2009 Conference Predictions

The dawn of another college football season is almost upon us and with that comes the ever constant debate of who is going to win.  Here for your reading pleasure are conference by conference predictions that are sure to be somewhat correct>

ACC Atlantic

Florida State-As long as quarterback Christian Ponder performs up to expectations, the Seminoles are a lock to win the Atlantic and capture some of the ofensive FSU magic of old.  They're going to need to put up points because their biggest questions are on the defensive side of the ball.

2. NC State

3. Wake Forest

4.  Maryland

5. Clemson

6. Boston College

ACC Costal

Virginia Tech-Once again the ever present Hokies will land atop the Costal division heap.  The offense should pick up even more this season without the quarterback controversies of the past.  They should have enough to hold off charges from North Carolina and Georgia Tech.

2. North Carolina

3. Georgia Tech

4. Miami

5. Duke

6 Virginia

Big East

Pittsbrgh-Dave Wannsted finally has the pieces in place to make a run at the conference title.  With the conference being so even, it's going to take a lot to bring it home.

2. Cincinnati

3. West Virginia

4. Rutgers

5. South Florida

6. Connecticut

7. Louisville

8. Louisville

9. Syracuse

Big Ten

Penn State-The Nittnay Lions get over the hump and take home the Big Ten title.  They are solid on both sides of the ball, especially the big play potential of quarterback Daryll Clark.  It will be clost between them and Ohio State, but the edge goses to Penn State because they get the Buckeyes at home.

2. Ohio State

3. Michigan State

4. Iowa

5. Illinois

6. Wisconsin

7 Michigan

8. Minnesota

9. Northwestern

10. Purdue

11. Indiana

Big 12 North

Nebraska-Strong defense will lead the Huskers to the division title this season.  The offense will come along as fast as their new quarterback develops.  It won't be like the Nebraska of old, but they'll get it done.

2. Kansas

3. Colorado

4. Missouri

5. Kansas State

6. Iowa State

Big 12 South

Texas-This division is probably the toughest in all of college football to predict.  The Cold McCoy led long Horns will get it done this season.  It may not be pretty all the time but you can pencil them in here.  Expect another year of high scoring nail biters out of this division.

2. Oklahoma State

3. Oklahoma

4. Texas Tech

5. Baylor

6. Texas A&M

Pac Ten

Southern California-If there was one season to catch USC, people are saying this is the one.  They are starting true freshman Matt Barkley at quarterback and are replacing eight starters on defense.  But if recent history teaches anything, thr Trojans just reload and come right back without missing a step.  There is no reason to doubt that it won't happen again this year.

2. Oregon

3. Oregon State

4. California

5. Arizona State

6. UCLA

7. Stanford

8. Arizona

9. Washington

10. Washington State

SEC East

Florida-Like there is another team to pick in this division?  The Gators return every starter and backup from last seasons National Champion defense.  The offense will not miss a beat with Tim Tebow returning for his senior season.  This is as close to a sure bet as you're going to get

2. Georgia

3. Tennessee

4. South Carolina

5. Vanderbilt

6. Kentucky

SEC West

Mississippi-A strong regular season finish and big bowl win over high powered Texas Tech has he Rebels being embraced as this seasons top ten darlings.  In order to get it done, quarterback Jevan Snead will have to have a huge year and the Wild Rebel will have to be kicking on all cylinders.  The Rebels have to prove that they are worthy of the hype.

2. Alabama

3. LSU

4. Auburn

5. Arkansas

6. Mississippi State

WAC

Boise State-The darlings of the football world continue their dominance of this conference.  Their schedule lines up for another run at the BCS.

2. Nevada

3. Fresno State

4. Louisana Tech

5. Hawaii

6. San Jose State

7. Utah State

8. Idaho

9. New Mexico State

Mountain West

Utah-Last seasons bowl win over Alabama was huge for the Utes.  Even though they are filling holes at key positions, they should win the conference but not go bowining in the BCS.

2. BYU

3. TCU

4. Air Force

5. UNLV

6. Colorado State

7. New Mexico

8. San Diego State

9. Whyoming

ACC Championship game-Virginia Tech over Florida State

Big 12 Championship game-Texas over Nebraska

SEC Championship game-Florida over Mississippi

National Title game-Florida over Texas

There you have it, my opinion on how things will shake out in each conference. Questions, comments and discussion are always welcome.  You can reach me directly by e-mail at [e-mail].  Thanks for reading and enjoy the season.