National Predictions and Other Foolishness

Conference Champs

ACC:               Florida State

BIG 10:           Ohio State
Big XII:          Oklahoma
Pac-12:            UCLA
SEC:                South Carolina

Four Team Playoff: South Carolina, Oklahoma, Florida State, UCLA

National Champ: Oklahoma

In case you are curious, Bovada’s Odds on winning it all:

Florida State: 11/2

Alabama: 6/1

Oregon: 8/1

Auburn: 9/1

Ohio State: 10/1

Oklahoma: 12/1

Georgia: 16/1

UCLA: 16/1

LSU: 18/1

Michigan State: 25/1

South Carolina: 25/1

USC: 25/1

Baylor: 28/1

Stanford: 33/1

Wisconsin: 33/1

Florida: 40/1

Mississippi: 40/1

Notre Dame: 40/1

Texas: 40/1

Michigan: 50/1

Nebraska: 50/1

Top 5 Games of 2014

1.   Auburn at Alabama

1a. SEC Title Game

2.   Ohio State at Michigan State

3.   Florida State v. Miami

4.   Oregon at UCLA

5.   Baylor at Oklahoma

5 Teams (other than LSU) I’m Most Curious About

Texas – No Texas players were taken in the NFL draft for the first time in 77 years. WHAT??  That is mind boggling to me.  I think Charlie Strong is a good coach and recruiter.  Look for a big turnaround for the Longhorns…next year.

 

Michigan – Brady Hoke won 11 games his first season in Ann Arbor. Then 8 games in year two and only 7 in year three.  Notice a trend?  Under Hoke, Michigan is only 3-8 versus ranked teams and 6-9 versus ND, MSU, OSU, Iowa and Nebraska. I’m not sure how much goodwill he has left.

 

UCLA – The Bruins look loaded to make a run.  Can Mora get them to elite status?

 

Miami – When will the Canes be good again?  After starting 7-0 last season, Miami stumbled the rest of the way going 2-4 down the stretch.

 

TCU – The transition to the Big XII has been rougher than most expected for the Horned Frogs.  The hope is a new offensive coordinator brings life to an offense that ranked 106^th in the nation last season.

 

Coach Most Likely to Get Fired: Will Muschamp

Bold Prediction I: Despite ESPN’s best efforts to manufacture controversy, the selection committee for the four team playoff will do an excellent job in selecting the participants without needless drama.

Bold Prediction II: Brady Hoke will get fired from Michigan as the Wolverines make another run at Les Miles.  Third time turns out to be the charm and Miles bolts LSU for his alma mater.