So its been two weeks, what about it? wanna fight? I didn't think so. But here's my big thought of the week.
ESPN's bracket busters.
That's it. bracketbusters. Most people would like to say that March Madness gives them the best feeling in the world. Anyone who knows me knows that the tourney is one of my favorite sporting events of the year. But, another thing I love come tournament time is the small, cinderella school. George Mason, loved it. Butler, love 'em EVERY YEAR. Davidson, Loved it. Knowing this, I am nominating ESPN's bracketbusters as my #1 favorite sporting day of the year. Here are my reasons.
1. All small schools.
This year there was a pool of 102 teams from the non-BCS conferences who chose to participate in this years bracketbusters event. That's nearly a third of all NCAA basketball teams right there. GOTTA LOVE IT.
2. Good, nay I say great matchups.
The plus of having 102 schools sign up and not announcing the matchups until january is there are going to be really good matchups. PLus, they only show 26 of those schools on TV, so it's the cream of the crop. Definitely no Central Michigan vs. Farleigh Dickinson matchup on TV. These matchups are Steak Sauce. Virginia Commonwealth @ Nevada. Why yes bartender, I will take a little bit more of that. #15 Butler @ Davidson.Thank you, I think I need just one more shot there. ooooo #21 Utah State @ St. Mary's. I am cutting myself off right there. I think I may have just had a mid-major college basketball orgasm.
3.The tourney is close.
One thing that ESPN got right was the timing of the event. Putting it in the middle/end of February is beautiful. The tourney is close. The teams that need a quality win can get one right here. Plus, it can give a good measuring stick to the tourneament selection committee. If a mid-major is doing well, but scheduled nothing but awful teams, they can be exposed and drop in rankings.
Case closed. ESPN bracketbusters, I think I found my valentine a couple of days late this year.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Its Super Bowl Sunday!!!
I've been waiting and waiting to write this post. My personal breakdown of Super Bowl XLIII.
Pitt O v. Cardinals D
Pittsburgh's offense has been extremely mediocre this year (22nd in YPG). They are sitting in the middle to the back of the pack in run O (23rd) and Pass O (17th). The Cardinals D has also been fairly mediocre (19th in YPG). They are 16th against the run and 22nd against the pass. While it looks like a particularly mediocre matchup, I am giving the advantage to the Cardinals D, because even though they are not that good. They have played better than their stats say this postseason. I also think that the Cards will be able to force turnovers from a little gunslining acton that Big Ben will no-doubtedly put on display.
Cards O vs. Pitt D
Now this is the matchupeveryone wants to see. The Best Defense in the NFL against the 4th best Offense in the NFL. The Steelers will have to pressure Kurt Warner all game to throw him off. The Cardinals will have to sontinue the success they have had this postseason in more traditional sets (less than 3 WR) while still not getting away from their pass-happy tendencies. This is going to be the biggest battle all game. It will be interesting to see if the Steelers can fly around and smack a couple of WRs in the mouth, like they are known to do, and set the tone early in the game.
My Prediction (with Justification)
The matchups are one part but the biggest factor in the game, in my mind, will be field position (BIG SURPRISE RIGHT?). Because both return games are pretty good and with turnovers that are bound to happen, the field position is going to flip on the turn of a dime. I think it will be close until the Steelers force the Cards to be one-dimensional in the 4th quarter and then they can drop back a force turnovers.
Steelers 31, Cards 17
Pitt O v. Cardinals D
Pittsburgh's offense has been extremely mediocre this year (22nd in YPG). They are sitting in the middle to the back of the pack in run O (23rd) and Pass O (17th). The Cardinals D has also been fairly mediocre (19th in YPG). They are 16th against the run and 22nd against the pass. While it looks like a particularly mediocre matchup, I am giving the advantage to the Cardinals D, because even though they are not that good. They have played better than their stats say this postseason. I also think that the Cards will be able to force turnovers from a little gunslining acton that Big Ben will no-doubtedly put on display.
Cards O vs. Pitt D
Now this is the matchupeveryone wants to see. The Best Defense in the NFL against the 4th best Offense in the NFL. The Steelers will have to pressure Kurt Warner all game to throw him off. The Cardinals will have to sontinue the success they have had this postseason in more traditional sets (less than 3 WR) while still not getting away from their pass-happy tendencies. This is going to be the biggest battle all game. It will be interesting to see if the Steelers can fly around and smack a couple of WRs in the mouth, like they are known to do, and set the tone early in the game.
My Prediction (with Justification)
The matchups are one part but the biggest factor in the game, in my mind, will be field position (BIG SURPRISE RIGHT?). Because both return games are pretty good and with turnovers that are bound to happen, the field position is going to flip on the turn of a dime. I think it will be close until the Steelers force the Cards to be one-dimensional in the 4th quarter and then they can drop back a force turnovers.
Steelers 31, Cards 17
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