2012 Preseason College Football Rankings: Predicting Top 3 Teams for Next Season

The 2011 season has crowned its champion, and now the focus quickly turns to next fall, which of course means it's time for the way-too-early predictions about the 2012 Preseason Top 25 Polls. 

Several very talented players are heading to the NFL, and it will ruin a number of teams. However, big name players are coming back, and incoming freshmen will definitely make a huge impact. 

The early preseason rankings will surely change once National Signing Day has come and gone, but there shouldn't be much change at the top. 

With that said, here is my super early predictions for the top three of the 2012 season. 

3. Oregon Ducks 

The Ducks are losing LaMichael James, who had a phenomenal college career. Fortunately for Oregon, there is still a ton of speed and power on this team to turn heads in 2012. 

Darron Thomas will be back at quarterback, provided he doesn't get into any trouble this offseason. Plus. Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas will help Oregon's offense explosive. 

Those two talented athletes will ensure that Oregon keeps playing at a high level, making people forget all about James. 

The Pac-12 North should easily go to Oregon, as the Ducks won't be challenged much inside their division. The game, or games, against USC next year will determine whether Oregon has a case for the BCS title game in 2012. 

2. USC Trojans 

Matt Barkley decided to come back, and he instantly made the Trojans one of the favorites of 2012. Had he departed for the NFL, he would have likely been a Top 10 pick, but USC would have been in shambles. 

Replacing Barkley would have proven difficult, but that's something the Trojans don't have to worry about right now. Instead, their focus will be on winning it all, which is possible because Barkley should have another stellar season, taking him to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist. 

With wide receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee expected to get even better during the offseason, the Trojans will be airing it out all over the place. 

Those two reeled in a combined 184 receptions, 2,435 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns. They're exceptional players that will turn into even bigger stars in 2012, helping USC get back to the top of the college football world. 

1. LSU Tigers 

Losing the BCS National Championship makes this team even scarier for the 2012 season. The fact that the Tigers were shut out by a division rival in the biggest game of them all will fuel those returning players to be even better next fall. 

Replacing the quarterback will be a challenge for Les Miles, but with a bevy of talented running backs and one of the countries best defenses, LSU will once again be tough to beat. 

The young playmakers are coming back, and they will be seeking revenge throughout the course of the year, which doesn't bode well for their opponents. 

Zach Mettenberger is likely to take over the reigns as starting QB, but the 6'5", 222-pounder will have some competition from incoming freshman Gunner Kiel, who was compared to Peyton Manning by Rivals.com. 

As long as the Tigers stay healthy in 2012, their experienced talent will carry LSU to another outstanding season.