Conference Predictions

ACC   Josh's pick: Florida State        Zach's pick: Florida State

Josh's take: Many players return that were under Jimbo Fisher his first year.  Quarterback Manuel looks like a seasoned veteran, and is living up to all the hype from the time of his recruitment.  The defense looks more like the glory days when they were lined with NFL prospects (like Buckley, Sanders, and Wadsworth).  With more monster recruiting classes on the way, this could be the beginning of many conference titles and the resurrection of a major dynasty.  Watch out for Virginia Tech who has dominated the ACC.  Until they are knocked off their perch they should still be feared.  

Zach's take:  It's hard to pick against Virginia Tech, who has dominated the conference recently, but with the loss of quarterback Tyrod Taylor and their starting running backs, their offense will be much weaker.  FSU looks set to live up to the hype, with Manuel filling out Ponders' shoes (and then some).  The game at Clemson may be FSU's toughest ACC battle, the rest of the schedule is a pretty easy road to the ACC title game, with tougher conference opponents Maryland and Miami at home.  

Big 10 Josh's pick: Ohio State            Zach's pick: Wisconsin

Josh's take: This was a tough pick considering this is a very overrated conference.  Recall last year when Michigan State, the co-champions of the conference, was dominated by Alabama on New Year's day. (Yikes!)  We have yet to see how the Buckeyes do against tough competition, but top to bottom they have the most talent in the conference on both sides of the ball.  With Pryor gone and Joe Bauserman leading the offense, OSU will be more balanced.  Wisconsin must come to the Horseshoe and the only true road test is at Nebraska.  Watch out for Wisconsin with the two-headed monster in Ball and White running the ball. 

Zach's take:  This was a difficult pick with the Badgers losing some players and the controversy surrounding Ohio State, but I have to give the edge to Wisconsin.  The Badgers pick up former NC State quarterback Wilson, an experienced QB who can open up the passing game.  Montee Ball runs like a wild animal, and James White is right behind him providing depth at running back.  The defense needs to answer some questions as to whether or not they will be as strong as last year, but the Badgers didn't lose too much.  The toughest test comes on the road in Columbus, but games against Penn St. and Nebraska are at home.  Ohio State is a popular pick, but with the controversy surrounding the program and all the suspensions, Wisconsin has the opportunity to step up and beat them in the Horseshoe.  

Big 12 Josh's pick: Oklahoma Zach's pick: Oklahoma 

Josh's take: OU has an embarrassment of riches that make them an easy choice to storm through the conference.  Landry Jones at quarterback is getting more confident with each year, and why not - he has targets like Broyles, Stills, and Hannah.  The running game will be very OU-like: quick, strong and extremely deep.  The tragic loss of Box and the absence of Lewis beginning the season should do little to slow down a defense loaded with speed and experience.  It's not as outstanding as past years, but it is good enough to win a conference title.  Texas A&M is the dark horse for the title shot, but they play OU in Norman.

Zach's take:  No other team seems to be allowed or able to win the Big 12 title except for Oklahoma.  I vaguely remember last season when Missouri and Oklahoma State were going to play in the title game.  I like A&M's chances, but I don't think they can pull off the upset in Norman, and we've yet to see them play on the big stage.  Landry Jones has led this OU team to success and he will only get better as they take care of business this season.        

Big East   Josh's pick: South Florida  Zach's pick: South Florida  

Josh's take: This was actually my toughest pick.  The conference is dreadful except for the South Florida and West Virginia.  Most experts would pick the Mountaineers, but Holtz has this USF team playing inspired.  The Notre Dame win was just a preview of things to come.  Quarterback B.J. Daniels is an experienced leader who will have a strong season.  Many argue that the Irish shot themselves in the foot with their five turnovers this past week, but don’t sell the swarming South Florida defense short.  They are a fundamentally sound, opportunistic defense that causes turnovers.  For their finale the Bulls play West Virginia at home, which should decide the conference.  Look for Holtz to elevate this program and take advantage of recruiting in the rich state of Florida.  

Zach's take: The level of competition in the Big East has fallen off as of late, with UCONN pulling off the title last year with a 5-2 conference record and losses at Rutgers and Louisville.  West Virginia has been dominant in the past, and the preseason hype indicates they may do the same.  But South Florida can beat them at home, and win out the rest of the season prior to that game.  I remember watching USF quarterback B.J. Daniels play in 2009, and I knew he was special.  He is an experienced dual-threat quarterback that can lead his team well.  I bought into the USF hype before they knocked off Notre Dame, and that victory only solidifies my decision.   

Pac-12 Josh's pick: Stanford   Zach's pick: Stanford

Josh's take: The Cardinal lost their outstanding head coach Jim Harbaugh, and a lot of the offensive line, but Andrew Luck still makes Stanford the favorite in this lackluster conference.  This team is stocked with tight ends and talented backs that can help Luck with play action.  The defense is not filled with outstanding talent, but they play smart as a unit and are extremely tough (Wow smart players at Stanford?).  Lastly, the only road test they have is playing at the Coliseum.  With a mediocre conference, Stanford should get by with new head coach David Shaw running the show.  However, don’t be surprised if the Ducks make a run.  Their main offensive weapons are back in James and Thomas.

Zach's take:  This was a tough one going into the season, but I was leaning towards Stanford since they play Oregon at home.  There were questions as to whether or not Oregon could make another title run this year, and they were answered last week in the loss to LSU.  Stanford has to replace some bodies on the O-Line, but still have their Lucky Charm running the show.  Their division is incredibly weak since USC has fallen off the map, and like I said they face the Ducks at home.  However, Chip Kelly will no doubt have Oregon fired up and redirect their focus on the conference title.  If they recover from the loss well enough, they could roll into Stanford with enough steam to knock off the Cardinal.   

SEC    Josh's pick: Alabama   Zach's pick: LSU

Josh's take: I don't believe Alabama's the best team, I think LSU is better.  But have you checked out LSU's schedule?  Brutal is an understatement.  The Tigers travel to Mississippi State, West Virginia, Arkansas and, you guessed it, Alabama.  Conventional wisdom says LSU will lose at least one of those games.  If they don’t, they deserve to win the SEC and the national title.  Alabama is just that: Alabama.  Their offense is good enough with Heisman hopeful Trent Richardson.  The defense, with so many returning starters, has many of the Crimson Tide faithful saying it’s the best in years - which is scary considering what Saban has already produced in Tuscaloosa.  The Tide's schedule is favorable with only two true road tests at Florida and Mississippi State.  LSU has a shot, but they will have to be extra special to get through their schedule and be in the hunt for an SEC crown. 

Zach's take: Sometimes a team is just good enough to beat a tough schedule.  LSU has always had a knack for winning close games under Les Miles (in a variety of crazy ways), and this year it looks like they have the goods to win games in a more conventional fashion.  Quarterback Jarrett Lee has proven that either he has what it takes to run this LSU offense, or that it doesn't take much of a quarterback for this offense to go.  Either way they can win games, especially with their stellar D to back them up.  The win against Oregon is just the first of many big wins to come.  Their schedule does put them at Alabama, but I believe they are good enough to pull off the victory.  I won't say pull of the "upset," because I think they will be good enough at that point to be considered the favorite. 

(Disagree?  Tell us who you think will win each conference!)