College Football 2011: Over/Under Wins Predictions for the Preseason Top 25

Okay, so it's only April. But now is about the time where college football fanatics wake up from a three-month long coma-like daze where there is almost no news coverage of our favorite teams.

Spring ball is underway, and along with it comes the early, early, very early Top 25 predictions.

Bleacher Report is no different, and there is an early Top 25 poll available here on Bleacher Report, too.

The objective here isn't to debate where each team will end up in the final poll, or even their inclusion in the very early preseason poll, but rather answer the question, "How many wins can we expect from each team in 2011?"

Let's run down the list and try to answer that, shall we?

NOTE: Listed 2011 wins do not include potential wins in conference championship games or bowl games.

No. 25: Michigan Wolverines

The mighty Wolverines have had some tough times since Lloyd Carr retired.

The Rich Rod years were, frankly, three seasons most Michigan fans would like to forget.

While U-M improved in 2010 over the previous two years of disaster, the season ended with a resounding thud against Mississippi State.

While Brady Hoke has a history of quick fixes, Michigan has some serious defensive issues. Hoke may be successful in years to come, but U-M probably doesn't have the ability to make much of a move in the Big Ten in 2011.

2010: 7-6

2011: 8 wins

No. 24: Auburn Tigers

Being defending BCS champions is never easy. Everybody has you in their sights, and the SEC is a beast of a conference in which to win out.

Take the monster schedule Auburn faces and combine that with the massive talent drain, a titanic loss of experience on the lines, and there's not likely to be another 14-win season in Auburn's near future.

2010: 14-0

2011: 11 wins

No. 23: Virginia Tech Hokies

When you begin the year losing to Boise State and an FCS upstart, expectations are dashed.

When you lose your top players on offense, including a new starting quarterback, it's probably time to manage your expectations.

Va Tech enters 2011 with several big offensive question marks.

The Hokie defense, however, shouldn't be much of an issue as the bulk of starters return for 2011.

2010: 11-3

2011: 10 wins

No. 22: Georgia Bulldogs

If we're honest with ourselves, the start of 2010 was a disaster.

The Bulldogs were able to turn it around and salvage the season, finishing with six wins. With that experience under their belts, don't expect the Bulldogs to start 2011 in the same fashion as 2010.

2010: 6-7

2011: 9 wins

No. 21: Arkansas Razorbacks

It's never easy to replace one of the nation's top quarterbacks. Ryan Mallett was a stud, and his loss will be acutely felt at Arkansas.

But the Hogs have Knile Davis at running back, and 2011 could be a breakout year for him, and there are even some cautiously whispering Heisman candidate.

While that remains to be seen, the Razorbacks will have to overcome a trip to Alabama, a visit from Texas A&M, Auburn and South Carolina before finishing up on the road at LSU.

2010: 10-3

2011: 7 wins

No. 20: Florida Gators

Florida finished 2010 unranked. When was the last time that happened?

But those who keep an eye on Florida know that there's always talent just lying around the football facilities in Gainsville.

Expect the Gators to avenge 2010 with a new offensive scheme.

2010: 8-5

2011: 10 wins

No. 19: Nebraska Cornhuskers

Welcome to the Big Ten.

Nebraska is going to learn very quickly that the Big Ten is a different beast the Big 12.

While both conferences have been great, and have had some amazing teams over the past decades, the Big Ten plays a style of football not found in many other parts of the country.

The Big Ten is big, bruising football. It's the type of conference where Rich Rodriguez's spread offense was seen as heresy at Michigan.

Nebraska also has a pretty difficult inaugural Big Ten season schedule with visits from co-Big Ten Champion Ohio State, co-Big Ten Champion Michigan State and always tough Iowa. Nebraska also has to travel to co-Big Ten Champion Wisconsin and Penn State.

All three defending co-Big Ten champs in one season?

Another embarassingly cupcake non-con schedule (FCS Chattanooga, Fresno State, Washington and Wyoming) should provide the Cornhuskers with some momentum come conference time.

2010: 10-4

2011: 9 wins

No. 18: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

It's crunch time in South Bend.

Every year, the preseason hype surrounding the Irish is unmatched by any team, except maybe every team in the SEC.

But Brian Kelly doesn't seem likely to do what his predecessors at Notre Dame have done: take two steps back after a modest success.

While the Irish probably won't be winning any BCS titles in 2011, look for them to make steady improvements.

2010: 8-5

2011: 9 wins

No. 17: West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia is another team facing the loss of a monster offensive stud.

Noel Devine could do pretty much anything he was asked to do on the football field. But West Virginia fans need not worry.

A new offensive guru has come to town, and based on what happened at Oklahoma State, new Mountaineer offensive coordinator Dana Holgoreen should be whipping WVU's offense into Big East championship form before too long.

2010: 9-4

2011: 9 wins

No. 16: Mississippi State Bulldogs

As mentioned earlier, Mississippi State finished 2010 in style, pounding the Michigan Wolverines into Gator Bowl Bulldog food.

Mississippi State's successes in 2010 followed a great team running game. Head coach Dan Mullen probably won't change much of his winning formula as the bulk of the offense returns for 2011.

2010: 9-4

2011: 8 wins

No. 15: Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State won a share of the Big Ten title in 2010 for the first time in what seems like forever.

In fact, the last time MSU was atop the Big Ten, most of the current Spartan players weren't even born.

In the past, Sparty has followed success with dizzying, astounding and shocking failures. But Mark Dantonio seems to be charting a new course for the Spartans, and 2011 will be the year we see if Michigan State is truly for real.

MSU's schedule in 2011 is quite a bit more difficult than 2010. Games at Ohio State, at Nebraska and at Iowa could all be major stumbling blocks.

2010: 11-2

2011: 9 wins

No. 14: TCU Horned Frogs

It would be hard to top 2010.

The BCS-busting Horned Frogs not only crashed the Rose Bowl, they left Pasadena with the trophy.

2011 opens up with a road game to Baylor, and also includes road games at San Diego State and Boise State. TCU also meets BYU at Cowboys Stadium in late October.

One thing is clear: with TCU crossing paths with Boise and BYU, only one of those three teams even has a shot at a BCS game in 2011.

2010: 13-0

2011: 10 wins

No. 13: Wisconsin Badgers

If Wisconsin hopes to have a shot a defending their 2010 co-Big Ten championship, they're going to need to fill several pair of very large cleats.

Lucky for Wisconsin, there are several players waiting in the wings for their turn to shine in the Big Ten.

In 2010, Wisconsin was the prototypical Big Ten powerhouse team. 2011 is shaping up to be more of the same for the Badgers.

Early season visits from Oregon State and Nebraska could be potential road bumps if Wisconsin isn't careful. Michigan State threw one past the Badgers last year, and Wisconsin hopes to return the favor on October 22nd, in East Lansing.

2010: 11-2

2011: 10 wins

No. 12: South Carolina Gamecocks

The old Head Ball Coach has one heckuva running back coming back in sophomore Marcus Lattimore. Lattimore could anchor what is being touted as perhaps the SEC's top offenses.

But before that can happen, the quarterback situation must be sorted out.

The Gamecocks shocked the world last year by besting heavy favorite Alabama. This year, they probably won't be sneaking up on anyone in the SEC.

2010: 9-5

2011: 10 wins

No. 11: Missouri Tigers

If you watch the Tigers in 2011 and find yourself a little confused, believing you're watching a replay of a 2010 game, there's good reason. Missouri is returning 10 starters on offense from 2010.

Their defense will also look largely similar, returning seven starters from 2010.

Experience is the name of the game here, folks. Oh, and Missouri won't have to contend with Nebraska any more as the Huskers have left for the greener pastures of the Big Ten. The downside is that the Big 12 loses its ability to be sectioned off in divisions. That means the Tigers will be playing at Oklahoma, at Texas A&M, at home against Texas and at home against Texas Tech.

Gone, also, is the Big 12 championship game. So if Missouri wants that BCS berth, the September 24th match-up at Oklahoma is just as important as the games in November.

2010: 10-3

2011: 9 wins

No. 10: Boise State Broncos

Kickers.

A missed chip-shot field goal is all that separated Boise State and another BCS berth. Actually, making either one of the two attempts would have been just fine.

If if's and but's were candy and nuts...

Boise State opens 2011 in much the same way as 2010: against a quality BCS conference opponent. This time, the Broncos host the Georgia Bulldogs to start the season.

The Broncos then take their home conference unbeaten streak of a half million games to the Mountain West where someone will try to break the Broncos strangle hold on wins on The Blue.

Well, MWC, good luck with that.

2010: 12-1

2011: 12 wins

No. 9: Oklahoma State Cowboys

The nation's third-best scoring offense will be back in action as Oklahoma State looks to build on 2010's successful season.

Road games at Texas A&M, Texas, Missouri and Texas Tech are all potential stumbling blocks, but (as usual) the big showdown remains the final week of the season, and the Sooners.

2010: 11-2

2011: 10 wins

No. 8: Stanford Cardinal

Andrew Luck is back, and perhaps nothing could be more important for the Cardinal. Even losing head coach Jim Harbaugh isn't as important as Luck's return.

What could derail the 2011 season, however, are the massive losses Stanford is absorbing pretty much everywhere else on the field.

Inexperience could hurt Standford's chances at a BCS run in 2011.

2010: 12-1

2011: 8 wins

No. 7: Ohio State Buckeyes

We all know what the Buckeyes are capable of. What we don't know is how the Buckeyes will perform over the first five games of the season without Jim Tressel, Terrelle Pryor and company.

Lucky for Ohio State, the first two games are against Akron and Toledo. Ohio State travels to the University of Miami in Week 3, and hosts Michigan State in Week 5. It's also important to note that in their first game back, they have to travel to Nebraska.

Michigan State, Miami and Nebraska are the keys to OSU's entire season. If the Buckeyes can escape unscathed through their first six games, Buckeye nation may be in for a treat, such as a berth in the conference's inaugural championship game.

2010: 12-1

2011: 11 wins

No. 6: Texas A&M Aggies

The Aggies are poised to make a real run at the new-look Big 12 this season.

A&M is returning 19 of 22 starters on both sides of the ball.

With that amount of experience, and big play ability from the offense, Texas A&M has a realistic shot at a BCS berth in 2011.

2010: 9-4

2011: 10 wins

No. 5: LSU Tigers

In 2010, it really took a good long while for many people to believe that LSU was the real deal.

By season's end they had proven that they were a contender, and 2011 should be no different.

Perhaps the only change will be everyone else's attitude in Weeks 1-8.

The Hat also has most of his team returning for 2011, including 10 offensive starters. With such experience, maybe we won't see as many trick plays from LSU in 2011.

Then again, maybe we will. An opening week game against Oregon could set the tone for the entire season.

2010: 12-1

2011: 10 wins

No. 4: Florida State Seminoles

Florida State will return 18 starters to their 2011 squad. The Seminoles also have a veritable grab bag of fresh talent that will be able to fill in any gaps, should they arise.

If FSU can escape early season showdowns with Oklahoma and Clemson, the rest of their schedule seems easy by comparison. By week four, everyone should have a decent handle on how FSU's season will play out.

2010: 10-4

2011: 10 wins

No. 3: Oregon Ducks

Last year's Pac-10 champs and BCS runners-up will look to take care of some unfinished business. With LaMichael James returning, it's certainly looking like there's a good chance Oregon will repeat as Pac-10 champions in 2011, this time with a Pac-12 championship game on the slate.

While Oregon does lose some play-makers at wideout, Chip Kelly no doubt already has a plan in place to keep Oregon's offense clicking.

2010: 12-1

2011: 12 wins

No. 2: Alabama Crimson Tide

The Alabama Crimson Tide had a disappointing 2010. Be honest Tide fans. Is 10-3 really what you were looking for after a BCS title?

Didn't think so.

Fear not! The 2011 season is just a few short months away, and Alabama's stock is rising. While there are some key losses, including Mark Ingram and Julio Jones, there are plenty of studs ready to take their place in Tuscaloosa.

Realistically, Auburn is the only real test for the Crimson Tide this year. Barring any mid-season slip ups, Alabama should be good and rested for the Iron Bowl after another laughable scheduling of a late season FCS team (Georgia Southern).

Alabama should return to the SEC championship in 2011.

2010: 10-3

2011: 12 wins

No. 1: Oklahoma Sooners

Okay, Sooner nation. It's time to put up or shut up.

Like Alabama fans, you'll have to admit that 2010, with all of its successes, had a bit of an anti-climatic finish.

While 12-2 would be great for most programs, nothing short of BCS glory will cut it for the Sooners in 2011.

OU is returning 18 starters from 2010's Big 12 championship team.

With all of that talent combined with all of their experience, Oklahoma should be making a BCS title run in 2011.

Early season tests against Florida State and Missouri loom, but the Sooners know how to take care of business.

Expect big things from Oklahoma in 2011.

2010: 12-2

2011: 12 wins