It is never too early, despite what some pundits say, to start rattling off top 25 lists for the next season. Of course, these lists are subject to massive change depending on injuries that will inevitably happen as the season draws near, transfers, players’ arrests, and star recruits being forced to go the JUCO route. Well, those are the negatives. Some positive things may happen. Some players expected to make the jump to the pros may decide to come back. Some that have announced they are leaving may decide to stay.
And while changes will almost assuredly be made to my first official TSJ Top 25 ballot for the 2011 season, it never hurts to have a good starting point. For those of us that don’t believe in an offseason, we have to keep busy.
1. LSU Tigers
Maybe Les Miles turned down the Michigan job because of what he sees coming up for LSU. The Tigers return a ton on defense. They lose some superstars like Patrick Peterson and Drake Nevis on that side of the ball, but they return enough talent and enough experience to have one of the most dominating defenses in the country. Rising to number one, however, is based on the expectation that JUCO transfer Zack Mettenberger wins the starting quarterback job and is as good as advertised. If their offense matches their defense next year, the Tigers will be the team to beat in the SEC. And when you are the team to beat in the SEC, you are simply the team to beat.
2. Oregon Ducks
The quack attack will be replacing a lot of players, but the most important positions for the Ducks- quarterback and running back- are still in the hands of Darron Thomas and LaMichael James. The Ducks will return a very experienced secondary group, but will have some overhauling to do with their front defensive seven. The newly formed Pac 12 still will not be a loaded conference, so the explosive Ducks should have an opportunity to win them all.
3. Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles return a ton. Check that, 17 starters. That’s pretty impressive for a team that competed for the ACC championship. The ACC was less than impressive last year, and if that trend continues, FSU could possibly run the table and play for a national championship. This is a very talented and experienced football team. The key for Florida State will be the replacement of Christian Ponder. E.J. Manuel has shown flashes, but he has some big shoes to fill. His progression in the spring and fall will determine if Florida State stays in the top five or drops back.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
Most of the defense returns from a very athletic group. The defense will be one of the best in the nation again. The questions will be on offense. Alabama loses a lot of offense with quarterback Greg McElroy graduating and Julio Jones and former Heisman winner Mark Ingram skipping their senior years to play in the NFL. There could be a quarterback battle, and Phillip Sims and A.J. McCarron are both highly regarded. There is plenty of talent, but the core of the 2009 national championship offense will finally be playing on Sundays.
5. Oklahoma Sooners
Most early top 25 lists have the Sooners at number one. There is certainly an argument to be made. Landry Jones to Ryan Broyles could be one of the most prolific quarterback to receiver tandems in the country next year. The Sooners return a ton of guys that have started on both sides of the ball and should be right in the mix to go undefeated. The Sooners have a tendency to play down to their competition, however, and a team they shouldn’t lose to normally nips them. Perhaps they’ll be so dominating in their first couple of games to erase doubts.
6. Oklahoma State Cowboys
With Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon both returning for the Cowboys, Oklahoma State should be primed to challenge for a conference championship. The offensive line was virtually unscathed by graduation, though the defensive front seven takes a massive hit. Oklahoma State will have a mostly veteran group in the secondary, so perhaps their defense can overcome the new faces up front.
7. Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorback defense made big improvements last year, and expect another big jump in the positive direction from the defense next year. The Hogs will lose three starters on defense, but Arkansas could actually improve in two of those positions- cornerback and defensive end. Tyler Wilson, Brandon Mitchell, and Jacoby Walker will all battle for Ryan Mallett’s starting spot, and all three are very capable. The Hogs return four receivers with at least 500 yards receiving and a 1,000 yard rusher in Knile Davis. Arkansas has to replace three starters on the offensive line, but expect the Hogs to be near the top of the SEC in total offense and points scored.
8. South Carolina Gamecocks
Steve Spurrier returns some familiar faces. Stephen Garcia has been starting at quarterback for South Carolina for approximately the last 12 years (sarcasm). Everyone remembers the SEC freshman of the year, Marcus Lattimore. And if you haven’t gotten to know and/or watch Alshon Jeffery, do yourself a favor and tune in when the Gamecocks are on TV. Jeffery is an absolute beast and could be the first player taken in the 2012 draft if he elects to come out early. The Gamecocks will have to retool their front seven on defense because of graduation, but they should be the team to beat in the SEC East.
9. Ohio State Buckeyes
Even missing a number of key guys for the first five games, I won’t be just stunned if the Buckeyes win all five. They do make a trip to Miami to play the Hurricanes and host Michigan State, so it won’t be all peaches and cream for the Buckeyes. But even if they drop one of the two, the Buckeyes should be the favorite to win the Big Ten. Ohio State has to replace some extremely good football players on the defensive side, but they return nine offensive starters when they get their full team back from suspensions.
10. Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies were a different team when Ryan Tannehill took over the offense at quarterback. The Aggies really found themselves on a roll late in the season until they met the LSU buzz saw in the Cotton Bowl. The Aggies will have to replace Von Miller, but they return nearly every other starter on both sides of the ball. In fact, the Aggies are expected to have 19 returning starters on a team that finished just shy of ten wins.
The Rest of the Top 25
- 11. Boise State Broncos
- 12. Michigan State Spartans
- 13. Virginia Tech Hokies
- 14. Wisconsin Badgers
- 15. Stanford Cardinal
- 16. Mississippi State Bulldogs
- 17. Nebraska Cornhuskers
- 18. Auburn Tigers
- 19. TCU Horned Frogs
- 20. Missouri Tigers
- 21. Arizona State Sun Devils
- 22. Florida Gators
- 23. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- 24. Central Florida Knights
- 25. Georgia Bulldogs
