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There have been NCAA sanctions and investigations, conference realignments, players suspended and denied waivers, plus a school going independent–and veiled threats of more to follow.

This all leads me to believe that the power structures currently governing college football–the conferences and the NCAA–are living on borrowed time.

BYU is now independent.  Conferences are being shook loose from their moorings, with the Big 12 getting scavenged, the WAC and MWC decimated and the Big Ten splitting traditional rivals Ohio State and Michigan into opposing divisions.

It seems everyone wants a TV network and/or a conference championship game at the end of the season.  Network coverage of college football looks to be on its last legs.  The slide toward a de facto playoff appears inevitable.

Meanwhile, the NCAA’s corrupt and cynical nature is being exposed on a daily basis.  Its ticket scandals, conflicts of interest and blatant disregard for its own rules and bylaws has opened the eyes of many a fan, coach and university president.

What’s bound to happen is that, one day, the major schools currently making most of the money–I’m talking Oklahoma, Texas, USC, Notre Dame, Florida, Alabama, etc.–are going to band together and decide that they don’t need the NCAA, or the conferences.  They’ll go independent and form their own coalition, with their own rules.  And what can the NCAA do about that?  Nothing.

I think that however it all shakes down–and it will take some time–we’ll look back on the summer of 2010 as the year the cracks in the NCAA edifice started to show.  It’s no coincidence, by the way, that this all happened concurrently with the Great Recession (Depression?), with financial pressures and worry over future revenue governing these very sudden moves.

This may be one of the last college football seasons to still hearken back to the old traditions.  Enjoy it while you can.

Utah (-3) vs. Pitt–I think the Utes will be clicking from the get-go on offense while Pitt will be getting used to life without Bill Stull.  Solid win for Utah.

Utah 28, Pitt 17

USC (-21) at Hawaii–USC is just too talented for Hawaii and Lane Kiffin will use the opportunity to run up the score as much as possible.

USC 62, Hawaii 24

Connecticut (+3) at Michigan–Not convinced Michigan’s defense is ready for the Huskies.  The Wolverines have a new quarterback, but I think this is a tough open for him.

Connecticut 24, Michigan 20

Kansas State (-1.5) vs. UCLA–This should be a plodding defensive and special teams struggle.  In the end, I think the running of Daniel Thomas will wear down the Bruins.

KSU 21, UCLA 10

Washington (+2) at BYU–Steve Sarkisian should have no problem preparing his charges for the Provo setting.  The Huskies behind Jake Locker get revenge for the loss a couple years ago.

Washington 31, BYU 21

Oregon State (+13.5) at TCU–The Beavers struggle a bit as Ryan Katz starts slow.  He warms up in the second half and makes this one respectable.

TCU 34, Oregon State 24

LSU (-5) vs. North Carolina–The Tar Heels are crippled by suspension and not even Les Miles is dumb enough to mess this up.

LSU 19, North Carolina 10

Cincinnati (+2.5) at Fresno State–The Bearcats pick up right where they left off last year and roll over the Bulldogs.

Cincinnati 42, Fresno State 21

Navy (-6) vs. Maryland–The Middies roll up over 400 yards rushing and win this one going away.

Navy 27, Maryland 10

Virginia Tech (+2) vs. Boise State–The game everyone is wondering about.  Can Boise finally beat one of the big boys?  Not quite yet.  Hokies eke it out in a classic.

Virginia Tech 34, Boise State 31

Defensive Tackle

First Team: Jared Crick, Nebraska; Jurrell Casey, USC

Second Team: Jurrelle Powe, Ole Miss; Stephen Paea, Oregon State

Third Team: Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson; Drake Nevis, LSU

Honorable Mention: Karl Klug, Ian Williams, Ollie Ogbu, Lawrence Guy, Anthony Gray

Defensive Ends

First Team: Sam Acho, Texas; Robert Quinn, North Carolina

Second Team: Adrian Clayborn, Iowa; Allen Bailey, Miami

Third Team: Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma; Von Miller, Texas A&M

Honorable Mention: Da’Quan Bowers, Cameron Heyward, Marcell Dareus, Kenny Rowe, Cameron Jordan

Outside Linebackers

First Team: Akeem Ayers, UCLA; Mark Herzlich, Boston College

Second Team: Bruce Carter, North Carolina; Travis Lewis, Oklahoma

Third Team: Ross Homan, Ohio State; Malcolm Smith, USC

Honorable Mention: Emmanuel Acho, Nigel Bradham, Lawrence Wilson, Craig Stevens, Sean Spence

Middle Linebackers

First Team: Greg Jones, Michigan State

Second Team: Tank Cardner, TCU

Third Team: Nate Irvin, NC State

Honorable Mention: Shane Skov, Quan Sturdivant, Martez Wilson, Brian Rolle, Dont’a Hightower

Cornerbacks

First Team: Patrick Peterson, LSU; Brandon Harris, Miami

Second Team: Prince Amukamara, Nebraska; Ras-I Dowling, Virginia

Third Team: Curtis Brown, Texas; Janoris Jenkins, Florida

Honorable Mention: Trevin Wade, Rashad Carmichael, Kendric Burney, Aaron Williams

Safeties

First Team: Rahim Moore, UCLA; Tyler Sash, Iowa

Second Team: Deunta Williams, North Carolina; Mark Barron, Alabama

Third Team: Robert Sands, West Virginia; Ahmad Black, Florida

Honorable Mention: DeAndre McDaniel, Jermale Hines, Duke Ihenacho, Blake Gideon

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