BCS Rankings: What Will the 2011 Top 25 Look Like?
After this year's bowl games have wrapped up, the final rankings for the 2010 season will be decided. Many months after that, after players declare for the draft and as programs modify their rosters, the first rankings for the 2011 season will be announced.
Many of the rankings will be determined in part by whether certain players declare for the draft. If Cam Newton decides to enter, then Auburn will naturally drop down. Now that Jonathan Baldwin has planned to declare for the draft and Dave Wannstedt has resigned, it's safe to say that Pitt won't start in the Top 25.
Here are the Top 25 projected teams for 2011.
1. Oregon Ducks
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One of the teams playing in the BCS title game will be getting most of their core back next year.
Quarterback Darron Thomas has at least a year left, as does LaMichael James, and many of their backups were seniors.
They do lose their wide receivers and some of their defense, but there's no reason to think they can't compete next year.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
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The problem with the Buckeyes is that they'll be losing most of their offensive line next year, as well as Cameron Heyward.
But most of the defense will remain in place, and Terrelle Pryor is likely coming back. If Dan Herron and DeVier Posey come back as well, then that will be a big help.
3. TCU Horned Frogs
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Quarterback Andy Dalton is graduating and the offense looks like it will take a hit next season.
That being said, the defense has been what's carried them this year, and the graduating class is almost entirely offense, meaning the defense will be even better next year.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
4. LSU Tigers
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They struggled a bit this year, and even ranked at 11th, they feel a bit high.
However, aside from Patrick Peterson and Joseph Barksdale, they aren't going to be losing anyone of note and, combined with a strong recruiting class, they'll be high in the ranks to start the year.
5. Oklahoma Sooners
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Yes, they're likely losing Ryan Broyles to the draft, but looking past that, they still have Landry Jones and most of their offensive and defensive talent still in place.
With many freshmen getting sizable playing time working with Jones this year, they could be a very tough team down the stretch.
6. South Carolina Gamecocks
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South Carolina will start surprisingly high thanks not only to a good showing in the SEC this season, but because they'll be getting most of their staff back.
Marcus Lattimore will be running ragged over everyone again, and Stephen Garcia and Alshon Jeffery should both be back.
7. Auburn Tigers
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Here's the thing: Yes, Nick Fairley's gone and Cameron Newton likely will be as well, but this rushing team will still have Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb, who ran for nearly a combined 1,750 yards this past season.
They'll be fine.
8. Michigan State Spartans
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Michigan State is not losing too many players, mainly since I don't see anyone declaring with how under-the-radar the team was all year.
As such, they'll be looking to break out this upcoming year, and with nearly everyone returning sans wideout Mark Dell, they very well could.
9. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Even if Justin Blackmon declares for the draft, they have enough talent in their lineup that they'll be fine. Running back Kendall Hunter is graduating, but freshman Joseph Randle played enough that he'll likely have a breakout year.
They're definitely not a team to count out.
10. Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Now that Taylor Martinez has a year of Big 12 experience under his belt, he and the Cornhuskers will likely be a very tough team next year.
The offense will be in rhythm, though hopefully they will have someone who can step in to fill the void left by Prince Amukamara.
11. Florida State Seminoles
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Yes, they're losing Christian Ponder to the draft, and yes, they struggled down the stretch.
However, they always recruit very well—their class ranking third this past year—and as a result they are going to be rated higher than they should be.
12. Missouri Tigers
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Man, the Big 12 is going to be tough next year.
The Missouri Tigers will be bringing back almost everyone who got them this far, and if Blaine Gabbert can recapture the magic he had back in 2009, they will be quite the dangerous team.
13. Wisconsin Badgers
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It might be a good thing John Clay struggled down the stretch. He won't be declaring, so they will have a tough running back duo who can help them win games.
In losing Scott Tolzien, Gabe Carimi and J.J. Watt likely to the draft, among others, they could easily be ranked lower.
14. Arkansas Razorbacks
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Ryan Mallett may be on an NFL team next season, and with the loss of DeMarcus Love, among others, there will be several holes to fill.
Their progress this year, though, shows that they should be able to stay a force in the SEC.
15. Texas A&M Aggies
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Yet another Big 12 Team in the Top 25. If Texas A&M is able to bring back all their star juniors, then this team could be a surprise.
Ryan Tannehill won't declare since he split time at quarterback. Now that the other one is graduating, he could easily have a breakout season, as well as many of the other Aggies.
16. Virginia Tech Hokies
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While they're losing Tyrod Taylor, the good news is their graduating class is quite small, so those who remain can build on their ACC Championship Game appearance.
Can they do that with Logan Thomas? Probably not, but they will compete.
17. Stanford Cardinal
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Not only are they losing Andrew Luck to the draft, but they have perhaps the largest graduating senior class on the list. Even though the Pac-10 wasn't as tough as it has been, losing as many players as Stanford will is tough for any school.
Stepfan Taylor will do all he can to keep Stanford in the Top 25, though a lot could depend on if Jim Harbaugh leaves.
18. West Virginia Mountaineers
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While Stanford might fall down a few pegs, West Virginia will be moving right up those same pegs. Most of the losses will come from their defensive side, where they were among the best in the league, but Geno Smith and most of the other offensive weapons will be returning, which could really help the team.
As long as they mesh, winning the Big East shouldn't be a problem.
19. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Do I really have Alabama this low? Yes. I know they recruit well, but can they replace Mark Ingram, Julio Jones and Greg McElroy without it affecting the team?
Trent Richardson can pick up apace at running back, but it will take a little while for this team to get moving.
20. Boise State Broncos
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Before I say anything else, I actually like Boise State, so this isn't a cheap shot at them. The problem is, Kellen Moore's declaring for the draft, Titus Young's graduating, as is Austin Pettis, and while Doug Martin will probably stay, he can only do so much for the Broncos.
As such, those who rank the teams will put them lower than they should be.
21. Boston College Eagles
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Their offense was very young this season, and as a result we certainly saw problems. Losing Anthony Castonzo won't help matters, either.
If they can decide on a quarterback (probably Chase Rettig) and stick with that one as the offense meshes, they could definitely be a Top 25 team. If they use a three-quarterback carousel, then forget it.
22. Connecticut Huskies
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This pick is conditional on two things: First, if they hang with Oklahoma, then that will certainly look good in the eyes of those ranking and they'll be able to stay in the Top 25 next year. Second, if Jordan Todman does not declare, then they'll be a great team.
If he does join the draft, then it won't happen, which is a shame since they have few graduating seniors; next year is their time.
23. Utah Utes
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They always seem to find a way onto the Top 25 whether they're on the preseason rankings or not, so we may as well put them in.
It helps that their QB is only a sophomore.
24. Mississippi State Bulldogs
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They do have many players graduating, in particular Derek Sherrod, but nonetheless a lot of their weapons will remain. The SEC is tough, but the Bulldogs have shown they can handle it.
Chris Relf is hoping to have a breakout year.
25. UCF Golden Knights
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I think we can give the Knights and freshman QB Jeffrey Godfrey a little bit of credit. Conference-USA may not be a big deal, but UCF played well in it and looks to only get better next year.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
