Reminder: Hockey Is A Canadian Sport

One of my favorite sports stories of the year thus far, in terms of entertainment value, has been the train wreck that has taken place in the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes. To make a (very) long story short, the Coyotes aren't making any money (you know, because hockey doesn't go over so well in a city that hasn't seen snow since Captain Caveman was roaming the land; and possibly before that. Who would've ever guessed?). However, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman swears up and down that hockey can be profitable in Arizona (no really, he honestly believes this), so he's refusing to sell the team to a guy, Steve Balsillie, who's offered the most money for the team during the bidding process. Why? Because Balsillie has made it well-known that he's sending the Coyotes to Hamilton, Ontario on the first thing smoking out of the desert.

Things have gotten more interesting lately as Chicago Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has thrown his name into the 'prospective buyer' hat. Unfortunately for Reinsdorf, the current ownership group isn't as fond of his bid and wants Balsillie's money, so they're dragging their feet through the bankruptcy litigation process. The NHL, who has been subsidizing the Coyotes so that they can make payments, is challenging Balsillie's bid, and the owners have voted 26-0 AGAINST allowing him to buy the team.

Again, all because he wants to move the team back to Canada. You know Canada, the country that invented the sport and has sent the most talent of any single nation to the NHL in its history? Yeah, that one.

Yes, Balsillie seems to be somewhat of a prick and is flaunting his public-relations-nightmare-for-the-NHL intentions. It's hard to look at a fan base and tell them that you're giving their team to a guy whose sole intention is to move it (unless you're NBA Commissioner David Stern looking at Seattle, but I digress). I would like to defend the NHL's moves here, but they just don't add up. Sending hockey from a disinterested market to one of the largest markets in North America (Hamilton is basically South Toronto) makes perfect sense. Especially for a league in serious need of interest right now. Unless you're Gary Bettman, that is.

Furthermore, many "hockey" towns have lost their teams in recent years (Quebec, Winnipeg, Hartford, Minneapolis prior to being awarded the Wild) and the NHL hasn't put up nearly the resistance to those moves that it has to this one. Once again, the HOCKEY team is attempting to move from PHOENIX to CANADA. What's so hard about this one? Sometimes things are so perfectly aligned that people think there must be a catch. But there isn't one here. Hamilton would support the heck out of a hockey team; 3/4 of Phoenix's residents wouldn't even notice that the Coyotes were gone.

In the end, I expect the NHL or one of the we-promise-to-keep-the-franchise-in-Phoenix buyers to win control of the Coyotes. Balsillie will continue to look for a team to move to Hamilton, and Arizona will continue not to care about hockey. Another smart move in the long, illustrious history of the NHL with Gary Bettman as commissioner. You know, the guy who presided over a crippling lockout, told ESPN 'no thanks' and signed a TV deal with Versus, and refuses to send a desert-based hockey team with no fans to a Canadian city ready to welcome it with open arms.

And you wonder why puckheads are worried about the future of the league.

~~ Lank

Welcome Back, Edge

Edgerrin James is my boy. Despite being from "The U," Edge gave me more than enough good memories as a Colts fan to over look that unfortunate fact. Lead the league in total yards as a rookie? No problem. Along with Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, form one of the top QB/RB/WR combos the league has ever seen? Yep, did that, too. So imagine my dismay when the 2009 season lay a couple weeks ahead and James is still unsigned.

Luckily, that's no longer a problem.

The Seattle Seahawks, despite the prolific running back tandem of Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett (sarcasm, folks), signed Edge to a one-year deal. I think this is a very good move for the Seahawks. Matt Hasselbeck looks back in form after missing most of last season with injuries. The signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh (yes, I spelled that on my own) gives him a solid number-one receiver to go along with a number of other intriguing targets. However, the Seahawks looked to be without a decent running back to keep the opposing defenses honest. Jones and Duckett show flashes of productivity, but are inconsistent and, frankly, don't scare anyone.

Enter Edge.

Anyone who watched the playoffs last year knows that James still has something left in the tank. Despite getting benched in favor of rookie Tim Richmond, James was given the lion's share of carries in the Cardinals' postseason run and produced solid, if unspectacular, numbers. By signing him to a one-year deal, the Seahawks are limiting the risk of him not playing well; basically, planning for the worst. However, the upside is tremendous. You have a very skilled back (the guy ran for 1200 yards in 2007) who is motivated to prove the "haters" (read the 8th paragraph) wrong, and also a guy who hasn't lost a bit of the confidence that made him one of the best all-around running backs in the history of the NFL. Think about it, he's posted the 11th-highest career rushing total in league history, and missed most of the 2001 season. Had he played that whole year, he'd easily be in the top 10 all-time.

The Seahawks are getting a more talented running back than what they had at a discount price, all because people refused to sign Edgerrin James for fear that he was finished. How about we let a guy show us that he's out of gas before we move his meter to 'E' for him? You know how the Chargers thought Rodney Harrison was through when they released him? Yeah, how'd that work out? Wasn't Kurt Warner tapped when St. Louis let him go in favor of Marc Bulger? Just checking. Seattle fans, rejoice. You're getting a very good running back that takes your offense from one-dimensional to potentially great.

Just don't insult him by making him split carries with Julius Jones.

~~ Lank

College Football Preview: Mountain West Conference

Shhh, don't say "mid-major" around these guys or else they might take you to Congress. Just ask the BCS. Despite only having one team that has made noise in the BCS race (maybe two if you count TCU, though they never win their statement games), the Mountain West Conference REALLY wants a piece of that BCS money. Heck, who doesn't? The only problem is that, top to bottom, the league isn't all that strong. I hear the "Mountain West is better than the Big East" argument at least five times per year, but it's simply not true. Utah has been good at beating teams they should, but who was their elite win last year before the bowl game against Alabama? Michigan? Oregon State? TCU? But I digress. The MWC is clearly the class of the mid-major conferences, but that doesn't make them worthy of the an automatic BCS bid, ok? Good, glad we cleared that up.

Predicted Order of Finish:
1.) TCU - Sleep on the Horned Frogs at your own peril; these boys are good. After finishing 11-2 last year, with losses to Oklahoma and Utah, TCU is back and ready to improve on their #7 final ranking. The offense, led by QB Andy Dalton, is better than you think and shouldn't have too much of a problem scoring enough to win this season. RBs Joseph Turner and Ryan Christian will get plenty of carries, but will need help from a re-tooling offensive line if they're to be productive. The receivers are young but athletic and shouldn't have a problem acclimating themselves to Dalton. Defensively, it's the same story for coach Gary Patterson's group. The bad news is that they only return 4 starters; the good news is that 3 of them are in the secondary and the other one is stud DE Jerry Hughes. Hughes will get plenty of pressure on the quarterback, making other teams rush throws to an experienced defensive backfield featuring standout CBs Nick Sanders and Rafael Priest, and MWC name of the year nominee Tekerrein Cuba. The linebackers are new, but TCU has never had a problem re-stocking the cupboard with fast, athletic linebackers. Last year's defense was first in the nation in total yardage, so even a little slip would still make this unit one of the country's best. The schedule is great news for TCU. Road games at Virginia and Clemson are fun, but the real deal is that Utah must come to Fort Worth after escaping last year's meeting in Salt Lake City with a three-point victory. The Horned Frogs must travel to BYU, but should be up to the task.

2.) BYU - On one hand, the Cougars had a successful 2008, going 10-3. On the other hand, they lost to the two best teams in the conference, TCU and Utah, and their bowl game vs. Arizona. So really, what did they accomplish? That looks to change this year with stud QB Max Hall returning along with 8 starters on a solid defense. Hall lost most of his receivers, but TE Dennis Pitta is a stud and will help the passing game maintain its high level of play. WRs O'Neill Chambers and Luke Ashworth will be the first to get a crack at replacing Austin Collie and Co. The running game, behind the burly Harvey Unga, will also be very good. Unga rushed for 1,132 yards last season and could exceed that number this year. On defense, the Cougars feature a very experienced defensive line. DE Jan Jorgensen has 24 career sacks and should terrorize opposing QBs all season long. LB Matt Bauman returns after registering 108 tackles last year. The secondary is a problem, but the return of FS Scott Johnson should provide some consistency. This is the unit that could take BYU from good to great if they perform well. BYU can't ask for much more from its schedule. Non-conference games against Oklahoma and Florida State provide statement opportunities, and both Utah and TCU must come to Provo.

3.) Utah - Despite what the pundits would have you believe, the Utes haven't been consistently elite. After every good season, they follow it up with a mediocre one. Expect that trend to continue in 2009. The quarterback situation is a mess, as presumed starter Corbin Louks transferred to Nevada. The Utes will be relying on juco transfer Terrance Cain and freshman Jordan Wynn to produce immediately. If that weren't enough of a problem all of the starters at wide receiver and running back are also gone. RB Matt Asiata has been productive in limited time, so Utah is hoping he can produce in a full-time role as well. The line returns 3 starters, so that should help the new offense get on track. On defense, Utah will be very good. 7 starters return to a unit that ranked 11th in total defense nationally last season. DEs Derrick Shelby and Koa Misi are terrific, and the linebacking corps, led by Mike Wright, may be the best in the conference. The schedule isn't much fun for the Utes. Road trips to Oregon, BYU, and TCU are all tough and will tell us whether Utah is up to the challenge of repeating as conference champ.

4.) Air Force - Coach Troy Calhoun doesn't get enough credit for the job he's done in his two years in Colorado Springs. Prior to his arrival, beloved coach Fisher DeBerry had led a couple of underachieving teams, but Calhoun has immediately won 17 games in just two seasons. This year, the Falcons have the potential to surprise, but must get a lot of things to go their way. The first thing is the quarterback situation. Returning starter Tim Jefferson showed talent last year as a freshman, but must become a more efficient passer for Calhoun's modified wishbone attack to thrive. On the ground, RB Asher Clark is very talented and is a threat to make a big play every time he touches the ball. The receivers are all new, but in a run-based offense, that weakness will not be exposed with any regularity. The Falcon defense has a chance to be very, very good. 6 starters return, 5 of them being in the back seven. If the defensive line can play consistently with the new faces, the Air Force defense will be tough to score against. LBs Ken Lamendola and Andre Morris are the heart and soul of the unit. The schedule is tough. Road games against Navy, Utah, and BYU will dictate how successful the season becomes. TCU must come to Colorado Springs, which should put them on upset alert.

5.) UNLV - The Rebels were only 5-7 last year, but were 8 points away from being 7-5 and on their way to a bowl game. I look for them to finally achieve that goal this season. The offense will go as does QB Omar Clayton. Last season, Clayton threw 18 TDs to only 4 INTs despite missing three games to injury. His return bodes well for the offense. No experienced running backs are in Las Vegas, but senior Chris Brogdon and freshman speedster Bradley Randle will get the first crack at producing. The Rebels return a splendid group of receivers, led by WR Ryan Wolfe. Look for this corps to put up good numbers all season long. On the other side of the ball, UNLV needs work. There are 7 starters back, but the group only finished 103rd in total defense last year. Improvement is required in order for the Rebels to reach their potential as a team. LB Jason Beauchamp led the MWC in tackles last season. The schedule sets up well for UNLV. BYU and Utah come to Vegas in back-to-back weeks and winnable games against Colorado State and San Diego State are also at home. Beating Wyoming and New Mexico on the road could make this a special year for the Rebels.

6.) Colorado State - Coach Steve Fairchild led the Rams to a bowl game in his first year as head coach in 2008. In order to return to the postseason, CSU needs to retool the defense and find a new QB/RB combination. The first crack at playing quarterback will go to Grant Stucker, a senior who is steady if unspectacular. However, there are several other guys looking to take his spot. At running back, junior college All-American Leonard Mason will attempt to bring his success to the highest level of college football. The good news for the offense is that 4 starters return to a very good line and whoever wins the QB job will have a bunch of good receivers to throw to. WR Rashuan Greer had a 1,000-yard season in 2008, and will look to repeat that feat in 2009. On defense, the front seven returns only 2 starters, DT Ty Whittier and LB Mychal Sisson. The pass rush will be a question mark, which will put a ton of pressure on the new linebackers. The secondary should be good as both corners, Gerard Thomas and Nick Oppenneer, return. The schedule is not in the Rams' favor. Road trips to TCU, BYU, and UNLV will be tough, and beating Utah at home will be no small feat.

7.) San Diego State - Despite being one of the worst teams in D1-A last year, the Aztecs have a chance to improve drastically in 2009. Why? New coach Brady Hoke, fresh off an undefeated regular season at Ball State, brings credibility and a new attitude. Also, 14 starters return; with an even 7 on each side of the ball. The fresh energy and returning experience could bode well for SDSU. Sophomore QB Ryan Lindley had a very productive freshman year and should only get better with experience. He's throwing to a solid group of receivers, led by Vincent Brown. If Lindley is able to find a connection with his receivers immediately, the offense could provide some problems for opponents. Brandon Sullivan and MWC name of the year nominee Atiyyah Henderson will battle for the starting running back job until one separates himself from the other. On defense, which is Hoke's specialty, a new attitude could do them some good. Three defensive linemen, two linebackers, and two defensive backs return to the starting lineup, so experience shouldn't be a problem. If the production matches up to the talent, the Aztecs may progress ahead of schedule. SDSU will not win many games, but at least winnable games against New Mexico and Wyoming are at home.

8.) New Mexico - New head coach Mike Locksley looks to revive a program that, frankly, grew stagnant under former coach Rocky Long. His offenses at Illinois were very good, and he'll look to have the same touch in Albuquerque. It all starts with QB Donovan Porterie. If he shows consistency, the offense could surprise. If he struggles, backup Brad Gruner will get an opportunity to show what he can do. The running game will be divided amongst three guys, Terence Brown, James Wright, and A.J. Butler. Neither has shown the ability to be "the guy," so carries will be shared. Wide receiver, and MWC name of the year nominee, Roland Bruno must lead the receiving corps in their transition to a passing offense. On defense, the Lobos must rebuild. Only 1 starter returns to the front seven, LB Clint McPeek. The secondary should be good with safeties Frankie Solomon and Ian Clark returning. However, the defensive line is all new and will struggle to put pressure on the quarterback. The schedule does New Mexico no favors. Winnable games against Wyoming and San Diego State are on the road, so getting 2 conference wins would be quite an accomplishment for Locksley and company in his debut.

9.) Wyoming - Well, this should be fun. Joe Glenn was fired, and Dave Christensen, fresh off rewriting the record books as offensive coordinator at Missouri, was hired as head coach. With him comes a high-octane passing attack and a new energy. QB Austyn Carta-Samuels will be the first to try to master Christensen's no-huddle offense. He'll be throwing to a limited group of receivers, led by Greg Bolling, who only had 271 yards receiving last year. However, more passes means more opportunities for the group to prove itself. On defense, the Cowboys return 8 starters from a group that was 38th overall in total defense. DT John Fletcher is able to provide pressure from the interior, and LB Gabe Knapton is a tackling machine. If this unit continues to produce like it did last year, the Cowboys could be in for a surprisingly good year. The schedule makers were not kind to Wyoming. Home games against BYU and TCU are virtual losses and possible wins against San Diego State and Colorado State must come on the road.

Disappointing Team: Utah

Surprise Team: UNLV

Top Players: QB Max Hall, BYU; RB Harvey Unga, BYU; DE Jerry Hughes, TCU; WR Ryan Wolfe, UNLV; DE Derrick Shelby, Utah

Players to Keep An Eye On: QB Tim Jefferson, Air Force; RB Matt Asiata, Utah; WR Luke Ashworth, BYU; QB Donovan Porterie, New Mexico; QB Ryan Lindley, San Diego State

Key Games: TCU at Air Force, October 10th; TCU at BYU, October 24th; UNLV at Air Force, November 14th; Utah at TCU, November 14th; Utah at BYU, November 28th

Coolest Jerseys: Texas Christian Horned Frogs

~~ Lank

College Football Preview: Western Athletic Conference

The Western Athletic Conference is in the midst of an identity crisis. Thanks to years of continual greatness, the world is familiar with Boise State. Thanks to years of continual putting-up-tons-of-points, a lot of people know about Hawaii. Once those two have been named, however, the well is dry. Seriously, ask your friends to name a team or two in the WAC not named Boise State or Hawaii. Possible answers would be San Diego State, Utah, BYU, TCU, or even Tulsa or Rice. None of which are correct. Nevada, Louisiana Tech, Idaho, Fresno State, San Jose State, Utah State, and New Mexico State fill out the field in the 9-team league. Now, can they finally get the national love that their Boisean and Hawaiian brothers have achieved? For some, 'yes' isn't as far off an answer as you might think. For others...well, let's just say this conference has some tough rebuilding projects that are currently underway.

Predicted Order of Finish:
1.) Boise State - Business as usual for the Broncos. These guys are well-versed in how to win this conference. Outside of their WAC debut in 2001 and a slip-up in 2007, they've won the WAC every single season since they joined the conference. Expect more of the same this year. QB Kellen Moore returns after a stellar freshman year to lead an offense that should be the best in the WAC, and among the best in the country. Though Moore lost dependable targets from last year's team, WRs Titus Young and Austin Pettis possess the ability to pick up where their predecessors left off. Young averaged nearly 15 yards per catch last season and has speed to burn. Dependable RB Ian Johnson is gone, but the running game is in good hands with Jeremy Avery, who rushed for 614 yards in relief of Johnson last season. Those expecting a letdown from the Bronco offense due to losses at the skill positions are going to be sorely disappointed. Defensively, Boise State features an unheralded group that finished 3rd in the country in scoring defense last year . 5 starters return to the unit, including dynamic CB Kyle Wilson who could've entered the NFL Draft early, but chose to remain in Boise for his senior season. The secondary will follow his lead, as well as that of ball-hawking S Jeron Johnson. The linebacking corps needs to be rebuilt, but Hunter White and Aaron Tevis appear to be up to the task. The defensive line is young, but does return all-conference performer Ryan Winterswyk at DE. Byron Hout, the other defensive end, is a young player to watch for the Broncos. Boise State has a couple of interesting non-conference games, hosting Oregon the first week of the season and traveling to Tulsa mid-year. However, their conference slate appears to be in their favor, as Nevada visits Boise late in the season.

2.) Nevada - World, meet Colin Kaepernick. The multi-dimensional QB for the Wolf Pack (two words, remember) threw for 2,849 yards and 22 touchdowns last season while also rushing for 1,130 yards and 17 touchdowns. Simply absurd numbers. Following his lead, the offense should be great. Nevada's coach, Chris Ault, is the father of the Pistol offense, in which the quarterback is about halfway between the center and where he'd lineup if he were in the shotgun. This quirky formation allows Kaepernick to keep the defense off-balanced...in addition to his prodigious talent, of course. The Wolf Pack must replace their top two receivers, but WRs Chris Wellington and Maurice Patterson will prove to be capable options. Due to this, the running game will probably see more work, and that's just fine with RB Vai Taua, who led the WAC in rushing yards last season with 1,521. Defensively, Nevada needs work. If the defense were half as good as the offense, they'd be on to something. Unfortunately, they finished last season finished next-to-last nationally against the pass and 99th overall in scoring defense. 6 starters return to the unit, including DEs Kevin Basped and Dontay Moch, who combined for 36 tackles for loss in 2008. The secondary was terrible last year, and may not be much better this year. S Jonathan Amaya is a stud, but he is surrounded by youth and inexperience -- two factors that can't be counted on to improve a struggling unit. The Wolf Pack's schedule is favorable, with Louisiana Tech and Fresno State coming to Reno. Unfortunately, Nevada's last game of the year is at Boise...never a good proposition. Oh, make sure you watch their opening weekend game at Notre Dame. That could be fun.

3.) Fresno State - Pat Hill is one the warm seat. Not quite the hot seat, but people in the San Joaquin Valley are getting a little antsy. Hill has been at the school for 12 years, but has yet to win a WAC championship. This year doesn't look likely to bring his first one, either. QB Tom Brandstater is gone, and his replacement is still up in the air. Ryan Colburn knows the system, but Derek Carr, David's younger brother, is quite the talent and may push for the starting job as a freshman. Honestly, though, whoever wins the job is likely to hand off to a deep stable of backs most of the time anyway. RBs Ryan Matthews and WAC name of the year nominee Lonyae Miller will start atop the depth chart, but due to injuries to them both last year, Anthony Harding is actually the leading returning rusher after gaining 822 yards on the ground in 2008. At wide receiver, WAC name of the year nominee Seyi Ajirotutu will look to improve on the 795 yards and 5 touchdowns he produced last season. On defense, the Bulldogs look to improve after an uncharacteristically bad year in 2008. A Pat Hill-coached team being 108th in the country agains the run, as the Bulldogs were last year, just doesn't seem possible. The defensive line returns three starters and should show vast improvement over last year. The linebacker corps, led by Ben Jacobs and Nico Herron, should be very good and will help that run defense ranking improve. The secondary must break in 3 new starters, but S Moses Harris will ensure that the unit will not underachieve. The schedule sets up nicely for the Bulldogs. The road game against Nevada will be tough, but the other conference road games are against Hawaii, Idaho, and New Mexico State. Not bad. Take care of business at home, and see what happens.

4.) Louisiana Tech - Quietly, Derek Dooley has done quite the job at La Tech. Vince's boy has taken the Bulldogs from wayward program with little direction to bowl game winner in two short seasons. What can he do for an encore in year 3? Well, the record may not improve upon last year's 8-5 mark due to a murderous schedule, but the team will most likely be better. QB Ross Jenkins was 6-2 as a starter last season, proving to be cagey if not ultra-productive. The Bulldogs offense is nowhere near as explosive as Nevada's, but it does enough to win ballgames. RBs Daniel Porter and Myke Compton will help Jenkins move the ball, but neither is a gamebreaker. In fact, the only gamebreaker on Louisiana Tech's offense is WAC nickname of the year nominee Phillip "Saturday Night" Livas. Livas caught two touchdowns, rushed for two touchdowns, returned two punts for touchdowns, and one kickoff for a touchdown last season. On defense last year, the Bulldogs were terrific against the run and horrific against the pass. Expect more of the same this year as three defensive linemen return, including all-WAC performer D'Anthony "Boo" Smith. All three linebackers are new starters, but have logged significant time as reserves. The safety tandem of Deon Young and Antonio Baker will attempt to improve the pass defense, but it may be up to newcomer and WAC name of the year nominee Olajuwon Paige, as he looks to shore things up at cornerback. The schedule is a mixed bag. On one hand, Boise State comes to Ruston; but on the other hand, Nevada and Fresno State are both road games. Those three games will determine La Tech's final standing in the WAC.

5.) San Jose State - Since returning to coaching at San Jose State, Dick Tomey has done quite the reclamation job. The Spartans were terrible prior to his arrival, but have won a bowl game since he came to Silicon Valley (2006 New Mexico Bowl). This year's team may be the deepest and most talented he's coached. Senior QB Kyle Reed, a transfer from Cal, showed great improvement last year, completing 64% of his passes. With a talented group of receivers at his disposal, look for Reed's numbers to skyrocket and the Spartan passing game to thrive. Keep an eye on WR Kevin Jurovich, who missed last season due to mono, but was an all-WAC player in 2007. The running game is in need of help due to the graduation of all-conference RB Yonus Davis, but Patrick Perry returns after missing the last TWO seasons with a serious knee injury. I'm rooting for him to have a good year; he deserves it. The defense was 21st in the country in total defense last year and will be very good once again. The line returns 2 starters, the linebacking corps returns 2 starters, and the secondary returns both safeties. If new cornerbacks Peyton Thompson and Alex Germany can live up to expectations, this unit could be the best in the WAC. Unfortunately for San Jose State, no matter how good they are, a bowl game is in serious doubt. Early games against USC, Stanford, and Utah will be tough to win. Road games in conference at Fresno State, Boise State, and Louisiana Tech will also provide tough challenges. The Spartans have the talent in place to return to a bowl game, but must win some very tough games in order to do so.

6.) Hawaii - Gone are the days of the high-flying passing attacks orchestrated by June Jones and his slew of star QBs. New coach Greg McMackin prefers more of a balanced offense and an attacking defense. Leading that offense will be QB Greg Alexander, who threw for 14 TDs in part-time work last season. His receiving corps will be strong, led by Malcolm Lane and Greg Salas, who had 831 yards receiving last year. RB Inoke Funaki will start, but look for plenty of carries from Leon Wright-Jackson as well. Defensively, the Warriors must rebuild. Only 2 starters return from a defense that carried Hawaii to their bowl berth last season. The line only returns one guy, but that guy is DE John Fonoti, a productive player. The linebackers are led by a duo of WAC name of the year nominees, Brashton Satele and Blaze Soares. Don't let the initials fool you, these guys don't BS. Yeah, I went there. The secondary is going to be pretty bad. The new starters at each position are juniors and seniors, but have very little game experience. Look for many a passer to have a career day against the Warriors. Outside of the obvious home-field advantage, the Warriors face a manageable schedule. They must go on the road to face Nevada, but both Boise State and Fresno State come to Honolulu. Because of their extra-game schedule, Hawaii must win seven games to make a bowl. That certainly seems within reach this season. The defense's maturation will dictate the actual outcome of the campaign.

7.) New Mexico State - The good news for new coach DeWayne Walker? He's got plenty of job security. The bad news? He's going to need every single bit of it. Such is the life in Las Cruces, where the former UCLA defensive coordinator looks to get the Aggies off the mat. Offensively, there are a boatload of questions. Only 3 starters return, all of whom are on the offensive line. The skill position players are all new, including junior college transfer Jeff Fleming and freshman Trevor Walls, who are battling for the starting quarterback position. Running backs Tonny Glynn and Marquell Colston are both seniors who should expect their workloads to increase signficantly this year while the QBs get their feet wet. Walker takes a physical approach to the game, and it will start with the rushing attack. On the other side of the ball, there is a little more hope. Walker brings an attacking style and a mean streak, both of which will benefit the Aggies D. The defensive line is all new and will have to grow up quickly to bolster a unit that finished 115th against the run in 2008. The strength of the defense will be at linebacker, where returning starters Nick Paden and Jason Scott will be the heart and soul of the defense. The secondary is led by CB Davon House, but SS Junior Fasavalu should contend for all-conference honors. The New Mexico State schedule is tough. They must go on the road to Louisiana Tech, San Jose State, and Boise State. Winning two or three games would be a good first year for Walker and his staff, before aiming higher in 2010.

8.) Utah State - The Aggies didn't have to look far to find their new coach. Gary Andersen (not to be confused with former NFL kicker Gary Anderson) was the defensive coordinator at Utah last season. He brings with him to Logan a fresh approach that will be needed for a program that hasn't seen the glory days in quite a while. Andersen installed a fast-break no-huddle offense and QB Diondre Borel will run it. Think of him as Colin Kaepernick lite, a pass-run hybrid who can make plays with his feet as well as his arm. His receiving corps isn't the best, but the new offensive system should provide plenty of opportunities for a leader to emerge among Xavier Bowman, Stanley Morrison, and WAC name of the year nominee Nnamdi Gwacham. The running game will be spread amongst several backs, including sophomore Robert Turbin. On defense, Andersen must rebuild a unit that finished 107th in the nation in scoring defense last year. It all starts up front with DT Nathan Royster, as the Aggies hope to put more pressure on the quarterback and need strong line play to do so. LB Paul Igboeli, an all-conference player last year, is the leader of the defense after logging 78 tackles last year. The secondary needs to improve, and the return of 3 starters to the unit may be just the trick. The schedule is tough, and even the games against potential bottom-feeders Idaho and New Mexico State are on the road. Andersen may works wonders in his first season, but it may only result in two wins.

9.) Idaho - The Vandals sport one of the coolest nicknames in college athletics, but don't exactly scare anybody. Years and years of futility will do that. Coach Robb Akey has only been there two years, and things are looking up somewhat in year 3. The running game, led by RB Deonte' Jackson, will be quite good, and may even lead the Vandals to an upset if their opponent is caught napping. The passing game is dormant, but if QB Nathan Enderle can cut down on his interceptions, much-needed balance will be added to the offense. On defense, there are holes all over the place. The Vandals didn't finish in the top 100 nationally in any major statistical category last season. The secondary should be the strength of the unit, led by WAC name of the year nominee Shiloh Keo at safety. The linebackers are all new and will not be a very good group, but if the line can improve with DE Aaron Lavarias, then the defense could make strides this year. However, there doesn't seem to be enough talent in place to make a significant step forward. The schedule, for what it's worth, is rugged. Road trips to Nevada, San Jose State, and Boise State are certain losses and the season-ending home game against Utah State could prove to be the difference betweeen a winless season and a one-win season.

Disappointing Team: Hawaii

Surprise Team: San Jose State

Top Players: QB Colin Kaepernick, Nevada; QB Kellen Moore, Boise State; WR Kevin Jurovich, San Jose State; WR Phillip Livas, Louisiana Tech; RB Vai Taua, Nevada

Players to Keep An Eye On: WR Titus Young, Boise State; QB Diondre Borel, Utah State; CB Olajuwon Paige, Louisiana Tech; QB Kyle Reed, San Jose State; LB Brashton Satele, Hawaii

Key Games: Boise State at Fresno State, September 18th; Louisiana Tech at Nevada, October 9th; San Jose State at Fresno State, October 17th; Fresno State at Nevada, November 14th; Nevada at Boise State, November 27th

Coolest Jerseys: Utah State Aggies

~~ Lank

Kate Mara, I Think I Love You

Entourage knows how to keep me tuned in; give them that.

After lauding the HBO program for giving me my helping of Emmanuelle Chriqui, I must now take a moment to thank them again. Despite plot problems and characters that have grown a little stale, the show gets the job done when it comes to getting my viewership. This past week's strategy?

Giving me my helping of Kate Mara. I love me some Kate Mara.

I first came across Miss Mara during her performance in We Are Marshall, which is still one of my favorite movies to watch. If you don't get chills at least three times while watching it, you need to get your life together. But I digress. Mara is perfect as the cheerleader/grieving fiancee, and looks amazing while doing it. Honestly, she's pretty sad the whole movie (you would be too if your fiance died in a plane crash), yet still looks good enough to eat with a side of rice. That's pretty hard to do.

Unless you're Kate Mara.

My affection for her only grew when she starred in Shooter opposite Mark Wahlberg. That movie was legit; but when I saw her in a role in which she was allowed to wear some wife-beaters and nurse's garb, it instantly moved up my list of re-watchable movies. She's simply striking throughout the entire film, even when she's supposed to look like a dressed-down homebody from backwoods Kentucky. Once again, that's pretty hard to do.

Again, unless you're Kate Mara.

Now that I've seen her on Entourage, I feel as if I've been reconnected with a long lost love. No, she has no idea that I even exist, but that's not the point. The point is that I have a thing for her, and being able to watch her in action makes my life better. If anyone out there knows Miss Mara, please feel free to pass along this post as a pathetic way to tell her that I love her. If her sense of humor is as good as I think it is (based on nothing but a handful of interviews, mind you, but I'm pretty sure I'm right), she'll enjoy my words and will reach out to me for a date.

Yes, I'm dreaming. But you know what they say about love -- it makes you do crazy things.

~~ Lank

Happy Birthday, Cal

A few weeks ago, I wrote a happy birthday post to my favorite basketball player ever, David Robinson. Today, I get to write a similar post to my favorite baseball player ever, and favorite athlete ever, Calvin Edwin Ripken, Jr.

You may know him as Cal or Iron Man. He turned 49 today.

For 21 seasons, Ripken was the epitome of a baseball player. Playing every day (literally, for almost 17 seasons), #8 redefined the shortstop position, both offensively and defensively. Gone were the days of a small, light-hitting, defensive-minded shortstop patrolling the middle of the diamond. The 6'4", 225-lb. hoss ushered in the era of shortstops who could field their position, but also be counted on to contribute offensively. Before Alex Rodriguez showed up on the scene (and before Ripken was moved to 3rd base in 1997, Ripken owned pretty much every offensive record for shortstops.

Yes, Ripken's career will always be remember for The Streak, in which he played 2,632 straight games, breaking Lou Gehrig's previous record of 2,130, but let's not forget how productive he was as a player. 19 All-Star games, 2 MVPs, over 3,000 hits, over 600 doubles, over 400 home runs, nearly 1,700 runs batted in, and a World Series ring put the quantity of his career into picture, but not the quality. It wasn't just the mind-boggling numbers he put up, it was the grace and respect for the game with which he played that always set Ripken apart from his peers. If you need a sterling example of what a big-leaguer should be, look no further than the formers Orioles shortstop.

Cal never shrugged off a fan's request for an autograph, never got suspended for any games, never caused any fights in the locker room, and never showed up a teammate in the field -- all while putting up Hall of Fame numbers while enduring the daily grind of playing baseball day in and day out for over 20 years. Despite only making 8 errors in 1989 and 3 errors in 1990 (unheard of totals for a shortstop), Ripken didn't win the Gold Glove in either year (though he would later win two). Did he make a big deal out of it? Of course not; that wouldn't have been The Ripken Way.

Cal's father, Cal Sr., instilled in him the principles of hard work, commitment, and practicing your craft. Over his career, no one exemplified these principles better than Cal. Even though he's been gone from the game for 8 years (man, has it really been that long?), his exploits and accomplishments remain fresh in the minds of baseball fans everywhere, especially this fan's. Cal may not play for the Orange Birds any more, but not a day goes by that I don't think about him or relish the fact that I was able to see him play.

So, Cal, thank you. For the memories, for the on-field excellence, for making the Orioles good, for the example you set, for everything. There has never been a baseball player like you before; and, at the risk of sounding hyperbolic, there never will be again.

~~ Lank

College Football Preview: Conference USA

Conference USA is such a fitting title for this group of teams. When you have twelve schools representing nine different states, it truly is a nationwide conference. Not that the alignment makes sense or anything, what with East Carolina and UTEP belonging in the same league, but it’s still fun to talk about. Speaking of ECU, the Pirates have made some national noise lately with their wins over Virginia Tech, North Carolina, and West Virginia in the past couple years. They look to be the head of the class, but don’t be surprised if they have some stiff competition on the road to repeating as Conference USA champion.

Predicted Order of Finish:

East Division:

1.) East Carolina – Since taking the helm in 2005, Pirates head coach Skip Holtz has done wonders in Greenville. Prior to his arrival, a once-proud football program was reeling, missing a bowl in three straight seasons. However, in four years, Holtz has taken the Pirates to three bowl games, and captured his first C-USA championship last season. In order to make it two in a row, ECU will need more production from its offense. QB Patrick Pinkney returns to lead the charge, and will be flanked by a good receiving corps featuring Dwayne Harris, Alex Taylor, and Darryl Freeney. If the passing game can find a rhythm early, it would help take the pressure of an unsettled running game. The running back situation is a mess, with both Jonathan Williams and Norman Whitley facing eligibility uncertainty due to off-the-field issues. Williams is a talented player, but means nothing to the Pirates if he’s not on the field. Defensively, East Carolina is ready to rock. S Van Eskridge is the leader of a unit that was in the Top 30 nationally in scoring defense last season. The line returns 3 starters including sackmaster DE C.J. Wilson. Nick Johnson and Jeremy Chambliss are tackling machines for a stout group of linebackers. The Pirates, as usual, face a tough slate of non-conference opponents, but should be able to hold their own in Conference USA. Road games against Marshall, SMU, and Memphis are rather soft, with the road date at Tulsa the only concern.

2.) Southern Miss – Larry Fedora, in his first year last season after the controversial firing of beloved coach Jeff Bower, took a while to get things going in 2008. However, once his Golden Eagles caught on, they went on a 5-game winning streak, capped off by a win over Troy in the New Orleans Bowl. The secret to Fedora’s success is his high-octane offense featuring star WR DeAndre Brown and stud RB Damion Fletcher. Fletcher rushed for 1,313 yards last year, and may go even higher this year. If Brown is fully healthy after a gruesome leg injury in the bowl game, he should build on a freshman campaign that featured a 1,000-yard season. Sophomore QB Austin Davis returns after a highly-successful freshman year, poised to put up huge numbers. This offense will average over 30 points per game; mark it down. Defensively, Southern Miss improved last year as well. After starting slowly, the unit came around and held opponents to 62 total points during the season-ending 5-game winning streak. It all starts up front with a stout defensive line led by all-conference performer Anthony Gray at defensive tackle. The linebackers are somewhat new, but hard-hitting Martez Smith will make sure they don’t slip too far. The secondary is talented and experienced, returning all four starters from a year ago. The Golden Eagles have a very good team, but road games at Houston and East Carolina, the favorites in their respective divisions, will keep them from achieving their goal of a conference championship. An 8-win season is not out of the question, though.

3.) UCF – The Knights were terrible on offense last year. There, I said it. A passing game that was 115^th in the country last year was the reason the offense mustered only 17 points per game. Coach George O’Leary reshuffled his staff looking for a spark in 2009. QB Rob Calabrese returns, but considering his putrid numbers last year, that’s not necessarily a plus. His receiving corps should be solid, led by C-USA name of the year nominee Rocky Ross. RB Brynn Harvey showed some promise last season, but will need to be more consistent if the Knights are to rely on him. Defensively, UCF should be very good. They were good against the run last year, and return 4 starters to the front seven. DT Travis Troup looks ready for a breakout year. FS Derrick Hallman is the lone returning starter in the secondary, but there is talent in place to ensure there is no slippage from last season. The Knights must go on the road to play Southern Miss and East Carolina, but home games against Marshall, Memphis, and Tulane seem very winnable.

4.) Marshall – The glory days of former coach Bob Pruett are gone, but Marshall still has a few talented players that could lead them to a successful season if a few breaks fall their way. Leading the charge on offense is RB Darius Marshall (no really, that’s his name), who rushed for nearly 1,100 yards in 2008. With a new quarterback at the helm, Marshall will rely on Marshall (sorry, I had to do it) to keep the chains moving. That new quarterback will most likely be Brian Anderson, who will step in for Mark Cann after the coaches decided to go in a new direction following Cann’s up-and-down 2008 campaign. The receivers are unproven and will not provide much help to whoever ends up playing quarterback. The good news is that the offensive line should be solid, giving the new passer plenty of time to throw. The defense is led by a deep, experienced line that features stud DE Albert McClellan. The linebacking corps and secondary each return two starters, so the experience is there for the Thundering Herd to be productive on D. Marshall’s schedule is pretty favorable, with home dates against ECU and Southern Miss. Should they hold serve at home, and win road games against Tulane and Memphis, the Herd could achieve a surprise standing at the end of the year.

5.) Memphis – Admittedly, this might be a little low to place the Tigers. They return a very good backfield on offense and 7 starters on defense. My biggest concern, though, is that both lines must be rebuilt and that usually spells trouble for any college football team, especially one that only won 6 games last year. Yes, Memphis made a bowl game, but was shellacked by South Florida. QB Arkelon Hall, a C-USA name of the year nominee, and RB Curtis Steele form a one-two punch that stands up next to most in the conference. WR Carlos Singleton returns after catching 5 TDs last season. Don’t be surprised if he goes over 1,000 yards this year. On defense, the secondary and linebackers will be very good. LB Greg Jackson led the team in sacks last year and should be very productive once again. The only new starter in the defensive backfield is FS DeRon Furr, an Auburn transfer who is plenty talented. The line only returns 1 starter, DE Jada Brown, so the unit must come together quickly if the defense is to perform up to expectations. The Tigers’ schedule is brutal. Road games at Southern Miss, Houston, and Tulsa mean they have three losses right off the bat; and that’s before you consider the appearance of East Carolina in Memphis come October. C-USA did the Tigers no favors with this slate.

6.) UAB – This year’s version of the Blazers should be able to score pretty consistently; the problem is that they’re unlikely to stop anyone themselves. QB Joe Webb leads an offense that returns a lot of talent. Webb, who passed for 2,000 yards and rushed for 1,000 last season, will throw a lot to WR Frantrell Forrest, UAB’s leading returning receiver. The running game is in good hands with RB Rashaud Slaughter, who should be able to combine his flashy style with a more consistent approach this year. On the other side of the ball, UAB needs help. Their defense finished 106^th in total defense last year and shouldn’t fare much better this year. The line returns 2 starters and should be the best part of the defense. The linebackers are led by Keon Harris, who only made 47 stops last year. The secondary is all new, which isn’t good since they’ll be tested early and often after a poor showing in 2008. CB Terrell Springs showed promise last year, but must improve this season to help out the unit. We’ll find out how UAB’s season is going to go early on, as they face Rice and SMU at home in their first two games. Win those, and they may surprise; but lose them, and last year’s 4 wins may seem like an accomplishment this year.

West Division:

1.) Houston – Offense, offense, and more offense. That’s the name of the game at Houston these days, where QB Case Keenum looks to improve on his 5,020 yards passing and 44 TDs last season. Is it possible? I’m not sure, but I wouldn’t bet against him. This kid is very, very good. RB Bryce Beall often gets lost in the shuffle due to the insane passing attack, but he rushed for 1,247 yards and 13 TDs in 2008, so don’t sleep on him. The wide receivers are a very deep, talented group, led by C-USA name of the year nominee Tyron Carrier. Houston will lead the nation in total offense this season; bet on it. Defensively…well, it doesn’t much matter. The Cougars are going to score in bunches and the defense just has to hang on for dear life and hope that it doesn’t give up 50 points. LBs Matt Nicholson and Marcus McGraw lead a solid group, and the secondary should be much improved over last year’s unit with the addition of junior college CB Devin Mays. November 7^th at Tulsa. That is the game which will tell us if Houston is ready to take over in the West or not. Everything else falls into place nicely for the Cougars, but they must knock off the defending champion to make it all worthwhile.

2.) Tulsa – Yes, Houston’s offense is going to be good, but Tulsa is the reigning West champion and also led the nation in total offense last year with 570 yards per game. QB David Johnson has graduated, and an intriguing race is taking place to determine his successor. Jacob Bower has the most experience, but G.J. Kinne is a transfer from Texas, and C-USA name of the year nominee Shavodrick Beaver is a very talented true freshman who de-committed from Michigan to head down to Tulsa. Whoever wins this race will put up huge numbers, partly because of a dynamic group of wide receivers. Freshman All-American Damaris Johnson is back for year two, and C-USA name of the year nominee Slick Shelley and Trae Johnson put up some good numbers themselves. Don’t expect much of a drop-off from the offense this season. The defense features a better-than-average group of linebackers which returns all three starters. The secondary, which features five players because of the Golden Hurricane’s 3-3-5 alignment, also returns three starters, including James Lockett, who led the team in sacks last season. If the defensive line shows improvement against the run, Tulsa may very well win the West again. The schedule features a couple of sneaky-tough road games at UAB and Southern Miss, but it all comes down to the home game against Houston. Win that, and the division crown belongs to the Golden Hurricane.

3.) UTEP – As the defense goes, so will go the Miners. Coach Mike Price has done a good job of designing offenses that consistently put up points, but stopping opponents has been an issue for UTEP. Last year, they ranked 115^th in total defense. Simply put, no matter how good the offense may be, it won’t mean a thing if the defense isn’t better than 115^th. The unit returns 7 starters and should be improved in year two of running a new 3-3-5 scheme. Defensive linemen Steve Riddick and Robert Soleyjacks provide beef up front, clearing the way for LBs Isaiah Carter and Royzell Smith to roam. The secondary should be the best part of the defense, featuring two returning starters at cornerback and another at safety. Luckily for the Miners, they have a prolific offense on which to rely. QB Trevor Vittatoe threw for 33 TDs last season and is a threat to reach 4,000 yards passing this year. WRs Jeff Moturi, C-USA name of the year nominee Tufick Shadrawy, and Kris Adams form one of the deepest units in the conference. The offensive line returns three starters and should give Vittatoe and his receivers plenty of time to make big plays. UTEP’s schedule is very favorable. Both Houston and Tulsa must travel to El Paso, and the road games are against Memphis, Tulane, SMU, and Rice. If the Miners get hot, they may surprise people and end up in the C-USA title game.

4.) Rice – Honestly, I don’t quite know what to make of the Owls. They lost record-setting duo QB Chase Clement and WR Jarett Dillard, but return a solid group of receivers, led by Toren Dixon and Patrick Randolph. Throwing to them will most likely be Alabama transfer Nick Fanuzzi, who played well in the spring game. It will be impossible to replicate the production of Clement and Dillard, especially with offensive coordinator Tom Herman having moved on to Iowa State, but if Fanuzzi is better than average and the WRs play up to their ability, Rice’s offense should still be plenty good. Defensively, the line is the strength, led by all-conference DE Cheta Ozougwu. Three starters total return to the line and that’s going to help an inexperienced linebacking corps. Terrance Garmon is an athletic linebacker and should be able to make some plays. The secondary returns three starters but was terrible against the pass in 2008, so improvements must be made. Rice has a pretty balanced schedule, but must spring a few upsets to contend again in the West. Home games against UTEP and Tulsa are crucial, as is the road date to end the season against Houston.

5.) SMU – June Jones brought his run-and-shoot passing attack to Dallas last season from Hawaii, but didn’t enjoy any of the success that his Warriors did. It’s a complicated system that takes repetitions to master, so look for the offense to be more prolific this season. QB Bo Levi Mitchell, a C-USA name of the year nominee, must improve his decision-making ability. His 24-23 TD-to-INT ratio last year will be unacceptable this year. The wide receivers are a group of playmakers led by Aldrick Robinson and Emmanuel Sanders. If Mitchell can consistently feed the ball to this unit, there will be points aplenty scored at SMU. The offensive line returns three starters and must to do a better job of protecting Mitchell to prevent him from forcing throws. On defense, the Mustangs are bad. Bad, bad, bad. The defensive line must be rebuilt and only one linebacker returns. Luckily, the secondary returns all four starters, but it may not matter if teams are able to run all over an inexperienced front seven. Look for WR Emmanuel Sanders to also play some nickelback in order to provide some athleticism to the unit. After winning only one game (against Texas State, no less) in 2008, the Mustangs can’t be much worse. Home games against Stephen F. Austin and Tulane seem winnable, but asking for more than 4 wins is a pipe dream.

6.) Tulane – Hmm, let’s see. Last year, the Green Wave finished 112^th in the country in scoring offense and 106^th in the country in scoring defense. Nowhere to go but up, right? QB Joe Kemp missed time last year with injury, but should be the starter this year. He has good athleticism and a decent arm. His corps of wideouts is suspect, featuring little in the way of talent and experience. The offensive line is nearly all brand new, so Kemp will have very little time to make decisions. The strength of the offense is RB Andre Anderson, who averaged nearly 5 yards per carry last season. If he gets enough touches, Tulane may win more than a couple games. Defensively, the Green Wave feature a good line and not much else. DTs Oscar Ponce de Leon, a C-USA name of the year nominee, and Reggie Scott headline a unit that must lead the way for the defense. The back seven returns only 1 starter from last year, CB Charles Harris. The new players don’t have much of a standard to live up to, but must perform well if Tulane has dreams of being competitive. For what it’s worth, most of Tulane’s toughest games will be in the Superdome, including Tulsa, Houston, and UTEP. However, the Green Wave should focus more on road games at Rice and SMU if they want wins.

Disappointing Team: UTEP

Surprise Team: Rice

Top Players: QB Case Keenum, Houston; S Van Eskridge, East Carolina; WR Damaris Johnson, Tulsa; RB Damion Fletcher, Southern Miss; RB Bryce Beall, Houston

Players to Keep An Eye On: WR Daryl Freeney, East Carolina; QB Nick Fanuzzi, Rice; DT Travis Troup, UCF; WR/DB Emmanuel Sanders, SMU; QB Jacob Bower/G.J. Kinne/Shavodrick Beaver, Tulsa

Key Games: Tulsa at UTEP, October 21^st; Southern Miss at Houston, October 31^st; Houston at Tulsa, November 7^th; East Carolina at Tulsa, November 15^th; Southern Miss at East Carolina, November 28^th;

Coolest Jerseys: Tulsa Golden Hurricane

~~ Lank