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Recruiting Round-Up: The Nations Five Best and Where They May Be Headed

Leonard Fournette (New Orleans, LA) – RB: Fournette is widely regarded as the nations best RB, and best over-all player, and with good reason.  A bruising tailback, Fournette has drawn comparisons to Vikings great Adrian Petersen since the beginning of his sophomore year in high school.  Fournette exhibits a rare combination of power, balance and speed, which has programs from across the nation seeking his services.  Having said that, many feel that this recruitment will ultimately come down to Alabama and LSU, though Fournette has expressed his wishes to take all five of his official recruiting visits.  So far, at least three of those visits have been decideded, with Alabama, LSU, and Notre Dame being slotted to have a shot at the prolific RB.  With that in mind, Sullyscollegefootballpage.com does predict that Fournette will stay south and sign with LSU.  LSU is a little light at RB right now, believe it or not, as they did not even take a RB in last years recruiting cycle.  Given their obvious need at the position, and the close proximity between Fournette and LSU, it is difficult to imagine another conclusion to this battle.

Fournette JR Highlights

Prediction: LSU

Cameron Robinson (West Monroe, LA) – OT: Robinson, who is nearly unanimously considered the nations most talented offensive lineman prospect, is a behemoth of a man, standing at 6-5, 330 pounds.  This talented prospect has already narrowed his list of suitors to two, with Alabama and LSU yet again facing off for a talented player.  This race is likely going to end favorably for Alabama, as Robinson has spent more time on their campus than any other team to this point.  His road-grating style of blocking is a perfect fit for what Nick Saban aims to do at Alabama, and this race could be over before the season even starts.  If it goes beyond that, LSU’s chances will improve, but even that may not be enough in the end.

Cameron Robinson Highlights

Prediction: Alabama

Juju Smith (Long Beach, CA) – FS: Smith is one of the most talented safety prospects in recent memory, and due to the struggles of SC in recent years, the door has been opened for other programs to get in on this race.  Long Beach is normally an SC pipeline, but Smith has expressed very little interest in SC, and will almost certainly not sign there.  This race could very well come down to Alabama and Notre Dame, with schools like Michigan and UCLA having an outside shot.  In the end, California kids do not often venture south, and for that reason, Notre Dame is probably sitting in the strongest position.  They were the first official visit that the talented safety prospect set up, and in the end, they are going to have the best shot to sign Mr. Smith.

John (Juju) Smith Highlights

Prediction: Notre Dame

Da’Shawn Hand (Woodbridge, VA) – DE: One of the nations premier defensive lineman prospects, if not thee best, Hand has a long list of suitors seeking his services.  However, separating from that pack is Michigan, Florida and Alabama, who appear to be in a dead heat in this race.  However, given that Hand has spent time on the campus of Michigan, and that they have been on top of his list for his entire recruitment, it is easy to envision him ending up signing with them. Hoke has done a great job recruiting him, and in all practicality, Michigan is probably the slight favorite here.

Da\’Shawn Hand Highlights

Prediction: Michigan

Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, GA) – DE/LB: Carter is one of the nations more versatile and intriguing prospects, as he is being recruited by different programs to play both linebacker and defensive end. Standing at 6-5, 235 pounds, Carter has the prototypical frame that college coaches across the nation scour the country for.  He could easily develop himself into the 270-280 lb range and still maintain his speed under the right strength and conditioning program, and in truth, is probably best suited for a 3-4 defense, though he could also excel in a 4-3.  As of now, teams like Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Notre Dame are in the mix, as each of the aforementioned programs have had Mr. Carter on campus.  With that being said, Florida has separated themselves from this pack as his leader, though this race is far from over.  Mr. Carter will likely take each of his five official visits, and where he ends up is anyone’s guess.  However, many predict that Carter will stay south, and true to that tune, if this recruitment were to end today, it would be Florida.

Lorenzo Carter Highlights

Prediction:  Florida

 

Posted in #3 NFL Draft, AAC, ACC, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, California, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Miami FL, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, NC State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, South Carolina, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech |

FBS Independents: Notre Dame

We will present the FBS Independents in a little different format then the conference previews. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame are up first!

Notre Dame 

ND vs the American Athletic Conference (AAC) 

The Irish open their season against Temple… The Owls are picked dead last in the AAC (not ACC as I like to write) by many, to most preseason publications. A good place for the Leprechans to begin with an unproven rushing attack and a QB who is dependent on play action. They will need this game to get a better idea of who will step up at running back, perhaps, Greg Bryant, their prize recruit from Florida? 1-0 after game one.

ND vs The Big Ten

ND plays @ Michigan, @ Purdue, & then welcomes Michigan State to South Bend. The Irish will struggle with Michigan, although the Wolves were 0-4 vs ranked teams last year. These games have been really close with the ‘Dog’ (Tean who is not the Favorite) winning 7 of the last nine.

Purdue will struggle in 2013, yet, they will  present a few obstacles for the Irish, the biggest being, the game is @ Purdue. That said, the Boilers are 1-7 in the last eight vs ND.

MSU beat the Irish in OT on a fake field goal the last time the teams played in South Bend. ND has not beaten MSU three straight since the early 1990’s. The Spartans will need to establish their running game, as ND’s front seven have dominated the line of scrimmage the past two years.

The Irish should win against both Purdue & MSU… the Michigan game will come down to the fact that the ND defense will stop Devin Gardner & the Wolverines offense at crunch time. The  Irish have been unable to deal with Michigan & Denard Robinson @ the end of games in the recent times, 2009; 38-34 Michigan, 2010; 28-24 Michigan, 2011; 35-31 Michigan, (in each of these Irish losses, ND had the lead in the last minute & lost the game in the final seconds… not this time)! Last year the game was close, a 13-6 ND win, close, despite the fact that the Wolverines turned the ball over six, that’s right, 6 times! The MSU game … per usual (although not the last two games) … will be tight as well …. 9 of the last 13 games have been decited by 9 of fewer points! The Irish will emerge from their Big Ten encounters 3-0 and @ 4-0 overall.

ND vs the Big 12

Oklahoma is a shocking 1-9 vs ND… let me say that again …. 1-9, as it seems imposible, but it is true. Oklahoma lone win was in 1956, a real tail whipping, 45-0, they put on the Irish! Then, the next year, ND stopped OU 47 game win streak @/on OU home field, 7-0. In the 2012 meeting, the game was tied 13-13 @ the 9 minute mark of the 4th quarter, then ND scored 3 unanswered (2 TD & a FG) in the last 8 minutes of the game.

The Sooners were last in South Bend during the 1999, in that game, OU was winning 30-14 in the 3rd quarter, yet lost to the Irish, who put together three TD drives from that point on to win, 34-30!

As for OU, you know you have a great program, when you go 10-3, as Oklahoma did last year and people talk about the season as if it were a disaster. Things are not getting any easier for OU as they may have to play 5 ranked teams away from home this year (ND, Texas, Baylor, Kansas State, & Oklahoma State). OU will lose two of these games, one will be to ND! The Irish move to 5-0!

ND vs the PAC 12

ND better be prepared for some rocky times when they get in against Arizona State, USC, & Stanford. A much tougher group than the 3 Big Ten teams they will face. Most people around the country do not realize how good ASU is with 15 returning starters from a team that won 8 games a year ago.

ND will win this game in the three Saturday prior to the Oct. 5th meeting. ASU plays Wisconsin & Stanford, who will slobberknock them all over the field and then, while still banged up will have to deal with USC athleticism. Then they will have to battle the Irish Defense, @ a nuetral Site, Dallas / Cowboy Stadium! A beat up (Stanfrod & Wisconsin) / worn out (chasing the Beach Boys all over hell) ASU goes down to the Irish.

ND has a bye week prior to this intersectional battle, while, USC plays Arizona at home, on Oct. 10th, the Thursday before the Saturday, Oct. 19th game with ND. As a result, SC will have nine days to prepare for the Irish.

This USC is / will be a much improved team in 2013, as they are deeper at every position and better able to deal with injuries. The visitor has won four straight in this series and nothing changes, SC gives the Irish their first loss of the year. Damn Beach Boys… it’s all that Sea & Ski they put on …. The Micks kept sliding off tackles!

In week 14, Stanford welcomes the Irish to Stanford Stadium, this game may have National Championship implications, if the Cardinal or Irish arrive undefeated or with one loss. Based on last year’s OT game, there is no love lost in this series, yet, just for the record, Stepfan Taylor’s elbow, clearly, hit the ground before he broke the plain … so no TD … Right Call!!

ND survives Stanford, 2-1 vs PAC 12!

ND vs the Mountain West

In week nine the Irish take on Air Force, ND is 23-6 vs the Airmen and other than the game being played at Falcon Stadium, same old, same old … The Irish have their way with AFA.

ND vs MWC … 1-0

ND vs FBS Independents

In week ten, ND welcomes Navy to Notre Dame Stadium. From 1964 to 2006, ND had beaten Navy 43 straight times, however, since 2009 the teams have split four games. That said, the Midshipmen have earned the Irish coaches & players full focus, seemingly not a good thing, ND has scored 106 points against Navy the past two years. ND will continue this trend as Navy is at a significant athletic & skill disadvantage. The Midshipmen’s mental conditioning is as good or better than any team’s in the country, it simply will not be enough to overcome the Irish advantages.

Then in week 13, BYU cones ‘a callin’ with one of the counties best run defense’s. ND will again benefit from the physiacl work of their neighbors to the north, the Badgers welcome (sort of) BYU to Madison Wisconsin on Nov. 9th and the Cougars will still be recovering from that physical encounter when they arrive in South Bend on OCt. 23rd. ND beats BYU in South Bend for the second year in a row.

The Irish go 2-0 vs FBS Independents!

ND vs the ACC

In week week 11, The Irish pack their bags and head for Pittsburgh. This game a year ago led many to believe that ND was not as good as advertised. ND stumbled through, an unimpressive, 3 OT win, over the Panthers & ….. ND was not only bad, they were lucky, Pitt missed a chip shot,in the 2nd OT, that could have brough ND’s, so called, ‘house of cards’ down on their heads. They missed and the rest is now history!

Pitt has moved up a step in competition going from the Big East (AAC Now) to the ACC. The Panthers will have battled Florida State, Virginia Tech, & Georgia Tech by the time they line up against the Irish. ND wins this game, as a banged up Pitt will be struggling to become bowl eligible against the improved competition in the ACC!

ND will be 11-1 in 2013!

That said, the Irish will be in four swing games; USC, Michigan, Stanford, & Oklahoma ( we have them winning 3 of 4 … these games could easily go either way).

The Arizona State (check out ASU’s schedule prior to the ND game … it’s brutal – in fact, if not for their schedule… we would have them as a swing… not … a trap game), Michigan State, Pitt, & BYU are trap games, the Irish better bring their A game or a failure is just around the corner.

Navy, AFA, Temple, & Purdue should be locks (we are talking locks on paper… not in the real world) for ND!   

 

 

Posted in AAC, ACC, Air Force, Arizona, Arizona State, Big 12, Big Ten, BYU, FBS Independents, Michigan, Michigan State, Mountain West, Navy, Oklahoma, PAC 12, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Stanford, Temple, USC |

Sun Belt Conference (SBC) Preview

Young Sully (YS) & Old Sully met at BWW to preview the Sun Belt Conference which has a different look in 2013 & will have more changes in the 2014 season.

Gone from the SBC are Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of North Texas & University of Texas San Antonio. The conference has new comers as well, the Georgia State Panthers (From the FCS Ranks) & Texas State San Marcos (Former WAC Member).

Next year, Western Kentucky will bolt for C-USA, while the SBC will add Idaho, New Mexico State (Both Idaho & NMSU were former members of the SBC), and FCS powers, Appalachian State & Georgia Southern, from the Southern Conference. All four of these teams will be members of the SBC in  2014!

This will leave the Sun Belt with 11 teams, one short of the number (12) needed to form divisions and establish a championship week-end, in the first week of December. Look for the SBC (I was sure that Old Dominion, another FCS team stepping up to the FBS was the 12th team, but they have announced they will join C-USA in 2014) to add a 12th team and establish divisions!

Ok, enough about the SBC’s distant future, let’s take a peek into the near future and present our 2013 predictions for your review!

University of Louisiana (UL)

Non-Conference Games: The Ragin’ Cajuns take on Arkansas (SEC), Kansas State (Big12), & Akron (MAC)  all on the road, while welcoming, Nichollis State & New Mexico State to Lafayette LA & Cajun Field! YS has the Ragin’ Cajuns going 3-2 in the Non-Conference (NC) Schedule, beating Akron, New Mexica State & Nichollis State. OS agrees with this assessment, the BCS teams will be a little too much athletically & skill-wise for UL, especially in their own arenas. Further, last year, University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM /A SBC Team we are picking behind UL) beat Aksansas (34-31 in OT) thus, the Cajuns will have these BCS teams full attention!

Conference Games: The SBC does not have divisional play, NCAA requires at least 12 teams for a conference to establish divisions, SBC is currently at 8 and will move up to 11 in 2014. Sun Belt teams play 7 conference games and have 5 NC tilts to reach the 12 game schedule permitted by the NCAA. The Cajuns have atotal of 3 home games, Texas State, Troy, & ULM, while traveling 4 times to these venues, Western Kentucky University (WKU), Arkansas State, Georgia State, & University of South Alabama (USA). YS believes 6-1 for the Cajuns in 2013, the keys being they get ULM @ home, a win, but then have to hit the road to take on WKU, a loss! OS Thinks … Not so fast my friend…. its 5-2 for UL. While UL has 13 starters back, ULM has 17 returning, including the QB and pull the upset @ Cajun Stadium, meanwhile, UL focuses & beats WKU in Bowling Green (Kentucky, not Ohio) then gets devoured by the Red Wolves of Arkansas State, @ home.  

Over-All Record in 2013: YS believes the Ragin’ Cagins go 8-4 in 2013, while OS thinks the Ragin’ Cagins battle their way through a 7-5 campaign in O13! 

University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM)

Non-Conference Games: The Warhawks play 3 of their 5 NC games on the road, @ Oklahoma, Wake Forest, & Baylor, all BCS Teams. ULM has invited Grambling & Tulane to Monroe & Malone Stadium! YS thinks that if ULM had Wake @ home, they would get the win, however, the game is in Winston-Salem, NC. As a result of location, the Warhawks go 2-3, beating Grambling & Tulane but falling in close games with Wake Forest & Baylor … Oklahoma is just flat out better than ULM! OS agrees, 2-3, although do not be surprised if ULM beats WF … That said, Jim Grobe’s quality, Wake’s coach, is one of the best kept secrets in all of college football and is no small part in why the Demon Deacons will prevail!

Conference Games: ULM has 4 of its 7 conference games on the road, @ Texas State, Troy, USA, & Louisiana while hosting WKU, Georgia State & Arkansas State. YS says ULM goes 5-2, falling to Louisiana & Troy, while OS agrees with the 5-2 mark, but believes the Warhawks two losses occur @ Troy and at home, to Arkansas State!

Over-All Record in 2013: YS & OS concur, the Warhawks go 7-5 in O13 and are Bowling in the second season!

Westren Kentucky University (WKU)

Non-Conference Games: WKU plays an interesting NC schedule. The Hilltoppers open with Kentucky at a neutral site, Nashville (Hey Kentucky State Government… Keep those tax dollars in your State … what is wrong with you dopes?), play @ Tennessee & Army, battle Navy at home and an FCS opponent, Morgan State (MEAC) at home in LT Smith Stadium! YS thinks 2-3, the Hilltoppers beat Kentucky last year in OT, 32-31, not this time and the Hilltoppers will fall to Tennessee & Navy as well! OS has the Toppers @ 2-3, as well, beating Morgan State and Army, having played Navy / Option Offense will help to that end!

Conference Games: Western Kentucky plays at South Alabama, ULM, Georgia State, & Texas State, while opening the gates @ LT Smith Stadium for Louisiana, Troy (HC) & Arkansas State! YS believes 5-2, Western falls only to ULM & Troy (play Troy the week after beating Louisiana @ home) in conference play! OS concurs 5-2, but disagrees with how the Hilltoppers arrive @ those numbers, fall to ULM & Louisiana!

Over-All Record in 2013: YS says WKU goes 7-5 in O13, OS thinks ‘right on’, 7-5 and into the second season!

Askansas State University (ASU)

Non-Conference Games: The Red Wolves play Arkansas Pine Bluff (Southland Conference) & Idaho @ home and then hit the road to take on Auburn (SEC), Memphis (AAC), & Missouri (SEC). YS thinks State goes 2-3, beating Arkansas Pine Bluff & Idaho  OS agrees, 2-3 are the numbers, if the Memphis game were in Jonesboro, the Red Wolves would have gotten the nod … but it’s in Memphis! The Auburn & Missouri game are out of reach for Arkansas State.

Conference Games: The Wolves travel to USA, ULM, & WKU while welcoming Troy, Louisiana, Texas State, & Georgia State to Liberty Bank Stadium! YS has the Red Wolves at 4-3, losing to ULM, Louisiana, & WKU while having their way against USA, Georgia State,  & Troy. OS says, no way, the Red Wolves go 5-2, beating USA, ULM, Louisiana, Texas State & Georgia State, while falling to Troy & WKU! Typical SBC gamesmenship, you never know in this League!

Over-All Record in 2013: YS has Ark. St @ 6-6, while OS  thinks 7-5!

Troy

Non-Conference Games: The Trojans battle  UAB (C-USA) & Savannah State (Big South) @ home and experience wheels up to take on Mississippi State (SEC), Duke (ACC), & Ole Miss (SEC)! YS & OS  concur, it’s 2-3 for the Men of Troy in NC Play!

Conference Games: Troy plays 4 of its conference games on the road and three at home. They take on Arkansas State, Georgia State, WKU, & Louisiana all away from Troy, while battling USA, ULM & Texas State in Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy’s home Arena. YS  thinks goes 5-2 beating USA, Georgia State, WKU, Texas State,  & Arkansas State, while OS  agrees Troy goes 5-2 in Conference play, beating USA, Georgia State, Texas State, ULM, & Arkansas State!

Over-All Record in 2013: YS & OS are reading fromthe same page, the Men of Troy finish at 7-5!

Texas State San Marcos (TSSM)

Non-Conference Games: Texas State plays @ Southern Miss (C-USA), Texas Tech (Big 12), Idaho, FBS Independent)  and welcomes Wyomong (MWC) & Prairie View A&M (SWAC) to San morcos. YS & OS Concur, 1-4, beating only Prairie View at home, if the Idaho game had been in Bobcat Stadium and win would have been projected for Texas State … but not in Moscow, ID! 

Conference Games: The Bobcats play 4 of their seven conference games @ home, ULM, Georgia State, USA, & WKU and hit the road to battle Louisiana, Arkansas State, & Troy.  YS & OS agree, Texas State goes 2-5 in SBC play, finding a way @ home against USA & Georgia State!

Over-All Record in 2013: YS & OS  are reading the tea leafs  with the same cipher, 3-9 for Texas State in 2013!

University of South Alabama (USA)

Non-Conference Games: USA visits Tulane (C-USA), Tennessee (SEC), & Navy (FBS Independent) and opens the home gates @ Ladd-Peebles Stadium for Southern Utah (FCS / Big Sky) & Kent State (MAC). YS & OS see the Jaguars finishing their NC schedule @ 1-4, stopping only their FCS opponent, Southern Utah!

Conference Games: The Jaguars battle Troy, Texas State, & Georgia State on the road and at home lining up against, WKU, Arkansas State, ULM & Louisiana. YS & OS  see only one conference win for USA, against Georgia State, 1-6!

Over-All Record in 2013: YS & OS think USA ends 2013 @ 2-10!

Georgia State

Non-Conference Games: Georgia State’s NC schedule is uneven, to say the least, they play @ West Virginia & Alabama, while also taking on 3 FCS teams @ home, Samford, Chattanooga, & Jachsonville State! YS & OS see 3-2 for the Panthers in their NC schedule, lose to the BCS teams and beat their FCS opponents!

Conference Games: The Panthers have 4 of their seven conference games at the Georgia Dome; YS & OS agree, it won’t matter where they play these games, its 0-7 in 2013 for the Panthers!

 

 Sun Belt Conference vs Non Conference Opponents: 

YS: vs NC Opponents 16-24, vs BCS 0-17, vs FBS 6-7, vs FCS 10-0

OS: vs NC Opponents 16-24, vs BCS 0-17, vs FBS 6-7, vs FCS 10-0

SBC Standings:

YS: Louisiana 6-1, ULM 5-2, UWK 5-2, Troy 5-2, Ark. ST. 4-3, Texas State 2-5, USA 1-6, & Georgia State 0-7

OS: Louisiana 5-2, ULM 5-2, UWK 5-2, Ark. St. 5-2, Troy 5-2, Texas State 2-5. USA 1-6, & Georgia State 0-7.

Over All Record for 2013:

YS: Louisiana 8-4, ULM 7-5, WKU 7-5, Troy 7-5, Akr. St 6-6, Texas State 3-9, Georgia State 3-9 & University of South Alabama 2-10

OS: Louisiana 7-5, ULM 7-5, WKU 7-5, Troy 7-5, Akr. St 7-5, Texas State 3-9, Georgia State 3-9 & University of South Alabama 2-10

YS & OS both have 5 Sun Belt Conference Teams playing their way into the bowl season!

Posted in AAC, ACC, Akron, Alabama, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Army, Auburn, Big 12, C-USA, Chattanooga, Duke, FBS Independents, Georgia State, Grambling State, Jacksonville State, Kansas State, Kent State, Kentucky, Lamar University, Louisiana, MAC, MEAC, Memphis, Mississippi State, Missouri, Morgan State, Mountain West, Navy, Nicholls University, Ohio Valley, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Samford, SEC, South Alabama, Southern Conference, Southland Conference, Sun Belt, SWAC, Tennessee, Texas State, Texas Tech, Troy, UAB, ULM, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Wyoming |

Conference-USA West Division Sneak Preview

Young Sully (YS) & Old Sully (OS) met in the Wuasau Mall and discussed C-USA over heart-healthy Subs, from none other than that famous institution, Subway, you know, the joint that thinks it’s in New York!

That’s ok, we got lost navigating around this conference more than once… who left, who stayed, & and who entered is enough to keep even college football junkies like us scrambling to predict these games with a healthy degree of accuracy!

Ok, let’s roll!

Tulsa

Non-Conference Games: The Golden Hurricanes take on Bowling Green (MAC) & Oklahoma (Big 12) on the road and battle Colorado State (MWC) & Iowa State (Big 12) @ home. YS thinks 1-3 beating only Bowling Green, coming up short against the Big 12 teams, OU & ISU and a shocking loss to CSU. OS says, ‘hold the horses’ the Golden Hurricanes, do go 1-3, but beat ISU in Ames while losing to Bowling Green in Ohio. 

Divisional Games: Like other C-USA teams, Tulsa plays 6 divisional games, three @ home and three on the road. The Hurricanes take on Rice, University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) & University of North Texas (UNT) @ home and travel to Tulane, University of Texas El Paso (UTEP), & Louisiana Tech. YS thinks 6-0 in divisional play while OS believes 6-0 is right on, playing Rice at home is the key… the Canes are simply better than the rest of the division.

Conference Cross-Over Games: Tulsa has a difficult conference cross-over schedule, playing, what Sully’s CFP consider to be the two best team’s in the East Division of C-USA. The ‘Canes travel to East Carolina (ECU) & play host to Marshall! YS has the Golden Hurricanes going 2-beating the best the East Division has to offer Marshall & ECU. OS thinks 1-1, beating Marshall but falling @ ECU!

Over-All Record: YS 9-3 in 2013, while OS thinks 8-4!

Rice

Non-Conference Games: The Owls hit the road to take on Texas A&M (SEC) & New Mexico State (FBS Independent), while welcoming Kansas (Big 12) & Houston (AAC) to Rice Stadium. YS The Owls NC is schedule is difficult and the 1-3 record is reflective to that end. OS concurs, Rice falls to the three BCS opponents, A&M, Kansas, & Houston, while beating NMS!

Divisional Games: Rice plays @ Tulsa, UTSA & North Texas and has invited UTEP, UTSA, & Tulane to ‘get in on’ in Houston! YS & OS agree Rice goes 5-1, losing to only Tulsa. The Tulane game is @ Rice Stadium or the prediction would have been 4-2!

Conference Cross-Over Games: The Owls have drawn favorable conference cross-over opponents, as they play Florida Atlantic University (FAU) at home & University of Alabama @ Birmingham (UAB) in Birmingham’s Legion Field! YS & OS see this as a no brainer, 2-0, the Owls have their way against two of the weaker teams in the East!

Over-All Record: YS & OS believe 8-4, Rice’s NC schedule keeps them from double digit wins in 013!

Tulane

Non-Conference Games: The Green Wave host Jackson State (FCS / SWAC)  & University of South Alabama (USA) (Sun Belt Conference) and take to the airways to play @ Syracuse (ACC) & Louisiana Monroe (ULM) fromthe Sun Belt Conference. YS has the ‘Wave’ going 2-2, losing to Syracuse & ULM while beating USA & Jackson State, OS says absolutely, 2-2, ULM beats Tulane last year 63-10 & while Tulane is a much better team, they are not “that much better” & the game is @ ULM!

Divisional Games: Tulane challenges North Texas, Tulsa, & UTEP at home and then heads for Louisiana Tech, UTSA, & Rice to complete their divisional road trips! YS & OS think 4-2 for the Green Wave, falling to Tulsa & Rice while taking care of business against UNT, UTEP, La-Tech & UTSA!

Conference Cross-Over Games: Tulane welcomes ECU to New Orleans  & later in the year, the”Wave’ crashes into the Florida Coast to take on FAU. YS & OS agree 1-1, Tulane falls to ECU while surviving FAU, the Green Wave has lost 11 straight away games.        

Over-All Record: YS & OS are reading from the same page on this one, Tulane goes 7-5 in 2013!

Louisiana Tech

Non-Conference Games: The Bulldogs take on NC State (ACC) & Kansas (Big 12) on the road, welcome Lamar (Southland Conference) to Joe Aillet Stadium, & take on Army (FBS Independent) in Dallas. YS thinks 2-2, the Bulldogs beat Lamar & Army, OS says 1-3, as Army beats La Tech in Dallas!

Divisional Games: La-Tech heads for the follwoing cities, El Paso (UTEP), Houston (Rice) and San Antonio (UTSA) in away divisional battles and challenges Tulane, North Texas, & Tulsa at home! YS believes the Bulldogs will go 2-4 in divisional play, while, OS thinks La Tech’s win ove Tulane, gets them to 500, 3-3, in 013!

Conference Cross-Over Games: The Bulldogs play Florida International University (FIU) in Miami and open the gates to Joe Aillet Stadium for Southern Miss. YS & OS concur, 1-1, as Louisiana Tech finds a way against FIU, on the road while falling short vs Southern Miss @ home.

Over-All Record: YS & OS  believe that La Tech goes 5-7 in O13 and will be at home for the holidays!

North Texas

Non-Conference Games: The Mean Green hits the pavement to battle Ohio & Georgia and then settle in at home, ‘to have at’ Idaho & Ball State! YS & OS are all over this, 1-3, The Mean Green handle only Idaho in their NC games!

Divisional Games: North Texas has wheels up for Tulane, Louisiana Tech, & Tulsa and rolls out the Welcoming Mat for Rice, UTEP, & UTSA. YS & OS believe UNT goes 2-4 in divisional play, beating UTEP & UTSA @ home.

Conference Cross-Over Games: The Mean Green meet the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State Uinversity (MTSU) in Denton, TX and then travel Hattiesburg to tee it up against Southern Miss. YS has the mean Green at 0-2, while OS thinks it is 1-1, UNT beats MTSU @ home.

Over-All Record: YS has UNT @ 3-9 for the 2013 canpaign and OS says, not so fast, the Mean Green goes 4-8 in the coming season!

UTEP

Non-Conference Games: The Miners welcome New Mexico (MWC) as their sole NC game @ home while traveling to New Mexico State (FBS Independent), Colorado State (MWC), & then head to College Station to get it on with Texas A&M! YS says the Miners go 1-3 in NC tilts, beating only New Mexico State. OS agrees, 1-3, New Mexico & Colorado State are simply better than UTEP and A&M is a whole lot better!

Divisional Games: The Miners have invited UTSA, La-Tech, & Tulsa to the wild west town of El Paso and then hitch up the wagan and roll on down the road to battle Rice, North Texas & Tulane! YS & OS think UTEP beats only in-state rival, UTSA, & finishes divisional play @ 1-5.

Conference Cross-Over Games: UTEP welcomes FIU to the Sun Bowl and later in the season, heads for Murfreesboro to balttle MTSU! YS & OS have UTEP @ 1-1, beating FIU at home but falling to MTSU on the road!

Over-All Record: YS & OS agree the Miners finish the 2013 season @ 3-9 and are watching, not playing, in the second season!

UTSA

Non-Conference Games: The Roadrunners hit the streets and back alleys as they head for New Mexico & Arizona and fire up the pop corn machine, as they welcome Oklahoma State & Houston to San Antonio! YS & OS concur, 0-4, this is a disaster for UTSA, only the New Mexico game will resemble a game and then, only for a while!

Divisional Games: UTSA hit the road to challenge UTEP, Tulsa & North Texas and will make a stand (last seems appropriate) at the Alamodone to fight off Rice, Tulane & Louisiana Tech! YS & OS could not find a divisional win for the Roadrunners, however, we did find a ton of “Roadkill”, 0-6 in 2013!

Conference Cross-Over Games: In cross-over games, UTSA plays Marshall on the road and UAB in San Antonio! YS & OS have the Roadrunners losing both cross-over games!

Over-All Record: YS & OS, sad to say, did not find a win for UTSA in the 2013 season, 0-12!

Conference-USA, West Division vs Non Conference Opponents: 

YS: 8-20, vs BCS 0-12, vs FBS 7-7, FCS 2-0

OS: 7-21, vs BCS 1-11, vs FBS 4-10, FCS 2-0

YS How they arrived at 8-20: Tulsa 1-3, vs BCS 0-2, vs FBS 1-1, FCS 0-0, Rice 1-3, vs BCS 0-3, vs FBS 1-0, vs FCS 0-0, Tulane 2-2, vs BCS 0-1, vs FBS 1-1,vs FCS 1-0, Louisiana Tech 2-2, vs BCS 02, vs FBS 1-0, vs FCS 1-0, North Texas 1-3  vs BCS 0-0, vs FBS 1-3, vs FCS 0-0, UTEP 1-3 vs BCS 0-1, vs FBS 1-2, vs FCS 0-0, & UTSA 0-4 vs BCS 0-3, vs FBS 0-1, vs FCS 0-0!  

OS How they arrived at 7-19: Tulsa 1-3, vs BCS 1-1, vs FBS 0-2, FCS 0-0, Rice 1-3, vs BCS 0-3, vs FBS 1-0, vs FCS 0-0, Tulane 2-2, vs BCS 0-1, vs FBS 1-1, vs FCS 1-0, Louisiana Tech 1-3, vs BCS 0-2, vs FBS 0-1, vs FCS 1-0, North Texas 1-3,  vs BCS 0-0, vs FBS 1-3, vs FCS 0-0, UTEP 1-3, vs BCS 0-1, vs FBS 1-2, vs FCS 0-0, & UTSA 0-4, vs BCS 0-3, vs FBS 0-1, vs FCS 0-0!

Divisional Statdings:

YS: Tulsa 6-0, Rice 5-1, Tulane 4-2, Louisiana Tech 2-4, North Texas 2-4, UTEP 1-5, & UTSA 0-6

OS:  Tulsa 6-0, Rice 5-1, Tulane 4-2, Louisiana Tech 3-3, North Texas 2-4, UTEP 1-5, & UTSA 0-6

Conference Statdings:

YS: Tulsa 8-0, Rice 7-1, Tulane 5-3, Louisiana Tech 3-5, North Texas 2-6, UTEP 2-6, & UTSA 0-8

OS: Tulsa 7-1, Rice 7-1, Tulane 5-3, Louisiana Tech 3-5, North Texas 3-5, UTEP 2-6, & UTSA 0-8 

Over-All Record for 2013

YS: Tulsa 9-3, Rice 8-4, Tulane 7-5, Louisiana Tech 5-7, North Texas 3-9, UTEP 3-9, & UTSA 0-12

OS: Tulsa 8-4, Rice 8-4, Tulane 7-5, Louisiana Tech 5-7, North Texas 4-8, UTEP 3-9, & UTSA 0-12

Conference-USA Championship Game:

YS: has an 8-0 Tulsa, the West Division Champ vs a 7-1 Marshall, the East Division Winner, this game is a rematch from the November 14th encounter. The first game was played on Tulsa’s home field, H.A. Chapman Stadium where YS had Tulsa winning the first game & he believes nothing has / will change, Tulsa wins the C-USA championship in 2013! 

OS: has East Carolina @ 8-0 and a 7-1 Tulsa, the winner in the West via the Golden Hurricanes win over Rice, also finishing conference play at 7-1! The first meeting was played in Greenville, NC, November 9th, with the Pirates winning their Homecoming Game.  This time the Golden Hurricane sinks the Pirate ship and carries off C-USA Spoils. Its Tulsa Tine in 013!

Next up Sun Belt Conference Preview

Posted in AAC, ACC, Arizona, Army, Ball State, Big 12, Bowling Green, C-USA, Colorado State, FBS Independents, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Houston, Iowa State, Jackson State, Kansas, Louisiana Tech, MAC, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, Mountain West, NC State, Ohio, Oklahoma State, PAC 12, Rice, SEC, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Sun Belt, SWAC, Syracuse, Texas A&M, UAB, ULM, UTEP, UTSA |

C-USA: East Division Sneak Preview

Young Sully (YS) & Old Sully (OS) met at KFC, while the Jeep Liberty Sport’s drive shaft was being repaired @ Johnnie’s Servise Inc., to consider the fate of the teams in the newly aligned C-USA’s, East Division.  

Several teams from the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) have joined C-USA to fill the vacated spots of teams (Houston, Southern Methodist, Central Florida & Memphis) that jumped to the American Athletic Conference (AAC or the old Big East). Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Florida International University (FIU), University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), & North Texas (NT) are all former members of the SBC that made the move for the 2013 season!

Also, Louisiana Tech, a former member of the recently disolved Western Athletic Conference (WAC) have joined C-USA’s West Division, along with NT & UTSA. MTSU, FAU & FIU have been placed in C-USA’s East Division and will be discussed in this preview!

Marshall

Non-Conference Games: The Thundering Herd takes on Miami of Ohio & Gardner-Webb @ home and travels to Ohio University & Virginia Tech to complete their NC schedule. YS thinks the Thundering Herd, limp through thier Non-Conference (NC) schedule @ 2-2, beating Miami of Ohio & Gardner-Webb, while falling to Va Tech & Ohio University! OS says, ‘hold the Herd’ .. I do not think so, 3-1 is the result of NC encounters, losing to only Virginia Tech.

Divisional Games: The ‘Herd’ plays @ FAU (Florida Atlantic University), MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University), & FIU (Florida International University) all on the road and welcomes Southern Miss, UAB (University of Alabama Birmingham) & East Carolina to Joan C. Edwards Stadium. YS believes, 6-0, this is where the Herd Thunders as they go unbeaten in divisional play. OS babbles, ‘Not so fast my friend’ it is 5-1 for the Herd, the East Championship Game will come down to the last game of the season, when East Carolina comes a calling on the ‘Herd’ in Huntington, WV. ECU with its 18 returning starters, finds a way in Joan C. Edward Stadiun to beat Marshall!

Conference Cross-Over Games: Marshall take on two teams from the West Division UTSA (University of Texas San Antonio) @ home and then, hit the dusty trail all the way to Tulsa to battle the the Golden Hurricanes! YS & OS Agree Marshall goes 1-1 in Conference Cross-Over Games, beating UTSA while falling to Tulsa!

Over-All Record: YS has Marshall @ 9-3 & OS agrees, the Herd goes 9-3 in the 2013 season!

East Carolina:

Non-Conference Games:  The Pirates battle Old Dominion (an FBS Indepenent) & Va Tech (ACC) at home and travels to North Carolina (wait… they are already in North Carolina) to challenge UNC (North Carolina) & NC State (both Carolina schools are members of the ACC). YS & OS say it’s 1-3, the Pirates get thrown into the galley (Pirate ship’s, or any ship kitchen… you dope) vs the ACC and left to feed on only the Monarchs of Old Dominion

Divisional Games: EC plays FAU, Southern Miss, & UAB @ home and hits the road to take on MTSU, FIU, & Marshall. YS thinks 5-1, falling in their last divisional game to Marshall, OS disagrees, the Pirates go 6-0 in the East Division, thier difficult NC schedule paves the way for a victory in Huntington, WV, over Marshall.

Conference Cross-Over Games: The pirates set sail for the Port of New Orleans & Tulane and invite Tulsa to Dowdy-Ficken Stadium for a battle royale! YS says it will be one & one for the Pirates, beating Tulane while losing to Tulsa. OS thinks 2-0, as the Pirate ship survives the Hurricane from Tulsa!

Over-All Record: YS believes the Pirates go 7-5 in 013, OS thinks, no way Jose and has ECU @ 9-3!

Southern Miss

Non-Conference Games: The Golden Eagles went 0-12 last year, fired Ellis Johnson after one year… you got it, I said … one year, when really, someone should show the AD where the exit Door is located. This Dope scheduled Nebraska, Arkansas, & Boise State all on the road,  after a 0-12 season… I know schedules are made in advance … but adjustments can & should have been made! They do get a reprieve on opening day, when they take on Texas State from the Sun Belt! YS & OS concur, 1-3 for the Golden Eagles given the challenges this NC schedule presents!

Divisional Games: The Eagles welcome FIU, FAU, & MTSU to Roberts Stadium while playing East Carolina, Marshall, & UAB all away from home! YS thinks 4-2, winning all three home games against former Sun Belt teams and beating UAB on the road! OS says, ‘Right On’, it’s 4-2 for the ‘Eagles’ in 2013  and agrees with how they arrive @ four wins & the two losses!

Conference Cross-Over Games: In Divisional Cross-over games Southern Miss hosts North Texas and visits Louisiana Tech. YS & OS are on the same page here as well, 2-0, La Tech is new to C-USA and while welcoming the Golden Eagles to Rustin, LA, they have only a total of 7 starters back. That said, while North Texas does have 17 returning starters, they are also new to the League and the Golden Eagles play them at home!

Over-All Record: YS & OS agree, it will be 7-5 for Southern Miss this coming season and back bowling in the second season!

UAB

Non-Conference Games:  The Blazers play @ Troy (Sun Belt Conference), LSU ( SEC) & Vanberbilt (SEC) and welcome Northwestern State (Southland Conference) to Legion Field. YS thinks 1-3, Troy has beaten UAB 3 of the last four times they have played, nothing new in 013, LSU & Vandy are losses and a not very good, FCS opponent, Northwestern State, means one win in NC Games for the Blazers. OS concurs, if UAB were playing Troy @ Legion Field,  a different projection would be made here, but they are not, 1-3, in NC contests, is right on!

Divisional Games: UAB is home against Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), & Southern Miss while traveling to Florida International University (FIU), Marshall, & East Carolina University (ECU) YS & OS agree, 3-3,  playing FAU & MTSU at home are important elements in forecasting the Blazers as the winner in these games. Where UAB play’s Marshall, ECU, & Southern Miss, will not matter, it would / will be projected as a loss, further, the venue where playing FIU (in Miami this year @ FIU home arena), is also not relevant in picking UAB (simply better than FIU) as the winner!

Conference Cross-Over Games: In their divisional cross-over games, the Blazers take on the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) in San Antonio & host Rice University in Birmingham. YS & OS are all over this, 1-1, Rice has 19 starters back from the 2012 team and will compete for the West Division Crown, they will have little to few (or few to little … pick one) problems in beating UAB in Birmingham! The Blazers will hammer UTSA, in their first meeting ever in football, in San Antonio. 

Over-All Record: YS & OS agree. UAB finishes the 2013 campaign at 5-7. Troy is the swing game for UAB to play their way into the Bowl Season!

Middle Tennesee

Non-Conference Games: MTSU takes on Western Carolina (Southern Conference) & Memphis (AAC) both at home and hits the road to battle the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill & BYU in Provo, Utah! YS & OS Agree, the numbers are 2-2,  beating Western Carolina & Memphis but falling to the ‘Big Boy’ Carolina schools.

Divisional Games: The Blue Raiders play FAU, UAB, & Southern Miss all on the road and open the home gates for ECU, Marshall, & FIU in divisional tilts. YS thinks 2-4, beating the Florida schools, FAU & FIU! OS concurs, 2 & 4 are the correct numbers, as MTSU falls to at UAB & Southern Miss and @ home to ECU & Marshall! 

Conference Cross-Over Games: MTSU battles North Texas in Denton, Texas @ Apogee Stadium while welcoming the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) to Johnny (Red) Floyd Stadium! YS has the Blue Raiders @ 2-0 beating North Texas in Denton and UTEP in their home arena, Johnny ‘Red’ Floyd Stadium, in Murfreesbore, TN. OS thinks, ‘open the Texas barn door’, it’s 1-1, falling to North Texas on the road, while finding a way against the other Texas team, UTEP, in their first meeting ever!

Over-All Record: YS has MTSU @ 6-6 and playing in the in the second season, OS sees the Blue Raiders @ 5-7 and home for the holidays. The North Texas is the game that will keep MTSU out of the ‘second season’ according to OS, if Blue Raiders find a way, as YS predicts they will …. then they get to ‘go Bowling’ in 2013!

Florida Atlantic

Non-Conference Games: The Owls travel to Miami to take on the Hurricanes, then to Tampa to battle the University of South Florida, & and conclude their away NC games, in Alabama, with Auburn. UAB has only one NC game at home, vs New Mexico State, late in the 2013 season, November 23, @ FAU Stadium. YS & OS are on the same page on this one, Miami, South Florida, & Auburn are to talented for the Owls, but New Mexico State is not and FAU plays them @ home, 1-3 in 013!

Divisional Games: Like their counterparts in the C-USA, the Owls play six divisional games, three @ home & three on the road! The FAU pack their bags and head for ECU, UAB, & Southern Miss, while inviting MTSU, Marshall & FIU to Boca Raton and FAU Stadium. YS believes FAU’s lone chance for a divisional win is at home against FIU and they get it, 1-5. OS agrees & then does not agree, FAU is 0-5 heading into the FIU game, but fall at home to the Panthers, 0-6!

Conference Cross-Over Games: FAU battles Rice University in Houston @ Rice Stadium and welcomes Tulane to Boca Raton for the Owls Homecoming game! YS & OS agree, 0-2 Rice & Tulane are two of the better teams in the West Division.

Over-All Record: YS says it is 2-10 for the Owls in 2013, OS thinks it is one less win & one more loss, 1-11! Both agree, the NC schedule is more about money than wins!

Florida International

Non-Conference Games: The Panthers will try to get their claws into Marland & Louisville while hunting away from home and invite the University of Central Florida (UCF /AAC affiliate) & Bethune-Cookman (FCS/MEAC) to their home hunting grounds in Miami! YS & OS believe that the AD’s from these Florida schools (FAU & FIU) are related, both scheduled 3 BCS opponents, all away from home, against teams they have little to less (never say ‘no chance’ of winning) chance of winning! The numbers are 1-3 as the Panthers do handle Bethune-Cookman.

Divisional Games: FIU travels to Southern Miss, MTSU, & FAU and welcomes UAB, ECU, & Marshall to Miami & FIU Stadium! YS 0-6, as stated above and OS thinks the Panthers beat the Owls, 1-5 in divisional play!

Conference Cross-Over Games: The Panthers welcome Louisiana Tech (New to the League … from the now dissolved WAC) to Miami & FIU Stadium and travel to to El Paso, TX, to take on UTEP! YS & OS agree, 0-2, playing UTEP in El Paso is the key to the loss, if they had the Miners at home, different story! 

Over-All Record: YS Has the Panthers @ 1-11 in 013, OS says ‘not so fast my friend’, one more win and one less loss, 2-10 for FIU in the coming season!

 

Conference-USA, East Division vs Non Conference Opponents: 

YS thinks 9-19 vs NC opponents: vs BCS 1-15, vs FBS 4-4, & vs FCS 4-0!

OS says 10-18 vs NC opponents: vs BCS 1-15, vs FBS 5-3, & vs FCS 4-0!

YS: Marshall 2-2, MTSU 2-2, East Carolina 1-3, Southern Miss 1-3, UAB 1-3,  FAU 1-3, & FIU 1-3

OS: Marshall 3-1, MTSU 2-2, East Carolina 1-3, Southern Miss 1-3, UAB 1-3,  FAU 1-3, & FIU 1-3

Conference-USA; Divisional Standings: 

YS: Marshall 6-0, ECU 5-1, Southern Miss 4-2, UAB 3-3, MTSU 2-4, FAU 1-5, & FIU 0-6

OS: ECU 6-0, Marshall 5-1, Southern Miss 4-2, UAB 3-3, MTSU 2-4, FIU 1-5, & FAU 0-6

Conference-USA Standings(Includes, Divisional & Divisional Cross-Over Games):

YS: Marshall 7-1, ECU 6-2, Southern Miss 6-2, UAB 4-4, MTSU 4-4, FAU 1-7 & FIU 0-8

OS: ECU 8-0, Marshall 6-2, Southern Miss 6-2, UAB 4-4, MTSU 4-4, FIU 1-7 & FAU 0-8

Over-all Record for 2013 Season: 

YS: Marshall 9-3, ECU 7-5, Southern Miss 7-5, MTSU 6-6, UAB 5-7, FAU 2-10, & FIU 1-11  

OS: ECU 9-3, Marshall 9-3, Southern Miss 7-5, UAB 5-7, MTSU 5-7, FIU 2-10, & FAU 1-11  

Net Up: C-USA West Division

 

Posted in AAC, ACC, Arkansas, Auburn, Bethune-Cookman, Big Ten, Boise State, BYU, C-USA, Central Michigan, FBS Independents, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Gardner-Webb, Houston, Louisiana Tech, LSU, MAC, Marshall, MEAC, Memphis, Miami FL, Miami OH, Middle Tennessee, Mountain West, NC State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Northwestern State, Ohio, Rice, SEC, SMU, South Florida, Southern Conference, Southern Miss, Southland Conference, Sun Belt, Texas State, Troy, UAB, UCF, UTEP, UTSA, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Western Carolina |

Mid-American Conference East Division SNEAK PREVIEW

Young Sully (YS) & Old Sully (OS) met over popcorn to preview the Mid American’s East & West divisions . We agreed the two best teams in the league are Bowling Green & Northern Illinois, where we disagreed is on who is the best team in the MAC!

Read on to find out what we thought and as always, feel free to leave a comment!

Bowling Green

Non-Conference Games: The Falcons play Tulsa (C-USA) and Murray State (FCS /Ohio Valley Conference) at home in Perry Stadium and travel to Indiana (Big Ten) & Mississippi State (SEC) to complete their NC schedule. YS Thinks 1-3 as GB falls to Tulsa, Indiana & Mississippi State. OS says ‘not so fast my friend’, 2-2, BG finds a way @ home vs Tulsa and in both scenarios beat Murray State!

Divisional Games: Bowling Green plays 6 (not 5 like the West) divisional games, @ home the Falcons take on Akron, U-Mass, & Ohio while traveling to Kent State, Miami of Ohio, & Buffalo. YS  believes 6-0 for GB in divisional play, having Ohio at home is critical to that end. OS agrees, 6-0, the Falcons run the table in 2013 divisional play.

Conference Cross-Over Games: Two MAC teams in the East Division, GB & Ohio (7 teams in their section of the conference) play only two cross-over games. The Falcons host Toledo and travel to Eastern Michigan. YS thinks, 2-0, the Falcons survive Toledo and hammer Eastern Michigan; OS concurs, 2-0, BG battles Toledo in a tight win @ home & pound Eastern in Ypsilanti.

Overall Record: YS has BG @ 9-3 while OS thinks the Falcons finish the 2013 season at 10-2!

Ohio University

Non-Conference Games: The Bobcats play one NC game on the road, Louisville (AAC), while welcoming North Texas (C-USA), Marshall (C-USA), & Austin Peay ( FCS / Ohio Valley Conference) to Penden Statdium. YS has Ohio U going 3-1, falling to only Louisville, OS says ‘turn the lights back on’ the NC numbers for the Bobcats are 2-2, as Marshall find a way in Penden Stadium.

Divisional Games: Ohio U hits the road to take on Akron, Buffalo, & BG and battles Miami OH, Kent State & U-Mass @ home. YS thinks 5-1, losing to only Bowling Green. OS says, ‘not today’ its 4-2 for the Bobcats as they fall at Buffalo as well!

Conference Cross-Over Games: OU takes on the Michigan schools in their cross-over games, Central @ home (HC) & Eastern at Rynearson Stadium! YS believes the Bobcats handle both CM & EM, while OS thinks, yap, 2-0!

Overall Record:YS 10-2 in 013 for Ohio U OS has the Bobcats @ 8-4 in the coming season!

Buffalo University

Non-Conference Games: The Bulls play @ Ohio State (Big Ten), Baylor (Big 12) and battle Stony Brook (FCS / Colonial Athletic Association) , & U-Conn (AAC) both at home in UB Stadium! YS believes, 1-3, this schedule is an over-reach on the Bulls AD’s part, although he does have one of the BCS opponent, U-Conn, in their house, they fall to all three of these teams! OS agrees, 1-3 are the correct numbers, in the correct order, the Bulls beat only Stony Brook in their NC games!

Divisional Games: Buffalo, due to the in-balance of the divisions (6 in the West & 7 in the East) only play 5 of the 6 teams in their division, the Bulls do not play Akron. Three of the divisional games are @ UB Stadium, the Bulls home field, against U-Mass, Ohio , & BG! They play the other two @ Kents State & Miami OH. YS has the Bulls going 3-2, falling to Bowling Green & Ohio; OS thinks, ‘Not so fast’, 4-1  are the numbers, the Bulls beat U-Mass, Kent, Miami, & find a way against Ohio @ Home. 

Conference Cross-Over Games:UB battles Western Michigan & Toledo on the road and take on EM @ UB Stadium. YS says, 2-1 the Bulls lose to only Toledo on the road; OS thinks 2-1 as well, falling to only Toledo!

Overall Record: YS Has the Bulls 6-6 in 013, while OS has them one better @ 7-5!

Kent State

Non-Conference Games: Kent challenges Penn State, LSU & South Alabama all on the road and meet Liberty at Dix Stadium, KS’s home field! YS thinks 2-2, Kent gets popped in the mouth by PSU and should bring body bags for their trip to Louisiana (metaphorically Speaking… of course) OS thinks 2-2 are the right numbers, but earned, in a battle royale in Mobile with USA.

Divisional Games: KS takes on BG, Buffalo, & Miami all @ home in the friendly confines of Dix Stadium. The Golden Flashes travel to Akron & Ohio to round out a 5 game Divisional Schedule (same as Buffalo’s divisional card… The Flashes do not play U-Mass) YS has the Golden Flashes at 2-3, Losing to BG, Buffalo & Ohio, while running away from Miami & Akron! OS agrees, 2-3 are the numbers!

Conference Cross-Over Games: Kent travels to Western Michigan & Ball State, while welcoming NIU to Dix Stadium! YS & OS agree 0-3, the Golden Flashes did not get a very good draw in cross-over games . NIU & Ball State are two of the three best in the West Division and WM is best of the rest!

Overall Record: YS & OS think it will be 4-8 in 2013 for the Flashes, with some very close games inthe MAC!

Miami of Ohio

Non-Conference Games: The Redhawk’s NC schedule, at least on paper, is more about the Money than the Wins, as they take on 3 BCS teams, two on the road, @ Kentucky (SEC) & Illinois (Big Ten) while hosting Cincinnati (AAC). Then they take on Marshall, in Huntington, WV; who many believe is the best team in C-USA! YS & OS concur Miami goes 0-4  in NC games, but earn their Athletic Dept. about 1.5 million!!!

Divisional Games: The Hawks hit the road to battle U-Mass, Ohio, & Kent State and challenge Akron & Buffalo in Miami, @ Fred C. Yager Stadium. YS has the Redhawks going 2-3 in Divisional play, beating Akron at home & U-Mass on the road! OS says amen to that, 2-3 are the numbers for Miami in divisional play!

Conference Cross-Over Games: Miami plays CM & BG at home and travels to Ball State to round out their three conference cross-over games! YS believes the Hawks go 0-3, falling to Bowling Green & Central Michigan at home and losing to Ball State in Muncie. OS  says ‘hold the presses’, The Redhawks find a way against CM and finish their conference cross-over @1-2.

Overall Record: YS thinks the Hawks go 2-10, while OS has the Redhawks finishing @ 3-9 in 013!

Akron University

Non-Conference Games: The Zips tackle Central Florida (AAC) & Michigan (Big Ten) on the road and welcome James Madison (FCS Colonial Athletic Association) & Louisiana (Sun Belt) to Infocision Stadium! YS: Akron falls to UCF, Michigan & Louisiana, beating only James Madison @ home; OS agrees, 1-3 are the numbers earned by Akron vs a very challenging NC schedule!

Divisional Games: The Zips play @ BG, Miami, & U-Mass and at home vs Ohio (HC) & Kent State! YS has the Zips @ 1-4 in divisional play, beating only U-Mass. OS thinks 1-4 is accurate, the Zips struggle vs BG, Miami, Ohio, Kent State!

Conference Cross-Over Games: Akron plays in three conference cross-over games, two @ home, Ball State & Toledo and one away from home vs NIU! YS & OS are in harmony, Akron has drawn the three best teams from the West Division & 0-3 is the result!

Overall Record: YS & OS agree 2-10 for the Zips in the 2013 season!

University of Massachusetts

Non-Conference Games: NC schedule is a slaughter house, @ Wisconsin (Big Ten), @ Kansas State (Big 12), Vanderbilt (SEC) @ home and finally, a winnable game, Maine @ home! YS & OS had little to no debate on this one, 1-3 and  clearly 2 wins is a ton less likely than 4 losses!

Divisional Games: U-Mass plays a 5 game divisional schedule, avoid Kent State within the division. YS & OS concur, 0-5 for the Minutemen in 013!

Conference Cross-Over Games: The Minutemen play NIU & WM at home and CM on the road. YS & OS agree, 0-3 in 2013, U-Mass is in for a difficult season in the second year in the FBS ranks!

Overall Record: YS & OS are all over this 1-11 looks to be a lock!      

Mid-American Conference, East Division vs Non Conference Opponents: 

YS:  The East Division goes 9-19 vs NC opponents; OS: agrees, 9-19!

YS how they got to 9-19 : MAC East vs BCS opponents 0-16, against FBS teams 3-3,  & when taking on FCS squads 6-0 !

OS 9-19 was earned as follows: MAC East vs BCS opponents 0-16, FBS teams 3-3, & FCS units 6-0.

Based on 28 NC Games (4 NC Games per team)

Mid-American Conference: East Division Standings:

YS  Bowling Green 6-0, Ohio 5-1, Buffalo 3-2, Kent State 2-3, Miami 2-3, Akron, 1-4, U-Mass 0-5

OS  Bowling Green 6-0, Buffalo 4-1, Ohio 4-2, Kent State 2-3, Miami 2-3, Akron, 1-4, U-Mass 0-5

Based on 5 Divisional Games!

MAC: East Division vs West Division in Conference Cross-Over Games:

YS Bowling Green 2-0, Ohio 2-0, Buffalo 2-1, Kent State 0-3, Miami 0-3, Akron 0-3, U-Mass 0-3 (East Division losses 12 of 18 games vs the West Division)

OS: Bowling Green 2-0, Ohio 2-0, Buffalo 2-1, Miami 1-2, Kent State 0-3, Miami 1-2, Akron 0-3, & U Mass 0-3 (East Division losses 11 of 18 games vs the WestDivision)

MAC East Division Standings

YS Bowling Green 8-0, Ohio 7-1, Buffalo 5-3, Kent State 2-6, Miami 2-6, Akron 1-7, & U-Mass 0-8

OS  Bowling Green 8-0, Buffalo 6-2, Ohio 6-2, Miani 3-5, Kent State 2-6, Akron 1-7, & U-Mass 0-8

Based on 8 Games

Overall Record:

YS: Ohio 10-2, Bowling Green 9-3, Buffalo 6-6, Kent State 4-8, Miami 2-10, Akron 2-10, & U-Mass 1-11

OS: Bowling Green 10-2, Ohio 8-4, Buffalo 7-5, Kent State 4-8, Miami 3-9, Akron 2-10 & U-Mass 1-1

YS  believes 3 teams from the MAC, East Division, are eligible for the second season;

OS concurs, 3 teams from the MAC, East Division, play their way into the Bowl Season in 2013! 

Mid-American Championship Game: NIU vs Bowling Green!

YS believes Jordan Lynch and NIU stop Bowling Green in the Mid-American Championship game! OS says, not so fast my friend, BG has the best defense in the MAC, led by LB Gabe Martin & Safety BooBoo Gates, put an end to NIU’s hope to repeat!

Next up: C-USA: East Division!

Posted in AAC, Akron, Austin Peay, Ball State, Baylor, Big 12, Big South, Big Ten, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Colonial Athletic Association, Connecticut, Eastern Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, James Madison, Kansas State, Kent State, Liberty, Louisiana, LSU, MAC, Maine, Marshall, Miami OH, Michigan, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Ohio State, Ohio Valley, Penn State, SEC, Stony Brook, Toledo, U-Mass, UCF, Vanderbilt, Western Michigan, Wisconsin |

Mid-American Conference: West Division Sneak Preview

The Mid-American Conference (MAC) has 13 teams in the league, seven in the East Division (Ohio, Kent State, Miami OH, Akron, Bowling Green, Buffalo, & Massachusetts & 6 in the West Division (Northern Illinois, Ball State, Toledo, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, & Eastern Michigan).

Last year the MAC’s champion, Northern Illinois played in a BCS Bowl, The Orange Bowl against Florida State, while falling 31-10, the real story was the fact that a MAC Team made it to a BCS Bowl! No small feat … for a Non-BCS Conference Team!

The BCS is heading into the sunset after the 2013 season, as for myself, I liked the work it did …. giving the “Little Guy” a shot @ the ‘Big Time’. Utah, TCU, Hawaii, & Boise State would not have had an opportunity to play in the Sugar, Fiesta, & Rose Bowls if not for the BCS!!. The Bowl Championship Series’ intent was to have one play two … that is all it was intended to do … chalk up the mess, that somehow focused on the BCS process (#1 vs #2) to Contracual agreements between the 6 Automatic Qualifying Conference & the Bowl Games they had agreed to play in at the end of each season (Rose Bowl PAC 12 /Big Ten; SEC Sugar, Big 12 Orange and so on…. Oh yeah; do not forget ….Greed! You know … in good old U. S. of A. … we fix the blame … not the problem! The BCS was about #1 vs #2 … Period ….all the other babble was just that … misdirected noise!

In 2014 the BCS is out &, this four team playoff is in… good luck with 4 … more like 4 on a golf course … the masterminds of this better learn to duck… oops…I forgot… they are already skilled of dodging reality while assigning blame!

The Bowl system has served college football for over a century and is struggling because of the unrealistic economic demands via payouts. I have a novel idea… let the payout reflect the actual revenue the Bowl Game generates … a little incentive for the participating Conferences & Universities to promote the game! Just a thought…

OK… I digress… but it does have a connection to the MAC and other Non-BCS Affiliates! That preached, let’s take a peek @ MAC projections!

West Division

Northern Illinois

Non-Conference Games: NIU opens its season @ Iowa and then visits Idaho (FBS Independent) & Purdue (Big Ten) before returning home to take on Eastern Illinois @ Huskie Stadium! (FCS team from the Ohio Valley Conference). YS thinks 2-2, NIU falls to Iowa & Purdue while beating Indiana State & Idaho. OS concurs, 2-2 winning & losing to the identical teams.

Divisional Games: The Huskies play @ Central Michigan & Toledo & host Eastern Michigan, Ball State, & Western Michigan in divisional battles. YS thinks 5-0, Jordan Lynch, from Chicago’s own, Mount Carmel, will be to much for MAC defenses to deal with in 013. OS says, not so fast my friend, 4-1, as the Rockets from Toledo derail the Huskie team in the Glass Bowl (Toledo home stadium).

Conference Cross-Over Games: NIU lines up against 3 teams from the East Division, thay play @ Kent State & U-Mass (Massachusetts) and welcome Akron to Huskie Stadium. YS believes, 3-0 vs lower tear clubs from the East Division, OS agrees … with conviction … 3-0 in conference cross-over games for NIU!

Overall Record: YS has the Huskies @ 10-2 in 013; while OS thinks, not quite, 9-3 are the 2013 numbers.

Toledo

Non-Conference Games: The Rockets will attempt to ‘Buzz Bomb’ Florida & Missouri while iviting Eastern Washington & the Naval Academy to the the Glass Bowl. YS thinks 2-2, falling to the Mighty SEC teams, Florida & Missouri, while beating up on Eastern Washington & finding a way against the Midshipmen. OS says ‘hold the presses, 1-3 is the state of things for UT, in their Non-Conference Tilts, beating only Eastern Washington.

Divisional Games: Toledo travels to Ball State & Central Michigan and plays host to Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan & Northern Illinois. YS projects the Rockets @ 4-1 beating the Michigans’ Western & Eastern at home and Central on the road, while surviveing Ball State in Muncie, however, the Rockets go down to NIU. OS agrees with 4-1, but not how they arrive at those numbers, UT beats NIU @ home but falls to Ball State @ Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.

Conference Cross-Over Games: UT takes on Bowling Green and Akron away from home while entertaining Buffalo in the Glass Bowl. YS has UT @ 2-1, beating Buffalo & Akron but losing to Bowling Green! OS says right on, 2-1 it is, as Bowling Grenn is poised to have its best season in years.

Overall Record: YS thinks 8-4 are the correct numbers for UT in 013, OS believes 7-5 is as high as the Rockets fly in the coming season!

Ball State

Non-Conference Games: The Cardinals take on Illinois State (FCS Team from the Missouri Valley), Army (FBS Independent), both at home and travel to North Texas (C-USA this year, formally were members of the Sun Belt) & conclude their NC schedule at Scott Stadium against Virginia (ACC). YS forecasts BSU @ 3-1, falling to only Virginia in Charlottesville. OS agrees, 3-1 for the Cardinals in 013, losing to only the Cavaliers!.

Divisional Games: BSU plays 3 of its divisionals game on the road, @ Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan & NIU in DeKalb, while hosting Toledo & Central Michigan. YS believes it is 3-2 for the Cardinals, beating the Michigan schools and stumbling to the Illinois and Ohio schools, NIU & UT. OS says ‘put the lights back on’, its 4-1 for Cardinals; BSU handles the Michigan bunch and takes care of the Ohio school … but goes down in Dekalb to the Huskies!

Conference Cross-Over Games: Ball State lines up at home against Kent State & Miami of Ohio and hits the road to battle Akron. YS  thinks 3-0, BSU runs the table in its conference cross-over . OS says yap, 3-0, with a really tough game in Muncie against Kent State (BSU’s Homecomming)

Overall Record: YS has the Cardinals finishing the 2013 season at 9-3, while OS thinks 10-2, althought before eyeballing each opponent … would have never thought the Cardinals would have that many wins in 2013!

Western Michigan

Non-Conference Games: The Broncos take on Michigan State, Northwestern, & Iowa (Big Ten) all on the road, while welcoming Nichollis State (FCS / Southland Conference) to Kalamazoo! YS Believes AD should be fired… “if you need money that bad go to a bank and get a loan you dope”!! Playing up 3 times, all on the road, is a little (to alot) crazy… 1-3… at best! OS Agrees, the Broncos have traveled to 8 Big Ten Areans in the past 4 years, you guessed right, 0-8, … it will be …. 1-3 for WM in NC games, as they take out their frustration on Nichollis State!

Divisional Games: WM travels to Toledo, Eastern Michigan, & NIU and has sent invitations from Waldo Stadium to Ball State & Central Michigan. YS believs the Broncos go 2-3 in divisional play, losing to NIU, Ball State, & Toledo! OS concurs, 2-3 are the numbers, as the Broncos handle their in-state rivals, Eastern & Central!

Conference Cross-Over Games: WM plays Kent State & Buffalo at Waldo Stadium and then head East to take on U-Mass! YS says 2-1 in cross-over games for WM, they beat Kent State & U-Mass, but fall to Buffalo for the second year in a row. OS thinks YS is right on, 2-1, this is Buffalo’s best team and they find, not only a way in Waldo Stadium,… but they find Waldo, in route to their second bowl game ever!! 

Overall Record: YS & OS agree, 5-7 for WM in 2013 and home for the second season!

Central Michigan

Non-Conference Games: CM (Central Michigan) battles Michigan, UNLV, & NC State away from Kelly/Shorts Stadium and and opens its Stadium’s door wide for New Hampshire (FCS / Colonial Athletic Association) YS thinks 1-3, beating only New Hampshire, CM rarely travels to Non-BCS schools, so the trip to Las Vegas is unusual and will not end well for the Chippewas. OS agrees, CM plays well in the Desert, but not well enough, as the Chippewas finish their NC schedule @ 1-3.

Divisional Games: The Chippewas battle three divisional foes @ home in Kelly/Shorts Stadium; Toledo, NIU & Eastern Michigan and then hit the dusty trail to challenge Ball State & Western Michigan. YS beleives it will be 1-4 for the Chippewas in 2013 divisional play, beating only in-state rival, Eastern Michigan! OS says, right on, 1-4, same losses … same win!

Conference Cross-Over Games: CM plays two of its three cross-over games on the road, @ Miami of OH & Ohio, while welcoming U-Mass to Mt. Pleasant. YS thinks 2-1 beating Miami and U-Mass while falling to Ohio. OS says ‘hold the horses’, CM goes 1-2 in conference cross-over games, stopping only U-Mass!

Overall Record: YS has the Chippewas @ 3-9; OS agrees, 3-9 are the correct numbers in the correct order!

Eastern Michigan

Non-Conference Games: EM battles Penn State (Big Ten), Rutgers (AAC) & Army (FBS Independent) all on the road and has Howard University (FCS Team / MEAC) over to Renearson Stadium for lunch! YS Thinks 1-3, falling to PSU, Rutgers & Army; OS Concurs, 1-3 beating only Washington DC’s Howard University

Divisional Games:In their divisional match-ups, EM travels to NIU, Toledo, & CM while playing host to Ball State & Western Michigan. YS & OS agree, 0-5 for the Eagles in 013! This team’s attendance numbers are pathetic, they averaged 3,923 at home games a year ago. How they remain an FBS Entity is really a question for the Ghost Busters!!

Conference Cross-Over Games: EM plays at Buffalo and hosts Ohio & Bowling Green in Ypsilanti. YS says this ain’t right, the three cross-over games are against the three best teams in the East … 0-3 for the Eagles and it will not be pretty! OS agrees, 0-3 in 013; the good news is there won’t be a whole lot of fans on hand to suffer through this @ Rynearson Stadium!

Overall Record: YS & OS are reading from the same book, page, paragraph, sentence, & line … 1-11!!

 Mid-AmericanConference, West Division vs Non Conference Opponents: 

YS:  The West Division goes 10-14 vs NC opponents; OS: thinks one less win than that 9-15!

YS how they got to 10-14 : MAC West vs BCS opponents 0-12, against FBS teams 4-2,  & when taking on FCS squads 6-0 !

OS 9-15 was earned as follows: MAC West vs BCS opponents 0-12, FBS teams 3-3, & FCS units 6-0.

Based on 24 NC Games (4 NC Games per team)

Mid-American Conference: West Division Standings:

YS  Northern Illinois 5-0 , Toledo 4-1, Ball State 3-2, Western Michigan 2-3, Central Michigan1-4, & Eastern Michigan 0-5.

OS  Northern Illinois 4-1, Toledo 4-1, Ball State 4-1, Western Michigan 2-3, Central Michigan1-4, & Eastern Michigan 0-5.

Based on 5 Divisional Games!

MAC: West Division vs East Division in Conference Cross-Over Games:

YS Northern Illinois 3-0, Ball State 3-0, Toledo 2-1, Western Michigan 2-1, Central Michigan 2-1, & Eastern Michigan 0-3 (West Division wins 12 of 18 games vs the East Division)

OS: Northern Illinois 3-0, Ball State 3-0, Toledo 2-1, Western Michigan 2-1, Central Michigan 1-2, & Eastern Michigan 0-3 (West Division wins 11 of 18 games vs the East Division)

MAC West Division Standings

YS Northern Illinois 8-0, Toledo 6-2, Ball State 6-2, Western Michigan 4-4, Central Michigan 3-5, & Eastern Michigan 0-8,

OS  Northern Illinois 7-1, Ball State 7-1, Toledo 6-2, Western Michigan 4-4, Central Michigan 2-6, & Eastern Michigan 0-8,

Based on 8 Games

Overall Record:

YS: Northern Illinois 10-2, Ball State 9-3, Toledo 8-4, Western Michigan 5-7, Central Michigan 3-9, & Eastern Michigan 1-11

OS: Ball State 10-2, Northern Illinois 9-3, Toledo 7-5, Western Michigan 5-7, Central Michigan 3-9, & Eastern Michigan 1-11

YS  believes 3 teams from the MAC, West Division, are eligible for the second season; OS concurs, 3 teams from the MAC, West Division, play their way into the Bowl Season in 2013! 

Mid-American Championship Game will be discussed in the MAC East Division preview!

 

Next up: MAC East Division!


Posted in AAC, ACC, Akron, Army, Ball State, Big Sky, Big Ten, Bowling Green, Buffalo, C-USA, Central Michigan, Colgate, Colonial Athletic Association, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, FBS Independents, Florida, Howard University, Illinois State, Iowa, Kent State, MAC, MEAC, Miami OH, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Missouri Valley, Mountain West, Navy, NC State, New Hampshire, Nicholls University, Northern Colorado, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Ohio, Ohio Valley, Patriot League, Penn State, Purdue, SEC, Southland Conference, Sun Belt, Tennessee-Martin, Toledo, U-Mass, UNLV, Virginia, Western Michigan |

Mountain West Conference (MWC) Mountain Division Sneak Peek

Mountain West Conference (MWC): Mountain Division

Young Sully (YS) & Old Sully (OS)  were up late with this one, fitting, as we watch these teams battle late @ night during the season! So nothing new to focus on this league in the wee hours of the Wisconsin night!

In studing the teams in the newly aligned MWC, it became clear to us … that the Mountain is the stronger of the two divisions. Boise State, Colorado State (We believe CSU will be one of the big surprises of the 2013 season), Utah State, & Air Force are all capable of beating any team in the West Division … save Fresno State, who appears to be primed to reach double digets wins this season!

Please feel free to comment … we are a staff of two and need all the ideas / thoughts / &  help we can get from all of you!

That said, let’s roll!

Boise State

Non-Conference Games: BSU opens its Non-Conference (NC) run @ Washington (PAC 12), plays UT Martin (FCS / Ohio Valley Conference) & Southern Miss @ Home in Bronco Stadium, and ends its NC schedule in Provo vs BYU! YS thinks 2-2, a shock as BSU plays at 500 in NC games, falling to the Huskies & Cougars OS, agrees, 2-2, last year, BSU beat Washington in the Las Vegas Bowl, 28-26, and now faces them in their season opener in the newly refurbished Husky Stadium! Boise falls to Washington and later to BYU!

Divisional Games: The Broncos take on Air Force, Wyoming, & New Mexico @ home and hit the road to play Utah State & Colorado State. YS thinks the Broncos go 5-0 in the Mountain Division, OS says right on, 5-0, the Broncos will win all 5 divisional games, but in doing so, struggle mightily with Colorado State on the road!

Conference Cross-Over Games: BSU travels to Fresno State & San Diego State while welcoming Nevada to Bronco Stadium! YS believes BSU runs the Table, 3-0 in conference cross-over games. OS says not so fast my friend, 2-1 in Cross-over games, as BSU falls to FSU @ Bulldog Stadium while handling SDSU at Qualcomm Stadium & Nevada @ home!

Overall Record:YS has BSU finishing the 2013 season @ 10-2, OS has the Broncos at 9-3 in the 013 campaign.

Utah State

Non-Conference Games: USU takes on In-State rival Utah & USC (both teams are in the PAC 12) on the road and battle Weber State (FCS /Big Sky) and BYU @ home in Romney Stadium. YS thinks State’s NC schedule is realy tough and has them beating only Weber State. OS concurs, 1-3 is the outcome of these games, USU beats only WSU at home.

Divisional Games: The Aggies take on the Air Force Academy (AFA) & New Mexico on the road and welcome Boise State, Colorado State, & Wyoming to Romney Stadium. YS has USU @ 3-2, beating New Mexico, Wyoming, & Colorado State while falling to Boise State & Air Force. OS says 2-3, the Aggies stop New Mexico & Wyoming, but falter @ AFA (Air Force) and at home, to BSU (Boise State) & CSU (Colorado State)

Conference Cross-Over Games: USU travels to California to challenge SJSU and then journeys’ to the desert to battle UNLV while playing host to the Warriors from Hawaii. YS thinks 3-0, beat SJSU & UNLV on the road and take care of business @ home vs Hawaii. OS agrees, 3-0 are the numbers for the Aggies in their conference cross-over games.

Overall Record: YS believes the Aggies finish @ 7-5 and play their way into the second season; OS says amen to that, it is 7-5 for USU in 2013!

Colorado State

Non-Conference Games: CSU takes on in-state rival, Colorado @ a nuetral site, Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, take on Tulsa (C-USA), Alabama (From the Mighty SEC) on the road and play two NC games at home, CalPoly (FCS Team / Big Sky Conference) & UTEP (from C-USA). YS says, 4-1, falling to only Alabama OS agrees, the Rams go a surprising 4-1 against a tough NC Schedule, losing to only the Tide.

Divisional Games: CSU plays host to Boise State & Air Force while traveling to Wyoming, New Mexico, & Utah State. YS has the Rams @ 3-2 in 013, losing at home to BSU & on the road to USU. OS says, ‘hold the horses’ CSU is back, 4-1, falling only to BSU!

Conference Cross-Over Games: The Rams challenge SJSU & Nevada at home in Hughes Stadium and play their lone, road, cross-over game in Hawaii. YS thins it is 2-1 for CSU in 2013, faltering only once in Conference Cross-Over Games, against SJSU away from Hughes Stadium & Fort Collins. OS has CSU going 3-0 in their conference cross-over games, in part, by the luck of the draw, the Rams avoid Fresno State & San Deigo State in these cross divisional battles.

Overall Record: YS thinks it is a reversal, 9-4 in 013 from the 4-8 record the Rams posted in 012. OS surprised himself with his results, 11-2, for CSU in 2013!

Air Force

Non-Conference Games: AFA takes on Colgate (Thats right … Colgate from the Patriot League), Notre Dame, & Army all at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs. Their lone road NC game is vs the Naval Academy. YS thinks the Falcons go 3-1  in their NC schedule, being beaten by only ND. OS disagrees, 2-2 for AFA in 2013, falling to both ND & Navy.

Divisional Games: The Falcons take on BSU, New Mexico, & CSU on the road and welcome Utah State & Wyoming to Falcon Stadium. YS  has the Falcons going 2-3 in divisional play, losing to BSU& CSU on the road & USU @ home. OS says the numbers are right 2 & 3, but in the wrong order; AFA goes 3-2 in divisional play beating USU, Wyoming, & New Mexico while losing to Boise State & CSU.

Conference Cross-Over Games: The Falcons travel to Reno to take on Nevada while battling SDSU & UNLV at home in Falcon Stadium. YS thinks 1-2 in cross-over games, as AFA’s only win is against UNLV.  OS predicts it will be 2-1 for the Falcons in conference cross-over games, falling to just San Diego State @ home.

Overall Record: YS has Air Force @ 6-6, taking to the air for the 2013 Bowling season, landing sometime/somewhere in a December Bowl OS has the Air Force @ 7-5 in 2013 & in the second season. 

Wyoming

Non-Conference Games: The Cowboys play @ Nebraska (Big Ten) & Texas State (Sun Belt) while hosting Idaho (FBS Independent) & Northern Colorado (FCS Team / Big Sky Conference) YS has the Cowboys @ 3-1, riding that bull through most of their NC schedule, being thrown by only Nebraska. OS agrees, the ‘Boys’ go 3-1 in NC play, falling to the Huskers in Lincoln.

Divisional Games: Wyoming takes on AFA, BSU, & USU all on the road while putting out the welcoming mat in front of War Memorial Statdium for New Mexico & CSU. YS thinks Dave Christensen (WY Head Coach) is in for a long year in divisional play, 0-5. OS says it will be bad, but not that bad, a 1-4 divisional experience for the Cowboys, in 013, beating only New Mexico.

Conference Cross-Over Games: Wyoming host Fresno State & Hawaii and hits the trail to battle San Jose State. YS believes the ‘pokes’ go 0-3 in cross-over tilts while OS says ditto … oops … not so fast, Wyoming goes 1-2 in these cross-over games finding a way against Hawaii. 

Overall Record: YS has the Cowboys @ 4-8 and home for the Holidays, OS thinks Wyoming finishes @ 5-7 in 013 & working the TV remotes, watching (not playing) in the post-season!

New Mexico

Non-Conference Games: The Lobos play the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) & in-state rival New Mexico State @ home in University Stadium. Their other 2 NC games are at the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) & at Pittburgh. YS thinks the Lobos win three of their four NC games; Coach Davie’s teams falls to ACC newcomer, Pitt! OS says amen to 3-1, the Lobos beat UTSA, UTEP & NMSU dropping only 1 NC game to Pitt!

Divisional Games: New Mexico plays two divisional games on the road, @ Wyoming & Boise State and challenge Utah State, Air Force & Colorado State @ home in University Stadium. YS has the Lobos @ 1-4, beating Wyoming in Laramie. OS sees a tough year for Bob Davie’s club, as the Lobos go 0-5 in the Mountain Division.

Conference Cross-Over Games: The luck of the draw did not help the Lobos in cross-over opponents, as they drew Fresno State & San Diego State, the two best teams in the West Division & to make a tough situation tougher, they play them on the road, their one home tilt is with UNLV. YS has the Lobos @ 1-2, beating UNLV  in Albuquerque. OS says while the Lobos will compete in these games, the results will not reflect their efforts, 0-3 in conference cross-over games.

Overall Record: YS thinks it will be a 5-7 season, with NM needing one more win to play its way into the second season. OS believes New Mexico finishes their 2013 campaign with a 3-9 record & out of the bowl season.

 Mountain West Conference, Mountain Division vs Non Conference Opponents: 

YS:  The Mountain Division goes 16-9 vs NC opponents; OS: thinks one less win than that 15-10!

YS how they got to 16-9 : vs BCS opponents 1-7, against FBS teams 10-2,  & when taking on FCS squads 5-0 !

OS 15-10 was earned as follows: MWC Mountain Division VS BCS opponents 1-7, FBS teams 9-3, & FCS units, 5-0

Based on 25 NC Games (CSU plays 5 NC Games)

Mountain West Conference: Mountain Division Standings:

YS  Boise State 5-0 , Utah State 3-2, Colorado State 3-2, Air Force 2-3, New Mexico 1-4, & Wyoming 0-5.

OS  Boise State 5-0, Colorado State 4-1, Air Force 3-2, Utah State 2-3, Wyoming 1-4, & New Mexico 0-5.

Based on 5 Divisional Games!

MWC: Mountain Division vs West Division in Conference Cross-Over Games:

YS Boise State 3-0, Utah State 3-0, Colorado State 2-1, Air Force 1-2, New Mexico 1-2, & Wyoming 0-3 (Mountain Division wins 10 of 18 games vs the West Division)

OS: Colorado State 3-0, Utah State 3-0, Boise State 2-1, Air Force 2-1, Wyoming 1-2, & New Mexico 0-3. (Mountain Division over West Division …  11 wins to 7 losses)

MWC Mountain Division Standings

YS Boise State 8-0, Utah State 6-2, Colorado State 5-3, Air Force 3-5, New Mexico 2-6, & Wyoming 1-7,

OS Boise State 7-1, Colorado 7-1, Air Force 5-3, Utah State 5-3, Wyoming 2-6, NewMexico 0-8.

Based on 8 Games

Overall Record:

YS: Boise State 10-2, Colorado State 9-4, Utah State 7-5, Air Force 6-6, New Mexico 5-7, & Wyoming 4-8

OS: Colorado State 11-2, Boise State 9-3, Air Force 7-5, Utah State 7-5, Wyoming 5-7, & New Mexico 3-9

YS  believes 4 teams from the MWC, Mountain Division, are eligible for the second season; while OS concurs, 4 teams from the MWC, Mountain Division, play their way into the Bowl Season in 2013! 

Mountain West Championship Game

YS: Thinks Boise State takes on Fresno State in the MWC Championship … with the same results as their earlier meeting, Boise Sate University Wins the MWC… Again! Chris Petersen may be the best coach in all of college football, 84-8 @ BSU, C’mon, is that even real? If he goes 10-2, & wins the league with only 9 starters back… well let’s stop calling him one of the best coaches in college football …  94-10 … he is simply not one of the best!

OS: A rematch between Fresno State from the West vs Boise State from the Mountain. This time Chris Peterson’s team is no longer inexperience (Only 9 straters return from the Broncos 2012 roster) and it shows, as Boise State beats Fresno State for the MWC Championship!

Next up: MAC West Division!



Posted in AAC, ACC, Air Force, Alabama, Army, Big Sky, Boise State, BYU, Colgate, Colorado, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Mountain West, Navy, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Colorado, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, San Diego State, San Jose State, Texas State, UNLV, USC, Utah, Utah State, UTEP, UTSA, Washington, Weber State, Wyoming |

Mountain West Conference, West Division Sneak Peek

The Mountain West has a new look in 2013, for the first time in its history it will feature two divisions (West & Mountain) and will have a championship game in early December! The league has taken some big hits lately, losing BYU (FBS Independent), Utah (PAC 12), and TCU (Big 12), but has weathered the storm and gets an A for making the best of a difficult situation. The key was keeping Boise State in the fold, the Broncos (best team not in a BCS conference, who were headed to the Big East, now the AAC, elected to stay in the MWC) presence has the immediate effect of making the MWC the best of the Non-BCS Leagues! Young Sully (YS) & Old Sully (OS) met at BWW’s and hammered out MWC predictions!

If there is to be change at the top in the MWC, the time is now. Perenial power, Boise State has only 9* starters back from last year’s team, the fewest in a conference where many teams are returning the vast majority of their starters from 2012  (* means QB is back): Fresno State 16*, San Diego State 15, UNLV 18*, Hawaii 16*, Utah State 14*, Colorado State 17*, & Wyoming 14*! The ‘Mountain’ has a whole lot of experienced players returning for the 2013 season!

That said, let’s begin in the West Division with our Sneak Peek!

West Division

Fresno State

Non-Conference Games:The Bulldogs take on take on Rutgers (Big East/AAC) & Cal Poly (FCS Big Sky) @ home and travel to Colorado (Big 12) & Idaho (FBS Independent) YS thinks 3-1, losing to Rutgers out of the AAC, while OS believes 4-0, as the Bulldogs run the table vs non-conference opponents in 2013. The big win is its season opener vs Rutgers, at home, on Thursday, August 29th!

Divisional Games: Fresno State  takes on UNLV & Nevada @ home and travels to Hawaii, San Jose State & San Diego State! YS pontificates a perfect divisional record, 5-0! OS believes 4-1 for the Bulldogs in 2013, falling on the road to San Deigo State!

Conference Cross-Over Games: Three conference cross-over tilts, @ Wyoming and home for the Boise State & New Mexico games. YS has Fresno falling only to Boise State, 2-1 in cross-over contests while OS declares the year of the Bulldog; as Fresno finally has its way against Boise and takes care of business vs New Mexico @ home and Wyoming in Laramie, 3-0 in cross-over contests!

Overall Record: YS has FSU @ 10-2 in 013! OS says; Fresno State completes its best season in years, 11 wins to 1 loss!

San Diego State

Non-Conference Games: San Deigo State has a tough NC schedule, taking on Ohio State (Big Ten) & Oregon State (PAC 12), both games on the road and welcomes New Mexico State (FBS Independent) & Eastern Illinois (FCS / Ohio Valley Conference) to Qualcomm Stadium! YS thinks SD State’s NC schedule is overwhelming and has SDSU going 2-2, falling to Ohio State & Oregon State, OS says ditto, the Aztec’s finish @ 2-2 in NC play, losing to both OSUs!

Divisional Games: SDSU travels to SJSU, Hawaii, & UNLV and hosts Fresno State & Nevada! YS thinks 4-1 for the Aztecs, going down against Fresno State. OS agrees 4-1, however, the Aztecs fall to the Spartans (SJSU), while shocking FSU (Fresno State) @ home!

Conference Cross-Over Games: State travels to Air Force while welcoming New Mexico & Boise State to Qualcomm Stadium! YS says, SDSU beats Air Force & New Mexico but lose to BSU OS says right on, 2 & 1 are the numbers, as SDSU falls short vs BSU (Boise State)!

Overall Record: YS has the Aztecs @ 8-4, while OS concurs, 8-4, both agree that SDSU’s NC schedule (The OSU’s) keep the Aztecs from achieving double diget wins in 2013. 

San Jose State

Non-Conference Games: SJSU takes on Stanford (PAC 12) & Minnesota (Big Ten) away from the friendly confines of Spartan Stadium. While welcoming Sacramento State (FCS Team / Big Sky Conference) and Navy (FBS Independent) to San Jose! YS thinks the SJSU struggles with Stanford and Minnesota on the road, while winning both home games against Sacramento State & Navy!. OS says, absolutely 2-2, the Spartans fall to the BCS teams while handling Navy (beat the Midshipmen the last two years, 27-24 in 011 & 12-0 in 012) & Sacramento State!

Divisional Games: The Spartans travel to Nevada twice, to play UNLV & the University of Nevada and also visit Hawaii @ Aloha Stadium! The other two California teams, Fresno State & SDSU visit Spartan Stadium! YS believes 2-3  for the Spartans in their divisional battles, losing to both California teams & Nevada. OS interrupts; ‘hold the prsses’ … the Spartans go 4-1 in divisional play, winning all three on the road and go 1-1 @ home, falling to Fresno State while stopping SDSU!

Conference Cross-Over Games: SJSU travels to Fort Collins to take on Colorado State while putting out the welcoming mat for Utah State & Wyoming! YS has Spartans going 2-1, losing to only Utah State. OS says the numbers 2 & 1 are right, but in the wrong order, SJSU goes 1-2, beating only Wyoming, in the their conference cross-over games!

Overall Record: YS thinks a 6-6 season is in the stars for the Spartans in 2013 season, OS agrees 6-6 for the Spartans as they step up a notch in competition from the WAC (Disbanded as a FBS football conference after the 2012 season) to the Mountain West.

Nevada

Non-Conference Games: The Wolf Pack’s NC schedule is daunting as they travel to LA to take on the Bruins of UCLA & then trek across the country to Tallahassee, to battle the Seminoles of FSU. They then welcome UC Davis (An FCS Team from the Big Sky) & end their 2013 season against a very good BYU team @ Mackay Stadium! YS thinks, 1-3, the Wolf Pack will have a hard time getting to 6 wins (The number needed to be bowl eligible) given the nature & difficulity of their NC schedule. OS thinks two things, 1-3 in NC play & the AD needs to start sleeping for two, as Brian Polian, his University’s coach, will be up all night with this NC schedule!

Divisional Games: Nevada plays Hawaii, UNLV & San Jose State @ home and hits the road to take on SDSU & Fresno State. YS says, 3-2, the Wolf Pack handle Hawaii, UNLV & SJSU all at home, while losing both road trips. OS believes 2-3 in divisional play for the ‘Pack’, as they fall to SJSU @ home and go winless away from Mackay Stadium.

Conference Cross-Over Games: The Wolf Pack’s late evening howls will continue to fill the night as one views their conference cross over opponents. Nevada plays three of the 4 best teams in the Mountain Division of the MWC, Air Force @ home and then head for Idaho to challenge Boise State, and then climb the Rockies in route to Fort Collins to lock horns with the Rams of Colorado State! YS thinks 2-1 in cross-over games, the Wolves beat AFA & CSU and stumble to only BSU!  OS says, not so fast my friend, 0-3 in Conference Cross-Over games, Air Force, Colorado State & Boise State all find a way vs the Wolf Pack!

Overall Record: YS has Nevada @ 6-6, while OS has the Wolf Pack at 3-9 for the 2013 campaign.

Hawaii

Non-Conference Games: Hawaii opens its season on Thursday Night, August 29, vs USC @ Aloha Stadium. The warriors travel to Oregon State & then to Annapolis to battle the Naval Academy. Hawaii concludes its season at home vs Army. YS. says, Hawaii is winless in NC play, falling to Army in its season finale. OS disagrees, 1-3, the Warroirs of Hawaii defeat the Black Knights of Army.

Divisional Games: Hawaii plays all three California teams in Hawaii & travels twice to Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) & Rena (Nevada). YS thinks, winless again, the Warriors fall in all 5 divisonal tilts. OS believes the Warriors go 1-4, beating UNLV in the desert. (Hey, they do like sand)!!!

Conference Cross-Over Games: The Old Rainbow Warriors host Colorado State while traveling to Logan, UT (Utah State) & Laramie, WY, to face the Cowboys. YS thinks 1-2 beating Wyoming in Laramie, OS thinks differently, 0-3, losing a close one in Laramie!

Overall Record: YS thinks 2013 will be a long one for the Warriors, 1-11. OS agrees, well, close, 2-10, for the Warriors in 013.

UNLV

Non-Conference Games: The Rebels play host to Arizona (PAC 12), Central Michigan (MAC) & Western Illinois (FCS Team from the Missouri valley Conference) while traveling to the Mid-west to take on the Golden Gophers of Minnesota (Big Ten) YS foresses a 2-2 mark in NC contests, stumbling agaists the Big Ten (Minnesota) & the PAC 12 (Arizona). OS agrees, 2-2, finding a way against the Leathernecks (WIU) & the Chippewas (CMU) while falling to the Wildcats (Arizona) & Gophers (Minnesota)

Divisional Games: UNLV lines up against Hawaii, SJSU, & SDSU @ Sam Boyd Stadium and hit the dusty trail to battle Fresno State & Nevada. YS believes 1-4, as the Rebels handle the Warriors in the desert …’the Warriors do not like sand as much as the old man thinks’! OS believes 0-5, it will a tuff year for Bobby Hauck, as his team fails to win a divisional game.

Conference Cross-Over Games: Las Vegas travels to Albuquerque to take on New Mexico and later to Colorado Springs to battle Air Force, while welcoming Utah State to Sam Boyd Stadium. YS has the Rebels @ 1-2 in cross-over games, beating New Mexico on the road. OS agrees, the Rebels win in Albuquerque but fall @ home to USU & to AFA in Colorado Springs.

Overall Record: YS believes it is 3-9 for UNLV in the coming season! OS says, right on, the Rebels go 3-9 in 2013.

 Mountain West Conference, West Division vs Non Conference Opponents: 

YS: 10-14 vs NC opponents OS: thinks 12-12!

YS how they got to 10-14 : vs BCS opponents 1-11, against FBS teams 4-3,  & when taking on FCS squads, 5-0!

OS 12-12 was earned as follows: MWC West VS BCS opponents 2-10, FBS teams 5-2, & FCS units, 5-0

Based on 24 NC Games

Mountain West Conference:  West Division Standings:

YS  Fresno State 5-0, San Diego State 4-1, Nevada 3-2, San Jose State 2-3, UNLV 1-4,  & Hawaii 0-5.

OS  Fresno State 4-1, San Deigo State 4-1, San Jose State 4-1, Nevada 2-3, Hawaii 1-4, & UNLV 0-5.

Based on 5 Divisional Games!

MWC: West Division vs Mountain Division

YS Fresno State 2-1, San Diego State 2-1, San Jose State 1-2, Nevada 1-2, Hawaii 1-2, & UNLV 1-2. (West DivisionTeams beats Mountaian Division Teams in 8 of 18 Games)!

OS: Fresno State 3-0, San DiegoState 2-1, San Jose State 1-2, UNLV 1-2, Nevada 0-3, & Hawaii 0-3. (West Division wins 7 of 18 games played vs the Mountain Division)!

Mountain West Conference Record:

YS: Fresno State 7-1, San Deigo State 6-2, Nevada 4-4, San Jose State 3-5, Hawaii 2-6  UNLV 1-7.

OS: Fresno State 7-1, San Deigo State 6-2, San Jose State 5-3, Nevada 4-4,  Hawaii 1-7, & UNLV 1-7 

Overall Record:

YS: Fresno State 10-2, San Diego State 8-4, San Jose State 6-6, Nevada 5-7, UNLV 3-9 & Hawaii 2-10

OS: Fresno State 11-1, San Deigo State 8-4, San Jose State 7-5, Nevada 3-9, UNLV 3-9, & Hawaii 2-10

YS  believes 3teams from the MWC, West Division, are eligible for the second season; while OS agrees 3 teams from the MWC, West Division, play their way into the Bowl Season in 2013! 

Next up: MWC Mountain Division!



Posted in 2012 / 2013 Bowl Game, AAC, ACC, Air Force, Arizona, Army, Big 12, Big Sky, Big Ten, Boise State, BYU, Cal Poly, Central Michigan, Colorado, Colorado State, Eastern Illinois, FBS Independents, Florida State, Fresno State, Hawaii, MAC, Minnesota, Missouri Valley, Mountain West, Navy, Nevada, New Mexico, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ohio Valley, Oregon State, PAC 12, Sacramento State, San Diego State, San Jose State, Stanford, TCU, UC Davis, UNLV, USC, Utah State, Western Illinois, Wyoming |

AAC (American Athletic Conference) Sneak Preview

You have to love the confusion that all these conference realignments are creating, the Big Ten has twelve teams (soon to be 14), the Big Twelve has ten teams and recently stated they do not want to go back to 12. Then we have the PAC 8, no no, make that the PAC 10, wait a minute … change that to the PAC 12! I don’t know about you, but I would feel better about this if they called themselves the 12 PAC! I would have one (or 12) as one tries to keep up with college football’s “race for the dollars”!

Now We have the AAC (former Big East) not to be mistaken for the ACC, no similarities here, OK… maybe some similar letters; best wishes to those of you who struggle with letter inversion or Dyslexia! You could complain to the NCAA about its DI format as it relates to the FBS / FCS or what the BCS’ relationship is to all these Acronyms? Good luck with that….. as for me, I am just to keep straight who is playing who & is it a conference game?

I think it is fair to state that the current American Athletic Conference does not resemble its former self, the Big East! In fact, I would say it was the BIG EAST only in basketball  …. never football; and Oh Yeah, the 7 Catholic schools have kept the name Big East for their B-Ball Conference 🙂 …. that shouldn’t add to the confusion …. @#$$$%^!

Today, the ACC, Whoops, I mean the AAC is neither East or Big! With new members from C-USA and more coming  (East Carolina and Tulane) in 2014  & a couple going (Louisville to the ACC & Rutgers to the Big Ten in 014) you will need an eraser for your conference scorecard! Oh yeah, do not forget, Navy is on the horizon for membership in 2015!

That said, this conference should be very competitive and some of the on field match-ups intriguing!  The league has 10 teams (for now) and will play 8 conference games … meaning everyone misses someone! Alright …let’s take a sneak peek!

Louisville (UL)

Non Conference Schedule: UL plays Ohio a MAC team, Eastern Kentucky, a FCS team from the Ohio Valley, & Florida International (FIU) from C-USA @ home and Kentucky from the Mighty SEC on the road! YS thinks 4-0, UL faces few challenges in thier non-conference schedule and should roll against this competition! OS agrees, 4-0, Kentucky, while playing in a much better conference than Louisville is the weakest team in the Mighty SEC and like a year ago, the Cardinals will find a way!

League Games: The Cardinals take on Temple, USF, U-Conn, & Cincinnati on the road and challenge Rutgers, UCF, Houston, and Memphis @ home. They do not play SMU! YS says 8-0, having Rutgers & UCF @ home is helpful to UL’s undefeated AAC run. Although, the Cincinnati game, in Cincy, looms big on December 5! OS thinks 8-0 as well, & agrees getting Rutgers & UCF at home allows the Cardinals all the edge they need to prove that last year’s win against Florida, in the Sugar Bowl, was no fluke.

Overall Record: YS thinks 12-0 is the conclusion you reach when you look at the Cardinal’s schedule game by game, put simply, no team in the AAC is as good as Louisville. OS believes Louisville, giving their schedule, talent, and leadership, HC, Charlie Strong & All American QB, Teddy Bridgewater, is heading for a BCS Bowl and a possible birth in the National Championship Game in Pasadena. Expectations are high in UL country, high to a point, that a 9-3 slate would be a disappointment!

University of Central Florida (UCF)

Non Conference Schedule: UCF takes on Akron from the MAC, & South Carolina from the Mighty SEC – both games are at home and travel to Miami to take on FIU and north to Pennsylvania to challenge Penn State. YS says 2-2, South Carolina has their way with the Knights, while UCF battles PSU before falling late. OS agrees 2-2, UCF gets hammered @ home by SC and beaten soundly by Penn State in Happy Valley, while prevailing against the Zips @ home & the Golden Panthers in FIU Stadium!

League Games: The Knights play host to U-Conn, Houston, Rutgers, & USF and hit the road to to take on Memphis, Louisville, Temple, & SMU. UCF does not play Cincy! YS thinks 6-2, losing on Thursday night at home to Rutgers & @ Louisville on 10/18! OS believes 6-2 is the final destination, but foresees a different journey; agrees that UCF will fall to Louisville but thinks the Knights beat Rutgers @ home and then lose to in-state rival, USF, on Nov. 29th,  a Friday night battle @ home!

Overall Record: YS thinks that their 8-4 record is deceptive and that UCF may be the second best team in the AAC! OS says ditto, UCF finishes @ 8-4 because of its difficult Non-Conference Schedule, South Carolina (anywhere) & Penn State (in Happy Valley)! Given a lighter load in their NC games, UCF could be heading to a January bowl in the 2014!

Cincinnati

Non Conference Schedule: Cincy plays at Illinois & Miami on the road and welcomes Purdue & Northwestern State, a FCS team from the Southland Conference to Nippert Stadium. YS  has Beracats @ 3-1, losing to only Purdue OS says ‘ not so fast my friend’, the Bearcats go 4-0, beating 2 of the Big Ten’s weakest teams and simply run all over Miami (not the self proclaimed ‘Bad Boys’ from Coral Gables… that is, bad unless it is cold out … then they are ‘shivering nobodies’ …. just watch film from their fiascoes with the Badgers & the Irish,  shameful for a team with Miami’s history) that is,Miami of Ohio & Northwestern State (not Northwestern from the Big Ten)

League Games: The Bearcats play at USF, Memphis, Rutgers, & Houston, a tough  row to hoe, while inviting Temple, U-Conn, SMU, & Louisville to Cincinnati. YS believes 6-2, losing two tough road games to Rutgers & Louisville in November! OS thinks ‘right on’ 6 & 2 are the numbers, losing on the road to Rutgers (the Scarlet Knights have beaten Cincinnati in their last two meetings (10-3 in 2012 & 20-3 in 2011) and falling @ home to Louisville.

Overall Record: YS has Cincinnati @ 9-3 in 2013, while OS thinks the Bearcats go 10-2 in the coming season! The Purdue game being the difference!

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Non Conference Schedule: June Jones’ 2012 team is half gone, as SMU has lost 5 starters on offense & 6 on defense. Their non-conference schedule is beyond SMU’s athleticism & skill levels, although, I am sure, their mental toughness is welcoming the challenge, after-all … they are fromTexas!! The Mustangs rangle with Texas Tech @ home and then hitch up the wagons & travel to Texas A&M and TCU! Not Good for wins in the NC phase of the schedule!! They do get a break on Sept. 7, when they welcome Montana State to Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. YS 1-3, but thinks this tough NC (Non-Conference) schedule could pay dividends when AAC play rolls around! OS concurs 1-3 is the most likely outcome here given the talent of the 2 Big 12 teams and the one SEC squad!

League Games: The good news is SMU does not play Louisville, the AAC’s best team! That said, they do travel to Memphis, Cincinnati, USF, & Houston! While playing Rutgers, Temple, U-Conn, & UCF on their home turf! YS thinks 3-5 is written in the Stars for SMU, beating Memphis on the road & Temple & U-Conn at home. OS states, Right-on, 3 & 5 are the numbers as the ‘Stangs’ go down to Cincy, USF & Houston away from Dallas & fall at home to Rutgers & UCF!.

Overall Record: YS thinks 4-8, the loss of 11 players from last years team and a new conference will slow the Mustangs to a side-ways trot in 2013 OS says 4-8, the Mustangs young team never fully recover from their non-conference poundings!

Rutgers

Non Conference Schedule: The Scarlet Knights take on Fresno State ( Mountain West Conference) in their season opener and then play Norfolk State (MEAC), Eastern Michigan (MAC), & Arkansas, from the Mighty SEC, all @ home, in High Point Stadium! YS believes 3-1, losing at home to Arkansas, OS agrees with 3-1, but disagrees with how Rutgers arrives at those numbers, the Knight beat the Razorbacks from the Mighty SEC @ home but fall to Bulldogs in Fresno!

League Games: Rutgers hits the trail for Texas to Play SMU, then travels to Louisville, UCF, & U-Conn while battling Houston, Temple Cincinnati, & USF at home. YS says 7-1 for the Scarlet Knights in league play, losing only to Louisville in Papa John Cardinal Stadium! OS says close, but no cigar, Rutgers also falls at UCF to finish 6-2 in AAC play.

Overall Record: YS unlike many national publications has Rutgers roaring, building on the 9-4 season a year ago and finishing at 10-2 in the regular season. OS thinks the the Knight go 9-3 in the 2013 campaign, the difference being a Rutgers loss in the Nov. 21 game at UCF! 

Houston

Non Conference Schedule: The Cougars welcome Southern a FCS team from the SWAC & BYU, an FBS Independent to their home turf & then take on UTSA from the Sun Belt Conference in San Antonio, and meet Rice at Reliant Stadium (Reliant Stadium is ther NFL’S Houston Texans Home Arena) YS & OS agree 3-1, Houston falls to only BYU at home. It should be noted that Houston will play all of its 2013 home games at Reliant Stadiun, the Rice was identified becouse that game was scheduled there (not at the Cougars or Owls home field) as both teams are located in Houston!

League Games: Houston travels to Temple, Rutgers, UCF, & Louisville while inviting Memphis, USF, Cincy, & SMU to Reliant Stadium. YS believes the Cougars finish 3-5 in conference play, beating Temple on the road, & Memphis & SMU at home. OS concurs 3-5, with the same results in each conference contest!

Overall Record: YS & OS see the Cougars 2013 season exactly alike, 6-6, winning & losing to the same opponents!

University of Connecticut (U-Conn)

Non Conference Schedule:U-Conn takes on Towson from the CAA, Maryland an ACC Team (for now, Big Ten in 2014), & Michigan, Big Ten @ home and travels to Buffalo, a MAC Team, to play the Bulls. YS has the Huskies at 2-2, losing to Maryland & Michigan at home! OS agrees, 2-2, the Huskies pound Towson & Buffalo!

League Games: Connecticut plays USF, Louisville, Rutgers, & Memphis @ Rentschler Field and hit the road to battle Cincinnati, UCF, SMU, & Temple! YS proclaims 3-5 for the Huskies in league play, beating SMU on the road and Temple & Memphis @ home, OS says, hold the horses, more like 2-6, with U-Conn beating only SMU & Memphis!

Overall Record: YS thinks U-Conn goes 5-7 in 2013 while OS says 4–8! It should be noted, nearly every year U-Conn, somehow, out-performs our predictions. We know this, yet we continue to project them with few wins; We seem to be caught in Einstein’s insanity loop ” keep doing the same thing and expect a different result” That said, Einstein’s a dope … 5-7  & 4-8 … let the games begin!

University of South Florida (USF)

Non Conference Schedule: The Bulls take on McNeese State, a FCS team from the Southland Conference, FAU, from C-USA (Former Sun Belt Member), & Miami (the Bad Boys) all at home, while heading north to play their one NC road game, @ Spartan Stadium, vs MSU! YS & OS agree, 2-2 in NC tilts, beating McNeese State & Florida Atlantic while going down to Miami & Michigan State!

League Games: USF welcomes Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis, & SMU while packing their bags and heading for U-Conn, Houston, UCF, & Rutgers! YS pontificates 4-4, beating U-Conn, Houston, Memphis & SMU while falling to Cincy, UL, UCF, & Rutgers! OS says “hold the presses”, agrees with all of the above with one exception, USF shocks in-state rival, UCF, earning a 5-3 mark in 2013!

Overall Record: YS has USF @ 6-6 and into the Bowl Season! OS thinks 7-5 and agrees that the Bulls will be playing in a December Bowl!

Temple

Non Conference Schedule: The Owls visit polar opposites in college football lore, as they travel to Notre Dame to open their 2013 season and then, a couple of weeks later, head for Idaho, a FBS Independent! They welcome Fordhan, a member of the Patriot League (well; sort of … Fordham began giving scholarships in 2011, other league members do not, so while the Rams play a Patriot schedule, they are banned from winning the conference) & Army, a FBS Independent to their home Stadiun, Lincoln Financial Field. YS & OS agree 3-1 for the Owls in NC play! The Owls play three teams who are currently from the Independent ranks!

League Games: Temple hosts Houston, UL, UCF, & U-Conn and sets sail for Cincy, SMU, Rutgers, & Memphis! YS believes 1-7, beating only Memphis in AAC play, OS thinks 2-6 as the Owls handle Memphis on the road & U-Conn @ home!

Overall Record: YS thinks 4-8 for the Owls in 2013, OS says more like 5-7 for Temple this coming season. Either way, the ‘Big Eyed Birds’ fail to win 6 games & are home for the second season!

Memphis

Non Conference Schedule: The Tigers play Duke, Arkansas State, & Tennessee Martin @ home and face an in-state opponent, Middle Tennessee State on the road! YS has Memphis 2-2 in NC play, beating Arkansas State & UT Martin OS agrees, 2-2, the Tigers fall to Duke & MTSU!

League Games: Memphis challenges UCF, SMU, Cincinnati, & Temple @ home and hits the road to play Houston, USF, UL, & U-Conn! YS & OS agree 0-8, a long year as an improving Memphis, who have stepped up a notch in competition (AAC) and will be lining up against unfamilure opponents. While there is a good chance the Tigers will field a better team (16 starters return) than in 2012, it will not be reflected on the scoreboard

Overall Record: YS & OS agree, 2-10 for Memphis in 2013. That said, look for competitive games from this group and possible surprises as they do have a ‘ton’ of experience on both sides of the ball!

American Athletic Conference vs Non Conference Opponents: 

YS: 25-15 vs NC opponents OS: 26-14

 YS how they got to 25-15: vs BCS opponents 2-13; against FBS teams, 14-2 & when taking on FCS squads, 9-0

OS 26-14 was earned as follows: AAC VS BCS opponents 4-11, FBS teams 13-3, & FCS units, 9-0

Based on 40 NC Games

AAC Conference Standings:

YS: Louisville 8-0, Rutgers 7-1, UCF 6-2, Cincinnati 6-2, USF 4-4, Houston 3-5, SMU 3-5, U-Conn 3-5, Temple 1-7, & Memphis 0-8

OS: Louisville 8-0, UCF 6-2, Rutgers 6-2, Cincinnati 6-2, USF 5-3, Houston 3-5, SMU 3-5, Temple 2-6, U-conn 2-6, & Memphis 0-8

Based on 8 Conference Games!

Overall Record: 

YS: Louisville 12-0, Rutgers 10-2, Cincinnati 9-3, UCF 8-4, USF 6-6, Houston 6-6, U-Conn 5-7, SMU 4-8, Temple 4-8, Memphis 2-10

 OS: Louisville 12-0, Cincinnati 10-2, Rutgers 9-3, UCF 8-4, USF 7-5, Houston 6-6, Temple 5-7, U-Conn 4-8, SMU 4-8, Memphis 2-10 

YS & OS Agree 6 teams from the AAC will be Bowl Eligible in 2013! 

Posted in AAC, ACC, Akron, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Army, Big Ten, Buffalo, BYU, C-USA, Cincinnati, Colonial Athletic Association, Connecticut, Duke, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, FBS Independents, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Fordham University, Fresno State, Houston, Illinois, MAC, McNeese State, MEAC, Memphis, Miami FL, Miami OH, Michigan, Michigan State, Middle Tennessee, Montana State, Norfolk State, Northwestern State, Notre Dame, Ohio, Ohio Valley, Penn State, Purdue, Rice, SMU, South Carolina, South Florida, Southern University, TCU, Temple, Tennessee-Martin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Towson, UCF, UTSA |