College Football 2012: Who Will Join Alabama in Next Season's Top 5?

The 2011 college football season may be all over with, but the sport never sleeps. In fact, the offseason is full of activity. National Signing Day is less than two weeks away, falling on February 1, and spring ball is in just three months.

Before you know it, you'll be sporting your team's jersey and grilling up some hot dogs at your respective school's tailgating party.

Sounds nice, right?

Well, before I get you too worked up, let's take a look into my crystal ball and predict the next top-five college football teams for the 2012-13 season.

5. Oregon Ducks

The Oregon Ducks have won the Pac-12 three times in a row, but will be tested big time by Southern California for a fourth.

With all-time leading rusher LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas set for the NFL draft, Oregon is expected to return five starters on offense and seven on defense.

Questions loom at the QB position, as upcoming sophomore Bryan Bennett takes over under center for the first time.

The secondary brings back three starters after having to utilize two freshman cornerbacks who struggled at times last season.

Still, the Ducks play a cupcake non-conference schedule (Arkansas State, Fresno State and Tennessee Tech) and will play five of their first games at home.

4. LSU Tigers

LSU brings back seven starters on offense and six on defense from a squad that at times seemed like a perfect football team.

The Tigers easily went 13-0 in 2011, defeating teams such as Oregon, Mississippi State, West Virginia, Arkansas, Georgia and even Alabama before losing to the Crimson Tide 21-0 in the BCS National Championship.

Georgia transfer Zach Mettenberger is expected to replace Jordan Jefferson at quarterback after highly-touted recruit Gunner Kiel decided to decommit and enroll at Notre Dame.

The junior QB saw some playing time in the Northwestern State game last year, completing 8-of-11 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.

Linebackers Stefoin Francois and Ryan Baker will have to be replaced, but the defense will still be strong with young talent.

The Tigers will square off with North Texas, Washington, Idaho and Towson for their non-conference opponents instead of Oregon and West Virginia. They play a total of eight games in Death Valley.

3. Oklahoma Sooners

I have Oklahoma pre-ranked No. 3 for one reason and one reason only.

Landry Jones.

The Sooners didn't live up to expectations in 2011, as they started off as the No. 1 team in the nation and finished with a 10-3 record. They lost their leading rusher and receiver to season-ending injuries, which may have been the cause, but an Insight Bowl appearance was disappointing nevertheless.

Quarterback Landry Jones—already the school's all-time leading passer—has decided to return for his senior year after being projected to be selected fairly high in the NFL draft.

Four starting offensive linemen are expected back, along with explosive receivers Kenny Stills and Jaz Reynolds. Top tailback Dominique Whaley will return from a broken ankle.

Oklahoma will own one of the most dynamic offenses in 2012.

It will have to replace defensive ends Frank Alexander and Ronnell Lewis and linebacker Travis Lewis, but the secondary should be strong.

The only opponents finalized on the Sooners' schedule are rival Texas and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Things won't get easier though, with TCU and possibly West Virginia joining the Big 12.

2. USC Trojans

USC has gotten through the two-year postseason ban, and quarterback Matt Barkley's decision to return for his senior season has the Trojans back in the BCS title conversation.

Although they'll have to replace All-American offensive lineman Matt Kalil, the Trojans are expected to return their leading rusher, top three receivers, four starting offensive linemen and entire secondary.

Southern Cal started 10 freshmen and sophomores in 2011, meaning most of the team has a lot of the experience needed to make a big run.

If USC can knock off the Oregon Ducks at home on November 3 and most likely again in the conference title game, we'll see it in the national championship.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

For Nick Saban to win his fourth BCS National Championship (third with Alabama), he'll have to coach his way to wins against Michigan, Arkansas and LSU.

But by the look of his track record, that could come easier than most think.

The Crimson Tide return seven starters on offense, including four starting offensive linemen and MVP quarterback A.J. McCarron. Heisman finalist Trent Richardson will soon be an NFL running back, but Eddie Lacy looked outstanding in the championship game and should be a perfect replacement.

Alabama will have six starters on the defensive side come back from arguably the best defense of the decade. It loses future pros Dont'a Hightower and Dre Kirkpatrick, but will be stocked full with young talent.

To top it all off, Saban has put together a monstrous recruiting class. It ranks No. 1 overall in ESPN's Class of 2012 Team Football Recruiting Rankings. He has signed 12 prospects from the ESPNU Top 150, and National Signing Day could still bring more.

The Tide is rolling.


Follow me on Twitter  @Tyler_Waddell for more updates around the sports world.