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The Predictalator has already played the 2012 college football regular and postseasons 50,000 times before the games are actually played.
Below, we explain How This Works and break down every Division I college football FBS team. Additional analysis is provided regarding strengths and weaknesses for each BCS conference team projected to play in a bowl this season. In each of these team previews, the "Most Important Offensive Players" and "Most Important Defensive Players" are those players for whom there is uncertainty and the ability to play at the player's peak is most critical to his team's success. For example, while Matt Barkley is clearly the "most valuable" offensive player to the USC Trojans, Aundrey Walker, a first year starter at left tackle who will be stepping into the position previously filled by All-American Matt Kalil is more important because of the uncertainty surrounding a new, clear starter at a critical position. "Breakout Players" are those with tremendous ability who have shown flashes of greatness and who should now shine with increased playing time and experience.
Since launching in January 2010, this remarkable technology is over 60% against-the-spread with football Locks of the Week, over 60% ATS with Paul's Picks in the NFL, college football and the NCAA Tournament, over 57% with "normal" or better picks all-time in the NFL, NBA and MLB combined and over 53% with all playable picks. And finally, with a perfect 2011 postseason, the Predictalator is now 20-3 against-the-spread in NFL playoff games. In 2011, college football "normal" or better O/U win total picks went 11-6 (65% O/U), while all 'normal" or better O/U for games during the season went 74-48 (61% O/U). Check out the Shop now to learn more.
See: How This Works, BCS Bowl Summary and Conference Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Independents, MAC, MWC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC
How This Works
Just as the Predictalator plays any individual game 50,000 before it's actually played, it can also play entire seasons 50,000 times before they are actually played. That is what we have done for the 2012 college football (FBS) season. The actual regular season and bowl schedules have been played 50,000 times, allowing us to compute likely records, expected bowl matchups and power rankings.
Using the Predictalator is not as much of a concern to us as making sure that we have the best possible inputs for players' statistics, progression over time and age, roles, health and playing time as well as teams' coaching styles and weather.
In general, we apply strength-of-schedule-adjusted, relevant statistics from the player's collegiate games (weighted more heavily on the last 12 games) to a fairly traditional player development curve that considers class and previous playing time. Not only does this curve help to set average inputs, it combines health history to dictate the variance ("boom or bust" potential) of a player's inputs.
Playing time is more art than a science, especially in college football. We have done our best to estimate playing time for all players who are expected to see significant starting time in 2012. That being said, some playing time gaps have been filled in by our best approximations of average bench and role players on teams.
After all of the math and analysis is conducted, we import each team's schedule and play the EVERY game 50,000 times..
Season Summary
Bowl matchups below reflect our best projection based on the results from our predicted season.
In the most likely BCS Championship game, USC tops Alabama, our projected BCS champion at this time last year, to keep the Crimson Tide from winning its second consecutive championship and the third in the last four seasons, which would also have been the SEC's seventh straight BCS title. USC, also the most likely team within FBS to go undefeated this season, wins over Alabama at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida 56.5% of the time and by an average score of 26.5-20.2. Despite losing Kalil and DE/OLB Nick Perry to the first round of the NFL draft this season, USC returns 15 starters, plus the punter and kicker (not to mention the addition of Silas Redd, Penn State's leading rusher from a year ago) from last season's 10-2 team that was ineligible to play in the postseason. Interestingly, Alabama ranks ahead of USC in our initial Power Rankings, but USC wins this game more often than not due to matchup advantages. It is important to note that, with three SEC teams in the top four overall (each projected to win 10+ games), eight SEC teams in our top 20 and Michigan (#13) on Alabama's schedule, USC is far more likely to make the BCS Championship game than Alabama or any other specific SEC team. That being said, with that kind of conference strength (and the gap between the SEC and all other conferences widening), the SEC this year is as close to a lock as we have ever seen to put at least one team into the BCS title game.
In other BCS Bowls, the Big Ten Championship game winner, Michigan falls to the Pac-12 championship runner-up, Oregon in a Rose Bowl shootout 41-33. The Sugar Bowl features the second best team from the SEC, LSU doing an admirable job of shutting down (though not quite as convincingly as in their regular season matchup last year) the Big 12's second place team West Virginia with a 29-25 Tiger victory. In a great defensive battle, ACC winner Florida State bests Big East champion Louisville 24-14 in the Orange Bowl. And Big 12 winner Oklahoma destroys a Wisconsin team that rides an easy schedule and bowl sanctions to two of the other five teams in its division (and Purdue, Illinois and Indiana are the other three teams) to make a BCS bowl with a 48-24 victory in the Fiesta Bowl. Meanwhile, Georgia (#4), Texas (#7) and South Carolina (#10) are top ten teams from our Power Rankings that narrowly miss making BCS game appearances.
See: How This Works, Bowl Summary and Conference Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Independents, MAC, MWC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC
ACC Preview
Florida State Seminoles
Power Rank: 9
Offensive Rank: 25
Defensive Rank: 5
Projected Regular Season Record: 9.6 - 2.4
Conference Standing: 1
Projected Bowl: Orange
Biggest Strength: Defensive Line
Greatest Weakness: Pass Game
Most Important Offensive Player: Cameron Erving
Most Important Defensive Player: Nick Waisome
Breakout Candidate: Lamarcus Joyner
Clemson Tigers
Power Rank: 21
Offensive Rank: 11
Defensive Rank: 26
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.7 - 3.3
Conference Standing: 2
Projected Bowl: Chick-fil-A
Biggest Strength: Boyd to Watkins in Passing Offense
Greatest Weakness: Defensive Line
Most Important Offensive Player: Brandon Thomas
Most Important Defensive Player: Bashaud Breeland
Breakout Candidate: Corey Crawford
Virginia Tech Hokies
Power Rank: 18
Offensive Rank: 38
Defensive Rank: 16
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.4 - 3.6
Conference Standing: 3
Projected Bowl: Russell Athletic
Biggest Strength: Logan Thomas
Greatest Weakness: Turnovers
Most Important Offensive Player: Nick Becton
Most Important Defensive Player: Detrick Bonner
Breakout Candidate: Michael Holmes
North Carolina Tar Heels
Power Rank: 32
Offensive Rank: 23
Defensive Rank: 78
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.5 - 4.5
Conference Standing: 4
Projected Bowl: N/A
Biggest Strength: Favorable Schedule
Greatest Weakness: Pass Offense
Most Important Offensive Player: Jheranie Boyd
Most Important Defensive Player: Darien Rankin
Breakout Candidate: Erik Highsmith
North Carolina State Wolfpack
Power Rank: 45
Offensive Rank: 57
Defensive Rank: 24
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.8 - 5.2
Conference Standing: 5
Projected Bowl: Sun
Biggest Strength: Defensive Secondary
Greatest Weakness: Scoring Points
Most Important Offensive Player: Tony Creecy
Most Important Defensive Player: Sterling Lucas
Breakout Candidate: Bryan Underwood
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Power Rank: 42
Offensive Rank: 52
Defensive Rank: 55
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.7 - 5.3
Conference Standing: 6
Projected Bowl: Belk
Biggest Strength: Option Offense
Greatest Weakness: Defensive Secondary
Most Important Offensive Player: Tevin Washington
Most Important Defensive Player: Jabari Hunt-Days
Breakout Candidate: Jeremiah Attaochu
Virginia Cavaliers
Power Rank: 58
Offensive Rank: 62
Defensive Rank: 53
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.2 - 5.8
Conference Standing: 7
Projected Bowl: Music City
Biggest Strength: Average Across the Board
Greatest Weakness: Pass Offense
Most Important Offensive Player: Michael Rocco
Most Important Defensive Player: Anthony Harris
Breakout Candidate: Phillip Sims
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Power Rank: 66
Offensive Rank: 58
Defensive Rank: 56
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.8 - 6.2
Conference Standing: 8
Projected Bowl: Independence
Biggest Strength: Protecting the Football
Greatest Weakness: Coaching Situation
Most Important Offensive Player: Frank Souza
Most Important Defensive Player: Scott Betros
Breakout Candidate: Desmond Floyd
Boston College Eagles
Power Rank: 83
Offensive Rank: 94
Defensive Rank: 37
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.6 - 6.4
Conference Standing: 9
Projected Bowl: Military
Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Power Rank: 69
Offensive Rank: 74
Defensive Rank: 59
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.5 - 6.5
Conference Standing: 10
Projected Bowl: None
Maryland Terrapins
Power Rank: 89
Offensive Rank: 77
Defensive Rank: 68
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.5 - 7.5
Conference Standing: 11
Projected Bowl: None
Duke Blue Devils
Power Rank: 93
Offensive Rank: 75
Defensive Rank: 80
Projected Regular Season Record: 3.6 - 8.4
Conference Standing: 12
Projected Bowl: None
See: How This Works, Bowl Summary and Conference Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Independents, MAC, MWC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC
Big 12 Preview
Oklahoma Sooners
Power Rank: 5
Offensive Rank: 1
Defensive Rank: 10
Projected Regular Season Record: 10.2 - 1.8
Conference Standing: 1
Projected Bowl: Fiesta
Biggest Strength: Scoring Points
Greatest Weakness: Road Games
Most Important Offensive Player: Dominique Whaley
Most Important Defensive Player: Javon Harris
Breakout Candidate: Trey Metoyer
West Virginia Mountaineers
Power Rank: 6
Offensive Rank: 4
Defensive Rank: 20
Projected Regular Season Record: 9.0 - 3.0
Conference Standing: 2
Projected Bowl: Sugar
Biggest Strength: Dana Holgorsen's Pass Offense
Greatest Weakness: New Level of Competition
Most Important Offensive Player: Quinton Spain
Most Important Defensive Player: Terence Garvin
Breakout Candidate: Dustin Garrison
Texas Longhorns
Power Rank: 7
Offensive Rank: 6
Defensive Rank: 4
Projected Regular Season Record: 9.0 - 3.0
Conference Standing: 3
Projected Bowl: Cotton
Biggest Strength: Defense
Greatest Weakness: Quarterback
Most Important Offensive Player: David Ash
Most Important Defensive Player: Steve Edmond
Breakout Candidate: Brandon Moore
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Power Rank: 17
Offensive Rank: 8
Defensive Rank: 48
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.7 - 4.3
Conference Standing: 4
Projected Bowl: Alamo
Biggest Strength: Opportunistic Defense
Greatest Weakness: Offensive Turnover
Most Important Offensive Player: Wes Lunt
Most Important Defensive Player: Brodrick Brown
Breakout Candidate: Tracy Moore
Kansas State Wildcats
Power Rank: 36
Offensive Rank: 19
Defensive Rank: 14
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.1 - 4.9
Conference Standing: 5
Projected Bowl: Buffalo Wild Wings
Biggest Strength: Bill Snyder
Greatest Weakness: Lack of Explosive Playmakers
Most Important Offensive Player: B.J. Finney
Most Important Defensive Player: Tre Walker
Breakout Candidate: Meshak Williams
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Power Rank: 40
Offensive Rank: 5
Defensive Rank: 60
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.7 - 5.3
Conference Standing: 6
Projected Bowl: Holiday
Biggest Strength: Experience
Greatest Weakness: Lack of Pass Rush
Most Important Offensive Player: Ryan Bustin
Most Important Defensive Player: Delvon Simmons
Breakout Candidate: Branden Jackson
Baylor Bears
Power Rank: 31
Offensive Rank: 9
Defensive Rank: 65
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.6 - 5.4
Conference Standing: 7
Projected Bowl: Meineke Car Care
Biggest Strength: Defensive Back Seven
Greatest Weakness: Offensive Turnover
Most Important Offensive Player: Nick Florence
Most Important Defensive Player: Kaeron Johnson
Breakout Candidate: Lache Seastrunk
TCU Horned Frogs
Power Rank: 23
Offensive Rank: 35
Defensive Rank: 45
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.9 - 6.1
Conference Standing: 8
Projected Bowl: Pinstripe
Biggest Strength: Defensive Line
Greatest Weakness: Inexperience (Especially at Level of Competition)
Most Important Offensive Player: Tayo Fabuluje
Most Important Defensive Player: Kenny Cain
Breakout Candidate: Waymon James
Iowa State Cyclones
Power Rank: 50
Offensive Rank: 16
Defensive Rank: 47
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.4 - 7.6
Conference Standing: 9
Projected Bowl: None
Kansas Jayhawks
Power Rank: 81
Offensive Rank: 27
Defensive Rank: 63
Projected Regular Season Record: 3.8 - 8.2
Conference Standing: 10
Projected Bowl: None
See: How This Works, Bowl Summary and Conference Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Independents, MAC, MWC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC
Big East Preview
Louisville Cardinals
Power Rank: 33
Offensive Rank: 49
Defensive Rank: 18
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.7 - 3.3
Conference Standing: 1
Projected Bowl: Orange
Biggest Strength: Experienced, Young Talent
Greatest Weakness: Run Offense
Most Important Offensive Player: Dominque Brown
Most Important Defensive Player: Andrew Johnson
Breakout Candidate: DeVante Parker
South Florida Bulls
Power Rank: 29
Offensive Rank: 32
Defensive Rank: 46
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.9 - 4.1
Conference Standing: 2
Projected Bowl: Russell Athletic
Biggest Strength: Experience
Greatest Weakness: Pass Offense
Most Important Offensive Player: B.J. Daniels
Most Important Defensive Player: Ryne Giddins
Breakout Candidate: Lindsey Lamar
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Power Rank: 48
Offensive Rank: 84
Defensive Rank: 25
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.1 - 4.9
Conference Standing: 3
Projected Bowl: Belk
Biggest Strength: Pass Defense
Greatest Weakness: Offense
Most Important Offensive Player: Gary Nova
Most Important Defensive Player: Lorenzo Waters
Breakout Candidate: Darius Hamilton
Pittsburgh Panthers
Power Rank: 55
Offensive Rank: 55
Defensive Rank: 41
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.1 - 4.9
Conference Standing: 4
Projected Bowl: Pinstripe
Biggest Strength: Offensive Stability
Greatest Weakness: Coaching Turnover
Most Important Offensive Player: Cory King
Most Important Defensive Player: Shane Gordon
Breakout Candidate: Hubie Graham
Cincinnati Bearcats
Power Rank: 49
Offensive Rank: 65
Defensive Rank: 49
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.1 - 4.9
Conference Standing: 5
Projected Bowl: BBVA Compass
Biggest Strength: Easy Schedule
Greatest Weakness: Offensive Turnover
Most Important Offensive Player: Munchie Legaux
Most Important Defensive Player: Jordan Stepp
Breakout Candidate: Jameel Poteat
Connecticut Huskies
Power Rank: 59
Offensive Rank: 78
Defensive Rank: 51
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.3 - 5.7
Conference Standing: 6
Projected Bowl: Beef 'O' Brady's
Biggest Strength: Defensive Front Seven
Greatest Weakness: Lack of Explosive Offensive Weapons
Most Important Offensive Player: Chandler Whitmer
Most Important Defensive Player: Ryan Wirth
Breakout Candidate: Ryan Griffin
Syracuse Orange
Power Rank: 67
Offensive Rank: 64
Defensive Rank: 69
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.1 - 6.9
Conference Standing: 7
Projected Bowl: None
Temple Owls
Power Rank: 80
Offensive Rank: 103
Defensive Rank: 77
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.6 - 7.4
Conference Standing: 8
Projected Bowl: None
See: How This Works, Bowl Summary and Conference Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Independents, MAC, MWC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC
Big Ten Preview
Michigan Wolverines
Power Rank: 13
Offensive Rank: 20
Defensive Rank: 8
Projected Regular Season Record: 9.3 - 2.7
Conference Standing: 1
Projected Bowl: Rose
Biggest Strength: Defensive Back Seven
Greatest Weakness: Brutal Schedule
Most Important Offensive Player: Denard Robinson
Most Important Defensive Player: William Campbell
Breakout Candidate: Devin Gardner
Ohio State Buckeyes
Power Rank: 12
Offensive Rank: 18
Defensive Rank: 15
Projected Regular Season Record: 9.3 - 2.7
Conference Standing: 2
Projected Bowl: N/A
Wisconsin Badgers
Power Rank: 15
Offensive Rank: 26
Defensive Rank: 19
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.6 - 3.4
Conference Standing: 3
Projected Bowl: Fiesta
Biggest Strength: Run Offense
Greatest Weakness: Special Teams
Most Important Offensive Player: Danny O'Brien
Most Important Defensive Player: Devin Smith
Breakout Candidate: Beau Allen
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Power Rank: 24
Offensive Rank: 29
Defensive Rank: 21
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.4 - 3.6
Conference Standing: 4
Projected Bowl: Capital One
Biggest Strength: Run Offense
Greatest Weakness: Pass Offense
Most Important Offensive Player: Jeremiah Sirles
Most Important Defensive Player: PJ Smith
Breakout Candidate: Zaire Anderson
Michigan State Spartans
Power Rank: 14
Offensive Rank: 40
Defensive Rank: 13
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.2 - 3.8
Conference Standing: 5
Projected Bowl: Outback
Biggest Strength: Defense
Greatest Weakness: Offensive Turnover
Most Important Offensive Player: Andrew Maxwell
Most Important Defensive Player: Anthony Rashad White
Breakout Candidate: Dion Sims
Iowa Hawkeyes
Power Rank: 52
Offensive Rank: 45
Defensive Rank: 50
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.2 - 4.8
Conference Standing: 6
Projected Bowl: Buffalo Wild Wings
Biggest Strength: Favorable Schedule
Greatest Weakness: Inexperience
Most Important Offensive Player: Brandon Scherff
Most Important Defensive Player: Nico Law
Breakout Candidate: Greg Garmon
Purdue Boilermakers
Power Rank: 56
Offensive Rank: 48
Defensive Rank: 54
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.4 - 5.6
Conference Standing: 7
Projected Bowl: Meineke Car Care
Biggest Strength: Balance
Greatest Weakness: Lack of Explosive Playmakers
Most Important Offensive Player: Trevor Foy
Most Important Defensive Player: Ryan Russell
Breakout Candidate: Antavian Edison
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Power Rank: 72
Offensive Rank: 47
Defensive Rank: 57
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.8 - 6.2
Conference Standing: 8
Projected Bowl: TicketCity
Biggest Strength: Favorable Schedule
Greatest Weakness: Defensive Front Seven
Most Important Offensive Player: MarQueis Gray
Most Important Defensive Player: Derrick Wells
Breakout Candidate: James Gillum
Penn State Nittany Lions
Power Rank: 62
Offensive Rank: 82
Defensive Rank: 31
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.9 - 6.1
Conference Standing: 9
Projected Bowl: N/A
Illinois Fighting Illini
Power Rank: 46
Offensive Rank: 73
Defensive Rank: 29
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.5 - 6.5
Conference Standing: 10
Projected Bowl: Little Caesars
Biggest Strength: Experience
Greatest Weakness: Coaching Turnover
Most Important Offensive Player: Darius Millines
Most Important Defensive Player: Michael Buchanan
Breakout Candidate: Donovonn Young
Northwestern Wildcats
Power Rank: 75
Offensive Rank: 43
Defensive Rank: 62
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.2 - 7.8
Conference Standing: 11
Projected Bowl: None
Indiana Hoosiers
Power Rank: 104
Offensive Rank: 63
Defensive Rank: 90
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.2 - 7.8
Conference Standing: 12
Projected Bowl: None
See: How This Works, Bowl Summary and Conference Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Independents, MAC, MWC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC
C-USA Preview
UCF Knights
Power Rank: 30
Offensive Rank: 69
Defensive Rank: 43
Projected Regular Season Record: 9.0 - 3.0
Conference Standing: 1
Projected Bowl: N/A
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Power Rank: 60
Offensive Rank: 66
Defensive Rank: 75
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.1 - 3.9
Conference Standing: 2
Projected Bowl: Liberty
East Carolina Pirates
Power Rank: 82
Offensive Rank: 66
Defensive Rank: 99
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.6 - 4.4
Conference Standing: 3
Projected Bowl: Hawaii
Houston Cougars
Power Rank: 54
Offensive Rank: 85
Defensive Rank: 91
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.5 - 4.5
Conference Standing: 4
Projected Bowl: Armed Forces
Marshall Thundering Herd
Power Rank: 90
Offensive Rank: 76
Defensive Rank: 65
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.6 - 5.4
Conference Standing: 5
Projected Bowl: Beef 'O' Brady's
Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Power Rank: 61
Offensive Rank: 92
Defensive Rank: 84
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.3 - 5.7
Conference Standing: 6
Projected Bowl: TicketCity
Southern Methodist Mustangs
Power Rank: 68
Offensive Rank: 97
Defensive Rank: 71
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.9 - 6.1
Conference Standing: 7
Projected Bowl: New Orleans
Rice Owls
Power Rank: 105
Offensive Rank: 89
Defensive Rank: 87
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.9 - 7.1
Conference Standing: 8
Projected Bowl: None
UTEP Miners
Power Rank: 90
Offensive Rank: 86
Defensive Rank: 81
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.8 - 7.2
Conference Standing: 9
Projected Bowl: None
UAB Blazers
Power Rank: 119
Offensive Rank: 100
Defensive Rank: 120
Projected Regular Season Record: 2.9 - 9.1
Conference Standing: 10
Projected Bowl: None
Tulane Green Wave
Power Rank: 116
Offensive Rank: 118
Defensive Rank: 109
Projected Regular Season Record: 2.4 - 9.6
Conference Standing: 11
Projected Bowl: None
Memphis Tigers
Power Rank: 122
Offensive Rank: 122
Defensive Rank: 121
Projected Regular Season Record: 2.2 - 9.8
Conference Standing: 12
Projected Bowl: None
See: How This Works, Bowl Summary and Conference Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Independents, MAC, MWC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC
Independents Preview
Brigham Young Cougars
Power Rank: 41
Offensive Rank: 60
Defensive Rank: 32
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.8 - 3.2
Conference Standing: N/A
Projected Bowl: Kraft Fight Hunger
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Power Rank: 25
Offensive Rank: 28
Defensive Rank: 27
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.5 - 4.5
Conference Standing: N/A
Projected Bowl: Gator
Biggest Strength: Linebackers
Greatest Weakness: Typically Tough Schedule
Most Important Offensive Player: Theo Reddick
Most Important Defensive Player: Jamoris Slaughter
Breakout Candidate: Theo Reddick
Navy Midshipmen
Power Rank: 86
Offensive Rank: 81
Defensive Rank: 67
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.7 - 5.3
Conference Standing: N/A
Projected Bowl: Poinsettia
Army Black Knights
Power Rank: 85
Offensive Rank: 85
Defensive Rank: 58
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.2 - 6.8
Conference Standing: N/A
Projected Bowl: None
See: How This Works, Bowl Summary and Conference Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Independents, MAC, MWC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC
MAC Preview
Ohio Bobcats
Power Rank: 53
Offensive Rank: 79
Defensive Rank: 79
Projected Regular Season Record: 9.8 - 2.2
Conference Standing: 1
Projected Bowl: GoDaddy.com
Bowling Green Falcons
Power Rank: 65
Offensive Rank: 70
Defensive Rank: 69
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.4 - 3.6
Conference Standing: 2
Projected Bowl: Little Caesars
Miami (OH) RedHawks
Power Rank: 70
Offensive Rank: 76
Defensive Rank: 70
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.3 - 3.7
Conference Standing: 3
Projected Bowl: Famous Idaho Potato
Toledo Rockets
Power Rank: 71
Offensive Rank: 53
Defensive Rank: 94
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.5 - 4.5
Conference Standing: 4
Projected Bowl: None
Northern Illinois Huskies
Power Rank: 95
Offensive Rank: 96
Defensive Rank: 110
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.5 - 4.5
Conference Standing: 5
Projected Bowl: None
Western Michigan Broncos
Power Rank: 64
Offensive Rank: 46
Defensive Rank: 100
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.2 - 4.8
Conference Standing: 6
Projected Bowl: None
Kent State Golden Flashes
Power Rank: 88
Offensive Rank: 114
Defensive Rank: 42
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.6 - 6.4
Conference Standing: 7
Projected Bowl: None
Central Michigan Chippewas
Power Rank: 94
Offensive Rank: 93
Defensive Rank: 93
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.3 - 6.7
Conference Standing: 8
Projected Bowl: None
Buffalo Bulls
Power Rank: 97
Offensive Rank: 99
Defensive Rank: 92
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.2 - 7.8
Conference Standing: 9
Projected Bowl: None
Ball State Cardinals
Power Rank: 109
Offensive Rank: 64
Defensive Rank: 115
Projected Regular Season Record: 3.3 - 8.7
Conference Standing: 10
Projected Bowl: None
Eastern Michigan Eagles
Power Rank: 102
Offensive Rank: 110
Defensive Rank: 102
Projected Regular Season Record: 3.2 - 8.8
Conference Standing: 11
Projected Bowl: None
Akron Zips
Power Rank: 123
Offensive Rank: 119
Defensive Rank: 118
Projected Regular Season Record: 2.3 - 9.7
Conference Standing: 12
Projected Bowl: None
Massachusetts Minutemen
Power Rank: 124
Offensive Rank: 124
Defensive Rank: 122
Projected Regular Season Record: 1.2 - 10.8
Conference Standing: 13
Projected Bowl: None
See: How This Works, Bowl Summary and Conference Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Independents, MAC, MWC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC
Mountain West Preview
Boise State Broncos
Power Rank: 28
Offensive Rank: 39
Defensive Rank: 35
Projected Regular Season Record: 9.0 - 3.0
Conference Standing: 1
Projected Bowl: Las Vegas
Nevada Wolf Pack
Power Rank: 37
Offensive Rank: 37
Defensive Rank: 74
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.7 - 3.3
Conference Standing: 2
Projected Bowl: Poinsettia
Wyoming Cowboys
Power Rank: 96
Offensive Rank: 91
Defensive Rank: 97
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.2 - 4.8
Conference Standing: 3
Projected Bowl: Armed Forces
Fresno State Bulldogs
Power Rank: 92
Offensive Rank: 68
Defensive Rank: 103
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.1 - 4.9
Conference Standing: 4
Projected Bowl: New Mexico
San Diego State Aztecs
Power Rank: 76
Offensive Rank: 80
Defensive Rank: 95
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.0 - 5.0
Conference Standing: 5
Projected Bowl: Hawaii
Hawaii Warriors
Power Rank: 99
Offensive Rank: 101
Defensive Rank: 105
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.5 - 6.5
Conference Standing: 6
Projected Bowl: None
Colorado State Rams
Power Rank: 107
Offensive Rank: 115
Defensive Rank: 107
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.9 - 7.1
Conference Standing: 7
Projected Bowl: None
New Mexico Lobos
Power Rank: 118
Offensive Rank: 105
Defensive Rank: 111
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.7 - 8.3
Conference Standing: 8
Projected Bowl: None
Air Force Falcons
Power Rank: 100
Offensive Rank: 102
Defensive Rank: 113
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.4 - 7.6
Conference Standing: 9
Projected Bowl:
UNLV Rebels
Power Rank: 115
Offensive Rank: 109
Defensive Rank: 106
Projected Regular Season Record: 3.3 - 9.7
Conference Standing: 10
Projected Bowl:
See: How This Works, Bowl Summary and Conference Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Independents, MAC, MWC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC,
Pac-12 Preview
USC Trojans
Power Rank: 3
Offensive Rank: 2
Defensive Rank: 9
Projected Regular Season Record: 11.1 - 0.9
Conference Standing: 1
Projected Bowl: BCS Championship
Biggest Strength: Everything Else
Greatest Weakness: Defensive Line
Most Important Offensive Player: Aundrey Walker
Most Important Defensive Player: Wes Horton
Breakout Candidate: Lamar Dawson
Oregon Ducks
Power Rank: 8
Offensive Rank: 3
Defensive Rank: 44
Projected Regular Season Record: 9.8 - 2.2
Conference Standing: 2
Projected Bowl: Rose
Biggest Strength: Explosive Run Offense
Greatest Weakness: Defensive Turnover
Most Important Offensive Player: Marcus Mariota
Most Important Defensive Player: Kiko Alonso
Breakout Candidate: Arik Armstead
Utah Utes
Power Rank: 27
Offensive Rank: 51
Defensive Rank: 12
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.0 - 4.0
Conference Standing: 3
Projected Bowl: Alamo
Biggest Strength: Run Defense
Greatest Weakness: Offensive Line Turnover
Most Important Offensive Player: Percy Taumoelau
Most Important Defensive Player: Trevor Reilly
Breakout Candidate: Kenneth Scott
Stanford Cardinal
Power Rank: 22
Offensive Rank: 24
Defensive Rank: 30
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.1 - 4.9
Conference Standing: 4
Projected Bowl: Holiday
Biggest Strength: Linebackers
Greatest Weakness: Quarterback Uncertainty
Most Important Offensive Player: Josh Nunes
Most Important Defensive Player: Shayne Skov
Breakout Candidate: Wayne Lyons
UCLA Bruins
Power Rank: 39
Offensive Rank: 34
Defensive Rank: 38
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.7 - 5.3
Conference Standing: 5
Projected Bowl: Sun
Biggest Strength: Experienced Defense
Greatest Weakness: More Coaching Turnover
Most Important Offensive Player: Johnathan Franklin
Most Important Defensive Player: Brandon Willis
Breakout Candidate: Brett Hundley
Washington Huskies
Power Rank: 43
Offensive Rank: 15
Defensive Rank: 61
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.7 - 5.3
Conference Standing: 6
Projected Bowl: Las Vegas
Biggest Strength: Keith Price
Greatest Weakness: Giving Up Big Plays
Most Important Offensive Player: Micah Hatchie
Most Important Defensive Player: Hau'oli Jamora
Breakout Candidate: Bishop Sankey
Washington State Cougars
Power Rank: 38
Offensive Rank: 10
Defensive Rank: 82
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.4 - 5.6
Conference Standing: 7
Projected Bowl: Kraft Fight Hunger
Biggest Strength: Mike Leach's Passing Offense
Greatest Weakness: Everything Else
Most Important Offensive Player: Jeff Tuel
Most Important Defensive Player: Chester Su'a
Breakout Candidate: Kristoff Williams
California Golden Bears
Power Rank: 35
Offensive Rank: 30
Defensive Rank: 36
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.8 - 6.2
Conference Standing: 8
Projected Bowl: New Mexico
Biggest Strength: No Glaring Weaknesses
Greatest Weakness: Ridiculously Brutal Schedule
Most Important Offensive Player: Keenan Allen
Most Important Defensive Player: Khairi Fortt
Breakout Candidate: Cole Leininger
Oregon State Beavers
Power Rank: 47
Offensive Rank: 36
Defensive Rank: 33
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.7 - 6.3
Conference Standing: 9
Projected Bowl: None
Arizona State Sun Devils
Power Rank: 77
Offensive Rank: 42
Defensive Rank: 83
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Conference Standing: 10
Projected Bowl: None
Arizona Wildcats
Power Rank: 63
Offensive Rank: 21
Defensive Rank: 86
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Conference Standing: 11
Projected Bowl: None
Colorado Buffaloes
Power Rank: 103
Offensive Rank: 71
Defensive Rank: 89
Projected Regular Season Record: 3.0 - 9.0
Conference Standing: 12
Projected Bowl: None
See: How This Works, Bowl Summary and Conference Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Independents, MAC, MWC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC,
SEC Preview
Alabama Crimson Tide
Power Rank: 1
Offensive Rank: 7
Defensive Rank: 2
Projected Regular Season Record: 10.9 - 1.1
Conference Standing: 1
Projected Bowl: BCS Championship
Biggest Strength: Talent and Depth
Greatest Weakness: Difficult Schedule
Most Important Offensive Player: Eddie Lacy
Most Important Defensive Player: Dee Milliner
Breakout Candidate: Cyrus Kouandijo
Georgia Bulldogs
Power Rank: 4
Offensive Rank: 12
Defensive Rank: 3
Projected Regular Season Record: 10.6 - 1.4
Conference Standing: 2
Projected Bowl: Capital One
Biggest Strength: Talent and Experience
Greatest Weakness: Offensive Line
Most Important Offensive Player: Kenarious Gates
Most Important Defensive Player: Branden Smith
Breakout Candidate: Arthur Lynch
LSU Tigers
Power Rank: 2
Offensive Rank: 17
Defensive Rank: 1
Projected Regular Season Record: 10.1 - 1.9
Conference Standing: 3
Projected Bowl: Sugar
Biggest Strength: Offensive and Defensive Lines
Greatest Weakness: Quarterback Uncertainty
Most Important Offensive Player: Zach Mettenberger
Most Important Defensive Player: Craig Loston
Breakout Candidate: Zach Mettenberger
Arkansas Razorbacks
Power Rank: 11
Offensive Rank: 13
Defensive Rank: 23
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.4 - 3.6
Conference Standing: 4
Projected Bowl: Outback
Biggest Strength: Pass Offense
Greatest Weakness: Coaching Turnover
Most Important Offensive Player: Brey Cook
Most Important Defensive Player: Tenarius Wright
Breakout Candidate: Cobi Hamilton
South Carolina Gamecocks
Power Rank: 10
Offensive Rank: 33
Defensive Rank: 6
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.0 - 4.0
Conference Standing: 5
Projected Bowl: Cotton
Biggest Strength: Pass Rush
Greatest Weakness: Offensive Line
Most Important Offensive Player: Marcus Lattimore
Most Important Defensive Player: Victor Hampton
Breakout Candidate: Damiere Byrd
Tennessee Volunteers
Power Rank: 19
Offensive Rank: 31
Defensive Rank: 11
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.8 - 4.2
Conference Standing: 6
Projected Bowl: Chick-fil-A
Biggest Strength: Returning Depth
Greatest Weakness: Run Offense
Most Important Offensive Player: Marlin Lane
Most Important Defensive Player: Maurice Couch
Breakout Candidate: Justin Hunter
Florida Gators
Power Rank: 20
Offensive Rank: 44
Defensive Rank: 7
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.2 - 4.8
Conference Standing: 7
Projected Bowl: Gator
Biggest Strength: Defensive Experience and Speed
Greatest Weakness: Pass Offense
Most Important Offensive Player: Jeff Driskel
Most Important Defensive Player: Lerentee McCray
Breakout Candidate: Mike Gillislee
Missouri Tigers
Power Rank: 16
Offensive Rank: 14
Defensive Rank: 39
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.9 - 5.1
Conference Standing: 8
Projected Bowl: Music City
Biggest Strength: Offensive Balance
Greatest Weakness: Offensive and Defensive Lines
Most Important Offensive Player: Elvis Fisher
Most Important Defensive Player: Will Ebner
Breakout Candidate: Dorial Green-Beckham
Auburn Tigers
Power Rank: 51
Offensive Rank: 41
Defensive Rank: 22
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.4 - 5.6
Conference Standing: 9
Projected Bowl: Liberty
Biggest Strength: Defensive Experience
Greatest Weakness: Pass Offense
Most Important Offensive Player: Kiehl Frazier
Most Important Defensive Player: Jake Holland
Breakout Candidate: Tre Mason
Texas A&M Aggies
Power Rank: 26
Offensive Rank: 22
Defensive Rank: 52
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.0 - 6.0
Conference Standing: 10
Projected Bowl: BBVA Compass
Biggest Strength: Run Offense
Greatest Weakness: Coaching and Quarterback Turnover
Most Important Offensive Player: Luke Joeckel
Most Important Defensive Player: Kirby Ennis
Breakout Candidate: Johnny Manziel
Vanderbilt Commodores
Power Rank: 34
Offensive Rank: 22
Defensive Rank: 52
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.0 - 6.0
Conference Standing: 11
Projected Bowl: Independence
Biggest Strength: Defensive Front Seven
Greatest Weakness: Turnovers
Most Important Offensive Player: Jordan Rodgers
Most Important Defensive Player: Andre Hal
Breakout Candidate: Jordan Rodgers
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Power Rank: 44
Offensive Rank: 61
Defensive Rank: 34
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.0 - 6.0
Conference Standing: 12
Projected Bowl: None
Mississippi Rebels
Power Rank: 74
Offensive Rank: 50
Defensive Rank: 28
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.5 - 7.5
Conference Standing: 13
Projected Bowl: None
Kentucky Wildcats
Power Rank: 91
Offensive Rank: 88
Defensive Rank: 40
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.2 - 7.8
Conference Standing: 14
Projected Bowl: None
See: How This Works, Bowl Summary and Conference Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Independents, MAC, MWC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC,
Sun Belt Preview
Arkansas State Red Wolves
Power Rank: 79
Offensive Rank: 113
Defensive Rank: 73
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.2 - 3.8
Conference Standing: 1
Projected Bowl: New Orleans
FIU Golden Panthers
Power Rank: 78
Offensive Rank: 109
Defensive Rank: 91
Projected Regular Season Record: 8.1 - 3.9
Conference Standing: 2
Projected Bowl: GoDaddy.com
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
Power Rank: 87
Offensive Rank: 87
Defensive Rank: 114
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.4 - 4.6
Conference Standing: 3
Projected Bowl: None
Troy Trojans
Power Rank: 110
Offensive Rank: 95
Defensive Rank: 117
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.9 - 5.1
Conference Standing: 4
Projected Bowl: None
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Power Rank: 101
Offensive Rank: 111
Defensive Rank: 99
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.5 - 6.5
Conference Standing: 5
Projected Bowl: None
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
Power Rank: 84
Offensive Rank: 98
Defensive Rank: 88
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.2 - 6.8
Conference Standing: 6
Projected Bowl: None
North Texas Mean Green
Power Rank: 106
Offensive Rank: 107
Defensive Rank: 111
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.8 - 7.2
Conference Standing: 7
Projected Bowl: None
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Power Rank: 108
Offensive Rank: 104
Defensive Rank: 116
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.5 - 7.5
Conference Standing: 8
Projected Bowl: None
Florida Atlantic Owls
Power Rank: 113
Offensive Rank: 121
Defensive Rank: 96
Projected Regular Season Record: 3.2 - 8.8
Conference Standing: 9
Projected Bowl: None
South Alabama Jaguars
Power Rank: 117
Offensive Rank: 123
Defensive Rank: 108
Projected Regular Season Record: 3.0 - 10.0
Conference Standing: 10
Projected Bowl: None
See: How This Works, Bowl Summary and Conference Previews: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, C-USA, Independents, MAC, MWC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC,
WAC Preview
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Power Rank: 57
Offensive Rank: 56
Defensive Rank: 72
Projected Regular Season Record: 9.6 - 2.4
Conference Standing: 1
Projected Bowl: Famous Idaho Potato
Utah State Aggies
Power Rank: 73
Offensive Rank: 72
Defensive Rank: 62
Projected Regular Season Record: 7.9 - 4.1
Conference Standing: 2
Projected Bowl: Military
San Jose State Spartans
Power Rank: 111
Offensive Rank: 112
Defensive Rank: 104
Projected Regular Season Record: 6.1 - 5.9
Conference Standing: 3
Projected Bowl: None
Idaho Vandals
Power Rank: 112
Offensive Rank: 106
Defensive Rank: 112
Projected Regular Season Record: 5.2 - 6.8
Conference Standing: 4
Projected Bowl: None
Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners
Power Rank: 114
Offensive Rank: 117
Defensive Rank: 119
Projected Regular Season Record: 4.0 - 8.0
Conference Standing: 5
Projected Bowl: None
New Mexico State Aggies
Power Rank: 120
Offensive Rank: 116
Defensive Rank: 123
Projected Regular Season Record: 3.1 - 8.9
Conference Standing: 6
Projected Bowl: None
Texas State Bobcats
Power Rank: 121
Offensive Rank: 120
Defensive Rank: 124
Projected Regular Season Record: 2.8 - 9.2
Conference Standing: 7
Projected Bowl: None
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