The College Football Blog: 2009 Season Predictions

2009 College Football Predictions

o Teams placed according to specific guidelines for standings and tie-breakers within each individual conference.

o Conference records are in parenthesis: (#-#); regular season schedule records are open: #-#; final records after championship games and bowls are in brackets: [#-#].
o Conferences listed in order of where I rank them, ranking listed in parenthesis to right of conference name.
o Number of bowl eligible teams and number of bowl teams from conference listed inside parenthesis to right of conference name.
o Bowl teams in bold; conference champions in bold italics; bowl eligible teams not invited to the postseason in italics.

Southeastern Conference (Rank: #1; 9 Bowl Eligible; 9 Bowl Teams)

SEC East
1. Florida (8-0) 12-0 [14-0]
2. Georgia (6-2) 9-3 [10-3]
3. Tennessee (4-4) 8-4 [9-4]
4. South Carolina (2-6) 4-8
5. Vanderbilt (2-6) 5-7
6. Kentucky (2-6) 6-6 [6-7]

SEC West
1. Mississippi (7-1) 11-1 [12-2]
2. Alabama (7-1) 11-1 [12-1]
3. LSU (5-3) 9-3 [10-3]
4. Arkansas (3-5) 7-5 [8-5]
5. Auburn (2-6) 6-6 [6-7]
6. Mississippi State (0-8) 3-9

SEC Championship Game
Florida (13-0) over Mississippi (11-2)

Offensive Player of the Year: Tim Tebow-QB-Florida
Defensive Player of the Year: Greg Hardy-DE-Mississippi
Coach of the Year: Urban Meyer-Florida


Big XII Conference (Rank: #2; 9 Bowl Eligible; 9 Bowl Teams)

Big 12 North
1. Nebraska (6-2) 9-3 [10-4]
2. Kansas State (4-4) 7-5 [7-6]
3. Colorado (4-4) 6-6 [6-7]
4. Kansas (3-5) 6-6 [6-7]
5. Missouri (2-6) 4-8
6. Iowa State (0-8) 2-10

Big 12 South
1. Oklahoma (8-0) 12-0 [13-1]
2. Texas (7-1) 11-1 [12-1]
3. Oklahoma State (6-2) 10-2 [10-3]
4. Baylor (3-5) 6-6 [7-6]
5. Texas Tech (3-5) 7-5 [7-6]
6. Texas A&M (2-6) 5-7

Big 12 Championship Game
Oklahoma (13-0) over Nebraska (9-4)

Offensive Player of the Year: Colt McCoy-QB-Texas
Defensive Player of the Year: Sean Weatherspoon-LB-Missouri
Coach of the Year: Bob Stoops-Oklahoma


Big Ten Conference (Rank: #3; 8 Bowl Eligible; 8 Bowl Teams)

1. Ohio State (7-1) 11-1 [11-2]
2. Michigan (6-2) 10-2 [10-3]
3. Penn State (6-2) 10-2 [10-3]
T4. Illinois (5-3) 8-4 [8-5]
T4. Iowa (5-3) 9-3 [10-3]
T4. Michigan State (5-3) 8-4 [9-4]
7. Wisconsin (4-4) 8-4 [9-4]
8. Minnesota (3-5) 6-6 [6-7]
9. Purdue (2-6) 4-8
10. Northwestern (1-7) 5-7
11. Indiana (0-8) 1-11

Offensive Player of the Year: Juice Williams-QB-Illinois
Defensive Player of the Year: Brandon Graham-DE-Michigan
Coach of the Year: Rich Rodriquez-Michigan


Atlantic Coast Conference (Rank: #4; 9 Bowl Eligible; 9 Bowl Teams)

ACC Atlantic
1. Clemson (6-2) 9-3 [9-5]
2. Florida State (5-3) 7-5 [8-5]
3. Boston College (5-3) 9-3 [10-3]
4. NC State (4-4) 7-5 [8-5]
5. Wake Forrest (3-5) 6-6 [6-7]
6. Maryland (1-7) 4-8

ACC Costal
1. Virginia Tech (8-0) 10-2 [12-2]
2. Miami (6-2) 8-4 [9-4]
3. Georgia Tech (4-4) 7-5 [7-6]
4. North Carolina (4-4) 8-4 [9-4]
5. Virginia (1-7) 3-9
6. Duke (1-7) 3-9

ACC Championship Game
Virginia Tech (11-2) over Clemson (9-4)

Offensive Player of the Year: Russell Wilson-QB-NC State
Defensive Player of the Year: Jason Worilds-DE-Virginia Tech
Coach of the Year: Frank Beamer-Virginia Tech



Pac 10 Conference (Rank: #5; 7 Bowl Eligible; 7 Bowl Teams)

1. USC (9-0) 11-1 [12-1]
2. California (8-1) 11-1 [11-2]
3. Oregon State (5-4) 8-4 [8-5]
4. Arizona (5-4) 7-5 [8-5]
5. Stanford (5-4) 6-6 [6-7]
6. UCLA (5-4) 7-5 [8-5]
7. Arizona State (4-5) 6-6 [6-7]
8. Oregon (3-6) 5-7
9. Washington (1-8) 2-10
10. Washington State (0-9) 2-10

Offensive Player of the Year: Jahvid Best-RB-California
Defensive Player of the Year: Dexter Davis-DE-Arizona State
Coach of the Year: Jeff Tedford-California


Big East Conference (Rank: #6; 6 Bowl Eligible; 6 Bowl Teams)

1. Rutgers (6-1) 10-2 [10-3]
2. Pittsburgh (5-2) 10-2 [11-2]
3. South Florida (4-3) 8-4 [9-4]
4. Cincinnati (4-3) 7-5 [8-5]
5. West Virginia (4-3) 8-4 [8-5]
6. Connecticut (3-4) 4-8
7. Louisville (3-4) 6-6 [6-7]
8. Syracuse (0-7) 1-11

Offensive Player of the Year: Mardy Gilyard-WR-Cincinnati
Defensive Player of the Year: George Selvie-DE-South Florida
Coach of the Year: Greg Schiano-Rutgers


Mountain West Conference (Rank: #7; 5 Bowl Eligible; 5 Bowl Teams)

1. BYU (8-0) 11-1 [12-1]
2. TCU (7-1) 11-1 [12-1]
3. Utah (6-2) 9-3 [10-3]
4. Air Force (4-4) 7-5 [7-6]
5. UNLV (3-5) 5-7
6. Colorado State (3-5) 6-6 [6-7]
7. San Diego State (2-6) 5-7
8. Wyoming (2-6) 3-9
9. New Mexico (1-7) 2-10

Offensive Player of the Year: Max Hall-QB-BYU
Defensive Player of the Year: Jerry Hughes-DE-TCU
Coach of the Year: Bronco Mendenhall-BYU


Conference USA (Rank: #8; 6 Bowl Eligible; 5 Bowl Teams)

CUSA East
1. Southern Miss (6-2) 8-4 [10-4]
2. East Carolina (5-3) 7-5 [7-6]
3. Central Florida (5-3) 7-5
4. Memphis (4-4) 5-7
5. Marshall (3-5) 5-7
6. UAB (3-5) 3-9

CUSA West
1. UTEP (6-2) 9-3 [9-5]
2. Tulsa (6-2) 8-4 [9-4]
3. Houston (5-3) 6-6 [7-6]
4. SMU (3-5) 4-8
5. Rice (1-7) 1-11
6. Tulane (1-7) 2-10

Conference USA Championship Game
Southern Miss (9-4) over UTEP (9-4)

Offensive Player of the Year: Case Keenum-QB-Houston
Defensive Player of the Year: CJ Wilson-DE-East Carolina
Coach of the Year: Larry Fedora-Southern Miss



Western Athletic Conference (Rank: #9; 4 Bowl Eligible; 4 Bowl Teams)

1. Boise State (8-0) 13-0 [13-1]
2. Nevada (7-1) 9-3 [9-4]
3. Fresno State (6-2) 7-5 [8-5]
4. Louisiana Tech (5-3) 6-6 [7-6]
T5. Utah State (3-5) 4-8
T5. San Jose State (3-5) 4-8
T5. Hawaii (3-5) 5-8
8. New Mexico State (1-7) 2-11
9. Idaho (0-8) 0-12

Offensive Player of the Year: Colin Kaepernick-QB-Nevada
Defensive Player of the Year: Kevin Basped-DE-Nevada
Coach of the Year: Chris Ault-Nevada


Mid-American Conference (Rank: #10; 7 Bowl Eligible; 3 Bowl Teams)

MAC East
1. Ohio (7-1) 10-2 [11-3]
2. Akron (6-2) 9-3 [9-4]
3. Kent State (5-3) 7-5
4. Temple (4-4) 7-5
5. Buffalo (4-4) 5-7
6. Miami (OH) (2-6) 2-10
7. Bowling Green (0-8) 0-12

MAC West
1. Central Michigan (7-1) 8-4 [9-5]
2. Toledo (6-2) 7-5
3. Western Michigan (4-4) 6-6
4. Northern Illinois (3-5) 5-7
5. Eastern Michigan (3-5) 4-8
6. Ball State (1-7) 4-8

Mid-American Conference Championship Game
Central Michigan (9-4) over Ohio (10-3)

Offensive Player of the Year: Dan LeFevour-QB-Central Michigan
Defensive Player of the Year: Frank Zombo-DE-Central Michigan
Coach of the Year: Frank Solich-Ohio


Sun Belt Conference (Rank: #11; 4 Bowl Eligible; 1 Bowl Team)

1. Troy (7-1) 9-3 [9-4]
2. Florida Atlantic (7-1) 9-3
3. Arkansas State (6-2) 7-5
4. Middle Tennessee State (5-3) 6-6
5. Louisiana Monroe (4-4) 5-7
6. Florida International (3-5) 4-8
7. Louisiana-Lafayette (2-6) 3-9
8. North Texas (2-6) 3-9
9. Western Kentucky (0-8) 1-11

Offensive Player of the Year: Corey Leonard-QB-Arkansas State
Defensive Player of the Year: Brandon Lang-DE-Troy
Coach of the Year: Steve Roberts-Arkansas State


Independents (2 Bowl Eligible; 2 Bowl Teams)

1. Notre Dame 8-4 [8-5]
2. Navy 7-6 [7-7]
3. Army 3-9

Conference Champions
SEC: Florida
Big Ten: Ohio State
Pac 10: USC
ACC: Virginia Tech
Big 12: Oklahoma
Big East: Rutgers
MWC: BYU
WAC: Boise State
C-USA: Southern Miss
MAC: Central Michigan
SBC: Troy

BCS Teams
Florida (#1)
Oklahoma (#2)
USC (Pac-10 Champ)
Ohio State (Big Ten Champ)
Rutgers (Big East Champ)
Virginia Tech (ACC Champ)
Texas (At Large)
Alabama (At Large)
Boise State (At Large)
Cal (At Large)


Bowl Games

New Mexico Bowl
Louisiana Tech over Colorado State

St. Pete Bowl
South Florida over East Carolina

Las Vegas Bowl
BYU over Arizona State

New Orleans Bowl
Tulsa over Troy

Poinsettia Bowl
TCU over Stanford

Hawaii Bowl
Fresno State over UTEP

Motor City Bowl
Wisconsin over Akron

Meinike Bowl
North Carolina over Notre Dame

Champs Sports Bowl
Florida State over Illinois

Emerald Bowl
UCLA over Georgia Tech

Independence Bowl
Arkansas over Colorado

Eaglebank Bowl
North Carolina State over Minnesota

Papajohns.com Bowl
Pittsburgh over Auburn

Alamo Bowl
Iowa over Kansas State

Humanitarian Bowl
Utah over Nevada

Holiday Bowl
Nebraska over Oregon State

Texas Bowl
Baylor over Navy

Armed Forces Bowl
Houston over Air Force

Sun Bowl
Arizona over West Virginia

Music City Bowl
Boston College over Kentucky

Peach Bowl
Tennessee over Clemson

Insight Bowl
Michigan State over Kansas

Outback Bowl
Georgia over Michigan

Gator Bowl
Miami over Texas Tech

Citrus Bowl (Capital One)
Mississippi over Penn State

Rose Bowl
USC over Ohio State

Orange Bowl
Virginia Tech over Rutgers

Cotton Bowl
LSU over Oklahoma State

Liberty Bowl
Southern Miss over Louisville

Sugar Bowl
Alabama over Boise State

International Bowl
Cincinnati over Central Michigan

Fiesta Bowl
Texas over Cal

GMAC Bowl
Ohio over Wake Forrest

BCS National Title Game
#1 Florida over #2 Oklahoma

National Champion: Florida

Final Rankings
1. Florida
2. USC
3. Texas
4. Oklahoma
5. Alabama
6. BYU
7. Mississippi
8. Boise State
9. Cal
10. Ohio State

National Awards

Heisman Trophy: Tim Tebow-QB-Florida

Heisman Voting
1. Tim Tebow-QB-Florida
2. Colt McCoy-QB-Texas
3. Sam Bradford-QB-Oklahoma
4. Zac Robinson-QB-Oklahoma State
5. Jahvid Best-RB-Cal

Maxwell Award (Outstanding Player): Tim Tebow-QB-Florida
Walter Camp Award (Player of the Year): Colt McCoy-QB-Texas
Davy O’Brien Award (National Quarterback Award): Sam Bradford-QB-Oklahoma
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Outstanding Senior Quarterback): Zac Robinson-QB-Oklahoma State
Doak Walker Award (National Running Back Award): Jahvid Best-RB-Cal
Fred Biletnikoff Award (Outstanding Wide Receiver): Dez Bryant-WR-Oklahoma State
John Mackey Award (Outstanding Tight End): Jermaine Gresham-TE-Oklahoma
Rimington Trophy (Outstanding Center): Kristofer O’Dowd-C-USC
Outland Trophy (Outstanding Interior Lineman: Terrence Cody-DT-Alabama
Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year): Carlos Dunlap-DE-Florida
Bronco Nagurski Award (Defensive Player of the Year): Brandon Spikes-MLB-Florida
Dick Butkus Award (Outstanding Linebacker): Sean Weatherspoon-WLB-Missouri
Jim Thorpe Award (Outstanding Defensive Back): Eric Berry-SS-Tennessee
Vince Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman): Greg Hardy-DE-Mississippi
Ted Hendricks Award (Defensive End of the Year): George Selvie-DE-South Florida
Lou Groza Award (Collegiate Placekicker Award): Thomas Weber-K-Arizona State
Ray Guy Award (Outstanding Punter): Zoltan Mesko-P-Michigan
NCAA Coach of the Year Award: Chris Petersen-Boise State


Power 15
1. Florida
2. Oklahoma
3. Texas
4. Mississippi
5. USC
6. Alabama
7. Virginia Tech
8. Oklahoma State
9. Penn State
10. Cal
11. LSU
12. Ohio State
13. Georgia
14. Michigan
15. BYU