The end of May has arrived, and College Sports Feed’s Preseason Top 5 is finally here. The five teams listed here are 2012’s best of the best, the toughest and most talented, and the greatest in the game. They came a long way in 2011, but even more will be expected of them in the fall. Kicking off our final week:

5. Oregon

“Oh, Oregon. If you ask most people, they have no clue where Oregon even is on a map, but they can tell you that they have a damn good football team. Oregon has been working hard these past few years to get where they are today, and they won’t give that up. My prediction is that they are determined to prove that they are the best and are going after that number one spot. I don’t think that they will get it this year, but if they can continue to do better over the next few years, it could end up being theirs.”

Allie Balog, CSF Associate Editor

“The loss of LaMichael James will be difficult, but Oregon is persistent. They are strong recruiters and look for the best newcomers, and they promise wins and are pretty consistent in their claims. Plus, Oregon has the potential to have one of the best defenses in the Pac 12. Look for them to place in one of the top bowl games in January.”

Elizabeth Garabedian, CSF Writer/Contributor

4. Oklahoma

“The Sooners’ high-powered offense will dominate once again in 2012. Senior QB Landry Jones will have a shot at following in Sam Bradford’s footsteps as a Heisman winner. The loss of WR Ryan Broyles, Jones’ favorite target, will hurt, but four returning wideouts and a standout recruiting class will help fill the void. The defensive side of the ball will carry more question marks into the season, but solid play coupled with an explosive offense will carry Oklahoma to the Big 12 title in 2012.”

Anthony Manzella, CSF Writer/Contributor

“The Sooners will yet again dominate on offense as Landry Jones, and a solid receiving core is returning. The loss of playmaker Ryan Broyles will hurt, but they should be able to overcome his departure. The defense had a number of questions last year and they are hoping to be answered by the arrival of Mike Stoops, Bob Stoops’ brother, as the defensive coordinator. Okalahoma is the easy favorite in the Big 12 this season with Texas still trying to figure itself out and Oklahoma State losing its two biggest playmakers in Weeden and Blackmon.”

Garrett Mayers, CSF Writer/Contributor

3. LSU

“Les Miles’ squad had by far the toughest schedule in the nation. Their only loss came against a loaded Alabama team that had six full weeks to prepare. The Tigers lose some stars on defense, most notably Jim Thorpe award winner Morris Claiborne, but they are still absolutely loaded. Tyrann Mathieu could be the most dynamic playmaker in college football, and he returns with another LSU defense that will be one of the best in the country. The only knock on LSU last season was the lack of production on offense, but former Georgia QB Zach Mettenberger is a much better passer than Jordan Jefferson. Look for the Tigers to win their second straight SEC West title.”

Jeff Dunbar, CSF Senior Editor

“The LSU Tigers will try and rebound from getting blown out by Alabama in the BCS National Championship in January. It will not be an easy road for them with star receiver Rueben Randle and 6th overall pick Mo Claiborne going to the NFL.  With enough talent returning on offense and the returning stellar defense, the LSU Tigers should be near the top of the SEC and national ranks again this coming season.”

Garrett Mayers, CSF Writer/Contributor

2. Alabama

“Bama, Bama, Bama. There’s not much to really say about it. They have always been good and they probably always will be good. Look at their players – they’re huge. They’re the southern boys that have been playing football since they could walk and have always known that they would play in college. Bama is definitely not a team to think you can beat easily. They will make you fight for a victory over them – hard. They are a team to watch out for this season, they do have the potential to take the #1 spot.”

Allie Balog, CSF Associate Editor

“Coach Nick Saban has transformed Alabama into arguably to most consistently great team since his arrival in Tuscaloosa, with two BCS titles in five years. Expect the same this year, even with the high number of losses on both sides of the ball.  QB AJ McCarron will shoulder more of the offensive load, and RB Eddie Lacy should provide a more than acceptable replacement for Trent Richardson. The defensive will benefit greatly from the top recruiting class in the country, and will be tough enough for the Crimson Tide to compete for another National Championship in 2012.”

Anthony Manzella, CSF Writer/Contributor

1. USC

“Matt Barkley’s decision to return for his senior season took USC from a top 20 team to the team to beat in 2012.  Barkley’s favorite targets, Robert Woods and Marqise Lee combined for an astounding 2,435 yards receiving and hauled in 26 touchdowns.  Oregon and Stanford lost a lot of talent to the NFL, but the major playmakers (excluding LT Matt Kalil) all came back for the Trojans.  Expect Barkley to make a run at the Heisman, but more importantly, expect him finish what he started, by hoisting the crystal football at season’s end.”

Jeff Dunbar, CSF Senior Editor

“The Trojans may not have snagged Su’A Cravens yet, but they have multiple other factors that have contributed to their #1 spot in CSF’s Top 25. QB Matt Barkley is still there, and he has enough skill to lead the offense even with the loss of LT Matt Kalil. And with an experienced defensive line, USC is double the trouble. They could very easily snag a spot in the BCS title game, mainly because they have a handful of talented returnees while many other Pac 12 teams do not. This could very well be the year for the Trojans.”

Elizabeth Garabedian, CSF Writer/Contributor

What was supposed to be a ho-hum weekend of college football turned out to be the biggest upset weekend of the season. CSF breaks down the national championship update and the current state of the Heisman from the week that reshaped the 2011 season and put the BCS picture into a tizzy.

Upset Weekend: The weekend got off to a crazy start on Friday, when #2 Oklahoma State, who controlled their own destiny to a Big 12 Title and BCS National Championship game, was stunned in Ames to the Iowa State Cyclones.  The loss took OSU out of the national title hunt all together and severely jeopardized quarterback Brandon Weeden’s chance at the Heisman Trophy.

On Saturday, Oregon looked to take advantage of the Oklahoma State loss and jump to at least 3rd nationally, but those hopes were dashed on a missed field goal at the end of regulation to Matt Barkley and USC.  The Ducks fought their way back into the game (USC led 38-14 at one point) but ultimately fell short 38-35.  Oregon’s second loss officially puts them out of the BCS Title hunt as well.

About an hour later, Oklahoma, who had trailed most of the game to Robert Griffin III and his Baylor team, also found themselves in great position to make a push for a BCS title run.  OU quarterback Landry Jones battled his team back into the game and forced an apparent overtime, but Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops got greedy.  With Baylor conceding overtime, they attempted to run the clock out, but Oklahoma opted to use a timeout in attempt to get the ball back with less than a minute to go.  Griffin III showed the Sooners that when you play with fire, you get burned.  The junior QB led his team down the field by running and passing and capped off the game’s final drive with a touchdown pass to Terrance Williams with 8 seconds left on the clock to regain a seven-point lead, and the Bears beat Oklahoma for the first time in 21 tries by a score of 45-38.

Heisman will come down to the wire: All season, the Heisman front-runners have changed more frequently than Charlie Sheen’s roommates.  Here’s the recap.  Stanford’s Andrew Luck is up.  Okie State’s Brandon Weeden is down.  Baylor’s Robert Griffin III has worked his way back in the picture after being forgotten for the last month.  Bama’s Trent Richardson is back in the hunt, but Oregon’s LaMichael James dropped significantly.  Boise State’s Kellen Moore is all but forgotten.  Meanwhile, Houston’s Case Keenum has 38 TDs and only three interceptions, while Wisconsin’s Montee Ball has continued his record-setting season with 31 total touchdowns, respectively.  Oh, yeah….and Kansas State’s Colin Klein has 36 total touchdowns for the surprising Wildcats.  But don’t worry.  The major rivalry games take place this weekend, so all of this is likely to change in a week.  Confused yet?  Just wait until the conference championship games happen in two weeks.

Editor’s Note: This was filmed Oct. 4, 2011.

The wait is over.  Several CSF writers collaborated for our first ever CSF Preseason Top 25, and after four weeks, we have worked our way to our top five teams, heading into the 2011 season.  Without further adieu, here are the five teams we feel have the best chance at competing for a national title this year.

5.  Oregon:  A return to the Rose Bowl this year should thrill Duck fans, but last year’s run will make the season seem like a disappointment. Too much on the defensive side was lost, and it will show in road games against LSU and Stanford.  –  Peter Marhoefer, Mr. Touchdown USA

Most notably, the Ducks return LaMichael James and QB Daron Thomas.  They’re still the best team in the Pacific Atlantic Numeric, but I think playing LSU away from Autzen in September will take a bit of steam out of 2011.  –  Justin Cange, CSF writer/contributor

4.  Florida State: After getting throttled in Norman by the Sooners last year, it appeared Florida State was once again an over-hyped team in the weak ACC.  However, the ‘Noles, and most notably cornerback Greg Reid (who was picked on all game long by Oklahoma) played with a chip on their shoulder and appear to have their swagger back, after dismantling the hated Florida Gators and taking down favored South Carolina in the Chik-fil-A Bowl.  They return a stable of running backs, an experienced offensive line and a defense led by DE Brandon Jenkins that was tops in the nation with 48 sacks last season.  –  Jeff Dunbar, CSF Senior Editor

The ‘Noles of the 90′s may be on precipitous of returning as Jimbo Fisher guided FSU to a quiet 10-win season in 2010.  The ‘Noles have recruiting momentum in the Sunshine State again, after finally beating the Gators last year.  They return nine starters on each side of the ball, they don’t play North Carolina or Virginia Tech and the ACC is still down.  Sounds less crazy now, right?  –  Justin Cange, CSF writer/contributor (Justin picked FSU as #1)

3.  LSU:  If athleticism won championships, they would be my #1.  Surely one of the Les Miles gambles will finally come back to bite him this year?  If they hire a clock management coach I’ll move them  higher.  –  Christian Hon, CSF writer/contributor

A match-up with Oregon in September is already being hyped up, but the Tigers return 17 starters from last year’s Cotton Bowl team, and they should be prepared to make a statement early in the season. As long as Jordan Jefferson can find some consistency under center, Les Miles will have a high-power offense to go along with an always athletic and strong defense.  –  Nick Mattar, CSF writer/contributor

2.  Alabama:  Trent Richardson will finally get to carry the majority of the rushing load, and he will have a lot of help with a strong offensive line returning from last season. Questions abound at other skill positions, but the defense should still be powerful, and defensive end Damion Square will be leading the way. A home game against a very strong LSU squad may determine who goes to the national championship game in January.  –  Nick Mattar, CSF writer/contributor

Nick Saban returns a stacked defense led by yet another stud linebacker in Dont’a Hightower.  The dominant Tide running game never seemed to return to the level of 2009, mostly due to nagging injuries to Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson.  If Richardson can stay healthy in 2011, expect him to make the trip to New York as a Heisman finalist, and more importantly, expect Bama to reclaim the SEC Championship, which would put them in prime position for another BCS title game.  –  Jeff Dunbar, CSF Senior Editor

1.  Oklahoma:  A Lock for the #1 spot with the surprise return of many NFL ready players.  However, history tells us that seniors returning to “finish the job” rarely do.  –  Christian Hon, CSF writer/contributor

A lighter Big 12 will allow the Sooners to focus on three games vs. improving Texas, Texas A&M, and the Ole’ defense of Oklahoma State.  Nine Offensive starters should vault Oklahoma to the top spot if Stanford stumbles. A trip to Florida State, which will have revenge on the mind after last year’s rout in early September could ruin the Sooners hope for a BCS Championship Game appearance.  –  Peter Marhoefer, Mr. Touchdown USA

The wait is nearly over.  Tomorrow college football fans will get to see the match they have been waiting for since mid-season when Auburn and Oregon bring their high-powered offenses to Glendale, Arizona to declare this year’s BCS Champion.  In case you missed it, College FootBlog provided two previous breakdowns for this match up, but in the finale, we will provide what we feel will ultimately be the difference in this shoot-out, and we will give our score prediction.

As we pointed out in our first breakdown, each team has an X-factor, and both Oregon’s Darron Thomas and Auburn’s Cam Newton are on the offensive side of the ball.  The difference in this game, however, will be who can make plays on defense.

For Oregon, there has been a lot of talk about senior linebacker Casey Matthews, and rightfully so.  If Oregon has a shot in this game, however, FS John Boyett must have a big game.  Boyett is tied for the team lead in interceptions with five and ranks third on the team in tackles with 67.  The talented sophomore defensive back has proven all season that he is dangerous against the pass, but he is also excellent in run support.  The Ducks will need the best of both worlds against Newton, who is the most dangerous dual threat quarterback in the nation.

Auburn DT Nick Fairley has dominated all season and will be key in the BCS Title Game on Monday (google images)

For Auburn, DT Nick Fairley is one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the country, and the Tigers’ success or failure to limit Oregon’s potent rushing attack, led by the nation’s top rusher LaMichael James, will depend largely on how effective Fairly is against the very quick offensive line from Oregon.  The dominant defensive tackle has racked up 21.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks on the season.

Final Analysis/Score Predicition

We agree with the experts that this game will light up the score board.  We believe that Fairley’s impact on this game could be the difference.  Fairley has dominated all season, many of those games coming at the expense of a solid running game (see Alabama).  While the Crimson Tide’s rushing numbers have been down considerably compared to last season, they were finally healthy and back up to full strength for the Iron Bowl match up and presented Auburn with a very balanced attack.  Fairley dominated against both the run and pass.

Although Auburn has faced the spread attack, they have not faced the speed and balance that Oregon presents.  Still, in the end, we expect Auburn to create a key turnover in the second half that could prove to be the difference, and most turnovers, even the interceptions, are caused by pressure up the middle.

As Terrell Owens would say, “Get your popcorn ready.”  This will be a fun game to watch that will likely not be decided until late in the game.  Our final score prediction:  Auburn wins 41-31.