College Football Predictions 2011: The Biggest Obstacles For Every Top 25 Team
So what if the college football season is more than six months away? It is never too early to start talking football.
Analysts across the country have already been breaking down their top 25 rankings for the upcoming 2011 college football season. Oklahoma looks to be the popular No. 1 pick heading into the year, and there are a lot of good teams in the rankings.
Let's take a look at ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach's list for 2011 and point out the biggest obstacles for every top 25 team in the country.
25. West Virginia
1 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh
These should be the top two teams in the Big East heading into the 2011 season. The Big East is traditionally not a great football conference, and it should be the same next year, with only one team in the top 25 preseason rankings.
West Virgina should drop at least one game before Big East play gets underway, but they could run through the Big East until they face their biggest challenge against Pittsburgh.
Projected Record in 2011: 9-3
24. Mississippi State
2 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Sept. 10-Oct. 1 (Auburn, LSU and Georgia)
Mississippi State finished the season off strong this past year, but will be heavily battle-tested right off the bat in 2011.
They travel to Auburn the second week of the season, then have to face LSU and Georgia in three of four games to open up their season.
It looks like the Bulldogs will get a huge test right away, and we should be able to see if this team is a real contender in 2011.
Projected Record in 2011: 8-4
23. Florida
3 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Oct. 1-29 (Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Georgia)
This might be the hardest stretch of games in the entire country. Welcome to the SEC, Will Muschamp. Here is the middle of your college football schedule...enjoy.
The Gators should be an improved bunch in 2011, but if they can get out of that four-game stretch winning one or two of those games, Florida should be looking great the second half of the season.
Projected Record in 2011: 7-5
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. Texas
4 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Oct. 8-15 (back-to-back games against Oklahoma and Oklahoma St.)
This past year was one to forget for Mack Brown and his Texas Longhorns football team. The Longhorns had a losing record and didn't make a bowl game, but things should be looking up for Texas in 2011.
Texas should be favored to start the year off with a 4-0 record, but then they face both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in back-to-back weeks at the midway point of the season. It's very likely Texas will have their ranking rise after their non-conference part of the schedule, but they could drop right out of the rankings after those two games.
Projected Record in 2011: 8-4
21. Arizona State
5 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Sept. 10-Oct. 15 (Missouri, Illinois, USC, Oregon State, Utah and Oregon)
Arizona State might return the most players of anyone in the top 25 rankings. They bring back a ton of talent on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball and should be in for a good season coming in 2011.
The only problem here is the Sun Devils will face a very hard six-game stretch right at the start of their season. Arizona State starts off with UC Davis, which should be a win, but then they face one of the most difficult six-game stretches in the country after that.
Missouri, USC, Utah and Oregon are all ranked in most top 25 lists heading into the season. If the Sun Devils can get out of that stretch going 3-3 or better, they should be in good shape moving forward after that.
Projected Record in 2011: 7-5
20. Virginia Tech
6 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech
Virginia Tech has been the standard of success over the past decade in the ACC. Even though the Hokies have had some big loses heading into this season, they do have a really easy schedule and should be back on top of the league standings again in 2011.
Every big game the Hokies play seems to be a home game for them. The most difficult road game Virgina Tech should have will be at Georgia Tech the sixth game of the season. The Hokies should roll through their schedule, but you never know. Let's not forget what happened with James Madison this past season.
Projected Record in 2011: 10-3
19. Nebraska
7 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Oct. 1-8 (back-to-back games against Wisconsin and Ohio State)
Welcome to the Big Ten, Nebraska.
Your welcome present is back-to-back opening conference games against Wisconsin and Ohio State.
This is one of the biggest questions heading into the season, how will the Cornhuskers adapt to playing in the Big Ten conference?
Nebraska gets to skip both Indiana and Illinois, but have to go up against all the top teams in their first Big Ten season. Guess that's just how it goes.
Projected Record in 2011: 8-4
18. TCU
8 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: TCU vs. Boise State
Fans across the nation wanted to see this matchup happen this past year, but they will get their wish in 2011 as the two "mid-majors" will face off.
Gone is Andy Dalton, gone is Austin Pettis and Titus Young, but there are still a number of talented players in this game. This should be an instant classic.
Projected Record in 2011: 10-2
17. Auburn
9 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Oct.1-22 (South Carolina, Arkansas, Florida and LSU)
The defending National Champions will be tested right off the bat once the SEC schedule starts next year.
This span of four games against South Carolina, Arkansas, Florida and LSU kicks off the SEC and will give the Tigers an immediate idea of how good they are going to be in 2011.
It would be beyond difficult for Auburn to repeat what they did in 2010, but if they can get out of that four-game stretch with only one loss, they should be on cruise control until their final game of the season when they meet Alabama.
Project Record in 2011: 9-3
16. Missouri
10 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: October 22-29 (Oklahoma State and Texas A&M)
The Tigers have to be one of the favorites heading into the Big 12 this season, but they will face two very difficult back-to-back games when they host Oklahoma State and then travel to Texas A&M.
Missouri actually skips Oklahoma in their 2011 Big 12 schedule, which is a huge factor for this team contending for a conference championship. If they can get past these two back-to-back games, they could do it.
Projected Record in 2011: 10-2
15. Michigan State
11 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Oct. 1-29 (Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska)
The Spartans had a memorable season in 2010, winning their first Big Ten Championship in 20 years.
Congratulations.
Now take a look at your 2011 schedule, and prepare to play three of the four best teams in your conference in the opening half of conference play.
If the Spartans can win two of those three games, they should have a very good chance at cruising to their second consecutive Big Ten title.
Project Record in 2011: 10-2
14. Notre Dame
12 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Sept. 9-17 (Michigan and Michigan State)
It seems as of late, these are always two games that come to bite Notre Dame in the butt.
Last year, Denard Robinson had one of the best performances in college football history in a win over Notre Dame. The next week, MSU beat the Irish on a last-second fake field goal, which was one of the most memorable plays in all of sports this past year.
The Irish have a pretty easy schedule this season, but as always, those will be the two games that will test them the most and could prevent them from being good to just average.
Projected Record in 2011: 7-5
13. Texas A&M
13 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Oct. 29-Nov. 5 (Missouri and Oklahoma)
Texas A&M had a very good 2010 season, and they have the potential to be even better in 2011. If the Aggies can get by some early season tests against Oklahoma State and Arkansas, they have the chance to be undefeated going into these two back-to-back games against Missouri and Oklahoma.
This year, the Big 12 conference has the potential to be the best it has been in over a decade. The good thing for Texas A&M is they should be right in the mix.
Projected Record in 2011: 10-3
12. Wisconsin
14 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Oct. 22-29 (Michigan State and Ohio State)
The Badgers had a great 2011 season, which concluded with a trip to the Rose Bowl.
Their biggest win of the year came against Ohio State, while their only loss of the regular season came against Michigan State. Well, now in 2011, they will get to see both of them again in back-to-back games, mind you.
This upcoming season could shake out a lot like 2010, where there won't be any team in the Big Ten that finishes the year undefeated.
Projected Record in 2011: 10-2
11. South Carolina
15 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: South Carolina @ Arkansas
The Gamecocks might have the luckiest draw in all of college football in 2011. South Carolina does not have to play LSU or Alabama in their 2011 schedule.
With that said, South Carolina will be an SEC favorite heading into the season. The toughest game on their schedule should be later on in the season when they travel to Arkansas on Nov. 5. If they can win that one, big things could be ahead for the Gamecocks in 2011.
Projected Record in 2011: 12-1
10. Ohio State
16 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: The first five games of the season
The Ohio State Buckeyes are going to be without five of their best players for the first five games of the 2011 college football season. Terrelle Pryor, DeVier Posey, Dan Herron, Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas were all suspended for breaking NCAA rules by selling personal memorabilia they had earned from their playing time at OSU.
This will be one of the biggest stories of the 2011 season. If the Buckeyes can escape these five games without a loss, that will be remarkable, but with games against Miami and Michigan State, it certainly won't be easy.
Projected Record in 2011: 11-1
9. Stanford
17 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Stanford vs. Oregon
Gone is Jim Harbaugh, and in comes David Shaw.
The good thing for the Cardinal is that Andrew Luck is back, and when you have a guy like that behind center, you always have a chance to make a big impact in college football.
Stanford has a fairly easy first half of their schedule, but it begins to heat up at the end, when they play Oregon, Cal and Notre Dame to close out the year.
That game against Oregon should be another classic. It is very possible both of those teams could be undefeated going into that showdown.
Projected Record in 2011: 10-2
8. Arkansas
18 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Sept. 24-Oct. 8 (Alabama, Texas A&M, Auburn)
The Razorbacks had an outstanding year in 2010, but they will be tested right off the bat to start the 2011 season.
After three non-conference games to start the year, Arkansas will be forced to take on Alabama, Texas A&M and Auburn in three straight games. That first matchup at Alabama will let the Razorbacks know right away if they have an answer to replace Ryan Mallett at the quarterback position.
Projected Record in 2011: 8-4
7. Florida State
19 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Florida State vs. Oklahoma
This has to be a finalist for the best early game of the year. The No. 7 ranked Seminoles vs. the No. 1 ranked Sooners; what more could you ask for if you are a college football fan?
The ACC is down this year, and according to Virgina Tech's schedule, these two teams do not play one another, which should give the Seminoles an easy road to the ACC title.
Projected Record in 2011: 10-2
6. Oklahoma State
20 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma
It is very possible that both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State could be undefeated going into the final game of the season when they face off against each other. Wow, what a game that would be.
The Cowboys are one of the most underrated teams in football heading into the 2011 season and really do have the talent needed to go unbeaten until that final week matchup against the Sooners.
Projected Record in 2011: 11-1
5. Boise State
21 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Boise State vs. Georgia
If Boise State wasn't getting any respect before for playing a difficult schedule, they darn well should now after they announced they will open up their 2011 schedule with a game against Georgia.
If Boise State can win this season-opener, they should retain their top ranking throughout the season. If they lose this game, it might be difficult for the Broncos to work their way back up to the upper half of the standings.
Either way, this should be one heck of a football game.
Projected Record in 2011: 11-1
4. LSU
22 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: LSU vs. Oregon
How about this for a college football season-opener, No. 4 LSU vs. No. 3 Oregon.
Whichever team wins this game should be looked at as a National Championship contender. Whichever team loses, will have a long way back to the top.
The Tigers return a ton of talent in 2011, and this very well could be Les Miles' best team to come through Baton Rouge. We shall wait and see.
Projected Record in 2011: 11-2
3. Oregon
23 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Oregon vs. LSU
Like I said on the previous slide, these two powerhouse teams will face each other right off the bat to kick off the 2011 college football season.
Oregon has Darron Thomas and LaMichael James back in 2011, which means they are instantly considered a legitimate National Championship contender.
I like Oregon in this matchup in a close finish. This should set the Ducks up for the rest of the season.
Projected Record in 2011: 11-1
2. Alabama
24 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Alabama @ Auburn
Alabama lost a lot of talent from this year's 2010 team, but if we know anything about Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, they will just reload to get right back in the mix of the National Title talks heading into 2011.
The key question here will be, who will be the team's starting quarterback next season?
They have some great options to choose from, and whoever it is, he better be comfortable with that role by the time Alabama goes up against Auburn in the final regular season game.
Projected Record in 2011: 12-1
1. Oklahoma
25 of 25
Biggest Obstacle: Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State
If the Sooners can get by that early season matchup against Florida State, they should be able to cruise through their Big 12 schedule until they meet intrastate rival Oklahoma State the final game of the season.
If Oklahoma is going to be the No. 1 ranked team heading into the season, they should have their chance to finish the season as the No. 1 team if they can top the Cowboys. This should be one of the many great games on tap in 2011.
Projected Record in 2011: 12-0
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
