College Football Prediction (LSU)

LSU looks to be an interesting team this year. Althought they lost their best returner and cornerback, Patrick Peterson, to the NFL, and have a new running back, Jordan Jefferson and all of his passing targets return, along with most of the offensive line. Morris Claiborne, who had five interceptions last year, will return and probably have a successful year. Their first game is against Oregon, which I think the Tigers will lose. They then have an easy game against Northwestern State before facing two straight challenges against Mississippi State and West Virginia, one of which I believe they will lose. They have a game against Alabama on November 5th that looks to be a good one, and the Tigers should win. Their last game on November 25th will pit them against Arkansas, a game where I think Arkansas will show everyone that they are not to be messed with and win, just keeping LSU out of the SEC Championship Game.

My Prediction:
LSU will make a second straight appearance in the Cotton Bowl, where they will beat Texas A&M 14-10.
10-3
Cotton Bowl Champions

College Football Preview (Alabama)

Alabama won the National Title two years ago led by Mark Ingram and Greg McIlroy, and now that each of them are gone, this year should be interesting. It will either be a year of rebuilding or a year of winning. I believe that they have one of the best defenses in the country, however their offense has a little to be desired, with Trent Richardson, a very, very capable running back, having to replace Mark Ingram, a Heisman Trophy winner. Richardson, who played enough time last year and the year before to determine that he is actually quite good, won't be able to put up the same sort of numbers that Ingram did, however his numbers may lead to similar success. My only problem with Alabama is their quarterback. The quarterback battle is between AJ McCarron and Philip Sims, with McCarron expected to win. I don't think that either of them will have the same productive numbers that McIlroy had during the last two years. Greg McIlroy didn't put up great numbers, but he was a true leader. After an early battle against Penn State on September 10th, I believe that they will be upset by LSU on November 5th, but will beat South Carolina in the SEC Championship game and advance to the Sugar Bowl against Stanford.
My Prediction:
Alabama will have a successful season, but lose to Stanford 35-10 in the Sugar Bowl
12-2
2011 Sugar Bowl Runners-Up

College Football Preview (Notre Dame)

Well, I didn't want to do it, but I had to put Notre Dame in my Preseason top five. Dayne Crist, the quarterback will return after a successful but injured season, Manti Te'o may be the best defensive player in all of college football, and Michael Floyd, the star Wide Receiver, is getting much closer to starting in one of the first games of the year after his DUI and subsequent suspension. Notre Dame has a little bit of a test in their first game against South Florida, but their next two games, against Michigan in the "Under the Lights" game on September 10th and the next week against Michigan State at home. On October 22, 34 years to the day that Dan Devine pulled out the Green Jerseys and beat USC, Notre Dame will play... USC. Hmm, tough test against a good team, Green Jersey Game #2 in the making? After the USC game, I expect two good games against Navy and Boston College, but the only real test after USC will be Andrew Luck and Stanford, a game that Notre Dame should win.

My Prediction:
Notre Dame will be back! This is the first year in a while that Notre Dame doesn't have a game that everybody looks at and knows that they will be upset. They shouldn't be anybodies "Super Bowl" this year, and I think that will help them. I think they will win the National Championship over Oregon, 28-24, but only because of their defense, which is much improved with some great new recruits.
13-0
2011 National Champions

College Football Preview (Oklahoma)

Oklahoma looks to be an interesting team this year. Ryan Broyles, the star receiver, and Landry Jones, a very capable quarterback, return for what looks to be a great year for each. Boomer Sooner will roll through the first part of the season, with the only real challenge being their game at Florida State. The game at the Cotton Bowl against Texas on October 8th will be a tough test, and although I expect them to win, it may shake their confidence. Although they will face a challenge against Texas A&M on November 5th, They will go undefeated until December 3rd, when Oklahoma State will pull off an upset.

My Prediction:
Oklahoma will do well, and win in the Fiesta Bowl over Boise State, 31-28.
13-1
2011 Fiesta Bowl Champions

College Football Preview (Oregon)

This will be the opener of my new segment, previewing college football before the season starts. In my first segment, I will talk about last-years championship game runner-up and preseason favorite to win the Pac-12, the Oregon Ducks. The Ducks return 12 starters from a team that went 12-1 last year, and most of those returning starters should make a large impact. They will start off the season with a tough test in Dallas against LSU on September 3, followed by Nevada the next week. The biggest tests after LSU will be against USC on November 19th and Stanford on November 12th. I believe they will face Utah in the Pac-12 Conference Championship Game, but will breeze through them. This has been made even tougher with the suspension of Cliff Harris, their star cornerback. However, I believe that this won't affect them because they still have a great quarterback, Darron Thomas who should get better, the best running game in all of college football with LaMichael James, one of my preseason favorites for the Heisman Trophy, and Kenjon Barner, a great back-up running back that would be a starter anywhere else, leading the way.

My Prediction:
Oregon will repeat their success from last year but face the toughest test of their lives in the National Championship Game and lose 24-28 to Notre Dame. GO DUCKS!
13-1
2011 Runners-Up

My Preseason College Football Top 10

Here is my preseason Top 10 teams for College Football:

1. Oregon
2. Oklahoma
3. Notre Dame
4. Alabama
5. LSU
6. Boise State
7. Stanford
8. Texas A&M
9. Florida State
10. South Carolina

McIlroy's Mastery (US Open 2011)

Wow! Rory McIlroy went from having a final round 80 at the Masters after leading going into the final round to winning the US Open and setting tournament records in total score, score after 36 holes, fastest to -10 in the tournament, first to get -13 and lower in the tournament, and was the second-youngest player to win a major since 1934. His final score was -16, and he won by eight strokes. If McIlroy doesn't win at least five majors, I will be stunned. He is dominating golf right now and may do it for close to a decade.

Moving Day Leaderboard at the US Open

Here is the leaderboard after Moving Day at the US Open.

Leaderboard:
1. Rory McIlroy: -14
2. Y.E. Yang: -6
T3. Robert Garrigus: -5
T3. Lee Westwood: -5
T3. Jason Day: -5
T6. Sergio Garcia: -4
T6. Matt Kuchar: -4
T6. Fredrik Jacobson: -4
9. Kyung-tae Kim: -3

Other Notables:
T15. Zach Johnson: -1
T21. Graeme McDowell: E
T21. Louis Oosthuizen: E
T27. Charl Schwartzel: +1
T33. Dustin Johnson: +2
T36. Padraig Harrington: +3
T36. Martin Kaymer: +3
T48 Ryo Isikawa: +5
T57. Phil Mickelson: +7
T57. Bubba Watson: +7
T64. Anthony Kim: +8

Championship Season

Well, it's that time again. CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON! The Stanley Cup Finals, the NBA Finals, and the UEFA Champions League Final have all taken place in the past week. The NBA Finals, between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks, is tied at 1-1. The Stanley Cup, played by the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins, is led 1-0 by the Canucks. FC Barcelona beat Manchester United 3-1 in the UEFA Champions Final last Sunday. Baseball season is still going on, however the World Series isn't going to happen for about five more months.