Football Preview 2016

Franklin Still Trying Get Penn State on Top

By TRACY WATSON STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State is a team in the Big Ten that could really make some noise in 2016,. But Coach James Franklin’s squad is also one that could struggle and fall by the wayside early on. Franklin has guided the Nittany Lions to a 14-12 record during his first two seasons, but has only a 6-10 conference record, something that needs to improve quickly. Penn State had a five-game winning streak in 2015, winning seven of eight games at one point, but dropped its final three regular-season games before falling to Georgia by a 24-17 margin in the ...

Alabama, SEC Trying to Stay in NCAA Penthouse

JOHN ZENOR AP Sports Writer A postseason rampage put both Alabama and the Southeastern Conference back on top in college football last season. Now, the trick will be staying there with three new coaches in the East and quarterback uncertainty across much of the league, including at ‘Bama. The Crimson Tide is once again the team to beat in the league, and perhaps nationally, after claiming the SEC’s eighth national title in 10 seasons. That broke a two-year drought for the league, which went 9-2 in the postseason counting the Tide’s playoff wins over Michigan State and ...

Offense Will Have to Carry Defense for WVU

By JIM BUTTA MORGANTOWN — Since joining the Big 12, West Virginia University has been an underdog when it comes to capturing the league’s championship. This season will be no different as the Mountaineers were picked to finish seventh in the 10-team conference by the media that covers the conference on a regular basis. An explosive offense that will be missing its largest piece from an 8-5 campaign a year ago as well as a defense depleted by graduation and early departures to the NFL, are the most often cited reasons for the Mountaineers’ low ranking following a fifth-place ...

Oklahoma Trying to Go Back-to-Back in Big 12

By JIM BUTTA MORGANTOWN — The 2016 Big 12 Media Days had its fair share of news breaking stories, but one wasn’t the program the vast majority of writers covering the 10-team league expect to hold up the championship trophy and hopefully earn a berth in the College Football Playoffs. Named as the team to beat by all but two of the 26 media members that vote, Oklahoma (258 points) was a 36-point favorite on TCU, which amassed 222 points and garnered the other two first-place votes. Third place went to Oklahoma State with 202 points, however only 30 points separate the next ...

The Power Remains In Big Ten East Division

ERIC OLSON AP College Football Writer The big change in the Big Ten is the move to the nine-game conference schedule. What doesn’t figure to change is the dominance of the East Division. Ohio State, Michigan and defending champion Michigan State all are positioned to make runs at being national top-10 teams, if not College Football Playoff contenders. Iowa’s amazing 12-0 regular season in 2015 notwithstanding, this looks like another year when the West will play in the East’s considerable shadow. The Big Ten attempted to create balance when it split into ...

C-USA Coaches in Favor of 13-Team League

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer IRVING, Texas — Conference USA goes into a new season with no changes in its lineup of teams for the first time since 2012. The league has the same 13 teams that competed for the title last season, including defending champion Western Kentucky. There will be at least one change in 2017 with UAB’s return after a two-season hiatus, and who knows what happens if there is another national shift of teams. The Big 12, a Power Five conference headquartered just around the corner from the C-USA office, is considering expansion of its ...