College Football Preseason Rankings 2011: 5 Teams Who Deserve to Be No. 1

Oklahoma is a solid preseason No. 1 pick.

The Sooners have talent, veterans and one of the best coaches in the game.

So it's hard to argue against the recent USA Today Coaches' Top 25 Rankings that placed Bob Stoops' Sooners in the top spot.

Recent history tells us Oklahoma won't be No. 1 at the end of the season. Since the SEC has finished on top five straight seasons, wouldn't it make sense to put LSU or Alabama on top?

How about Oregon, which returns a number of critical players from last year's team that hung with Auburn in last year's BCS Championship game.

So who are the five teams with an argument about Oklahoma being on top?

Read on and find out.

LSU

LSU did receive two first-place votes and enters the 2011 season ranked No. 4.

The Tigers have the talent and depth to be considered a legitimate No. 1.

What probably held them back are LSU's question marks on offense. But if you watched Jordan Jefferson at the end of last season, you understand the Tigers might move the ball well this season.

Oregon

Oregon may have dropped its past two BCS games, but the Ducks enter 2011 with one of the most talented units around.

Chip Kelly's offense is once again led by Darron Thomas and LaMichael James, but a key to the season will be the defense.

The Ducks have every reason to believe they deserve the top spot when you consider Oregon's two-year run.

Stanford

Stanford is coming off a 12-1 season, and the Cardinal return the game's best player in Andrew Luck.

Luck's performance in last year's Orange Bowl victory is proof that Stanford is going to give everyone in the Pac-12 a run for the top spot.

The Cardinal still have one of the better offensive lines, and the defense could be better this season.

The only real change is at head coach.

Alabama

There may not be another team who has a bigger complaint than Alabama.

Word out of Tuscaloosa is the Tide fans are not pleased with the apparent slight.

However, Nick Saban's team is in a great position. Alabama still garnered plenty of respect, so if the Tide wins, they'll be near or on top.

Auburn

Auburn lost a lot of talent to the NFL, so it's easy to see why Gene Chizik's team is ranked No. 19.

But Tiger fans may feel until someone beats them then Auburn should be on top.

You may not subscribe to that philosophy, but it's a realistic expectation.