1. Oklahoma Sooners. This team is the cream of the crop in the revamped Big 12-2 Conference. Anytime you can return a starting QB as talented as Landry Jones who is surrounded by top quality talent, you have the makings of a bright 2011 season. Even though the Big 12 is short a couple teams this is still a tough league to win in. Games to watch...9/03 Tulsa (BYU upset Oklahoma a couple years ago to start the season this team is just as dangerous). ..9/17 at Florida State ( Oklahoma I believe will show last years score was no fluke)...11/05 Texas A&M ( Experts think this team is the best in the conference)...12/3 at Oklahoma State ( This game is circled on the Cowboys calender and will be a dandy).
2. Alabama Crimson Tide. Wow you lose 5 players to the NFL draft, 4 of which were taken in the first round, 2 interior lineman a 2 year starter at QB, oh and a former Heisman trophy winner and your still a contender for the National Championship! This team is loaded, the only problem with them last year is you didn't know which team would show up. Is it the one that comes out after halftime against Auburn and lays an egg? Or the one that beat Sparty like they were some local high school team. This years team reminds me of the one that won the title 2 years ago. Games to watch...9/10 at Penn State (Joe Pa's team showed improvement as last season went on)...10/22 Tennessee (This will be a much improved team from last season my SEC sleeper)...11/5 LSU (Two teams that know how to play defense final score 3-2)...11/26 at Auburn (A matchup between rivals and the last 2 national champs).
3. Stanford Cardinal. This is the team to beat in the Pac-12. I know they lost coach Harbaugh to the 49ers, but this team is still tough as nails on defense and they have the best QB on planet Earth taking snaps in Andrew Luck. A couple of holes to fill on the offensive line and more than half of the defense gone from last years Orange Bowl winning team. I still see this team as a "role up your sleeve and get to work" kind of team. Luck will be the Heisman front runner and will lead this team to an undefeated season and the best season in Stanford football in a long time! Games to watch...9/17 at Arizona (This is a hard team for me to gauge this year, an early test)...11/5 at Oregon State (Do you want to play the Beavers at home?)...11/12 Oregon (Wow this game can't get here soon enough).
4. LSU Tigers. Who says you need offense to win in college football. If the "Bayou Bengal's" ever figure out how to play offense, watch out! This team is one QB away from a national title. This has to be the toughest defense on the planet, including the NFL. Jordan Jefferson will get first shot at showing he can lead the tigers to the promise land. I am not so sure that he can and feel it is time to look to someone else, maybe ask season ticket holders if any of them can play the position. If LSU were in any other conference then the SEC I would go ahead and say they will finish undefeated, but their schedule (as usual) is brutal. Games to watch...9/3 in Texas vs Oregon ( Ducks showed they can play with the SEC last year, does LSU put up enough points to win?)...9/15 at Mississippi State (This team is for real just ask Michigan)...10/22 Auburn (This tiger fight is always a close game)...11/5 at Alabama (LSU winning this game last year has turned the "Saban Bowl" into the "SabanMiles bowl")
5.Boise State Broncos. WAC or Mountain West, it doesn't matter which league these horses play in, with Heisman candidate Kellen Moore playing the QB position and play makers around him, Boise State will still rock the BCS boat. The Broncos are the real deal! Sure the schedule will be tougher than last years, but these horses have the coach and the experience to handle anything the Mountain West can throw at them, even TCU. I do think they will have a few close games starting with weak one. Games to watch...9/3 Georgia (We will find out how good both these teams are right out of the gate.)...9/24 Tulsa (This game could have over 100 pts scored in it as both defenses probably won't show up.)...10/22 Air Force (Boise could have problems with the triple option attack of the Falcons.)...11/12 TCU (The horned frogs have a great defense but without Dalton at QB, I don't see the Broncos losing this game.)
6. Oregon Ducks. LaMichael James tries to lead the "Quack Attack" back to the National title game. Chip Kelly had the Oregon offense humming last year and there is no reason to think that it won't again in 2011. The only reason I don't have the ducks ranked higher in the polls than 5th is because the have LSU and Stanford on their schedule. Even though the receiving corps and the lose of Casey Mathews to the NFL(if the lockout is ever lifted) The Ducks still are a threat to play for the BCS championship again. Games to watch...9/3 LSU (A shutdown defensive unit versus a super speedy offensive unit, something has to give.)...10/15 Arizona State (Dennis Erickson's team is built to make a run at the PAC-12 championship but first they have to play the ducks in Eugene. Good Luck!)...11/12 at Stanford (The Cardinal have this game circled on their schedules, you better believe there will be tons of snot bubbles in this one.)...11/26 Oregon State (The Civil War, when is this game not a good one to watch.)
7. Oklahoma State. Weeden drops back, he looks left throws deep...its...its caught by Blackmon for another cowboys touchdown. Teams who have to face the Cowboys this year have nightmares about that scenario. But even fewer teams are able to do anything about it. This team is a serious contender for the Big 12-2 championship. Rich in talent and coming off a double digit win season, many experts have this team as a dark horse to win the whole thing. Games to watch...9/17 at Tulsa (Which ever team decides to play a little defense will win this shootout.)...9/24 at Texas A&M (If either of these teams want to dethrone the Sooners for the Big 12-2 title they can ill afford to lose this one. I smell instant classic.)...10/15 at Texas (This Texas team as had the Cowboys number in the past, I see the cowboys edging out a win in Austin.)...12/3 Oklahoma (The Cowboys are getting pretty tired of being "the other school in the state" and are ready to show it.)
8. Florida State Seminoles. Jimbo Fisher has been a blessing to Seminole nation. The tomahawk chop is on its way back to Tallahassee. If you have doubts about this just look at what they did to the Gamecocks last year! Oh and did I mention they had the best recruiting class this year? The schedule is favorable with most of the stronger teams having to come to Doak Walker Stadium to play. This team will be improved, but I think they are at least one to two years away from being a real national title threat. Games to watch...9/17 Oklahoma (I think it will be a close game in the first half, then the Sooners will prove to be to much for the young Seminoles.)...9/24 at Clemson (The Tigers are hard to put a finger on this year an could very well be a sleeper in the ACC.)...11/12 Miami (If you need me to tell you why this will be a good game, you need your head examined.)...11/26 at Florida (The Gators liked it when they dominated the Seminoles, that came to an end last year and the Gators are not happy about it!)
9. Michigan State Spartans. With veteran QB Kirk Cousins and the return of the "Killer B's" Baker and Bell returning to pound opposing defenses look for Sparty to be tough again in 2011. I wanted to rate this team higher but the Capitol One Bowl is still fresh in my mind. This team will be much improved and is my pick to win the Big 10+2 title. (Really the Big 10 and Big 12 need to trade names). The Spartans get to face a Buckeye team that will be without its head coach and key players so advantage Sparty. The schedule in the Big 10+2 is always a tough one but tough is what this Michigan State team is all about! Games to watch...9/17 at Notre Dame (The Irish lost a heartbreaker in OT thanks to the creative play calling of Dantonio,another nail biter.)...11/22 Wisconsin (The Badgers lost to the Spartans on their home field last year. This year they play a better State team in East Lansing? Sparty wins.)...10/29 at Nebraska (It is never easy playing against the black shirts especially when they are trying to make a statement in their new league.).
10. Arkansas Razorbacks. Tyler Wilson will have to be as good as Ryan Mallett was last year and he will have to do it quick if the Razorbacks are to win the brutal SEC West. Wilson will have a group of great targets to throw to, lets just hope they don't drop as many balls as they did in the Sugar Bowl. Knile Davis will prove that this is not a one dimensional team and last years defense was one of the best Arkansas has had in recent memory and they will be better this year. If this team was playing in the ACC or Big East I would go ahead and have them playing in the BCS title game, but unfortunately for the Razorbacks...they don't. Games to watch...9/24 at Alabama (The Crimson Tide had to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter to win this game last year, I expect more of the same.)...10/1 Texas A&M (Old Southwest Conference rivals will play it up in the Lone Star state. Your grandpa will enjoy this game more than you will.)...10/8 thru 11/25 (The remainder of their schedule. I would slap the crazy out of whoever put this "gauntlet" together and thought it was a good idea.)
11. Texas A&M Aggies. This will be the best chance the Aggies have had to win a conference championship and make a BCS bowl game in many years. 19 of last years 22 starters return, 10 on offense and 9 on defense. I am unaware of any other team in the top 25 returning this many starters. Ryan Tannehill should improve from how well led this team a year ago. If A&M can finally put together a consistent winning season do not count them out as a dark horse to win the BCS national title! Games to watch...9/24 Oklahoma State (Something has got to give here, two strong contenders playing early in the season, the Aggies are lucky to have this one at Kyle Field.)...11/5 at Oklahoma (Playing the Sooners on their home turf is never easy.)...11/24 Texas (When these two get together you can just throw out W's or rankings cause they don't matter here!)
12.Wisconsin Badgers. Its always great in today's game when you have two great tailbacks, and Wisconsin has just that in White and Ball. This team fell just short in the Rose Bowl against TCU but still had a fantastic season. As good as the Badgers will be this year I have to say I think with the loss of defensive coordinator Dave Doeren and key players either graduating or entering the NFL lockout...I mean draft, I just don't see this team winning the Big 10. Games to watch...9/10 Oregon State (The Badgers struggled early last year against Arizona State another Pac 12 team. With key losses from last year the Beavers could steal one away.)...10/22 at Michigan State (Wisconsin will want to do to Sparty what Sparty did to the Badgers last year, but I wouldn't count on it!)...10/29 at Ohio State (Somebody must not like the Badgers to have Ohio State a week after Michigan State. If the Badgers can get at least one of these games they should be happy.)
13.Ohio State Buckeyes. For five games this team will look very little like the Sugar Bowl champs of last year. How good will this team be without Terrell Pryor making plays with his legs and the sidelines absent one sweater vest? I think this team struggles until Pryor and the "Vest" get a few games under their belts. I might have this team ranked too high! Games to watch (The first 5 games without Pryor and the Vest, the buckeyes chances at a Big 10 or National title could be over before the season really starts).
14. TCU Horned Frogs. Sure they have a "Tank" playing linebacker, but I question how good the Horned Frogs offense will be with the "Red Headed General" Andy Dalton going to the NFL? I think TCU takes slides down a few pegs from the dominate teams of the last couple seasons. I do however look for this team to make a huge splash in the Big East next season! But I wonder why wouldn't this team make the leap to the Big 12-2 conference...because of the week in week out competition maybe? Games to watch...9/2 at Baylor (experts across the country are just waiting for Baylor to have that break out season, what better way to start with a win over TCU)...10/28 BYU (Anytime a team plays the Cougars they better bring their A game!)...11/12 at Boise State (Honest I think this game will be more hyped than it should be, Boise wins big!)
15. Tennessee Volunteers. Coach Dooley has this team headed in the right direction. I wonder if Tyler Bray was the starting QB all of last season how well this team would have been? With a top recruiting class and all the returning players having a second year in Dooley's system, this is the "Dark Horse' of the SEC. Watch out! Games to watch...9/17 at Florida (Both teams will be trying to make a statement in the SEC East, this game is important to both teams.)...The month of October (Georgia then LSU followed by games at Alabama and back home against South Carolina. If the Vols can come out of this stretch at .500 then it will be a successful month.)
16. Florida Gators. Muschamp and Weis and all the talent in the world will contend for the SEC east title. This team has had many mixed preseason reviews, which has the college football world wondering how good this team will be. I have no doubt they will be good in the years to come, but this year is a difficult one to put a finger on. Games to watch...10/1 Alabama (Wow how great would it be to be the team that has pounded you into the ground the past two seasons!)...11/12 at South Carolina (If the Gators want to be the "Beast of the East" again then they will have to beat the "Ole Ballcoach"!)...11/26 Florida State (The winner of this game usually wins the instate recruiting battle and bragging rights!)
17. Auburn Tigers. No Nick Fairly,no Cam Newton but the Tigers do have plenty of talent returning from last years national title run. Michael Dyer will be expected to carry the Tiger offense this year, unless Auburn has another Cam Newton in their back pocket? If the offense can be even close to what it was last season then they Tigers could be in their second SEC championship game in as many years. Games to watch...9/10 Mississippi State (The Bulldogs are for real and can win this game.)...SEC October (10/1 at South Carolina,10/8 at Arkansas,10/15 Florida,10/22 at LSU and 10/29 Mississippi!)...11/22 Alabama (The Ironbowl need I say more?)
18. South Carolina Gamecocks. Spurrier finally has the players to win the SEC if Garcia is able to come back as the starter and show some consistency. Lattimore and Jefferys are easily a couple of the best players at their positions in the nation. With a stingy defense and a top 10 recruiting class coming to campus the Gamecocks will be tough to beat! Games to watch...10/1 Auburn (After blowing a forth quarter lead to getting blown out by the Tigers in the SEC title game, you can bet your bottom dollar Spurrier will have this team ready!)...11/5 at Arkansas (This could be a preview of the SEC title game)...11/26 Clemson (No matter how the season plays out a win over in state rival Clemson makes everything better.)
19. Texas Longhorns. Mack Brown can't wait to start playing ball this fall, Texas is wanting to forget last year ever happened. The problem over the past few seasons with the Longhorns is a lack of a serious running game. It showed last season as Gilbert took a beating form opposing defenses! Malcolm Brown is most likely the one to try to give the Burnt Orange a real running game. If he can then Texas will be tough to beat! Games to watch...9/17 at UCLA (The Longhorns fall last year started with the Bruins beating them down in Austin. This will be a good measuring stick for Texas fans.)...10/8 Oklahoma (Texas would be on the right track if they could get a win against rival #1 Sooners.)... 11/24 at Texas A&M (A&M is tired of being the "other" team in the Lone Star star and will be tough to beat.)
20. Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Brian Kelly had a solid first year in South Bend, with Dayne Crist coming back from season ending knee surgery. The offense should be closer to what Kelly had at Cincinnati. With 9 starters on offense and 8 on defense to go along with a top 10 recruiting class, Notre Dame should have a solid season. I only say solid because they play a tough schedule this year and I believe are about 2 to 3 years away from being a consistent national power. They can improve on this ranking if they can figure out how to win the close games. Games to watch...9/17 Michigan State (Will it be another overtime thriller like last year? )...10/22 USC (Notre Dame finally got a win in this series last year,with USC in NCAA trouble there is no reason I see a different outcome this year!)...11/26 at Stanford (The Irish took a beating from the Cardinal last season, this game will determine how far the Irish have come or have to go to being a national elite program again.)
21. Mississippi State Bulldogs. This just in the Bulldogs have scored yet another touchdown to extend their Gator Bowl lead! How do you follow up a fantastic 2010 season that ended in the humiliation of Michigan in the Gator Bowl? How about returning an up and coming head coach and 14 starters from last season's 9-4 campaign. This team's only negative is that it plays in the uber tough SEC West division, if they were in another conference they would be the favorites to win, not that they don't have the talent to pull a few upsets this year! Games to watch...9/10 at Auburn (An early test against last season's national champs will let the Bulldogs know where they stand in the West.)...9/15 LSU (At least this game is at home,if LSU still has QB troubles they will lose this game,"where's my cowbell?")...11/12 Alabama (After being ran over by the Crimson Tide the last few seasons the Bulldogs will want to show they are among the elite in the SEC.)
22. Arizona State Sun Devils. The Sun Devils return 19 starters on a team that fell short of a winning season last year. 4 of their 6 losses were by single digits which lead to some heart breakers,but that was last year. If this team can figure out how to win those close games and I think with Erickson walking the sidelines they will. This could be a BCS bowl team by season's end. My advice to anyone playing the Sun Devils in 2011,don't look at last years 6-6 record and fall asleep on this team because if you do you will lose. Games to watch...9/9 Missouri (An early test against a Big 12-2 team as good as the Tigers will let ASU fans see how well they have improved.)...10/15 at Oregon (To be the best you have to beat the best and a win in Eugene would be huge.)...11/19 Arizona (Nothing is better than capping off a season with a win over the team you hate the most.)
23. Nebraska Cornhuskers. Welcome to the Big 10+2! I personally love the move I think Nebraska fits this conference better, now I will miss the Oklahoma games but maybe down the road. With Ohio State falling apart before the season starts, the Huskers chances of winning the Conference has improved but I am not sold yet. This team fell apart towards the end of last season and capped it off with a bowl loss to a very average Washington team. They need to get Martinez back into a groove and improve the passing game quickly to have a chance int the "3 yard and a cloud of dust" conference. Games to watch...10/1 at Wisconsin (The Badgers at Camp Randall your first league game OUCH!)...10/29 Michigan State (These Spartans are on a mission this season at least this is a home game for the Huskers which will help.)...11/25 Iowa (The Hawkeyes and Huskers has a nice little ring to it don't ya think?)
24. Missouri Tigers. This offense with four lineman returning from last season will be just as good if not better than last years team. Missouri has the talent now to make a serious run at the Big 12-2 title,and it looks like they are here to stay. I do however think that this team needs some sort of serious running game before it can become kings of the conference. The defense should be stout again even though it lost some key players from last years team. Games to watch...9/24 at Oklahoma (Whoever the new QB is will have to develop and grow up in a hurry for the Tigers to have a chance!)...10/22 Oklahoma State (This is a battle of two teams trying to move up the ladder in the conference, lets see who is closer?)...11/12 Texas (The Tigers would love nothing more than to beat the darlings on the southwest in front of the home crowd.)
25. North Carolina Tar Heels. Butch Davis in my opinion had his best coaching season in 2010. With the loss of 13 players 8 of which were starters due to NCAA violations, Davis still managed to put a team on the field that gave LSU everything it could handle and then go on to win a bowl game against another SEC school in Tennessee. Those players returning from that team will be much improved and with top talent coming in from recruiting, it surprises me that nobody is talking more about the Tar Heels. They will be by seasons end I promise you! Games to watch...10/15 Miami (A Tar Heel team on the rise against a Hurricane team that was unimpressive in its bowl game last year, who will show up?)...11/5 at NC State (The first step to being the best team in the ACC is to be the best team in your state!)...11/17 at Virginia Tech (If you have the Hokies on your schedule is it ever not a big game?)
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