Topspin
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1. OKLAHOMA
Buzz: Oklahoma won the Big 12 and snapped its five-game BCS losing streak this season, which sets up a potentially huge 2011. QB Landry Jones had to be ecstatic that WR Ryan Broyles decided to stay for his senior season; LB Travis Lewis is staying in school, as well. In all, nine starters will be back on both sides of the ball for Bob Stoops.
2. ALABAMA
Buzz: The Tide won 10 games and destroyed Michigan State in the bowl game, but ask around and 'Bama fans will say it was a disappointing season. There will be a new quarterback (A.J. McCarron), a new starting tailback (Mark Ingram is going pro) and a new go-to receiver (Julio Jones is going pro). But the offensive line returns four starters, the secondary will be much improved and the front seven on defense should be extremely good.
3. STANFORD
Buzz: Yes, coach Jim Harbaugh is gone and he will be missed. But QB Andrew Luck surprisingly turned down NFL millions - many NFL millions - and will be back. The running game should be strong, and while the defensive line will undergo a makeover, this is a confident team these days.
4. LSU
Buzz: Les Miles will remain as coach, and who can blame him for wanting to stay? The Tigers are loaded with talent. QB Jordan Jefferson is the key to any league - or national - title hopes; he simply has to become more consistent. The defense returns seven starters, and as long as the new tackles come through, that defense again will be a good one.
5. OHIO STATE
Buzz: The Buckeyes closed the season strong, with a solid win over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. QB Terrelle Pryor's return is huge, and even though he and four other important players will miss the first five games, only one of those games looks that difficult.
6. AUBURN
Buzz: QB Cameron Newton and DT Nick Fairley are expected to go pro but they haven't announced yet, so the Tigers rank this highly because of those two alone. As it is, Auburn loses six starters on both sides of the ball, including four from a dominating offensive line.
7. OREGON
Buzz: QB Darron Thomas and TBs LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner will return for a Ducks attack that should again be extremely potent. Both lines will undergo a makeover, but the secondary should be excellent and the offensive backfield productive.
8. FLORIDA STATE
Buzz: Florida State loses two four-year starters on the offensive line (All-America G Rodney Hudson and C Ryan McMahon) and QB Christian Ponder, but the Seminoles return just about all their other top players from a 10-win team. The arrival of a talent-laden recruiting class should make Florida State the class of the ACC next season.
9. TEXAS A&M
Buzz: For the first time in a while, the Aggies will be facing truly high expectations - but they have the talent to live up to expectations. All the key skill-position players will be back, the offensive line returns four starters and a young defense made big strides this season under first-year coordinator Tim DeRuyter.
10. BOISE STATE
Buzz: We don't know who's going to be catching the ball for Boise State now that Austin Pettis and Titus Young have departed, but Boise State's offense should be in good shape as long as Kellen Moore is throwing the ball and able to hand off to Doug Martin. If the Broncos survive their
Buzz: Oklahoma won the Big 12 and snapped its five-game BCS losing streak this season, which sets up a potentially huge 2011. QB Landry Jones had to be ecstatic that WR Ryan Broyles decided to stay for his senior season; LB Travis Lewis is staying in school, as well. In all, nine starters will be back on both sides of the ball for Bob Stoops.
2. ALABAMA
Buzz: The Tide won 10 games and destroyed Michigan State in the bowl game, but ask around and 'Bama fans will say it was a disappointing season. There will be a new quarterback (A.J. McCarron), a new starting tailback (Mark Ingram is going pro) and a new go-to receiver (Julio Jones is going pro). But the offensive line returns four starters, the secondary will be much improved and the front seven on defense should be extremely good.
3. STANFORD
Buzz: Yes, coach Jim Harbaugh is gone and he will be missed. But QB Andrew Luck surprisingly turned down NFL millions - many NFL millions - and will be back. The running game should be strong, and while the defensive line will undergo a makeover, this is a confident team these days.
4. LSU
Buzz: Les Miles will remain as coach, and who can blame him for wanting to stay? The Tigers are loaded with talent. QB Jordan Jefferson is the key to any league - or national - title hopes; he simply has to become more consistent. The defense returns seven starters, and as long as the new tackles come through, that defense again will be a good one.
5. OHIO STATE
Buzz: The Buckeyes closed the season strong, with a solid win over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. QB Terrelle Pryor's return is huge, and even though he and four other important players will miss the first five games, only one of those games looks that difficult.
6. AUBURN
Buzz: QB Cameron Newton and DT Nick Fairley are expected to go pro but they haven't announced yet, so the Tigers rank this highly because of those two alone. As it is, Auburn loses six starters on both sides of the ball, including four from a dominating offensive line.
7. OREGON
Buzz: QB Darron Thomas and TBs LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner will return for a Ducks attack that should again be extremely potent. Both lines will undergo a makeover, but the secondary should be excellent and the offensive backfield productive.
8. FLORIDA STATE
Buzz: Florida State loses two four-year starters on the offensive line (All-America G Rodney Hudson and C Ryan McMahon) and QB Christian Ponder, but the Seminoles return just about all their other top players from a 10-win team. The arrival of a talent-laden recruiting class should make Florida State the class of the ACC next season.
9. TEXAS A&M
Buzz: For the first time in a while, the Aggies will be facing truly high expectations - but they have the talent to live up to expectations. All the key skill-position players will be back, the offensive line returns four starters and a young defense made big strides this season under first-year coordinator Tim DeRuyter.
10. BOISE STATE
Buzz: We don't know who's going to be catching the ball for Boise State now that Austin Pettis and Titus Young have departed, but Boise State's offense should be in good shape as long as Kellen Moore is throwing the ball and able to hand off to Doug Martin. If the Broncos survive their
