College Football Top 25: How Far Should Ohio State Fall In Tressel Aftermath?
Let's be honest.
Most of the preseason polls that have come out so far have placed Ohio State near the top.
That was clearly a mistake, given the players the Buckeyes lost on the defensive side of the ball.
With Tressel crashing like a lead balloon, and Pryor heading out the back door for the NFL, OSU should obviously move down a bit in the rankings.
But they aren't alone.
Granted, other factors may influence these rankings before the season starts, such as injuries, Russell Wilson choosing a school and Jacory Harris suddenly finding the ability to throw accurately, but we are throwing them at you anyway.
Here are your top 25 FBS teams for 2011...
25. Texas Longhorns
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Last year was an aberration.
We hope.
With the new coaching staff implementing a new offense at UT, it's tough to predict exactly what the Texas offense will do.
That being said, the defense is going to be stout.
With Emmanuel Acho leading a solid group of linebackers, and returning talent at safety, the 'Horns are going to be tough to move the ball against.
24. Miami Hurricanes
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LaRon Byrd and Travis Benjamin might be the most athletic pair of receivers in the country, but their dropped passes and mental mistakes have kept them from fulfilling their entire potential.
Jacory Harris was a mess last season, and sophomore Stephen Morris is pushing him for the starting job.
That being said, the 'Canes are ridiculously explosive, and loaded with raw athletic talent all over the field.
Their development going into the season will determine the ceiling for Al Golden's squad.
23. Missouri Tigers
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The Tigers will have a very stout defensive line, even after the departure of Aldon Smith.
If nose tackle Dominique Hamilton can stay healthy, their line is going to be scary good.
Ends Jacquies Smith and Brad Madison combined for 13 sacks and 21 TFLs last season, and should be even better this year.
James Franklin earned the starting quarterback position after Tyler Gabbert left the program.
He will be well protected and have plenty of weapons.
The offensive line returns four starters, Mizzou's three leading rushers are back, and every guy who caught a pass last season has returned.
Talk about experience.
A road trip to Arizona State early in the season will provide a good measurement of this team's ability.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. TCU Horned Frogs
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Four starters on the O-line have departed, along with star quarterback Andy Dalton.
The Horns are stacked at running back, with Ed Wesley leading the way, and have some solid tight ends to help new QB Casey Pachall gain some confidence early.
The Frogs' receivers are explosive, and should be a productive bunch if Pachall can get the ball to them consistently.
Defensively, the Frogs' front seven is going to be second to none, but there are more holes in the secondary than some pieces of Swiss Cheese.
21. Georgia Bulldogs
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Georgia's defense should improve due to a better grasp on the 3-4 scheme Todd Grantham has implemented.
The losses of Justin Houston and Akeem Dent are going to hurt, but if nose-tackle Jonathan Jenkins plays up to his potential, there will be definite improvement.
Offensively, the Dawgs have Isaiah Crowell leading the charge from the running back position, and they have to hope that Aaron Murray does not experience a sophomore slump.
The loss of Trinton Sturdivant on the O-Line is devastating, but seniors Ben Jones and Cordy Glenn should show significant improvement.
20. USC Trojans
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The landscape has changed for the Trojans.
They are not the "big dog" of the conference anymore, but they do have the talent to win 9-10 games and put a scare into the front-runners.
Matt Barkley is going to be one of the top five quarterbacks in the country, especially throwing the ball to explosive receiver Robert Wood.
The issue with the Trojans is the offensive line.
Only two starters return, and Barkley could find himself scrambling a bit more than he is comfortable with.
19. West Virginia Mountaineers
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In spite of all the controversy surrounding the program over the last few weeks, the Mountaineers are set to be the class of the Big East.
Quarterback Geno Smith has some incredible athletic talent, and the Mountaineers are going to put points on the board with new head coach Dana Holgorsen's offense in place.
The defense is a little shaky, with seven starters gone, but should WVU get some consistent play from the defense, they will be extremely difficult to beat.
18. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Even with the departure of Terrelle Pryor and Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are still a very good football team.
The offensive line is going to be very solid, and the running back position is stacked.
If OSU starts Braxton Miller at quarterback, their offense is going to put up a ton of points.
Defensively, the Buckeyes are somewhat inexperienced, but have some tremendous potential.
Whether they live up to that potential could be the difference between an eight win season and another trip to the BCS.
17. Virginia Tech Hokies
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Ryan William and Darren Evans who?
Dynamic returner David Wilson takes over the rushing duties for the Hokies, and will soon make Va. Tech fans forget about Williams and Evans.
Logan Thomas is 6'6" and will have an easier time than Tyrod Taylor of seeing receivers in the middle of the field.
The defense will be up to Frank Beamer's usual standards, and the Hokies should challenge for the ACC title.
16. Wisconsin Badgers
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The Badgers have one of the best running back duos in the country in James White and Montee ball, but questions abound at quarterback.
Jon Budmayr is projected to start, but he has yet to demonstrate any sort of aptitude for running the offense to this point.
The Badgers will have a great offensive line once again, and have a couple solid receivers in Nick Toon and Jared Abbrederis.
Defensively, the secondary and linebackers are very good, with red-shirt sophomore Chris Borland coming back from injury.
The D-line is less than dependable, so it will be interesting to see how that affects the Badgers secondary.
Right now, the Badgers are in a recruiting battle to have former N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson play for them.
Should Wilson end up in Madison, the Badgers are a top ten team.
15. Arizona State Sun Devils
11 of 25Linebacker Vontaze Burfict is the reason you either love or hate ASU.
The flamboyant linebacker is capable of jaw-dropping play, and also of making head-scratching mistakes.
The Sun Devils will have Brock Osweiler under center, and he provides a great arm and surprising mobility for a man his height.
The Devils' defense is quick and, if the offense clicks, even a little bit, they will run away with the Pac-12 South.
14. Michigan State Spartans
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Greg Jones and Eric Gordon are gone from a solid defense.
Also gone are three starting offensive linemen.
But the Spartans can certainly make do with who is left.
Running backs Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker are back, as well as quarterback Kirk Cousins.
While the Spartans have the offensive talent to hang with anyone in the conference, the questions will remain whether they can stop some of the better Big Ten offenses.
(Why not? Every other conference can.)
13. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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The Cowboys defense is definitely a work in progress, with linebacker Shaun Lewis providing one of the few bright spots on the defensive side of the ball.
The good news for Okie Lite seems to be a stellar offensive group.
Quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon will have all five offensive linemen from last year to make sure they have time to connect.
There were no huge changes to the offense with the departure of Dana Holgorsen for WVU, so expect the 'Boys to put up some points, but also expect them to allow some as well.
12. South Carolina Gamecocks
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Steve Spurrier has got himself a great team heading into 2011.
The defensive line is absolutely loaded, whether Jadeveon Clowney plays much or not.
Shaq Wilson returns from injury to his linebacker position, and the secondary will be serviceable.
The real buzz is around the offense.
Stephen Garcia is back with the program after his fifth suspension and, with Marcus Lattimore running the ball and receiver Alshon Jeffery doing his thing, the offense will be explosive.
A second consecutive trip to the SEC title game is a very distinct possibility for the Gamecocks in '11.
11. Texas A&M Aggies
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If quarterback Ryan Tannenhill can continue his level of play from the end of last season, the Aggies' offense will be potent.
Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael are a solid one-two punch out of the backfield, and receivers Ryan Swope and Jeff Fuller provide deep threats for Tannenhill on every play.
Even with Von Miller's departure to play on Sundays, A&M's defense is looking like it will be better than last season, with Damontre Moore and Caleb Russell taking over Miller's duties.
The defense has some experience, but needs a leader to emerge to help the unit coalesce into a team that really scares Big 12 offenses.
10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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In 2011, the Irish have to face nine teams that reached 2010 bowl games, and USC.
It won't be an easy road.
That being said, with Manti Te'o leading the defense, and a year more of experience, that group will be tough to score on.
The offense should be interesting, with coach Brian Kelly saying a multiple quarterback system is likely.
Running back Cierre Wood adds a spark to the rushing game and, if Michael Floyd can stay out of trouble, the Irish have the talent to navigate their tough schedule.
9. Boise State Broncos
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Boise State lost its offensive coordinator and two record-setting receivers.
Why won't this affect them much?
Because the offensive line looks solid, and behind that offensive line will be Heisman candidate Kellen Moore.
Moore will be accompanied by underrated running back Doug Martin.
Moore will be throwing to his brother Kirby, and Geraldo Hiwat—both guys who demonstrated tremendous playmaking ability in the spring.
The D-Line should be solid as well, but the MWC is a little tougher than the WAC, and the Broncos may find themselves a little more challenged at times than the last few seasons.
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers
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The Huskers have quite a bit of pressure to deal with this season.
Entering their inaugural Big Ten season, they are picked by many pundits to take the conference title.
While that is an argument for another day, there is no doubt they are extremely talented, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
New coaches and an adjustment to the scheme should help Taylor Martinez and the offense, but it will be the defense that carries this squad.
The Huskers have incredible talent at every level of the defense, with Jared Crick on the line, Lavonte David at linebacker and Alfonso Dennard at corner.
Depth at linebacker might be a question, as well as at quarterback, but the Husker defense is going to be one of the best in the country.
7. Stanford Cardinal
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As good as Andrew Luck has been, he has been assisted by tremendous offensive line play.
The key to the success of the Cardinal will not be replacing departed receivers, linebackers or corners.
Their success will lie in replacing their departed linemen.
Chris Owusu is stepping in after missing significant time last season with injury, and gives the Cardinal a deep threat dimension to the offense.
Stepfan Taylor will again lead the rushing attack, and Luck will be one of the best QBs in the country.
6. Arkansas Razorbacks
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If it weren't for road trips scheduled to LSU and Alabama, the Razorbacks might be the favorite to win the SEC.
The offense is going to continue without missing a beat due to the emergence of quarterback Tyler Wilson.
Wilson will be accompanied in the backfield by a punishing stable of running backs, led by 2010's SEC leader Knile Davis.
The defense is ridiculously experienced and, if the Hogs want to challenge for the SEC crown, they will have to prove it.
5. Oregon Ducks
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The Ducks offense should be extremely explosive again this season, with LaMichael James and Darron Thomas both returning.
The line lost three starters and Oregon's top two receivers left, but it appears they will all be adequately replaced.
Where Chip Kelly's team has issues is on defense.
Linebacker, in particular, will be a concern with only one returning starter, and projected starter Kiko Alonso's suspension after an arrest.
The secondary and D-Line are set, but some inexperienced guys may have to play some downs at linebacker.
4. LSU Tigers
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Consistent quarterback play will be the difference between a trip to the BCS and missing out, yet again, for the Tigers.
Jordan Jefferson has shown flashes of brilliance, but they are just that—flashes.
His inconsistency is the biggest knock against him.
However, we should all bear in mind that LSU made it to the NC game with Matt Mauck at the helm, so there is hope.
The defense is ridiculous, with playmakers all over the field.
Corner Tyrann Mathieu is going to be a big-time playmaker.
The biggest concern on defense is replacing Kelvin Sheppard at linebacker.
3. Florida State Seminoles
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The 'Noles are headed down the road that leads back to national prominence.
Even thought the O-Line suffered several injuries in spring ball, the offense has a legit quarterback in E.J. Manuel, and return their top five backs and top receivers from a year ago.
Where things get interesting, however, is on defense.
The Seminoles have, arguably, the best secondary in the country, and cornerback Greg Reid doubles as a punt return man.
The front seven is a little more unsettled, but the talent is there after two years of incredible recruiting success.
Now to see what defensive coordinator Mark Stoops can do with them.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
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A.J. McCarron and Philip Sims are both solid options to run the offense.
McCarron has the edge in experience, but Nick Saban has yet to announce his final decision.
Whoever wins the job will be protected by an O-line featuring four returning starters, and have Trent Richardson to lead the rushing attack.
Safety Mark Barron and linebacker Dont'a Hightower will lead a dominant defense that should have one of the premiere linebacking corps in the country.
There are obviously still some unanswered questions, but the talent of the guys stepping into unsettled positions is so great, the Tide are set for a great season.
1. Oklahoma Sooners
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Expectations could not be higher in Norman, and with good reason.
Quarterback Landry Jones and receiver Ryan Broyles will provide plenty of fireworks, and the emergence of speedster Kenny Stills adds another dimension to an already explosive passing game.
Broyles provides a threat to score every time he touches the ball, whether running routes or as a return man.
Defensively, the Sooners are absolutely chock-full of athletic talent.
Linebacker looks to be the biggest strength with Travis Lewis leading the group, and sophomore Corey Nelson having a big spring.
The potential loss of corner Jamell Fleming hurts, but Gabe Lynn and Aaron Colvin should be able to fill that gap.
Big things are happening in Norman and, if they survive an early trip to Tallahassee, they will eventually play for the BCS championship.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
