First of all, I would like to say I'm sorry for not posting in a while (especially to Justin McClary). I've just been busy. But anyway.
The NCAA Division I-A subdivision champion is currently decided by a series of bowl games. One of the main reasons for keeping it this way is the money issue. Because I don't know much about that, I will tell you what the playoff system should be.
There is currently a 25-team ranking. What needs to happen is an expansion to a 32-team ranking. Therefore, you could have every ranked team in the playoff.
The current system has left some question marks in the past. In 2004, LSU and Oklahoma played in the Sugar Bowl, which was the National Championship game at the time, while USC played in the Rose Bowl against Michigan. LSU beat Oklahoma and USC beat Michigan. USC won the final AP Poll and LSU won the final Coaches Poll. Between the two, USC was awarded the National Championship despite not playing in the National Championship game. Exactly one year later, the regular season ended with three undefeated teams: USC, Oklahoma, and Auburn. USC and Oklahoma played for the National title while Auburn played in the Sugar Bowl against Virginia Tech. USC won the title game and both polls, therefore they were declared National Champions. It is common knowledge that the SEC is the toughest conference in college football. Auburn happens to play in that conference. We will never know, however, if Auburn would have beaten that USC team. I shall tell you where three key players from each team are right now; Jason Campbell, quarterback for Auburn, is the Starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins who finished the 2007 Campaign with a 9-7 record. Matt Leinart, quarterback for USC, is the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals who finished the 2007 with an 8-8 record and missed the playoffs. Ronnie Brown, runningback for Auburn, is the starting runningback for the Miami Dolphins who finished the 2007 season with the worst record in the NFL. Reggie Bush, runningback for USC, is the backup runningback for the New Orleans Saints who finished the 2007 season with an 8-8 record and missed the playoffs. Carnell Williams, backup runningback at Auburn, is the starting runningback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has already managed to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Dwayne Jarret, wide reciever for USC, is the third wide reciever for the Carolina Panthers who managed to miss the playoffs in the 2007 season.
Based on where these players are right now, I think that the Auburn team of the 2004-2005 season had a shot at beating USC for the title.
Of course, what do I know. I'm just a fan who doesn't know enough about anything to get the job done.
December 21, 2007
December 20, 2007
Why the St. Louis Cardinals will not make the playoffs in 2008.
To all St. Louis Cardinals' fans out there, this message is for you;
You should be terrified about the Cardinals chances at getting into the playoffs next year. I know that it is early but the winter meetings have already come and gone and they managed to make one move. They signed free agent shortstop Cesar Izturis to a one year deal. Because of this signing, they were forced to part ways with fan favorite David Eckstein. A lot of you people believe that this was a stupid move. Letting go of Eckstein was not a stupid move. He was a second baseman who had played shortstop his entire career. He was a "gritty" player who played as many games as he could (I tend to get sarcastic a lot). The truth is he missed 30+ games in 2007 and even more in 2006. He won the World Series MVP off of four hits. Don't think that the loss of Eckstein is the real problem though.
Going into this offseason, the Cardinals' main concern was starting pitching. While there are still question marks to whether or not Chris Carpenter or Mark Mulder will be healthy, the Cardinals are struggling to find that fifth pitcher. Most teams have a problem finding that fifth starter because they have six starting candidates. The Cardinals don't even have five candidates (Thanks to Justin McClary for that piece of Info). They had the chance to acquire Chris Capuano from the Brewers for Scott Rolen but General Manager John Mozeliak declined that trade. There would be a possibility that they could acquire Erik Bedard from the Orioles but that would involve giving up Star prospect Colby Rasmus packaged with a few other prospects. That is something that the Cardinals are just not willing to do. Mark Prior is another starting pitcher that the Cardinals are looking into (as if they need another injury risk on their team).
While starting pitching remains a question mark, the Cardinals' offense appears to be taking some blows itself. With the departure of Jim Edmonds, the Cardinals are left with no permanent starting outfield. It is currently a matter of shifting Rick Ankiel, Ryan Ludwick, and Skip Shumaker between right field and center field (because Chris Duncan is a set Left Fielder). Pujols, Duncan, and Ankiel have pretty good power, but Albert is the only one that doen't have the tendency to strike out a lot. With a full season under both players' belts, Duncan and Ankiel are likely to combine for 300 or more strikeouts. This is not healthy for the teams offense.
The two bright spots (and yes, there are bright spots) are the defense and the bullpen of the Cardinals. The defense of the entire team looks great and the bullpen has a deadly 7th, 8th, and 9th inning staff (not to mention some decent middle relievers).
In conclusion (finally), all I am saying is that if the Cardinals don't make any moves now, They will be looking at a fourth or fifth place finish in the division.
You should be terrified about the Cardinals chances at getting into the playoffs next year. I know that it is early but the winter meetings have already come and gone and they managed to make one move. They signed free agent shortstop Cesar Izturis to a one year deal. Because of this signing, they were forced to part ways with fan favorite David Eckstein. A lot of you people believe that this was a stupid move. Letting go of Eckstein was not a stupid move. He was a second baseman who had played shortstop his entire career. He was a "gritty" player who played as many games as he could (I tend to get sarcastic a lot). The truth is he missed 30+ games in 2007 and even more in 2006. He won the World Series MVP off of four hits. Don't think that the loss of Eckstein is the real problem though.
Going into this offseason, the Cardinals' main concern was starting pitching. While there are still question marks to whether or not Chris Carpenter or Mark Mulder will be healthy, the Cardinals are struggling to find that fifth pitcher. Most teams have a problem finding that fifth starter because they have six starting candidates. The Cardinals don't even have five candidates (Thanks to Justin McClary for that piece of Info). They had the chance to acquire Chris Capuano from the Brewers for Scott Rolen but General Manager John Mozeliak declined that trade. There would be a possibility that they could acquire Erik Bedard from the Orioles but that would involve giving up Star prospect Colby Rasmus packaged with a few other prospects. That is something that the Cardinals are just not willing to do. Mark Prior is another starting pitcher that the Cardinals are looking into (as if they need another injury risk on their team).
While starting pitching remains a question mark, the Cardinals' offense appears to be taking some blows itself. With the departure of Jim Edmonds, the Cardinals are left with no permanent starting outfield. It is currently a matter of shifting Rick Ankiel, Ryan Ludwick, and Skip Shumaker between right field and center field (because Chris Duncan is a set Left Fielder). Pujols, Duncan, and Ankiel have pretty good power, but Albert is the only one that doen't have the tendency to strike out a lot. With a full season under both players' belts, Duncan and Ankiel are likely to combine for 300 or more strikeouts. This is not healthy for the teams offense.
The two bright spots (and yes, there are bright spots) are the defense and the bullpen of the Cardinals. The defense of the entire team looks great and the bullpen has a deadly 7th, 8th, and 9th inning staff (not to mention some decent middle relievers).
In conclusion (finally), all I am saying is that if the Cardinals don't make any moves now, They will be looking at a fourth or fifth place finish in the division.
Welcome Blog Readers!
Hello to all who is reading this blog. My name is David Jenkins and I am a huge sports fan and will be using this blog to tell information about my favorite teams and favorite sports. I will also try to comment on everything that is going on in the world of sports. I hope you enjoy the things that I have to say and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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