College Football 2011: The Good, Bad and Ugly for the Preseason Top 25 Teams
With spring 'ball well underway, college football fans are counting down the months until the college football season begins in the fall.
Although we are still months away from the first official Top 25 polls being released, there is already buzz about the top teams heading into next season
Check out the good, the bad and the ugly from each of the Top 25 teams heading into next season.
*The Top 25 poll used is from National Champs.
No. 25: Tulsa Golden Hurricane
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The Good
Tulsa will have plenty of experience next season, with 19 starters returning, including 10 on offense. The veteran squad should be the favorite to win the Conference USA crown, and possibly push Boise State or TCU for a BCS berth.
The Bad
There are very few holes on this team, but one possible weakness is the defensive front seven. Tulsa isn't known as a defensive team, and with replacements needed at nose guard and middle linebacker, the Golden Hurricane could struggle against the run and struggle finding a pass rush.
The Ugly
The schedule. Tulsa's conference schedule should be a breeze, but the non-conference portion is unreal. The Golden Hurricane must travel to Oklahoma and Boise State, and get Oklahoma State at home. It would be very difficult for any team to win all three of those games, but even going 1-2 in those contests could put Tulsa on the map.
No. 24: Texas Longhorns
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The Good
The talent is definitely there for Texas, which struggled in 2010 despite having a surplus of blue-chip recruits. Quarterback Dan Gilbert returns, and if he returns to the form that he showed in the loss to Alabama in the title game two years ago, he could lead Texas back to the top of the Big 12.
The Bad
Texas' problem last season was its lack of offensive production, and with only seven starters returning on offense, and just two on the offensive line, the Longhorns could struggle to gain yards once again. The defense should be OK, especially by Big 12 standards, but the offense needs to return to form for Texas to be Texas again.
The Ugly
Can Texas be Texas again? Mack Brown's squad was arguably the biggest disappointment of the 2010 season and there is no reason to believe that the Longhorns have found their mojo. Unless this team can get its confidence back up, another 5-7 season is a real possibility.
No. 23: Arizona State Sun Devils
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The Good
Nineteen starters return for the Sun Devils, including 10 on offense. The offensive line should be very good, as will the defensive front.
The Bad
Can Arizona State live up to expectations? The Sun Devils have failed to live up to their hype recently and haven't been able to put together a consistent winning team. With so much experience coming back, this has to be the year to turn that around.
The Ugly
The announcement that quarterback Steven Threet will no longer play football is devastating to the ASU offense. He's the one starter that doesn't return for the offense and backup Brock Osweiler will have some major shoes to fill. If the Sun Devils can't establish a running game, they could again be sitting at home for the holidays in 2011.
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No. 22: Florida Gators
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The Good
Like Texas, there's no denying that this team has talent. However, that talent was largely wasted last season.
John Brantley needs to step up and identify himself as a quarterback and the Gators need to realize that Brantley is not the same type of quarterback as Tim Tebow. If Brantley lives up to his potential, Florida can return to its winning ways in 2011.
The Bad
Again, John Brantley is not Tim Tebow, and the Gators struggled on offense last season without a superstar quarterback. Florida can't seem to find out how it wants to use Brantley, and if they can't figure that out, the Gators could struggle to gain yards again in 2011.
The Ugly
With the departure of coach Urban Meyer and only 13 total starters returning, Florida could be in a rebuilding mode in 2011. The Gators are in good hands, as Will Muschamp should be a great coach, but don't expect an SEC title this year in Gainesville.
No. 21: Missouri Tigers
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The Good
The offense returns nine starters and the offensive skill positions should be outstanding. Running back De'Vion Moore should have a solid season behind a veteran offensive line, and star wide receiver T.J. Moe returns as well.
If quarterback James Franklin can fill the shoes of Blaine Gabbert, who left early for the NFL, Mizzou should be in good shape.
The Bad
The secondary loses three starters and was already weak last season. The Big 12 isn't known for its defense, but the Tigers need to improve their pass defense next year if they want to compete for a Big 12 title.
The Ugly
The loss of Blaine Gabbert really hurts this offense that could have been among the best in the Big 12 had he stayed. Although the Tigers lost their bowl game, Gabbert put on a show and proved that he is among the best in the business.
No. 20: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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The Good
Bryan Kelly was supposed to resurrect the Notre Dame program, and after a rough start to the season, he got things turned around, leading the Irish to wins in their final four games. Now, with quarterback Dayne Crist back, along with 18 other returning starters, a 10-win season is a real possibility.
The Bad
Running back will be a major area of concern on offense, as the Irish lose Armando Allen and Robert Hughes. A solid offensive line should help pave the way for running back Cierre Wood, but the running game has to prove itself in order to open up the passing game.
The Ugly
What is the status of star receiver Michael Floyd? Floyd is the star of the Notre Dame offense, but could be sitting out for much of the season after a DUI arrest this March, his third run-in with the law since 2009. Losing Floyd would severely hurt the offense and could send the Irish on their way to another mediocre season.
No. 19: Nebraska Cornhuskers
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The Good
The defensive front, led by All-American candidate Jared Crick, should be outstanding and the Cornhuskers should have a very good defense in their first season in the Big Ten.
The Bad
Nebraska got an unpleasant welcoming present from the Big Ten this season, as the Huskers must travel to Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan, and play Ohio State, Michigan State, Northwestern and Iowa at home. That's a brutal schedule that could leave Nebraska with a worse record than last year, even if the team is better.
The Ugly
With only six starters returning on offense, the Cornhuskers could struggle to score in their inaugural Big Ten season. Taylor Martinez has been everything from a star to a train wreck—mostly the latter in the second half of 2010—and hasn't been able to get along with his coach. He needs to be more consistent next season if Nebraska wants to win the Legends Division.
No. 18: Virginia Tech Hokies
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The Good
The defense should be good, especially the secondary, but the main reason for optimism is that the Hokies play in the ACC. With the exception of Florida State, the conference should be horrible next year and Virginia Tech has a great chance of running the table in conference play once again.
The Bad
Can Virginia Tech win early on? The Hokies have struggled recently in September, which was especially evident last year, as they lost to Boise State and James Madison in their first two games. This year, the non-conference slate is much less daunting, but the Hokies must avoid a letdown early in the season.
The Ugly
The offense will be rebuilding this season after losing its top three players—Tyrod Taylor, Darren Evans and Ryan Williams. The rest of the offense should be fine, but Virginia Tech needs to establish itself at the skill positions in order to repeat last year's success.
No. 17: South Carolina Gamecocks
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The Good
South Carolina is stacked at running back, thanks to star sophomore Marcus Lattimore. Stephen Garcia is also back at quarterback and all-conference wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey returns as well. The offensive skill positions will put the Gamecocks in a great position to challenge for the SEC East crown once again.
The Bad
While there is talent returning, the experience may not be there for South Carolina to make a run in 2011. Only 13 starters return and the offensive line is rebuilding, which could affect Lattimore's production.
The Ugly
The Gamecocks are consistently inconsistent. They rarely live up to expectations and always seem to disappoint. Is there any reason to believe things will be different this year?
Before South Carolina gets too much respect, it must prove that it can produce results on the field.
No. 16: Mississippi State Bulldogs
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The Good
Mississippi State has the experience to build on a solid season a year ago that ended in a Gator Bowl win over Michigan. The offensive skill positions are in good shape and the Bulldogs should have a very balanced attack in 2011.
The Bad
Can Mississippi State be elite? The Bulldogs are definitely on an upward swing under new coach Dan Mullen. However, they couldn't establish themselves as a top team in the SEC.
In order to do that, Mullen's squad needs to knock off one of the elite teams in the conference, starting with Auburn and LSU in the second and third games of the season, respectively.
The Ugly
The Bulldogs lose all three of their linebackers from last season, which will leave a gaping hole in the middle of the defense. That needs to be filled if MSU hopes to stop some of the top SEC offenses.
No. 15: Arkansas Razorbacks
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The Good
There are holes to fill on the Arkansas offense, but the Razorbacks should be fine at the offensive skill positions, as they return three wide receivers and all-conference running back Knile Davis. Expect a more balanced attack this year from the Arkansas offense.
The Bad
The offensive line will be a weakness for the Razorbacks in 2011, as only two starters return from last year's unit. Davis is a solid running back, but without a good offensive line, his production could be limited next season.
The Ugly
Losing Ryan Mallett really hurts and puts the pressure on backup Tyler Wilson, who will have to deal with an inexperienced offensive line. Mallett was the leader of this offense and his presence will be missed in all phases of the offensive game plan.
No. 14: Wisconsin Badgers
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The Good
Wisconsin is always good in the trenches, and don't expect that to change next season, even with the losses of Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt on the offensive line. The Badgers should also be solid in the running game next year, as James White and Montee Ball both return.
The Bad
The Wisconsin defense was very productive last season, but could take a slide this year with the losses of linebacker Culmer St. Jean and safety Jay Valai, among others. The Badgers should be good up front, but may struggle in coverage.
The Ugly
With the loss of quarterback Scott Tolzien, the passing game could be non-existent in 2011, as was the case when the Badgers struggled to find a quarterback in 2008.
The running game will help take some pressure off the passing offense, but with no proven quarterback and only one wide receiver returning—albeit a good one in Nick Toon—Wisconsin could be one-dimensional on offense next season.
No. 13: TCU Horned Frogs
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The Good
After defeating Wisconsin in the 2011 Rose Bowl, TCU has undoubtedly earned respect around the college football world. You can't expect the Horned Frogs to be BCS participants year in and year out, but they proved that they will be a force to be reckoned with for a while, especially after they join the Big East.
The Bad
TCU was known for its strong defense last season, but has a number of holes to fill from its senior-filled 2010 squad. Only five starters return on that side of the ball, and that could be a problem against some of the high-powered Mountain West offenses, such as Boise State.
The Ugly
Like the defense, the offense is also rebuilding and could suffer greatly from the loss of quarterback Andy Dalton. The offense, too, returns only five starters and needs to build up its line for new quarterback Casey Pachall and promising running back Ed Wesley.
No. 12: Michigan State Spartans
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The Good
The offensive skill positions should be a strength for the Spartans in 2011, as senior quarterback Kirk Cousins returns, along with wide receivers Keith Nichol, B.J. Cunningham and Keshawn Martin. The running back trio of Edwin Baker, Le'Veon Bell and Larry Caper should also make MSU one of the best running teams in the Big Ten.
The Bad
Although the running backs will be strong, run production could be down in 2011 due to a weakened offensive line. Only two starters return on that unit, which needs to step up for the Spartans to return to their 2010 form.
The Ugly
Losing star linebackers Greg Jones and Eric Gordon really hurts and could ultimately turn the 2011 season into a disappointment. They will be greatly missed against both the pass and the run, and Big Ten opponents may take advantage of holes in the Spartan secondary as well.
No. 11: Auburn Tigers
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The Good
With only eight starters returning, there isn't much to be optimistic about, even after a national championship season. However, new faces aren't always a bad thing—nobody knew who Cam Newton was at this time last year, either.
If Auburn can find a playmaker on offense to complement up-and-coming running back Michael Dyer, the Tigers should be in good shape for the fall.
The Bad
Eight starters return. No matter how much talent returns, lack of experience can lead to very disappointing seasons—just ask Texas and Florida. Yes, Dyer returns, but coach Gene Chizik needs to find a way to develop talent very quickly.
The Ugly
I know this is going to make some Auburn fans angry, but in all reality, Cam Newton and Nick Fairley were this team last year. With both out of the picture, it is going to be very hard for Auburn to duplicate last year's success. It may not be what Tiger fans want to hear, but it's the truth.
No. 10: Florida State Seminoles
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The Good
The secondary should be a strength, along with the fact that FSU plays in the ACC. With 16 starters returning, the Seminoles should be experienced enough to challenge for the title in such a weak conference.
The Bad
Can FSU live up to expectations? It rarely has over the past decade, and this is the perfect year to challenge for a conference crown, with so much experience returning and the conference in a down year.
Can the Seminoles live up to the hype as favorites? That remains to be seen.
The Ugly
While most of the offense remains intact, quarterback Christian Ponder is gone and backup E.J. Manuel has major shoes to fill. The offensive line returns three starters and must step up to protect its new signal-caller.
No. 9: Texas A&M Aggies
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The Good
The offensive skill positions will be very strong, as quarterback Ryan Tannehill returns, along with all of his receivers. All-conference running back Cyrus Gray is also back for his senior season and will be a major component of the A&M offense, which should be one of the Big 12's best.
The Bad
The Aggies should be strong in the secondary, but the defensive front will need to step up to stop the Big 12's group of solid running backs.
The Ugly
The loss of linebacker Von Miller really hurts the defense, and in order to challenge for a Big 12 title, somebody needs to step up and fill his shoes.
No. 8: Oklahoma State Cowboys
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The Good
The offense, especially the passing offense, will be among the best in the country. Quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Justin Blackmon could be the best quarterback-receiver duo in the country and Blackmon could challenge for the Heisman Trophy.
The Bad
There isn't that much to complain about on this team, but the loss of star running back Kendall Hunter could hurt. If the Cowboys can't find a running game, pass production could go down.
The Ugly
No matter how good the offense is, the defense still needs to be solid in order to challenge for a BCS berth. The Oklahoma State defense has been mediocre at best under Mike Gundy, and with only six defensive starters returning this year, that could be the unit that keeps the Cowboys out of the BCS.
No. 7: Ohio State Buckeyes
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The Good
The offensive skill positions should be outstanding, with quarterback Terrelle Pryor returning for his senior season, along with star running back Dan Herron and star wide receiver DeVier Posey. The offensive line should also be one of the best in the Big Ten, which will make the skill players even better.
The Bad
The Buckeyes secondary is almost all new, as are the linebackers, which could prove costly in coverage. The run defense should still be OK, but the Buckeyes need to improve their pass defense in order to challenge for yet another Big Ten title.
The Ugly
This may be the most obvious "ugly" in the Top 25. With Pryor, Posey and Herron suspended for the first five games of the season, along with two other players and coach Jim Tressel, Ohio State could start off the 2011 season in a huge hole.
No. 6: Boise State Broncos
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The Good
With 14 starters returning, including star quarterback Kellen Moore, Boise State will once again be the favorite to "bust" the BCS. The offense should be very strong in its first season in the Mountain West and Moore will challenge for the Heisman Trophy.
The Bad
While Moore may be a better quarterback this year, his numbers could go down after losing his two star receivers, Austin Pettis and Titus Young. However, as is typical with Boise State, a new star could emerge early in the season.
The Ugly
Is the schedule strong enough for the Broncos to be considered for the BCS? With no "elite" teams lined up, this could be their year.
However, fans will always question whether or not Boise State deserves the chance with such an easy regular-season schedule.
No. 5: Stanford Cardinal
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The Good
Andrew Luck is back. The Cardinal received a pleasant surprise when they learned after their Orange Bowl win that the star quarterback would return for his senior year. Luck will be a top Heisman Trophy candidate and can put Stanford in position to win the Pac-12.
The Bad
Luck's return is great, but only 11 other starters return from 2010's senior-filled squad. The Cardinal will have major holes to fill on the offensive line and at receiver.
The Ugly
Was Jim Harbaugh really that good of a coach? We'll find that out after this season and we'll also see just how valuable he was toward Stanford's success.
It may be hard for a team breaking in a new coach and a lot of new players to live up to the hype of a No. 5 ranking.
No. 4: Oregon Ducks
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The Good
Oregon had one of the best offenses in the country last season and should improve even more this year with the return of quarterback Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael James. The Ducks employ a fast-paced rushing attack that both Thomas and James run to perfection, and if both can have another impressive season, Oregon has a legitimate chance to be back in the title game next January.
The Bad
The Ducks are looking for replacements at center and guard and need these players to step up immediately—Oregon plays LSU to open the season—since their offense is based on the run.
The Ugly
The Oregon defense was mediocre at best last season, but could get worse in 2011, with just five players returning on that side of the ball, and just two in the front seven. The offense is great, but in order for the Ducks to win a national championship, the defense needs to step up as well.
No. 3: LSU Tigers
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The Good
Even though LSU must replace star cornerback Patrick Petersen, the Tigers should be outstanding in the secondary and return a ton of talent at those positions. Overall, the experience level on this team is very high.
The Bad
The secondary will be great, but the defensive front is relatively inexperienced, as two defensive tackle positions need to be filled. Those spots need to be filled in right away, as the Tigers open the season against Oregon's outstanding rushing offense.
The Ugly
Who is the quarterback? The job will likely go to Jordan Jefferson, but neither he nor Jarrett Lee has stepped up to take the job. The Tigers will be talented next season, but without a certain leader at quarterback, they won't be able to win the conference.
No. 2: Alabama Crimson Tide
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The Good
The defense will be outstanding. Ten starters return for the unit, including all-conference linebacker Dont'a Hightower and star safeties Mark Barron and Robert Lester. This could be the best defense in the country and it will be strong against both the run and the pass.
The Bad
Will the Tide be able to replace wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Mark Ingram? Both stars were critical for the offense, which may not have enough firepower to run the table in 2011.
The Ugly
The most glaring void is at quarterback after losing Greg McElroy. The defense may be outstanding, but Alabama needs to find a solid replacement for McElroy if it wants to win its second national championship in three years.
No. 1: Oklahoma Sooners
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The Good
The experience is there for this team to win a national title, especially on offense. Quarterback Landry Jones returns, along with his entire receiving corps, which includes star Ryan Broyles. The offensive line will also be solid, with four out of five starters returning.
The Bad
If Oklahoma gets to the championship, can it win? The Sooners broke their BCS drought last year with a win over an inferior UConn team, but must find a way to take their game to the next level should they reach the BCS championship game.
The Ugly
As Oregon found out last year, it doesn't matter how good the offense is; defense is very important too. Seven starters return for the Sooners defense, but it was just mediocre last year and must improve if Oklahoma wants to win a national championship.
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