The Year in Review

40-31.

A couple of surprise teams in this batch, Cal at 5-7 and Michigan State at 11-2. Easy schedule or not, surely they should be higher despite the dreadful bowl loss. Still, I'll soldier on...

40. Miami (Fl) (7-6, 5-3 ACC)

The Original Forecast: Randy Shannon had the Hurricanes blowing in the right direction with two-game improvements in each of his first two seasons. This season was meant to be the one when they turned the ACC corner and competed for the title again. They got most of the tougher conference opponents at home to boot. They also had a manageable OOC schedule outside of Ohio State, and with QB Jacory Harris improving on last season's hot-and-cold season, things were looking good in Coral Gables.

The Outcome: Oh dear! The wheels fell off the Randy Shannon wagon as turnovers and a somewhat deserved game of musical QBs managed to derail an offense and defense that were among the best in the country. The defense in particular was tough, and was better against the run than statistics suggest, but they were vulnerable to the big play and got run over by Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. The pass defense was outstanding, allowing just 150.5 yards per game with just 9 TDs against 16 interceptions. OLBs Colin McCarthy and Sean Spence were the heart of the defense, combining for 230 tackles,with 27.5 for loss. DE Allen Bailey led with 7 sacks, while FS Ray-Ray Armstrong, SS Vaughn Telemaque and CB Ryan Hill each had three picks. Apart from the 36 turnovers (27 picks!) the offense moved the ball well. Jacory Harris played in ten games and threw for 1793 yards and 14 TDs, but also 15 interceptions. Only Duke and Florida A&M failed to pick him off. Freshman Stephen Morris played in six and threw for 1240 yards with 7 TDs and 9 interceptions. The ground game was the most effective aspect of the offense, despite Graig Cooper struggling with injury, with a three-pronged attack of Damien Berry, Lamar Miller and Mike James combining for 1943 yards and 14 TDs. Receiver Leonard Hankerson had a fine senior season, catching 72 passes for 1156 yards and 13 TDs. After the improvements over the previous season, 2010 was a disappointment and led to the release of coach Randy Shannon.

Best Game: Two weeks after a thrashing at the hands of Florida State, Miami faced a North Carolina team that were rolling on the back of a four game winning streak. After falling behind early to Johnny White's 76 yard TD run, the Hurricanes woke up and outscored the Tar Heels 30-0 the rest of the way. The defense allowed QB TJ Yates to throw for just 140 yards and picked him off twice, while sacking him five times, 3.5 going to Allen Bailey. They also limited the running attack to 80 yards outside of the big TD run. On offense, Berry and Miller combined for 176 yards and 1 score, while Harris threw for 217 yards and 3 TDs, along with his customary interception. A much needed win to keep them in the ACC race.

Worst Game: The bowl loss to Notre Dame was pretty bad, but was nothing compared to the 45-17 thrashing handed out by fierce rivals Florida State. The Seminoles jumped out to a 21-0 lead and never let up as they ran rampant through the Hurricane defense to the tune of 298 yards. RBs Damien Berry and Lamar Thomas combined for 236 yards and 3 scores, including a 90 yarder by Berry to close out the scoring. QB Christian Ponder had a solid evening with 173 yards and 2 TDs. Harris only completed 19 of 47 passes for 225 yards and an interception, but Damien Berry provided some offense with 101 yards and a score on the ground. A shockingly bad loss.

39. Illinois (7-6, 4-4 Big 10)

The Original Forecast: Despite an easy enough OOC schedule outside of Missouri, the the Big Ten is tough this year, especially with an opening kick against Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State. After this though, they could potentially pull enough wins out of the remaining schedule to eke out six wins and a bowl game.

The Outcome: Despite losing to Fresno State at the end of the regular season, the Illini still managed to put six wins together, and then blow out Baylor in the Texas Bowl. The defense seemed to fall asleep for the last four games of the regular season but was solid for the rest of the year, and the offense revolved around a superb running attack and barely efficient passing attack. Freshman QB Nathan Scheelhaase started from day 1 and got steadily better, finishing with 1825 yards passing, 17 TDs and 8 interceptions. He was also a terrific runner, gashing defenses for 868 yards and 5 TDs. The real story on offense was Mikel Leshoure, who was third in the FBS with 1697 yards and also scored 17 TDs on the ground. He also caught 17 passes for another 3 scores. AJ Jenkins was the top receiver, catching 56 passes for 746 yards and 7 TDs, and would do better in a more pass focussed offense. The defense was usually tough against run and pass, and forced 27 turnovers. MLB Martez Wilson returned from an injury that cost him the '09 season and led the team with 112 tackles, 11.5 for loss. DT Corey Liuget was a rock in the middle with 12.5 tackles for loss. However, with three losses they could have (and should have) won in the latter half of the season, their final record leaves much to be desired.

Best Game: Any time Illinois knocks off one of the big conference foes, even one in a state of transition and suffering from a rash of injuries as this year's Penn State, it's sweet. What makes it even better is they one 33-13 in Happy Valley. Leshoure was the key, rushing for 119 yards and a score, while Scheelhaase had a nice game, passing for 151 yards and a score and running for 61. The defense was great, holding Lion QB Rob Bolden to 8 completions in 21 attempts, with 142 yards and a TD and an interception that was returned for a score by Nate Bussey. Penn State ran for only 65 yards and converted just 2 of 14 third downs. An excellent team performance for the Illini.

Worst Game: One week after a triple overtime pointfest loss to Michigan, the Illinois defense failed to show up in a 38-34 loss to punchless Minnesota. Golden Gopher QB Adam Weber had a decent day with 225 yards and 2 scores, while running back DeLeon Eskridge only gained 49 yards, but scored 3 TDs, including the winner with just 16 seconds left. The Gophers also had a 92 yard kick return to set up the TD that pulled them to 34-31, setting the stage for the final drive. For the Illini, Scheelhaase had 172 yards and 2 scores, while Leshoure racked up 141 yards and 2 TDs. AJ Jenkins did most of the work through the air, catching 6 passes for 137 yards and a TD. A bad loss to a bad team, and one that could have cost them a bowl shot.

38. Maryland (9-4, 5-3 ACC)

The Original Forecast: This was to be a bowl or bust year for coach Ralph Friedgen. After some fine seasons early in his career, the Terrapins slipped to mediocrity before last season's 2-10 debacle. Their schedule was pretty tough outside of a couple of easy games, and they needed the rest of their defense to raise their level of play to that of their linebackers. There were too many question marks for them to win more than six or seven games.

The Outcome: The Terps had one of the better turnarounds of the season, but despite winning a bowl game and earning ACC Coach of the Year honors, "Fridge" stepped down after the season. He did an excellent job though. Despite a middle of the pack offense, they still managed to finish 29th in scoring, while the defense was tough to run and pass on and they came up with 29 turnovers. MLB Alex Wujciak was again the heart of the defense with 117 tackles, while FS Kenny Tate pitched in with an even 100, 8.5 for loss, and 3 picks. On offense the Terps got a solid season from freshman Danny O'Brien, who threw for 2438 yards and 22 scores, with just 8 interceptions. Davin Meggett and Da'Rel Scott combined for 1428 yards and 9 TDs, while DJ Adams was the goal-line option with 11 scores. Torrey Smith had a fine season at receiver, catching 67 passes for 1055 yards and 12 TDs. The bowl blowout of East Carolina put a fine finish to the season, but losing Friedgen will disappoint some.

Best Game: While the season was impressive, they didn't beat any of the better ACC teams. That is, until the final week of the regular season when they beat #23 North Carolina State to deny them the Atlantic division. With the Terrapin running game accounting for -9 yards, the game was left in the hands of O'Brien and Smith, and boy did they deliver. O'Brien threw for 417 yards and 4 TDs, with Smith catching 14 for 224 yards and all 4 TDs. For NC State, QB Russell Wilson threw for 311 yards and a score and ran for 53 more yards and another 2 TDs, but he completed just 31 of 60 passes. The Wolfpack did score 2 TDs in the last 2:39 to make it close, but the Terps recovered an onside kick with a minute remaining and ran out the clock. A good finish to their league play.

Worst Game: With Maryland sitting at 4-1, they travelled to Clemson who were mired in a three game losing streak and struggling to put points on the board. The Tigers didn't need their offense to beat the Terps who self-destructed. O'Brien threw for 302 yards, but was picked off 3 times, one returned for a score. They also allowed Andre Ellington to return a kickoff 87 yards for a score in a 31-7 thrashing. The defense kept up its end of the bargain, holding Clemson to 213 yards, but O'Brien's interceptions and 10 penalties kept Maryland out of the endzone. A game to show the Terps they weren't quite ready for Atlantic contention.

37. Air Force (9-4, 5-3 Mountain West)

The Original Forecast: Despite questions on both lines, the Falcons were expected to reload and carry on as usual. They had a tough OOC schedule, and then had to face the Big 3 in the MWC as usual. BYU was a likely victory this season, but the league title should remain out of reach. The Commander-In-Chief trophy, on the other hand, is very achievable. As long as the lines gel, Navy's stranglehold could be broken this season. That aside, it will be 8 or 9 wins as usual.

The Outcome: Exactly as predicted. Beat BYU, win Commander-In-Chief trophy and 9 wins. The lines got it together as expected from the start, and the Falcons finished second in rushing and allowed just five sacks. The run defense was suspect, but the pass defense was outstanding -something that is quickly becoming an Air Force trait. DE Rick Ricketts and LB Pat Hennessy each had 10 tackles for loss, while corner Reggie Rembert had 3 interceptions and 10 passes defended. On offense, QB Tim Jefferson had a decent season through the air, throwing 1459 yards and 10 TDs against 6 picks - and on the ground with 794 yards and 15 scores. Asher Clark led on the ground with 1031 yards and 5 TDS, while Jared Tew and Nathan Walker combined for 1069 yards and 10 scores. The receivers were mostly used as blockers, and the big play threat was Jonathan Warzeka who had just 18 catches for 406 yards and 3 TDs. This was an outstanding Falcons team that not only won back the academies' trophy, but also took down Georgia Tech in the bowl too. A great season all round.

Best Game: The Falcons don't get to beat BYU too often, but when they beat them 35-14, there's definitely cause for celebration. The defense spearheaded the victory, holding Cougar QBs Riley Nelson and Jake Heaps to 88 yards passing and forcing 3 turnovers. Nelson and JJ DiLuigi did combine for 198 yards and 2 scores, but couldn't move the ball consistently. Clark and Tew combined for 198 yards on the ground, while Tim Jefferson ran and passed for scores. An excellent win.

Worst Game: Air Force have given TCU some close scares lately, but this season's showdown was a 38-7 beating that only stayed close for a quarter. TCU running back Ed Wesley out-rushed the Falcons, gaining 209 yards and 2 scores. QB Andy Dalton threw for 185 yards and a TD, while rushing 93 yards and another score. Little went right for Air Force after a Jefferson TD in the first quarter, as they had no answer for Wesley and the Horned Frog rushing attack. A bad loss for the cadets.

36. West Virginia (9-4, 5-2 Big East)

The Original Forecast: None of the teams on the Mountaineers OOC schedule was unbeatable, as they were an experienced team at most positions. They should be able to handle most Big East teams, and the title could go down to the Backyard Brawl at the end of the season. If they could beat LSU and win the Big East they could make some noise in the BCS.

The Outcome: For the third time in Bill Stewart's three year tenure with the Mountaineers, the team has gone 9-4. After the success of his predecessor Rich Rodriguez, the team has not quite lived up to expectations. The three regular season losses were all by less than a score, so the team wasn't that far from BCS contention. One problem this season was the injury problems of star RB Noel Devine. He still led the team with 936 yards and 6 scores, but wasn't the threat he has been in seasons past. It's unfortunate, because he would have been a nice foil for super sophomore QB Geno Smith, who threw for 2763 yards and 24 TDS with just 7 interceptions. He formed a nice partnership with receivers Tavon Austin and Jock Sanders, who combined for 127 receptions for 1515 yards and 12 scores. The biggest problem on offense was fumbling, with the team combining for 20, far too many. The defense was outstanding, finishing third in the nation in points allowed and stifling run and pass attacks equally well, coming up with 45 sacks and 23 turnovers. DE Bruce Irvin led the team with 14 sacks, while DE Julian Miller had 9. Corner Keith Tandy had an excellent year with 6 interceptions and 11 passes broken up. It was another solid season in Morgantown, but something needs to be done to turn the corner.

Best Game: Beating Pittsburgh in the Backyard Brawl is always nice, but spanking them 35-10 in their own stadium is as good as it gets. Smith had a big day, throwing for 212 yards and 3 scores in just 12 attempts, while RBs Shawne Alston and Ryan Clarke combined for 99 yards and 2 TDs. The Panthers made it easy for the Mountaineers, turning the ball over four times to keep the field short for WVU. QB Tino Sunseri threw for 284 yards and a score, with one pick, and also ran for 38 yards but only 40 yards from the other backs. An awesome win in a season that eventually disappointed.

Worst Game: The loss to North Carolina State in the Champs Sports Bowl was bad, but fumbling the game away in a tight defensive struggle to eventual Big East winners Connecticut was a shock. Both defenses were on top form, but the Mountaineers fumbled seven times, losing four, including once in overtime, to throw the game away. Smith had a decent day, throwing for 160 yards and running for 64 more, while Noel Devine ran for 67 yards, but the offense could still only muster 13 points. For UConn, Jordan Todman picked up 113 yards and a score on 33 carries, but their defense was the story of the day, recovering their fourth fumble of the day to seal the win.

35. Tulsa (10-3, 6-2 CUSA)

The Original Forecast: After a losing season in '09, Tulsa were expected to get back to contending for the West title this season. They have an outstanding offense, and a defense with enough talent make a few necessary stops. Their schedule was manageable, but there were trips to principle rivals SMU and Houston that could cost them a title shot. Nonetheless, they should contend regardless and make a bowl game.

The Outcome: Back to winning ways for the Golden Hurricanes - ten wins and a bowl thrashing of Hawaii. Unfortunately, close losses to SMU and East Carolina (by a total of 5 points) cost them the West title. The season was business as usual with a big play offense and a ballhawking defense that usually struggled against any offense with a pulse. Former Texas QB GJ Kinne continued to develop nicely, throwing for 3650 yards and 31 TDs against just 10 interceptions and leading the team with 561 yards rushing and another 7 scores. RB Alex Singleton led the running backs with 399 yards and 11 TDs, but they ran using a committee approach and were very effective. The second leading rusher was receiver Damaris Johnson, who ran for 560 yards and 7 scores on a mere 55 carries. He also led the team with 57 receptions for 872 yards and 4 TDs. He was also an outstanding returner, adding scores through kick and punt returns. A shout out must go to multi-talented H-Back Charles Clay who ran for 226 yards and caught 43 passes for 526 yards and a team-leading 7 TDs. SLB Cornelius Arnick was excellent in his first year as a full-time starter, making 115 tackles, 4 for loss, 5 sacks and 4 interceptions. Freshman MLB Shawn Jackson had 88 tackles, with 7 for loss, 8.5 sacks. Safeties Colbert Nelson and Dexter McCoil shared the team lead with 6 interceptions each. The biggest setback in an otherwise fine season was the loss of coach Todd Graham, who takes over the same job at Pittsburgh.

Best Game: Beating Hawaii at home in the bowl game was nice, but traveling to South Bend and taking out Notre Dame 28-27 was a great win for the team. And it was a team effort - the offense struggled a little, but Kinne still threw for 196 yards and a score and ran for 78 yards and also led the team for the winning FG; the defense picked off QB Tommy Rees three times, one for a TD by Jackson and one in the endzone with 36 seconds left; and Johnson returned a punt for a score and the special teams blocked a PAT that was returned for 2 points by Arnick. This turned out to be the key play in a 1 point game. Rees did throw for 334 yards and 4 TDs, and almost led the winning drive, but Tulsa's opportunistic defense was his downfall. A sterling victory.

Worst Game: The losses to East Carolina and Oklahoma State were disappointing, but a young defense was still trying to gel at that stage - the loss to SMU, on the other hand, was bad because the offense never really got going. Kinne threw for 229 yards, but completed less than 50%, and ran for 38 yards and 2 scores. SMU's stars easily outperformed their counterparts though. QB Kyle Padron thew for 381 yards and 3 scores with just one interception, while RB Zach Line picked up 92 yards on the ground. Receivers Aldrick Robinson and Darius Johnson combined for 13 receptions, 220 yards and a TD. Despite this offensive dominance, Tulsa still pulled to within 3 with just seven minutes to go, but never saw the ball again as SMU ran out the clock. A tough loss that cost the Golden Hurricane the West title.

34. San Diego State (9-4, 5-3 Mountain West)

The Original Forecast: On paper, SDSU had enough talent to make a run at a bowl game this season, and move up in the conference rankings, but they always do and rarely contend. This year they needed the running game and defense to step up and take the pressure off QB Ryan Lindley who's good enough to spearhead the charge. They had an easy OOC outside of Missouri, and they could run the conference schedule apart from maybe Utah and TCU.

The Outcome: Coach Brady Hoke led another turnaround season, after leading Ball State to 12-2 in '08. How good were the Aztecs this season? Their four losses - to Missouri, BYU, #3 TCU (away!) and #23 Utah - were by a total of 15 points. The offense was excellent, with Lindley throwing for 3830 yards and 28 TDs against 14 interceptions. This time he didn't have to carry the load himself. Freshman Ronnie Hillman finally resolved his eligibility issues, and boy was he worth the wait. He gashed defenses for 1532 yards and 17 scores, and also caught a TD pass. Fullback Brandon Sullivan scored 10 TDs (7 rushing, 3 receiving) despite touching the ball just 66 times. Receivers Vincent Brown and DeMarco Sampson provided a pair of big-play targets and combined for 136 catches, 2572 yards and 18 TDs, making Lindley's job a lot easier. The defense was much tougher than in seasons past, though it still has some work to do. OLB Miles Burris was the star, making 80 tackles, 11.5 for loss, and 9.5 sacks. Rover Andrew Preston came second with 78 tackles, 4 for loss, and also led the team with 3 interceptions. The team has youth on its side and should be even better down the road, but they'll have to do it without coach Brady Hoke, who has the taken the head job at Michigan. By far their worst loss of the season.

Best Game: With four close losses the Aztecs had shown during the season that they could play with the big boys, but had to prove they could actually beat someone good, as opposed to just compete. Navy have been one of the better mid-level teams for a while now, and were looking to make up for the disappointment of not having the Commander-In-Chief trophy for the first time in years. This would not be the answer, as SDSU steamrolled them 35-14, gashing their normally tough defense and slowing down the option offense. Hillman was the star of the show, rounding out a fine season with 228 yards and 3 TDs rushing, and also caught one. With the running game clicking, Lindley passed at his leisure, throwing for 276 yards and 2 scores. Brown caught 8 of his passes for 165 yards and a score to finish off his Aztec career in style. For Navy, QB Ricky Dobbs threw for 147 yards and a score, with one interception, and also ran for 107 yards and a score, but the Middies never really got into gear against an Aztec squad with a point to prove.

Worst Game: None of the Aztecs' losses were horrible, but the 38-34 setback to a desperate Utah team was one they let get away after controlling the action for most of the game. Lindley may have thrown for 528 yards and 4 scores, but the 3 interceptions were a big factor in keeping the Utes in the game. Brown and Sampson shredded the Utah defense, combining for 20 receptions for 338 yards and 3 scores, but Hillman could only must 54 yards on the ground, making it hard for SDSU to control the clock in the fourth quarter with a 34-24 lead, and two of Lindley's picks came in the last six minutes. Utah QB Jordan Wynn kept bringing his team back, throwing for 362 yards and 2 scores. RBs Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide combined for 153 yards and 3 scores to keep the ground game moving. The turning point in the game came at the end of the second quarter, when Utes receiver Kendrick Moeai caught a tipped ball in the endzone for a 47 yard TD. The Aztecs struggled after that. A disappointing loss.

33. California (5-7, 3-6 PAC 10)

The Original Forecast: Cal returned a team littered with both quality and experience, but people have given up having high expectations for the Golden Bears, as they have continually disappointed of late. They have an manageable OOC schedule, but the PAC 10 is tough and almost any team (except Washington State) could spring a surprise on the division leaders. The Bears are capable of winning 7 or 8 games, but not winning the division. A bowl should be in the offing.

The Outcome: Cal's season can be summed up in one word - inconsistency. The running game and defense were the strength's of the team and when they were good (Colorado), they were very good, but when they were bad (Nevada), they stunk. RB Shane Vereen was the star of the offense, rushing for 1167 yards and 13 scores while also catching 22 passes and another 3 TDs and was reliable throughout the season. The same can't be said of the passing game. Kevin Riley and Brock Mansion split time throughout the season, and while Riley was more reliable, neither was the answer at QB. They combined for just 2055 yards and 15 TDs against 11 picks. Receiver Marvin Jones led the team with 50 receptions for 765 yards and 4 TDs and deserves better service. The defense was pretty solid for the most part last year, but had too many games where they were picked apart. OLB Mychal Kendricks was a playmaker with 66 tackles, 7 for loss, and 8.5 sacks, as was DE Cameron Jordan who had 62 tackles, 7 for loss, and 5.5 sacks. The defensive unit forced few turnovers though, with only 19 on the season. This team was good enough to make a bowl, and this mediocre season (both for wins and passing) could have coach Jeff Tedford looking over his shoulder.

Best Game: When you win by an aggregate score of 104-10 in your first two games, a few eyebrows are likely to be raised, especially when you beat a Colorado team (who weren't awful) 52-7. The Golden Bears gave the Buffaloes a taste of PAC 10 life in this thrashing. Riley threw for 197 yards and 4 TDs to lead the offensive charge, although the Buffs did a good job limiting Vereen to 59 yards and a score. Cal's defense was the real hero though, holding Buff QB Tyler Hansen to 166 yards and 3 interceptions, although he ran for a score. They also held the running attack to just 73 yards and recovered two fumbles. A game that promised so much for Cal fans but turned out to be one of their few highlights.

Worst Game: Cal had a few clunkers on their schedule, but when you're outgained 602-245 and outscored 48-14, it's pretty bad. What made it even worse, is this year's edition of USC is a pale imitation of their previous incarnations this decade. The Bears never got started and were down 42-0 by halftime and USC took their foot off the gas for the second half. Trojan QB Matt Barkley

threw for 352 yards and 5 TDs, with receiver Ronald Woods catching 7 for 115 yards and 2 scores. Marc Tyler and CJ Gable led the ground attack with a combined 151 yards and a TD. With the ground game sputtering to a mere 52 yards, the offense was left to Riley, who threw for 195 yards and 2 scores and 2 picks. An abysmal performance all round.

32. Pittsburgh (8-5, 5-2 Big East)

The Original Forecast: This was to be Pitt's year. The team is loaded with talent courtesy of coach Dave Wannstedt's excellent recruiting. Most of the previous year's 10-3 squad returns, while many of the other conference teams are undergoing vast changes. They had a tough OOC schedule, but were capable of winning all of the games. The one question mark is at QB where reliable Bill Stull has graduated and sophomore Tino Sunseri takes over. Sunseri has talent, but whether he had what it takes to get through the Big East season is another question.

The Outcome: The Panthers stumbled out the gate, going 2-3, and then lost to UConn and West Virginia to spoil any chance of the conference title, despite being in the driving seat for much of the season. It's hard to put a finger on it, but Pitt seemed to start slowly in all their losses, and apart from two games, did just enough to fall short. It's hard to blame Sunseri - he had a decent season throwing for 2582 yards and 16 TDs with an okay 9 interceptions and got better as the season went on. RB Dion Lewis was a pale imitation of his freshman incarnation, partly due to injury, but still managed 1061 yards and 13 TDs. Luckily Ray Graham picked up the slack with 922 yards and 8 scores, and they provided a decent 1-2 punch. The shaky early play of Sunseri limited receivers Jon Baldwin and Mike Shanahan to a combined 96 receptions for 1411 yards and 6 TDs, something of a waste of their talents. The defense as a whole was decent, but when the early struggles against the pass were resolved, the run defense regressed. Part of this was playing in a run-dominated Big East, but the talent is there to shut this down. Part of the problem with the inconsistent defense was the loss of star DE Greg Romeus after just two games - most teams would struggle to replace his talent. DTs Brandon Lindsey and Chas Alecxih, and DE Jabaal Sheard combined for 22 tackles for loss and 26.5 sacks, but their is no denying the gaping hole of Romeus' abscence. SS Dom DiCicco led team with 94 tackles, 6 for loss, while pitching in with 5 interceptions. FS Jared Holley also had 5 picks. This was a season that promised so much, but never really got started. Many fans will feel robbed of the satisfaction of Wannstedt's firing, as he resigned at the end of the season.

Best Game: They had a few solid victories, but beating Cincinnati at home a week after getting battered in the Backyard Brawl and effectively losing the Big East showed some resiliency. Dion Lewis had a career day, doing all the work on offense by running for 261 yards and 4 TDs on 42 carries, including a 76 yard score. Sunseri chipped in with 158 yards passing and an interceptions, but this was Lewis's show. The defense did allow 156 yards on the ground, but held QB Zach Collaros to 109 yards and a TD passing, while intercepting him 3 times. A recovered fumble rounded out a solid outing for a defense that was abused a week previously.

Worst Game: The aforementioned loss to West Virginia counts as one of the more embarrassing losses in the recent history of the Backyard Brawl. With the running attack providing just 78 yards, the game was left in the hands of Sunseri. He performed well enough, throwing for 284 yards and a score, with an interception, and also running for 38 yards. But with the Lewis held in check, and the offense fumbling six times and losing three, he was fighting a losing battle. For the Mountaineers, QB Geno Smith threw for 212 yards and 3 TDs on just 9 completions. Shawne Alston and Ryan Clarke combined for 99 yards and 2 scores to keep things ticking over on the ground. An embarrassing loss in a high-stakes game.

31. Michigan State (11-2, 7-1 Big 10)

The Original Forecast: The Spartans went through a minor rebuilding phase in '09 and were expected to be back to their winning ways this season. They had a winnable OOC schedule and play conference wasn't horrible. They were expected to be favored in the majority of their games and were good enough to pull off an upset or two and contend for league honors. Nine wins was almost guaranteed, and better pass defense could push them over the hump.

The Outcome: There were essentially two Spartan teams last season: the one that beat all comers in winning 11 games; and the one that failed to show up against Iowa and Alabama, losing by an aggregate of 86-13. Both these opponents had a point to prove in their own disappointing season, but the failure to perform by Sparty spoils an otherwise superb season by Michigan State. The offense was never outstanding, but MSU always got the job done. QB Kirk Cousins continued to be a steady presence at QB, passing for 2825 yards with 20 TDs against 10 interceptions. The running game exceeded expectations with Edwin Baker pounding out 1201 yards and 13 TDs, while Le'Veon Bell rode shotgun, rushing for 605 yards and another 8 scores. Mark Dell and BJ Cunningham provided a pair of decent targets for Cousins, catching 101 passes for 1399 yards and 15 TDs between them. The defense was solid for the most part, and the pass defense improved over the course of the season. Greg Jones was the star again, rounding out a productive career with 101 tackles, 10 for loss, and 2 picks. Free safety Trenton Robinson led the team with 4 interceptions. The one failing of the defense was the lack of a consistent pass rush, and the secondary was badly exposed on occasion.

Best Game: When a team's toughness has been called into doubt over previous season, beating blue collar pounders Wisconsin can change opinions. What was even more impressive was the fact that coach Mark Dantonio was in hospital with complications from a heart attack suffered a fortnight before. Wisconsin actually led 10-3 to start, courtesy of three early turnovers, but couldn't seem to stop the Spartans when it mattered. Cousins threw for 269 yards and 3 TDs, while Keyshawn Martin returned a punt 74 yards for a score. Baker and Bell combined for 162 yards on the ground against Wisconsin's stingy defense. Scott Tolzien only threw for 127 yards and a score, but James White and John Clay combined for 178 yards and 2 scores rushing. The Badgers had MSU pinned deep with just under 11 minutes left, but the Spartans embarked on a 15 play, 84 yard drive that consumed 7:57. Along the way they converted three third downs and scored on a 1 yard TD pass to BJ Cunningham on fourth down to ice the game 34-24.

Worst Game: The loss to Iowa was bad, but failing to show up against Alabama in the bowl game was disappointing. You can blame the long layup, disappointment at missing out on a BCS game or whatever, but the bottom line is they were embarrassed in front of a national audience. The running attack accounted for -48 yards, while Cousins only threw for 120 yards and a pick. For the Tide, QB Greg McElroy threw for 220 yards and a score, while RB Mark Ingram and his running mates accounted for 275 yards and 6 TDs. The Spartans are now 0-4 bowl games under Dantonio.

The Year in Review

60-51

Welcome to this segment on mediocre BCS squads and decent lower tier teams.

60. Tennessee (6-7, 3-5 SEC)

The Original Forecast: After a surprise bowl season in '09, the Volunteers were jilted by coach Lane Kiffin for USC, and the Derek Dooley era began. No-one expected much of them again this year, especially with a tough conference schedule and a number of key players graduating. It looked like a 3 or 4 win season was imminent.

The Outcome: The Vols just want to keep on surprising. After starting the season 2-6 and appearing to fulfill expectations, UT went on a four game winning streak to earn a bowl appearance, which they lost 30-27 to North Carolina in double overtime. The reasons for the turnaround are many, but QB was definitely a factor. Matt Simms started the season and was solid with 1460 yards and 8 TDs against 5 interceptions. But it was when Tyler Bray took over full time that the Vols really exploded. Bray passed for 1849 yards and 18 TDs, although with 10 picks, 7 in the last three games. He brought a big play element that wasn't obvious is Simms' play. The running attack was almost non-existent outside of Tauren Poole, who ran for 1034 yards and 11 TDs. Denarius Moore provided that big-play threat with 47 catches for 981 yards and 9 TDs. The defense got better as the season went along and they were particularly good against the pass. They gave up some yards, but allowed just 14 TDs against 18 interceptions, despite a pass rush that managed just 26 sacks. FS Janzen Jackson had 69 tackles and 4 interceptions with 11 passes defended, while corner Prentiss Waggner had 57 tackles and another 5 picks, with 9 passes defended. Nick Reveiz led the team with 108 tackles, 6 for loss. After a poor start to the season, the Vols really turned on the jets in the last five games, and the season should be counted as a relative success.

Best Game: A week after pummeling local rivals Memphis 50-14, the Vols went even better blowing out Mississippi 52-14. In a game that was never close, Bray threw for 323 yards and 3 TDs, with Justin Hunter catching 3 for 114 yards and 2 scores. Tauren Poole kept things ticking over on the ground with 107 yards and 2 TDs. For Ole Miss, QB Jeremiah Masoli threw for just 80 yards and 3 picks, although Brandon Bolden ran for 113 yards and 2 scores. But that didn't matter in a game that was never really close. A statement game for Tennessee.

Worst Game: A month before the Ole Miss win, Tennessee traveled to Georgia. With hopes of getting off to a fast start, the Vols instead spotted the Bulldogs a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. Simms threw for 179 yards and a score, but the running attack managed only 9 yards. Georgia QB Aaron Murray threw for 266 yards and 2 scores, and ran for 41 and another pair to spark the victory. A tough loss where little went right for the Vols.

59. UCLA (4-8, 2-7 PAC 10)

The Original Forecast: Coach Rick Neuheisel had targeted 8 wins for the season, but not many believed that was possible. After a year in a new offense, improvement was expected this season. but they still lacked firepower. A tough schedule made it unlikely the Bruins would make a bowl game.

The Outcome: I guess Neuheisel was half right, with a mere 4 wins. The running attack was outstanding, but the passing attack actually averaged nearly 35 yards a game LESS than the run. Starting QB Kevin Prince was knocked out early in the season, but he was far from outstanding, throwing for just 384 yards and 3 TDs against 5 interceptions. Sophomore Richard Brehaut stepped in and was a bit better, throwing for 1296 yards and 6 TDs with 7 picks. Jonathon Franklin led the running attack with 1127 yards and 8 TDs, with good backup from Derrick Coleman who had 487 yards and 5 TDs. Taylor Embree was the top receiver with a mere 32 catches for 409 yards with no scores. The defense wasn't bad against the pass, but was terrible against the run allowing an average of 205.5 yards a game. OLBs Sean Westgate and Akeem Ayers combined for 158 tackles with 20 for loss, but big plays were few and far between. A dissatisfying season that promised improvement early but went downhill too quickly.

Best Game: The Bruins headed to Texas off the back of a solid win over Houston, hoping to sweep Texas teams, and boy did they. Texas turned the ball over 5 times in a 34-12 rout. Prince threw for just 27 yards, but still managed a TD pass. Franklin and Coleman combined for 212 yards and 2 scores on the ground. Texas QB Garrett Gilbert threw for 264 yards and a TD, with a pick, but it was four fumbles that cost Texas. A win that seemed far more of a scalp at the time, but a good win nonetheless.

Worst Game: California weren't particularly special this season and the Bruins expected to at least compete when they got there. They were wrong, getting trounced 35-7 with the offense going nowhere fast. Prince managed just 99 yards passing with a TD and an interception in his last game of the season. The vaunted UCLA running game mustered a mere 26 yards and Jonathon Franklin coughed up the ball at an inopportune moment when the game was still in reach. For Cal, QB Kevin Riley threw for only 83 yards and a score, but Shane Vereen ran for 151 yards and 2 scores and Isi Sofele chipped in with 80. A bad loss against local and division rivals.

58. Baylor (7-6, 4-4 Big 12)

The Original Forecast: The '09 season went downhill as soon as star QB Robert Griffin III was injured, and Baylor needed a full year from him in order to compete for a bowl game. The offense is night and day better with him, but the defense needed to pull its socks up and pitch in. The OOC was manageable outside of TCU, and there were enough winnable conference games to hit bowl eligibility. But it's all for nothing if Griffin's knee doesn't hold up against a Big 12 pounding.

The Outcome: The drought is over - Baylor started the season 7-2 behind a prolific offense before the wheels fell off the wagon and they lost their last four games -the tough partof the schedule - by double digits each. The offense was ranked 19th in passing and 24th in rushing, but the defense struggled mightily against powerhouse offenses. And Illinois. Griffin was outstanding, passing for 3501 yards and 22 TDs with just 8 picks, and running for 635 yards and another 8 scores. The offensive line played its part, allowing just 20 sacks and clearing holes for RB Jay Finley to rush for 1218 yards and 12 TDs. Kendall Wright was the top receiver with 78 catches for 952 yards and 7 TDS, but four other guys caught more than 40 passes to give Griffin plenty of options. SS Byron Landor led the defense with 127 tackles and 6 passes defended, but managed just one interception. Much was expected of Penn State transfer Phil Taylor at nose guard, but he managed just 4 tackles for loss, although he led the team with 5 sacks. Gettinng Baylor to a bowl game has to count as a success for coach Art Briles, but the 0-4 finish where they fell flat against string teams shows just how far the team must go to start contending for titles. If Briles keeps getting the Bears to bowl games, he may not be around to see it.

Best Game: This might be the year the Bears beat Texas, but the manner in which they hammered Kansas 55-7 has to count as their best performance. The Baylor offense racked up 678 yards of offense and the defense forced four turnovers. Griffin threw for 380 yards and 3 TDs (a 94 yarder!) and ran for 64 yards and a score. Josh Gordon and Terrance Williams combined for 8 receptions, 262 yards, and 4 scores. The defense not only had the turnovers, but brought an interception back for six, had 3 sacks, and held Kansas to a mere 270 yards of offense. Outstanding!

Worst Game: When you make your first bowl game since '94, you better show up to play. Unfortunately, the Bears took to long to get started, falling behind 24-0 in a 38-14 loss. The defense had no answer for Illinois RB Mikel Leshoure who ran for 184 yards and 3 TDs. Freshman QB Nathan Scheelhaase threw for 242 yards and also ran 55 yards for the final TD. Griffin threw for 306 yards and a score, and got the Bears to within 10 points before the Fighting Illini pulled away. However he fumbled the ball on the first drive that set the tone for the day. A disappointing first bowl for Briles and Baylor.

57. Michigan (7-6, 3-5 Big 10)

The Original Forecast: This was a bowl or bust season for coach Rich Rodriguez, but questions were abound regarding the team. Who would be QB; how would the 3-3-5 defensive scheme hold up against the black-and-blue offenses of the Big 10; and would they be able to compete against a tough schedule. Even if some or all of these questions are answered, the team still might only win 6 or 7 games in a tough conference.

The Outcome: Well, they made their bowl game, but it wasn't enough to save Rodriguez's job. They started surprisingly well, going 5-0 behind an inspired performance from QB Denard Robinson, but finished 2-6 when the schedule got tougher. The offense was great, ranking 3t6th in passing and 13th in rushing, but the defense was dreadful, finishing 108th in points allowed and allowing over 450 yards in total offense. LB Jonas Mouton and SS Jordan Kovacs were the leading tacklers with a combined 233, 17 for loss, but there was practically no pass rush and too few turnovers too help out. The story of the offense was Robinson - he had an amazing year, throwing for 2570 yards and 18 TDs with an okay 11 interceptions, and ran for an outstanding 1702 yards and 14 TDs. Vincent Smith was the leading running back with just 601 yards and 5 TDs, but he was used more as a decoy and was decent. Ray Roundtree was Robinson's favorite target, catching 72 passes for 935 yards and 7 TDs, but he had bouts of drops at inopportune moments. The offense was finally run as Rodriguez wanted it, but the defense has regressed throughout his tenure and cost him his job despite the bowl. An improvement, but just not enough.

Best Game: Robinson showed his talent from Day 1 against Connecticut, but the following week against Notre Dame he showed he could win with the game on the line too in a 28-24 win. He had a great game, throwing for 244 yards and a score and running for 258 yards and 2 TDs, including an 87 yard run to spot the Wolverines a 21-7 half-time lead. Martavious Odoms and Roundtree were reliable targets all night, combining for 15 receptions, 173 yards and a TD. Notre Dame wouldn't go away though, with Dayne Crist shaking off a first half concussion to throw 2 long TDs to lead the Irish back to a 24-21 lead with 3:41 left. TE Kyle Rudolph did most of the damage with 8 catches for 164 yards and a 95 yard TD reception. Robinson marched Michigan back down the pitch, mixing run and pass well, to score on a 2 yard run with just 27 seconds left. Crist nearly brought ND back, but overthrew the endzone with no time left on the clock. A good win over a decent opponent, something rare this season.

Worst Game: Losing to Ohio State hurt, but the 52-14 bowl thrashing at the hands of Mississippi State was downright awful. Don't get me wrong, the Bulldogs are a good team, but not this good. Bulldog QB Chris Relf threw for 281 yards and 3 TDs and ran for another, while RB Vic Ballard picked up 76 yards and 3 TDs. Robinson threw for 254 yards and 2 scores, and ran for 59, but Michigan just seemed to give up after going up 14-10. To highlight the futility of the Wolverine defense, MSU converted 5 first downs on the evening. A bad end to a tough season.

56. Kansas State (7-6, 3-5 Big 12)

The Original Forecast: Kansas State surprised many with their 6 win season in '09, and more was expected of them this season. They had questions at QB, but had the type of runner - Daniel Tomas - who could win games on his own. The defense was also a question mark, but Snyder built a solid foundation through the JUCO route and the Wildcats should be good for 7 or 8 wins.

The Outcome: The Wildcats had a 7 win season and were competitive in most games. The passing game was poor, but Thomas carried the offense for the second straight season. The defense was okay against the pass, but was terrible against the run, allowing 231.4 yards per game. This was despite the efforts of corner David Garrett who led the team with 92 tackles, 15 for loss, and 10 passes defended. Yes, that was a corner. On offense, QB Carson Coffman threw for 2060 yards and 14 TDs against just 7 picks. He also ran for 157 yards and 9 TDs. Backup Collin Klein played some too, throwing for 138 yards and a TD, and running for 432 yards and 6 scores. Thomas was the key though, gaining 1585 yards and 19 TDs. The top receiver was Aubrey Quarles, who had a respectable 51 catches for 760 yards and 5 scores. Not a bad season for the most part. They started fast and used an easy OOC schedule to pad the win column, but they had some good wins too. They need to seriously strengthen the front seven if they have any desire to compete for Big 12 titles.

Best Game: Beating Texas is sweet for any Big 12 team, but the manner of K-State's 39-14 victory made it all the more sweet. What was even more surprising was Klein getting the start over Coffman at QB. Klein only threw 4 passes, completing 2 (to Thomas) for just 9 yards, but he ran for 127 yards and 2 scores, creating a 1-2 punch with Thomas, who ran for 106 yards and another 2 TDs. The defense allowed Texas to move the ball, QB Garrett Gilbert threw for 272 yards and a TD and ran for 93 yards, but they picked him off 5 times in building a 39-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Gilbert finally figured out which team he played for in the fourth quarter and led two TD drives, but the game was well over long beforehand. A great scalp for the Wildcats.

Worst Game: It's no secret that the Wildcats aren't quite ready for beating the big boys week in, week out, but they were competitive in every game bar one - Nebraska. The Cornhuskers shut down Thomas, holding him to just 63 yards in a 48-13 blowout. Coffman managed just 91 yards, a TD and an interception in 14 completions. For Nebraska, QB Taylor Martinez threw just 7 passes, completing 5 for 128 yards and a score, but also ran for 241 yards and 4 TDs, including an 80 yarder. RB Roy Helu ran for 110 yards as Nebraska ran over the Wildcats to the tune of 451 yards. Disgraceful.

55. Connecticut (8-5, 5-2 Big East)

The Original Forecast: With 16 starters returning and the rest of the Big East suffering through change, this was to be UConn's year to take a step up in the FBS after being on the verge for a while. They lacked a passing game, but had a solid running attack and defense. Their OOC schedule wasn't difficult, and the team may pull off and 10 wins, and were to be considered contenders in the Big East.

The Outcome: Pretty much as predicted, except the easy OOC and 10 win season. Michigan and Temple turned out to be stiffer propositions, but the tenacious Huskies went 6-2 in the Big East and got the BCS spot courtesy of beating both West Virginia and Pittsburgh. The passing game was again a problem, especially when Cody Endres was gone. Zach Frazer started the season, and came back in when Endres went out, but only threw for 1425 yards, 5 TDs and 6 interceptions. Endres threw for 471 yards and 5 scores against 2 picks in just three games, but was kicked off the team. The Huskies managed to win 8 games in spite of the passing attack courtesy of superstar RB Jordan Todman, who gained 1695 yards and 14 TDs. Michael Smith was their leading receiver with 46 catches for 615 yards and 2 TDs. Their defense was tough most of the season, ranking 35th in points allowed with just 22 points per game. Lawrence Wilson led the team with 123 tackles, with 10 for loss, while Sio Moore had 110 tackles with 11.5 for loss. FS Jerome Junior and Blidi Wilson-Wreh had 4 picks apiece. DE Jessee Joseph led the team with 8.5 sacks. A fine season for the Huskies, despite the loss to Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, but the success cost them their coach Randy Edsall, who has become head coach at Maryland.

Best Game: A week after beating West Virginia in overtime, Pittsburgh arrived in town with designs on cementing their conference lead. They hadn't counted on Jordan Todman though. Todman ran for 222 yards to pace UConn, and Frazer threw for just 100 yards but 2 TDS, as the Huskies won a nail-biter 30-28. UConn also got a 95 yard kick return TD as the third quarter closed. For the Panthers, QB Tino Sunseri threw for 220 yards and a TD, but was picked off twice. Dion Lewis and Ray Graham combined for 152 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. UConn had a 4th and 1 at their own 19 with 2 and a half minutes left, and Edsall went for it, getting the conversion and running out the clock. An excellent win that spearheaded their BCS charge.

Worst Game: Connecticut traveled to Louisville with the aim of getting back on track after losing to Rutgers the previous week, but did little right in a 26-0 beating. The managed just 195 yards against the Cardinals medicore defense, and turned the ball over three times. What was even worse was the Louisville special teams dominating the Huskies normally strong unit. Four field goals and a 74 yard TD punt return from Doug Beaumont piled on the misery. The other score was a pass Adam Froman, who threw for 195 yards, to Cameron Graham. Bilal Powell ran for for 105 yards. The loss that turned the season around for the Huskies.

54. Navy (9-4 Independents)

The Original Forecast: Navy won ten games in '09 and though it was unlikely, could possibly do it again this season. The schedule was manageable, and they had a Heisman hopeful at QB in Ricky Dobbs. The likelihood of them missing a bowl game for the first time in 8 years was slim to none.

The Outcome: Navy were just 12 points from a 12-1 season, losing to Maryland, Air Force (oops!) and Duke. They were solid all round as usual, with a fine running attack and defense, and were even quite efficient on those rare moments when they passed. Dobbs didn't win the Heisman, but he did throw for 1527 yards, 13 TDs and 6 picks, while rushing for 967 yards and 14 TDs. FB Alexander Teich rushed for 863 yards and 5 scores and plenty of other backs contributed too. Greg Jones did a good job at receiver, catching 33 passes for 662 yards and 5 TDs. On defense, LB Tyler Simmons led the team with 131 tackles, while DE Jabaree Tuani had 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Billy Yarborough on the other end led the team with 6 sacks. A fine year that was somewhat marred by a bowl blowout and losing the Commander-In-Chief trophy to Air Force.

Best Game: The Navy offense rarely scored more than 35 all season, so when they went to East Carolina and hung 76 on the Pirates to their 35, it was an impressive performance. Dobbs completed 6 of 8 passes for 75 yards and 2 scores, and ran for 100 yards and another TD. Teich was the main man though, with 157 yards and a score. In all, eight different players scored TDs. ECU QB Dominique Davis had a big day with 413 yards and 5 TDs, but not he even he could counter an inept defense or an offense that coughed the ball up 4 times, including 3 in 4 snaps. An outstanding example of how to execute the triple option.

Worst Game: Losing the Commander-In-Chief trophy to Air Force after 7 consecutive wins has to sting. Dobbs completed just 6 of 18 passes for 103 yards and 2 interceptions,while running for just 43 yards. Falcon QB Tim Jefferson was the better of the two, completing 5 of 7 passes for 83 yards, while running for 62 yards and both scores. FB Jared Tew kept things ticking over with 111 yards on the ground. A disappointing loss in an otherwise good season.

53. Georgia (6-7, 3-5 SEC)

The Original Forecast: This had the look of a transition year in Athens, with a number of new faces at key positions, including a freshman QB. The schedule was tough from the start (well, week 2) and there was little respite for new guys to get comfortable. There was an abundance of talent with which to contend for the East title, but with inexperienced players at key positions, an 8 win season was probably more likely.

The Outcome: The season started badly, going 1-4, before finishing 5-2 before their bowl loss. The Bulldogs remained pretty competitive throughout, never getting blown away, and there were some bright spots, such as the play of QB Aaron Murray. He threw for 3049 yards and 24 TDs with 8 interceptions, while running for 167 yards and another 4 scores, and looks like he could take Georgia back to competing for SEC titles. He could do with more help from a running game that was inconsistent at best. Washaun Ealey was the leading rusher with 811 yards and 11 TDs, but they finished 73rd overall. Receiver AJ Green rounded out his college career by leading the team with 57 receptions for 848 yards and 9 TDs, despte a four game suspension to start the season. The defense was good, carrying the team for the most part, bot fell asleep on occasion - they had four games with 31+ points in the last five. ILB Akeem Dent led the team with 126 tackles, 6.5 for loss, but OLB Justin Houston was the big play guy with 8.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, and an outstanding 44 QB hurries. They were somewhat unfortunate in their scheduling, and where a much better team by season's end, but the bowl loss to UCF was shocking. This was Georgia's worst season in some time.

Best Game: With one more shot at bowl eligibility, and Georgia Tech coming to town, the Bulldogs needed to do something to try to save something of their season. Step forward Murray, who completed 15 of 19 passes for 271 yards and 3 TDs, and Ealey who 118 yards and 2 scores. Green didn't get in the endzone in his penultimatel game, but caught 8 passes for 97 yards. They nearly blew it too, allowing Tech to run for 411 yards, led by Anthony Allen with 166 and a score. The Yellowjackets got to within a point, but the Bulldogs answered with Ealey's second score and Tech couldn't respond. A big win with the postseason on the line.

Worst Game: With the offense humming in previous weeks, few people expected the bowl matchup with UCF to be close. But the Knights did enough to stop Georgia when it mattered in a 10-6 victory. Murray threw for 198 yards and two interceptions and the running game just managed 82 yards. Green caught 8 passes, but was limited to 77 yards and UCF made sure he didn't beat them. UCF running back Latavius Murray ran for 104 yards and the clinching TD to key the victory. A disappointing finish to a lost season.

52, Clemson (6-7, 4-4 ACC)

The Original Forecast: After winning the ACC title in '09, one would expect something similar from the Tigers again this season. But Clemson never seems to maximize its level talent, usually frustrating fans by falling short, particularly when expectations are high. Many new faces were taking over this season, but Clemson always have a good haul of talent on campus, and were more than capable of contending for the ACC title again. They had a tough schedule after a couple of layup games early on, and most likely this would be a tough season.

The Outcome: And it was - the offense struggled most of the season when even mediocrity would suffice, as Clemson's defense was outstanding, ranking 13th in points allowed. They made both passing and running a chore, but even this defense couldn't stem the tide when it spent too much time on the field. DE Da'Quan Bowers was the man of the hour with 74 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 15.5 sacks and 20 QB hurries. SS DeAndre McDaniel led the team with 84 tackles, 5.5 for loss, and also led with 4 interceptions. These were the stars of the show, but the strong defense was definitely a team effort. On offense, QB Kyle Parker was mediocre at best, throwing for 2213 yards, 12 TDs and 11 interceptions. Freshman receiver DeAndre Hopkins led the team with 51 catches, 626 yards, and 4 TDs, which says a lot about the receivers. To be fair to Hopkins, he got better as the season progressed and looks like a good one. Clemson needed two players to replace '09 star RB CJ Spiller, and they weren't too bad. Speedy Andre Ellington was the better runner, gaining 686 yards and 10 TDs despite missing three games late in the season. He's a small back, but did okay carrying the load. Jamie Harper was a tank, powering for 760 yards and 7 TDs, most of them coming when Ellington was injured. This was a tough season, with most of their losses close (including an OT loss to Auburn). Better QB play would have made the difference, and Parker's performance epitomized the season - average.

Best Game: With the Tigers sitting at 4-4, and #25 NC State coming to town, the season looked to be going downhill in a hurry, especially with some tough games due up too. The Wolfpack were quite the offensive juggernaut with QB Russell Wilson dissecting defenses at his leisure. Not this one - Clemson put the clamps on, holding him to 212 yards and a TD, and intercepting him in the endzone. The Tigers held the NC State running attack to 63 yards, leading the Wolfpack to decide to punt on 4th and 1 late in the game, a punt which managed just 4 yards. Clemson also blocked a 30 yard field goal, and were fortunate to have TD interception return nullified by penalty. For the Tigers, Parker threw for 214 yards and a TD and interception, providing most of the offense as Ellington was out injured and Harper was suffering from a virus. He still managed to run for 60 yards and the game winning TD though. A good win when things were looking bleak.

Worst Game: With bowl eligibility assured, Clemson had a chance to show their ability with the annual battle with South Carolina. They fell flat on their faces, losing 29-7. The defense was pretty solid, holding freshman sensation Marcus Lattimore to 48 rushing yards. Stephen Garcia threw for 227 yards and a pair of TDs, but only Alshon Jeffrey did any real damage with 5 receptions for 141 yards and a score. The Tiger offense, on the other hand, took the day off. Between Parker and Tajh Boyd, they passed for just 190 yards and turned the ball over 3 times. The running attack never got going with just 61 yards. There was one bright spot on offense - Hopkins caught 7 passes for 124 yards and the only TD. An otherwise poor showing when they should at least be competitive.

51. Louisville (7-6, 3-4 Big East)

The Original Forecast: New coach Charlie Strong is a good recruiter who should be able to increase the talent level in Lexington in a hurry, but a tough schedule and the current roster most likely means a winning season is beyond them.

The Outcome: Take a bow, Charlie Strong. Not only did you inspire the team to win 8 games, but you did it with a star performance from RB Bilal Powell, a tough defense, and on the flip side, a mediocre passing game. Powell was easily the star of the show, rushing for 1405 yards and 11 TDs, and catching another 3 scores. The QBs Adam Froman and Justin Burke combined for 2423 yards and 21 TDs against 7 interceptions. They were careful with the ball, but neither will make fans forget Brian Brohm. TE Cameron Graham and receiver Doug Beamount combined for 81 catches, 910 yards and 6 TDs. Beaumont is capable of better. The real story was the defense though, as it has been dire lately. They allowed an average of just 19.4 points per game, and were extremely tough to pass on. Rodney Gnat led the team with 9 sacks, while CB Johnny Patrick was excellent, intercepting 5 passes and defending 17 passes. After being tagged by pretty much every authority to prop up the Big East, the Cardinals and Strong came up with a fine season and topped it off with a nice come-from-behind bowl win.

Best Game: With bowl eligibility on the line and a trip to struggling Rutgers on the cards, Louisville need to pull off the win. In recent seasons they'd most likely have lost, but this year they steamrolled the Scarlet Knights 40-13. The defense was key, sacking Rutgers QBs 9 times and intercepting them twice, with one late in the fourth quarter returned for a TD to close out the scoring. Burke needed just 11 passes, completing 9 for 138 yards and 2 TDs. Powell keyed the ground attack with 123 yards and a score. If there was one negative, Rutgers had some success on the ground, with Jordan Thomas gaining 120 yards and a score. A fine victory nonetheless.

Worst Game: With the Cardinals showing they were no walkover, they traveled to Pittsburgh with the intention of making some noise in the conference. The only noise they made was going belly up against a Panther team that shut them down without Powell. Powell injured his knee early, and Louisville could get nothing going after that. Burke threw for just 82 yards, while the running game sans Powell made just 18 yards. For Pittsburgh, QB Tino Sunseri managed just 123 yards against the tough Cardinals secondary, but Dion Lewis and Ray Graham pounded for 105 yards and a score. With the Louisville offense, they didn't need more. A loss that showed how much work the team has to go.

The Year in Review

80-71

80. Florida International (7-6, 6-2 Sun Belt)

The Original Forecast: Mario Cristobal continues to turn the Panthers into a competitive unit, but they still lack the depth to compete with the big boys in the Sun Belt. They also had a tough OOC schedule and a mid-season away stretch that was likely to consign them to maybe 3 or 4 wins, assuming they can pull an upset or two. Still a work in progress.

The Outcome: Things looked to be normal with FIU going 0-4 in their OOC, but some further investigation might show that were pretty competitive against everyone except Pittsburgh. What does might have helped explain is why they only lost two more games the rest of the season, to earn a share of the Sun Belt crown and their first ever bowl berth. The offense, particularly the running game, was pretty solid all season. Darriet Perry and Darian Mallary combined for 1577 yards and 18 TDs to key the attack. Mississippi State transfer Wesley Carroll added punch to their passing game with 2623 yards and 16 TDs, although he threw 14 interceptions. TY Hilton and Greg Ellingson caught 102 passes for 1460 yards and 10 TDs between them. Hilton was also a superb kick returner and took two kicks back for six. The defense still needs some work, but they came up with 25 turnovers and 33 sacks and made plays when it mattered. SLB Toronto Smith had 91 tackles, with 6.5 for loss, and 4 sacks; fellow linebacker Winston Fraser had 9 tackles for loss; DE Tourek Williams had 7.5 tackles for loss and 6 sacks; and Jarvis Wilson had 5.5 tackles for loss and an excellent 9.5 sacks. This would have been a good season even if they hadn't topped it off with a comeback victory over Toledo in the Little Caesars Bowl.

Best Game: Lately in the Sun Belt, there's been one team to beat, and FIU surprised many when they took down Troy 52-35. Troy had no answer for the Panthers offense - Carroll only completed 8 of 15 passes, but he threw for 220 yards and 3 TDs with an pick. The real issue for the Trojans was the running attack, with Perry gaining 186 yards and a TD, receiver Hilton had 158 and 2 scores (on 6 carries) and Mallary managed a meager 118 yards and another score. The defense allowed Troy QB Corey Robinson to throw for 299 yards and a pair of TDs, but picked him off twice. They also forced two other turnovers and kept Troy's receivers from breaking big plays most of the day.

Worst Game: Every team has an opponent that it hurts to lose to more than any other. For FIU it's Florida Atlantic. The Owls struggled this season, but still managed to beat FIU, thanks to 4 turnovers and an inability to get into the endzone despite gaining 360 yards of offense. Carroll threw for 210 yards, but also three picks and was the main culprit. Kedrick Rhodes ran for 100 yards, but the Panthers were still unable to punch the ball in on 4th and 1 in the fourth quarter. For FAU, Jeff Van Camp threw for 169 yards and a TD, while Alfred Morris and Willie Floyd combined for 189 yards and 2 scores.

79. Virginia (4-8, 1-7 ACC)

The Original Forecast: With a new coach in place, the Cavaliers were expected to play harder this season, but probably to little avail. Due to some (supposedly) easy OOC games, and a home game against fellow conference strugglers, five wins was possible, but bowl eligibility required an upset or two.

The Outcome: Well, they beat their easy OOC opponents, and got their upset with a surprise victory over Miami, but that was it for the Cavs. Their defense tailed off a little, at least against the run, although they were pretty good against the pass. The Cam Johnson experiment at end proved to be inspired, as he tallied 8 tackles for loss with 6.5 sacks. Corner Chase Minnifield picked off six passes. The offense was pretty good, led by QB Marc Verica. He threw for 2799 yards and 14 TDs and the same amount of interceptions. On the ground, Keith Payne and Perry Jones combined for 1395 yards and 15 TDs to keep things ticking over. The top receivers were Dontrelle Inman and Kris Burd,who had a combined 109 receptions for 1614 yards and 8 scores. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough talent in reserve to maintain their successes over the season. A disappointment for coach Mike London.

Best Game: Has to be the win over the Hurricanes. They weren't awesome, they just did enough. Verica had 176 yards and a TD, while Payne had 81 yards and 2 TDs. Burd had a nice game with 7 catches for 104 yards. The game was scoreless when Miami QB Jacory Harris was lost for the game. In stepped Spencer Whipple and then freshman Stephen Morris who quickly dug the team into a 24-0 hole. Morris did mount a comeback, throwing for 162 yards and 2 TDs, but it was too little too late. The Cavs defense allowed 448 yards of offense, but 5 interceptions spoiled their scoring opportunities.

Worst Game: Virginia hadn't lost at home to North Carolina since 1981, and with the Tar Heels struggling with player suspensions, the Cavs must have fancied their chances. Things went bad quickly though, allowing an 81 yard TD pass on the first play of the game. They drove for a FG, but Verica could only muster 139 yards passing and 3 picks on the day, stopping Virginia from ever getting going. Payne had a nice game with 107 yards and a score, but he as the lone bright spot. NC's QB TJ Yates threw for 325 yards and 3 TDs, with Dwight Jones catching 7 of them for 198 yards and 2 scores. Virginia totalled 5 turnovers on the day, and ended up on the wrong side of a 44-10 thrashing. A poor performance on nearly every count.

78. East Carolina (6-7, 5-3 CUSA)

The Original Forecast: Nothing seemed to favor ECU going into the season with a change in coaching staff, systems, and graduation returning very few players. They had a tough schedule, both in and out of conference, and looked like they'd struggle to a 3 or 4 win season.

The Outcome: Dominique Davis arrived from the JUCO ranks with the hope that he could add some spark to the new passing attack now that the Pirates had run out of Pinkneys. All he did was throw for 3967 yards and 37 TDs, with 16 interceptions. 8 of those picks came in a three game stint early too. They didn't run the ball much, but Jonathon Williams took advantage of his opportunities with 847 yards and 10 TDs on the ground, and also caught 52 balls for 431 yards and a TD. Dwayne Harris caught 101 passes for 1123 yards and 10 scores, while Lance Lewis had 89 catches for 1116 yards and 14 scores. The defense, however, was one of the worst in the FBS and leaked scores at a rapid rate. WLB Dustin Lineback tried to stem the tide with 119 tackles, 6 for loss, while DT Josh Smith had 11 tackles for loss. SS Bradley Jacobs had 4 interceptions and 80 tackles, but for the most part the defense was a liability. Despite the leaky defense, the offense did enough to get the Pirates back to a bowl game, but the 51-20 loss to Maryland has to be considered a bad result to an up and down season.

Best Game: The Pirates defense had few games where it could hold its head high afterwards, and the 37-10 victory over Marshall is one of them. The defense held Marshall's QB Brian Anderson to just 217 yards and a TD and picked him off three times, and shut down the running attack to the tune of 94 yards. The offense was quietly efficient, with Davis throwing for 208 yards and 2 TDs, and running for another, while Wiliams ran for 111 yards on just 10 carries. A good job all round.

Worst Game: Any time a team puts 62 on your defense, it's bad. When the team happens to be a struggling Rice squad, it's very bad. The Owls racked up 639 yards of offense, with freshman QB Taylor McHargue throwing for 220 yards and 3 TDs on just 15 attempts, and he also ran for 93 yards. Jeremy Eddington and Sam McGuffie combined for 257 yards and 5 TDs on the ground, and the latter also caught a 64 yard TD pass. Davis had a tough time of it, completing just 21 of 39 for 308 yards and 3 TDs, while also throwing 2 picks. Williams came up with 100 yards on the ground and receivers Lewis and Harris combined for 14 receptions, 245 yards and 2 TDs. In retrospect, losing a game like this hurt ECU's chances of contending for the division.

77. Mississippi (4-8, 1-7 SEC)

The Original Forecast: The Rebels suffered from graduation woes, and looked unlikely to take contend for the SEC West in 2010. Their OOC schedule was lightweight, and they got the easier opponents from the East, but the Rebels looked like they were going to struggle this season.

The Outcome: Well, losing to Jacksonville State is no way to start a season. They were pretty competitive, Mississippi's defense was poor this season, especially against the pass, and it counteracted the hard work done by a running attack that ranked 18th. Brandon Bolden was the catalyst, picking up 976 yards and 14 TDSs at an excellent average of 6 yards per carry. He also led the team with 32 receptions, gaining 344 yards and 3 more scores. The second leading rusher with 544 yards and 6 TDs was QB Jeremia Masoli (fresh from Oregon), and he added 2039 yards passing with 14 TDs and 13 picks. The receivers lacked either punch or consistency which hurt Masoli, who is a solid passer. MLB Jonathon Cornell was the defensive star with 80 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks, but the starting lineup changed to much due to injury or inconsistency and the defense suffered as a whole. After falling short of expectations last season, the Rebels seemed to meet them this year, but a 4-8 season is unacceptable and the Rebels top brass has fired good coaches before (see David Cutcliffe).

Best Game: The Rebels didn't have a lot of wins this season, and no real signature victory, but the 43-21 beating of Louisiana-Lafayette was about as good as it got. They also managed it without for Masoli for much of the game, although he threw and ran for TDs before he left with a concussion. Nathan Stanley threw for108 yards in his absence. Bolden and Enrique Davis combined for 252 yards and 2 TDs, and Bolden caught 4 passes for 80 yards and a TD to key the offense. But the real story was the defense, holding the Ragin' Cajuns to just 215 yards and turning the ball over 3 times. The score could have been worse, but Melvin White returned an Ole Miss fumble 93 yards for a score at the end of the second quarter to pull within 3 points before the defense shut them out in the second half. Not the best win in their history, but a good one based on last season's results.

Worst Game: Tennessee! The Volunteers were also struggling when the Rebels arrived at Neyland Stadium with bowl hopes still alive. The Vols jumped out to a 21-0 lead and just kept motoring, shredding the Rebels 52-14. Freshman QB Tyler Bray threw for 323 yards and 3 TDs, and Tauren Poole ran for 107 yards and 2 scores to keep Ole Miss on their back foot all day. Masoli was dreadful, throwing for just 80 yards and 3 interceptions, 2 of which were taken back for scores. The sole bright spot was Bolden, who had 113 yards and 2 second quarter TDs to inspire some hope for the Rebels. But UTenn stepped it up in the second half and that was about it for Mississippi on the day.

76. Southern Methodist (7-7, 6-2 CUSA)

The Original Forecast: SMU have a fine offense that's good enough to win games in spite of a suspect defense. They looked to have most of the pieces in place except at running back, where was some talent but little depth. They also had a pretty tough schedule, but were capable of winning some games. They needed their defense to step up to aspire to a title shot, but more than likely would repeat last season's 8 wins. This is a team for the future.

The Outcome: The defense stepped it up and SMU made the title game. Unfortunately, so did tough UCF, who beat them 17-7. Still, it was a fine season, and they were competent in most areas. The run defense was tough, holding opponents to a mere 3.7 yards per carry, and the pass defense allowed just 208.1 yards a game. One area the defense did struggle was turnovers, coming up with a meager 15. They finished with a -12 turnover margin, costing them a better record. The offense was still the star of the show though. Padron showed he wasn't just a flash in the pan, throwing for 3828 yards and 31 TDs with 14 interceptions, and running for 244 yards and 4 scores. Running back Zach Line realised his excellent potential rushing for 1494 yards and 10 TDs. The Mustangs boasted three excellent receivers, with Aldrick Robinson, Cole Beasley and Darius Johnson combining for 230 catches, 3206 yards and 26 scores. On defense, MLB Taylor Reed and "Buck" Pete Fleps were tackling machines, combining for 268 stops, 11 for loss. WLB Ja'Gared Davis had 90 tackles, 7 for loss, and 9 sacks, while corner Richard Crawford defended 12 passes and picked off 4. This was a fine season, and the best is yet to come for the Mustangs.

Best Game: SMU haven't beaten a lot of BCS teams lately, so while Washington State isn't the toughest of tests, they'll take it. In their 35-21 victory, Padron threw for 280 yards and 4 TDs, and also ran for one, with Robinson catching 4 for 111 yards and 3 scores. Line picked up 82 yards on a mere 8 carries. For the Cougars, Jeff Tuel threw for 284 yards and a pair of scores, but failed to convert two fourth downs late in the game. The SMU defense held WSU's running game to a mere 66 yards. A good win that wasn't necessarily as close as the final score suggests.

Worst Game: With QB Case Keenum out for the season, SMU must have felt their high octane offense could easily outscore a Houston team with a freshman QB. Line ran for 106 yards and Padron threw for 318 yards and 2 TDs, but he also threw two interceptions. Piland threw for 233 yards and a TD, but the real story for the Cougars was the running game, with Michael Hayes and Bryce Beall combining for 171 yards and 4 scores. Down 24-10 at halftime, the Mustangs threatened to make a game of it with a third quarter TD, but Tyron Carrier took the ensuing kickoff back for a score to steal back momentum. The Cougars scored two more TDs to round out a 45-20 thrashing.

75. Houston (5-7, 4-4 CUSA)

The Original Forecast: QB Case Keenum has had a superb career here with one exception - a CUSA title. An improved running game and defense were keys in helping him achieve this goal, and also boosting his Heisman chances. They have a very winnable schedule, and could even be BCS busters with an unbeaten season.

The Outcome: UCLA put paid to their unbeaten season, but it was against beleaguered Tulane that their title hopes ended when Keenum tore his ACL. Freshman David Piland stepped in and had his moments, throwing for 2641 yards, 24 TDs and 14 interceptions, but wasn't ready to accept the keys to this offense so soon. The running game tried to take some of the pressure off him, with Michael Hayes and Bryce Beall combining for 1499 yards and 20 TDs, while receiver Patrick Edwards led with 71 catches for 1100 yards and 13 scores. The defense was vulnerable to both run and pass, and meant most games were shootouts, not what a freshman QB needs. ILB Marcus McGraw led the way with 110 tackles, 7 for loss, while OLB Sammy Brown was the playmaker with 76 tackles, 12.5 for loss, and 7.5 sacks. After high hopes on the season, Houston finished losing their last four games, not just failing to make the title game, but not even bowl eligible.

Best Game: In a season of disappointments, it's always nice to take down a local rival, and beating SMU 45-20 was nice. Piland was pretty sharp, throwing for 233 yards and a score without turning it over, but the real story was the running game with Hayes and Beall combining for 171 yards and 4 TDs. The defense had three turnovers and Tyron Carrier too a kick back for a TD when SMU threatened to make a game of it. A nice solid victory with all aspects of the team performing.

Worst Game: After some big victories over Texas State and UTEP, the Cougars traveled to UCLA with BCS busting on their minds. They got sent home with their tails between their legs on the wrong end of a 31-13 defeat. Keenum was knocked out early, although Houston weren't having much success with him as he threw 2 picks. The offense managed 252 yards passing, but five different players threw a pass. The Bruins, on the other hand, only managed 99 yards through the air, but Jonathon Franklin ran for 158 yards and 3 TDs to key the victory. James Cleveland was the sole bright spot for Houston, catching 6 passes for 144 yards and a score. A poor performance against a very beatable team.

74. Troy (8-5, 6-2 Sun Belt)

The Original Forecast: Troy has been the most talented team in the Sun Belt in recent history and were expected to contend for the division title again. They are breaking in a new QB and most of their defense, but are still loaded. The defense was weak last year, and the hope is the new faces can improve on last '09s showing.

The Outcome: The defense struggled again, putting the team through too many shootouts. They allowed over 400 yards of total offense, although they came up with an excellent 30 turnovers and 40 sacks. DEs Jonathon Massoquai and Mario Addison were the stars of the show, combining for 123 tackles, 12 for loss, and 24 sacks, but there were some other good shows too. More consistency could have accounted for more wins, as too much pressure was put on the offense. Freshman Corey Robinson stepped in at QB and had a decent season,throwing for 3726 yards and 28 TDs, although he also had 15 interceptions. The running game was good enough to take the pressure off the passing attack, and was led by Shawn Southward, who had 623 yards and 7 scores, and DuJuan Harris who gained 603 yards and scored 6 times. The top receiver was Jerrel Jernigan, who caught 84 passes for 822 yards and 6 scores, and also added 322 yards and 3 TDs rushing. The season ended with a first-place tie with FIU, who received the 1st place bowl bid courtesy of beating the Trojans. Another fine season, but 4 and half titles in five years sounds slightly tarnished.

Best Game: What better way to make up for falling short of an outright league title than smashing your bowl opponent 48-21? Robinson spearheaded the charge with 387 yards and 4 TDs passing, while Harris and Southward combined for 180 yards and a score on the ground. For Ohio, QB Boo Jackson threw for 208 yards and 3 TDs, but many of those yards (and scores) came long after the game was decided. Ohio's running attack was limited to just 99 yards. An outstanding finish to a slightly disappointing season.

Worst Game: Troy don't lost conference games very often, let alone at home. For perennial strugglers the Golden Panthers to walk in and run over them was shocking. Robinson threw for 299 yards and 2 score, put was picked off twice, and the running game only accounted for 108 yards, although they were playing from behind for most of the game. FIU QB Wesley Carroll threw for 220 yards and 3 TDs on just 8 completions, and they had three hundred yard rushers as the running game totaled a team record 448 yards. A very disappointing loss that essentially cost them a shot at their fifth consecutive outright title.

73. Washington State (2-10, 1-8 PAC 10)

The Original Forecast: Pundits are becoming wary of predicting a breakthrough year for the Cougars, as they have been simply awful as of late. There was hope for this season, with more experience and talent, but they play a tough OOC schedule and play in the increasingly tough PAC 10. They may be a better team, but probably won't have the results to show it.

The Outcome: The defense and running game were still pretty poor, but the passing attack under Jeff Tuel was pretty good. Tuel threw for 2780 yards and 18 TDs against 12 interceptions, and added 199 yards and a score on the ground. Marquess Wilson and Jared Karstetter were reliable targets, catching 117 passes for 1664 yards and 13 TDs. The leading rusher, however, was James Montgomery with a meager 483 yards and 5 TDs. DE Travis Long led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss, but that was about as good as it got for a struggling defense. The team was improved on the field, being more competitive in most games than in recent history, but they're still a couple of years away from bowl eligibility.

Best Game: WSU hadn't won a conference game since '08 when they headed to Corvallis to take on Oregon State. They left happy after flattening the Beavers 31-14 behind a solid performance on both sides of the ball. Tuel was the main man as usual, throwing for 157 yards and a score and running for 79 yards. Montgomery chipped in with 67 yards and a TD. The defense was great, holding the Beavers to 261 yards and turning the ball over three times, while allowing just 2 of 10 3rd down conversions. A bright spot in another dismal season.

Worst Game: Nice to see fewer choices this year, but there was still a few disasters. Getting blanked 42-0 by Arizona State has to rank as their worst showing on the season though. Tuel threw for 200 yards, but was picked off twice, while the running game accounted for just 8 yards. For the Beavers, QB Steven Threet threw for 300 yards and 3 TDs a week after a concussion. The Cougar defense held ASU to 118 yards rushing, but it mattered little with Threet passing with aplomb. In a season in which one hopes for improvement, laying an egg this late is never good. A very poor performance.

72. Fresno State (8-5, 5-3 WAC)

The Original Forecast: The Bulldogs have been one of the WAC's more successful teams, but have lived in the shadow of Boise State for a while now. With most of their starting offense back, they were expected to be competitive again, in spite of a tough OOC schedule. They're not good enough to challenge Boise, but a bowl game was a given.

The Outcome: Pretty much the same as last year. The offense wasn't as good and the defense was a little better, but was still suspect against the run. They got to the QB 37 times, but only came up with a feeble 13 turnovers. DE Cris Carter and DT Logan Harrell were the stars of the show with a combined 101 tackles, with 9 for loss and 21.5 sacks. RB Ryan Matthews was missed on offense, though small but quick sophomore Robbie Rouse racked up 1129 yards and 8 TDs. Ryan Colburn improved on last season, although he still had a couple of howlers. This season he threw for 2817 yards and 23 TDs, with just 9 picks, 5 of which came in two games. Jamel Hamler was his favorite receiver, catching 54 passes for 812 yards and 6 TDs despite some injury issues. It was a typical season for Fresno, knocking off some BCS foes, yet losing to league opponents. To be fair, the WAC was tough this year, so the season was a relative success if you disregard the bowl game.

Best Game: Pat Hill's squads have had a reputation for giant killing over the years, and with last year's BCS bowlers Cincinnati coming to town for the first game, there was another possible scalp in the offing. In a close loss last season, the Bulldogs held the ball for nearly 44 minutes but still lost 28-20. This time, neither team could get anything going on the ground, but Colburn threw for 247 yards and 4 TDs against one interception in a 28-14 victory. The defense was excellent, allowing 15 yards rushing while holding Cinci QB Zach Collaros to 219 yards and a score in 41 attempts. The Bearcats actually led 14-0 at one stage, completely dominating the game, but Fresno's pass rush lit it up from the second quarter on, ending the day with eight sacks. By the end of the season, the win looked less impressive, but at the time it was quality.

Worst Game: No-one expected the Bulldogs to beat Boise State, but it was an opportunity to show they were close. They blew it. Colburn was awful, completing just 6 of 23 passes for 76 yards and 2 interceptions, while Robbie Rouse had 70 yards but over half came on the last drive. Broncos QB Kellen Moore threw for 333 yards and 4 TDs, and one pick, with Titus Young and Austin Pettis catching 18 passes for 257 yards and 4 TDs between them. The 51-0 loss was the first time Fresno was shut out in 13 years. Simply dreadful.

71. Miami, Ohio (10-4, 7-1 MAC)

The Original Forecast: The Redhawks had the look of a team in the middle of a rebuilding phase. They had some talent, but not much depth. They had a nasty OOC schedule, but could probably pull off three or four wins with a couple of upsets. This is a team for the future.

The Outcome: Wow! The defense was night and day better, playing tough against both run and pass and coming up with an excellent 35 turnovers. MLB Jerrell Wedge was again the star with 101 tackles, 15 for loss, but this time he had help. WLB was outstanding, with 94 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and 6 interceptions while also defending 9 passes. Corner Dayonne Nunley had 7 tackles for loss and another 6 picks. DE Jason Semmes led all sackers with 6. The running game still struggled despite the efforts of Thomas Merriweather who had 921 yards and 12 TDs. QB Zac Dysert threw for 2406 yards with 13 TDs and 12 interceptions (10 in 3 games), but missed the last 4 games with injury. In stepped Austin Boucher who amassed 1120 yards, 6 scores and 3 picks. Armand Robinson and Nick Harwell led the receiving corps with a combined 158 receptions for 1933 yards and 12 TDs. After winning just one game last season, the Redhawks had one of the biggest turnarounds in FBS history. They lost to Ohio in the MAC and 3 BCS foes, but won every other game, including beating Northern Illinois in the title game and Middle Tennessee in the bowl. The only people who could possibly be disappointed with this season are their opponents.