The Mouth of the South

By Gary Lloyd
Love of Sports Correspondent

For this week’s column, I figured I’d give you my predictions for the BCS conferences.

We’re a little over a week away from kickoff. Ain’t that the berries!

Man, I can’t wait. So, let’s get things underway, shall we?

ACC

Atlantic Division

1. Clemson – If the Tigers don’t finish atop the conference, Tommy Bowden may get kicked to the curb.
2. Wake Forest
3. Florida State
4. Maryland
5. Boston College
6. NC State

Coastal Division

1. Virginia Tech – A very young Hokie team in 2008. Look out for the Canes, who could also take the cake.
2. Miami
3. North Carolina
4. Georgia Tech
5. Virginia
6. Duke

Big 12

North

1. Missouri – A favorable schedule means the Tigers may catch doubters with their pants down.
2. Kansas
3. Colorado
4. Nebraska
5. Kansas State
6. Iowa State

South

1. Oklahoma – I’m not biting off more than I can chew when I say OU is my top team heading into the season.
2. Texas Tech
3. Texas
4. Texas A&M
5. Oklahoma State
6. Baylor

Big East

1. South Florida – Probably looks like a half-cocked prediction now, but just wait and see.
2. West Virginia
3. Pittsburgh
4. Cincinnati
5. Rutgers
6. Connecticut
7. Louisville
8. Syracuse

Big Ten

1. Ohio State – There’s no doubt the Buckeyes will finish here, but the possibility of facing an SEC team in a bowl game again will be as hard as trying to steer a herd of cats.
2. Wisconsin
3. Penn State
4. Michigan
5. Illinois
6. Purdue
7. Iowa
8. Michigan State
9. Indiana
10. Northwestern
11. Minnesota

Pac 10

1. USC – This pick is as safe as a tick on a dog with a stiff neck, but it’s the truth.
2. Arizona State
3. Oregon
4. UCLA
5. California
6. Arizona
7. Oregon State
8. Washington
9. Stanford
10. Washington State

SEC

East

1. Florida – The SEC East race could be as tight as the rusted lug nuts on a ’55 Ford, but the Gators still take it.
2. Georgia
3. Tennessee
4. South Carolina
5. Kentucky
6. Vanderbilt

West

1. LSU – I don’t trust this prediction any further than I can throw it. Bama or the Barn could take this division as well.
2. Alabama
3. Auburn
4. Mississippi State
5. Ole Miss
6. Arkansas

So, there you have it, quick and to the point.

I’ve changed some of my earlier predictions from the summer due to injuries, team fights (cough, Auburn, cough) and straight-up gut feelings.

Take ‘em for what they’re worth. Heck, let me see your predictions.

(Don’t miss Lloyd’s weekly Mouth of the South column, seen in this same spot each and every Wednesday.)

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