2008 NCAA Football Predictions

The college football season is approaching quickly, and here are my predictions for 2008:

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE
1. Clemson Tigers: Led by QB Cullen Harper and the two-headed RB monster known as James Davis and C.J. Spiller, along with a young and athletic defense, the Tigers are the favorite to win the ACC.
2. Virginia Tech Hokies: VA Tech always has a solid defense, and will again this year. Young QB Tyrod Taylor (a Mike Vick type) will lead the offense along with senior QB Sean Glennon.

Other teams to watch: Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Florida St. Seminoles, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Predictions:
Atlantic Division:
1. Clemson Tigers, 2. Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 3. Florida St. Seminoles, 4. Maryland Terrapins, 5. Boston College Eagles, 6. North Carolina St. Wolfpack
Coastal Division:
1. Virginia Tech Hokies, 2. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 3. Miami Hurricanes, 4. Virginia Cavaliers, 5. North Carolina Tar Heels, 6. Duke Blue Devils

ACC Championship: Clemson 31, Virginia Tech 17

BIG EAST CONFERENCE
1. West Virginia Mountaineers: Senior QB Pat White and the speedy RB Noel Devine should be able to get WVU through most of the weak Big East. Not enough defense for a title, though.
2. South Florida Bulls: With 17 returning starters, the Bulls have an outstanding defense and a leader in QB Matt Grothe, who has 3 returning wideouts (along with 4/5 returning offensive linemen) to work with.

Other teams to watch: Connecticut Huskies, Cincinnati Bearcats, Pittsburgh Panthers

Predictions: 1. South Florida Bulls (champion), 2. West Virginia Mountaineers, 3. Pittsburgh Panthers, 4. Cincinnati Bearcats, 5. Connecticut Huskies, 6. Syracuse Orange, 7. Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 8. Louisville Cardinals

Backyard Brawl: Pittsburgh 28, West Virginia 20

BIG TEN CONFERENCE
1. Ohio State Buckeyes: Coach Jim Tressel has 20 returning starters, and too much senior leadership for the rest of the conference. Oh, yeah, they've got this Terrelle Pryor kid, too.
2.Penn State Nittany Lions: Losing LB Sean Lee was a big blow to the defense, but it still should be solid. QB Darryl Clark has plenty of weapons to throw to in Williams, Butler, and Norwood.

Other teams to watch: Wisconsin Badgers, Michigan State Spartans

Predictions: 1. Ohio State Buckeyes (champion), 2. Penn State Nittany Lions, 3. Wisconsin Badgers, 4. Michgan State Spartans, 5. Illinois Fighting Illini, 6. Michigan Wolverines, 7. Iowa Hawkeyes, 8. Purdue Boilermakers, 9. Northwestern Wildcats, 10. Indiana Hoosiers, 11. Minnesota Golden Gophers

OSU/Michigan: Ohio State 41, Michigan 13

BIG 12 CONFERENCE
1. Oklahoma Sooners: Bob Stoops has a very talented team, but can he win a BCS game? His preparation for bowl games will determine this squad's fate.
2. Texas Tech Red Raiders: TTU has two Heisman hopefuls, QB Graham Harrell and WR Michael Crabtree. The defense is average, but good enough for a high Big 12 finish.

Predictions:
North Division:
1. Missouri Tigers, 2. Kansas Jayhawks, 3. Nebraska Cornhuskers, 4. Kansas State Wildcats, 5. Colorado Buffaloes, 6. Iowa State Cyclones
South Division:
1. Oklahoma Sooners, 2. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 3. Texas Longhorns, 4. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 5. Texas A&M Aggies, 6. Baylor Bears

Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma 35, Missouri 23

PACIFIC-10 CONFERENCE
1. USC Trojans: Inspired by Carson Palmer's latest rant, Pete Carroll's bunch will produce another phenomenal season. They have an exceptional defense.
2. Arizona State Sun Devils: QB Rudy Carpenter is a good player and AZ State has a solid D. Nothing special, but good enough in the Pac-10.

Predictions: 1. USC Trojans (champion), 2. Arizona St. Sun Devils, 3. California Golden Bears, 4. UCLA Bruins, 5. Oregon Ducks, 6. Arizona Wildcats, 7. Washington Huskies, 8. Oregon State Beavers, 9. Stanford Cardinal, 10. Washington State Cougars

Palmer's Battle: Ohio State 27, USC 24

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Georgia Bulldogs: RB Knowshon Moreno is a Heisman contender, and the Bulldogs are the favorite to win the SEC and the National Championship.
2. Florida Gators: QB Tim Tebow and WR Percy Harvin will do it again, but can they escape undefeated? Erin Andrews (a UF alum) is smokin' hot, so maybe.

Predictions:
East Division:
1. Georgia Bulldogs, 2. Florida Gators, 3. South Carolina Gamecocks, 4. Tennessee Volunteers, 5. Kentucky Wildcats, 6. Vanderbilt Commodores
West Division:
1. LSU Tigers, 2. Auburn Tigers, 3. Mississippi St. Bulldogs, 4. Alabama Crimson Tide, 5. Arkansas Razorbacks, 6. Mississippi Rebels

SEC Championship: Georgia Bulldogs 24, LSU Tigers 14

BCS PREDICTIONS
-Georgia loses to Florida in regular season, but reaches title game due to BCS preseason rank
-Florida loses two games in regular season (Tennessee, LSU) to fall out of title contention
-Oklahoma is upset by 3-loss Texas Tech in regular season
-Ohio State cruises through Big 10 into National Championship game undefeated
-Clemson loses to Florida St., making them a 1-loss team
-BYU reaches BCS game with perfect season

BCS BOWL GAMES
National Championship: Georgia Bulldogs 28, Ohio State Buckeyes 24
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Clemson Tigers 44, Oklahoma Sooners 34
Allstate Sugar Bowl: Mizzouri Tigers 20, USF Bulls 10
FedEx Orange Bowl: Florida Gators 45, BYU Cougars 27
Rose Bowl presented by Citi: USC Trojans 28, Virginia Tech Hokies 14