Why the Hell Not

We might as well jump into some football "preview" so to speak. College is what, a week away? Lot of interesting hype going on out there pretty early and the annual pre-season "hell, I don't know" polls are out and in full force. Broken record moment here, but this is STILL the most asinine practice in sports at any level...next to the fact that soccer games can and regularly do end in ties. But I digress...before we get into predictions and other general guessing, let me just take a moment to put my shocked face on as I touch on...

Favre
Rrriiiiiiiiiight. So tell me who's actually shocked by this? I haven't checked or heard this, but this may be like almost exactly the same time he came back last year....training camp half over, get a dozen reps in a couple of pre-season games to get the rust off, pray like hell that Percy Harvin is OK, and then just dump it off to your multitude of talent for 17 weeks (although the loss of Sydney Rice is HUGE for this team - really underscores the need for Harvin to be healthy). Isn't this exactly how he threw down his most efficient season to date? At 40? Look, drama aside, I love Favre and think he'll go down as (have to say "arguably" in this discussion) one of the top 3-5 best QBs ever. Bold words, I know, but he's without question one of the best 3 athletic (and winning) QBs ever. Elway, Young, Favre...who else?

However, he got popped around a bit last year and that's the one thing that his Favre-ness can't contend against - getting beat around by some good defenses in Chicago and Green Bay and a quickly-improving defense in Detroit. That's six games next year. Could be tough.

One thought...it's clear that Minnesota has ZERO confidence in either Jackson or Rosenfels. Although, Rosenfels did have a big game against the (I know) Rams the other night...but I don't think that's moving the needle. Seems strange - they have a tremendous amount of offensive weapons including one of the best two running backs in the league. They've got a great defense that takes pressure off the offense....they're clearly thinking today, right now. They don't have confidence in those guys now, but will they when Favre does hang it up? I wouldn't expect a whole lot of loyalty from those guys when contract time comes around. Maybe Vikes don't care. Now on to the good stuff....

College Football Preview, Predictions and General Ramblings
Let me get this out of the way from the get go - I believe Texas is ranked too high. Not terribly, but I'd put Florida, Virginia Tech, and maybe Oklahoma and TCU ahead of them. Just getting that out there. Ridiculously talented team, but quite a few question marks for a team ranked four-ish depending on which poll you look at.

However, I do say that this year and next, Texas just may put together a legendary defense. Like most Horns' fans, I'm a bleeding orange Muschamp fan and have complete faith in him. And even with the loss (BIG loss) of Earl Thomas, I think they are still getting more talented as crazy as that sounds. I don't like getting into this at all, especially this early, but they've got top 5 recruits coming out their ass. Here's the one thing about Texas though - the last 2 years they could have played the "we can score 45 if we have to, can you?" card. Not sure they can do that this year, not replacing their top two offensive weapons and moving to a more run-oriented offense. So defense had better be good or Mack could be looking at a 9-3 season (oh my gosh, wouldn't that just be horrible??!!!).

Going into their farewell season with the Big 12, Nebraska is sure getting a lot of love. Look, I like Pelini a lot and it's Nebraska, it's not like they're going to be down forever. But, I believe folks are underestimating the loss of Suh. He was a beast and accounted for at least a win or two, and damn near won the Big 12 title by himself. They get Texas at home and then travel to Stillwater and College Station. And in September they travel to a much-improved Washington team. Going to be tough. I'm not sold on Nebraska being back for good, but it won't take a whole lot to sway my opinion - if they can go up and get an impressive win against Washington in Seattle, I'll have one foot on that band wagon.

Let's be honest, the Big 12 is going to be OK this year...at best. And that won't get much better when Nebraska bolts. If you're a Big 12 team fan, you really want to see some teams not named Colorado and Nebraska making some strides. It's not looking good friends. Not looking good at all.

As much as we all want the Aggies to be better, I'm just not yet buying it. Look, don't kid yourself, if you're a Texas, Tech, Baylor, Missouri, etc. fan - you want and need the Aggies to be good. Especially now. As much as we want this, and like Nebraska, I'm just not yet buying it. Can their defense stop anyone? I have absolutely no reason to believe yes. They may turn things around, but I have to see it. And Jerrod Johnson is a superb athlete and pretty damn good QB, but they may have 2 freshman tackles protecting him - how's that going to work against an Oklahoma, Nebraska, or Texas team defense? Likely not well. I can promise you this - OU and Texas have backup D-tackles who are head and shoulders better than any freshman tackles the Aggies can throw out. I don't say that as shit talking, rather it's a fact. At the end of the day, the Aggies may need to score 35 a game to win...can they do it? Better yet, can the defense keep from forcing the offense to do it? We'll see.

So now on to random predictions...

• National Champs - Boise State over Ohio State (BSU opens the season with Virginia Tech at home - if they falter, that's it)
• Team that has longest fall - Nebraska and Cincy
  
• Surprise team of the year - Miami (I know they're ranked, but I think they'll make A LOT of headlines)
  
• ACC Champ - Miami
• Big East Champ - Pitt
• Big 10 Champ - Ohio State
  
• Big 12 Champ - Texas
• Pac 10 Champ - Oregon State (who else is picking this??)
  
• SEC Champ - Alabama

NFL Notes, Thoughts, and General Jibberish...

• Colt is painful to watch thus far - can't say I'm terribly surprised, but he's a project and Mangini needs to win NOW or he's gone.
  
• Uhh....I know it's pre-season, but Dallas' offense looks abysmal. Not making too much of it because, again, it's pre-season, but looks like a lot of mental errors in what I've seen. (PS-Indy has won like 2 pre-season games in the last four years and Detroit has lost like 2 soooo.....).
• I guess Matt Lineart isn't all that...tough road for this cat. I say that half tongue-and-cheek as he's got money coming out of his ass, but in terms of his playing...no es bueno. Barring some miraculous turnaround here, I'd say the Cards will be seriously looking at moving his ass after this season (or just not re-signing him).
• I think Miami is going to be very, very good this year. Look at Chad Henne's numbers last year and then remember that he has Brandon Marshall this year. I've got Baltimore as my AFC Super Bowl contender, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Miami challenged for that spot.
  
• I'm definitely warming up on VY more and more, but I'm still only at about 70-75% that he's going to keep it going or kick it up a notch this year. I really hope he does, but just my thinking right now.
  
• The worst thing in the world that St. Louis can do is to push Bradford out into the lion's den too early. They just lost their top receiver for the year and Stephen Jackson can't be expected to carry the load. Although he's a Sooner, I think he's got a great future in the NFL. I just think he'll get pummeled if they throw him out there too early. It'll take time...
• I'm just going to say that I love that Shanahan isn't screwing around with Haynesworth. But one thing I can't help but to think, what the hell was Jeff Fisher doing? I've always loved Fisher, but did he just let Big Al do whatever he wanted to? Perhaps. Either way, keep running your mouth Albert, let's see how that works out. You think Snyder learned anything from this experience? Likely not.
  
• Are you kidding me Wes Welker? This dude's knee was shredded...Unbelievable how he's been able to come back.
  
• I've written this recently, but I'm VERY high on Green Bay - they're my favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. But consider this, even if they don't make the big game, do you ever feel like the whole Packers' organization wants to look at the national sports media world and say, "I told you we knew what we were doing with this kid"? I bet they each think it a lot. They were content to NOT play the Favre game...and they're right where they were with him. Look for Green Bay to make a big jump this year - they run away with the division in my book.
  
• The "I have no idea what to expect" award heading into the season goes to San Francisco. Love the coach and love some of the key weapons (including Crabtree whom I think will make everyone say, "yep, saw that coming", this year). 10-6...8-8. Wouldn't be shocked either way.
  
• I've touched on this, but will come right out with it: I've got Baltimore over Green Bay in the Super Bowl.
  

Non-Football Thoughts...

• I've been saying that Rangers' fans shouldn't worry about Cliff Lee - he'll come around...still waiting. That cat needs to pitch some good innings over the next month. Big time.
  
• Is Lake Travis becoming the new Westlake? I think so.
  
• Took Ella to the circus last weekend...how I didn't prepare myself for the onslaught of crazy kids and parents I'll never know. Ella had a blast and all was well, but I'll tell you, these people have lost their minds with what they charge for some of that crap. $12 cotton candy. No sh*t.
  
• Memo to our Federal Government: PLEASE STOP SPENDING MONEY!!! STOP IT NOW...STOP SPENDING MONEY.
  
• We'll see Glenn Beck...we'll see....
  

That's what I got gang - everyone have a great week.