Even with a program like Oklahoma, as steady as it comes, this is a team that’s ready to go to the big stage right now. The Sooners were ranked #1 in the AP poll last season, but injuries to their top RB and WR spurred the team to hit turbulence, and finish at 10-3.
Washington is going to be in a tough spot heading into the 2012 NFL season. With the arrival of quarterback Robert Griffin optimism is higher than it has been in a while but this is still a last place team in the tough NFC East, and probably by a wide margin when you look at the competition.
I am not sure why but I actually feel sorry for Boise State coming into this season. Odds are this is their worst team in a while; the Mountain West Conference isn’t what it used to be so not much to play for there; and the University was acting like it was getting cold feet about moving to the Big East next season.
The Tigers are playing well but just can’t seem to catch and pass the White Sox like everyone expects they will (eventually they will run out of season).
The MLB playoff picture is starting to take shape and this week’s schedule features a couple of crucial series that could have an impact on the final field for the postseason.
In 2012, Boston College has the returning starters to be a much improved team from a year ago – which is a good thing indeed, because not much went right for the Eagles in 2011. The Eagles had a pop-gun offense and were outgained by virtually every conference foe, on their way to limping home with a 4-8 record.
Randy Edsall, the man that built the Connecticut football program from literally nothing (as far as the FBS is concerned) to a 2010 BCS bowl participant (the Fiesta Bowl vs. Oklahoma) took over Maryland a year ago with an aggressive approach. Things were going to be done Edsall’s way, and if you didn’t like it, you could leave. This is precisely what QB Danny O’Brien did, as he transferred to Wisconsin to do graduate work and play for the Badgers.
Brady Hoke turned this team around and Rocky Long did a good job of keeping it going last year. The job will get a little tougher now with a more difficult Mountain West Conference. It also gets more difficult now that the team won’t have Ryan Lindley or Ronnie Hillman in the backfield.
While the Rangers are coming off a loss they are still 7-3 in their last 10 games and have the biggest AL division lead, as they are 5.5 games up on the Oakland A’s in the AL West. The Rays are also 7-2 in their last games, but they have lost 2 straight.
The most improved team in the nation was the Wyoming Cowboys in 2011. Wyoming followed up a brutal 3-9 season in 2010 with an impressive 8-5 turnaround in 2011. The team has done this in the past only to slip back the next season. Now, it is up to the Cowboys to keep moving forward even though the Mountain West Conference has gotten a little tougher for the time being.
Nevada moves from the WAC to the Mountain West this year, and the team hopes it will give them a chance for bigger things. Chris Ault’s Pistol system has recruits coming to the school to play in the exciting offensive system. The team went 12-1 two years with Colin Kaepernick at quarterback, but they slid to 7-6 last season.
Hawaii slipped to 6-7 in 2011, and the team decided to part ways with Greg McMackin. Fortunately for the Warriors, they landed a huge name in offensive guru Norm Chow. Chow has been behind the success of quarterbacks such as Ty Detmer, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and many others. Hawaii fans have high hopes that Chow can move this program forward in the coming years.
After hitting a rough patch a couple weeks back the Angels have won 4 straight and while winning the AL West is a long shot they are only 2.5 games out of the Wild Card lead.
The St. Louis Cardinals have overtaken the Pittsburgh Pirates for second place in the NL Central. Now, the Cardinals are trying to make another late charge toward the playoffs like they did last year.
With control of one of the smaller fish in the conference pond, head coach Mike London is doing an excellent job in Charlottesville. London’s guidance pushed the Cavs to an 8-5 record last year, perhaps squeezing out some close games they shouldn’t have. There are also some pieces back in 2012 to make up a strong offense and a competent defense.
Pat Hill did a ton for the Fresno State Bulldogs. He put this small school on the map by challenging the big boys and winning a lot of games. Hill was fired after an ugly 4-9 season in 2011. Now, it will be up to Tim DeRuyter to get the school going back in the right direction.
