The BCS Is The Best Thing To Happen To College Football. Ever.

To mark my return (or whatever) to this webspace, I'll be doing what bloggers do best: complain about things that bug them to whoever will listen. I've already tackled Brett Favre's return to the NFL, and my disgust over how it is viewed by many, and now, I take a look at the BCS.

National consensus is that the BCS is dumb, it gives us an unworthy champion, and that a playoff is the only logical way to decide a champion. Hell, even Congress has been throwing in their two cents. The argument against a playoff usually boils down to a tradition based argument, that the bowl system is too ingrained in the culture to be challenged or changed.

Both positions are, to be put lightly, bullshit.

The BCS is the natural evolution of the long-held bowl system, a marriage of human opinions (some of which suck badly) and computers (which do pretty good, despite my inherent distrust) (seriously, watch that video, and try to sleep tonight. Slap some basic targeting systems and a minigun on that thing, and good luck kids. Wait, where was I?). What more can you really ask for out of a system? It takes what worked in the past (polling) and utilizes available technology (moreso than baseball) to give the best match up. The best evidence?

Of the 12 games that have crowned a national champ in the BCS era, 6 have involved SEC teams.

Personal bias aside, 5 of those SEC teams won the game (and Alabama is favored by 4.5), and I think the results speak for themselves. People point to years like this, and say this is definitive need for a playoff. Why? How would you decide who gets in and who gets Boise Stated? You're left in the same place, but at the cost of other bowls.

But Daniel, the other bowls don't matter anyway!

Tell that to the UConn team that overcame the heartbreaking death of a teammate to get to play on January 2nd or to Joey Harrington who parlayed one good bowl game into a career that went way too long. These bowls matter to most teams, as the opportunity to be nationally televised is a recruiting boost, allowing a program to be seen by potential recruits all over the country. Sure, there is the occasional team that couldn't care about the game, and mails it in (see Alabama, 2009 Sugar Bowl), but for the majority of teams, these games are paid advertisements, and a good performance matters. Plus, for certain other players who just won't go away, this is a great chance to make an impression on NFL front office people who will decide your fate come Draft Day.

But you know what the best thing about the BCS and the bowl system is? Better than the opportunity to end your season with a win? Better than showing the country (or other countries) your school exists? Better than getting a large contract? It creates more discourse, more arguments, and more passion than anything else in sports. The controversy alone has propelled NCAA Football into that rarefied air, usually reserved for the Shield and nothing else. Even the National Football League (what up Gruden!) has to marvel at college football's ability to capture hearts and minds year round (and if you think the NFL doesn't benefit, you're NUTS). I was debating this point with someone this past summer, and they argued what the whole benefit of the BCS is to the fan, what makes it attractive to those of us who want a definitive answer, what does it offer us?

We were arguing about college football at a wedding in June. What more do you want?

I'm returning to the blog by discussing the weird happenings over the 3 months I've been away. NFL and NCAA Football are done, NBA, you're next.

Mid-Range Jumpers

The Association, save me!

That would be melodramatic if it wasn't so true. Armed with only a surprisingly engaging US Open and a historic Wimbledon Final, I've been held sports-hostage by the ooooh soooo looong baseball season. While the Braves stumble to another .500 record (more on that later), I thought it was time to dust off America's favorite, rarely updated blog format, where we celebrate the lost art of the Mid-Range Jumper.

Lot's of stuff on the plate today, and surprise, surprise, it's heavy on the NBA, NFL and college football, but I'm trying to branch out. Bear with me.

• Let's start close to home re: free agency...so, we bring in Jamal Crawford, bring back Bibby, and are trying to keep Marvin. Does the front office not remember what happened when we tried the all-swing man team a few years back? Do they plan on talking Marvin into coming off the bench? Will he stand for it? Will the fan base? Wait, a basketball fan base in Atlanta? STAY TUNED!
• At least the Pistons didn't mortgage their future by locking up two mid-level guys for long, expensive contracts in a year where the cap went down for the second time in league history and right before the biggest drop ever next year. Wait, they did that? Oh, and I hope the Rip Hamilton period was good for the fans because he is G-O-N-E. Probably to Atlanta, so we can have more swing men.
• Chad Johnson (I refuse to acknowledge that ridiculous last name he's adopted) apparently wants to tweet on the sideline. When it's this easy, it almost isn't fun.
• AMAZING show put on by Roddick and Federer last weekend...if Tennis could routinely put on shows like that, they would do more than suck in all us hung over people on the occasional Sunday mornings.
• Dallas Mavericks are apparently convinced that this is the year 2001, and Jason Kidd deserves a 3 year deal. Mark Cuban is routinely touted for his intelligent business decisions, so I guess every other point guard on Earth will die of some unknown ball-handling disease in the next 3 years, and Kidd will survive it. Those Mavs are so savvy.
• Take that last bullet, change Dallas Mavericks to Orlando Magic, change Jason Kidd to Vince Carter, and change point guard to swing man. Wait, if that were to really happen, would the Hawks trot out Bibby, Horford, and Zaza?
• I don't want to hear a word about Andruw Jones hitting three home runs in his three first at bats this year. I just don't. After the vanishing act in LA last year, his career is forever tarnished.
• Rasheed Wallace to the Celtics would never have happened if Big Poppa Stern still wielded his power judiciously.
• Did you know the WNBA is still around? And that Atlanta has a team? And they are called the Dream? And that none of that is made up? (I haven't made a WNBA joke in months, and don't forget, they got NEXT!)
• Sports prediction: Tiger wins everything by 2012, forces white folks to quit golf and solidify hold on hockey...for now.
• If AI ends up in Memphis with OJ Mayo, then there will be a dearth of basketballs in the state of Tennessee...a dearth I say!
• Hey Lake-Show, way to follow up a title with downgrading defensively from Ariza to Ron-Ron...he is old.
• Speaking of the Rockets (I wasn't talking about them, but about a player who just left them...whatever), I feel legitimately bad for the entire front office for the way McGrady and Yao have turned out...but it's still really, really funny.
• Shaq and Penny. Shaq and Kobe. Shaq and Wade. Shaq and LeBron. One of these will not work. Three of these already happened.

If the WNBA was playing in my very own back yard, I would close the blinds. (I gotta be me!)

Whoops...

Well, that didn't go as planned. My bracket didn't exactly hold up under the rigors of, well, actual basketball.

But, I am willing to admit when I'm wrong, and I have to tip my cap to Brandon Bowser, winner of the second annual OLASB Bracket Challenge. That's right, King of the Koopas knows more than just how to run spot routes (42 yards on the hash [Rashad Biggers edit: Don't drift!!!] ), he actually knows his sports too, though you wouldn't know it if you watched me beat his head in on Madden.

The OLASB prize committee of one will be in contact with this year's winner, but you can all be winners and [shameless plug] purchase some OLASB merchandise using the easy-to-find store below! [/shameless plug]

Nothing major in sports happening, but my NBA Second Season preview is coming soon, as is my take on the NFL offseason as we head to draft day. And, of course, my obligatory YouTube video of the day. Which is, in a word: AWESOME.

OLASB Bracket Challenge 09

Show and prove time, OLASB nation. Click on the link below, enter in the password, and join in the race for fame, fortune, and fabulous prizes. Ok, so no prizes for now, but definite bragging rights. Well, if we get enough people, I might scrounge up some prizes, but you have to play to win!

Here's the link!

Password : roarlionroar

Click the link, fill out a bracket, lose to me. I'm playing chess, while everyone else is playing checkers.

Been Too Long

As I have been gently reminded by 'concerned' parties (Andrew "I love the fans" Folkner), the blog has been bereft of activity as of late. But have no fear, I've spent the last month watching NBA and NCAA basketball, preparing myself to dole out nuggets of knowledge to best prepare you for the undercard (March Madness) and the main event (NBA Playoffs) coming up. But, before we get into that, let's spend some time on some things that have grinded my gears over the last month:

Reporters Jumping the Gun: I get why it happens. In this 24 hour news cycle that has evolved, everyone wants to be the first to break a story. I get that. The ESPN news ticker even ascribes information based on who gets the story emailed in first. There are three specific examples that have caught my eye over the past month, a best case, bad case, and worst case.

Best case: The Cleveland Plains Dealer broke word that Joe Smith would be signing with the Cavaliers before negotiations were finished. While anyone who follows the Association could see that coming, the newspaper broke this report while the final paper work was being ironed out, and Smith's people were seriously considering a competing offer from the Lakers (which might tell you what they think about Bynum's chances to return this year, but that's a whole nother thing). Sure, the Cavs ended up signing Joe Smith, and the paper didn't have egg on it's face, but there are other ways for this to play.

Bad case: The Atlanta Journal Constitution (beacon of news that it is) reported earlier this year that Ken Griffey Jr. would be joining the Braves, and attempt to be an everyday outfielder for the squad. Less than 24 hours later, word came from Seattle people that Griffey was coming home. Did the paper cause Griffey to back out? Was this an overzealous writer (and editor(s)) trying to 'scoop' a big signing? What really gets me is that there was no accountability, no call for any one to explain this mess up, and I know what you're thinking: it's just one time with a player signing, what's the big deal?

Worst case: During the coverage of the tragedy off the Florida coast, where three men lost their lives, hundreds of news outlets were covering the search and rescue efforts. After nearly 40 hours, a man was found clinging to an overturned craft. Minutes later, a soon-to-be debunked report had the workers also finding another man nearby. Is this the same as being wrong on a signing? Hell no. But, it is symptomatic of the same problem, and the result was the same: no one being held to a journalistic standard. Bullshit.

The David Beckham Situation: Actually, the less said here, the better.

The NBA's Burgeoning Financial Woes: It's already been said by someone with a larger audience than me (Bill Simmons). Though, I was out to lunch with someone like 4 days before this column ran , and I made the same points. Thus proving that I am some sort of sports genius. Or that I have my eyes open. Whatever.

Spring Training/The World Baseball Classic: Wow, the Dutch beat the Dominican Republic in an event where I couldn't name the prize if you paid me. Is it bad that during the Venezuela (I think)/USA game Saturday night, I was sitting with my friends Dallas and Justin, and we had a 25 minute debate as to where these games were actually taking place? Our final verdict was a tie between The Twilight Zone, the 'Lost' island, and The Land of the Lost. Is it also bad that our subsequent hour long debate as to which is the best television series of the three was infinitely more entertaining than the game itself?

Tiger Woods' Comeback, ARod's Karma, Jay Cutler vs. The Broncos, T.O. Trapped in Buffalo: Oh, no wait. I love all of these. Seriously, if any one of those four were a reality show, nothing could stop me from watching. Nothing.

Ok, there it is. I'm done bitching. For now. Now, back to your regularly scheduled blog that will be posted in a more timely manner for all to see and enjoy.

Duck Fuke

Boom.

National Title Game

Here it is. 33 Bowl games in the can, and just one to go. And I couldn't be more burned out. Sorry, no in-depth analysis, no comparison of trash talk, not even a good old fashioned dig at the fun and gun Big 12 that hasn't played defense since training camp.

Ok, that one slipped.

Still, I don't even think this game will be entertaining. One team is better in all three phases of the game, and the other one doesn't even have their best running back on the field tonight.

Florida - 35 Oklahoma - 21

Some additional reading: Annual dominance of the SEC and the Big 12, breakdown of Sooner offense vs. Gator defense, profiles of the coaches and finally 10 reasons why each team may win...along with my favorite quote of the CFB postseason:

Giving freakishly competitive Tebow extra motivational fuel is like giving John Daly the keys to a Krispy Kreme bakery and a bottle of scotch. Very bad idea.

Sick burn, Pat Forde.

Hooked

You can't spell, "Hey Buckeyes, stop wasting all of our time" without

B-C-S. I don't care if they win every game they play next year, the highest bowl this team should be eligible for is a pre-New Years Eve one. As a matter of fact, can the BCS drop the Big 10, and pick up the Mountain West, please? Hey, if it works for soccer accross the pond...

*MATHEMATICAL EDIT* - It has been brought to my attention that while the Big 10 (11) sent 7 teams to bowl games, 6 of those teams lost. So, as a conference, they went 1-6. That. Is. Awful.

Irresponsible and Dangerous

Occasionally I listen to sports talk radio when I'm driving. The ipod can get stale on me, and I apparently punish myself by listening to this drivel. This morning, someone attempted to 'call out' Charles Barkley for playing the 'race card' regarding Auburn's overlooking of Tuner Gill. Chuck said that race was the number one deciding factor in their decision, and the radio host (who was filling in for Colin Cowherd) said that a claim like that is irresponsible and dangerous.

Really?

Some would say that ignoring the dearth of African American coaches in the DI-A ranks is irresponsible and dangerous.

Some would say that ignoring Charles Barkley, who so often dealt with institutional racism during his time at the university, is irresponsible and dangerous.

Some would say that your assertion that Chizik belongs because they 'know him', that he's part of some secret old boys network is irresponsible and dangerous.

Some would say the fact that Barkley was on the committee to look for Auburn's last basketball coach would give him insight into how the athletic department works, and that ignoring his input would be, you guessed it, irresponsible and dangerous.

This really got on my nerves, and I don't even know why.

Gears. Ground.

You know what really grinds my gears?

The fact that Tim Teebow is going to win Heisman number two this weekend, when we all know he's a fullback playing under center. While I disagree with Harrell not being invited (not as much as his coach, apparently), I understand that they invite however the voting shakes out. Which means the Midwest vote probably split between McCoy and Bradford, which means I'll be pissed Saturday.

The fact that I am eliminated (essentially) from my big fantasy football league.

The fact that Terry Porter as good as fired himself this week, by admitting that defense first isn't going to work, bringing in Jason Richardson, and working to alienate Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire by a. trading Nash's best friends on the team and b. taking shots away for Amare. Good times!

The fact that Alabama lost by 11 somehow. It's a 10 point spread in a championship game!

The fact that I was right about the ceiling for the Hawks.

The fact that I was wrong about Matt Ryan...oh no, wait. That pretty much kicks ass.

The fact that a Division I A football team is running the triple option in 2008...and it's working!

The fact that the Celtics are 21-2, and everyone is claiming that they may be the best team ever. Look, I get that they are hot early, but I'll be damned if it's okay to forget about the great seasons that Cleveland and Los Angeles are having so far. Not to mention that San Antonio is getting healthy, and the rest of the middle class in the Association looks feisty.

The fact that I can't seem to pick an NFL game to save my life at this point.

The fact that Tony and Jason keep drawing up plays in the playground, and not including me in any of them. (Courtesy of Terrell Owens)

The fact that the current rules DEMAND that an AFC West team has to make the playoffs...if things break the right way, we could see a 8-7 Broncos team and a 7-8 Chargers team playing in week 17 for the AFC West title.

The fact that the Williams Wall won't be suspended when they face the Falcons in two weeks.

The fact that the Players Union probably forced CC Sabathia into taking the Yankees offer over the Brewers. It's one thing to leave a few million dollars on the table, but there's no way they would let him leave 60 million dollars.

The fact that Juwan Howard is still playing in the NBA.

The fact that I can't watch college basketball until February, but even I know that the two best players (Curry and Hansbrough) are both not locks to be solid NBA players.

The fact that Dwight Howard is younger than me.

The fact that Jerry Jones STILL doesn't know when to shut the hell up.

The fact that we've seen the last of the Mad Dog. You earned your retirement, Greg Maddox. Thanks for the memories.

The fact that I haven't updated this thing in a hot minute.

These picks. Home team in bold.

Chicago (-3) over New Orleans
Green Bay (-1.5) over Jacksonville
Indy (-17.5) over Detroit
Washington (-7) over Cincy
Atlanta (-2.5) over Tampa
Miami (-6.5) over San Fran
Jets (-8.5) over Buffalo/Toronto
Tennessee (-3) over Houston
Pittsburgh (+2 5) over B'More
Carolina (-7.5) over Denver
St. Louis (+2.5) over Seattle
Arizona (-3) over Minnesota
New England (-7) over Oakland
San Diego (-5.5) over Kansas City
Giants (+2.5) over Dallas
Philly (-14) over Cleveland

Mid-Range Jumpers

That's right kids, we're back. America's favorite long-running, rarely updated, OLASB post format is back, and with a vengeance.


Is this Atlanta professional sports renaissance for real? Why won't the Colts go away? Did the NHL season really start? How much did Al Davis offer me to coach the Raiders? How bad do the Braves want Jake Peavy? When will the first Mike Singletary Coors Light commercial air? What did I go as this year for Halloween?

All this and more in the latest edition of the truly lost art of the Mid-Range Jumper!

• Ok. The A.I. trade. I think it makes sense for both teams, as the Pistons get one of the 50 greatest of all time for a year, and gives them cap room come 2009-2010. Plus, they have someone who can create their own shot, which could open things up for a more drive and kick game, saving Rip and Rasheed's legs through the season, since they won't be running around as much. Denver gets a proven facilitator who won't attack Melo's confidence by being the clearly more clutch player...and Melo can grow back his cornrows without feeling like he's copying his smaller, older, better brother.
• That much basketball analysis wore me out.
• Baseball is still boring as sin. There, that's better.
• BCS Title game looks like Big 12 Champ versus SEC Champ...at least both these leagues have title games. Unlike the Big 10.
• Speaking of leagues full of fake football, if Oregon State wins out, they go to the Rose Bowl, while USC goes to some lesser bowl. Let's go Beavers!
• David Ortiz admitted on the radio that even he knew that Manny had to go, that he was actively trying to get out of Boston. In other news, Mr. Ortiz also spoke out about the sky being blue, and water being wet.
• Somewhere, Scott Boras is reading about the $45 million the Dodgers are offering, and cackling evilly into the night.
• I have loved watching the Hawks thus far, and might have to get sucked into what looks like something special. Still, I feel like I'm going back to an obviously abusive relationship.
  
• The Chicago game was something special. Not just because Horford went for 27-17-6, but because it confirmed that Vinny Del Negro is an NBA head coach. VINNY DEL FREAKING NEGRO!!! (I took way too much time trying to figure out where to put the freaking. I think I made the right decision)
• Millicent Olawale...Millicent Olawale....Millicent Olawale...Millicent Olawale...
• The Bears are counting on Kyle Orton to bounce back from injury for the rest of their season. I'll let THAT sink in.
• Hockey is happening. I think. It has to, it's this time of year, right?
• Dwight Howard had his first career triple-double last night...30 points, 19 rebounds, 10 BLOCKS. Wow.
• CP3 opened the season with 6 straight 20-10 games...are we in a new golden age of basketball? Signs are pointing to yes.
• The Braves claimed they weren't going to morgatge their future to get Peavy, but now that it looks like they might get him, EVERYTHING MUST GO!!!
• Should I start Tyler Thigpin or Big Ben this week in my fantasy league? Why is this even a debate? What a weird year.
• Greg Oden has already missed 2 weeks of games. Chances he finishes the rest of the season healthy? Slim and none.
  
• Tony Romo is coming back to save the Cowboys season. Once he makes his guaranteed blunder of the week, and sinks the team, who will save them next?

Finally, I was wrong about Matt Ryan. I admit it. He is putting together one of the greatest seasons we've ever seen from a rookie quarterback. 11 tds versus only 5 ints? Who saw this coming? Really?

Political junkies like me will love this...a great article contributed to by Columbia Grad Nick Summers.

Oh, and to answer the questions that came before the bullets: yes (I hope), alligator blood, I think, more than Lane Kiffen is making on his paper route, not bad enough, the Super Bowl, and Santa Claus.

Thursday Night Pick: Jets (+3.5) over Pats

Make a Grown Man Cry...

I was pretty upset when they fired Tommy Bowden...I mean, not as upset as this guy, but upset.

Throwback-ish

I wrote the following a year ago, the first thing that ever appeared on this stupid blog...it's still true now. Good luck to the Columbia Lions who started camp today.

For the first time in ten-odd years, my end of summer will not be punctuated by the coming of football training camp. For the first time, my August will not be defined by two-a-days, the odor of mildewed socks, and post-practice dips in the ice bath. For the first time, I won’t be surrounded by my friends, my teammates, my brothers, as we work towards the goals we set forth for ourselves.

On the one hand, I’m not under the punishing August sun, which beats down the same from New York City to College Station, Texas to Cocoa Beach, Florida. I’m not driving a sled across a field, or taking on rushing defensive tackles in one-on-one drills, or running sprints after practice. I’ll never ride a bus to Florida again, never spend all my time away from the field in a meeting room, or start fast and finish faster. I’ll never again wake up scared. On the one hand, I don’t have to do these things ever again.

On the other hand, I never get to.

We all miss playing (winning) games, clean out blocks, great throws and catches, amazing picks, and knock out hits. That’s universal; everyone mentions this stuff in what they miss from the game. But, I think it is more than just the good times former players miss. Gone is the grind of the weight room, the tedium of the meeting room, but a part of everyone who has ever put on pads, or laced up cleats, or picked up a ball misses the part of the game that goes unseen. In some sort of masochistic way, we all enjoyed the grind, the hardness, the sacrifice. It is one of those unique things in life that you detest as you are in the midst of it, but the second it’s gone, you feel like almost a part of yourself is missing. Today, I’ve traded my life as a student athlete for something else; something that, to be honest, doesn’t even feel like me. My cleats for dress shoes, my playbook for a laptop, I’m reminded of this shift every time I walk into my new apartment, as my helmet stares back at me. Some people call this growing up, entering the next phase of my life. I don’t yet know what to call it, all I have known is what came before. And I miss it.

(Pre)Ranking the SEC, Part 2

*Preemptive edit: I suck at math, so I'm taking the final records off of these predictions. If someone good at math would like to help me, feel free*

NCAA Football kicks off before the NFL officially starts, so I've decided to do a preview of SEC football, since I care the most about it, and I irrationally hate all other conferences. That said, here's a look at how I think the best conference in the nation shakes out:

SEC East:

6. Vanderbilt
Yeah. Well, I mean. They got a team, kinda. They are what we thought they were, okay? Seriously, I think this is a squad that builds on the successes of last year, and the dynamic coaching, and really makes some national noise. Oh, no wait. That is the basketball team.


5. Kentucky
High-powered offense minus capable quarterback = no where near the Cinderella season of last year. Rich Brooks' boys are lucky to be avoiding the teeth of the SEC West in the crossover games, enabling them to squeak out a SEC win or 2. But nothing else.


4. Tennessee
Still in that awful color orange, the Vols face an uphill battle this season. Their coach is on the hotseat after winning the East last year, and this season won't be any kinder to him. An early date at UCLA, coupled with trips to Auburn, Athens, and Columbia also bode quite unkind for the Volunteers, but maybe things break their way again, and they can back into the SEC Title game one more time. Maybe not.


3. South Carolina
The 'Ol Ball Coach has pulled some sort of schedueling magic this year. It seems every game that you think will be a challenge for his squad seems to happen in their house. The games will still be tough, but it is always nice to get to play at home. I still think that Spurrier's style of coaching doesn't quite fit the personnel there, and if he decides on 1 quarterback for the season, it'll be the first time.


2. Georgia
Preseason number 1? Check. Sports Illustrated cover? Check. Now, all we need is for the whole team to get put on the Madden cover, and complete the jinx trifecta. The injury bug has been especially prevalent, as has the Clarke County courthouse. Mix in all these factors, add the toughest schedule in the nation, and you've got some broken hearted Bulldogs.


1. Florida
Has a team with a returning Heisman winner ever been under the radar going into a season? Well, mark this down as the first time. Throw in the vengeance factor of a very talented team, add in the fact that they've added actual running backs besides Tebow, a defense that is mad at being embarrassed by a rudderless Michigan team in the bowl game, and an easy non-conference schedule that includes Citadel very late in the season, and you have one National Championship bound team.

(Pre)Ranking the SEC, Part 1

*Preemptive edit: I suck at math, so I'm taking the final records off of these predictions. If someone good at math would like to help me, feel free*

NCAA Football kicks off before the NFL officially starts, so I've decided to do a preview of SEC football, since I care the most about it, and I irrationally hate all other conferences. That said, here's a look at how I think the best conference in the nation shakes out:

SEC West:

6. Arkansas
Darren McFadden isn't walking through that door! Felix Jones isn't walking through that door! Unfortunatly for the Razorback faithful, it appears that Bobby Petrino is walking through that door...for now at least. He's taking over a team that has gaping holes in lots of positions, and is just plain weak on defense. They skated to 4-4 conference record last year because of that dynamic running game. Did he think McFadden and Jones were coming back again this year?


5. Mississippi State
While an impressive 4-4 SEC record had them Bowl Bound last year, the 2008 slate sees them having to travel a lot for their tougher games. Trips to LSU, Tennesee, and Alabama don't bode well for the OTHER Bulldogs' SEC record, but an easy non-conference schedule could have them poised for another bowl bid.


4. Ole Miss
This is how you bounce back kids. The first team on this list that didn't go 4-4 in the SEC last year...because they were too busy going 0-8. No matter, Houston Nutt and company can only improve this year, and improve they shall. Lead by BenJarvus Green-Ellis' running attack, and Jevan Snead FINALLY taking snaps, look for this team to rise, and rise quickly.


3. Alabama
Year two of the Nick Saban project is going to be full of new faces; not just because Alabama is finally not under NCAA sanction, but also because he has brought in one of the strongest freshman classes in the nation. While the maturation of John Parker Wilson will help, an opening loss to Clemson will be an inital setback, the tough road games will keep them from finishing higher than third, even if I think they are going to win the rivalry game with our number 2 team.


2. Auburn
New offense. New QB. Same old speed on defense. These are the recipies for a great showing by the Tigers in 2008. With a mostly favorable scheduele, look for the Tigers to gain momentum early. Plus, they get their two toughest tests at home, one early (LSU) and one late (UGA). The time in between these two tough games is a real trap for this team to get complacent, as they have to travel to Morgantown and deal with the always tough Mountaineers. If they can avoid the injury bug, and handle two big rivalry games to close the season, look for a good bit of NC talk in Auburn, Alabama.


1. LSU
Okay, there's no point ignoring the elephant in the room. Or should I say, the Tiger not in the room. Yes, there is a gaping hole at quarterback. Some would say an overbearing, inignorable, festering wound. But I'm not that mean. It's the rest of this team that has me excited to put them at number 1 in the West; same dominating defense, same exciting skill positions. Plus, they're throwing an ex-Ivy Leaguer under center, at least to start. How can you not cheer for that?

Free At Last!!!

With the beginning of preseason games, and the end of the Bret Favre epic poem, we as a nation have finally been liberated from the annual hostage crisis that is baseball season. Plus, not only has football swung in to save us, but he brought his friend and teammate the Olympics to rescue us from baseball's evil mustached clutches.

(I always picture evil as the over-acting silent film villain, twirling his mustache as he ties the damsel in distress to the railroad tracks, in the path of the oncoming train.)

Thus liberated, let's look at some of the highlight story lines that are looming over the NCAA and NFL seasons:

- Preseason polls mean nothing. Nothing. Early injuries at USC, Cal, Florida, UCLA, and Clemson already show that.

- Were Kansas and Mizzou one year wonders? Or is this the beginning of a changing of the guard in the Big 12?

- This is Ohio State's best team in the last three years; are they not going to play for a title because of the past two years failures?

- Early look Games to Watch For That Aren't Rivalry Games (G2W4TARG): Alabama vs. Clemson in Atlanta, App State at LSU (just kidding, Michigan), Ohio State at USC, Some team from Athens at Arizona State University...and that's just the first 4 weeks!

- Hard Knocks just isn't the same this year; the TO and Pac Man stuff is solid, but the Romo bits seem too staged. I do know I want more Tank Johnson, bonus points if the team takes an outing to a shooting range, and Tank isn't allowed to shoot.

- The biggest loser in the whole Green Bay/Brett Favre saga? Aaron Rogers. It would have been bad if Brett had come back as a coach, because his shadow would have been colored by his standing on the sideline. It would have been worse if Brett had come back and won the job. The worst case scenario is where Brett desperately wants to come back, but the team makes the smart move (more on that later...) and lets him go somewhere else. Now, Aaron is seen, fairly or not, as the man who drove out the Legend. Good luck kid.

- The Falcons looked more than half bad Saturday night, and Matt Ryan's over-celebrated touchdown was thrown late and behind the receiver. And people were happy. Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Atlanta Falcons!!!

- Green Bay made the best decision they could with the situation before them. From a football standpoint, it is a no-brainer that Favre gives you the best chance to win, but as we all must remember, professional sports aren't about championships. They are about the bottom line, and as a business decision, this was the right one; the team had invested money in making Aaron Rodgers the face of the franchise, and they had to stand by that.

Finally, I was hyped for the Olympics, I really was. I was excited to watch the Redeem Team (stupid name and all) come through and crush everyone else on some 1992 throwback type ish, and mildly excited for the games as a whole. I mean, it is always nice to see the world competing, isn't it?

After last night?

I'm pumped like Al Pacino delivered his 'Peace With Inches' speech. How dare those dirty French Frogs say that they were here to 'crush the Americans'...if that's why you came, then you should have stayed home, son! Forget building international bridges, I want the red, white, and blue to scorch the Earth in Beijing! Utter domination! YES WE CAN!!!

*Real Life Edit* - Oh, and Russia using the stage of global unity as a smokescreen to attacking Georgia? Classic. I, for one, hope Russia re-emerges as a Superpower and helps restabilize global tensions.

Under the Table, Over the Line

...What y'all mean? Handlin' since a teen, like LeBron or Sebastian, high school graduates. Straight to the league, I ain't waitin' for my knee to blow, yesterday I was needin' this dough. Get it? I was kneadin' this dough...
- Jay-Z, Dead Presidents 3

Well, well, well. The ugly (some would say inevitable) repercussions of Big Poppa Stern's age limit have finally reared their heads in the form of 1 and done USC star, OJ Mayo.

(Important to note, if I name my son OJ for some reason, there is NO WAY I would let him attend USC, under any circumstances. OJs have had a rough run there.)

Anyway, the monetization of non-professional basketball in America has roots WAY deeper than this age limit (ranking 8th graders, colleges signing 10th graders, the AAU programs), but Stern and co. pushed this fringe business to the forefront by adding the age restriction. Normally, high schools were more than willing to ignore fancy clothes, basketball camps, private coaches, as long as the banners hung in the rafters, and the seats were filled on game day. Now, with the advent of the required year in college, these opportunist leeches have to keep their hooks in an extra year, and under the microscope of the NCAA.

Now, of course you'll get the points that would appear to be outside of all of this, like Oden and Durant, posterboys for the age limit (it would seem), but for the vast majority of players, the temptation is too great, and is there for far too long. I understand the reason Mr. Stern implemented such a policy, because for every LeBron or Kobe, there are 20 kids who never get picked up, and have forfeited a shot at playing for the NCAA. Plus, there is more money to be made on rookies if they are commodities and name brands coming out of the tournament than if they are unknown high schoolers.

I get all that.

All I'm saying is that the abject horror and outrage is a complete over reaction. Everyone involved in basketball has been aware of these practices for years, and if they really weren't, then shame on them. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of the cleaning up of amateur basketball, restoring some purity to a sport so sullied by the underhanded dealings of those wanting to make money on the dreams of children.

Or, it will lead to us as a society turning another blind eye until the next one-and-done star gets exposed. I suspect the latter.

UPDATE: Liars.

CHAMPS

Congrats to the Columbia Lions Baseball team, 2008 Ivy League Champs!!!


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The Browns Get a Lion

Congratulations to Columbia Lions quarterback Craig Hormann, who was signed to a contract by the Cleveland Browns following the NFL draft this past weekend. He's off now to the Browns' rookie mini-camp from Thursday to Sunday, along with all other drafted and undrafted rookies. Best of luck to you Quarterback Hormann, and congratulations again.

I Was Right!!!

Well, kind of. Last week, I talked about how the Iowa Hawkeyes were poised to capture a national title. And lo and behold, they did it. Now, this matters to wrestlers only, but maybe this is the turning of the corner for me, maybe I can start being right about things.

Nah.

There must be some sort of trade off, since my NCAA Basketball brackets look like a minefield. I've got 9 of the 16 teams right, but only 3 of my Final Four left. This weekend was great fun to watch, proving once again that the top of the College basketball world is getting ever thinner, as there were few dominating, world beating performances all weekend. Except for Stephen Curry, son of Del, and UCLA in round 1, which wasn't even fair.

The womens tourny started this past weekend, too. I have my vices, but if you are filling out a NCAA Women's tournament bracket, get help.

The Assocaiation has been heating up down the stretch, as we cap off the best regular season in 15 years with the most intense push for the playoffs in just as long. With a legitimate 9 teams out West vying for the 8 spots, every game carries significant weight in eventual seeding. Even in the (still mostly) Leastern Conference, there are 4 teams angling for the final spot in the playoffs, and an opportunity to get dusted by the Celtics.