College Football Rankings: Re-Ranking the Top 25, Post-LSU Suspensions

Oh, how the mighty are falling!

It started with USC, followed by Ohio State, North Carolina and LSU.

Every one of those teams had a legitimate shot at the BCS before trouble with the NCAA changed their outlook on the season.

The news out of Baton Rouge that starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson has been suspended, along with wide receiver Russell Shepard makes it that much tougher to imagine the Tigers finishing the season with only one loss.

While these events are negative for LSU, teams such as Oregon, Alabama and Arkansas benefit from what's going on.

All that being said, this list is a ranking of the top 25, taking into consideration key injuries, as well as suspensions.

You might want to hurry up and read it before somebody else gets suspended...

25. USC Trojans

While not exactly the type of ranking to which USC fans were accustomed last decade, a top 25 ranking shows that Lane Kiffin and the Trojans are still heading the right direction.

Guys like Robert Woods and Matt Barkley make this team a challenger for the Pac-12 South.

Given the amount of talent USC will have on the field, it's quite possible that they could pull an upset or two.

Limited scholarships and post-season bans aside, this team should make some noise, and may end up in the top fifteen by the end of the year.

24. Auburn Tigers

The Tigers' season could really go either way.

That's how it is with young talent, they either surprise you with their maturity and ability to make plays, or they play as if they have never seen a football field in their lives.

Gene Chizik's squad returns only six guys from last season's BCS Championship squad, including break-out star, running back Michael Dyer.

Dyer's numbers should improve this season, even over his solid showing last year, as he will have to be consistent to take the pressure off of new quarterback Barrett Trotter.

Trotter, a Junior, will lead the Tigers into the most inscrutable season for a defending champion in recent memory.

In the extremely hazardous SEC West, the Tigers are likely to find themselves on the receiving end of some tough scores.

23. West Virginia Mountaineers

The strength of the Mountaineers in '10 was the defense.

They finished third in the NCAA in total defense, and play-makers like end Bruce Irvin wreaked havoc all over the field.

In '11, the 'Neers have been depleted by attrition on defense, particularly in the secondary.

Irvin and his pals up front are going to need to keep up steady pressure on the passer for this defense to be close to the effectiveness of last season.

The addition of Dana Holgorsen and his subsequent ascendance to the head coaching position should provide a spark offensively almost from the get-go, and it will be interesting to see what quarterback Geno Smith does in Holgorsen's offense.

22. Florida Gators

The Gators can't possibly be that bad again this year, can they?

With the amount of talent this team boasts, and two great minds in Charlie Weis and Will Muschamp working to improve, the Gators will almost be able to regain their position among the SEC elite.

Almost.

Quarterback John Brantley has not exactly put any minds at ease with his performance in practices, and the defense is young.

That being said, if there is anyone in the country that can get the defense rolling, it is Muschamp, and the same could be said for Weis and his offense.

They have a brutal stretch of schedule in the middle of the season that includes a visit from Alabama, road trips to LSU and Auburn, as well as the yearly grudge match with Georgia.

21. Georgia Bulldogs

You might see the Bulldogs near the top ten by season's end, even with an 0-2 start.

After a bout in Atlanta with Boise State and a visit from South Carolina in consecutive weeks, Georgia's schedule is extremely manageable.

They manage to avoid facing Arkansas, Alabama or LSU in SEC play, and bitter rival Georgia Tech is in the midst of a downswing.

Aaron Murray must operate at quarterback without the sure hands of Kris Durham and spectacular play of A.J.Green, and the offensive line is going to be questionable.

However, if Mark Richt can ride out the first few weeks of the season, he will likely find his currently hot seat cooling off by season's end.

20. Ohio State Buckeyes

While the Buckeyes are obviously good at reloading, rather than rebuilding, this season is going to be very difficult.

Most teams start with a pretty solid core of experience when they enter a reloading year, but the Buckeyes cupboards are pretty bare when it comes to returning starters.

That condition is only exacerbated by the five game suspensions to be served at the beginning of the season by key starters such as Dan Herron and Devier Posey.

The Big Ten has the usual front-runners such as Wisconsin and Penn State, but the resurgence of programs such as Michigan and Illinois could lead to some big issues for OSU.

19. Mississippi State Bulldogs

The Bulldogs have the misfortune of playing in the SEC West.

They have to face Alabama, Arkansas, LSU and Auburn in conference play, as well as Georgia and South Carolina.

Chris Relf has made significant progress at quarterback, and in practice has taken on more of a leadership role.

The issue for the Bulldogs is on defense.

While the secondary is loaded and the line has some talent, MSU lost all of their starting linebackers.

Dan Mullen has these guys headed in the right direction, but it will be a few seasons before they are BCS material.

18. Missouri Tigers

Of the four teams predicted to sit atop the Big 12 standings, Missouri is likely to be fourth.

It's tough to see them beating an Oklahoma squad out for revenge, and they host Oklahoma State and travel to Texas A&M in consecutive weeks.

Experience is not an issue on offense, with the exception of quarterback.

Guys like T.J. Moe and Michael Egnew will help new quarterback James Franklin adjust to being the starter, but expect some hiccups before Franklin gets rolling.

The defense will be stout, and Gary Pinkel has proven to be one of the better coaches in the conference.

However, a tough non-conference schedule coupled with the aforementioned games will leave the TIgers out of the BCS mix.

17. Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans may have the most explosive offense in the conference in '11.

Kirk Cousins is one of the most savvy quarterbacks you will find anywhere, and Edwin Baker is primed for a huge season.

So why aren't they ranked higher?

Two reasons.

First, they lost the heart and soul of their defense in linebackers Greg Jones and Eric Gordon.

Second, and even more concerning, they have a deceptively difficult schedule.

If the Spartans are to duplicate last season's one loss regular season, it would mean they only lost one  of these games:

at Notre Dame, at Ohio State, at Nebraska, at Iowa, at Northwestern and vs Wisconsin.

A pretty tall order for any team...

16. TCU Horned Frogs

Yes, Gary Patterson seems to put together defenses that perform at a very high level every season.

Yes, the Frogs went undefeated in 2010.

However, they lost some key talent that could put a damper in their bid to go without a loss once more.

Quarterback Andy Dalton is gone, along with two All-American offensive linemen, and the secondary returns only one full time starter.

If there is one thing we have learned from Patterson's squads in recent seasons, it is not to underestimate them.

This season, if they split their first two contests, they should consider themselves lucky.

15. Arkansas Razorbacks

The tendency is to look at the fact that the Razorbacks lost Ryan Mallett and immediately write them off in the brutal SEC West.

As Lee Corso would say "not so fast, my friend".

Tyler Wilson is more than capable of taking over and producing at the quarterback position.

The season-ending injury suffered by running back Knile Davis hurt, but there is plenty of talent backing him up.

The Hogs have the best group of receivers in the nation, and a defense that has momentum in their favor and continues to show significant progress.

Trips to LSU and Alabama present huge obstacles, as does an interesting non-conference bout with Texas A&M.

Should the Hogs sneak one out in Baton Rouge or Tuscaloosa, they could take the SEC.

14. LSU Tigers

Not good.

That's how LSU's prospects can be summed up right now.

The team has been plagued by bad decisions and ill luck over the past few weeks.

Starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson was arrested following a nasty bar-fight incident, and has been suspended.

Starting wide receiver Russell Shepard has been declared ineligible and will miss the Tigers' opener against Oregon, as well as an undisclosed number of other contests.

Fifth-year senior Jarrett Lee will take over at quarterback for Les Miles' squad, and the Tigers will face an uphill climb, and a season once loaded with BCS title potential may now go languishing by the way-side.

13. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

You think the Irish are being overrated?

Deal with it.

They are for real.

Dayne Crist to Michael Floyd is going to be one of the top quarterback/receiver hook-ups in football this season, and the emergence of running back Cierre Wood means the Irish have a very balanced attack.

However, the strength of this team is the defense.

Linebacker Manti Te'o leads a defense that showed a preview of things to come in the last four games of last season, when they absolutely dominated opponents.

Their schedule is tough, there is not "easy" game on it, but big things should be expected from this squad, nevertheless.

12. Oklahoma State Cowboys

If there is a bandwagon that is getting extremely full, it is the Cowboys'.

While this offense can score points, haven't they been doing that for the last decade?

And how many BCS games have they gone to in that time span?

Sure, Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon are going to light up the scoreboard, but who takes over Kendall Hunter's position?

And who duplicates his production?

What about the loss of Dana Holgorsen?

This squad has a ton of potential, but until the defense demonstrates the ability to be consistent for four quarters, it's tough to imagine the Cowboys finishing the season in the top ten.

11. Virginia Tech Hokies

These guys are being so overlooked.

Sure, Florida State looks to be the cream of the ACC crop, but there is something to be said for consistency, and there are few programs more consistent than the Hokies.

Logan Thomas takes over at quarterback, and his height will enable him to make plays across the middle that Tyrod Taylor was never capable of making.

Va. Tech has a legit shot at going undefeated until the ACC Championship game.

They host Clemson, Miami and North Carolina, and the rest of the schedule could almost be termed "easy".

10. South Carolina Gamecocks

If anyone out of the SEC East is going to challenge the West for conference supremacy, it will be South Carolina.

This team has the potential to be very, very good.

Quarterback Stephen Garcia is inconsistent at times, but in his final season, may nail down some of those issues.

Running back Marcus Lattimore burst on the scene last season, and is poised to put up big numbers again.

Steve Spurrier has assembled one of the deepest and most talented defensive lines in the country.

Sure, Arkansas is no picnic, but these Gamecocks are going to find their way to the SEC title game for the second straight season.

9. Nebraska Cornhuskers

The 'Huskers are going to be the new kids on the block in the Big Ten this season.

Hopefully they don't pull the same kind of disappearing act as the band by the same name.

The conference schedule is tough from the get-go, with a trip to Madison to face Wisconsin opening the slate, followed by a visit from Ohio State.

Nebraska's offense was anemic at times last season, and that could get them in some trouble, but the defense is loaded with stars at every level.

Jared Crick, Lavonte David and Alfonzo Dennard are sure to make their mark in their inaugural Big Ten season, and should keep these guys in every game.

If Bo Pelini can abstain from injuring Taylor Martinez out of frustration, they have a solid shot at the BCS title.

8. Wisconsin Badgers

The memories of a tough loss in the Rose Bowl are starting to fade, and this team is primed for a run to the BCS.

Standout linebacker Chris Borland is back from injury, and will be the anchor of a deep defensive unit.

While the Badgers lost one cerebral quarterback in Scott Tolzien, they pick up another in Rusell Wilson, and Wilson also has the ability to extend plays with his legs, something Tolzien lacked.

Back to back games on the road against Michigan State and Ohio State will decide the Badgers' season.

7. Texas A&M Aggies

This unit is tough.

Mike Sherman has pieced together a defensive unit capable of slowing the high powered offenses in the conference.

All the noise about leaving the Big 12 aside, this team is extremely capable of winning the Big 12.

Running backs Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael give them options in the backfield, and quarterback Ryan Tannehill has an explosive weapon to utilize on the outside in wide receiver Jeff Fuller.

They must face Arkansas early in the season, and must travel to Oklahoma, but get to host Okie Lite and Missouri.

6. Boise State Broncos

The Broncos' seniors are back for one last stab at a BCS game, including star quarterback Kellen Moore.

In their first season as part of the MWC, they may find it difficult.

While they have the talent to beat Georgia in the non-conference schedule, a trip to Atlanta will be difficult.

Also, Chris Petersen and his squad will find the MWC to be slightly more challenging than playing the WAC.

Teams such as Air Force and San Diego State are going to be better than normal this season, and TCU is always dangerous.

It won't be a huge surprise if they finish undefeated, but it won't be a huge surprise if they lose two games, either.

5. Stanford Cardinal

Stanford is being severely overlooked, mainly because they play in the same division as Oregon, and they lost their head coach.

What a mistake.

The Cardinal still have an extremely talented offensive line, they return key components on defense and running back Stepfan Taylor...and Andrew Luck.

Sure, they have to face both Oregon and Notre Dame, but they play host to both of those squads.

It could be a big year for Stanford and new head coach David Shaw.

4. Oregon Ducks

Oregon is the beneficiary of LSU's turmoil.

Before the suspensions at LSU, the Ducks could have been knocked out of BCS title contention in their first game of the season.

Now, with LSU losing Jordan Jefferson and Russell Shepard for this game, the shoe is on the other foot.

It still won't be easy, but a win against LSU is far more likely then it seemed just three days ago.

They still have to face Arizona State, and they must travel to Stanford, neither of which is a very easy proposition.

However, two legitimate Heisman candidates will be playing for the Ducks, and should keep this squad going at the same frenetic pace they established last season.

3. Florida State Seminoles

The Seminoles have seemed to become the media darling, getting back their swagger and making a run at returning to the BCS.

The hype is justified.

The Seminoles boast one of the most experienced offenses in the game, as well as two of the best cornerbacks in the country.

Xavier Rhodes and Greg Reid make it very difficult for teams to pass the ball, and defensive end Brandon Jenkins will provide sufficient pressure to harry quarterbacks into costly mistakes.

FSU's shot at a BCS title will come down to their game early in the year against top-ranked Oklahoma.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Tide have a ton of holes to fill on offense.

Mark Ingram is gone, but Trent Richardson is capable of picking up where he left off with no loss of production.

Quarterback and wide receiver are both going to be inexperienced positions, but whoever gets the nod will have plenty of talent.

Where 'Bama will really flourish will be on the defensive side of the ball.

Nine of eleven starters return.

Everything is falling into place for these guys.

With the injury to Arkansas' Knile Davis and turmoil at LSU, the Tide's road to the SEC Championship game just became that much easier.

1. Oklahoma Sooners

The Sooners have got plenty of talent, but still have some lingering questions that need to be answered.

Who replaces DeMarco Murray's production?

Also, the linebacker position, while talented, lost a big time leader in Travis Lewis, and it's questionable whether he will be full strength for their huge road game in Tallahassee.

Speaking of road games, Landry Jones hates them.

OU's quarterback is 4-5 in true road games since taking over in 2009, and his 17-15 touchdown to interception ratio in those games is cause for concern.

With another added season of maturity, he may resolve some of those issues, but that remains to be seen.