College Football 2011 Predictions: The First Loss for Every Team
It can't be said enough that in America there are two seasons: football season and waiting for football season.
I know it is only February, and the college football season will begin in 198 days, but it is never too early for college football predictions.
Each team begins the season with a record of 0-0, and each week the number of teams without a loss and a chance of a national championship decreases.
Every head coach of every team wants to be featured in the picture on the left come next January. But that will only come true for one team.
The goal of having an undefeated season starts now in the offseason, but in this piece I will tell you when that dream will end for every team except one.
For one team, that dream will become a reality in New Orleans on Jan. 9. Read the article to find out which team that is.
All fans can agree that hoisting the crystal ball at the end of the season is the goal for every team.
However, almost every single team will have a problem with this list. I could only please one fanbase in this piece.
I know that it is early, and it is probably way too early for these predictions. So here is the first edition of when every team in major college football will lose its first game.
--
Follow me on Twitter @sportswithmike
The First Loss for Teams Ranked 120-111
1 of 57
120. Buffalo
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Pittsburgh
Why they lose: Buffalo will be outmatched against Pittsburgh. The game won't be close.
119. San Jose State
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Stanford
Why they lose: Andrew Luck.
118. Memphis
When they lose: Sept. 3 vs. Mississippi State
Why they lose: They will be outmatched when they play SEC opponent Mississippi State.
117. New Mexico
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Nevada
Why they lose: The Wolfpack will be able to beat New Mexico to open their season.
116. Akron
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Ohio State
Why they lose: The Buckeyes will not need Terrelle Pryor to beat Akron, as this game won't be close.
115. Colorado State
When they lose: Sept. 17 vs. Colorado
Why they lose: Colorado will defeat its in-state rival, and the game shouldn't be close.
114. Louisiana-Monroe
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Florida State
Why they lose: It is Florida State.
113. Eastern Michigan
When they lose: Sept. 17 at Michigan
Why they lose: It is Michigan.
112. UL-Lafayette
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Oklahoma State
Why they lose: UL-L is playing Oklahoma State on the road; it shouldn't be close.
111. New Mexico State
When they lose: Sept. 3 vs. Ohio
Why they lose: This could be a close game, but in the end Ohio ends up on top.
The First Loss for Teams Ranked 110-101
2 of 57
110. Florida Atlantic
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Florida
Why they lose: It is Florida, so it won't be close.
109. UNLV
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Wisconsin
Why they lose: They have to open the season on the road against Wisconsin; it shouldn't be close.
108. Western Kentucky
When they lose: Sept. 1 vs. Kentucky
Why they lose: The college football season will start with Kentucky beating in-state opponent Western Kentucky.
107. Ball State
When they lose: Sept. 3 vs. Indiana
Why they lose: Indiana is one of the worst Big Ten teams, but shouldn't have a problem with Ball State.
106. North Texas
When they lose: Sept. 10 vs. Houston
Why they lose: North Texas isn't that good, and Houston shouldn't have a problem against the Mean Green.
105. Wyoming
When they lose: Sept. 17 at Bowling Green
Why they lose: Wyoming has a soft start, but will lose its first game in the third week of the season.
104. Central Michigan
When they lose: Sept. 10 at Kentucky
Why they lose: CMU doesn't stand a chance against SEC opponent Kentucky.
103. UTEP
When they lose: Sept. 10 at SMU
Why they lose: After losing to Texas A&M in the first week of the season, SMU will get in the win column against UTEP.
102. Bowling Green
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Idaho
Why they lose: This game could go either way, but I will give the slight edge to the home team.
101. Arkansas State
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Illinois
Why they lose: They shouldn't stand a chance against Big Ten opponent Illinois.
The First Loss for Teams Ranked 100-91
3 of 57
100. Tulane
When they lose: Sept. 10 vs. Tulsa
Why they lose: Tulsa will get its first win of the year against Tulane in Week 2, and it shouldn't be much of a problem.
99. Ohio
When they lose: Sept. 17 vs. Marshall
Why they lose: This game could go either way, but in the end the Herd will end up victorious.
98. Kent State
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Alabama
Why they lose: It is Alabama.
97. Rice
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Texas
Why they lose: It is Texas.
96. Middle Tennessee
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Purdue
Why they lose: Purdue isn't one of the Big Ten's best teams, but it shouldn't have a problem with Middle Tennessee.
95. Utah State
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Auburn
Why they lose: It is Auburn.
94. Kansas
When they lose: Sept. 10 vs. Northern Illinois
Why they lose: The game should go either way, but Northern Illinois will emerge with a victory.
93. Marshall
When they lose: Sept. 3 at West Virginia
Why they lose: The game is against West Virginia and is on the road. It shouldn't a problem for the Mountaineers.
92. Duke
When they lose: Sept. 10 vs. Stanford
Why they lose: Andrew Luck.
91. Louisiana Tech
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Southern Miss
Why they lose: Game could go either way, but I aired on the side of the home team and higher ranked team in this matchup.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
The First Loss for Teams Ranked 90-81
4 of 57
90. UAB
When they lose: Sept. 10 at Florida
Why they lose: It is Florida.
89. Idaho
When they lose: Sept. 17 at Texas A&M
Why they lose: It is Texas A&M.
88. Toledo
When they lose: Sept. 10 at Ohio State
Why they lose: It is Ohio State.
87. Vanderbilt
When they lose: Sept. 10 vs. Connecticut
Why they lose: The Commodores have a chance, but the SEC's worst team will not beat the Huskies.
86. Florida International
When they lose: Sept. 24 at Louisville
Why they lose: FIU's first loss could be earlier than this, but with the current schedule this is the first game that it loses.
85. Wake Forest
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Syracuse
Why they lose: Wake Forest is one of the worst teams in the ACC, and they will not struggle with Syracuse on the road.
84. Virginia
When they lose: Sept. 10 at Indiana
Why they lose: This game is a toss-up with similarly ranked teams, but in the end the edge goes to the home team.
83. Iowa State
When they lose: Sept. 10 vs. Iowa
Why they lose: Iowa State will fall short against in-state rival Iowa in the second week of the season.
82. Indiana
When they lose: Oct. 1 vs. Penn State
Why they lose: The Hoosiers have one of the easiest September schedules. If they get past Virginia at home, they shouldn't lose until they play Penn State.
81. Miami (Ohio)
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Missouri
Why they lose: It is Missouri.
The First Loss for Teams Ranked 80-71
5 of 57
80. East Carolina
When they lose: Sept. 3 vs. South Carolina
Why they lose: It is South Carolina.
79. Washington State
When they lose: Sept. 17 at San Diego State
Why they lose: San Diego State is a much improved team, and should hand Washington State its first loss.
78. Western Michigan
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Michigan
Why they lose: It is Michigan.
77. Troy
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Clemson
Why they lose: The Trojans have to open the season on the road against Clemson. it will be a very difficult game and they won't come close.
76. Rutgers
When they lose: Sept. 10 at North Carolina
Why they lose: North Carolina isn't the best ACC team, but should beat Rutgers.
75. Temple
When they lose: Sept. 17 vs. Penn State
Why they lose: It is Penn State.
74. Minnesota
When they lose: Sept. 3 at USC
Why they lose: The Golden Gophers don't stand a chance against USC on the road in the first week of the season.
73. Fresno State
When they lose: Sept. 3 at California
Why they lose: Fresno State might have a chance in this game, but the Bears will emerge victorious in the first week of the season.
72. Northern Illinois
When they lose: Sept. 17 vs. Wisconsin
Why they lose: It is Wisconsin.
71. Colorado
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Hawaii
Why they lose: This game is a toss-up, but with the game being in Hawaii, I will give the Warriors a slight edge.
The First Loss for Teams Ranked 70-61
6 of 57
70. Kentucky
When they lose: Sept. 24 vs. Florida
Why they lose: It is Florida, no further explanation needed.
69. Nevada
When they lose: Sept. 10 at Oregon
Why they lose: The Wolfpack will fall short against the team that lost in the national championship.
68. Arny
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Northern Illinois
Why they lose: These teams are evenly matched, and the game could go either way. In the end the slight advantage goes to the home team.
67. SMU
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Texas A&M
Why they lose: Texas A&M is a top-15 team, and the Mustangs will not come close to the Aggies in the opening week of the season.
66. Ole Miss
When they lose: Sept. 3 vs. BYU
Why they lose: The Rebel Black Bear certainly has a chance to win this game, but in the end the Cougars will defeat Ole Miss.
65. UCLA
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Houston
Why they lose: Houston has Case Keenum and UCLA doesn't have Akeem Ayers and Rahim Moore.
64. Southern Miss
When they lose: Sept. 24 at Virginia
Why they lose: Southern Miss has a chance to win this game, but the Cavaliers will hand the Golden Eagles their first loss of the season.
63. Northwestern
When they lose: Sept. 3 at Boston College
Why they lose: The Wildcats could win this game, but they face a tough test with a road trip to Boston College to start the 2011 season.
62. Cincinnati
When they lose: Sept. 10 at Tennessee
Why they lose: The Bearcats don't have a chance against the much improved Tennessee Volunteers, especially on the road.
61. Georgia Tech
TBD: The ACC hasn't released their complete schedule, so I cannot determine when Georgia Tech will lose its first game.
The First Loss for Teams Ranked 60-51
7 of 57
60. Syracuse
When they lose: Sept. 17 at USC
Why they lose: SU's first loss could be before this. The Orange's schedule lists two open weeks before their road trip to Southern California.
59. Arizona
When they lose: Sept. 10 at Oklahoma State
Why they lose: It is Oklahoma State.
58. Purdue
When they lose: Oct. 1 Notre Dame
Why they lose: Purdue starts the season with an easy schedule and will not lose its first game until October.
57. Oregon State
When they lose: Sept. 10 at Wisconsin
Why they lose: It is Wisconsin.
56. Washington
When they lose: Sept. 17 at Nebraska
Why they lose: The Huskies don't stand a chance against Nebraska on the road.
55. Illinois
When they lose: Sept. 17 vs. Arizona State
Why they lose: The Illini could beat the Sun Devils, but Arizona State will do just enough to beat Illinois in the third week of the season.
54. Hawaii
When they lose: Sept. 10 at Washington
Why they lose: This will be an evenly matched game, but the advantage goes to the home team.
53. Louisville
When they lose: Sept. 3 at North Carolina
Why they lose: Another game that could go either way, but in February, I will pick the home team. This pick could change closer to actual game time.
52. Kansas State
When they lose: Sept. 24 at Miami (Florida)
Why they lose: Kansas State will win its first two games without a problem, but when the Wildcats travel to Miami in the fourth week of the season they will record their first loss.
51. Navy
When they lose: Sept. 17 at South Carolina
Why they lose: It is South Carolina.
50. California
8 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 24 at Washington
Why They Lose
This should be a very good game played between two average Pac-10 schools.
Even though the Huskies are losing Jake Locker to the draft, it will still be a difficult task for the Bears to beat Washington on the road.
This game could go either way, but in the end the advantage goes to the road team.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
49. Boston College
9 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 10 at Central Florida.
Why They Lose
Central Florida is coming off of an 11-3 2010 record including a Liberty Bowl win over Georgia. The Knights will look to improve that mark in 2011.
The Eagles finished the 2010 campaign and have to deal with the loss of their best offensive lineman Anthony Castonzo, a consensus first round pick.
This game is a toss-up and it could go either way.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
48. Houston
10 of 57
When They Lose
Oct. 8 vs. East Carolina.
Why They Lose
Houston will get back Case Keenum after losing him to a season-ending injury in 2010.
If the Cougars can get past the UCLA Bruins in the opening week of the season, their schedule gets extremely easy.
They include games against North Texas, Louisiana Tech, Georgia State and UTEP. However, I think this team will slip up at home against East Carolina.
However, I would not be surprised at all if Houston ends up with a victory there.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
47. Connecticut
11 of 57
To Be Determined.
The Big East has not released its full schedule, so at this time it would be inappropriate to say which game they will lose first.
46. South Florida
12 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 3 at Notre Dame
Why They Lose
The Fighting Irish will be too much for South Florida to start off the 2011 college football season.
Both of these teams are coming off 8-5 seasons, but the edge in this game goes to the home team in Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish bring in one of the nation's best recruiting classes, and look for the depth that they gained in the defensive line to improve them in the 2011 season.
Could They Win This Game?
No
45. Baylor
13 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 3 vs. TCU
Why They Lose
The Bears will look to improve on their 7-6 record in the new look Big 12 next year.
However, the season will start with a loss against the defending Rose Bowl champions.
TCU will be a very good team next year, and cannot afford an opening weekend loss to the Baylor Bears.
The game is on the road so anything could happen, but TCU will win this ball game.
Could They Win This Game?
No
44. Texas Tech
14 of 57
When They Lose
Oct. 8 vs. Texas A&M
Why They Lose
Texas Tech should go through September without a loss because of how easy its schedule is.
The Red Raiders' games include matchups against Texas State, New Mexico and Nevada. They should win all three of those games.
However, after beating Kansas to start October, Texas Tech will lose its first game of the season against Texas A&M.
Even though the game is in Lubbock, it will still be a very difficult task to beat the Aggies.
Could They Win This Game?
No
43. Air Force
15 of 57
To Be Determined.
Air Force has not released its full schedule, so at this time it would be inappropriate to say which game they will lose first.
42. North Carolina
16 of 57
When They Lose
Oct. 15 vs. Miami
Why They Lose
North Carolina losses some key components on the defensive side of the ball, but they are bringing in a great recruiting class.
The opening schedule looks quite easy and their only road games are East Carolina and Georgia Tech.
Those are two games that I see them winning, but I think they will come up short against Miami at home.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes
41. Central Florida
17 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 24 at BYU
Why They Lose
Central Florida is coming off a C-USA championship and a victory over Georgia in the Liberty Bowl.
It will be very difficult to improve those results because of the conference that UCF is in.
BYU will be a tough task, and UCF will fall just short in Utah. However, this game should be very competitive, and it could go either way.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes
40. Clemson
18 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 24 vs. Florida State
Why They Lose
Clemson lost out on Jadeveon Clowney, but they won't have to worry about him until they meet South Carolina in November.
Clemson brings in a great recruiting class without Clowney and the Tigers will compete for an ACC title in 2011.
However, Florida State has a great team and they will beat the Tigers when the two meet in late September.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes
39. Maryland
19 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 5 vs. Miami
Why They Lose
Maryland and Miami will meet in the Labor Day night game this year.
The Terrapins are coming off of a 9-4 season, but will open the season with a difficult task against Miami.
This game could go either way, but I like the road team in this game looking at it in February.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes
38. Pittsburgh
20 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 24 vs. Notre Dame
Why They Lose
Notre Dame will be the reason that quite a few teams lose their first game.
Pittsburgh will just be another victim of the much-improved Fighting Irish. A lot of this has to do with the returning starters and the top-10 recruiting class they brought in.
Notre Dame went 8-5 last year, and in 2011 that mark should improve.
Even though this game is on the road, Brian Kelly and the Fighting Irish should emerge victorious.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes
37. Miami (Florida)
21 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 17 vs. Ohio State
Why They Lose
Ohio State will have the play Miami without some key players, including Terrelle Pryor.
That is the only reason Miami has a chance in this game. Ohio State went 12-1 last year, including a Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas.
The Hurricanes finished three games out of a spot in the ACC Championship game.
Even without Pryor, the Buckeyes will still have enough talent to weather the Hurricane in Miami.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes
36. Utah
22 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 10 vs. USC
Why They Lose
What a way to be welcomed into the newly expanded Pac-12 conference.
After an opening weekend game against Montana State, the Utes will be thrown into the Pac-12 fire with a home game against conference opponent USC.
The Trojans bring in one of the best recruiting classes, and people will know exactly how good Utah is after this game.
However, even though the game is at home, USC will come out of Utah with a victory.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
35. Arizona State
23 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 10 vs. Missouri
Why They Lose
The Sun Devils will look to improve from their 6-6 record in 2010, but will lose their first game against the Missouri Tigers in the second week of the season.
Even with the loss of Blaine Gabbert to the NFL Draft, the Tigers still return 15 starters on a team that went 10-3.
The game will be in the dry heat of Arizona, so you can never count the Sun Devils out. However, after an opening weekend win over UC Davis, Arizona State will lose to Missouri in the second week of the season.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
34. Michigan
24 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 10 vs. Notre Dame
Why They Lose
Michigan is the third team on this list that will lose its first game to Notre Dame.
The Big House will play host to a big game in the second week of the season. The Irish lost this game at home 28-24, but will look for a different result on their road trip to Ann Arbor.
The game could go either way, but with the recruiting class that Brian Kelly brought in, the Fighting Irish will be much improved.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
33. San Diego State
25 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 24 at Michigan
Why They Lose
San Diego State will be a very good team next year after coming off a 9-4 record in 2010.
However, when the Aztecs step on the field against Michigan in the Big House, they will fall short.
The Wolverines will try to improve on their 7-6 record last year in the new-look Big Ten.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
32. West Virginia
26 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 24 vs. LSU
Why They Lose
The Mountaineers only lost to LSU by six points last year in Baton Rouge, and in 2011 the Tigers will make the return trip to West Virginia.
The Tigers will be as good, or even better than they were last year. The main offseason question that must be answered is who will play quarterback.
Even though the game is in West Virginia, that shouldn't be a problem for LSU.
However, this game could go either way. In the end, I just don't see the Tigers falling to the Mountaineers.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes, but not likely.
31. North Carolina State
27 of 57
When They Lose
Oct. 29 at Florida State
Why They Lose
North Carolina State, coming off a 9-4 season, has an easy schedule in the first two months of the season with games against Liberty, Wake Forest, South Alabama, Central Michigan and Virginia.
There are a couple games that they might lose, but looking at it, I just don't see them losing until Oct. 29.
The toughest games before that are Georgia Tech and Virginia. Beating those two teams isn't asking too much of the Wolfpack.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes
30. Iowa
28 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 17 vs. Pittsburgh
Why They Lose
The game between these two teams will go a long way in determining their success.
The Hawkeyes and Panthers are evenly matched teams and both of them are coming off 8-5 records in the 2010 campaign.
This game could go either way, and when I tossed the coin it ended up favoring the Panthers.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes
29. Tulsa
29 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 3 at Oklahoma
Why They Lose
Tulsa will have a very good team next year, but will not win the first game of the season.
Tulsa gets the privilege of playing one of the best teams in the country on the road.
Oklahoma is one of the favorites going into the 2011 season, and is for good reason. More on the Sooners on their slide, but Tulsa won't have a chance in this game.
Could They Win This Game?
No
28. BYU
30 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 10 at Texas
Why They Lose
BYU will be playing as an independent after leaving the Mountain West Conference.
The Longhorns went 5-7 in 2010, but they will be a much improved team in 2011.
BYU has a chance to beat Texas, but playing in Austin will be a difficult task. In the end, the Longhorns will get back on the right track against the Cougars.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
27. Tennessee
31 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 17 at Florida
Why They Lose
I expect the Volunteers to compete in the SEC East and be a much improved team in 2011.
However, Tennessee has one of the hardest schedules in the country. The Volunteers will face Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas and LSU during the 2011 campaign.
The Volunteers will have a chance to beat Florida, but the edge here goes to the home team. However, I would not be surprised if the Vols upset the Gators.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
26. USC
32 of 57
When They Lose
Oct. 29 vs. Stanford.
Why They Lose
USC brought in one of the best recruiting classes in the nation that will try to improve the 8-5 record that the Trojans had last year.
Stanford caught a break when Andrew Luck announced his decision to return instead of entering the NFL Draft.
Although they lost their head coach, the Cardinal will still be a very good team in 2011. They will hand USC their first loss of the 2011 campaign.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
25. Mississippi State
33 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 10 at Auburn
Why They Lose
The Bulldogs surprised a lot of people with a 9-4 record in the 2010 season. If Mississippi State had Cam Newton, who knows what the Bulldogs' record would have been?
Auburn losses alot of players, but in the first test of the season, they will get their first SEC win.
In the SEC nothing is guaranteed, and the Bulldogs could win on the road. But I don't see them getting past the defending national champions in this game
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
24. Penn State
34 of 57
When They Lose
Sept 10. vs. Alabama
Why They Lose
Alabama beat Penn State 24-3 last year in Tuscaloosa. Even though this game is in Happy Valley, expect similar results.
The Crimson Tide are another favorite to win the national title next year, and Penn State will be their first major obstacle on that journey.
Alabama has a lot of holes to fill, but should be able to escape Penn State with a win.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
23. Missouri
35 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 17 at Oklahoma
Why They Lose
Missouri will have to deal with the loss of Blaine Gabbert, who will be a first round pick in the NFL Draft.
Oklahoma, on the other hand, will compete for a national championship next year.
The game will take place in Oklahoma, but the Sooners would win this game on the road.
Even with the loss to Oklahoma, Missouri will still be a very good team in 2011. They just won't be good enough to beat the Sooners in Norman.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
22. Georgia
36 of 57
When They Lose
Oct. 8 at Tennessee.
Why They Lose
The success of the Bulldogs' 2011 season will rest in the hands of the first two games of the year.
An opening weekend game against Boise State in Atlanta and a home game against South Carolina will determine if the Bulldogs are for real.
The Bulldogs will win both of those games, but they will slip up when they make the road trip to Knoxville, Tennessee.
However, the Bulldogs could win this game, and it would not surprise me at all.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
21. Texas
37 of 57
When They Lose
Oct. 8 vs. Oklahoma.
Why They Lose
The Longhorns had a difficult season last year and finished with a 5-7 record.
After losing defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to Florida, the 2011 season won't be any easier.
However, after signing a top-10 recruiting class, the Longhorns will be a much improved team in 2011.
Even though they will be better, they will still not be able to beat Oklahoma. The Sooners will be a very tough team to beat next year, and I don't think the Longhorns will be able to come out of Dallas with a victory.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
20. Florida
38 of 57
When They Lose
Oct. 1 vs Alabama.
Why They Lose
The Florida Gators will have to go 4-0 in September if they want to have any chance of competing for a berth in the SEC Championship game.
The Gators' October schedule is the toughest there is in the country. They will play Alabama at home, LSU and Auburn on the road and then Georgia in Jacksonville following a bye week.
The Gators will be lucky to escape that stretch with two wins. The first loss of the season will come the first weekend in October when they play host to Alabama.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
19. Virginia Tech
39 of 57
When They Lose
Oct. 1 vs. Clemson
Why They Lose
Virginia Tech went 10-0 after losing its first two games of the season last year.
The Hokies will not get off to a 0-2 start in 2011 due to the nature of their oppoenents. The September schedule is fairly easy with games against Appalachian State, East Carolina, Arkansas State and Marshall.
This game is a toss-up, and could go either way.
If the Hokies get past this test, there is a great chance they could go undefeated. They have one of the easiest schedules because they do not face Florida State or NC State.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes
18. Notre Dame
40 of 57
When They Lose?
Oct. 22 vs. USC.
Why They Lose?
The Fighting Irish might lose before this date, but as I look at the schedule in February, Notre Dame won't lose until late October.
There are several games before this that they might lose that include Michigan, Michigan State and Pittsburgh.
The Irish will be a very good team next year following a very good recruiting class. However, it seems like that is said every year. But who knows, it might be different in 2011.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
17. Nebraska
41 of 57
When They Lose
Oct. 1 at Wisconsin.
Why They Lose
Welcome to the Big Ten, Nebraska. Because you have decided to leave the Big 12 and join the Big Ten, you have been rewarded with one of the toughest schedules in the nation.
Your games in 2011 will include at Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan State, at Penn State, at Michigan and Iowa.
Nebraska will be a very good team in 2011, but that schedule is ridiculously hard. The Cornhuskers could slip up against any of those teams, but they could also beat any of those teams.
As I look at it in February, I think they will record their first loss of the season in Madison, Wisconsin against the Badgers.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
16. South Carolina
42 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 10 at Georgia.
Why They Lose
If Georgia's first loss isn't until Oct. 8, then that must mean the Gamecocks will fall short in Athens, Georgia.
In a game that I think will decide the SEC East, the Bulldogs will defeat South Carolina.
Games between these two teams are always very competitive, and most of the time they come down to the wire.
Two of the best young running backs in the SEC, Marcus Lattimore and Isaiah Crowell, will play in this game. In the end, I am going to give the slight edge to the home team, but this game could go either way.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
15. Michigan State
43 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 17 at Notre Dame.
Why They Lose
If I am wrong about how good Notre Dame can be next year, I will have missed a lot of these predictions.
However, I think there are some good reasons why Notre Dame will be very good next year. It starts with the talent of the players the Irish are bringing back, along with the great recruiting class that they brought in.
Michigan State will have a difficult task in attempting to come out of South Bend with a win.
However, the Spartans are a good team, and are coming off of an 11-2 2010 season.
This will be a great game between two very good teams, and the winner will have a great start to its 2011 season.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
14. Auburn
44 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 17 at Clemson.
Why They Lose
The battle of Tigers will now take place in Clemson, South Carolina. Last year in Auburn, the game went into overtime and Auburn won by three points.
After losing Cam Newton and Nick Fairley, Auburn has some big holes to fill. However, Clemson will as well after losing Da'Quan Bowers to the NFL Draft.
If Clemson came that close to beating the Tigers on the road last year with Cam Newton, then it should give Auburn all it can handle when the Tigers meet again without him.
In the words of Ivan Maisel, "This fall, Auburn must play at South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU and Georgia, all of which are expected to contend for a slot in Atlanta on Championship Saturday. In other words, Auburn's magical season is officially over."
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
13. Arkansas
45 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 24 at Alabama.
Why They Lose
In Arkansas' first true battle of the 2011 season, they will start to miss Ryan Mallett. However, they won't be missing him that much because of how good Tyler Wilson will be.
The Crimson Tide will be one of the best teams in the country next year, and they must beat Arkansas at home to have a chance to accomplish their goals.
The Razorbacks are coming off a Sugar Bowl loss to Ohio State, and they have their work cut out for them if they want another trip to Louisiana.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
12. TCU
46 of 57
To Be Determined.
TCU has not released its full schedule, so at this time it would be inappropriate to say which game it will lose first.
11. Wisconsin
47 of 57
When They Lose
Oct. 29 at Ohio State.
Why They Lose
The Badgers were one of three Big Ten teams who won 11 games in the regular season last year. One of the other teams was the Ohio State Buckeyes.
This will be a matchup between two teams that made it to BCS bowls. Ohio State defeated Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl, while Wisconsin lost to TCU in the Rose Bowl.
The Buckeyes will get Terrelle Pryor back for this game, which will help the Vest out tremendously.
It will be a great game between two top-15 teams, but Ohio State will defend its home field with a victory over Wisconsin.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
10. Texas A&M
48 of 57
When They Lose
Oct. 1 vs. Arkansas (Dallas)
Why They Lose
Tyler Wilson is one of the best players that people outside of SEC country don't know.
Wilson will attempt to create a seamless transition from Ryan Mallett.
Texas A&M will still be a very good team after coming off a 9-4 record in 2010.
It is a neutral site game, and the advantage doesn't go to anyone in February. However, if I have to pick a team in February, I am choosing the SEC team.
This game will go either way, and it should be a great game in Cowboys Stadium.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
9. Florida State
49 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 17 vs. Oklahoma
Why They Lose
Although the ACC hasn't released the entire schedule yet, Florida State has released its non-conference opponents.
The Seminoles bring in one of the best recruiting classes in the country, which will help them compete in the ACC.
However, when the Sooners come to Tallahassee, Florida State will suffer its first loss of the season.
The Seminoles will still be one of the favorites in the ACC, and the results of this game won't have an impact on that goal.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes
8. Boise State
50 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 3 vs. Georgia
Why They Lose
The last time Boise State played Georgia, it didn't work out that well for the Broncos.
When they face each other in the Georgia Dome to kick off the season, expect similar results.
Although the Broncos return Kellen Moore, they still lose a lot of starters from a team that went 12-1 last year.
Aaron Murray and Isaiah Crowell will lead the Georgia Bulldogs to a victory, and they will eliminate Boise State from national title contention in the first week of the season.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes
7. Oklahoma State
51 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 24 at Texas A&M
Why They Lose
Oklahoma State will be a very good team in 2011, and Texas A&M will be its first true test.
Playing Texas A&M in College Station is a difficult task for any team.
This game could go either way, but the slight edge will go to the home team in February.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes
6. Ohio State
52 of 57
When They Lose
Oct. 8 at Nebraska.
Why They Lose
Even though the Buckeyes won't have Terrelle Pryor and four other stars for the first five games of the 2011 schedule, they still should be able to win their first five games.
The two biggest challenges will be the game at Miami and home against Michigan State.
Even with Terrelle Pryor and others returning for the game against the Cornhuskers, it will still be a very difficult task for the Buckeyes.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
5. Stanford
53 of 57
When They Lose
Nov. 12 vs. Oregon.
Why They Lose
Even though Stanford lost its head coach to the NFL, the Cardinals caught a break when Andrew Luck decided to hit the books.
Luck turned down millions and millions of dollars to return for his senior season.
The Pac-10 will be decided in mid-November when Oregon makes the trip to Stanford.
Although Stanford will be very good next year, so will Oregon.
The game could go either way, but I will go with the experience of Oregon right now.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
4. Oregon
54 of 57
When They Lose
Sept. 3 vs LSU.
Why They Lose
If there is a team that doesn't deserve to lose in the opening week of the season, it is the Oregon Ducks.
After coming off of a loss in the BCS title game, the start of the 2011 season doesn't give the Ducks any breaks.
Oregon and LSU are two teams that will be in the national title picture, and that dream will take a major hit in the opening week of the season.
I live in the heart of SEC country, and I think the conference's dominance will be shown in the first week of the season with LSU and Georgia victories against Oregon and Boise State, respectively.
However, this game in Dallas could go either way, and I would not be surprised at all with a Ducks victory.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
3. LSU
55 of 57
When They Lose
Nov. 5 at Alabama.
Why They Lose
The SEC West will be decided Nov. 5 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama when the Tigers of LSU meet the Alabama Crimson Tide.
It won't just be the SEC West that will be determined this Saturday in early November. The eventual SEC Champion and a berth in the BCS title game will also be decided.
The Tigers finished the 2010 campaign with an 11-2 record along with a victory over Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl.
The SEC will be very competitive in 2011, like it is every year. LSU and Alabama are the two favorites going into the year, but there are six to seven other teams that will have a say in that.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes.
2. Alabama
56 of 57
When They Lose
They don't lose.
Why They Don't Lose
Meet your 2011 National Champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Although Alabama will lose Julio Jones, Mark Ingram and Marcel Dareus to the NFL, Nick Saban has a plethora of talent in Alabama that will be ready to step in right away.
The biggest question mark lies in the quarterback position, which will come down to AJ McCarron or Philip Sims.
The 2011 schedule is very difficult and includes games against Penn State, Arkansas, Florida, LSU and Auburn, not to mention the SEC Championship Game in December against the SEC East champion.
However, the Crimson Tide will be the best team in the SEC next year, and right now they are my pick to hoist the crystal ball in January.
Could They Lose?
Yes.
1. Oklahoma
57 of 57
When They Lose
Jan. 9 vs. Alabama in BCS National Championship Game
Why They Lose
The Sooners of Oklahoma will be able to run through the new look Big 12 on their way to a berth in the BCS National Championship Game played in New Orleans on Jan. 9.
Oklahoma will be led by junior QB Landry Jones, who will throw the ball to receiver Ryan Broyles. On the defensive side, the Sooners will be led by linebacker Travis Lewis.
The toughest games on Oklahoma's schedule include matchups against Florida State, Missouri, Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State.
The Sooners could lose to any one of those teams, but for right now I am predicting their first and only loss to come in New Orleans on Jan. 8.
Could They Win This Game?
Yes
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
