College Football 2011: 10 Teams Whose Non-Conference Schedules Ruin BCS Hopes

As we look ahead to the upcoming college football season, there is one thing that looks for certain heading into the year: There are going to be a lot of good teams in 2011.

As of now, despite popular complainants, it looks as if the BCS system will stay the way it is. With that said, teams will be rewarded a higher ranking by not only winning games, but by winning those games against quality opponents.

A number of teams have daunting non-conference schedules to kick off the 2011 season. But the question is, will those difficult games prove to be too much, and in return, ruin your schools chances of making it to a BCS Game?

Let's break down 10 teams whose non-conference schedule will turn out to ruin their BCS hopes.

10. Penn State

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Coach Joe Paterno of the Penn State Nittany Lions directs play of quarterback Matt McGloin #11 against the Florida Gators January 1, 2010 in the 25th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschm

The Nittany Lions are ranked in the 20-25 range in most preseason college football polls heading into the 2011 season.

While Penn State might not have the best chances to make it to a BCS game because of how difficult their Big 10 schedule is, how in the world do they plan to make it after they have to face Alabama again in an early season non-conference showdown?

We all saw what happened last year in this game, and not to look down on Penn State, but chances are they won't be posting an undefeated record in non-conference play this season, especially not with Nick Saban's team coming to town.

9. Miami (Fla.)

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TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes throws a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to Graig Cooper #2 against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Tallahassee, Flori

New coach, new players, same difficult non-conference schedule.

The Miami Hurricanes come in at No. 9, because their chances of making the BCS just aren't very good to begin with, but they have to be on this list with the schedule that they play.

After opening the season with a rare ACC matchup against Maryland, the Hurricanes then play Ohio State and Kansas State in back-to-back non-conference games. One their ACC schedule begins, the Hurricanes must battleVirgina Tech, North Carolina and Florida State on the road.

Whatever BCS hopes the Hurricanes did have, they might want to reconsider with this non-conference schedule. Welcome to Miami Al Golden. Enjoy...

8. Oklahoma

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Ben Habern #61 of the Oklahoma Sooners prepares to snap the football against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chri

Many expect to see the Oklahoma Sooners as the No. 1 team heading into the 2011 college football season.

If they want to live up to the preseason hype and play themselves into the BCS National Championship Game, the Sooners are going to have to get past Florida State in what should be one of the most exciting non-conference games of the 2011 season.

Both Oklahoma and Florida State are ranked in the top-10 heading into the year, so whichever team can leave that game with a victory should be a favorite to make it to a BCS Game. The only problem for Florida State is they have more then just Oklahoma, but more on that later.

Bottom line here is that Florida State should be the most difficult game on the Sooners' schedule in 2011. If they can get past that game, the Sooners should be able to run the table and make it to the BCS title game with the amount of talent that this team has.

7. Boise State

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BOISE, ID - NOVEMBER 19: Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos calls the play against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bronco Stadium on November 19, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

Boise State is a team that more and more people want to see make it to the BCS National Championship Game.

So what could possibly stand in the way of the Broncos making it to a BCS game this season? How about a week one, opening season matchup against SEC powerhouse Georgia.

Boise State wants to be respected, and wants to show people that they play a good enough schedule to be worthy of playing in a BCS game. Well Boise State fans, here is your wish.

The Broncos have passed huge non-conference tests in the past two years against Oregon in 2009 and Virgina Tech in 2010. Can they make it three in a row? All we can do is wait and see.

6. West Virginia

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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/G

Unfortunately, as awful as the Big East Conference has been in football, there will be a team that is going to represent the Big East in a BCS game this year.

Heading into the season, the only team that looks even close to good enough to being that team is West Virginia. The problem is that the Mountaineers will have to play both Maryland, and more importantly, LSU in two non-conference games this season.

West Virgina can still get into a BCS game, even if they lose both of those non-conference matchups, which is more the reason as to why the BCS needs to be changed.

5. Georgia

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Aaron Murray #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after tossing a touchdown pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Mark Richt's Georgia football team should have all the makings to compete for a BCS bowl in 2011.

And as if making it through the SEC isn't difficult enough, the Bulldogs have to play Boise State in the first non-conference game of the year, and then battle Georgia Tech in the final game of the year. Talk about a difficult schedule.

Add in Florida, Auburn and South Carolina to that grind, and the Bulldogs have one of the most difficult schedules in the country in 2011.

Look for fireworks to fly in the opening contest against Boise State. A win would vault the Bulldogs into the national spotlight.

4. Ohio State

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: (R-L) Dan Herron #1, Terrelle Pryor #2 and Mike Adams #75 of the Ohio State Buckeyes gather with teammates before taking on the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011

The Buckeyes have  both Miami (Fla.) and Colorado in non-conference games this season. On the surface, this doesn't appear to be too difficult of a slate.

Well fans, keep in mind that the Buckeyes have to face both those teams without five of their best players, who are going to be suspended for the first five games of the season.

The Buckeyes return so much talent this coming season, but if they slip up in one of those games, chances are that their BCS title hopes will be finished. Also, keep in mind that the Miami (Fla.) game will be on the road in a hostile environment.

It will be interesting to see how Ohio State responds in these early games, without some of the top players. We know one thing is for sure, it won't be easy to run the table.

3. Florida State

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback E.J. Manuel #3 of the Florida State Seminoles scrambles against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl on January 1, 2010 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.

It's been a while since Florida State has had such high expectations heading into a college football season.

But with those high expectations come big games, and the Seminoles will be tested right away in week three when they play top ranked Oklahoma.

If Florida State can somehow win that game, they could be a serious BCS contender heading into ACC play. But then, let's not forget that the Seminoles also close their season with the annual matchup with in-state rival Florida.

All the excitement surrounding this season could turn to disappointment if the Seminoles fail their out of conference test.

2. Oregon

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Darron Thomas #1 and the Oregon Ducks huddle against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Get

The Oregon Ducks completed the 2010 regular season with an undefeated record, before losing to Auburn in a memorable National Championship matchup.

If the Ducks thought that they had a difficult road to the BCS in 2010, just wait to see what lies ahead for this team in 2011.

Oregon will open the season against fellow top-five team LSU. This might not only be the best week one matchup, it very well could be the best matchup of the entire season. With Chip Kelly's explosive offense, going up against Les Miles' hard-nosed defense, the fans at the new Cowboys Stadium should be in for a treat.

The Ducks also have to face Nevada in their non-conference schedule, who ended Boise State's quest for a perfect season in 2010.

It is pretty obvious that the Ducks have their work cut out for them in 2011.

1. LSU

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: (L-R) Josh Dworaczyk #68, Jordan Jefferson #9, Will Blackwell #60 and Mitch Joseph #83 of the LSU Tigers celebrate a touchdown against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in A

If LSU somehow manages to get through their difficult schedule unblemished in 2011, one thing is for sure: They will be battle tested.

The Tigers face Oregon in the first game of the year and then have to play West Virginia in week four. In fact, LSU is scheduled to play seven of their 12 regular season games against preseason ranked teams. How is that for a tough schedule?

Les Miles' team has the talent to make a BCS Bowl in 2011, but this is the type of non-conference schedule could certainly ruin their chances.

We have a number of great non-conference matchups planned for 2011, now just sit back and let the games begin.