Hey there guys,
We're almost to that time again, the 2010 College Football season, which begins September 2nd. I will have 7 preseason previews, and this is the first, covering all of the Conferences without automatic bids to the BCS. These include the Sun Belt, MAC, Navy and Army, WAC, Conference USA, and the Mountain West. Over the last few seasons there have been four teams that have stuck out above all else among these Conferences are obviously Boise State with two undefeated seasons over the last four years, including a Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma back in 2006, Utah, who was the first Non BCS team make a BCS Bowl when they defeated Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl back in 2004, and then had an undefeated season including a win over #4 Alabama in 2008, then there is BYU and they have gone 49-15 over the last 5 seasons under current coach Bronco Mendenhall, even though that has only sent them to 5 consecutive Las Vegas Bowls (chuckle), and of course there is TCU, who has topped ten wins six times over the last eight seasons, including a Fiesta Bowl appearance after a 12-0 regular season this past year. There have also been some marginally successful teams such as Air Force, the rising Houston, who may be considered with the previous four teams if they can finally win their conference, Fresno State, who is the one team that has showed they are not afraid to take on a BCS team, home or away, Nevada, Central Michigan, and Troy. It has been the success of teams like these that has brought the whole playoff/get rid of the BCS argument. Personally I would like to see these teams play more then one Power Conference team before claiming they deserve the same respect as a one loss Alabama, Texas, Ohio State, USC, or Virginia Tech. But that is just me.
This year it looks as if there will be two Non BCS teams in the Top Ten, Boise State and TCU, and a couple of other top 25 potentials in Houston, Utah, and Navy. With these teams potentially being good it makes for some very interesting match ups in the first week with Minnesota at Middle Tennessee, Arizona at Toledo, Maryland vs. Navy, USC at Hawaii, Cincinnati at Fresno St, Virginia Tech vs. Boise St, Southern Miss at South Carolina, Pittsburgh at Utah, Washington at BYU, and Oregon St vs. TCU. These all look like fantastic games that I can't wait to see when the season opens in early September.
Well alright guys here are my Conference Predictions for the Non BCS Conferences.
MOUNTAIN WEST
When you think of the Mountain West Conference what teams immediately come to mind? TCU, BYU, and Utah obviously. Over the last ten years those three teams have been the mainstays at the top of the conference. This year I want to add one more. Air Force. They have consistently been the #4 team in the MWC over the last ten seasons and this year I expect them to really challenge the usual powers. TCU is far and away the best team in this conference, as they had the best offense (38.3 ppg/457ypg) and defense (12.8ppg/240ypg) last season and this year it doesn't look like that will change. I even think their offense has the potential to be the most improved offense in that entire conference, add that to what looks like another top 25 defense and all signs point to a double digit win season, and maybe even an unbeaten record, and despite how good Boise St should be I feel that TCU has a better chance of being this season's big BCS Buster. Utah and BYU are both going to be a little worse this season then they were last season. Utah more so because they only return four starters on defense and four All MWC players. Trust me I am not buying the Utah love fest that is going around. TCU embarrassed them last season (28-55, -265yd difference) and as I previously stated I believe the Horned Frogs are even better this season, and they have road games at Air Force and Notre Dame. They are going to be a good team, but with games vs. Pittsburgh, @ Iowa St, st San Diego St, and BYU I expect this team to have roughly 8-9 wins this season. BYU and Air Force are going to be in a tough battle this season with Utah for that 2nd spot, and while BYU and Utah are better then the Falcons, Air Force has a very good coach in Troy Calhoun and I expect him to keep this team competitive including pulling off an upset against one of the big 3 (Utah Oct. 30??). BYU has the unenviable task of playing Air Force, TCU, and Utah on the road this season. This is going to be a very interesting season in the MWC.
Projected Final Standings (MWC Power Ranking)
*Team should be bowl eligible
1. TCU Horned Frogs* (1)
2. Utah Utes* (3)
2. BYU Cougars* (2)
2. Air Force Falcons* (4)
5. Wyoming Cowboys (6)
5. San Diego St Aztecs* (5)
7. Colorado St Rams (7)
7. UNLV Rebels(8)
9. New Mexico Lobos (9)
CONFERENCE USA
You will find throughout most of my write ups that there is a certain team that I am not buying. I may still think they are a good team but I don't give them as much credit as others. Utah in the Mountain West for example. In the Conference USA it is Houston. Now I want to say that I am still picking them to win their division and play in the Conference USA title game. But the fact that some are picking them as having a realistic shot at being a BCS Buster makes me want to laugh. This team has a horrible defense, as shown in last years destruction at the hands of Air Force in their bowl game (20-47, -232 yard difference), and they are going to be going up against some very good (C-USA) offenses in SMU, UTEP, and Tulsa, who should compete with the Cougars for the top spot in the West this fall. Like I said I still think Houston wins the division, but they rank third in my Conference USA Power Rankings. The real fun in the conference USA will be happening in the Eastern Division, as UCF and Southern Miss should both battle for the rights to play the Cougars in the Conference Championship Game. Southern Miss has the offense to get it done with WR DeAndre Brown, and C Cameron Zipp, and should have the best defense as well. The key though is that the Golden Eagles have yet to live up to expectations under Larry Fedora and in his third year I wouldn't be surprised if UCF upsets Southern Miss on Nov. 13 and takes home the East crown.
Projected Final Standings (C-USA Power Ranking)
**Team should be bowl eligible
West
1. Houston* (3)
2. Tulsa* (4)
3. SMU* (5)
4. UTEP* (9)
4. Rice (7)
6. Tulane (12)
East
1. UCF* (2)
2. Southern Miss* (1)
3. UAB* (6)
3. Marshall (8)
5. East Carolina (10)
6. Memphis (11)
WAC
Boise State. As much as I hate to say it Boise State is the best team in this conference without a doubt, but the real question is if this is the year that they finally make it to a National Championship game? Kellen Winslow is a very good QB and Chris Peterson is a good coach. That said there is a couple of opportunities for this team to slip up. Virginia Tech in the opener is one, and at Nevada is the other. I do think it is very possible that this team could go undefeated but call it a gut feeling, I think they'll slip up somewhere along the way. Nevada should easily finish 2nd though Fresno State will have something to say about that when they host them on Nov. 13.
Projected Final Standings (WAC Power Ranking)
*Team should be bowl eligible
1. Boise State Broncos* (1)
2. Nevada Wolfpack* (2)
3. Fresno St Bulldogs* (3)
3. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs* (4)
5. Hawaii Warriors* (5)
6. Utah St Aggies (7)
6. Idaho Vandals (6)
8. San Jose St Spartans (8)
8. New Mexico St Aggies (9)
Commander in Cheif Trophy
Army is going to be in their second year back in the option, and remember if they had pulled off the upset against Navy last year they would have gone bowling. This year I think they will be improved but play a slightly tougher schedule and miss out on a bowl. Navy is receiving a minimal amount of hype this fall, which is a lot for an independent service academy, but I think they will have another great year of 8-10 wins and maybe even finish the season ranked. As for the Commander in Chief, I think that goes to Air Force this year.
MAC
For the true football fan. The MAC is going to be fantastic to watch this fall. There are so many teams that legitimately have a shot to win their division and it seems like there are a couple of surprise teams each year (Temple & Bowling Green last year). I look for Central Michigan to miss the Conference Title game for only the 2nd time in the last 4 years. Ball State should be back to their winning ways, though not like those of '08, I still expect them to compete for a bowl spot, and Northern Illinois should win that division despite a strong push from Central Mich and Western Michigan. But the team that I expect to surprise everyone this year is Kent State. Temple returns almost everyone and should continue to play fantastic defense while RB Bernard Pierce carries the offense, and as long as Frank Solich is the head coach of Ohio I expect them to compete for the division title, but Kent State should have the #2 defense in the conference and a much improved offense from a year ago. Don't be surprised if this turns into a three team race. Should be fun to watch.
Projected Final Standings (MAC Power Ranking)
*Team should be bowl eligible
East
1. Temple Owls* (1)
2. Kent St Golden Flashes* (3)
2. Ohio Bobcats* (4)
4. Buffalo Bulls (5)
5. Bowling Green Falcons (11)
5. Akron Zipps (12)
5. Miami (OH) Redhawks (9)
West
1. Northern Illinois Huskies* (2)
2. Central Michigan Chippewas* (8)
3. Western Michigan Broncos* (7)
4. Toledo Rockets (10)
5. Ball State Cardinals (6)
6. Eastern Michigan Eagles (13)
SUN BELT
This is a conference that has been dominated by Troy over the last few years. Last year they were again the king of the conference again going undefeated in the conference to win back to back titles. This year though I think things are going to go a little differently as my #1 Offense and Defense belong to Middle Tennessee and they host the Trojans this year. I am also expecting North Texas to rise from the bottom of the conference and make a push at the title. Don't get me wrong there is still a very legitimate chance that Troy will win the Sun Belt, but everything seems right for Middle Tennessee this season.
Projected Final Standings (Sun Belt Power Ranking)
*Team should be bowl eligible
1. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders*
2. Troy Trojans*
3. North Texas Mean Green*
3. Arkansas St Red Wolves
3. Florida Atlantic Owls
6. Louisiana Monroe Warhawks
6. Louisiana's Raginn' Cajuns
8. Florida International Golden Panthers
9. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
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Alright guys there you go, the Big East should be up in a couple of days followed shortly after that by the Pac-10, then the ACC, the Big XII, Big Ten, and then the SEC. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas just let me know in the comment section below, or you can email us at wherethelandsharksare@gmail.com
Thanks for Reading
Batteman
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