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ACC Coastal Division Sneak Preview

The ACC’s Coastal Division is made of seven teams; Miami, Georgia Tech (GT), Virginia Tech (VT), Virginia, Duke, University of North Carolina (UNC) & Pittsburgh. The Atlantic Division, reviewed in a previous blog, also has 7 teams; North Carolina State, Clemson, Maryland, Boston College (BC), Florida State (FSU), Syracuse, & Wake Forest (WF), leaving the ACC with a total of 14 teams. Maryland will be exitingthe league next year (2014) for the Big 10 while Louisville will be saying Bye Bye to the AAC (American Athletic Conference) & entering the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference).

Sully’s CFP believes the two best teams in the ACC reside in the Atlantic Division, Clemson & Florida State, that said, we believe the next 4 best are in the Coastal Division. Read on and tell us what you think!

Miami

Non Conference Opponents: Miami hosts Florida Atlantic, Florida, Savannah State, & travels to South Florida, the ‘Canes’ do not laeve the state of Florida to play a football game until the 17th of October (@ UNC), the eighth week of the season! YS has the Huricanes going 3-1, falling to only the Gators, OS agrees, 3-1 heading into conference play!

Divisional Games: Miami hits the road for games with UNC, FSU, Duke, & Pitt and welcomes, to Sun Life Stadium, GT, WF, VT, & Virginia. YS thinks 5-1 in divisional play, losing to only VT, OS agrees 5-1, but has the Canes beating VT while falling to GT.

Conference Cross Over Games: Miami takes on WF @ home & FSU on the road. YS & OS agree 1-1, beating Wake and falling to the Seminoles!

Overall Record: YS & OS believe that the Huricanes make landfall @ 9-3!

Georgia Tech:

 Non Conference Opponents: The Rambling Wreck take on Elon, a FCS team from the Southern Conference, Alabama A&M, another FCS team from the SWAC, & Georgia @ home, while traveling to Provo, to line up against BYU. YS & OS concur, the Yellow Jackets go  2-2 beating the FCS teams while falling to the Cougars on the road & the Bulldogs @ home. 

 Divisional Games: The ‘Jackets’ play UNC, VT, & Pitt @ home & hit the road to challenge Duke, Miami, & Virginia. YS thinks G-Tech will struggle in 2013, losing to VT, MIami, UNC, & Pitt while finding a way against Duke & Virginia for a 2-4 slate. OS disagrees, the ‘Wreck’  beat Miami, UNC, Pitt, Virginia, & Duke losing to only VT in divisional play, for a 5-1 record in the Coastal Division!

 Conference Cross Over Games: GT plays Syracuse @ home and then head for South Carolina to take on Clemson. YS thinks 0-2 while OS says 1-1, beating the ‘Cuse’ but going down at Clemson!

Overall Record: YS has GT at 4-8 for the season and home for the holidays while OS has the Yellow Jackets @ 8-4 in 2013 and heading for a December Bowl!

Pittsburgh:

Non Conference Opponents: Pitt welcomes New Mexico from the Mountain West, Old Dominion, new to FBS ranksthis year, an Independent (for now) & Notre Dame, while traveling to Annapolis to take on Navy! YS has the Panthers at 3-1 losing only to the Irish, OS agrees, Pitt handles New Mexico, Old Dominion, & Navy, but falters @ home vs ND!

Divisional Games: Pitt plays @ Duke, VT, & GT and battles Virginia, UNC & Miami @ home! YS thinks 3-3 , beating Duke & GT on the road & Virginia at home,  OS agrees, Pitt falls to GT, UNC & Miami to finish with a 3- 3 divisional record, highlighted by a stunning win over VT in Blacksburg!

 Conference Cross Over Games: The Panthers play FSU @ home and head east to take on Syracuse in New York. YS believes 1-1, Pitt beats Syracuse but loses to FSU, OS agrees, the Panthers go 1-1 in ACC Conference cross-over games

Overall Record: YS thinks 7-5 and Pitt is Bowling in the holiday season. OS sees Pitt @ 7-5 as well in the 2013 season! While we disagree on who they beat to get bowl eligible, we agree that Pitt will play its way into a December Bowl and do so in their first year in the ACC! Bravo!

University of North Carolina (UNC)

Non Conference Opponents: UNC heads south, to the other Carolina, to take on South Carolina, and then welcomes its other three Non-Conference foes to Chapel Hill, Middle Tennessee & East Carolina both from C-USA & Old Dominion, a FBS Idependent as of 2013. YS & OS are in alignment, 3-1, the Tar Heels lose to only the Gamecocks in their lone Non-Conference affair outside of Chapel Hill!

 Divisional Games: The ‘Heels’ line up against GT, VT, & Pitt all away from home, while inviting Miami, Virginia & Duke to come play @ Kenan Memorial Stadiun in Chapel Hill! YS has UNC going 4-2, beating GT, & Pitt on the road and stopping Virginia & Duke at home, OS agrees, UNC wins the above games but falls @ home to VT & Miami @ Sun Life Stadium!

Conference Cross Over Games: UNC takes on BC at home & travels to Raleigh to challenge NC State! YS & OS agree, 2-0 for the Tar Heels in Cross-Over Games!

Overall Record: YS has UNC at 9-3, OS thinking is identical, 9-3, beating & losing to the same teams!

Virginia Tech

Non Conference Opponents: The Hokies open the season with Alabama, the 2012 National Champs, or should I say, the defending national champions, who were defending their 2011 national championship in 2012 or better yet, how about opening your season with a team that has won 3 national championships in four years. Who the hell is their AD? Coach Bemmer needs to sit that ‘dope’ down and explain the difference between begining your season with a quality opponent and scheduling an ‘NFL Team’! Well, what’s done is done… so moving on, VT also plays Western Carolina, a FCS team from the Southern Conference, and  two teams from C-USA, East Carolina & Marshall. YS & OS agree, 3-1, and after the Bama loss, the Hokies will roll just like the tide!

 Divisional Games: V-Tech plays G-Tech, Miami, & Virginia on the road and lines up @ home to take on UNC, Pitt, and Duke! YS thinks 6-0 vs their fellow Coastal Division rivals, while OS says, ‘not so fast my friend’, VT handles UNC, Virginia, Duke & GT but is stuned, @ home, by Pitt & losses @ Miami, finishing 4-2 in the division!

Conference Cross Over Games: Va Tech takes on BC in Boston & Maryland at home in thier cross-over games. YS & OS are reading from the same script on this one, VT goes 2-0 vs the Atlantic!

Overall Record: YS believes the Hokies go 11-1 in the comimg campaign, losing to only Bama! OS says ‘wait… a … minute’ VT not only falters in the Alabama game, they lose to Miami @ Sun Life Stadium and are skocked by Pitt @ home in Lane Stadium… 9-3 in 2013!

Virginia

Non Conference Opponents: The Cavaliers host BYU, an FBS Independent, Oregon from the PAC 12, VMI (Virginia Military Institute), an FCS program from the Big South Conference, & Ball State from the MAC! While all these games are in Charlottesville, BYU is to big a bite of the apple and Oregon is a top 5 team that is flat out better than any unit in the ACC! YS has Virginia going 2-2 in the Non-Conference part of their schedule, beating VMI & Ball State. OS concurs, the Cavaliers fall to BYU & the Oregon game is not close … 2-2 in in their Non-Conference Tilts!

 Divisional Games: The Cavs take on Pitt, UNC, & the ‘Canes’ on the road and welcome Duke, GT & VT to Scott Stadium! YS has ths the Cavaliers going 1-5 in divisional play, falling to Pitt, UNC, Miami, GT, & VT. OS agrees, 1-5 is the predicted outlook, as the Cavs manage only one win vs Duke @ home!

Conference Cross Over Games: Virginia challenges Maryland in College Park & welcomes Clemson to Charloettesville! YS & OS are in agreement, Virginia goes 0-2 vs the Terps & Hokies!

Overall Record: YS & OS believe that 2013 will be a year where Head Coach Mike London & Associate Head Coach, Tom O’Brian have to find other ways than wins to keep their team’s focus! The Cavs finish 2013 @ 3-9!

Duke

Non Conference Opponents: Duke opens its 2013 season against an FCS team from Durham, NC; North Carolina Central (a hometown battle), they then travel to Memphis, to take on the Tigers, an AAC member (American Athletic Conference) followed by two home games vs Troy from the Sun Belt Conference & Navy, a FBS Independent! YS thinks Duke goes 4-0 vs this competition. OS, with concers about Navy (Although Duke beat Navy 34-31 in 2010), agrees, Duke finds a way in these games, 4-0 in Non-Conference tilts!

Divisional Games: Duke travels to Virginia, VT, & UNC while taking on GT, Pitt, & Miami in Durham! YS & OS mirror one another in their predictions, the Blue Devils go 0-6 in Divisional play!

Conference Cross Over Games: The Devils welcom NC State to Wallace Wade Stadium & head down the road to take on WF in Winston Salem, NC! YS & OS agree, the Devils will be singing the Blues, 0-2 in their cross-over games!

Overall Record: YS & OS have Duke undefeated in Non-Conference play and winless in the ACC! Duke finishes 4-8 in 2013, leaving the Devils home for the Christmas Holidays!

Coastal Division vs Non Conference Opponents: 

YS has Coastal Teams going 20-8: vs BCS opponents 2-6; against FBS teams, 12-2; & when taking on FCS squads, 6-0

OS Agrees 20-8: VS BCS opponents 2-6, FBS teams 12-2, & FCS units, 6-0

Based on 28 Non-Conference Games!

Coastal Division Records:

YS VT 6-0, Miami 5-1, UNC 4-2, Pitt 3-3, GT 2-4, Virginia 1-5 & Duke 0-6

OS GT 5-1, Miami 5-1, VT 4-2, UNC 4-2, Pitt 3-3, Virginia 1-5, & Duke 0-6

Conference Cross Over Games:

YS VT 2-0, UNC 2-0, Miami 1-1, Pitt 1-1, GT 0-2, Virginia 0-2, Duke 0-2

OS VT 2-0, UNC 2-0, GT 1-1, Miami 1-1, Pitt 1-1, Virginia 0-2, Duke 0-2

ACC All Games: Division & Cross-over Games

YS VT 8-0, Miami 6-2, UNC 6-2, Pitt 4-4, GT 2-6, Virginia 1-7, Duke 0-8

OS GT 6-2, Miami 6-2, VT 6-2, UNC 6-2, Pitt 4-4, Virginia 1-7, Duke 0-8

Overall Record:

YS VT 11-1, Miami 9-3, UNC  9-3, Pitt 7-5, GT 4-8, Duke 4-8, Virginia 3-9

OS VT 9-3, Miami 9-3, UNC 9-3, GT 8-4, Pitt 7-5, Duke 4-8, Virginia 3-9

YS has  four teams from the ACC Coastal Division Bowl Eligible in 2013 while OS has 5 teams playing their way into the second season!

YS has Clemson vs VT in the Championship Game with Clemson winning over Virginia Tech

OS has Clemson vs GT in the ACC Championship Game with Clemson beating GT for the ACC Crown! OS had four teams tie @ 6-2 in the Coastal Division (GT, VT, UNC, & Miami), to break the tie we looked at the teams divisional records, GT & Miami were best with 5-1 marks. Since GT beat Miami in this simulation… the Rambling Wreck is the Divisional Winner!

ext up: AAC (Old Big East)

 

Posted in ACC, Alabama, Alabama A&M, Army, Bethune-Cookman, Big Ten, Boston College, BYU, C-USA, Clemson, Duke, FBS Independents, Florida, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisiana Tech, MEAC, Miami FL, Middle Tennessee, Mountain West, Navy, NC State, Nevada, North Carolina, Notre Dame, PAC 12, Pittsburgh, Savannah State, SEC, South Carolina State, South Florida, Southern Conference, Sun Belt, SWAC, Syracuse, The Citadel, Troy, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest |

ACC Atlantic Division Sneak Preview

The ACC is on the rise and well should be given its location in the Southeastern part of the United States! The states in this region (in particular, Florida, Georgia, North & South Carolina) are fast becoming the unquestioned best (Sorry, California, Texas & Ohio) for high school football talent in the country!

Notre Dame has got this right, they, da facto, have joined the ACC, playing 5 opponents each year from the league, while continuing to play two teams from California (SC & Stanford) and now inking Texas to a 10 year contract… Sully’s CFP thinks they will schedule another team from Texas to create the same recruiting situation they have with California (Play one @ home and one in that State each & every  year)! Sorry Michigan, but the best talent is now in the southeast, the southwest & west, ND dropping you to plant its flag in these parts of the country makes perfect sense in the recruiting world!

The challenging issue that ACC Teams face in their home states really breaks down to three letters … S.E.C.! Georgia Tech has to deal with Georgia, Florida State & Miami battle Florida, Clemson has to deal with the “Old Ball Coach” Steve Spurrier & South Carolina, and UNC, NC State, Wake, & Duke have to deal with Ohio State, ND & the SEC as a whole!

These states have become a battle ground as the best college programs descend on them to attract the high level talent they now produce! So while the ACC is improving, the talent drain to in-state rivals (SEC Units) and high powered programs from outside their region is slowing their growth! That said, let take a peek at what to look for in the ACC in 2013!

Young Sully (YS) & Old Sully (OS) reviewed the ACC while keeping an eye on the Miami / San Antonio series, game two, in the NBA finals!

Atlantic Division

Clemson

Non Conference Opponents: The Tigers take on Georgia, from the SEC, South Carolina State, an FCS team, from the MEAC, The Citadel, a second FCS team, from the Southern Conferance, and its traditional, in-state rival, South Carolina from the SEC! The fact that the Tigers are playing two FCS teams means that they can only count one of the wins, against these 63 scholarship programs (FBS teams award 85 scholarships), in reaching the required 6 victories to become bowl eligible! YS has Clemson at 2-2, losing to Georgia & South Carolina, while OS has them at 3-1, beating the FCS squads and finally finding a way against South Carolina!

Divisional Games: Clemson faces FSU, Wake, & BC @ home and travel to NC State, Maryland & Syracuse. YS  has the Tigers winning all six games, the pivital game being played, at home, on Oct. 19th vs FSU. OS agrees, Clemson runs the table, 6-0 in the Atlantic Division! 

Conference Cross Over Games: Clemson heads to Virginia and welcomes Georgia Tech to Memorial Stadium! YS says 2-0 against the Coastal, OS concurs the Tigers go 2-0 in crossover play!

Overall Record: YS predicts 10-2 for the Tigers, while OS thinks Clemson goes 11-1 in 2013!

Florida State: 

 Three of FSU Non-Conference tilts are at home, their lone road game is at Gainesville vs Florida! The Seminoles welcome Nevada, from the Mountain West Conference, A FCS opponent, Bethune-Cookman, from the MEAC, & Idaho, an FBS (85 scholarship program) Independent! YS thinks 4-0, FSU beats Florida in Gainesville! OS agrees the the Seminoles shock the Gators @ Ben Hill Griffin!

Divisional Games : FSU challenges Clemson, Wake, & BC on the road and plays host to Syracuse, NC State & Maryland! YS believes 5-1, falling to only Clemson, OS agrees, the Seminoles go down in their major ACC road test at Clemson!

Conference Cross Over Games: The Florida State Seminoles welcome the Miami Hurricanes (OK … not welcome, but they are playing the ‘Canes’ at home) and travel to Pittsburgh  to take on the Panthers! YS & OS agree, FSU goes 2-0 in these tilts!

Overall Record: YS envisions a 10-2 year for the Seminoles, while OS believes FSU goes 11-1 this season!

NC State: 

Non Conference Opponents: The Wolfpack’s non conference schedule is not one that jumps out at you. They do not play a team from an AQ (Automatic Qualifier’s Champion (SEC, Big 10, Big 12, PAC 12, AAC …. former Big East, & ACC … is always placed in a BCS Bowl Game) Conference.  NC State takes on Louisiana Tech from C-USA (WAC dissolved after 2012 season to which La-Tech had been a member), Richmond from the Southern Conference, Central Michigan from the MAC, & East Carolina from C-USA All 4 of these games are in Raleigh, North Carolina! YS & OS concur, NC State goes 4-0 in this relatively weak NC schedule!

Divisional Games : NC State travels to Wake Forest, FSU, & BC and plays Clemson, Syracuse, & Maryland @ home. YS Has the Wolfpack @ 4-2, beating Wake, Syracuse, BC and Maryland, but falling to Clemson @ home & FSU in Tallahassee. OS believes that NC State  is upset by both BC & WF and finishes divisional play at 2-4.

Conference Cross Over Games: The ‘Pack’ plays Duke in Durham N.C. and takes on UNC @ home in Raleigh! YS & OS agree 1-1, down goes Duke, while NC State falls to UNC at Carter-Finley Stadium!

Overall Record: YS thinks NC State finishes @ 9-3 while OS believes 7-5 a more likely result in 2013!

Maryland:

Non Conference Opponents: Maryland opens the season at home against FIU from C-USA (left the Sunbelt after the 2012 season) and then welcomes, Old Dominion, a FCS Independent, (in transition to the FBS, OD will join C-USA for the 2014 season) to College Park. They then hit the road to take on U-Conn & West Virginia! YS & OS agree, 3-1, losing to only to the WV Mountaineers, in Morgantown!

Divisional Games: The Terrapins line up against FSU, WF, & BC on the road and battle Clemson, Syracuse, & NC State in Byrd Stadium. YS & OS  are in perfect alignment, 3-3, as the Terps beat Wake, BC & Syracuse but fall to FSU, Clemson, & NC State!

Conference Cross Over Games: Maryland welcomes Virginia and travels to Virginia Tech  for their conference crossover match-ups.  OS & YS Have the Terps @ 1-1, beating the Cavaliers but falling short in their game with Va Tech.

Overall Record: YS & OS have Maryland at 7-5 and playing in the 2013 post season!

Syracuse

Non Conference Opponents: The “Cuse” have a tough opening to their Non-Conference schedule, as the Orange take on 2 Big Ten teams, on the road, @ Penn State & Northwestern. The schedule lightens up signicantly after that, as they play Wagner, a FBS team from the Northeast Conference, & Tulane from C-USA! YS & OS agree, 2-2, losing on the road, to the Big Ten teams and then pounding Wagner & Tulane @ home!

Divisional Games: The Orange travel to NC State, Maryland, & FSU, while lining up at home vs Clemson, Wake, & BC. YS thinks that the Orange beat BC & Wake @ home, but fall to Clemson in the Carrier Dome and falter on the road, losing to NC State, Maryland, & FSU! OS says ditto, 2-4 in the Atlantic Division!

Conference Cross Over Games: Syracuse challenges Georgia Tech away from home and then plays Pitt at home. YS thinks 1-1, OS does not agree, 0-2, as the Orange will struggle to stop GT’s ‘flexbone’ or Pitt’s power running game.

Overall Record: YS says 5-7 while OS thinks 4-8 the more likely finish in 2013!

Wake Forest

Non Conference Opponents: The Demon Deacons take on Presbyterian, an FCS team from the Big South, ULM, a FBS team from the Sunbelt, while squaring off with Army & Vanderbilt on the road! YS & OS agree, 3-1, losing to only Vanderbilt!

Divisional Games: Wake plays @ BC, Clemson, & Syracuse & takes on NC State, Maryland, FSU @ home! YS has the Demon Deacons going 1-5, beating only BC, OS says yes to BC, but has Wake @ 2-4, with a Deacon upset of NC State!

Conference Cross Over Games: The Deamon Deacons travel to Miami and host Duke in their cross-over games! YS has them at 1-1, with the Deamons beating the Devils, but being blown away by the Canes! OS agrees, Wake handles the Dukies but fall to Miami!

Overall Record: YS has Jim Grobe’s team at 5-7 and home for the second season, while OS thinks 6-6 and the Decons playing in a 2013 bowl!

Boston College 

Non Conference Opponents: The Eagles open their season with Villanova, a FCS team from the CAA, travel to USC, welcome Army, and end their NC schedule in New Mexico playing NM State! YS & OS concur, 3-1, BC falls only to SC!

Divisional Games: BC lines up against Clemson, Maryland & Syracuse on the road and plays host to Wake, FSU & NC State! YS think that this will be along year for BC’s new Coach, Steve Addazio, as the Eagles go winless in the Atlantic 0-6! OS thinks November 16th will be a day for the Eagles to soar, as they stun NC State @ home 1-5!

Conference Cross Over Games: Their games vs the Coastal are the toughest faced by any team in the Atlantic Division! The Eagles play @ UNC & host VT, 2 of the 4 best teams in the Coastal (Miami & GT being the other 2). YS & OS agree 0-2 is all but assured with this cross-over conference schedule!

Overall Record: YS BC will go winless, 0-8 in the ACC in 2013 and based on the NC wins, finish the season at 3-9! OS says 1-7 in ACC play & 4-8 overall

Atlantic Division vs Non Conference Opponents: 

YS 20-8: vs BCS opponents 2-7, FBS Opponets 11-0, & FCS 8-0

OS 22-6: vs BCS opponents 3-6, FBS Opponets 11-0, & FCS 8-0     .

Based on 28 NC Games!

Atlantic Division Records:

YS Clemson 6-0, FSU 5-1, NC State 4-2, Maryland 3-3, Syracuse 2-4, WF 1-5  & BC 0-6

OS Clemson 6-0, FSU 5-1,  Maryland 3-3, NC State 2-4, Syracuse 2-4, WF 2-4, & BC 1-5

Conference Cross Over Games:

YS Clemson 2-0, FSU 2-0, NC State 1-1, Maryland 1-1, Syracuse 1-1, WF 1-1, BC 0-2

OS Clemson 2-0, FSU 2-0, NC State 1-1, Maryland 1-1, WF 1-1, Syracuse 0-2,  BC 0-2

ACC All Games:

YS Clemson 8-0, FSU 7-1, NC State 5-3, Maryland 4-4, Syracuse 3-5, WF 2-6, BC 0-8

OS Clemson 8-0, FSU 7-1, Maryland 4-4, WF 3-5, NC State 3-5, Syracuse 2-6, BC 1-7

Overall Record:

YS Clemson 10-2, FSU 11-1, NC State 9-3, Maryland 7-5, Syracuse 5-7, WF 5-7, BC 3-9

OS Clemson 11-1, FSU 11-1, NC State 7-5, Maryland 7-5,  WF 6-6, Syracuse 4-8, BC 4-8

YS has  four teams from the ACC Atlantic Division Bowl Eligible in 2013 while OS has 5 teams playing their way into the second season!

Next up: ACC Coastal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Army, Bethune-Cookman, Big Ten, Boston College, Central Michigan, Clemson, Connecticut, Duke, Florida International, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisiana Tech, MAC, MEAC, Miami FL, Mountain West, NC State, Nevada, North Carolina, Northeast Conference, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Presbyterian, Richmond, Savannah State, SEC, South Carolina, South Carolina State, Southern Conference, Sun Belt, Syracuse, The Citadel, Troy, ULM, USC, Villanova, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wagner University, Wake Forest, Western Carolina |

PAC 12 Sneak Preview

The PAC 12 is a Conference that emphasizes speed, quickness, talent, and skill, in Sully’s CFP view, all true! Yet, the national perception of the league is that, while it has these attributes in abundance, it lacks the toughness to compete with the “Big Boys of the Mighty SEC”! Given the history of USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon & Stanford of late, this perspective just seems wrong. Yet, other than against the Big Ten (and even then, Oregon lost to Ohio State, 26-17 in the 2010 Rose Bowl & Stanford barely survived, the 3rd place team in the Leaders Division, Wisconsin, 20-14, in the 2013 Rose Bowl) the PAC 12, while competitive, has faltered on big stages in recent years.

Oregon stumbled in their two encounters with the Big Boys of SEC (forget Tennessee, I said “Big Boys”) losing to Auburn, 22-19, in the BCS Title game and being manhandled the following year, by LSU, 40-27 (Oregon scored a meaningless TD in the final seconds). PAC 12 Teams have also struggled (close… but lost) in games with the Big 12, USC losing to Texas, 41-38, in the BCS National Championship Game and Stanford falling to Oklahoma State, 41-38, a year ago in the Fiesta Bowl! The additions of Utah (Sully’s CFP thinks the Utes are not a good fit for the PAC 12, No question but that they belong in the Mountain West) & Colorado (a mystery as to why the Buff’s coaches can’t recruit better athletes to that campus)  have not helped lessen the Conference’s national perception of being “soft’! This needs to be addressed on the field and done so in a timely manner!

One possible remedy, go back to 8 conference games (instead of 9 conference games, this now seems unlikely, with the Big 12 playing nine, the Big Ten going to 9 in 2016, and the SEC considering playing 9 … well… Saban wants to play nine) with PAC 12 Commissioner, Larry Scott, strongly encouraging league members to play 2 teams from BCS Conferences (with an emphasis on scheduling SEC & Big 12 clubs), 1 FBS opponent (85 scholarship programs, C-USA & MWC driven by geography) and 1 FCS (63 scholarship programs). Check the site for 2013 schedules to see who is playing this type of schedule, remembering, the PAC 12 plays 3 not 4, as recommended by Sully’s CFP, Non-conference games @ present!

That said… Let’s take a sneak peek @ 2013 in the PAC 12!

North Division:

California:

Non-Conference: Cal takes on 3 Non-Conference opponents, Sully’s CFP would like to see this number @ 4! That said, the Bears do have a challenging schedule with 2 BCS opponents, Ohio State & Northwestern from the Big Ten & one pay & beat opponent, Portland State, from the Big Sky. All three games are in Cal’s Memorial Stadium! YS Says 1-2, Cal falls to the Big Ten, the Bears have a new coach (Sonny Dykes) for the 2013 season and will take time to adjust; OS agrees, Cal goes 1-2, losing to both Big Ten teams, while hammering their Big Sky opponent, Portland State!

Divisional Games: Five divisional games, three on the road vs Oregon, Washington, & Stanford and two @ home vs Washington State & Oregon State. YS believes 2-3, the Bears win two at home vs WSU & OSU. OS says right on, 2-3, the Bears beat WSU & OSU @ home but fall in their three road trips.

North vs South: Four crossover Games, Cal will play @ UCLA & Colorado & host Arizona and SC.  YS has the Bears @ 1-3 losing to both of the LA schools & Arizona; OS says not so fast my friend, 2-2, beat Colorado on the road and survive Arizona @ home, but fall at the LA Coliseum and Rose Bowl.

Overall: YS projects Cal 4-8, OS has the Bears @ 5-7 & attending an old-timers, Beach Boy, Concert over the Bowling / Holiday Season!

Oregon:

Non-Conference: The Ducks take on an SEC team, Tennessee, @ Home, an ACC opponent, Virginia, on the road & an FCS club, Nicholls State, from the Southland Conference, in Eugene! YS believes 3-0 is in the stars for the Ducks: OS: No question, the Ducks go 3-0 in their Non-Conference schedule.

Divisional Games:  5 Divisional contests, 3 @ home vs Cal, WSU, & OSU, and 2 away, Washington & Stanford. YS thinks 4-1, the Ducks fall to Stanford  OS Agrees 4-1 …. Oregon goes down vs the Cardinal!

North vs South: In divisional crossover games; UO lines up against Colorado & Arizona on the road & UCLA & Utah @ home. YS thinks 3-1 losing to UCLA @ home : OS: No way do the Ducks fall to the Bruins!  UO goes 4-0 vs the South!

Overall: YS: The Ducks fall at Stanford and are upset by the Bruins …. 10-2. OS: has Oregon at 11-1 in 2013 losing to only Stanford and heading to a BCS Bowl!

Oregon State:

Non-Conference: OSU does not play an AQ Conference Affiliate in 2013 (shame on them), in Sully’s CFP’s view, this is at the heart of PAC 12’s image of being soft, this type of scheduling, right or wrong, will continue to fuel this perception! They do play 2 Mountain West teams, Hawaii in Corvallis and San Deigo State on the road; they also line up against an FCS team, Eastern Washington @ home! YS: has the Beavers @ 3-0 & OS agrees, the Beavers chew these guys up, 3-0 in Non-Conference play.

Divisional Games:  OSU takes on 5 divisional foes, Washington State, Cal & Oregon away from the friendly confines of Corvallis and hosts Stanford & Washington at Reser Stadium. YS predicts 2-3 beating WSU & Washington but falling to UO, Stanford, & Cal; OS agrees, 2-3, The Beavers beat the Cougars on the road & the Huskies @ home.

North vs South: OSU vs the South Division, Utah & ASU away from home and welcomes Colorado & USC to Corvallis! YS: 2-2 losing to ASU & USC, OS: Ditto, OSU goes 2-2 in cross-divisional games, prevailing against Utah on the road and Colorado @ home!

Overall: YS: says 7-5 losing 5 of 9 PAC 12 games, while OS agrees, 7-5 and like YS has the Beavers participating in the 2013 Bowling Season!

Stanford:

Non-Conference: The Cardinal play ND & San Jose State at home and Army @ West Point! YS thinks 2-1, no revenge vs the Irish, down go the Cardinal, Again! OS thinks Yap, Stanford goes 2-1, beating SJSU & Army but falling to the Irish (& by the way, Stepfan Taylor’s elbow was down … NO TD … go to the Blog page, select category FBS Independents, ND 42, Sully’s College Football Rap-up week 7 & see for your self).

Divisional Games: Stanford plays 3 of its 5 divisional games at home, Washington, Oregon, & Cal and WSU & OSU in their respective arenas. YS: Stanford marches through its divisional games, winning all five,  OS agrees, the Cardinal goes 5-0 in the North Division, beating Oregon @ home, in the North Division game of the year!.

North vs South: In their walk-over games, Stanford plays Utah & SC away and ASU & UCLA at home. YS believes 2-2, predicts Stanford will struggle in cross-divisional contests, losing to both LA schools, UCLA stuns the Cardinal in Stanford Stadium & SC ends Stanford dominance in their series. OS believes 3-1, losing only to USC, in the LA Memorial Coliseum.

Overall: YS: has Stanford @ 9-3 in 2013, losing to the LA schools & ND. OS thinks Stanford finishes the season @ 10-2 losing to only ND & SC!

Washington:

Non-Conference: The Huskies take on the Illini from the Big Ten, Boise State from the Mountain West, & Idaho State from the Big Sky. YS believes the Huskies are up to the challenge and win all three    (3-0) Non-Conference games! OS: Washington goes 2-1 in Non-Conference play, beating Illinois (the Illini have got to be better, but still will not be very good) & Idaho State (an FCS Team), but falling @ home to Boise State.

Divisional Games: Washington plays Oregon, Cal & WSU @ home & OSU and Stanford on the road! YS believes 1-4 beating only WSU, while OS thinks 2-3, the Huskies beat Cal & WSU @ home but lose to OSU, Oregon, & Stanford! 

North vs South: The Huskies host Arizona & Colorado and travel to ASU and UCLA. YS projects 2-2, losing to UCLA & ASU OS: Washington goes 2-2 in crossover games, beating Arizona & Colorado @ home but losing @ ASU & UCLA!

Overall: YS: Washington goes 3-6 in PAC 12 play, 3-0 in Non Conference and finishes the 2013 season @ 6-6; OS has Washington @ 6-6 (4-5 in PAC 12 play & 2-1 in Non-Conference play) Both YS & OS have the Huskies Bowling in the second season!

Washington State:

Non-Conference: In their 2013 Non-Conference schedule, the Cougars play @ Auburn, an SEC team, Idaho, an Independent, & a FCS team, Southern Utah, from the Big Sky, both of these games are @ home! YS: WSU goes 2-1, losing only @ Auburn, OS agrees, WSU completes its Non-Conference schedule @ 2-1, losing to only the Tigers @ Jordan-Hare.

Divisional Games: WSU plays 3 of their 5 divisional games on the road, Cal, Oregon, & Washington and host Stanford & OSU. YS: Sees Mike Leach second year as a continuation of the rebuilding process for WSU, as they go 0-5 in the North Division. OS agrees, while Mike Leach’s team will be more competitive this season, the result will not show up in the win column, 0-5 in Divisional Play! 

North vs South: The Cougars travel to USC & Arizona and welcome ASU & Utah to Pullman. YS: WSU goes 1-3 in Divisional Crossover games beating only Utah @ home. OS says ditto … WSU finishes @ 1-3 in cross-divisional battles, beating only the Utes.

Overall: YS believes WSU is home for the Holidays @ 3-9, OS says, right on, the Cougars go 3-9 in 2013… and are at home for the second season.

The North Division Rap-up: 

Non-Conference Games:

YS: Oregon 3-0, OSU 3-0, Washington 3-0, Stanford 2-1, WSU 2-1, & Cal 1-2

OS: Oregon 3-0, OSU 3-0, Stanford 2-1, Washington 2-1, WSU 2-1, & Cal 1-2!

The North Division vs Non-Conference Opponents;

YS: 14-4 & OS: 13-5

Divisional Games:

YS: Stanford 5-0, Oregon 4-1, Cal 3-2 OSU 2-3,  Washington 1-4, & WSU 0-5

OS: Stanford 5-0, Oregon 4-1, OSU 3-2 Washington 2-3, Cal 2-3, & WSU 0-5

North vs South: 

YS: Oregon 3-1, Stanford 2-2, OSU 2-2, Washington 2-2, Cal 1-3, & WSU 1-3

OS: Oregon 4-0, Stanford 3-1, OSU 2-2, Washington 2-2, Cal 2-2, & WSU 1-3

North vs South:

YS: 11-13 & OS: 14-10

Conference Record:

YS:  Stanford 7-2, Oregon 7-2, OSU 4-5, Cal 3-6, Washington 3-6, WSU 1-8 

OS: Stanford 8-1, Oregon 8-1, OSU 5-4, Washington 4-5, Cal 4-5, WSU 1-8

Overall Record:

YS: Oregon 10-2, Stanford 9-3, OSU 7-5, Washington 6-6, Cal 5-7, & WSU 3-9

OS: Oregon 11-1, Stanford 10-2, OSU 8-4, Washington 6-6, Cal 5-7, & WSU 3-9

YS & OS: Since the Conference not the Overall record determines the PAC 12 North Division Champ and both YS & OS have Stanford beating Oregon in their respective scenarios …. Stanford wins the PAC 12, North Division and advances to the championship game.

South Division:

Arizona:

Non-Conference: The Wildcats do not play a BCS Conference Affiliate … not the best approach to toughing up your program. That said, the Cats play one FCS opponent, Northern Arizona (Big Sky) & UTSA (Sun Belt) @ home and travel to UNLV (Mountain West)! YS says 3-0, this Non-Conference schedule is extremely weak and the Wildcats should emerge unscathed. Meanwhile, OS believes the Wildcats prowl right through this light-weight Non-Conference schedule with 3 wins to 0 losses.

Divisional Games: Three of Arizona’s divisional games are on the road, USC, Colorado, & ASU, while the Cats welcome Utah & UCLA to Tucson. YS predicts a 2-3 divisional slate for the Cats, as they beat both Colorado & Utah. OS: says 3-2, The Wildcats handle Colorado in Boulder and Utah & UCLA @ home.

South vs North: Four Crossover Divisional Games, Arizona travels to Washington & Cal and hosts Oregon & WSU. YS: says Arizona goes 2-2 in their cross-over games, beating Cal & WSU OS: says ditto,    2-2, The Cats find a way against Cal on the road and beat WSU @ home. but fall at Washington in Seattle & to Oregon in Eugene.

Overall: YS: says 7-5 for the Cats while OS thinks 8-4 in 2013. In either case, Arizona is playing in a bowl game.

Arizona State:

Non-Conference: ASU takes on two BCS opponents, Wisconsin @ home & ND in South Bend, and one FCS team, Sacramento, in Tempe, at Sun Devil Stadium. YS says 2-1, beating the Badgers & Sacramento, but falling to ND, while OS thinks 2-1, win both home games but fall to the Irish on the road.

Divisional Games: The Sun Devils play USC, Colorado, & Arizona @ home and hit the trail, to take on Utah & UCLA. YS predicts 4-1, losing to olny to USC, meanwhile, OS believes, 3-2, losing at home to the Trojans and on the road to the Bruins.

South vs North: ASU avoids Oregon in their conference crossover games, a good thing ….  but the Devils have to travel to Stanford …. a bad thing! They also take on WSU on the road and host, Washington & OSU in Tempe. YS projects 3-1 ASU beats Washington, WSU, OSU. OS’s crystal ball agrees, ASU finishes @ 3-1 vs the North, beating the Washington schools & OSU while falling to Stanford.

Overall: YS: Think’s 9-3 in 2013 while OS: believes 8-4 and both YS & OS agree it is on the second season for the Devils!

Colorado:

Non-Conference: The Buffs do not take on an BCS opponent in 2013, they play 2 MWC teams, Colorado State & Fresno State and one FCS team, Central Arkansas from the Southland Conference, all @ home. YS says, given how weak this schedule is, it is hard to see them losing a Non-Conference game in 2013 …. 3-0, OS think’s 2-1, that they are capable on losing one in Boulder, to an improving FSU!

Divisional Games: Colorado plays 3 of its 5 divisional games on the road, ASU, UCLA & Utah while hosting Arizona & USC. YS: 0-5, the Buffs have a new coach, not much talent or skill, & a lack of focus. OS: The Buffalo’s lose all five of these games. as this team is a work in progress for its new Head Coach, Mike MacIntyre.

South vs North: The Buffs play OSU & Washington away from home while welcoming Oregon and Cal to Folsom Field. YS believes there are no winnable games on this year’s divisional cross-over docket, 0-4; OS agrees 0-4 will be the result of the Buffs efforts in 2013 with CU trying to make the games competitive as they rebuild the program!

Overall: YS believes 3-9 in 2013 with all three wins coming vs Non-Conference Play; OS says 2-10 and home for the Holidays.

UCLA:

Non-Conference:  Two FBS opponents at home, Nevada & New Mexico State and one BCS opponent, Nebraska, in Lincoln! YS pontificates 2-1 lose to the Huskers in Lincoln while OS babbles 2-1, the Bruins go down to the Big Ten & Nebraska.

Divisional Games: The UCLANS travel to Utah, Arizona & USC while hosting Colorado & ASU. YS proclaims 4-1 the Bruins lose only to ASU, OS thinks 3-2, UCLA beats Colorado & ASU @ home, Utah on the road, but fall to Arizona & USC in Tucson & LA.

South vs North: UCLA takes on Cal & Washington at home and travels to Stanford & Oregon in back to back weeks (Oct 19th & 26th). YS thinks 3-1 losing to only Stanford, while OS predicts 2-2, the Bruins will handle Cal & Washington @ home but falter on the road vs the Cardinal & Ducks!

Overall: YS: The Bruins will go 9-3 in 2013 while OS has the Bruins @ 7-5. In both predictions, the UCLANS are playing in the second season.

USC:

Non-Conference:  There are two Catholic Universities playing @ the BCS/FBS level, Boston College & Notre Dame & SC is playing both of them, BC @ home & ND in South Bend. The Trojans play 13 not 12 games in 2013 and so take on 2 more Non-Conference opponents, Hawaii in Hawaii & San Jose State in the LA Coliseum. YS believes 3-1 OS, fall to Notre Dame in South Bend: OS says, not so fast my Friend, SC goes 4-0 in Non-Conference play, finding a way in South Bend!

Divisional Games: USC plays 3 of its 5 divisional games @ home, Arizona, Utah & UCLA all in the Coliseum! The Trojans will travel to ASU & Colorado in the 2013 season. YS has SC going 4-1, faltering at home vs UCLA, OS thinks, while SC depth is an issue,it is better than a year ago, as they, clearly, have talent and go 5-0 in Divisional Play!

South vs North: SC does not play Oregon this coming season, unless they are to hook up in the PAC 12 Championship Game. They do, however, play Stanford, who has beaten them 4 straight times. That is clearly bad news, the good news is they play them in LA! They also play WSU @ home and travel to OSU & Cal! YS says the Trojans go 4-0 in Cross-Divisional play vs the North; While OS believes 3-1, while they finally beat the Cardinal, the Trojans are upset @ Cal!

Overall: YS  thinks 11-2 for SC in 2013, falling to UCLA & ND, while OS thinks USC goes 12-1, losing to only California!

Utah:

Non-Conference: The Utes do not line-up against a BCS opponent in their 2013 Non-Conference schedule! They take on Weber State (FCS/Big Sky) & Utah State (MWC) @ home & BYU (Independent) on the road in Provo! YS: thinks 2-1, BYU wins in Provo. OS preaches 2-1, as Utah falls to BYU in the game known as the “Holy War”!

Divisional Games: The Utes play 3 of their 5 Divisional contest in Salt Lake City! They welcome UCLA, ASU & Colorado to Rice Eccles Stadium, while traveling to LA (USC) & Tucson (Arizona)! YS explains 1-4 beats only hapless Colorado @ home. OS agrees / discusses why the Utes will go 1-4 in Divisional play, …. finding a way only against Colorado; it Utah is going to win in the PAC 12 the Utes will need to recruit a better brand of athlete!

South vs North: The Utes cross-division battles are @ Oregon & WSU and @ home vs OSU and UCLA YS Utah goes winless in cross-divisional games, OS concurs, says the Utes go 0-4 as Mike Leach’s team finds a way in Pullman.

Overall: YS: The Utes go 3-9 in the coming season OS agrees, 3-9 in 2013.

The South Division Rap-up: 

Non-Conference Games:

YS:  Colorado 3-0, Arizona 3-0,  USC 3-1 (play 13 regular season games), ASU 2-1, UCLA 2-1, Utah 2-1.

OS: USC 4-0, Colorado 3-0, Arizona 3-0, ASU 2-1, UCLA 2-1, Utah 2-1,

The South Division vs Non-Conference Opponents:

YS: 15-4 & OS: 16-3

Divisional Games:

YS: USC 4-1, Arizona 2-3, ASU 4-1, Colorado 0-5, UCLA 4-1, & Utah 1-4

OS: USC 5-0, Arizona 3-2, ASU 3-2, Colorado 0-5, UCLA 3-2, & Utah 1-4

North vs South: 

YS: Arizona 2-2, ASU 3-1, Colorado 0-4, UCLA 2-2, USC 4-0, & Utah 0-4

OS: Arizona 2-2, ASU 3-1, Colorado 0-4, UCLA 2-2, USC 3-1, & Utah 0-4

North vs South:

YS: 11-13 & OS: 10-14

 Conference Record:

YS: USC 8-1, Arizona 4-5, ASU 7-2, Colorado 0-9 UCLA 6-3, & Utah 1-8

OS: USC 8-1, Arizona 5-4, ASU 6-3, Colorado 0-9, UCLA 5-4, & Utah 1-8

Overall Record:

YS: USC 11-2, Arizona 7-5  ASU 8-4, Colorado 3-9, UCLA 9-3, & Utah 3-9

OS: USC 12-1, Arizona 8-4  ASU 8-4, Colorado 2-10, UCLA 7-5, & Utah 3-9

YS & OS are in agreement, USC wins the South Division with an 8-1 record (YS has them losing once to UCLA, while OS has SC falling to Cal and their new coach, Sonny Dykes. This sets up a rematch, Stanford, North Division Champs vs SC for the PAC 12 Championship & a trip to the Rose Bowl! YS says this time David Shaw and the Cardinal have their way with the Trojans; OS agrees, SC’s limited depth catches up with them as Stanford hammers a tired & depleted USC team in the LA Memorial Coliseum! YS has Statford finishing the Regular Season @ 10-3 & USC @ 11-3 while OS thinks Stanford 11-2 & USC @ 12-2

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Big 12: 2013 Sneak Preview

The Big 12 currently has 10 teams while the Big Ten has 12, a somewhat confusing scenario buried deep in the logic of marketing a brand name. Sully’s CFP is good with it and is moving on, 10 is 12 & 12 is 10 …. got it!! The Big 12 once had 12 teams (Thus the name … Big 12 …. go figure) and divisions (North & South), but with Missouri and Texas A&M departure to the SEC, coupled with Nebraska moving to the Big 10 and Colorado’s exit to the PAC 12; the additions of TCU and West Virginia have left the conference with 10 teams and a nine game conference round robin schedule!

Please keep in mind these are Pre-spring projections and Sully’s CFP will adjust accordingly in mid to late Summer as the season approaches …. injuries, transfers, arrests, and so on… impacting a respective team’s season.

The Sully’s CFP Staff which consists of Young Sully (YS) & Old Sully (OS) met in the Wausau Mall over Bourbon Chicken to review the Big 12’s 2013 schedule and predict winners in their 120 game slate, 90 in the League and 30 Non-Conference tilts.

Baylor:

Non-Conference Games: The Bears play 2 FBS teams, Buffalo (MAC) and Louisiana Monroe (Sun Belt) @ home and 1 BCS team, on the road, Southern Methodists,  (Big East … Well used to be Big East … Now the Big East is the  American Athletic Conference, AAC, not to be confused with the ACC) SMU was a former member of C-USA. YS thinks 3-0, The Bears handle in-state rival SMU, the rest is clear sailing. OS has the Bears going 2-1 vs their Non-Conference opponents, losing to SMU, June Jones & staff find a way in Gerald J. Ford stadium.

Conference Games: Baylor plays 5 of their 9 conference games at home. They open in Waco against West Virginia, followed by Iowa State, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and concluding their home schedule vs Texas. The Bears travel to  Kansas State, Kansas, OSU, & TCU. YS says 3-2 @ home, falling to OU & Texas & 2 & 2 on the road beating Kansas State & Kansas. OS has the Bears 3-2 @ home, beating  West Virginia, ISU & Texas Tech @ Floyd Casey Stadium, but falling to OU & the “Horns”; while on the road, the Bears go 1-3, beating only Kansas! YS 5-4  …. OS 4-5

Overall: YS says 8-4, while OS predicts 6-6, in either scenario, Baylor, will be bowling in the second season!

Iowa State:

Non-Conference Games: The Cyclones take on 1 BCS team, in-state rival, Iowa (Big Ten), 1 FCS team, Northern Iowa (Missouri Valley) @ home & 1 FBS opponent , Tulsa (C-USA) on the road. YS believes ISU handles its major challenge, in-state rival Iowa, to go 3-0 in Non-Conference play. OS has ISU going 2-1, winning the two battles for Iowa dominance, but falling to the Golden Hurricanes while in Oklahoma. The Cyclones & Hurricanes played twice a year ago, ISU won in the regular season game, 38-23 while Tulsa prevailed in the bowl game, 31-17.

Conference Games: ISU has 4 conference @ home & 5 on the road! Texas, OSU, TCU, & Kansas are in Ames, while Cyclones must travel to Texas Tech, Baylor, Kansas State, Oklahoma, & West Virginia. YS predicts 6-3 …. 3-1 @ home, losing to only OSU. On the road, YS believes ISU goes 3-2, falling to OU & WV. OS says 3-6 overall, ISU beats Kansas @ home and West Virginia in Morgantown & Texas Tech in Lubbock; but lose @ Oklahoma, Baylor, & Kansas State and fall at home, to OSU, Texas,  & TCU.

Overall: YS has the Cyclones 8-4 & active in the second season, while OS projects ISU @ 5-7 and home for the Bowl season.Typically, this not a good prediction, when you factor in Paul Rhodes, The Cyclones Coach; this guy’s team always seem to overachieve.

Kansas:

Non-Conference Games: The Jayhawks do not play a BCS opponent in 2013. They line up against 2 FBS teams, Rice, on the road & Louisiana Tech @ home. Kansas also plays, South Dakota, a FCS team, in Lawrence. YS projects the Wildcats to finish Non-Conference play @  3-0. OS agrees, Kansas opens the season @ 3-0, beating Rice in Houston and LT & South Dakota @ home.

Conference Games: Kansas plays 5 of its 9 conference games @ home, a big plus for a team that has struggled as the Jayhawks have these past years. Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Baylor, West Virginia, & Kansas State will visit Lawrence in 2013. The Hawks will travel to Texas, TCU, OSU, & Iowa State. YS has Kansas stumbling throughout 2013 in Big 12 games, 0-9. OS concurs, while the Jayhawks will play at a more competitive level this coming season, wins will not be a result of improved play, 0-9!

Overall: YS has Charlie’s team @ 3-9. OS says, sorry Charlie, @ 3-9, you will be home for the Holidays.

Kansas State:

 Non-Conference Games: This year, the Wildcats will sneak up on no one, even when being discussed in a Sneak Preview. They are without question, the most over-achieving, most often overlooked team, seemingly every year, (that is, every year that Bill Synder is coaching them) in the country. K-State does not play a Non-Conference BCS opponent in 2013. They open their season against, North Dakota State, who has won the last two FCS National Championship Games; then take on two FBS teams, Louisiana Lafayette (Sun Belt) & U-Mass (MAC). All three games are in the Little Apple, Manhattan, Kansas. YS believes the Wildcats blast through their Non-Conference schedule,  going 3-0 with relative ease. OS has North Dakota State pulling one of the biggest upsets of the 2013 season, beating K-State in Manhattan. The Wildcats rebound and win the next two against ULL & U-Mass, going 2-1 vs Non-Conference opponents.

Conference Games: The Cats play 5 of their 9 Conferences games @ Synder Family Stadium; Baylor , West Virginia, Iowa State, TCU & Oklahoma. K-State travels to Texas, OSU, Texas Tech, & Kansas. YS has K-State @ 1-4 @ home & 2-2 in road games, beating WV at home and, T-Tech, & Kansas away. OS thinks 3-2 @ home, stopping Baylor, West Virginia, & ISU, but falling to TCU and Oklahoma. On the road,according to OS, K-State goes 2-2 losing to Texas & OSU while beating T-Tech & Kansas. YS has K-State @ 3-6 in Big 12 play, while OS has the Wildcats @ 5-4 in conference games!

Overall: YS’s crystal ball has Kansas State @ 6-6. OS thinks KSU goes 7-5 in the 2013 season.

Oklahoma:

 Non-Conference Games: The Sooners go north to South Bend looking for payback as they take on one BCS team, Notre Dame (Independent), on the road & 2 FBS teams @ home, Tulsa (C-USA) and Louisiana Monroe (Sun Belt) at home. YS thinks 2-1, Sooners lose to the Irish & OS agrees, OU falls @ ND.

Conference Games: OU plays 4 of its 9 conference games @ home, West Virginia, TCU, T-Tech & ISU  and hits the trail to take on Texas (In Dallas not Austin), Kansas, Baylor, Kansas State, & OSU. YS believes OU goes 7-2 in Big 12 play, winning all 4 of their home games, but fall to Texas (in Dallas) & OSU in Stillwater. OS believes, @ home, they beat West Virginia, TCU, T-Tech, & ISU for a 4-0 effort in Memorial Stadium & while on the road, they beat Texas, Kansas, Baylor, & K-State, falling to only OSU. OS has OU 8-1 in conference games!

Overall: YS says 9-3, coming up short vs ND, Texas & OSU. OS has OU going 10-2, losing to only @ Notre Dame & In-sate rival, Oklahoma State.

Oklahoma State:

Non-Conference Games: OSU travels to Starkville to take on Mississippi State, their lone Non-Conference BCS opponent, they also face one FBS team, Texas San Antonio Independent) & Lamar University, a FCS team, both games are in Stillwater. YS thinks 3-0, the Cowboys take down their biggest Non-Conference challenge, MSU from the”Mighty SEC”and roll from there. OS agrees, OSU wins all three Non-Conference games in 2013.

Conference Games: OSU plays 5 of its 9 games in the friendly confines of Boone Pickens  Stadium. They welcome, Kansas State, TCU, Kansas, Baylor, & Oklahoma while traveling to West Virginia, ISU, T-Tech, & Texas. YS predicts 7-2, falling to Texas in Austin and to WV in Morgantown. OS believes OSU wins all 5 @ home and falls only once, on the road, @ Austin, to Texas, leaving OSU @ 8-1 in the Big 12 in 2013.

Overall: YS believes OSU goes 10-2, while OS has the cowboys at 11-1.

TCU:

Non-Conference Games: The Frogs have taken a big bite of the apple to start the 2013 season, taking on LSU @ Cowboy Stadium. They also play SMU, now a member of the Big East, meaning TCU will play 2 BCS opponents and 1 FCS team,  Southeastern Louisiana (Southland Conference). YS thinks 2-1, falling to LSU. OS agrees, the Golden Frogs lose to only LSU, while beating SMU & hammer SE Louisiana @ home.

Conference Games: TCU plays 5 of its 9 Big 12 games on the road; Texas Tech, Oklahoma. OSU, ISU & KSU. At home, they play, Kansas, Texas, West Virginia, & Baylor, in that order. YS has TCU beating Tech, & KSU on the road & finding a way at home vs Kansas, Baylor, & West Virginia, for a 5-4 conference record. OS thinks TCU beats T-Tech, ISU, KSU on the road, but fall to OU & OSU and win all four games @ home, 7-2 in Big 12 games in 2013.

Overall: YS  projects the Frogs @ 7-5; while OS thinks TCU goes 9-3 in 2013.

Texas:

Non-Conference Games: The Longhorns, like other Big 12 teams, play 3 Non-Conference games, two @ home New Mexico State (independent), & Ole Miss (SEC) and BYU (Independent) in Provo. YS thinks 3-0, OS agrees, 3-0

Conference Games: Texas has 4 of its 9 Big 12 games in Austin and 5 away from home. At home, the Horns take on Kansas State, Oklahoma (Dallas not Austin), Kansas, & OSU, while traveling to ISU, TCU, WV, T-Tech, & Baylor. YS says 7-2, two upsets, ISU & WV shock the Longhorns. OS believes Texas wins 3 of 4 at home, well, sort of, losing to OU, in Dallas. Away from Austin, the Longhorns go 4-1, losing only to TCU, for a 7-2 mark in Big 12 play!

Overall: YS says 10-2. OS agrees 10-2 for the Longhorns and Mack keeps his job!

Texas Tech:

Non-Conference Games: T-Tech has SMU W (Big East) on the road and 2 relatively “soft games” vs Texas State (Sun Belt) & Stephen Austin (FCS / Southland Conference) @ home. YS says 3-0, Tech will beat SMU in Dallas, their only Non-Conference challenge. OS agrees, the Red raiders go 3-0 vs Non-Conference opponents … a tough game with SMU on the road .. but survive in this Dallas showdown between old Southwest Conference (SWC) foes!

Conference Games: Tech has 5 of its 9 Big 12 games at home; TCU, ISU, OSU, KSU, & Texas. They face Kansas, WV, OU, & Baylor away from Lubbock. YS projects a 2-7 slate for the Raiders, beating only Kansas & West Virginia . OS thinks 1-8, the raiders will drop 5 of 5 @ home and on the road, beat, only Kansas, in conference play. Tech will have to adjust to coaching changes in 2013, from Tommy Tuberville, (off to Cincinnati) to home-grown, former Texas Tech QB, Kliff Kingsbury!

Overall: YS believes 5-7, OS says the Raiders will finish @ 4-8.

West Virginia:

Non-Conference Games: WV takes on William & Mary (FCS  / CAA) & Georgia State (Sun Belt), 2 teams that simply do not have the talent or skill level to play with Mounteeriers. WV does travel to College Park, to take on Maryland (ACC,  soon to be Big 10) on Sept. 21st. YS predicts 3-0, the Mountaineers will hammer their first 2 Non-Conference opponents and then, outscore Maryland! OS concurs, 3-0!

Conference Games: West Virginia plays 4 of its 9 conference games at home and 5 away from Morgantown. At Home, the Mountaineers face, OSU, T-Tech, Texas, & ISU, while on the road they line up against, OU, Baylor, KSU, TCU & Kansas. YS Projects 4-5, beating Texas Tech & ISU @ home and finding a way on the road vs Kansas State & Kansas.  OS says WV goes 2-7; 1-3 @ home, beating only Texas Tech while losing to ISU, OSU & Texas. On the road, the Mountaineers win only @ Kansas, losing the other 4 games away from Mountaineer Field! 

Overall: YS thinks 7-5. OS has WV @ 5-7 in 2013!

 

In YS Scenario, three teams tie with identical conference records of 7-2, Texas, OU & OSU! Since Texas beats both Oklahoma & Oklahoma State in YS projection, the Longhorns are the Big 12 Champions for 2013!

Big 12 vs Non-Conference opponents (30 Games), YS thought the Conference would go 28-2 (losing only to Notre Dame & LSU)

Big 12 vs BCS opponents (9 games vs BCS teams) YS believes the Big 12 goes 7-2!

Big 12 vs FBS, 85 scholarship programs… but from Non-BCS Conferences (14 games) YS says 14-0!

Big 12 vs FCS, 63 scholarship programs (7 games) YS projects 7-0!

OS’s scenario finds OU & OSU tied for the conference crown @ 8-1, with the tie-breaker going to OSU who beat OU in this projection!

Big 12 vs Non-Conference opponents (30 Games), OS thought the Conference would go 25-5 (losing to Notre Dame, LSU, SMU, Tulsa, & North Dakota State)

Big 12 vs BCS opponents (9 games vs BCS teams) OS believes the Big 12 goes 6-3!

Big 12 vs FBS (14 games) OS says 13-1!

Big 12 vs FCS (7 games) OS projects 6-1!

Sully’s CFP still thinks the Big 12 should make a run at getting BYU & Boise State to join their conference. This would get them two quality programs, divisional play with 12 teams, and a conference championship game in the first week of December. Here is an off the top of our heads divisional breakdown …. North Division: Kansas State, Kansas, Iowa State, West Virginia, Boise State, & BYU while the South Division: OU, OSU, Texas, TCU, Texas Tech, & Baylor. No matter where one places West Virginia …. there will be geographic distance issues, as in this divisional configuration, North / South or an East / West alignment … WV will have to travel and so will other conference members to reach Morgantown. More to follow on this … and please, Big 12, any addition will be subtraction, if the teams you add are from the State of Texas … forget the Alamo … and remember the old Southwest Conference (SWC) ….. in the end the acronym SWC was said to stand for the “So-What-Conference”. Finally, if you like offense, this is where you and your channel changer should be focused … Channel 12 Baby…. as in Big 12! This League likes to score points and a lot of them! Fun to watch!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Baylor, Big 12, Boise State, Buffalo, BYU, Colorado, Georgia State, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Lamar University, Louisiana, Louisiana Tech, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Rice, SMU, South Dakota, Southeastern Louisiana State, Stephen F. Austin State, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech, U-Mass, ULM, UTSA, West Virginia, William & Mary |

SEC: 2013 Sneak Preview

Sully’s CFP staff which consist of Young Sully (YS) & Old Sully (OS) met in the kitchen… (over burgers) to analyze the “Mighty SEC” for the 2013 season!

The SEC is divided into two 7 team divisions …. in the East Division, we have: Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, & Vanderbilt; while the West Division features: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, & Texas A&M!

As we did with the Big Ten, we review the specific team’s schedule for the 2013 season and break it down into how we think they will fare in Non-Conference, Divisional, Conference, & Overall play.

In 2013, the SEC will take on 18 BCS Teams (The BCS is made up of 6 Conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, PAC 12, & SEC + ND), 24 FBS Opponents (An FBS Program must award 85 Scholarship just like BCS programs or lose their FBS status …. FBS Non-BCS Conferences include: MAC, Mountain West, C-USA & Sun Belt + Independents), & 14 FCS Teams (FCS Programs may offer up to 63 Scholarship … while FCS teams cannot offer more than 63 scholarships … they may offer fewer) to round out their 56 game (4 per team) non-conference schedule. Each team will play 6 Divisional games and 2 crossover contests with the other division. That said, lets roll! Out of respect for the West producing the last four National Champions …. we will begin there!!

West Division

Alabama:

Non-Conference play: Bama takes on one BCS opponent, Va Tech, in the Georgia Dome , two FBS teams, Colorado State & Georgia State, & one FCS club, Chattanooga… all at home. YS & OS agree Bama goes 4-0 in Non-Conference play!

West vs East: Their 2 crossover games with the East are @ Kentucky & Tennessee at home … YS and OS agree again … The Tide will be 2-0 vs the East.

In Divisional Games:  YS has Bama beating, A&M, Auburn, & MSU on the road & Arkansas and Ole Miss @ home… but losing to LSU in Tuscaloosa ….  for a 5-1 record. OS has Bama winning all 6 Divisional Contests!

Overall: YS has Bama at 11-1 in 2013, while OS has the Tide rolling @ 12-0!

YS has Bama in a BCS Bowl  … and a possible berth into the National Championship Game… OS has the Tide playing for another BCS National Championship.

Arkansas:

Non-Conference play:  One BCS opponent, @ Rutgers, while the other three games are all at home …. two FBS teams, Southern Miss & Louisiana Lafayette, & one FCS squad, Samford. YS has the Razorbacks winning all four games … 4-0 … Meanwhile, OS has the “Backs” at 3-1 losing to Rutgers in New Jersey.

West vs East: Arkansas has a tough crossover schedule, @ Florida & South Carolina at home. YS & OS agree … Arkansas will go 0-2 vs the East!

In Divisional Games: Arkansas has Alabama, Ole Miss & LSU on the road and MSU, Auburn and A&M at home. YS thinks the Razorbacks will go 3-3 in the Division beating MSU, Auburn, & Ole Miss… and losing to Bama, LSU & A&M. , while OS has them @ 2-4 falling to Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU & Texas A&M … beating MSU & Auburn!

Overall: YS has Arkansas @ 7-5 and bowl eligible for 2013… Not so fast says OS …. he thinks 5-7 more likely ….. and / with the Razorbacks sitting @ home for the “second season”!

Auburn: 

Non-Conference play: Auburn will line up against one BCS opponent, A PAC 12 Club, Washington State, two FBS teams, Arkansas State & Florida Atlantic from the Sun Belt/C-USA and one FCS team …. a Southern Conference team, Western Carolina. YS believes the Tigers go 4-0 in their non-conference schedule … OS concurs … 4-0 is likely!

West vs East: The Tigers challenge Tennessee on the road and Georgia @ home… YS has Auburn beating Tennessee in Knoxville and losing to the Bulldogs at home… 1-1 vs the East. OS thinks Tigers go down vs both Tennessee and Georgia  … 0-2 in crossover games!

In Divisional Games: Auburn takes on LSU,  A&M and Arkansas on the road and welcomes Bama, Ole Miss & MSU to Jordan-Hare Stadium. YS & OS agree … 1-5 in the West … beating only MSU at home!

Overall: YS  has the Tigers at 6-6 and bowl eligible… while OS places Auburn at 5-7 and home for the holidays!

LSU:

Non-Conference play: The Tigers (LSU Tigers … That is ….. not Missouri or Auburn Tigers) open their season vs TCU (Big 12) at Cowboy Stadium, then take on 2 FBS Teams, UAB (C-USA) & Kent State (MAC) @ home, and a FCS opponent in Furman, a Southern Conference Club. YS thinks 4-0 and OS agrees …… LSU wins them all …. 4-0 in Non-Conference play!

West vs East: LSU has to cross the equivalent of the old “Green Line” in Beirut, Lebanon … a very dangerous venture … as their Divisional crossover games are against Florida @ home & Georgia on the road …. the best in the East ( South Carolina… may take issue)  YS predicts a split, 1-1 … LSU beats Florida but falls to Georgia, OS agrees …. Down goes Florida, while Georgia beats the Tigers!

In Divisional Games: YS has the Tigers @ 6-0 …. beating Bama, Auburn, & Ole Miss on the road and holding serve at home vs MSU, A&M, and Arkansas; OS … a much different story … he has LSU losing @ Alabama, being upset by Ole Miss in Oxford, & losing at home to Texas A&M for a surprising 3-3 slate in Divisional play!

Overall: YS has the Tigers headed for a BCS Bowl @ 11-1, OS has them at 8-4 and while headed for a bowl, just not the type that they have been at in recent times!

Mississippi State:

Non-Conference play: All four of MSU’s Non-Conference Games are at home…. YS thinks 3-1 …. falling to Oklahoma State (Big 12) but beating Troy (Sun Belt), Bowling Green (MAC), Alcorn State, a FCS team, from the SWAC. OS agrees 3-1, MSU loses @ home to OSU!

West vs East: YS has the Bulldogs @ 1-1, beating Kentucky at home and falling to South Carolina in Columbia! OS says Dido, 1-1!

In Divisional Games: YS has MSU at 0-6 Losing @ Auburn A&M, and Arkansas on the road and falling at home to LSU, Bama, & Ole Miss! OS is right with him, 0-6 in the West!

Overall: YS has MSU going 4-8 and OS agrees, 4-8 for the Bulldogs in 2013! The Bulldogs will be working hard on the channel changer, watching not playing during the “Bowling Season”.

Ole Miss:

Non-Conference play: The Rebels travel to Austin, Texas to challeneg a BCS opponent, the Texas Longhorns (Big 12), two FBS teams …. Troy (Sun Belt) & Idaho (Independent), and a FCS Team, SE Missouri State from the Ohio Valley Conference. YS has the Rebels losing to the Horns and OS is right with him … the Rebels fall in Austin … 3-1 in Non-Conference Games.

West vs East: YS has Ole Miss @ 2-0 in their crossover contests, beating Vandy on the road and Missouri at home, OS agrees …. Ole Miss wins both tilts vs the East!

In Divisional Games: The Rebels travel to Bama, Auburn & MSU and host LSU, Arkansas, & Texas A&M. YS thinks Ole Miss goes 3-3 …. beats Arkansas, Auburn, & MSU … falls to Bama, LSU & A&M. OS disagrees with the LSU result … the Rebels upset the Tigers in Oxford … 4-2 in the West!

 Overall: YS believes Ole Miss goes 8-4 and heads to a bowl game … While OS thinks 9-3 and the Rebels head to the Capital One or Outback Bowl in 2013.

Texas A&M:

Non-Conference play: A&M takes on four Non-Conference opponents …. all at home.  SMU (now a member of the Big East & …. thus …. now a BCS opponent), Rice (C-USA), UTEP (C-USA), & a FCS club …. Sam Houston out of the Southland Conference. YS has the Aggies @ 4-0 as does OS  4-0 … That said … this is not a “Murderers Row” …. Non-Conference line-up!

West vs East: YS  has A&M beating Vandy at home and Missouri on the road …. OS concurs …. The Aggies go 2-0 vs the East!

In Divisional Games: A&M takes on Ole Miss, LSU, & Arkansas on the road and faces Alabama, Auburn, & MSU in College Station. YS has the Aggies @ 4-2  …. beating Ole Miss & Arkansas and losing to LSU in road games … while stopping Auburn & MSU …. but falling to Bama in home contests.  OS thinks A&M goes 5-1 … losing to only Alabama ….. @ home …. (payback baby)!

Overall: YS has Texas A&M at 10-2 …. while OS …. has them @ 11-1! The Aggies have a great shot at a BCS Bowl and an outside chance to play for it all!

So in the SEC West Division … YS Predicts…..  LSU @ 7-1, Bama @ 7-1,  Texas A&M 6-2, Ole Miss @ 5-3, Arkansas @ 3-5, Auburn @ 2-6, & MSU @ 1-7 ….. as a result of YS having LSU beating Bama …..  In YS’ scenerio LSU wins the West…. OS forecasts have….   Alabama @ 8-0, Texas A&M 7-1, Ole Miss 6-2, LSU 4-4, Arkansas 2-6, Auburn 2-6, & MSU 1-7.  Alabama wins the West via OS crystal ball

East Division

Florida:

Non-Conference play: The Gators take on two BCS opponents, Miami FL  (in Miami) & Florida State at home, Toledo @ home and a FCS team, Georgia Southern (who has run the ball against Bama & Georgia for 302 yards the past two seasons) out of the Southern Conference! YS has Florida going 4-0 …. losing to FSU @ home!. OS agree 3-1 … falling in Gainesville to the Seminoles!

West vs East: YS thinks 1-1 ….  Florida beats Arkansas @ home …. but loses to LSU in Baton Rouge …. OS … The Gators win @ home vs the Razorbacks … but go down in Tigerville!

In Divisional Games: Florida takes on Kentucky, Missouri, & South Carolina on the road while facing Georgia (Jacksonville), Tennessee, & Vandy @ home. YS  believes the Gators will go 5-1 in the Division …. losing to only Georgia. OS agrees …. 5-1  …. but has the Gators beating Georgia …. but falling to South Carolina in Columbia!

Overall: YS predicts the Gators will go 10-2 and …. OS agrees 9-3 in 2013!

Georgia: 

Non-Conference play: The Dawgs open & close their season against two BCS opponents …. @ Clemson & Georgia Tech, & play 2 @ home against …. North Texas (Sun Belt) and Appalachian State, a FCS team from the Southern Conference. YS has Georgia going 4-0 in Non-Conference play while OS agrees the Dawgs win all 4 games against Non-SEC teams. 

West vs East: YS  believes Georgia beats LSU @ home and handles Auburn on the road …. OS says dido…. 2-0 …. Georgia wins both contests against the West!

In Divisional Games: Georgia plays Tennessee, Vandy, & Florida (Jacksonville) on the road and square off against Kentucky, Missouri, & South Carolina @ home. YS has Georgia @ 6-0 in Divisional Play. OS disagrees …. 5-1 … the Dawgs fall in Jacksonville to the Gators!

Overall: YS has the Dawgs a perfect 12-0 and headed to the SEC Championship Game and possible BCS National Championship Game… While OS has Georgia @ 11-1 and based on their win over South Carolina … qualifying to play in the SEC Championship Game and somewhere in the BCS Bowl line-up!

Kentucky:

Non-Conference play: The Wildcats take on in-state rival Louisville, a BCS team from the Big East (soon to be ACC), Western Kentucky (Sun Belt), another in-state opponent (who beat them last year), Miami OH (MAC) & Alabama State (SWAC Team) all at home! YS has the “Cats” @ 3-1 …. losing to Louisville …. OS Concurs …. 3-1 …. with their sole Non-Conference loss to the Cardinals.

West vs East: YS has Kentucky losing both crossover games …. @ MSU and Bama at home … OS says amen to that …. 0-2 vs the West!

In Divisional Games: YS has The Wildcats going 0-6 …. OS is right their with him …. Cats go winless in the SEC East in 2013.

Overall: Both YS & OS have the Wildcats @ 3-9 for 2013!

Missouri:

Non-Conference play: The Tigers take on 1 BCS opponent, Indiana (Big Ten), on the road, while the rest of their Non-Conference schedule is at home. They line up against 2 FBS teams, Toledo (MAC) & Arkansas State (Sun Belt) and 1 FCS club …. Murray State (Ohio Valley). YS has them going 4-0 in their Non-Conference play and OS agrees …. 4-0!

West vs East: YS has the Tigers losing both crossover games, Ole Miss & Texas A&M … OS concurs … 2 losses vs the West!

In Divisional Games: Mizzu takes on Vandy, Georgia, & Kentucky on the road and Florida, South Carolina, & Tennessee at home! YS believes that the Tigers will go 2-4 in the division, beating Tennessee (@ home) & Kentucky on the road …  while falling to Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Vanderbilt! OS has the same result … with identical wins (Tennessee & Kentucky) and losses!

Overall: YS & OS have the Tigers going 6-6 in 2013 and earning a bolw berth!

 South Carolina:

Non-Conference play: The Gamecocks are definitely ballers this coming season …. as they take on 3 BCS opponents … most in the SEC….  North Carolina (ACC) @ home, Central Florida (Big East) on the road & Clemson (ACC) @ home. They will also line up against one FCS team, Coastal Carolina (Big South Conference) in Columbia, later in the 2013 season. YS has Carolina going 3-1 …. losing only to Clemson …. OS has them at 4-0!

West vs East: SC travels to Arkansas on 10/12/13 & welcomes Mississippi State to Williams-Brice on 11/2/13 & …. YS has the Cocks winning both games ….  OS agrees …. the Gamecocks go 2-0 vs the West!

In Divisional Games: South Carolina travels to Georgia, Tennessee, & Missouri and hosts Vanderbilt, Kentucky & Florida. YS has the Gamecocks 4-2 beating Tennessee, Missouri, Vandy , & Kentucky …. while losing to Georgia on the road and Florida @ home. OS says 5-1 … losing only @ Georgia!

 Overall: YS has Carolina @ 9-3 …. while OS has them @ 11-1 … with a real shot at a BCS Bowl!

Tennessee:

Non-Conference play: The Volunteers have volunteered to take on the toughest Non-Conference opponent faced by a SEC team, Oregon (PAC 12) and do so at one of the loudest, if not the loudest venue …. Autzen Stadium. They also play Western Kentucky & South Alabama (both Sun Belt teams) and a FCS opponent … Austin Peay (Ohio Valley) YS has the Vols going 3-1 …. losing to only Oregon! OS says …. right on … 3-1 vs Non-Conference foes!

West vs East: Tennessee plays the West via the Alabama connection @ Bama & @ home vs Auburn. YS says 1-1 …. falling to the Tide and beating Auburn …. OS says amen to that … the Vols go 1-1 vs the West! 

In Divisional Games: On the road, Tennessee takes on Florida, Missouri, & Kentucky and play Georgia, South Carolina & Vandy @ home! YS & OS think alike … 2-4 … the Volunteers beat Vandy & Kentucky and lose to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, & Missouri!

Overall: YS & OS have Tennessee at 6-6 and in the second season …. for the first time in since 2010!

Vanderbilt:

Non-Conference play: The Commordes play 1 BCS team, Wake Forest (ACC) home, 1 FCS team, Austin Peay (Ohio Valley) home, & tangle with 2 FBS opponents, U-Mass (MAC) away & UAB (C-USA) home! YS & OS have Vandy @ 4-0 in Non-Conference play!

West vs East: Vandy plays Ole Miss @ home & A&M on the road …. YS & OS are in agreement …. 0-2 …. Vandy goes winless vs the West!

In Divisional Games: The Commodores play South Carolina, Florida & Tennessee on the road and host Georgia, Kentucky, & Missouri! YS & OS agree …. 2-4 … Vandy beats Kentucky & Missouri … but falls to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, & Tennessee.

Overall: YS & OS are aligned …. 6-6 … Vandy is Bowling for the third straight year!!

So in the SEC East Division … YS forecast…. Georgia @ 8-0, Florida 6-2, South Carolina 6-2, Tennessee 3-5, Vanderbilt, 2-6, Missouri 2-6, & Kentucky 0-8. OS  predictions…. Georgia 7-1, South Carolina 7-1, Florida 6-2, Tennessee 3-5, Vanderbilt 2-6, Missouri 2-6, & Kentucky 0-8! For YS …. Georgia wins the SEC East outright @ 8-0 … for OS …. Georgia wins the SEC East by virture of their win over South Carolina!

SEC Championship Game: YSHas LSU vs Georgia   ….   while OS has Alabama vs Georgia. Even though YS had Georgia beating LSU during the regular season …. in the SEC Championship Game … He has LSU winning the game & the SEC in 2013. Meanwhile …. OS has Alabama vs Georgia in the SEC Championship Game with Bama winning another close game with the Dawgs!  ….  YS LSU …. OS Alabama

The West Division: YS  …. vs BCS Teams 4-3, vs FBS  Opponents 14-0, FCS Teams 7-0, & vs All Non-Conference Opponents 25-3! ……

The West Division: OS …. vs BCS 5-2, vs FBS 14-0, FCS 7-0, & vs All Non-Conference Opponents 26-2!

The East Division: YS  …. vs BCS Teams 7-4, vs FBS opponents 10-0, FCS Teams 7-0, & vs All Non-Conference Opponents 24-4! ……

The East Division: OS …. vs BCS Teams 8-3, vs FBS  opponets 10-0, FCS Teams 7-0, & vs All Non-Conference Opponents 25-3!

East vs West 14 Crossover Games: YS .. 9-5 West  .. & .. OS 8-6 West

SEC vs the Rest ….    56 Total Non-Conference Games: …. YS 49-7 …. OS 51-5!

Posted in Alabama, Alabama State, Alcorn State, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Auburn, Austin Peay, Bowling Green, Chattanooga, Clemson, Coastal Carolina, Colorado State, Florida, Florida Atlantic, Florida State, Furman University, Georgia, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kent State, Kentucky, Louisiana, LSU, Miami FL, Miami OH, Mississippi State, Missouri, Murray State, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Rice, Sam Houston State, Samford, SEC, SMU, South Alabama, South Carolina, Southeast Missouri State, Southern Miss, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Toledo, Troy, U-Mass, UAB, UCF, UTEP, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Washington State, Western Carolina |

Big Ten: 2013 Sneak Preview

The Super Bowl each & every year signals the end of the  football season … & what that means @ Sully’s CFP is that it is time to start to look forward to what the 2013-14 college football season will / may bring

Our staff (Young Sully (YS) & Old Sully (OS)) sat down at Barnes & Nobles and began the process by reviewing the Big Ten Schedule and making some early predictions on what may happen in league play in 2013!  So here we go….

The 12 Big Ten teams will play 144 games in the coming season (12 each) … 96 games will be in conference play (each team plays 8 league games)  and 48 non conference tilts (each league member will play 4 non conference games) for a total of 12 games per team!

The league is divided into two divisions (Leaders & Legends) with 6 teams in each division. I think the best (unassisted) way to remember what teams are in what division is the M & N code, Michigan, Michigan State, & Minnesota, then Northwestern, & Nebraska… plus Iowa. Make up the Legends Division!

For the Leaders, you are on your own, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Purdue, Ohio State & Penn State! So whatever works to assist you with knowing what teams are in Leaders off the top of your head! For me, I use the following mnemonic:  Wisconsin & Illinois love each other as States (Not), Purdue & Indiana share a State, and then the two teams that have state in their names, Penn & Ohio! Well, it works for me!

So here is the process, we looked at the 2013 schedules for each team and then predicted their fate in terms of, Divisional, Conference, & Overall Records!

Lets start with the….

Legends Division

Iowa:

In Divisional play: We were not close in our divisional predictions for the Hawks in 2013 ….. Young Sully (YS) believes that they will continue to struggle in 2013 … in fact …. YS has them losing all five divisional games!   While Old Sully (OS) believes that they will have a slightly better season in 2013.  OS has them at 2 -3 in the division (beating Northwestern & Minnesota) and losing to the other three divisional rivals (Michigan, Michigan State, & Nebraska) Divisional Record: YS 0-5  OS 2-3

In Legends vs Leaders: Ohio State, Wisconsin, & Purdue … YS has the Hawks beating the Boilers (Purdue) and falling to the Badgers & the Bucks! OS has Iowa beating Purdue, upsetting Wisconsin (@ Home) and losing to OSU in Kinnick Stadium! Conference Record: YS 1-7  OS 4-4!

In Non Conference Games, Iowa will face Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, Missouri State, & Iowa State…. Finally we agree…. YS 3-1 & OS 3-1! We both thought that the Hawks would beat NIU (BCS Bowl last Year: Orange Bowl Vs FSU… a 31-10 loss) … That said … A new coach for Northern, a lot of pressure & NIU has the whole country’s attention! The Hawks fall in Ames to ISU!  .Overall Record YS 4-8  OS 7-5!

YS has the Hawks home for the Bowling Season while OS has them playing in the second season!

Michigan:

In Divisional play: YS had the Wolverines beating MSU, Nebraska, Minnesota, & Iowa, and getting upset by Northwestern for a 4-1 record in the Legends Division … while OS had the Wolves losing to “Little Brother” MSU in East Lancing and beating the other four divisional rivals for a 4-1 finish in the division! So YS & OS agreed on the destination … but not the route! YS & OS have the same result  Divisional Record: 4-1

In Legends vs Leaders: Michigan takes on Indiana, Penn State, & OSU! YS has them beating PSU & Indiana & falling @ home to OSU …. Ditto for OS ….. 2-1 in divisional crossover games! YS & OS Agree Conference Record: 6-2!

In Non-Conference games: Michigan takes on Notre Dame, U-Conn, Akron, & Central Michigan! YS has the 3-1 losing to ND @ home  & OS agrees 3-1, losing to the Irish in Ann Arbor in their final meeting in the “Big House” @ least for a while YS & OS agree Overall Record: 9-3!

YS & OS concur, Michigan will be Bowling … yet again!!

Michigan State: 

In Divisional play: YS had State beating Nebraska, Iowa, & Minnesota …. while falling to Northwestern & Michigan …. Meanwhile ….  OS had MSU losing to only Nebraska in Lincoln! Divisional Record YS 3-2 & OS 4-1!

In Legends vs Leaders: MSU takes on Illinois, Indiana, & Purdue (what a Heaven Sent … avoid OSU, PSU & Wisconsin) YS & OS agree … 3-0 in crossover games vs the Leaders!    Conference Record:  YS 6-2 & OS 7-1

In Non-Conference games: MSU challenges, South Florida, Notre Dame, Western Michigan, & Youngstown State! YS & OS agree, MSU’s only loss is to ND in South Bend! Overall Record: YS 9-3 & OS 10-2!

YS & OS have MSU heading for another bowl …  just as it has for the past six years!

Minnesota:

In Divisional play: YS & OS have the Golden Gophers going winless in Legends play, 0-5, losing to Nebraska & Iowa @ home & MSU, Michigan, & Northwestern on the road! Divisional Record …. YS & OS 0-5!

In Legends vs Leaders: Minnesota plays Indiana, Wisconsin & PSU. YS has the Gophers beating Indiana and losing to the Nittany Lions & the Badgers, while OS has them losing to all three of these teams. Conference Record: YS 1-7  OS 0-8!

In Non-Conference games: The Gophers take on UNLV, San Jose State & Western Illinois @ Home  & travel to New Mexico State to round out their four non-conference games! We debated the SJSU game (11-2 last season) but in the end thought Minnesota would prevail … as a result; YS & OS have the Golden Gophers ‘s 4-0 in Non Conference play! Overall Record: YS 5-7  OS 4-8

Both YS & OS have the Gophers @ home for the second season!

Nebraska:

In Divisional play: YS has the Huskers beating MSU & Iowa @ home and Minnesota on the road … while losing to Michigan in the “Big House” & Northwestern at home! That said ….. OS has the Huskers going 4-1 … losing only to the “Wolves” in Ann Arbor….  Divisional Record: YS 3-2 & OS 4-1

In Legends vs Leaders: The Cornhuskers line up against the Fighting Illini at home & face the Nittany Lions & Boilermakers on the road! YS has has the Huskers going 3-0 and OS agrees, 3-0! Conference Record: YS 6-2  OS 7-1

In Non-Conference games: Nebraska challenges Wyoming, Southern Mississippi, South Dakota State, & UCLA, all at Home! YS says 3-1, Huskers lose to the Bruins, OS says 4-0 Cornhuskers beat the Beach Boys in Cornville! Overall Record: YS 9-3         OS 11-1

Nebraska is Bowling, a BCS Bowl by OS thinking!

Northwestern: 

In Divisional play: YS the Wildcats beating Minnesota, MSU, & Michigan @ home & Iowa on the road … their lone loss @ Nebraska for a 4-1 Divisional Record… OS takes a much different view …. 1-4 … beating only Minnesota … losing @ home to MSU & Michigan and to Iowa & Nebraska in Iowa City & Lincoln! Divisional Record: YS 4-1  OS 1-4

In Legends vs Leaders:  The Cats take on OSU @ home & the Illini and Badgers on the road! YS has NW @ 2-1 losing to OSU & while OS has them at 1-2 …. falling to both the Bucks & Badgers … while beating the Illini in Urbana-Champaign!                                      Conference Record: YS 6-2  OS 2-6 

In Non-Conference games: The Cats line up against California (Away), Syracuse, Western Michigan, & Maine …. all at home! YS has them @ 4-0 … OS agrees …. two tough games to begin the season … But NW finds a way ….  Cal has a new coach and the ‘Cuse’ game is in Evanston!   OS …. 4-0! Overall Record ….  YS 10-2 / OS 6-6

Cats are Bowl eligible from both of these perspectives!

So in the Legends …  according to YS …  Northwestern, Michigan, Nebraska, & MSU all finish at 6-2 in conference play … In YS scenario …. in the Divisional Games … 1) NW beats Michigan & MSU but loses to Nebraska … 2) Michigan beats Nebraska & MSU but loses to NW … 3) MSU beats Nebraska  …. but loses to NW & Michigan …. 4) Nebraska beats NW but loses to Michigan & MSU! So  no winner in the Legends via head to head competition …. so on to the next tie-breaker …. Divisional Records … 1) Northwestern 4-1, Michigan 4-1, MSU 3-2 & Nebraska 3-2. So …. Michigan & NW are left standing …. now …. back to Head to Head ….  in YS predictions …. NW upset Michigan …. thus YS’s winner in the Legends Division is …. Northwestern!

In OS’s scenario Nebraska & MSU finish with 7-1 Conference Records … since Nebraska beat MSU in OS’s simulation …. the winner in this scenario is …. Nebraska!

Leaders Division

Illinois:

In Divisional play: The Illini have Wisconsin & OSU @ home … and Purdue, Indiana & PSU on the road! This schedule does not favor the Fighting Illini … games they could win at home are on the road and the Buck / Badger games are not winnable … at least … not on paper. YS has the Illini @ 0-5 & OS concurs … 0-5! Divisional Record 0-5

In Legends vs Leaders: The Illini take on NW & MSU @ Home and  Nebraska on the road! YS & OS are in agreement 0-3 in 2013! The Illini needed a shot at Minnesota to get a win! YS & OS concur, Illini will not win a Big Ten Game. Conference Record  0-8 

In Non-Conference games: The Illini step up against Cincinnati, Washington, Miami of Ohio and Southern Illinois … all at home … YS has the FI’s beating SIU & Miami and falling to BCS foes, the Big East’s Cincy and the PAC 12’s Huskies … OS says amen to that … 2-2 in Non-Conference games. Overall Record: YS & OS align @ 2-10

Illini Fans are cheering for the round ball players during bowling season!

Indiana:

In Divisional Play: The Hoosiers’ schedule is favorable, playing Purdue, Illinois, & PSU @ home all winnable games and @ OSU & Wisconsin. YS has the Hoosiers beating Illinois and Purdue and falling to the Lions, Bucks & Badgers. OS sees it the same way!          Divisional Record: 2-3

In Legends vs Leaders: Indiana takes on MSU & Michigan on the road and Minnesota @ home, once again, the schedule favors the Hoosiers! YS 1-2,  Indiana beats Minnesota and falters at Michigan & Michigan State! OS agrees 1-2 is the result in their crossover games, Indiana loses in their ventures into Michigan but handles the Gophers @ home! Conference Record: 2-6

In Non-Conference games: The Hoosiers line up against Navy, Bowling Green, Indiana State, & Missouri, all at home! YS Says: 4-0 upsetting the Mighty SEC’s Missouri! OS while concerned about Navy, thinks Kevin Wilson’s team will play their responsibilities first against the the Midshipmen option, but the Hoosiers will fall to the Missouri Tigers, 3-1! Overall Record: YS 6-6  OS 5-7  

YS has Indiana playing in a Bowl game while OS has them with their neighbors to the West, the Illini, watching B-Ball!

Ohio State: 

In Divisional Play: The Bucks take on Illinois & Purdue on the road and PSU, Indiana, & Wisconsin at the Horseshoe! YS & OS agree, 5-0 in divisional play! None of these teams have the talent level of the Bucks and the prognosis for the future does not bode any better! Divisional Record: 5-0

In Legends vs Leaders: OSU takes on Michigan & NW on the road & Iowa @ the Shoe! YS & OS concur the Bucks will win all three of these games! Conference  Record 8-0 

In Non-Conference games: The Buckeyes, step up or on, California (Away), Florida A&M, Buffalo, & San Diego State at the Shoe! YS & OS agree 4-0. Overall Record: 12-0

BCS National Championship Game?

Penn State:

In Divisional Play: The Nittany Lions play Wisconsin, OSU & Indiana on the road and Illinois & Purdue in Happy Valley! YS has the Lions @ 3-2 beating Purdue, Illini, & Hoosiers …. while falling to OSU & Wisconsin! OS agrees, 3-2 with the exact results as YS! Divisional Record: 3-2  

In Legends vs Leaders: PSU takes on Michigan & Nebraska on the road and Minnesota in Happy Valley! YS & OS concur 1-2 … PSU beats Minnesota and falls to Michigan and Nebraska! Conference Record: 4-4

In Non-Conference games: The Nittany Lions take Syracuse, Virginia, Kent State, & Eastern Michigan, all @ Home! YS has the Lions going 3-1 losing to Syracuse, while OS has PSU winning all 4 games @ home. Overall Record: YS 7-5  OS 8-4

Bowl Eligible on the field but not in the real world!

Purdue:

In Divisional Play: The Boilers take on PSU, Wisconsin, & Indiana on the road and OSU & Illinois @ Home! YS thinks Purdue beats Illinois and loses to OSU, PSU, Indiana, & Wisconsin OS agrees!  Divisional Record: 1-4

In Legends vs Leaders: Purdue meets Nebraska & Iowa @ home & MSU on the road! YS says 2-1, he likes the Boilers against Iowa & the Illini. While OS thinks 1-2, he has Purdue dropping two games, Iowa & MSU but beating Illinois. Conference Record: YS 2-6  OS 1-7

In Non-Conference games: Purdue engages Notre Dame, Cincinnati (only Non-Conference away game), Northern Illinois, & Indiana State. YS thinks 2-2,  losing to ND & Cincy! OS concurs, the Boilers beat Indiana State & Northern Illinois, but fall to ND & Cincinnati!  Overall Record: YS 4-8  OS 3-9

Either way Purdue is home for the second season!

Wisconsin:

In Divisional Play:The Badgers will face Ohio State and the Illini on the road and host the Boilermakers, Hoosiers, & Nittany Lions in Mad Town! YS has Bucky @ 4-1 in the Leaders Division, beating Purdue, PSU, Illinois & Indiana but losing to OSU. OS agrees Wisconsin goes 4-1 in the Leaders! Divisional Record: 4-1

In Legends vs Leaders: Wisconsin takes on the Hawks & Gophers in Iowa City & Minneapolis, and face off with the Wildcats in Madison! YS has the Badgers @ 2-1 … beating Iowa & Minnesota but falling to Northwestern! While OS agrees 2-1 … but has Bucky prevailing against the Cats & Gophers ……  but faltering in Iowa City to the Hawks Conference Record: YS & OS agree 6-2

Non-Conference Games … Bucky faces BYU, Arizona State (Away), Tennessee Tech, & U-Mass! YS has the Badgers going 3-1 beating Tennessee Tech,U-Mass & BYU @ home and losing to ASU in Tempe! OS … ditto … 3-1 …. beating the same teams & losing to ASU!  Overall Record YS & OS concur 9-3!

So in the Leaders…YS & OS  agree that OSU is the clear favorite … projected to go 8-0 in Big Ten Play.

In the Big Ten Championship Game: The Leaders Representative in this simulation is OSU & the Legends would challenge for the title with either YS Northwestern or OS Nebraska …. in either Scenario YS & OS agree … OSU wins the Big Ten Championship and will have a good shot to play in the BCS National Championship Game!

 

 

 

Posted in Akron, Arizona State, Big Ten, Bowling Green, Buffalo, BYU, California, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Eastern Michigan, Florida A&M, Illinois, Indiana, Indiana State, Iowa, Iowa State, Kent State, Maine, Miami OH, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Missouri State, Navy, Nebraska, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, San Diego State, San Jose State, South Dakota State, South Florida, Southern Illinois, Southern Miss, Syracuse, U-Mass, UCLA, UNLV, Virginia, Washington, Western Illinois, Western Michigan, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Youngstown State |

What Happens when an Irish Wake meets an Alabama Tide?

While it is not commonly known … Wakes (especially Irish Wakes) are much more dangerous than Tides (especially Alabama Tides)! The height of a wave is called its amplitude and the distance between the crest of the waves is called its frequency! Tides can produce waves with high amplitude but are relatively slow moving (less than 10 miles per hour) as a result, their frequency is low and thus they pose little, to no threat, to those who come into contact with them! Wakes are another matter! They will travel at the speed of the the event that created them and therefore, they can and often do, have rapid Frequencies and often couple this furrocious speed with high Amplitude …..  a force that is both Large & Quick … a deadly combination!

So what happens if a Wake is heading south and the Tide is heading north? While the Tide’s Amplitude is up to the task… its Frequency is quickly neutralized, dissipated, &  disintegrated, as the Wake’s crest crashes into the Tide in rapid succession. The Wake pounds the withering Tide, hammering at it …. at the peek of its crest …. where the Wake’s destructive surges exert their greatest force! Like a fighter, who pummels his opponent with several, fast, well-placed and devastating punches …the Tide reels ….  not rolls ….  into oblivion!

To further heighten the power of the Wake, unlike the Tide, it can integrate other Wake’s power into the fold and move seamlessly at its intended target! The only real chance a Tide has to successfully navigate a Wake …. is to turn tail and ride the power of the Wake! Who knows, an Alabama Tide, by acting rationally and riding the force of this Irish Wake’s assault ….  may end up in Dublin, with a Leprechaun for a friend, a healthy supply of Jameson, and a Pot of Gold for chump change!

Wait … I think I’ll go with the Tide … to ensure they arrive safely & proper distribution of the Jameson ….  once they reach the Emerald Isle!!!

Posted in Alabama, Notre Dame |

BCS National Championship

Bowl History: The BCS National Championship was first played in 1998 and has been played annually since its inaugural year! This championship series will come to an end after the 2013 campaign, as a four team play-off is scheduled for 2014 season! The tie-ins are the Number 1 and the Number 2 ranked teams in the BCS Poll!! The first game played in this bowl series took place on January 4, 1998, between Tennessee and Florida State, a game won by the Volunteers, 23-16! Last year’s game was played January 9, 2012 between Alabama and LSU, a game won by Bama, 21-0! The BCS Championship payout is $18,000,000.00!

Teams: Alabama: Conference Affiliation: SEC Overall Record 12-1, Conference Record 8-1, Divisional Record 5-1 (SEC West Division)  vs Notre Dame  Conference Affiliation: Independent; Overall Record 12-0, Conference Record: NA!

Bowl Location: Miami Gardens, Florida  … played @ Sun Life Stadium , the seating capacity @ the facility is 78,468. Last year’s game which featured Alabama and LSU, was attended by 78,237 and the site of the 2012 Championship Game was  the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Day, Date, & Time: Monday, 1/7/13, @ 7:00 p.m. CST

Network: ESPN

Best Wins: Alabama: beat LSU 21-17, Mississippi State, 38-7 (MSU came into the game undefeated …. 7-0), & Georgia, 32-28!  Notre Dame: beat Stanford, 20-13, Oklahoma, 31-13, & USC, 22-13

Worst Losses: Alabama: lost to Texas A&M, 29-24 …. almost kept them out of the BCS National Championship Game; Notre Dame: None!

Common Opponents: One, Michigan …. Bama stomped the Wolverines, 41-14 while ND survived Big Blue, 13-6

Las Vegas Hotsheet: Opened @ Alabama -10.5 …. has moved to Alabama -10

Offensive Team Data: Alabama: Total Yards, 439 YPG; Passing Yards, 214 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 225 YPG; Scoring Average 38 PPG, Turnovers, 1.15 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 46.8%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 89% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 72%

Offensive Team Data: Notre Dame: Total Yards, 421 YPG; Passing Yards, 219 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 203 YPG; Scoring Average 27 PPG, Turnovers, 1.17 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 47.3%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 79% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 47%

Defensive Team Data: Alabama: Total Yards, 246 YPG; Passing Yards, 166 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 80 YPG; Scoring Average 11 PPG, Turnovers, 2.15 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 32.54%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 63% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 52%

Defensive Team Data: Notre Dame: Total Yards, 287 YPG; Passing Yards, 194 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 92 YPG; Scoring Average 10 PPG, Turnovers, 1.92 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 34.5%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 64% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 24%

Sully’s Game Simulator:  is a statistical analysis / predictor of how these teams will perform, based solely on their numbers, when they face off on the gridiron! Keep in mind, these stats were established against different teams and conferences and these differences must be taken into account to get a complete picture when attempting to predetermine a winner. If you are interested in how the Simulator works … read this part … if not … skip it! The process used is … we take Alabama’s total yards on offense, add it to what ND gives up on defense, …  get a total and then divide that number by 2 … to get the mean. We then invert the process by taking ND’s total offense, add it to what the Crimson Tide gives up on defense, get a total and divide that number by 2  to get the second mean… the greater number (with the exception of Turnovers) is then determined to have the advantage ( please note …. statistical advantage). We repeat this process in each of the eight statistical categories assessed!  That said… here are the results of the Head to Head Analysis:

Total Yards: Advantage  Alabama 363 to 334

Passing Yards: Advantage Alabama 204 to 193

Rushing Yards: Advantage Alabama 159 to 142

Scoring: Advantage Alabama 24 to 19

Turnovers: Advantage Alabama 1.55 to 1.64

3rd Down Conversions: Advantage Alabama 40.65% to 39.85%

Red Zone All Scores: Advantage Alabama 77% to 71%

Red Zone TD’s Only: Advantage Notre Dame 50% to 48%

Individuals to Watch: Alabama: QB, A.J. McCarron has passed for 2669 yards, 26 TD’s, 3 INT’s, and has completed 67% of his attempts, RB, Eddie Lacy, has rushed for 1182 yards, averaged 6.4 yards per carry, & scored 16 TD’s, while teammate, T.J. Yeldon, has rushed for 1,000 yards, averaged 6.5 yards per carry & scored 11 TD’s. WR, Amari Cooper has caught 53 passes for 895 yards while averaging 16.9 yards per catch and scoring 9 TD’s. Notre Dame: will counter with QB, Evert Golson, who has passed for 2135 yards, 11 TD’s, 5 INT’s and has completed 59% of his attempts, RB, Theo Riddick, has rushed for 880 yards, averaged 4.9 yards per carry, & scored 5 TD’s, while fellow running mate, Cierre Wood, has rushed for 740 yards, averaged 6.7 yards per carry & scored 4 TD’s.  TE, Tyler Eifert has caught 44 passes for 624 yards while averaging 14.2 yards per catch and scoring 4 TD’s.

Sully Says: Bama dominates ND on Sully’s CFP Game Simulator 7 to 1 in its statistical analysis, the Irish only advantage was / is in scoring TDs in the Red Zone. QB play favors the Tide and wide receiver, Amari Cooper’s -53 receptions out-distances ND’s TE, Tyler Eifert’s 44 receptions. The Tide rolls into the title game having won the SEC Championship Game ….  over a determined Georgia, 32-28 and 12 of 13 games overall in 2012; while the Irish won all 12 of this year’s regular season games, two in OT (Stanford & Pitt …. 3 OT’s)! This game is shaping up as a defensive battle and for the first time, in a long time, the SEC does not have a significant advantage over their opponent …. and ….  in fact, may not have an advantage at all! Total Defense; Bama is ranked 1st (246 YPG) …. the Irish 6th (287), Rushing Defense; The Tide is 1st in the country (80 YPG) while ND is 4th (92 YPG)  Passing Defense ND is the best in the nation ….  giving up 9.68 YPC (in fact, ND is the only team in the country that gives up less than 10 yards per completion) to Bama’s …. 11.3 yards per catch; Scoring Defense; ND 1st @ 10.33 with Bama 2nd @ 10.69; Red Zone Defense;  Bama is better than ND at defending against all scores (TD’s & FG’s) when defending RZ penetrations (63% Bama to 64% Irish)  …. while ND is better at keeping opponents from scoring TD’s (24% of the time opponents will score TD’s against the Irish D to 52% vs Bama D) … Always remember …. these statistics/numbers were earned against different opponents … so this begs the question …. who (Alabama or Notre Dame) played the better schedule? ND beat 12 opponents …. so did Bama … 9 of ND’s opponents went to Bowl Games (USC .. lost, Purdue .. lost, Pitt .. lost, Michigan .. lost, Navy .. lost, BYU .. won, Michigan State, .. won,  Oklahoma, .. lost, & Stanford .. won .. so 3-6 in the bowl season for ND opponents) Bama beat 6 teams that went bowling ( Michigan, .. lost, LSU, .. lost, Ole Miss, .. won, Mississippi State, .. lost, Texas A&M .. won, Western Kentucky, .. lost .. so 2-4 in the bowl season for opponents Bama beat in 2012) The teams the Tide & the Irish beat had an identical winning percentage in the bowl season 2/6 = 33 % .. & .. 3/9 = 33%. These teams are very similar on defense … that Alabama has an edge on offense is clear .. a 10 points edge ..  is not … Sully’s CFP Says …. take the Irish & the 10 points …and if you do … say a prayer for Golson …as he, without question, is the X factor in this game!

Posted in 2012 / 2013 Bowl Game, BYU, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Navy, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Stanford, Texas A&M, USC |

GODADDY.con Bowl

Bowl History: The GODADDY.com Bowl was first played in 1999 and has been played annually since its inaugural year! The tie-ins are the Sun Belt and the MAC! The first game played in this bowl series took place on December 22, 1999, between TCU and East Carolina, a game won by TCU, 28-14! Last year’s game was played January 8, 2012 between Arkansas State and Northern Illinois, a game won by NIU, 38-20! The GODADDY.com payout is $750,000.00!

Teams: Kent State: Conference Affiliation: MAC; Overall Record 11-2, Conference Record 8-2, Divisional Record 5-0 (MAC East Division)  vs Arkansas State:  Conference Affiliation: Sun Belt; Overall Record 9-3, Conference Record: 7-1!

Bowl Location: Mobile, Alabama  … played @ Ladd Peebles Stadium , the seating capacity @ the facility is 40,646. Last year’s game which featured Arkansas State and Northern Illinois, was attended by 38,734 or 95.30% of Ladd Peebles Stadium’s capacity.

Day, Date, & Time: Sunday, 1/6/13, @ 8:00 p.m.

Network: ESPN

Best Wins: Kent State: beat Rutgers on Oct. 27 when the Scarlet Knight were  undefeated, 35-23! Arkansas State: Beat Louisiana, 50-27, Louisiana Monroe, 45-23, & Middle Tennessee, 45-0 … these three teams finished tied for 2nd in the Sun Belt @ 6-2 behind ASU’s 7-1 conference … Sun Belt domination by ASU!

Worst Losses:: Kent State: lost to Kentucky (2-10), 47-21; Arkansas State: lost to Western Kentucky, 26-13, … a loss that kept them from going undefeated in the Sun Belt!

Common Opponents: None

Las Vegas Hotsheet: Opened as a Pick ’em game …. has moved to Arkansas State -4

Offensive Team Data: Kent State: Total Yards, 392 YPG; Passing Yards, 183 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 209 YPG; Scoring Average 35 PPG, Turnovers, 1.31 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 37.1%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 82% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 57%

Offensive Team Data: Arkansas State: Total Yards, 482 YPG; Passing Yards, 263 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 219 YPG; Scoring Average 36 PPG, Turnovers, 1.17 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 47.8%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 87% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 67%

Defensive Team Data: Kent State: Total Yards, 418 YPG; Passing Yards, 256 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 161 YPG; Scoring Average 25 PPG, Turnovers, 2.92 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 38.1%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 79% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 53%

Defensive Team Data: Arkansas State: Total Yards, 385 YPG; Passing Yards, 232 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 153 YPG; Scoring Average 25 PPG, Turnovers, 1.83 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 41.3%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 78% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 54%

Sully’s Game Simulator:  is a statistical analysis / predictor of how these teams will perform, based solely on their numbers, when they face off on the gridiron! Keep in mind, these stats were established against different teams and conferences and these differences must be taken into account to get a complete picture when attempting to predetermine a winner. If you are interested in how the Simulator works … read this part … if not … skip it! The process used is … we take ASU’s total yards on offense, add it to what KSU gives up on defense, …  get a total and then divide that number by 2 … to get the mean. We then invert the process by taking KSU’s total offense, add it to what the Red Wolves give up on defense, get a total and divide that number by 2  to get the second mean… the greater number (with the exception of Turnovers) is then determined to have the advantage ( please note …. statistical advantage). We repeat this process in each of the eight statistical categories assessed!  That said… here are the results of the Head to Head Analysis:

Total Yards: Advantage  ASU 450 to 389

Passing Yards: Advantage ASU 260 to 208

Rushing Yards: Advantage ASU 190 to 181

Scoring: Advantage ASU 31 to 30

Turnovers: Advantage Kent State 1.57 to 2.05

3rd Down Conversions: Advantage ASU 42.9% to 39.2%

Red Zone All Scores: Advantage ASU 83% to 80%

Red Zone TD’s Only: Advantage ASU 60% to 56%

Individuals to Watch: KSU:QB, Spencer Keith has passed for 1864 yards, 12 TD’s, 9 INT’s, and has completed 55% of his attempts, RB, Dri Archer, has rushed for 1352 yards, averaged 9.0 yards per carry, & scored 15 TD’s, WR, Dri Archer has caught 35 passes for 539 yards while averaging 15.4 yards per catch and scoring 4 TD’s. ASU: will counter with QB, Ryan Aplin has passed for 3129 yards, 23 TD’s, 4 INT’s and has completed 68% of his attempts, RB, Davis Oku, has rushed for 1024 yards, averaged 4.6 yards per carry, & scored 15 TD’s, WR, JD McKissic has caught 92 passes for 909 yards while averaging 9.9 yards per catch and scoring 4 TD’s.

Sully Says: ASU dominates KSU on Sully’s CFP Game Simulator 7 to 1 in its statistical analysis, the Golden Flashes only advantage was in turnover margin. QB play favors ASU and wide receiver, JD McKissic – 92 receptions far outdistance Dri Archer’s 35. The Red Wolves come into this bowl riding a 7 game win streak while KSU won 10 straight before losing the MAC Championship to NIU, 44-37, in OT!  ASU  has more speed than KSU and the Flashes struggle on defense giving up more total yards per game, 418, then they gained on offense, 392. So how did they win 10 in a row? KSU led the nation in forcing turnovers, 38, and were second in the country in Turnover Margin @ 1.62. Both coaches have left, Gus Malzahn for Auburn & Darrell Hazell for Purdue.  That said, Purdue is allowing Hazell to coach the game …. Malzahn will not! Kent State is trying to win its first bowl game … ever…  Sully’s CFP Says … the last time Kent State was in a bowl game was 1972, the Tangerine Bowl, when current Alabama Coach, Nick Saban, was playing for the Flashes! Take Kent State and the 4.5 

Posted in 2012 / 2013 Bowl Game, Arkansas State, Kent State, Kentucky, Louisiana, Middle Tennessee, ULM |

BBVA Compass Bowll

Bowl History: This bowl (formally know as Birmingham Bowl 2006 & the Papajohns.com Bowl 2006-2010), was established in 2006, and became the BBVA Compass Bowl on November 4, 2010! Conference Tie-ins are the Big East / SEC, with the alternates being C-USA & the MAC. The first game was played December 23, 2006 … South Florida 24,  East Carolina 6 and the defending Champion from 2011 is SMU, who hammered Pittsburgh 28 to 6, on January 6, 2012!

Teams: Pitt: Conference Affiliation: Big East; Overall Record 6-6, Conference Record 3-4, vs Old Miss Conference Affiliation: SEC; Overall Record 6-6, Conference Record: 3-5, Divisional Record 3-3 (SEC West Division)

Bowl Location: This bowl is played annually @ Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama! The seating capacity of Legion Field is 71,594 with the greatest number of fans to attend this bowl being 45,254, on January 2, 2010, when Connecticut beat South Carolina, 20-7. The smallest crowd to see the BBVA Compass Bowl was the last one played on January 7, 2012 …. 29,726!

Day, Date, & Time: Saturday, 1/5/13 @ 12:00 p.m. CST

Network: ESPN

Best Wins: Pitt: beat Rutgers, 27-6 & Virginia Tech, 35-17  Ole Miss: beat Mississippi State, 41-24, to win the Egg Bowl (not really a bowl game or even a post season battle .. just played as a regular season game with in-state trash talking rights on the line…1st win for Ole Miss in 4 long years)!

Worst Losses:: Pitt: Youngstown State: 31-17; Ole Miss: Texas, 66-31 @ home!

Common Opponents: None

Las Vegas Hotsheet: Game opened @ Ole Miss -2 has moved to Ole Miss -3.5

Offensive Team Data: Pitt: Total Yards, 409 YPG; Passing Yards, 254 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 155 YPG; Scoring Average 27 PPG, Turnovers, 0.67 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 40.2%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 82% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 60%

Offensive Team Data: Ole Miss: Total Yards, 427 YPG; Passing Yards, 257 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 171 YPG; Scoring Average 31 PPG, Turnovers, 2.25 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 44.1%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 90% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 66%

Defensive Team Data: Pitt: Total Yards, 326 YPG; Passing Yards, 199 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 127 YPG; Scoring Average 20 PPG, Turnovers, 1.67 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 44.7%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 78% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 50%

Defensive Team Data: Ole Miss: Total Yards, 385 YPG; Passing Yards, 251 YPG;  Rushing Yards, 134 YPG; Scoring Average 29 PPG, Turnovers, 2.17 TPG; Percent of 3rd Down Conversions, 39.3%; Percentage of all scores in Red Zone, 77% & Percentage of TD’s in Red Zone, 48%

Sully’s Game Simulator: is a statistical analysis / predictor of how these teams will perform, based solely on their numbers, when they face off on the gridiron! Keep in mind, these stats were established against different teams and conferences and these differences must be taken into account to get a complete picture when attempting to predetermine a winner. If you are interested in how the Simulator works … read this part … if not … skip it! The process used is … we take Pitt’s total yards on offense, add it to what Ole Miss gives up on defense, …  get a total and then divide that number by 2 … to get the mean. We then invert the process by taking Ole Miss’s total offense, add it to what the Panthers give up on defense, get a total and divide that number by 2  to get the second mean… the greater number (with the exception of Turnovers) is then determined to have the advantage ( please note …. statistical advantage). We repeat this process in each of the eight statistical categories assessed!  That said… here are the results of the Head to Head Analysis:

Total Yards:  Advantage Pitt 397 to 377

Passing Yards: Advantage Pitt 253 to 228

Rushing Yards: Advantage Ole Miss 149 to 145

Scoring: Advantage Pitt 28 to 26

Turnovers: Advantage Pitt 1.42 to 1.96

3rd Down Conversions: Advantage Ole Miss 44.4% to 39.8%

Red Zone All Scores: Advantage Ole Miss 84% to 80%

Red Zone TD’s Only: Advantage Ole Miss 58% to 54%

Individuals to Watch: Pitt: QB, Tino Sunseri has passed for 3101 yards, 19 TD’s, 2 INT’s and has completed 67% of his attempts, RB, Ray Graham, has rushed for 1,042 yards, averaged 4.7 yards per carry,& scored 11 TD’s,  …. Graham will play on Sunday, WR, Mike Shanahan has caught 58 passes for 928 yards while averaging 16 yards per catch and scoring 5 TD’s. Ole Miss: will counter with QB, Bo Wallace  – who has passed for 2843 yards, 19 TD’s, 15 INT’s and has completed 63% of his attempts, RB, Jeff Scott, has rushed for 828 yards, averaged 4.3 yards per carry, & scored 6 TD’s, WR, Donte Moncrief has caught 60 passes for 948 yards while averaging 15.8 yards per catch and scoring 10 TD’s.

Sully Says: The Game Simulator has the contest a statistical tie … 4 to 4 (see above) … keep in mind those stats were earned in the Big East for Pitt & the SEC for Ole Miss! Pitt has a clear edge in QB play with Sunseri’s 2 INT’s to Wallace’s 15 .. and as a result .. Pitt should win the turnover battle. That said, Wallace is far and away the better runner, 363 yards & has rushed for 8 TD’s!  Pitt has the statistical advantage in total, passing, & rushing defense … while Ole Miss is better on on 3rd down conversion and in the Red Zone, both on all scores TD’s & FG’s ( 90% to 82%)  and on scoring TD’s only (66% to 60%)! See Head to Head on the site …. for a side by side comparison! Pitt lost to Youngstown State, an FCS team, 31-17, from the Missouri Valley, this loss is hard to exercise from one’s mind in projecting an outcome for this game. And, while it is true that Pitt has played much better as the season has gone on … they did lose to U-Conn (5-7 overall record) on November 9th, 24-17. Sully’s CFP Says …. take Ole Miss and give Pitt the 3.5!

Posted in 2012 / 2013 Bowl Game, Connecticut, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, Texas, Virginia Tech, Youngstown State |