As September Draws to a Close.

It has been an amazing an unpredictable college football season so far.  Here is my impression of where the state's teams will finish.

Utah Utes (3-1)

In looking back on Utah's season, normally you would be impressed if your team has wins over Fresno State and Michigan.  However, both the Bulldogs and the Wolverines are having sub-par seasons in 2014 and after 5 weeks and those wins don't look so impressive right now.  Saying this, I had Utah at least beating Washington State, Arizona and Colorado to get into the post-season this year.  Now, after the Washington State loss, I am not so sure that will happen. 

But don't give up on the Utes just yet.   Someone is going to look past the Utes, just like Stanford did last year.  I don't know who that will be, but someone will.  For the record, Utah's defense is great.  Their Special Teams are Special.  But the offense needs work.

Predicted finish:
worst case: 5-7
best case: 7-5

Probable wins...
Arizona
Colorado

Probable losses
UCLA
USC
Oregon
Stanford

Toss-up
Oregon State
Arizona State

MVP So Far: PR Kaelin Clay

BYU Cougars

A Deseret News article states that the unbeaten Cougars are on Red Alert.  That may not be a good thing.  You know what happens when a team plays not to lose?  Usually they don't win.  Yes, there are some mistakes that BYU needs to clean up, especially on defense.  Utah State or Boise State or Nevada or Central Florida or California could do what Virginia and Houston could not finish.

There is no reason why BYU can't finish the season undefeated.  The real question is whether or not an unbeaten season will impress the playoff committee.  BYU's offense is performing as predicted.  Taysom Hill is not a great throwing quarterback, but can punish defenses with his arm when it is necessary.  And if it wasn't for special teams play, Virginia would have won.  They will need that going forward.

Predicted Finsish
Best Case: 12-0
Worst Case: 10-2

Probable Wins:
Utah State
Central Florida
Nevada
Boise State
Middle Tennessee
UNLV
Savannah State

Toss Up:

California

MVP So Far: QB Taysom Hill

Utah State Aggies (2-2)

I am not one to be down on the Aggies after the loss to Arkansas State.  When one progresses forward, there are bound to be steps backward from time to time.  Certainly, the Aggies need a healthy Chuckie Keeton to win the MW, but they are still in the race.

The Vigil Brothers anchor a solid defense, and USU should give some teams, especially running team, some headaches before the year is over.

Predicted Finsish
Worst Case: 8-4
Best Case: 9-3

Probable Wins
Air Force
UNLV
Hawaii
Wyoming
New Mexico
San Jose State
Boise State

Probable Losses
BYU

Toss Up

Colorado State

MVP So Far: LBs Nick and Zach Vigil

Weber State Wildcats (0-5)

They say that Rome wasn't built in a day.  Even if a team seems like they have improved, there may be similar results at the end of the season.  There are winnable games on the Wildcats schedule.  They may not be until the end of the season.  It will take some patience to get there.  However, if they take care of the ball, we may see positive results sooner rather than later.

As a positive, Bill Green is looking like a good choice for Weber State at quarterback.  Sooner or later, it will pay off.  If they continue to improve, 2015 may see WSU return to their winning ways.

Predicted Finish
Best Case 4-8
Worst Case 3-9

Probable Wins
North Dakota
Northern Colorado
Idaho State

Probable Losses
Cal Poly
Montana State
Northern Arizona

Toss Up
Portland State

MVP So Far: WR Shaydon Kehano

Southern Utah Thunderbirds (1-4)

People were predicting another big season when Gary Crowton came to Cedar City to run the offense.  But it could have been a move of a desperate man trying to resurrect his career.  Last season wasn't about how awesome the offense was.  They were a punt and play defense team.  And if their result isn't as good in 2014, it is because they have gotten away from that mantra.  They held Nevada to 28 points.  That kind of defense will help them win more than 3 Big Sky games this year.

Predicted Finish
Best Case 4-8
Worst Case 3-9

Probable Wins
Idaho State
North Dakota

Probable Losses
Cal Poly
Montana
Northern Arizona

Toss Up
Sacramento State

MVP So Far: QB Ammon Olsen

Power Rankings

Pac-12

1. Oregon
2. Stanford
3. UCLA
4. USC
5. Washington
6. Arizona State
7. Oregon State
8. Arizona
9. Washington State
10. Utah
11. California
12. Colorado

MVP So Far: Oregon QB Marcus Mariota

FBS Independent

1. Notre Dame
2. BYU
3. Navy
4. Army

MVP So Far: BYU QB Taysom Hill

MWC

1.  Colorado State
2.  Nevada
3.  Utah State
4.  Boise State
5.  San Diego State
6.  Air Force
7.  Wyoming
8.  Fresno State
9.  San Jose State
10.  Hawaii
11. New Mexico
12. UNLV

MVP So Far: Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson

Big Sky

1.  Eastern Washington
2.  Montana
3.  Montana State
4.  Cal Poly
5.  Northern Arizona
6.  Davis
7.  Portland State
8.  Sacramento State
9.  Southern Utah
10. Idaho State
11. Weber State
12. North Dakota
13. Northern Colorado

MPV So Far: Eastern Washington QB Vernon Adams