College Football Top 25 Rankings 2011: How Many SEC Teams Can Crack the Top 25?
For the past five years an SEC school has won the national championship.
With that said, we must move ahead to the 2011 off-season.
And, exactly how is the nation's best conference faring thus far?
Well, so far so good, but check out another edition of the very early pre-season top 25 to find out for sure!
25. Mississippi State Bulldogs
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Be sure to keep an eye on these two when football season kicks off.
QB Chris Relf and RB Vick Ballard (pictured).
Relf is a dual-threat QB who can cause problems any which way for defenses.
Ballard, is the power back that can plow through for the tough yardage.
Don't be surprised if the Bulldogs go bowling again, despite being in the gauntlet that is the SEC.
24. West Virginia Mountaineers
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With QB Geno Smith and WR/RB Tavon Austin coming back to lead the offense in 2011, West Virginia immediately becomes Big East contenders.
Also, DEs Bruce Irvin and Julian Miller should cause a lot of problems for QBs as they combined for 23 sacks in 2010.
Then you have CB Keith Tandy who led the conference with six picks.
Make no mistake about it, the Mountaineers have the pieces to make some noise in the fall.
23. Virginia Tech Hokies
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With QB Tyrod Taylor and RB Darren Evans gone, coach Frank Beamer may be in a rebuilding period.
However, WRs Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale return after combining for 92 receptions and 1,579 yards.
Move to the secondary and we see the versatile Jayron Hosley coming off a nine interception year that led the nation.
Also, LB Bruce Taylor is one for offenses to keep and eye on, as he had 15.5 tackles for loss in 2010.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. Georgia Bulldogs
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If you don't know him now, you will know him by the end of this slide.
QB Aaron Murray.
Over 3,000 yards passing with 24 TDs and only eight picks, AS A FRESHMAN.
Current high school QBs looking to get into the SEC should take note.
The defense however, has some big holes to fill with LBs Justin Houston and Akeem Dent gone to the draft.
Come next season, Georgia should be improved, but a lot is expected out of Aaron Murray.
21. Florida Gators
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Once again RB Jeffrey Demps is in the backfield, so QB John Brantley can make a sigh of relief.
The question here is; How will the Gators perform new head coach Will Muchamp?
The defense is without safety Ahmad Black who left for the draft, so watch for CB Janoris and LB Jelani Jenkins to take control.
That said, as long as the players buy into Muschamp's philosophy, The Swamp should be insane as usual.
20. UCF Knights
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In 2010, the Knights were the Conference USA champions.
However, it's usually more difficult to repeat, but don't think UCF won't be up to the challenge.
Dual-threat QB Jeffery Godrey returns, along with RBs Ronnie Weaver and Latavius Murray.
But defensively, losing three key players in SS Reggie Weams, OLB Bruce Miller and OLB Derrick Hallman, the Knights become rather vulnerable.
Therefore, keep DE Darius Nall on your radar, as he comes off an 8.5 sack and 14 QB hit season.
19. Auburn Tigers
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Yes, enjoy your national championship fellas because before you know it, we'll be crowing 2011's national champion.
Not to say the the Tigers can't repeat, but losing 21 seniors and two juniors to the NFL draft puts them back a few steps.
Therefore, when the Tigers do take the field, the powerful and explosive RB Michael Dyer will be carrying the load.
Also, keep an eye on his trusty side-kick Onterio McCalebb who can get the job done.
Defensively, there are some good recruits coming in, but that will still be their weakness.
However, if Auburn is once again in the race for at least a conference title, don't be surprised.
18. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Had coach Tressel and QB Terrelle Pryor not been suspended for five games, then Ohio State is a top 10 team.
To be consistently great in sports (or at anything for that matter), it takes time.
Now, although Tressel and the boys have been there and done that before, each season takes a life of its own.
That said, not participating in the first five games will cause some issues with timing and so forth.
However, the talent is still there, so the Bucks' do have a legitimate shot at another Big Ten championship.
17. Michigan State Spartans
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Coming off their first Big Ten championship season in 20 years, Sparty looks to climb atop the pedestal once again.
The offense will definitely be better with QB Kirk Cousins, RB Edwin Baker and WR B.J. Cunningham all returning.
On the dark-side though, team MVP and two-time All-American ILB Greg Jones graduates to the NFL draft along side his partner Eric Gordon.
However, much like last season Michigan State may be underestimated heading into the season.
That my friends, makes them very dangerous.
16. Missouri Tigers
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Right now there is a lot of hype for the Missouri Tigers, so a lot will obviously be expected from them in 2011.
And, if the QB is suppose to be the most important part of an offense, then not having a player like Blaine Gabbert is a cause for concern.
However, they do have a lot of talent elsewhere returning on both sides of the ball (10 on offense and seven on defense), so the Big 12 championship it definitely possible.
Although, the Tigers have yet to get over the Big 12 championship game hump, so could 2011 be the year?
Kickoff will be here before we know it-hopefully.
15. Texas A&M Aggies
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Despite the loss of QB Jerrod Johnson, don't sleep on the next man in line, Ryan Tannehill.
Tannehill appeared in seven games last season and threw for over 1,600 yards and 13 TDs.
Adding RB Cyrus Gray to the mix, and Mike Sherman has a pretty solid offense.
Von Miller is gone, but ILB Garrick Williams is back after totaling 112 tackles in 2010.
With Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma State at home, the Aggies have an solid shot at making a conference title game appearance.
14. Arkansas Razorbacks
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Taking over for Ryan Mallett will be Tyler Wilson.
For the doubters that think he's not capable, he threw for 332 yards and four TDs with no picks verse Auburn last season.
Also, with Knile Davis in the backfield the offense shouldn't miss a step.
Flipping to the defense, we see the return of LB Jerry Franklin and safety Tramain Thomas to lead the way.
If Arkansas gets back to the BCS, it should not come as a surprise.
13. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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After thwomping the Miami Hurricanes in the Sun Bowl, Notre Dame kept the momentum rolling by reeling in a top-notch recruiting class.
Thus, we look at the offense where WR Michael Floyd comes back for his senior year.
Which has to make Dane Crist very happy, because with this pitch-and-catch duet the Irish offense will be exciting.
Defensively, LB Manti Te'O comes off a sensational year in which he totaled 133 tackles, as well as FS Harrison Smith who picked off seven balls.
With all this said, expectations are high in South Bend, so be sure to watch touchdown Jesus whenever possible.
12. Nebraska Cornhuskers
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The 'Huskers are one team people are going to watch because of their decision to switch conferences.
The Big Ten is more like Nebraska football anyway, so keep your eyes peeled for RB Rex Burkhead.
Also, QB Taylor Martinez can pull double duty by throwing and rushing; he accounted for 22 TDs in 2010.
On the defense, FS Eric Hagg and CB Prince Amukamara are the only key losses as three crucial players return.
OLB Lavonte David, DT Jared Crick and CB Alfonzo Dennard will look to reach a third consecutive conference title game.
Speaking of which, don't look shocked if Nebraska wins the Big Ten.
They have the pieces to contend from the get-go.
11. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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After the disappointing loss to the Sooners in the regular season finale, the Cowboys bounced back with a dominating win over Arizona in the Alamo Bowl.
QB Brandon Weeden and WR Justin Blackmon both come off career years in 2010, while looking to recapture the chemistry in 2011.
The defense is definitely weaker, but SS Markelle Martin along with DEs Jame Blatnick and Richetti Jones should lead.
Getting to the Big 12 championship game is possible, but the goal and focus should be a victory over Oklahoma.
Otherwise, 2010 repeats in 2011.
10. Wisconsin Badgers
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Despite losing a game managing QB in Scott Tolzien, the Badgers should be fine in 2011.
When you're a run-first football team, having the RB duo of James White and Montee Ball (combined for over 2,000 yards and 32 TDs) will keep things moving.
Their defense however, is rather unique.
Last season, other than DE J.J. Watt no one really stood out, and yet they were very sound.
Well with Watt gone, the next man in line to look for is CB Antoni Fenelus who had four picks, seven pass break-ups and 56 tackles.
For the fans that love pounding the ball and defense, tune in to Wisconsin because they will satisfy your hunger for old-school football.
9. LSU Tigers
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With another sick recruiting class coming in, reloading is the common trend.
Even with losing players such as CB Patrick Peterson and RB Stevan Ridley, coach Les Miles gets the job done.
That said, QB Jordan Jefferson is back and despite a down year in 2010, expect him to refocus and start off strong in 2011.
Their defense won't miss a beat either, because LB Ryan Baker and CB Morris Claiborne head the pack.
Right now though, just start counting down the days until they kick-off the college football season verse Oregon in Week 1.
That game will be extremely hyped up.
8. TCU Horned Frogs
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Whether critics like to admit it or not, TCU is a college football powerhouse.
Coach Gary Patterson just finds a way each year, and the Horned Frogs get the job done.
Now, although QB Andy Dalton and WR Jeremy Kerley are gone, RB Ed Wesley remains.
He should be the focal point of the offense in 2011, so watch him every chance you get.
The dark-side however, still has ILB Tanner Brock, OLB Tank Carder and CB Greg McCoy.
Therefore, the pieces are in place.
My only wish is that TCU switched from the Mountain West to the Big 12, as opposed to the Big East.
Not only would it make more geographical sense, but seeing the Frogs verse both Oklahomas and the Texas teams each year would be amazing.
7. Florida State Seminoles
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With QB Christiand Ponder now gone, QB E.J. Manuel takes over the helm and does have experience in producing.
The receiving core however, may be the best in the country; Bert Reed, Willie Haulstead, Taiwan Easterling and Rodney Smith all had 30 or more catches.
Therefore, if Manuel can spread the ball around like Ponder, then the 'Noles will burn the scoreboard.
Which in turn, takes pressure off the defense.
But, there's no need to sweat anyway because OLB Nigel Bradham, CB Greg Reid, CB Xavier Rhodes and DE Brandon Jenkins all return.
If Florida State is playing, you won't be disappointed if you make time to watch.
6. South Carolina Gamecocks
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You most likely heard by now, but QB Stephen Garcia has been suspended indefinitely from the football program.
We're not going to get into it, but you can check out the full story here.
However, the offense weapons are back with RB Marcus Lattimore and WR Alshon Jeffery.
Defensively, No. 1 recruit DE Jadeveon Clowney comes in to be with the sack masters, Melvin Ingram and Devin Harris.
The Gamecocks have the talent and experience to make 2011 a memorable season.
But, let's wait and see what the rest of the SEC has to say about that.
5. Stanford Cardinal
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All eyes will be on QB Andrew Luck as he returns for his senior year.
Most expect him to the be the Heisman front runner from the start, so there is a bit of added pressure.
Also, with new head coach David Shaw the team will need to learn a new game philosophy.
However, it shouldn't be too much of an issue when players like RB Stepfan Taylor, as well as WRs Ryan Whalen and Coby Fleener come back.
There are some holes to fill defensively, but look for SS Delano Howell to take control and keep the D up to pace with the O.
Oregon remains the favorite, but Stanford isn't too far behind.
4. Boise State Broncos
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Much like Andrew Luck at Stanford, QB Kellen Moore is also coming back for his senior season.
In addition, RB Doug Martin will remain the feature back.
Then, look for WRs Tyler SHoemaker and Kyle Efaw out wide.
On defense, the secondary loses SS Jeron Johnson and CB Brandyn Thompson to the draft, but DE sack-masters Shea McClellin and Tyron Crawford should keep things rolling.
2011 will be very interesting as the Broncos enter the first year in the Mountain West Conference.
That said, it also happens to be TCU's final year in the MWC, so be sure to watch when both schools duke it out on the blue turf.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Okay, we know their losses offensively may put a damper to a quick start.
However, QB A.J. McCarren is very capable of keeping the Tide up to speed, because last season he did receive playing time in nine games.
Then you have RB Trent Richardson in the backfield, so coach Saban should be rather content.
The defense really only loses DT Marcell Dareus, so expect them to literally keep rolling with CBs Robert Lester and Mark Barron, as well as LB Courtney Upshaw all returning.
Another tough schedule in the SEC awaits, but that hasn't prevented the Tide from winning it all before.
2. Oklahoma Sooners
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In addition to another ridiculous recruiting class entering the University of Oklahoma, coach Bob Stoops brings back some key players.
QB Landry Jones, along with WRs Ryan Broyles and Kenny Stills should make the games very fast paced (even with RB DeMarco Murray gone).
As for their defense, DEs Fran Alexander and Jamell Fleming, as well as OLB Travis Lewis should have no trouble slowing down offenses since they have to practice verse their own.
Next year will be fun to watch, because early in the season Oklahoma travels to Tallahassee to take on the Florida State Seminoles.
College football fans can't wait soon enough.
1. Oregon Ducks
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In the background of the picture, you can see the blurry BCS National Championship logo.
Well for Oregon, last season will seem like a blur once 2011 kicks off.
Winning the national championship should be expected, especially with everyone they have coming back.
On offense, QB Darron Thomas and RB LaMichael James will be the focal point, while CB Cliff Harris and FS John Boyett return to the defense.
Not to mention, an outstanding recruiting class enters for coach Chip Kelly.
When the season kicks off against the LSU Tigers in Week 1, the adrenaline rush while watching that game should be a friendly reminder of why we all love college football.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
