Where do the mid’s really belong?

NCAA basketball is heading toward a frantic conclusion. Some teams will rise and lots will see bursting bubbles.

For everything that’s unsettled in the final month of the season, one thing is guaranteed; mid-majors will continue to occupy top 25 ranks. Get ready teams from those “minor” conferences will dramatically affect Selection Sunday, and rightfully so.

From George Mason's Final Four run in 2006 to Gonzaga's run in 1999, year-in-and-year-out mid-major's are among the best teams in the country. Unlike perennial powerhouses there’s high turnover of which teams return, but one or two squads have consistently made deep runs in March.

Currently, Memphis from lowly Conference USA is the only undefeated team in college basketball and is ranked No. 1 in both polls. One could argue the Tigers have moved to high-major status, but it doesn’t change the fact they also occupy the No. 2 spot in R.P.I. rankings.

The Ratings Percentage Index (R.P.I.) measures a team’s strength based on winning percentage and is normally a good indicator of how team’s stack up. As of today, one-third of the top 30 teams are from mid-major conferences. Seven of the 10 are rated in the top 25.

The resurgent Atlantic-10 conference leads the pack with four teams: Xavier (11), Dayton (17), Rhode Island (25) and UMass (26). The Flyers, Rams and Musketeers were all ranked in the AP top 25 in the same week, marking the first time that’s occurred for the A-10 since 2003. The A-10 is just adding to an extensive list of mid’s to crack the top 25 including Bulter who’s been ranked for 12-straight weeks, Gonzaga and St. Mary’s from the West Coast and Southern Illinois and Drake from the Missouri Valley.

Mid-major's deserve top consideration. And the quality of teams forms a list that ought to gobble up more of the field of 64 than ever.

MLB owners ensure no “change” till 2012

After a unanimous decision, MLB owner’s gave Commissioner Bud Selig a three-year extension through the 2012 season.

This positions Selig to become the second-longest-serving leader behind Kenesaw Landis, MLB’s first commissioner, who served from 1920-1944. The owner’s certainly didn’t vote Selig an extension for his testimony before a congressional committee criticizing baseball for its steroids problem.

Selig pushed for interleague play and got it; he pushed for wild cards in the postseason and got those too. Now he’s predicting more change.

“By the time I leave, you won’t recognize the sport,” Selig said in an interview with the AP.

MLB’s labor contract runs through the 2011 season and its national television deals with Fox, Turner Broadcasting and ESPN run through 2013. According the AP article revenue was $1.66 billion when Selig became acting commissioner. It topped $6 billion last year and is projected to top $6.5 billion this year.

That’s why the owner’s extended Selig’s contract. Don’t stir pot when the game has never been healthier financially.

However, baseball needs a jolt. I’m talking about dramatic change that would alter the game. MLB needs to take after the other three major professional sports and adopt a salary cap.

Currently baseball has a luxury tax, which is just egregious appeasement for pious fans. It’s a smokescreen, because it taxes only the Yankees and sometimes the Red Sox, redistributing some sums to lower echelons of baseball.

The only way to ensure long-term health of baseball is to take after the NFL and force teams to compete within the same monetary means. Today’s baseball operates like European football. There’s the premiereship, which could be called the American League, and then there’s the ‘B’ league, which could be called the National League.

Creating a more even keel competitiveness would benefit the whole sport. But that’s not going to happen, especially with Selig in charge, a commissioner who has presided over economic boom, only because he left steroids alone.

"The" Ohio State: America's Punching Bag

Senior ESPN.com writer Pat Forde has concocted a plan for the 2008 college football season. Make sure the Ohio State Buckeyes aren’t invited to the BCS National Championship Game.

Forde writes “if you've ever seen lions maul a water buffalo, you've seen the last two title games.” A pair of superior SEC teams blew out the vulnerable Buckeyes. Forde and the rest of the country are already pouring the hate Ohio State’s direction.

As the article continues Forde says “...when an SEC team shows up on the other sideline it should be ‘O-H-N-O.’ And “they're also fond of calling their school The Ohio State University. It might also now be called The Overmatched State University of the BCS.”

This backlash really stems from the disappointment after the media’s coronation ceremony leading up to the 2006 season finale.

Honestly, the cumulative performance of the Buckeyes in the last two BCS Championships has been poor. But for those thinking they shouldn’t bring that weak Big Ten stuff back to the national stage, you have selective memory.

Ohio State is 4-2 overall in BCS bowl games, which more than respectable. While LSU has a better record at 4-0 in BCS games, the Tigers haven’t been as consistent and haven’t played a BCS bowl outside their backyard in New Orleans.

I’m not going to try to defend the Big Ten and say this was a great year for them, it wasn't. The conference went just 3-5 in bowl games. In its last four BCS game Big Ten teams have lost by 14 points (Michigan at USC), 27 points (Ohio State to Florida), 32 points (Illinois at USC) and 14 points (Ohio State at LSU).

Before the slamming of Ohio State and the Big Ten gets out of control, step back and consider looking at the bigger picture. There may be a little more than first meets the eye.

A bitter taste

College Football's thrilling season came to a close yesterday. And what a disappointment ending it was. LSU, playing a relative home game, flexed their muscles in a 38-24 victory over Ohio State.

What's most disappointing is that the changing of the guard in college football never fully matriculated. Not to mention of the five BCS Bowl games, none were memorable. Really only one-and-half games were even competitive, the half being yesterday's title bout. However, there were at least five instant classics during the regular season, starting with Appalachian State's shocker in the Big House including Stanford-USC, Pitt-West Virginia, Notre Dame-Navy, Arkansas-LSU to name a few others.

To give this season proper perspective just think that the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams hadn’t been defeated in the same weekend since 1996. It happened three times in the last two months of the season.

Thirteen top-five teams were beaten by unranked opponents. Unheralded programs in Cal, South Florida, Boston College, Oregon and Arizona State all made appearances in the top five.

It's just too bad that excitement didn't carry over to the bowl games. I'd discuss them but in all honesty, it's not worth your time. The year ended with familiar face in the top five: LSU, USC, Ohio State and Georgia, with only one new face in Missouri. Oh, well.

Now, for a brief look back at my pre-season predictions.

What I got right...at the end of the season there were 55 quarterbacks with a better passer rating than Matt Stafford (a la the next Brett Favre). They included all of my highlighted guys, even Sam Keller who had a terrible season. Caleb Hanie of Colorado State was even better than Georgia’s Stafford. Ouch!

Bad karma befell both Alabama and Arizona State. Nick Saban's new squad barely finished above the .500 mark as predicted (7-6). Arizona State appeared in the top five, before Dennis Erickson's team sputtered going 2-3 down the stretch losing all their games to top 25 teams. Former ASU coach Dirk Koetter would have fared as well, if not better.

Maryland, Pittsburgh, Oregon and Kentucky all played spoiler roles during the season. ‘Fear the Turtle’ rang true as the Terps knocked off two top 10 teams. The Panthers looked pathetic most of the year, but they marched in to Morgantown and took West Virginia's national title hopes with them. The Ducks quack-attack upset the Pac-10 power balance, before sizzling out due to injuries. The Wildcats popped Louisville's inflated balloon and survived No. 1 LSU in three overtimes.

What I got terribly wrong...Notre Dame. Enough said the Fighting Irish were pathetic. Eight wins was more than wishful thinking, it was pure fantasy. Coach Charlie Weis is not an offensive genius unless he has the players to run it. The Irish's streak of 43 consecutive wins over Navy came to an end. And the 3-9 Fighting Irish had trouble collecting first downs against the scout team.

And Louisville. Coach Bobby Petrino’s magic touch reared its ugly head both in Louisville and Atlanta. It’s too bad QB Brian Brohm couldn’t play defense. Pours ‘D’ did the Cardinals in. After starting 2-0 beating up on featherweights, Louisville stumbled against rival Kentucky and the wheels came off. Brohm’s leadership was questioned during a disappointing 6-6 campaign. To think I had them in the National Championship game, wow.

Blogger’s Note: FPS Final Rankings 1. LSU 2. Ohio State 3. Georgia 4. Missouri 5. USC 6. Kansas 7. West Virginia 8. Oklahoma 9. Virginia Tech 10. Texas Honorable Mention: BYU, Boston College, Hawaii, Oregon

Playoff pandemonium

We are minutes away from the start of the NFL Playoffs...playoffs, who's talking about the playoffs? I am with some help from fellow sport's blogger Colin Storm (Eye of the Storm). Looking back at the season that was, we witnessed Brett Favre and the New England Patriots immoralize themselves, shockingly saw the Houston Texans make it to .500 and watched both teams from last year's NFC Championship crash and burn. So what do Playoffs have in store, Colin and I take a look.

Me: Can the Redskins continue this run? Will Seattle's monumental homefield advantage be enough to help stop this momentum?

Colin: I think this is the end of the road for the 'Skins. A shaky QB (Collins) on the road in the loudest stadium in football is not a good combination if you're from the District of Columbia. The Seahawks have finally reintroduced a running game (now that Shaun Alexander is healthy) and I like the way the passing game is going. Plus the Seahawks defense is much improved over last year's depleted group that was led by an insurance salesman in the secondary.

The two big things for Washington are momentum and their strength of schedule. Seattle is only 1-1 against playoff teams this season, while the Skins have defeated multiple playoff teams recently. I still like the 'Hawks though. ESPN’s Bill Simmons had some funny things to say about Todd Collins about half way down this column. Thoughts?

Me: It’s true the Seahawks won the NFC Worst...again. But as much as I love to hate Seattle, I think experts are sleeping on this team. Seattle’s got great defense and teams just don’t win on the road there. Also in Matt Hasselbeck you have a tested veteran quarterback. In short Washington’s run will end, today.

In that link, Simmons brings up a great point about Todd Collins. He’s a 36-year-old backup, who until three weeks ago people didn’t even know he existed. The QB position isn’t everything in football, but it means a lot to have a great one. It really helps during the playoffs. Washington had a great run, good story, but its over.

Colin: Yeah, I agree that the Seahawks defense is quietly becoming one of the best in football...they don't get a ton of recognition but they're solid

Me: Not just solid, but they are fast. Lofa Tatupu, Julian Peterson and Patrick Kerney are all studs.

Colin: In fact I think they have the best trio of linebackers in the NFL in Tatupu, Peterson and Hill.

Me: It's a good unit, good enough to carry them a couple rounds. Wow, I can't believe I just said that

Colin: Yeah, can I keep that quote?
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Colin: Next question, if the Patriots lose, should they still be considered an undefeated team with the Dolphins?

Me: That's a good question. Here's the deal, the 1972 Dolphins went 17-0 with a Super Bowl victory. So New England must remain undefeated and bring home another championship to still be considered an “undefeated” team.

No question about it, 16-0 is amazing, but to be in consideration with Shula's Dolphins, the Pats run must continue. Your thoughts?

Colin: Well, I think they should be considered in the same arena as the Dolphins if they lose in the playoffs to some degree. They have joined the 'Phins as the only two teams to go undefeated during the regular season...but, as the '96 bulls said "it don't mean a thing without the ring"

So the Pats deserve to be in the conversation, but without a super bowl they still aren't there. The other thing to keep in mind is that this is a tougher, deeper, faster league and the patriots played a MUCH tougher schedule and more games. I think the '34 and '42 Bears, who both completed perfect regular seasons also deserve to be in the conversation...but they didn't win the Super Bowl.

Me: The Super Bowl seems to be the defining factor then.

Colin: Yeah. A short answer would be they are in the conversation, but not THE conversation. I guess we agree more or less...16-0 is quite the accomplishment--something only done three times before--but a Super Bowl would seal the deal.
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Colin: Next question, can Dallas recover from their end of the season collapse?

Me: I’ll admit things don’t look great for Dallas. Tony Romo has had terrible December numbers (the past two seasons), then you’ve got the Romo-Simpson saga and TO’s ankle sprain, oh plus Wade Phillips. But, Dallas has homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, a stud tight-end target in Jason Witten and arguably the best back-up running back in the NFL. So what’s that mean for their chances?

Dallas is going to recover. There’s too much talent on that team not to win at least one playoff game. They get a week off to get healthy. Honestly, I think they’ll win two and play for the Super Bowl. Clearly the AFC is the class of the NFL right now, so rings shouldn’t be expected in Big-D.

Colin: I think this is it for the Cowboys. Tony Romo is playing horribly, T.O. is about to erupt and chew out Phillips and Romo (if his ankle allows him to) and they seemed to have peaked too early. But here's the catch: they have the talent to get to the Super Bowl, but can they use that talent and recover from a dreadful end of the season? I say no, but if they do it won't totally surprise me. They might beat whoever wins the Bucs/Giants, but they're not winning the Super Bowl or getting there

Me: Well then who is? Wait, wait we can get to that in minute. Keep in mind Green Bay and Brett Farve are something like 0-8 in Dallas. I certainly haven't jumped on that bandwagon.

Colin: That is true, but I think this is the year for Favre...but as long as Hasselbeck doesn't guarantee anything ("We’re going to get the ball and score!") in Lambeau next weekend, the Seahawks could march into Dallas and win.
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Me: Jacksonville just marched in Pittsburghsburgh and won. Now, they enter their Wildcard rematch not only with a better record, but also as the favorite to win. Is Vegas off its rocker? Who’s going win?

Colin: I'm taking Jacksonville. On paper, I like Jacksonville in this one, but Heinz Field is the great equalizer (see: Pit 3, Miami 0). Jacksonville beat Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh last month, 29-22, and thee game wining streak against Pittsburgh.

Can Pittsburgh stop Taylor? Garrard doesn't kill you with picks, but doesn't bring a ton to the table either. Pittsburgh has a great defense (first in the NFL) but bad secondary (last in interceptons), plus Willie Parker is out for the game. The one question mark for Jacksonville…playoff experience. Pittsburgh has a ton of experience and Jacksonville doesn't have any. But I still like Jacksonville in a close game. So, no Vegas isn’t nuts.

Me: I’m going to have to disagree with you on this one. Jacksonville did beat Pittsburgh in the snow in December, but December isn’t January. Sure Willie Parker is out, but what does he give Pittsburgh? About 100 yards a game, plus some big play potential. Well, Najeh Davenport doesn’t have big play ability, but the yards will be there. Roethlisberger is becoming an elite QB and Steelers safety Troy Polamalu will play a huge boost to the secondary.

The biggest intangible in this game is field. You brought up the 3-0 typhoon-like game against Miami. The grass hasn’t held up well, advantage Pittsburgh. The Steelers like the field, a lot opposing teams don’t. The terrible towels will be out in force. I’m taking Pittsburgh in a close one.
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Prediction Time: OK, so my fearless predictions entering the season didn't fare all that well. Time to do better. But expect the unexpected, I'm a go big or go home kinda guy.

Wildcard Round: AFC - San Diego, Pittsburgh NFC: Seattle, Tampa Bay
Divisional Round: AFC - New England, San Diego NFC: Dallas, Seattle
Conference Championship: AFC - San Diego NFC: Dallas
Super Bowl Champion: San Diego

Blogger's Note: Be sure to check out Eye of the Storm for sports commentary on all things Northwest.

Absolute must read...

This is a different way to start the New Year and it won't happen again anytime soon. With that preface, ESPN.com's Gene Wojciechowski has written a brilliant article ("History not working in Tebow's favor") worth highlighting.

I admit one of the main reasons I believe this article is amazing, is that is propagates my hatred of the blue and orange color combination. That's right I despise the Florida Gators, the New York teams (plural) and can't forget Boise State. Actually I'm not sure why blue and orange are complimentary colors, because they don't compliment each other.

Wojciechowski examines the question which college award-winners should you be pulling for your NFL to draft come time? In case you don't want to take the time, click on the link and read a fascinating article, here's the crux...

"Florida QB Tim Tebow, winner of this season's Heisman, won't make his NFL debut until at least 2009. But thanks to stat guru Doug Drinen's look at how college football award-winners fare in the NFL, we've got an early read on Tebow's future: cloudy."