Mid-week Notes

The number of athletes killed in the south Florida area is getting ridiculous. I would advise every pro athlete that comes out of this area to stay away forever. I realize it's not fair to ask a man to leave his family and friends behind, but if it's a matter of life and death, perhaps sports figures will reconsider.

The Colts have released Simeon Rice, which firmly supports the idea that I am an idiot. I was optimistic and thought Rice could bring something to the team . . . could I have been more wrong?

The Heat has looked much improved since the return of Dwyane Wade. Miami is now 4-10. While the record still stinks, their improved play gives me reason to believe they will be a playoff contender once again this season.

Razorbacks Shakeup BCS

I won't even pretend that I saw this coming. The Hogs were counted out of this game before the opening kickoff, but the offense came up huge in crunch time and the Hogs held on for a 50-48 win. The Razorbacks racked up 385 yards on the ground (206 coming from McFadden). D Mac's performance cemented his status as the number 1 player in college football. It's a two man race for the Heisman and this performance puts McFadden slightly ahead of Tebow in my eyes.

Arkansas is a one dimensional team that dares you to stop the run. On this Friday evening, LSU could not answer the challenge. The loss will knock the Tigers from their #1 ranking and eliminate them from the BCS championship game. The way things are shaping up, my prediction of Missouri over West Virginia in the BCS title game is looking pretty decent.

Atlantic Sun Basketball

On Monday, Belmont pulled off the Atlantic Sun's 4th major upset of the season, beating Alabama 85-83 in Tuscaloosa. Add in Belmont's win over Cincinatti (86-75), Gardner-Webb's win over Kentucky (84-68), and Mercer's 96-81 win over USC, and the question must be raised: How good is this conference?

The answer is: top heavy and not very good at all. They've been able to pull off these early season upsets because players are experienced within each school's system. First, they have established coaches (not a 1st year coach making a job switch). Second While top notch programs reload each season with top notch recruits (that immediately earn playing time), the smaller conferences need to allow their freshman time to grow and mature. This results in the more experienced players being on the floor at the Mid-Major level and below.

So is the A-Sun destined for big things this March? I highly doubt it. Expect a 1st round ousting for whoever comes out of this conference.

Weekend Roundup

It was an action packed sports weekend, with UFC 78, plenty of NFL excitement, college football with national title implications, and some NBA and college hoops thrown in for good measure.

The Celtics ran into their first road block of the young NBA season, losing to Orlando 104-102. On Saturday the Heat also found their 2nd win of the year in New Jersey, with a 91-87 victory over the Nets.

Two big wins from Kansas and Missouri sets up this weekend's marquee matchup. The #2 Kansas Jayhawks and the #4 Missouri Tigers will meetup at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. I'm looking forward to the Tigers ending the Jayhawks miracle run and moving one step closer to their National Championship appearance.

And finally, in the most bizarre moment of the weekend, Phil Dawson sends Cleveland into overtime against the Ravens. The Browns go on to win 33-30 in OT.

Curse of #2 and Post Season Predictions

Another night and another #2 team bites the dust. Oregon couldn't get the job done without their Heisman candidate. With Dixon on the sideline the Ducks were upset by Arizona, 34-24. This will allow Kansas to move into the dreaded #2 position with a win this Saturday over Iowa State. With this chaotic season about 3 weeks from completion, what's to come? Well, it's time to sort out the major conferences and National Championship picture with predictions for the final 3 weeks.

Conference Champions

ACC
Clemson over Virginia

Big 12
Missouri over Oklahoma

Big 10 (no championship game)
Ohio State

Pac 10 (no championship game)
USC

Big East (no championship game)
West Virginia

SEC
Florida over LSU

Which would mean . . .

National Championship
Missouri over West Virginia