AP Poll College Football 2011: The Top 10 Players in the Rankings (Video)

With the preseason AP poll being released earlier today, the Oklahoma Sooners, as expected, are at the top of the rankings with 36 of the possible 60 first-place votes followed by Alabama and Oregon coming in at second and third with 17 and four first place votes, respectively.

As the season is just a handful of days away from kicking off, the teams that reside in the Top 25 will need to depend on the following 10 impact players to help accomplish the goals the programs want to achieve in 2011.

As expectations are high, how will these impact players affect their teams chances of making a run at a conference or even national championship this season? 

Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

2010 Stats: 1,859 Total Yards, 111 Receptions, 22 Touchdowns

Even with the departure of offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen to West Virginia, the Cowboys are loaded on offense as the duo of quarterback Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon return to Stillwater, in addition to the entire offensive line which could make 2011 special for Oklahoma State.

Michael Dyer, Auburn

2010 Stats: 1,102 Total Yards, Five Touchdowns

Like his SEC East counterpart Marcus Lattimore, Dyer had a extremely effective freshman campaign for Auburn that would have celebrated more if it wasn’t for some player named Newton in 2010. While it might be a definite stretch to see the Tigers defend their National Title this season, the team will need to rely on the play making ability of Dyer as Barrett Trotter has been named starter for 2011 after limited play last season. 

LaMichael James, Oregon

2010 Stats: 1,731 Total Yards, 24 Total Touchdowns

As the Ducks came up short in the National Championship game last season, the returning junior duo of Darron Thomas and LaMichael James will continue to light up scoreboards across the new Pac-12 as Oregon has their sights set on capturing their first national title in school history.

Landry Jones, Oklahoma

2010 Stats: 4,590 Total Yards, 39 Total Touchdowns, 12 Interceptions

While Jones may not have his play making running back Demarco Murray this season, the Sooner offense will be more than fine as the team will have a solid offense line with four of five starters returning in addition to All-American wide receiver Ryan Broyles.

Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

2010 Stats: 1,197 Total Yards, 19 Total Touchdowns

In 2010, South Carolina had one of their best seasons in Columbia by winning the SEC East and reaching the SEC title game, both for the first time in program history. As the expectations are high for 2011, the Gamecocks will need to depend on Marcus Lattimore, who set the freshman rushing record last season, as Stephen Garcia has had trouble with consistency at the quarterback position.

Andrew Luck, Stanford

2010 Stats: 3,791 Total Yards, 35 Touchdowns, Eight Interceptions

As Andrew Luck chose to return to Stanford for his junior season, the Cardinal will have one of the best quarterbacks under center not just in the Pac-12 but in the entire country.  

With former coach Jim Harbaugh leaving for the San Francisco 49ers, Luck will have his former offensive coordinator David Shaw taking over the head coaching duties so there shouldn’t be a production drop off in 2011.

Geno Smith, West Virginia

2010 Stats: 2,980 Total Yards, 24 Touchdowns, Seven Interceptions

For Geno Smith, the addition of new head coach Dana Holgorsen will propel the junior quarterback into the level of an elite quarterback with his newly installed passing attack that made stars in his stops at Houston, Texas Tech and most recently, Oklahoma State in his career.

Trent Richardson, Alabama

2010 Stats: 700 Total Yards, 11 Total Touchdowns

With former Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram gone to the NFL, Richardson will be needed more than ever as Alabama will have a new quarterback under center in 2011, either it being AJ McCarron or Phillip Sims leading the team in 2011.

Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

2010 Stats: 692 Total Yards, Seven Touchdowns, Seven Interceptions

As Tyler Wilson takes over full time for the departed Ryan Mallet, the view from under center in Fayetteville is not as bad as you would think for the junior quarterback. The Razorbacks will return a receiving corps featuring Greg Childs and Jarius Wright that is experienced and loaded with talent in 2011.

Kellen Moore, Boise State

2010 Stats: 3,813 Total Yards, 37 Total Touchdowns, Six Interceptions

While the Broncos move from the WAC to the Mountain West, the competition for Boise State has not gotten much better between the two leagues which will allow senior Kellen Moore to lead the team’s dynamic offense to yet another 10 plus win season in 2011.