Another two+ weeks went by without a post?

I would say that sort of thing is not excusable but come on, the only thing that's been going on is baseball season. I only care about the baseball playoffs. And even then, both college and pro football get first priority on my list of sports-world concerns.

Anyways, if that sounds like a perfectly lame excuse not to write for a few weeks, then so be it. I still blame it on the notion that sports are non-existent as a form of captivating, competitive entertainment unless football or basketball is in-season.

There's too much to write about the football season. In fact, I've already missed the first game. To be honest, I thought Daunte would carry the 'Fins but Charlie Batch showed some brilliance (okay, he played well). Over a 120.0 QB rating? I thought that was a typo this morning when I was watching Cold Pizza. I never get sick of the split-screen player comparisons. Never.

Thinking about all the things that could potentially happen in the NFL this year, I was overwhelmed. Everyone is trying to pick the sleeper, the breakout performer, the star, the player most likely to fail - it's sort of depressing isn't it? Imagine making it into one of the toughest leagues on the planet, making millions, and still being picked to fail. Irony at its finest. Anyways, I figured instead of committing the eternal jinx of picking the playoff teams, the AFC/NFC champs and all that, I'd just settle for a few interesting and fun picks to make. And of course, in order to cut down the need for two separate introductions, I've consolidated my NCAA and NFL picks. These are in no order, and as always, in a jumbled fashion. Enjoy.

The only four teams that can possibly win the Superbowl: Indy, Pittsburgh, Carolina, and Seattle

NFL sleeper (I couldn't resist making this pick): Tampa Bay - And about that . . . does anyone else agree that Chris Simms is possibly the best young quarterback in the league? 'Cause I do. You gotta love Cadillac Williams. What a dope nickname. He's so smooth, just like a Caddy.

NFL shock of the year: T.O. and Bledsoe manage to get along, put up solid individual efforts, and the Cowboys even win 10 games.

Second biggest shock of the year: Jake the Snake plays his ass off for Denver and surprises everyone in the media. And all the haters as well. Give me a break, I'm a Sun Devil for life.

Third biggest shock of the year: Vince Young does some damage, with his ARM and his legs by week 12. The Titans realize why they drafted him. And so does everyone else who is already writing him off because of . . . wait a minute . . . there is no reason to write the guy off. He's the colored Steve Young. Plays on raw emotion and reaction. Don't tell me Steve Young was any smarter than Vince Young.

NFL Player that the media shouldn't have written-off: Brett Favre. For obvious reasons. I'm not saying the Pack' are good, just saying that Brett Favre is great.

NCAA Champions: Ohio State

NCAA Runner-Up: Auburn

NCAA, Third place: LSU

Heisman Winner: Brady Quinn (this one is almost too easy). He may not completely deserve it, but ain't no group of sportswriters gonna refrain from voting for this guy unless he ends up with more INTs than TDs (think Steve Nash in the NBA, it's just the fun pick for writers). Which can't really happen in Chuck Weiss's offense. Close second: Someone from Ohio State, either Ginn, Jr. or Troy Smith. (This has less of a chance of happening then someone beating out Steve Nash for three in a row. I'm boycotting the NBA if that really comes to fruition. And I don't joke about stuff like that, especially when it comes to the NBA)

Oh, and by the way, the Pats will miss the playoffs this year. Either that, or make a first-round exit. I'm saying this almost entirely because I want to read the Sports Guy's column in which he makes excuses for his team post-NFL season.

That's all the picks I'm willing to make right now. I do a majority of things in life based on passion and impulse, and right now, I have very little of each in order to make more picks that will most likely fail to stand the test of time, anyhow. But I figure these few picks will make me seem either extremely smart or extremely stupid. Frankly, I'm willing to take the chance. Plus, this sort of stuff is fun for me.

I can't wait for this weekend. So much football, so little time. I'm gettin' giddy, which means it's time to stop writing.

Cheers.

P.S. ASU over Nevada, 38 - 17.