Conference Winner Predictions

ACC: Clemson
Clemson won the ACC last season and I expect them to repeat. The Tigers return starting QB Tajh Boyd who threw for 3828 yards and 33 touchdowns. They also return 1000-yard rusher Andre Ellington as well as explosive receivers Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins. I do have concerns about their defense which 29 points per game including 70 to West Virginia. However their defense didn't keep them from winning the ACC last year. They also bring in a Top 10 recruiting class which should include some early contributors.
 
Big East: Louisville
The Big East is bad. Without West Virgina the Big East could finish the season without a ranked team. That said, I believe that Louisville will win the Big East this year. The Louisville offense was sluggish last year, but with a year under his belt, sophomore Teddy Bridgewater should be able to make some better decisions and limit the turnovers. Bridgewater's first career pass was an interception, but he got better as the year went on. The question is will his offensive line give him enough protection. The Cardinals O-Line gave up 41 sacks last season. Unlike the offense, the defense was solid, a trend which I expect to continue. Louisville was 17th in the NCAA in points allowed, giving up only 20 per game. However Preston Brown is the only experienced linebacker returning, some younger players will need to step up.
 
Big 10: Michigan
Michigan made a big turnaround last season under first-year coach Brady Hoke. Last season the Wolverines made it back to a BCS bowl for the first time since the 2006 season, defeating Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl. Denard Robinson returns for his senior year after running for nearly 1200 yards and passing  for over 2100 yards, combining for 36 touchdowns. Michigan also returns 1000-yard rusher Fitzgerald Toussaint. Michigan had one of the bests defenses in the nation, ranking sixth in points allowed. The Wolverines will need to find a replacement for wide receiver Junior Hemingway. Expect Jeremy Gallon and Roy Roundtree to up their production.
 
Big 12: Oklahoma
As usual Oklahoma will be the favorite to win the Big 12, they have had some serious problems with their receiving core. Trey Franks, Jaz Reynolds, and Kameel Jackson have all been suspended for an extensive amount of games, leaving Kenny Stills as the only OU wide receiver who had a catch last year. Fortunately for OU they are bringing in the country's best wide receiver class including spring standout Trey Metoyer who will more than likely now be their number two receiver. Oklahoma lost leading tackler Travis Lewis but look for Corey Nelson to step up. The Sooners are strong at most positions and return QB Landry Jones.

C-USA: Tulsa
Tulsa's only conference loss came to Houston, and without Case Keenum and Kevin Sumlin I expect Houston to fall off a bit. The Golden Hurricane lose quarterback GJ Kinne, and the battle for the starting spot will come down to Kalen Henderson and Nebraska transfer Cody Green. I expect Green to secure the spot. Tulsa returns all 3 contributing runningbacks: Ja'Terian Douglas, Ted Watts, and Alex Singleton. Douglas averaged almost 8 yards per carry last season. Tulsa also returns their top two receivers: Willie Carter and Bryan Burnham. The Golden Hurricane lost their best defender, linebacker Curnelius Arnick as well as linebacker Alan Dock. I expect Cody Wilson and DeAundre Brown to join Shawn Jackson as the starting linebackers.

MAC: Ohio
Dual-threat quarterback Tyler Tettleton was very impressive last season, passing for more than 3300 yards and rushing for nearly 700 yards. Unfortunately the bulk of his receiving core is gone. Donte Foster will be expected to step up as the number one receiver, while the other spots are wide open. Runningback Donte Harden, who ran for nearly 1000 yards is gone. However, the Bobcats return Beau Blankenship and Ryan Boykin who combined for nearly 900 yards. The Bobcats return most of their defense and Gerald Moore is a guy who can make a lot of plays.

MWC: Boise State
The Broncos lose their starting quarterback and runningback, but that's never slowed them down before. Kellen Moore broke several records including most wins in a career by a starting quarterback. Whoever comes next won't be able to replace him, but the Broncos will still put up a lot of points. With TCU gone I don't see anyone who can stop Boise State from winning the Mountain West in their last season before heading to the Big East. Joe Southwick will most likely be the starting QB this season.  Matt Miller, Mitch Burroughs and Geraldo Boldewijn make up a solid receiving core. DJ Harper should be the starting runningback with Drew Wright also getting carries. The really question mark is the defense, which only returns one starter. The defense won't be as good as it was last season but expect it to be good enough.

Pac 12: USC
Would not have picked the Trojans to win the Pac-12 if Matt Barkley wasn't returning. He gave up being a top 10 draft choice to come back his senior year citing "unfinished business". Barkley will be one of the frontrunners for the Heisman and he has the guys around him to do it. First, USC returns prolific receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee. The two combined for 184 receptions for 2435 yards and 26 touchdowns. Also return starting tight end Randall Telfer. USC gets back 1000-yard rusher Curtis McNeal who averaged nearly seven yards-per-carry last season. At linebacker USC brings back Freshman All-Americans Hayes Pullard and Dion Bailey. Monte Kiffins defense should continue to improve. USC will be a serious title contender as they are now bowl eligible.

SEC: Alabama
The Crimson Tide is looking to repeat as National Champions. They lost Heisman finalist Trent Richardson and a bulk of their defense to the NFL, but Alabama has the talent to reload. Eddie Lacy will be the top back, with Jalston Fowler and Dee Hart also receiving carries. The two of them will need to step up big as Alabama is a run-first team. The Crimson Tide will have some new faces at receiver, as Kenny Bell's 17 catches for 255 yards is the most of any returning receiver. Bama will have familiarity at QB, as AJ McCarron returns for his second year as starter. The defense will be the real question mark as the Crimson Tide lost 6 defenders to the NFL and several others to graduation. However, Nick Saban has never failed to field a top tier defense.

Sun Belt: Arkansas State
The Red Wolves are looking to repeat as Sun Belt champions. With Hugh Freeze leaving for Ole Miss, Auburn OC Gus Malzahn takes over as head coach. Seasoned quarterback Ryan Aplin returns for his senior season, but still needs to limit the turnovers. He's also a threat on the ground and was the Red Wolves' leading rusher last season. Former Auburn starting runningback Michael Dyer transferred to Arkansas State, but is no long with the team. I'd expect Frankie Jackson to be the starter at runningback this season, but that isn't set in stone. Aplin loses his favorite target, Dwayne Frampton. However, he gets back his number two and three targets: Taylor Stockemer and Josh Jarboe. Expect Arkansas State to once again have one of the better defenses in the Sun Belt.

WAC: Louisiana Tech
The WAC is the weakest conference in college football, and the Bulldogs are heavy favorite to repeat as WAC champions in the conference's last year of existence. Nick Isham stared last season but was replaced by Colby Cameron mid-season. Expect Cameron to get the nod this season. Lennon Creer is gone but Hunter Lee showed plenty of promise as a freshman last season and should be able to take over. Leading receiver Quinton Patton returns for his senior season. Patton had 1202 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Myles White and David Gru will be able to fill the hole left by Taulib Ikharo's departure. Louisiana Tech will most likely steamroll its way through the WAC.