College Football 2011: 15 Two-Loss Teams That Could Still Make the BCS Field
College football's 2010 BCS games included four teams that lost at least two games before their bowl game.
While Arkansas and Oklahoma both faced stiffer competition in the regular season and earned their spots, in spite of the losses, some felt teams such as UConn did not deserve the berth.
Which teams could be the ones to provide us with some regular-season agony, only to show up in a BCS game?
Every one of these teams qualifies for one of two reasons.
Either they play in a conference with a ridiculously high level of competition (SEC), or they could potentially lose two within their less-than-difficult conference, but still win their conference championship.
Each one of them possesses a certain level of talent and potential as well, and most of them are likely top-25 teams.
While BCS games supposedly feature 10 of the best teams in the country, it is very likely that at least one of them will be familiar with the sting of defeat.
These teams are the most likely to make a BCS game, even with a defeat or two on their record.
15. Arizona State Sun Devils
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The Sun Devils are a rather trendy dark horse pick to take the Pac-12.
They should be able to manage winning the Pac-12 South, but may lose to Oregon and Missouri.
They would still be able to make the Pac-12 title game though.
Obviously a win there would put them in the BCS, but they might also have a shot at an at-large if they lose to Oregon twice, once during the regular season and also in the conference championship.
14. Michigan State Spartans
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While the Spartans lose some incredible talent along the defensive front seven, they have an explosive offense.
Their schedule has some tough spots, so it's not hard to imagine a few tough losses.
However, the Spartans might have a hard time swaying bowl committees to let them have a BCS berth after last year's thrashing against Alabama in the Capital One Bowl game.
13. Virginia Tech Hokies
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For the Hokies, losing two and still making a BCS game would just be a repeat of last season.
After losing their first two games of the season, one to FCS James Madison, the Hokies reeled off 11 consecutive wins to take the ACC crown and make an appearance in the Orange Bowl.
Let's not talk about that.
Looking at the Hokies' schedule, it's feasible to see them losing one game before making it into the ACC Championship game.
Even if the were to lose that as well, they would still have a great shot at the BCS.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
12. Pittsburgh Panthers
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While Pitt fans of course have high expectations for the season, the rest of the country is more realistic about the Panthers' shot at the BCS.
As long as they remain in the Big East though, anything is possible.
The Panthers could theoretically make it to the BCS as Big East Champs, but that is about as likely as USC keeping their 2004 championship.
11. Arkansas Razorbacks
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Honestly, the Razorbacks may not lose more than one game this season.
From a bevy of talented wide receivers to solid quarterback play and a stable of bruising running backs, this team is poised for big things.
But all cliches about talent and potential aside, the games still have to be played.
Trips to Alabama and LSU pose significant roadblocks, but should LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson not be more consistent and should LSU falter in a few games, the Hogs have the talent to seize control of the SEC and make the championship game.
Losses to both Alabama and LSU would effectively eliminate them from any shot at the BCS though.
10. UNC Tar Heels
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The Tar Heels have some issues to resolve on the offensive side of the ball, but with a defense that stout, they are a dark horse to make the ACC Championship.
It's possible they could lose two games—as long as one of them is not to Virginia Tech—and still make the BCS.
Quinton Coples leads a tough defense that will be difficult to move the ball against.
9. West Virginia Mountaineers
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If the Big East in 2011 is anything like the Big East in 2010, all WVU will have to do is make sure they don't lose five to remain atop the Big East.
The Mountaineers have high hopes next season, especially with coach-in-waiting Dana Holgorsen taking the reins of the offense.
The Mountaineers will most likely lose to LSU. Within the conference, Pitt could be tough in the Backyard Brawl, but as long as WVU remains atop the conference standings, as many as four losses might not matter.
8. Wisconsin Badgers
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With the apparent demise of the Ohio State dynasty in the Big Ten, the conference is as wide open as it has been in a long time.
The Badgers hope to step up to the plate as the new top dog, and a second consecutive trip to a BCS game would help cement that status.
A trip to Michigan State will be difficult, as will Penn State and Nebraska; the trip to East Lansing will be the Badgers' biggest challenge though.
Even if they lose that game, they still have a shot at the inaugural Big Ten Championship game, and they have the talent to win the conference.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide
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The Tide lose their star running back, leading passer and one of the most explosive receivers in the country, so it's difficult to imagine them making it through the season undefeated.
They are, however, loaded with talent. As that talent develops, the Tide will Roll.
Even if they should lose a game or two, their talent should be enough to get them a win if they make the SEC Championship game.
The conference is uber-competitive, so at least one loss is extremely likely, but even a couple shouldn't slow them down too much in their quest to return to the BCS.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Notre Dame seems to be the team the media annually over-hype and overrate.
This season, the Irish may have the talent to back up their rankings.
The schedule is difficult, but if they are ranked as highly in the official preseason polls as some are projecting, two losses to ranked teams may not be enough to keep them out of the BCS.
5. Florida State Seminoles
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The Seminoles benefit from high preseason rankings and a less-than-intimidating conference in which to play.
Should they falter against Oklahoma in the non-conference battle between the teams early in the season, the 'Noles can be confident in the fact that they should be the class of the Atlantic division in the ACC.
No undefeated season, no problem for the 'Noles in returning to the BCS.
4. South Carolina Gamecocks
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The Gamecocks are ridiculously loaded on offense and with a great recruiting class, have shored up their defense as well.
All that aside, SC has some tough tests this season, such as trips to Georgia and Arkansas, but even with a couple of losses, they are still the class of the SEC East.
Even with two losses, Steve Spurrier's squad could sneak into a BCS game, especially if they pulled off an upset in the SEC Championship game.
3. Oregon Ducks
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Really, two losses for the Ducks is not extremely likely, but it is possible.
Should the Ducks lose two games, including a non-conference falter against LSU, they are still very likely to make the BCS, whether as an at-large or as the Pac-12 champ.
2. Oklahoma Sooners
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Oklahoma is favored by many to make the BCS Championship.
But the road is not going to be the easiest one for the Sooners to take.
A trip to Tallahassee looms early in the season, and Missouri, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State all have the talent to knock off OU.
Even if they do lose twice, the Sooners would be assured a BCS berth if they can manage to remain ahead of those three squads in their conference standings.
1. LSU Tigers
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Look, any of the top teams in the SEC could potentially suffer at least two losses and still make the cut. But with the pedigree the Tigers boast, they might get the nod ahead of some of their SEC brethren.
The Tigers have some tough sledding in non-conference play with battles against Oregon and West Virginia, who are the class of their respective conferences.
Throw in the competitive nature of the SEC, and the Tigers are probably looking at at least one loss within the conference.
Even if the Tigers stumble against WVU or the Ducks and lose a game within the conference, with that defense, it is not totally inconceivable that they could still come out on top of the SEC West and play for a BCS berth.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
