2012 Week 4 Picks

Wednesday, September 19
Kent State at Buffalo


Thursday, September 20
BYU at Boise State


Friday, September 21
Baylor at Louisiana-Monroe


Saturday, September 22
LSU at Auburn
Rutgers at Arkansas
Utah at Arizona State
Oregon State at UCLA
Cal at USC
Clemson at Florida State
Kentucky at Florida
Miami at Georgia Tech
Vanderbilt at Georgia
South Dakota at Northwestern

Eastern Michigan at Michigan State
Memphis at Duke
East Carolina at North Carolina
Army at Wake Forest
Idaho State at Nebraska
Massachusetts at Miami (OH)
UAB at Ohio State
Kansas State at Oklahoma
Temple at Penn State
South Carolina State at Texas A&M

Bowling Green at Virginia Tech
Colorado at Washington State
UTEP at Wisconsin
Maryland at West Virginia
FAU at Alabama
Central Michigan at Iowa
Kansas at Northern Illinois
Arizona at Oregon
Missouri at South Carolina
Virginia at TCU

Akron at Tennessee
Mississippi at Tulane
Norfolk State at Ohio
NW Oklahoma State at UTSA
Connecticut at Western Michigan
Gardner-Webb at Pitt
Marshall at Rice
VMI at Navy
USF at Ball State
Wyoming at Idaho

Citadel at NC State
Utah State at Colorado State
Southern Miss at Western Kentucky
Troy at North Texas
Stephen F Austin at Texas State
South Alabama at Mississippi State
Alcorn State at Arkansas State
Louisville at FIU
Coastal Carolina at Toledo
Michigan at Notre Dame

San Jose State at San Diego State
Syracuse at Minnesota
New Mexico at New Mexico State
Fresno State at Tulsa
Louisiana Tech at Illinois
Air Force at UNLV
Nevada at Hawaii

2012 Week 4 Top 25

1 - Alabama (3)
2 - LSU (1)
3 - Georgia (4)
4 - Oregon (5)
5 - Oklahoma (6)
6 - South Carolina (7)
7 - Florida State (8)
8 - West Virginia (9)
9 - Stanford (12)
10 - Notre Dame (18)
11 - Florida (23)
12 - Texas (14)
13 - Clemson (13)
14 - UCLA (17)
15 - Arizona (15)
16 - Iowa State (16)
17 - TCU (19)
18 - Ohio (21)
19 - Ohio State (22)
20 - Baylor (24)
21 - Kansas State (25)
22 - Mississippi State (UR)
23 - Rutgers (UR)
24 - USC (2)
25 - Michigan State (10)

Rank from previous week in parentheses


Others Receiving Votes: Georgia Tech, Louisville, Michigan, Northwestern, Oregon St

Added:  Mississippi State, Rutgers

Dropped:  Virginia Tech, BYU

2012 Week 3 Picks

Thursday, September 13
Rutgers at USF


Friday, September 14
Washington State at UNLV


Saturday, September 8
Lamar at Hawaii
Wake Forest at Florida State
Western Michigan at Minnesota
Arkansas State at Nebraska
Cal at Ohio State
Louisiana at Oklahoma State
Vitginia Tech at Pitt
Sam Houston State at Baylor
Northern Illinois at Army
Charleston Southern at Illinois

TCU at Kansas
Bethune Cookman at Miami
Eastern Michigan at Purdue
New Mexico at Texas Tech
Louisiana-Monroe at Auburn
Connecticut at Maryland
Presbyterian at Vanderbilt
Furman at Clemson
Tennessee Tech at Oregon
Alabama at Arkansas

Virginia at Georgia Tech
Boston College at Northwestern
North Carolina at Louisville
Massachusetts ar Michigan
Navy at Penn State
Morgan State at Akron
Northern Iowa at Iowa
Texas A&M at SMU
East Carolina at Southern Miss
Miami (OH) at Boise State

Stony Brook at Syracuse
Portland State at Washington
FIU at UCF
James Madison vs West Virginia at Landover, MD
South Alabama at NC State
UTSA at Georgia State
Florida at Tennessee
Cal Poly at Wyoming
Ohio at Marshall
Western Kentucky at Kentucky

Arizona State at Missouri
NC Central at Duke
Nicholls State at Tulsa
MTSU at Memphis
Delaware State at Cincinnati
North Texas at Kansas State
Rice at Louisiana Tech
UAB at South Carolina
Bowling Green at Toledo
Mississippi State at Troy

Northwestern State at Nevada
USC at Stanford
FAU at Georgia
North Dakota at San Diego State
Colorado State at San Jose State
Western Illinois at Iowa State
Ball State at Indiana
Idaho at LSU
Notre Dame at Michigan State
Utah State at Wisconsin

Colorado at Fresno State
New Mexico State at UTEP
Texas at Mississippi
BYU at Utah
South Carolina State at Arizona
Houston at UCLA

2012 Week 3 Top 25

1 - LSU (1)
2 - USC (2)
3 - Alabama (3)
4 - Georgia  (6)
5 - Oregon (4)
6 - Oklahoma  (4)
7 - South Carolina (8)
8 - Florida State  (9)
9 - West Virginia (10)
10 - Michigan State (12)
11 - Virginia Tech (13)
12 - Stanford (15)
13 - Clemson (16)
14 - Texas (17)
15 - Arizona (UR)
16 - Iowa State (UR)
17 - UCLA (UR)
18 - Notre Dame (22)
19 - TCU (20)
20 - BYU (23)
21 - Ohio (24)
22 - Ohio State (25)
23 - Florida (UR)
24 - Baylor (UR)
25 - Kansas State (UR)

Rank from previous week in parentheses


Others Receiving Votes: Arizona State, Louisiana-Monroe, Mississippi State, Northwestern, Tennessee

Added: Arizona, Iowa State, UCLA, Florida, Baylor, Kansas State

Dropped: Wisconsin, Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, North Carolina, Iowa

2012 Week 2 Picks

Thursday, September 6
Pitt at Cincinnati


Friday, September 7

Utah at Utah State


Saturday, September 8

NC State at Connecticut
New Hampshire at Minnesota
UCF at Ohio State
Tulane at Tulsa
Maryland at Temple
Penn State at Virginia
Auburn at Mississippi State
Miami at Kansas State
FAU at MTSU
Grambling State at TCU

East Carolina at South Carolina
Ball State at Clemson
Maine at Boston College
Southern Illinois at Miami (OH)
Illinois State at Eastern Michigan
Austin Peay at Virginia Tech
Texas A&M-Commerce at UTSA
Southern Utah at Cal
Sacramento State at Colorado
North Carolina at Wake Forest

Weber State at BYU
Eastern Washington at Washington State
Purdue at Notre Dame
Missouri State at Louisville
Indiana at Massachusetts
Air Force at Michigan
Howard at Rutgers
USC vs Syracuse at East Rutherford
Florida at Texas A&M
Western Kentucky at Alabama

Michigan State at Central Michigan
Iowa State at Iowa
Rice at Kansas
USF at Nevada
Wisconsin at Oregon State
Georgia State at Tennessee
Toledo at Wyoming
Nicholls State at South Alabama
Savannah State at Florida State
Morgan State at Buffalo

Akron at FIU
Fresno State at Oregon
North Dakota State at Colorado State
Presbyterian at Georgia Tech
Washington at LSU
UTEP at Mississippi
Idaho at Bowling Green
New Mexico State at Ohio
Florida A&M at Oklahoma
Texas Southern at North Texas

Western Carolina at Marshall
Texas Tech at Texas State
Memphis at Arkansas State
Louisiana Monroe at Arkansas at Little Rock
UT Martin at Northern Illinois
Louisiana at Troy
Eastern Illinois at Western Michigan
Army at San Diego State
Nebraska at UCLA
Kent State at Kentucky

Georgia at Missouri
UC Davis at San Jose State
Vanderbilt at Northwestern
Louisiana Tech at Houston
New Mexico at Texas
Stephen F Austin at SMU
Northern Arizona at UNLV
Illinois at Arizona State
Oklahoma State at Arizona
Duke at Stanford

2012 Week 2 Top 25

1 - LSU (1)
2 - USC (2)
3 - Alabama (3)
4 - Oklahoma (4)
5 - Oregon (6)
6 - Georgia (7)
7 - Wisconsin (8)
8 - South Carolina (9)
9 - Florida State (10)
10 - West Virginia (11)
11 - Arkansas (12)
12 - Michigan State (13)
13 - Virginia Tech (14)
14 - Nebraska (15)
15 - Stanford (16)
16 - Clemson (17)
17 - Texas (18)
18 - Oklahoma State (19)
19 - North Carolina (20)
20 - TCU (22)
21 - Iowa (23)
22 - Notre Dame (24)
23 - BYU (UR)
24 - Ohio (UR)
25 - Ohio State (UR)


Rank from previous week in parentheses

Others Receiving Votes:  Baylor, Florida, Iowa State, Nevada, Tennessee

Added:  BYU, Ohio, Ohio State

Dropped:  Michigan, Boise State, Northern Illinois

2012 Preseason Top 25

1 - LSU
2 - USC
3 - Alabama
4 - Oklahoma
5 - Michigan
6 - Oregon
7 - Georgia
8 - Wisconsin
9 - South Carolina
10 - Florida State
11 - West Virginia
12 - Arkansas
13 - Michigan State
14 - Virginia Tech
15 - Nebraska
16 - Stanford
17 - Clemson
18 - Texas
19 - Oklahoma State
20 - North Carolina
21 - Boise State
22 - TCU
23 - Iowa
24 - Notre Dame
25 - Northern Illinoi


Others Receiving Votes:  FIU, Florida, Georgia Tech, Louisiana Tech, Missouri, Ohio, Ohio State, Pitt, Tulsa, Utah

2012 Week 1 Picks

Thursday, August 30
South Carolina at Vanderbilt
UCF at Akron
Eastern Michigan at Ball State
SE Missouri State at Central Michigan
Towson at Kent State
Northern Colorado at Utah
Massachusetts at Connecticut
UCLA at Rice
Sacramento State at New Mexico State
Southern Utah at Utah State

McNeese State at MTSU
Eastern Washington at Idaho
Washington State at BYU
Northern Arizona at Arizona State
Minnesota at UNLV


Friday, August 31

Villanova at Temple
Wagner at FAU
Tennessee vs NC State at Atlanta
Boise State at Michigan State
San Jose State at Stanford


Saturday, September 1

Wyoming at Texas
Northwestern State at Texas Tech
Notre Dame vs Navy at Ireland
Troy at UAB
Buffalo at Georgia
Tulsa at Iowa State
Appalachian State at East Carolina
Northwestern at Syracuse
Miami (OH) at Ohio State
Ohio at Penn State

Marshall at West Virginia
Western Michigan at Illinois
Elon at North Carolina
Idaho State at Air Force
Nevada at Cal
William & Mary at Maryland
Richmond at Virginia
Bowling Green at Florida
Miami at Boston College
Southern Miss at Nebraska

Northern Iowa at Wisconsin
Iowa vs Northern Illinois at Chicago
Eastern Kentucky at Purdue
Colorado State vs Colorado at Denver
Southern at New Mexico
Murray State at Florida State
Youngstown State at Pitt
Liberty at Wake Forest
Clemson vs Auburn at Atlanta
Jacksonville State at Arkansas

Chattanooga at USF
Austin Peay at Western Kentucky
North Texas at LSU
SE Louisiana at Missouri
Central Arkansas at Mississippi
FIU at Duke
Savannah State at Oklahoma State
UT Martin at Memphis
Lamar at Louisiana Lafayette
Jackson State at Mississippi State

South Dakota State at Kansas
Missouri State at Kansas State
Hawaii at USC
Indiana State at Indiana
Texas State at Houston
Michigan vs Alabama at Arlington
Rutgers at Tulane
Weber State at Fresno State
Toledo at Arizona
San Diego State at Washington

Arkansas State at Oregon
Oklahoma at UTEP


Sunday, September 2

Kentucky at Louisville
SMU at Baylor


Monday, September 3

Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech


Texas A&M vs Louisiana Tech at Shreveport - postponed
Nicholls State at Oregon State - postponed

2012 Preseason Bowl Projections

BCS Bowl Games:

BCS National Championship Game: LSU vs USC
Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs Wisconsin
Rose Bowl: Oregon vs Michigan
Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs Texas
Orange Bowl: Pitt vs Florida State


The Rest:

New Mexico Bowl: California vs Wyoming
Humanitarian Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs Western Michigan
New Orleans Bowl: Marshall vs FIU
Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl: East Carolina vs Vanderbilt
Las Vegas Bowl: Utah vs Boise State

Poinsettia Bowl: Nevada vs BYU
Hawaii Bowl: SMU vs San Diego State
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl: Northern Illinois vs Utah State
Independence Bowl: Texas A&M vs Boston College
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl: Illinois vs TCU

Russell Athletic Bowl: Clemson vs USF
Military Bowl: Army vs Bowling Green
Car Care Bowl of Texas: Purdue vs Kansas State
Alamo Bowl: Utah vs Oklahoma State
Armed Forces Bowl: Southern Miss vs Air Force

Pinstripe Bowl: Notre Dame vs Cincinnati
Music City Bowl: Missouri vs Virginia
Holiday Bowl: Baylor vs Stanford
Belk Bowl: Louisville vs NC State
Sun Bowl: Washington vs Georgia Tech

Liberty Bowl: Tennessee vs Tulsa
Chick-Fil-A Bowl: Florida vs Virginia Tech
TicketCity Bowl: Northwestern vs Houston
Outback Bowl: South Carolina vs Nebraska
Capital One Bowl: Michigan State vs Georgia

Gator Bowl: Auburn vs Iowa
GoDaddy.com Bowl: Ohio vs Arkansas State
Cotton Bowl Classic: Arkansas vs West Virginia
BBVA Compass Bowl: Mississippi State vs Rutgers
Fight Hunger Bowl: Navy at Washington State


Conference Championship Games

ACC: Florida State vs Virginia Tech
Big Ten: Michigan vs Wisconsin
C-USA: Tulsa vs Southern Miss
MAC: Ohio vs Northern Illinois
Pac-12: USC vs Oregon
SEC: LSU vs Georgia

2012 ACC Preview

State of the ACC:  Despite multiple rumors, no program chose to leave the ACC during this round of realignment.  Instead the ACC only grew, adding Pitt and Syracuse for the 2013 season.  Much like last year, many prognosticators are high on Florida State playing in the BCS National Championship Game.  Along with Virginia Tech, I think Florida State will be a favorite to win the conference, but will fall well short of an undefeated season.  Also, North Carolina is under NCAA sanctions and is ineligible for the postseason.


Projected Standings:
Atlantic:

Florida St | 10-2 | 6-2







Clemson | 9-3 | 6-2







NC State | 7-5 | 4-4







Boston College | 6-6 | 4-4







Maryland | 5-7 | 2-6







Wake Forest | 3-9 | 1-7







Coastal:

Virginia Tech | 10-2 | 6-2







North Carolina | 9-3 | 5-3







Georgia Tech | 8-4 | 4-4







Virginia | 7-5 | 4-4







Miami | 5-7 | 3-5







Duke | 4-8 | 2-6

2012 Big XII Preview

State of the Big 12:  The Big 12 lost two member institutions for a second straight season as Missouri and Texas A&M defected to the SEC.  The Big XII moved quickly, replacing them with TCU and West Virginia.  The Big XII is currently considering expanding back to 12 teams in order to have a championship game again, but no decisions have been made on that front for now.


Projected Standings:

Oklahoma | 11-1 | 8-1








Texas | 10-2 | 7-2







West Virginia | 9-3 | 6-3




 

Oklahoma St | 8-4 | 5-4







TCU | 8-4 | 5-4





Baylor | 7-5 | 4-5







Kansas St | 7-5 | 4-5







Iowa St | 4-8 | 3-6







Texas Tech | 5-7 | 2-7







Kansas | 3-9 | 1-8

2012 Big Ten Preview

State of the Big Ten:  The Big Ten is dealing with scandals at two of its flagship institutions, with Ohio State and Penn State both under NCAA sanctions and ineligible to play in the championship game or bowl games.  The conference still has plenty of elite teams, as I have four teams projected to have double-digit wins.


Projected Standings:
Legends:

Michigan | 11-1 | 7-1







Michigan State | 10-2 | 6-2







Nebraska | 10-2 | 6-2







Iowa | 9-3 | 5-3







Northwestern | 6-6 | 3-5







Minnesota | 4-8 | 1-7







Leaders:

Wisconsin | 11-1 | 7-1







Ohio State | 8-4 | 4-4







Illinois | 6-6 | 4-4







Purdue | 6-6 | 3-5







Penn State | 4-8 | 2-6







Indiana | 3-9 | 0-8

2012 C-USA Preview

State of C-USA:  Conference-USA keeps its current 12-member lineup for one more season before one-third of the league defects to the Big East.  The conference will look a lot different on the sidelines this year, as five programs changed head coaches in the offseason.  The East division is extremely wide open in my opinion, as I have three teams within one game of first place and Marshall is just two games away.  In the West, SMU and Houston should have strong teams, but I think Tulsa should be the class of that division.



Projected Standings:
East:

Southern Miss | 7-5 | 6-2







East Carolina | 7-5 | 5-3







UCF  |7-5 | 5-3 







Marshall | 6-6 | 4-4







UAB | 4-8 | 3-5







Memphis | 3-9 | 2-6







West:

Tulsa | 9-3 | 6-2







SMU | 7-5 | 5-3





 

Houston | 7-5 | 5-3







Rice | 4-8 | 3-5







UTEP | 4-8 | 3-5







Tulane | 2-10 | 1-7