Clemson Tigers: Surprise Team of 2011

The Clemson Tigers are looking more and more like the class of the ACC this football season. Today, the 11th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies were their latest victim, who managed to put up just a measly field goal on their home turf.

The 23-3 Virginia Tech win capped off a streak of three straight ranked wins for the Tigers. Auburn and Florida State also fell to Clemson, who was unranked to start the year.

The Auburn win was the one that put the Tigers on the national radar. Then they managed to knock off Florida State with a five point win. And today, they pulled off upset number three, this time with a more convincing win on the road at rowdy Lane Stadium.

So now, Clemson finds themselves unbeaten, at 5-0. An undefeated season? It's early, but not out of the question. They only have two more ranked opponents remaining in their schedule: at Georgia Tech, and probably their toughest game of the season, at 10th-ranked South Carolina. Even if they fall to the Gamecocks, and BCS Bowl Game could be well in Clemson's sight.

Earlier today, ESPN's KC Joyner wrote a piece saying how with a win over Clemson,Virginia Tech would be the surest bet to play in the BCS title game. Now that Clemson knocked off the Hokies, does this apply to them as well? We'll have to wait and see.

But one thing we do know is quarterback Tajh Boyd has emerged out of nowhere to become an early season Heisman candidate. The stats say it all: 90-136 for 1255 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just one pick heading into the Va. Tech game. Scary thing is, he's only a sophomore and a first-year starter. He could lead this program into national powerhouse status over the next few years. With the way Clemson has played so far, you could argue they have already reached that stage.

Harbaugh to the Niners

Even though quarterback Andrew Luck has decided to return for his senior year (he might want to reconsider his decision), his now former coach Jim Harbaugh has left him and Stanford for the NFL, to coach the San Francisco 49ers. As the Cardinal are expecting a drop-off next season after a blowout win over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, Harbaugh favored a five year, 25 million dollar deal to head to San Fran and join his brother coaching in the pros.

Many other teams, in both the NFL and NCAA, were courting Harbaugh to coach their team, most notably the Miami Dolphins and Michigan University, where he went to school and played there as the team's quarterback. Michigan is now still looking for a replacement for recently fired Rich Rodriguez, after a miserable past three years in which the usual powerhouse went 15-22 overall. The Dolphins still have a coach in Tony Sparano, but had talks with Harbaugh anyway, which seemingly lost Sparano power with both his players and in the organization.

So why did he choose the 49ers? As of right now, they aren't in the greatest shape. Well, for one, San Fran offered him the most money, lucrative terms for a coach. He must see it as an opportunity to turn a team around, to convert the 49ers the consistent contenders they once were.

Tyrod Taylor's NFL QB Chances

Throughout his time at Virginia Tech, and particularly this season, quarterback Tyrod Taylor has made extraordinary plays. Why, then, does ESPN's Todd McShay have him unranked for NFL Draft prospects at quarterback, and 25th in receiver? Why should a guy who's been a quarterback his entire college career suddenly switch to receiver? Why wouldn't he make a quality NFL quarterback?

The same was said for the Broncos' Tim Tebow. He should be a tight end, they said. Well, he's fixed up his mechanics and now has a few starts under his belt. He's no Peyton Manning, but he's formidable. Look at Michael Vick. His and Taylor's stats are extremely comparable for their Virginia Tech careers, Taylor's actually slightly better than Vick's in some categories. And look what Vick has done.

Taylor's stats this year are 23 TDs, just 4 INTs, for 2521 yards, and a 60% completion rate. Why, then, should no one give him a shot as a quarterback in the NFL? Is is just because he is a scrambler at times? He stays in the pocket most of the time, but runs to escape the rush. Sure, his mechanics aren't great, and he probably doesn't know a pro offense, but neither did Tebow. It was similar to the offense Vick played in.

By no means am I saying a team should pick Taylor over a top QB such as Stanford's Andrew Luck, who is said to be pro-ready at this moment, as he and Taylor are currently clashing in the Orange Bowl. I just think some team should give Tyrod Taylor a shot. He could be another Michael Vick, you just never know.

Boise St. vs. BCS

It seems that how ever many times Boise St. goes undefeated in the regular season, they won't get a chance to play for the BCS National Championship. In the wake of another undefeated season, they find themselves behind Oregon and Auburn (as well as TCU, another mid-major, who is 3rd) in the BCS standings, which is perfectly expected. This is because of the mid-major power's strength of schedule, their biggest wins over then 10th-ranked Virginia Tech and then 24th ranked Oregon St, neither of which are still ranked. So it makes sense they are behind, however, not necessarily fair. Because it's not entirely Boise's fault they don't get powerhouse opponents such as an Oregon or Alabama, but, rather, that these teams are basically scared to face the Broncos, fearing a loss to a mid-major that will remove their team from the championship hunt. TCU is in the exact same situation as Boise, but both will likely have to settle for the same situation as they did last year, in a BCS Bowl, but not the one everyone will have their eyes on. Last year they duked it out for a close Boise win, but the fans of these schools and mid-majors in general, wish they'd get a shot against a power BCS school.
   
Of course, there is another solution that only makes too much sense for college football to implement, a playoff. Or we could just watch two 6-6 schools play it out in the EagleBank Bowl so college football can have more sponsors. Why they can't switch to a playoff, like every other sport, is beyond me. The format doesn't even matter at this point. But what does matter, is that every deserving team gets a shot at a college football, not BCS, title.