Category: NCAA

Posted on in Football, NCAA

Top 5 Best Bowl Games and Predictions (Not Including BCS Championship Game)

This is the most intriguing bowl season yet, and it will end with in the craziest way possible. Here are the previews for the 5 best bowl games of the 2013-14 season.

Number 5: Clemson vs. Ohio State, Discover Orange Bowl

Both of these teams are coming off losses, so this is pretty big. Ohio State lost in the B1G Ten Championship Game vs. Michigan State. Clemson had an upset win over LSU last year in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, and it shall happen again, thanks to some Tajh Boyd heroics. Final Score: 27-23, Clemson.

Number 4: Oklahoma vs. Alabama, Allstate Sugar Bowl

Some Oklahoma heroics helped them beat Oklahoma State on their way to the Sugar Bowl. Alabama lost its last game vs. Auburn on the famous Kick-6. No miracles this time around, as Maxwell Trophy winner AJ McCarron will lead this team to victory. Final Score: 41-27, Alabama.

Number 3: Duke vs. Texas A&M, Chick-fil-A Bowl

Duke has been the biggest surprise this year, going 24th in the country. They lost in the ACC Championship Game to Florida State. Texas A&M on the other hand, has been very successful in the SEC. That success will continue. Final Score: 62-41, Texas A&M.

Number 2: UCF vs. Baylor, Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

UCF and Baylor make their 1st BCS bowl appearances. This one won’t be a contest. Final Score: 28-3, Baylor.

Number 1: Stanford vs. Michigan State, Vizio Rose Bowl

MSU and Stanford are coming off huge wins in the B1G Ten and PAC-12 Championship Games. RBs Jeremy Langford (MSU) and Tyler Gaffney (Stanford) will help light up the scoreboard on the 100th Rose Bowl. Final Score: 37-33, Stanford.

Posted on in Football, NCAA

2013-14 Heisman Trophy Top 3 Candidates; After Week 1

Last year, I came in partially correct on my prediction for the Heisman Trophy Award winner (Johnny Manziel). Here is this year’s Top 3:

Number 1: Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson Tigers

Boyd went 18-30 for 330 yards, had 3 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs in the 38-35 upset win over Georgia. He will have big games for the rest of the season. Clemson should win the ACC and make it to the Orange Bowl.

Number 2: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina Gamecocks

Clowney, better known as ‘THE FREAK’ is entering his junior year, is predicted to go Number 1 or Number 2 in the NFL Draft. He got off to a shaky start though, as he played with a stomach virus, but looked more exhausted than ever. He is getting over-criticized, in my opinion.

Number 3: Terrence Magee, RB, LSU Tigers

Well, well, well, an LSU player in the Heisman talk. He reminds me of Mark Ingram and LaMichael James in his college days. Magee has speed that compares him to NFL RB like Adrian Peterson. He had 2 TDs vs. TCU in the Cowboy Classic Game.

…

“And the 2013-14 Heisman Trophy Winner is… Tajh Boyd of the Clemson Tigers!”

Posted on in Football, NCAA

The Top 5 Heisman Trophy Candidates – After Week 13

The Heisman Trophy candidate picture has completely changed after K-State and Oregon’s loss. Here are my updated top 5 candidates:

Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M Aggies QB)

Manziel has changed the whole picture about freshman QBs. He threw for 184 yards, and rushed for 92 yards off 18 carries in the 29-24 upset win over Alabama. If he does something like this again, he will be a huge candidate for the Heisman. He had 5 TDs total (3 passing TDs, 2 rushing TDs) in the Aggies 59-29 win over their SEC rivals Mizzou (aka Missouri) Tigers.

Manti Te’o (Notre Dame Fighting Irish MLB)

Te’o is a linebacker who can change the game with one ferocious hit. He tackled Stefan Taylor an inch short of a game-winning OT TD on a 4th and goal in their win. He is also a big part of why the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are undefeated and at number 1 in the BCS Standings. His 4th and Goal tackle helped seal the deal in a 22-13 win over the USC Trojans. He also added a INT early in the first half.

Marquis Lee (USC Trojans WR)

Lee is a NFL-caliber receiver who has been a valuable target for the struggling Matt Barkley and Co. He is a big impact, as he set a USC receiving record with 349 in 1 game in their 39-38 loss to the unranked Arizona Wildcats.

AJ McCarron (Alabama Crimson Tide QB)

McCarron has led the Tide to some huge 4th quarter comebacks. He could lead them to a BCS title game appearance for the 2nd straight year. He had 3 TDs (all passing) in their Iron Bowl win over long-time rivals Auburn Tigers

Stepfan Taylor (Stanford Cardinal RB)

Stepfan Taylor has really made Stanford fans smile during the Cardinal’s post-Andrew Luck era. He was a huge factor in Stanford’s 2 upset wins over Oregon and USC. He rushed for 142 yards and 2 TDs in their 35-17 win over UCLA Bruins.

My call: The Heisman Memorial Trophy is presented to Stanford Cardinal Running Back Stepfan Taylor. The post-Andrew Luck era hasn’t been as bad as Stanford fans thought it would be thanks to Stepfan Taylor’s big performance throughout this season. Stanford has a appearance in the Pac-12 inaugural bowl game vs. UCLA Bruins, and if they win, they will play in the Vizio Rose Bowl at Pasadena, California.

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Posted on in Football, NCAA

The 2012-2013 NCAA Football Heisman Trophy Top 3 Predictions

There are many candidates for the Heisman Trophy and it will be very interesting to see who comes up on top. Here are my top 3 Heisman candidates.

1. Collin Klein (Kansas State)

Klein is a quarterback who has just changed the tempo for Kansas State. He is a true candidate for the Heisman because of his ability to escape from pressure in the pocket.

2. AJ McCarron (Alabama)

McCarron is a QB who has certainly learned how to make the right plays at the right time early and late in the game. The biggest problem is that Alabama has no shot at making it to the BCS unless Kansas State loses to Baylor, and Oregon gets shocked by Stanford.

3. Kenjon Barner (Oregon)

Kenjon Barner is one of the more physical backs in the NCAA and has really made a big impact in the Pac-12 division. He has had multiple games with multiple touchdowns and multiple games with 200+ yards. If he keeps this up, then Oregon will force Notre Dame to have to face Alabama in the Fiesta Bowl, so the BCS Championship Trophy should be battled out between Oregon and Kansas State.

My call: The 2012-2013 Heisman Trophy is presented to… Collin Klein. He is a player with enough guts to win the Heisman Trophy. K-State is a much-improved team compared to last year.

Read my updated Heisman predictions, after week 13 here.

Posted on in Football, NCAA, NFL

2013-2014 Season NFL Draft: Top 5 Picks – Week 9 predictions

There are many players that we know of from college who can easily make it to the NFL. Here are my Top 5 draft picks, after week 9:

#1 Pick by the Kansas City Chiefs: Quarterback Geno Smith (West Virginia Moutaineers)

Geno Smith out of West Virginia is a player that reminds many of RG3 in Baylor and how he started off his NFL career with the Washington Redskins, as well as Donovan McNabb in Syracuse and in his early years as an Eagles player, and Andrew Luck in Stanford. Matt Cassel literally sucks, so don’t be surprised to see Smith in a red and white Chiefs uniform.

#2 Pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars: Quarterback Matt Barkley (USC Trojans)

It’s pretty obvious that Matt Barkley will go Number 2 (if he doesn’t go number 1), and he has shown us that so far. He plays like an NFL QB and he can make the right plays at the right time. The only reason that I wouldn’t put him as the number 1 pick is because he can’t escape from all the pressure that the defenses are giving him. Also, he got a lot of criticism after the USC Trojans lost to the Stanford Cardinal 21-14.

#3 Pick by the Cleveland Browns: Defensive End Barkevious Mingo (LSU Tigers)

The Cleveland Browns have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, but a defense that many coaches might not want to rely on. Mingo could very easily change that. Though, the Browns have to make the right pick, or else Mingo is out of the picture!

#4 Pick by the Carolina Panthers: Wide Receiver Keenan Allen (Cal aka California Golden Bears)

The Carolina Panthers don’t have a star wide receiver other than Steve Smith, so the speedy Allen out of Cal is the perfect choice. He has a 6’3”, 210 pound frame. He is one of the fastest wide receivers in the country. He has the explosiveness to make big catches, and the agility to make defenders miss. The Panthers can’t pass off on Allen, no matter what circumstances may lie in front of them.

#5 Pick by the Washington Redskins: Defensive End Sam Montgomery (LSU Tigers)

The Washington Redskins have a similar situation to what the Cleveland Browns are going through, so Montgomery is the perfect choice. Washington needs a player at defense so that he can fill in when players like Brian Orakpo or London Fletcher or anyone else gets injured, he can fill in. Though, he can still get valuable playing time even when there are no injuries (or any major injuries). He is a player who is very tough to block, and he is the best, most reliable pass-rusher in the country. The Redskins should definitely take advantage of this high pick to be able to get a player such as Sam Montgomery who can also play at the Left Outside Linebacker position. He played Left Outside Linebacker on many key and crucial 3rd down plays for LSU. He is a great pass-rusher who has the speed and power to get the job done for LSU defense (which was number 1 in the country in the 2011-2012 NCAA Football season) and possibly for the Washington Redskins defense (if he gets drafted by the team)!

Posted on in Football, NCAA

College Football: Who Makes it And To What Bowl Game

After the Alabama Crimson Tide shocked the LSU Tigers, the BCS championship and BCS bowl game picture looks very tough to predict. Here are my predictions for what’ll happen during the next remaining weeks and who ends up where, who they will face, and who takes what trophy.

The BCS National Championship Game (Miami Gardens, Florida aka Sun Life Stadium: Home of the Miami Dolphins):

The Alabama Crimson Tide vs. The Oregon Ducks

This will be a BCS Classic. I think because both teams are so good, it’ll be one of the more high-scoring BCS games.

My call: Alabama puts up huge offensive numbers, pull off a squeaker. Oregon takes the early lead, though Alabama’s defense responds as they force some quick drives which result in many 3-and-out’s. AJ McCarron continues his his amazing 2nd half performance as he leads his team to a huge come-from-behind win. Coach Nick Saban wins his 4th title (3rd with Alabama). Final score after 60 minutes: Alabama 14, Oregon 7 

Offensive Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the BCS Championship Game: 

AJ McCarron (Alabama Crimson Tide Quarterback)

Stats (Statistics): 14/20, 168 yards, 1 TD, 5 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD

The Alabama Crimson Tide and the University of Alabama are the 2012-2013 NCAA Football National Champions!

The Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, Arizona aka University of Arizona Wildcats Stadium: Home of the Arizona Wildcats):

The K-State (Kansas State) Wildcats vs. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish 

The Fiesta Bowl will feature 2 teams who love to take long, clock-eating drives which can really demolish the opposing teams defense.

My call: Notre Dame wins in a squeaker thanks to the advantage of their solid defense. Final score after 60 minutes plus 3OTs, Notre Dame 40, K-State 37

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the University of Notre Dame are the 2012-2013 NCAA Football Fiesta Bowl Champions!

The Sugar Bowl (New Orleans, Louisiana aka Mercedes-Benz Superdome: Home of the New Orleans Saints):

The LSU Tigers vs. The Oklahoma Sooners

The Sugar Bowl shows a power defense (LSU) and a struggling defense (Oklahoma), and 2 talented QBs in Zach Mettenberger (LSU) and Landry Jones (Oklahoma).

My call: LSU shows the world how good their offense can be. They will also show how good their defense is without former cornerback Tyrann Mathieu. They should dominate Landry Jones and the high-scoring offense and send him to the NFL WITHOUT any bowl game wins. Final score after 60 minutes: LSU 59, Oklahoma 10

The LSU (Louisiana State) Tigers and Louisiana State University are the 2012-2013 NCAA Football Sugar Bowl Champions!

The Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens, Florida aka Sun Life Stadium: Home of the Miami Dolphins):

The Florida State Seminoles vs. The Louisville Cardinals

The Orange Bowl is a bowl which nearly every year, it features some team from the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference). This year, it should be Florida State.

My call: Both teams offenses will be red-hot, so don’t expect a low-scoring game. Final score after 60 minutes: Louisville 49, Florida State 44

The Louisville Cardinals and the University of Louisville are the 2012-2013 NCAA Football Orange Bowl Champions!

The Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California aka Rose Bowl Stadium: Home of the NCAA Football Rose Bowl):  

The Stanford Cardinal vs. The Ohio State Buckeyes

This Rose Bowl features the number 1 Pac-12 (behind Oregon) and number 1 Big Ten team. This year, it’ll feature RB Stefan Taylor’s Stanford Cardinal, and QB Braxton Miller’s Ohio State Buckeyes.

My call: It’ll be high-scoring for Stanford, and expect Braxton Miller to make a few mistakes as Stefan Taylor and redshirt freshman QB Kevin Hogan (new starter). The Stanford D led by Chase Thomas (Right Outside Linebacker) will pressure Miller. The Stanford QB Kevin Hogan also has big targets such as wide receivers Drew Terrell, Ty Montgomery, tight ends in Levin Toilolo, Zach Ertz, and fullback Ryan Hewitt. Final score after 60 minutes: Stanford 48, Ohio State 37

The Stanford Cardinal and the University of Stanford are the 2012-2013 NCAA Football Rose Bowl Champions!