College Football Rankings Week 5: Predicting Each Top 25 Team's First Loss

The 2011 college football season is heading into Week 5. Through four weeks, their are 22 teams untouched in the AP Top 25. That will have to change at some point, or the BCS is going to have a problem.

As the season wears along, more teams will drop games. Some will be expected, others not so much.

Either way, that dreaded first loss is looming for some.

By the end of last season, only Auburn and TCU were undefeated. Since 2007, no season has had more than two teams finish undefeated in the Top 25.

In 2007, no one did.

College football is a long and strenuous season. Teams must have the perfect blend of talent, chemistry, attitude, and mental toughness in order to run the table.

This season, every Top 25 team has the potential to lose at least one critical game.

Here is who every undefeated ranked team will lose to first.

Georgia Tech

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have gotten off to a blazing start this season. The Yellow Jackets are 4-0.

The Yellow Jackets rank second in the nation in rushing offense, and first in the nation in scoring offense. Expect this trend to continue for three more weeks.

However, it will end when the Yellow Jackets travel to Miami in Week 8 of the season.

Georgia Tech runs the triple option system. When it works, it is deadly. When teams can force the ball into the air though, Georgia Tech is very vulnerable.

The Miami front seven is very athletic. Their speed will slow down the methodical Yellow Jackets' ground attack.

Defensively, the Yellow Jackets give up almost 24 points per game. Expect Jacory Harris to exploit their holes in coverage, and Lamar Miller to run the ball consistently.

Georgia Tech is off to a great start. The fun is not over yet. However, it will be after Week 8.

Illinois

Nathan Scheelhaase has elevated Illinois to a 4-0 record to start the season. The dynamic quarterback has been the biggest playmaker on a surprising squad.

However, Scheelhaase will be upstaged in Week 5 when quarterback Dan Persa returns for the Northwestern Wildcats.

Illinois would like to win their Big Ten opener, but the return of Persa will be too much.

Northwestern will feed off the return of their unquestioned leader. This added energy will give them enough juice to exploit a very solid Illinois defense.

Both teams are underdogs among the Big Ten giants this season. Each team is talented, and looking to prove themselves against stiff competition.

Illinois will play well against a shaky Northwestern defense. If Scheelhaase can control the tempo from behind center, Illinois could definitely win this matchup.

At the end of the day though, Persa has a big game and a big welcome back in this in-state rivalry.

Michigan

The buzz has returned to Ann Arbor.

The Michigan Wolverines have made an exciting transition to Brady Hoke's pro-style offense. This has led to their 4-0 record.

Expect the Wolverines to stay undefeated for two more weeks. In Week 7, the Wolverines travel to East Lansing. Michigan State will send their in-state foe home with a 6-1 record.

Denard Robinson is electric. No doubt about it. However, he is still erratic at times and lacks consistency in the pocket.

Michigan State is very disciplined on both sides of the ball. Their discipline and talent on offense will give the Michigan defense fits.

Kirk Cousins runs a very efficient Spartans' offense. Edwin Baker and B.J. Cunningham are also very talented. Baker compliments the Cousins-Cunningham connection with a solid ground attack.

Michigan will be hungry for a statement victory on the road. Don't expect it to happen in Week 7.

Clemson

The Clemson Tigers have proven themselves so far this season. Two of their four wins are against Top 25 opponents. One of which ended Auburn's 17-game win streak.

Coming off their Week 4 upset over Florida State, Clemson should be ready to enter Blacksburg in Week 5. The Virginia Tech Hokies are waiting, and they will come out on top in this battle of ACC early favorites.

Virginia Tech is exactly what they are every season: Great defensively and great on the ground, with a playmaker behind center.

Clemson has made great strides. Tajh Boyd has over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. However, Jayron Hosley and the rest of the Hokies' secondary will give him a very hard time.

Lane Stadium will not make things any easier.

Tigers' fans should be excited about the hot start, but the Hokies will cool them off in Week 5.

Texas

Oklahoma versus Texas is a highly-anticipated matchup every season. The Red River Shootout rarely disappoints.

This year will be no different.

Despite Texas' surprising 3-0 start, Oklahoma will bring the Longhorns back to Earth in a big way if they are not careful.

Oklahoma is the top ranked team for a reason. They have an elite offense, and an aggressive defense to match. It will take talent and mental toughness in order to slow down their fast-paced aerial assault.

Texas has drastically improved from last season. However, uncertainty behind center is never a good ingredient when looking for an upset.

If Texas can create holes up front for Malcolm Brown they will have a chance to control the pace of the game. If not, Oklahoma will run the Texas' defense ragged with their frenetic pace.

The Longhorns look better this season compared to last. Not quite ready to beat the Sooners though.

South Florida

South Florida is one of the more surprising storylines through the first four weeks of the 2011 college football season.

With a 4-0 record, the Bulls got their season off on the right foot. The Bulls pulled a big upset in South Bend against the weather and Notre Dame.

The Bulls are hot now, but they will be upset themselves. Expect it when the Cincinnati Bearcats come to town in Week 6.

The Bearcats are currently 3-1. Zach Collaros has nine touchdowns, and Isaiah Pead has been a solid force on the ground.

Pulling the upset could give Cincinnati real hope after the Brian Kelly era.

South Florida has been exciting so far. However, they are not ready for the big stage and will get caught looking past a solid Bearcats' squad.

Baylor

Robert Griffin put Baylor on the map from the get-go this season. In Week 1, the Bears squeaked by TCU in a 50-48 shootout. Griffin threw five touchdowns.

Since TCU, Baylor has played Stephen F. Austin and Rice. Not exactly the way to maintain focus. Now the Bears enter Big 12 play.

Expect the Bears to tightrope their way through their first two Big 12 games. Kansas State and Iowa State are surprising themselves, but won't have enough to slow Baylor's offense down.

Texas A&M will in Week 7.

The Aggies have the firepower on offense to score with the Bears. They also have the discipline on defense to contain Griffin and Kendall Wright through the air.

Look for Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael to puncture holes in the Baylor front seven. Ryan Tannehill and Jeff Fuller will be their for extra firepower if that plan fails.

This game could be a shootout. Based on the Aggies' point total in Week 4, they are up for the challenge.

Florida

The Florida Gators are having a bounce-back year. However, with Alabama and LSU coming up in Weeks 5 and 6 that will change.

Alabama is up first in Week 5. The Gators will enter Death Valley in Week 6 standing at 4-1.

Florida has gotten back to an efficient and versatile spread offense. Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey are both scintillating with the ball in their hands. Jeff Brantley seems ready to at least manage the offense.

However, the Gators have not seen a defense like the Crimson Tide yet this season.

Chances are if Nick Saban is masterminding the defense, they are gonna be solid. Alabama is no exception. They play disciplined yet aggressive. Fast but also extremely tough in the trenches. Great against both the run and the pass.

Combine the defense with Trent Richardson's consistent rushing attack, and the Gators will be served a wake up call when the Tide come to town in Week 5.

Virginia Tech

The Virginia Tech Hokies are 4-0 so far this season. A Week 5 matchup against Clemson will put that to the test, and the Hokies will pass that test.

However, the Miami Hurricanes will be ready to pounce on any letdown in Week 6.

Miami wants a chance to show they may be down, but they are far from out. A shot at the Hokies is that chance. Coming off their first real test of the season, the Hokies could be vulnerable.

Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas is still unproven. He is very talented, but inexperienced. Especially against upper-echelon teams. Expect Hurricanes' fans to make it even more difficult on him in Sun Life Stadium.

Miami is very talented. Avoiding Jacory Harris' mistakes is the key every week. Against the Hokies, Miami will go to Lamar Miller early and often to alleviate the pressure on Harris.

This game will come down to the wire but Miami will score the upset. If the Hokies don't lose this one, they may run the table.

South Carolina

South Carolina's SEC schedule looks empty. No LSU. No Alabama. However, this is the SEC. Every teams brings it, every Saturday.

The Gamecocks will either recognize the competition. Or, they will lose focus without the powerhouses to keep them in check.

On November 5th, the Gamecocks travel to face Arkansas. On November 12th, they square off against the Florida Gators. In the game before these two major matchups, South Carolina will travel to Tennessee.

Expect the Gamecocks to fall victim to the trap-game mentality.

As of now, Arkansas is the first ranked team South Carolina will play. This could cause the Gamecocks to look past Tyler Bray and the Volunteers.

Bray will exploit the South Carolina defense. They allow almost 26 points per game.

Marcus Lattimore is the best running back in the country, but two Stephen Garcia interceptions will keep this offense from any type of flow.

Look for the Gamecocks to falter before their tough final stretch of the season.

Nebraska

Nebraska has gotten off to a great start in their debut season in the Big Ten. At 4-0, Nebraska is currently tied for the lead in the Big Ten's Legends division.

Despite their success, there is a big difference between Wyoming in Week 4 and Wisconsin in Week 5. Especially in Camp Randall Stadium.

Nebraska is a run-first, run-second, throw-third team. They rank 105th in the nation in passing yards per game. Wisconsin is too disciplined to lose to a one-dimensional offense.

Defensively, the Cornhuskers are giving up 22 points per game to sub-par opponents. Wisconsin is scoring points at a scary rate so far this season.

The Badgers have a very balanced attack. Russell Wilson gives their offense an element it has never had. Montee Ball and James White give their offense an element it has always had.

Versatility and home-field advantage will play a major role in this primetime matchup.

In the end, the Badgers have too much on both sides of the ball. The Cornhuskers will not be able to get behind. Their offense is not built to come back.

Oklahoma State

The Oklahoma State Cowboys can score points with anyone, anywhere.

The Baylor Bears can as well. On October 29th, the Baylor Bears will score enough to derail the Cowboys' national championship hopes.

Oklahoma State gave up a combined 77 points to Tulsa and Louisiana-Lafayette this season. Despite their impressive passing attack, this should worry everyone in Stillwater.

Robert Griffin has the Bears playing at an extremely high level. They appear ready to score points with anyone. 

Don't expect any defense in this game. Expect a score in the forties or fifties.

Whichever team can get one or two critical defensive stops could win this game. Baylor has the advantage of a complimentary run game in their offense.

That could be the difference. Baylor pulls the upset.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is the best team in the Big Ten and a darkhorse to play for the BCS national championship.

However, they will slip up. Luke Fickell and Ohio State will be held responsible.

By October 29th, freshman Braxton Miller will have some experience to go with his talent. Ohio State will also want to show Ohio Stadium they are still the Buckeyes.

This matchup will be Wisconsin's second consecutive road test. On October 22nd, they travel to East Lansing to clash with the Michigan State Spartans.

Ohio State has a chip on their shoulder this season. On paper, Wisconsin should win this game. However, the Buckeyes will take care of a worn-down Badgers team.

Fickell will have his players ready on both sides of the ball. Energy and aggression will go a long way, and the Buckeyes will have plenty of each.

This could be the game Braxton Miller becomes well known outside of Columbus.

Stanford

Last season Andrew Luck and Stanford became too familiar with the Oregon Ducks' offense.

This season will be an encore.

Oregon relies on speed and space on offense. Stanford's defense is very physical, but in space they are not athletic enough to keep up with Oregon's athletes.

Andrew Luck is still the best quarterback in the nation. Stanford will score points themselves. Oregon's offense will score more. Their gimmicky offense knows the blueprint of Stanford's defensive schemes.

Yes, Oregon's defense struggles. Also, Oregon's offense is not necessarily the same as it was last season. Teams have adjusted to their breakneck pace, and the unorthodox formations.

This game will be a shootout similar to 2010. Stanford does not match up well defensively and that spells trouble when playing this Oregon offense.

Boise State

Let's be honest. Boise State has one chance of losing this season against TCU on November 12th. Then again, ask Nevada how they felt about that mentality last season. Don't ask Kyle Brotzman.

Boise State has picked up from last season flawlessly. Despite the losses of Austin Pettis and Titus Young, the Broncos passing attack is as dangerous as ever. Kellen Moore's surgical precision is a major reason for that.

Complimenting Moore is Doug Martin. He has started slow this season, but he is very capable.

Andy Dalton is no longer leading the charge for TCU. Casey Pachall would love to make a name for himself against a top five team. He will be helped by running back Waymon James. James is averaging just under nine yards per carry.

This game will have more defense than fans would expect. The Broncos' defense is very underrated with an excellent pass rush.

Boise State will lose focus, and lull themselves to sleep with their Mountain West schedule.

That's when the Horned Frogs pounce.

Alabama

The Alabama Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers will do battle in an epic SEC matchup on November 5th.

In this knock-'em-down, drag-'em-out matchup the LSU Tigers will just sneak by.

This game could very well decide who goes to the national championship game. The added emotion will have Tuscaloosa rocking.

Both of these defenses are as good as it gets. Aggressive, physical, fast and mean, they play defense the way it is meant to be played.

Offensively, both teams run the ball very well with Alabama's Trent Richardson being the best player on either team's offense.

The edge goes to LSU because of Jarrett Lee. Lee is never going to wow anyone, but he manages the game. He understands his limit and what his role is on the offense. Hand the ball off, make a few critical passes, and let the defense win games.

In this case, A.J. McCarron will struggle behind center for the Tide. Heartbreak will ensue in Tuscaloosa as their national title hopes are dashed.

LSU

LSU is going to make it to their final regular season game against Arkansas before they lose their first game of the season.

Arkansas has a solid offense and it should be even better by the end of the season. Ronnie Wingo Jr. continues to improve in the backfield. Tyler Wilson looks like he could wind up being a top SEC quarterback in the future.

LSU is loaded on both sides of the ball. Based on talent they should win this game without any real problem. However, with a potential SEC championship looming on the horizon LSU could be caught napping.

The Tigers' offense has been very solid but isn't necessarily explosive. If Wilson can find Joe Adams and Cobi Hamilton early and often, this will be a very close game.

LSU's defense is amazing but not invincible. They may only falter once this season, but it will be critical.

Arkansas gets a surprising early lead and hangs on to it by a hair.

Oklahoma

The BCS picture is going to see a major shakeup on the final week of the 2011 season. Arkansas will topple LSU, and Oklahoma State will finally take down their in-state rival Oklahoma.

In true Oklahoma fashion, their collapse will happen when it matters most.

Landry Jones leads the Oklahoma attack. However, he can be stifled with pressure. The hurry-up offense works well, but if the defense adjusts and keeps themselves organized it is no different from any other offense.

Defensively, the Sooners are very good at all three levels. Oklahoma State will still find a way to air it out at will on the Sooners.

Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon want to leave Stillwater on top. This is their year to get over the hump.

With a few timely stops on defense, Oklahoma State has a very real shot to make this upset happen. Expect that to become reality, and the BCS situation to be turned on its' head.