2011 College Football Predictions: What the Top 25 Will Look Like

There's only one week left in the college football season.

Auburn and Oregon will conclude the year playing in the BCS National Championship next Tuesday in Glendale, Arizona. It will feature a matchup of Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and Heisman finalist LaMichael James, who announced he will return to the Ducks next season. Newton, meanwhile, is rumored to declare for the NFL Draft, where he is predicted to be a first-round pick.

If Newton returns, that could change things significantly when it comes to predicting the Top 25 for 2011. Same goes for numerous other players and teams.

Here is an early look at next year's Top 25:

Quarterback G.J. Kinne and wide receiver Damaris Johnson return to lead one of the nation's most high-powered offenses. Pay attention to freshman running back Trey Watts, the son of former Oklahoma quarterback and U.S. Congressman J.C. Watts.

Trey finished this season with 197 yards rushing, with one touchdown. He also had 20 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns. 

Will Rich Rod be back? The coaching saga remains a hot topic, but Denard Robinson will return as one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football.

Even though Randy Edsall bolted for Maryland, the foundation is in place for continued success. Robbie Frey will take over for running back Jordan Todman, who is expected to declare for the NFL Draft.

Dan Mullen was rumored for jobs at Miami and Florida, but he's remained in Starkville. Pay attention to the Bulldogs, who finished this year 8-4, including a 52-14 win over Michigan in the Gator Bowl.

Time will tell if head coach Mark Richt stays, and if he can turn around the Bulldogs after finishing this year 6-7.

Freshman James Franklin (pictured) and redshirt freshman Tyler Gabbert will battle for the starting quarterback position. Tyler's older brother, Blaine Gabbert, is skipping his senior year and has declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft.

It will be interesting to see how the Fighting Irish build off their 8-5 record and Sun Bowl victory in Brian Kelly's first season. Cincinnati kept improving each year under Kelly. Hard to see why Notre Dame can't do the same.

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor, running back Dan Herron and wide receiver DeVier Posey are among the five players who will be suspended for the first five games of the season. Things could start off pretty rocky for the Buckeyes.

Marcus Lattimore and Stephen Garcia helped lead the Gamecocks to the SEC Championship Game. Now the Gamecocks will be the team to beat in the SEC East, and Lattimore should receive consideration for the Heisman Trophy.

Christian Ponder is a senior, so E.J. Manuel (pictured) will take the reigns at quarterback. He'll have two reliable options returning as well in Chris Thompson (699 yards rushing, five touchdowns) and Bert Reed (614 yards receiving).

It may be too low, but the Horned Frogs are also losing several key veterans from this team, including four-year starting quarterback Andy Dalton.

Will Logan Thomas have what it takes to replace standout quarterback Tyrod Taylor? This program has been so consistently successful that it shouldn't be an issue, and the Hokies will be right back contending for another ACC championship.

What had been a great year ended with a thud for the Cornhuskers, which lost to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship and to Washington after that. Now Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead will get a chance to help the Cornhuskers rebound in their first season in the Big Ten.

If Kellen Moore doesn't declare for the NFL Draft, consider him a definite favorite for the Heisman Trophy.

Quarterback Scott Tolzien is a senior, but the Badgers will return its trio of talented runners in James White (1,029 yards rushing), John Clay (936) and Montee Ball (864).

Quarterback Brandon Weeden (pictured) should return, but he'll be without running back Kendall Hunter and wide receiver Justin Blackmon. This year, though, the Cowboys were predicted to finish next-to-last in the Big 12 South and wound up as co-champs with Oklahoma and Texas A&M.

May not be wise to underestimate them again.

Gotta love how Spartans fans were confident they would take down Alabama, and that they truly were a Top 10 team. The Big Ten champs got crushed 49-7 in the Capital One Bowl, but quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Edwin Baker will return.

Ryan Mallett will head to the NFL, which means Tyler Wilson will get his chance at quarterback. Wilson filled in and and showed he could handle things just fine when Mallett was injured in the Auburn game. He'll also have talented runner Knile Davis in the backfield with him.

It will definitely be interesting to see what Cyrus Gray and Ryan Tannehill can do now that they've developed such good chemistry this season.

If Andrew Luck decides to return, everything changes and you'll probably move the Cardinal up to No. 2. But they're still a talented team, and running back Stepfan Taylor will return after rushing for 1,137 yards this season.

The Tigers definitely aren't lacking in the talent department, and will be hurt with the loss of Patrick Peterson to the NFL. But it would be wise to get a new offensive coordinator.

Mark Ingram and Julio Jones are headed to the NFL, but keep your eyes on Trent Richardson, who has the same kind of playmaking ability and will be one of the nation's top returning running backs in 2011.

LaMichael James and Darron Thomas will keep things humming for the Ducks, who open the season against LSU at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Landry Jones returns, and the Sooners will be loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Oklahoma finally ended its BCS jinx this season, so will 2011 be the year the Sooners finally win another national title?

I'll call my shot now: Auburn wins the national championship over Oregon, and Cam Newton then announces he's returning for his final year.