Thursday, August 28, 2008

Fearless Predictions: College Style

FPS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW (Part 3)

Just hours from kickoff of another college football season, which means it's time for some fearless predictions for 2008...

The Georgia Bulldogs may start the season at No. 1, but coach Mark Richt and company won't finish there. With their schedule, I think a three-loss season is within the realm of possibilities. In fact, the Dawgs won't even win their SEC division.

USC's QB Mark Sanchez is an improvement over John David Booty, but a Reggie Bush-less Trojans will still lose two games this year. No championship again for USC.

Football is becoming a game about the quarterbacks. Hence the conference with the best signal callers, the Big 12, will stand as the elite conference in 2008. I'll take Chase Daniel (Missouri), Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) and Colt McCoy (Texas) over Heisman winner Tim Tebow (Florida), Matt Stafford (Georgia) and John Parker Wilson (Alabama), any day.

Speaking of quarterbacks, the aforementioned Daniels will edge out Tebow to win this year's Heisman Trophy. It's going to take a exceptional season due to the media love-fest over the Florida QB, but Daniels is capable of doing it.

Oklahoma State coach Mike "I'm man, I'm 40!" Gundy won't have another massive meltdown. In fact, the head coach will show a lot more maturity at age 41, and with Zac Robinson running the show the Pokes should win at least eight games.

Rick Neuheisel U (UCLA, Washington, Colorado) will all show improvement on the field, but their records won't reflect it.

The BYU Cougars will be the next BCS buster and might just be able to get to BCS pay dirt with one loss.

This is the year Notre Dame wins eight games. OK, I'll be the first to admit I got bamboozled last year by head coach Charlie Weis. But QB Jimmy Clausen has a year under his belt and the Irish will really benefit from a down schedule.

The Idaho Vandals will beat a Division I opponent this year. (Utah State also a perennial WAC doormat looks like a prime candidate)

BCS BOWL PROJECTIONS

Rose -- USC (Pac-10) v. Missouri (At-Large)
Sugar -- Auburn (SEC) v. BYU (At-Large)
Orange -- South Florida (Big East) v. Clemson (ACC)
Fiesta -- Florida (At-Large) v. Wisconsin (At-Large)

National Championship -- Ohio State (Big Ten) over Oklahoma (Big 12)

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