Conference By Conference Preview: South Eastern Conference (SEC)

With less than a week to go now before the college football season kicks off, it’s time for The Dirt to make some predictions. Beginning with conference standings and conference winners, I’ll take a look at all six BCS conferences (ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12 and SEC). Last but not least, the SEC:

SEC

·         Preseason Top 25 Teams

AP Poll                                                            Dirt Poll

2. Alabama                                                      1. Alabama

4. LSU                                                             3. LSU

12. South Carolina                                           7. South Carolina

15. Arkansas                                                   12. Arkansas

19. Georgia                                               16. Mississippi State                          

20. Mississippi State                                       19. Georgia    

22. Florida                                                       22. Florida

23. Auburn                                                       24. Auburn

·         Predicted  Finish

East                                                                       West

1.      South Carolina 10-2 (6-2)                               1. Alabama 11-1 (7-1)

2.      Georgia 9-3 (5-3)                                            2. LSU 8-4 (5-3)

3.      Florida 8-4 (5-3)                                              3. Arkansas 8-4 (5-3)

4.      Tennessee 6-6 (2-6)                                         4. Mississippi State 7-5 (3-5)

5.      Vanderbilt 5-7 (1-7)                                        5. Auburn 6-6 (2-6)

6.      Kentucky 5-7 (2-6)                                         6. Ole Miss 5-7 (1-7)

·         Bowl Teams: (9)

o   Alabama

o   South Carolina

o   LSU

o   Georgia

o   Arkansas

o   Florida

o   Mississippi State

o   Auburn

o   Tennessee

·         SEC  Championship Game:

§  Alabama over South Carolina

·         SEC Champion: Alabama Crimson Tide

·         Key Games:

o   9/3: #4 LSU Vs #3 Oregon

o   9/3: #19 Georgia Vs #5 Boise State

o   9/24: #2 Alabama Vs #15 Arkansas

o   9/10: #19 Georgia Vs #12 South Carolina

o   10/1: #22 Florida Vs #2 Alabama

o   11/5: #2 Alabama Vs #4 LSU

o   10/1: #15 Arkansas Vs #8 Texas A+M

o   10/29: #19 Georgia Vs #22 Florida

o   11/12: #12 South Carolina Vs #22 Florida

o   11/5: #15 Arkansas Vs #12 South Carolina

o   11/25: #4 LSU Vs #15 Arkansas

o   11/26: #23 Auburn Vs #2 Alabama

·         SEC Summary:

Six straight BCS national championships, 3 out of the 4 last Heisman trophy winners, rabid fans, and 100,000+ seat stadiums; what else can be said about the SEC? Cam Newton and Auburn came out of nowhere last year to take the SEC crown; and eventually beat Oregon for the national title. However, the ‘War Eagle’? Tigers will struggle to defend their title. Their instate rival Alabama seems to be the preseason SEC favorite, but we all know how tough it is to run the table through the SEC conference slate.

With 8 teams ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 poll (Auburn, Mississippi State and Georgia are more than questionable picks though) the SEC has more ranked teams than any other conference; to start. After Alabama; LSU, South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi State, Florida and Auburn are their other ranked teams. Wisdom seems to believe Alabama is the favorite in the West, with South Carolina the favorite in the East, and I agree.

Two teams have huge preseason games that could shape their season, both at ‘neutral’ sites. LSU squares off against Oregon in Dallas; while Georgia takes on Boise State in Atlanta – a win for either team could catapult them to a big year.

After Alabama and South Carolina; the SEC should send 7 other teams to bowl games. Though Tennessee and Auburn will be right on the cusp, but if Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Ole Miss can pull off some upsets they could easily reach 6 wins.

Auburn will be interesting to watch this season. Many believe they were a 7 game winner at best last year without superman Cam Newton running the offense; and they could struggle to get to 6 wins and make a bowl game this year. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

LSU will have to rebound after their quarterback Jordan Jefferson used his foot at a bar, not his arm on the field; to make headlines. And if he doesn’t make it back in time for their SEC slate – they could have down season.

I’m picking Alabama to win the West and South Carolina to repeat in the East; with Alabama winning the conference title game. If the Crimson Tide can manage their tough schedule with only one regular season loss, combined with a SEC title game victory – look out for them to return to the BCS National Championship Game.

Conference By Conference Preview: Pac 12

With less than a week to go now before the college football season kicks off, it’s time for The Dirt to make some predictions. Beginning with conference standings and conference winners, I’ll take a look at all six BCS conferences (ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12 and SEC). Next up, the Pac 12:

Pac 12

·         Preseason Top 25 Teams

AP Poll                                                            Dirt Poll

3. Oregon                                                        2. Oregon

7. Stanford                                                      5. Stanford

25. USC                                                          18. USC

                                                                        20. Arizona State

                                                                        23. Utah

·         Predicted Finish

North                                                                     South

1.      Oregon 12-0 (9-0)                                           1. Arizona State 9-3 (6-3)

2.      Stanford 10-2 (7-2)                                         2. USC 8-4 (5-4)

3.      Washington 7-5 (5-4)                                      3. Utah 7-5 (4-5)

4.      Oregon State 6-6 (4-5)                                    4. Arizona 6-6 (4-5)

5.      California 6-6 (4-6)                                         5. UCLA 5-7 (3-6)

6.      Washington State 5-7 (2-7)                             6. Colorado 2-11 (0-10)

·         Bowl Teams: (9)

o   Oregon

o   Arizona State

o   Stanford

o   USC

o   Washington

o   Utah

o   Oregon State

o   Arizona

o   California

·         Pac 12 Championship Game:

§  Oregon over Arizona State

·         Pac 12 Champion: Oregon Ducks

·         Key Games:

o   9/3: #4 LSU Vs #3 Oregon

o   9/10: #11 Wisconsin Vs Oregon State

o   9/8: #9 Oklahoma State Vs Arizona

o   9/9: Arizona State Vs #21 Missouri

o   10/29: #25 USC Vs #7 Stanford

o   10/29: #3 Oregon Vs Washington

o   11/26: #7 Stanford Vs #16 Notre Dame

o   10/22: #16 Notre Dame Vs #25 USC

o   11/19: #3 Oregon Vs #25 USC

o   10/15: #3 Oregon Vs Arizona State

o   9/24: Arizona State Vs #25 USC

o   11/12: #7 Stanford Vs #3 Oregon

·         Pac 12 Summary:

The Pac 12 continues to improve year in year out; and last season sent a team to the National Title game for the first time since USC in 2005. Oregon was mired in offseason issues all winter and spring; the Willie Lyles relationship and Cliff Harris driving like Jeff Gordon, but the Ducks return a ton of talent. Heisman finalist and Doak Walker award winner LaMiachael James is back to run the ball, and Darron Thomas is back behind center. Then there’s Stanford, who has a guy named Andrew Luck; you probably haven’t heard about him…

The conference added Utah and Colorado in the offseason to get to 12 teams; and this season will debut the inaugural Pac 12 Championship game which the better team will host. Oregon and Stanford will vie for the North title; while Arizona State seems to be the front runner in the South thanks to USC’s post season ban.

With Arizona’s Nick Foles; USC’s Matt Barkley; Utah’s Jordan Wynn; Oregon State’s Ryan Katz; Oregon’s Darron Thomas; and of course, Stanford’s Andrew Luck – the Pac 12 should be renamed the ‘Conference of the quarterback.’ The rest of the talent isn’t too bad, either.

Oregon and Stanford are the givens at the top, but the middle of the Pac (excuse the pun), should be pretty darn good itself. Washington continues to improve, but the loss of Jake Locker will be a big one. Utah should have a solid inaugural season, but will have to face a real opponent every week for the first time. Arizona will be solid again in the wild Mike Stoops and should return to post season play. Oregon State experienced a minor setback last year; but you can usually pencil them in for 7 or 8 wins. California was the closest to defeating Oregon last year; and they have a good shot at getting back to a bowl game. UCLA and Washington State will bring up the rear, but neither is an easy win. Though, Colorado could struggle to succeed; with no guaranteed conference win on their schedule.

In all, the Pac 12 could send 9 teams to a bowl game. Oregon State and California will be right on the edge; but UCLA could easily make it to 6 wins. The conference will come down to an October matchup in Palo Alto between Oregon and Stanford, and to the victor goes the spoils; as they should win the conference. I expect Oregon and Arizona State to face off in the conference title game; and there’s no way the Sun Devils win that one at Autzen.

If Oregon can get by LSU and Stanford, a return to the national title seems inevitable. Kirk Herbsteit picked the Ducks to make it back (and win this time) and so am I. Though, we will know a lot more about Ducks season in a little over 24 hours after their showdown in Dallas.

The Pac 12 can’t claim to be the best conference in the country until they knock off the SEC in a title game; or simply win a title game for that matter. However, the argument can be made they’re a very, very close second (as in, a last second field goal away from a BCS champion last year). So Pac 12 fans, gear up – it’s going to be a wild and fun ride this season. 

Conference By Conference Preview: Big 10

With less than a week to go now before the college football season kicks off, it’s time for The Dirt to make some predictions. Beginning with conference standings and conference winners, I’ll take a look at all six BCS conferences (ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12 and SEC). Next up, the Big 10:

Big 10

·         Preseason Top 25 Teams

AP Poll                                                            Dirt Poll

10. Nebraska                                                   6. Wisconsin

11. Wisconsin                                                  11. Nebraska

17. Michigan State                                          21. Michigan State

18. Ohio State

·         Predicted Finish

Legends Division                                                  Leaders Division

1.      Nebraska 10-2 (6-2)                                        1. Wisconsin 11-1 (7-1)

2.      Michigan 9-3 (5-3)                                          2. Penn State 8-4 (5-3)

3.      Northwestern 8-4 (4-4)                                   3. Illinois 7-5 (4-4)

4.      Iowa 8-4 (4-4)                                                 4. Ohio State 7-5 (3-5)

5.      Michigan State 7-5 (4-4)                                 5. Purdue 5-7 (2-6)

6.      Minnesota 4-8 (1-7)                                        6. Indiana 5-7 (1-7)

·         Bowl Teams: (9)

o   Wisconsin

o   Nebraska

o   Michigan

o   Penn State

o   Northwestern

o   Illinois

o   Iowa

o   Ohio State

o   Michigan State

·         Big 10 Championship Game:

§  Wisconsin over Nebraska

·         Big 10 Champion: Wisconsin Badgers

·         Key Games:

o   11/12: #17 Michigan State Vs Iowa

o   9/10: Michigan Vs #16 Notre Dame

o   11/19: #10 Nebraska Vs Michigan

o   11/26: Michigan Vs #18 Ohio State

o   10/22: #11 Wisconsin Vs #17 Michigan State

o   10/8: #18 Ohio State Vs #10 Nebraska

o   9/10: Penn State Vs #2 Alabama

o   10/29: #18 Ohio State Vs #11 Wisconsin

o   10/1: #11 Wisconsin Vs #10 Nebraska

·         Big 10 Summary:

It appears this season is stacking up to be a good one for the Big 10. The addition of Nebraska, who comes into the season ranked #10, will help to replace the hole at the top left by Ohio State. No more Terrelle Pryor, no more Jim Tressel; looks like the hierarchal structure in the conference has shifted. Russell Wilson, an amazing athlete, transferred from North Carolina State to Wisconsin; and we all got a glimpse of what he is capable of doing last night in the Badgers romp of UNLV.

Wisconsin and Nebraska are the clear cut favorites in their respective divisions coming into the season; and an October showdown in Madison could be a preview of the conferences first title game. Michigan has a new head coach, and do everything quarterback Denard Robinson back to run Brady Hoakes offense. Joe ‘Pa’ is back for his 150^th season as head coach for Penn State, and they should have another strong season.

The conference could contend to have the most teams of any with bowl games; only Minnesota, Purdue and Indiana seem to be at odds with making post season play. Northwestern, Iowa, Michigan State, Illinois will all contend for 8 or so wins; and they are all very strong teams.

Then there’s Ohio State. They’ve had their run of conference dominance for around a decade; and does anyone else think they’ll have a bull’s eye on their back? They lost their swagger, and I think week in week out every conference team will bring their ‘A’ game to try and pay back the Buckeyes.

There aren’t very many big non conference games for the Big 10; Michigan will play their first ever night game against Notre Dame, which should be a good one. Other than that, most teams should cruise until their conference slate begins.

Wisconsin and Nebraska are my picks to make the first conference title game, and if both manage to lose only one regular season game; the winner could have a shot at a national title. I think Russell Wilson will make the difference, and Wisconsin will win the first 12 team Big 10 title.

With nine possible bowl teams, two teams with top 10 potential and Michigan out of the Rich Rod cloud; this is going to be one exciting conference to watch this season. 

Conference By Conference Preview: Big East

With less than a week to go now before the college football season kicks off, it’s time for The Dirt to make some predictions. Beginning with conference standings and conference winners, I’ll take a look at all six BCS conferences (ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12 and SEC). Next up, the Big East:

Big East

·         Preseason Top 25 Teams

AP Poll                                                            Dirt Poll

24. West Virginia                                            15. West Virginia

·         Predicted Finish

1.      West Virginia 10-2 (6-1)

2.      Pittsburg 7-5 (4-3)

3.      Louisville 8-4 (4-3)

4.      South Florida 7-5 (4-3)

5.      Syracuse 7-5 (3-4)

6.      Connecticut 6-6 (3-4)

7.      Cincinnati 5-7 (2-5)

8.      Rutgers 5-7 (2-5)

·         Bowl Teams: (6)

o   West Virginia

o   Pittsburg

o   Louisville

o   South Florida

o   Syracuse

o   Connecticut

·         Big East Champion: West Virginia Mountaineers

·         Key Games:

o   10/8: #24 West Virginia Vs. Connecticut

o   9/24: #24 West Virginia Vs #4 LSU

o   9/14: #25 USC Vs Syracuse

o   9/3: #16 Notre Dame Vs South Florida

o   12/1: South Florida Vs #24 West Virginia

o   11/15: #24 West Virginia Vs Pittsburg

o   11/5: #24 West Virginia Vs Louisville

·         Big East Summary:

It could be tough to find reasons to cheer this season, if you’re a Big East fan. But heck, when was the last time the Big East either boasted a legit BCS team or national title contender? Probably not since good ole’ Rich Rodriquez left West Virginia (anyone want to bet he regrets that decision?), along with Pat White.

Connecticut had their shot in the prime time last season, and got stomped by Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. Two things I noticed about that game; first, if you’re in a BCS bowl, you shouldn’t lose by more than 20 points. And secondly, if you can’t even sell all of your tickets, just don’t show up. I refuse to watch another BCS game with empty 300 level seats; that was a joke for not only the Connecticut, but also the Big East.

That was then and there though, so let’s look forward and check out what this season will be like for the Big East. West Virginia has a new head coach, again, and they by default come in as the preseason favorite to win the conference. Most preseason polls have them ranked in the #20-25 range; I moved them up to #15, though. They will have to face LSU in preseason play, but will get them at home. I figure a loss there, along with a conference loss; and there’s a 10 win season for the Mountaineers.

As for the rest of the conference, is TCU in town yet? Holy smokes it’s bad. Thankfully for them, the Big East gets to play a 5-game non conference schedule. What a joke. So that means a Big East team could go 5-0 out of conference, 1-6 in conference; and there’s a bowl team.

Pittsburg, Louisville and South Florida will be decent. With South Florida facing an early test at Notre Dame, that should be an indicator of where they’ll finish in the conference. Syracuse made a bowl game last season, and because I didn’t finish these blogs in time; they beat Wake Forrest last night to start out 1-0. The Orange should make it back to post season play; a good barometer check will be there game at USC.

In the future, I advise the Big East to desperately look to further expand. The Pac 12 got better by adding Utah; the Big 10 got better by adding Nebraska; the Big 12 lost two teams, but they boast the preseason #1 ranked team; the ACC has two legit title contenders this season; and nothing needs to be said to boost the SEC. That leaves the Big East in the dust. Adding TCU next season will be a step in the right direction, but it’s not good if you add a non BCS conference school and they immediately become the favorite (see, Utah picked to finish in middle of the Pac 12). The Big East is the only major conference this season without a horse in the National Title race. Who knows, maybe West Virginia will knock off LSU, then run the tables in conference play. But, don’t expect it.