Early Predicitons

As we mentioned in our first post, one of the things we want to do is to keep up with predictions from various sources and see how they do over the course of the season.

Here’s a look at a few of these. Where possible I include a link to the article containing the predictions. I'll add others as I become aware of them, so pass them along if you find them. I'm almost tempted to include Charlie Weis' prediction of double digit wins for the Fighting Irish here, but thought better of it.

Some of these are straight out predictions and some are extrapolated. For instance, Roy Philpott has Clemson beating Miami for the ACC title, so ergo Clemson wins the Atlantic and Miami the Coastal, though he doesn't come out and say that explicitly.

Colin Cowherd -ESPN

1. Colorado will beat West Virginia.
2. Michigan State will beat Notre Dame soundly.
3. Alabama will beat Clemson.
4. Missouri will beat Texas handily in Austin.
5. SC will beat LSU.
6. The end of year rankings will look like this: 1. Florida, 2. USC, 3. Ohio State, 4. Oklahoma, 5. Wisconsin.
   

Mark Bradley – Atlanta Journal-Constitution

1. Alabama will beat Clemson.
2. Auburn will win the SEC West.
3. USC – Ohio State winner will play in the BCS Championship Game.
4. USC will beat Ohio State.
5. Tim Tebow will win another Heisman.
6. Wake Forest will win the ACC Atlantic.
7. Virginia Tech will win the ACC Coastal.
8. Wake will win the ACC Championship Game.
9. West Virginia will beat Auburn on October 23.
10. Texas will win the Big 12.
11. Georgia will go 11-1, win the SEC East (losing to Auburn in regular season), beat Auburn in SEC Championship Game and defeat USC for the National Championship.

Phil Steele - Phil Steele's 2008 College Football Preview

1. Clemson will win the ACC (has the Tigers playing in the Orange Bowl vs. Missouri).
2. Oklahoma will win the Big 12.
3. Florida will win the SEC.
4. Ohio State and Florida will play for the National Championship.
5. Florida will win the National Championship.
6. Final top 5: 1. Florida, 2. Ohio State, 3. Oklahoma, 4. USC, 5. Clemson.

Roy Philpott - CUTigers.com

1. Clemson will beat Alabama.
2. Clemson will lose to Florida State
3. Miami will win the ACC Coastal Division.
4. Clemson will win the ACC Atlantic Division.
5. Clemson will go 12-1, win the ACC title and play Texas in the Orange Bowl.

Kirk Bohls - Austin American-Statesman

1. Sporting News says West Virginia rookie Bill Stewart will better the 11-2 mark of Rich Rodriguez last year. Not a chance. He's overmatched.
2. Nebraska ranks as one of Steele's surprise teams. Agreed.
3. South Florida will beat Kansas.
4. Kansas will not be in a second BCS bowl in a row.
5. Missouri will win the Big 12 North.