1/25/07
Wow, it was interesting to throw down "Volume 2" on the subject line. 2007 is upon us. As such, I feel the need to catch up on several topics, both in reflection and projection. Chronologically, I must discuss college football first. The vaunted Ohio State Buckeyes were annihilated by the Florida Gators in the BCS National Championship Game. The Buckeyes were such prohibitive favorites that they probably had the post game victory party planned and stocked and the busses warming (except that the game was in the desert of Glendale, AZ, I guess…) Ohio State (in)famously had over 50 days between their last regular season game (a win over rival Michigan) and the title game. How much impact did the layoff have? Hard to say but surely it didn't help the Buckeyes. In related news, USC struggled and lost to UCLA in the Rose Bowl then beat up on Michigan in The Rose Bowl. Boise State went
NFL Streeton us and pulled off the upset of
Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, finishing a "perfect" 13-0.
[Note: I was a Boise Hater for most of the year, mostly due to their lackluster schedule.
However, after the fashion in which they won in AZ, how can you not appreciate them?
Not their blue turf at home, however. And start scheduling some people!]
LSU looked close to unbeatable by season's end, including a thrashing of The University of College Football in
America, Notre Dame.
What's the point?
Florida beat Ohio State straight up.
Both finished with one loss, though.
BSU was undefeated.
USC and LSU looked like they could match up with anyone, despite two losses each.
Thus springs to mind the anathema college presidents everywhere shudder to hear: A PLAYOFF.
How amazing would it have been following the aforementioned games to see a Final Four of Boise State vs. USC and
Florida vs. LSU (or some combination therein.)
The funny thing is the reason that the powers that be do not want a playoff is perceived revenue losses from the bowl games.
A playoff would bring in so much money it would be ridiculous.
I'm not clamoring for a playoff as a fan so much as a business student who sees an incredible opportunity.
A college football playoff flat out makes fiscal sense.
(Ahh, who am I kidding, I want it as a fan!)
Why make
Ohio
State wait around for two months to play?
Oh, they would miss too much class during December during the playoffs.
Those altruistic college presidents are only looking out for the student athlete, after all.
Next, I want to hit some NFL. My playoff bracket is in shambles (I had the Panthers vs. Patriots in Miami) but good football is always good football. Even going into Championship weekend, I liked the Pats and the Saints to advance. Indy always gets paranoid late in January and the Bears rely too much on pick-6's and kick returns. Alas, both squads won. So we see a Super Bowl XLI matchup of the Colts and Bears. Quite literally the irresistible force (Indy's offense) against the immovable object (Chicago's defense.) It should be a fascinating contrast. Now that Peyton Manning has slain the dragon of Tom Brady and New England I really think he'll finish the job. The Bears are fabulous defensively and on special teams but Rex Grossman is not the player I'd want behind center if the fate of the world rested on his success. I like Indy to win (yeah for Peyton!) 30-18. Additional NFL: The Oakland Raiders (the squad boasting the author's allegiance) own the #1 overall pick in April's Draft and just inked a new head coach, Lane Kiffen, the erstwhile USC offensive coordinator. At 31, Kiffen is very young and he doesn't have any head coaching experience at any level. I'm first relieved that the Raiders didn't bring in a retread coach like a Jim Fassell or a Denny Green (see: Norv Turner.) Secondly, I think Kiffen can bring in a youthful exuberance and innovation on the field, having engineered much of the Trojans' feared attack over the last few seasons. I'm hopeful what the guy can do (John Madden wasn't much older when he took over in Oakland. More recently, look at Eric Mangini in the Big Apple and Sean Payton in the Big Easy. Quick turnarounds can happen.) As for the first pick I have several possible scenarios I'd like to see. The popular sentiment seems to be that either JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn (likely Russell) is the homerun pick. I love Russell (see my college football preview blog if you think I'm a Johnny-come-lately) and I think he'll be a bona fide star in the league (for the record, I'm a little less enthused about Quinn. Did he ever win a big game?) Obviously a 2-14 team needs more than any one player can provide. Thusly, I think the Raiders should see what interest is out there for the #1. Perhaps they can add either impact vets or more picks, trade down, and pick up a quality player. I think there are franchise talents at several positions (QB, RB, WR, OT, DE, DB) so a later pick should still net a very good player. The Raiders finished with the league's 3rd rated D (#3 in the NFL!) so the entire draft should be offensive-minded. Oakland's incumbents are talented (Brooks/Walter, Jordan, Curry, etc.) and could succeed given better opportunities (i.e. pass protection, better run blocking.) Notice I didn't mention Randy Moss or Jerry Porter. I hope both are dealt. Ron Curry quietly had a money year. Maybe add Dwayne Jarrett to compliment him later in the top half of round one. Or Adrian Peterson, who is most generally projected later than 8. Build on the success of the defense (war Rob Ryan) and decide if Brooks or Walter can be the guy at QB. If not, go with Russell. But anybody's going to struggle if the Silver and Black continue to boast an offensive line that allows so much penetration it makes Paris Hilton seem prude. I'm envisioning a lineup next year of a confident Andrew Walter at QB, handing off to Adrian Peterson, and throwing to Curry and new TE Mike Williams (whom the Raiders acquired from Detroit for Jerry Porter, and whom they convinced to switch positions and battle Gates, Gonzalez, and Heap for a trip to Honolulu every Feb.) Nhamdi Asamugha (2nd team All-Pro) and company continue to make plays on D, and the Raiders challenge in the competitive AFC West. A guy can dream, can't he??
Quote of the Week:
"Ya cars and ya cash ain't everything, ya jewels and ya gems ain't everything, ya rims and ya Timbs ain't everything."-Human Family
