50 Teams That Appear to Be Locks for Bowl Eligibility
This is not a list of the 50 best teams in the country.
What it does purport to be, is a run-down of 50 teams that appear to be headed to post-season bowl games.
Yeah, it's early, but after two weeks, we can get a much clearer picture of which teams are likely to win at least six games.
You will see some .500 squads in this list, and even a couple who haven't won a game as yet, but every one of them is headed for the postseason due to their schedule and/or level of play.
50. Georgia Bulldogs
1 of 50I know they are 0-2.
But take a look at the rest of their schedule.
The toughest remaining game might be against Florida.
They manage to avoid Arkansas, Alabama and LSU this season.
So don't write off the Dawgs yet, they could finish the season on a ten game winning streak.
Record: 0-2
Remaining Schedule
49. Penn State Nittany Lions
2 of 50There is no shame in getting beaten by a very good Alabama team, and this squad has plenty of reason to feel like they are going to have a successful season.
The PSU defense is very good, and running back Silas Redd might be better than Evan Royster.
While there are definitely some quarterback issues, the Lions have plenty of talent to garner the wins necessary for a postseason invite.
Record: 1-1
Wins: vs. Indiana State
48. Miami(OH) Redhawks
3 of 50They may not have won a game yet, but this squad is destined to play in the post-season.
They are too experienced not to.
They pushed a talented Missouri squad to the limit on the road, and have two quarterbacks, in Zac Dysert and Austin Boucher, capable of leading the team to eight or more wins.
Record: 0-1
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47. North Carolina Tar Heels
4 of 50Bryn Renner needs to cut down on his interceptions, having thrown three already, but appears like he will be a serviceable replacement for the departed T.J. Yates.
Given all the turmoil the program had to go through, it's fairly remarkable to think that they might challenge for the ACC crown this season.
That said, if these turnover issues continue, they will end up at .500 at the end of the year.
Fortunately for the Tar Heels, in today's sports society, we award even the most mediocre of performances, and six wins gets them bowl eligible...
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. James Madison, vs. Rutgers
46. Northern Illinois Huskies
5 of 50Former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Doeren has the Huskies offense rolling early in this young season.
Quarterback Chandler Harnish already 11 total touchdowns, seven through the air and four on the ground.
They will be severely tested by Doeren's old squad next week, but face a very manageable schedule the rest of the season.
If Harnish can continue this level of production, they will find themselves in a very good bowl game, and possibly ranked at season's end.
Record: 1-1
Wins: vs. Army
45. Syracuse Orange
6 of 50The Orange may not be as good as advertised going into the season, but they have enough talent to eke out six wins.
Their next two games might be kinda rough, but they should be 4-2 heading into a contest against West Virginia.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Wake Forest, vs. Rhode Island
44. Washington State Cougars
7 of 50Right now, Wazoo looks good.
They lead the nation in scoring behind a quarterback who was slated to be a back-up, and Marquess Wilson is a beast at wide receiver.
However, the schedule is no picnic.
That said, two wins is a long way toward bowl eligibility, and they have a good shot at winning four out of their last ten games.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Idaho State, vs. UNLV
43. Iowa Hawkeyes
8 of 50That was a tough loss to Iowa City.
You might not like the play calling at the end of regulation, but it is what it is.
Now that they have that out of their system, this relatively inexperienced Hawkeye team can continue to improve.
If you think for one second that one loss to their bitter rival is going to leave them demoralized for the season, you have another think coming,
Record: 1-1
Wins: vs. Tennessee Tech
42. BYU Cougars
9 of 50Even with their tough loss to the Longhorns, this young team has plenty of talent to get to the post-season as an independent.
The schedule is extremely doable, and Bronco Mendenhall has assembled a talented cast of young players who will be a force to reckon with on offense by season's end.
Record: 1-1
Wins: at Ole Miss
41. Clemson Tigers
10 of 50Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has done a solid job of recruiting in his time as the big kahuna, and its time for that to begin translating to success on the field if he wants to keep his job.
Quarterback Tajh Boyd is an incredibly athletic guy, and Andre Ellington is explosive from the backfield.
However, the defense has struggled, and seven wins is likely the ceiling for the Tigers, but they will be playing this post-season.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Troy, vs. Wofford
40. Cal Golden Bears
11 of 50Quarterback Zach Maynard has tossed six touchdowns already in two games this season, and Jeff Tedford has this team headed the right way.
They are currently playing their home games at AT&T Park due to renovations at Memorial Stadium.
While the defense has some cause for concern, Cal will manage to win at least six games.
However, they have to do it early in the season, as the later part of their schedule is extremely difficult.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Fresno State, at Colorado(non-conference)
39. Illinois Fighting Illini
12 of 50Ron Zook seems to be finally getting the type of recruits he wants, and has Illinois on the verge of being relevant in the Big Ten once again.
Sophomore quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase has scored twice through the air and twice on the ground so far this season, and has the potential to be one of the top quarterbacks in the conference.
The Illini will upset at least one Big Ten foe this season, and easily make a bowl game.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Arkansas State, vs. South Dakota State
38. San Diego State Aztecs
13 of 50Quarterback Ryan Lindley and running back Ronnie Hillman are the most underrated duo in the country.
Lindley has already thrown for five touchdowns, and Hillman has four on the ground.
While its not likely that the Aztecs will win the MWC with competition like Air Force, TCU and Bosie State, they are quite capable of winning nine games this season.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Cal Poly, at Army
37. Auburn Tigers
14 of 50Auburn has now eked out two consecutive close wins at home.
Considering they have five more games at home, and three of them are against unranked squads, they should have no trouble reaching the bowl eligibility plateau.
How they fare the road will determine which bowl.
Guys like receiver Emory Blake and running back Michael Dyer are carrying the Tigers, and will need to continue to do so as a young team adjust to life post-Cam.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Utah State, vs. Mississippi State
36. Northwestern Wildcats
15 of 50The Wildcats are hanging around the ranks of the undefeated, in spite of still being without star quarterback Dan Persa.
Kain Colter has filled in admirably, and life is good right now in Evanston.
In a wide open Legends division of the Big Ten, they have as much of a shot at the Championship game as any team in the conference.
Record: 2-0
Wins: at Boston College, vs. Eastern Illinois
35. Arizona State Sun Devils
16 of 50Arizona State is going to have a great year.
Quarterback Brock Osweiler may look as ungainly as a giraffe moving around the football field due to his height(6'8"), but he is athletic, and can throw the ball through a brick wall.
The Sun Devils' defense flies to the ball with reckless abandon, and is loaded with playmakers.
Expect them to be a player in the Pac-12 race.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. UC Davis, vs. #21 Missouri
34. FIU Golden Panthers
17 of 50Florida International has enjoyed a moderate level of success in the Sun Belt conference.
Last week, T.Y. Hilton and company took their show on the road.
They took out Louisville on the road last week, with Hilton averaging over 28 yards per reception, and scoring twice.
This team is good, and should they get the chance against a BCS opponent in a bowl game, will make it entertaining.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. North Texas, at Louisville
33. Ohio State Buckeyes
18 of 50It was ugly and embarrassing, but the Buckeyes managed to finally squeak out the victory against Toledo at the "Horseshoe".
Their struggles in this one are indicative of some deeper issues and will be cause for concern in coming weeks.
Joe Bauserman has certainly not entrenched himself as the starting quarterback, and the defense showed some holes at times.
That said, they are already a third of the way to bowl eligibility, and will continue their streak of bowl appearances, but not in the BCS.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Akron, vs Toledo
32. South Carolina Gamecocks
19 of 50Stephen Garcia's play can best be described as mercurial.
Some of the passes he threw on Saturday made one wonder if he was wearing a blindfold under his helmet, or if he had some sort of undisclosed arm injury.
They were awful.
Regardless of Garcia's struggles, the Gamecocks pulled out the big victory on the road against Georgia, and with one of the easiest schedules in the SEC(if there is such a thing as easy in the conference) are well on their way to a bowl game.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. East Carolina, at Georgia
31. Michigan Wolverines
20 of 50After a miserable first half against Notre Dame, it looked like Denard Robinson had lost his mojo.
Not by the end of the game.
The man gained over 400 yards against the Irish, and led the Wolverines to a big win.
U of M appears to be improved on defense, they couldn't possibly be worse than last season, but they still have some major holes and a propensity to turn the ball over.
Considering they leave the state of Michigan only once before November 5, a bowl game is in the offing, but don't book tickets to Pasadena just yet.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Western Michigan, vs. Notre Dame
30. Navy Midshipmen
21 of 50Say what you will about Navy football, they will be at a bowl game again this season.
Sure, some tough games against South Carolina and East Carolina loom large. as well as the annual rivalry games with other service academies.
However, the Midshipmen have already won their first two games, and have several very winnable games remaining.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Delaware, at South Carolina
29. Arkansas Razorbacks
22 of 50There appears to be very little drop off for the Razorbacks, even after the departure of Ryan Mallett and the season-ending injury to stud running back Knile Davis.
Tyler Wilson has not exactly looked like the second coming of Mallett just yet, but has been fairly solid.
However, things are going to start getting more difficult.
Troy visits first, then Arkansas must travel to Alabama.
The SEC is as tough this season as it has been in recent history, but the Razorbacks will easily win six more games before season's end.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Missouri State, vs. New Mexico
28. West Virginia Mountaineers
23 of 50The Mountaineers got off to a slow start last week against lowly Norfolk State, but eventually Dana Holgorsen's high powered offense kicked in and they put the game away.
The schedule gets difficult the next couple of weeks, with games against Maryland and LSU looming, however, the Mountaineers are the class of the Big East, and have the firepower to win the conference.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Marshall, vs. Norfolk State
27. Baylor Bears
24 of 50The Bears have only won one contest, but it's difficult not to like their shot at a bowl game.
Robert Griffin III was superb in his shredding of a solid TCU defense, and while Baylor had some defensive issues of their own, with that offense they can keep up with anyone in the conference.
Take a look at their schedule, then try to convince yourself they are not going to win at least five of those games.
Record: 1-0
Wins: vs. TCU
26. USC Trojans
25 of 50Oh, wait...
The Trojans have a post-season ban.
25. Missouri Tigers
26 of 50Call me crazy, but a loss to Arizona State on the road does not knock Missouri out of the race for a BCS game.
They will have to fix some secondary issues and get some consistency from James Franklin.
Possibly, getting his top two running backs back on the field will help solve some of those offensive issues.
A bowl game is a gimme for Mizzou, but how good are they, really?
Record: 1-1
Wins: vs. Miami(OH)
24. Maryland Terrapins
27 of 50Those uniforms were incredible!
Anyway, once you get past the unis, this Maryland team is a squad that will make some big time noise in the ACC this season.
Kenny Tate is a monster on defense, and the offense has some huge potential, if they can avoid the momentum killing turnovers.
Record: 1-0
Wins: vs. Miami
23. Pitt Panthers
28 of 50Judging from that lame performance against Maine, the Backyard Brawl is going to be as boring as watching paint dry.
The Panthers are in trouble.
However, fortunately for them, they play in the Big East, which is by far the weakest conference of the BCS six.
Games against Rutgers, UConn and Cincinnati will be just what the doctor ordered, and Tino Sunseri will lead this squad to a bowl game...it just won't be the BCS.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Buffalo, vs. Maine
22. Tennessee Volunteers
29 of 50Tyler Bray is looking like one of the better sophomore quarterbacks in the country.
The Vols have got to be happy about their chances at a bowl game this season.
After their tangle with Florida, we will have a better handle on how good they will be, but for now, they are looking capable of eight wins.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Montana, vs. Cincinnati
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
30 of 50Gotcha...
20. TCU Horned Frogs
31 of 50The Horned Frogs struggled at Baylor in their first game, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
They then turned around and hammered a pretty decent Air Force squad in Week 2.
Given that they have few top-flight opponents left on the schedule, Gary Patterson and company will have little difficulty making a bowl game.
It just won't be the Rose Bowl.
Record: 1-1
Wins: at Air Force
19. Florida Gators
32 of 50The Gator's defense has been stout, allowing only three points through two games.
While it's not likely they win the SEC just yet, the improvement on defense has to be heartening for fans.
On the flip side, John Brantley's performance at quarterback has been underwhelminig, at best.
He has thrown two picks and only one score, and the competition has not exactly been brutal.
He may get the hook before October if he doesn't figure things out.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. FAU, vs. UAB
18. Nebraska Cornhuskers
33 of 50The Huskers have not looked all that dominant in non-conference play, but are still undefeated.
They have struggled defensively, offensively and on special teams, but other than that have been really solid.
Bo Pelini is likely to blow a gasket if things don't get better, but Nebraska will make a bowl game with very little difficulty.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Chattanooga, vs. Fresno State
17. Virginia Tech Hokies
34 of 50Contrary to what many Va. Tech apologists will tell you, Logan Thomas is not the second coming of Cam Newton.
He is a pretty solid quarterback, and the Hokies will have a very good season.
Don't pile on after a close win against East Carolina, the Pirates are a tough squad, and not many top 25 teams have the balls to go to Dowdy Ficklen.
The Hokies could very easily finish the regular season undefeated.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Appalachian State, at East Carolina
16. Tulsa Golden Hurricanes
35 of 50They might not get some of the press that Houston or East Carolina might receive, but the Golden Hurricanes are going to be a non-AQ force in C-USA.
G.J. Kinne and the offense are brutally efficient, and put away lesser foes with no remorse, as evidenced by a 31-3 victory over Tulane.
While they may not have the athletes to compete with the big boys in the BCS conference, Tulsa will be playing in a post-season game.
Record: 1-1
Wins: vs. Tulane
15. Toledo Rockets
36 of 50You think Toledo got Ohio State's attention this weekend?
The Rockets went into the Horseshoe and almost pulled out the improbable upset over the Buckeyes.
Running back Adonis Thomas is explosive, and can punish a defense.
While the Rockets won't finish without another loss, a 9-3 record is a very real possibility.
Record: 1-1
Wins: vs. New Hampshire
14. Houston Cougars
37 of 50Case Keenum is the catalyst for this squad.
After suffering a season ending injury early last season, Keenum is back for his final year of eligibility, and it's looking as if he has returned to his old form.
Keenum has already accumulated 768 yards and seven touchdowns so far this season.
This squad is explosive on offense, and even in a very competitive C-USA, will emerge as a bowl team.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. UCLA, at North Texas
Remaining Schedule
13. Michigan State Spartans
38 of 50The Spartans quietly put on one of the best defensive performances of last weekend, limiting FAU to only one first down and 48 total yards in their 44-0 win.
They have now allowed only six points total this season.
Granted, they have only faced Youngstown State and FAU, but for a defensive unit that lost its leading tacklers and had questions in the secondary, it's a promising sign.
The Spartans do have a deceptively difficult schedule ahead of them, but if the defense can maintain that shut-down mentality and tenacity, they will have no difficulty winning six or seven more games.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Youngstown State, vs. FAU
12. UCF Knights
39 of 50UCF is one of several very solid C-USA teams this season, and they just got done steam-rolling Boston College over the weekend.
Given the fact that they are 2-0 and have talented quarterback Jeff Godfrey back under center, the Knights are a sure thing for bowl season.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Charleston Southern, vs. Boston College
11. Oregon Ducks
40 of 50Yes, they are 1-1, but they are the best .500 team in the country right now.
That loss to LSU is nothing to be ashamed of, the Tigers are tough, and the Ducks have an extremely manageable schedule the rest of the way.
Other than a trip to Stanford, there is not a single game on the schedule that should make the Ducks nervous.
On top of that, Darron Thomas is on the verge of becoming an elite type quarterback...
Record: 1-1
Wins: vs. Nevada
10. Florida State Seminoles
41 of 50We know exactly nothing about the Seminoles at this point.
FSU looked dominant this weekend, as E.J Manuel and company pounded Charleston Southern.
They face a much stiffer test next week.
Oklahoma is coming to town.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. ULL, vs. Charleston Southern
9. Boise State Broncos
42 of 50Really?
They have only won once game against a middle of the pack SEC team.
However, the tough part of their schedule is already finished.
The Broncos will likely go undefeated once again with the likes of Colorado State, UNLV and Nevada littering the schedule.
Kellen Moore is having another solid year, even with the departure of his top two wide receivers.
Record: 1-0
Wins: vs. Georgia
8. Oklahoma State Cowboys
43 of 50The Cowboys may have some trouble when they face a team with a decent defense, as quarterback Brandon Weeden is interception prone thus far this year.
However, there is no doubting that the Cowboys have the firepower to win at least four more games.
The BCS might be a bit ambitious for these guys, but they shouldn't lose more than two more games for the rest of the season.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. ULL, vs. Arizona
7. USF Bulls
44 of 50The Bulls were many people's dark horse to take the big East this season.
Not anymore.
They should be right up there with West Virginia as the favorites.
B.J. Daniels can light up the scoreboard, and Skip Holtz has these guys primed for a great season.
Record: 2-0
Wins: at Notre Dame, vs. Ball State
6. Texas A&M Aggies
45 of 50The Aggies could very well end up being the second best team in the Big 12.
I don't think they have quite the defense needed to slow Oklahoma enough for a "w", but they could very well go undefeated through the rest of conference play.
Ryan Tannehill has a dynamic passing attack focused around the talents of Ryan Swope and Jeff Fuller, and their rushing attack is brutal.
In two weeks, when they host Oklahoma State, then meet Arkansas, we will have a better read on where this team will end up, but Mike Sherman's squad will easily make a bowl game.
Record: 1-0
Wins: vs. SMU
Remaining Schedule
5. Wisconsin Badgers
46 of 50The Badgers are as much a lock as any other team in the country.
Transfer Russell Wilson has lived up to his billing, providing a new dimension to the Badger's offense that they have never had.
After an appearance at the Rose Bowl last season, anything less than another BCS game will be a disappointment.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. UNLV, vs. Oregon State
4. Stanford Cardinal
47 of 50The Cardinal have Andrew Luck.
Do they need anything else to be a lock?
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. San Jose State, at Duke
3. Alabama Crimson Tide
48 of 50The Tide have confirmed that they are one of the most dominant defenses in the country.
A.J. McCarron looked like a starter against a pretty stout defense, and this squad should be the prohibitive favorite to win the SEC.
While it's not likely they finish undefeated, they won't have more than one loss, which might be good enough to sneak into the BCS Championship game.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Kent State, at Penn State
2. Oklahoma Sooners
49 of 50The Big 12 is extremely tough this season, and the Sooners don't exactly have a cakewalk to the conference title.
Besides that, Florida State might be a very inhospitable host this coming week, and Landry jones has struggled historically on the road.
Still, the Sooners are absolutely stacked with talent, and they are a lock for a bowl game, and nearly a lock for a BCS game.
Record: 1-0
Wins: vs. Tulsa
1. LSU Tigers
50 of 50The Tigers have been the most impressive squad in the country to date.
They handled Oregon without seemingly breaking a sweat.
If anyone ever figures out how to move the ball on their defense, they will be in trouble, as their offense is worse than pedestrian.
However, it's unlikely that anyone will, and the Bengals have an incredible shot at going undefeated this season, even without Jordan Jefferson.
Record: 2-0
Wins: vs. Oregon, vs. Northwestern St.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
