2012 Record: 9-3 (4-2 in WAC)

Head Coach: Skip Holtz (First Year at La Tech, 88-71 All-Time)

Last Bowl Game: 2011 Poinsettia Bowl: lost to TCU 31-24

Stadium: "The Joe" in Ruston, LA (capacity = 30,600)

Home Field Advantage: ranked 11th out of 55 mid-major teams

Conference Affiliation: Will Join Conference USA for 2013 season

2012 Record: 7-6 (4-4 in Sun Belt)

Head Coach: Bobby Petrino (First Year at WKU, 75-26 All-Time)

Last Bowl Game: 2012 LIttle Caesars Bowl: lost to CMU 24-21

Stadium: "The Houch" in Bowling Green, KY (capacity = 22,113)

Home Field Advantage: ranked 29th out of 55 mid-major teams

College Football never ceases to deliver storylines. Whether we are talking about controversies like playoffs, allegations, coaching hot seats or conference re-alignment or if we are talking about players bursting on the scene and teams coming out of the woodwork there is always something to talk about in college football.

2012 Record: 9-4 (4-4 in MAC)

Head Coach: Frank Solich (59-44 at Ohio, 117-63 All-Time)

Four Year Win Trend: 9 wins and 4.5 losses per year (5.75 wins and 2.25 losses in MAC)

Last Bowl Game: 2012 Independence Bowl: beat ULM 45-14

Stadium: Peden Stadium in Athens, OH (capacity = 24,000)

Home Field Advantage: ranked 16th out of 55 mid-major teams

Every year there are surprise teams in college football. Last year, teams like Notre Dame and Texas A&M greatly exceeded their pre-season hype. Teams like Utah State, Oregon State, San Jose State and Vanderbilt finished in the final AP Top 25. A couple of days ago, we looked at darkhorse Heisman candidates in our roundtable. Today we look at under the radar teams that fans should keep their eye on this year.

2012 Record: 11-3 (8-0 in MAC)

Head Coach: Paul Haynes (first year as head coach)

Last Bowl Game: 2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl: lost to Arkansas State 17-13

Stadium: Dix Stadium in Kent, OH (capacity = 20,500)

Home Field Advantage: ranked 15th out of 55 mid-major teams

If you were to look back at the 2010 favorites to win the Heisman Trophy, Cam Newton's name would be nowhere on that list. In 2011, RG3 was a name that was mentioned as a possibility but he wasn't in the top ten when the pre-season odds came out. Last year, Johnny Manziel didn't sniff a watch list. The recent trend for Heisman trophy winners is that the favorites have been outshined by players that have come from relative obscurity. 

2012 Record: 4-8 (4-4 in Conference USA)

2012 Preview

Head Coach: Justin Fuente (4-8 as first year head coach in 2012)

Last Bowl Game: 2008 St Petersburg Bowl: lost to USF 41-14

Stadium: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, TN (capacity = 36,000)

Home Field Advantage: ranked 33rd out of 55 mid-major teams

Conference Affiliation: joins the American Athletic Conference for 2013

2012 Record: 0-12 (0-8 in C-USA)

Head Coach: Todd Monken (First Year Head Coach)

Last Bowl Game: 2011 Sheraton Bowl: beat Nevada 24-17

Stadium: M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, MS (capacity = 36,000)

Home Field Advantage: ranked 45th out of 55 mid-major teams

2012 Record: 4-8 (2-4 in WAC)

Head Coach: Dennis Franchione (197-115-2 All-Time)

Stadium: Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, TX (capacity = 30,000)

Home Field Advantage: ranked 37th out of 55 mid-major teams

Affiliation: will begin play in Sun Belt this season