College Football 2011: Who Moved Up in the Top 25?

Well, this was quite an interesting kickoff weekend in college football, with lightning delays at WVU, Notre Dame and Michigan postponing football for several hours. We learned a few things about many of the premiere programs, as well.

For starters, even without starting QB Jordan Jefferson, LSU is still very good. Also, the Oregon Ducks and Auburn Tigers are not the same teams from a year ago, as evidenced by their week one performances in which both teams struggled.

There were many surprises in the first round of games and with one week played, here is a look at the updated top 25.

1. Oklahoma Sooners

Boomer Sooner looked tough on Saturday against Tulsa. Heisman candidate Landry Jones lived up to the hype tossing for 375 yards and a score. Big time receiver Ryan Broyles proved why he is one of the best in the nation after catching 14 balls for 158 yards and a score. Overall, the Sooners looked as good as advertised, and their first true test will come September 17, at Florida State.

2. LSU Tigers

In the most anticipated game of the weekend, the Bayou Bengals came out and put on a show. They blew Oregon out the water in the second half on the way to a 40-27 victory. LSU took the same approach that Auburn used in the BCS championship a year ago; strong physical play along the line. Head Coach Les Miles has to be very pleased with the effort of his team forcing four turnovers and capitalizing off of Oregon’s mistakes. Despite the absence of WR Russell Shepherd, and starting QB Jordan Jefferson, LSU proved that they are an elite team in college football.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

With the uncertainty of who will be under center week one, it appears QB A.J. McCarron will be the starter this season. Heisman hopeful Trent Richardson rushed for only 37 yards, however the bruising back had three TDs. The Tide rolled in this game to the tune of a 48-7 victory over Kent State. One aspect that concerns me for Bama going forward is that they turned the ball over five times against inferior competition. In the SEC they will not be able to make as many mistakes and expect a win.

4. Boise State Broncos

How good is QB Kellen Moore? Ask any Georgia Bulldog fan and they will tell you he is one of the best players in the country. Moore made his first case for the Heisman this season with a flawless performance Saturday night going 28-34 for 261 yards and three scores. With the senior QB leading the charge, Boise will be a tough opponent for any team this season.

5. Florida State Seminoles

The Noles are back. Head Coach Jimbo Fisher has done an outstanding job of recruiting in the past few years and it showed on Saturday. FSU dominated both sides of the ball in route to a 34-0 shutout.The defense was unreal for FSU, giving up only 191 yards. Offensively QB E.J Manuel showed flashes of brilliance tossing for 252 yards and a pair of TDs.  Fans in Tallahassee have been raving about this team all summer long, and the team really answered the bell Saturday.

6. Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin had one of the most dominant performances of week one. The Badgers rolled in their opening game with a 51-17 beat down over UNLV. Many people had questions concerning new QB Russell Wilson’s adjustment from a spread offense to a pro style attack, and those questions were answered in game one. Wilson had 317 total yards with 3 TDs in a little over two quarters of play. With performances like this game, Wilson could enter the Heisman race. The star transfer was not the only standout on offense as RBs James White and Montee Ball combined for 127 yards and four TDs. Wisconsin will be tough in the Big Ten this year, and if they run the table they could have their sights set on the title game.

7. Stanford Cardinal

How much did the departure of former coach Jim Harbaugh affect Stanford? Judging by game one, very little; the Cardinal dominated San Jose State in a 57-3 win. QB Andrew Luck looked strong as usual, with three total TDs. RB Stepfan Taylor looked solid as well with 2 TDs.Head Coach David Shaw has to be pleased with his debut on the sidelines, as Stanford was firing on all cylinders in game one. 

8. Texas A&M Aggies

A&M has all the players needed to make a run at perhaps the last conference title in the Big 12. The Aggies looked very strong in game one and they destroyed SMU in a 46-14 win. Senior QB Ryan Tannehill proved why he is one of the best signal callers in the Big 12, passing for 246 yards and two scores. Playmaking running backs Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael each scored two TDs while combining for 217 yards on the ground. The Aggies were hyped to be one of the top teams in the conference and they proved why in game one.

9. Oklahoma State Cowboys

No Dana Holgorsen? No problem. Despite having a new offensive coordinator in 2011, the Cowboys did not miss a beat on offense. The offense had 666 yards of total offense, and QB Brandon Weeden tossed for 388 yards and three TDs. All-American receiver Justin Blackmon registered his 13^th straight 100 yard receiving game, and OSU went on to a 61-37 victory. In week one the Cowboys were better than advertised, and they will have their first true test this Thursday at Arizona.

10. Nebraska Cornhuskers

The Huskers rolled over their weaker opponent Chattanooga 40-7. QB Taylor Martinez proved why he is one of the best dual threat players in the nation and he led the team in rushing with 131 yards and 3 TDs. It remains to be seen how much Martinez  has improved passing the football as he only had 116 yards through the air. Defensively the Huskers rolled, and the team had a great start to the season week one. This weekend Big Red will have a much tougher time vs. Fresno State. 

11. South Carolina Gamecocks

The decision to bench senior QB Stephen Garcia blew up in the face of the ‘ole ball coach. The Gamecocks limped to a 17-0 deficit early against East Carolina; however when Garcia came into the contest the game changed. The team seemed to rally around the QB in route to an eventual 56-37 win. Sophomore RB Marcus Lattimore proved why he is one of the best RBs in the country with his 112 yards rushing and three scores. Game one may be the result of SC looking ahead to their week two matchup at Georgia, because the team came out flat in the first half. Overall, SC played a solid game and they dominated the second half outscoring ECU 42-13.

Virginia Tech Hokies

Don’t sleep on the Hokies.  Tech looked very impressive week one with a 66-17 win over Appalachian State. QB Logan Thomas and starting RB David Wilson combined for 311 total yards and 5 TDs. The Hokies look like the favorite to make another appearance in the ACC title game in 2011. Head coach Frank Beamer always has his team ready to play, and this team could be a squad to keep an eye on as a sleeper to run the table this season.

13. Oregon Ducks

Oregon fans must cringe each time they see an SEC opponent on the schedule. The last two games vs. SEC opponents have resulted in two straight losses. This year the Ducks were poised to make a statement week one vs. LSU, however the team was outplayed and lost 40-27. QB Darron Thomas and RB LaMichael James were not effective against LSU’s defense and the offense turned the ball over four times.

14. Mississippi State Bulldogs

RB Vick Ballard proved why he is one of the best RBs in the country with 166 yards and three scores on just 10 carries vs. Memphis. QB Chris Relf had a very solid game as well, with 202 yards passing and two TDs.  Overall, coach Dan Mullen has to be impressed with his Bulldogs and his team is off to an impressive start.

15. Arkansas Razorbacks

The Razorbacks looked sharp on offense even without star RB Knile Davis who is lost for the season due to injury. Arkansas dominated Missouri State winning 51-7 and QB Tyler Wilson put up solid numbers, passing for 260 yards and two scores. The receiving core for head coach Bobby Petrino is arguably the best group in the nation, and WR Jarius Wright had a huge game with over 100 yards receiving and 2 TDs. 

16. Ohio State Buckeyes

New head coach Luke Fickell got off to a fast start this season. Despite one of the most disruptive off seasons in the entire country, the Buckeyes came out and played a very good game vs. Akron in a 42-0 shutout. TE Jake Stonebrunner had a great game with three receiving TDs. The highlight of OSU was the play of their defense which held Akron to just 92 yards of offense.

17. Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans had a solid win over Youngstown State in their 28-6 win in their season debut. Senior QB Kirk Cousins played very well ending the game with 222 yards passing and a score. RBs Edwin Baker and Le’Veon Bell combined for 131 yards rushing and two TDs. The best player on the offense was WR B.J. Cunningham who ended the game with 9 grabs for 130 yards and a TD.

18. Florida Gators

The Will Muschamp era has begun in Gainesville, and the Gators got off to a solid start in their 41-3 rout of Florida International. The Florida attack was led by RBs Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps who combined for 184 yards rushing and three TDs. More importantly for Florida fans is QB Jeff Brantley was much improved in Charlie Weis’ offense tossing for 229 yards and a score. If the Gators can keep this momentum going they could surprise in the SEC East.

19. Baylor Bears

If you didn’t know the name Robert Griffin III, then you do now. In arguably the most exciting game of the week RG3 put on a show in Waco, and the Bears upset TCU and destroyed the Frogs defense that in years past has been very solid. The talented QB threw for 358 yards and five TDs in the surprise 50-48 upset victory over coach Gary Patterson and the TCU Horned Frogs. The defense for Baylor needs a bit of work, but if the offense can put up numbers like they did in week one, who cares.

20. Missouri Tigers

Mizzou falls a bit in the rankings this week due to a very unimpressive performance against Miami Ohio. New starting QB James Franklin was shaky at time and the sophomore threw for just 129 yards. If Missouri wants to be competitive in the Big 12, Franklin will have to step up.

21. West Virginia Mountaineers

The Mountaineers looked solid in new head coach Dana Holgorsen’s debut in Morgantown and the team beat in-state rival Marshall 34-13. Big time QB Geno Smith lived up to the hype and had a very solid game throwing for 249 yards and two scores in just three quarters of play(game was called due to lightning). WR Tavon Austin had the play of the day with an exciting 100 yard kickoff return for a TD. Going forward it will be important for WVU to establish a running game(team rushed for just 46 yards) as the season progresses, but overall the team looked solid.

22. Penn State Nittany Lions

Joe Paterno’s squad started the game with a bang taking the opening kick 95 yards for a TD, and the team never looked back cruising to a 41-7 win over Indiana State. RB Silas Redd had a very solid game rushing for 102 yards and two scores. Indiana State weren't much of a match for Penn State; however week 2 when Alabama comes to town won’t be quite as easy.

23. South Florida Bulls

Head Coach Skip Holtz came into South Bend, Indiana and pulled off an upset over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 23-20. The turning point in this game was the first quarter fumble recovery for a TD that deflated the Irish, and the Bulls maintained the lead throughout the game. This was a huge victory for the Big East, a conference that has been down in recent years.

24. USC Trojans

QB Matt Barkley and WR Robert Woods both had historical days for the Trojans. Barkley set the school record for completions with 34 for while Woods now holds the record for receptions in a game with 17. With that being said, the Trojans narrowly escaped defeat, winning 19-17 at home vs. Minnesota.

25. Auburn Tigers

Although a 42-38 narrow victory over Utah State won’t be celebrated like a big win; it was impressive how the Tigers overcame a 10 point deficit with less than four minutes left in the game. RB Michael Dyer came up big for coach Gene Chizik and the Tigers scoring two TDs including the go ahead score to seal the win. It is clear that the Tigers are in a rebuilding year, and their inexperience really showed in week one.