Author: colewest86

Baylor Men’s Basketball Off to a Blazing Start

by colewest86, posted in Basketball, NCAA Basketball

With the release of the latest AP poll, Baylor men’s basketball is sitting at #11. Ranked #16 in the preseason, they have climbed up five spots sitting right outside of the top-10. They are the 2nd highest ranked Big 12 team behind #2 Kansas. Despite losing a close game to Washington in the beginning of the season, Baylor has stormed back to an 8-1 start. They have 3 ranked wins so far including #17 Villanova winning the Myrtle Beach Invitational, #12 Arizona, and #18 Butler.

For some context, Baylor has only beaten 3 ranked teams prior to Big 12 conference play once in the past five years in their 2016-2017 season where the Bears finished 27-8, and #12 in the rankings. The Bears have done that again this season, so fans can only hope that Baylor has that much success or more this year.

Leading the way for the Bears is sophomore guard, Jared Butler, from Lousiana. Butler won the MVP award in the Myrtle Beach invitational, and has continued to play exceptionally well. The 4-star recruit has averaged just over 17 points a game all while shooting 44.4% from three. For comparison, Steph Curry shot 45.4% from three in his NBA MVP season.

Additionally, Baylor has guard, MaCio Teague, averaging 14.8 ppg, and Devonte Bandoo averaging 8.9 ppg while shooting 40.6% from three. Junior, Mark Vital, is continuing to be an excellent utility player and leader making places on the defensive end with over 2 steals a game, and meaningful blocks including a massive one that prevented Butler from taking the lead last week in the final seconds.

Baylor has been playing all this well without an 100% Tristan Clark. Clark is a 4-star forward who missed the season last year with a knee injury, and is currently dealing with a minor foot injury. Once Clark is more healthy, expect this Baylor team to improve as Clark adds a talented rim protector on the defensive side, and another offensive weapon on the offensive side.

With their next games against UT Martin and Jackson State, Baylor has a good chance to be 10-1, and maybe even a top-10 team before Big 12 Conference play that starts in January.

Baylor plays next Monday, December 18th against UT Martin at 9 P.M. CT on ESPNU.

The 6 NFL Teams You Do Not Want to Face in the Playoffs

by colewest86, posted in NFL

The National Football League just concluded it 14th week of the season meaning its almost time for playoffs. With only a few more weeks, NFL fans have a pretty good idea who will make a deep run in the playoffs. Here are the 6 NFL teams you do not want to face in the playoffs in order:

1.Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens do three things exceptionally well: run the ball, time of possession, and defense. They are #1 in the league in rushing with 200 rushing yards per game, #1 in time of possession, and have held teams to less than 18 points in 5 straight games. That is a great formula to win a Superbowl. They wear and tear defenses, keep the ball out of the opposing offenses’ hands, and play defense. Not to mention, they have the most versatile QB in the game right now continues to confuse defenses week in and week out.

2. New England Patriots

The two reasons to fear the New England Patriots have been the reasons that have been constant for the past two decades: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, arguably the best NFL coach and QB in history. Regardless that the Patriots lost last week, they are still one of the top-2 teams to be feared in the playoffs. Each year, the Patriots are a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs as long as they have Belichick and Brady who by far have the most playoff experience in the NFL. Additionally, they have the best defense and special teams the Patriots have had this decade. They are averaging 2.76 combined interceptions and forced fumbles a game.

3. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are another team to be feared. For starters, they are a team that is hungry for a Super Bowl. Being snubbed the past two years (regardless of reason) has made this team out for blood this post season. Regardless of losing this past weekend, the Saints are to be feared because they got experience and an offense that can compete with any team in the league. They got an experienced coach in Sean Payton, and QB in Drews Brees. Experience goes a long way in the playoffs. That is why you hardly ever see QB’s win the superbowl on their first playoff run. Their offense has also put up 26+ points in six straight games showing they can compete with anyone in the league.

4. San Fransisco 49ers

The 49ers are an interesting team. While they do not have a flashy offense like some of the other teams on this list, they just find ways to win games. They just beat the Saints in a thriller on the road in their best offensive performance yet. They also have one of the best defenses in the league behind DE, Joey Bosa, and CB, Richard Sherman. The one question mark is the inexperience in their QB, Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo has been nothing exciting this season until this past few games. However, he still lacks experience, which could show come postseason.

5. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are another interesting group. Last weekend, they lost to the Rams where they did not look good at all scoring only 12 points to a division rival. This seems to be more of a fluke game than a patter though. Before this game, the Seahawks 6 out of 7 of their previous games by a TD or a less showing that they win close games. That will be huge come the postseason. Additionally they have a great run game averaging 140+ yards rushing a game along with an experienced QB in Russell Wilson who has won a Super Bowl. This is a team with an experienced coach and QB that knows how to win close games.

6. Kansas City Chiefs

This team may be a little bit more obvious as no team wants to play Mahomes and their high powered offense. Coming off a 23-16 win over the Patriots, the Chiefs are gearing up for a playoff run. This team can put up 28 points in a single quarter behind the league’s reigning MVP. While the Chief’s offense is one of the best in the league, their defense has been playing significantly better allowing 17 or less points in 3 straight games, and having 7 interceptions over the last 3 games. The Chiefs could become a whole different monster if their defense keeps this type of play up.

Why LSU Undoubtedly Deserved the #1 Seed

by colewest86, posted in NCAA Football

Yesterday, Sunday, December 8th, the College Football Playoff selection show released the top-4 playoff teams to compete for a national championship. The rankings were:

  1. LSU
  2. Ohio State
  3. Clemson
  4. Oklahoma

The selection show did not hold as much drama this year, as the top-4 were generally agreed upon since Utah lost to Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship. However, the one spot that surprised some people was that LSU jumped Ohio State for the #1 spot. LSU beat Georgia 37-10 in the SEC championship to surpass Ohio State who beat Wisconsin 34-21 in the Big 10 Championship. Some college football fans did not agree with the committees decision, but here is why LSU undoubtedly deserved to be ranked #1.

1.Ranked Wins

LSU’s wins against final ranked opponents (opponents currently ranked in the top-25) were more impressive than Ohio State.

LSU’s wins vs final ranked opponents:

  • #5 Georgia
  • #9 Florida
  • #12 Auburn
  • #13 Alabama

Ohio State’s wins vs final ranked opponents

  • #8 Wisconsin (twice)
  • #10 Penn State
  • #14 Michigan
  • #21 Cincinati

While both teams had incredible wins over final ranked wins, it is apparent that LSU has the edge. The win over #5 Georgia gave LSU the boost over Ohio State since the Buckeyes have no top-5 wins, and not as many top-15 wins as LSU.

2.The Final Statement

In the past, it is obvious the College Football Playoff Committee takes in account teams’ “final statement” on their last game of the regular season

In 2014, Ohio State jumped a spot to get in the College Football playoffs over TCU because they made a statement by beating #11 Wisconsin 59-0 in their final Big-10 game. Ohio State made a statement to the committee on why they should be in the playoffs.

LSU put a beatdown on Georgia this past weekend 37-10. From the the start of the game, LSU got the lead and only added to their lead posting almost 200 more total yards than Georgia, and winning the turnover battle. It was 34-3 in the fourth quarter, and all the fans knew this game was just about over.

Meanwhile, Ohio State beat Wisconsin this week, but did not put on as impressive of a performance. Ohio State was down two scores at halftime, and had to climb their way back to beat Wisconsin. While Ohio State’s win over Wisconsin was very impressive, it was not dominant like LSU’s win.

LSU winning in a dominant fashion showed the committee their final statement, on why they should be the #1 need.

LSU will go on to face Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, while Ohio State will go one to face Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl.

Would an 8 Team Playoff be the Answer?

by colewest86, posted in NCAA Football

If you are a College Football fan, it is no secret that there is a high amount of controversy surrounding the College Football Playoff system. The current system is comprised of the top 4 teams being picked by a committee to compete for the National Championship. The committee uses the following criteria to choose who makes the playoffs:

  • championships won
  • strength of schedule
  • head to head competition
  • comparative outcomes of common opponents
  • strength of schedule

The problem is the committee uses those criteria to decide who the best 4 teams in college football. The main complaints are that there is no systematic way to make the playoffs, and 4 teams leaves out too many teams who “deserve” to be in the playoffs such as an undefeated UCF or at least one of the power 5 champions. Because of the high controversy of the current system, many people want the college football championship to be expanded to 8 teams to properly include more teams… and of course more college football!

This is what an 8 team playoff would look like as of right now based on the current CFP rankings:

As you can see from the bracket, all “Power- 5” conferences are represented, plus an additional teams with only 1 loss are included. The controversy is solved right?

The answer is no. Wisconsin gets in at #8 at 10-2. Then after them you have

  • #9 Florida 10-2
  • #10 Penn State 10-2
  • #11 Auburn 9-3
  • #12 Alabama 10-2
  • #13 Oregon 10-2

In order to accurately predict the final rankings, we need to make some assumptions…

  • Ohio St beats Wisconsin
  • Utah beats Oregon
  • Oklahoma beats Baylor
  • Clemson beats Virginia
  • LSU beats Georgia

After the conference championships, this would most likely be the final 8 team playoff bracket, which introduces numerous enticing match-ups.

#1 Ohio State vs #8 Florida

Two blue bloods coming together to battle it out. An underrated Florida team would go up against Ohio State who has blown nearly everyone out. The whole country would make sure to watch this game to see if a 2nd tier SEC team could compete with the best of the Big 10.

#2 LSU vs #7 Baylor

An newly revamped Baylor team plays a well established LSU team. Two very different teams as LSU possesses the high powered offense, while Baylor relies on their defense to win games.

#3 Clemson vs #6 Georgia

This is the matchup that everyone would tune in for. Clemson would finally play a worthy team, and Georgia would have a chance to take down that team up in South Carolina. The country never got this matchup before because of Alabama, but the country finally gets the matchup they have waited years to see.

#4 Utah vs #5 Oklahoma

Pac 12 vs Big 12. Finally we get the matchup to finally prove which conference champion is better. As the two top teams fighting for the last spot in the current playoff system, the 8 team playoff would grant us the matchup we all want to see.