College Football: Fiesta Bowl – #4 Boise State versus #6 Texas Christian University

In my soon to be released article entitled “Surprises and Disappointments of the Bowl Season” I will expand upon my disgust for what the BCS selection committee did in choosing these two teams to play each other. For now I will limit myself to this; more and more people want a playoff system and this game where the BCS has isolated its “mid-major” threats to protect the BCS “major” conferences should make everyone want a playoff system more.

In terms of the game, although robbed of the national stage with which to show they are just as good as the best of the “major” conferences, this will still be an exciting matchup between two high scoring undefeated teams. WAC Champion Boise State will look for revenge after Mountain West Champion TCU just edged them out of an undefeated season last year, 17-16 in the Poinsettia Bowl. TCU’s defense is one of the best in the nation though, leading many to see TCU as the favorite by around 8 points.

This marks the first time that two undefeated teams played in a BCS Bowl other than the National Championship and will act as the “mid-major” National Championship. It is only too bad that the winner doesn’t get to face the winner of the “major” National Championship between Alabama and Texas. Though it should be a close and exciting game, expect fewer points than usual from each team as TCU for the second year in a row stops Boise State from perfection.

January 5^th

NBA: Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers

Usually the best team in the NBA versus the eleventh best (seventh best in the west) is not a reason to be included on What to Watch, but this matchup is different. After taking the Lakers to seven games in last year’s playoffs, the Rockets let Ron Artest leave and signed as his replacement the Lakers then starting Small Forward Trevor Ariza. In November of this season, the Rockets took the Lakers to overtime, eventually losing by one in Houston. Eleven days later, they pulled off the unthinkable, beating the Lakers by ten at the Staples Center. Additionally, Ariza, who is six years younger, has averaged more points, rebounds, steals, blocks, free throws, and minutes per game than Artest. Expect a close one but for the Lakers to yet again ruin Ariza’s return to LA. This game is also perfect to watch for those of us who will be bored by the Orange Bowl and craving a sport fix.

College Football: Orange Bowl – #10 Iowa versus #9 Georgia Tech

In what many see as the most boring of the BCS bowl games, the triple-option offense of ACC Champion Georgia Tech will take on the Slow Ten’s second best team, and BCS at-large bid receiving, Iowa. With starting quarterback Ricky Stanzi and running back Adam Robinson well rested and back from injury, Iowa may make a game of it. Possession will be a key to victory in this game. Iowa will need to stop the run and Georgia Tech will have to make sure the “cardiac kids” are not discounted at the end, even if the Yellow Jackets are up big. Expect the Rambling Wreck to run all over the Hawkeyes.

January 7^th

College Football: National Championship – #2 Texas versus #1 Alabama

Easily the most exciting and star-studded matchups of the BCS Bowl games, the National Championship pits two of the most recognizable high-profile programs in all of college football against each other. Big 12 Champion Texas has the winningest starting quarterback in the history of college football in Colt McCoy. SEC Champion Alabama has Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. Alabama’s defense has stopped every team it has faced this year including the high scoring all-american filled Florida Gators though, leading me to believe that if Texas does not come with a varied game plan on offense they could get embarrassed. That said, Texas had the best defense against the run (Alabama’s bread and butter) in the nation. What gives remains to be seen. Expect a game that lives up to the hype of two undefeated teams from the top two conferences in the nation playing in the National Championship. That said, only one team can win, and my prediction is that after an 18 year wait, Alabama is finally ready to be named National Champions.

January 9^th

UVA Men’s Basketball: at North Carolina State

UVA Men’s Basketball ended the year looking good and giving Cavalier fans hope for the future and faith in Tony Bennett. That said, with the usual set of cupcakes we play behind us, the generally unforgiving ACC regular season schedule begins at North Carolina State. Neither of these teams has really faced that much of a challenge, with UVA being just edged out by Stanford, Penn State, and Auburn while NC State was barely beaten by Florida, Arizona, and Wake Forest. Luckily for the Cavaliers, the Wolfpack do not have a real big man presence and also rely on a lot of threes, making this more of a guard and forward game where the team with the better shooting from beyond the arc will win. If Landesberg can step up again like he did against UAB expect the Cavaliers to start their conference schedule undefeated, if not, may the best 3-point shooting team win.

NFL: Playoffs; NFC Wild-card Round, Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

Unless the Washington Deadskins were involved in this game somehow, I cannot think of a game where I want both teams to lose more. Being a Giants game, I still cannot get over how our season crumbled at the end, how both these teams and the Jets made the playoffs, yet we did not. What a last year at Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands. A repeat of last Sunday’s matchup between the two teams (oddly a recurrent theme amongst three of the four wildcard games) in the same location. After 14 years without a playoff win, I think Tony Romo and the Cowboys will finally do it. Beating the Eagles twice in the regular season was no easy task, and beating the playoffs won’t be either, but all streaks have to come to an end eventually (except for maybe the Cubs not winning the World Series). Expect a closer game than last week but for the Cowgirls to prevail.

NFL: Playoffs; AFC Wild-card Round, New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals

The Jets are the biggest surprise team in the playoffs, but make no mistake the team with the rookie coach, rookie quarterback, the NFL’s best defense, and the NFL’s top rushing offense (led by UVA alum Thomas Jones) will not be backing down without a serious fight. Though not much should be taken of their 37-0 annihilation of the Bengals this past Sunday in the last game at Giants Stadium, it should serve as a confidence booster for the fearless Jets as they head to Cincinnati. Though I do not think the Jets will be this year’s Arizona Cardinals (who last year at 9-7 ended up winning three straight before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl), I am not counting them out in this game. Cincinnati’s achievements should not be passed over though. Going undefeated in the division with the reigning Super Bowl Champions and another Playoff team is no walk in the park. Doing it after a 4-11-1 season is equally if not more impressive. Keep in mind starting quarterback Carson Palmer has had previous injury problems that did not affect him this season and that the team played well below their potential last season. Regardless of the past, all that matters is how each team plays Saturday. The colder it is the more likely the Jets will win with their superior defense and run game. Expect a close one and maybe, just maybe, the Jets will survive to play another week.

January 10^th

NFL: Playoffs; NFC Wild-card Round, Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals

While this season has been all about Brett Favre, the Packers have quietly gotten things done and finished the season only one game behind the Vikings. Aaron Rodgers has put up similar numbers to Brett Favre (with a little more yards, three fewer touchdowns) while getting sacked about twice as much and without the best running back in the league to take the pressure off of him (or 6 more pro-bowl players surrounding him for that matter). It has earned Rodgers a pro-bowl invite to back-up starter Drew Brees and of course, Brett Favre. The Cardinals on the other hand, yet again won the worst division in the NFL, the NFC West. This time though, no one will be sleeping on them, especially not the Packers. Do not be surprised to see a repeat this Sunday of this past Sunday’s crushing of the Cardinals by the Packers in Arizona.

NFL: Playoffs; AFC Wild-card Round, Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

This game is overshadowed by the fact that Wes Welker, the all-important receiver for the Patriots is out for the playoffs. He is star quarterback Tom Brady’s number one target and will be sorely missed. Given Randy Moss’ string of not-too-inspired performances, this could be just the kind of thing that leads to an upset by the Ravens. The curse of David Tyree continues to haunt Bill Belichick’s Patriots. First it was Tom Brady’s injury, now this. The once almost perfect Patriots are now two years older. The Ravens will look to avenge their week 4 loss in Foxborough and might just get it. Expect a tight game, but if Moss can get his act together, expect the home crowd and Brady to do the rest of the work and at least get one win this playoffs for the Patriots.

Thursday November 12

NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers at Miami Heat

I know it is very, very early in the NBA season and thus most of these games don’t matter that much. Regardless, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are easily two of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade are also easily two of the most exciting players to watch in the league. With two good teams and two superstars this is easily the game of the week in this early NBA season. Wade will look to continue his streak of having the team high in points as he has had the team high for all six games this season for the Heat. James will look to continue his streak of having the team high in assists as he has had the team high in all seven games this season for the Cavaliers. Based on the inconsistency of the Cavaliers and the fact they will play back to back nights in Florida against top Eastern Conference teams (they play the Orlando Magic the night before) while the Heat play the terrible Washington Wizards and then have a day off, expect the Heat to take this one.

Friday November 13

College Basketball: Morehead State at Kentucky

Much like the NBA, college basketball is just starting up, making the rankings almost useless and the games not very good. Most of the big time programs are playing much weaker teams to prepare for their conference games. Kentucky is no different. Though Morehead State at Kentucky will not even be a close game, the reason this game is on this hallowed list of what to watch for this week is because it will be the first real game for the freshman point guard (soon to be) sensation John Wall. He was ranked #1 for point guards for the Class of 2009 and was in the top 2 in the nation overall (depending on the source he was one or two). Wall can jump out the gym, is a great passer, has nice handle and finishes beautifully. You don’t have to take my word for it check out one of his high school video compilations here. He’s even predicted to be the number one pick in the NBA draft in June 2010 according to nbadraft.net. Along with the introduction of John Wall to everyone on the collegiate level, this game marks the start of the new other John’s era; John Calipari. After impressive runs with UMass and Memphis (and an unimpressive run sandwiched between the impressive runs with the New Jersey Nets), the 50 year old Calipari will look to bring national championships back to the program that currently has the most wins in college basketball history and the second most national championships.

Saturday November 14

World Cup Qualifying UEFA Playoffs, first leg: France At Ireland

This game is easily the best of the four UEFA playoff games with Russia likely to crush small Slovenia, Portugal more than likely to run all over even smaller Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Ukraine versus Greece not really featuring a side nearly as exciting as either France or Ireland. Unfortunately there is a cloud of unfairness surrounding these games with UEFA changing up the draw rules. Instead of randomly selecting who would play, the top four teams were ranked and then randomly drawn an opponent from the four remaining teams. This allowed UEFA to be sure that Portugal France and Russia wouldn’t be playing each other and thus giving them an easier chance to make it to the World Cup in South Africa this coming summer. Of course when things are not left to chance there is no such thing as the “luck of the irish”, so Ireland not only drew 2006 World Cup Finalist France but have to play the second and final leg at France. After missing out on the European Championships in 2008 and 2004 as well as the World Cup in 2006, Ireland looks doomed to miss out on yet another major championship. The Irish are a scrappy side and did well to get here though, so they can’t be ruled out until the full 180 minutes (and extra time) has been played. That said, expect a draw at best for the first leg and for France to secure itself a place in South Africa at the end of the second leg.

College Football: Iowa at Ohio State

Iowa were nicknamed the cardiac kids after come back victories after being down to start the fourth quarter against Northern Iowa, at Penn State, at Michigan State and versus Indiana. They were off to their best start in school history with whispers of winning the Big Ten and even being in the BCS title game. Then they played a mediocre Northwestern at home. After looking like they were going to cruise to victory having gone up 10-0, one ankle crushing forced fumble in the endzone during the second quarter has all but ended Iowa’s hopes for their first outright title since 1985 and their first title since sharing it with Michigan in 2004. With Quarterback Ricky Stanzi now needing ankle surgery, Iowa will be without its most important offensive piece this Saturday. Ohio State has had a different story. After barely beating Navy and barely losing to USC to start the season, Ohio State has crushed their opponents save a slip up miserable Purdue in mid-October that threatened to possibly end their streak of four consecutive Big Ten titles. Now this game looks to be the decider in the Big Ten. With Ohio State basically at full strength and at home while Iowa is without their prized quarterback, expect Vegas to have undervalued the spread on this game as the Buckeyes crush and assure themselves a fifth consecutive Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl bid.

Sunday November 15

NFL: New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts

I know that Monday Night Football’s matchup between the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the surprising start Denver Broncos was a hard game not to put on this list, but the NFL game of the week has to go the game with its top two quarterbacks facing off. Reigning MVP Peyton Manning will look to keep the Indianapolis Colts perfect as they host the New England Patriots. In the past ten years, these two teams have the most wins in the regular season; with the Colts having six more wins overall. After two slip up losses for the Patriots, they look like they have finally found a rhythm. Both losses were away games though, making this away game all the more crucial for the Pats to establish themselves as more than just good at home. The Colts are one of two undefeated teams still left at week 10 along with the New Orleans Saints. The past two games though they have been very unimpressive and walked away with victories over the mediocre San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans by the skin of their teeth. They also haven’t really faced another solid team yet. This game will be a good measuring stick for both teams involved. I thought during the 2007-8 season that Manning for sure would stop the Patriot juggernaut that went undefeated in the regular season, this year I think Tom Brady will stop the Colts. Expect a close game but for the only remaining undefeated team in week 11 to be the Saints.

Monday October 5^th

NFL: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings

If you are under the age of fifty (and thus not old enough to fully remember Vince Lombardi), one man comes to mind when the Green Bay Packers are brought up; Brett Favre. The man’s career speaks for itself. With three MVP trophies, a Super Bowl ring, the most career touchdown passes, passing yards, consecutive starts, and career victories as a starting Quarterback, it is not unreasonable to throw around his name in the argument for greatest Quarterback of all time. Missing from that list is leaving without a scene. Last year, after jerking around the Packers for long enough, Brett Favre was traded to the New York Jets and though he started well, he ended his stint in the city that never sleeps quite poorly. In his attempt to “be like Mike” (Michael Jordan), Favre decided to retire and come back a second time as well. Instead of joining a lowly team who in no way competed with his former team like Jordan though, Favre joined the main division rival of his former team. This year, the rivalry game between the Packers and the Vikings is that much more intriguing because of Favre. For all the intrigue though, the Minnesota Vikings are a much better team. They were a playoff team without a good quarterback and have arguably the best running back in the league. Their defense was also the sixth best in the league last year. Though the Vikings winning was no surprise, the game was good and showed Favre was lucky not to be the Packer’s Quarterback (as Aaron Rodgers was sacked eight times).

Tuesday October 6^th

MLB: Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins

After finishing the regular season with identical records of 86-76, these two AL Central Division rivals had to have a 163^rd game to complete the AL Playoff bracket. In my opinion, there was not a more exciting way to end the season than this four and a half hour 12 inning instant classic. What makes it even more amazing is the fact that not a month ago the Twins were seven games out of first. It also is the second year in a row that the Twins played in a 163^rd game tiebreaker with an AL Central foe, as last year they lost to Chicago. With Brett Favre and playoff baseball, looks like Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the place to be.

Wednesday October 7^th

MLB: Colorado Rockies at Philadelphia Phillies

The defending World Series Champions Philadelphia Phillies are back to try and repeat but will have to beat the streaky Colorado Rockies before they can even think about winning the NL. Last year the Phillies did not lose a game at home and this year they have had the best road record in the league but their pitching has a lot of question marks. During the season the Rockies were 10 games under .500 and finished twenty two games over and there’s no denying that the thin air in the mile high city will provide quite an advantage. Of all the playoff series this is the toughest one to predict. Expect a close five game series that the Phillies pull out.

MLB: Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees

For all the excitement of winning a 163^rd game to make the playoffs after being seven back with less than a month to go, the Twins excitement will (if it hasn’t already) quickly turn into sadness. The Twins, holders of the worst record of the eight playoff teams, played seven games against the New York Yankees during the regular season and lost all seven times. They have had 21 probably hungover hours to prepare for the 6’7”, 290 pound giant CC Sabathia (who is in the top 4 in five major pitching categories, including first in wins) and the star studded Yankees lineup. The Yankees on the other hand have the best record in baseball (16 games better than the Twins) and had two days to rest up. With better pitching and much better hitting, anything less than a sweep will be seen as a failure for the Yankees. Expect a World Series Championship to be brought back to New York after a nine year drought unless they play the Red Sox in the ALCS in which case it could go either way.

Thursday October 8^th

MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers

The St. Louis Cardinals, the NL Central champions, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, the NL West champions, had very similar records with the Dodgers having won four more than the Cardinals. During the regular season the Cardinals won five of seven against the Dodgers, with two of those wins coming from former Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter. Carpenter will pitch game one for the Cardinals and after a 17-4 season could soon be named Cy Young winner again. Because of Carpenter the Cardinals will win game one, taking away homefield advantage from the Dodgers. With Albert Pujols leading the charge the rest of the way with his bat and the inexperienced Dodgers pitching staff bound to fail, I predict the Cardinals win the series in four games.

Friday October 9^th

MLB: Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

This series much like the Cardinals-Dodgers series is one of two teams with very similar records. The Angels have the second best record in the league, the Red Sox the third best record in the league. In what is the third playoff series in three years (fourth series in six years) between these two teams, there is no reason for me to believe that the result of the Red Sox winning won’t remain the same. Both teams had to fight to get here and both teams have good pitching staffs but only one team will remain after this series. Because of the injury problems that plagued Vladimir Guerrero and Tori Hunter for the Angels this year, I will be surprised if they can come through enough in the clutch. My Prediction is Boston Red Sox in 4.

Saturday October 10^th

College Football: #1 Florida Gators at #4 LSU Tigers

The biggest questions surrounding this game involve Tim Tebow. Will he play? If he does play will he be half as sharp as he usually is? If he doesn’t play what will that mean for the Florida Gators offense? Urban Meyer has said it will be a gametime decision, and thus far (as of Wednesday October 7^th) he has yet to practice.  Big SEC clashes in general bring a playoff type atmosphere and usually end close. Not being at the swamp will also be to the advantage of LSU, but LSU has yet to impress this year having squeaked by Georgia this past weekend as well as Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Washington. Without Tebow though, who and what Florida team we will see is up in the air. Expect a close game, regardless of whether Tebow plays, and look for Meyer to have some tricks up his sleeve as Florida barely pull this one out.

Sunday October 11^th

NFL: New England Patriots at Denver Broncos

It should be hard for everyone who follows the NFL to believe that a team with Kyle Orton as the Quarterback could be undefeated through the first four games. That said, beating the horrid Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns, sneaking out a first game win against the perennially inconsistent Cincinatti Bengals and upsetting a team searching for an identity in the Dallas Cowboys is not exactly what legitimate teams have on their resume. Nonetheless, the Broncos are undefeated. The New England Patriots on the other hand have had a slower start than usual that can mostly be attributed to the fact that Tom Brady was injured for a whole year and the veteran laden team got a year older. Brady is still as clutch as ever, keeping his composure and pulling out close games versus both the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens. I think it is safe to say that of the five undefeated teams, Denver is the most likely to lose, and I think they will lose big, even at home.