College Football 2011: Predicting The Cellar Dwellers For Every Conference

They are like traffic jams, red lights and people who get in the express lane at the grocery store with more than 10 items.

There will be some atrocious college football teams this fall, but predicting who they are isn't easy. Injuries can hit a powerhouse, which can then take a nosedive. Teams that had been awful can have unexpected breakthroughs and reach bowl games.

But there are some teams you have to throw in the mix. In the ACC, I'd say it's between Duke and Wake Forest. The SEC has one clear-cut favorite to be at the bottom. I could easily see Colorado struggling in the newly formed Pac-12, but there's still another team that will finish below them. As for the Big Ten, I think one team will struggle, but could be close to a breakthrough as well.

So, let's go at it. I've also attached predictions from non-BCS conferences: 

ACC: Wake Forest

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PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Chris Givens #2 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons runs in for a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Demon Deacons (3-9) didn't win a game in divisional play last year, with their only conference win coming against Duke (54-48). Wake Forest also didn't have a 1,000-yard rusher.

As far as the team itself goes, Wake Forest ranked near the bottom nationally in passing yards (114th, 143.8) and points against (110th, 35.8).

It's sad that Jim Grobe can't have more consistent success there. TCU also has rigorous academic standards, but has become a consistent winner, and Jim Harbaugh helped guide Stanford back among college football's best.

Big 12: Kansas

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LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Turner Gill of the Kansas Jayhawks trots onto the field ahead of the game against the Kansas State Wildcats on October 14, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Hopefully Turner Gill's team won't get thrashed too bad this fall, but with Nebraska and Colorado gone, the Jayhawks now can't avoid Oklahoma or Texas and will have to play at Texas A&M.

Kansas (3-9) upset an over-hyped Georgia Tech team last year and also beat Colorado and New Mexico State. The Jayhawks were 103rd in passing yards (161.8), 103rd in points against (34.4) and 111th in points for (17.1).

I like Gill and think he's one of the classiest coaches out there. But he's going to need a miracle.

Big East: Rutgers

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PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 08: San San Te #1 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights celebrates his game-winning field goal during the final minute against the Connecticut Huskies at Rutgers Stadium on October 8, 2010 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated UCo

Rutgers had one great year, but has tanked ever since, including last year's 4-8 record.

Give them credit for beating Connecticut and Army,—two decent wins—but their other victories came against Norfolk State and Florida International. Rutgers was 110th in rushing last season (100.9 yards per game), and their leading rusher finished with 417 yards and one touchdown.

A turnaround could happen though. This conference is very bad, and the Huskies went to the Fiesta Bowl with two losses in conference play.

Big Ten: Indiana

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 9: Quarterback Ben Chappell #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers hands off against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

New Hoosiers coach Kevin Wilson could have been helped if Ben Chappell was there, but Chappell was a senior. Last year, he threw for 3,295 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Indiana (5-7) lost five straight this year and ranked 102nd in points against (34.0) and 112th in rushing yards (100.3).

Their wins came over Towson, Western Kentucky, Akron, Arkansas State and Purdue.

Wilson could be the right hire, but whether he's enough to boost them past Minnesota in the Big Ten standings, remains to be seen.

Pac-10: Washington State

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PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Jeff Tuel #10 of the Washington State Cougars plays against the UCLA Bruins in the game at the Rose Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

This is a tough call because I can easily see Colorado struggling big time too.

But I'm going to stick with Washington State, which was 2-10 last year. The Cougars allowed 40 points or more in five games and only beat Montana State (23-22) and Oregon State (31-14).

Washington State was also near the bottom nationally in rushing yards, points scored and points against.

SEC: Vanderbilt

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LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 13: Larry Smith #10 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs with the ball during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Got to go with the Commodores, which were 3-9 last year. Some of you may say Ole Miss, but no way a Houston Nutt team has two back-to-back years like that.

Vandy was 105th in passing yards (159.4) and 94th in points allowed (31.2), something that has to change, especially in the SEC, where solid defense is essential for success.

This is aggravating because I root for great academic schools to succeed in sports too, and the Commodores have done that in basketball and baseball. Why they can't remain successful in football baffles me.

Independents: Army

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DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 30: The Army Black Knights celebrate a 16-14 win against the SMU Mustangs during the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on December 30, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Before some of you fly off the handle, let me say Army wasn't awful. A 7-6 record is okay, but compared to other Independents, I don't see them surpassing BYU (which is now Independent in football), and Notre Dame should make another big leap under Brian Kelly in his second year.

Army was great at running the ball this year, averaging just under 252 yards per game, but also ranked 120th nationally in passing (78.1).

Conference USA: Memphis

Last year, the Tigers (1-11) had one close loss in conference play to UTEP. The rest weren't even close. It's one thing if you're competitive, but to get torched every time out is demoralizing.

Memphis' only win was a 24-17 victory over Middle Tennessee.

WAC: San Jose State

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PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Jordan La Secia #12 of the San Jose State Spartans in action during their game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

San Jose State (1-12) is one of those teams that the big boys love to beat up on at the start of every year. Last season, they lost to Alabama (48-3), Utah (56-3) and Boise State (48-0).

They also finished 119th nationally in rushing, at just under 79 yards per game.

Mountain West: New Mexico

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ALBUQUERQUE, NM - NOVEMBER 27: Aundre Dean #30 of the TCU Horned Frogs carries the ball against Carmen Messina #58 (L) and Jaymar Latchison #48 of the New Mexico Lobos in the 3rd quarter on November 27, 2010 at University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexic

The Lobos (1-11) beat Wyoming 34-31 last year, and had close losses to New Mexico State (16-14) and San Diego State (30-20).

But New Mexico also was 120th nationally in points allowed (44.3).

Sun Belt: Western Kentucky

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LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 04: Willie McNeal of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers attempts to out run Jase Dean #31 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers after a mishandled punt during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Lincoln,

If North Texas hadn't fired Todd Dodge, then the Mean Green would get the honors, but UNT changed immediately once he was let go.

Western Kentucky (2-10) lost to North Texas last year, 33-6, and was 115th in passing yards (143.5).

Ivy League: Princeton

The Tigers (1-9) definitely can play hoops, but football isn't their thing.

Princeton averaged 16.5 points and 330.7 total yards per game last season.

Mid-American: Akron

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LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 18: Patrick Nicely #7 of the Akron Zips runs with the ball during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Zips (1-11) were last in the MAC's East Division and averaged just 15.6 points per game.

Their only win came in the season finale, when they defeated Buffalo 22-14. I would put Buffalo on here, but the Bulls had two wins.

Southern: Citadel

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Cam Turner #6 of the Citadel Bulldogs looks to hand off the ball against the Florida Gators during the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Citadel (3-8) barely scored two touchdowns a game last year, and averaged 258.5 total yards per game.

Their wins? Over Presbyterian College (26-14), Samford (13-12) and Chowan (56-14). Anyone else know lots about Chowan? Ever heard of them?

Big South: Presbyterian

Here's all you need to know: Presbyterian College (2-9) averaged 20.3 points and 304.8 total yards per game last year. The team also didn't have a 1,000-yard rusher or passer.