Andrew Bagnato rates the conferences and picks the races.
1. BIG TEN
THE RANKING
1. Wisconsin; 2. Michigan; 3. Illinois; 4. Ohio State; 5. Penn State; 6. Purdue; 7. Michigan State; 8. Indiana; 9. Minnesota; 10. Northwestern; 11. Iowa.
The big games: Michigan at Illinois, Sept. 23; Wisconsin at Michigan, Sept. 30; Ohio State at Wisconsin, Oct. 7.
Comment: A year ago we ranked the SEC ahead of the Big Ten in preseason. The Big Ten went out and produced a Heisman Trophy winner (Ron Dayne) and then went 5-2 in bowls, taking 2 of 3 from the SEC. We stand corrected.
2. SOUTHEASTERN
THE RANKING
Eastern Division: 1. Florida; 2. Tennessee; 3. Georgia; 4. Kentucky; 5. Vanderbilt; 6. South Carolina. Western Division: 1. Alabama; 2. Ole Miss; 3. Auburn; 4. Louisiana State; 5. Arkansas; 6. Mississippi State.
The big games: Florida at Tennessee, Sept. 16; Tennessee at Georgia, Oct. 7; Alabama at Tennessee, Oct. 21.
Comment: The winner of this deep, talented conference may play for the national title in the Orange Bowl. Many favor Alabama, but what about Florida? Impossible as it may seem, the Gators haven’t won an SEC title since 1996.
3. BIG 12
THE RANKING
North Division: 1. Nebraska; 2. Kansas State; 3. Colorado; 4. Kansas; 5. Iowa State; 6. Missouri. South Division: 1. Texas. 2. Oklahoma; 3. Texas Tech; 4. Texas A&M. 5. Oklahoma State; 6. Baylor.
The big games: Kansas State at Colorado, Sept. 30; Texas vs. Oklahoma at Dallas, Oct. 7; Nebraska at Kansas State, Nov. 11.
Comment: One needn’t wear red or burnt orange to envision a scenario in which Nebraska and Texas enter the title game with perfect records. With Colorado and Oklahoma on the rise, this could be the best year in the league’s relatively short history.
4. BIG EAST
THE RANKING
1. Miami; 2. Virginia Tech; 3. Boston College; 4. Syracuse; 5. Pittsburgh; 6. West Virginia; 7. Temple; 8. Rutgers.
The big games: Virginia Tech at Boston College, Sept. 30; Virginia Tech at Miami, Nov. 4; Boston College at Miami, Nov. 25.
Comment: After years of being a national joke, the Big East is threatening to become respectable again, though it would help to lose Rutgers, which might be the worst major-conference team in the land. A resurgent flagship program in Miami and a nascent powerhouse in Virginia Tech give Big East fans (yes, there are a few) something to brag on.
5. PAC-10
THE RANKING
1. Washington; 2. Southern California; 3. Oregon; 4. UCLA; 5. Oregon State; 6. Arizona State; 7. Stanford; 8. Arizona; 9. California; 10. Washington State.
The big games: Washington at Oregon, Sept. 30; Oregon at Southern California, Nov. 14; UCLA at Washington, Nov. 11.
Comment: The Pac-10 can’t possibly be as bad as it was a year ago, can it? The Trojans have the most talent, but in five of the last six seasons, the team with the all-conference quarterback has gone to the Rose Bowl. That’s why we like Washington and Marques Tuiasosopo.
6. ATLANTIC COAST
THE RANKING
1. Florida State; 2. Clemson; 3. Virginia; 4. Maryland; 5. North Carolina; 6. North Carolina State; 7. Georgia Tech; 8. Wake Forest; 9. Duke.
The big games: Clemson at Virginia, Sept. 23; Virginia at Florida State, Oct. 21; Clemson at Florida State, Nov. 4.
Comment: With home games against their toughest conference tests, the Seminoles ought to waltz to their eighth straight ACC title. A more interesting battle will be for second place, with as many as four teams in contention.
7. MOUNTAIN WEST
THE RANKING
1. Colorado State; 2. Utah; 3. Brigham Young; 4. Air Force; 5. Wyoming; 6. UNLV; 7. San Diego State; 8. New Mexico.
The big games: Colorado State at Utah, Oct. 21; Brigham Young at Colorado State, Nov. 2; Brigham Young at Utah, Nov. 24
Comment: Colorado State, Utah and Brigham Young shared the league’s first title a year ago, and any of the three could take top honors this autumn. BYU has perhaps the nation’s toughest nonconference schedule with a home game against Mississippi State, road trips to Virginia and Syracuse and a meeting with defending national champ Florida State in “neutral” Jacksonville.
8. CONFERENCE USA
THE RANKING
1. Southern Mississippi; 2. East Carolina; 3. UAB; 4. Cincinnati; 5. Louisville; 6. Houston; 7. Memphis; 8. Tulane; 9. Army.
The big games: UAB at East Carolina, Oct. 28; Louisville at Southern Mississippi, Nov. 4; East Carolina at Southern Mississippi, Nov. 25.
Comment: Chicago-based Conference USA’s membership seems to change by the week. But one thing is constant: Southern Mississippi at the top. The Golden Eagles have won or shared three of the first four C-USA crowns and figure to extend their dominance this year.
8. WESTERN ATHLETIC
THE RANKING
1. Texas Christian; 2. Hawaii; 3. Fresno State; 4. UTEP; 5. Southern Methodist; 6. Tulsa; 7. Rice; 8. San Jose State; 9. Nevada.
The big games: Hawaii at Texas Christian, Oct. 7; Hawaii at Fresno State, Nov. 4; Fresno State at Texas Christian, Nov. 11.
Comment: The WAC seemed in shambles when its headline programs bolted to form the Mountain West a year ago. But Hawaii’s amazing rebirth brought some nice press, and Texas Christian, led by Heisman Trophy hopeful LaDainian Tomlinson, ought to keep the league in the news this year. Too bad the Horned Frogs are headed for Conference USA in 2001.
