Last Week - 36-14
Overall - 396-99
A pretty respectable week I must say. You can call me the Bill Fitch of picks. I'm racking up the wins, but the losses are creeping up on me....
Last week I correctly picked Rutgers for the second straight week. I believe I might be the only person in America that didn't give up on the Scarlet Knights. I also had the Tar Heels over BC, which was ol' Herbie's upset pick as well. We won't discuss my pick of Washington over Notre Dame right now.
Here's this weeks gems.
Buffalo @ Ohio
Houston @ Marshall
South Florida @ Cincinnati
Northwestern @ Minnesota
Wisconsin @ Michigan St.
West Virginia @ Connecticut
Central Michigan @ Indiana
Miami (FL) @ Virginia
Air Force @ Army
Michigan @ Purdue
Auburn @ Ole Miss
Kansas St. @ Kansas
Tulsa @ Arkansas
Kent St. @ Bowling Green
Colorado @ Texas A&M
Eastern Michigan @ Western Michigan
San Diego St. @ Wyoming
Pittsburgh @ Notre Dame
Kentucky @ Mississippi St.
Fresno St. @ Louisiana Tech
Arkansas St. @ Alabama
Missouri @ Baylor
Hawaii @ Utah St.
Florida @ Georgia
Iowa St. @ Oklahoma St.
Florida St. @ Georgia Tech
Oregon @ California
Clemson @ Boston College
Duke @ Wake Forest
Iowa @ Illinois
Temple @ Navy
North Texas @ Western Kentucky
Washington St. @ Stanford
San Jose St. @ Idaho
Florida International @ UL-Lafayette
BYU @ Colorado St.
Washington @ USC
Boise St. @ New Mexico St.
Louisville @ Syracuse
Troy @ UL-Monroe
Tennessee @ South Carolina
Texas @ Texas Tech
Nebraska @ Oklahoma
TCU @ UNLV
Tulane @ LSU
UAB @ Southern Miss
Rice @ UTEP
Utah @ New Mexico
Arizona St. @ Oregon St.
East Carolina @ UCF
Upset Alert:
West Virginia over Connecticut - The Mountaineers are still perfect in conference play, and last I checked they still had Pat White and Noel Devine in the backfield. I like Bill Stewart to get his first signature Big East win in this one.
Virginia over Miami(FL) - Is there any team in America that has improved as much as the Cavs since the season started? Virginia was making an argument to be the worst BCS team, now they're on a crazy winning streak. I like Al Groh's bunch to knock off the Hurricanes, who have yet to look that impressive.
Texas Tech over Texas - I'm mainly picking this one, because I subscribe to the theory that no BCS team will go undefeated this season. Texas Tech absolutely dismantled Kansas in the second half last Saturday. I think the Red Raiders defense will surprise everyone and get after Colt McCoy.
Arizona St. over Oregon St. - The Sun Devils need this game in the worse way. I know it's incredibly tough to win at Oregon St., but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Arizona St. takes this one.
Showing posts with label North Carolina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North Carolina. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Weekly Picks
Last Week - 39-13
Overall - 360-85
I bounced back rather nicely last week. Finally a few of my upset picks payed off. Some other ones, not so much. I am now officially a believer in the Texas Longhorns. We'll see how long that lasts.
Baseball and beer pong provided a nice distraction from some of the shitty games this past week. Hopefully this week's slate will provide some better match-ups.
Here are my ever so powerful picks:
Ohio @ Temple
Auburn @ West Virginia
New Mexico @ Air Force
Boise St. @ San Jose St.
Texas Tech @ Kansas
Eastern Michigan @ Ball St.
Northwestern @ Indiana
Minnesota @ Purdue
Cincinnati @ Connecticut
Boston College @ North Carolina
Illinois @ Wisconsin
Wake Forest @ Miami (FL)
Central Michigan @ Toledo
Oklahoma @ Kansas St.
Kentucky @ Florida
Baylor @ Nebraska
Louisiana Tech @ Army
UNLV @ BYU
Duke @ Vanderbilt
Fresno St. @ Utah St.
Rice @ Tulane
Oklahoma St. @ Texas
Georgia @ LSU
South Florida @ Louisville
Rutgers @ Pittsburgh
Virginia @ Georgia Tech
Virginia Tech @ Florida St.
UCLA @ California
NC State @ Maryland
Michigan St. @ Michigan
Kent St. @ Miami (OH)
SMU @ Navy
Bowling Green @ Northern Illinois
New Mexico St. @ Idaho
Wyoming @ TCU
Colorado @ Missouri
Ole Miss @ Arkansas
Texas A&M @ Iowa St.
Troy @ North Texas
Middle Tennessee @ Mississippi St.
Florida Atlantic @ UL-Monroe
Alabama @ Tennessee
Penn St. @ Ohio St.
Southern Miss @ Memphis
Notre Dame @ Washington
Colorado St. @ San Diego St.
Oregon @ Arizona St.
USC @ Arizona
Nevada @ Hawaii
UCF @ Tulsa
Upset Picks:
Purdue over Minnesota - I like what the Gophers are doing this season. I just can't see the Boilermakers letting Joe Tiller go out with a losing season.
North Carolina over Boston College - I ranked BC in my top 25 for the first time this season. I follow that up by picking them to lose to the Tar Heels. The worst thing that could have happened to the Eagles was UNC losing to UVA last week.
Rutgers over Pittsburgh - Picking Rutgers last week payed off for me. I'm going for it again! I still have faith that Rutgers can pull it around and that Dave Wannstedt can still find a way to totally screw this season.
Ohio St. over Penn St. - Not sure how much of an upset this really is. I like for the Buckeyes to defend home turf and knock off Penn St. Also, with PSU's remaining schedule it would greatly benefit my Gators if they lost on Saturday.
Washington over Notre Dame - Wouldn't it be sweet if this was the only game Washington won all year? What a way to send coach Ty out!
Overall - 360-85
I bounced back rather nicely last week. Finally a few of my upset picks payed off. Some other ones, not so much. I am now officially a believer in the Texas Longhorns. We'll see how long that lasts.
Baseball and beer pong provided a nice distraction from some of the shitty games this past week. Hopefully this week's slate will provide some better match-ups.
Here are my ever so powerful picks:
Ohio @ Temple
Auburn @ West Virginia
New Mexico @ Air Force
Boise St. @ San Jose St.
Texas Tech @ Kansas
Eastern Michigan @ Ball St.
Northwestern @ Indiana
Minnesota @ Purdue
Cincinnati @ Connecticut
Boston College @ North Carolina
Illinois @ Wisconsin
Wake Forest @ Miami (FL)
Central Michigan @ Toledo
Oklahoma @ Kansas St.
Kentucky @ Florida
Baylor @ Nebraska
Louisiana Tech @ Army
UNLV @ BYU
Duke @ Vanderbilt
Fresno St. @ Utah St.
Rice @ Tulane
Oklahoma St. @ Texas
Georgia @ LSU
South Florida @ Louisville
Rutgers @ Pittsburgh
Virginia @ Georgia Tech
Virginia Tech @ Florida St.
UCLA @ California
NC State @ Maryland
Michigan St. @ Michigan
Kent St. @ Miami (OH)
SMU @ Navy
Bowling Green @ Northern Illinois
New Mexico St. @ Idaho
Wyoming @ TCU
Colorado @ Missouri
Ole Miss @ Arkansas
Texas A&M @ Iowa St.
Troy @ North Texas
Middle Tennessee @ Mississippi St.
Florida Atlantic @ UL-Monroe
Alabama @ Tennessee
Penn St. @ Ohio St.
Southern Miss @ Memphis
Notre Dame @ Washington
Colorado St. @ San Diego St.
Oregon @ Arizona St.
USC @ Arizona
Nevada @ Hawaii
UCF @ Tulsa
Upset Picks:
Purdue over Minnesota - I like what the Gophers are doing this season. I just can't see the Boilermakers letting Joe Tiller go out with a losing season.
North Carolina over Boston College - I ranked BC in my top 25 for the first time this season. I follow that up by picking them to lose to the Tar Heels. The worst thing that could have happened to the Eagles was UNC losing to UVA last week.
Rutgers over Pittsburgh - Picking Rutgers last week payed off for me. I'm going for it again! I still have faith that Rutgers can pull it around and that Dave Wannstedt can still find a way to totally screw this season.
Ohio St. over Penn St. - Not sure how much of an upset this really is. I like for the Buckeyes to defend home turf and knock off Penn St. Also, with PSU's remaining schedule it would greatly benefit my Gators if they lost on Saturday.
Washington over Notre Dame - Wouldn't it be sweet if this was the only game Washington won all year? What a way to send coach Ty out!
Labels:
Boston College,
Minnesota,
North Carolina,
Notre Dame,
Ohio St.,
Penn St.,
Pittsburgh,
predictions,
Purdue,
Rutgers,
Texas,
Washington
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Week 6 Preview
Last week finally brought the major upsets that we've been waiting for. USC lost to Oregon St. to open the week. That was then followed up by Florida, Wisconsin, East Carolina and Clemson all losing to unranked teams.
This week, there are a few games that could offer more upsets. Here are a few dandies:
Oregon St. vs. Utah
The Beavers are riding high after their victory over USC last Thursday. They are looking to knock off their second straight top 25 team. The Utes most likely will not overlook OSU, since the Beavers are a "bigger" program. However, it will be interesting how Utah plans on defending scatterback Jacquizz Rodgers. If Utah does win, then that will just continue the tradition of the Mountain West handing the PAC-10's it's own ass.
Kansas vs. Iowa St.
For some strange, ungodly reason, I like this Cyclone football team. For some even stranger and ungodlier reason, I really don't like this Jayhawk team. Kansas should roll in this one, but I wouldn't be surprised if ISU stayed in it until the end. If I'm right, we all know anything can happen at the end of a Big XII game.
Kentucky vs. Alabama
The Tide are America's sweethearts right now. ESPN has withdrew USC's cock from it's mouth long enough to start a slobber job on Nick Saban's bunch. Will this fellatio pleasure go straight to the Alabama players' heads? Probably not. But Kentucky is a solid team, and they will be fired up to knock off the Elephants.
Texas Tech vs. Kansas St.
The Red Raiders have faced nothing but JV high school teams to date this season. While the Wildcats don't present that much of a stiffer challenge, it's still conference play. The game is in Manhattan, where Kansas St. always seems to play much better. It will be up to Tech's defense to stop the Wildcats enough to allow Graham Harrell and Co. to outscore them.
Auburn vs. Vanderbilt
Statistically speaking, if the Commodores win, this wouldn't be an Earth altering upset. However, if the 'Dores pull out a win against Auburn, the entire college football universe will be turned on it's head. This is the only upset that I've actually picked to happen, so I think it's more than possible for the Tigers to leave Nashville with a loss.
Connecticut vs. North Carolina
I know I am seriously hating on Connecticut, but they can't keep winning. They've already proved me wrong by starting off white hot. However, once again, I'll be picking against them this week. Even with a dinged up QB, I like the Tar Heels to knock the Huskies out of the top 25.
Ohio St. vs. Wisconsin
I really don't think it would be an upset if the Badgers defeated Ohio St. in Madison this week. However, everyone else in America just about is picking the Buckeyes to win this one. So by popular opinion, I guess it would be an upset. I picked the Badgers in this one.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Possible Lane Kiffin CFB destinations
Tennessee - The Vols are finally fed up with Fulmer. Kiffin would bring a Bruce Pearl type energy to the football program.
Washington - Let's face it, Willingham is done in Seattle. Jim Mora Jr. is no longer available, so Kiffin would be a good choice.
Syracuse - There's SC connections here. Also, the Orange have grabbed from the NFL before.
East Carolina - Somebody's gotta replace Skip Holtz after he takes the Clemson job.
Florida St. - The 'Nole re-nig on their offer to Jimbo Fisher after another god-awful offensive season.
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1-AA teams that would be competitive in 1-A RIGHT NOW.
Appalachian St.
James Madison
McNeese St.
Richmond
Wofford
The Citadel
Delaware
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What the hell's going on with:
Tim Tebow
Tebow has not performed like last year. Blame it on less plays, more of a running attack, or defensive schemes against him. Tebow has not been Tebow-like. He badly overthrew receivers last week, including a wide open Louis Murphy on the final drive. Also, when was the last time you saw Tebow denied on a fourth and short? Never.
What has gotten into:
Colt McCoy
Unlike Tebow, Colt McCoy is playing very Tebow-like. He is getting it done through the air and on the ground. McCoy has his Longhorns looking very good. If they continue to play like this, they should head into Dallas undefeated for their epic clash against the Sooners.
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5 Games to Watch
This week, there are a few games that could offer more upsets. Here are a few dandies:
Oregon St. vs. Utah
The Beavers are riding high after their victory over USC last Thursday. They are looking to knock off their second straight top 25 team. The Utes most likely will not overlook OSU, since the Beavers are a "bigger" program. However, it will be interesting how Utah plans on defending scatterback Jacquizz Rodgers. If Utah does win, then that will just continue the tradition of the Mountain West handing the PAC-10's it's own ass.
Kansas vs. Iowa St.
For some strange, ungodly reason, I like this Cyclone football team. For some even stranger and ungodlier reason, I really don't like this Jayhawk team. Kansas should roll in this one, but I wouldn't be surprised if ISU stayed in it until the end. If I'm right, we all know anything can happen at the end of a Big XII game.
Kentucky vs. Alabama
The Tide are America's sweethearts right now. ESPN has withdrew USC's cock from it's mouth long enough to start a slobber job on Nick Saban's bunch. Will this fellatio pleasure go straight to the Alabama players' heads? Probably not. But Kentucky is a solid team, and they will be fired up to knock off the Elephants.
Texas Tech vs. Kansas St.
The Red Raiders have faced nothing but JV high school teams to date this season. While the Wildcats don't present that much of a stiffer challenge, it's still conference play. The game is in Manhattan, where Kansas St. always seems to play much better. It will be up to Tech's defense to stop the Wildcats enough to allow Graham Harrell and Co. to outscore them.
Auburn vs. Vanderbilt
Statistically speaking, if the Commodores win, this wouldn't be an Earth altering upset. However, if the 'Dores pull out a win against Auburn, the entire college football universe will be turned on it's head. This is the only upset that I've actually picked to happen, so I think it's more than possible for the Tigers to leave Nashville with a loss.
Connecticut vs. North Carolina
I know I am seriously hating on Connecticut, but they can't keep winning. They've already proved me wrong by starting off white hot. However, once again, I'll be picking against them this week. Even with a dinged up QB, I like the Tar Heels to knock the Huskies out of the top 25.
Ohio St. vs. Wisconsin
I really don't think it would be an upset if the Badgers defeated Ohio St. in Madison this week. However, everyone else in America just about is picking the Buckeyes to win this one. So by popular opinion, I guess it would be an upset. I picked the Badgers in this one.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Possible Lane Kiffin CFB destinations
Tennessee - The Vols are finally fed up with Fulmer. Kiffin would bring a Bruce Pearl type energy to the football program.
Washington - Let's face it, Willingham is done in Seattle. Jim Mora Jr. is no longer available, so Kiffin would be a good choice.
Syracuse - There's SC connections here. Also, the Orange have grabbed from the NFL before.
East Carolina - Somebody's gotta replace Skip Holtz after he takes the Clemson job.
Florida St. - The 'Nole re-nig on their offer to Jimbo Fisher after another god-awful offensive season.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-AA teams that would be competitive in 1-A RIGHT NOW.
Appalachian St.
James Madison
McNeese St.
Richmond
Wofford
The Citadel
Delaware
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What the hell's going on with:
Tim Tebow
Tebow has not performed like last year. Blame it on less plays, more of a running attack, or defensive schemes against him. Tebow has not been Tebow-like. He badly overthrew receivers last week, including a wide open Louis Murphy on the final drive. Also, when was the last time you saw Tebow denied on a fourth and short? Never.
What has gotten into:
Colt McCoy
Unlike Tebow, Colt McCoy is playing very Tebow-like. He is getting it done through the air and on the ground. McCoy has his Longhorns looking very good. If they continue to play like this, they should head into Dallas undefeated for their epic clash against the Sooners.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Games to Watch
- Auburn @ Vanderbilt
- Ohio St. @ Wisconsin
- Oregon @ USC
- Rice @ Tulsa
- Florida St. @ Miami(FL)
- How will Ole Miss, Oregon St., Michigan & Maryland respond after huge wins?
- Will Tim Tebow live up to his promise of being bad-ass?
- Will Mark May be able to juggle both USC and Alabama's cock?
- Will USC lose to Oregon AND remain in the top 10?
- Will Randy Shannon drown in a pool of his own tears because he refuses to stop crying?
Labels:
Alabama,
Auburn,
Colt McCoy,
Connecticut,
Iowa St.,
Kansas,
Kansas St.,
Kentucky,
North Carolina,
Ohio St.,
Oregon St.,
previews,
Texas Tech,
Tim Tebow,
Utah,
Vanderbilt,
Wisconsin
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Weekly Picks
Last Week - 46-11
Overall- 207-44
Time for another weekly rendition of me showing just how awesome I am.
It's a shame how incredibly gifted I really am. I honestly can't get enough of myself.
By the way, damn North Carolina for giving away that lead to Va Tech. Here are my picks for this week:
SMU @ Tulane
USC @ Oregon St. (USC will dominate leading to an instant erection by Mark May.)
Connecticut @ Louisville
Minnesota @ Ohio St. (Closer than people think.)
Maryland @ Clemson (See above.)
Michigan St. @ Indiana
Virginia @ Duke (Duke proves they are no longer the worst team in the ACC.)
Pittsburgh @ Syracuse
Kent St. @ Ball St.
Northern Illinois @ Eastern Michigan
Northwestern @ Iowa
North Carolina @ Miami(FL) (The Heels win the Butch Davis bowl.)
Ole Miss @ Florida
Army @ Texas A&M
Rhode Island @ Boston College
VMI @ Ohio
Western Michigan @ Temple
Arkansas St. @ Memphis
Arkansas @ Texas (No hurricane to save the Hogs this week.)
Wisconsin @ Michigan
Tennessee @ Auburn
Houston @ East Carolina
Fresno St. @ UCLA
Colorado @ Florida St.
Purdue @ Notre Dame ( Notre Dame's dream perfect season is over.)
Morgan St. @ Rutgers (Finally.)
Marshall @ West Virginia
Cincinnati @ Akron
UL-Lafayette @ Kansas St.
Navy @ Wake Forest
Buffalo @ Central Michigan
Bowling Green @ Wyoming
North Texas @ Rice
Colorado St. @ California
Oregon @ Washington St. (Cougs might be the worst BCS team.)
TCU @ Oklahoma
Western Kentucky @ Kentucky
Central Arkansas @ Tulsa
UAB @ South Carolina
Florida International @ Toledo
Troy @ Oklahoma St. (This will be a very close game.)
Mississippi St. @ LSU (This will not be a very close game.)
South Florida @ North Carolina St.
Alabama @ Georgia (The game of the week.)
Illinois @ Penn St.
Weber St. @ Utah
Idaho @ San Diego St.
Virginia Tech @ Nebraska
New Mexico @ New Mexico St.
UCF @ UTEP
Stanford @ Washington
Nevada @ UNLV
San Jose St. @ Hawaii
Upset Alert - I came really close to picking Illinois over Penn St. The fact that the game is in Happy Valley is what made me choose the Nittany Lions.
Overall- 207-44
Time for another weekly rendition of me showing just how awesome I am.
It's a shame how incredibly gifted I really am. I honestly can't get enough of myself.
By the way, damn North Carolina for giving away that lead to Va Tech. Here are my picks for this week:
SMU @ Tulane
USC @ Oregon St. (USC will dominate leading to an instant erection by Mark May.)
Connecticut @ Louisville
Minnesota @ Ohio St. (Closer than people think.)
Maryland @ Clemson (See above.)
Michigan St. @ Indiana
Virginia @ Duke (Duke proves they are no longer the worst team in the ACC.)
Pittsburgh @ Syracuse
Kent St. @ Ball St.
Northern Illinois @ Eastern Michigan
Northwestern @ Iowa
North Carolina @ Miami(FL) (The Heels win the Butch Davis bowl.)
Ole Miss @ Florida
Army @ Texas A&M
Rhode Island @ Boston College
VMI @ Ohio
Western Michigan @ Temple
Arkansas St. @ Memphis
Arkansas @ Texas (No hurricane to save the Hogs this week.)
Wisconsin @ Michigan
Tennessee @ Auburn
Houston @ East Carolina
Fresno St. @ UCLA
Colorado @ Florida St.
Purdue @ Notre Dame ( Notre Dame's dream perfect season is over.)
Morgan St. @ Rutgers (Finally.)
Marshall @ West Virginia
Cincinnati @ Akron
UL-Lafayette @ Kansas St.
Navy @ Wake Forest
Buffalo @ Central Michigan
Bowling Green @ Wyoming
North Texas @ Rice
Colorado St. @ California
Oregon @ Washington St. (Cougs might be the worst BCS team.)
TCU @ Oklahoma
Western Kentucky @ Kentucky
Central Arkansas @ Tulsa
UAB @ South Carolina
Florida International @ Toledo
Troy @ Oklahoma St. (This will be a very close game.)
Mississippi St. @ LSU (This will not be a very close game.)
South Florida @ North Carolina St.
Alabama @ Georgia (The game of the week.)
Illinois @ Penn St.
Weber St. @ Utah
Idaho @ San Diego St.
Virginia Tech @ Nebraska
New Mexico @ New Mexico St.
UCF @ UTEP
Stanford @ Washington
Nevada @ UNLV
San Jose St. @ Hawaii
Upset Alert - I came really close to picking Illinois over Penn St. The fact that the game is in Happy Valley is what made me choose the Nittany Lions.
Labels:
Illinois,
North Carolina,
Penn St.,
predictions,
Virginia Tech
Thursday, May 29, 2008
On the come up
I am a pretty big optimists. I usually feel that every team has a good chance to improve upon the previous year's performance. Of course this is total bullshit. We all know there will be teams that will blow like they always do.
To stop myself from giving you a huge list of teams I feel will be improving this year, I figured I would break it down by conference.
So here are the teams that will improve the most by conference.
ACC
North Carolina- The Tar Heels already showed signs of improving last season. With a full season at the helm, Butch Davis will have a much better grasp on his team than he did going into last year. Hakeem Nicks is one of the best wideouts in the nation and he will have a talented T.J. Yates to get the ball to him. Anthony Elzy and Greg Little form a powerful duo in the backfield as well.
Big XII
Texas Tech- I know Tech had a great year last season, but I expect them to have an even better one this year. Graham Harrell is already a record holder for a school that does nothing but produce record breaking QB's, and he will once again be throwing to receiver of the year Michael Crabtree. Ruffin McNeil already has the defense headed in the right direction. If the D improves, the Red Raiders could be in the hunt for a conference crown.
Big East
Pittsburgh- The Panthers ended last season on a high note by defeating rival West Virginia and knocking them out of the NC picture. Dave Wannstedt is returning his best team sine he's been at the helm. LeSean McCoy is one of the best running backs in the nation. Derek Kinder and Oderick Turner are back at WR, and Pat Bostick and Bill Stull are both capable QB's that are available to start.
Big Ten
Michigan St.- The Spartans will definitely be the best team in their state this season. They will also have a shot at being one of the better teams in the Big Eleven. Javon Ringer is one of the better players in the conference at any position. What could make or break this season for MSU will be their defense. I expect them to field one of the better defenses in the Big Eleven, which should help them rise through the ranks.
C-USA
Memphis- Memphis started off very slow last year. Couple that with low expectations and you can see why fans started to turn on Tommy West and his team. However, the Tigers turned it around and improved drastically as the season went on. Earning a New Orleans Bowl berth. Unfortunately Memphis was throttled by Sun Belt champ Florida Atlantic. Memphis returns Duke Calhoun at the receiver position as well as a stout defense. I bowl better than the New Orleans Bowl should be in store for the Tigers.
MAC
Ball St.- Nate Davis and Dante Love form one of the better aerial duos in the nation. This alone makes them one of the favorites to win the pass-happy MAC. Unfortunately the Cardinals are stuck in the MAC West with Central Michigan. It should come down to those two, and with Davis running the show, I wouldn't count Ball St. out.
Mountain West
Utah- BYU should breeze through the Mountain West this season up until the Holy War against the Utes. I would not be surprised if Utah would pull that one out. You never know what will happen in rivalry games. Brian Johnson is back at QB to lead the offense with his arm and his feet. The Utes defense will be tough once again with defensive-minded Kyle Wittingham at head coach.
PAC-10
Washington- The Huskies have been inching toward respectability since Tyrone Willigham took over. The Huskies were in the game against both Ohio St. and USC last season until they folded down the stretch. This figures to be a make or break year for the coach so the Huskies will have extra incentive. If QB Jake Locker can remain healthy, Washington's chances at a bowl are vastly improved.
SEC
Ole Miss- The Rebels were horrible under Ed Orgeron. Fortunately for new coach Houston Nutt, Orgeron was an excellent recruiter. There is ample talent in Oxford(and for once I'm not talking about the ladies.) Nutt is a great coach, and he will get this thing turned around quicker than most people think. Texas transfer Jevan Snead is the new QB and he will have some talented receiver to throw to, including Mike Wallace and Marshay Green.
Sun Belt
Louisiana-Monroe- Florida Atlantic is still too tough for anyone to unseat them as kings of the conference no one cares about, but the War Hawks have a shot to unseat Troy as number two in the Sun Belt. Monroe was a totally different team at the end of last year compared to the beginning. They ended the season with tremendous momentum thanks to the stunning win at Alabama. Veteran coach Charlie Weatherbie called the win the biggest of his career. The War Hawks do lose starting tailback Calvin Dawson, but they also return All-WAC caliber Kinsmon Lancaster at QB. Lancaster is a playmaker with bot his arm and legs.
WAC
Louisiana Tech- All the focus in the WAC this year is on Fresno St. and Boise St., as it should be. Watch out for these Bulldogs though. Derek Dooley is a tough-minded coach that has finally gotten his players to buy into his approach. Georgia Tech transfer Taylor Bennett is immediately available to start the season. That should help the pain of losing Zac Champion at QB. I expect Louisiana Tech to make a bowl game this season. That is a big turnaround from previous seasons.
To stop myself from giving you a huge list of teams I feel will be improving this year, I figured I would break it down by conference.
So here are the teams that will improve the most by conference.
ACC
North Carolina- The Tar Heels already showed signs of improving last season. With a full season at the helm, Butch Davis will have a much better grasp on his team than he did going into last year. Hakeem Nicks is one of the best wideouts in the nation and he will have a talented T.J. Yates to get the ball to him. Anthony Elzy and Greg Little form a powerful duo in the backfield as well.
Big XII
Texas Tech- I know Tech had a great year last season, but I expect them to have an even better one this year. Graham Harrell is already a record holder for a school that does nothing but produce record breaking QB's, and he will once again be throwing to receiver of the year Michael Crabtree. Ruffin McNeil already has the defense headed in the right direction. If the D improves, the Red Raiders could be in the hunt for a conference crown.
Big East
Pittsburgh- The Panthers ended last season on a high note by defeating rival West Virginia and knocking them out of the NC picture. Dave Wannstedt is returning his best team sine he's been at the helm. LeSean McCoy is one of the best running backs in the nation. Derek Kinder and Oderick Turner are back at WR, and Pat Bostick and Bill Stull are both capable QB's that are available to start.
Big Ten
Michigan St.- The Spartans will definitely be the best team in their state this season. They will also have a shot at being one of the better teams in the Big Eleven. Javon Ringer is one of the better players in the conference at any position. What could make or break this season for MSU will be their defense. I expect them to field one of the better defenses in the Big Eleven, which should help them rise through the ranks.
C-USA
Memphis- Memphis started off very slow last year. Couple that with low expectations and you can see why fans started to turn on Tommy West and his team. However, the Tigers turned it around and improved drastically as the season went on. Earning a New Orleans Bowl berth. Unfortunately Memphis was throttled by Sun Belt champ Florida Atlantic. Memphis returns Duke Calhoun at the receiver position as well as a stout defense. I bowl better than the New Orleans Bowl should be in store for the Tigers.
MAC
Ball St.- Nate Davis and Dante Love form one of the better aerial duos in the nation. This alone makes them one of the favorites to win the pass-happy MAC. Unfortunately the Cardinals are stuck in the MAC West with Central Michigan. It should come down to those two, and with Davis running the show, I wouldn't count Ball St. out.
Mountain West
Utah- BYU should breeze through the Mountain West this season up until the Holy War against the Utes. I would not be surprised if Utah would pull that one out. You never know what will happen in rivalry games. Brian Johnson is back at QB to lead the offense with his arm and his feet. The Utes defense will be tough once again with defensive-minded Kyle Wittingham at head coach.
PAC-10
Washington- The Huskies have been inching toward respectability since Tyrone Willigham took over. The Huskies were in the game against both Ohio St. and USC last season until they folded down the stretch. This figures to be a make or break year for the coach so the Huskies will have extra incentive. If QB Jake Locker can remain healthy, Washington's chances at a bowl are vastly improved.
SEC
Ole Miss- The Rebels were horrible under Ed Orgeron. Fortunately for new coach Houston Nutt, Orgeron was an excellent recruiter. There is ample talent in Oxford(and for once I'm not talking about the ladies.) Nutt is a great coach, and he will get this thing turned around quicker than most people think. Texas transfer Jevan Snead is the new QB and he will have some talented receiver to throw to, including Mike Wallace and Marshay Green.
Sun Belt
Louisiana-Monroe- Florida Atlantic is still too tough for anyone to unseat them as kings of the conference no one cares about, but the War Hawks have a shot to unseat Troy as number two in the Sun Belt. Monroe was a totally different team at the end of last year compared to the beginning. They ended the season with tremendous momentum thanks to the stunning win at Alabama. Veteran coach Charlie Weatherbie called the win the biggest of his career. The War Hawks do lose starting tailback Calvin Dawson, but they also return All-WAC caliber Kinsmon Lancaster at QB. Lancaster is a playmaker with bot his arm and legs.
WAC
Louisiana Tech- All the focus in the WAC this year is on Fresno St. and Boise St., as it should be. Watch out for these Bulldogs though. Derek Dooley is a tough-minded coach that has finally gotten his players to buy into his approach. Georgia Tech transfer Taylor Bennett is immediately available to start the season. That should help the pain of losing Zac Champion at QB. I expect Louisiana Tech to make a bowl game this season. That is a big turnaround from previous seasons.
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