- Alabama - the Crimson Tide seek their second BCS title in three seasons. Defense could even be better than the '09 BCS champs! The offense has some retooling at QB!
- Oklahoma - the SEC has won five straight titles, so while the major polls may like the Sooners... we say wait until we see them @ Florida State and in the new Big 12!
- Oregon - runner-ups in '10, the Ducks may be a team to watch, but do they have the quality defense that typically goes hand in hand with National Title?
- Florida State - could the Seminoles finally be back? Stoops (OU) and Chizik (Auburn) won titles in year 2, while Kelly (Oregon) was a runner-up!
- Boise State - the way non-BCS teams have played over the past decade... it is only appropriate to rank the Top non-BCS team in the preseason Top 5, right?
- Virginia Tech - the Hokies have some retooling to do, but Frank Beamer is one of the best in College Football. Special teams, defense plus offense makes a good formula!
- LSU - We have knocked them down a little, due to questions over the past month... this program has a tough schedule in 2011, but can't be overlooked!
- Notre Dame - are the Fighting Irish back in the BCS mix? Wait, they have really never been in the BCS mix, though they have played in BCS bowl games.
- Oklahoma State - they have a Man of a Coach and the new Big 12 minus Colorado and Nebraska will have an interesting nine game format, like the old Pac 10.
- Arkansas - the SEC West is the best division in College Football. We lost two divisions (Big 12) and gained four more (Big Ten and Pac 12)... someone needs to be #10!
- Nebraksa - they join the Big Ten and they are at the top of the ladder in the preseason Top 25? Something just doesn't seem right, but we shall see how it all plays out!
- Wisconsin - the defending Rose Bowl representative for the Big Ten begins division play hosting Nebraska... will NC State transfer, QB Russell Wilson, shine in the Big Ten?
- Stanford - Yes, they have QB Andrew Luck, but they will be absent the head coach that lead them to a Top 5 finish in '10 and there is an offensive line that must gel!
- Texas A&M - Many have the Aggies higher in the preseason polls, but the new conference talk has to be a distraction in College Station, so we are lower expectations for '11.
- Ohio State - This team has won a share of the Big Ten title for six straight seasons, though sanctions tossed out the '10 season. What's up for 2011 in Columbus?
- South Carolina - I love their RB, who may be worthy of Heisman talk by mid-season, but QB is always a question mark for the 'ole ball coach in Columbia!
- TCU - a little high maybe for all the players departed, but coach Gary Patterson showed in the Rose Bowl win last season that he is among the best in college football...
- Mississippi State - Not a lot of choice again, there are a number of question marks with talent that has moved onto the NFL with a lot of programs. So, Bulldogs are #18...
- Florida - defense wins championships, so will a new head coach with a defensive flair help retool at program that has won two titles under their departed coach in '06 and '08?
- West Virginia - a Big East team certainly deserves to be in the preseason Top 25? But, will the Mountaineers get it done, under a new coach?
- USC - should they be in the Top 25, since they are on probation? They certainly could be a spoiler in the Pac 12 South division race in '11.
- Iowa - The Hawkeyes have lost some games over the past three seasons, but none by more than 7 points. Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes have a favorable schedule in '11.
- Brigham Young - the Cougars move from the MWC to becoming an Independent in Football in '11. There are a lot of questions in 2011 from top to bottom, so #23...
- Arizona State - the Sun Devils haven't won a lot of games of late and didn't even make a bowl game at 6-6 in '10... but, they have a lot of starters returning and could suprise!
- Auburn - they are the defending BCS title winners, but in 2009 they were not a Top 25 program, so why should they be with the absence of Heisman Trophy QB Cam Newton?
Last Five Out for 2011: Michigan State (lost to Iowa and Alabama badly in '10), Missouri (lost to Iowa in the Insight), Penn State (lost 8 of the last 10 vs. Hawkeyes), Southern Miss (lost trademark case with the Hawkeyes over Summer), Utah (moves from the MWC to the Pac 12 in '11).
Teams that need to win before being ranked in 2011: Georgia (6-7 in '10) and Texas (5-7)...
It should be a great College Football season in 2011.
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