It’s never too early to think about top 25 rankings and project what might transpire this fall as the 2021 college football season is scheduled to begin this coming Saturday. Every year and season, fans and people witness plenty of surprises, disappointments, and unexpected teams finding their way to the national picture. The 2021 NCAA football week 11 is scheduled to conclude in Indianapolis, Oil Stadium.
But this is not the situation at the top; in reality, as the list of favorites, this year starts with the familiar contenders: Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Ohio State, and Georgia. Athlon sports projected national champion is Alabama, followed by Clemson at no. 2 and Oklahoma at No. 3.
The last projected team at No. 4 is none other than Ohio State. With the help of Texas A&M, Iowa State, Cincinnati, Oregon, and North Carolina rounding out the expected top 10, Georgia headlines the section of teams.
It was suspected that there would be a new team atop college football’s two major polls. Clemson fell to No. 4 Notre Dame on Saturday, which was missing star quarterback Trevor Lawrence. In both the Associated Press Top 25 and coaches poll, Alabama ascended to the top spot. Not only this, they garnered 59 out of 62 votes. Besides this, the fans are curious to know the preview and rankings of NCAA football week 11. Here’s everything to know about the preview and rankings of NCAA football week 11.
Top teams for 2021 Ncaa football
TCU
Since 2017, the horned frogs haven’t finished in the top 25, but there are chances that coach Gary Patterson’s team should break this streak with 14 starters that have won five out of the last 6 games. As the starter, the quarterback Max Duggan has taken a step forward in his career, and there’s no lack of talent in this. After averaging 22.1 yards, Quentin Johnston headlines the receiving corps. There is a cast of emerging options at running back like Zach Evans, Kendre Miller, and Darwin Barlow.
If there is anyone who’ll rank among the big 12s best on defense, then it is horned frogs. But there are few holes to fill with the departures of Garret Wallow and Trevon Moehring.
Coastal Carolina
One of the significant surprises of the 2020 college football season was the Chanticleers. Behind coastal Carolina’s breakouts, there were quarterback Grayson McCall catalysts. By securing 277.9 total yards a game, McCall paced the Sun Belt as a redshirt freshman last fall and accounted for 33 total touchdowns.
With the top group of offensive lines providing protection, he’s only going to get better in 2021, especially with the return of Jaivon Heilig and Isaiah Likely. There must be a thought behind replacing CJ Marable, but Shermari Jones and Reese White will be an effective punch. Last season, the Chanticleers also made huge progress in spurring up an 11-1 record. It is a big loss to end Tarron Jackson, but with the help of linebackers and linemen, returns can be largely intact.
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Louisiana
Now, you must be clear that the sunbelt title is the one for you. There is a close call for the top spot in the sunbelt, but there is a small edge by the Athlons to the Ragin Cajuns as it is the no. 1 team according to the conference. In each of the preceding three years under coach Billy Napier, Louisiana has won the west division and is 28-11. For another senior year, we have steady quarterback Levi Lewis with us. Not only this, he is supported by a group of wide receivers. Likewise, the defense is also filled with experience and talent at every level.
Washington
In 2021, there’s a great mystery surrounding Washington. There are ample of things to like about this team despite the overall uncertainty. Every year since 2015, Washington has finished third or higher in the past-12 in scoring defense. The loss of linebacker Zion Tupuola Fetui came as a big blow this season. If you want to boost the pass rush off the edge, then cornerback Trent McDuffie is among the nation’s best.
With the help of a standout line, the strength of the offense is upfront, whereas Sean McGrew and Richard Newton are back to handle the workload on the ground. With both Oregon and Arizona State making their way to Seattle, Huskies catch a huge scheduling break.
Indiana
Last season, the Hoosiers were regarded as the college football’s breakout teams, and they also finished in the top 25 for the first time. As another top 25 finish this fall, Indiana has a chance at more history in 21, and this would be the first time the program had back-to-back rankings. Penix suffered a third season-ending injury with the Hoosiers after throwing 1645 yards and 14 touchdowns in six games last year.
If there is anyone in the big ten at their position, then receiver Ty FryFogle and Peyton Hendershot. Indiana’s defense is among the best ones in the entire conference.
Texas
In the final Associated Press poll, the Longhorns finished 2020 at no. 19, so that the projection of no. 20 rankings at the end of 2021 season. One of the top recruitments of the offseason carousel is coach Steve Sarkisian. Everyone knows that the Alabama play-caller has to do a better job than the previous staff at Austin.
The battle between Casey Thompson and Hudson Card will continue for the fall, and whichever player wins the job could use a couple of playmakers to merge at receiver. Texas took a step ahead by holding teams to 5.2 in 20 after giving up 6.1 yards per play in 19.
Analysis
Many things change and stay the same, especially when it comes to elite teams in college football. Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State are in the middle of the college football playoff conversation as they have been at numerous points in the previous years. Each school controls its destiny.
The Tigers have to win out a doable task even with Clemson’s loss to Notre Dame. not only this, but they also have to beat the Irish in the ACC title game. But for this game, they must have Trevor Lawrence. Sneaking into the CFP won’t be easy for the rest of the top 10.
Texas A&M has already lost the game to Crimson Tide. Still, they had an early showdown with no. 24 Auburn on the schedule. It’s hard to see how the Aggies beat Florida this season and that too without a path to the SEC championship game.
It’s going to demand a lot of good luck if either one is going to end up with a berth in the CFP for the group of five schools. In reality, no one has played a daunting schedule as power five schools went to schedule conferences only this season.
It will likely get a large bid to a new year’s six bowls if BYU wins out. Consequently, Cincinnati would get the G5 auto bid. Even if someone slips up, then coastal Carolina, liberty, and marshall will still stay undefeated. It seems that BYU and Cincinnati are cut above teams. The surprising thing is that the NCAA football week 11 committee will also agree to this.
NCAA picks
Louisiana vs South Alabama
This is a strong test for Louisiana’s past defense, as they have yielded only 6.2 yards this season. The South Alabama wideouts have at least 500 yards and five touchdowns. The real struggle was for the Jaguars.
Northeastern at Purdue
The star player of Purdue, Rondale Moore, hasn’t played yet. There is a lack of good rushing attack in boilers, and they might not win without Moore.
Conclusion
All the teams mentioned above figure among the top 25 teams for NCAA football week 11. All the fans are curious to know the final winner.
