One of the greatest parts of the NCAA basketball tournament is the upsets. The Cinderella stories are what put the madness in March. It’s also what makes it greatly more popular than the college football bowl season.
College football has its own Cinderella stories, though. They may not be placed in front of a national TV audience or crammed into a three week period in a hunt for a National Title, but the underdog stories and glass slipper surprises are alive and well come fall. Boise State and TCU have made a living playing the underdog role during the last decade.
In 2010, not many, if anyone, could have envisioned the Miami (Oh) Redhawks turning around from a 1-11 season to become Mid-American Conference Champions the next year.
Miami University pulled together a 10-4 season, winning six straight to end the year, including a thriller over heavily favored Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship and Bowl victory over Middle Tennessee.
The Redhawks may not have pulled any shocking upsets or stunning victories over Florida in week one or against Missouri week four, but a nine-game turnaround and last place conference finish to first place finish, isn’t all that bad either. It was certainly a storybook season for the players, coaches and fans who took part in the Redhawks run.
If not for a mid-season 2000 mile trip to Hawaii, Nevada may have walked away with an undefeated season. The Wolf Pack started the year 6-0, upset No. 4 Boise State in overtime and won the Western Athletic Conference in a 13-1 season. They were certainly a surprise to the college football world.
The small schools aren’t the only teams in college football who become Cinderella stories. Michigan State turned around a 6-7 season in 2009 to an 11-2 performance and 8-0 start last season. The Missouri Tigers upset No. 1 Oklahoma on its way to a 7-0 start and 10-3 finish in the Big Twelve.
There may not be any VCU’s or Butler’s who have a chance to steal a National Title to look for in college football next season, but there are quite a few teams who can make a surprise run in what could become a storied and surprise season.
Washington:
Some may question how the Huskies could possibly get better without the help of potential first round quarterback Jake Locker. The answer can be found by simply looking at the complete team. Quarterback Keith Price and Nick Montana will battle this spring for the starting job, both of which fit into coach Sarkisian’s offense better than Locker did. The main focus of the offense will be on running back Chris Polk, a Heisman dark-horse who rushed for over 1,400 yards last season. The defense is experienced and the secondary immensely talented. Improvement has come in each of Sarkisian’s seasons at Washington and next year should be no different. With games against Oregon and Stanford, the Huskies have a chance to bring in huge upsets in 2011.
Clemson:
Nobody’s talking about the Tigers in 2011, but rightfully so. It seems every year hope and potential is invested into the Clemson program, yet the production doesn’t match the talent. Next season, the Tigers return four out of five of their offensive lineman, in a group that has played together since freshman and sophomores. Highly touted quarterback Tajh Boyd will step into the starting role and can make or break the season. Playmaking running back Andre Ellington has the backfield to himself and seems primed for a breakout season. Freshman talent on both sides of the ball may be able to help, including a pair of standout receivers in Sammy Watkins and Charone Peake, both of which shore up a lackluster group form a year ago. Freshman linebackers Stephone Anthony and Tony Steward are incredibly talented, as well.
FIU made its first ever bowl game last season, beating Toledo in the Little Caesars Bowl in a 7-6 year. Early games against Rutgers, Texas A&M, Maryland and Pittsburgh hurt their confidence and put a 0-4 start to the season, though. Next year, the Panthers have a chance to make a run at a near perfect season with its only BCS games coming against Louisville and Duke. The offense is lead by senior quarterback Wesley Carroll, who passed for 2,600 yards and 16 scores last season. Wideout T.Y. Hilton and running back Darriet Perry add to talented group of playmakers. The defense is loaded with speed and young talent, especially along the defensive front. Head coach Mario Cristobal has brought the team up from a winless program the year before he arrived, to a bowl team in his fourth year. Year five may just be the year the Panthers become nationally known.
K-State is one of the more popular outlets for junior college kids looking for immediate playing time, making them a team with potential every season. Over the last three years, the Wildcats have welcomed 20 JC transfers into the program; in 2008 alone they signed 20 JC transfers. One of the biggest transfers to watch will be quarterback Justin Tuggle, a former Boston College quarterback who played at Blinn College last season (see 'Cam Newton'). Tuggle is big – 6-foot-4, 225 pounds – and fast – 4.5 speed and best of all: has a fresh start. He’ll compete with the athletic Collin Klein for the quarterback duties in the fall. Another reason to watch out for the Wildcats is a schedule that includes a chance for early upsets over Miami (Fl) on the road and Missouri at home. Keep an eye on the Brown brothers as well. Former five star recruits, running back Bryce Brown and linebacker Arthur are both now eligible transfers who could add a major boast.
The Cowboys may feel like a shot in the dark to some, but they should feel like a team with a lot of potential. In 2011, early games against Weber State, Texas State and Bowling Green should give them confidence to start the season. Not having Texas, BYU or Utah on the schedule should help as well. Quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels has transferred, but true freshman Adam Pittser is a talented product. A consensus top 25 quarterback by the major recruiting outlets, Pittser wont report until fall camp. Battling this spring will be redshirt freshman Emory Miller Jr. and true freshman Brett Smith, who’s in for spring. Pass rushers Gabe Knapton and Josh Biezuns make up an experienced defense. With a winnable schedule, talented backfield led by sophomore Alvester Alexander and solid play from whichever young quarterback that steps up, Wyoming should surprise many in 2011.
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