Written by Mike Furlan

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With college football season now underway, Mike Furlan goes on the record with his predictions of what he thinks will take place this season. Who will win the Heisman? Who will meet in the national championship game? Who will disappoint and surprise? Will LLLLoyd Carr (at least 4 L's) still have a job at years end? It's prediction time. Things to bet your house on for 2006 (or at least a couple pieces of chewing gum) ...

Most Overrated Conference:  The Big Least

Many are already skeptical about this conference primarily because there is one good team, one mediocre team, and six division three high school football teams.  Unfortunately West Virginia will probably make through their repulsively easy schedule undefeated and make ripples in college football, but until there is some emphasis put on strength of schedule we are going to be forced to endure this.

Most Overrated Team:  Notre Dame

What have they done to improve from the absolute thrashing they took last year in the Fiesta Bowl?  Not much.  Jeff Samard... whatever is a slow dude with decent hands but his best asset is his quarterback.  I am not even sure if he would see the field in Columbus.  The second Notre Dame has a winning season, the national championship hype begins.  Anyone remember when Ty Willingham was going to take Notre Dame football back to its "rightful place"?  I think it was after his first winning season too.  Notre Dame won 9 games last year.  Who did they beat?  No one!  Who will they beat this year?  I predict no one again.  They will lose to a very good Michigan team and USC.  I still am unsure whether or not they will beat Penn State or Michigan State, so I say, split the difference.  They will probably lose to one of those teams showing that they are about the 4th best team to play a Big Ten schedule, but don't worry, they are Notre Dame and that should be good enough to get them a BCS birth.

Most Disgustingly Pretentious Stupid "Dark Horse" pick:  Louisville

All the pundits love them and why not?  They play in a high school football conference so they will have a sexy record.  They shouldn't be ranked in the top 15, yet they will spend the year ranked oh about 10 or so because they don't play anyone that will expose them until November when they play equally overrated and untested WVU.  I think even Notre Dame could beat Louisville.

Heisman Trophy Winner:  Brady Quinn

Why?  He plays for Notre Dame.  Therefore, if he is just 1/3 as good as the best player in the country then he wins the award.  Sad but true.

Most Deserving Heisman Finalist (Guy who should've won):  Adrian Peterson

I disagree with all the pundits who say that Ginn will detract from Smith's chances, and I think that Quinn will have a good year, but I think this will be the year of Adrian Peterson.  The time is right and OU should be reloaded in spite of the special financing offered to football players in Norman.

National Championship Game:  Ohio State vs. West Virginia

Should the Buckeyes make it through September, I think they are golden.  Don't get me wrong, Michigan will be tough, but the game is at home.  West Virginia will get there by default.  Someone will have to win the Louiseville vs. WVU game and I don't think any of the high school teams that they have scheduled will win.  On a positive note, I do hear that WVU might offer a home and home to Lake Catholic High School.

National Champs:  Ohio State

Another impressive performance from a quarterback wearing number 10.  This will be the year that Troy Smith guarantees himself a spot on my top ten list for next year.  Yep, I am a homer, but this years team should pick up right where they left off last year.  Bucks expose the Big Least for what it is and thump WVU (yes I am aware WVU beat Georgia last year, so did mediocre Florida and Auburn teams).

The only way he loses his job this year is the Wolverines go 0-3 against Ohio State, Notre Dame, and bowl game opponent.  Should that happen he will resign, but I don't think it will.  This is a good Michigan team if it can stay healthy.  The real problem they have is depth, so Wolverine fans, pray on your idols to your heathen gods for the health and safety of Henne and Hart.

Game of the Year:  Ohio State vs. Michigan (runner up:  Texas vs. Oklahoma)

This is the year that the two teams square off, undefeated.  I think the National Championship will really be decided here, but fret not Wolverine fans, you shall make a BCS Bowl inspite of your crushing defeat.  I have no idea why i keep addressing them; They are not expected to have the internet that far north until 2028.

Worst Commentator:  Mark May

Now that Trev Alberts is gone the Trev Alberts Award for Broadcasting and Analytical Ineptitude goes to his former partner Mark May.  Mark May is roughly as insightful as John Madden, unfortunately he is too young to cling to the senility defense.

Worst Announcer:  Dan Fouts

Now that Keith Jackson has completely succumbed to senility, to the point that he is no longer calling games, Dan Fouts runs away with this award.  His voice is abrasive, his biases apparent, and his insight is Mark Mayesque (new word, hoping to getting into Wikipedia today).   

Crash and Burn Award:  California

The Cal Bears have become the sexy pick in the PAC 10 this year, but i have no idea why.  They have a good running back like they do every year and a mediocre defense like they do every year, so I predict that they will lose a bunch of games this year, like they do every year.  If we do not learn from history we are doomed to repeat it, apparently sport's writers are slow learners because continue to gain unwarranted early season props.

Upsets: 

This will make me look foolish in a few months for sure, but here are some games that I have a feeling about early on.

USC loses to a team from Arizona, not sure which one yet, but I got a feeling!

Cal loses to several teams because they overrated (like every other year).

Notre Dame loses to Michigan, USC, and at least one other Big Ten team.

Conference Champs:

Big Ten:  Ohio State

Big Twelve:  Oklahoma

Big Least:  West Virginia

Pac 10:  USC

ACC:  Florida St.

SEC:  Auburn

MAC:  Northern Illinois

Conference USA:  Who cares