Texas: I apologize, I was wrong

A few things today: the actual Blue Team, Texas/So Cal, and NFL predictions.

When I am writing about the alma mater, Blue Team will appear in the title of the blog posting from now on. Therefore, if you go to my school or are a fan, then you'll know it's coming up in that posting. If, for some strange reason, you just enjoy my thoughts on sports but don't know where I went to college or don't want to read about it, then skip that part. Better yet, if you only want to read those postings because of your loyalties, go for it. Thanks.

Texas won. I lost a bet over it, saying USC would not only win, but cover the spread easily. I honestly thought Texas would crack in the spotlight; I also thought Pete Carroll, defensive genius would have a new scheme for slowing Texas down. I thought wrong. The Horns played fairly relaxed and never did panic, even with early turnovers and trailing by 12 with 6 minutes left. Carroll elected to sit back in the traditional USC zone defense and got burned.

Two main differences in the game: Vince Young and the O-line for Texas. First, the line dominated SC. The Trojans got no pressure with a four man rush; even when they brought extra guys on zone blitzes, they did not get effective pressure (meaning a sack or at least a QB hurry). Young was brilliant, duh. We will never hear the end of how well he played, and deservedly so, as he was unreal. But it was the way he led that team and just completely took over. We rarely see that in football, espeically on such a stage. He's done it two years in a row. He better go pro, as it is just sad watching teams try and contain him. Same for Bush, and even LenDale White to an extent. I still believe Bush deserved the Heisman Trophy, but Young took things up a notch last night (easier for a QB to do so).

Major props to Mack Brown on the victory and getting the monkey off his back in the best way possible. He beat OU, won the Big 12, and won an undisputed championship. First the Red Sox, then Roy Williams, now Mack Brown. That's a lot of monkey removal in the last year+.

Finally, I was nervous the entire game. You could tell after a quarter that it would come down to the end and I did not enjoy watching the game for that reason. Just fast-forward to the end and let me know what happens. The tension was killer, I felt like I was falling from the sky with that sinking feeling in your stomach and gushy-toe feeling throughout the game.

Quick NFL playff predictions. I haven't really thought this out yet, so I'll just role with it. I really want to pick the Patriots again. I've picked them all three years they won the Super Bowl, the last two of those years from the very beginning of the year. It is so hard to bet against them. I almost have the feeling like Indy won't win it either. It's fine with me if they do, even though the Colts are no longer undefeated. The sleeper teams, Pittsburgh and Carolina might each win a game or two, but they cannot possibly win three on the road to get to the Super Bowl. Chicago and Seattle each have significant home-field advantages, but will that be enough?

My gut tells me either the Seahawks or Bears will be there. It also tells me that Denver always chokes in the playoffs without Elway, Cincinnati is too young, and the Bucs are not that good. I do have a bad feeling that since I called Tampa Bay not that good, they'll sneak in and win the NFC. Dang. Too many walking contradictions. Enough already, this week's picks:


Pittsburgh 26 Cincy 20
New England 31 Jacksonville 13
Carolina 27 New York Football Giants 17
Tampa Bay 23 Washington 20

Overall, I got New England over Pittsburgh (who upsets the Colts; if this does not happen, I think Indy may win it all) and Seattle over Tampa Bay. Did I just say that? I'll just pick the the Pats to win it all just for the sake of sticking to my guns and because I can't think of anything better to pick. In order, it's New England, Indianapolis, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh in likelihood of winning it all.

I hate NFL Playoff predictions, they never come true. Either way, I'll be watching it all. Holla back guuurl.