A lot can still happen, especially on the injury-suspension-expulsion side of things, but you cannot predict those incidents. Here is how I see the Power 5 Conferences finishing:
ACC: Atlantic: 1. Florida State. Very close. An opening loss to Alabama may ruin their entire season. Games at Clemson and Florida are no help. 2. Clemson. A win at home against Florida State and they win the Division.
Coastal: 1. Miami. They have the most favorable schedule in a very close Division. Back to back away games at Miami and Ga. Tech determine their fate.
Big 10: East: 1. Ohio State. Clearly the class of the Big 10. Meyer has a lot to work with and a very doable schedule. 2. Penn State. A very soft schedule helps this team win 10-22 games, but not the Big 10.
West: 1. Wisconsin. If they can stay healthy, this team can run the table in the regular season. They get a possible looking ahead Michigan team at home. 2. Northwestern. Pat Fitzgerald is one of the two best HC's in the Big 10. This team makes little noise but is always there. Away Underdog special.hey have
Big 12: 1. Oklahoma State. The have by far, the easiest schedule hosting OU, TCU, and Kansas State. This team has enough talent to outscore their opponents. 2. Oklahoma. OU must travel to Ohio State, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State. A new HC and defensive line makes things questionable.3. TCU. Tnhis team disappointed last season, but with 9 starters returning on offense, and 7 on defense, along with HC Patterson, this teamis a solid sleeper and another good Away Dog play.
Pac 12: North: 1. Washington. This team has a lot of talent returning from last year's 12-2 squad. The regular season schedule is very soft, as they duck USC. 2, Stanford. The Cards return 16 starters from last year's 10-3 team. They host Washington in a probable winner take the North Division game in November.
South: 1. USC. Expectations are sky high for this team, that won 9 straight to end the season in 2016. If this team can get past September undefeated, watch out. Their kids will only get better with experience. 2. UCLA. Almost a default pick because of the number of players they return. QB Rosen and HC Mora have to get their acts together. Going to Stanford, Washington, Utah and USC is no bargain package.
SEC: East: 1. Georgia. The 'Dawgs must find replacements on the O line, but return a solid backfield and a good defense. If they finally play up to their potential, they can win the SEC East. 2. Kentucky. A longshot pick here based on their two cross-conference games (both Mississippi's) and home games against Florida and Tennessee. 16 starters return, but they have to keep healthy.
West: 1. Alabama. It is hard seeing any losses for this team between the opener (Florida State in Atlanta) and the final game of the regular season (at Auburn). They do need to rebuild the defensive front 7. 2. Auburn. They return a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but the schedule is brutal. The final against Alabama may not matter as far as the West Championship goes.
My Final Four Teams: 1. Alabama. 2. Ohio State. 3. USC. 4 Oklahoma State. Four knocking on the door: Washington, Florida State, Oklahoma, and Penn State.
ACC: Atlantic: 1. Florida State. Very close. An opening loss to Alabama may ruin their entire season. Games at Clemson and Florida are no help. 2. Clemson. A win at home against Florida State and they win the Division.
Coastal: 1. Miami. They have the most favorable schedule in a very close Division. Back to back away games at Miami and Ga. Tech determine their fate.
Big 10: East: 1. Ohio State. Clearly the class of the Big 10. Meyer has a lot to work with and a very doable schedule. 2. Penn State. A very soft schedule helps this team win 10-22 games, but not the Big 10.
West: 1. Wisconsin. If they can stay healthy, this team can run the table in the regular season. They get a possible looking ahead Michigan team at home. 2. Northwestern. Pat Fitzgerald is one of the two best HC's in the Big 10. This team makes little noise but is always there. Away Underdog special.hey have
Big 12: 1. Oklahoma State. The have by far, the easiest schedule hosting OU, TCU, and Kansas State. This team has enough talent to outscore their opponents. 2. Oklahoma. OU must travel to Ohio State, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State. A new HC and defensive line makes things questionable.3. TCU. Tnhis team disappointed last season, but with 9 starters returning on offense, and 7 on defense, along with HC Patterson, this teamis a solid sleeper and another good Away Dog play.
Pac 12: North: 1. Washington. This team has a lot of talent returning from last year's 12-2 squad. The regular season schedule is very soft, as they duck USC. 2, Stanford. The Cards return 16 starters from last year's 10-3 team. They host Washington in a probable winner take the North Division game in November.
South: 1. USC. Expectations are sky high for this team, that won 9 straight to end the season in 2016. If this team can get past September undefeated, watch out. Their kids will only get better with experience. 2. UCLA. Almost a default pick because of the number of players they return. QB Rosen and HC Mora have to get their acts together. Going to Stanford, Washington, Utah and USC is no bargain package.
SEC: East: 1. Georgia. The 'Dawgs must find replacements on the O line, but return a solid backfield and a good defense. If they finally play up to their potential, they can win the SEC East. 2. Kentucky. A longshot pick here based on their two cross-conference games (both Mississippi's) and home games against Florida and Tennessee. 16 starters return, but they have to keep healthy.
West: 1. Alabama. It is hard seeing any losses for this team between the opener (Florida State in Atlanta) and the final game of the regular season (at Auburn). They do need to rebuild the defensive front 7. 2. Auburn. They return a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but the schedule is brutal. The final against Alabama may not matter as far as the West Championship goes.
My Final Four Teams: 1. Alabama. 2. Ohio State. 3. USC. 4 Oklahoma State. Four knocking on the door: Washington, Florida State, Oklahoma, and Penn State.