College Football Preseason 2012 Rankings: No. 46-60

Jeff Tuel should have a big season in Mike Leach's pass-happy offense.

With the completion of Athlon's college football Top 25 for 2012, it's time to take a look at the rest of the rankings, continuing with No. 46-60.

Note: Ranking is where team is projected to finish at the end of the 2012 season.

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College Football Preseason 2012 Rankings: No. 36-45

Keenan Allen needs a big season for Cal to challenge in the Pac-12 North.

With the completion of Athlon's college football Top 25 for 2012, it's time to take a look at the rest of the rankings, continuing with No. 36-45.

Note: Ranking is where team is projected to finish at the end of the 2012 season.

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College Football Preseason 2012 Rankings: No. 26-35

Athlon continues its release of 2012 preseason rankings with No. 26 through No. 35.

With the completion of Athlon's college football Top 25 for 2012, it's time to take a look at the rest of the rankings, beginning with No. 26-35.

Note: Ranking is where team is projected to finish at the end of the 2012 season.

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College Football's Top Assistant Coach Hires for 2012

Mike Stoops is back at Oklahoma - and that's a good thing for the Sooners.

The college football coaching carousel wasn't just busy among head coaches, as the assistant ranks saw plenty of changes as well. Changing coordinators or hiring a key positional coach can have a big impact on any team.

Athlon takes a look at the top coordinator hires for 2012:

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USC Football: Is Depth the Trojans Biggest Hurdle to a National Title in 2012?

Scholarship limitations are an issue for the Trojans.

Athlon's College Football top 25 countdown for 2012 continues with No. 1 USC. The Trojans are off probation and hungry to return to national prominence.

Is Depth USC's Biggest Hurdle to a National Title in 2012?

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USC Trojans' Top 10 Players for 2012

Submitted by Rich McVey on Tue, 2012-06-05 04:15

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10. RB Curtis McNeal

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McNeal provided a much-needed spark to the USC rushing attack last season. After recording 24 carries through the first five games, McNeal closed out the year with five 100-yard performances over the final seven games. He rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the overtime loss to Stanford, while posting 124 yards and a score on 12 attempts in the 50-0 rout over UCLA. McNeal is only 5-foot-7, so the Trojans can’t depend on him for 250-275 carries. Depth at running back is thin, which makes keeping McNeal healthy for the full season a priority for coach Lane Kiffin.

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9. LB Hayes Pullard

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Dion Bailey garnered most of the attention in the USC linebacking corps last season, but Pullard shouldn’t be overlooked. He started all 12 games last season, recording 81 stops and two fumble recoveries. Pullard finished the year on a high note, making 14 tackles in the win over Oregon and nine in the blowout victory over UCLA. He earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors last season, but should be a lock for first or second-team accolades in 2012.

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8. LB Dion Bailey

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Getting more speed on defense was a priority going into 2011 for coordinator Monte Kiffin, which prompted the move of Bailey from safety to linebacker. So far, that move has been a huge success. Bailey is one of the Pac-12’s rising stars and should contend for All-American honors this year. He recorded 81 stops and started 11 games as a redshirt freshman last season, while also earning Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors.

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7. DE Wes Horton

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With Nick Perry’s departure to the NFL, Horton and Devon Kennard will be in charge of leading the USC pass rush in 2012. Horton earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors last year after recording 22 tackles and four sacks. He has 22 career starts, while also registering 11.5 tackles for a loss. The Trojans have used an effective rotation up front in previous years, but with depth a concern, Horton will be asked to play more in 2012.

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6. WR Marqise Lee

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Robert Woods shattered the USC record book for most catches in a season, but Lee’s 2011 campaign should not be overlooked. As a true freshman last year, Lee caught 73 receptions for 1,143 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also averaged 28.5 yards per kickoff return on 10 attempts. Lee closed out 2011 on a tear, catching at least eight passes in each of his final four games, while recording 187 yards against Oregon and 224 versus UCLA. The sophomore is an Athlon Sports third-team All-American for 2012.

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5. C Khaled Holmes

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With Matt Kalil departing for the NFL, Holmes will be expected to be the offensive line’s top performer and leader in 2012. In his first season at center last year, Holmes started all 12 games and earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors. He is expected to be one of the leading candidates for the Rimington Award and is an Athlon Sports second-team All-American for 2012.

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4. CB Nickell Robey

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Playing cornerback in an offensive-minded conference is never easy. However, Robey has emerged as one of college football’s top covermen after starting the last two seasons, and will help to lead a much-improved USC secondary in 2012. Over his two-year career with the Trojans, Robey has tallied 111 tackles and six interceptions. He earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors last season and is expected to be one of the top cornerbacks in college football.

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3. S T.J. McDonald

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McDonald had a chance to enter the NFL Draft, but decided to return to Los Angeles for another run at the national championship, while hoping to improve his draft stock into the first round. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound safety has earned all-conference honors in each of the last two seasons and was one of the 15 finalists for the Thorpe Award in 2011. McDonald recorded 67 tackles and three interceptions last season, and was named the Thorpe Award’s Player of the Week for his performance against Arizona. The senior is aggressive and packs a punch with each hit. However, McDonald matches his aggressiveness and big hits with steady play in coverage.

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2. WR Robert Woods

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The Barkley-to-Woods combination was deadly and virtually unstoppable last season. Woods finished with 111 receptions (a USC single-season record) for 1,292 yards and 15 scores. He caught 17 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns in the opener against Minnesota, 12 receptions for 113 yards and two scores against UCLA and nabbed 12 balls for 119 yards and two touchdowns against Notre Dame. In addition to being an All-American receiver, Woods is one of college football’s top return men, averaging 24.8 yards per kickoff return over the last two years. The junior is an Athlon Sports first-team All-American for 2012.

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1. QB Matt Barkley

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Barkley turned down millions and a spot among the top 10 selections in the 2012 NFL Draft to make a run at the national title. The Trojans are off NCAA probation and eligible for their first bowl game in two seasons. With USC poised to finish among the top five teams in the nation, Barkley will be one of the frontrunners to win the Heisman and is Athlon’s first-team All-American quarterback for 2012. Barkley earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors last season, throwing for 3,528 yards and 39 touchdowns. He has thrown for 80 scores in his career and has completed 64.2 percent of his throws over the last three years.

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LSU or USC: Which Team Will Be College Football's No. 1 Team for 2012?

Will LSU or USC finish No. 1 in 2012?

Athlon's College Football Top 25 countdown for 2012 concludes on Tuesday with the release of No. 1 and No. 2. LSU and USC were picked by Athlon's staff to play in the national championship game - but which team should be ranked No. 1?

LSU or USC: Which Team Will Win the 2012 Title?

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Oregon Ducks 2012 Team Predictions

John Boyett leads Oregon's defense in 2012.

The Oregon Ducks check in at No. 4 in Athlon's college football 2012 top 25 countdown. Here's a look at our predictions for the most valuable players, games to watch, breakout candidates and other key categories for 2012.

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College Football's Top 25 Head Coaches for 2012

Athlon Sports ranks the Top 25 best coaches in college football for 2012.

Ranking the coaches in any college football conference is a difficult task. Many factors play into just how successful a coach is at any school. How well are the assistants paid? Are the facilities up to par with the rest of the conference? Can the coach recruit or is he more of an x's and o's manager? Are there off-the-field or age issues to take into consideration? Has a coach built a program or continued the success from a previous coach?

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College Football 2012 Realignment Breakdown

College football realignment dominated the headlines last summer and if you thought it was over, think again. More movement in college football could be coming this summer, especially with the mixed messages coming out of Tallahassee with Florida State. Are the Seminoles content to stay in the ACC or are they interested in the Big 12? If Florida State does make the jump to the Big 12, the domino effect will be felt across all of college football.

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10. RB Curtis McNeal

9. LB Hayes Pullard

8. LB Dion Bailey

7. DE Wes Horton

6. WR Marqise Lee

5. C Khaled Holmes

4. CB Nickell Robey

3. S T.J. McDonald

2. WR Robert Woods

1. QB Matt Barkley

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