A New Year, A New Post

It's late, but I promised a post so I'm giving you a post. Got quick-hit observations in both the college and pro arena. Let's get into.

• I told you about TCU.....Real deal.
  
• So Edsall (Connecticut's coach) leaves Uconn for....Maryland? Really? Is that an upgrade? And what the hell happened to Leach to Maryland? Not sure about this move.
  
• So interesting hire by Muschamp to get Weiss to be OC. This is a big gamble disguised as a really smart move. And in a sense, it is a smart move. Weiss is an offensive genius, no denying that. But he's leaving Kansas City, after helping turn them around and take them to the playoffs, for the same role in college? Huh. It's a gamble because he's proven he's not effective at the college level. Some guys are pro guys and some guys are college guys (Nick Saban, Barry Switzer, Pete Carroll, Steve Spurrier, Bobby Petrino, etc.). You think Belicheck would do well in the college game? Not likely. Weiss is a pro guy - which is good in the Xs and Os fashion - and pro guys aren't as likely to be effective at reaching the amateur athlete. My two cents. It may work wonders, but it could implode. And really? Weiss working FOR Muschamp? Weird.
  
• Stanford is awesome - watching this game tonight, they are a damn good team. I know Harbaugh is probably gone, but he's done wonders at that place. Andrew Luck is good.
  
• Bravo Big 10. Bravo. Nice showing.
  
• From the files of "wow I was really wrong on that one" I bring you the Michigan State Spartans. I thought MSU would come and make a statement, but instead they proved folks right - they shouldn't have been in a big bowl. It's up to Ohio State to save face for the Big 10.
  
• I have to think Rich Rodriguez is gone, right? How much money is he going to take from that school? That's crazy. Sounds like the above-mentioned Harbough is the front runner for that job.
  
• For you pre-season poll lovers out there - look for OU to be at or damn near the top of next year's polls. I think they bring back like 18 starters. Alabama very well may be up there too. Ahhh college football, your mindless BS never dulls.
  
• If you want to see absolute robbery, go look at the end of the Kansas State/Syracuse game when a Kansas State player was flagged for scoring, running to the back of the zone, stopping and saluting. He then ran to his sideline. He was flagged for 15 yards. The 3-yard 2-point conversion was now an 18-yarder. They don't convert. Ball game. I watched countless examples of crap so much worse throughout the games I saw. Unbelievable. NCAA, you literally have zero credibility. I actually watched that game live and was freaking out.
  
• Can't wait for the Cotton Bowl - believe it or I'm very much looking forward to this one.
  

Quick Look at NFL Playoff Match Ups:
Saints at Seattle - It's absurd that Seattle is hosting this game. And the Saints have to be loving this, although they'd never say it. Congratulations, your first playoff game (on the road mind you) is a team that finished 7-9. Saints. Big.

Jets at Colts - This should be a good game. Honestly, I think Indy may be peeking at the right time. That sounds weird given their situation, but seriously, I think the team is just now getting comfortable with their situation (if you don't follow, they've got like 96 players on injured reserve). Peyton is getting a rhythm with these less experienced offensive players. Jets won when they needed to at the end of the year, but they've been shaky. I like Sanchez, but I'll take Peyton Manning here. Who wouldn't. Colts in tight, low-scoring game.
Ravens at Chiefs - HUGE win for the Ravens here, pulling the Chiefs. That's not to knock what Kansas City has done - and it's been a lot - but the Ravens are a seasoned, tough team with Ed Reed coming on stronger than ever (4 picks in 2 games). The Chiefs proved that Pioli knows exactly what he was doing and now everyone knows what McDaniels was trying to do in getting Cassell to Denver. Chiefs are a well-run organization now and will be solid for many years. But, this is fairly new ground for this collective group. Baltimore gets the edge here - big game by Ray Rice.

Packers at Eagles - This could get interesting depending on the health situation of some key players. If it comes down to contrition I give the edge to the Packers - they've had to win short-handed all year long. I picked them to make it to the Super Bowl from the get-go and I'm sticking with them. Vick is obviously an X-factor, but his health could be in question. Packers by 3 or less.


Non-Sports Thoughts for the Week

• I got a "Don't start with me dad" from Ella over Christmas. And here we go...
• I was in bed at 11 on New Year's Eve....and I loved it.