National Championship

Sorry about not keeping up to date on the picks. I have been busy the past few weeks.

Tonight, I think Oregon will win and I'll leave the points.

Thanks for reading.

-Michael

Sugar Bowl

I think the Sugar Bowl will be a back and forth game. My prediction is that Ohio State will cover.

Orange Bowl

Sorry about not posting picks for the games on New Year's Day. I didn't have my usual facilities, so it wasn't really possible.

Tonight's Orange Bowl is an interesting match-up. Virginia Tech is definitely an underdog and deserve to be so. I agree that Stanford will win, but I think Virginia Tech will keep it close. I don't think it'll be exactly nip and tuck, but I think somehow Virginia will have a chance to win the game on its final possession.

Orange Bowl: Stanford(-4) vs Virginia Tech
Winner: Virginia Tech

Thanks for reading and please comment.

-Michael

Bowl Games 12/26-12/31

I've not been doing very well with these picks. In fact, if you are a betting man or woman, the only way you'd be ahead is if you haven't listened to me so far. However, I'm going to stick to it.

The Bowl Season has been pretty lame so far. So many blow-outs. But now we are getting to some better match-ups and hopefully there will some more exciting games.

Little Caesars Bowl: Toledo(pick 'em) vs. Florida International
Winner: Toledo

Independence Bowl: Air Force(-3) vs. Georgia Tech
Winner: Georgia Tech

Champ Sports Bowl: West Virginia(-2.5) vs. North Carolina State
Winner: West Virginia

Insight Bowl: Missouri(-3) vs. Iowa
Winner: Missouri

Military Bowl: Maryland(-7.5) vs East Carolina
Winner: East Carolina

Texas Bowl: Baylor(-1.5) vs. Illinois
Winner: Illinois

Alamo Bowl: Oklahoma State(-5.5) vs. Arizona
Winner: Oklahoma State

Armed Forces Bowl: SMU(-7) vs. Army
Winner: SMU

Pinstripe Bowl: Kansas State(pick 'em) vs. Syracuse
Winner: Kansas State

Music City Bowl: North Carolina(-2) vs. Tennessee
Winner: North Carolina

Holiday Bowl: Nebraska(-14) vs. Washington
Winner: Nebraska

Meineke Bowl: Clemson(-5.5) vs. South Florida
Winner: South Florida

Sun Bowl: Miami(FL)(-3) vs. Notre Dame
Winner: Miami(FL)

Liberty Bowl: Georgia(-6.5) vs UCF
Winner: Georgia

Chick-fil-A Bowl: South Carolina(-3) vs. Florida State
Winner: South Carolina

Thanks for reading

-Michael

The NCAA Is a Joke

I want to start this out by saying that I don't disagree with the suspension of Terrelle Pryor, Daniel Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas. They definitely broke the rules and deserve their punishments. However in the current context, the institution that gives out those suspensions lacks legitimacy.

{Brace for rant}

The NCAA doesn't punish Cam Newton at all even after they said those allegations were right. His amateur status was compromised and the NCAA doesn't care. It's not like the NCAA has proven its self to be a forgiving thing. It has punished people for way less benefit to their parents than what Newton's father sought, $180,000.

Those Ohio State players sold trophies and rings and received discounts for at most $2,500. That isn't right and the NCAA is right to punish them. However, why don't their punishments start right away? Why are the six 'student'-athletes allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl? They broke the rules and you've found out about it now, why not their punishments?

The NCAA doesn't have a history of being forgiving and allowing a player to play in a Bowl Game. Ohio State fans don't even have to look that far back for an example of that. Of course then Ohio State wasn't playing in the most-attractive/most money making bowl game other than the National Championship.

Of course, it is supposed to be a world of amateur athletics, but of course the NCAA allows for the exploitation of them. Last night Arkansas had their biggest basketball crowd of the season, because their football players were signing autographs for fans. Now if one of those players traded an autographed picture for the price of a basketball ticket, they'd be in trouble, but University of Arkansas doesn't have to worry about any consequences.

Perhaps the NCAA should change their name to the Ministry of Truth. Their loyalty is not the 'the Man', but to the dollar.

Thanks for reading and please comment.

-Michael

Bowl Games 12/21-12/24

I went a big fat 0-fer in the last round of picks. Let's see if I can't do better this time around. Also we've got are first decent match up tomorrow night. Boise State v Utah looks interesting, but I don't think Utah is good enough to keep with the Broncos. So here are my winners:

Beef 'O Brady's Bowl: Louisville(-2.5) vs. Southern Miss
Winner: Louisville

Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State(-17) vs. Utah
Winner: Boise State

Poinsettia Bowl: San Diego State(-3.5) vs. Navy
Winner: Navy

Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii(-10.5) vs. Tulsa
Winner: Hawaii

Thanks for reading and please comment.

-Michael

I've Finally Switched Camps

I've been on the fence about Mangini since he was hired to be the Browns' head coach after the 2008 season. I didn't particularly like the hire at the time. It felt like Deja Vu to me. So, were bringing in a former Patriots Defensive Coordinator and a GM who was a personnel guy with the Ravens. Where had I heard of that before? That being said, there was nothing that could be done once the hire had been made. We were going to have to tough it out and give this guy a chance, because like it or not he was the new Head Coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Last year the team was pathetic for most of the season. Only winning one of its first twelve games and that victory was in perhaps the most ugly game of Professional Football in recent times. However my feeling toward him weren't entirely hostile during that stretch. That was largely due to the fact that he got rid Braylon Edwards, but the happiness that move brought me was beginning to wear off. Then the strangest thing happened. The team that had looked no better than a bad college team playing in the NFL started winning. Most importantly, Mangini coached the Browns in their victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers*. The late season success almost forced the new President Mike Holmgren to keep him.

The late season victories of last year had created a moderately high level of expectations for the Browns coming into this season. Those were quickly dashed by embarrassing losses to Kansas City and Tampa Bay**. After starting 1-5 there were two surprising victories against two of the NFL's best, New Orleans and New England. Suddenly the Browns looked like they might make a run and became playoff contenders. However those games seem to be flukes and evidence of this team's playing to the level of their opponents.

Yesterday's performance was made me finally decide that Mangini needs to go. The Bengals had no business competing with the Browns, but Cleveland fell into their usual cycle. Although it ended up being much worse yesterday, because the defense looked porous. So, the offense went stagnant after some early success, but the defense wasn't there to fall back on. Given how good the defense has played this season, the only reason I can think for how Cincy was able to man-handle them is lack of effort. That's coaching.

The fact is a team in the NFL shouldn't fall into the cycle on the field that the Browns' have this season. A few good series by the offense and then stagnation for the rest of the game. The defense then eventually fall apart because they've been on the field too much. Considering the Browns' most successful plays have been trick plays and due to Peyton Hillis' beastliness, coaching is a serious issue. You shouldn't have to use gimmicks in the NFL.

I'm hesitant to think Mangini should be fired, but it is what will be best for the Browns. He hasn't had much time and has probably the one of the last talented rosters in the NFL. Plus, I personally kind of like the guy. He's like Belichick, only not such a douche-bag. It's like Belichick was in Slytherin and Mangini was in Ravenclaw***. Still, it's time for the Browns as an organization to move on without him. Allow Holmgren to select a coach and work to build a better talent base without having to appease Mangini's standards.

So, I am now firmly in the Fire Mangini camp.

Thanks for reading and please comment.

-Michael
*That still makes me happy
**I don't care what their records are now, the Browns should have won those games against inferior opponents.
***Putting him in Gyrffindor would be too much credit and into Hufflepuff**** not enough.
****Hufflepuffs FTW