The College Football season is fast approaching and thus I am writing a preview of the upcoming season.

Sun Belt Conference:

Top 3 teams: Arkansas State, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern

Last year’s winner was Arkansas State who went undefeated in conference games. Their only losses came to USC, Missouri, Toledo, and Louisiana Tech in the New Orleans Bowl. Arkansas State is returning 6 starters on offense and 7 on defense. This team will have a target on their back this year as they look to repeat as Sun Belt champions.

Appalachian State is just in their 3rd year of being an FBS team, and they are already making noise. Last year they went 11-2 with their only losses coming from Clemson and Sun Belt champion Arkansas St. They return 6 starters on offense and 9 on defense. They are returning one of the best running backs in the country in Marcus Cox. In 2015 he averaged 5.9 yards per carry. Their quarterback Taylor Lamb also threw for 2300 yards and 31 touchdowns, and I expect him to improve those numbers this season. I predict this team to be really good.

Georgia Southern is a team that loves to run the ball. They ran the ball 728 times last year, and passed only 59 times. They went 9-4 with losses to West Virginia, Georgia (they did take the Bulldogs to overtime), Appalachian State, and Georgia State. They return 7 starters on offense and 6 on defense. Look for them to challenge for the Sun Belt this year.

Games to watch: Arkansas State at Auburn (Sep. 10), Arkansas State vs Georgia Southern (Oct. 5), Appalachian State at Tennessee (Sep. 1), Georgia Southern vs Appalachian State (Oct. 27).

Predicted Champion: Appalachian State, 11-1 with their only loss coming against Miami (and yes that means I’m picking them to beat Tennessee, upset special for opening weekend)

CUSA:

Top 3 Teams: Marshall, Western Kentucky, and Southern Miss

Marshall looks to replace a very impressive backfield from last year as they look for replacements for running back Devon Johnson. Filling those shoes will not be easy. They return 7 offensive starters and 4 defensive starters. Last year they finished 10-3, for their 3rd straight season with double digit wins. Their only losses came to Ohio, Western Kentucky, and Middle Tennessee in triple overtime. Their offense average 31.3 points per game, but with their QB coming back for his 2nd year, with his experience look for that number to increase.

Western Kentucky looks to repeat as conference champions this year. They finished last season 12-2 with their only losses coming to Indiana and LSU. They return 8 starters on offense and get a transfer QB from USF named Mike White who threw for 1600 yards last season. They have two 1000-yard rushers returning, their top 2 receivers, and all 5 offensive linemen. They also return 4 starters on defense. This team has the offensive firepower to do some damage.

Southern Miss won the western division of the CUSA last season, and this year they want more. They went 9-5 last year, and return 7 offensive starters and 6 defensive starters. They Averaged 39.9 points and 510 yards per game last season and look for them to try to match those numbers again. They did lose their head coach and have a first-year head coach in Jay Hopson.

Games to watch: Southern Miss vs Marshall (Oct. 29), Marshall vs Western Kentucky (Nov. 26), Western Kentucky at Alabama (Sep. 10), Southern Miss at LSU (Oct. 15)

Predicted Champion: Western Kentucky, 11-2 with their only losses coming from Alabama and Vanderbilt.

MAC:

Top 3 Teams: Western Michigan, Central Michigan, and Bowling Green

Western Michigan has one of my favorite coaches in the country in PJ Fleck. He has more fire and passion than almost any other coach. He led Western Michigan to an 8-5 season last year, including 2 losses to Ohio State and Michigan State. They also got their first ever bowl win against Middle Tennessee. They return 8 starters on offense and 5 on defense. Zach Terrell returns at QB, and looks to be the best QB in the MAC this year. I look for this team to have a good season this year.

Central Michigan looks to surprise people this year after going 7-6. They return 8 starters on both sides of the ball. This team has won 11 in a row against MAC east opponents. They also return a 4-year starter at QB in Cooper Rush.

Bowling Green is the defending MAC champion, and have appeared in the 3 last MAC championships. They are led by first year head coach Mike Jinks. Last year they went 10-4, and return 5 offensive starters and 6 defensive starters. They also have possibly the best line backing core in the MAC with Trenton Greene, Austin Valdez, and Sanford. I expect this team to have a good season.

Games to watch: Central Michigan vs Western Michigan (Oct. 1), Western Michigan vs Northern Illinois (Oct. 8), Northern Illinois vs Central Michigan (Oct. 15), Bowling Green at Ohio State (Sep. 3), Northern Illinois vs Bowling Green (Nov. 1)

Predicted Champion: Western Michigan, 10-3 with loses to Northwestern, Illinois, and Central Michigan.

Mountain West:

Top 3 Teams: Boise State, Air Force, San Diego State

Boise State looks to bounce back from a disappointing season last year (as much as you can call 9-4 disappointing). They lost games last year to BYU, Utah State, New Mexico, and Air Force. Bryan Harsin is in his 3rd year as head coach. This team returns 8 offensive starters, and 5 defensive starters, including starting QB Brett Rypien. He threw for 3300 yards on 273 completions. They also return one of the best running backs in the league in Jeremy McNichols who is coming back for his junior year. They also have the best receiving units in the mountain west with WRs Thomas Sperbeck and Chaz Anderson, and TE Jake Roh. Look for an offensive explosion this year.

The Triple Option of Air Force will always give the Mountain West problems. They went 8-6 last year, and return 5 starters on offense and 9 starters on defense including star defensive player Weston Steelhammer. They also have one of the best coaches in the Mountain West in Troy Calhoun who is in his 10th year as Air Force’s head coach. Air Force will always be a pain in their opponents’ side and don’t expect anything to be different this year.

San Diego State is last year’s Mountain West defending champion. They went 11-3 losing to California, South Alabama, and Penn State. They return 7 starters on offense and defense including possibly the best running back in the mountain west Donnel Pumphrey. They return 6 of their top 7 tacklers, including 3 Mountain West 1st team players. This is one of the strongest defenses in the Mountain West. Not to mention it’s a 3-3-5 defense which is super exciting to watch.

Games to watch: Boise State vs Washington State (Sep. 10), Boise State at Oregon State (Sep. 24), Boise State vs BYU (Oct. 20), Air Force vs Boise State (Nov. 25), Air Force vs Navy (Oct. 1), Air Force at Army (Nov. 5), San Diego State vs California (Sep. 10).

Predicted Champion: Boise State, 12-1 with their one loss coming to Air Force in the final game keeping them out of the playoff contention.

American:

Top 3 Teams: Houston, Navy, Cincinnati

Houston looks to repeat their amazing season from last year when they went 13-1, including a win over Florida State in the Peach Bowl. Tom Herman is back for his 2nd year as head coach. They return 6 offensive starters including Heisman candidate QB Greg Ward he is one of the best QB’s in the American conference, protected by one of the best offensive lines. They aren’t just an offensive team either. They return 5 starters on defense, and have the best front 7 in the American conference. Look for this team to compete for the G5 spot in a NY6 bowl this year.

Normally when a team only returns one offensive starter you wouldn’t put them as a top 3 team in the conference, but service academies always seem to reload well, and are led by one of the best coaches in the country in Ken Niumatalolo. They went 11-2 last year with their only losses coming from Notre Dame and Houston. Look for this team to surprise people.

Cincinnati once again caught the injury bug in 2015; since 2005 they haven’t had a season where their backup QB hasn’t had significant playing time. They hope to change this year by having one of the best offensive lines in the league. They only went 7-6 last year, so they will look to improve on that. They return 5 offensive, and 8 defensive starters.

Games to watch: Houston vs Oklahoma (Sep. 3), Cincinnati vs Houston (Sep. 15), Navy vs Houston (Oct. 8), Navy at Air Force (Oct. 1), Navy vs Notre Dame (Nov. 5), Navy vs Army (Dec. 10), Cincinnati vs BYU (Nov. 5)

Predicted Champion: Navy, 12-1 with their only loss coming to Notre Dame. I see great things for this team, behind one of the best coaches in college football.

ACC:

Top 3 Teams: Florida State, Clemson, Miami

Florida State looks to do some major damage this year. They went 10-3 last year losing to Georgia Tech, Clemson, and Houston. They return 11 starters on offense (even though we will see a new face at QB this year in Deondre Francois). The most important player coming back though is Dalvin Cook, as he looks to be a leading Heisman candidate. They also return 6 starters on defense and have possibly the best coach in the ACC in Jimbo Fisher.

Clemson made it to the national championship last year, and this year they look to win it all. They are led by last year’s Heisman trophy finalist Deshaun Watson. They went 14-1 with their only loss coming from Alabama in the National Championship. They return 8 starters on offense and 4 on defense. They are led by Dabo Swinney who is in his 9th year as head coach.

Miami looks to have a break out year. They haven’t had a 10-win season in what seems like forever, but now have a new head coach in Mark Richt. They return Brad Kaaya (who might be the most pro ready QB in college football right now). Miami also has an easy conference schedule in avoiding Clemson. This team might not return to its glory days this year, but look for them to challenge for the ACC championship.

Games to watch: Florida State vs Ole Miss (Sep. 5), Miami vs Florida State (Oct. 8), Florida State vs Clemson (Oct. 29), Florida State vs Florida (Nov. 26), Clemson at Auburn (Sep. 3), Miami at Notre Dame (Oct. 29).

Predicted Champion: Florida State, 13-0 It will really come down to Florida State vs Clemson, I give Florida State the edge in that game.

Big 12:

Top 3: Oklahoma, TCU, Texas

Oklahoma went to the college football playoff last year, but lost to Clemson in the first round. They finished 11-2 on the season. They return two Heisman trophy candidates in Baker Mayfield and Samje Perine. They return 7 starters on offense, and 6 on defense. Bob Stoops is in his 18th year as head coach. The sky is the limit for this team, but in the crazy Big 12 anything can happen.

TCU went 11-2 last year with their only losses coming from Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. They are coached by one of the best defensive minds in college football in Gary Patterson who is in the 16th year at head coach. They only return 3 starters on offense but acquired some familiar faces including Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill (QB), and LSU transfer John Diarse (WR). They also return 8 starters on defense. This team is a contender for the Big 12.

Now I know it’s probably crazy to have a team that went 5-7 last year on my top 3 for this year but I honestly feel this is the breakout season for Charlie Strong, who is in his 3rd year as head coach. They return 8 starters on defense and should have a very impressive line backing core, and secondary. They also return 7 offensive starters. Look for Texas at a minimum to give a lot of the top teams problems, and maybe even be in contention to win the Big 12.

Games to watch: Oklahoma vs Houston (Sep. 3), Oklahoma vs Ohio State (Sep. 17), TCU vs Oklahoma (Oct. 1), Oklahoma vs Texas (Oct. 8), Texas vs TCU (Nov. 25), Texas vs Notre Dame (Sep. 4)

Predicted Champion: Oklahoma, 10-2 It’s basically a crap shoot, honest prediction is Big 12 beats its self-up and gets left out of the playoffs. I have Oklahoma losing to Ohio State and Texas.

PAC-12:

Top 3: Stanford, UCLA, USC

Stanford was just left out of the playoffs this year, and this year they look to get in. They return the most exciting player in the country in Christian McCaffery who seems to be able to play any position he wants. They went 12-2 last year losing their opening game to Northwestern and losing a crazy game to Oregon. They return 5 offensive starters, and 6 defensive starters including some of the best linebackers in the PAC-12. David Shaw who is possibly the best coach in the PAC-12 returns for his 6th season. This team will be dangerous this year.

UCLA comes back this year bringing 9 out of 11 defenders back. This defense looks to improve on last year and give UCLA a shot at the PAC-12. In a stacked PAC-12 last year they went 8-5, but have the pieces to improve on that, including 2nd year QB Josh Rosen who had an impressive Freshmen year, and with a year of experience under his belt the sky is the limit. They also return 3 other offensive starters. Jim Mora is in his 5th year as coach and has won at least 8 games every year. Look for this team to be in the PAC-12 title game.

USC looks to improve on their 8-6 record last year in what was a stacked PAC-12. They return everyone on offense, including the best receiver in the country Juju Smith, except for QB Cody Kessler; we expect Max Brown to get the start at QB this year. Clay Helton is in his 2nd year as head coach and looks to avoid the hot seat and hopefully have a double-digit win season for the first time since 2013. They return 5 starters on defense.

Games to watch: Stanford vs USC (Sep. 17), UCLA vs Stanford (Sep. 24), Stanford at Notre Dame (Oct. 15), UCLA at BYU (Sep. 17), UCLA vs USC (Nov. 19), USC vs Alabama (Sep. 3), USC vs Notre Dame (Nov. 26)

Predicted Champion: Stanford 12-1, I think they get caught early by UCLA, but then roll on the rest of their opponents all the way through the championship game, and avenge their loss against UCLA.

Big Ten:

Top 3: Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State

Ohio state who was the favorite to win the national championship last year, had a late loss that took them out of playoff contention. They ended the season 12-1, with their only loss coming from Michigan State on a last second field goal. With one of the best coaches in the country in Urban Meyer, this team hopes to have a reloading year, and not a rebuilding year, and hopefully make the national championship. With that being said they return an almost entirely new team with only 3 offensive and defensive starters coming back. They do return a dynamic QB in J.T. Barrett.

Michigan look to build off the success they have garnered last year. They went 10-3 last year, and Jim Harbaugh is in his 2nd year as head coach. They return 8 starters on offense including possibly the best offensive line in the Big 10. They return 6 starters from one of the best defenses last year, anchored by one of the best defensive lines in college football. I can’t wait to see what Jim Harbaugh can do in his 2nd year as head coach.

Michigan State was last year’s Big 10 champion, defeating Michigan and Ohio State. They went 12-2, only losing to Nebraska and Alabama in the college football playoff. Mark Dantonio is in his 10th year as head coach. they have a fairly new team returning, only 4 offensive starters, and 6 defensive starters. Despite this, they do have possibly the best core linebackers in the Big 10. The biggest loss is quarterback Connor Cook. Despite all this, this team is still dangerous, and if they can’t win it all, look for them to upset Ohio State or Michigan.

Games to watch: Ohio State at Oklahoma (Sep. 17), Michigan State vs Ohio State (Nov. 19), Ohio State vs Michigan (Nov. 26), Michigan State vs Michigan (Oct. 29), Michigan St at Notre Dame (Sep. 17)

Predicted Champion: Michigan 12-1, I have them losing to Michigan St, but winning out besides that game. I think Jim Harbaugh is ready to turn Michigan into a powerhouse once again.

SEC:

Top 3: Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss

Alabama is last year’s defending National Champion. They have one of the best coaches of all time in Nick Saban, who is back for his 10th year at Alabama. They return 6 starters on offense and 5 on defense. I expect them to have the biggest, baddest lines on both sides of the ball again this year. Not too much more to say about this team besides it is still Alabama.

LSU and Les Miles (12th season as head coach) are looking as strong as ever this year. They have possibly the best running back in the league in Leonard Fournette. They went 9 -3 last year losing three straight to Alabama, Arkansas, and Ole Miss. This year they look to not slip up and win it all. They are many expert’s pick to win it all. They have the schedule to do this, getting Alabama and Ole Miss at home, and not having to play Tennessee. Can’t wait to see what this team does.

Ole Miss went 10-3 last year with losses to Florida, Memphis, and Arkansas. They return 5 starters on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Chad Kelly, who might be the best QB in the SEC. This year they look to beat the odds and make it to the SEC title game. They beat Alabama last year, and look to do it again in Oxford this year. Hugh Freeze returns for his 5th year as head coach, and since taking over, he has not had a losing season. Look for Ole Miss to make more noise this year.

Games to watch: Alabama vs USC (Sep. 3), Ole Miss vs Alabama (Sep. 17), LSU vs Alabama (Nov. 5), Alabama vs Auburn (Nov. 26), LSU vs Wisconsin (Sep. 3), Ole Miss vs LSU (Oct. 22), Ole Miss vs Florida State (Sep. 5), Ole Miss vs Mississippi State (Nov 26)

Predicted Champion: Alabama, 12-1, I have them losing in Death Valley, but besides that I can’t pick against Alabama as much as I hate them. Doesn’t mean I won’t root against them every game.

Projected NEW YEAR’S 6 BOWLS:

College Football Playoff:

Fiesta Bowl: #1 Alabama vs #4 Michigan

Peach Bowl: #2 Florida State vs #3 Stanford

National Championship: #3 Stanford vs #4 Michigan

National Champion: Michigan

Orange Bowl: Clemson vs Ole Miss

Cotton Bowl: Navy vs USC

Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs UCLA

Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma vs LSU