First, let's shoot straight for a second. It's confession time. I bleed Blue and Gold. West Virginia Blue and Gold. And I do it without shame, most of the time. Sure, some seasons are clunkier than others, and there is the rather embarrassing score line hung on the Mountaineers last January 1st.
But, for the first time in 16 years, the school I've rooted for as long as I've known anything about college football is legitimately in the national championship hunt.
To be honest, I'm not that big on national championship hunts, or national championships in a game of regions. Still, if the cards fall right, my team could be playing in the Orange Bowl, with the opportunity to get destroyed by Oklahoma. Or Georgia. Or ... maybe, just maybe, they'll win a January bowl game. Anything could happen. Here we go. And remember, I've got a dog in this hunt, and while I'm usually pretty good about biases and whatnot, sometimes ... well, sometimes they sneak in. Sorry.
Big East Conference
The Big East is weaker this season than ever before. In fact, I suppose that even next year when Louisville, South Florida, and Cincinnati join, things won't be quite right for some time. Which leaves the door wide open for West Virginia and Pittsburgh to dominate for the foreseeable future. With any luck, Pitt can be removed from that equation beginning this year.
West Virginia 11-0 (Last year's prediction: 7-5; Actual: 8-4)
The stars are aligned. The Mountaineers finally have bugaboo Miami off the schedule. They host Boston College, and Pitt won't be a contender anymore when that game arrives on the schedule. Is the schedule embarrassing? Yes, somewhat. But, everyone realizes that the only Big East losses this program has suffered two years running came against Miami, right? I've read some stuff lately suggesting big things from the UConn Huskies this season. Don't believe the hype. This conference is West Virginia's to lose this year.
Boston College 6-5 (10-2; 7-5)
In their farewell year, the Eagles will attempt to get through without their key offensive player from a year ago, the shifty and tough running back Derrick Knight, as well as continue to develop a quarterback to run the offense. The Eagles defense will still be stout, but winning games against the jilted partners of the Big East remainders will be, in more cases than not, difficult.
Pittsburgh 6-5 (8-4; 8-4)
Pitt starts the new era of the Big East without its quarterback of the last three seasons, without its amazing wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, and without several cogs on defense. It will be a tough season in Pittsburgh. Walt Harris bashers (of which there are plenty) will have opportunity to get in their shots.
Connecticut 6-5 (8-4; 9-3)
Do you realize the best team this beat a year ago, record-wise, was a more-tough-than-talented Wake Forest team? Do you also realize that they only played three bowl teams a year ago? And beat none of them? And, as if that isn't enough, their star running back, without whom they were unable to beat a team with a winning record, is out for the entire year again. Six wins might be more than the Huskies can actually muster.
Syracuse 6-5 (5-7; 6-6)
The big controversy all season-long will be what head coach Paul Pasqualoni can do to keep his detractors at bay. The answer, more than likely, is nothing. Still, the Orange, equipped with a new nickname (dropping the "men" in the offseason) and a new logo and the best running back in the conference should be able to get over .500 this season, and continue to attempt to retool for the future.
Rutgers 4-7 (3-9; 5-7)
The Scarlet Knights had a better team on the field than their record suggests. Things are still in flux in East Rutherford, and still improving. Rutgers has a load of work to do to actually be competitive in the conference, but things are getting better.
Temple 1-10 (4-8; 1-11)
The Owls are the Owls. A program whose continued existence, never mind their status as a Division 1-A football program, should be in grave danger, runs through their final season in the Big East in much the same way as they spent their entire tenure in the conference: at the bottom.
Mid-American Conference
The MAC gets one piece of good news this season: Marshall, which joined the conference just seven years ago, and played in the conference title game five of those seasons, is moving on after this season. The Thundering Herd leave the conference is far better shape than when they found it, though.
MAC East
Marshall 9-2 (8-4; 8-4)
The Herd look to go out on top. The toughest team in the East Division has lost its playmaker, and won't be the trouble they've been over the last two years.
Central Florida 8-3 (9-3; 3-9)
Something went terribly wrong at UCF last season. What should have been a strong season with senior QB Ryan Schneider at the helm turned into an unmitigated disaster. George O'Leary comes aboard, back in the head coaching business, and recovering from heart trouble. The squad was good but disrupted last season. Things will be better with new stability in place.
Miami 5-6 (10-2; 11-1)
Will the Redhawks miss Ben Roethlisberger? You betcha.
Akron 5-6 (7-5; 7-5)
The opportunity for the Zips to improve is there, but they'll miss out.
Kent State 4-7 (3-9; 5-7)
The Golden Flashes will have a chance to win more games if QB Joshua Cribbs can stay out of trouble. As it is, though, he's going to miss the season opener.
Ohio 3-8 (4-8; 2-10)
The Bobcats will need at least one upset to get to three wins. Stranger things have happened.
Buffalo 1-10 (1-11; 1-11)
How much futility is required to reduce a program's status, anyway?
MAC West
Toledo 10-1 (7-5; 8-4)
Quietly, the Rockets are the best team in the conference. And they currently play in the better division. Junior QB Bruce Gradkowski takes over the mantle of the league's best QB.
Bowling Green 8-3 (9-3; 10-2)
The Falcons have a good thing going, although there will be a huge adjustment to life without superstar QB Josh Harris.
Northern Illinois 7-4 (9-3; 10-2)
The Huskies will be counting on QB Josh Haldi more this season, with RB Michael Turner on to the NFL. He's up to the task, but in the West, it's going to a tough road.
Western Michigan 4-7 (3-9; 5-7)
A tough defense only goes so far.
Central Michigan 4-7 (2-10; 3-9)
I love the directional Michigan schools.
Ball State 2-10 (5-7; 4-8)
Tough times in Muncie, Indiana as they try to keep others from scoring.
Eastern Michigan 2-9 (2-10; 3-9)
I mean it, aren't the directional Michigan schools great?
Coming up next: A mid-major special with the Mountain West and Conference USA. Stay tuned!
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