2013-14 NBA Season Predictions

The NBA season tips off tonight.  For the first time in 7 years the Celtics are not title contenders.  They're probably not playoff contenders, but here is how I think the whole thing shakes out.

Eastern Conference:
1. Miami Heat
2. Chicago Bulls
3. Brooklyn Nets
4. Indiana Pacers
5. New York Knicks
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Detroit Pistons
---
9. Washington Wizards
10. Milwaukee Bucks
11. Toronto Raptors
12. Boston Celtics
13. Charlotte Bobcats
14. Orlando Magic
15. Philadelphia 76ers

Western Conference:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Houston Rockets
3. San Antonio Spurs
4. Golden State Warriors
5. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Memphis Grizzlies
7. Dallas Mavericks
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
---
9. Denver Nuggets
10. Los Angeles Lakers
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. New Orleans Pelicans
13. Utah Jazz
14. Sacramento Kings
15. Phoenix Suns

EAST: Heat over Nets

WEST: Thunder over Grizzlies

FINALS: Heat over Thunder

MVP: LeBron James, Miami Heat

Rookie of the Year: Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings

Defensive Player of the Year: Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls

Most Improved: Worst Award Ever.

6th Man of the Year: Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors

Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau, Chicago Bulls

All-NBA 1st Team:
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
LeBron James, Miami Heat
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets

All-NBA 2nd Team:
James Harden, Houston Rockets
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

All-NBA 3rd Team:
Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls


All-Rookie 1st Team:
Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings
Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic
Tim Hardaway Jr., New York Knicks
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Detroit Pistons
Cody Zeller, Charlotte Bobcats

All-Rookie 2nd Team:
Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers
Anthony Bennett, Cleveland Cavaliers
Vitor Faverani, Boston Celtics
Glen Rice Jr., Washington Wizards
Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder


All-Defensive 1st Team:
Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
LeBron James, Miami Heat
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls

All-Defensive 2nd Team:
Avery Bradley, Boston Celtics
Iman Shumpert, New York Knicks
Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors
Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder
Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets


Eastern Conference All-Stars:
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
LeBron James, Miami Heat
Kevin Garnett, Brooklyn Nets

Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers
Chris Bosh, Miami Heat
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons
Paul Pierce, Brooklyn Nets

Western Conference All-Stars:
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets

James Harden, Houston Rockets
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Anything else?

2013 NFL Predictions

The 2013 NFL season kicks off tonight. Here is how I think the final standings will play out.  

And it's with pictures!  Reading is the worst. 

AFC (playoff teams facing right)

NFC

Crushed it. 

2012-13 NBA Season Preview

Picks you can rip. It’s that time of year again, here are my on the record for picks for everything this season. Playoff teams, the champion, and all the individual awards you can handle. Hopefully this helps you kill time before tonight’s Celtics-Heat game.


WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

2. Los Angeles Lakers

3. Los Angeles Clippers

4. San Antonio Spurs

5. Memphis Grizzlies

6. Denver Nuggets

7. Houston Rockets

8. Minnesota Timberwolves


EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS:

1. Miami Heat

2. Boston Celtics

3. Indiana Pacers

4. Chicago Bulls

5. Philadelphia 76ers

6. Brooklyn Nets

7. New York Knicks

8. Atlanta Hawks


WCF: Lakers over Thunder

ECF: Heat over Celtics

Finals: Heat over Lakers


Western All-Stars:

Chris Paul, Clippers

Kobe Bryant, Lakers

Kevin Durant, Thunder

Blake Griffin, Clippers

Dwight Howard, Lakers



Russell Westbrook, Thunder

Kevin Love, Timberwolves

Zach Randolph, Grizzlies

Tony Parker, Spurs

Steve Nash, Lakers

James Harden, Rockets

DeMarcus Cousins, Kings


Eastern All-Stars:

Deron Williams, Nets

Dwyane Wade, Heat

LeBron James, Heat

Carmelo Anthony, Knicks

Andrew Bynum, 76ers


Rajon Rondo, Celtics

Kevin Garnett, Celtics

Paul Pierce, Celtics

Chris Bosh, Heat

Monta Ellis, Bucks

Al Horford, Hawks

Joe Johnson, Nets


Rookie of the Year: Anthony Davis, Hornets

All-Rookie 1st Team

Anthony Davis, Hornets

Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers

Bradley Beal, Wizards

Terrence Jones, Rockets

Harrison Barnes, Warriors

All-Rookie 2nd Team

Jared Sullinger, Celtics

Perry Jones III, Thunder

Andrew Nicholson, Magic

Alexey Shved, Timberwolves

Kendall Marshall, Suns

6th Man of the Year: Jason Terry, Celtics

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard, Lakers

All-Defense 1st Team

Chris Paul, Clippers

Tony Allen, Grizzlies

LeBron James, Heat

Kevin Garnett, Celtics

Dwight Howard, Lakers

All-Defense 2nd Team

Rajon Rondo, Celtics

Kobe Bryant, Lakers

Andre Iguodala, Nuggets

Josh Smith, Hawks

Tyson Chandler, Knicks

Coach of the Year: Rick Adelman, Timberwolves

MVP: LeBron James, Heat

All-NBA 1st Team

Chris Paul, Clippers

Rajon Rondo, Celtics

Kevin Durant, Thunder

LeBron James, Heat

Dwight Howard, Lakers

All-NBA 2nd Team

Russell Westbrook, Thunder

Kobe Bryant, Lakers

Blake Griffin, Clippers

Kevin Love, Timberwolves

Andrew Bynum, 76ers

All-NBA 3rd Team

Deron Williams, Nets

James Harden, Rockets

Carmelo Anthony, Knicks

Zach Randolph, Grizzlies

Al Horford, Hawks

  -Keefe

2011-12 NBA Preview

The 2011-12 season tips off on Sunday, so now is the time to go on record with all my picks for the upcoming year. I'll take a shot at everything from MVP to All-Rookie 2nd Team to of course what team will be hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy this summer. Feel free to leave some of your winners in the comments section below. We'll start with team accomplishments followed by individuals awards.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Memphis Grizzlies
3. Los Angeles Clippers
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Dallas Mavericks
6. Portland Trail Blazers
7. San Antonio Spurs
8. Denver Nuggets

Western Finals: Thunder over Clippers

EASTERN CONFERECE:

1. Miami Heat
2. Chicago Bulls
3. Boston Celtics
4. New York Knicks
5. Indiana Pacers
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. Orlando Magic/ New Jersey Nets (whoever Howard plays more for)
8. Milwaukee Bucks

Eastern Finals: Heat over Celtics

NBA Finals: Heat over Thunder

Eastern Conference All-Stars

F - LeBron James, Heat

F - Carmelo Anthony, Knicks

C - Dwight Howard, Magic/Nets?

G - Dwyane Wade, Heat

G - Derrick Rose, Bulls

Reserves:

Deron Williams, Nets
Amare Stoudemire, Knicks
Rajon Rondo, Celtics
Paul Pierce, Celtics
Chris Bosh, Heat
Danny Granger, Pacers
Al Horford, Hawks

Western Conference All-Stars:

F - Kevin Durant, Thunder

F - Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks

C - Marc Gasol, Grizzlies

G - Kobe Bryant, Lakers

G - Chris Paul, Clippers

Reserves:

Russell Westbrook, Thunder
Rudy Gay, Grizzlies
Blake Griffin, Clippers
Pau Gasol, Lakers
Steve Nash, Suns
Kevin Love, Timberwolves
Eric Gordon, Hornets

Rookie of the Year: Kemba Walker, Bobcats

All-Rookie 1st Team:

Kemba Walker, Bobcats
Ricky Rubio, Timberwolves
Jimmer Fredette, Kings
Enes Kanter, Jazz
Kyrie Irving, Cavaliers

All-Rookie 2nd Team:

Derrick Williams, Timberwolves
Brandon Knight, Pistons
Iman Shumpert, Knicks
Kawhi Leonard, Spurs
JaJuan Johnson, Celtics

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard, Magic/ Lakers?

All-Defensive 1st Team:

Dwight Howard, Magic
LeBron James, Heat
Rajon Rondo, Celtics
Serge Ibaka, Thunder
Dwyane Wade, Heat

All-Defensive 2nd Team:

Chris Paul, Clippers
Shawn Marion, Mavericks
Tyson Chandler, Knicks
Andre Iguodala, 76ers
Darren Collison, Pacers

6th Man of the Year: James Harden, Thunder

Most Improved Player: DeMarcus Cousins, Kings

Coach of the Year: Lionel Hollins, Grizzlies

MVP: Kevin Durant, Thunder

All-NBA 1st Team:

Kevin Durant, Thunder
LeBron James, Heat
Dwight Howard, Magic/ Mavs?
Chris Paul, Clippers
Dwyane Wade, Heat

All-NBA 2nd Team:

Blake Griffin, Clippers
Carmelo Anthony, Knicks
Marc Gasol, Grizzlies
Derrick Rose, Bulls
Russell Westbrook, Thunder

All-NBA 3rd Team:

Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
Amare Stoudemire, Knicks
Al Horford, Hawks
Deron Williams, Nets
Kobe Bryant, Lakers

-Keefe

The Sports Brief's 2009 NFL Preview

The NFL Season Kicks off tonight with Steelers and Titans. Below are the predictions for the 2009 season. Final division standings, playoff match ups, Super Bowl picks, and the big individual awards.

KEEFE's Picks:

AFC East

1. Patriots*

2. Bills*

3. Dolphins

4. Jets

AFC North

1. Steelers*

2. Ravens*

3. Bengals

4. Browns

AFC South

1. Texans*

2. Colts

3. Titans

4. Jaguars

AFC West

1. Chargers*

2. Raiders

3. Chiefs

4. Broncos

Playoffs:

Wildcard:

Patriots over Bills

Ravens over Texans

Divisional:

Patriots over Steelers

Chargers over Ravens

Conference:

Chargers over Patriots

NFC East

1. Eagles*

2. Giants

3. Redskins

4. Cowboys

NFC North

1. Bears*

2. Vikings*

3. Packers

4. Lions

NFC South

1. Saints*

2. Panthers

3. Falcons

4. Buccaneers

NFC West

1. Cardinals*

2. Seahawks*

3. Rams

4. 49ers

Playoffs

Wildcard:

Seahawks over Cardinals

Eagles over Vikings

Divisional:

Eagles over Bears

Saints over Seahawks

Conference:

Saints over Eagles

SUPER BOWL: Chargers over Saints

MVP: Drew Brees, Saints

Offensive Player of the Year: Brees, Saints

Defensive Player of the Year: Mario Williams, Texans

O-Rookie: Percy Harvin, Vikings

D-Rookie: Brian Cushing, Texans

Coach: Gary Kubiak, Texans

BESSE's Picks:

AFC East

1. Patriots*

2. Dolphins

3. Jets

4. Bills

AFC North

1. Steelers*

2. Bengals*

3. Ravens

4. Browns

AFC South

1. Colts*

2. Texans*

3. Titans

4. Jaguars

AFC West

1. Chargers*

2. Broncos

3. Chiefs

4. Raiders

AFC Playoffs

Wildcard:

Chargers over Texans

Colts over Bengals

Divisional:

Pats over Chargers

Steelers over Colts

Conference:

Pats over Steelers

NFC East

1. Giants*

2. Cowboys*

3. Eagles

4. Redskins

NFC North

1. Packers*

2. Bears

3. Vikings

4. Lions

NFC South

1. Saints*

2. Falcons*

3. Panthers

4. Bucs

NFC West

1. Seahawks*

2. Cardinals

3. 49ers

4. Rams

NFC Playoffs

Wildcard:

Falcons over Giants

Cowboys over Seahawks

Divisional:

Packers over Cowboys

Falcons over Saints

Conference:

Falcons over Packers

SUPER BOWL: Pats over Falcons

Awards:

MVP – Aaron Rodgers, Packers

Offensive POY – Drew Brees, Saints

Defensive POY – Justin Tuck, Giants

Offensive ROY – Knowshon Moreno, Broncos

Defensive ROY – James Laurinaitis, Rams

Coach of the Year – Mike McCarthy, Packers

-The Sports Brief

Week 1 Picks

Keefe: Steelers(-6) over the Titans

Hate both teams, but I'll go with Pittsburgh at home to win by more than a touchdown. They will be all jacked up and could get off to a slow start, but I think that's going to be the Titans' problem all year. Collins plays himself out of the starting QB job, only for it to get worse with Vince Young at the helm.

Besse: Steelers (-6) over Titans
While some money grubbin' whore in Vegas is digging up the names of every chick Big Ben has slayed (good luck w/ that), he'll be methodically breaking down the Titans defense on opening night. The loss of Haynesworth will gleam brightly tonight for the Titans, and the vaunted Steelers defense will shut down the run and force Kerry Collins to pass more. By the end of the night, we'll be wondering if Collins fell off the wagon again. And look for Willie Parker to do what he did last year: explode in Week 1, get all of his fantasy owners jacked up for the rest of the season, then get hurt and run like Maroney for the rest of the year. If you can't tell, that's exactly what happened to me last year. Bitter? Nah...

NFL Previw Soon!

The Sports Brief's 2009 NFL Preview is coming soon. Check back later today. It will be up before kick off of the season opener between the Steelers and Titans.

UFC 88 predictions

With tomorrow night marking the first time the UFC invades Atlanta, GA, that means it’s time for The Sports Brief to predict the outcomes of each fight. Keefe is busy preparing for his show today, so he was only able to bless us with outcomes. But I’ve included a brief analysis on how I think each fight will play out.

At UFC 87, I went 8-2 with my picks while Rich came in at 6-4. With a lot of close, interesting match-ups on tap for UFC 88, however, those early standings could change quickly. I can’t wait to find out…

Main Event

Chuck Liddell v. Rashad Evans

This is a striker v. wrestler matchup, and Liddell has always had tremendous success in fights like these. Evans is a very accomplished wrestler with an undefeated record, and while he showed some good skills in the 3rd round of his fight against Tito Ortiz, it was a 1-point deduction to Ortiz that kept his unblemished record in tact.

Bottom line is that Liddell’s sprawl is one of the best in the business. Even when Ortiz got him down in their entertaining rematch, he popped right back up onto his feet. Expect to see plenty of that tomorrow night. And when Liddell isn’t sprawling, he’ll be popping Evans in the face numerous times before forcing a referee stoppage towards the end of the second round.

Chuck Liddell wins via (T)KO in the 2nd round
Keefe says: Chuck Liddell def. Rashad Evans via (T)KO in 2nd

Televised Bouts

Rich Franklin v. Matt Hamill

An interesting clash here at 205, mainly because Franklin returns to a division he once left due to being too small and at a disadvantage in terms of strength. At middleweight, you’ll be hard pressed to find someone more physically gifted than Franklin. But at light heavy, and against Hamill, he’ll face a significant size and strength advantage. Which plays right into Hamill’s game. He likes to come forward and maul his opponents, and he’s a highly skilled wrestler with crafty takedowns. Hamill is ever improving, but the one downside is his striking. It’s powerful, but sloppy.

I actually see this playing out much like his fight against a current middleweight fighter who recently left the 205-lb. division in Michael Bisping. This will be a grinding three round fight that sees flashes of brilliance and moments for both fighters. But in the end, I think Franklin’s experience, his polished striking and his savvy ground defense will earn him the checkmark on all three scorecards. Look for Hamill to once again impress, though, and earn himself another big fight down the road. Something tells me he’ll be headlining a UFC Fight Night against Stephan Bonnar once “The American Psycho” recovers from his knee injury. You’ll remember these two were originally scheduled to be the co-main event to Florian and Lauzon back in April.

Rich Franklin wins via unanimous decision
Keefe says: Rich Franklin def. Matt Hamill via decision

Dan Henderson v. Rousimar Palhares

Henderson swears he can beat Anderson Silva if given another crack at him. And you know what? I believe him. But he’s got a serious submission artist staring him in the face on Saturday night. Did you see Palhares’ submission win over Ivan Salaverry at UFC 84? Ridiculous transition into an armbar, and it earned him submission of the night. What’s interesting is that Henderson’s revered wrestling background may get him into trouble here. If this goes to the ground for a long period of time, I have no doubt that Palhares could seize a limb and break it. And three of Henderson’s seven losses have come by submission (one to each Nogueira brother). But I think Henderson keeps this on the feet and slugs away, scores a takedown or two, grounds and pounds briefly and then retreats to his feet. Palhares may put a scare into him at some point, but I think this will be a great step back for “Dangerous.” Or is it “Hollywood”? Whatever.

Dan Henderson wins via (T)KO in the 2nd round
Keefe says: Dan Henderson def. Rousimar Palhares via (T)KO in the 1st

Karo Parisyan v. Yoshiyuki Yoshida

I’m calling it now. This will be the most exciting fight of the night. Parisyan claims to be motivated and says he actually trained for this fight. Can you imagine if there’s any truth to him saying he never really trained for fights up until now? Wow. That could have serious implications moving forward for the Armenian. But Yoshida is on a nine fight win streak, including that amazing submission over “War Machine” at UFC 84 that was just painful to watch. I honestly felt bad for Koppenhaver. Although not as bad as I did for Ed Herman when he got choked out and pounded out by Demian Maia at the same time.

Anyway, Parisyan has never been submitted and has been (T)KO’d only twice in his career. Once in his last fight against Alves – which had a questionable stoppage – and earlier in his career against Sean Sherk. His fight against Diego Sanchez showed how tough and durable his chin is, and I think it will prevail here.

Karo Parisyan wins via unanimous decision
Keefe says: Karo Parisyan def. Yoshiyuki Yoshida via decision

Martin Kampmann v. Nate Marquardt

This card is loaded with toss ups, and here is another one. Kampmann, coming off a knee injury, looked solid in his submission win over Jorge Rivera. It was a good test for his health and an opportunity to knock off ring rust. But now he takes on Marquardt, who is as tough as they come in the UFC’s middleweight division. A pair of point deductions against Thales Leites cost him a win in his last fight, but it’s obvious as to who dominated that fight.

In this one, I think Kampmann’s ability to utilize his kickboxing will be the factor. I think he’ll try and break down Marquardt early with leg kicks and brief combinations on his feet. Eventually Marquardt will go for a takedown, and I think that’s where people underestimate Kampmann’s submission game.

Martin Kampmann wins via submission (rear-naked choke) in the 3rd round
Keefe says: Nate Marquardt def. Martin Kampann via submission in the 1st

Preliminary bouts

Besse: Thiago Tavares wins via submission (triangle choke) in the 3rd round
Keefe: Kurt Pellegrino def. Thiago Tavares via submission in the 2nd

Besse: Tim Boetsch wins via unanimous decision
Keefe: Tim Boetsch def. Mike Patt via (T)KO in the 1st

Besse: Dong Hyun Kim wins via KTFO in the 1st round
Keefe: Dong Hyun Kim def. Matt Brown via (T)KO in the 3rd

Besse: Jason McDonald wins via any submission he pleases in the 1st round
Keefe: Jason McDonald def. Jason Lambert via submission in the 2nd

Besse: Roan Carneiro wins via unanimous decision
Keefe: Ryo Chonan def. Roan Carneiro via decision

Let us know your thoughts on tomorrow’s action. If you like what you see, check out more from The Sports Brief at http://sportsbrief.blogspot.com/

You can e-mail us at sportsbrief@gmail.com

-Bess

The Sports Brief's NFL Predictions for 2008

With tonight's Giants-Redskins season opener, the 2008 NFL season is finally upon us. Which can only mean one thing...NFL predictions from The Sports Brief! We've got division winners, our playoff predictions along with individual awards and Week 1 picks with the spreads. So check it out and let us know what you think. We'll be keeping a running tally on the weekly picks, and we've added in a random submission of picks every week to see if our "expertise" holds up against pure luck. That and my picks are the ones I submit to my father's office pool every week. So I'm hoping to bank on these puppies bigtime.

And so, here goes nothing...

Division winners:

AFC East
Besse: Patriots
Keefe: Patriots

AFC North
Besse: Steelers
Keefe: Browns

AFC South
Besse: Jaguars
Keefe: Colts

AFC West
Besse: Chargers
Keefe: Chargers

Wildcard
Besse: Colts; Jets
Keefe: Texans; Jets

Wildcard weekend
Besse: Colts over Chargers; Jets over Steelers
Keefe: Colts over Texans; Jets over Browns

Divisional round
Besse: Patriots over Jets; Jaguars over Colts
Keefe: Pats over Jets; Chargers over Colts

AFC Championship
Besse: Patriots over Jaguars
Keefe: Patriots over Chargers

NFC East
Besse: Cowboys
Keefe: Cowboys

NFC North
Besse: Packers
Keefe: Vikings

NFC South
Besse: Saints
Keefe: Saints

NFC West
Besse: Seahawks
Keefe: Seahawks

Wildcard
Besse: Vikings; Giants
Keefe: Eagles; Packers

Wildcard weekend
Besse: Seahawks over Giants; Vikings over Packers
Keefe: Eagles over Vikings; Seahawks over Packers

Divisional round
Besse: Saints over Seahawks; Cowboys over Vikings
Keefe: Cowboys over Seahawks; Saints over Eagles

NFC Championship
Besse: Cowboys over Saints
Keefe: Cowboys over Saints

Super Bowl
Besse: Patriots over Cowboys
Keefe: Patriots over Cowboys

MVP
Besse: Tom Brady, Patriots (let’s face it, this team sucks without him)
Keefe: Tony Romo, Cowboys

Defensive POY
Besse: Patrick Willis, 49ers
Keefe: Mario Williams, Texans

Coach of the Year
Besse: Sean Payton, Saints
Keefe: Romeo Crennel, Browns

Offensive ROY
Besse: Steve Slaton, Texans
Keefe: Chris Johnson, Titans

Defensive ROY
Besse: Vernon Gholston, Jets
Keefe: Jerod Mayo, Patriots

Sleeper team
Besse: Carolina Panthers…to the Super Bowl if Jake Delhomme stays healthy.
Keefe: Have Browns and Texans in the playoffs, but I think the Raiders will surprise as well, maybe 2nd in the AFC West.

As mentioned earlier, The Sports Brief is proud to announce that we will be submitting out picks every week for every NFL game on the schedule. We will keep a running tally for both Besse and Keefe, as well as include picks for the “test dummy.” The test dummy, whom we will call Random Ron, may vary on a weekly basis, but its picks will be made through various activities such as flipping a coin, throwing darts, etc. This week, the test dummy’s picks were made by the flip of a coin. Heads for the home team and tails for the away team.
Without further ado, the picks for Week 1 are…

Besse:
Redskins (+3.5)
Saints (-3.5)
Jets (-2.5)
Bengals (+1.5)
Falcons (+3.5)
Rams (+7.5)
Seahawks (+0.5)
Jaguars (-2.5)
Patriots (-16.5)
Steelers (-6.5)
Chargers (-9.5)
Cowboys (-5.5)
Cardinals (-2.5)
Colts (-9.5)
Vikings (+2.5)
Raiders (+2.5)

Keefe:
Redskins (+3.5)
Saints (-3.5)
Jets (-2.5)
Bengals (+1.5)
Lions (-3.5)
Eagles (-7.5)
Bills (-0.5)
Jaguars (-2.5)
Patriots (-16.5)
Texans (+6.5)
Chargers (-9.5)
Cowboys (-5.5)
49ers (+2.5)
Colts (-9.5)
Vikings (+2.5)
Raiders (+2.5)

Random Ron:
Giants (-3.5)
Saints (-3.5)
Dolphins (+2.5)
Ravens (-1.5)
Falcons (+3.5)
Rams (+7.5)
Seahawks (+0.5)
Titans (+2.5)
Chiefs (+16.5)
Steelers (-6.5)
Panthers (+9.5)
Cowboys (-5.5)
Cardinals (-2.5)
Bears (+9.5)
Vikings (+2.5)
Raiders (+2.5)

Let us know what you think, and feel free to e-mail us sportsbrief@gmail.com

-Bess

Who will win the Heisman?

The College Football season kicks off on Thursday. This Thursday. I can’t believe it either. Not a great slate of games with only 1 Top 25 team in action as #23 Wake faces Baylor, with everyone else taking the field on Saturday. But it’s still football. Before week 1 begins I have to weigh in with my top picks for the Heisman, getting on record now. Really the more predictions you make, the better your chances are of getting something right, right? So allow me to take a stab at it. Remember the Big 8? Well here are my Big 8 favorites to take home the statued stiff arm.

8. Matthew Stafford, Junior QB, Georgia
(2007: 2,523 passing yards, 19 TD, 10 INT, 2 rushing TD)
The QB on the #1 team, like it or not he’ll be in the mix until he plays himself out of it. Georgia has a world beater schedule if you ever saw one featuring 6 preseason Top 25 teams. If Stafford and Moreno (below) can keep it up, they’ll receive a ton of Heisman consideration at the end of the year. His numbers weren’t pretty last year, but playing in the title game can make stats look much more impressive. Like plastic surgery.

7. Jeremy Maclin, Soph. WR, Missouri
(2007: 80 receptions, 1,055 receiving yards, 9 TD, 2,776 total yards, 16 total TD)
Easily one of the most entertaining players in college football. Whenever Mizzou is on TV this year be sure to watch. Maclin, and not QB Chase Daniel, is the Tigers’ best chance at the Heisman. He does it all. He catches the ball, runs the ball, returns punts and kicks, he’ll even throw it (1-2, INT last season.) Maybe he shouldn’t throw it, but any time it’s in his hand he has a chance for 6. Teams may just kick away from him this year, which would significantly hurt his stock, but Daniel and the Mizzou offense better find him even more opportunities to touch the ball this year.

6. Beanie Wells, Junior RB, Ohio State
(2007: 1,609 rushing yards, 16 TD, 5.9 avg.)
I am sick of everything Ohio State football. Troy Smith winning the Heisman, Ted Ginn getting picked way to high by the Dolphins, the Buckeyes getting blown out bad in BCS Championship games by anyone from the SEC. Enough. This guy is nasty though. Flip a coin between Wells and Moreno to decide the best RB in the country. Wells will try to join Archie Griffin and Eddie George as RBs from “the” Ohio State to win the Heisman, but if he really wants he may have to stay for his senior season… and that ain’t happenin’.

5. Pat White, Senior QB, West Virginia
(2007: 1,724 passing yards, 14 TD, 4 INT, 66.7%, 1,335 rushing yards, 14 TD)
Head coach Rich Rodriguez and speedy RB Steve Slaton are gone, but White’s Heisman hopes are still very much alive. He and Noel Devine will spearhead a West Virginia team that once again finds themselves in the preseason Top 10. The Mountaineers have a huge non-conference game against Auburn on ESPN Thursday night in October where he can grab some votes by putting up big numbers vs. an SEC defense. Last Big East Heisman winner? You have to go back to 1992 when Gino Torretta won it at UMiami.

4. Knowshon Moreno, Soph. RB, Georgia
(2007: 1,334 rushing yards, 14 TD, 5.4 avg.)
Moreno went over 100 yards on the ground every game he had 22+ carries. He racked up 196 vs. Troy and 188 vs. Florida with 3 TDs in both games. The guy tore up the SEC as a freshmen reminiscent of another former Bull Dog, (I believe that guy also did some bobsled work.) Moreno’s team starts the season ranked #1 and he’s been on a number of magazine covers, so the hype is certainly there. On the flip side, since 2000 only one RB has won the award. If Darren McFadden can’t win it, it’s going to be tough for any RB let alone Moreno.

3. Michael Crabtree, Soph. WR, Texas Tech
(2007: 134 receptions, 1,962 receiving yards, 22 TD)
Look at those freshmen year numbers. Comical. If Crabtree can somehow better those freakish totals he must be a finalist. Desmond Howard and Tim Brown are the only WRs to win the Heisman trophy, and both men were exceptional return specialists as well. It’s certainly an up hill struggle for Crabtree, but I’ll be rooting for him all year. What would it take? 150+ catches, 2,000+ yards, and 25+ TDs? That’s a great college career, let alone season, and you know what, he could do it. Michael Crabtree for Heisman!

2. Tim Tebow, Junior QB, Florida
(2007: 3,286 passing yards, 32 TD, 6 INT, 895 rushing yards, 23 TD)
As we all know, Tebow is trying to join Archie Griffin as the only back-to-back/ 2 time Heisman trophy winner. In just his sophomore season he compiled an astonishing 55 total touchdowns for the Gators. Unreal. He’s the hands down obvious pick to capture the award again, and that’s why I can’t pick him. I’m not going to predict an injury, but with the ball in his hands so often and the hits he takes against SEC defenses I think its going to be extremely difficult to repeat. Key games against Miami, Tennessee, LSU, Georgia, and Florida State will attempt to derail Tebow’s chances.

1. Graham Harrell, Senior QB, Texas Tech
(2007: 5,705 passing yards, 48 TD, 14 INT, 71.8%, 4 rushing TD)
If you like stats, and I do, then you can’t ignore the boys from Texas Tech. I was a fan of Colt Brennan the past 2 seasons out in Hawaii, where his competition (or lack there of) hurt him, but for Harrell? You can say system all you want, but he’s putting up XBOX numbers in the Big 12. How about 46-67, 646 yds, 5 TD-0 INT in a loss to OK State last year? In a loss? They had 4 of them last year, and will certainly need to cut that down to have a chance for a Red Raider to hoist the trophy. He and my true favorite Crabtree will split votes, but Bush and Leinart seemed to do ok with that same problem. Much like my inquiry with Crabtree, what will it take for Harrell? 6,000 passing yards? 50+ TD passes? 75% completions?

Three of Texas Tech’s last 5 games are against Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma. If they can finish the year with 1 or 2 losses I would have to think Harrell will get serious attention. Home games versus Eastern Washington, SMU, and UMass. The scoreboard guy is going to be busy, we could even see some records fall.

Well there’s my Heisman picks. Looks like I’ll have a close eye on Texas Tech all season. Who do you like this year? (Besides Tebow)

-Keefe