College Football 2011: Power Ranking the Top 25 Teams West of the Mississippi
For the past five seasons, the southeast has become the apparent epicenter of major college football.
People might be tired of reading it, but the last five BCS National Champions reign from the Southeastern Conference.
The only true "western" team from that bunch would be the Louisiana State Tigers.
Texas, USC, and Oklahoma all had their shining moments in the past ten years as well, and the current rise of the small conference powerhouses have shaken up the college football landscape.
TCU and Boise State capped that theme off with BCS victories.
Now, heading into 2011, many believe the power has shifted to the west.
So, what are the best western teams? Here's a list.
No. 25: UCLA Bruins
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UCLA is another Pac-10 team who's expected to make significant improvements next season.
They only won four games a year ago, but the Bruins return a strong running game, led by junior tailback Jonathan Franklin.
This is a team that could quickly built itself into a consistent competitor if they found a passing game to balance things out.
No. 24: Washington Huskies
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Without Jake Locker, Washington hands the horns to sophomore quarterback Keith Price.
The Huskies went 7-6 last season, and are expected to improve slightly. As long as Price can produce, Washington could become an 8 or 9 win team.
No. 23: Hawai'i Warriors
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The Warriors got their mojo back last season, winning 10 games, as well as leading the nation in passing yards.
Quarterback Bryant Moniz threw for freakish yards, and will be the engineer that should lead Hawai'i to another bowl year.
Without Boise State around, Hawai'i should compete for the WAC title.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 22: Houston Cougars
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Houston went just 5-7 last year, but should benefit from the return of former all-conference quarterback Case Keenum, who was lost for the year in 2010.
No 21: Kansas State Wildcats
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The Wildcats struggled in the Big XII last season, and lose their starting quarterback in Carson Coffman and running back Daniel Thomas.
Losing Thomas might hurt, a lot, but in all honesty K-State will need a better quarterback if they want to continue to get better.
Returning most defensive starters should also help.
No. 19: San Diego State Aztecs
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The Aztecs went 9-4 last year, and are expected to be strong again next year.
Ronnie Hillman is an emerging star at running back. It will be tough for the Aztecs for realistically compete for the MWC title, but that doesn't mean they won't be a fundamentally sound team capable of upsetting some giants.
No. 20: Nevada Wolfpack
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The Wolfpack had a fantastic season in 2010, winning 13 games, including a major upset of Boise State.
Colin Kaepernick leaves, which means a big chance to the Wolfpack's offensive identity.
But, for a team that ranked in the top 30 in defense and the top 10 in most offensive categories from a season ago, it's hard to think they won't run away with the WAC again in 2011.
No. 18: Brigham Young Cougars
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BYU took a step backwards in 2010, winning just seven games.
Jake Heaps will need to improve BYU's lackluster offense if the Cougars want to get back to their BCS caliber status.
But, returning a total of 16 starters should help the Cougars cause.
No. 17: Southern Methodist Mustangs
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SMU returns tons of experience from last year's team, which went 6-2 in conference play.
Aldrick Robinson will have to be replaced at receiver, however.
No. 16: Air Force Falcons
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The Falcons' unquestioned leader, Tim Jefferson, returns for his senior season at the Academy.
Air Force won 9 games a year ago, including a bowl win over Georgia Tech.
They will be just another reason why the MWC should be considered one of the power conferences.
No. 15: Southern California Trojans
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The Trojans are definitely underrated, considering their probation situation.
However, quarterback Matt Barkley had a great 2010 season and shouldn't miss a beat next year.
It shouldn't be hard for USC to improve on their 8-5 record.
No. 14: Utah Utes
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Utah has a lot of areas to fill for 2011, but Jordan Wynn still returns at quarterback.
It will be an interesting year for the Utes, who will begin competing in the Pac-12 conference.
No. 13: Tulsa Golden Hurricane
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The Golden Hurricane won 10 games in 2010, and should be favorites to win the Conference USA title next year.
They have one of the most dominating and balanced offenses in college football.
G.J. Kinne is an awesome passer and runner at quarterback.
No. 12: Texas Longhorns
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I don't think there is any question that Mack Brown will turn this team around, following a 5-7 year.
Texas will need huge improvement, however, from quarterback Garrett Gilbert.
No. 11: Arizona State Sun Devils
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Arizona State is another team that returns tons of experience from an already improving squad.
Twenty starters are projected to return.
They will, however, have to replace Steven Threet at quarterback, who's stopping play because of medical reasons.
No. 10: Missouri Tigers
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The Tigers won 10 games last year, but their close calls against quality opponents cannot be overlooked.
They very well could have been an undefeated, BCS contender.
Replacing Blane Gabbert will be tough.
No. 9: Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Taylor Martinez will come into his second year as the "man" in Nebraska's offense.
The Huskers bring in a dominating running game, and one of the best scoring defenses in the country.
That's a formula for winning, and Nebraska could easily win the conference next year.
No. 8: Arkansas Razorbacks
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Arkansas loses Ryan Mallett, but Tyler Wilson proved in a clean up role that he's primed to be a great quarterback in Bobby Petrino's offense.
The Razorbacks are coming off a Sugar Bowl invite, and could very well compete for the SEC West title.
And, they arguably have the best receivers in the country.
No. 7: Texas A&M Aggies
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The combination of quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Cyrus Gray make TAMU a dangerous looking team.
They competed pretty well, early, against LSU in the Cotton Bowl, and should become more consistent.
They won 9 games last year, and should get 9 or 10 next season.
No. 6: Texas Christian Horned Frogs
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The Rose Bowl champion Horned Frogs definitely lose some talent from last year, including Andy Dalton and Jeremy Kerley, but it's hard to pick against Gary Patterson.
Ed Wesley will be the new star on offense, and the Frogs' defense should be dominating, as always.
Winning the MWC might be difficult with Boise State around, but the Frogs will definitely be neck and neck with them.
No. 5: Oklahoma State Cowboys
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The Pokes are on the rise, and might have the best quarterback-receiver tandem not called Jones-Broyles.
Justin Blackmon is an amazing receiver, and Brandon Weeden proved this past year to be a reliable quarterback who can make plays.
Oklahoma State lost just two games last season, to Nebraska and Oklahoma.
They are no doubt one of the best teams in the country.
No. 4: Stanford Cardinal
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With the staple of the Cardinal returning in Andrew Luck, it's hard to pick against the Orange Bowl champions.
Even without Jim Harbough, Stanford reloads a dominating squad.
No. 3: Boise State Broncos
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As long as Kellen Moore is running the Boise State offense, the Broncos will be BCS busters.
They are just too well coached, and should continue to thrive despite losing receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young.
No. 2 (tie): Louisiana State Tigers
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The Cotton Bowl champions lost just two games last season, despite being one of the most dysfunctional looking teams out there.
LSU will finally need consistency at quarterback if they want to be BCS contenders, but luckily finding a signal caller who can run the show is the only real question mark with this team (a long with Les Miles learning the rules of clock management).
No. 2 (tie): Oregon Ducks
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Oregon returns LaMichael James, Darron Thomas, and Kenjon Barner to compile the most dangerous backfield in college football.
The Ducks underrated defense should reload as well, and Oregon should be favored to win the conference.
A return to the National Championship won't be a surprise.
No. 1: Oklahoma Sooners
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With Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles returning, the Sooners are primed to run for the National Championship.
They return most of their starters, including key players like Travis Lewis on defense.
DeMarco Murray will be gone, and will need to be replaced, but the Sooners are just too talented and too experienced to fall off their perch.
They will be the best of the west.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
