College Football Predictions 2011: Power Ranking the Top 10 Non-BCS Schools
Just because they don't play in a major conference, doesn't mean that their team's aren't good and don't deserve respect.
Every season, there are non-BCS schools that get snubbed in the rankings and miss out on the opportunity to play in BCS bowl games simply because of the conference in which they play.
The debate on the BCS system has been an ongoing one for years. It's likely that this year will be no exception.
Six of 10 positions in the BCS bowl games are reserved for the champions of the BCS conferences.
This leaves very little room for error for teams that reside in mid-major conferences.
These teams have to fight for every inch if they want to be considered a top team in the country.
Here are 2011 power rankings for the top ten teams in mid-major conferences.
10. Air Force Falcons
1 of 10
Air Force has been a competitive team ever since Troy Calhoun took over as head coach in 2007.
Prior to Calhoun's arrival, the Falcons had gone three straight seasons without a winning record.
They have not had a season without at least eight wins since then.
Air Force's triple option offensive attack is one of the best rushing attacks in the nation. Last season, they ranked second in rushing yards per game with 306.5.
The two big keys to the offense, quarterback Tim Jefferson and running back Asher Clark, will both be returning for their senior season in 2011.
In the past four seasons, the Falcons have had final records of 9-4, 8-5, 8-5 and 9-4. Don't be surprised if they make a push for double-digit wins this year.
9. Tulsa Hurricanes
2 of 10
The Tulsa Hurricanes can either fly or die this year under the new direction of head coach Bill Blankenship.
Blankenship is best known for his coaching on the high school level, where he lead Union to a 154-26 overall record and three state championships.
Tulsa is coming off of a 10-3 season, and returns starting quarterback G.J. Kinne.
The success of the team will fall on the shoulders of Kinne. Last season he led one of the better passing attacks in the nation, throwing for 3,650 yards and 31 touchdowns.
He was also the team's leading rusher with 561 yards on the ground.
The Hurricanes have a much tougher schedule this year. They are set to face Oklahoma in their season opener, followed by Oklahoma State and Boise State later in the season.
That could be a good thing. All it takes is one upset to get a little attention.
8. Northern Illinois Huskies
3 of 10
Last season the Northern Illinois Huskies won their first bowl game since 2004.
They did so in convincing fashion, dominating Fresno State 40-17.
Like most mid-major conferences, there is not an overwhelming amount of respect for the competition in the MAC.
Despite this, the Huskies finished with an overall record of 11-3 and finished 8-0 in conference play.
They had the 12th ranked scoring offense and the 14th ranked scoring defense in the nation.
Northern Illinois did lose star running back Chad Spann to graduation, but Jasman Hopkins and Jordan Lynch eagerly await to take over the spot. Both show signs of a bright future.
Look for Northern Illinois to be a top team in the MAC again this year.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Troy Trojans
4 of 10
It's hard not to be intrigued with what Troy brings to the table.
They are coming off of an 8-5 season where they just placed second in the Sun-Belt conference. It was the first season since entering the conference that Troy did not win the championship.
However, they did so with a freshman quarterback behind center.
Corey Robinson has a bright future after leading Troy to the 11th ranked passing attack in the nation as a freshman.
He threw for 3,726 yards and 28 touchdowns in the Trojans' pass heavy scheme.
The team crushed Ohio 48-21 in the New Orleans Bowl and looks to be well on its way back to another Sun-Belt conference championship.
6. Hawaii Warriors
5 of 10
Hawaii will have the opportunity to battle for the WAC championship during their final year in the conference.
Boise State departs for the Mountain West leaving the WAC battle to be likely between Nevada and Hawaii.
The Warriors will bring their potent passing attack to the table, which finished first in passing yards per game across the NCAA last season.
After improving phenomenally his sophomore season, junior Bryant Moniz hopes to continue lighting up the scoreboards on Saturdays.
His 5,040 passing yards were the highest in the nation last season.
Hawaii finished last year ranked 24th in the BCS standings.
5. Central Florida Knights
6 of 10
UCF doesn't often get credit for producing top quality players, but they have done so over the years.
Daunte Culpepper, Asante Samuel and Brandon Marshall are all former Knights.
There could be some added names to that list in a few years, likely coming from UCF's defense.
The Knights finished last season with one of the better defenses in the nation.
They capped off a fantastic season with a 10-6 victory in the Liberty Bowl over Georgia.
UCF would end the season ranked 25th in the BCS standings.
4. San Diego State Aztecs
7 of 10
San Diego State boasts one of the top quarterbacks in the nation in Ryan Lindley.
One player doesn't make a team, but in a weaker conference like the Mountain West, a single game changer can go a long way.
However, the Mountain West conference is improving, even if only for a year.
San Diego State will now have to out compete TCU, Air Force and Boise State.
With one of the top passing attacks and a consistent defense, they could give those teams a run for the conference championship.
3. Nevada Wolfpack
8 of 10
Boise State is gone.
Nevada has one year to win the WAC Championship before they leave the conference to join Boise State in the Mountain West.
The only competition that Nevada will likely face is Hawaii.
However, this may be easier said than done.
Nevada lost both star quarterback Colin Kaepernick and running back Vai Taua, who made up the majority of the Nevada offense.
Running backs Lampford Mark and Mike Ball will likely be counted on to carry the load for Nevada this season.
Both have shown spurts of brilliance in the past. With a fairly simple schedule, they should have little trouble in transition.
2. Texas Christian Horned Frogs
9 of 10
The departure of Andy Dalton will be felt at TCU.
However, one player does not make up an entire team. Dalton was a fantastic talent, but it takes more to finish third in the BCS rankings than one guy.
TCU finished the season with the No. 4 scoring offense behind Dalton. What goes unnoticed, is that they also finished with the top scoring defense in the nation.
Expect little drop off from the Horned Frogs.
Although he didn't receive much praise, Ed Wesley averaged 6.5 yards per carry on 1,078 rushing yards last season.
There will be a heavy dose of Ed Wesley and the running game, and some old school defense.
The Horned Frogs final year in the Mountain West conference should be an interesting one.
The season will likely be determined when they face Boise State in Week 11.
1. Boise State Broncos
10 of 10
I just got finished saying that one player does not make a football team. This is true, but they can make a heck of a difference.
Kellen Moore does just that.
In fact, Sporting News ranked Kellen Moore the top player in the nation for the upcoming season.
He is 38-2 as a starter. He has 10,867 career passing yards along with 99 touchdown passes.
He will likely finish this season with the NCAA record for career wins, passing efficiency and touchdown passes.
Like TCU, Boise State has more than just their star quarterback.
Last season, TCU may have been the top ranked scoring defense, but Boise State was right behind them in second.
Boise State's first season in the Mountain West conference will be an interesting one. The Week 11 game against TCU makes for some very interesting storylines.
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