Preseason Conference Predictions

Here are my preseason predictions for how each team in a major conference will finish. These things aren't very exciting now, but in the future it is fun to see how you did compared to the real thing.



USC Quarterback Matt Barkley



Pacific 12 Conference:

North:

1. Oregon
2. Stanford
3. Washington
4. California
5. Oregon State
6. Washington State

South:

1. Utah
2. Arizona State
3. USC
4. Arizona
5. UCLA
6. Colorado

Championship Game: Oregon over Utah

The two best teams in the Pac this year are Stanford and Oregon, it's that easy. Sadly these two are in the same division and cannot meet up in the Pac 12 Championship game. Stanford-Oregon will decide the Pac 12 North. Washington comes on at a strong third behind the two favorite, while Oregon State suffers from major injuries and drops farther back in the Pac.

The South will be decided between three teams: USC, Arizona State and Utah. Since USC will be unable to participate in a championship game, that opens the door for Arizona State or Utah (in their first year) to take a trip to Oregon.

Click to read the Big XII, SEC, ACC and Big Ten predictions!

Week 1: Big Ten Predictions

 A slew of easy games highlight the Big Ten's first week of the season. While eyes will focus on Ohio State to see how they react to the loss of Jim Tresel and Terrelle Pryor, others will be watching the newest Big Ten (12?) team in Nebraska. With a feasible chance for the Big Ten to escape the first week of games without a loss, we will delve deeper into each teams match up and give our predictions.

Michigan QB Denard Robinson

Wisconsin vs. UNLV
Prediction: Wisconsin 42, UNLV 14
UNLVmay be a decent MWC team this year. They will win 6 games, and they will have a successful season in their own right. Their first game against Wisconsin will not be one of those 6. I expect UNLV to jump out of the gate and take a small first quarter lead against Wisconsin. It's common on the first week of play to see a weaker team jump out early, but it won't last against a much more physical Wisconsin Badger's team. UNLV will be spirited, but they shouldn't be close after the second quarter.
UPDATE: With Budmayr confirmed out for this game the scoring gap may close in UNLV's favor. The Badgers will score less in their garbage time without Budmayr, keeping the score more reasonable for UNLV.

Michigan State vs. Youngstown State
Prediction: MSU 45, YSU 3
Simply over matched in every area of the game, Youngstown State will be one of the many lower division teams to lose a game against the Big Ten on the first weekend of play.

Ohio State vs. Akron
Prediction: tOSU 49, Akron 7
The most "interesting" game of the week for the Big Ten will be the Ohio State game. With all of the off season issues, losses and suspensions the Buckeyes may come into this game a little unnerved. However, the suspensions shouldn't come near hurting their chances against a weak Akron team. Ohio State's defense is still a quality group and it will wear Akron out quickly. The Ohio State University's offense may start sluggish, but they will get the ball moving against the Akron secondary for a number of first half scores. Akron scores a TD against the second team defense to prevent the shutout.