College Football is finally back this week and with that, so is another year of the Eleven Warriors BlogPoll.
Each week I'll be bringing you the 11W submission for the BlogPoll Top 25, a compilation of the ballots of the top college football blogs around the nation. You can also check out our ballot, as well as all of the others, on the BlogPoll site, while also following on Twitter at @BlogPollTop25.
It's always the most difficult to come up with the first poll of the season, as no teams have touched the field for games yet and judgments are made based on what's on paper. It is always a topic of discussion if there should even be pre-season polls, and while we all at 11W have differing opinions, the bottom line is our hand is kind of forced, so below is our first stab at "who's the best" as we kick off the new season.
We know everyone is excited for the weekend, so this should get you even more pumped up. Let us know what you think about our rankings in the comments below.
Only a few more days...
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| 1 |
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QB Matt Barkley turns down first round fame and returns for his senior season, which could include a trip to the BCS National Championship. The Trojans get Hawaii in the Coliseum week one, which shouldn't be anything short of a laugher. | -- |
| 2 |
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Alabama will spend yet another season defending their national championship. They face a very tough test against Michigan in Dallas on Saturday. Everyone's got to love a big time matchup week one. | -- |
| 3 |
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Many believe LSU is the preseason #1, including the coaches in the USA Today poll. After last year's title game performance and the Tyrann Mathieu debacle, it is appropriate to bump them down a few notches, but the Tigers have enough talent to end the year at the top. North Texas will be lucky to score any points in Death Valley. | -- |
| 4 |
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The Ducks will start redshirt freshman QB Marcus Mariota from the start, so there are still some questions to be answered. However, playmakers De'Anthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner make Oregon an elite team. Arkansas State won't touch the Ducks. | -- |
| 5 |
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Another year of super high expectations in Norman, but senior QB Landry Jones is expected to compete for the Heisman (again). | -- |
| 6 |
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QB Aaron Murray has been poised to have a breakout season and this is his year to shine. The Dawgs welcome the Buffalo Bulls "Between the Hedges" on Saturday. | -- |
| 7 |
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South Carolina is a top ten squad because of RB Marcus Lattimore. He could easily be the best running back in the nation. The Cocks open up at SEC foe Vandy to kick off the season, which isn't exactly an easy first game. | -- |
| 8 |
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Despite the offseason turmoil, Arkansas has premier talent and with Knile Davis returning, they could compete for the SEC crown. They Razors get Jacksonville State to start. | -- |
| 9 |
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The Wolverines are poised to have a big season and make a run at a Big Ten Title and potentially a national championship. The whole season's trajectory could be in jeopardy against Alabama in this weekend's premier game. This could be Michigan's year before Ohio State is back to full strength. | -- |
| 10 |
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Another year, another high preseason ranking for the Seminoles. Maybe this will be the season they stick around the top ten. | -- |
| 11 |
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What was once the Big East's pride and joy is now the Big 12's second best team. In-state rival Marshall could be an interesting week one matchup for the Mountaineers. | -- |
| 12 |
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Tajh Boyd is back for the Tigers, who hope to win the ACC. Clemson has two tough tests in the first four weeks at Auburn this Saturday and at Florida State week four. | -- |
| 13 |
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Sparty is ready to defend their Legends division title against the likes of Michigan and Nebraska. A very intriguing Friday night battle with Boise State kicks off the season for Michigan State. | -- |
| 14 |
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There are very few teams in the rankings (from 10-25) that have more talent than Ohio State. Now, it's just meshing it all together. The Buckeyes have Miami-OH at the 'Shoe in week one which should have the Scarlet and Gray faithful ooing and ahhing—especially after last year's yawners—at the quick-paced, high-octane offense led by Braxton Miller. | -- |
| 15 |
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Tech has a tough first matchup with ACC rival Georgia Tech, which should be a good game. | -- |
| 16 |
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The Badgers are putting all their eggs in the RB Montee Ball basket, hoping he'll have the same type of season as last. The O-line should be stout as well. Maryland transfer QB Danny O'Brien isn't Russell Wilson, but he should be better than what they have on their bench. Wisconsin gets pushover Northern Iowa at home to start. | -- |
| 17 |
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Texas has come off of a few bad seasons, but how could they not be better this year? Cincy native and former OSU target LB Jordan Hicks should anchor their defense and Wyoming doesn't stand a chance in week one. | -- |
| 18 |
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Nebraska had a somewhat difficult transition to the Big Ten last season. Taylor Martinez has another year under his belt and is poised to do great things. C-USA's Southern Miss shouldn't be much of a test for the Huskers. | -- |
| 19 |
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No Blackmon, No Weeden, what to do? The Cowboys return a veteran core of wide-outs and offensive linemen that should help them stay towards the top of the Big 12. They'll get to test things out against Savannah State week one. | -- |
| 20 |
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Just like Oklahoma State, Stanford has to start over after losing a plethora of stars to the NFL (remember Andrew Luck?). San Jose State on Friday night should allow the Cardinal to feel things out before playing USC week three. | -- |
| 21 |
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Florida has the talent. Now it's about executing, unlike last year. The Gators get to destroy Bowling Green in week one (if things work out the way they should). | -- |
| 22 |
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Welcome to the Big 12. You're all grown up, Horned Frogs. Grambling State in week one should be a cupcake. | -- |
| 23 |
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Kansas State is truly a veteran team with 12 seniors at the top of the depth chart. | -- |
| 24 |
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Notre Dame has so much talent that this could be the year they put it to use. LB Manti Te'o will anchor the Irish defense and QB Everett Golson should be a good fit for Brian Kelly's spread. Navy in week one is never an easy game, especially defending the triple option (refer to: Brian Rolle's game-saving INT a few years back). | -- |
| 25 |
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Auburn has as much talent as anyone in the SEC. Clemson at home will definitely be on the remote control channel flip for those watching Alabama and Michigan on Saturday night. | -- |
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