National Championship Predictions

As sad as it is, this week is the last time we will have BCS standings, ever.  It's the last time College Football players, coaches, and fans will anxiously await their "fate".  Next year College Football adopts a playoff system starting with 4 teams.  Those 4 teams will play for their spot in the National Championship Game.  This weekend is the last time the National Championship contenders will be determined by "campaigning" and votes.  College Football is changing, in some ways for the better and others for the worse, but regardless of opinion, it's really the end of an era.

There are currently 5 teams in contention for the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in College Football and a shot at the National Championship Trophy.  Those teams are:

#1 FSU          

#2 Ohio State

#3 Auburn    

#4 Alabama  

#5 Missouri   

The SEC (Auburn vs. Missouri), ACC (FSU vs. Duke), and Big Ten (Ohio State vs. Michigan State) Championship Games are all this weekend which will ultimately determine the final rankings/fate of these teams heading into Bowl Season.  Alabama is the only team not playing this weekend.  If FSU and Ohio State both win, they will have undefeated records and therefore the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the rankings and bids to the National Championship Game.  Done deal.  Regardless if people think a one loss SEC team is better than an undefeated ACC or Big Ten team, an undefeated season for any BCS team is not easy and that alone deserves a shot at the title.

There's no reason to believe that Florida State will not win on Saturday.  The numbers they have been putting up game after game are just outstanding.  And especially now with charges being dropped against Jameis Winston, I can't see the Seminoles losing.

Ohio State had a sub-par performance against Michigan last week, but ultimately came out with the win.  I think the hype of rivalry week and playing in The Big House got the best of them, they'll shake it off before heading into tomorrow's Championship game against Michigan State.

But what if one of them loses?  What if they both lose?  What will happen then?  In the event that FSU or Ohio State loses, that's when the SEC has a fair case for one of theirs to head to the National Championship Game for the ump-teenth year in a row.

If Auburn wins, they will have beaten 9 bowl eligible teams this season.  Pretty impressive, but Auburn also got extremely lucky this year. (See also: Johnny Manziel getting injured against Auburn, last minute answered prayer against Georgia, and well, beating Alabama).  I have to admit though, I was rooting for Auburn in the Iron Bowl.  How could I not root for the underdog, a team that went from zero conference wins to competing for the division title?

Alabama's dramatic, late-in-the-season loss to Auburn is enough to take them out of the National Championship talk for good.  If God is an Alabama fan, Ohio State and Auburn will lose on Saturday (and if FSU loses, we'll know for sure that God wants Alabama for compete for the title for the 3rd consecutive year).  If none of that happens, I believe we've seen the end of this Alabama dynasty!

What about a case for Mizzou?  Missouri is a great all around team.  They're great at passing and running; stopping and blocking.  Numbers don't necessarily show their dominance, but that's because they've blown their opponents away.  If Mizzou wins and Ohio State loses, they'll have to make a case against Alabama.  A Mizzou vs FSU National Championship game would be a great match-up between two teams who have showed pure dominance over their opponents throughout the season. 

Regardless of who plays for the National Championship Title, no one wants to see a boring blow out like we had last year.

My prediction is Florida State vs. Ohio State!

There's a slim chance we could have Ohio State vs. Alabama.  A game that would have been played out last year, had Ohio State been eligible... the suspense and excitement of this weekend literally has me on the edge of my seat, but I doubt it will top the events of last week!!!

What do you think will happen?  Who are you rooting for?

Click here to see my prediction at the beginning of the season!

Linking up with Sarah for Fan Friday! :)

Never Forget

I can't believe it's been 12 years since the attacks of the World Trade Center!

I started writing this post and then wasn't going to publish it until I got this text message from my sister...

I vividly remember being in my 6th grade English class, watching the 2nd tower get hit and not understanding the severity of what had happened. My classroom had a retractable wall and the teachers opened it up so we could all be together and watch the news. The teachers were so worried and no one knew exactly what was going on or the severity of what happened. I remember being totally confused.

Lots of parents panicked and picked kids up from school. Then a little while later my mom came to school to pick me up and I had no idea why.

I knew my uncles worked on Wall Street in NYC but that's it. I didn't know how close it was or any of those details. My uncles survived. Thank Goodness. But I'll never forget waiting for them to get home. Though I still didn't totally understand, it felt like the longest wait ever.

Immediately after the attacks my uncles found each other and tried to figure out how to get out of the city. They wound up walking across the bridge (not sure which one, George Washington, maybe) into New Jersey where my grandpa was waiting to pick them up.  I remember my one uncle who's usually cracking jokes and being funny was quiet and reserved not only that day, but for a few weeks.  He had a one year old and another on the way and the idea of what could have been and what happened shook him up, as it did so many others in that situation.

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Though this day brings back horrible memories for everyone, it also allows us to appreciate the things we do have in this wonderful life!  It's a reminder to be grateful and live each day to the fullest.  You absolutely never know what tomorrow will bring.  Our entire culture, country, and world changed on September 11, 2001.  It's a day that will never be forgotten!

Where were you when the world stopped turning, that September day?

Life of a Culture Junkie

I'm not sure if I made this term up or if it's been used before, but I consider myself a "Culture Junkie"!  The term describes my love and need to explore, learn and discover all kinds of cultures.  I'm not quite sure when this started, but know it has evolved over the years as I've gotten older and traveled to more places.  I love experiencing new things and going to different places.  I love seeing how other people live and what makes a city, state, or country unique. 

I haven't always been this way.  I grew up in a predominately white area and truth be told, I didn't think anything of it until I went to Rutgers- "The University of Diversity".  I had never been around so many different types of people before.  And yes, you could say that it was because it was college- there are more people from all over and what not, but it really made me realize that there are so many ways of life out there.  I wanted to learn about & experience them. 

I'm a nosey person.  I like to know things that are going on, even if it is completely useless information to me, for some reason I like to know.  I also have a bad and embarrassing habit of starring or a term that's a little more acceptable- people watching.  People fascinate me.  I love to watch people who are amazing, inspiring, role models and I also like to watch train wrecks.  In my opinion, you can learn from anyone- whether it's what to do or what not to do, you're learning a lesson.

Plane tickets have become my favorite thing to buy.  I want to see the world.  I want to travel.  I seriously believe that "Travel is only thing you buy that makes you richer!"  That quote is perfect.  

Not only do I want to travel to other countries, I want to travel the country that I live in.  I know that the United States has so much to offer.  So many different cities and regions are known for different things.

I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list! 

When I was living in London, I was shocked by what the people I met and interacted with there knew about my own country that I didn't.  Granted, they were very interested in our politics, which I have very little interest in, but they also knew/had experienced many places that are "close" to me.

I find myself longing for travel, for adventure, to just go!  I have a gypsy soul! & I love it!

Growing up I was taught that it's okay, in fact encouraged, to have roots and wings.  To explore, learn, grow, and find who you are through all experiences, but never forget where you came from, who supports you, and to love with all you have.

Recently, I've been thinking a lot about mission trips.  I want to go on one.  I want to travel to less fortunate countries, offering services, worship and friendship as a way to grow and enrich the lives of others and myself.  I've looked into a few, but would certainly accept any suggestion/ DOs & DONTs from someone who's been on one!

Really, "Culture Junkie" is similar to "Wanderlust".  It's wanting to continue experiencing and learning from the many cultures of the world.  I hope that I get to travel for the rest of my life.

What about you?  Does your heart long for travel like mine does?  Do you constantly want to go?

Was Johnny Manziel Ready to Win the Heisman?

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 I mentioned in SEC Media Days recap that I was going to devote a post to elaborate on Johnny Manziel and the hype he received at the Media Days about his "actions" this off season.  Then Wright Thompson's piece on Johnny and his background was released, with Johnny's father making some questionable comments about him, but otherwise, provided some great insight (definitely worth reading).  And now news has surfaced that Johnny Manziel is being investigated by the NCAA (& Texas A&M) about possibly selling his autograph- which is against regulations.

Since winning the Heisman Trophy, Johnny Manziel has had quite the life.  He has attended parties, red carpet events, sporting events, and met celebrities, but also had to learn how to handle the new-found fame and never-ending attention/pressure of the media/fans!  And let's just say, he's still learning.  

Johnny with Lebron James, via his Instagram

 Johnny has gotten into some trouble with things he's posted on social media and other poor choices he has made.  These include, but are not limited to:  Tweeting that he couldn't wait to leave College Station, being asked to leave the Manning Passing Academy early due to "over sleeping" and missing obligations (!!!!!!!), partying/drinking beer (he's only 20), and if the new allegations of him receiving monetary compensation for his autograph are true, it could cost him his college football career.

I'm not sure weather to feel bad for Johnny or think he brought this on himself.

He's a kid, we know this.  But he is also a "public figure" with an image for himself, his school and the sport of college football to uphold.  In each case (minus his new allegations) he has taken responsibility for his actions.  But that's just it.. he apologizes after he does it, knowing that he shouldn't have done it in the first place.

Media crowding around Johnny at SEC Media Days

This is what makes me question Johnny's maturity level and wonder if he was ready for this "role"- regardless if it's a role that he's accepted or society has put him in.  I think he's immature not only for his age, but for someone of such "high regard".  His excuse, or really lack-there-of, for the Manning Academy being the top of my list.  Like com' on man, you couldn't be responsible enough to make sure you have an alarm set or back-up.  Even if he was drinking/hungover, he should have been there.  He let down a lot of people that day, most of them being young kids and fans that look up to him.  I don't like that.

There have been College Football players that have won the Heisman Trophy at a young age before, and what makes Johnny different from them is, again, his maturity.  Take Tim Tebow for example.  He won the Heisman at a young sophomore.  He still had years left to mature in college and grow as a player.  He had the attention just like Johnny is experiencing, but did not handle it the same way!  I'm not saying I'm a fan of Tebow's, or that I'm not.  Truthfully, I'm indifferent.  I'm just saying that their maturity levels at that age were different.

Other athletes Johnny's age, who granted may not have won such a prestigious award, but are in the eyes of the media non-the-less, have not acted the way Johnny has during the off-season. 

AJ McCarron, University of Alabama Quarterback and 2-time National Champion, is a great example of someone who knows he's looked at to set an example.  At the SEC Media Days he said, "I want to be that type of guy that younger kids can look up to. I want them to have a role model."  This is not me saying that McCarron deserved the Heisman, but I think he might have been able to handle himself a little better in the after math! (Maybe next we'll talk about what it will take for him to win in 2013)

Its been pointed out by the media that Bryce Harper, Outfielder for the Washington Nationals, is less than 2 months older than Johnny and the maturity levels are on opposite sides of the spectrum.  It makes me wonder,  does Johnny not take his "role" seriously?  No one would care if some other, "regular" student at Texas A&M said they couldn't wait to leave College Station.  But it has a completely different meaning coming from "Johnny Football".  And that's also where the maturity comes in.  He just can't say stuff like that and the fact that he took to Twitter to rant about "a parking ticket" can be deemed immature.  Johnny said,  "At points in time, I feel like it was blown out of proportion. But I should have known better," as he addressed the media at the SEC Media Days!

Whether you agree with the NCAA rules that say that students on athletic scholarship are not allowed  to work or accept monetary compensation are "right" (and I'll tell ya, I don't- Texas A&M is making boat loads of money off this kid and he gets nothing in return? That's not fair), he broke them.  He knew the rules and knew the controversy that would arise if he broke them.  Johnny has shown that he is thinking "Me", not "We".  Which I think will hurt him down the road when the NFL is thinking about him.  (again, Bryce vs. Johnny)

Sure, his football skills and development as a young college football player and more specifically a Saturday in November at Alabama, put him on the map and in contention for the Heisman Trophy.  But was he ready to win it?  Was his ready to handle everything that came along with it- the media attention, the fan attention, the celebrity status, and everything as a whole?  Was he ready to live his life fully in the public eye?  I think it's safe to say, no.

But really, Johnny didn't choose this and all of it does not make him any less deserving of winning the Heisman Trophy or any less of a football player.  Actually, we'll be able to judge that better once the season starts.  You know that if he doesn't play to people's standards right off the bat, everyone is going to blame it on his shenanigans in the off season.  And well, now I guess we have to worry about if he'll even be playing at all.

Based on the 2012 season, Johnny Manziel earned the Heisman and should reap the benefits.  He should just be more mature in the decisions and choices he makes, knowing very well that everyone is watching and that people are looking to him to be a role model, whether he wants to be or not.  

College Football, According to Karra

Let's face it, Fall is quickly creeping up on us.  And Fall to me means FOOTBALL, specifically College Football.  College Football is one of my favorite things and Fall is my favorite time of year because of it.  I love it and everything that comes with it- games, rivalries, traditions, tailgates, family & friends, the list goes on.... 

In attempt to gain experience and exposure with my writing, since this is a path I would like to see my career take, I will be sharing articles I write pertaining to sports.  I plan to post once a week leading up to the season as well as throughout.  

Some topics I plan to post about in the coming weeks:

 The Best Game of Opening Weekend (Game to Watch: Week 1)

Heisman Trophy Prospects

National Championship Prospects

Who to Look Out For

If there's a topic you would like me to write about, please let me know.  

As always, feedback is welcome and in fact, encouraged!