College Football: A Look at the 2011 FCS Top 25 (Teams 1-5)

Over the next few weeks leading up to the 2011 season, I will unveil my FCS Top 25 heading into the campaign. The following article contains teams 1-5 in my 2011 preseason poll.

1. Eastern Washington

Joining Mitchell on offense this fall will be top wideouts Brandon Kaufman (76 receptions, 1,214 yards, 15 TDs, 16.0 YPR) and Nicholas Edwards (57 receptions, 614 yards, seven TDs, 10.8 YPR).

Beau Baldwin had trouble getting consistency on the defensive side of the football in his first two seasons in Cheney, however, the Eagles made significant strides on the defensive side of the ball last fall.

The Eagles defense will be anchored by Renard Jones (54 tackles, 16.0 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, four FFs, two FRs in 2010) at defensive tackle, while linebackers Zach Johnson (134 tackles, 18.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, two INTs in 2010) and Tyler Washburn (86 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 0.5 sack, two INTs, one FR in 2010) will look to take up some of the slack left as a result of the graduation of Buck Buchanan Award winner J.C. Sheritt.

The "X" factor for EWU last season was turnover margin (+9), and the Eagles led the nation in INTs last fall, as the Eagles picked off 26 passes. Red turf or green turf, the Eagles were more than a gimmick last fall—they were the best team in the nation.

This season, EWU's motivation will be to prove they belong among the elite in the FCS, as they look to defend their title.

2. Georgia Southern

The Eagles will once again have veteran quarterback Jaybo Shaw (71-of-140 passing, 1,233 yds., five TDs, five INTs/209 rush att., 514 yds., 16 TDs, 2.5 YPC in 2010 ) and sophomore running back Robert Brown (213 attempts, 1,004 yards., seven TDs, 4.7 YPC) to spearhead the flexbone ground attack in 2011.

Slot back J.J. Wilcox (22 rec., 551 yds., three TDs/85 rush attempts., 484 yards., six TDs, 5.7 YPC) returns as the team's top receiver and the offense's most versatile performer.

The offensive line was thought to be a weakness heading into the 2010 season, but the Eagles ended up fielding one of the SoCon's best OLs in 2010. The unit will be anchored by right tackle Brett Moore, who garnered All-SoCon honors last fall.

The real story of the 2011 season will be the GSU defense, which returns 10 of 11 starters, including Buck Buchanan Award candidate Brent Russell (71 tackles, 18.5 TFLs, 8.0 sacks, two FFs) at nose tackle, while Roderick Tinsley (55 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, two FFs) returns at defensive end, giving GSU maybe the nation's top defensive front.

Leading tackler Josh Rowe (104 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, one FF in 2010) returns to solidify the middle of the GSU defense, while LaRon Scott (44 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, six INTs, one TD in 2010) was one of the league's top coverage corners last fall.

If GSU wins the SoCon this fall, it will be the first time the Eagles have lifted a conference title trophy since the Mike Sewak era, when the Eagles tied with Furman for the 2004 SoCon title.

3. Appalachian State

Presley will have the SoCon's top receiving corps this fall, returning All-American wideout Brian Quick (47 rec., 844 yards., nine TDs, 18.0 YPR in 2010) and tight end Ben Jorden (27 receptions, 306 yards, six TDs, 11.3 YPR in 2010).

The biggest concern offensively is the graduation of three starters along the offensive front, but veteran starters Matt Ruff and Orrye Frye return, alleviating some of the question marks.

Meanwhile, converted quarterback Travaris Cadet (115 rush attempts., 671 yards., six TDs, 5.8 YPC in 2010) will team with Cedric Baker (60 rush attempts, 261 yards, five TDs, 4.3 YPC in 2010) to give the Mountaineers a solid one-two punch at tailback.

The defense did lose two players that were a couple of the greatest to suit up at their respective positions for the Apps, in safety Mark LeGree (22-career INTs) and linebacker D.J. Smith (525-career tackles).

There is good news, however. The Apps welcome back Lanston Tanyi (75 tackles, 11.0 TFLs, 7.5 sacks in 2009), who was a dominant force at defensive end a couple of years ago, while tenacious hitter Troy Sanders (60 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 1.0 sack, one FF, two blocked kicks in 2010) moves to safety from cornerback to help compensate for the loss of LeGree. The biggest change on defense will be in scheme, as the Mountaineers transition from a 4-3 look to a 3-4, or "50" defense this fall.

ASU will be looking for its unprecedented seventh-straight Southern Conference football title this fall but will also be a prime contender for a national title for a seventh-consecutive football season. Three of those seasons have seen the Mountaineers bring home the hardware.

4. Delaware

The running game should once again be strong, as Andrew Pierce (329 attempts, 1,655 yards, 14 TDs, 5.0 YPC in 2010) returns. The best weapon the Blue Hens will have in the passing attack this fall will be Nihija White (60 receptions, 752 yards, six TDs, 12.5 YPR in 2010), who was the Blue Hens top option last fall. The Delaware offense returns four starters along its offensive line, anchored by seniors Shea Allard (LT) and Will Nagle (RG).

Traditionally, the Delaware defense has been among the nation's top units in the nation under Keeler, with the exception of the 2008 season. This fall, the Blue Hens will have one of the CAA's top defensive ends, in Michael Atunrase (43 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks in 2010), while linebacker Paul Worrilow (113 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, two FRs, two FFs in 2010) is set to anchor the middle of the Blue Hens defense.

With a bitter taste still in their collective mouths after a 21-19 championship game loss to Eastern Washington, the Blue Hens have the weapons to get back to Frisco, TX., this fall, but finishing the job when they get there has been a problem for Keeler-coached teams in 2007 and '10.

5. Montana State

It was the Bobcats' first trip to the FCS postseason since 2006, however, that appearance didn't last long, as the Bobcats dropped their second round contest, 42-17, to North Dakota State in Bozeman.

Among the nine starters returning on the offensive side of the football for the 2011 season is talented quarterback Denarius McGhee (227-of-362 passing, 3,163 yards, 23 TDs, six INTs/80 rush attempts, 181 yards, two TDs). McGhee is one of the bright young quarterback stars in the FCS.

Joining McGhee on the offensive side of the ball will be some other significant offensive weapons. Wideouts Everett Gilbert (48 receptions, 574 yards, two TDs, 12.0 YPR) and Elvis Akpla (43 receptions, 682 yards, four TDs, 15.9 YPR) are the two top receivers from a year ago, while Orenzo Davis (206 attempts, 1,126 yards, 10 TDs, 5.5 YPC) will headline the Bobcats' ground attack.

Six starters return on the defensive side of the football for the Bobcats this fall, led Aleksei Grosulak (88 tackles, 8.0 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two INTs in 2010), who is one of the top LBs in the Big Sky. Defensive tackle Zach Minter (28 tackles, 10.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, nine PBUs, two INTs in 2010) returns to anchor the defensive line in 2011.

MSU has an opportunity to match what the 1984 squad did, which claimed a national title. The Bobcats will be explosive offensively, but will have to travel to Eastern Washington and Montana this fall, and it is never easy to get wins in those two venues.