BCS Rankings: 5 Worst Teams in Line for Automatic Bowl Berths

While many college football teams have been effectively taken out of any college football conference division races, some know that they will have very little time to prepare after the final game of the season.

However, there are those teams that walk a fine line in terms of obtaining an automatic bowl berth to have one more chance to compete before the season truly ends.

Those teams have at least five wins have a chance to make it to postseason play, but have had below average performances for most of the season.

While they have managed that one upset game, they have done little since then, and are struggling to get into a low-profile bowl game to take home a trophy and gain some kind of momentum that coaches hope can translate into success next season.

But there are key teams that fans will not be craving to watch, and they will not be rushing to their televisions to watch these teams continue to under-perform in their bowl games should they even qualify.

Texas Tech

Ever since the loss of former head coach Mike Leach, this Texas Tech team has never been the same.

Once touted as a strong offensive team, this team has no kind of production on either offense or defense. They currently sit with a 5-5 overall record, and a record of 2-5 in Big 12 conference play. Head coach Tommy Tuberville, formerly of Auburn, has been something of a disappointment, and

While he managed to get them into a bowl game last year, thus far, he has failed to make this Raiders team competitive in the Big 12 in any kind of way, shape, or form.

The biggest highlight for the Raiders was their shocking win over the Oklahoma Sooners, but after that one highlight, the Raiders continued their losing streak. Should the Raiders qualify for a bowl game, expect an under-performing unit with a possible mention of Tommy Tuberville on the hot seat.

Syracuse

A once proud football program that has not been so in quite some time. That is the definition of Syracuse football.

One of the lower tier teams in an already weakened Big East Conference, this team has little to celebrate over while sitting at 5-5 with a Big East Conference record of 1-4. The Syracuse Orange are ranked below 60th in passing and rushing, as well as total defense.

The Orange are doing what they can to try to make it into the postseason, and are one win short of qualifying for a bowl game.

However, the Orange must face the Pittsburgh Panthers and the first place Cincinnati Bearcats. Their schedule is not exactly the best one to end the season on, especially with a team that needs to make it to the post season.

Syracuse has not had any kind of positive recognition since the days of Donovan McNabb and Marvin Harrison.  

Mississippi State

After their late season success in 2010, the Mississippi State Bulldogs seemed to have regressed in 2011, going from being ranked in the Top 25 to start the season to once again trying to become bowl eligible to gain entry into postseason play once again.

Head coach Dan Mullen has the program heading into the right direction. While they are honestly one of the better teams on this list, they have been unable to have any kind of offensive production with their two-quarterback system.

Also, they have no threats at wide receiver or in their passing game to make defenses wary of their ability to beat them through the air, allowing them to focus on stopping MSU on the ground. Mullen has done the best he can with the players he has, but he must step up if he ever wants to take the Bulldogs further than they have gone in quite some time.

The Bulldogs, who currently sit at 5-5, have to face the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Ole Miss Rebels for their last two games, and they must win at least one of these games to become bowl eligible and have a shot at postseason play for the second consecutive season.

UCLA

Head coach Rick Neuheisel has plenty of reason to cheer. Becoming bowl eligible could be what saves his head coaching job at UCLA.

The once proud quarterback of his alma mater has had his share of trying to rebuild this UCLA Bruins team, and becoming bowl eligible could be considered his first successful step towards rebuilding.

Sitting at 5-5, however, does not guarantee that the Bruins will make it to the postseason. The Bruins have had their share of struggles on both sides of the ball. While their upset win against Arizona State put them in the driver's seat, they were effectively taken out of contention by Utah this week.

However, they remain in the driver's seat for a bowl game. Only Colorado and USC stand in their way of becoming bowl eligible. Win one of those games, and they're in. But the Bruins have been a largely inconsistent team, struggling under the spotlight, and Neuheisel needs to become bowl eligible to save his job.

Virginia

The Virginia Cavaliers have been the surprise of the ACC, but are unlikely to unseat the Virginia Tech Hokies. Sitting at 7-3, are bowl eligible, yet playing in a weaker ACC Coastal division, their record may not tell the whole story. Despite their contention, they would still be unlikely to play in a decent bowl game.

The only way the Cavaliers should play in a good bowl game is if they either somehow win the Coastal Division, or put on a good enough performance in their last two games to warrant consideration for a decent bowl game. At times, Virginia looks the part of a contender, but at times struggles with consistency.

Unlike the rest of these teams, who have questionable head coaches at the helm, the Cavs have a potentially bright future with head coach Mike London.