PROSE IS DIFFERENT or pro's are different

Since this is now my first official posting in the year 2009, I thought it best to stick with nonsensical material so of course that leads to more football predictions.

This time it's the Pro's turn and because I am a Ram fan...I've literally had no season except for two strange weeks in the middle.

BUT because I am a TROJAN fan then I have to thankful for what I get and not be greedy. I would like a bit of the greed to filter down to the Dodgers so that they can actually sign Manny....because the pitching staff appears to be in deep trouble so they will really need the BIG HAIR to bat four or five times a game.

BUT of course that's a different sport and spring training doesn't start for another month and a half....so let's get back to the present situation, which happens to be WILD CARD WEEKEND.

TODAY'S GAMES

I have not been following the NFL very closely but it seems like COLTS are on a roll and Peyton is intent on reclaiming the crown from his younger bro.

INDIANAPOLIS 24
SAN DIEGO 17

Atlanta might be the story of the year. Michael Vick's dog problems resulted in drafting Matt Ryan and them making the playoffs is rather amazing.
Arizona just doesn't seem to have the defense

ATLANTA 35
ARIZONA 31

SUNDAY'S GAMES

Miami can't possibly be ready to advance to next level...but they have also had an unbelievable year and Bill Parcell's is a flat out genius....BUT they can't be that good this soon.

BALTIMORE 31
MIAMI 17

The City of Philadelphia is on a roll but if Adrian Peterson is healthy is not going to matter

HEALTHY PETERSON VIKINGS 28
EAGLES 21

NON-HEALTHY VIKINGS 17
EAGLES 35

BUT LET'S TAKE A MOMENT AND DISCUSS THE BEST FOOTBALL TEAM IN AMERICA....AND EASILY THE BEST DEFENSE

THE USC TROJANS HAVE THE BEST DEFENSE I HAVE EVER SEEN AT ANY LEVEL OF FOOTBALL.

AND RIGHT NOW YOU ARE SAYING....THAT'S INSANE
BUT
STATISTICS DON'T LIE

THEY SHUT OUT EIGHT OF THEIR OPPONENTS IN THE SECOND HALF

THAT IS A STATISTIC THAT JUST CAN'T BE IGNORED. EVERY TEAM RE-ADJUSTS THEIR GAME PLAN AT HALF TIME AND PLAYS WITH MUCH MORE INTENSITY AFTER HALF TIME.

COMBINE THOSE TWO THINGS AND THEN UNDERSTAND THAT THE TROJANS SHUT OUT EIGHT OF THOSE TEAMS AFTER HALF TIME....AND IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE ANY TEAM BEATING THE TROJANS.

OREGON STATE MUST FEEL UNBELIEVABLY PROUD FOR PUTTING THE ONLY BLEMISH ON THE TROJANS YEAR.

BUT REMEMBER USC LOST TO OREGON STATE AT OREGON STATE.....FLORIDA, WHO HAPPENS TO BE PLAYING FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, LOST A HOME GAME TO MISSISSIPPI..

12-1 IS A GREAT RECORD AND PETE CARROLL IS QUICKLY BECOMING THE GREATEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACH IN HISTORY. IF HE CONTINUES AT USC FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS THEN ALL THE GREAT COACHES WILL BE TAKING A BACK SEAT TO PETE.

It's a bad time to be a RAM fan but
IT'S
A
GREAT
TIME
TO
BE
A
TROJAN
FAN

And I'll settle for that and simply watch the NFL playoffs and maybe root for Kurt Warner and Cardinals....but that probably won't last past the first weekend. I think the Colts will go all the way...and the Manning brothers will keep on dominating Super Bowl Sunday.

I realize there are some intense things going on in Gaza but this is America and it's football playoff time and the Middle East problems will just have to wait.

It's not like they are going to solve anything soon anyway...after all it's been a war zone since 5000 B.C.

Michael Timothy McAlevey