Odds & Ends - Two Months Till Football

cleveland.com

It is once again that enviable time of waiting and contemplating the upcoming college and pro football seasons now only two months away.  With that in mind, time to weigh-in on what looks promising, what is sure to disappoint and what never changes.  The big news this week is the agreement on a college football playoff.  Long overdue and without a doubt disappointing in that it does not go far enough or start soon enough.  However, it is coming and college football fans for the most part have to be salivating at the prospect of a playoff to determine our national champion.

washingtonpost.com

Thankfully, the NFL has a labor deal and we need not worry about all that nonsense for a number of years.  One does have to wonder what the New Orleans Saints are thinking about taking so long to sign Drew Brees.  If you are like me, you must be hoping that a deal will soon be struck with the officials.  Replacement officials just don't work and open the league to all types of problems. 

Wimbledon is now in full progress but I'm not sure anyone really cares.  I did catch a women's match over lunch today and it was enjoyable but not so much that I will carve time out of my day to watch more.  The British Open starts soon and should be a good event this year with Tiger looming.  Of course, we are now only weeks away from the beginning of the London Olympics. 

nj.com

This year's Olympics will give us some great competition and will be a nice lead-in to the college and NFL seasons.  I will be looking at purchasing my Olympic viewing ticket to watch everything and anything online.  I loved that about March Madness and the Olympics has a similar appeal to me.  The competition in swimming among the Americans will be something special.  I am also looking forward to the Track and Field events and Basketball.  Look for LeBron to bring home a gold. 

Although I will write more on this as the season approaches, my pre-season pick is Denver to win the AFC Championship.  I believe Peyton Manning and his teammates will hang on in a tightly fought AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals.  The Bengals draft coupled with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green make the Bengals a definite favorite. 

cincinnati.com

I received great news from my friends Dan and Pam in Ohio who finally have the opportunity to buy season tickets for the Buckeyes.  What a great year to start seeing the Buckeyes every Saturday at home with our new coach, Urban Meyer.  The Buckeyes will be incredibly competitive this year and certainly fun to watch.  I keep reviewing their schedule trying to find a game they could lose.  There are several of course but I maintain that the Buckeyes with their new high-powered offense could very easily run the table. 

The Game is in the Horseshoe in 2012 and Meyer's first go-round with the team up north.  No Big Ten Championship, no BCS game or bowl game in mind, look for the Buckeyes to make the Michigan game a season-maker or breaker in 2012.  Meyer will want to get this series off on the right foot with a big win. 

dailymail.co.uk

The NCAA did come down as expected on UConn's basketball team with a post-season ban for their poor performance in the classroom.  No surprise there.  What did surprise me was to learn the Ohio State Football team ranked in the top five of all universities scoring a 998 out of 1 1000 in the Academic Performance Report.  Urban will have to go some to top that figure. 

Even though I have long boycotted Major League Baseball, I must say that I am delighted to learn that my Reds are clinging to their first-place lead.  It seems difficult to imagine their lead will hold up all season but more power to them.  Finally, the NBA draft comes our way with a very strong underclassmen group.  Those first choices will spell the difference for some very good teams making next year's season much  more interesting. 

Most see this period of time as a hiatus for sports.  I don't think so.  Just a good time to reflect, prepare and dream of the football season to come.      

Opening Weekend - NFL Playoffs



profootballzone.com

It has been a terrific NFL season from start to finish with many interesting stories, games, surprises and stars.  From the labor dispute to Tim Tebow's extraordinary run in Denver, 2011 will be remembered as one of the most fascinating years in NFL history.  Another year of the quarterback or lack thereof with record-breaking performances by Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady.  Outstanding rookie quarterback seasons for Cam Newton and Andy Dalton.  The injured Peyton Manning and the Andrew Luck draft sweepstakes. 

Amazing, that we could be talking about Peyton Manning playing for somebody other than the Indianapolis Colts next year.  Who would have thought?  The hapless Bengals making the playoffs anytime, let alone with a rookie quarterback.  The potential for some incredible games in this year's playoffs is significant.  A New Orleans, Green Bay match-up could be about as exciting as it gets.  Then again, maybe Tim Tebow gets hot again in Denver.  You never know with the NFL.



austin.culturemap.com

My picks for Opening Weekend:

Cincinnati vs. Houston           

            The Bengals have been in nearly every game they have played this year, a remarkable feat for a team playing with a rookie quarterback.  The Texans are tough and have been playing well but I am picking the Bengals to pull the upset.

Detroit vs. New Orleans

skinnypost.com

            This game could break the NFL scoring record with so much offensive firepower.  I like Drew Brees and he is really lighting it up over the last month.  I just can't see the Lions being able to stop Brees and the Saints. 

Atlanta vs. New York Giants

            If one has learned anything, never bet against the Giants.  Eli Manning has a way of coming up with just the right performance at just the right time.  Atlanta is playing well but I believe the Giants will pull one more out of their helmet. 

Pittsburgh vs. Denver

Tebowing has not worked very well the last three weeks and the Broncos go into the game against Pittsburgh having lost their last three games.  If the Steelers can even score 17 points, they will win this game.  However, if Denver's defense can hold Pittsburgh in check on offense, look for Tebow to pull one out for the Mile High City.  I pick Tebow to upset the Steelers. 

There you have it.  Let's hope Opening Weekend doesn't disappoint. 

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