The college football season has been over for less than a week, and I’m finished with 2011 and ready to look at 2012. My top 25 will probably change once some rosters get settle, but right now let’s see if your team makes this early pre-season poll. We aren’t even going to worry about schedule, just pure team power rankings.
1. LSU Tigers
You beat the Orange, Cotton, and Rose bowl champs. You won the SEC, and return just about everyone.
2. USC Trojans
Never thought I’d be high on a Lane Kiffen coached team, but Matt Barkley’s return makes this team potentially great.
3. Oregon Ducks
QB Darron Thomas is back, that’s all you need to know.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
I’m not sure Alabama will ever start a season outside the top 10, as long Nick Saban is there, but losing Trent Richardson to the NFL will hurt… a little bit.
5. Oklahoma Sooners
Landry Jones returns at QB, and the offense should again be very explosive.
6. South Carolina Gamecocks
Do you realize South Carolina won 11 games without Marcus Lattimore much of the season.
7. Michigan Wolverines
It didn’t long for Brady Hoke to turn Michigan around.
8. Arkansas Razorbacks
Bobby Petrino has gotten Arkansas to the point where they are good every year.
9. Michigan St. Spartans
I like what Mark Dantonio is doing at Michigan St. Back to back 11 win years, and credit them for scheduling Boise St.
10. Florida State Seminoles
If the Noles can find any kind of running game, they could be very dangerous.
11. West Virginia Mountaineers
Score 70 points in the Orange Bowl and you’ll get some pre-season love.
12. Georgia Bulldogs
Andy Murray will be one of the better returning SEC quarterbacks.
13. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Is this the year the Cornhuskers breakout and become an elite team? It will depend on QB Taylor Martinez.
14. Kansas St. Wildcats
Bill Snyder can flat out coach. Wildcats return much of their offensive firepower.
15. TCU Horned Frogs
You don’t doubt Gary Patterson do you?
16. Virgina Tech Hokies
When aren’t the Hokies good? When will the Hokis be great?
17. Texas Longhorns
Time for Mack Brown to get the Longhorns back in the top 20.
18. Boise St. Broncos
Even with QB Kellen Moore’s departure, the Broncos have earned everybody’s respect.
19. Missouri Tigers
Lots of players returning from an 8-5 team that lost 1 game by more than 10 points.
20. Oklahoma St. Cowboys
Mike Gundy is too good a coach to let the Cowboys slip much, even without Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon
21. Clemson Tigers
Great skill on offense, but how can you trust the defense?
22. Wisconsin Badgers
After 3 straight 10+ win seasons, the Badger have become one of college football’s more consistent teams and shouldn’t drop off much, even with the loss of QB Russell Wilson.
23. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
May Tim Tebow help you if are QB for Brian Kelly.
24. Stanford Cardinals
Andrew Luck is gone but there’s still some talent there in Cardinal land.
25. NC State Wolfpack
Mike Glennon is a quarterback to watch in 2012.
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