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NCAA Football Coaches’ Preseason Poll | Handicapping Analysis

Shea Matthews weighs in with his 2011 Breakdown of the 2011 Preseason NCAA football coaches poll. The USA Today Coaches’ Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football teams…

College Football Preseason Rankings 2011 – Coaches’ Polls Breakdown

When the NCAA football preseason coaches’ poll comes out, you know the season is really close. Let’s have a look at the rankings, which came out on Thursday.

1. Oklahoma Sooners: Totally agree with this pick. Oklahoma looks like the team to beat. Landry Jones leads a powerhouse offense.

OU Sooners #1 In The Preseason Coaches Poll

2. Alabama Crimson Tide: I’m still not sold on all the preseason hype Alabama is getting. Yeah, the Crimson Tide are strong everywhere except at quarterback, but they’re strong everywhere except at quarterback. That’s a big deal to me.

3. Oregon Ducks: With so much of their team core returning, it’s very believable that they’ll return to the national title game.

4. LSU Tigers: I’d flip LSU and Alabama. The Tigers are stacked everywhere and, even though Jordan Jefferson hasn’t been great, we at least know what we have with him.

5. Florida State Seminoles: I’d like to see E.J. Manuel prove himself before giving Florida State top-five status.

6. Stanford Cardinal: If you believe in the importance of quarterbacking, the Andrew Luck-led Cardinal should be ranked higher.

7. Boise State Broncos: On paper, they look as strong as anyone, with a dominant offense and defense, but there’s still that bias because of their obscurity.

8. Oklahoma State Cowboys: The Cowboys are a rare team whose offense can keep pace with Oklahoma’s.

9. Texas A&M Aggies: The loss of Von Miller hurts the defense but Texas A&M’s offense should improve this season.

10. Wisconsin Badgers: I personally wouldn’t mind seeing Wisconsin in the top five. They really raised eyebrows with their dominant running game late last year and Russell Wilson makes their quarterback position more dynamic.

11. Nebraska Cornhuskers: Could Nebraska make a big statement in its Big Ten debut? Taylor Martinez still has room to grow.

12. South Carolina Gamecocks: Stephen Garcia’s reinstatement is big news for the Gamecocks, who also have the country’s top recruit in Jadeveon Clowney.

13. Virginia Tech Hokies: Like their secondary and their O-Line. But can they fill the offense voids left by Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Williams?

14. Arkansas Razorbacks: Some people view the Razorbacks as sleepers. Am I missing something here? No more Ryan Mallett and much of the O-line left with him. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

15. TCU Horned Frogs: They were undefeated last season so I suppose you have to keep them in the top 15. Still love their “D” but can Casey Pachall pick up where Andy Dalton left off under center?

16. Ohio State Buckeyes: Terrell Pryor’s departure, not to mention the truckload of other suspended players, ruined the Buckeyes’ top-contender status.

17. Michigan State Spartans: Kirk Cousins could have his hands full with a tough early schedule but Michigan State’s front seven looks great.

18. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Few teams if any have a tougher schedule than the Irish. They’ll be hard pressed to stay ranked.

19. Auburn Tigers: They’re riding their defending national champion status but their entire friggin’ roster is gone. Silly that they’re even ranked here.

20. Mississippi State Bulldogs: Can their “D” hold up after all their starting linebackers departed?

21. Missouri Tigers: James Franklin steps in as the starting quarterback but Blaine Gabbert’s shoes will be tough to fill.

22. Georgia Bulldogs: I expected to see Georgia ranked higher since so many people are so high on Aaron Murray.

23. Florida Gators: Whatever happens, it’ll be exciting to see what Charlie Weis does with the offense.

24. Texas Longhorns: Pfft. They’re getting by on their name. They don’t even have a set starter at quarterback yet!

25. Penn State Nittany Lions: Like their secondary, like Joe Paterno, but will their D-line generate enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks?

Click here to check out MORE 2011 college football previews for the 2011-2012 NCAA Football Season!

By Shea Matthews

Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.

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