As usual on the first day of a new year, here are a few predictions, a resolution and some memories from 2014:
PREDICTION Today's slate of football games will be watched by millions, but the final two -- the Rose and Sugar bowls -- will win the ratings war because they are the first two College Football Playoff games in history.
RESOLUTION To ride a train through the Swiss Alps this year.
PREDICTION In the showdown of perhaps the two best head coaches in college football, Alabama's Nick Saban and Ohio State's Urban Meyer (who have combined to win five of the past 10 national championships), it may come down more to the Jimmy Joes than X's and O's. The coaches have faced each other three times, twice in the SEC Championship Game, and Saban holds a 2-1 lead. Alabama win, 28-24.
PREDICTION The first playoff game features two Heisman Trophy winners, Florida State's Jameis Winston and Oregon's Marcus Mariota, which makes this game a little more interesting. Most of the nation has turned on FSU because of Winston, and then Mariota went to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation and became the darling of college football after thanking everyone but himself for the award. The Seminoles are the undefeated defending national champions, but the Ducks are favored. Oregon wins, 42-27.
MEMORY The Arkansas Razorbacks made November and December months to remember. In their final five games, the Hogs allowed only 45 points and three of those games were on the road.
PREDICTION Optimism is running high among the fans after the Hogs closed the season with a 31-7 victory over Texas in the Texas Bowl. Many times it has been said that the Razorbacks could have finished third in the Big 12. The problem is they are staying in the SEC and in the Western Division, where every team finished the season with a winning record. Arkansas' schedule may be a little easier next year, but not much. The guess here is 8-4, and that's definite improvement.
PREDICTION Injured Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller will not transfer to Arkansas. If he is transferring at all, that will be declared after the Buckeyes lose tonight. He graduated last month and has a year of eligibility left, but he may decide to stay at OSU and compete for the starting job.
MEMORY Two years ago an Ohio State football player tweeted, "Why should we have to go to class if we came here to play FOOTBALL, we ain't come to play SCHOOL, classes are POINTLESS." That player, Cardale Jones, will be the Buckeyes' starting quarterback tonight. He led them to a 59-0 victory over Wisconsin in his previous start.
PREDICTION Mike Anderson and the Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team will make the NCAA Tournament in March and will win at least one game.
PREDICTION UALR's women's basketball team and the Arkansas women's basketball team will make the NCAA Tournament, and if they win one game they will face each other.
MEMORY Watching Ole Miss get manhandled by TCU on Wednesday reminded me of the importance of quarterback play (see Arkansas game), but if they find a true quarterback Ole Miss will be better next season. Too many injuries this season.
PREDICTION Mississippi State may have some drop-off next season because it loses 13 starters, but the Bulldogs will be very tough at home. Alabama will win the SEC after another epic game against Auburn, and LSU will miss defensive coordinator John Chavis, who is leaving for Texas A&M.
PREDICTION Every member of the SEC will have a record payday this summer when the checks are written, but that record will be shattered in 2016 because the SEC Network will become as desired a channel in the SEC footprint as ESPN.
Sports on 01/01/2015