Week Five: The Beginning of the Byes

Everybody please stand if you knew the NFL season was going to begin on schedule. Okay, of those who remain standing, if you had any idea Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton would be third in passing behind Brady and Brees by week five, please remain standing. Interesting, no?
Let's get down to business without delay, shall we?

Byes:
Baltimore, Cleveland, Dallas, Miami, St. Louis, Washington

QB
Donovan McNabb (Min vs Ari)  Arizona ranks 26th in the league, giving up 282.8 yards passing per game.
Alex Smith (SF vs TB)  The Bucs have yielded 47 first downs to passes while giving up 270.7 (21st) yards per contest through the air with only two interceptions.
Curtis Painter (Ind vs KC)  So far this season, opposing qb's of Kansas City have a 94.1 rating.
RB
Pierre Thomas (NO @ Car)  The Panthers are currently giving up 143.8 rushing yards per game (31st).
Joseph Addai (Ind vs KC)  The Chiefs rank 27th against the run.
Willis McGahee (Den vs SD)  With the Chargers giving up 101.5 rushing yards per game, McGahee should be a solid sleeper for week five.
WR
Darrius Heyward-Bey (Oak @ Hou)  The Texans are getting passed on at a rate of 235.8 yards per through four games.
Nate Burleson (Det vs Chi)  Two reasons: The Bears are giving up 315 receiving ypg, and Calvin Johnson is on Burleson's opposite side.
Early Doucet (Ari @ Min)  The Vikings rank 28th in the NFL with 304 yards per through the air.
TE
Dustin Keller (NYJ @ NE)  The Patriots are last in the league vs. the pass.
Owen Daniels (Hou vs Oak)  The Raiders pass defense has given up 60 first downs. Plus with Andre Johnson hobbled, Daniels should pay dividends at home.
Scott Chandler (Buf vs Phi)  The Eagles are confused with no chemistry in the secondary,  yielding 237.2 passing ypg.
DEF

Houston vs Oak
Cincinnati @ Jac
Detroit vs Chi

QB
Drew Brees (NO @ Car)
Jay Cutler (Chi @ Det)
RB
Michael Turner (Atl vs GB)
Rashard Mendenhall (Pit vs Ten)
WR
Mike Wallace (Pit vs Ten)
Brandon Lloyd (Den vs SD)
TE
Kellen Winslow (TB @ SF)
Marcedes Lewis (Jac vs Cin)
DEF
NY Jets @ NE
Green Bay @ Atl

Fantasy or Reality?

Picture this, fantasize that. Before we look ahead to the 2011 Fantasy football season, let's take a brief glance at 2010's leaders.

2011 projections in parenthesis:

QB 

1.  Tom Brady - NE (4)
2.  Aaron Rodgers - GB (3)
3.  Peyton Manning - Ind (5)
4.  Michael Vick - Phi (2)
5.  Drew Brees - NO (7)

RB

1.  Arian Foster - Hou (1)
2.  LeSean McCoy - Phi (15)
3.  Peyton Hillis - Cle (10)
4.  Jamaal Charles - KC (9)
5.  Adrian Peterson - Min (8)

WR

1.  Roddy White - Atl (25)
2.  Brandon Lloyd - Den (22)
3.  Reggie Wayne - Ind (44)
4.  Dwayne Bowe - KC (23)
5.  Greg Jennings - GB (28)

TE

1.  Jason Witten - Dal (38)
2.  Vernon Davis - SF (55)
3.  Antonio Gates - SD (50)
4.  Marcedes Lewis - Jac (62)
5.  Chris Cooley - Was (88)

DEF

1.  Pittsburgh (94)
2.  Green Bay (110)
3.  New England (83)
4.  Chicago (133)
5.  NY Jets (152)

WR comparison:           Rec   Yds   TD
Mike Wallace - Pit           60  1,257   10
DeSean Jackson - Phi    47  1,056    6

Fantasy isn't always what it seems. Good luck with this year's illusion.

Supremely Epic Conference

There is no question about which college football conference is the most dominant. The last five champions with the last two consecutive from the same state should be an illuminating indicator of the level of superiority. Yet many hold fast to the concept that there is no dominant conference due to most 'power conferences' being top heavy only.

 Problem solved.

Behold. A truly epic collection of the most dominant teams to step onto the field. The SEC, in my opinion.

NAME OF DIVISION HERE

FLORIDA GATORS

The most successful team this past decade would be the University of Florida without question. Winning two BCS National Championships in three seasons, (three overall) with eight well-earned conference championships against the most prolific breed of athleticism in the nation, the Gators secure a place in the Supremely Epic Conference, or SEC.

FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES

Beginning with the absorption of  the Tallahassee Female Academy and growing into a program that would finish ranked top five in the nation for 14 straight years with two national titles, the Seminoles definitely qualify as a worthy contender.

Boise State Broncos

The primary argument of the Bronco fan base is that it doesn't get proper respect when beating a team from a traditional school or one from a BCS conference. "No one will ever give us a chance." With scoring victories over literally everyone who takes the field, losing a total of only five games the last five seasons (including bowl games), Boise State, your chance is here.

Ohio State Buckeyes

The buckeyes have been to the national championship game three times since 2002, winning the '02 contest over Miami (FL) in an overtime thriller. OSU has also won the title six times before. Year after year, the Buckeye defense remains at a world-class level, as well.

Miami Hurricanes

With arguably the deepest talent hub in the country the last twenty years, the Miami Hurricanes have won five titles, including the latest awarded in 2001. The 'U' competes on a weekly basis with the best the NCAA's top level has to offer, and therefore deserves a probationary invitation to the SEC.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska has won more than 70 percent of its games in the 118 years of existence. One of the country's best traveling fan bases, five national titles (two back-to-back), and 43 conference titles with 24 bowl victories qualify as a team worthy of the sixth and final spot in the (division name not important) division of the SEC.

_________________________________________

NAME OF DIVISION HERE

Louisiana State University Tigers

The 'bengaled tigers form Baton Rouge' simply play on a championship level, winning two of the previous seven BCS titles. LSU will be tested again in week one of the 2011 season as they take the field against the sore and angry Oregon Ducks.

Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma has dominated college football, appearing in a BCS bowl game nine of the last ten years - three of those games being for the national championship. This alone is indicative of elite status.

Alabama Crimson Tide

The Tide is noted for collecting 13 national titles, the most of any other school, with the latest coming in 2009 in the Rose Bowl, and 22 Southeastern Conference titles. We could go on about Alabama, but let us conclude by saying year five for head coach Nick Saban should be eventful, since losing the starting quarterback, running back, wide receiver, offensive lineman, defensive lineman, and the most accurate kicker in the nation for 2010.

Texas Longhorns

Texas has appeared in the BCS title game twice in the last five seasons. They have also succeeded with victories in every other bowl game since 2004. The Longhorns are the second most successful program in FBS (formerly Division-I) history, winning better than 70 percent of their games.

Auburn Tigers

The defending national champion Tigers have also won eleven conference titles while ranking 5th overall in winning percentage in bowl games. After all, John Heisman himself played for the navy blue and burnt orange yelling, "War Eagle...Hey!"

Virginia Tech Hokies

     In short, V-Tech just wins. They have won 10+ games seven consecutive years, currently the longest in the nation. They also have appeared in 17 straight bowl games during the 23 years Frank Beamer has been head coach. The Hokies have also won the ACC four times since joining in 2004. 'Beamer ball' is a way of life.

On deck (maybe next time)
Oregon Ducks
University of Southern California Trojans
Texas Christian University Horned Frogs

King's Court Vol. 2

N. F. L. --Nasty Fight Looms........

by King Kaine

No matter whose side you take in the NFL's labor war, one thing is for certain, we all may be in for a very huge disappointment. If you have been under a rock, and would like to follow the latest story lines in pro football, you may have to visit a District Court in Minnesota, that or follow Ocho Cinco on twitter (he may be more popular without playing football, than when actually playing). It seems that both sides have dug in their heels, with no end in sight. June 3rd is the next major court date, with a decision coming in the days after. I won't bore you with the details, but lets just say that even that date does little to attain the supposed goal of both sides, which is to play football. I even heard today about the possibility of thousands of individual lawsuits against the NFL (as each individual player has a contract with his employer). Where is this headed????? I understand leverage as much as anyone, but at some point, the wealthy & the rich, must come to their senses & realize that the GAME that has given them the ability to fight over 9 billion dollars, is in serious jeopardy. I tend to side with the players (as I never understood the concept of accepting less of a previously agreed upon percentage based on your business partners' word that they are struggling to feed their children...Open the Books!), but even the rhetoric of the head of the organization, formerly known as the NFLPA, Demaurice Smith, is getting old, and that's being kind. So consider this my open letter to Demaurice and Roger....Look, it's really time to stop all the posturing and trying to gain support of the public, lawmakers, etc. If you really wanted the support of the public, then you wouldn't have your fans wondering when football season is going to start. Most of whom will never see a tenth of what you guys make in their lifetime, to play a GAME, that you all supposedly love so much. In the end you are banking that one side or the other will cave, and that us fans will be waiting with open arms, WHENEVER you decide to play big boy ball again. The only problem is that you should never give people a taste of what they can live without. You may find that they realize that they really don't need you at all. Oh well, there's always the NBA......Right?

 Person of The Month:

All of the volunteers & people who have donated time, money & prayers to those who were affected by the tornadoes in Alabama 3 weeks ago.

 Worst Person Of The Month:

The Donald, for whole HEAP of things, among those saying that he has always been cool with 'The Blacks'...really now? Bring me those who co-signed him & bring me their 'The Blacks' Membership Card.

Best Draft Ever?

The 2010 NFL Draft began with the Carolina Panthers selecting quarterback Cam Newton out of Auburn. Perhaps this draft will be considered one of the deepest, most talent-laden drafts in history. Some see the 2011 draft pool as one of the weakest. We shall have to press pause on that debate for three or four years. Until then, the epic draft of 2003 will stand as one of, if not, the best draft in recent or distant memory.

The Cincinnati Bengals were coming off a 2-14 season the previous year, so naturally they had the number one pick. Glance over your right shoulder at 2003.


Round 1:
 1 Cincinnati Bengals - Carson Palmer QB USC

Carson Palmer has maintained his starting position since he began his regime in 2004. He has passed for over 22,000 yards and has finished no lower than sixth in passing four of those seasons. The two-time All-Pro ('06 MVP) also currently holds ten different passing records for the Bengals franchise.

 2 Detroit Lions - Charles Rogers WR Michigan State 

 3 Houston Texans - Andre Johnson WR Miami (FL)

Nicknamed, the 'Quiet Storm', Johnson has been anointed the NFL's best receiver by the general public, has the most receiving yards per game in NFL history for a career at 79.7. The 6'3" 225 pound Miami native is a five-time All-Pro and has led the league in receiving two of the last three seasons.

 4 New York Jets - Dewayne Robertson DT Kentucky

 5 Dallas Cowboys -Terence Newman CB Kansas State

 6 New Orleans Saints - Johnathan Sullivan DT Georgia

The seventh pick was designated for the Minnesota Vikings, but they managed to allow the fifteen minute time limit to expire, losing their turn.



 7 Jacksonville Jaguars -  Byron Leftwich QB Marshall (In place of Minnesota)

 8 Carolina Panthers - Jordan Gross OT Utah  (In place of Minnesota)

The Vikings finally awoke from its slumber two picks and nearly forty-five minutes later.



 9 Minnesota Vikings - Kevin Williams DT Oklahoma State Big 12

 10 Baltimore Ravens -Terrell Suggs DE/LB Arizona State

Suggs fit into his dual threat role as if he's been there all along, winning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. The Minneapolis native has been selected to four Pro Bowls and ended the '10 season with 11 sacks. 'T-Sizzle' also had five sacks in this past year's playoffs, which led the NFL.

 11 Seattle Sehawks - Marcus Trufant CB Washington State

 12 St. Louis Rams - Jimmy Kennedy DT Penn State

 13 New England Patriots -Ty Warren DE Texas A&M

 14 Chicago Bears - Michael Haynes DE Penn State

 15 Philadelphia Eagles - Jerome McDougle DE Miami (FL)

 16 Pittsburgh Steelers - Troy Polamalu S USC

The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year does more than whips his hair back and forth. Troy Polamalu is also a six-time All-Pro, three-time First Team All-Pro, and a two-time Super Bowl champion. The soft-spoken Polamalu is 'head and shoulders' above the competition at his position and is anything but soft between the lines as he lurks as a cheetah in total darkness about the African Sahara.


 17 Arizona Cardinals - Bryant Johnson WR Penn State

 18 Arizona Cardinals - Calvin Pace DE/LB Wake Forest

 19 Baltimore Ravens - Kyle Boller QB California

 20 Denver Broncos - George Foster OT Georgia

 21 Cleveland Browns - Jeff Faine C Notre Dame

 22 Chicago Bears - Rex Grossman QB Florida SEC

 23 Buffalo Bills - Willis McGahee RB Miami (FL)

 24 Indianapolis Colts - Dallas Clark TE Iowa

Some call him Peyton Manning's best friend or his safety net. Others might call him a 2009 All-Pro. Many would call him a wide receiver in a tight end's body, catching 100 passes in '09. One thing for certain is whenever he's called on, Dallas Clark plays the game at a high level and was definitely a steal, dropping to the Colts at #24.


 25 New York Giants - William Joseph DT Miami (FL)

 26 San Francisco 49ers - Kwame Harris OT Stanford

 27 Kansas City Chiefs - Larry Johnson RB Penn State

 28 Tennessee Titans - Andre Woolfolk CB Oklahoma

 29 Green Bay Packers - Nick Barnett LB Oregon State

 30 San Diego Chargers - Sammy Davis CB Texas A&M

 31 Oakland Raiders - Nnamdi Asomugha CB California

Whether a philantropist, youth activist, Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year for 2008, or cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha goes about his business with complete class. Mere terms and ordinary adjectives cannot begin to describe such an accomplished individual with so much depth. However, we'll try anyway. Beast. Excellent pick, Al!

 32 Oakland Raiders - Tyler Brayton DE Colorado

That was just the first round!


Round 2:

 33 Cincinnati Bengals - Eric Steinbach G Iowa

 34 Detroit Lions - Boss Bailey LB Georgia 

 35 Chicago Bears - Charles Tillman CB Louisiana-Lafayette

 36 New England Patriots - Eugene Wilson CB Illinois

 37 New Orleans Saints - Jon Stinchcomb OT Georgia

 38 Dallas Cowboys - Al Johnson C Wisconsin

 39 Jacksonville Jaguars - Rashean Mathis CB Bethune-Cookman

 40 Minnesota Vikings - E.J. Henderson LB Maryland

 41 Houston Texans - Bennie Joppru TE Michigan

 42 Seattle Seahawks - Ken Hamlin S Arkansas

 43 St. Louis Rams - Pisa Tinoisamoa LB Hawaiʻi

 44 Washington Redskins - Taylor Jacobs WR Florida

 45 New England Patriots - Bethel Johnson WR Texas A&M

 46 San Diego Chargers - Drayton Florence CB Tuskegee

 47 Kansas City Chiefs - Kawika Mitchell LB South Florida

 48 Buffalo Bills - Chris Kelsay DE Nebraska

 49 Miami Dolphins - Eddie Moore LB Tennessee

 50 Carolina Panthers - Bruce Nelson C Iowa

 51 Denver Broncos - Terry Pierce LB Kansas State

 52 Cleveland Browns - Chaun Thompson LB West Texas A&M

 53 New York Jets - Victor Hobson LB Michigan

 54 Arizona Cardinals - Anquan Boldin WR Florida State

 55 Atlanta Falcons - Bryan Scott S Penn State

 56 New York Giants - Osi Umenyiora DE Troy State

 57 San Francisco 49ers - Anthony Adams DT Penn State

 58 Indianapolis Colts - Mike Doss S Ohio State

 59 Pittsburgh Steelers - Alonzo Jackson LB Florida State

 60 Tennessee Titans - Tyrone Calico WR Middle Tennessee State

 61 Philadelphia Eagles - .L.J. Smith TE Rutgers

 62 San Diego Chargers - Terrence Kiel S Texas A&M

 63 Oakland Raiders - Teyo Johnson TE Stanford

 64 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dewayne White DE Louisville

Round 3:

 65 Cincinnati Bengals - Kelley Washington WR Tennessee

 66 Detroit Lions - Cory Redding DT Texas

 67 Houston Texans - Antwan Peek LB Cincinnati

 68 Chicago Bears - Lance Briggs LB Arizona

 69 Dallas Cowboys - Jason Witten TE Tennessee

Witten is coming off yet another Pro Bowl season, recording 94 receptions for 1,002 yards and nine touchdowns, making him the NFL's most productive tight end in 2010. The Knoxville native has been selected to grace the Pro Bowl seven of his eight years in the NFL. The 6'6" 263 pound 'J-Witt' was a huge sleeper and true value pick being selected in the third round.

 70 Arizona Cardinals - Gerald Hayes LB Pittsburgh

 71 Minnesota Vikings - Nate Burleson WR Nevada

 72 Jacksonville Jaguars - Vince Manuwai G Hawaiʻi

3 73 Seattle Seahawks - Wayne Hunter OT Hawaiʻi

3 74 St. Louis Rams - Kevin Curtis WR Utah State

3 75 Houston Texans - Seth Wand OT NW Missouri State

Round 4:
4 120 New England Patriots - Asante Samuel CB USF

4 124 San Francisco 49ers Brandon Lloyd WR Illinois

No need to elaborate on non-Pro Bowl players drafted in the fourth round and beyond, so let's get to the real sleepers of the draft.


Undrafted players:

Atlanta Falcons - Brendon Ayanbadejo LB UCLA

Indianapolis Colts - Gary Brackett LB Rutgers

San Diego Chargers - Kris Dielman G Indiana

Buffalo Bills - Jon Dorenbos LS UTEP

San Diego Chargers - Antonio Gates TE Kent State

Antonio Gates averaged 20 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game as a power forward during his senior year in college. Who knew his physical prowess on the football field would reach such heights? Apparently no one since he didn't play football in college (thanks to Nick Saban) and didn't get drafted in the NFL. Since he was invited to practice with the San Diego Chargers in 2003, Gates has managed to make the Pro Bowl seven times and currently holds the single-season record for the most touchdown receptions (tied with Vernon Davis).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Earnest Graham RB Florida

Philadelphia Eagles - Roderick Hood CB Auburn

Buffalo Bills - Fred Jackson RB Coe

Green Bay Packers - Cullen Jenkins DE Central Michigan

Philadelphia Eagles - Greg Lewis WR Illinois

Philadelphia Eagles - Quintin Mikell S Boise State

San Diego Chargers - Kassim Osgood WR San Diego State

Dallas Cowboys - Tony Romo QB Eastern Illinois

Kansas City Chiefs - Lawrence Tynes K Troy State

Perhaps 2011 will be talked about as being one of the best in the future, but until then, 2003 is the best draft ever, going forward or backward.

The BCS: A Decade in Review

The ultimate goal of any incoming college football player is to have a chance to play for a championship and possibly get drafted in the NFL. In order to look ahead, we must all take a brief glance at recent history. Here are the BCS National Championship teams and key moments from the last ten years:

2000 Oklahoma over Florida State 13-2

Site: Orange Bowl
Key play: The Decision, by Peter Warrick

Oklahoma awarded Bobby Bowden and the Seminoles a safety in the fourth quarter. Otherwise, Florida State doesn't score at all. Senior linebacker Torrance Marshall won MVP. The Miami native went on to win the same title in the Senior Bowl, then a career in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers.


2001 Miami (FL) over Nebraska 37-14

Site: Rose Bowl
Key play: 50-yard TD pass to start the route

Named "Greatest College Football Team of All Time", what else needs to be said? Revisit the blog entitled, "U Serious?", for the depth chart at key positions. Sophomore wide receiver Andre Johnson caught seven passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Enough, already.



2002 Ohio State over Miami (FL) 31-24 (2OT)

Site: Fiesta Bowl
Key play: First overtime in which Ohio State threw an incompletion on fourth down, behind 24-17, then the official tosses a late penalty flag

Take your pick with this game for pivotal plays. Any of the four turnovers, leading up to the point when Willis McGahee suffered a triple-ligament rupture in his knee in the fourth quarter. Roscoe Parrish's fumble after catching a 34-yard pass (5 total TO's) with under five minutes left is a worthy candidate. Perhaps head coach Larry Cocker lost confidence after such an obvious call, as well as his team. The Hurricanes have not been quite the same since.


2003 LSU over Oklahoma 21-14

Site: Sugar Bowl
Key play: Marcus Spears interception return for a score in the 3rd quarter

Heisman trophy winner quarterback Jason White of Oklahoma could not stay upright long enough to generate the smallest amount of offense. The other half of the time, he was watching LSU tailback Justin Vincent skew the Sooner defense for 117 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Nick Saban departed for the NFL soon after capturing the 2003 BCS National Championship.


2004 USC over Oklahoma 55-19 *

Site: Orange Bowl
Key play: Each time Oklahoma quarterback Jason White walked to the line of scrimmage

Bob Stoops' offense proved to be a bit too predictable and could not mask the playmaking deficiencies of his quarterback. Whenever White ran plays under center, this was a marshmallow of a tip for a hand off to freshman running back Adrian Peterson. Also like clockwork, each time White was planning to pass, he was lined up in shotgun formations. Between Matt Leinart (5 TD), tailbacks LenDale White and Reggie Bush, and receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith (3 TD), the scoreboard screamed of USC's 38-10 dominance - at halftime. Although USC was forced to vacate their entire 2004 season, no one can change what happened on the field in south Florida.

2005 Texas over USC 41-38

Site: Rose Bowl
Key play: 1st and 10 with 6:42 left in the game - Texas down by twelve (Enter stage right, Vince Young)

The Texas playmaker single-handedly manufactured eighteen fourth quarter points to bring the Longhorns its third national championship. Young passed for 267 yards and rushed for 200 more with three touchdowns, almost effortlessly. Some often forget that Selvin Young and Jamaal Charles were running backs on this particular team. The 2005 Rose Bowl Game went down as one of the most exciting bowl games in college football history.

2006 Florida over Ohio State 41-14

Site: Fiesta Bowl
Key play: Chris Leak's 14-yard TD to Dallas Baker after OSU's Ted Ginn, Jr.'s game-opening kickoff TD return

The Gators very next drive proved to resemble boiling water, fast and easy, ending with a four yard rushing touchdown by Percy Harvin. The Floridian scoring thunderstorm slowed for the remainder of the first quarter. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, the proverbial skies reopened vastly in the second quarter with scores from DeShawn Wynn (2-yd rush), Antonio Pittman (18-yd rush), Andre Caldwell (1-yd catch), and two scores from freshman QB Tim Tebow (1 run, 1 pass). This would end up being the second BCS title for the Southeastern Conference in four seasons.

2007 LSU over Ohio State 38-24

Site: Sugar Bowl
Key play: LSU kicker Colt David's 32-yard field goal to stop the bleeding, down 10-3 in the 1st quarter

The 'Bayou Bengal' Tigers were forced to quickly recover from a 10-0 deficit, and convert to shootout mode, in which they succeeded triumphantly. After a 65-yard touchdown run by Beanie Wells on the opening drive and 25-yard field goal on the second drive, quarterback LSU Matt Flynn composed roux on the field in the form of a 14 play drive that led to a Colt David field goal, the Tigers' first points of the game. LSU settled in under the Cajun dome and prevailed, recording back-to-back BCS titles for the SEC.

2008 Florida over Oklahoma 24-14

Site: Orange Bowl
Key play: Percy Harvin's 47-yard run with 12:08 left in the 4th quarter (tied 14-14)

Sam Bradford and the Sooners offense had scored over sixty points in five consecutive games, leading up to the National Championship. This particular night in south Florida, however, was not what coach Bob Stoops had in mind. The Gators rode Tim Tebow and his two touchdown passes, with Percy Harvin and his 121 rushing yards to their second title in three seasons, and Southeastern Conference's third in a row.


2009 Alabama over Texas 37-21

Site: Rose Bowl
Key play: Marcell Dareus' interception of a Garrett Gilbert shovel pass, returned for a TD with 0:03 until halftime

Some may have trained themselves to believe the play in which senior quarterback Colt McCoy got injured was pivotal, but freshman quarterback Garrett Gilbert led the Longhorns back to trail only by a field goal, 24-21, in the 4th quarter. The lack of defensive intensity on Texas' behalf was a greater factor than McCoy being knocked out, however neither was key nor pivotal to the outcome to last season's version of the Rose Bowl Game - even though Mack Brown's defensive unit yielded 100-plus-yard performances from Alabama tailbacks Mark Ingram (116) and Trent Richardson (109).


2010 Auburn over Oregon 22-19

Site: Fiesta Bowl

Key play: Michael Dyer's 37-yard gain after landing on top of an Oregon defender in the final drive of the game

Heisman finalist LaMichael James was held to 49 rushing yards, as the 'Prettiest Little School on the Plains' ground out a hard fought sixty minutes against the Ducks of Oregon. Many anticipated a high-scoring affair as both defenses settled in while the offenses sputtered. The result was Auburn giving the state of Alabama its second consecutive national championship, an accomplishment only one other state can claim (Texas), in victory. This also marked the fifth straight BCS title for the SEC. Perhaps Alabama and the Southeastern Conference should give some other school a chance to win it all, or does everyone just need to catch up?

What will the next decade of collegiate football at its top level bring? More of the same?

1 Legends Way

 #2 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

Losses: Week 4 vs. Baltimore 17-14
                              Week 8 @ New Orleans 20-10
                              Week 10 vs. New England 36-29
                              Week 15 vs. NY Jets 22-17

First of all, Pro Bowl center rookie Maurkice Pouncey's x-rays came back negative on the injured ankle he suffered against the Jets in the AFC Championship game, so the Florida Gator should be on the field beneath the gigantic scoreboard. Head coach Mike Tomlin takes his top-ranked defensive unit and controversial athlete-playing quarterback to their second Super Bowl in three years. Wide receiver Mike Wallace will have another tough assignment against All- Pro veteran corner back Charles Woodson, in his second season in the NFL. Third-year running back Rashard Mendenhall is destined to have many meetings with rookie sensation linebacker Clay Matthews. Pittsburgh's greatest chance of winning will begin at the line of scrimmage.
                     

#6 Green Bay Packers (10-6)

Defense (points allowed): 15.0 - 2nd in NFL
                Passing yards: 257.8 per game - 5th in NFL

With starting running back Ryan Grant suffering a season-ending ankle injury in the opening game, Aaron Rodgers felt immediate pressure around the shoulder area. This was not from injury, but from the physchological weight of responsibility for the offense. Rodgers ended the regular season with 28 touchdowns and only eleven interceptions and virtually no rushing identity to speak of. The 6'2" 225 pound graduate of Pleasant Valley High School (CA) has led the Wisconsin cheese wagon to Super Bowl XLV by way of a wild card berth and winning three consecutive playoff road games at Philadelphia (21-16), Atlanta (48-21) and Chicago (21-14) in his sixth season. Utility expert destroyer Troy Polamalu will be lurking as a cheetah in total darkness about the African Sahara. The Pack need not run. Linebacker James Harrison will test Rodgers' audible to run. Speedy pass-catcher Greg Jennings should find himself in one-on-one match ups quite often to start the game. Green Bay's fiber of saliva for a victory over the defensively suffocating Steel Curtain will end in the Pittsburgh secondary. Green Bay by four. Maybe.