1. Oklahoma
-Returning QB? Check. Returning stud WR? Check. Defense that grew as the season went on and at the end of the year looked like a national title contender? Check. Oklahoma has as much talent as anyone in the country and they will turn from a young team with potential, to a seasoned team that knows how to win. The Sooners will be the class of the Big 12 and have a great shot at going unbeaten.
2. Alabama
-If there was a playoff, Alabama may very well have won it. Despite losing three games, they were still the scariest team to play. Just ask Michigan State who got annihilated by an angry 'Bama team in the Capital One Bowl. New QB A.J. McCarron is more than capable and RB Trent Richardson will emerge as a heisman front runner. Also, keep an eye on backup EB Eddie Lacy.
3. Oregon
-The Ducks were overmatched by Auburn in the national title but there is still a lot to be excited about in Eugene. Some work will need to be done to replace a few starters along the line and receiver Jeff Maehl, but the defense will be even better and LaMichael James and Darron Thomas return to lead the blitzkrieg Ducks offense.
4. LSU
- Les Miles will be returning in 2011 and he will have a loaded team down in Baton Rouge. Jordan Jefferson looked as good as he ever has in a Bowl spanking of Texas A&M, and the defense showed it has play makers beyond the NFL-bound Patrick Peterson. Their running game should be fierce next season behind Stevan Ridley, Richard Murphy, Spencer Ware, and Mike Ford. Reuben Randle should become a star on the outside with an improved Jefferson throwing him the ball.
5. Stanford
-Losing Harbaugh and his intensity will hurt, but having the best QB in the country will help. Luck's decision to come back was surprising. The defense has some young studs like Owen Maricic and Shayne Skov who will give Stanford the ability to not just beat you with their offense but win defensive struggles too. They will also get the added bonus of getting Oregon in Palo Alto.
6. Oklahoma State
-This could change depending on the decision of WR Justin Blackmon, but QB Brandon Weeden will return and this is a team that is really coming together. They have yet to get over the Oklahoma hump, but with an improving defense and a high-powered offense the Cowboys could be on the verge of a breakout season and their first BCS berth.
7. Arkansas
-This is not going to be a popular pick around the country. Mallett leaves and people think this team will collapse. Well, America, meet QB Tyler Wilson. He may not have the rocket arm of Mallett but he may be a better overall fit for the Petrino offense. Knile Davis can be an elite runner to balance out the offense and with a defense returning most of it's key players they could be a darkhorse contender. However, they will play at Alabama and at LSU.
8. Florida State
-Today, Robert Smith of ESPN picked them #2 in the country. I won't go quite that high but the Seminoles are definitely on the right track. E.J. Manuel will be a more than adequate replacement of Christian Ponder (as seen by his Chick-Fil-A Bowl performance) and the running game looks like it could bring the Noles the ACC title next season. The defense got better and better under Mark Stoops and with a top recruiting class coming in to add depth they should only improve.
9. South Carolina
-The Gamecocks had their most successful season in their history making the SEC Championship, beating Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee all in the same season! However, they ended with a thud being squashed by Auburn in the SEC title and Florida State in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Marcus Lattimore may be the best running back in the country and the defense will improve with the likely addition of #1 player in the country out of high school Jadaveon Clowney.
10. Penn State
-Someone has to emerge in the Big Ten. Wisconsin will lose a few o-lineman, their quarterback, and a running back. Ohio State, if they don't lose multiple players to the draft, will lose 5 key players to suspension for the first 5 games. Penn State on the other hand brings back their entire defense and every key skill position players except for Evan Royster. The Lions do have Silas Redd and Stephfon (that's not a misspelling) Green ready to take over. The defense will be quality as usual, and the Lions should be the big ten frontrunners.
Also Considered: Mississippi State, Boise State, BYU, Wisconsin, Florida, Nebraska, West Virginia
Way Too Early Heisman Candidates:
Andrew Luck QB Stanford
Trent Richardson RB Alabama
LaMichael James RB Oregon
Landry Jones QB Oklahoma
Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma
Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina
Brandon Weeden QB Oklahoma State
No comments:
Post a Comment