#17 Michigan State at #18 Michigan

Who will win this matchup of Michigan unbeatens?

This Saturday, the undefeated Michigan Wolverines will face off against arguably the toughest opponents they've played yet this season, the also undefeated Michigan State Spartans. The Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy has been quite a rivalry game since it began in 1953. Michigan currently leads the rivalry, 34-21-2. But for the past two years, Michigan State has held onto the trophy, including last year's game which went into overtime, and was quite the heartbreaker for the Wolverines, and their fans. This Saturday, Michigan will have the chance to finally win the trophy back, and get vengeance for last years loss.

Both led by all-star quarterbacks, this will definitely be high-scoring, shoot-out of a game. Denard Robinson, Michigan's sophomore quarterback, has put up over 1,000 yards passing, and 900 yards rushing. He has 17 total touchdowns, between passing and rushing.

Cousins, also impressive, has put up 1,100 yards passing, and thrown for 9 touchdowns. Michigan State's running back Edwin Baker has also put up 536 rushing yards.

Denard is undoubtedly the most athletic player on the Michigan roster, and quite possibly could be the most athletic player in college football today. Although he puts up so many yards, and so many points for the Wolverines, every Michigan fan worries about Denard's health. Michigan fans all over know that if Denard goes down to injury, for a long period of time (unlike the Bowling Green game, which he went down in the 1st quarter, and still put up incredible numbers while he played), it could send Michigan's undefeated season crashing to the ground, and they could wind up with yet another year with no bowl-game.

But if Robinson stays healthy, and can continue to do what he does week-in and week-out, you almost have to bet on the Wolverines.

Michigan State's defense has been playing well as of late, which is completely opposite of Michigan, who has one of the worst defenses, if not the worst defense, in college football. Michigan has to heavily rely on Denard, and the offense to score as many points as they possibly can, as their defense will allow quite a few scores in a game.

As most of you know, I'm a die-hard Michigan Wolverines fan, so I obviously have to go with them this weekend. But I do know, this will be a tough game for both teams, and should be a shoot-out.

Michigan fans are worried, about the healthy of Denard, and how bad their defense will play, while Michigan State fans are worried that their defense won't be able to slow down Robinson, and will end up on the losing end, just like Indiana, UConn, Notre Dame, etc.

At 3:30, these teams will take the field in Ann Arbor, and will kick off a game that quite possibly be the game of the week, and the best game in the rivalry in a long, long time.

Denard Robinson...Heisman?!

Will Denard Robinson win the Heisman Trophy?

If you want excitement in college football. If you want to watch someone that will make you not want to blink, there's one name for you...Denard Robinson!

Michigan's sophomore quarterback, Denard Robinson, not only leads the nation in rushing yards. He not only is ranked #3 when it comes to passer rating. He currently tops the Heisman Trophy list. Granted, there's still a whole lot of football to play, but Denard has came out every single game, played his heart out, and undoubtedly has proven to be the best athlete on the field in each game that he's played.

Some argue that he hasn't faced a tough enough defense. Some say the Wolverines have yet to play any tough teams. And that could all change come Saturday.

The 18th ranked Wolverines will host the #17 Michigan State Spartans on Saturday. Michigan State is going to be the toughest team the Wolverines have played this year, and this game seems like it should be a shootout.

Michigan State has Kirk Cousins, has an experienced backfield, and has possibly the best defense that Michigan has faced all season. But will it be enough to shut Denard Robinson down? Probably not...

Denard has led Michigan to two last minute, game-winning drives this season, and he looks to lead his team to the Paul Bunyan Trophy, this Saturday. If Michigan wins this game, it'll be the first win over Michigan State since 2007.

Is Denard in the lead for the Heisman? He definitely is!

Will he win the Heisman? No one knows, but if he can consistently perform the way he has been, there's no doubt in my mind, and there shouldn't be any doubt in anyone else's mind, he'll win the Heisman Trophy.

Playoff Game Tonight!

Can the Reds pull the upset over the Phillies?

Tonight, the Reds will play their first playoff game since 1995. They have a tough matchup, taking on the highly successful Philadelphia Phillies.

The Reds seem to have been already counted out by many people from the media, from the opposition, and even from some of their own fans. But not this Reds fan! It reminds me of 1990. The Oakland A's were supposed to wipe the floor with Cincinnati, and what happened, the Reds won it all!

Now to be honest, I think they've got a tough road ahead of them. Not only to actually make it to the World Series, but to even win this 5-game series against Philadelphia. But hey, that's why they play, because you never know who will win or lose. I feel that Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, and company, will play their best baseball, not only because of the passion, but because of the enthusiasm of finally making it back to the playoffs. I think that the Phillies will give the Reds a tough time, and it'll be a knock-down, drag-out fight, but I have to stand by my Redlegs!

The Big Ten

Are the Ohio State Buckeyes a shoe-in to win the Big Ten Championship?

Alright, so the NCAA football rankings are out now, and the Big Ten has four teams in the top 25 (not including Nebraska, who will join the Big Ten next July, and is ranked #9). Ohio State is ranked 2, Iowa is 10, Wisconsin is 12, and Penn State is 14.

The favorite to win the Big Ten this year, has to be the Ohio State Buckeyes, who are also in the running to go to the National Championship game. As long as they can get by the Miami Hurricanes in week 2, and of course other Big Ten matchups like their away games against Wisconsin and Iowa, and of course their home game closing out the season, against Michigan, a National Championship is definitely a possibility.

Many feel that the Buckeyes are a shoe-in to win the Big Ten, and although I'm a huge Michigan Wolverines fan, I have to pretty much agree. Coach Jim Tressel always seems to impress (except in bowl games, especially against SEC teams), and Terrelle Pryor is ready to take the NCAA by storm, and possibly win the Heisman Trophy this year. However, I also feel that if Wisconsin, or Iowa can have a strong season, they can indeed take the Big Ten Title, but most likely, they'd have to pull the upset against Ohio State, which Purdue proved last year, is possible.

Wisconsin seems to have somewhat of an easy schedule, notable games including a home game against Ohio State, away game the following week against Iowa, and an away game against Michigan. If Wisconsin can fair well in these games, and obviously win the rest of their Big Ten games (which could bring trouble, because you never know what can happen each and every Saturday), they could definitely win the Big Ten Title.

Iowa has about as many key matchups this season, with an away game against Michigan, and home games against Wisconsin, Penn State, and Ohio State. Just like I said about Wisconsin, if Iowa can beat Ohio State this year, and do well with the rest of their schedule, they can end up with the Big Ten Title.

The more I type, the more I want to talk myself into the thought that the Big Ten Title is pretty much up in the air. Especially since the season hasn't even started, and every team currently has a record of 0-0, but I still have to say that if I had to predict the winner of the Big Ten Championship this year, it would be the Ohio State Buckeyes.

But like I expressed in this blog, there are many honorable mentions. The Wisconsin Badgers, Iowa Hawkeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, Michigan State Spartans, and dare I say, the Michigan Wolverines could all surprise the nation, and the conference, and with an impressive season, could steal the limelight from the Buckeyes, and take the title.

Either way, it looks to be an interesting year this year. With everyday that passes, the excitement grows. College football will be here soon!

Can Anyone Beat Brock Lesnar?

Can anyone stop Brock Lesnar?

I have followed Brock Lesnar since he was in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). So when he left after WrestleMania 20, I continued to follow. He tried out for the Minnesota Vikings, to no avail. He also thought about making a return to professional wrestling, even wrestling in Japan. Then, he decided to take on mixed martial arts. And boy did he ever!

Lesnar lost his first UFC fight by submission, to Frank Mir. But he looked dominant, only making a rookie mistake that Mir capitalized on. Brock came to his next fight ready, dominating Heath Herring. Brock also dominated Randy Couture, winning the UFC Heavyweight Title. He also ended up beating Frank Mir, this time more being more experienced than the fight he lost against him.

Most recently, Brock, after being dangerously ill, took on his biggest task yet. Shane Carwin. Carwin, had never lost. Carwin, had never been to a second round. He would knock out his opponents before it got that far. Many counted Brock out of this fight. Boy were they wrong!

First round, Carwin gave Lesnar everything he had. But it came at a price. Although he took Brock down, and hit him with punch after punch to the skull, Lesnar took it all, fighting back and intelligently protecting himself. He knew Carwin was going to wear himself out. And that is what happened.

Second round, Brock, who has fantastic stamina, and was a two-time NCAA wrestling champion, made it look easy. He took Shane down, hooked him in a choke, and tapped him out. Carwin, who had never lost, got taken into the second round, and submitted!

It wasn't easy for the Heavyweight Champion. Brock got rocked pretty good by Carwin. But once stamina came into play, it was all over.

Brock is a beast. He's huge, he's fast, he's strong. He very well could be unstoppable. His next fight is against Cain Velasquez. Although Cain has experience, and is undefeated (just like Shane Carwin was before fighting Brock), in my opinion, he looks like no match for Brock. In fact, I'm not sure there are that many out there that can beat him. His hands are like paint cans, and when he gets a hold of you, it's all over.

Can anyone beat Brock Lesnar? Yes, I'm sure someone can. But as it looks right now, he should be on top of the MMA world, for a long, long time.

The Reds are for Real!

So anyone who knows me, knows I'm a big Cincinnati Reds fans. And although, I'm very much looking for the college (and pro) football seasons to start, that doesn't mean I'm not pumped about how well the Cincinnati Reds have been playing.

As of today, the Reds are only a half a game back with the St. Louis Cardinals. I have an inkling that this battle for the top spot in the NL Central won't stop until the season is over. These two teams are playing very well.

Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto, and Scott Rolen are just three of the many reasons that the Reds are playing as well as they are. I had wondered if they needed a homerun hitter on their team. I thought maybe they needed a replacement for Adam Dunn or Ken Griffey Jr. But seeing how they're playing right now, they are doing just fine with what they have.

Usually, it seems that the Reds can get all of our hopes up, only to crumble either right before, or right after, the All-Star break. That is not the case this year, as they have been consistent pretty much all year.

The only concerns I would have, is once they get into the playoffs, playing these top teams, like the Atlanta Braves, and St. Louis Cardinals. And of course, if they do make it to the World Series, them having to play a team like the New York Yankees, would definitely be intimidating.

However, the Reds have proven that they are for real. They have proven that they can play with the big boys, and they can even make it to the All-Star game!

With only a couple of months until the playoffs start, I can only hope that the Reds will continue to play consistently, and play consistently well. Their team looks good. Their pitching doesn't look bad. I really think they've got the team to do it this year. We'll see what happens.

Terrell Owens to the Bengals...Unstoppable!

So Tuesday it was announced that the Bengals and wide-receiver Terrell Owens came to an agreement. Terrell Owens is the newest acquisition for the Cincinnati Bengals. And what an acquisition he is!

I'd say many Bengals fans are wary of this signing. Will T.O. cause headaches, like he has for other teams? Will he turn the team upside down, causing drama and turmoil? Will he ruin their shot of winning the AFC North again, and maybe going to the playoffs (and not getting pounced by the Jets this time)?

I have to say, that I do not think this is a bad thing at all. I don't think his attitude will get in the way. I don't think he'll whine. I don't think he'll cause drama.

I think the combination of Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens will be so entertaining, and so dangerous on the field. As long as Carson Palmer can hit these guys, and play well, the options the Bengals have on offense are incredible.

Not only will defenses have to key in on Chad and T.O., they will also have to pay attention to the tight-ends, the third and/or fourth wide receivers, and don't forget about Cedric Benson! The Bengals running game isn't bad either, and having these threats at wide-receiver, only opens up our running game. I would venture to say that most defenses won't be able to handle all of this. Two all-star wide-receivers, a quarterback that is capable of being an all-star, and a running game that proved it can run all over last year?

I have already said that I think the Bengals will win the AFC North Title again this year, hands down. It may be too early to predict that. It may be a bold prediction. But I said it!

Believe me, this offense this year, is definitely going to be unstoppable.

Hope for the Wolverines in 2010

Will this be the year that Michigan reclaims the top spot in the Big Ten?

The Michigan Wolverines. That name used to strike fear into the hearts of many college football teams. It used to strike fear into the hearts of all Big Ten teams. Yes, that name used to strike fear into the hearts of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

That is until a few short years ago, when Michigan seemed to hit a rough patch, which now seems to have lasted forever.

In 2008, Lloyd Carr left his head coaching job at Michigan, and Rich Rodriguez took over. Rodriguez brought in the spread-style offense, which Michigan had never seen. His first year on the job, the team went 3-9. Of course, he didn't have the players to fit his offensive style, so most Michigan fans knew that the year was going to be a tough one.

In 2009 however, Rodriguez ended up with two quarterbacks that fit the spread offense, and everyone from the 2008 team who stayed for the 2009 season. The team had more experience, and was more hungry to get as far away from the losing season of 2008 as they could.

Michigan started out the season with a nice win over Western Michigan, a nail-biter of a win over Notre Dame, and wins over Eastern Michigan and Indiana.

Michigan then lost their next two, one against Michigan State, which ended in overtime, and the other against No. 14 Iowa. The Wolverines next game was a give me against Delaware State, and they won 63-6.

With that victory, Michigan only needed one more win to become bowl eligible, something they missed out on in 2008, which was the first time in 32 years they missed a bowl.

Sadly, however, Michigan lost the rest of their remaining five games. They lost to No. 11 Penn State, Illinois, Purdue, No. 20 Wisconsin, and of course, No. 8 Ohio State, which was the sixth straight loss to the Buckeyes—the highest win streak the Buckeyes have ever had in the rivalry's history.

But, 2010 is a new year! Michigan's young quarterbacks have gotten better, quicker, faster and smarter. The team has had another year together, and gained more experience. Because of that, Michigan and its fans, are ready for 2010, and hoping (and praying) that this season, will be a winning season. That this season, they will be heading back to a bowl game and that this season, they will finally serve another loss to Ohio State, which would make their rivalry record against the Buckeyes an amazing 58-43-6.

Michigan's schedule looks as if they can have a winning season, although they still have quite a few tough games, such as against Michigan State, Iowa, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State, at the Horse Shoe.

Michigan starts the season off against Connecticut. Next up, they play Notre Dame, Massachusetts, Bowling Green and Indiana. The toughest game in that group will be against Notre Dame, which is always a tough battle.

After that, the Wolverines begin the tough part of their schedule, as they play Michigan State, Iowa, and Penn State (in Happy Valley). Next, they play Illinois, Purdue (at Purdue), Wisconsin and Ohio State in Columbus.

Although most think that Michigan against Ohio State this year is an automatic win for the Bucks, it is still questionable. That rivalry game is unlike any other game, and both teams and their fans are nervous every time they meet up to play.

Looking at the schedule, Michigan should not do any worse than 7-5, which not only would be their best record with Rodriguez as their head coach, but it would also get them to a bowl game. And, honestly, depending on how other Big Ten teams do, it could lead the Wolverines to a shot at the Big Ten championship, though that could be a stretch.

As a Michigan fan myself, I always look forward to the start of the season, but this year is different. This year it seems they have made the right moves to make this team a good team. Not only does quarterback Tate Forcier seem to possess the skills to get it done in high pressure situations, but quarterback Denard Robinson seems to have only gotten better from last year, as well.

Michigan also adds a new quarterback to the mix this year in Devin Gardner, who's style compliments Rodriguez’s offense 100 percent. Michigan also has a committee of running backs to look to be able to get the job done, and most are young, which only makes the season look brighter.

On September 4, Michigan kicks off its season taking on Connecticut at the Big House, and all Michigan fans are looking forward to it. The start of a new season means more football, more excitement and the thought and hope that this year everything can turn around for our beloved Wolverines.