With the schedules coming out and less than 100 days before the
season starts, it's time to take a look at what to watch for in this
upcoming college football season. Alabama without question is the
favorite to win the National Championship yet again. But will the Crimson
Tide win a record three straight BCS titles? Can anybody stop the SEC's
seven year reign as BCS champs? Let's take a look at a few of the
other top contenders.
Three teams other than Alabama to win a National Title
Ohio State - Last year, Urban Meyer's first season with the team, the Buckeyes were undefeated at 12-0. OSU was not bowl eligible because of NCAA sanctions but have a have a great chance of challenging for a national title this year behind quarterback Braxton Miller. They lost a lot on defense but after a great recruiting class where six of their top eight recruits were on that side of the ball they definitely filled some holes. As for their schedule, it works in their favor as the only tests they'll face on the road are Cal and Michigan. Seeing Wisconsin at home and not playing Michigan State or Nebraska is a big help in going for back-to-back undefeated seasons and reaching the national championship game.
Texas A&M - Having the current Heisman trophy winner, Johnny Manziel, on your roster is a huge help when making a championship run. Playing in the SEC, however, makes that run a little more difficult. On his way to the Heisman, Manziel finished with 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns in the air and 1,409 yards with 29 touchdowns on the ground. Teams will obviously adjust their focus to the QB but stopping him is easier said than done. The loss of Ryan Swope is a big hit for the Aggies passing attack but last years leading receiver, Mike Evans, is only a sophomore. The team is also bringing in a handful of wide receiver recruits. Johnny Football and A&M kind of lucked out with their schedule, if that's possible in the SEC. They don't have to play Florida or Georgia from the SEC East and get Alabama at home. But, they do have to travel to Arkansas and Ole Miss during the season then LSU and Missouri to close out the year.
Oregon - Even with former head coach Chip Kelly leaving for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Oregon Ducks offense still can't be slowed down. Kelly will be replaced by offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, while quarterback Marcus Mariotta and running back De'Anthony Thomas are both back to run the offense. Mariotta is looking to improve on a really good freshman year in which he threw for 2,677 yards, 32 TD's and only 6 interceptions. As for Thomas, he finally will see a starting role after showing signs of greatness playing behind LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner his first two seasons. Oregon will look to avenge it's OT loss to Stanford (which probably cost them the title game) but will have to do it on the road if they want to reach the BCS title game.
Other teams to watch - Georgia, Louisville, Florida State
What about the Heisman? Johnny Manziel came out of nowhere to win it last year as a freshman. But can he join Ohio State's Archie Griffin as the only players ever to win the award twice? Here are some other players to watch.
Three players other than Johnny Manziel to win the Heisman
Braxton Miller, QB Ohio State - Under the tutelage of Urban Meyer, Miller transformed into a legit duel threat quarterback throwing for 2,039 yards and rushing for 1,271 with 28 total touchdowns. He improved a lot from his freshman year and with having more experience under Meyer we can expect the trend to continue. We all saw what Meyer did with Tim Tebow (2007 Heisman winner) at Florida and he will look to lead Miller to the Heisman as well in 2013.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville - After an impressive performance against Florida in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, Bridgewater is a player everybody is looking at to have a Heisman worthy season. He finished last year with a 68.5 completion percentage, 3,718 yards, 27 touchdowns and eight INT's. He has the athleticism and speed to be a running quarterback but rarely scrambles. Instead he uses his ability to avoid the rush and find an open receiver down field. Louisville's schedule is definitely one that is favorable to run the table and in turn will give Bridgewater more publicity down the home stretch of the year.
Jadeveon Clowney, DE South Carolina - We all remember this hit on Michigan running back Vincent Smith in last year's Outback Bowl. Since then, Clowney's name was instantly thrust into Heisman talks as well as being seen as the top prospect for the 2014 NFL draft. He finished the season with 13 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss. He was also sixth a year ago in Heisman voting and if he takes home the trophy in 2013 he will be the first defensive player since Michigan's Charles Woodson in 1997 to do so.
Other players to watch - Georgia QB Aaron Murray, Alabama QB AJ McCarron, USC wide receiver Marqise Lee
The season will be here before we know it and the answers to these questions will start to unfold. And
I wouldn't be shocked if at the end of the year the National Champion
and Heisman winner are not from these lists. A year ago Notre Dame
reached the title game after being unranked in the preseason AP poll and nobody predicted Manziel, Manti Te'o and Collin Klein to be any of the three finalists for the Heisman trophy. That's the beauty of sports, we never really know what's going to happen. But we all seem to think we do.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
5 Reasons Why The Indiana Pacers Could Beat The Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are the overwhelming favorite to not only represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA finals, but to take home their second consecutive championship. Last I checked, the odds for the Heat to win the title are 1/3, which means you have to bet $3 to win $1. Terrible odds when you consider that there are still multiple teams left. But it just goes to show you how pretty much everybody, even Las Vegas, expects Miami to blow past the rest of the competition.
The Heat started the playoffs by disposing of a completely out matched Milwaukee Bucks team in a clean four game sweep. Then they eased by a depleted Chicago Bulls team in five games. Now, they turn their sights on the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are the 3-seed in the East and are the biggest long shot left to win a championship. But we've seen crazier things happen before and don't think they are just going to rollover and let Miami walk into the finals. Let's take a look at a few things Indiana has going for itself that will help them take out the mighty Heat.
1. Indiana held a 2-1 series lead last year
From the land of stats that don't but do matter comes this one. A year ago in the Eastern Conference Semis the Pacers took a 2-1 lead after a 19-point victory in Indy. During that game Lance Stephenson, at the time a seldom used bench player, gave LeBron James and the Heat the two-handed choke sign which was not received so well by the rest of the team. Stephenson is now a starter and will have to show out on the court instead of the bench this year. Miami went on to win the next three games but the Pacers showed they can hang with the Heat for half a series now it's time to show they can do it for the entire series. Just like the Pistons had to find a way past Larry Bird and the Celtics and Michael Jordan's Bulls past those same Pistons. The Pacers have a bad taste in their mouth from a year ago and have been looking forward to get another shot at LeBron and Miami.
2. The Pacers won 2 of 3 in regular season
The Pacers were only one of two teams to have a winning record against the Heat during the regular season holding a 2-1 advantage (the New York Knicks were 3-1). I know what some of you are saying "it doesn't matter because it's only the regular season", but why wouldn't it matter? Both teams had their full compliment of players, except Chris Andersen who only played in two of the games, and the games were in the heart of the season. If the Heat didn't care about winning games they wouldn't have gone on a 27 game winning streak. Do any of those wins transfer to playoff wins, no, however it gives a team confidence knowing they haven't struggled against their opponent in the most recent matchups.
3. Paul George
With Danny Granger sidelined due to injury Paul George stepped into the leading role for Indiana this season. George thrived in the situation leading the Pacers in scoring at 17.4 a game and won the NBA's Most Improved award. Not only is he looked at to lead Indiana's offense but will be the primary defender against LeBron. In the three games during the regular season George was able to hold his own against the 4-time MVP. Here's a breakdown of those games.
PTS REB AST PTS REB AST RESULT
Game 1 George 29 11 2 LBJ 22 10 4 Pacers 87-77
Game 2 George 15 6 6 LBJ 28 6 3 Pacers 102-89
Game 3 George 10 6 5 LBJ 13 6 7 Heat 105-91
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Paul George is as good as LeBron James but he obviously has the ability to neutralize his production by matching his numbers. Ironically, the only game LeBron drastically out-performed George was the biggest margin of victory for Indiana. James is the best player on the planet but if George can get close to matching his production it gives the Pacers a great chance to take this series.
4. The Pacers were best 3-point defensive team during the regular season
LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh no doubt run the Miami Heat but they still rely on the three-point shooting of their role players. During the regular season Miami was third in three-pointers made (8.7 per game) and second in three-point percentage (39.6%). However, the Pacers ranked first in opponents three-point percentage (32.7%). It's hard enough to worry about guarding the rim against the big three but when you have to stop Shane Battier, Ray Allen, Mario Chalmers, and Norris Cole from hitting three's it's even more difficult to contain the Heat. Indiana needs to clamp down on the role players hitting big three's and there's hope for the Pacers. The big three will get theirs but it's usually one of the "other guys" that are a determining factor. In the two losses during the regular season the others scored only 11 points on 3-12 from beyond the arc in Game 1 and scored 31 with 4-11 from distance in Game 2. In the single Miami win, Chalmers and Allen alone scored 37 with 6-10 three's and the Heat as a team were able to hit 50% from deep. Not only do the Pacers guard the three well but gave up the second fewest points (90.7) and held opponents to a league best 42% from the field. Holding Miami to jump shots and forcing misses from long range will play right into the Pacers game-plan.
5. Indiana is the best rebounding team in the league
They say the Miami Heat have the most trouble against good rebounding teams. Well guess what, the Indiana Pacers averaged the most rebounds in the league during the regular season (and playoffs) at 45.9 a game. As for Miami, they ranked dead last with 38.6 per game. Rebounding is such a huge part to every game, to be able to keep possessions alive or hold your opponent to only one shot often determines the outcome. In all their meetings this year the Pacers held an edge on the boards. A big question will be how much of the game 7'2 Roy Hibbert plays. The Heat like to play small with Bosh at center and LeBron at power forward so it will be interesting to see if Pacers head coach Frank Vogel will still play Hibbert around 30 minutes a game. Even though the big man leads Indiana on the boards, he isn't the only one attacking the glass as George and Stephenson grab more than eight a game and David West hauls in 6.8 per. It's a total team effort by the Pacers which means it's going to take a total team effort by the Heat to box out and keep them off the glass.
Before you get all riled up thinking I'm taking the Pacers to beat the Heat, I'm not. Because even though Indiana has all that going for them, what Miami has is LeBron James. I do think it will be a hard fought series because there is no love lost from a physical post season meeting a year ago, but Miami is on a whole other level than every team in the east. I'll take the Heat in 6.
The Heat started the playoffs by disposing of a completely out matched Milwaukee Bucks team in a clean four game sweep. Then they eased by a depleted Chicago Bulls team in five games. Now, they turn their sights on the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are the 3-seed in the East and are the biggest long shot left to win a championship. But we've seen crazier things happen before and don't think they are just going to rollover and let Miami walk into the finals. Let's take a look at a few things Indiana has going for itself that will help them take out the mighty Heat.
1. Indiana held a 2-1 series lead last year
From the land of stats that don't but do matter comes this one. A year ago in the Eastern Conference Semis the Pacers took a 2-1 lead after a 19-point victory in Indy. During that game Lance Stephenson, at the time a seldom used bench player, gave LeBron James and the Heat the two-handed choke sign which was not received so well by the rest of the team. Stephenson is now a starter and will have to show out on the court instead of the bench this year. Miami went on to win the next three games but the Pacers showed they can hang with the Heat for half a series now it's time to show they can do it for the entire series. Just like the Pistons had to find a way past Larry Bird and the Celtics and Michael Jordan's Bulls past those same Pistons. The Pacers have a bad taste in their mouth from a year ago and have been looking forward to get another shot at LeBron and Miami.
2. The Pacers won 2 of 3 in regular season
The Pacers were only one of two teams to have a winning record against the Heat during the regular season holding a 2-1 advantage (the New York Knicks were 3-1). I know what some of you are saying "it doesn't matter because it's only the regular season", but why wouldn't it matter? Both teams had their full compliment of players, except Chris Andersen who only played in two of the games, and the games were in the heart of the season. If the Heat didn't care about winning games they wouldn't have gone on a 27 game winning streak. Do any of those wins transfer to playoff wins, no, however it gives a team confidence knowing they haven't struggled against their opponent in the most recent matchups.
3. Paul George
With Danny Granger sidelined due to injury Paul George stepped into the leading role for Indiana this season. George thrived in the situation leading the Pacers in scoring at 17.4 a game and won the NBA's Most Improved award. Not only is he looked at to lead Indiana's offense but will be the primary defender against LeBron. In the three games during the regular season George was able to hold his own against the 4-time MVP. Here's a breakdown of those games.
PTS REB AST PTS REB AST RESULT
Game 1 George 29 11 2 LBJ 22 10 4 Pacers 87-77
Game 2 George 15 6 6 LBJ 28 6 3 Pacers 102-89
Game 3 George 10 6 5 LBJ 13 6 7 Heat 105-91
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Paul George is as good as LeBron James but he obviously has the ability to neutralize his production by matching his numbers. Ironically, the only game LeBron drastically out-performed George was the biggest margin of victory for Indiana. James is the best player on the planet but if George can get close to matching his production it gives the Pacers a great chance to take this series.
4. The Pacers were best 3-point defensive team during the regular season
LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh no doubt run the Miami Heat but they still rely on the three-point shooting of their role players. During the regular season Miami was third in three-pointers made (8.7 per game) and second in three-point percentage (39.6%). However, the Pacers ranked first in opponents three-point percentage (32.7%). It's hard enough to worry about guarding the rim against the big three but when you have to stop Shane Battier, Ray Allen, Mario Chalmers, and Norris Cole from hitting three's it's even more difficult to contain the Heat. Indiana needs to clamp down on the role players hitting big three's and there's hope for the Pacers. The big three will get theirs but it's usually one of the "other guys" that are a determining factor. In the two losses during the regular season the others scored only 11 points on 3-12 from beyond the arc in Game 1 and scored 31 with 4-11 from distance in Game 2. In the single Miami win, Chalmers and Allen alone scored 37 with 6-10 three's and the Heat as a team were able to hit 50% from deep. Not only do the Pacers guard the three well but gave up the second fewest points (90.7) and held opponents to a league best 42% from the field. Holding Miami to jump shots and forcing misses from long range will play right into the Pacers game-plan.
5. Indiana is the best rebounding team in the league
They say the Miami Heat have the most trouble against good rebounding teams. Well guess what, the Indiana Pacers averaged the most rebounds in the league during the regular season (and playoffs) at 45.9 a game. As for Miami, they ranked dead last with 38.6 per game. Rebounding is such a huge part to every game, to be able to keep possessions alive or hold your opponent to only one shot often determines the outcome. In all their meetings this year the Pacers held an edge on the boards. A big question will be how much of the game 7'2 Roy Hibbert plays. The Heat like to play small with Bosh at center and LeBron at power forward so it will be interesting to see if Pacers head coach Frank Vogel will still play Hibbert around 30 minutes a game. Even though the big man leads Indiana on the boards, he isn't the only one attacking the glass as George and Stephenson grab more than eight a game and David West hauls in 6.8 per. It's a total team effort by the Pacers which means it's going to take a total team effort by the Heat to box out and keep them off the glass.
Before you get all riled up thinking I'm taking the Pacers to beat the Heat, I'm not. Because even though Indiana has all that going for them, what Miami has is LeBron James. I do think it will be a hard fought series because there is no love lost from a physical post season meeting a year ago, but Miami is on a whole other level than every team in the east. I'll take the Heat in 6.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Boxing Delivers Another Pre-Fight Gem Before Mayweather-Guerrero
This Saturday Floyd Mayweather Jr. puts his undefeated record on the line against Robert Guerrero in a welterweight bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Boxing is no where near as popular as it once was but Mayweather still draws a crowd. I will never understand how someone can consider themselves the champion of a weight class but yet there's three other titleholders in the same class. Which is considered the real champ, is it the WBO, IBF, WBA, or WBC?
However, one thing boxing still has that no sport does are the most entertaining pre-fight weigh-ins and press conferences. The UFC is a better product as a whole right now but is no match in the category. The only comparison is the WWE and who can forget these classic interviews and promos from The Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, and Stone Cold Steve Austin. But with boxing, these guys can't wait to pound each other and take pre-fight activities to either get in their opponents head or try to get the fight started early. Remember Mike Tyson's outburst before his fight with Lennox Lewis. Or how about Larry Holmes jumping over a car to get to Trevor Burbick. And the best trash talker of all time, Muhammed Ali said too much to Joe Frazier as they got in a tussle on Wide World of Sports.
Well this week we were given another classic pre-fight moment when Guerrero's father, Ruben Gurrero, railed into Mayweather at their press conference calling him a woman-beater and more.
The entertainment in the ring might not be as popular as days gone by, but we can always count on boxing for giving us great moments before the real fight even starts. As for Mayweather-Guerrero, I'm going to be tuning in to hopefully see history. Can Guerrero actually give Mayweather his first loss? I don't think so. Mayweather only seems to take fights where he's confident he'll stay undefeated and this should be no different.
However, one thing boxing still has that no sport does are the most entertaining pre-fight weigh-ins and press conferences. The UFC is a better product as a whole right now but is no match in the category. The only comparison is the WWE and who can forget these classic interviews and promos from The Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, and Stone Cold Steve Austin. But with boxing, these guys can't wait to pound each other and take pre-fight activities to either get in their opponents head or try to get the fight started early. Remember Mike Tyson's outburst before his fight with Lennox Lewis. Or how about Larry Holmes jumping over a car to get to Trevor Burbick. And the best trash talker of all time, Muhammed Ali said too much to Joe Frazier as they got in a tussle on Wide World of Sports.
Well this week we were given another classic pre-fight moment when Guerrero's father, Ruben Gurrero, railed into Mayweather at their press conference calling him a woman-beater and more.
The entertainment in the ring might not be as popular as days gone by, but we can always count on boxing for giving us great moments before the real fight even starts. As for Mayweather-Guerrero, I'm going to be tuning in to hopefully see history. Can Guerrero actually give Mayweather his first loss? I don't think so. Mayweather only seems to take fights where he's confident he'll stay undefeated and this should be no different.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)