1. LeBron James--James has led the Cavaliers into the top 4 teams location and beaten some good teams in the Pistons and Celtics.  His stats are amazing: 46 games.  37.5 minutes/game.  27.8 points/game.  7.5 rebounds/game. 7.0 assists/game. 49.1% FG.  Remaining undefeated at home, he has helped fellow teammates Mo Williams, Ben Wallace, and Delonte West to improve.
2. Dwight Howard--The Magic?  Howard is out of this world.  From his world famous slams to his ability to put up points and work the glass, he has made the Magic serious contenders for the NBA title.  He's been averaging 20.3 points/game aalong with 13.9 rebounds a game, while his field goal percentage is a sizzling 57%.
3. Kobe Bryant--The reigning MVP, he has put up goodnumbers too.  His points per game is down slightly to 26.6.  But he's averaging 5 assists and 5 boards a game.  Combined with his great leadership, he has brought his team back from defeat several times.  And despite injury to his finger, has dished out more assists than is usual with the typically shoot-happy Bryant.  Although he has engineered wins over the Spurs, Celtics, and Cavs, his one knock is the great supporting cast in Pau Gasol, a terrific Andrew Bynum, and a bench of Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom, players who could start for other teams.
4. Chris Paul--Triple Double, Quadruple Double?  Chris Paul can do it.  He's dished out assists, mad shots, stolen balls, and grabbed so many rebounds the Hornets are a big threat in the West this year.  Possibly the best point guard in the game, he has over 20 points a game, with 10 assists, and 5 rebounds.  If the Hornets get better and can unseat the Spurs and Nuggets to get to #2 in the West, he could have a much better case.
5. Paul Pierce--The stats (19 ppg, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) are a little smaller than these other players, but the Celtics have the NBA's top record and he and Kevin Garnett are leading the Green men.  Unfortunately, KG's presence and Pierce's lack of grace remove some of the glow.  Still, he will receive at least minimal support for an MVP.

1. Ben Roethlisberger is one heck of a dude: He can throw on the run.  He can engineer 4th quarter comebacks.  He can bounce back from a poor Superbowl, from a concussion against the Bengals, and work with Santonio Holmes to craft some beautiful passes.  I always felt he was overrated.  Now, I'd want him during any two-minute drill.
2. Leave Ben in the pocket--His QB ratings inside the pocket:55.  Outside :over 100.  Once he's on the run, he's virtually impossible to bring down, but he threw the pick inside the pocket and looked almost better rolling out.
3. Kurt Warner is Hall worthy--Another 300+ yard game passing in the Superbowl.  3 TD's and that tough pick to James Harrison.  Besides that, he engineered a perfect drive, if the Cardinals had just held it.
4. The Cards have a future-- Darnell Dockett, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Tim Hightower.  That team is built to win, and played a terrific Steelers team down to the wire.
5. Larry Fitzgerald is superhuman--Once they set up Fitz in the second half, you could see why you'd want him on your team.
6. Superbowls have gotten better--From blowouts to great games.  Last year's David Tyree snatch of Eli Manning was incredible as the Giants eventually upset the unbeaten Patriots.  Here, we saw lead changes and momentum shifts for a terrific game.
7. James Harrison should've been ejected--Come on!  Punching, shoving, and more punching.  And he only gets a 1-yard penalty cause it's half the distance to the goal.  Dumb, dumb, dumb.
8. The refs should've worn yellow pants--Yikes, many of the Calls went Pittsburgh's way.  They called roughing the passer when Big Ben had just gotten the ball off on the run.  The Card tried to slow down and didn't bury him.  Then, the Steelers ran Kurt Warner into the ground, but no call.  No ejection of Harrison, and no review of the fumble with 0:05 seconds left.  Steelers probably would've won, but why help them.  I like a fair game, not a mismanaged game.

Hah!

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USC #2!  (in the coaches poll)

Ahh, am I a homer?!

Here's the article that sums up the bowl season.

http://www.rakesofmallow.com/event/
l.ncaa.org.mfoot-2008-e.24004

Yes, that's right--I went 2-3 last week.  You could flip a coin and do better.  In fact, at the end of bowl season, that's exactly what I'll do--I'll flip a coin for every game and see what the coin's record is.....it better not be better than mine.

This last week, I didn't do so well.  Click here, and you'll see in my last blog entry a recap of my picks (not the games, just go to CBS to see that).  I'm getting back on track this week with some great matchups.

Tuesday:

POINSETTIA BOWL

TCU 27 vs. Boise State 31-- Yeah, Baby!  I'm all fired up about this game.  TCU's defense will keep the Broncos in check, but Chris Peterson is too good of a coach to lose this one.  Boise State will be looking for another undefeated season and wanting to prove that they deserved a BCS bowl bid.  The Horned Frogs, meanwhile, have had a terrific year.  They've played great teams well, knocked off BYU, and almost ruined the Utes season.  And, they kept Oklahoma to only 35 points--limiting their running game and slowing down the #1 ranked Sooners.  Their offense has also been impressive, although good defenses have kept them in check slightly.  This is probably the best non-BCS bowl game, and might even be better than some of the BCS bowls, like the Sugar or Orange.  Boise State has faced fewer bigtime opponents, with a win over Oregon (embattled with QB issues) their true marquee victory.  TCU's rush defense is superb, and it should be effective slowing Ian Johnson.  As you can see, I've changed my original score from 34-21, Boise State to 31-27, Boise State.  Although TCU is a monster team, I think Boise State will play with the energy to finish perfect...again.  But, don't be surprised if TCU wins this game.

Wednesday:

HAWAII BOWL

Hawaii 24 Notre Dame 23--You thought this was Notre Dame's year.  They started off well, and then.........crumbled.  Beginning 5-2, and ending 1-4 leaves the Fighting Irish rattled and settled in Hawaii for Christmas Eve.  The Warriors, however, have finished off the year with a bang, after starting with losses to good teams looking for cupcake wins.  A virtual home game, this stadium won't provide Aloha to the Irish, who will finish with their 10th straight bowl loss.  I'm predicting a close game, but if the Warriors hand it to Charlie Weis and company, the big guy might be needing more than knee surgery to preserve his job.  I'm leaving this the same prediction.

Friday:

MOTOR CITY BOWL

Central Michigan 41 Florida Atlantic 35--Why will CMI win?  Because it's a home game at Ford Field, so the Chippewa fans won't have to travel far.  CMI plays little defense, but has a prolific offense that proved itself in the MAC.  FAU is on a roll after finishing the season 5-1, but the down economy will hurt their fans from traveling, and CMI's experience in this bowl will make them the ultimate victors.  I've changed this one from 37-17, CMI.

Saturday:

MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL

West Virginia 27 North Carolina 21--Pat White won't let the Mountaineers down, as they should take care of business versus NC.  But, they didn't take care of business against VaTech, Maryland, and East Carolina.  So, because this bowl is in Charlotte, you would give a slight edge to NC.  But, WV should be able to pull out the win.   Don't be surprised if it goes the other way, though!

CHAMP SPORTS BOWL/ Citrus Bowl

Florida State 37 Wisconsin 24--Wisconsin was supposed to challenge Ohio State for the Big-10 title.  But, the Badgers have fallen far from last year, and their one-dimensional ground game will be easy for the Seminoles to stop.  Bobby Bowden is rebuilding Florida State, and they were serious challengers in the ACC.  Still, they should win this one comfortably.  If they avoid turnovers and picks, the Florida State crowd will be seeing victory in the first half.

EMERALD BOWL

Cal 34  Miami (Fla.) 17--How did I pick the Hurricanes to beat Cal in San Fran?  I must have been dreaming.....This home game for Cal will provide their defense to slow a talented, but youthful Miami team.  However, Miami's West Coast woes will continue, as the Cal offense uses air and ground attacks to beat the 'Canes in northern California.  Miami will be good in a couple years, just not this year.

Sunday:

INDEPENDENCE BOWL

La. Tech 24 vs. N. Illinois 17--I chose a Northern Illinois team that snuck into a bowl and is playing in Tech's own neighborhood.  Of course, Renoir the moron chose Illinois...hmmmm. Well, this game is unwatchable with miserable offenses and nobody you'd recognize.  I should just flip a coin!  Watch some NFL instead...

Alright, there's my edited picks.  Enjoy the bowl season and Merry Christmas!

Well, I said I hoped to go 67% right this week--then Troy and Navy coughed up leads, and I had a bad pick.  I chose Fresno State just because of the "brand name", although Colorado State was a very good team.

Let's go over my picks:

NEW ORLEANS BOWL

Southern Mississippi 30--Troy 27 (OT)-- Prediction: Troy 31 vs. Southern Miss 21. Well, who would've known that Troy would cough up another late lead?  Well, USM got off to a slow start, lost a timeout for wearing their colored uniforms and still won without DeAndre Brown.  I still think my pick was good--just not the right score or outcome.

EAGLEBANK BOWL

Wake Forest 29 Navy 19-- Prediction Navy 28 vs. Wake Forest 27. I shouldn't have picked the Midshipmen; military schools don't do as well in bowl games, and Wake Forest had defense to reckon with.  Those fourth quarter points ruined my weekend, or yours--sorry!

LAS VEGAS BOWL

Arizona 31 BYU 21-- Prediction BYU 28 vs. Arizona 35.  Boy, am I glad I changed this one--I wanted to pick BYU, but I decided for the slight underdog.  It wasn't as high scoring as I thought, but the Wildcat's defense and offense was really in sinc this year, compared to BYU's team which opened with a bang, and ended with a sputter.

ST PETERSBURG BOWL

South Florida 41 Memphis 14-- Prediction South Florida 28 vs. Memphis 17.  This one was easy--everyone could see USF over Memphis, but I went cautious, and South Florida rolled over Memphis.  Not much to say about this one, just an easy pick.

NEW MEXICO BOWL

Colorado State 40 Fresno State 35-- Prediction Colorado State 24 vs. Fresno State 31.  Way off on the over-under, but then again I don't bet.  I should've known Fresno State would have been in a shootout.  My weakness  was falling for the name of Fresno State and their record over the weakness of the WAC and the strength of the Mountain West.

I went 2-3 this week for a 40% winning percentage.  I will do better next week.  I promise!

Looking at the NBA--I've got a 5-point stance--I'll start doing this every other week

THE FIVE POINT STANCE ON THE NBA

1)There's only three really good teams in the NBA

Lakers, Celtics, and Cavaliers

2)The Lakers couldn't win a championship today:

Lamar Odom confessed that the Lakers were overconfident in their offense that they didn't want to focus on the defensive end of the ball.  Defense wins championships.  Offense wins style points.

3)If my team can't win, I want Mike D'antoni

Look what he's done with the Knicks.  Sure, he couldn't get far with the Suns, and Knicks won't likely go very far--but the Knicks are exciting.  Did you watch that thriller at Staples?

4)You can't just have one star

One man shows don't work.  Look at the Spurs.  Everyone contributed.  Kobe Bryant needs Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce needs Kevin Garnett, LeBron James needs Mo Williams.  If it's a one man show--you can't win.  Look at what Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony are doing with the Nuggets, etc.

5)Plan for an Irish Christmas

The Celtics came back from the biggest deficit ever in Finals history last year AT Staples.  Home court is not as big of a thing for the Lakers, although they do struggle on the road.  Defense wins championships--in all sports--Celtics are 8-point favorites right now in my book.  If the Lakers tighten down, plan for a purple and gold Christmas.

Unfortunately, I couldn't post the pic--can only do pics from CBSSports or the ShowBuzz.com.  Dang!

So, here's the link!

http://www.fansedge.com/Images/Prod
uct/51-18/51-18500-F.jpg

Merry Christmas, Trojan fans!