2012 NCAAF Conference Previews Part 12

-PAC 12 Conference-

Predicted Finish
NORTH
1)Oregon
     They officially return 11 starters but Oregon should have no problem winning the North division this year. On offense, the Ducks should be just as good as always despite losing QB Darron Thomas and RB LaMichael James. Senior RB Kenjon Barner will now be the featured back and,if healthy, should rack up atleast 1200 yards. Throw in RB/WR/KR DeAnthony Thomas and the Ducks will be hard to defend. It will be interesting to see how Freshaman QB Marcus Mariota performs as he has been called great by more than a few without ever playing a real game. Don't be surprised if QB Bryan Bennett ends up making a big difference for this team. The talk is always about the offense but this year's defense should be the best the Ducks have had in awhile. Safety John Boyett is back as well as a solid group of linebackers led by Michael Clay and Rose Bowl MVP Kiko Alonso. Also, don't forget about Dion Jordan and newcomer Arik Armstead on the D-Line. This team should have no problem winning 11+ games and a trip to the BCS Title Game is a legitimate possibility.
2)Washington
      Washington loses some key parts but benefit from the departure of Andrew Luck at Stanford as I have them at the #2 spot in the North. QB Keith Price now has over a full year under his belt and I expect him to have a breakout year throwing to guys like TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins. If the defense can make big plays, the Huskies should be in good position to finish better than Stanford and Cal. Should be noted, however, that the Huskies will have to play all their home games away from Husky Stadium as it is renovated.
3)Cal
      I switched Cal into the third spot over Stanford at the last minute and expect potential to start to bring success to the Bears. QB Zac Maynard has shown he's a talented kid and WR Keenan Allen is an underrated receiver in the Pac-12. Coach Tedford has gotten away with putting sub-par teams on the field recently and expect him to turn it around this year.
4)Stanford
       Stanford has done a great job recruiting but I just don't think you can lose who they lost and still compete for a Pac-12 title. To the delight of the rest of the conference, Stanford will not be the elite team they were with Andrew Luck around. Having said that, don't expect Stanford to not be in the mix for the #2 and #3 spots in the North.
5)Washington St
       With the addition of coach Mike Leach, there is a lot of excitement in Pullman. Leach brings his successful spread offense to the Cougars and I expect to QB Jeff Tuel and WR Marquis Wilson to benefit from his scheme. The team will be improved but not great yet. A bowl appearance would be classified as a major success for WSU.
6)Oregon St
       I have the Beavers last in the division coach Mike Riley usually has his best teams when we least expect it. I don't see the talent to compete with the league's best but with 15 returners, the Beavers could be bowl eligible by year's end.

SOUTH
1)USC
      This is the obvious choice here as USC is not only the favorite in the South but the favorite to win the entire conference and a favorite of many to win the BCS Title. This is because the AP #1 ranked team is returning almost the entire team from last year's 10 win squad. Highlighting the returners is Heisman frontrunner QB Matt Barkley. Barkley threw for 3500 yds and 39 TDs last year and will have his top two targets returning in Robert Woods and Marquis Lee. The team also returns a 1,000 yd rusher in Curtis McNeal and recently bolstered the back position by adding Penn State transfer Silas Redd. The defense will also be good, anchored by Safety TJ McDonald and LB Dion Bailey. The snag the Trojans might hit is the lack of depth. With reduced scholarships, injuries during the season may greatly affect USC's shot at the Pac-12 and BCS Titles. On the scheduling side, getting Oregon at home is nice.
2)Utah
     The Utes return 15 starters and are a team that I am extremely high on. Among those returnees are QB Jordan Wynn and RB Jon White. White rushed for 1500 yards and 15 TD last year and I think has the ability and experienced O-line to be one of, if not the best running back in the conference. On defense, the line and backs will be the strength and DL Star Lotulelei is a name to watch for. Utah avoids Oregon and a Thursday meeting with USC in October could be the difference between this team finishing first or second in the division. A 10-win season is very possible and an 11 win season not out of the question.
3)UCLA
     Ucla returns 16 starters and with good QB play from speedy Brett Hundley, this team should surpass the 6 win mark of last year. They avoid both Oregon and Washington and play USC in the Rose Bowl. 1000 yard rusher Jonathan Franklin and TE Joseph Fauria are going to be keys to success.
4)Arizona
     I think there is some seperation between the top 3 and bottom 3 in the South division but I have Arizona bringing up the pack. I like that new coach Rich Rodriguez will have mobile QB Matt Scott to work with in the spread and I just think they will have more consistency than ASU and Colorado.
5)Arizona St
    The Sun Devils return only 8 and RB Cameron Marshall may be the lone consistent star for them this season. Look for how QB Michael Eubank comes along.
6)Colorado
    I think the Buffaloes are on their way up but they are still at #6 as they have a long way to go. They only have 9 returning starters and have to play on the road against Oregon and USC and have to close the season against Washington and Utah.

2012 NCAAF Conference Previews Part 11

-Southeastern Conference-

Predicted Finish
WEST
1)LSU
    I think LSU will be just as good as last year's team and could be better if they get decent Quarterback play. The defense will be stacked and getting Alabama at home is why I have them at #1.
2)Alabama
    Alabama will be good but when you read off the names that this team loses on defense it's hard not to think there will be some drop off. The Tide can win every game but I just don't see it happening.
3)Arkansas
     I really want to put Arkansas ahead of Alabama but with a new coach I just cant do it. QB Tyler Wilson and RB Knile Davis will be at the helm of the league's best offense but I will keep them at #3 for now.
4)Auburn
     Auburn returns 15 starters and should be good but finishing this high will depend on the offense clicking with QB Kiehl Frazier. I'll admit some of the reason I like Auburn is Frazier's resemblance, if only in appearance, to Cam Newton.
5)Texas A&M
     I think they have talent to compete in the SEC but nothing tells me they will be better than last year when they won just 7 games.
6)Mississippi St
7)Ole Miss

EAST
1)Georgia
    They return their QB, RB, top 2 receivers, 9 defensive starters and oh, don't have to play LSU, Alabama and Arkansas. That would sum up why they are my favorite to win the East division.
2)South Carolina
    I'm not in love with the offense but I do think RB Marcus Lattimore has what it takes to carry the offense while the very good defense carries it through the season.
3)Tennessee
    Probably a stretch but having them at #3 is based on me thinking Tyler Bray is going to be a really good QB and that the defense will be pretty good.
4)Florida
    If Florida drops as low as I have them, people in Gainesville wont be happy. They return 17 starters and hope to actually be able to move the ball on offense this year. Many people have the Gators as a top 15 team but I dont see it.
5)Vanderbilt
   I have Vandy in front of Missouri as I think coach James Franklin along with 15 returners will put this team in good position.
6)Missouri
7)Kentucky

-Player of the Year-
  QB, Aaron Murray, Georgia

-Best Conference Games-
Florida vs. Georgia, Oct 27th
Tennessee @ South Carolina, Oct 27th
Alabama @ LSU, Nov 3rd
LSU @ Arkansas, Nov 23rd

2012 NCAAF Conference Previews

-Big Ten Conference-

Predicted Finish

Leaders Division

1)Wisconsin

     I don't see the Badgers being as good as they were last year but that doesn't mean they wont have a shot at ending up in the Rose Bowl. They return a Heisman finalist running back and should get good play from transfer QB Danny O'Brien. Add in a good defense and a season under 10 wins is a disappointment.

2)Ohio St

     This team isn't bowl eligible but they have enough talent to be a contender in the Big Ten. Should be interesting to see how QB Braxton Miller improves with Urban Meyer now coaching.

3)Illinois

4)Purdue

5)Penn St

6)Indiana

Legends Division

1)Michigan St

     I know they lose QB Kirk Cousins but they still have RB Leveon Bell and I think he will carry this team to the Big Ten Championship Game. The thing that scares me with having them this high is the schedule. The Spartans must play Michigan, Wisconsin and Nebraska three weekends in row late in the season.

2)Michigan 

     Michigan seems to be the favorite in the division but I have a hard time ever really buying into Denard Robinson. I like what coach Brady Hoke is doing but i'm just not sold Robinson can beat you throwing the ball.

3)Nebraska

4)Iowa

5)Minnesota

6)Northwestern

-Player of the Year-

 RB, Leveon Bell, Michigan St

-Best Conference Games-

Michigan St @ Michigan, Oct 20th

Michigan St @ Wisconsin, Oct 27th

2012 NCAAF Conference Previews Part 6

-Big East Conference-

Predicted Finish

1)Pittsburgh
    This would be considered a surprise but I am going with the Panthers to find a way to win the conference. Yes, Pitt has to endure yet another coaching change but I like the Wisconsin style of football they bring. They will get to work with Senior QB Tino Sunseri and RB Ray Graham who ran for 958 yards in just 8 games. Those two along with a good O-line and decent defense will have this team at the top.
2)Louisville
    I have the "favorite" to finish just short. While the Cardinals bring back QB Terry Bridgewater, Im not in love with the Running back position and I question the defensive front 7.
3)USF
    This team has 15 starters returning, including QB BJ Daniels, and it will be interesting to see how much they improve in coach Skip Holtz 2nd year. They will be better than last year but how much better?
4)Rutgers
5)Syracuse
6)Uconn
7)Cincinnati
8)Temple

-Player of the Year-
 RB, Ray Graham, Pitt

-Best Conference Games-
USF @ Louisville, Oct 20th
Louisville @ Rutgers, Nov 24th
Pittsburgh @ USF, Dec 1st

2012 NCAAF Conference Previews Part 5

-Mountain West Conference-

Predicted Finish

1)Boise St
     The Broncos lose all-time winningest QB Kellen Moore and are pretty inexperienced but I don't see Coach Peterson letting his team drop off too much. I think this will be a well-coached top 25 team.
2)Nevada
    They return QB Nick Fajardo and an O-Line that helped the Wolfpack finish 6th in total offense last year. If the defense is decent, this team will be at the top.
3)Fresno St
    They play the top two teams on the road and transition with a new coach but the return of QB Derek Carr and RB Robbie Rouse are big positives. In 2011, Carr threw for 3500 yds and 26 Td while Rouse ran for 1549 yards on his way to 13 Tds.
4)Wyoming
     While it may not seem so in the 4th spot, I really like this team. They return much of last years' 8-5 team and that includes QB Brett Smith. The Cowboys QB threw for 2600 yds and 20 Td and rushed for 10 more Tds gaining 700yds on the ground.
5)San Diego St
     This team loses the big guns at QB and RB but i think they will be competitive and have a chance to surprise if transfer QB Ryan Katz plays to his potential. Good options at WR should help with returner Colin Lockett and USC transfer Bryce Butler heading that position while Gavin Escobar leads at TE.
6)Air Force
7)Colorado St
8)Hawaii
9)UNLV
10)New Mexico

-Player of the Year-
  Rb, Robbie Rouse, Fresno St

-Best Conference Games-

Wyoming @ Nevada, Oct 6th
Fresno St @ Boise St, Oct 13th
Air Force @ SDSU, Nov 10th
Boise St @ Nevada, Dec 1st

2012 NCAAF Conference Previews Part 3

-Mid American Conference-

Predicted Finish
WEST
1)Western Michigan
    The Broncos return QB Alex Carder, who threw for 3800 yds and 31TD in 2011, as well as a 4 of 5 O-lineman and should win the West division easily. Helps that they avoid the top teams from the East too.
2)Northern Illinois
    NIU loses experienced QB Chandler Harnish and 6 others on offense and will rely on a good defense to be decent this year.
3)Eastern Michigan
    Coming off a 6-6 season, this team will compete as they return 9  offensive starters and boast a good running game. This team wont win the division but look for improvement.
4)Central Michigan
5)Toledo
6)Ball State

EAST
1)Ohio
    The Bobcats enter 2012 returning 9 defensive starters and QB Tyler Tettleton from a 10 win team a year ago. Tettleton will challenge WMU's Carder for best QB in the conference and can lead his team to another double digit win total.
2)Miami (OH)
    Miami is already one of Ohio's rivals and the two teams competing for the top spot will only make this years' race better. Miami returns 16 starters and included is QB Zac Dysert. Dysert threw for 3500 yards and 23 Touchdowns in 2011.
3)Bowling Green
     The Falcons were 5-7 last year but should be better as they return 17 starters.
4)Kent St
5)Buffalo
6)Akron
7)Umass

-Player of the Year-
  QB Tyler Tettleton, OHIO

-Best Conference Games-
 Ohio @ Miami (OH), Oct 27th
 NIU @ W.Michigan, Oct 27th
 E.Michigan @ Bowling Green, Oct 27th

2012 NCAAF Conference Previews Part 2

-Conference USA-

Predicted Finish
WEST
1)Tulsa
    Im not in love with this team but I'm banking on transfer QB Cody Green having a good enough year to propel this team past a thin but talented SMU squad and rebuilding Houston.
2)SMU
    I really want to pick SMU, led by June Jones, to continue to improve and win the division but I just cant. The Mustangs get Texas Transfer QB Garret Gilbert (whom nearly led a comeback against Bama in the title game 3 yrs ago), and return 1200 yd rusher Zac Line along with 1100 yd receiver Darius Johnson. The problem is having to replace all five offensive lineman and giving Gilbert enough time to get his playmakers the ball.
3)Houston
      The Cougars must replace the Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator and record breaking Quarterback Case Keenum. I have a hard time believing that Houston wont skip a beat like many others. I wouldn't be surprised if they finished higher but I think that'd be more because of a weak West division.
4)Rice
5)Utep
6)Tulane

EAST
1)UCF
    If UCF can stay away from getting bored with no bowl to play for, they should finish atop the East division. The defense should carry this team until the offense, that includes some talented transfers, gets it together.
2)Southern Mississippi
   Southern Mississippi comes off a great 12 win season and has to now rebuild. The bright spot should come from 4 returning O-lineman in front of some decent backs. Helps that there isn't exactly a lot of good teams to really challenge them for this spot.
3)East Carolina
    This team loses an experience QB but with 7 returning defensive starters might be able to compete with UCF and Southern Mississippi. It will be interesting to see who emerges as the man at Quarterback and how the offense takes care of the ball.
4)Marshall
5)UAB
6)Memphis

-Player of the Year-
 RB Zac Line, SMU

-Best Conference Games-
 Houston @ SMU, Oct 20th
 UCF @ Tulsa, Nov 17th
Tulsa @ SMU, Nov 24th

2012 NCAAF Conference Previews Part 1

-SUN BELT CONFERENCE-

Predicted Finish

1)Florida International
     FIU comes off an 8-5 season in good shape. Up and coming Head Coach Mario Cristobal has an experience O-Line, a thousand yard rusher in back Kedrick Rhodes, 5 of the 6 top receivers, and the bulk of a good defense returning. The only reason to think this team wont win the conference is the Quarterback position. There isnt much experience as the position includes redshirt sophomore Jake Medlock who was hurt last november, and two freshman.

2)Louisiana-Lafayette
     Louisiana, a year removed from a 9-4 season in which they won bowl, will have what it takes to compete at the top of this conference. They return 9 offensive starters including Senior QB Blaine Gautier behind an experience O-Line and good options at running back and receiver. The offense should be fine but the defense is a question with only 4 returners and will probably determine where they will finish in the top 3.

3)Arkansas State
         The new Head Coach leading this team is former Auburn Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn and I'm intrigued to see how he can improve the play of already talented and successful QB Ryan Aplin. The Senior QB threw for over 3,000 yds with 19 TDs and led the team in rushing. The offense should be very good but, like Louisiana, has questions on defense. If the defense gets better as the season goes on and learns from games with Oregon and Nebraska then this team might be a terror to play in conference play.

4)Western Kentucky
5)Louisiana-Monroe
6)Troy
7)Middle Tennessee State
8)North Texas
9) Florida Atlantic
10)South Alabama


-Player of the Year-
 QB, Ryan Aplin, Arkansas State

-Best Conference Games-
 FIU @ Louisiana, Sept 29th
 Arkansas St @ FIU, OCt 4th
 Arkansas St @ Louisiana, Oct 23rd