2010 Non BCS Conference Predictions

Hey there guys,

We're almost to that time again, the 2010 College Football season, which begins September 2nd. I will have 7 preseason previews, and this is the first, covering all of the Conferences without automatic bids to the BCS. These include the Sun Belt, MAC, Navy and Army, WAC, Conference USA, and the Mountain West. Over the last few seasons there have been four teams that have stuck out above all else among these Conferences are obviously Boise State with two undefeated seasons over the last four years, including a Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma back in 2006, Utah, who was the first Non BCS team make a BCS Bowl when they defeated Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl back in 2004, and then had an undefeated season including a win over #4 Alabama in 2008, then there is BYU and they have gone 49-15 over the last 5 seasons under current coach Bronco Mendenhall, even though that has only sent them to 5 consecutive Las Vegas Bowls (chuckle), and of course there is TCU, who has topped ten wins six times over the last eight seasons, including a Fiesta Bowl appearance after a 12-0 regular season this past year. There have also been some marginally successful teams such as Air Force, the rising Houston, who may be considered with the previous four teams if they can finally win their conference, Fresno State, who is the one team that has showed they are not afraid to take on a BCS team, home or away, Nevada, Central Michigan, and Troy. It has been the success of teams like these that has brought the whole playoff/get rid of the BCS argument. Personally I would like to see these teams play more then one Power Conference team before claiming they deserve the same respect as a one loss Alabama, Texas, Ohio State, USC, or Virginia Tech. But that is just me.

This year it looks as if there will be two Non BCS teams in the Top Ten, Boise State and TCU, and a couple of other top 25 potentials in Houston, Utah, and Navy. With these teams potentially being good it makes for some very interesting match ups in the first week with Minnesota at Middle Tennessee, Arizona at Toledo, Maryland vs. Navy, USC at Hawaii, Cincinnati at Fresno St, Virginia Tech vs. Boise St, Southern Miss at South Carolina, Pittsburgh at Utah, Washington at BYU, and Oregon St vs. TCU. These all look like fantastic games that I can't wait to see when the season opens in early September.

Well alright guys here are my Conference Predictions for the Non BCS Conferences.

Hate: Media Days Edition, Part II

In correlation with my title and a lack of anything else to do this week, we will be examining reasons to hate each coach in the SEC. After a successful run in the east, we will now focus on some teams that hit close to home. The west. Later in the football season, I will be breaking down every team that the Rebels will play, and offer 12 good reasons to hate each of them. So, here we go!

1. Nick Saban, University of Alabama: Remember the good ol' days when this guy was dealing with Ricky Williams' problems? Oh, how we yearn for the hilarity of Saban's yesteryears...In Coach Saban's first year for the Crimson Tide, he lost to such teams as the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, but still managed to find time to screw over the Rebels. Since that season ended, Alabama's team has only lost 2 games. There is undoubtedly a correlation between his arrival and his recently acquired national title. But we've really got to wonder the same thing that he's likely thinking late at night. Was it worth selling his soul to the devil? I guess we'll never know. But I think it's no coincidence that at media days he was looking a little more...toasty.

2. Gene Chizik, Auburn University: Chizik had a year that could have been better, and could have been worse. He had a great recruiting class, but he hasn't sold every Auburn fan on his expertise. This could be a big year for him. He is a proven winner and a man of great coaching experience, having gone 5-19 in his time at Iowa State. He proved he could win...5 times. But, last year, he pulled out 8 wins at Auburn, which seems really impressive that he almost tripled his wins in only one season. Looking for people that aren't impressed with The Chiz? Look no further than the AU fans that met Jay Jacobs at the airport last year. With friends like these...

3. Leslie Miles, Louisiana State University: I was going to write a really long synopsis about Miles' past season, his complete inability to make seemingly simple calls during gameplay, and his likely position in the hot-seat if he doesn't show up this season, but...I ran out of time.

4. Bobby Petrino, University of Arkansas: Petrino is a Razorback's dream. A pass-happy fellow, with the best quarterback in the league, Petrino will finally have a chance to prove his worth in the coming year. That is...if he doesn't leave first.

5. Dan Mullen, Mississippi State University: Mullen has claimed after his Egg Bowl win that "there is certainly one program in this state that is on the rise." Of course, he forgot to mention which one. Mullen turned a 4-8 team into a 5-7 team, and everyone is going CRAZY for him. I suppose we will see what happens in the coming year, but for anyone who's seen Real World: New Orleans, I don't think he needs to be "spreading the fun" around Starkville.

6. Houston Nutt, University of Mississippi: Nobody makes fun of Houston Nutt. I don't make the rules.

Of course, I'm kidding. He runs the ball up the middle too much, bites his nails, texts television reporters, says "giggity" and "he's a winner" too much, kills quarterbacks...And regularly beats the team that makes these claims.

That's all for now. Until next time, keep on hatin', and drink that haterade.

Saturday July 24th MLB Picks

Hey there guys,

It's been awhile. I have been working on finishing up my 2010 College Football Conference Predictions which will start coming out this week, with my Non - BCS Conference Preview coming out Monday. Anyway Let me get straight to it. Here are today's picks.

Hate: Media Days Edition

In correlation with my title and a lack of anything else to do this week, we will be examining reasons to hate each coach in the SEC. Today, we will be checking out our eastern rivals. Soon, we'll work on the more pertinent west. Later in the football season, I will be breaking down every team that the Rebels will play, and offer 12 good reasons to hate each of them. So, here we go!

1. Derek Dooley, University of Tennessee: A lawyer and son of SEC coaching legend Vince Dooley, Coach Dooley has burst stumbled onto the scene as a replacement to the loose-lipped, easy-to-hate, Lane Kiffin. While he hasn't been around for very long, he isn't the newest coach in the SEC, and in true political distaste, Coach Dooley is making enemies with America.

In this screenshot taken from today's media day, Dooley has clearly snubbed the American flag lapel pin and replaced it with an orange "T", which I can only assume stands for Terrorist. If you see someone wearing one of those camouflage hats with orange "T", take away their guns (They will have guns).

2. Urban Meyer, University of Florida:

The man with two National Championship rings (and an arguably deserved one from his time at Utah) is known for his Brett Favre-ian way of leaving the game and coming right back, but also...his two National Championship rings. Seriously, though Urban, you aren't Michael Jordan. Pick retirement and stick with it.

3. Joker Phillips, University of Kentucky:

A brand new leader after long-time sub-.500 Rich Brooks retired, Joker noted at Media Days that he is the only coach in the SEC that is undefeated. Fair is fair.

He is very likely cheating.

Oh wait, that's John Calipari. I confused him with a sport that matters there. Give me a break, it's hard to hate on the fellow.

4. Steve Spurrier, University of South Carolina: Recently, Spurrier has put the "old" in "Old Ball Coach." Every time you watch the guy's press conferences or sideline actions you can just see it in his eyes: "Man, I wish I were at Augusta right now." Let's compare images and see what's happier:

At least he's smiling, but he should fix that backswing. He should see Dr. Lou about the whole mess.

5. Mark Richt, University of Georgia: Mark Richt has established himself as a winner. 90 and 27 in his time at UGA, Richt is also the longest tenured coach at any single school in the SEC. That said, his job is in jeopardy after a dismal showing last season (at least in UGA terms). This guy sent his punter for Media Days to speak for the team. Your job might be on the hot seat if your premiere player is the punter. In his defense, Drew Butler WON the Ray Guy award. In our defense, Drew Butler was Georgia's best defense last year.

6. Robbie Caldwell, Vanderbilt University: Poor fellow is an Offensive Line coach at Vanderbilt. Now, he's an SEC head coach of a team that won 2 games last season. He deserves sympathy, not hate.

Hope you enjoyed a little taste of what is to come. Until next time, keep drinkin' that haterade.

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-Drink That Haterade