Sun Belt: This conference really comes down to a one horse race. Louisiana Lafayette is the deepest squad in the conference after returning almost every major contributor from a year ago. Arkansas State should be the closest team but questions in the trenches and another coaching change should lead to the Ragin Cajuns walking through this one.
MAC: Ah #MACtion. Last year we missed out on seeing NIU play in a second consecutive BCS game when they got shellacked by Bowling Green in the title game. This year it's the Falcons that return the excellent QB and an experienced front. They should be able to reach the title game again fairly easily with their division currently on the downswing. NIU might have some trouble though in getting a grudge match, with a Toledo team that is deep in the trenches and Ball State lurking as well. Matt Johnson though should take the Falcons all the way though again this year.
MWC: Boise State has been the most prolific mid major in the college football landscape since stealing a win against Oklahoma on that fateful night in Arizona. They've been able to maintain a spot near the top of that group despite coaching attrition and recruiting disadvantages. They'll return 9 defensive starters and some interesting pieces on offense but it will be very difficult without Chris Peterson to stay atop a group of talented teams in the Mountain. Fresno State even without a Carr at QB is a deep and talented squad while Utah State returns possibly the most exciting player in QB Chuckie Keeton. Boise likely has enough to stay on top but if Utah State's line can come together don't doubt them and a very solid defense.
American: The remnants of the Big East lost one of their premier schools to Conference defection when Louisville jumpeded ship leaving mote uncertainty atop the conference. UCF outgunned Baylor last year to cap their season but return without Blake Bortles or Storm Johnson and a new line. Houston is deeper and more experienced than last year but might see huge regression in turnover margin. Cincinnati has a wealth of offensive weapons but is breaking in a new QB and a new defensive secondary almost in entirety. UCF likely has too tough of a schedule so it's a toss up between Cinncy and Houston.
CUSA: This conference is interesting for who is the likely runner up. Marshall returns with of of the nation's best QBs on Rakeem Cato under center and a lot of experience everywhere else. In that next tier you have last year's champions Rice looking to repeat, a senior laden UTSA looking to continue its surge from program infancy and a Florida Atlantic squad that is also on the precipice after several years of strong recruiting. None of these teams has any real stars but they're all deep and could find themselves in a title hunt.
Big12: This whole off season the press has gone to Oklahoma. They did destroy Bama in the bowl game and they do get Baylor and OK State coming to Norman. But they also lose just about every skill position offensive player and have a few question marks in the secondary. This leaves the door open for reigning champ Baylor to snatch the title again. Bryce Petty still has plenty of targets left and the Baylor defensive front is terrifying. They should repeat as Champs. Lurking in the wings though is a still very strong OK state squad who could dark horse in if they survive a nightmare away schedule.
Pac12: Stanford and Oregon are poised to continue to stand atop the conference. But this should be Oregon's year to reclaim the title. They'll return a majority of offensive star power and the defensive front is staffed by former four and five star recruits each entering their third year in the program. The defining reason might be though the loss of Derek Mason to Vandy. It also doesn't help they'll only return 5 starters on offense. In the South UCLA and it's Heisman candidate QB Hundley are the presumed favorites. But USC has a real chance to slide into that title game if Cody Kessler keeps up his form from the stretch run of last year.
ACC: FSU is going to win the ACC. They're basically an NFL team lite. The only team in the conference that could possibly challenge them is Clemson and they get the Tigers at home. Across from them j the title game could be almost anyone from the Coastal. Duke took a big jump forward but has a tough road slate while Miami and VT both have questions at QB and on offense.
Big Ten:With the loss of Braxton Miller the Buckeyes hopes of capturing a Big Ten title this year are likely sunk. With Miller they could have overcome the loss of talent at the skill positions and line. But coupled with needing to play at Michigan State it's probably Sparty's year again. The Spartans will need to replace several defensive standouts but the offense shouldn't be so pathetic either. In the West Wisconsin is leaps ahead of everyone else, and the Badgers should have the top running game in the nation. But an utterly abysmal passing game will keep them from a Rose Bowl trip.
SEC: With the Big Ten and Pac12 the SEC is likely to be the only conference that doesn't feature one team likely to just run away with the title. Alabama is the favorite in the West again. Lots of folks will forget that Bama was basically an insane fluke and too many turnovers from winning against both Auburn and OU. The Tigers will challenge again but the Tide are still fully loaded and should come back with a vengeance. Opposite them in the title game should likely come down to a very very deep South Carolina squad that replaces several of its stars, or a Georgia team that has some of the best positional talent in the country but with an untested offensive line
Into the playoff the most likely four teams will be FSU, Oregon, Alabama, and Baylor. Baylor sneaks in thanks to a stronger conference brand than a Big Ten that will likely see some untimely upsets occur with how close in parity they are.
