By SAM KHAN JR., Copyright 2011 Houston Chronicle Updated 11:08 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2011
There are many things that must go right for a non-automatic-qualifying conference team to finish a season undefeated and earn a spot in one of the prestigious Bowl Championship Series games. A look at some of the key ingredients, according to coaches who have done it before:
Even great teams need a little luck, including on the injury report. While every team will have bumps and bruises, having the good fortune of avoiding major injuries is key.
In the BCS era, just about every BCS buster has had one of the nation's top quarterbacks on its roster. A veteran quarterback who is poised and a proven winner is invaluable.
It's incredibly cliché to hear a coach say, "We're taking it one game at a time," but coaches swear by the approach. Not looking ahead is a must.
If you're from a non-AQ conference, you have to go undefeated to get into a BCS bowl. So having a manageable schedule can go a long way toward achieving that goal.
Chemistry and leadership help a team stay together through tough times and avoid distractions during good ones. When pressure mounts as a team approaches 9-0 or 10-0, chemistry and leadership can make a difference.
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