Conference USA Football Predictions - 2010

Conference USA East Predictions

1. Southern Miss Golden Eagles - Southern Miss is perhaps the most balanced football team in the league on both sides of the ball. An offense which averaged 32.9 points per game in 2009 should once again be tough to stop. With eight starters back on the defensive side of the football, the Golden Eagles should be able to make the necessary improvements to become East champs. In fact, I expect Southern Miss to boast the best defense in the league in 2010.

2. UCF Knights -The Knights were one of only two C-USA teams to beat a high-octane Houston squad during the regular season in 2009, and they figure to be right in the mix for an East title if QB Rob Calabrese can do the job. That might be a big if, though, considering he lost the starting job last season.

3. Marshall Thundering Herd - Marshall appears to be on the way back up. Amazingly, the Thundering Herd are 118-19 all-time at Joan C. Edwards stadium. That's quite the home field advantage. The Herd get six games at home in 2010, and that means they should have an excellent shot to go bowling again.

4. East Carolina Pirates - The Pirates have been the team to beat in C-USA the last couple years under coach Skip Holtz, but that will change in 2010 with Holtz moving on and 28 seniors also departing.

5. Memphis Tigers - The Tigers finished just 2-10 last season, including 1-7 in conference play. We won't see major improvement in 2010, but we could see some as an experienced offensive line should help the offense move the football down the field. Plus, I really like the hire of Larry Porter. He's young, enthusiastic and excited about rebuilding this football team.

6. UAB Blazers -I just can't see the Blazers making much noise without QB Joe Webb at the reigns. He did it all for UAB, and I expect the offense to struggle without him.

Conference USA West Predictions

1. Houston Cougars - Led by QB Case Keenum, Houston boasts the most explosive offense in all of college football, ranking No. 1 in scoring (42.2 points per game), total yards (563.4 yards per game) and passing (433.7 yards per game). The key to winning an overall C-USA title will be the defensive side of the football, and improvement is expected after hiring former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart.

2. SMU Mustangs - After lifting Hawaii to a BCS bowl game, coach June Jones moved on to SMU, and he has already made major strides there. The Mustangs went 8-5 last season, after going just 1-11 in 2008, and they could have been 11-5 when you consider that they lost two games in overtime and another by just three points. It was the biggest turnaround in the FBS, and I believe Jones will make sure the wins keep piling up.

3. UTEP Miners - UTEP broke a school mark for yardage in 2009, and I believe you'll see the Miners post a few more wins this season, partly because of improvement and partly because of a favorable schedule. There is a high probability that the Miners could get off to a 4-1 start. Looking further down the schedule, they could get off to an even better start than that.

4. Tulsa Golden Hurricane -I wouldn't be surprised if Tulsa bounced back in 2010, but I think it will take the Golden Hurricane another season. They have a tough schedule with road games against Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, East Carolina, Houston and SMU. Plus, their running game, which has been so vital to the success of the offense, wasn't nearly as strong last season.

5. Rice Owls -Rice is another team that I feel is a year away from seriously contending for the West. The Owls should be a lot more competitive this season with an improved offense, but a defense with plenty of holes will keep the wins from piling up.

6. Tulane Green Wave - Tulane has won only two conference games the last two seasons, and it's hard to think major improvement is on the way when look at how young the defense is. Tulane was the worst offensive team in the league last season in terms of scoring and the second worst defensive team in terms of points allowed.

Conference USA Title Game Prediction - Houston over Southern Miss.

If you're interested in seeing which schools I've picked to win college football's other conferences, be sure to check out my 2010 college football predictions.

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2010 NCAA Football Predictions

With spring practice in the books, it's time to start making your 2010 college football predictions. I give mine below with the teams I predict will finish in the Top-10, along with a few teams just outside of it as well as my national champion.

Top-10 Teams for 2010-11 Season:

1.) Alabama - I smell a repeat with the pieces Nick Saban has in place. It took this excellent college football coach only three years to bring a title back to Crimson Tide country, and he is primed to win another this year. That's because all of his playmakers are back on offense, from QB Greg McElroy to the RB tandem of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, all the way to WR's Julio Jones and Marquis Maze. This offense should be even more explosive than it was a year ago. Only two starters return from the No. 2 defense in the nation last season, but Saban has gotten the recruits that should have this unit near the top of the defensive rankings again in 2010. The Tide host Florida in Tuscaloosa, their biggest competition to come out of the SEC. They could slip up once along the way, but even a 1-loss Alabama team will be making a return trip to the national championship this season, and they'll win it all again.

2.) Ohio State - I'm convinced that this is Terrelle Pryor's breakout year. He finished strong last season, earning the MVP in their Rose Bowl win over Oregon after accounting for 338 yards of offense. The Buckeyes have won 5 straight Big Ten titles, and have earned a trip to a BCS bowl seven of the past eight seasons. Tressel is 36-4 in the Big Ten over the past five years and the Scarlet and Grey will be standing atop this conference again come season's end.

3.) Boise State - 20 starters return, led by QB Kellen Moore who owns a 26-1 record as a starter. The Broncos went 14-0 last season and playing in the WAC makes another unbeaten campaign a likely scenario. If they can beat Virginia Tech in Landover, Maryland in their season opener, the sky is the limit for this team. It would be hard to keep another unbeaten Broncos team out of a national title shot.

4.) Nebraska - Playing in the weak Big 12 North, the Huskers will make a return trip to the Big 12 Championship game, and they'll win it this time around after falling just seconds short of knocking off Texas last year. Nebraska welcomes back 18 starters from last year's squad, and once again they'll be led by a defense that ranked No. 1 in points allowed last season at 10.4 PPG. The Huskers get Texas at home on October 16th, a game where I see them having their revenge.

5.) TCU - The Horned Frogs bring back nine starters from an offense that averaged 38.3 PPG last year. QB Andy Dalton leads the way, and TCU is primed for a return trip to the BCS with the playmakers he has at his disposal. Not to mention, the Frogs had the No. 1 defense in the country in terms of yards allowed, surrendering just 239.7 YPG. Their non-conference schedule includes Baylor at home and Oregon State in Arlington, Texas. These two games will likely decide their fate as they have an excellent chance to run the table in a down MWC.

6.) Virginia Tech - Offense will actually be a strength this season for the Hokies, behind QB Tyrod Taylor and the RB duo of Ryan Williams and Darren Evans. Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale are two big targets for Taylor, who can create on his own similar to what Michael Vick brought to this team back in his hay day. National title hopes are on the line in their opener with Boise State.

7.) Iowa - The Hawkeyes continue knocking on Ohio State's doorstep this season. They took the Buckeyes to overtime at the Shoe with the Big Ten title on the line, only to fall in overtime. But that game represented the second contest that Ricky Stanzi missed due to injury, and the Hawkeyes lost both games he was out, also falling to Northwestern. Iowa started last year 9-0 and with their biggest conference games against Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan State all being played in Iowa City, I like their chances to give the Buckeyes a run for their money again this year. Another BCS appearance is a likely possibility with Stanzi back and all four starting defensive linemen returning, including big-time NFL prospect Adrian Clayborn.

8.) Florida - The Gators will almost certainly take a step back this season with the loss of Tim Tebow and several key pieces along the defensive front. Still, Urban Meyer has the recruits in place who can step in and have the Gators not suffer too big of a drop-off. QB John Brantley has a big arm and Florida could be an even better passing team this year, but you cannot replace the intangibles that Tebow brought to the table. Once again, Alabama stands in Florida's way from winning an SEC title.

9.) Texas - Like Florida, the Longhorns will have to replace their all-everything QB in Colt McCoy. Garrett Gilbert has the credentials coming out of high school, but this is another level and he struggled replacing McCoy in the title game against Alabama. With a full year to prepare to be the next big thing in Texas, Gilbert should be as ready as he can be. But you cannot replace the most successful QB in college football history, and that's the task that lies ahead for him. Texas is the only Big 12 South contender heading into this season with no starting experience at QB, so a defense that features an excellent secondary will have to carry this team.

10.) Oklahoma - Despite winning just eight games a year ago, the Sooners were not far off from being one of the top teams in the country. They lost four of five games by a combined 12 points, and only a long list of injuries kept them from being a national title contender. Bradford, Gresham and McCoy are gone, and they will not be easy to replace, but young players got valuable experience last season when forced into action and that should pay off this year. QB Landry Jones has the keys to the offense and he has WR Ryan Broyles and RB DeMarco Murray to make plays for him. That's if the offensive line holds up, which doesn't look too promising at this point. The Sooners should be there in the end, as they've finished inside the Top-11 in all but two seasons since 2000.

Next 5 Teams - Wisconsin, USC, Pittsburgh, Arkansas, Miami

If you want to beat the college football lines this season, then be sure to check out NCAA football picks to guide you to monster profits in 2010.

College Football

2008-2009 NCAA Football Final Top 10 Predictions

1. Ohio State - I'm an avid Michigan fan but have to admit returning 18 starters from a already solid 2 year run is pretty tough to beat. The talent at OSU is at or above every elite level program in the country for this season and this should finally be there year.

* Win it all If....They pass a early season test @ USC (9/13). This could very well be the first of two meetings between the Trojans and Buckeyes in '08-'09, However the loser of Game 1 is going to have to hope for a shaky Top 5 like this past year. Win or Lose for the Buckeyes they will still have a shot at the end of the season to be in the NC Game.
* Potential Roadblocks...@Wisconsin, @MSU, and @ Illinois, with all 3 of them improved this season, could be tough as well as the final game at home vs. Michigan.

2. Florida - A Rematch of the '06-'07 game ends the opposite way for the gators, allowing OSU to knock off some of that SEC Supiority. (However I strongly feel the SEC is the best conference in the Country but thats for a different day.) Tebow, Harvin, Moody, Gainey and Co. will have an explosive offensive year and a still youthful defense will cause fits throughout the year.

* Win it all if...Its Simple, Beat Miami (Fl), Tennesee, LSU, FSU, Georgia, and Arkansas.
* Potential Roadblocks...The Schedule, Tebow's durability. IMO this offense will not be stopped, but there could be potential lapses I suppose.

3. Georgia - Its very tough to pick against the Bulldogs this season, They return almost everyone, 15+ I believe, the schedule could be the downfall. Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno will dazzle once again. Massaquoi will finally become a star alongside AJ Green for the big play threats. The defense will be very fast and hard hitting, I love Coach Richt as well, he always has his teams ready. Some of the big time recruits will have great freshman seasons. Tyson, Harmon, and Jackson will all boost the D-Line.

* Win it all if...They beat Florida on Nov. 1st, IMO Winner of the SEC East will be a lock for the NC game, barring an upset in the SEC title game.
* Potential Roadblocks...@ASU,@LSU, and @ Auburn is tough to overcome, as well as Florida, 'Bama, and Tennessee at home.

4. Clemson- I will hear it for this pick I think, but I really like this Clemson team, with a very favorable schedule and game breakers such as CJ Spiller and James Davis. Bowers on the defensive side will have a large impact as well Spencer Adams (S) and Brandon Thompson (DT).

* Win it all if...They don't stumble. They should be good if they pass Game 1 vs. Alabama, that is, until the ACC title game. VT and possibly Miami could be the difference between BCS Champ Game or the Orange Bowl.
* Potential Roadblocks...Alabama, @ FSU, ACC Title game and a lack of focus or preperation for any other games, It's happened before which is a criticism of head coach Tommy Bowden.

5. USC - 5 is most likely too low for this extremely talented squad. QB Mark Sanchez (Or possibly Mitch Mustain) inherits more offensive weapons than one could dream of, the only problem is the amount of pressure that brings as well.

* Win it all if...They get solid play from their QB. Both are experinced and very talented, they need to be leaders not playmakers. OSU at home, typical Cal and Oregon tough games, and then the showdown with New-UCLA.
* Potential Roadblocks...Complete meltdowns from both QB's, Trap games vs. ASU Cal Oregon and Notre Dame. Very easily could be playing for the title though.

6. Oklahoma - A very scary team, 1 of about 8 teams with a legit title oppurtunity. Bradford and Co. will be huge again on offense, and Coach Stoops' Defenses never seem to fail. Alot of talent returning from last years youthful squad. The annual showdown with Texas is the biggest test, but Kansas, KSU, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Cincinnati all will pose as dangerous. And never count out Texas Tech either.

* Win it all if...They are consistent, they were all of last season until that dreadful Texas Tech game, A Dangerous Mizzou squad could await them in the Big 12 Title game.
* Potential Roadblocks...Not many, just learn from their mistakes last season. Play Stoops' ball and dont let up vs. Texas and any others.

7. Texas - Could flip with Oklahoma. One of the two will win the Big 12 South, a lethal defense will need to carry the load in the big games for them to have a chance in a very offensive Big 12 this season.

* Win it all if...They win the Big 12 Title, its do-able, but unlikely this year. McCoy will be huge though.
* Potential Roadblocks...Colorado, Oklahoma, Mizzou, Tech, Kansas, and Texas A&M, Big 12 Title game. Thats 7 very tough games. Easily could slip up.

8. WVU - They are for real, I did not think they were until the bowl game last season. This time will score many points, they just need to stay motivated and not get bitten by Pitt or any other "underdog." Bill Stewart will not let this program drop off. Pat White will have a Heisman Longshot, Noel Devine will be the real deal.

* Win it all if...They don't faulter. The midseason Auburn contest is huge for this team, but they played with the best of em last season vs. Oklahoma and showed they belong.
* Potential Roadblocks...Cincinnati will be a tough game again, The Bearcats will be better, Auburn as well, The Backyard Brawl is clearly always going to be interesting as well.

9. Missouri - They return a boatload of starters and Chase Daniel + Jeremy Maclin are the best 1-2 punch in the country on any given day. The defense will be able to win a game or two if needed, the potential downfall could be injuries, which we all hope never happens, but a lack of depth could hurt.

* Win it all if...They win the Big 12 Title, whoever comes out of the Big 12 could have a very serious NC game bid.
* Potential Roadblocks...Game 1 vs. Illinois in a rivlary game, Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, and Kansas.

10. Michigan - I have to do it. Im a big fan of the Wolverines and my optimism is really high at this moment. (Although I think 2010 is a real title shot). Rich Rod will have this team stronger, faster, and hungrier, as well as more potent. Alot of incoming speed and more playmakers in Ann Arbor. A young, Fast, and swarming defense is now in place as well.

* Win it all if...They won't but 10-2 is easily reachable, however that could quickly also be 6-6,7-5 type season as well.
* Potential Roadblocks...Notre Dame, Illinois, Wisconsin, MSU, OSU, and PSU all lurk.

Heisman Trophy: Chris "Beanie" Wells

Kimbo Nyce is a huge college football fan and loves to participate in ncaa football talk at sports talk website RootZoo.