College Football 2011: 20 Teams That Will Fade in September

As we sit here in the beginning months of the summer, it is hard to think that we are just less than three months away from the start of the 2011 college football season. Less than 90 days until the first kickoff of the first game between two teams that, with a loss in the month of September, could end their chances of a Bowl Championship Series National Championship.

Well, the first game listed on ESPN's schedule on Thursday, Sept. 1 is Fordham at Connecticut, two teams that are not BCS Championship game bound. But don't tell that to their fanbases.

Because in September everyone has as good as a shot as an SEC powerhouse. Every team is Auburn, Alabama, Florida or LSU, all of whom won the last six BCS titles. Every team is Ohio State (twice), Texas, Oklahoma or Oregon, all of whom lost the last six BCS title games.

But, for some fanbases, September brings gloom and doom. One or two losses in the opening month of the season and your team has little to no chance at reaching the BCS championship game or just a BCS bowl game.

For some fans they're thinking to themselves, "Wake me up when September ends."

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20: University of Southern California Trojans

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PASADENA, CA - DECEMBER 04: USC Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin celebrates following his teams victory over the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on December 4, 2010 in Pasadena, California. USC defeated UCLA 28-14. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Last year's record: 8-5 overall, 5-4 Pac-10 Conference

In year two of the Lane Kiffin experience, the USC Trojans come in with the shadow of the 2004 BCS national title team over them. This team still has to reap what that team sowed as it still is not allowed into a bowl game. So a loss here in September will not affect them either way.

But, bowl game or not, this is a hard schedule to open with.

Sept 3: vs. Minnesota

Sept 10: vs. Utah (Pac-10 game this year by the way)

Sept 17: vs. Syracuse

Sept 24: at Arizona St.

Potential record at Oct. 1, 1-3.

19: South Carolina Gamecocks

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Steve Spurrier of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks on against the Auburn Tigers during the 2010 SEC Championship at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Last year's record: 9-5 overall, 5-3 SEC

The SEC East champion last year comes in with a bevy of talent from last year's SEC Championship runner-up. They still have freshman standout Marcus Lattimore at running back and sophomore sensation Alshon Jeffery at wide receiver. They still have a defense that only gave up on average 23 points per game last year.

But, they have a quarterback coming back for his last year of eligibility in the NCAA who keeps finding himself in trouble off the field in Stephen Garcia. Can he find it inside himself to turn his off-the-field troubles and turn on what could be South Carolina's first-ever college football national title?

The 2011 Gamecocks open the month of September as so:

Sept. 3 vs. East Carolina

Sept. 10 at Georgia

Sept. 17 vs. Navy

Sept. 24 vs. Vanderbilt

Potential Oct. 1 record: with a Stephan Garcia with his head on straight 4-0, without 2-2.

18: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gestures during the game with the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Notre Dame won 20-16. (Photo by Stephe

Last year's record: 8-5

Much like No. 20 on our list, the Notre Dame Irish come into their second year under a head coach. Last year Brian Kelly went through some peaks and valleys on and off the field. This year, much like last, he has an Irish team that could either be undefeated heading into October. Or they could be defeated and looking for answers to questions about how to fix this once proud football program.

Either way it is going to be a great year making Notre Dame puns with their starting quarterback, Dane Crist. Here let's start it off: "Can Crist and Touchdown Jesus help the Irish this year?"

The 2011 September schedule begins like this:

Sept 3 vs. South Florida 

Sept. 10 at Michigan

Sept. 17 vs. Michigan State

Sept. 24 at Pittsburgh

Potential Oct. 1 record: 1-3

17. Texas Longhorns

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Mack Brown of the Texas Longhorns yells on the sidelines during play against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Last year's record: 5-7 overall, 2-6 Big 12

Anywhere but up is the only place this 2011 University of Texas team can go. Their first four games in September are relatively easy. But there are still questions about this program.

Such as: Has quarterback Garrett Gilbert fixed his throwing problems from last year? Has Texas found its answer for a running game in freshman Malcolm Brown? How will the new coordinators on offense and defense fit in with Texas? And, if this is another sub-.500 year, is it Mack's last at Texas?

Their September schedule is as follows:

Sept. 3 vs. Rice

Sept. 10 vs. BYU

Sept. 17 at UCLA

Potential record on Oct. 1, 2-1.

16. Arkansas Razorbacks

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Head coach Bobby Petrino of the Arkansas Razorbacks reacts against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Get

Last year's record: 10-3 overall, 6-2 SEC

Okay, this is going to be a hard sell to you readers, but this is my only point (and a recurring one with potentially a few teams later in this list) and that is this.

New quarterbacks taking over major programs who had a three or more year starting quarterback the previous year fail in their first year. And some of you will just stop there and jump to the comment section to prove it wrong. You maybe right, but just take a look at Florida last year and Cincinnati and Texas and USC two years before that.

Arkansas, in a sad voice, wooooooooo pig suey.

September schedule:

Sept. 3 vs. Missouri State

Sept. 10 vs. New Mexico

Sept. 17 vs. Troy

Sept. 24 at Alabama

Potential Oct. 1 record: 2-2

15. Louisana State University Tigers

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Head coach Les Miles of the Louisiana State University Tigers reacts to a field goal during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo b

Last year's record: 11-2 overall, 6-2 SEC

Les Miles always finds a way to pull out nine-plus win seasons. Every year it seems as if there is something that is missing from his LSU football teams. Either they do not have a quarterback, their running game stinks, their defense is shaky or their special teams is non-existant. But every year come the final month, there is LSU right there at the top of the BCS rankings.

He's like a Major League Baseball pitcher who constantly loads the bases just to pitch himself out of the inning giving up zero runs.

Once again this year his team opens the season with a tough schedule:

Sept. 3 vs. Oregon

Sept. 10 vs. Northwestern State

Sept. 17 at Mississippi State

Sept. 24 at West Virginia

Potential Oct 1 record: 2-2

14. Pittsburgh Panthers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 11: The new University of Pittsburgh head football coach Todd Graham speaks to the media during a press conference at the University of Pittsburgh Panthers South Side training facility on January 11, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylv

Last year's record: 8-5 overall, 5-2 Big East

This 2011 instalment of the University of Pittsburgh football team is one with high expectations again. But, it once again could have another mediocre season at 8-5, 9-4 or 7-6. Gone are starters Dion Lewis and Jonathan Baldwin on offense, and Greg Romeus on defense. As well as head coach Dave Wannstedt.

In is still quarterback Tino "the interception" Sunseri and second-choice new head coach Todd Graham. Second choice you may ask? Go Google search Pitt's 2010 coaching search; it's a good read.

Pitt's September schedule looks as so:

Sept. 3 vs. Buffalo

Sept. 10 vs. Maine

Sept. 17 at Iowa

Sept. 24 vs. Notre Dame

Potential record on Oct. 1: 2-2

13. Penn State Nittany Lions

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STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Joe Paterno of the Penn State Nittany Lions stands on the sideline during a game against the Michigan State Spartans on November 27, 2010 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The Spartans won 28-22.

Last year's record: 7-6 overall, 4-4 Big Ten

In the new Big Ten conference, the Penn State Nittany Lions have found themselves with a chance that even with a one- or two-loss season in conference play, they still could be playing for a Big Ten title. However, not this year though.

This year the Penn State team host Alabama and a defense that devours poor quarterback play, which Penn State has been producing since the turn of the 00's.

Penn State's September schedule is as follows:

Sept. 3 vs. Indiana State

Sept. 10 vs. Alabama

Sept. 17 at. Temple

Sept. 24 vs. Eastern Michigan

Potential record as of Oct 1: 2-2

12. Nevada Wolf Pack

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Chris Ault of the Nevada Wolf Pack is covered in water by Mike Andrews #92 in the closing minute of their victory over Boston College in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park on January 9, 2011 in San Franci

Last year's record: 13-1 overall, 7-1 WAC

Much like the Arkansas team mentioned earlier, this team lost their starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick to the NFL draft. And just like that Arkansas team, this team will suffer because of that.

Plus they have to open on the road against the BCS runner-up, the Oregon Ducks.

Have fun mid-major BCS dream-buster of last year Wolf Pack!

Nevada's September schedule is as such:

Sept. 10 at Oregon

Sept. 17 at San Jose State

Sept. 24 at Texas Tech

Potential Oct. 1 record: 1-2

11. Oklahoma State Cowboys

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SHREVEPORT, LA - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State carries the PetroSun Independence Bow trophy after the win against Alabama on December 28, 2006 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Last year's record: 11-2 overall, 6-2 Big 12

Last year was filled with "what ifs." What if they would have finished ahead of Oklahoma in the tie-breaker in the Big 12 South? What if they did not lose at home to Nebraska? What if last year was the only year they had a shot at winning the Big 12 conference with Texas on a down year and Oklahoma playing not their best football?

What could have been a sensational year for OK State turned out to be a good, but not great year. 

This year the Cowboys open with a rough September.

Sept. 3 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

Sept. 8 vs. Arizona

Sept. 17 at Tulsa

Sept. 24. at Texas A&M

Potential Oct. 1 record 3-1

10. Virginia Tech Hookies

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Head coach Frank Beamer of the Virginia Tech Hokies looks on against the Stanford Cardinal during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/

Last year's record: 11-3 overall, 8-0 ACC

This team is the exception to this whole slideshow. They dropped their first two games last year but still made it to a BCS bowl game against the Stanford Cardinals. 

Why do they make this list? Well, as you will see below their September schedule is soft. But, they play some teams that have upset big name programs in the past. And, with what Tech did last year, who's not to say that they could have the same fate again this year?

The September schedule is:

Sept. 3 vs. Appalachian State

Sept. 10 at East Carolina

Sept. 17 vs. Arkansas State

Sept. 24 at Marshall

Potential Oct. 1 record: 3-1

9. Florida State Seminoles

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after their 26-17 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C

Last year's record: 10-4 overall, 6-2 ACC

Of all of the BCS programs that lost a long-time starting quarterback to the NFL draft, this Florida State team may be the team that falls the least. The reason being is not because of the person in waiting. No, it is because they play in an ACC division, where they could lose two of their last five games and still hold onto the division lead. 

With three or four losses (overall), the Seminoles could still hold on as the ACC Atlantic division champions.

FSU's opening month schedule is as so:

Sept. 3 vs. Louisiana-Monroe

Sept. 10 vs. Charleston Southern

Sept. 17 vs. Oklahoma

Sept. 24 at Clemson

Potential record on Oct. 1: 2-2

8. Baylor Bears

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

WACO, TX - OCTOBER 24: A general view of play between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Baylor Bears at Floyd Casey Stadium on October 24, 2009 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Last year's record: 7-6 overall, 4-4 Big 12

Baylor? Really, Baylor made your list? Really? 

Yes, I can hear you through your PCs, laptops and Mac books questioning my list, but Bleacher Report readers hear me out. 

Last year, the Bears made their first bowl game in quite some time. This year the pressure is on them to not only make another bowl game, but make somewhat a run at the new Big 12 conference. So a bad September start to their 2011 season would ruin any chance at improving on that 7-6 record last year.

Plus Robert Griffin III is the best chance for a Big 12 Heisman candidate this year. 

Sept. 2 vs. TCU

Sept. 17 vs. Stephan F. Austin

Sept. 24 vs. Rice

Potential Oct. 1 record: 1-2

7. Miami Florida Hurricanes

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CORAL GABLES, FL - DECEMBER 13: Former Temple University football coach Al Golden, 41, speaks to the media after being introduced as the new head coach at the University of Miami on December 13, 2010 in Coral Gables, Florida. Golden is replacing Randy

Last year's record: 7-6 overall, 5-3 ACC

This year it's a new boss at the "U." Al Golden leaves a program at Temple, where he turned them from laughing-stock to bowl game-worthy. Now it is his job to turn around a quarterback with a lot of potential in Jacory Harris to ACC Champions.

Although, the Hurricanes open this year with some big name opponents. 

Sept. 5 at Maryland

Sept. 17 vs. Ohio State

Sept. 24 vs. Kansas State

Potential Oct. 1 record: 1-2 

6. Georgia Bulldogs

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COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 11: Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt watches the action on the field during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli

Last year's record: 6-7 overall, 3-5 SEC

Last year was a year that the Georgia Bulldogs and their fanbase would want to forget. Losses in four of their first five games killed not only any chance at a BCS game, but any chance at a legitimate bowl game. 

This year quarterback Aaron Murray does not have A.J. Green as his main wide reciever, but he does come in with a year of much-needed experience. He will need it to go through the toughest conference in college football.

Georgia's September schedule is as follows:

Sept. 3 vs. Boise State

Sept. 10 vs. South Carolina

Sept. 17 vs. Coastal Carolina

Sept. 24 at Ole Miss

Potential Oct. 1 record: 1-3

5. Oklahoma Sooners

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Head coach Bob Stoops looks on while taking on the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Last year's record: 12-2 overall, 6-2 Big 12

This year Oklahoma starts what many think will be their conference to lose. Since the Big 12's inception of the two divisions, either them or the University of Texas have represented their division in the conference title game. This year no divisions and no room for early or mid-season losses inside of the Big 12 for Bob Stoops and the Oklahoma Sooners. 

This year, they have only one non-BCS opponent to go with the bigger named schools. 

Sept. 3 vs. Tulsa

Sept. 17 at Florida State

Sept. 24 vs. Missouri 

Potential Oct. 1 record: 1-2

4. Boise State Broncos

Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images

BOISE, ID - NOVEMBER 19: Head Coach Chris Petersen of the Boise State Broncos looks on against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bronco Stadium on November 19, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

Last year's record: 12-1 overall, 7-1 WAC

One loss, that's it. One loss and the Boise State Broncos' season was over. Last year they beat the Virginia Tech Hokies to open the season, and it still was not enough to get into a BCS bowl game. 

This year, the program faces the same roadblock and with a quarterback who is among the best players in football this year.

Sept. 3 at Georgia

Sept. 16 at Toledo

Sept. 24 vs. Tulsa

Potential record Oct. 1: 2-1

3. Ohio State University

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 30: Head Coach Jim Tressel speaks to the media during a press conference before the start of Spring practices at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center at The Ohio State University on March 30, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/

Last year's record: 12-1 overall, 7-1 Big Ten

Yep, it's easy to kick a dead horse in the mouth or something like that. How about it's easy to kick a dead Brutus the Buckeye in his big oversized head while it's down. 

This team is just in a big bleep-storm. It has the talent still on the defense to keep them from going completely winless in the first month of the season. But afterwards? 

Yikes.

Ohio State's September schedule:

Sept. 3 vs. Akron

Sept. 10 vs. Toledo

Sept. 17 at Miami (FL)

Sept. 24 vs. Colorado

Potential Oct. 1 record: 1-3

2. Oregon Ducks

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks looks on during their 22-19 loss to the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Pho

Last year's record: 12-1 overall, 9-0 Pac-10

Last year the Ducks were within one win of the BCS National Championship. This year, the Ducks return the majority of their starters fro that team, but it is the quality of opponets that the defending Pac-10 champions face.

Yes, this team could be back in the BCS Championship game. But at the beginning of this slideshow, it was said that one or two losses can ruin a chance at the title. Last year, Oregon and Auburn both were undefeated. This year, the two teams at the end could once again be undefeated. 

And this year the best team in the Pac-10 is Stanford.

Sept. 3 vs. LSU

Sept. 10 vs. Nevada

Sept. 17 vs. Missouri State

Sept. 24 at Arizona

Potential record on Oct. 1: 2-2

1. Auburn Tigers

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ - JANUARY 11: Head coach Gene Chizik of the Auburn Tigers poses with the Coaches trophys during a press conference for the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn on January 11, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Last year's record: 13-0 overall, 9-0 SEC

Last year, the Tigers represented the SEC well in capturing their fifth-straight BCS National Championship. But, one or two losses this year and it's not as good as the year before. 

Plus, not only did the Tigers lose a cornerstone in their defense in Nick Fairley, but also their best player not only on their team but in all of college football in Cam Newton. 

A new quarterback in a major BCS program means no BCS championship for War Eagle. 

September schedule for Auburn:

Sept. 3 vs. Utah State

Sept. 10 vs. Mississippi State

Sept. 17 at Clemson

Sept. 24 vs. Florida Atlantic

Potential Oct. 1 record: 2-2