NCAA Football Top 25, May Edition
1. Oklahoma Sooners
At this juncture, it’s pretty much a given that the Oklahoma Sooners are the nation’s top team, and likely the favorites to win the BCS title. Quarterback Landry Jones is primed for a huge season, and he has tons of targets around him, including returning speedster Ryan Broyles. Jones’ offensive line is finally experienced and in tact, and the defense returns one of its core pieces in linebacker Travis Lewis.
2. Stanford Cardinal
Football is a quarterbacks game, and Stanford has the best quarterback in college football. Not to mention, they have a talented offensive line and a top tier receiver prospect. The key for Stanford is Andrew Luck, who could complete in upwards of 75 percent of his passes this year if he continues to progress. He will be the unquestioned top pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, and probably will be one of the top three guys at the end of the season in the Heisman voting.
3. LSU Tigers
This is a supremely talented football squad, but they will have a tough time beating Alabama if their defense can’t answer the call this year. The LSU offense has a ton of five star kids at the skill positions, but this is a boom or bust team. They lost a lot of talent defensively, and will need to really step up on that side of the ball.
4. Oregon Ducks
The Ducks bring back most of their core from the 2010 squad that went to the BCS title game, and I think they will continue to light up scoreboards all over the Pac 12. This is a team led by LaMichael James, Darron Thomas, and defensive back Cliff Harris, and man do they have speed across the board.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
We will likely see more consistent ball out of the Crimson Tide that perhaps we will see out of LSU, but Alabama is losing a significant chunk of their team from last season, including Julio Jones, Marcell Dareus, Mark Ingram, and James Carpenter, all of whom were first round picks in the draft. Trent Richardson is one of my top five candidates for the Heisman trophy.
6. Florida State Seminoles
Keep on hearing rave reviews about Florida State’s new QB E.J. Manuel, who is a 6’4″ 235 pound junior taking over for first round draft pick Christian Ponder. Manuel was a four star talent coming out of high school, and has some in-game experience already. If Florida State is going to break out like everyone thinks they will, he will be a huge reason why.
7. Boise State Broncos
The Broncos never get any love in the BCS, and until they join a real conference, that will not change, and they will continue to complain along with their fan base. Kellen Moore is a legitimate Heisman candidate who will need to have a big year for BSU if they are going to challenge for a BCS title.
8. Ohio State Buckeyes
Despite the controversy surrounding the Buckeyes right now, they are a very talented squad, and quite probably could live without Terrelle Pryor this season, but will only have to do it for five games. The key is going to be doing it without Jim Tressel, their head coach. Will the Bucks even be bowl eligible this year? We will see what happens, but it’s ugly in Columbus right now.
9. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State returns two very key components from last season–quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Justin Blackmon. Those two guys will be a potent tandem this year for the Cowboys, who start off the year with a top ten ranking and a tough road schedule.
10. Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies return 19 total starters from last year’s nine win team. That is a big number in a very competitive conference, and they are going to be an explosive offense with top ranked running back Cyrus Gray. This team is well-coached and experienced.
11. Arkansas Razorbacks
12. South Carolina Gamecocks
13. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
14. Michigan State Spartans
15. Michigan Wolverines
16. Nebraska Cornhuskers
17. TCU Horned Frogs
18. Wisconsin Badgers
19. Mississippi State Bulldogs
20. USC Trojans
21. Arizona State Sun Devils
22. West Virginia Mountaineers
23. Iowa Hawkeyes
24. Arizona Wildcats
25. Florida Gators