AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USProjecting the conference champs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The season FINALLY gets underway tonight with four of the Top 25 (No. 2 LSU, No. 16 Rutgers, No. 10 Louisville, and No. 24 Boise State) in action. So before toe meets leather, as the great Al Ciraldo used to say, let’s pick the 11 conference winners for 2007. On Friday I’ll do weekend predictions.
ACC: Florida State Everybody’s picking Virginia Tech but I think Georgia Tech beats the Hokies on Nov. 1 in Atlanta. Toughened by a brutal road schedule, Florida State beats Georgia Tech in Jacksonville for the championship.
SEC: LSU There is a pretty significant talent gap, particularly on defense, between LSU and the rest of the league. Still, this is the most balanced the SEC has been in a long, long time. LSU beats Florida in the SEC championship game.
BIG EAST: West Virginia There is a reason Rick Rodriguez didn’t take the Alabama job. He knew this team was good enough to run the table and reach the BCS championship game.
BIG TEN: Michigan The Wolverines are loaded with QB Chad Henne, RB Michael Hart, and OT Jake Long, who would have all been high NFL Draft picks. If Michigan can beat Ohio State, something the Wolverines haven’t done since 2003, they could push West Virginia out of the big game.
BIG 12: Texas QB Colt McCoy, RB Jamaal Charles, and WR Limas Sweed are all-conference caliber players. The Longhorns will have to beat Oklahoma on Oct. 6 to get to the Big 12 championship game, where they will face Missouri or Nebraska.
PAC-10: Southern Cal The Trojans start the season No. 1 and will stay No. 1. The only potential stumbling block is a Nov. 10 trip to California.
CONFERENCE USA: Southern Miss The Golden Eagles, led by sophomore RB Damion Fletcher, beat Tulsa in the conference championship game.
MID-AMERICAN: Central Michigan: The defending champions lost coach Brian Kelly to Cincinnati, but will win the title again under new coach Butch Jones. QB Dan LeFevour threw for over 3,000 yards as a freshman last season.
MOUNTAIN WEST: TCU The Horned Frogs, who have won 10 or more games in three of the past four seasons, have the BCS on their minds. A Sept. 8 trip to Texas gives them a chance to be this year’s Boise State.
SUN BELT: Troy QB Omar Haugabook will be the league’s offensive player of the year for the second straight season.
WAC: Hawaii: It appears the only thing standing between the Warriors and a 12-0 season is a Nov. 23 home game with Boise State. But with that schedule, an undefeated season will not get Hawaii into the BCS.
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
Comments
By Roscoe
August 30, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this
Pretty good picks Tony but I’m not too sure if Michigan has a good enough defense this year. Look out for PJ & the Badgers.
By War Eagle
August 30, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
I agree with LSU in the SEC, but it will be Tenn. playing for the title instead of Florida. UGA will beat Florida this year and Auburn will keep the Sanford stadium tradition by UPSETTING the Dawgs(I hope) NC game USC vs LSU
By Quaildawg
August 30, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
Why are we even playing the games?! ESPN has already given us the “champion” via their Championship Series. Without a doubt the biggest waste of TV time since…well, since the Who’s Hot ESPN yawner. But, since you are making projections I might as well jump in the fray.
ACC- Hokies hands down- got the mantra to keep them focused. (regarding the Nov 1 game with Tech watch the Hokie D pummel the “Savior” better known as Taylor Bennett) SEC- LSU definitely comes into the season with fewer answers but I have this feeling that AUB game will be the key matchup. In the East KY and SC will not win the division but will, without a doubt, play major factors in who is. UF better have a good backup QB because Tebow will get hurt at some point in this season if Meyer and OC continue to run him. (DE & LB’s in this league can bring some serious pain) Big East- WV does seem to have the easiest road to the BCS. USF could reek some havoc on the Big East party. Big ElevTen- Wisconsin will prevail in the “Slowest Show on Earth” Big 12-TX, like WV, is in best position, But I have this feeling that OK is ready to make some noise again! Upset Special TCU beats Horns in early season matchup!!! Pac 1 (and 9)- USC but…they WILL NOT go undefeated!!! As for the rest..WHO CARES??????
By Eric
August 30, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
Wouldn’t it be funny if Auburn beats Florida and LSU. Especially in light of the fact that the Tigers haven’t even been mentioned by Mr. College Football this pre-season. And it’s a real possibility. I think Auburn will surprise some “experts” this season. War Eagle!!!
By Rusty
August 30, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
On paper, LSU should win the SEC. I see them stumbling along the way and losing a couple of games they shouldn’t.
http://www.rustybanks.com
By stinGTime
August 30, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
I hope Tech does play FSU this year. Maybe a Georgia team CAN win in Florida.
By scooter11
August 30, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this
Gee, maybe a GA team CAN win in FL, but YOU went down there twice last year and couldn’t. Nice try with the thinly veiled shot.
By claire voyant
August 30, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
Hey Tony, you need to rethink a few picks such as ACC (Ga Tech), SEC (Fla), Big East (South Fla), Big Ten (Wis), and Big 12 (Ok). Oh yeah, and by the way, UCLA kicks USC’s butt again and Cal wins the Pathetic 10.
By John
August 30, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
I think everyone is really overlooking Arkansas. Yes, I know they had a rough offseason, and I wouldn’t want Nutt coaching my kids pee wee league, but with the talent they have coming back plus a healthy Mcfadden and Peyton Hillis, who by the way is the glue that holds the offense together, they are going to be tough. Does anyone remember Casey Dick’s freshman year? It wasn’t that bad. He was coming off back surgery last year and was never 100%. He is healthy this year and I honestly would not be surprised if they were a 1-2 loss team this year.
By JoePa
August 30, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
Bandwagon Barnhart goes with the masses and picks Michigan to win the Big Ten. Won’t happen. Michigan has the offense but an untested defense. They’ll lose to Penn State and Wisconsin. Wisconsin will go 11-1, but their loss will be to Penn State. Ohio State has some rebuilding to do and they’ll lose to both Penn State and Michigan. Penn State brings back an experienced offense and another stellar defense. All but one tough game is at home. Sure, Michigan is on the road, but Chad Henne won’t be able to pass against the Big Ten’s best secondary and Mike Hart will get clobbered by the linebackers. Penn State will be the sleeper team this year and go undefeated…unfortunately, so will USC and LSU so once again they’ll be screwed out of a chance to play for the National Championship.
By shane
August 30, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
tony,the pac 10 is usc’s to lose,ditto lsu in the sec,watch out for au.in the east i think it will be ut.spurrier will upset uf,uga will too.big 11,as if i care,osu.texas will take the big 12.notre dame will make the top 25,saving the coach’s job. at least untill urban myer gets ready to move.west virginia will win the big east and go to a bcs bowl
By BullDawg Rick
August 30, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
All these picks are cut n paste from ESPN, USATODAY, SI, Sporting News, etc… Let the GAMES begin..
By GWJ
August 30, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this
I agree, LSU probaly has more talent than anyone in SEC. I may be crazy, but I’m still not sold on Les Miles. Should be another great year in the SEC!
By austindog
August 30, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
Yeah stinGTime, GT couldn’t win in Florida with a title on the line or win the Gator bowl that was forced to take them.
By Big Dawg
August 30, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
Tony,
IMO LSU won’t win the SEC this year and will lose in the SEC Championship game to GA.
As for the ACC, I have a gut feeling that GT will break through this year and win meaning teams from GA will win the SEC and ACC Championships.
By Buck in the NW
August 30, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
Big Dawg, I still throw in my caveat, but win the 1st two and I’m on your 6 all the way to the Title and along the way a win at the “Party”.
By 2N4YEARS
August 31, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this
WOW. Look at all of the posts on this bolg. Seems everyone has figured out that ‘Mr. College Football’ should pick another name.