Dr. G’s 2012 College Football Predictions
I’m doing it. I’m calling my shot. Every major conference champion, and BCS bowl game for the upcoming 2012 season will be prognosticated.
Don’t like it? I wanna hear about it, but make sure to have to guts to leave your own predictions. Other than that, the Dr. is in and has something to say about what is about to go down in 2012.
Here’s a spoiler, the SEC’s championship streak ends at six.
ACC
Atlantic Division Champion: Clemson
Head coach Dabo Swinney will put away the demons of West Virginia past and let a group of dynamic skill players rack up points. The offensive line is going to be a question, but veteran QB Tajh Boyd should be an improved passer, and help through the growing pains.
Coastal Division Champion: Virginia Tech
Death, taxes, and Frank Beamer leads the Hokies to the ACC championship game. What could be the best defense in the conference, Virginia Tech has both Georgia Tech and Florida State at home.
ACC Conference Champion: Virginia Tech
Pac-12
North Division Champion: Oregon
The only roadblock in the Ducks way should be having to replace seven starters on offense including the departed LaMichael James at running back. Washington and Stanford, the Oregon’s closest competition within the division, both play in Eugene.
South Division Champion: USC
All due respect to the Utes, but this year the Pac-12 South is the Trojans for the taking. Barring injury, expect to hear “Fight On!” aplenty in the conference championship game.
Pac-12 Conference Champion: USC
Big East
Big East Conference Champion: Louisville
Head coach Charlie Strong knows how to get the most out of his defensive personnel. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and a mostly intact offensive line from 2011 will improve the Cards’ offense.
Big Ten
Legends Division Champion: Michigan State
Yes, the Spartans must travel to Ann Arbor October 20, but don’t let that fool you. A mean defense with Le’Veon Bell running the ball will help MSU edge out rival Michigan. Skill position players must step up including new starting quarterback Andrew Maxwell.
Leaders Division Champion: Wisconsin
The Buckeyes will be a tough out, but the Badgers draw Urban Meyer‘s squad in Madison November 17. Another plus for Wisconsin is that they are not breaking in a new offensive scheme like OSU. Montee Ball is a beast running behind a cheese fed line that averages 327 pounds if you need it.
Big Ten Conference Champion: Michigan State
Big 12
Big 12 Conference Champion: Oklahoma
The Sooners have the key ingredients to Big 12 championship, a star QB, dynamic skill players, and a solid defense. Texas is still uncertain at QB, and West Virginia will find the new conference much more challenging than the Big East. TCU travels to Morgantown and Austin.
SEC
West Division Champion: Alabama
Getting tired of Nick Saban and his ‘Tide crushing the dreams of fan bases across the South? Get in line. ”Bama is back and this time the offense could be the star. AJ McCarron might be the most productive QB Tuscaloosa has seen in a long while.
East Division Champion: Georgia
The Bulldogs avoid both the Crimson Tide and LSU while drawing Tennessee at home. Mark Richt should have a stellar prototypical SEC D that puts them back in Atlanta.
SEC Conference Champion: Alabama
Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Michigan State
Rose Bowl Champion: Michigan State
Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Louisville
Orange Bowl Champion: Virginia Tech
Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. Texas
Sugar Bowl Champion: Georgia
Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Wisconsin
Fiesta Bowl Champion: Oklahoma
BCS National Championship: USC vs. Alabama
BCS National Champion: USC
For Dr. G’s complete preseason Top 25 click here.
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James Gomez is a Pac-12 and Mountain West columnist for Rant Sports and member of the Football Writers Association of America
You can follow James on Twitter as well.
