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.