Last Post- NFL Playoff Picture

Well football fans this is it, my eleventh and final blog post.  It’s been a fun ride but all good things must come to an end and it is always a good idea to go out when you’re on top rather than just trying to hold on.  The NFL is heating up and the playoff picture is becoming a little clearer and complicated at the same time.  Last night’s comeback by the New York Giants over the Dallas Cowboys has made the NFC too close to call.

In the NFC the Packers lead the north division and the entire NFC at 13-0.  The Saints and 49ers are playoff locks as well at 10-3 and most likely will win the NFC South and West respectively.  Where it gets interesting is the Cowboys and Giants are both tied at 7-6 and the NFC east lead.  They both are tied with the Bears and sit one game behind the Falcons and Lions for the NFC wildcards.  The big game will be week 17 when Dallas travels to New York.  The loser most likely will not make the playoffs.

The AFC is not as complicated.  The Texans, Broncos, Patriots and even the Ravens are strong favorites to win their divisions.  The Steelers are a virtual lock as well to win an AFC wild card.  The last wild card is being led by the Jets at 8-5 but right on their trail is the 7-6 Bengals.  The Jets have the advantage but have tough games against the Eagles and Giants remaining.  The big game will also be week 17 when the Ravens travel to Cincinnati to play the Bengals.  If the Bengals win they will most likely make the playoffs and if they fall the Jets will.

There are only three weeks remaining in the season before the playoffs begin.  This is the greatest time of the year for football fans because the NFL is hitting the stretch run, the college bowl season is starting and the fantasy football players are beginning.  My fantasy team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs this year again :( (I hate you Jason Witten and Vincent Jackson, you guys are bums).  Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the blog and appreciate my opinions on the greatest sport in the world!  Enjoy a great two months of action football fans!

Title Game All Set



LSU's best player Tyrann Mathieu and Alabama's best player Trent Richardson

 Well on Sunday Night the final BCS Standings were released and #1 LSU finally learned who they would play in the National Championship Game.  It would be down to Big 12 champion Oklahoma State and SEC West runner-up Alabama.  It was stated on the selection show that this was the closest vote in BCS history which dates back to the 1998-1999 college football season.  It was announced the LSU would be facing their arch rival Alabama on January 9th in the BCS Championship Game.

This matchup is a rematch from their November 5th game Alabama.  LSU won the game 9-6 and seemly eliminated Alabama from the National Championship picture.  Alabama got lucky with Boise State, Stanford, Oregon, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State all getting upset setting up the opportunity for Alabama to get back into the National Championship picture.  This decision came with a lot of controversy.  Many people believed that Oklahoma State should be playing LSU.  I happen to agree with this.  I feel that Oklahoma State was the most deserving team but it will be interesting if Alabama plays with a little more emotion to prove that they really belong.


The Championship trophy, a crystal football


Now the LSU-Alabama rivalry aspect makes this title game even more intriguing.  Alabama's main rival is Auburn and LSU's main rival is Ole Miss but neither team has been as successful in the past 15 years as these programs.  Only Slytherin-Gryffindor Quidditch is as intense as when LSU-Alabama play each other.  Alabama has the history with all their national championships and having the great Bear Bryant as their old coach.  LSU has had the modern success.  Ever since 2003 LSU has been the premier program in college football.  If they win the Championship this year they will be the only school in the BCS era to have 3 national championships and would solidify their stance as the best program in college football.  LSU has also won 12 out of the past 15 against Alabama so it makes this title game even more appealing.  If LSU can win on January 9th they would have beaten Alabama three straight times and one could ask if maybe Nick Saban and Alabama can't compete with Les Miles and LSU.



LSU fans mocking their old coach, Nick Saban

 The game on January 9th is going to be an amazing contest.  I think it’s going to be better than the game on November 5 because I feel that it will be a little higher scoring.  This game is seriously so hard to analyze because they are both amazing teams with incredible coaches, supper fast/athletic defenses and above average offenses.  The one key I see for LSU is that this game will be played on the turf in New Orleans which is almost a home game for the Tigers from Baton Rouge instead of playing in Alabama like the last game.  This game is way too hard to call but for my prediction I expect a super close game that will be decided by one point.  I will go with LSU 21-20 over Alabama to win their third BCS National Championship.  Enjoy this game and all the bowl games football fans!

SEC Champs!



Brandon Taylor and star QB Jordan Jefferson hold the SEC Championship trophy

 What a week in the SEC for #1 LSU.  First, they crushed Arkansas 41-17 last Friday to win the SEC West and an opportunity to play Georgia yesterday.  I looked pretty dumb picking Arkansas for the upset on that one.  Second, they dismantled Georgia yesterday in the SEC Championship by a score of 42-10.  This team is incredible and is now 13-0 and only a national championship win next month stands in there way of an undefeated season.

Arkansas actually led LSU 14-0 in there game last Friday before LSU outscored them 41-3 to end the game.  The game turned with Arkansas punting leading 14-7.  Tyrann Mathieu, LSU's best player, took the return 90 yards for the game tying score and LSU never looked back.  On Arkansas' next possession Mathieu forced and recovered a fumble which killed all momentum for Arkansas.

Mathieu returning his amazing punt return against Georgia

In the SEC Championship Game Georgia led LSU 10-0 before LSU went on a 42-0 run to win 42-10.  Mathieu again changed the momentum when he returned a 70 yard punt to cut the score to 10-7 Georgia.  He then recovered a fumble that led to LSU's next score.  These games where both mirror images of each other with LSU trailing and then Mathieu making game changing plays to save their season and possibly make him the Heisman trophy winner.

At 13-0 LSU will have to wait to find out who they will play next month in the BCS Championship Game.  It will wither be their rival Alabama or Big 12 champion Oklahoma St.  Either way the Tigers will probably be huge favorites in that game to capture their 5th National Championship.  This Tigers team is already being considered as possibly the greatest college football team in history!  With this team filled with freshman and sophomores I hope you enjoy them football fans because these Tigers may be a dynasty!

Game of the Century Jr.

Some things that remain constant in life no matter what: death, taxes and the SEC dominating college football.  For the first time in history the SEC has the top three teams ranked in the BCS with LSU ranked #1, Alabama ranked #2, and Arkansas ranked #3.  Something more astounding is that these three teams do not just play in the SEC but all play in the SEC West which has 6 teams along with the SEC East that has 6 teams also.  This means that LSU, Alabama and Arkansas all must play each other in the regular season and only one can advance to play the SEC East champion (Georgia) in next week's SEC Championship game.

On November 5 #1 LSU defeated #2 Alabama 9-6 in which experts proclaimed that is was "The Game of the Century".  Now this Friday #1 LSU hosts #3 Arkansas in which is being proclaimed as "The Game of the Century Jr.".  LSU is undefeated and Arkansas' only loss came to Alabama.  This game is so critical because of the fact that if LSU wins they clinch the SEC West and will play Georgia next week.  If Arkansas wins, quite frankly, there will be chaos.  Each of these powers will have 1 lose that came from each other and there will be a three way tie.  It will come down to how the computers rate each team to see who will play Georgia and be the frontrunner to win the National Championship.  Who wants a stupid playoff, computers with no eyeballs deciding who should play for the biggest game of the year is spot on!  What an awesome system!

College football took an unexpected turn last week that contributed to this chaos.  #2 Oklahoma State, #4 Oregon and #5 Oklahoma were all upset and only Oklahoma State now has a legitimate chance at being in the Championship Game.  This has allowed a once beaten Alabama and Arkansas right back in the National Championship game picture.  If Arkansas can upset LSU on Friday there will be even more confusion.  Right now it looks as if there is a great possibility of two of the SEC powers having a rematch in the National Championship.  Which one will be left out is the great question.

Now for the game this Friday, I expect an offensive explosion with Arkansas' offense being arguably the best in the country.  LSU counters with their outstanding defense that has future pros littered at basically every defense position.  I feel that the difference will be Arkansas' underrated defense (ranked #13 in the country) and the fact that they have beaten LSU three out of the four times they have played with LSU's lone win coming on an Arkansas missed field goal in overtime.  My prediction is for a 34-31 Arkansas upset causing even more BCS chaos in figuring out who to the two best teams are.  Either way football fans enjoy Thanksgiving with pro football and Friday’s affair at 2:30 in Baton Rouge for the Game of the Century Jr.!!

Undefeated Season?



Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers



What is this 2007? LSU is Number 1 in the country and an NFL team is attempting to run the table and do arguably the hardest thing in sports, complete a perfect season.  In 2007 the New England Patriots finished the regular season 16-0 but could not finish the job losing the Super Bowl to the New York Giants and finishing 18-1.  This year the Green Bay Packers are attempting to do what the Patriots could not do, finish up the perfect 19-0.

This year’s Green Bay Packers are currently 10-0 and led by the MVP frontrunner Aaron Rodgers.  They have the best offense and special teams in football and are making the current season look way too easy as they attempt to repeat their championship.  To put an undefeated season in perspective and state how hard it is to do it should be known that only one other team has ever done it in history.  That would be the 1972 Miami Dolphins.  It should also be noted that they only went 17-0 because at the time there were 14 regular season games instead of the 16 the Packers have to play now.  That would make the Packers undefeated season even more impressive than the Dolphins' perfect season.

Now for the million dollar question, will they accomplish the goal?  Unfortunately, I have to say no.  The Packers still have road games at Detroit. New York and Kansas City as well as a huge rivalry game with Chicago on Christmas.  Also if the Packers get to say 14-0 and look up their division then they will probably rest starters the last two games to avoid any injuries before the playoffs.  It would be tough to win two games against any teams paying just backups.

Even if they did get to 16-0 they would have to win 3 playoff games against the best of the best.  In my opinion if New Orleans, Atlanta, New York, New England, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Houston and even San Diego play there A game they could knock off the Packers in the Playoffs or Super Bowl.  The greatest cause for concern is the defense though.  They are really struggling and are definitely the Achilles heel of the team.  Their pass defense is ranked 32 worst out of 32 teams and could send them packing in the playoffs.  I would say they have about a 5% of finishing up 19-0 but that’s why they play the games!

Living Up to the Hype!

Eric Reid after making his game saving play.

Well "The Game of the Century" has come and the football world has seen an all-time classic.  LSU defeated Alabama 9-6 in overtime Saturday Night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  A 9-6 game does not seem like a thrilling contest but it had everything you need in a football game.  Two unbelievable programs, coaches and defenses led the way the whole night.  There was not even a touchdown scored in this game but there is no way anyone could watch it would say they were bored.

Let’s start with the defenses.  These teams absolutely proved they had the two best defenses in the country.  Alabama intercepted LSU quarterback Jarret Lee 2 times which is more than he had the entire season previously.  LSU also forced two interceptions and held Alabama to just 6 points.  They also held the best running back in the country, Trent Richardson to 83 yards rushing on 21 carries.  That is impressive.

The reason LSU won was because of special teams (as accurately predicted by me in my previous blog post) and the big plays on defense.  Alabama missed four field goals including one which was blocked and LSU punter Brad Wing booted a 73 yard punt which turned the field position in LSU's favor.  Trailing 6-3 late in the third quarter with Alabama having the momentum Morris Claiborne intercepted an AJ McCarron pass and returned it to the Alabama 20 which set up the game tying field goal.  This gave LSU a chance heading to the 4th quarter.

With Alabama on the LSU 25 and seemly about the score the game winning score and clinch the victory Eric Reid made the greatest defensive play I have ever seen.  Marquis Maze on a wide receiver throw had his tight end Michael Williams wide open near the end zone.  It looked like a touchdown until safety Eric Reid came out of nowhere to rip the ball away for the interception on the one yard line.  This kept Bama off the score board and sent the game into overtime.

Drew Alleman celebrating the Tigers 9-6 victory after he kicked the game winning field goal in overtime

At 6-6 in overtime Alabama missed a 52 yard field goal giving LSU the football.  LSU drove the field to the Bama 7 before kicking the game winning field to pull off the win 9-6.  There were so many amazing plays made in this contest that even though there was a low score it still was an incredible game.  LSU will remain number 1 in the country and control their destiny for the National Championship Game.  There is talk for a rematch between these two teams in the game but Alabama would need help for that to happen.  There is no question LSU deserves the Championship now by beating the #2 team and their archrival on the road.  So as they say in the Bayou meaning Go Tigers in Cajun, Geaux Tigers!!!

Game of the Year!

Are you kidding me America?  How sweet is this? On Saturday is the proclaimed "game of the century".  When you think about the great sports rivalries you think LSU-Alabama college football, Duke-North Carolina college basketball, Yankees-Red Sox baseball and Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal in tennis.  Well this Saturday LSU and Alabama square off in the Super Bowl of college football.  8-0 undefeated LSU travels to 8-0 undefeated Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  LSU is ranked number 1 in the nation and right behind them sits number 2 Alabama.  The winner of this great rivalry will be the overwhelming favorite to win the National Championship; do you now understand why it’s now called the game of the century??

This rivalry is so interesting because mainly because of the fans and the coaches.  These fans absolutely despise each other.  These states only separated by Mississippi have the most passionate fans in the nation and can't wait to get at each other, not on the playing field, but probably in the stands.  Nick Saban was LSU's coach from 1999-2004.  In 2003 he led LSU to the national championship making them the elite program in college football.  After the 2004 season he bolted for the NFL to coach the Miami Dolphins.

Enter Les Miles, the present coach at LSU.  From 2005-2011 Miles has become the winningest coach in LSU history and won them the 2007 National Championship.  He is beloved in the bayou and made tiger fans forgot about Saban.  However, at the beginning of the 2007 Saban returned to college football to coach any time he wanted.  So where do you think he went?  You guessed it, Alabama.  Saban (also known as Satan to diehard LSU fans for pulling a Benedict Arnold on them) turned the Alabama program around and won the 2009 national championship.  Saban has put Alabama's program right on par with Miles' program at LSU.

From 2007-2010 when Miles and Saban have coached against each other the teams have provided 4 amazing games.  LSU won 41-34 in 2007 at Alabama which catapulted them to the National Championship.  In 2008 Saban made his return to Tiger Stadium and defeated the Tigers in overtime.  In 2009 Saban again defeated Miles which led Alabama to the National Championship that year.  Finally, last year's epic battle in Baton Rouge was won 24-21 by LSU after Miles gambled on a fourth down where he called a reverse that led to the game winning score.  Look how even these teams are: 2-2 in the past four games, each teaming winning at home and away and each teaming winning one national title.

So for my prediction on this year’s game?  Both of these teams have unbelievably defenses and above average offenses.  Alabama is at home and has the best player on the field in running back Trent Richardson.  However, I feel that LSU has superior depth on both offense and defense, has two senior quarterbacks who both get action and the biggest advantage over Alabama, their special teams.  I am going to go with LSU 20-17 to win the game of the century on the road.  Either way football fans this game is going to be amazing.  There is so much future NFL talent on the field it is scary.  I will be like a kid in a candy story Saturday night watching the "Game of the Century"!!!