2009 BCS Bowl Games Predictions

This year all of the BCS bowl games look good with Ohio State vs. Oregon, Florida vs. Cinncinati, Boise State vs. TCU, Georgia Tech vs. Iowa, and the title game, Alabama vs. Texas. It should be a great holiday with lots of great bowl games.

Rose Bowl - “The Granddaddy of them All,” the Rose Bowl with Ohio State and Oregon should be a great one with teams that are ranked number seven and eight. Ohio State does not have good history in bowl games in the past few years, losing to Florida and LSU in the title game and Texas in the Fiesta Bowl last year. I think Oregon will be pumped up to get national spotlight for the first time. They haven’t had a chance before because USC has dominated the Pac-10 and therefore, gotten to go to the Rose Bowl the past few years.

My Prediction - Ohio State

Sugar Bowl - The Sugar Bowl in New Orleans will be Tim Tebow’s final game at Florida, and the undefeated Cincinnati Bearcats will be playing without their Head Coach, Brian Kelly. Kelly will be going to Notre Dame after this season. The Bearcats want to spoil Tebow’s final game. However, Tebow wants to leave Florida as a number one draft pick candidate. I think Tebow will cry when the game is over because I think he believes Florida has been his best experience of his life so far.

My Prediction – Florida

Fiesta Bowl - This year’s Fiesta Bowl looks to be a good one. Two undefeated team from non-BCS qualifying conferences going head to head should be a great matchup. Boise State from the WAC and TCU from the Mountain West, both undefeated, could be a high scoring game. However, I think the TCU defense is great and may be able to stop the Boise offense.

My Prediction – TCU

Orange Bowl – The Orange Bowl features teams ranked number nine and ten with Georgia Tech and Iowa. I think Iowa only made a bowl game because they beat Penn State and played Ohio State close. I think Penn State would have made this bowl if they had beaten Iowa. I think Penn State should be going to this game because they played two teams that are going to BCS games, and Iowa only played one. I think Georgia Tech will win in a landslide.

My Prediction – Georgia Tech

National Championship – I think the National Championship will be one of the best ever with two players who were Heisman candidates – one, the winner, Colt McCoy and Mark Ingram. There is a curse with the past few Heisman winners that they lost their bowl game. I think after Texas’ close calls vs. Texas A&M and Nebraska and Alabama’s big win over Florida that Bama will be fired up. I think Ingram will have a big game and stop the curse helping Alabama bring a trophy back to Tuscaloosa.

My Prediction - Alabama

The Decade in Sports

This decade in sports has been one for the record books. There have been a few close Super Bowls and Final Fours. There have been lots of great athletes and teams over the years. In this article I will tell you what I think of this decade in sports.

In the NFL Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLIII were amazing. The one thing that stood out to me is that the Giants and the Cardinals were not predicted to have a shot in the Super Bowl but both of the teams played it close vs. teams that were better than them in the Patriots and the Steelers. I think it is amazing that David Tyree caught that jump ball on his helmet in Super Bowl XLII. I think that or Santonio Holmes’ touchdown on the edge of the out of bounds line would have to be the play of the decade. I think both were unbelievable but I think David Tyree’s catch would have to be the play of the decade. That guy must have put bubble gum on the top of his helmet so he could catch that ball. I think the player of the decade in the NFL would have to be Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. I know Brady has three rings and Peyton only has one, but Peyton has three league MVPs and a Super Bowl MVP. I think Peyton Manning has been unbelievable this decade, and he has led the Colts to a Super Bowl and is trying to lead them to a 19 and 0 season this year. I think he would be the player of the decade in the NFL.

In the MLB it has been a decent decade. The Yankees won their 27^th World Series, the Phillies almost went back to back, Manny got traded, and Barry Bonds broke Hank Aarons home run record, but then we found out he took steroids, then A-Rod, then Ortiz, and then Manny. So steroids have kind of ruled the decade. Tim Lincecum won back-to-back NL Cy Youngs and Albert Pujols won back-to-back NL MVPs.

In the NBA, the Lakers have been to 6 NBA Finals and won 4 this decade. They have really ruled this decade with Kobe Bryant and Shaq. With these two superstars, they won back to back to back to back Championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002. I think either Kobe or Lebron would have to be the player of the decade, and the franchise of the decade would have to be the Lakers. With Lebron playing for the Cavs, they are in the running for an NBA Championship every year, but they have always come just short so I give my franchise of the decade award to the Lakers.

I would have to say the decade in hockey was not the best. The Red Wings and the Penguins are really the only teams that get the talk when the season starts. They have won three together and with no 2004-05 season there hasn’t really been anything to talk about. There was no final second Stanley Cup winner like there has been in the Super Bowl the past two years, and with the season being so long not a lot of people follow the NHL until the playoff races heat up. I think with Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin the sport has become more popular but it still has a long way to go before it becomes what the NFL or College Football is right now.

College Football is one of the most popular sports. I think that is because so many people love the sport of football and when it involves where they went to school, fans get excited. They can get together with their college friends in the fall and enjoy a college football game. The students go to every single game at home. For them it is a great thing to do on a Saturday, and they get to see their friends. I think the rivalry games like Texas vs. Oklahoma or Ohio State vs. Michigan have brought so much attention to this game. The fact that these players are trying to show that they have what it takes to play pro football is what is so exciting. I think the fans and the history make this game what it is today.

College Basketball is known for the UNC vs. Duke rivalry. There is so much on the line. The fans at these schools show up for every game no matter if it is UNC vs. Duke or some division three teams. Fans watch or go to every game they can, and that is why this game is what it is. Not the teams and not the scores but the fans. In college athletics, like I said for football, it’s all about the fans for basketball as well. This game would be nothing without fans.

Male Athlete of Decade - Peyton Manning

Female Athlete of Decade – Serena Williams

Franchise of Decade – Lakers

Coach of Decade – Roy Williams

College Athlete of Decade- Tyler Hansbrough

NFC Playoff Predictions

1. I put the Saints at number one in the NFC because they have pretty much wrapped up their division but are going into a tough one vs. the Patriots. I think they could go all the way but if Brees gets hurt they will not be the number one seed.

2. I put Favre and the Vikings at number two. I think they are the best team in the NFC North. We all thought it would be the Bears, but after Favre came back, we knew it would be a great pair. Number 4 and Peterson could win it all.

3. I put Cowboys at number three because Romo has gotten hot, and Miles Austin had another big game vs. the Raiders on Turkey

Day. Roy Williams had a touchdown in that game, too. I think the Cowboys could make a run in the playoffs this year. The NFC East is a very tough division this year. The Cowboys, the Eagles, and the Giants could all make the playoffs this year.

4. I put the Cardinals at number four because the Cardinals are in what I think is the weakest division in football. They pretty much have control of the division. Warner needs to stay healthy because this team has a pretty unreliable backup in Matt Leinart. With Vince Young coming back and playing well, and Cutler having a pretty good career, all eyes will be on Leinart if he gets to play this weekend because of Warner’s concussion.

5. I have the Eagles at number five because I think the Cowboys will win the division, but I think the Eagles will make it a close race in the end. I think the Eagles have a great team with lots of experience. If Westbrook can get healthy and stay healthy then they will have a great chance to make a run. If they don’t have Westbrook, they could run the Wildcat with Vick. They have a great backup in LeSean McCoy and have great receivers with DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

6. I put the Giants at number six because I think they have a great team, and like I said, I think three of the four NFC East teams would make the playoffs. I think this team can make a strong run in the playoffs, but I think it will be a tough road fighting their way into the playoffs. It could go down to the last week of the regular season. I think this team has a lot of talent at all positions. The defense needs to step it up.

AFC Playoff Predictions

1. In the AFC I picked the Colts to be the number one seed because they have pretty much clinched their division. The Titans are not going to win it; the Jags have a pretty tough schedule, and the Texans might get a Wild Card but not win it.

2. I picked the Patriots as the number two seed because they almost beat the Colts and are a strong team in a weak division with the Bills, the Dolphins, and the Jets. Also, they have Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker. They might lose to the Saints this weekend.

3. I picked the Chargers as the number three team because the only way they will not win the division would be the Broncos, and they are not hot right now. Even if the Broncos win the division they will get the Wild Card. In their division they have the Chiefs and the Raiders.

4. I have the Bengals at number four because they swept the defending Super Bowl champs, the Steelers, as well as the Ravens. They have the Browns in their division. The only team that can stop them are the Steelers.

5. I put the Steelers at number five because the only chance they will get higher is if the Bengals get in a slump. I think the Steelers would be happy with this after losing to the Bears, the Bengals twice, and the Chiefs.

6. I put the Broncos as the last seed because the Chargers are hot right now, and the Broncos have lost a few that they needed to win. I think they will get hot, make the playoffs and maybe make a run like the Cardinals did last year.

The Story of Michael Oher: The Blind Side

Michael Oher was born on May 28, 1986 in Memphis, Tennessee. He is an offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. A quarterback is normally the highest paid player on an NFL team, but the left tackle is second. An offensive line’s job is to protect the quarterback. The left tackle’s job is to protect the quarterback’s blind side. Michael Oher grew up in a bad part of Memphis with his mom. She was having a hard time with drugs. She didn’t want Michael to see them and think it was ok to take them. Michael went to a public school in Memphis his freshman and sophomore years of high school. He didn’t play his sophomore year and wouldn’t return to the field until his junior year at Briarcrest Christian School. After his sophomore year the Tuohy family adopted him. The Tuohy family had two kids already. He had a great athletic career in high school and was recruited by Tennessee, South Carolina, LSU, Alabama, and his family’s alma mater, Ole Miss, but his grades were not high enough to get in to any of the schools. He needed a 2.52 but had a 0.6 grade point average. He worked his grade point average up to 2.52 and accepted a scholarship to Ole Miss. He declared he would go to the 2008 NFL Draft but two days after he dropped out so he could come back for his senior year at Ole Miss. He went into the 2009 NFL Draft, and with the 23^rd pick, the Baltimore Ravens selected Michael. The Tuohys were there to celebrate with Michael. He started the NFL season out at right tackle then switched to left tackle because of an injury. Later he switched back to right tackle. Michael has started every game this season. Michael is listed at 6 foot 4 inches and 310 pounds. The Blind Side: Evolution of the Game is a book by Michael Lewis and the film, The Blind Side, starring Sandra Bullock, came out November 20, 2009. In my words it is the most inspirational movie. The message is so great. It was the best sports movie I have ever seen.

If any of you have seen this inspirational film, let me know your thoughts about it and the positive message that someone can overcome a bad past and go on to live a great life. I encourage you to go see this movie if you have not seen it yet or to read the book.

2009 SEC Football Championship Preview

The 2009 SEC Championship will be held on December 5 in the Georgia Dome. It will be a rematch of last year’s game. Top ranked Florida will take on the third ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Last year it was close, but Florida took it away. Because of the win Florida went to the National Championship. I think the same thing will happen this year. The game will be a close one, and the winner will ultimately go to the National Championship. Alabama will play a great game, and it will come down to the wire. In the end, I think Tebow will pull another miracle out of his hat, or should I say, his helmet. I think Texas will win the Big 12 Championship and go on to play Florida for the National Championship. I think Florida will win that matchup because Tim Tebow will play a great game, and his leadership will bring Coach Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators another championship back to Gainesville.

My Prediction: Florida wins 30 to 20 in SEC Championship

My Prediction: Florida wins 27 to 17 in National Championship

Fantasy Football

Fantasy football is an online community of football fans. The fantasy football season goes on during the NFL season. During fantasy football, you focus on the individuals, not the team. What I’m trying to say is you can have a team that loses but a player on that team who has a great game can contribute to your fantasy team winning. For example, in week 2 the Titans were playing the Houston Texans, and Chris Johnson had a huge game, but the Titans still lost. In my league, Johnson had 45 points for my friend’s team. Does that show you that fantasy football is about the individuals? The first step to fantasy football is the draft. Most people have a list of the top players they want. The draft is the main day of fantasy football. You gather with your league and pick the players you want. It is just like the NFL Draft except with veterans. You usually draft the first person on your list. When the draft is over you wait for the NFL season to start. Any player who was not drafted is a free agent. You can pick up free agents, but you have to a drop a player from your team. It is always surprising who you can find as a free agent. When it is time to start the NFL season, you set your lineup of players. After that you sit back, relax and watch them play. Every week you can change your lineup if a player is injured or has a bye. In fantasy football the regular season lasts 14 weeks. At the end of the regular season, the top 4 teams in your league go to the playoffs. The playoffs start in week 15 and last for two weeks. At the end, the team who wins all of their games in the playoffs is crowned the champion. And it all starts over again next season! Tell me your opinions and all about your experiences with fantasy football.

2009-2010 Kansas Jayhawks Breakdown

Kansas has a few tough games this year including Nov. 17 vs. Memphis (at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis), Dec. 6 at UCLA, Dec 19 vs. Michigan, Dec. 22 vs. Cal., Jan. 10 at Tennessee, Feb. 8 at Texas, Feb. 22 vs. Oklahoma, Feb. 27 at Oklahoma State, and Mar. 6 at Missouri. Good news is they are still the number 1 team in many people’s minds. The Jayhawks are always unpredictable. After they won the National Championship in 2008 they made it back to the Sweet 16. They brought back stars Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich. Freshman Xavier Henry looks to help the two stars to another championship. It will be a tough road to Indy but in my mind Kansas can do so with a team of stars.

2009 -2010 North Carolina Tar Heels Breakdown

The 2009-2010 season will be a down year for the ACC. I say this because they don’t have the star players they had last year. National Champions UNC lost NBA rookies Tyler Hansbrough, Danny Green, Wayne Ellington, and Ty Lawson. It will be very hard for them to defend their title. Arch rival Duke lost Greg Paulus, the new Syracuse quarterback, and Gerald Henderson to the NBA. I still think UNC has a chance of making it to the Final Four. I say this because North Carolina had the best recruiting class in the nation. They brought in guard Dexter Strickland to help sophomore Larry Drew Jr. bring the ball up the court replacing Lawson. To replace Hansbrough, they brought in twins David and Travis Wear and top recruit John Henson to help sophomore forwards Tyler Zeller and Ed Davis. Redshirt senior Marcus Ginyard and the big man Deon Thompson look to help lead this team of little youngsters to the Final Four in Indianapolis. This is much like the 2006 season after the Heels won the ‘05 title and came back the next year without stars Sean May, Rashad McCants, and Raymond Felton.