Footballin!

Well it is officially football season as the first week of college football has come to an end and there was already a major upset the first week.

The number five ranked team Michigan Wolverines took on a Division 1-AA team, Appalachian State this past weekend at "The Big House." Well needless to say, App State came away with one of the biggest upset in college football history. The first time a Division 1-AA team beat a Division 1 team in NCAA college football history. App State won 34-32 calling out all critics who were saying prior to the game how Division 1 teams shouldn't be wasting their time with the smaller schools. Well who is the dummy now... to bad for Michigan.

But now on to bigger and better things, the NFL, which kicks off its season on Thursday night when the Colts take on the Saints. This season there are many new faces in new places and a lot of young players who look to have key roles in their teams success. I am going to break down a few parts of the league and give you my predictions for the season.

This past off season the New England Patriots had one of the best of any team. They brought in many role players to improve their already stacked team. Their biggest acquisition was bringing in WR Randy Moss from Oakland. The story now is if Moss can change back to his younger days and be dominant once again. I don't think he will be dominant, but I think he will have a much improved season and lead the Patriots in receiving along side Donte Stallworth and several other talented WRs.

Another team that had a good off season were the up and coming San Francisco 49ers. They brought in several key defensive players that look to have an immediate impact, including first round draft pick, MLB Patrick Willis out of Mississippi. Look for the 49ers to improve off of last seasons improvement as they have one of the easiest rated schedules this season.

So far the story has been the Saints and Patriots to be in the Super Bowl XLII. I'm not going with the Saints, but I will have to go with the Patriots as they had a "down" season last year and still almost made it to the Super Bowl after a tough loss to the Colts in the AFC Championship.

Here are my Divisional Predictions:
AFC East: 1. Patriots 2. Jets 3. Bills 4. Dolphins
North: 1. Ravens 2. Steelers 3. Bengals 4. Browns
South: 1. Colts 2. Titans 3. Jaguars 4. Texans
West: 1. Chargers 2. Broncos 3. Chiefs 4. Raiders

NFC East: 1. Eagles 2. Cowboys 3. Redskins 4. Giants
North: 1. Bears 2. Packers 3. Lions 4. Vikings
South: 1. Saints 2. Panthers 3. Falcons 4. Buccaneers
West: 1. Rams 2. 49ers 3. Seahawks 4. Cardinals

AFC Playoffs: 1. Chargers 2. Patriots 3. Ravens 4. Colts 5. Steelers 6. Broncos
AFC Championship: Patriots over Chargers

NFC Playoffs: 1. Bears 2. Eagles 3. Saints 4. Rams 5. Cowboys 6. 49ers
NFC Championship: Eagles over Bears

I am looking for a rematch of Super Bowl 39 from a few years ago and I am going to say Donovan Mcnabb Brings home his first Super Bowl Title in a very close game.
Super Bowl XLII: Eagles over Patriots

Award Predictions: Look for Chargers and reigning League MVP Ladanian Tomlinsion to have another outstanding season and be in the mix for MVP once again. Look for Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Donovan Mcnabb and Steven Jackson to be in the mix also.

For Offensive Rookie of the Year I'm going to pick Bears TE Greg Olsen. He had a great preseason and will have impact in the Bears offense. Also look for Lions WR Calvin Johnson and Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez to have an immediate impact as the Colts third WR in a potent Manning offence.

Defensive Player of the year will probably Broncos CB Champ Bailey, he never fails to have a down season and was in the running last season after having ten interceptions. Also in the mix will be Chargers LB Shawne Merriman and Dolphins DE Jason Taylor, last seasons winner.

Don't forget about Studs Reggie Bush, Vince Young and Frank Gore who will have great seasons as well.

There you have it, playoff predictions, Super Bowl winner and stand out players for this season. Tell your friends because you can't go wrong with these picks. Remember you heard it here first, MJ.

Go 49ers! Go Hokies!