Its that time of year again as the calendar turns to September and college football gets underway. It should be an exciting season with a lot of twists and turns along the way. Will the SEC continue their championship dominance? Only time will tell, but here's a preview of all the BCS conferences (including the AAC) with my analysis and predictions, including Heisman and BCS Bowl predictions.
1) Louisville: 12-0 (8-0)
2) Connecticut: 9-3 (6-2) (following the Towson loss, don't be surprised to see a 4-5 win season)
3) Cincinnati: 8-4 (6-2)
4) UCF: 8-4 (5-3)
5) Rutgers: 6-6 (4-4)
6) Houston: 6-6 (4-4)
7) Memphis: 5-7 (4-4)
8) SMU: 4-8 (3-5)
9) Temple: 5-7 (2-6)
10) South Florida: 3-9 (1-7)
With an easy schedule, and a fairly weak conference, I see Louisville running the table to go undefeated, led by QB Teddy Bridgewater. Not to say that Louisville won't have any tough games (Cincinnati, Connecticut, etc), but I think that offense will have what it takes. Connecticut had a good, under the radar defense last year, and I think their offense will take a step up this year to have a solid season. Cincinnati should also have another consistent year. From the new teams entering what was the Big East, I could see UCF with their offense making some noise in the AAC with a good 8-win season. All in all though, a fairly weak conference when you look at the big picture of it all. But again, I say Louisville runs the table, and will at least make it to another BCS Bowl Game (but not the title game).
Atlantic:
1) Florida St: 11-1 (8-0)
2) Clemson: 10-2 (7-1)
3) North Carolina St: 8-4 (4-4)
4) Boston College: 6-6 (3-5)
5) Syracuse: 5-7 (3-5)
6) Wake Forest: 4-8 (3-5)
7) Maryland: 4-8 (2-6)
Coastal:
1) Miami (FL): 10-2 (7-1)
2) Virginia Tech: 9-3 (6-2)
3) North Carolina: 9-3 (6-2)
4) Georgia Tech: 8-4 (5-3)
5) Pittsburgh: 8-4 (4-4)
6) Duke: 5-7 (1-7)
7) Virginia: 3-9 (0-8)
ACC Championship Game:
Florida St v. Miami (FL)
The ACC brings in a couple of new teams this year in Syracuse and Pittsburgh. Of the two, I see Pittsburgh having a better transition. The Atlantic division should be a fairly easy one, dominated by Florida St and Clemson, with Florida St edging out Clemson for a spot in the ACC title game, The Coastal division looks like a tough one, with potentially 5 teams alone being bowl eligible. I think Miami(FL) is just too good though. Barring any penalty ruling from the NCAA on the on-going investigation, they should face Florida St in the conference title game. If they're ruled ineligible, then I see Virginia Tech getting that honor. All in all, I see Florida St taking the ACC this year. Clemson and Miami(FL) could get potential at-large BCS bids.
1) Texas: 11-1 (8-1)
2) Oklahoma St: 10-2 (7-2)
3) Oklahoma: 10-2 (7-2)
4) TCU: 8-4 (6-3)
5) Texas Tech: 8-4 (5-4)
6) Baylor: 7-5 (4-5)
7) Kansas St: 6-6 (3-6)
8) West Virginia: 6-6 (3-6)
9) Kansas: 4-8 (1-8)
10) Iowa St: 3-9 (0-9)
I see the Big 12 being very top heavy this year, with solid seasons for Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St and Texas. With the play-making of David Ash and a strong defense, I see Texas finally coming back to be Big 12 champions, but there will definitely be some big time games within the projected top 3 of the Big 12. Oklahoma St could potentially be up for a BCS at-large bid, as well as Oklahoma.
Leaders:
1) Ohio St: 10-2 (6-2)
2) Wisconsin: 9-3 (6-2)
3) Purdue: 4-8 (3-5)
4) Indiana: 6-6 (2-6)
5) Illinois: 3-9 (1-7)
Penn St: 8-4 (5-3)
Legends:
1) Michigan: 10-2 (6-2)
2) Nebraska: 9-3 (6-2)
3) Michigan St: 9-3 (5-3)
4) Northwestern: 8-4 (4-4)
5) Minnesota: 6-6 (2-6)
6) Iowa: 5-7 (2-6)
Big Ten Championship: Ohio St vs Michigan
Michigan, under Brady Hoke finally climbs back to the top, beating Ohio St in both the regular season and conference championship. I just think that Michigan will finally have that balanced offense and defense, while Ohio St's D may be lacking this season. I could also see Ohio St having a bit of a stumble versus an opponent like Northwestern this year. The Legends division should be stronger than the Leaders division, with Michigan, Nebraska, Michigan St, Northwestern all being bowl eligible. Ohio St could be up for an at-large BCS berth.
North:
1) Stanford: 11-1 (8-1)
2) Oregon: 11-1 (8-1)
3) Oregon St: 7-5 (5-4)
4) Washington: 6-6 (4-5)
5) California: 5-7 (4-5)
6) Washington St: 5-7 (2-7)
South:
1) USC: 11-2 (7-2)
2) UCLA: 8-4 (6-3)
3) Arizona St: 9-3 (6-3)
4) Utah: 6-6 (3-6)
5) Arizona: 6-6 (3-6)
6) Colorado: 3-9 (1-8)
Pac-12 Championship: Stanford vs USC
The North should be a battle between Stanford and Oregon, which I see Stanford coming away victorious. I also see USC having a strong bounce-back year coming off a disappointing season with high expectations. All in all, Stanford is just too balanced, and should be the PAC-12 champions. Oregon and USC could both be up for at-large BCS berths.
East:
1) Georgia: 11-1 (8-0)
2) South Carolina: 11-1 (7-1)
3) Florida: 9-3 (5-3)
4) Vanderbilt: 8-4 (4-4)
5) Missouri: 6-6 (2-6)
6) Tennessee: 5-7 (2-6)
7) Kentucky: 4-8 (1-7)
West:
1) Alabama: 12-0 (8-0)
2) LSU: 10-2 (6-2)
3) Texas A&M: 10-2 (6-2)
4) Mississippi St: 7-5 (4-4)
5) Ole Miss: 7-5 (4-4)
6) Arkansas: 6-6 (2-6)
7) Auburn: 4-8 (0-8)
SEC Championship: Georgia vs. Alabama
A bit of a shocker, but I see a re-match from that exhilarating SEC title game a year ago, and Georgia taking the prize this time around, with another year in for Aaron Murray. SEC should be a more even conference this year, as it was mainly top heavy last year. South Carolina, LSU should both have strong 11,10 win seasons (respectively), but likely only 1 getting an at-large BCS berth, with Alabama a guarantee.
1) Teddy Bridgewater: QB Louisville - My 1st choice for the Heisman is Teddy Bridgewater. He'll lead what should be a prolific Louisville offense that should be able to roll through the AAC. With a perfect season and still no shot at the title game (due to a poor schedule), this should be how Louisville gets recognition, along with a BCS berth.
2) Marcus Mariota: QB -Oregon - My 2nd choice is Marcus Mariota. Oregon should keep going where Chip Kelly left off, and in large part to the developing play of Marcus Mariota. That intense Oregon offense should keep on rolling under his play.
VS.
(Oregon) (Michigan)
This would be an exciting, fast paced Rose Bowl between at-large Oregon and the Big 10 champion Michigan Wolverines.
VS
(Texas) (South Carolina)
An exciting showcase between the Big 12 and SEC with Texas and South Carolina
VS
(Alabama) (Ohio St)
With such high expectations this year, a Sugar Bowl appearance will seem like a disappointment for Alabama, but they better be ready for Braxton Miller and the Ohio St offense
VS
(Florida St) (Louisville)
Champions of the ACC versus the inaugural AAC champion Louisville Cardinals, this could be a nice national showcase for Heisman contender Teddy Bridgewater
VS
(Georgia) (Stanford)
While many are predicting Stanford, I could see Georgia taking that last step they just missed last year. As for Stanford, they finally take the spotlight and display how much of a powerhouse that they really are.
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