Ah, the inaugural post, the intro announcing myself to the world and sports bloggers everywhere. It should be something groundbreaking, right? Bold and unpredictable. It should make trembles across the landscape and put all other writers to shame. Well I'm not out for shaming others, for creating a new craft, or for glory (well maybe a little glory). We're simply here to talk and banter, show some knowledge and have some man chat.
I'm here to state some opinions and prompt discussion and maybe, just maybe, rattle a few cages. So here we go, time to pop my blogger cherry, with 5 bold predictions:
1. USC football will be in the National Title conversation all season, without actually being in the national title conversation. Sure, the coaches and BCS won't recognize it, but the AP, in all of it's glory, is smarter than that. SC will be good, damn good, just like in 2004, and the AP recognized that, just like they will this year. I'm not saying an undefeated season is on the horizon (save that for 2011), but with a veteran offense and a stable of running backs (what else is new), 12-1 isn't that far fetched.
2. USC will beat every team it lost to in 2009. While UW will continue to improve, so will the Trojans. The Huskies benefitted from deflation following the enormous win over Ohio State as well as a new coach and new system, the latter of which will be SC's advantage this go around. Oregon, although the favorites to "win" the Pac-10 by most pundits, has more problems than Rich Rod has secondary infractions (and losses for that matter), not to mention it becoming increasingly clear how much they lost at quarterback to Ole Miss. Stanford lost arguably the most valuable player in college football last year as well as their mind game advantage over Pete. Arizona... well, this is the tricky one. The schedule sets up well for them and the Nic(k)s are nothing to balk at, but talent wins out here as SC has the advantage at every position save the secondary, who very well may have the advantage at this point in the season. Feel free to disagree with me, and let me hear it so I can better justify, or just check back in December and see what the verdict is.
3. Chris Galippo will be a first-team All-Pac 10 performer at season's end. Devon this... Kennard that... Sure, the guy was a consensus top-10 recruit out of high school, a phenomenal athlete that could play anywhere on the field. Somewhere along the line, the decision was made that Middle Linebacker would be that spot. Since then, the former Servite star has been an after thought, but he shouldn't be. Galippo came in with the same accolades and hype as Kennard. He was a high school All-American and standout at a powerhouse high school that produces a handful of D-1 recruits every year. He also has yet to have a healthy season as a Trojan. Galippo finally looks good, though, and ready to sieze the day. The coaches can't keep his talent on the sideline. Here's to Galippo finally living up to his billing and making at least 1 jaw dropping hit that will be replayed over and over (think his predecesor Rey Maualuga v. Patrick Cowan. Yeah, like that).
4. We're not just football specific here. USC waterpolo will win another national championship. I know, not the boldest claim on the page, but ask anyone, it's not east to repeat, or three-peat for that matter. An experienced squad returns to both teams recharged with solid recruiting classes and led by All-Americans and the premiere water polo coach in the country, don't be surprised if both squads bring home the crown yet again.
5. Finally, for the bold and way out of the USC category, here's one writer who believes Arkansas will not be nearly as good as everyone else is thinking. Chosen as contenders for the SEC West and possibly beyond, the golden arm of Ryan Mallet is supposed to throw the Hogs into a BCS game. Problem is the SEC has only gotten better, while Arkansas' issues remain. The defense could only stop Tim Tebow last year in in the FBS and, while it ever so slowly improved throughout the season, it has not solved the problems. Broderick Green couldn't cut it with the Trojans and he can't cut it with the Razorbacks. If they do better than last year's
mark of 8-5 this year, I'll eat a copy of this first article.
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