2011 College Football Top 25 Predictions: Why Oregon Should Be No. 1

The first official 2011 Preseason Top 25 will not be released until some time in May. The reasoning for this is simple, it's way too early to predict.

Until then it is nothing but speculation as to where teams will be ranked. Despite this, there have been a numerous amount of predictions released.

I've seen Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama, and even Stanford at the top of the lists.

After reading all of these predictions, I am yet to see Oregon ranked at the top of the list. Why?

Oregon should be the number one ranked team heading into 2011, and here is why.

1. The Schedule

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 4: Cornerback Scott Grady #28 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates on the field after the game at Reser Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Corvallis, Oregon. he Ducks beat the Beavers 37-20 to likely go on the BCS Championship game at the T

To make the National Championship in the current BCS system, it is basically a requirement for a team to go undefeated.

The Ducks have a schedule that makes this easier than most.

I'm not trying to take a shot at the Pac-10, but it's not the SEC. It's not even as competitive as the Big Ten at this point.

Oregon will have to face Stanford and USC in conference play. These are the only two teams that will present a struggle.

The Ducks will also play LSU in the first game of the season. This could present a challenge, but remember that the Tigers had to catch a lot of breaks last season to finish where they did. They still are a good team though.

Three games. Everything else should be a breeze.

2. LaMichael James

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks reacts during their game against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by

Questionably the best player in college football last season, was LaMichael James. If it wasn't for an outstanding season by Cam Newton, James would have hands down been the Heisman Trophy winner.

He was only a sophomore. James will be back and even better than last year, if that's even possible. He led the nation in rushing yards at 1731 yards. He averaged 5.9 yards per game on his way to 21 touchdowns.

James is the best running back in college football, and he plays for the Ducks.

3. Darron Thomas

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks scrambles against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/G

Last season, Jeremiah Masoli was supposed to be the quarterback of the Ducks. After legal troubles he was removed from the team.

Darron Thomas stepped up, and performed better than anyone could have ever hoped.

Thomas was one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. He threw for 2881 yards with a 61.5 completion percentage. He threw 30 touchdowns to just nine interceptions. He ran for five more touchdowns as well.

Oregon gets recognition for it's great running attack. It's often forgotten that they were also one of the better passing teams last season.

4. Depth

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Lavasier Tuinei #80 of the Oregon Ducks runs down field against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jonathan

The Ducks have a lot of returning starters next season.

Where they don't, they have a lot of depth.

For example, the Ducks will be losing their two leading receivers from last season. On most teams this could be a big problem.

The Ducks had 17 players finish the season with at least one reception in 2010.

Lavasier Tuinei will be the guy to take the lead next season. As the number three receiver, he had 3 catches for 75 yards in the National Championship game against Auburn.

5. Defense

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 18: Defensive tackle Brandon Bair #88 of the Oregon Ducks reaches out to tackle quarterback Connor Kavanaugh #10 in the second quarter of the game against the Portland State Vikings at Autzen Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Eugene,

Everybody wants to talk about the Oregon offense. Who can blame them? It was the best in the nation last year.

Despite all the talking, though, it's often forgotten that Oregon had one of the top defenses. They allowed only 18.7 points per game last year. That ranked in as 12th in college football.

Some people want to say this is skewed due to the difficulty of the teams Oregon played in 2010. Remember, they did hold Auburn to just 22 points in the National Championship. That's no small task.

Nick Aliotti has got the defense heading in the right direction.

6. Chip Kelly

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks looks on against the Auburn Tigers in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/G

In two years, Chip Kelly has taken Oregon from a good team to a great team.

He is now 22-4 in his career as the head coach of the team, and is quickly emerging as one of the top coaches in college football.

Kelly has handled himself well in the face of adversity (Blount, James, and Masoli incidents).

He has also brought in a potent spread attack for the offense, which has quickly become one of the most dangerous in college football.

Kelly is at the beginning of a successful career. Chances are he will have more than one National Championship victory before it's all said and done.