Boomer's Sugar Bowl Preview

Preview: 2012 Sugar Bowl 78^th edition “The Battle in the Big Easy”

            Date/Time: January 3, 2012 8:30 PM (EST)

            Michigan Wolverines vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Favorite: Michigan by 1.5

                         (10-2)                                     (11-2)

            All-Times Series: First meeting between the two programs

Boomer’s Four Keys on grabbing some “Sugar”:

1)    Denard Robinson vs. Logan Thomas

Two different sized Quarterbacks will go up against each other in this match-up. Denard Robinson, 6’1’’ 193 lbs., uses his legs just as much as his arm at the Quarterback position. Robinson tallied 3,219 total yards of offense accounting for 18 Passing TD’s and 16 Rushing TD’s. Logan Thomas, 6’6’’ 253 lbs., is a more pro-typical Quarterback. Thomas threw for 2,799 passing yards, with 19 TD’s to 9 INT’s. Thomas, more of a bruising runner then Robinson, accounted for 416 rushing yards and 10 more TD’s on the ground (led the Hokies offense). In a game that should have plenty of scoring, I like Thomas in this match-up with the better supporting cast. Advantage: Virginia Tech

2)    Fitzgerald Toussaint vs. David Wilson

In a game that could feature a lot of points, look for the two #1 RB’s to contribute all night. Toussaint rushed for 1,011 yards (46th in the nation) and scored 9 times on the ground. Toussaint contributed to an offensive attack that featured the 12^th best rushing offense in the nation (235 yards per/game) and two 1,000 rushers (see Robinson). It will be interesting to see if Toussaint can help out and relieve Robinson at times during the game. Wilson rushed for 1,627 rushing yards (5^th in the nation) and scored 10 total TD’s. From what I saw of Wilson this year he is very quick and with any sort of space could take it to the house on any given play. I factor in the “big-play” for this one, believing Wilson is the more “big-play” running back then Toussaint. Advantage: Virginia Tech

3)    Michigan’s Special Teams vs. “Beamer Ball”

For this key I am going to go off the beaten path, and talk about Special teams. A factor, that is rarely talked about, but always seems to be the difference in a close game. Checking out the stats, between both teams, only the Hokies had the lone returning TD (vs. FCS-opponent Appalachian St., Michigan fan’s should know that program, haha). Michigan’s placekicker connected on 10 of 14 FG’s and 52 of 53 XP’s. Virginia Tech used three different placekickers over the season, kicking 14 of 20 FG’s and 45 of 46 XP’s. In the end, I believe “Beamer Ball” will have a factor in the game. Advantage: Virginia Tech

4)    Brady Hoke vs. Frank Beamer

I think we all know were this is going, but I’ll throw in a couple stats on the two Head Coaches for your reading enjoyment. Even though, I hate Michigan Wolverines football with a passion, what can you say about what Coach Hoke has done in one season with the program. Rarely, ever did you see Coach Hoke wear a headset on the sideline, he led the Wolverines to a 10-2 record and a much improved defense, 7^th in the nation in points against (17.2 per/game). Coach Hoke is 1-2, in 3 bowl game appearances (two with Ball State, one with San Diego State). Coach Beamer, 250 career wins, is currently the winningest coach in the FBS. He has a bowl game record of 8-10 with a 1-4 mark in the current BCS bowl games. Even though, I do not agree that these two teams should be in this game (look at the rankings), I still think it will be a good game to watch.

Prediction: Its 2012, and Michigan still SUCKS! Virginia Tech 28 Michigan 24. 

2nd Period WC -- FINALLY!

After somewhat of an excruciating first 30 minutes of play, the game finally opened up with 3 goals.  Braydon Schenn, a 20 year old, gets his FIRST NHL goal in the 2012 Winter Classic.  They say you always remember your first but on this stage, that's a unique gift he'll certainly remember forever.  And only a few moments later, my best-friend-turned-worst-enemy Max Talbot sends a sweet pace across the goal mouth to Claude Giroux who buries it to take a 2-0 lead.  The Flyers were buzzing and the crowd was coming alive when another former Pen favorite of mine Mike Rupp of the New York Rangers buries a wrister past Bobrovsky.  The best part was his celebration pulling the Jaromir Jagr salute!  2nd period ends with much more intensity at 2-1 Flyers lead.  I expect fireworks in the finale.  Something to keep your eye on is Jagr's health.  He played sparingly in that period but was seen on the bench.  Rangers need to capitalize.  I expect to see some power play chances. Night is overcoming Citizens Bank Ballpark so expect the lights to be an issue!

1st Period -- Winter Classic

All the hype, stories, and tradition of outdoor pond hockey built up tremendous excitement for the puck drop!  The goalies each made a few really good glove saves but the period was rather lifeless.  I think the players were adjusting to the wind and overall atmosphere of playing outside.  Each team committed a penalty late and neither could get anything going.  A couple scrums here and there.  Now that 20 minutes are in the books, look for the 2nd period emotion to ramp up a bit.  After one period, it is scoreless.  I thought the Flyers looked sharper and had a couple breakaway opportunities including Jagr all alone.  Also, Marian Gaborik of the Rangers is a joy to watch skate and snipe.  Glad to see Marc Staal back too after not having played since February due to a concussion.  Chance of snow later!  Stay tuned!

Gainer's Top 5 Sports New Year's Resolutions

1) If you don't know, I might be a big Pittsburgh Penguins fan.  2011 might have been one of the worst in recent memory for Pens fans.  It started with the epic concussion-gate that was and still is Captain Sidney Crosby then followed by a blown out knee that ruined Geno Malkin's season.  Injuries and suspensions have decimated their lineup and hopefully 2012 will bring better news, especially for Sid and their All-Star defensemen Kris Letang.  It is not only good for Pittsburgh but good for the entire league!

2) My NFL teams figuring out how not to suck at life.  I'm of course referring to the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets.  They've been quite the choke artists since I started following football in the mid 1990s.  Tony Romo and Mark Sanchez will once again be under heavy scrutiny this off season.  Mark can't throw a ball downfield or to the right team.  Tony can't win a game in December.  It's frustrating...

3) University of Kentucky basketball and University of Georgia football.  Coaches John Calipari and Mark Richt have gotten these programs back to relevance and a contender year in and year out.  However, they just can't seem to get over that final hump to be National Title contenders.  Hopefully Coach Cal can get the Cats back into the Final Four and the Bulldogs can get off to a much better start and not poop the bed in an SEC Championship Game.

4)  Baseball not to suck.  I know this will never come true again as I can't stand watching games anymore.  However, I do miss my childhood passion of the Atlanta Braves.  Chipper Jones is still my favorite player and hopefully with the added playoff spot in each league, they can find that magic I remember in the 1990s.  That or just play less than 162 games.  My goodness that is so many games!

5) Last but not least, a strong American showing throughout the Olympic Trials and Olympic Games in the track & field events.  I'm still a runner at heart (trying to get back into it!) and I would love to see an American step up and usurp the African dominance in long distance running and Usain Bolt in the sprints.  London should provide quality weather conditions which are ideal for distance running.  My fingers are crossed that the Americans can finally take a step forward into being competitive again.

*Special Addition*
I know it is impossible but I would truly enjoy another NBA lockout.  The players just walk up and down the court, whine about money ALL the time, and the owners and commissioner conspire to make certain teams great by approving and declining big time trades.  See Chris Paul.  Like the great comedian Gallagher once said, "The NBA should bring back the pole under the basket."  We'll see if LeBron still throws it down with authority...

Winter Classic Update

Gainer here with an update!

The NHL announced a time change for tomorrow's Winter Classic.  It is now at 3pm, pushed back from 1pm. The NHL believes this will be more ideal conditions to play in.  This also happened last year between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins when their game got moved to 8pm.

In other news, the Flyers have officially announced Ilya Bryzgalov will NOT start in goal and their 2nd year back-up, Sergei Bobrovsky, will be the starter.  After the huge free agent contract and being the current star of the 24/7 series on HBO, this move may perplex many including Bryzgalov himself.  While technically this game is just another regular season game between two Atlantic Division rivals, one cannot argue its significance on a national level.  Even larger than the Stanley Cup Finals to most casual sports fans, the Winter Classic is the marquee game of the NHL each of the past several seasons.  Hopefully Coach Laviolette does not regret this decision.  However, it further reinforces my pick of the Rangers.  "Bob" is also known to falter a bit in big games including last year's playoff run.  This goalie situation will be one to watch down the road even after this game...