Who are the most prominent programs around the FBS conferences heading into 2018?

American Athletic Conference

1. UCF (13-0) in the East
2. Memphis (10-3) in the West

• USF (10-2) and Temple (7-6) are 2-3 in West
• Could one of the them sneak up on UCF, with HC Scott Frost at Nebraska now and former Missouri OC Josh Heupel now head coach for the Knights?
• Houston (7-5) hopes to sneak into the conversation in the West

Atlantic Coast Conference

1. Clemson (12-2) in the Atlantic
2. Miami-FL (10-3) in the Coastal

• both Clemson and Miami-FL are consensus picks in 2018 in the ACC  
• could they repeat again in 2018?
• Notre Dame (10-3) is the Top independent again in 2018 and continues to play five ACC teams 

Big Ten Conference

1. Wisconsin (13-1) in the West
2. Ohio State (12-2) in the East

• No one is picking Michigan (8-5) to win the East outright, but they are expected to be in hunt
• Michigan State (10-3) and Penn State (11-2) could sneak into the East again
• Northwestern (10-3) is picked 3rd ahead of Iowa (8-5), but one site has the Wildcats in the West

Big 12 Conference

1. Oklahoma (12-2)

• Texas (7-6) is picked to be the team to knock out the Sooners in 2018, if anyone does it
• TCU (11-3) is next in line in the Big 12 race in 2018, after playing in the title game last year

Conference USA

1. Florida Atlantic (11-3) in the East
2. North Texas (9-5) in the West

• Marshall (8-5) is the best candidate to challenge FAU in the East
• Louisiana Tech (7-6) and UAB (8-5) are 2-3 in the West pecking order, top challengers to North Texas

Mid American Conference

1. Ohio U (9-4) in the East
2. Northern Illinois (8-5) in the West

• Miami-OH (5-7) and Buffalo (6-6) are 2-3 in the East pecking order, top challenges to Ohio U
• Toledo (11-3) won the West last season and is the best candidate to give NIU a challenge

Mountain West Conference

1. Boise State (11-3) in the Mountain
2. Fresno State (10-4) in the West
3. San Diego State (10-3) in the West

• No real contenders beyond the Top 3 according the experts in the MWC in 2018

Pacific 12 Conference

1. Washington (10-3) in the North
2. USC (11-3) in the South

• Arizona (7-6) could be a surprise in the South, despite new HC Kevin Sumlin
• Stanford (9-5) won the North last season, but Washington is a consensus pick in 2018

Southeastern Conference

1. Alabama (13-1) in the West
2. Georgia (13-2) in the East

• Alabama is a consensus pick in the West, despite Auburn (10-4) knocking them off in 2017
• Florida (4-7) and South Carolina (9-4) are tied for 2nd in the East pecking order, top challenges to Georgia in 2018

Sun Belt Conference

1. Arkansas State (7-5) in the West
2. Appalachian State (9-4) in the East
3. Troy (11-2) in the East

• The Sun Belt finally joins the other conferences with a conference title game this season
• Louisiana Monroe (4-8) is the best candidate in the West to sneak up on Arkansas State

A look at CIDSports Preseason Top 30 in College Football for 2017

The College
Football Playoff

1. Alabama (14-1, 8-0 SEC West) - over the past 10 seasons, the #1 program has been the Crimson Tide, under Nick Saban with a 86-11 record, 89% ... 
2. Florida State (10-3, 5-3 ACC Atlantic) - Jimbo Fisher enters year 8 coming off a 33-32 Orange Bowl win over Michigan ...
3. USC (10-3, Pac 12 South) - Clay Helton enters third season, coming off 9 game win streak, including 52-49 Rose Bowl win over Penn State ...
4. Washington (12-2, 8-1 Pac 12 North) - Chris Petersen is coming into his 4th season coming off a College Football Playoff semi-final birth ...
5. Clemson (14-1, 7-1 ACC Atlantic) - Dabo Sewinney is entering 10th season coming off his first NCAA College Football Playoff title ...

   

   Last season ended, with Dabo Sweeney & Clemson taking down
   Nick Saban & Alabama ...

6. Oklahoma (11-2, 9-0 Big 12) - OC Lincoln Riley assumes Bob Stoops role as head coach, after a 35-19 win in the Sugar Bowl over Auburn ...
7. Penn State (11-3, 8-1 B1G East) - James Franklin enters 4th season, off the Nittany Lions first B1G Championship ...
8. Ohio State (11-2, 8-1 B1G East) - Urban Meyer enters 6th season in Columbus, with one College Football Playoff title and B1G tile back in 2014 ...
9. LSU (8-4, 5-3 SEC West) - Ed Oregaren was 6-2 as an interim coach, including win over Louisville 29-9 in Citrus Bowl ...
10. Wisconsin (11-3, 7-2 B1G West) - Paul Chryst was 19-20 @ Pitt, now entering 3rd season in Madison, with a 21-6 record leading the Badgers ... 
11. Oklahoma State (10-3, 7-2 Big 12) - Mike Gundy enters 13th season off a 38-8 Alamo Bowl win over Colorado ...
12. Stanford (10-3, 6-3 Pac 12 North) - David Show enters year 7 coming off a 25-23 win over North Carolina in the Sun Bowl ...
13. Michigan (10-3, 7-2 B1G East) - Jim Harbaugh enters year 3 with only five starters back, as he prepares for the 2017 season in Ann Arbor ...
14. Florida (9-4, 6-2 SEC East) - Jim McElwain enters year 3 off an Outback Bowl win over Iowa and will open 2017 with a rematch with Michigan from each coach's first season at the helm ...
15. TCU (6-7, 4-5 Big 12) - Gary Patterson is in his 17th season in Fort Worth and the Horned Frogs will face two early road tests in September ...
16. Virginia Tech (10-4, 6-2 ACC Coastal) - Year 2 for Justin Fuente coming off 35-24 Belk Bowl win over Arkansas to kickoff his first season in Blacksburg ...
17. Louisville (9-4, 7-1 ACC Atlantic) - Bobby Petrino enters 8th season at helm, as they seek first conference title, since joining ACC in 2014 ...
18. Georgia (7-6, 4-4 SEC East) - Kirk Smart enters year 2 coming off a 31-23 Liberty Bowl win over TCU ...
19. Oregon (4-8, 2-7 Pac 12 North) - Big rebound year is expected in Eugene, as Willie Taggert moves over his #19 position at USF, where he completed a four year restoration in Tampa ...
20. Miami-FL (9-4, 5-3 ACC Coastal) - Year 2 for Mark Richt coming off 31-14 Russell Athletic Bolw win over West Virginia ...
21. Utah (9-4, 5-4 Pac 12 South) - Year 13 for Kyle Whittingham, coming off 3 straight Top 25 finishes for the Utes ...
22. Tennessee (9-4, 4-4 SEC East) - Year 5 for Butch Jones, coming off back to back finishes at #22 and three straight bowl wins over B1G West opponents ... 
23. Northwestern (7-6, 5-4 B1G West) - Pat Fitzgerald enters Year 12, coming off a 31-24 Pinstripe Bowl win over Pitt ...
24. Auburn (8-5, 5-3 SEC West) - Gus Malzahn enters year 5 rebounding from his first two unranked season at the helm ...
25. South Florida (11-2, 7-1 AAC East) - Does new head coach Charlie Strong keep Bulls on tracks in 2017?
26. Kansas State (9-4, 6-3 Big 12) - Bill Snyder is in his 9th season back in Manhattan, his 24th overall coming off a 33-28 Texas Bowl in over A&M ...
27. Texas A&M (8-5, 4-4 SEC West) - Kevin Sumlin enters 6th season, where he was 11-2 in season one, but four, now five losses ever since in College Station ...
28. West Virginia (10-3, 7-2 Big 12) - Dana Holgorsen enters 7th season, coming off his best finish, since season one in Morgantown ...
29. Notre Dame (4-8, Independent) - Brian Kelly enters his 8th season, coming off he worse Irish season, since the '07 season under Charlie Weis ...
30. Colorado (10-4, 8-1 Pac 12 South) - Mike MacIntyre begins fifth season, coming off his breakout year last season ...

Conference Championship Weekend kicks off Friday night with MAC

Friday, December 4th 

Championship Game

MAC Championship Game: Bowling Green vs. Northern Illinois 7:00 pm on ESPN2 - The Falcons went 2-0 against B1G teams (@Maryland and @ Purdue) in 2015, while the Huskies gave the Ohio State Buckeyes a great game in September, losing 20-13 in Week 3. The Falcons had the stronger OOC schedule compared to the Huskies, who have been carrying the MAC banner for multiple seasons ...

Saturday, December 5th 

• AAC Championship Game: Temple at Houston 11:00 am on ABC / espn3 - The winner is seeking a New Year's 6 birth ... 
• CUSA Championship Game: Southern Miss at Western Kentucky 11:00 am on ESPN2
• Texas at Baylor 11:00 am on ESPN / espn3 Skycam - no conference title, with Oklahoma the regular season champion in the Big 12.
• Georgia State at Georgia Southern 1:00 pm on espn3 - Sun Belt, home state bragging rights on the line on Saturday.
• New Mexico State at Louisiana Monroe 2:00 pm on espn3 - Closing out play in the Sun Belt.
• Texas State at Arkansas State 2:00 pm on espn3 - Red Wolves can celebrate an undefeated Sun Belt title, with a home win on Saturday, but the title has been clinched.
• SEC Championship Game: Alabama vs. Florida 3:00 pm on CBS - The Crimson Tide are the pride of the SEC, so an upset by the Gators will knock the conference out of the College Football Playoff for 2015
• SWAC Championship Game: Alcorn vs. Grambling 3:00 pm on ESPNU - FCS programs that don't play for a FCS Championshp ...
• West Virginia at Kansas State 3:30 pm on FS1 - The Wildcats are seeking to become bowl eligible, though a bowl date is likely available at 5-7, with the number of bowls in 2015.
• Troy at Louisiana Lafayette 4:00 pm on espn3 - Both teams closing out Sun Belt play.
• Appalachian State at South Alabama 6:30 pm on espn3 - Both teams closing out Sun Belt play.
• MWC Championship Game: Air Force at San Diego State 6:30 pm on ESPN2 - The Aztecs are 8-0 in conference play, as the Falcons come into San Diego at 6-2.
• Pac-12 Championship Game: Stanford vs. USC 6:45 pm on ESPN / espn3 Skycam - The Cardinal have an outside shot at the College Football Playoff, if underdogs in the ACC and SEC take care of business ...
• ACC Conference Game: Clemson vs. North Carolina 7:00 pm on ABC / espn3 - The Tigers are one of two unbeaten teams remaining in the FBS. The Tar Heels have won 11 straight games, after losing the season opener against South Carolina.
• Big Ten Championship Game: Iowa vs. Michigan State 7:00 pm on FOX - The Hawkeyes are 4-0 head to head against the Spartans, when each team is ranked in the Top 25, but this is the first game ever, with each in the Top 5 ... Our Pick: Iowa 30, MSU 23!

DI-AA Playoffs Second round:

• G15: William & Mary at Richmond 11:00 am on on ESPN Extra / espn3
• G10: The Citadel at Charleston Southern 12:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3
• G11: Colgate at Jams Madison 12:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3
• G9: Chattanooga at Jacksonville State 1:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3
• G16: Western Illinois at Illinois State 1:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3
• G12: Montana at North Dakota State 2:30 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3
• G12: SHSU at McNeese 6:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3

G14: Northern Iowa at Portland State 9:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3

Sunday, December 6th

College Football Playoff selection show 11:00 am on ESPN - Who's In?

Bowl selection show 3:00 pm on ESPNU - Who is bowling in 2015?

Friday, December 11th

• DI-AA Quarterfinal 7:00 pm ESPN2 / WatchESPN

Saturday, December 12th

DI-AA Quarterfinal 11:00 am on ESPNU 

• Army vs. Navy 2:00 pm on CBS 

One more time: B1G vs. SEC in the TaxSlayer Bowl from Jacksonville

Jacksonville, FL - - The New Year arrived in B1G style in 2015, with the Big Ten Conference winning three of four bowl games, including the top three match-ups.

Ohio State defeated Alabama 42-35 in the Sugar Bowl in the nightcap game to join Oregon, winner of the Rose Bowl, in the first CFP Championship Game on January 12th.

The Big Ten won two of three games against SEC opponents on New Year's Day to take a 5-4 record into the final B1G bowl game. The SEC is now 5-5.

The Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5) and Tennessee Volunteers (6-6) meet in the TaxSlayer Bowl today at 2:20 p.m. (CT) at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The game is televised on ESPN, in the final bowl match-up for each conference, in another B1G vs. SEC game.

For Tennessee it's like taking a trip down memory lane. For Iowa it has become very familiar. But neither school is taking it for granted.

The Hawkeyes are making their 12 bowl game appearance in the last 14 years under head coach Kirk Ferentz. They won games this season, the sixth time in the last seven seasons they've done so, and they're competing in January for the 12th time in program history.

"(Any bowl game) is a great experience," said Ferentz. "It's a chance to be together as a team for another four or five weeks, and to me it's all great."

Even greater has been Iowa's success in bowl games. Since Ferentz defeated Texas Tech at the 2001 Alamo Bowl, no Big Ten team has more bowl wins than Iowa.

"To me it's really about how you approach the month, or in some cases six weeks," said Ferentz. "You have to have a plan, execute that, and communicate that (plan) with your players."

Standing in Iowa's way of its seventh bowl win since 2001 is a Tennessee team that won three of its last four games to reach bowl eligibility for the first time since 2010.

The Volunteers are playing in their 50th bowl game in program history -- only Alabama, Texas, and Georgia have appeared in as many -- but they are playing today in the postseason for the first time since a double overtime loss to North Carolina at 2010 Music City Bowl.

That's four years and three days between bowl appearances for a school that is tied with Florida State for sixth all-time with 25 bowl wins.

"Right now these individuals have never played in December or January, nor practiced," said second year Tennessee head coach Butch Jones.

"Being a part of this bowl game is very, very special."

Tennessee does not have a player on its roster with bowl experience, a detail that includes 17 seniors. Jones said he has talked to that group about today's chance to leave a legacy, but he's also reminded them it will not come easy.

Tennessee has 24 freshman playing, seven starting for the Volunteers today. Iowa has had some success against younger teams in 2014, with wins at Pittsburgh and at Purdue, two of the younger teams in College Football in 2014.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for coach (Ferentz) and the entire (Iowa) football program," said Jones. "This is going to be a great challenge for us. They do a great job running the football, play-action, and they can beat you with the deep ball.

"Defensively they are very sound in what they do and their players execute. At the end of the day it's all about consistency and performance, and execution by performance, and they have that."

The Hawkeyes also have a hunger for a bowl win. Iowa's 16 seniors (10 starters) are playing in their third bowl game, but they are yet to win the final game of the season, and today is their only chance to win the final game of a career.

As true freshmen, the current Iowa fifth-year seniors saw their Iowa teammates finish 8-5, with a bowl win over Missouri to cap off the 2010 season. A win today would leave Iowa with a similar record and finish in a bowl.

"It will be emotional after," said senior Mark Weisman, "but right now it just feels like another game. We'll see how it goes and reflect on it later. Right now we're just trying to get a win against a good Tennessee team."

Iowa has had trouble in trophy games in 2014 though, with four of Iowa's five losses involving a trophy. A bowl trophy will be on the line for Iowa today.

"We have one game left and we want to win it very badly, it’s as simple as that,” Iowa coach Ferentz said. “To me it’s not so much about next year. It’s about finishing for our 16 seniors. It’s important that we play well this game.”

Ferentz teams are seeking their seventh bowl trophy, since 2001. A young Tennessee team stands in the Hawkeyes way in Jacksonville. 

How will the B1G vs. SEC showdown finish the 2014-15 bowl season for each conference?

Iowa vs. Tennessee TaxSlayer Bowl Preview

We say good bye tonight: Final BCS Title Game: Florida State (13-0) vs. Auburn (12-1)

BCS Championship: Auburn vs. Florida State at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN (HD) - The Tigers try to keep the SEC dominance going in the Final Game of the BCS, as the ACC's Seminoles counter in the final BCS Title Game.

Cotton and Orange Bowls on Friday night!

Cotton Bowl :
Missouri vs. Oklahoma State at 7:00 p.m. on FOX (HD)
Two former Big 8 rivals square off in Arlington, Texas in the new Cotton Bowl

Orange Bowl :
Clemson vs. Ohio State at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN (HD)
Woody Hayes last game came in this match up back in the late 1970s... hopefully no punches are thrown in this year's re-match in the Orange Bowl.

Sugar Bowl form New Orleans: Alabama vs. Oklahoma

Sugar Bowl :
Alabama vs. Oklahoma at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN (HD)

Nick Saban and his defending back to back BCS champions from the SEC team face off with Bob Stoops and his Big 12 team in New Orleans. It is not quite a remark of the Last Days of Disco, but the final season of the BCS is coming to an end.

Iowa football players receive honors for 2013 season; face LSU in Outback Bowl on January 1

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Several members of the University of Iowa football team have earned additional All-America and All-Big Ten recognition as a number of media outlets have recently released their postseason awards.

Iowa junior LT
Brandon Scherff
named to several
all-American teams.

Junior offensive lineman Brandon Scherff has been named second team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and College Sports Madness, while earning third team All-America honors from Athlon Sports and Lindy's.

Scherff started all 12 games at left tackle. Scherff was earlier named first team All-Big Ten by league coaches and has earned that same honor from Sporting News and College Sports Madness, while being named second team by Athlon's.

The Sporting News also named senior defensive back B.J. Lowery and punt return specialist Kevonte Martin-Manley to its All-Big Ten first unit. Lowery is tied for third in the nation in pass break-ups (1.6); while Martin-Manley ranks seventh nationally in punt return average (16.2). As a wide receiver, Martin-Manley leads the Hawkeyes with 39 receptions for 384 yards and four touchdowns.

Senior tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz was named first team All-Big Ten by Athlon's, while junior defensive lineman Carl Davis and senior linebackers James Morris and Anthony Hitchens earned second team recognition from that news outlet.

Fiedorowicz has at least one reception in 30 consecutive games. This season he has 26 receptions for 253 yards and six touchdowns, improving his career totals to 87 catches for 853 yards and 10 touchdowns. Hitchens leads Iowa in tackles (102) for the second straight season. Morris ranks sixth in career tackles (392) and this season leads the team in tackles for loss, sacks and interceptions. Davis registered 39 tackles while starting all 12 games at tackle.

In addition to Scherff, College Sports Madness recognized Martin-Manley as a first team All-Big Ten performer for his punt return skills. College Sports Madness also named Fiedorowicz and Morris to its second unit, while giving third team mention to Davis, Hitchens and senior offensive lineman Brett Van Sloten. Van Sloten started all 12 games at right tackle and has started all 24 games over the past two seasons.

True freshman defensive back Desmond King was named to Athlon's Freshman All-America third team and was named first team on the BTN.com Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team. King started 11 games, recording 63 tackles, seven pass break-ups and two recovered fumbles.

In addition, 14 members of the Iowa football program were recently named to the 2013 Academic All-Big Ten team. Van Sloten was named to the Big Ten academic team for the fourth straight year, while Morris and senior long snapper Casey Kreiter were named for the third straight year. Morris was named to the Capital One Academic All-America first team.

Earning the league recognition for the second time were sophomore linebackers Cole Fisher and Travis Perry, senior wide receiver Don Shumpert, junior defensive lineman Louis Trinca-Pasat and junior running back Mark Weisman. Those recognized for the first year include senior offensive linemen Conor Boffeli and Nolan MacMillan, redshirt freshman tight end George Kittle, sophomore defensive back Jordan Lomax, sophomore defensive lineman Drew Ott and sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock.

Players are not eligible for academic All-Big Ten recognition in their first year on campus.

Iowa (8-4) will meet 16th ranked LSU (9-3) in the 2014 Outback Bowl on Jan. 1. Game time is 12:03 p.m. Central Time for the contest that will be televised on ESPN.

The LSU Tigers feature some outstanding players from the SEC, including an all-American, as well.

Junior LSU wide receiver/return specialist Odell Beckham Jr.
Photo by:Steve Franz, LSU Athletics Staff Photographer

LSU junior wide receiver/return specialist Odell Beckham Jr. added to his collection of postseason honors as he was named to the Football Writers Association of America’s All-America first team as a kick returner, the organization announced Wednesday. 

This honor marks the second first-team selection for Beckham Jr. as he was named a first-team All-American as an all-purpose player by CBSSports.com. He also earned a spot on the AP All-America third team as an all-purpose player.

Six LSU Tigers were named to the SEC Coaches Football team, after the 2013 regular season.

LSU’s Beckham Jr. was named to the Coaches All-Southeastern Conference football first team as an all-purpose and return specialist as the league office unveiled its Coaches All-SEC squads.

In addition, five other Tigers were recognized on the Coaches All-SEC Second Team: junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry, sophomore running back Jeremy Hill, junior offensive left tackle La'el Collins, junior defensive tackle Anthony Johnson and senior weakside linebacker Lamin Barrow. Beckham Jr. earned recognition as a second-team All-SEC wide receiver as well.

2005 Capital One Bowl:
"The Catch" by Iowa senior
WR Warren Halloway
sealed the game for Iowa
on the final play.

Iowa-LSU meet previously in the 2005 Capital One Bowl, in Tampa. The Tigers were favored similarly in that game, as they are in the 2014 Outback Bowl, but Iowa scored on the final play of the game to pull off a stunning 30-25 victory.

Iowa is 14-11-1 in bowl games. The Hawkeyes are 6-4 under coach Kirk Ferentz. Ferentz is in his fifteenth season as head coach at Iowa.

LSU is 22-21-1 in bowl games. The Tigers are 5-3 in bowl games under coach Les Miles. Miles is in his ninth season at LSU.

The Tigers will play on New Years Day for the 23rd time in school history, and will meet a Big Ten opponent in a postseason bowl for the fifth time, all since the 2001 season.

Following its dramatic comeback over Arkansas, it was announced that senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger would miss the bowl game with a knee injury. True freshman Anthony Jennings, who led the Tigers on a 99-yard game-winning drive against the Razorbacks, is expected to make his first start.
Jennings capped the comeback with a 49-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Travin Dural with 75 seconds to play.

LSU running back Jeremy Hill led the Tigers with 1,185 yards on the ground with 14 touchdowns, while Terrence Magee added 614 yards and eight scores.

The Tigers receiving duo of Jarvis Landry (75 catches for 1,172 yards) and Odell Beckham Jr. (57 catches, 1,117 yards) became the first at LSU to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in the same season.

“I know that Coach Kirk Ferentz has done a great job there," Miles said about the match up with Iowa. "I think he has been there for 15 years. He has been one of the most successful coaches in the Big Ten conferences for years. It is a meticulous organization. As you see, they are very talented and capable. I can remember a bowl game when we were preparing for Penn State. We watched how they played. They will be prepared and a very quality team.”

Penn State beat LSU in the 2010 Capital One Bowl 19-17. Iowa had beat Penn State during the 2009 regular season.

Miles said about preparing for the 2014 Outback Bowl, “We have always done good versus good to get the speed of the game up. Not necessarily go and practice the specifics of Iowa, but get our legs back underneath us. That has always been the fastest way for us to get back. We institute the pieces of the Iowa game plan as we go forward. We take a break going into game week and then go play.”

LSU is making its school-record 14th consecutive bowl trip, but it’s playing in the Outback Bowl for just the second time and the first since the 1988 season.

Iowa is 2-1 in the Outback Bowl, while LSU lost their only meeting 23-10 to Syracuse during that 1988 season. Iowa's won the last time in the Outback Bowl, with a 31-10 win over South Carolina, during the 2008 season. This year's Iowa team has been compared to the 2008 team.

Who's #1 in Week 3? Alabama at Texas A&M, Cy-Hawk Game in Ames for Bragging Rights, Four Pac 12 vs. Big Ten games on tap

Week 3, Saturday, September 14th, has some outstanding conference and non-conference headlines.  In the SEC, #1 Alabama travels to College Station to face Texas A&M in the well anticipated re-match.  The #1 Crimson Tide are coming off a Bye Week, after a Week 1 win over Virginia Tech in the season opener.

In Ames, Iowa State is coming off a bye week, after a season opening loss vs. Northern Iowa, while rival Iowa ended a seven game losing streak last week in Iowa City.  The Cyclones are trying to build on a two game win streak over the Hawkeyes.

The Pac 12 and Big Ten square off in four head to head match ups in Berkley, Tempe, Lincoln and Chicago in Week 3.  The Rose Bowl should be interesting at the end of the season.

Akron at Michigan 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go

Bowling Green at Indiana 11:00 a.m. ESPNU (HD)

Georgia State at West Virginia 11:00 a.m.RSPI

Louisville at Kentucky 11:00 a.m. ESPN (HD)

#2 Stanford at Army 11:00 a.m. CBSSN (HD)

Tulsa at Oklahoma 11:00 a.m. ESPN2 (HD)

UCLA at Nebraska 11:00 a.m. ABC (HD) / (ESPN2 / espn3) 

Virginia Tech at East Carolina 11:00 a.m.FS1 (HD)

Western Illinois at Minnesota 11:00 a.m.BTN (HD) / BTN2Go

Southern Miss at Arkansas 11:21 a.m. SEC TV / ESPN-GP / espn3

Louisiana Monroe at Wake Forest 11:30 a.m.FSN Affiliates (HD) / ESPN-GP *2 / espn3

New Mexico at Pittsburgh 11:30 a.m.ESPN-GP *2 / ACC Network (HD) / espn3

Fresno State at Colorado has been Postponed this week due to flooding in Boulder

Youngstown State at Michigan State 1:00 p.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go

Boston College at USC 2:00 p.m. PAC-12 Network (HD) / Pac-12 Video

#1 Alabama at Texas A&M 2:30 p.m. CBS (HD) / CBS Video

Delaware at Navy 2:30 p.m. CBSSN (HD) / Video

Georgia Tech at Duke 2:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD)

Nevada at Florida State 2:30 p.m. ESPN (HD)

Tennessee at #3 Oregon 2:30 p.m. ABC (HD)

Ball State at North Texas 3:00 p.m. FSN Affiliates (HD)

Illinois vs. Washington (Soldier Field) 5:00 p.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go

Iowa at Iowa State 5:00 p.m. FS1 (HD) - Cy-Hawk Game Pick: Iowa 30, Iowa State 21

UCF at Penn State 5:00 p.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go

Southern Utah at Washington State 5:30 p.m. PAC-12 Network (HD) / Pac-12 Video

Kent State at LSU 6:00 p.m. ESPNU (HD) / WatchESPN *9

Mississippi State at Auburn 6:00 p.m.ESPN2 (HD)

#4 Ohio State at California 6:00 p.m. FOX (HD)

Vanderbilt at South Carolina 6:00 p.m.ESPN (HD)

Kansas at Rice 6:30 p.m. CBSSN (HD)

Lamar at Oklahoma State 6:30 p.m. FSN Affiliates (HD) / FCSC (cable)

Marshall at Ohio U 7:00 p.m. ESPN News

Notre Dame at Purdue 7:00 p.m. ABC (HD)

Ole Miss at Texas 7:00 p.m. LHN / Mississippi cable (updated)

UTEP at New Mexico State 7:00 p.m.ESPN-GP / espn3

Western Michigan at Northwestern 8:00 p.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go

Oregon State at Utah 9:00 p.m. FS1 (HD)

UTSA at Arizona 9:30 p.m. PAC-12 Network (HD) / Pac-12 Video

Wisconsin at Arizona State 9:30 p.m.ESPN (HD)

Games online only or not scheduled for nationally available networks:

Bethune Cookman at Florida International 5:00 p.m. $ULive Video

Cal Poly at Colorado State 2:30 p.m. MWC Video

Central Michigan at UNLV 9:00 p.m. MWC Video

Eastern Michigan at Rutgers 12:00 p.m.espn3

Eastern Washington at Toledo 6:00 p.m.espn3

Florida Atlantic at South Florida 6:00 p.m.espn3

Fordham at Temple 12:00 p.m. espn3

Maryland at UConn 6:30 p.m. espn3

Memphis at Middle Tennessee 6:00 p.m. CSS (cable) / Video (blacked out in CSS areas)

Nicholls State at Louisiana Lafayette 6:00 p.m. espn3

Northern Colorado at Wyoming 3:00 p.m.

Northern Illinois at Idaho 4:00 p.m. $Video

Northwestern State at Cincinnati 6:00 p.m. espn3

Stony Brook at Buffalo 2:30 p.m. espn3U

UMass at Kansas State 6:00 p.m. $ULive Video

Wagner at Syracuse 3:00 p.m. espn3

Weber State at Utah State 7:00 p.m.espn3

Western Kentucky at South Alabama 6:30 p.m. espn3

From start to finish, the strongest Week thus far in College Football in 2013 for slate a quality games.

Do you really need a rule to cut out playing FCS opponents in College Football?

Earlier this year, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany stated the conference should stop playing FCS Alabama coach Nick Saban is suggesting the SEC follow suit with a nine league schedule and dropping FCS opponents.  Prior to moving the SEC, Saban was a coach in the Big Ten.
opponents, when the conference adopts a nine game league schedule in football in 2016.  Now, earlier this month,

Last year, Florida State opened the 2012 schedule with back to back games vs. FCS opponents, by beating Murray State 69-3, then Savannah State 55-0.  So, lets see who is already playing a pure FBS schedule in College Football in 2013.

Atlantic Athletic Conference (AAC)

• One program in the AAC is playing a non-FCS schedule in 2013
•  UCF is one of example of getting on the non-FCS bandwagon already.  As they did in 2012, Central Florida is playing a pure FBS schedule again in '13, with Akron, @ FIU, @ Penn State and vs. South Carolina, along with the eight conference games in the AAC.   

Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)

• All 14 ACC teams will play a FCS team this season.
• Hats off to FCS Old Dominion, as the Monarchs will play three ACC teams in the OOC, with games @ Maryland, @ Pittsburgh and @ North Carolina this season.

Big Ten Conference (B1G)

• AD Delany wants the conference teams to drop FCS opponents, so is anyone already playing a non-FCS schedule in '13?
• Michigan will continue to play an all-FCS schedule in 2013, with Central Michigan, Notre Drame, Akron and @ UConn.  Of course, the most famous FCS win over a FBS opponent came in Ann Arbor, when Appalachian State knocked off the Wolverines 34-32 in the 2007 season opener.
• Penn State will play a non-FCS schedule with Syracuse, in the Meadowlands; Eastern Michigan, UCF and Kent State, before kicking off eight games in the Big Ten in '13.
• In 2013, FCS Indiana State will play @ Indiana and @ Purdue, which will help The Valley program make budget.
• One Big Ten AD is looking for exceptions in move away from FCS scheduling.

Big 12 Conference

• The Big 12 already plays a nine game conference schedule, so how many programs avoid scheduling FCS programs?
• Oklahoma will play a non-FCS schedule with ULM, Tulsa and a trip @ Notre Dame in '13.
• Texas, like their Red River Rival, plays a non-FCS schudule with New Mexico State, @ BYU and vs. Ole Miss in '13.
• Kansas State will open the 2013 season vs. back to back FCS champion North Dakota State.
  
  North Dakota State, reigning FCS champions!

Conference USA (C-USA)

• Tulsa opens the 2013 season with a non-FCS schedule, with @ Bowling Green, Colorado State, @ Oklahoma and Iowa State, before opening C-USA play for the season.
• Rice will follow suit in '13, with @Texas A&M, Kansas, vs. Houston at Reliant Stadium and vs. FAU.
• UTEP is next with New Mexico, @ New Mexico State and @ Colorado State, while playing a nine conference game schedule.
• Southern Miss will play a non-FCS schedule with Texas State, @ Nebraska, @ Arkansas and @ Boise State.
• Coach Dan McCarney and the North Texas Mean Green play a non-FCS schedule with Idaho, @ Ohio U, vs. Ball State and @ Georgia in '13.
• UTSA is the sixth program in the new 14 member C-USA to play a non-FCS schedule with @ New Mexico, Oklahoma State and @ Arizona, while playing a nine conference game schedule.
• FCS Independent Old Dominion will play it's fourth FBS opponent, when it opens the 2013 season @ East Carolina.

Mid-America Conference (MAC)

• Miami-OH is the lone MAC team playing a non-FCS schedule, with @ Marshall, @ Kentucky, Cincinnati and @ Illinois before kicking off eight conference games in '13.

Mountain West Confernece (MWC)

• New Mexico is playing a non-FCS schedule, with UTSA, @ UTEP, @ Pittsburgh and New Mexico State, along with eight conference games in '13.
• Hawaii is the other MWC team playing a non-FCS schedule, with USC, @ Oregon State, @ Navy and Army.
• FCS Cal Poly will play two MWC teams in the OOC with games @ Fresno State and @Colorado State in '13.

Pacific 12 Conference (Pac 12)

• The Pac 12 were the first major conference to go to a nine game conference schedule.
• Stanford will continue playing a non-FCS schedule with San Jose State, @ Army and Notre Dame this year.
• UCLA will play again a non-FCS schedule with Nevada, @ Nebraska and New Mexico State in '13.
• USC opens their non-FCS schedule @ USC, with Boston College, Utah State and @ Notre Dame in '13.

Southeast Conference (SEC)

• Each of the 14 SEC teams plays a FCS opponent in '13.

Sun Belt Conference

• Each of the eight Sun Belt teams play at least one FCS opponent in '13, with FBS newcomer Georgia State playing three FCS teams, as the continue transition to offering a college football program.

Independents

• Notre Dame plays 12 FBS programs and doesn't play FCS opponents.  The Fighting Irish don't need to, in order to schedule.
• BYU is moving up to the non-FCS schedule in '13, after playing Weber State in '12.
• Navy and Army each play one FCS opponent again in '13 to lock in another home game.
• FCS Old Dominion's fifth FBS opponent is Idaho in '13. 
• New Mexico State plays Abilene Christian in '13, as their FCS opponent.  

The one thing nice about FBS vs. FCS match ups in 2013... is rooting for the FCS upset!  

Who will be the next Appalachian State in the FCS, with a major upset against a FBS opponent?  

Of course, there will be two less FCS programs in 2014, as Appalachian State and Georgia Southern move up to FBS.  They will play a regular season in '13, but ineligible for both conference and the FCS playoffs in '13.  They will join both Idaho and New Mexico State in the Sun Belt in '14.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend: Let's take a look at the upcoming 2013 College Football Season!

Louisville was crowned the NCAA champions in College Basketball in 2013.  Who will be the next champion in College Football in 2013?

The back to back defending champion Alabama Crimson Tide should be among the major contenders again.  But, before we get started with who is #1, let's take a look at conference realignment, which has certainly reshaped rivalries and conference races.

The Atlantic Coast Conference will welcome Pittsburgh and Syracuse from the Big East to increase its membership to 14 programs in 2013.  Pitt will join the ACC's Coastal Division, while Syracuse will join the ACC's Atlantic Division this season.

• So, does Florida State repeat from the Atlantic division in 2013, with Clemson right behind?
• Virginia Tech looks to be Top 25 candidate, as they seek to take back the Coastal division.
• Could North Carolina be ready to surprise, along with Miami-FL in '13?
• Only Syracuse will play Big Ten teams in the OOC in '13, with games vs. Penn State @ the Meadowlands and @ Northwestern in back to back weeks to open the season.  

The Catholic 7 of the Big East have bolted, with the conference for a non-football conference that will add Butler, Creighton and Xavier to the mix with the seven remaining members, who don't play Major Conference Football.  So, the remaining football members Cincinnati, UConn, Temple and South Florida will begin a new league, with Louisville (joining ACC in '14) and Rutgers (joining Big Ten in '14) remaining for only 2013, while welcoming Houston, Memphis, SMU and CFU to the new league, the Atlantic Athletic Conference (AAC).

• Louisville beat Florida in the Sugar Bowl last year and the Cardinals look to repeat in the conference race and nationally, just like the champion basketball program.
• Rutgers could be a Top 25 candidate in '13.
• Cincinnati finished '12 as one in the USA Today Coaches Poll, but must rebuild for '13 and will play two games vs. Big Ten in '13.  Only three other teams will face Big Ten opponents in '13.
• Central Florida, South Florida will travel to face Big Ten opponents, while UConn hosts in '13. 

The Big 12 and Big Ten remain the same in membership for 2013.  The Big 12 will play a round-robin nine game schedule again.

• Kansas State, Oklahoma and Texas all hope to remain in the Top 25 in '13.
• TCU and Oklahoma State hope to get back into the mix in '13.
• Baylor came up short in the Top 25 in '12.
• It will be a rebuilding year for fifth year coach Paul Rhoads and Iowa State, as the Cy-Hawk game comes to Ames in Week 3.  The lone Big Ten-Big 12 game in '13.
  

As mentioned, Rutgers joins the Big Ten in '14, along with Maryland from the ACC.  So, it will be interesting for Big Ten fans to see how future conference members Rutgers in the AAC and Maryland in the ACC Atlantic play in 2013?  The Big Ten will break up into the Leaders and Legends divisions for one final season in 2013.

• Ohio State went 12-0 in '12, but was ineligible for the BCS, due to one year NCAA sanctions.  ESPN is showing some love for the Big Ten in the post-Spring Top 25.  We shall see.
• Northwestern, Nebraska and Michigan all seek to remain in the Top 25 in '13.
• Wisconsin will attempt to win its fourth straight Big Ten title and a possible fourth straight trip to the Rose Bowl, despite an 8-6 record in '12.
• Michigan State ended '12 on a high note with a 17-16 win over TCU in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and hope to rebound after a disappointing 7-6 season.  Here's a look at the '13 schedule.
• Penn State is on NCAA probation for the 2013 season, ineligible again for title and bowls.

The Conference-USA will welcome five new members in 2013, as well.  Florida Atlantic, Florida International and Middle Tennessee join the East division, after leaving the Sun Belt.  The C-USA West gains North Texas from the Sun Belt and UTSA from the WAC to fill the voids from the four members leaving C-USA for the AAC.

• Tulsa was the top C-USA team last year and finished in the USA Today Coaches Poll in '12.
• East Carolina in the C-USA East may be the team to watch in '13, as East rival UCF leaves conference.
• Southern Miss is the only Big Ten opponent in the OOC in '13, traveling to Nebraska in Week 2.

The Mid-American Conference witnessed their best season in the BCS stakes in '12, as Northern Illinois rebound from a season opening loss to win 13 straight games and the conference's first birth in a BCS bowl game.  The MAC will face the Big Ten in 13 non-conference games in 2013.

• The West's Northern Illinois seeks to win third straight MAC title and remain in the Top 25 again in '13.
• The East's Kent State received votes in the final USA Today coaches Poll last season, as they replace new Purdue coach Darrell Hazell, with another former Ohio State assistant, as Paul Haynes takes over as Golden Flashes head coach.
• The East's Ohio U. got off to an outstanding start in '12 with a big win @ Penn State and finished with a nice Independence Bowl win, but struggled going .500 in league play.

The Mountain West Conference welcomes two new members from the WAC in 2013 and will break out divisions.  Utah State will join the Mountain division and San Jose State will join the West division in '13.  The MWC will face off with the Big Ten in four games in '13.

• Boise State looks to repeat as conference champion and Top 25 program in '13.
• Fresno State looks to break into the Top 25 in '13 in coach Tim DeRuyter's second season.
• The WAC has disbanded in College Football as Utah State and San Jose State finished 2012 both ranked in the Top 25.  Both programs will welcome new head coaches in '13, as well.

The Pac 12 Conference and the Southeast Conference remain the same in membership in 2013, after the SEC added two new members in 2012 to reach 14.  The Pac 12 moved to 12 members in 2011.

The Pac 12 certainly can claim the #2 ranking in College Football right now.  The Pac 12 and Big Ten will square off in five games, with California hosting both Northwestern and Ohio State in '13.

• Stanford claimed victory in the Rose Bowl in '12 and seeks fourth straight BCS bowl in '13.
• Oregon finished right behind Stanford and will seek a fifth straight BCS bowl in '13.
• Oregon State looks to remain again in the Top 25 for '13.
•  USC stumpled in '12, but they hope to rebound and be a contender in the Top 25 in '13.
• Many project UCLA as a Top 25 contender for '13, after winning the Pac 12 South in '12.
• Arizona State and Washington both hope to find away into the Top 25 in '13.
• Arizona enters its second season under coach Rich Rodriquez and looks to move up, as well.

The SEC has been the #1 conference in College Football, winning seven straight BCS title games.  The SEC had five teams finish in the nation's Top 10 in '12.  One half or seven, of the 14 SEC teams finished in the Top 25 in '13.

• Alabama has won back to back BCS titles and clearly is worthy of the #1 ranking heading into '13.
• Georgia, Texas A&M, South Carolina and Florida all seek to stay in the Top 10 heading into '13.
• LSU finished '12 in the Top 15, after finishing runner-up in the BCS title game in '11.
• Vanderbilt jumped into the Top 25 in '12 in coach James Franklin's second season and looks to repeat.
• Ole Miss is getting some consideration for '13, as coach Hugh Freeze enters year 2 at the helm.
• Tennessee has a new coach in Butch Jones, after a 5-7 record in Derek Dooley's third season in '12.'
• Excitement has hit an all-time high at Kentucky with the hiring of Mark Stoops as head coach for '13.
• Mississippi State went to a bowl game in '12, but lost to Northwestern, who won first bowl game, since 1949.  Coach Dan Mullen enters his fifth season at the helm in a conference that is very good.
• Missouri found the SEC a tough road in year one, unlike fellow newcomer Texas A&M.  It could be an interesting season in Columbia.  The Tigers play @ Indiana in Week 4 in the OOC.
• Auburn dismissed coach Gene Chizik after four years, and two years after winning their first BCS title.  Gus Malzahn is back, this time as head coach, after serving as OC during that BCS title season.

The Sun Belt welcomes two new members in '13, as Georgia State jumps up to FBS, after adding football recently, and Texas State moves over from the former WAC football conference, which has disbanded for football.

• Arkansas State has won back to back Sun Belt titles and will have third coach in three years.
• The Sun Belt will not play any Big Ten teams in the OOC in '13.

The Independents expand from four programs to six programs, as Idaho and New Mexico State join Army, BYU, Navy and Notre Dame, as FBS programs not affiliated with a conference for football.  Though, Notre Dame has aligned with the ACC for all other sports and will begin playing five ACC games each season in '14.

• Notre Dame will face three Big Ten teams in '13, as the BCS runner-ups must regroup now, after the late May announcement that QB Everett Golson has departed school, due to academic related issues.
• BYU will travel to Wisconsin in Week 11.
• Navy will travel to Indiana in Week 2.
• New Mexico State will host Minnesota in Week 2 in Las Cruces.

Fifteen teams have played in the BCS Title Game.  The 2013 College Football Season will be the last season, before the four-team BCS playoff begins in 2014.

• The 2014 National Championship game will be in Pasadena this season.
• 2013 Early Bird Preview that gives a good chart of current conferences in major college football.
• A look at the 2013-14 FBS Bowl Schedule.

BCS Revisited: #1 LSU vs. #2 Alabama for the 2012 BCS Title Game

They played once in the regular season. The highly anticipated game was short on scoring, but long on defense, poor special teams and physical play.

Unlike the Game of the Century played 40+ years ago in the Orange Bowl, this rematch has the BCS title on the line.

For many, the 2011-12 bowl season has gone on forever. Unlike most seasons, when New Year's Day is for bowl games, the NFL had the spotlight, since the first landed on a Sunday.

The BCS Title Game should be a good game. Game of the Century? Not likely, with the lack of buzz for many.

New Orleans will play home for the BCS Title Game. The game should allow for plenty to celebrate in the Quarter, after this game is completed.

The 2011 season BCS title will be won by an SEC program again, for a record sixth season in a row.

• 2006 season - Florida Gators


• 2007 season - LSU Tigers


• 2008 season - Florida Gators


• 2009 season - Alabama Crimson Tide


• 2010 season - Auburn Tigers


• 2011 season - LSU or Alabama

The game will kick off on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. on Mo nay, January 9Th- watch live Will it be payback for Bama or will the LSU Tigers finish 2011 undefeated. We shall see!

Here's our CidSports PreSeason Top 25 teams for 2011

We kickoff the 2011 College Football season and after taking much of the Summer off from blogging, we thought it was time to finally get our Top 25 Preseason Poll out for 2011!

AP Preseason Poll

1. Alabama - the Crimson Tide seek their second BCS title in three seasons. Defense could even be better than the '09 BCS champs! The offense has some retooling at QB!


2. Oklahoma - the SEC has won five straight titles, so while the major polls may like the Sooners... we say wait until we see them @ Florida State and in the new Big 12!


3. Oregon - runner-ups in '10, the Ducks may be a team to watch, but do they have the quality defense that typically goes hand in hand with National Title?


4. Florida State - could the Seminoles finally be back? Stoops (OU) and Chizik (Auburn) won titles in year 2, while Kelly (Oregon) was a runner-up!


5. Boise State - the way non-BCS teams have played over the past decade... it is only appropriate to rank the Top non-BCS team in the preseason Top 5, right?


6. Virginia Tech - the Hokies have some retooling to do, but Frank Beamer is one of the best in College Football. Special teams, defense plus offense makes a good formula!


7. LSU - We have knocked them down a little, due to questions over the past month... this program has a tough schedule in 2011, but can't be overlooked!


8. Notre Dame - are the Fighting Irish back in the BCS mix? Wait, they have really never been in the BCS mix, though they have played in BCS bowl games.


9. Oklahoma State - they have a Man of a Coach and the new Big 12 minus Colorado and Nebraska will have an interesting nine game format, like the old Pac 10.


10. Arkansas - the SEC West is the best division in College Football. We lost two divisions (Big 12) and gained four more (Big Ten and Pac 12)... someone needs to be #10!


11. Nebraksa - they join the Big Ten and they are at the top of the ladder in the preseason Top 25? Something just doesn't seem right, but we shall see how it all plays out!


12. Wisconsin - the defending Rose Bowl representative for the Big Ten begins division play hosting Nebraska... will NC State transfer, QB Russell Wilson, shine in the Big Ten?


13. Stanford - Yes, they have QB Andrew Luck, but they will be absent the head coach that lead them to a Top 5 finish in '10 and there is an offensive line that must gel!


14. Texas A&M - Many have the Aggies higher in the preseason polls, but the new conference talk has to be a distraction in College Station, so we are lower expectations for '11.


15. Ohio State - This team has won a share of the Big Ten title for six straight seasons, though sanctions tossed out the '10 season. What's up for 2011 in Columbus?


16. South Carolina - I love their RB, who may be worthy of Heisman talk by mid-season, but QB is always a question mark for the 'ole ball coach in Columbia!


17. TCU - a little high maybe for all the players departed, but coach Gary Patterson showed in the Rose Bowl win last season that he is among the best in college football...


18. Mississippi State - Not a lot of choice again, there are a number of question marks with talent that has moved onto the NFL with a lot of programs. So, Bulldogs are #18...


19. Florida - defense wins championships, so will a new head coach with a defensive flair help retool at program that has won two titles under their departed coach in '06 and '08?


20. West Virginia - a Big East team certainly deserves to be in the preseason Top 25? But, will the Mountaineers get it done, under a new coach?


21. USC - should they be in the Top 25, since they are on probation? They certainly could be a spoiler in the Pac 12 South division race in '11.


22. Iowa - The Hawkeyes have lost some games over the past three seasons, but none by more than 7 points. Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes have a favorable schedule in '11.


23. Brigham Young - the Cougars move from the MWC to becoming an Independent in Football in '11. There are a lot of questions in 2011 from top to bottom, so #23...


24. Arizona State - the Sun Devils haven't won a lot of games of late and didn't even make a bowl game at 6-6 in '10... but, they have a lot of starters returning and could suprise!


25. Auburn - they are the defending BCS title winners, but in 2009 they were not a Top 25 program, so why should they be with the absence of Heisman Trophy QB Cam Newton?

Last Five Out for 2011: Michigan State (lost to Iowa and Alabama badly in '10), Missouri (lost to Iowa in the Insight), Penn State (lost 8 of the last 10 vs. Hawkeyes), Southern Miss (lost trademark case with the Hawkeyes over Summer), Utah (moves from the MWC to the Pac 12 in '11).

Teams that need to win before being ranked in 2011: Georgia (6-7 in '10) and Texas (5-7)...

It should be a great College Football season in 2011.