AP Poll College Football 2011: 10 Teams Ranked Incorrectly

The Associated Press released their first Top 25 rankings for college football on Saturday morning.

Every year, these preseason rankings cause much controversy and discussion on which teams are ranked where.

Here are 10 of the most incorrectly ranked teams in this year's first poll and where they should be ranked instead.

Boise State

Actual rank: No. 5

Where they should rank: No. 10

Boise State has done some very impressive things over the last few years, beating some of the nation's best teams along the way.

The Broncos have become a media darling, as everyone loves to root for an underdog.  This however, will cost Boise the element of surprise when they take on some of the better teams in the country.

Boise has decent talent and fantastic coaching, but are a little over-ranked at five and will likely see themselves tumble out of the top 10 after a season-opening loss to Georgia in Atlanta,

Texas A&M

Actual rank: No. 8

Where they should rank: No. 5

The Aggies are a top-five team this year with 18 returning starters from a team that won nine games a year ago.

They are loaded at the skill positions and return most of a defense that was vicious a year ago.  The Aggies finished the season with six-straight victories and will look to ride that momentum into 2011.

Texas A&M does play a fairly tough schedule, but will undoubtedly be a dark horse contender for the BCS Championship game—especially if they can upset top-ranked Oklahoma on November 5th.

Nebraska

Actual rank: No. 10

Where they should rank: No. 17

I, for one, don't understand the hype surrounding the Cornhuskers this year.  Yes, they do return a nasty defense, but their offense seems too inconsistent to warrant being a top-10 team.

Taylor Martinez is beginning to look a little like his Big Ten counterpart Denard Robinson in that he is having trouble staying healthy because of how many hits he takes.

It won't be a warm reception for Nebraska as they enter the Big Ten for their first season, and the Cornhuskers will like drop a couple of games and out of the top 10.

Wisconsin

Actual rank: No. 11

Where they should rank: No. 8

Wisconsin became a lot more deadly this offseason when quarterback transfer Russell Wilson chose to play for the Badgers in his final year of eligibility.

Wisconsin already had a high-powered rush game, and with the addition of Wilson, their offense becomes even more dynamic.

Their defense will be stout as usual, and they always have a massive O-line.  The Badgers have a couple tough road games at Ohio State and Michigan State, but they hold a legitimate chance to run the table this year.

South Carolina

Actual rank: No. 12

Where they should rank: No. 9

South Carolina is talented enough to warrant being a top-10 team.  They have two of the top players at their position in Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery, and should see improved play out of quarterback Stephen Garcia.

The Gamecocks played for the SEC title last year, losing to Auburn in a blowout.  They could see themselves back in the title game if they can navigate an always tough SEC schedule.

Look for Steve Spurrier to make a push this year and have South Carolina in position to contend for a championship.

Notre Dame

Actual rank: No. 16

Where they should rank: No. 13

Notre Dame has a lot of questions surrounding their football program this year, including who will start at quarterback.

The Irish finished with just eight wins last year, but Brian Kelly-coached teams typically take a big step forward in their second year.

Notre Dame has always recruited well, but have done a poor job developing talent.  Having Brian Kelly at the helm should change that this year, and come November, the Irish will be sniffing a BCS bowl bid.

Georgia

Actual rank: No. 19

Where they should rank: No. 15

The Georgia Bulldogs are poised to have a big season after a disappointing finish last year.

Mark Richt is squarely on the hot seat entering 2011 and is expected to provide big results.  He does have the luxury of fielding what may be the SEC's best quarterback in Aaron Murray, who should improve on an impressive freshman season.

The Bulldogs start the year with a tough test against Boise State in the Georgia Dome, then come home to play South Carolina.  If they can manage to win both, Georgia will quickly find themselves sitting in the top 10.

Auburn

Actual rank: No. 23

Where they should rank: Unranked

Auburn is likely only ranked in the top 25 because they won the BCS Championship a year ago.  Don't expect repeat results as they bring back only six starters from last year's team.

Auburn will struggle on both sides of the ball while they break in new quarterback Barrett Trotter.  Add in the fact that they have to navigate a difficult SEC schedule, and things look more bleak for Tigers fans.

It's unlikely that we'll see Auburn in a bowl at the end of the season, and we will certainly not see them finish in the top 25.

USC

Actual rank: No. 25

Where they should rank: No. 19

Southern Cal has one of the most loaded rosters in the country this year, despite a loss of scholarships from the NCAA.

Lane Kiffin is due to prove why he has been given numerous opportunities as a head coach and lead the Trojans to a successful season.

With Matt Barkley looking at having another good year at the quarterback position, and the all-around talent lining the rest of the positions on the team, USC will be capable of beating anybody on their schedule in 2011.

Texas

Actual rank: Unranked

Where they should rank: No. 23

Texas had their worst season in years in  2010, finishing 5-7 and not eligible to play in a bowl game.

Mack Brown has been one of the best coaches year-in and year-out through his career, and will lead the Longhorns to a surprisingly good season in 2011.

Garrett Gilbert and the rest of the Texas offense should take much better care of the ball after finishing at minus-12 in turnover differential a year ago.

Look for the Longhorns to be back on the scene after a big rebound season in 2011.