Ringer's Final Poll
1. Auburn (14-0) - The Tigers came from behind for the 9th time to win the Natty.
2. TCU (13-0) - The Horned Frogs proved their worth finishing as 1 of 2 unbeaten teams.
3. Oregon (12-1) - The Ducks finally met their match against Auburn.
4. Stanford (12-1) - Andrew Luck and an underrated D were something special in '10.
5. Ohio St. (12-1) - The Buckeyes won their final 6 games to finish in the top 5 yet again.
6. Oklahoma (12-2) - The Sooners finish the season with Big 12 and Fiesta Bowl titles.
7. Wisconsin (11-2) - The nation's hottest team ran out of steam in Pasadena.
8. LSU (11-2) - The maligned offense put up 41 against a tough A&M defense.
9. Boise St. (12-1) - The Broncos shook off disappointment to dominate Utah.
10. Oklahoma St. (11-2) - The Pokes offense lead them to an outstanding 11 win season.
11. Alabama (10-3) - Bama's talent shown as they dominated Sparty.
12. Arkansas (10-3) - Arkansas was a scooped punt block away from BCS glory.
13. Nevada (13-1) - Colin Kaepernick lead the Wolfpack to a historic season.
14. Michigan St. (11-2) - Despite the lopsided bowl loss, MSU had a great season.
15. Virginia Tech (11-3) - The Hokies season begins and ends with losses.
16. Missouri (10-3) - The Tigers exceeded expectations to reach 10 wins.
17. Mississippi St. (9-4) - The Bulldogs came awfully close to getting to 10 wins.
18. Florida St. (10-4) - The Seminoles finish strong with a bowl win over South Carolina.
19. Texas A&M (9-4) - The Aggies have plenty to build on for next year.
20. Nebraska (10-4) - The Huskers struggled without Taylor Martinez at full strength.
21. UCF (11-3) - UCF got a signature win over an SEC team in the Liberty Bowl.
22. Maryland (9-4) - The program surprised all with 9 wins, then got rid of their coach.
23. NC State (9-4) - The Pack had a breakout year capped off with a bowl win.
24. South Carolina (9-5) - The Gamecocks' impressive season ended with a thud.
25. Tulsa (10-3) - The offense powered the Golden Hurricane to a 10 win season.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
BCS National Championship Game Preview
(1) Auburn -2 vs. (2) Oregon
This is what we've all been waiting for. It has been over a month since this matchup was announced and the time has finally come for the 2 most explosive offenses in the nation to square off. Auburn comes in seeking their 1st national title since 1957, while Oregon looks to secure the school's 1st ever. Everything we know about these teams leads me to believe that this will be a shootout. Both offenses are capable of exploding at any point. Auburn has had a tendency to fall behind early in games, having to comeback to win 8 times throughout the 2010 season. That won't cut it against the Ducks. Oregon only gets stronger as the game goes on, and if they get out to an early lead they may never look back. This will be the most difficult task this Oregon offense has faced all year, however. The Tigers boast the nation's 11th best rushing defense, lead by All-American DT Nick Fairley. Heisman finalist LaMichael James will need to break a couple long runs to open things up for QB Darron Thomas. And then we have the unstoppable force of Cam Newton. We know that Oregon won't be able to stop him, but can they bottle him up and hope to contain him just a little? Newton is most well-known for his amazing size and unimaginable athleticism that allows him to run for huge chunks of yardage. But the Oregon secondary will have their hands full as well. Newton ranked as the nation's top passer in yards per attempt. Look for Newton to hook up with Darvin Adams for a couple big plays. There are many factors that will play a role in this game's outcome. It may be decided by who gets more creative, Chip Kelly or Auburn OC Gus Malzahn. Often times, players come into this type of game too hyped up and it results in a slow start. Expect the same here. This will give Auburn an early advantage and they will hang on to win and complete a story book 2010 season. Auburn Tigers - National Champions!
Prediction - Auburn 35 Oregon 27
This is what we've all been waiting for. It has been over a month since this matchup was announced and the time has finally come for the 2 most explosive offenses in the nation to square off. Auburn comes in seeking their 1st national title since 1957, while Oregon looks to secure the school's 1st ever. Everything we know about these teams leads me to believe that this will be a shootout. Both offenses are capable of exploding at any point. Auburn has had a tendency to fall behind early in games, having to comeback to win 8 times throughout the 2010 season. That won't cut it against the Ducks. Oregon only gets stronger as the game goes on, and if they get out to an early lead they may never look back. This will be the most difficult task this Oregon offense has faced all year, however. The Tigers boast the nation's 11th best rushing defense, lead by All-American DT Nick Fairley. Heisman finalist LaMichael James will need to break a couple long runs to open things up for QB Darron Thomas. And then we have the unstoppable force of Cam Newton. We know that Oregon won't be able to stop him, but can they bottle him up and hope to contain him just a little? Newton is most well-known for his amazing size and unimaginable athleticism that allows him to run for huge chunks of yardage. But the Oregon secondary will have their hands full as well. Newton ranked as the nation's top passer in yards per attempt. Look for Newton to hook up with Darvin Adams for a couple big plays. There are many factors that will play a role in this game's outcome. It may be decided by who gets more creative, Chip Kelly or Auburn OC Gus Malzahn. Often times, players come into this type of game too hyped up and it results in a slow start. Expect the same here. This will give Auburn an early advantage and they will hang on to win and complete a story book 2010 season. Auburn Tigers - National Champions!
Prediction - Auburn 35 Oregon 27
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Wild Card Sunday Preview
Sunday, 1
Baltimore -3 @ Kansas City
Baltimore enters the playoffs as a wild card for the 3rd consecutive year. Their previous 2 trips resulted in victories at Miami and New England on the opening playoff weekend. This year they will go to Kansas City where Joe Flacco will look to become the first QB to win a road playoff game in his first 3 seasons in the history of the league. The upstart Chiefs carry a 7-1 home record into the game, with their lone home loss coming a week ago in a beatdown the Raiders laid on them. This is an intriguing matchup of the league's top rushing offense in the Chiefs versus a stout Ravens defense. I liked the Ravens to win the AFC at the beginning of the season, and though they may not be the favorite by entering the playoffs as wild card, I see no reason they can't beat the Chiefs who only beat one team with a winning record all season. The Chiefs have enjoyed an amazing season and have a bright future to look forward to. Their 2010 season comes to a close on Sunday though.
Prediction - Baltimore 20 Kansas City 16
Sunday, 4
Green Bay +2.5 @ Philadelphia
I believe this game will be the best of the opening weekend matchups. The 2 teams began the season against each other way back in September. One of these teams will end the season versus the same team it began against. In Week 1 Green Bay squeaked out a 27-20 win in Philly. Michael Vick came in off the bench to lead a ferocious Eagle comeback before coming up just short. Vick will be on the field from the opening snap this time around. Look for the Packers to test that quad injury and blitz him from all angles. Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson will be sent numerous times throughout the game. The Packers will counter Vick with Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has risen up the QB ranks since taking over In Green Bay and is now widely considered 1 of the top 5 in the league. Rodgers has never won a playoff game though. The Packers are winners of their last 2 games, while the Eagles lost their last 2. But I can't in good conscience pick all 4 road teams. Give me the Eagles on a late David Akers field goal.
Prediction - Philadelphia 23 Green Bay 20
Baltimore -3 @ Kansas City
Baltimore enters the playoffs as a wild card for the 3rd consecutive year. Their previous 2 trips resulted in victories at Miami and New England on the opening playoff weekend. This year they will go to Kansas City where Joe Flacco will look to become the first QB to win a road playoff game in his first 3 seasons in the history of the league. The upstart Chiefs carry a 7-1 home record into the game, with their lone home loss coming a week ago in a beatdown the Raiders laid on them. This is an intriguing matchup of the league's top rushing offense in the Chiefs versus a stout Ravens defense. I liked the Ravens to win the AFC at the beginning of the season, and though they may not be the favorite by entering the playoffs as wild card, I see no reason they can't beat the Chiefs who only beat one team with a winning record all season. The Chiefs have enjoyed an amazing season and have a bright future to look forward to. Their 2010 season comes to a close on Sunday though.
Prediction - Baltimore 20 Kansas City 16
Sunday, 4
Green Bay +2.5 @ Philadelphia
I believe this game will be the best of the opening weekend matchups. The 2 teams began the season against each other way back in September. One of these teams will end the season versus the same team it began against. In Week 1 Green Bay squeaked out a 27-20 win in Philly. Michael Vick came in off the bench to lead a ferocious Eagle comeback before coming up just short. Vick will be on the field from the opening snap this time around. Look for the Packers to test that quad injury and blitz him from all angles. Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson will be sent numerous times throughout the game. The Packers will counter Vick with Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has risen up the QB ranks since taking over In Green Bay and is now widely considered 1 of the top 5 in the league. Rodgers has never won a playoff game though. The Packers are winners of their last 2 games, while the Eagles lost their last 2. But I can't in good conscience pick all 4 road teams. Give me the Eagles on a late David Akers field goal.
Prediction - Philadelphia 23 Green Bay 20
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wild Card Saturday Preview
Saturday, 4:30
New Orleans -10.5 @ Seattle
The defending champions get to travel to the Pacific Northwest to play at a 7-9 Seattle team to begin the Wild Card weekend. The Saints have been rolling throughout the 2nd half of the season and look primed for another Super Bowl run. The champs should not take the Seahawks lightly though; despite the fact that they lost 9 games by 15 points or more in the regular season. Qwest Field remains one of the toughest places to play in the entire NFL and it should be raucous on Saturday. The Saints are also a little banged up. They were the 28th ranked rushing offense in the league, and will not have the services of Christopher Ivory or Pierre Thomas. This leaves Julius Jones and Reggie Bush to try to carry the load. Expect Sean Payton to leave this game in the hands of his all-world QB Drew Brees. Seattle will get QB Matt Hasselbeck in the lineup. Hasselbeck is a proven winner that has been to a Super Bowl. His experience and the home crowd will help Seattle hang around. But Hasselbeck's best days are behind him. Has the Seahawks lost last week they would have been drafting in the top 10 and could have picked his replacement. Instead they won the dreadful NFC West and became the first team with a losing record to make the playoffs. Ultimately the Saints will prove to be too talented, but I don't expect the blowout that most do.
Prediction - New Orleans 27 Seattle 21
Saturday, 8
NY Jets +2.5 @ Indianapolis
This is a rematch of last year's AFC Championship game. The 2 teams square off in the Wild Card round this year. Both teams have had somewhat up and down seasons. The Jets looked like a definite threat to win the Super Bowl as they stormed out to a 9-2 start. However, a 2-3 finish has many wondering whether Rex Ryan's team has what it takes to compete at that level. The Colts were a Week 15 loss to the Jags away from missing out on the playoffs for the first time in 9 seasons. Peyton Manning stopped throwing interceptions and lead the Colts to 4 straight wins to finish out the year. In last year's AFC Championship Manning stayed away from Revis Island and instead exposed the Jets' other corners as Pierre Garcon torched their secondary. This was one of the main reasons that the Jets went out and acquired Antonio Cromartie this offseason. Now they have 2 of the league's top corners playing opposite each other. Peyton Manning hasn't always had his best performances in the postseason. Expect for the Jets to get after him and force some mistakes. On offense, the Jets will look to take the game out of Mark Sanchez's hands and pound the ball behind their outstanding O-Line. Rex Ryan has certainly talked the talk this year, and Saturday his team will walk the walk.
Prediction - NY Jets 28 Indianapolis 17
New Orleans -10.5 @ Seattle
The defending champions get to travel to the Pacific Northwest to play at a 7-9 Seattle team to begin the Wild Card weekend. The Saints have been rolling throughout the 2nd half of the season and look primed for another Super Bowl run. The champs should not take the Seahawks lightly though; despite the fact that they lost 9 games by 15 points or more in the regular season. Qwest Field remains one of the toughest places to play in the entire NFL and it should be raucous on Saturday. The Saints are also a little banged up. They were the 28th ranked rushing offense in the league, and will not have the services of Christopher Ivory or Pierre Thomas. This leaves Julius Jones and Reggie Bush to try to carry the load. Expect Sean Payton to leave this game in the hands of his all-world QB Drew Brees. Seattle will get QB Matt Hasselbeck in the lineup. Hasselbeck is a proven winner that has been to a Super Bowl. His experience and the home crowd will help Seattle hang around. But Hasselbeck's best days are behind him. Has the Seahawks lost last week they would have been drafting in the top 10 and could have picked his replacement. Instead they won the dreadful NFC West and became the first team with a losing record to make the playoffs. Ultimately the Saints will prove to be too talented, but I don't expect the blowout that most do.
Prediction - New Orleans 27 Seattle 21
Saturday, 8
NY Jets +2.5 @ Indianapolis
This is a rematch of last year's AFC Championship game. The 2 teams square off in the Wild Card round this year. Both teams have had somewhat up and down seasons. The Jets looked like a definite threat to win the Super Bowl as they stormed out to a 9-2 start. However, a 2-3 finish has many wondering whether Rex Ryan's team has what it takes to compete at that level. The Colts were a Week 15 loss to the Jags away from missing out on the playoffs for the first time in 9 seasons. Peyton Manning stopped throwing interceptions and lead the Colts to 4 straight wins to finish out the year. In last year's AFC Championship Manning stayed away from Revis Island and instead exposed the Jets' other corners as Pierre Garcon torched their secondary. This was one of the main reasons that the Jets went out and acquired Antonio Cromartie this offseason. Now they have 2 of the league's top corners playing opposite each other. Peyton Manning hasn't always had his best performances in the postseason. Expect for the Jets to get after him and force some mistakes. On offense, the Jets will look to take the game out of Mark Sanchez's hands and pound the ball behind their outstanding O-Line. Rex Ryan has certainly talked the talk this year, and Saturday his team will walk the walk.
Prediction - NY Jets 28 Indianapolis 17
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)