BCS Mess...

The Bowl Championship Series has been a lightning rod for criticism ever since its inception 9 years ago. The bowl selection system, which combines human polls with computer ratings, matches up the "theoretical" ten best teams in the nation including the two best who meet at the official BCS National Championship game. Every year has been mired in controversy and this year is no different.

• 1998-99: In both '98 and '99 seasons the Kansas State Wildcats were excluded from any BCS bowl despite their respective #3 and #6 rankings.

• 2000: The 2000 season found itself in a three way race for #2 as Florida State, Miami and Washington all accumulated only one loss. Oklahoma easily beat Florida State for the Championship, however both Washington and Miami also won their bowl games handily, which would forever taint the Sooner's title.

• 2001: Nebraska beat out the higher ranked Colorado Buffalos and Oregon Ducks for the #2 spot in the championship game at the end of the '01 season despite not winning or even playing for the Big 12 title. The Huskers would end up being routed by Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.

• 2003: The '03 season found itself with 3 BCS conference one loss teams and despite its #1 human ranking USC was knocked out of the championship game by LSU and an Oklahoma team that lost in the Big 12 title game. 2003 would be the first season in the BCS era where two champions where crowed due to a technicality.

• 2004: Five teams entered the bowl '04 season undefeated, of which Auburn, Utah, and Boise State all were excluded from the championship game between USC and Oklahoma. All three would end up winning their respective bowl games.

• 2005: Due to an obscure clause, Notre Dame was chosen over the higher ranked Oregon Ducks for the last BSC at large bid.

• 2006: Florida beat out Michigan, Louisville, Wisconsin and undefeated Boise State for a chance to play undefeated Ohio State for the championship. Florida would end up beating the Buckeyes and claiming the title even though Boise State had beaten Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl to claim the only undefeated record of the '06 season.

• 2007: ...

As of Saturday night there is only one undefeated team (Hawaii) in the nation and only two one loss teams. (Ohio State and Kansas) In a season littered with top 10 upsets and ranking confusion the BCS system is now responsible for choosing just two teams to play for the championship game in New Orleans. Never has there such uncertainty in who are the two best teams in the country; never have there been so many who have valid claims to the top spots. Below are are list of teams from last weeks BCS rankings who have a compelling entitlement.

• Missouri- Their 11-2 record and two losses, both to Oklahoma will hurt them but their #1 ranking just one week ago confuses the issue. Despite being a solid team, Mizzou will most likely not receive a BCS bid at all due to highly ranked Kansas and Oklahoma.

• West Virginia- Both of Mountaineers losses came to unranked South Florida and Pittsburgh teams. Regardless of this, West Virginia backs into the Big East title due to a tie breaker, their only real claim to the title game.

• Ohio State- The Buckeyes won the Big Ten title handedly and claim a rare one loss record. However, OSU's one loss was to an unranked Illinois team and the Big Ten has been a notoriously lackluster conference as of late.

• Georgia- The Bulldogs are riding a a six game win streak but were excluded from the SEC title game and lost to unranked Tennessee and South Carolina.

• Kansas- The Jayhawks have been solid throughout the season and have only recorded one loss, however they were excluded from the Big 12 title game and their only loss to Missouri was their only game against a top ranked team.

• Virginia Tech- The Hokies haven't drawn a lot of attention through the season as their consistency has been in doubt. However their only were to top ranked LSU and a Boston Collage team which they beat last week to win the ACC.

• LSU- The Tigers only losses were to Kentucky and Arkansas, both in overtime. They have conquered the feared SEC and are likely to meet Ohio State in the title game.

• USC- The consensus number one coming into the season, the Trojans lost their composure to quality Oregon and Arizona State teams. Recently though, Southern California has been on a tear and have rapped up their sixth straight BCS berth.

• Oklahoma- Their losses to unranked Colorado and Texas Tech will hurt their cause, otherwise they have beaten top ranked Texas and Missouri and won the Big 12 title.

• Hawaii- Boise State's undefeated season last year has legitimatized mid major teams for a chance for the title.

• Arizona State- Although a long shot for the title game the Sun Devil's only losses are to top ranked Oregon and USC.

As of mere minuets ago, LSU will play Ohio State for the BCS title game in the Louisiana Superdome. If anything this year's race for the title proves that a 8 or 16 team playoff is desperately needed. Each of the teams on this long list deserve at least a shot, especially Hawaii. The BCS can still be used as the selection system for the playoff and the traditional bowl games can still exist outside of the playoff or serve as games themselves. However, randomly picking the apparent two best team belittles the trophy that we give. Why can't the gridiron be the deciding factor instead of a computer? They act as if a playoff is completely foreign to sporting.

Long Overdue Playoff React

Before I say anything else, I'm down right fed up with these 9:30 starts. Tell me again why we in Texas should have to stay up till 12:30 in the morning to see the end of what should be a primetime game. Stupid Eastern conference; they toy around with one perky little time zone while we're burning both ends with three. I will watch the highlights of those worthless East games the day after, not the closing quarter for my own team. Why can't they show the games simultaneously like the NFL so ingeniously does? I would think it would be better ratings with nonstop action, maybe I'm wrong.

Although I wasn't to privy to a 9:30 tip, I must admit that it did guarantee me the assurance of not having any conflicting activities. I guess that's something. For the previous 3 games I was content to listen to the radio broadcast and keep an eye on the snazzy little ESPN Gamecast, but due to the high amount of controversy and nail biting finishes, I was determined to get to a TV screen for last night's game. I rolled into an empty Red Robin parking lot at around 10:30 only to witness the end of an atrocious 1st half. I could foresee many different outcomes to that pivotal game 5 and I knew that a comeback would be the exclamation point on the series, but I still hate watching it. I can remember great comebacks against the Lakers, Mavericks and Pistons in years past. They're always the games I want to revisit now, but my goodness, they were a torture to go through the first time around.

So as closing time neared and I was forced to find a new booth at the nearby Applebees, I was praying that the next 2 hours wouldn't be a waste of time and money. It was very interesting because, before I knew it, I was in the middle of the classic "bar scene." As midnight hit, in came a flood of heavy drinkers in their mid-twenties ( don't forget a few thirty five year old wannabes) and the game was only a backdrop. It was awkward to say the least to have those looks from across the bar in the rowdy atmosphere, while the rest of the world was seemingly dead. I was glad that it is common protocol that the guy instigates the conversation, or else I might have been telling girls "not that I'm not interested in talking with you, but I'm really concentrating on something else tonight. It's kind of why I'm here." Oh, and it was also great to mistakenly get a $20 bill for 3 Coors Lights and veggie pizza when all I had ordered was some chips and queso. Fun, fun, fun.

Anyway, back to the game. Although it was encouraging to see some great play by Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, with about 3 minutes left I was still mired in a pool of doubt. Phoenix is a great team and every run San Antonino made was answered with equal intensity. Neither team was willing to give this one up and it ultimately came down to the big shots. And oh how sweet it was to see Bruce's shot go down. Signed, sealed, delivered; get me home... Great game, everything that was advertised, so why won't they broadcast it at a decent hour?!!!

March Madness Final Four React

React to come... or not.

173 Jake H (only 8 games wrong)
141 Stan
110 Troy
99 Jonny
91 Brian
87 Lindsey
84 Taylor (True Tie)
84 Jessica
82 Baker
74 Ruben
73 Steph (Wins Tie Breaker)
73 Sammy
47 Lydia

March Madness Week 2 React

Historically, it always seems to be the round where the Cinderellas loose there footing and the high seeds follow through. No George Mason this year, and although it may be better off for my bracket, the excitement level just wasn't the same. Maybe its just me, but last year was the pinnacle of just how maddening march can be and its hard to go back to mundane high seed eradication.

At least for me, I don't have a team to pull for any more. I could barely take Florida winning it all last year, now we're talking repeat? And why can't UCLA go alway too? At least both of them won't play on Monday. Georgetown comes from a region void of interest so I guess Ohio State and cartoon faced Greg Oden are all that's left for me.

Non the less, the last two rounds still showcased some great basketball. Call me what you want, it was satisfying to see Acie Law not deliver for once. We saw wild point swings, big 2nd half runs and what seemed like an inaccessible rim for Kansas in overtime. With only 3 games left, the tournament is coming to an end and all I can hope for is one more barn burner with a fantastic finish. Is that too much to ask? Probably; these games are never as good as they should be.

Bracket Rankings through Regional Finals
Jake Hartwell is running away with this one, but with all of his picks still in play, along with a massive jump to second place, Troy is poised for the biggest comeback in the Two-14 bracket pool's long storied history. (What's it at, two years now?) Can't you feel the suspense?

This week's high risers: Troy- 11th to 2nd, Brian- 13th to 7th

This week's big drop: I'm not going for hurt feeling so I'll just say Baker- 9th to 12th

109 Jake H
94 Troy
93 Stan
87 Lindsey
84 Taylor (max)
83 Jonny
75 Brian
74 Ruben (max)
73 Steph (max)
73 Sammy (max)
68 Jessica
66 Baker
47 Lydia (max)

(max) indicates that these brackets have no correct picks remaining and have maxed out their point count. Many of you never filled in the tie breaker section of your brackets, which means that you automatically loose in case of a tie. (unless both of you didn't send me your tie breakers, in that case I despise you both) You can still get yours in my emailing me your prediction for the total points scored in the final game before Monday.

March Madness Week 1 React

Spring Break is over and the dust has settled from the first week of battle with a mere 16 teams remaining from a field of 64. Never failing to mix up the sporting world, this year's tournament failed to produce in many of those upsets that were "supposed" to happen and threw in a few nobodies to further infuriate the supposed experts out there. Besides that vague introduction, I really don't have much insight to last weeks action and I really feel like someone who actually got a chance to watch these games should be writing this. Taylor!

The few first round stories that I did manage to witness included the complete collapse of my upset pick Illinois and a Texas game that was a little less than engaging. I got hold of the rest of the scores through the morning paper, which confirmed the fact that I can't put a bracket together to save my life. Once again, I'm at the bottom of the totem pole. My year is coming, I just know it; the question is whether I put money into it?

Apparently Wisconsin was a week 2 seed and Ohio State got away with one, but all I know is that the Aggies still don't look good enough to make it to Atlanta. They are a solid team that has one some big wins and beat what was essentially a home team in Lexington (Why does that matter again?) but they still don't seem to have that championship substance. Who knows, they may be just lurking right now. I continue to demonstrate that I know nothing.

I do know that Texas looked just plain flat against Southern California and the Trojans coach did a great job in preparing for this high caliber team. With our non-existent bench, he blanketed our scorers and forced the rest of the team to step up. He got lucky, cause for once, nobody did. It's the clear question of what's wrong with DJ? Surprise, surprise, he looks like a Freshman. He is much like Tony Parker for the Spurs; when he's hot the team cruises, but when he's out of it the team can still pull it out, but there's something obviously wrong. The other blaring weakness in the Texas squad is there lack of presence down low. USC scored in the paint at will throughout the game and the constant hack jobs really impeded any attempt at a comeback. I'm ready to say goodbye and good luck to Kevin and simply dream for next year.

Bracket Rankings through 2nd round
I've given up on my sorry excuse for a bracket, but we have a tight race at the top. For everyone out there that didn't bother to fill one out... No soup for you!

53 Jake H
52 Taylor
51 Jonny
48 Ruben
48 Jessica
45 Stan
45 Steph
43 Lindsey
42 Baker
41 Sammy
38 Troy
35 Lydia
31 Brian

Let's just see how many Cinderellas can hold out in these next two rounds.

On to Basketball

It eventually comes around every season and it never gets any easier to swallow, but lets face it gentlemen; (or ladies, I'm sure there are some out there) football is over. And unless you are still all fired up every Sunday for the just as entertaining, but somehow lacking Arena Football League, life as we know it just isn't the same. The first green buds of life may be sprouting out of the Earth, but somehow we all feel colder. Regardless, mulling over it won't make it any better so let us look to the future together. We are still in that special time of year when the dreary distractions of Baseball are at a minimum and the thrill of March Madness is just around the corner. Its time to start paying attention to NBA action now that the All Star Break has passed. Throw in draft and free-agency periods and we've got us some sports baby!

It has been interesting how all the talk in College Hoops this year has been about possible draft bound freshman and very little about national contenders. Besides the fact the teams like Florida and UCLA aren't very "Network sexy," this year has continued the trend towards individual achievement and recognition. Each season, more and more of the interest is put into the rising superstars that carry the teams and not the teams themselves. Never mind the fact that the best teams still win championships. In a league that is quickly becoming just a springboard to the pro's, nobody cares about team consistency, or chemistry.

Now I say everybody loosely, as this is only a slowly moving trend and there are still many media circles that are excited about team achievements. No team more exemplifies this than those lovable A&M Aggies and their rise to serious contention. Who would have seen it coming? This campus would rather watch a Maroon/White offseason scrimmage than a game on the hard court. Coach Gillespie gets all the props for putting together a big time basketball program in Aggieland. All that being said, even with their top ten ranking, I don't see this team making it all the way to ATL. I like their feisty play and leadership under Acie Law, but they just don't have the ingredients for the big run. I could be wrong though; how they fair in the Big 12 tournament will shed some more light on their big dance hopes.

Me and the Horns this season has been an interesting ride. I was able to catch their games against Villanova and Kansas State, and lets just say I avoided watching them again for the rest of this season. It took me awhile to accept Kevin Durant as an all star, but hours of highlight reels are hard to ignore. I still don't like his lack of muscle and authority down low, but his aggressiveness is improving. Rather than KD, I jumped on the bandwagon of DJ Augustine early, I love a guy who can aggressively attack the basket and still have some long range accuracy. Texas's outlook in March will have to do largely with who ends up with them in their bracket. Their inexperience and lack of depth will ultimately limit how deep they get, but I can see that raw talent pulling out a few good ones.

Purely for an opportunity to brag, my preseason predictions were right on the money in the NBA. (minus Houston, who has finally overcome the injury plague) I'd love to delve into the league further, but I'll let whatever audience that is out there do that. I will only end with the fact that the Mavs are rolling, but my Spurs are still lurking and primed for a heartbreak. (Oh, and Box's blog is totally Burnt Orange)

Brian's Playoff Picks

Welcome all to the new and improved SW Sports Report. Contrary to the introduction presented by Sean below, I'd like to see this site become a community of sports lovers, all throwing in their own opinions and predictions. We'll see how this works out.

Now for the good stuff. I'm liking how this year's playoff race is shaping up. With the exception of the Patriots, I could root for any team right now; these storylines and matchups are looking to make a great run to Miami. But I have to say, I've never seen the AFC games so top-heavy and so hard to pick. I'm having a hard time seeing any NFC team getting past these 4 remaining powerhouses from the American Conference.

It's hard to find a hotter team right now then Brian Westbrook and the Eagles. I really like this team, especially with Jeff Garcia at the helm. This is a scrappy team with a lot of heart, but I think their thinness will catch up with them. You can only go so far with the amount of injuries Philly has racked up this year and lets not forget the momentum Drew Brees and the Saints have built up. It will be close for a few quarters, but N.O.'s potent offense will pull away. I'm seeing Deuce McAllister having a big game. 27-16

My gameplan for the Bears is to keep Rex Grossman on the sideline all day. Don't even risk him throwing 30 rows up. I don't care if Seattle's secondary is hurting, have a tightend hand the ball off every time. Just run; give that offensive coordinator a sick day and run it up the gut. Let that defense make the plays. The weather will contain Hasselbeck and Alexander is far from 100%. Devin Hester seals it with a big runback late. 13-9

I bought a DVD of the history of the Colts for my dad for Christmas. He grew up in the northeast with Johnny Unitas as his hero. He jokingly remarked that this weeks matchup of the Colts and Ravens will result in a Baltimore win regardless of the outcome. The Ravens have been the dark horse all year and I'd like to see Steve McNair recapture his old playoff form and I know that that defense will come ready to play. But, I just don't know how Manning and that Colt offense will perform. He's more than capable of picking through the secondary, but its the Colts and its the postseason. I see an Indy flop. 31-10

I hate this game so much; simple reasoning takes LT and the Chargers to roll, but as much as I hate the Pats, I see them scrapping past San Diego. The Chargers have so many weapons and a defense that will give Tom Brady problems, but the tandem of Cory Dillon and Lawrence Maroney can stabilize a strong passing attack. The Pat's are a shell of their former selves, but Belichick and Co. have crept below the radar this season and they always seem to save their best for January. I've sided for the Chargers this entire week purely due to the fact that I hate New England and want their dynasty to end. But so much about this game scares me and the stat that finally changed my pick is that this will be Phillip Rivers' first playoff game and against that stingy Pat defense, I think he's going to break down, placing the burden solely onto LT's shoulders and I honestly don't think he can carry them. The keys are using Antonio Gates and and a lot of looks for Tomlinson. New England is, for once, without an experienced kicker, which could be a difference maker. I would be overjoyed to be wrong in this one, but I see Brady pulling it out. 31-27

If you could possibly want more of my football musings, check out my ode to this past football season on my own blog.

Seanzy's Divisional Playoff Pics

This past weekend was quite "half and half" as far as entertainment goes. Teams like KC and the Jets failed to deliver a stunning performance allowing the pennatent Colts and eternally praised Pats to move on to more challenging competition. But on the other hand, the pace was quick in a city known for its Salmon and the other for its...Brotherly love?-That must be a mistake in history but oh well. Anyways, the Seahawks and the Cowboys settled the score in a nail-biter that left every fan north of San Antonio in mourning. On top of that, if your a Giants fan then you hate the fact that "kicker" is a position on a football team...not to mention that Akers is one of the more reliable ones at that. But pressing on, here are the predictions for the upcoming week ahead:

First things first. Tonights BCS National Championship game between Ohio State and Florida should be interesting in the least. Now I know I've been stingy and pecamistic about how well the Gators can do against a dominant Buckeye team, but the more I think about it, the more I believe that at the very least, Florida will give them a run for the money. Troy Smith will finish it in the end, breaking the hearts of every Floridian (which doesn't help seeing as how they're already hurt by a violent disorganized Miami college team, and lying coaches moving to Bama). This game at best will be a high-scoring match but Ohio wins it 31-28.

Now that the best part of football is over, we shall look to the the big brother of the NFL, the AFC for more pics. Lets start with the Colts at Baltimore:

Kudos to a very rare run defense by the Colts, however don't expect to see a repeat performance this week for even if they can stop Jamal Lewis, Peyton Manning will have nightmares about Ray Lewis and the rest of that Baltimore D. However, this Baltimore team is slow, and assuming Peyton shakes of that nasty game he had last week, he should easily unload on the Ravens adding to his rep and sending the Colts the AFC title game. Colts take it 21-10.

Good ol' Tom Brady vs. LT. Brady leads the one team that no one ever shuts up about, but I think that this dangerious San Diego team will silence all this hooplah and officially end the Patriot dynasty once and for all-Good news for you Cowboys fans...Well even if you're still not going back the the big one. A Pats defense shouldn't be taken lightly, but neither should the leagues greatest athlete. LT will be more of moral builder, for the Pats will find a way to take care of him, however Rivers is back where he should be and I believe he's ready which means the "play-action pass" is an order. This will be highly affective on this Bruschi owned opposition but Tom will have a thing or two to say, until Shawn Merrymen takes care of him. Both teams will have solid offense but the team that will take it will be the stronger D which this week goes to the Chargers 24-20.

And now the NFC. Of course I'm partial to one team, but I'll try to be honest. Staring with the Seahawks and Bears:

Rex Grossman is super inconsistant...In fact he could either be the greatest threat to the Hawks or the Bears. Depending on how he comes to play will be a huge factor in this one...Afterall, you can't expect Urlacher to save every game. However, Hasselbeck is pretty iffy as well. Yes he throws TDs, but he throws picks about the same leaving a huge hill to overcome for this offense. I could only hope Alexander is up to having a great game in order to take the pressure of Matt. These are both huge variables and I'm not so sure. I hate to say it but if Grossman is decent, then the victory goes to DA BEARS 16-12.

Last and certainly not least, is everyone's favorite story, the Saints. They should have a huge moral boost going into this game (the first playoff game at the Superdome in a long long time). Can the Eagles appose the feel-good story of the year? I doubt it. Garcia has been on fire, but so has my boy Drew Brees. Not to mention NO has a pair of great runningbacks to make a one-two punch, McCalister will have fun measuring up to that. Defense isn't a huge variable, neither team is exactly renown for it thus I have to say "Sorry Stan", but Saints get it 25-17.

That's about it for now. Feel free to correct me or place your predictions on a comment. Either way, as "Swammi Sez", 'It's the playoffs, enjoy them.'.

Impressive Display by 'D-hawks' Humbles "Romo-Mania"

Clearly I'm a tad bit bias, but I can't help but say "YES!". In a game where the former "Gods" of the NFL realized their mortality in full, nothing stood out more than how the under-estimated Seattle defense proved that no number of injuries will keep them from attending a play-date in either "The Big Easy" or "The Windy City". This and the fact that the household name of Tony Romo bought into the realization of his 4-year-rookie status. It's official: Romo-Mania is over.

What does this mean for the Cowboys? Well first of all, 'T-Rome' is now everyone's scape-goat tied up with good ol' Terry Glenn and his costly fumble turned into a safety. But I'll get to the climactic 4th quarter later. Right now the story is not what Matt Hasselbeck did, or what former MVP Shuan Alexander contributed, but what Hackett and the 'D' finished. Yes, Hackett made some amazing catches for big plays, keep many of Seattle's drives alive...Or was that those constant plagues brought apon by a careless Dallas secondary? Oh, well that's huge right there isn't it? Yes, the Cowboys kept shooting themselves in the foot and the Seahawks brushed the sweat off their brows.

But back to the Seahawk defense. Talk about a factor that should have been the death of that game for Seattle. Somehow, the rag-tag bunch pulled through and gave Dallas some good practice to punt. But seriously, injuries were a huge factor. 3 out of the 4 key secondary were out leaving back-ups in a pressure situation. But the biggest accomplishment on the D's part was scaring Romo into believing he couldn't do it; which was silly when he had two-1000 yard WR and a trusty tight end named Whitten...Oh well, all over-hyphenated things must come to an end.

All in all I'm happy. Obviously. There aren't many Seahawk fans in Texas, and both of us are ecstatic that we can finally retort to all the flack taken from half of Austin who supports the Cowboys with a passion. But justice is sweet and so is a big W going into a hard second round of playoffs. Commence the excitement; are you ready for some football!?!

Our Reason

Brian Hill and Sean Richards have embarked on something huge. We, your self-proclaimed sports gurus are on a mission to inform you of all need-to-know subjects happening in the sporting world. Stats, scores, picks, fantasy; everything you could possible imagine worth while will be addressed under the watchful care of Mr. Hill or Mr. Richards. So when you want a proper education of athletic spectacles, don't seek Box with his Cowboys heresy, but rather come here where the air is clean, and sports are what they should be.