AmStat College Football Preview: The 2010 Conference Champions

These are the teams that I expect to prevail in their respective divisions and conferences this year. Expect to see most of them playing in BCS Bowls at season's end.


Southeastern Conference Championship Game (Georgia Dome - Atlanta, Georgia)
The ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE defeat the GEORGIA BULLDOGS 
AmStat is calling for the Tide to cap off their second straight undefeated season with a win over the Bulldogs in Atlanta. If all goes according to plans, 'Bama will be waiting to defend their title in the BCS National Championship Game.



Big Ten Champions
The IOWA HAWKEYES
The Hawkeyes are projected to finish atop the conference at 7-1, finishing one game ahead of a pack of four teams that includes Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio State. A Rose Bowl appearance will most likely be the reward for Iowa's efforts.



Big 12 Championship Game (Texas Stadium - Arlington, Texas)
The NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS defeat the TEXAS A&M AGGIES
AmStat is making a surprise pick in the Big 12 this year. Jerod Johnson will lead the Aggies past both Texas and Oklahoma on their way to Arlington, but Johnson won't have anything for the Cornhuskers with a BCS bid on the line. Nebraska will finally return to the big time bowl stage this season. Oklahoma will be a strong BCS at-large contender, as AmStat only projects them to have one loss this year.  

Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game (Bank of America Stadium - Charlotte, North Carolina)
The FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES defeat the VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES
The Seminoles are back to being a national title contender under first year coach Jimbo Fisher. They will get by Virginia Tech and return to the BCS for the first time since their epic 2006 Orange Bowl matchup with Penn State. The 'Noles only projected loss is to Oklahoma at Norman. If quarterback Christian Ponder can lead his team to an upset, Florida State could very well be playing in the National Championship.

Pacific 10 Champions
The OREGON STATE BEAVERS
For the second year in a row, the conference will be decided during the "Civil War" rivalry game that annually matches up the Beavers with perennial power Oregon. Last year, the Ducks won at home and went on to the Rose Bowl. This year, the Beavers will use their home field advantage to propel them to Pasadena. They will be led by a pair of diminutive AmStat All-Americans, brothers James (WR) and Jacquizz (RB) Rogers. 

Big East Champions
The WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS
The Mounties look to be fully reloaded this year, just in time to be the class of the conference. AmStat actually calls for them to lose their all important "Backyard Brawl" matchup with Pitt, but West Virginia will managed to limp into the BCS off the strength of Pitt losing road games to both USF and Cincinnati late in the season. If the Mountaineers reach their projected 10 wins and a conference championship, all will be right in Morgantown...even if they lose to Pittsburgh.

Mountain West Champions
The TEXAS CHRISTIAN HORNED FROGS
The Frogs will get past their four daunting tests for the year (Oregon State, Baylor, BYU, and Utah) in style and finish the season undefeated, but they will fall short of their goal of playing in the BCS Title Game. They will have to settle for a second straight BCS bowl bid and a possible appearance at New York's Downtown Athletic Club by quarterback Andy Dalton. TCU's fearless and unquestioned leader could very well be a Heisman finalist.

Western Athletic Conference Champions 
The BOISE STATE BRONCOS
The Broncos will also finish the season undefeated, but their series of wins will impress the pollsters just a little more than TCU's, allowing them to be the first non-AQ football program to be allowed to play for the BCS National Championship. The Broncos' season really boils down to one single game. THEY MUST BEAT VIRGINIA TECH ON LABOR DAY NIGHT!!!!!

Conference USA Championship Game (Gerald J. Ford Stadium - Dallas, Texas) ***Site Will Be the Home Field of the CUSA West Champion
The CENTRAL FLORIDA BLACK KNIGHTS defeat the SOUTHERN METHODIST MUSTANGS
UCF may have been expecting to play Houston in this game, but they will have a tough time dispatching June Jones and his pesky Ponies. Ultimately, the Knights will prove to be the class of the conference thanks to solid quarterback play from Ryan Calabrese and the skills of returning 1000 yard rusher Brynn Harvey.

Mid-American Conference Championship Game (Ford Field - Detroit, Michigan)
The TEMPLE OWLS defeat the WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS
The Broncos might actually be the MAC's best team, but the Owls have the conference's most dynamic player BY FAR. Running back Bernard Pierce is a good enough talent to put Temple over the top against any team in the MAC. He will definitely be a nightmare for a random underachieving Big Ten team in the Little Caesar's Bowl.   


Sun Belt Champions 
The MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS
This may be one of the best teams that the Sun Belt has ever produced in just their 10th year as a FBS conference. MTSU quarterback Dwight Dasher is the Belt's best player and the primary reason why the Blue Raiders will most likely run through the conference.