2011 College Football Predictions: The 10 Schools That Will Earn a BCS Bowl Bid
Each year there's always a lot of hype about the BCS and who should or should not earn a trip to the party.
Well, 2011 may be increased on a whole 'nother level since the NFL is still locked out.
That being said, think about how much more focus will be on college football and which schools will be fighting for that coveted BCS bid.
And, since we never have to worry about a lockout in college football, it will be even more discussed.
The reason? Because until the NFL is not locked out, all the fans will be directing their attention to those in school.
Also, it's never too early for BCS talk, so here are the schools that earn a bid in 2011.
Stanford Cardinal: Pac-12 Representative
1 of 11
RECORD: 11-1 (8-1)
BCS BOWL GAME: Rose Bowl
Sorry, Cardinal fans, but the Oregon Ducks ousted you again; however a well-deserved trip to the Rose Bowl is the next best thing.
With Heisman front-runner QB Andrew Luck returning, he will once again be the focal point in Stanford.
Now, he does lose his head coach and top receiving targets to the NFL, but RB Stepfan Taylor (1,137 rush yards, 15 TDs) is in the backfield behind him.
The are obviously weaker on D, but look for safety Delano Howell (five picks, 10 pass deflects) to lead the way.
Michigan State Spartans: Big Ten Champions
2 of 11
RECORD: 11-2 (8-1)
BCS BOWL GAME: Rose Bowl
Two games stick out on the Spartans' schedule—at Notre Dame and at Nebraska.
Other than that, the schedule is very favorable.
Ohio State is all discombobulated, and Sparty is counting down the days to avenge the 2010 loss at Iowa.
Coming back for his senior season is QB Kirk Cousins (2,825 passing yards with 20 TDs), and behind him is stud Brahma Bull Edwin Baker (1,201 rush yards with 13 TDs).
The defense does need to reload after the losses of Greg Jones, Eric Gordon, Marcus Hyde and C.L. Rucker.
However, Mark Dantonio's coachability to his players gets better each year.
Alabama Crimson Tide: BCS at-Large
3 of 11
RECORD: 11-2 (7-2)
BCS BOWL GAME: Fiesta Bowl
For as much as the Tide have lost to the draft/graduation, you know Nick Saban will quickly reload.
However, with games at Florida, Mississippi State and Auburn, Alabama has their hands full once again in the SEC.
They come out of the SEC West, but fall to South Carolina in the conference championship game.
That said, QB A.J. McCarron has a solid experience, as does RB Trent Richardson.
Defensively, CBs Mark Barron (led team with 75 tackles) and Robert Lester (led SEC with eight picks) lead the way.
Also, don't count out LB Courtney Upshaw (seven sacks), who should improve as well.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Boise State Broncos: BCS at-Large
4 of 11
RECORD: 12-0 (9-0)
BCS BOWL GAME: Fiesta Bowl
The opening game against the Georgia Bulldogs is by far the toughest, but thereafter is practically cake.
TCU at home will be decent, but they lose more than Boise, so don't count on the Broncos losing there.
Heisman hopeful QB Kellen Moore returns for his senior year, and RB Doug Martin remains in the backfield.
The receiving core is being reloaded, and the defense has some holes to fill.
But, just be sure to keep an eye on DEs Shea McClellin and Tyrone Crawford, who combined for 20.5 sacks last season.
However, the national title game escapes them again since Oklahoma's and Oregon's strength of schedule edges Boise's.
If only there was a playoff system.
Florida State Seminoles: ACC Champions
5 of 11
RECORD: 12-1 (9-0)
BCS BOWL GAME: Orange Bowl
Only Oklahoma (at home) and Florida (in The Swamp) appear to be the ones who can defeat the Seminoles in 2011.
However, they're a step or two ahead of the Gators, but a step or two behind the Sooners.
Then once in the ACC Championship game, you can expect a rematch with Virginia Tech.
Except the Hokies aren't bringing nearly as much back as the 'Noles.
QB E.J. Manuel has decent experience, the receiving core is very synergistic, RB Chris Thompson has yet to have his breakout season.
Move to the dark-side and you see OLB Nigel Bradham (98 tackles, five sacks, five pass deflects); CB Greg Reid (17 pass deflects, three picks, 65 tackles); CB Xavier Rhodes (16 pass deflects, four picks, 58 tackles); and DE Brandon Jenkins (13.5 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss).
Yikes.
West Virgina Mountaineers: Big East Champions
6 of 11
RECORD: 9-3 (6-1)
BCS BOWL GAME: Orange Bowl
A favorable conference schedule puts the Mountaineers back in the BCS.
Top conference title contenders in Connecticut and Pittsburgh travel to West Virginia, while on the road to Cincinnati seems as a potential trap game.
They do travel to Syracuse (8-5 in 2010), but will have two weeks to prepare thanks to a bye-week.
As for personnel, QB Geno Smith (2,763 passing yards with 24 TDs) and WR/RB Tavon Austin (58 balls for 787 yards and eight TDs) return.
On defense, DEs Julian Miller and Bruce Irvin remain after combining for 23 sacks, as well as DB Keith Tandy (led conference with six picks).
South Carolina Gamecocks: SEC Champions
7 of 11
RECORD: 12-1 (8-1)
BCS BOWL GAME: Sugar Bowl
If there's any year in which South Carolina can win the SEC, this is the year.
There's a very favorable schedule, where at Mississippi State on Oct. 15th is the toughest game.
Arkansas will be solid, but not enough, and Tennessee is a still a few steps back.
Florida and Auburn will be difficult, but as home games, the Gamecocks have a major edge.
Also, for the second year in a row, coach Steve Spurrier landed the nation's top recruit to an already solid ballclub.
RB Marcus Lattimore, WR Alshon Jeffery, QB Stephen Garcia (just needs to screw the head back on), DEs Melvin Ingram, Devin Harris and CB Stephon Gilmore are all key components.
If the Gamecocks play to their full potential, 2011 will be even more interesting in the SEC.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish: BCS at-Large
8 of 11
RECORD: 11-1
BCS BOWL GAME: Sugar Bowl
The four-game stretch from Sept. 17 through Oct. 8 will show the Irish's true colors this fall.
There, they travel to Michigan, Pittsburgh and Purdue, while sandwiching Michigan State at home.
Right now, however, Notre Dame has momentum on their side as they finished 2010 on a four-game win streak, including the W over Miami Fla. in the Sun Bowl.
The only real threat not returning is TE Kyle Rudolph who left early for the NFL draft.
Offensively, there's still QB Dane Crist (as long as he remains healthy), WRs Michael Floyd and Theo Riddick, and RB Cierre Wood.
Defensively, LB Manti T'eo is back, as well as safety Harrison Smith.
As long as they play to their potential, the BCS is possible, but they're still a step or two behind Stanford (who is their only loss).
Oklahoma Sooners: Big XII Champions
9 of 11
RECORD: 12-0 (9-0)
BCS BOWL GAME: National Championship
At Florida State, at Texas, and at Oklahoma State will be the most difficult games, but the Sooners have the tools to run the table.
An exception recruiting class comes in, QB Landry Jones remains under center, and WR Ryan Broyles is out-wide.
They will be needing to reload on defense, with the losses of LB Jeremy Beal and DE Macon Pryce, but DEs Fran Alexander and Jamell Fleming, as well as LB Travis Lewis should keep rolling.
Don't be surprised if they get upset early or win a bunch of close games because the schedule is very difficult.
Oregon Ducks: Pac-12 Champions
10 of 11
RECORD: 13-0 (10-0)
BCS BOWL GAME: National Championship
The opening game against the LSU Tigers will be one of the most highly anticipated games of the 2011 season.
That game could make or break the season for Oregon.
Then, at Stanford on Nov. 12 will be the next major test.
However, with QB Darron Thomas and RB LaMichael James back, the offense shouldn't lose a step.
And defensively, DBs Cliff Harris (also a dangerous return man) and John Boyett will slow down opponents.
The Ducks will make it back to the natty, but the question will be if they can finish the job this time around.
2011 BCS Preview
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Just a quick recap of the games that will take place:
ROSE BOWL: Stanford Cardinal versus Michigan State Spartans
FIESTA BOWL: Alabama Crimson Tide versus Boise State Broncos
ORANGE BOWL: Florida State Seminoles versus West Virginia Mountaineers
SUGAR BOWL: South Carolina Gamecocks versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Oregon Ducks versus Oklahoma Sooners
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
