In the middle of the Top 25 are some legendary teams that are looking for their return to glory. They may have had successful seasons in the past, but 2011 proved to not be their best. Starting off the weekend:

15. Wisconsin

“We all know that Wisconsin has always been good at sports, so it’s no surprise to see them being in the polls. I don’t see them being anywhere high up but I also don’t see them being anywhere towards the bottom. They will most likely hold their place around the middle of the polls for the entire season because they don’t have the players to take them to the top right now.”

Allie Balog, CSF Associate Editor

“The Wisconsin Badgers have a lot to replace this season. The loss of Russell Wilson, Nick Toon, and the entire right side of their offensive line will be a lot to overcome. However, after scoring 39 touchdowns and rushing for nearly 2,000 yards last season Montee Ball decided to come back for his last season. He will provide most of the offense for Wisconsin as they seem to be in a bit of rebuilding this year.”

Garrett Mayers, CSF Writer/Contributor

14. Michigan State

“Michigan State is out to prove how good they are in more than just basketball. They are slowly becoming one of those schools that schools don’t want to play because they are determined. Michigan State doesn’t like to lose in anything and that they will do their best to ensure that they are ranked well in this season’s polls. It’s just a matter of how good their players are this season that will be the final factor.”

Allie Balog, CSF Associate Editor

“Michigan State is looking to go undefeated at home this year, but they can only do that if they put forth everything they have. They will require speed and defense to get past teams like Michigan and Iowa. Mark Dantonio has a tough schedule ahead of him and the Spartans, but they just need to remember to keep up the effort.”

Elizabeth Garabedian, CSF Writer/Contributor

13. Arkansas

“Unfortunately for Arkansas, Bobby Petrino was a much better play-caller than he was motorcyclist. The Razorbacks already had an uphill battle, trying to knock off LSU and Bama in the SEC West, but Petrino’s abrupt firing has all but knocked them out of the picture. Still, quarterback Tyler Wilson will post big numbers and will have the Razorbacks in the Top 25.”

Jeff Dunbar, CSF Senior Editor

“A rocky offseason saw the dismissal of Bobby Petrino and the loss of playmakers on both sides of the ball, but the Razorbacks have the talent to overcome the challenges created. QB Tyler Wilson, already pegged by some as the top pick in next year’s NFL Draft, will be even better in 2012. He’ll be joined by a group of unproven, but skilled players on offense and defense who look to make an impact in the SEC.”

Anthony Manzella, CSF Writer/Contributor

12. Kansas State

“Kansas State is racking up a bunch of preseason awards for student-athletes and all-Americans, but if they are looking to be a top contender, they need to keep that up when the fall arrives. Collin Klein already has made his mark for the Wildcats, so as long as he can encourage the rest of the offense to do the same, Kansas State is on its way to redeem glory.”

Elizabeth Garabedian, CSF Writer/Contributor

“The Wildcats surprised some last year, going 10-3 and losing to high-powered Arkansas in the AT&T. That will not be the case this year, however. Amassing over 3,000 combined yards and 40 touchdowns, QB Collin Klein enters the 2012 season a legitimate Heisman contender. Top WR Chris Harper and RB John Hubert return and will join Klein to create a dangerous offense.”

Anthony Manzella, CSF Writer/Contributor

11. TCU

“The Horned Frogs finally have their shot playing with the big boys. A depleted Big 12 Conference got a huge shot in the arm when TCU and West Virginia joined the fold. Head coach Gary Patterson has shown that his teams fear no one and can perform on the big stage. The big test now is if they have the depth to make through a tough conference schedule. With a Texas program still trying to fight its way back to what it once was and a Baylor team minus RG3, look for TCU to show that they belong in their inaugural season in their new conference.”

Jeff Dunbar, CSF Senior Editor

“The Horned Frogs are a very interesting case this season as they are now part of the Big 12. TCU will be returning most of their high powered offense, but they did lose 3 starting offensive lineman. The question will linger all season as to if TCU will be able to handle the Big 12.”

Garrett Mayers, CSF Writer/Contributor

CSF’s College Football Preseason Countdown to #1 continues this week with our #11-#15 ranked teams.  In case you missed them, check out our breakdown of #21-#25 and last week’s breakdown of teams #16-#20. 

15.  Virginia Tech:  The Hokies will have little trouble replacing the loss of QB Tyrod Taylor. There are Seven games on the schedule that look like blow outs before the season starts. The Hokies will meet the Seminoles once again in the ACC Championship Game.  –  Peter Marhoefer, Mr. Touchdown USA

The model of consistently being good, winning games, playing the right way, developing NFL ready players and an empty national championship trophy case.  I would love to have seen this team  with Tyrod Taylor and their running backs return, minus the brain freeze that got them early last year.  What might have been…  –  Christian Hon, CSF writer/contributor

14.  TCU:  They’re not going to be anywhere as good as last season, but, for one more season at least, they’ll play in the Mountain West before moving to the Big East.  Two years from now, none of us will even be able to name their previous conference.  –  Justin Cange, CSF writer/contributor

The Horned Frogs’ season will come down to the big game on November 12 at Boise State, and if Gary Patterson’s boys can pull it off, then a BCS bid will not be out of reach. But there are a lot of inexperienced players, which leads me to believe they could drop a game or two that would have been an easy W last season.  –  Nick Mattar, CSF writer/contributor

13.  Ohio State:  Off the field distractions and dates with Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Michigan State will keep the Buckeyes out of the BCS Title game but returning to the Rose Bowl.  –  Peter Marhoefer, Mr. Touchdown USA

Their players’ appreciation for tattoos could cost the Buckeyes dearly this season.  Of the five game suspensions of including key contributors Terrelle Pryor and Boom Herron, two of those games pit OSU against Miami and Michigan State.  Pryor and company return just in time to take on Big Ten newcomer Nebraska in Lincoln…not exactly a preseason game.  With their daunting schedule, the suspensions, and the continued pressure of an NCAA investigation, Ohio State will likely see themselves out of the BCS picture in 2011.  –  Jeff Dunbar, CSF Senior Editor

12.  Wisconsin:  The Badgers will sleepily bulldoze through the Big Ten and make us wonder how a perennial 10 win team can be so boring.  –  Christian Hon, CSF writer/contributor

The tailback tandem of Montee Ball, and James White will carry a huge load of the offense, and they will have to in order for new quarterback Jon Budmayr to succeed.  Budmayr has no game experience, but he has two talented receivers in Nick Toon and Jared Abbrederis to help him ease into his first season. On the other side of the ball, JJ Watt and Niles Brinkley will be tough to replace, but they should be fine as long as Louis Nzegwu and their senior-laden secondary produce.

11.  Oklahoma State:  I still don’t know how OSU didn’t win the Big 12 last year.  With that offense clicking on all cylinders and a road-weary OU team coming to Stillwater late in the season, I thought surely the Pokes would achieve their first berth in the Big 12 Championship Game.  Instead, they got blitzed again by OU.  Their biggest weapons on offense return, however, and as long as Brandon Weeden can find Justin Blackmon, OU is the only team that serves as a challenge.  — Justin Cange, CSF writer/contributor

Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon are getting all the hype, and why shouldn’t they after the numbers they posted last season.  But look for running back Joseph Randle to burst onto the national season in 2011.  As a freshman, the RB split time with Kendal Hunter, and he still had 452 yards rushing with another 427 yards receiving.  OSU also gets Oklahoma at home again this season, the second year in a row this rivalry match up will be played in Stillwater, due to the conference reallignment this fall.  –  Jeff Dunbar, CSF Senior Editor