College Football 2011: Power Ranking the 10 Programs With the Most To Prove
The games are over and so is the mega hype of signing day. It is now time to debate and speculate how the 2011 college football season will turn out.
There are a number of teams that have a lot to show for in 2011. Some have more to prove than others. How will those teams that excelled in 2010 fare in 2011? And what about those teams that lost key players, what is in store for them?
There are so many questions in regards to college football as we head into the offseason. Here are 10 teams with the most to prove in 2011.
10. Michigan State Spartans
1 of 10
The Spartans were co-Big Ten champs in 2010, but were embarrassed by Alabama in the Capital One Bowl.
Several people are doubting the Spartans. They will need to come out in 2011 and make believers out of those who are skeptical.
They return two of their top playmakers in quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Edwin Baker.
9. Oklahoma State Cowboys
2 of 10
The Cowboys are being considered one of the best teams in the Big 12 for 2011. With the return of quarterback Brandon Weeden and top wideout Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State is in good position to make a run at the title.
However, they'll have to replace Kendall Hunter, which won't be easy. The Cowboys will have to prove that they're the best team in the Big 12. Can they hang with Oklahoma?
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers
3 of 10
Nebraska has done well since Bo Pelini took over as head coach. The Cornhuskers took control of the Big 12 North while other teams struggled.
Now they must prove they can hang in the Big Ten. They're losing 13 players, including top corner Prince Amukamara, leading rusher Roy Helu and top wideout Niles Paul.
They're led by quarterback Taylor Martinez, who had a sensational freshman season. But is he a one-hit wonder?
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Georgia Bulldogs
4 of 10
Georgia had its first losing season since 1996. Mark Richt finds himself on the hot seat for 2011 and needs his team to greatly improve from a year ago.
Richt pulled in the dream team, which was regarded as a top-five recruiting class by some. The Bulldogs need to prove that they're still a force to be reckoned with. Teams do not fear the Bulldogs anymore, and that needs to change.
We'll find out a lot about this team in Week 1 as they take on Boise State.
6. South Carolina Gamecocks
5 of 10
The Gamecocks won the SEC East in 2010 and need to prove that it wasn't a fluke.
Marcus Lattimore had a fantastic freshman season, rushing for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns. Lattimore averaged 4.8 yards per carry and was a vital part of this team's success.
South Carolina must show that it is a legit team now and that last year wasn't luck. The Gamecocks tend to choke towards the end of the season, so we will see if that trend picks back up, or if the Gamecocks buried it in 2010.
5. LSU Tigers
6 of 10
Many believe that the Tigers can make it six in a row for the SEC winning the BCS National Championship.
However, they must prove that last year's luck was actually skill. Many doubted this team last year and some feel the same way in 2011. Les Miles and company have to show the haters that they are a legit team.
They could have a new quarterback in 2011 as new recruit Zach Mettenberger will battle Jordan Jefferson for the job.
4. Oklahoma Sooners
7 of 10
This team is the favorite by many to win the National Championship. The Sooners have to prove that the championship game is where they belong.
They have a really strong chance to win it all. Landry Jones is blessed with the return of Ryan Broyles, who is considered as one of, if not the best receiver in all of college football. They'll have to replace DeMarco Murray, but it shouldn't be too hard with the solid depth they have at running back.
People expect them to win the title, and now they must prove they are worthy of the hype.
3. Stanford Cardinal
8 of 10
Andrew Luck came back for his senior season for another shot at the title. The Cardinal need to prove to everyone that they belong in the national championship talks.
Leading rusher Stepfan Taylor returns, looking to improve from an exceptional sophomore season. He ran for over 1,100 yards, scored 15 touchdowns and had an average of over five yards per carry.
The Cardinal lost head coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL, and will have to show the nation that he wasn't the reason for their success. The players must step up in the absence of Harbaugh and prove that they're a title team.
2. Boise State Broncos
9 of 10
The Broncos once again must prove they are legit contenders for a national title. Many people believe this non-automatic qualifying school does not belong in the title game.
Boise State has gone out and scheduled the big games, beating Virginia Tech, Oregon and Oregon State in years past. Now they have set out to play a team from the toughest conference in all of football, as they will take on the Georgia Bulldogs in their season opener.
Chris Petersen and Kellen Moore must prove they can hang with the big teams. The Broncos did all that last season but lost to division foe Nevada. They switched to the Mountain West, meaning conference play is still just as easy for them.
Do they have what it takes to go undefeated?
1. Auburn Tigers
10 of 10
The 2010 National Champions must prove they're not a one-hit wonder. Many people believe this team was not really a team and just Cam Newton. Now that he's headed to the NFL, we'll get to see if those people are right.
Yes, they're going to be a different team without their top playmakers, but they're bringing in one of the best recruiting classes in the nation. Some of those recruits have great potential to have an impact right away. Most notably would be quarterback Kiehl Frazier, who is believed to be the next Newton.
In 2011 Gene Chizik has to show that it was his coaching that made Auburn a good team, and not just Newton. Fortunately for him, he has one heck of a duo in the backfield in Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb.
Can they repeat, or was 2010 the Tigers' peak?
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
