College Football 2011: 9 Teams That Could Run the Table in Reverse

This is the worst-case scenario and every true fan’s most horrific nightmare: the winless season.

You wake up in the middle of the night, covered in perspiration with your heart palpitating wildly; then you sit straight up and realize that it’s Week 9 and your team still hasn’t won a game.

Who cares that no one expected them to win very many games, and who cares that (at least lately) they have been deemed “bottom-dwellers” barely deserving any media mention? This is still your team, and their propensity to suck eats away at your very soul.

Is it because of their schedule (perhaps somebody in administration forgot to call and schedule an FCS opponent)? Is it a coaching problem? Is it a hard place to recruit, or is the program just in the throes of a downward spiral?

Regardless of the reason or the face hidden behind the painful reality, the following slideshow offers nine candidates that could run the tables in reverse—yes, they could lose every single game in 2011.

Of note, going winless simply isn’t a easy feat to pull off; nobody did it in the FBS last season, and only two teams finished without a victory in 2009 (Eastern Michigan and Western Kentucky).

It ain’t right, and it won’t be pretty, but let us not forget that behind every struggling college football team lies a fanbase that gnashes its collective teeth, suffers through the heart-wrenching ugliness yet still looks hopefully towards the beaming, far-off horizon for something better.

New Mexico State

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AUSTIN, TX - AUGUST 31: Running back Keith Mouton #6 of the University of New Mexico Aggies looks for an opening in the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns defense during the game at Texas Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2003 in Austin, Texas. Texas d

New Mexico State returns 16 total starters from its 2010 squad that went 2-10.

The Aggies were outscored 474-188 last season and ranked No. 117 in scoring offense and No. 115 in scoring defense.

The two wins in 2010 were a 16-14 home victory over New Mexico and a 29-27 triumph over San Jose State. The two defeated opponents combined for a 2-23 record last season.

To add to their woes, the Aggies' 2011 schedule does not offer up a foe that looks absolutely “beatable” (such as an FCS opponent), and the narrow win margins over the other “strugglers” reduces confidence even further.

The slate is as follows:

September 3     Ohio

September 9     at Minnesota

September 17   UTEP

September 24   at San Jose State

October 1          at New Mexico

October 15        Idaho

October 22        at Hawaii

October 29        Nevada

November 5      at Georgia

November 12    Fresno State

November 19    at BYU

November 26    at Louisiana Tech

December 3      Utah State

The Aggies haven’t won seven games in a season since 2002 (7-5 under Tony Samuel) and have won eight or more games only four times in school history (most recently in 1965, when they went 8-2 under Warren B. Woodson).

New Mexico State ran the tables in reverse just a few seasons ago, when it went 0-12 under Hal Mumme in 2005.

North Texas

The Mean Green have won only eight games in their four seasons under head coach Todd Dodge, and the high-water mark came last season when North Texas scored three wins.

For 2011, gone is Dodge, who has been replaced with former Iowa State coach Dan McCarney.

The 3-9 record in 2010 included wins over FAU (21-17), Western Kentucky (33-6) and Middle Tennessee (23-17). Interestingly, all three wins occurred on the road.

North Texas returns 14 total starters in 2011, and key among this group is RB Lance Dunbar, who provided 1,553 yards of rushing last season, propelling the Mean Green to a No. 19 ranking nationally in rushing yards.

This definitely was North Texas’ statistical tour de force last season, as the Mean Green ranked No. 96 in passing yards, No. 87 in scoring offense and No. 82 in scoring defense.

Though you have to figure UNT can pull out at least one win in 2011, the schedule offers all FBS opponents, making every game potentially dicey.

September 1     at FIU

September 10   Houston

September 17   at Alabama

September 24   Indiana

October 1          at Tulsa

October 8          FAU

October 15        at Louisiana-Lafayette

October 22        ULM

October 29        at Arkansas State

November 12    at Troy

November 19    Western Kentucky

December 3      Middle Tennessee

Though North Texas went 1-11 in 2008, it has never, in 97 years, finished a full season of college football winless.

San Jose State

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PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Lamon Muldrow #22 of the San Jose State Spartans runs past Thomas Keiser #94 of the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Even though returning a full 20 starters in 2011 (which ties the Spartans with Michigan and ULM for the second-most nationally) should help San Jose State improve on its dismal 1-12 mark from 2010, next year’s schedule won’t provide much assistance.

Exasperating the unfortunate set of circumstances is the fact that the Spartans will be without the services of QB Jordan La Secla, who led them to a No. 45 ranking in passing yards (a big, huge deal when you rank No. 119 in rushing yards, No. 115 in scoring and No. 105 in points allowed).

September 3      at Stanford

September 10   at UCLA

September 17   Nevada

September 24   New Mexico State

October 1          at Colorado State

October 8          at BYU

October 14        Hawaii

October 29        at Louisiana Tech

November 5      Idaho

November 12    at Utah State

November 19    Navy

November 26    at Fresno State

San Jose State’s one victory in 2010 came against FCS Southern Utah (16-11), and unfortunately the Spartans have no FCS opponents on the 2011 slate.

New Mexico

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ALBUQUERQUE, NM - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Stump Godfrey #11 of the University of New Mexico Lobos is tackled by Jason Teague #27 of the TCU Horned Frogs on November 27, 2010 at University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico. TCU won 66-17. (Photo by Eric

The Lobos have only won two games under head coach Mike Locksley, who took over in Albuquerque in 2009.

Even though New Mexico returns 18 starters in 2011, Locksley will still be stalking the sidelines, which is a fact that, combined with the statistical evidence from last season, inspires zero confidence in the hearts of onlookers.

The Lobos were outscored 532-190 last season and ranked No. 106 in both rushing and passing yards, No. 116 in scoring and a dismal (and dead last) No. 120 in scoring defense.

The only win came in a narrow 34-31 defeat of Wyoming in Albuquerque, which marked the most points the Lobos scored all season.

The best chances for another single-win season are obviously a meeting with FCS Sam Houston (no pushover) and then a home game against in-state rival New Mexico State; the rest of the schedule is relatively ugly.

September 3     Colorado State

September 10   at Arkansas (in Little Rock, AR)

September 17   Texas Tech

September 24   Sam Houston State

October 1          New Mexico State

October 15        at Nevada

October 22        at TCU

October 29        Air Force

November 5      at San Diego State

November 12    UNLV

November 19    at Wyoming

December 3      at Boise State

The Lobos have posted two winless seasons in their long history. The most recent came in 1987, when they suffered a 0-11 finish under Mike Sheppard.

Middle Tennessee

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NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 20: Marquise Branton #34 and Stuart Taylor #26 of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders celebrate after a touchdown against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles during the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on Decembe

This pick is admittedly a stretch; Middle Tennessee is a team that went 6-7 in 2010 and finished the regular season at .500 before losing to Miami (OH) in the GoDaddy.com Bowl.

What sets off the gridiron alarms in Murfreesboro in 2011 is threefold.

First, they return only 12 starters next season (two are on special teams) and will be without their two leading rushers (RB Phillip Tanner and QB Dwight Dasher), who led the Middle Tennessee to a No. 31 ranking in rushing yards (versus No. 83 in passing yards).

Second, even though six wins sounds fairly impressive, the Blue Raiders were outscored by opponents 365-344 in 2010, and their wins were against FCS Austin Peay, Louisiana-Lafayette, ULM, Western Kentucky, FAU and FIU—hardly victories worthy of penning a postcard home with the details.

Third, the 2011 non-conference schedule reads like a Stephen King novel: at Purdue, Georgia Tech and at Tennessee.

Though it’s not likely that the Blue Raiders get completely blanked next season, the special circumstances could combine for a shockingly poor result.

September 3      at Purdue

September 10    Georgia Tech

September 24    at Troy

October 1           Memphis

October 6           Western Kentucky

October 22         at FAU

October 29         Louisiana-Lafayette

November 5       at Tennessee

November 12     at ULM

November 19     Arkansas State

November 26     FIU

December 3       North Texas

Ball State

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LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 05: Justin Burke #13 of the Louisville Cardinals looks to pass the ball during the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Get

Ball State’s four-win total in 2010 is a bit misleading, and though it certainly looks better than managing only two or three victories, a closer look puts the 4-8 mark more clearly in perspective.

Last season the Cardinals beat FCS Southeastern Missouri State (27-10), Central Michigan (31-17), Akron (37-30) and Buffalo (20-3).

The three FBS opponents they triumphed over combined for a 6-30 record in 2010.

Additionally, Ball State lost to FCS Liberty 27-23 in a Week 2 home game in Muncie.

Though the Cardinals return 16 starters next season, they have zero FCS opponents on the schedule this season, which immediately makes 2011 a far more daunting task than what they faced in 2010.

September 3     Indiana (in Indianapolis)

September 10   at USF

September 17   Buffalo

September 24   Army

October 1          at Oklahoma

October 8          Temple

October 15        at Ohio

October 22        Central Michigan

October 29        at Western Michigan

November 5      at Eastern Michigan

November 15    at Northern Illinois

November 25    Toledo

The two overtly “winnable” games are Buffalo at home and at Eastern Michigan (who Ball State lost to in 2010).

Ball State went 0-11 in 1999 under Bill Lynch.

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)

I, for one, think the Zips will improve in Rob Ianello’s second season at Akron, but despite any good vibrations, last season was too ugly to simply sweep under the carpet.

Yes, denial is more than a river in Egypt, but even the most delusional fan would have to admit that 2010 was exceedingly unsightly.

Akron lost 11 consecutive games in 2010 and finally tasted victory by beating Buffalo 22-14 in the closer (at home).

The Zips were outscored 421-187, ranked in the bottom 20 nationally in all four major statistical categories (rushing yards, passing yards, scoring offense and scoring defense) and even dropped a one-point contest to their only FCS opponent (38-37 to Gardner-Webb).

Yes, they return 14 starters in 2011, including starting QB Patrick Nicely, but gone are both the leading rusher and receiver.

The schedule offers evident opportunities for victory with a home game against FCS VMI and road trips to Eastern Michigan and Buffalo, but any “certainties” for the Zips are less confident given the one-win season in 2010.

September 3     at Ohio State

September 10   Temple

September 17   at Cincinnati

September 24   VMI

October 1          at Eastern Michigan

October 8          FIU

October 22        Ohio

October 29        Central Michigan

November 3      at Miami (OH)

November 12    Kent State

November 19    at Buffalo

November 25    at Western Michigan

Akron has not suffered a winless season since 1942, when it went 0-7-2 under Otis Douglas.

Western Kentucky

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LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 04: Bobby Rainey #3 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers gets brought down by Josh Williams #98 and Eric Hagg #28 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Lincol

Western Kentucky has at least three important factors working against it going winless in 2011.

First, you’ve got WKU alumnus Willie Taggart in his second season as the Hilltoppers' head coach. This guy is enthusiastic, energetic and determined to make Western Kentucky a winner.

Second, there is the return of RB Bobby Rainey, who racked up 1,649 rushing yards and 15 TDs, which not only made him the No. 5 running back in the FBS but also earned the Hilltoppers a No. 33 ranking nationally in rushing yards.

Third, you’ve got some real momentum going into the 2011 season. Yes, after beating Arkansas State 36-35 (their second ever FBS win), the Hilltoppers dropped the final two games to Middle Tennessee and Troy, but these were losses where you could actually begin to see real hope.

The loss to the Blue Raiders was a narrow one-point defeat, and the respectable 28-14 loss at Troy was to a Trojan squad that went on to win the Sun Belt Conference crown.

However, despite all the positives, this is still a team that just started to play in the FBS (Division I-A) in 2009, and this is still a team that has won only two games since making that historic leap upwards.

This makes a winless season a real possibility, and it does so despite any FCS games on the schedule (WKU was itself a FCS team in 2008) and regardless of who they play and in what order.

September 1      Kentucky (in Nashville, TN)

September 10    Navy

September 17    Indiana State

October 1          Arkansas State

October 6          at Middle Tennessee

October 15        at FAU

October 22        Louisiana-Lafayette

October 29        at ULM

November 5      FIU

November 12    at LSU

November 19    at North Texas

November 26    Troy

Marshall

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 2: Andre Booker #19 of the Marshall Thundering Herd runs with the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Thundering Herd’s statistical forte in 2010 was passing yards, where they earned a No. 64 ranking nationally (versus No. 114 in rushing, No. 101 in scoring and No. 74 in preventing scoring).

Unfortunately, among Marshall’s 16 returning starters in 2011 isn’t QB Brian Anderson, who provided the Herd 2,358 yards and 20 TDs on the way to a 5-7 record in “Doc” Holliday’s first campaign as head coach.

The 2011 schedule offers very little margin for error or time to rebuild, which is the key to Marshall even being mentioned here.

September 4     at West Virginia

September 10   Southern Miss

September 17   at Ohio

September 24   Virginia Tech

October 1          at Louisville

October 8          at UCF

October 15        Rice

October 22        at Houston

October 29        UAB

November 12    at Tulsa

November 19    at Memphis

November 26    East Carolina

Included on the slate we have three BCS opponents, the C-USA champs (UCF), Tulsa (who finished 10-3 and ranked No. 24 in the final AP poll), a good MAC team (Ohio, who went 8-5 last season) and Houston (which has QB Case Keenum back).

Of note, Marshall ranked No. 94 last season in passing yards allowed, which makes games against volatile passing teams such as East Carolina (No. 8 nationally in 2010), Houston (No. 5 even without Keenum), Tulsa (No. 13) and UAB (No. 24) seem downright menacing.