Royal Rumble Anyone?

Simmer down all you college football fanatics. I am going to break it down for all of you and tell you who is going to be National Champions this year. With USC and Texas taking a step back from a top of the polls, this year's run to the championship could resemble one of the old WWF's Royal Rumbles that I used to watch as a kid.

Let's start with the SEC. Without a doubt the best football conference in the NCAA. Teams like Florida, Georgia, LSU, and Auburn will lead the way in their respective divisions. But, watch out for the likes of South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama for the have the talent to beat you. And that is exactly the point. The SEC is so tough that to make it through the season and to survive the SEC Championship game, it would quite an accomplishment. It could also hinder them from being in the top two spots at the end.

The Big Ten is just as tough as the SEC, with Michigan, Penn State, Iowa, And Ohio State being in the forefront. If Ohio State can survive a trip to Austin and beat the other conference powers, then they will be there at the end in one of those spots.

The PAC-10 is USC's to lose. They are clearly the favorites, but don't overlook Arizona or Oregon for they will challenge the Trojans.

The ACC has the likes of Florida State, Miami, Virginia Tech, and Clemson. Again, there is so much competition that I think that they will cancel each other out, much like a low ranked Florida State won the ACC championship game and was invited to the Orange Bowl.

The BIG-12 has way too many questions to answer that it is pretty much up for grabs. With that in mind, I think Bob Stoops and Oklahoma will come through as the champions of that conference.

Notre Dame is solid with a great coach and a veteran quaterback leading the way. Their schedule may prove to be to much for them on their way to another championship, but never count out the Golden Domers.

That leaves me with the Big East. Yes, I know it is weak and gets no respect. But everything looks good for my Mountaineers. Two very crucial road games to Pitt and Louisville may cost us our hopes for our first national championship. Louisville also has a tough road to travel if they want to represent the Big East.

It all boils down to this, my prediction on the two teams that will square off for all the glory in January. I have washed it through my elaborate amount of computers that makes the BCS look like childs play. Here it is: in a revenge game from 1988:

West Virginia 28 Notre Dame 24

- Dayman

The Defining Season for Michael Vick

With the beginning of training camp around the corner it is time for the Atlanta Falcons to take a long hard look in the mirror. Thye have spent the off-season bolstering their suspect defense of last year. The success of the team now rests firmly on the unsteady shoulders of their “Golden Boy” Michael Vick.

As a life-long Falcons fan I have grown accustom to disappointment and frustration. I have seen the likes of Nobis and Bartkowski come into the old Fulton County Stadium and struggle to obtain mediocrity. I sat in amazement as Jamal Anderson and Chris Chandler lead the drive to Super Bowl XXXIII. And coaches, from Glanville to Reeves, offer the promise of a turnaround. Then, in 2001 the Falcons drafted Michael Vick. The scrambling passer from Virginia Tech was to be the foundation for greatness. His struggles to grasp the West Coast offense over the past years have been well documented. He attempted to seek out counsel from Steve Young in past off-seasons and studied the nuances of the offense relentlessly. This season is his final exam.

Do not misunderstand Vick is one of, if not, the most exciting players to ever take the field in the NFL. Unfortunately, while excitement does generate revenue for a team, it does not translate into wins. The scrambling and lob passing has lost its luster in light of the past season. The offense around him is not built for his abilities. The West Coast offense, at its core, is to be run by a drop back passer. A tool that, despite his best effort, Vick has yet to master. The true West Coast offense utilizes a great deal of down-the field passing attacks accented by power running with zone blocking. Vick has the running game. Dunn and Duckett in the backfield provide ample opportunity to plow through a defense. The patience and field vision to find the appropriate passing lanes seems to be lacking. Whenever there is penetration he quickly tucks the ball away and runs. With a little more patience and persistence he can allow his receivers to make adjustments. This lack of discipline can explain his horrendous 73.1 passer rating. Is this what a franchise can be built around?

Should the results of this season be any less than a playoff berth and advancement therein, the “Michael Vick Experiment” can only be labeled as a failure. How long can Arthur Blank look at his significant monetary investment in Vick as a success if winning does not follow. What options are available to the franchise with so much capital invested in a single player? The answer is sitting on the bench. The same bench that saw Brett Favre languish about before a trade to Green Bay. The answer is Matt Schaub. Schaub has proven in pre-season and limited regular season time that he better fits the nature of the offense. He is a more cerebral quarterback with better vision and more patience. What you lose with the scrambling threat can quickly be made up with clear concise decision-making abilities. The threat of injury on an ill-advised scramble is all but eliminated. The reluctance of trading Schaub in the off-season has provided a glimmer of hope that all is not lost in Atlanta.

It is also important to note that despite regular season success no offense has captured the championship following the blueprint that Atlanta has followed thus far. A scrambling quarterback has never achieved the goal of a NFL championship. It is my hope that Vick will become a more disciplined quarterback and accept the confines of the offense the coaching staff has implemented. I remain skeptical and will wait patiently to see the results of another off-season of preparation and leave you all with this final thought.

The glory of being a highlight on SportsCenter is short lived, but Super Bowls are forever

-Matt

Let the Blogging Begin!

Welcome to the first in what we hope will be a series of insightful columns to provide insight into the ever-changing world of sports we all enjoy. We are committed to providing comprehensive insight and opinions on various sporting topics with a major focus on college football. First let me introduce you to our staff.

Dayman - An Alumni of WVU with a lifelong devotion to the West Virginia Mountaineers and Miami Dolphins. Years of soccer and football experience provide a broad base of competitive experience and knowledge. You can bet that while his devotion to his beloved 'eers is beyond reproach he will be ruthlessly honest with his critique and opinions.

Kyle - If anyone bleeds Tennessee orange it is this man. Caters his entire life to following his beloved Volunteers through good and bad. With a Division II basketball background his well rounded sports insight and unflinching perseverance will leave you wanting more.

Matt - College sports, especially football, provide motivation to continue on. UGA fan since birth with a deep seeded resentment for bandwagon fans across the board. His biting commentary on the state of sports will cause you to question the foundation of your beliefs.