You know, next year this geographical arrangement of conferences will get a lot harder, given the span of both the Pac-12 and the Big East. Still, it works fairly well for one more season. This column focuses on the ACC, Big East, SEC, and Sun Belt.
ACC - Atlantic Division
1. Clemson Tigers (6-2 in conference/8-4 overall): The top offensive contributors from last year are back, especially QB Tajh Boyd and RB Andre Ellington. They lost some talent on the offensive line, but the new bunch has looked good in spring practice. The key focus is the defensive, especially after the 70-33 Orange Bowl dusting they suffered.
2. Florida State Seminoles (5-3/7-5): Like last season, the Seminoles will live and die on the defensive side of the ball. The offensive backfield has more experience than last season, but still lacks enough speed. Multiple capable receivers give them depth in the passing game, and should keep opposing defenses on their toes. Their schedule is highly favorable, with two FCS teams.
3. NC State Wolf Pack (3-5/6-6): A new quarterback will shift their offensive focus to the running game. That's good, but they'll need a stable runner to spell starter James Washington. The defense is good, but it has glaring holes in the secondary.
4. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-5/6-6): Most of the offense, especially the line, is being rebuilt. The defense is strong, and the team might find life later in the season as the new offense gels, but it'll be a tough year for Deacon fans.
5. Boston College Eagles (3-5/5-7): The Eagles won't improve much from last season, especially in comparison to the rest of the conference.
6. Maryland Terrapins (0-8/2-10): The offense will be based on the running game, as the quarterback position needs work; it also needs a designated starter. The offensive line is stable, but they are a bit undersized. A weak defense also strangles them.
ACC - Coastal Division
1. Virginia Tech Hokies (7-1/11-1): The Hokies need a second stable receiver to complement Marcus Davis. There are questions about the secondary, but the defensive line is strong, which will be great for a conference whose teams are likely to run this season.
2. Miami Hurricanes (5-3/7-5): Stephen Morris gains the quarterback position, but the top wide receiver roles are still up for grabs. The offense will start the season as a mishmash, but a strong defense will enable them to win.
3. Virginia Cavaliers (5-3/7-5): QB Michael Rocco has eight returning starters on offense, but only one is a wide receiver. Most of his targets have little experience. A strong defense will keep Virginia in games until the receiving corps gains experience.
4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-4/6-6): Plenty of returning starters has Tech's hopes flying high. However, they started last season strongly, and then faded. This is the same group, and I'm not sure the coaches have identified what really caused the letdowns.
5. North Carolina Tar Heels (3-5/5-7): New coach Larry Fedora has to help this team emerge from scandal. They have a good offense, with returning stars QB Bryn Renner, WR Erik Highsmith, and RB Gio Bernard, but a weak defense will give them problems.
6. Duke Blue Devils (0-8/1-11): The passing game looks good, but they don't have a stable backfield. Nearly the full defense returns, but they weren't good last year, so I don't know how much the experience helps.
ACC Winner: Virginia Tech Hokies
Big East
The conference welcomes back Temple, but the quality goes down as West Virginia moves to the Big XII conference.
1. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-2/10-2): Greg Schiano is now coaching the Tampa Bay Bucs, so Kyle Flood takes over. The offense is strong, led by QB Gary Nova. A deep corps of running backs and wide receivers will keep the squad fresh.
2. Louisville Cardinals (5-2/9-3): Young but experienced QB Terry Bridgewater was the Big East Rookie of the Year last year. He has plenty of returning starters around him. Since so few are seniors, this team should compete for the title next season as well. A favorable early schedule will give them momentum into conference play.
3. Cincinnati Bearcats (4-3/7-5): This is a rebuilding year, as they lost their quarterback, top receiver, top running back, tight end, and much of their defensive line. New quarterback "Munchie" Legaux has accuracy issues.
4. South Florida Bulls (4-3/5-7): Their normally tight defense is under construction, as the Bulls need to replace key tacklers and pass rushers. The current defenders are quick but small. Most of the offense returns, so they have consistency there.
5. Pittsburgh Panthers (3-4/5-7): Another rebuilding year for new coach Paul Chryst. Chryst is focusing on the running game, the strength of Wisconsin, his previous team. To be truly successful, though, they need to strengthen the offensive line.
6. Syracuse Orange (2-5/3-9): This team would have been ranked better last week, but injuries during practice to the top two wide receivers has left the offense in shambles. Along with a porous defense, it looks like a tough start for the Orange.
7. Temple Owls (1-6/3-8): The Owls are hoping to avoid being the doormat of the conference again, after having success in the MAC. They have a strong and deep running back corps, but thin wide receiving corps. Their defense is good by MAC standards, but is it Big East worthy?
8. UConn Huskies (1-6/2-9): This is a young team, with mostly sophomores in key offensive positions. A strong defense will keep them in games, but this team needs to gain experience. They may be contenders in 2013 and 2014, but not now.
SEC
The addition of Big XII emigrants Missouri and Texas A&M adds some spice to the SEC this season.
East division
1. South Carolina Gamecocks (6-2/9-3): The preseason highly-ranked defense took a hit in practice last week with the injury to Akeem Auguste, but the squad is deep enough to regain their stride. They have a very favorable schedule, facing most of their toughest opponents at home. I think they'll do well, despite a thin roster of quarterbacks and running backs.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (5-3/9-3): The offense looks good, but they need more consistency from QB Aaron Murray. He must reduce his interceptions. The wide receiving corps is thin but talented, and the running corps is excellent. The defense is quick and hard-hitting, necessary in this conference.
3. Missouri Tigers (5-3/8-4): Well stocked on offense for their first year in the SEC, QB James Franklin has a great target in WR T.J. Moe. The defense needs some work, especially in the secondary, which is more important in this conference than the Big XII.
4. Tennessee Volunteers (4-4/7-5): The Vols need a strong year from QB Tyler Bray, as the backfield is a mess. They return a strong defense, so they can be competitive, but they are at least a year from returning to the upper echelon of this conference.
5. Florida Gators (2-6/5-7): Sorry, Gators fans, but this team is a mess! Many of your top recruits know that, as they've been jumping ship. That could fracture this team for years to come.The defense should have strength, anchored by safety Matt Elam, but the offense is shaky. New quarterback Jacoby Brissett struggled in practice, and since his backup was injured in practice, they have to rely on him. A thin wide receiving corps makes it worse.
6. Kentucky Wildcats (2-6/4-8): Sophomore quarterback Maxwell Smith assumes control of an iffy offense. The defense has holes, too, which makes Kentucky a hard sell.
7. Vanderbilt Commodores (2-6/4-8): Plenty of starters return from last season's 6-6 squad. They won't surprise anyone this season, so they won't do as well. Most important, QB Jordan Rodgers must reduce his frequency on interceptions.
West division
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-1/10-2): This team could repeat as National Champion, although it is hard to replace their four top defenders. The offense is good, but they are a bit slower than last year. With QB A.J. McCarron at the helm, they should still deliver. Michigan is really their only tough challenge until they face LSU on Nov 3rd.
2. LSU Tigers (6-2/10-2): The Honey Badger is no longer on the team, relegated to rehab before he could attract the attention of the NCAA to this program (more than has already been drawn). Without his contribution on defense, and breaking in a new quarterback on offense, develops chinks in the Tigers' armor. An easy early schedule may fool voters into believing the team has another National Championship shot, but I don't think so.
3. Arkansas Razorbacks (6-2/9-3): QB Tyler Wilson lost his top three receivers, but Cobi Hamilton is the clear Number One. The Razorbacks will need more than one stable receiver, especially since RB Knile Davis is still in "non-contact" phase after last season's ankle injury.
4. Texas A&M Aggies (4-4/8-4): A new quarterback shifts the offensive focus to a running game, which just isn't productive enough in this conference. The defensive line is strong, but a slow secondary makes them vulnerable to strong passing attacks.
5. Auburn Tigers (2-5/6-6): With no clear front runner for quarterback and a thin running corps, the offense needs lots of work. The defense is improving, and an easy non-conference schedule will help them, but they face many of the toughest teams in the conference.
6. Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-6/6-6): The sudden departure of WR coach Angelo Mirando shakes up the offense. It has to affect some of the players, especially the wide receiving corps. The roster is deep, but how focused will they be?
7. Ole Miss Rebels (2-6/4-8): Ole Miss already suffers losses before the season begins, as WR Tobias Singleton abruptly left school and other players have been injured in practice. Most of their roster positions are thin, so this team is highly susceptible to injury.
SEC Winner: Alabama Crimson Tide
Sun Belt
Southern Alabama joins the Sun Belt as the conference is suddenly becoming viable. If they pick up any teams from the collapse of the WAC after this season, they might become a true football power. I could find little information on the teams of this conference; even the teams' only website had few news items. Many of my predictions are based upon last year's results and how many starters return.
1. Florida International Golden Panthers (7-1/9/3): This is a strong team, and a good schedule helps.
2. Arkansas State Red Wolves (7-1/8-4): Last season's champs have a favorable conference schedule, but a tougher non-conference schedule will hurt. They'll have a higher BCS rank than FIU, but miss the title.
3. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns (6-2/8-4): They have a stronger offense this year, which should improve their record, but they'll still fall short in the conference.
4. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (5-3/7-5)
5. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (5-3/6-6)
6. Florida Atlantic Owls (3-5/4-8): A new coach and weak defense makes this season bleak and a rebuilding effort. The offense is good but thin; a tough non-conference schedule could injury players and leave the offense strapped.
7. North Texas Mean Green (3-5/4-8)
8. South Alabama Jaguars (2-6/4-9): South Alabama was a good FCS team, but they aren't quite FBS caliber yet. Their 13-game schedule won't help them, either.
9. Troy Trojans (1-7/1-11): Nearly all of last season's offense returns. They can score, but the question is how much scoring they can prevent. The defense looks to be slightly better than last year, but they were the second worst defense in FBS last season, so that won't help much.
10. Louisiana-Monroe Indians (1-7/1-11)
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