ACC Football Projections Roundup

*Record in parenthesis was RPBlogspots Projections from August/September. Record outside of parenthesis was the actual, regular season only, record.

QB EJ Manuel from FSU

As far as the ACC Atlantic Division went, my prediction of FSU going undefeated and making it to the National Championship did not withstand. Though they managed to finish at a very respectable 10-2, they fell short of a perfect season. BC finished in the basement of the Atlantic division which surprised me a lot. I thought that this team had some real talent this year and in the end it was HC Frank Spaziani who be the victim of a 2-10 season. After over a decade with the team, Spaziani was relieved of his duties. The Coastal division was a bit more complex then their counterpart. I was not expecting the U to finish tied for second in their conference. Big shout out to HC Al Golden who's got this team back on track. VA Tech finished far from expectations at 6-6 this past season. QB Logan Thomas didn't make that next step to make him a considered a spectacular QB. Lastly, I though Virginia would have a better season. QB and RB tandem Rocco and Jones only combined for 15 TD's and were not even being considered the best at their position by the end of the season.

ACC Atlantic

1. Florida State Seminoles, 10-2 (12-0) Overall, 7-1 (8-0) Conference

-. Clemson Tigers, 10-2 (10-2) Overall, 7-1 (6-2) Conference

3. North Carolina State Wolfpack, 7-5 (10-2) Overall, 4-4 (6-2) Conference

4. Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 5-7 (4-8) Overall, 3-5 (2-6) Conference

5. Maryland Terrapins, 4-8 (3-9) Overall, 2-6 (1-7) Conference

6. Boston College Eagles, 2-10 (6-6) Overall, 1-7 (3-5) Conference

ACC Coastal

1. North Carolina Tar Heels, 8-4 (8-4) Overall, 5-3 (4-4) Conference

-. Miami Hurricanes, 7-5 (4-8) Overall, 5-3 (3-5) Conference

-. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 6-6 (7-5) Overall, 5-3 (3-5) Conference

4. Virginia Tech Hokies, 6-6 (9-3) Overall, 4-4 (5-3) Conference

5. Duke Blue Devils, 6-6 (6-6) Overall, 3-5 (4-4) Conference

6. Virginia Cavaliers, 4-8 (7-5) Overall, 2-6 (4-4) Conference

Big 12 Football Projections Roundup

*Record in parenthesis was RPBlogspots Projections from August/September. Record outside of parenthesis was the actual, regular season only, record.

The Big 12 really didn't bring any surprises this year. The top half of the Big 12 finished pretty close to expected. In the back half, West Virginia was a team that struggled down the stretch. After getting off to a 5-0 start, they lost 5 of their last 7 which included a double OT loss to TCU and a one point loss to Oklahoma.  Iowa State was a team that I was not high on this year. I thought that last year (6-6 during the regular season) was just a fluke and that they didnt have the talent this year to finish close to .500 during the regular season. They did that and won some big games including wins against Baylor and at TCU.

WVU QB Geno Smith

1. Kansas State Wildcats, 11-1 (9-3) Overall, 8-1 (6-3) Conference

-. Oklahoma Sooners, 10-2 (10-2) Overall, 8-1 (8-1) Conference

3. Texas Longhorns, 8-4 (8-4) Overall, 5-4 (5-4) Conference

-. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 7-5 (9-3) Overall, 5-4 (6-3) Conference

5. Baylor Bears, 7-5 (7-5) Overall, 4-5 (4-5) Conference

-. TCU Horned Frogs, 7-5 (6-6) Overall, 4-5 (4-5) Conference

-. Texas Tech Raiders, 7-5 (7-5) Overall, 4-5 (4-5) Conference

-. West Virginia Mountaineers, 7-5 (10-2) Overall, 4-5 (7-2) Conference

9. Iowa State Cyclones, 6-6 (2-10) Overall, 3-6 (0-9) Conference

10. Kansas Jayhawks, 1-11 (4-8) Overall, 0-9 (1-8) Conference 

Big Ten Football Projections Roundup

*Record in parenthesis was RPBlogspots Projections from August/September. Record outside of parenthesis was the actual, regular season only, record.

Penn State HC Bill O'Brien

As far as the Big Ten goes, my projections were fairly accurate. In the Legends division, my  big botch-up was Iowa. At the start of the season, I projected this Iowa team to finish 8-4. Iowa finished the exact opposite at 4-8 with struggles all around. As for the Leaders divisional  Penn State and Illinois were two teams that surprised on different regions of the spectrum. Penn State I projected to struggle, and who didn't? This was a team still dealing with the death of HC Joe Paterno, key players all around were leaving the team, and the rest of the Big Ten was only improving. This team truly played inspired football under HC Bill O'Brien (my vote for Coach of the year) who pretty much saved this Penn State program. Contrastively was the Illinois who finished surprising 2-10. QB Nathan Scheelhaase had a dissapointing season and their leading rusher only ran for 571 yards.

Big Ten Legends

1. Nebraska Cornhuskers, 10-2 (8-4) Overall, 7-1 (4-4) Conference

2. Michigan Wolverines, 8-4 (9-3) Overall, 6-2 (5-3) Conference

3. Northwestern Wildcats, 9-3 (6-6) Overall, 5-3 (3-5) Conference

4. Michigan State Spartans, 6-6 (9-3) Overall, 3-5 (5-3) Conference

5. Iowa Hawkeyes, 4-8 (8-4) Overall, 2-6 (4-4) Conference

-. Minnesota Golden Gophers, 6-6 (5-7) Overall, 2-6 (2-6) Conference

Big Ten Leaders

1. Ohio State Buckeyes, 12-0 (9-3) Overall, 8-0 (5-3) Conference

2. Penn State Nittany Lions, 8-4 (5-7) Overall, 6-2 (3-5) Conference

3. Wisconsin Badgers, 7-5 (10-2) Overall, 4-4 (6-2) Conference

4. Purdue Boilermakers, 6-6 (7-5) Overall, 3-5 (4-4) Conference

5. Indiana Hoosiers, 4-8 (3-9) Overall, 2-6 (0-8) Conference

6. Illinois Fighting Illini, 2-10 (8-4) Overall, 0-8 (4-4) Conference 

SEC Football Projections Roundup

*Record in parenthesis was RPBlogspots Projections from August/September. Record outside of parenthesis was the actual, regular season only, record.

Heisman Winner Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M

Overall, my projections for the SEC WEST were discouraging. I just about projected the finishes of 'Bama, LSU, and Mississippi State, but was pretty off for the other 4 teams. First off, was Texas A&M. I projected them 6-6 because I had "Questions at quarterback surrounding Johnny Manziel and what he does off the field". Forget what he does off the field, his numbers on the field were fantastic scoring a total of 47 TD's and winning the Heisman Trophy. I look for A&M to be challenging 'Bama and LSU in the SEC West next year. Arkansas was one of the biggest disappointment's this year. After QB Tyler Wilson suffered a concussion in the loss to LMU and missed the next game against Alabama, I believe he lost focus psychologically and the team completely fell apart. They lost their next two games and after that were never really considered a dangerous football team. The Auburn Tiger's were another huge disappointment. Auburn did have some questions coming into the season but I don't think anybody could have predicted them going 0-8 within the conference. In terms of the SEC East, I was pretty spot on besides Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt was a team that surprised me. They finished 8-4 behind a great season from Aaron Rodger's younger brother, QB Jordan Rodgers who threw for 15 TD's, ran for 2 more, and only had 5 interceptions.

SEC West

1. Alabama Crimson Tide, 11-1 (10-2) Overall, 7-1 (6-2) Conference

2. LSU Tigers, 10-2 (10-2) Overall, 6-2 (6-2) Conference

-. Texas A&M, 10-2 (6-6) Overall, 6-2 (3-5) Conference

4. Mississippi State Bulldogs, 8-4 (9-3), Overall, 4-4 (5-3) Conference

5. Mississippi Rebels, 6-6 (4-8) Overall, 3-5 (1-7) Conference

6. Arkansas Razorbacks, 4-8 (10-2) Overall, 2-6 (6-2) Conference

7. Auburn Tigers, 3-9 (7-5) Overall, 0-8 (4-4) Conference

SEC East

1. Georgia Bulldogs, 11-1 (9-3) Overall, 7-1 (6-2) Conference

-. Florida Gators, 11-1 (9-3) Overall, 7-1 (6-2) Conference

3. South Carolina Gamecocks, 10-2 (9-3) Overall, 6-2 (6-2) Conference

4. Vanderbilt Commodores, 8-4 (4-8) Overall, 5-3 (0-8) Conference

5. Missouri Tigers, 5-7 (7-5) Overall, 2-6 (3-5) Conference

6. Tennessee Volunteers, 5-7 (6-6) Overall, 1-7 (3-5) Conference

7. Kentucky Wildcats, 2-10 (3-9) Overall, 0-8 (1-7) Conference

Super Bowl Predictions

I predict another title for Rodgers and the Packers

Yes, I know the NFL season hasn't started yet, but everyone has to make their Super Bowl predictions before the season. This took me a lot of contemplating, but in the end this is what I came up with...

NFC Playoffs
5. Detroit Lions                    1. Green Bay Packers
(24-20) over                        (17-13) over
4. New Orleans Saints           5. Detroit Lions                        1. Green Bay Packers
                                                                                          (24-16) over
6. Carolina Panthers             2. San Francisco 49ers              2. San Francisco 49ers
(34-17) over                        (20-17) over
3. Dallas Cowboys                6. Carolina Panthers

AFC Playoffs
4. Denver Broncos                1. New England Patriots
(24-13) over                        (35-20) over
5. Pittsburgh Steelers           4. Denver Broncos                    1. New England Patriots 
                                                                                         (27-10) over
3. Baltimore Ravens             2. Houston Texans                   2. Houston Texans
(28-10) over                        (17-14) over
6. Kansas City Chiefs           3. Baltimore Ravens

SUPER BOWL 
1. (N) Green Bay Packers
(24-21) over
1. (A) New England Patriots

Not to exciting, in the sense that the Superbowl features the two #1 seeds. I just feel that right now, in the NFL, these are the two best teams in the league. Both with potent offenses and defenses that have greatly improved. I see Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady both having magical seasons yet again. Now, let's talk about my playoffs. If you noticed, I don't have the Eagles, Giants, Bears, or Falcons qualifying. Here's why; I don't think Eagles QB Mike Vick will stay healthy, the Giants have the toughest schedule in the NFL, I'm not buying either QB Jay Cutler or RB Matt Forte for the Bears, and the Falcons are just too old defensively. As for the AFC; I predict the Jets, Bengals, and Chargers miss the playoffs. The Jets, well, are the Jets. I think Tebow will lead to distractions. I think QB Andy Dalton of the Bengals will fall into that "sophomore slump" and i'm not a believer in QB Phillip Rivers of the Chargers. Now, let's talk about my surprise teams. Carolina from the NFC and Houston from the AFC. For Carolina, I think/know QB Cam Newton will have a spectacular season. He truly is "superman" in a sense that he can't be stopped. For the Texans, a healthy Matt Schuab is the key. This team did well while he was injured last season so they must be able to do wonders with him healthy.

Sun Belt Predictions 2012

1. Troy Trojans, 8-4 (6-2), Troy was very disappointing last year finishing 3-9. They return QB Corey Robinson and RB Shawn Southward (26 combined TD’s) on offense and senior DB Brynden Trawick was their leading tackler a year ago with 123 tackles

-. FIU Golden Panthers, 9-3 (6-2), FIU has been in their only two bowls the last two years. HC Mario Cristobal looks to make it a third straight season this year and I think that they can do it. Despite losing Mississippi State transfer QB Wesley Carroll and dynamic athlete WR TY Hilton (Colts), the team returns 17 of a possible 21 starters, 10 of those being on defense

-. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, 8-4 (6-2), Louisiana attended their first ever bowl game last season under first year HC Mark Hudspeth. QB Blaine Gautier had a tremendous season passing for 23 TD’s and only 6 interceptions while rushing for an additional 650+ yards and 3 TD’s. However, on defense they only return 4 starters

QB Kawaun Jakes of WKU

4. Arkansas State Red Wolves, 7-5 (5-3), Many people forget Arkansas State finished 10-3 last season. QB Ryan Aplin had 26 total TD’s but also threw 16 interceptions. They lose 7 defensive starters this year and that includes LB Demario Davis (Jets) who led the team in tackles last year

-. WKU Hilltoppers, 7-5 (5-3), WKU finished 7-5 last year and did not receive a bowl-bid. I think that changes this year. I even have WKU winning @ rival Kentucky. As much as the loss of RB Bobby Rainey (Ravens) will hurt them, I believe senior QB Kawaun Jakes is going to have a spectacular season for the Hilltoppers. Hats off also to HC Willie Taggart who is doing a great job with this program

6. ULM Warhawks, 3-9 (3-5), ULM has always had decent RB’s. They return RB Jyruss Edwards who ran for 680+ yards and had 12 total TD’s last year as a sophomore

-. North Texas Mean Green, 4-8 (3-5), WR Brelan Chancellor is a kid who reminds me a bit of TY Hilton (Colts, former FIU WR) Brelan had 1600+ total yards and 3 TD’s last year as a sophomore

-. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, 4-8 (3-5), I think this team will be as good as QB Logan Kilgore. Last year, as a sophomore, Kilgore has 18 TD’s and 12 interceptions

-. Florida Atlantic Owls, 4-8 (3-5), The Owls were 1-11 last season. I expect RB Xavier Stinson to be productive on offense and LB Randell Johnson, all 6’4 230 lbs, of him to have a breakout season

10. South Alabama Jaguars, 2-10 (0-8), This is South Alabama’s 4 season with a football program and their first as  a Division I-A team

WAC Predictions 2012

QB Chuckie Keeton of Utah State

1. Utah State Aggies, 8-4 (5-1), Utah State is definitely a team on the rise. Led by sophomore QB Chuckie Keeton who tossed for 11 TD’s and only 2 interceptions last season as a freshman, the only thing that can prevent this team from winning the WAC is their defense

2. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 7-5 (4-2), La. Tech was 8-5 last season and are returning seniors QB Colby Cameron and WR Myles White. On defense, safety Chad Boyd has a knack for the ball and should be a threat in the secondary

3. Idaho Vandals, 5-7 (3-3), Idaho is my surprise team in the WAC. While I don’t have them finishing above .500 overall, I do have them finishing even in the WAC. They only return 10 total starters but I expect former Washington commit QB Dominique Blackman to lead this team

-. San Jose State Spartans, 6-6 (3-3), I have high expectations for RB De’Leon Eskridge, the Minnesota transfer. He will have playmakers around him including WR Noel Grisby

-. Texas State Bobcats, 4-8 (3-3), Despite this season being their first as DI A, Texas State has always been a team that I have been high up on. On top of that, former Alabama and Texas A&M HC Dennis Franchione takes over

6. New Mexico State Aggies, 3-9 (2-4), NM St. loses QB Matt Christian who combined for 20 TD’s last year. On defense they lose their leading tackler DB Donyae Coleman

7. UTSA Roadrunners, 2-10 (0-6), This is only UTSA’s second year with a football program. Although they return 21 out of a possible 22 starters, I don’t see UTSA finishing anywhere other than the basement this year