Mike’s 2009-2010 BCS Busters

43-42 shocker in overtime. If you already know what I am talking about then congratulations. If you don’t, let me give you a clue. “Hook and ladder”, “statue of liberty” and an engagement with the hottest cheerleader in Boise.

Everyone loved the Fiesta Bowl three years ago, and many of us regard it as the best college football finish ever. Boise State became the poster child for underdog BCS victories, even though Utah had done it years before against Pittsburgh. Last year the 14-point underdog Utes would end up smashing the Alabama Crimson Tide (ironically by 14 points) to once again give the college football world hope and love for the smaller schools. And every year from here on out, we will debate who’ll be the next non-BCS conference team will make it to the BCS games.

This year 3-5 of these teams will start in the Top 25. This does not happen. Utah was lucky to start at 23^rd last year, and Boise State was unranked to start the season before their Fiesta Bowl. This is the first year that these teams are starting this high, and this could potentially lead to two BCS buster teams.

TCU Horned Frogs (Returning starters: 7 Offense, 4 Defense)

Texas Christian is my number one BCS-Buster team this season. The Horned Frogs have a top-5 defense, and held Oklahoma to the second fewest points last year (behind Florida). They have recruited exponentially better over the last four years, and might be ready to turn up their offense. They already had a top-25 offense in PPG, and in rushing, and QB Andy Dalton’s return to the team should help to increase the pass numbers. The Horned Frogs have a tough start to the season at Clemson and Virginia, but their defense should be able to hold them to close games. Utah and BYU will likely have something to say to their perfect season, but don’t be shocked to see a 12-0 BCS Buster school like TCU next year.

Verdict: 12-0. Will this be enough for the BCS? I believe so, and will soon be revealing the rest of my rankings!

ECU Pirates (Returning Starters: 9 Offense, 9 Defense)

If I had to pick one BCS Buster team that I liked this year, I think it would be East Carolina. The Pirates have a solid defense that allowed only 21-points a game. They did not have a sexy offense, but Patrick Pinkney should be improved from last year. Also keep your eyes open for Brandon Jackson the sophomore transfer from Kentucky. Jackson tore it up in the spring game and could be a national threat for the Pirates. The biggest worry for the Pirates this year would be the schedule. Their non-conference games include Appalachian state, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech. They were able to upset Virginia Tech and West Virginia last year, so don’t be surprised if they can do it again. While I believe ECU is the BEST team on this list, I just don’t think they can go undefeated and go to a BCS Bowl.

Verdict: 10-2 with wins over Appalachian State, UNC, West Virginia. I think they will lose an unexpected conference game as well.

Boise State Broncos (Returning starters: 6 Offense, 5 Defense)

I feel bad for Boise State, I really do. The Broncos got snubbed by Ohio State last year, and had to play against TCU in the poinsettia bowl. The 2009 broncos will again be a lock to win the WAC championship, and their only tough game is Oregon at home. Should they upset the Ducks a second year in a row, the broncos will likely cruise to another undefeated regular season. The Broncos will likely be ranked in the top-20 to start the season, so a top-10 upset to start the season might let them scum their way into a BCS at-large bid.

Verdict: 11-1, but a BCS snub due to a bad schedule

Utah Utes (Returning starters: 4 Offense, 7 Defense)

Nobody can doubt what Utah did last year. They have two BCS busts in their book, and arguably deserved a BCS Championship after destroying Alabama. They have also won eight straight bowl games. The Utes however have lost too much on offense to strike fear, and have no established QB to play with. It also never helps that they have to play Louisville, and three tough road games against Oregon, TCU and BYU.

Verdict: 10-2, with wins over Louisville and BYU

BYU Cougars (Returning starters: 4 Offense, 8 Defense)

BYU has been one of the best non-BCS conference teams this decade, and have finished in the top-25 the last three years. You must commend the Cougars for picking solid non-conference opponents, but starting off the year against Oklahoma will be a massacre. Their first game at home will be against a Florida State team that could win 10-games this year. After two likely losses early in the season, the Cougars will later have to contend against a TCU team that could go undefeated, and a Utah team that has the nation’s longest winning streak.

Verdict: 8-4