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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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Free NCAA Bowl Picks: Part II By Ron Jumper The bowls have started with a bang and there have been some shocking performances so far. How about the Florida State Seminoles performance against UCLA. I had them beating the Bruins in a low scoring affair, but the teams combined to score more points than the Hawaii-ASU game. The Seminoles really needed that victory for Bobby Bowden's sake, the Bruins already had their big win against USC and didn't seem to have the same intensity as FSU had. This Seminole bunch should bring things back to normal next season down in Tallahassee. You knew it was coming, I had to acknowledge the performance, or lack there of, by the PAC-10. Getting off to an 0-3 start, the PAC-10 hasn't had much to brag about thus far. Oregon got dismantled 38-8 by BYU, who seems to be better than they get credit for. Arizona State hung tight for 3 quarters but eventually lost 41-24 to Hawaii, which truly has become more than just a pretty spread-passing team that isn't physical. The UCLA Bruins gave up 44 points to FSU! This is a team that put less points than that in its last 3 games combined! Meanwhile, the Mountain West had a strong 3-1 showing. BYU, TCU, and Utah all played spectacular. Granted, TCU and Utah didn't beat high quality opposition in their respective bowls. I still beleive that the Mountain West is a team or two away from being able to compete with the BCS conferences, but that may not be as far off as we think. After seeing BYU and TCU play so well, I honestly think those teams would give Cal all they could handle. USC is the only team keeping any respect in the Pac-10, who is undoubtedly a well coached and talented team. As much as Pac-10 teams hate seeing USC win every year, that is the only reason that conference gets any respect. For the second edition of picks, lets get started... *Place $20 on ALL WAGERS* Houston (+6) covers vs. South Carolina Player To Watch: QB Kevin Kolb, Houston These teams play very similar styles of offense. The Houston Cougars have the better gunslinger in Kevin Kolb but the Gamecocks have Steve Spurrier calling plays. Neither team has much to brag about on defense, so expect a lot of points. South Carolina 35-31 Purdue (+1) covers vs. Maryland Players To Watch: QB Matt Painter, Purdue WR Dorien Bryant, Purdue QB Sam Hollenbach The Boilermakers are a much more prolific offense and that will be the difference. Maryland doesn't have the difference makers on offfense to make the big plays they need. Expect a comfortable win by the Boilermakers. Purdue 24-14 Texas Tech (-6.5) covers vs. Minnesota Players To Watch: QB Graham Harrell, TT WR Joel Filani, TT RB Amir Pinnix, Minnesota This is real simple. Texas Tech is a wonderful passing team, Minnesota can't stop the pass. The Red Raiders should score a lot of points and I don't see the Golden Gophers have a shot to keep up in this matchup. TT 38-21 BC (-6) covers vs. Navy Players To Watch: QB Matt Ryan, BC LB Brian Toal, BC FB Adam Ballard, Navy My first thought was that Navy might pull off the upset. However, Navy is a little too banged up to beat a Boston College team that already has them outmanned. The Eagles don't have their coach in this affair but don't expect too much of a mental lapse. BC 28-17 Texas (-9) covers vs. Iowa Players To Watch: QB Colt McCoy, Texas RB Jamaal Charles, Texas QB Drew Tate, Iowa The Longhorns are the far superior team here. As much as I am going to hate seeing Drew Tate go out with a loss, I just don't see any other way. Texas should win by a few scores and start their campaign as one of next year's top title contenders. Texas 42-24 Georgia (+3) covers vs. Virginia Tech Players To Watch: QB Mathew Stafford, Georgia RB Kregg Lumpkin, Georgia LB Xavier Adibi, Virginia Tech The Bulldogs lost to Vanderbilt and Kentucky during the middle of the season. If you take away those losses, this team had a very good year. They finished the season strong beating Auburn and Georgia Tech. I expect a Bulldog win in Atlanta. Georgia 21-17 Miami (-4) covers vs. Nevada Players To Watch: QB Jeff Rowe, Nevada DE Calais Campbell, Miami The Miami Hurricanes have endured a tough season and have underachieved greatly. However, the Wolfpack just doesn't have the talent to pull off the upset here. I like Nevada and QB Jeff Rowe, but don't expect a great outing in this one. Expect a methodical win by Miami. Miami 24-7 Auburn (-3) covers vs. Nebraska Players To Watch: RB Kenny Irons, Auburn QB Zac Taylor, Nebraska The Tigers are a very good footall team and are the superior team in this game. I like Nebraska and how they are progressing under coach Callahan, but don't expect the Cornhuskers to be able to stop Auburn on the ground. Irons should be able to finish his career with a superb outing. Auburn 21-17 Tennessee (-4) covers vs. Penn State Players To Watch: LB Paul Posluszny, Penn State WR Robert Meachem, UT The Vols have too much offense for the Nittany Lions and should be able to shut down anything Penn State tries to do on offense. Expect Phillip Fulmer to have his team well prepared in this one. I'm a Joe Paterno fan, but Tennessee will win this one comfortably. Vols 31-14 Wisconsin (+2) covers vs. Arkansas Players To Watch: RB Darren McFadden, Ark RB P.J. Hill, Wis LT Joe Thomas, Wis The Badgers are 11-1 but don't have a lot of quality wins to brag about. However, they do everything well and nothing bad. The Razorbacks, on the other hand, are a mess. They've lost 2 in a row and had players leaving the program. I can't help but wonder if the Hogs have lost their focus for this game. Wisconsin 28-24 West Virginia (-11) covers vs. Goergia Tech Players To Watch: RB Steve Slaton, WVU QB Pat White, WVU WR Calvin Johnson, GT This has all the makings of a blowout and could get ugly. West Virginia will put up a lot of points and the Yellow Jackets won't get a lot going unless they run the ball exceptionally well early. We all know about Calvin Johnson and what he can do. However, it was hard enough to get him the ball with the starter Reggie Ball throwing him the ball. WVU 31-10 December 28, 2006 |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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