Wednesday, August 31, 2011

#11 Oklahoma State

2010-2011: 11-2 (6-2, Big XII)

Heads up, the highest octane offense in the NCAA is back, sans a star runner.  Kendall Hunter is gone, but fear not for Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon return.  The all-conference QB and All-American WR took Okie State to new heights last year.  This year, there is a brand new goal: a National Title.  They have the offense, but a mediocre defense was what did in the Cowboys last year.  This year, Mike Gundy (who is a man, and is around 40) plans on the defense making a vast improvement.  The secondary has the potential to make uber plays as teams will often take to the skies in order to match the dominating Oklahoma State offense.  Many fear the Pokes won't be able to sneak up on anyone this year.  That seems to be just fine with the stars of the team, who appear to want the pressure and the target one their backs.


2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: December 3rd versus Oklahoma...Bedlam?  They haven't even seen it yet.  Without the Big 12 Championship Game this could very well serve as the substitute.
Predicted Record: 11-1 (8-1) {loss versus Texas A&M}

#12 Boise State

2010-2011: 12-1 (7-1, Western Athletic Conference)


The Broncos continue on the path to trying to become the first ever non-BCS school to win the National Championship.  The BCS was established in 1998 and the most nondescript team to win might be Tennessee way back in 1998.  Kellen Moore (maybe the ugliest player in college football) has returned, but he has lost both of his top two receivers.  This will affect the Boise passing game, but luckily the team also has a standout runningback (Doug Martin).  Finally, Boise has a great offensive line to give Moore a little time.  So what's not to like about Boise this year?  They could easily win the Mountain West (it's new conference), but it's fortunate fact that isn't enough.  Luckily, Boise could go undefeated and not see the National Title game.

2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: November 12th versus TCU...this game will be for the MWC title, as it should be, and likely a BCS bowl berth.
Predicted Record: 10-2 (7-1) {losses versus Georgia and TCU} 

#13 Michigan State

2010-2011 11-2 (7-1, Big Ten)

I have to admit I am conforming a little to popular opinion by putting MSU this high in my preseason rankings.  The Spartans are one of my favorite teams, a top fiver, really, but they are also extremely overrated thanks to a fantastic 2011.  They beat Wisconsin, which during last season was a true accomplishment, Notre Dame, and Penn State.  Sparty, however, was a cinderella team last year.  This year with the slipper already on, it'll be tough to replicate.  There are strong pieces intact.  Edwin Baker, perhaps the best back in the Big Ten (except maybe everyone on Wisconsin) is only a junior.  Kirk Cousins is here after shining at moments last year.  Also the defense returns a strong mainframe, but the central component (Greg Jones) is gone.  For Sparty to record a record similar to 2010-2011 they'll need a little luck again.

2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: October 1st @OSU...Sparty can show their stuff in Columbus against a Buckeye team that could have some sluggish stars.
Predicted Record: 8-4 (4-4) {losses versus Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Iowa}

#14 Virginia Tech

2010-2011: 11-3 (8-0, ACC)

I picked Va-Tech as a dark horse for the national title last year and they nearly pulled it off for me.  They simply forgot to win their first two games.  All the big time pieces in the backfield are gone, but a piece as big as all three (Darren Evans, Ryan Willaims, Tyrod Taylor) is ready to step in.  Meet 6'6" speedster Logan Thomas.  Thomas is the heir apparent to the title of "freak" in the NCAA, taking over for Cam Newton.  Along with Logan is David Wilson.  A triple-jump champ, Wilson breaks freak athleticism to the field, now it's time to become a freak on the turf.  There is one thing you can be sure of come this fall for Va-Tech: they'll be ready to compete.

2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: December 3rd, ACC Championship Game...the weakest conference schedule I've ever seen in the ACC compounded with the weakest division I've ever seen give Va-Tech a realistic shot to sneak into the BCS title game again.
Predicted Record: 11-1 (7-1) {loss @Georgia Tech}

Sunday, August 28, 2011

#15 Ohio State

2010-2011: 12-1 (7-1, Big Ten)

When you have an off-season like the Ohio State Buckeyes had, you cannot wait for the regular season to arrive and leave behind the drama with a little football, and now would be a good time to tell the casual football fan what the knowledgeable football fan already knows: Ohio State is far from dead this season.  The team returns a loaded offense line and as always enters the season with what looks to be and what will end up as a Top 10 defense.  Forget the loss of Pryor and the end of Tressel-ball, because Ohio State is loaded with talent that teams across the nation still envy.  Whether it be the weathered, but less talented Joe Bauserman or the green and adroit Braxton Miller leading the Buckeyes into the Horseshoe this fall is a non-issue.  OSU can easily go 4-1 without the three seniors they're missing due to tattoos (and possibly even 5-0), and then the Bucks will be the same team as expected, sans the overrated Pryor.

2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: October 8th @Nebraska...the Cornhuskers want to challenge against the best, and this will be the first game of the year where the Buckeyes will be at theirs.
Predicted record: 9-3 (5-3) {losses against Michigan State, Nebraska, and Wisconsin} 

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

#16 Arkansas

2010-2011: 10-3 (6-2, SEC)

This season Arkansas will be hurt by one thing more than any other.  I know what you're thinking, but it isn't the departure of Ryan Mallet (who the Bengals should've taken), but the fact that they play in the SEC West.  Welcome to the hardest division college football has ever seen, Pigs.  Pick your poison whether that be @Bama game 4, at home against Auburn game 6, @Ole Miss game 7, at home against Mississippi State game 11, or @LSU game 12.  It's an uphill battle, with an inexperienced QB...but that same quarterback did manage 323 yards and 4 touchdowns relieving and injured Mallet against Auburn (who won the National Title) last year.  The Pigs will fly around and score, but hopefully they can stop people a little better.  Strong defense has been the SEC's signature for years, and if the Pigs want to soar then they need to jump on the defensive wagon.

2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: October 8th versus Auburn...this is the easiest win out of all the SEC West against any team not named Ole Miss.  It is right smack in the middle of SEC play and could catapult Arkansas forward or backward.
Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-3) {losses versus Alabama, Texas A&M, South Carolina, and LSU}

#17 Arizona State

2010-2011: 6-6 (4-5, Pac-10)

Arizona State has more than just a new logo and uniforms this season, ASU has hope.  The Sun Devils were a team that almost had a great season last year.  This team lost 6 games, but they almost won 4 of those, losing by a combined 10 points to Wisconsin, Oregon State, USC, and Stanford...not a lightweight on that list, especially last year when Oregon State was a viable Pac-10 threat.  Now, Arizona State gets something it seemed would only be a dream two years ago: a soft conference schedule.  They're second hardest game on their entire schedule is at home against USC, something which Sun Devil fans can be thrilled about.  Although they have to travel up to Autzen, they skip Stanford, Oregon State, and Washington: three of the top six in conference (following Oregon, Stanford, and these Devils).  Look for a big splash from ASU...plus their black uniforms are sweet.

2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: September 24th versus USC...this game decides the far weaker Pac-12 South, and I say that without any hesitation.
Predicted record: 11-1 (7-1) {loss @Oregon}

Monday, August 22, 2011

#18 TCU

2011-2012: 13-0 (8-0, Mountain West)

Last year TCU turned into a BCS busting school.  It wasn't much of a surprise as the Horned Frogs began the season inside the top 10.  This year, inexperience at quarterback and a host of departed defenders will make any form of repeat nearly impossible.  But we shouldn't count out the Horned Frogs.  Despite returning only 3 offensive and 4 defensive starters, TCU does return one thing no other team has, Head Coach Gary Patterson.  Some regard Patterson as the best coach in the nation, and whilst that is highly debatable, some thing are not.  First, TCU has led the nation in total defense 5 of 11 years and three straight.  Also, TCU is 98-28 under Patterson.  Finally, it is important to mention that this year's team realizes they cannot stand in the shadow of the 2011 team.  They want to create a legacy of their own and determination can take a football far.

2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: November 12th @Boise State...The Broncos and Frogs are the two beasts of the MWC.  This game should decide the champ.
Predicted record: 10-2 (6-1) {loss against Baylor and San Diego State} 

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

#20 Auburn

2010-2011 14-0 (9-0, SEC)

The team that pretty much came out of nowhere last year, the Auburn Tigers have a little bit higher expectations for 2011-2012, but only a little higher.  Cam's gone, but hey Michael Dyer is still around, but that's basically all that's around.  Auburn only returns five starters...total.  Auburn certainly has another uphill battle in front of them, but loading onto the back of Michael Dyer isn't a bad way to for the new look Tigers to get uphill.

2011-2012 Outlook
Key Game: September 10th versus Mississippi State...not the highest profile team in a loaded SEC West, but the Tigers have a chance to show if they are experiencing glory hangovers and Cam withdrawals or not very early.
Predicted Record: 7-5 (3-5) {losses versus Mississippi State, South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU, Alabama}

#21 West Virginia

2010-2011: 9-4 (5-2, Big East)

If I was a college football team and I was in the Big East, I'd feel a little disrespected.  There were fans every calling for an end to the Big East's Automatic Bid.  Unfortunately for all those feeling disrespected, it comes with a reason.  The Mountaineers are the only team I am putting in the Top 25, mainly because (to quote the great Charles Barkley) "The Big East sucks!".  West Virginia; however, is a viable contender to win a BCS game (unlike the rest of its conference).  Quarterback Geno Smith is the first dual-threat to be in the team's spread offense.  Also, he has some talent around him including Tavon Austin who could break WVU's all-time receptions record this year from the slot.  Be ready, because the Mountaineers aren't going to sink easily this year.

2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: November 25th Versus Pittsburgh...the Backyard Brawl could easily decide the Big East.
Predicted Record: 10-2 (6-1) {losses against LSU and Cincinnati}

#22 Texas

2010-2011 5-7 (2-6, Big 12)

In the worst year Texas has had in recent memory, prized quarterback Garret Gilbert struggled to live up to the hype which surrounded him following a strong second half in the 2009 National Championship Game.  Now, a year wiser, the junior Gilbert has somewhat less pressure.  The Longhorns were #3 to begin last season.  This year they fall outside of some Top 25's, but not mine.  Texas has pieces in place to a true challenger in a softer Big 12.  Sure Oklahoma is still around, but the Longhorns have a speedy secondary and a strong linebacking corp which should bolster an improved Gilbert/offense.  Look for the Texas to redeem itself this year and challenge more realistically not only in the conference, but to shuffle toward a BCS bowl.

2011-2012 Outlook
Key Game: November 24th @Texas A&M...Many fans will look to the Oklahoma game to be the tipping point for Texas, but this late season game could mean a lot more for the Horns whether they win or lose versus the Sooners.
Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-4) {losses versus Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Baylor, and Oklahoma State}

Sunday, August 14, 2011

#23 Notre Dame

2010-2011: 8-5 (Independent)

The Irish are consistently overrated simply because they are Notre Dame, but suddenly I have decided this season is finally the year Notre Dame breaks through and kinda returns to respectability.  The Irish have 3 things going for them: (1) A high powered offense led by Dane Christ and the mind of Brian Kelly (2) A strong linebacker corp and (3) A very  easy schedule (customary).  All the Irish have to do is play good football and they can easily win ten games.  The only two tough tests are Stanford and USC (unranked due to scandal) with ten very winnable games sprinkled around them.

2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: September 10th @Michigan...This game seems to swing the Irish's season.  Michigan could be tough, especially in the Big House.
Predicted Record: 9-3 {losses versus Michigan, Michigan State, and Stanford}

Sunday, August 7, 2011

#24 Mississippi State

2010-2011: 9-4 (4-4 SEC)

It's debatable if Mississippi State has been more excited for a football season since 1941.  The Bullddogs haven't cracked the preseason top 25 since 1999 and are a common sight at the bottom of the SEC West standings, their last division title coming in 1998.  This year, however, Starkville is pumped as Miss. St. returns a backfield tandem to rival any of their SEC West rivals with quarterback Chris Relf and half-back Vick Ballard.  They have a very athletic Secondary, but the entire season could fall apart as the defense must replace three starting linebackers.  Watch for teams like Alabama and South Carolina with strong running games to have a lot of fun with the Bulldogs.

2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game September 10th @Auburn...the earliest SEC test for the Bulldogs will let us know if we can appreciate their chances this year.  Auburn is nowhere the team it was last year, but is still good.
Predicted Record: 8-4 (4-4) {losses against LSU, Georgia, Arkansas, Bama}

Saturday, August 6, 2011

#25 Northwestern

2010-2011: 7-6 (3-5, Big 10 conference)

The Wildcats have rarely had as much hope for a season as they do in 2011.  Northwestern returns a whole host of players, but obviously their biggest returner is quarterback Dan Persa.  Persa threw for 2,581 yards last year and completed 74% of his passes and rushed for 519 more yards.  Alongside Persa will be the trusty wideout Jeremy Ebert.  Ebert racked up 953 yards last year.  This duo will provide some pop for a rather stagnant offense due to a lack of rushing power.  A solid defense returns starters at safety (Brian Peters) and cornerback (Jordan Mabin) among others.  Should the offense put up some points, the experienced Wildcat D should give NW a chance to meet their titanic preseason expectations.

2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: Nov. 5th @Nebraska...The Wildcats don't have Ohio State on their schedule, but the new team on the block should be a proper benchmark for Northwestern.
Predicted Record: 8-4 (4-4) {losses versus Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan State)