RETAIL STOCKS LEAD ALL COMPANIES FOR THE 3RD SESSION IN A ROW AS THE TOP INDUSTRY GROUP THURSDAY AS 5COMPANIES HIT NEW 52 WEEK HIGHS IN A MARKET SELLOFF.
THE DOW WAS DOWN 106.77 POINTS, THE NASDAQ WAS DOWN 32.48 POINTS AND THE S&P 500 WAS DOWN 11.01 POINTS.
HERE ARE 4 RETAIL STOCKS THAT HIT NEW 52 WEEK HIGHS:
1. BIO REFERENCE LABS(BRLI) 1ST QUARTER SUPER STOCK PICK EARNINGS PER SHARE $0.45 +25.0% VS LAST YEAR REVENUE $172 MILLION +16% VS LAST YEAR BEAT ESTIMATES BY 4.7%
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RETAIL STOCKS LEAD ALL COMPANIES FOR THE 2ND SESSION IN A ROW AS THE TOP INDUSTRY GROUP WEDNESDAY AS 16 COMPANIES HIT NEW 52 WEEK HIGHS IN A SLIGHTLY POSITIVE TRADING DAY.
THE DOW WAS UP 4.49 POINTS, THE NASDAQ WAS UP 4.05 POINTS AND THE S&P 500 WAS UP 1.19 POINTS.
HERE ARE 4 RETAIL STOCKS THAT HIT NEW 52 WEEK HIGHS:
1. THE FRESH MARKET(TFM) 1ST QUARTER SUPER STOCK PICK EARNINGS PER SHARE $0.28 +27.3% VS LAST YEAR REVENUE $313 MILLION +21% VS LAST YEAR BEAT ESTIMATES BY 3.7% 2. TAYLOR DEVICES (TAYD) 1ST QUARTER SUPER STOCK PICK EARNINGS PER SHARE $0.26 +13.0% VS LAST YEAR REVENUE $9.6 MILLION +35% VS LAST YEAR BEAT ESTIMATES BY N/A
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WILL'S COLLEGE FOOTBALL PRESEASON TOP 25
#1 USC TROJANSUSC WAS MY #2 TEAM UNTIL THEY PICKED UP PENN STATE RB STAR SILAS REDD AND LSU LOST CB/PR TYRANN MATHIEU. BACK FROM A TWO YEAR BOWL BAN, HEAD COACH LANE KIFFIN LOOKS TO TAKE USC BACK TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.LAST YEAR THE TROJANS STARTED OFF 3-0 UNTIL THEY LOST AT ARIZONA STATE 22-43. AFTER A WIN AT NOTRE DAME 31-17 THEY LOST A HOME GAME TO THEN #4 STANFORD 48-56 IN 3OTS. THEY RAN THE TABLE THE LAST 4 GAMES OF THE SEASON, INCLUDING A WIN AT THEN #4 OREGON 38-35. THE TROJANS RETURN 9 STARTERS ON OFFENSE INCLUDING HEISMAN CANDIDATES QB MATT BARKLEY AND WR ROBERT WOODS. 4 OF THE 5 STARTING OFFENSIVE LINEMEN RETURN INCLUDING C KHALED HOLMES. THE DEFENSE RETURNS 7 STARTERS INCLUDING LB DION BAILEY, CB NICKELL ROBEY AND FS TJ MCDONALD.2012 WILL SEE THE TROJANS FACE STANFORD, UTAH AND WASHINGTON ON THE ROAD BUT GET OREGON, ARIZONA STATE AND NOTRE DAME AT HOME. I AM LOOKING FOR USC TO HAVE A SPECIAL SEASON THIS YEAR. SINCE THEY GET OREGON AT HOME, I THINK THEY WILL RUN THE TABLE AND MAKE IT TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
#2 LSU TIGERS
LSU WAS MY PRESEASON #1 UNTIL ALL AMERICAN CB/PR TYRANN MATHIEU WAS KICKED OFF OF THE TEAM. YES HE IS THAT GOOD! HEAD COACH LES MILES WILL TRY TO STEER THE TIGERS BACK TO THE TITLE GAME LESS HIS SUPERSTAR.
THE TIGERS HAD A MAGICAL SEASON LAST YEAR GOING 13-0 INCLUDING WINS VS THEN #3 OREGON 40-27, AT THEN #25 MISSISSIPPI STATE 19-6, AT THEN #16 WEST VIRGINIA 47-21, THEN #17 FLORIDA 41-11, THEN #19 AUBURN 45-10, AT THEN #2 ALABAMA 9-6 IN OT, THEN #3 ARKANSAS 41-17 AND THEN #12 GEORGIA IN THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 42-10. THEY FACED ALABAMA IN A REMATCH FOR THE BCS CHAMPIONSHIP AND WERE SKUNKED 0-21 SPOILING A PERFECT SEASON.
2012 BRINGS IN A NEW STARTING QB ZACH METTENBERGER AND 7 RETURNING STARTERS. 4 OF THE 5 STARTING OFFENIVE LINEMEN RETURN INCLUDING RT ALEX HURST.
THE DEFENSE RETURNS 5 STARTERS INCLUDING DE SAM MONTGOMERY AND FS ERIC REID. REID IS THE ONLY STARTER RETURNING IN THE SECONDARY.
FOR THE 2012 SEASON, THE TIGERS GET SOUTH CAROLINA AND ALABAMA AT HOME BUT MUST GO ON THE ROAD TO FACE AUBURN, FLORIDA, NEWCOMER TEXAS A&M AND ARKANSAS ON THE ROAD.
THIS LOOKS LIKE ITS GOING TO BE ANOTHER SOLID YEAR FOR THE TIGERS, BUT WITH AN INEXPERIENCE SECONDARY, I DON'T SEE LSU BACK IN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, THOUGH A BCS SPOT IS WITHIN THEIR REACH.
#3 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDEALABAMA IS THE DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPION. COMING OFF OF A 21-0 BEATDOWN ON LSU, HEAD COACH NICK SABAN LOOKS TO AVOID WHAT HAPPENED IN 2010 AND MAKE IT BACK TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. THE CRIMSON TIDE DOMINATED OUT THE GATE LAST SEASON STARTING 8-0 WITH WINS AT #23 PENN STATE 27-11; THEN #14 ARKANSAS 38-14 AND AT THEN #12 FLORIDA 38-10. THEY THEN FACED THEN #1 LSU AS THE #2 TEAM AND ALTHOUGH THEY DOMINATED THE GAME, THEY LOST AT HOME 6-9 IN OT. THEY DEFEATED RIVAL AUBURN 42-14 TO CLOSE OUT THE REGULAR SEASON AND THEN FACED LSU ONCE AGAIN FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND SCORED THE 21-0 WIN. THE CRIMSON TIDE RETURNS 6 STARTERS ON OFFENSE INCLUDING QB AJ MCCARRON. 4 OF THEIR 5 STARTING OFFENSIVE LINEMEN RETURN INCLUDING C BARRETT JONES, LG CHANCE WARMACK AND RT DJ FLUKER.LAST YEAR'S #1 DEFENSE RETURNS 5 STARTERS INCLUDING DT JESSE WILLIAMS, LB CJ MOSLEY AND LB NICO JOHNSON.THE TIDE OPEN UP THE 2012 SEASON IN DALLAS AGAINST MICHIGAN. THEY GET AUBURN AND SEC NEWCOMER TEXAS A&M AT HOME BUT MUST FACE ARKANSAS, SEC NEWCOMER MISSOURI, TENNESSEE AND LSU ON THE ROAD. THE TIDE IS A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER AGAIN, BUT THE ROAD SCHEDULE IS TOUGH. I DON'T SEE A REPEAT, BUT I DO SEE THE TIDE BACK IN A BCS GAME.
#4 OKLAHOMA SOONERSOKLAHOMA HEAD COACH BOB STOOPS LOOKS TO REBOUND FROM WHAT SOME WOULD CONSIDER A DISAPPOINTING 2011 SEASON. THE SOONERS WERE THE PRESEASON #1 TEAM IN THE COUNTRY AND WERE EXPECTED TO MAKE A RUN FOR A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BUT ENDED UP 10-3. THEY STARTED THE FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON 6-0 WITH WINS AT THEN #5 FLORIDA STATE 23-13 AND AGAINST THEN #11 TEXAS 55-17. THEY WERE UPSET BY TEXAS TECH AT HOME 38-41 TO END THEIR UNDEFEATED SEASON. THEY ALSO LOST AT THEN #25 BAYLOR 38-45 AND ENDED THE REGULAR SEASON GETTING DESTROYED BY THEN #3 OKLAHOMA STATE 10-44. THEY MET IOWA IN THE INSIGHT BOWL AND WERE VICTORIOUS 31-14.THIS YEAR THEY RETURN 6 STARTERS ON OFFENSE INCLUDING HEISMAN CANDIDATE QB LANDRY JONES. ALSO BACK IS WR KENNY STILLS. THE OFFENSIVE LINE TOOK A HIT IN THE OFFSEASON, LOSING C BEN HEBERN AND RG TYLER EVANS. NOW ONLY 2 STARTERS RETURN INCLUDING LG GABE IKARD. THE DEFENSE RETURNS 7 STARTERS INCLUDING DT JAMARKUS MCFARLAND, MLB TOM WORT AND FS TONY JEFFERSON.THE SOONERS GET BIG 12 NEWCOMERS WEST VIRGINIA AND TCU ON THE ROAD BUT GET NOTRE DAME, KANSAS STATE, BAYLOR AND RIVAL OKLAHOMA STATE AT HOME.I PREDICT THE SOONERS TAKE THE BIG 12 TITLE BUT A HICCUP AGAINST EITHER WEST VIRGINIA OR TEXAS KEEP THEM OUT OF THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
#5 OREGON DUCKSOREGON HAS HAD 4 STRAIGHT 10 WIN SEASONS, 3 UNDER HEAD COACH CHIP KELLY. THE HAVE PLAYED IN THREE STRAIGHT BCS BOWL GAME, 2 IN THE ROSE BOWL AND ONE IN 2010 WHERE THEY LOST THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. CAN THE DUCKS MAKE IT 4 IN A ROW?LAST YEAR THEY STARTED THE SEASON OFF WITH A LOSS TO THEN #4 LSU 27-40. THEY THEN WON 9 STRAIGHT INCLUDING WINS OVER THEN #18 ARIZONA STATE 41-27 AND AT THEN #3 STANFORD 53-30. THEY ROSE TO #4 AND FACED THEN #18 USC AT HOME AND LOST 35-38. THEY WENT ON TO BEAT UCLA IN THE INITIAL PAC 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 49-31 AND WENT ON TO BEAT THEN #9 WISCONSIN 45-38 IN THE ROSE BOWL. 2011'S #4 OFFENSE RETURNS 5 STARTERS. NEW STARTING QB MARCUS MARIOTA LEADS THE CHARGE WITH RB KENJON BARNER HOLDING DOWN THE RUNNING GAME. 3 OF THE 5 STARTING LINEMEN ARE BACK INCLUDING OG CARSON YORK. THE DEFENSE RETURNS 6 STARTERS INCLUDING DE DION JORDAN AND S JOHN BOYETT. OREGON GET STANFORD AT HOME BUT HAS TO FACE USC ON THE ROAD. I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO OREGON AND USC AS TO WHO WINS THE PAC 12. I PREDICT THE DUCKS COME UP JUST SHORT BUT STILL FINISHES WITH 11 WINS AND A BCS BID.
#6 FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLESFLORIDA STATE WAS CONSIDERED A CONTENDER FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP LAST SEASON ALTHOUGH THEY HAD ONLY 9 STARTERS RETURNING. 3RD YEAR COACH JIMBO FISHER LEAD THEM TO A 9-4 RECORD, A SOLID SEASON BUT CONSIDERED A DISAPPOINTMENT TO SOME. THIS YEAR THE HYPE IS BACK ON, WITH NO OTHER THEN COLLEGE FOOTBALL GURU PHIL STEELE PREDICTING THE SEMINOLES TO WIN IT ALL. CAN THEY LIVE UP TO THE HYPE OR WILL THEY FALTER ONCE AGAIN.2011 SAW THE SEMINOLES START 2-0 AND RANKED #5 UNTIL THEY TOOK A LOSS AT HOME AGAINST THEN #1 OKLAHOMA 13-23. THE NEXT WEEK THEY LOSS AT THEN #21 CLEMSON 30-35. THEY WERE THEN UPSET AT WAKE FOREST 30-35. THEY WON 5 STRAIGHT BEFORE LOSING AT HOME AGAINST VIRGINIA 13-14. THEY ENDED THE SEASON WITH A WIN AGAINST NOTRE DAME IN THE CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL 18-14.THIS YEAR THE OFFENSE RETURNS 9 STARTERS LEAD BY QB E J MANUEL. THE OFFENSIVE LINE RETURNS 3 OF LAST YEAR'S 5 STARTERS. THE NATION'S #4 DEFENSE LAST YEAR RETURNS 8 STARTERS INCLUDING DE BRANDON JENKINS, CB XAVIER RHODES AND S LAMARCUS JOYNER. THEY GET USF, NC STATE, MIAMI AND VIRGINIA TECH ON THE ROAD BUT PLAY CLEMSON AND FLORIDA AT HOME. THE DEFENSE SHOULD BE SPECIAL THIS YEAR. I SEE VIRGINIA TECH AS THE ONLY ROAD BLOCK. IF THEY CAN GET PASS THE HOKIES, I THINK THE SEMINOLES CAN RUN THE TABLE, AT LEAST MAKE IT TO THE ACC TITLE GAME AND WIN 11 THIS YEAR.
#7 GEORGIA BULLDOGSGEORGIA HEAD COACH MARK RICHT HAS LAID THE HAMMER DOWN. HE HAS LET IT BE KNOWN TO BULLDOGS PLAYERS THAT OFF SEASON INCIDENTS THAT EMBARRASS THE BULLDOG SHIELD WOULD NOT BE TOLERATED. STAR RB ISAIAH CROWELL WAS KICKED OFF THE TEAM FOLLOWING A FELONY ARREST SO THE MESSAGE HAS BEEN SENT. IS THIS THE YEAR THE BULLDOGS GET BACK TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP?
LAST YEAR THE BULLDOGS OPENED UP THE SEASON AT THE GEORGIA DOME GETTING STUNNED BY THEN #5 BOISE STATE 23-35. THEY FOLLOWED THAT UP WITH A LOSS TO DIVISION RIVAL THEN #12 SOUTH CAROLINA 42-45 TO START THE SEASON 0-2. THEY THEN RAN THE TABLE THE REST OF THE SEASON WINNING 10 STRAIGHT INCLUDING A WIN AT THEN #24 AUBURN 45-7 AND AT RIVAL THEN #25 GEORGIA TECH 31-17. THEY WERE BACK IN THE DOME FOR THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BUT FELL APART IN THE SECOND HALF AGAINST THEN #1 LSU AND LOSS 10-42. THEY ENDED THE SEASON WITH A LOSS AT THE OUTBACK BOWL VS THEN #12 MICHIGAN STATE 30-33 IN 3 OTS. THIS YEAR THEY BRING BACK 6 STARTERS ON OFFENSE INCLUDING QB AARON MURRAY AND WR TAVARRES KING. THEY ONLY RETURN 2 OF THEIR 5 STARTING OFFENSIVE LINEMEN. LAST YEAR'S #5 DEFENSE IN THE COUNTRY RETURNS 9 STARTERS INCLUDING DT JOHN JENKINS, LB JARVIS JONES AND S BACARRI RAMBO. THE BULLDOGS GET TENNESSEE, AND GEORGIA TECH AT HOME BUT MUST FACE SEC NEWCOMER MISSOURI, SOUTH CAROLINA AND AUBURN ON THE ROAD. BECAUSE THEY AVOID THE BIG 3 IN THE SEC WEST AGAIN, I THINK THE BULLDOGS HAVE A GREAT SHOT AT RETURNING TO THE DOME TO PLAY FOR THE SEC TITLE AGAIN AND PULL OFF ANOTHER 10 WIN SEASON.
#8 ARKANSAS RAZORBACKSARKANSAS FINISHED IN THE TOP 5 LAST YEAR AND SEEMED POISED TO CHALLENGE DIVISION RIVALS LSU AND ALABAMA FOR A SHOT AT A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. THEN FORMER HEAD COACH BOBBY PETRINO WAS EMBROILED IN A CONTROVERSY THAT COST HIM HIS JOB. NEW HEAD COACH JOHN L. SMITH TAKES OVER A TEAM WITH THE TALENT TO MAKE A RUN. CAN THEY DO IT?THE RAZORBACKS STARTED 2011 3-0 AND RANKED #14 UNTIL THEY TRAVELED TO THEN #3 ALABAMA AND WERE BLOWN OUT 14-38. THEY THEN WON 7 IN A ROW INCLUDING WINS OVER THEN #14 TEXAS A&M 42-38, THEN #15 AUBURN 38-14 AND THEN #10 SOUTH CAROLINA 44-28. THE LAST GAME OF THE SEASON THE #3 RANKED RAZORBACKS TRAVELED TO THEN #1 LSU AND WERE BEATEN 17-41. THEY FACED THEN #11 KANSAS STATE IN THE COTTON BOWL AND CAME OUT WITH A 29-16 WIN AND A 11-2 RECORD.THIS YEAR THEY RETURN 7 OFFENSIVE STARTERS INCLUDING HEISMAN CANDIDATE QB TYLER WILSON, WR COBI HAMILTON AND THE RETURN OF RB KNILE DAVIS. THEY ALSO RETURN 3 OF THEIR 5 OFFENSIVE LINEMEN.THE DEFENSE RETURNS 6 STARTERS LEAD BY LB ALONZO HIGHSMITH.THE 2012 SCHEDULE SEE THE RAZORBACKS GO ON THE ROAD TO FACE SEC NEWCOMER TEXAS A&M, AUBURN, SOUTH CAROLINA AND MISSISSIPPI STATE BUT THEY GET ALABAMA AND LSU AT HOME. THE RAZORBACKS HAVE THE FIREPOWER TO KNOCK OFF ON OF THE TWO POWER HOUSES, BUT I DON'T THINK THEY WILL GET IT DONE. ANOTHER TRIP TO THE COTTON BOWL AND 10 WINS SHOULD BE IN ORDER.
#9 MICHIGAN WOLVERINESMICHIGANCOACH BRADY HOKE STARTED HIS TENURE WITH THE SCHOOL WITH A BANG. HE LEAD THE WOLVERINES TO THEIR FIRST 11 WIN SEASON SINCE 2006 AND A TOP 10 FINISH IN THE POLLS. CAN HE PULL OFF A REPEAT PERFORMANCE OR WILL HE SUFFERED THE DREADED SOPHOMORE SLUMP?LAST YEAR THE WOLVERINES STARTED THE SEASON 6-0, INCLUDING A WIN VS NOTRE DAME 35-31. THEN THEY RAN INTO A BUZZSAW ON THE ROAD IN WEEK 7 AGAINST RIVAL THEN #23 MICHIGAN STATE AND LOST 14-28. 2 WEEKS LATER THEY LOST AT IOWA 16-24. THEY THEN WON THEIR LAST FOUR WHICH INCLUDED WINS OVER THEN #17 NEBRASKA 45-17, OHIO STATE 40-34 AND THEN #17 VIRGINIA TECH 23-20 IN OT IN THE SUGAR BOWL.2012 BRINGS BACK HEISMAN CANDIDATE QB DENARD ROBINSON, 1,000 YARD RUSHER FITGERALD TOUSSAINT AND WR ROY ROUNDTREE. 3 OF THE 5 STARTING LINEMEN RETURN INCLUDING LT TAYLOR LEWAN. 7 DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURN INCLUDING LB KENNY DEMENS AND S JORDAN KOVACS.THE WOLVERINES START THE SEASON OFF AGAINST DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ALABAMA IN DALLAS. THEY GET MICHIGAN STATE AND IOWA AT HOME BUT MUST FACE NOTRE DAME, NEBRASKA AND OHIO STATE ON THE ROAD. ALTHOUGH I LOOK FOR MICHIGAN TO HAVE ANOTHER SOLID YEAR, 9 OR 10 WINS MAY BE THE CEILING.
#10 OHIO STATE BUCKEYESOHIO STATE HAD A ROUGH YEAR LAST YEAR. WHEN IT WAS ALL SAID AND DONE, THE BUCKEYES LOST HEAD COACH JIM TRESSEL AND RECEIVED A ONE YEAR BOWL BAN AND ARE INELIGIBLE TO PLAY IN THE BIG TEN TITLE GAME. FAST FORWARD TO 2012 AND FORMER FLORIDA GATORS HEAD COACH URBAN MEYER STEPS IN, READY TO PUT THE BUCKEYES BACK IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS. THE BUCKEYES STARTED 2011 2-0 AND RANKED #17 IN THE COUNTRY BEFORE GOING TO MIAMI AND FALLING 6-24. 2 WEEKS LATER THEY WERE BEATEN BY MICHIGAN STATE 7-10 AT HOME FOLLOWED BY A 27-34 LOSS AT THEN #14 NEBRASKA THE NEXT WEEK. THEY THEN BEAT A THEN RANKED #16 ILLINOIS 17-7 AND FOLLOWED THAT WITH THEIR BIGGEST WIN OF THE YEAR, BEATING THEN RANKED #12 WISCONSIN 33-29. THEY CLOSED THE YEAR OUT WITH 4 STRAIGHT LOSSES, AT PURDUE 23-26 IN OT, AT HOME TO THEN RANKED #21 PENN STATE 14-20, AT THEN RANKED #17 MICHIGAN 34-40 AND FINALLY VS FLORIDA 17-24 IN THE GATOR BOWL. THE BUCKEYES RETURN 5 STARTERS TO THE OFFENSE INCLUDING QB BRAXTON MILLER AND TE JAKE STONEBURNER ALONG WITH 2 OF THEIR 5 STARTING OFFENSIVE LINEMEN. THE DEFENSE HAVE 9 STATERS RETURNING INCLUDING DE JOHN SIMON, DT JOHNATHAN HANKINS AND S CJ BARNETT.THIS YEAR THE BUCKEYES GET NEBRASKA, ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN AT HOME BUT MUST FACE MICHIGAN STATE, PENN STATE AND WISCONSIN ON THE ROAD. THOUGH THEY WILL NOT GET BACK TO THE GLORY DAYS OF TRESSEL THIS YEAR, I DO EXPECT THE BUCKEYES TO FINISH WITH A RESPECTABLE 8 WINS THIS SEASON.
#11 TEXAS LONGHORNSTEXAS HEAD COACH MACK BROWN ISN'T ON THE HOT SEAT BUT LONGHORN NATION IS GETTING RESTLESS. AFTER TWO MEDIOCRE SEASONS, LONGHORN FAITHFUL WANT TO WIN AND THEY WANT TO WIN NOW!AFTER A 5-7 RECORD IN 2010, THE LONGHORNS STARTED 2011 OFF 4-0 AND RANKED #17. THEY RAN INTO A FOCUSED THEN RANKED #3 OKLAHOMA SQUAD AT THE RED RIVER SHOOTOUT AND WERE BLOWN AWAY 17-55. THE NEXT WEEK THEY TOOK A LOSS AT THEN RANKED OKLAHOMA STATE 26-38. LOSSES AT MISSOURI 15-17, AT THEN RANKED #16 KANSAS STATE 13-17 AND AT THEN RANKED #19 BAYLOR 24-48 FOLLOWED. THE LONGHORNS DID RECOVER TO BEAT CALIFORNIA IN THE HOLIDAY BOWL 21-10.DAVID ASH IS PROJECTED TO BE THE STARTING QB THIS YEAR AS 9 OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURN. ALSO BACK IS RB MALCOLM BROWN AND 4 OF THE 5 STARTING OFFENSIVE LINEMEN. ONE OF LAST YEAR'S TOP DEFENSES RETURN 6 STARTERS INCLUDING THE STELLAR DE COMBO OF ALEX OKAFOR AND JACKSON JEFFCOAT. THEY COMBINED FOR 15 SACKS LAST YEAR. ALSO, LEAD TACKER S KENNY VACCARO RETURNS.THIS YEAR THE LONGHORNS HAVE TO TRAVEL TO OKLAHOMA STATE AND KANSAS STATE BUT PLAYS WEST VIRGINIA, BAYLOR AND TCU AT HOME. I PREDICT THAT THE LONGHORNS FINALLY RECOVER FROM THEIR DROUGHT AND PULL OFF A 10 WIN SEASON, POSSIBLY THE BIG 12 TITLE.
#12 WISCONSIN BADGERSWISCONSIN HAS BECOME A NATIONAL CONTENDER. UNDER HEAD COACH BRET BIELEMA, THE BADGERS HAVE POSTED 3 STRAIGHT 10+ WIN SEASONS. LAST YEAR THEY WON 11 AND FOR ABOUT HALF THE SEASON WAS CONSIDERED A CONTENDER FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. THE BADGERS WERE 6-0 AND RANKED #4 AT ONE POINT LAST YEAR WHICH INCLUDED A WIN VS THEN #8 NEBRASKA 48-17. THEY THEN SUFFERED THEIR FIRST LOST OF THE YEAR AT A THEN #15 MICHIGAN STATE 31-37. THE NEXT WEEK THEY TRAVELED TO OHIO STATE AND WENT DOWN 29-33. THEY FINISHED THE SEASON UP WITH WINS VS THEN #20 PENN STATE 45-7 AND IN THE BIG 10 TITLE GAME BEATING THEN #11 MICHIGAN STATE 42-39 AVENGING AN EARLIER LOST. THEY LOST THE ROSE BOWL VS THEN #6 OREGON 38-45.THE BADGERS HAD A TOP 20 OFFENSE AND RETURNING TO LEAD THE CHARGE IS AA RB MONTE BALL. MARYLAND TRANSFER QB DANNY O'BRIEN HOPES TO DUPLICATE THE SUCCESS THAT NC STATE TRANSFER RUSSELL WILSON HAVE SIMILAR SUCCESS. ALSO RETURNING IS WR JARED ABBREDEIRIS. ONLY 2 OFFENSIVE LIMEMEN RETURNS BUT THE TWO RETURNING ARE ALL BIG 10'S C TRAVIS FREDERICK AND LT RICKY WAGNER. THE DEFENSE WAS ALSO RATED IN THE TOP 20 AND HAVE 6 STARTERS RETURNING. AMONG THEM ARE LBS CHRIS BORLAND AND MIKE TAYLOR. FOR 2012, THE BADGERS GET NEBRASKA AND PENN STATE ON THE ROAD, BUT MICHIGAN STATE AND OHIO STATE AT HOME. THE BADGERS PLAY A VERY FAVORABLE SCHEDULE THIS YEAR AND I EXPECT THEM TO BE BACK IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WITH 10 OR 11 WINS.
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
#14 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYSOKLAHOMA STATE HAD A MAGICAL SEASON LAST YEAR, COMING UP JUST SHORT OF APPEARING IN THE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. HEAD COACH MIKE GUNDY HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB GOING INTO HIS 8TH SEASON. THIS SEASON MAY BE HIS MOST CHALLENGING. 2011 SAW THE COWBOYS GO 10-0 AND RANKED AS HIGH AS #2, KNOCKING OFF A THEN RANKED #8 TEXAS A&M ON THE ROAD 30-29, BEATING A THEN RANKED #22 TEXAS ON THE ROAD 38-26 AND BEATING A THEN RANKED #17 KANSAS STATEAT HOME 52-45. THEN THE COWBOYS WERE STUNNED BY IOWA STATE ON THE ROAD 31-37 IN 2OTS.THE HIGH POTENT OFFENSE RETURNS ONLY 4 STARTERS. TRUE FR WES LUNT TAKES OVER AS QB. RETURNING IS ALL WORLD RB JOSEPH RANDLE, WHO HAVE A COMBINED 2TDS RUNNING AND CATCHING. 2 OF THE 5 STARTING LINEMEN ARE BACK INCLUDING RG LANE TAYLOR. 8 STARTERS RETURN ON DEFENSE LET BY CB BRODICK BROWN AND LB SHAUN LEWIS.FOR 2012, THE COWBOYS GET TEXAS, TCU AND WEST VIRGINIA AT HOME BUT HAVE TO TRAVEL TO FACE ARIZONA, KANSAS STATE, OKLAHOMA AND BAYLOR ON THE ROAD. THE INEXPERIENCE AT QB MAY COST THE COWBOYS A GAME OR TWO. I STILL EXPECT THE COWBOYS TO BE IN THE RUNNING FOR THE BIG 12 TITLE AND WIN AT LEAST 9 GAMES.
#15 WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERSWEST VIRGINIA JUMPS TO THE BIG 12 FROM THE BIG EAST IN 2012. HEAD COACH DANA HOLGORSEN INKED AN EXTENTION DURING THE OFF SEASON AFTER ONLY ONE YEAR.
IN 2011, THE MOUNTAINEERS STARTED OFF 3-0 BEFORE BEING WHIPPED AT HOME BY THEN #2 LSU 21-47. THEY ALSO TOOK TWO BAD LOSSES AT SYRACUSE 23-49 AND HOME AGAINST LOUISVILLE 35-38. THEY DID MANAGE TO GO ON THE ROAD AND BEAT A THEN #23 CINCINATTI 24-21 WHICH SECURED THE BIG EAST TITLE. IN THE ORANGE BOWL, THE MOUNTAINEERS ABSOLUTLEY HUMILIATED A THEN #14 CLEMSON 70-33, A ORANGE BOWL RECORD. THE HIGH POWERED OFFENSE RETURNS QB GENO SMITH, WHO THREW FOR 4,385 YARDS AND 31 TDS LAT YEAR; THE RB DUEL THREAT OF DUSTIN GARRISON AND SHAWNE AUSTIN AND ONE OF THE BEST WR CORPS IN THE NATION, 1,000 YARDERS STEDMAN BAILEY AND TAVON AUSTIN. 3 OF THE OFFENSIVE LINEMEN RETURN, LEAD BY C JOE MADSEN.THE DEFENSE RETURNS 6, INCLUDING DL JORGE WRIGHT AND LB TERENCE GARVIN.FOR 2012, THE MOUNTAINEERS GET BAYLOR, KANSAS STATE, TCU AND OKLAHOMA AT HOME BUT MUST FACE TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA STATE ON THE ROAD. WEST VIRGINIA IS A GOOD FIT FOR THE BIG 12 AND I EXPECT THEM TO BE IN THE RUNNING FOR THE BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP, 9 OR 10 WINS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION.
#16 STANFORD CARDINALSTANFORD HAS COME FROM 1-11 IN 2006 TO 11-2 LAST YEAR WITH A BCS APPEARANCE. HEAD COACH DAVID SHAW BARELY MISSED A BEAT IN HIS FIRST YEAR AS HEAD COACH AND LOOKS TO CONTINUE MAKING STANFORD A NATIONAL POWERHOUSE. 2011 SAW THE CARDINALS BEAT A THEN RANKED #22 WASHINGTON BEFORE GOING TO A THEN RANKED #20 USC AND DEFEATING THE TROJANS 56-48 IN 3OTS. THE CARDINALS WERE IN THE MIX FOR A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCE BEFORE BEING DERAILED BY A THEN RANKED #6 OREGON AT HOME 30-53. THEY ENDED THE REGULAR SEASON BEATING A THEN RANKED #23 NOTRE DAME 28-14 BEFORE DROPPING THE FIESTA BOWL TO A THEN RANKED #3 OKLAHOMA STATE 38-41 IN OT. 2012 STARTS A NEW BEGINNING AT QB WITH SOPH BRETT NOTTINGHAM TAKING OVER THE REIGNS. 1,300 YARD RB STEPFAN TAYLOR IS BACK LEADING THE OFFENSE WITH BARRY SANDERS, SON OF THE LEGENDARY HALL OF FAMER, BACKING HIM UP. THE WR CORP BRING NEW STARTERS AND 3 OF THE 5 OFFENSIVE LINE STARTERS ARE BACK INCLUDING LG DAVID YANKEY. THE DEFENSE BRINGS BACK 7 STARTERS INCLUDING DT BEN GARDNER AND ALL 4 STARTING LBS WITH CHASE THOMAS AND SHAYNE SKOV LEADING THE CHARGE. THE SECONDARY ONLY RETURNS ONE STARTER. THE 2012 SCHEDULE HAS THE CARDINALS GETTIN USC AT HOME BUT THEY MUST GO ON THE ROAD TO FACE WASHINGTON, NOTRE DAME AND OREGON.THE LAST TWO SEASONS WERE MAGICAL ONES FOR THE CARDINALS AND ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE A SOLID TEAM, I PREDICT THAT THEY WILL JUST MISS THE PAC 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AND WILL FINISH WITH 9 OR 10 WINS.
#17 CLEMSON TIGERSCLEMSON HAD A ROUGH SUMMER. THE LAST TIME WE SAW THE TIGERS, WEST VIRGINIA WAS SCORCHING THEM IN THE ORANGE BOWL 33-70. HEAD COACH DABO SWINNEY HAS BEEN CHOMPING AT THE BITS TO GET BACK INTO ACTION.LAST YEAR THE TIGERSRAN UP AN 8-0 RECORD, INCLUDIN IN A COURSE OF 3 WEEKS DEFEATING THE LIKES OF A THEN #21 AUBURN AT HOME 38-24; BEATING A THEN RANKED #11FLORIDA STATE 35-30 AND GOING TO A THEN RANKED #11 VIRGINIA TECH AND BEATING THEM 23-3.IT ALL CAME TO AN END OCTOBER 29TH WHEN THEY TRAVELED TO GEORGIA TECH RANKED #6 AND WAS DEFEATED 17-31. A LOSS AT NC STATE 13-37 AND A LOSS AT A THEN RANKED #14 SOUTH CAROLINA 13-34 PULLED THE TEAM DOWN A NOTCH. BUT THEY DID GET THEIR SWAGGER BACK IN THE ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, DEFEATING A THEN RANKED #5 VIRGINIA TECH 38-10. THE TEAM FINISHED 10-4 FOR 2011.THIS YEAR RETURNS THE THREE HEADED MONSTER OF QB TAJH BOYD, RB ANDRE ELLINGTON AND WR SAMMY WATKINS.ONLY TWO STARTERS RETURN ON THE OFFENSE LINE INCLUDING C DALTON FREEMAN. THE DEFENSE RETURNS 7, LEAD BY DE MALLICIAH GOODMAN. THIS YEAR THE TIGERS OPEN IN ATLANTA VS AUBURN. THEY ALSO HAVE TO TRAVEL TO VIRGINIA TECH BUT GET SOUTH CAROLINA AT HOME. I PREDICT ANOTHER 10 GAME WINNING SEASON AND A GREAT SHOT AT A TRIP BACK TO THE ACC TITLE GAME FOR THE TIGERS.
#18 MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANSAFTER YEARS OF UNDERACHIVING, MICHIGAN STATE, UNDER COACH HEAD COACH MARK DANTONIO, HAS BECOME A NATIONAL CONTENDER. THE SPARTANS HAS FINISHED THE LAST TWO SEASONS 11-3 AND HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY RANKED IN THE TOP 25. LAST SEASON SAW THE SPARTANS LOSE AT NOTRE DAME 13-31, AT THEN #13 NEBRASKA 3-24 AND LOSING THE BIG 10 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TO THEN #15 WISCONSIN 39-42. THEY HAD BIG WINS AT OHIO STATE 10-7 AND ATIOWA 37-21 AND DEFEATED THEN #11 RIVAL MICHIGAN 28-14 THEN THE NEXT WEEK BEAT THEN #4 WISCONSIN 37-31. JR ANDREW MAXWELL TAKES OVER THE QB POSITION AND THEY LOSE THEIR STARTING WRS , BUT THEY RETURN RB LE'VEON BELL AND 4 STARTING OFFENSIVE LINEMAN INCLUDING OG CHRIS MCDONALD. THE DEFENSE IS WHAT CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE THIS YEAR. THE DEFENSE WAS RANKED #6 LAST YEAR AND RETURN 8 STARTERS INCLUDING DE WILLIAM GHOLSTON, CB JOHNNY ADAMS AND SS ISAIAH LEWIS. FOR THE 2012 SEASON THEY OPEN UP AGAINST PRESEASON #23 BOISE STATE. THEY GET MICHIGAN AND WISCONSIN ON THE ROAD, BUT GET NOTRE DAME, OHIO STATE,IOWA AND NEBRASKA AT HOME. THE SPARTANS WILL BE IN THE MIX FOR THE BIG 10 TITLE AND POSSIBLY A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SHOT. I CALL FOR THEM TO FINISH WITH ANOTHER 11-3 RECORD.
#19 NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERSNEBRASKA HEAD COACH BO PELINI HAS THE CORNHUSKERS BACK IN THE NATIONAL PICTURE. HIS NEXT STEP IS TO TAKE THEM TO THE NEXT LEVEL, COMPETING FOR A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.THE CORNHUSKERSHAVE WON AT LEAST 9 GAMES IN THE 4 YEARS PELINI HAS BEEN THERE AND HAS BEEN A SOLID TOP 25 TEAM FOR THE LAST 3 SEASONS. IN 2011, STARTED 4-0 BEFORE GETTING DESTROYED AT THEN #7 WISCONSIN 17-48. THEY DEFEATED OHIO STATE AT HOME AND TWO WEEKS LATER BEAT A THEN #9 MICHIGAN STATE AT HOME 24-3. THE NEXT WEEK THEY WERE UPSET AT HOME BY NORTHWESTERN 25-28, THEN BEAT A THEN #12 PENN STATE ON THE ROAD 17-14. THE NEXT WEEK THEY WERE DEFEATED AT THEN #20 MICHIGAN 17-45. THEY LOST THE COTTON BOWL TO THEN #10 SOUTH CAROLINA13-30 TO END THE SEASON ON A SOUR NOTE.THIS YEAR, THE CORNHUSKERSRETURN STARTING QB AND 1,000 YARD RUSHER TAYLOR MARTINEZ AND 1,000 YARD RUSHER IB REX BURKHEAD TO LEAD THE NATION'S 14TH RANKED RUSHING ATTACK. TWO STARTING OFFENSIVE LINEMEN , LEAD BY RG SPENCER LONG. ON DEFENSE, 7 STARTERS RETURN INCLUDING DE CAMERON MEREDITH, MLB WILL COMPTON AND SS DAMIEN STAFFORD.FOR 2012, THE CORNHUSKERS GET TESTED EARLY WITH SOUTHERN MISS AT HOME AND AT UCLA. THEY GET WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN AT HOME BUT MUST FACE OHIO STATE, NORTHWESTERN, MICHIGAN STATE AND IOWA ON THE ROAD.I PROJECT THE CORNHUSKERS WILL CONTEND AGAIN THIS YEAR TO REPRESENT THE LEGENDS SIDE FOR THE BIG 10 CHAMPIONSHIP, BUT WILL FALL SHORT. I DO PROJECT THEM TO FINISH ONCE AGAIN WITH A 9-3 RECORD.
#20 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIESVIRGINIA TECH HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENT PROGRAMS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL IN THE LAST 10 YEARS. UNDER HEAD COACH FRANK BEAMER, THE HOKIESHAVE POSTED 10 GAMES OR BETTER WINNING SEASONS 9 OF THE PAST 10 SEASONS. THEY HAVE DOMINATED THE ACC, GOING TO THE ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 4 OF THE PAST 5 YEARS. LAST YEAR, THE HOKIES WENT 11-3, LOSING TWICE TO CLEMSON AND SUFFERING AN OT LOSS TO MICHIGAN IN THE SUGAR BOWL. THEY DID DEFEAT A THEN #20 GEORGIA TECH 37-26 AND EMBARASSED STATE RIVAL THEN #24 VIRGINIA 24-0.THIS YEAR, QB LOGAN THOMAS RETURNS AFTER SCORING A TOTAL OF 30 TDS LAST YEAR. ON THE DOWNSIDE, ONLY 1 STARTER RETURNS ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE. THE ONLY OTHER STARTER RETURNING ON OFFENSE IS WR MARCUS DAVIS, THE HOKIES 3RD LEADING RECEIVER LAST YEAR. THE POSITIVE IS THE DEFENSE. THEY FINISHED RANKED #10 LAST YEAR AND RETURN 9 STARTERS LEAD BY LB BRUCE TAYLOR, STUD JAMES GAYLE AND DE J.R. COLLINS.THE HOKIES OPEN THE 2012 SCHEDULE AT HOME VS GEORGIA TECH. THEY GET FLORIDA STATE AT HOME BUT HAVE TO TRAVEL TOPITTSBURGH, NORTH CAROLINA AND CLEMSON.IF THE HOKIES CAN STAY FOCUSED, IT'S POSSIBLE THEY CAN RUN THE TABLE AND BE IN THE RUNNING FOR A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. AT THE LEAST, THEY WILL WIN 10 GAMES AND COMPETE FOR THE ACC TITLE.
#21 FLORIDA GATORSHEAD COACH WILL MUSCHAMPIS UNDER PRESSURE TO WIN AND WIN THIS YEAR. LAST YEAR'S 7-6 RECORD WAS THE WORSE IN GATOR NATION SINCE 2004 AND THE OFFENSE RANKED A PAULTRY 101ST IN THE NATION.AFTER STARTING THE 2011 SEASON 4-0, THE GATORS WERE DESTROYED AT HOME BY THEN #3 ALABAMA 10-38. THEY THEN WENT TO THEN #1 LSU AND WERE RAN OUT OF BATON ROUGE LOSING 11-41. THEY THEN TRAVELED TO THEN #24 AUBURN AND LOST 6-17. THEY TOOK THEIR 4TH LOST IN JACKSONVILLE VS THEN #22 GEORGIA 20-24. COUPLED WITH LOSSES AT #15 SOUTH CAROLINA AND FLORIDA STATE, THE GATOR NATION WERE ANGRY, WITH SOME CALLING FOR THE HEAD COACH'S JOB. THIS YEAR THEY ARE STILL UNSETTLED AT QB, WITH THE BATTLE RAGING BETWEEN SOPH. JEFF DRISKEL AND SOPH JACOBY BRISSETT, THOUGH THEY DO RETURN 4 OF THEIR 5 STARTING OFFENSIVE LINEMEN FROM LAST YEAR.THE STRONG POINT WILL BE THEIR DEFENSE, EXPECTED TO BE ONE OF IF NOT THE BEST IN THE NATION. THE DEFENSE FINISHED 8TH IN THE COUNTRY LAST YEAR AND THEY HAVE 10 RETURNING STARTERS, LEAD BY LB JOHNATHAN BOSTIC, LB JELANI JENKINS, DT SHARRIF FLOYD AND S MATT ELAM.AS FAR AS THEIR 2012 SCHEDULE, THE GATORS GET TESTED EARLY BY TRAVELING TO TEXAS A&M IN WEEK 2, THEN TRAVELS TO TENNESSEE IN WEEK 3. THEY GET LSU, SOUTH CAROLINA AND MISSOURI AT HOME, GEORGIA IN JACKSONVILLE AND FINISH AT FLORIDA STATE. THE SEC EAST WILL BE A BATTLE THIS YEAR. I PREDICT THE GATORS WILL BE IN THE RACE AT THE END AND HAVE A GREAT SHOT AT 9 WINS AND A TRIP TO ATLANTA IN DECEMBER.
#22 TCU HORNED FROGSTCUFINALLY JUMPS TO THE BIG TIME, JOINING THE BIG 12 THIS YEAR. COACH GARY PATTERSON HAS ENJOYED A 109-30 RECORD IN HIS 11 YEARS AS HEAD COACH, WINNING AT LEAST 10 GAMES IN 8 OF THE LAST 10 SEASONS AND BEING CONSISTENTLY RANKED IN THE TOP 25 THE PAST 4 YEARS. LAST YEAR THE TEAM FINISHED 11-2 WHICH INCLUDED A 36-35 WIN AT THEN #5 BOISE STATE. THIS YEAR, THE HORNED FROGS TRAVEL TO OKLAHOMA STATE, WEST VIRGINIA AND TEXAS BEFORE FINISHING THE SEASON WITH A HOME GAME AGAINST CONFERENCE FAVORITE OKLAHOMA.QB CASEY PACHALL RETURNS ALONG WITH 2 OF THE 3 HEADED MONSTER RB CORE WAYMON JAMES AND MATTHEW TUCKER (ED WESLEY LEFT THE TEAM). ALSO RETURNING ARE WRS SKYE DAWSON AND JOSH BOYCE, THOUGH ONLY 2 STARTERS RETURN ON THE LINE INCLUDING LAST YEAR'S 1ST TEAM ALL MWC RG BLAIZE FOLTZ. THE DEFENSE IS LEAD BY LAST YEAR'S 1ST TEAM MWC DE STANSLY MAPONGA BUT ONLY ONE STARTER RETURNS TO PLAY IN THE SECONDARY.TCU IS STILL A SOLID TEAM. 8-4 OR 9-3 SEEMS TO BE WHERE THEY ARE HEADED THIS YEAR.
#23 NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISHNOTRE DAME HEAD COACH BRIAN KELLY HAS HIS WORK CUT OUT FOR HIM. AFTER BACK TO BACK 8-5 SEASONS IN HIS FIRST TWO YEARS, THE PRESSURE IS GETTING HOT FOR KELLY TO GET THE IRISH BACK TO NATIONAL PROMINCE. ALTHOUGH THEY DID BEAT A THEN RANKED #15 MICHIGAN STATE LAST YEAR, GETTING UPSET OPENING WEEKEND BY USF AND LOSING GAMES TO MICHIGAN, USC, STANFORD AND FLORIDA STATE IN THE CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL, DIDN'T MAKE FANS FEEL ANY BETTER ABOUT THE IRISH'S CHANCES AT A BCS BOWL RUN.THE IRISHARE STILL UNSETTLED AT QB AS ANDREW HENDRIX, TOMMY REES AND EVERETT GOLSON BATTLE FOR THE SPOT. THEY DO RETURN 1,186 YARD RUSHER CIERRE WOOD AND STAR LB MANTI TE'O, BUT THE 2012 SCHEDULE IS A KILLER.THIS YEAR THE IRISH HAVE AWAY GAMES AT MICHIGAN STATE, OKLAHOMA AND USC. THEY PLAY MIAMI IN CHICAGO AND NAVY IN LONDON. PLUS THEY GET A TOUGH BYUAND PITTSBURGH, AN IMPROVING PURDUE AND TOP 25 TEAMS MICHIGAN AND STANFORD AT HOME. WITH QB QUESTIONS AND A TOUCH SCHEDULE, 8 WINS SOUND ABOUT RIGHT FOR THE IRISH THIS YEAR, THOUGH IT COULD BE A 6-6 OR 7-5 YEAR. KELLYWILL BE ON THE HOT SEAT FOR 2013.
#24 BOISE STATE BRONCOSBOISE STATE AND HEAD COACH CHRIS PETERSON HAS COMPILED AN AMAZING 73-6 RECORD OVER THE LAST 6 SEASONS. THE BRONCOS HAVE PULLED OFF BIG UPSETS DURING THIS TIME, INCLUDING TAKING OUT #17 AND #16 OREGON IN 2008 AND 2009; #3 TCU IN 2009; #10 VIRGINIA TECH IN 2010 AND #19 GEORGIA LAST YEAR. THIS YEAR, BRONCOS ALL TIME LEADING PASSER KELLEN MOORE IS GONE AND JR. JOE SOUTHWICK TAKE OVER AS QB. SOUTHWICK GETS RETURING WRS MATT MILLER AND MITCH BURROUGHS BACK ALONG WITH 3 OF LAST YEAR'S STARTERS ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE INCLUDING RT CHARLES LENO JR. THE DEFENSE, THOUGH, RETURNS ONLY TWO STARTERS ON DEFENSE WITH POSSIBLY 6 FR AND SOPH STARTING. THIS YEAR THE BRONCOSGET AN OPENING WEEKEND MATCHUP AT MICHIGAN STATE. THEY ALSO TRAVEL TO SOUTHERN MISS AND NEVADA. THEY GET A TOUGH BYU TEAM AT HOME. ALTHOUGH I DON'T EXPECT THE BRONCOS TO MATCH LAST YEAR'S 12-1 RECORD, I DO EXPECT THEM TO WIN AT LEAST 10 GAMES THIS YEAR AND THE MWC.
#25 KANSAS STATE WILDCATSLAST YEAR, KANSAS STATE WAS ONE OF THE SURPRISE TEAMS, POSTING A 10-3 RECORD, THEIR BEST SINCE 2003. ALTHOUGH THEY LOST THE COTTON BOWL VS ARKANSAS, THEY HAD SOME BIG WINS INCLUDING WINNING AT MIAMI 28-24, BEATING A THEN #15 BAYLOR 36-35, DEFEATING MISSOURI, TEXAS TECH, TEXAS A&M AND WINNING AT TEXAS 17-13. THEY DID SUFFER LOSSES AGAINST OKLAHOMA AND OKLAHOMA STATE, BUT OVERALL IT WAS A SUCCESSFUL SEASON. THIS YEAR THE WILDCATS RETURN 8 ON OFFENSE INCLUDING SR QB COLLIN KLEIN SR. AND JR RB JOHN HUBERT.THE DEFENSE RETURNS 6, INCLUDING CB NIGEL MALONE AND LB ARTHUR BROWN.THEY DO FACE CHALLENGES HOWEVER, AS THEY DO REPLACE 3 STARTERS ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE.THE WILDCATS FACE A TOUGH ROAD SCHEDULE THIS YEAR, AT OKLAHOMA 9/22, AT WEST VIRGINA 10/20, AT TCU 11/10 AND AT BAYLOR 11/17.I PREDICT THE WILDCATSMAKE A BOWL, BUT WILL GO 7-5.
