As we embark on the 2011, the college football landscape has been drastically altered since we kicked off a year ago. The long arm of the NCAA law reached far and wide, which has North Carolina and Ohio State with interim head coaches. But far more meaningful was conference realignment, ushered in by the arrogant actions of The University of Texas, which led to departures from the Big XII as Colorado goes to the Pac 10 (now the Pac 12 with Utah also coming aboard) and Nebraska moving to the Big Ten. It will be interesting. Last fall, although we did note it was the type of season for someone under the radar to get in the title mix, we had our worst season in recent memory nailing the top contenders. We were not alone. Again this year, there is not a clear favorite and someone could sneak out of the pack as Auburn did a year ago, perhaps Texas A&M? As we tighten up the chin strap, it will once again be exciting season. Please feel welcome to use the comment link to give us your thoughts.
PRESEASON TOP 25
1. Oklahoma
Oklahoma looked primed to play for the title last season, but they got a bit complacent and let Mizzou and the Texas Aggies get the best of them. This season, behind a veteran team loaded with skill position talent, OU is the favorite. Landry Jones leads an offense ready to score points a plenty. Jones will operate behind a veteran line, and has Ryan Broyles is back as among the most prolific wideouts in the country to throw to. OU is excited about frosh Brandon Williams at running back, along with Roy Finch. OU may now have some defensive weakness. LB Austin Box tragically passed away in the offseason, and fresh into fall camp All America OLB Travis Lewis may now miss half the year with a foot injury. Even so, OU is stout up front behind Ronnel Lewis while Tony Jefferson is All Big XII at rover. If OU wins at Florida State as a favorite, all they need to do is knock out Oklahoma State on the road to play for the title.
2. Alabama
If only a proven signal caller returned for the Crimson Tide. As such, two talented players are fighting it out to lead the Tide, AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims. While Mark Ingram and Julio Jones are gone, BAMA returns Trent Richardson at running back to run behind a very talented and seasoned offensive line. Marquis Maze gives whoever wins the QB job a fleet target to fire to. Defensively, BAMA is smothering. Josh Chapman anchors the front, allowing for the outside and inside linebacking crew to wreak havoc, and that they will. Courtney Upshaw is a beast, while Donta Hightower is an All America inside. The Tide has the best secondary, with All America candidates Dre Kirkpatrick and safeties Robert Lester and Mark Baroon lurking about. This is shutdown central. Can the young signal callers grow up before that SEC schedule gets tough? A up and coming Arkansas team awaits in week 4, followed by a trip to the Swamp. If BAMA is vulnerable, it is early.
3. Florida State
Florida State may be a year away, but make no mistake; the Seminoles are back. Florida State will ride its swarming defense while the offense develops a balances arsenal of firepower. DE Brandon Jenkins, who lived in opposing backfields a year ago, could lead the nation in sacks. A bevy of young but stout defensive lineman give FSU a large rotation up front, while Nigel Bradham cleans up. The secondary is very good, with Xavier Rhodes and Greg Reid at the corners and LaMarcus Joyner at safety. Several young players, including incoming freshman Karlos Williams, give the Seminoles a talented depth chart in the defensive backfield. EJ Manuel, who Jimbo Fisher raves about, will take over at quarterback for FSU, but he is a former Gator Bowl MVP and has extensive playing time in big games. Chris Thompson leads a running back by committee for the 'Noles and a slew of receivers are ready to shine, including Rodney Smith. If Manual can excel early while younger talent develops, FSU will get better each week and will be among the nations best at the end of the season. If the 'Noles come out of the gate strong and upset OU in Tally early, provided FSU wins a tough road trip at Clemson the next game, a spot in the national title game will be there for the taking.
4. Louisiana State
Now that things have settled up in Ann Arbor, LSU Coach Les Miles can focus on winning, and the National Title is the goal. LSU served notice for 2011 by thrashing a good Texas A&M team in the Cotton Bowl behind a strong performance by QB Jordan Jefferson. If Jefferson sees the field like he did picking A&M apart, look out. LSU returns eight offensive starters. The Tigers are always stingy on defense, and although the loss of CB Peterson will hurt, the Bayou Bengals will still be tough against the pass behind Morris Claiborne. They do have to replace the line, but the talent is there. LSU kicks everything off against Oregon, and a win there could propel them to great things. A road tilt at powerhouse Alabama in October will determine who is King of the SEC.
5. Oregon
Fresh off a tough loss to Auburn in last years National Championship game, The Quack Attack have officially arrived. The prolific offense is firing on all cylinders and opponents can hardly keep up. With multi-task talented signal caller Darron Thomas back, flanked by All America tailback LaMichael James, what could derail the Ducks? For starters, the NCAA is snooping around, and that lingering problem can take a mental toll. On the field, both lines have been depleted. Skill positions are not a problem for Oregon, and the defense is led by All America corner Cliff Harris. With a couple breaks, Oregon could return to the BCS title game, but they face LSU early, a team that has speed and will make you pay if you are weak on the interior. They do travel to Stanford, a fine football team for sure. Oregon is very good, but it is in the trenches where they will fall just short.
6. Stanford
Stanford had a stellar season a year ago behind exceptional signal caller Andrew Luck. The season culminated with a thumping of Va. Tech in the Orange Bowl. Shortly after that, Coach Jim Harbaugh bolted over to the 49ers, but Luck did not go the NFL and returns to carve up Pac-12 defenses. The Cardinal will score plenty, and have a sound running game to compliment Luck, with tailback Stephan Taylor, who ran for 1137 yards in 2010. Only two starters return up front, but both, Jonathan Martin and David DeCastro, are All Pac 12 at a minimum, with DeCastro getting All America recognition from numerous media outlets. Stanford has a very strong secondary, no doubt partially due to defending Luck in practice, led by CB Delano Howell. Only one starter returns up front for the 3-4 defensive scheme the Cardinal employ, with two linebackers returning. Stanford misses upstart Arizona State, plays at USC and gets Oregon and Notre Dame at home, so the schedule could be much worse. Luck can carry this team far, but likely not all the way to a BCS Championship. Then again, who was sitting around four years ago and thinking they would mention National Title and Stanford in the same sentence?
7. Nebraska
Behind an exciting fleet of foot quarterback, Nebraska seemed poised for big things a year ago. But Taylor Martinez got shut down by Texas, and then got hurt during a blowout of highly ranked Missouri, and the wheels fell off offensively for the Big Red. Even still, Nebraska almost beat Oklahoma in the Big XII title game, but then went to the Holiday Bowl and laid an egg versus Washington, a team they crushed earlier in the year. Martinez is back, and the offense has been revamped to fit his style of play better. T-Magic could be a special player. Rex Burkhead is back at running back while Brandon Kinnie at wideout and tight end Kyler Reed are weapons in the receiving game. The Blackshirts will be nothing short of smothering. Jared Crick is a beast up front, Lavonte David from Miami Northwestern is a record setting tackler and Alfonzo Dennard looks like a top draft pick at cornerback; all three All Americans. Nebraska enters the Big Ten this year, and the schedule is very tough. But, with Ohio State staggering from the off the field issues, Nebraska must win at Wisconsin and the Big Ten title is theirs. But don't worry, who is the real Big Red? Nebraska is, by far.
8. Texas A&M
Mike Sherman began his coaching career in Aggieland by suffering an 18-14 loss at home to Arkansas State in 2008. He was lucky to retain employment after that. However, since that time, look what has happened. A&M, after finally deciding on a seemingly divisive quarterback battle, settled in on Ryan Taneyhill and as the defense grew stronger, A&M became a top ten team. The Aggies will be potent on offense this year behind Taneyhill, a veteran line and All America tailback Cyrus Gray, a Heisman dark horse who ran for 1133 yards a year ago. Although superstar linebacker Von Miller is gone, The Wrecking Crew remains as nine starter return on the stop side. Garrett Williams had 112 stops a year ago, and behind him, big things are expected defensively. The Aggies won six in row to close the year, dumping OU and Nebraska before falling to a very strong LSU in the Cotton Bowl. With Oklahoma State coming to College Station, a road contest in Norman could be the only contest late in early November is the only contest A&M figures to be an underdog. Gray and Taneyhill are the real deal, and so is the defense, so look out.
9. Oklahoma State
The Pokes were poised to make a title run two years ago but faltered. Last season, they were expected to take a step back but behind talented signal caller Brandon Wheeden, Oklahoma State was a solid top 15 team all year. This year, much of the firepower returns, including All America wideout Justin Blackmon. For OSU to take the next step, it will need to step up the defense. S Markell Martin provides them with a ball hawking player to build around. The kicking game is always above average and The schedule has any early trip to emerging Texas A&M but finds OU visiting Stillwater at seasons end.
10. Boise State
For those thinking the Broncos will disappear in the night from the national stage, think again. After holding on to take out Va. Tech to start the season, the Broncos were flying high until a decent Nevada team upended them. Much of that team is back, including All America quarterback Kellen Moore. Moore has Doug Martin, who ran for 1598 in obscurity last fall and three lineman back. The wideouts are new, but Moore is the most accurate passer in the country. Defensively, BSU is very tough through the middle, but they are green in the secondary. The Broncos travel to Atlanta to take on a Georgia team with plenty to prove, so that will be a tough game. After that, only home games with Nevada and TCU can stop the undefeated season.
11. South Carolina
The Gamecocks elevated their game, and took advantage of down years at UGA, Florida and Tennessee to capture the SEC East last year, no small task. South Carolina will be the favorite again this year, with 14 starters back and some very talented skill players. Marcus Lattimore, All American as a workhorse freshman running back last fall, is back ready to improve his numbers. Stephen Garcia, if he can stay focused and out of the doghouse, can be great, and throwing to All America standout Alshon Jeffrey will not hurt. All SEC Corner Stephen Gilmore leads a defense with several good players, and throw in top recruit Jadeveon Clowney at DE, and this unit could be special. Don't think they leave Atlanta with the title but they will be there.
12. Arkansas
Arkansas broke out last season, losing to Alabama, National Champion Auburn and Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl, beating LSU along the way. Although talented signal caller Ryan Mallet is gone, Tyler Wilson is ready to direct Bobby Petrino's high octane offense. Greg Childs and Joe Adams are playmakers on the outside, so even with a young line, expect points. The Razorbacks were better than you think on defense a year ago, are decent up front and at linebacker, so they will be stout. Arkansas must travel to Alabama and LSU, faces Auburn, South Carolina and Miss. State at home and goes neutral against upstart Texas A&M. It looks like 3 losses for sure, but Arkansas is a good football team.
13. Wisconsin
On an annual basis, Wisconsin produces a punishing rushing attack, and with a stable of stellar backs and experienced line, this season will be no different. The Badgers lost their talented signal caller, but scored huge in reeling in former NC State standout Russell Wilson. Wilson, booted from the Wolfpack for not giving up baseball, is primed to take over and he is nothing short of a playmaker, which will give the Badgers a dimension not previously seen up there. Antonio Fenelus is a top corner, the line is strong and if linebacker Chris Borland is ready, the defense will be fine. With the trouble at Ohio State, the Badgers win the Leaders Division and get a second crack at the other Big Red, Nebraska.
14. Virginia Tech
Tech is looking to replace Tyrod Taylor at quarterback, and Taylor was a real playmaker. Logan Thomas takes over, and the coaches say he is ready to go and have trouble containing their excitement about him. As usual, Tech will have a strong running game with experienced backs behind a seasoned line. Jarrett Boykin is All ACC at wideout. Tech suffered losses on the stop side, but is always stingy on defense. Corner Jayron Hosley is All America. Clemson and Miami are at home, and a trip to Atlanta for Ga. Tech is the toughest road tilt, so although the 'Hokies will be down a bit, they could be undefeated playing Florida State in the ACC title game, which they will lose.
15. Notre Dame
I always found it amusing for the preseason annual to throw Notre Dame in the mix in an effort to sell magazines. This year is no different, and while Athlons may be out of their mind placing the Irish sixth, there is little doubt Notre Dame is a top twenty team. Sixteen starters return, eight on both sides of the ball. Brian Kelly found the Irish offense in fair shape when he arrived, but the Irish made strides on the stop side a year ago. Although more production is necessary at quarterback, the offense could be very strong, particularly if WR Michael Floyd is focused. Junior linebacker Manti Te'o leads the defensive unit. The schedule is always challenging, but if you believe in Brian Kelly, this team has the tools to have one of the best seasons in recent memory.
16. Texas Christian
Given all the talent TCU lost, you might be surprised to see them ranked, but you would also be surprised at the overall talent of this team. Andy Dalton is gone at quarterback, but Casey Pachall seems ready, and TCU offers a strong running game to help him grow along with returning both starting wideouts. Tank Carter leads TCU defensively from his linebacker position. The secondary has two strong senior players in Greg McCoy and Tekerrin Cuba lurking back there. The Horned Frogs are not the team they were a year ago, but they are good. The season starts at Baylor, which could be trouble, but get by that and only a late trip to Boise State seems to tall a task for TCU.
17. West Virginia
Bill Stewart seemed to be resigned to the fact that this season would be his last as HC in Morgantown with Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen coming in as OC to take over next year. This messy arrangement already has blown up, and Stewart is gone. Certainly, one has to wonder how this effect the team, as no doubt, there are Stewart supporters miffed at how he was treated. If this can be put behind the team, the offense should sparkle under the leadership of All Big East quarterback Geno Smith. Smith can play, and although Noel Devine is gone at tailback, several talented runners remain, and a bevy of fleet footed receivers are back to stretch the field. So, the chains may be moving for WVU, but unfortunately, maybe on both sides of the ball. Bruce Irvin is set to have a big season on the end of the Mounties 3-3-5 defense, and although WVU has to replace three secondary starters, ball hawking cornerback Keith Tandy is back to build on his six oskies if 2010. The Big East title is wide open for West Virginia, a title run only actions by an administration could derail.
18. Georgia
Suspensions and injuries threw the Dawgs a curve ball right out of the gate in 2010, and they really never recovered, with the season culminating with an embarrassing bowl loss to Central Florida. The season has put popular Coach Mark Richt on the hot seat, and without significant success this fall, he could be unemployed as mediocrity won't work in Athens (although Vince Dooley was 8-3 central without Herschel). Georgia should be better, and with an experienced quarterback in Aaron Murray, the offense should be good. Murray has his high school teammate Orson Charles at tight end, and UGA welcomes highly sought after frosh Isaiah Crowell, who will be starting. Tavarres King is strong target for Murray as well, and he will need help as the big uglies find themselves. The Dawgs need to bite defensively, and are solid up front. Christian Robinson at backer and Brandon Boykin in the secondary will lead the Dawgs. Georgia has the best kicking game in the country, which will pay big dividends. Highly ranked Boise State visits right out of the gate (Atlanta, not between the hedges), providing quite an opportunity for the Junkyard Dawgs.
19. Ohio State
The Buckeyes were set to challenge for the national title with Terelle Pryor returning to lead a veteran team, then late last year a very troubling set of NCAA violations came to light. Liar Liar Vest on Fire, Jim Tressell is now out of work and Terelle Pryor is gone, and all that is left is suspensions and a team in turmoil. But, this is a veteran team still, and a talented one at that. Offensively, it will back to the basics, and it can start behind All America center and Orlando Edgewater product Mike Brewster. Tailback Daniel Herron is out for five games, points will be tough for a while. Only four starters return on defense, so it could be shaky early, particularly on the road in south Florida against the Hurricanes. Unknowns abound for the Bucks, but talent is there. At best, three losses for Big Nut and the Buckeyes.
20. Michigan State
Michigan State surprised many in 2011, spending much of the season ranked in the top ten and sharing the Big Ten title. Behind Kirk Cousins, a very efficient signal caller, points were not a problem. With standout back Edwin Baker and much of the receiving core returning, they will lite the scoreboard again this fall. In their losses a year ago, it was the defense that fell short, and the pounding Alabama gave them in the Capital One Bowl in lovely downtown Orlando may leave a loss of confidence. Yes, it was that bad. But MSU does return most of the D-lines and Johnny Adams is a ball hawking corner, so there is talent to work with. Cousins will carry the Spartans into bowl play, but they will not share the conference title in 2011.
21. Mississippi State
Former Florida assistant Dan Mullen is doing a fantastic job in Starkville, and the nation is noticing. Most thought he was bound for Gainesville after Meyer stepped down, but he a very good team coming back this fall, and if they were not in the toughest spot in College Football, a division with Alabama and LSU, they would be BCS bound. Even still, they may sneak in there. State returns each skill starter, and QB Chris Relf is better than you think. The line suffered losses, but Mullen has got talent now to turn to. All linebacking starters have departed, but while they welcome transfer linebacker Brandon Maye from Clemson, State is strong up front and in the secondary. The schedule is brutal, but Mississippi State will punch you right in the teeth.
22. Florida
The Gators seemed primed for a title run last year, even though they were breaking in a new signal caller. Almost immediately, even snapping the ball seemed difficult for the Gators. A tough loss here and there and the team came apart, with Urban Meyer actually stepping down for good this time. Will Muschamp comes over from Texas, and brings former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weiss in to run the offense. QB John Brantley will like what Weiss will be teaching, but does the rest of the talent on hand fit? The Gators are not short of speed, and speed kills, so expect Weiss to find a way to get Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps the ball in the open field. Florida had top recruiting classes and got the nations top ranked defensive tackles in recent years, and it is now time for Shariff Floyd, Dominique Early and Ronald Powell to emerge. Jon Bostic and Jelani Jenkins are good backers, but Jeremy Brown of Orlando Boone is the only returning starter in the secondary. The Gators must get to opposing quarterbacks, or it will spell trouble. Florida is regressing a bit while other SEC teams, and Florida State, are ascending, increasing the degree of difficulty in getting back to the national stage in the short term. But, this is the Gators, who always play tough defense and may find some offense under the new staff. A win over Alabama in The Swamp early could change the mental landscape of this team and jumpstart the Orange and Blue to the SEC Championship game.
23. Missouri
Tyler Gabbert was in line to take over for his brother directing the attack Mizzou, but over spring he got beat out and left. So, James Franklin is the man, and he some top targets to work with in WR TJ Moe and TE Michael Egnew, all behind an experienced line. The Tigers are stout on defense, particularly outside up front where Jacquies Smith and Brad Madison are set to tee off on opposing signal callers. The schedule is loaded with tough road games, which will keep Mizzou from advancing much higher.
24. Arizona State
With an eye opening 20 starters returning, Coach Dennis Erickson on the hot seat and some hot new uniforms, the stage is set for Arizona State to make some national noise. The Devils are stout on the stop side, behind All America linebacker Vontaze Burfict and the return of the entire linebacking core. Erickson settled in on QB Brock Osweiler, a high prized recruit who at 6'8'' can dissect defenses behind an experienced line. For the Devils, if not now, when. The new division is soft, a trip to Oregon is a loss but opportunities with Missouri and USC coming to Tempe early give ASU a springboard opportunity.
25. Texas
Outside of a big road victory at Nebraska, 2010 was a disaster for Texas, breaking a 10 year string of 10 win seasons. Problems became apparent early, as UCLA thumped Texas bad, and OU won the Red River War the following week. UT limped to a 5-7 finish, getting pounded by K-State and losing to Robert Griffith III and Baylor. In the offseason, the ego of the Texas brass decimated the Big XII, with Nebraska and Colorado leaving as Texas negotiated their own television network with ESPN. On the field for 2011, Mack Brown welcomes a slew of new assistants, and how this change works out is anyone's guess. Garrett Gilbert did not nail down the quarterbacking job in the spring and will battle a younger McCoy, Case, in fall camp. Fozzy Whitaker does return at running back. The Horns have some talent on defense, with Kheeston Randall up front, Emmanuel Acho and Keenan Robinson at linebacker and Blake Gibson at free safety. The annual tilt with OU is buoyed by a home date with Okie State and closing the season on the road at A&M. No BCS, but 8-3 and back to a bowl looks good.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Penn State, Auburn, Miami, Washington, Iowa, Clemson, USC, Houston, Central Florida, Michigan, Maryland and North Carolina.
ASCENDING: Texas A&M, Arkansas, Notre Dame, Central Florida.
DESCENDING: Miami, Iowa, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, NC State.
2011 Preseason All America Team
OFFENSE
WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
WR Alshon Jefferey, South Carolina
WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
TE Orson Charles, Georgia
OL Nate Potter, Boise State
OL Ryan Miller, Colorado
OL Michael Brewster, Ohio State
OL David DeCastro, Stanford
OL Kalechi Osemele, Iowa State
QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
RB LaMichael James, Oregon
RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
RB Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M
DEFENSE
DE Brandon Jenkins, Florida State
DT Jared Crick, Nebraska
DT Billy Winn, Boise State
DT Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
DE Quinton Couples, North Carolina
OLB Lavonte David, Nebraksa
ILB Luke Kuechley, Boston College
ILB Donta Hightower, Alabama
ILB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State
OLB Kenny Tate, Maryland
DB Jayron Horsley, Virginia Tech
DB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
DB Mark Barron, Alabama
DB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina
DB Chase Minnifield, Virginia
K Blair Walsh, Georgia
P Drew Butler, Georgia
KR Greg Reid, Florida State
NC Isaiah Crowell , Georgia
EDITORS NOTE: Oregon CB Cliff Harris (suspension) and Oklahoma LB Travis Lewis (injury) would have been selected on the All America Team.
EDITORS NOTE: Days prior to the release of the Preseason Top 25, severe allegations have hit The University of Miami program as detailed in the following Yahoo.com report. These allegations are off the chart, taking NCAA violations to a level not seen since the days of The Pony Express at SMU.
Prior to the release of this report, Miami had been ranked at 23. Upon learning of these allegations, the forecast for Miami no longer positions them as a Top 25 team. Below is the Miami write up, prior to the public release of the allegations:
23. Miami
Randy Shannon could not survive the lack of consistency visible at UM, so enter Al Golden, a solid but somewhat surprising hire. Golden did wonders at Temple, but this is Miami. Jacory Harris will likely be back under center, but he completes plenty of passes to the other team which ain't good. A strong running game, and UM has plenty of speedy backs, would help. Travis Benjamin is a fleet of foot target receiver. Defensively, UM is stout up front behind Marucs Forston. Sean Spence is All ACC while Ray Ray Armstrong is strong at safety. It seems UM lacks quality depth, so if Harris can't keep it together, this team could stumble. A trip to face a good Maryland team is worrisome, but a huge opportunity exists with a depleted Ohio State team coming to South Florida. If Miami can get by Maryland, pull this upset and fend off Kansas State, then they could set up a strong season. Although Miami could lose five of their first six, they won't and I think they could stumble at Maryland but rise up and take out Ohio State.
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