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

Week 13 wasn’t filled with crazy upsets like the previous week, but Rivalry Week didn’t disappoint, either.  As we do every week, CSF takes a look at the top stories from the week that was.

LSU is the clear #1: Les Miles and his Tigers have continued their quest for another BCS Title, and #3 Arkansas was the latest victim.  A lot of experts said that if anyone could challenge the dominant defense and plethora of NFL-ready defensive backs on the LSU roster, it was Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson and his stable of great receivers.  After jumping to a 14-0 lead, Arkansas found out why LSU is the #1 team in the country.  Tyrann Matthieu led the way with a punt return for a touchdown and two more forced fumbles, and the rout was on.  LSU takes on a red-hot Georgia team in the SEC Championship this weekend, but expect them to be in New Orleans for the BCS Title on January 9th.

Trent Richardson makes his case for the Heisman: The junior running back is looking to become the second player in Bama history to bring home the Heisman, and he made a huge statement in arguably the most heated rivalry in college football, when he rushed for 203 yards against Auburn in the Iron Bowl.  On the season, Richardson has rushed for 1,583 yards and 20 TDs.  His former teammate, Mark Ingram, won the Heisman in 2009 with similar stats, posting 1,542 yards, but Ingram had an extra game (the SEC Championship Game, which Richardson will not have).

Stage has been set for a painfully dreadful Pac 12 Championship: The inaugural Pac 12 Championship Game could end up with worse ratings than the MAC Championship this on Friday, when both conference championship games are set to take place.  What will be more fun to watch?  Ohio vs. Northern Illinois?  Or lowly UCLA vs Oregon?  Due to USC’s post-season ban from the Pete Carroll regime and the dismal collapse of Arizona State late in the season, the 6-6 UCLA Bruins will serve as little more than a bump in the road for the fast-paced Oregon offense.  The match up is not what Pac 12 officials had in mind when they created the 12-team conference to ensure the ability for a conference title game.  And the ratings will show that.

Urban Meyer to Ohio State: After his worst season at Florida and signs of more of the same entering this season, Urban Meyer sited health reasons for an early exit from Gainesville.  Apparently, Meyer has the same doctor who cured Magic Johnson of HIV, because the former head coach for the Gators has accepted the reigns at Ohio State for next season.  All joking aside, Meyer should be a good fit for the Buckeyes, and barring NCAA sanctions, they should compete for a Big Ten Title next season.  Like him or not, Meyer knows how to win…and win quickly.  He won his first of two BCS Titles at Florida in just two seasons.

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

In 2007, Michigan decided that the Lloyd Carr era was over.  The only problem was that the storied program didn’t have anyone locked in to take the vacant position.  Speculation was that LSU’s head coach Les Miles would return to Ann Arbor, where he played and coached, but Miles made an announcement before he led his LSU Tigers into that year’s SEC Championship game.

The Rich Rodriguez experiment did not go well for Rodriguez or Michigan (google images)

Michigan then turned to Rich Rodriguez, despite not being the program’s top choice to fill the vacancy, and despite the fact that Rodriguez’ coaching style was in stark contrast to the Wolverine’s 4-3 defense and pro style offense.  It was not a pleasant three years for Rodriguez or Michigan football.  In his brief tenure at Michigan, Rodriguez was 15-22 with just six wins against Big Ten opponents.

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon showed that the program didn’t necessarily learn their lesson, firing Rodriguez in favor of what he thought would be Jim Harbaugh, who led the Stanford Cardinal to a 12-1 record and an Orange Bowl victory.  Harbaugh instead opted to take the head coaching job for the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.  Brandon quickly turned his focus once again to Miles.  But, once again, Miles said thanks, but no thanks.

Brandon is hoping the third time is a charm, and Michigan announced today the hiring of San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke.  Brandon insists that Hoke was Michigan’s first option, but the timing of his hiring suggests otherwise.  Hoke’s season with SDSU wrapped up on December 23rd, when he coached his Aztecs to a bowl victory over Navy.  And yet the decision to hire him did not take place until after Harbaugh and Miles were not only finished with their bowl games, but the decision also came after each coach publicly announced their decisions to coach somewhere other than Ann Arbor.

On paper, Hoke actually looks like a better fit for the traditional Michigan program–he did, after all, coach as an assistant at Michigan from 1995-2002.  Hoke actually has an overall losing record (47-50), but he has shown an ability to revamp programs.  He led Ball State to a 12-1 record in 2008, and after a losing season in his first year at SDSU, Hoke led the Aztecs to a 9-4 mark.

He will have his work cut out for him as the head man in Ann Arbor though.  Not only will all eyes be on him to see if he can right the ship, the new head coach will also have to revamp, recruit and reconstruct Michigan’s defense, which ranked 110th in the FBS.  He will also have to give the Wolverine offense its second complete overhaul in four years if he goes with a more traditional offense that the Wolverines have been known for in the last few decades, instead of Rodriguez’ spread attack.

Add the fact that Hoke is taking over a programs with only three weeks before National Signing Day, and it could be at least two years before fans of the Big Blue can expect any reason to celebrate.  Brandon will go down as a genious or a moron when the dust settles, and nothing in between.  If he can’t dig the program out, Brandon will be looking for a new job long before Hoke will.

Over the last three weeks, College FootBlog has provided preseason power rankings for the ACC and Big Ten.  Earlier this week, College FootBlog broke down the SEC East (see link).  The SEC has been known for being the best conference in college football, and for good reason–the last two national champions have come from that conference.  We now take a look at what we expect from the much deeper SEC West Division.

1.  Alabama:  Even though the tide lose several key defenders including both starting corners and All-American linebacker Rolando McClain, head coach Nick Saban has more than enough talent to put another sound defense on the field in 2010.  People outside of Tuscaloosa will know the name Dre Kirkpatrick after this season.  The sophomore corner has the size (6’3″ and 190 lbs.) and skills to be the Tide’s next All-American defensive back.  On offense, Bama has the top running back tandem in the nation with Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and sophomore Trent Richardson, who rushed for over 100 yards and two TDs in last year’s BCS National Championship.  Wide receiver Julio Jones will be an NFL first rounder next spring if he chooses to leave early, and quarterback Greg McElroy enters this season with big-game experience.  The running game and Saban’s ability to coach up the defense make the Tide the front-runner to not only win their division, but also challenge for another BCS National Championship.

Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett enters the 2010 season as the SEC's top quarterback (google images)

2.  Arkansas:  As quarterback Ryan Mallett goes, so will the Razorbacks.  Mallett, who goes 6’7″ and 238 lbs., should only improve his draft stock by sticking around another season in Bobby Petrino’s offense.  The Heisman hopeful will look to build on last years numbers of over 3,600 yards passing with 30 TDs compared to only seven picks.   Defensively, the Hogs must improve and a couple of new coaches on that side  of the ball and the return of cornerback Isaac Madison, who missed last season due to injury, should help a secondary that finished 99th in the nation against the pass, giving up just under 250 yards per game through the air. 

3.  LSU:  Les Miles will have a pretty young team, but he has recruited extremely well.  The Tigers must replace a couple of key weapons on offense, including WR Brandon Lafell, but they have a stable of big, physical receivers like 6’5″ Terrence Tolliver and and 6’3″ Rueben Randle.  Quarterback Jordan Jefferson must be more consistent this season, but with a full season under his belt and the talent he has at WR, he should take a step forward this fall.  Stevan Ridley looks like he will take over the starting running back spot with the departure of Charles Scott, but the Tigers will split carries among a few running backs.  Defensively, LSU lost two-sport star Chad Jones, but they have some decent depth and athleticism in the secondary, including freshman safety Craig Loston.  The schedule is not in LSU’s favor, though, as they go on the road to face Auburn, Florida, Arkansas and North Carolina.

4.  Auburn:  Head coach Gene Chizik silenced all who criticized his hiring from lowly Iowa State in last year’s off-season.   The new head coach led the Tigers to an 8-5 record and gave Alabama all they could handle in the Iron Bowl before losing to the Tide 26-21.  On offense, the Tigers return running backs Ben Tate and Onterrio McCalebb and four of their five starters on the offensive line that combined for the nation’s 13th best running game in the country in 2009.  Add to the mix, junior college transfer quarterback Cameron Newton and a deep and talented receiving corps, and Auburn could easily move up the power rankings in a hurry this fall.  Defensively, the Tigers gave up 30 or more points in seven games last season.  That must change if they want to challenge Bama for the SEC West, but Chizik is known for his defenses, and with a year under his belt and another solid recruiting class should provide much better results this fall.

5.  Ole Miss:  Although quarterback Jevan Sneed did not perform well last season, throwing 20 picks, he was still a leader on a Rebels’ squad and replacing him will be easier said than done.  Whoever assumes the starting job at QB will be inexperienced and unproven.  By far the biggest hit on Houston Nutt’s offense, however, is the graduation of do-everything RB/WR Dexter McCluster.  The Rebels’ defense, along with the electric play of McCluster, was what kept them in games last season, and the good news for the fans in Oxford is that several key defenders, including mammoth NT Jerrell Powe who weighs in at 340 lbs.  Powe will attempt to lead another top 25 defense, like the Rebs’ fielded last season.  Even with a stout defense, the key losses on offense will prove very difficult to overcome, and staying afloat in what is probably the toughest division in all of college football (SEC West) will probably make a .500 season a difficult task.

6.  Mississippi State:  Second-year coach Dan Mullen will have his work cut out for him again competing in this division.  The Bulldogs lose their running back from last season, Anthony Dixon, and that loss will hurt.  Robert Elliott is the front-runner for the starting RB spot, but replacing 1,300 yards will be difficult to pull off.  A major reason for the Bulldogs’ 3-5 SEC record from last year was their pass defense, which was 11th in the conference.  It doesn’t help the Bulldogs that instead of Vanderbilt this season, they pick up Georgia.  Coach Mullen should have an improved product on the field this season, but that will not necessarily translate into a better SEC record in 2010.