Round One, Part Three
January 3rd 2011 20:34
Behind Steven Stamkos, the Tampa Bay Lightning are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games, and have tied Washington for the lead with 51 points in the Southeast Division. Some critics may say that Tampa’s schedule wasn't the best during that 10 game span, and I would agree, however the first game was an impressive win at Vancouver. Stamkos had 9 goals and 6 assists in those 10 games, with Martin St. Louis also contributing 5 goals and 10 assists.
Meanwhile, the goalie situation may have been shored up with the acquisition of Dwayne Roloson on New Year’s day, along with young goaltender Cedrick Desjardins playing well. The Lightning will look to continue their stellar play in their next games at Washington and at Pittsburgh.
Prediction: Fifth seed in the East, first round loss to Philadelphia in six games.
In their last 17 games, Vancouver has a 14-1-2 record and are looking much like the title contenders fans thought they could be at the beginning of the season. The Canucks have been lead by the Sedin twins (Daniel 8 goals, 15 assists and Henrik 7 goals, 18 assists) , Ryan Kesler (10 goals, 11 assists), and goalie Roberto Luongo (11-1-1, 1.92 GA, 93% SV).
Of the 14 wins Vancouver has generated in 17 games, they have played very well and came up with quality wins against Dallas, Philadelphia, and San Jose. The Canucks will look to continue their success with upcoming games at San Jose and against Calgary at home.
Prediction: second seed in the West, third round loss to Detroit in seven games
On to Round One, Part Three
Oregon comes in with the fourth best rushing offense in the nation with LaMichael James leading the way at 5.6 YPC. Miami (OH) ranks 41st in YPC given up, but that is also against inferior competition by playing in the MAC all year. Oregon should score early and often with LaMichael james leading the way.
Fr. QB Austin Boucher will start for Miami (OH) after former starting QB Zac Dysert suffered a lacerated spleen in the game against Bowling Green. Boucher showed chemistry with WR Armand Robinson in their MAC championship win against Northern Illinois – Williams hauled in 14 receptions for 176 yards and a score. However, Oregon will be too much in this matchup from the get go.
Final Score: 56-10 Oregon
This matchup could be the most exiciting of the first round, pitting David vs. Goliath. Boise is led by QB Kellen Moore, WR Titus Young, OT Nate Potter, and DT Billy Winn who were all Third Team AP All-American selections. Don’t let the small school from a small conference part fool you; they can play.
The main problem for Boise State in this game – they are playing Alabama. Alabama would be a top 10 team if they hadn’t given up a huge lead against #1 Auburn and lost by one point. They are led by the two headed monster of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, who combined for 19 rushing TD’s. Then there is Julio Jones who is a whole different monster that Boise will have to deal with. Jones had 1,133 yards in the regular season with 7 TD’s and is a tough match for any secondary in the country.
SS Mark Barron for Alabama will be out after surgery for a torn right pectoral muscle which will help Boise’s chances, but Alabama should pull out a tight game.
Final Score: 30-27 Alabama
This matchup will pit Oklahoma’s pass offense (fourth in the nation) against Miami’s pass defense (second in the nation). Oklahoma features QB Landry Jones, RB DeMarco Murray, and First Team AP All-American WR Ryan Broyles. They also have some top talent on the defensive side of the ball with FS Quinton Carter and DE Jeremy Beal and should make an impact against an iffy QB situation at Miami.
WR Leonard Hankerson has been a threat for the Hurricanes this year, but this matchup doesn’t bode very well for Miami who was very inconsistent during the regular season. Oklahoma won’t have many problems in this one.
Final Score: 45-10 Oklahoma
LSU is very challenged on the offensive side of the ball and has not been able to find a steady source of points throughout the year. It will be a tough test for the LSU offense against a defense in Iowa that rated 10th in YPC given up.
The struggles of LSU’s starting QB Jordan Jefferson (four TD's, nine INT's) have been well documented this year. RB Steven Ridley is having a decent year with 1,042 yards and 14 TD’s on the ground, but LSU’s strengths lie on the defensive side of the ball. LSU features First Team AP All-American CB Patrick Peterson and Second Team AP All-American DT Drake Nevis. LSU has the 10th best pass defense in the nation, while also ranking 33rd in YPC given up.
At the end of a disappointing regular season, Iowa had some turmoil with WR Johnson-Koulianos and RB Adam Robinson both being dismissed from the team. Ricky Stanzi has had a much better year than last year, and will try to keep the Hawkeyes in the game, but LSU’s defense will be too much in the end.
Final Score: 20-17 LSU
Meanwhile, the goalie situation may have been shored up with the acquisition of Dwayne Roloson on New Year’s day, along with young goaltender Cedrick Desjardins playing well. The Lightning will look to continue their stellar play in their next games at Washington and at Pittsburgh.
Steven Stamkos
Prediction: Fifth seed in the East, first round loss to Philadelphia in six games.
In their last 17 games, Vancouver has a 14-1-2 record and are looking much like the title contenders fans thought they could be at the beginning of the season. The Canucks have been lead by the Sedin twins (Daniel 8 goals, 15 assists and Henrik 7 goals, 18 assists) , Ryan Kesler (10 goals, 11 assists), and goalie Roberto Luongo (11-1-1, 1.92 GA, 93% SV).
Of the 14 wins Vancouver has generated in 17 games, they have played very well and came up with quality wins against Dallas, Philadelphia, and San Jose. The Canucks will look to continue their success with upcoming games at San Jose and against Calgary at home.
Roberto Luongo
Prediction: second seed in the West, third round loss to Detroit in seven games
On to Round One, Part Three
31. Miami (OH) at 2. Oregon
Oregon comes in with the fourth best rushing offense in the nation with LaMichael James leading the way at 5.6 YPC. Miami (OH) ranks 41st in YPC given up, but that is also against inferior competition by playing in the MAC all year. Oregon should score early and often with LaMichael james leading the way.
Fr. QB Austin Boucher will start for Miami (OH) after former starting QB Zac Dysert suffered a lacerated spleen in the game against Bowling Green. Boucher showed chemistry with WR Armand Robinson in their MAC championship win against Northern Illinois – Williams hauled in 14 receptions for 176 yards and a score. However, Oregon will be too much in this matchup from the get go.
Final Score: 56-10 Oregon
18. Boise State @ 15. Alabama
This matchup could be the most exiciting of the first round, pitting David vs. Goliath. Boise is led by QB Kellen Moore, WR Titus Young, OT Nate Potter, and DT Billy Winn who were all Third Team AP All-American selections. Don’t let the small school from a small conference part fool you; they can play.
The main problem for Boise State in this game – they are playing Alabama. Alabama would be a top 10 team if they hadn’t given up a huge lead against #1 Auburn and lost by one point. They are led by the two headed monster of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, who combined for 19 rushing TD’s. Then there is Julio Jones who is a whole different monster that Boise will have to deal with. Jones had 1,133 yards in the regular season with 7 TD’s and is a tough match for any secondary in the country.
SS Mark Barron for Alabama will be out after surgery for a torn right pectoral muscle which will help Boise’s chances, but Alabama should pull out a tight game.
Final Score: 30-27 Alabama
23. Miami (FL) @ 10. Oklahoma
This matchup will pit Oklahoma’s pass offense (fourth in the nation) against Miami’s pass defense (second in the nation). Oklahoma features QB Landry Jones, RB DeMarco Murray, and First Team AP All-American WR Ryan Broyles. They also have some top talent on the defensive side of the ball with FS Quinton Carter and DE Jeremy Beal and should make an impact against an iffy QB situation at Miami.
WR Leonard Hankerson has been a threat for the Hurricanes this year, but this matchup doesn’t bode very well for Miami who was very inconsistent during the regular season. Oklahoma won’t have many problems in this one.
Final Score: 45-10 Oklahoma
26. Iowa @ 7. LSU
LSU is very challenged on the offensive side of the ball and has not been able to find a steady source of points throughout the year. It will be a tough test for the LSU offense against a defense in Iowa that rated 10th in YPC given up.
The struggles of LSU’s starting QB Jordan Jefferson (four TD's, nine INT's) have been well documented this year. RB Steven Ridley is having a decent year with 1,042 yards and 14 TD’s on the ground, but LSU’s strengths lie on the defensive side of the ball. LSU features First Team AP All-American CB Patrick Peterson and Second Team AP All-American DT Drake Nevis. LSU has the 10th best pass defense in the nation, while also ranking 33rd in YPC given up.
At the end of a disappointing regular season, Iowa had some turmoil with WR Johnson-Koulianos and RB Adam Robinson both being dismissed from the team. Ricky Stanzi has had a much better year than last year, and will try to keep the Hawkeyes in the game, but LSU’s defense will be too much in the end.
Final Score: 20-17 LSU
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