Week 1 is about in the books: Here's our Top 25 Rankings for Week 1

Plenty of thunder and lightning this past weekend, with games interrupted at Iowa, Notre Dame, Michigan, Tennessee and West Virginia. Only Notre Dame (0-1) lost at home, among those schools, with a 20-23 loss vs. South Florida (1-0).

There are some questions heading into Week 2. In the next two weeks, we will see a shake up in the polls. Week 1 provided some opportunity to shake things up, as well.

Here is our Week 1: CIDSports Top 25 Poll:

1. Alabama (1-0) 1 - The Crimson Tide beat Kent (0-1) 48-7 in Tuscaloosa to open the 2011 season. The two major polls stuck with Oklahoma, but we will stay with the Crimson Tide. After all, defense wins championships! Week 2: @ Penn State (1-0), which will pit two programs playing two QBs right now. Will one earn the spot in the game at Happy Valley? Penn State is coming off a 41-7 win over FCS' Indiana State (0-1)


2. Oklahoma (1-0) 2 - The Sooners open 2011 with an emotional 47-14 win over Tulsa (0-1) in Norman. This off season, Sooners' LB Austin Box passed away suddenly, so plenty of emotion for the Sooners in the season opener. Week 2: the Sooners will enjoy a bye week in preparation for the Week 3 showdown @ #4 Florida State (1-0), which favored the Seminoles in 2010.


3. LSU (1-0) 7 - The Tigers rocked in Arlington, TX over former #3 rated Oregon (0-1) with a solid 40-27 win fueled by excellent defense and a steady performance by elevated QB Jarrett Lee for LSU. Quick Stat: "LSU has won 34 consecutive non-conference games games, the longest such streak in the nation, including all 23 in the regular season under seventh-year coach Les Miles." The last OOC loss came in the 2005 Capital One Bowl on the final play of the game vs. Iowa. Week 2: vs. FCS' Northwestern State (1-0) in home opener.


4. Florida State (1-0) 4 - The Seminoles took care of business in season opener in Tallahassee with a 34-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe (0-1). Week 2: The Seminoles will warm up for the Week 3 showdown with #2 Oklahoma, with a game vs. FCS' Charleston Southern (0-1).


5. Boise State (1-0) 5 - The Broncos traveled to Atlanta and took care of business over an overrated Georgia (0-1) 35-21. Both major polls felt the Bulldogs deserved a preseason ranking. Clearly Boise State becomes the nation's top non-BCS team, with TCU's opening weekend loss @ Baylor, and the win over the Bulldogs. Georgia head coach Mark Richt falls on the hot seat. Week 2: the Broncos enjoy a bye week, before traveling back East in Week 3 for a Friday night ESPN game @ Toledo (1-0), who will be coming off a short week, after a tough game @ Ohio State in Week 2.


6. Virginia Tech (1-0) 6 - The Hokies extended Frank Beamer's contract, as well as took down FCS' Appalachian State 66-13 in Blacksburg to open the 2011 season. Beamer is in his 25Th season as head coach for the Hokies. Week 2: the Hokies travel to Greenville for a game @ East Carolina (0-1).


7. Oregon (0-1) 3 - The Ducks fall in the season opener in Arlington, TX to former #7 LSU (1-0) 27-40. Is flip-flopping each team the appropriate move, after Week 1? The Ducks are still the team to beat in the new Pac 12, since LSU has a better defense, than anything you will find in the Pac 12. Week 2: the Ducks' home opener vs. Nevada (0-0), who must rebuild, after last year's amazing 13-1 season and #11 finish in the AP Poll.


8. Wisconsin (1-0) 12 - The Badgers finished #7 in the final 2010 AP Poll last season. With NC State transfer QB Russell Wilson moving into Scott Tolzien's position, the Badgers took down UNLV (0-1) in Madison 51-17 to open the 2011 season. Week 2: vs. Oregon State (0-1) in Madison. The Beavers lost the home opener in OT to FCS' Sacramento State (0-1) 28-29.


9. Oklahoma State (1-0) 9 - The Cowboys opened 2011 with a 61-34 win in Stillwater over Louisiana-Lafayette (0-1). Week 2: vs. Arizona (1-0) on a Thursday night ESPN home game that will be a good test, against a team rebuilding. The Wildcats won their home opener against FCS' Northern Arizona (0-1) 41-10.


10. Arkansas (1-0) 10 - The Razorbacks opened the season with a 51-7 win over FCS' Missouri State (0-1) in Fayetteville.. Week 2: vs. New Mexico (0-1) in Little Rock, against a team that lost the home opener vs. Colorado State (0-1) 10-14.


11. Stanford (1-0) 13 - The Cardinal opened 2011 with a home win over San Jose State 57-3. Week 2: The Cardinal travel across the country to Durham, NC for a game @ Duke (0-1). The Blue Devils fell 21-23 in the home opener to FCS' Richmond (1-0).


12. Nebraska (1-0) 12 - The Cornhuskers have joined the Big Ten and they kicked off the 2011 season with a 40-7 win over FCS' Chattanooga (0-1) in Lincoln. Week 2: vs. Fresno State (0-1), who are coming off a 21-36 loss to California (1-0) in San Francisco.


13. Texas A&M (1-0) 14 - The Aggies opened 2011 at home in College Station with a 46-14 win over SMU (0-1). Week 2: the Aggies can focus on the SEC and leaving the Big 12, while they enjoy a bye week, before hosting Idaho (0-1) in Week 3. The Vandals lost home opener vs. Bowling Green (1-0) 15-32 and will face FCS' North Dakota (1-0), before trip to College Station.


14. South Carolina (1-0) 16 - The Gamecocks opened 2011 in Charlotte, NC with a 56-37 win over East Carolina (0-1). Week 2: the Gamecocks open the SEC East on the road @ Georgia (0-1), who will attempt to rebound from a disappointing 21-35 loss in Atlanta vs. #5 Boise State (1-0). "Seven of the last 10 meetings between these schools have been decided by seven points or less."
    


15. Ohio State (1-0) 15 - The Buckeyes had a tough off season with the suspensions, resignation of Jim Tresell and NCAA investigation. Interim coach Luke Fickel lead the Buckeyes in the season opener to a 42-0 win over Akron (1-0). Week 2: vs. Toledo (1-0), who won 58-22 in the home opener vs. FCS' New Hampshire (0-1).


16. Mississippi State (1-0) 18 - The Bulldogs opened 2011 on the road @ Memphis (0-1) with a 59-14 win. Week 2: @ Auburn (1-0) for the SEC West opener. The Tigers are coming off a near upset loss vs. Utah State (0-1) in the home opener. Auburn is 59-23-2, but last year's game in Starksville, MS ended with a 17-14 win, the ninth in 10 years for the Tigers.


17. Florida (1-0) 19 - The Gators opened a new era under first-year coach Will Muschamp with a 41-3 win over Florida Atlantic in Gainsville. Week 2: vs. UAB (0-0) has their season opener in Gainsville, as the Gators work to fully implement new OC Charlie Weis' system.


18. West Virginia (1-0) 18 - The Mountianeers won a lightning/rain shortened game in Morgantown, new coach Dan Holgorsen's opener, with a 34-13 win over in-state Marshall. Week 2: vs. FCS' Norfolk State (1-0), a good tune up, before a tougher OOC road game @ Maryland (1-0) in Week 3.


19. Brigham Young (1-0) 23 - The Cougars began a new season as an Independent with a road test in Oxford, MS, with a 14-13 win over Mississippi (0-1). Week 2: the Cougars hit the road again with a trip to Austin and a meeting @ Texas (1-0), with their Top 25 ranking on the line. The Longhorns opened 2011 with a 34-9 home win vs. Rice (0-1). The Cougars are 2-0 all-time vs. the Longhorns.


20. Central Florida (1-0) nr - The Golden Knights finished 11-3 in 2010 and #21 in the final AP Poll. Central Florida beat Charleston Southern 62-0 in Orlando to open the 2011 season. Week 2: the Golden Knights vs. Boston College (0-1) in a prime time game in Orlando. The Eagles lost at home 17-24 to Northwestern (1-0) in the season opener.


21. USC (1-0) 21 - The Trojans opened 2011 with a 19-17 win in Los Angeles over Minnesota (0-1). Week 2: the Trojans open the Pac 12 season with Pac 12 newcomer Utah (1-0), who opened 2011 with a 27-10 home opener vs. FCS' Montana State (0-1). Another Top 25 game, where the winner will likely be ranked.
    


22. Iowa (1-0) 22 - The Hawkeyes were able to finish the home opener of 2011, despite a 1-1/2 hour lightning delay, with a 37-7 win over FCS' Tennessee Tech (0-1). Week 2: the Hawkeyes head to Ames for the Cy-Hawk Trophy Game @ Iowa State (1-0), who won a last minute game vs. Northern Iowa (0-1) 20-19. A new trophy will be on the line in this year's battle.


23. Arizona State (1-0) 24 - The Sun Devils opened 2011 in Tempe with a 48-14 win over UC Davis (0-1). Week 2: vs. #24 Missouri (1-0) on Friday night on ESPN in a key Top 25 showdown of Week 2.


24. Missouri (1-0) nr - The Tigers with new QB James Franklin under center opened 2011 with a 17-6 win in Columbia over Miami-OH (0-1). Week 2: @ # 23 Arizona State (1-0), as the Tigers travel back to Tempe, home of their last lost, in the Insight Bowl to Iowa, 24-27, to close out 2010.


25. (tied) Auburn (1-0) 25 - the Tigers, the defending BCS titleholders, nearly lost the season opener vs. Utah State (0-1) with a 42-38 win, fueled by a onside kick and TD return in the final minute. Yes, we thought of throwing them out of the Top 25, but they won, plus Week 2 vs. #16 Mississippi State (1-0), in the SEC West opener of the season should determine whether they stay or not. The SEC West figures to be the toughest division in college football again this season.
    (tied) South Florida (1-0) nr - The Bulls held on to win a lightning delayed road game 23-20 @ former #8 Notre Dame (0-1) to open the 2011 season. Week 2: vs. Ball State (1-0), who beat Indiana (0-1) 27-20 in the season opener in Indianapolis.
    

Out of the Top 25: former #8 Notre Dame (0-1) - lost 20-23 in South Bend to South Florida (1-0); former #17 TCU (0-1) - lost 48-50 @ Baylor in Waco. Notre Dame didn't deserve the Top 25 ranking. Coach Gary Patterson at TCU wins with defense, so 50 points given up is a clear indication that there is plenty of rebuilding ahead for the Horned Frogs.

Last five out of the Top 25: Michigan State (1-0), Penn State (1-0), Southern Miss (1-0), Utah (1-0), Texas (1-0)

Program on the Hot Seat: Georgia (0-1), after the disappointing performance in Atlanta vs. #5 Boise State (1-0).

Happy Labor Day: Wrapping up the First Weekend of the 2011 College Football Season

We hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day weekend. It certainly was an interesting first week of the College Football season. The final game of the holiday weekend is the first ACC conference game of the season:

Monday, September 5Th
Miami-FL at Maryland, 7:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3

• Plenty of challenges ahead for Al Golden and the Hurricanes woes with NCAA violations


• One of these teams will earn a 1-0 start in the ACC race fro 2011

The ACC was 7-3 in Week 1, however, they were 0-2 vs. BCS opponents, 2-0 vs. non-BCS opponents, 5-1 vs. FCS opponents.

BCS losses: Wake 29, @ Syracuse 36, while @ Boston College 17, Northwestern 24

FBS loss: @ Duke 21, Richmond 23

Best games: Top 25 rated Florida State beat Louisiana-Monroe 34-0, while Top 25 Virginia Tech beat Appalachian State 66-13

Plenty of games played on Saturday, now 3 games on Labor Day Sunday in College Football!

Three games impacted by lightning on Saturday across the Midwest. What a storm!

• Iowa wins 34-7, though an 1-1/2 hour interruption, delayed the expected outcome vs. Tennessee Tech


• South Florida overcomes weather delay and Notre Dame comeback to win 23-20 in South Bend


• Michigan-Western Michigan game was suspended in Ann Arbor, official score will be Michigan 34, Western Michigan 10

There are three games up for Sunday, September 4Th in College Football!

• Howard at Eastern Michigan 11:00 a.m.


• Marshall at West Virginia 2:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3


• SMU at Texas A&M 6:30 p.m. FSN (HD) / (Click for DirecTV channels)

Plenty of College Football to talk about, but that will have to come later. It should be an interesting year in 2011. Plenty of thunder and lightning, indeed!

College Game Day for the Hawkeyes, Cornhuskers, Cyclones, Panthers and plenty of other teams kicking off the 2011 season!

Are you ready for some Football? The 2011 College Football season kicks off on Saturday all around the country this Labor Day weekend!

What a start to the 2011 season on Friday night with TCU @ Baylor! After catching some local high school football in Cedar Rapids, we got the final minutes of Baylor's upset win over the defending Rose Bowl champion, the TCU Horned Frogs. Baylor takes down TCU 50-48 with a late minute FG.

In the Big Ten, two games are in the books, with Wisconsin's high scoring win over UNLV on Thursday night in Madison, with QB Russell Wilson now under center for the Badgers, while Michigan State beats Youngtowns State on Friday night on the Big Ten Network!

It's Saturday, with plenty of games kicking off. Some highlights:

• The University of Iowa opens the season at Kinnick, with Tennessee Tech out of the Ohio Valley ...


• The University of Nebraska opens the season in Lincoln, as the Cornhuskers officially kick off their new membership in the Big Ten


• This evening, the UNI Panthers will take the field in Ames vs. the Iowa State Cyclones in semi-annual in-state affair between the Missouri Valley and the Big 12 teams


• Four interesting national matchups: South Florida/Notre Dame, BYU/Ole Miss, Boise State/Georgia and LSU/Oregon

As we kickoff the first Weekend of College Football on Saturday, September 3Rd:

• Akron at Ohio State 11:00 a.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3


• Indiana State at Penn State 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD)


• Miami (Ohio) at Missouri 11:00 a.m. FSN (HD)


• Middle Tennessee at Purdue 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD)


• Northwestern at Boston College 11:00 a.m. ESPNU (HD): Wildcats will be without QB Dan Persa for the opener, as he works his way back from season ending injury in '10.


• Tennessee Tech at Iowa 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD) Prediction: Hawkeyes 37, Tech 17


• Utah State at Auburn 11:00 a.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3


• Kent State at Alabama 11:21 a.m. SEC Network / ESPN-GP / espn3


• Appalachian State at Virginia Tech 11:30 a.m. ESPN-GP *2 / Raycom Cable *3 (HD) / espn3


• South Dakota at Air Force 1:00 p.m. MTN (HD)


• Arkansas State at Illinois 2:30 p.m. BTN (HD)


• Delaware at Navy 2:30 p.m. CBSSN (HD) / Live video


• James Madison at North Carolina 2:30 p.m. FSN (HD) / ESPN-GP / espn3


• Louisiana Monroe at Florida State 2:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD)


• Minnesota at USC 2:30 p.m. (ABC or ESPN2 / espn3) (HD) *7


• South Florida at Notre Dame 2:30 p.m. NBC (HD)


• UCLA at Houston 2:30 p.m. FSN (HD)


• UT Chattanooga at Nebraska 2:30 p.m. BTN (HD) (Nebraska info / BTN 101)


• Western Michigan at Michigan 2:30 p.m. (ABC or ESPN2 / espn3) (HD) *7


• BYU at Ole Miss 3:45 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3


• San Jose State at Stanford 4:00 p.m. CSBA (HD)


• Colorado State at New Mexico 5:00 p.m. MTN (HD)


• Montana at Tennessee 5:00 p.m. ESPN-GP *2 / PPV (TN) / espn3


• Austin Peay at Cincinnati 6:00 p.m. FSOH / ESPN-GP / espn3


• East Carolina vs. South Carolina (Charlotte) 6:00 p.m. FSN (HD) / ESPN-GP / espn3


• Eastern Washington at Washington 6:00 p.m. RSNW / FCSP (cable)


• Florida Atlantic at Florida 6:00 p.m. ESPNU (HD)


• Fresno State at California 6:00 p.m. CSCA (HD)


• Missouri State at Arkansas 6:00 p.m. ESPN-GP *2 / PPV (AR) / espn3


• Elon at Vanderbilt 6:30 p.m. ESPN-GP / (CST / CSS) (cable) / espn3


• Boise State vs. Georgia (Atlanta) 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3


• LSU vs. Oregon (Arlington, TX) 7:00 p.m. ABC (HD)


• Ohio at New Mexico State 7:00 p.m. ALT / ESPN-GP / espn3


• Tulsa at Oklahoma 7:00 p.m. FX (HD)


• Cal Poly at San Diego State 9:00 p.m. MTN (HD)


• Louisiana Tech at Southern Miss 9:00 p.m. FSN (HD)


• Northern Arizona at Arizona 9:00 p.m. FSAZ / (FCSA / KWBA) (cable)


• Colorado at Hawaii 9:15 p.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3

Games not yet scheduled for nationally available networks

Army at Northern Illinois 6:00 p.m. espn3

Ball State vs. Indiana (Indianapolis, IN) 6:00 p.m. espn3

Buffalo at Pittsburgh 5:00 p.m. espn3

Charleston Southern at Central Florida 6:00 p.m. BHSN (cable)

Eastern Kentucky at Kansas State 6:00 p.m.

Fordham at Connecticut 11:00 a.m. espn3 (Moved from Thursday)

Howard at Eastern Michigan 6:00 p.m.

Idaho State at Washington State 4:00 p.m.

Liberty at North Carolina State 5:00 p.m. espn3

Louisiana Lafayette at Oklahoma State 6:00 p.m. FCSC (cable)

McNeese State at Kansas 6:00 p.m.

Northern Iowa at Iowa State 6:00 p.m.

Rice at Texas 7:00 p.m. LHN (HD)

Richmond at Duke 6:00 p.m. espn3

Sacramento State at Oregon State 3:00 p.m.

Southeastern Louisiana at Tulane 12:30 p.m.

Stony Brook at UTEP 8:00 p.m. TW El Paso (cable)

Texas State at Texas Tech 6:00 p.m.

Troy at Clemson 2:30 p.m. espn3

Weber State at Wyoming 8:00 p.m.

William & Mary at Virginia 5:00 p.m. espn3

Congratulations to EPSN Game Day personality Lee Corso on his 25Th anniversary on the Game Day set in 2011. Our thoughts and prayers go out to LeRoy Selmon, the former Oklahoma standout and USF athletic director on news of his stroke overnight.
Here's to an outstanding 2011 College Football season!

It's the Friday of Labor Day Weekend: More College Football

The 2011 College Football season kicked off Thursday, September 1St with very few surprises. Results from Week 1 of the 2011 CFB season.

• Wisconsin rolled on UNLV - debut of QB Russell Wilson for Badgers a success!


• Mississippi State beat Memphis: Bulldogs get out of the blocks


• Arizona State won vs. UC Davis, a FBS school: Sun Devils look to have better year!
  

Friday, September 2Nd
Youngstown State at Michigan State 6:30 p.m. BTN (HD)
TCU at Baylor 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3

On the local front, plenty of high school football throughout the State of Iowa, including the annual Jefferson vs. Washington game at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids. The Warriors look to be the J-Hawks and move to 2-0 on this young season!

It's September 1: Time for the Kickoff of the 2011 College Football season!

It should be another interesting year in College Football. Will a program emerge like Auburn last year or will we see a dominate program, like Alabama in 2009, run away with the BCS Title, as the 2011 College Football season kicks off?

• The defending Big Ten co-champion, Wisconsin Badgers, kick off the 2011 season in Madtown! Welcome, former NC State QB Russell Wilson, new #1 at UW!


• Former Iowa assistant and ISU head coach Dan McCarney kicks off his era at North Texas with a conference road game in FL!


• Will Arizona State contend for a division title in the new Pac 12?


• How strong will Mississippi State be in the top flight SEC West in 2011?


• Utah is now in the Pac 12 ... that is something to get used to!

Thursday, September 1st

National Line up tonight!

Murray State at Louisville, 5:00 p.m. on ESPNU (HD)

Drake at North Dakota, 7:00 p.m. DirecTV - 623 / FCSC (cable) - The Bulldogs are a huge underdog, but here's to them any way!

Mississippi State at Memphis, 7:00 p.m. on FSN (HD) (Click for DirecTV channels)

UNLV at Wisconsin, 7:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3

Bowling Green at Idaho, 8:00 p.m. on ALT

Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky (Nashville), 8:15 p.m. on ESPNU (HD)

UC Davis at Arizona State, 9:00 p.m. on FSAZ (HD) / FCSP (cable)

Games not scheduled for nationally available networks

• Montana State at Utah, 7:00 p.m. on (KJZZ / Max Media) (cable) / Live Video


• New Hampshire at Toledo, 6:00 p.m. on espn3


• North Carolina Central at Rutgers, 6:30 p.m. on espn3


• North Texas at Florida International, 6:00 p.m. on espn3


• South Carolina State at Central Michigan, 6:00 p.m.


• Villanova at Temple, 6:00 p.m. on espn3


• Wake Forest at Syracuse, 7:00 p.m. on espn3


• Western Carolina at Georgia Tech, 6:30 p.m. on espn3

The first weekend will have some very good games. Tonight's top game should be Wake Forest at Syracuse, two BCS programs, but it doesn't even garner a major network broadcast. What does that say about the ACC and Big East?

Here's our CidSports PreSeason Top 25 teams for 2011

We kickoff the 2011 College Football season and after taking much of the Summer off from blogging, we thought it was time to finally get our Top 25 Preseason Poll out for 2011!

AP Preseason Poll

1. 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!


2. 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!


3. 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?


4. 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!


5. 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?


6. 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!


7. 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!


8. 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.


9. 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.


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!


11. 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!


12. 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?


13. 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!


14. 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.


15. 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?


16. 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!


17. 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...


18. 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...


19. 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?


20. 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?


21. 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.


22. 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.


23. 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...


24. 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!


25. 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.