The biggest hit in conference expansion was to the Big East. So much that they even had to change their name to the American Athletic Conference (basketball only schools broke away and had claim to "Big East"). Gone are Syracuse, Pittsburgh, and Boise State and San Diego State decided to stay in the Mountain West. All of the losses was such a blow to the conference that they lost their automatic qualify status and the conference champion is no longer guaranteed a spot in a BCS Bowl.. As for the season it comes down to if anybody is going to challenge Louisville? Can somebody do the impossible and knock off the giant?
Here is my predictions for this season!
1. Louisville Cardinals (11-1 7-1)
Coming off an impressive blowout of Florida in the Sugar Bowl, the Cardinals are wanting to prove they are one of the best in the nation. Their loaded with 10 starters returning on defense and QB Teddy Bridgewater leading the offense. Louisville has a great shot at going undefeated, but the thing that could hold them back is their weak schedule. They could go the whole season without playing a ranked team.
2. Cincinnati Bearcats (9-3 6-2)
With Butch Jones now at Tennessee, the Bearcats turn to veteran coach Tommy Tuberville. Tuberville brings a wealthy of knowledge and experience and hopes to keep the Bearcats success going. Cincinnati is built to have a good year with key players Munchie Legaux and QB Brendon Kay back while Greg Blair anchors the defense. But it's the schedule that really pans out. They should realistically start the season 9-0 and if they can beat Louisville at home to end the season could escape with the conference championship.
3. Central Florida Knights (8-4 6-2)
UCF is making the move up from Conference USA and are look to have some early success in their new league. The Knights won their division last year and bring back a lot of talent. RB Storm Johnson and QB Blake Bortles lead an offense which averaged 35 points per game last year. But teams that move up in competition tend to have some growing pains. So don't be shocked if the Knights struggle at times this year.
4. Rutgers Scarlett Knights (7-5 5-3)
Last year Rutgers jumped out to a 7-0 start and were looking like they could win the conference. However a loss to Kent State sent them in a tailspin where they won only two more games. The Scarlett Knights are looking to show that they are still a contender, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. They only return 10 starters and the schedule doesn't play them any favors.
5. South Florida Bulls (6-6 4-4)
South Florida is a school that has a ton of potential and them hiring Willie Taggart was a great move. Taggart was marvelous building up the Western Kentucky program and will the talent on the Bulls roster and in the state of Florida it's only a matter of time before he has them contending for conference titles. As for this year there will be some growing pains. But there is a ton of talent defensively especially on the line. DE Aaron Lynch could be special. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Bulls finish towards the top of the league, but should be somewhere in the middle.
6. Houston Cougars (6-6 4-4)
Houston almost made it to a BCS Game under Kevin Sumlin, but after he left last year the tires fell off going 4-7 after only losing one game the previous season. The Cougars should be better, returning 10 starters on offense which should help them get back to their high flying days. But only returning five starters on a bad defense won't help too much.
7. Connecticut Huskies (6-6 3-5)
Despite having four defenders drafted this past year and a few other the year before, the Huskies haven't really racked up the wins like you'd think. Instead UConn has stayed right around the six win bowl eligibility mark. This year will be much the same. They have top notch talent in RB Lyle McCombs and LB Ywain Smallwood, but just can't put it all together.
8. Southern Methodist Mustangs (4-8 3-5)
When June Jones made the move from Hawaii to SMU, Mustang fans were hoping that they'd be a BCS buster in a few short years. Instead SMU can't get over the seven win mark. They're getting better, but it's taking a lot more time. Moving up from CUSA to the American won't help either. They do return QB Garrett Gilbert who will help the offense but that's probably not enough. Expect a long year in Dallas.
9. Memphis Tigers (4-8 1-7)
For the longest time Memphis was one of the worst programs in the FBS winning five games in the past three years. But when Justine Fuente took over he lead them to four wins last year alone and there is a glimmer of hope for the future. The Tigers return 16 starters, but are moving up from CUSA which won't help them out.
10. Temple Owls (4-8 0-8)
Switching conferences is nothing new to Temple. They've been in the Big East, Independent, MAC, Big East and now the American. The Owls are also on another coach after Steve Adazzio left for Boston College. Matt Rhule hopes to continue the momentum that has been going, but with a MAC roster it's going to be hard to win in the American. They may get one conference win, but that's more than likely it.
All Conference Team
QB: Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville
RB: Lyle McCombs, UConn
RB: Storm Johnson, UCF
WR: Brandon Coleman, Rutgers
WR: DeVante Parker, Louisville
TE: Sean Price, USF
OT: Eric Lefeld, Cincinnati
OG: Jake Smith, Louisville
C: Betim Bujari, Rutgers
OG: Ty Cloud, Houston
OT: Kaleb Johnson, Rutgers
DL: Aaron Lynch, USF
DL: Johnnie Farms, Memphis
DL: Ryne Gddins, USF
DL: Roy Philon, Louisville
LB: Yawin Smallwood, UConn
LB: Tyler Matakevich, Temple
LB: Greg Blair, Cincinnati
CB: Kenneth Acker, SMU
S: Hakeem Smith, Louisville
S: Mark Joyce, USF
CB: Byron Jones, UConn
Offensive Player of the Year: Teddy Bridgwater QB Louisville
Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Lynch DE South Florida
Newcomer of the Year: Aaron Lynch DE South Florida
Coach of the Year: Tommy Tuberville, Cincinnati
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