The current season is coming to a close and most of us are looking ahead to the next season. While we are still waiting on who jumps ship for the NFL the signing classes will not be too much of a factor, at least for this upcoming season. I'll give a quick look-ahead at what I think appear to be conference/division favourites, teams that have a great chance to win them and darkhorses. We'll also have a look at BCS Bowl predictions and Heisman contenders.

We'll start looking at each conference and their respective divisions.

ACC-
Atlantic Division:
Champion- Clemson: They have struggled down the stretch this season, including a blowout loss to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl but they were still the class of the ACC and return alot of key players.
Contender- Florida State: They may not have beaten the strongest of opponents this season but they have held their own in all their games and even with their offseason losses they should be contenders.
Darkhorse- Wake Forest: They are a streaky team that finished with a losing record but they were one play away from being division champions and with an improved team and possible turmoil in conference they have a shot.

Coastal Division:
Champion- Virginia Tech: They had yet another 10+ win season and again there is little reason to doubt they win the division even with personnel losses.
Contender- Georgia Tech: You never know when they have a great season. The triple option is funny like that but when the players fit the system it can give other teams fits.
Darkhorse- Virginia: We were a game in each division away from having Wake Forest vs Virginia in the ACC CG. Odds are neither will make it there next year but Virginia was a pleasant surprise this season.
CHAMPION PICK: CLEMSON TIGERS

BIG 12-
CHAMPION PICK: KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
The Wildcats return most of their team and while almost everyone will almost certainly be all over Oklahoma's jock, this Kansas State team run by Snyder could be special.
Contender- Oklahoma: They bring back Landry Jones and they beat Kansas State last season. They may in fact be the favourites but they are always overrated so let's give someone else the benefit for once.
Darkhorses- TCU and West Virginia: TCU looked like they were rebuilding but they were just reloading and needed time to get in sync. They are a young team and could make a run. West Virginia is also a threat if they join the Big 12 next season. They are a powerful offensive team that will fit into the Big 12. However, they cannot afford to be streaky anymore.

BIG EAST-
CHAMPION PICK: CINCINNATI BEARCATS
The Bearcats had an excellent season winning a share of the Big East Title and while the Big East is a giant clusterfuck they should be the favourites if West Virginia is gone.
Contender- Pittsburgh: They had a horrible season but if a team in the Big East is going to bounce back it will be the Panthers. Will this be the coach?
Darkhorse- Rutgers: They had an excellent season and could very well win it all. What keeps them from being higher on this list is WR Mohamed Sanu declaring early for the NFL. Can Rutgers of all teams have another great season?

BIG TEN-
Legends Division:
Champion- Michigan: Michigan is back and bring back practically everyone. They start off with Alabama(which is practically irrelevant in conference)  and have a relatively difficult conference schedule but the rest of the division and conference are looking down while Michigan is looking up.
Contender- Nebraska: The Cornhuskers lose alot of key peices on a struggling D but if they can get players to fill in then an offense lead by Burkhead and Martinez can lead Nebraska far.
Darkhorse- Iowa: It was rebuilding year for Iowa and they did pretty well if you look beyond their record. This is a team moving up. Also watch out for how Michigan State does sans Cousins.

Leaders Division:
Champion- Wisconsin: They appear to have a problem at QB and with their coaches but they are still the best team in division with Montee Ball returning.
Contender- Penn State: A new coach, a new identity. The Lions have a statement season coming and with Ohio State ineligible they have a greater shot at winning the division.
Darkhorse- Michigan State: Wrong division but who cares. The Legends deserve another darkhorse while the Leaders don't.
CHAMPION PICK: MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

SEC-
East Division:
Champion- Missouri: I'm gonna get heat for this but they are in the East and have a decent schedule. They start by hosting Georgia and a win would put them in the driver's seat before going to South Carolina. If they get by Georgia and South Carolina they are looking good.
Contender- Georgia: The Dawgs had a great regular season and they return alot of good young men. If they can win at Missouri they will be huge favourites as their only real opponent afterwards would be South Carolina.
Darkhorse- South Carolina: While less of a darkhorse and more of a co-favourite, losing Jeffrey and some key defensive pieces will be a negative. They do return Lattimore though. They would love a shot at beating a Missouri team that is undefeated in conference.

West Division:
Champion- LSU: Simply, next year's team is suppossed to be better than this year.
Contender- Alabama: They are masters at reloading and while they lose quite a bit they should still be very strong. It will be interesting how they do vs Michigan to start the season.
Darkhorse- Arkansas: They had a great season and once again look to have a shot at the division. It will be a tough battle but, yes, they can do it.
CHAMPION PICK: LSU TIGERS

PAC 12-
North Division:
Champion- Oregon: Oregon returns alot of players and have proven players stepping into starting roles. Added with the fact that Stanford loses alot and noone else in the North seems to have a shot.
Contender- Stanford: The Cardinal lose Luck and key linemen among others and will need a different sort of luck to get past a tough Oregon team. However with the rest of the talent they should still have a chance.
Darkhorse: Washington: They sure proved they have offense but they need to show that consistently, as well as some defense. The loss of Polk also hurts.

Leaders Division:
Champion- Southern California: Probation is over. This team is on fire and return the likely Heisman favourite.
Contender- Utah: Overall it was a great first season in the Pac 12. Too bad the loss to Colorado kept them out of the championship game. Looking at everyone else they should be the only team with a shot and they don't play Oregon or Stanford.
Darkhorse- Arizona State: Last year was supposed to be their year. They shouldn't take a big step back but the heart of their defense is gone.
CHAMPION PICK: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TROJANS

MOUNTAIN WEST:
CHAMPION PICK: BOISE STATE BRONCOS
They lose Kellen Moore but even if they don't find an adequate replacement they should still dominate the conference.
Contender- Air Force: Here is another team that is better than their record and their style of play will give teams fits, mainly the newcomers and, if this year was any indication, Boise State.
Darkhorse- San Diego State: The new WAC teams are not doing so hot and San Diego State didn't do half bad last season. They have talent but do they have enough?

WAC:
CHAMPION PICK: LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS
The new WAC sucks more than the last but these Bulldogs did pretty well.
Contender- Utah State: Another team with a pulse inside and outside of conference. They still aren't the greatest but neither is the WAC.
Darkhorse- San Jose State: They did surprisingly well and could go at least 6-6 next season.

C-USA:
CHAMPION PICK: SOUTHERN MISS GOLDEN EAGLES
There shouldn't be any world-beaters this season but these Eagles should still be tough. Too bad for them they play Nebraska and Boise State. Or is it?
Contender- Southern Methodist: SMU had a pretty good season. They won some big games and look to get over the hump.
Darkhorse- Houston: They not only lose Keenum but his senior backup and main targets. However it wouldn't be fair to assume they'd tank. If they can adequate players to fill the holes they have a chance.

MAC:
CHAMPION PICK: TOLEDO ROCKETS
They should have had an extra win but in the end it didn't matter. They came out short in the MAC race but have an explosive team. Eric Page is expected to return and that should make them the early favourites.
Contender- Temple: Temple continues to be a contender and next season should be no different. They may be the favourites to win their division.
Darkhorse- Ohio: Perhaps even the division favourites. They had a very disappointing conference championship game but came back to beat Utah State in their bowl game.

Sunbelt:
CHAMPION PICK: LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE RAJIN' CAJUNS
They have a great QB and this surprise team came very close to winning the conference. Their 4 losses were all road losses. 2 to the top 2 teams in conference and the other 2 to FBS teams.
Contender- Arkansas State: They lose some players and their coach but they should still be contenders for the title.
Darkhorse- Florida International: They lose pieces but I am not too confident on the rest of the conference improving and Western Kentucky loses RB Bobby Rainey.


HEISMAN LOOK AHEAD
If I had to guess my ballot at the end of next season. I am leaving out defenders considering it is tough to duplicate those stats since alot depends on circumstance:
1. Matt Barkley, QB - USC
2. Montee Ball, RB - Wisconsin
3. Landry Jones, QB - Oklahoma
4. Marcus Lattimore, RB - South Carolina
5. Tajh Boyd, QB - Clemson Tigers


BOWL PROJECTIONS

Rose Bowl
Oregon vs Michigan

Fiesta Bowl
Kansas State vs Boise State

Sugar Bowl
Alabama vs Oklahoma

Orange Bowl
Clemson vs Cincinnati

BCS Championship
#1 LSU vs #2 USC