Looking Forward to 2011
Why pay attention?
College Football
On Mon. Jan. 10, No. 1 Auburn will battle No. 2 Oregon for the BCS National Championship. Each team has a high-powered offense in what should be a shootout in Glendale. Once that ends, we’ll have to wait until Sept. for next season to begin.
Predicted Champion: Auburn Tigers
Question for 2011: Can the SEC continue its dominance in the BCS Title Game?
Bold Prediction: South Carolina will win the SEC.
Resolution for Mike Leach: To find a job.
College Basketball
The season is just getting fun to watch as conference play begins. Defending champion Duke is the favorite to win the title this season but a slew of undefeated teams including Ohio State, Kansas, Connecticut, Syracuse, San Diego State and UCF all stand in the way of Coach K’s Blue Devils. The Big East has five teams in the current Top 10 rankings although the Big Ten has a strong conference this season.
Predicted Champion: Duke Blue Devils
Question for 2011: Who will be this year’s Butler?
Bold Prediction: Gonzaga will make a run into the Final Four.
Resolution for Frank Martin: To get my team’s swagger back and make a push for the title.
Golf
2010 seemed like the perfect setup year for 2011 – no one dominated the sport completely, Tiger lost his No. 1 ranking, Phil regained his old mojo, the young guns emerged and Europe found success on American soil. This year will be pivotal to Tiger if he plans on breaking Jack’s record of 18 majors. Currently sitting at 14, Tiger turned 35 in Dec., which means that he is coming down to his last opportunities at the highest level of the game. Working with new swing coach Sean Foley seemed to work for him towards the end of year and it will be interesting to see how he starts the year off.
Hunter Mahan, Dustin Johnson, Camilo Villegas, Anthony Kim and Rory McIlroy are all under 30 and all took home victories in 2010. The question now is if they can keep that momentum going and win some this year and possibly a major. Another intriguing question is how Graeme McDowell will respond to a breakthrough year. He looked great in the U.S. Open and Ryder Cup and it will be interesting to see if he keeps it going.
Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els and Steve Stricker are all over 40 and all took home victories in 2010. (Some even took home more than one.) But not everyone that’s over the hill can follow up a successful year with another one. All showed signs of their youthful self last year and I expect each of them at least contend in a few tournaments, if not win one.
Predicted Champions:
- Masters: Tiger Woods
- U.S. Open: Dustin Johnson
- British Open: Rory McIlroy
- PGA Championship: Hunter Mahan
Question for 2011: Will Tiger win at least one major?
Bold Prediction: Rickie Fowler will win his first major.
Resolution for Sean Foley: To get Tiger back to his winning ways.
NBA
The San Antonio Spurs have emerged as the early season favorite to win the title. But the Miami Heat, led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, have found their winning ways after a slow start. In the East, the Celtics, Bulls, Magic and Hawks have all looked tough up to this point. In the West, the Mavericks, Lakers, Jazz and Thunder have all had early season success.
Predicted Champion: Miami Heat
Question for 2011: Will the Spurs’ age be a factor down the stretch?
Bold Prediction: The Knicks will defeat the Hornets for the NBA title.
Resolution for the New Jersey Nets: To get Carmelo Anthony.
NFL
As the season comes to a close, the playoffs stand in the forefront. Tom Brady of the Patriots and Michael Vick of the Eagles have emerged as the favorites to win NFL MVP. New England will be the team to beat in the AFC, as the Steelers, Ravens, Jets and Chiefs all stand as possible challenges. In the NFC, the Falcons are favored, with the Bears, Saints and Eagles all lurking. The Super Bowl is set for Feb. 6 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.
Predicted Champion: New England Patriots
Question for 2011: Will Brett Favre finally retire for good?
Bold Prediction: The NFC West champion will win the Super Bowl.
Resolution for Michael Vick: To prove everyone wrong by winning the Super Bowl.
MLB
The San Francisco Giants finally broke through and won a championship for their well-deserving city. But the team to watch in 2011 will be the Philadelphia Phillies, who acquired Cliff Lee, adding to their pitching rotation of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt. In the AL, the Red Sox got Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, trying to redeem themselves from a disappointing 2010. The Yankees failed to sign Lee but resigned Jeter and Rivera in hopes that their aging team can make another run at a World Series title.
Predicted Champion: Philadelphia Phillies
Question for 2011: Will pitching be as dominant in 2011 as it was in 2010?
Bold Prediction: The Baltimore Orioles will make a run at the AL East.
Resolution for Brian Cashman: To get some younger talent for the Yankees’ future.
