The face of non-BCS football (2009 edition)

by JazzyUte on Jun 29, 2009 9:32 PM MDT in Football Comment 11 comments

Last year I presented a similar case establishing the face of non-BCS football. I came to the conclusion that Boise State, two seasons removed from its Fiesta Bowl victory, had clearly -- and dominantly -- established itself as the face of the non-BCS teams.

Well today, College Football News asked the same question. Their consensus seems to be that Boise State is that face, though they even concede it's easy to make a case for Utah, BYU and TCU.

But since much has changed over the course of a year, I thought it would be interesting to reestablish these rankings.

This time last year the Utes had yet to even claim a share of a conference title since the Urban Meyer era and that obviously hindered their prospects in the rankings. BYU, though, appeared poised for a BCS berth and we all know how that ended.

With that change in mind, I also believe it's appropriate to alter the original list of non-BCS teams I listed.

Here are the teams I listed last year:

Boise State
Brigham Young
Fresno State
Hawaii
Texas Christian
Toledo
Utah

Out of this list, Boise State, BYU, TCU and Utah are no-brainers. They remain.

That leaves Fresno State, Hawaii and Toledo.

Fresno State was coming off a 9-4 season in 2008, however, followed that up with a rather lackluster 7-6 campaign.

In fact, they haven't really been relevant on the national stage since their game against USC in 2005.

That's quite a few years ago.

So we'll remove them.

Hawaii had just gone 12-1, but I mentioned back then that prior to 2006 and then 2007, they hadn't really done anything. Their two-year run was solid and they deserved mention, but they seem to have returned to mediocrity. Because of this, I don't think I can justify putting them on the new list.

Then there is Toledo. This is one isn't hard at all. In 2008, they went 3-9, their third straight losing season. They're gone.

That leaves us a list of:

Boise State
Brigham Young
Texas Christian
Utah

Now are there any teams that can make a legitimate claim to this list? Maybe Navy prior to Paul Johnson leaving for Georgia Tech, but I have a hard time putting them on the list now.

Ball State? They finished last year 12-2, but fizzled at the end and then lost their coach. Outside of that one season, though, they haven't done anything impressive. Beyond the teams listed in the revised list, no other non-BCS program finished in the top-25.

So I think that seems like a good starting point. Which explains why CFN admitted any of those four programs have a legitimate claim here.

But I do believe there are varying claims and that's what I want to explore.

I'll do this through my new and improved 2009 list, ending with -- in my opinion -- the face of non-BCS football.

#4. BYU:

This is actually a pretty far fall for the Cougars, who were ranked #2 on my list last year. But they did finish 10-3 and with this race extremely tight, any slipup can send a team tumbling back.

Last year I said if BYU managed to make a BCS bowl game, they'd shoot to the top of the list. They didn't and they also failed to win the Mountain West. That neutralizes their amazing two-year stretch in 2006 and 2007.

#3. TCU:

The Frogs have the best record of any non-BCS team to never play in a BCS bowl game. Gary Patterson is a fine coach, who has established a great power in Texas, but there is that one nagging issue: he's yet to guide them to the elite of elite.

That isn't to say they haven't been close, but every year where it looks like they may just bust into the BCS, there is an inexusable loss along the way. For the Fort Worth faithful, they're hoping that changes this season. If it doesn't, you've got to wonder if the Frogs will ever make a BCS bowl and if they don't, can they ever really be considered the face of non-BCS football?

#2. Boise State:

Last year's #1 falls a bit after an undefeated regular season. This isn't a knock on Boise State, though, rather a statement of how impressive the #1 team actually is. Anything short of perfection and a BCS bowl victory would have kept the Broncos in the #2 slot with all Utah managed to do.

#1. Utah:

The Utes were #3 last year and managed to climb to the top-spot with another BCS bowl victory. They're the only team from the non-BCS to not only play in two BCS bowls, but win two BCS bowls. They're also the only team in college football to go undefeated twice in the BCS era. That has to count for something, even if the years between 2004 and 2008 were hardly great.

These results will probably change next year, especially if Boise State is able to go undefeated again and win a BCS bowl.

But until then, Utah is clearly the #1 team. I'm open to debating this, but I think you'll lose.

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Why would...

anyone on this board want to debate this?

2 BCS bowl wins and 2 undefeated seasons in the last 5 years has me very happy. I don’t care what you call them. I’m very proud to be a Ute right now.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jun 29, 2009 9:39 PM MDT reply actions

Maybe you missed the whole Pac-Ten debate a couple of weeks ago. :P

I’m mostly talking about outside sources.

Ha.

by JazzyUte on Jun 29, 2009 9:42 PM MDT up reply actions

I know...

just felt like being an ass.

My team (baseball is life) has been sucking lately and I’m pissed off about it. Just in a shitty mood I guess. Nothing personal.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jun 29, 2009 9:54 PM MDT up reply actions

I was a big Rangers fan in the 90s.

When they had Pudge Rodriguez.

But then I kinda fell out of love with baseball and now, I really only watch the World Series.

by JazzyUte on Jun 29, 2009 10:02 PM MDT up reply actions

Eh.

My team is the Pirates. Unless your team is the Nationals, you can’t top that.

True Blue Jazz
Bucco Ball
I'm on Twitter
RIP Nick Adenhart. 4/9/09

by UtesFan89 on Jun 30, 2009 9:35 PM MDT up reply actions

Yeah...

love me some Pudge. Probably the best Ranger ever. Easy HOFer.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jun 29, 2009 10:17 PM MDT reply actions

Damn reply button.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jun 29, 2009 10:17 PM MDT up reply actions

Good list

Navy was pretty good last year even without Paul Johnson. Ken Niumatalolo lead them to an 8–5 record, which is fairly consistent with what you’d expect from the Johnson years. With fifteen victories over BCS conference teams (if you include Notre Dame), they should slide into your list at #5 for a nice round top five list.

It’s pretty tight among the top four though and really, any of these four could claim the title next year. BSU would still have the title, if they performed better in their bowl games; Utah’s stellar bowl performances in the BCS era is what puts them at the top.

by Ute in DC on Jun 29, 2009 10:22 PM MDT reply actions

Navy

Great small team, Easily, in my opinion, the best “small school” in football the last several years with Air Force about the same.

by MeanBobMean on Jun 30, 2009 7:02 AM MDT up reply actions

I can't hate Navy.

I do hate AFA, though.

I guess that makes me anti-American. :P

by JazzyUte on Jun 30, 2009 9:19 PM MDT up reply actions

Ok, you want a debate, here you go:

The face each year is the team that gets that slot they left open for us. This year it is us. Next year it will be whoever gets to the BCS bowl. Right now I favor TCU.

Boise State also gets some demerits for capping off undefeated regular seasons with a bowl loss.

Frankly I am still enjoying the lime light. Last year this time I was on nails looking forward to Michigan. Somehow this years opener is a little less exciting, though in hindsight might be a better team. For now we can visit sports blogs with impunity. It won’t last long.

The bulk of my disagreement is that you left off a couple of teams that should be added to the ORV column.

East Carolina certainly raised some eyebrows last year before losing a couple conference games. Tulsa also deserves some footnotes. Ball State is a good alternatives to Toledo if one is looking to maintain a MAC presence. Troy is leading the way in the Sun Belt, which might actually pass the MAC for the worst conference in I-A.

#1: Utah
#2: Boise State
#3: TCU
#4: BYU
#5: East Carolina
#6: Hawaii — BCS folks will persist on focusing on this one
#7: Navy
#8: Tulsa
#9: Troy
#10: Ball State

by utesfan100 on Jul 11, 2009 10:15 PM MDT reply actions

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