College Football: Picking The BCS Conference Champions

The time is finally here!  College Football is back on my TV!  But before the opening week really gets going, here are my conference champions and who will win the BCS Championship in Miami.

Big East:  West Virginia

From what I have been watching and reading, it seems like everyone is picking Pitt and South Florida to win the Big East.  While the Bulls and Panthers will both be very good this year, I just can't seem to go against the defending champs.  Rich Rodriguez may not be roaming the sidelines and Steve Slaton left for the NFL, but the cupboard is definitely not bear.  Pat White is still the man in Morgantown and now he will hand off to speedy Noel Devine.  I don't think coach Bill Stewart will take them to the promised land long term, but they will be good this year.

Just like the past few years, the Big East will come down to the wire.  South Florida has some great talent in quarterback Matt Grothe and defensive end George Selvie.  At Pitt Dave Wannstedt's great recruiting classes will come through big.  Running back LeSean McCoy is one of the best in the country.  Also, do not count out Greg Schiano and Rutgers.

ACC:  Coastal - Clemson / Atlantic - North Carolina / Champion - Clemson

Ok Tommy Bowden, it is your time this year.  Clemson just has too much talent in the backfield with Cullen Harper at quarterback and running backs C.J. Spiller and James Davis.  Clemson will get over the hump of losing a game they shoudln't and be the champs of the ACC in a down year overall for the conference. 

Clemson needs to be on the lookout for Wake Forest.  The Deamon Deacons are not a fluke anymore.  Jim Grobe can flat out coach, Riley Skinner is a solid QB, and CB Alphonso Smith picked off eight passes last year and ran three of them back for touchdowns.  I don't think they will e throwing in his direction much this year

In the Atlantic Division, North Carolina is on the rise under Butch Davis.  The Tar Heels have 18 returning starters and should be able to be the class of a weak division.  Virginia Tech should still contend despite having no experience at the skill positions, but Glennon is a good QB and Beamer knows how to coach. 

I think Georgia Tech will surprise some people.  Paul Johnson will have better athletes to run his triple option at Georgia Tech and has far better players on defense than he ever did at Navy.

Big Ten:  Ohio State

It won't be as easy for the Buckeyes as many think in the Big Ten.  Despite the fact that the Buckeyes return 20 starters and are loaded everywhere, the other schools are not just going to roll over and play dead.  Wisconsin has all the pieces in place except an experienced quarterback.  P.J. Hill is a strong running back and Travis Beckum is the best tight end in the country.

Penn State is strong where it counts, on the lines.  If the Nittany Lion quarterbacks learn quickly and can get the ball to WR Derrick Williams, the offense will be able to score points and will give Joe Pa another solid team

Remember what Illinois did to OSU at the Horseshoe last season?  Well Juice Williams is still there and is a better passer this year, especially if he can get Arrelious Benn the ball early and often.

The only problem is, for every one that each team in the Big Ten has, the Buckeyes have two.  So even though they will have some solid contenders, Ohio State is still top dog.

Pac-10:  Southern California

While there are many good offenses in the Pac-10, only USC and Oregon really play defense.  USC as always are just extremely deep at all positions.  Even though they have little experience on the offensive line, they can just plug in another Parade All-American and be fine.  Don't even get me started on their defense, it is scary good.

While Oregon has the defense to keep games close, their offense may be pretty anemic to start the year as they have to get a new QB and RB to replace Dennis Dixon and Johnathan Stewart.

The best offense may belong to the Sun Devils at Arizona State.  Rudy Carpenter can flat out pitch the ball around the field.  However, they need some offensive line help to make sure Carpenter stays off the turf.

Big 12:  North - Missouri / South - Oklahoma / Champion - Oklahoma

The deepest flock of quarterbacks play in the Big 12.  There are five QBs in this conference who could be All-American.  The best two play for the division champions. 

Chase Daniel at Missouri got them so close to the BCS Title game last year that they are going to be contenders again.  Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is a stud.  He can catch, take the hand off, and return kicks.  The Tigers will also be big on defense.  10 starters return from an opportunistic squad that was plus 13 in the turnover ratio last year.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma continues to be the bell cow in the conference.  Despite their troubles in BCS bowl games, the Sooners have owned the Big 12.  Quarterback Sam Bradford and eight other starters return to an offense that was fifth in the nation last year in scoring.  Now, can the Sooners get over the hump and finally win a BCS Bowl?

Other contenders in the Big 12 include Kansas as QB Todd Reesing will prove that last year was not a fluke.  Texas will be solid again, but still seem to be too weak in the secondary in a conference with so many great passers.  Speaking of passing, Texas Tech will have their best team this year under Mike Leech.  Graham Harrell will be throwing to super sophomore Michael Crabtree, but can they win all the games they are supposed to win this year?

SEC:  East - Florida / West - Auburn / Champion - Florida

With all the hype on the Georgia Bulldogs, they will be wearing the target on their backs.  Also, their schedule is a nightmare.  Even with all their talent, it is tough to be perfect on the road when you have to travel to LSU, Arizona State, South Carolina, Auburn, and in Jacksonville against Florida.  And don't forget Tennessee hung 51 on them the last time they were in Athens.

Tim Tebow is the real deal and he will have to run less with more talented running backs this year.  Also, the schedule is much easier as their most difficult road game is in Knoxville against Tennessee.  Speaking of the Big Orange, they are in a spot where they do their best, outside the spotlight where the attention is on someone else.

Out West, I really like the Auburn Tigers.  LSU may be the more talented team, but they are the ones with the target on their back being the defending national champions.  Auburn again has the better schedule as LSU, Tennessee, and Georgia all have to come to the Plains, and Florida is off the schedule.

BCS Championship Game:  Oklahoma over Ohio State

USC may beat OSU in their game on September 13, but just like last year, someone on top will lose late in the year and because the Buckeyes don't play after November 22 they will back their way in again.  Meanwhile, the last two years the Sooners have played against teams in BCS bowls that have had nothing to lose.  they have learned their lessons and will bring another national championship to Norman.

So there you have it.  Mark it down and be ready for a great season!