Bryce Hatley's Top 5 For The 2013 CFB Season

1.            Alabama
   Alabama will be at the top of my preseason list as repeat national champions and with experience returning on both sides of the ball next season. Alabama’s dominate run will continue over to the 2014 season.
   2.       LSU
   With arguably one of the best back field’s in the nation LSU will come in a close second to the crimson tide. The 2014 season will bring the opportunity for LSU quarterback Mettenberger to solidify himself as a consistent pocket passer that he showed glimpses of this past season.
   3.       FSU
   Florida State will be in my preseason top 5 with an all-world roster Florida State should be  a national title contender. Questions still linger at the quarterback position for the 2014 season. Let’s see of Jimbo Fisher can put it all together this season
   4.      Texas A&M
   With the return of Heisman trophy winner  Jhonny Manziel  along with the number one recruiting class in the nation Texas A&M will definitely be national championship contender. Dismantling Alabama at home this season gives us sign of what A&M has the potential to be next season.
   
   
   5.      Stanford
   Stanford will squeeze in at #5 with experience returning on both sides of the ball along with a weak Pac -12, Stanford led by Kevin Hogan should have BCS Bowl hopes for the 2014 season.

My Preseason Top 5 2013 CFB Rankings

With the 2012 season already in the history books, its time to look ahead for the 2013 season, here are my top five teams going into the 2013 college football season:

1. Alabama
    It’s hard to bet against a Nick Saban team who reached the national championship in a “down year” and down by 28. With A.J. McCarron returning for his senior season surrounded with a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball as well as on defensive, the Tide will probably be number one on many polls.

2. Stanford
    The Stanford Cardinal will be a popular pick next season among national championship contenders. The Cardinals lose Stepfan Taylor and star tight end Zach Ertz, but return a stud at quarterback in Kevin Hogan and a stout defense look for the Cardinal to make a run at another Pac-12 Championship and possibly a national championship.

3. LSU
    LSU will have another stellar defense as well as returning a young offensive line. I look for quarterback Zach Mettenberger to make a big jump and show why he was such a herald recruit coming out of high school. It also help that he'll have a stable of running backs. Though the Tigers lose some talent on the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers will have a chance to compete for an SEC title as well as a national championship.

4. Florida State
    Can Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles ever put it together? The talent is there coming off of a winning the 2012 Orange Bowl and ACC Championship, the talent is there. With a loaded team coming back off a 12 win season, the only question I have is who will be the quarterback will it be Clint Trickett or Jameis Winston?

5. Texas A&M
    With Johnny Football returning the Aggies will be a contender, they do face some challenges going on the road to the Swamp in Gainesville and Death Valley in LSU two big games, in return they get to welcome Saban and the Tide to College Station. The big question will be with a season in the books, will Johnny Football have the same success in 2013 that he had in 2012? We'll have to wait and see.

Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter: @JTyree704

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes

Knicks vs. Nets Who Are You Taking?

Tonight’s matchup of the Knicks vs. Nets will answer some questions that I believe many fans want to know, are the New York Knicks the real deal?

On paper you can argue the Knicks are the best in the NBA, but if know anything about sports you know games aren’t won on paper; the battle is won on the hardwood.

 The pressure is on and the lights are bright, so far the Knicks have handled the pressure well owning the number one record in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks have beaten some very good opponents in the San Antonio Spurs, and the Miami Heat twice.

Last time the Knicks traveled to the Barclays Center they fell short losing in overtime 96-89 behind a stellar performance from Carmelo Anthony who had 35 points.

The rivalry is official, and all boroughs in New York will be watching. Who will win the battle of New York? You get Deron Williams and Raymond Felton, Carmelo Anthony and Gerald Wallace, Brook Lopez and Tyson Chandler, with the x-factor in JR Smith. Who are you taking tonight?

 

Justin Thomas

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter: @JTyree704

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes

Bobcats Continue To Struggle Falling To The Warriors

    The Bobcats fall to the Golden State Warriors 104-96 stretching the losing streak to now eight games, and the road only gets tougher. Kemba Walker was the Cats leading scorer with 24 points, with rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist having a solid showing of 17 points of his own.

    The Cats trailed at the half by 18, making a better effort in the second half cutting the lead to eight late in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough to earn the victory.

    With the Cats on this losing streak it’s getting harder and harder to circle wins. The Cats welcome in the Clippers on Wednesday, then travel to take on the Hawks Friday, whom they’ve played well, but have lost both of the previous matchups.

    Ultimately, the Cats should end the losing streak at 10 games winning against the Orlando Magic who they face Saturday in Charlotte, unless they defeat the Clippers and or Hawks. As unreal as it may sound, they can pull off both wins, the odds just aren’t in their favor.

    Through 20 games the Cats have two major problems, defending the three point line and execution in the half court offense. There are also some improvements from last season, the effort is there, and you now know Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are your franchise players moving forward
.
Justin Thomas

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter: @JTyree704

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes

Bobcats Fall To Knicks By Buzzer Beater

    The Charlotte Bobcats fell victim to the New York Knicks by a buzzer beater from JR Smith handing the Bobcats their fifth straight lost, with the final score being 100-98 in a packed Time Warner Cable Area of 18,000.
   
    JR Smith's last second shot wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for the turnovers and mental mistakes from the Bobcats late down the stretch.
   
    The Bobcats had the edge on the Knicks in every major category. Better shooting percentage of 47 percent to the Knicks 42.5 percent. Better from behind the arch 43.8 percent to the Knicks 31.7 percent. Even shooting better from the free-throw line 86.7 percent to the Knicks 69.2 percent. The Bobcats even controlled the rebounding battle aginst the Knicks 50 to 36. For the most important stat being turnovers, the battle lost that battle of 12 to 8, with the last four turnovers leading their defeat.
   
    Outside of the mental mistakes down the stretch, the Bobcats played a solid game. The Bobcats have just a rough stretch, which are all apart of growing pains when you have a young nucleus. The road only gets tougher when the Bobcats travel to take on the Milwaukee Bucks Friday, and then welcome in the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
   
    The Bobcats could win both games, lose both games, or split the two games. In the NBA wins are hard to come by, and the young Bobcats are learning the hard way.

Justin Thomas

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter: @JTyree704

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes

Are The Dallas Cowboys Still "America's Team?"

Most of you know the Dallas Cowboys for claiming the title of “America’s team”, winning three super bowls in the 1990’s being the NFL’s most popular team. Since the last championship in 1995, and last playoff win coming in 2009. With that being said are the Cowboys still “America’s team”?

The Dallas Cowboys by many football analysts have labeled as a “model of inconsistency” over the past decade or so. Some just believe the Cowboys since the beginning of the 2000s are nothing more than an average team living off of their past accomplishments. There also are many who believe the lack of success lies on their owner, president, and general manager in Jerry Jones.

The latest poll conducted by ESPN showed that the Cowboys received 8.8 percent of the votes sticking with the title of “America’s team”. The Green Bay Packers came in second place earning 7.2 percent of the votes. What’s funny is that the NFL conducted a poll which had the Packers number in 2011, with the most recent in May of 2012 showing that it wasn't the Packers, but that it was the Cowboys who topped the list.

What’s funny about this is that the Cowboys haven’t played in a Super Bowl since 1995 and last won a playoff game in 2009. Yet, they are rated the number one most valuable sports franchise in all of the United States by Forbes with revenue of $2.1 billion. It doesn't end there, they also are the wealthiest team in the NFL generating around $269 million in annual revenue. Television ratings you ask? The Cowboys are the most watched team in prime time dating back to 2006, along with averaging 19,152,000 million viewers dating back to 2006 topping the NFL according to Bloomberg. Their fan support is best in the league, with their national following might base selling out stadiums everywhere they go leading the NFL in consecutive sell-outs home and away.

Despite whether or not you are a fan of the Cowboys, they continue to hold the title “America’s team."

Justin Thomas

ESPN Charlotte 730 Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter: @JTyree704

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes

5 Reasons Why Charlotte Should Support The Charlotte Bobcats (Part 1)

1. Rich Cho

2. Coach Mike Dunlap

3. Kemba Walker is emerging into a solid NBA point guard

4. MKG and Jeff Taylor are proving to be solid draft choices

5. New team new season new look ...

The Charlotte Bobcats are 6-4 sitting in a tie for third place in the Eastern Conference through 10 games. Tonight the Charlotte Bobcats will welcome in the Atlanta Hawks at Time Warner Table Arena at 7 with the game being covered by Fox SportsSouth.

Justin Thomas
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes