AP Poll College Football 2011: Why These 7 Teams Should Be Lower

With the start of the college football season right around the corner, preseason rankings give fans one more subject line to speculate about before the first snap comes. Looking at the latest release of the AP Poll there appears to be some lofty expectations for some teams that carry a host of questions into the 2011 season.

The college football landscape is constantly changing, and the perennial powers that have always ruled the game aren’t always at the top in the modern era. There are seven teams that have proven their worth over the years and will field good teams this season, but whether they will be great teams still remains seen.

Let’s take a look at which teams may have been a reach for their preseason top 25 ranking.

Alabama Crimson Tide, No. 2

Before you begin with your rebuttal, let this topic soak in a bit. Alabama will bring one of the most experienced teams and best defenses in the country to the field in 2011. They have a wealth of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball that may make this defense better than the one the Tide played with in 2009.

Alabama may be amazing on defense this season, but their offense brings a wealth of questions to the table. Yes, Trent Richardson is thought of very highly and will likely have a stellar season out of the Alabama backfield. Now that we have cleared that up, name another offensive playmaker for the Tide.

Alabama has to replace its leading passer, rusher and receiver on offense. They have yet to pick a replacement for Greg McElroy and haven’t quite found a game-breaking receiver. By the end of 2011 these questions may have the answers fans are looking for, but there is no guarantee.

With the load that is the SEC West and the questions in the backfield and on the outside for the Tide offensively, No. 2 seems a bit lofty this early.

Oregon Ducks, No. 3

Oregon starts the season as the No. 3 squad in the country. They return a host of playmakers offensively but lose three offensive lineman and some very big playmakers on defense. Cliff Harris is a major part of the defense and return game but will be lost to suspension until further notice.

With all of the issues surrounding the program and the lack of returning experience on the line, it appears that the Ducks are sitting a little high in the AP Poll.

The Ducks start the season with a game in Dallas against SEC power LSU and carry a pretty decent schedule throughout the season. They also have to travel to conference challenger Stanford this season, a game that I believe the Cardinal has the edge in.

LSU Tigers, No. 4

The LSU Tigers enter the season as one of the most talented teams in the SEC. They have constantly been able to reload the talent pool in Baton Rouge, and this year is no different. Playing in the SEC West, however, talent is a dime a dozen. Finding the right fits are key.

LSU will be a very formidable defense, as always, but will have questions at key positions offensively. The Tigers return starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson this season, but he has been anything but an All-American in years past. With his recent run-in with the law, the future just got slightly hazy.

LSU will have talented running backs and great receivers, but without a guy to manage the game and deliver the ball accurately, it will be a disappointing season for the Tigers. The Tigers play some tough games early, especially the season opener against Oregon, and they travel to Alabama.

The Tigers have a shot at a very special season, but No. 4 is a bit high with the questions so apparent at the quarterback position.

Oklahoma State Cowboys, No. 9

The Cowboys had an amazing season last year finishing 11-2. The Cowboys will be returning a lot of talent on offense and will likely lead the Big 12 in offense again in 2011. Despite the talent that returns on the offense, the Cowboys will have issues on the defensive side of the ball.

The Cowboys are looking to virtually rebuild the entire front seven this year and are sure to give up some points often. With games against Arizona, Texas A&M, Missouri and Oklahoma, it will be a much tougher road to another big win season.

The Cowboys will definitely have a good season, but No. 9 is a bit lofty of a preseason expectation for this team.

Ohio State Buckeyes, No. 18

Ohio State is in for an interesting season during 2011. Last season the Buckeyes appeared in a BCS bowl and finished the season with a win over Arkansas. This season the Buckeyes start with a starting receiver, offensive tackle and starting tailback out for the first five games.

The Buckeyes also lost their head coach Jim Tressel as the result of an NCAA investigation this past spring. The Buckeyes even being ranked in the top 25 is a surprise to me with all the problems that are swirling around the program.

With the talent that is suspended for the first few games and the loss of Terrelle Pryor, it is simply a respect vote to see the Buckeyes in the top 25.

Florida Gators, No. 22

Florida enters the 2011 season under new management. The changes that have come this season with Will Muschamp and Co. were much needed after the backslide that the Gators felt one year ago.

Florida was atrocious on offense last year, and, despite a wealth of talent, the Gators struggled on defense because of the time of possession factor. Muschamp will have the defense ready to play come Sept. 3. The questions remain on offense.

Bringing in Charlie Weis to coach the offense was a great idea, and the pro-style sets should fit Brantley and the offense much better this season. There are still a lot of questions to be answered, and with a first year coaching staff in the SEC, it is hard to put Florida in the top 25.

The Gators have a gauntlet in October and will have anything but an easy road to start the season. It may be a short-lived visit to the rankings in 2011.

USC Trojans, No. 25

One of the most powerful programs in the past decade has worked its way back into the preseason top 25 this season. The men of Troy face a tough road this season in the newly formed Pac-12. Oregon and Stanford have become the cream of the crop as USC has fallen to the wayside after NCAA sanctions.

The Trojans return 14 starters this season but will have depth issues as the sanctions from the Reggie Bush years are starting to catch hold. There are games early that the Trojans can win, but don’t expect Minnesota, Utah, Arizona State or Arizona to lay down. Those are four of the first five weeks for the Trojans.

There is a wealth of talent in the conference that surrounds USC, and the glory days appear to be long gone, at least for a while. The Trojans will have to scratch and claw early to simply maintain their top 25 ranking.