I made a thread like this last year and people really seemed to enjoy the write-up. It even got published on the main page for visitors of the site to see so that really influenced me to make this thread again with the much anticipated release of NCAA 11. If you’re tired of seeing the Alabama’s, the Florida’s, the Ohio St.’s, the Texas’, etc. well this is the thread for you. If you’re looking to build up an unknown in a BCS conference, then this is the thread for you. If you’re looking to play with a unique offense, this is the thread for you. Or if you’re just like me and like to try out different teams, then this is the thread for you. The greatest value in NCAA for me is that there are 120 teams!!! All of these teams unique in different ways. This thread is to make you aware of some of these teams and enhance your experience with the game and add to its replay value.
I have broken these teams into two categories; BCS Conference teams and Non-BCS Conference teams. The BCS teams are teams that are overlooked because they are overshadowed by the perennial powers in their respective conferences. These teams may lack depth, but that doesn’t mean they lack talent. The Non-BCS teams are overlooked because they are perceived as weaker overall teams. As we’ve seen more then ever this decade, this is not the case. Teams like Boise, TCU, BYU, and Utah (none of these teams are included in my list because they aren’t “sleepers” any longer) have competed and even beat the “big boys” and have opened the door other teams to do the same. You should notice a theme with these teams, they usually all have at least one horse that they rely on and I will note that in my individual team write-ups.
So without further ado here is a list of must use sleeper teams in NCAA Football 11.
BCS Conference Teams
Vanderbilt: This team really has never been able to climb the hurdle in the SEC, but they produce some quality football players most notably Denver Broncos QB Jay Cutler. On offense, it all starts with SEC Freshman of the Year, RB Warren Norman. Norman checks in at 87 overall. A good elusive back with 90+ in all the speed categories. Your going to want to gameplan around him. Spelling him is fellow sophomore Zac Stacy. Stacy is an 83 overall. If you like to pound the rock, give this team a try. Under center is Jr. QB Larry Smith. Smith is mobile (84 speed, 86 accel), decent arm (86 THP), but not that accurate (80 THA). Backing him up is Aaron Rodgers’ little brother Jordan. Not highly rated but interesting to note. Also of note is two 80+ overall receivers and a decent OLine. On defense they are lead by the man in the middle, MLB Chris Marve. The Jr. registered 121 tackles last year. He comes in at 88 overall, decent speed, but 95 Tackle and 92 Hit Power!!! This guy is a beast.
Indiana: You’re going to want to use the Hoosiers for their Pistol offense. They have some talent at the skill positions. Taking the snaps out of the Pistol is Sr. QB Ben Chappell. Chappell is a big guy at 6’3 240 with decent mobility and a pretty good arm (88 THP/THA). He throws to arguably the best receiver corpse in the Big Ten. All of them are BIG too; none under 6’0. The top three are 6’3+. They are led by All-Big Ten Jr. Tandon Doss (6’3 195;88 OVR). This guy can run (90 speed/91 accel), jump, and when he catches the ball he can break tackles. Opposite him is 6’5 target Demarlo Belcher (85 OVR). When in doubt, THROW IT UP!!! And to complete the trio is Sophomore RB Darius Willis (85 OVR). A big RB checking in at 225 lbs (89 speed/accel, 86 AGL). More of a power RB to pound in between the tackles. Overall, this is a pretty scary offense with a good OLine. The defense is a few notches behind the offense (only one guy 80+ overall). Only one of note is SR. LB Tyler Replogle (84 OVR). Not overly fast, but quick and can tackle (90 TAK).
Minnesota: The Gophers are average across the board at every position. I just put them on this list because of their QB. And no I’m not talking about starter Adam Weber. I’m talking about backup SO. MarQueis Gray (81 OVR). A big tall QB at 6’4 222, Gray has some wheels (90 SPD/ACC) and a good enough arm (86/83 THP/THA). Being Minnesota is a spread team, Gray could be a dangerous player if used properly.
Baylor: You use Baylor for one reason, their QB Robert Griffin (92 OVR). Griffin has some wheels (84 SPD, 92 AGL, 99 ACC) and a big arm (92 THP). He can even shed tacklers (92 BTK). Griffin is going to be a monster in Baylor’s spread offense. Complimenting him are WR’s Kendall Wright (86 OVR) and Lanear Sampson (83 OVR). Average OLine. Average on defense, but a man of note is NT Phil Taylor (6’4 355; 80 OVR).
Kansas State: This is pretty much a one man team, but that one man could win you some games. His name is Daniel Thomas (91 OVR). The senior is a big dude (6’2 230) and can absolutely crush a defense (94 TRK). Oh and the former QB can also throw the ball. Put this guy in the wildcat and he could be a nightmare for a defense. He can single-handedly win games. On defense, nothing noteworthy- good LB’s decent secondary.
Iowa St.: Much like K-State, ISU is led by their Sr. HB Alexander Robinson (89 OVR). Robinson is a smaller back (5’9 186) but he is elusive and can shed tacklers with his decent speed (90 SPD, 92 ACC). Handing him the ball is Sr. Austen Arnaud (83 OVR). Nothing special but he is mobile and has an average arm (84 THP 85 THA). On defense they are strong up the middle (DT’s, LB’s, S’s) and that is always a plus.
Duke: Believe it or not Duke has a football team and they were one win away from being Bowl eligible. They are led by highly touted So. QB Sean Renfree (81 OVR). Mobile QB (82 SPD) and very accurate (88 THA). He also has good receivers to throw to (90 OVR, 85 OVR, 82 OVR) led by Jr. Donovan Varner (90 OVR); small but uick and can catch the football. Average but respectable defense.
Arizona St.: If you like to throw the ball, Arizona St. runs an Air Raid system. Chucking the ball is 6’5 237 Michigan transfer Steven Threet. He has a big arm (91 THP) and quality receivers to throw to (85,83,83 OVR). But the best reason to use ASU is to play with Super Soph LB Vontaze Burfict (89 OVR). This guy is a superstar. A big LB (6’3 245) that can run and hit. He is the key cog of a pretty solid defense; specifically the LB corpse. Oh and they have arguably the best kicker in the country.
UConn: This team won 8 games last year, but I still don’t think they get the respect they should. This team is just solid all around. On offense it all starts with Jr. RB Jordan Todman (88 OVR). The guy is not real big, not real fast, but he just gets the job done. He can break tackles and carry your offense. Under center is ND transfer Zach Frazer. Nothing special but he has a strong arm (88 THP) and can manage the game for you. UConn is a team your going to want to pound the football and control the clock with. On defense, they have a great front seven and great LB’s. The secondary is a question mark.
Non-BCS Conference Teams
Air Force: Air Force has a uniue offense in that they can line up in the flexbone one play and then the shotgun the very next play. They are a run first team led by FB Jared Tew (86 OVR) and HB Asher Clark (84 OVR). Tew is a bulldozer who if he hits the open field, he can take it the distance. HB/Wing Back Asher Clark is small but pretty quick and he can even play QB (72 THP, 70 THA; he has played QB before so it’s not unrealistic). The #1 receiver is 6’5 Kevin Fogler (83 OVR). Leading the offense is Jr. QB Tim Jefferson is a typical option QB; below average arm and pretty good wheels. Definitely want to be a run first team. One defense, AF has one of the best CB duos in the country in Anthony Wright (90 OVR) and Reggie Rembert (87 OVR). As good as the secondary is, the front seven is just as bad, but two “shutdown” corners can make any DLine look good.
Houston: I know they have a preseason ranking, but I never seen anyone use them last year. If you like to throw the football, there is no better offense in the game to use. Led by the best QB in the game Case Keenum (97 OVR), the Cougers can score in a flash. Keenum has pinpoint accuracy (96 THA!!!) and a plethora of wideouts to toss to (4 80+ OVR). They aren’t big, but they sure are quick. They are headed by James Cleveland (92 OVR). He’s more of a possession guy/deep threat. The guy to look for is the diminutive Tyron Carrier (89 OVR). Only 5’8 but he has some jets (92 SPD, 96 ACC). Utilize him on screens and in the return game. And when your not chucking the ball around, the Cougars have two capable RB’s in Charles Sims (82 OVR) and Bryce Beall (83 OVR); back-to-back C-USA Freshman of the Year. Pretty much identical backs who are fast and can catch the football. You want to take advantage of the defense anticipating the pass and hit them with some draws and inside handoffs. The defense is average at best, but one player of note is MLB Marcus McGraw (82 OVR). Undersized, but he is fast.
Tulsa: There aren’t many noteworthy players, but Tulsa is one of the most innovated teams in the country. They always have a unique and high powered offense and run a 3-3-5 defense. Some players to note are QB GJ Kinne (84 OVR), WR Damaris Johnson (90 OVR), and FB/H-Back Charles Clay (73 OVR; he got shafted but still has good skills). Kinne is a mobile QB (80 SPD, 84 ACC) and has a good arm (87 THP/88 THA). Johnson is only 5’8 but is fast (91 SPD, 93 ACC) and can return kicks. Clay can do it all; run, catch, block. You can utilize him in a number of different ways.
SMU: After years of turmoil, SMU finally made it to a bowl game under the direction of June Jones’ Run and Shoot offense. They didn’t get much love in the ratings department, but the offense should still be fun to watch. So. QB Kyle Padron (78 OVR) is a little underrated, but should still be fine. The main back is big Zach Line (6’1 238; 78 OVR). Not overly fast, but he can run guys over (88 BTK, 90 TRK); perfect for inside handoffs and draws. The receivers are all small, but quick. #1 receiver is Aldrick Robinson (83 OVR).
UTEP: The Miners are on this list for one man only and his name is RB Donald Buckram (90 OVR). Buckram came out of no where last year and carried the team. Not big (5’10 195), but very fast (92 SPD, 96 ACC) and can shed some tacklers if need be. Joining him is fellow Sr. QB Trevor Vittatoe (80 OVR). Vittatoe has some mobility (79 SPD) decent arm strength (85 THP), but not very accurate (80 THA). His main target is WR Kris Adams (6’3). He can stretch the field and go up and get the football. Defense is below average.
Rice: The Owls are pretty bad, but I just wanted to mention Michigan transfer, So. RB Sam McGuffie (80 OVR). He might be able to carry your team if you get him the ball. Extremely fast (93 SPD, 94 ACC), elusive (89 ELU), and is 99 in the jump category (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyki-tSP1yE).
UCF: For those of you who don’t know, EA Tibiron is located near the UCF campus and some members of the staff are alumnus so UCF gets some love. They did go 8-5 last year so I can’t complain really. They have a good team. Leading the offense is Jr. Brynn Harvey (86 OVR). He won’t wow you but he is just a good all-around back. Only thing I see is no real threat at QB. The starter is Rob Calabrese (75 OVR). He’s mobile, but has poor accuracy. Your best option is probably True Freshman (#2) Jeffrey Godfrey. He’s fast (80 SPD 85 ACC) and has a better arm (84 THP/THA). The defense is pretty stacked and it starts with DE Bruce Miller (91 OVR). The starting LB’s are all 80+ OVR as well.
Southern Miss: If you want to play with the best receiver no one knows about, then the Golden Eagles are your team. Meet DeAndre Brown (6’6 240; 91 OVR). He’s fast (93 SPD, 94 ACC) and he can go up and get it (96 JMP). He’s a matchup nightmare. The Golden Eagles have two options at QB to throw him the ball. Option #1 is the mobile Austin Davis (82 OVR) and option #2 is the strong armed Martevious Young (79 OVR; 89 THP). I don’t think you can go wrong with either guy. They lost 4-time 1,000 yard rusher Damian Fletcher, so there are some unproven guys in the backfield. On defense, Southern Miss has one of the best LB corpse in the game, headed by the speedy man in the middle- Korey Williams (87 OVR). Average everywhere else on D, but that LB group can make up for it.
Marshall: I wanted to point out Marshall for two players. LB Mario Harvey (84 OVR) is 6’0 250 and he can bring the wood (94 Hit Power). He is also very fast (85 SPD, 87 ACC). The other guy is Clemson transfer QB Willy Korn (79 OVR). Korn if you remember was one of the most highly sought after QB’s coming out of high school. Things didn’t quite workout at Clemson, but the kid still has talent. He can move a little bit, and has a strong arm (88 THP).
Nevada: The ‘Pack lead the nation in rushing last year utilizing their Pistol offense. The catalyst? Colin Kaepernick (6’6; 91 OVR). You wouldn’t expect a man of his stature to run by people, but he can do just that (88 SPD, 85 ACC). He’s no slouch throwing the rock either (88 THP, 85 THA). When he’s not doing his thing, he hands off to his partner RB Vai Taua (91 OVR). Taua is a downhill power runner that can punish, but if given a crease, can take it to the house (92 SPD/ACC).
Idaho: The Vandals have long competed as the worst team in Division I football. Last year however, they came out of the gate on fire and rode it to a bowl game. They are lead on offense by NFL-caliber QB Nathan Enderle (79 OVR). This pocket passer has a big arm (88 THP/86 THA). He has two quick backs to hand the ball off to in Deonte Jackson (72 OVR) and Princeton McCarty (75 OVR). On defense they return 10 starters.
Navy: The Midshipmen will be on my list every year, because they just keep plugging in “un-prototypical” players into their flexbone offense and WIN. This year they are lead by Sr. QB Ricky Dobbs (88 OVR). Dobbs rushed for an incredible 27 TD’s last year and also added 6 through the air. If you seen this guy play his heart out against Ohio State, then you would know just how great this guy is. He is one of the best option QB’s I have ever seen. Not only is he fast (90 SPD, 87 ACC), but he is a tough little runner that can run in between the tackles effectively. He also has a strong arm (88 THP). Lining up behind him is FB Vince Murray (88 OVR). Murray is not only a bulldozer, but he can take it the distance if you give him a crease (85 SPD, 90 ACC).
Temple: Another team that used to compete for the worst team in College Football. Temple turned the ship around and won 9 games. They were lead by true freshman Bernard Pierce (88 OVR). At first glance he’s nothing spectacular, but he just gets it. He’s got the speed to take it the distance (90 SPD, 93 ACC) and he runs with power. This guy will carry your offense. They have a solid defense although they got shafted by EA.
Ohio: Another Pistol team makes the list. This year they are lead by 6th year Sr. Boo Jackson (83 OVR). Jackson can run, although he has an average arm. His main target will be LaVon Brazill (81 OVR). This big play threat is also a return specialist. On defense they are lead by the man in the middle, LB Noah Keller (84 OVR). Keller is quick (86 ACC) and is a sure tackler (93 TAK).
Middle Tennessee St.: The Blue Raiders quietly won 10 games last year. So quiet that EA inexplicably gave the heart and sole of their team, QB Dwight Dasher, an 81 OVR. Even though he’s underrated, Dasher still has some ability. He is extremely quick (84 SPD/ACC, 85 AGL). He can certainly be dangerous in there wide open offense. Lining up next to him in the shotgun is Sr. RB Philip Tanner (82 OVR). Tanner has decent speed (88) and he has the ability to break tacklers. The read option might be deadly with this combo.
Troy: Troy, like every year, has talent; specifically on the offensive side. It starts with star wideout Jerrel Jernigan (91 OVR). Jernigan is small, but is one of the fastest and explosive receivers in the game (94 SPD, 96 ACC). Your going to want to get the ball in this guys hands as much as possible because he can make things happen. At QB you have two options Dantavious Parker (77 OVR) or Jamie Hampton (76 OVR). Parker is your runner and Hampton is your thrower. A platoon might work well with these two. Troy’s RB’s are small, but quick. DaJuan Harris (84 OVR) and Shawn Southward (75 OVR). Southward is a little faster, but Harris can shed more tackles.
North Texas: This team is awful, but if you want a challenge, there is a hidden gem- RB Lance Dunbar (84 OVR). Only has 86 SPD, but 94 ACC and 89 ELU so he can get you some production. Good luck throwing. Their best QB was moved to receiver (#11 Riley Dodge). Maybe you can put him back at QB.
*If you have some other teams you feel are sleepers, post below and give some reasons. Hope you guys find this useful.
*For PS3 guys, feel free to add me if you’re looking to try out some teams: Gator3guy