CFB Pre-Season Magazines- Part Dos

In part two of our article about college football pre-season magazines, we’ll take a gander at the other five conferences, the Big Ten, Pac-10, SEC, MAC and Sun Belt. Three of the five leagues have unanimous choices, with a couple up for grabs. Read on to learn more.


Big Ten
1)Ohio State
2)Wisconsin
3)Illinois
4)Penn State
5)Michigan
6)Michigan State
7)Iowa
8)Purdue
9)Northwestern
10)Indiana
11)Minnesota

Analysis- In this beleaguered conference, everyone loves Ohio State, predicts Wisconsin for second (except for one magazine) and the rest of the league is somewhat up for grabs. The Buckeyes have three road encounters of note, at USC, at Wisconsin and at Illinois. If they come away unscathed and are undefeated, they likely will be in Miami for another championship try. The Badgers have the most talent coming back of the next tier of teams, with Illinois and Penn State right behind. Michigan is in the unlikely group of ordinary, of which only Indiana and Minnesota are not listed. The Big Ten is rated third in the nation in conferences, quite a ways behind the SEC and the Big 12.

Pac-10
1)USC
2)Arizona State
3)Oregon
4)California
5)UCLA
6)Arizona
7)Oregon State
8)Washington
9)Stanford
10)Washington State

Analysis – For the most part, the Pac-10 has always been about talented signal callers. With USC again the only squad thought to rule the roost in this 10-team league, even they have doubters if Mark Sanchez is the man for the job. The Trojans have superior talent on defense, compared to almost anyone in the Pac-10. Quarterback Rudy Carpenter of Arizona State is preseason first team choice in the conference and is among the reasons they were picked second in all but periodical. Oregon, California and UCLA round out the next grouping, all with question marks at quarterback and holes in various spots. Arizona is given a chance to crack into the upper division by a few; however must fill defensive voids or coach Bob Stoops might be on the stoop looking for next employment. The rest of the league doesn’t receive much respect, nor does it deserve it.

SEC East
1)Georgia
2)Florida
3)Tennessee
4)So. Carolina
5)Kentucky
6)Vanderbilt

SEC West
1)LSU
2)Auburn
3)Alabama
4)Mississippi State
5)Arkansas
6)Mississippi

Analysis –The SEC could be in for another wild ride in 2008, based on how the experts see things. Georgia and Florida took all the first place votes, with the Bulldogs earning the most at 66.7 percent. The Gators could surpass Georgia, as toughest road game is at Tennessee, while Mark Richt’s team is at South Carolina, at LSU and at Auburn. The rest of East saw teams fitting into particular slots. LSU and Auburn split being the top choice in the SEC West, with LSU finishing higher because StatFox Edge gave Tommy Tuberville’s squad a third place finish. Even though it’s in September, the winner of LSU at Auburn grabs the upper hand. Alabama is expected to make noise with improving talent and General, whoops, coach Nick Saban will be cracking the whip. The rest of the West hopes to find way to minor bowl bids.

MAC-East
1)Miami-O
2)Bowling Green
3)Buffalo
4)Temple
5)Kent State
6)Ohio U
7)Akron

MAC –West
1)Central Michigan
2)Ball State
3)Western Michigan
4)Toledo
5)Northern Illinois
6)Eastern Michigan

Analysis- Opinions almost always vary in the MAC, which tends to have wild swings. One aspect not expected to change is Miami-O and Central Michigan to meet again for MAC championship. The Redhawks will have to rely on a very good defense, as coach Steve Montgomery tries to add facets of offense together. Others give Bowling Green a chance, picked twice to be MAC East champs, with 17 returning starters. The Falcons fate could be determined even before playing a MAC encounter, with strenuous non-conference slate. Thoughts on Kent State and Buffalo were all over the place. The Golden Flashes were picked from second to last and improving Buffalo, third to last. Central Michigan can score, having all-everything Dan LeFevour at quarterback. If the Chippewas find any defense this season, they are prohibitive favorites. If CMU slips even a little, Ball State lead by quarterback Nate Davis will displace Central Mich. as champs. All 11 starters are back on offense for the Cardinals, with defense the conundrum. With Ball State at CMU in later November, oddsmakers start at 76 points for total and work upward.

Sun Belt
1)Florida Atlantic
2)Troy
3)UL-Monroe
4)Louisiana-Lafayette
5)Arkansas State
6)Middle Tennessee State
7)North Texas
8)Florida International

Analysis- In Sun Belt country, this race is thought to be like a 1-3 favorite for a horse race, as defending champs Florida Atlantic is far ahead of the competition with 19 starters back. No less than eight players for the Owls are considered to be first team all-Sun Belt. Troy is the clear second choice; however must replace QB Omar Haugabook. UL-Monroe is curious choice for third with potential to move up. They won five of last six (beat Alabama 21-14 on the road) and has tremendous speed at skill positions and other areas. With less murderous schedule to start the year and aforementioned teams at home in back-to-back weeks, just maybe the Warhawks could surprise. Everyone agrees North Texas and Florida International are in for long seasons.