2011 Bowl Games: 5 Teams You Don't Follow, but Should

While everyone knows about the LSU Tigers, Oklahoma State Cowboys and the other teams topping the BCS standings this year, there are some teams that had great seasons this year, but failed to get much attention due to playing in less prestigious conferences.

Whether they play in Conference USA, the MAC, or the Sun Belt, you should make a note to check out these teams, from when the postseason begins on December 17th, with the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, until the very end of bowl season.

Arkansas State Red Wolves

While it must be tough being in the shadow of the SEC’s Arkansas Razorbacks in the Natural State, the Red Wolves are making a case for the relevancy of their football program in the state of Arkansas

Even though Arkansas State was fed to the wolves (no pun intended) during their early-season games with Illinois and Virginia Tech, the Red Wolves were a near-dominant team the rest of the season in the Sun Belt, with the closest margin of victory a four-point win on the road at Western Kentucky.

Coach Hugh Freeze, in his first season as an FBS head coach, guided his team to a 10-2 record this season with the help of star wide receiver Dwayne Frampton, who had 972 yards receiving on 80 receptions for five touchdowns this year.

Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

The Golden Eagles made their presence felt during Saturday’s Conference USA championship game against then-undefeated Houston, as Southern Miss captured their first C-USA title since 2003.

Larry Fedora guided his squad to the best regular-season record in school history, as their 11-2 record had only two hiccups in a September loss to Marshall and a November loss to UAB.

In those two games, the Golden Eagles lost by a total of only nine points.

After breaking numerous records formerly held by USM great and NFL legend Brett Favre, senior quarterback Austin Davis had a great season in Hattiesburg this year, as Davis threw for more than 3,300 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Northern Illinois Huskies

In the 2011 MAC championship this weekend, Northern Illinois erased a 20-point halftime deficit against the Ohio Bobcats to complete their second straight 10-win season and win their first Mid-American Conference title since 1983.

With only one loss, against rival Cental Michigan, the Huskies went undefeated in conference play this season, and ranked ninth in the nation in rushing with over 240 yards on the ground.

The best game of the season was a 123-point explosion as the Huskies defeated Toledo, 63-60.

NIU quarterback Chandler harnish threw for 265 passing yards and six touchdowns during the game.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

The conference-impaired Louisiana Tech Bulldogs completed their first eight win season since 2008, and only their third winning season in the past decade, as the team won their first WAC title since 2001.

In addition to winning the conference this season, Louisiana Tech went 6-1 in league play, and took Southern Miss, Houston and Mississippi State to the wire.

The Bulldogs only lost those three games by a combined nine points.

Florida International Golden Panthers

In just their 10^th season of FBS competition, Florida International has exceeded the expectations of everyone in the Miami area by securing their first winning season, in addition to their second straight Sun Belt Championship.

FIU scored some big wins this season, as the team went on the road to upset Louisville of the Big East, followed by a home win over Central Florida in back-to-back weekends this September.