Jacob Bunn's 2010 College Football Preview

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Jacob Bunn

We are literally just hours away from kickoff of the 2010 college football season. With that in mind, I will give you one man’s opinion of what the final outcome of this season will be.

Big East: Pittsburgh

The Panthers will come into the final week with a record of 9-2. The final contest of the year for Pittsburgh will be against Cincinnati, a virtual Big East championship game. The game is played in Cincinnati, but I believe Pittsburgh has the better team and will win. It is time, once again, for the Panthers to return to the BCS.

ACC: Virginia Tech

I am buying into the hype surrounding Florida State this year. I believe they will win the Atlantic division in the ACC and go into the ACC Championship Game with one out of conference loss. Since the only other threatening team from the Coastal division, North Carolina, is handing out suspensions like candy, there will be no obstacle in the way of Virginia Tech going to Charlotte for the ACC Championship Game. The Hokies win a close game over Florida State and take home the crown in the ACC this year.

Big Ten: Iowa

This will be the last year with only eleven teams and no championship game in the Big Ten, so every team from this conference with a legitimate shot will try to take advantage of the easiest path to the BCS in college football. The game to pay attention to this season is definitely the contest on November 20th in Iowa City between the Iowa and Ohio State. It will be a close game, but I have to give the nod to the Hawkeyes in Kinnick Stadium. Therefore, I believe Iowa returns to the BCS, this time as a conference champion.

Big 12: Oklahoma

Nebraska’s schedule sets up perfectly for a big year. By far, the largest opponent on the menu is Texas, which comes to Lincoln. Oklahoma, on the other hand, will lose to Florida State and Texas but still make it to Arlington. So, an undefeated Nebraska team will match up against a two loss Oklahoma team, and the two loss Sooner team will win.

Pac 10: Oregon

The Civil War between Oregon and Oregon State on December 4th will serve as the championship game for the Pac 10 this year. I believe the Ducks win the game and advance to the BCS once again.

SEC: Florida

If you read my SEC team predictions, you already know which teams I think are going to play for the conference championship. Once again, I have Florida and Alabama meeting in Atlanta. This time, I predict the Gators will be the champs. We are witnessing one of the greatest power struggles between two teams in the history of college football. And, I think the pendulum swings back toward Florida this year. Alabama wins the regular season game over Florida, but the Gators gain revenge in Atlanta.

So, how does the BCS landscape shake out?

Fiesta Bowl: Pittsburgh (10-2) vs Nebraska (12-1)

A disappointed Nebraska team, which went undefeated in the regular season and got beat by a two loss Oklahoma team in the Big 12 Championship Game, rolls into Glendale to play a feisty Pittsburgh team. The Cornhuskers cannot overcome the negative emotion, so Pittsburgh wins the Fiesta Bowl.

Rose Bowl: Oregon (12-0) vs Ohio State (11-1)

Oregon goes undefeated but does not get a chance to play for the national title. So, the Ducks play a rematch of last year’s Rose Bowl against Ohio State, a game which they lost. That will not be the case this year, though; Oregon will go 13-0 but will win no national championship.

Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech (12-1) vs Oklahoma (11-2)

With two losses, Oklahoma feels fortunate to be in the BCS. Virginia Tech, however, will be looking to place a positive final stamp on a good year. I predict the Hokies win the Orange Bowl big over Oklahoma.

Sugar Bowl: Alabama (11-2) vs TCU (12-0)

Alabama has been to this movie before. But, instead of getting embarrassed again by a Mountain West team, this year the Crimson Tide will take care of a TCU team that will complain because it did not get an invitation to the BCS Championship Game.

BCS Championship: Florida (12-1) vs Iowa (12-0)

The SEC has dominated college football for quite some time. Coming into the championship game in Glendale this year, the prognostications will be heavily on the side of the Florida Gators. Iowa will be a true David against a giant of a conference. I think the underdog Hawkeyes win the national championship this year by a touchdown over Florida, snapping the SEC’s streak of BCS titles.

Again, this is just my opinion of what could happen. I would love to hear yours.

Contact Jacob Bunn at Jacob@bunnsports.com