College campuses are abuzz with anticipation for the 2009-2010 College Football kickoff and the chatter is turned up to 11, because that's louder than 10, as students argue about who ends the season atop the polls, which team will get screwed by the flawed BCS system and how they can sneak their remaining adult beverages into the stadium.

The founders of The Sports Union break down the upcoming season and inform the sporting world who wins each BCS conference, the non-BCS school that causes the biggest grief for the apologists, the eventual BCS Champion and the winner of the coveted Heisman Trophy.

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Pac-10 Conference

 J.DAVID: Pete Carroll threw a tantrum when Mark Sanchez went running for the NFL and a dump truck full of money, and after Saturday's scrimmage everyone knows why. Freshman quarterback Matt Barkley will be good, dare I even say the best to ever play the position at USC, but he will struggle as he navigates the learning curve of big-time college football. Aaron Corp, Barkley's backup, was set up to fail as Carroll tagged Barkley the "golden boy" of the program, leaving Trojan fans with no time for the second string. With a down defense, except for the all-world Taylor Mays, the Trojans will struggle to stop teams that have any semblance of offensive skill--so, everyone except UCLA--leaving the door wide open for two teams to challenge them for the top spot: the Oregon Ducks and the Cal Bears.

Oregon will finally be part of the discussion of the Pac-10 for more than just their hideous choice of game wear. Their up-and-coming quarterback, Jeremiah Masoli will lead the speedy offense with running back, LeGarrett Blount, as they will have no problem putting points on the board. However, a drunken sorority girl has a better chance to defend against a pass than their shaking secondary. The Duck's only hope is that their front line will be able to put pressure on the opposing team's quarterback.

The other team that will challenge the Trojans this year for Pac-10 dominance is the Cal Bears. The strength of the Bears is found on the defensive side of the ball with an outstanding secondary and a rock-solid defensive line that will have no problems stuffing the run and making the opposing quarterback's life hell. With average play from the linebackers, Cal will still be the best defense in the Pac-10 and someone once said that defense wins championships.

The question for the Bears will be if they can score. With returning running back sensation, Jahvid Best, the answer is yes--and get the highlight reel ready because this kid is special. Quarterback Kevin Riley will be called on to manage the game and if he can control his turnovers the Bears will be right there at the top of the Pac-10.

J.DAVID'S PAC-10 CHAMPS: 3-Way Tie - Trojans, Ducks and Bears (9-3)

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KEVIN PATRA REBUTTAL: J.David, you must be kidding yourself. A three-way tie? The only chance the Trojans have of losing the Pac-10 is if the Bears run the table and beat USC in Berkeley on Oct. 3. With Barkley at quarterback and WR Ronald Johnson out for six weeks, Pete Carroll should be forced to do what he should have been doing the last three seasons, run the damn ball. USC has four running backs that could start anywhere and a veteran offensive line. If USC plays to its "Tailback U" name--which is quickly becoming folklore--they easily take the Pac-10.

But the best player in the conference in my mind is Best. He is quick and durable. Oregon State (the dark horse pick) proved last year a nimble running back can hurt USC. Best could carry the Bears over USC, but the question remains whether Cal has the maturity and skill to run the table, which I believe it will need to do to win the conference.

PATRA'S PAC-10 CHAMPS: Trojans (11-1)

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Big 12 Conference

KEVIN PATRA: We will leave the Big 12-SEC debate for another day, but its hard to argue with five teams from the Big 12 starting the season in the AP Top 25. Texas at #2 is led by Heisman hopeful Colt McCoy and an explosive offense. The Longhorns had little trouble scoring points last year, and that will once again be their strong suit. They won the "neutral location" game against Oklahoma last season, but were still squeezed from any BCS game scenarios. This season if they can again beat Oklahoma they will find themselves playing for the crystal football.

Oklahoma also brings back their starting quarterback, Heisman winner Sam Bradford. The dreamy-faced (not my description) senior decided he didn't want to play for the Detroit Lions and would rather face terrible Big 12 defenses. The Texas game is the pivotal point in the Sooners schedule as they face three teams ranked in the preseason top 25 following the rivalry game: Oct. 24 at #25 Kansas, Nov. 7 at #24 Nebraska and Nov. 28 vs. in-state rival Oklahoma State. The Sooners are talented enough to win all these games, but have been known to choke just when everyone thought they had blue skies ahead.

The rest of the conference is playing for third place. Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma State are all good teams, but this is the Big 2, Little 10 Conference and neither of these teams have the goods--like Texas Tech did last season--to upset the King and Queen (you decide who out of Texas-Oklahoma is the Queen). However, unlike some conferences (cough, Pac-10, cough, Big 10) the solid play up and down the conference will make for some entertaining college football games, much better than intramurals.

PATRA'S BIG-12 CHAMPS: Longhorns (11-1)

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J.DAVID'S REBUTTAL: Wow, Patra, I didn't know you had such a mancrush on Bradford. Something obviously touched you in a deep way to provide all the dancing and love metaphors we were just privy to. Getting back to football, I can't agree more with you about the Big 2 / Little 10. Texas and Oklahoma are the crème of the conference and just might be of all college football.

Now that McCoy shaved that poor excuse of a mustache, he is set to impress, and to lead the Longhorns through the Big 12 and into the National Championship game.Texas has too many weapons, and Oklahoma was decimated on the line and in the receiving core last year. Even though they have Mr. Heisman, Oklahoma won't have the skills around him to stay close to the Longhorns in the shootout that is the Red River Rivalry.

J.DAVID'S BIG-12 CHAMPS: Longhorns (12-0)

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SEC

J.DAVID: The Florida Gators will leave no doubt in anyone's mind that they are a cut above every team in the SEC, East or West. With every defensive starter returning for another go-around, the real question is if anyone will ever see the end zone against this vaunted defense. As if that isn't a big enough headache for opposing coaches, the Gators also have a Heisman Trophy winner of their own running the offense. However, you could grab a cheerleader (wait, let me finish) off the sideline and throw her out there as QB1 and the Gator offense would still post at least 30 points on the scoreboard. They have more weapons then Tank Johnson, and unlike Plaxico Burress they know how to use them. Sidenote: The LSU Tigers will win the SEC West and be given the opportunity to be destroyed for the second time in the season by the Gators, but this time it will be in the SEC Championship game.

J.DAVID'S SEC CHAMPS: East - Gators (12-0) , West - Tigers (10-2)

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KEVIN PATRA'S REBUTTAL: I hate agreeing with you, so I'm going to pimp Alabama as SEC Champ. Yes, I know they were wicked overrated all last season and got walloped by Utah in the Sugar Bowl, but they were young and have had another year under head coach Nick Saban. They also play in the easier West Division and their toughest game is Saturday's opener against Virginia Tech. Luckily for the Crimson Tide it's a non-league game, so even if they falter they still can win the division and have get the chance to knock off Florida for the SEC Title--got to love college football.

PATRA'S SEC CHAMPS: East - Gators (12-1), West - Crimson Tide (11-2) [Alabama hands Florida its only loss in SEC Championship game]

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Big Ten Conference

KEVIN PATRA: Oh how the "mighty" Big Ten has
fallen.  The old excuse for why they couldn't win bowl games
(specifically the Rose Bowl) was that it took a different sort of
smash-mouth football to win in the cold Midwest than the sunny
Southwest.  That excuse isn't very valid these days, as the most
prominent teams have moved away from the "Three yards and a cloud of
dust" mantra and into a spread-formation offenses.  Ohio State,
Michigan, Penn State, Northwestern, Purdue, etc. all moved to
spread-offense type sets.  Only Wisconsin and Michigan State still use
a blatant knock-em-down drag-em-out style, and even they are stealing
some sets from the spread style.

As sad as it is for the Big Ten and the rest of the country, Ohio
State still holds the reigns on this coal sleigh.  Terrell Pryor should
be much improved from last season, especially as a passer (let's be
honest, anything is better than throwing darts into the turf).  The
fate of the Buckeyes lies in his ability to carry his team after it
lost starting running back Beanie Wells to the NFL.   And while pundits
are making a big deal of USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley starting
at the Horseshoe in the second week of the season, he won't be facing
the same defense that Mark Sanchez dismantled last year.  The Buckeyes
lost James Laurinaitis, the heart and soul of their front seven, and
shutdown cornerback Malcolm Jenkins to the NFL. The Buckeyes will
retool, but they won't be the threat they were last season.

The trendy pick to upset the Buckeyes will undoubtedly be the Penn
State squad that got trounced last season in the Rose Bowl.  The
Nittney Lions bring back a solid core and have the personnel at the
skill positions to win the Big Ten crown (however small that crown has
shrunk the last several decades).

But I'm going to buck the obvious and trendy pick.  I'm taking
Michigan State to win the Big Ten.  Stop laughing, I'm serious.  Over
the last several years coach Mark Dantonio has whipped the chaps from
East Lansing into shape.  This season they are better off without Brian
Hoyer who finally graduated after four years of standing in the pocket
staring down receivers.  Both sophomore QBs Kirk Cousins and Keith
Nichol are upgrades talent wise.  The big loss to the Spartans is their
running back Javon Ringer who carried the load last year.  However the
offensive line is experienced (three senior starters) and the defense
is about as seasoned as any in the Big Ten.  Its also important to note
that the MSU does not play Ohio State, a team which they haven't beaten
seemingly since Kirk Gibson played for the Spartans.  Losses to Notre
Dame and Michigan are the only blemishes for Dantonio as he leads his
team to the Big-10 slaughterhouse known as the Rose Bowl.

PATRA'S BIG TEN CHAMP--Spartans (10-2)

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J.DAVID'S REBUTTAL: I was sure that Patra, the biggest homer
I know, would have blown smoke up all our asses and picked his
University of Michigan and claimed the controversy with Rich Rodriguez
would bring the Wolverines together to overcome the world.  However, he
only wavered 90 miles north to East Lansing and the Michigan State
Spartans.  The Spartans always find ways to underachieve and this
season will not disappoint as they stumble out of the gate with
consecutive losses to Wisconsin, Notre Dame and their big brother,
Michigan.

Ohio State and Penn State are the sexy picks for the Big-10 title,
but I believe the boys from Iowa will shock everyone and win the
conference.  Kirk Ferentz will coach up his guys right through their
brutal schedule that will take them to Penn State, to Wisconsin, to
Michigan State and to Ohio State.  The schedule doesn't get any worse
than that, but the Hawkeyes steal two wins from that group and run the
schedule to finish in sole possession of first.

J.DAVID'S BIG TEN CHAMP -- Hawkeyes (10-2)

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ACC

J.DAVID: Virginia
Tech has two things to be excited that: 1. Tyrod Taylor will make Hokie
fans forget about that new Philly quarterback, and 2. They only have
two challenging games on the schedule.

The Hokies have #5 Alabama at home to start the season.  However, an
early loss won't detract people from boarding the VaTech bandwagon as
mediocre victory after mediocre victory piles up from a schedule packed
full with subpar teams.  The only other questionable game will be when
the Hokies head to Atlanta to play Georgia Tech.

Frank Beamer will win one game because his amazing special teams
play, one game because his offensive strategy and the remaining games
because of his strong returning defense.

Other than the kick-off game pitting Virginia Tech against Alabama,
you might want to either move from ACC country or order ESPN GamePlan
because that is the only way you will see any good football this year.

J.DAVID'S ACC CHAMP -- Hokies (10-2)

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KEVIN PATRA'S REBUTTAL: First of all, I have
to address me being "the biggest homer I know," if that is true you
need to get out and meet some folks, son, I am far from a homer, except
that I pick the Lions to win the Super Bowl every year--have to be
right once.

Second, do you just open up the AP Top 25 and pick the first team
from that division?  I trust Frank Beamer about as much as I trust a
prostitute not to give me herpes.  Remember, this is the guy who last season redshirted Taylor
so he could play Sean Glennon.  Then he realized how dumb that was and
took the redshirt off after they lost to East Carolina to start the
season.

My gut tells me to hate Florida State, because their fans are
annoying (even if the females are attractive) and their lineup is
wicked young.  But my heart is saying to go with them.  The last few
years Penn State has re-emerged, led by assistants of an old coach. 
Well, now it's the Seminoles who will make the return to championship
form and be selected to either get slaughtered by a good BCS team or
play an unwatched, no-one-cares game against a non-BCS school.

KEVIN PATRA'S ACC CHAMP -- Seminoles (9-3)

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Big East Conference

KEVIN PATRA: Last
and certainly least is the "Big" East.  Outside of the locker room
there is nothing big about these teams. I'm not sure what J.David is
going to do since no team is in the Top 25.  But I have to stick with
Cincinnati.  Head coach Brian Kelly has brought tough play and a
different attitude to the Bearcats' program.  Cincinnati had been able
to get talent before (lower grade requirements, etc.) but could never
seem to keep it together.  Kelly has solidified the team and brought a
toughness the Bearcats lacked prior.  However, Cincinnati is going
through some major changes on defense both in personnel and
philosophically.  In the offseason, Kelly fired his former defensive
coordinator, Joe Tresey, so he could install a 3-4 defense with new
coach Bobby Diaco.  The changes on offense won't be nearly as jolting
as senior Tony Pike solidified his place as offensive leader last
season and has a group of veteran receivers and running backs around
him.

The rest of the Big East is about as forgettable as a one-night
stand with an overweight chick that you could have sworn was 40-pounds
lighter the night before.

West Virginia will struggle to adapt after losing Pat White.  Pitt
always seems to wallow in mediocrity.  Louisville doesn't have a
quarterback.  And Syracuse is starting a basketball player as its starting QB.
Is there any chance we could move Boise State, Utah and BYU into the
Big East for this season, just so we can watch some decent team?

KEVIN PATRA'S BIG EAST CHAMP -- Bearcats (9-3)

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J.DAVID'S REBUTTAL: First things first, let me address these
heinous accusations of front running with a little something journalist
call: "the truth."  Out of the six conferences (with a potential seven
front-running picks due to the SEC East and West), yours truly picked
three teams who were ranked the highest in the polls to win their
respected conferences.  Whereas, Mr. Patra picked four.  I don't know
how Patra did it, but somehow he became the biggest front-runner while
maintaining his standard of being a complete homer.  Now that, my
friend, deserves an award!

Now that that is out of the way, we can get back to football ... except now we are talking about the Big East.

If there were a way to have no one win this conference, I would pick
that.  This conference is jammed packed from bottom to the very bottom
with less than mediocre teams.  No matter who raises their ugly head
from this conference to play in a coveted BCS Bowl, I will be able to
name at least 30 teams more deserving, including some Pop Warner teams.

Honestly, I didn't read your prediction because I was so bored with
this conference, so I agree with whomever you picked but for totally
different reasons.

J.DAVID'S BIG EAST CHAMP - Whatever Patra Picked (8-4)

* * * * * *

Now that we have selected who will win each conference there are several other topics that must be covered:

Most likely to bust the BCS:

KEVIN PATRA:

First I have to address your lie that I picked more front runners.  You
aren't employing journalism, that is more like Michael Rosenbergian
principals of skewing journalistic facts.  Of the six conferences I
have ony USC and Texas as front runners winning their conferences.  You
have Texas, Florida and Virginia Tech, and pussied out on both the
Pac-10 and Big East.   Your stat-skewing idea of splitting the SEC in
two claiming claiming I "picked" Florida and Alabama as front runners
giving me four is stat skewing at its finest.  The fact is I have
Alabama winning the conference and for the BCS that is all that
matters, we were picking conferences, not divisions.  It's such weak
sauce to make the SEC two separate portions just so my count comes out
higher that I can't begin to fathom how that is journalism.  The truth,
if you want it, is that of the four conferences (not divisions, my
friend) you actually picked a winner in, three of them are preseason favorites.  'Nuff said.

....on to the real prediction...

Boise State - I realize they just played last night (but I'm writing
this prior to the game) and my prediction might be moot by that point. 
*[UPDATE]With the Broncos win my prediction stands firm, and proves
that the Ducks are cheapshot bastards--after LaGarret Blount punched an
opponent. [END UPDATE] But the Broncos schedule is a cupcake and they
could walk to an undefeated season, which will put them in a position
to be assured a BCS Bowl.  Let's just hope that it's as exciting as the
last time the Broncos Statue of Libertied their way past Oklahoma.

J.DAVID: BYU - Yes, I said it.  And mark it down, the Cougars
will beat the Oklahoma Sooners giving the BYU program some "Big Love"
(see how I did that with the whole Mormon HBO mega-hit show .... Huh?
Huh? Nice!)  After shocking the Sooners their schedule gets fairly tame
with the only potential hiccup being a September 19th meeting with once
powerhouse, Florida State.  The Cougars will run the table from there
and will gain legitimacy every time Oklahoma wins.

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BCS Championship:

KEVIN PATRA: Texas vs. USC -- With Alabama knocking off
Florida again the country won't get to see the two best teams play
(Texas & Florida) in the BCS Championship game.  USC is the defacto
opponent for Texas, as the other conferences aren't nearly up to
snuff.  Unfortunately for Trojan fans they made the Championship in the
wrong years.  The USC defense isn't good enough to slow the Longhorn
potent offense and a shootout will ensue, which will play right into
Texas's hands.

J.DAVID: Florida vs. Texas - The country will get to see the
two best teams play for the National Championship causing the BCS
apologists to thumb their noses at the sane sporting community that
nags for a playoff system.  And for what it is worth, the game will go
down as the best championship game in BCS history ... even better than
the last Longhorn title.

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Heisman winner:

KEVIN PATRA: Colt McCoy. Yes Sir! McCoy brushes off the curse
of the Heisman to win both the most coveted individual prize in sports
and the BCS Championship.  McCoy will put up the stats against poor Big
12 defenses and will have the wins and seasoning to be everything that
voters look for in a candidate.

J.DAVID: Max Hall.  If you don't know him now, you will.  The
red-shirt Junior quarterback from BYU will burst on to the scene when
he outplays last year's Heisman Trophy winner, Sam Bradford, in their
week one showdown.  Last year, Hall threw for just under 4000 yards
passing with a 69 percent completion rate.  He had 35 touchdowns with
14 interceptions.  This year, look for Hall to eclipse the 5000-yard
total and the 50-touchdown mark giving Heisman voters an easy decision.