Big Ten Power Rankings

March Madness is now just 47 days away and the Big Ten season is right about at its midpoint. The conference season has turned out to be surprising with the offensive struggles of Wisconsin and Ohio State and Michigan rolling through the conference. With a number of great games on this weekend (Michigan State vs. Georgetown, Ohio State vs. Wisconsin) it is time to unveil the latest McGowanMania Big Ten Power Rankings:

1. Michigan State Spartans 19-2, 8-1 Big Ten
Even with a roster full of banged-up players the Spartans continue to play well, nearly beating the flaming hot Michigan Wolverines and holding on to beat Iowa on the road. The good news for Michigan State is that Adreian Payne and Branden Dawson, two important frontcourt options will be healthy soon and Keith Appling's wrist issues should go away. Appling has been fantastic in his senior campaign and sophomore Gary Harris has turned into the star the Spartans have needed him to be, averaging 18.3 points per game. After their battle with Georgetown, the Spartans get a pretty favorable stretch with Penn State, Nebraska and Northwestern all included in a five-game stretch.
Next Game: vs. Georgetown

2. Michigan Wolverines 15-4, 7-0 Big Ten
Think about how well the Wolverines are playing at the moment: they have won 10 of 11 (the lone

Nik Stauskas

loss was to No. 1 Arizona) and are undefeated in possibly the best conference in college basketball. Sophomore guard Nik Stauskas has turned into one of the nation's best players, averaging 18.5 points per game this year, while shooting 50% from the field and 46% from the 3-point line. Sophomore Glenn Robinson looks more comfortable now as the second option in this offense. Earlier in the year he forced up shots but is much better not being the star of the team. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Michigan this season is that they are winning without star forward Mitch McGary, one of the better players inside the conference.
Next Game: vs. Purdue

3. Iowa Hawkeyes 16-5, 5-3 Big Ten
Fran McCaffrey has turned Iowa quickly into a real threat inside the Big Ten and they have a special team this year. Roy Devyn Marble is one of the most reliable scorers in the Big Ten and junior forward Aaron White has been incredibly efficient, shooting 62 percent from the field with 13.5 points per game. Iowa is tough, deep and experienced things that a lot of teams lack inside the conference. With great three-point shooters in Josh Oglesby and Devyn Marble, Iowa can drown teams from deep and is still a team that can punish opponents in the post. Other good news for the Hawkeyes: 3 of their last 4 big games against Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Ohio State are at home.
Next Game: vs. Illinois

4. Wisconsin Badgers 17-4, 4-4 Big Ten
The Badgers have hit some big speed bumps lately, losing 4 of 5 with losses to Indiana and Northwestern in that span. Their offense has been tough to watch during this cold stretch and their defense, which Bo Ryan teams pride themselves on, has been exposed. Sophomore forward Sam Dekker continues to contribute in big ways for the Badgers, leading the team with 14 points per game and 6.4 rebounds as well. Along with senior guard Ben Brust, Frank Kaminksy and junior Traevon Jackson, Wisconsin has the talent to return to the nation's elite. A meeting with another struggling team, Ohio State, should go far to tell us if either can get back on track.
Next Game: vs. Ohio State

5. Minnesota Gophers 15-6, 4-4 Big Ten
The Gophers continue to be the most confusing team in the Big Ten. Richard Pitino has already gotten some big wins in his first years with victories over Wisconsin and Ohio State but has also lost to Nebraska and hasn't looked very impressive against Penn State or Purdue. Junior guard Andre Hollins has been great (he is out with an ankle injury at the moment) this year and transfer Malik Smith has been a huge source of scoring since following Pitino from Florida International. Their next three match ups, Purdue, Northwestern and Indiana are all beatable teams but they can't have a setback.
Next Game: vs. Northwestern

6. Ohio State Buckeyes 16-5, 3-5 Big Ten
No way around it: the Buckeyes are absolutely falling apart. A 71-70 overtime loss to Penn State was extremely alarming considering that it was in Columbus and  they have looked uninspired in losses to Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. Senior guard Aaron Craft and junior Shannon Scott have formed one of the nation's most feared defensive backcourts but neither have ever been much of scorers. The Buckeyes really need LaQuinton Ross to turn into the go-to scorer that Deshaun Thomas was last season and needs a big man to step up, most likely Amir Williams.
Next Game: vs. Wisconsin

Non-NCAA Tournament Teams:
7. Indiana Hoosiers Noah Vonleh has quickly become one of the best freshmen inside the Big Ten and is shooting up draft boards but depth could be a concern for a 13-7 Hoosiers team.
8. Illinois Fighting Illini The Illini have also fallen apart in Big Ten, stuttering to a 2-6 conference mark. Transfer Rayvonte Rice has been great but they need other scoring options along with him to compete inside the conference.
9. Purdue Boilermakers Quietly, the Boilermakers have built a solid campaign, going 13-7 and posting a 3-4 conference mark. Much of that can be credited to Terone Johnson, who is putting up 13.4 points per game. If big man A.J. Hammons continues to improve, Purdue could surprise down the stretch.
10. Northwestern Wildcats First year head coach Chris Collins won't lead Northwestern to their first ever tournament appearance but he has had a successful first year with them. Drew Crawford has turned into a scary scorer for the 'Cats.
11. Penn State Nittany Lions Penn State proved they are a dangerous team inside the Big Ten when both Tim Frazier and D.J. Newbill are healthy. Unfortunately, they have struggled all year to find a player that can dominate in the paint like most elite Big Ten teams.
12. Nebraska Cornhuskers Give Tim Miles credit for his two Big Ten wins over Minnesota and Ohio State. Sophomore Terran Petteway can score on will, but the 'Huskers will now have to replace junior Deverell Biggs, who was dismissed from the team.

How To Fix the Knicks

Carmelo Anthony

Here is a quick list of a couple of teams with a lower payroll than the Knicks: Indiana, Miami, Houston, Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers all teams with better records than New York, who sits at 17-27 and 10th in the Eastern Conference as of January 26th. Even in the lowly Eastern Conference (the 3rd place team, Atlanta, would be out of the playoffs in the Western Conference) the Knicks have been a source of just terrible basketball. How do you fix a team that has the second-highest payroll in the NBA but is 10 games under .500?

The talent on New York's roster just doesn't work together. At all. There isn't any denying that there is a ton of talent on it. Carmelo Anthony is still a player that can put up 30 any game, Tyson Chandler is one of the best centers in the league when healthy and New York also has some promising young players in Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway. As good as Carmelo is and even though he is extremely important to this offense, New York should feel fine if he opts out of his contract this next offseason. Carmelo is never going to lead a team to a NBA title if he is the first option on it. He always needs the ball in his hands and can take teams out of the game if he isn't on his game. The Knicks can't take the next step with J.R. Smith on their roster either. J.R. Smith is terrible and he is just a poisonous player on this roster. Smith can wow you at times with his fantastic scoring potential but he can also take his team out of games with some of the shots he takes. Both Carmelo and Smith need the ball to be effective and they don't work well together at all. The Knicks are paying Smith 5.5 million for at least one more season (he has a player option for the 2015-2016 season). The unfortunate thing is that he isn't very moveable and the Knicks will likely want a lot in return if they do try to trade him. Amar'e Stoudemire has turned out to be a terrible signing for the Knicks, who were hoping he would be a good consolation prize after missing out on LeBron. Stoudemire hasn't started one game for the Knicks this year and is averaging 9.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Stoudemire is getting 21 million this year and will be getting 23 million next year if he doesn't opt out his contract this offseason. He has always been a risk because he is always injury prone and isn't the type of player that can lead a team. Those three are huge issues; New York can't afford to have all three on their roster next year to be contenders. I actually like a lot of players on this roster. Tyson Chandler has only played in 19 games this year but has managed to be a solid option when healthy. Having a dominant center in the paint is a staple of a contender and Chandler can easily bring that to a team. Shumpert and Hardaway are the two bright spots on this team but both of their minutes are being sucked up by Smith or 'Melo. Hardaway, a rookie from Michigan, isn't anything you can build around but he is a sharpshooter who is a lot smarter than some of these players on this roster. Shumpert is extremely athletic and extremely durable (Shump has played in all 43 of the Knicks' games this year and has started them as well). His durability and athleticism has made him an attractive name on the trade market and there have been some rumors of the Knicks trying to deal him. If New York were to trade him they better get something in return, he has the potential to turn into a fantastic all-around shooting guard, who also has the versatility to spend time at other positions. The rest of this roster is pretty much filled with role players who do all add something but not much. An issue for New York this year is injuries have forced them to push these guys into their starting lineup which hasn't worked. Raymond Felton is a solid starter but he turns the ball over a lot at times and has a PER or Player Efficiency Rating of 11.6 (by comparison, Kevin Durant's is an impressive 31 this season). Metta World Peace is just a plain of waste of money he doesn't really bring anything to this team.

New York may be heading towards a long and painful rebuild. The good news is that this offseason could be the right time to start with how talented the 2014 NBA Draft Pool is. New York currently doesn't hold a 2014 pick they gave it away to the Nuggets, but they could gain one in a deal. Even a late first rounder could help with how deep this class is. New York needs to start to blow this roster up now, it could save them from years of weak teams. They have a number of players that a contender would want to help them take the next step.

View Knicks 2013-2014 roster here

Way Too Early Look At NBA Lottery 2014

1. Milwaukee Bucks Joel Embiid, C
Embiid might have the most expansive potential of any prospect in this extremely talented prospect

Joel Embiid

pool. The freshman center has been absolutely fantastic in his first year with the Jayhawks, averaging 11.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and nearly 3 blocks per game this season. The crazy thing about Embiid is that he has only been playing basketball for a couple years and has an incredibly high ceiling. It would be crazy to think that anybody not named Jabari Parker or Andrew Wiggins would be the No. 1 prospect when the year began but Embiid has just been that impressive.

2. Utah Jazz Jabari Parker, F
Parker has been great this year for Duke, averaging nearly 19 points a game for the Blue Devils. Utah needs some more things to build around in their frontcourt and Parker would be a nice addition to the power of Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. Parker brings athleticism and strength right away to any team and is more reliable of a scorer than Andrew Wiggins.

3. Orlando Magic Andrew Wiggins, F
It was so unfair to label Andrew Wiggins as "The Next LeBron". Wiggins has had a great first year with Kansas but some could go as far as to label it as a disappointment, despite averaging 15.2 points a game. Wiggins is extremely dangerous in transition and imagine him in the same lineup as Victor Oladipo. It would bring a lot of athleticism and excitement to a team that definitely needs it.

4. Philadelphia Sixers Dante Exum, PG
Exum is by far and away the best international prospect in this year's draft. The Australian has the size to get to the rim and finish and is still developing a consistent jump shot. It will be interesting to see what Philadelphia does in this year's draft. Exum or Marcus Smart would be tough to pass up on but the Sixers have a future star in point guard Michael Carter-Williams.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers Julius Randle, PF
Cleveland has obviously found their new star in Kyrie Irving but they still lack a consistent scorer to go along with him, especially in the frontcourt. Randle is a proven scorer who has fantastic touch around the rim but can also step out and make a jumper. The lefty is averaging 16.7 points per game and is knocking down shots at an incredible rate, hitting more than half of his shots.

6. Sacramento Kings Marcus Smart, PG
If Smart were to drop here to the Kings, it would definitely be the steal of the draft. Smart has had a great sophomore season in Stillwater, scoring at will. Smart would give the Kings an athletic point guard and scorer to go along with the improving talent on this roster, including Rudy Gay and Demarcus Cousins.

7. Boston Celtics Rodney Hood, SF
Hood's first season with Duke has been great since transferring from Mississippi State. Hood is a fantastic shooter and would bring a scorer that could be helped out a lot by Rajon Rondo, assuming the Celtics keep him. Hood is hitting 45% from 3-point land, averaging 17.6 points per game for the Blue Devils.

8. Denver Nuggets Zach LaVine, G
LaVine has been rocketing up draft boards and for good reasons. He has been the star on a strong UCLA team and has made plenty of highlight-reel dunks and plays. LaVine can play both point and shooting guard and could bring help to Ty Lawson in the Denver backcourt. He still needs to develop a consistent three-point shot to be considered a top-flight prospect.

9. Los Angeles Lakers Gary Harris, SG
Kobe Bryant's career is obviously on it's last legs and the Lakers know they can't build around Nick Young. Gary Harris is a fantastic shooter who could help the Lakers if they hope to rebuild. He still isn't the go-to scorer of some of these other prospects but he is still a playmaker.

10. Atlanta Hawks  Jordan Clarkson, SG
Clarkson is a pretty high-risk prospect from Missouri but Atlanta could use his vast scoring potential. He is averaging 18.7 points a game for the Tigers in the SEC but he still lacks consistency. Atlanta has talent in the backcourt already with Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroeder but neither are much of scorers.

11. Memphis Grizzlies James Young, G/F
Taking a look at the Grizzlies' roster, you can clearly see they need some shooting help. Young sometimes can wow you with shooting potential and has the size to play either guard or forward. Sometimes though, he struggles to be a factor in games and lacks discipline.

12. Philadelphia Sixers Willie Cauley-Stein, C
There is still a lot to be desired in Cauley-Stein, a seven-footer from Kentucky with the potential to be quite the star. But, his offensive game is still very limited and he still hasn't proven you can build around him. Still, the Sixers would love pairing him up with another former Kentucky product in Nerlens Noel. If nothing else, Philly will get two of the NBA's best young shot blockers.

13. Orlando Magic Tyler Ennis, PG
Ennis' has had a great freshman campaign running the offense for the undefeated Orange. Ennis won't be a scorer on the next level but he will be a fantastic distributor and a leader from the beginning. He is a very efficient player who you know will be a solid player from the start of his career. Picking him up late in the lottery would be quite a pickup for the Magic.

14. Phoenix Suns Aaron Gordon, F
Gordon hasn't quite been the player that people expected him to be when he committed to Arizona. He still has been a freak of an athlete but he still hasn't developed as a scorer and is a high-risk prospect. He would still be a solid wing who already has fans in the area considering he plays nearby.

Can Wichita State Go Undeafeated?

Every single March, Cinderella stories take over the college basketball landscape. Last season, we

Cleanthony Early

had two, when 15 seed Florida Gulf Coast stunned the nation on their way to the Sweet 16 and when the 8 seed Wichita made a Final Four run. It is rare for these Cinderella teams to live up to the new expectations placed on them after a deep run. Some of the most famous Cinderella teams have disappeared since their runs. Teams like George Mason, Butler and others have been pretty average since their infamous deep tournament runs. But, it appears Wichita is a program that is here to stay. Just a couple months after their NCAA run, the Shockers are dominating the Missouri Valley, sitting at 20-0 and 7-0 inside the conference. With no big threats remaining on their schedule it is a realistic thing to wonder, can Wichita State go undefeated?

People will think the only reason that Wichita is undefeated is because of their weak schedule. While they haven't seen the schedule of some of the other Top 10 teams they still have a number of quality wins. The Shockers beat a tough St. Louis team in early December, and have big wins over two SEC opponents in Alabama and Tennessee. Inside the Valley, they dominated 15-4 Indiana State, their toughest opponent inside the conference. Much of their success this season can be credited to the play of sophomore guard/forward Ron Baker, who is averaging 13 points per game and is shooting 43% from the field. Along with the inside-outside combination of sophomore Fred Van Fleet at point guard and forward Cleanthony Early, the Shockers have a frontline that has the talent to make it consecutive Final Four trips. Wichita still plays Indiana State one more time on the road and they should be careful against Missouri State on March 1st. Missouri State played their best basketball of the season and forced the Shockers into OT. Neither of those look like teams that can end Wichita's perfect season.

Wichita is an extremely tough, disciplined team that won't lose games to teams they shouldn't. They really shouldn't lose another game this season, but going undefeated in the regular season of college basketball is so difficult. The season is 30+ games long and any team can have an off day. If Wichita can get through their regular season untouched their is still the fact that they have to go through the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament before the NCAA tournament even begins. The last college basketball team to go undefeated? Indiana, which went 32-0 in 1975-1976, before the tournament expanded to 64 teams in '85. Even with Early, Baker, Van Fleet and a pretty deep bench it seems like it will be difficult to get through the season without a single loss. Even if that happens, the NCAA tournament should have a number of teams that can knock Wichita down. Wichita is a great team, and they have a better chance of going undefeated and Arizona or Syracuse (the other two flawless teams in the nation) but their loss column will have at least one before things wrap in early April.

Where Will Their First Loss Come? Possible Losses:
Feb. 5th vs. Indiana State
The Sycamores are having their best year since the days of Larry Bird thanks in large part to the play of senior guard Jake Odum, who is leading the team in points, assists and rebounds. It will be an extremely tough road test for the Shockers.
Mar. 1st vs. Missouri State
Wichita needed a furious comeback to survive their first meeting with Missouri State and they could be looking too far ahead and look past this one. Stopping sophomore Marcus Marshall, who is averaging 14.3 points and 2.1 assists a game will be top priority for Wichita.
Missouri Valley Tournament
This may be the most logical time for the Shockers' undefeated year to come to an end. Teams play their hardest in conference tournaments, especially in smaller conferences as they try to punch their ticket to the Big Dance. Plus, Wichita will not have the comfort of facing any of these upset-minded teams at home.

NFL Mock Draft Edition 2

1. Houston Texans Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Drafting Manziel would be absolutely silly here. Bridgewater is a much safer pick with his huge arm and durability.
2. St. Louis Rams Jake Matthews, OT
The Rams are still hoping that Sam Bradford can develop into a franchise QB and it would definitely help him to have a talented tackle like Matthews protecting him.

Blake Bortles

3. Jacksonville Jaguars Blake Bortles, QB
Bortles is shooting up draft boards, thanks to Brett Hundley and Marcus Mariota announcing they were staying in school for another year. Bortles is a dual threat who will bring some excitement to a team that desperately needs it.
4. Cleveland Browns Johnny Manziel, QB
Manziel would be the best quarterback available for a Cleveland team that definitely needs a new start at the position. It will be exciting to see what he is able to do with explosive receiver Josh Gordon.
5. Oakland Raiders Jadeveon Clowney, DE
There may be a smarter pick for Oakland here but it will be very tough for the Raiders to pass on Clowney if he drops here. It would give Oakland a dominant pass rusher they have missed for years.
6. Atlanta Falcons Cyrus Kouandjio, OT
Matt Ryan wasn't great last year but considering how much he was sacked it made sense. Kouandjio is an enforcer on the line who has the potential to be a Pro-Bowl caliber tackle.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaners Greg Robinson, OT
Tampa Bay is also hoping for a tackle to be an anchor on their offensive line. Robinson isn't a big name yet but he is a ferocious tackle with decent athleticism for his size.
8. Minnesota Vikings Derek Carr, QB
The Vikings could pick up a linebacker here and hope for a second round talent but it would be tough to pass up on Carr. The Vikings need a franchise quarterback, something they haven't had for years, and the strong-armed Carr could be that guy.
9. Buffalo Bills Anthony Barr, LB
Buffalo's defense has improved over the years and it would look awfully scary with Barr in it. The outside linebacker will quickly become a dominant pass rusher.
10. Detroit Lions Darqueze Dennard, CB
Detroit's pass offense has been fantastic over the years while their pass defense has been very weak. Dennard is a psychical shutdown corner who can greatly improve Detroit's secondary.
11. Tennessee Titans Khalil Mack, LB
Mack would give the Titans a dominant linebacker who excels in coverage and also as a pass rusher to lead the defense under new coach Ken Whisenhunt.
12. New York Giants Taylor Lewan, OT
New York's offense has really struggled lately and picking up someone to improve their offensive line would help a lot. Lewan is a Michigan talent with superb instincts and size.
13. St. Louis Rams Sammy Watkins, WR
Receiver isn't a big need for the Rams but imagine Watkins in the same offense as Tavon Austin. It would continue to help Bradford develop into a franchise quarterback with the talent around him.
14. Chicago Bears Louis Nix, DT
Chicago has always been coined a tough, psychical defense and picking up Nix would help enforce that. Nix is a hard-nosed, huge tackle which will improve the Bears' weak defense.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers Kony Ealy, DL
The Steelers' scary defense is starting to age, especially on the line. Ealy is a monster of a linemen who has the athleticism to constantly disrupt opponents' backfields.
16. Baltimore Ravens Mike Evans, WR
Joe Flacco didn't have quite the year that was expected one year after his new big contract. That could be blamed on little help from the receiving core. Evans is a 6-6 athlete who will definitely help Flacco.
17. Dallas Cowboys Stephon Tuitt, DE
Dallas' defense has been terrible the past few years and they really need help on their defensive line. Tuitt is a massive end with who has great speed off the edge but also helps in run support.
18. New York Jets Eric Ebron, TE
Ebron is such a good receiving tight end he will give New York a reliable option in the passing game, something they didn't give Geno Smith this past season.
19. Miami Dolphins Zack Martin, OT
Who knows what is the future of this Miami offensive line after the hazing scandal. Martin is a solid tackle who could develop into a fantastic offensive linemen.
20. Arizona Cardinals Scott Crichton, DE/LB
Arizona needs help on their offensive line and their offense overall but their front seven is just average as well.  In order to compete with Seattle and San Francisco their defense needs to improve and the pass rushing Crichton would help a lot.
21. Green Bay Packers Ra'Shede Hageman, DT
The Packers defense was solid this past year but passing on Hagemen, who will improve their run support greatly, will be very difficult for Green Bay.
22. Philadelphia Eagles Ryan Shazier, LB
Shazier is a little bit small but he is a fantastic pass rusher and will bring some youth to a front seven, whose only really effective player last year was Trent Cole.
23. Kansas City Chiefs Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE
Alex Smith improved greatly last year but he still struggles to make the deep throws. Seferian-Jenkins is a fantastic tight end with great hands whose job will be to move the chains for the Chiefs.
24. Cincinnati Bengals Justin Gilbert, CB
Mike Zimmer is gone for Minnesota and the secondary has some question marks. Gilbert is an interception machine from Oklahoma State who can change games when healthy.
25. San Diego Chargers Kyle Van Noy, DE/LB
San Diego's defense was inconsistent through much of last season and help should arrive in Van Noy, from BYU. Van Noy is a playmaking 'backer who has great speed to the ball.
26. Cleveland Browns Allen Robinson, WR
Imagine how dangerous this Browns' offense could be with Manziel, Josh Gordon and Robinson. Gordon can stretch the field deep, which could open up plays for the sure-handed Robinson underneath.
27. New Orleans Saints C.J. Mosley, LB
New Orleans really needs another pass rusher but passing up on Mosley here will be tough. The Alabama middle linebacker is a tackling machine who will bring toughness to an improving defense.
28. Carolina Panthers Kelvin Benjamin, WR
Cam Newton is great, but imagine him with some more dangerous receiving targets. Benjamin has great size and explosiveness and could turn into Newton's favorite target when Steve Smith retires.
29. New England Patriots Jace Amaro, TE
Aaron Hernandez is gone and Rob Gronkowski is injured. Luckily for the Pats this draft is stocked with some great tight ends including the dangerous Amaro.
30. San Francisco Niners Marcus Roberson, CB
As good as San Francisco's defense is it has been exposed on deep pass plays and their secondary is inconsistent. Roberson is a shutdown corner who has the smarts to fit right in for the Niners.
31. Denver Broncos Trent Murphy, DE/LB
Denver's fantastic offense has helped overshadow some of the issues on their defense. Their rush defense is extremely inconsistent and Murphy would really help.
32. Seattle Seahawks Gabe Jackson, OG
Jackson, a Mississippi State product, has good size and should really help a decent Seattle offensive line. Imagine Russell Wilson with even more time in the pocket and Marshawn Lynch with more help from the line.

Is Ohio State Still A National Title Threat?

Ohio State's 2013 season began extremely hot when the Buckeyes won 15 games, beating Marquette

Aaron Craft

and Notre Dame along the way and rising to No. 3 in the nation. Three straight losses have followed that hot start, losing in overtime to Michigan State, double-digits to Iowa and an upset loss on the road to Minnesota. Are the Buckeyes still threats to win it all, which they were just 1 week ago, or are they just an average Big Ten team?

Last year, the Buckeyes had one of the most dependable scorers in the nation in forward Deshaun Thomas. With Thomas in the post it opened up the floor for Aaron Craft, Lenzelle Smith and the rest of Ohio State's playmakers. Ohio State has not had a player like him this year and their offense has really suffered. They still have senior guard Craft, one of the nation's best on-ball defenders and the heart and soul of the Buckeyes the last four years. High-flying forward Sam Thompson is always ready for a highlight-reel play and junior forward LaQuinton Ross has the potential to be one of the best players in the nation. Their loss to Minnesota really exposed Ohio State's offensive issues. Richard Pitino's Gophers play aggressive, fast-paced basketball and can force a lot of turnovers. The Buckeyes had just 53 points despite the Gophers turning the ball over early and often. Everybody loves Ohio State's fantastic defensive backcourt that is led by Craft and Shannon Scott, another great on-ball defender. But, neither are much of scorers, they get most of their points in transition. As great as their defensive backcourt is, their defense near the rim is not as shutdown. The Buckeyes were dominated by Michigan State's Adreian Payne, Iowa's Aaron White and Minnesota's Elliot Eliason in the low post. The Big Ten is a psychical league with a ton of athleticism and the frontcourt has not proven that they have the toughness to deal with some of the best Big Ten forwards. Offense looks like it may be an issue but this is still confusing. Thad Matta is a head coach and their is no denying the pure talent on this roster. But, finishing games has been a huge issue. The Buckeyes did great to manage to get the Michigan State in overtime but struggled in it and they had opportunities to take over the Minnesota game in the second half.

It is scary to think that this is Ohio State's first time since 2009 that they have lost three-straight games, in the Big Ten or out. Things will get easier for the Buckeyes as they get a stretch against Nebraska, Illinois and struggling Penn State. Winning games that they should win will be important to pick up a good seed in the Big Dance. Ohio State is too talented to lose to some of the weaker teams inside the conference and both Penn State and Nebraska are weak teams. It is clear that the Buckeyes need a reliable scorer late in games. Who that will be is a question, as I'm still waiting for Ross to breakout, which seemed likely when the season began. If Ohio State can find that, don't count them out as a Final Four or national title threat. But, that may be a big "if".

5 Teams Poised To Make a Run In Conference Play

Iowa, 14-3
The Hawkeyes' performance against Ohio State convinced me that Iowa is a

Roy Devyn Marble

legitimate threat inside the tough Big Ten. Fran McCaffrey's team has depth, they can go 11 men deep, has experience and is tough and can win close games. Iowa started off the season strong, their only losses were some elite teams like, Villanova, Iowa State and a close one to Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes desperately needed a big win and they got it by beating Aaron Craft and Ohio State on the road, something that is very rare in the Big Ten. Senior guard Roy Devyn Marble has been fantastic for Iowa this year, averaging 16.4 points per game and 3.4 assists a game. Iowa has size in forward Aaron White, a disciplined big man with a good jumper and the athletic senior Melsahn Basabe. Depth is so important inside the Big Ten with how close games can be. Late in games Iowa is going to have the advantage over some of the other teams inside the conference. The Hawkeyes will have their easiest conference stretch possibly all year, at home against Minnesota and two straight road match ups against a beat-up Michigan team and a weak Northwestern team. Wisconsin, Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan and Illinois should all make this conference extremely difficult. But, I firmly believe this Iowa team is talented enough to win it.

VCU, 13-3
Virginia Commonwealth entered the year as the favorite in a weakened Atlantic 10 and the No. 14 team in the preseason polls. After early losses to Florida State and Georgetown people seem to have forgot about the Rams and their "Havoc" defense. Junior guard Briante Weber is one of my favorite players to watch. The athletic, on-ball defender is averaging 4 steals a game and makes this defense work. On the offensive end, VCU has relied heavily on junior guard Treveon Graham, who is putting up 15.7 points every single time he steps on the court and 6.8 rebounds. A-10 lost Butler to the Big East and Temple to the American Athletic but it has been better than expected this year. Their next opponent, George Washington is led by two talented transfers in Maurice Creek (Indiana) and Isaiah Armwood (Villanova). UMass could still be a very scary dark horse with their fantastic shooters and Saint Louis is building into quite the program inside this conference. After George Washington, the Rams will get a stretch if seven games where their toughest opponent will be Dayton. VCU always plays better at the end of the year and their "Havoc" defense, which causes turnover after turnover, has proven it can abuse the A-10.

Gonzaga, 14-3
Well, this isn't too tough of a prediction. The Gonzaga Bulldogs have dominated the West Coast Conference for years and they have the talent to continue that trend. Junior point guard Kevin Pangos has had a fantastic year, leading the 'Zags in schooling and averaging 4.2 assists a game. He is automatic from the line, shooting 92 percent from it. The loss of Kelly Olynyk to the NBA left a big hole in Gonzaga's middle but it appears that should be filled by senior center Sam Dower. Dower isn't immensely talented but he is a hard-worker who scores and gets boards with grit. The Bulldogs sharpshooting backcourt of Gary Bell and Pangos can drown teams late in games. Providence transfer Gerard Coleman has struggled from deep but still has extreme shooting potential which he proved in his two years in the Big East. The WCC has definitely improved over the years with the addition of BYU and St. Mary's turning into a perrenial tournament team. The Gaels still appear like the threat inside the conference and Gonzaga still has a tough February 8th battle with Memphis but expect the Bulldogs to win yet another West Coast Conference Championship if they stay healthy.

Creighton, 14-2
With the help of Player of the Year candidate Doug McDermott, expect big things from Creighton in their first year in the Big East this year. The senior is averaging 25 points a game with 7.3 rebounds. McDermott is a dangerous shooter who has a polished inside game despite not being extremely strong. Another senior, forward Ethan Wragge is one of the best underrated players in the nation. Wragge is a lethal shooter, he is nearly 50 percent from deep this year and benefits greatly from teams crowding the middle to deal with McDermott. Senior guard Grant Gibbs is fantastic but his health is a concern after injuring his ankle. He will be key to a still pretty young Creighton backcourt. The Bluejays' non-conference schedule was relatively easy but they really proved themselves by beating the flaming hot Xavier Musketeers. Don't let the "Big East" namesake fool you: this conference is pretty weak this season. Marquette has been a disappointment, as they have really suffered from their youth. One of the other newcomers to the Big East, Butler has really struggled to finish out games without their star, Roosevelt Jones or Brad Stevens. Expect McDermott and the Bluejays to make a serious run at the conference title against Villanova and to land a good seed in the Big Dance.

Washington, 11-6
Their 17-point win over Colorado should show the rest of the Pac-12 just how dangerous the Washington Huskies are. Senior wing C.J. Wilcox has been one of the best players in the nation and could be a dark horse POY candidate. Wilcox is averaging 20.5 points per game and had 31 in their upset over the Buffaloes. Although they lost to Arizona, Wilcox and the rest of the Huskies still played well and proved they can hang with one of the better teams in the nation. Perhaps the best news for Washington is the shape of the conference. Oregon has lost 3 straight due to terrible defense, letting teams average 90 points in that span. Colorado lost their star Spencer Dinwiddie for the year in that loss to the Huskies with a torn ACL. Although 'Zona is No. 1 I'm still not entirely convinced they are that good. Much like the other teams on this list, Washington will have a favorable stretch coming up. Cal, Stanford, Oregon State and Oregon are all teams that the Huskies can beat, especially having the Ducks at home. Freshman Nigel Williams-Goss struggled early like most freshman tend to do. With more games under his belt, expect some big improvement. He is averaging 3.9 assists a game and 1.4 steals and his turnovers are going down. With the way Oregon is playing Washington could well be the 3rd or 4th team inside the Pac-12 and could sneak into the NCAA tournament.

What is Wrong with North Carolina?

0-3, last place in the Atlantic Coast Conference, have lost to Belmont and UAB.

That right there is UNC's 2013-2014 season to this point. The Tar Heels are 10-6 overall, but lost

Roy Williams

today to Syracuse easily to drop their ACC record to 0-3. Previously, the Heels had lost to two relatively weak conference foes in Wake Forest and Miami. Currently, North Carolina is the only school in the entire 15-team ACC without a conference win, which means they are dead last in a conference that includes teams like Virginia Tech and Clemson. It isn't like UNC isn't talented; even without guard/forward P.J. Hairston, the Heels still have sophomore guard Marcus Paige, junior James Michael McAdoo and exciting dunker J.P. Tokoto. So why in the world is North Carolina, a powerhouse program for years and years just 10-6?

The obvious reason would be the schedule. UNC has played four teams ranked in the top 11 when they played them including Kentucky, Michigan State, Louisville and just today, Syracuse. But, UNC beat Louisville and Kentucky comfortably and beat-then No. 1 Michigan State by double digits. That means the Heels are 3-1 against ranked teams and 7-5 against non-ranked teams. That stat is just head-scratching. Head coach Roy Williams always gets his teams to play the best in big games but beating Michigan State one day and then losing to UAB the next is just weird. UNC is still extremely young, they are still just two years removed from their NBA exodus, when Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller, John Henson and Kendall Marshall all went pro. But, they were young last year and still managed to be an eight seed in the tournament, pretty amazing considering how much they lost when those four left. The issues for North Carolina seem to start with an obvious thing; the lack of a player they can rely on to score. Although Paige is averaging 17 points a game while shooting 41% from the field and 91% from the line. McAdoo was expected to break out last year but it never happened and I am starting to wonder if he will ever fulfill his vast potential. He has a big frame but is still mobile has good touch and is strong, but nothing has clicked for him with UNC yet. The loss of Hairston has been a huge loss for the Heels. He sometimes drove you crazy with some of the shots he took but you could lean on him. Paige is a great scorer but he can't play all 40 minutes. If you have watched UNC play at all this year you can clearly tell the offense is just terrible when Paige isn't on the court. UNC needs a go-to scorer to finish off late games as well, they have dropped a number of close ones (an overtime victory over Davidson was the exception). Their three very bad non-conference losses to Texas, UAB and Belmont were by a combined 10 points. UNC's shooting has been terrible all year, the big reason why they put up just 45 today against the 'Cuse. They need to get in the ball in the paint more they can't beats teams shooting, they have proved that.

So what happens if this continues? Things will get a little bit easier for the Tar Heels during late January and early February before they get intense rival Duke at home. Boston College, Virginia, Georgia Tech and Clemson are their next four games all beatable teams, with Joe Harris and Virginia probably being the toughest of the four. If UNC doesn't turn the ball over and they can find some consistent help with Paige they could win all four and improve to over .500 in the conference. But, Wake Forest and Miami looked like they would be wins, and North Carolina lost them both. It is no secret North Carolina, one of college basketball's proudest programs, has not been that dominant since their championship season in 2009. Big name recruits are heading elsewhere, the school hasn't reached a Final Four since '09 despite having very talented teams and the program's national recognition as power just hasn't been there. If they continue to struggle would it be crazy to think Roy Williams is on the hot seat in Chapel Hill? He has turned the program around since arriving at Kansas but losing games to weak ACC opponents and teams against the Ohio Valley Conference (Belmont) or UAB from the Conference USA. Things need to change for UNC and quickly before this season is a complete loss. They have something to build on, they have beat some great teams this year and their schedule is favorable the rest of the way except for matchups against Duke twice. UNC needs some scoring punch and they might just not have that on the roster this year. The good news is that they may have it next year with three talented five-star recruits coming in including athletic Justin Jackson, the No. 1 small forward in next year's class. Perhaps for many Tar Heels' fans it may be easier to look forward to next year if things don't turn around.

Next Game: vs. 5-11 Boston College
Leading Scorer: Paige, 17.0
Assists: Paige, 4.4
Rebounds: Johnson, 6.8

Big Ten Power Rankings

With college football now done and March Madness just two months ago it is time to start focusing on college basketball and the premier conference: the Big Ten. Three Top 5 teams are in the conference but who is the best in the conference and who is the worst?

1. Michigan State Spartans 14-1 Signature Win: Kentucky

Adreian Payne

The preseason Big Ten champ has definitely why they deserved that. Led by an experienced group the Spartans are 14-1 with big wins over Kentucky in the Champions Classic and Ohio State in overtime. Senior forward/center Adreian Payne has been fantastic this year for the Spartans, averaging 16.2 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. Along with sophomore wing Gary Harris (Spartan leader in minutes with 31.7) and point guard Keith Appling (15.9 points per game) Michigan State has a very imposing frontline. They have depth and discipline throughout their roster and Tom Izzo is a fantastic coach. The crazy thing about Michigan State is that they might not have reached their ceiling. The Spartans always tend to play better late in the season and are always extremely dangerous in the Big Dance.
Next Game: vs. 13-3 Minnesota

2. Wisconsin Badgers 16-0 Signature Win: Florida
The Badgers underneath Bo Ryan have always been a good team; they will always play great defense, are disciplined on both sides of the ball and are fantastic shooters. Though, this year something has changed for the better. The Badgers have used super sophomore Sam Dekker (14.3 points per game on 51 percent from the field) and junior forward Frank Kamisky, who dropped 43 in a victory over North Dakota, to go 16-0 one of their best starts in school history. They have beaten quality opponents as well, with wins over Florida and Marquette outside of the conference and beating Iowa by four and dominating Illinois inside the Big Ten. The Badgers are going to be a real threat this year and they have the game plan that means they can do some damage come March.
Next Game: @ 10-5 Indiana

3. Ohio State Buckeyes 15-1 Signature Win: Notre Dame
Even without Deshaun Thomas, their leading scorer in 2012-2013, the Buckeyes haven't missed a beat this year. Thanks in large part to senior Aaron Craft the Buckeyes sit at 15-1 and nearly beat Michigan State in overtime. Craft isn't much of a scorer but does everything well. He is a great leader, fantastic defender and shows heart and hustle every single game. Along with high-flying forward Sam Thompson and junior forward LaQuinton Ross the Buckeyes certainly have the talent to compete with the best in the entire nation. Though, Ohio State still has to prove themselves they have yet to get a big win yet, their best victory was probably over Notre Dame. The Buckeyes' schedule will heat up in late January and early February but until then they will sit here at 3 until they can prove themselves.
Next Game: vs. 12-3 Iowa

4. Iowa Hawkeyes 12-3 Signature Win: Xavier
Fran McCaffrey has quickly changed the Iowa program around and they appear to quite the threat inside the Big Ten at the moment. They do have three losses but all are to clear contenders like Villanova by five in overtime, undefeated Iowa State and Wisconsin by four. Senior wing Roy Devyn Marble has been key to the Hawkeyes' success, he is their leading scorer with 16.1 points per game and also averages 3.7 assists. He is a versatile scorer with a solid jumper and he also has the size to get to the rim. The talent level in Iowa City is the most in years with other great contributors Aaron White and sophomore point guard Mike Gesell who is a lot like Craft. Iowa will also be searching for a signature win, one could come on the 12th on the road against Ohio State.
Next Game: @ vs. 15-1 Ohio State

5. Illinois Fighting Illini 13-3 Signature Win: Missouri
It has been transfers that have carried Illinois to a strong start as Drake transfer Rayvonte Rice and in-state transfer Jon Ekey who is spending his final year with the Illini after a great career with Illinois State. Rice has been especially dangerous on the dribble averaging 18.8 points a game early and Tracy Abrams has also been a key contributor. Though three-point shooting has been a real issue for both (Abrams is shooting just 26%) and the rest of the backcourt. John Groce and Illinois had a hot start last year before cooling off considerably. They are definitely hoping that a 25 point loss to Wisconsin was a one-time occurrence. Missouri is a nice win but close losses to Georgia Tech and Oregon hurt.
Next Game: @ 7-8 Northwestern

6. Minnesota Golden Gophers 13-3 Signature Win: Florida State
First year head coach Rich Pitino has been fantastic early leading a talented Gophers team to a 13-3 start. The backcourt has been great and up-tempo led by the Hollins, who have no relation. Andre, their point guard is an athletic distributor and Austin has proven he can take over games with his shooting. The question for the Gophers is if they have the scoring and depth in the frontcourt. Without Rodney Williams and Trevor Mbakwe Minnesota has had growing pains and has yet to get a big win outside of a strong performance against a good Florida State team. Minnesota needs a couple big wins in order to push them over the bump on Selection Sunday.
Next Game: @ 14-1 Michigan State

7. Michigan Wolverines 10-4 Signature Win: Stanford
Due to a brutal schedule the national runner-ups have had some real issues this year, slumping to a 10-4 record. Things should definitely turn around in the Big Ten but the loss of big man Mitch McGary is massive. Michigan is giving significant minutes to Jon Horford up front who isn't much of an offensive threat. Glenn Robinson is a very confusing player to me as he is so inconsistent. Sometimes he looks like a future NBA star but he isn't very aggressive and his shot hasn't been there this season. The Wolverines have some great shooting in Spike Albrecht and sophomore Nik Stauskas, who they have leaned on much of the year, but they have yet to get over the hump and get a huge win. Michigan is immensely talented but they need more down low to move up much in these rankings.
Next Game: @ 8-6 Nebraska

8. Indiana Hoosiers 10-5
Sure, there have been some growing pains this year as expected considering Indiana lost Christian Watford, Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo but the Hoosiers are still a threat. Freshman forward Noah Vonleh is an explosive talent and sophomore point guard Yogi Ferrell brings much needed experience.
9. Penn State Nittany Lions 9-7
Don't count out the Nittany Lions inside the Big Ten. Senior guard Tim Frazier is one of the best players inside the conference and is a high-scorer (17.1 points per game). Penn State needs some big men to step up in order to take the next step.
10. Purdue Boilermakers 10-5
Purdue could also be a dark horse inside the Big Ten, they are 10-5 and have the talent to do some things. The Johnsons, Terone and Ronnie, lead an up-tempo attack that can constantly make plays and big man A.J. Hammons has the raw potential to be one of the most dominant players inside the conference. Come the end of the year the Boilermakers could be a bubble team.
11. Nebraska Cornhuskers 8-6
Tim Miles is slowly turning Nebraska into a better basketball school but this year won't be the year for a breakthrough. Sophomore guard/forward Terran Petteway is an elite-caliber scorer but Nebraska doesn't have much around him, they are only averaging 69.7 points per game, 240th in the nation.
12. Northwestern Wildcats 7-8
Chris Collins definitely has a rough road ahead of him as he tries to turn Northwestern into a power.
The first year head coach has relied heavily on guard Drew Crawford who is scoring 16 points a game and 7.3 rebounds. Down low, Northwestern doesn't have a big man to compete with some of the bigger schools inside the Big Ten.

College Football Sneak Peek 2014-2015

It has been less than 24 hours since Jameis Winston led the Florida State Seminoles but it is never too early to think about next year, which will ring in the new playoff era. Here is my extremely early Top 5 for next season and my thoughts on the Heisman for 2014-2015. Take everything with a grain of salt considering there are still 233 days until next year and a lot could happen in that span.

1. Florida State 14-0 in 2013

Jameis Winston

Next year FSU is going to be everybody's favorite for the national title because of one big reason: sophomore quarterback Jameis Winston,  in what will likely be his last year in Tallahassee (he will be three years removed from high school, meaning he is eligible for the NFL). The Seminoles will have a ton of offensive playmakers to go along with "Famous Jameis" including senior back Devonta Freeman, junior receiver Kelvin Benjamin and senior tight end Nick O'Leary. Although the defense will lose linebacker Christian Jones and defensive back Lamarcus Joyner, the defensive line could be among the nation's best with senior Timmy Jernigan up the middle and junior end Mario Edwards. Considering how weak the ACC will be next year, Florida State could roll to a national championship.

2. Stanford 11-3 in 2013
The Cardinal have been the most dominant program in the Pac-12 the past couple of years, and now it is time they take the next step: a national championship. Linebacker Shayne Skov has now graduated and back Tyler Gaffney is also gone on the offensive end. Though, Stanford returns junior quarterback Kevin Hogan and senior offensive linemen David Yankey, an All-American last season. The defense was one of the nation's best overall last year and even with Skov gone, senior safety Ed Reynolds and senior Henry Anderson should continue to give offenses real troubles. Oregon is still a threat inside the conference but Stanford is still the favorite inside the Pac-12.

3. Alabama 11-2 in 2013
It was a disappointing end to the year for Alabama and they will be without A.J. McCarron and linebacker C.J. Mosley, two of the best players in Alabama history. But, counting out Alabama with Nick Saban at the helm would be silly. The offense will still be led by the combination of junior back T.J. Yeldon and sophomore Derrick Henry. The offense could be lethal still, if Amari Cooper can regain his freshman form and the offensive line returns senior tackle Cyrus Kouandjio. Even with Mosley gone and safety HaHa Clinton-Dix likely off to the NFL, the defense should still be fantastic. Senior linebacker Trey DePriest is still likely coming back and junior safety Landon Collins could have a breakout season.

4. Auburn 12-2 in 2013
No matter what happens this season, Auburn should still be a real threat inside the SEC if both Nick Marshall and Tre Mason come back. Marshall and Mason will both be seniors and they make this rush-orientated offense move. Along with junior receiver Sammie Coates and speedster Ricardo Louis the Auburn offense could be one of the most exciting to watch in the nation. Although the defense will lose defensive end Dee Ford and cornerback Chris Davis, sophomore Carl Lawson could have a big year after a solid freshman campaign.

5. Michigan State 13-1 in 2013
If not for a close loss to Notre Dame early in the season when the offense was playing terrible Michigan State might have ended up in the national championship with a chance to shut down Winston and the 'Noles. Junior quarterback Connor Cook was fantastic last year and along with senior back Jeremy Langford the offense could be vastly improved. The defense will be without their leader Max Bullough but they won the Rose Bowl without him. Junior defensive end Shilique Calhoun could be dominant this year.

Heisman Candidates
Jameis Winston, Sophomore, QB
Marcus Mariota, Junior, QB
Ka'Deem Carey, Senior, RB
Tre Mason, Senior, RB
Braxton Miller, Senior, QB
Bryce Petty, Senior, QB
T.J. Yeldon, Senior, RB
Shilique Calhoun, Junior, DE
Todd Gurley, Junior, RB
Ryan Shazier, Senior, LB

McGowanMania CFB Final Poll 2013-2014

Mike Davis

1. Florida State 14-0
2. Michigan State 13-1
3. Auburn 12-2
4. Missouri 12-2
5. South Carolina 11-2
6. Oklahoma 11-2
7. Clemson 11-2
8. Oregon 11-2
9. Alabama 11-2
10. UCF 12-1
11. Baylor 11-2
12. Stanford 11-3
13. Ohio State 12-2
14. LSU 10-3
15. Louisville 12-1
16. UCLA 10-3
17. Oklahoma State 10-3
18. USC 9-4
19. Texas A&M 9-4
20. Arizona State 10-4
21. Notre Dame 9-4
22. Wisconsin 9-4
23. Vanderbilt 9-4
24. Duke 10-4


Melvin Gordon

25. Fresno State 12-2

Others Receiving Votes
Washington 9-4
Nebraska 9-4
Kansas State 8-5
Texas Tech 8-5
Northern Illinois 12-2
Iowa 8-5

BCS National Championship Prediction

1 Florida State (13-0, 8-0 ACC) vs. 2 Auburn (12-1, 7-1 SEC)

A year of miracles will conclude this Monday night as the undefeated Florida

Karlos Williams

State Seminoles hope to tame Auburn and their dominant rushing attack. The often-criticized BCS will hope to go out with one last hurrah after two straight pretty boring championship games that resulted in two dominant Alabama victories. The Seminoles possess one of the nation's most exciting offenses led by Heisman winner Jameis Winston and junior back Devonta Freenan. Winston threw for 3,820 yards and 38 touchdowns in his first year as starter in Tallahassee, while engineering an offense that averaged over 50 points a game this season. Florida State has a plethora of big play offensive talents like junior receiver Rashad Greene (981 yards) and sophomore Kelvin Benjamin (14 touchdowns, 19.1 yards per catch). They also possess powerful back Karlos Williams who is a bruising runner.

Auburn has rebounded from a stunning fall to 3-9 in 2012 led by a rush offense that was among the best in the nation. First year coach Gus Malzahn used former defensive back, junior Nick Marshall and Heisman finalist Tre Mason to be the main pieces of the offense. Mason, a small and elusive back, ran for 1,621 yards on the year, including 304 yards on 46 attempts in their SEC Championship Game victory over Missouri. The Tigers also have play makers in the passing game in sophomore Sammie Coates, who recorded 841 yards on 38 receptions, averaging 22.2 yards per every reception. Speedy Ricardo Louis was the receiver who helped pull off Auburn's miraculous "Prayer at Jordan-Hare" and should be a factor.

As many fireworks as their offenses put up this year and how many they are likely to put up in this one, defense will be extremely important. People tend to overlook Florida State's defense which only allowed 10.7 points per game this year. The 'Noles have a number of defensive stars, ranging from senior defensive back Lamarcus Joyner to playmaking linebackers Christian Jones and Telvin Smith. Up front, Florida State will hope their defensive line can hang with Auburn's up-tempo offense. They will need some play up the middle from tackles Eddie Goldman and Timmy Jernigan to open up plays for Jones and Smith. Expect the 'Noles to dial up pressure on Auburn; they clearly want Marshall to throw and beat them through the air. Auburn will hope to bring pressure on Winston and the Seminoles as well, led by senior defensive end Dee Ford. Ford is a load to handle as his incredible instincts and great speed off the edge constantly bring double teams which opens up lanes to opponents' backfields. Senior cornerback Chris Davis will probably only always be remembered for the return of Alabama's missed field goal for a touchdown to win the Iron Bowl, but he is a solid defender. He won't pick off passes but he is a key run support defender who moves to the ball well.


Nick Marshall

It will be interesting to see if Florida State can slow down Mason, Marshall and the Tigers' ground game. They will need pressure up the middle and will need to force Marshall to throw as much as possible. Marshall is not a bad passer, but he has yet to prove that he can take over a game with his arm the same way he can with his legs. Auburn should put up points, but them stopping the Seminoles will not be an easy task at all. As good as Auburn has been this year, their defense has been suspect against explosive offenses like Texas A&M, Missouri and LSU. The Tigers may be hoping for another one of their signature last-second plays. Florida State is the better team, they have yet to show any signs of weakness in wins over ACC opponents Clemson, Miami and Duke. But, Alabama, Texas A&M and probably even Missouri were better teams than Auburn on talent alone. Talent alone doesn't win football games. Auburn has been labeled the "Team of Destiny" and for good reason. Last year, I went with the upset pick of Notre Dame over Alabama and I was dead wrong. This year I decided to go with the "safer" pick. There has been no denying how dominant Florida State has been and they should close out a spectacular year against the Tigers.

Florida State, 38 Auburn, 33

The Championship Game by the Numbers
0- The number of single-digit wins that Florida State has recorded this year. Their closest game was a 14 point victory over Boston College.

42.3- Florida State's average margin of victory this year. 

9- Win improvement in just one year for Auburn entering this game. They went from 3-9 to 12-1 and improved from an 0-8 conference mark to 7-1 inside the SEC.

71%- How often Auburn runs the ball. Rushing the ball 71 percent of the time is the highest amount of any non-triple-option offenses such as Navy, Air Force or Georgia Tech.

College Bowl Picks (Jan.2- Jan.5th)

Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Oklahoma
In their first game since the famous "Kick Six" Alabama hopes to recover against

C.J. Mosley

an Oklahoma team uncertain about their quarterback. Trevor Knight, Blake Bell and lefty Kendal Thompson have all seen time this year but none has emerged and injuries have shook things up. All three are good runners which means it will be important for the Alabama front seven to contain them. The front seven includes talents like linebacker C.J. Mosley and end Jeoffrey Pagan. Mosley, a senior, is a great tackler with fantastic speed to the ball and incredible instincts. The rest of the Tide defense is great, with players in the secondary like NFL prospect HaHa Clinton-Dix. No matter who starts at quarterback for the Sooners they will have playmakers around them. Athletic receivers Jalen Saunders (56 receptions, 654 yards) and speedy Sterling Shepard (44, 540) will help this offense move. Oklahoma's offense may struggle to keep up with an Alabama offense that has been the best it has in years. Senior A.J. McCarron was hoping his last game would be a third National Championship Game, but he should still be ready to go in this one. Oklahoma's defense has been very exposed against the run and that is worrying with Alabama's plethora of backs. This includes sophomore T.J. Yeldon, freshman Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake, who can all be big play threats. The Sooners will be hoping for some turnovers or mistakes from McCarron, who is always better in the big games. Oklahoma may be able to catch 'Bama off guard but it seems silly to think they can do much against this motivated Tide team.
Alabama, 31 Oklahoma, 14

Cotton Bowl: Missouri vs. Oklahoma State
Old Big 12 foes meet in what will be yet another high-scoring Cotton Bowl, after we saw Johnny Manziel and the Aggies run all over Oklahoma last year. 11-2 Missouri has been one of college football's biggest surprises thanks to a dominant defense and the play of their senior quarterback James Franklin. Despite missing four games due to a separated shoulder Franklin still had 2,255 yards and 19 touchdowns. His favorite target was sophomore Dorial Green-Beckham, who has great size and speed. To keep the offense balanced, the Tigers also have senior Henry Josey. Josey missed all of 2012 with a severe knee injury but has been great this season. The defense has been strong, with one of the nation's best pass rushers in Michael Sam. Sam is incredibly strong and has a very quick step which helped him rack up 10.5 sacks. He will hope to pressure senior quarterback Clint Chelf who has been great since taking over for sophomore J.W. Walsh. Chelf proved that he had a big arm, with 1,792 yards and 15 touchdowns, but also made a ton of plays with his legs. This offense has a number of other impact players that include Josh Stewart and Tracy Moore. The Cowboys will hope their defense can tame Franklin and Josey. Cornerback Justin Gilbert is a player that can make big plays as a coverage man and as a player in special teams. Gilbert had six interceptions this year and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. The Cowboys can certainly score and their defense can make plays but they are far too consistent to pick them over Mizzou.
Missouri, 38 Oklahoma State, 34

Orange Bowl: Ohio State vs. Clemson
Both Ohio State and Clemson had a lot of highlights to think about during the 2013 season and they could end it well with a win in this one. Ohio State has one of the nation's most exciting offenses to watch with junior Braxton Miller at quarterback and powerful back Carlos Hyde, gaining tough yards. Hyde missed the first two games of the year then responded with 1,408 yards and 14 touchdowns, while averaging 7.7 yards a carry. Clemson also has an offense that can put a lot of points on the board. Senior Tajh Boyd is playing his last bowl game with Clemson and junior receiver Sammy Watkins likely is as well. When those two are on their game they can constantly make huge plays. Senior back Roderick McDowell is ready for a big game after rushing for 956 yards this season. This game could turn into a shootout, meaning that any defense will be very important. Ohio State's defense has been very exposed all year but they have a number of fantastic players, like pass-rushing linebacker Ryan Shazier, an All-American. They will need a big day from cornerback Bradley Roby to shut down Watkins, and Clemson's other talented receiver, Martavis Bryant, who is averaging 20.5 yards a reception. Clemson has a talented pass-rusher as well in Vic Beasley who hopes to make some big tackles for loss to slow down Hyde and the tempo of the Buckeyes. This game could be exciting if neither defense can slow down the offensive talent of the others. Ohio State and Miller are ready to show that they deserve a BCS bowl bid with a strong performance.
Ohio State, 45 Clemson, 35

Compass Bowl: Vanderbilt vs. Houston
One of the nation's rising programs, Vanderbilt, hopes to contain a Houston team who had a great first year in the American Athletic. Vandy won't have Wyoming transfer Austyn Carta-Samuels at quarterback, which means they will lean on freshman Patton Robinette, who was average, while filling in for Carta-Samuels. Robinette will hope that he can get a lot of help from senior receiver Jordan Matthews who had 107 receptions this year, even with uncertainty at the QB position. Matthews is the SEC's all-time leader in receptions and yards and he hopes he can have a couple big plays against an average Houston defense. Houston has a big-play threat of their own in sophomore Deontay Greenberry, an incredibly quick talent who caught 76 passes and had 10 touchdowns. The Cougars have had great year from freshman John O'Korn who threw for 2,889 yards and 26 touchdowns, despite facing a lot more experienced players. Houston has a defense that can constantly cause turnovers leading the nation with 40 takeaways. Robinette had 3 interceptions compared to two interceptions and it isn't crazy to think that he could turn the ball over once or twice. The Commodores must also hope for a strong day from sophomore back Jerron Seymour who had 13 touchdowns this year. Both of these young quarterbacks should be able to get the ball down the field but turnovers may be the deciding factor.
Houston, 23 Vanderbilt, 15

GoDaddy Bowl: Ball State vs. Arkansas State
Two of the best non-BCS programs in the entire nation will square off in what will be a nice appetizer to the BCS National Championship Game. Arkansas State went 7-5 this year and 5-2 in the Sun Belt but will be without their head coach Bryan Harsin, who left for Boise State. The Red Wolves had a strong year in large part to senior quarterback Adam Kennedy, who had 2,327 yards this year, while completing nearly 70% of his passes. Ball State had a fantastic year in the MAC in large part to their QB, senior Keith Wenning who has had a great career with the Cardinals. Wenning had 34 touchdowns this year and also threw for nearly 4,000 yards, much of those to junior Willie Snead. Snead had 97 receptions this year and proved to be quite the reliable target to Wenning. The issue for Ball State and their defense will be getting the ball. Arkansas State rarely turns the ball over, having just 13 turnovers this year. Kennedy is extremely smart and makes the right decisions. Ball State has really struggled throughout their bowl history, they have yet to win one yet. But, there is no denying the talent on this team. Along with Wenning, the Cardinals also possess guys like powerful back Jahwan Edwards, who used his strength to rack up 964 yards and 13 touchdowns. Expect Ball State to take advantage of an Arkansas State defense that has struggled against great offenses. It is about time that Ball State and Wenning end their winless bowl streak.
Ball State, 35 Arkansas State, 21