Loading ...Making 60 Predictions for 2010 College Football A Year Away
Last Updated: January 10, 2010
I know the next game is nearly it’s a year away, but college football is on my mind right now. Following Alabama’s win over Texas, I made my top 25 for 2010. Now I’m going to go a step farther and make 60 bold predictions for next seasons.
In all likelihood I will miss a lot of these, but at least it’s something fun to look at. Make fun of them if you want, but before you do let’s see you make 60 bold predictions for next season with it eight months away. My goal is to get 50% of these right. That may seem like a lofty goal, but I enjoy a challenge.
So what’s the point in a list like this? It’s to get us football fanatics something to think about with football a complete year away. Without lists like this there’s nothing to discuss during the offseason.
I’m sure next year you guys can all have a laugh at my expense when the college football season goes completely different than what I have listed below.
Here’s my list of 60 bold predictions for next season:
1. Alabama will not repeat as national champions. To win a national championship you have to get a lot of breaks and chances are that Alabama used up most of its breaks this year (two blocked kicks vs TN, Mccoy injury in game vs TX).
2. John Brantley will pass for more yards than Tim Tebow ever did in any of his years at Florida. What? Yea, I said it. As the world’s biggest Tebow fanatic, it’s hard to say this, but Brantley looks to be a better passer. Without Tebow’s running, Florida will have to run more next year. That in turn will give Brantley more opportunities to throw the football.
3. Kellen Moore will throw for more INTs next year, then he did this year. The Boise State quarterback threw for only three INTs this season, but with games against Virginia Tech and Oregon State on the schedule (along with Boise’s high expectations) he will make more mistakes in 2010.
4. Michigan will make a bowl game for the first time under Rich Rodriguez. For the first time under Rodriguez, the Wolverines will make a bowl game. A schedule that includes games against Massachusetts and Bowling Green should allow Michigan to win at least six games.
5. Urban Meyer will be the head coach for Florida on opening day. I think Meyer will return from his leave of absence to be the head coach at Florida next year.
6. Alabama WR Julio Jones will not catch 50 passes next season. Jones hasn’t exactly been a dominant receiver during his time in Tuscaloosa, although he gets the national headlines for being one.
7. Boise State will not go undefeated. There’s going to be a lot of talk about the Broncos being the first non BCS team to make the national title game in the BCS era next season, but I think back to back games against Oregon State and Virginia Tech will end those hopes.
8. Nevada will once again lead the nation in rushing yards. After having three players reach the 1,00 yard rushing plateau this season, Nevada will do it again next year with QB Colin Kaepernick and RB Vai Taua returning.
 Prediction #9: Ron Zook will be fired after this season. |
9. Illinois will once again miss a bowl game and head coach Ron Zook will be fired. Road games at Penn State, Michigan State, and Michigan make three games that look winnable very easy to lose.
10. Jimbo Fisher will lead Florida State to at least seven wins. Games against Oklahoma, BYU, and Florida out of conference won’t make his job easy, but at least both teams are down on paper compared to where we they’ve been recently.
11. Michigan, Auburn, or Florida State will beat their biggest rival. Come on, I needed a little bit of leeway on this one. Michigan plays at Ohio State (MICH has lost 6 in a row to the Buckeyes), Florida State hosts Florida (FSU has lost 6 in a row to the Gators), and Auburn plays at Alabama (AUB has lost 2 in a row to the Tide). One of these three will beat their rivals. It could be the first landmark victory for Rich Rodriguez, Gene Chizik, or Jimbo Fisher at their new schools.
12. Pittsburgh RB Dion Lewis will lead the nation in rushing yards. Lewis ranked third in the country this year and with the two guys in front of him (Ryan Matthews, Toby Gerhart) both heading to the NFL, expect Lewis to take over the #1 spot in 2010.
13. QB Cameron Newton will make an immediate impact at Auburn. I don’t know if the former Florida Gator will start, but he will be a big part of Auburn’s offense next season. With Newton and RB Michael Dyer, Auburn is a very scary team in the SEC next year.
14. Lane Kiffin will get his signature win against Oregon or Florida. It’s tough to pinpoint which team the Volunteers will win against, especially since both games are in Knoxville on back to back Saturdays. It’s probably more likely that Tennessee beats Florida, since it will be John Brantley’s first road start for the Gators.
15. Wisconsin RB John Clay will lead the Big Ten in rushing TDs again. Maybe this is a give-me, but when making 100 predictions you’ve got have some that just make sense. Clay is a monster and should find the endzone at least 15 times next year.
16. Brian Kelly’s Irish will equal or surpass the number of wins Cincinnati gets next year. If you want to know why, don’t ask whether I believe Kelly will turn the Notre Dame program around or not. Just look at the schedules. Cincinnati plays Oklahoma, NC State, and Fresno State while the Irish play their traditional Big Ten/Navy/Army schedule.
17. Houston QB Case Keenum will lead the nation in passing yards. Another likely give me, especially with the Mike Leach era at Texas Tech over with.
 Prediction #18: Garrett Gilbert and Landry Jones will combine to throw for at least 4 TDs in the Shootout. |
18. Garrett Gilbert & Landry Jones will combine to throw for at least 4 TDs in the Red River Shootout. Oklahoma and Texas both lose a lot, but these two quarterbacks do have valuable experiences. Jones has practically an entire season under his belt, while Gilbert’s one game just happened to be the BCS national title game.
19. Mark Ingram will not be the second repeat winner of the Heisman Trophy. If Tim Tebow couldn’t do it, I don’t think anyone can. Archie Griffie did, but that was a long time ago and I’m starting to wonder if it will ever happen again. Ingram will be in the discussion, but he won’t win it. The main reason is probably due to Trent Richardson, who will end up stealing a lot of Ingram’s carries.
20. In his first season, Charlie Strong will lead Louisville to a bowl game. The Cardinals have been pretty bad the last few seasons, but Strong will put his touch on the defense and lead Louisville to at least six wins and a bowl game.
21. Texas A&M QB Jerrod Johnson will lead the Big 12 in total offense. Johnson led the conference in that statistic this season and should next year, barring an injury. I was almost tempted to say that he would lead the conference in passing yards, but Blaine Gabbert from Missouri figures to do that.
22. Navy will be undefeated when it plays Notre Dame. That’s right, the Midshipmen will be unbeaten when they take on Notre Dame on October 23rd. Think I’m crazy? Look at the Navy schedule before this game: Maryland, Georgia Southern, at Louisiana Tech, at Air Force, at Wake Forest, and SMU.
23. In the now traditional opening night game, LSU will beat North Carolina. The ACC/SEC game in Atlanta to begin the year is starting to become a tradition already. Mainly due to its defense, LSU’s will knock off North Carolina to win the game. But, don’t fret Tar Heel fans because both teams will end up in the top 25 in the final AP poll.
24. Miami FL will defeat Ohio State in a rematch of the 2003 title game. The Hurricanes will prove that they are back by beating Ohio State in the Horseshoe.
25. Michigan QB Tate Forcier will not throw 20 TDs next season. Forcier threw 13 TDs this year and everyone has high hopes for the kid next year. He will play well, but won’t reach 20 passing TDs.
26. Tennessee RB Bryce Brown will rush for at least 10 TDs next year. With Montario Hardesty gone, Brown will be the main back in Lane Kiffin’s offense and will shine.
27. Texas Tech will not have a QB throw 25 TDs next year. With Tommy Tuberville at head coach, I will say that Texas Tech will not have a QB throw 25 TDs next year (which was a rarity in the Mike Leach era). For those wondering, Steven Sheffield will probably be the starting QB.
28. Pittsburgh RB Dion Lewis will win the Heisman Trophy. This is an article full of bold predictions, so why not throw one out here with Lewis. I’m taking back to back running backs to win it. Another guy I like is LaMichael James from Oregon.
 Prediction #29: Arkansas, yes Arkansas, will upset Alabama. |
29. The biggest upset of the year will happen in Fayetteville, Arkansas. That’s right, the Razorbacks will upset #1 Alabama in Fayetteville behind the strong arm of Ryan Mallet. Alabama is losing a lot on offense and will be ripe for an upset going into Arkansas on a huge winning streak.
30. TCU will go undefeated. I think the Horned Frogs go unbeaten with wins over Oregon State, Baylor, Utah, and BYU. I also think they get left out of the national championship game once again.
31. A SEC team will not reach the national title game. I love the SEC as much as anyone, but this run has to end eventually. While Alabama is the best team on paper entering next season, the other top teams in the league (FLA, LSU) are losing key players on both sides of the football. Plus the rest of the SEC figures to be pretty good as well in order to keep everything in the conference tight all year.
32. Penn State will not win more than nine games. The Nittany Lions are losing a lot on offense and have a tough schedule with road games against Alabama, Iowa, and Ohio State.
33. Mississippi State will make a bowl game. It’s Dan Mullen’s second year and it’s time for the improvement to show for the Bulldogs. It won’t be easy but games against Alcorn State, UAB, and Memphis should hep the Bulldogs get there.
34. Christian Ponder will throw for more yards than any other ACC QB. I have a feeling Ponder will have a big year after being injured this year.
35. Florida State will win the ACC Atlantic. Jimbo Fisher will lead FSU to the ACC Championship in his first year. To be honest, the Coastal is the easier side to win in the ACC.
36. Virginia Tech will win the ACC Coastal. The Hokies will knock off the Hurricanes on the road and will end up winning the ACC Coastal.
37. Missouri will win the Big 12 North. Nebraska will be tough, but Missouri has more offense and will win the Big 12 North.
38. Texas will win the Big 12 South. The Longhorns will have to hold off Oklahoma, but if they can win the Red River Shootout (as I predict) then Texas will win the Big 12 South.
39. UCF will win the Conference USA East.
40. Houston will win the Conference USA West
41. Temple will win the MAC East.
42. Northern Illinois will win the MAC West.
 Prediction #43: Under new quarterback John Brantley, Florida will win the SEC East. |
43. Florida will win the SEC East. The Gators won’t be as dominant as they were in the Tim Tebow era, but Florida will do enough to win the SEC East.
44. Alabama will win the SEC West. Despite a loss to Arkansas, the Crimson Tide will win the SEC West next year.
45. Houston will defeated UCF to win Conference USA. The Cougars, led by Case Keenum, will not be denied after losing the conference title game to East Carolina this year.
46. Temple will defeat Northern Illinois and win the MAC. I can’t believe I’m saying it but I’m taking the Owls to win the MAC. Dan LeFevour is gone and Central Michigan won’t dominate anymore. A lot of teams will have a chance to win the conference this year.
47. TCU will win the Mountain West. The Horned Frogs will once again go undefeated and will win the Mountain West.
48. Troy will will in the Sun Belt. The Trojans won’t win as many games as they did this year, but they should still be the class of the Sun Belt.
49. Boise State will win the WAC. The Broncos won’t be undefeated due to the Virginia Tech loss, but they will win the WAC (as always).
50. Virginia Tech will defeat Florida State and win the ACC title. Virginia Tech will use Darren Evans and Ryan Williams to win the title over Jimbo Fisher’s Seminoles.
51. Pittsburgh will win the Big East title. The Panthers will knock off Cincinnati behind Dion Lewis and win the Big East championship.
52. Ohio State will win the Big Ten title. Terrelle Pryor will lead Ohio State to a Big Ten title, although Wisconsin will finish a close second.
53. Texas will win the Big 12 Championship over Missouri. The Longhorns won’t go undefeated under Garrett Gilbert, but they will be good enough to win the Big 12 again.
54. Oregon will win the Pac 10 Championship. The Ducks should win the conference title with Pete Carroll and Toby Gerhart (two important guys from contending teams) gone.
55. Alabama will win the SEC Championship over Florida (again). Even with the one loss I predicted earlier, Alabama will make the SEC Championship game where it will beat Florida again (and for the second time in one year).
56. Texas will defeat Florida to win the Fiesta Bowl. It seemed like we were destined for this title game a few weeks ago, until Alabama changed everything. Due to there not being a SEC team in the national title game, the Sugar Bowl will actually get the SEC champion. That leaves the Fiesta to match Big 12 champ Texas against an at large from the SEC, Florida.
 Prediction #60: Oregon will defeat Virginia Tech to win the national championship game. |
57. Miami will defeat TCU and win the Orange Bowl. The Horned Frogs will come in undefeated, but once again will be denied a spot in the national title game. Both of these teams will be at large selections.
58. Ohio State will defeat USC to win the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl would do anything to keep its Big Ten/Pac 10 matchup in its bowl game, and although I don’t think the Trojans will be great without Pete Carroll they will still likely qualify to be taken here.
59. Alabama will defeat Pittsburgh in the Sugar Bowl. The Crimson Tide will be this year’s Florida, mad about one loss that derailed them from the national title game, but will not let the Utah slipup happen again in New Orleans.
60. Oregon will defeat Virginia Tech and win the national championship. Oh man, I can’t wait to see the response to this. Why Oregon? Why Virginia Tech? The Ducks have a schedule that includes games at Tennessee and at USC, but the Vols won’t be back yet and the Trojans won’t be as good without Pete Carroll. The Hokies have Boise State out of conference, but get the benefit of playing in an ACC without many top notch teams.
Alabama stomped Ryan Mallet into the ground in 2009 35-7……… WTF? Arkansas isn’t going to upset Bama. If anyone is going to upset Bama it will be Florida or Auburn. Neither of which is likely honestly.
I do agree Bama wins the SEC West and the play for the SEC title again, against Florida. But they have a loss…….. UGA will come on strong in 2010, but they have at least a year before they make it back to Atlanta. Bama beats Florida again, walking away. After a sack fest at Brantley’s expense, and McElroy showing out along with likely the best 1-2 punch of RB’s in the Nation. Bama beats Florida 38-17
Alabama meets an overly impressive #2 Ohio State team for the BCS National Title, where the pressure of the SEC defense turns Pryor back into the QB he was for a lot of 2009. He will freak out, attempt to scramble, then get nailed a time or two and then throw stupid passes which results in picks. Ingram will show out after winning his second straight Heisman, and McElroywho will be highly touted next season will put himself high in the 1st round of the NFL Draft in this game with 300+ yards passing and a couple TD’s.
Bama wins its 14th NC 41-24 over Ohio State and back to back at that.
Julio Jones will be a stud next year. He did decent this years but missed some valuable playing time with injury. Next season, he breaks 1200 yards receiving, and he snags 10+ TD’s. He wins awards at season’s end.
Greg McElroy will flirt with the Heisman list. Might make it the New York but he will not win.
VT’s Ryan Williams will challenge Ingram for the Walker and the Heisman.
I know it is tough to repeat as National Champs, with all the studs the Bama is returning along with a #1, #2 recruiting class in the last 3 seasons, and probably bringing in another top 5 class, Bama HAS to be favored to go all the way again.
But watch out for the Auburn Tigers, Nitany Lions, and Florid Gators.
If Bama beats Penn State and Florida in the first half of the shedule, look out because they will ROLL from there on
My main area of worry for Alabama is the secondary. I think Marcel Darius, Hightower, Nico Johnson and Jerrel Harris will keep just about any running game in check. They may not be Cody, McClain, Anders, and Reamer, but i think they’ll get the job done. Hightower will be the one of the best LB’s in the country next year. As long as Saban can dial up Kirkpatrick, and some of the stud recruits in the secondary, Bama’s D will be fine. But we will need some of the True Freshmen to step up. Notably Milliner. But with Saban and Smart’s genius on defense, i think they’ll make it happen, not to mention Saban likes to be VERY hands on with defensive backs.
Once again, i DO NOT think the Bama offense will struggle at all. Infact, i think they’ll be better.
Look at #11. Regardless of Tebow’s moving on and Meyer’s here-again-gone-again drama, the Gators still handily defeat the ‘Noles. Looking at the pattern at Michigan the last 2 years, and the page that Tressel/OSU turned in the Rose Bowl, nothing short of an act of God will help Michigan upset Ohio State.
Although not “likely” it is “possible” that the Tigers pull an upset in the Iron Bowl. Whether that will be the Tide’s only loss of the year is tough to even guess. let me just say this, Saban better have his squad READY when they face Joe Pa. Penn State has nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Regarding the picks for the BCS bowls, if all goes well, the contenders for the National Championship game are a one-loss SEC champ, a one-loss or undefeated Big 12 champ (either Nebraska or Texas), an undefeated Ohio State, or an undefeated Boise (Boise,IF and ONLY IF they are the only undefeated team at the end of the season)