SEC Preview

    
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    The SEC is hands down the best conference in college football, and a SEC member has won the last six BCS titles. They will once again have many teams in the top 10, with almost all teams making a bowl game.

    The best team is defending national champion Alabama. Despite losses to the NFL, they won't hurt much at all and have a very solid chance of an undefeated season. But with USC and Oklahoma most likely winning all of their games too, the Tide will need to win out to have a chance of repeating.

Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

    LSU is down a bit this year, but still an elite program. They may not make the BCS, but will be one of the top teams in the SEC. Arkansas, led by Tyler Wilson, will challenge Bama and LSU for the top spot in the SEC West, but are just not as good as those two. 

     Auburn may surprise people this year and put up eight to ten wins. Crazy as it sounds, the Tigers are the most likely team to knock off Alabama this year. The Tide get LSU at home, and should get by Arkansas. I still think the Tide will win the Iron Bowl, but Auburn may spoil Alabama's season in the last week.

     To round out the West, Mississippi State is an underrated team, and could pull an upset or two. But the SEC West is the toughest division in football by far and it will be hard for the Bulldogs to post more then seven or eight wins. Texas A & M is a new comer this season. The Aggies are better then Ole Miss, but will most likely win six or seven games. Ole Miss will be at the bottom once again.

     The SEC East is not as stacked as the West. South Carolina is being overlooked by some in favor of Georgia, but the Gamecocks are the best team in the East, and the fourth best team in the SEC. They have a very good chance of making a BCS bowl, and the SEC championship this season. They do not draw Alabama and get Georgia at home. A road trip to Florida could spoil it. LSU and Arkansas will be tough games as well, but the Gamecocks should be in the SEC title game.

     Georgia is also a very good team that could get into the SEC title game for the second straight year. But the Bulldogs drop games often in the early season, and a road trip to Missouri on September 8th could be a recipe for disaster for Georgia.

    After those two teams is Florida. The Gators are in a slump right now and are heading into the season without a full time starting QB named. A team will not win many games when multiple QBs are used every game, and this may be another disappointing season for the Gators. A bowl game is still a given though.

    After those three is Vanderbilt, who is only getting better. Tennessee and Missouri are next, and both of them will be in a bowl game with six or seven wins this season. Kentucky is at the bottom, and they will struggle this year.

Projected Standings:

East:

1. South Carolina 10-2 (7-1)

2. Georgia 9-3 (5-3)

3. Vanderbilt 7-5 (4-4)

T4. Missouri 7-5 (3-5)

T4. Tennessee 7-5 (3-5)

T4. Florida 6-6 (3-5)

7. Kentucky 3-9 (1-7)

West:

1. Alabama 12-0 (8-0)

2. LSU 10-2 (7-2)

3. Arkansas 9-3 (5-3)

4. Auburn 8-4 (4-4)

T5. Mississippi State 7-5 (3-5)

T5. Texas A & M 6-6 (3-5)

7. Ole Miss 4-8 (1-7)

SEC Championship: Alabama over South Carolina

Big 12 Preview

    
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    Despite the Big 12 having only ten teams, it still is one of the top conferences in the nation.

    The Big 12 has one of the top teams this season in Oklahoma, who could be holding the crystal ball in January. The Sooners should roll through their schedule and have a perfect 12-0 season. They are head and shoulders above the rest of the Big 12, and it will show.

    After Oklahoma, it could go to anyone. Texas, Oklahoma State, TCU, West Virginia, and Kansas State are all about the same level talent-wise, but with so many teams that good, some teams are going to end up with an underachieving record.

    Texas Tech and Baylor round out the last teams that could make a bowl game. Iowa State and Kansas still are the weakest teams and will be lucky to win more then one conference game. The only one either could get may be the winner of when they clash on November 17th.

Jaxon Shipley, Texas

Projected Standings:

1. Oklahoma 12-0 (9-0)

2. Texas 10-2 (7-2)

T3. Oklahoma State 9-3 (6-3)

T3. TCU 9-3 (6-3)

T3. Kansas State 8-4 (6-3)

6. West Virginia 7-5 (4-5)

T7. Texas Tech 7-5 (3-6)

T7. Baylor 5-7 (3-6)

T9. Kansas 3-9 (1-8)

T9. Iowa State 3-9 (1-8)

Big 10 Preview

    
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    The Big 10 took a step down last year and was not as strong as usual. Teams still made bowl games, but Big Ten teams were beaten badly in most of them. 

    This year may not be much different. Wisconsin is the favorite again, with Michigan, Nebraska and Michigan State close behind. These four teams all have a great shot at a BCS appearance this season. 

Montee Ball, Wisconsin

    Ohio State should be better than last year and post a winning record. But it will not be a record the Buckeyes are accustomed to, and they are still not bowl eligible. 

    Northwestern and Iowa figure to be the next best teams. Both the Wildcats and Hawkeyes will make a bowl game, but will hover around seven or eight wins. 

    Purdue, Illinois, and Indiana will not challenge for the Big 10 title, but they still can make lower-tier bowls this year.

    Minnesota is still a couple of years away and will remain in the cellar.

    The biggest disappointment this year will be Penn State. With the heavy sanctions, having no bowl game, people everywhere rooting against them, and this scandal hanging over their program, it will be hard for Penn State to win more then two games, especially with starters leaving. Penn State will have problems this year and for the years to follow.


Projected Standings:

Leaders:

1. Wisconsin 11-1 (7-1)

2. Ohio State 9-3 (5-3)

3. Illinois 6-6 (4-4)

4. Purdue 6-6 (3-5)

T5. Indiana 5-7 (1-7)

T5. Penn State 2-10 (1-7)


Legends:

1. Michigan 10-2 (7-1)

2. Michigan State 10-2 (6-2)

T3. Nebraska 9-3 (5-3)

T3. Northwestern 8-4 (5-3)

5. Iowa 8-4 (4-4)

6. Minnesota 4-8 (1-7)


Big Ten Championship: Wisconsin over Michigan

PAC 12 Preview

    
ACC   Big East   Big 10   Big 12   SEC   Other Conferences   Bowls and Top 50
     
    
    The Pac-12 will be one of the most explosive conferences this year, as many of the teams are built around  a high powered offense.

    USC, Oregon, Washington, UCLA, Washington State, Utah, and Arizona could easily put up 35+ points per game, which makes the Pac-12 the most fun conference to watch.

Nickell Robey, USC

    USC is back, after a two-year bowl ban. And they are stronger then they may have ever been. Matt Barkley could be the best QB in Trojan history and they are stacked across the board. They will go 12-0, and will be in the BCS Championship.

    Oregon plays a very easy schedule in the first half of the season, and should be 8-0 heading into a huge showdown in LA on November 3rd vs USC. But, USC is still considerably a better team then Oregon, and the Ducks won't get past USC. They will meet again in the Pac-12 championship, but they won't be able to knock off USC a 2nd time.

    Utah is the third best team in the conference, and certainly one of the most underrated teams in the nation. Stanford is much worse then last year, but still will make a bowl game. Washington is another very underrated team and has upset teams before. Watch for them to give LSU a battle September 8th.

    UCLA, California, and Arizona are my picks to finish off the bowl-bound teams, but Washington State may surprise people. Under new coach Mike Leach, they will run the second best passing attack in the conference behind USC, and one of the top ones in the nation. Marquess Wilson is the best receiver you have never heard of in the nation. But, the Cougars have holes at almost every other position, which ultimately will keep them from a bowl game.

    Arizona State is a year or two away before returning to competitiveness. Oregon State is close too, but still has bit to go. Colorado will struggle this year, and could very well loose all conference games this season.

Projected Standings:

North:

1. Oregon 11-1 (8-1)

T2. Stanford 8-4 (6-3)

T3. Washington 8-4 (6-3)

4. California 6-6 (4-5)

5. Washington State 4-8 (2-7)

6. Oregon State 2-10 (1-8)

South:

1. USC 12-0 (9-0)

2. Utah 9-3 (6-3)

3. UCLA 6-6 (5-4)

4. Arizona 6-6 (4-5)

5. Arizona State 4-8 (2-7)

6. Colorado 2-10 (0-9)


PAC-12 Championship: USC over Oregon

ACC Preview

    
Big East   Big 10   Big 12   Pac 12   SEC   Other Conferences   Bowls and Top 50

    
   
    The ACC should be much improved this year. Florida State and Virginia Tech are dangerous teams that can contend for a national title. Clemson and N.C. State are darkhorse BCS teams, and Georgia Tech is a bowl game lock as well.

    

    As for the rest of the league, all the other teams have a shot at a bowl, but easily could fall just short. Boston College, Virginia, Maryland, and Duke could easily go bowling. North Carolina would be a lock if not for a bowl ban. 

    Only Miami (FL) and Wake Forest should have a loosing record this year. Miami is rebuilding but NCAA sanctions hanging over their head will only hurt this team. Wake Forest is the weakest team in the conference. 

Brandon Jenkins (#49), Florida State

Projected Standings:

Atlantic:

1. Florida State 11-1 (7-1)

T2. N.C. State 10-2 (6-2)

T2 Clemson 8-4 (6-2)

4. Maryland 5-7 (3-5)

5. Boston College 6-6 (2-6)

6. Wake Forest 3-9 (1-7)

Coastal:

1. Virginia Tech 11-1 (7-1)

2. Georgia Tech 8-4 (5-3)

T3. North Carolina 5-7 (3-5)

T3. Virginia 5-7 (3-5)

T3. Miami, FL 4-8 (3-5)

6. Duke 5-7 (2-6)

ACC Championship: Florida State over Virginia Tech

Big East Preview

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    The Big East will have some major changes starting next season. Many still question if the conference should be a BCS AQ, and the incoming schools of Boise State, San Diego State, Houston, SMU, UCF, and Memphis next year do not strengthen that argument. The departure of West Virginia, and Pittsburgh and Syracuse in 2013 don't help either. 

    This year, however, the Big East still has Pitt and Syracuse, and does add Temple to the mix. This conference is still the weakest BCS Conference, but a couple of Big East teams should be more competitive with the rest of the country.

Sio Moore, Uconn

    Louisville and South Florida figure to be the favorites this year. Terry Bridgewater at Louisville is a star, and only a sophomore QB. BJ Daniels should take his Bulls deep during his final year.

    Cincinnati could easily creep to the top and grab that BCS bid. They are one of the more underrated teams in the nation. Pittsburgh, Rutgers, and Uconn should be back in bowl games this year too.

     In fact, only two of the eight Big East teams won't be in bowls. Those two are Syracuse, who still has a long way to go before it is a threat. The Orange still can pull an upset or two, but a bowl game is a stretch.

    Temple is no longer playing the weaker MAC teams. They could still get to six wins, but the rest of the conference is just too talented for the Owls.

Projected Standings:

1. Louisville 10-2 (6-1)

2. South Florida 8-4 (5-2)

T3. Cincinnati 8-4 (4-3)

T3. Pittsburgh 7-5 (4-3)

T5. Uconn 7-5 (3-4)

T5. Rutgers 7-5 (3-4)

7. Temple 4-8 (2-5)

8. Syracuse 3-9 (1-6)

Non-BCS Conference Previews

ACC   Big East   Big 10   Big 12   Pac 12   SEC   Bowls and Top 50

Conference USA:

  The Conference USA is the best non-BCS conference this year. Southern Miss, Houston, Tulsa, SMU, are very good teams. 

David Piland, Houston

    Houston and Southern Mississippi are the two best teams in the conference, but do not play each other in the regular season. Southern Miss plays a much harder schedule then Houston, and has games at Nebraska, Central Florida and SMU. They also host Louisville and Boise State. Southern Miss is the best team in the CUSA, but will loose two or three of these games.

    Houston's hardest non-conference game is UCLA. They play at SMU and hosts Tulsa - obviously, much easier. While they are not as good as they were last season with Case Keenum, being able to avoid Southern Miss in the regular season is huge. Not to mention avoiding UCF is big too. The Cougars will go undefeated this regular season, but once again, Southern Miss will spoil the Cougar's BCS and perfect season hopes in the CUSA title game. Still, it would not surprise me if Houston wins all of its games and is 13-0 going to a BCS bowl.

     The rest of the CUSA is improved this year. SMU and Tulsa are capable of double digit wins. Don't overlook East Carolina either. Central Florida would be a top school in the conference, but scandal around the program, including a bowl ban this year, will hurt their chances. They will stumble like so many teams do in this situation.

     UTEP and Marshall are very close to returning to the regular season, while UAB, Memphis, Tulane, and Rice remain in the cellar.

Projected Standings:

East:

1. Southern Mississippi 10-2 (8-0)

2. East Carolina 8-4 (5-3)

3. Marshall 5-7 (4-4)

4. UAB 4-8 (3-5)

5. UCF 4-8 (2-6)

6. Memphis 3-9 (2-6)

West:

1. Houston 12-0 (9-0)

2. Tulsa 9-3 (6-2)

2. SMU 8-4 (6-2)

4. UTEP 4-8 (3-5)

5. Rice 2-10 (1-7)

6. Tulane 1-11 (0-8)


Conference USA Championship: Southern Miss over Houston



Mountain West Conference

    The MWC lost TCU, and will loose Boise State after this season. But, they were able to grab Nevada, Fresno State, and Hawaii from the WAC.

     Boise State is not what they have been the past few years, but they will still dominate the conference this season. Nevada is back, but still not as good as Boise State. After those two, Fresno State, Air Force, San Diego State, and Wyoming should all be bowl eligable.

    Hawaii could make a bowl, but most likely will just miss one. Colorado State, UNLV, and New Mexico will fill out the bottom. Still, if the MWC can get five teams into bowls, they deserve some respect.

Projected Standings:

1. Boise State 10-2 (8-0)

2. Nevada 9-3 (6-2)

T3. Air Force 8-4 (5-3)

T3. Fresno State 7-5 (5-3)

T5. San Diego State 7-5 (4-4)

T5. Wyoming 6-6 (4-4)

7. Hawaii 5-7 (3-5)

T8. UNLV 4-8 (2-6)

T8. Colorado State 2-10 (2-6)

10. New Mexico 3-10 (1-7)



MAC

    The MAC is slowly becoming a better conference, and its top teams can make some noise each season. This year, might be the best yet.

    Ohio runs a very good offense, and with an improved defense bringing eight starters back, they have a very good chance to finish with double digit wins.

    Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, Miami (OH), Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Kent State and Toledo figure to make some noise this season, and the MAC could have six, seven, or even eight teams bowl eligible. The conference is that good.

    But, just like all MAC seasons, there will be some very bad teams. Those teams will be Buffalo, Akron, Ball State, and newcomer Massachusetts.

    Still, it is shaping up that Northern Illinois and Ohio will run the MAC this year with the rest right on their heels.

Projected Standings:

East:

1. Ohio 11-1 (7-1)

2. Miami, Oh 7-5 (6-2)

T3. Bowling Green 6-6 (4-4)

T3. Kent State 5-7 (4-4)

T5. Buffalo 2-10 (1-7)

T5. Akron 2-10 (1-7)

7. Umass 0-12 (0-8)

West:

1. Northern Illinois 10-2 (7-1)

2. Western Michigan 8-4 6-2

T3. Toledo 7-5 (5-3)

T3. Central Michigan 6-6 (5-3)

5. Eastern Michigan 5-7 (4-4)

6. Ball State 3-9 (2-6)


MAC Championship: Ohio over Northern Illinois

Tyler Tettleton, Ohio

Sun Belt

    The Sun Belt looks poised for one of its best seasons in conference history. They could have five teams bowl eligible this season, and four of them with at least seven wins.

    Florida International has a feisty defense that can compete with most schools in the nation. They are a favorite to win the Sun Belt, but almost anyone could. Troy, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Arkansas State are all in the mix, and all will be in a bowl game this December/January.

     Western Kentucky should at least get to six wins, but that might not guarantee a bowl spot this year. The rest of the conference is close to contending too. Middle Tennessee State, Louisiana-Monroe, Florida Atlantic, and North Texas could make some noise and pull some upsets.

     Newcomer South Alabama will struggle, but does have some easy non-conference games. They have a very bright future, but just are not there yet.

Projected Standings:

1. Florida International 8-4 (7-1)

T2. Louisiana-Lafayette 8-4 (6-2)

T2. Troy 7-5 (6-2)

4. Arkansas State 7-5 (5-3)

5. Western Kentucky 6-6 (4-4)

6. Louisiana-Monroe 4-8 (4-4)

T7. North Texas 4-8 (3-5)

T7. Florida Atlantic 4-8 (3-5)

9. Middle Tennessee State 4-8 (2-6)

10. South Alabama 2-11 (0-8)

Winston Fraser, FIU

WAC

    The WAC took some heavy blows in the conference realignment, and it is looking like they will not sponsor football after this season. For now they are, but they are by far the worst conference in FBS college football.

    Louisiana Tech and Utah State will both be in a battle to run away with the conference, and both will have no problem securing a bowl spot. 

    San Jose State, Idaho, and New Mexico State have a chance at the post season as well. The two new schools, Texas State and Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) will both struggle this year and are not eligible for a bowl game till next year.

    It is important to note that UTSA's two projected wins are against NW Oklahoma State and Texas A & M-Commerce, who are part of the NAIA and D. II, respectively. 



Projected Standings:

T1. Louisiana Tech 8-4 (5-1)

T1. Utah State 7-5 (5-1)

T3. San Jose State 6-6 (4-2)

T3. Idaho 5-7 (4-2)

5. New Mexico State 4-8 (2-4)

6. Texas State 1-11 (1-5)

7. UTSA 2-10 (0-6)



Independents


    There are four FBS Independents schools. The one who will do the best this season is BYU. They are an improved team and are a darkhorse to sneak in and grab a BCS spot. More likely they will wind up in a smaller bowl, but they will win at least eight or nine games.

Manti Te'o, Notre Dame

     Notre Dame is more experienced and improved coming in, but they play a brutal schedule that will drop them to 7-5. All it takes is an upset, but this team is not quite good enough to get to double digit wins quite yet.

     Navy had a down year last year, but should be back in a bowl this season. Army will take a small step forward this season to get back to a bowl game.

Projected Records:

BYU 9-3

Notre Dame 7-5

Navy 7-5

Army 4-8

Pre-Season Top 50, BCS Bowl Projections

ACC   Big East   Big 10   Big 12   Pac 12   SEC   Other Conferences

     
    My preseason rankings are based on team talent, and my projections for the team. I do have some teams ranked that I do not think will be ranked at the end of the season, but because they still have talent I could very well be wrong about them.

1. USC
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma
4. Florida State
5. LSU
6. Oregon
7. South Carolina
8. Wisconsin
9. Arkansas
10. Georgia
11. Michigan
12. Michigan State
13. Virginia Tech
14. Texas
15. West Virginia
16. Clemson
17. Nebraska
18. N.C. State
19. Ohio State
20. Oklahoma State
21. TCU
22. Auburn
23. Louisville
24. Utah
25. Boise State
26. Southern Mississippi
27. Kansas State
28. Houston
29. Washington
30. Iowa
31. Georgia Tech
32. Northwestern
33. Stanford
34. North Carolina
35. Notre Dame
36. Cincinnati
37. Missouri
38. BYU
39. South Florida
40. Ohio
41. Texas A & M
42. Florida
43. Tennessee
44. UCLA
45. Illinois
46. Mississippi State
47. Central Florida
48. Texas Tech
49. Florida International
50. Tulsa

BCS Championship: USC over Alabama

Rose: Wisconsin over Oregon

Fiesta: Oklahoma over Virginia Tech

Sugar:  South Carolina over Michigan

Orange: Florida State over Louisville

College Football Regular Season Recap

    Just as soon as it started, the college football season as we know it is done. Well, the regular season at least. A great season overall, with many stories.

    My Season Predictions

    Before the season, I predicted every single game, all 801. Now please note, the Army-Navy game is played on December 11th, so that game does not count. So we will use all 800 games for FBS teams.

    I did a fair job of predicting, and 65% of the games I predicted correctly. So 524/800 games I predicted the winner correctly. 34% (rounded) of the games I predicted poorly, with the wrong team chosen. That's 276/800 games.

    Only two teams had a schedule that I predicted 100% correctly. These teams were TCU (12-0) and UNLV (2-11). There were more teams that I predicted the record correctly, but not the whole schedule. Almost every team played 12 games, and the majority of the time I predicted nine of the games correctly. Seven times I only missed one game.

   Worst Schedule Predictions

    I made more incorrect picks then correct ones on only four team's schedules.

    The first team was Mississippi State, as I predicted a 6-6 record. But with a rushing attack led by Vick Ballard (16 touchdowns), the Bulldogs went 8-4. But in my predictions for Mississippi State, I only correctly picked 4 games. Correct games were wins vs Memphis, Alcorn State, UAB, and a loss to Alabama. Perhaps the three most weak teams on the schedule were the wins.

    Next is Texas, who had a very disappointing season and will miss a bowl game for the first time since 1997. In my predictions, I only got four games as well. Correct games were wins against the likes of Rice, Wyoming, Texas Tech, and Florida Atlantic. But with everything concerning Texas football this season, what wasn't a disappointment?

    Notre Dame was next. The Irish finished just as many predicted, 7-5. I had them going 8-4, so close. But my schedule predictions were not. Correct games were wins against Purdue, Boston College, Western Michigan, and Army, as well as a correct loss to Michigan State. But I only was correct in five games.

    Last, was North Texas. A disaster in all areas of football including my predictions. While we will get more into their awful year later in this post, for now lets look at my predictions of this Sun Belt basement dweller. Only two, that's right, two games I predicted correctly. A win against Western Kentucky, and a loss to Kansas State.

    If Navy looses to Army, which I don't see happening this year, I will have a five games correct on their predictions. But a win will give me an average 6-6.

   Perfect Predictions

    But lets move to the positive now, and look at the 20 teams whose record matched my prediction perfectly. The teams were:

• Tennessee 6-6                                        
• Kentucky 6-6
• Vanderbilt 2-10
• Purdue 4-8
• Indiana 5-7
• Baylor 7-5
• Colorado 5-7
• Kansas State 7-5
• Iowa State 5-7
• Virginia 4-8
• Maryland 8-4
• Arizona 7-5
• Arizona State 6-6
• Washington State 2-10
• South Florida 7-5
• Connecticut 8-4
• TCU 12-0
• UNLV 2-11
• Troy 7-5
• Western Kentucky 2-10

    That is 15% of all teams in college football. There were also a number of teams that's record was one win/loss from my predicted record. 27 to be exact, which is 22%.

  Best and Worst Team Season Predictions

    Three teams made my final list for my worst predictions. Tulsa was one; who I had going from 5-7 in 2009, to 10-2 in 2010. 9-3 was their final record. Many people had them having big turnarounds, but most not this big. The other team was San Diego State. The Aztecs had not made a bowl since 1998. A few experts had them going above .500, but not much. However I predicted a winning record, and a winning record was achieved. The Aztecs finished 8-4 and improved from a 4-8 record in 2009.

    But the winner of my best prediction goes to the Maryland Terrapins! An awful 2-10 record featuring an OT win over FCS foe James Madison, and an upset over Clemson were the teams only two wins. But Maryland turned it around and finished 8-4! The record I predicted them to achieve as well. The defense is the main reason for the upswing in wins, while the passing and rushing attack rank 63rd and 96th in the country, respectively. An easy schedule can be argued as well, but I still think Maryland had a great season and a great turn around.

    But while there are great turn arounds, there are big fall offs and big turn arounds that no one saw. Including me. Four teams fall into this category from my predictions.  North Texas technically had the biggest disappointment, but being a small school can't give them the number one ranking. So all of these four teams tie for biggest disappointment.

    First is the Texas Longhorns. Replacing a legend and the most winning player in college football history, a.k.a Colt McCoy, is no easy task. Sophomore Garrett Gilbert did not do a terrific job doing that. Texas fell to a 5-7 record, and no bowl game. I felt however, that Gilbert would do a good job, and Texas would have a 10-2 record and Cotton Bowl berth.

    Next is Houston who many had going undefeated. The same team from a year ago that led a high powered passing attack and a 10-4 record because of the play of Chase Keenum. After starting 2-0, it was looking good. But then a huge blow took place, and Keenum tore his ACL and Houston spiraled to 5-7 with losses to UCLA, Rice, and a 4 game loosing streak to end the season. If they could have avoided that loosing streak, Houston could get into a small bowl. I had Houston going 11-1 with the one loss to Tulsa

    Florida lost a legend in Tim Tebow. With it, they also had a six win difference from 2009. New quarterback John Brantly played poorly at most times. Florida fell to 7-5 and missed a BCS bowl for the first time since 2005. I had 11-1, but that was not the case. As it was not to most experts.

    And finally, the North Texas Mean Green. North Texas was once a Sun Belt power. Four straight New Orleans Bowl appearances, led by running back Patrick Cobbs who still is the school's all time leading rusher. But then it fell apart and a five year absence from bowls began. Many, including myself thought that Troy and Florida Atlantic's reign over the Sun Belt would end, and Middle Tennessee State and North Texas would take over. That did not happen at all. Middle Tennessee State went 6-6, and North Texas fell to an embarrassing 3-9. And to make matters worse for my predictions, Troy won the Sun Belt. North Texas was supposed to end the drought, but instead extended their bowl absence to six years.

    To Wrap it Up...

    In the end, I feel my season predictions were good, but not great. 65% of games correct is not bad. But next season I hope to do better.

    Later in the week I will have my bowl games predictions and projections posted. Stay tuned and thanks for reading!