College Football Preview 2012

Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead
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The Big Ten Conference has 2 favorites, Michigan and Wisconsin. Both teams have explosive play makers, Michigan's Senior QB Denard Robinson and Senior RB Montee Ball. Robinson passed for 2,173 yards and rushed for 1,176 more. Ball ran for 1,923 yards and 33 TDs and caught 6 more for a total of 39. However, there are a few other teams that can make their way into the championship game. Nebraska has a great QB-RB combination of Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead. Martinez is a great running QB and is decent at passing the ball. If Martinez improves his passing, Nebraska will be a force to be reckoned with. Michigan State just lost it's most successful QB in Kirk Cousins, but that doesn't mean they will struggle this year. They have a very good defense. Junior LB Denicos Allen was a monster with 18.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Junior DE William Gholston had 16.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. Senior DB Johnny Adams had 3 picks and had 147 INT return yards. Junior LB Max Bullough led the teams in tackles with 89, including 7.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. If the offense puts up some points, MSU will be a scary team to face.

Arkansas can be a top team in the nation, but it is not even ranked  a top 4 team in the their conference. The loss of head coach Bobby Petrino was big. However, the fact that they have an experienced QB in Tyler Wilson makes it less painful. Wilson threw for 3638 yards and 24 TDs last year, while throwing only 6 interceptions. He averaged 8.3 yards per attempt, 63.2 completion percentage, and a 148.4 passer rating. Vs. Texas A&M last season, he threw for 510 yards and 3 TDs. RB Knile Davis, who missed all of last season due to injury, is back and going to look to top the 1,322 rushing yards he put up in 2010. They have a tough schedule (All SEC teams do), but they get to face both Alabama and LSU at home. Even with their schedule, Arkansas has a chance to be a top team. 

Utah's transition from the MWC to the PAC-12 last year was good. They had a record of 8-5, came in 3rd in the South Division, and won the Sun Bowl against Georgia Tech. This happened with their starting QB missing the last 9 games of the season due to injury. The Utes can do even better this year if everyone stays healthy.  Starting RB John White is returning.  He rushed for 1,519 yards and 15 TDs. When Utah faced BYU, White sprinted for 174 years, averaging 7.9 yards per rush, and 3 TDs. They are going to need to run the offense around him. If they get him going, he will force extra defenders into the box, setting up play action. If they don't flood the box, keep giving him the ball, he will make plays and get the ball in the end zone. 

Collin Klein
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Kansas State had a great year last year, going 10-3, and participating in the Cotton Bowl. That was their 1st 10 win season since 2003. Duel Threat Quarterback Collin Klein is looking to have another stellar season, after throwing for 1,918 yards and running for 1,141 yards. To be successful again, the defense needs to do better against elite offenses. In their 2 regular season losses, they gave up 58 points to Oklahoma and 52 points to Oklahoma State. They also gave up 50 points to Texas A&M. Senior's LB Arthur Brown (101 tackles last year, 9.5 for loss), DE Meshak Williams (7 sacks, 10 tackles for loss), and DB Nigel Malone (7 picks last year) need to lead the defense. Their return game is great. Sophomore WR/KR Tyler Lockett was a monster in the return game, averaging 35.2 yards per return. If the defense isn't more productive, their season will not be as successful as last year.

There are 4 new teams playing FBS football this year. South Alabama was a FCS Independent and is now a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The University of Massachusetts-Amherst moved from the Colonial Athletic Association to the MAC. Both Texas State and Universiry of Texas-San Antonio moved from the Southland Conference to the WAC. None are expected to make a very big impact, as they are not eligible to play for a bowl game.

Notes on FCS, Division II, Division III

• North Dakota State (#2 in the The Sports Network Poll and #1 in Coaches Poll), the 2011 FCS Champs, will try to repeat as champions
• Division 2's Pittsburg State (#1 in AFCA Coaches Poll and D2Football.com Poll) and Northwest Missouri State (#3 in both polls) face off at Arrowhead Stadium on October 13th
• University of Wisconsin-Whiterwater (#1 in AFCA Coaches Poll and D3Football.com Poll) looking to win their 4th consecutive Division III chapionship and 5th in the last 6 years