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As most people know, we as
analysts in the college football ranks absolutely love the sport so much that
we are constantly trying to figure out what teams might do well and what teams
might disappoint for forthcoming seasons. 
This is the only way that we can still truly enjoy the sport without
actually watching it.  Having said this,
here are my truly early and truly bold conference predictions for the upcoming
season in college football.

Big Ten:

1. Ohio State: The Buckeyes absolutely have
all the pieces in place for another run at the national title.  As long as Todd Boeckman produces like he did
last year, there should be no problems winning the Big Ten easily for the Buckeyes. 
James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins, Anderson Russell and super sophomore
Cameron Heyward all lead a defense that should be one of the toughest to score
against in the entire nation.  Look for
sophomore Chimdi Chekwa to also be a sleeper player in the secondary.  On offense, they also return three senior
linemen, a senior receiver in Brian Robiskie, and possible Heisman contender
Chris Wells who is a beast of a running back. 
The Wolverines, Badgers, and Fighting Illini will all be sniffing dirt
this year.

 

CB Malcom Jenkins

2. Michigan

3. Illinois

4. Michigan
State

5. Wisconsin

6. Purdue

7. Penn State

8. Iowa

9. Indiana

10. Minnesota

11. Northwestern

Big 12:

South

1. Oklahoma:
The Sooners have struggled in the last couple of years come bowl season,
however, they will once again be in the national title hunt.  Sam Bradford is not as flashy of a QB as
some, but he simply gets the job done when needed and will be the team’s
catalyst.  The Sooners will also get it
done in the trenches with one of the best and most hefty offensive and
defensive lines in the country.  Most
football fans may not know some of the names in the secondary, however, the
guys running behind that massive offensive line such as DeMarco Murray and
Chris Brown will be stars and provide enough offensive firepower to help out
the fairly young defensive unit.

2. Texas

3. Oklahoma
State

4. Texas
Tech

5. Texas
A&M

6. Baylor

North

1. Missouri: With most of the
extremely potent Tiger offense returning as well as a vastly underrated
defense, Missouri
should end up right back at the Big 12 championship game again by the end of
this upcoming season.  Chase Daniel is a
legitimate Heisman candidate and he has all the weapons at his disposal to work
with including Jeremy Maclin, Chase Coffman, and two playmaking running backs
in Jimmy Jackson and Derrick Washington. 
The Tigers also return three senior defensive linemen, two senior
linebackers, and William Moore, one of the most explosive safeties in the
nation last year.  Don’t be surprised if
this team makes a run at the national title as well.

2. Colorado

3. Kansas

4. Nebraska

5. Kansas
State

6. Iowa State

QB Cody Hawkins 

Big East

1. Louisville:
The Cardinals should be much, much better in year two of the Steve
Kragthorpe era.  The addition of Ron
English at defensive coordinator will be the primary reason why.  The Cardinals were abysmal last season on
defense, but the talent it definitely there to be much better.  Hunter Cantwell is basically a veteran and
will finally get his chance to shine on the national level.  He has already shown flashes of brilliance at
times while Brian Brohm was injured.  The
receivers and offensive line are very talented and the secondary will be a
particularly strong area for the team as well. 
Earl Heyman at defensive end could be a pro prospect in the making.  I’m certainly not suggesting that the
Cardinals will be in the hunt for the national title, but they definitely have
the talent to contend for the Big East which will be yet again the toughest conference
in the nation to win.  With the help of
English, the Cardinals could be playing in another BCS bowl game right away.

 2. West Virginia

3. Cincinnati

4. South Florida

5. Pittsburgh

6. Rutgers

7. Connecticut

8. Syracuse