Sporting News predictions

The Sporting News College Football ’08 edition is now in bookstores, and UB is picked fourth in the MAC East Division. Other than that, it’s a pretty optimistic forecast for the Bulls. UB is listed with a green “up’’ arrow, signifying teams that TSN thinks are getting better.

UB is also listed in the ascending section which reads, “Third-year coach Turner Gill injected life, not to mention a positive attitude, into the Buffalo program, and the Bulls losing ways seem to be over."

Here are TSN’s picks:
East
1. Miami
2. Temple
3. Bowling Green
4. UB
5. Ohio
6. Akron
7. Kent State

West
1. Ball State
2. Central Michigan
3. Western Michigan
4. Toledo
5. Northern Illinois
6. Eastern Michigan

TSN predicts Miami to the GMAC Bowl, Temple to the St. Pete and Ball State to the Motor City. Interesting that TSN picks Temple to finish ahead of UB considering the Bulls have outscored the Owls, 51-10 in their last two meetings.

TSN predicts doom for Syracuse in the Big East and pegs the Orange for a last place finish. They have a blue “”steady’’ arrow which isn’t a good sign considering it finished 2-10 last season.

Here’s are TSN’s picks in the Big East:
1. West Virginia
2. South Florida
3. UConn
4. Pitt
5. Cincy
6. Louisville
7. Rutgers
8. Cuse

TSN points out that in 28 losses over the last three seasons under coach Greg Robinson, the Orange have been outscored by 514 points and have won just two league games. Keep in mind these predictions were made WITH WR Mike Williams still in the lineup.

TSN picks West Virginia for the Orange, South Florida for the Texas, UConn for the Papajohns.com, Pitt for the Sun, Cincy for the International, Louisville for the San Diego and Rutgers for the Meineke Car Care.

---Rodney McKissic