College Football 2011: Predicting the Season's Final Top 10

August is here, which means football is near (I'm a poet and I didn't even know it).

With the NFL lockout no longer a factor and the MLB trade deadline at a close, college football is becoming a hot topic in the sports world. Fans around the nation are on the edge of their seats with the first game less than a month away.

While most analysts may be indulging themselves in conversation for Week 1, I figured I'd get a little creative and take a look at the future.

Here is my take on the 2011 college football season's final top 10 rankings.

10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Irish are back, thanks to Brian Kelly.

A resurrected Notre Dame squad has huge expectations for this season after winning seven of nine to end 2010, including a solid victory against Miami in the Sun Bowl.

Kelly seems to vastly improve each team he coaches, turning around Central Michigan and Cincinnati's football programs.

And he's not done yet.

Momentum is on the Irish's side. And when adding the fact that Notre Dame returns nine offensive and eight defensive starters from last year's team, a successful campaign is very likely.



2010 Record: 8-5

Key Win: vs. No. 14 Utah

Key Loss: vs. Tulsa



2011 Prediction: 10-3

Key Win: at Michigan

Key Loss: vs. Maryland

9. Stanford Cardinal

Two words: Andrew Luck.

The potential Heisman winner is the only reason why I have Stanford in the top 10 and is enough to win the short-handed Cardinal a lot of ballgames.

He decided to return for another season, passing up the projection to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

However, Stanford has to replace three starters on the offensive line, two outstanding receivers and seven efficient defensive starters. It also had Jim Harbaugh part for the San Francisco 49ers, leaving former Cardinal offensive coordinator David Shaw as his successor.

Stanford will be good, but it won't be at the same level it was in 2010.



2010 Record: 12-1 (8-1)

Key Win: vs. No. 13 Virginia Tech (Orange Bowl)

Key Loss: at No. 4 Oregon



2011 Prediction: 10-3 (5-3)

Key Win: vs. Notre Dame

Key Loss: at Arizona

8. Oklahoma State Cowboys

It's a shame the Oklahoma State Cowboys are in the same conference as Texas A&M and Oklahoma, because they're going to be a very good team with not a lot to show for it.

Both quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Justin Blackmon return for another season, which is great news for Oklahoma State fans. These two hooked up for 18 scores in 2010—Blackmon had 20 touchdown grabs, which ranked first in the NCAA.

The Cowboys had the nation's second best passing offense, were the third best at points per game (44.2) and bring back 10 starters for what should be a dynamic scoring team.

If the defense can hold its own (26.4 points allowed per contest in 2010), the Cowboys could make a lot of noise in the Big 12.



2010 Record: 11-2 (6-2)

Key Win: vs. No. 21 Baylor

Key Loss: vs. No. 16 Nebraska



2011 Prediction: 11-2 (6-2)

Key Win: at Missouri

Key Loss: vs. Oklahoma

7. Florida State Seminoles

With the exception of quarterback Christian Ponder, Florida State basically returns its entire team from a year ago.

We already know how good the Seminoles are, as they won 10 games in 2010 while taking the ACC Atlantic and beating Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

The looming question around Tallahassee is whether or not E.J. Manuel can step in and fill Ponder's big shoes. He threw for 861 yards, four touchdowns and completed nearly 70 percent of his passes in limited playing time last season.

Florida State's conference schedule is without Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and North Carolina, proposing an interesting matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners in Week 3.



2010 Record: 10-4 (6-2)

Key Win: at No. 13 Miami

Key Loss: vs. North Carolina



2011 Prediction: 12-2 (8-0)

Key Win: at Clemson

Key Loss: at Florida

6. Texas A&M Aggies

Ten offensive starters return for a dangerous Texas A&M team, including standout running back Cyrus Gray, the playmaking wide receiver Jeff Fuller and quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who now has almost a full season of experience at the position.

Though Von Miller will be greatly missed, nine starters are back on defense. Former Air Force defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter will have a big impact as the Aggies form into their second year using the 3-4 package.

Looking at its schedule, Texas A&M could either have a legendary season or a blunder. The Aggies play home games against Oklahoma State, Baylor, Arkansas, Missouri and Texas, while going on the road to face Texas Tech, Kansas State and Oklahoma.



2010 Record: 9-4 (6-2)

Key Win: vs. No. 8 Oklahoma

Key Loss: No. 21 Missouri



2011 Prediction: 11-2 (6-2)

Key Win: vs. Oklahoma State

Key Loss: at Texas Tech

5. Wisconsin Badgers

Former North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson announced in late June that he was to transfer to Wisconsin, ultimately making the Badgers the favorite to win the Big Ten's Leaders division (and my favorite to win the conference).

Offensive linemen John Moffitt and Gabe Carimi were lost to the NFL draft, but it seems as if Wisconsin is never scarce in this area. 

James White and Montee Ball, who combined for 2,048 yards and 32 touchdowns last year, could end up being the nation's best two-headed monster at the running game.

The Badgers have a favorable eight-game home schedule in 2011, including six in a row to start the season.



2010 Record: 11-2 (7-1)

Key Win: vs. No. 1 Ohio State

Key Loss: vs. No. 3 Texas Christian (Rose Bowl)



2011 Prediction: 13-1 (7-1)

Key Win: at Ohio State

Key Loss: at Michigan State

4. Oregon Ducks

One game will determine the fate of the Oregon Ducks' season.

Week 1 versus Les Miles' LSU Tigers.

Quarterback Darron Thomas and Heisman candidate LaMichael James are back to attempt repeating as the nation's No. 1 offense. However, it could be difficult with the Ducks' top two wide receivers and three starting offensive linemen no longer on the team.

The biggest issue for Oregon may be its defense, as it loses numerous defensive athletes, including NFL draft pick Casey Matthews.

If they can get past LSU, the Ducks should be in the clear to win-out and reappear in the BCS National Championship. But if they lose, it'll be a long, difficult road to get back.

Either way, Oregon should have no problems winning its conference for the third consecutive season.



2010 Record: 12-1 (9-0)

Key Win: versus No. 9 Stanford

Key Loss: versus No. 1 Auburn (BCS National Championship)



2011 Prediction: 12-1 (9-0)

Key Win: at Stanford

Key Loss: vs. Louisiana State

3. Lousiana State Tigers

Apart from Patrick Peterson, Kelvin Sheppard and Drake Nevin, LSU returns plenty of key starters on both spectrums.

Les Miles' defense will be dangerous in 2011, bringing back the majority of a secondary that led the SEC against the passing game.

Georgia-transfer QB Zach Mettenberger, who will be challenging Jordan Jefferson, is expected to play a large role in the success of LSU this season.

The Tigers' biggest problem last year was in fact the quarterback position, with LSU quarterbacks combining for 2,023 yards (107th in the NCAA), 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while completing only 58 percent of their passes.

And with the addition of Steve Kragthorpe as the offensive coordinator, expect sparks to fly (and a lot more scoring) for the LSU Tigers.



2010 Record: 11-2 (6-2)

Key Win: vs. No. 6 Alabama

Key Loss: at No. 12 Arkansas



2011 Prediction: 12-1 (7-1)

Key Win: vs. Oregon

Key Loss: at Alabama

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

Nick Saban will be attempting to go three-for-three in national championship appearances.

Although they lose quarterback Greg McElroy, wide receiver Julio Jones and Heisman-winning running back Mark Ingram, the Crimson Tide return 10 starters on a defense that allowed just 13.5 points per game—good for third in the nation.

Sophomore quarterback A.J. McCarron is projected to take over for McElroy. He threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns last year as the backup.

However, McCarron may not have much pressure to perform with nearly the entire offensive line back to aid tailback Trent Richardson in pursuit of the Doak Walker Award.

On paper, the Crimson Tide looks scary.

They'll be scary on the field, too.



2010 Record: 10-3 (5-3)

Key Win: at No. 10 Arkansas

Key Loss: at No. 19 South Carolina



2011 Prediction: 13-1 (8-0)

Key Win: vs. Louisiana State

Key Loss: vs. Oklahoma (BCS National Championship)

1. Oklahoma Sooners

Surprise, surprise.

Picked by most as the favorite to win it all this year, Oklahoma has a ton of expectations to meet.

It returns 18 starters, including Heisman-hopeful quarterback Landry Jones. He passed for an inconceivable 4,718 yards and 38 touchdowns in 2010, while compiling a 146.3 quarterback rating.

Leading receiver Ryan Broyles, who caught an incredible 131 balls (No. 1 in the nation) for 14 touchdowns, will be right by Jones' side for plenty more hook-ups.

Yes, the Sooners have to cope with the loss of running back DeMarco Murray, but Roy Finch is an underrated running back that will surprise many when handling the ball in 2011. He took 85 carries for 398 yards and two scores during his freshman stay.

Since winning the national title in 2000, Bob Stoops has had eight seasons of at least 11 wins and has found himself in seven BCS bowls. He is 72-2 when playing at home (Oklahoma Memorial Stadium) and is 78-18 in conference play.

He'll also be attempting to win his second national championship in as many tries.

Oklahoma has America's vote, but, more importantly, mine.



2010 Record: 12-2 (6-2)

Key Win: at No. 9 Oklahoma State

Key Loss: at Texas A&M



2011 Prediction: 13-0 (8-0)

Key Win: vs. Alabama (BCS National Championship)

Key Loss: none