Non-BCS and Independent

The non-BCS schools will once again try to make a dent in the BCS standings and receive an invite to the big party.  TCU did just that last year with a victory at the Rose Bowl against Big Ten champion Wisconsin.  You would think TCU might have a great shot at going undefeated again after Utah left to the Pac-12 and BYU went independent.  The real task will be defeating the new conference invitee Boise State at Boise State.  TCU at Boise State may very well determine if we have a BCS buster this year but don’t forget Boise State must go the first week into Georgia and play the Bulldogs.

Since Boise State left the WAC you might guess Nevada has a real shot at going undefeated and claiming the crown as the top underdog this season.  You would be wrong since Nevada must play at Oregon and at Boise State in the first month.

Will Notre Dame improve on their 8-5 season last year? Brian Kelly will get to prove his worth after coming off a nice bowl game victory against Miami (FL) in the Sun Bowl last season.

BYU begins their new life as an independent.  They have 17 returning starters but don’t expect them to cause much stir in the BCS standings considering they will be playing at Ole Miss, at Texas, at Oregon State and TCU in Arlington.

Don’t forget about Central Florida.  They might be a team to watch this season in Conference USA.

2010 non-BCS college football bowl results:

Mountain West Conference: 5-1
Independents: 2-1
Sun Belt: 2-1
MAC: 2-2
WAC: 2-2
Conference USA: 2-4

View the full schedule of the 2011 college football bowl games.