Notre Dame Football & 10 Other Teams That Wish They Could Start 2011 Over Again

The 2011 season started with high hopes and even higher expectations for many teams in college football.  No better example of this was the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. 

They started the season riding a wave of optimism and lofty goals. 

However, two weather delays and five turnovers later the Irish had succumb to the elements, their own mistakes, and the South Florida Bulls 23-20.  

It was a heart breaking game that Notre Dame should have won, and it was no way to start a season.  But, still many Irish fans thought their team would simply bounce back the next week against their rival Michigan.  

It looked good for the Irish going into the fourth quarter with a big lead.  However, Michigan scored 28 points in the last quarter to beat the Irish 35-31.  

This was another game that ND should have won, and suddenly a season of high expectations was forced into a tailspin.  

Since that time the Irish have bounced back losing only once in nine games against USC.  But, you can't help but ask the question; What might have been?

If the Irish win those first two games, we would be talking BCS.  As it stands now, we are only talking about what could have happened.

If the Irish could start the 2011 season all over again, you know they would, and they are not alone.   

Texas Christian University

If it wasn't for a heartbreaking 50-48 opening game loss to Baylor, who knows where the Horned Frogs would be sitting right now?

Sure, they went on to lose against SMU the first week of October, but if they hadn't lost that first game their confidence may not have been affected. The SMU loss was in overtime, and one has to wonder—had TCU been undefeated in that game would they have had a bit more swagger?

Would that have been enough to carry them to victory?  No one knows, but in any case, after defeating Boise State, I am sure TCU wishes they could start 2011 all over again. 

Oregon

A 40-27 opening loss to LSU has been a hard place to climb out of for Oregon. 

They were able to just that—only to see themselves fall back in thanks to USC. 

I am sure that the Ducks wish they could start the season all over again. Would they repeat scheduling LSU first?  Probably not...

Miami

Miami lost its opening game to Maryland.  Yes, that Maryland. 

In Week 2, the Hurricanes went on to beat Ohio State, but lost in week three to Kansas State 28-24. 

All year Miami has played close games with good teams.  They lost to Virginia Tech 38-35, Virginia 28-21 and Florida State 23-19. 

If a few plays went the other way, then Miami would have had a very impressive season. 

Maryland

Maryland opened with a 32-24 victory over Miami.  So far, so good. 

However, they lost to West Virginia 37-31 in Week 2—a game they could have easily won. 

Maryland went on to lose eight of the next nine games and found themselves wishing they could start all over again.

If they could, let's hope they start with the uniforms and go from there.  

BYU

Sure, BYU beat Ole Miss on opening day 14-13, but Weeks 2 and 3 brought a 17-16 loss to Texas and a humiliating 54-10 loss to in-state rival Utah.

If the Cougars could go back to the beginning of the year, knowing what they know now, you can believe that the first three weeks would have been different.  

Louisiana Tech

Louisiana Tech is now in first place in the WAC, however, they are probably wondering where they would be sitting in the rankings if they had just played better earlier.

They started the year with a close loss to Southern Miss 19-17.  They then beat Central Arkansas, but lost to Houston 35-34 the following week.  Yes, that Houston team that is still undefeated.  It was a game that Louisiana Tech should have won. 

They then lost to Mississippi State in overtime 26-20 and to Hawaii 44-26 the following week. 

Since that time they have rattled off six straight wins.

If they could go back and play their early schedule over again, I am sure they would.   

Purdue

The biggest roller coaster season has to belong to the Purdue Boilermakers. 

They won one, they lost one, they won one, they lost one, they won one, they lost one, they won one, they lost two, they won one, they lost one. 

That is their season in a nutshell.  It must be very frustrating for the players, the coaches and the fans to ride that kind of up-and-down season. 

If they could go back and start all over, I am sure they would. 

Nevada

Nevada had the unique opportunity to play an angry Ducks team after they had been humiliated by LSU the week before. 

The score ended up 69-20—the game wasn't close. 

I am positive that if the Wolf Pack could go back and start the season over again, they would in a heartbeat.  However, I doubt the Ducks would be their first scheduled game. 

Oregon State

As if starting 0-4 wasn't bad enough, the Beavers lost their opening game to Sacramento State of the Big Sky Conference.  Yes, the same FCS Big Sky Conference. 

That had to humiliating, but then they went on to be crushed in Week 2, 35-0 by Wisconsin.

If any team in the country wishes that 2011 could start over, it has to be Oregon State.  A team doesn't just bounce back after losing to a lower division opponent.  

Come to think of it, the Beavers probably just wish 2011 never existed.   

Toledo

The first week was a cakewalk win over New Hampshire 58-22.  However, the next three weeks saw the Rockets lose to Ohio State 27-22, Boise State 40-15, and Syracuse 33-30 in overtime. 

Now, if you remember the Syracuse game, that is the infamous extra point controversy game.  Remember the booth review called an extra point good for Syracuse, but everyone watching saw that it was clearly no good. 

Toledo was robbed that day, and I am sure they would love to start the season over.  If for nothing else to go back and make sure the replay official had a clear television screen and fresh set of contact lenses. 

Georgia

If it wasn't for the first two weeks of the 2011 season, Georgia would be undefeated. 

An opening loss to Boise State 35-21 and a second week loss to South Carolina 45-42 are the only things that separate the Bulldogs from perfection.

Knowing what they know now, I am sure that Georgia wishes the 2011 season was just getting underway.

Georgia will play for the SEC title, and who knows how a disastrous start to a season might end?