AND THE WINNER IS...and

AND THE WINNER IS...

We are less than 48 hours away from kick off to the college football season and this is the most important week of the year because this is the week where everyone makes their picks of who will win every major conference, well I am no different. We get a solid opening week end of games before we get the best week end of the past 5 years in sports, but there is pleanty of time for that let's breakdown conferences shall we?

I will give you winners from each conference starting with the easiest conference while working towards the toughest conference. So here you go, all 6 of the conference winners...

Big East: Pittsburgh Panthers
I am really undecided on this conference winner. The best player in the conference is Noel Devine, the best qb is Zach Collaros in Cincinatti, but the best collection of talent is in Pittsburgh. Coach Dave Wanstedt has done a great job rebuilding the Pitt program and has them set for a run for the BCS. Dion Lewis could be a sleeper for the Heisman Trophy if a 4th straight Sophomore is gonna win it.

Pac 10: USC Trojans
Go ahead and admit it...all of you SEC homers loved the off season turmoil that USC faced (like your programs are squeaky clean). You are all waiting for me to give you some team who will win this conference other than USC, well keep waiting because USC will win the Pac 10. I realize they will not play in a bowl game, and I realize about the loss of scholarships, but this is not the year that it will hurt USC. Since they will not represent the Pac 10 in the Rose Bowl i have to find someone else. It will be settled in a battle that has been deemed "The Civil War" I like Oregon in a battle of 2 of the best running backs in the country, LaMichael James and Jaquizz Rodgers. Oregon just has a better team and will find a way to win in a very hostile enviroment.

Big 12: Oklahoma Sooners
I want to pick Nebraska to win this conference so badly. I do think they win the North and think it would be great if they found a way to win the Big 12 this year and the Big 10 next year. However, Zac Lee has been way too inconsistent and Oklahoma is loaded. As bad as the Sam Bradford injury was, the expierence Landry Jones gained last year will be huge. If they can survive the shoot out with FSU on September 11, this team will be in a good spot to return to the BCS Title Game.

Big 10: Ohio State
I will admit that there is not a conference in football that I like less than the Big 10. The conference gets a ton of love nationally and then goes out and gets beat in the major bowl games they play in. I like the fact that Iowa has a veteran qb in Ricky Stanzi. I have even seen some picking Wisconsin (you should have your media credientials revoked) winning this conference, I don't think so. The best player in the conference is Terrelle Pryor, the best coach is Jim Tressell, and the most talented team is the Buckeyes. Unfortunately this may get us another Ohio State v SEC school for the National Championship...the poor ol buckeyes deserve better.

ACC: FSU Seminoles
HOMER!!! I already see all of the comments flying in now. You are crazy there is no way they are winning the ACC. Well sit down boys and girls because the Seminoles are a legit sleeper for the BCS Title Game. They have a schedule that if they are able to survive will automatically put them in the BCS Championship game. The 2 big dates are September 11 with Oklahoma (this could propel one of these teams into the Title game) and an Ocotber 9th matchu at Miami. They Seminoles don't play Va Tech or Ga Tech and Boston College, UNC, and Clemson all come to Tallahassee. November 27 could be HUGE for Seminoles fans when Florida comes to town (could both of these teams be in the top 5 again?). On the Coastal side the same thing I just said about being a legit BCS Title game sleeper could be said for Miami. They have their own brutal road game on Septmeber 11 against Ohio State, however for Miami they do play at Ga Tech and the next week at home against Va Tech. If they are able to survive (which they will), They will matchup with the Noles in the ACC Title game. I know the "experts" all love Va Tech, but I don't. Tyrod Taylor is inconsistent, the defense is young, and Beamer never seems to meet the full expectations that are set for his team. Just remember this, this could be the year where a one loss ACC team is still alive for the BCS Title game, Miami, FSU, and Va Tech all could possible be looking at BCS Bowl Games.

SEC: Alabama Crimson Tide
I want to write someone else here so badly, but Alabama is so talented that it is just hard not seeing them in the Title game again. Greg McElroy was outstanding last year. Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson make him look great. Julio Jones is a beast. The only question mark with this team is the defense. They lost alot after last season, but if they can survive a September 25 match up at Arkansas, then the schedule sets up nicely, Yes I know they play Florida the following week, but the Florida loss would not be nearly as bad as a divisional loss to a team that is talented enough to win the SEC West and would have all of the confidence in the world with a win against the defending champs. The Iron Bowl will be brutal to close out the regualr season. The west has 3 teams who could win that division with Auburn & Arkansas being the other 2. On the Eastern side of things, the Florida Gators are clearly the most talented team in the division, they are also one of the youngest teams in terms of experience. They lost, arguably, the best player in college football history, their leading rusher, the top 2 receivers, and several key pieces on defense. Of course they still have coach Urban Meyer and its hard to think he won't be successful, so Florida gets the nod out of the East. Georgia is going to challenge, and could make it to a BCS game because they will not be playing in the SEC Title game and therefore should not have to deal with the extra loss.

There you have it, all 6 conference winners. I know there are another 4 at large teams to fill out the BCS and I will give them to you over the next couple of days. Let me know your predictions. I look forward to hearing from you.

UNTIL NEXT TIME...