College Football Predictions

Today is the first day of the College Football season. This should be an interesting season. Off the field issues are rampant across the board and NCAA penalties could pose an challenge the BCS has yet to see; a top ranked team that isn't eligible to play for a championship. Conference realignment seems imminent, which could create interesting conference battles.

Today, I'll be posting my predictions for the upcoming season. I'll start with how I think my favorite Ohio State Buckeyes will fare this year following a difficult off-season. I believe Ohio State is still the best team in the Big 10. It's not like there are lots of slouches on this team behind the suspended players. I think Ohio State will be able to win its division and play in the Big 10 title game, if the team is bowl eligible. I personally think its highly unlikely to see a bowl ban. No matter how much ESPN makes it sound terrible, what Ohio State's actually been accused of isn't severe enough to warrant that penalty unless the NCAA breaks precedent.

There is a QB controversy in Columbus. I believe Bauserman deserves to start the season at the #1 slot. People seem to think Miller would be able to fill Pryor's shoes, but I don't think he could live up to expectations if he was thrown into the fire. I think Bauserman will be able to lead this team well, especially if there is the development of a dependable running game.

Here's how I see the regular season going for Ohio State:

Ohio State

vs. Akron W
vs. Toledo W
@ Miami (FL) W
vs. Colorado W
vs. Michigan State W
@Nebraska L
@Illinois W
vs. Wisconsin W
vs. Indiana W
@ Purdue W
vs. Penn State W
@Michigan W

That's 11-1 and a birth in the Big Ten title game.

Opening game score prediction

Ohio State 59
Akron 10


Here's how I see the BCS conferences shaking out

ACC

Championship Game: Virginia Tech vs. Florida St.

Champion: Virginia Tech

I'm not really sold on Florida State. However, I don't think there's enough competition in the ACC particularly in their division to stop them from making a strong run into the title game, but I think Virginia Tech is a better team and even has a shot at running the table and going to the BCS Title Game

Disappointing Team: Miami (FL)

For Obvious reasons.

Big East

Champion: West Virginia

Basically because I pick them every year.

Disappointing Team: They're all disappointing

Just waiting for TCU.

Big 10

Championship Game: Nebraska vs. Ohio State*

Champion: Ohio State*

I think the Buckeyes will be able to win a second match-up with the Cornhuskers in the championship game. It'll be a neutral field that'll likely be closer to an Ohio State home game and by them hopefully the issues with Ohio State will have been sorted out.

Disappointing Team: Michigan State

The Spartans got a very friendly schedule last year to gain a share of the Big 10 title. Their schedule isn't friendly this year and their record will reflect that.

Big 12

Champion: Oklahoma

I don't think Oklahoma is deserving of their preseason #1 ranking, but I do think they're the class of the conference. Plus they don't have to worry about a let down in the Big 12 championship game any more.

Disappointing Team: Texas A & M

This is another team, like Florida State, that I don't quite believe in. Plus with their imminent conference move, it is likely to be a distraction filled campaign.

Pac 12

Championship Game: Oregon vs. Arizona

Champion: Oregon

I think USC will win the South Division, but they aren't eligible to play in the game. Oregon will be a very strong team and I think they'll be able to run their Pac 12 schedule.

Disappointing Team: Washington

They finished the year strong last season, but I think this season they will take a step back. They'll win the Apple Cup, so take solace in that.

SEC

Championship Game: South Carolina vs. Alabama

Champion: South Carolina

This year I think is South Carolina's best hope for an SEC title. Alabama, Auburn, and LSU all have concerns and the East Division looks pretty weak. I'm pretty sure this will season will break the SEC's iron grip on a BCS title game slot. I think the their won't be anyone dominate enough to keep the overall recorded needed for that birth.

Disappointing Team: Georgia

I don't see them having that great of a season. I think their name got them the preseason ranking and they'll start sliding after a week one defeat.


Highest rated non AQ school: Boise State

Here are my predictions for BCS match-ups

Rose: Ohio State* vs. Stanford

Fiesta: Oklahoma vs. Boise State

Orange: Alabama vs. West Virginia

Sugar: South Carolina vs. Wisconsin

National Championship: Oregon vs. Virginia Tech



National Champion: Oregon

Oregon showed last year that they are legitimate Title contenders. They'll have tough test at Stanford, but I think they'll win that game and the rest of them. I'm not sure how they got jumped by Oklahoma and Alabama in the preseason pull, but I think it'll provide them with some edge. Oregon does, however, have an NCAA investigation hanging over their head, which could mess up their season. Given the NCAA's slow going nature, I still think they'll be the ones who lift the trophy at the end of the season even if it gets taken away from them in the future.


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I'm not going to spend much more than a few sentences on the individual awards. My prediction is that Marcus Lattimore (RB, South Carolina) will win the Heisman trophy this year. That's all. I'll start doing Pasta's Player of the Year rankings after week 6.

The one prediction I will make with certainty is that all of these will be wrong.

Thanks for reading and please comment.

-Michael
*If eligible for postseason play.