NCAAF, Fantasy
Temple wasted no time easing into the transition from the MAC to the Big East, winning six of seven conference games and taking the title. Louisville--the projected winner by many--fell far short of its goal and expectations by finishing in third, while Skip Holtz (who was recently given a contract extension) and the USF Bulls self-destructed.
1. Temple: 8-4 (6-1)
2. Cincinnati: 9-3 (5-2)
3. Louisville: 8-4 (4-3)
4. Connecticut: 8-4 (4-3)
5. Rutgers: 7-5 (4-3)
6. Pittsburgh: 4-8 (2-5)
7. Syracuse: 5-7 (2-5)
8. South Florida: 4-8 (1-6)
Notable Seasons
Ryan Nassib (QB, Syracuse): 130-247 (52.6%), 1,912 yards, 14 TDs, 6 INTs, 131.5 QBR
*Matt Brown (RB, Temple): 237 carries, 1,413 yards (6.0 ypc), 13 TDs
David Stevens (TE, Syracuse): 52 receptions, 747 yards, 8 TDs
Dyshawn Davis (LB, Syracuse): 90 tackles (9 TFL), 2.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
*NCAA '13 did not recognize Montel Harris' transfer from Boston College to Temple
Big Ten Leaders
The year that could have been. That's what Ohio State fans will be wondering if the Buckeyes' season reflects how NCAA '13 has it, as they finished 11-2 with a loss to Michigan State in the conference championship. Ohio State isn't eligible for the title game or any postseason festivities thanks to its sanctions, but at least we all know what would happen if it were able. Right?
1. Wisconsin: 11-1 (7-1)
2. Ohio State: 11-2 (7-2)
3. Illinois: 7-5 (4-4)
4. Penn State: 7-5 (4-4)
5. Purdue: 6-6 (3-5)
6. Indiana: 4-8 (0-8)
Notable Seasons
Braxton Miller (QB, Ohio State): 172-340 (50.1%), 2,431 yards, 19 TDs, 8 INTs, 124.6 QBR ... 201 carries, 996 yards (5.0 ypc), 9 TDs
Montee Ball (RB, Wisconsin): 202 carries, 1,347 yards, 10 TDs
Spencer Harris (WR, Illinois): 79 receptions, 1,121 yards, 11 TDs
Chase Hoobler (LB, Indiana): 81 tackles (20 TFL), 4.5 sacks, 4 INTs
Big Ten Legends
The Wolverines can't handle their brutal schedule (and lose to Ohio State 40-7--no I did not play that game myself) despite working up some pretty extensive offseason hype, Nebraska fails to do much in its second season as a member of the Big Ten, and Minnesota is, well, Minnesota. Sparty wins back-to-back conference titles and Iowa quietly finishes with an outstanding year.
1. Michigan State: 10-3 (7-2)
2. Iowa: 10-2 (6-2)
3. Michigan: 8-4 (5-3)
4. Nebraska: 7-5 (3-5)
5. Northwestern: 5-7 (3-5)
6. Minnesota: 3-9 (0-8)
Notable Seasons
James Vandenberg (QB, Iowa): 225-326 (69.0%), 2,889 yards, 21 TDs, 8 INTs, 159.8 QBR
Le'Veon Bell (RB, Michigan State): 186 carries, 1,141 yards (6.1 ypc), 10 TDs
Keith Mumphery (WR, Michigan State): 64 receptions, 839 yards, 10 TDs
Denicos Allen (LB, Michigan State): 88 tackles (18 TFL), 6.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble
Independents
Other than giving BYU one more win to make it 9-3, I predicted Independent's season outcome last week in one of my preview/prediction pieces. NCAA '13 agrees with me.
1. Notre Dame: 8-4
2. BYU: 8-4
3. Navy: 7-5
4. Army: 4-8
Notable Seasons
Riley Nelson (QB, BYU): 175-347 (50.4%), 2,556 yards, 24 TDs, 11 INTs, 128.8 QBR
Gee Gee Greene (RB, Navy): 290 carries, 1,540 yards (5.3 ypc), 13 TDs
Kaneakua Friel (TE, BYU): 57 receptions, 882 yards, 8 TDs
Brandon Ogletree (LB, BYU): 80 tackles (9 TFL), 3.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 7 forced fumbles
Pac-12 North
So apparently QB Keith Price is going to win the Heisman, take Washington to a 12-1 record (after finishing 7-6 the year before) while winning the Pac-12 championship, and lead his team to a BCS bowl appearance. I'm in!
1. Washington: 12-1 (9-1)
2. Oregon: 9-3 (7-2)
3. Stanford: 8-4 (5-4)
4. Oregon State: 4-8 (3-6)
5. California: 4-8 (2-7)
6. Washington State: 5-7 (2-7)
Notable Seasons
Keith Price (QB, Washington): 241-371 (65.0%), 4,120 yards, 43 TDs, 7 INTs, 192.7 QBR
Kenjon Barner (RB, Oregon): 182 carries, 998 yards (5.5 ypc), 13 TDs
Marquess Wilson (WR, Washington State): 66 receptions, 1,166 yards, 10 TDs
Feti Unga (LB, Oregon State): 82 tackles (19 TFL), 2.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 forced fumble
Pac-12 South
I hate to break it to you, Trojan fans, but your coveted quarterback is going to suffer a season-ending shoulder injury down the stretch that will ultimately cause you to lose your final three of four games and prevent a trip to Sun Life Stadium. The video game predicts that Utah will capitalize on USC's woes and finish first in the South.
1. Utah: 11-2 (8-2)
2. USC: 9-3 (6-3)
3. Arizona State: 6-6 (5-4)
4. UCLA: 6-6 (5-4)
5. Colorado: 3-9 (2-7)
6. Arizona: 4-8 (1-8)
Notable Seasons
Jordan Wynn (QB, Utah): 248-400 (62.0%), 3,617 yards, 40 TDs, 4 INTs, 169.0 QBR
Kelvin York (HB, Utah): 289 carries, 1,484 yards (5.1 ypc), 15 TDs
DeVonte Christopher (WR, Utah): 84 receptions, 1,065 yards, 13 TDs
Grandville Taylor (LB, Arizona State): 93 tackles (18 TFL), 3.5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 forced fumbles
SEC East
No surprises here: Georgia is expected to make its second appearance in as many years in the SEC championship game, while Missouri returns a strong class in its first season as a member of the toughest conference in America. South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida all beat up on each other and finish with slightly above-average seasons.
1. Georgia: 11-2 (8-1)
2. Missouri: 10-2 (6-2)
3. South Carolina: 8-4 (4-4)
4. Tennessee: 7-5 (4-4)
5. Florida: 8-4 (4-4)
6. Vanderbilt: 3-9 (1-7)
7. Kentucky: 2-10 (0-8)
Notable Seasons
Aaron Murray (QB, Georgia): 132-211 (62.3%), 1,794 yards, 20 TDs, 6 INTs, 159.6 QBR
Isaiah Crowell (RB, Georgia--yeah...sorry): 326 carries, 1,961 yards (6.0 ypc), 18 TDs
T.J. Moe (WR, Missouri): 54 receptions, 671 yards, 11 TDs
Jon Bostic (LB, Florida): 87 tackles (14 TFL), 5.0 sacks, 1 INT, 4 forced fumbles
SEC West
This is the part where we all laugh together and say, 'It's just a video game.' Right? Although I do think Arkansas will have an incredible offensive attack and overall team, I still believe Nick Saban and the Tide will not miss a beat and take the West in 2012. NCAA '13 predicts that while Alabama and LSU have down years (8-4 is a down year for them), Auburn and Ole Miss will rise from the abyss and combine for a 17-8 record. My reaction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjXi6X-moxE.
1. Arkansas: 10-2 (6-2)
2. Auburn: 10-3 (6-3)
3. LSU: 8-4 (5-3)
4. Alabama: 8-4 (4-4)
5. Texas A&M: 8-4 (4-4)
6. Ole Miss: 7-5 (3-5)
7. Mississippi: 6-6 (2-6)
Notable Seasons
Tyler Wilson (QB, Arkansas): 196-347 (56.5%), 2,860 yards, 35 TDs, 8 INTs, 154.4 QBR
Eddie Lacy (RB, Alabama): 169 carries, 1,056 yards, 9 TDs
Philip Lutzenkirchen (TE, Auburn): 65 receptions, 985 yards, 12 TDs
Serderius Bryant (LB, Ole Miss): 79 tackles (17 TFL), 5.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
