Super Bowl Prediction

I don't think there has been a Super Bowl I really thought was up for grabs since the Patriots beat the Rams in 2002. The games they played against the Panthers and Eagles had some drama, but I never thought either of those teams really had a chance. Last year's game was over quickly. Come to think of it, what sport has given us an entertaining championship in the last few years?

My prediction - Patriots 42-NY Giants 24.

I am currently reading Bill Belichick's biography. I cannot help myself from rooting for the guy. I love that he refuses pretense and just coaches football. My intention was to have the book read by this weekend so I could offer a book review and give you all some Belichick knowledge. I didn't get it done.

A few things I have enjoyed learning. Belichick was born in Nashville while his dad was coaching Vanderbilt.

Belichick's grandparents were Croatian immigrants.

Belichick's gamplan against the Rams in '02 was to blitz Marchall Faulk. His scouting strategy isn't to find a team's weakness, but to find their strength and nullify it. Their plan was to hit Faulk on every play. It worked.

One last thing. Mike Martz is the arrogant coach I thought he was. I am convinced the Rams would have won at least one more Super Bowl had Dick Vermeil stayed a few more years. There is a story in the book about the Patriots dropping seven dbs into coverage daring the Rams to run the ball. Ricky Prohel and other Rams players were begging Martz to run the ball. His comment - "I'm going to f*#%*#g win it my way." Hope it works for you in SF, Mike.

Enjoy the weekend and pray Tom Petty keeps his clothes on.

Russell Westbrook - I love this kid

I'm Just Saying

I keep hearing people say the Giants have a better chance to beat the Patriots because it will be the second time they have played them. They learned so much from their previous meeting, they should be better prepared.

It sounds good for a second, but won't this be the second time the Pats have played the Giants as well?

Bill Belichick will not lose this game.

Go Wildcats. Always good to see Tennessee lose.

Some Thoughts From the Conference Championships

How sad was it to see Brett Favre throw that last pick? How badly did that hurt? I felt sick as soon as he let it go.

Did you see Favre and Manning after the game? Watching the old guy (he is 38) hug the young guy and congratulate him was great. Especially coming off the pick.

The Giants outplayed the Packers. It should have been decided in regulation. I kept thinking to myself, "I want the Packers, but the Giants deserve it."

If anyone from the Giants' organization reads this, please look into the coloring of Rose, I mean Tom Coughlin's face. I adjusted the tv, but he stayed pink.

The Chargers had three possessions inside the Patriots' ten yard line and came away with 9 points. FG's of 26, 23, and 24 yards will not beat the Patriots. You've got to wonder what a healthy LT does inside the ten.

I am rooting for the Patriots. Say what you will about Belichick. Anybody who is hated by the outside world, but loved by his players wins my respect and admiration. A coach who can get guys like Randy Moss and Corey Dillion to play more like teammates than individuals is a great coach. I will never forget when the Patriots took the field as a team instead of individuals against the Rams. I was scared and rightfully so.

ESPN Bottomline

The running scoreboard on ESPN STINKS when UCLA loses at home to USC. No tv tonight.

Sorry, It Has Already Been Done

I came across this robot who can hit a baseball. I hate to break it to the fine people at robocross, but it's already been done.

His name is Chipper Jones and in his 14th year as a pro, I'm still not convinced he is a real person.

It Just Can't Happen

I have tried, but I can't come up with a creative way to explain how bad an all Manning Super Bowl would be. And I don't mean for Archie and Mrs. Manning. I'm not even worried about Cupper (no, James, I didn't spell it wrong - that is how Peyton says it).

It would be horrible for all of us. There are two weeks between the Conference Championships and the Super Bowl. Can you imagine how many stories we would have to hear about growing up Manning? Can you imagine how many times we would have to look at their parents during the game? ESPN would quit running Sportscenter and run their Manning commercial nonstop. We would be begging for more steroids coverage.

I know the Manning Bowl appears intriguing for about fifteen seconds, but if you think about two weeks of the same boring story, followed by an uneventful Colts blowout, I think you'll change your mind.

On a sidenote - I would much prefer a Giants/Packers matchup in the snow to another GB trip to Dallas. Also, Indy/NE needs to happen. So boys, let's do it for Cupper.

One Thing to Keep in Mind

I don't know what I'm talking about.

Congratulations, LSU.

Congratulations, SEC.

Congratulations, General Lee.

National Championship or the Latest Civil War Battle

The following is a real conversation that took place during my first week living in the South.

My new Southern friend "So, you're from California?"

Me "Yes."

SF "You surf?"

Me "No."

SF "You know, the South is going to do it again!?"

Me "Lose another war?"

That is where that conversation ended, but it was a clear warning that I wasn't living in Southern California or 1993. More than my address changed the year I moved to Tennessee.

SEC fans are the most passionate and loyal group of fans I have ever met. It goes beyond supporting a team. It is deeply personal. I'm not sure what the South is going to do again, but I think it has something to do with football (or whichever sport the SEC is succeeding in at the time).

Two years ago I attended the Final Four in Indianapolis. UCLA played LSU and Florida played George Mason. I sat next to two Auburn fans who referred to Florida and LSU as 'we' during both games. "We need to rebound!" "We need to push the ball." I root for the Pac-10. I want them to do well in the NCAA tournament and their bowl games, but you'll be hard-pressed to hear me refer to Washington State as 'we.'

I have wrestled with why the SEC fans take things so personally for years. I have developed a theory. I honestly believe the SEC is the modern day Confederate Army. This region of the country lives with the history of losing a war to the rest of the nation. There is a lingering 'little brother has to prove himself to big brother' effect. The unity that exists in the conference is staggering because their hatred of each other is only outdone by their love for the conference.

When Florida beat Ohio State last year, it wasn't just a football victory. It was a statement about little brother being strong enough beat down big brother. Tomorrow night's game means different things to different people. For SEC fans, it is more than a crystal trophy. It is payback from the sting of a loss suffered 143 years ago.

My prediction - General Tressell - 27 Private Miles - 13

Tuesday's conversation will not be LSU's speed. It will be Ohio State's toughness and physicality.

Please keep in mind I grew up in LA LA Land where people show up to championship games in the 2nd quarter and leave at halftime.

Rick Neuheisel Called Me Tonight

The phone rang about four times. I was upstairs with Joshua. I didn't know why Rebecca wasn't answering, but after the third ring I started looking for the phone. I'm so glad I found it. It was the new UCLA football coach, Rick Neuheisel.

He told me who he was and what he envisioned for the program. He told me that UCLA is the greatest school in America with excellent academics and athletics. He mentioned the beautiful campus in Southern California. He told me he was looking forward to partnering with me to build UCLA into what it should be.

I'm on board, coach. Thanks for the call. Thanks for thinking of me. I don't know which game I'll be able to attend next year, but I'll make it to one.

I know it was just a recording. I know it probably shouldn't make me smile and blush when I think about it, but it does. UCLA football has given me FAR more pain than gain, but when Coach Neuheisel called me tonight, all the pain was forgotten. Steve Lavin almost ruined my love for basketball (not to mention my life), but looking back, those dark years were worth Ben Howland. I think the same will be true for Neuheisel. The Dorrell years were tough, but I think the new establishment will make all the sadness disappear. Why do I think this? Because coach called me.

Go Bruins!!!