College Football 2012 preseason rankings

With only 4 1/2 hours left in 2011, I figured it'd be time to reveal my 2012 preseason rankings. What can I say? I have plenty of time on my hands.

Happy new year to all who are bored enough to read this, thank you for reading. I wish you all a happy 2012, hoping it is even better than 2011 was for you.

2011 - A Great Year in Sports

It's been a great year for on the field sports this calendar year. For the past 365 days, we have been treated to some of the best action in the four major sports. And as 2011 comes to a close at 11:59 PM tomorrow, I decided to take a look back to what made this year special.

The year began with the end of the NFL season. In Super Bowl XLV, the Packers solidified their status as an elite NFL team with a thrilling victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25. Aaron Rodgers finally stepped out of the shadow of a former Green Bay quarterback (that never realized he's getting old) with 304 yards and three touchdowns. Tradgedy struck when the NFL was under lockout for 18 weeks with a lockout, but the smoke cleared and we were blessed with an exciting regular season. Hype was given to God's favorite player, Tim Tebow, and rookie Cam Newton amazed us all with his arm and legs. The 2012 year will begin with the final week of the regular season.

The NBA season ended with a thrilling finals match-up between the Miami Heat, shrouded with hype, and the Dallas Mavericks, who were written off by most in the first round. Dallas turned on the air conditioning on the Heat, winning their first championship in franchise history. Legendary coach Phil Jackson retired with a disappointing sweep of his Lakers in the conference semifinals. The NBA also had a lockout, spanning from July to November. But now they're back, finally beginning the 2011-12 season on Christmas Day.

The 2011 MLB season proved even baseball can be entertaining. Both the Red Sox and the Braves had late season collapses that led to them losing their Wild Card leads on the regular season's final day. One of those teams finding a postseason berth on the final day was the St Louis Cardinals, who reached the World Series, playing AL West Champions Texas Rangers. In a thrilling seven-game series, the Cardinals clinched their second championship in the last five years. Just after the series, manager Tony La Russa retired, and star Albert Pujols joined the Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim).

I even taught myself how to watch hockey this year. The Boston Bruins captured their first Stanley Cup title since 1972 by beating the Vancouver Canucks in seven games. The city of Vancouver rioted following their teams' loss, after ending the regular season with the NHL's best record. The 2011-12 regular season began in October. (I'm so proud I was able to write a paragraph on hockey)

So as the last 30 or so hours of 2011 tick away, we should remember the good that happened in the sports world this year for many years to come. I'm just hoping 2012 brings even better memories in sports. Happy new year everyone.

Tebow Time - Why Do We Worship a Virgin?

I wake up and immediately put on SportsCenter. They show Broncos highlights. Then a four-minute rant by Trent Dilfer on how bad Tebow is. Then a two-and-a-half minute rant by Stephen A. Smith on how good Tebow is. Then a break. Then some Tebow stats. Then another break. Then some Tebow pictures. Everything's Tebow, and I'm sick of it.

I'll admit it: I jumped the Tebow bandwagon after their win against the Jets. But all this Tebow hype and marketing is getting to me. I hated Tebow at Florida. Why? Because all we saw was Tebow's Heisman coverage, Tebow haters saying he couldn't win, Tebow's speeches, Tebow's barber, etc. When everything is Tebow, nothing is accomplished. Halfway decent teams don't get any face time on ESPN because Tebow's biggest fan MUST HAVE his 15 minutes of fame on SportsCenter.

Tebow is not a true quarterback. He's a tight end lined up in the Wildcat. He has absolutely zero passing fundamentals; wide-outs running those trick end around trick plays throw better than him. He sleeps his way through the first 3 quarters of a game; he's like the opposite of LeBron James. No good quarterback in NFL history ever succeeded playing one quarter. Comebacks are nothing special; it's pure coincidence that 7 straight teams die out in the last 3 minutes of games.

Tebow doesn't deserve the hype. Tebow's fans are idiots. Tebow's haters are right. But as much as I hate this man, I'll admit he sells - I said his last name 18 times in this rant. Let's hope this is the last time anyone uses that child's name.

Heisman 2011 - A Total Toss Up

Congratulations to Robert Griffin on a spectacular year. He certainly deserved the Heisman Trophy. But it wouldn't be me if I couldn't complain about something.

Where was Matt Barkley? The Heisman Trust picked Tyrann Matheiu over Matt Barkley? Matheiu was suspended for drug possession. Is a person who has done wrong a good example of a Heisman finalist? He's a defensive player; only one of those won the Heisman. Barkley's a quarterback; good QBs have a good shot of winning the trophy.

Andrew Luck never deserved it. I was complaining a couple weeks ago because we almost handed Luck the award in the preseason. He didn't have the incredible numbers that are equal to those of previous Heisman winners. He never had that "marquee" win: his biggest win was a controversial double overtime victory over a USC team that could've gon undefeated but wouldn't make a bowl. His team was embarrassed at home by Oregon, which did not help.

All in all, I believe the Heisman Trust got it right. Robert Griffin III had the best season out of anyone, and he deserves to be going home with the legendary award. He also had the greatest socks of all time, but I don't think that meant anything to the voters.

BCS - Big, Corrupted Stupidity

I am currently typing angrily as I hear the announcement of the rematch. LSU vs Alabama is the single stupidest decision in the country.

Next year, the SEC should be the only conference playing, because they are the only ones who are allowed to win a championship. Why have a Mountain West school play a season if they know they have no shot at a championship? Say Boise State goes undefeated in the Mtn. West, and LSU goes undefeated in the SEC. LSU would be #1, but Boise would be #3. Why? Because the BCS isn't made up of the computers. The BCS big wigs want the two most marketable teams play, which is not fair. Let the two best teams play.

So what if Boise went undefeated with a "weaker" schedule? There are teams in the FBS playing weaker schedules, and they couldn't win all of them. Again, the BCS comittee wants teams who can sell tickets to play for a title, not the two teams who fought hardest all season long.

Alabama couldn't even win their division! Not their full conference, but their division! Oklahoma State won their makeshift conference championship game against a top 10 team by 34! Alabama hasn't played in two weeks. Why should an at-large team who couldn't have a chance to win their conference play for the national championship?

Alabama had a shot against LSU. They had the Tigers in their own stadium, had their shot, and could not win. In 2006, #2 Michigan had their shot against #1 Ohio State. They lost. Were they given a second chance? No, Florida jumped them in the polls. What separates Michigan and Alabama? Alabama lost in a more comfortable situation (at home) and gets a shot at a championship. Michigan lost by the same margin the Tide did (ON THE ROAD) and didn't get a shot.

I'm not saying Oklahoma State could beat LSU. LSU will be the national champion. But we don't have the two best teams playing for a title. We have the two teams who are catered for by the BCS and are marketable enough to play in the title game. Kudos to Oklahoma State on an amazing season; you poor kids were robbed by greedy 40-something-year-olds hellbent on nothing but cash.

Penn State - Illegal Touching off the Football Field

I'm sure everyone is aware of the Penn State scandal. Of course you are, ESPN wasted an entire day last week to devote their time to track every breath that Joe Paterno took the day after he was fired. People rioted in the streets of University Park to complain about JoePa's "unlawful" firing. Well shut up everyone, the old man SHOULD HAVE been fired.

To catch anyone living under a rock up to speed, former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was accused of (forget about the court system, it means he did it) sexually abusing 10-year-old boys in the Penn State locker rooms. The incidents were alleged to have happened between 1994 and 2002 while the boys were at a Penn State football camp on campus. Assistant coach Mike McQueary witnessed the '02 incidents, and reported them to Joe Paterno, who then told the school president, who did nothing.

So why is Paterno at fault here? The incidents happened in 2002; for those of you with 1st grade math under their belt, it's been nine years. Why didn't we know about this sooner? If Paterno did the right thing and told the police, we would have known about this nine years ago and Sandusky would currently be behind bars. How is an 84-year-old man going to remember the events of 2002; people his age don't remember what they ate for breakfast. Telling people now doesn't help.

And, to those of you who are wondering, Paterno is still alive. Saying, "I wish you were here," at a Penn State game should be forbidden. Go talk to him at his house and shut up.

Sandusky is a pedophile. Case closed. He says he is innocent (which, in the eyes of the people, is a lie), but he admits he "shouldn't have showered with those boys." So Jerry, having A 54-year-old shower with a group of 10-year-olds is normal? The years intense Big Ten games must have gotten to your head, Sandusky.

Penn State should be at fault for their actions. Joe Paterno did not do enough in 2002 and cannot do enough in 2011. He should leave. Jerry Sandusky should be rotting in prison, but he isn't yet. That is it. Case closed. Now let's get back to what makes SportsCenter: THE HIGHLIGHTS.

World Series 2011 - Let the Fall Classic Begin

Tonight begins the 106th World Series. The Texas Rangers look for redemption after a loss in last year's Fall Classic, and the St Louis Cardinals vie for their 2nd World Series Title in five years.

This is the first time since 1972 (when the A's beat the Reds in 7 games) that a team from the NL Central faces a team from the AL West (based off who is in what division currently). The Rangers have only made it to two World Series, both of them in the past two seasons. The Cardinals made the World Series twice in the past decade, losing in four to the Red Sox in 2004 and beating the Tigers in five in 2006. Both teams entered the playoffs with the best combined record in September in all of the majors.

The Rangers had little trouble winning the four-team AL West. The Angels had shown some life in late-July, but Texas plowed through them in series in August and September to soundly win the division by 10 games. The Rangers ended the regular season at 96-66, only a game behind the Yankees for the best record in the AL. They dropped the first game of the ALDS against the surging Rays, but promptly won the next three to win the series. They then defeated the Tigers in six games in the ALCS to make it here.

The Cardinals battled in two races in 2011: while trying to win the NL Central over the Brewers, they also struggled against the Braves for the NL Wild Card. The Cards flew by the Braves in September, clinching a playoff berth on the final day of the regular season. St Louis went 90-72, and defeated the 102-win Phillies in a tough five-game series. The Cardinals then beat the Brewers in six in the NLCS, making it to their third World Series in seven years.

Both the Cardinals and Rangers have similar teams and paths to the Fall Classic. They were both hot in September, have explosive offenses, underrated defenses, and have plenty of under-the-radar stars shrouded behind the hype of two bigger players (Texas's Josh Hamilton and St Louis's Albert Pujols). Expect a long a tough battle to crown this year's champions of baseball.

Cam Newton - More than Hype

Let me set the record straight: I absolutely HATED Cam Newton at Auburn. I couldn't stand those War Eagles win. Now that Newton left college and was drafted by the Panthers, I have jumped the Cameron Jurell Newton National Bandwagon (I'm a charter member).

Cam Newton came into the NFL shrouded with hype. People critisized him, saying he couldn't play under center, and that he couldn't adapt to the NFL play-calling. But he shut those critics up on September 11, in the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Newton threw for 422 yards in a loss to the Cardinals, setting the NFL record for most passing yards by a rookie QB in his debut game. He surpassed that mark the next week, throwing for 432 yards in a home loss against defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay.

Cam Newton currently has thrown for 1,847 yards (roughly 308 per game) and 7 passing touchdowns. He leads the NFL in rushing TDs by a non-running back. He is also the marquee player on my 3-2-1 fantasy team (lets go Tropics!). Newton has shown some signs of immaturity and areas of improvement. His passes aren't as accurate as they could, and he has thrown his fair share of interceptions. But Newton has brightly displayed his athletic ability through his first 5 professional games.

Could Cam Newton be a legend, or is he going to be a bust? I already penciled him in as the 2015 MVP. Big expectations I cannot back up. Be sure to check out my other blog, SouthBeachDPV Uniforms, and keep viewing this one.

College Hoops - Like X-Mas to Jocks

Ah, the greatest twenty-four hours of the day are upon us. Tonight is college basketball's annual Midnight Madness, where 15 teams across the country ask their parents to stay up late and get their fans pumped up for the upcoming season. As a basketball fan myself, I couldn't be more thrilled.

And this year, Midnight Madness is being hosted by my 2012 National Championship pick. I used five Tournament brackets on NCAA.com last year picking them, only to be severely disappointed.

Could it be Creighton? Obviously not.
Louisville? Try again.
Duke? Wow, you must not know me.

Need a hint? What if I told you we're the only school that plays football AND basketball in the same place? What about the school with their school color as their nickname? Give up?

I am picking the Syracuse Orange yet again to win the National Champioinship.

Why Syracuse? What about Kentucky and North Carolina and UCONN, everyone's talking about them? Yeah, and last year everyone was talking about Kansas and Duke and Pitt, and look how those seasons ended. The Big East is the toughest conference in the country, and whoever comes out of there alive should have some confidence going into the Big Dance.

So whoever you root for, whoever you hate, whoever you just don't care about, root for Syracuse and have an enjoyable 2011-12 college basketball season.

Oklahoma State - Bedlam could be Key to BCS

Most people (me included) are wondering why Oklahoma is only #3 in the latest polls. The Sooners are the most-talked about school in the Sooner State (who would've guessed?). But a lot of people are overlooking the other relavent Oklahoma school (sorry to all 16 Tulsa fans) - the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Oklahoma State is 5-0, the same record as their rival Sooners. So what if Oklahoma beat the #11 team in the nation in Texas? The Pokes beat the #8 team in Texas A&M. The Sooners beat a Florida State team that's trying to figure out which dumpster they just woke up in. Oklahoma State has played no jokes - either some pretty good under-the-radar teams (Ex. the 4-1 Louisiana-Lafayette Rajin' Cajuns) or overachievers (Ex. the disappointing 1-5 Arizona squad).

The Cowboys have a Top 10 quarterback-wide receiver combo in the nation with Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon. They're scoring by the dozens, averaging 51.4 points per game. To put that into perspective, last year's top scoring offense, Oregon, is currently averaging 50.6 a game.

Some cocky people who think I'm wrong may make the case that defense wins championships and Okie State has allowed 27.6 points per game. Well, you arrogant little runt, last year's top 2 scoring teams in the country, #1 Auburn and #2 Oregon, met in the BCS National Championship Game. And it isn't that bad of a thing to allow 28 a game and STILL win by almost 20.

Oklahoma State has a strong enough schedule (4 remaining games vs. Top 25 teams, including Bedlam) to be considered for the BCS Title. It is entirely possible that both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State could be 11-0 entering the Bedlam showdown this year. There is a good possibility they will both be in the Top 5 and are destined for some BCS bowl. You could make a good argument for whoever wins Bedlam deserves a spot in the BCS National Championship. Oklahoma State is 8-1 at home since 2010, and the rivalry game is in good ol' Stillwater. A good portion of the country would be surprised to see Oklahoma State playing for the top spot in college football in New Orleans in January. I won't be.