“Oh god, not again. Look the last post was…”
“HERE ARE THE PREDICTIONS FOR EVERY SINGLE DAMN GROUP OF FIVE TEAM! PLUS THE INDEPENDENTS!!!!!!!”
That’s right! Back at it again with the predictions. Remember what I said…less is more. Meaning less posts. Not less information.
Annnnnyway, this means I will be putting all my predictions for the G-5 conference standings right here. Hell, I’ll include the Independents as well as a treat since they don’t really belong anywhere and some of them know it. So let’s get started!
We begin with what is still the best Group of Five conference in the land. And next year…looks like they still will probably be in that spot despite all the realignment. Here are my predicted standings followed by musings and other nonsense:
| Conference | Overall | ||||
| W | L | W | L | ||
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Houston | 8 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
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UCF | 7 | 1 | 11 | 1 |
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Cincinnati | 7 | 1 | 10 | 2 |
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Memphis | 5 | 3 | 8 | 4 |
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SMU | 5 | 3 | 8 | 4 |
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Tulsa | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
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East Carolina | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
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USF | 3 | 5 | 4 | 8 |
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Navy | 2 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
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Tulane | 1 | 7 | 4 | 8 |
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Temple | 0 | 8 | 2 | 10 |
Musings and Other Nonsense
- Remember what Cincinnati was like last year? That is Houston this season…almost. They almost have too easy of a schedule and now that we know what the ceiling is (for now) for the Group of Five, that could come back to haunt them. Realistically, their opening contest of the season could be their most difficult. They travel to the Alamodome to face the Roadrunners of UTSA in a great Group of Five battle. Win that one and I can’t see how they don’t run the table.
- UCF and Cincinnati will tie for second but the Bearcats’ lone loss, I believe, will be to the Knights. It seems since the American went to no divisions, at least two of the top few teams don’t play each other in a season. One of the few perils of having no divisions in a big conference, I guess. I don’t mind though since I hate divisions (if you didn’t already know).
- Memphis should see a lot of improvement. As should USF. For the Bulls it won’t be enough to be bowl-eligible but anything is better than what they have seen the past few years.
- I think Tulsa and East Carolina will slip below .500. Both teams don’t exactly have nice schedules and it could cost them down the stretch when they need victories and they have to play some of the better teams in the conference.
- Conference Championship prediction: Houston 41 UCF 13. I can’t see it being close to be perfectly honest. Uncle Dana is going to be so hopped up on Red Bull his head might explode.
Hey, number two ain’t bad.
The Mountain West is still firmly in the number two spot among Group of Five conferences and were left alone during this round of realignment. Will they do something in the near future to bolster their ranks? There is always rumblings of them bringing in some Dakota schools or Montana/Montana State (or both) or even bringing UTEP and perhaps…ugh….New Mexico State along for the ride. But for now, it’s status quo. Well…almost.
| Conference | Overall | ||||
| Mountain | W | L | W | L | |
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Air Force | 7 | 1 | 10 | 2 |
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Boise State | 7 | 1 | 10 | 2 |
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Colorado State | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
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Utah State | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
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Wyoming | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
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New Mexico | 1 | 7 | 3 | 9 |
| West | |||||
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Fresno State | 7 | 1 | 9 | 3 |
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San Diego State | 6 | 2 | 9 | 3 |
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San Jose State | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
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UNLV | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
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Nevada | 2 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
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Hawaii | 1 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
Status Quo?
- Yes…for a few more months. Then…no divisions! Fuck yeah! So now we might finally get two teams from what were the same division playing each other for the right to win the Mountain West title and, perhaps, the Group of Five spot in the New Year’s Six. Glad to see the conference doing it and look forward to the rest of the conferences abolishing their shitty divisions. I’m Bossman and I approve this message (of hating divisions).
- I think it’s finally time we see Air Force truly soar. The Falcons are the most complete team in the entire conference. Yes, I get that they run the option but they are actually somewhat dangerous in the passing game. And their defense should be pretty tough to beat this season. I think they can pull out that one victory they need, over Boise State, to clinch the division.
- Remember my last place prediction for Fresno State last season? Ah, good times. I’m not falling for that again. I think they have enough to outlast perennial contender SDSU for the West Division crown. Now watch Hawaii win it and make me look like an idiot again.
- Speaking of the Fighting Rainbow Warriors, I do have them sinking to the bottom of the West Division. The program is a bit of a gongshow at this point. They’re basically the Arizona Coyotes of the Mountain West, playing in a smallish high school stadium for another few years until Aloha Stadium is renovated or a new stadium is built or something. They can’t keep recruits on the island anymore and being on that island is becoming very difficult for the football program as a whole. I hope it turns around again and not just for a single season but this will not be that year (despite what I said in the previous point).
- Conference Championship prediction: Air Force 38 Fresno State 14. Air Force will finally win their first Mountain West title. They haven’t won a conference championship since the WAC so it’s a long time coming for Troy Calhoun’s squad.
Look, I know Notre Dame doesn’t belong here but it’s not my fault they are an Independent still and they are grouped with a few teams that barely qualify as FCS programs. Let’s just get to the standings before I start swearing too much.
| Overall | |||
| W | L | ||
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Notre Dame | 10 | 2 |
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Army | 10 | 2 |
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BYU | 9 | 3 |
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Liberty | 8 | 4 |
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New Mexico State | 2 | 10 |
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UConn | 2 | 10 |
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UMass | 1 | 11 |
No Profanity Notes
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- No profanity? Let’s see how long this lasts.
- Let’s start with the kings of the group: the Fighting Irish. The question is always “Will they make the College Football Playoff this season?” I honestly can’t see it this season. Their schedule is brutal with trips to Columbus and the LA Coliseum along with home dates against Clemson and BYU. I have them losing two of those four and it wouldn’t shock me if they dropped all four of those. They always have a shot at the New Year’s Six and I see them sneaking in but it won’t be easy.
- I have, yet again, got Army winning ten games. They are a good team with a breeze of a schedule. One year, they might enter that Army-Navy Game at 11-0 and at least will have some people wondering if they deserve that one spot in the NY6.
- BYU is finally joining a conference again. The Cougs are headed for the Big XII next year so this is their final season as an Independent. And once again they are hoping to do enough to get into the Top 20 and make the College Football Playoff Committee really take a hard look at what they’ve done. Their schedule is, once again, quite difficult. Not Notre Dame difficult but not easy at all. They won’t come out of it unscathed and I don’t think they have enough in the tank to be ranked. Expect another trip to a mediocre bowl game…but at least the Provo faithful can be done with that after this year.
- Hey, speaking of teams leaving the Independent world, it’s the fighting Hugh Freezes of Liberty. They head to whatever the hell Conference USA is going to be next season. I can’t see this being the end goal for them as they have a lot of resources to move up even more. I know most people hate to hear that but it’s the truth. This year, expect them in another low-level bowl before next year when they will have a chance to win one of Conference USA’s bowl slots to go to…yet another low-level bowl.
- And yet another team moving to a conference. The Aggies join Liberty in going to Conference USA. Someone invited them to a party! Yay for them! They are still light years away from competing in any sense and when other teams from FCS join them there (like Sam Houston State) they will be blown by in no time flat. It’s not easy recruiting for Las Cruces but something has to change there.
- Just a reminder…UConn has their own contract with CBS Sports Network. Say that again in your head. Yeah I don’t get it either. I mean if it was football AND basketball then sure, it makes a ton of sense since UConn basketball is a huge brand. But just UConn football. CBS can’t be making any money off this deal. Anyway, you can watch them get their ass kicked (at least at home) if you so choose.
- I don’t know what UMass will be able to do with three teams leaving the Independent ranks for conferences next season. It means we will be back down to four teams for next season. Sure, they can get their ass kicked by Notre Dame and Army, if they choose to play the Huskies. They can be competitive with UConn. Other than that? It’s two FCS opponents and find at least seven other FBS teams to play them. Not an easy task. Honestly, unless the American wants to take them on at some point (which I can’t see happening), it may be best for them to head back to FCS. I’ve said it before and I’m not wavering from that.
- See? Didn’t swear! I am fuuuuuuuuuuny and smart. Yeah. Phew! That was a close one.
One of the winners of realignment is the Sun Belt. Four new members! Good additions to a conference that has solidified itself as the number three conference in the Group of Five. Now let’s get to some of these sunny predictions and I will discuss some of the changes going on here:
| Conference | Overall | ||||
| East | W | L | W | L | |
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Marshall | 8 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
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Coastal Carolina | 7 | 1 | 10 | 2 |
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Appalachian State | 6 | 2 | 9 | 3 |
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Georgia State | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
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Old Dominion | 3 | 5 | 3 | 9 |
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Georgia Southern | 2 | 6 | 4 | 8 |
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James Madison | 2 | 6 | 3 | 8 |
| West | |||||
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Louisiana | 7 | 1 | 10 | 2 |
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Troy | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
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South Alabama | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
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Southern Miss | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
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Texas State | 2 | 6 | 4 | 8 |
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Arkansas State | 1 | 7 | 3 | 9 |
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ULM | 0 | 8 | 1 | 11 |
Sunny Predictions (see what I did there)
- I’m going to say it again…this conference, like all conferences, need to go to no divisions. One year it will bite them in the ass. Guaranteed. And they better hope it’s not the year when they have a legitimate shot to put a team in the New Year’s Six.
- It won’t be the normal cakewalk for Louisiana to win the West Division this season. Saying that, it’s not like they have real good competition like the East. The best bet to dethrone the Ragin’ Cajuns are Troy and South Alabama and they have a ways to go to be considered conference title contenders. So chances are, we will see this team, yet again, in the Sun Belt title game.
- Coastal and App State can’t be happy to have Marshall in their division now. The Thundering Herd are a very dangerous team and I believe they have enough to sneak up the middle in their first year of Sun Belt competition and take the East crown. And yes, I know I have James Madison at 3-8 or 11 games played. That’s how many they’re playing. I guess they couldn’t get another non-conference game quickly enough so don’t think I am having issues with counting.
- Conference Championship prediction: Marshall 33 Louisiana 30. Louisiana will not repeat as champ. I think Marshall is going to make good on their move to a new conference by winning the Sun Belt.
I’m not going to put them last. I could. This conference has just irritated me for a long time. They have had the worst TV contracts in recent memory for an FBS conference, constantly allow the better schools to leave and backfill with worse options and had the audacity to turn down the Sun Belt when discussion of making geographically better conferences came up. Stupidity. Alright, let’s just get to the conference standings before I blow a gasket:
| Conference | Overall | ||||
| W | L | W | L | ||
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UTSA | 8 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
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WKU | 6 | 2 | 9 | 4 |
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UAB | 6 | 2 | 9 | 3 |
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UTEP | 6 | 2 | 8 | 4 |
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Florida Atlantic | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
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Louisiana Tech | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
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North Texas | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
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Middle Tennessee | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
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Charlotte | 3 | 5 | 4 | 8 |
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FIU | 0 | 8 | 3 | 9 |
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Rice | 0 | 8 | 1 | 11 |
Alright Let’s Just Get This Over With
- No divisions so at least that’s a plus even though it happened because teams left.
- Many are discounting UTSA but I think they have it in them to run the table in the conference this season, something they didn’t do last year during their glorious run to a C-USA title. Second place, on the other hand, I see being a complete dogfight. WKU, UAB and UTEP are all good teams and because of scheduling quirks, I have the Hilltoppers getting the opportunity to travel to San Antonio for the conference championship.
- It is going to be a long season for Rice and FIU, two programs who honestly really don’t understand success in the first place so maybe it won’t hit them so hard.
- Conference Championship prediction: UTSA 45 WKU 38. I think this may actually end up being one of the more fun conference championship games. Both teams can score and even without Bailey Zappe, I’m sure WKU will be tossing the ball all over the field.
And finally….IT’S MACTION TIME, BABY! I know we don’t get much MACtion before late October but I always look forward to it. And yes, the attendance figures for these games, for the most part, aren’t exactly stellar. But to be able to watch these games when I would have had absolutely no opportunity to otherwise? Love it! Here are your 2022 MAC predicted standings:
| Conference | Overall | ||||
| East | W | L | W | L | |
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Miami-OH | 7 | 1 | 8 | 4 |
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Kent State | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
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Ohio | 3 | 5 | 4 | 8 |
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Buffalo | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
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Bowling Green | 1 | 7 | 2 | 10 |
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Akron | 0 | 8 | 1 | 11 |
| West | |||||
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Northern Illinois | 7 | 1 | 9 | 3 |
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Toledo | 7 | 1 | 9 | 3 |
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Central Michigan | 6 | 2 | 9 | 3 |
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Western Michigan | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
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Eastern Michigan | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
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Ball State | 1 | 7 | 3 | 9 |
MACtion Magic
- Look I’m going to level with you. The MAC East is a terrible division. Realistically, none of the teams deserve to be in the MAC Championship and I am sure I could make a case for none of them to go bowling either. Alas, the rules state otherwise. The Redhawks should be the best of a not-that-good bunch with Kent State giving them a bit of a run.
- The West, on the other hand, will be a lot of fun. Three good teams at the top with very little to separate them. The schedule favours Northern Illinois to pull out a squeaker to win the West but you could put them, Toledo or CMU in the conference championship and they would all make sense and you could make strong arguments for them.
- Ball State. Bowling Green. Akron. All bad.
- Conference Championship prediction: Miami-OH 27 Northern Illinois 26. Because of course this is the way it would work out in this crazy conference.
We made it! The Group of Five is done! Who out of this group will make it to the New Year’s Six? Seriously? You couldn’t figure it out from all the info I gave you? Well, I will be doing bowl predictions later this month so no need to worry if you can’t put this puzzle together.
Next up is the Power Five. When will that happen? Who fucking knows?!!!! Have a great rest of the week everybody!
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