College Football 2011: Conference Bottom-Feeders with Best Chances To Go Bowling
For the schools that spent the 2010 season at the bottom, let this slideshow give you some optimism heading into 2011.
We all know turnarounds have happened before, so it's safe to say that it will happen again.
With that said, who's going to be the one to step it up and get it done?
Well, here is one team from each of the FBS conferences to look out for come time for the Autumn Wind.
ACC: Duke Blue Devils
1 of 11
2010 RECORD: 3-9 (1-7)
STRENGTHS: Offensive passing attack that ranked 22nd in the country averaging 271.3 yards per game. As a Sophomore, QB Sean Renfree threw for over 3,000 yards and 14 TDs.
Also, Sophomore WR Conner Vernon lead the team with 73 catches for 973 yards and and four TDs.
WEAKNESSES: Renfree needs to be more careful with the ball as he threw 17 picks and was also sacked 23 times.
Leading us to the offensive line, which needs to improve as well as the running game.
For the year, Duke only amassed 1,320 yards rushing.
The reason? Defense.
Allowing 35.4 points per game is why the Blue Devils had to throw the ball so much.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-6
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 4-8
With a rather favorable schedule, the Dukies could possibly be in the 2011 bowl season.
Big 12: Kansas Jayhawks
2 of 11
2010 RECORD: 3-9 (1-7)
STRENGTHS: Youth is key for the "rock chalk" Jayhawks as QB Jordan Webb threw for almost 1,200 yards with seven TDs as a freshman.
Also as freshman, RB James Sims ran for 742 yards and nine TDs.
One intriguing factor is Junior Daymond Patterson. He's listed as a CB, and played CB his first two years in college. However, in 2010 he led the Jayhawks in catching 60 balls for 487 yards and two TDs.
WEAKNESSES: Finding the end-zone, and keeping opponents out of the end-zone.
Eight of the Jayhawk's nine losses were by an average of 30 points, so being competitive from the start is the first step.
If Kansas can keep things close, they can be dangerous as other teams wouldn't expect them to hang around very long.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-6
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 3-9
The good news is that the first four games are winnable. After that however, two games will be tough to come by, but it's not out of the realm of impossibility.
Big East: Cincinnati Bearcats
3 of 11
2010 RECORD: 4-8 (2-5)
STRENGTHS: QB Zach Collaros returns as the Bearcats man under center after throwing for 2,900 yards and 26 TDs.
On the ground, RB Isaiah Pead ran for over 1,000 yards including six TDs.
Now, despite the loss of WR Armon Binns, his trusty side-kick D.J. Woods is one to watch in 2011.
Woods caught 57 passes for 898 yards and eight TDs last season, so more is expected come time for 2011.
WEAKNESSES: Inconsistency on offense hurt in 2010 as the Bearcats would go from scoring 40 in one game to not even 20 in the next.
At one point, they put up almost 70 (yeah it was Rutgers but still), and then were shot down to under 20 by UConn.
Defensively, the secondary needs to step it up as the team leader in picks (Drew Frey) had only two on the entire year.
Also, shutting teams down is a concern since they allowed 28 points per game
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 8-4
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 4-8
With six of the first seven games as possible wins, the Bearcats could have a lot of momentum heading down the stretch.
The question is whether or not they can play better on defense, while controlling the tempo on offense.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Big Ten: Purdue Boilermakers
4 of 11
2010 RECORD: 4-8 (2-6)
STRENGTHS: After dealing with some injuries at the QB position, the good news is that three of them got a decent amount of experience.
With that said, Freshman Rob Henry proved to be the most productive in throwing for 996 yards and eight TDs.
He also ran for a team leading 547 yards and four TDs.
If he wins the starting job in 2011, the dual-threat QB could come of age for Purdue next season.
WEAKNESSES: No one in the receiving game stood out, but that could be in large part due to three different QBs playing in 2010.
Thus, a lack of timing and chemistry becomes an issue.
As for the defense, the Boilermakers allowed 28.8 points per game and 37 per game in the final six.
Needless to say, they lost the final six games.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-6
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 4-8
The beginning of the season helps as the first three games should be wins. They also get Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois at home which is also in their favor.
What's concerning is whether or not Purdue can prevent a losing streak like last season.
Conference USA: UAB Blazers
5 of 11
2010 RECORD: 4-8 (3-5)
STRENGTHS: QB Bryan Ellis comes back after throwing for almost 3,000 yards and 25 TDs with only 12 picks.
Also, RB Pat Shed returns after running for 847 yards and three TDs.
He also caught 47 balls for 471 yards and four TDs.
Overall, the offense was solid in averaging 267 passing yards and 155 rushing yards per game.
WEAKNESSES: Much like most of these teams, it is once again the defense.
The Blazer D allowed just over 31 points per game, and the team leader in picks was D.J. Ballou with three.
It would be different if three or four players had three picks, because then that's a defense that knows how to mix coverages together.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 7-5
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 4-8
In playing a very tough non-conference schedule (at Florida, Mississippi State), UAB has their work cut out for them.
Also, traveling to Tulsa and Marshall will be tough as well.
Mid-American Conference: Ball State Cardinals
6 of 11
2010 RECORD: 4-8 (3-5)
STRENGTHS: Freshman QB Keith Wenning (1,373 yards, 14 TDs and 14 picks) looks to buff out the rough spots with some solid WRs returning.
Freshman Jack Tomlinson (29 catches, 484 yards and six TDs), as well as junior Briggs Orsbon (28 catches, 295 yards and one TD) can become a dangerous combo in 2011.
Defensively, junior Safety Sean Baker returns after leading the MAC with six picks, and Sophomore CB Jason Pinkston was second on the team with four picks.
In 2011, it will be tough to throw the rock against the Cardinals
WEAKNESSES: The rushing offense needs some work as Ball State only totaled 1,827 yards all season.
On the other side of the ball, the rush defense has to improve as well.
In the trenches, Ball State allowed 187 yards per game and the team leader in sacks (DE Robert Eddins with six) graduates to the NFL Draft.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 7-5
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 3-9
Through the first four games (Indiana, at USF, Buffalo, and Army), Ball State could be anywhere from 4-0 to 0-4.
Obviously that's always technically possible with any team at any level, but with the Cardinals this is very evident.
All those games are definitely winnable, but they could very well lose them, too.
And, it will most likely set the tone for the rest of the season.
Mountain West Conference: Wyoming Cowboys
7 of 11
2010 RECORD: 3-9 (1-7)
STRENGTHS: On offense, the Cowboys see experienced youth in the passing and running games.
QB Austyn Carta-Samuels threw for 1,700 yards and nine TDs, and ran for 392 yards with three TDs.
The primary RB, Alvester Alexander, totaled 792 yards along with 14 TDs, and also caught 15 passes for 134 yards.
Defensively, DE Josh Diezuns, who led the team with 6.5 sacks (tied for second in the conference), also recorded 61 tackles.
In the secondary, Tashaun Gibson only got three picks (tied for fourth in the conference), but led the conference in interception return yards with 77.
WEAKNESSES: Youth and some inexperience at the WR position will hurt the passing game, and a defense that allowed over 30 points per game needs fixing.
Also, not being multi-dimensional on offense hurt last year since the defense allowed 413 yards per game.
Reconstruction needs to be done even with Utah and TCU leaving, because Boise State enters this year.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-6
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 3-9
The Cowboys could start out 3-0, but once in-conference play begins, Wyoming needs to pick it up.
They could get a fourth win at Utah State before the conference opener against UNLV, so don't count out the Cowboys just yet.
Pac 12: UCLA Bruins
8 of 11
2010 RECORD: 4-8 (2-7)
STRENGTHS: Sophomore RB Johnathan Franklin acts as the focal point of the Bruin offense.
In 2010 he ran for 1,127 yards and scored eight TDs.
With a more experienced offense for 2011, Franklin has the potential to be a feature back in the conference.
Also, the WRs should be a major factor as Nelson Rosario and Taylor Embree enter their Senior seasons.
WEAKNESSES: QB Richard Brehaut needs to quickly improve after throwing seven picks to his six TDs.
Although he wasn't the starter all season, for the Bruins to compete, he needs to mature quicker than those anticipate.
The defense needs some improvement as well, especially after losing LB Akeem Ayers.
In giving up 30 points per game, coach Rick Neuheisel does bring in four star DT recruit Kevin McReynolds.
With that said, they could improve, but let's wait to actually see it happen first.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-6
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 4-8
A more experienced offense helps heading into 2011, but they need to put up points because only 20 per game like 2010 won't cut it.
That said, with the newly aligned Pac-12, UCLA has bowl season as a realistic goal.
SEC: Ole Miss Rebels
9 of 11
2010 RECORD: 4-8 (1-7)
STRENGTHS: Junior RB Brandon Bolden comes back for his senior season after a solid 2010 season.
He ran for 976 yards and scored 14 TDs while averaging six yards per carry, as well as catching 32 balls for 344 yards and three TDs.
Also, the Rebels bring in a top 25 recruiting class which will help with having respectable talent from the start.
Defensively, LB D.T. Shackelford comes back after leading the team with five sacks.
WEAKNESSES: Losing QB Jeremiah Masoli hurts at the QB position, so there will definitely be inexperience there.
On the defense, other than Shackelford, much is needed.
Not to mention they allowed 35 points per game, so if they want to compete in the nation's most difficult conference, improvement there is imperative.
There is hope with CB Charles Sawyer (two picks), but as a unit the secondary was lacking.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-6
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 3-9
There are no easy games in the SEC. Period.
However, with a solid recruiting class coming in and a few key players, the Rebels could make it to bowl season.
Sun Belt: North Texas Mean Green
10 of 11
2010 RECORD: 3-9 (3-5)
STRENGTHS: Well, it was an odd season for North Texas QBs as they played four different guys in 2010.
The most productive was Junior Riley Dodge (who actually came in as a WR) and threw for over 1,200 yards and 11 TDs, with only four picks.
The back-field features dual-threat RB Lance Dunbar who amassed over 1,500 yards last year along with 13 TDs and snatched 32 passes for 332 yards and three TDs.
WEAKNESSES: The defense allowed almost 30 points per game and the team leader had only 3.5 sacks (DE Brandon Akpunku).
They gave up almost 400 yards per game, and the offense only put up 24 points per game.
If the offense can become multi-dimensional then they can improve, because 173 yards per game through the air won't get a D off balance.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 9-3
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 4-8
In 2010 the Mean Green lost five games by eight points or less, so if they can turn that around look out in 2011.
WAC: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
11 of 11
2010 RECORD: 5-7 (4-4)
STRENGTHS: RB Lennon Creer returns after running for almost 1,200 yards and getting in the 'zone 10 times.
He also caught 25 balls for 181 yards.
In the receiving corps, Junior Taulib Ikharo (50 catches for 530 yards and three TDs) remains paired with Sophomore Richie Casey (42 catches for 432 yards and three TDs) as a dangerous combo for 2011.
Defensively, DE Matt Broha comes back after getting nine sacks and 44 tackles.
In the secondary, Sophomore CB Chad Boyd comes off a year where he had a team leading four picks (tied for second in the WAC), as well as being a sure tackler with 80 on the year.
WEAKNESSES: Losing QB Ross Jenkins to graduation hurts under center, so there will be some inexperience coming at the helm.
Also, the defense as a unit need to be more productive after allowing over 30 points per game.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 7-5
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 5-7
If the the Bulldogs can win a few more close games than last year, then the bowl season is evident.
If not, then another sub-.500 year will be more likely.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
