A Well-Seasoned 2011 College Footballl Preview and Summary of 2010 Season along with Scratch Paper for the 2011 Season

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Now I will compare my projected order of finish to other magazines (Athlon Sports and Blue Ribbon), I haven't seen any of their predictions yet because I wanted my own independent observation, let's see if we agree on anything LOL

Here they are...................


Well-Seasoned's Mountain West Projections Athlon Sports Mountain West Projections Blue Ribbon Mountain West Projections

1. Boise State 1. Boise State 1.Boise State

2. TCU 2. TCU 2. TCU

3. Air Force 3. Air Force 3. Air Force

4. San Diego State 4. San Diego State 4. San Diego State

5.Colorado State 5. Colorado State 5. Wyoming

6.New Mexico 6. Wyoming 6.Colorado State

7.Wyoming 7. UNLV 7.New Mexico

8.UNLV 8. New Mexico 8. UNLV




As I said in the previous post, I said there wasn't much distinction near the bottom of the conference and to no surprise that is where we differ. We all agreed on the Top 4 whether it happens or not.

Blue Ribbon is the far right number while Athlon Sports is the middle number. I have the far left number with my projections.

Blue Ribbon and I both have UNLV #8. Blue Ribbon has New Mexico at #7 where I have them at #6. Blue Ribbon put Wyoming at #5 where Athlon put them at #6 and I put them at #7 in part due to the transfer of QB Austyn Carta-Samuels to Vanderbilt.
 

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I have a feeling this is going to be a bit of a down year for TCU. It wouldn't even surprise me if they finished lower than second in the conference. If AF upsets them in week two it will completely change the flow of that conference. I don't see TCU with a new QB beating both AF and SDST on the road. SDST will be better than expected because they have an NFL prosepct Lindley at QB, and Rocky Long is the type of defensive coach who throws in tough to defend blitz packages that can really disrupt conventional offenses with rookie QB's like TCU has. AF has a veteran QB and more starters returning than in normal years. Plus a schedule that sets up well in the second half of the year with 3 out of 4 of their last games played at home.. My order of finish is 1.Boise St. 2. (tie) AF 2. (tie) TCU 4.SDST 5.CSU 6.Wyoming 7.UNLV 8.NM
 

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I have a feeling this is going to be a bit of a down year for TCU. It wouldn't even surprise me if they finished lower than second in the conference. If AF upsets them in week two it will completely change the flow of that conference. I don't see TCU with a new QB beating both AF and SDST on the road. SDST will be better than expected because they have an NFL prosepct Lindley at QB, and Rocky Long is the type of defensive coach who throws in tough to defend blitz packages that can really disrupt conventional offenses with rookie QB's like TCU has. AF has a veteran QB and more starters returning than in normal years. Plus a schedule that sets up well in the second half of the year with 3 out of 4 of their last games played at home.. My order of finish is 1.Boise St. 2. (tie) AF 2. (tie) TCU 4.SDST 5.CSU 6.Wyoming 7.UNLV 8.NM

I agree with you GoSooners.....I think TCU struggles a bit this year. No way they are beating Boise in Boise after boise collapse last year. Casey Paschall is a pretty good quarterback, pretty mobile, comes from a very storied high school program in texas. I think he will be good, but will def struggle a bit in Boise. TCU will beat either Air Force or San Diego, but not both. TCU coaching staff alone guarantees a T2 in the MWC, just my opinion
 

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I agree with you GoSooners.....I think TCU struggles a bit this year. No way they are beating Boise in Boise after boise collapse last year. Casey Paschall is a pretty good quarterback, pretty mobile, comes from a very storied high school program in texas. I think he will be good, but will def struggle a bit in Boise. TCU will beat either Air Force or San Diego, but not both. TCU coaching staff alone guarantees a T2 in the MWC, just my opinion
Gary Patterson is one of thre few coaches who seem to have the AF's option offense figured out. They've only averaged scoring about 12 ppg against that TCU defense the last 5 years. So I expect a defensive game when those two meet this year. SDST is more likely to knock off TCU since the Frogs have at times had problems with passing teams. Like SMU and SDST last year. And it won't be easy for a rookie QB to outperform Lindley at home.
 

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There are no predicted ties (in my MWC predictions along with the other two magazines (Athlon and Blue RIbbon) becuase if there is a tie in the conference standings (very likely to happen in the standings) then the tiebreaker is overall record, and etc.
 

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Gary Patterson is one of thre few coaches who seem to have the AF's option offense figured out. They've only averaged scoring about 12 ppg against that TCU defense the last 5 years. So I expect a defensive game when those two meet this year. SDST is more likely to knock off TCU since the Frogs have at times had problems with passing teams. Like SMU and SDST last year. And it won't be easy for a rookie QB to outperform Lindley at home.

I heard Patterson say on his weekly radio show last year that he starts preparing for Air Force at the beginning of the season so that offense doesnt sneak up on his troops. Actually said he devotes a couple of days in practice before the season starts with the scout team running the triple option.
 

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This article is from last December, but it was kind of funny. Obviously, the exact dates and teams they have New Mexico playing are NOT their exact 2011 schedule, but still funny.


Mike Locksley Will Return To New Mexico In 2011, Is Living American Dream

by Andy Hutchins • Dec 2, 2010 5:13 PM EST
If there is still such a thing as a charmed life, New Mexico head coach Mike Locksley is living it. How else to explain* him returning as the Lobos' coach in 2011?




After all, Locksley has, in the past two years:
So when New Mexico's athletic director, Paul Krebs, says in a statement. "It's important during the current recruitment period that potential student-athletes know that Mike Locksley will be our coach in 2011," I can only assume that's because Locksley and New Mexico are planning to put together the worst season in the history of college football in 2011 and need willing and able bodies.
Here is how it will (not) go.
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September 3rd, 2011: New Mexico loses to Nevada 52-3 to start the season. Locksley tells reporters, "We just need more fight."
September 17th, 2011: New Mexico loses to Texas Tech 7-0 on two safeties and a field goal. Red Raiders coach Tommy Tuberville calls the result "Really, really satisfying." Locksley does not speak to reporters after the game, and is later seen at the Lubbock airport with a cast on his foot.
September 20th, 2011: A article runs in the New Mexico with an anonymous quote from a player, who says, "Yeah, Coach got into a fight with a locker door. He lost."
September 24th, 2011: New Mexico loses to rival New Mexico State despite entering the fourth quarter with a 24-14 lead. New Mexico State goes 2-10 on the year.
October 15th, 2011: New Mexico travels to Boise State to play their new Mountain West Conference mates for the first time. The Lobos fall 84-7.
October 17th, 2011: Locksley bans the color blue from New Mexico's football facilities, then relents after a player points out that the.sky is blue.
November 6th, 2011: New Mexico announces it will fire Locksley after the season following a 63-17 loss at Utah and post-game comments to reporters bashing Mormons as being "worse than Ke$ha." Locksley tells a reporter, "You thought we were bad before? Wait until we start trying. To be bad, I mean."
November 12th, 2011: After a stirring first quarter in which the Lobos jump out to a 14-3 lead on Colorado State and a gunner on a punt return draws a penalty after going out of bounds and laying Locksley out, New Mexico falls to 0-10 on the season with a 41-21 loss.
November 26th, 2011: In TCU's final Mountain West game, the Horned Frogs beat New Mexico 108-6. Locksley tell a reporter that he is unaffected by the loss and his 2-34 record, because "the Zooker needs me in the UFL."
Yep, that seems about right.
*Okay, so it's probably mostly about New Mexico deciding it was too costly to fire him and hire a replacement. But this was way more fun than lamenting the fate of mid-tier schools with horrific coaches.
 

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It is hard to see who TCU loses to other than to Boise State. They do play at the Air Force and at San Diego State, but I have my doubts about San Diego State this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They do open at Baylor, which may be an interesting game, and play BYU at Jerryworld. I guess TCU could drop one or two of those games, but not more. 10-2 or 9-3 sounds about right.
 

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Now I will compare my projected order of finish to other magazines (Athlon Sports and Blue Ribbon), I haven't seen any of their predictions yet because I wanted my own independent observation, let's see if we agree on anything LOL

Here they are...................


Well-Seasoned's Mountain West Projections Athlon Sports Mountain West Projections Blue Ribbon Mountain West Projections

1. Boise State 1. Boise State 1.Boise State

2. TCU 2. TCU 2. TCU

3. Air Force 3. Air Force 3. Air Force

4. San Diego State 4. San Diego State 4. San Diego State

5.Colorado State 5. Colorado State 5. Wyoming

6.New Mexico 6. Wyoming 6.Colorado State

7.Wyoming 7. UNLV 7.New Mexico

8.UNLV 8. New Mexico 8. UNLV




As I said in the previous post, I said there wasn't much distinction near the bottom of the conference and to no surprise that is where we differ. We all agreed on the Top 4 whether it happens or not.

Blue Ribbon is the far right number while Athlon Sports is the middle number. I have the far left number with my projections.

Blue Ribbon and I both have UNLV #8. Blue Ribbon has New Mexico at #7 where I have them at #6. Blue Ribbon put Wyoming at #5 where Athlon put them at #6 and I put them at #7 in part due to the transfer of QB Austyn Carta-Samuels to Vanderbilt.


Just saw another magazine with New Mexico at 7th, I have them 6th (although I'm somewhat biased), and Blue Ribbon has New Mexico at 7th ------------None of us predicted them to finish last this year.
The talent is better than 1 Win per year, especially with Locksley's recruiting resume that he built up under Zook.
 

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I haven't kept up much with the restructuring of the MWC. After TCU leaves next season, is another team supposed to come in and replace them? With just 8 teams it looks like a conference that is in limbo and just waiting to be restructured into a BCS conference, or one big conference with the WAC. Anybody know anything about their future plans?

BigDaddy...From what I've read, TCU asked the conference for a bye week between Baylor and AF and didn't get it. On top of that SDST will get a bye week before they play TCU. That's why I have a feeling that TCU won't win both of those games. Especially since they are breaking in so many new players on offense. They may not be able to take advantage of the weaker MWC defenses like they have in the past. I can see a lot of ugly low scoring games this season.
 

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I haven't kept up much with the restructuring of the MWC. After TCU leaves next season, is another team supposed to come in and replace them? With just 8 teams it looks like a conference that is in limbo and just waiting to be restructured into a BCS conference, or one big conference with the WAC. Anybody know anything about their future plans?

BigDaddy...From what I've read, TCU asked the conference for a bye week between Baylor and AF and didn't get it. On top of that SDST will get a bye week before they play TCU. That's why I have a feeling that TCU won't win both of those games. Especially since they are breaking in so many new players on offense. They may not be able to take advantage of the weaker MWC defenses like they have in the past. I can see a lot of ugly low scoring games this season.


GoSooners-------- Fresno, Nevada, and Hawaii are joining the Mountain West in 2012 while TCU leaves for the Big East. Those are the current plans. Hawaii is joining for football only in the Mountain West. I think they are going to the Big West in other sports.
 

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From late May......... (post Spring practice)

Miami coach Al Golden told The Miami Herald that would-be starting quarterbacks Jacory Harris and Stephen Morris are in a "flat-out dead heat" in the battle to be the team's #1 guy.

Harris is the grizzled vet while Morris brings a youthful element that may allow the coaching staff to exhibit more patience when the inevitable mistakes occur.
 

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Another 30-120 Ranking List Posted Here (this one by Rivals.com) The Orlando Sentinel 35-120 ranking is posted on page 1


30. Auburn
Cam Newton is gone, and the defending national champion Tigers return only five starters (on offense and defense). Are they headed for a big fall? [ 2011 season preview ]
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31. Mississippi State
The Bulldogs are coming off a nine-victory season, but they never have had back-to-back seasons with at least nine wins in their 116-year history of football. [ 2011 season preview ]
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32. Texas Tech
Tommy Tuberville's first season in Lubbock produced an 8-5 record. This season, the Red Raiders hope to make progress behind QB Seth Doege. [ 2011 season preview ]
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33. North Carolina
The Tar Heels are counting on their talented line and receiving corps to make up for the lack of experience in the backfield. Replacing QB T.J. Yates is key. [ 2011 season preview ]
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34. Missouri
James Franklin steps in at quarterback for the Tigers, replacing Blaine Gabbert, and he'll be key if they are going to make a run at the Big 12 championship. [ 2011 season preview ]
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35. Pittsburgh
Todd Graham inherits an experienced team, and if the Panthers adapt to the new system fast enough it could be a big season in the Steel City. [ 2011 season preview ]
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36. Michigan
How quickly can Brady Hoke turn things aruond? Michigan isn't ready to compete for the Big Ten title, but there's enough talent on hand to return to a bowl. [ 2011 season preview ]
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37. San Diego State
Coach Brady Hoke has left for Michigan, but QB Ryan Lindley and RB Ronnie Hillman are back to form a dynamic 1-2 punch for the Aztecs. [ 2011 season preview ]
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38. Iowa
The Hawkeyes' schedule sets up very nicely for them. A 9-0 start isn't out of the question, which will make for an interesting finish in the Big Ten race. [ 2011 season preview ]
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39. SMU
The Mustangs, undergoing a revival under June Jones, might be the most talented team in Conference USA, but the schedule won't make things easy. [ 2011 season preview ]
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40. Clemson
It's tempting to say the Tigers will be one of this season's pleasant surprises, but not everyone is sold on coach Dabo Swinney, who is under fire. [ 2011 season preview ]
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41. Boston College
The Eagles have star power in RB Montel Harris and LB Luke Kuechly, but the lack of a passing game may cost them in the ACC championship race. [ 2011 season preview ]
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42. Arizona
Mike Stoops has led the Wildcats to three consecutive bowl appearances, but are the Wildcats legitimate contenders for the Pac-12 South title? [ 2011 season preview ]
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43. USF
USF has gone to six straight bowls, but Skip Holtz and the Bulls are still looking for a true breakthrough season and that elusive Big East title. [ 2011 season preview ]
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44. Maryland
The Terps, who hired UConn's Randy Edsall as their new coach, may have a better team this season, but they may not finish with a better record. [ 2011 season preview ]
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45. UCF
Despite some key personnel losses, especially on defense, UCF has the talent to repeat as C-USA East Division champs and even as the league champ. [ 2011 season preview ]
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46. Houston
The Cougars were a BCS bust last season, but quarterback Case Keenum is back from injury and they should be on the prowl again. [ 2011 season preview ]
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47. Tulsa
Assuming the Golden Hurricane are as smooth offensively under the new staff as they were with the previous one, Tulsa should vie for the C-USA title. [ 2011 season preview ]
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48. Northwestern
The Wildcats are in the middle of one of their best runs in school history. How far can coach Pat Fitzgerald, a Northwestern alum, take the Wildcats? [ 2011 season preview ]
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49. Tennessee
The Volunteers have just eight seniors on the roster, but they have some young and talented players - and they'll be thrown right into the SEC fire. [ 2011 season preview ]
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50. Navy
The Middies have won at least eight games every season since 2003. Can they keep it going with a first-year QB and many new starters on defense? [ 2011 season preview ]
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51. Washington
The Huskies are rising under third-year coach Steve Sarkisian, but Huskies fans are concerned now that quarterback Jake Locker is gone. [ 2011 season preview ]
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52. Oregon State
The Beavers finished with a losing season for the third time since 2000, but they bounced back in a big way the other two times. Can they do it again? [ 2011 season preview ]
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53. Southern Miss
The Golden Eagles' offense is good enough to win the Conference USA championship, but the defense is the big question mark at Southern Miss. [ 2011 season preview ]
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54. Ole Miss
After back-to-back Cotton Bowl victories, the Rebels took a major step back last season, finishing 4-8. Ole Miss may struggle again in the SEC West. [ 2011 season preview ]
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55. Hawaii
The Warriors enjoyed their best season under fourth-year coach Greg McMackin and are poised to make another run at the WAC championship. [ 2011 season preview ]
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56. Illinois
Ron Zook has some momentum, and he'll look to lead the Illini to back-to-back bowls for the first time since they went to five straight in 1988-92. [ 2011 season preview ]
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57. Northern Illinois
Jerry Kill left for Minnesota, but new coach Dave Doeren is a bright mind who has plenty to work with as the Huskies look to keep it rolling. [ 2011 season preview ]
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58. Baylor
Now that their 15-year postseason drought is over, the Bears look to become a legitimate contender in the Big 12. They do have Robert Griffin III, after all. [ 2011 season preview ]
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59. Syracuse
After nearly a decade of futility, Doug Marrone has the Orange on the right track and in line to contend for a Big East championship sooner rather than later. [ 2011 season preview ]
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60. California
Despite a quarterback who hasn't played in a year, no proven running back and no games on its home field, the overall feeling at Cal remains optimistic. [ 2011 season preview ]
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61. Louisville
Charlie Strong needed only one season to lift the Cardinals out of the malaise of the Steve Kragthorpe era, and all signs point to a return to the Big East elite. [ 2011 season preview ]
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62. Fresno State
With Boise State out of the league, Fresno State has good a chance as any team to win the WAC title this season, but the non-conference schedule is brutal. [ 2011 season preview ]
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63. Kentucky
The Wildcats have gone to a school-record five straight bowl games, but they finished with a losing record last season and lost their two best players. [ 2011 season preview ]
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64. N.C. State
The good news is the schedule isn't that difficult; a 4-0 start looks likely. But the closing five games make for a tough finish to the regular season. [ 2011 season preview ]
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65. Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets have gone to 14 straight bowls, tying the fourth-longest streak nationally. Making it 15 in a row is going to require some work. [ 2011 season preview ]
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66. Toledo
Tim Beckman has one of the best teams in the MAC. Experience abounds on both sides of the ball, but the kicking game must improve. [ 2011 season preview ]
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67. Colorado
Jon Embree takes on the challenge of leading the program into the expanded Pac-12 and back to national prominence. That likely will require time. [ 2011 season preview ]
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68. UCLA
Rick Neuheisel, who brought in new coordinators on both sides of the ball, needs a strong season to retain his job. The opener at Houston should be a test. [ 2011 season preview ]
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69. Kansas State
The Wildcats obviously are hoping to start and finish strong in 2011. That will require better quarterback play and dramatic improvement in run defense. [ 2011 season preview ]
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70. East Carolina
The offense is good enough to win a C-USA crown. But the Pirates have no shot at the East Division unless the defense makes drastic improvement. [ 2011 season preview ]
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71. Miami University
New coach Don Treadwell has enough talent on hand to keep the RedHawks at or near the top of the MAC East. But the schedule has hurdles. [ 2011 season preview ]
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72. Nevada
If the Wolf Pack and their new backfield can get out of a tough early-season stretch with their ego intact, it can make a run at another WAC title. [ 2011 season preview ]
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73. Rutgers
Rutgers slipped back to the Scarlet Knights of old last season. With major changes on offense and defense, no one will accuse Rutgers of standing still. [ 2011 season preview ]
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74. Purdue
The make-or-break stretch of the season will be October. Can Purdue go 2-3 in the month? If not, it may be home for the holidays for the fourth straight year. [ 2011 season preview ]
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75. Cincinnati
Four of the first six games are at home this season, and the schedule as a whole isn't that daunting. Still, getting to a bowl isn't a given by any stretch. [ 2011 season preview ]
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76. Troy
The Trojans should battle Florida International for the Sun Belt title. One advantage for them is Corey Robinson, the best QB in the league, returns. [ 2011 season preview ]
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77. Temple
Al Golden may be gone, but new coach Steve Addazio has a decent roster to work with as the Owls shoot for another winning season. [ 2011 season preview ]
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78. Louisiana Tech
The Bulldogs could be the surprise team in the WAC, especially if RB Lennon Creer, a Tennessee transfer, has another big year. [ 2011 season preview ]
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79. Florida International
Mario Cristobal led the Golden Panthers to a winning record and a bowl victory last season, and they have a good chance at a repeat performance. [ 2011 season preview ]
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80. Virginia
If the Cavaliers can sort out their quarterback situation, they can earn a bowl bid. A soft early schedule could enable UVa to get off to a 4-1 start. [ 2011 season preview ]
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81. Connecticut
New coach Paul Pasqualoni won't make many scheme changes, but could the Huskies go from the Big East championship to the cellar in the league? [ 2011 season preview ]
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82. Kansas
Turner Gill's first season with the Jayhawks didn't go too well, and it won't get any easier this season with six straight games against bowl teams from '10. [ 2011 season preview ]
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83. Ohio
The Bobcats' bowl hopes are fueled by one of the weakest non-conference schedules in the MAC as well as the fact that their big league games are at home. [ 2011 season preview ]
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84. Army
The Black Knights have reason for optimism after earning their first bowl victory since '85 last season, but they have holes to fill if they want a return trip. [ 2011 season preview ]
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85. Western Michigan
The key for the Broncos' success will be the defense. Can it pick up where it left off in '10, when it allowed a total of 10 total in the final two games? [ 2011 season preview ]
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86. UAB
The Blazers had a shot to go bowling last season but lost a few games (FAU and Rice) they should have won. They should have a similar shot this season. [ 2011 season preview ]
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87. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons took a big step back in 2010, and it may take them a few years to get back into a bowl and into the hunt in the ACC's Atlantic Division. [ 2011 season preview ]
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88. Iowa State
The Cyclones have earned some big win under Paul Rhoads. Now they look to become a contender in a slimmed-down, 10-team Big 12. [ 2011 season preview ]
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89. Indiana
The Hoosiers have been to just one bowl since the '93 season, but new coach Kevin Wilson, the former OC at Oklahoma, plans to make Indiana relevant. [ 2011 season preview ]
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90. Colorado State
The Rams should be better offensively with QB Pete Thomas leading the way, but they won't make serious progress until the defense improves. [ 2011 season preview ]
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91. Duke
The Blue Devils showed they can throw the ball in 2010, but they must improve their defense if they're going to make a move up the ACC standings. [ 2011 season preview ]
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92. Tulane
Bob Toledo hasn't had a winning record in four seasons as the head coach of the Green Wave, but that may be about to change. [ 2011 season preview ]
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93. Wyoming
After a 7-6 record and a bowl victory in 2009, the Cowboys fell way back in 2010. An unsettled quarterback situation is an issue this season. [ 2011 season preview ]
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94. Louisiana-Monroe
The Warhawks look like a good dark-horse pick to capture the Sun Belt title this season, but surviving the first month of the season won't be easy. [ 2011 season preview ]
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95. Central Michigan
The Chippewas took a step back in Dan Enos' first season as coach, missing a bowl game for the first time since 2005. They'll look to rebound. [ 2011 season preview ]
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96. Florida Atlantic
Howard Schnellenberger and the Owls will open up a new 30,000-seat, on-campus stadium this fall, and they hope to use that as momentum. [ 2011 season preview ]
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97. Marshall
The Thundering Herd finished strong last season, Doc Holliday's first as coach, and a solid defense gives them lots of optimism heading into this season. [ 2011 season preview ]
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98. North Texas
Former Iowa State coach Dan McCarney takes over for the Mean Green, and a .500 season is a legitimate goal in his first season at North Texas. [ 2011 season preview ]
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99. Arkansas State
Hugh Freeze, an assistant for the Red Wolves last season, is now in charge. QB Ryan Aplin could be key to any bowl hopes Arkansas State has this season. [ 2011 season preview ]
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100 Vanderbilt
James Franklin, who had been offensive coordinator at Maryland, takes over as coach, and he has a lot of work to do with the Commodores. [ 2011 season preview ]
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101. Washington State
A respectable showing to end the 2010 season has Cougars fans hopeful that the team can move up in the Pac-12 standings this season. [ 2011 season preview ]
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102. Minnesota
New coach Jerry Kill has been successful everywhere he's been and brought most of his staff from Northern Illinois, but a bowl this season will be tough. [ 2011 season preview ]
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103. UNLV
Bobby Hauck had a difficult first season with the Runnin' Rebels, and this season may not be much different. There are holes everywhere. [ 2011 season preview ]
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104. Utah State
The Aggies may very well be the WAC's biggest mystery team. They could flirt with the .500 mark, especially if the new quarterback comes through. [ 2011 season preview ]
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105. Kent State
The Golden Flashes nearly wen't bowling last season thanks to their defense. But three key players are gone, so the offense has to step up this season. [ 2011 season preview ]
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106. Rice
The Owls have a new offensive coordinator, but the defense is going to have to make strides if they are going to get back into the bowl hunt. [ 2011 season preview ]
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107. Middle Tennessee
Even without Dwight Dasher, the Blue Raiders' offense should be good enough to contend for a top-four Sun Belt finish. Defense is the biggest concern. [ 2011 season preview ]
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108. Bowling Green
Dave Clawson took the Falcons to a bowl in 2009, but they regressed last season and could be in for more of the same this season. [ 2011 season preview ]
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109. UTEP
The Miners have been successful under Mike Price when the offense has excelled, but only two starters return on that side of the ball. [ 2011 season preview ]
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110. New Mexico
Mike Locksley is coaching for his job this season after back-to-back 1-11 seasons. He has improved the talent level, but it hasn't shown on the field. [ 2011 season preview ]
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111. San Jose State
Freshmen played a key role for the Spartans last season, and all those youngsters should be even better as sophomores in Mike MacIntyre's second season. [ 2011 season preview ]
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112. Western Kentucky
Second-year coach Willie Taggart has done a nice job on the recruiting trail, but it won't likely show up for the Hilltoppers this season. [ 2011 season preview ]
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113. Buffalo
The Bulls won the MAC title under Turner Gill in 2009 and looked to have turned the corner. But Gill is gone and the team has regressed. [ 2011 season preview ]
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114. Idaho
The Vandals went to a bowl in 2009 and just missed last season, but they have lost many key performers so getting to a bowl this season won't be easy. [ 2011 season preview ]
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115. Eastern Michigan
The Eagles won't move up until they get tougher on defense, but coach Ron English has improved the talent on that side of the ball. [ 2011 season preview ]
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116. Ball State
New coach Pete Lembo, who came from Elon, prefers a no-huddle, pro-style offense, so the Cardinals' quarterbacks and wide receivers have a lot to prove. [ 2011 season preview ]
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117. Louisiana-Lafayette
New coach Mark Hudspeth is a former coach at Division II power North Alabama, where he won a national title. He has the Sun Belt's biggest mystery team. [ 2011 season preview ]
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118. Akron
The Zips were winless last season until their finale against Buffalo, and it very well could be more of the same this season. But they have winnable games. [ 2011 season preview ]
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119. Memphis
You can win in C-USA with a bad defense. But when the offense is bad, too, that's trouble. That was the Tigers in 2010. They look to reverse the trend. [ 2011 season preview ]
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120. New Mexico State
The schedule isn't overly difficult, but it won't matter unless the Aggies find a way to ignite their offense. Hopefully a large junior college class will help. [ 2011 season preview ]
 

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Sporting News 30-120 Rankings, this gives me 3 different sources of rankings, I will Orland Sentinel back up on the next post so ALL 3 are next to each other for looking at

30. Florida
31. Houston
32. South Florida
33. Georgia
QB Aaron Murray: “We’ve got a little chip on our shoulder and a lot of doubters. Nobody is talking about Georgia. It’s making us hungry to get back into the conversation of who can win the SEC East and get to Atlanta and go play for the national championship.”
34. Northern Illinois
35. Maryland
36. Pitt
DB Jarred Holley: “I don’t really pay attention to that stuff. I mean, of course you take a peek at the magazines. But you can’t get caught up in the predictions. I just think we can accomplish all the goals we have for this season.”
37. Tennessee
38. San Diego State
39. Northwestern
Coach Pat Fitzgerald: “You tell everybody all summer how great all these teams are going to be. You look at the magazines, blog about it. It’s all a big waste of time. I’m off my soapbox now.”
40. Michigan
41. North Carolina
42. Texas
43. Boston College
44. Louisville
QB Will Stein: “We really don’t get caught up in rankings too much, but it’s good to be in the top 50. We know we have a lot of work to do to reach our goals. We have a lot of momentum after winning our bowl game last season. However, we know these rankings won’t mean much if we don’t take care of business this summer and the start of fall practice.”
45. Purdue
K Carson Wiggs: “The Boilermakers are healthy and hungry this year, and we are going to eat!”
46. UCF
Coach George O’Leary: “Obviously we jumped one spot from last year so I guess it shows improvement, but I look at our season more than I do the rankings.”
47. Clemson
48. Oregon State
49. Arizona
Coach Mike Stoops: “We play six of this top 25—three of the top eight in September. We’ll see.”
50. Air Force
51. Georgia Tech
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Former coach Bobby Ross: “My philosophy is what’s up front is what matters, and they have probably the best offensive line (coach) Paul (Johnson) has had. The defensive line is very, very solid. Reviewing their situation this coming year, I think they need to be ranked higher.”

52. Kentucky
53. Temple
54. N.C. State
Coach Tom O’Brien: “I always tell our team it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish that matters. Last year, our finish was in the top 25, and we return many key players from that team, so we hope to build on that. We’re working hard to make sure that we’re better than last year.”
55. Southern Miss
56. Texas Tech
QB Seth Doege: “Preseason polls give people something to talk about. Postseason rankings are where the players have done all the talking.”
57. Washington
58. Baylor
59. Illinois
OL Jack Cornell: “I think Illinois ended the 2010 season better than many teams ahead of us in this poll, and a lot of teams who ranked higher in the poll ended theirs with worse records than many teams below them. Most people think we are going to be rebuilding after losing four players in the draft, but the experience returning should rank us higher than 59. I know our team’s expectations are much higher.”
60. Cincinnati
Coach Butch Jones: “Preseason rankings are great for generating excitement moving into 2011. Right now, we’re looking forward to moving into the next phase of our preparation, which is summer strength and conditioning and then going into training camp in August where the identity of this year’s Bearcats will be formed.”
61. Hawaii
62, Virginia
Former RB Frank Quayle: “I have to believe you are not far off and might be right on target. They will be better than a year ago. The strengths should be their defense and the offensive line. The quarterback spot is still a very big question mark, and I don’t have to tell you how critical that position is these days. I do believe coach (Mike) London has done everything right since his arrival, and I am hopeful that UVa football is headed in the right direction.”
63. Syracuse
64. Connecticut
65. Western Michigan
66. California
67. Fresno State
68. Tulsa
69. SMU
70. Navy
71. Duke
72. Colorado
Former QB Joel Klatt: “It is such a huge advantage to have an experienced QB, and that is a luxury that CU has with Tyler Hansen. They may have to play 13 straight weeks without a bye, and they might very well struggle to earn a bowl berth, but with (former Buffs) Jon Embree and Eric Bieniemy back in Boulder (as coach and offensive coordinator) this is a team that will be much tougher than we have seen the last five years. Emphasis on the running game and improved schemes will allow the Buffs to win two to three games that they shouldn’t.”
73. Ole Miss
74. Florida International
75. Toledo
76. Kansas State
77. Minnesota
Former LB Karl Mecklenburg: “I love the number 77, but I think you’ve ranked the Gophers too low. Coach (Jerry) Kill will have Minnesota competing every week. This year will be the start of a steady climb back to national prominence for the maroon and gold.”
78. Ohio
79. Rutgers
80. Miami (Ohio)
81. Nevada
82. Colorado State
QB Pete Thomas: “We’re a lot better than 82, but no one knows it just yet. We have a lot to prove, and now that we’ve got a lot more experience, we’re out to make some serious noise. Keep your eyes on Colorado State this year.” , Well-Seasoned's Comment: That's great, but you don't play defense Pete.
83. Troy
84. UCLA
85. Wake Forest
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86. UAB

87. Iowa State
88. Wyoming
89. Marshall
90. Indiana
91. Vanderbilt
Former LB Hunter Hillenmeyer: “Vandy is always fighting an uphill battle. Stiff academic standards and a smaller student body than the rest of the toughest conference in football makes competing in the SEC a dogfight. In meeting coach (James) Franklin, he seems to have the right stuff to keep Vanderbilt headed in the right direction.”
92. Kansas
93. Washington State
Coach Paul Wulff: “I feel like we are a team on the rise. We might start at 93, which is too low in my opinion, but I’m confident we will finish way above that ranking.”
94. Louisiana Tech
95. Army
96. Louisiana-Monroe
97. East Carolina
Coach Ruffin McNeill: “We live in a great country where everyone is entitled to an opinion, but we’ll stick to the thought that it’s more important where you finish than where you start.”
98. North Texas
99. Akron
100. Middle Tennessee State
Coach Rick Stockstill: “Our University is celebrating its 100th birthday this year, so it is fitting we are an even 100. Basically, I really do not get into any of the preseason stuff because nothing matters until the end of the year.”
101. Rice
102. Central Michigan
103. New Mexico
104. Tulane
105. UTEP
106. Utah State
107. Florida Atlantic
108. Idaho
109. Buffalo
110. Kent State
Coach Darrell Hazell: “We feel like we’re in a very good position as a team to start the year, and we’re looking forward to the many challenges this season will bring.”
111. UNLV
112. New Mexico State
113. Bowling Green
114. Eastern Michigan
Coach Ron English: “It is a preseason poll only—the thing that matters will be our results on the field.”
115. Arkansas State
QB Ryan Aplin: “Being ranked 115th is not something we are proud of, but it only makes us hungry to work harder than ever before.”
116. San Jose State
117. Memphis
118. Western Kentucky
Coach Willie Taggart: “It is not where you start but where you finish that matters.. Our program is on the rise, and we look forward to meeting the challenges ahead.”
119. Ball State
Coach Pete Lembo: “There’s a reason why we are here. If everything was perfect, we would still be (coaching Elon) in North Carolina. We have inherited a hard-working group of kids, and we are building trust and chemistry every day. It will be a process, but we are looking forward to tackling the challenges that lie ahead.”
120. Louisiana-Lafayette


 

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No. 30 Texas
No. 31 Ohio State
No. 32 Air Force
No. 33 N.C. State
No. 34 SMU
No. 35 Pittsburgh
No. 36 North Carolina
No. 37 Michigan
No. 38 Southern Miss
No. 39 Connecticut
No. 40 BYU
No. 41 Miami of Ohio
No. 42 Navy
No. 43 Maryland
No. 44 Nevada
No. 45 USF
No. 46 Northwestern
No. 47 Hawaii
No. 48 East Carolina
No. 49 Tennessee
No. 50 Northern Illinois
No. 51 Washington
No. 52 San Diego State
No. 53 Tulsa
No. 54 USC
No. 55 Clemson
No. 56 Baylor
No. 57 Houston
No. 58 Texas Tech
No. 59 Arizona
No. 60 Illinois
No. 61 Georgia Tech
No. 62 Cincinnati
No. 63 Kentucky
No. 64 California
No. 65 Ole Miss
No. 66 Troy
No. 67 Kansas State
No. 68 Oregon State
No. 69 Boston College
No. 70 UCLA
No. 71 Syracuse
No. 72 Colorado
No. 73 Temple
No. 74 Army
No. 75 FIU
No. 76 Middle Tennessee
No. 77 Toledo
No. 78 Fresno State
No. 79 Arkansas State
No. 80 Ohio
No. 81 Kent State
No. 82 Western Michigan
No. 83 Idaho
No. 84 Purdue

No. 85 Iowa State
No. 86 Virginia
No. 87 Louisville
No. 88 UTEP
No. 89 Colorado State
No. 90 Louisiana-Monroe
No. 91 Kansas
No. 92 Marshall
No. 93 Louisiana Tech
No. 94 Wyoming
No. 95 Utah State
No. 96 Minnesota
No. 97 Wake Forest
No. 98 Indiana
No. 99 Duke
No. 100 Vanderbilt
No. 101 Ball State
No. 102 UAB
No. 103 Central Michigan
No. 104 FAU
No. 105 Eastern Michigan
No. 106 Louisiana
No. 107 Rutgers
No. 108 Washington State
No. 109 Rice
No. 110 Bowling Green
No. 111 Tulane
No. 112 UNLV
No. 113: Buffalo
No. 114: New Mexico State
No. 115 Western Kentucky
No. 116 Akron
No. 117 North Texas
No. 118 Memphis
No. 119 New Mexico
No. 120 San Jose State
 

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Now I will compare my projected order of finish to other magazines (Athlon Sports and Blue Ribbon), I haven't seen any of their predictions yet because I wanted my own independent observation, let's see if we agree on anything LOL

Here they are...................


Well-Seasoned's Mountain West Projections Athlon Sports Mountain West Projections Blue Ribbon Mountain West Projections

1. Boise State 1. Boise State 1.Boise State

2. TCU 2. TCU 2. TCU

3. Air Force 3. Air Force 3. Air Force

4. San Diego State 4. San Diego State 4. San Diego State

5.Colorado State 5. Colorado State 5. Wyoming

6.New Mexico 6. Wyoming 6.Colorado State

7.Wyoming 7. UNLV 7.New Mexico

8.UNLV 8. New Mexico 8. UNLV




As I said in the previous post, I said there wasn't much distinction near the bottom of the conference and to no surprise that is where we differ. We all agreed on the Top 4 whether it happens or not.

Blue Ribbon is the far right number while Athlon Sports is the middle number. I have the far left number with my projections.

Blue Ribbon and I both have UNLV #8. Blue Ribbon has New Mexico at #7 where I have them at #6. Blue Ribbon put Wyoming at #5 where Athlon put them at #6 and I put them at #7 in part due to the transfer of QB Austyn Carta-Samuels to Vanderbilt.


Mountain West Predicted Order of Finish according to Well-Seasoned, Athlon Sports, and Blue Ribbon), (My Mountain West preview is on earlier pages)

Wanted to get this on all the same page since I have college football rankings for teams at 30-120 for SportingNews, Rivals, and Orlando Sentinel on here as well so people here get different viewpoints and opinions without having to skip around to compare information. Enjoy.
 

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--- Now I will do a Top 25 Worse Teams List based on the average of Orlando Sentinel, Rivals, and Sportingnews rankings
 

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THE TOP 25 PRESEASON WORSE TEAMS in College Football after Averaging the Rankings of The Orlando Sentinel, Rivals, and Sportingnews

1. Memphis 118.0---------Memphis is the most projected worse team in NCAA Fotball for 2011 after averaging the 3 Rankings
2. San Jose State 115.7
3. New Mexico State 115.3
4. Western Kentucky 115.0
5. UL-Lafayette 114.3
6. Ball State 112.0
7. Buffalo 111.7
8. Eastern Michigan 111.3
9. Akron 111.0
10. New Mexico 110.7
11. Bowling Green 110.3
12. UNLV 108.7
13. Rice 105.3
14. North Texas 104.3
T15 Tulane 102.3
T15 Florida Atlantic 102.3
T17 Idaho 101.7
T17 Utah State 101.7
T19 Washington State 100.7
T19 UTEP 100.7
21 Central Michigan 100.0
22 Kent State 98.7
23 Arkansas State 97.7
24 Vanderbilt 97.0
25 Middle Tennessee State 94.3

............Washington State and Vanderbilt are the only two from a BCS Conference in The Top 25 Preaseason Projected Worse Teams for 2011 after averaging the 3 Rankings from the Orlando Sentinel, Rivals, and SportingNews

...........THE MAC Conference has the most teams at 7 while the SUN BELT has 6 teams in the Top 25
 

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On the last post we had The Top 25 Preseason Worse College Football Teams which averaged the rankings of 3 different places.

A little more than half of those teams were from the MAC or Sun Belt not surpisingly. Here I will go one step further and give you MY OWN personal Top 10 Worse BCS Conference Teams which means ALL teams will be from the Pac-12, Big 10, Big 12, SEC, Big East, and ACC. I will have comments added too to try and justify my reason for putting them there.
 

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Well-Seasoned's Preseason Top 10 Worse BCS Teams

I'll go in reverse order (10th worse BCS team to start)
 

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