College Football 2011: The One Fatal Flaw of Every BCS Team Going into 2011
No team is perfect.
At least not since the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Take a quick look at any of the 67 teams in BCS automatic-qualifier conferences (sorry, TCU fans, you'll have to wait until the Horned Frogs join the Big East) heading into 2011 and you can find a weakness somewhere. This deficiency could be the difference between a winning or losing season, or even a perfect year.
What is your team's weakness?
Alabama
1 of 67
Nick Saban has put together a near-perfect team again, but the Crimson Tide’s quarterback is going to be untested as the season begins.
Arkansas
2 of 67
Expectations are high again in Fayetteville, but if the Razorbacks are to be taken as a serious SEC contender they’ll need to improve on defense…especially the linebackers.
Arizona
3 of 67
If Mike Stoops is going to stay off the hot seat this season it will be because his defense blossoms.
However, the Wildcats' most glaring need is on the offensive line. It’s going to be a young and inexperienced group that must figure out a way to protect Nick Foles.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Arizona State
4 of 67
The Sun Devils were so close to being a nine- or 10-win team last year. Confidence is all that stands between ASU and a possible spot in the Pac-12 championship game.
Auburn
5 of 67
The Tigers have done an amazing job of recruiting the past two to three years, so it would seem pretty obvious that Auburn should reload. But replacing a special talent like Cam Newton is impossible, so quarterback play will naturally take a dip in 2011.
Baylor
6 of 67
If the Bears are going to live up to the hype they built during the first half of the season of 2010, then it all rests on a defense that has been unpredictable for a while. Baylor has brought in Phil Bennett from Pitt to mold a strong unit.
Boston College
7 of 67
Boston College slipped last season to 7-6, and that was with some veteran leadership. So when you look at this season and try to point to a weakness the lack of leadership is a good place to start.
Quarterback Chase Rettig is another good place to look.
California
8 of 67
This may be blasphemous to some Cal fans, but what’s holding back the Bears now is Jeff Tedford. Not that he’s a bad coach, but sometimes when things go south a program needs a change at the top.
Cincinnati
9 of 67
With 11 starters back on offense, including Zach Collaros at quarterback, the Bearcats are primed to greatly improve over last year’s 4-8 season. However, Cincinnati hasn’t had a stout defense in years and that won’t change this season.
Clemson
10 of 67
The Tigers lost some big-time talent, including potential first-round NFL picks Da’Quan Bowers and DeAndre McDaniel. Tajh Boyd replacing Kyle Parker at quarterback is also an upgrade.
Still, the offense has potential problems, most notably at running back.
Colorado
11 of 67
The Dan Hawkins era is over in Boulder, but his recruiting legacy remains. The Buffaloes are a better fit for the Pac-12 than the Big 12, but at this point they don’t have the overall talent to compete.
Connecticut
12 of 67
The Huskies’ longtime coach Randy Edsall bolted for Maryland after a Fiesta Bowl loss, but the bigger loss following that game was running back Jordan Todman. The Big East’s best rusher is now prepping for an NFL career, and this leaves a gaping hole in the Huskies offense.
Duke
13 of 67
Duke may finally have the talent to get the Blue Devils to their first bowl game since 1995. If David Cutcliffe can solve his issues at running back he may be even more confident about a winning season.
Florida
14 of 67
This seems odd to say, but the Gators are too inconsistent on offense to be considered a serious contender. Even with Charlie Weis calling the plays, John Brantley remains a liability at quarterback.
Tailback Jeff Demps running track this spring didn’t help the offense’s cohesion either.
Florida State
15 of 67
The Seminoles may be the most complete team in the ACC. Still, injuries and inconsistent play have raised concerns for the offensive line.
Georgia
16 of 67
The Bulldogs still have questions at running back, but nothing is more important than shoring up an offensive line that must open up the holes and protect Aaron Murray.
Georgia Tech
17 of 67
Yes, Joshua Nesbitt won’t be starting at quarterback this fall, but the real concern is the offensive line. The group has been whipped all spring by the defense and that doesn’t bode well for Paul Johnson’s option attack.
Illinois
18 of 67
With sophomore Nathan Scheelhaase back for his second season at quarterback (and following a solid spring), Illinois could be an eight- or nine-win team if the running game comes around.
That will be difficult with Mikel Leshoure heading to the NFL.
Indiana
19 of 67
The hiring of first-year coach Kevin Wilson from Oklahoma is a step in the right direction. But until Wilson brings in better talent the Hoosiers remain the weakest link in the Big Ten.
Iowa
20 of 67
There’s only one receiver (Marvin McNutt) back with any real experience.
Iowa State
21 of 67
Spring ball is a great time to establish a quarterback, but the Cyclones have four guys vying for the job. That just reeks of QB controversy come fall.
Kansas
22 of 67
Not much went well in Turner Gill’s first season. The Jayhawks have talked about switching to a 3-4 defense, but the linebacking corps is too thin and too slow to make this happen now.
Kansas State
23 of 67
If Kansas State is going to improve on a surprising 2010, the Wildcats will have to find more consistent play out of quarterback Justin Tuggle.
Kentucky
24 of 67
Joker Phillips hired his former mentor Rick Minter to take over the defense at Kentucky. Minter has worked miracles with defenses in the past.
So the Wildcats' most pressing need in 2011 is at wide receiver. A program like Kentucky doesn’t just replace a talent like Randall Cobb.
Louisville
25 of 67
It’s Charlie Strong’s second year with the Cardinals and he has the program heading in the right direction. However, Louisville lost 25 seniors and none is bigger than running back Bilal Powell.
He was a bit of a surprise last year, but it’s imperative Louisville find someone who can fill his shoes.
LSU
26 of 67
The Tigers had all sorts of problems on offense last fall, including consistency at quarterback.
But whether it was Jordan Jefferson or Jarrett Lee taking the snaps, a number of their incompletions were not their fault. LSU’s receivers dropped too many passes and that’s still a concern this fall.
Maryland
27 of 67
Randy Edsall-coached teams have a bulldozing fullback, who can also carry the ball when called upon to do so. Edsall may have to spend this year recruiting one since the Terps are weak in this area.
Miami
28 of 67
The Hurricanes have a reputation for punishing defenses, but that hasn’t been the case of late. In 2011, Miami’s success may rely heavily on if first-year coach Al Golden can find someone to play cornerback.
Michigan
29 of 67
Michigan’s defense is going to be suspect again this year. It doesn't matter how many points Denard Robinson puts on the board, it’s how many points the defense can keep off it.
Michigan State
30 of 67
The Spartans’ confidence has to be shot following that blowout loss to Alabama in the Capital One Bowl. Still, Mark Dantonio’s squad returns a number of outstanding players from an 11-win season.
If Michigan State is going to make a serious run at the Big Ten title it will need to improve at linebacker following the graduation of two-time All-American Greg Jones and Eric Gordon.
Minnesota
31 of 67
The Gophers are solid at linebacker and in the defensive backfield, but one area that new coach Jerry Kill needs help with is on the defensive line.
Mississippi
32 of 67
Where do you start with Ole Miss? This team is one huge weak spot.
The Rebels need to pick a quarterback and the defense remains a problem.
Mississippi State
33 of 67
Dan Mullen’s charm and coaching prowess will only get Mississippi State so far. The Bulldogs need to develop a better offensive line this summer to be a serious contender in the SEC.
Missouri
34 of 67
About this time last year, Missouri thought it would be playing in the Big Ten this season. Instead, Nebraska was the only one invited.
Now the Tigers’ biggest concern is how to replace superstar quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
Nebraska
35 of 67
The Blackshirts are used to carrying the offense at Nebraska, but if the Cornhuskers are really going to live up to the preseason hype, a decision needs to be made at quarterback. Is it Taylor Martinez or Brion Carnes?
North Carolina
36 of 67
The Tar Heels have loaded up on talent the past few years, especially on defense. But graduation has taken a toll on the defensive backfield.
North Carolina State
37 of 67
It appears the Wolfpack are ready to move forward with Mike Glennon at quarterback as coach Tom O’Brien assumes Russell Wilson will play baseball only now. No matter who throws the ball this fall, the receiving corps is a major question mark.
Northwestern
38 of 67
The Wildcats have one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the nation, but Dan Persa could really use some help from a balanced running attack. That duty appears to be falling to sophomore Mike Trumpy.
Notre Dame
39 of 67
The Fighting Irish rolled into the offseason with four big wins, but Brian Kelly’s offense needs to improve its running game to be a serious BCS contender.
Ohio State
40 of 67
Making any predictions about the Buckeyes is a tough task with the five-game suspensions of five key players, including quarterback Terrelle Pryor (not to mention coach Jim Tressel).
Since Pryor will be absent at the beginning, whoever plays those first five games creates a clear weakness for Ohio State.
Oklahoma
41 of 67
The Sooners are almost everyone’s preseason No. 1 team. That means they have few weaknesses. But if you look at OU’s recent history, the Sooners always seem to lose a road game. That has to stop.
Oklahoma State
42 of 67
Is this the year the Cowboys finally get over the hump and win the Big 12? Offensively, OSU shouldn’t have a problem.
If the defense can’t stop any of the big guys again, the elusive title will slip away again.
Oregon
43 of 67
The Ducks have the offense to outscore any team. But Chip Kelly’s defense lost some key components, which will likely be the difference in making a return trip to the title game.
Oregon State
44 of 67
The Beavers were probably the best 5-7 team in the nation, but Mike Riley would probably prefer the worst 12-0 team. With a few breaks, Oregon State could easily be an eight- or nine-win team.
The key? Finding a replacement for Jacquizz Rodgers in the backfield.
Penn State
45 of 67
For some reason no one at Penn State has figured this out, but Joe Paterno is why the Nittany Lions are really just an average program that no one considers a legitimate national contender any more.
Florida State pushed Bobby Bowden out and it’s time for Penn State to do the same.
Pittsburgh
46 of 67
First-year coach Todd Graham is a winner and the talent is in place at Pitt, but there are always a few pitfalls during a transition season.
The Panthers have been a perennial underachiever for more than a decade, but their defense has been solid. A clear weakness on defense this year is at defensive end, where Jabaal Sheard should be taken by Friday of the NFL draft.
Purdue
47 of 67
Not much went well for the Boilermakers last season, but defensive end Ryan Kerrigan still earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. Now that he’s gone, figuring out who will provide that hard rush off the edge is a big question mark.
Rutgers
48 of 67
It would be easy to point to Greg Schiano and his ego, but Rutgers has serious issues on the offensive line.
South Carolina
49 of 67
Stephen Garcia. Enough said.
South Florida
50 of 67
The Bulls were close to being an 11-win team, but just as close to being a three-win team. Skip Holtz has some holes on the defensive line, but the biggest weakness in Tampa is just confidence.
If they get on a roll, watch out for South Florida.
Stanford
51 of 67
Quarterback Andrew Luck can cover up for many deficiencies, but Stanford’s offensive line is arguably its weakest link.
Syracuse
52 of 67
The Orange were the surprise team in the Big East last year. Syracuse should contend for the Big East crown, but despite a year as the starter, quarterback Ryan Nassib is an average player.
Tennessee
53 of 67
Derek Dooley may have confidence in quarterback Tyler Bray, but he may be the only person outside of the Bray family who does.
Texas
54 of 67
Was last year’s disappointing 5-7 season just an anomaly? That’s what Mack Brown is hoping.
He knows he has the talent to beat anyone, but the Longhorns’ biggest weakness is overconfidence. Texas just expects to line up and win. The Longhorns learned last year that doesn’t work.
Texas A&M
55 of 67
If you watched the Aggies last year you quickly realized Mike Sherman’s team is talented. Great running game and possibly the best offensive line in the conference.
So what is this team lacking? Confidence in their ability.
Texas Tech
56 of 67
Texas Tech has become known for having some top-notch college quarterbacks in recent years. However, in Tommy Tuberville’s second season he’ll turn to Seth Doege, who has just one start.
UCLA
57 of 67
Most UCLA fans would probably point to Rick Neuheisel as the biggest concern entering 2011. Coaches on the hot seat don’t usually call up some magic (i.e., Tim Brewster, Dan Hawkins, etc.).
But the Bruins most glaring weakness is quarterback. True freshman Brett Hundley may be the answer, but he’s 18.
USC
58 of 67
Lane Kiffin and the Trojans are heading into the final season of a two-year ban for the program. With strong recruiting and arguably the most talent of any team in the Pac-12, the Trojans could win the conference title if eligible.
USC’s biggest weakness is playing together as a unit, and finding inspiration.
Utah
59 of 67
The Utes' biggest challenge will be adjusting to a tougher week-in-week-out schedule now that they are part of the Pac-12. If Utah’s true freshman running back Harvey Langi can carry the rushing load, the Utes may make a run at the conference title.
Vanderbilt
60 of 67
If the Commodores were in the ACC or Big East, they might win five to seven games a season. Instead, Vanderbilt plays in the toughest football conference in the country.
So overall talent at every position is an issue.
Virginia
61 of 67
The Cavaliers showed improvement under Mike London last year, but this spring Virginia has not found a starting quarterback. Could we have a dual-QB situation?
Virginia Tech
62 of 67
Tyrod Taylor was an underappreciated quarterback nationally, but ACC and Virginia Tech fans grasped how much the talented Taylor meant to the Hokies. Tech has talent at quarterback, but as the season begins the lack of real experience is a concern.
Wake Forest
63 of 67
The Demon Deacons had their worst season since Jim Grobe arrived in 2001. Grobe was forced to play a lot of young players last year and that group gained valuable experience. Still, a program like Wake needs a strong offensive line and that group needs some serious help.
Washington
64 of 67
The Huskies took another positive step in Steve Sarkisian’s second season, which included a 19-7 victory over Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. While Jake Locker didn’t have a memorable senior year, Washington must still find a quality replacement from either Keith Price or Nick Montana.
Washington State
65 of 67
Is this finally the season Paul Wulff pulls the Cougars out of the cellar? If the defense is better that just may happen, but until that unit shows some consistency it’s hard to get too excited about Washington State.
West Virginia
66 of 67
WVU’s defense may have been one of the best in the country last year, but there are a number of holes to fill. If the unit finds quality replacements the Mountaineers could be the team to beat in the Big East.
Wisconsin
67 of 67
The Badgers are replacing two-year starter Scott Tolzien at quarterback with a potential budding star in sophomore Jon Budmayr. So the offense is in good hands and the running game will be just fine. Replacing defensive end J.J. Watt is a much tougher task and production is bound to drop.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
