In just a few days, college football season will finally be upon us.
While the last few days will miserably drag on and on, there’s only one thing left to do: make predictions and argue.
BIG EAST
This season will be another example where the Big East champion ranks somewhere in the high 20s and will be incredibly undeserving of a BCS bid.
So, my prediction for the Big East champion comes not from the team I believe has the most young talent or appears to be most apt in dealing with the immense pressure that comes with playing Big East football.
Instead, I made my prediction based on the mascot I liked the most. And, through numerous threats and instances of being on the wrong end of a musket, I chose West Virginia. I couldn’t bet against a Daniel Boone look-a-like. If I did, it would probably be thelast mistake I’d ever make.
ACC
Talking about the Atlantic Coast Conference this season makes me want to party like it’s 1999.
The elite teams coming into this season are Virginia Tech and Florida State.
Miami and North Carolina are dealing with new head coaches and off-the-field issues that might hamper their chances of making a run at the conference title this season.
The Hokies and Seminoles will meet in the ACC Championship Game, with Chief Osceola leading his team to Florida State’s first BCS bowl game since 2006.
BIG 12
The Big 12 hasn’t had much to celebrate recently, losing two members to new conferences and having rumors swirl of Texas A&M looking to jump ship as well.
But this fall, the conference should be able to pride itself on its lone elite member, Oklahoma.
The Sooners are coming off their first BCS bowl win since the 2003 Rose Bowl and will have an easier road this year, with the elimination of the Big 12 Championship Game.
Texas, annually Oklahoma’s biggest threat, is breaking in a new offensive coordinator and rebuilding after a 5-7 2010 campaign.
In the end, Oklahoma will be too much for the rest of the Big XII to handle.
BIG 10
The addition of Nebraska throws a wrench into the Big 10 tradition and will impact the final outcome.
With Jim Tressel out at Ohio State and quarterback Terrelle Pryor off the team, the Buckeyes appear to be down and out in 2011.
That leaves the Wisconsin Badgers. With transfer quarterback Russell Wilson taking the reins of the offense, the Badgers are definitely front runners in the Big 10.
But, in the end, Bo Pelini will prove why defense wins championships, as the Cornhuskers raise the first ever Big 10 Championship Game trophy.
PAC-12
Oregon and Stanford are the gimme front runners to win the Pacific-12 this year, and with good reason.
Quarterback Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael Jamesmake the Ducks offense as formidable as anyone’s. Plus, throw in the fact they have experience on the nation’s biggest stage makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the country.
Stanford, led by senior quarterback Andrew Luck, will once again be formidable through the air.
In the first ever Pac-12 Championship Game, Stanford, by beating Oregon, will host Arizona State, and advance to its second straight BCS game.
SEC
The conference of champions is at it again.
Between No. 2 Alabama, No. 4 LSU, No. 15 Arkansas and No. 20 Mississippi State, the Southeastern Conference Western Division is bound to have an impact on the national stage. But no one will escape the gauntlet unscathed.
Though the East has three teams ranked in the preseason top-25, it is clearly the weaker of the two divisions.
Following a turmoil-filled offseason, the Tigers will take on the mentality of team possessed. They will rally around each other and take advantage of the Crimson Tide’s inexperience under center for a big win in Tuscaloosa, which will end up being the tie-breaking victory en route to Atlanta.
Once in the conference title game, LSU will take down SEC Eastchampion Georgia.
BCS
Sugar Bowl: At-large Alabama will defeat at-large Oregon.
Fiesta Bowl: ACC champ Florida State will maul Big East champ West Virginia.
Orange Bowl: At-large Virginia Tech will hammer at-large Boise State.
Rose Bowl: Will host its annual Big 10-Pac 12 matchup, with Nebraska defeating Stanford.
BCS Championship Game: SEC champ LSU will defeat Big 12 champion Oklahoma. The Tigers will rely on an stifling secondary and a powerful rushing attack to take down the Sooners. 
 
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Contact Rob Laundry at [email protected]