College Football Rankings 2011: Is West Virginia a Threat To Crack the Top 10?
With the NFL in the midst of this current lockout, we can all take a sigh of relief that at least we have college football to look forward to.
Last year it was the Auburn Tigers that shocked the college football world and finished up an undefeated season with a National Championship victory. But while Gene Chizik's team was the biggest surprise in last year's season, who will be the team that raises eyebrows in 2011?
The West Virginia Mountaineers finished last season with a 9-4 record, including four straight wins to close out it's regular season. But how will this team fare this year, and are they good enough to crack the preseason top-10 rankings?
Let's take a look at what teams should make up college football's top-25 list heading into the 2011 season.
25. USC
1 of 25
2010 Record: (9-4, 5-2 in Pac-10)
Top Offensive Player: Matt Barkley, QB
Top Defensive Player: T.J. McDonald, S
2011 Outlook: This is a USC team that has the potential to be very good in 2011.
Matt Barkley returns for his junior season, and his third as the team's starting quarterback. He will be without top receiver, Ronald Johnson, but the Trojans have a young, talented receiver group, led by sophomore Robert Woods. But this team's offense should rely on a dominant running game with an array of top-notch backs to choose from. Marc Tyler, C.J. Gable and Dillon Baxter are all extremely talented and should make for an exciting backfield.
On defense, the Trojans lose a few key pieces, but they return what could be the best defensive end duo in college football with Nick Perry and Wes Horton. Also leading the way is safety T.J. McDonald, who led the team in tackles least season and was an All-Pac 10 selection.
Prediction: (9-3, 5-3 in Pac-12)
24. Florida
2 of 25
2010 Record: (8-5, 4-4 in SEC)
Top Offensive Player: Jeffrey Demps, RB
Top Defensive Player: Janoris Jenkins, CB
2011 Outlook: Florida had one of the most disappointing seasons of any team in college football last season.
Out is Urban Meyer, in comes Will Muschamp to lead this group.
The Gators struggled mightily last year in the passing game. They failed to find a consistent option at the quarterback position, but that should not be an issue this year. John Brantley has a year of experience under his belt now, and if he can't get it done, highly-touted freshman quarterback Jeff Driskel will be ready when he gets the call.
On defense, the Gators lost some key playmakers like Ahmad Black and Will Hill, but this group got great news when cornerback Janoris Jenkins announced that he will return in 2011. Jenkins should be one of the top defensive backs in the nation next season. He will be looked at to lead a defense that should be much improved in 2011.
Prediction: (8-4, 4-4 in SEC)
23. Nevada
3 of 25
2010 Record: (13-1, 7-1 in WAC)
Top Offensive Player: Rishard Matthews, WR
Top Defensive Player: Brett Roy, DL
2011 Outlook: Gone is Collin Kaepernick and Vai Taua, two guys that provided Nevada with the majority of it's offensive production in 2010.
But Nevada has some good pieces coming back this year and it should be another exciting year for the Wolfpack. Look for Nevada to be on top of the WAC yet again when the season comes to an end. In fact, it wouldn't surprise anyone to see this group go undefeated this year, they could be that good, and the WAC could be that bad.
Either way, this should be another promising year for this group.
Prediction: (12-1, 7-1 in WAC)
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. Virginia Tech
4 of 25
2010 Record: (11-3, 8-0 in ACC)
Top Offensive Player: Jarrett Boykin, WR
Top Defensive Player: Bruce Taylor, LB
2011 Outlook: Virginia Tech had one of the most up-and-down season of any team in all of college football last season.
The Hokies started 2010 with an 0-2 record, including an embarrassing loss to James Madison. After that, Virginia Tech closed out the season with 11 straight wins, including a convincing victory over Florida State in the ACC Championship game.
This year might be a bit of a challenge for the Hokies as they are forced with replacing Tyrod Taylor, who was a three-year starter at quarterback for this club. They will also have to replace Ryan Williams and Darren Evans, both of who left early for the NFL Draft.
The good news is that this team will have capable players ready to step in, and the fact that the ACC should be weak again this season.
Prediction: (10-3, 6-2 in ACC)
21. Texas
5 of 25
2010 Record: (5-7, 2-6 in Big 12)
Top Offensive Player: Garrett Gilbert, QB
Top Defensive Player: Keenan Robinson, LB
2011 Outlook: No team in the entire country was as disappointing as Texas was in 2010. The Longhorns failed to have a winning record and make a bowl game for their first time in over a decade.
This team was inexperienced at a number of key positions last season, but with a year under these guy's belts, this should be a better season for Mack Brown's club.
Garrett Gilbert has to be better in 2011, but he will have a top-notch running back to hand the ball to in 2011 with freshman tailback Malcom Brown. On defense, Keenan Robinson should be one of the top linebackers in the country in 2011.
Look for Texas to get back to it's old ways this coming season. It would be shocking to see anything else with this program.
Prediction: (8-4, 5-3 in Big-12)
20. Mississippi State
6 of 25
2010 Record: (9-4, 4-4 in SEC)
Top Offensive Player: Vick Ballard, RB
Top Defensive Player: Charles Mitchell, DB
2011 Outlook: Mississippi State closed out last season with a bang, trouncing Michigan 54-14 in the New Year's Day Gator Bowl.
Vick Ballard rushed for just under 1,000 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. This year, he should be looked at to be one of the top rushers not only in the SEC, but throughout the entire country.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs did lose their two best defensive players, but Charles Mitchell will be an All-SEC performer if he stays healthy this year.
Look for Mississippi State to finish in the upper-half of what should be another great SEC conference in 2011.
Prediction: (8-4, 4-4 in SEC)
19. Nebraska
7 of 25
2010 Record: (10-4, 6-2 in Big 12)
Top Offensive Player: Taylor Martinez, QB
Top Defensive Player: Lavonte David, LB
2011 Outlook: The Cornhuskers will make the move to the Big 10 this season, which should be an exciting transformation for this program.
Last year, Nebraska started the season as one of the hottest teams in all of college football, jumping out to a 9-1 record. But following a 20-3 win over Kansas, Bo Pelini's team lost three of its final four games, including an embarrassing 19-7 defeat to Washington in the Holiday Bowl.
Taylor Martinez showed signs of greatness last season, but he also had some mental lapses, which can be expected from a freshman. Look for Martinez to bounce back and have a standout year in 2011, which could keep the Huskers in the Big 10 race.
Prediction: (9-3, 5-3 in Big 10)
18. Auburn
8 of 25
2010 Record: (14-0, 8-0 SEC)
Top Offensive Player: Michael Dyer, RB
Top Defensive Player: Mike McNeil, S
2011 Outlook: What a memorable season it was for Auburn in 2010.
The Tigers completed a perfect undefeated season and closed it out with a National Championship. But everything will not be the same in 2011.
Gone are the big names like Cam Newton, Nick Fairley and Darvin Adams. Add that to the fact that four players just got suspended this past week for being arrested earlier this weekend. The Tigers still have the chance to be good in 2010, but nowhere near as good as they were this past season.
Prediction: (8-4, 4-4 in SEC)
17. TCU
9 of 25
2010 Record: (13-0, 8-0 in MWC)
Top Offensive Player: Ed Wesley, RB
Top Defensive Player: Tank Carder, LB
2011 Outlook: Alright, so maybe if we had to select one team that had as memorable of a season as Auburn, if would be the TCU Horned Frogs.
TCU finished the year with an undefeated record and an impressive Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin to close out the season. That was all with four-year starter Andy Dalton behind center. Now that Dalton had moved onto the NFL, the biggest question mark for this team will be to see if they can find a quarterback capable of leading this team.
The good news for TCU is that they have an absolute joke of a schedule in 2011. From looking at their initial schedule, it appears that their most difficult 2011 opponent outside of Boise State, will be Baylor or maybe SMU.
Look for this team to finish strong, but they might not be as good as their record will indicate.
Prediction: (10-2, 7-1 in MWC)
16. West Virginia
10 of 25
2010 Record: (9-4, 5-2 in Big East)
Top Offensive Player: Geno Smith, QB
Top Defensive Player: Bruce Irvin, DE
2011 Outlook: The answer to the original question asked in this slideshow is: Yes, West Virgina is a threat to crack the Top-10. But will they? Probably not.
West Virginia was solid in 2010, but they should be even better in 2011. Quarterback Geno Smith is on the verge of becoming a star in college football, and this year very well could be his breakout season. But, how does this team replace the loss of Noel Devine, who was one of their top backs since the second he step foot on campus?
On the defensive side of the ball, West Virginia should be an improved group. Bruce Irvin is arguably the best defensive end in the country and has a good shot at leading the nation in sacks.
Look for the Mountaineers to represent the Big East in a BCS Bowl game this year.
Prediction: (9-3, 5-2 in Big East)
15. Georgia
11 of 25
2010 Record: (6-7, 3-5 in SEC)
Top Offensive Player: Aaron Murray, QB
Top Defensive Player: Bacarri Rambo, S
2011 Outlook: Georgia was one of those teams that struggled a lot last year, but part of it had to be the fact that the Bulldogs played such a brutal SEC schedule.
This year, it looks like this should be a much improved Georgia team, and it all starts with the play of to-be sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray. This stud signal caller passed for over 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns in his freshman season.
If he can improve on those numbers in his sophomore season, which he should, the sky is the limit for this year's Georgia team and head coach Mark Richt's job will certainly not be in jeopardy after this season.
Prediction: (9-3, 6-2 in SEC)
14. Ohio State
12 of 25
2010 Record: (12-1, 7-1 in Big Ten)
Top Offensive Player: Terrelle Pryor, QB
Top Defensive Player: Nathan Williams, DE
2011 Outlook: Ohio State fans aren't used to seeing their team ranked this low in the pre-season polls. But, with five of their top players suspended for the first five games of the season, along with head-coach Jim Tressel, this could be a tough start for the Buckeyes.
That group of suspended players includes their top player in Terrelle Pryor, top rusher in Dan Herron and top receiver in DeVier Posey. Two of those first five games are against Miami (Fla.) and Michigan State, both of which would present a challenge for the Buckeyes even if they were with their best players.
This group is too talented to let this season go to waste, but it probably will get off to a bit of a slow start in 2011.
Prediction: (9-3, 6-2 in Big Ten)
13. Arkansas
13 of 25
2010 Record: (10-3, 6-2 in SEC)
Top Offensive Player: Knile Davis, RB
Top Defensive Player: Jerry Franklin, LB
2011 Outlook: Arkansas had a great season last year, but with Ryan Mallett moving onto the NFL Draft, this is a team that might take a new look next season.
Mallett loved to sling the ball around the field for this team, but their top returning player is tailback Knile Davis, who needs to have the ball in his hands if this team is going to be successful in 2011. They very well could turn into a run first team.
On defense, Franklin is a four-year starter at linebacker and should be one of the best in the country this year. The Razorbacks defense will have to be improved if they have any hopes of getting back to a BCS Bowl in 2011.
Prediction: ( 9-3, 5-3 in SEC)
12. Wisconsin
14 of 25
2010 Record: (11-2, 7-1 in Big Ten)
Top Offensive Player: James White, RB
Top Defensive Player: Antonio Fenelus, CB
2011 Outlook: Wisconsin had a great season in 2010, knocking off No. 1 rated Ohio State on their way to winning a share of the Big Ten title.
The Badgers got it done with a dominant rushing attack, which should be much the case again this season. James White and Montee Ball both return this year and should be one-of the top running back duos throughout the country.
On the defensive side of the ball, Wisconsin loses J.J. Watt to the NFL, but they should have a strong secondary, led by All Big-Ten performer, Antonio Fenelus.
Prediction: (11-2, 7-2 in Big Ten)
11. Texas A&M
15 of 25
2010 Record: (9-4, 6-2 in Big 12)
Top Offensive Player: Cyrus Gray, RB
Top Defensive Player: Garrick Williams, LB
2011 Outlook: Texas A&M closed out the regular season last year with six straight wins, three of which came against Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska.
The Aggies did lose All-American Von Miller, but Garrick Williams is the next big-time linebacker in line to come out of this school.
On the offensive end, Cyrus Gray had a breakout year last season and should be one of the top backs in the country in 2011. Ryan Tannehill is a capable quarterback and Jeff Fuller is one of the most underrated wideouts in college football. Look for this team to make a push for BCS Bowl game when it's all said and done.
Prediction: (10-2, 6-2 in Big 12)
10. Michigan State
16 of 25
2010 Record: (11-2, 7-1 in Big Ten)
Top Offensive Player: Edwin Baker, RB
Top Defensive Player: Jerrel Worthy, DT
2011 Outlook: Michigan State had an outstanding year in 2010, sharing the Big Ten title along with Wisconsin and Ohio State.
The Spartans return a ton of talent in 2011, including leading rusher Edwin Baker, and quarterback Kirk Cousins, who will enter his third year as a starter.
On defense, the Spartans will have to replace linebackers Greg Jones and Eric Gordon, but they have a good core of young talent that have been learning while playing under those two. Jerrel Worthy is an absolute force at defensive tackle, and Tyler Hoover could be one of the most underrated defensive ends in all of college football.
The Spartans got a luck of the draw when it was announced that Ohio State will be without their top players and coach when the two teams meet up in Week Five. The Spartans have the talent to win another Big Ten title in 2011, but that's quite a hard task, considering how stacked the Big 10 should be this year.
Prediction: (11-2, 7-2 in Big Ten)
9. Oklahoma State
17 of 25
2010 Record: (11-2, 6-2 in Big 12)
Top Offensive Player: Justin Blackmon, WR
Top Defensive Player: Brodrick Brown, CB
2011 Outlook: This should be one of the most feared offenses in all of college football this season.
Brandon Weeden threw for over 4,000 yards and 34 touchdowns last year. He chose to skip the NFL Draft and return for another season. Joining Weeden is All-American Justin Blackmon, who was the top receiver in all of college football last season.
The defense should be solid, and that's really all that is asked of this unit as long as the offense plays the way they are capable of.
Prediction: (11-2, 6-2 in Big 12)
8. Florida State
18 of 25
2010 Record: (10-4, 6-2 in ACC)
Top Offensive Player: E.J. Manuel, QB
Top Defensive Player: Brandon Jenkins, DE
2011 Outlook: The tradition is back at Florida State, and this is the year that the Seminoles might be able to make a push at a National Championship.
Florida State should have an explosive offense and perhaps even a better defense. Brandon Jenkins is the best defensive end in the country and Greg Reid is one of the top defensive backs in the country.
This is a down year for the ACC so Florida State should role in the regular season.
Prediction: (11-2, 8-1 in ACC)
7. South Carolina
19 of 25
2010 Record: (9-5, 5-3 in SEC)
Top Offensive Player: Marcus Lattimore, RB
Top Defensive Player: Stephon Gilmore, CB
2011 Outlook: There might not be a more explosive offense in all of college football than South Carolina.
Between Stephen Garcia, Alshon Jeffrey and Marcus Lattimore, this team has three of the best players in the nation at their respected positions. We all know how tough the SEC is, but this team has the talent and experience to get to the SEC Championship game for a second straight year.
It will be interesting to see who finishes on top of the SEC between SC, Alabama and LSU. Good thing for South Carolina is that they don't have to play either of those two teams.
Prediction: (12-1, 8-1 in SEC)
6. Boise State
20 of 25
2010 Record: (12-1, 7-1 in WAC)
Top Offensive Player: Kellen Moore, QB
Top Defensive Player: Shea McClellin, DE
2011 Outlook: Boise State was one win away from a BCS bowl game last year had it not been for a late season loss to Nevada.
This year, the Broncos should be back in the mix for a National Championship. Kellen Moore returns and should be the best quarterback in the nation behind Stanford's Andrew Luck. They lose their top two receivers, but chances are that anyone could shine with Moore behind center.
Boise State opens the season with Georgia and if they can get by them and TCU, this rest of the year should be a breeze for this group.
Prediction: (11-1, 8-0 in WAC)
5. Stanford
21 of 25
2010 Record: (12-1, 8-1 in Pac-10)
Top Offensive Player: Andrew Luck, QB
Top Defensive Player: Shane Skov, LB
2011 Outlook: Yes, Stanford is going to have to get used to having a new head coach in 2011. But when you have Andrew Luck behind center, anything is possible.
This should be one of the most explosive offenses in all of college football. Luck will be outstanding in the passing game, and Stepfan Taylor should be one of the best running backs not only in the Pac-12, but in the entire country.
Prediction: (11-1, 8-1 in Pac 12)
4. Oregon
22 of 25
2010 Record: (12-1, 9-0 in Pac-10)
Top Offensive Player: LaMichael James, RB
Top Defensive Player: Cliff Harris, CB
2011 Outlook: The Oregon Ducks completed a perfect regular season record last year and were just one win away from winning a National Title.
The offense should be in good hands with both LaMichael James and Darron Thomas. James is the best running back in the country, and Thomas is a young quarterback that showed great talent during last year's championship run.
Oregon opens the season against LSU and travels to Stanford in mid-Novemeber. If they can win those two games, Oregon should have a clear path to the National Championship.
Prediction: (11-1, 8-1 in Pac-12)
3. LSU
23 of 25
2010 Record: (11-2, 7-1 in Big Ten)
Top Offensive Player: Jordan Jefferson, QB
Top Defensive Player: Ryan Baker, LB
2011 Outlook: Many people have already said that this very well could be Les Miles' best team yet since his time at LSU.
Yes, the Tigers do have some good talent coming back, but they also lost a lot of talent that will be hard to replace. Guys like Patrick Peterson, Kevin Shepard and Drake Nevis are all moving onto the NFL.
Look for the defense to reload and for the offense to help carry this team. Jordan Jefferson has had two full years of experience and could be ready for a breakout season at quarterback in 2011.
Prediction: (11-1, 7-1 in SEC)
2. Alabama
24 of 25
2010 Record: (10-3, 5-3 in SEC)
Top Offensive Player: Trent Richardson, RB
Top Defensive Player: Dont'a Hightower, LB
2011 Outlook: The Tide will have a ton of talent to replace from last season. Guys like Julio Jones, Mark Ingram and Marcell Dareus should all be first round draft picks this April.
But the deal with Alabama has been that they always seem to reload. That will be the case, and they do have some real good players coming back.
Trent Richardson should be one of, if not the top running back in the country. On the defensive side of the ball, Dont'a Hightower could be the top linebacker in the country and you know that Nick Saban always puts together a solid secondary. These guys should pave the way to another special season for Alabama in 2011.
Prediction: (11-1, 7-1 in SEC)
1. Oklahoma
25 of 25
2010 Record: (12-2, 6-2 in Big 12)
Top Offensive Player: Landry Jones, QB
Top Defensive Player: Travis Lewis, LB
2011 Outlook: Oklahoma has been the popular pick as the No. 1 team in the nation entering the 2011 season, and why not?
The Sooners are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Landry Jones should be one of the top quarterbacks in the country this season, and he will have one of the nations' best targets in Ryan Broyles.
On the defensive side of the ball, Travis Lewis could be the best linebacker in the country. The Sooners also sport a fast and athletic secondary and a defensive line that should give opposing Big 12 quarterbacks fits all season long.
Don't be surprised to see this group run the table and hoist the National Championship trophy in the air at the end of the season. The talent is certainly there to do so.
Prediction: (13-0, 8-0 in Big 12)
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
