College Football Preseason Conference Rankings - SEC

Sports Gorilla 2007 Preseason Conference Rankings

SEC – South Eastern Conference predictions

East
1.Tennessee
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. Kentucky
5. South Carolina
6. Vanderbilt

West
1. LSU
2. Auburn
3. Arkansas
4. ALbama
5. Mississippi
6. Mississippi State

It looks like another tough year for the SEC. So many good teams and good players. 4-5 teams could easily be in the running to be nation champion, however chances are every one will beat each other and only 1 team will have a shot. LSU is everyone’s favorite, but I really like Tennessee this year. Eric Ainge looks ready and I think if they can get past Cal in the season opener things will be headed in the right direction. I think Tennessee will pull off an upset and knock off favorite LSU in the SEC championship. Florida is back to defend their national title. Kentucky had a surprisingly nice season a year ago and hopes to continue. South Carolina and Steve Spurier should be good. Darren McFadden from Arkansas is the nation’s best player. Auburn has the pieces to win the conference. There is so much talent on these teams. The SEC is the best conference in football and this year is no exception.

College Football Preseason Conference Rankings - WAC

Sports Gorilla 2007 Preseason Conference Rankings

WAC – Western Athletic Conference predictions

1. Hawaii
2. Boise State
3. Fresno State
4. Nevada
5. San Jose State
6. Idaho
7. New Mexico State
8. Louisiana Tech
9. Utah State

The WAC enjoyed a phenomenal year last year. Boise State busting into the BCS and beating Oklahoma. San Jose State, Nevada and Fresno State should be good this year again. Boise State will not be as good as they were last year, but the should be competing for the conference title again. Hawaii looks outstanding. Their offense broke all kinds of record in 2006 and are back for more. I think Idaho will be better this year. And New Mexico State’s offense can score on anyone. The WAC is making headway and coming off a banner year. The WAC should be able to continue rolling this year as well.

College Football Preseason Conference Rankings - PAC 10

Sports Gorilla 2007 Preseason Conference Rankings

PAC 10 predictions

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

The PAC 10 should be very volatile. Clearly USC is the most gifted team in the country. They are the number one ranked team and probably the best. However, they have a very difficult schedule. UCLA and Cal both should be very good and finish ranked in the top 15, but it comes down to when they play each other. I give the nod to UCLA. Oregon State is an up and coming program that might be able to make another good run like last year. But with a new QB and teams aware of them it might be difficult. Arizona is putting the pieces together. They are athletic and dangerous. Oregon and Arizona St both should be bowl bound teams that could also challenge the top 3 if they get things rolling. The PAC 10 has the skills to put together a good conference this year but we will see. I predict an excellent year.

College Football Preseason Conference Rankings - Sun Belt

Sports Gorilla 2007 Preseason Conference Rankings

Sun Belt predictions

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

College Football Preseason Conference Rankings - Mid-American

Sports Gorilla 2007 Preseason Conference Rankings

Mid-American Conference predictions

East
1. Ohio
2. Bowling Green
3. Kent State
4. Akron
5. Miami (OH)
6. Buffalo
7. Temple

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

College Football Preseason Conference Rankings - Mountain West

Sports Gorilla 2007 Preseason Conference Rankings


Mountain West predictions

1. TCU
2. BYU
3. Utah
4. Wyoming
5. New Mexico
6. San Diego State
7. Colorado State
8. Air Force
9. UNLV

I think the Mountain West should have a good year, although in 2008 they should be even better. TCU, Utah and BYU should all be very good teams. All three won bowl games a year ago. Each of them have scheduled some big games that will either earn the conference respect or not. TCU plays at Texas. BYU plays at UCLA. Utah plays at Oregon State, at Louisville and at home against UCLA. Win a couple of these games and that will say a lot about this conference. I think the Mountain West is typically underrated but until they can start winning these big non-conference games they will continue to be overlooked. TCU, BYU and Utah all have young players at key positions and should continue being good for the next few seasons.

The rest of the conference should be up and down. Air Force, New Mexico and Colorado State have been in the decline the past few years and should be around the 500 mark. San Diego State has been improving from the bottom of the league and may be able to make a nice run and have a winning record. Wyoming is always tough despite the recruiting difficulties. UNLV will continue to hope for a miracle turnaround of a downer program. Overall I am predicting good things from the Mountain West.

College Football Preseason Conference Rankings - Conference USA

Sports Gorilla 2007 Preseason Conference Rankings

Conference USA predictions

East
Southern Mississippi
UCF
Marshall
East Carolina
UAB
Memphis

West
Houston
Tulsa
Rice
UTEP
SMU
Tulane

Houston is definitely the team to beat in a wide open Conference USA. The season will be entertaining to see which teams go up and which down. Tulsa and Southern Mississippi both will be pretty good. Rice and East Carolina may be able to make a run as well. Overall, I don't think C-USA is a tough as in years past.

College Football Preseason Conference Rankings - Big 12

Sports Gorilla 2007 Preseason Conference Rankings

Big 12 predictions

North Division
1. Nebraska
2. Missouri
3. Kansas State
4. Colorado
5. Kansas
6. Iowa State

South Division
1. Texas
2. Oklahoma
3. Texas A&M
4. Texas Tech
5. Oklahoma State
6. Baylor

The Big 12 conference looks like it might struggle this year. Its typical top teams are not as stellar as in previous years. Texas definitely looks like the best team and should win the conference title. Oklahoma is picked by many to be really good, but I'm not sure I see it yet (maybe that’s because I keep seeing Boise State highlights in my head from last years Fiesta Bowl). They will most likely be ranked all season, but I don’t think they have enough to compete with Texas.

Nebraska in the North Division is really the only option to go to the conference championship game. Unless Missouri plays big and beats them. Nebraska plays USC which will be a huge non-conference game for the Big 12. I like Missouri and have picked them as one of my surprise teams of the year. But if they can challenge Nebraska remains to be seen. Colorado continues to rebuild. Texas Tech is always potent offensively and should be good. The rest of the teams will be average or below average. Overall not a great year for the Big 12.

College Football Preseason Conference Rankings - Big Ten

Sports Gorilla 2007 Preseason Conference Rankings

Big Ten predictions

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


The Big Ten should be a battle this year. It is deep and there are many very good teams competing for the Big Ten crown. I think 5-6 teams have a shot at pulling it off. Realistically it will be between Michigan and Wisconsin, but I think Penn State and Ohio State could come through and pull off an upset. Michigan State should be better than last year (which was awful). Iowa might be the dark horse in the group. They have had a few down years and are poised for a comeback, especially since the do not have to play Michigan or Ohio State this year. Overall it should be a good year for the Big Ten.

College Football Preseason Conference Rankings - Big East

SportsGorilla 2007 Preseason Conference Rankings

Big East predictions

1. West Virginia
2. Louisville
3. Pittsburgh
4. Rutgers
5. Syracuse
6. South Florida
7. Connecticut
8. Cincinnati

A few years ago the Big East was awful. Pittsburgh made it to be BCS Fiesta Bowl only to be destroyed by a non-BCS conference Utah. Times have changed. Louisville and West Virginia will once again battle for the BCS bid. Rutgers should be good again. Pittsburgh has supposed to be good the past couple of season and has disappointed. Now that Wanstedt's job is on the line I think they will come through this year. South Florida is picked as a sleeper by many experts. And Syracuse will show much improvement this year.

The Big East also has 4 legit Heisman hopefuls: Louisville's Brian Brohm, West Virginia's Pat White and Steve Slaton, and Rutgers RB Ray Rice. It should be a good year for the Big East with possibly 4 teams ranked in the top 25 at the end of the season and possibly a national title.

College Football Preseason Conference Rankings - ACC

SportsGorilla 2007 Preseason Conference Rankings

ACC - Atlantic Coast Conference

Atlantic
1.Boston College
2. Florida State
3. Clemson
4.Wake Forrest
5. Maryland
6. NC State

Coastal
1. Virginia Tech
2. Georgia Tech
3. Miami (FL)
4. Virginia
5. North Carolina
6. Duke

The Atlantic division is definitely the tougher of the two. Really anyone of the teams could take the Atlantic division. Realistically though, I think it will be between Florida St. and Boston College. Virginia Tech should win the Coastal division.

There are a couple of questions here: Will Miami be back as a player in the ACC? Can Florida St come back to dominance? Will the Virginia Tech overcome so much off the Field adversity over this past year? Will there be another surprise like Wake Forrest last year? We will find out shortly.

I predict Virginia Tech to win the ACC.