michigan Wolverines.

Expect Mississippi State to start low in the Top 25, and potentially climb their way to the top.

No. 4: Nebraska Cornhuskers

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers fumbles the ball under pressure from defensive back Demontre Hurst #19 of the Oklahoma Sooners at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Sooners

Nebraska entered the season with high hopes and their hopes went even higher when Taylor Martinez and company torched the Kansas State Wildcats on national television. It seemed they would be unstoppable until Taylor was first injured.

After that, their offense would not click at all, unless Rex Burkhead stepped in at quarterback.

If Nebraska can fix their problems at the quarterback position, they should be fine.

No. 3: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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EL PASO, TX - DECEMBER 30: Wide receiver Michael Floyd #3 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball past Jared Campbell #37, Sean Spence #31 and Andrew Smith #48 of the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Bowl on December 30, 2010 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by

Notre Dame's season was up and down, on-and-off the field. First they had a huge upset victory over Utah then an "upset" loss to Tulsa, capped off by a win over Miami (FL) in the Hyundai Sun Bowl.

With Michael Floyd returning to the team, this squad looks ready to surprise others, even if it is in the Preseason Top 25.

No. 2: Texas Longhorns

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners fumbles the ball out of play in front of Jared Norton #11 of the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Mar

You might be asking, Texas? Well yes.

Most pre-preseason polls are not including Texas, and if they are, they have Texas ranked pretty low.

This is mostly because of the 5-7 record and the MAJOR coaching staff overhauls that have taken place. In the eyes of many, they are a major long shot team.

The quarterback position is now up for grabs, but I think Gilbert will still get it.

No. 1: West Virginia Mountaineers

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ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountineers warms up during the Champs Sports Bowl against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Ge

Sure, the Mountaineers had a less-than-stellar finish. Ending with a loss to NC State in the Champs Sports Bowl, they still had the third lowest points against in the NCAA.

They run a smooth defense and have a great offensive coordinator in Dana Holgorsen coming in to work with a good looking quarterback in Geno Smith.

They will have an early test against LSU in Morgantown.