Elizabeth . 9/12/24 Elizabeth . 9/12/24

Week 1 &2 CFB thoughts

It seems college football fans have been waiting for the season to start for months and did not disappoint. With upsets and new teams to pay attention to, week 1 and 2 was filled with excitement. Below are my top 4 performances that are worth mentioning.

1.Oregon fans shouldn’t panic. It was a surprise to everyone as the Oregon Ducks struggled in their first two games at home but barely came up with two wins after poor performances. Fans were expecting the Ducks to win big in their first two games of the season but when they failed to meet expectations, questions started to be raised about the Ducks as many people believe that they are going to win the BIG 10 and make a playoff push. Oregon has always been known for their explosive and powerful offense but recently the Ducks have been able to make the occasional explosive play but haven’t been able to turn those plays into points. The Ducks have also struggled with preventable penalties and turnovers. With all this being said, there is still hope for the Ducks. Oregon lost a lot of valuable players to the NFL draft and is a somewhat new team. Their defense and special teams unit are looking very consistent overall. Oklahoma transfer quarterback Dillion Gabriel is also a promising piece for the Duck’s offense as he has 623 passing yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions in just two games. To be able to improve their season, the O-line must be able to improve, and limit turnovers, and the defense must be able to stay dominant. Oregon will face an in-state rival, Oregon State on September 14th in their first road test of the season. The Ducks are favored by 14 points.

2. Quinn Ewers should be the Heisman frontrunner heading into week 3. Texas vs Michigan was the game of week 2. With most expecting this matchup to be a close game, it ended with a 31-12 win where Texas was dominant in all aspects. Texas Quarterback Quinn Ewers had an exceptional game passing for 246,3 touchdowns and no interceptions. Ewers at arguably the best game of any quarterback this week beating the defending national championship in Ann Arbor in front of a packed house. Ewers was already in the Heisman conversation before this game, but this just improved his odds.

3. Colorado has work to do. After a disappointing season last year, expectations were high for Colorado heading into the second season under Deion Sanders as head coach. During the offseason, the Buffs were even more hyped than last season with talk of an improved offense and an easier schedule after joining the BIG 12. Colorado won their first game at home 31-26 against North Dakota State. They then went on the road to play rival Nebraska in a game where Colorado was favored. It was a rough game for the Buffs as it was 28-0 in the first half. Colorado only came up with a field goal in the 3rd quarter and one touchdown in the 4th ending the game with a final score of 28-10. Colorado has a lot of work to do to improve this season starting with quarterback play. As talented as Shedeur Sanders is, he’s not very good under pressure as he was sacked five times in his game against Nebraska. Sanders also has two touchdowns of the season, throwing one in each of his two games. While Sanders is not very good at his run game, he has 689 passing yards on the season and should continue to rely on his strong arm. Colorado does have a key player for the offense in wide receiver, Travis Hunter. Hunter has three touchdowns of the season with 242 rushing yards. Many believe that Hunter should be in the Heisman discussion. Overall Colorado needs to clean up their offensive play and become more disciplined. Deion Sanders stated in an interview that his team needs to learn how to deal with pressure. Sanders does have the ability and knowledge to lead this team well. The Buffs take on Colorado State on September 14th.

4. Should early upsets matter? Florida State has already been beaten twice in two games they were favored by and Notre Dame once. Many people believe that losses like this should mean automatic disqualification for the playoffs but with a new system expanding to a 12-team playoff, should we ride anyone off this early in the playoffs especially if they win the rest of their games. There is no simple answer to this question especially when talking about a team like Florida State that has yet to win a game.

Elizabeth . 6/26/24 Elizabeth . 6/26/24

Way too early College Football Predictions 2024

With college football just around the corner, fans are gearing up for the 2024 season. With conference realignments, coaching changes, new star quarterbacks, and a new slate of fresh players to watch, this year will be special and a time to expect the unexpected. Below are some of my predictions for the 2024 season.

Michigan will have an off-season. Michigan, a team that seems to be in the Top 10 and the playoff conversation every year might hit a roadblock this season. Michigan had a perfect season last year, despite being the center of controversy went on to go undefeated and win the title. This glory run might be short-lived as head coach Jim Harbaugh left Ann Arbor to go coach for the Los Angeles Chargers and live out his NFL dreams. Quarterback JJ Mccarthy also left for the NFL and got drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in late April. Sherrone Moore, former Michigan tight end coach, will be taking over as head coach. While Moore certainly has the skill set and the IQ to lead the team, it may come with some struggles. This is the first year that Michigan will be playing in the expanded BIG 10 which may come with some challenges. It is also common for first-year head coaches to encounter an adjustment period for a while. It may take a season before we see Michigan back on top.
Oregon has a shot at the title. Every season Oregon seems to have national championship dreams but ends up falling short and is often unable to close out the season on a high note. However, this year might be different as Dan Lanning gears up for his third year coaching the Ducks and early Heisman favorite Dillion Gabriel will be the starting quarterback for Oregon. With a different slate of teams on the schedule, Oregon leaves the PAC 12 and joins the BIG 10. If Oregon can prove themselves and win the conference, this could be a special season for the Ducks.
Colorado will have a better season. One of the biggest stories in all of sports last season was football legend Deion Sanders taking the job at Colorado as head coach. Expectations were high and many expected an unforgettable season. However, while the Buffs started the season on a high note winning the first three games of the season, the success was short-lived and Colorado went on to win only four games of the 2023 season. With the return of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback Travis Hunter plus the move out of the PAC 12 into the BIG 12, Colorado could find themselves with a winning record and a trip to the BIG 12 conference championship game if they can turn it around.
The BIG 10 will have the best year. When it comes to college football, the BIG 10 and SEC are the two teams that get the most attention every year. With the conference adding USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, the BIG 10 will be the most competitive conference this year with many new and old thrilling matchups.

Elizabeth . 3/21/24 Elizabeth . 3/21/24

Women's March Madness Predictions

March. The most chaotic times in sports. With bracket breaking teams, magical Cinderella runs, and unpredictable outcomes, March Madness lives up to its name. At times it even seems pointless to make predictions with this tournament. However, basketball fans around the world can’t help but fill out their brackets on Selection Sunday and make their predictions. Read mine below.

Final Four Predictions: South Carolina, Stanford, Iowa, UConn. This year women’s basketball has been at an all time high and has gotten more viewers than ever. With a competitive set of teams being placed into the tournament and a wide variety of star players, this year's tournament will be one to watch. Undefeated South Carolina is the favorite to win it all but doesn’t have the easiest road to do so. South Carolina may have to face teams like UNC, Notre Dame, and Stanford assuming they can advance as well. It’s important to note that center Kamilla Cardoso will not be available to play in the first round of the tournament due to an altercation during the SEC championship game that led to her ejection. Cardoso averages 14 PPG for the team and could cause a significant loss. The GameCocks tend to struggle at the line but make up for it by limiting turnovers and have one of the best shooting games in the country. South Carolina poses a real threat. Next, Stanford has a lot to prove after falling short in the Pac 12 championship game and losing the number one seed spot to Texas on Selection Sunday. Forwards Cameron Brink and Kiki Iriafen will be two key players for the Cardinal. Stanford has one of the best offenses but must clean up their defense if they want to make it to the final four. Third, The Iowa Hawkeyes seem to be the talk of not only college basketball but sports as a whole. Caitlin Clark has been a dominating force for the Hawkeyes leading the team in almost every category every night. While Clark may be getting lots of attention, she isn’t their only weapon. Kate Martin and Hannah Stuelke are two players that bring a lot to the Hawkeyes. As dominant as the Iowa offense, they must improve their defense. Iowa must increase their number of blocks and steals.The path to victory won’t be easy as Iowa has arguably the hardest regions. Assuming they can advance, the Hawkeyes will have to face off against defending national champions LSU in the Sweet 16.. Finally, UConn is once again Big East conference champions. The Huskies received a three seed falling behind USC and Ohio State. The odds of UConn having to face off against one or both of these teams are high depending on who advances. Paige Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards will be two players for UConn to watch.

Potential Cinderella teams: Oklahoma and Texas A&M. It happens every year. A lower seed team that many people do not think twice about goes on a magical run in the tournament. While these teams rarely win, runs like this are why people love March so much. Oklahoma is a 5th seed and has continued to be underrated all year despite some impressive wins and solid record. The Sooners are great at hitting deep three or at the free throw line but they have impressive rebounding and limit turnovers. Oklahoma has to play 12th seed FGCU in round one of the tournament. Texas A&M is an 11th seed and has a tough path having to play 6th seed Nebraska in round one. It might seem like a long shot for the Aggies to go on a run considering they have had some brutal losses during the regular season. However, the Aggies have very solid defense, which is something that many other teams lack. If the Aggies can improve their shooting, they may be a team to watch.

Elizabeth . 3/20/24 Elizabeth . 3/20/24

Men's March Madness predictions

Final Four predictions: UConn,North Carolina,Houston,Tennessee. A pro tip given out by experts when filling out your brackets is to pick one or two lower seeds to make it to the final four. However, with how competitive and physical the top seeds are, this year might be different. Defending national champions and Big East conference champions, UConn are favored to win the tournament. Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer are two key players in leading the Huskies to victory. While UConn has a talented rooster and the skills to win it all they must play smart. Assuming Illinois can advance, the Huskies might have to face off against them towards the end of the tournament which will be a challenge for the Huskies. Next, North Carolina was favored to win the ACC tournament but fell short in the championship game against NC State and shocked the world. The Tar Heels still have the potential to go far in the tournament despite not winning their conference. Assuming UNC can win round one, they must go on to face the winner of the Mississippi state and Michigan state game. Both teams would be a challenge for the Tar Heels as they have a good defensive game. Third,Houston fell short to Iowa State in the Big 12 championship and the Cougars will face Longwood in the first round of the tournament. In order to prevent a huge upset and make a run in the tournament, they must continue to rebound the ball as they have been doing all season and continue their great defensive game. Finally, Tennessee has the potential to reach the championship game if they can avoid potential trap games and improve their defense and continue to dominate as a three point threat team. Tennessee must first get through St. Peters. At first glance, this may seem like an easy win for the Vols as St. Peters struggles on defense and is one of the worst shooting teams in the tournament. However, with their frontcourt presence this is a team that can go on another magical Cinderella run like they did just two seasons ago.

Potential Cinderella teams: Oregon and James Madison. It happens every year. A lower seed team that many people do not think twice about goes on a magical run in the tournament. While these teams rarely win, runs like this are why people love March so much. This year in the Pac 12 tournament, Oregon won the conference despite Arizona being the favorite. The Ducks are good on both sides of the ball but not amazing. However, they are more of an offensive team and if they can clean up on defense, they have a chance of going on a run. James Madison is a team that is going to be overlooked this season and many people do not expect them to win the first round of their tournament as they have to play fifth seed Wisconsin as a twelve seed. However,if you have been following the tournament for a while you know the saying: a 12 always beats a 5. JMU plays extremely aggressive on defense and a clean, old-school style of hoops. Watch out for JMU in the tournament.

Elizabeth . 3/8/24 Elizabeth . 3/8/24

Women’s college basketball conference champion winner predictions

Women’s basketball has been growing in popularity this season and more eyes have been on the game. With the conference tournaments approaching fast, old and new fans are eager to see what happens next. Read my predictions below.

ACC- Virginia Tech. The ACC is one of the most competitive conferences in women’s college basketball this season. With 5 teams being ranked in the top 25, the race to the top will be a test. Virginia Tech is standing at the top of the ACC and ranked 11 in the nation. The Hookies won the ACC last year versus Louisville. Senior center Elizabeth Kitley leads the Hookies averaging 22.8 PPG followed by Georgia Amoore who averages 18.7 points per game. As talented as the team is, a loss of either of these players could be harmful. Virginia Tech will have to compete hard this year as this is a conference where anything can happen.

Big 12- Texas. The Texas Longhorns are a team that seems to be underrated and not talked about enough despite being 6 in the nation and 2nd in the Big 12. Forward Madison Booker leads the team in points and assists averaging 16.5 PPG and 4.9 APG. The Lady Longhorns will have to look out for rival Oklahoma and Kansas State.

Pac 12- USC. The Pac 12 is the most competitive conference this year in women’s college basketball. 6 of the teams are ranked in the top 25 and with the last year of the Pac 12, everyone wants the crown. Stanford is at the top of the conference and sitting nice at number 2 in the nation. USC has some star power and can cause some real disruption in the conference. Freshman guard Juju Watkins has started to capture the nation's attention with her shooting ability. Watkins leads the team 27.8 points a night and has impressive defense leading the team in steals. If Watkins is able to handle the pressure of March, the Trojans have the ability to win the conference.

Big East- UConn. UConn has dominated the Big East all season and remains undefeated in conference play. UConn is ninth in the nation and has a rooster full of star players that have contributed to the team's success. Guard Paige Bueckers, who recently announced that she will be returning for another year leads the team in points averaging 20.7 PPG. Forward Aaliyah Edwards also has been a dominant force leading the teams in rebounds. The Huskies will have to keep an eye out for number 21 Creighton.

SEC- South Carolina. Despite losing all of their starters from last year and having a new lineup, South Carolina is undefeated and the top team in the nation. Center Kamilla Cardoso leads the team in points averaging 14.1 PPG and guard Raven Johnson leads the team in assists and steals. The team is led by head coach Dawn Staley who has something to prove after losing to Iowa last year in the final four. The major threat to the Gamecocks ability to claim a SEC title in number 8 and defending national champions LSU.

BIG 10- Iowa. It seems like everyone around the country knows who the Iowa Hawkeyes are and what led scorer Caitlin Clark has been doing. Clark leads the team in almost every area in points, assists, rebounds, assists and steals. While Clark is definitely the star, she’s not the only notable player as forward Hannah Stuelke has been stepping into her role averaging 23.8 PPG. However, this team must be careful as the top team in the Big 10, Ohio State is a team that has given their all everytime they step on the court. The Hawkeyes and Buckeyes have played each other twice this season, with both teams winning one game.

Elizabeth . 2/28/24 Elizabeth . 2/28/24

Men's College Basketball conference champions winner prediction

With the conference championship game just a few weeks away, fans are eager to crown a champion for their favorite conference. This season of college basketball has been unpredictable with upsets, court stormings, and dramatic shifts in the rankings. The conference championship games will be full of the same surprises. Read my predictions below

ACC- North Carolina Tar Heels. The North Carolina Tar Heels are on fire and 14-3 in ACC play and 22-6 overall. Star guard RJ Davis averages 21.7 PPG leading the team in points who had a career high of 47 points in the games against Miami on Monday night. Closely following him is forward Armando Bacot who averages 14.1 PPG and leads the team in rebounds. UNC is at the top of the conference and currently ranked ninth in the nation. UNC is favored to win and should have the crown locked down as the ACC is not as competitive as it normally is. However, this win won’t come easy to the Tar Heels. Rival Duke will be a team to watch out for as the Blue Devils are second in the ACC and have star center and big man Kyle Filipowski leading the way. Virginia and Wake Forest are two sleepers in the conference this year and have the ability to claim the title.

Pac 12- Arizona Wildcats. The Arizona Wildcats are sitting on top of the PAC 12 and are currently 12-4 in conference play and 21-6 overall. With the last year of the PAC 12, this season just means more. Arizona is scoring an average of 90 PPG and allowing 73 PPG. Guard Caleb Love has become a star for the Arizona offense averaging 19.4 PPG followed by Oumar Ballo averaging 13.2 PPG. Ballo has also been dominant on defense leading the team in rebounds and steals. Arizona must watch out for Colorado, Oregon and Washington State in order to claim the PAC 12 championship one final time.

Big 12- Iowa State. The Iowa State Cyclones are 10-4 in Big 12 play and 21-6 overall. The Big 12 is a competitive conference this season with four teams ranked in the top 25. Lead scorer Keshon Gilbert averages 14.1 PPG. The junior guard isn’t alone with guard Tamin Lipsey averaging 12.8 PPG. The team as a whole has an average of 77.9 PPG while allowing 62.9 PPG. Iowa State is currently ranked eighth in the nation.

Big East- UConn. The UConn Huskies are 15-2 in the Big East and are 25-3 overall. The defending national champions have lived up to their name and are ready to go back to back for the national championship. UConn has had a very successful season so far despite doubts for the basketball world and being ranked six in the preseason polls. UConn fell to Marquette in the semifinals last year in the Big East championship who ended up winning it all. The Huskies are hungry more than ever for a victory. Star guard Tristen Newton leads the teams in points, rebounds, and assists. Newton averages 15.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 5.9 APG. The Huskies have competitive teams to watch out for like Marqutte, Seton Hall, and Creighton. UConn is currently third in the nation.

SEC- Tennessee. The Tennessee Volunteers are 11-3 in SEC play and 21-6 overall. The Vols are first in their conference and favored to win the SEC. Guard Dalton Knecht leads the team in scoring averaging 20.1 PPG followed by forward Jonas Aidoo who averages 12 PPG. This season, claiming the SEC crown will be a difficult task as the SEC is the most competitive conference in men’s hoops this year with six teams being ranked in the top 25, most in any conference. The Vols scored an average of 80.3 points and allowed 66 points. The Vols are ranked fourth in the nation, the highest out of any SEC teams.

Big 10- Purdue. The Purdue Boilermakers are 14-3 in the Big 10 and 25-3 overall. The Boilermakers are averaging 84.8 PPG with 7’4 center Zach Edey leading the team with 23.7 PPG. This season, the Big 10 isn’t as competitive with only two teams being ranked. Purdue should have to watch out for Illinois as their offensive play and style is similar to Purdue. The Boilermakers are currently second in the country.

Elizabeth . 2/16/24 Elizabeth . 2/16/24

CFB 2024 Top 12 team prediction

With the college football season ending a little over a month ago, fans are eagerly waiting for the 2024 season. The off-season has already been a rollercoaster of events with an active transfer portal, coaching changes happening left and right and conference realignments. Not to mention the playoffs are expanding from a 4-team playoff to a 12 team giving schools chances to knock off the blue bloods and claim the crown. What better way to wait until the season unfolds then to predict the top 12 teams in the 2024 season.

1.Georgia Bulldogs. The Bulldogs finished their season 13-1 with a disappointing loss to Alabama in the SEC title game which resulted in them being eliminated for the playoffs. Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs didn’t finish their season how they wanted to; however, this team is hungry for blood. With Georgia having the #1 ranked recruiting class and picking up transfers, not to mention the return of QB Carson Beck, this offense will be hard to stop. However, even with a fiery offense Georgia still needs to prove themselves with challenging SEC games on the road like Texas and Ole Miss.

2.Oregon Ducks. The Ducks finished their season 12-2 with both losses being against Washington. Oregon is going into their third season with head coach Dan Lanning who is committed to growing the culture at Oregon and winning a national championship. This will be Oregon’s first year in the Big 10 after leaving the Pac 12. With star quarterback Bo Nix finishing his final year of college football and entering the NFL draft, questions were raised about his replacement. However, anxieties were calmed as the former Oklahoma quarterback announced that he will be transferring to Eugene. Oregon also picked up cornerback Jabbar Muhammad from Washington and safety Kobe Savage from Kansas State.

3.Texas Longhorns. The Longhorns finished their season 12-2 but fell short in the Sugar Bowl losing against Washington. With the Longhorns leaving the Big 12 and joining the SEC, Texas will have to adjust to playing a different slate of teams. The Longhorns will take on the defending national champs at the Big House and host Georgia later in the season. The teams is facing significant losses with receivers Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders entering the NFL draft. However, with the return of Quarterback Quinn Ewers and notable transfers, wide receivers Isaiah Bond from Alabama and Matthew Golden from Houston, Texas might be back again.

4.Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes finished their season 12-2 with back-to-back losses at the end of the season, the first being a rival loss against Michigan and a loss against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, tailback TreVeyon Henderson, defensive ends JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer and cornerback Denzel Burke are returning for another season which will be key for the Buckeyes. The teams also picked up notable transfers from the portal such as Quarterback Will Howard from Kansas State, tailback Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss and safety Caleb Downs from Alabama. Former UCLA head coach, Chip Kelly was also hired as offensive coordinator. Ohio State has to play Oregon and Penn State on the road.

5.Ole Miss Rebels. The Rebels finished their season 11-2 and head coach Lane Kiffin has the potential to lead the team to another special season. Even with a challenging SEC schedule, they have both Georgia and Oklahoma at home. Kiffin also did a great job in the transfer portal picking up defensive tackle Walter Nolen from Texas A&M, defensive end Princely Umanmielen from Florida and linebacker Chris Paul Jr. from Arkansas.

6.Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tide finished their season 12-2 and had one of the most talked about news in the college football offseason, the retirement of legendary head coach, Nick Saban. Many people have doubts about what will happen this season with players entering the portal and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and offensive line coach Scott Huff taking jobs with the Seattle Seahawks. However, at the end of the day, Alabama is a program that knows how to build national champion type teams. The Tide will be coached under former Washington head coach, Kaleb DeBoer coming in and taking over the program, fans are eager to see what he can do. Following Deboer to Tuscaloosa are former Washington quarterback Austin Mack, receiver Germie Bernard and offensive lineman Parker Brailsford.

7.Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines finished their season with an undefeated record of 15-0 and claimed the national championship back in January. Even with the unforgettable season, there still is doubt surrounding the team going into the new season. With head coach Jim Harbaugh going to the NFL and JJ Mcarthy and Blake Corum entering the draft, we could see a very different Michigan team. Not to mention several members of the coaching staff are following Harbaugh to the NFL. The Wolverines must prove themselves next season as they have a difficult BIG 10 schedule with multiple road tests. However, this is team that is used to adjusting when needed and works well when criticized.

8.Missouri Tigers. The Tigers finished their season 12-2 and are looking to repeat another special season. This won’t be the easiest task as the Tigers are losing multiple key players such as tailback Cody Schrader, cornerbacks Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and linebacker Ty'ron Hopper. The Tigers were able to pick up some key players on defense with Cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. from Clemson, linebacker Darris Smith from Georgia and defensive lineman Chris McClellan from Florida.

9.Utah Utes. The Utes finished their season 8-5 and did not meet expectations for the season. The Utes are leaving the Pac 12 and are joining the Big 12 and have the potential to make a statement. Quarterback Cam Rising will be returning after battling an injury along with tight end Brant Kuithe. Utah also picked up several players from the portal that will add strength to their secondary. The Utes have challenging road games at Oklahoma State and Colorado which will be hostile environments. Utah will be a team to watch next season.

10.Penn State Nittany Lions. The Nittany Lions finished their season 10-3 but overall did well in the Big 10. Penn State will need to prove themselves with a competitive schedule with a road game at USC and Ohio State and Washington at home. Penn State hired Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and former Indiana head coach Tom Alen to handle the defense. Penn State will be depending on quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen and tight end Tyler Warren to control the pace of the offense.

11.Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Irish finished their season 10-3 and are ready to return the Irish to the glory days. Former Duke quarterback, Riley Lenord will be joining the squad replacing Sam Hartman. The Irish also added wide receivers Kris Mitchell from Florida International and Beaux Collins from Clemson. Notre Dame’s offense will be one to watch out for and if they can improve their defense, Marcus Freeman and the Irish will be a team to watch in 2024.

12. Florida State Seminoles. The Seminoles finished their season 13-1 and are arguably the angriest team in all of college football. Florida State got left out of the playoffs despite being undefeated conference champions. With the loss of star quarterback Jordan Travis, it’s challenging to navigate how good this team will be. However, head coach Mike Norvell is angry and determined to make the playoffs. With former Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and linebacker Marvin Jones Jr. from Georgia, Florida State has picked up some fiery transfers that are hungry for the crown.

By: Elizabeth Scanland