Dave's Conference Picks

Much like Brad's, my picks are (so far) limited to the BCS conferences, and a projected champ, runner-up, and potential dark horse for the season. I'll get to the 5 mid-major conferences soon, but with no further ado, here's my attempt at seeing what the future has to offer:

Big East:
Champ: Pitt
Runner up: Louisville (Big East is going to be a step up in weekly competition from CUSA)
Dark horse: W.Va.

ACC:
Champ: Miami (they've got to be better this year, right? Or does the Larry Coker slide continue?)
Runner up: Va. Tech (even though they can't meet in the champ. game and even though they have Vick the Younger)
Dark horse: B.C.

Big Ten:
Champ: Michigan (unless Ohio State's Troy Smith does what he did last season)
Runner up: Iowa (due to Iowa's propensity for early season stumbles - a one touchdown win against Iowa St. last year, the loss to ASU)
Dark horse: Purdue (winner of the Big Ten's cupcake schedule award)

Big 12:
Champ: Texas
Runner up: Oklahoma
Dark horse: Texas A&M/Texas Tech (I just don't think the North is going to be any better than last year, though Texas Tech has a shot considering its mind-numblingly weak non-conference schedule. Bring it on, FIU, Sam Houston St., and Indiana St.)

Pac 10:
Champ: Southern Cal
Runner up: ASU
Dark horse: Oregon

SEC:
Champ: Tenn.
Runner up: LSU (Auburn's got too much rebuilding to do this year)
Dark horse: Florida (Urban Meyer has yet to prove himself against good opponents week in, week out.)

My BCS picks: Pitt; Miami; Michigan; Texas; Southern Cal; and Tenn as conference champs. Oklahoma and Boise State get the at-large bids (I think the Broncos can knock off their BCS opponents, and they'll run through an even weaker WAC. They've got the benefit of being preranked this year, and I don't think other than Texas (hopefully) or Southern Cal, that there will be any undefeateds besides them).

My bowl predictions will come later, but that's how I see the BCS conferences shaking out this year.