Without further ado, your Year One Conferences:
(1) Southeastern
Projected Finish:
- Miami (FL)
- Florida State
- Clemson
- Florida
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
Projected MVP: QB Ken Dorsey, Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Conference Outlook: A conference with lots of talented quarterbacks and stout defenses, this really appears to be a legitimate four team race for the top slot. Miami (FL) is the favorite beyond their defense that's chock full of NFL talent. Pass rush and forcing turnovers is a key to success, and the Hurricanes have playmakers all over the field defensively to accomplish those goals. Florida State, Clemson, and Florida are not far beyond. It seems insane to pick the Gators fourth when they've got Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, and a stellar defense to put out there. DeShaun Watson will keep Clemson in games, especially since he can spread the ball between DeAndre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins, Mike Williams, and CJ Spiller. Gaines Adams and Vic Beasley provide a nasty pass rush too. Sadly, South Carolina appears to be majorly outclassed, even if Jadeveon Clowney is the most talented single player in the conference. They'll hope a ground control game with Marcus Lattimore will be enough, but their 78 overall QB Stephen Garcia won't be good enough against four amazing defenses, even if he has Alshon Jeffery, Scott Williamson, and Sidney Rice to throw to.
(II) Deep South
Projected Finish:
- Alabama
- Tennessee
- Georgia
- Auburn
- Virginia
- Georgia Tech
Projected MVP: RB Derrick Henry, Alabama Crimson Tide
Conference Outlook: The Crimson Tide are definitely one of the four best teams in the country on paper. However, they face some rugged competition in conference. Tennessee is probably the best of the bunch, and when I simulate a season in Dynasty mode, they typically end up in the National Championship game. Peyton Manning drives the Vols talented offense, with Peerless Price on the outside and Jamal Lewis bruising defenders at running back. Georgia and Auburn are both capable of winning the division too, especially with playmakers like Cam Newton, Todd Gurley, Matt Stafford, and (again, he's that good) Cam Newton. However, the lack of playmaking receivers hurts Auburn in 3rd and long situations, and Georgia always seems to fall short against Bama, no matter how well AJ Green plays. G. Tech will be fun to play with (triple option, D-Thomas and Calvin Johnson running streaks), but they'll be lucky to win a game. This is a weird fit for the Cavaliers, but seemed to be the cleanest geographic pairing considering Virginia's civil war ties. Plus, their navy blue uniforms will create some good looking match-ups. In the end, Alabama has the deepest defensive line, linebacking corps, secondary, wide receiver group, running backs, and offensive line in the conference (maybe the country-- at all positions!) and should grind out a title.
(III) Southwestern
Projected Finish:
- Texas
- LSU
- Texas A&M
- Ole Miss
- Arkansas
- Texas Tech
Projected MVP: RB Ricky Williams, Texas Longhorns
Conference Outlook: Wow, how fun will it be to have Texas and Texas A&M playing each other again? Or for older fans out there, Arkansas playing Texas and Texas A&M again. Yes, I had to take away the Bama vs LSU or Ole Miss rivalries, but the result was geographic satisfaction and this battle for the Delta region should be epic. All five teams could conceivably win the division, although LSU and Texas are clearly 1-2 in talent. LSU will lack the elite quarterback they've needed for so long, which is why the Longhorns barely edge them out as preseason favorites. A&M and Ole Miss could easily surprise behind their star quarterbacks, as Johnny Football and Eli Manning both are 97 overall players. Arkansas may be a more bruising team and lacks the depth of the big boys, but with a large offensive line and Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Kniles Davis, and Jonathan Williams following Peyton Hillis while Matt Jones runs the option... watch out! Plus they can sub in Ryan Mallett to air teams out late. Texas Tech will score points but they have no defensive ability. In the end, I trust the Derrick Johnson led Texas Longhorns to win the day.
(IV) Midwestern
Projected Finish:
- Oklahoma
- Nebraska
- Colorado
- Oklahoma State
- Kansas State
- Missouri
Projected MVP: QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma Sooners
Conference Outlook: The Big Eight is back!!! It was fun reuniting the best of the old conference, and seeing Michael Bishop and Darren Sproles together in the option... woof! Anyway, as to this season, it appears to be a clear three team race. The Sooners are Alabama-level talented, with weapons abounding on offense and defense. Nebraska and Colorado are both option running teams with great backs (Lawrence Phillips, Ahmad Green; Rashaan Salaam, Eric Bieniemy), the perfect option quarterbacks (Tommy Frazier and Kordell Stewart), and devastating defenses. However, both the Cornhuskers and Buffalos won't have the secondary depth to contend with Oklahoma, and thus the Sooners will eek their way into the playoff.
(V) Big Five
Projected Finish:
- Ohio State
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Michigan State
- Iowa
- Illinois
Projected MVP: RB Ezekiel Elliot, Ohio State Buckeyes
Conference Outlook: This revamp of the Big Ten is no different than the real Big 10 -- Ohio State and Michigan as commanding favorites, with Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Iowa trying to upset them and steal a title. Wisconsin has the best odds behind a shockingly talented team, especially at offensive and defensive line (Joe Thomas, JJ Watt especially). Russell Wilson commands a Badger offense that is capable of superb balance. However, Ohio State and Michigan are playing at a different level. Especially since Michigan gets to use QB Tom Brady, who has a savvy awareness and great accuracy from play action to Braylon Edwards. Although the bottom three are all capable of an upset here or there, expect the Buckeyes and Wolverines matchup at the end of the mini-season to determine which team is playoff bound!
(VI) Big East:
Projected Finish:
- Penn State
- Notre Dame
- Virginia Tech
- Pitt
- West Virginia
- Boston College
Projected MVP: LB Lavar Arrington, Penn State Nittany Lions
Conference Outlook: This may be the most difficult conference to forecast, with four very evenly matched teams (and West Virginia). All of them have very talented defenses, and Pitt is honestly extremely talented with a big three of Dan Marino, Tony Dorsett, and Larry Fitzgerald. V. Tech brings superstar QB Michael Vick in to lead them, while Notre Dame and Penn State are the most talented across the board. Penn State's superior running back stable (lead by Larry Johnson and Ki-Jana Carter) give them the edge, along with the (most likely) the best group of linebackers in the country. I think Arrington, even if the stats aren't there, gives the spy ability to corral Vick, along with running stuffing to hold Dorsett and the pass coverage to slow down Notre Dame's west coast, quick strike attack. This will be a fun, competitive division, especially if the Geno Smith and speed everywhere WV Mountaineers can surprise a team or two!
(VII) Northwestern:
Projected Finish:
- Oregon
- Stanford
- Washington
- Washington State
- Boise State
- Oregon State
Projected MVP: Marcus Mariota, Oregon Ducks
Conference Outlook: Another brutally close conference to call! Talented quarterbacks Drew Bledsoe and Kellen Moore command the bottom teams, with lots of secondary talent bolstering Washington's chances for success. It's hard to pick against Oregon and Stanford as the big two though. Stanford easily has the most defensive skill in the conference, and their offense is led by star Andrew Luck, stud Christian McCaffery, and a variety of wideout and tight end weapons. However, the fast paced Oregon team can wear teams down and Mariota's multiple dimensional attack through the ground and air will be the difference. Expect a fun, offense heavy division to have some of the most passing yards by season's end.
(VIII) West Coast
Projected Finish:
- USC
- Arizona
- UCLA
- Cal
- Arizona State
- Utah
Conference Outlook: Probably the easiest conference to predict, as USC is definitely one of the most talented teams in the country. Featuring a great QB, Reggie Bush at running back, and a receiving corps that goes 6 deep, they're going to put up huge numbers on offense. The defense is no slouch either, with Troy Polamalu setting the tone from safety and Leonard Williams creating havoc on the interior while Clay Matthews rushes the outside. Seriously, this is a powerhouse! The rest of the division is WIDE open, with Arizona having the (shockingly) most defensive talent and Gronk, while UCLA has great athletic defenders and Brett Hundley, with ASU featuring talented DBs but not much else. Cal will always hang around behind the arm of 99 overall Aaron Rodgers. Utah has the least talent, but still has a good bunch of D-linemen and Alex Smith throwing the ball to Steve Smith. USC should roll here, but still going to feature some fun matchups throughout the season.
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