Early Top Five for 2011: Oklahoma is No 1
New York–Trying to tie up the loose ends of the 2010 season and get home. Here is my (ridiculously) early Top Five for 2011:
1. Oklahoma: The Sooners return 35 of the top 44 players including quarterback Landry Jones. Two guys I thought would turn pro–wide receiver Ryan Broyles and linebacker Travis Lewis–also return. The schedule becomes easier because the Big 12 no longer has a championship game. This will be the first year of the nine-game Big 12 schedule. Oklahoma has five home conference games and four on the road. A Sept. 17 trip to Florida State could be interesting.
2. Oregon: After losing to Auburn in the BCS championship game, Oregon coach Chip Kelly said “we’ll be back.” And I think the Ducks will. Running back LaMichael James decided to come back for his senior season. Quarterback Darron Thomas did not have a good BCS championship game (two interceptions) but he is only going to get better in Oregon’s offense. I don’t see who in the Pac-10 is going to beat Oregon because USC is down and Stanford, even with QB Andrew Luck returning, will take a dip with head coach Jim Harbaugh leaving for the pros.
3. LSU: The Tigers are going to lose three studs on defense in CB Patrick Peterson, who will turn pro early, LB Kelvin Sheppard, and DT Drake Nevis. But when LSU gets decent to good quarterback play, like Jordan Jefferson gave the Tigers in the Cotton Bowl, they are hard to handle. The quarterback position will only get better with the addition of Zach Mettenberger, a junior college transfer who started his career at Georgia. LSU has a chance to be the Auburn of 2011.
4. Florida State: I’m taking a little bit of a flyer on the Seminoles because they are going to have to rebuild their offensive line. It may be a year too early to make this call but I think the offense will be more versatile with E.J. Manuel at quarterback and that the defense is going to be pretty good because of the talent Jimbo Fisher and his staff as recruited. This is a reach pick. So what do you think?
5. Alabama: You saw how good Alabama could be when the Crimson Tide just beat down Michigan State in the Cap One Bowl. Yes, they’ll miss Greg McElroy at quarterback but I think AJ McCarron or Phillip Simms will fit right in and run the offense. Yes they will miss RB Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner. But Trent Richardson just might win the 2011 Heisman Trophy. LB Dont’a Hightower, who missed most of the 2009 season with a knee injury, started regaining his old form in the second half of 2010. He will come back and become an All-American in 2011. And if safety Mark Barron comes back, that’s two guys that coach Nick Saban thought he might lose. After playing six teams after they had open dates this season, the schedule will be much kinder in 2011.
In case you’re wondering, LSU comes to Alabama on Nov. 5, 2011.
Who am I leaving out? Boise State returns quarterback Kellen Moore (74 TD, only 9 INT) over the past two years. TCU will be good again even without quarterback Andy Dalton. Does Florida bounce back big under Will Muschamp?
Give me your Top Five for 2011.
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342 comments Add your comment
Al
January 13th, 2011
5:01 pm
Tony please check the schedules. Alabama will have the tough ones coming to their place, and their defense will be awesome. Also, A..J. will be a much better passer. I would rank them number two.
Saban Looks Like Willie B
January 13th, 2011
5:12 pm
Watch This BAMA dude: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXmZCd_059I
Hello Newton ( no soup for you)
January 13th, 2011
5:28 pm
How bout them Dawgs??? We have Murray, no AJ, no coach, we should be at least in the top 100!!!
Not so much...
January 13th, 2011
5:40 pm
Free Shoes? LeSU? Hype.
Oregon, Bama and OU? Legit.
If ole Cammie comes back, Auburn will be top 5 again.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
January 13th, 2011
6:04 pm
Nobody cheats as well as we do!
WAR CAM EAGLE!!!
do-dah do-dah
January 13th, 2011
6:06 pm
FBI Family- ALL IN!! You betcha!
scnolesfan
January 13th, 2011
6:17 pm
Folks, FSU on the rise. 2 bad plays from 12 – 2 this year, in the 1st one with Jimbo in charge and a new D coordinator. Jimbo’s building an SEC program in the ACC using Saban’s script and Bobby’s folksiness, if lighter on both. I’m not saying 2011 top 5 yet, I gawked when ESPN had us at 7. The O line will be fine, Trick has that covered, the BEST OL coach period. Jimbo will have success with a more dynamic EJ under center and his backup is Ponder part II. Running backs galore. A reciever needs to be the man though. Defense loaded with studs. The talent is getting developed and much more is coming. We’re on nearly every worthy player’s list, even where we’re already loaded. State of Florida champs repeat, take the ACC, get into the BCS, top 10 very likely, Top 5, well, Ummm, I’m hopeful. NC title in 2012 is likely. GO NOLES!!!!!
Saban Looks Like Willie B
January 13th, 2011
7:12 pm
he FBI investigates criminal activity. They do not give a flip if every player in the country sells his trinkets to an agent or if every school in the country pays players to attend their school. These things are against NCAA rules but they are not illegal.
Those of you waiting breathlessly for the FBI to “reveal” things about this need to adjust your thinking to the fact that the FBI is not conducting an investigation into violation of NCAA policies and they will not be doing so. They have their own responsibilities and could not care less about NCAA policy.
Mr. MacGlue
January 13th, 2011
7:22 pm
The Ohio University Bobcats will March across the NCCAA landscape like the Pharaoh’s army, beating Ohio State so bad Jimmy will be waiving his sweater vest as a surrender flag by the end of the second quarter. They will push on to a glorious undefeated season. Pardon me while I put some more model airplane glue in the bottom of my paper bag before I pronounce Wake Forest National Champion!
Whiskeydawg
January 13th, 2011
7:24 pm
The Dawgs will be number 1 !!!! (well, I can still dream, can’t I?)
Tell the truth
January 13th, 2011
7:40 pm
Saban Looks Like Willie B Well I know for one that I am so impressed with your first hand knowledge of the current state of the investigation in the state of Alabama. Perhaps you could log on daily and continue to impart more of your special insight to us unwashed masses.
Tell the truth
January 13th, 2011
7:42 pm
Please tell us that the FBI are no longer in the state while investigating any type of illegal activities. I feel confident that you know.
south
January 13th, 2011
8:05 pm
fsu….no way top 5…maybe top 25. The auburn deal is not over….starting to heat up again.
Alabama will win it all next year.
HeWhoKnows
January 13th, 2011
8:20 pm
To those of you who think the O lline at FSU is being “Rebuilt” the term “reloaded” would be a better term. Trickett used nine (9) offensive linemen this year as starters, only lost two, and gained the best two JUCO O linemen in the country. I also would not say “new” to EJ Manuel at QB…He has started (and WON) FSU’s last two bowl games…I believe he is 4 and 1 (two bowl games) as a starter and has plenty of back up time. Tony should have known all this…maybe he did since he rated them so high. They are definately a top ten team, but we will find out how good when Oklahoma visits them in September.
ike
January 13th, 2011
8:24 pm
FSU is back and they will prove it next season. Only Question is the O-line really. EJ has already proven that he can win games under pressure and with weeks notice. He’s 2-0 in bowl games and he’s got 2 more years of eligibility & he’s not your typical run first QB he can actually throw the ball. Defense returns all but 1-2 starters. The real test will be week 3 OU v’s FSU. For the Big Ten u saw there bowl games they’ll be lucky to have 1 team in the top ten. As for the SEC, LSU is definently front runner Bama loses key guys and no QB’s with any real experience so they wont be there at season end. SEC will have a down year. Oregon will make another run but will fall short with one loss.
puppydawg
January 13th, 2011
8:24 pm
Probation is coming for Auburn because of paying players and recruiting violations long before Newton arrived. He just gave the NCAA more reason to investigate. FBI has nothing to do with it.
daldevs
January 13th, 2011
9:58 pm
FSU is definitely on the rise. Time will tell, but I think we are absolutely a top 10 team. I noticed a post about our O-line. We’re not rebuilding that line, we are reloading it.
Trickett is an excellent line coach that has taken 3* talent and turned it into the best offensive guard in the country (and it’s not close). He’s now getting elite talent at offensive line, but even more importantly he’s getting elite talent that can play and start NOW.
The best JUCO offensive lineman (6′4″ 320) is already on campus and will be taking over Hudson’s spot at LG. At RG, our oft-injured starter will be returning in 2011, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise that he missed so much time. We had FOUR different starters at RG this season…all underclassmen.
Aside from Fahrenkrug, the rest of our 2011 incoming Oline crop is also stout – we’ve got 2 in the top 10 at their position coming in and 3 in the top 15 at their position. Don’t worry. We’re good.
ckgator
January 13th, 2011
10:10 pm
FSU is a trendy pretender. The 90’s are gone…FSU is in a 2-division ACC now. Much has changed and the Noles will never have what they had under Bowden in his prime. Plain and simple…
Gabby
January 13th, 2011
10:15 pm
Um stupid, LaMichael James was a redshirt freshman, so in football land, he’s a junior.
Bayou Tiger
January 13th, 2011
10:17 pm
Geaux Tony, Geaux Tigers. Great analysis. Cancel the SEC championship game, cancel the BCS, let the top 2 SEC teams regardless of division play on 1-1-12 to decide the national championship.
Hey Spineless Barhhart
January 13th, 2011
10:36 pm
“how good Bama can be” What the hell, MSU did not show up. Anybody that has competed against someone knows whent he other team was not even on the field. Said another way. Bama plays MSU 10 times. Avg margin of victory 42 point? Yeah, and you have a backbone too.
Again, you said nothing about Saban’s debacle against Auburn or Spurrier’s debacle or loss in the bowl. Integrity eludes you…..consistently.
Not Yet
January 13th, 2011
10:37 pm
Diehard Nole here, and yes, it is a year early. Jimbo hasn’t had control of the defense long enough to make have a top 4 DT. We still can’t collapse the pocket, and the new guys take a while to develop at the position.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
January 14th, 2011
2:33 am
If Mettenberger leads LSU to an SEC championship, the heads of UGA fans on this blog will literally explode..and amusing as that would be, nobody likes to see a sexual assaulting creep succeed..except pittsburg fans…so I hope MSU wins the sec west..IF AU is not going to win it, of course..Coach of the year GENE CHIZIK is a man of awesome recruiting and coaching skill, as the TWO national championship rings(and the 3rd special year ring because AU was undefeated and untied in 2004) on his hand attest..
“Who printed up the ‘Together we thrive’ t-shirts at such short notice for a memorial service? You stay classy, Obama. What an arrogant ass”
JASon
January 14th, 2011
2:42 am
Mr. College Football, I hope you didn’t injure yourself doing research for these picks. Sounds like you just picked the teams you knew off the top of your head. What is it with you and Alabama are you on their payroll or something? What makes you think both LSU and Alabama make it in the top 5, considering they play each other. Do you have a learning disorder
BAMA dude
January 14th, 2011
6:41 am
Wow, the Noles are doing a lot of talking for a team that gave up an average of 39 ppg in four losses, including 44 to Virginia Tech in the ACCCG.
Grim Reaper
January 14th, 2011
8:08 am
This just in, “JIMBO FISHER HAS BEEN THE HEAD COACH AT FSU FOR THREE YEARS NOW! HE’S RECRUITED THE PLAYERS THERE FOR THOSE THREE YEARS! Puh’lease, E.J. Manuel they bent over backwards trying to give him the QB spot when they finally had to let Ponder have it. The jump ball offense only works when you have 6′6″ recievers, like the Benjamin kid they just got. ACC? “All Coast Clear” for FSU and Miami and the stepchildren that follow them. A “reach”? You got a better shot of hitting the lotto then trying to fix the broken axles on that beat up old busted down Bandwagon know as FSU. I can still see that half empty erector set stadium at halftime of the Wake Forest debacle a short two years ago, the grave has been dug for them for somtime now, it won’t be long till Jimbo is fired faster than Richt should’ve been. FSU back? Yeah, like George Costanza, and we all know how that ended…
Tigers Rule
January 14th, 2011
8:34 am
LSU will win the BCS title in 2011—bet the house. The Tigers are loaded on both sides of the ball and will beat OU next year in New Orleans for the title, easily.
For The Bammer On Here Trashing Auburn....
January 14th, 2011
8:43 am
Tell The Truth you are way off here. The FBI is investigating vote-buying in the state senate tied to bingo legislation NOT AUBURN UNIVERSITY. You and all these other idiots are spreading mis-information. The only outlet that has reported McGregor being probed is TMZ. If you get all your news infrormation from TMZ you are even more mis-informed & clueless than I thought. Since you know so much, I’m sure you are also aware that several Alabama Crimson Tide boosters and supporters are also being probed. You can’t be a legislator in the state senate without having ties to both state universities. Wouldn’t it be ironic if this probe ends up bringing down Bama and exonerating Auburn? Bob Riley wanted to kill the bill, so he had his opponents investigated and locked up. Read some of these quotes:
I told them under no condition should they be discussing bingo and money together, don’t do it, don’t joke about it because we’re all being watched…I don’t know what all is about to happen around here but you get the feeling that all hell is about to break loose.” – Rep John Rogers (D).
“We believe this is a blatant attempt to undercut the people’s right to vote on the bingo issue, something that a large majority of citizens support, and to ensure the death of this legislation. This is about intimidation and killing bingo. The timing proves it…” – Joint statement issued by Senators: Zeb Little, Rodger Smitherman, Lowell Barron, Hank Sanders, and Roger Bedford, (all Democrats).
“If someone has done something wrong, they need to be investigated and prosecuted…But if no one has done anything, it is a shame to see the criminal justice system used as a political weapon. It’s wrong and it’s been going on too long.” – Senator Roger Bedford (D).
“The governor is using everything in the book to deny the people the right to vote…” – Senator Zeb Little (D).
“I can’t think of a legitimate law enforcement purpose to do something like this…” Doug Jones, Alabama Democratic Caucus.
“It smells of a desperate attempt to keep Alabama from getting this issue…” Attorney Brett Bloomston, representing Country Crossing lobbyist Jarrod Massey.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
January 14th, 2011
8:46 am
We got away with it this year. We will probably have to wait another 50 years to attempt it again, but I just LOVE IT when a plan comes together.
Thank you Bobby Lowder, Pat Dye, Jimmy Rane, Milton McGregor, Trooper Taylor and Coach Chizik. There is no goal that we can’t accomplish when we’re ALL IN and we come together as a Family. Besides, I think asterisks are pretty. They look like little stars!
For The Bammer On Here Trashing Auburn....
January 14th, 2011
8:57 am
Governor Riley received a bunch of cash from Indian casinos for his campaign, then he turns around and goes after Alabama for gambling. Riley’s using this probe to sink his political opponents, even a mullet troll can see that. It just so happens that almost every person arrested is a Democrat. Hmmmm…..Most Unusual.
For The Bammer On Here Trashing Auburn....
January 14th, 2011
9:01 am
Where did Governor Riley go to school: You guessed it….The University of Alabama. He also stole the election in 2002.
Riley did not run for re-election to the House in November 2002 (as a supporter of term limits, he imposed a three-term limit on himself), instead running for Governor of Alabama and defeating the Democratic incumbent by approximately 3,000 votes – the narrowest margin in the state’s history for a gubernatorial race. The result was controversial, as the initial election night count showed a 2,000-plus vote victory for Riley’s opponent, Don Siegelman.
For The Bammer On Here Trashing Auburn....
January 14th, 2011
9:03 am
n November 2005, Riley was linked to the Jack Abramoff scandal when his former Congressional press secretary, Michael Scanlon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy in the matter. It further emerged that, as a Congressman, Riley signed a letter on behalf of the U.S. Family Network, opposing expansion of casino gambling in Alabama.[29] The U.S. Family Network was revealed to be an Abramoff front, funded by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, which operated competing casinos.[30] Riley has denied knowing the source of this funding.
For The Bammer On Here Trashing Auburn....
January 14th, 2011
9:07 am
Let’s see Riley has ties to Jack Abramoff. Who is he you ask:
In late 2004, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee began to investigate Abramoff’s lobbying on behalf of American Indian tribes and casinos. In September he was called before the Committee to answer questions about that work, but pleaded the fifth.[75] In August 2005, Abramoff and Kidan were indicted by a federal jury in Miami on wire fraud charges related to their dealings with SunCruz Casinos.
On January 3, 2006, Abramoff pled guilty to three criminal felony counts related to the defrauding of American Indian tribes and corruption of public officials, in a Washington, D.C., federal court.[76] The four tribes Abramoff and his associates had been involved with included Michigan’s Saginaw Chippewas, California’s Agua Caliente, the Mississippi Choctaws, and the Louisiana Coushattas. Abramoff was accused of defrauding the tribes of tens of millions of dollars on issues associated with Indian gaming.[77] The following day he pleaded guilty to two criminal felony counts in a separate federal court, in Miami, related to the SunCruz deal.[78]
On September 4, 2008, a Washington court found Abramoff guilty of trading expensive gifts, meals and sports trips in exchange for political favors and he was sentenced to a four-year term in prison, to be served concurrently with his previous sentences.[79][80]
Abramoff served most of a six year sentence after pleading guilty in January 2006 to charges of conspiracy, honest services fraud, and tax evasion. For the mail fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion charges stemming from the influence-peddling scandal in Washington, Abramoff was sentenced to four years in federal prison on September 4, 2008, by U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle. He had faced up to 11 years in prison.[81] Abramoff cooperated in a bribery investigation involving lawmakers, their aides, and members of the Bush administration.
savh dawg
January 14th, 2011
9:08 am
Hey Analyst Urban Meyer, maybe you are not ranked top 5 because you return that overated senior quarterback
FSU-Fan
January 14th, 2011
9:33 am
I don’t think FSU will have to rebuild their O-Line as much as stated. Yes they lose two great players, but they have several backup who played a lot this year (and very well) and are ready to start, as well as the top Juco OL player who is ready to go. All that being said, the team still needs to mature, and it is a little premature to put them in the top five. I think somewhere around 10 is right. 2012, though should be a great year.
Tom
January 14th, 2011
9:37 am
Merculf comment: AU top 5….funny, Newton / Fairley dont dare stay risking NCAA sanction that AU gets, title vacated, etc, etc…they should run to the NFL where they get paid legally. Looks like Newton just got a pay increase for 2011!!
SmackDown
January 14th, 2011
6:10 pm
LOL @ Gator acting like returning Brantley is a good thing! By the way, EJ Manuel has started 6 or 7 games already, and FSU is not “rebuilding” the offensive line as 3 starters return and the other two have starting experience already. FSU is a complete team and deserves to be in the top 10 at least.
Wesley
January 15th, 2011
10:37 pm
Ok, for starters any of you who honestly believe that “the Ohio State” is a legitimate national title contender need a seriously reality check. The Big Ten has for the last ten years been a complete joke when compared to the SEC. Look at this year for example, Michigan was beat by 38, Michigan State ( which tied Wisconsin and Ohio State for the Big Ten Championship) lost by 42, Wisconsin lost to TCU, and yes “the Ohio State” beat Arkansas, BUT Arkansas by almost anyone’s account was the worst defense in the SEC….. I give absolutely no credit to Ohio State going into next year purely on the basis that the Big Ten has and will continue to be a joke in college football. Urban Meyer’s offense never managed to play a good game all season, and I don’t care whether they were “inspired” or not, they moved the ball up and down the field against a Penn State team that only one their games BECAUSE of their defense. Illinois beat Baylor, and Iowa beat Missouri. If I had to give any Big Ten team credit for playing well this bowl season it would be Iowa. Now onto the question as to who does deserve to be in the Top 5, I believe Oklahoma with their watered down Nebraska-less Big 12 schedule will waltz through their in conference schedule, but they will have an early test against a tough Florida State team that is playing in Doak Campbell Stadium which is arguably as big of a home field advantage as you can find. Florida State may not play in the most difficult conference, but they soundly beat the 1 and 2 finishers in the SEC East. Florida will continue to be a joke next season until Will Muschamp can get his system installed (don’t worry gator fans, they will be back to form within 2 years at most). Oklahoma is my preseason #1, and Alabama is my # 2, after those two the Top 3-8 are pretty fluid containing a tough Oregon team that has yet to win the big game, Stanford who has the Heisman favorite going into next year, LSU which has alot to prove on offense but will still give Alabama all they can handle, Florida State which will finish with the top recruiting class and is arguably on the biggest roll going into next season and is also returning one of the best defenses in the country, Boise State which has alot to prove without Kellen Moore’s go to receivers, TCU which will try to recover from some heavy losses, and an Oklahoma State team that won’t surprise anyone if they are undefeated when Oklahoma comes to Stillwater. I honestly have to say that many people who discount teams like Florida State and Texas A&M are going to feel really uninformed when they see one of those two vying for a slot in the national title. Beware, whichever of those two beat Oklahoma (and FSU has the edge there) will be heavily considered for a spot in the title game. Florida State has two season changing games next year, @ Florida and hosting Oklahoma, if they win those and run the table in the ACC they should be in the Top 5 and possibly in the BCS championship. Texas A&M is the same if they run the Big 12 and can conquer Oklahoma in Norman. Also keep an eye out for a team like USC to play spoiler to an Oregon or Stanford in the Pac-12 title game. My final team to watch in 2011 is South Carolina solely because of their defensive returners, Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery. They have a shot to repeat as SEC East winners.
Dawgs in 2011!
January 16th, 2011
7:55 am
With richt spending more time on just football and a bunch of returning talent, look for UGA to wiin big in 2011!!! The dawgs should easily win the SEC east—florida and sc will be way down and tenn has nothing. Ga plays lsu for the title—mark it down!
Visuallogic
January 16th, 2011
2:27 pm
Noles DOMINATED florida and miami. We now OWN the state. Get used to it, and stop living in the past. Expect another spanking this year also. Dont hate… Relate
Jeremy
January 16th, 2011
7:11 pm
I think FSU in the Top 5 is well deserved. They lose Ponder, but EJ played very well and is now experienced. The defense returns great players. This is a team that lost all but one game by less than 3 points!
aggie94
January 20th, 2011
12:01 pm
NEB will stun the Big 10…play and lose to a SEC team….I’d bet on BAMA. OU will lose one or two games…