Preseason College Football Rankings 2011: Top 50 Teams by Schedule Posters

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

We all know Auburn won the BCS Championship last season.

But it's a new year and the Tigers aren't considered top contenders for the title in 2011.

Is it possible that Auburn used its championship performance last year to reach the top of the second annual Bleacher Report rankings of the top 50 schedule posters?

Or maybe it's an outsider who no one would even consider.

I asked three fellow B/R featured columnists (Carl Stine, Amy Daughters and T.J. Mcaloon) to help with the grading this year. Back for a second year of grading was Ryan Zundell, who is an art director by day and serious Twitter addict.

We actually received about the same number of posters as last year, but not from all of the same participants.

We each individually graded the posters on the following criteria:

1. Clarity (Is it clear who the poster is for?)

2. Schedule (Clear and easy to follow)

3. Photo quality

4. Uniqueness/Creativity

5. Eye appeal

6. “Coolness” factor

In the event of a tie, the team with the highest individual category score was placed on top and so on. Each category was graded from 1-10, with 10 being the best. The best overall category score is 50, the best overall score on any individual ballot is 60 and the best overall score is 300.

Thanks again to all of the SIDs and marketing folks who were kind enough to forward me the images that you’ll see today.

Enough with the details—let's get to the best posters of 2011.

50. Marshall

Total: 197

Perry: 46

Daughters: 44

Zundell: 39

Stine: 32

Mcaloon: 36

Last year's ranking: 9

 

Comment

A pretty serious drop-off for Marshall, but it makes sense to feature All-American candidate Vinny Curry.

49. Baylor

Total: 198

Perry: 40

Daughters: 44

Zundell: 42

Stine: 41

Mcaloon: 31

Last year's ranking: 35

 

Comment

Baylor submitted two posters (offense and defense) and both are solid options.

48. Texas Tech

Total: 199  

Perry: 40  

Daughters: 47

Zundell: 38

Stine: 36

Mcaloon: 38

Last year's ranking: 45

 

Comment

There's just something creepy about the two arms jutting out from the bottom. Sure looks like the same arm, but reversed. At least we get "Fearless Champions Ever Be," from The Matador Song.

47. Nevada

Total: 200  

Perry: 37

Daughters: 45

Zundell: 44

Stine: 39

Mcaloon: 35

Last year's ranking: 6

 

Comment

Nevada was one of the surprise posters of 2010, but this year's effort falls short. Most of the judges like odd-sized posters, but not this one.

46. Purdue

Total: 201  

Perry: 42

Daughters: 46

Zundell: 34

Stine: 39

Mcaloon: 40

Last year's ranking: 22

 

Comment

Purdue dropped 20 spots from last year, but the Boilermakers still put together a nice poster for 2011.

45. San Diego State

Total: 202  

Perry: 29

Daughters: 47

Zundell: 35

Stine: 49

Mcaloon: 42

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

San Diego State cracks the top 50 by Rocking the Q.

44. Louisiana Tech

Total: 203  

Perry: 40  

Daughters: 43

Zundell: 43

Stine: 44

Mcaloon: 33

Last year's ranking: 30

 

Comment

Louisiana Tech included about everyone on campus and the community in this poster. It's fun and welcoming.

43. Syracuse

Total: 204  

Perry: 41  

Daughters: 44

Zundell: 38

Stine: 39

Mcaloon: 42

Last year's ranking: 20

 

Comment

Syracuse's Doug Marrone must love the defense (or someone in the SID office), because the Orange go with a gang tackle again this year for the poster.

42. Colorado State

Total: 207  

Perry: 50  

Daughters: 38

Zundell: 51

Stine: 27

Mcaloon: 41

Last year's ranking: 49

 

Comment

Personally, this was one of my favorite concepts. Colorado State developed four posters around different players. It adds some personality to what can sometimes be a poster of nameless faces. For some reason it didn't resonate with three of the five judges.

41. Miami, Fla.

Total: 210  

Perry: 40  

Daughters: 53

Zundell: 38

Stine: 44

Mcaloon: 35

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

Al Golden was brought in to do much better than 41st. Will he?

40. Kansas State

Total: 211

Perry: 46

Daughters: 53   

Zundell: 37

Stine: 47  

Mcaloon: 28

Last year's ranking: 38

 

Comment

Kansas State's poster resembles last year's Penn State edition. It's still a classic look.

39. TCU

Total: 212  

Perry: 36  

Daughters: 49   

Zundell: 39  

Stine: 50  

Mcaloon: 38

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

Maybe it is time to join the Purple Revolution, because what Gary Patterson is doing at TCU is just impressive.

38. Northwestern

Total: 213

Perry: 40

Daughters: 49

Zundell: 42

Stine: 46

Mcaloon: 36

Last year's ranking: 21

 

Comment

Clean and to the point. Of course, you can't leave off Dan Persa.

37. Penn State

Total: 214

Perry: 39

Daughters: 45

Zundell: 40

Stine: 47

Mcaloon: 43

Last year's ranking: 24

 

Comment

It almost seems wrong to put Penn State in the rankings since the promotions department made a mistake on the schedule. But it goes to show you that a totally different approach to a poster was enough to sway the judges. The design commemorates Penn State football’s 125th season and features a silhouette of its very first All-American, William Thomas Dunn.

36. Western Kentucky

Total: 214  

Perry: 45

Daughters: 49

Zundell: 37

Stine: 37

Mcaloon: 46

Last year's ranking: 33

 

Comment

It's Willie Taggart's second year with Western Kentucky and he really hopes more fans will come out to the home games.

35. Bowling Green

Total: 215

Perry: 50

Daughters: 44

Zundell: 52

Stine: 40

Mcaloon: 29

Last year's ranking: 3

 

Comment

Not really sure why Bowling Green dropped so much this year. This was another outstanding submission, but not all of the voters saw it the same as me.

34. LSU

Total: 216

Perry: 40

Daughters: 45

Zundell: 43

Stine: 52

Mcaloon: 36

Last year's ranking: 7

 

Comment

This poster makes you feel like you are sitting in Tiger Stadium, and if you are an LSU fan you are ready for the game to begin.

33. Missouri

Total: 217

Perry: 54

Daughters: 51

Zundell: 40

Stine: 38

Mcaloon: 34

Last year's ranking: 14

 

Comment

Missouri pulls off the movie poster look well.

32. San Jose State

Total: 218  

Perry: 31  

Daughters: 52

Zundell: 44

Stine: 48

Mcaloon: 43

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

San Jose State would do about anything to get this high in the regular-season rankings.

31. UCF

Total: 219  

Perry: 46

Daughters: 37

Zundell: 50

Stine: 49

Mcaloon: 38

Last year's ranking: 12

 

Comment

UCF actually has six more versions of this poster to promote the team this year. They include Cliff McCray, Adam Nissley, Nick Pieschel, Ronnie Weaver, Jeff Godfrey, Josh Linam, KnightMoves and Coach George O'Leary.

30. Vanderbilt

Total: 223

Perry: 49

Daughters: 49

Zundell: 51

Stine: 42

Mcaloon: 32

Last year's ranking: 1

 

Comment

Last year's winner delivered another high-end poster, but it didn't return to the lofty heights of 2010.

29. Wake Forest

Total: 223

Perry: 52

Daughters: 49

Zundell: 44

Stine: 42

Mcaloon: 36

Last year's ranking: 43

 

Comment

Wake Forest brings BB&T Field at Groves Stadium to life with the night scene, and the fans of the Deacons should be ready for the season to begin.

28. Virginia

Total: 225

Perry: 44

Daughters: 53

Zundell: 42

Stine: 50

Mcaloon: 36

Last year's ranking: 23

 

Comment

Virginia is one of a few teams this year that decided to include the American flag as part of its poster.

27. Minnesota

Total: 226

Perry: 44

Daughters: 48

Zundell: 45

Stine: 56

Mcaloon: 33

Last year's ranking: 5

 

Comment

Looking at this poster it appears everyone is excited to see Jerry Kill has replaced Tim Brewster.

26. South Carolina

Total: 227

Perry: 47

Daughters: 52

Zundell: 45

Stine: 42

Mcaloon: 41

Last year's ranking: 15

 

Comment

South Carolina has compiled some impressive talent, so the fans may want to keep this poster if this is finally the year the Gamecocks win the SEC.

25. Michigan

Total: 228

Perry: 51

Daughters: 52

Zundell: 39

Stine: 51

Mcaloon: 39

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

Nothing identifies Michigan football more than the Wolverines' helmet. Seems a Michigan man is in charge again.

24. Western Michigan

Total: 228

Perry: 53

Daughters: 46

Zundell: 48

Stine: 41

Mcaloon: 40

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

Michigan fans won't be happy about an in-state school being ranked higher. But this poster is a beauty.

23. Houston

Total: 229

Perry: 45

Daughters: 47

Zundell: 52

Stine: 44

Mcaloon: 41

Last year's ranking: 37

 

Comment

Everyone is pleased to see Case Keenum back for another season, but no one more than Kevin Sumlin. So he put Keenum smack dab in the middle of the poster.

22. Iowa State

Total: 229

Perry: 50

Daughters: 53

Zundell: 53

Stine: 53

Mcaloon: 20

Last year's ranking: 4

 

Comment

A low ranking by one judge really hurt the Cyclones. Iowa State was looking good to return to the top 10 until that evaluation brought it down.

21. Army

Total: 229

Perry: 49

Daughters: 57

Zundell: 41

Stine: 47

Mcaloon: 35

Last year's ranking: 40

 

Comment

Army makes a big leap with a much improved poster over last year.

20. Oklahoma

Total: 230

Perry: 49

Daughters: 49

Zundell: 47

Stine: 45

Mcaloon: 44

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

Since Oklahoma has Ryan Broyles, Landry Jones and Travis Lewis this year, every fan of the Sooners walks around like this. I would too.

19. Georgia Tech

Total: 230

Perry: 45

Daughters: 48

Zundell: 46

Stine: 53

Mcaloon: 38

Last year's ranking: 2

 

Comment

Apparently the "Engineered for Success" theme was developed before recent NCAA sanctions. Still, it's a great concept.

18. Lousiana-Monroe

Total: 232

Perry: 48

Daughters: 49

Zundell: 45

Stine: 45

Mcaloon: 45

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

There's a lot going on here, but ULM does a good job of meeting all of the requirements.

17. UNLV

Total: 232

Perry: 44

Daughters: 48

Zundell: 49

Stine: 48

Mcaloon: 43

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

Whether you like the poster or not, you can't help but love a slogan like "Get Your Reb On."

16. Ohio State

Total: 237

Perry: 45

Daughters: 49

Zundell: 51

Stine: 50

Mcaloon: 42

Last year's ranking: 29

 

Comment

Ohio State may be the butt of many jokes these days, but this poster reminds us all why the Buckeyes are one of the best.

15. Virginia Tech

Total: 237

Perry: 44

Daughters: 52

Zundell: 48

Stine: 48

Mcaloon: 45

Last year's ranking: 50

 

Comment

The poster probably won't get the Virginia Tech fans jumping, but it may get them to start humming "Enter Sandman."

14. Florida International

Total: 238

Perry: 46

Daughters: 52

Zundell: 52

Stine: 45

Mcaloon: 43

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

FIU isn't the highest-ranked team from the Sunshine State, but the Panthers have bragging rights over Florida. The Gators finished outside the top 50.

13. Wisconsin

Total: 239

Perry: 55

Daughters: 48

Zundell: 45

Stine: 47

Mcaloon: 44

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

Wisconsin's poster has a boy's choir look to it, but we all know the Badgers are much tougher.

12. Southern Miss

Total: 240

Perry: 57

Daughters: 54

Zundell: 47

Stine: 46

Mcaloon: 36

Last year's ranking: 17

 

Comment

I have to be honest here: The Southern Miss poster was my favorite. The photo, the look and the execution just did it for me. There's nothing wrong with a 12th-place finish, but I was expecting better. Guess that's why I get other opinions.

11. North Carolina State

Total: 241

Perry: 53

Daughters: 48

Zundell: 49

Stine: 47

Mcaloon: 44

Last year's ranking: 27

 

Comment

North Carolina State may not have Russell Wilson this year, but the Wolfpack get a better ranking than the team he transferred to.

10. Colorado

Total: 241

Perry: 54

Daughters: 57

Zundell: 46

Stine: 51

Mcaloon: 33

Last year's ranking: 19

 

Comment

Colorado's first year in the Pac-12 is probably going to resemble the last few in the Big 12, but the Buffaloes get the top-ranked poster in the conference.

9. Wyoming

Total: 242

Perry: 56

Daughters: 54

Zundell: 48

Stine: 42

Mcaloon: 42

Last year's ranking: 8

 

Comment

Wyoming's poster looks like an old Western flick. There's a lot of attitude and everyone looks ready to play.

8. North Carolina

Total: 244

Perry: 39

Daughters: 53

Zundell: 54

Stine: 53

Mcaloon: 45

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

Smart call not to include Butch Davis on the poster.

7. Air Force

Total: 244

Perry: 49

Daughters: 52

Zundell: 48

Stine: 57

Mcaloon: 38

Last year's ranking: 44

 

Comment

We like it when a plane flies over a stadium, so of course we're going to like a plane flying across the top of a poster.

6. Florida State

Total: 247

Perry: 56

Daughters: 53

Zundell: 50

Stine: 50

Mcaloon: 38

Last year's ranking: 16

 

Comment

Apparently Florida State feels Jimbo Fisher's second season should deliver some serious results for Seminole Nation.

5. Idaho

Total: 248

Perry: 52

Daughters: 52

Zundell: 48

Stine: 51

Mcaloon: 45

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

Hey Idaho, we're feeling the pride.

4. Tennessee

Total: 248

Perry: 53

Daughters: 53

Zundell: 53

Stine: 44

Mcaloon: 45

Last year's ranking: 18

 

Comment

The splatter effect is really cool; now Tennessee hopes to splatter a few more opponents.

3. New Mexico State

Total: 252

Perry: 53

Daughters: 52

Zundell: 53

Stine: 50

Mcaloon: 44

Last year's ranking: 31

 

Comment

New Mexico State may not win many games this fall, but the horizontal poster is outstanding.

2. Auburn

Total: 254

Perry: 54

Daughters: 51

Zundell: 53

Stine: 53

Mcaloon: 43

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

Auburn is so close to finishing on top again. I'm sure the Tigers would rather have the crystal ball than finish on top of the B/R poster rankings.

1. UTEP

Total: 255

Perry: 52

Daughters: 53

Zundell: 51

Stine: 53

Mcaloon: 46

Last year's ranking: Unranked

 

Comment

UTEP utilizes the splatter effect as well to earn the top spot in the 2011 rankings. Great job by everyone involved at UTEP.