SPORTS
SPORTS
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CFP expansion
By Edward Morrison
The way college football has decided a champ has evolved over the years. For the longest time, it was the team considered the best for the season. But in 1998 the BCS championship game was born and it became the “Superbowl” of College football. But this system was flawed and fans wanted a playoff and they were answered as the NCAA revealed a new college football playoff. What disappointed fans were the fact that the playoff is 4 games. Unfortunately, it is hard to have parity with such a small window to win a championship. Fans want parody and finally, the NCAA has just announced that the Playoff will be expanded to twelve teams in 2024. This new playoff system will hopefully allow more group of five teams to make it to the championship and eventually we may have a new champion every year. New rivalries can be born. Overall this should make the already amazing sport of college football even better.
Rose Bowl
By Edward Morrison
The Rose Bowl is one of So-Cal's most significant events. The game is usually played between the winner of the Pac-12 and Big 10. The game is now part of the New Year’s Six, a group of bowl games in the CFP that are played on New Year’s Day. The game has been played in 4 different venues throughout history. Tournament Park actually used to be the venue where the game was played every year, but starting in 1923 the game was to be played in the Rose Bowl. In 1942 due to fears of an attack from the Japanese, the game was temporarily moved to Duke stadium. In 1943, it was deemed safe to play the game at the Rose Bowl. We then have to resume 2021 and the Covid-19 pandemic was raging on. The state was still not allowing any fans to attend sports events. A Rose Bowl without fans sucks so they moved it to Texas, where the restrictions weren’t as tough. Now we resume in 2023, a game between the Utah Utes, and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Hopefully, we can get a Rose Bowl to remember.
NFL Top Ten
By Edward Morrison
1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-1 1st in NFC East) This was supposed to be somewhat of a breakout season for the Eagles but I don’t think anyone could’ve expected this. These Eagles are by far the NFL with nobody even close to having the Eagles success.
2. Dallas Cowboys (10-3 2nd in NFC East) If you told me that the NFC East would be the best division this season I would’ve laughed at you and maybe even direct you to the nearest mental hospital. This is the biggest surprise I have ever witnessed. The fact that the Cowboys might not win the division with 13 wins is mindblowing to think about.
3. Buffalo Bills (10-3 1st in NFC East) The Bills have been contenders for a couple of years and it looks like this Superbowl contender is going to make it. If you can name a team in the AFC better than the Bills I will pay you $1,000.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (10-3 1st in AFC West) The Chiefs obviously a contender and it’s hard to believe that this team has only been a contender for like 3-4 seasons. Patrick Mahomes is still young and yet some vets haven’t reached the milestones that he has. This team is still strong even without Tyreek Hill.
5. Minnesota Vikings (10-3 1st in NFC North) The Vikings seem to be a contender but the question will be if Kirk Cousins will be able to preform in the clutch.
6. San Francisco 49ers (9-4 1st in NFC West) The 49ers after having some trouble early in the season have started to catch on fire winning their last 6 with no sign of stopping. This team is going to make some noise this postseason.
7. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4 2nd in AFC North) The Bengals have won their last five and these were against top-tier NFL teams. After a rough start in which some thought the Bengals of last year were a fluke, the Bengals are looking like they could go to back-to-back Superbowls. They might win this time.
8. Baltimore Ravens (9-4 1st in AFC North) This Ravens squad looked bumpy at first, but over time this team has gotten better. Now they are looking at the very least a playoff appearance. The Ravens just need to hold on to their playoff spot.
9. Miami Dolphins (8-5 2nd in AFC East) A rollercoaster season has found this Dolphins team in an uncertain place. This team started the season well, then went on a losing streak, then went on a winning streak, and now they're on another losing streak. How will the end of this season go for Miami?
10. Washington Commanders (7-5-1 3rd in NFC East) The Commanders are starting to heat up at the right time. Benching Wentz was a 9000 iq decision. Now the joke of this season might make the playoffs.
World Cup group stage results
By Edward Morrison
Group A
Netherlands 7pts
Senegal 6pts
Ecuador 4pts
Qatar 0pts
Group B
England 7pts
USA 5pts
Iran 3pts
Wales 1pt
Group C
Argentina 6pts
Poland 4pts (Better goal diff.)
Mexico 4pts
Saudi Arabia 3pts
Group D
France 6pts (Better goal diff.)
Australia 6pts
Tunisia 4pts
Denmark 1pt
Group E
Japan 6pts
Spain 4pts (Better goal diff.)
Germany 4pts
Costa Rica 3pts
Group F
Morocco 7pts
Croatia 5pts
Belgium 4pts
Canada 0pts
Group G
Brazil 6pts (Better goal diff.)
Switzerland 6pts
Cameroon 4pts
Serbia 1pt
Group H
Portugal 6pts
South Korea 4pts (Better goal diff.)
Uruguay 4pts
Ghana 3pts
NBA Top Ten
By Edward Morrison
1. Boston Celtics (21-7 1st in east): They might not be the hottest team in the NBA and after two shellackings from the Clippers and Warriors their spot may be uncertain, but I still think the Celtics are the top team in the NBA.
2. New Orleans Pelicans (18-8 1st in west): The hottest team in the league, the Pelicans have the brightest present and future. The Pelicans will become a dynasty and I’m being serious when I say that. Also, note that they are one of the front runners for Victor Wembanyama.
3. Milwaukee Bucks (19-7 2nd in east): The Bucks are very inconsistent this year, getting great wins, and bad losses. But so far the good has outweighed the bad and this team still looks like a title contender.
4. Memphis Grizzlies (18-9 2nd in west): The Memphis Grizzlies are red hot as well as Ja Morant and company are setting the league on fire. Let's see if the Grizzlies are going to make a run.
5. Denver Nuggets (16-10 3rd in west): The Nuggets are a good team that is stacked with quality role players that can get behind the stars of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (17-11 3rd in east): The Cavs with their Big 3 of Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Donovan Mitchell are looking like a team that could contend. But I think the Cavs will get better over time so they may not be contenders yet.
7. Brooklyn Nets (17-12 4th in east): The Nets have been trashed on a lot, but I truly think that Jaques Vaughn has been a terrific coach and with some chemistry, maybe this team can contend.
8. Phoenix Suns (16-11 4th in west): The Phoenix Suns are starting to fall off. They are on a bit of a losing streak and they are just clinging on to a spot on this list. Phoenix is going to have to rebound.
9. Sacramento Kings (14-11 5th in west): The Kings are starting to get a grasp of what it feels like to be a good basketball team. This sixteen-year playoff drought may end this season. At this point, the King’s fans don’t really care about what seed the Kings are. They just want to see their team in the playoffs.
10. Portland Trail Blazers (15-12 6th in west): I think everybody forgot that the Blazers have Dame. I don’t see this team in the Finals but this team could see a bit of a playoff run. Let’s see how this team does this season.
*Records as of 12/13/22
Have a nice Winter Break
By Edward Morrison
Sometimes the stress of school can feel like a boulder on your back. Some have had a better year than others. But I think utilize winter break to unload. No stress about that assignment that you have to do. Also, think about the next semester as a fresh start. Grades are low, get them up. Use your New Years' resolutions to make next semester a good one. But I encourage everybody to just sit back, relax, and sip on some hot cocoa. There are some good sports as the NFL season winds down. The NBA’s starting to get spicy. The time is now for some rest and relaxation this winter, Bulldogs.
World Cup
By Edward Morrison
The World Cup has always been the most exciting event in the World. It has a lot of history too it is very interesting when you take a deep dive. The first World Cup was hosted by Uruguay and it was a real hoot as the hosts won it as well. This is the 22nd World Cup that has taken place 5 have been won by Brazil and Italy and Germany have won 4 each. Argentina and Uruguay and France have won twice. England and Spain are one-time winners. The World Cup has been canceled twice in 1942 and 1946 due to Europe being decimated. But one thing about the World Cup is that it can bring enemies together. But I think the best thing about the World Cup is that you know these players are playing their absolute hardest. Overall this will be a fun World Cup in Qatar.
Lionel Messi to Inter Miami?
By Edward Morrison
As Lionel Messi shines in the World Cup for Argentina, the soccer star is potentially moving stateside to David Beckham’s MLS club Inter Miami. Both PSG and Inter Miami both seem to be confident they will have Messi on their roster next year. Although the thought of Messi going to the US used to be silly, this could become reality. David Beckham is not just your ordinary footballer and Lionel Messi definitely could attract soccer stars. You also have to realize that Miami is an excellent sports market that has attracted Lebron and Chris Bosh. Messi wouldn’t even be the first soccer star to play in the US. Pele played for the New York Cosmos from 1975-1977 I’ll be it in the twilight of his career. But even Pele drew crowds and in a soccer-hungry America Messi may even draw more. And wherever he may end up, I hope Messi has a brilliant end to a brilliant career.
This has been a World Cup worth watching.
By Edward Morrison
In the last issue, editor Wolf Nazari wrote an article asking the question of If this year’s World Cup is worth watching. I am fortunate to say that this World Cup was worth watching. All the storylines, all the upsets, there was not one second that I wasn’t thinking about the World Cup. Many people including myself were thinking about the ethics of Qatar and FIFA. But when you take all the politics out of it, this was a great World Cup. My favorite things that have happened in this World Cup are Messi making the final, Australia making out of group stage, and Morroco’s run to the semis. My favorite of all was the US making it out of the group stage. The final is going to be between France and Argentina. It’s either Mbappe and France back to back. Or Messi’s first and last. While France looks good, fate says Argentina will win. Either way this is going to be a fun final.
What a lovely year it has been in sports
By Edward Morrison
As 2022 comes to a close let’s look back at what the year has brought into the world of sports. This has been an excellent year for sports. The year started with the Winter Olympics in Beijing. It ended with one of the most incredible World Cups ever. Going a little local. The Rams won their first Superbowl in Los Angeles. Los Angeles even got to host the big game. The Dodgers broke a franchise record with 111 regular season wins. And even going more local. Let's talk about BVMS. All the school's D-1 teams made the playoffs and they all had incredible success. The BVMS 7th-grade flag football team was Westside league A champions. Overall, this was a sports year to be proud of.
World Cup: USA
By Edward Morrison
The US’s performance in this year’s FIFA is hard to digest. The US made it back to the World Cup after missing 2018’s in embarrassing fashion. Should we be happy with the fact that the US made it out of the Group? Or should we be hungry for more? It really goes down to who you're talking to. I think the US performed pretty well in this World Cup. The fact that the US drew with England, and beat a pretty underrated Iran lights up the patriot inside of me. We should also be looking forward to the next World Cup in 2026. The US, Canada, and Mexico are hosting and they get in auto bid. The US is now going to be able to focus on the World Cup. The US also has the youngest team. They’re only getting better and I’m looking forward to following this team’s journey.
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