| 1 |
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12-1 |
Behind a dominant defense and a solid running attack, the Alabama Crimson tide convincingly defeated LSU and earned their 2nd National Title win in 3 years. Alabama also looked more confident and ready to go then their SEC foe. Sure you can say that LSU already beat them, but the Crimson Tide lost that game 9-6, and controlled most of that game as well. |
| 2 |
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13-1 |
What a tough break for LSU. The played one of the toughest schedules you could play. They beat the Big East (West Virginia) and Pac 12 (Oregon) Champs. Heck they even beat the National Champs (Alabama). But a rematch against Alabama was their downfall. That or the poor play calling, or the refusal to pull Jordan Jefferson. It looked like L.S.U just was not up for the game. Hopefully this years debacle was enough to get rid of this system for good! |
| 3 |
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12-1 |
If it wasn't for an overtime loss against a 6-7 Iowa State team, the Cowboys would have been playing in the National Title game against LSU. And based on LSU's defensive performance, the Cowboys would have put up points. But they didn't beat Iowa State and had to settle for a Fiesta Bowl game against Stanford. Okie State didn't let that disappointment affect them and came ready to play. They finished the season strong blowing out rivals Oklahoma, then defeating Andrew Luck in Stanford in a tremendous game. What a season to be a Cowboy fan! |
| 4 |
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12-2 |
For the third straight year the Ducks won the Pac 12 (10) and got back to the Rose Bowl for the 2nd time in three years.In a battle of pure strength VS. pure Speed, Oregon's speed was just enough to edge the Badgers. Oregon showed that they have learned from past seasons and were able to win. Even though LaMichael James is leaving, the offense should continue to get better. |
| 5 |
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10-2 |
If it wasn't for the NCAA sanctions, the Trojans would have been in the Pac-12 Title game, and could have made it to the Rose Bowl. Instead they finished with 10 wins knowing that they wouldn't have a chance for any post season play. Not a bad season at all for Lane Kiffin's group, as many projected the team would fall apart. At the end of the season they were as hot as any team in the country, and with Matt Barkley coming back, next year could be a big year for the Trojans. |
| 6 |
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11-2 |
Arkansas' only two losses this season were to LSU and Alabama. The two teams that played in the National Championship Game. Arkansas also rolled Big 12's 2nd best team Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. With a lot of talent returning, we could see the Razorbacks back in this territory next year, challenging the big dogs of the S.E.C. |
| 7 |
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11-2 |
It was another impressive year for the Cardinal. Despite not having the physical talent and depth of most teams, the were still able to win 11 games and get back to a 2nd straight BCS Game. However, the Stanford ride might be on it's last leg. Luck, Jonathan Martin, and David DeCastro are all leaving for the NFL. Stanford's recruiting has continued to be strong since Jim Harbaugh left, but if Stanford wants to be a dominant player in the Pac 12, they'll have to find another impact QB to lead the way. |
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| 8 |
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12-1 |
For the second straight season Boise's cinderella season was ruined by a missed Field Goal, sending them from a B.C.S game to the MAACO Bowl. Facing an Arizona State team that was playing with a fired Coach, and had completely given up. Boise made the best of it and did what they've done for years. Blow them out. Boise State will go into the Big East next year, and have to do so without 4 year starter Kellen Moore leading the team. We might not see the same Boise team we've been used too, but Chris Peterson has them running like a fine oiled machine. |
| 9 |
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11-3 |
Michigan State has been knocking on the door for a few years now, and this year, they may have finally earned everybody's respect as they attempt to become a "Big Time" football program. Mark Dantonio got his first Bowl win at M.S.U, upsetting Georgia from the vaunted S.E.C. The Spartans will lose a crop of Senior leaders, but the cupboard is not bare as Mark Dantonio has the Spartans on the up-and-up. |
| 10 |
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11-2 |
Despite what was one of the worst B.C.S games every played, Michigan should be proud of the season they had. Even the most die hard Michigan fans couldn't have expected the season that the Wolverines had. The hiring of Brady Hoke wasn't thought to be a sexy hire. He didn't have the same high level name that Jim Harbaugh had, but he had success everywhere he went. But the most remarkable job was done by DC Greg Mattison. He turned a horrible Michigan defense into one of the best in the Big 10. And it was the defense that helped them win their 11 games this season. Including holding a talented Virginia Tech offense down in the Sugar Bowl. |
| 11 |
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11-3 |
Going into this year it was thought it could be a very special season for the Badgers. They returned a lot of pieces from their Rose Bowl appearance last year. Add in a dynamic QB in Russell Wilson and there was legit National Title talk. However, Wisconsin was beat twice during the regular season by hail mary passes. If both of those don't happen we could have been hearing about Wisconsin against LSU for the National Championship. But the Badgers won the first ever Big 10 Title game, and then faced off against Pac 12 Champions Oregon. In a great game, Wisconsin just did not have the speed to hang with Oregon, and they had to end the season with a loss. |
| 12 |
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10-3 |
The Baylor Bears have been one of the worst teams in college football for a long time. However, because of the play of QB Robert Griffin III they have made back to back bowl games, and now are the home of a Heisman Trophy Winner. RG3 has done wonders for this program, and with his excellent season they won 10 games for the first time in school history. |
| 13 |
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11-2 |
You would think that an 11 win S.E.C team would be ranked much higher in this poll. But keep in mind they didn't have to play Alabama or L.S.U. But when you consider that they kicked their QB off the team, and their All-World RB tears his ACL, it is understandable. Nevertheless, the Gamecocks continue their rise up the SEC pecking order, and with a roster always full of talent, they have a chance to continue their success. |
| 14 |
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10-3 |
Even though they finish the season at #14, Kansas State has got to be the surprise team of the year. Absolutely nobody saw them coming! Bill Snyder, did a fantastic job, and behind the play of QB Colin Klein and LB Arther Brown, the Wildcats finished 2nd in the Big 12 and were robbed from a BCS Bowl. Even with a poor showing in the Cotton Bowl, Wildcat fans had to be excited. |
| 15 |
| 10-3 |
After the Mountaineers lost two out of three Big East games, expectations weren't too high. Especially with them backing their way into a BCS Bowl against the high powered Clemson Tigers. But West Virginia shocked everybody, and hung 70 points on the ACC Champions. Mountaineer fans have got to love Dana Holgerson now, and with a team full of players coming back, they can hope next year will pick up where this year ended. |
| 16 |
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11-2 |
After their opening season loss to Baylor and another loss to SMU, it didn't look like TCU was going to keep their Rose Bowl momentum going. However they righted the ship and continued to quietly win games. That set them up with a game against Boise State where the winner would be Mountain West Champs. A gutsy 2 point conversation gave the Horned Frogs the win and allowed them to win the conference for a 3rd straight year. Now TCU enters the Big 12 and we'll see if they can continue their success. |
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| 17 |
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10-3 |
The Sooners were the preseason #1 ranked team and looked to have the easiest road to an undefeated season. However Oklahoma dropped an unthinkable game against Texas Tech. Then Ryan Broyles tore his ACL. Then Landry Jones couldn't get on track without Broyles. Then Bob Stoops blew the Baylor game. But with all of that they still had a shot at a BCS Bowl with a victory over in-state rival Oklahoma State. However, they were no match, and Okie State blew them out of the water. The crazy thing is, Oklahoma sees this and a horrible year. Must be nice when you win 10 games and it's a bad year. Landry Jones is coming back, and they'll be a contender for next year. |
| 18 |
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12-2 |
To this day I still don't know how Southern Miss lost to both UAB and Marshall, yet were able to control Houston pretty easily. They took care of business in their Bowl game, capping off one of their best seasons in a long time. But with that success the Golden Eagles lost HC Larry Fedora to North Carolina and hired South Carolina's DC Ellis Johnson. It will be interesting to see how they do next year. |
| 19 |
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13-1 |
Everything was set up for the Cougars to have the perfect season. They finished unbeaten and were hosting Southern Miss in the CUSA Championship Game at their stadium. A win there and they'd be playing in the BCS. But with all the talk of their HC leaving and BCS in their minds, they dropped the ball and lost to Southern Miss. And instead of the Sugar Bowl, they had to face off against Penn State in the Ticket City Bowl. Now they go into the Big East without their HC, OC, and record setting QB. This could be the end of Houston's recent success. |
| 20 |
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10-4 |
Mark Richt's seat was a little warm to start the year, and then two straight losses to open the season really heated things up. But the Bulldogs won 10 straight games to get to the SEC Championship Game. Heck the Bulldogs were a Tyrann Mathieu punt return for TD from leading at half, then LSU took control. Georgia returns a big nucleus of their team and more importantly their starting QB Aaron Murray who should be one of the best in the SEC. |
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| 21 |
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11-3 |
Everything Virginia Tech did during the season went down the drain in the bowl season. Not only did they totally wet the bed in the Sugar Bowl against Michigan, but all A.C.C teams were exposed for the frauds they really were. Virginia Tech did not deserve to be anywhere near a B.C.S Game, and they proved that by playing a sloppy mess of a football game. |
| 22 |
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10-4 |
Just like VaTech, Clemson was completely exposed down the stretch. Clemson came out of nowhere and started the season 9-1 and looked like the elite of the ACC and a sure bet BCS Bowl winner. However, they lost 3 out of 5 to finish the season, and were a total embarrassment in the Orange Bowl against West Virginia. Clemson is very young and talented, I'll be interested to see how Clemson responds to this. |
| 23 |
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9-4 |
Florida State was the Hot pick to start the season, being ranked #5 from the get-go. But people forget that FSU is very young and didn't have the experience to play at such a high level. They went on a 3 game losing streak mid-season, but FSU was able to weather the storm and win 5 straight. What made the season even better was that they knocked off Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl. Now the 'Noles have the experience to potentially be the team people thought they would be this year. |
| 24 |
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10-3 |
Coming off a 4 win season in 2010, there wasn't any real expectations for Cincinnati. So when they win 10 games it is quite remarkable. And out of their three losses only one of them was considered a bad loss. Now if they can build off this season success they should be able to win a watered down Big East. |
| 25 |
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9-3 |
What a year the Huskers have had. In their first year in the Big 10 they were thought to be the easy favorite to win the Legends Division and face off against Wisconsin in the championship game. However, their defense took a huge step back, and the offense stalled regularly. They had a shot to save the season with a win over South Carolina in the Capital One Bowl, but they shot themselves in the foot and ended up losing their 4th straight. If Pelini can fix the defense again, they have a shot to have a good year because the offense returns practically everybody. |
