Oregon Ducks and 10 Teams That Return the Most Talent

First, let me say that this is a very subjective list, so please don't get your knickers in a twist if your favorite team is not included. 

I didn't go by Top 25 AP ranking at the end of the season.  I also didn't go down the list of teams returning the most numbers of starters according to Phil Steele's blog because nobody cares about Bowling Green.  Well, except for all those nice people who do.

It's subjective because I chose those teams who I find the most interesting to think about in the coming year. 

If your team was an obvious choice that I overlooked, I'm sure you will let me know.

Oregon Losing to NFL, Graduation, but Still Strong

The Oregon Ducks return a total of 13 starters off their 2012 Rose Bowl winning team. 

Yes, they are losing such key contributors as Heisman finalist and star running back LaMichael James to the NFL draft, and, in a shocker, starting QB Darron Thomas. 

In addition to these two going out early, the Ducks also lose some key starters to graduation: Mark Asper (OL), David Paulson (TE), Eddie Pleasant (Rover), Terrell Turner (DE), and Lavasier Tuinei (WR). 

But the Ducks are deep, and while these players will be missed, the 13 returning starters will be joined by a strong replacement at nearly every position.  Sophomore QB Bryan Bennett is expected to replace Darron Thomas, and Kenjon Barner will become the lead back, replacing his good friend LaMichael James. 

With returning talent such as multi-position De'Anthony Thomas, Kiko Alonso (LB) and the defensive player of the game in the Rose Bowl, Kenjon Barner (RB), and John Boyett (FS), the Ducks will be just fine.

Unless returning head coach Chip Kelly gets an NFL offer he can't refuse.  Then, all bets are off.   

Alabama Returns 13 Starters, Including QB AJ McCarron

Alabama, like Oregon, returns 13 total starters.  One key area where they differ is that Alabama returns its starting QB, AJ McCarron, off their National Championship winning team.

Please don't feel sorry for 'Bama for losing Heisman finalist RB Trent Richardson, Dre Kirkpatrick (CB), and Dont'A Hightower (LB) to the NFL Draft.  Along with McCarron—the offensive MVP of The Natty—'Bama returns a strong core of wide receivers.  Depending on who steps up to replace Richardson at RB, you may see Alabama throwing the ball more in 2012 than they did in 2011.

And, while Alabama does lose many starters on the defensive side of the ball, they look to have the depth to replace most.  We will know early on when Alabama and Michigan meet on Sept. 1 at the Cowboys Classic whether its defense will rise to the level of the 2011 class. 

This early game might also give us a clue if AJ McCarron's name might enter the Heisman chatter.

Geaux Tigers

Well, we can't talk about Alabama and Oregon without talking about LSU, can we? 

After its nearly perfect year, LSU returns more starters than Alabama and Oregon.  According to http://lsusports.net, LSU returns 16 starters (8 offense, 6 defense, 2 specialist) for the 2012 season, including a trio of All-Americans in cornerback Tyrann (Honey Badger) Mathieu, defensive end Sam Montgomery and punter Brad Wing. The Tigers also return their top four running backs and their second-leading receiver in Odell Beckham, Jr.

With both Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson graduating, the Tigers will have a competition at QB position, with Zach Mettenberger and Stephen Rivers in the mix now that top recruit prospect Gunner Kiel has switched his commitment from LSU to Notre Dame.

There is no doubt that the Tigers will miss cornerback Morris Claiborne, who was a destroyer on his side of the field, and standout defensive tackle Michael Brockers, both of whom declared early for the NFL draft. 

Obviously, LSU has some key holes to fill, but the core group is solid and they always seem to find new guys to step up.

LSU's Decommit Is Notre Dame's Gain as Gunner Kiel Switches

Despite losing the last two games of the 2011 season, Notre Dame is looking forward to 2012.

In addition to returning fifteen starters from last year, it is widely considered that Notre Dame has one of the ten best recruiting classes of 2012.  Top QB prospect Gunner Kiel, who first committed to LSU and then changed his mind, appears to be the cherry on top.

In the meantime, it appears the Irish have a QB controversy (what fun!), and it will be interesting to watch Tommy Rees and Andrew Hendrix duke it out for the starting role.

The Irish have most of their offensive skill players intact, with the exception of losing stalwart receiver Michael Floyd.  All-American linebacker Manti Te'o will stay at Notre Dame for his senior year, which I'm sure brought sighs of relief all around.

They appear to be losing the most in the secondary, where they lose three starters.  Overall, I believe that Notre Dame—in spite of their difficult schedule—will make progress this year. 

Arkansas Returns 15 Starters, Including SEC Leading Passer Tyler Wilson

The Razorbacks return a healthy number of starters from a program that is 21-4 over its last 25 games, including the SEC's leading passer Tyler Wilson.

But to whom will Wilson throw this year?  Gone are star receivers Jarius Wright and Joe Adams.  Returning TE Chris Gragg will have to step it up until the younger wide receivers can fill the gap.  The Razorbacks appear to be solid at the running back position.

Standout linebacker Alonzo Highsmith is returning and will have to anchor a defensive unit that has some question marks.  It will be interesting to watch Arkansas' recruiting effort to see if they can shore up holes in the defense that will help them against LSU and Alabama this year.

USC Returning 19 Starters

Two words:  Matt Barkley.

If only it were that simple.  In addition to the bonus that Barkley's return for his senior year gave Lane Kiffin and the Trojans, USC returns some major talent.  Virtually all of the skill positions return intact.

The Trojans' top three receivers are also returning to give Barkley excellent targets.  Robert Woods and Marqise Lee—probably the best receiving duo in the nation last year—are both back with more experience, a scary thought for opponents. 

USC will also welcome back four starting offensive lineman to protect blondie, and their top running back Curtis McNeal. 

As if that much firepower on offense weren't enough, the Trojans also have their entire defensive backfield seven coming back.

Cute, articulate, and with a powerful supporting cast, we might as well just give Barkley the Heisman now and be done with it.

Michigan Returns Experience, Talent

In addition to star QB Denard Robinson and star linebacker Kenny Demens, Michigan returns a total of sixteen starters off their 10-2 regular season in 2011.

Joining Robinson in the backfield is running back Fitzgerald Toussaint, who had over 1,000 yards last season.  These two teammates should be ready to rock 'n roll in 2012.

The Wolverines will miss David Molk at center, and they are losing three key players on the defensive line, especially Mike Martin at tackle.

Also cute and articulate, and blessed with fast feet, we might not want to bestow the Heisman on Barkley just yet.  Let's see what Denard can accomplish with a solid returning cast and another year of experience under his belt.

Oklahoma State Returns Majority of Starters, but Loses Key Players

Goodbye Brandon Weeden.  Goodbye Justin Blackmon.  Can the Cowboys repeat as Big 12 champs without these two exceptional players?

In addition to losing star QB Weeden and star WR Blackmon, OK State also is losing three starters on the offensive line.  Who will replace Weeden seems to be up for grabs.  The Cowboys are solid at running back, but will that be enough to replace Weeden's prolific passing yardage?

The defensive backfield—a good group in 2011—remains intact, and the Cowboys really only lose three starters on defense.

South Carolina Returns 15 Starters

When we talk about the Gamecocks returning strength, we must first discuss their strong passing defense, ranked No. 2 in the country in 2011.  South Carolina has three senior starters coming back, and enough depth behind them to not lose ground in passing defense. 

Gamecocks fans will also cheer at having potential Heisman candidate Marcus Lattimore back at running back after a knee injury last year.  It remains to be seen if Lattimore will be 100% healthy and ready to go.

But South Carolina has some relatively large question marks, foremost among them is a bad offensive line and less-than-perfect performance at QB.  Is Connor Shaw underrated, or is he really the guy?  Coach Spurrier will have to figure it out if he wants to get past Georgia in the SEC East Division.

Additionally, they lose both starting kicker and punter to graduation and must fill those slots.

Michigan State Has 15 Starters Coming Back, but It's Not as Good as It Sounds

First, the good news: the Spartans get eight starters back from the Big Ten’s best defense.  These guys are the real deal, and they will have to be in 2012, because…

Next, the not-so-good news: almost everybody that was anybody on offense is gone.  Kirk Cousins, the winningest QB ever at Michigan State (and I swear he’s been there at least ten years), has finally exhausted his eligibility.  Fans seem excited about his replacement, Andrew Maxwell.  We’ll see.

The Spartans do have four starters on the offensive line returning, but their rushing game was suspect, so this could either be a positive or negative stat.

Also gone are all—I repeat, all—the wide receivers and tight ends to whom Cousins threw the ball.  They may have a budding superstar running back in Le’veon Bell, but I think the Michigan State defense had better count on showing up big each and every Saturday if they want to get back to a nice bowl in 2012.

TCU Returns 13 Starters, Including Budding Star QB Casey Pachall

Look out Big 12: the core group that took the Horned Frogs to an 11-2 season in 2011 remains fairly intact.

6’5” QB Casey Pachall should be a force to be reckoned with this year.  He won me over in the Boise State game, and TCU fans expect him to do nothing but improve. 

Pachall’s top two targets, wide receivers Josh Boyce and Skye Dawson, return.  To go along with the passing game, also coming back are the Horned Frogs’ three-pronged running attack with Ed Wesley, Waymon James and Matthew Tucker. 

As if all that offense isn’t enough, TCU is also no 90-pound weakling on defense.  DE Stansly Maponga is expected to anchor a strong front seven on defense, despite losing All-American Tank Carder.

TCU does need to rebuild its offensive line, and they also need a new punter and kicker.  I’d go for the kicker; my guess is the Horned Frogs won’t be punting much.