Oregon, LSU and 10 Teams Besides Oklahoma With a Chance at Preseason No. 1

The Oklahoma Sooners are getting quarterback Landry Jones and wide receiver Ryan Broyles back in 2011.

Along with a stout defense, that makes them the favorites to get the preseason No. 1 ranking.

However, there are several teams that might have a problem with the Sooners being ranked No. 1.

For example, the Oregon Ducks, the team that lost the national championship, are returning LaMichael James and Darron Thomas to the offense that led the nation in scoring.

Boise State gets Kellen Moore back and will once again be challenging for an undefeated season.

Here's a look at 10 teams besides Oklahoma that can claim to be the No. 1 team in the country to start 2011.

10. South Carolina

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 04: Marcus Lattimore #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks is tackled by Daren Bates #25 of the Auburn Tigers during the 2010 SEC Championship at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Ima

Marcus Lattimore dominated the SEC last season as a true freshman, racking up nearly 1,200 yards on the ground and scoring 17 touchdowns.

The Gamecocks have him for at least two more seasons before he can enter the NFL Draft, so barring an injury, South Carolina is in good shape in the SEC East.

They won't be the preseason No. 1, but they have enough talent to climb to No. 1 at some point during the 2011 season with a little luck.

9. TCU

George Frey/Getty Images

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 6: Ed Wesley #34 of the TCU Horned Frogs cuts back during a game against the Utah Utes during the first half of an NCAA football game November 6, 2010 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Gett

The Horned Frogs are losing Andy Dalton, but they'll still have Ed Wesley to anchor their offense.

Wesley had 1,078 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010. He'll need to do even better in 2011.

But, if TCU can beat Boise State, they'll deserve some consideration for the No. 1 spot.

8. Nebraska

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers looks for an open receiver against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

The Huskers are making the jump to the Big Ten in 2011, but there's no reason to think they'll have a down year.

Playing Ohio State is really not that different from playing Oklahoma when it comes to talent. Of course, Nebraska lost to Oklahoma in 2010, so they'll need to improve a bit if they are going to be No. 1.

But, they have Taylor Martinez, one of the most exciting players in college football.

He can pass well and you never know when he's going to break a long touchdown run.

7. Auburn

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Michael Dyer #5 of the Auburn Tigers runs the ball for a 37-yards late in the fourth quarter during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo

Auburn won the national championship in 2010, so what's to say they can't be No. 1 again in 2011.

Sure, it'll be a lot tougher without Cam Newton, Darvin Adams and Nick Fairley, but it won't be impossible.

This is still a very talented and dangerous team that could surprise a few people in 2011.

6. Florida State

Doug Benc/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback E.J. Manuel #3 of the Florida State Seminoles scrambles against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl on January 1, 2010 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.

I'm still not entirely sold E.J. Manuel being better than Christian Ponder, but a lot of Florida State fans are pretty excited about this season.

They've been insisting that their matchup against Oklahoma will be much closer than it was in 2010.

I guess if they are right, and they can pull off the upset against the Sooners, they'll be in the talk for the No. 1 spot.

(For the record, I definitely think the Seminoles will win the ACC at the very least.)

5. Stanford

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal throws pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty

The Cardinal received a huge boost for the 2011 season when star QB Andrew Luck announced he was returning to school.

Now, Stanford has a legitimate shot of beating Oregon and winning the Pac-12 in 2011.

They won't have Jim Harbaugh leading the team, but they should be fine under David Shaw.

4. LSU

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Head coach Les Miles of the Louisiana State University Tigers reacts to a field goal during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo b

LSU plays Oregon on September 3 in Dallas.

The winner of that game has to automatically considered as a potential No. 1 team.

On the other hand, this is why more coaches don't schedule tough out-of-conference games: A loss to Oregon would essentially end LSU's title hopes.

Either way, it will be a fun game to watch and will shake up the rankings quite a bit.

3. Boise State

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos prepares to pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

It seems like the Broncos are disrespected year after year when it comes to the rankings.

But, the fact of the matter is that this team is really good.

They showed it in 2010 with a victory over Virginia Tech in Week 1.

They'll show it again this year against Georgia and TCU.

And, if they go undefeated, let them play for the BCS Championship. Please?

2. Alabama

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Dont'a Hightower #30 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Alabama was the preseason No. 1 in 2010, but failed to live up to expectations.

This year's team has quite a bit of turnover, but they still have Nick Saban leading the way with Dont'a Hightower on defense and Trent Richardson on offense.

They'll still be a dangerous team in the SEC and could finish 2011 undefeated with a little luck.

1. Oregon

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs down field against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jonathan

The Ducks are returning LaMichael James and Darron Thomas, the two most important pieces to their top-rated offense.

They made it to the championship game in 2010, so why can't they repeat?

I would even go as far as to say the Ducks need to be the preseason No. 1 over Oklahoma.

Make the Sooners earn their ranking and give it to Oregon, the team that was seconds away from overtime in the 2010 championship.