Bryan L.

Welcome back from hibernation football fans from both worlds, the collegiate and professional seasons have arrived. With week 3 (NFL) and week 4 (NCAA) now over, lets take a look at the storylines from both sides of the spectrum.

In the NFL, there are multiple storylines that began in the preseason that have continued well through week three. Lets begin with Bountygate. The New Orleans Saints, who have shockingly began the season 0-3, were front page news for most of the offseason when reports of a bounty program (players and coaches paid out “bounties” for deliberately knocking players out of the game) surfaced.

The Saints have lost three in a row to teams that most analysts say should have been a win (Redskins, Panthers, and yes the Chiefs). ESPN’s analyst Pat Yasinskas said, “According to ESPN Stats & Information, since the NFL went to its current playoff format in 1990, 113 teams have started the season 0-3. Of those 113 teams, only three have recovered to make the playoffs.”

Rookie quarterbacks have gotten mixed results, as Brandon Weeden (CLE), Andrew Luck (IND), Robert Griffin III (WSH), and Ryan Tannehill (MIA), have a combined record of 3-9. Individual performances include Luck’s Week 2 win over the Vikings with a 95.7 QB rating and RGIII’s Week 1 debut win over the Rams going for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns. Speaking of quarterbacks, one QB is making his presence known for the first time in over a year (though his name never left the headlines). Peyton Manning isn’t playing like his past self (not surprising), but should he return it would start this weekend against the Raiders. Lastly, the Jets…yes, you know what’s coming. Just going to say, lets see how short Mark Sanchez’s leash is.

In the NCAA, the SEC is the only conference still playing FBS football as of…the past six years. All kidding aside, the SEC continues to dominate the rankings with four teams in the top six in the rankings, with Will Muschamp’s Florida Gators looking to return to prominence with sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel and a top ranked defense. Florida hosts #2 LSU in Week 6. Speaking of LSU, Family School students should take note of former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, who, a “super star” by all superficial accounts, was booted from LSU and entered a drug rehab and is sitting out the 2012 season. Penn State fans started out the season having their souls sucked out of them (whatever was left, anyways) with back-to-back heartbreaking losses, but I must say, have turned out to be one of the most energized stadiums in the country as the proud Nittany Lions fans continue to show out (97,000 attended the opener).

To conclude my preview, I will leave you all with some predictions. God Bless.
NFL
Super Bowl: 49ers bring it back to San Fran with a tight win against the Texans
MVP: Tim Tebow…relax. Matt Ryan brings Atlanta their first MVP award.
Rookie of the Year: Andrew Luck…the NFL hasn’t seen a rookie arm like Luck’s since the man he replaced.
NCAA
BCS Champ: Alabama makes it 7 in a row for the SEC shutting down West Virginia’s high octane offense
Heisman: Geno Smith…WVU’s QB will break major records this year.