College Football Rankings 2011: Why the SEC Remains the Best Conference in NCAA

Make no mistake about it, the SEC is the best conference is all of college football.

And this just did not happen overnight. The SEC has been a dominant conference for the last five years, and it looks like they will continue that trend in 2011.

When the USA Today preseason poll was released, Oklahoma was the team that came out on top. But with eight SEC teams in the top 25 including two in the top five, it’s clear the SEC is the top conference in the NCAA.

Alabama comes in at No. 2, and some people think that they should be the No. 1 team. With Nick Saban at head coach along with running back early Heisman favorite Trent Richardson, the Tide is a very dangerous team and could finish the season undefeated.

But LSU head coach Les Miles and his Tigers will have something to say about that. They lost Patrick Peterson, but Mo Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu can pick up the slack. Also running back Spencer Ware looks like he can take over where Stevan Ridley left off.

South Carolina comes in as the defending SEC East champs, and with Marcus Lattimore returning, they have a chance to win another division title. But they have a huge game in the second week of the regular season as they face the Georgia Bulldogs.

And speaking of the Bulldogs, they come enter the rankings at the No. 22 spot, which is surprising because they ended the season with a 6-7 record, including a tough 10-6 loss to Central Florida.

However, Aaron Murray had a great freshman season at quarterback and looks to pick up where he left off. Plus, the Bulldogs are relying on true freshman running back Isaiah Crowell to make an impact like Lattimore did last season.

Georgia’s arch-rival Auburn is the defending national champions, but are ranked at No. 19. They will have a strong season because Michael Dyer looks to have a big year, but with LSU and Alabama loaded with talent, it will be hard to see this team winning the SEC.

One team to watch for is Mississippi State, who finished last year at No. 17 in the polls. The Bulldogs enter the poll at No. 20 and quarterback Chris Relf looks to build on a productive 2010 year.

Arkansas finished the season with a 10-3 record and a Sugar Bowl appearance. They lose Ryan Mallett, but Tyler Wilson has plenty of experience and looks to lead the No. 14 team to another BCS bowl appearance.

Then there’s the Florida Gators who did not have a great season by any means. But USA Today ranks the Gators at No. 23 (right behind Georgia) because they are still talented and have the ability to win nine games.

These eight teams are ranked in the top 25 because they have some of most talented players in the country along with some of the best coaches in all of college football, which makes the SEC the best conference in college football.

Oklahoma may be the No. 1 team and they possibly could win the BCS title. But don’t be surprised if a SEC team is either in the national championship picture or holding up the crystal football when it’s all said and done.