Spread offenses and up-tempo styles have become popular in college football. Of course, coaches like Chip Kelly and Gus Malzahn are well known for their fast pace play calling. 

According to a three year study by CoachingSearch.com, Kelly finished tied at No. 7 for the most snaps per game with 77. Malzahn did not even make the top 25 while averaging just 70 snaps per game. At Auburn, his teams were a run first up-tempo style so there were not as many snaps as a team with a lot of pass incompletions. The SEC offensive styles and tough defenses may have also slowed the pace. When Auburn and Oregon last faced each other in the 2011 BCS National Championship, the Tigers had 85 total plays and the Ducks had 73.  

play caller, snaps per game, school(s)
1. Neal Brown 80, Texas Tech
2. Josh Heupel 79, Oklahoma
3. Tony Franklin 79, Louisiana Tech
4. Chris Ault 79, Nevada
5. Kliff Kingsbury 78, Houston/Texas A&M
6. Chad Morris 78, Tulsa/Clemson

Based on a two to three year study of each coach.

Source: CoachingSearch.com

In last night's Fiesta Bowl, there was a rare occurrence. For just the fourth time known in college football history, a one-point safety was scored by Oregon against Kansas State. 

A one-point safety can be scored on an extra point attempt if the team on defense obtains possession of the ball as a result of a turnover such as a blocked kick, interception, or fumble and retreats back or laterals the ball back into the end zone followed by the player possessing the ball either being tackled down, downing the ball, or fumbling the ball out of the back of the end zone. Another very extreme way to score a one-point safety would be if an offensive player was sacked in their own end zone on an extra point which is 98 yards away, but that type has never occurred. 

I just coincidentally looked up the one-point safety rule last week since an article from CFU was referenced by the blog called The One-Point Safety. The author of the blog, Travis Normand, witnessed live the one-point safety in the 2004 Texas vs. Texas A&M game. Once seeing it last night, I was shocked more, not by the surprise of the rule, but by it actually happening after I recently looked it up. It is the most rare way to score in football. 

Watch around the 3:00 minute mark of the video below for the one-point safety in the Fiesta Bowl. Oregon's extra point kick was blocked and the ball was carried back in the end zone by a Kansas State defender. 

The Kansas State Wildcats will be the new BCS number one team with Oregon, Notre Dame, and Georgia each also moving up a slot. However, the number one ranking will be split; the major human polls including the USA Today Coaches Poll, Harris Interactive Top 25, and AP Top 25 (non-BCS component) will all favor Oregon as number one. 

Of course, the big shake up is because of the stunning loss by current number one Alabama to Texas A&M. The huge upset puts Texas A&M on the BCS top five bubble and Alabama as well. Florida and LSU also both have a chance to land at number five. 

The Aggies highest ranking in the computers for week 11 was at 10 and their lowest was 16th. Expect those numbers to skyrocket after their victory over the Tide. 

It just depends on how willing voters are to put Texas A&M over Florida or LSU, the only two teams to beat the Aggies this season. I have the Aggies projected at five, but basically all four -Texas A&M, Alabama, Florida, and LSU- have just about an equal chance of being ranked in the BCS top five. Alabama is always a voter favorite so it would be no surprise to see them stay in the top five or higher. 

As mentioned on the previous post, Northern Illinois will be ranked in the BCS Standings since Northwestern and TCU lost. If the Huskies do land outside the BCS Top 25, then it will not be by much. 

***Update Nov 11 Sunday 3:32 AM ET*** ESPN Brad Edwards' Projected BCS Top Five: 1 Kansas State, 2 Oregon, 3 Notre Dame, 4 Georgia, and 5 Alabama. Basically, all four -Texas A&M, Alabama, Florida, and LSU- have a chance of being ranked in the BCS top five. 

***Update Nov 11 Sunday 4:12 PM ET*** Official USA Today Coaches Top Five: 1 Oregon, 2 Kansas State, 3 Notre Dame, 4 Georgia, and 5 Alabama. Official AP Top Five: 1 Oregon, 2 Kansas State, 3 Notre Dame, 4 Alabama, and 5 Georgia. Texas A&M did not get much love in the Coaches Poll which is astonishing since they beat the number one team on the road. In the Coaches Poll, the Aggies went from 16 to 14 after defeating Mississippi St, but only went from 14 to 10 after the Alabama win! Kansas State should still be the BCS number one, but the Aggies will probably be somewhere inbetween 5 and 10 in the BCS. CBS Sports Jerry Palm's Projected BCS Top Five: 1 Kansas State, 2 Oregon, 3 Notre Dame, 4 Alabama, and 5 Georgia. The next three ranked in his projections are Florida, LSU, and Texas A&M. 

***Update Nov 11 Sunday 8:43 PM ET*** Official BCS Top 10: 1 Kansas State .967, 2 Oregon .950, 3 Notre Dame .940, 4 Alabama .853, 5 Georgia .833, 6 Florida .796, 7 LSU .733, 8 Texas A&M .662, 9 South Carolina .635, and 10 Florida State .607. Aggies did not get much respect from voters for the win in Tuscaloosa. I wonder how the computers ranked them. Top three are very tight. Notre Dame and Oregon are only .010 apart!


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It looks as if the favorites win this week, Oregon (8-0) will be back to number three for week 11 of the BCS Standings. They play at BCS No. 17 USC (6-2) this weekend and the Ducks are currently fourth in the BCS for week 10 by a slim margin of just .0011 behind the Fighting Irish. The computers should finally give the Ducks some love this weekend if they win against the Trojans. 

Notre Dame (8-0) faces Pittsburgh (4-4) at home this weekend. Pitt is only rated 94th and USC is currently 19th in the Sagarin BCS Ratings so a strong advantage goes to the Ducks over the Irish this weekend in strength of opponent. An Oregon win also hurts Notre Dame more than one way since USC is the Irish's strongest opponent left on the schedule. 

Of course, if LSU (7-1) upsets Alabama (8-0), look for the top five to be scrambled, because of the various scenarios of how voters and the computers may rank the Tigers.

If Georgia (7-1) defeats Ole Miss (5-3) and all other favorites win, then the Bulldogs will be in the top five of the BCS Standings. They are currently at six and a loss by BCS No. 5 LSU would open up a spot for Georgia.

***Update Nov 4 Sunday 1:45 AM ET*** The BCS projected top five remains the same since all favorites won today: 1 Alabama, 2 Kansas State, 3 Oregon, 4 Notre Dame, and 5 Georgia. The projected AP top five: 1 Alabama, 2 Oregon, 3 Kansas State, 4 Notre Dame, and 5 Ohio State. The projected USA Today Coaches Poll top five: 1 Alabama, 2 Oregon, 3 Kansas State, 4 Notre Dame, and 5 Georgia. 

***Update Nov 4 Sunday 9:15 PM ET*** Official BCS top five came out as projected: 1 Alabama, 2 Kansas State, 3 Oregon, 4 Notre Dame, and 5 Georgia. 

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Projections for rankings beginning week 10:

BCS Top Five
1. Alabama
2. Kansas State
3. Oregon*
4. Notre Dame*
5. LSU**
*Notre Dame on the bubble to be ranked third.
**Georgia on the bubble to be ranked fifth.

AP Top Five
1. Alabama
2. Oregon*
3. Kansas State*
4. Notre Dame
5. LSU**
*Kansas State on the bubble to be ranked second.
**Georgia on the bubble to be ranked fifth.

USA Today Coaches Poll Top Five
1. Alabama
2. Oregon*
3. Kansas State*
4. Notre Dame
5. LSU**
*Kansas State on the bubble to be ranked second.
** Georgia on the bubble to be ranked fifth.

Other Projections: Nebraska will be ranked in the top 25 of the Coaches Poll and BCS Standings. 

Kansas State will be the new number two in the BCS Standings for week 10. The Wildcats also are beginning to gain traction in the AP and Coaches polls. AP voter and ESPN analyst, Kirk Herbstreit, stated during the Notre Dame at Oklahoma game that K-State should be ranked second.

Nearly half of the undefeated teams (5 of 11) lost this week: Florida, Mississippi State, Ohio, Oregon State, and Rutgers. Three of the big four unbeatens in the  BCS top 10 - Kansas State, Oregon, and Notre Dame - will continue to closely vie for position in the rankings. 

Oregon and Notre Dame will be approximately .0050 to .0150 apart from each other in the BCS Standings, no matter who lands at third. Oregon's win over Colorado did not help them any in the BCS Standings. Colorado is only ranked 157th in the Sagarin College Football Ratings, one of six computers in the BCS. 

Notre Dame defeated Oklahoma, number eight in both the BCS and Sagarin Ratings, so the computers will highly favor the them. If there is enough voter influence for the Irish, then they could land at two, but I have not noticed a huge push for Notre Dame to jump Oregon quite yet.

Nebraska will be ranked in the top 25 of the Coaches Poll and BCS Standings. The Cornhuskers were the second team out of the Harris Poll and Coaches poll last week, both components of the BCS. After their win against Michigan, they should easily jump back into the rankings.

I am more confident in these projected rankings than the last couple weeks' projections, but who knows, the BCS and polls are full of surprises. ESPN's Brad Edwards is projecting the top four to be 1. Alabama, 2. Kansas State, 3. Notre Dame, and 4. Oregon, but he must be counting on voters also favoring the Irish. 

I may post an update again before the BCS Standings come out sometime after the Coaches Poll noon release time. Updates will now be listed in the post rather than the comments section. 

***Update Oct 28 Sunday 3 PM ET*** Official AP and Coaches Poll top five: 1. Alabama, 2. Oregon, 3. Kansas State, 4. Notre Dame and 5. LSU. It is going to be tight between Oregon and Notre Dame for three in the BCS.

***Update Oct 28 Sunday 4:55 PM ET*** The voters might end up putting Notre Dame at three in the BCS, but I am still not sure. Even though the Irish did not jump the Ducks in the human polls, they did get a boost in points. Jerry Palm of CBS Sports has Notre Dame projected at third in the BCS by a .0077 margin over Oregon. It can go either way and may even be closer than Palm's projection.

***Update Oct 28 Sunday 9:40 PM ET*** Official BCS top five: 1. Alabama, 2. Kansas State, 3. Notre Dame, 4. Oregon, and 5. LSU. Notre Dame beat out Oregon for the three spot by just .0011! My BCS bubble teams keep bursting the bubble lately, but it does not bother me much being off by so little. With the Ducks and Irish in such close competition, expect a good chance of Oregon taking the number three slot back as the season goes on.

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There are 16 unbeaten teams remaining in college football so let's take a look at how they rank in comparison. 

Of course, the Alabama Crimson Tide are number one in points allowed per game and of the combined three rankings listed (ppg, papg, & owl). The Tide could possibly play two undefeated teams this season in Mississippi State and the SEC East division champion. Alabama still has a tough SEC schedule, but they are one of the teams most likely to remain unbeaten by season's end, primarily because of their top ranked defense.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are a close second in the combined rankings, points allowed per game, and opponent win loss percent. Notre Dame has plenty of tough games ahead including Stanford, at Oklahoma, and at USC. If the Irish do manage to make it through the season without a loss, then they will most likely be in the BCS national championship and possibly have a Heisman Trophy finalist in linebacker Manti Te'o. 

The Oregon Ducks are another team that could stay undefeated if they continue to roll teams like they have been doing. The Ducks are second in points per game of the unbeaten teams and do not appear to be slowing down. They have loads of speed led by De'Anthony Thomas, but there are some tough road games left on the schedule- at Arizona State, at USC, and at Oregon State. 

The state of Ohio has a chance at a team going undefeated for the season with both the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Ohio Bobcats currently without a loss. And both have manageable schedules. The Buckeyes toughest three opponents left are Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The Bobcats most difficult opponent remaining is Kent State. They have each done well on offense, but both teams average giving up more than 20 points per game. The Cincinnati Bearcats are another Ohio team that could finish without a loss, but the Bearcats have two challenging games remaining against unbeaten ranked opponents, Louisville and Rutgers.

The West Virginia Mountaineers have the best opponent win loss percent listed below and are third in points per game, but second to last in points allowed per game. The Mountaineers have the current Heisman front-runner in quarterback Geno Smith, but are bound to garner a loss with the type of defense they play. West Virginia also has to play fellow Big 12 unbeaten Kansas State on October 20th.

According to the statistics listed, the Louisville Cardinals are the most overrated of the undefeated teams. The Cardinals did beat a winless Southern Miss team by just four points and a one win FIU team by only seven. Three Big East teams still do not have a loss, but only one will remain unblemished since they all play each other.   

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are scoring the most points among the unbeatens while allowing the most points scored. Louisiana Tech has their toughest challenge yet in week seven against Texas A&M. The Aggies are scoring 44.6 points per game and the Bulldogs allow 35.8 points per game. La Tech does have home field advantage so this is an interesting match up. Either way, expect a high scoring game.

The Texas San Antonio Roadrunners played the weakest schedule so far. UTSA has played three FCS teams with South Alabama and New Mexico State as their other two opponents. However, going 5-0 is impressive for such a new FBS program (currently in transition), but do not plan on their record remaining unmarked since they have more FBS teams on the latter half of the schedule. 

FCS opponents were not included in the opponent win loss percent. Seven of the teams have not played FCS opponents: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana Tech, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon State, and South Carolina. Four of the seven have FCS opponents scheduled: Alabama, Florida, Oregon State, and South Carolina. 

There are four conferences without an undefeated team: ACC, Conference USA, Mountain West, and Sun Belt.

See how the undefeated teams rank in comparison.

The AP Top 25 Preseason Poll will be released August 18, but here are some projections to give you an idea of what the rankings will be almost two weeks ahead of time. 

The number one ranking in the AP Preseason Top 25 will be a close call between USC and LSU. The Trojans have received a good deal of off-season media hype (number one in ESPN poll) and their recent acquisition of Penn State transfer Silas Redd has kept the program in the news as of late. I previously stated that LSU would most likely be the preseason number one, but I now believe Redd may have tilted the voters just enough in favor of the Trojans. However, I would not be too surprised to see the Bayou Bengals at the top of the rankings.

LSU is the USA Today Coaches Top 25 Preseason number one team, but barely. The Tigers edged out Alabama by only four points for the top slot and just 15 ahead of number three USC. The Crimson Tide actually received the most number one votes, but will probably be third in the AP since I expect USC and LSU to receive the most top votes. Of Georgia, Florida State, Oklahoma, and Oregon, I am sure that two of the four teams will make up the rest of the AP top five with Oregon the most definitive.

Of the teams projected in the top 10, Arkansas, Michigan, and South Carolina are the teams that could fall outside of it. West Virginia could make it, but other than the possibility of them, it should be the same teams as the top 10 of the Coaches Poll just in different order. Mountaineer quarterback Geno Smith is also the Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year according to media that cover the conference. Wisconsin may have a longshot chance to break the top ten, but I doubt they will with the negative publicity recently involving the attack on Montee Ball. They will probably be ranked around 12 like in the Coaches Poll and will definitely be in the top 15. 

For other projections, Kansas State should get slightly more credit in the AP than the Coaches and fall at least in the top 20. Texas will also be ranked somewhere in the top 20. Florida and Notre Dame are both on the bubble for the top 25. They each are very well known programs, but both also loom with uncertainty at quarterback going into the 2012 season. Auburn is another team on the bubble to break the rankings.

Last season, I did ranking projections on Saturday nights/ Sunday mornings between midnight and 2 a.m. CST for weeks 5 through 14. Most of the time, I projected the top five teams or close to it with other predictions for teams in top 25 rankings (projected BCS weeks 10 through 14). I correctly projected teams to be ranked in the top five 94 percent of the time and was correct 95 percent on other projections. I was also correct 81 percent of the time on the exact team rankings predicted in the top five (projected rankings here). 

Here is the top 10 for the USA Today Coaches Poll and projections from other sites earlier this year: 

*Select articles on College Football Universe are syndicated with GameDayr.com. Sign up on Gamedayr.com to share anything about gameday or college sports.

 
Other information posted after the top 5 summary & team rankings including SOS, recruiting, coaching changes, and more. 

The 2012 season looks to be another ultra competitive year of college football with conference changes and parity throughout. This year’s landscape is top heavy with powerhouses like LSU, Alabama, USC, and Oregon. But there is also a large assortment of other high quality teams like Michigan and Arkansas that could lead to some surprises by season’s end. The teams ranked in the top 25 above and the 124 FBS teams rated below are based on which teams are the best coming into the 2012 season. The rankings are not based on merit or prediction. First, here is a summary of the top five teams in the College Football Universe preseason rankings.

LSU is rated number one in the preseason CFU rankings and will most likely be the AP number one to begin the 2012 season. The Tigers retain the most talent of the upper echelon in college football. The losses of quarterback duo Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee should not hurt them at all and the addition of Georgia transfer Zach Mettenberger is a definite upgrade at the quarterback position. Most of the highly rated offensive line and running back Spencer Ware are back for 2012 as well as the defense is still stacked. Last season’s Heisman finalist cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, aka the Honey Badger, returns this season. The biggest losses on defense are cornerback Morris Claiborne and defensive tackle Michael Brockers with both going to the NFL. However, teams will still fear the Purple and Gold with the returning talent. 

The USC Trojans were very close to being rated number one on this list, but their lack of depth on the defensive line kept them out of the top slot. However, the skilled players returning on offense make it tempting to write them in as preseason number one. Top rated NFL prospect quarterback Matt Barkley is returning for his senior season along with top notch wide receiver Robert Woods including an arsenal of other targets and a veteran offensive line. Also, the defense is mostly loaded except on the line as previously mentioned. Free safety T.J. Mcdonald leads the way for the defense recently being honored as an All-American and has tallied six interceptions with 156 tackles over the past two seasons. Along with an experienced secondary, the Trojans bring back a very capable linebacker core including sophomores Dion Bailey and Hayes Pullard. A date to mark on the calendar is when Oregon travels to the Coliseum to face USC. They beat the Ducks by just three last season and Oregon looks to be the Trojans stiffest test in 2012. 

Coming in at third is the defending BCS National Champion Alabama. The Crimson Tide also have an argument for number one, but slight uncertainty on defense and the loss of running back Trent Richardson on offense drops them to third. I say slight uncertainty on defense, because the Tide did roll in another top recruiting class with oodles of defensive talent including five star defensive back Landon Collins and they still bring back veterans like safety Robert Lester. However, six players on defense were drafted so with such a heavy loss, the new talent will have to learn quickly. They also keep continuity at the quarterback position with A.J. McCarron in his second season starting and have a stout offensive line led by one of the top linemen in the nation in Barrett Jones. Also, incoming five star freshman T.J. Yeldon was impressive during the Spring game and is a weapon for the Tide at wideout. 

Over recent years, the number four ranked Oregon Ducks have turned into another college football powerhouse including winning the Rose Bowl last season for the first time since 1917 and coach Chip Kelly demonstrating the ability to win the big game after losing two BCS Bowls in a row. They are also a very fun team to watch with their multiple uniforms, lovable mascot, and oh yeah loads of speed on the field. Sophomore running back and kick returner De'Anthony Thomas has blazing speed that can be used in multiple positions exhibited by his nearly 1,000 kick off returns yards, 1,200 receiving/rushing yards, and 18 total touchdowns with two on kickoff return. Redshirt freshman quarterback Marcus Mariota lit up the field with his arm and feet in the Oregon Spring game in which he completed 18 of 26 passes for 202 yards, rushed five times for 99 yards and three total touchdowns with two rushing. Sophomore quarterback Bryan Bennett is also still in the QB competition, but had a poor outing during the Spring game. Either way, the Ducks look to have the position securely filled after the departure of Darron Thomas. 

Michigan rounds out the top five and in Brady Hoke's second season, they should be looked at as a serious BCS National Championship and Rose Bowl contender for 2012. Dual threat quarterback Denard Robinson is back and should be on every preseason Heisman list. Junior tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint along with Robinson gives the offense a nice one-two punch in the running game. Coach Hoke surprised many with the 11-2 record his team compiled in just his first season at Michigan, but he brought in a top 25 recruiting class in 2011 and hauled in a top 10 class for this 2012 season ranked at seven according to Yahoo Rivals. The Wolverines have an experienced defense returning that finished in the top 10 of points allowed per game last season and recruited well in 2012 to plug into the defensive line such as five star defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins. 

Below included in the list of 124 FBS teams ranked are the teams' last season record, returning starters, Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Team Ranking, recent accolades, and impact players for the top 60 teams and 61 thru 124 are ranked with notes on some of the teams. Previous FCS teams in transition to FBS are included. There is other information posted after the team rankings including strength of schedule, recruiting, coaching changes, and more. There are almost 200 links in this preseason guide to other useful information such as Yahoo Rivals for the list of team's recruits, links to NationalChamps.net and PhilSteele.com for returning starters as well as links to various other sites for impact players and many other useful college football scouting links. 

1. LSU Tigers 13-1
Returning Starters: 13
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 18
Recent Accolades: SEC Champion & BCS National Championship Finalist 
Impact Players: CB Tyran Mathieu (14 turnovers & 11 forced fumbles in 25 game career) & DE Barkevious Mingo (10.5 career sacks)

2. USC Trojans 10-2
Returning Starters: 18
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 8
Recent Accolades: Finished 6 in AP Top 25 & best record in Pac-12 South
Impact Players: QB Matt Barkley (9,054 pass yards & 80 TDs in career) & WR Robert Woods (111 receptions, 1,292 rec yards, & 15 TDs in 2011)

3. Alabama Crimson Tide 12-1
Returning Starters: 14
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 1
Recent accolades: Defending BCS National Champion 
Impact Players: S Robert Lester (10 career interceptions) & OL Barrett Jones (35 career starts & 98.5 percent on assignments in 2011)

4. Oregon Ducks 12-2
Returning Starters: 17
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 16
Recent Accolades: Pac-12 & Rose Bowl Champion 
Impact Players: RB DeAnthony Thomas (1,200 rush/rec yards, 16 rush/rec TDs & 2 kick off TDs in 2011) & RB Kenjon Barner (6.2 yards per rush & 14 total TDs in 2011)

5. Michigan Wolverines 11-2
Returning Starters: 16
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 7
Recent Accolades: Sugar Bowl Champion & finished 9 in the USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: QB Denard Robinson (3,349 total yards & 36 total TDs in 2011) & RB Fitzgerald Toussaint (1,041 rush yards in 2011) 

6. Oklahoma Sooners 10-3 
Returning Starters: 18
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 11
Recent Accolades: Insight Bowl Champion & finished 15 in the USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: QB Landry Jones (12,379 pass yards & 93 pass TDs in career) & RB Dominique Whaley (627 rush yards & 9 TDs in 6 games)

7. Arkansas Razorbacks 11-2
Returning Starters: 16
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 34
Recent Accolades: Cotton Bowl Champion & finished 5 in the AP Top 25
Impact Players: QB Tyler Wilson (3,638 pass yards & 28 total TDs in 2011) & RB Knile Davis (1,322 rush yards & 14 total TDs in 2010 season)

8. South Carolina Gamecocks 11-2
Returning Starters: 14
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 19
Recent Accolades: Capital One Bowl Champion & finished 9 in the AP Top 25
Impact Players: RB Marcus Lattimore (124.2 total yards per game & 30 total TDs in career) & DE JaDeveon Clowney (8 sacks, 12 tackles for loss & 5 forced fumbles in 2011)

9. Georgia Bulldogs 10-4
Returning Starters: 16
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 12
Recent Accolades: SEC East Division Champion & finished 19 in the AP Top 25
Impact Players: QB Aaron Murray (3,149 pass yards & 37 total TDs in 2011) & OLB Jarvis Jones (13.5 sacks & 19.5 tackles for loss in 2011)

10. Florida State Seminoles 9-4
Returning Starters: 19
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 6
Recent Accolades: Champ Sports Bowl Champion & finished 23 in AP Top 25
Impact Players: QB E.J. Manuel (2,666 pass yards & 22 total TDs in 2011) & DE Brandon Jenkins (21.5 sacks & 36.5 tackles for loss in career)

11. West Virginia Mountaineers 10-3
Returning Starters: 17
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 48
Recent Accolades: Big East Champion & Orange Bowl Champion
Impact Players: QB Geno Smith (4,385 pass yards & 31 pass TDs in 2011), WR Stedmon Bailey (1,279 yards & 12 TDs in 2011)  & WR Tavon Austin (101 receptions, 1,368 rush/rec yards & 2 kick off TDs in 2011)

12. Kansas State Wildcat 10-3
Returning Starters: 17
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 58
Recent Accolades: Second best record in the Big 12 & finished 15 in AP Top 25
Impact Players: QB Collin Klein (3,059 total yards & 40 total TDs in 2011) & LB Arthur Browns (101 tackles in 2011)

13. Wisconsin Badgers 11-3
Returning Starters: 13
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 56
Recent Accolades: Two consecutive Rose Bowl appearances & finished 10 in AP Top 25
Impact Players: RB Montee Ball (2,229 rush/rec yards & 39 total TDs in 2011), OT Ricky Wagner (38 games played & 24 games started in career) & WR Jared Abbrederis (933 rec yards in 2011) 

14. Virginia Tech Hokies 11-3
Returning Starters: 15
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 22
Recent Accolades: ACC Coastal Division Champion & finished 17 in the USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: QB Logan Thomas (3,482 total yards & 30 total TDs in 2011)

15. Clemson Tigers 10-4
Returning Starters: 17
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 14
Recent Accolades: ACC Champion & finished 22 in the AP Top 25
Impact Players: QB Tahj Boyd (3,828 pass yards & 38 total TDs in 2011) & WR Sammy Watkins (1,450 rec/rush yards, 12 rec TDS & 1 kick off TD in 2011)

16. TCU Horned Frogs 11-2
Returning Starters: 13
Yahoo Rivals Recruting Rank: 37
Recent Accolades: MWC Champion & Poinsettia Bowl Champion
Impact Players: QB Casey Pachall (2,921 pass yards & 27 total TDs in 2011) & DE Stansly Maponga (9 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss & 5 forced fumbles in 2011)

17. Oklahoma State Cowboys 12-1
Returning Starters: 18
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 32
Recent Accolades: Big 12 Champion & Fiesta Bowl Champ
Impact Players: RB Joseph Randle (1,482 rush/rece yards & 26 total TDs in 2011) & CB Brodrick Brown (5 interceptions, 15 passes broken up, & 2 fumble recoveries in 2011)

18. Nebraska Cornhuskers 9-4
Returning Starters: 18
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 25
Recent Accolades: Finished 24 in AP Poll
Impact Players: QB Taylor Martinez (2,963 total yards & 22 total TDs in 2011) & RB Rex Burkhead (1,357 rush yards & 17 total TDs in 2011)

19. Michigan State Spartans 11-3
Returning Starters: 15
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 41
Recent Accolades: Big Ten Legends Division Champion & Outback Bowl Champion 
Impact Players: DE Will Gholston (70 tackles, 16 tackles for loss & 5 sacks in 2011) & RB Le'Veon Bell (1,215 rush/rec yards & 13 rush TDs in 2011)

20. Ohio State Buckeyes 6-7
Returning Starters: 21
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 4
Recent Accolades: New Head Coach Urban Meyer
Impact Players: QB Braxton Miller (1,874 total yards & 20 total TDs in 2011) & DL John Simon (16 tackles for loss & 7 sacks in 2011)

21. Texas Longhorns 8-5
Returning Starters: 16
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 2
Recent Accolades: Holiday Bowl Champion & finished 28 in USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: RB Malcom Brown (742 rush yards & 5 TDs in 2011) & DE Alex Okafor (12.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks & 2 forced fumbles in 2011) 

22. BYU Cougars 10-3
Returning Starters: 18
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 61
Recent Accolades: Armed Forces Bowl Champ & finished 25 in USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: QB Riley Nelson (2,109 total yards & 20 total TDs in 2011) & WR Cody Hoffman (943 rec yards, 10  rec TDs & 1 kick off TD in 2011)

23. Stanford Cardinal 11-2
Returning Starters: 16
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 5
Recent Accolades: Second best record in Pac-12 & finished 7 in the AP Top 25
Impact Players: RB Stepfan Taylor (1,512 rush/rec yards & 12 total TDs in 2011)

24. Boise State Broncos 12-1 
Returning Starters: 12
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 54
Recent Accolades: Las Vegas Bowl Champion & finished 6 in USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: RB D.J. Harper (10 total TDs in 2011)

25. Auburn Tigers 8-5
Returning Starters: 20
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 10
Recent Accolades: Chick-fil-A Bowl Champion & finished 27 in the AP Poll
Impact Players: RB Onterio McCalebb (985 rush/rec yards, 7 rush/rec TDs & 1 kick off TD in 2011) & TE Philip Lutzenkirchen (7 TDs in 2011)

26. Florida Gators 7-6
Returning Starters: 23
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 3
Recent Accolades: Gator Bowl Champion & finished with one vote in the USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: S Matt Elam (11 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions & 2 forced fumbles in 2011) 

27. Missouri Tigers 8-5
Returning Starters:13
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 31
Recent Accolades: Independence Bowl Champion & finished 27 in USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: QB James Franklin (3,846 total yards & 36 total TDs in 2011) & RB Henry Josey (1,168 rush yards, 8.1 yards per rush & 9 TDs in 2011*might not play in 2012 due to injury)

28. Notre Dame Fighting Irish 8-5
Returning Starters: 17
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 20
Recent Accolades: Champ Sports Bowl Berth & finished with one vote in the USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: LB Manti Te'o (128 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss & 5 sacks in 2011)  

29. Washington Huskies 7-6
Returning Starters: 18
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 21
Recent Accolades: Alamo Bowl Berth & finished with two votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: QB Keith Price (3,063 pass yards & 36 total TDs in 2011)

30. NC State Wolf Pack 8-5
Returning Starters: 17
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 53
Recent Accolades: Belk Bowl Champion
Impact Players: CB David Amerson (13 interceptions & 2 TDs in 2011)

31. Utah Utes 8-5
Returning Starters: 21
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 28
Recent Accolades: Sun Bowl Champion
Impact Players: RB John White IV (1,519 rush yards & 17 total TDs in 2011)

32. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 9-4
Returning Starters: 20
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 24
Recent Accolades: Pin Stripe Bowl Champion & finished 30 in USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: LB Khaseem Greene (128 tackles in 2011 & 14 tackles for loss in 2011)

33. Penn State Nittany Lions 9-4
Returning Starters: 14
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 51
Recent Accolades: Ticketcity Bowl Berth & finished second in Big Ten Leaders Division
Impact Players: RB Silas Redd (1,241 rush yards & 7 TDs in 2011)

34. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 8-5
Returning Starters: 19
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 56 
Recent Accolades: Sun Bowl Berth
Impact players: QB Tevin Washington (2,639 total yards & 25 total TDs in 2011)

35. Baylor Bears 10-3
Returning Starters: 19
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 45
Recent Accolades: Alamo Bowl Champion & finished 12 in the USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: WR Terrance Williams (957 yards & 11 TDs in 2011)

36. Cincinnati Bearcats 10-3
Returning Starters: 15
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 50
Recent Accolades: Liberty Bowl Champion & finished 21 in USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: S Drew Frey (199 tackles & 6 interceptions in career)

37. Mississippi State Bulldogs 7-6
Returning Starters: 17
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 30
Recent Accolades: Music City Bowl Champion
Impact Players: OG Gabe Jackson (60 takedowns in 12 games in 2011)

38. Virginia Cavaliers 8-5
Returning Starters: 13
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 27
Recent Accolades: Chick-fil-A Bowl Berth & finished with four votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: QB Michael Rocco (2,671 pass yards & 15 total TDs in 2011)

39. Louisville Cardinals 7-6
Returning Starters: 21
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 42
Recent Accolades: Belk Bowl Berth
Impact Players: S Hakeem Smith (172 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles & 10 pass break ups in 2 seasons) & CB Adrian Bushell (2 blocked kicks & 100 yard kick off return TD in 2011)

40. Texas A&M Aggies 7-6
Returning Starters: 20
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 15
Recent Accolades: Meinek Car Care Bowl Champion & finished with five votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: WR Ryan Swope (1,207 rec yards & 11 TDs in 2011)

41. Tennessee Volunteers 5-7
Returning Starters: 24
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 17
Recent Accolades: Two seasons under Head Coach Derek Dooley
Impact Players: QB Tyler Bray (283.3 pass yards per game & 18 total TDs in 7 games in 2011) & WR Da'Rick Rogers (1,040 rec yards & 9 TDs in 2011)

42. Arkansas State Red Wolves 10-3
Returning Starters: 10
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 68
Recent Accolades: Sun Belt Champion & finished with one vote in the USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: QB Ryan Aplin (4,176 total yards & 29 total TDs in 2011)

43. UCLA 6-8
Returning Starters: 16
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 13
Recent Accolades: Pac-12 South Division Champion
Impact Players: QB Kevin Prince (2,252 total yards & 13 total TDs in 2011) & RB Johnathan Franklin (2,669 rush yards & 19 total TDs in career)

44. Illinois Fighting Illini 7-6
Returning Starters:18
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 64
Recent Accolades: Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl Champion
Impact Players: QB Nathaan Scheelhaase (2,734 pass/rush yards & 19 total TDs in 2011) & LB Johnathan Brown (108 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, & 2 fumble recoveries in 2011)

45. North Carolina Tar Heels 7-6
Returning Starters: 17
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 44
Recent Accolades: Independence Bowl Berth 
Impact Players: RB Giovani Bernard (1,615 rush/rec yards & 14 total TDs in 2011) & OG Jonathan Cooper (47 knockdowns in 2011)

46. Texas Tech Red Raiders 5-7
Returning Starters: 25
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 26
Recent Accolades: Two seasons under Head Coach Tommy Tuberville
Impact Players: QB Seth Doege (4,004 pass yards & 32 total TDs in 2011) & OT LaAdrian Waddle (27 career starts & 25 consecutive starts  in 2010 & 2011)

47. Ohio Bobcats 10-4 
Returning Starters: 15
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 79
Recent Accolades: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Champion & MAC East Division Champion
Impact Players: QB Tyler Tettleton (3,964 pass/rush yards & 38 total TDs in 2011)
 
48. Vanderbilt Commodores 6-7
Returning Starters: 25
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 29 
Recent Accolades: Liberty Bowl Berth
Impact Players: RB Zac Stacy (1,193 rush yards & 14 TDs in 2011)

49. Miami (FL) 6-6 
Returning Starters: 14
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 9
Recent Accolades: One season under Head Coach Al Golden
Impact Players: S Ray-Ray Armstrong (134 tackles & 4 interceptions in career)

50. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 6-7
Returning Starters: 14
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 69
Recent Accolades: Music City Bowl Berth
Impact Players: QB Tanner Price (3,017 pass yards & 21 total TDs in 2011) & DT Nikita Whitlock (14 tackles for loss in 2011)

51. Iowa Hawkeyes 7-6
Returning Starters: 14
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 43
Recent Accolades: Insight Bowl Berth
Impact Players: QB James Vandenberg (3,022 pass yards & 28 total TDss in 2011) & CB Micah Hyde (72 tackles, 3 interceptions & 8 pass break ups in 2011)

52. Southern Miss Golden Eagles 12-2
Returning Starters: 14
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 70
Recent Accolades: Conference USA Champion & Hawaii Bowl Champion
Impact Players: RB Jamal Woodyard (891 total yards, 6.7 yards per rush & 5 total TDs in 2011) 

53. Purdue Boilermakers 7-6
Returning Starters: 16
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 33
Recent Accolades: Little Caesar's Bowl Champion
Impact Players: DT Kawann Short (17 tackles for loss & 6.5 sacks in 2011) & KR/RB Raheem Mostert (837 kick return yards & 1 kick off TD in 2011)

54. California Bears 7-6
Returning Starters: 11 
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 23
Recent Accolades: Holiday Bowl Berth
Impact Players: QB Zach Maynard (2,990 pass yards & 21 total TDs in 2011)

55. Pitt Panthers 6-7
Returning Starters: 15
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 47
Recent Accolades: BBVA Compass Bowl Berth
Impact Players: QB Tito Sunseri (2,616 pass yards & 14 total TDs in 2011) & RB Ray Graham (2,688 rush/rec yards & 23 total TDs in career)

56. Kentucky Wildcats 5-7
Returning Starters: 13
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 62
Recent Accolades: Two seasons under Head Coach Joker Phillips
Impact Players: OG Larry Warford (34 knockdown blocks & 1 sack allowed in 2011)

57. South Florida Bulls 5-7
Returning Starters: 19
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 49
Recent Accolades: Two seasons under Head Coach Skip Holtz
Impact Players: QB B.J. Daniels (3,205 total yards & 19 total TDs in 2011) & DE Ryne Giddins (11 tackels for loss, 5.5 sacks & 3 forced fumbles in 2011)

58. Houston Cougars 13-1
Returning Starters: 14
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 59
Recent Accolades: Ticketcity Bowl Champion, Conference USA West Division Champion & finished 14 in USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: RB Charles Sims (1,396 total yards & 13 total TDs in 2011)

59. Northwestern Wildcats 6-7
Returning Starters: 12
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 60
Recent Accolades: Meineke Car Care Bowl Berth
Impact Players: QB Kain Colter (1,793 pass/rush/rec yards & 18 total TDs in 2011)

60. Louisiana Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns 9-4
Returning Starters: 12
Yahoo Rivals Recruiting Rank: 95
Recent Accolades: New Orleans Bowl Champion & finished with one vote in USA Today Coaches Poll
Impact Players: QB Blaine Gautier (3,444 pass/rush yards & 26 total TDs in 2011) & WR Javone Lawson (1,092 rec yards & 8 TDs in 2011)

61. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 8-5 *Won last 7 season games & impact player WR Quinton Patton 
62. SMU Mustangs 8-5 *Impact player RB Zach Line
63. Northern Illinois Huskies 11-3 *Defending MAC Champion & impact player DE Alan Baxter
64. UCF Knights 5-7 *6 of 7 losses by a touchdown or less & team ranked top 10 in defense points allowed per game 
65. Iowa State Cyclones 6-7 *Only team to defeat Oklahoma State last season 
66. San Diego State 8-5 *17 wins in the last 2 seasons
67. Temple Owls 9-4 *26 wins over past 3 seasons & team ranked in top 5 in defense points allowed per game
68. Arizona State Sun Devils 6-7 *Signed 38th ranked recruiting class according to Yahoo Rivals
69. Wyoming Cowboys 8-5 *Impact QB Brett Smith
70. Navy Midshipmen 5-7
71. Washington State Cougars 4-8 *New Head Coach Mike Leach 
72. Toledo Rockets 9-4 *Team ranked in top 10 offense points per game 
73. Ole Miss Rebels 2-10 *New Head Coach Hugh Freeze
74. Florida International Panthers 8-5 *Return 19 starters
75. Tulsa Golden Hurricane 8-5
76. Nevada Wolfpack 7-6 *28 wins over the past 3 seasons
77. Marshall Thundering Herd 7-6
78. Kansas Jayhawks 2-10 *New Head Coach Charlie Weis & Notre Dame transfer QB Dayne Crist eligible to play
79. Utah State Aggies 7-6 *5 of 6 losses by a touchdown or less
80. Maryland Terrapins 2-10 *Signed 5 star recruit WR Stefon Diggs & second season under Randy Edsall 
81. Colorado Buffaloes 3-10 *Signed 36th ranked recruiting class according to Yahoo Rivals
82. Oregon State Beavers 3-9 *Signed 39th ranked recruiting class according to Yahoo Rivals
83. Arizona Wildcats 4-8 
84. Syracuse Orange 5-7
85. Connecticut Huskies 5-7
86. Boston College Eagles 4-8
87. Fresno State Bulldogs 4-9
88. Air Force Falcons 7-6
89. Hawaii Warriors 6-7 
90. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 7-5 
91. Western Michigan Broncos 7-6
92. Eastern Michigan Eagles 6-6 
93. Ball State Cardinals 6-6
94. Miami (OH) Redhawks 4-8
95. East Carolina Pirates 5-7
96. Bowling Green Falcons 5-7
97. UTEP Miners 5-7
98. UAB Blazers 3-9
99. North Texas Mean Green 5-7
100. Army Black Knights 3-9 
101 Troy Trojans 3-9 
102. Duke Blue Devils 3-9 
103. Kent State Golden Flashes 5-7
104. Minnesota Golden Gophers 3-9
105. San Jose State Spartans 5-7
106. Louisiana Monroe Warhawks 4-8
107. Rice Owls 4-8 
108. Memphis Tigers 2-10 
109. New Mexico Lobos 1-11
110. New Mexico State Aggies 4-9
111. Indiana Hoosiers 1-11
112. Central Michigan Chippewas 3-9
113. Colorado State Rams 3-9 
114. Tulane Green Wave 2-11
115. UNLV Rebels 2-10 
116. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 2-10
117. Buffalo Bulls 3-9
118. Florida Atlantic Owls 1-11
119. Idaho Vandals 2-10
120. Akron Zips 1-11
121. UTSA Roadrunners 4-6 *Previous FCS team in transition to FBS
122. Massachusetts Minutemen 5-6 *Previous FCS team in transition to FBS
123. Texas State Bobcats 6-6 *Previous FCS team in transition to FBS
124. South Alabama Jaguars 6-4 *Previous FCS team in transition to FBS
*Included in the returning starters are also kickers, punters, & multiple starters