College Football 2011: Shocking Picks to Win Every Conference Championship
It almost becomes lazy to simply pick the favorite to win every conference championship in college football.
The safe bet is to pick Oklahoma to win the Big 12 or Alabama to win the SEC in 2011.
At the end of a season if you look back at those preseason predictions, there are many that don't hold up.
How many people were picking Auburn to win the SEC, much less the BCS National Championship this time last year? OK, Auburn fans don't count.
There is almost no statistical way that each of the following picks will come true in 2011, but read on to see some potential shocking conference champs for this season.
ACC: Clemson
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If Clemson doesn't improve on last year's 6-7 season, Dabo Swinney will likely be done as coach after three seasons.
But there is plenty to be pleased about as well.
Start with an offense that has eight returning starters, and that doesn't even take into account quarterback Tajh Boyd and running back Andre Ellington (10 touchdowns in nine games last year).
The defense may miss Da'Quan Bowers, but the talent is there to get to the top of the ACC.
Key player: Tajh Boyd is finally the starter at quarterback, or at least appears to be. If Boyd plays better than Kyle Parker did last season, it could be a banner season for the Tigers.
Big East: Syracuse
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It wasn't that long ago Syracuse was the laughingstock of the Big East.
That all changed the day Doug Marrone was hired.
The Orange were a bit of a surprise team in 2010, so it's easy to pick Syracuse to take a step back before taking off.
Let's get on the Syracuse bandwagon a year early.
Key player: Antwon Bailey takes over for Delone Carter at running back. Can Bailey live up to the high expectations? He'll need to for this shocking pick to come true.
Big Ten: Penn State
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Penn State may not be the true definition of a surprise pick, but the Nittany Lions went 7-6 last year and have issues at quarterback.
But now that Ohio State's future is in a bit of turmoil, the Nittany Lions are ready to pounce as Joe Paterno has to be close to coaching his final games.
Penn State has to get better at stopping the run to pull this off, so defensive coordinator Tom Bradley has to get the most out of linebacker Michael Mauti and defensive end Jack Crawford.
Key Player: Whoever plays quarterback. Whether it is Matt McGloin or Rob Bolden, the Nittany Lions need some consistency and leadership out of their quarterback.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Big 12: Texas
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Normally, this would not be a surprise pick.
After last season's 5-7 debacle, there aren't many folks who think Texas can complete the ultimate turnaround in one season.
Let's not forget, though, that the Longhorns annually attract some of the most talented players in the nation. If Mack Brown and his new coordinators can harness that ability, Texas may be back on top quicker than anyone is predicting.
Key Player: Garrett Gilbert needs to improve at quarterback for Texas to have a legitimate shot at the title.
Conference USA: UAB
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Crazy, huh?
Neil Callaway is 15-33 as he enters his fifth season with UAB. Winning Conference USA would save his job and potentially draw more fans into Legion Field.
The offense should put up some points. Last year, the Blazers were led by quarterback Bryan Ellis as the unit put up 5,074 total yards.
So if UAB can muster an above-average defense, Callaway's team may prove to be a good pick.
Key player: Running back Pat Shed was third in the nation in 2010 in all-purpose yards with 177.1 a game.
Mountain West: San Diego State
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You were thinking New Mexico...Admit it.
OK, let's be serious.
It's going to be tough to take down either Boise State or TCU, but if anyone can pull it off, it is San Diego State.
The Aztecs have two Heisman potentials in quarterback Ryan Lindley and running back Ronnie Hillman.
First-year coach Rocky Long inherits a program that was reshaped by Brady Hoke in just two seasons.
Key player: Ryan Lindley must outduel Boise's Kellen Moore and put up big numbers against TCU's defense for this to come to fruition.
Mid-American Conference: Ohio
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Frank Solich's Bobcats have flirted with the championship a few times since he arrived seven years ago, but Ohio has never broken through.
The offense should click with eight starters back, including Donte Harden at running back.
Where Ohio must get better is on defense. That unit struggled last year and it may have cost them a shot at the MAC title.
Solich must replace his entire defensive line. Maybe they'll be better than last year's group.
Key player: Punter Paul Hershey has the potential to pin back opposing offenses every time he kicks, and he could be a secret weapon.
Pac-12: Arizona State
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Maybe this is not as shocking as you were hoping for, but Arizona State hasn't played in a bowl game since 2007 so going with the Sun Devils to reach a BCS bowl this year is a stretch.
ASU could pull this off because the Pac-12 South is definitely the easier half of the new conference.
If the Sun Devils get to the championship game, Dennis Erickson just might be able to pull off a little of the old magic and get that one win.
Key player: While Vontaze Burfict may be the best overall player for Arizona State to have a legitimate shot, the Sun Devils will need a career year from quarterback Brock Osweiler.
SEC: Georgia
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Right about now all of the LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi State and Auburn fans are livid.
Of course, the South Carolina and Florida fans are just laughing.
But it wasn't that long ago that Georgia was a serious SEC contender, and Mark Richt is going to get the Bulldogs back on top.
Georgia came out of the gate slow last season as quarterback Aaron Murray was still adjusting to the college game.
Now he's one of the best in the SEC. What he needs is some reliable receivers and protection from a line that won't have Trinton Sturdivant.
Key player: Quarterback Aaron Murray is the unquestioned leader, and he has the skills to deliver a title.
Sun Belt: North Texas
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North Texas has been a cellar dweller in the Sun Belt, but maybe the time is right for the Mean Green.
They finally ended the Todd Dodge experiment and have turned the program over to Dan McCarney. He comes from Florida and coached Iowa State for 12 seasons.
The university has made some major investments in the program, including a new stadium that opens this season.
Maybe it's too much to expect of North Texas to win the league this season, but keep an eye on the Mean Green in 2012.
Key player: Lance Dunbar is a solid running back who could help North Texas control the ball, and he's a strong receiver out of the backfield.
Western Athletic: Louisiana Tech
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Following back-to-back .500 or below seasons, the timing is right for Louisiana Tech.
Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin is ready to work some magic with junior Colby Cameron, who had a strong spring.
Cameron should solve one of the Bulldogs' biggest issues from last year when five different guys played quarterback.
Another positive for the offense is the return of Lennon Creer, who became on of the league's best running backs in 2010 after rushing for 1,181 yards.
The defense must improve for this prediction to have any chance.
Key player: If Colby Cameron becomes a consistent performer, this pick won't look that crazy in November.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
