College Football 2011: 10 Teams with the Most Momentum Heading into 2011
The 2010 college football season is over, and a number of players have moved on. That opens the door for a number of teams in 2011.
A few finished their 2011 campaigns on a high note, but some of the best teams in the nation from last season are missing key players due to graduation and the NFL Draft.
Here's a look at 10 teams, in no particular order, heading into the 2011 college football season with the most momentum, based on last year's performance, returning roster and post season success.
Mississippi State
1 of 10
The Bulldogs had a very good year in 2010 with nine wins, including a bowl victory over Michigan. They lost a few offensive and defensive lineman to graduation. They did a decent job of replacing them in their signing class, but that shouldn't help them in 2011.
The good news is Dan Mullen is still in town and a number of offensive players, including quarterback Chris Relf and running back LaDarius Perkins, are returning on offense.
The bad news is defensive coordinator Manny Diaz left for Texas, and the Bulldogs obviously play in the SEC.
There's never an easy slate when you're a member of the SEC, but Mississippi State is carrying a lot of momentum into 2011; they just have to capitalize on it.
LSU
2 of 10
There was a lot of complaining in Baton Rouge for a team that finished the season at 11-2, including a Cotton Bowl victory over Texas A&M. Les Miles reportedly turned down Michigan and is back to coach the Tigers in 2011.
LSU will have a stout defense returning and it will be tested right away when they play Oregon on September 3rd at Cowboys Stadium.
Jordan Jefferson, if he is the starter next season, will have to play better. The offense is what held this team back in 2010, but it could put them over the top in 2011.
Oregon
3 of 10
Yes, Oregon lost the national championship to Auburn, but they have a chance to to compete for another national title in 2011.
LaMichael James is a big reason why, but he will be playing behind a few new offensive lineman. Oregon was overmatched in a few games last year, but found ways to win. They're fast, athletic and they can wear defenses down when they're at their best.
The problem for the Ducks is their first scheduled game of 2011. They play LSU at Cowboys Stadium. We'll have a few questions answered about both teams right away, but for now Oregon has momentum heading into the season.
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Stanford
4 of 10
You'd have to think Stanford was a lock for this list, but if you look at the players they're losing you may question this selection. Oh yeah, they lost their head coach too.
The one thing this team has going for them is Andrew Luck, and the hiring of David Shaw from within shouldn't hurt.
What will hurt is only five returning starters on offense with questions on the offensive line and at wide receiver, and only six returning defensive starters.
Jim Harbaugh turned the program around, and 2011 will be a good chance to see how good of a recruiter he was and how deep the Stanford roster is.
Notre Dame is their only notable out of conference opponent, but the Pac-12 is up for grabs. Will they be able to grab it is the question.
Nebraska
5 of 10
Nebraska did lose to Washington of all teams in the Holiday Bowl, but it was amid some controversy with head coach Bo Pelini and quarterback Taylor Martinez.
Pelini and Martinez need to approach 2011 as a new beginning, because it is. Nebraska is moving into the Big 10 (at least that's what it's called). The move could give the team some extra motivation for 2011, and a weak out of conference schedule should help early on.
They have a legitimate shot to win the conference in their inaugural season, and their October matchup with Ohio State will likely be the deciding factor.
Oklahoma
6 of 10
The Sooners are the early favorite to win the national championship next season, and experience on offense is why.
Landry Jones is on pace to break almost every school record and he has a stable of receivers to throw to in Ryan Broyles, Kenny Stills and Trey Franks. On top of that, the Sooners lose only one offensive lineman. A replacement for Demarco Murray will be the coaching staffs' biggest concern.
Defensively, Oklahoma is probably the strongest in the Big 12 and one of the best in the nation.
Their out of conference opponents include Florida State, Tulsa, and Ball State, but the Sooners are more talented than all of these teams.
It wouldn't be much of a surprise to see another Bob Stoops team back in a national title game in 2011.
Florida State
7 of 10
The Seminoles are still a work in progress, but they have a lot of momentum heading into 2011 and are poised for a big season.
Playing in the ACC should help them, and having a young quarterback in E.J. Manuel, who has a lot of game experience from 2010, should be huge heading in to their September schedule.
Their defense took the biggest hit in the offseason, but Jimbo Fisher has been recruiting top-notch talent the past few seasons as assistant head coach under figure-head coach Bobby Bowden.
Oklahoma is their third game of the season and they also have Florida on their out of conference slate. Besides those two, the only other threats are in-conference opponents.
A national championship is unlikely this year, but a BCS bowl is within their grasp.
Texas A&M
8 of 10
Texas A&M lost their bowl game against LSU, but had won six straight before a month-and-a-half layoff. They did lose their two key players, Jerrod Johnson and Von Miller, but have a chance to compete in a wide open Big 12 with a pretty favorable schedule.
There are only two linebacker holes to fill on defense, and Ryan Tannehill has enough experience to carry the offense from the quarterback position.
The Aggies could be the sleeper of 2011, but they'll have to go through Oklahoma to do it.
Oklahoma State
9 of 10
Oklahoma State returns 10 players on offense, including star wide receiver Justin Blackmon. They will be without Kendall Hunter, but being able to return everyone else is a huge advantage.
Their defense, however, remains a huge problem. If the Cowboys had a better defensive unit they would likely be taken more seriously. They have an offense to compete with Oklahoma, but their defense doesn't give them a great chance to win.
They have a weak out of conference schedule, so they'll have to take care of business inside the Big 12.
Alabama
10 of 10
Yes, Alabama. They lose a lot of key players on offense, but when you consistently recruit 5-star talent, you can afford to lose key players.
Mark Ingram is gone, but they have Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacey to fill his shoes. Julio Jones left, but they still have Brandon Gibson and Darius Hanks, and QB Greg McElroy graduated, so A.J. McCarron will likely fill his shoes.
They only lost two players on defense, so that unit should be fine. Alabama is the early favorite to win the SEC, and have a fairly weak out of conference schedule. They do travel to Penn State, but the Nittany Lions don't pose a major threat.
Nick Saban and company have a legitimate shot at another national title in 2011.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
