Andrew Luck and Stanford Near Top of Too Early College Football Top 25 for 2011
Andrew Luck returning to Stanford (with or without coach Jim Harbaugh) puts the Cardinal in position to challenge the Oregon Ducks for Pac-10 prominence once again.
The Ducks will return stars Darron Thomas and LaMichael James after a potential BCS championship, but Luck will have Stanford ready to compete.
College football hasn't ended yet, but as the bowl games come to a close, most teams are looking forward to the 2011 NCAA season.
So while a lot will change from now until the start of next season (coaching changes, transfers and early entrants to the 2011 NFL Draft), I'm jumping the gun and putting out my way, way too early Top 25 for 2011.
25. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
1 of 25
They'll return 18 starters if Michael Floyd comes back, but I don't see that happening.
If he does, you can bump them up quite a few spots. Their always tough schedule will probably keep them near the bottom of the Top 25.
24. Missouri Tigers
2 of 25
Returning seven starters on its stellar defense.
But losing Blaine Gabbert hurts.
23. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
3 of 25
My dark horse pick.
An easy schedule (LA Tech, SE Louisiana, Virginia and Navy out of conference) and 16 returning starters.
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22. Miami Hurricanes
4 of 25
Here's to hoping Jacory Harris will rediscover his skills over the offseason.
21. Michigan Wolverines
5 of 25
The biggest question marks here are who the new coach is and if the Wolverines' young defensive backs will be anything better than awful.
But Denard Robinson is still in town (for now), and Michigan has a (relatively) easy schedule.
Homerism? Maybe a little bit.
20. Georgia Bulldogs
6 of 25
Aaron Murray is going to do big things next season, with or without A.J. Green.
19. USC Trojans
7 of 25
Ineligible for bowl participation, but not my too early Top 25.
Matt Barkley in his third year? Marc Tyler? Dillon Baxter? Count me in.
18. Mississippi State Bulldogs
8 of 25
The Bulldogs were good this year and should be even better next year.
But with LSU, South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn and Georgia on the schedule, that might not matter.
17. Michigan State
9 of 25
Thirteen returning starters, including quarterback Kirk Cousins, and this team was a co-winner of the Big Ten.
Forget the bowl game embarrassment—the Spartans are for real.
16. Nebraska Cornhuskers
10 of 25
If T-Magic gets his act together, Nebraska will challenge for the Big Ten title.
15. Clemson Tigers
11 of 25
One of the nation's top defenses returns eight starters, and their offense returns nine.
Tajh Boyd will step in at quarterback, and the Tigers have one of the best recruiting classes in the nation coming in.
14. South Carolina Gamecocks
12 of 25
Fourteen returning starters, including Stephen Garcia and Marcus Lattimore.
13. Virginia Tech Hokies
13 of 25
The loss of Tyrod Taylor is a huge blow, but they have the best running back tandem in the country.
12. Ohio State Buckeyes
14 of 25
Suspensions and the loss of a stellar senior class hurts the Buckeyes tremendously.
But they are still near the top of the Big Ten.
11. TCU Horned Frogs
15 of 25
Don't underestimate Gary Patterson's eye for talent. They'll be fine without Andy Dalton.
10. Auburn Tigers
16 of 25
Assuming Auburn loses Cam Newton, they won't make another BCS championship game. But they'll still be really good.
9. Oklahoma Sooners
17 of 25
Landry Jones will be a serious Heisman contender next season.
8. Wisconsin Badgers
18 of 25
Losing Scott Tolzien is a huge blow, but their dominant rushing attack isn't going anywhere.
7. Oklahoma State Cowboys
19 of 25
One of the nation's top scoring offenses returns 10 starters. Watch out.
6. Texas A&M Aggies
20 of 25
The Aggies were great once they made the switch to Ryan Tannehill at quarterback. He (and 17 other starters) will be back.
5. Stanford Cardinal
21 of 25
The only problem: They still aren't better than Oregon.
4. Boise State Broncos
22 of 25
They'll have to overcome Georgia and TCU next season. With Kellen Moore still around, I won't doubt them.
3. LSU Tigers
23 of 25
With competent quarterback play from Jordan Jefferson, LSU could be unstoppable.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
24 of 25
Greg McElroy and Mark Ingram are big losses, but they are returning their entire defense (minus Marcell Dareus).
Trent Richardson will fill in for Ingram, and A.J. McCarron should ensure that the Crimson Tide will be just fine.
1. Oregon Ducks
25 of 25
Darron Thomas and LaMichael James are coming back.
That's all that matters.
Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud.
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