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Welcome to “The Weekly Rant”!!!
My column has three parts. The first part is where I write an article about something in the sports world. The next part is the email bag, where I post the best emails I get throughout the week (posts from Sportsrant.com will now also be eligible). The final section will be my fantasy baseball pick-up of the week. This will change to fantasy football, once the NFL season starts. Hope you enjoy it!!!
I am a college football freak. I love the excitement and the competitiveness of college football. Even the BCS, with all of its flaws, has reenergized the sport and taken it to a new level. I feel that the upcoming season will showcase the trend of parity that has swept this game. However, there will always be conference and national champions. For the next six weeks I will attempt to predict the results of all of the BCS conferences as well as the national champion. I will include who I feel are the Top 5 in each BCS division (who cares about the rest). Let’s start with the “left coast” conference, the Pac-10.
Pac-10
University of Southern California (Projected Record 12-1)
Is there anyone that will argue me on this point? The Trojans come into 2006 with depth at just about every position. Matt Leinart, the Trojan quarterback, is coming back for his senior campaign after winning the Heisman last year. He will have an experienced group of receivers to throw to including Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett. However the most deadly Trojan of all is Reggie Bush. I truly feel that this young man has to be the frontrunner for this year’s Heisman. He can of course carry the ball, but he is most dangerous when he lines up as a receiver. Even the best linebackers in the Pac-10 have no shot of guarding him. On defense, the Trojans are still solid even with the departures Shaun Cody and Lofa Tatupu. Darnell Bing will anchor a defense that will once again be the true strength of the team. The Trojans only Achilles heel is the continuity of the team after the loss of offensive coordinator, Norm Chow, and line coach Ed Orgeron. These two coaches were invaluable to the success of USC last year, and depending on the success of this campaign, they may be sorely missed.
UCLA (Projected Record 9-3/League Record 6-2)
In 2004, UCLA came about as close as anyone to beating USC. They outplayed the Trojans and had it not been for an interception on their final drive, the Bruins might have pulled off the most shocking upset last year. Drew Olson will spearhead an offense that will continue to improve. At runningback, Maurice Drew will anchor a position that has strong for the Bruins for the last 10 years (Skip Hicks, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, DeShaun Foster to name a few). The receiving corps for the Bruins will be led by a tight-end. Marcedes Lewis will no doubt be Olson’s favorite target, and if he stays healthy, could be a first or second round draft choice. The Bruins will be hurt on offense by the departures of Manuel White & Craig Bragg who were both selected in this year’s NFL draft. On defense, Spencer Havner and Justin London are two of the best linebackers in the country. The loss of Ben Emanuel hurts the Bruins in the secondary, but Jarrad Page will be more than ready for the task. The Bruins have their toughest matchups (Oklahoma, Arizona State, and Cal) all in the Rose Bowl this year, and if their run defense, and offensive line can improve, the Bruins will give the Trojans all they can handle.
Arizona State University (Projected Record 8-4/League Record 5-3)
Last season for Arizona State was a successful one. They were consistently ranked in the Top 20 and defeated Purdue in the Sun Bowl. There was much reason for optimism for Dirk Koetter’s team until the tragic arrest of Loren Wade for murder this spring. Loren Wade was one of my picks to really excel at running back this year. He would have given ASU many reasons to smile, but unfortunately, all he has given them is heartache. Sun Devil fans have to worry about the team’s psyche after this stunning development. Also, having Andrew Walter at quarterback would help, but I do feel that Sam Keller will surprise some people. The good thing for Keller is that he will have Derek Hagan to throw to. Hagan is one of the top 10 receivers in the country. He is by far the best receiver in the country that no one has heard of. He is primed for an All-American run this year, and if Keller can be consistent, ASU’s offense will be nearly as dangerous as it was last year. On defense, the Sun Devils must improve strongly if they have any hopes for a Pac-10 title. Jordan Hill, Jamar Williams, and Dale Robertson must give solid contributions or ASU’s defense may be even worse than last year. The secondary, decimated by injury will have to step up or the team will most definitely suffer. If ASU can apply pressure on the quarterback, and cover better, the Sun Devils might end up in the top 20 again.
University of California (Projected Record 8-4/League Record 6-2)
The 2004 California Bears had one of the most successful years in the school’s history. Their 11-2 record was truly unexpected, and they also had an excellent shot of beating the Trojans last year. This year, expectations have been revised downward with the departures of Aaron Rodgers. The good news for Bears fans is that there are two capable looking men hoping to take his place. Nate Longshore and Joe Ayoob both impressed Jeff Tedford during spring workouts. If one of these candidates can emerge, Cal fans may have even more reason for optimism. The Bears will have a difficult time replacing Geoff MacArthur and Chase Lyman. These two receivers combined for over 1200 yards last year, and this leaves Jeff Tedford uncomfortably slim in that area. Marshawn Lynch as the unenviable task of replacing J.J. Arrington at runningback. Last year, Lynch did a solid job filling in for Arrington as needed, but can he continue his success as a starter. On defense, only three of the Bears front seven return from last year. The good news for Cal fans is that Brandon Mebane is one of them. The sophomore will star in a rejuvenated front seven that will continue to be one of the best in the country. This will take some pressure off of Jeff Tedford’s offense because they won’t have to put up 40 points to win. If they can average over 24, the Bears will have an excellent 2005.
Washington State University (Projected Record 6-5/League Record 4-4)
I think that there will be a three-way tie for 5th place in the Pac-10 between Washington State, Oregon and Oregon State. Luckily for the Cougars, I feel that they will own the tiebreakers. Washington State’s 2004 campaign was a great example of inconsistency. They struggled against teams they should have destroyed, and played much better teams tough. They have a decent chance at a bowl game this year, and it will depend on their offensive production. Josh Swogger and Alex Brink were both unimpressive last year and they will have to improve if the Cougars have any shot of a bowl game. The best way for them to get better is to throw to Jason Hill. He might end up being the best receiver in Cougar history. Jerome Harrison can also catch the ball, but he will do most of his damage running through and around opposing defenders. Harrison was a nice surprise for the Cougs and he should continue to solidify the running back position. On defense, Will Derting might be the best linebacker in the conference. He is the “Ray Lewis” of Wazzu’s defense and his playmaking abilities should allow for this squad to continue improving. The front seven is similar to Cal’s in that it is very strong against the run. The key point of improving will be in the secondary. If Washington State’s can get contributions from Wally Dada and Eric Frampton, the Cougars might win as many as eight games.
Email Bag
We have some spicy emails this week. The first is from Dave.
Don’t worry, Avery, 73* doesn’t hurt a bit. That’s the funny think about the whole issue. You guys get all excited, thinking about that it bother us, but it don’t. It will never enter the record books w/an asterisk. What I’m EAGER to see is how all you Giants/Bonds bashers are going to react when more and more athletes get busted w/this issue. The NFL is next and then the NBA. What gets me is how much of a big deal it is because it is Bonds. That’s all it is, a Bonds witch hunt. Admit it, haters. Nobody cared about it when McGwire broke the record. Nobody cares about Giambi. Nobody cares about anyone else, except for seeing Bonds getting hurt. And that’s fine. All it shows is how much you respect him, whether or not you want to admit it. If ya didn’t, you wouldn’t care so much. Think of it like this…Who DIDN’T know that Ellen Degeneris was gay? When she finally came out was it REALLY a big deal to you? We all knew. It’s no secret. It’s no big deal. On the same note, are you REALLY surprised that steroids are running rampant in the nleague? Are you really SHOCKED? Look at football players today. I’d be willing to bet than more than half are on the juice. Quite frankly, who cares. Everyone is so aghast that everything else slides by. We want to send a message to the kids that drugs are bad. Fair enough. It’s common knowledge that most of the NBA smokes weed on a daily basis. Where’s all the fuss about that? What about all of the professional athletes getting in trouble with the law? Why doesn’t Congress investigate all players that beat their wives? Or shoot at people? Are these not bad examples for our children , too? So Bonds (and others) did roids. Big deal. It ain’t like he RAPED somebody, like that fella from Los Angeles. I don’t see the outrage with Kobe, except for in Colorado. And why do you think that is? Because people like Kobe.
What’s worse, a player taking an illegal enhancement to, in his mind, better his body, or a player forcing himself onto another person, stealing that person’s pride and self-respect as he rapes her? (Not to mention single-handedly raping LA Laker fans of a championship team by ousting Shaq & Phil Jackson).
It amazing how what Bonds allegedly has done appears to be worse than what Kobe allegedly has done in the eyes of LA locals. How many rants have we had on the Bonds issue and how many have we had on the Kobe issue. That alone speaks volumes.
Ya see, it all goes back to how all of you LA folkds, truly, deep down inside, admire Bonds and HATE the fact that he’s the best player in modern baseball. The whole steroids “scandal” only gives you a disguise to cover it up.
So go ahead LA fans, keep putting the asterisk by 73. Just keep in mind that the only people it affects are yourselves. Meanwhile, we Giants fans will continue to pretend that we don’t know you truly admire Bonds’ talent. Perhaps we can label you all as “Dodger Fans”*. What do you think?
Dave, I think you are right that Bonds gets a much more than his fair share of attention on this issue. I think its because he denied using it, and then kinda sorta let on to the fact that he might have one day maybe used steroids. The second factor with Bonds is his attitude. His bravado and media-bashing puts a huge target on his back. I think you made some good points, and I can’t wait to see what other fans have to say.
The final email is from Kevin.
I’M BAAAAACCCCKKKKK!!!!!!!
I hope none of you thought I was going to lay down and let Bay Area Dave rattle his mouth off about me and J.T one line me. NOPE! Looks like Monty is about to catch hell and I’ll be the first to smack his ass down! First and far most pick a team Monty!!!!! Don’t ever disrespect the Lakers like that. If you had a clear team I would go off on them but since you are a Madison in all I understand that picking one and sticking with it is kinda far fetched.(sorry John). The Lakers will be back in no time or else the NBA dies like it did when the Spurs* won the championship. Now for Bay Area Dave. Why is it that when we are talking Raiders/49’ers it’s how many championships we have? And when we talk Dodgers/Giants it’s what have you done for me lately? Well I’m killing all that right now. First off, 9ers suck! They will never be as good as they were period! Giants suck, always have, and always will. I could careless if you have got to the series. The Giants legacy will always be none as never winning the big game. And they said the Sox were cursed. I tell you one thing; the Giant fans are great fans. I mean, I would hate to always be turned on and never satisfied! The Raiders have won three. And I understand that the 9ers have five. Okay, I’ll give you that. But the Raiders have won. Unlike the Giants. You can at least argue with me if the topic is the football. But you have NOTHING to say if it’s Baseball. Now J.T, you little republican. Oh I know the score because lets see, Our economy is down, rates are up, we owe hella money, schools have no money, the ghetto is still the ghetto and is not getting any better, nations around the world are turning there back on us and we are losing hundreds of Americans in Iraq. So you take a look at the scoreboard and tell me why you’re happy about that?
P.S. Where are those weapons anyway????????
BIG KEV, LATE!!!!
Kevin has struck back!!! As always, a very entertaining post.
Fantasy Baseball Grab of the Week—Clint Barmes—if the rest of your league is still asleep, and he’s still available, pick him up—he’s for real.
As always please send all emails, smackdowns, and questions, to aveosmth@yahoo.com. Also, for the Sportsrant fans, your posts will now be included as well.
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