College Football 2011 Predictions: 7 Bold Statements for Upcoming Season

Now that we are nearing the end of August, college football predictions have come pouring in at an incredible rate. The football analysts have made all their predictions, with some looking very smart, as others look inaccurate.

Here's a look at seven bold predictions for the upcoming college football season.

7. Arizona Will Start the Year 1-5, Leading to Mike Stoops Being Fired

Arizona always seems to be solid under Mike Stoops but never great. The Wildcats just seemingly haven't been able to get over the hump with Stoops as head coach. And he may be running out of time.

After Arizona's midseason collapse last year, Stoops began to feel the pressure. However, with the schedule as brutal as it is this season, things may not end well for Stoops.

Arizona opens the year with Northern Arizona, whom they should certainly beat, but the next five games are brutal. A non-conference road game against Oklahoma State looks to be a certain loss, as do back-to-back home games the following week against Stanford and Oregon.

Arizona then has to travel on the road to play USC and Oregon State in early October. By mid-October, there is a good chance that the Wildcats will be 1-5.

They'll likely lose two more games the rest of the year, at Washington and at Arizona State, to finish with a 5-7 record. The chances of Stoops surviving without making a bowl game are slim.

It's not that Arizona will have a bad team, it's just that their schedule is so tough.

Nick Foles is one of the better quarterbacks in the country, while Keola Antolin is solid at running back. The receiving core is absolutely loaded with Juron Criner, David Roberts and David Douglas. Incoming transferee Dan Buckner will be a huge boost as well.

The offensive line is a huge problem, though, as all five starters have to be replaced.

The defense looks to be fairly solid, with stars such as Justin Washington, Paul Vassallo and Trevin Wade.

Even with all of this talent, it still looks like Arizona will not reach the six-win mark, causing Stoops to eventually be fired.

6. Georgia Will Win the SEC East

When looking at the SEC East, it's clear to see that South Carolina has the most talent and is the most balanced team. However, I don't think the Gamecocks will win the division for a second straight year.

I think the East champion this year will be the Georgia Bulldogs. Everybody is talking about the loss of A.J. Green, but they'll be fine with guys like Tavarres King, Rantavious Wooten and Marlon Brown. They also have Orson Charles, who is easily one of the best receiving tight ends in the country.

Even with Washaun Ealey transferring, they'll also be fine at running back. Yes, Isaiah Crowell will only be a true freshman, but I just don't see any reason why he won't be successful.

Aaron Murray is an absolute stud at quarterback, and should be one of the better signal-callers in the country.

The defense should certainly be solid, as they will get a big boost with Jarvis Jones transferring in from USC.

The main reason Georgia will win the East, though, is because of their schedule. Almost all of their tough games are at home, with their toughest road game being Tennessee. Compare that to South Carolina's road schedule in which the Gamecocks have to play Georgia, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Arkansas.

Georgia should win nine or 10 games this year and claim the SEC East crown.

5. Auburn Will Struggle to Win Six Games

After winning the national title last year, Auburn will have to be happy just to make a bowl this season. Their defense was hit hard by departures after last season and so was their offensive line and receiving core. Obviously, the key to last year's title run, Cam Newton, is gone as well.

Auburn will struggle this year not only because their team won't be as good, but also because of a brutal schedule. They play five road games this year against Clemson, South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU and Georgia. Auburn likely won't win any of those games.

Plus, they will have to face Mississippi State, Florida and Alabama at home. If Auburn wins two of those three home games, they would have to be extremely happy.

With such a tough schedule, Auburn could realistically go 5-7. However, they will likely beat one or two teams they're not supposed to and finish 6-6.

4. Virginia Tech Will Have a Better Regular Season Record Than Florida State

Every college football analyst around the country is seemingly picking Florida State hands down to be the class of the ACC. However, it looks like Virginia Tech will almost certainly finish with a better record than the Seminoles. In fact, Virginia Tech has one of the best chances of any team in the country to go undefeated.

Losing Tyrod Taylor certainly hurts, but Logan Thomas should step in and do just fine. Losing both Darren Evans and Ryan Williams at running back also hurts, but David Wilson could potentially be an upgrade. Most of the country probably doesn't know about him yet, but this kid will tear up the ACC this year.

Virginia Tech is also loaded at receiver, with Jarrett Boykin, Danny Coale, D.J. Coles and Marcus Davis all expected to contribute. Even though the defense struggled last year, it is almost always solid under Bud Foster.

The reason the Hokies have such a good chance at going undefeated, though, is because of their schedule. It is extremely easy, as their toughest game looks to be Miami, which will be played at Blacksburg. Other than Miami, Clemson looks to be the next toughest game, or maybe even Georgia Tech on the road.

Obviously, their schedule is extremely easy. Florida State on the other hand has somewhat of a tough schedule. They have the big showdown with Oklahoma out of conference, and in conference they'll have to travel to both Clemson and Boston College.

Even though everybody is hyping Florida State as national title contenders, look for the Seminoles to lose two or three games this year, and for Virginia Tech to be the only national title contender from the ACC.

3. Bryce Brown Will Be the Best Running Back in the Big 12

Bryce Brown, a part of the 2009 recruiting class, signed with Tennessee as the top-rated player in the country. However, things just didn't work out at Tennessee and Brown ended up transferring to Kansas State. This season he will finally be eligible and chances are that he'll pick up right where Daniel Thomas left off.

Brown is a guy who can literally carry a very weak Kansas State offense. If you look around the rest of the Big 12, there aren't too many great backs.

Oklahoma will likely use both Roy Finch and Brandon Williams, but neither is expected to be great quite yet. Texas will likely start Malcolm Brown, but it will take some time before he turns into an outstanding back.

Both Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith will likely play at Oklahoma State, but again, neither is great. Eric Stephens is good at Texas Tech, but might not get the carries he deserves because of the offense he plays in.

The only running backs that compare to Bryce Brown are both at Texas A&M. Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael are both outstanding, but Brown is still probably a step ahead of those two.

Watch out for Bryce Brown this year, as he will likely rush for well over 1,000 yards, and could possibly even creep into the Heisman race.

2. Texas Will Win at Least 9 Regular Season Games

Last season's 5-7 disaster was a fluke for Texas. This team has way too much talent to disappoint again this year. There is almost no media attention surrounding the Longhorns for the first time in a long time.

Garrett Gilbert just has to get things figured out or he won't be the starter. All the buzz surrounding Case McCoy seems to be legit. Malcolm Brown could start at running back and will likely give Texas the running threat they've been lacking the last few years.

After what he did as a freshman last season, Mike Davis will be an absolute stud. This kid will finally get the attention he deserves this season. Senior Malcolm Williams should have a solid year. Young receivers will have to emerge as well, whether it be Darius White or Chris Jones.

The defense is loaded with talent, but Will Muschamp's departure could have an impact. Manny Diaz will be in his first year, and it will be interesting to see how he handles this unit. The secondary looks to be the weakest group, but even they aren't bad.

As long as they don't lose to UCLA, Texas should be undefeated going into the showdown with Oklahoma. The week after Oklahoma, they have a critical home game against Oklahoma State.  Texas would have to be happy splitting those two games.

November will be a crucial month for Texas, as they play at Missouri on Nov. 12, and at Texas A&M on Nov. 24. Again, Texas would have to be happy splitting those two games.

The Longhorns should go 9-3 this season, and 10-2 is a realistic possibility as well.

1. Florida Will Struggle to Make a Bowl in Will Muschamp's First Year

I think hiring Will Muschamp was an absolutely great move by the Florida athletic department. In the long run, it will benefit them greatly. But in the short term, the Gators will struggle.

Their offense was an absolute disaster last year, and I just don't see why it will be much better this season. I don't think even Charlie Weis can bring it to the level they expect it to be at in just one year.

John Brantley was horrendous last year, and doesn't even show the potential of being a great quarterback. The offensive line literally had trouble snapping the ball last year, and some key pieces to the line are gone.

Other than quarterback, running back looks to be the biggest problem in this offense. With their size, can Jeff Demps or Chris Rainey really carry the ball 15-20 times in a pro-style offense? If they can't, it's doubtful that young backs Mike Gillislee and Mack Brown will step up and be the main guy just yet.

Florida has some players with potential at receiver, but none of them are great. Andre Debose probably has the most potential, but has to prove that he can be a consistent performer.

Will Muschamp is obviously a defensive guy, and will have these kids ready to play. The defensive line is loaded, the linebackers are solid and the secondary will be fine. Some people are saying the secondary will be a problem with a few young guys starting, but it won't be an issue.

Matt Elam will be an absolute star at safety and so will Cody Riggs at corner.

Florida will likely start 4-0, but could run into trouble once October arrives. They play Alabama and LSU in back-to-back weeks to start the month, and it's doubtful that they'll beat either of those two.

Florida's next two games are absolutely critical to their season. They play at Auburn on October 15, and then they have a bye week before facing Georgia. Both of those games are toss-ups.

It'll be extremely tough to win at South Carolina on Nov. 12, and the same can be said on Nov. 26 against Florida State.

The Gators should make a bowl game this year, but just barely. Look for them to finish the regular season at 7-5, but 6-6 is not out of the question.