College Football Predictions 2011: 10 Teams Who Won't Contend for National Title

While the college football season is still seven months away, it is never too early to make some bold predictions. 

Graduation and early departures to the NFL can often lead to teams going from the top of the national spotlight to middle of the pack in their conference. 

While many teams reload, playing for a National Championship is a whole new animal.

Here is a list of 10 teams who lost too much talent to contend for the National Championship. 

10. Ohio State

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin

The Ohio State Buckeyes start off the list mostly due to the suspensions that will cost half of their offense five games. 

They lost of quarterback Terrelle Pryor for the beginning of next season, which could spell doom for Ohio State. One loss for the Buckeyes without their star players could mean the end of any National Championship hopes. 

If the suspensions are reduced, however, the Buckeyes could quickly be off this list. 

9. Boise State

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LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Titus Young #1 of the Boise State Broncos runs for yardage around Chad Manis #18 and Justin Taplin-Ross #33 of the Utah Utes during the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise St

The Boise State Broncos return a good amount of talent, but the loss of senior receivers Titus Young and Austin Pettis will be hard to replace. 

The Broncos also lost some key defensive starters. Kellen Moore is back, but he will have to find some new targets. 

If Boise State couldn't go undefeated last season, they will have a tough time running the table in 2011 without their two biggest offensive playmakers. 

8. Missouri

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers drops back to pass during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (P

The Missouri Tigers would certainly not be on the list if it weren't for the departure of quarterback Blaine Gabbert. 

Gabbert jumped early to the NFL, and he will be hard to replace.

Missouri was 10-3 last season and returns a lot, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. A few key departures on defense and the loss of Gabbert will make a duplication of last season very difficult to attain. 

7. Wisconsin

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Running back John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes with the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Wisconsin ran the ball down their opponents' throats last season. 

Two-thirds of the three-headed attack will be back next season. John Clay has departed, but James White and Montee Ball are back. 

The losses of quarterback Scott Tolzien, along with three offensive linemen who helped pave the way for the big running attack, will hurt the Badgers chances of repeating as Big Ten champs. 

6. Arkansas

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew

As expected, Arkansas junior quarterback Ryan Mallett left early for the NFL and after three losses last season, the Razorbacks will be hard pressed to have as much success in 2011.  

The Razorbacks will also have to replace all-world tight end D.J. Williams. Williams was the best tight end in the country last season, and he will be sorely missed. 

With three offensive linemen lost to graduation, Arkansas will still be good, but not National Championship good. 

5. Iowa

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the Insight Bowl against the Missouri Tigers at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (Photo by Christian Peter

The Iowa Hawkeyes had a disappointing 2010 season, and some key departures will make next season extremely difficult for the Iowa Hawkeyes. 

Senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi is finally gone after being around for what seemed like an eternity. The Hawkeyes will also have to replace half of their defensive starters.

An impressive bowl win to end the season is something to build on, but the Hawkeyes will be hard pressed to have a seven or eight win season. 

4. Virginia Tech

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies looks on against the Stanford Cardinal during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Ima

After starting last season with two consecutive losses, the Virginia Tech Hokies responded with 11 straight victories before falling to Stanford in the Orange Bowl. 

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor had an impressive career over his four years in Blacksburg, and he will be greatly missed. 

The Hokies return their running game and a good portion of their defense which will be solid once again, but replacing Taylor is a tall task for a team that lost three games last season. 

3. TCU

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates with the Rose Bowl Championship Trophy after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers 21-19 in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by

Andy Dalton leaves TCU as one of the greatest players to ever come through the university. Dalton will be as hard to replace as anybody in the country not named Newton. 

The loss of three starting receivers, along with four offensive linemen, will leave the TCU offense looking for answers. 

A repeat of last season will be a lot to ask of head coach Gary Patterson, and a shot at the National Championship seems very unlikely in 2011. 

2. Michigan State

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Greg Jones #53 of the Michigan State Spartans awaits the start of play against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

The Michigan State Spartans surprised everybody last season, sharing the Big Ten title. They fell flat on their face in the Capital One Bowl against Alabama and will have to replace some key defensive mainstays. 

Greg Jones departs Michigan State as one of the greatest linebackers the school has ever seen. The Spartans also lost linebacker Eric Gordon and half of the secondary. 

With just as much gone on offense, it will be extremely difficult for the Spartans to duplicate last season's Big Ten title. 

1. Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers warms up prior to their game against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo

Auburn would be a top five team if Cam Newton was back, but his departure could mean tough sledding for the Tigers.

Newton was far and away the best player in the country last season, and perhaps the best defensive player in the country, Nick Fairley, is also taking his talents to the NFL early. 

Losing two of the top five players in the country is tough for anybody to rebound from, even if they are the defending National Champions.