Every offseason it seems like we get lost in the updates on recruiting and player injuries and lose touch on how the top ten is shaping up for college football. The good news is I’m here for the rescue.
Here’s my latest top 10, complete with each team’s opener listed:
| TEAM | OPENER | ||
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Oklahoma Sooners | Vs. Tulsa (Sept 3) |
| Oklahoma is the consensus number one choice, but they aren’t unbeatable. The Sooners are my number one for the season reason they are everyone else’s number one: They return an experienced, proven starting quarterback, one of the nation’s best wide receivers, and a proven head coach that has won a national title. Previous: 1 | |||
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Oregon Ducks | Vs. LSU (Sept 3) |
| The Ducks offense will be the best in the country. Quarterback Darron Thomas has become a consistent passer, while LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner continue to blaze through defenses. Cornerback Cliff Harris is going to be one of the nation’s top defensive players, although he needs to stop making stupid decisions. | |||
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Alabama Crimson Tide | Vs. Kent State (Sept. 3) |
| Only Nick Saban could lose his starting quarterback, running back, and his best wide receiver and be expected to win a national championship. The Crimson Tide’s defense is going to be silly good, but the offensive questions make them a championship contender full of questions. | |||
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Florida State Seminoles | Vs. Louisiana-Monroe (Sept. 3) |
| New starting quarterback E. J. Manuel seems to be picking up the offense quickly in Tallahassee. Meanwhile, a defense led by playmakers Brandon Jenkins and Xavier Rhodes seem destined to lead the Seminoles into a BCS bowl. | |||
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Stanford Cardinal | Vs. San Jose State (Sept. 3) |
| Jim Harbaugh’s departure is a big blow but new head coach David Shaw has a lot to work with in his first season as a head coach. Quarterback Andrew Luck is the type of talent that comes across only a few times each decade type quarterback talent. On defense Shayne Skov will lead a squad that returns six starters. | |||
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Nebraska Cornhuskers | Vs. Chattanooga (Sept. 3) |
| Taylor Martinez needs to become a more consistent passer in 2011, but if he does, Nebraska has to be the favorite in the new look Big Ten. On defense the Cornhuskers are loaded. Defensive tackle, Jared Crick, and linebacker Lavonte David are among the stars that will shine for the ‘Huskers this year defensively. | |||
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LSU Tigers | Vs. Oregon (Sept. 3) |
| I’m not as sold on the Tigers as others, because it seems like more than any other team LSU is getting the same treatment Florida and Texas received last season. That doesn’t mean the Tigers will fade, but it does mean there are some question marks. Starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson threw more interceptions that touchdowns last season and one great game vs. Texas A&M doesn’t change that. Also, Russell Shephard was moved to wide receiver last season, but never made any tremendous plays. He will have to have a breakout season this year for LSU to reach their lofty expectations. | |||
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Oklahoma State Cowboys | Vs. Louisiana (Sept 3) |
| On offense, Oklahoma State might be the most explosive team in the country (along with Oregon). Outside of Andrew Luck, wide receiver Justin Blackmon is the best offensive player in college football. The question for the Cowboys (like always) is whether or not the defense will make enough stops this season. Only five starters return on that side of the ball. | |||
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Ohio State Buckeyes | Vs. Akron (Sept. 3) |
| Even without former head coach Jim Tressel and former quarterback Terrelle Pryor, the Buckeyes figure to factor very strongly in the Big Ten race. Interim head coach Luke Fickell steps in from co-defensive coordinator to a position where he gets to feel the brunt of the heat of a scrutinized program with high expectations. How Fickell handles that jump will likely determine, at least in part, how Ohio State fares this upcoming season. | |||
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Boise State Broncos | Vs. Georgia (Sept. 3) |
| Boise State continues to be a factor nationally year in and year out and that won’t change with the Broncos jump to the Mountain West. Boise returns 14 starters, including ultra consistent quarterback Kellen Moore and running back Doug Martin. We’ll learn a lot about the Broncos in the opener against Georgia. | |||
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