I’m going to preview the Crimson Tide below, as well as list my predictions on this team.  If you want to know how this conference plays out as a whole, then take a look at my 2010 SEC football predictions article.  By looking at the college football odds, Alabama is almost a shoe-in to reach the SEC Championship game this year.

Offense:

Alabama put up 32.1 points per game and 403.0 total yards per contest last season.  With eight returning starters on offense, there’s no reason to think they can’t match and exceed those numbers.  QB Greg McElroy is the real deal, RB Mark Ingram won the Heisman Trophy last year, and at wide receiver Julio Jones and Marquise Maze each get overlooked because this is a run-first offense.  Ingram rushed for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns a year ago, and his backup Trent Richardson chipped in 751 yards and 8 scores in 2009.

The offensive line returns 14-game starters in C William Vlachos, RG Barrett Jones and LT James Carpenter.  McElroy has never lost as a starter, throwing for 2,508 yards and 17 touchdowns last year.  But Alabama will rely heavily on their running game once again after rushing for 215.1 yards in 2009.  But look for them to open up the playbook a little with Jones and Maze on the outside.

Defense:

If Alabama can get back to the national title game, it will be because of their defense.  The offense is in good hands, but it will be hard for the Crimson Tide to match their ‘09 numbers after allowing 11.7 points per game and 244.1 total yards per contest.  LB Dant’a Hightower and SS Mark Barron are the lone returning starters, but Saban likes the talent he has coming in.

Alabama does have some experience along the defensive line with DT’s Josh Chapman and Luther Davis, who filled in nicely behind starter Terrence Cody.  Also, DE’s Marcell Dareus and Cortney Upshaw both played in every game a year ago.  Hightower figures to be the best player on this side of the ball as he moves to middle linebacker to replace Rolando McClain.  Baron led all SEC players with 7 interceptions last year, so he’s a good one to have back.

SEC Prediction: 1st West Division – Not only do I have the Crimson Tide winning the West, I also have them winning the SEC and getting back to the National Title game where they will also prove victorious.  Saban has proven he can recruit and he’s a defensive mastermind, so I cannot see this Alabama defense dropping off too much.  Plus, even if they do take a small dip in production, the offense can pick them up with all the key pieces they have returning.  This team is loaded again in 2010, and Saban will keep them hungry and motivated so don’t expect a letdown.

Related posts:

1. 2010 College Football Predictions: Alabama
2. 2010 SEC Football Predictions
3. LSU Football Predictions 2010

Offense:

North Texas will be forced to make a change at the quarterback position this season, as 2009 starter Riley Dodge is making the switch to wide receiver this season. With Dodge out of the picture at quarterback, the Mean Green will likely turn to sophomore Derek Thompson, who impressed in the one drive he got to play last season. Dodge was definitely more mobile than Thompson, so don’t expect Thompson to match the 463 yards and five scores Dodge posted a year ago in the running game.

Speaking of the ground attack, the Mean Green return one of the top running backs in the conference in junior Lance Dunbar. In 2009 Dunbar finished second in the Sun Belt with 1,378 yards and was a scoring machine taking the ball into the endzone 17 times. Dunbar only figures to get better this season, and I could see him improving on his solid numbers from last year.

With Dodge added to the mix at wide receiver, the Mean Green should have a pretty well rounded group in the passing game, as they return 2009 top threat Jamaal Jackson, who led the Mean Green with 71 catches for 701 yards and six scores. North Texas also gets back two more starters at wide receiver in junior Tyler Stradford and senior Michael Outlaw.

A big reason I believe Dunbar is going to get even better this season, is the fact that the Mean Green have four starters back on the offensive line, as they only change they have to make is at right guard, where sophomore Coleman Fooley is expected to find his way into the starting lineup. If this unit improves as it should, the Mean Green could make some huge strides on this side of the ball in 2010.

Defense:

With eight starters back on the defensive side of the football, the Mean Green figure to make some big improvements on this side of the ball as well. Last year the Mean Green had nine starters back and allowed 12 less points a game, and with many of the same players back, I think that number could drop even more this season.

Up front the Mean Green return two massive bodies at defensive tackle in seniors Kelvin Jackson and Shavod Atkinson, both of which figure to come into the season over 300 lbs. At defensive end the Mean Green get back junior Brandon Robertson, who led the Mean Green with six sacks last year. Sophomore Kenechukwu Obi will more than likely step in at the other defensive end spot, and I think he is going to make this unit one of the best the Sun Belt has to offer.

Senior outside linebacker Craig Robinson returns after a very impressive 2009 season, leading the Mean Green with 107 tackles, and is projected to be one of the top outside linebackers in the conference this season. The Mean Green also have a pretty solid middle linebacker in senior AJ Penson, and will add another young player on the outside in sophomore Jeremy Phillips, who racked up 37 tackles in three starts as a red-shirt freshman.

The Mean Green also figure to be strong in the defensive backfield this season, as they return the starting safety duo of senior strong safety Ira Smith and junior free safety DaWaylon Cook, and also get back a pretty solid corner in junior Royce Hill. The only change in the secondary will come at the other corner spot, where junior D’Leon McCord is expected to take over.

Sun Belt Prediction – 3rd: Hard not to like what you see when you look at what the Mean Green will bring to the table this season. The defense will be the best group Dodge has had in his four years with North Texas, and with the strong play of Dunbar and the ground game, the Mean Green should make major improvements this season, and could very well surprise and compete for the conference title.

For a complete look at how the conference will shape up this season, check out our 2010 Sun Belt Predictions.

If you are looking to make some money betting the college football lines this season, be sure to stop back each week for our expert college football picks.

Related posts:

1. 2006 North Texas Football Picks & Predictions
2. Western Kentucky at North Texas Predictions
3. 2010 Sun Belt Football Predictions

Offense:

The Cardinals struggled to get much of anything going in the passing game last year, but the hope is that new offensive coordinator Mike Sanford will put some life back into a unit that averaged just 18.1 points a game in 2009.

Heading into the fall it looks as though senior Adam Froman will once again be the starting quarterback for the Cardinals. Froman threw for 1,354 yards and complete 60% of his pass attempts, but had just six touchdown passes to five interceptions. True freshman Dominque Brown will also be considered, and will likely get in the action at some point this season. Either way I look for improved play at this position.

The Cardinals were banged up at running back in 2009, as starter Victor Anderson played in just eight games, but was really only healthy for a few games. Anderson still led the Cardinals in rushing with 473 yards and five touchdowns. Anderson was the Big East Freshman Player of the Year in 2008, and I look for him to be one of the best backs in the Big East this season.

A couple of changes will have to be made in the passing game this season, as the only starter back on the outside is senior Doug Beaumont. It looks as though junior Josh Chichester and senior Tory Pascley will join Beaumont in the starting lineup.The Cardinals also get back senior starting tight end Cameron Graham, who caught 27 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns last season.

The Cardinals figure to show some solid improvements up front on the offensive line, as they return four starters up front, including both of their starting tackles. If this unit can adjust quickly to the new offensive scheme, the Cardinals are going to surprise a lot of people on this side of the ball, especially if Anderson can return to the same form of 2008.

Defense:

While the offense looks to be much improved this season, there are some big concerns about what the defense will bring to the table in 2010, as the Cardinals have just four starters back on this side of the football.

Up front the Cardinals really have to like what they got out of junior defensive end William Savoy last season, as Savoy led the Cardinals with 5 sacks in just three starts last season. Malcolm Tatum is back at the other defensive end spot, but he hasn’t really provided much of a pass rush. In the middle junior Greg Scruggs returns, and will more than likely be joined by senior Tim High.

The Cardinals only starter back at linebacker is senior weak-side linebacker Brandon Heath, who is solid but nothing real special. The guy to watch out for at linebacker in my opinion is senior middle linebacker Antwon Candy, who has starting experience and could really put up some nice numbers with a full season to work with. Junior Dexter Hayman is the other projected starter on the outside.

In the secondary the Cardinals will have to find three new starters, as senior corner Johnny Patrick is the only starter back from the 2009 season. Fellow senior Anthony Conner is expected to start at the other starting corner spot, while junior Terence Simien and sophomore Shenard Holton take over at the two safety spots. Sophomore Darius Ashley finished second on the team in rushing last year, but has made the switch to corner this spring, and will give the Cardinals a little more talent to work with in the secondary.

Big East Prediction – 7th: The defense is just too soft to predict the Cardinals to finish out of the bottom of the Big East this season. I think the offense will have its moments, but then again there will likely be plenty of struggles as well, as it just takes time to put a new scheme into place. I do believe that this is a much better team than the 2009 squad, but I can’t see them finishing much higher than 6-6.

Find out where all eight teams will finish this season, in our 2010 Big East Predictions.

If you are planning on betting the college football odds this season, be sure to check out our expert college football picks each and every week!

Related posts:

1. 2010 Louisville College Football Preview
2. Big East Football Predictions 2010
3. 2010 Big East Football Predictions

Offense:

A total of seven offensive starters will return to this year’s roster, with a few exceptions starting with guard Jason Onyebuagu, and center Eddie Adamski. This could be a considerable loss for a team that loves to run the ball.

The proof is in the stats as the Huskies led the conference averaging just over 195 rushing yards per game. Their running game has been synonymous with their success; NIU are 12-0 when able to rush for at least 175 yards while they are just 1-13 when held to less over the past two seasons.

A big part of that effort has come by way of RB Chad Spann. The First-team All Conference player returns to the line up following a breakout season rushing for 1,000 yards with 19 TDs on 180 carries. He will get some help from JUCO transfer Jasmin Hopkins, a shifty runner with speed who showed well in spring and should be a solid addition to the backfield.

Despite their over the top rushing attack, the Huskies will want to improve their passing game in an effort to be less predictable in the 2010. Quarterback Chandler Harnish will be a key weapon in getting the job done. The sophomore will return after suffering a mid-season knee injury and is expected to get to work under center from day one. But you have to wonder if he can hold up for a full season. If not Kill will turn to another sophomore, DeMarcus Grady who despite limited playing time in 2009, proved he could challenge for a starting position. JUCO transfer Casey Weston and Jordan Lynch is also in the mix and had great spring showings.

Whoever wins the quarterback position will have a deep set of six returning receivers to toss to, including sophomore WR Landon Cox who had a breakout season scoring four TDs while catching a team-high 45 passes for 535 yards. 

Defense:

The Huskies held their opponents to 330.3 yards per game in 2009, the best in the Mid-American Conference and 30th nationally. They also came just shy of setting a new school of for a combined 34 sacks.

That defense remains mostly intact with eight returning starters including DE Jake Coffman. Standing 6-5, and 255 pounds the senior was a big part of that effort with 8.5 sacks. Freshman DE Sean Progar, will bookend the line, and while attracting his own attention should create more opportunities for Coffman to impose his hurt.

The second row has a lot of inexperience on a deep list, and linebackers Alex Kube, Pat Schiller and Cory Hanson, who had 83 tackles in 2009, must help a young linebacking corps adjust to playing big-time football.

The secondary, led by safety and leading tackler Tracy Wilson, needs to make more plays and force turnovers after intercepting just eight passes in 2009.

2010 Prediction: Second in the MAC West. Kill’s team is built to run. They Huskies have shown they have what it takes to challenge the rest of the division for a top spot, and surely have the weapons for another winning season. A lot will rely on Harnish’s ability to develop a better passing attack while stepping up to lead this year’s squad. Another big season by tailback Chad Spann will help a young offense. The defense is solid along the line, but the back seven is questionable and has proven their propensity for failure as illustrated in last season’s International Bowl. But if the Huskies can tighten up their defensive weaknesses and win the important games in the final third of the season, it could land them with enough for a second place finish in the division. 

Here’s a closer look at the 2010 Northern Illinois Huskies to help make your College Football wagers winners. For a detailed look at the 2010 MAC Football Predictions check this out.

Also be sure stay up to date on all the college football odds right here this season. And check in often for more college football picks to help make your betting experience a winner.

Related posts:

1. 2010 Nothern Illinois Football Predictions
2. 2010 Illinois College Football Preview
3. Mid-American Conference Football Predictions 2010

Check below to find out much more about the Tigers along with my predictions on how they’ll fare in the SEC West this season. Beating the college football odds in this conference will be much easier once you check out our 2010 SEC football predictions to find out which teams are the strongest heading into the season.

Offense:

Miles wants to get back to pounding the rock with more consistency after the Tigers averaged just 122.8 rushing yards per game last season. Carrying the bulk of the load in the running game will be RB Stevan Ridley, who was forced into action in the final two games last season. But he’ll have plenty of help from Richard Murphy, who is returning from injury. The electric freshman Michael Ford rushed for more than 200 yards in nine games as a senior in high school, and he is their RB of the future.

QB Jordan Jefferson is back to lead the offense after throwing for 17 touchdowns to 7 interceptions as a sophomore. He is a nice talent, but he doesn’t have many proven playmakers to get the ball to in the passing game. WR Terrence Tolliver had 53 receptions for 735 yards last season, but he’s their only proven returnee at wideout. Both starting tackles are back along the offensive line, but the interior will be all new.

Defense:

LSU stayed in ball games last season thanks to a defense that allowed just 16.2 PPG. But only 4 starters return, and the Tigers must replace five of their front seven. Senior DT Lazarius Levingston is a stud, and DT Drake Nevis brings some experience. Sophomore end Sam Montgomery could be the best of the bunch, and the team has praised him throughout spring ball. LB Kelvin Sheppard led the team with 110 tackles a year ago and he’ll be counted upon heavily to help out an inexperienced linebacking corps.

Also back is junior CB Patrick Peterson, who scored two touchdowns last season, one on an interception return and another on a blocked field goal return. He held Alabama’s Julio Jones to three catches, while also holding Georgia’s A.J. Green to just four grabs. Teams will throw away from him this season, putting sophomore Morris Claiborne in a tough spot opposite Peterson. Junior SS Brandon Taylor started nine games last year, and FS Jai Eugene will have to adapt quickly to his new position.

SEC Prediction: 3rd in the West – Both Alabama and Arkansas have many more playmakers on offense than LSU. The Tigers must find a way to put up more points this season after scoring just 24.9 PPG a year ago, and it’s not looking promising. The defense has a lot of talent despite only four returning starters, but the Tigers will be hard-pressed to match the 16.2 PPG they gave up a year ago. I have LSU finishing behind both the Crimson Tide and the Razorbacks in the West this season.

Related posts:

1. 2010 College Football Predictions: LSU
2. Alabama College Football Predictions 2010
3. 2010 SEC Football Predictions

Take a look at my overall 2010 college football predictions article to find out which teams have the best shot at a national title this year. It also shows which teams have the best chance to beat the college football odds come season’s end.

Sun Belt Predictions:

1.) Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders – QB Dwight Dasher is back after throwing for 2,789 yards and 23 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,153 more along with 13 scores. He is one of the few returning starting quarterbacks in this conference from an offense that put up 32.0 PPG last year. 4 offensive linemen and most of their playmakers are back as well, so the offense should pick up right where it left off. The defense will be solid with 6 starters back from a unit that gave up 23.7 PPG a year ago. The Blue Raiders get Troy at home on October 5th as well.

2.) Troy Trojans – Only 5 starters return on offense, and they lose Sun Belt Player of the Year in QB Levi Brown. The defense is an even bigger concern from a unit that gave up 29.8 PPG in 2009 with only 3 starters returning. Larry Blakeney has proven he can recruit, and there will be some talent here, just not enough to overcome MTSU.

3.) Louisiana Rajin’ Cajuns – QB Chris Masson is back and the offense should be improved after scoring 22.2 PPG a year ago. The biggest improvement will come from a defense that allowed 30.3 PPG with 7 starters returning. This team went 4-4 in the Sun Belt last year and a 5-3 mark this season will be good enough for third.

4.) Florida Atlantic Owls – FAU gave up 33.8 PPG last year, and the defense must improve with 8 starters back. The defense should be fine with so much returning experience, but the offense is in shambles with only 3 starters back. The Owls must replace their entire offensive line.

5.) Arkansas State Red Wolves – All five starting offensive linemen return, but that’s all the Red Wolves have to work with on offense. And they desperately need new skill players to step up after averaging just 22.7 PPG last year. Only 5 starters are back defensively as well, giving Arkansas State just 10 returning starters to work with which won’t be enough for them to compete with the top tier of the Sun Belt.

6.) Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks – RB Frank Goodin returns after rushing for 1,126 yards and 13 touchdowns, so the offense is in good hands with him. QB Kolton Browning is an elite talent, but the defense is a concern with only 4 returning starters.

7.) North Texas Mean Green – 9 starters return to an offense that put up some big numbers last season, including 40 points against Florida Atlantic and 68 points vs. Western Kentucky. The Mean Green will put up plenty of points on the board, but the defense gave up 35.6 PPG last year and if they cannot improve the stop unit, then they won’t be very competitive this season either. 7 starters return on defense.

8.) Florida International Golden Panthers – The offense only put up 22.9 PPG last year, and once again the offensive line is in shambles and the QB position is a major question mark. Not to mention, the defense is hurting with only 3 starters back. The Panthers defense yielded 35.3 PPG last season.

9.) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – It cannot get any worse after an 0-12 season, and with 16 starters back, the Hilltoppers should see some improvement. Plus, WKU came close to winning at the end of last year by concluding the ‘09 season with three straight losses by 6 points or less. It’s probably safe to say they will get a win or two this season, but not much more.

Related posts:

1. Sun Belt Conference Football Predictions 2010
2. WAC Football Predictions 2010
3. 2010 Big East Football Predictions

1. Temple Owls – Temple’s only loss in conference play a season ago came at Ohio in the last game of the regular season.  That loss cost the Owls a trip to the MAC championship game.  With Temple getting Ohio at home this season, I expect the Owls to avenge their loss to the Bobcats and to win the East.

2. Ohio Bobcats – I can’t complement Frank Solich enough on the job he has done at Ohio.  He has led the Bobcats to two MAC East championships in the last four years, and he helped snap a 39-year bowl drought.  Solich will have the Bobcats in the hunt for another MAC East title, but I have them coming up just short with a loss at Temple.

3. Kent State Golden Flashes – The last couple seasons, Kent State has been capable of beating just about anyone.  In fact, the Golden Flashes have defeated the MAC East champ each of the last two seasons.  The Flashes finished 4-4 in conference play in 2009, but they could have ended up better had it not been for early season injuries to some key players.  If healthy, I expect Kent State to break through and make its first bowl trip since 1972.

4. Buffalo Bulls -The Bulls finished just 3-5 in league play last season, but they could have easily been 6-2 when you consider that three of their losses came by three points or less.  Still, it’s hard to think much, if any, improvement will be on the way as the team must adjust to life without Turner Gill.

5. Akron Zips -Akron finished 3-9 a season ago, and its struggled will continue under new head coach Rob Ianello.  The offense is just too anemic, only averaging 19.3 ppg in 2009, and I don’t foresee much improvement in Ianello’s pro-style system.

6. Bowling Green Falcons – After losing two of the best players in the history of the program, QB Tyler Sheehan and WR Freddie Barnes, the offense won’t be able to keep the Falcons in games the way it did last year.

7. Miami Ohio Redhawks – The Redhawks fell to 3-21 the last two seasons following a 1-11 2009 seasons.  This record marks their worst two-year run in the last 20 years.  The Redhawks could find a way to get out of the MAC East basement, but it isn’t going much further than that.

MAC West Predictions
1. Northern Illinois Huskies – I really like what the Huskies bring to the table.  They run the football well, and they play great defense.  That’s the stuff championship teams are made of, and that’s why I like the Huskies to win the West.

2. Toledo Rockets -Toledo should do a better job of not turning the football over this season.  That should instantly lower the 37.7 points per game the Rockets gave up a year ago, helping them win more football games as a result.

3. Central Michigan Chippewas – Losing head coach Butch Jones, QB Dan LeFevour, WR Antonio Brown and RB Bryan Schroeder will be too much for the Chipps to overcome.

4. Western Michigan Broncos -The Broncos lose QB Tim Hiller and RB Brandon West, and those key losses will keep them from being contenders in the West.

5. Ball State Cardinals – The Cards caught a break with the NCAA granting MiQuale Lewis a fifth year of eligibility, but this team still has a long way to go.  The Cards went just 2-10 in 2009, but there is reason to be optimistic with all they have coming back on both sides of the football.  Getting back to .500 isn’t out of the question.

6. Eastern Michigan Eagles – Year one did not treat Ron English well as his Eagles went 0-12 while finishing dead last in the conference in total offense and defense.  It’s going to take a ton of improvement for the Eagles to avoid the cellar, and I just don’t see it happening.

MAC Championship Game Prediction – Northern Illinois over Temple

If you are interested in seeing which schools I like to win all of college football’s other conferences, then be sure to check out my 2010 college football predictions.

Crush the college football odds this season with the help of World Champion handicapper Jimmy Boyd!

Related posts:

1. 2010 Mid-American Football Predictions
2. Free Football Picks: Miami Ohio at Temple
3. Sun Belt Conference Football Predictions 2010

1. Troy Trojans -Troy lost some key guys off last year’s team, with Sun Belt Player of the Year Levi Brown being the biggest loss, but the Trojans will still have an excellent opportunity to win their fifth straight Sun Belt title.  They will get stiff competition from Middle Tennessee State, but Troy has had little trouble with the Blue Raiders.  The Trojans have defeated MTSU each of the last four seasons during their title spree.  One of the best offensive lines in the league and playmakers like Jerrel  Jernigan and Shawn Southward should be enough to keep the Trojans at the top.

2. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders -The Blue Raiders are the most likely team to end Troy’s run at the top, but they will have to beat the Trojans in order to do so.  They will get that opportunity at home on October 5, but keep in mind that they lost to Troy 7-31 last season.  QB Dwight Dasher is the preseason favorite to win Sun Belt Player of the Year honors after throwing for 2,789 yards and rushing for 1,154 yards.  In all, he tallied 36 touchdowns.  I thought MTSU would have given the Trojans a much better game last season, and that’s why I’m reluctant to think they can break through.  At the same time, I won’t be at all surprised if they win the league.

3. Florida Atlantic Owls – The Owls finished 5-3 in league play in 2009, and I really can’t see them doing any better this season.  The key to improvement will be the defensive side of the football.  The Owls allowed 33.8 points per game last year.  With eight starters back the defense should be somewhat improved, but likely not enough to enter the title hunt.

4. Arkansas State Red Wolves – Unlike Troy, who has proven its ability to reload under Larry Blakeney, Arkansas State will have trouble floating the losses of Corey Leonard and Reggie Arnold on the offensive side of the football.  The good news is last year’s No. 1 ranked defense should remain stout.

5. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks -The Warhawks will lean on running back Frank Goodin and one of the league’s best running attacks, but they will still take a small step back after losing so much on the defensive side of the football.

6. Louisiana-Lafayette Rajin’ Cajuns -The Rajin’ Cajuns have been on the brink of landing in a bowl game in four of the last five years, but I don’t think this will be the season where it finally happens.  The Cajuns are one of the weaker offensive teams in the league, and I don’t see the offense taking the next step after losing two of the best offensive lineman in the conference.

7. North Texas Mean Green – The Mean Green have the potential to improve on last season’s 2-10 showing thanks to a potentially dangerous offense.  North Texas ranked fourth in the Sun Belt in scoring in 2009 (26.6 ppg) and even put up 68 and 40 points in a couple different games.  But a defense that allowed nearly 36 points per game last season will keep the Green from looking so mean in the bottom half of the league.

8. Florida International Golden Panthers – FIU has struggled under coach Mario Cristobal.  In fact, it is only 9-27 during his three seasons at the controls.  There just isn’t going to be major improvement until the Golden Panthers can get a lot better defensively.  The Panthers ranked next to last nationally in total defense in 2009.

9. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -The Hilltoppers finished 0-12 in their first season in the FBS, but there is excitement entering the 2010 season after the hiring of WKU great Willie Taggart as head coach.  The Hilltoppers showed great heart down the stretch in 2009, taking UL Monroe, FAU and Arkansas State right down to the wire.  The wins won’t start piling up this season, but the Hilltoppers should be a lot more competitive.

Make sure you also check out my 2010 college football predictions to see how I have all the other conferences shaping up.

Start beating the college football odds this season with the help of Jimmy Boyd’s expert picks!

Related posts:

1. 2010 Sun Belt Football Predictions
2. Mid-American Conference Football Predictions 2010
3. Conference USA Football Predictions 2010

2. UCF Knights -The Knights were one of only two C-USA teams to beat a high-octane Houston squad during the regular season in 2009, and they figure to be right in the mix for an East title if QB Rob Calabrese can do the job.  That might be a big if, though, considering he lost the starting job last season.

3. Marshall Thundering Herd – Marshall appears to be on the way back up.  Amazingly, the Thundering Herd are 118-19 all-time at Joan C. Edwards stadium.  That’s quite the home field advantage.  The Herd get six games at home in 2010, and that means they should have an excellent shot to go bowling again.

4. East Carolina Pirates – The Pirates have been the team to beat in C-USA the last couple years under coach Skip Holtz, but that will change in 2010 with Holtz moving on and 28 seniors also departing.

5. Memphis Tigers – The Tigers finished just 2-10 last season, including 1-7 in conference play.  We won’t see major improvement in 2010, but we could see some as an experienced offensive line should help the offense move the football down the field.  Plus, I really like the hire of Larry Porter.  He’s young, enthusiastic and excited about rebuilding this football team.

6. UAB Blazers -I just can’t see the Blazers making much noise without QB Joe Webb at the reigns.  He did it all for UAB, and I expect the offense to struggle without him.

Conference USA West Predictions
1. Houston Cougars – Led by QB Case Keenum, Houston boasts the most explosive offense in all of college football, ranking No. 1 in scoring (42.2 points per game), total yards (563.4 yards per game) and passing (433.7 yards per game).  The key to winning an overall C-USA title will be the defensive side of the football, and improvement is expected after hiring former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart.

2. SMU Mustangs – After lifting Hawaii to a BCS bowl game, coach June Jones moved on to SMU, and he has already made major strides there.  The Mustangs went 8-5 last season, after going just 1-11 in 2008, and they could have been 11-5 when you consider that they lost two games in overtime and another by just three points.  It was the biggest turnaround in the FBS, and I believe Jones will make sure the wins keep piling up.

3. UTEP Miners – UTEP broke a school mark for yardage in 2009, and I believe you’ll see the Miners post a few more wins this season, partly because of improvement and partly because of a favorable schedule.  There is a high probability that the Miners could get off to a 4-1 start.  Looking further down the schedule, they could get off to an even better start than that.

4. Tulsa Golden Hurricane -I wouldn’t be surprised if Tulsa bounced back in 2010, but I think it will take the Golden Hurricane another season.  They have a tough schedule with road games against Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, East Carolina, Houston and SMU.  Plus, their running game, which has been so vital to the success of the offense, wasn’t nearly as strong last season.

5. Rice Owls -Rice is another team that I feel is a year away from seriously contending for the West.  The Owls should be a lot more competitive this season with an improved offense, but a defense with plenty of holes will keep the wins from piling up.

6. Tulane Green Wave – Tulane has won only two conference games the last two seasons, and it’s hard to think major improvement is on the way when look at how young the defense is.  Tulane was the worst offensive team in the league last season in terms of scoring and the second worst defensive team in terms of points allowed.

Conference USA Title Game Prediction – Houston over Southern Miss

Start beating the college football odds on a consistent basis in 2010 with the help of Jimmy Boyd’s award-winning football picks!

If you’re interested in seeing which schools I’ve picked to win college football’s other conferences, be sure to check out my 2010 college football predictions.

Related posts:

1. 2010 Conference USA Football Predictions
2. Mid-American Conference Football Predictions 2010
3. Sun Belt Conference Football Predictions 2010

1. Boise State Broncos – Boise State has a chance to do the unthinkable this season.  I’m, of course, talking about playing for a national title.  If Boise State can take care of business against Virginia Tech and Oregon State early in the season, and run the table in the WAC as expected, the Broncos just might get that chance.  The Broncos finished a perfect 14-0 least season, capping off their perfect campaign with a win over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl, and they bring almost everyone back.

2. Nevada Wolf Pack – The Wolf Pack will try to spoil Boise State’s conference, and perhaps even national, title hopes when the two teams meet in Reno on November 26.  Led by QB Colin Kaepernick, the Wolf Pack figure to be one of the most explosive offensive teams in the country again.  Unfortunately, there defense, which ranked 96th nationally in 2009, figures to let them down against Boise State.

3. Fresno State Bulldogs – Losing the nation’s leading rusher Ryan Matthews will hurt, but the Bulldogs should still boast one of the better running attacks in the conference thanks to a strong offensive line which brings back all five starters.  We’ll really find out what the Bulldogs are made of when they take on Nevada and Boise State in back-to-back weeks in November.

4. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs – Losing running back Daniel Porter hurts, but I am confident in the spread attack that Sonny Dykes has installed.  The Bulldogs enjoy a great home field advantage.  They went 4-1 at home last season, and they will have the opportunity to best that mark with six home games in 2010.

5. Utah State Aggies – Idaho was a surprise team in the WAC last season.  The Vandals finished 8-5, capping off their season with a bowl win over Bowling Green.  The Aggies have the opportunity to be this year’s Idaho.  QB Diondre Borel leads an explosive offensive attack that averaged 439.3 yards of total offense last season.  In order to make a bowl game a reality, the defense will need to improve, but that is a real possibility with nine starters back on the stop unit.

6. Hawaii Warriors – Just a couple seasons removed from making a BCS bowl game, Hawaii is struggling under coach Greg McMacklin.  The offense couldn’t score last season, and those struggles figure to continue with all that must be replaced on the offensive line.

7. Idaho Vandals – The Vandals return all of their key skill guys, including QB Nathan Enderle, who is the best QB in the WAC that no one talks about, but a step back seems inevitable with the loss of four solid offensive lineman.

8. New Mexico State Aggies – The Aggies were the worst offensive team in the nation in 2009, scoring only 11.5 points per game and amassing only 229.3 yards per game.  They will have a chance to avoid the WAC cellar, though, as they get San Jose State at home.

9. San Jose State Spartans – Let the rebuilding process begin under new head coach Mike MacIntyre.  He has proven himself as an assistant, but he has never held a head coaching job.  Things are different as a head man.  There is a lot more pressure for one.  He’ll need to make sure he says all the right things as this should be a very trying season.

Make sure you check out my 2010 college football predictions to see how I have all the other conferences shaping up.

Beat the college football odds this season with the help of World Champion handicapper Jimmy Boyd!

Related posts:

1. WAC Football Predictions 2010
2. 2010 Idaho Football Predictions
3. 2010 New Mexico State Predictions