2009 College Football Preview - Day 2

Alright, I've previewed the best non-conference games of the year. I've also highlighted the teams who have it tough out of conference and those who well, are just looking to pad their record and don't care about actually challenging themselves.

So now, it's time to move on to more predictions. This time, I'm predicting the winners of every conference AND making my pick for the 2009 Heisman Trophy.


ATLANTIC
1. Florida State
2. Clemson
3. NC State
4. Wake Forest
5. Boston College
6. Maryland

CENTRAL
1. Georgia Tech
2. Virginia Tech
3. North Carolina
4. Miami (FL)
5. Virginia
6. Duke

ACC Champion: Georgia Tech
Team To Watch: NC State
Best Player: Johnathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech


NORTH
1. Kansas
2. Nebraska
3. Missouri
4. Colorado
5. Kansas State
6. Iowa State

SOUTH
1. Texas
2. Oklahoma
3. Oklahoma State
4. Baylor
5. Texas Tech
6. Texas A+M

Big 12 Champion: Texas
Team To Watch: Baylor
Best Player: Colt McCoy, QB, Texas


1. Cincinnati
2. South Florida
3. Rutgers
4. Pittsburgh
5. West Virginia
6. UConn
7. Louisville
8. Syracuse

Big East Champion: Cincinnati
Team To Watch: Rutgers
Best Player: (Tie) Matt Grothe, QB, South Florida and Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati


1. Ohio State
2. Penn State
3. Michigan State
4. Illinois
5. Northwestern
6. Iowa
7. Wisconsin
8. Minnesota
9. Michigan
10. Purdue
11. Indiana

Big Ten Champion: Ohio State
Team To Watch: Illinois
Best Player: Daryll Clark, QB, Penn State


1. USC
2. California
3. Oregon State
4. Oregon
5. Arizona State
6. Stanford
7. UCLA
8. Arizona
9. Washington
10. Washington State

Pac-10 Champion: USC
Team To Watch: Stanford
Best Player: Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State


EAST
1. Florida
2. Georgia
3. South Carolina
4. Vanderbilt
5. Tennessee
6. Kentucky

WEST
1. Ole Miss
2. Alabama
3. LSU
4. Arkansas
5. Auburn
6. Mississippi State

SEC Champion: Florida
Best Player: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Team To Watch: South Carolina


EAST: East Carolina
WEST: Tulsa
CHAMPION: Tulsa
BEST PLAYER: Case Keenum, QB, Houston


EAST: Buffalo
WEST: Central Michigan
CHAMPION: Central Michigan
BEST PLAYER: Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan

CHAMPION: Utah
BEST PLAYER: Max Hall, QB, BYU


CHAMPION: Troy
BEST PLAYER: Corey Leonard, QB, Arkansas State


CHAMPION: Boise State
BEST PLAYER: Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State


NOTRE DAME: 8-4



HEISMAN PREDICTIONS
1. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
2. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
3. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
4. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State
5. Johnathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
6. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State

NEXT: My Final Top 25 and BCS Bowl predictions

2009 College Football Preview - Day 1

I don't know about you but the wait for the football season has been UNBEARABLE. Thanks to the Indians and my awful fantasy draft, this baseball season has been one of the most boring yet. But thanks to football, I can turn my attention from America's pastime to America's presentime (that's not a word, I know.)

Like last year, I will have a weekly preview of each week (posted on Thursdays), including the top 15 games and predictions. I will also have a weekly recap on Sundays, with my Big Ten things we learned and other fun sections.

But this week is all about previewing the 2009 college football season. Here's the schedule for the blog:
TODAY: Best non-conference games and toughest/easiest non-conference schedules
TUESDAY: Conference predictions and Heisman predictions
WEDNESDAY: My Final Top 25 and BCS Bowl predictions
THURSDAY: College Football Week 1 Predictions

Now, as I stated last year, I am not a college football expert. I freely admit that. I am an avid college football fan. So while I may act like I know what I am talking about, I don't know it all. No one does. Many of my predictions are based on stats and such but the fan bias will show up. Oh, and finally, argue with me please. I appreciate a good argument about sports, because no matter what, no one is wrong.

TOP 10 NON-CONFERENCE GAMES 2009
(***NOTE: This does not count annual rivalry games such as UGA-GT, FSU-UF, USC-ND, etc..)

10. TCU @ Clemson (Sept. 26) - This one may not jump off the page for you but consider this. TCU has a good chance to go undefeated once again but to do that, they must get by this trip to Death Valley. Last year, the Horned Frogs fell at Oklahoma, crushing any BCS dreams. TCU would still have to get by BYU and Utah but this game comes first.

9. Utah @ Oregon (Sept. 19) - Oregon is going to a be a top-20 team all year. same probably goes with Utah. So when they meet in September, it will be an interesting matchup of two teams hoping to prove something. For Utah, it's another chance to prove they belong among the big boys. For Oregon, it's a chance that to face a quality opponent outside of the weak Pac-10 and at home.

8. Cincinnati @ Oregon State (Sept. 19) - A battle of Top 25 teams and a true road test for what is going to be a young, inexperienced Cincinnati defense. The Bearcats only return one starter and just 2 games into the season, have to try and contain RB Jacquizz Rodgers. Neither team will be making a BCS Championship this year but this should be a fun game to watch.

7. Nebraska @ Virginia Tech (Sept. 19) - Seems like every year, Virginia Tech has an outside shot of making a BCS Championship. This is one of those years, with 15 starters coming back. But Nebraska is not joke, especially with Bo Pelini as head coach. Last year, the Huskers lost 35-30 in Lincoln. This year, expect another close game with the winner gaining much-needed confidence before conference play. Oh, and respect across the nation.

6. Georgia @ Oklahoma State (Sept. 5) - Week 1 games don't get much better than this. OK State returns one of the most dynamic offenses in college football. UGA loses 3 big cogs in their offense but the defense should be solid. It's hard to read either team right now. UGA has a new QB and RB while OK State only has 6 starters returning from what was the 93rd ranked defense last year.

5. Illinois vs. Cincinnati (Nov. 27) - For the day after Thanksgiving, I think we should give thanks for such an attractive non-conference matchup. Both teams will be nearing the end of their regular season and probably, playing their best ball of the year. For both, this game won't determine bowl game locations but instead, bragging rights and poll position. Sometimes, those are the best kinds of games when the only thing on the line is pride.

4. Oregon @ Boise State (Sept. 3) - Really happy the college football season begins with a game like this one. Oregon lost to the Broncos last year in Eugene and now, they have to play on the blue turf. It's good to see a big-name school have the guts to travel and play a team of Boise State's caliber. I wish more teams would do it. This is a big one for Boise State. If they win, they probably run the table yet again.

3. BYU vs. Oklahoma (in Arlington, TX) (Sept. 5) - This will probably end up being an easy win for Oklahoma but there's a chance this could be close. First off, it will be played on a fairly neutral field. Secondly, BYU is led by a senior QB that racked up 444.8 ypg last year. They also return 8 starters on a defense that should be much improved. And because it is week one, who knows what could happen. Can anyone say Appalachian State-Michigan?

2. Virginia Tech vs. Alabama (in Atlanta) - Battle of two top-10 teams in the first week of the season. For one, a great chance to make a statement off the bat. For another, national title chances take a huge hit immediately. Last year, Alabama had a convincing win over Clemson in this game and then rattled off 10 more wins in a row. The intriguing matchup in this one is the Bama defense vs. the VT offense. Should make for a fun first Saturday.

1. USC @ Ohio State (Sept. 12) - Was there any doubt? Not because I am an OSU fan but because this game truly is the biggest of the year. Both teams know what's on the line. Both conferences are weak and both teams will probably win them. So winning this game shows voters that they are for real. Last year, USC demolished OSU, proving they were superior. This year, it's in Columbus and the Bucks are looking for revenge. A win for OSU could lead to an undefeated season, but does that mean a BCS title game shot? Same goes for USC, except if they go undefeated, they're in easily.


TOUGHEST NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULES
(***NOTE: Among BCS conference teams and Notre Dame)
5. Cincinnati - Sept. 12 @ SE Missouri State, Sept. 19 @ Oregon State, Sept. 26 vs. Fresno State, Nov. 27 vs. Illinois
4. Oregon - Sept. 3 @ Boise State, Sept 12 vs. Purdue, Sept. 19 vs. Utah
3. Virginia Tech - Sept. 5 vs. Alabama (in Atlanta), Sept. 12 vs. Marshall, Sept. 19 vs. Nebraska, Nov. 5 @ East Carolina
2. Florida State - Sept. 12 vs. Jacksonville State, Sept. 19 @ BYU, Sept. 26 vs. South Florida, Nov. 28 @ Florida
1. Georgia - Sept. 5 @ Oklahoma State, Sept. 26 vs. Arizona State, Nov. 7 vs. Tennessee Tech, Nov. 28 @ Georgia Tech

EASIEST NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULES
(***NOTE: Among BCS conference teams and Notre Dame)
5. Ole Miss - Sept. 6 @ Memphis, Sept. 19 vs. SE Louisiana, Oct. 17 vs. UAB, Nov. 7 vs. Northern Arizona
4. Kansas - Sept. 5 vs. Northern Colorado, Sept. 12 @ UTEP, Sept. 19 vs. Duke, Sept. 26 vs. Southern Miss
3. Northwestern - Sept. 5 vs. Towson, Sept. 12 vs. Eastern Michigan, Sept. 19 @ Syracuse, Oct. 10 vs. Miami (OH)
2. Penn State - Sept. 5 vs. Akron, Sept. 12 vs. Syracuse, Sept. 19 vs. Temple, Oct. 10 vs. Eastern Illinois
1. LSU - Sept. 5 @ Washington, Sept. 19 vs. UL-Lafayette, Oct. 31 vs. Tulane, Nov. 14 vs. Louisiana Tech

TOMORROW: Conference predictions and Heisman predictions

MLB Month In Review: May 2009

AL Team of the Month: Texas Rangers - There should be zero doubt about this. What this team is doing is absolutely ridiculous. In the month of May, the Rangers went an amazing 20-9 and now find themselves on top of the NL West. The crazy thing is that this team doesn't look like it should be doing well at all. The pitching isn't all that great, with an ERA of 4.46 and just 23 QS in 50 games. But yet, they lead the league in saves with 16. The main reason for this team being where they are is their hitting. With players like Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz and Michael Young having career years and leading the way, this team has proven they can pound the baseball even without big bopper Josh Hamilton.
Runner-Up: Detroit Tigers

NL Team of the Month: Los Angeles Dodgers - For a team that lost its best player in the beginning of the month, they sure aren't playing like it. The Dodgers went 20-9 in the month of May, proving their fast start in April wasn't a fluke. Once Manny was suspended, Juan Pierre stepped in and despite a lack of power, he has brought along the base hits. In fact, the entire team has been hitting. They lead the NL in batting avg. and runs. Meanwhile, the pitching is second in ERA and first in batting avg. against. Thanks to their hot start, they have a healthy lead in an already weak NL west. If they fall from first anytime during the season, I will be truly surprised.
Runner-Up: Milwaukee Brewers

AL Most Disappointing Team of the Month: Seattle Mariners - It was just last month when I proclaimed this team the team of the month. But after going 11-18 in May, they have fallen from grace. They can't blame their pitching one bit. The pitching staff is still exceeding expectations with an ERA under 4 and keeping batters to a .254 avg. But the hitters aren't helping at all. In the AL, they are 12th in avg, 14th in runs scored and in on-base percentage. Aside from Ichiro and Russell Branyan, this team has been awful at the plate. They've already squandered their solid start, which is a shame.
Runner-Up: Oakland Athletics

NL Most Disappointing Team of the Month: Florida Marlins - Just like the Mariners, the Marlins were my top team in the NL. But an 9-20 month of May has banished them here. They started so strong in both batting and pitching but now, they are not in the top 10 in any pitching category. They barely register in the top half in runs in the NL at 7th. While Hanley Ramirez has picked up after a slow start, players like Emilio Bonfacio hit a wall. This is a young team so maybe this was to be expected.
Runner-Up: Arizona Diamondbacks

AL MVP of May: Mark Teixiera, NYY - When you hit 13 homers in a month and drive in 34 runs, you get consideration for this pick. When you also help lead your team to a 17-11 month of May, you deserve this as well. I figured it would take Teixiera a bit to get used to the New York atmosphere. I'd say he's good to go now.
Runner-Up: Carl Crawford, TB

NL MVP of May: Prince Fielder, MIL - Not a bad month for the "Prince". An average of .301, 9 homers, 20 runs and 30 RBI. His production helped the Brewers catapult to first place in the NL Central and go 18-10 in the month of May.
Runner-Up: Juan Pierre


AL Cy Young of the Month: Justin Verlander, DET - After a rocky April, Verlander bounced back nicely with a very impressive May. He posted 6 quality starts and 5 wins. He threw 56 strikeouts in 41.1 innings. And most importantly, had an ERA of 1.52. The Tigers went 17-11 in the month and are now in first place in the AL Central. Wonder why now?
Runner-Up: Zack Grienke, KC

NL Cy Young of the Month: Trevor Hoffman, MIL - Not a big fan of recognizing relievers as the best pitcher of the month but I think it's fair to give Hoffman his due. I mean, think about it. Did you seriously think he would have this good a season so far when he signed with the Brew Crew? He's old, which means he shouldn't be effective but his 11 saves and zero ERA in the month of May would say otherwise.
Runner-Up: Johnny Cueto, CIN

Biggest Story of the Month: Manny Ramirez suspended - It's the news no baseball fan wanted to hear. It was bad enough people didn't like Manny for his "lazy" demeanor on the field. But now, fans and teammates had another reason to hate him because he's now a cheater. The news rocked the sports world when it happened. He just seemed to be the one player that was so gifted that he didn't need performance-enhancing drugs. But alas, he was caught, whether he knew he took them or not. What a shame.
Runner-Up: Carl Crawford steals 6 bases in one game

NBA Playoffs = Boredom

So I find myself these days really craving Indians baseball games. Yeah, they're losing an awful lot and many times, in the last 3 innings, but I still miss them. And of course, I miss the Blue Jackets. The playoff run was short but exciting nonetheless. Oh, and my Pacers, well, they're still a joke.

So what's there to watch? Well, I could watch the NHL playoffs but I tend not to really get into them until the Stanley Cup Finals. Plus, the hurt of not seeing the Jackets still playing is still there. So I've been watching the NBA Playoffs. And through 2 weeks, I have one word to describe them: BOREDOM.

Besides the Celtics-Bulls series, this has been the most boring first round of games ever. Every team that was expected to win did win. The Cavs disposed of the Pistons in 4 games, further proving my proposal of not allowing teams with under .500 records in. The Sixers gave the Magic a scare but as bad teams do, they folded in Game 6 when the Magic were without their best player. The Hawks/Heat series did go 7 games but seriously, every game was terrible. Trust me, I had to report on it.

The West was no better. The Lakers were never really challenged by the Jazz, who just seemed happy to make the playoffs. The Spurs are old and injured, so there was really no surprise to see them run out of the gym by a faster, younger and frankly better Dallas team. The Rockets/Blazers series had the potential to be good but that didn't pan out either. and the same can be said for the Hornets/Nuggets series that I'm pretty sure every Hornets players slept through.

Now, we're on to Round 2 and that should mean more intensity, better games and tons more action right? WRONG. Just look at these matchups. Cleveland vs. Atlanta is just laughable. The Cavs are healthy, rested and have the best player in the NBA. The Hawks are tired, injured and have a cast of role players. If this series goes longer than 5 games, it's just because the Cavs want to play more games. Orlando vs. Boston on paper should be good but think about it. Boston needed 7 games to beat a young Chicago team that had no business competing with the defending champs. As long as Dwight Howard keeps his elbows to himself, this series won't get past Game 6. With KG, Boston would have a chance but alas, he's not there.

Same goes for Houston and Tracy McGrady. With him, I give them a fighting chance against the Lakers. But without him, fuhgeddaboutit. The Lakers are on a mission and the Rockets are not going to slow them down. I'll be surprised if they win one game. And then the Denver-Dallas series. Really, does anyone care? Both teams will lose to L.A. in the conference finals. This series could go 7 and be won on a buzzer-beater by Chauncey Billups from 60 ft and I wouldn't care. It's just a formality.

Let's all be honest. The finals will be Cavs-Lakers. It's like the Eastern Conference playoffs in the 90's. It was never who was going to win the East. The only question was who were the Bulls going to beat in the conference finals. That's how it feels right now. All of us sports fans are stuck watching series that are just downright boring and melodramatic. They have no real meaning because the only one that matters in the last one, when the two truly dominant teams in the league will ultimately meet up.

So for the love of all that is right in this world, can we cut these playoffs down from 16 teams to 8? Or at least start playing games back-to-back to speed this process up? Extending the NBA playoffs into this 3-month marathon is not good for anyone, especially the fans who just want to be entertained. Maybe one day David Stern will wake up and figure that out. for now, just wake me up when the Cavs-Lakers NBA Finals start...IN JUNE! What a joke.

MLB Month In Review: April 2009

Well, the 162-game season that is the MLB season is 1/6 over. As expected, we have plenty of surprises in the first month of play. We also have a few disappointments. But you have to be careful in reading too much into the month of April. Last year, Arizona jumped out to a 20-8 start in April and were heralded by some to be the NL champion come October. Yet, by the end of September, they weren't in the postseason.

AL Team of the Month: Seattle Mariners
What a great month for the Mariners. Last year, the team finished 61-101, the worst record in baseball. But so far, out of the gate, they are 13-9 and look like a completely different team. Felix Hernandez has been amazing, with 4 wins, 36 K and a 2.38 ERA. But he's getting a lot of help from the rest of the pitching staff. Overall, the team ranks first in ERA (3.47), batting average against (.244), saves (8) and quality starts (12). The bats haven't been lighting it up but they haven't needed too yet. 1st year manager Don Wakamatsu has to be given some credit for the great start, especially since expectations were so low for this team.
Runner-Up: Boston Red Sox

NL Team of the Month: St. Louis Cardinals
Not many people (if anyone) is picking the Cardinals to win the NL Central. Well, you may want to re-think that. This team is playing some great baseball. They lead the league in runs scored (133) and are 2nd in batting average (.285) and OPS (.810). But it's the starting pitching that is carrying this team. Joel Piniero, Kyle Lohse and Adam Wainwright are pitching like veterans though all three are younger than 30. And don't forget about Chris Carpenter, who in his 2 starts, gave up just 5 hits and no runs. If he can stay healthy, expect the Cardinals to make this 16-7 start not look like a fluke.
Runner-Up: Florida Marlins

AL Most Disappointing Team: Cleveland Indians
Pains me to write that but it's the truth. There are a lot of expectations for this team, especially after the furious finish they had in the 2008 season to finish at .500. So far this year though, they are 8-14 and look just as bad as last year's first half. The hitting though is not the problem this year (5th in the AL in runs scores). So far, it's the pitching. In the month of April, Cleveland pitchers have an ERA of 5.81 and a WHIP of 1.62. Oh, and opposing batters are averaging a healthy .287 against it. The bullpen was supposed to be the strong suit of this team. It's been the exact opposite in fact, blowing at least 5 late leads so far. So far, injuries have missed the team for the most part so a turnaround can happen but if the bullpen doesn't improve, neither will this team.
Runner-Up: Tampa Bay Rays

NL Most Disappointing Team: New York Mets
New ballpark should signal a new beginning. But the 2009 Mets of 2009 look like the Mets of old, as in 2008. The Mets finished April at 9-12, not terrible but not the way they would've liked to begin the season. They're hitting the ball just fine (team batting avg. of .282). The problem is they aren't scoring runs (9th in the NL with 96). And that's proving to be a problem, especially as their pitching staff struggles. Besides Santana, the Mets do not have a reliable starting pitcher. John Maine, Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez and Livan Hernandez are a combined 6-5 and each has an ERA higher than 5.40. They may have the best closer in baseball in Francisco Rodriguez but that doesn't matter too much when you never have the lead to get him the ball.
Runner-Up: Chicago Cubs

AL MVP of the Month: Carlos Pena, TB
The first baseman had a year to remember last season. Some thought he would fizzle this year but that hasn't been the case. Pena hit 9 HR and led the league in RBI with 24. His .256 batting average has also been steadily on the rise after a slow start. The Rays may be struggling but Pena is obviously not.

NL MVP of the Month: Albert Pujols, STL
When you bat .356, hit 9 HR and drive in 29 runs, odds are you're going to win this award. Pujols is turning into a machine. He has been a productive player ever since he arrived in this league and showed no signs of slowing down this year. The best player in baseball leading the best team in baseball in the month of April.

AL Cy Young of the Month: Zack Grienke, KC
No surprise here. Grienke is finally living up to the potential that was given him 5 years ago. the 25-year old has come out of the gates on fire. 5 starts and 5 wins. 2 complete games, including one shutout. And that's not all. In those 5 starts, he's given up just 2 ER, 8 BB and struck out 44. There's no guarantee he'll keep this crazy pace up but odds are, he'll at least finish with 15 wins and have a lot more confidence in himself, something that has defied the youngster his entire career.

NL Cy Young of the Month: Johan Santana, NYM
It's nice to see a pitcher that is being paid to be an ace and dominant pitcher actually do that. Johan Santana is single-handedly carrying the Mets rotation right now. In the month of April, he went 3-1 with an ERA of 1.10, leading the NL. His stuff has been outstanding too, as seen by his 44 K and WHIP of 0.95. He's being paid $18 million this season and I think it's fair to say that with numbers like that, he's been worth every penny.

Biggest Story of the Month: Nick Adenhart's death
As if the Angels pitching staff wasn't decimated enough due to injuries, the entire team and baseball world was shaken by the sudden death of 22-year old pitcher Nick Adenhart. Just hours after pitching in his first start of the year, he was killed by a drunk driver. I've never dealt with a death of a teammate during a season so I'm no expert on how the Angels have been dealing with it. But it is evident that his death has left a hole in an Angels rotation that needs to get healthy soon. They went 9-12 in the month of April, which isn't bad considering.
Runner-Up: Yankee Stadium = Homer-Happy Ballpark