College Football Rankings 2011: Top 10 Teams Ready To Rebound

With the spring ball practices right around the corner and with the potentiality of an NFL lockout, college football is arguably more popular than ever.

In addition, National Signing Day lived up to the hype and a lot of schools did some great recruiting for a rebound in 2011 (after a disappointing 2010 campaign).

Does your school make the list? Well friends, there's only one way to find out.

10. Texas Tech Red Raiders

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Marlon Winn #67 , Shawn Byrnes 51, Brandon Carter 76, and Chris Olson 70 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders pray for a hurt University of Houston player at Robertson Stadium on September 26, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B.

RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS: No. 19 Scout.com and No. 20 Rivals.com

Even with the upset of Missouri in 2010, the Red Raiders still have yet to get over the Oklahoma-Texas hump.

The Longhorns had a rare down year, while Oklahoma slowly worked its way into the BCS.

So where were the Red Raiders? Well, they did finish 8-5, but only three of those wins came in conference.

However, with Nebraska leaving and the Big 12 now becoming the actual Big Ten, Texas Tech has the opportunity to improve within the conference and gain some notoriety in the Lone Star State. 

9. Virginia Cavaliers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Marc Verica #6 of the Virginia Cavalier hands off to running back Perry Jones #33 against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. USC won 17-14. (Phot

RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS: No. 20 ESPN.com, No. 25 Rivals and Scout.com

After a 4-8 campaign in 2010, getting a Top-25 recruiting class in three big media outlets is legitimate.

Also, those rankings put them fourth overall in the ACC for recruiting ranks, which bodes well going into 2011 against the likes of Virginia Tech, Miami (Fla.), Maryland, Boston College and North Carolina State (who all finished with a combined record of 43-23).

A winning record in a definite possibility in 2011, and 2012 could have ACC Championship game expectations.

8. Louisville Cardinals

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LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 04: The Louisville Cardinals take to field before the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS: No. 22 ESPN.com, No. 29 Rivals.com, No. 33 Scout.com

UL finished 2010 on a two-game win streak, including a victory over Southern Miss in the St. Petersburg Bowl.

However, the Cardinals' in-conference record of 3-4 needs to improve since the Big East has been scrutinized for being weak.

And don't be deceived by Louisville's out-of-conference record of 4-2.

Those six schools had a combined record of 30-43 and only two had a winning record (Eastern Kentucky and Southern Miss).

But with all this being said, based on their recruiting class ranks, the Cardinals are No. 1 in the Big East on ESPN.com and Rivals.com, and No. 2 on Scout.com. 

7. California Golden Bears

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BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 13: Tthe California Golden Bears enter the stadium for their game against the Oregon Ducks at California Memorial Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS: No. 14 Scout.com, No. 17 Rivals.com, and No. 18 ESPN.com

Coming in behind USC and Oregon for Pac-12 recruiting ranks, California has a chance to redeem itself in 2011.

For starters, Cal nearly upset national runner-up Oregon (lost 15-13), but still finished 5-7.

Much like Virginia, the Golden Bears have winning season potential in 2011 and Pac-12 Championship potential in 2012.

The obstacle now? Okay, other than performing on the field? The Golden Bears need to out-recruit USC and Oregon to get to the top and stay there.

6. Tennessee Volunteers

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: Tyler Bray #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers huddles with his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty I

RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS: No. 12 Scout.com, No. 13 ESPN and Rivals.com

A 6-7 record at Tennessee is inexcusable.

Now with the SEC Eastern Division being rather weak in comparison to its Western Division brethren in 2010, it looks like things have balanced out a lot more for next season.

UT's schedule last season was extremely brutal after facing five ranked teams through the first eight weeks.

However, coach Dooley was able to bring in three ESPN.com 4-star offensive line recruits to help with the 105th-ranked rushing game.

Improvement is without question, but how much is the next question. 

5. Florida Gators

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 13: The Florida Gators enter the field during a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS: No. 12 ESPN and Rivals.com, No. 18 Scout.com

Urban Meyer was 8-5 in his last season, his first season at Florida without Tim Tebow.

Not that Gator fans can complain, but obviously better is expected.

The difference with Florida in 2010 as opposed to previous seasons was its 1-3 record versus ranked opponents.

And the SEC Eastern Division has already improved on last season, with some excellent recruiting classes coming in.

As for the Gators, they definitely can rebound, but the question is how the coaching change to Will Muschamp will affect them.

4. USC Trojans

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 27: The USC Trojans come through the tunnel to the field before the game with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Notre Dame won 20-16. (Photo by

RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS: No. 4 (ESPN.com and Rivals.com) and No. 5 (Scout.com)

After winning the Pac-10 title for seven straight seasons (2002-2008) under Pete Carroll, the Trojans have decreased a bit the past two seasons.

In 2009 they finished 9-4 and ranked No. 20 in the final poll, and in 2010 they finished unranked with an 8-5 record.

Part of that could be due to their mediocre 5-4 conference record, and even though they were 3-1 out of conference, those opponents combined for a 17-24 record in 2010.

However, Lane Kiffin has proven to be a master at recruiting and this class is definitely worthy of that distinction.

3. Clemson Tigers

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Andre Ellington #23 and Jamie Harper #8 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS: No. 8 ESPN and Rivals.com, No. 13 Scout.com

Clemson almost pulled off the upset versus Auburn back in Week 3 of the 2010 season, losing in OT.

However after that, it was more of the same as Clemson lost four more close games to finish 6-7.

Losing Da'Quan Bowers will be tough, but with the No. 2 ACC recruiting class coming in, the Tigers have a chance for an immediate turnaround.

Not only do they have the chance to bounce back, but ACC Championship contention is very realistic. 

2. Georgia Bulldogs

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 27: The Georgia Bulldogs enter the field to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS: No. 5 Rivals.com, No. 6 ESPN and Scout.com

The SEC still remains atop the college football world when they have four schools in the Top 10 recruiting classes.

And obviously the last five national championships.

As for the Georgia Bulldogs, even after a 6-7 season, they managed to have the top class in the SEC East.

With all this being said, the Bulldogs are the frontrunner to challenge South Carolina as the Eastern Division champs.

Experienced coach Mark Richt has made a bowl game appearance in each of his 10 seasons at Georgia, but 2011 has BCS potential.

1. Texas Longhorns

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AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: The Texas Longhorns walk off the field after a 34-12 loss against the UCLA Bruins at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS: No. 3 Rivals.com, No. 4 Scout.com and No. 5 ESPN.com

A 5-7 campaign in 2010? Texas fans dare not speak of that abomination!

It's practically a sin in the state of Texas if the Longhorns don't win the Big-12 (or I mean Big Ten).

Fear not Longhorn nation, but the University of Texas has an excellent opportunity to regain some of that football tradition in 2011.

As for head coach Mack Brown, he must have the ability to turn amnesia off and on at will, otherwise the Longhorns may not have had such a high-ranked recruiting class after last season.

Now at this point, there's nowhere to go but up and much like every other football season, Texas has big expectations.

Next season is no exception.