2015 College Football Preview Magazine

Karl Finkbeiner's
The sixth annual preseason prediction magazine written and compiled by Karl Finkbeiner.
Table of Contents
My Story ................................................................................................. 3
Preseason Top 40 ................................................................................... 4
Heisman Candidates ............................................................................... 5
Class of 2015 Position Rankings ............................................................. 7
All-American Teams ............................................................................... 8
Biggest Games ........................................................................................ 9
Bowl Games .......................................................................................... 10
Playoff Scenarios .................................................................................. 11
Playoff Prediction ................................................................................. 12
SEC ........................................................................................................ 13
Pac-12 ................................................................................................... 43
Big Ten .................................................................................................. 69
Big 12 .................................................................................................... 99
ACC ..................................................................................................... 121
Notre Dame ........................................................................................ 151
Group of 5 Conferences ..................................................................... 153
Top Group of 5 Teams ........................................................................ 154
Credits ................................................................................................ 163
My Story
For me, nothing compares with fall Saturdays. Every weekend during those months, college
football teams from across the country square off in spirited battles. Unlike the NFL, where the
players are simply doing their jobs, college football players don't get a penny for their
performances. Instead, they play for bragging rights, school pride, and the love of the game.
College football has another dimension that the NFL can't offer: a meaningful regular season.
Every game matters so much because one loss could knock a team out of the running for the
National Championship. That sets up a full docket of exciting games every single weekend.
From September through January, there is never a shortage of college football.
Unfortunately, the college football season only lasts four and a half months. That leaves
another seven and a half months to agonize over the previous season's results and wait for the
next season to begin. When I was younger, I filled some of this time by reading various
preseason magazines. I spent my summers memorizing all the players and figuring out how I
thought each team would perform during the coming season. In the summer of 2010, when I
was 12 years old, I decided to write my own prediction magazine. That first magazine was 64
pages long. It may not have looked very professional, but it lay the groundwork for my future
work. I wrote another magazine the next summer, and soon they became an annual tradition.
Every year I worked to improve the magazine's accuracy and appearance. It was hard work, but
the satisfaction of reading the finished product every August made it all worthwhile.
I am now 17 years old, and this is my sixth annual magazine. This year's edition spans 164
pages, a full 100 pages more than my first magazine. I have standardized the length of writing
for each team, making it more organized and detailed. Each Power 5 team gets a full two pages
dedicated to them. The first page features the team's starting lineup, schedule, big game
analysis, bowl prediction, conference rank, miscellaneous information, logo, and a picture of
one of the players. The second page is simply a full page of writing that analyzes the team's
offense, defense, recent history, and season outlook. This two-page setup allows me to provide
statistics and facts while also adding in the personal touch of paragraph writing.
Much of the credit for the improved organization and detail of this year's magazine belongs to
my brother, Owen Finkbeiner. His help in compiling the schedules, starting lineups, and
miscellaneous information saved me so much time. He also proofread all the writing and
corrected any mistakes. Through our combined effort, this year's magazine includes more
details than ever before. I have had so much fun over the years hand-crafting my own
magazine. Just like the college football players themselves, I do this because I love it. That
passion is what drives Karl Finkbeiner's College Football Preview Magazine. I hope you enjoy
reading this year's magazine as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Preseason Top 40
1. Ohio State
21. Oklahoma
2. Baylor
22. Pittsburgh
3. Oregon
23. Stanford
4. Alabama
24. Utah
5. Notre Dame
25. Michigan
6. TCU
26. Mississippi State
7. UCLA
Ohio State DE Joey Bosa
27. Cincinnati
8. Michigan State
28. Georgia Tech
9. Clemson
29. Missouri
10. Arkansas
30. Oklahoma State
11. USC
31. Texas A&M
12. Auburn
32. Tennessee
13. Florida State
UCLA RB Paul Perkins
33. Nebraska
14. Georgia
34. Penn State
15. Boise State
35. Louisville
16. Arizona State
36. BYU
17. Ole Miss
37. Virginia Tech
18. Wisconsin
38. NC State
19. Arizona
39. Northern Illinois

Notre Dame QB Malik Zaire
20. LSU
40. South Carolina
Heisman Candidates
1. DeShaun Watson (QB, Clemson) When healthy, DeShaun Watson was an absolute monster
as a freshman in 2014. The dual-threat quarterback rushed for five touchdowns while tossing
14 more, accumulating an FBS-high passer rating of 188.6 in just eight games. Watson enters
2015 with experience under his belt and an elite arsenal of playmakers at his disposal.
Assuming he stays healthy, Watson will be the nation's most electrifying player this fall.
2. J.T. Barrett (QB, Ohio State) Braxton Miller's injury forced J.T. Barrett to start as a redshirt
freshman. Ohio State's offense didn't miss a beat, as Barrett improved every week and wound
up finishing fifth in the Heisman voting. The biggest obstacle separating him from this award is
teammate Cardale Jones. Assuming Barrett wins the starting job, however, he will put up great
numbers for the best team in America. That is the perfect formula for a Heisman winner.
3. Trevone Boykin (QB, TCU) After seeing extended playing time in a back-up role his first two
seasons, Boykin entered 2014 surrounded with questions about his consistency. The talented
quarterback responded in a big way, leading TCU to a 12-1 record and finishing fourth in the
Heisman voting. The key for Boykin will be to build on last season rather than taking a step
back. If he stays focused, Boykin will be right in the Heisman mix once again.
4. Ezekiel Elliott (RB, Ohio State) Ezekiel Elliott was a solid back for the Buckeyes throughout
the 2014 season, but he cranked his game up to a whole new level when the postseason
arrived. In his final three games, Elliott rushed for a total of 696 yards. That's more than a lot
of guys accumulate in an entire season. After such a strong finish, Elliott will play a much larger
role for the Buckeyes in 2015. His Heisman chances may be hurt by J.T Barrett, though.
5. Derrick Henry (RB, Alabama) Of all the great running backs that have played for Nick Saban
at Alabama, Henry might be the most talented. Despite the presence of TJ Yeldon, Henry led
the Tide in rushing last season. Now that he is the top dog, the sky is the limit for what he can
accomplish. If Alabama gets back to the playoff, Henry will be the main reason why they do.
6. Cody Kessler (QB, USC) Last year, Cody Kessler was the most underrated quarterback in
college football. Despite tossing 39 touchdown passes compared to only five interceptions,
Kessler received almost no recognition. That will change this season, as many experts have USC
pegged as the Pac-12 favorite. If the Trojans do compete for a playoff spot, Kessler's
outstanding numbers will give him a great shot at taking home this coveted award.
7. Nick Chubb (RB, Georgia) In last year's magazine, I placed Todd Gurley atop my Heisman list.
Injuries and suspension prevented him from winning the award, but they paved the way for the
emergence of Nick Chubb. The freshman sensation earned first team All-SEC accolades by
virtue of 16 touchdowns and over 1500 yards rushing. Chubb will post video game numbers as
the starter in 2015, but his position may prevent him from winning the Heisman.
8. Connor Cook (QB, Michigan State) When Connor Cook took over as the starter for the
Spartans midway through the 2013 season, they went from a mediocre team to Big Ten
champions. Last year, Cook continued his success, leading MSU to an 11-2 season. With the
departure of Jeremy Langford, the passing game will be the focal point of the Spartans' offense.
Connor Cook's Heisman hopes ride on his team's meeting with Ohio State in November.
9. Seth Russell (QB, Baylor) Baylor has become "Quarterback U" since Art Briles took over as
head coach. Seth Russell replaces Bryce Petty, who finished tenth in the Heisman voting last
season. The rest of the offense returns nearly intact, with a plethora of playmakers at every
skill position. In his lone start, Russell amassed 438 yards and five touchdowns. His eyepopping numbers combined with Baylor's success will make him a Heisman candidate.
10. Samaje Perine (RB, Oklahoma) The 2014 freshman went largely unnoticed by fans until
November, when he ripped off an NCAA record 427 rushing yards. The electrifying running
back went on to earn second team All-American honors. This year, Oklahoma will lean on him
heavily as the focal point of their offense. Given the number of carries he will receive and his
extraordinary talent level, Perine should be able to eclipse 2,000 yards in 2015.
More Candidates
Dark Horses
Leonard Fournette (RB, LSU)
Malik Zaire (QB, Notre Dame)
Royce Freeman (RB, Oregon)
Jeff Lockie (QB, Oregon)
Jeremy Johnson (QB, Auburn)
Jared Goff (QB, California)
Jonathan Williams (RB, Arkansas)
James Connor (RB, Pittsburgh)
Everett Golson (QB, Florida State)
Taysom Hill (QB, BYU)
Dak Prescott (QB, Mississippi State)
Dalvin Cook (RB, Florida State)
Corey Clement (RB, Wisconsin)
Shock Linwood (RB, Baylor)
Kyle Allen (QB, Texas A&M)
Scooby Wright III (LB, Arizona)
Anu Solomon (QB, Arizona)
Justin Thomas (QB, Georgia Tech)
Paul Perkins (RB, UCLA)
Jovon Robinson (RB, Auburn)
Class of 2015 Position Rankings

Pro-Style Quarterbacks
Dual-Threat QBs
Running Backs
1. Josh Rosen (UCLA)
1. Deondre Francois (Florida St)
1. Damien Harris (Alabama)
2. Brady White (Arizona State)
2. Blake Barnett (Alabama)
2. Derrius Guice (LSU)
3. Jake Browning (Washington)
3. Travis Waller (Oregon)
3. Jacques Patrick (Florida State)
4. Zach Gentry (Michigan)
4. Brandon Wimbush (ND)
4. Soso Jamabo (UCLA)
5. Ricky Town (USC)
5. Kyler Murray (Texas A&M)
5. Kerryon Johnson (Auburn)
6. Ty Storey (Arkansas)
6. Jarrett Stidham (Baylor)
6. Larry Scott (Michigan State)
Wide Receivers
Athletes
Offensive Linemen
1. Calvin Ridley (Alabama)
1. Terry Godwin (Georgia)
1. Martez Ivey (Florida)
2. Tyron Johnson (LSU)
2. Ray-Ray McCloud III (Clemson)
2. Drew Richmond (Tennessee)
3. Christian Kirk (Texas A&M)
3. Ykili Ross (USC)
3. Maea Teuhema (LSU)
4. Deon Cain (Clemson)
4. Brian Cole (Michigan)
4. Chuma Edoga (USC)
5. George Campbell (Florida St)
5. DeChaun Holiday (UCLA)
5. Mitch Hyatt (Clemson)
6. Trent Irwin (Stanford)
6. Stanley Norman (Arizona St)
6. Lester Cotton (Alabama)
Defensive Linemen
Linebackers
Defensive Backs
1. Byron Cowart (Auburn)
1. Porter Gustin (USC)
1. Iman Marshall (USC)
2. Kahlil McKenzie (Tennessee)
2. Malik Jefferson (Texas)
2. Derwin James (Florida State)
3. Trenton Thompson (Georgia)
3. John Houston (USC)
3. Tarvarus McFadden (Florida St)
4. Keisean Lucier-South (UCLA)
4. Osa Masina (USC)
4. Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama)
5. Daron Payne (Alabama)
5. Leo Lewis (Mississippi State)
5. Kevin Toliver II (LSU)
6. CeCe Jefferson (Florida)
6. Chad Smith (Clemson)
6. Deionte Thompson (Alabama)
*Rankings according to Rivals.com
All-American Teams
Coach of the Year: Bret Bielema (Arkansas)
First Team
QB
RB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
OT
OG
C
OG
OT
K
KR
OFFENSE
DeShaun Watson (Clemson)
Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State)
Derrick Henry (Alabama)
Mike Williams (Clemson)
Laquon Treadwell (Ole Miss)
KD Cannon (Baylor)
Evan Engram (Ole Miss)
Jack Conklin (Michigan State)
Vadal Alexander (LSU)
Max Tuerk (USC)
Pat Elfein (Ohio State)
Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame)
Roberto Aguayo (Florida State)
Adoree' Jackson (USC)
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
DEFENSE
Joey Bosa (Ohio State)
Robert Nkemdiche (Ole Miss)
Sheldon Day (Notre Dame)
Shilique Calhoun (Michigan State)
Scooby Wright III (Arizona)
Myles Jack (UCLA)
Reggie Ragland (Alabama)
Eric Striker (Oklahoma)
Jalen Ramsey (Florida State)
Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida)
Su'a Cravens (USC)
Tony Connor (Ole Miss)
J.K. Scott (Alabama)
Demornay Pierson-El (Nebraska)
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
DEFENSE
Shawn Oakman (Baylor)
A'Shawn Robinson (Alabama)
Chris Jones (Mississippi State)
James McFarland (TCU)
Joshua Perry (Ohio State)
Nick Vigil (Utah State)
Darron Lee (Ohio State)
Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame)
Kendall Fuller (Virginia Tech)
Adoree' Jackson (USC)
Vonn Bell (Ohio State)
Jabrill Peppers (Michigan)
Tom Hackett (Utah)
Jalin Marshall (Ohio State)
Second Team
QB
RB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
OT
OG
C
OG
OT
K
KR
OFFENSE
Trevone Boykin (TCU)
Nick Chubb (Georgia)
Jonathan Williams (Arkansas)
Artavis Scott (Clemson)
Rashard Higgins (Colorado State)
Josh Reynolds (Texas A&M)
O.J. Howard (Alabama)
Spencer Drango (Baylor)
Joshua Garnett (Stanford)
Jack Allen (Michigan State)
Greg Pyke (Georgia)
Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss)
Brad Craddock (Maryland)
Speedy Noil (Texas A&M)
Biggest Games
1. Baylor @ TCU (11/27, Fri.) Last year's battle between these great offenses became an
instant classic when Baylor scored 24 unanswered points to win 61-58, handing TCU their lone
loss of the season. The rematch is set for late November, making it the de facto Big 12 title
game. This time the setting shifts to Fort Worth, and the Horned Frogs will be seeking revenge.
2. Alabama @ Auburn (11/28) The day after the Baylor-TCU game, the focus shifts to the
greatest rivalry in recent college football. The winner of this game has gone on to play in the
BCS National Championship or College Football Playoff each of the past six seasons. That trend
will likely continue this year as both squads will be near the top of the SEC once again.
3. Michigan State @ Ohio State (11/21) In the 2013 Big Ten Championship Game, Sparty
pulled off the upset over #2 Ohio State, squandering the Buckeyes' National Title aspirations.
OSU got revenge last year when they stormed into East Lansing and seized a convincing victory.
As the stage flips to Columbus, MSU will be the biggest hurdle in Ohio State's bid for a repeat.
4. Florida State @ Clemson (11/7) From 2007 to 2011, these two ACC powerhouses exchanged
wins every other year. Florida State has dominated the rivalry recently, winning three straight.
Clemson is receiving more hype entering 2015, but Florida State still has plenty of talent to
compete with the Tigers. The winner of this game will likely go on to win the ACC.
5. UCLA @ USC (11/28) This once-great rivalry had grown stagnant for a while as USC thrashed
the Bruins on a yearly basis. Since Jim Mora arrived in LA in 2012, however, the Bruins have
turned the tables on the rivalry, winning all three contests. USC is the trendy pick to win the
Pac-12, but they will have to overcome UCLA if they want to claim the South Division title.
More Big Games
Upset Pick
USC @ Oregon (11/21)
Auburn @ Arkansas (10/24)

Winner: Arkansas
Oregon @ Michigan State (9/12)

Arkansas @Alabama (10/10)
Notre Dame @ Clemson (10/3)
USC @ Notre Dame (10/17)
Alabama @ Georgia (10/3)
Arizona @ Arizona State (11/21)
Ohio State @ Michigan (11/28)
Auburn is receiving a lot of hype heading into

the season as a potential playoff team. They
will open the year ranked in the Top 10, while
Arkansas may not even crack the Top 25. This
meeting midway through the season will shake
up the SEC West title race. Arkansas gets a bye
week to prepare, and they'll have the home
field advantage. This victory will propel the
Razorbacks into the New Year's Six bowl hunt.
Bowl Games
Bowl Game
Cure
New Mexico
Las Vegas
Camellia
New Orleans
Miami Beach
Famous Idaho Potato
Boca Raton
Poinsettia
GoDaddy
Bahamas
Hawai'i
St. Petersburg
Sun
Heart of Dallas
Pinstripe
Independence
Foster Farms
Military
Quick Lane
Arizona
Armed Forces
Russell Athletic
Texas
Birmingham
Belk
Music City
Holiday
Peach (New Year's Six)
Outback
Citrus
Fiesta (New Year's Six)
Rose (New Year's Six)
Sugar (New Year's Six)
TaxSlayer
Liberty
Alamo
Cactus
Team 1
Team 2
Hawaii
Marshall
Stanford
Appalachian State
Louisiana Lafayette
Tulsa
Bowling Green
Northern Illinois
Utah
Arkansas State
Ohio
BYU
Miami
Georgia Tech
Minnesota
Northwestern
North Carolina
Iowa
Duke
Maryland
Nevada
Houston
Oklahoma State
Texas Tech
Missouri
Florida State
Louisville
Nebraska
Clemson
Michigan
Wisconsin
UCLA
Michigan State
Arkansas
Penn State
Kansas State
Oklahoma
West Virginia
Florida
Fresno State
Utah State
Western Michigan
Louisiana Tech
Western Kentucky
Colorado State
Cincinnati
San Diego State
Toledo
Georgia Southern
UCF
Memphis
Arizona
Rice
NC State
Tennessee
California
Navy
Virginia Tech
Southern Miss
Air Force
Pittsburgh
South Carolina
East Carolina
Auburn
Ole Miss
Texas
TCU
LSU
Georgia
Boise State
USC
Notre Dame
Mississippi State
Texas A&M
Arizona State
Washington
Playoff Scenarios
For a long time, college football has been searching for the perfect system to determine a
national champion. The challenge is to preserve the excitement of the regular season while
also ensuring that all deserving teams have a shot to win it all. They took a huge step in the
right direction by moving away from the BCS and instituting a four-team playoff last season.
The playoff allowed those four teams to settle it on the field, and it produced surprising results.
If the BCS were still in place last season, Alabama and Florida State would have played for the
national title, while Ohio State and Oregon would have been relegated to a meaningless Rose
Bowl. Instead, the Buckeyes and Ducks both won semifinal games and wound up playing in the
National Championship Game. I still believe that eight teams is the ideal number. Last year, six
teams had a legitimate argument that they deserved to be in the top four, and Michigan State
and Mississippi State could have filled out the eight-team field with their impressive resumes.
Also, that would allow the winners of each Power 5 conference to get in. Nonetheless, the
current system calls for four teams, so that will have to be good enough.
Heading into this season, defending national champion Ohio State seems like a playoff lock.
They are loaded on both sides of the ball and face a manageable schedule. Assuming they run
the table, that leaves three more open slots. The winners of the SEC and Pac-12, the two best
conferences, will probably punch their tickets to the semifinals. In the SEC, plenty of teams
have a shot at coming out on top. Based on overall talent and recent history, Alabama looks
like the frontrunner to emerge from the pack. Assuming they win the SEC title game, the Tide
should secure a spot in the playoff even if they have one loss. Out West, there are five teams
with legitimate playoff aspirations. The winner of the Pac-12 South, which will probably be
either UCLA or USC, will likely square off against Oregon in the conference title game. Despite
the loss of Marcus Mariota, Oregon is the still the most talented and experienced team in that
conference. Therefore, they are my pick to win the Pac-12 and get back to the playoff. With
Ohio State, Alabama, and Oregon already in, that leaves one more open spot. TCU and Baylor,
who both got snubbed out of the playoff last year with one loss, square off in late November in
the de facto Big 12 championship game. I expect Baylor to win that game, which should be
enough to put them in the playoff. If they slip up in another game and finish 11-1, though, that
would open the door for Notre Dame to get in. The Irish are a solid team, and they play a
manageable schedule. I don't see them running the table, but they could definitely go 11-1. If
Notre Dame and Baylor both finish with one loss, the Irish would likely steal the final playoff
spot. I believe Baylor will go 12-0, however, which would make them a shoe-in. If everything
goes how I predict, then Ohio State, Baylor, Oregon, and Alabama will be the four playoff teams
and Notre Dame will be the last team out. After Ohio State and Baylor win their semifinal
games, the Buckeyes will beat the Bears to secure their second straight national championship.
Playoff Prediction
2. Baylor
Playoff Semifinal
Cotton Bowl Dec. 31, 2015
4pm ET, ESPN
3. Oregon
1. Ohio State
Baylor
Ohio State
OHIO STATE
College Football
Championship Game
U. of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Monday, Jan. 11, 2016 8:30pm ET
ESPN
Playoff Semifinal
Orange Bowl Dec. 31, 2015
8pm ET, ESPN
4. Alabama
SEC
Beginning with Florida's National Championship in 2006, the SEC was held on a pedestal and
revered as the undisputed best conference in college football. They carried this reputation
through the end of the BCS era, winning seven consecutive national titles. Their title streak was
finally snapped in 2013, and the landscape changed with the advent of the playoff last year.
Riding the SEC's reputation, Alabama notched the top seed in the playoff despite having one
loss. Most assumed that the Tide would overwhelm fourth seeded Ohio State in the Sugar
Bowl, but the Buckeyes pulled a shocking upset. In the BCS system, Alabama and Florida State
would have met in the National Championship and Alabama likely would have won, bringing
home another title for the SEC. The new model levels the playing field by preventing reputation
from determining the champion. Now, the SEC needs to work on rebuilding its image after last
year's defeat. It remains the deepest conference, but the Pac-12 is very close behind. The
power still lies in the West Division, which has produced the last six SEC champions. Alabama
and Auburn enter the year as the popular picks, but there is plenty of competition behind them.
Arkansas exploded onto the scene during the second half of 2014 and appears poised to make a
run at the Alabama schools. Both Mississippi and Mississippi State reached New Year's Six bowl
games last season and return key assets to make another push for the division crown. LSU can
always be counted on to be in the mix, and Texas A&M hopes to ride their young talent to the
top. Any one of those teams has a puncher's chance at winning the division. In the East, on the
other hand, the list of contenders is much shorter. Georgia has the most talent, so they are the
favorites if they can stay healthy. Tennessee is the trendy pick after finishing last season
strong, but Missouri hopes to surprise everyone with a third straight division title. Lurking on
the outside are South Carolina and Florida. This remains a very strong conference, and it is
more open than it has been in a long time.
Projected Conference Standings
West
East
1. Alabama
1. Georgia
2. Arkansas
2. Missouri
3. Auburn
3. Tennessee
4. Ole Miss
4. South Carolina
5. LSU
5. Florida
6. Mississippi State
6. Kentucky
7. Texas A&M
7. Vanderbilt
Projected Conference Champion: Alabama
SEC West
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Head Coach: Nick Saban (9th

season)
2014 Results: 12-2, 1st in SEC
West, SEC Champions, lost
Sugar Bowl (Playoff Semifinal)
Stadium: Bryant-Denny Stadium
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Total Returning Starters: 11
RB Derrick Henry
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Jacob Coker
Derrick Henry
Robert Foster
ArDarius Stewart
Chris Black
O.J. Howard
Ryan Kelly
Bradley Bozeman
Ross Pierschbacher
Dominick Jackson
Cam Robinson
Adam Griffith
Cyrus Jones
DE
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Jonathan Allen
Harran Reed
A'Shawn Robinson
Reuben Foster
Denzel Devall
Reggie Ragland
Ryan Anderson
Tony Brown
Cyrus Jones
Eddie Jackson
Geno Smith
JK Scott
Cyrus Jones
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Wisconsin (Arlington)
Middle Tennessee
Ole Miss
ULM
@Georgia
Arkansas
@Texas A&M
Tennessee
LSU
@Mississippi State
Charleston Southern
@Auburn
Big Game: In 2012 and 2013, Alabama whipped Arkansas, winning 52-0 both times. That trend
changed last year, as the Tide were pushed to the brink in a 14-13 victory. Arkansas is now a
legitimate SEC West contender that deserves to be taken seriously. Alabama will be worn down
after facing Georgia's Nick Chubb the week before, so they need to be on high alert.
Bowl Prediction: Orange (Playoff)
1. Alabama- For the first time in Nick Saban's tenure, Alabama's legitimacy has come into
question. The team that many viewed as untouchable seems much more vulnerable after their
loss to Ohio State in last year's College Football Playoff. Alabama enters 2015 on a mission to
prove that they are still the team to beat in college football. That task is easier said than done
due to the amount of talent they lose. They are near the bottom of the SEC in terms of
returning starters with four on offense and seven on defense. In past years, when the Crimson
Tide fell short of a national championship, it meant trouble for the rest of the country. There
are many more obstacles in Alabama's way this year, but they are still the favorites to emerge
from this loaded West Division.
The offense needs a lot of remodeling before the season kicks off against Wisconsin.
The last few seasons, Alabama has slowly shifted the balance of their team from defense to
offense. Lane Kiffin did a fine job in his first bout as offensive coordinator, but he faces a much
tougher task in year two. He must find a serviceable replacement for quarterback Blake Sims
and adjust to life without Heisman finalist wide receiver Amari Cooper. Entering spring ball,
most Alabama fans felt confident that Jake Coker would nail down the starting quarterback job.
However, after failing to win the battle with Sims last year, Coker once again finds himself
struggling to create separation against competitor David Cornwell. Ultimately, I expect Coker to
win the job, but will face immense pressure to live up to the standards set by recent signal
callers. Luckily, he has the luxury of handing the ball off to Heisman candidate Derrick Henry.
The loss of 2014 starter TJ Yeldon shouldn't be an issue considering Henry's freakish skill set and
the arrival of five-star Damien Harris. A bigger concern is the offensive line, which only returns
two starters. The receiver unit is also a major question mark as their top three weapons are
gone. Tight end OJ Howard may emerge as the biggest threat this fall. There are more
questions than usual surrounding Alabama's offense, but Derrick Henry's workhorse capability
brings some needed stability.
The inexperience of the offense puts extra pressure on the defense. Their rush defense
was great last season, and it will be even more devastating this year. All three starters return
along the line, including potential All-American defensive ends A'Shawn Robinson and Jonathan
Allen. This will be the best DL unit in the country. Two linebackers return, highlighted by
Reggie Ragland, who is set to breakout this fall as the leader of the defense. That level will be
about even with last year's edition. The secondary faces more questions after the departure of
All-American safety Landon Collins. Both cornerbacks return, and free safety Geno Smith
appears ready to step up as the leader of the back end. Although there is some turnover, the
defense has much more stability than the offense. Alabama will count on their defense early in
the year while Jake Coker settles in at quarterback and the offensive line stabilizes. The Tide
are far from a lock to win the SEC, but their sustained success gives them the slight edge over
the new risers in the conference.
SEC West
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
Head Coach: Bret Bielema (3rd

season)
2014 Results: 7-6, 7th in SEC
West, won Texas Bowl
Stadium: Donald W. Reynolds
Razorback Stadium
Location: Fayetteville, AR
RB Jonathan Williams
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Brandon Allen
RB Jonathan Williams
FB Kody Walker
WR Keon Hatcher
WR Jared Cornelius
TE
Hunter Henry
C
Mitch Smothers
RG Frank Ragnow
LG
Sebastian Tretola
RT
Dan Skipper
LT
Denver Kirkland
K
Adam McFain
KR Alex Collins
DE
NT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
JaMichael Winston
Bijhon Jackson
Taiwan Johnson
Deatrich Wise Jr.
Khalia Hackett
Josh Williams
Brooks Ellis
Jared Collins
Henre' Toliver
Rohan Gaines
Josh Liddell
Toby Baker
Jared Cornelius
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
UTEP
Toledo (Little Rock)
Texas Tech
Texas A&M (Arlington)
@Tennessee
@Alabama
Auburn
UT Martin
@Ole Miss
@LSU
Mississippi State
Missouri
Big Game: In last years opener, Auburn beat the Razorbacks handily in Auburn. Arkansas is a
much improved team, and they get to face the Tigers in Fayetteville following a bye. This is my
upset pick, as Auburn will likely be a convincing favorite entering the game. An Arkansas win
would propel them into the thick of the SEC West race and prove that they are for real.
Bowl Prediction: Sugar (New Year's Six)
2. Arkansas- Within the past decade, Arkansas has experienced several ups and downs.
Houston Nutt brought the Razorbacks into the national spotlight with his Wildcat offense.
Darren McFadden led Arkansas to the SEC championship game in 2006. They fell to 5-7 when
Nutt left for Ole Miss in 2008, but Bobby Petrino quickly righted the ship and led them to new
heights. They peaked at 11-2 in 2011 before Petrino was fired due to a scandal. Bret Bielema
had a lot of work to do when he took over in 2013. After a rough first season, Arkansas took
over at the end of last year as his ground-and-pound mentality finally began to set in. Now that
Bielema finally has the players to fit his system, the rest of the SEC had better be ready.
Arkansas will be a force to be reckoned with in 2015.
Just as he did at Wisconsin, Bret Bielema has built Arkansass offense around a power
running game. He has two perfect backs to work with in Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins.
Both rushed for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014. This is truly a committee, as the
two play an even role in the offense. They also had the luxury of running behind the largest
offensive line in all of football last season, including the NFL. Four of those starters return this
season. Arkansass running game will be nearly impossible to slow down thanks to the
combination of Williams, Collins, and the powerful offensive line. While the ground attack gets
all the attention, Arkansas also has one of the SECs few experienced quarterbacks in Brandon
Allen. Although the term "game-manager" typically has a negative connotation, that is exactly
the type of player Bielema wants leading his offense. Allen is a smart quarterback who limits
turnovers but can make the big play if necessary. His experience and leadership ability
compliments the running game beautifully. Arkansas's offense will see improvement across the
board this season thanks to the return of almost all their key players.
The Razorback defense was among the most underappreciated units in college football
last fall. They ranked tenth nationally in total defense and really clamped down on opponents
at the end of the year. Unlike the offense, however, the defense does lose some important
players. The front seven takes the biggest hit with the losses of defensive end Trey Flowers,
tackle Darius Philon, and linebacker Martrell Spaight. Those three were leaders that will be
difficult to replace. Linebacker Books Ellis, who finished second on the team in tackles, figures
to play a vital role in 2015. Due to all the losses up front, the rush defense may take a slight hit.
The secondary was also strong, though, and they return nearly intact. They bring back a solid
cornerback team of Jared Collins and Henre' Toliver that will be called upon to stop the great
receivers they will face during conference play. Defensive coordinator Robb Smith has built a
culture of physical defense in Fayetteville, so expect them to remain near the top of the SEC
defensively despite some key losses. Arkansas showed the country what they are made of at
the end of last season, and they are going nowhere but up. Four of their six losses in 2014
came by a touchdown or less, while all their victories were by at least 17 points. The
Razorbacks are a legitimate SEC contender with a great shot at a New Year's Six bowl game.
SEC West
AUBURN TIGERS
Head Coach: Gus Malzahn

(3rd season)
West, lost Outback Bowl
Stadium: Jordan-Hare
Stadium
Location: Auburn, AL
QB Jeremy Johnson
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Jeremy Johnson
Jovon Robinson
D'haquille Williams
Ricardo Louis
Jason Smith
Kamryn Pettway
Austin Golson
Braden Smith
Alex Kozan
Avery Young
Shon Coleman
Daniel Carlson
Roc Thomas
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
DaVonte Lambert
Dontavious Russell
Montravius Adams
Carl Lawson
Cassanova McKinzy
Kris Frost
Tim Irvin
Blake Countess
Joshua Holsey
Tray Matthews
Jonathan Ford
Daniel Carlson
Marcus Davis
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/15 (Thurs)
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Louisville (Georgia)
Jacksonville State
@LSU
Mississippi State
San Jose State
@Kentucky
@Arkansas
Ole Miss
@Texas A&M
Georgia
Idaho
Alabama
Big Game: It is impossible to overstate the importance of this in-state rivalry on an annual basis.
The winner of this game has gone on to reach the National Championship Game or College
Football Playoff each of the past six years, and that will likely be the case again this season.
Auburn gets the matchup at home, where they won in dramatic fashion in 2013.
Bowl Prediction: Belk
3. Auburn- In 2009, Gene Chizik was hired to replace Tommy Tuberville as Auburn's head
football coach. The hire was widely criticized, but Chizik answered his critics by leading the
Tigers to the National Championship in 2010. Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton left after
that season, but Auburn still managed to win eight games in 2011. When offensive coordinator
Gus Malzahn left to become the head coach at Arkansas State the next year, however, Auburn
completely collapsed. They plummeted to 3-9, going winless in SEC play. That led to the firing
of Chizik, who was replaced by Malzahn. It quickly became apparent that Malzahn was the real
force behind Auburn's 2010 national title. In his first season as head coach, he guided Auburn
to the National Championship Game, where they lost a nail biter to Florida State. They
underachieved a bit last season, slipping to 8-5. Expectations are through the roof for 2015 due
to the impressive hire of Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator. Although I believe Auburn
will be much better than last season, they are far from a playoff shoe-in.
At first glance, it may seem like Auburn's offense is in trouble. They lose their big three
of two-year starting quarterback Nick Marshall, SEC leading rusher Cameron Artis-Payne, and
third round NFL draft pick receiver Sammie Coates. However, they bring in a new and perhaps
even better big three this season. Jeremy Johnson accumulated some experience at
quarterback last year when Nick Marshall was sidelined by injuries. Johnson is bigger than
Marshall and has a much better arm. The passing game will improve tremendously with him at
the helm. He also has an elite receiver to throw to in D'haquille Williams. Although Coates' bigplay ability garnered him more attention, Williams' size made him a bigger red-zone threat.
Now that he is the main man, expect him to explode in 2015. Ricardo Louis should emerge as a
solid number-two option. The passing game will improve, but that doesn't mean the running
game will take a step back. Auburn has featured the SEC's leading rusher the past two seasons,
and that streak could continue with junior college transfer Jovon Robinson in the backfield.
Robinson is a power back with breakaway potential. He will run behind an offensive line that
brings back three starters, although they must replace All-American center Reese Dismukes.
Despite losses at several key positions, Auburn's offense could actually improve in 2015.
In past years, Auburn has had a below-average defense by SEC standards. They are well
on their way to changing that due to the hire of Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator.
Muschamp also has experience to work with, as eight defensive starters return. Defensive
tackle Montravious Adams is set for a monster season up front. The linebacker unit returns two
great players in Cassanova McKinzy and Chris Frost. Given an entire offseason of work with
Muschamp, this front seven will be among the SEC's best. In the secondary, free safety
Jonathan Ford returns after leading the team in both tackles and interceptions in 2014. The
cornerback performance will be strong with the combination of Joshua Holsey and Michigan
transfer Blake Countess. Although there are too many unknowns for me to pull the trigger on
Auburn, they have immense potential and could break through to the CFB Playoff.
SEC West
OLE MISS REBELS
Head Coach: Hugh Freeze (4th

season)
2014 Results: 9-4, 3rd in SEC
West, lost Peach Bowl
Stadium: Vaught-Hemingway
Stadium
Location: Oxford, MS
DB Tony Conner
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Chad Kelly
Jaylen Walton
Laquon Treadwell
Cody Core
Derrick Jones
Evan Engram
Ben Still
Justin Bell
Aaron Morris
Fahn Cooper
Laremy Tunsil
Gary Wunderlich
Jaylen Walton
DE Marquis Haynes
DT Issac Gross
DT Robert Nkemdiche
DE Fadol Brown
LB Denzel Nkemdiche
LB C.J. Johnson
NB Tony Conner
CB Tee Shepard
CB Tony Bridges
SS Mike Hilton
FS Trae Elston
P
Will Gleeson
PR Markell Pack
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
UT Martin
Fresno State
@Alabama
Vanderbilt
@Florida
New Mexico State
@Memphis
Texas A&M
@Auburn
Arkansas
LSU
@Mississippi State
Big Game: If Ole Miss wants a shot at the SEC West crown, the road to the top runs through the
state of Alabama. Chances are they won't be able to beat the Crimson Tide for a second
straight year, so this Halloween trip to Auburn will be crucial. Ole Miss lost a heartbreaker in
2014, but a win this year would put them in prime position heading into the stretch run.
Bowl Prediction: Music City
4. Ole Miss- Houston Nutt seemed to have Ole Miss on the path to SEC contention when he led
the Rebels to a 9-4 record in each of his first two seasons, 2008 and 2009. Unfortunately, he
quickly burned and crashed following the promising start, leading to the hiring of Hugh Freeze
prior to the 2012 season. Freeze has also won quickly in Oxford, but his success seems much
more sustainable. The Rebels have gradually built from 7-6 in 2012 to 8-5 in 2013 to 9-4 last
season. They have established themselves as a force on the recruiting trail, building up a strong
core of young talent. The players from the 2013 class, which ranked fourth nationally, are now
juniors. After they rose as high as #3 last season before trailing off, the stars may be aligned for
the Rebels to make a run at the playoff in 2015. Although there are some question marks at
key positions, there is enough talent on this roster to win the SEC.
Offensively, Ole Miss was decent in 2014. They certainly weren't a liability, but nobody
questioned the fact that the defense carried the team. One key asset they did have was a
three-year starting quarterback in Bo Wallace. Despite some struggles with inconsistency,
Wallace did a solid job as the leader of the Rebels' offense. His departure leaves a glaring hole
at the most important position on the field. The battle for his replacement will rage on through
late summer. The most promising replacement is Clemson transfer Chad Kelly. He is the most
talented option, but his off-field issues continue to hold him back. The good news is that the
rest of the offense returns completely intact. The new starter will have the luxury of throwing
to wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and tight end Evan Engram, two of the most dangerous
weapons in the nation. He will also be protected by the SEC's most experienced offensive line,
highlighted by star left tackle Laremy Tunsil. The running game, which struggled in 2014,
should improve thanks to the good blocking and return of starter Jaylen Walton. Stability at the
quarterback position would be nice, but there are enough weapons to make this offense tick
even with a mediocre signal caller.
Even with all the talent on offense, defense is still Ole Miss' strength. They run a 4-2-5
formation and ranked 14th in the country last season. All four defensive linemen return from
last season, led by Robert Nkemdiche, the former No. 1 overall recruit. Although he has yet to
make a huge statistical impact, this may be the year for the uber-talented lineman to break out.
His brother, Denzel, is the lone returning linebacker. He hopes to regain his 2012 form after
battling injuries the past two seasons. The secondary was the strength of the Rebel defense in
2014, but they lose two All-Americans. Safety Cody Prewitt had been an anchor in the back end
for years, while cornerback Senquez Golson burst onto the scene with an incredible ten
interceptions last season. Their departures will definitely be felt, but the Rebels have budding
stars ready to assume those leadership roles. Do-everything nickleback Tony Conner leads the
way in his third season as a starter, and safety Mike Hilton also returns after leading the team in
tackles in 2014. Ole Miss returns a good chunk of their team and may actually be the most
talented squad in the SEC. The Rebels are a dark-horse national title contender.
SEC West
LSU TIGERS
Head Coach: Les Miles (11th

season)
West, lost Music City Bowl
Stadium: Tiger Stadium
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
RB Leonard Fournette
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
FB
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Anthony Jennings
Leonard Fournette
John David Moore
Travin Dural
Malachi Dupre
Dillon Gordon
William Clapp
Josh Boutte
Ethan Pocic
Vadal Alexander
Jerald Hawkins
Colby Delahoussaye
Leonard Fournette
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Tashawn Bower
Christian LaCouture
Davon Godchaux
Lewis Neal
Lamar Louis
Kendell Beckwith
Deion Jones
Ed Paris
Tre'Davious White
Jamal Adams
Jalen Mills
Jamie Keehn
Tre'Davious White
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
McNeese State
@Mississippi State
Auburn
@Syracuse
Eastern Michigan
@South Carolina
Florida
Western Kentucky
@Alabama
Arkansas
@Ole Miss
Texas A&M
Big Game: When LSU and Alabama met in "The Game of the Century" in 2009, both teams were
loaded with future NFL players. LSU has trailed off a bit the last few years, but they remain the
only team that can compete punch-for-punch with the Tide. If LSU can win on the road after
losing in OT last season, they will put themselves right in the hunt for the SEC West crown.
Bowl Prediction: Outback
5. LSU- When Les Miles was hired as head coach in 2005, he inherited a loaded roster that Nick
Saban crafted before leaving for the NFL. He won a National Championship in 2007 but then
saw this teams trail off the next few seasons, sparking criticism that he only won with Saban's
roster. In 2011, the Tigers tore through the regular season before losing in the National
Championship Game. They opened 2012 near the top of the polls, but star cornerback Tyrann
Mathieu was kicked off the team and they slipped to 10-3. After following that up with another
10-3 record in 2013 and an 8-5 record last season, the pressure is once again dialed up for Les
Miles. LSU still features one of the most talented rosters in America, making an SEC West title a
legitimate possibility. Unfortunately, their offensive inconsistency and inability to gel as a team
make a fifth place finish seem much more likely.
LSU consistently ranks among the elite defenses in the nation, but their offense has
dragged them down over the years. Specifically, the quarterback position has been a real
problem for the Tigers. Other than the one-year stint with Zach Mettenberger, Miles has never
had a serviceable quarterback at his disposal. Last year, they experimented with both Anthony
Jennings and Brandon Harris, failing to find consistency with either one. Harris has more
upside, but he has been unable to uproot Jennings to this point. The competition will rage on
into the fall. Unless one of these two steps up and takes control of the offense, it will be
another long season in Baton Rouge. The quarterback woes are especially unfortunate
considering the talented wide receivers on this team. Travin Dural and Malachi Dupre could
become real assets if the quarterback can get them the ball in space. As it stands, LSU will
probably have to rely heavily on star running back Leonard Fournette. After an impressive
freshman season, Fournette will be used as an absolute workhorse in 2015. Opponents will key
in on him, but he should still manage to post great numbers. Up front, three starters return.
Although they lose All-American La'el Collins, they should still be a powerful unit. Right tackle
Vadal Alexander will make a name for himself as the anchor of the line. LSU has a lot of talent
on offense, but the lack of good quarterback play will bring them down again.
The offense's ineptitude places a great deal of pressure on the defense to hold
opponents down. They have always met the challenge, including last year, when they ranked
ninth in the country. As usual, the Tigers must replace some talented players. Luckily, they
have a new line of stars ready to step into the spotlight. The linebacker unit says goodbye to
tackles leader Kwon Alexander, but the rest return, highlighted by emerging star Kendell
Beckwith. In the secondary, safety Ronald Martin and cornerback Jalen Collins depart. LSU
always boasts a stud defensive back, however, and they have one again this year in free safety
Jalen Mills. The senior will emerge as one of the SEC's best defensive backs in 2015. The
defensive line also loses a couple of starters but could improve statistically against the run.
Judging on talent alone, LSU should have a great shot at the playoff. Unfortunately, their subpar quarterback play makes them no more than a middle of the pack team in the SEC West.
SEC West
MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS
Head Coach: Dan Mullen (7th

season)
2014 Results: 10-3, 2nd in
SEC West, lost Orange Bowl
Stadium: Davis Wade
Stadium
Location: Starkville, MS
QB Dak Prescott
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Dak Prescott
RB Ashton Shumpert
WR De'Runnya Wilson
WR Fred Ross
WR Gabe Myles
TE
Darrion Hutcherson
C
Jamaal Clayborn
RG Justin Malone
LG
Devon Desper
RT
Rufus Warren
LT
Justin Senior
K
Devon Bell
KR Donald Gray
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Ryan Brown
Chris Jones
Nelson Adams
A.J. Jefferson
Richie Brown
Gerri Green
Beniquez Brown
Will Redmond
Taveze Calhoun
Deontay Evans
Jamal Peters
Devon Bell
Fred Ross
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/5 (Thurs)
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
@Southern Miss
LSU
Northwestern State
@Auburn
@Texas A&M
Troy
Louisiana Tech
Kentucky
@Missouri
Alabama
@Arkansas
Ole Miss
Big Game: Last year, Mississippi State's thrashing of LSU in Baton Rouge was a springboard for
their success. The rematch occurs in Week 2 of 2015. The Tigers will be hungry for revenge,
and Mississippi State will still be breaking in a host of new starters. If the Bulldogs are serious
about competing for the SEC West title, this game is essential for starting the season off well.
Bowl Prediction: TaxSlayer
6. Mississippi State- Dan Mullen has done an absolutely phenomenal job building this program
to the point where it is today. Upon arriving in Starkville in 2009, he inherited a program that
had reached one bowl game in the previous eight seasons. Mullen has overachieved every
year, scratching out as many wins as possible regardless of talent. The Bulldogs were picked, as
usual, to finish near the bottom of the SEC West last season. They responded to the critics by
rattling off ten wins, their most since 1999. Mississippi State held the top spot in the polls for
several weeks after beginning 9-0. Even though Dak Prescott returns, most of the key players
from that team have moved on. Without the security of an experienced defense and running
back, the pressure on Prescott is now through the roof. The Bulldogs' nine returning starters is
the fewest in the SEC. All those signs point toward a down year for Mississippi State. However,
Mullen has a proven track record of overachieving and Dak Prescott enters 2015 as the most
experienced quarterback in the conference. Even though I am picking the Bulldogs to finish
sixth in the division, they have an outside chance of emerging on top.
Heading into November, Mississippi State was ranked #1 and Dak Prescott was the
favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Although losses to Alabama and Ole Miss took Prescott
out of the running for the award, he did finish eight in the final voting. He led the SEC in total
touchdowns and total yards en route to being named first team all-conference. The Bulldogs
ranked seventh nationally in total offense, which can mostly be attributed to Prescott. With
running back Josh Robinson moving on, he will be forced to shoulder even more of the
offensive load. Ashton Shumpert will line up next to Prescott this fall, but chances are the
quarterback compiles more carries. The top two receivers, De'Runnya Wilson and Fred Ross,
are both back. Talented wideout Jameon Lewis departs, but that loss won't hurt too much
because Lewis never lived up to his full potential. The offensive line also experiences turnover,
with three starters moving on. That could be a problem in the early games while they are trying
to gel as a unit. Dak Prescott carried the offense in 2014, and he will need to play an even
larger role this year if the Bulldogs want to repeat their success.
Mississippi State's 2014 defense was very strong up front but below average on the back
end. They featured one of the SEC's best run-stopping units. The defensive line, which was the
defenses strength last year, must replace three of its four starters. The biggest loss is Preston
Smith, who racked up 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks. DE Ryan Brown and DT Chris Jones
now anchor a line that will experience a slight drop-off. The linebackers, who were also solid,
say goodbye to tackles leader Benardrick McKinney and sidekick Matthew Wells. They do
return Beniquez Brown, who figures to become the leader of the defense in 2015. Cornerbacks
Will Redmond and Taveze Calhoun are back in the secondary. After a poor showing by the
secondary last year, the experience should translate to improved pass defense. Mississippi
State loses a plethora of impact players from the Orange Bowl team. Experience at quarterback
can be the great equalizer, though, which is why this team will be competitive.
SEC West
TEXAS A&M AGGIES
Head Coach: Kevin Sumlin

(4th season)
West, won Liberty Bowl
Stadium: Kyle Field
Location: College Station, TX
QB Kyle Allen
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
WR
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Kyle Allen
Tra Carson
Ricky Seals-Jones
Josh Reynolds
Speedy Noil
Christian Kirk
Mike Matthews
Joseph Cheek
Jermaine Eluemunor
Germain Ifedi
Avery Gennesy
Taylor Bertolet
Speedy Noil
DE
NT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Julien Obioha
Hardreck Walker
Alonzo Williams
Myles Garrett
Otara Alaka
Josh Walker
A.J. Hilliard
De'Vante Harris
Victor Davis
Justin Evans
Armani Watts
Drew Kaser
Speedy Noil
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Arizona State (Houston)
Ball State
Nevada
Arkansas (Arlington)
Mississippi State
Alabama
@Ole Miss
South Carolina
Auburn
Western Carolina
@Vanderbilt
@LSU
Big Game: These old SWC rivals have picked their rivalry up right where it left off since Texas
A&M joined the SEC. Texas A&M's season could go a number of different directions
considering the depth of this division. Their SEC opener will be very telling of how the year will
go. The Aggies beat Arkansas in overtime last season, but the Razorbacks are much improved.
Bowl Prediction: Liberty
7. Texas A&M- One thing needs to be made very clear right off the bat: Texas A&M is not a
typical last-place team. If they still played in the Big 12, they would be right up there with
Baylor and TCU as the favorites to win the conference. The fact of the matter is, they play in
the toughest division in America. Top-to-bottom, the SEC West has never been deeper. Even
considering the strength of this division, however, the Aggies still have a punchers chance of
winning it. Kevin Sumlin has built this program into a powerhouse, both on the recruiting trail
and on the football field. They may have the best offense in the entire conference, including a
quarterback who will compete for SEC Player of the Year honors. The problem is their defense,
which isn't strong enough to push the Aggies over the edge in close games. That weakness
makes Texas A&M an all-or-nothing pick. They will have some exciting wins but likely end up
near the bottom of the conference due to their lack of stability. Even though I have them
pegged to finish last, this will be a very exciting and dangerous football team.
As with any aerial-based offense, the quarterback makes everything click. Texas A&M
has the perfect signal caller to run their offense in Kyle Allen. The prized recruit narrowly lost
out on the starting job at the beginning of his freshman season. When starter Kenny Hill
started tossing interceptions midseason, though, Allen was given an opportunity to shine.
Upon taking over the offense at the end of 2014, he flashed signs of brilliance while also making
some freshman mistakes. Allen has a great arm, and he will be much more polished now that
he has a year of experience under his belt. He also gets to throw to one of the best receiving
corps in the country. Josh Reynolds was a second team all-conference performer as a
sophomore. With Allen tossing him the ball for a full season, Reynolds' stats will skyrocket.
Former five-star receiver Ricky Seals-Jones is primed for a breakout year after a decent
inaugural campaign. Speedy Noil has big-play potential every time he touches the ball in space.
With so many weapons, there is no way this won't be the SEC's best passing offense. The
running game isn't bad either, as running back Tra Carson returns for a third season as an
impact rusher. This is definitely the most balanced and explosive offense in the SEC.
All the good aspects of the offense are offset by the defense's ineptitude. The coaching
staff's deep focus on the offense has left little time to work on the other side of the ball. The
Aggies had easily the worst defense in the SEC West in 2014, and that was the difference
between them and the top teams. I expected to see some improvement last year due to
experience, but they wound up ranking 100th nationally in total defense. The defensive woes
prompted Kevin Sumlin to hire defensive coordinator John Chavis this offseason. The former
LSU DC has excellent credentials and should work wonders on the defense. He has a clear focal
point to build around in star defensive end Myles Garrett. However, the path to respectability
won't occur overnight. While the defense will make strides in 2015, they will not reach the
level necessary to be considered an asset. Texas A&M is wildly talented and could be
considered a dark horse playoff contender, but their inconsistency makes that seem unlikely.
SEC East
GEORGIA BULLDOGS
Head Coach: Mark Richt

(15th season)
SEC East, won Belk Bowl
Stadium: Sanford Stadium
Location: Athens, GA
RB Nick Chubb
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Brice Ramsey
RB Nick Chubb
FB Quayvon Hicks
WR Malcolm Mitchell
WR Isaiah McKenzie
TE
Jeb Blazevich
C
Isaiah Wynn
RG Greg Pyke
LG
Brandon Kublanow
RT
Kolton Houston
LT
John Theus
K
Marshall Morgan
KR Isaiah McKenzie
DE
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Sterling Bailey
Trenton Thompson
Josh Dawson
Leonard Floyd
Reggie Carter
Tim Kimbrough
Jordan Jenkins
Malkom Parrish
Devin Bowman
Quincy Mauger
Dominick Sanders
Collin Barber
Isaiah McKenzie
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
ULM
@Vanderbilt
South Carolina
Southern
Alabama
@Tennessee
Missouri
Florida (Jacksonville)
Kentucky
@Auburn
Georgia Southern
@Georgia Tech
Big Game: Georgia has been picked to win the SEC East each of the last two years, only to see
their aspirations ripped away from them by an underrated Missouri team. Georgia's meeting
with the Tigers is wedged in between tough games against Alabama and Tennessee and their
rivalry game with Florida. The Bulldogs need to win this one to reach the SEC title game.
Bowl Prediction: Citrus
1. Georgia- Entering his 15th season as Georgia's head coach, Mark Richt has guided the
Bulldogs to nine double-digit win seasons and seven Top 10 finishes. Somehow, though, his
name seems to pop up every few years on the list of coaches on the hot seat. That might have
something to do with the fact that he has only won two conference titles and none since 2005.
Although Georgia has consistently been the favorite to win the SEC East the past several years,
they have failed to establish dominance even while Florida and Tennessee have been down.
Once again, they enter the fall as the common pick to win the division. The key this year will be
staying healthy. The last few years, they have started out strong only to be derailed by injuries.
Georgia is easily the most talented team in the SEC East and is the only legitimate playoff
contender from the division.
In recent years, Georgia's offense has redefined itself and focused on the running game.
The change was triggered by the a seemingly endless supply of great running backs entering the
program. Last year, when my Heisman selection, Todd Gurley, missed about half the games
due to injury and suspension, freshman Nick Chubb excelled in his place. Chubb is a bruising
runner who will put up ridiculous numbers and wind up in the Heisman conversation himself in
2015. Not only do the Bulldogs have a beast at the top of the depth chart, they also may have
the deepest backfield in all of college football. Speedster Sony Michel, another sophomore,
provides a change-of-pace element that defenses must prepare for. Many people may have
forgotten about Keith Marshall, who was part of a deadly 1-2 punch with Todd Gurley before he
became plagued by injuries. A healthy Marshall would be devastating for the rest of the SEC.
The rich backfield should help along new quarterback Brice Ramsey, who has very little game
experience under his belt. The Bulldogs also feature one of the best offensive line units in
America, which will provide Ramsey with stellar protection. Georgia is going to line up and
pound the ball down opponents' throats this fall, using their depth to wear defenses down.
Georgia also takes a physical approach to the defensive side of the ball. They typically
rank near the top of the SEC, which was the case again last season under new defensive
coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. The Bulldogs must replace a few key players from last year's squad.
Linebackers Ramik Wilson and Amarlo Herrera, the defensive leaders and top tacklers, both
moved on. Luckily, this 3-4 defense does return linebackers Jordan Jenkins, Leonard Floyd, and
Lorenzo Carter. Those three will fill the leadership void left by Wilson and Herrera, keeping the
middle of the defense strong. The defensive line, which was the weak link in last year's
defense, doesn't return any starters. Teams will probably have some success on the ground
against the Bulldogs once again this fall. The pass defense, on the other hand, ranked fifth in
the country in 2014. The only loss in the secondary is Damian Swann. Quincy Mauger, who
snagged four interceptions, and Dominick Sanders, who hauled in three, anchor a very strong
back end. Georgia's old-school combination of tough defense and a great running game will
yield positive results. They have a great chance to win their first SEC title since 2005.
SEC East
MISSOURI TIGERS
Head Coach: Gary Pinkel

(15th season)
2014 Results: 11-3, 1st in SEC
East, won Citrus Bowl
Stadium: Faurot Field
Location: Columbia, MO
RB Russell Hansbrough
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Maty Mauk
Russell Hansbrough
J'Mon Moore
Wesley Leftwich
Nate Brown
Sean Culkin
Evan Boehm
Connor McGovern
Mitch Hall
Clay Rhodes
Taylor Chappell
Andrew Baggett
John Gibson
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Rocel McWilliams
Josh Augusta
Harold Brantley
Charles Harris
Donavin Newsom
Michael Scherer
Kentrell Brothers
Kenya Dennis
Aarion Penton
Anthony Sherrills
Ian Simon
Andrew Baggett
Anthony Sherrills
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/5 (Thurs)
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Southeast Missouri State
@Arkansas State
Connecticut
@Kentucky
South Carolina
Florida
@Georgia
@Vanderbilt
Mississippi State
BYU (Kansas City)
Tennessee
@Arkansas
Big Game: The Missouri vs. South Carolina games have been as close as possible the past two
seasons. The Gamecocks handed Mizzou an overtime loss in 2013, and the Tigers responded
with a one-point victory last year. This year's game will be very telling of which direction these
teams are headed. A win for the Tigers would prove that they will be in the mix once again.
Bowl Prediction: Birmingham
2. Missouri- When Missouri moved to the SEC, most people assumed that they would struggle
to compete even though they had emerged as an above-average Big 12 team under Gary
Pinkel. That criticism seemed justified when the Tigers plummeted to 5-7 in their first year in
the new conference, their first losing season since 2004. Missouri was picked near the bottom
of the East division in 2013 as well. Riding a dominant defense, they shocked everyone by
winning the SEC East with an 11-1 record. With a chance to punch their ticket to the National
Championship Game, they lost to Auburn in the SEC title game. After a bowl victory, they
finished with a 12-2 record, doubling their expected win total. They opened 2014 as a fringe
Top 25 team due to the loss of most of their defensive stars as well as quarterback James
Franklin. Despite getting routed by Georgia, the Tigers surprised again with another SEC East
title and 11-3 record. The story this offseason is very similar to last year. Missouri loses some
key players, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Also, the fact that they aren't viewed
as a traditional power makes people leery to buy into them. Gary Pinkel has established Mizzou
as an annual SEC East contender, and that will not change this season.
Offensively, Missouri leaned heavily on the running game last season. They featured a
pair of 900+ yard rushers in Russell Hansbrough and do-everything playmaker Marcus Murphy.
Hansbrough, the primary running back, returns this fall for his senior season. He is a solid back,
but he receives little attention due to the other great rushers in the SEC. They do lose Murphy,
who was a huge threat in the backfield, as a receiver, and as a return specialist. The Tigers will
miss his big-play ability. The offensive line returns most of their key pieces, making
Hansbrough's job easier. The rushing attack will be strong again, but the passing game needs
improvement. Quarterback Maty Mauk entered last season with high expectations after
excelling in backup duty in 2013 when James Franklin was injured. The Tigers lost a pair of
great receivers, L'Damian Washington and Dorial Green-Beckham, making Mauk's job more
difficult. He struggled all season, tossing an unacceptable 13 interceptions. The Tigers' top four
receivers depart again, highlighted by number one target Bud Sasser. Although I expect Mauk's
numbers to improve, he may never regain his 2013 performance level. As a whole, Missouri's
offense won't be anything special, but they certainly are not a liability.
The real reason for Missouri's ascension has been their defense. Their defensive line,
especially, has become a force to be reckoned with. Many expected a drop-off last year due to
the loss of Michael Sam, but Shane Ray stepped in his place and became a dominant pass
rusher off the edge. He and fellow star DE Markus Golden are now gone, leaving more holes to
fill. They also lose strong safety Braylon Webb, the leader of the secondary. The focus of the
defense now shifts to the middle, where Kentrell Brothers leads a seasoned group of
linebackers. Other than Webb, the secondary also returns intact and should be stout against
the pass. The inexperience up front is a major concern, especially when it comes to stopping
Georgia. Missouri faces some questions, but Gary Pinkel has proven that he can answer them.
SEC East
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
Head Coach: Butch Jones

(3rd season)
East, won TaxSlayer Bowl
Stadium: Neyland Stadium
Location: Knoxville, TN
QB Joshua Dobbs
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Joshua Dobbs
Jalen Hurd
Marquez North
Pig Howard
Von Pearson
Ethan Wolf
Mack Crowder
Jashon Robertson
Marcus Jackson
Coleman Thomas
Kyler Kerbyson
Aaron Medley
Evan Berry
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Derek Barnett
Owen Williams
Kahlil McKenzie
Curt Maggitt
Dillon Bates
Kenny Bynum
Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Cameron Sutton
Emmanuel Moseley
Brian Randolph
LaDarrell McNeil
Nate Renfro
Cameron Sutton
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Bowling Green (Nashville)
Oklahoma
Western Carolina
@Florida
Arkansas
Georgia
@Alabama
@Kentucky
South Carolina
North Texas
@Missouri
Vanderbilt
Big Game: Tennessee has not beaten their arch-rivals in a decade, dropping ten straight
contests. Many expect the Vols to rise back into SEC East contention this season, and that all
starts with turning their fortune around in this rivalry. If Tennessee can go into Gainesville and
win their SEC opener while snapping their losing streak, they may have a shot at the East crown.
Bowl Prediction: Independence
3. Tennessee- Since the founding of the SEC, Tennessee has been one of the conference's
dominant football programs. They remained a powerhouse in the East division through 2007,
when they reached their last SEC championship game. Since then, they have had four different
coaches and have failed to win more than seven games in a season. When Butch Jones was
hired in 2013, the former Cincinnati head coach inherited a much different Tennessee program
than he had known as a kid. The Vols lost a ton of talent even though the previous team
underachieved by going 5-7. Therefore, when Jones guided Tennessee to another 5-7 season in
2013, that was not considered a failure. Last year, expectations were slightly higher and the
team answered with a 7-6 record. They won four of their last five games and finally seemed
like a real threat once again. Expectations are now the highest that they have been since 2012.
That team was expected to compete in the East, but they wound up underachieving mightily.
This year's bunch hopes to avoid the same fate. They return 18 starters, which is the most
among all Power 5 conference teams. Butch Jones also has credibility due to his previous
success at multiple stops. Tennessee appears to be trending upward at a steady rate. They
may be a year away from being true SEC East contenders, but they are certainly capable of
making some noise this fall.
After a 3-4 start in 2014, Tennessee made a quarterback change. When Joshua Dobbs
replaced Justin Worley as the starter, the Volunteers' season turned around. They went 4-2 in
the last six games, scoring at least 45 points on three occasions. Dobbs' dual-threat capability
provided a whole new element that changed the outlook of the offense. Ten of the eleven
starters return, and they look to pick up right where they left off at the end of last season.
Running back Jalen Hurd looks to build on a solid freshman season in which he rushed for 899
yards and five touchdowns. All the contributing receivers also return, highlighted by Pig
Howard. These experienced weapons will yield a more consistent offensive output. As I
mentioned earlier, however, the motor that makes this unit go is Joshua Dobbs. He just missed
out on my list of Heisman contenders, but he could certainly play his way into the conversation.
Expect Tennessee's offense to show up ready to play on a weekly basis.
In terms of total defense, Tennessee ranked in the top 40 nationally last season;
however, defensive performance is about more than just yards. The Vols surrendered over 30
points on five occasions in 2014, losing four of those games. When the offense was struggling
early in the year, the defense did little to keep them in the game. They did play better down
the stretch, but more improvement is necessary. Luckily, eight defensive starters return.
Dominant defensive ends Derek Barnett and Curt Maggitt combined for a whopping 21 sacks
last season. Those will be a nightmare for opposing offensive lines to handle. Although the
linebacker unit loses two-time All-SEC performer AJ Johnson, it should still be strong. The
secondary will also remain very solid. With a stronger defense and more consistent, explosive
offense, Tennessee has the potential to break out in Butch Jones' third season.
SEC East
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
Head Coach: Steve Spurrier

(11th season)
East, won Independence Bowl
Stadium: Williams-Brice
Stadium
Location: Columbia, SC
WR Pharoh Cooper
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Connor Mitch
Brandon Wilds
Deebo Samuel
Pharoh Cooper
Shamier Jeffrey
Jerell Adams
Alan Knott
Will Sport
Cody Waldrop
Brandon Shell
Mason Zandi
Elliot Fry
Shon Carson
DE Gerald Dixon
DT Gerald Dixon Jr
DT Philip Dukes
DE Marquavius Lewis
LB Skai Moore
LB Jonathan Walton
CB Chris Lammons
CB Rico McWilliams
NB Jordan Diggs
SS T.J. Gurley
FS D.J. Smith
P
Sean Kelly
PR Pharoh Cooper
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
North Carolina (Charlotte)
Kentucky
@Georgia
UCF
@Missouri
LSU
Vanderbilt
@Texas A&M
@Tennessee
Florida
The Citadel
Clemson
Big Game: South Carolina has had Georgia's number over the past several seasons, winning
four out of the past five meetings. This matchup always occurs in September, giving both fan
bases an idea of their chances of winning the SEC East. The Gamecocks are very inexperienced,
and their youth will be tested in this early game. A win would prove that SC is back in the mix.
Bowl Prediction: Texas
4. South Carolina- When Steve Spurrier arrived in Columbia in 2005, he immediately began
molding the program into a winner. In 2010, the Gamecocks reached the SEC championship
game with a 9-5 record, which put them on the map. They followed that up with three
consecutive 11-2 seasons, and it appeared as if South Carolina had established themselves as a
perennial SEC powerhouse. Even though they lost star defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney
and quarterback Connor Shaw, among others, it was a no-brainer for me to place SC near the
top of the SEC East in my 2014 magazine. They had replaced other key players in the past and
seemed to have a sustainable system in place. Surprisingly, they instead plummeted to 7-6.
Starting off with a blowout loss to Texas A&M at home in the opener, the Gamecocks were
never a factor in the East division race. The fact that they laid such a big egg last season leads
me to question whether it was just a fluke or if their best days are behind them. Either way,
they do lose a lot a starters from last year's team, which will make it an uphill climb to get back
to the top of the SEC East. Another fourth place finish is probably realistic.
Steve Spurrier was made famous at Florida for his "Fun-n-Gun" offense. When he came
to South Carolina, he modified his mentality to accommodate for talented running backs, but
the results remained the same: his offenses continued to rank near the top of the SEC. Last
year, the Gamecocks replaced quarterback Connor Shaw. Luckily, Dylan Thompson had plenty
of experience, making the transition seamless. Thompson had a handful of talented receivers
to throw to, and the passing game performed well. This year, neither the quarterback nor the
receiving corps has experience. Connor Mitch takes over at quarterback after attempting only
six passes in 2014. This is the first time in a while that SC hasn't had a seasoned quarterback at
the helm of the offense in a while. To make matters worse, three of the top four receivers are
also gone. Number one target Pharoh Cooper is back, though, and he will get a ton of balls
thrown his way. The running game also faces a lot of attrition with the loss of Mike Davis.
Although he didn't live up to expectations as a Heisman contender, Davis was a serviceable
back at the top of the depth chart. Brandon Wilds looked good when given the opportunity last
year, so he should be able to replace Davis' production. Three offensive lineman return, but AllAmerican guard AJ Cann is not among them. South Carolina's offense was their strength in
2014, but the loss of talent at so many positions will haunt them this fall.
The fact that the offense is rebuilding puts more pressure on the defense, which had its
worst outing in recent memory last year. The Gamecocks replaced their entire defensive line
last season, which led to a pitiful performance against the run. They are more experienced up
front this year. Both linebackers are also back, highlighted by Skai Moore, who has led the
team in tackles two straight years. South Carolina surrendered at least 30 points in seven of
their 13 games last fall. They will need to be much better to compensate for the offense's
inexperience. Behind Georgia, the East is anyone's division. South Carolina could wind up
competing for the division title, but they could just as easily have to fight their way to six wins.
SEC East
FLORIDA GATORS
Head Coach: Jim McElwain (1st

season)
2014 Results: 7-5, 3rd in SEC
East, won Birmingham Bowl
Stadium: Ben Hill Griffin
Stadium
Location: Gainesville, FL
RB Kelvin Taylor
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Will Grier
RB Kelvin Taylor
WR Demarcus Robinson
WR Ahmad Fulwood
WR Brandon Powell
TE
Jake McGee
C
Trip Thurman
RG Tavaris Dorsey
LG
Antonio Riles
RT
Martez Ivey
LT
David Sharpe
K
Austin Hardin
KR Demarcus Robinson
DE
NT
DT
DE
LB
LB
NB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Alex McCalister
Joey Ivie
Caleb Brantley
Jonathan Bullard
Antonio Morrison
Jarrad Davis
Brian Poole
Vernon Hargreaves
Jalen Tabor
Marcus Maye
Keanu Neal
Johnny Townsend
Vernon Hargreaves
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
New Mexico State
East Carolina
@Kentucky
Tennessee
Ole Miss
@Missouri
@LSU
Georgia (Jacksonville)
Vanderbilt
@South Carolina
Florida Atlantic
Florida State
Big Game: Florida's basketball team may always circle their meetings with Kentucky, but not
their football team. The Gators typically dominate Kentucky on the gridiron, but last year they
had to scratch out a win in triple overtime. Kentucky is a good football team under Mark
Stoops. This September matchup will give Jim McElwain a good idea of where his team is at.
Bowl Prediction: Cure
5. Florida- Florida has always been one of the "Big Three" SEC East teams. Urban Meyer
elevated the program to a whole new level during his time in Gainesville from 2005 through
2010. The Gators won two national championships during his tenure and fell just short of a
third. Meyer surprisingly resigned after a disappointing 8-5 season in 2010 and was replaced by
former Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. After going 7-6 in his first season,
Muschamp guided Florida to an 11-2 record in 2012 and seemed to have the program right
back on track. That is why everyone was shocked when they plummeted to 4-8 the next year.
Muschamp entered 2014 on the hot seat, and the team's 7-5 finish did little to salvage his job.
This offseason, former Alabama offensive coordinator and Colorado State head coach Jim
McElwain was introduced as the Gators' new coach. McElwain has his work cut out for him.
This is a hungry fan base that expects immediate results, even if that may not be realistic. He
inherits a very inexperienced roster and doesn't necessarily have the right players to fit his
system. Florida will get to six wins on talent alone, but I have a tough time picturing them in
the thick of the SEC East race.
When Urban Meyer was here, Florida's offense was one of the best in the country every
year. Will Muschamp's specialty is defense, so it wasn't surprising that the offense slipped
when he arrived. The drop off was actually much greater than expected, though, as the Gators
ranked near the bottom of the SEC offensively throughout Muschamp's tenure. Florida hasn't
had stability at the quarterback position since Tim Tebow. They have had many talented
players behind center, but none of them have panned out. Jim McElwain turned Colorado State
quarterback Garrett Grayson into a third round pick and should be able to do the same in
Gainesville. Will Grier will probably outperform the previous few Gator quarterbacks, but there
will be growing pains along the way. For this year, he will have to rely heavily on the running
game. Kelvin Taylor is an explosive rusher who flashed brilliance as the number two back last
season. He will put up very good numbers as the full time starter. Perhaps the biggest problem
this offense has is along the offensive line, where they have a severe shortage of experience.
Martez Ivey comes in as a highly touted freshman and will be expected to perform immediately.
Florida's offense will improve under Jim McElwain, but they are a few years away from peaking.
Under Will Muschamp, Florida's defense remained one of the best in the country. They
lose Muschamp as well as defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, who is replaced by former
Mississippi State DC Geoff Collins. A slight decline is expected now that they have an offensiveminded head coach, but there is still plenty to work with. Star defensive end Dante Fowler Jr.
declared early for the draft. Other than him, though, most of the key pieces are still in place.
The secondary, which is anchored by preseason All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III,
will be the strength of this defense. Antonio Morrison captains the defense from the middle
linebacker position after leading the team in tackles last year. Florida will still rank near the top
of the SEC defensively, but the offense has too many question marks at key positions.
SEC East
KENTUCKY WILDCATS
Head Coach: Mark Stoops

(3rd season)
East
Stadium: Commonwealth
Stadium
Location: Lexington, KY
QB Patrick Towles
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Patrick Towles
Stanley Williams
Garrett Johnson
Ryan Timmons
Blake Bone
C.J. Conrad
Jon Toth
Ramsey Meyers
Zach West
Kyle Meadows
Jordan Swindle
Austin MacGinnis
Stanley Williams
DE
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Farrington Huguenin
Melvin Lewis
Cory Johnson
Jason Hatcher
Ryan Flannigan
Josh Forrest
Denzil Ware
Fred Tiller
Cody Quinn
Blake McClain
AJ Stamps
Landon Foster
Garrett Johnson
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/15 (Thurs)
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Louisiana
@South Carolina
Florida
Missouri
Eastern Kentucky
Auburn
@Mississippi State
Tennessee
@Georgia
@Vanderbilt
Charlotte
Louisville
Big Game: Kentucky vs. Louisville is known as a premiere basketball rivalry, but their gridiron
clashes also stir up plenty of excitement within the blue grass state. Although they haven't
beaten the Cardinals since 2010, Kentucky almost pulled the upset last season in a 44-40 loss.
They have a chance to break their losing streak, and doing so may put the Wildcats in a bowl.
Bowl Prediction: NONE
6. Kentucky- In Lexington, the focus is on basketball. The Wildcats are a basketball

powerhouse, while their football program has taken up residence in the basement of the SEC.
During Rich Brooks stint as head football coach from 2003-09, he did his best to change that.
Beginning in 2005, Kentucky reached five consecutive bowl games under his leadership. In
2007, they even rose as high as eight in the national polls. When Brooks stepped down after
the 2009 season, he hand-picked Joker Phillips as his replacement. Phillips inaugural squad
made a bowl game, but they got progressively worse each year. After posting a 2-10 record in
2012, Phillips was fired. The decline during his tenure seemed to prove that Kentucky would
never have sustained success on the football field. Mark Stoops, who was hired in 2013, is on a
mission to prove that statement wrong. The former Florida State defensive coordinator
inherited a tough situation, but he managed to lift the Wildcats to five wins in his second
season. Kentuckys 2015 recruiting class ranked 39th in the country. Stoops is starting to swing
the momentum back in a positive direction, making Kentucky seem poised for a breakthrough
in the near future. In most other conferences, Kentucky would be a surefire bowl team.
Because they play in the highly competitive SEC, though, they will have a tough time reaching
that six win pinnacle.
A good football team usually begins with a reliable quarterback. Experience at the
quarterback position is a key factor in determining how a team will fare. Kentucky has the
luxury of returning a starter with a year of experience under his belt. Patrick Towles was
nothing special in his first year as a starter, but he showed the ability to lead the offense. He
has a strong arm and above average mobility. With some polishing, he could become a very
good quarterback. That polishing includes cutting down on interceptions, which he threw nine
times in 2014. Towles favorite target, Ryan Timmons, returns as a nice security blanket. The
offenses biggest weapon is running back Stanley Boom Williams. As a true freshman,
Williams was a big play threat whenever he touched the ball. Williams will get a lot more
touches this fall, which is good news for the Kentucky offense. Four of the Wildcats five
offensive linemen are back, giving the offense a firm foundation to build upon. Kentuckys
offense has some nice pieces in place and will improve upon last years production.
As a former defensive coordinator, Mark Stoops wants to build his team around a strong
defense. He had just the right player to lead his defense last year in linebacker Alvin Bud
Dupree. The first team All-SEC selection and first round draft pick leaves some big shoes to fill.
Inside linebacker Josh Forrest will attempt to wear those shoes this year after leading Kentucky
in tackles last season with 110. The secondary is anchored by free safety AJ Stamps, who
snagged four interceptions in 2014. Overall, seven defensive starters return, six of which are on
the back end. Expect the defense to continue to improve steadily as Stoops works with them.
Kentucky can compete with anyone in the SEC East, but they are at least a year away from
being a real threat to win the division.
SEC East
VANDERBILT COMMODORES
Head Coach: Derek Mason

(2nd season)
East
Stadium: Vanderbilt Stadium
Location: Nashville, TN
RB Ralph Webb
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Johnny McCrary
RB
Ralph Webb
WR C.J. Duncan
WR Latevius Rayford
WR Caleb Scott
TE
Steven Scheu
C
Spencer Pulley
RG Delando Crooks
LG
Jake Bernstein
RT
Will Holden
LT
Andrew Jelks
K
Tommy Openshaw
KR Darrius Sims
DE
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Adam Butler
Jay Woods
Caleb Azubike
Stephen Weatherly
Darreon Herring
Nigel Bowden
Nehemiah Mitchell
Taurean Ferguson
Torren McGaster
Andrew Williamson
Oren Burks
Colby Cooke
Trey Ellis
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Western Kentucky
Georgia
Austin Peay
@Ole Miss
@Middle Tennessee
@South Carolina
Missouri
@Houston
@Florida
Kentucky
Texas A&M
@Tennessee
Big Game: Vanderbilt opened 2014 by getting pounded by Temple in Nashville. They can't
afford to get blown out in another opener against a Group of Five conference team. Western
Kentucky went 8-5 last season and handed Marshall their only loss of the season. Vanderbilt
desperately needs a spark, and that could come with a big win in the opener.
7. Vanderbilt- Entering 2011, Vanderbilt had been to four bowl games in their program's
history. They had compiled two winning seasons in the past 30 years, and they were coming off
back-to-back 2-10 seasons. As always, the Commodores were picked to finish last in the SEC
East despite the arrival of new head coach James Franklin. Surprisingly, Franklin guided Vandy
to a bowl game in his first season. Many brushed the accomplishment off as a fluke, but
Franklin proved that his program was for real when Vanderbilt matched a school record with
nine wins in 2012 and finished in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1948. People began
taking notice of what Vanderbilt was doing under James Franklin, but most still expected a drop
off in 2013. They responded to those skeptics with another 9-4 season. Their surprising,
sustained success attracted interest in head coach James Franklin from other programs. Penn
State wound up hiring Franklin, leaving a glaring vacancy for Vanderbilt. They responded by
hiring former Stanford defensive coordinator Derek Mason. The loss of James Franklin was
devastating, as the Commodores plummeted to 3-9. Vanderbilt got a taste of success for a few
years, but they will likely not recapture that magic under the new coaching staff. They have
returned to their home in the basement of the SEC.
Out of 128 FBS teams, Vanderbilt ranked 119th in total offense last season. That
statistic just about sums up the trouble they had moving the football in 2014. They only
eclipsed 20 points four times and were held to ten points or less on five occasions. The
offensive woes can be attributed in large part to poor quarterback play. Expected starter
Patton Robinette suffered injuries, forcing Johnny McCrary and Wade Freebeck to split time
under center. Robinette decided to retire during the offseason, leaving McCrary and Freebeck
to battle for the job. McCrary has greater potential and would be the best player for the job.
Whoever wins the job will be handing the ball off very frequently. Vanderbilt features a
productive running back in Ralph Webb, who rushed for over 900 yards as a true freshman.
Webb provides the offense with a reliable option to lean on. Four of his five offensive linemen
return from 2014, giving the running game more stability. Even though the top three receivers
return, the sub-par quarterback play will force Vanderbilt to rely heavily on the running game.
This offense will still struggle mightily in conference play, but they can only go up from last year.
The fact that Vanderbilt was even somewhat competitive last season can be attributed
to a decent defense. Their defense held them in games against Kentucky, Missouri, and
Tennessee despite the offense averaging just 12.7 points in those three games. Nine defensive
starters return, which gives the staff something to build around. Nigel Bowden, who led the
team in tackles as a redshirt freshman, anchors the defense from the inside linebacker position.
Outside linebacker Stephen Weatherly provides a pass rushing presence. All four starting
defensive backs return to form a strong pass defense. If Vanderbilt wants to win any
conference games, their defense will need to be a strong base that they can depend on weekly.
Without an elite coach at the helm, Vandy lacks the talent to compete in the SEC.
Pac-12
During the early 2000s, the Pac-12 was revered as the best conference in college football. USC
won back-to-back National Championships and the conference was loaded with great
quarterbacks. The SEC took over by winning seven straight National Championships from 2006
through 2012. Now, the Pac-12 is on a mission to take their crown back. The conference has
always had the star power at the top, but now they finally have the depth to challenge the SEC.
For the first time in a while, the two Los Angeles schools, USC and UCLA, are both at full
strength. That adds plenty of excitement given the rich history of those programs. Both
Arizona and Arizona State have risen to national prowess under head coaches Rich Rodriguez
and Todd Graham. Utah has finally adjusted to their new conference, winning nine games last
fall. Those five teams make for a very strong Pac-12 South division that rivals the mighty SEC
West. Up north, the other division has average depth but boasts the big dog in Oregon. The
Ducks have won at least ten games in each of the past seven seasons, bringing home four
conference titles in that span. They carried the Pac-12 flag all the way to the National
Championship Game last year before falling short against Ohio State. Right behind Oregon is
Stanford, who seems due for a bounce back season after a surprising 8-5 finish in 2014. They
are another dangerous team with the potential to make some noise on the national level.
Washington, California, and Oregon State trail further behind, but those are all quality teams
who could pull an upset on any given Saturday. The fact that the Pac-12 plays its games so late
at night have hurt the conference. Most people across the country don't get the opportunity to
watch these teams play on a weekly basis. When given the chance to shine in the national
spotlight, however, the Pac-12 has proven that they belong alongside the SEC. This conference
has five legitimate playoff contenders and seven teams that rank in my preseason Top 40.

South
North
1. UCLA
1. Oregon
2. USC
2. Stanford
3. Arizona State
3. California
4. Arizona
4. Washington
5. Utah
5. Oregon State
6. Colorado
6. Washington State
Projected Conference Champion: Oregon
Pac-12 South
UCLA BRUINS
Head Coach: Jim Mora (4th

season)
2014 Results: 10-3, 3rd in
Pac-12 South, won Alamo
Bowl
Stadium: Rose Bowl
Location: Pasadena, CA
LB Myles Jack
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
WR
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Josh Rosen
Paul Perkins
Thomas Duarte
Devin Fuller
Jordan Payton
Eldridge Massington
Jake Brendel
Scott Quessenberry
Alex Redmond
Caleb Benenoch
Conor McDermott
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Ishmael Adams
DE
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Eddie Vanderdoes
Kenny Clark
Takkarist McKinley
Myles Jack
Kenny Young
Isaako Savaiinaea
Deon Hollins
Fabian Moreau
Ishmael Adams
Jaleel Wadood
Tahaan Goodman
Matt Mengel
Ishmael Adams
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/15 (Thurs)
10/22 (Thurs)
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Virginia
@UNLV
BYU
@Arizona
Arizona State
@Stanford
California
Colorado
@Oregon State
Washington State
@Utah
@USC
Big Game: UCLA has completely flipped this cross-town rivalry back in their favor since Jim
Mora's arrival. Mora has never lost to the Trojans, leading his squad to a 3-0 record against
them. This USC team is stronger than any he has faced yet, and they are hungry to break their
losing streak. The winner of this game will probably win the South and has a shot at the playoff.
Bowl Prediction: Fiesta (New Year's Six)
1. UCLA- One of the historically dominant teams in the Pac-12, UCLA struggled through one of
their roughest stretches as a program during the early 2000s. From 1999 through 2011, the
Bruins only eclipsed seven victories twice. They were a complete nonfactor in the Pac-12. To
make matters worse for fans, they had to watch USC emerge as a dynasty. UCLA was desperate
for a turnaround during their coaching search before the 2012 season. So far, it seems as if
they made the perfect hire by bringing in Jim Mora Jr. Since his arrival, the Bruins have caught
up to their cross-town rivals on the field as well as on the recruiting trail. They are coming off
back-to-back 10-3 seasons and return a Pac-12 high 18 starters from last years team. Jim Mora
has established an identity for this program that they didnt have under the previous regimes.
They are as talented as any team in the conference and have experience necessary to make a
serious run at the Pac-12 title. This is the best UCLA team in a long time, and they are a solid
bet to emerge on top of this competitive division and contend for a spot in the playoff.
When Jim Mora took over in 2012, he elected to start freshman Brett Hundley at
quarterback. Hundley didnt let him down, posting one of the best statistical seasons ever for a
freshman. Hundley was pegged as a preseason Heisman contender each of the past two
seasons. While he did a good job leading the offense, his stats actually declined as he deferred
to a productive running game. The fact that Hundley never developed into the elite passer that
many believed he would makes his departure seem less daunting. The heir apparent is number
one quarterback prospect Josh Rosen. Mora has shown the confidence to start a freshman
before, and he will probably do the same with Rosen this fall. The blue chip recruit walks into
the perfect situation with this offense. The rest of the offense returns completely intact,
including the important offensive line. That experienced line will also help star running back
Paul Perkins. Although Brett Hundley received all the recognition, Perkins explosiveness and
durability was the real engine that made this offense go in 2014. He will burst into the spotlight
now that he is the main guy. Other playmakers include the experienced receivers, highlighted
by top target Jordan Payton. Assuming Josh Rosen steps in and manages this offense
effectively, UCLAs balanced attack will make some noise in 2015.
Statistically, UCLAs defense was mediocre in 2014; however, those numbers were
skewed by the fact that they play in a conference full of high-powered offenses. Compared to
other Pac-12 teams, they were right near the top. Eight starters return on that side of the ball,
but the three losses are all significant. They lose safety Anthony Jennings and DE Owamagbe
Odighizuwa, the leaders at their respective levels of the defense. Inside linebacker Eric
Kendricks amassed an incredible 149 tackles last year en route to winning the Butkus Award
and earning All-American honors. He was drafted in the second round this spring, leaving a
huge hole in the middle of the defense. Luckily, outside linebacker Myles Jack has the potential
to accomplish the same things Kendricks did last year. This defense should be able to overcome
the losses and have another solid season. UCLA is a legitimate playoff contender.
Pac-12 South
USC TROJANS
Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian

(2nd season)
2014 Results: 9-4, 4th in Pac12 South, won Holiday Bowl
Stadium: Los Angeles
Memorial Coliseum
Location: Los Angeles, CA
LB/SS Su'a Cravens
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Cody Kessler
Justin Davis
JuJu Smith
Steven Mitchell
George Farmer
Bryce Dixon
Max Tuerk
Viane Talamaivao
Damien Mama
Zach Banner
Toa Lobendahn
Alex Wood
Adoree Jackson
DE
DT
DT
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Greg Townsend Jr
Delvon Simmons
Cody Temple
Scott Felix
Su'a Cravens
Michael Hutchings
Anthony Sarao
Adoree Jackson
Kevon Seymour
John Plattenberg
Leon McQuay III
Kris Albarado
Adoree Jackson
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/8 (Thurs)
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/13 (Fri)
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Arkansas State
Idaho
Stanford
@Arizona State
Washington
@Notre Dame
Utah
@California
Arizona
@Colorado
@Oregon
UCLA
Big Game: USCs schedule is littered with huge games that will have national implications. If
they want to win the Pac-12 South, which is their first step toward the playoff, they will have to
beat their cross-town rivals for the first time since 2011. If they can finally get that monkey off
their back, they will be able to turn their sights towards bigger goals.
Bowl Prediction: Rose (New Year's Six)
2. USC- During the Pete Carroll era, USC was basically Los Angeles NFL team. They churned out
first round talent on a yearly basis and produced three Heisman Trophy winners. In a seven
year span between 2002 and 2008, they captured two National Championships and won at
least 11 games every season. When Carroll left for the NFL, USC made a controversial decision
to hire Lane Kiffin as his replacement. The Trojans were still the most talented team in the
Pac-12 every year, but they never materialized under his leadership. USC went back to its roots
with the hire of Steve Sarkisian last season. Sark was an assistant under Pete Carroll and had
gone on to successfully revive Washingtons football program. He guided USC to a 9-4 record in
his inaugural season as head coach. Although they lost a few tough games, they showed their
potential in road wins against Arizona and Stanford. Year 2 is usually when coaches make their
biggest leap. Steve Sarkisian has had a year to mold this extremely talented team into shape.
USC faces a brutal schedule this fall, but they will be right in the thick of the Pac-12 South race.
Over the years, USC has produced some great quarterbacks. When Matt Barkley left
after the 2012 season, it seemed as if that line of great signal-callers would end because there
was no blue chip prospect waiting in the wings. Cody Kessler emerged from the pack and took
control of the offense, and he hasnt looked back. Kessler flew under the radar last year despite
finishing fourth in the nation in passing efficiency. His 39:5 touchdown to interception ratio
trailed only Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota. After that type of a season, Kessler wont
be under the radar any more. The senior is on the short list of preseason Heisman favorites and
is the main reason why many believe USC can make a playoff run. Kessler gets back his entire
offensive line from last season, highlighted by preseason All-American center Max Tuerk. As far
as receivers go, there are plenty of quality options. Top target Nelson Agholor declared early
for the NFL, but sophomore JuJu Smith is ready to fill his shoes after a great freshman
campaign. Senior George Farmer hopes to overcome past injuries and become a reliable
number two option. USC will be tossing the ball all over the yard, but a strong running game
would be a good compliment to keep defenses on their heels. Justin Davis will have a tough
time matching Buck Allens production, but he should be solid. With Kessler at the helm, this
offense is going to be very difficult to stop.
In order to separate themselves from the rest of the Pac-12, USC will need to
complement their dangerous offense with a strong defense. They will build around the
versatile Sua Cravens, who plays a linebacker/safety hybrid role. Another do-everything
defensive star for the Trojans is cornerback Adoree Jackson. In addition to being a great
corner, Jackson is an elite kick returner and will see action as a receiver. With those two
anchoring the back end, USCs pass defense will rank among the nations best. Up front, the
Trojans must replace first round pick Leonard Williams and fellow sack threat J.R. Tavai. Their
rush defense will probably take a hit as a result. USC has all the pieces necessary to win the
Pac-12, but they must overcome a killer schedule as well as their recent struggles against UCLA.
Pac-12 South
ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS
Head Coach: Todd Graham

(4th season)
Pac-12 South, won Sun Bowl
Stadium: Sun Devil Stadium
Location: Tempe, AZ
WR D.J. Foster
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Mike Bercovici
RB Kalen Ballage
WR DJ Foster
WR Gary Chambers
WR Ellis Jefferson
TE
Kody Kohl
C
Nick Kelly
RG Vi Teofilo
LG
Christian Westerman
RT
William McGehee
LT
Evan Goodman
K
Zane Gonzalez
KR De'Chavon Hayes
DE
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Chans Cox
Viliami Latu
Tashon Smallwood
Demetrius Cherry
Viliami Moeakiola
Salamo Fiso
Antonio Longino
Lloyd Carrington
Kweishi Brown
Chad Adams
Jordan Simone
Matt Haack
De'Chavon Hayes
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/18 (Fri)
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/29 (Thurs)
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Texas A&M (Houston)
Cal Poly
New Mexico
USC
@UCLA
Colorado
@Utah
Oregon
@Washington State
Washington
Arizona
@California
Big Game: If Arizona State wants to win the South division, they will probably need to beat one
of the two LA schools, who they play in consecutive weeks. The Sun Devils have had much
more success against USC lately, winning the last two and three of the last four. This game is
also in Tempe, which gives ASU a good shot at winning and proving they are contenders.
Bowl Prediction: Alamo
3. Arizona State- Todd Graham was widely criticized for his decision to leave Pittsburgh after
one season to coach an Arizona State team that was coming off four consecutive losing
seasons. Graham has silenced all those critics by instantly turning the Sun Devils into a Pac-12
powerhouse. He took a team that had underachieved the year before and guided them to an
8-5 record in 2012, his first season in Tempe. In year two, ASU captured a surprising Pac-12
South title and finished with a 10-4 record. Despite being the defending division champs, few
people picked them to get back to the conference title game last season. They rose as high as
number seven in the polls and looked like a playoff contender before they dropped a road
matchup with Oregon State. They still had a shot to win the South heading into the final
weekend, but they lost a close game to Arizona. Despite the disappointing finish, Arizona State
compiled their second straight ten win season and proved that they belong among the elite
teams of the Pac-12. They could work their way into the playoff discussion once again in 2015.
Entering last season, one of the positives for Arizona State's offense was the presence of
experienced quarterback Taylor Kelly. When he went down early in the season, most people
assumed that the team's offensive numbers would decline. Instead, Mike Bercovici stepped in
and picked up right where Kelly left off. He played well in all four starts, giving the Sun Devils
confidence that he will excel as the full time starter this fall. One hurdle he must overcome is
the departure of star wide receiver Jaelen Strong. Stepping in to fill that void is converted
running back DJ Foster. In addition to rushing for over 1,000 yards, Foster ranked second on
the team with 688 receiving yards. He moves out to the slot this season, where he will
immediately become Bercovici's favorite target in the passing game. Foster is a dangerous
weapon who will be utilized in many different roles and keep defenses on their heels. His
position change opens the door for Kalen Ballage to take over as the main running back. He
should find success behind an offensive line that returns three starters from last season. Todd
Graham has built Arizona State around his famous up-tempo offensive system. With Bercovici
and Foster leading the way, the Sun Devils will feature one of the Pac-12's deadliest offenses.
While the offense has taken off under Graham's tutelage, the defense has gotten
progressively worse in the past three seasons. They hit rock bottom last year, when they
surrendered a dangerously high 27.9 points per game. If that statistic keeps rising, the offense
will face increased pressure to win shootouts on a weekly basis. Two of the top performers
from last year's unit are gone, which is more bad news. Sack machine Marcus Hardison leaves
big shoes to fill at the defensive end position, and safety Damarious Randall's departure leaves
the secondary without a leader. Luckily, those are the only two key losses. Seven starters
return on that side of the ball, giving the unit some critical experience. Linebacker Viliami
Moeakiola will be counted on to assume a leadership role. The rush defense was solid last
season, but the secondary must improve. I foresee a better overall defense in 2015. Add that
to a high-powered offense and Arizona State looks like a legitimate Pac-12 South contender.
Pac-12 South
ARIZONA WILDCATS
Head Coach: Rich Rodriguez

(4th season)
2014 Results: 10-4, 1st in
Pac-12 South, lost Fiesta
Bowl
Stadium: Arizona Stadium
Location: Tucson, AZ
LB Scooby Wright III
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
WR
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Anu Solomon
Nick Wilson
Cayleb Jones
Trey Griffey
Samajie Grant
DaVonte' Neal
Carter Wood
Lene Maiava
Cayman Bundage
T.D. Gross
Aiulua Fanene
Casey Skowron
Tyrell Johnson
DE
NT
DT
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Reggie Gilbert
Parker Zellers
Calvin Allen
Cody Ippolito
Scooby Wright III
Jake Matthews
DaVonte' Neal
Cam Denson
Jarvis McCall
William Parks
Jamar Allah
Drew Riggleman
DaVonte' Neal
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
UTSA
@Nevada
Northern Arizona
UCLA
@Stanford
Oregon State
@Colorado
Washington State
@Washington
@USC
Utah
@Arizona State
Big Game: This in-state rivalry has taken on more meaning now that both teams are relevant.
Last season, the Wildcats held on for a seven point home victory to secure the Pac-12 South
title. It is very possible that this year's contest will have similar implications. Arizona will be at
the end of a brutal three game stretch to close the season and must play on the road.
Bowl Prediction: Sun
4. Arizona- After Mike Stoops was fired, Arizona hired Rich Rodriguez as their new head coach
beginning with the 2012 season. Rodriguez, an acclaimed offensive wizard, was coming off a
rough three year stint at Michigan during which he never seemed to fit into the Wolverine
culture. After his first year is Tucson, however, it became apparent that his style would work
beautifully at his new school. The Wildcats went 8-5 in each of his first two seasons, flashing a
great offense that gave them a chance every week. Last year, they exploded to new heights by
capturing the Pac-12 South title. They beat Oregon for the second straight season and had a
shot at the playoff before losing the conference championship game. Following a disappointing
effort in the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State, the Wildcats finished with a 10-4 record. Despite
the rough ending, Arizona has plenty to look forward to this fall. Only 12 total starters return,
but most of the key players are back. I may have this team pegged at number four in their own
division, but they could easily win this conference and make a push for the playoff.
Everywhere Rich Rod has gone, he has put all his focus on the offense. He practically
invented the spread option offense during his time at West Virginia, and he now runs the same
system at Arizona. This offense features a three-headed monster that few teams in the country
can match. Quarterback Anu Solomon shined as a redshirt freshman last season, throwing for
over 3,700 yards and tossing 28 touchdown passes. He is a pass-first quarterback who can also
factor into the running game when called upon. Now that he has a year of experience under his
belt, Solomon can be placed in the conversation of the best quarterbacks in the country. This
talented, experienced receiving corps will also help him out immensely. Five of the top seven
receivers return from last year, which gives him great chemistry with his receivers. The top
target, Cayleb Jones, is among the conference's premiere wideouts. Sidekick Samaje Grant
provides a great number two option from the slot. Arizona's passing attack ranks second in the
Pac-12 to USC, but their equally dangerous running game separates them from the pack. Nick
Wilson racked up 1,375 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns as a true freshman in 2014. The sky
is the limit for him this season. The offense's only concern is the line, which only brings back
two starters. Fortunately, the Wildcats have too much talent at the skill positions for that to
drag them down. With Oregon replacing Mariota, Arizona may have the Pac-12 best offense.
At every stop, Rich-Rod's disregard of defense has prevented him from getting over the
hump. He has done a much better job at Arizona. Although the defense isn't a strength, at
least it hasn't been a liability. One big reason is that the Wildcats have the nation's best
defensive player in middle linebacker Scooby Wright III. Wright posted unheard-of statistics
during his sophomore season en route to finishing ninth in the Heisman voting. His 163 tackles,
29 tackles for loss, and 6 forced fumbles were all NCAA highs, while his 14 sacks were good for
fourth in the country. Wright is a major game-changer for this defense and will continue to be
a terror for opposing offenses. This division is a complete crapshoot as all four of the top teams
have equal chances to come out on top. Arizona's three tough road games put them here.
Pac-12 South
UTAH UTES
Head Coach: Kyle

Whittingham (11th season)
2014 Results: 9-4, 5th in Pac12 South, won Las Vegas
Bowl
Stadium: Rice-Eccles Stadium
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
RB Devontae Booker
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Travis Wilson
Devontae Booker
Kenneth Scott
Jameson Field
Kenric Young
Siale Fakailoatonga
Siaosi Aiono
Salesi Uhatafe
Isaac Asiata
Sam Tevi
J.J. Dielman
Andy Phillips
Charles Henderson
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Pita Taumoepenu
Lowell Lotulelei
Filipo Mokofisi
Hunter Dimick
Jason Fanaika
Gionni Paul
Jared Norris
Andre Godfrey
Dominique Hatfield
Jason Thompson
Marcus Williams
Tom Hackett
Boobie Hobbs
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/11 (Fri)
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Michigan
Utah State
@Fresno State
@Oregon
California
Arizona State
@USC
Oregon State
@Washington
@Arizona
UCLA
Colorado
Big Game: After losing a low scoring, double overtime contest to the Sun Devils in Tempe last
season, Utah will be looking for revenge at home this time around. This is the Utes first
division game, and it will give them a good idea of where they stack up in the Pac-12 South.
Utahs defense should be able to hold ASUs offense down and keep the game within reach.
Bowl Prediction: Poinsettia
5. Utah- The best word to describe this team is solid. They wont wow anybody with an
explosive offense or dominant defense. None of their players occur on preseason Heisman
lists. They dont have a charismatic head coach who is always in the spotlight. But they do
have one important factor: consistency. Kyle Whittingham has been Utahs head coach for the
past ten seasons. The rest of the coaches in the division have been at their respective schools
for a combined total of twelve seasons. During his time at Utah, Whittingham has guided the
Utes to eight winning seasons. The only two losing years occurred while they were adjusting to
their new conference. Last year, Utah proved they belong in the Pac-12 by posting a 9-4 record,
beating the likes of UCLA, USC, and Stanford along the way. Many key pieces from that team
return, as does the teams physical identity. The Utes feature a good offense and solid defense
that gives them a chance to beat any team on their schedule. They arent getting much
attention now, but Utah could wind up in the mix for the South crown by seasons end.
As a whole, Utahs offense was very productive last season. They averaged 31.3 points
per game and were only held below 20 points twice. The Utes enter 2015 with experience at
quarterback and running back, the two most important offensive positions. This will be Travis
Wilson's third season as the team's starting quarterback. Although his numbers don't stand
out, he does a nice job managing the offense. He also poses a threat as a runner, as proven by
his five rushing touchdowns last year. More often than not, though, Wilson will leave the
running duties to Devontae Booker. He piled up over 1,500 yards on the ground in 2014 and
ranks among the top returning running backs in the conference. Booker is also utilized as a
pass-catching threat out of the backfield. As far as the receivers go, Utah doesn't have a clear
number one. Wilson spreads the ball around well, giving many different players opportunities.
The whole offense operates behind a seasoned offensive line that returns four of their five
starters from 2014. Even though Booker is the only star, this offense has plenty of weapons.
They will fly under the radar while posting another productive season.
Unlike most other Pac-12 teams, Utah doesn't rely solely on their offense to win games.
They are a very balanced team with a good defense to compliment their offense. The strength
of the defense is the front seven, which is likely the Pac-12's best unit. They will be an elite
group despite the departure of defensive end Nate Orchard, who ranked second in the country
with 18.5 sacks last season. The returning ends are very good. Hunter Dimick racked up ten
sacks playing opposite Orchard in 2014 and now anchors the line. Pita Taumoepenu mans the
other defensive end position. The two defensive tackles are good run stoppers in the middle.
That tough defensive line is backed up by an equally stout linebacking corps. Middle linebacker
Gionni Paul showed flashes of greatness in eight games last season, finishing third in tackles
and hauling in four interceptions. Rover linebacker Jared Norris earned Honorable Mention AllPac-12 last year. The secondary is decent, but it doesn't compare to the front seven. Utah may
be the Pac-12's most balanced team and could emerge as a dark horse contender.
Pac-12 South
COLORADO BUFFALOES
Head Coach: Mike MacIntyre

(3rd season)
2014 Results: 2-10, 6th in
Pac-12 South
Stadium: Folsom Field
Location: Boulder, CO
QB Sefo Liufau
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Sefo Liufau
RB Christian Powell
WR Shay Fields
WR Nelson Spruce
WR Donovan Lee
TE
Sean Irwin
C
Alex Kelley
RG Gerrad Kough
LG
Shane Callahan
RT
Stephane Nembot
LT
Jeromy Irwin
K
Diego Gonzalez
KR Phillip Lindsay
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Derek McCartney
Josh Tupou
Justin Solis
Jimmie Gilbert
Kenneth Olugbode
Addison Gillam
Deaysean Rippy
Tedric Thompson
Kenneth Crawley
Richard Yates II
Evan White
Chris Graham
Nelson Spruce
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/13 (Fri)
11/21
11/28
Opponent
@Hawaii
UMass
Colorado State (Denver)
Nicholls State
Oregon
@Arizona State
Arizona
@Oregon State
@UCLA
Stanford
USC
@Washington State
@Utah
Big Game: Colorado has dominated the Rocky Mountain Showdown historically, but Colorado
State has taken two of the last three meetings with the Buffaloes. Colorado has a relatively
easy nonconference schedule, so if they can beat the Rams they have a good shot at starting
4-0. Colorado State is a good team and will give the Buffs a tough test early in the year.
6. Colorado- During the 1990s, Colorado was a Big 12 powerhouse and perennial national
championship contender. They remained relevant through 2002, when they won their final
North division title. Since then they have reached only three bowl games, the last of which
came in 2007. Their move to the Pac-12 in 2011 changed nothing, as the Buffaloes quickly
assumed the role of punching bag in their new conference. Mike MacIntyre, the fourth
Colorado head coach since 2002, enters this fall on the hot seat after opening his tenure with
two disappointing seasons. The Buffaloes lack the talent to compete at the Power 5 level, and
it doesnt help that they play in one of the toughest divisions in America. The Buffaloes are
miles behind the top five teams in the South. Even though they may start off well due to a
manageable nonconference schedule, Colorado will be hard-pressed to win any Pac-12 games.
For a team that only won two games, Colorado actually had a pretty good offense last
season. They averaged 28.5 points per game and were led by a passing attack that ranked 20 th
nationally in yardage. The main reason for that offensive production is quarterback Sefo Liufao.
Liufao passed for 28 touchdowns and 3,200 yards last year and looks to build on those numbers
as a junior. He must cut down on the interceptions after throwing 15 last season. If he can do
that, Liufao could emerge as a very productive passer and garner recognition among the Pac12s best quarterbacks. He has the luxury of a reliable number one receiver in Nelson Spruce.
Spruce racked up nearly 1,200 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He and Liufao
have great chemistry and will be a concern for opposing secondaries. Number two receiver
Shay Fields also returns as a decent option opposite Spruce. The passing attack is definitely this
teams strength. They are actually above average and will score some points this fall. The
passing game is complimented by a mediocre running game led by Christian Powell. Although
he is nothing special, he proves a nice change of pace option. Sefo Liufao can also make some
noise with his legs. Colorado may not be a good team, but their offense is not the reason. They
may surpass 30 points per game this fall.
The offense may be good, but they wont be able to make up for the atrocious defense.
In 2014, only five Power 5 teams allowed more points per game than the Buffaloes, who gave
up an average of 39. The defense is the main reason why Colorado will not make a bowl game
this season. There are no real leaders on that side of the ball, and they never gelled as a unit
last year. Their struggles will be magnified by the fact that the Pac-12 is full of upper-echelon
offenses. The defenses best player is middle linebacker Addison Gillam. He finished second on
the team in tackles last year and racked up nine tackles for loss. Fellow linebacker Kenneth
Olugbode is another playmaker. With those two at the helm, the linebacking corps is definitely
the strength of the defense. Cornerback Tedric Thompson returns after a three interception
campaign, but the rest of the secondary has glaring issues. If Colorado wants to compete for a
bowl berth, they need their offense to carry a big load. While they are pretty good on that side
of the ball, they will likely fail to overcome the weak defensive play and win six games.
Pac-12 North
OREGON DUCKS
Head Coach: Mark Helfrich (3rd

season)
2014 Results: 13-2, 1st in Pac12 North, Pac-12 Champions,
lost National Championship
Stadium: Autzen Stadium
Location: Eugene, OR
RB Royce Freeman
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Jeff Lockie
Royce Freeman
Dwayne Stanford
Darren Carrington
Byron Marshall
Evan Baylis
Doug Brenner
Cameron Hunt
Jake Pisarcik
Tyrell Crosby
Tyler Johnstone
Aidan Schneider
Charles Nelson
DE
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
DeForest Buckner
Alex Balducci
T.J. Daniel
Christian French
Rodney Hardrick
Joe Walker
Tyson Coleman
Chris Seisay
Charles Nelson
Reggie Daniels
Tyree Robinson
Ian Wheeler
Charles Nelson
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/29 (Thurs)
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/27 (Fri)
Opponent
Eastern Washington
@Michigan State
Georgia State
Utah
@Colorado
Washington State
@Washington
@Arizona State
California
@Stanford
USC
Oregon State
Big Game: These two programs rose to prominence around the same time, and their annual
clashes have become national spotlight games. Stanford seemed to have figured the Ducks out
after winning back-to-back meetings, but Oregon responded by thrashing the Cardinal last
season. Assuming Stanford rebounds, this game should once again decide the Pac-12 North.
Bowl Prediction: Cotton (Playoff)
1. Oregon- During the past six seasons, Oregon has been hands-down the most exciting team in
all of college football. From their flashy uniforms to their electrifying offense, the Ducks are a
very fun team to watch. Most importantly, they win. Since Chip Kelly took over as head coach
in 2009, the Ducks have won at least ten games every season. They have finished ranked in the
Top 4 on four occasions and have appeared in two National Championship Games. Although
they have yet to win the big game, they have won four conference championships, asserting
their Pac-12 dominance. Mark Helfrich enters his third season as Chip Kelly's successor, and he
faces his toughest job yet: replacing Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota. With the rest of
the conference picking up steam, the gap between Oregon and the others is the smallest in
many years. The Ducks have proven over a long period of time that they can maintain their
success even when key players leave, however. They are still the most talented, battle-tested
team in the Pac-12, making them the favorite to win their third straight conference title.
For Oregon, everything begins with the offense. The Ducks do a great job of getting
their playmakers the ball in open space and letting them do the rest. Of course, that all starts
with a quarterback who fits the offensive system. From Dennis Dixon to Marcus Mariota,
Oregon has established a long line of great quarterbacks. Mariota, who started the past three
seasons, eclipsed them all by winning the Heisman. Although his departure hurts, the Ducks
have proven that they can replace elite quarterbacks seamlessly. Vernon Adams Jr. seemed like
the obvious replacement when he announced this plans to transfer from Eastern Washington,
where the dual-threat quarterback ranked among the elite players of the FCS. However, Jeff
Lockie looked great in the spring and seems increasingly likely to win the job. Either way,
Oregon's offense will be in good hands. They have two great running backs in Royce Freeman
and Thomas Tyner, who combined for over 2,000 total yards and 25 touchdowns last fall.
Converted running back Byron Marshall leads a deep group of speedy receivers. Dwayne
Stanford, Bralon Addison, Darren Carrington, and Charles Nelson join him as homerun threats.
Despite the losses of Mariota and All-Pac-12 linemen Hronnis Grasu and Jake Fisher, Oregon's
offense has an endless supply of weapons and remains among the nation's best.
The offense receives so much attention that most people forget about the defense.
Even though the defense isn't the main reason the Ducks win, it is certainly one of the reasons.
They usually surrender quite a few yards, but they are able to keep opponents off the
scoreboard by getting key stops and forcing turnovers. The strength of the Oregon defense is
always in the secondary, and last season was no exception. Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and
free safety Erick Dargan both depart after earning All-Pac-12 honors. Charles Nelson looks to
emerge as the new star. Much like Adoree' Jackson of USC, Nelson will also return kicks and
play an offensive role as a receiver. Up front, defensive end DeForest Buckner looks to follow
up Dion Jordan and Arik Armstead as star defensive linemen in Eugene. Despite the loss of
Marcus Mariota, Oregon will keep on rolling and remain a college football heavyweight.
Pac-12 North
STANFORD CARDINAL
Head Coach: David Shaw (5th

season)
2014 Results: 8-5, 2nd in Pac12 North, won Foster Farms
Bowl
Stadium: Stanford Stadium
Location: Stanford, CA
LB Blake Martinez
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
FB
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Kevin Hogan
Christian McCaffrey
Daniel Marx
Devon Cajuste
Francis Owusu
Austin Hooper
Graham Shuler
Johnny Caspers
Joshua Garnett
Casey Tucker
Kyle Murphy
Conrad Ukropina
Chirstian McCaffrey
DE
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Aziz Shittu
Harrison Phillips
Solomon Thomas
Kevin Anderson
Peter Kalambayi
Blake Martinez
Noor Davis
Terrence Alexander
Ronnie Harris
Kodi Whitfield
Zach Hoffpauir
Alex Robinson
Christian McCaffrey
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/25 (Fri)
10/3
10/10
10/15 (Thurs)
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
@Northwestern
UCF
@USC
@Oregon State
Arizona
UCLA
Washington
@Washington State
@Colorado
Oregon
California
Notre Dame
Big Game: Stanford faces an absolutely brutal Pac-12 schedule, drawing USC, Arizona, and UCLA
from the South division. Luckily, they get their biggest North division game at home against
Oregon. The Cardinal's physical style of play seems to be the remedy to the Ducks' offense. If
Stanford wants any shot at reaching the Pac-12 title game, they must beat Oregon on the Farm.
Bowl Prediction: Las Vegas
2. Stanford- During his four year stint in Palo Alto, Jim Harbaugh resurrected a long-dormant
Stanford football program and turned it into a Pac-12 powerhouse. When Harbaugh arrived on
the Farm in 2007, the Cardinal were coming off a dreadful 1-11 campaign. By his final season,
Harbaugh lifted Stanford to a 12-1 record and #4 ranking in the final polls. David Shaw, the
offensive coordinator, was promoted to head coach when Harbaugh left for the 49ers in 2011.
The transition was seamless, as the Cardinal reached BCS bowl games in each of Shaw's first
three seasons, including back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances. The Stanford program appeared
built to last. They were expected to compete for a spot in the playoff last season, but they
slipped all the way to 8-5. Some believe that Stanford's best days are behind them; however,
three of their losses came by a combined nine points, so they weren't far from being right in the
mix. A killer schedule will probably eliminate the Cardinal from playoff contention, but they are
far from a long shot in the Pac-12 North.
Jim Harbaugh built Stanford's offense around a physical running game. That philosophy
didn't change even when Andrew Luck was under center. In addition to a great offensive line,
the Cardinal rely on a bell-cow running back to bear a heavy workload and wear defenses out.
Up until last year, they always had a clear number one back. One of the main reasons for the
team's offensive woes in 2014 was the lack of such a player, as the leading rusher barely
surpassed 600 yards. The troubles on the ground led to problems with the passing game as
well. Quarterback Kevin Hogan, who lived off the play-action pass in his first two seasons, was
forced to make tougher throws. He struggled in that role, throwing eight interceptions.
Christian McCaffrey ran well down the stretch, leading to a solid finish to the season for the
whole offense. If he can pick up where he left off, Hogan's play will improve and Stanford's
offense will make a positive leap. All-American tackle Andrus Peat departs, but Joshua Garnett
and Kyle Murphy lead a line that will still be among the nation's best. After serving as a liability
in 2014, the Cardinal offense will be much better this fall.
Even though the offensive production slipped last year, the defense remained strong as
always. They ranked third in the country in total defense and second in points allowed. Only
four starters return from that unit, but Stanford has shown the ability to reload. This is because
they play as a team rather than as individuals. Every player buys into the physical mentality,
leading to a strong overall defense. Therefore, they manage to replace key players easier than
most other schools. Some of the missing pieces from last year's group include defensive end
Henry Anderson, linebacker AJ Tarpley, and cornerback Alex Carter. The entire defensive line is
gone, but the incoming starters should be able to match last year's production. The strength of
this year's group is the linebacking corps. Leading tackler Blake Martinez returns to anchor the
defense from the inside linebacker position. Outside linebacker Kevin Anderson is also set for a
good season after earning Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 in 2014. Stanford's defense will be
just fine despite all the losses. If the offense improves, the Cardinal will be a Pac-12 contender.
Pac-12 North
CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS
Head Coach: Sonny Dykes

(3rd season)
2014 Results: 5-7, 4th in Pac12 North
Stadium: California Memorial
Stadium
Location: Berkeley, CA
QB Jared Goff
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
WR
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Jared Goff
Daniel Lasco
Trevor Davis
Bryce Treggs
Stephen Anderson
Maurice Harris
Matt Cochran
Dominic Granado Jr.
Chris Borrayo
Jordan Rigsbee
Steven Moore
Noah Beito
Trevor Davis
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Kyle Kragen
Mustafa Jalil
James Looney
Puka Lopa
Jake Kearney
Hardy Nickerson
Michael Barton
Cedric Dozier
Darius White Jr.
Griffin Piatt
Stefan McClure
Cole Leininger
Trevor Davis
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Grambling State
San Diego State
@Texas
@Washington
Washington State
@Utah
@UCLA
USC
@Oregon
Oregon State
@Stanford
Arizona State
Big Game: After tough nonconference games against SDSU and Texas, Cal will come into their
Pac-12 opener battle tested. Their first conference game is a crucial one considering
Washington is Cal's closest competition in the North division. The Bears were whipped in
Berkeley last fall, so they will be looking forward to this game with a chip on their shoulder.
Bowl Prediction: Foster Farms
3. California- Jeff Tedford did an incredible job turning Cal into an annual Pac-12 contender.
Although they often fell short of expectations, they consistently had the talent to compete with
anyone in the conference. Toward the end of his tenure, however, fans grew impatient with
the team's underachieving pattern, and a 3-9 season in 2012 sealed his fate. Sonny Dykes was
hired from Louisiana Tech. The offensive specialist inherited a dried-up talent pool and went
1-11 in his first season. The Bears were picked by most to finish last in the Pac-12 North again
last year, but I called for them to leap all the way to 6-6 and reach a bowl game. My gutsy
prediction nearly paid off, as they finished 5-7. Had they not blown a 22-point lead and lost on
a Hail Mary against Arizona, they would have reached the six win pinnacle. After coming so
close last season, California has a great shot at getting over the hump this year. They have one
of the best offenses in all of college football, led by a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender at
quarterback. They should be able to overcome a brutal conference schedule and reach a bowl.
Like many of the other Pac-12 teams, California has decided to put all their eggs into the
offensive basket. For now, they can ride the arm of Jared Goff. This offense allows the
quarterback to throw the ball all over the yard, which naturally produces eye-popping numbers.
However, Goff is far more than the product of a system. He is a smart quarterback who can
make all the throws. Last year, he fell 27 yards short of 4,000 on the season. He also tossed an
astounding 35 touchdowns compared to just seven interceptions. Both his yardage and
touchdown totals ranked fifth in the country and third in the Pac-12 behind Mariota and
Kessler. That is some good company to be in. Goff spreads the ball around well, getting a
variety of receivers involved. The top three returning receivers each caught at least five
touchdown passes last year. The passing game opens up the running option as well. Running
back Daniel Lasco racked up 1,115 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground in 2014. He is also
a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. Lasco is a sneaky weapon who provides the
offense with some nice balance. The offensive line brings back three starters, highlighted by
potential All-Conference right tackle Jordan Rigsbee. This offense averaged 38.2 points per
game last year despite the team's losing record. They may need to be even better this year to
overcome the atrocious defense. Jared Goff needs to put this team on his back and carry them
to several shootout wins. If Cal wins eight games, Goff has a great shot at the Heisman.
Despite all the good teams they will play, Cal's toughest opponent may be their own
defense. They surrendered an inexplicably high 39.8 points per game in 2014. It is impossible
to expect any offense to eclipse 40 points consistently. Even though the defense as a whole is
atrocious, there are a couple of decent individual pieces such as safety Griffin Piatt. The rush
defense was actually decent statistically in 2014. Only one starter is gone from the front seven,
so they will be alright again. However, they consistently get torched by all the good
quarterbacks in this conference. The offense will still be relied upon to win several shootouts.
Jared Goff is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and he will carry the Bears to a bowl.
Pac-12 North
WASHINGTON HUSKIES
Head Coach: Chris Peterson

(2nd season)
2014 Results: 8-6, 3rd in Pac12 North, lost Cactus Bowl
Stadium: Husky Stadium
Location: Seattle, WA
RB Dwayne Washington
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Jeff Lindquist
Dwayne Washington
Dante Pettis
Jaydon Mickens
John Ross
Joshua Perkins
Siosifa Tufunga
Shane Brostek
Dexter Charles
Coleman Shelton
Jake Eldrenkamp
Cameron Van Winkle
John Ross
DE
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Jaylen Johnson
Elijah Qualls
Taniela Tupou
Joe Mathis
Keishawn Bierria
Azeem Victor
Travis Feeney
Sidney Jones
Darren Gardenhire
Kevin King
Budda Baker
Korey Durkee
Dante Pettis
SCHEDULE
Date
9/4 (Fri)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/8 (Thurs)
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/27 (Fri)
Opponent
@Boise State
Sacramento State
Utah State
California
@USC
Oregon
@Stanford
Arizona
Utah
@Arizona State
@Oregon State
Washington State
Big Game: The last time these two met, Washington took the Broncos to pound town with a
38-6 victory in 2013. Boise State is fresh off a Fiesta Bowl victory and is the favorite to get back
to a New Year's Six bowl this year. A win on the blue turf in the opener would give the Huskies
a huge boost. Also, Chris Peterson will be fired up to face off against his former team.
Bowl Prediction: Cactus
4. Washington- In Tyrone Willingham's final season, Washington hit rock bottom with an 0-12
record. It was obviously time for change, and Washington made a great hire by bringing in USC
offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. In his first year, 2009, the Huskies improved to 5-7.
Quarterback Jake Locker could have been the number one overall draft pick, but he elected to
stay in school for one more season. It paid off, as he guided the Huskies to their first bowl
game since 2002. That 2010 season signaled the return of Washington football. They followed
that up with two more 7-6 seasons in 2011 and 2012 and then improved to 9-4 in 2013.
Heading into last season, Washington lost a lot of offensive playmakers and also had to replace
Sarkisian, who left for USC. Former Boise State head coach Chris Peterson was selected as
Sark's replacement. He overcame the inexperienced roster to lead Washington to an 8-6 finish.
Things won't get much easier in year two, as only ten starters return. The Huskies have become
a bowl shoe-in, but they will have to fight to continue that trend this year.
In the Sarkisian era, Washington was centered around a high-octane offense that could
hang 40 points on any given day. Not only did Sarkisian leave last year, but so did quarterback
Keith Price and running back Bishop Sankey. The offense averaged more than a touchdown less
per game as a result, but they remained respectable and still scored over 30 points per game.
Cyler Miles had a solid season as Keith Prices replacement. Hopes were high for him in his
second year as a starter before a lingering hip injury caused him to retire from football. Now,
for the second year in a row, the Huskies must break in a new starter at the most important
position on the field. Jeff Lindquist will be called upon to lead the offense. While he should
have a decent year, he probably wont match what Miles could have accomplished. Luckily,
both running backs return. Dwayne Washington will carry the bulk of the load and Lavon
Coleman will provide a reliable second option. Between those two, Washington should have
one of the conferences most productive rushing attacks. One weakness of the 2014 offense
was the receiving corps. Jaydon Mickens was the only receiver who eclipsed 400 yards.
Washington will rely heavily on their running game. When the dust settles, the Huskies will be
a slightly below-average Pac-12 offense.
Last year, all of Washingtons stars were on the defensive side of the ball. Three Husky
defenders made the All-Pac-12 First Team: nose tackle Danny Shelton and linebackers Hau'oli
Kikaha and Shaq Thompson. All three leave, as does tackles leader John Timu and sack
specialist Andrew Hudson. Those five contributed to one of the best front sevens in all of
America. Because of them, Washington ranked 20th nationally in rush defense. Their
departures will be very difficult to overcome. The secondary, led by Budda Baker, now
becomes the strength of the defense. Due to all the losses up front, the Huskies will probably
slip from one of the conferences best defenses to one of its worst. They wont be able to hold
up against the elite Pac-12 offenses, and they dont have the offensive firepower to win many
shootouts. Washington will find themselves in a fight to keep their bowl streak alive.
Pac-12 North
OREGON STATE BEAVERS
Head Coach: Gary Andersen

(1st season)
Stadium: Reser Stadium
Location: Corvallis, OR
RB Storm Barrs-Woods
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Seth Collins
Storm Barrs-Woods
Jordan Villaminore
Hunter Jarmon
Victor Bolden
Caleb Smith
Josh Mitchell
Isaac Seumalo
Fred Lauina
Dustin Stanton
Sean Harlow
Garret Owens
Chris Brown
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Jaswha James
Jalen Grimble
Lavonte Barnett
Luke Hollingsworth
Caleb Saulo
Rommel Mageo
Darrell Songy
Dwayne Williams
Larry Scott
Justin Strong
Cyril Noland-Lewis
Mitch Seeley
Rahmel Dockery
SCHEDULE
Date
9/4 (Fri)
9/12
9/19
9/25 (Fri)
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/27 (Fri)
Opponent
Weber State
@Michigan
San Jose State
Stanford
@Arizona
@Washington State
Colorado
@Utah
UCLA
@California
Washington
@Oregon
Big Game: Of all the teams ranked above the Beavers in the Pac-12 North, California is the
easiest to beat because of their poor defensive play. If Oregon States defense can step up and
suppress Cals high powered offense a little, they will have a chance. A win here would
probably keep the Beavers bowl hopes alive with two games to go.
5. Oregon State- Since the turn of the century, Oregon State has been very difficult to predict.
They string a few promising seasons together that make it seem like they are on the brink of
contending for the Pac-12 title, and then they follow it up with a losing season. Despite leading
the Beavers to six 8+ win seasons in twelve years, Mike Riley was fired after a 5-7 campaign in
2014. The teams inconsistency and inability to get over the hump ultimately caught up with
him. During the offseason, Gary Andersen surprised a lot of people by leaving a stable situation
at Wisconsin to become Oregon States new head coach. He steps into a much tougher division
and now must compete with in-state rival Oregon. Before he can worry about Oregon, though,
Andersen must focus on lifting the Beavers out of the pile of mediocre teams at the bottom of
the North division. In order to become competitive once again, OSU needs to overcome the
loss of a majority of their 2014 defense. Only two starters return on that side of the ball, which
puts them at a disadvantage in this offense-heavy conference. Gary Andersen will likely wind
up succeeding in Corvallis, but the road wont be smooth. Oregon State will probably suffer
through another losing season before they can begin their ascension.
Expectations were high for Oregon States offense last season as they returned Sean
Mannion for his fourth year as the starting quarterback. Mannion had a solid senior season,
but he fell short of the high standard he had set for himself. He threw for 1,500 fewer yards
and 22 fewer touchdowns than in 2013, and Oregon States offense slipped as a result. They
averaged just 25.7 points per game, which is far below the Pac-12s average. Despite
underachieving as a senior, Mannion was selected in the third round of this springs NFL Draft.
The Beavers now find themselves in a completely different situation than they did last year as
they must break in a new quarterback. Seth Collins, a true freshman, appears to be in the
drivers seat to win the job. He will rely heavily on the more experienced playmakers around
him. Nine of the eleven starters from last season return, including the entire offensive line.
Victor Bolden and Jordan Villamin look to emerge as more dangerous weapons on the outside
after leading the team in receiving in 2014. The running game will garner more attention as
Collins gets adjusted to the college game. Storm Barrs-Woods is a veteran back who provides
consistency but doesnt have an incredibly high ceiling. Oregon State needs this offense to be
explosive considering the inexperienced defense, but they lack the firepower to carry the team.
Oregon State struggled defensively last year, surrendering north of 30 points per game.
Things only get worse this year due to the loss of almost all the starters. Only two starters from
the 2014 defense return. The strength of this years group is the secondary. Cornerback Larry
Scott led the team with 11 pass breakups last season and is the most experienced defender.
Strong safety Justin Strong should emerge as a solid all-around playmaker. Defensive end
Lavonte Barnett leads the front seven after tying for the team lead in sacks with 4.5 in 2014.
The defense will likely slip some due to the inexperience, and the offense wont help. Oregon
State will be lucky to match last years five wins.
Pac-12 North
WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
Head Coach: Mike Leach (4th

season)
Stadium: Martin Stadium
Location: Pullman, WA
QB Luke Falk
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
WR
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Luke Falk
Gerald Wicks
Dom Williams
River Cracraft
Robert Lewis
Gabe Marks
Riley Sorenson
Eduardo Middleton
Gunnar Eklund
Cole Madison
Joe Dahl
Quentin Breshears
River Cracraft
DE
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Darryl Paulo
Daniel Ekuale
Destiny Vaeao
Kache Palacio
Peyton Pelluer
Jeremiah Allison
Darius Lemora
Marcellus Pippins
Charleston White
Taylor Taliulu
Isaac Dotson
Wes Concepcion
River Cracraft
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/27 (Fri)
Opponent
Portland State
@Rutgers
Wyoming
@California
@Oregon
Oregon State
@Arizona
Stanford
Arizona State
@UCLA
Colorado
@Washington
Big Game: Washington State gets a good draw for their first Pac-12 game. If there is one team
in this division that they can beat, it would be California. The Cougars lost a 60-59 thriller in
against Cal last season. This game has the potential to be just as exciting. Washington State is
geared toward shootouts, and this gives them a chance to start the season on the right foot.
6. Washington State- Since 2004, Washington State has reached just one bowl game, becoming
a doormat of the Pac-12 conference. Many people thought Mike Leach could turn the program
around when he was hired in 2012. He had done a great job at Texas Tech and quickly
established the same Air Raid offense at WSU. In 2013, he did manage to guide the Cougars to
their first bowl game in a decade, but they lost and finished the year with a 6-7 record. They
returned quarterback Connor Halliday last season and were expected to improve once again.
However, their lack of defense cost them and they slipped to 3-9. Now, the pressure on Leach
is higher than ever as he enters year four. Fans were expecting a quick turnaround, and they
havent gotten any results to this point. The future doesnt look bright because its tough to
win many games without a functional defense. Five wins is probably the ceiling for this team.
The 2014 Washington State football team was a perfect example of how statistics can
be deceiving. Most people would probably be surprised to hear that the Cougars ranked
number one in the country in passing offense and sixth in total offense. However, their 31.8
points per game ranked 48th. Connor Halliday threw the ball over 500 times, compiling 3,873
yards and 32 touchdowns. However, his 11 interceptions hurt the Cougars at times. Now,
Washington State must find a way to adjust to life without Halliday, who was the quarterback
for Mike Leachs first three seasons. Luckily, the Air Raid offense is known to produce many
good statistical quarterbacks because it puts so much emphasis on the passing game. Luke Falk
looked good in the spring and appears to have solidified the starting role. He will probably
come close to Hallidays numbers despite his inexperience. Another beneficiary of Leachs
offense is the receiving corps. All the receivers have the opportunity to put up big numbers. In
the spring game, Dom Williams separated himself as the clear favorite target of Luke Falk. River
Cracraft will serve as the number two option after a productive 2014 campaign. The offensive
line returns intact, which will help by giving Falk more time to pass. WSU will probably rank
right near the top of most statistical passing categories once again. However, their offense
struggles with balance because Leach puts very little focus on the running game. Their top
returning rusher, Gerald Wicks, posted only 234 yards on 62 carries last year. Until the Cougars
can find a way to balance their offense, they wont be able to translate their statistical
accomplishments into success on the scoreboard.
Another huge problem Washington State has is defense. This team is geared toward
winning a bunch of shootouts. Unfortunately, their offense isnt good enough to do that week
in and week out. The defense will need to step up if the Cougars want any chance at making a
bowl game. Their strength is against the run, which is a factor of a decent front seven. Kache
Palacio, an outside linebacker in this 3-4 defense, has a knack for getting to the quarterback.
The secondary was atrocious last season, getting lit up every week. That wont change this
year, especially because of the Pac-12 good passing offenses. Washington State will continue
to be haunted by poor defensive play and an unbalanced offensive system.
Big Ten
The Big Ten Conference has always stood as one of the premiere conferences in college
football. Beginning around 2006, though, their prowess began to fade. Ohio State was
throttled in consecutive BCS Championship Games, and fellow powerhouse Michigan entered
their darkest stretch since before the Schembechler era. The Big Ten struggled mightily in bowl
games and was constantly embarrassed in nonconference play. They lacked the speed and
talent to compete with the SEC and other elite teams. Their physical, ground-and-pound style
was clearly outdated in a system that focused so much on style points. As recently as a few
years ago, many questioned whether the conference would ever be able to reclaim their
previous status.
Enter Urban Meyer, Mark Dantonio, James Franklin, and Jim Harbaugh. Within a few short
years, the Big Ten has rebounded thanks to an influx of elite coaches. It took Urban Meyer just
three seasons to win a national championship at Ohio State. Mark Dantonio has turned
Michigan State into a powerhouse, guiding them to four 11-win seasons in five years. After
seven years of dominance over their in-state rivals, the Spartans will finally have to worry about
Michigan again. The Wolverines made the biggest splash of the offseason by hiring Jim
Harbaugh. The former Michigan quarterback turned Stanford and the San Francisco 49ers into
instant contenders, and theres no reason why he cant to the same in Ann Arbor. Penn State
also has an elite coach in James Franklin. With those four coaches all in the East division, the
power of the conference seems a little unbalanced. However, Wisconsin always fields a very
good team and that should continue. Behind them in the West are Nebraska, Iowa, and
Minnesota, who is on the rise. The Big Ten is picking up momentum by the minute and appears
ready to reclaim their position as one of college footballs elite conferences.
East
West
1. Ohio State
1. Wisconsin
2. Michigan State
2. Nebraska
3. Michigan
3. Iowa
4. Penn State
4. Minnesota
5. Maryland
5. Northwestern
6. Rutgers
6. Illinois
7. Indiana
7. Purdue
Projected Conference Champion: Ohio State
Big Ten East
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
Head Coach: Urban Meyer

(4th season)
2014 Results: 14-1, 1st in Big
Ten East, Big Ten Champions,
won National Championship
Stadium: Ohio Stadium
Location: Columbus, OH
QB J.T. Barrett
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB J.T. Barrett
RB Ezekiel Elliott
WR Braxton Miller
WR Michael Thomas
WR Jalin Marshall
TE
Nick Vannett
C
Jacoby Boren
RG Pat Elflein
LG
Billy Price
RT
Chase Farris
LT
Taylor Decker
K
Sean Nuernberger
KR Dontre Wilson
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Joey Bosa
Adolphus Washington
Tommy Schutt
Tyquan Lewis
Joshua Perry
Raekwon McMillan
Darron Lee
Eli Apple
Gareon Conley
Vonn Bell
Tyvis Powell
Cameron Johnston
Jalin Marshall
SCHEDULE
Date
9/7 (Mon)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
@Virginia Tech
Hawaii
Northern Illinois
Western Michigan
@Indiana
Maryland
Penn State
@Rutgers
Minnesota
@Illinois
Michigan State
@Michigan
Big Game: Michigan may have a new head coach, but Ohio States game against MSU the week
before holds greater weight. This has turned into a big rivalry itself now that these two are the
Big Tens heavyweights. The Spartans beat OSU in the conference title game in 2013, but the
Buckeyes responded with a big win in East Lansing last year that propelled them to the playoff.
Bowl Prediction: Orange (Playoff)
1. Ohio State- Despite only winning one national championship, Ohio State was one of the most
consistently dominant teams of the BCS era. They reached ten BCS bowl games in sixteen
seasons, finishing in the Top 5 nine times. However, they may have accomplished more in one
year of the playoff era than they did in the previous sixteen seasons. After sneaking into the
playoff as a four seed, the Buckeyes pulled the upset over top-seeded Alabama and then ran
through Oregon to win the inaugural CFP National Championship. Urban Meyer has crafted
Ohio State into a well-oiled machine capable of becoming a dynasty. The Buckeyes are loaded
with talent at every important position, making them the clear favorite to repeat as national
champs. The road back to the top wont be easy, but Ohio State should emerge unscathed.
Ohio States bid for the 2014 national title seemed over before it started when two-time
Big Ten OPOY Braxton Miller went down with a shoulder injury in fall camp, forcing redshirt
freshman JT Barrett to start at quarterback. Barrett performed wonderfully, however, guiding
the Buckeyes to an 11-1 record. Unfortunately, he suffered a fractured ankle in the finale
against Michigan. Then, third string quarterback Cardale Jones came in and guided the
Buckeyes to a 59-0 victory over Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game, earning them a spot in the
playoff. Jones played well in both the Sugar Bowl and the National Championship Game as
well. With all three returning, Ohio State has a very interesting quarterback competition.
Braxton Miller made the smart move to become a receiver and will be utilized much like Percy
Harvin was at Florida. His position change provides a whole new element to this offense and
leaves JT Barrett and Cardale Jones to battle for the starting quarterback job. In my opinion, JT
Barrett gives the Buckeyes the best chance to win, but they cant go wrong with either one.
Ohio State has a fourth legitimate Heisman contender in running back Ezekiel Elliott. After a
solid regular season, Elliott exploded in the final three games. He will be a huge factor no
matter what, but his role will increase if Jones is at quarterback. The Buckeyes also have plenty
of options at receiver, highlighted by top target Michael Thomas and star athlete Jalin Marshall.
The entire offense operates behind a strong, experienced offensive line unit. Any team who
holds this offense under 40 points can consider it a successful day.
In addition to their great offense, Ohio State also boasts a smothering defense. They
have multiple All-American candidates at every level and plenty of depth to back those guys up.
Defensive end Joey Bosa is an absolute menace as an outside pass rusher. Defensive tackle
Adolphus Washington anchors the middle of the line. The front four can pressure the
quarterback as well as stuff the running game. Behind them is an elite linebacking corps with
plenty of speed. Joshua Perry and Darron Lee are both dangerous open field tacklers. The
front seven is among the nations best, as is the secondary. Eli Apple played well down the
stretch last year and looks to take the next step as a shutdown corner. Safeties Vonn Bell and
Tyvis Powell, who combined for ten picks in 2014, form Americas best safety combo. There is
no real weakness on this team, which is why they are my top-ranked team.
Big Ten East
MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
Head Coach: Mark Dantonio

(9th season)
2014 Results: 11-2, 2nd in Big
Ten East, won Cotton Bowl
Stadium: Spartan Stadium
Location: East Lansing, MI
QB Connor Cook
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Connor Cook
Madre London
Aaron Burbridge
Monty Madaris
R.J. Shelton
Josiah Price
Jack Allen
Donavon Clark
Brian Allen
Kodi Kieler
Jack Conklin
Kevin Cronin
R.J. Shelton
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Shilique Calhoun
Joel Heath
Malik McDowell
Lawrence Thomas
Darien Harris
Riley Bullough
Ed Davis
Darian Hicks
Demetrious Cox
Montae Nicholson
R.J. Williamson
Jake Hartbarger
Andre Sims Jr.
SCHEDULE
Date
9/4 (Fri)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
@Western Michigan
Oregon
Air Force
Central Michigan
Purdue
@Rutgers
@Michigan
Indiana
@Nebraska
Maryland
@Ohio State
Penn State
Big Game: Michigan State has two massive games on their schedule, with the other one being
the home opener against Oregon. The Spartans can afford to lose that one if they beat the
Buckeyes in the Horseshoe. They have beaten Meyers bunch in the past, but Ohio State won
handily last season. This game will be for a spot in the playoff.
Bowl Prediction: Rose (New Years Six)
2. Michigan State- In the seven years leading up to Mark Dantonios arrival in East Lansing, the
Spartans had been to just two bowl games. Dantonio changed that immediately, taking his first
team to a bowl game with a 7-6 record. They jumped to 9-4 in year two before falling to 6-7
the next season. The real turnaround began in 2010, when the Spartans leaped to 11-2. They
havent looked back since, winning at least 11 games in four of the past five seasons. Not only
have they solidified their position as a Big Ten powerhouse, but people are beginning to take
notice on the national level. MSU beat Stanford in the Rose Bowl following the 2013 season
and then knocked off Baylor in last years Cotton Bowl. They will open the season ranked in the
Top 10 for the second straight time. The Spartans lose some key players, but they have shown
the ability to replace high draft picks and maintain success. A bigger concern is whether or not
the loss of defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi will have a large impact on the defense.
Assuming they can overcome his departure, MSU will be in the thick of the playoff discussion.
When Michigan State won the Rose Bowl in 2013, their offense was good but their
dominant defense carried a bulk of the load. The offense took a huge leap last season. They
averaged 43 points per game, which was nearly two touchdowns more than the year before.
Connor Cook emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in America, and he enters this year as a
Heisman Trophy candidate. Cook will play an even larger role in the offense due to the loss of
running back Jeremy Langford. As a senior in 2014, Langford rushed for over 1,500 yards and
scored 22 touchdowns. Number two back Nick Hill also departs, leaving a glaring hole in the
backfield. Delton Williams steps into the starting role with some big shoes to fill. He has the
talent to put together a nice season, but he won't match Langford's production. There is also
inexperience at receiver, as top wideouts Tony Lippett and Keith Mumphery move on. Tight
end Josiah Price, Connor Cooks security blanket, does return, and Cook will elevate the rest of
the receiving corps. The offensive line ranks among the best in the Big Ten, as Jack Allen and
Jack Conklin both make one of my preseason All-American teams. Led by Connor Cook and a
dangerous passing game, Michigan States offense will be very good once again.
During the past several seasons, Michigan States forte has been their defense. Last
year they slipped a bit after losing some key players, but they remained among the nations
best. Now, they must replace defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, the 2013 Broyles Award
winner, who left to become Pitts head coach. They also must replace three All-Big Ten
performers: free safety Kurtis Drummond, cornerback Trae Waynes, and linebacker Taiwan
Jones. Defensive end Marcus Rush also moves on after piling up 7.5 sacks last year. Luckily,
plenty of key pieces do return, highlighted by defensive end Shilique Calhoun and outside
linebacker Ed Davis. RJ Williamson moves to free safety and will anchor the secondary.
Michigan States defense will still rank near the top of the Big Ten, but they are no longer an
elite unit. The focus shifts to the offense, which boasts a top-tier quarterback in Connor Cook.
Coming off back-to-back Top 5 finishes, the Spartans are legitimate playoff contenders.
Big Ten East
MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh

(1st season)
2014 Results: 5-7, 5th in Big
Ten East
Stadium: Michigan Stadium
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
FS Jabrill Peppers
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Jake Rudock
Drake Johnson
Amara Darboh
Jehu Chesson
Freddy Canteen
Jake Butt
Graham Glasgow
Kyle Kalis
Ben Braden
Erik Magnuson
Mason Cole
Andrew David
Freddy Canteen
DE
NT
DE
OLB
ILB
ILB
OLB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Taco Charlton
Ryan Glasgow
Mario Ojemudia
Royce Jenkins-Stone
Desmond Morgan
Joe Bolden
James Ross III
Jourdan Lewis
Wayne Lyons
Jarrod Wilson
Jabrill Peppers
Blake O'Neill
Jabrill Peppers
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
@Utah
Oregon State
UNLV
BYU
@Maryland
Northwestern
Michigan State
@Minnesota
Rutgers
@Indiana
@Penn State
Ohio State
Big Game: Expectations are through the roof for Jim Harbaugh, who will be excited to get his
team on the field after an eventful offseason. If the Wolverines go out to Salt Lake City and
beat the Utes, they will gain more momentum. It could go the other way too, though, as a loss
would be deflating. The opener will give fans a good idea of how Michigan will fare in 2015.
Bowl Prediction: Outback
3. Michigan- Throughout Michigans coaching search this past winter, Wolverine fans it clear
that the only acceptable replacement for Brady Hoke would be Jim Harbaugh. They got their
wish, as Harbaugh surprised many people by returning to the college game. He has been
successful at every stop so far, leading most people to believe that he will quickly turn his alma
mater back into a Big Ten powerhouse. During the past seven years, Michigan has endured an
unprecedented three losing seasons. They have fallen far behind rivals Ohio State and
Michigan State and havent won a conference title in over a decade. Even though Brady Hoke
struggled to develop players, he did a nice job recruiting and leaves the new staff with a
talented roster. Harbaugh will immediately craft these players into a respectable team. It may
be a few years before Michigan is a legitimate Big Ten power, but they will have no trouble
getting back on track with a bowl appearance this season.
Under Brady Hoke, offense was Michigans Achilles heel. Their offensive line struggled
to provide protection for quarterback Devin Gardner or open up lanes for the running backs. As
a result of being hurried so often, Gardner made many poor decisions that resulted in costly
turnovers. To replace Gardner, Harbaugh brought in Jake Rudock, a graduate transfer from
Iowa, to fill that need. Rudock is a solid signal-caller who should make strides under Harbaughs
tutelage. In order for Rudock to be successful, though, he needs some help from the offensive
line. Four of the starters from last year return, giving them crucial experience. They will also
benefit from the instruction of offensive coordinator and O-line specialist Tim Drevno. Their
improvement will also help the running game. Drake Johnson looked great down the stretch
last fall before suffering an ACL tear in the Ohio State game. He will take over the starting role
and excel if he can get healthy. Otherwise, the Wolverines will use a committee system headed
by Ty Isaac. As far as receivers go, top target Devin Funchess leaves but the other key guys
return. Amara Darboh is now the number one receiver, and Jake Butt will make a big impact
from the tight end position. After two brutal offensive campaigns, Michigans offense will
improve tremendously in Harbaughs first season.
While the offense struggled, the defense managed to keep most games close. Greg
Mattison coordinated a unit that ranked in the Top 15 in total defense the past two seasons.
Former Florida defensive coordinator DJ Durkin assumes the DC position at Michigan this year,
but Mattison remains on the staff as the D-line coach. The Wolverine defense may actually
improve despite the losses of linebacker Jake Ryan, cornerback Blake Countess, and defensive
end Frank Clark. Most of the other key pieces return, and the Wolverines get a healthy Jabrill
Peppers. The defensive back will be a monster as he lines up at various positions throughout
the secondary. The linebacking corps is the strength of the defense. Joe Bolden and Desmond
Morgan lead a group with plenty of experience. Their weakness is the line, which must find a
way to apply pressure without blitzing. The rest of the defense is very strong, though. The
Wolverines should cruise to eight wins, and they will compete with the top Big Ten teams.
Big Ten East
PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS
Head Coach: James Franklin

(2nd season)
Ten East, won Pinstripe Bowl
Stadium: Beaver Stadium
Location: University Park, PA
DT Anthony Zettel
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Christian Hackenberg
Akeel Lynch
DaeSean Hamilton
Geno Lewis
Gregg Garrity
Kyle Carter
Angelo Mangiro
Brian Gaia
Brendan Mahon
Andrew Nelson
Paris Palmer
Joey Julius
Grant Haley
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Garrett Sickels
Anthony Zettel
Austin Johnson
Carl Nassib
Jason Cabinda
Nyeem Wartman
Brandon Bell
Grant Haley
Trevor Williams
Marcus Allen
Jordan Lucas
Daniel Pasquariello
DeAndre Thompkins
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
@Temple
Buffalo
Rutgers
San Diego State
Army
Indiana
@Ohio State
@Maryland
Illinois
@Northwestern
Michigan
@Michigan State
Big Game: Penn State lost an ugly 18-13 night game against Michigan last year in which a total
of two touchdowns were scored. The Wolverine offense will be much better by the time these
two meet in late November. This is one of three games where Penn State wont be favored this
year. A win at home could propel the Nittany Lions to a ten win season.
Bowl Prediction: TaxSlayer
4. Penn State- When the NCAA handed down their unprecedented sanctions against Penn State
for the Jerry Sandusky scandal in 2012, some believed that they would never rebound. Bill
OBrien pulled his team together and guided them through the storm to consecutive winning
seasons. When OBrien left for the NFL after the 2013 season, Penn State made a great hire in
James Franklin, who had coached Vanderbilt to back-to-back 9-4 records. The bowl ban was
also lifted last year, giving fans hope that the Nittany Lions would rise back to Big Ten
contention. Surprisingly, they actually dropped to 6-6. The offense took a huge step back,
including quarterback Christian Hackenberg, who had been listed on some preseason Heisman
lists. Their struggles can probably be attributed to the adjustment to the new staff, so the
Nittany Lions should improve in year two. The division is tough, but Penn State avoids the top
four teams from the West. Nine wins is a realistic expectation for this bunch.
Heading into last season, expectations were through the roof for this offense. Christian
Hackenberg was coming off a promising freshman season, and the Lions featured three proven
running backs. Hackenberg suffered through an atrocious sophomore slump. He passed for
fewer than 3,000 yards and his 15 interceptions overshadowed a miniscule 12 touchdown
passes. Much like Michigan, the offenses struggles can be attributed in large part to poor
offensive line play. Until they improve, Hackenberg and the rest of the offense wont be able to
reach their full potential. However, this year cant go any worse for Hackenberg, who I expect
to rebound with a respectable junior season. His top two receivers, DaeSean Hamilton and
Geno Lewis, both return and will put up solid numbers. Like Hackenberg, the running backs
paid the price for the bad offensive line play. Akeel Lynch and Bill Belton split carries, and both
had mediocre production. Belton leaves, but Lynch is back and will see his touches increase.
He could accumulate 1,000 yards by the end of the year. After a terrible 2014 output, Penn
States offense can only improve. They will return to a respectable level in 2015.
As the offense limped along last year, Penn States defense put the team on their back
and saved the season. They ranked second nationally in total defense, stifling opponents to just
18.6 points per game. Because of excellent defensive performances, the Nittany Lions were
able to win seven games despite only topping 30 points on two occasions. They played very
well as a unit, but some individuals stood out as well. Mike Hull anchored the defense from the
middle linebacker position, making plays all over the field. Hull racked up a Big Ten high 140
tackles, earning him first team All-Big Ten honors. His departure forces Nyeem Wartman to
slide over to middle linebacker. He finished second on the team in tackles last year and should
make Hulls loss less painful. Also, Anthony Zettel, another All-Conference selection, does
return. The star defensive tackle is a force in the middle of the line, leading a suffocating run
defense. The pass defense was also very good last year and should remain among the Big Tens
best. Penn State may not be able to duplicate their incredible defensive play from last season,
but they will come close. Improved offensive play will lead them to a better record.
Big Ten East
MARYLAND TERRAPINS
Head Coach: Randy Edsall

(5th season)
2014 Results: 7-6, 3rd in Big
Ten East, lost Foster Farms
Bowl
Stadium: Byrd Stadium
Location: College Park, MD
CB William Likely
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Caleb Rowe
Brandon Ross
Juwann Winfree
Levern Jacobs
Marcus Leak
Andrew Isaacs
Evan Mulrooney
Andrew Zeller
Michael Dunn
Derwin Gray
JaJuan Dulaney
Brad Craddock
William Likely
DE
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
S
S
P
PR
Quinton Jefferson
David Shaw
Roman Braglio
Cavon Walker
Jermaine Carter Jr.
Abner Logan
Yannick Ngakoue
William Likely
Alvin Hill
Sean Davis
Anthony Nixon
Lee Shrader
William Likely
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Richmond
Bowling Green
USF
@West Virginia
Michigan
@Ohio State
Penn State (Baltimore)
@Iowa
Wisconsin
@Michigan State
Indiana
@Rutgers
Big Game: Maryland will probably be on the bubble to make a bowl game, so they will need to
steal a win or two to get over the hump. This cross-division trip to Kinnick Stadium will be a
tough challenge for the Terrapins, but it is a winnable game. It may be the turning point for
Maryland's season, and a win would give them momentum heading into the final month.
Bowl Prediction: Quick Lane
5. Maryland- During their last ten years in the ACC, Maryland was a mediocre football team.
They reached five bowl games during that span, never eclipsing nine wins. Last season, they
moved over to the Big Ten, which features a similar talent distribution. The Terps won seven
games and finished third in the East division, a respectable output for their first year in the
conference. Unfortunately, they lose more than half of their starting lineup from 2014. Only
ten starters return, making the quest for a third straight bowl game seem daunting. Luckily,
Indiana and Rutgers also lose many key pieces from last year. With Michigan and Penn State on
the rise, it is difficult to envision a scenario in which Maryland repeats as the third place team in
this division. Their inexperience will also hurt them, especially early in the season. Maryland
should be able to get back to the postseason, but they are far from a lock.
Heading into last fall, Maryland's offense appeared to be in good shape as they returned
quarterback CJ Brown and some other weapons. Brown was expected to build upon a decent
junior season and have a strong senior campaign. As the season progressed, however, it
became apparent that he would not take that next step. If anything he got worse, as he tossed
ten picks compared to just 13 touchdowns. Now that Brown is gone, the Terrapins break in
Caleb Rowe as the new starter. He may not have special talent, but he should mange to at least
match Brown's production the past couple of years. The bigger loss is wide receiver Stefon
Diggs. The speedy wide receiver was a dangerous playmaker on offense and in the return
game. His departure forces Maryland to search for a new number one option. Talent like his
are hard to come by, so the offense will probably struggle to find a sparkplug this fall. The top
returning receiver is Marcus Leak, who amassed just 297 yards last year. The receiving corps is
by far the biggest problem this offense has. They have two solid running back options in
Brandon Ross and Wes Brown, both of whom will receive a fair share of touches. The offensive
line should be solid as three starters return. They may have to ride the ground game early in
the season as the passing game slowly develops. I have a hard time seeing Maryland matching
their 28.5 points per game average from last season.
Maryland's offense was decent in 2014, but their defense performed below average. In
fact, despite posting a winning record, the Terps surrendered more points per game (30.2) than
they scored. They were touched up for more than fifty points on two occasions. Now, they
must replace the seven defensive starters that are missing from that team. The strength of the
defense is the secondary, which returns three starters. Cornerback William Likely, who also
returns punts and kickoffs, looks to build on an excellent 2014 campaign in which he snagged
six interceptions. Safety Sean Davis hopes to avoid a sophomore slump after racking up 115
tackles as a freshman. In the front seven, the leader is outside linebacker Yannick Ngakoue.
The outside linebacker accumulated six sacks last fall. Outside of those guys, though,
Maryland's defense is a giant question mark. If it weren't for similar questions as Indiana and
Rutgers, Maryland would slip to the bottom of the Big Ten East.
Big Ten East
RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS
Head Coach: Kyle Flood (4th

season)
2014 Results: 8-5, 4th in Big Ten
East, won Quick Lane Bowl
Stadium: High Point Solutions
Stadium
Location: Piscataway, NJ
WR Leonte Carroo
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
FB
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Chris Laviano
Paul James
Sam Bergen
Leonte Carroo
Andre Patton
Nick Arcidiacono
Derrick Nelson
Chris Muller
Dorian Miller
J.J. Denman
Keith Lumpkin
Kyle Federico
Janarion Grant
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Kemoko Turay
Sebastian Joseph
Darius Hamilton
Djwany Mera
Steve Longa
Kaiwan Lewis
Quentin Gause
Nadir Barnwell
Anthony Cioffi
Davon Jacobs
Delon Stephenson
Tim Gleeson
Janarion Grant
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Norfolk State
Washington State
@Penn State
Kansas
Michigan State
@Indiana
Ohio State
@Wisconsin
@Michigan
Nebraska
@Army
Maryland
Big Game: Rutgers' bowl hopes will probably hinge on the finale against Maryland. They play
an easy nonconference schedule that should allow them to enter this game at 5-6. The Scarlet
Knights won in College Park last season in a close contest. The 2015 matchup will probably
determine which one of these two will return to the postseason.
6. Rutgers- In the past ten years, Rutgers has evolved from a perennial loser into an annual
bowl shoe-in. Greg Schiano turned the Scarlet Knights into a respectable Big East program.
Kyle Flood kept the ball rolling after Schiano was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012.
Flood guided the program into a new conference last season. Rutgers went 8-5 in their
inaugural Big Ten season, silencing assumptions that they would crumble in the face of tougher
competition. Now, they face a new problem in year two in the Big Ten. They must overcome a
lack of experience that plagues them on both sides of the ball. Time and again, people have
doubted this program's sustainability based on a lack of talent. Every time, Rutgers has
responded with another winning season. Thanks to an easy nonconference schedule, the
Scarlet Knights should put themselves in position to have a shot at a bowl berth.
In every way, Rutgers' 2014 offense can be classified as average. They were by no
means a dangerous offense, but they were also far from a liability. Led by experienced
quarterback Gary Nova, the passing attack took center stage. Nova passed for nearly 3,000
yards while also racking up 22 touchdowns. He showed good command of the offense, which
can be attributed to all the time he spent at Rutgers. This year, Rutgers must break in a
completely new starter for the first time since 2010. That is a huge negative factor going
against this unit. Anytime a three-time starting quarterback leaves, it spells trouble for the
offense. They may be forced to rely more heavily on the running game. Rutgers has plenty of
options in the backfield, so that transition should be manageable. The offensive line loses three
starters, which will be a problem early in the year until the new guys gel. The receiving corps is
in good shape, though, as top wideout Leonte Carroo returns. Carroo racked up over 1,000
receiving yards and hauled in ten touchdown passes last season. He provides a reliable option
for new quarterback Chris Laviano. The passing game will not match last year's production, but
it should still be functional. Rutgers' offense will be very average once again in 2015.
If the offense was average last year, than the defense was a little bit below average.
The same inexperience that plagues the offense affects the defense this season as well, as they
only return five starters on that side of the ball. However, those returners are spread evenly
throughout all three levels of the defense. Linebacker Steve Longa anchors the defense after
leading the team in tackles last season. The strength of the defense, however, is the line.
Defensive end Kemoko Turay and defensive tackle Darius Hamilton are both dangerous pass
rushers. Because most of the experience is in the front seven, the rush defense should be this
group's strength. The secondary's weakness will be exploited in conference play against some
of the nation's best quarterbacks. Overall, this defense will take a slight step back from last
season. Rutgers has quietly established themselves as a model of consistency in college
football. They have reached ten bowl games in the past eleven years. Their transition to the
Big Ten occurred seamlessly. This season, however, their inexperience will hurt them. I will call
for Rutgers to narrowly miss out on the postseason.
Big Ten East
INDIANA HOOSIERS
Head Coach: Kevin Wilson

(5th season)
Ten East
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Location: Bloomington, IN
QB Nate Sudfeld
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Nate Sudfeld
Jordan Howard
Simmie Cobbs
J-Shun Harris II
Ricky Jones
Anthony Corsaro
Jake Reed
Dan Feeney
Jacob Bailey
Ralston Evans
Jason Spriggs
Griffin Oakes
J-Shun Harris II
DE
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Nick Mangieri
Nate Hoff
Darius Latham
Zack Shaw
T.J. Simmons
Marcus Oliver
Tegray Scales
Rashard Fant
Noel Padmore
Chase Dutra
Tony Fields
Erich Toth
J-Shun Harris II
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Southern Illinois
FIU
Western Kentucky
@Wake Forest
Ohio State
@Penn State
Rutgers
@Michigan State
Iowa
Michigan
@Maryland
@Purdue
Big Game: After a disappointing 2014 season, Indiana needs to get off to a fast start in Big Ten
play. They lost a tough 13-7 contest with the Nittany Lions last fall, so an upset win this year
wouldn't be a complete shock. Penn State's physical defense will test Indiana's offense. Also, if
Indiana wants any shot at a bowl berth, they will need to win at least one tough game.
7. Indiana- For most of their existence, Indiana has a been a bottom feeder in the Big Ten
conference. That has continued into recent history, as the Hoosiers have reached just one bowl
game in the past 21 years. When Kevin Wilson accepted the head coaching position in 2011, he
inherited a very tough situation. Indiana went 1-11 in his first season, but he appeared to have
the program on the right track after compiling a 4-8 record in 2012. They improved again in
2013, winning five games. The stars seemed aligned for Indiana to finally return to the
postseason last year. They returned quarterback Nate Sudfeld and immensely-talented running
back Tevin Coleman, making the offense look like it could be special. While Coleman had a
great individual season, the team struggled to meet the relatively high expectations. They fell
to 4-8, managing just one Big Ten win. It marked the fourth straight losing season for Kevin
Wilson, whose seat is as hot as ever. He feels the pressure to win immediately. That is made
difficult by the loss of many starters from last season, including Tevin Coleman. Indiana has lost
all the momentum they gained during Wilson's first three seasons. They are right back at the
bottom of the Big Ten East, and their bowl chances seem like a long shot.
In 2013, Indiana's offense was evenly balanced between the passing and rushing games.
Quarterback Nate Sudfeld had a solid season, while running back Tevin Coleman showed some
promise as he fell just short of 1,000 yards. Both Sudfeld and Coleman returned last season, so
most people assumed that the offense would function similarly to the year before. Nobody,
however, could have foreseen the leap that Tevin Coleman would make. He exploded into the
national spotlight with an incredible junior season. After rushing for 2,036 yards and 15
touchdowns, Coleman was named a first team All-American and finished seventh in the
Heisman voting. Indiana realized that they had a special player and began using him more. As
a result, Sudfeld's passing numbers took a hit. Coleman left for the NFL this offseason, but
Sudfeld returns for his third year as the starter. The offense will probably become more
balanced now that they can't lean on a single player. The receivers will benefit from this
offensive shift as well. J-Shun Harris II, the top returning receiver, should see his targets
skyrocket as he becomes the feature weapon in the offense. Kevin Wilson has built Indiana on
offense, but they were actually a below-average Big Ten unit last season. Given the departure
of Tevin Coleman, Indiana's offensive production will likely slip again in 2015.
Throughout Kevin Wilson's tenure, defense has been Indiana's main Achilles heel. They
surrendered over 40 points in five different games last year, all of which were losses. The
chances that their performance will improve this season are very slim. The top players on this
defense are both young. Linebacker Tegray Scales is a versatile player who recorded three
interceptions as a freshman. Fellow sophomore Chase Dutra leads the secondary from the
strong safety position. For the most part, however, the defense lacks talent. That will continue
to plague Indiana, especially now that the offense loses their star. Indiana will likely maintain
their residence in the basement of the Big Ten East.
Big Ten West
WISCONSIN BADGERS
Head Coach: Paul Chryst (1st

season)
2014 Results: 11-3, 1st in Big
Ten West, won Outback Bowl
Stadium: Camp Randall
Stadium
Location: Madison, WI
RB Corey Clement
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
FB
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Joel Stave
Corey Clement
Derek Watt
Alex Erickson
Robert Wheelwright
Troy Fumagalli
Dan Voltz
Michael Deiter
Ray Ball
Hayden Beigel
Tyler Marz
Rafael Gaglianone
George Rushing
DE
NG
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Chikwe Obasih
Arthur Goldberg
Alec James
Joe Schobert
Leon Jacobs
T.J. Edwards
Vince Beigel
Sojourn Shelton
Darius Hillary
Michael Caputo
Tanner McEvoy
Drew Meyer
George Rushing
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Alabama (Arlington)
Miami (OH)
Troy
Hawaii
Iowa
@Nebraska
Purdue
@Illinois
Rutgers
@Maryland
Northwestern
@Minnesota
Big Game: Wisconsin and Nebraska finished first and second, respectively, in the Big Ten West
last season. They have developed an instant rivalry which figures to continue as both programs
break in new head coaches. Even though this game takes place in early October, it will likely
determine the champion of this division. Wisconsin won by 35 points in Madison last season.
Bowl Prediction: Citrus
1. Wisconsin- In an evolving age of college football, Wisconsin has found success by sticking to
old principles. Their physical, three yards and a cloud of dust mentality may not garner them
style points, but it produces wins. The Badgers have played in six Rose Bowl Games in the past
20 years, which is as many as Michigan and Ohio State combined. They have reached three of
the conference's first four championship games. Even more impressively, they have sustained
their success through three different coaching staffs. Barry Alvarez rebuilt the program after
years of dormancy. In 2006, he hand-picked Bret Bielema as his successor. Bielema led the
Badgers to three straight Rose Bowls in 2010, 2011, and 2012 before jumping ship for Arkansas.
Gary Andersen kept the program on the right track with 9-4 and 11-3 records the past two
seasons. He unexpectedly left to coach Oregon State during the offseason, leading to the hiring
of Paul Chryst. Chryst served as offensive coordinator under Bret Bielema and spent the past
three seasons as Pitt's head coach. He knows Wisconsin football like the back of his hand,
making him the perfect fit. Wisconsin seems like a near lock to return to the Big Ten title game.
Wisconsin's recent lineage of running backs may be the most impressive in college
football history. Melvin Gordon was a consensus All-American and finished second in the
Heisman voting last season. He led the nation in every significant rushing category, including
yards (2,587) and touchdowns (32). Based on the school's history, though, no one is worried
about his departure. Corey Clement rushed for 949 yards and nine touchdowns in a backup
role last year. Given more carries, Clement might approach Gordon's incredible numbers. He
looks like a legitimate Heisman contender heading into the season. A good portion of
Wisconsin's perennial success on the ground can be attributed to stellar offensive line play.
They only return two starters from last year's unit, though. Among the losses are first team AllBig Ten selections Kyle Costigan and Rob Havenstein. Due to their track record, however, it is
safe to assume that the Badger offensive line will rank among the Big Ten's best once again. In
addition to an elite rushing attack, Wisconsin also relies on a quarterback who can make
necessary throws and limit turnovers. They have struggled in that area the past two years, as
Joel Stave has struggled to hold onto the football. He should improve under the tutelage of
Paul Chryst. Overall, this offense will closely resemble the 2014 version.
In addition to their strong offense, Wisconsin also boasts a solid defense every year.
Other than the strange blowout loss against Ohio State, the Badgers' defense was consistently
stout throughout last season as well. Eight starters return from the 2014 defense, making them
the most experienced unit in the Big Ten. Wisconsin's linebacking corps is always strong. Vince
Beigel, a pass-rushing outside linebacker, leads that group. The secondary was also solid last
year, and everyone returns. Converted quarterback Tanner McEvoy looks to claim a starting
role at strong safety. This defense will be strong all around. Wisconsin has a huge advantage
playing in the Big Ten West. Other than the opener against Alabama, the Badgers will be heavy
favorites in all of their games. This team will push for a spot in a New Year's Six bowl game.
Big Ten West
NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
Head Coach: Mike Riley (1st

season)
2014 Results: 9-4, 2nd in Big
Ten West, lost Holiday Bowl
Location: Lincoln, NE
WR Demornay Pierson-El
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Tommy Armstrong Jr.
RB
Terrell Newby
WR Jamal Turner
WR Demornay Pierson-El
WR Jordan Westerkamp
TE
Cethan Carter
C
Ryne Reeves
RG Chongo Kondolo
LG
Dylan Utter
RT
Zach Sterup
LT
Alex Lewis
K
Drew Brown
KR Demornay Pierson-El
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
S
S
P
PR
Jack Gangwish
Vincent Valentine
Maliek Collins
Greg McMullen
David Santos
Josh Banderas
Michael Rose-Ivey
Jonathan Rose
Daniel Davie
Byerson Cockrell
Nathan Gerry
Sam Foltz
Demornay Pierson-El
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/27 (Fri)
Opponent
BYU
South Alabama
@Miami (FL)
Southern Miss
@Illinois
Wisconsin
@Minnesota
Northwestern
@Purdue
Michigan State
@Rutgers
Iowa
Big Game: Wisconsin is the big fish in the West division, so Nebraska will likely have to beat
them to get to the conference title game. They were destroyed by the Badgers in Madison last
season, giving them plenty of motivation this time around. By this point in the season,
Nebraska will have already played quality opponents in BYU and Miami to prepare them.
Bowl Prediction: Holiday
2. Nebraska- In 2008, Bo Pelini took over a Nebraska football team that was going through its
worst stretch in four decades. After a 35 year bowl streak from 1969 through 2003, the
Cornhuskers missed out on the postseason in two of Bill Callahan's four seasons. Pelini quickly
righted the ship, immediately leading the Huskers back to respectability. Most expected that
Pelini would have Nebraska back in the national championship discussion in no time.
Unfortunately, the team failed to improve from that first season. They strung together seven
straight four loss seasons, giving fans a taste of success without ever getting over the hump.
Pelini's personality also presented problems, and by the end of last season he had worn out his
welcome in Lincoln. Former Oregon State head coach Mike Riley now has the task of making
the Cornhuskers legitimate Big Ten contenders. They cannot afford to settle for mediocrity in a
quickly-improving conference. Nebraska has the talent to compete with Wisconsin for the Big
Ten West crown, but there will probably be some growing pains with the new staff.
Last season, Nebraska averaged an impressive 37.8 points per game, which ranked 13th
in all of college football. They were led by star running back Ameer Abdullah. The second team
All-Big Ten selection rushed for over 1,500 yards in 2014, his third year as the Cornhuskers' lead
back. He was leaned on heavily to carry the offense in a majority of the games. The Detroit
Lions selected him in the second round of the NFL draft, leaving a gaping hole in Nebraska's
offense. The leading candidates to replace him, Terrell Newby and Imani Cross each scored five
rushing touchdowns last year. They will be serviceable backs but likely won't match Abdullah's
production. As a result, quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr must assume a greater leadership
role. He showed promise in his first year as a starter and will be expected to take the next step
in year two. Despite the departure of top target Kenny Bell, Armstrong has plenty of weapons
at receiver. Jordan Westerkamp is a solid option, while speedster Demornay Pierson-El
provides a homerun threat. Jamal Turner will be another impact receiver now that he is
healthy. Ameer Abdullah's departure forces the Cornhuskers to become a more balanced
offense. They will put up plenty of points again this season.
As the Bo Pelini era progressed, Nebraska's defense slowly trailed off from a great unit
to an average one. Last year they were solid in most games, but they got gashed in the big
matchup against Wisconsin. Defensive end Randy Gregory was the star of the defense. He
leaves, but most of the other key players remain in Lincoln. Safety Nathan Gerry ranked second
on the team in tackles last year and hauled in five interceptions. He figures to be an All-Big Ten
performer and will lead a solid pass defense. Up front, the new star is Maliek Collins. The
defensive tackle played second fiddle to Randy Gregory in 2014, but he is now ready to explode
as the defensive line's leader. Overall, this defense will be slightly above average once again.
Other than the new head coach, not much changes from last season. Nebraska will win
somewhere between eight and ten games. They draw Michigan State from the East division
and are still a step behind Wisconsin, so they will probably finish second in the Big Ten West.
Big Ten West
IOWA HAWKEYES
Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz

(17th season)
Ten West, lost TaxSlayer
Bowl
Stadium: Kinnick Stadium
Location: Iowa City, IA
DE Drew Ott
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
FB
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
C.J. Beathard
Jordan Canzeri
Macon Plewa
Tevaun Smith
Matt VandeBerg
Henry Krieger Coble
Austin Blythe
Jordan Walsh
Sean Welsh
Ike Boettger
Boone Myers
Marshall Koehn
Jonathan Parker
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Nate Meier
Jaleel Johnson
Nathan Bazata
Drew Ott
Ben Niemann
Josey Jewell
Bo Bower
Greg Mabin
Desmond King
Miles Taylor
Jordan Lomax
Connor Kornbrath
Matt VandeBerg
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/27 (Fri)
Opponent
Illinois State
@Iowa State
Pittsburgh
North Texas
@Wisconsin
Illinois
@Northwestern
Maryland
@Indiana
Minnesota
Purdue
@Nebraska
Big Game: Iowa, who many considered a legitimate Big Ten West contender heading into last
season, got throttled by the Gophers 51-14 in Minneapolis, all but ending their quest for the
division title. The Hawkeyes must get revenge if they want any chance at winning the West this
year. This game is at home, whereas the ones against Wisconsin and Nebraska are on the road.
Bowl Prediction: Foster Farms
3. Iowa- Kirk Ferentz's tenure at Iowa has been riddled with ups and downs. Just when his seat
starts getting hot, he responds with a great season that puts Iowa in Big Ten contention.
However, he has been unable to sustain that success for more than a few years at a time. Last
year was expected to be one of those great seasons for the Hawkeyes, as their schedule
seemed to set up for a run at the Big Ten title game. It just wasn't to be, though, as Iowa
proved time and again that they lacked the talent to run away from mediocre opponents. They
finished the year on a three game losing streak, which contributed to the idea that Kirk Ferentz
may be back on the hot seat. Wisconsin and Nebraska have established themselves as the top
two teams in the West, and Minnesota leaped into that discussion last year. Unless they
respond, Iowa is at risk of falling into the lower tier of this division. Luckily, they avoid the top
four Big Ten East teams and get to host Minnesota. The talent still isn't where it needs to be for
Iowa to compete with Wisconsin, but a third place finish would be reasonable for this team.
The Hawkeye offense is a very conservative system that likes to minimize risks. They
feature a run-first attack with a game-managing quarterback. Jake Rudock did pretty well
under center the past two seasons, but he was placed behind CJ Beathard on the spring depth
chart and decided to transfer to Michigan. The coaches must have seen something from
Beathard that makes them think he has a higher upside than Rudock. Nonetheless, Rudock was
a solid passer whose experience will be difficult to replace. Beathard has the potential to put
up better numbers, but chances are he will have an average season statistically. Tevaun Smith,
the top receiver from 2014, returns. Iowa's offense is still focused around the running game,
though, and they lose top rusher Mark Weisman. The three year starter was a load to bring
down, especially in short yardage situations. Jordan Canzeri takes over as the lead back this
year and presents a slightly different style than Weisman. Canzeri averaged a full yard per carry
more than Weisman last year, making him a more versatile rusher. Iowa's ground game should
do just fine with Canzeri carrying the bulk of the load. He will run behind an offensive line that
brings back three starters but does lose All-American tackle Brandon Scherff. His departure
hurts, but the overall line play will still be solid. Despite some losses at key positions, Iowa's
offense should match last year's good numbers.
As with most Midwest teams, Iowa prides themselves on playing strong, physical
defense. They can win ugly games in the trenches if the situation calls for it. Last season, the
Hawkeyes featured a pair of second team All-Conference linemen. Tackle Carl Davis graduated,
but end Drew Ott returns. Ott looks to build on an impressive eight sack season. He is the best
individual player on this defense. The rest of the defense may not have any stars, but they are
solid all around. If Iowa can play consistently all year, they have what it takes to win nine
games. They play a relatively easy schedule, drawing Maryland and Indiana from the East
division. The game against Minnesota will likely determine whether they finish third or fourth
in the Big Ten West. Anywhere from seven to nine wins is realistic for this squad.
Big Ten West
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS
Head Coach: Jerry Kill (5th

season)
Ten West, lost Citrus Bowl
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium
Location: Minneapolis, MN
CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
FB
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Mitch Leidner
Rodrick Williams Jr.
Miles Thomas
Drew Wolitarsky
KJ Maye
Lincoln Plsek
Brian Bobek
Josh Campion
Joe Bjorklund
Ben Lauer
Jonah Pirsig
Ryan Santoso
Jalen Myrick
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Theiren Cockran
Andrew Stelter
Steven Richardson
Hendrick Ekpe
Jonathan Celestin
Everett Williams
Jack Lynn
Eric Murray
Briean Boddy-Calhoun
Antonio Johnson
Damarius Travis
Peter Mortell
Craig James
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
TCU
@Colorado State
Kent State
Ohio
@Northwestern
@Purdue
Nebraska
Michigan
@Ohio State
@Iowa
Illinois
Wisconsin
Big Game: Minnesota's upset over Nebraska last season proved that they were for real and
propelled them into the Big Ten West championship discussion. The Golden Gophers face both
Michigan and Ohio State from the East, so they will probably need to win all their division
games. This will be a good, physical football game that gives them an idea of where they stand.
Bowl Prediction: Heart of Dallas
4. Minnesota- For years, Minnesota was the laughing stock of the Big Ten. The Gophers
returned to respectability under Glen Mason, but they slipped right back to the bottom of the
conference during Tim Brewster's tenure. In 2011, the university hired former Northern Illinois
head coach Jerry Kill to the same position at Minnesota. After going 3-9 in Kill's first season, the
Golden Gophers got back to the postseason in 2012 and finished 6-7. That was a step in the
right direction, but the big leap came in 2013. Picked by most to finish at the bottom of their
division, Minnesota improved to 8-5. They repeated that record last year, but did so in much
more impressive fashion. After knocking off Nebraska, they entered the final game against
Wisconsin with a chance to lock up the West division title. Although they lost to their
archrivals, the Gophers proved they are back in the mix. With a proven coach and some
momentum on their side, Minnesota enters the year with the most stabile situation of any Big
Ten West team. Their tough cross-division draw will make it tough, but they have an outside
chance of getting to the conference title game.
Considering the brutal November weather in Minneapolis, this team needs to play a
physical style of football. Their offense relies on running the football down their opponents'
throats and setting up occasional play-action pass plays. They had the perfect running back for
that system last year. David Cobb motored his way to 1,626 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2014.
In big games against Michigan, Ohio State, and Nebraska, Cobb literally put the offense on his
back. After earning second team All-Big Ten honors, the senior was selected in the NFL Draft.
His bruising rushing style and pure power will be difficult to replace. Rodrick Williams Jr, the
new starter, will play a big role in the offense but won't manage to completely fill Cobb's large
shoes. As a result, quarterback Mitch Leidner may be forced to make some more throws this
year. He did most of his damage in the running game last season, piling up 10 touchdowns on
the ground compared to eleven through the air. Tight end Maxx Williams hauled in eight of
those passing touchdowns. The big target declared early for the draft, which takes away a
major element of this offense. Due to the absence of its two biggest weapons from last year,
Minnesota's offense will take a small step back.
Minnesota's defense has been very solid the past couple of years. They only allowed 35
points or more once last season, and they held Ohio State to just 31. The strength of the
defense is the secondary. The Gophers feature two very good cornerbacks in Briean BoddyCalhoun and Eric Murphy. Boddy-Calhoun was a first team All-Big Ten selection in 2014. He
accounted for eight turnovers by snagging five interceptions, forcing two fumbles, and
recovering another. Murphy made the second team and will play a bigger role this year
because teams will throw to his side to avoid Boddy-Calhoun. Four starters return in the front
seven, but they do lose linebacker Damien Wilson, the team leader in tackles. Jerry Kill has
done a great job crafting a solid football team. Minnesota's biggest challenge this year is their
tough schedule, which will prevent them from topping last year's 8-5 record.
Big Ten West
NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS
Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald

(10th season)
Ten West
Stadium: Ryan Field
Location: Evanston, IL
RB Justin Jackson
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Clayton Thorson
RB
Justin Jackson
WR Dan Vitale
WR Mike McHugh
WR Cameron Dickerson
WR Miles Shuler
C
Brad North
RG Matt Frazier
LG
Geoff Mogus
RT
Tommy Doles
LT
Blake Hance
K
Jack Mitchell
KR Miles Shuler
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
S
S
P
PR
Deonte Gibson
Greg Kuhar
C.J. Robbins
Dean Lowry
Joseph Jones
Anthony Walker
Drew Smith
Nick VanHoose
Matthew Harris
Traveon Henry
Godwin Igwebuike
Hunter Niswander
Miles Shuler
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Stanford
Eastern Illinois
@Duke
Ball State
Minnesota
@Michigan
Iowa
@Nebraska
Penn State
Purdue
@Wisconsin
Illinois (Chicago)
Big Game: Northwestern is coming off back-to-back bowl-less seasons, something they haven't
experienced since Pat Fitzgerald's first two seasons as head coach. They need to get their Big
Ten season off to a good start against a good (but beatable) Minnesota squad. A win against
the Gophers would give this team confidence and put them in good position to reach a bowl.
Bowl Prediction: Pinstripe
5. Northwestern- For most of its history, Northwestern's football program was the joke of the
Big Ten. During one six year stretch from 1976 to 1981, the Wildcats won a pitiful total of three
games. They finally became respectable in the 1990s, making a trip to the Rose Bowl after the
1995 season. That was followed by a decade of mediocrity before former NU linebacker Pat
Fitzgerald took over as head coach in 2006. He turned the Wildcats into a perennial bowl team
and feared Big Ten opponent. They peaked in 2012 with a 10-3 record that included their first
bowl victory since 1948. That year was expected to be the springboard to an even brighter
future. Instead, Northwestern took a surprising step back in 2013, falling all the way to 5-7.
They went 5-7 again last year, leading many to question whether the bowl streak from 2008
through 2012 was a mirage. Pat Fitzgerald is determined to prove that his team can compete
with the best the Big Ten has to offer. The Wildcats are not far from getting back to the
postseason. They may need to pull off an upset along the way, but Northwestern will be in a
bowl game this winter after missing out the past two years.
Northwestern's spread offense has produced some electrifying players over the years.
Athletes such as Kain Colter and Venric Mark flourished in this wide open system that takes
advantage of their speed. Current running back Justin Jackson is that type of a game-changing
player whose abilities fit perfectly with this offense. As a true freshman last year, Jackson
averaged just shy of 100 yards per game on the ground. National audiences will begin taking
notice of his ability this season. He is Northwestern's most dangerous weapon, so expect him
to play a vital role in the offense. His presence takes some pressure off Clayton Thorson, who
will start at quarterback as a true freshman. Trevor Siemian underperformed tremendously last
year, tossing just seven touchdown passes compared to a whopping eleven interceptions. Even
though he doesn't have any college experience under his belt, Thorson should play far better
than Siemian did in 2014. Improved quarterback play would boost the receivers' stats. No
wideout reached 600 yards or caught more than two touchdown passes last season. That will
definitely change, and the best candidate to surpass those numbers is Dan Vitale. The slot
receiver finished second on the team in yardage last year and will be the top option this season.
Northwestern's offense is built around Justin Jackson, and they have some other pieces around
him as well. They will be a much-improved unit in 2015.
Considering Pat Fitzgerald's playing experience as a linebacker, it's not surprising that his
Wildcat teams play good defense. They played very well in an upset victory over Wisconsin last
year and also shut down Michigan despite losing 10-9. Of the seven defensive starters that
return, three are in the secondary. Cornerback Nick VanHoose, a three year starter and former
All-Big Ten selection, is the cornerstone of the pass defense. Safety Godwin Igwebuike is
another key defensive back who picked off three passes in 2014. The Wildcats also return three
starters along the defensive line. Northwestern is decent on both sides of the ball, which
should be good enough to get them to 6-6 and break their two year bowl drought.
Big Ten West
ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI
Head Coach: Tim Beckman

(4th season)
Ten West, lost Heart of
Dallas Bowl
Location: Champaign, IL
QB Wes Lunt
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Wes Lunt
Josh Ferguson
Geronimo Allison
Malik Turner
Justin Hardee
Tyler White
Joe Spencer
Ted Karras
Nick Allegretti
Christian DiLauro
Austin Schmidt
David Reisner
V'Angelo Bentley
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
S
S
P
PR
Jihad Ward
Robbie Bain
Teko Powell
Dawuane Smoot
Mason Monheim
T.J. Neal
James Crawford
V'Angelo Bentley
Eaton Spence
Taylor Barton
Clayton Fejedelem
Ryan Frain
V'Angelo Bentley
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Kent State
Western Illinois
@North Carolina
Middle Tennessee
Nebraska
@Iowa
Wisconsin
@Penn State
@Purdue
Ohio State
@Minnesota
Northwestern (Chicago)
Big Game: Last season, Illinois clinched a bowl berth with a win over archrival Northwestern in
the finale. This year's version could likely have the same implications for both teams. If Illinois
can steal another win from the Wildcats, they will probably find themselves back in the
postseason. Otherwise, they may have to watch NU play in a bowl while they stay home.
6. Illinois- Overall, Illinois does not have a very decorated football history. Outside of a few
surprising seasons here and there, the Illini usually live near the bottom of the Big Ten. Ron
Zook seemed ready to change that when, in his second season, he led Illinois to the Rose Bowl.
They got in as an at-large thanks to an upset victory over conference champion Ohio State.
They boasted an athletic quarterback in Juice Williams and an elite running back in Rashard
Mendenhall. With Williams returning in 2008, Illinois was expected to compete for the Big Ten
title. Instead, they dropped right back to the basement of the conference, finishing with a 5-7
record. After a few more sub-par seasons, Zook was fired and replaced by Tim Beckman. He
struggled to turn the program's fate around. Last year he finally brought the Illini back to a
bowl game, but the future still doesn't look incredibly bright. Even in the weaker Big Ten West,
Illinois is far behind the division's top teams. They will scratch and claw to try to win six games,
but I just don't see enough talent for them to reach that pinnacle.
When Wes Lunt announced his intent to transfer to Illinois, many believed he would
develop into a very good signal caller for the Illini. He had played well at Oklahoma State as
part of a two-quarterback system. After sitting out a year, he took over as Illinois's starter last
season. He looked good when healthy, but nearly half of his season was lost to injury. Even in
his limited playing time, though, it was clear that he can become a very good quarterback. He
threw 14 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions. If he stays healthy this year, Lunt
will put up very good numbers and compete for a spot on the All-Conference team. It looked
like he was going to have a solid number one target to throw to before Mike Dudek suffered an
ACL tear in the spring. Geronimo Allison will be forced to assume Dudek's role. He will have a
good season, but it's too bad that both of them can't be on the field together. The passing
game is in good hands with Wes Lunt throwing the ball, and the running game isn't too shabby
either. Josh Ferguson is a solid rusher who can also catch passes out of the backfield. He tallied
1,162 yards from scrimmage and ten total touchdowns in 2014. Unfortunately, both Lunt and
Ferguson will have to deal with an inexperienced offensive line. They should manage to
overcome that and have a solid year anyway, especially later in the year as the line gels. The
Illini will feature a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten offense this fall.
The offense may be pretty good, but poor defensive play will really hold this team back.
They only held two opponents below 20 points last year, which put a lot of pressure on the
offense to overcome large deficits. They especially struggled to stop the run, and those issues
were magnified by the many great running backs in this division. Until the Illini become more
solid up front, opposing offenses will continue to have their way against them on the
scoreboard. I don't see drastic improvements on the horizon. Illinois's offense will be good this
season as long as Wes Lunt stays healthy. He could work his way into the conversation of the
best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. The defense will hold them back, though, which is why Illinois
is a fringe bowl team. Their postseason hopes hinge on the finale against Northwestern.
Big Ten West
PURDUE BOILERMAKERS
Head Coach: Darrell Hazell

(3rd season)
Ten West
Stadium: Ross-Ade Stadium
Location: West Lafayette, IN
WR Danny Anthrop
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Austin Appleby
RB Markell Jones
RB Keyante Green
WR Danny Anthrop
WR DeAngelo Yancey
WR Dan Monteroso
C
Robert Kugler
RG Jordan Roos
LG
Jason King
RT
J.J. Prince
LT
David Hedelin
K
Paul Griggs
KR Danny Anthrop
DE Evan Panfil
NG Ra'Zahn Howard
DT Jake Replogle
DE Gelen Robinson
LB Danny Ezechukwu
LB Ja'Whaun Bentley
LB Jimmy Herman
CB Anthony Brown
CB Leroy Clark
SS Frankie Williams
FS Robert Gregory
P
Thomas Meadows
PR Frankie Williams
SCHEDULE
Date
9/6 (Sun)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
@Marshall
Indiana State
Virginia Tech
Bowling Green
@Michigan State
Minnesota
@Wisconsin
Nebraska
Illinois
@Northwestern
@Iowa
Indiana
Big Game: Purdue has three winnable Big Ten games on their schedule, and this is one of them.
On top of being a winnable game, this is also Purdue's biggest rivalry. The Boilermakers have
dropped the last two matchups with Indiana, costing them bragging rights within the state.
Purdue won't be in the bowl hunt, but they will come to play on the last Saturday of the season.
7. Purdue- In 1997, Joe Tiller was hired to be Purdue's new head coach. The Boilermakers were
coming off 12 straight losing seasons and had become a doormat for the Big Ten conference.
Tiller immediately turned the program around, leading them to a 9-3 record in his first season.
That began a strong 12-year tenure for Tiller in which Purdue played in ten bowl games,
including a Rose Bowl. After the 2008 season, the coach who had brought Purdue back to
respectability retired. He was succeeded by Danny Hope. During Hope's four years in West
Lafayette, the Boilermakers were far from competitive. He was fired after the 2012 season,
leading to the hiring of Darrell Hazell. Since Hazell's hiring, Purdue has only slipped further into
irrelevancy. They went 1-11 and in 2013 and 3-9 last season. The Boilermakers simply lack the
talent to compete with the top teams of the Big Ten, and they don't have the coaching to beat
even the mediocre teams. Until one of those two things changes, Purdue will continue to
struggle. As far as this season goes, I can't see them winning more than four games. That will
put a great deal of pressure on Darrell Hazell, whose seat is already a little warm.
In 2013, Purdue scored barely over two touchdowns per game, which ranked near the
bottom of the FBS. Although they improved last season, they didn't improve enough to make a
big difference. They still had one of the worst offenses in the country. The only productive
player was running back Akeem Hunt. In addition to rushing for nearly 1,000 yards, Hunt
finished second on the team in receiving. His eight total touchdowns led all Boilermaker backs
and receivers. With Hunt gone, Purdue loses a huge chunk of their offensive identity. They will
try to replace him with a pair of inexperienced rushers who won't manage to match his
production. Luckily, most of the other starters outside of Hunt return. Quarterback Austin
Appleby is among the returnees, but he has a long way to go to become a quality starter.
Appleby threw more touchdowns than interceptions last season while completing just 52.9
percent of his passes. Now that he has a year of experience under his belt, Appleby should be a
little better in 2015. However, he will still rank in the lower half of the Big Ten quarterbacks.
Wide receiver Danny Anthrop replaces Akeem Hunt as the biggest scoring threat for Purdue's
offense. DeAngelo Yancey will see his role increase as the number two receiver. Up front, all
five starting linemen return. Purdue's offense has good experience, so they should improve.
After an equally bad defensive showing in 2013, Purdue sharpened up some on that side
of the ball last year, too. They still allowed over 30 points per game, which needs to change if
the Boilermakers want to become serious bowl contenders. Much like the offense, the defense
loses its top player. Free safety Landon Feichter not only led the team in tackles, but he also
hauled in five interceptions. His ball hawking presence at the back end of the defense will be
missed. Middle linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley is now the leader of the defense. He had a
promising freshman season and looks to build on that performance as a sophomore. As a
whole, this defense has a similar makeup to last year's edition. Top to bottom, the
Boilermakers simply don't have the talent to win six games and get to a bowl game.
Big 12
The Big 12 has always been recognized as one of the power conferences. Texas and Oklahoma
carried the flag for the conference, while many other good teams followed close behind. The
past several years, though, Texas and Oklahoma haven't played up to their normal standards.
Neither one of them has won an outright Big 12 title since 2010. Much like what happened to
the Big Ten when both Michigan and Ohio State were down a few years ago, the Big 12 has lost
some of its credibility. That was evidenced when both Baylor and TCU, two 11-1 teams, were
left out of the College Football Playoff. Another factor that hurts the Big 12 is the lack of a
conference championship game. Teams from the other Power 5 conferences get to make one
final statement that they belong in the playoff while the Big 12 champion is forced to sit around
and hope they did enough. The Big 12 definitely still deserves Power 5 status, but they need to
win some big nonconference games and bowls if they want to improve their reputation.
Heading into the season, the Big 12 title race looks like it has two horses. Baylor and
TCU, the defending conference co-champions, are both hungry to prove they belong in the
playoff after getting snubbed last season. They look like the two most talented and seasoned
teams at this point. However, the Big 12 is known for upsets because of the high number of
shootouts. There are plenty of quality teams lurking behind the top two who are eager to enter
the race. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are both capable to emerging on top of this
conference. Outside of the those four is a cluster of teams with high potential who struggle
with inconsistency but could pull an upset on any given weekend. Texas, Kansas State, Texas
Tech, and West Virginia fall into that category. This will be an exciting conference to follow.
1. Baylor
2. TCU
3. Oklahoma
4. Oklahoma State
5. Kansas State
6. Texas
7. West Virginia
8. Texas Tech
9. Iowa State
10. Kansas
Projected Conference Champion: Baylor
Big 12
BAYLOR BEARS
Head Coach: Art Briles (8th

season)
2014 Results: 11-2, T-1st in Big
12, Big 12 Co-Champions, lost
Cotton Bowl
Stadium: McLane Stadium

Location: Waco, TX
WR KD Cannon
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Seth Russell
Shock Linwood
Corey Coleman
K.D. Cannon
Jay Lee
Tre'Von Armstead
Kyle Fuller
Jarell Broxton
Blake Muir
Pat Colbert
Spencer Drango
Chris Callahan
Johnny Jefferson
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
NB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Shawn Oakman
Andrew Billings
Beau Blackshear
Jamal Palmer
Grant Campbell
Taylor Young
Travon Blanchard
Xavien Howard
Ryan Reid
Terrell Burt
Orion Stewart
Drew Galitz
Corey Coleman
SCHEDULE
Date
9/4 (Fri)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/5 (Thurs)
11/14
11/21
11/27 (Fri)
12/5
Opponent
@SMU
Lamar
Rice
Texas Tech (Arlington)
@Kansas
West Virginia
Iowa State
@Kansas State
Oklahoma
@Oklahoma State
@TCU
Texas
Big Game: Hands down, this is the biggest game on Baylor's schedule. In fact, it may be the
biggest game on the entire college football schedule. The Bears won a 61-58 thriller in Waco a
year ago, ruining TCU's playoff aspirations. Baylor will be coming off tough games against
Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, making the trip to Fort Worth even more daunting.
Bowl Prediction: Cotton (Playoff)
1. Baylor- As recently as 2009, Baylor was a struggling football program at the bottom of the Big
12. They were in the fifteenth year of a seemingly endless bowl drought. The breakthrough
finally came in 2010, Art Briles' third season as head coach, when the Bears went 7-6. That was
a step in the right direction, but nobody could have foreseen how drastically the program
would improve in the next few seasons. Now, after two conference championships and a
Heisman Trophy winner, Baylor has made it all the way to the top of the Big 12. Coming off
back-to-back major bowl game appearances, Baylor returns a whopping 17 starters and appears
ready to make a run at the playoffs. They feature the most electrifying offense in all of college
football to go along with an underrated defense.
Beginning with RGIII, Baylor has boasted an elite quarterback every year since 2010.
They have managed to replace several great signal callers without skipping a beat. This year
they must replace Bryce Petty, who finished in the top ten of the Heisman voting each of the
past two seasons. Incumbent starter Seth Russell threw five touchdowns in his lone start last
season, proving that he has the ability to lead this offense. A first year starter couldn't possibly
step into a better situation than Russell does. He will enjoy great protection behind an
offensive line that rivals any in the Big 12. Left tackle Spencer Drango is among the nation's
best at his craft. Furthermore, Russell gets to throw to the premier receiving corps in America.
Corey Coleman and KD Cannon provide the most deadly one-two wideout punch in college
football. Their unparalleled speed and quickness make them homerun threats on every play.
The number three receiver, Jay Lee, isn't a bad option either. He hauled in six touchdowns and
racked up over 600 yards last season. With a strong arm and an endless arsenal of weapons,
Seth Russell will play his way into the Heisman conversation. The scary part about Baylor's
offense is that they feature a whole other dimension in addition to the high-octane passing
game. Shock Linwood is one of the most explosive backs in the country. When he needs a
break, the Bears can bring in Johnny Jefferson or Devin Chafin, who combined for 14
touchdowns in 2014. Baylor averaged just shy of 50 points per game last year, and they return
most of their key pieces. We may see some records fall this season at the hands of this offense.
When Baylor first emerged as a Big 12 contender, they did so by winning shootouts
nearly every weekend. They no longer need to score 50 points to win thanks to a much
improved defense. During the 2014 regular season, only three opponents scored 30 points
against the Bears. Most of the players from that defense are back, including all four up front.
Led by fearsome DE Shawn Oakman and All-Big 12 DT Andrew Billings, this will be one of the
most intimidating defensive lines in all of college football. Their secondary also returns four of
five starters and should transform from a weakness to a strength. Cornerback Orion Steward
and safety Xavien Howard are both ball hawks. The defense will take another step forward this
year, placing them among the Big 12's best. This is an incredibly talented, balanced football
team with plenty of experience. They have what it takes to put together an undefeated season.
Big 12
TCU HORNED FROGS
Head Coach: Gary Patterson

(16th season)
2014 Results: 12-1, T-1st in Big
12, Big 12 Co-Champions, won
Peach Bowl
Stadium: Amon G. Carter
Stadium
Location: Fort Worth, TX
QB Trevone Boykin
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
WR
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Trevone Boykin
Aaron Green
Kolby Listenbee
Deante' Gray
Josh Doctson
Ty Slanina
Joey Hunt
Brady Foltz
Jamelle Naff
Halapulivaati Vaitai
Aviante Collins
Jaden Oberkrom
Kyle Hicks
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
CB
CB
WS
SS
FS
P
PR
Josh Carraway
Bryson Henderson
Davion Pieson
James McFarland
Paul Whitmill
Sammy Douglas
Ranthony Texada
Nick Orr
Kenny Iloka
Denzel Johnson
Derrick Kindred
Ethan Perry
Cameron Echols-Luper
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/29 (Thurs)
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/27 (Fri)
Opponent
@Minnesota
Stephen F. Austin
SMU
@Texas Tech
Texas
@Kansas State
@Iowa State
West Virginia
@Oklahoma State
Kansas
@Oklahoma
Baylor
Big Game: Is there any doubt that this is the biggest game for the Horned Frogs? They have
been kicking themselves all offseason for letting a 21 point fourth quarter lead slip away against
Baylor. If everything goes as expected, these two will be undefeated heading into a game that
will serve as a playoff quarterfinal. This may be the biggest game in the history of TCU football.
Bowl Prediction: Peach (New Year's Six)
2. TCU- At the turn of the century, TCU was beginning to emerge from a long dry spell. Dennis
Franchione was hired as head coach in 1998 and led the Horned Frogs to three straight bowl
games before being hired by Alabama. Gary Patterson took over in his place, and the program
has been on the rise ever since. During their time in the Mountain West, the Horned Frogs
garnered national attention by reaching back-to-back BCS bowl games, including a Rose Bowl
victory in 2010. Their sustained success attracted interest from the Big 12 conference, and TCU
finally made the jump to a power conference in 2012. It was widely expected that they would
immediately compete in the Big 12. They underwent some growing pains, though, as indicated
by 7-6 and 4-8 records in their first two seasons. Heading into last year, many had begun to
question whether TCU would ever compete in their new conference. Obviously, those doubts
were completely unfounded. The Horned Frogs finally hit their stride, ripping off a 12-1 record
that earned them a #3 ranking in the final polls. TCU enters the season with a chip on their
shoulder after getting snubbed out of a playoff spot. They are determined to run the table this
year so as to leave the committee with no choice but to put them in the final four.
The single biggest reason for TCU's turnaround last season was the emergence of
Trevone Boykin. The athletic dual-threat quarterback played inconsistently in extended backup
duty during the previous two years, so the jury was not yet out on him heading into his first
season as the starter. Boykin gained control of the offense immediately, making great plays
with his arms as well as his legs. His development into an elite passer led to the Horned Frogs
scoring an incredible 46.5 points per game, which was second in the country behind Baylor. If
Boykin can duplicate his 2014 performance, this offense will be a nightmare to play against. His
top three receivers, all return, making that seem like a legitimate possibility. Josh Doctson,
Kolby Listenbee, and Deante' Gray have great chemistry with their quarterback and will put up
great numbers. TCU's top flight passing attack is coupled with a sneaky good running game.
Leading rusher Aaron Green returns and is ready to explode as the full-time starter. He and
Boykin will have plenty of success running the football behind an experienced offensive line.
This is a perfectly balanced, highly explosive offense that will wreak havoc for Big 12 defenses.
Along with the great offense, TCU's stout defense deserves a good portion of the credit
for the team's success in 2014. Unlike the offense, however, most of the key defensive stars
from last year are not back this season. The Horned Frogs lose a bevy of playmakers from a unit
that paced the Big 12 in every defensive category. All-Conference selections Paul Dawson (LB),
Chris Hackett (S), Chucky Hunter (DT), Sam Carter (S), and Kevin White (CB) are all gone. TCU
has historically managed to replace defensive stars, but there is more turnover this year than
ever before. It would be unrealistic to expect the Horned Frog defense to maintain the same
elite level. The defensive line will be very good, though. Defensive ends James McFarland and
Josh Carraway lead a talented unit. For the first time in a long time, defense is TCU's weakness.
That is the one factor preventing them from being a playoff lock.
Big 12
OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Head Coach: Bob Stoops

(17th season)
12, lost Russell Athletic Bowl
Stadium: Gaylord Family
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Location: Norman, OK
RB Samaje Perine
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
FB
WR
WR
WR
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Trevor Knight
Samaje Perine
Dimitri Flowers
Sterling Shepard
Michiah Quick
Durron Neal
Ty Darlington
Nila Kasitati
Jamal Danley
Derek Farniok
Josiah St. John
Austin Seibert
Alex Ross
DE
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
D.J. Ward
Jordan Wade
Charles Tapper
Devante Bond
Dominique Alexander
Jordan Evans
Eric Striker
Zach Sanchez
William Johnson
Steven Parker
Ahmad Thomas
Jack Steed
Nick Hodgson
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Akron
@Tennessee
Tulsa
West Virginia
Texas (Dallas)
@Kansas State
Texas Tech
@Kansas
Iowa State
@Baylor
TCU
@Oklahoma State
Big Game: Oklahoma got used to dominating their in-state rivals after winning every game from
2003 through 2010. The Sooners have dropped two of the last four meetings in this series,
though, including an overtime loss at home last season. Oklahoma will be coming off games
against Baylor and TCU, but they must finish strong to have a shot at a New Year's Six bowl.
Bowl Prediction: Alamo
3. Oklahoma- Throughout the BCS era, Oklahoma was consistently in the running for Big 12
titles, major bowl game berths, and national championships. The Sooners reached nine BCS
bowl games and played in two National Championship Games, winning one. They finished the
BCS era just as strongly as they started it, upsetting Alabama in the Sugar Bowl following the
2013 season. Based off that game, Oklahoma was the preseason favorite to win the Big 12 last
year and a common pick to reach the playoff. Unfortunately, they never rose higher than their
#4 preseason ranking. After "upset" losses to TCU and Kansas State in October, the train came
off the tracks. They got bombed by Baylor in Norman a few weeks later and then dropped their
last two games to finish 8-5. Heading into this season, there seem to be a lot more questions
than usual surrounding this program. They haven't won an outright Big 12 title since 2010 and
seem far behind Baylor and TCU. Maybe Oklahoma can thrive in their underdog role by using it
as motivation. The Sooners will be better than most people think, but they have an uphill climb
to reclaim the conference crown.
Oklahoma entered last fall feeling very confident about their quarterback situation.
Trevor Knight had taken over midseason in 2013 and improved every game, topping it off with a
Sugar Bowl MVP performance. Unfortunately, Knight actually regressed last season, forcing
Oklahoma to reevaluate their quarterback situation this offseason. Baker Mayfield, a transfer
from Texas Tech, battled Trevor Knight hard. Stoops has yet to name a starter, but I expect
Knight to retain the job. He will need to take better care of the football if he wants to hold onto
the starting role throughout the season. The top three receivers, Sterling Shepard, Durron
Neal, and Michiah Quick, all return. Shepard is a very talented receiver who should eclipse
1,000 yards receiving. The others are solid options who will see their numbers improve if
Knight plays better. An upgraded passing game would obviously give the offense a huge boost,
but either way their strength will be running the football. Samaje Perine ripped off 1,713 yards
and 21 touchdowns on the ground as a true freshman in 2014. He even set the single-game
record for rushing yards with 427. Perine is an old-fashioned workhorse back who can put the
offense on his back whenever it's necessary. Oklahoma will make sure to get their Heisman
candidate as many touches as possible. Assuming the quarterback play improves at least a little
bit, Oklahoma's offense could scrape the 40 points per game pinnacle this season.
For years Oklahoma has won with a great offense and a good defense. Given the many
weak defenses in the Big 12, being "good" on that side of the ball gives the Sooners a distinct
advantage over most of their opponents. That should be the case again this season. Their
linebacking corps returns intact and will serve as the heart of the defense. Outside linebacker
Erik Striker earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year last season, and he makes my 2015
preseason All-American team. The other defensive star is cornerback Zach Sanchez, who
recorded six interceptions last season. Oklahoma may not have the same firepower as Baylor
and TCU, but they can contend for the Big 12 title if they smooth out a few kinks.
Big 12
OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS
Head Coach: Mike Gundy

(11th season)
12, won Cactus Bowl
Stadium: Boone Pickens
Stadium
Location: Stillwater, OK
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
WR
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Mason Rudolph
Rennie Childs
Marcell Ateman
David Glidden
James Washington
Brandon Sheperd
Paul Lewis
Michael Wilson
Lemaefe Galea'i
Jack Kurzu
Zachary Crabtree
Ben Grogan
Brandon Sheperd
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Emmanuel Ogbah
Vili Leveni
Vincent Taylor
Jimmy Bean
Gyasi Akem
Ryan Simmons
Seth Jacobs
Kevin Peterson
Ramon Richards
Tre Flowers
Jordan Sterns
Zach Sinor
David Glidden
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
@Central Michigan
Central Arkansas
UTSA
@Texas
Kansas State
@West Virginia
Kansas
@Texas Tech
TCU
@Iowa State
Baylor
Oklahoma
Big Game: Oklahoma State has a few road bumps before they get to this game, but if they can
get to November with just one loss they will give themselves a shot at the Big 12 title. They get
all three of their toughest games at home in the final month. A win against TCU would keep
their conference aspirations alive and potentially spark a nice run at the end of the season.
Bowl Prediction: Russell Athletic
4. Oklahoma State- Mike Gundy stepped into a pretty good situation when he became head
coach in 2005, as the Cowboys had been to three straight bowl games under Les Miles.
However, the former OSU quarterback had bigger aspirations for his alma mater than for them
to just get to the postseason. He wanted to make them a perennial Big 12 contender. It took a
few years, but ultimately that dream became a reality. After falling just short of the Big 12
championship game in 2010, they finally broke through with a conference title in 2011.
Although they have not been able to reach those same heights since, Oklahoma State has
become an annual Big 12 contender. Last year, however, they found themselves in danger of
missing out on a bowl game for the first time since 2005. They lost five straight conference
games, putting them at 5-6 with one game to go. With their season on the line, the Cowboys
went into Norman and pulled off a shocking upset over the heavily-favored Sooners. A bowl
victory put OSU at 7-6, which was a solid finish to a disappointing season. The Cowboys return
16 total starters and will look to get back on track in 2015.
Offense has always been Oklahoma State's specialty. They fit right in with the Big 12
model of a high-octane offense that is built to win shootouts. Last year, however, they slipped
below 30 points per game for the first time since 2009. Part of that can be attributed to poor
quarterback play. The Cowboys haven't featured a clear number one starter since 2011, when
Brandon Weeden led them to a 12-1 record. That lack of leadership finally caught up with them
last season. 2014 starter Daxx Garman transferred to Maryland, leaving Mason Rudolph as the
expected starter. Oklahoma State needs him to separate himself from the pack and play with
some poise if their offense is going to return to its typical form. Rudolph has no shortage of
experienced receivers to throw to. Brandon Shepard and David Glidden are reliable targets
from all over the field, and James Washington emerged as a red zone threat in his freshman
campaign. I don't expect this passing game to return to its 2011 level, but they can only
improve from last year's dismal showing. As far as the running backs go, power back Desmond
Roland and reliable backup Tyreke Hill are both gone. Rennie Childs may not be able to make
up for those losses, but he should be serviceable. As long as the quarterback situation
improves, Oklahoma State's offense will take a big step up.
Oklahoma State finally seemed to be picking up on the idea that they needed to play
defense in order to compete on a national level. Then last year happened. The Cowboys
dropped from one of the nation's best defenses to one of its worst. They were scorched for
over 40 points in three of their losses and gave up an average of 31.2 points per game. Greater
experience on that side of the ball should help bring those numbers down this season. So will
the presence of Emmanuel Ogbah, a skilled defensive end who recorded eleven sacks in 2014.
Ogbah is a potential All-American and a game-changer rushing off the edge. The cornerbacks,
Kevin Peterson and Ramon Richards, are also solid players. Oklahoma State will be a little
better on both sides of the ball, which should be enough to get them a couple more wins.
Big 12
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
Head Coach: Bill Snyder

(24th season)
12, lost Alamo Bowl
Stadium: Bill Snyder Family
FB Stadium
Location: Manhattan, KS
RB Charles Jones
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Joe Hubener
RB Charles Jones
WR Kyle Klein
WR Kody Cook
WR Deante Burton
TE
Dayton Valentine
C
Dalton Risner
RG Luke Hayes
LG
Boston Stiverson
RT
Matt Kleinsorge
LT
Cody Whitehair
K
Matthew McCrane
KR Morgan Burns
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
NB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Marquel Bryant
Travis Britz
Will Geary
Jordan Willis
Will Davis
Elijah Lee
Nate Jackson
Danzel McDaniel
Morgan Burns
Dante Barnett
Kaleb Prewett
Nick Walsh
Judah Jones
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/5 (Thurs)
11/14
11/21
11/28
12/5
Opponent
South Dakota State
@UTSA
Louisiana Tech
@Oklahoma State
TCU
Oklahoma
@Texas
Baylor
@Texas Tech
Iowa State
@Kansas
West Virginia
Big Game: Kansas State underwent a good deal of turnover during the offseason, leading many
to believe that they will fall short of last year's success. That thinking will be tested in the
conference opener against a good Oklahoma State team. A win in Stillwater would prove that
Kansas State is still in the Big 12 mix and give them a boost heading into conference play.
Bowl Prediction: Liberty
5. Kansas State- At this point in his coaching career, Bill Snyder deserves to be considered an
icon. He is to Kansas State what Bear Bryant, Bo Schembechler, and Bobby Bowden were to
their respective programs. Kansas State's football history has gone like this: when Bill Snyder is
coaching, the Wildcats are good. When anyone else is coaching, they are bad. Snyder turned
K-State into a national power during his first stint, from 1989 through 2005. The Wildcats
finished six of those seasons ranked in the Top 10. After he retired, the program immediately
went in the tank. In 2009, Snyder agreed to return to his position as head coach. Ever since,
the Wildcats have factored into the Big 12 title race nearly every season. They are coming off a
solid 9-4 campaign in which they finished third in the conference standings behind Baylor and
TCU. The Wildcats must replace a plethora of impact players from that team, causing me to
place them at fifth in my projected standings. Kansas State has been known to surpass
expectations, though. I can guarantee that they will be the best-coached football team every
weekend. They are right with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in the second tier of the Big 12.
Heading into 2014, Kansas State returned the core of their offense from the previous
season. They had an experienced quarterback in Jake Waters, depth at running back, and a
couple of lethal receiving threats. The result was a well-oiled machine that manufactured an
average of 35.8 points per game. Star wide receiver and return specialist Tyler Lockett made
college football history by getting selected to an All-American team for the fourth year in a row.
Number two receiver Curry Sexton also had a great season, hauling in over 1,000 receiving
yards himself. Waters, Lockett, and Sexton all graduated, forcing the Wildcats to find a whole
new group of offensive weapons. They will probably rely more on running back Charles Jones,
who will put up very good numbers thanks to increased touches. Paving the way for him is an
experienced offensive line as well as a good fullback, Glenn Gronkowski. The departure of AllBig 12 center BJ Finney will be felt, though. As far as the quarterback situation goes, Joe
Hubener gets the nod as the starter. He saw some action as a wildcat quarterback last season.
His mobility and size fits perfectly with Kansas State's offensive system and reminds me of past
K-State quarterbacks Collin Klein and Jake Waters. The shortage of established weapons on the
outside will hurt this offense, but they will still be very respectable.
One factor that separates Kansas State from the rest of the Big 12 is their ability to
consistently play good defense. They play a physical brand of football, which has allowed them
to enjoy sustained success. Last season, they held most of their opponents well below their
season averages. Six starters return on the defensive side of the ball. Other than two-time first
team All-Conference defensive end Ryan Mueller, none of the departed players will be too
difficult to replace. The Wildcats play great team defense, so having individual stars isn't crucial
for them. The secondary features solid cornerbacks Danzel McDaniel and Morgan Burns, along
with star safety Dante Barnett. This year's defense will closely resemble the 2014 version.
Kansas State loses some key players, but they will retool and have another good year.
Big 12
TEXAS LONGHORNS
Head Coach: Charlie Strong

(2nd season)
12, lost Texas Bowl
Stadium: Darrell K RoyalTexas Memorial Stadium
Location: Austin, TX
RB Johnathan Gray
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Tyrone Swoopes
Johnathan Gray
Daje Johnson
Marcus Johnson
Lorenzo Joe
Andrew Beck
Taylor Doyle
Kent Perkins
Sedrick Flowers
Camrhon Hughes
Marcus Hutchins
Nick Rose
Armanti Foreman
DE
NT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Shiro Davis
Hassan Ridgeway
Poona Ford
Naashon Hughes
Peter Jinkens
Dalton Santos
Timothy Cole
Bryson Echols
Duke Thomas
Dylan Haines
Jason Hall
Mitchell Becker
Armanti Foreman
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/26 (Thurs)
12/5
Opponent
@Notre Dame
Rice
California
Oklahoma State
@TCU
Oklahoma (Dallas)
Kansas State
@Iowa State
Kansas
@West Virginia
Texas Tech
@Baylor
Big Game: If Texas wins the opener against the Irish, they will tie ND for the second most wins
in FBS history. More importantly, they would kick off Charlie Strong's second season with a
road win over a big time opponent, proving they are on their way back. This game may not
affect their Big 12 record, but it will give a huge indication as to how the season will go.
Bowl Prediction: Holiday
6. Texas- From 2001 through 2009, Texas won at least ten games every season. Heading into
the 2010 season, the Longhorns were coming off a loss in the National Championship Game.
They had to replace quarterback Colt McCoy, but almost everyone assumed they would still
finish near the top of the Big 12. Instead, they plummeted to a 5-7 record, their first losing
season of the Mack Brown era. Three more disappointing seasons ensued, leading to Mack
Brown's resignation after 2013. Texas hired former Louisville coach Charlie Strong as his
replacement. Fans expecting immediate improvement were disappointed by the team's 6-7
finish in Strong's first season. The Big 12 is a very competitive conference, though, so expecting
them to see quick results was unrealistic. It takes time for the new coaching staff to get their
systems installed and for the team to completely buy in to their philosophies. Longhorn fans
may have to wait a few years before their team is ready to compete for Big 12 titles.
One major issue that has contributed to Texas' decline is ineptitude at the quarterback
position. The Longhorns enjoyed a nice run with Vince Young and then Colt McCoy, which
makes their recent struggles all the more obvious. David Ash looked promising at times, but
injuries derailed his career. Tyrone Swoopes took over after Ash got injured early last season.
He struggled for most of the year but still appears to be the favorite to win the starting job over
Jerrod Heard. Texas is switching to a complete spread offense, which fits well with both of
these guys' skill sets. The performance at quarterback can only improve from last season. The
receiving corps must be revamped, though, as top wideouts John Harris and Jaxon Shipley have
both moved on. Texas will continue to rely heavily on the running game as they try to get their
aerial attack off the ground. Leading rusher Malcolm Brown is gone, but Johnathan Gray
returns. Gray saw plenty of action in the backup role the past few seasons, so he won't have
any issues transitioning to his starting duties. It also helps that all five starters return along the
offensive line. They have chemistry that will help them perform well as a unit. Texas struggled
to score throughout last season, which put them behind the 8-ball in a conference that sees so
many shootouts. This year's bunch will be improved, but they will still rank near the bottom of
the Big 12 in most statistical categories.
Much like Oklahoma, Texas has historically fielded a pretty good defense to go along
with a great offense. Although the offense hasn't held up their end of the bargain recently, the
defense has remained solid. Now that they have a defensive-minded head coach, they may
even take a step up in the coming years. This season, however, they have to worry about
replacing some key players from the 2014 defense. The Longhorns had four players from that
side of the ball represented on the All-Conference teams, and none of those guys are back.
Their departures affect all three levels of the defense. Two of this year's leaders are in the
secondary. Former walk-on safety Dylan Haines and senior cornerback Duke Thomas will both
be impact players. Texas' defense will be solid once again, and a small offensive improvement
would go a long way in the Longhorns' quest to return to prominence.
Big 12
WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS
Head Coach: Dana Holgorsen

(5th season)
12, lost Liberty Bowl
Stadium: Mountaineer Field
Location: Morgantown, WV
RB Rushel Shell
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
WR
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Skyler Howard
Rushel Shell
Shelton Gibson
Jordan Thompson
Daikiel Shorts
KJ Myers
Tyler Orlosky
Grant Lingafelter
Tony Matteo
Marquis Lucas
Adam Pankey
Josh Lambert
Shelton Gibson
DE
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Noble Nwachukwu
Kyle Rose
Larry Jefferson
K.J. Dillon
Isaiah Bruce
Nick Kwiatkoski
Edward Muldrow
Daryl Worley
Terrell Chestnut
Karl Joseph
Dravon Henry
Billy Kinney
Vernon Davis
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/29 (Thurs)
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
12/5
Opponent
Georgia Southern
Liberty
Maryland
@Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
@Baylor
@TCU
Texas Tech
Texas
@Kansas
Iowa State
@Kansas State
Big Game: When these two met up in Lubbock last season, West Virginia escaped with a narrow
three-point victory. Neither team cares much for defense, so this game has the potential to be
an old-fashioned shootout. This is the first of a string of four consecutive winnable games for
the Mountaineers. If they can win all four, they will wrap up a bowl berth.
Bowl Prediction: Cactus
7. West Virginia- The West Virginia football program went from good to great when Rich
Rodriguez was the head coach from 2001 through 2007. They ripped off three consecutive Top
10 finishes in the final years of his tenure. When Rich Rod left for Michigan, Bill Stewart
stepped into his place. The Mountaineers won nine games in each of his three seasons, which
didn't satisfy a program that had gotten used to being dominant. Dana Holgorsen, a highlyrenowned offensive genius, was brought in as the new head coach in 2011. The Mountaineers
won the Big East in his first season and then hung 70 points on Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
The next year, they moved to the Big 12 and were highly ranked to start the season. They
looked like national title contenders after a couple of exciting early-season victories, but their
defensive woes ultimately caught up to them. Several losses down the stretch left WV at 7-6 by
the end of the year. They slipped to 4-8 in 2014, raising questions as to whether they would
ever be able to compete in the Big 12. They opened 2014 on a mission to silence those doubts.
Heading into November, West Virginia sat at 6-2 and were ranked #20. Once again, they fell
apart down the stretch, dropping four of their last five to finish 7-6. Their defensive
inconsistency make it very difficult for them to string together a complete season.
West Virginia's offense was effective and well-rounded in 2014. Clint Trickett made
great strides in his second season as the Mountaineers' starting quarterback. His improvement
led to the emergence of Kevin White and Mario Alford as two of the finest wide receivers in the
Big 12. Trickett is gone this year, as are those two great receivers. Skyler Howard takes over at
quarterback and will be asked to quickly take control of the offense. He played well in relief
duty last season, throwing eight touchdown passes and no interceptions. The Mountaineers
put up 37 points when he started the bowl game against Texas A&M. Howard will develop into
a fine quarterback, but his inexperience will pop up early in the season. Wide receivers Jordan
Thompson and Daikiel Shorts have the potential to explode in this wide-open offense. Both
impact running backs return from last season. Rushel Shell and Wendell Smallwood rushed for
788 and 722 yards, respectively, in 2014. The offensive line returns in decent shape, as three
starters are back. West Virginia's offense will dip slightly due to the loss of a two year starting
quarterback and two great receivers, but they will still be a solid unit.
The Mountaineers have hired a few offensive geniuses in a row, and, as a result, defense
has taken a backseat in Morgantown. They usually need their offense to put up at least 30
points to give them a chance to win. Even though their defense was below average again last
year, they had a couple of star players who helped them stay respectable. Strong safety Karl
Joseph was named first team All-Big 12. He is back this year and will anchor the secondary.
Linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski, the only Mountaineer to record more tackles than Joseph last
season, also returns. Between those two and the other six returning starters, West Virginia's
defense will have enough experience to make some improvements. Their slight rise will cancel
out the offense's slight decline. The Mountaineers are a safe bet to return to the postseason.
Big 12
TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS
Head Coach: Kliff Kingsbury

(3rd season)
12
Stadium: Jones AT&T
Stadium
Location: Lubbock, TX
RB DeAndre Washington
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
WR
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Davis Webb
DeAndre Washington
Dylan Cantrell
Jakeem Grant
Ian Sadler
Reginald Davis
Jared Kaster
Baylen Brown
Alfredo Morales
Poet Thomas
Le'Raven Clark
Taylor Symmank
Jakeem Grant
DE
NT
DT
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Branden Jackson
Rika Levi
Demetrius Alston
Pete Robertson
Sam Atoe
Micah Awe
Andre Ross
Justis Nelson
Nigel Bethel II
J.J. Gaines
Keenon Ward
Taylor Symmank
Cameron Batson
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/26 (Thurs)
Opponent
Sam Houston State
UTEP
@Arkansas
TCU
Baylor (Arlington)
Iowa State
@Kansas
@Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
@West Virginia
Kansas State
@Texas
Big Game: Texas Tech hasn't beaten their in-state rivals since their stunning, last second upset
of #1 Texas in 2008. That may have to change if the Red Raiders want to make a bowl game
this season. Both teams will be well-rested coming off a bye week. If Texas Tech wants to win,
they will have to play good defense. They haven't held the Longhorns below 30 since 2010.
Bowl Prediction: Texas
8. Texas Tech- Under Mike Leach, Texas Tech was an annual bowl shoe-in and occasional
contender in the Big 12. In 2008, with the stellar QB-WR duo of Graham Harrell and Michael
Crabtree running the show, the Raiders went 11-2 and finished in a three-way tie with Texas
and Oklahoma for the Big 12 South title. The next year, after guiding Texas Tech to another
solid 8-4 record, Leach was fired prior to the bowl game for an incident regarding his handling
of a player's injury. Ever since, the Red Raider football program has not been the same. After a
decent three year stint with Tommy Tuberville at the helm, Texas Tech moved on by hiring
former TT quarterback and Mike Leach disciple Kliff Kingsbury. Kingsbury was basically an
extension of his old coach, so many believed that he would have the Red Raiders back in no
time. Unfortunately, it hasn't worked out that way so far. Texas Tech went 8-5 in his first
season, but they dropped to 4-8 last year.
The first thing Kliff Kingsbury did when he arrived in Lubbock was reinstall the Air Raid
offense, which was Mike Leach's famous system. Kingsbury knows the offense inside and out
from his time as a player. The Air Raid offense allows quarterbacks to put up crazy numbers
because of the sheer number of passes they throw. It worked great in 2013, as Davis Webb
emerged late in the season as a solid quarterback for the system. Hopes were high for Webb
and the rest of the offense in year two. After a year of learning the offense, they should have
been firing on all cylinders by last fall. Instead, Davis Webb took a step back as a passer, and,
consequently, the entire offense declined. Their average of 30.5 points per game would have
been great for most teams, but it wasn't good enough to make up for the Red Raiders' terrible
defense. Considering how much weight the offense carries for this team, they need to be much
better in 2015. That all starts with Davis Webb getting back to his 2013 form. The competition
from Patrick Mahomes this offseason has helped keep Webb focused, so I expect him to
perform much better this year. The Raiders also have another element to their offense that
they haven't featured in the past. Running back DeAndre Washington rushed for over 1,000
yards last season, which is rare for the Air Raid offense. His presence provides a nice wrinkle
that opposing defenses will have to prepare for. Texas Tech's offense isn't on par with Baylor's
or TCU's, but they should be back to their normal place in the top half of the conference.
For the longest time, poor defense has been a thorn in Texas Tech's side. Their
tendency to ignore half of the game has prevented them from getting over the hump. Last
year, they were bombed for an average of 41.2 points per game. That ranked 126th out of 128
FBS teams and was by far the worst in the Big 12. Until their mentality changes, Texas Tech will
continue to struggle on the defensive side of the ball. The one strength of this defense is their
ability to get pressure on the quarterback. Outside linebacker Pete Robertson compiled 12
sacks last season, while defensive end Branden Jackson had five. Cornerback Justis Nelson is
another decent individual player. Overall, though, the defense is still very bad. Texas Tech is a
very inconsistent team that may sneak into a bowl game if they catch some breaks.
Big 12
IOWA STATE CYCLONES
Head Coach: Paul Rhodes

(7th season)
2014 Results: 2-10, 10th in
Big 12
Stadium: Jack Trice Stadium
Location: Ames, IA
QB Sam B. Richardson
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Sam B. Richardson
Tyler Brown
Allen Lazard
Quenton Bundrage
D'Vario Montgomery
Ben Boesen
Patrick Scoggins
Jamison Lalk
Oni Omoile
Brock Dagel
Jake Campos
Cole Netten
Jomal Wiltz
DE
DT
NG
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Dale Pierson
Devlyn Cousin
Demond Tucker
Trent Taylor
Reggan Northrup
Jordan Harris
Brian Mills
Nigel Tribune
Sam E. Richardson
Qujuan Floyd
Kamari Cotton-Moya
Colin Downing
Jomal Wiltz
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Northern Iowa
Iowa
@Toledo
Kansas
@Texas Tech
TCU
@Baylor
Texas
@Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
@Kansas State
@West Virginia
Big Game: Historically, Iowa State has been the little brother of this in-state rivalry. They have
turned the tables on the Hawkeyes in recent years, though, winning three of the past four
meetings. The Cyclones went into Iowa City last season and beat a superior Iowa team.
Anything can happen in this rivalry, and a win would give ISU a spark early in the year.
9. Iowa State- When Paul Rhodes took over as head coach in 2009, Iowa State was coming off
three straight losing seasons. In Rhodes' first year, he elevated the Cyclones to a 7-6 record.
After slipping to 5-7 in 2010, Iowa State had back-to-back 6-7 campaigns in 2011 and 2012. At
most Power 5 schools, a combined four-year record of 24-26 would be considered a failure.
Considering the downtrodden history of Iowa State football, though, Paul Rhodes had the full
support of the fans after his first four seasons. The Cyclones seemed to be heading into the
right direction as an annual bowl contender. Then, in 2013, they slipped to 3-9, their worst
record of the Rhodes era. Things got even worse last season as they fell to 2-10 and finished
dead last in the Big 12. The typically scrappy Cyclones lost their will to fight, failing to scratch
out a single conference victory. Heading into 2015, Paul Rhodes is beginning to feel some
pressure to get the program back on track. The fans got a taste of success in his first four
seasons, and they want more of it. ISU has plenty of experienced players, which is a good sign.
They probably won't make a bowl game this year, but they will be much more competitive.
Iowa State's offense struggled throughout the 2014 season. They were held to 14
points or less on four occasions. Despite their overall struggles, though, the Cyclones did break
out in a few of their games. They topped 35 points in consecutive games against Toledo and
Texas, and quarterback Sam Richardson played especially well in both of those games.
Richardson had a fine season overall, throwing for 18 touchdowns and running for three more.
In those two games, however, he really stood out as a weapon. If he takes charge of the
offense like that in every game this season, his numbers will skyrocket and the offense will reap
the rewards. Richardson and the passing game will take center stage this year as the Cyclones
break in new starter Tyler Brown at running back. Brown should have a decent season, but his
statistics won't stand out. The tight end position also features a new starter after the departure
of two-time All-Big 12 selection EJ Bibbs. Due to his departure, Sam Richardson will have to find
a new favorite target in the red zone. None of the wide receivers on this roster stand out.
Other than the quarterback position, this offense is very mediocre all the way around. Sam
Richardson will elevate them to a higher level than last year, but they still won't be very good.
Defensively, Iowa State was a complete mess last season. They allowed 38.8 points per
game, which was the main reason for the team's 2-10 record. The Cyclones were gashed for
48+ points in four games, including the Texas game in which the offense played well enough to
win. Up until the past two seasons, Iowa State had played decent defense under Paul Rhodes.
Now, they must strive to get back to their previous level. A majority of the 2014 defense
returns, giving the Cyclones some veteran leadership on that side of the ball. These guys
experienced the pain of last season and will work hard to make sure they don't have to go
through so many rough games this fall. The secondary returns all four starters and will be a
strength compared to the other units. I expect Iowa State's defense to return to a respectable
level. This team isn't very talented, but they can only improve on last year's dismal 2-10 record.
Big 12
10
KANSAS JAYHAWKS
Head Coach: David Beaty (1st

season)
12
Location: Lawrence, KS
QB Montell Cozart
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Montell Cozart
De'Andre Mann
Jeremiah Booker
Bobby Hartzog Jr
Tre' Parmalee
Ben Johnson
Joe Gibson
Junior Visinia
Jacob Bragg
Larry Mazyck
Jordan Shelley-Smith
Matthew Wyman
Tre' Parmalee
DE Ben Goodman
DT Andrew Bolton
DT Daniel Wise
DE Anthony Olobia
LB Schyler Miles
LB Courtney Arnick
NB Tevin Shaw
CB Brandon Stewart
CB Ronnie Davis
SS Bazie Bates IV
FS Anthony Smithson
P
Eric Kahn
PR Derrick Neal
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
South Dakota State
Memphis
@Rutgers
@Iowa State
Baylor
Texas Tech
@Oklahoma State
Oklahoma
@Texas
@TCU
West Virginia
Kansas State
Big Game: The past couple of years, Kansas and Iowa State have gone back and forth between
9th and 10th place in the Big 12. The Jayhawks beat the Cyclones last season, which was their
lone conference win. In 2015, Kansas will have to travel to Ames to take on an improved Iowa
State team. If they don't win this game, KU will almost certainly go 0-9 in conference play.
10. Kansas- Without a doubt, basketball reigns supreme in Lawrence. The Jayhawks are an
annual powerhouse on the hardwood, whereas their football team can never seem to sustain
any success. Heading into 2007, Kansas hadn't won more than eight games in a season in over
a decade. Out of nowhere, the Jayhawks got on a roll that year, winning their first 11 games.
Heading into "The Border War" against Missouri, they were ranked #2 in the country. Missouri
ended up winning a close game, leaving Kansas out of the Big 12 title game. Nevertheless, the
Jayhawks rebounded with an Orange Bowl win to finish with a historic 12-1 record. Just when it
seemed like the program was ready to compete with the big boys, though, they began a steady
decline from which they have yet to recover. They haven't been back to the postseason since
2008 and have won a total of ten games over the past five seasons. Kansas hit rock bottom a
few years ago and seem to be making no progress in the positive direction. They went 3-9 last
season, which was actually an improvement over the past few years. Only eight starters return
from that team, though, leaving a very inexperienced roster for equally inexperienced head
coach David Beaty. Kansas seems to be stuck in quicksand, and every move they make only digs
them deeper. Realistically, I can't see Kansas winning more than one game in 2015.
In 2012, Kansas hired Charlie Weis as their head coach. He had been a great offensive
coordinator in the NFL, so most expected that Kansas would have a decent offense under his
leadership. Instead, they were one of the worst offenses in the country throughout his tenure.
Last season, they only reached 30 points twice. That simply doesn't cut it in a conference with
so many great offenses. If Kansas wants to start winning football games in the Big 12, they will
have to start fielding offenses that can put up at least 25 points per game. The hopes for this
year's offense hinge on the arm of Martell Cozart. After barely missing out on the starting job
last season, Cozart should be able to hammer down the starting job this year. He has decent
potential, but poor decision making and the lack of a supporting cast will severely hurt his
performance. On top of that, he has to rely on the protection of a bad offensive line. Not only
has Kansas suffered from poor offensive line play in the past, but this year's group is also very
inexperienced. Their struggles will also prevent running back De'Andre Mann from having
much success. Kansas' offense has been very bad for many years, and they may even be worse
this season due to the lack of experience at nearly every position.
Kansas' defense wasn't good last year, but it wasn't horrible by Big 12 standards. They
had a few talented individuals, such as linebacker Michael Reynolds and cornerback JaCorey
Shepherd. With those guys gone, Kansas will have some major trouble on the defensive side of
the ball. They don't have the talent to hold up against the elite offenses that they will face on a
weekly basis. Quite frankly, there's not much to like about this football team heading into the
season. They are incredibly inexperienced, as their total of eight returning starters ranks dead
last among Power 5 teams. David Beaty has experience issues of his own, as he has never been
a head coach before. Kansas will be hard-pressed to match their 2014 record of 3-9.
ACC
The ACC felt good heading into last season. One of their members, Florida State was coming off
a National Championship, giving credibility to the rest of the conference. The 'Noles opened
the 2014 season at #1 in the polls and were the most popular pick to win the inaugural college
football playoff. As expected, Florida State went undefeated during the regular season and
reached the playoff. Unfortunately, though, they made the ACC look bad in the process. They
played sloppily all year, and most people believed that they would have lost a few games if they
played in a tougher conference. Those accusations were justified when FSU got throttled by
Oregon in the Rose Bowl. That game was a black eye for this conference, and they now must
strive to earn back some respect. With Florida State losing many key players, the conference is
now wide open. Clemson is a popular pick to end the Seminoles' run of three straight ACC
championships. Those two are the heavyweights, and both play in the Atlantic division.
Louisville trails behind as the third best team in that division. The other side of the conference
doesn't boast any playoff contenders, but they go five deep with solid teams. Pittsburgh has
plenty of offensive firepower, and new head coach Pat Narduzzi will whip the defense into good
shape. They are my pick to win the Coastal division. Georgia Tech, Miami, Virginia Tech, and
North Carolina sit right behind them. The ACC has plenty of good teams, but they don't have
any clear playoff contenders this season. Clemson has the talent to make a run if they can fill in
holes on the defensive side of the ball. The big problem standing in the ACC's path is their
reputation. A one-loss ACC team is sure to be passed up by the playoff committee in favor of a
one-loss team from any other Power 5 conference. I can't see any team running the table this
season, which means the ACC will probably be the odd-man out of the playoff.

Atlantic
Coastal
1. Clemson
1. Pittsburgh
2. Florida State
2. Georgia Tech
3. Louisville
3. Virginia Tech
4. NC State
4. Miami, FL
5. Boston College
5. North Carolina
6. Syracuse
6. Duke
7. Wake Forest
7. Virginia
Projected Conference Champion: Clemson
ACC Atlantic
CLEMSON TIGERS
Head Coach: Dabo Swinney

(8th season)
ACC Atlantic, won Russell
Athletic Bowl
Location: Clemson, SC
WR Mike Williams
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Deshaun Watson
Wayne Gallman
Artavis Scott
Charone Peake
Mike Williams
Jordan Leggett
Ryan Norton
Tyrone Crowder Jr
Eric Mac Lain
Joe Gore
Mitch Hyatt
Alex Spence
Wayne Gallman
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Kevin Dodd
Carlos Watkins
D.J. Reader
Shaq Lawson
Korrin Wiggins
B.J. Goodson
Ben Boulware
Mackensie Alexander
Cordrea Tankersley
Jayron Kearse
T.J. Green
Andy Teasdall
Germone Hopper
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/17 (Thurs)
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Wofford
Appalachian State
@Louisville
Notre Dame
Georgia Tech
Boston College
@Miami (FL)
@NC State
Florida State
@Syracuse
Wake Forest
@South Carolina
Big Game: Clemson's inexperience in the trenches will be tested early on when the Tigers host
Notre Dame and their fearsome front seven. If the Tigers want to get into the playoff, they will
need to win this football game. This is part of a tough three game stretch that will test
Clemson's character. Notre Dame is the biggest obstacle between Clemson and the playoff.
Bowl Prediction: Peach (New Year's Six)
1. Clemson- Dabo Swinney has injected energy into this football program, turning them into an
ACC powerhouse. The Tigers are coming off four straight double digit win seasons and enter
this season with plenty of anticipation. Clemson replaced a plethora of offensive stars last
season, including quarterback Tajh Boyd. That turned out not to be a huge problem, though,
because the defense took a massive leap. This year, Clemson has proven offensive weapons
but must replace most of the defense. If they could have combined last year's defense with this
year's offense, the Tigers would be a near lock to win the national title. As it stands, however,
they have many defensive questions to address heading into the season. Luckily, they have the
best player in the country at quarterback and, therefore, could contend for a playoff spot.
Deshaun Watson only played extensively in five games last season due to injury, but
when he did play he looked fantastic. The true freshman compiled an incredible quarterback
rating of 188.6, which would have led the nation if he had thrown enough passes to qualify.
The dual-threat quarterback is also deadly as a runner. As long as he stays healthy, the sky is
the limit for Deshaun Watson. His sheer athleticism and playmaking ability will carry Clemson's
offense to unprecedented heights. Watson is going to put up crazy numbers this season for a
very successful football team, which is the perfect formula for the Heisman Trophy. If he does
win the award, he will have to give some of the credit to his receivers. Mike Williams and
Artavis Scott form arguably the most lethal wide receiver combo in all of college football. They
are both preseason All-American selections. Charone Peake will also have great success as the
number three target. Clemson's running game will benefit from the great passing game
because opponents won't give it as much attention. Wayne Gallman has the potential to be a
1,000 yard rusher at the head of a deep backfield. Even with so much talent, though, this
offense does have one weakness. They must replace four starting offensive linemen, which will
probably lead to mediocre protection early in the season. Hopefully they can gel quickly
because nothing else is preventing this offense from being very special.
Clemson has been a solid defensive football program throughout the Dabo Swinney era,
but they really cranked up their performance last season. In Brent Venables' third season as
defensive coordinator, the Tigers ranked #1 in the country in total defense and #3 in points
against, stifling opponents to just 16.7 points per game. Four Clemson defenders were named
to the All-ACC first team, and defensive end Vic Beasley earned ACC Defensive Player of the
Year honors. Only four defensive starters return, forcing Venables to reload at every level of
the defense. The secondary retains the most experience, as cornerback Mackensie Alexander
and safety Jayron Kearse return. Linebacker Korrin Wiggins will become the leader of the front
seven, and defensive end Shaq Lawson should emerge as a dangerous pass rusher. Clemson's
defense will rank in the top half of the ACC despite all the losses. The Tigers have the talent to
make the playoff, but their inexperience will probably cost them in a few games. They are still
the ACC favorites and should be a solid bet to win eleven games.
ACC Atlantic
FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher (6th

season)
2014 Results: 13-1, 1st in ACC
Atlantic, won ACC Championship,
lost Rose Bowl (Playoff Semifinal)
Stadium: Doak Campbell Stadium
Location: Tallahassee, FL
CB Jalen Ramsey
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Everett Golson
Dalvin Cook
Ja'Vonn Harrison
Jesus Wilson
Travis Rudolph
Mavin Saunders
Alec Eberle
Wilson Bell
Kareem Are
Chad Mavety
Roderick Johnson
Roberto Aguayo
Kermit Whitfield
DE
DT
NG
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Chris Casher
Giorgio Newberry
Derrick Mitchell Jr
Justin Shanks
DeMarcus Walker
Reggie Northrup
Terrance Smith
Jalen Ramsey
Marquez White
Tyler Hunter
Nate Andrews
Cason Beatty
Mario Pender
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/18 (Fri)
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Texas State
USF
@Boston College
@Wake Forest
Miami (FL)
Louisville
@Georgia Tech
Syracuse
@Clemson
NC State
Chattanooga
@Florida
Big Game: Florida State may not be the same team they were the past few seasons, but they
are still very much in the hunt for the ACC title. If they want to win their fourth straight ACC
Atlantic title, they will have to beat Clemson in Death Valley. They currently have a three game
winning streak over the Tigers. The winner of this game will almost certainly win the division.
Bowl Prediction: Belk
2. Florida State- Bobby Bowden is obviously one of the icons of college football. He led Florida
State to an unprecedented streak of 14 straight Top 5 finishes, and continued their success
through the early 2000s. In his last few years, though, the Seminoles began trailing off a bit.
They obviously needed a spark, and that spark was provided by the hiring of Jimbo Fisher.
Since Fisher's promotion to head coach, the resurgent Seminoles have reclaimed their place
among the elite college football programs. After winning the National Championship in 2013,
they fell short in the playoff semifinals last year and finished 13-1. That would be considered a
success at most schools, but it was a disappointment for a Florida State team that had higher
expectations. Now, they must replace 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, among
other key starters. FSU is on a mission to prove they are still the team to beat in the ACC.
Florida State's 2013 offense was among the best that college football has ever seen.
With Winston returning last season, most assumed that the 'Noles would approach that
production once again. Unfortunately, Winston actually regressed, and the offense suffered
significantly as a result. Even though he underachieved last year, though, Winston will be
missed now that he's in the NFL. Florida State brought in graduate transfer Everett Golson from
Notre Dame to replace him. Golson has the potential to be a very good player for the 'Noles,
but, like Winston, he has struggled with turnovers in the past. I expect him to clean up his
game a bit and have a fine season, but he won't manage to fill the shoes left behind by the
former Heisman winner. Florida State may have to rely more heavily on the running game,
which isn't a problem considering they have one of the best backs in the country. Dalvin Cook
put together an outstanding freshman season and looks to build on that now that he's the fulltime starter. He is currently suspended indefinitely for battery charges, though. The result of
his case will have a great impact on this offense. As far as receivers go, Travis Rudolph should
have a great season as the go-to guy. He will come close to Rashad Greene's excellent 2014
numbers. Tight end Nick O'Leary was a first team All-American last year, so his departure will
be felt. Also, the offensive line loses a whopping four starters, including three All-Americans.
This offense will still be good, but they will regress again due to the loss of so many stars.
Luckily for Florida State, things look much better on the defensive side of the ball. After
breaking in a host of new starters last season, the 'Noles have much more experience this year.
Their big stars are in the secondary. Jalen Ramsey, who has been among the nation's best
safeties the past two years, moves to cornerback. He will immediately excel at his new
position. Free safety Nate Andrews has also been a staple at the back end of the Seminole
defense the past two seasons, snagging seven interceptions during that time. The linebacking
corps is also very solid, as all three starters return. The defensive line, on the other hand,
presents a concern. They must replace All-ACC selections Eddie Goldman and Mario Edwards
Jr. Overall, this year's defense will be an improvement over the 2014 version. Florida State's
offense will cause the team to take a step back, but they are still a legitimate ACC contender.
ACC Atlantic
LOUISVILLE CARDINALS
Head Coach: Bobby Petrino

(2nd season)
2014 Results: 9-4, 3rd in ACC
Atlantic, lost Belk Bowl
Stadium: Papa John's
Cardinal Stadium
Location: Louisville, KY
QB Reggie Bonnafon
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Reggie Bonnafon
Brandon Radcliff
Ja'Quay Williams
James Quick
Jamari Staples
Keith Towbridge
Tobijah Hughley
Skylar Lacy
Pedro Sibiea
Aaron Epps
Kelby Johnson
John Wallace
Ja'Quay Williams
DE
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Pio Vatuvei
DeAngelo Brown
Sheldon Rankins
Keith Brown
James Burgess
Keith Kelsey
Henry Famurewa
Shaq Wiggins
Cornelius Sturghill
Josh Harvey-Clemons
Charles Williams
Joshua Appleby
Jamari Staples
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/17 (Thurs)
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/30 (Fri)
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Auburn (Atlanta)
Houston
Clemson
Samford
@NC State
@Florida State
Boston College
@Wake Forest
Syracuse
Virginia
@Pittsburgh
@Kentucky
Big Game: If Louisville wants to contend for the Atlantic division title, they will have to at least
split with Clemson and Florida State. Of those two games, their best chance is definitely against
Clemson. Louisville gets the Tigers at home on a Thursday night, which will be a big home-field
advantage. Also, the Cards will already be battle-tested after playing Auburn and Houston.
Bowl Prediction: Music City
3. Louisville- To the common college football fan, Louisville seemed primed for a huge drop-off
in 2014. After going 12-1 the year before, the Cardinals lost four-year starting quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater to the NFL and head coach Charlie Strong to Texas. Furthermore, they
made the leap from the American Athletic Conference to the ACC, which is regarded as a much
tougher league. Despite those signs pointing against the Cardinals, I believed they could have
another fine season. After all, they still had plenty of talent on the roster. More importantly,
they hired the perfect replacement for Charlie Strong. Bobby Petrino had taken Louisville to
the promise land before, and he also did wonders at Arkansas. I called for the Cardinals to win
eight games. Not only did they match that prediction, but they actually surpassed it with a 9-4
record. Louisville silenced the doubters and proved they can compete in the ACC. Once again,
though, they must replace a plethora of starters. For that reason, Louisville is still a year away
from being considered a true ACC contender. Nonetheless, they are a dangerous football team
that is capable of beating any conference foe on any given week.
Bobby Petrino is known for his quarterback-friendly offenses. His arrival at Louisville
helped ease the transition to a new signal caller after the departure of Teddy Bridgewater. Will
Gardner did a nice job as the starter in 2014, but an injury late in the year ended his season and
has put him behind in the battle for the starting job in 2015. Reggie Bonnafon had a great
spring, propelling himself to the top of the depth chart. The dual-threat quarterback seems
poised for a breakout season. He will have to break in a new group of wide receivers, as
DeVante Parker and Eli Rodgers both moved on. Parker will be difficult to replace, but James
Quick should do just fine as the number one receiver. As is typical of a Bobby Petrino offense,
the passing game will take center stage with Bonnafon at the helm. However, Louisville also
features an experienced running back. Brandon Radcliff had a solid redshirt freshman
campaign and is ready to take the next step this fall. One concern for this offense is their
inexperience along the line. Only two starters return, so chemistry could be an issue. Louisville
has enough talent at the skill positions to make up for that, though. This offense will rank near
the top of the ACC once again in 2015.
Charlie Strong's specialty is defense, so it wasn't surprising that the Cardinals ranked
number one nationally in points allowed during his final season as head coach. A pretty big
drop-off was expected when Strong was replaced with offensive specialist Bobby Petrino.
Surprisingly, the Cardinal defense remained very strong. They didn't match their crazy 2013
numbers, but they were definitely an asset rather than a liability. There is more reason for
concern this season, as only four starters return on that side of the ball. The biggest loss is
safety Gerod Holliman, whose 14 interceptions earned him the Jim Thorpe Award for top
defensive back and a first team All-American selection. Zero defensive backs return, making
the pass defense vulnerable. The front seven, led by DE Sheldon Rankins, should be solid,
though. Louisville will overcome their inexperience and match last year's total of nine wins.
ACC Atlantic
NC STATE WOLFPACK
Head Coach: Dave Doeren

(3rd season)
2014 Results: 8-5, 5th in ACC
Atlantic, won Petersburg Bowl
Stadium: Carter-Finley
Stadium
Location: Raleigh, NC
QB Jacoby Brissett
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Jacoby Brissett
RB Shadrach Thornton
WR Bra'Lon Cherry
WR Jumichael Ramos
WR Johnathan Alston
TE
David J. Grinnage
C
Quinton Schooley
RG Tony Adams
LG
Joe Thuney
RT
Alex Barr
LT
Tyler Jones
K
William Stephenson
KR Matt Dayes
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Kentavius Street
Kenton Gibbs
B.J. Hill
Mike Rose
Bradley Chubb
Jerod Fernandez
Dravious Wright
Jake Tocho
Juston Burris
Josh Jones
Hakim Jones
William Stephenson
Bra'Lon Cherry
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/9 (Fri)
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Troy
Eastern Kentucky
@Old Dominion
@South Alabama
Louisville
@Virginia Tech
@Wake Forest
Clemson
@Boston College
@Florida State
Syracuse
North Carolina
Big Game: NC State plays a very weak nonconference slate, and they should be able to cruise to
wins against the bottom three teams in this division. That gives them seven easy wins. It the
Wolfpack can get past Louisville, they will put themselves in great position to top their 2014
record of 8-5. NC State lost to the Cardinals 30-18 in Louisville last season.
Bowl Prediction: Pinstripe
4. NC State- Tom O'Brien had a decent stint as the Wolfpack head coach from 2007 through
2012, but decent wasn't good enough for NC State. They fired O'Brien after a disappointing 7-5
season and replaced him with Dave Doeren. The transition was far from perfect, as the
Wolfpack slipped to 3-9 in Doeren's first season. They lost all eight ACC games, none of which
were even close. It seemed like it would be awhile before NC State was ready to start
competing again. Last year's team came in with other thoughts in mind. They more than
doubled their win total from the year before, finishing 8-5. Now, the program looks much more
stable than it did a year ago. They have an answer at quarterback in Jacoby Brissett, and the
team has bought into Dave Doeren's goals. Add that to one of the easiest schedules of all the
Power 5 teams, and NC State is a sure-fire pick to get back to a bowl game. They are much
closer to Louisville than they are to the rest of the Atlantic division.
The main reason for NC State's turnaround in 2014 was the arrival of Jacoby Brissett.
After losing out on the quarterback battle at Florida in 2012, Brissett transferred to NC State
and was eligible to play beginning last fall. It turned out to be a great move, as he excelled in
his first season in Raleigh. Brissett threw 23 touchdowns against just five interceptions. His
arrival helped the offense jump from one of the ACC's worst to one of its best. I expect him to
build on last year's success, making him a candidate for an All-ACC team. All of Brissett's top
targets return, which further helps his cause. The Wolfpack's passing attack will be very good in
2015. In addition to Brissett's arm, NC State can also lean on Shadrach Thornton's legs. The
senior running back is coming off two fine seasons in a row. He rushed for 907 yards and nine
touchdowns last season and could get to 1,000 yards this year. Matt Dayes provides another
pair of serviceable legs. He scored eight times as the backup in 2014, and he should play a
significant role in the offense again this fall. In addition to all the experience NC State has at
the skill positions, they also return three offensive line starters. The Wolfpack played good
offense last season, but the best is yet to come. Led by Jacoby Brissett, NC State's offense will
easily rank in the top half of the ACC.
The defense doesn't get as many pieces back as the offense does, but they remain in
decent shape. NC State allowed an average of 27 points per game last year. That isn't terrible,
but it's something they will want to improve on in order to take the next step as a team. They
were spotted for 56 points against both Florida State and Georgia Tech. In the Florida State
game, they lost despite scoring 41 points. The Wolfpack defense played pretty well in the last
three games of the season, so hopefully they can get back to that level this year. Pass defense
was their strength in 2014, and they return plenty of experience in that area. Free safety Josh
Jones looks to take a bigger leadership role after pacing the Wolfpack with 4 interceptions as a
redshirt freshman. He is one of six sophomores who will start for this defense. The defensive
line lacks experience, which will hurt the run defense. This defense won't be horrible, but they
aren't an asset. NC State will ride a good offense to eight or nine wins.
ACC Atlantic
BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES
Head Coach: Steve Addazio

(3rd season)
Atlantic, lost Pinstripe Bowl
Stadium: Alumni Stadium
Location: Chestnut Hill, MA
DT Connor Wujciak
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Darius Wade
RB Jon Hilliman
WR Charlie Callinan
WR Thaddius Smith
WR Sherman Alston
TE
Michael Giacone
C
Frank Taylor
RG Harris Williams
LG
Jon Baker
RT
Chris Lindstrom
LT
Dave Bowen
K
Alex Howell
KR Myles Willis
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Malachi Moore
Truman Gutapfel
Connor Wujciak
Kevin Kavalec
Matt Milano
Steven Daniels
Mike Strizak
Bobby Wolford
John Johnson
Christian Lezzer
Justin Simmons
Alex Howell
Sherman Alston
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/18 (Fri)
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Maine
Howard
Florida State
Northern Illinois
@Duke
Wake Forest
@Clemson
@Louisville
Virginia Tech
NC State
Notre Dame (Boston)
@Syracuse
Big Game: Northern Illinois is a very tough MAC team that has consistently beaten Power 5
teams in nonconfernce play. The Eagles will face the Huskies early in the season, when BC is
still breaking in new starters at numerous positions. It's strange to call a September game a
must-win, but this one may determine whether or not Boston College goes bowling.
5. Boston College- Before he left for NC State, Tom O'Brien was the head coach at Boston
College from 1997 through 2006. Under his leadership, the Eagles won at least eight games six
seasons in a row and made a seamless transition from the Big East to the ACC. It was surprising
when he bolted for NC State after the 2006 season. Boston College brought in former Green
Bay Packers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, and he immediately took the Eagles to new
heights. They won back-to-back Atlantic division championships in his two seasons. He made a
surprising decision to leave for another OC position in the NFL after 2008. Ever since, Boston
College has slipped into mediocrity. They haven't won more than seven games in a season
since 2009. Steve Addazio took over as head coach in 2013, and the Eagles have gone 7-6 in
each of his first two seasons. Year three typically yields the biggest improvement for coaches,
but Addazio has a very young team in 2015. Only eight starters return, which is tied for last in
the ACC. Boston College played in a lot of close games last season, so this year could really go a
number of ways. They lost four games by less than a touchdown in 2014, and they will
probably have to win more of those contests this year in order to reach a bowl game.
Boston College enters the fall with almost no experience on the offensive side of the
ball. They only return two starters, wide receivers Sherman Alston and Charlie Callinan, who
combined for a mere 324 yards in 2014. Basically, the Eagles are starting over with a
completely new set of offensive players. Boston College had a below-average offense last
season, so the inexperience is really going to hurt them. They must replace running back Myles
Willis, but his departure shouldn't be a problem. The bigger blow to the running game is the
loss of quarterback Tyler Murphy, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. With him gone,
BC will need to find a true running back to carry the load. I would expect Jon Hilliman to have a
good season, but he may struggle to find running room given the state of the offensive line.
This year's starting unit features five guys who started a combined total of one game in 2014.
The offensive line situation will also create problems for new quarterback Darius Wade. The
Eagles' recent quarterbacks haven't put up great passing numbers because of the offense's
focus on running the football. Due to the inexperience at so many positions, Boston College is
going to have one of the worst offenses in the ACC.
Boston College's strength last year was defense. Luckily, a respectable total of six
defensive starters return. If BC wants to get to the postseason, their defense will have to play
at an incredibly high level. The Eagles feature a strong defensive line that is very tough against
the run. In fact, they ranked second nationally in terms of rushing yards allowed in 2014,
holding opponents under 100 yards per game. Defensive tackle Connor Wujciak is among
Boston College's many good run-stoppers. He will make a name for himself this season. Free
safety Justin Simmons is another impact player. Simmons led the Eagles with 76 tackles and
two interceptions in 2014. This defense will be good again this fall, but they won't be good
enough to make up for a bad offense. Boston College will probably spend the holidays at home.
ACC Atlantic
SYRACUSE ORANGE
Head Coach: Scott Shafer

(3rd season)
Atlantic
Stadium: Carrier Dome
Location: Syracuse, NY
QB Terrel Hunt
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
HB
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Terrel Hunt
Devante McFarlane
Ervin Phillips
Alvin Cornelius
Steve Ishmael
Josh Parris
Rob Trudo
Aaron Roberts
Nick Robinson
Omari Palmer
Ivan Foy
Cole Murphy
Brisly Estime
DE
DT
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Donnie Simmons
Ron Thompson
Kayton Samuels
Lucas Albrecht
Paris Bennett
Zaire Franklin
Marquez Hodge
Wayne Morgan
Julian Whigham
Antwan Cordy
Chauncey Scissum
Riley Dixon
Brisly Estime
SCHEDULE
Date
9/4 (Fri)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Rhode Island
Wake Forest
Central Michigan
LSU
@USF
@Virginia
Pittsburgh
@Florida State
@Louisville
Clemson
@NC State
Boston College
Big Game: Thanks to an easy early-season schedule, Syracuse could be sitting at 4-1 heading
into their game against Virginia. Wins will be hard to come by from that point on, though,
making this one a must-win. If Syracuse gets past the Cavaliers to advance to 5-1, they will
have a decent shot at reaching their fourth bowl game in six years.
6. Syracuse- During the 1990s and the early part of the 2000s, Syracuse was a juggernaut in the
Big East conference. They won four Big East titles during that time, which spanned the
coaching tenures of Dick MacPherson and Paul Pasqualoni. The Orange began declining in the
final years of the Pasqualoni era, and they stayed down in the seasons following his departure.
Greg Robinson failed to get the Orange to a single bowl game from 2005 through 2008, leading
to his firing. Syracuse hired Doug Marrone, and he got the program back on track. They went
8-5 in 2010 and then repeated that record in 2012. Marrone had guided Syracuse back to
respectability, but it was shocking when the Buffalo Bills hired him after the 2012 season. His
accomplishments at Syracuse didn't seem to warrant such a position. Nonetheless, the Orange
were forced to find a new head coach. Scott Shafer ultimately earned the job and was tasked
with guiding the program into the ACC. Their first year in the new conference was a success, as
they went 7-6. Last season, however, the Orange slipped to 3-9, winning just one conference
game. They don't have many experienced players coming back, making another losing season
seem likely. Syracuse has a shot at getting to the postseason, but they would have to win all
their toss-up games. A final record of 4-8 or 5-7 is more realistic.
Syracuse's offense struggled mightily in 2014. They averaged 17.1 points per game,
which ranked 122nd in the FBS. They were especially bad at the end of the year, failing to top
ten points in their final three games. Luckily, most of the returning starters are on the offensive
side of the ball. Syracuse hopes that some of those experienced players can take the next step
now that they know the offense. One such player is Terrel Hunt, the quarterback. Hunt
struggled mightily as a passer in 2014, throwing just one touchdown pass compared to four
interceptions. Based on the large sample size, there isn't much hope that he can become a
good passing quarterback. He is a much bigger threat on the ground. Hunt's six rushing
touchdowns led the team last season. There will be a new running back next to him in the
backfield this season. Devante McFarlane's 169 rushing yards ranked fourth among Syracuse
rushers in 2014. He will play a much larger role in the offense this season as the lead back. One
good sign for this offense is the return of four starting linemen. If they can improve a little bit
as a unit, the rest of the offense will greatly benefit. Successful offenses in modern college
football have good passing quarterbacks, though, and Terrel Hunt simply doesn't fit that mold.
This offense will have another rough season despite their experience.
The defense kept Syracuse afloat last season, giving them a shot to win several games
even when the offense didn't step up. Unfortunately, only three starters return on that side of
the ball. All-ACC linebacker Cameron Lynch is gone, leaving the Orange without a proven
leader. Lynch not only led the team in tackles, but he also racked up seven sacks. They also
lose free safety Durell Eskridge, another solid player. It is unrealistic to expect this defense to
return to last year's level after losing so many pieces. The Orange have major questions to
answer on both sides of the ball. Syracuse will likely miss out on a bowl game once again.
ACC Atlantic
WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS
Head Coach: Dave Clawson

(2nd season)
Atlantic
Stadium: BB&T Field
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
TE Cam Serigne
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
John Wolford
Dezmond Wortham
Tyree Harris
Jared Crump
Jonathan Williams
Cam Serigne
Ryan Anderson
Dylan Intemann
Josh T. Harris
Justin Herron
Phil Haynes
Mike Weaver
John Armstrong
DE
DT
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Wendell Dunn
Josh Banks
Tylor Harris
Rashawn Shaw
Hunter Williams
Marquel Lee
Brandon Chubb
Brad Watson
Deonte Davis
Thomas Brown
Ryan Janvion
Alexander Kinal
Jared Crump
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/30 (Fri)
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Elon
@Syracuse
@Army
Indiana
Florida State
@Boston College
@North Carolina
NC State
Louisville
@Notre Dame
@Clemson
Duke
Big Game: If Wake Forest wants to get out of the basement of the Atlantic division, they will
have to beat Syracuse on the road. The Demon Deacons didn't even put up a fight against the
Orange last season, dropping a 30-7 snoozer. That will need to change this year in order for
Wake Forest to start heading in the right direction and become a decent ACC team.
7. Wake Forest- Of all the Power 5 programs, Wake Forest has by far the lowest budget for
athletics. That has shown on the field throughout most of the Demon Deacons' history, as they
have historically been a punching bag for the power programs. Everything changed when Jim
Grobe was hired in 2001. Grobe slowly built the Deacons up to a competitive level. Finally, in
2006, they broke through. Wake Forest won their first ever ACC title, earning them a spot in
the Orange Bowl. They finished with an 11-3 record, which was the best in school history. The
next two years were solid as well. They went 9-4 in 2007 and 8-5 in 2008. It marked the first
time Wake Forest had been to three straight bowl games. The success didn't last long, though.
The next year, the Demon Deacons fell to 5-7, and they haven't posted a winning record since.
Jim Grobe stepped down after the 2013 season, marking the end of a historic era of Wake
Forest football. Dave Clawson was tasked with replacing a legend and winning without much
talent. Wake Forest went 3-9 in his first season. If the Demon Deacons ever return to their
peak level, it won't be for a while. For now, they have a secure spot at the bottom of the ACC.
Even when Wake Forest was winning games under Jim Grobe, offense wasn't the
reason. In fact, during the Deacons' ACC championship season, they averaged just slightly over
20 points per game. The offense has been even worse in recent years, and they reached rock
bottom in 2014. Their 14.8 points per game ranked second to last among all FBS teams. Wake
Forest simply doesn't have the weapons to win high-scoring shootouts. Hopefully they can
make some improvements in 2015 because they have more experience. That all starts with the
quarterback, John Wolford. He started as a true freshman in 2014, and his youth showed.
Wolford threw 14 interceptions, which was the third most in the ACC. I don't expect Wolford to
become an elite quarterback, but cutting down on turnovers would be a huge step in the right
direction. He should have better awareness now that he has a year of experience under his
belt. It helps that his security blanket, tight end Cam Serigne, is back. Serigne led the Demon
Deacons in catches, yards, and touchdowns in 2014. He will have another productive season as
John Wolford's favorite target. Wake Forest's passing game will be improved, but the running
backs are a much bigger concern. Lead back Dezmond Wortham averaged a miniscule 2.9 yards
per carry last year. Such unproductive rushes put the offense in a hole on early downs. Wake
Forest's offense can only go up from last year, but they are still one of the ACC's worst units.
Defense was always the strength of the Demon Deacons under Jim Grobe, and it
remained a strength in Dave Clawson's first season. Two Wake Forest defenders were named
to an All-ACC team in 2014: cornerback Kevin Johnson and linebacker Brandon Chubb. Kevin
Johnson was selected in the first round of the NFL draft, so his departure hurts the Wake Forest
secondary. Chubb returns, though, and will be the leader of the defense. Brandon Chubb,
Marquel Lee, and Hunter Williams form a very good linebacking corps. The Demon Deacons
play good team defense at all levels despite the lack of star players. Wake Forest will scratch
out as many wins as they can get, but a bowl appearance is out of reach.
ACC Coastal
PITT S BURGH PANTHERS
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi

(1st season)
Coastal, lost Armed Forces
Bowl
Stadium: Heinz Field
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
RB James Conner
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Chad Voytik
RB James Conner
FB Jaymar Parrish
WR Tyler Boyd
WR Dontez Ford
TE
J.P. Holtz
C
Alex Officer
RG Alex Bookser
LG
Dorian Johnson
RT
Jaryd Jones-Smith
LT
Adam Bisnowaty
K
Chris Blewitt
KR Tyler Boyd
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Rori Blair
Darryl Render
Khaynin Mosley-Smith
Ejuan Price
Nicholas Grigsby
Matt Galambos
Bam Bradley
Lafayette Pitts
Avonte Maddox
Patrick Amara
Reggie Mitchell
Ryan Winslow
Tyler Boyd
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/29 (Thurs)
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/27 (Fri)
Opponent
Youngstown State
@Akron
@Iowa
@Virginia Tech
Virginia
@Georgia Tech
@Syracuse
North Carolina
Notre Dame
@Duke
Louisville
Miami (FL)
Big Game: Pittsburgh opens their ACC schedule in Blacksburg following a bye week. This should
be an old-fashioned, smash mouth football game. The Coastal division appears to be pretty
wide open, and this game will help determine where these two stand. If the Panthers go on the
road and pull this one out, they will signal to the rest of the conference that they are for real.
Bowl Prediction: Russell Athletic
1. Pittsburgh- Pitt enters 2015 riding a seven year bowl streak, but the ride hasn't been a
smooth one. The Panthers have finished with a regular season record of 6-6 each of the past
four seasons, barely sneaking into a bowl game. This offseason, Paul Chryst returned to
Wisconsin after a mediocre three year stint in the Steel City. Pittsburgh made a splash by hiring
former Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. The orchestrator of one of the
nation's most dominant defenses, Narduzzi had been a highly sought-after coaching prospect
for a few years. Now that Pittsburgh finally has the right coach, they are ready to start making
some noise in the ACC. Narduzzi inherits a talented, experienced team that was better than
their record showed last season. Four of their seven losses came by less than a touchdown, so
they could have easily won eight or nine games. Pittsburgh features an offensive trio that rivals
any in college football. The defense may not have many stars, but Pat Narduzzi will have them
playing great team defense in no time. Everything seems to be coming together at just the
right time for the Panthers to make a run at the ACC Coastal crown.
Of all the players on a football team, the quarterback, running back, and best receiver
touch the ball far more than anyone else. Having good players at those three positions goes a
long way in determining how the offense performs. That's good news for Pittsburgh, who has
arguably the best QB-RB-WR trio in the ACC. It all starts with bellcow running back James
Conner. The 250-pound back is the definition of a workhorse, leading the ACC in rush attempts
in 2014. He made the best of those opportunities, piling up 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Conner will carry an even bigger load this season and could wind up on an All-American team.
Another potential All-American, Tyler Boyd, ranks as one of the elite wide receivers in the
conference. Boyd packs a rare combination of size and speed that makes him a threat from
anywhere on the field. He is clearly the favorite target of quarterback Chad Voytik, the third
piece of Pitt's offensive trio. Voytik has good mobility and high upside as a passer. He will
make big strides in his second season as the starter. In addition to those talented skill position
players, Pittsburgh has a solid offensive line. The Panther offense will be difficult to slow down.
At Michigan State, Pat Narduzzi made a name for himself by turning the Spartan defense
into a suffocating machine. He got all his players, many of whom weren't highly recruited out
of high school, to buy into his physical mentality. Based on his track record, there's no reason
to bet against him at Pittsburgh. This defense will become an elite unit in no time. They were
solid last season as well, so there are already some pieces in place. One of those pieces is
cornerback Lafayette Pitts, whose name made him destined to become a Panther. Pitts has the
making of a lockdown corner, and he will transform into one under the tutelage of this staff.
Defensive end Rori Blair will also become a dominant player after a promising freshman
campaign. When they put it all together, Pittsburgh's defense will rank right near the top of the
conference. The Panthers were much better than their record showed in 2014, and they will
make a huge stride in Narduzzi's first season. They are my pick to win the ACC Coastal in 2015.
ACC Coastal
GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS
Head Coach: Paul Johnson

(8th season)
2014 Results: 11-3, 1st in ACC
Coastal, won Orange Bowl
Stadium: Bobby Dodd Stadium
Location: Atlanta, GA
QB Justin Thomas
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
RB
RB
WR
WR
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Justin Thomas
Broderick Snoddy
Marcus Allen
Isiah Willis
Micheal Summers
Ricky Jeune
Freddie Burden
Shamire Devine
Trey Braun
Errin Joe
Bryan Chamberlain
Harrison Butker
Jamal Golden
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
KeShun Freeman
Adam Gotsis
Patrick Gamble
Roderick Rook-Chungong
Tyler Marcordes
Anthony Harrell
P.J. Davis
Chris Milton
D.J. White
Demond Smith
Jamal Golden
Ryan Rodwell
Jamal Golden
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/12 (Thurs)
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Alcorn State
Tulane
@Notre Dame
@Duke
North Carolina
@Clemson
Pittsburgh
Florida State
@Virginia
Virginia Tech
@Miami (FL)
Georgia
Big Game: Last season, Georgia Tech dropped 56 points on the Panthers at Heinz Field. They
will have to face a much tougher Pittsburgh team this time around in a game that has a huge
impact on the Yellow Jackets' chances of repeating as Coastal division champs. This game is
sandwiched between tough cross-division games against Clemson and Florida State.
Bowl Prediction: Sun
2. Georgia Tech- Over the past two decades, Georgia Tech has been as consistent as any team
in America. They are currently enjoying an eighteen-year bowl streak and have annually ranked
among the contenders in the ACC Coastal. Since Paul Johnson's hiring as head coach in 2008,
the Yellow Jackets have been to the conference title game three times and played in two major
bowl games. Entering 2014, though, they were clumped among several unproved teams vying
for the division. As the year progressed, Georgia Tech hit their stride. By the end of the regular
season, they were sitting atop the Coastal division. Despite a close loss to Florida State in the
ACC Championship Game, they were selected to play in the Orange Bowl. Facing off against a
top-tier SEC squad in Mississippi State, the Yellow Jackets pulled the upset to finish 11-3 and
ranked #8. After such a great season, GT is the consensus pick to repeat as Coastal division
champions. However, they must replace some key pieces, particularly in the backfield. Georgia
Tech could definitely get back to the ACC title game, but they aren't a lock.
Paul Johnson's claim to fame is his triple-option offense. The former Navy coach
brought his offense to Atlanta, where it has flourished. Not surprisingly, the Yellow Jackets
ranked second nationally in rush yards per game in 2014. Their top five running backs
combined for 2,745 yards, with each of them contributing at least 200 yards. All five of those
guys are gone, leaving a gaping hole at a position where Georgia Tech desperately needs depth.
Broderick Snoddy, a speedy rusher who missed much of 2014 due to injury, assumes the role of
lead back. He will have a fine season, but he can't carry the load all by himself. Georgia Tech's
lack of experience and depth will hurt their rushing attack. Luckily, the offense retains
quarterback Justin Thomas. He runs the offense to perfection, mixing his running ability with a
good arm that keeps defenses off balance. Thomas will be the man in 2015, and if GT repeats
last year's success he could end up in the Heisman discussion. His top two receivers are gone,
but Thomas should be able to find some new, reliable targets. The offensive line and
quarterback positions are basically the only similarities from a year ago. This offense will do
very well, but it will be difficult to duplicate their 2014 production with so many weapons gone.
Georgia Tech may lose a lot of key offensive players, but they retain a majority of their
defense. Eight starters return from a defense that didn't get the credit they deserved for a solid
2014 campaign. Everyone loves to watch the triple-option offense at work, but the defense
boasts many exciting playmakers as well. The secondary is the strength of this year's defense.
Free safety Jamal Golden, a third team All-ACC selection, looks to build on a strong junior
campaign in which he snagged four interceptions. Cornerbacks Chris Milton and DJ White, two
more seniors, form a duo that will be tough to throw against. Up front, the focus lies on
defensive tack Adam Gotsis. He is a force in the middle of the defensive line. I don't expect
Georgia Tech to become an elite defense, but opponents will have to work to get on the
scoreboard. A tough schedule and an inexperienced backfield will prevent the Yellow Jackets
from repeating last year's 11-3 record, but they are still legitimate Coastal division contenders.
ACC Coastal
VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES
Head Coach: Frank Beamer

(29th season)
Coastal, won Military Bowl
Stadium: Lane Stadium
Location: Blacksburg, VA
CB Kendall Fuller
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
FB
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Michael Brewer
J.C. Coleman
Sam Rogers
Isaiah Ford
Cam Phillips
Bucky Hodges
Eric Gallo
Augie Conte
Wyatt Teller
Wade Hansen
Jonathan McLaughlin
Joey Slye
J.C. Coleman
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
CB
CB
FS
S
S
P
PR
Dadi Nicolas
Corey Marshall
Luther Maddy
Ken Ekanem
Andrew Motuapuaka
Deon Clarke
Kendall Fuller
Brandon Facyson
Desmond Frye
Ronny Vandyke
Donovan Riley
A.J. Hughes
Greg Stroman
SCHEDULE
Date
9/7 (Mon)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/9 (Fri)
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/12 (Thurs)
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Ohio State
Furman
@Purdue
@East Carolina
Pittsburgh
NC State
@Miami (FL)
Duke
@Boston College
@Georgia Tech
North Carolina
@Virginia
Big Game: Let's be honest, all the division games are important. If Virginia Tech wants to win
the Coastal division for the first time since 2011, they will have to split their two tough road
games against Miami and Georgia Tech. Between those two games, VT has a better chance of
beating Miami. The Hokies and Hurricanes have traded wins the past four years.
Bowl Prediction: Quick Lane
3. Virginia Tech- Entering his 29th season as Virginia Tech's head coach, Frank Beamer has
earned his place in college football lore. Beamer built a program that has stood among the
nation's elite for over two decades. Over the past few years, however, Beamer's program has
been on the decline. Their streak of eight straight 10+ win seasons was broken when the
Hokies fell to 7-6 in 2012. Most assumed that it was simply a blip in the radar and that Virginia
Tech would be back on top of the ACC in no time. That hope has begun to fade after two more
disappointing seasons. The Hokies had to squeak out a close win against a bad Virginia team in
the final week of the season in order to reach a bowl game last year. Now, questions are
beginning to arise as to whether Virginia Tech's best days are behind them. Virginia Tech still
has the talent to compete with any team in the Coastal division, but they haven't proven it
recently. I expect the Hokies to be much more competitive this season. Until their offense
turns itself around, though, they won't make any noise on the national stage.
Defense has always been Virginia Tech's calling card, but they usually featured a solid
offense as well. Recently, the offense hasn't held up their end of the bargain, forcing the
defense to live up to unreasonable expectations. They are in dire need of a spark, regardless of
which position provides it. The Hokies hope they can get improved play out of quarterback
Michael Brewer and running back JC Coleman. Brewer needs to cut down on interceptions,
which bogged down the offense repeatedly in 2014. If he plays smarter football, Brewer has
the tools to become a solid quarterback. As far as the running backs go, JC Coleman is still the
lead dog heading into the fall. However, he has competition from both Trey Edmunds and
Marshawn Williams. It would be nice if all three could contribute, but ideally one back will
emerge as the bellcow to provide the offense with some stability. The Hokies also have plenty
of experienced pass-catchers, highlighted by receiver Isaiah Ford and tight end Bucky Hodges.
Unfortunately, Virginia Tech must break in a few new starters along the offensive line. I still
don't see any homerun threats on this offense, but the experience at the skill positions should
lead to a slight improvement.
Frank Beamer owes a lot of credit to his long-time defensive coordinator, Bud Foster, for
helping Virginia Tech become the program they are today. During his 20 seasons as the Hokies'
DC, Foster has built one of the most consistently dominant defenses in college football. I see
no reason why that will change this year. Virginia Tech features depth at every level of the
defense as well as a few stars sprinkled throughout. Their defensive line is tough against the
run and can apply pressure on the quarterback with a four-man rush. Dadi Nicholas, Ken
Ekanem, and Corey Marshall are all potential All-ACC selections. The biggest star of the defense
is cornerback Kendall Fuller. Kendall's three older brothers all thrived at Virginia Tech, and he
hopes to top them all with an All-American season. Virginia Tech's defense will be strong as
always, but the offense is still a concern. As long as they improve slightly on that side of the
ball, the Hokies will factor into the ACC Coastal race.
ACC Coastal
MIAMI (FL) HURRICANES
Head Coach: Al Golden (5th

season)
Coastal, lost Independence
Bowl
Stadium: Sun Life Stadium
Location: Miami Gardens, FL
QB Brad Kaaya
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
HB
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Brad Kaaya
Gus Edwards
Christopher Herndon
Stacy Coley
Herb Waters
Christopher Herndon
Nick Linder
Danny Isidora
Alex Gall
Sunny Odogwu
Trevor Darling
Michael Badgley
Stacy Coley
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
S
P
PR
Jelani Hamilton
Courtel Jenkins
Ufomba Kamalu
Trent Harris
Tyriq McCord
Raphael Kirby
Jermaine Grace
Corn Elder
Tracy Howard
Jamal Carter
Deon Bush
Justin Vogel
Braxton Berrios
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/11 (Fri)
9/19
9/26
10/1 (Thurs)
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/27 (Fri)
Opponent
Bethune-Cookman
@Florida Atlantic
Nebraska
@Cincinnati
@Florida State
Virginia Tech
Clemson
@Duke
Virginia
@North Carolina
Georgia Tech
@Pittsburgh
Big Game: These two historic heavyweights from the Sunshine State had a great rivalry when
both schools were annual national title contenders. Recently, the rivalry has been extremely
one-sided, with Florida State winning the last five. Miami needs to make a splash, and beating
the Seminoles would signal that the Hurricanes are ready to compete for the Coastal crown.
Bowl Prediction: St. Petersburg
4. Miami (FL)- When the ACC added Miami in 2004, they thought they were getting an elite
football program that would help carry the conference's flag. That hasn't been the case so far,
as the Hurricanes have yet to reach an ACC championship game. Their move to the ACC directly
coincided with their decline from their place as a national powerhouse. Since 2004, the
Hurricanes have failed to win more than nine games in a season. Al Golden was hired in 2011,
and Miami faced a bowl ban in each of his first two seasons. When they finally became eligible
for the postseason in 2013, the 'Canes improved to 9-4. Al Golden seemed to have the program
trending upward. Miami was the popular pick to finally win the Coastal division last season.
Instead, they fell to 6-7, their first losing season since 2007. The U still has the talent to win the
Coastal division title, but their inconsistency in recent years makes that seem increasingly
unlikely. Miami is at least one year away from being a true ACC contender.
Heading into 2014, Miami had to find a replacement for two-year starting quarterback
Stephen Morris. They didn't have a proven option anywhere on the roster, forcing them to
start true freshman Brad Kaaya. That turned out to be a great move, as he stepped in and
threw for 3,198 yards and 26 touchdowns. This year, Miami has no questions at the
quarterback position. Brad Kaaya should have another great season. Unfortunately, he loses
top wide receiver Phillip Dorsett and tight end Clive Walford, his security blanket. Other
playmakers will step up, though. Wide receiver Stacy Coley has tons of upside and could be
poised for a breakout season. The loss of Dorsett and Walford won't hamper Brad Kaaya's
performance. A bigger concern is the offensive line, which loses three starters. The departure
of star left tackle Erick Flowers especially hurts. The line's inexperience will also impact the
running game, which has enough of an issue already due to the departure of Duke Johnson.
Johnson had been the heart of Miami's offense since 2012, making him very difficult to replace.
Gus Edwards and Joe Yearby are both good running backs, though, so they should be able to
come close to Johnson's production. Miami will feature a balanced offense once again. With
Brad Kaaya at the helm, the Hurricanes won't have any problems scoring this season.
Despite the team's losing record, Miami's defense was also pretty good in 2014. They
only allowed more than 35 points once all season, and they held four opponents below 14. The
Hurricanes lose star linebacker Denzel Perryman. The departure of the team tackling leader
and All-American selection leaves a hole in the middle of the defense. His leadership and
athleticism will be missed. I doubt the Hurricanes will find a replacement for Perryman, but
they should be able to make up for his loss by improving in other areas. The secondary is rich
with experience and talent. Miami's pass defense was very good last season and could be even
better in 2015. Safety Deon Bush has the potential to become a stud as the anchor of the
defensive backs. Outside linebacker Jermaine Grace will also assume a leadership role. Even
though this defense loses their centerpiece, they will have another fine season. Miami could
challenge for the Coastal division title if they don't let winnable games slip away from them.
ACC Coastal
NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
Head Coach: Larry Fedora

(4th season)
2014 Results: 6-7, 3rd in ACC
Coastal, lost Quick Lane Bowl
Stadium: Kenan Memorial
Stadium
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
QB Marquise Williams
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Marquise Williams
T.J. Logan
Quinshad Davis
Ryan Switzer
Mack Hollins
Kendrick Singleton
Lucas Crowler
Landon Turner
Caleb Peterson
Jon Heck
Bentley Spain
Nick Weiler
Romar Morris
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Junior Gnonkonde
Tyler Powell
Justin Thomason
Jessie Rogers
Shakeel Rashad
Jeff Schoettmer
Joe Jackson
M.J. Stewart
Malik Simmons
J.K. Britt
Sam Smiley
Corbin Daly
Ryan Switzer
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/29 (Thurs)
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
South Carolina (Charlotte)
North Carolina A&T

Illinois
Delaware
@Georgia Tech
Wake Forest
Virginia
@Pittsburgh
Duke
Miami (FL)
@Virginia Tech
@NC State
Big Game: Any of North Carolina's conference games could be considered the most important,
as they will need to pull multiple upsets in order to get to the ACC Championship Game. Miami
has beaten the Tar Heels in four of the last five meetings. North Carolina needs to end that
trend if they want to stay in the division hunt through November.
Bowl Prediction: Independence
5. North Carolina- The past seven years of North Carolina football have been defined by
glimpses of hope followed by disappointing letdowns. Butch Davis injected some talent into
the program during his time as head coach. The Tar Heels churned out several great defensive
players who went on to be high NFL draft picks. North Carolina had the talent to compete for
the ACC title in most of Butch Davis' seasons, but they were dragged down by suspensions and
scandals that resulted in the firing of Davis after the 2010 season. Former Southern Miss coach
Larry Fedora was hired in 2012, and he guided the program through a bowl ban in his first
season. The next year, UNC started 1-5 before winning six of their final seven games to finish
7-6. After such a strong finish, expectations were high for the Tar Heels entering last season.
They opened the year ranked #23 in the AP Poll and were considered legitimate contenders in
the Coastal division. I took a more reluctant approach, pointing out that most of their lateseason wins in 2013 came against weak opponents. Sure enough, they failed to live up to the
hype, falling to 6-7. The Tar Heels enter 2015 with an experienced roster that, like usual,
includes some talented individual players. On paper, they look like a division contender. Based
on recent history, though, it is tough to image UNC living up to those expectations.
A major reason for North Carolina's mid-season turnaround in 2013 was the emergence
of Marquise Williams as the starting quarterback. Williams is an athletic playmaker who can
make an impact with his arm as well as his legs. Given as full season as the starter last year,
Williams capitalized by passing for 3,073 yards and 21 touchdowns. He added another 783
yards and 13 touchdowns with his legs. Marquise Williams is a dark horse Heisman contender
whose name will surface if UNC starts winning. He benefits from the return of his top three
wide receivers. Quinshad Davis, Ryan Switzer, and Mack Hollins will all have strong statistical
seasons. In addition to leading a strong passing game, Marquise Williams is also the biggest
running threat on this offense. Running back TJ Logan didn't get many carries in 2014 because
the Tar Heels relied heavily on their quarterback to run the ball. Logan made the most of his
touches, though, averaging nearly five yards per carry. He should get some more looks in 2015.
Logan and Williams will both benefit from a good offensive line that returns completely intact.
Marquise Williams will have another great season, making this offense one of the ACC's best.
If North Carolina's offense ranks among the best offenses in the conference, then their
defense ranks among the worst. They allowed an average of 39 points per game last season,
which was good for 119th in the FBS. In order for the Tar Heels to have any shot at the ACC
Coastal title, their defense will need to play incrementally better. They do return seven starters
from that team, but a real turnaround requires more than just experience. North Carolina
needs some leadership, which could come from senior linebacker Jeff Schoettmer. If the
defense buys in and molds together as a unit, they can get back to a respectable level. Heading
into the year, though, that side of the ball still seems like a major weakness of this football
team. North Carolina will go as far as their offense can take them.
ACC Coastal
DUKE BLUE DEVILS
Head Coach: David Cutcliffe

(8th season)
2014 Results: 9-4, 2nd in ACC
Coastal, lost Sun Bowl
Stadium: Wallace Wade
Stadium
Location: Durham, NC
RB Shaquille Powell
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB Thomas Sirk
RB
Shaquille Powell
WR Max McCaffrey
WR Anthony Nash
WR Johnell Barnes
TE
Braxton Deaver
C
Matt Skura
RG Cody Robinson
LG
Lucas Patrick
RT
Casey Blaser
LT
Gabe Brandner
K
Ross Martin
KR DeVon Edwards
DE
NT
DT
DE
LB
LB
CB
CB
S
S
S
P
PR
Kyler Brown
A.J. Wolf
Carlos Wray
Britton Grier
Kelby Brown
Dwayne Norman
Byron Fields
Breon Borders
Deondre Singleton
Jeremy Cash
DeVon Edwards
Will Monday
Max McCaffrey
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
@Tulane
North Carolina Central
Northwestern
Georgia Tech
Boston College
@Army
@Virginia Tech
Miami (FL)
@North Carolina
Pittsburgh
@Virginia
@Wake Forest
Big Game: Duke and Northwestern are two of the finest academic institutions in America, and
both have found success on the football field in recent years. The Blue Devils have plenty of
questions heading into the season, and this September matchup will help answer some of
those. A win would probably put them at 3-0 and give them a good chance to make a bowl.
Bowl Prediction: Military
6. Duke- Duke football was in shambles when David Cutcliffe was hired in 2008. Cutcliffe knew
that the road back would be bumpy, but he immediately began rebuilding the proram. In his
first season, Duke jumped to 4-8, matching their highest win total since 1994. They improved
to 5-7 in his second season and were on the cusp of a bowl appearance. Cutcliffe's squad finally
broke through to the postseason in 2012, finishing with a 6-7 record. They were on the right
track, but no one could have foreseen the remarkable season that the Blue Devils put together
in 2013. Coming out of nowhere, they captured the ACC Coastal crown and advanced to the
conference title game. Even though they lost that game as well as their bowl game, Duke
finished 10-4, setting the school record for most wins in a season. Proving that 2013 wasn't a
fluke, they backed it up with a 9-4 record last season. David Cutcliffe has laid the groundwork
for a bright future of football in Durham. The immediate future, however, looks a little shaky
due to the departure of a few key pieces from the 2013 and 2014 teams. Duke is still a
legitimate bowl contender, but they won't compete for the Coastal division title.
Duke's 2014 success was completely authentic, as they outscored opponents by more
than ten points per game. The main reason for the offense's success was the solid quarterback
play of Anthony Boone. His experience showed time and again through his great decisionmaking. Boone and wide receiver Jamison Crowder formed one of the ACC's most prolific QBWR combinations. Number two wide receiver Issac Blakeney also contributed with seven
touchdown passes. Duke loses all three of those guys to graduation, which will inevitably hurt
their offense. Thomas Sirk takes over as the starter at quarterback after serving as a shortyardage option in 2014. He can hurt defenses with his legs and has developed as a passer
during the offseason. Sirk will have a decent season, but there's no way he can replace
Anthony Boone's production and leadership. Duke will probably run the football more in 2015
because of Sirk's mobility and the presence of proven running back Shaquille Powell. After
posting 618 rushing yards in 2014, Powell could approach 1,000 yards this season. The
offensive line will take a small step back after losing RG Laken Tomlinson, a first round pick.
Duke's offense won't match their 2013 and 2014 success, but they will remain respectable.
Even though Duke has fielded solid teams the past two seasons, they didn't lose any
early-enrollees to the NFL draft. As a result, their team consists of a bunch of dedicated,
experienced players who have been waiting in the wings for their opportunities. All of Duke's
projected defensive starters are upper classmen, which gives them the leadership necessary to
play selfless team defense. The strength of this year's defense is the secondary, as all four
starters return from that unit. Safety Jeremy Cash ranks among the best defensive backs in the
ACC. The linebacking corps and defensive line lose some starters, but the new guys won't have
much trouble filling those holes. Duke's defense will come close to last year's success. Due to
the holes on the offensive side of the ball, the Blue Devils are no longer Coastal division
contenders. Nonetheless, they should have no problems reaching a fourth straight bowl game.
ACC Coastal
VIRGINIA CAVALIERS
Head Coach: Mike London

(6th season)
Coastal
Stadium: Scott Stadium
Location: Charlottesville, VA
FS Quin Blanding
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Matt Johns
Taquan Mizzell
Andre Levrone
Canaan Severin
T.J. Thorpe
Rob Burns
Jackson Matteo
Ross Burbank
Ryan Doull
Jake Fieler
Michael Mooney
Ian Frye
Taquan Mizzell
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Kwontie Moore
David Dean
Donte Wilkins
Mike Moore
Mark Hall
Micah Kiser
Zach Bradshaw
Maurice Canady
Tim Harris
Kelvin Rainey
Quin Blanding
Nicholas Conte
Taquan Mizzell
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/25 (Fri)
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
@UCLA
Notre Dame
William & Mary
Boise State
@Pittsburgh
Syracuse
@North Carolina
Georgia Tech
@Miami (FL)
@Louisville
Duke
Virginia Tech
Big Game: Last season, all that stood between Virginia and bowl eligibility was Virginia Tech.
For an eleventh straight year, the Cavaliers came up short against their archrivals. It's possible
that UV will be playing for a bowl berth against the Hokies against this year, and they also might
be playing for Mike London's job. This game will go a long way in determining the coach's fate.
7. Virginia- When Mike London was hired in 2010, Virginia hadn't contended for anything of
significance in a few years. After a mediocre first season, London's 2011 squad burst onto the
scene with an 8-3 start that put them in position to get to the ACC Championship Game. The
winner of their matchup with Virginia Tech in the regular season finale would earn the Coastal
division crown. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers got smashed 38-0, dashing their ACC title hopes.
Still, Mike London was a finalist for the Coach of the Year Award after guiding the downtrodden
program back to prominence. Virginia seemed to be on a fast track back to contention, making
them a promising pick to the win the Coastal in 2012. The idea that the Cavaliers were "back"
may have been a little premature, though, considering five of their eight wins in 2011 were by a
touchdown or less. Sure enough, they didn't pull out as many close wins in 2012, resulting in a
disappointing 4-8 record. The Cavaliers haven't been back to the postseason since 2011,
signaling that their "turnaround" season was actually just a fluke. The fans' patience for Mike
London is dwindling quickly, putting pressure on him to rekindle that 2011 magic. The Cavaliers
only return ten starters, making a bowl appearance seem unlikely.
Offense has been the biggest issue for Virginia under Mike London. They never seem to
have the firepower to keep up with the top offenses or run away from inferior opponents.
Whenever an offense struggles, the quarterback takes the brunt of the blame. Greyson
Lambert deserves a lot of the blame for last year's offensive woes. He threw more
interceptions than touchdown passes, which is never a good sign. Lambert transferred to
Georgia during the offseason, leaving the starting duties to Matt Johns. In backup duty, Johns
threw for eight touchdowns last year despite attempting far fewer passes than Greyson
Lambert. His ascension to the starting role may actually be a blessing for the Cavaliers, who are
in need of an offensive boost. Top receiver Canaan Severin returns, providing a weapon for the
new quarterback. Three offensive line starters are also back. Due to all those factors, Virginia's
passing game will improve this season. The running game, on the other hand, will regress
following the departure of four-year starting running back Kevin Parks. An impact player
throughout his career, Parks will be greatly missed. Virginia's offense probably won't be any
worse than last year's version, but they still lack firepower at the skill positions.
Virginia's strong defense made up for their lackluster offensive performance in 2014.
The Cavaliers had seven defenders named to an All-ACC team last season. Four of those guys
(MLB Henry Coley, SS Anthony Harris, and defensive ends Max Valles and Eli Harold) left after
last season, leaving three who are coming back. Defensive tackle David Dean will anchor a
defensive line that is solid against the run but lacks the pass-rushing ability from a year ago.
The secondary has two strong pieces in cornerback Maurice Canady and free safety Quin
Blanding. This defense may not have as many stars as they did last year, but they will still be
good as a unit. The offense is still an issue, though, which is why Virginia will be home for the
holidays and Mike London will likely lose his job at the end of the season.
Independent
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

Head Coach: Brian Kelly (6th
season)
2014 Results: 8-5, won Music
City Bowl
Stadium: Notre Dame
Stadium
Location: South Bend, IN
LB Jaylon Smith
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Malik Zaire
Tarean Folston
William Fuller
Corey Robinson
Chris Brown
Durham Smythe
Nick Martin
Steve Elmer
Quenton Nelson
Mike McGlinchey
Ronnie Stanley
Justin Yoon
Amir Carlisle
DE
DT
NG
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Romeo Okwara
Sheldon Day
Jarron Jones
Isaac Rochell
James Onwualu
Joe Schmidt
Jaylon Smith
Cole Luke
KeiVarae Russell
Elijah Shumate
Max Redfield
Tyler Newsome
Greg Bryant
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
Texas
@Virginia
Georgia Tech
UMass
@Clemson
Navy
USC
@Temple
@Pittsburgh
Wake Forest
Boston College (Boston)
@Stanford
Big Game: One of the greatest rivalries in college football, Notre Dame vs. USC pits two of the
nation's top programs against each other. The rivalry has been fairly even in recent years, as
each team has won three of the last six. Both squads have playoff aspirations heading into the
season. USC is the biggest roadblock preventing Notre Dame from going undefeated.
Bowl Prediction: Sugar (New Year's Six)
Notre Dame- After Lou Holtz retired following the 1996 season, Notre Dame football entered
one of their darkest periods as a program. They failed to surpass ten wins during the Bob
Davie, Tyrone Willingham, and Charlie Weis eras. Brian Kelly was hired in 2010 and faced
pressure to get the Irish back to the top of the college football world. Most believed a quick
turnaround was unlikely, but Kelly proven them wrong by leading Notre Dame to the National
Championship Game in his third season. The Irish looked like contenders for the inaugural
playoff after starting 7-1 last season, but they dropped four of their final five games to finish
8-5. Notre Dame didn't have what it took to get to the playoff last season, but 2015 looks like a
different story. With 19 returning starters, Notre Dame has the perfect combination of talent,
experience, and a manageable schedule, making them a legitimate playoff contender.
Notre Dame's 2014 offense had plenty of potential, but they constantly shot themselves
in the foot by committing costly turnovers. Quarterback Everett Golson was the biggest
offender, and he is no longer on the team. Golson transferred to Florida State after realizing
that he may lose his job to Malik Zaire, who started the bowl game. Zaire has good mobility
and a strong arm, and Notre Dame hopes he can make better decisions than Golson did. Malik
Zaire could surge into the Heisman discussion if Notre Dame makes a New Year's Six bowl. The
rest of the offense looks pretty good, too. The Irish are absolutely loaded at wide receiver. Will
Fuller could nab an All-American selection if he backs up a monster 2014 campaign. Corey
Robinson's 6'5" frame makes him a lethal red zone target, while Chris Brown, Amir Carlisle, and
CJ Prosise give Notre Dame unparalleled depth. The running back position is also secure with
Tarean Folston returning. He will have great success running behind a seasoned offensive line.
Four starters return up front, including potential All-American LT Ronnie Stanley. They will
provide the offense with great protection, allowing the skill position players to strike. Notre
Dame's offense is loaded all around. Once they get rolling, nobody will be able to stop them.
When Notre Dame played for the national championship in 2012, they were carried
there by a dominant defense. Their defensive performance sharply declined the past two
seasons, and their record suffered as a result. This season, the Irish have the potential to get
back to that dominant level. They return ten defensive starters, making them the most
experienced defense in the country. Everyone from the front seven is back, including two
potential All-Americans. Defensive tackle Sheldon Day is an force in the middle of a suffocating
defensive line. Notre Dame needs more production out of its defensive ends this year, which
would put greater pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Shifting to the next level of the defense,
Jaylon Smith leads a solid linebacking corps. Smith is an absolute menace in the middle of the
Irish defense who can make plays all over the field. The secondary will also solidify this year
behind experienced leadership. Cole Luke ranks among the best cornerbacks in college
football. On paper, there's nothing to dislike about this team. If Notre Dame stays focused
throughout the season, they could wind up in the College Football Playoff.
Group of 5 Conferences
Projected Mountain West Standings
Mountain
Projected American Standings
West
East
West
1. Boise State*
1. San Diego St.*
1. Cincinnati*
1. Memphis*
2. Utah State*
2. Fresno State*
2. UCF*
2. Navy*
3. Air Force*
3. Nevada*
3. East Carolina*
3. Houston*
4. Colorado State*
4. Hawaii*
4. Temple
4. Tulsa*
5. New Mexico
5. San Jose State
5. USF
5. SMU
6. Wyoming
6. UNLV
6. Connecticut
6. Tulane
Projected MAC Standings

East
Projected CUSA Standings
West
East
West
1. Bowling Green*
1. Northern Illinois*
1. Marshall*
1. Louisiana Tech*
2. Ohio*
2. Toledo*
2. Western Kent.*
2. Rice*
3. Akron
3. Western Mich.*
3. FIU
3. Southern Miss*
4. Buffalo
4. Central Mich.
4. Middle Tenn.
4. UTEP
5. Kent State
5. Ball State
5. Old Dominion
5. North Texas
6. Massachusetts
6. Eastern Mich.
6. Florida Atlantic
6. UTSA
7. Miami (OH)
7. Charlotte
Projected Sun Belt Standings
1. Louisiana Lafayette*
5. Louisiana Monroe
9. South Alabama
2. Appalachian State* 3. Arkansas State* 4. Georgia Southern*

6. Texas State
7. Troy
8. Georgia State
10. New Mexico St.
11. Idaho
Team name*
Bowl team
Team name
Conference Champion
Top Group of 5 Teams

For a long time, college football has been trying to solve the problem of the mid-major
conferences. Since the beginning of the BCS era, the FBS has basically been divided into two
divisions. The Power 5, as the top leagues are now called, have direct access to the major bowl
games and playoff. The Group of 5 conferences, on the other hand, have almost no chance of
getting a representative into the playoff. There is clear discrepancy between the strength of
the leagues, but the Group of 5 teams obviously feel snubbed because they aren't given much
of a chance. In the playoff system, the highest-ranked Group of 5 team gets an automatic bid
to a New Year's Six bowl game. As a result, the top teams from each of those leagues have to
compete not only against their conference foes, but also against other conference winners.
Last season, Boise State finished the regular season ranked #20 and earned a berth in the Fiesta
Bowl. The Broncos are the favorite to get back to a New Year's Six bowl again this year, but
there are plenty of other teams vying for the same honor. BYU and Cincinnati both have strong
cases that they could be the best Group of 5 teams, while teams such as UCF, Marshall, Toledo,
and Northern Illinois look to gain some respect. Even within the Group of 5 conferences there's
discrepancy, as the American and Mountain West conferences are considered superior to the
other three. A one loss Boise State team may get the nod over an undefeated MAC squad.
Regardless of who winds up snagging that lone bid, all these teams will fight throughout the
year to prove that they can compete with the big boys. As long as college football exists, there
will always be underdogs who get overlooked by the power programs. That "us against the
world" mentality is part of what makes the sport so fun to watch. There are many good Group
of 5 teams, and it will be interesting to watch them compete throughout the season.
MWC Mountain
BOISE STATE BRONCOS

Head Coach: Bryan Harsin
(2nd season)
2014 Results: 12-2, 1st in

MW Mountain, won Fiesta
Bowl
Stadium: Albertsons Stadium
Location: Boise, ID
RB Devan Demas
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Ryan Finley
Devan Demas
Thomas Sperbeck
Chaz Anderson
Shane Williams-Rhodes
Jake Roh
Marcus Henry
Mario Yakoo
Travis Averill
Steven Baggett
Rees Odhiambo
Tyler Rausa
Jeremy McNichols
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Tyler Horn
Sam McCaskill
Armand Nance
Kamalei Correa
Tanner Vallejo
Ben Weaver
Tyler Gray
Jonathan Moxey
Donte Deayon
Darian Thompson
Dylan Sumner-Gardner
Sean Wale
Shane Williams-Rhodes
SCHEDULE
Date
9/4 (Fri)
9/12
9/18 (Fri)
9/25 (Fri)
10/3
10/10
10/16 (Fri)
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/20 (Fri)
11/27 (Fri)
Opponent
Washington
@BYU
Idaho State
@Virginia
Hawaii
@Colorado State
@Utah State
Wyoming
@UNLV
New Mexico
Air Force
@San Jose State
Big Game: Last season, Boise State finally got back to a major bowl game for the first time since
2009. In the new playoff system, the highest-ranked Group of 5 team gets an automatic spot in
a New Year's Six bowl. Boise State's biggest competitor for that spot is BYU. By beating the
Cougars in Provo, the Broncos would make a good case for a New Year's Six bid.
Bowl Prediction: Fiesta (New Year's Six)
Boise State- During the BCS era, Boise State was America's favorite Cinderella team. They won
two BCS bowl games and won at least ten games every year from 2006 through 2012. In the
last year of the BCS, though, the Broncos slipped to 8-5. As the college football world
transitioned to the playoff era, many doubted that Boise State could recapture their BCS-era
dominance. Boise State is used to proving people wrong, and they did so again last season.
After winning the Mountain West with an 11-2 record, the Broncos were selected to represent
the Group of 5 conferences in the Fiesta Bowl. Despite entering the game as an underdog, they
took care of Arizona to improve their all-time Fiesta Bowl record to 3-0. That victory signaled to
the rest of the country that Boise State is alive and well. Now that the top Group of 5 team is
guaranteed a New Year's Six bowl slot every year, Boise State will have plenty of opportunities
to play the Cinderella role in this new era. With 16 starters coming back, Boise State should win
a second straight Mountain West Conference title and snag another New Year's Six berth.
Other than their two losses, Boise State scored at least 28 points in every game last
season. They literally ran away from the competition by pounding star running back Jay Ajayi
down opponents' throats. Ajayi led the NCAA in rushing attempts in 2014. He made good use
of those opportunities, racking up 1,823 yards and 28 touchdowns. With Ajayi gone, Boise
State loses a huge piece of their offense. New starter Devan Demas will have a solid season,
but he won't match Ajayi's consistent production and versatility. In addition to Ajayi, two-year
starting quarterback Grant Hendrick is also gone. Hendrick put up some great numbers as a
senior, leading a very balanced offensive attack. He did struggle with decision making, though,
as he threw 14 interceptions. Incoming starter Ryan Finley knows this offense well after sitting
behind Hendrick for two years. With a seasoned offensive line in front of him and plenty of
weapons around him, Finley should be able to match Hendrick's 2014 performance. The top
two receivers, Thomas Sperbeck and Shane Williams-Rhodes, both return and are set for strong
seasons. Boise State will adjust to life without Jay Ajayi pretty quickly and put together another
dominant offensive season.
Boise State may lose their two biggest offensive stars, but they bring back all their
outstanding defenders. The Bronco defense, which annually ranked near the top of every
statistical category under Chris Peterson, regressed a little bit in former offensive coordinator
Brian Harsin's first season. Based on the amount of returning talent, they seem poised to get
back on track in 2015. The secondary features two elite ball hawks, making it the most stacked
unit on this defense. Strong safety Darian Thompson and cornerback Donte Deayon combined
for 13 interceptions last season. The front seven isn't too shabby either. Five starters return,
including two All-Conference selections. Defensive end Kamalei Correa will wreak havoc on
opposing quarterbacks, and linebacker Tanner Vallejo serves as a stabile leader in the middle of
the defense. Thanks to their immense talent and experience, Boise State's defense will
improve. This team is a near shoe-in for a New Year's Six bowl game.
Independent
BYU COUGARS
Head Coach: Bronco
Mendenhall (11th season)
2014 Results: 8-5, lost Miami
Beach Bowl
Stadium: Lavell Edwards
Stadium
Location: Provo, UT
QB Taysom Hill
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Taysom Hill
Algernon Brown
Devon Blackmon
Mitch Matthews
Terenn Houk
Steven Richards
Tejan Koroma
Tuni Kanuch
Kyle Johnson
Ului Lapuaho
Ryker Matthews
Trevor Samson
Adam Hine
DE
NT
DE
LB
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Bronson Kaufusi
Travis Tuiloma
Logan Taele
Sae Tautu
Austin Heder
Sione Takitaki
Jherremya Leuta-Douyere
Micah Hannemann
Jordan Preator
Eric Takenaka
Kai Nacua
Taylor Parker
Eric Takenaka
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/2 (Fri)
10/10
10/16 (Fri)
10/24
10/31
11/6 (Fri)
11/14
11/21
11/28
Opponent
@Nebraska
Boise State
@UCLA
@Michigan
UConn
East Carolina
Cincinnati
Wagner
@San Jose State
@Missouri
Fresno State
@Utah State
Big Game: BYU may not be considered a "Power 5" team, but they play one of the toughest
schedules in all of college football. If the Cougars want to avoid an 0-4 start, they need to win
the opener in Lincoln. The next three opponents are very tough, so BYU can't afford to let any
winnable games get away from them. This is the first matchup between BYU and Nebraska.
Bowl Prediction: Hawai'i
BYU- Before Boise State even had a football program, BYU had already secured the position of
college football's Cinderella team. Playing in the WAC, BYU became a mid-major powerhouse
during the late 1970s under head coach LaVell Edwards. He coached for 29 seasons, leading
the Cougars to one national championship. At the end of Edwards' tenure, BYU moved to the
Mountain West conference, where they became a part of the conference's "Big Three." Finally,
in 2011, the Cougars went Independent so they could schedule tougher opponents. They don't
get the special treatment that Notre Dame does, but they have remained one of the elite nonPower 5 programs. Last season, BYU got off to an great start and looked like a playoff dark
horse before stellar quarterback Taysom Hill got injured. With Hill coming back this year, BYU
has the talent to make a run at a New Year's Six bowl. They face a brutal schedule, especially
early in the year, making that look like a tall order. The Cougars' schedule may prevent them
from winning more than nine games, but they can compete with almost anyone in the country.
In the four full games that Taysom Hill played last season, BYU's offense was absolutely
unstoppable. If Hill gets back to that form this year, the rest of the country better watch out.
He causes nightmares for opposing defenses because of his special ability as both a runner and
a passer. In 2014, Taysom Hill completed 66.7 percent of his passes while also rushing for 5.3
yards per carry. Assuming Taysom Hill plays the entire season, he could work his way onto
Heisman ballots. It helps that top wide receiver Mitch Mathews returns. Mathews racked up
922 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last season. With Taysom Hill throwing him the ball
for a full season, Mathews will become an elite receiver as a senior. The receiving corps loses
some depth with Jordan Leslie and Mitchell Juergens gone, but they should manage to replace
those guys without much difficulty. As far as the ground game goes, Taysom Hill is BYU's best
weapon. They lose leading rusher Jamal Williams, who left the school just before fall camp. His
departure is unfortunate, but the Cougars have plenty of able rushers, highlighted by Algernon
Brown. BYU's offensive line will open holes for whoever is carrying the football. BYU's offense
was one of college football's best in 2014, and they will be even better this season.
BYU's defense wasn't bad in 2014, but it certainly wasn't a strength. The Cougars
surrendered 30 points or more in seven games. They have typically been very good on the
defensive side of the ball under Bronco Mendenhall, so 2014 was probably just a blip in the
radar. The Cougars have more experience this season, which will help them stop the bleeding
rather than letting games get out of hand. Up front, BYU is particularly stout. They ranked 18th
in rush defense last season, and they should be up there again with the entire defensive line
coming back. Defensive end Bronson Kaufusi also provides a pass-rushing presence coming off
the edge. The linebacking corps may be a concern considering the fact that three of the four
starters from last year are gone. The secondary will also be scrutinized after getting torched in
2014. Based on history, though, this defense should be much better as a whole this fall. BYU
may face a tough schedule, but they could still top last year's 8-5 record.
American East
CINCINNATI BEARCATS
Head Coach: Tommy
Tuberville (3rd season)
American, lost Military Bowl
Stadium: Nippert Stadium
Location: Cincinnati, OH
QB Gunner Kiel
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
Defense
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
WR
C
RG
LG
RT
LT
K
KR
Gunner Kiel
Mike Boone
Mekale McKay
Max Morrison
Shaq Washington
Chris Moore
Deyshawn Bond
Delonte Murray
Ryan Leahy
Justin Murray
Parker Ehinger
Andrew Gantz
Johnny Holton
DE
DT
DT
DE
LB
LB
LB
CB
CB
SS
FS
P
PR
Silverberry Mouhon
Alex Pace
Cortez Broughton
Mark Wilson
Eric Wilson
Clemente Casseus
Leviticus Payne
Adrian Witty
Grant Coleman
Andre Jones
Zach Edwards
Sam Geraci
Shaq Washington
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/24 (Thurs)
10/1 (Thurs)
10/10
10/16 (Fri)
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/20 (Fri)
11/28
Opponent
Alabama A&M
Temple
@Miami (OH)
@Memphis
Miami (FL)
@BYU
UConn
UCF
@Houston
Tulsa
@USF
@East Carolina
Big Game: It would be easy to think that Cincinnati's games against Miami (FL) and BYU are the
most important because they will affect the Bearcats' New Year's Six bowl hopes. The first
focus should be on winning the American East, though, and UCF is their toughest competitor in
that division. The Bearcats and Knights were two of three conference co-champions in 2014.
Bowl Prediction: Boca Raton
Cincinnati- Under Brian Kelly, Cincinnati became a Big East powerhouse. They won 10 games in
his first season, 11 in his second season, and then 12 in his third and final season. In his last
season, they were 12-0 and ranked #4 in the country before a loss in the Sugar Bowl. Butch
Jones took over in 2010 and kept the Bearcats among the elite programs in the conference.
After he left for Tennessee, Tommy Tuberville was hired in 2012. Cincinnati has gone 9-4 in
each of his first two seasons. They have been an annual conference contender for nearly a
decade and maintained their success through three different coaching staffs. They haven't won
an outright conference title since that magical 2009 season, though. After winning a share of
the crown in 2014, this may be the year for Cincinnati to finally break through. The Bearcats
are stacked on the offensive side of the ball and have the horses to make a run at a New Year's
Six bowl berth. It remains to be seen whether they can achieve those lofty goals, but they are
definitely the favorites to win the competitive American Athletic Conference.
Coming out of high school, Gunner Kiel was a blue chip recruit. He chose Notre Dame
over a plethora of impressive offers and was expected to compete for the starting quarterback
job in 2012. When he found himself buried down in the depth chart, Kiel transferred to
Cincinnati. That was probably the greatest decision he has ever made. In his first year in a
Bearcat uniform, Gunner Kiel threw for 31 touchdowns and helped the offense excel. Kiel still
has two years of eligibility left, so his future looks incredibly bright. If he improves even further
this fall, he could play his way into the Heisman race. More importantly, he would lift this highpowered offense to new heights. They are loaded at pretty much every position, starting with
quarterback. Kiel has a stacked receiving corps at his disposal. Shaq Washington, Mekale
McKay, Max Morrison, and Johnny Holton are all talented options. All four of those guys will
get plenty of opportunities in this pass-happy offense. As lethal as the passing attack is,
Cincinnati can also run the ball effectively. Mike Boone outrushed 2014 starter Rodriguez
Moore despite getting far fewer touches. If Boone can come close to his 6.4 yards per carry
average from a year ago, he will be a huge asset for this offense. On top of all the skill-position
talent, Cincinnati also has a solid offensive line. Cincinnati's offense will tear most of its
opponents apart and has the potential to average over 40 points per game this season.
Cincinnati lost three regular season games last year, and they were all in a row. In those
three games, the Bearcats surrendered a total of 146 points. Defense continues to be a
stumbling block for this team heading into the fall. Not only were they exploited on multiple
occasions last season, but they enter this season with very few experienced players. In the
spring game, Cincinnati's offense bullied the defense around. When the games roll around, the
Bearcats will be able to hold up against the weaker offenses but will probably struggle against
the top tier offenses. Gunner Kiel and the explosive offense will make up for that in most
games, though. If Cincinnati wins three of their four tough games against Memphis, Miami (FL),
BYU, and UCF, they will give themselves a shot at a New Year's Six bowl game.
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/19 (Thurs)
11/27 (Fri)
Opponent
FIU
@Stanford
Furman
@South Carolina
@Tulane
UConn
@Temple
Houston
@Cincinnati
@Tulsa
East Carolina
USF
George O'Leary has done a great job turning the Knights

into perennial AAC contenders. UCF moved from
Conference USA to the American in 2013. In their first
year in the AAC, UCF won the conference title and
finished 12-1. Despite losing a lot of talent, the Knights
won a share of the conference championship again last
season with a 9-4 record. They enter 2015 with an
inexperienced roster, but they have proven that they can
sustain their success. Quarterback Justin Holman and
running back William Stanback both return, and DE
Thomas Niles leads the defense. UCF is still a legitimate
AAC contender. Their trip to Cincinnati in late October
will probably decide the East division champion.
Head Coach: George O'Leary

2014 Record: 9-4
Bowl Prediction: Hawai'i
______________________________________________________________________________
SCHEDULE
Date
9/6 (Sun)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/9 (Fri)
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/7
11/14
11/21
11/27 (Fri)
Opponent
Purdue
@Ohio
Norfolk State
@Kent State
Old Dominion
Southern Miss
@Florida Atlantic
North Texas
@Charlotte
@Middle Tennessee
FIU
@Western Kentucky
Head Coach: Doc Holliday
In the past two years, Marshall has evolved into a

Conference USA powerhouse. Star quarterback Rakeem
Cato led the Herd to a 10-4 record in 2013 and a 13-1
record last season. Marshall didn't receive much love for
their stellar record last season, but people might start to
take notice if they continue their reign of CUSA
dominance. They lose Rakeem Cato, which obviously
hurts their offense. Plenty of talent returns, though,
including the stellar running back duo of Devon Johnson
and Steward Butler. Marshall may not be on par with
their 2014 edition, but they are still the clear team to
beat in the CUSA. If the Herd can get through the year
undefeated, they have a shot at the New Year's Six.
2014 Record: 13-1
Bowl Prediction: New Mexico
SCHEDULE
Date
9/3 (Thurs)
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/3 (Tue)
11/10 (Tue)
11/17 (Tue)
11/27 (Fri)
Opponent
Stony Brook
@Arkansas
Iowa State
Arkansas State
@Ball State
Kent State
Eastern Michigan
@UMass
Northern Illinois
@Central Michigan
@Bowling Green
Western Michigan
Since 2010, Toledo has become one of the premiere

MAC programs. They have compiled winning records
each of the past five seasons and produced some pretty
talented players. Their biggest stumbling block is
Northern Illinois, who has dominated the MAC West.
This year, the Rockets have the offensive firepower to
contend for the division title. Running back Kareem
Hunt is one of the best rushers in all of college football.
Quarterback Phillip Ely, a transfer from Alabama who
missed most of 2014 due to injury, is back and ready to
lead this offense. Toledo does have concerns on defense
and the offensive line, which will probably prevent them
from getting to that elusive MAC championship game.
Head Coach: Matt Campbell

2014 Record: 9-4
Bowl Prediction: GoDaddy
______________________________________________________________________________
SCHEDULE
Date
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/3 (Tue)
11/11 (Wed)
11/18 (Wed)
11/24 (Tue)
Opponent
UNLV
Murray State
@Ohio State
@Boston College
@Central Michigan
Ball State
@Miami (OH)
Eastern Michigan
@Toledo
@Buffalo
Western Michigan
Ohio
Head Coach: Rod Carey
Over the past five years, Northern Illinois has been as

consistently good as any other mid-major program.
They have won at least eleven games every year during
that span and have reached five straight MAC
championship games. In 2012, they even played in a BCS
bowl game. The Huskies' consistent dominance has
earned them the benefit of the doubt. If they were to go
11-1 with a close loss to OSU, they would have a good
shot at earning a New Year's Six bowl bid. They are
pretty solid on both sides of the ball this season. Drew
Hare returns at quarterback after posting an impressive
TD:INT ratio of 18:2. Other than their trip to Columbus,
Northern Illinois will be favored in every game this fall.
2014 Record: 11-3
Bowl Prediction: Boca Raton
Credits
Now that I have been doing this for so long, I have compiled an inventory of reliable resources
to assist me in writing about each team. I would like to give credit to the following websites,
which I used frequently throughout the writing process.
2015 College Football Depth Charts and Rosters. Ourlads' NFL Scouting Services. Web. 15 June
2015 - 10 August 2015. < http://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/>.
This site provides links to the live depth charts for every college football team. It is
updated daily whenever there are any changes on teams' depth charts. I used this
website as a basis for predicting the starting lineup for each team.
2015 College Football Schedules. FB Schedules. Web. 15 June 2015 - 10 August 2015. < http://
www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/2015-college-football-schedules.php>.
This site has links to future and past schedules for every FBS team. I used this to fill out
the 2015 schedules for each team. I also looked back at previous schedules to check
back on how the teams performed against certain opponents in the past.
College Football Teams. CBS Sports. Web. 15 June 2015 - 10 August 2015. < http://www.
cbssports.com/collegefootball/teams>.
This site provides links to a page of facts pertaining to every FBS team's 2014 season. It
shows the team's conference record and position as well as total offense and total
defense statistics. This allowed me to evaluate each team's performance last season.
Phil Steele. Daily Blog - January 2, 2015. Phil Steele Publications, 2 January 2015. Web. 15 June
2015- 10 August 2015. < http://www.philsteele.com/Blogs/2015/JAN15/DBJan02.html>.
This page provides a list of returning starters for every Power 5 team. It shows the total
returning starters and then how many starters are back at each individual position. I
used this website to determine each team's experience level and strengths.
SR/College Football. Sports Reference. Web. 15 June 2015 - 10 August 2015. <http://www.
sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/>.
This site provides links to statistics for every FBS team. It provides past records and full
statistics for each season. I used this website to find individual and team stats from the
2014 season.

2015 College Football Preview Magazine

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Karl Finkbeiner's

26. Mississippi State

Ohio State DE Joey Bosa

28. Georgia Tech

30. Oklahoma State

31. Texas A&M

13. Florida State

UCLA RB Paul Perkins

34. Penn State

15. Boise State

16. Arizona State

17. Ole Miss

37. Virginia Tech

39. Northern Illinois

40. South Carolina

Leonard Fournette (RB, LSU)

Malik Zaire (QB, Notre Dame)

Royce Freeman (RB, Oregon)

Jeff Lockie (QB, Oregon)

Jeremy Johnson (QB, Auburn)

Jared Goff (QB, California)

Jonathan Williams (RB, Arkansas)

James Connor (RB, Pittsburgh)

Everett Golson (QB, Florida State)

Taysom Hill (QB, BYU)

Dak Prescott (QB, Mississippi State)

Dalvin Cook (RB, Florida State)

Corey Clement (RB, Wisconsin)

Shock Linwood (RB, Baylor)

Kyle Allen (QB, Texas A&M)

Scooby Wright III (LB, Arizona)

Anu Solomon (QB, Arizona)

Justin Thomas (QB, Georgia Tech)

Paul Perkins (RB, UCLA)

Jovon Robinson (RB, Auburn)

Class of 2015 Position Rankings

1. Josh Rosen (UCLA)

1. Deondre Francois (Florida St)

1. Damien Harris (Alabama)

2. Brady White (Arizona State)

2. Blake Barnett (Alabama)

2. Derrius Guice (LSU)

3. Jake Browning (Washington)

3. Travis Waller (Oregon)

3. Jacques Patrick (Florida State)

4. Zach Gentry (Michigan)

4. Brandon Wimbush (ND)

4. Soso Jamabo (UCLA)

5. Ricky Town (USC)

5. Kyler Murray (Texas A&M)

5. Kerryon Johnson (Auburn)

6. Jarrett Stidham (Baylor)

6. Larry Scott (Michigan State)

1. Calvin Ridley (Alabama)

1. Terry Godwin (Georgia)

1. Martez Ivey (Florida)

2. Tyron Johnson (LSU)

2. Ray-Ray McCloud III (Clemson)

2. Drew Richmond (Tennessee)

3. Christian Kirk (Texas A&M)

3. Ykili Ross (USC)

3. Maea Teuhema (LSU)