This is a topic that I tend not to care too much about. Why? Because in my opinion, the team comes first and the conference comes second. The team wins the championship trophies, rings, and banners. The conference doesn't. With that said, here are my BCS conference rankings.
1) SEC- In my pre-season rankings, I have 7 SEC schools ranked in the top 25. Alabama and LSU both have a legitimate shot at winning the National Championship as they both should begin the season ranked in the top 5. The SEC champion will likely play in the National Championship once again this season. South Carolina and Arkansas will likely have pretty good seasons as well and remain in the middle of the top 25 for most of the year. Georgia and Florida will have rebound seasons this year and both teams could end the season ranked in the top 25. Auburn will struggle this year and I believe they'll drop out of the rankings, leaving the SEC with a nation-high 6 ranked teams at the end of the season.
2) Big 10 The Big 10, despite have 12 teams and not 10, is the second best conference in the nation following the addition of Nebraska. Wisonsin, Michigan State, and Nebraska will all be strong teams ranked in the top 25 this season. The conference takes a big hit as Ohio State is facing many NCAA violations and won't be the same team the next few seasons. However, their rival Michigan seems to be headed in the right direction and they could enter the top 25 by the end of the season.
3) Pac 12 The Pac 12, formerly the Pac 10, added Utah and Colorado this year. Both additions will benefit the conference, especially Utah, as they are one of the most underrated programs in the nation right now. Oregon and Stanford will be at the top of the conference once again and both teams have a shot at the national championship. Oregon lost to Auburn last season in the title game while Stanford defeated Virginia Tech in another BCS bowl game, the Orange Bowl. Stanford QB Andrew Luck decided to return for one more year with Stanford so look for them and Oregon to battle it out in the Pac 12 this season. Just like how Ohio State hurts the Big 10 this season, USC continues to hurt the Pac 12 with it's NCAA violations. Once again, the Trojans are not eligible for a bowl game this season. Arizona State will be a boarder line top 25 team this year, giving the Pac 12 three ranked teams plus USC.
4) Big 12 The Big 12 now only has 10 teams as Colorado and Nebraska both left the conference. Both teams leaving is a big hit to the conference but they are still led by Oklahoma and Texas. The Sooners will be the #1 ranked team in the nation and have a good shot of winning the title this season. Texas had a horrible season last year but they are looking to rebuild and make a comeback this season. Oklahoma State and Texas A&M should be ranked in the top 15 or top 20 most of the season and both teams have a chance of knocking Oklahoma off the top spot this season.
5) ACC The ACC continues to struggle in big non-conference games every season. The conference also tends to lack a national championship contender each year. Until the conference begins winning big non-conference games and has a team compete for a national championship, it'll ccontinue to be regarded as one of the worse BCS conferences and the little brother of the SEC. Good news for the conference in 2011, Florida State seems to be returning to the national spotlight and could finally give the conference a national contender in the next year or two. Virginia Tech is also a strong team and should join FSU ranked in the top 15 this season. The 'Noles have non-conference games against Oklahoma and Florida once again this season to try to prove the conference is worthy. Miami has a shot at having a good season this year, especially if they beat Ohio State in week 3. The 'Canes may finish the season ranked in the top 25 as well. Unfortunately for the conference, non of the other teams will be ranked high this season unless if Clemson makes a run by beating Auburn and Florida State in back-to-back games. North Carolina was an improving prgram but just got hit with NCAA violations and just lost their head coach. Georgia Tech also got hit with violations and had to vacate their 2009 ACC Championship.
6) Big East The only conference worse than the ACC every season is the Big East. In my preseason top 25, there isn't a single Big East program on the list. It is possible the conference could end the season without a single ranked team. South Florida, Louisville, and Syracuse are on the rise and could make the conference better than it has been in the past. West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati have done well in recent years but we'll have to see if any of them can get back on track and do well this season. The conference seems to be up for grabs in 2011.
No comments:
Post a Comment