College Football Preview 2011: A Complete Season Analysis

Finally, the countdown officially ends, and college football fans around the nation can rejoice.

What started 234 days ago (7 months, 22 days) on January 10, 2011, the very second that Wes Bynum's kick sailed through the uprights, has ended.

Tomorrow evening, at 7 p.m. ET, Murray State will officially start the 2011-2012 College Football Season at Louisville, and while it may not be the most intriguing of match-ups of the year, it is still College Football and millions around the nation will revel in all of the action tomorrow night.

So, without further ado, the college football season is upon us and it is time for me to release my 2011-2012 season analysis. Enjoy.

"Best Game" of Each Week*

*each game time and school ranking subject to change 

Each week of the college football season, there always seems to be that one game that captures the attention of everybody around the nation. Whether it be telecast and the highlight of ESPN's programming College Gameday or a simple game on a local sports affiliate, this is a list of the top games of every week of the 2011-2012 college football season.

WEEK ONE

No. 4 LSU vs. No. 3 OREGON (9/3 8pm ET ABC/ESPN)

For all of the years that I have been watching college football, I have never seen a Week One match-up that allows football fans around the world to feast on two of the best teams in the nation going head-to-head.

Last year's runner-up in the National Championship (3 Oregon) will play "host" to 4 LSU at Cowboy Stadium in the Cowboy Classic in Arlington, Texas, and this game is sure to not disappoint.

With returning stars LaMichael James, Darron Thomas, and Kenjon Barner on the offensive side of the ball, the Ducks will look to match and possibly put up more points on the board than they did last year, though LSU will have something to say about that.

Mired in recent controversy surrounding their starting QB as well as four other players, do not underestimate LSU and what they will be bringing to the table against the Ducks.

This is perhaps one of the best games of the season and College Gameday will kickoff their season from Arlington as well, so tune-in, this game is going to be one of the best of the season.

WEEK TWO

No. 16 Notre Dame vs. Michigan (9/10 8:00pm ET ABC/ESPN)

This will be a proving game for both No. 16 Notre Dame and Michigan.

For Notre Dame, they come into the season with lofty expectations and have a trip to the Big House to prove just how much they are worth. If they are able to handle Michigan, they will go from potential-contender to a full-blown BCS contender.

For Michigan, they are once again trying to seek glory once more and will have to beat Notre Dame to prove to the nation that they belong as part of the nation's elite programs. Though they have been rather disappointing in the past few years, Michigan looks as though they are on the upside and will once again start to challenge for the Big 10 title soon.

WEEK THREE

No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 6 Florida State (9/17 TBA)

This is another game that fans should just salivate when they see the teams playing in it.

Hyped up as one of the best teams in the nation, this will be Florida States chance to prove that they are actual National Championship contenders. With QB E.J. Manuel leading the charge, the Seminoles will play host to the Sooners and will put on a great show.

For the Sooners, they are once again preseason favorites to win it all (shocking, I know). QB Landry Jones leads a loaded Oklahoma team into one of the harshest environments in the nation and will have to play his best in order to secure a win for the Sooners.

WEEK FOUR

No. 9 Oklahoma State vs. No. 8 Texas A&M (9/24 7:00pm ET)

Yet another game that will pit two top-10 teams against each other, this game will be to prove just how strong both of these programs are.

Heading into the season, No. 8 Texas A&M is out to prove why they are ready to contend for the Big 12 title in what may be their last season in the conference, while No. 9 Oklahoma State is also out to prove that it is a national title contender.

This game means a lot to both programs and will surely have BCS and National Championship implications.

WEEK FIVE 

No. 10 Nebraska vs. No. 11 Wisconsin (10/1 8:00pm ET)

In a game that features two perennial powerhouses, the victor will most likely have a shot at claiming the Big 10 championship as well as be in the thick of the race for the BCS National Championship.

With new QB Russell Wilson (from NC State), Wisconsin will be flying high and have great expectations for the rest of the season, and will be looking to assert themselves as one of the best teams in the land with a victory against a very good Nebraska team.

For Nebraska, this game will be an welcome introduction into the Big 10 and will also prove that Nebraska can hang with the big guns in one of the premier conferences in college football. With returning QB Taylor Martinez at full health as well as one of the most dangerous backfields and defenses in the nation, look for Nebraska to showcase just how good they are against a powerful Badger team.

This game will be one of the most underrated games of the year and is definitely one to tune into.

WEEK SIX

No. 18 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Nebraska (10/8 8:00pm ET)

Playing against top-25 opponents in consecutive week is no easy thing, but when those opponents are powerhouses Wisconsin and Ohio State, the job does not get any easier for Nebraska as they continue their welcome parade into the Big 10.

For Ohio State (who was stuck in controversy throughout the entire offseason), this game will be proving grounds for them as they look to move past all of the controversy and just get out there and play football.

Expect their freshmen phenom QB (Braxton Miller) to be starting this game and show everybody just how talented he is against an extremely aggressive Nebraska defense.

Don't miss this one, folks.

WEEK SEVEN

Arizona State vs. No. 3 Oregon (10/15 TBA)

Probably the most underrated game of the year, this game may just be a preview of the Pac-12 Championship game as well.

To this point in the season, both Oregon and Arizona State should be flying high and be ready for a conference clash that will have Pac-12 Championship implications.

Arizona State is one of the most underrated teams in the nation and will likely be in contention for the Pac-12 South title and this game against Oregon will show just who Arizona State is.

WEEK EIGHT

No. 25 USC vs. No. 16 Notre Dame (10/22 7:20pm ET NBC)

After suffering a loss to Notre Dame last season, expect USC to come back for revenge and spoil Notre Dame's dreams of a magical season.

QB Matt Barkeley is in his final year and is one of the best players in the nation, and will lead a loaded Trojans offense against a Notre Dame team who wants to reclaim BCS and National glory.

WEEK NINE

No. 11 Wisconsin vs. No. 18 Ohio State (10/29 8:00pm ET)

This game is yet another huge game in the Big 10 and will showcase two of the best programs in the nation.

Ohio State will once again face a top-15 program and will look to make a statement that despite losing their QB and coach, they are still THE Ohio State University.

WEEK TEN

No. 4 LSU vs. No. 2 Alabama (11/5 TBA)

In perhaps the second most important game of the year, and a game that fans around the nation should already be getting excited for, LSU will square off against Alabama in an SEC clash of champions.

Even if both teams come into this game with one loss, this game will show what team has the best chance to win the SEC title just a few weeks later, and will be a game that nobody around the nation should miss with all of the talent that will be on both sides of the ball for both teams.

WEEK ELEVEN

No. 3 Oregon vs. No. 7 Stanford (11/12 TBA)

In another one of those hidden-gem college football games, Oregon and Stanford will go against each other in what is surely to decide the Pac-12 North division.

With two players who will be heisman favorites showcased in this game (LaMichael James of Oregon and Andrew Luck of Stanford), expect this to be another high scoring affair as Stanford looks to avenge the loss suffered to Oregon last year at Autzen stadium (their only loss of the 2010-2011 season, in fact).

Whoever emerges victorious from this game will have the upper-hand in the Pac-12 and will also most likely impress voters enough to be a front-runner for the national championship game.

WEEK TWELVE

No. 25 USC vs. No. 3 Oregon (11/29 8:00pm ET ABC)

Another possible revenge game, USC will look to end a two-year drought against the Ducks with a victory at Autzen Stadium, one of the toughest places to play in college football.

This is the second consecutive week in which two Heisman candidates will face each other, the two players being QB Matt Barkley of USC and RB LaMichael James of Oregon.

Expect this game to be a testament to how powerful the Oregon offense really is and yet another high-scoring affair that the Ducks will participate in.

This game will also most likely Matt Barkley's final farewell to the college spotlight as he embarks on an NFL career after this season, and he is more than deserving of the limelight once more.

WEEK THIRTEEN

No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 23 Auburn

Though the 2010-2011 national champions did lose key pieces from their previous season's attack (QB Cam Newton and DT Nick Fairley), never count out a team trying to prove themselves, especially against their most hated rivals Alabama.

By this time in the season, we will most likely have a pretty solid picture about who the teams in the National Championship will be, and this will be Auburn's chance to play spoiler to an Alabama team that will most likely be one of the front-runners for the national championship.

For Alabama, this game will be more than just solidifying their national championship identity, it will also be about enacting revenge against a team who beat them last year after falling behind by 24 points, something that has shamed the Crimson Tide program forever.

This will be one of the most heated affairs of the college football season and expect it to be one of the best games of the season as well.

WEEK FOURTEEN

No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Oklahoma State

This is going to be one of the games of the year, as two great offenses will go toe-to-toe, each putting up point after point while trying to get the advantage over the other team.

Expect this game to decide the Big 12 title as well as solidify a team's position in the national championship game (*cough* Oklahoma *cough*), but don't expect it to be a cakewalk either.

This game is sure to be an instant classic and will definitely impact the race for both the Heisman and the National Championship.

WEEK FIFTEEN

Army vs. Navy

A good salute to the men and women who serve us each and every day, this game is the only game of the week and will be an exciting one to watch.

Thank you to all of the service men and women who put their lives on the line each and everyday so we can enjoy games such as this one. 

Conference Champions

ACC - Florida State

Despite not really being one to buy into hype, I am buying into this Florida State team.

FSU is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, and with yet another year in the books under head coach Jimbo Fisher, FSU will take the ACC crown fairly easily in a conference that doesn't have as much firepower as in recent season.

QB E.J. Manuel will be a Heisman candidate and will also put up impressive numbers for the Seminoles in his first full season at QB for FSU.

Runner-up: Clemson

Big 12 - Oklahoma

This really is a no-doubter pick, and the Sooners should coast through this season on their way to an undefeated season and an appearance in the National Championship.

With games against Texas and Oklahoma State, their schedule is no cake-walk, but with the talent that OU possesses, I just don't see a way that any other team could rival their players.

Runner-up: Texas

Big East - West Virginia

This is one of those conferences that may be decided on the very last game of the season.

With no clear favorite coming out of the Big East, West Virginia is the team that shows the most promise in a fairly weak conference.

New head coach Dan Holgorsen will try to instill his offensive genius into a West Virginia team that is primed with talent (especially QB Geno Smith) and continue his reputation as one of the best offensive minds in the country.

Runner-up: South Florida

Big Ten - Nebraska

Though some may question the true abilities of QB Taylor Martinez and doubt him based on injury this last season, Bo Pelini will lead Nebraska to a Big Ten title in their first season in the conference.

The Huskers are stacked with talent on both sides of the ball, and though they will lose 1-2 tough games this season (they have one of the toughest schedules in recent memory), they will still emerge as the champions in the new-look Big Ten.

Runner-up: Wisconsin

Pac-12 - Oregon

Though the Pac-12 may be one of the deepest conferences this year and many teams will contend for the title, expect the Oregon Ducks to impress once more in 2011-2012 and win their 3rd consecutive Pac-10/Pac-12 title.

With RB LaMichael James and his accomplice RB Kenjon Barner in the backfield, teams will find the ducks virtually unstoppable, a season after they made an appearance in the BCS National Championship.

Runner-up: Arizona State

SEC - Florida

A pick that I expect to hear a lot of "flack" from, I believe that Florida will come out of nowhere (kind of like Auburn last year), and claim the SEC title. 

Alabama is heavily favorited, but I think that Florida can equal, if not surpass, the talent that Alabama has.

QB John Brantley will be looking to prove tat he is one of the nation's elite QB's and RB Jeff Demps will continue to dazzle the nation with his speed.

Expect many people to hate me for this pick, but Florida will be back this year and claim the SEC title.

Runner-up: Alabama

Sleeper Teams

Each year, there are a few teams that surpass everybody's expectations and surprise the entire nation. These are the teams that I think will impress people the most and have a chance at making my conference predictions wrong.

1. Clemson

Underrated team who will be one of the best surprises of the 2011-2012 season, the Clemson Tigers have recruited very well in the past few years and expect their new recruits to make a big impact this season.

2. Baylor

QB Robert Griffin III is one of the elite QBs in the nation and will look to lead a surprisingly talented Baylor Bears team against the depleted Big 12. Expect them to pull off a few "upsets" during this season and POSSIBLY contend for a Big 12 title.

3. Texas

It's hard to classify Texas as a sleeper team, but after the season they had last year, they are definitely being overlooked in 2011-2012.

Though Gilbert did struggle last year at times, he will prove himself this year as a QB and lead Texas to an impressive record.

4. South Florida

B.J. Daniels is one of the best-kept secrets in the nation and will lead the South Florida Bulls to an impressive season where they will fly under-the-radar the entire year.

Huge game week 1 against Notre Dame where they have the chance to play spoiler to Notre Dame's entire season.

5. Iowa

In 2010, Iowa had all of the hype heading into the season, and folded under the pressure.

Expect Iowa to have another season where they fly under the radar for most of it but challenge for the Big Ten title towards the end of the season.

8. Arizona

Arizona is probably the most underrated team in the nation, and one of the best QBs in the nation is Nick Foles, who will lead the Wildcats against the rest of the Pac-12.

With returning outstanding receiver Javon Criner in the mix, the Wildcats will have a potent offense that many are underestimating heading into the season. 

Look for the Wildcats to contend in the newly realigned Pac-12 conference.

10. Washington

Washington has one of the best head coaches in the game (Steve Sarkisian) as well as one of the most underrated running-backs in Chris Polk.

Entering the 3rd year in the Sarkisian regime, the Huskies will look to come back to national prominence as they have playmakers on both sides of the ball, as well as many new recruits who fit perfectly into the Sarkisian regime. 

Heisman Winner - QB Andrew Luck (Stanford)

Runner-up from last year QB Andrew Luck out of Stanford is the preseason favorite to win this award and I believe he will win it this year in impressive fashion on his way to being the 1st pick in the NFL draft. 

Luck shows the heart, mind, and strength to continue to be an elite college quarterback, and he will show the nation just how valuable he is this year as he takes home the Heisman Trophy. 

Runner-up - RB LaMichael James (Oregon)

Honorable Mention - QB Landry Jones (Oklahoma State)

Honorable Mention - RB Trent Richardson (Alabama)

"Dark Horse" Heisman Candidates

1. RB Chris Polk - Washington

2. QB Robert Griffin III - Baylor

3. QB Russell Wilson - Wisconsin

4. QB Darron Thomas - Oregon

5. QB Nick Foles - Arizona

2011-2012 BCS National Championship

Oregon vs. Oklahoma

This will be a Championship for the ages as it will once again put two high-potent offenses against one another in Louisiana and will undoubtedly be a shoot-out.

Both the Ducks and Sooners should arrive at this game undefeated (we will see for certain Week 1 for Oregon and Week 3 for Oklahoma if they really are Championship worthy) and are both talented enough to make this game competitive.

This game will also be a re-match of a 2006 contest where Oklahoma traveled to Eugene, Oregon, and fell to the Ducks on a blocked kick as time ran-out. 

Heisman runner-ups RB LaMichael James of Oregon and QB Landry Jones of Oklahoma will put a lot of star power into this game and will make this one of the most exciting National Championships ever. 

2010 BCS National Champion

Oregon

Though many will think this is a biased pick (me being a University of Oregon student), I believe the ducks got even better than they were last year during this offseason and will win the national championship against the Oklahoma Sooners.

The Sooners will play one helluva game, but in the end, the Ducks playmakers (Kenjon Barner, LaMichael James, Darron Thomas, Josh Huff, Rashaan Vaughn, Cliff Harris) will be too much for an Oklahoma team looking to finally live up to the hype.

The Ducks will also be motivated after losing their past to BCS games (one in the 2010 Rose Bowl against Ohio State and the other being last year's National Championship loss to the Auburn Tigers).