What if there was college football today? As I stated in my blog, "If I Were the King of College Football" on August 9th, I would allow for teams to play Division I-AA games on one of the two weekends before Labor Day weekend. So what if you were set to enjoy football today instead of roasting outside doing chores or flipping around the channels for something to watch.
Imagine half the teams in I-A playing today. That's 6 SEC teams, 6 Big 12 teams, etc. A real chance to check out what that team is going to have this year. Sure, the games wouldn't be that exciting...we know who's going to win, but it's football. And after 6 months of no pigskin its nice to see games that count...a better preseason than the NFL. And there will probably be a couple upsets this week and next, maybe Indiana or Rutgers takes a spill, could get interesting.
And hey, you can even go to the game if you want. Probably wouldn't be a hard ticket to get, but if you want to spend the day in the hot sun go ahead. I think this would be a good idea, and today I'd be looking forward to watching some games instead of wondering what to do with myself.
JB
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Best & Worst Sports Personalities
THE BEST
Erik Kasilias - Kasilias is a former lawyer and a member of Mensa. What he's doing on ESPN I don't know. I've never heard him pause to think or say "um" or "ah" between thoughts. It's amazing how he puts together complete thoughts on the fly, he never messes up. Plus he pretty much views everything the way I do, so I love this guy!
Chris Fowler - Fowler is good. He really makes College Gameday what it is. He is serious when the time calls for it and he goofs around too. He's a solid host, and he's pretty good on Thursday Night Football as well.
Colin Cowherd - When you listen to his radio show you almost don't want to like him. He's very arrogant and he states his opinions like they are fact. But yet, you keep listening. He is a master at his craft, without a doubt the 'most talented' sports-talk radio show host in the country. He has great timing, and is right most of the time. It's hard to argue with just how compelling he is by drawing you in and keeping you listening, and he does this by himself for 4 hours a day.
Jim Rome - I'm not sure if anyone ever watches Rome Is Burning since it's on at about 3:30 but it's pretty good. I might catch it 5 times a year, but I'm always entertained. Rome is definitely arrogant but he has pretty good opinions...he comes hard with them and he's taken into consideration both sides of the argument, so he's not just spouting opinions that have no practicality.
Rece Davis - Rece Davis is excellent, just as good as Chris Fowler. He does a great job with college football and basketball. No Saturday night or early Sunday morning is complete without some College Football Final.
Mike Wilbon - Somehow Wilbon seems to bring any controversy back to race, but I might do the same if I was black so I'll just ignore it. Other than that he is pretty entertaining and PTI is probably the best sports debate show on TV. Why he is an analyst for the NBA I don't know, I value his NBA opinion about as much as I do mine...which isn't much.
Lou Holtz - Some people don't like Lou, he's old and he has a lisp. But I love ole Lou, you just have to take everything he says with a grain of salt. He's just throwing out some crazy opinions to piss Mark May off I think. You've got to love his halftime speeches on Thursday Night Football...great TV.
Skip Bayless - Some people may not know who Skip Bayless is because he's on TV during the weekdays when people are at work. He debates a revolving door of people on ESPN First Take (1st & 10). He is fairly arrogant and looks like a cartoon character, but he does have well thought out opinions and he comes hard. He is right almost always when it comes to the NBA...even if I don't care much about the NBA I'll still give him credit for some decent opinions.
Lee Corso - He's like Lou Holtz except in no way does he have the credentials to be an analyst. Luckily for him he got in on the ground floor of College Gameday. I laugh every time when he puts on a mascot head.
THE WORST
Dan Patrick - I think Dan Patrick bows to a picture of himself every night. He went from a goofy Sportscenter host to thinking he was reporting the evening news. His radio show was awful, just him being ultra-serious about sports trying to break stories. Now he's got his ridiculous self on NBC for Football Night in America....an upscale and crappy version of NFL Primetime.
Mike Greenberg - Greenberg is the definition of a wimp. I listen to Mike & Mike sometimes on my way to work and he's constantly illustrating how he lacks the qualities that make a man. He doesn't have bad opinions necessarily, but he's very prone to hyperbole and he lives and dies with professional sports. I think he loses sleep at night afraid there won't be an NFL season in 2011.
Tim Brando - On TV, Brando is goofy as the host of College Football Today on CBS. On the radio is much more opinionated. I don't think he's too bad even though he thinks he knows everything. His opinions are just ok. What gets to me is the "dubbed by your truly as the riverboat gambler" or "the term I've coined....flies in the ointment" comments he likes to make. I really don't care for the self-promotion...keep the focus on sports.
John Kruk - Kruk always acts pissed off that he is asked a question. It's as if he thinks Karl Ravach asked him the question just so he'd have to waste his breath. Look, you're an analyst, you're supposed to talk about sports. How he got his ugly mug on TV is beyond me...for that matter why are there any baseball analyst, what is the point?
Stuart Scott - After listening to this aging hipster for over a decade I think I can speak for everyone by saying, please don't let him on TV again. We've been revived of his terrible Sportcenter highlight reel calls, but he's still hosting NBA & NFL coverage. He can't look into the camera because he's got a hideous lazy eye and glasses that make it even worse. Can't stand him.
Digger Phelps - So Digger took Notre Dame to one Final Four in the 70s and he gets to be an analyst? It must have been luck because I don't know what he's talking about when he starts rambling about college basketball. Not to mention the terrible tie/highlighter matching...only he could come up with something so silly. Then he puts more effort into shaking his hand (with highlighter) at the camera than giving good analysis.
Steven A. Smith - Maybe black folks like this guy but I certainly don't know any white people who do. The reason I say that is he's always bring race into everything. He seems to have a lot less face time on ESPN now and I'm happy about that. He comes hard with really dumb opinions.
Well, that's it. No more best and worst in sports TV. That is number 4 of 4. Now let the real sports season begin...football, can't wait.
JB
Erik Kasilias - Kasilias is a former lawyer and a member of Mensa. What he's doing on ESPN I don't know. I've never heard him pause to think or say "um" or "ah" between thoughts. It's amazing how he puts together complete thoughts on the fly, he never messes up. Plus he pretty much views everything the way I do, so I love this guy!
Chris Fowler - Fowler is good. He really makes College Gameday what it is. He is serious when the time calls for it and he goofs around too. He's a solid host, and he's pretty good on Thursday Night Football as well.
Colin Cowherd - When you listen to his radio show you almost don't want to like him. He's very arrogant and he states his opinions like they are fact. But yet, you keep listening. He is a master at his craft, without a doubt the 'most talented' sports-talk radio show host in the country. He has great timing, and is right most of the time. It's hard to argue with just how compelling he is by drawing you in and keeping you listening, and he does this by himself for 4 hours a day.
Jim Rome - I'm not sure if anyone ever watches Rome Is Burning since it's on at about 3:30 but it's pretty good. I might catch it 5 times a year, but I'm always entertained. Rome is definitely arrogant but he has pretty good opinions...he comes hard with them and he's taken into consideration both sides of the argument, so he's not just spouting opinions that have no practicality.
Rece Davis - Rece Davis is excellent, just as good as Chris Fowler. He does a great job with college football and basketball. No Saturday night or early Sunday morning is complete without some College Football Final.
Mike Wilbon - Somehow Wilbon seems to bring any controversy back to race, but I might do the same if I was black so I'll just ignore it. Other than that he is pretty entertaining and PTI is probably the best sports debate show on TV. Why he is an analyst for the NBA I don't know, I value his NBA opinion about as much as I do mine...which isn't much.
Lou Holtz - Some people don't like Lou, he's old and he has a lisp. But I love ole Lou, you just have to take everything he says with a grain of salt. He's just throwing out some crazy opinions to piss Mark May off I think. You've got to love his halftime speeches on Thursday Night Football...great TV.
Skip Bayless - Some people may not know who Skip Bayless is because he's on TV during the weekdays when people are at work. He debates a revolving door of people on ESPN First Take (1st & 10). He is fairly arrogant and looks like a cartoon character, but he does have well thought out opinions and he comes hard. He is right almost always when it comes to the NBA...even if I don't care much about the NBA I'll still give him credit for some decent opinions.
Lee Corso - He's like Lou Holtz except in no way does he have the credentials to be an analyst. Luckily for him he got in on the ground floor of College Gameday. I laugh every time when he puts on a mascot head.
THE WORST
Dan Patrick - I think Dan Patrick bows to a picture of himself every night. He went from a goofy Sportscenter host to thinking he was reporting the evening news. His radio show was awful, just him being ultra-serious about sports trying to break stories. Now he's got his ridiculous self on NBC for Football Night in America....an upscale and crappy version of NFL Primetime.
Mike Greenberg - Greenberg is the definition of a wimp. I listen to Mike & Mike sometimes on my way to work and he's constantly illustrating how he lacks the qualities that make a man. He doesn't have bad opinions necessarily, but he's very prone to hyperbole and he lives and dies with professional sports. I think he loses sleep at night afraid there won't be an NFL season in 2011.
Tim Brando - On TV, Brando is goofy as the host of College Football Today on CBS. On the radio is much more opinionated. I don't think he's too bad even though he thinks he knows everything. His opinions are just ok. What gets to me is the "dubbed by your truly as the riverboat gambler" or "the term I've coined....flies in the ointment" comments he likes to make. I really don't care for the self-promotion...keep the focus on sports.
John Kruk - Kruk always acts pissed off that he is asked a question. It's as if he thinks Karl Ravach asked him the question just so he'd have to waste his breath. Look, you're an analyst, you're supposed to talk about sports. How he got his ugly mug on TV is beyond me...for that matter why are there any baseball analyst, what is the point?
Stuart Scott - After listening to this aging hipster for over a decade I think I can speak for everyone by saying, please don't let him on TV again. We've been revived of his terrible Sportcenter highlight reel calls, but he's still hosting NBA & NFL coverage. He can't look into the camera because he's got a hideous lazy eye and glasses that make it even worse. Can't stand him.
Digger Phelps - So Digger took Notre Dame to one Final Four in the 70s and he gets to be an analyst? It must have been luck because I don't know what he's talking about when he starts rambling about college basketball. Not to mention the terrible tie/highlighter matching...only he could come up with something so silly. Then he puts more effort into shaking his hand (with highlighter) at the camera than giving good analysis.
Steven A. Smith - Maybe black folks like this guy but I certainly don't know any white people who do. The reason I say that is he's always bring race into everything. He seems to have a lot less face time on ESPN now and I'm happy about that. He comes hard with really dumb opinions.
Well, that's it. No more best and worst in sports TV. That is number 4 of 4. Now let the real sports season begin...football, can't wait.
JB
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Top 33 Albums
Album rock is pretty much dead. I guess Green Day is still holding on, but they suck anyway. And there's a few others who still put out music based on the overall concept of an album, but most people don't listen to it anyway with downloading the way it is. Nevertheless, I've made a list of my favorite albums. I've heard plenty of albums, and I own plenty as well that I have listened to over and over. I picked 33 because I went through them and the last 10 or 15 I couldn't really decide which ones I liked better than the others, so I stuck with 33. If the album has more than two tracks that I skip over then it didn't make the cut. If it does have two skip tracks, they are near the bottom, the ones with one skip track are in the middle and the Top 10 is awesome all the way through with the Top 5 being the cream of the crop. That was my basic criteria, which is why there is no Led Zeppelin on here..they have produced some of my favorite songs, but every album has 3-4 songs I want to skip, and I know because I own all of them. Like I did with the Top 20 artist, these are my favorite albums, not the most critically acclaimed...just my personal Top 33.
33. "Toby Keith" by Toby Keith - 1993, great album with some really classic songs. Toby Keith had a great sound back then.
32. "Chasing Daylight" by Sister Hazel - 2003, this is essential Sister Hazel in my opinion. It captures their signature sound and some of their best songs.
31. "In Between Dreams" by Jack Johnson - 2005, just a great album. Moves quickly and flows great. Some solid Jack Johnson here.
30. "Automatic for the People" by R.E.M. - 1992, this album has a unique feel. It kind of took everything that was best about their previous 7 albums, and what was going to be great about their next 5 albums and rolled them into this one.
29. "Deja Vu" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - 1970, tons of great songs and harmonies. Classic late 60s, early 70s sound.
28. "Cracked Rear View" by Hootie & The Blowfish - 1994, this is just one of my favorites since I bought it way back when. Tons of hit songs...some great pop/rock.
27. "Stories of a Stranger" by O.A.R. - 2005, a couple skip songs on this one but "Heard the World" and "52-50" are just too good. Add in some other really good songs and this one is up there.
26. "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles - 1967, great concept album. It's got some really great songs and they all bring a different approach.
25. "Three Days" by Pat Green - 2001, just a lot of great songs. I just really like it.
24. "Abbey Road" by The Beatles - 1969, this is probably on this list just for the final 8 tracks, it's just cool. The first 9 tracks are good too, even the Ringo song.
23. "Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac - 1977, great combination of vocals, harmony, guitar playing...just a great album. Lots of hit songs and deservedly so, Stevie Nicks at her best.
22. "Up" by R.E.M. - 1998, probably no one has ever heard of this album because R.E.M. had already faded out but this album is what got me into them. Great mellow music...a classic for me.
21. "Frampton Comes Alive" by Peter Frampton - 1976, this is a great rock album. It's live but sounds great, tons of great guitar solos..solid all the way through, with the exception of the only big hit "I Love Your Way".
20. "Away From the Sun" by 3 Doors Down - 2003, underrated album, tons of great songs. They were putting out great material while Creed was getting all the pub.
19. "Offerings II: All I Have to Give" by Third Day - 2003, mix of live songs and studio songs. Interesting approach and it works for me, it's got a little bit of everthing. Great album.
18. "Throwing Copper" by Live - 1994, great sound and distinctive vocals. Awesome album with the exception of a hiccup on "Stage". But 14 songs makes up for it.
17. "Continuum" by John Mayer - 2006, great laid back, blues-based songs. Other than the most famous song, "Waiting on the World to Change", every song is great.
16. "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd - 1975, "Shine on You Crazy Diamonds" is one of the best epic songs there has ever been. And since that is 70% of the album there isn't much more to say.
15. "Shake Your Money Maker" by The Black Crowes - 1990, awesome blues-rock album. Great all the way through, very underrated.
14. "Layla and other Assorted Love Songs" by Derek & The Dominos - 1970, if you like blues or blues-rock then this is pretty essential. It takes an appreciative ear to like an album like this, but if you do then it's a must have.
13. "Texas Flood" by Stevie Ray Vaughn - 1983, SRV has an incredible sound. And "Tin Pan Alley" which was left off the original version, but included on the CD version is one of the best songs. Great album even if you don't care for blues.
12. "Under the Table and Dreaming" by Dave Matthews Band - 1994, saxophone, violin, drums, guitar, all crashing together...unbelievable sound. "The Best of What's Around" is one of the best starts to an album there has ever been.
11. "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen - 1975, only 8 songs but "Backstreets", "Born to Run", and "Jungleland" are some of the greatest rock songs ever. Not to mention the great ballad "Thunder Road", sax solo in "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" and a great song "Night". Just a great album.
10. "Animals" by Pink Floyd - 1977, this Pink Floyd album takes the cake for me in the Pink Floyd catalog. Book-ended by 1:25 songs, just 3 songs all 10+ minutes long but all equally great. This is so much better than "Dark Side of the Moon" or "The Wall".
9. "Ten" by Pearl Jam - 1991, nobody sounds like Pearl Jam did on this album. This is a classic. "Evenflow", "Alive", "Why Go", "Black", "Jeremy" make for maybe the best 5 consecutive songs ever.
8. "Free Beer and Fried Chickn" by Patrick Smith Band - 2004, nobody has heard of this one either but it's just great jam music. It kind of like Dave Matthews but more upbeat. I love this album.
7. "Thirteenth Step" by A Perfect Circle - 2003, I really like to listen to this album during the fall. Not sure why, just do. Usually I don't like this kind of music, but this album isn't really as loud as you'd figure. It's got great song after great song.
6. "Lonestar" by Lonestar - 1995, awesome country album. It's definitely not for those who don't like country because it's honky-tonks and heartbreak but I love the sound. Too bad Lonestar lost that sound after this; John Rich has a great voice.
5. "Lynyrd Skynyrd" by Lynyrd Skynyrd - 1973, "Tuesdays Gone", "Simple Man", "Gimme Three Steps", "I Ain't the One". Amazing songs and that doesn't include everybody's classic "Free Bird". Southern Rock at its best.
4. "Brand New Man" by Brooks & Dunn - 1991, more honky-tonks and heartbreak but I can't help myself. This is just a great album. One of my favorite albums to listen to while grilling in the summer.
3. "Born in the U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen - 1984, this album kind of embodies everything that is great about The Boss. It kind of fuses a 80s feel into 70s Springsteen, and it works really well. Every song is solid.
2. "Crash" by Dave Matthews Band - 1996, I do not like "Crash Into Me". The most famous song from this album I really don't care for, however, every other song is so good that it more than makes up for it. I'm talking about great song after great song. This is my favorite album except that it includes "Crash Into Me". If that song were not on there this would be #1.
1. "The Allman Brothers Band" by The Allman Brothers Band - 1969, "Whipping Post" and "It's Not My Cross to Bear" are so good that those songs would put this into the top 15, then you add "Black Hearted Woman", "Don't Want You No More", "Dreams", and "Every Hungry Woman"; this is the best blues-rock album you can get. Every time I listen I like it more....just a great album. The greatest.
Sometimes it's hard to listen to albums now-a-days. You either click shuffle on the iPod, listen to a mixed cd, or the radio. But it's always good to throw on an album when you're on a road trip or at the house. So I've already done my favorite artists, now my favorite albums, so I guess all that is left is my favorite songs which I'll do soon.
JB
33. "Toby Keith" by Toby Keith - 1993, great album with some really classic songs. Toby Keith had a great sound back then.
32. "Chasing Daylight" by Sister Hazel - 2003, this is essential Sister Hazel in my opinion. It captures their signature sound and some of their best songs.
31. "In Between Dreams" by Jack Johnson - 2005, just a great album. Moves quickly and flows great. Some solid Jack Johnson here.
30. "Automatic for the People" by R.E.M. - 1992, this album has a unique feel. It kind of took everything that was best about their previous 7 albums, and what was going to be great about their next 5 albums and rolled them into this one.
29. "Deja Vu" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - 1970, tons of great songs and harmonies. Classic late 60s, early 70s sound.
28. "Cracked Rear View" by Hootie & The Blowfish - 1994, this is just one of my favorites since I bought it way back when. Tons of hit songs...some great pop/rock.
27. "Stories of a Stranger" by O.A.R. - 2005, a couple skip songs on this one but "Heard the World" and "52-50" are just too good. Add in some other really good songs and this one is up there.
26. "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles - 1967, great concept album. It's got some really great songs and they all bring a different approach.
25. "Three Days" by Pat Green - 2001, just a lot of great songs. I just really like it.
24. "Abbey Road" by The Beatles - 1969, this is probably on this list just for the final 8 tracks, it's just cool. The first 9 tracks are good too, even the Ringo song.
23. "Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac - 1977, great combination of vocals, harmony, guitar playing...just a great album. Lots of hit songs and deservedly so, Stevie Nicks at her best.
22. "Up" by R.E.M. - 1998, probably no one has ever heard of this album because R.E.M. had already faded out but this album is what got me into them. Great mellow music...a classic for me.
21. "Frampton Comes Alive" by Peter Frampton - 1976, this is a great rock album. It's live but sounds great, tons of great guitar solos..solid all the way through, with the exception of the only big hit "I Love Your Way".
20. "Away From the Sun" by 3 Doors Down - 2003, underrated album, tons of great songs. They were putting out great material while Creed was getting all the pub.
19. "Offerings II: All I Have to Give" by Third Day - 2003, mix of live songs and studio songs. Interesting approach and it works for me, it's got a little bit of everthing. Great album.
18. "Throwing Copper" by Live - 1994, great sound and distinctive vocals. Awesome album with the exception of a hiccup on "Stage". But 14 songs makes up for it.
17. "Continuum" by John Mayer - 2006, great laid back, blues-based songs. Other than the most famous song, "Waiting on the World to Change", every song is great.
16. "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd - 1975, "Shine on You Crazy Diamonds" is one of the best epic songs there has ever been. And since that is 70% of the album there isn't much more to say.
15. "Shake Your Money Maker" by The Black Crowes - 1990, awesome blues-rock album. Great all the way through, very underrated.
14. "Layla and other Assorted Love Songs" by Derek & The Dominos - 1970, if you like blues or blues-rock then this is pretty essential. It takes an appreciative ear to like an album like this, but if you do then it's a must have.
13. "Texas Flood" by Stevie Ray Vaughn - 1983, SRV has an incredible sound. And "Tin Pan Alley" which was left off the original version, but included on the CD version is one of the best songs. Great album even if you don't care for blues.
12. "Under the Table and Dreaming" by Dave Matthews Band - 1994, saxophone, violin, drums, guitar, all crashing together...unbelievable sound. "The Best of What's Around" is one of the best starts to an album there has ever been.
11. "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen - 1975, only 8 songs but "Backstreets", "Born to Run", and "Jungleland" are some of the greatest rock songs ever. Not to mention the great ballad "Thunder Road", sax solo in "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" and a great song "Night". Just a great album.
10. "Animals" by Pink Floyd - 1977, this Pink Floyd album takes the cake for me in the Pink Floyd catalog. Book-ended by 1:25 songs, just 3 songs all 10+ minutes long but all equally great. This is so much better than "Dark Side of the Moon" or "The Wall".
9. "Ten" by Pearl Jam - 1991, nobody sounds like Pearl Jam did on this album. This is a classic. "Evenflow", "Alive", "Why Go", "Black", "Jeremy" make for maybe the best 5 consecutive songs ever.
8. "Free Beer and Fried Chickn" by Patrick Smith Band - 2004, nobody has heard of this one either but it's just great jam music. It kind of like Dave Matthews but more upbeat. I love this album.
7. "Thirteenth Step" by A Perfect Circle - 2003, I really like to listen to this album during the fall. Not sure why, just do. Usually I don't like this kind of music, but this album isn't really as loud as you'd figure. It's got great song after great song.
6. "Lonestar" by Lonestar - 1995, awesome country album. It's definitely not for those who don't like country because it's honky-tonks and heartbreak but I love the sound. Too bad Lonestar lost that sound after this; John Rich has a great voice.
5. "Lynyrd Skynyrd" by Lynyrd Skynyrd - 1973, "Tuesdays Gone", "Simple Man", "Gimme Three Steps", "I Ain't the One". Amazing songs and that doesn't include everybody's classic "Free Bird". Southern Rock at its best.
4. "Brand New Man" by Brooks & Dunn - 1991, more honky-tonks and heartbreak but I can't help myself. This is just a great album. One of my favorite albums to listen to while grilling in the summer.
3. "Born in the U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen - 1984, this album kind of embodies everything that is great about The Boss. It kind of fuses a 80s feel into 70s Springsteen, and it works really well. Every song is solid.
2. "Crash" by Dave Matthews Band - 1996, I do not like "Crash Into Me". The most famous song from this album I really don't care for, however, every other song is so good that it more than makes up for it. I'm talking about great song after great song. This is my favorite album except that it includes "Crash Into Me". If that song were not on there this would be #1.
1. "The Allman Brothers Band" by The Allman Brothers Band - 1969, "Whipping Post" and "It's Not My Cross to Bear" are so good that those songs would put this into the top 15, then you add "Black Hearted Woman", "Don't Want You No More", "Dreams", and "Every Hungry Woman"; this is the best blues-rock album you can get. Every time I listen I like it more....just a great album. The greatest.
Sometimes it's hard to listen to albums now-a-days. You either click shuffle on the iPod, listen to a mixed cd, or the radio. But it's always good to throw on an album when you're on a road trip or at the house. So I've already done my favorite artists, now my favorite albums, so I guess all that is left is my favorite songs which I'll do soon.
JB
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
2010 SEC Predictions/National Top 20
Here it is, my predictions for the upcoming year of SEC Football. When I say I love college football, what I really mean is I love SEC football. The rest of it is like the NFL to me, I like it because it's football but I really love the SEC. So, that is what I care about and that is what I'm going to predict. Beyond that I'll give enough thought for a National Top 20 to see where I end up. Here goes...
EAST
1. South Carolina, 6-2 (10-2) - The Gamecocks have 16 returning starters and 83% of their lettermen returning. They are the only team in the east with a proven quarterback, and I think that Spurrier will be able to finally put it all together in Columbia. They also have another really good defense behind Ellis Johnson and they have 5-star running back recruit Marcus Lattimore joining 9 returning offensive starters. I am predicting a big early season win vs. Georgia, a loss at Auburn, and then another HUGE win vs. Alabama. These great victories would probably land South Carolina in the top 10 by Halloween and looking forward to a monumental game against a top 5 Florida team in mid-November. That is when they overlook Arkansas at home and lose before facing Florida. Even with a loss it still sets up a huge match-up between Florida and South Carolina for the SEC East crown, one I am calling for USC to win and finally get over the hump to the SEC Championship Game. I think they have the talent and coaching to get this done, but with their incredibly difficult schedule they could easily go 6-6 if they fall back into the same mistakes they always make.
2. Florida, 6-2 (10-2) - The Gators are going to be really good again. Even though they only return 63% of their lettermen, their usual competitors Tennessee, LSU, and Georgia are down from their usual standards. Florida has a #1 recruiting class coming in and already has a great line on both sides of the ball. BUT they are going to Tuscaloosa in what is going to be a huge game, maybe even a #1 vs. #2 match-up. While the two teams are pretty evenly matched I think Bama will end up with the win being at home and having the leadership of Greg McElroy. From there I think the Gators rebound in tough home games against LSU, Mississippi State and Georgia. Everything will be setup for a winner-take-all game against South Carolina in the swamp, which I am predicting the Gamecocks to win. Florida narrowly escaped USC in 2006 before winning the national title and I think they could have a similar game this year. Their final game at Florida State could get interesting as well.
3. Georgia, 4-4 (8-4) - Georgia could go undefeated this year or they could miss a bowl game, they are the biggest swing team in the SEC. They've got 10 returning starters on offense, everyone but the quarterback. So I'm throwing a lot of importance on how redshirt freshman Aaron Murrey is going to perform. He was a 5-star recruit so expectations are high but there is always a learning curve in the SEC; but he's got great running backs, a future Top 10 NFL draft pick in A.J. Green, and the best offensive line in the SEC. Then they are bringing in a new defensive coordinator to a mediocre defense with 5 returning starters, so I'm not sure how that will pan out. I basically took them winning at home and losing on the road in September with their young QB, and then just losing at Auburn and against Florida the rest of the way.
4. Kentucky, 2-6 (6-6) - I like Joker Philips and I think he'll keep up the pretty good teams that Rich Brooks established. Randall Cobb might be the best athlete in the SEC, and he will keep Kentucky in some games with his speed and quickness alone. The Cats have just 5 starters on offense, and 6 on D coming back off a team that was just mediocre last year. UK will be hard pressed to get to 6 wins but I think they will pull out the season opener at Louisville because of the Cards poor defense. After that they've got another easy September until Florida comes calling, and I think they are looking at 6 straight losses to put them at 3-6. Then I think the Wildcats will finish strong winning their last 3 games including finally beating Tennessee after 25 straight years of losing.
5. Tennessee, 1-7 (4-8) - I like Derek Dooley a ton more than Lane Kiffin but he has nothing to work with this year. Unless he gets a ton of help from their freshman class I don't see much happening in Knoxville. I think the defense will be pretty good with 6 returning starters and a boatload of incoming talent, but the offense will struggle milady with 3 returning starters (they are replacing QB, RB, and the entire offensive line). All of the O-linemen on UT's roster have a combined 3 starts. After a cupcake game against UT Martin, it's going to be a rough go against Oregon, Florida, UAB, at LSU, at Georgia, Alabama, & at South Carolina. I think they will come out of that with one win (against UAB) and it won't be easy. After that they recover as usual in November to avoid the cellar of the SEC east.
6. Vanderbilt, 0-8 (2-10) - I am terrible about picking Vanderbilt to go 0-8, I probably do it every other year, so yes I did pick them to go 0-8 in '08 when they started 5-0 and went to a bowl game. It is hard for me to pick them to win games when I know the other team has superior talent, but they do manage to eak-out a couple games each season. However, with Bobby Johnson leaving just a month before training camp starts I think it will throw a wrench into what I think is about the same old Vandy. I think they will be competitive, but they won't be able to enter the win column in the SEC. They aren't helping themselves by playing the ever-improving Northwestern and Connecticut, but I've got them winning against Eastern Michigan and then pulling one out at home vs. Wake Forest on the last game of the season.
WEST
1. Alabama 7-1, (11-1) - Nick Saban has Alabama rolling and I don't see it slowing much this year. They have supreme talent at every position and are stacked in every unit. Probably the least talented unit is the quarterback position, but as we all know Greg McElroy hasn't lost a game since the 8th grade and is without a doubt the smartest QB in college football...so things don't look good for everybody else. There only weakness could be only returning 2 starters on defense, but they have great talent. The defense could be a handicap early against a ranked Penn State team but I think Bama ends up winning that game by double digits. After the first 3 games I think the defense will be as solid as ever and ready for the real test that comes at Arkansas, vs. Florida, and at South Carolina. Those 3 games will all be incredibly difficult and I'm calling for them to lose that final game at USC. This is a product of 3 consecutive really tough games, being on the road, and the Gamecocks should be much improved this year. After that I think the Tide cruise all the way to the Iron Bowl which should be tightly contested but I think they will pull it out since it's in Tuscaloosa.
2. Auburn, 6-2 (10-2) - Auburn has high hopes and a favorable schedule. I can almost see them going into the Iron Bowl undefeated, but I'm 95% sure they will lose somewhere in their first 11 games. With 8 returning starters on defense I look for them to improve a lot. Cam Newton should be good but I'm anticipating a struggle against Mississippi State and a loss on the road. The rest of their tough games against Clemson, South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU, and Georgia are all at home until the Alabama game. Most of those games should be tightly contested but I'm giving Auburn the edge with their home field advantage. Based on these predictions, that would mean the Iron Bowl would be for the western division crown with Auburn 10-1 (and most likely ranked in the top 10), and Alabama at 10-1 (and in the top 5). If Auburn doesn't lose to State, they will probably lose one of those other games...I just don't see Cam Newton and Gene Chizik providing enough to run the table.
3. Arkansas, 5-3 (9-3) - This is supposed to be Arkansas' year and I think they will have a good one. Ryan Mallett proved he was legit after last season, and even though he is coming off an off-season injury he should be 100% by the start of the season. Not only is he a huge threat, but Arkansas has the best wide receiving corps in the SEC and I don't anticipate Mallett ever throwing for less than 300 yards. They have 10 returning starters on offense and 7 on defense so a lot of people are jumping on the Arkansas bandwagon after turning their fortunes around last year, but they did have the 6th best turnover ratio in the nation so the ball may bounce differently this year. I have the Hogs losing vs. Alabama in a close game, at Georgia in a closely contested shootout, and another shootout at Auburn. However, that is in their first six games so they would be 3-3, is that enough to tear them apart or be the undoing of Bobby Petrino? I think he will save the rest of their season and finish 9-3 with 17 returning starters and 83% of their letermen returning. The game at home against Alabama on September 25th will be huge, and may mean the difference in winning the division or not.
4. LSU, 4-4 (7-5) - LSU has an incredibly difficult schedule facing North Carolina and West Virginia in the non-conference and going to Florida, Auburn, and Arkansas. Then they've got Alabama coming to death valley...probably the toughest schedule in the nation. The kickoff classic will be a really tough game, I think North Carolina will end up a top 10 team this year. Then after going to Vanderbilt, they face a scrappy Mississippi State team that has given them trouble the past two years. Then it's Big East contender West Virginia and Tennessee at home, but I think they will manage to be 4-1 before the sky starts falling in Baton Rouge. They've only got 10 returning starters coming off a 9-4 team and the recruiting has fallen off a bit from where it was during Miles' first couple years so they don't have as much depth. I predict LSU will lose 3 of the next 4 games to Florida, Auburn, and Alabama and Les Miles will be a lame duck. After losing to Arkansas I think Les Miles ends up getting fired for a disappointing 7-5 season (which is remarkable considering he has the 5th longest tenure in LSU history, 3rd most wins and the best winning percentage). However, after saying all that, I am predicting them to lose most of their swing games; they do have the capability to win each game they play. But with that difficult of a schedule and Les Miles' poor gameday coaching I don't see it happening.
5. Ole Miss, 4-4 (7-5) - The addition of Jeramiah Masoli helps Ole Miss out a lot. Without him I saw Ole Miss as team that would not go to a bowl (4-8) and finish last in the West. The Admiral Ackbars should have a defense that will keep them in games, but Masoli won't have much to work with (only 4 returning starters on offense)...and if he gets in trouble or is injured they are out of play-makers. So I still don't think they are very good, and I have them losing to Fresno State. They have a very easy schedule and miss all 3 top teams from the east which gets them to 4-4. As much as I hate it, I am going to predict they will win the Egg Bowl having a full season to come together as an offense, keeping with the home and home tradition of the past 6 years...but that is the only game against the western division I envision them winning.
6. Mississippi State, 3-5 (7-5) - I think State has a very strong team this year, and having them finish last in the West isn't a reflection on them as much as it is a tough western division, and most likely a strength of schedule that will rank in the top 5. State has 7 returning starters on offense and defense and that doesn't include Chris Relf who had significant playing time last year. I actually have State upsetting Auburn in Starkville on the second game of the season, mostly due to Auburn's new quarterback Cam Newton coming in for his first SEC game against MSU's new defensive coordinator. State will have a very good defensive line and secondary that will disrupt Auburn's run & shoot offense. I have a loss on the road at LSU, but then coming back to Starkville to win a shootout against Georgia. I am going out on yet another limb to say State will beat Houston on the road (Houston's only loss of the season). Then my expectations are less for the November slate, I've have a 7-2 start (and a national ranking) before losing the last 3 games. The Dawgs should be operating with a 2 QB system, with Tyler Russell as a redshirt freshman, so picking them to start out so strong is a risky move but they have the strongest offensive line they've had in a long time which will help out the quarterbacks tremendously.
SEC Championship Game: South Carolina vs. Alabama
Winner: Alabama
I think the SEC West will by far be the stronger division. My preseason SEC Power Rankings (who is the best on a neutral field) are like this:
1. Alabama (National Championship Game)
2. Florida (Sugar Bowl)
3. Arkansas (Cotton Bowl)
4. Auburn (Capitol One Bowl)
5. South Carolina (Gator Bowl)
6. LSU (Chick-Fil-A Bowl)
7. Georgia (Outback Bowl)
8. Mississippi State (Liberty Bowl)
9. Ole Miss (Music City Bowl)
10. Kentucky (Papa Johns.com Bowl)
11. Tennessee
12. Vanderbilt
The preseason polls are basically power polls. The writers and coaches don't really take the time to go through each schedule and dissect how they think each game will turn out. So, they just rank the teams based on how good they perceive them to be, instead of where they believe they will be ranked at the end of the season. That is ok, although if they are going to do that I'd rather them start with the final poll from the previous season. Here is my national Top 20, which is based on where each team will be after the regular season and conference championship games, but before the bowl games...
1. Boise State, 12-0 (WAC Champion) - I think Boise State has a legitimate shot at the national title. They have 21 of 22 starters returning and 92% of their lettermen returning! The game against Virginia Tech on September 6th is going to be HUGE, but I think the Broncos will pull that game out; VA Tech only has 4 returning starters on defense and 63% returning lettermen. Boise State has experience and something to prove. With an easy schedule aside from a home game against Oregon State remaining I don't see them losing. They definitely benefited from +21 turnovers last year (2nd in the nation), but I think a lot of them were forced because of their supreme talent in the WAC. I think voters will give the Broncos a shot because they proved they belonged last year in the BCS, and with essentially the same players they will make it to the big game.
2. Alabama, 12-1 (SEC Champion) - Alabama will have a chance to defend their national title, this time in Tempe, Arizona. Alabama will be favored in the national championship game, only losing because of their tough schedule. They will get the nod out of the 1-loss teams after back-to-back really good wins against Auburn and then South Carolina in the SEC title game, and because of the reputation the SEC has earned over the past few years.
3. Nebraska, 12-1 (Big 12 Champion) - Nebraska has a light Big 12 schedule being in the North; they don't have to play Oklahoma, and they get Texas at home. With 9 returning starters on offense they will be improved, and they are going to reload on defense. Possible slip-ups might be at Washington and at Texas A&M, and I think they will probably lose one of those games and then rebound to beat Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game.
4. Iowa, 11-1 (Big 10 Champion) - Iowa has a good team but they have an even better schedule. All of their tough Big 10 games are at home, and I think they will close out the Big 10 Championship at home in a huge game against Ohio State on November 20th.
5. Ohio State, 11-1 - Ohio State is ranked #2 preseason, and most likely will hit the #1 spot at some point during the year. I have them losing late in the season to Iowa, and falling down to probably #4, then getting leap-frogged by Nebraska after the Big 12 Championship. They could also lose to Miami in September, but for now I'll pick the Buckeyes in that game since it's in Columbus. They have so much talent it's hard to see them losing but they seem to not be able to win the big one. They benefited from +17 turnovers last year so a turnaround in fortunes could cost them a couple games this year. However, they could easy be in the national championship game again.
6. Miami (FL), 11-2 (ACC Champion) - I think Miami is going to be really good this year, and if this were power rankings I would say they are the #3 team in the country. However, their schedule is so tough I think it will get the best of them a couple times. They play at Ohio State, at Pittsburgh, and at Clemson in back-to-back-to-back games and I think they'll end up dropping at least one of them. They might also lose at Georgia Tech or vs. Virginia Tech but I'm calling for them to beat North Carolina to advance to the ACC Championship Game. Miami is back.
7. TCU, 11-1 (Mountain West Champion) - TCU is going to be really good again. I think they have a very strong chance to go undefeated, but I think their late game at Utah will cost them a shot at a national title. However, if they do go undefeated and Boise State does again, how do the voters react to those two teams being at the top (and they have played each other the last two years in bowl games) They've got 16 returning starters and I think their offense will rival their defensive dominance...I definitely see a BCS bowl for the Horned Frogs, and hopefully this year they will be pitted against a BCS school.
8. Florida, 10-2 - The Gators are going to be really good again, I just don't think they can get past Alabama, and with my bold prediction of South Carolina winning the east, they have to have 2 losses and they land at No. 8. If they are in the national championship game again, however, I will not be surprised at all.
9. Oregon, 10-2 (PAC 10 Champion) - The Ducks kicked Jeramiah Masoli off the team but that is about the only position that doesn't have experience. Coming off a 10-3 season in '09 the Ducks will benefit from USC's downturn. Despite an early trip to Tennessee, the first 3 games are pretty light...enough time for the new QB to get his feet wet. There are tough road trips to Arizona State, USC, Cal, and Oregon State and I think they can survive with only one loss but it will be really difficult so I'm calling for a 2nd loss. Still, they earn a second straight trip to the Rose Bowl to play Iowa.
10. North Carolina, 10-2 - Butch Davis has put together a great defense filled with talent and now they have 10 returning starters on offense to go along with it. I think they will lose at Miami, which will prevent them from going to the ACC Championship game. I think they will get some pub for beating LSU and they could be #1 or #2 when they face Miami if they can beat Georgia Tech and Clemson too. In my opinion, there are enough tough games on their schedule to keep them in the top 10 at this point in the season. The ACC should be much improved.
The Rest of the Top 20:
11. Houston, 12-1 (Conference USA Champion)
12. Oklahoma, 11-2
13. Texas, 10-2
14. Pittsburgh, 10-2 (Big East Champion)
15. Wisconsin, 10-2
16. Auburn, 10-2
17. South Carolina, 10-3
18. Virginia Tech, 9-3
19. West Virginia, 9-3
20. Arkansas, 9-3
National Champion: Alabama (reluctantly)
With predictions it is hard to guess the crazy upset that is going to happen and cause a slew of these great teams to have 2 or 3 losses. The bad thing about predictions is you never know who is going to step up, who is going to get injured, what team is going to fold under the pressure, or who's locker room didn't mesh and their talent didn't translate into wins. So you never know what is going to happen, but when you make predictions and you get them right it's a good feeling somewhere deep down. I'll have my NFL predictions ready next week.
JB
EAST
1. South Carolina, 6-2 (10-2) - The Gamecocks have 16 returning starters and 83% of their lettermen returning. They are the only team in the east with a proven quarterback, and I think that Spurrier will be able to finally put it all together in Columbia. They also have another really good defense behind Ellis Johnson and they have 5-star running back recruit Marcus Lattimore joining 9 returning offensive starters. I am predicting a big early season win vs. Georgia, a loss at Auburn, and then another HUGE win vs. Alabama. These great victories would probably land South Carolina in the top 10 by Halloween and looking forward to a monumental game against a top 5 Florida team in mid-November. That is when they overlook Arkansas at home and lose before facing Florida. Even with a loss it still sets up a huge match-up between Florida and South Carolina for the SEC East crown, one I am calling for USC to win and finally get over the hump to the SEC Championship Game. I think they have the talent and coaching to get this done, but with their incredibly difficult schedule they could easily go 6-6 if they fall back into the same mistakes they always make.
2. Florida, 6-2 (10-2) - The Gators are going to be really good again. Even though they only return 63% of their lettermen, their usual competitors Tennessee, LSU, and Georgia are down from their usual standards. Florida has a #1 recruiting class coming in and already has a great line on both sides of the ball. BUT they are going to Tuscaloosa in what is going to be a huge game, maybe even a #1 vs. #2 match-up. While the two teams are pretty evenly matched I think Bama will end up with the win being at home and having the leadership of Greg McElroy. From there I think the Gators rebound in tough home games against LSU, Mississippi State and Georgia. Everything will be setup for a winner-take-all game against South Carolina in the swamp, which I am predicting the Gamecocks to win. Florida narrowly escaped USC in 2006 before winning the national title and I think they could have a similar game this year. Their final game at Florida State could get interesting as well.
3. Georgia, 4-4 (8-4) - Georgia could go undefeated this year or they could miss a bowl game, they are the biggest swing team in the SEC. They've got 10 returning starters on offense, everyone but the quarterback. So I'm throwing a lot of importance on how redshirt freshman Aaron Murrey is going to perform. He was a 5-star recruit so expectations are high but there is always a learning curve in the SEC; but he's got great running backs, a future Top 10 NFL draft pick in A.J. Green, and the best offensive line in the SEC. Then they are bringing in a new defensive coordinator to a mediocre defense with 5 returning starters, so I'm not sure how that will pan out. I basically took them winning at home and losing on the road in September with their young QB, and then just losing at Auburn and against Florida the rest of the way.
4. Kentucky, 2-6 (6-6) - I like Joker Philips and I think he'll keep up the pretty good teams that Rich Brooks established. Randall Cobb might be the best athlete in the SEC, and he will keep Kentucky in some games with his speed and quickness alone. The Cats have just 5 starters on offense, and 6 on D coming back off a team that was just mediocre last year. UK will be hard pressed to get to 6 wins but I think they will pull out the season opener at Louisville because of the Cards poor defense. After that they've got another easy September until Florida comes calling, and I think they are looking at 6 straight losses to put them at 3-6. Then I think the Wildcats will finish strong winning their last 3 games including finally beating Tennessee after 25 straight years of losing.
5. Tennessee, 1-7 (4-8) - I like Derek Dooley a ton more than Lane Kiffin but he has nothing to work with this year. Unless he gets a ton of help from their freshman class I don't see much happening in Knoxville. I think the defense will be pretty good with 6 returning starters and a boatload of incoming talent, but the offense will struggle milady with 3 returning starters (they are replacing QB, RB, and the entire offensive line). All of the O-linemen on UT's roster have a combined 3 starts. After a cupcake game against UT Martin, it's going to be a rough go against Oregon, Florida, UAB, at LSU, at Georgia, Alabama, & at South Carolina. I think they will come out of that with one win (against UAB) and it won't be easy. After that they recover as usual in November to avoid the cellar of the SEC east.
6. Vanderbilt, 0-8 (2-10) - I am terrible about picking Vanderbilt to go 0-8, I probably do it every other year, so yes I did pick them to go 0-8 in '08 when they started 5-0 and went to a bowl game. It is hard for me to pick them to win games when I know the other team has superior talent, but they do manage to eak-out a couple games each season. However, with Bobby Johnson leaving just a month before training camp starts I think it will throw a wrench into what I think is about the same old Vandy. I think they will be competitive, but they won't be able to enter the win column in the SEC. They aren't helping themselves by playing the ever-improving Northwestern and Connecticut, but I've got them winning against Eastern Michigan and then pulling one out at home vs. Wake Forest on the last game of the season.
WEST
1. Alabama 7-1, (11-1) - Nick Saban has Alabama rolling and I don't see it slowing much this year. They have supreme talent at every position and are stacked in every unit. Probably the least talented unit is the quarterback position, but as we all know Greg McElroy hasn't lost a game since the 8th grade and is without a doubt the smartest QB in college football...so things don't look good for everybody else. There only weakness could be only returning 2 starters on defense, but they have great talent. The defense could be a handicap early against a ranked Penn State team but I think Bama ends up winning that game by double digits. After the first 3 games I think the defense will be as solid as ever and ready for the real test that comes at Arkansas, vs. Florida, and at South Carolina. Those 3 games will all be incredibly difficult and I'm calling for them to lose that final game at USC. This is a product of 3 consecutive really tough games, being on the road, and the Gamecocks should be much improved this year. After that I think the Tide cruise all the way to the Iron Bowl which should be tightly contested but I think they will pull it out since it's in Tuscaloosa.
2. Auburn, 6-2 (10-2) - Auburn has high hopes and a favorable schedule. I can almost see them going into the Iron Bowl undefeated, but I'm 95% sure they will lose somewhere in their first 11 games. With 8 returning starters on defense I look for them to improve a lot. Cam Newton should be good but I'm anticipating a struggle against Mississippi State and a loss on the road. The rest of their tough games against Clemson, South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU, and Georgia are all at home until the Alabama game. Most of those games should be tightly contested but I'm giving Auburn the edge with their home field advantage. Based on these predictions, that would mean the Iron Bowl would be for the western division crown with Auburn 10-1 (and most likely ranked in the top 10), and Alabama at 10-1 (and in the top 5). If Auburn doesn't lose to State, they will probably lose one of those other games...I just don't see Cam Newton and Gene Chizik providing enough to run the table.
3. Arkansas, 5-3 (9-3) - This is supposed to be Arkansas' year and I think they will have a good one. Ryan Mallett proved he was legit after last season, and even though he is coming off an off-season injury he should be 100% by the start of the season. Not only is he a huge threat, but Arkansas has the best wide receiving corps in the SEC and I don't anticipate Mallett ever throwing for less than 300 yards. They have 10 returning starters on offense and 7 on defense so a lot of people are jumping on the Arkansas bandwagon after turning their fortunes around last year, but they did have the 6th best turnover ratio in the nation so the ball may bounce differently this year. I have the Hogs losing vs. Alabama in a close game, at Georgia in a closely contested shootout, and another shootout at Auburn. However, that is in their first six games so they would be 3-3, is that enough to tear them apart or be the undoing of Bobby Petrino? I think he will save the rest of their season and finish 9-3 with 17 returning starters and 83% of their letermen returning. The game at home against Alabama on September 25th will be huge, and may mean the difference in winning the division or not.
4. LSU, 4-4 (7-5) - LSU has an incredibly difficult schedule facing North Carolina and West Virginia in the non-conference and going to Florida, Auburn, and Arkansas. Then they've got Alabama coming to death valley...probably the toughest schedule in the nation. The kickoff classic will be a really tough game, I think North Carolina will end up a top 10 team this year. Then after going to Vanderbilt, they face a scrappy Mississippi State team that has given them trouble the past two years. Then it's Big East contender West Virginia and Tennessee at home, but I think they will manage to be 4-1 before the sky starts falling in Baton Rouge. They've only got 10 returning starters coming off a 9-4 team and the recruiting has fallen off a bit from where it was during Miles' first couple years so they don't have as much depth. I predict LSU will lose 3 of the next 4 games to Florida, Auburn, and Alabama and Les Miles will be a lame duck. After losing to Arkansas I think Les Miles ends up getting fired for a disappointing 7-5 season (which is remarkable considering he has the 5th longest tenure in LSU history, 3rd most wins and the best winning percentage). However, after saying all that, I am predicting them to lose most of their swing games; they do have the capability to win each game they play. But with that difficult of a schedule and Les Miles' poor gameday coaching I don't see it happening.
5. Ole Miss, 4-4 (7-5) - The addition of Jeramiah Masoli helps Ole Miss out a lot. Without him I saw Ole Miss as team that would not go to a bowl (4-8) and finish last in the West. The Admiral Ackbars should have a defense that will keep them in games, but Masoli won't have much to work with (only 4 returning starters on offense)...and if he gets in trouble or is injured they are out of play-makers. So I still don't think they are very good, and I have them losing to Fresno State. They have a very easy schedule and miss all 3 top teams from the east which gets them to 4-4. As much as I hate it, I am going to predict they will win the Egg Bowl having a full season to come together as an offense, keeping with the home and home tradition of the past 6 years...but that is the only game against the western division I envision them winning.
6. Mississippi State, 3-5 (7-5) - I think State has a very strong team this year, and having them finish last in the West isn't a reflection on them as much as it is a tough western division, and most likely a strength of schedule that will rank in the top 5. State has 7 returning starters on offense and defense and that doesn't include Chris Relf who had significant playing time last year. I actually have State upsetting Auburn in Starkville on the second game of the season, mostly due to Auburn's new quarterback Cam Newton coming in for his first SEC game against MSU's new defensive coordinator. State will have a very good defensive line and secondary that will disrupt Auburn's run & shoot offense. I have a loss on the road at LSU, but then coming back to Starkville to win a shootout against Georgia. I am going out on yet another limb to say State will beat Houston on the road (Houston's only loss of the season). Then my expectations are less for the November slate, I've have a 7-2 start (and a national ranking) before losing the last 3 games. The Dawgs should be operating with a 2 QB system, with Tyler Russell as a redshirt freshman, so picking them to start out so strong is a risky move but they have the strongest offensive line they've had in a long time which will help out the quarterbacks tremendously.
SEC Championship Game: South Carolina vs. Alabama
Winner: Alabama
I think the SEC West will by far be the stronger division. My preseason SEC Power Rankings (who is the best on a neutral field) are like this:
1. Alabama (National Championship Game)
2. Florida (Sugar Bowl)
3. Arkansas (Cotton Bowl)
4. Auburn (Capitol One Bowl)
5. South Carolina (Gator Bowl)
6. LSU (Chick-Fil-A Bowl)
7. Georgia (Outback Bowl)
8. Mississippi State (Liberty Bowl)
9. Ole Miss (Music City Bowl)
10. Kentucky (Papa Johns.com Bowl)
11. Tennessee
12. Vanderbilt
The preseason polls are basically power polls. The writers and coaches don't really take the time to go through each schedule and dissect how they think each game will turn out. So, they just rank the teams based on how good they perceive them to be, instead of where they believe they will be ranked at the end of the season. That is ok, although if they are going to do that I'd rather them start with the final poll from the previous season. Here is my national Top 20, which is based on where each team will be after the regular season and conference championship games, but before the bowl games...
1. Boise State, 12-0 (WAC Champion) - I think Boise State has a legitimate shot at the national title. They have 21 of 22 starters returning and 92% of their lettermen returning! The game against Virginia Tech on September 6th is going to be HUGE, but I think the Broncos will pull that game out; VA Tech only has 4 returning starters on defense and 63% returning lettermen. Boise State has experience and something to prove. With an easy schedule aside from a home game against Oregon State remaining I don't see them losing. They definitely benefited from +21 turnovers last year (2nd in the nation), but I think a lot of them were forced because of their supreme talent in the WAC. I think voters will give the Broncos a shot because they proved they belonged last year in the BCS, and with essentially the same players they will make it to the big game.
2. Alabama, 12-1 (SEC Champion) - Alabama will have a chance to defend their national title, this time in Tempe, Arizona. Alabama will be favored in the national championship game, only losing because of their tough schedule. They will get the nod out of the 1-loss teams after back-to-back really good wins against Auburn and then South Carolina in the SEC title game, and because of the reputation the SEC has earned over the past few years.
3. Nebraska, 12-1 (Big 12 Champion) - Nebraska has a light Big 12 schedule being in the North; they don't have to play Oklahoma, and they get Texas at home. With 9 returning starters on offense they will be improved, and they are going to reload on defense. Possible slip-ups might be at Washington and at Texas A&M, and I think they will probably lose one of those games and then rebound to beat Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game.
4. Iowa, 11-1 (Big 10 Champion) - Iowa has a good team but they have an even better schedule. All of their tough Big 10 games are at home, and I think they will close out the Big 10 Championship at home in a huge game against Ohio State on November 20th.
5. Ohio State, 11-1 - Ohio State is ranked #2 preseason, and most likely will hit the #1 spot at some point during the year. I have them losing late in the season to Iowa, and falling down to probably #4, then getting leap-frogged by Nebraska after the Big 12 Championship. They could also lose to Miami in September, but for now I'll pick the Buckeyes in that game since it's in Columbus. They have so much talent it's hard to see them losing but they seem to not be able to win the big one. They benefited from +17 turnovers last year so a turnaround in fortunes could cost them a couple games this year. However, they could easy be in the national championship game again.
6. Miami (FL), 11-2 (ACC Champion) - I think Miami is going to be really good this year, and if this were power rankings I would say they are the #3 team in the country. However, their schedule is so tough I think it will get the best of them a couple times. They play at Ohio State, at Pittsburgh, and at Clemson in back-to-back-to-back games and I think they'll end up dropping at least one of them. They might also lose at Georgia Tech or vs. Virginia Tech but I'm calling for them to beat North Carolina to advance to the ACC Championship Game. Miami is back.
7. TCU, 11-1 (Mountain West Champion) - TCU is going to be really good again. I think they have a very strong chance to go undefeated, but I think their late game at Utah will cost them a shot at a national title. However, if they do go undefeated and Boise State does again, how do the voters react to those two teams being at the top (and they have played each other the last two years in bowl games) They've got 16 returning starters and I think their offense will rival their defensive dominance...I definitely see a BCS bowl for the Horned Frogs, and hopefully this year they will be pitted against a BCS school.
8. Florida, 10-2 - The Gators are going to be really good again, I just don't think they can get past Alabama, and with my bold prediction of South Carolina winning the east, they have to have 2 losses and they land at No. 8. If they are in the national championship game again, however, I will not be surprised at all.
9. Oregon, 10-2 (PAC 10 Champion) - The Ducks kicked Jeramiah Masoli off the team but that is about the only position that doesn't have experience. Coming off a 10-3 season in '09 the Ducks will benefit from USC's downturn. Despite an early trip to Tennessee, the first 3 games are pretty light...enough time for the new QB to get his feet wet. There are tough road trips to Arizona State, USC, Cal, and Oregon State and I think they can survive with only one loss but it will be really difficult so I'm calling for a 2nd loss. Still, they earn a second straight trip to the Rose Bowl to play Iowa.
10. North Carolina, 10-2 - Butch Davis has put together a great defense filled with talent and now they have 10 returning starters on offense to go along with it. I think they will lose at Miami, which will prevent them from going to the ACC Championship game. I think they will get some pub for beating LSU and they could be #1 or #2 when they face Miami if they can beat Georgia Tech and Clemson too. In my opinion, there are enough tough games on their schedule to keep them in the top 10 at this point in the season. The ACC should be much improved.
The Rest of the Top 20:
11. Houston, 12-1 (Conference USA Champion)
12. Oklahoma, 11-2
13. Texas, 10-2
14. Pittsburgh, 10-2 (Big East Champion)
15. Wisconsin, 10-2
16. Auburn, 10-2
17. South Carolina, 10-3
18. Virginia Tech, 9-3
19. West Virginia, 9-3
20. Arkansas, 9-3
National Champion: Alabama (reluctantly)
With predictions it is hard to guess the crazy upset that is going to happen and cause a slew of these great teams to have 2 or 3 losses. The bad thing about predictions is you never know who is going to step up, who is going to get injured, what team is going to fold under the pressure, or who's locker room didn't mesh and their talent didn't translate into wins. So you never know what is going to happen, but when you make predictions and you get them right it's a good feeling somewhere deep down. I'll have my NFL predictions ready next week.
JB
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Best Meals to Eat
I love to eat. During the day, I think about my next meal. Sometimes I have a game plan two or three days ahead of time for just what I'm going to do to a meal to make it great. What I eat during a day or a weekend has a major factor on whether I consider it to have been a good day or weekend. Is this stupid? Probably, but I really, really enjoy a good meal. My wife is a great cook and she is cool with all the ways I love to experiment with food by putting hot sauce (#1 is Texas Pete), jalapenos, cheeses, bacon, various kinds of homemade dipping sauces, etc. on the food.
When I see people eating the same meals over and over I feel as though they are missing out on life. It doesn't bother me because I know they probably just don't care but I just can't live like that. But there are so many variations on food you can do. A meal you may have been eating for years could be brought back to life with a dipping sauce or a couple spices. There's nothing like eating a great meal, and here are some of my favorite all-time meals.
Steak & Crab-
This meal is the tops, you can't beat it. For one thing it combines my two favorite types of food--beef and seafood, or as some people call it "surf & turf". But don't just have some crab legs with your steak, you need to melt some cheese over crab meat and mix in some heavy cream, maybe some chives--whatever you like...just get that creamy cheese goodness to go with the solid crab taste. Then once you've given the crab that extra flavor and moisture put it on top of the steak and eat them together. The combination is a taste explosion! Unbelievable! But if you're going to go to the trouble of doing this then you want to buy a decent steak and real crab. It might get pricey, but this meal is the best! Then you've got to go with the classic potato (mashed or baked) and salad for sides. My opinion is that a baked potato is the perfect sidekick to a steak because while you are preparing your potato, the juices and flavors have time to permeate the steak (when on the grill, the moisture is sucked to the center of the steak so you want to let it sit out for 10 minutes before eating).
Country Fried Steak-
Give me a country fried steak and some gravy. How about some green beans, mashed potatoes and a couple biscuits, and you can put some of that gravy on the biscuits too. Top it off with a sweet tea and I'll be eatin' good.
Fish Tacos/Buffalo Wings-
I am a connoisseur of fish tacos and buffalo wings. Each place that serves them has a different take on them and it is fun to try out what they've come up with. Plus they are a couple of the harder meals to prepare on your own, so I like to get these when I eat out.
Crab cakes-
I love crab, so naturally I love crab cakes. I recently made my own and they weren't that hard, and they were very good. Sometimes the key may be to create a great sauce to go along side it, or to go on top of it in a sandwich. Always start with a sour cream base for the sauce with crab cakes and go from there.
Nachos-
I really enjoy some nachos. Load up your plate with some Tostitos and taco meat and top it with melted cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, jalapenos, salsa, and Texas Pete..it's a mountain of awesome!
Undoubtedly, the best meals come when you are the hungriest. If I had the capacity I would love to eat a 4-course meal every day, but I just can't do it. The best meals to eat at a restaurant are the ones that serve a little bread, then a cup of soup, then a salad, then bring me my entree. And of course you've got to plan ahead to make this the ultimate meal and top it off with desert. Eating is an experience and if this was served correctly this should take an hour and a half at least. I like to have 10-15 minutes between courses so I can settle in.
I could probably go on forever because I love food, but I'll leave it at this. I'm trying new stuff all the time, variations on food, maybe a great dipping sauce to liven up something. As I do, I'll post them on the blog.
JB
When I see people eating the same meals over and over I feel as though they are missing out on life. It doesn't bother me because I know they probably just don't care but I just can't live like that. But there are so many variations on food you can do. A meal you may have been eating for years could be brought back to life with a dipping sauce or a couple spices. There's nothing like eating a great meal, and here are some of my favorite all-time meals.
Steak & Crab-
This meal is the tops, you can't beat it. For one thing it combines my two favorite types of food--beef and seafood, or as some people call it "surf & turf". But don't just have some crab legs with your steak, you need to melt some cheese over crab meat and mix in some heavy cream, maybe some chives--whatever you like...just get that creamy cheese goodness to go with the solid crab taste. Then once you've given the crab that extra flavor and moisture put it on top of the steak and eat them together. The combination is a taste explosion! Unbelievable! But if you're going to go to the trouble of doing this then you want to buy a decent steak and real crab. It might get pricey, but this meal is the best! Then you've got to go with the classic potato (mashed or baked) and salad for sides. My opinion is that a baked potato is the perfect sidekick to a steak because while you are preparing your potato, the juices and flavors have time to permeate the steak (when on the grill, the moisture is sucked to the center of the steak so you want to let it sit out for 10 minutes before eating).
Country Fried Steak-
Give me a country fried steak and some gravy. How about some green beans, mashed potatoes and a couple biscuits, and you can put some of that gravy on the biscuits too. Top it off with a sweet tea and I'll be eatin' good.
Fish Tacos/Buffalo Wings-
I am a connoisseur of fish tacos and buffalo wings. Each place that serves them has a different take on them and it is fun to try out what they've come up with. Plus they are a couple of the harder meals to prepare on your own, so I like to get these when I eat out.
Crab cakes-
I love crab, so naturally I love crab cakes. I recently made my own and they weren't that hard, and they were very good. Sometimes the key may be to create a great sauce to go along side it, or to go on top of it in a sandwich. Always start with a sour cream base for the sauce with crab cakes and go from there.
Nachos-
I really enjoy some nachos. Load up your plate with some Tostitos and taco meat and top it with melted cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, jalapenos, salsa, and Texas Pete..it's a mountain of awesome!
Undoubtedly, the best meals come when you are the hungriest. If I had the capacity I would love to eat a 4-course meal every day, but I just can't do it. The best meals to eat at a restaurant are the ones that serve a little bread, then a cup of soup, then a salad, then bring me my entree. And of course you've got to plan ahead to make this the ultimate meal and top it off with desert. Eating is an experience and if this was served correctly this should take an hour and a half at least. I like to have 10-15 minutes between courses so I can settle in.
I could probably go on forever because I love food, but I'll leave it at this. I'm trying new stuff all the time, variations on food, maybe a great dipping sauce to liven up something. As I do, I'll post them on the blog.
JB
Monday, August 16, 2010
Tim Tebow
It is amazing to me how polarizing people's opinions on Tim Tebow are. When his name comes up there are two questions that arise: do you like Time Tebow the man? And do you think he will succeed in the NFL? If your answer is 'no' to the first question then you probably say 'no' to the second on as well. But even though I think the majority of people like him as a person, the majority says he won't succeed as an NFL quarterback. Well, I think Tim Tebow is a great person and I think he will be incredible in the NFL and I've got plenty of reasons to believe this.
I've always hated the Florida Gaters, but when Tim Tebow played for them I rooted for them. His work ethic, will to win, and leadership was amazing at Florida. Even in his freshman year he was running over defensive lineman, and he's a quarterback! Then he won the Heisman Trophy his sophomore year and a national championship his junior year. And in what was going to be his year to be considered the greatest college football player of all time, an undefeated national championship season his senior year, ended when Florida lost to a great Alabama team in the SEC Championship game. He was so intense, so determined, he won the mental part of the game every week. The amazing thing about Tebow is that he has the heart of 'Rudy', the body of a linebacker, and he plays quarterback. And to top it off he is a true leader. All of this said you have to respect him as a player even if you don't like him.
What I like about Tebow the most is the man he is off the field. He is a committed Christian who does more than just thank God after the game. He knows that all the gifts (athletic abilities) he's been given are because of God's grace, and his number one mission is to help people come to know Jesus Christ. With all of the distractions that were around him as he was a huge star at Florida, he maintained that focus. It just shows his strong will, desire, and leadership on the field is the same off the field. As a Christian, I find Tebow to be very inspiring. And I know that to non-Christians this can come as a huge turn-off, and maybe that is why a person doesn't like him. But I don't think anyone can say that he isn't trying to impact the world in a positive way, whether you are a Christian or not.
From the moment Tebow won the Heisman Trophy until now analysts and fans have said Tebow has bad mechanics and he won't translate well to the NFL. Over and over and over again I've heard about how he can't do it. When the Denver Broncos selected him in the first round the analysts were largely skeptical about their decision to "waste" a first round pick on him when they probably could have got him in the 2nd round. Well, it has already paid off for the Broncos because they have already made enough off selling Tim Tebow jerseys to pay his salary. He's going to make just over $2 million per season, and with all the fans (including me) he's going to attract to Broncos games it will be well worth the money.
Why does everyone buy into Mel Kiper, Jr., Todd McShay and other's analysis of Tebow? Just because they say he won't work, does that mean it is fact? Don't forget about how these guys said Jevan Snead was a top 10 draft choice about one year ago today....well he didn't get drafted, and then he got cut by Tampa Bay...before training camp started! Tebow probably won't even play quarterback his rookie year so doesn't that mean he has a least a year and a half to work on his throwing motion? With his skill, determination, and strong-will is there any doubt he will be able to master the throwing a football the way they want him to. It's not instincts they are worried about, it's his throwing motion! He was a straight 'A' student, so I also think he can handle an NFL playbook, even though it is completely different from Urban Meyer's system. There is one thing I would never do, and that's tell Tim Tebow he can't do something. With someone that driven, you're only adding fuel to the fire in his belly to be the best.
Tim Tebow is a great person and is unlike any athlete I've ever seen on and off the field. He has transcended sports to become a public figure like few others because of his skills and personality. There is no doubt Tebow will be enormously successful in the NFL. As soon as he becomes as good as Matt Ryan he will have endorsements all over the place and his face will be on everything. He may never win a Superbowl or go to the Hall of Fame, but he will be a success in the NFL.
JB
I've always hated the Florida Gaters, but when Tim Tebow played for them I rooted for them. His work ethic, will to win, and leadership was amazing at Florida. Even in his freshman year he was running over defensive lineman, and he's a quarterback! Then he won the Heisman Trophy his sophomore year and a national championship his junior year. And in what was going to be his year to be considered the greatest college football player of all time, an undefeated national championship season his senior year, ended when Florida lost to a great Alabama team in the SEC Championship game. He was so intense, so determined, he won the mental part of the game every week. The amazing thing about Tebow is that he has the heart of 'Rudy', the body of a linebacker, and he plays quarterback. And to top it off he is a true leader. All of this said you have to respect him as a player even if you don't like him.
What I like about Tebow the most is the man he is off the field. He is a committed Christian who does more than just thank God after the game. He knows that all the gifts (athletic abilities) he's been given are because of God's grace, and his number one mission is to help people come to know Jesus Christ. With all of the distractions that were around him as he was a huge star at Florida, he maintained that focus. It just shows his strong will, desire, and leadership on the field is the same off the field. As a Christian, I find Tebow to be very inspiring. And I know that to non-Christians this can come as a huge turn-off, and maybe that is why a person doesn't like him. But I don't think anyone can say that he isn't trying to impact the world in a positive way, whether you are a Christian or not.
From the moment Tebow won the Heisman Trophy until now analysts and fans have said Tebow has bad mechanics and he won't translate well to the NFL. Over and over and over again I've heard about how he can't do it. When the Denver Broncos selected him in the first round the analysts were largely skeptical about their decision to "waste" a first round pick on him when they probably could have got him in the 2nd round. Well, it has already paid off for the Broncos because they have already made enough off selling Tim Tebow jerseys to pay his salary. He's going to make just over $2 million per season, and with all the fans (including me) he's going to attract to Broncos games it will be well worth the money.
Why does everyone buy into Mel Kiper, Jr., Todd McShay and other's analysis of Tebow? Just because they say he won't work, does that mean it is fact? Don't forget about how these guys said Jevan Snead was a top 10 draft choice about one year ago today....well he didn't get drafted, and then he got cut by Tampa Bay...before training camp started! Tebow probably won't even play quarterback his rookie year so doesn't that mean he has a least a year and a half to work on his throwing motion? With his skill, determination, and strong-will is there any doubt he will be able to master the throwing a football the way they want him to. It's not instincts they are worried about, it's his throwing motion! He was a straight 'A' student, so I also think he can handle an NFL playbook, even though it is completely different from Urban Meyer's system. There is one thing I would never do, and that's tell Tim Tebow he can't do something. With someone that driven, you're only adding fuel to the fire in his belly to be the best.
Tim Tebow is a great person and is unlike any athlete I've ever seen on and off the field. He has transcended sports to become a public figure like few others because of his skills and personality. There is no doubt Tebow will be enormously successful in the NFL. As soon as he becomes as good as Matt Ryan he will have endorsements all over the place and his face will be on everything. He may never win a Superbowl or go to the Hall of Fame, but he will be a success in the NFL.
JB
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Letter from the Editor ---- Me
I really like doing this blog. It seems like there is always something out there for me to give an opinion on...so ideas are always coming to me. I try to keep things versatile, not doing 3 days in a row of any topic. I try to get in food, music & movies, politics, sports, and culture and mix them up so it stays interesting. I don't know how interesting it is, hopefully it's somewhat entertaining. I'm assuming that once football season hits there will be a ton to talk about, but I'll try to throw in un-football related each week...keeps me from getting consumed.
I've been working on my 2010 SEC predictions for a while now, I am trying to get them as accurate as possible...and still come up with some bold predictions. After all, without bold predictions what is the point of doing predictions. And of course I want to see how I did of at the end of the year, and this blog will be my proof I got it right...or my undoing if I'm way off. So I'll post my SEC predictions this week. I'm also working on NFL predictions which I'll post in the next two weeks.
JB
I've been working on my 2010 SEC predictions for a while now, I am trying to get them as accurate as possible...and still come up with some bold predictions. After all, without bold predictions what is the point of doing predictions. And of course I want to see how I did of at the end of the year, and this blog will be my proof I got it right...or my undoing if I'm way off. So I'll post my SEC predictions this week. I'm also working on NFL predictions which I'll post in the next two weeks.
JB
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