Beyond the Highlight: Why an SEC team will win the national title
By Katlin Stinespring
Hurricane High School
The Southeastern Conference is by far the most talented and toughest conference in Division I college football. The teams in both SEC divisions (East and West) continually beat up on each other, which results in difficulty finishing undefeated (an almost necessary pre-requisite to qualify for the Bowl Championship Series’ National Championship). However, more often than not an 11-1 or 10-2 SEC team is better than any other BCS conference team.
As of college football’s first week, the SEC had seven teams in the Associated Press’s Top 25 poll (LSU, Florida, Georgia, Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee and Clemson) — more than any other conference. Last year, the SEC teams finished the post-season with a bowl record of 7-1.
LSU is by far one of the top teams in the country. Led by quarterback Matt Flynn, who completed 12-19 passes for 128 yards in the Tigers’ opening game versus conference foe Mississippi, LSU is the team to beat in the SEC and possibly even in the National Championship. The team has its most challenging tests — including Virginia Tech, Auburn and Arkansas - at home. LSU was already featured twice on ESPN’S “College GameDay” during the first two weeks of the season.
Florida is the reigning BCS National Champion and ranked fourth in the Associated Press’s week one poll. The Gators have lost starters due to injuries in the preseason and do not have the same overall talent as last year’s championship team. Their schedule also does not favor them during the middle of the season, as the Gators face LSU and Auburn on the road; however, Florida will definitely stay in the Top 25 throughout the season and qualify for a bowl.
The University of Kentucky is the sleeper of the SEC. Returning quarterback Andre Woodson passed for 250 yards in the ‘Cats season opener and is by far the best QB in the SEC. UK defeated No. 25 Clemson in the 2006 Music City Bowl.
The team you don’t want to play in a bowl game
Previously a Big East powerhouse and now the team widely predicted to win the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Coastal Division, Virginia Tech has all the means to be the ACC champion. Ranked No. 9 in the nation at the start of the season, the Hokies were the highest nationally-ranked team in their conference, which has slowly twisted into a downward spiral of overrated teams not meeting expectations.
A campus united as a result of April’s shooting tragedy, this university has more pride than any other right now and is stronger than ever.
MLB’s National League Central Division on the rise
Typically the weakest division in the National League (and often all of Major League Baseball) with three to four teams more than 10 games back from first place, the NL Central Division has become the hottest race for the pennant this season.
The Chicago Cubs, who finished in last place in 2006, have their most realistic chance at making the playoffs since 2003 when they barely missed going to the World Series. Thanks to new manager Lou Piniella, the Cubs are no longer the pushovers of Major League Baseball. If players continue to stay healthy, Chicago will hold its lead into a playoff berth.
The first-half favorite Milwaukee Brewers are holding on behind the Cubs. They are continuing last year’s progression and are vying for their first playoff opportunity since prior to joining the National League in 1996.
Perennial favorite St. Louis Cardinals are hoping a talented roster and strong leadership will carry them to a division championship once again. The Cards were the NL Central Champs from 2004-2006 and won the 2006 World Series.
