Draft Headquarters Preseason CFB Top 25

1. Alabama – Although not the consensus favorite to begin the year, Alabama is my No. 1 ranked team in the country for the 2011 season, and my pick to win the National Championship. Entering with by far the country’s best defense as well an offense built around the best running back in college football, I expect the Tide to run through their easier schedule this year. They don’t face South Carolina or Georgia and get both LSU and Arkansas at home. The only question with the Tide is whether they will be able to replace Greg McElroy as the team’s starting quarterback. If they can, it could be smooth sailing for Alabama.

2. Oklahoma – Armed with 16 returning starters, the Sooners are positioned perfectly to make a run at the national championship this season. With an experienced quarterback, receiving core, and defense, as well as no Big 12 Championship Game they have to play, it’s easy to see why Oklahoma is everyone’s favorite this year. The only potential roadblocks for them are the fact that they have to play at Florida State and at Oklahoma State, two of my Top 10 teams in the country.

3. Boise State – The Broncos have gotten so close to the national championship game, that this year could be their time. They return key players on both offense (Kellen Moore, Doug Martin, Nate Potter) and defense (Billy Winn, George Iloka), and if they can get past Georgia on the road in the opening weekend, as well as TCU at home later in the year, the Broncos could be in place for their first berth in the big game.

4. Oregon – Ducks, despite having to play LSU and Stanford both on the road, have the pieces in place to make another run this season. Their core on offense returns with quarterback Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael James, and although they lose receiver Jeff Maehl and linebacker Casey Matthews, this team is poised to win the Pac-12 this season.

5. Stanford – You won’t find much of a bigger fan of Stanford than I am this season. With Andrew Luck leading the charge, as well as key returning starters Stepfan Taylor, Jonathan Martin, David DeCastro, Shayne Skov, Chase Thomas, and Delano Howell, this team has the makings of a championship team. Add in the fact that they play Oregon and Notre Dame both at home, and this team should have what it takes to battle Oregon for the Pac-12 championship.

6. Oklahoma State – Losing offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen will hurt the Cowboys’ offense, however with returning starters in Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon, this is still a team to be reckoned with. The schedule this season is not an easy one, which makes me hesitate putting them this high. However, I like the pieces that Oklahoma State has put into place and they could vie for a BCS bowl this season.

7. Texas A&M – Like with Oklahoma State, Texas A&M also has the key offensive pieces in place to make a run. Ryan Tannehill and Jeff Fuller developed outstanding chemistry last season, while Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael have made defenses respect both the run and the pass. Losin Von Miller hurts, but the team still returns seven-of-their 10 leading tacklers from last season. Playing Oklahoma State, Arkansas, and Texas at home as well as Oklahoma on the road shouldn’t be easy, but they have another shot to make it to a BCS bowl this year.

8. Wisconsin – Adding Russell Wilson to an already-stacked roster should give the Badgers a legitimate chance to win the Big Ten and head back to the Rose Bowl this year. Although the Badgers play Nebraska at home, heading to Michigan State and Ohio State won’t be an easy task, especially with Ohio State looking for revenge from last year’s defeat. It’s not out of the question for Wisconsin to run the table, but making a second-consecutive Rose Bowl appearance looks more likely.

9. Nebraska – The Huskers are making their debut in the new Big Ten, and should be capable of making a statement with the loaded roster they’re bringing to their new conference. With one of the best defenses in the country, as well as an offense that can hold their own, they should be able to compete with Wisconsin for the league’s championship. Don’t count out true freshman running back Aaron Green, who has the talent to be a star for the Huskers.

10. Florida State – In recent years, Florida State has revamped their recruiting and have ranked among the best in the country. This is the year where that hard work could pay off. With 16 returning starters and a haul of talented players, Florida State is a sleeper to make a big upset this year when they take on Oklahoma at home. The Seminoles, in head coach Jimbo Fisher’s second year, have to be considered favorites to win the ACC.

11. South Carolina – Another team from the southeast who has a loaded roster with talented players is the Gamecocks. Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffrey power this team, however with trips to Georgia, Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Arkansas, South Carolina has a tough road in 2011.

12. LSU – I am not on the LSU bandwagon this season, purely because I don’t believe they have the quarterback play to compete for a national championship. With tough games against Oregon, at Mississippi State, at West Virginia, and at Alabama, I don’t see the Tigers being quite as elite of a team as others do.

13. Virginia Tech – Although not an elite team talent-wise, the Hokies have a remarkably easy schedule (hardest games are Miami (FL) at home and at Georgia Tech) and could be on their way to competing for the ACC championship if they don’t get upset in any of their games.

14. Georgia – The Bulldogs are a sleeper to win the SEC this season. With top quarterback prospect Aaron Murray and a schedule that doesn’t include Alabama, LSU, or Arkansas, Georgia could be on their way to a great season if they can get past Boise State and South Carolina in the first two weeks of the year.

15. TCU – Although they lost Andy Dalton, TCU is back with another elite defense and have the chance to go to another BCS bowl if they can knock off Boise State in the new Mountain West Conference.

16. Notre Dame – Entering his second year as head coach, Brian Kelly has the Irish ready to reclaim the national spotlight in 2011. With 17 returning starters, Notre Dame has a manageable schedule other than road trips to Michigan, Pittsburgh, and Stanford. I don’t believe they’re a national championship contender, but don’t be surprised if Notre Dame is in the hunt for a BCS bowl when all is said and done.

17. Arkansas – The Razorbacks are one of my favorite teams for the 2011 season. If quarterback Tyler Wilson can play with the same form that he did against Auburn in 2010, Arkansas has a legitimate chance to go to a BCS bowl. The schedule is not easy, with trips to Alabama, LSU, and a game in Texas against Texas A&M, however the Razorbacks are a very experienced team who need to be considered sleepers to fall in the Top 10 by the end of the season.

18. Michigan State – The dark horse to win the Big Ten, Michigan State offers an experienced team under the direction of senior quarterback Kirk Cousins. The schedule is one that can has some road blocks with trips to Notre Dame, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Iowa. If not for the tough schedule, the Spartans would have to be considered one of the favorites to win the conference.

19. Mississippi State – If there’s a team in the SEC that could bring an upset to Alabama, LSU, or Arkansas, it’s Mississippi State. With 16 returning starters and a senior quarterback, the Bulldogs are poised to continue their momentum into 2011 off their demolishing of Michigan in the Gator Bowl last year. Playing at Georgia and Arkansas will be tough, but the Dogs have a legitimate chance to knock off LSU or Alabama, who they both play at home.

20. Ohio State – Losing Terrelle Pryor means that the development of Braxton Miller into being an elite quarterback has been put on the front burner. Despite losing their head coach and starting quarterback, the Buckeyes have a very talented roster as well as a manageable schedule other than games at Miami (FL), at Nebraska, and Wisconsin at home.

21. USC – If there was one year where the Trojans could make a legitimate chance to go all the way, this would be the year. However, without the eligibility to play in the bowl game, the Trojans will have to make their mark in the rankings instead. Under the direction of Lane Kiffin and quarterback Matt Barkley, USC has the weapons on offense as well as the talent on defense to beat nearly any team in the country. Other than games at Notre Dame, at Oregon, and Stanford at home, the schedule isn’t a brutal one.

22. Arizona State – Quarterback Brock Osweiler, who came on at the end of the season, will be relied on to lead this talented Sun Devil team in 2011. The defense figures to again be a major strength, however with 15 returning starters, ASU has the experience needed to have a great year. The schedule is not easy, with Missouri and USC at home, as well as road games at Illinois, Utah, and Oregon.

23. Texas – It all comes down to quarterback play for the Longhorns. If Garrett Gilbert can play up to the level that his former top recruit status suggests he can, then Texas could be in for a great year. The team is loaded with former top recruits and may have a running back to lean on this year in stud Malcolm Brown. The schedule has games against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, at Texas A&M, at Missouri, and at UCLA, so it’s not an easy one in 2011.

24. West Virginia – New head coach Dana Holgorsen is in this season and has eight returning starters to work with on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, the team returns 14 sacks and 17 passes defended from Bruce Irvin and Keith Tandy, giving the Mountaineers a legitimate chance to win the Big East this year.

25. Iowa – Although they lost one of the best defensive lines in football as well as quarterback Ricky Stanzi, Iowa is reloading this year behind another great offesive line and a new star running back in Marcus Coker. Their schedule is very favorable this year, missing out on both Wisconsin and Ohio State, as well as getting Pittsburgh, Michigan, and Michigan State all at home.