2011 NCAA Football Power Rankings – Top 10 College Football Teams in the Nation: The 2011 college football season is in full swing, and while some early favorites have lived up to the hype, some powerhouse programs have already fallen. The BCS rankings will be out soon and conference play is in full swing. At this point, the sample size is more than large enough to start truly ranking the best teams in the country.
- Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0, 3-0 SEC)
Conference rival LSU may have a more impressive list of opponents this far, but Alabama’s running game, offensive line and defense all pass the eye test as among the best in the nation. Trent Richardson is a legitimate Heisman candidate, and first-year starter A.J. McCarron is getting more comfortable by the week. The Crimson Tide went on the road and absolutely pummeled a healthy Florida Gators team and held the high-powered Arkansas Razorbacks’ offense to just 14 points. They are more than deserving of the top spot.
- LSU Tigers (6-0, 3-0 SEC)
The Tigers are No. 1 in the AP poll, and while the season-opening win against Oregon was a heck of a statement, they haven’t been quite as impressive as the Crimson Tide thus far. LSU was at home when they faced a Florida Gators team that was forced to start a true freshman at quarterback, and although the Tigers won, Alabama’s win was more impressive given the surrounding circumstances. That being said, the LSU defensive front can go toe-for-toe with any team in the country, but the Tigers’ secondary has been exposed a bit times. Meanwhile, the Tigers’ running game has been adequate but not dominant. The possibility of a quarterback controversy between Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson isn’t exactly inviting either. Of course, it is really just splitting hairs between the two SEC powerhouses at this point. The true test is coming on November 5 when LSU and Alabama go head to head.
- Oklahoma Sooners (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)
Any questions about the Sooners’ defense were answered by their dominating win against the rival Texas Longhorns. The Oklahoma running game continues to improve, and the passing attack is still among the best in the country. Experienced quarterback Landry Jones is a luxury for Bob Stoops’ bunch, and receivers Ryan Broyles and Kenny Stills give Jones more than enough firepower to pick apart just about any defense. Assuming Oklahoma takes care of its own business, no team stand to benefit more from the showdown between LSU and Alabama.
- Wisconsin Badgers (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
The Badgers offense is as well-balanced as any in the country, and they have two potential Heisman candidates in quarterback Russel Wilson and running back Montee Ball. Wilson is an X-factor that few of the other top teams have at the quarterback spot, and the massive Wisconsin offensive line has been bullying opponents all season. Their destruction of the Nebraska Cornhuskers was proof of how dominant the Badgers can be, but until they face a high-powered spread attack, questions about the defense will remain. Road games against Michigan State, Ohio State and Illinois will give the Badgers plenty of chances to proof themselves.
- Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0, 1-0 Big 12)
The Cowboys road come from behind road win against Texas A&M was powered by the defense, and that is a scary prospect for a team with one of the best offenses in the nation. Quarterback Brandon Weeden can throw it as well as anyone in the nation, and receiver Justin Blackmon hasn’t even had a breakout game yet. Running back Joseph Randall gives the wide-open offense a counterpunch that seems unfair at times. The Cowboys are built to score, but they have a rough schedule remaining. The good news is that Oklahoma State will host three of the four teams ranked in the top 25 that are still to come, including rival Oklahoma in the regular season finale.
- Boise State Broncos (5-0, 0-0 Mountain West)
The good news for the Broncos is that they went on the road and took out Georgia in the season opener and haven’t been tested since. The bad news is that they probably won’t be tested the rest of the way either. The Broncos will likely go undefeated, and while a BCS bowl should be in their future, a shot at the national title seems unlikely. Quarterback Kellen Moore is one of the most underrated signal callers in the nation, but a lack of competition will both he and the Broncos out of the national conversation. Still, this team has proven in recent years that it can beat any other team in the country.
- Clemson Tigers (6-0, 3-0 ACC)
Clemson has been tested early and often, but the Tigers have continued to win. They ran through Auburn, Florida State and Virginia Tech in a three-week span, and the dominated the Hokies in Blacksburg. Now, Clemson just has to avoid a letdown against some lesser competition as the team has been prone to do in the past. Sophomore quarterback Tajh Boyd and freshman receiver Sammy Watkins are maturing faster than anyone could have anticipated and are becoming quite the explosive combination. Assuming Boyd’s hip injury isn’t serious, the Tigers might make some serious noise this season.
- Stanford Cardinal (5-0, 3-0 Pac-12)
The Cardinal has been cruising this year, dominating a bunch of teams that they should be able to dominate. Although largely untested, Stanford has the luxury of having the best QB in the nation under center in Andrew Luck. Games against Oregon and Notre Dame later in the year will ultimately decide their fate, but in the meantime, Stanford has been well balanced on offense and better than expected on defense. With Luck running the show, the Cardinal has a chance against anyone.
- Oregon Ducks (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12)
The season-opening loss to the LSU Tigers will make it almost impossible for the Ducks to return to the national title game, but a conference title is still a real possibility. Oregon once again owns the top-scoring offense in the nation, and Chip Kelly has an excess of firepower at his disposal. It appears that the gruesome elbow injury to star running back LaMichael James may not be season ending. That is great news for the Ducks and bad news for all their remaining opponents. Oregon could easily run the table the rest of the way, but they need a lot of help to get back to the title game.
- Michigan Wolverines (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten)
Michigan’s come from behind win against Notre Dame has propelled the Wolverines to a 6-0 start. The schedule gets a lot rougher the rest of the way, but quarterback Denard Robinson gives Michigan a chance against any team in the Big Ten because of his playmaking ability. The defense needs to continue to improve if the Wolverines are going to have a special season, but Robinson and company could make a little more noise than a Michigan team has in quite a few years.
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