College Football Preseason Rankings 2011: Predicting Top 25's Bowl Destinations

This list predicts the bowl destination for each of the Coaches' poll top 25.

Getting to a bowl game does not exactly require what it used to.

Seriously, 6-6 qualifies for a post-season game?

And you wonder why everybody gets a trophy at the end of your kids' Pop Warner season...

It's called the trickle-down effect.

Anyway, the top 25 is out, and it's a great way to pass the time until the season starts with predictions.

From the BCS Championship to the Independence Bowl, we run down the post-season destinations for those who are predicted to be the 25 best in the sport.

Big East fans, you will have to look elsewhere for your predictions until one of your squads cracks the rankings...

25. Penn State Nittany Lions

While it's tough to buy the Nittany Lions as a BCS contender, they still have some talented guys operating in JoePa's system.

That defense has stars in the secondary and at linebacker, with guys like Michael Mauti, Drew Astorino and Nick Sukay hopefully providing the experience and leadership to help this unit live up to it's potential.

Whether Matt McGloin or Rob Bolden gets the nod at quarterback, he has plenty of help.

Tailback Silas Redd might be better than the departed Evan Royster, and wide receiver Derek Moye is, arguably, the best receiver in the conference.

Conventional wisdom would say to take Alabama against the Lions early in the season, but don't sleep on these guys.

Bowl Prediction: Capital One Bowl

24. Texas Longhorns

For those who think the Longhorns are going to jump right back into the middle of the Big 12 title race, think again.

The defense still has no proven pass-rusher.

Offensively, the new system features motion and shifting lines, unlike the offense previously used at UT.

Even if the offense figures out the new system quickly, the quarterback situation is still up in the air.

Garrett Gilbert has yet to show he can be consistent, and may get the hook if things go bad early in the non-conference schedule.

While it's difficult to get a read on this squad, a better record is not very likely without improvement on the o-line.

It was awful last season, and three starters are gone...

Bowl Prediction: Holiday Bowl

23. Florida Gators

The Gators have so much talent, they will be contending for the SEC title in the very near future.

Just not this season.

Having to implement new systems on offense and defense is going to slow down the progress of the younger players.

John Brantley has yet to show much progress at the quarterback position, and the offensive line, while improved, is not one you can count on to be consistent.

Will Muschamp and Charlie Weis are going to do big things in Gainesville (besides eating value meals) but they will have to wait a year or two.

Bowl Prediction: Gator Bowl

22. Georgia Bulldogs

Aaron Murray is a very talented young man.

He will no doubt start for the Bulldogs in '11, but may find it difficult to duplicate the success of his freshman campaign due to attrition.

Star wideout A.J. Green is gone, as is dependable option Kris Durham.

The offensive line, while experienced, is really not that great.

The one big positive the Dawgs have going for them is the schedule.

They don't have to face Alabama, LSU or Arkansas, and get rival South Carolina at home.

While the team will not be much better than last season, the easy schedule will lead to a few more wins then in the previous campaign.

Bowl Prediction: Outback Bowl

21. Missouri Tigers

Head coach Gary Pinkel and the Tigers have got plenty to be excited about this season.

James Franklin is looking like the real deal at quarterback, and he has plenty of weapons to help him on offense.

There is not much separation at the top of the conference, between Oklahoma, Okie Lite, Texas A&M and Mizzou, but the Tigers will likely end up at the back of that very talented pack.

The other concern for the Tigers is their non-conference slate.

Miami(OH) returns 18 starters to a team that won 10 games last season, and is a real threat to upset the Tigers.

In their second non-conference game, they must travel to Arizona State to take on the Sun Devils.

ASU's defense is tough...it might not be pretty.

Bowl Prediction: Insight Bowl

20. Mississippi State Bulldogs

The Bulldogs have cause for concern on the offensive line, but even so, have an extremely talented group at the skill positions.

Chris Relf will be very productive from the quarterback position, where he seemed to have made some significant progress this spring, and wide receiver Chad Bumphis will rack up catches and yards.

The problem arises with their competition.

Trips to Georgia and Arkansas will be tough, and the chances are slim that MSU upsets LSU or South Carolina at home.

This, coupled with the attrition at linebacker should leave fans less than comfortable with MSU's shot at the SEC title.

Bowl Prediction: Chick-fil-A Bowl

19. Auburn Tigers

Talent without experience can only get you so far, especially in the brutal SEC.

The Tigers are in trouble.

A new starting quarterback, new wide receivers and four new starters on the offensive line will make it tough for Gene Chizik's squad to be competitive with the rest of the SEC West.

That wouldn't seem so bad if the defense was ultra experienced.

But it's not.

In a few years, this team will be scary, but failures this season will seem particularly brutal after the highs of last season's success.

Bowl Prediction: Music City Bowl

18. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Why all the hate for the Irish?

Is it because of the likeness to the "Boy Who Cried Wolf?"

It's not the team's fault writers get out of control and hype them every season, and this season the hype is as loud as it's ever been.

 While the hype is the same, these are not the same Irish.

If the last for games of last season are any preview of this year, this defense is going to be very, very good.

And while the schedule is definitely not easy, there are not many games in which the Irish will not be favored...

Bowl Prediction: Fiesta Bowl

17. Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans were on the verge of great things last season, narrowly missing a trip to the Rose Bowl.

While the returning stars on offense are hoping to improve on last season, it will be difficult with the losses on the defensive side of the ball.

Throw in the road trips to Iowa, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State, and the Spartans are in for a rougher season than might be expected.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Edwin Baker will no doubt put up some points, along with the rest of the offense, but if the offense sputters in any of those road games it will be too much for the defense to overcome.

Bowl Prediction: Outback Bowl

16. Ohio State Buckeyes

It's difficult to believe the Buckeyes will be at or near the top of the Big Ten this season.

All the offseason controversy aside, the quarterback situation is still up in the air, several starters are gone from the defense, and they have a brand new head coach.

When you consider the guys who are suspended, and what their impact might be, as well as the schedule near the time those suspensions end, it seems almost ludicrous to think they might somehow manage to emerge unscathed.

It's possible, but not very likely.

Bowl Prediction: Insight Bowl

15. TCU Horned Frogs

While Gary Patterson has had some success elevating the Frogs to a perennial BCS contender, this year the program is going to take a step back.

The departure of cerebral quarterback Andy Dalton, along with two All-Americans on the offensive line are going to make it difficult for new quarterback Casey Pachall to adjust.

The defense will be solid, but with Boise State a part of the conference now, and the emergence of Air Force and San Diego State, the Frogs will find it difficult to go 13-0 again.

Bowl Prediction: Independence Bowl

14. Arkansas Razorbacks

This team may be the most overlooked team in the country.

Most predictions have LSU or Alabama finishing atop the SEC West, but the Hogs might have something to say about that.

As much as we love to hate Bobby Petrino, he has done a great job of assembling a talented offense, and now bringing along a defense that can match their level of production.

Knile Davis led the SEC in rushing last season, and Tyler Wilson is going to make Arkansas fans forget Ryan Mallett.

Bowl Prediction: Sugar Bowl

13. Virginia Tech Hokies

The potential for an undefeated regular season is definitely there for this Virginia Tech team.

They get Clemson, Miami and UNC at home, and the rest of the schedule does not exactly inspire fear.

And then there's Florida State.

Even if the Hokies do run the table, the Seminoles will likely be waiting for them in the ACC Championship game.

Last season, Tyrod Taylor and his dynamic backfield led Va. Tech to a victory.

This year, the script will be flipped, and while Frank Beamer's squad will find themselves in the Orange Bowl for the second consecutive season, it won't be as ACC champs.

Bowl Prediction: Orange Bowl

12. South Carolina Gamecocks

The Gamecocks have one of the most talented squads they have ever had, and in any other conference, might be good enough to win it all.

Not in the SEC.

Although the schedule is favorable, and their offensive skill players are second to none, SC just doesn't have the horses to snatch the title from whichever of Arkansas, Alabama or LSU comes out of the SEC West.

And beside that, quarterback Stephen Garcia's focus could come into question if the offense struggles.

Once again, Steve Spurrier will find himself on the outside looking in at the BCS party...

Bowl Prediction: Capital One Bowl

11. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Although a trip to the BCS Championship game might be a little bit ambitious for the Huskers in their inaugural Big Ten season, it's not by much.

With a defense that will keep them in every game, the Huskers will navigate to the Big Ten Title game, where they will suffer their second loss of the year to Wisconsin in the "Big Red Brawl".

Of course, that is all contingent on Bo Pelini not blowing a gasket and breaking Taylor Martinez over his knee at some point.

The schedule is not particularly easy, but with Ohio State in a down year, and Wisconsin in the other division, the Huskers might be the favorite to meet the Badgers in Indianapolis.

Bowl Prediction: Sugar Bowl

10. Wisconsin Badgers

If anyone can step into a new, but similar offense in an entirely different part of the country at a new school and make an immediate impact, it's Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson.

Wilson has come across as extremely hard-working, and in the few drills he has participated in has shown remarkable accuracy.

The Badgers will allow him to operate behind a stout offensive line, and his ability to extend plays bodes well for their efficiency both in the red-zone and on third down.

While a trip to the title game is probably just a pipe dream at this point, the Badgers have the talent and experience to win the Big Ten, and if Wilson is as good in Mad-Town as he was at N.C. State, this offense is going to be ridiculous.

Bowl Prediction: Rose Bowl

9. Texas A&M Aggies

The Aggies are going to have their noses smack in the thick of the Big 12 title hunt.

While they must face Arkansas early in the season, and Oklahoma in Norman, don't be surprised if they run the table the rest of the year.

The Aggies' offense can keep up with anyone in the conference, and even with the departure of stud Von Miller from the defense, Mike Sherman has some experienced play-makers to fill the gap.

If the Ryan Tannehill that finished off the regular season shows up this year, the Aggies will put a scare into the Sooners, but ultimately end up number two in the conference.

Bowl Prediction: Cotton Bowl

8. Oklahoma State Cowboys

If rankings were determined solely by play on one side of the ball, the Cowboys would be number one by virtue of their explosive offense.

But they aren't.

Defensively, even with star linebacker Shaun Lewis returning, the 'Pokes just aren't that great.

Two spots need to be filled on the  d-line, as well as two linebacker positions.

With a schedule that features a road trip to an underrated Tulsa team followed by a trip to Texas A&M, this team is likely to stumble at some point.

Beside all of that, the departure of offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen will reverberate through the offense on a larger scale than most expect...

Bowl Prediction: Alamo Bowl

7. Boise State Broncos

The Broncos' move to the MWC may turn out to be rough for them.

Air Force and San Diego State both have tough squads, and TCU cannot be taken for granted.

If last season's team could not navigate a horrible WAC without a loss, it's not likely this year's edition will be able to escape the MWC unscathed.

Kellen Moore will put up big numbers, but may not enjoy the success he has in the past.

The move to the MWC, as well as the loss of receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young will affect his production, and it will be interesting to see how much.

A BCS bowl will end up just out of reach yet again for BSU.

Bowl Prediction: MAACO Bowl Las Vegas

6. Stanford Cardinal

What's not to like about the Cardinal?

They host their two toughest challenges in Oregon and Notre Dame, and a win over Oregon could very well sew up the Pac-12 North.

Andrew Luck is the best quarterback in the country, and while the line probably won't be quite as dominant as last season, it will still be very good at keeping Luck upright.

Stepfan Taylor and Chris Owusu will be a big part of the offense, Taylor running the ball and Owusu stretching the field for Luck.

At least one loss on the road(USC) is likely, but the Cardinal have a better shot at the Rose Bowl this year than they will have for some time to come.

Bowl Prediction: Rose Bowl

5. Florida State Seminoles

Why not Florida State?

Sure, E.J. Manuel has some growing to do, but if he is even close to consistent, the 'Noles have so much experience on offense that they will be extremely efficient.

As for the schedule, it's extremely manageable, and hosting the Sooners is a whole different proposition from having to take them on in Norman.

The scarier game for FSU is the week after Oklahoma at Clemson.

A let-down after an enormous win would take all the air out of the BCS Championship balloon really fast.

Bowl Prediction: BCS Championship

4. LSU Tigers

Other than Jordan Jefferson's tendencies toward inaccuracy, tell me a weakness the Tigers have.

There aren't many, if you don't count Les Miles' many foibles.

Spencer Ware is ready to assume full-time rushing duties, and has the speed and shiftiness to make the big play.

The defense is speedy, and dangerous, and it will be difficult to pass the ball on the Tigers with guys like Mo Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu roaming the field.

The SEC is up for grabs, and out of the four teams with a legit shot at the title, LSU will be the one that rises through the turmoil to the top.

If you doubt the Tigers based solely on weak QB play, remember Matt Mauck...

Bowl Prediction: BCS Championship

3. Oregon Ducks

The Ducks will once again feature a fast-paced style of play that frustrates opponents.

Shades of 2010's offense will remain, but that squad's success will be hard to duplicate.

The loss of five linemen from the o-line rotation really leaves some holes, and questions about how fresh that offensive line is going to be able to stay, and whether the rotation can handle the frenetic pace.

Linebacker is another position where depth is a concern, as Josh Kaddu is the only returning starter.

Other than a road trip to Stanford, and an opening bout with LSU, the Ducks' schedule is manageable, but with the attrition they have suffered, they will not be as dominant as last season.

Bowl Prediction: Alamo Bowl

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

The hype is just too much.

Even with an extremely talented defense, the Tide are going to lose a couple of games.

Last season, with incredible talent like  Ingram, Jones and McElroy, the best they could do was three losses.

This season, those guys are gone.

Trent Richardson is talented, no doubt, but has some durability issues.

On the defensive side of the ball, the line is up in the air, and an inexperienced line has been known to make many talented secondaries look bad.

While 'Bama fans are clamoring for a return to the BCS, it's not happening this season.

Bowl Prediction: Cotton Bowl

1. Oklahoma Sooners

The loss of star Travis Lewis for up to eight weeks is a huge blow to the Sooners' title hopes.

Not that the chances were that great anyway.

Landry Jones does not play very well on the road, posting only a 4-5 record as a starter in true road contests.

His 17-15 touchdown to interception ratio is downright disconcerting when you consider they must travel to Florda State in week two, and will almost certainly be without Lewis for that game.

The Sooners should still be able to emerge as the top dog in the Big 12, but not without a fight.

Bowl Prediction: Fiesta Bowl