NCAA Top 25 (Final Rankings)

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1)
Behind a dominant defense and a solid running attack, the Alabama Crimson tide convincingly defeated LSU and earned their 2nd National Title win in 3 years. Alabama also looked more confident and ready to go then their SEC foe. Sure you can say that LSU already beat them, but the Crimson Tide lost that game 9-6 and controlled most of the game.

2. LSU Tigers (13-1)
What a tough break for LSU. The played one of the toughest schedules you could play. They beat the Big East (West Virginia) and Pac 12 (Oregon) Champs. Heck they even beat the National Champs (Alabama). But a rematch against Alabama was their downfall. That or the poor play calling, or the refusal to pull Jordan Jefferson. You have to wonder how LSU would have fared against Oklahoma State? Would LSU be the National Champions.

3. Oklahoma State Cowboys (12-1)
If it wasn't for an overtime loss against a 6-7 Iowa State team, the Cowboys would have been playing in the National Title game against LSU. And based on LSU's defensive performance, the Cowboys would have put up points. But they didn't beat Iowa State and had to settle for a Fiesta Bowl game against Stanford. Okie State didn't let that disappointment affect them and came ready to play. The Cowboys needed a FG to win, but they got their first BCS Bowl victory in their school's history. What a season to be a Cowboy fan!

4. Oregon Ducks (12-2)
For the third straight year the Ducks won the Pac 12 (10) and got back to the Rose Bowl for the 2nd time in three years. However the Ducks have lost the past two seasons. This year looked like it could be the same. Wisconsin brought in their powerful offense and a quality defense. However Oregon showed that they have learned from past seasons and were able to win. And even though LeMichael James is leaving, the offense should only get better.

5. USC Trojans (10-2)
If it wasn't for the NCAA sanctions the Trojans would have been in the Pac 12 Title game and could have made it to the Rose Bowl. Instead they finished with 10 wins knowing that they wouldn't have a chance for any post season play. That's one heck of a season if you ask me. And to top it off, they played like one of the best teams in the nation at the end of the year.

6. Arkansas Razorbacks (11-2)
Arkansas' only two losses this season were to LSU and Alabama. The two teams that played in the National Championship Game. Arkansas also rolled Big 12's 2nd best team Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. But what is keeping Arkansas ranked higher here is their weak non conference schedule and the fact that the SEC (besides LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas) wasn't as good as previous years. But with a lot of talent returning, we could see the Razorbacks back in this territory.

7. Stanford Cardinal (11-2)
It was another impressive year for the Cardinal. Despite not having the physical talent and depth of most teams, the were still able to win 11 games and get back to a 2nd straight BCS Game. However the Stanford ride might be on it's last leg. Luck, Martin, DeCastro and company are all leaving for the NFL. Now Stanford's recruiting has continued to be strong since Jim Harbaugh left, but if Stanford wants to be a dominant player in the Pac 12, they'll have to find another impact QB to lead the way.

8. Boise State Broncos (12-1)
For the second straight season Boise ends the season with an in conference loss that ruins their chance at a BCS Bowl. This year it was their loss to TCU that did them in. So to reward the Broncos for their success they were got to go to Las Vegas and play a 6-6 Arizona State team that just fired their coach. How about that. Boise State made the best of it and did what they've done for years. Blow them out. Now Boise State will go into the Big East next year and have to do so without 4 year starter Kellen Moore leading the team. We might not see the same Boise State for a couple of years. But who knows?

9. Michigan Wolverines (11-2)
Even the most die hard Michigan fans couldn't have expected the season that the Wolverines had. The hiring of Brady Hoke wasn't thought to be a sexy hire. He didn't have the same high level name that Jim Harbaugh had, but he had success everywhere he went. But the most remarkable job was done by DC Greg Mattison. He turned a horrible Michigan defense into one of the best in the Big 10. And it was the defense that helped them win their 11 games this season. Including holding a talented Virginia Tech offense down in the Sugar Bowl.

10. Wisconsin Badgers (11-3)
Going into this year it was thought it could be a very special season for the Badgers. They returned a lot of pieces from their Rose Bowl appearance last year. Add in a dynamic QB in Russell Wilson and there was legit National Title talk. However Wisconsin was beat twice during the regular season by hail mary passes. One against Michigan State and another against Ohio State. If both of those don't happen we could have been hearing about Wisconsin against LSU for the National Championship. But the Badgers won the first ever Big 10 Title game and then faced off against Pac 12 Champions Oregon. In a great game it just wasn't Wisconsin's night and they had to end the season with a loss.

11. Michigan State Spartans (11-3)
Coming of a share of the Big 12 Title, the Spartans were looking to prove that they deserved to be one of the elite teams in the conference and make it to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1988. It looked like it was going to happen with their big win over Ohio State. But then they laid an egg against Nebraska and lost to in state rival Michigan. But they still made it to the first ever Big 10 Title game and had shot at the Rose Bowl. But a roughing the kicker penalty negated a long punt return and a likely game winning score. That forced Michigan State to go to the Outback Bowl instead of the Rose.

12. Baylor Bears (10-3)
The Bears Bears have been one of the worst teams in college football over the past ten years. However because of the play of QB Robert Griffin III they have made it to back to back bowl games and now are the home of a Heisman Trophy Winner. RG3 has done wonders for this program and with his excellent season they won 10 games for the first time in school history.

13. South Carolina Gamecocks (11-2)
You would think that an 11 win team would be ranked much higher in this poll. But you would also think that if a team didn't have to play LSU and Alabama in a season that they'd have a much better record, or would have had a better bowl appearance. But that didn't happen this year. However when you consider that they kicked their QB off the team and their all world RB tears his ACL, it is understandable. None the less, the Gamecocks continue their rise up the SEC pecking order and with a roster always full of talent, they have a chance to continue their success.

14. Kansas State Wildcats (10-3)
The job that Bill Synder has done at Kansas State deserved to be coach of the year. This was the same year team that only won 7 games and didn't have too big of expectations. But behind the play of QB Colin Klein and LB Arther Brown, the Wildcats finished 2nd in the Big 12 and were robbed from a BCS Bowl. Even with a poor showing in the Cotton Bowl, Wildcat fans had to be excited.

15. West Virginia Mountaineers (10-3)
After the Mountaineers lost two out of three Big East games, expectations weren't too high. Especially with them backing their way into a BCS Bowl against the high powered Clemson Tigers. But West Virginia shocked everybody and hung 70 points on the ACC Champions. Mountaineer fans have got to love Dana Holgerson now and with a team full of players coming back they can hope next year will pick up where this year ended.


16. TCU Horned Frogs (11-2)
After their opening season loss to Baylor and another loss to SMU, it didn't look like TCU was going to keep their Rose Bowl momentum going. However they righted the ship and continued to quietly win games. That set them up with a game against Boise State where the winner would be Mountain West Champs. A gutsy 2 point conversation gave the Horned Frogs the win and allowed them to win the conference for a 3rd straight year. Now TCU enters the Big 12 and we'll see if they can continue their success.

17. Oklahoma Sooners (10-3)
The Sooners were the preseason #1 ranked team and looked to have the easiest road to an undefeated season. However Oklahoma then dropped an unthinkable game against Texas Tech. Then Ryan Broyles tore his ACL. Then Landry Jones couldn't get on track without Broyles. Then Baylor beat them. But with all of that they still had a shot at a BCS Bowl with a victory over in state rival Oklahoma State. However they were no match and Okie State blew them out of the water. The crazy thing is, Oklahoma sees this and a horrible year. Must be nice when you win 10 games and it's a bad year. They'll be fine and a contender for next year.

18. Virginia Tech Hokies (11-3)
With a new QB and RB the Hokies were thought to be good, but I don't think anybody thought they would be this good. But Logan Thomas really grew this year and the Hokies only loss to two teams (Clemson twice and Michigan). Add in that they were a FG away from a BCS Bowl win and Hokies fans had a lot to cheer for.

19. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (12-2)
To this day I still don't know how Southern Miss lost to both UAB and Marshall, yet were able to control Houston pretty easily. The worst part was that Southern Miss went into that Conference USA Championship Game at Houston with supposedly "no shot to win." Yet their defense was able to slow down the record setting Houston Cougars and win the conference. But with that success the Golden Eagles lost HC Larry Fedora to North Carolina and hired South Carolina's DC Ellis Johnson. It will be interesting to see how they do next year.

20. Georgia Bulldogs (10-4)
Mark Richt's seat was a little warm to start the year, and then two straight losses to open the season really heated things up. But the Bulldogs won 10 straight games to get to the SEC Championship Game. Heck the Bulldogs were a Tyrann Mathieu punt return for TD from leading at half, then LSU took control. Georgia returns a big nucleus of their team and more importantly their starting QB Aaron Murray who should be one of the best in the SEC.

21. Houston Cougars (13-1)
Everything was set up for the Cougars to have the perfect season. They finished unbeaten and were hosting Southern Miss in the CUSA Championship Game at their stadium. A win there and they'd be playing in the BCS. But with all the talk of their HC leaving and BCS in their minds, they dropped the ball and lost to Southern Miss. And instead of the Sugar Bowl they had to face off against Penn State in the Ticket City Bowl. And now they go into the Big East without their HC, OC, and record setting QB. This could be the end of Houston's recent success.

22. Clemson Tigers (10-4)
Clemson came out of nowhere and started the season 9-1 and looked like the elite of the ACC and a sure bet BCS Bowl winner. However their youth caught up with them and Tajh Boyd really started to struggle. They dropped 3 out of their last 5 games and seemed to limp their way into the Orange Bowl. But things just got worse with in that game when West Virginia dropped 70 on them. That also cost them their DC Kevin Steele who was fired. Keep in mind that Steele is a heck of a recruiter. I'll be interested to see how Clemson responds to this.

23. Florida State Seminoles (9-4)
Florida State had a three game stretch early in the season where they lost three straight. It looked like the season was going to be a failure. Even more sense they had a big time overrated #5 ranking heading into the Oklahoma game. But people forget that FSU is very young and wasn't use to all this praise. FSU was able to weather the storm and win 5 straight. What made the season even better was that they knocked off Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl. Now the 'Noles will be even more experienced and better come 2012.

24. Cincinnati Bearcats (10-3)
Coming off a 4 win season in 2010, there wasn't any real expectations for Cincinnati. So when they win 10 games it is quite remarkable. And out of their three losses only one of them was considered a bad loss. Now if they can build off this season success they should be able to win a watered down Big East.

25. Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-4)
What a year the Huskers have had. In their first year in the Big 10 they were thought to be the easy favorite to win the Legends Division and face off against Wisconsin in the championship game. However their defense took a huge step back and the offense stalled when they had to come from behind. They had a shot to save the season with a win over South Carolina in the Capital One Bowl, but they shot themselves in the foot and ended up losing their 4th straight. If Pelini can fix the defense again, they have a shot to have a good year because the offense returns practically everybody.