Science Saturday: The Other, Other White Meat

I Can't Believe it's Not Cow!

now that is some gourmet shit.

Breakthough of the (past) week
Earlier last week the first synthetic hamburger was taste-tested for the first time.

Why did they do it?
Because the meat industry is effed up! Where to begin? As a biologist I must start with the antibiotics. Herd immunity is proven to be a good thing and about 50 years ago cattle farmers took notice. They started feeding their cows with antibiotics in order to prevent disease and thus raise profits. No problem, right? Well now cattle are raised by the tens-of-thousands and pumped with so much unnecessary antibiotics that it's leading to superbugs which cannot be treated by any medicine that exists. This of course ends up in our food supply and makes everyone else sick.

 Second is cost, and I'm not just talking about money. When you think about it, a lot of time and resources go in to raising a cow. Water, food, medicine, land. What if all that could be cut out? There are also loads of ramifications on the environment when it comes to raising cattle, methane pollution (cow farts) being one. Third is animal cruelty. I think each one of us has seen more PETA commercials than we like, so how about I just say that synthetic meat cuts out this problem, end of conversation.

How did they do it?
Stem cells are taken from a cow, which are then nourished in a lab to become muscle cells that are grown until they become mature enough to eat!

How does this affect my life?
The meat we eat in the future will be synthetic, deal with it. Unless your super rich and can afford "the real stuff" meat is simply going to become too expensive given the costs of land, water, medicine and feed to raise a whole cow. This is mainly caused by an exponentially rising human population with a taste for western cuisine (cheeseburgers). Also if you're playing by the letter of the law this food is fair game for vegetarians (but not vegans (that's right I know the difference between that BS)).

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a paper to write..

Had to get a spongebob reference in there

Love,

Nate

Here Come the Cats: A NCAA Preview

**Editor's Note: I'd like to welcome one more college football analyst to the site, UC Bearcat and St. Xavier Bomber Grift Krehnbrink. Grift will be covering the Queen City's beloved Cincinnati Bearcats and whatever else comes into play this season. Enjoy.**

College Football Preview: 

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats

 by Grift Krehnbrink

Upon being asked to write a blog about the upcoming football season and in particular the outlook for the University of Cincinnati, a few things need to be said before any masterful predicting is done.

First things first: I am a die-hard Bearcats fan who truly believes (warranted or not) UC is destined for greatness, so if you are looking for an unbiased article based on stats, sabermetrics, or the results of a past Sugar Bowl (See Tebow turns Water into Bearcat Blood), read Jeff Fay on the Enquirer.  This will be written solely for the purpose of pumping up Red & Black fans for the year ahead.  The fact of the matter is I love the addition of Tommy Tuberville to our program and all the redneck football awesomeness he brings with him,

Coach Tubs believes in cultural equality
 as shown above

Second, I realize UC plays in the AAC, which I could only assume stands for Alcoholics Anonymous Corp based on the booze I plan to consume to get me through games like Memphis, Temple, and SMU.  However, Cincy has gone out and scheduled some quality out-of-conference opponents to beef up the schedule and ends the season at home against Louisville, so don’t reach for that [Natural Light*] just yet. **Beer edited by site manager. 

Next, I am writing this based on previously attained knowledge with little research: just a man trying to spread the good word, and I will base my thoughts of what I have seen and what I expect to see.  I will have predictions, but they will be short and sweet.

I WANNA MEET
JOHN LENNON

Lastly, My qualifications for writing this are nothing short of pristine.  I have been to every UC home game in the last 6 years (excluding the USF game I was tossed from for chicken-winging someone).   John Hughes, starting DT for the Cleveland Browns, cheated off me in History of Rock & Roll freshman year.  When I asked him how he thought he did on the final, he responded, “However you did." Can’t be completely certain, but I take a lot of responsibility for his success thereafter.  Another NFL defensive tackle who will not be named also cold-clocked me at a bar sophomore year on campus and sent me a “Mile High”.  For my attendance, my inter-working knowledge of Chucky Berry and the Beatles, and the stress management course I gave to Wolfe (oops) for free, I have earned the right to write.

So let’s talk some football, shall we?  A few key items on the agenda to talk about.  To keep things interesting we will give these both a UC-branded feel using a scale of Barwin-to-Butch: Barwin will be our exciting as in Connor Barwin, dating back to his speech where he screamed to the crowd at the Crosstown Shootout if Xavier still had a football team we would kick their ass and who still rocks the letterman jacket; Butch will rep our not-so-exciting, for the coach who takes the same cliché slogans wherever he goes and changes one letter around to make them work (and here is his high school photo.  What a boring nerd). Represent the T, Butch.  Here’s a list of exciting and not-so-exciting things coming for UC in the next 4 months. 

Looks like you got a lot of pain by those eyes?
You know the cure for that?  Weed. You got any?

Chance for National Recognition-Kinda-ish:

The Bearcats are coming off back-to-back 10 win seasons, both shootout victories over middle-tier teams from Power conferences and for the first time ever breaking in a coach in Tommy Tuberville who doesn't need breaking in as the head of a major program. The Bearcats will have two more chances in the first two weeks of the season to take down teams from another Power Conference, and one us Cincinnati fans despise as that: The B1G.  Purdue comes to Nippert Stadium the first week of the season as 10 point’ dogs, and Cincy will head to Champagne, IL the following Saturday for a square-off with Illinois.  No, these are not games against Michigan and Ohio State, but they do provide a chance for UC to show the rest of the nation early on that most of the B1G is better in conference name alone.  Seeing how Tommy T handles himself in the Opener should be enough reason for everyone to tune in this weekend. Place on the Scale: Maybe not Barwin, but definitely not Butch.  We’ll call it Barwutch.  Might coin that name for a sandwich someday.

Kay vs. Legaux-- Controversial Controversy?

The quarterback controversy that has arisen in camp from Coach Tommy Tuberville's comments is total Butch.  You don’t even have to look at the numbers to see what Brandon Kay meant to the 2012 Bearcats. QB Munchie Legaux had his moments, and led an exciting comeback victory against Va Tech and an almost-comeback victory against Louisville, but many times it was his sloppy play that put us into those situations.  

Munchie has an abundance of talent, but can span from erratic to indifferent when he is on the field.  Kay doesn’t necessarily have the natural athletic abilities of Munchie, but he proved through the second half of 2012 his ability to make the right play, and his ability to lead the team through hard times.  I can understand Tommy T in his first year wanting hard work in camp to be a main factor in naming his QB and that new Offensive Coordinator Eddie Gran is putting in a system most likened to a hybrid spread-Pro style offense, but it should be Kay’s job to lose going into Saturday. Place on the Scale: Butch for sure, but not as Butch as this.  Damn you Butch.

Finding Another Skill Playmaker to Bring it All Together on O

Everyone who has watched UC football over the last two years knows what Ralph David Abernathy IV can do.  The offensive line returning is considered one of the best in the country, even with losing the Center Sprague to injury in camp.  The quarterback options have already been noted.  The question is, who will step up when quality defensive opponents are keying on RDA4? Travis Kelce is gone and taken residence in KC after leading the ‘Cats in receptions in touchdowns a year ago.  Kenbrell Thompkins is off and doing big things for the New England Patriots at their top receiver in the preseason.  George Wynn, the leading rusher from last year’s Belk Bowl Champion team is also gone.  

Can Chisum be the long ball option in 2013?

Can Anthony McClung regain his form from a couple of years ago at the wideout spot, or will it be Shaq Washington, Alex Chisum, or a newcomer who becomes the go-to option out wide.  Is redshirt freshman DJ Dowdy the answer to replace Kelce at tight end, or will it be senior Blake Annen who finally gets the nod? Can Tion Green, Hosey Williams, and Rod Moore provide necessary carries up the middle and in shorter yardage situations to let Abernathy do what he does best in open space out wide?  The talent is there, but we will see who steps up and turns that talent into production for the offense.  Place on the Scale: Barwin with a dash of Mardy Gilyard.

Shoring up Problems with Defensive Front and Backfield

The linebacker position should be a major strength for UC even with losing Malik Bomar to graduation. Greg Blair leads a group of linebackers along with Jeff Luc and Nick Temple which is considered tops in the AAC.  The question marks on defense rest in the front and in the back.  Up front, it will be up to mainstay Jordan Stepp to anchor a line replacing some key members from the last few years.  In the back, look for Devon Drane and Arryn Chenault to step up as leaders for a unit with a ton of inexperience.  I am excited to see who will step up and take charge, but I think I am most excited about seeing Silverberry Mouhon get a ton of snaps.  I mean c’mon, his name is Silverberry.  
Scale: SilverBarwin Mouhon?  No? Well, I tried.

Last Season With Nippert in its Current State

There was a keg snuck into the Student Section last year.  Yup

The Bearcats have announced they will play all of their home games in Paul Brown Stadium downtown in 2014 while renovations begin to finally add Suite capabilities and a few extra seats.  Going downtown for a year could be beneficial for the program, and hopefully it will bring with it bigger crowds and interests, but I will miss the claustrophobic, drunken mess that is Nippert.  

There is something about the close quarters, hour-long bathroom lines, overpriced beer, and being so close to the action you can throw snowballs at the opposing team that makes the historic stadium one of a kind.  If you didn’t go to UC or are not a fan, you just wouldn’t get it. I get that Nippert is in much need of a facelift, but the idea of having to fork over dollars to Mike Brown to watch my ‘Cats sickens me. Place On a Scale: Barwinning for the upgrades, Butch League having to pay any money to the Brown family.

Final Regular Season Matchup Against Rutgers 

and the ‘Ville on Senior Night:

I won’t sugarcoat it: it sucks being the team left out of conference realignment and watching Rutgers all gooey about their B1G invitation and seeing Louisville get scooped up by the ACC.  It’s like that time your sexy ex-girlfriend was all like “Hey you’re great.. you’re just not great for me”.  And you’re all like “But babe… I can change..just give me a chance”.  Well it might not get us out of the AAC, but these last scheduled games provide a chance to prove the big boys of college football were wrong about leaving us in the aftermath.  Rutgers comes into this season touted as the second best team in the AAC and a huge gate on their fence that reads “B1G bound! 2013”.  Louisville is ranked pre-season #9 and is every expert’s pick to win the depleted American in a landslide on the shoulders of Hesiman hopeful Teddy Bridgewater.  These are two solid football teams, but there should be optimism in Clifton for these matchups. 

For starters, UC lost to both of these schools last year by 7 points or less, Rutgers a long touchdown play in an otherwise deadlocked game, and with Louisville winning in overtime on a second-try field goal after a timeout gave the Cards Kicker a second chance.  Rutgers should be a quality test under second-year coach Kyle Flood, but it won’t be anything new out of Pescataway that we haven’t seen over the last few years, and I don’t really think QB Gary Nova is anything to write home about.  When Lousville comes to town December 5 for Senior Night,  Cincy must contain Bridgewater and be prepared to throw the football.  If they can, they will find themselves in the same situation as last year with a chance to knock off the favored Cardinals.  No matter what the outcome, both of these matchups against teams that don’t share much love should be fun to watch.  Place on Scale: Man I hate Louisville. Barwin with Braces.

Every article about football has to include a prediction on something, right?

Predictions for 2013:

Record : 10-2 with a berth in either Russell Athletic Bowl or Belk Bowl

UC has the potential to beat every team on their schedule, but they need to prove they can be consistent week in-week out enough to do so.  If the Bearcats can get off to a hot start by taking Purdue and Illinois, they have a few weeks of pick-me-up games to get ready for some tougher tests late in the year.  Rutgers and Louisville are the two matchups everyone needs to watch, but keep your eye games at Houston and at USF.  Houston could be a shootout and USF has always played us notoriously tough.

Most Valuable Player(s) on Offense –Alex Chisum and Tion Green

This isn’t a nod to these two being the best offensive players, but they are in my eyes two of the most important.  RDA4 is a touchdown waiting to happen on every play, and he will be seeing a bunch more touches with Kelce and Wynn gone.  He will not have many opportunities, however, if he is the only option in a one-dimensional offense.  I think Chisum gives the Bearcats a field stretching threat and a set of great hands, and I look for him to open some spaces for Ralphy and the other horses in the stable to gallup through.  Green will need to provide gutsy short yardage runs and show a fearless mentality in attacking between-the-hash runs.  If both of these guys can take care of business, you might just see the most exciting, athletic offenses UC has put on the field, and that counts all of the Brian Kelly years.

Most Valuable Player on Defense – Greg Blair

Nothing else to say.  Just a beast of an enforcer in the middle who leads this defense with pride and a chip on his shoulder.   Look for him to have a major season.

 Jersey I will Buy: Silverberry Mouhon

AND he's good with kids? 

I might have it abbreviated to S’Berry Mou, but haven’t decided exactly what will be labeled on my threads.  

Times Annoyed When Munchie Plays, 

Mostly Because of the Slogan “Legggoooo Munchie!”: 

Every. time.

Seriously people, stop doing this stupid chant.  It was clever maybe the first game last year.  Now you just sound like an idiot.

There's the door Munchie.  "Legggoo".  

That’s a wrap y’all.  Cats Fans, get excited for another year of what should be another fantastic year adding to UC football’s recent track of success.  Come to the games, enjoy some refreshments, be loud and annoying towards the other team, and buy a Silverberry Mouhon jersey with me. 

College Football Season Preview: The Pac-12

**Editor's Note: So with the college football season kicking off (Get it!?) tonight, I will be joined by BDL Pac-12 analyst and Boston College Eagle John Petroff. With so much attention being paid to Alabama, Texas A&M, Ohio State, and The American Conference (just kidding, that doesn't exist), sometimes the Pac-12 goes unnoticed. This year, John will be giving us coverage of the Pac-12, and I'm sure he'll try to to give us some reason why Oregon is the greatest football team of all time. Enjoy**

College Football Season Preview: The Pac-12

by John Petroff

North Division: 

California: (2012 Record: 3-9)

QB Jared Goff is sure to create
 enemies looking like the bad guy from The Karate Kid

First year head coach Sonny Dykes recently appointed true freshman QB Jared Goff to run the inaugural installment of the so-called “Bear Raid” offense (like Air Raid but Bear Raid…get it!?). Dykes comes from Louisiana Tech after coaching the Bulldogs to the most points-per-game in all of Division I-A (formerly known as Division I) in 2012. After losing standout receiver Keenan Allen to the NFL, look for junior running back Brendan Bigelow to step up and maybe even become a breakout Pac-12 player. 

I don’t know where to begin analyzing the Golden Bear defense, but Cal is never short on talent as they seem to consistently achieve top 25 recruiting class status. It’s unlikely they make the jump back to relevance this season especially with their brutally difficult schedule. Get this: they play #2 Ohio State and #3 Oregon back to back…and that’s on top of another ranked non-conference opponent (#22 Northwestern), playing in the Pac-12 North (#4 Stanford, #25 Oregon State), and drawing #24 USC and #21 UCLA for two of their Pac-12 South matchups. I hope they have fun building character this fall.

Oregon:  (2012 Record: 12-1)

Guru Chip Kelly left Eugene to take over the vacant head coaching job with the Philadelphia Eagles. As a fan, and it will soon become clear that I’m "somewhat" of an Oregon football fan, it hurts to lose the guy who seemingly transformed the Oregon football program, and college football in general to some extent. Regardless, the Ducks have lots of reasons to be hopeful for the upcoming season. On top of returning essentially all of its important players, the program has to feel confident promoting Kelly’s offensive coordinator and right hand man, Mark Helfrich, to take over at coach. After reportedly accepting the head coaching job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2011 BCS Championship appearance, the rumor around the Northwest was that Kelly came back to ensure that Helfrich stayed with the program and would eventually succeed him as head coach. There are even reports of Helfrich finishing Chip’s sentences in the film room which has to make anybody who’s ever watched Kelly coach, or give an interview, excited. 

The Ducks have their most talented secondary since
the legendary D-Boyz of 2008. Are those jerseys
"throwbacks" yet?

There shouldn’t be much drop off especially considering all but two position coaches from the country’s most tenured staff were retained, but to cite one of my favorite Chipisms, “quarterbacks [head coaches] are like tea bags; you never know what you’re gonna get until you throw them in hot water.” Past the regime change, there’s little to worry about. The culture in the locker room shouldn’t change, and the Ducks return a Heisman contender QB in sophomore Marcus Mariota (affectionately known as the Flyin’ Hawaiin, St. Marc, and Super Mariota), a Heisman darkhorse in junior RB/WR De’Anthony Thomas (nicknamed Black Mamba by Pop Warner rival coach Snoop Dogg), possibly the most talented offensive and defensive lines in program history, and arguably the best secondary in the country (**I told you...). 

Key question marks remain at linebacker where the Ducks lose three studs to the NFL (including #3 overall pick, Dion Jordan, second rounder, Kiko Alonso, and the team’s leading tackler, Michael Clay). Questions also remain at running back where Chip Kelly-era staple Kenjon Barner can no longer be relied upon every down. A 5^th straight BCS appearance is the expectation, and a second National Championship appearance in four years wouldn’t be surprising. Oh, and also this: Oregon Athletic Facility Behind the Scenes.

Oregon State: (2012 Record: 9-4)

Seriously, he's the nicest guy

The Beavers surprised everybody in 2011 and were actually good. At times they were even great. Junior QB Sean Mannion started the season off on fire defeating #13 Wisconsin and #19 UCLA. Mannion later sat out a good portion of the season with an injury, but current senior QB Cody Vaz filled in admirably. I should note that throwing to the tandem of WRs Markus Wheaton and Brandin Cooks shouldn’t be difficult for anybody. Head coach Mike Riley, widely recognized as the nicest guy in the Pac-12, only recently named Mannion as his guy for 2013. 

 Despite the injury and some rough moments toward the end of last season, including an absolutely embarrassing meltdown Alamo Bowl loss to Texas, Beaver fans should be excited about Mannion and the fact that potential All-Pac-12 Cooks is back. Sophomore RB Storm Woods also had flashes of brilliance last season and should have a big season. Junior DE Scott Chrichton was first team All-Pac-12 last year, and Junior safety Ryan Murphy is another name to watch on the defense.

Stanford: (2012 Record: 12-1)

Who would’ve thought this was possible? Not only did Jim Harbaugh lead Stanford to a few successful seasons, but Coach David Shaw has sustained and built on that success and turned Stanford into an elite college football program. If I’m a Duke or Northwestern fan, I’m rooting hard for the Cardinal in 2013, a program that heads into the season looking for a 4^th straight BCS bowl appearance and possibly a national championship. The Cardinal offense transformed last season after QB Kevin Hogan (then redshirt freshman and now sophomore) took the reins for the final 5 weeks. The defense, undoubtedly one of the country’s best, remains almost completely intact from last season. Simply put, in addition the promise of Hogan at QB, Stanford has an embarrassment of riches along its offensive line and really throughout its entire defense. 

The only way in which Stanford even
occasionally tries to be like Oregon

Question marks linger at tight end where the program has produced a number of NFL players in the past few seasons, at wide receiver where the team has never been consistently good even in its recent era of success, and at running back where workhorse Stepfan Taylor will be missed. Players in particular to watch are senior guard David Yankey, senior LBs Trent Muphy and Shayne Skov, senior DE Ben Gardner, and senior safety Ed Reynolds. A ton of talent and experience make Stanford (Stanford!!) a legitimate title contender.

Washington: (2012 record: 7-6)

The recently renovated Husky Stadium looks awfully nice

The Huskies welcome back senior QB Keith Price for his third straight season leading head coach Steve Sarkisian’s offense. Price has been the starter since current Tennesse Titan Jake Locker left Seattle which seems like it was about a decade ago. After a better-than-expected sophomore year including a highlight-filled Alamo Bowl against Robert Griffin III’s Baylor Bears, Price disappointed last year leading Washington to its third straight 7-win season. Nobody’s sure what to expect this season: will we see the potential of 2011 Keith Price fulfilled? Or is more of the same from 2012 Keith Price a more reasonable expectation? He should have help from 1,400-yard rusher junior RB Bishop Sankey as well as perhaps the nation’s most talented TE, junior Austin Seferian-Jenkins. 

On the defensive side of the ball, the Huskies are led by true Sophomore LB Shaq Thompson. Thompson was one of the West Coast’s most highly touted recruits in 2011, and he didn’t disappoint as a true Freshman; by the end of his college career, he could end up as one of the country’s most accomplished linebackers. The Huskies have appeared to be on the verge of breakthrough since they hired Sark away from Pete Carrol’s USC, and finally taking the next step this season is crucial for the program. Renovations completed on Husky Stadium this offseason can’t hurt things either – it truly looks like one of the premier facilities in the country now. 

Washington State: (2012 Record: 3-9)

The Air Raid Experiment Part II. Coach Mike Leach seemed to make some improvements to the program in his first year in Pullman although the growing pains were obvious. An Apple Cup (**There really is an Apple Cup?) win over rival Washington to end the season was a nice way to end 2012, but the Cougars had plenty of work to address in the offseason. In 2012, junior QB Connor Halliday essentially split time with undrafted rookie Jeff Tuell (boy, I hope he starts the season opener for the Bills) and flashed some potential, but he needs to become much more efficient if the Cougars want to win more than one conference game this season. Another offseason to implement Leach’s offensive principles should actually go a long way for Halliday and a stable of fairly talented receivers. 

An X's and O's and interview innovator, Mike Leach

I’m not sure if the roster carries a running back, however. The Cougar defense is actually poised to breakout in 2013; ESPN’s Ted Miller even called the unit “sneaky good.” With a leader in all three defensive groups (safety Deone Bucannon, LB Darryl Monroe, DT Xavier Cooper), the defense shouldn’t be quite so overmatched and could be a strength for the program going forward. Oddly, this is another case of the traditionally offensively-oriented Pac-12 having top talent on the defensive side of the ball. Finally, now that Kelly is in Philadelphia, Leach no longer has any competition for most entertaining interview in the Pac-12.

South Division: 

Arizona: (2012 Record: 8-5)

Another big 2012 addition to the Pac-12 coaching ranks, Rich Rodriguez, is still in the midst of filling the roster with his preferred personnel. He lucked out last year by inheriting the highly talented and productive QB Matt Scott, but this year he doesn’t have the luxury of a proven commodity at QB. The battle continues into Week 1 among four (four!) quarterback candidates: senior B.J. Denker, redshirt freshman Javelle Allen, junior USC transfer Jesse Scroggins, and highly touted true freshman Anu Solomon. Regardless of who wins the job, don’t expect significant QB production at least by Rich Rod standards. 

Arizona had to get a special exemption to wear their new uniform
set in 2013 because of a Pac-12 rule change that bans color-fading numbers

The feeling around Tucson is that it will take a year for the newcomer to adjust, and quarterback production will be overshadowed by All-American junior RB Ka’Deem Carey who rushed for over 1,900 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2012. The Wildcat’s offense will essentially be limited to handing Carey the ball and seeing what he does with it…kinda like the Wildcat Offense. Carey could even end up in the Heisman Trophy conversation. Arizona’s defense was porous last season, and although they return a lot of players, the unit isn’t expected to be much improved.

Arizona State: (2012 Record: 8-5)

Head Coach Todd Graham kind of looks like a hedgehog

Second year head coach, Todd Graham, was the probably the least recognized name of new Pac-12 coaches in 2012, but he renewed the culture in Phoenix and improved the Sun Devils from a 6-win team to an 8-win team, and it could’ve easily been more (see: 4 point loss to Missouri and 2 point loss to UCLA). Junior QB Taylor Kelly had breakout season in 2012 filling in for Peyton Manning’s backup in Denver, Brock Osweiler. Kelly threw for 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns with only 9 interceptions earning him an All-Pac-12 honorable mention. In addition to Kelly’s arm, the Sun Devils can count on big play capability and versatility from senior RB Marion Grice.

 On defense, the Sun Devils have senior DT Will Sutton, and that’s about all you need to know. Sutton is likely the country’s best defensive tackle and is in the conversation for the country’s best defensive lineman behind South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney. ASU is expected to compete with UCLA and USC in what seems to be a three team race to win the Pac-12 South.

Which is scarier? Will Sutton (left) or Vontaze Burfict circa 2011??

 

Colorado: (2012 Record: 1-11)

Ralphy might be the most talented specimen that
Colorado puts on the field all year

The Buffaloes/Buffalos/Buffalo (**All three are gramatically acceptable!) are bad. A once proud tradition seems to have completely departed from Boulder, Colorado (**Could you say, it is up in smoke?**). The program will be back one day, but it won’t be soon. First year head coach Mike MacIntyre will look to improve on the team’s one conference win, but that honestly seems unlikely.

UCLA: (2012 Record: 9-5)

Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Jim Mora took over the Bruins program for Rick Neuheisel in 2012 and single-handedly revived one of college football’s richest yet most overlooked rivalries. UCLA may even be ahead in the battle for Los Angeles this year as the Bruins seem to be on the upswing while USC has stagnated or declined in response to unjustifiable NCAA sanctions. Freshman QB Brett Hundley was outstanding in his freshman year throwing for 3,700 yards and 29 touchdowns while completing 67% of his passes. And the word in Westwood is that he’s significantly improved since last fall. Hundley could find himself in the Heisman conversation in 2013, and he’s likely to find himself in the first round of the NFL draft in the next couple of years. 

The Lannisters send their regards

Senior LB Anthony Barr is also among the Pac-12’s most talented players. Barr started his career at UCLA playing running back, receiver, and tight end, and he finally found his niche playing outside ‘backer for the Bruins. That kind of versatility is a testament to his athleticism, and scouts already regard him as a sure-thing first round pick. With another offseason to entrench Mora’s system and a good level of general talent in addition to a few exceptional talents, the Bruins are in the hunt for their third consecutive appearance in the Pac-12 Championship Game…where they will likely lose to the winner of the North (if I could only say that about the Lannisters and the Starks with so much certainty).

USC: (2012 record: 7-6)

Although USC’s athletic director adamantly denies it, Coach Lane Kiffin is on the hot seat. Fans should give him some leniency considering the severity of the programs NCAA’s sanctions and scholarship penalties that Kiffin wasn’t responsible for, but still, to win 7 games with as much talent as the Trojans had in 2012 is a huge disappointment. Remember, the Trojans were almost unanimously ranked #1 in the 2012 preseason polls, yet they ended up unranked. Ouch. USC hopes to redeem itself in 2013 with a lot less preseason attention and just about as much talent on the field. Junior WR Marquise Lee is the nation’s best receiver, and that’s more fact than opinion; he won the Biletnikoff Award for college football’s best WR last year. 

The Pac-12 is better when both LA teams are relevant.
Both teams wearing home uniforms should be more common

A battle continues for who gets to throw the ball to Lee and talented sophomore WR Nelson Agholor. 

Sophomore quarterbacks Max Wittek and Cody Kessler remain in the competition that at one point also included true freshman Max Browne. Wittek filled in for Matt Barkley last season when he was hurt, but the competition apparently is close enough that Kiffin doesn’t feel comfortable naming a starter until perhaps as late as Week 2. On the defensive side of the ball, junior safety Dion Bailey and senior LB Morgan Breslin will lead a talented unit, and true freshman safety Su’a Cravens is expected to make a splash. The Trojans are clearly talented enough to win their first (official) Pac-12 South championship, but focus and coaching may prove to be challenges again. **Although USC will likely struggle in their new rivalry against the Boston College Eagles..**

Speaking of Lee, read this:

Utah: (2012 Record: 5-7)

Utah v. BYU is always one of the year's best games to watch.
This year's game is Sept. 21st.

Ute fans thought the switch to a major conference would be easy – HA. Actually after missing a bowl for the first time since the pre-Urban Meyer era, Utah just needs to put a few pieces together, and they’ll be able to compete with the middle of the Pac. That would be a major upgrade from their present situation, but it’s still far from a certainty. 

Coach Kyle Whittingham is respected in the college ranks, and new hire of co-offensive coordinator Dennis Erickson (former head coach at Oregon State and Arizona State) should help Utah move the ball. Mostly, the Utes need improvement from sophomore QB Travis Wilson and to shore up some holes in the defense.

Conclusion:

Overall, this should be a great year for the Pac. Some of the biggest names in college football along with relative newcomers coaching intriguingly diverse systems, quarterback competitions and quarterbacks competing for the Heisman trophy, two teams in the same division with legitimate chances to end the SEC’s string of national championships…and Oregon should have some new helmets.

Predictions:

North Champion: Oregon

South Champion: UCLA

Pac-12 Winner: Oregon Ducks

Heisman Trophy Winner: Ohio State QB Braxton Miller

National Championship Game: Oregon defeats Ohio State

The Death of the BCS: A College Football Preview

**I'd like to welcome college football expert, law student, and Buckeye diehard Mike Matthews to the Blog Don't Lie staff. This year, he will be covering anything and everything important in college football. Enjoy.**

2013 College Football Preview:

by Michael Matthews

2013 is a historical year in college football. Along with being the year Urban Meyer returns The Ohio State Buckeyes to glory, it also marks the 16^th, and final, year of the BCS.

I often found it amusing when commentators would proclaim that the “the BCS worked!” when the undisputed top two teams would meet for the national title. It didn’t “work,” rather, college football cooperated and produced two teams that everyone could agree were the best. There was no need for a multitude of computer formulas; any casual observer could have done the same job as the BCS. The BCS didn’t so much as “work” as avoid screwing up.

Obviously, it was much more common for there to be controversy than not. By my count, 9 out of 15 years the BCS has produced a disputed National Championship Game, with the most egregious being the exclusion of undefeated Auburn in 2004. So, in the past 15 years, 40% of the national title games have been undisputed. I think any system would be an improvement.

Next year, mercifully, college football moves to a playoff system. No more of this “the regular season is the playoff” nonsense. The playoff will involve six bowl games – the Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, Orange, Chik-fil-A, Cotton – with the two semifinal games to be rotated amongst them every three years. Next year, the Rose and Sugar will host the semis. The title game, dubbed the “College Football Championship Game,” will be played at Cowboys Stadium. It will not be a bowl game.

However, for one final year, we are stuck with the BCS. Here is my breakdown of the BCS conferences, the Heisman, and the national title picture for the upcoming year.

Really?

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (THE AMERICAN)

THE PICK: Louisville

In a conference whose entire existence is the result of conference expansion, I think the Cardinals, led by quarterback (and potential number one NFL draft pick) Teddy Bridgewater, to win the inaugural American Conference title. Cincinnati, with new coach Tommy Tuberville, looks to challenge Louisville. The Bearcats host the Cards in the last weekend of the regular season in a game that might decide the conference, but I just don’t think UC has the talent to keep up with U of L.

ACC:

THE PICK: Clemson

The Tigers return Tahj Boyd, Sammy Watkins, and a host of offensive talent. Florida State, led by incoming freshman Jameis Winston at quarterback, and Virginia Tech, led by quarterback Logan Thomas, will challenge. But in the end, Clemson has too much.

BIG 12:

THE PICK: Texas

As Coach Mack Brown starts to feel his seat warming up, I think Texas rises to the occasion this year. With David Ash a year older and wiser, I see the Longhorns taking the Big 12. Oklahoma, with new quarterback Blake Bell, and Oklahoma State should compete, but Texas will reign.

BIG 10:

THE PICK: Ohio State

Did you really expect anyone else? The Buckeyes return a wealth of offensive talent, led by quarterback Braxton Miller. If Carlos Hyde returns after his suspension to the form he displayed towards the end of last season, this offense will be tough to stop. Michigan and Nebraska will be the main challengers, but neither have the talent to match Urban’s squad this year.

        PAC 12:

THE PICK: Stanford

The Cardinal, coming off the school’s first Rose Bowl win since 1972, return Kevin Hogan at quarterback and a host of defensive talent. Oregon and Marcus Mariota look to challenge the Cardinal in year one after the departure of Coach Chip Kelly, but I think the Ducks will miss Kelly more than most seem to think.

SEC

THE PICK: Alabama

Again, is this a surprise to anyone? While they lose talent on the offensive line, the Tide has proven under Nick Saban that they reload. With A.J. McCarron, T.J. Yeldon, and Amari Cooper returning to lead the offense, and C.J. Mosley back to man the middle on defense, I don’t see anyone in the SEC stemming this Tide.

HEISMAN:

Scary..

THE PICK: Jadeveon Clowney

I think Clowney has what it takes to be the first defensive player since Charles Woodson, and only the second overall, to win the Heisman. It will be tough, especially with Johnny Manziel and Braxton Miller likely racking up stats in their spread offenses, but I think that if Clowney dominates like he should and comes up with big moments in the Gamecocks’ biggest games, then he will have as good a shot as any.

NATIONAL TITLE PREDICTION:

THE PICK: Ohio State

Alabama will obviously be challenge in the SEC, but in the end, I think the Tide should run the table and win the conference. They will meet Ohio State in the Rose Bowl to decide the title. In a completely and unabashedly biased pick, I think the Buckeyes, led by Braxton Miller, will upset Bama and win it all.

So, there you have it. The college football season kicks off this Thursday night with South Carolina vs. North Carolina on ESPN, so get ready. It should be a great season.