NFL Playoffs: Conference Championships

Last week's Divisional Playoffs threw up a couple of classic games, and a huge shock as the Giants thrashed the Packers in Green Bay. Their reward is a trip to Candlestick to take on the 49ers, but before that the Ravens travel to Gillette Stadium for the AFC Championship Game against Tom Brady and the Patriots.

AFC Championship

#2 Baltimore (13-4) at #1 New England (14-3)
As the top two in the AFC go head to head for the championship, there is one big question. Can Baltimore's defence contain Tom Brady? That's about what it comes down to. The Ravens have the fourth best passing defence in the league (third best in overall yards and points allowed), but Brady is the second best passer in terms of yards this season (behind only the record shattering Drew Brees) and had 39 touchdowns in the regular season before adding an incredible six more in the Divisional Round against the Broncos.

The two most important players on the Ravens roster today are Ray Lewis and Tyrell Suggs. The linebacker duo are going to be tasked with breaking the Patriots shaky offensive line and getting to Brady, who has been hit hard a few times this season. On offence, the Ravens will looks at the Patriots having the 31st ranked pass defence in the league, and Joe Flacco will be prepared to throw. I do expect Ray Rice to carry frequently though, again, the Pats' rush defence is poor, just 17th in the league, and Rice has the power and speed to exploit them.

The game will be decided purely by Brady and if he can evade the Ravens defence. Baltimore will score points against this Patriots defence who leak points all over the place. If Tom Brady can avoid Suggs and Lewis and find Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski, we could see a high scoring shootout. It's going to be close, and will almost certainly be a thriller in Foxborough, and I have an inkling that it will be the Ravens who will be travelling to Inidianapolis in two weeks time.

Prediction: Baltimore 34 New England 31

NFC Championship

#4 New York Giants (11-7) at #2 San Francisco (14-3)
I did say that the Giants would cause the Packers more problems than most people thought last week, and I was proved right as they steamrollered their way to victory. Eli Manning looks to lead his team to a second Super Bowl, but comes up against a stern San Francisco team who will be buzzing after their thrilling last seconds win over the Saints last week.

Nicks, Manningham, Cruz and Bradshaw. It's a four headed monster of weapons that Eli has at his disposal, and even with one of the best defences in the league (2nd in points allowed and league best in rush defence) the 49ers will find it difficult to cope with the multitude of options the three wide formation gives the Giants. Tom Coughlin has written a playbook that thrives on that formation, and you've got to believe that Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio have been working with their defence all week to neutralise this threat.

The 49ers themselves have had a great season, but have proved not to be unbeatable. Alex Smith at quarterback however, has had his best NFL season since being the #1 overall draft pick in 2005. His intelligent play is backed up by the powerhouse Frank Gore at running back, and there are points in this team. I see the 49ers using the home advantage and taking another close game to see a repeat of Thanksgiving night's Harbaugh Bowl in The Greatest Show on Earth

Prediction: New York Giants 34 San Francisco 38

Event Recap: UFC on FX: Guillard vs Miller

Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Friday 20th January 2012

Jon Anik and Kenny Florian are doing commentary tonight. Makes a nice change from Goldberg and Rogan, will be interesting to see how they do. All fights are three rounds on the FX shows, it looks like PPV and Fox shows are the only non-title main events that go five rounds. This has the makings of a good little show, so here's hoping!

Pat Barry vs Christian Morecroft (Heavyweight)

Referee: Herb Dean

Round 1
A great idea to kick off the show with two heavyweight bangers. This should bring the casual fans straight in. Barry goes for a legkick early which is caught and he is taken down by Morecraft. Morecraft has almost taken the back, but Brry defending well and stands up! Morecraft lands a couple of jabs, and Barry hits a huge leg kick which wobbles Morecraft. Morecraft shoots for a takedown but it's stuffed initially. After Barry attempts a weak looking guillotine, he is taken down. Morecraft mounts the back again and gets caught in an armbar. Barry defending well, and manages to transition to the stand up again. Barry with a huge left hook, Morecraft is on his back on the ground and Barry follows up with some big shots. Herb Dean steps in and this is done.

Official Decision: Barry by KO at 3.38 of Round 1

Rating: *** Morecraft was winning the round handily, but got caught with an absolute belter of a shot. That was a great knockout from Barry after he had already shown some good submission defence. There's some real power in his hands on this evidence. Great finish. Just to note, Anik and Florian are excellent in the booth so far.

Mike Easton vs Jared Papazian (Bantamweight)

Referee: Mario Yamasaki

Round 1
Crazy clinch exchange right at the start of the round! It goes up against the cage and Easton is landing some good knees while controlling the pace. Yamasaki breaks them up and we're back into the standup. Papazian lands some shots but Easton walks straight through them. Papazian using his range well and peppering Easton with the jab. Both men landing shots, and a great leg kick from Easton. Very tight round, but just shade it to Easton for the aggression he showed.

Score: 10-9 Easton

Round 2
Easton literally just walking through Papazian's punches, and landing some of his own. Papazian also taking the shots in his stride. The two are exchanging and when they get going it is explosive. Papazian gets the upper hand by pinning Easton against the cage. Easton still landing some knees in the clinch. Yamasaki separates them again, there was a warning about 15 seconds before the split. Another good exchange that Papazian gets the better of. Up against the cage again as Easton lands the trip takedown and lands in half guard. Into side control, but Papazian gets back to his feet. Another really close round, but the takedown from Easton should just about get him the round.

Score: 10-9 Easton

Round 3
Another wild exchange to start the round, and Easton gets the clinch. Papazian pins Easton against the cage, but the two just keep reversing the position. Yamasaki splits them up, and it looks like Easton landed a low knee. Very quickly back to the action and some good leg kicks from Papazian. Takedown attempt from Easton is stuffed. Really good exchange again, both men eat some big shots. It's turned into a boxing match until Papazian forces Easton up against the cage. Easton breaks it up and the exchanges start again. Papazian on the ground, but it looked like a slip. The punches from Papazian don't look as clean now, and the fight ends as it started with a crazy exchange. Papazian just shades the round, but it's Easton's fight.

Score: 10-9 Papazian

Final Score: 29-28 Easton

Official Decision: Easton by Majority Decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-29)

Rating: **** 1/2 Great fight. Really exciting from start to finish, with two fighters who just went for it. It wasn't highly technical, but it was extremely entertaining. One judge scored it level, I can only imagine they scored the first round 10-10. The right decision was made though, as it looked to me that Easton won a very close fight. If that's not Fight of the Night we're going to be in for a cracking last two bouts.

Duane Ludwig vs Josh Neer (Welterweight)

Referee: Josh Rosenthal

Round 1
Neer lands a good shot, but Ludwig lands a couple of fantastic counter shots. Neer pushes Ludwig against the cage, but it's well defended by Ludwig. Ludwig lands some really strong shots including a big knee to the body, but Neer stands firm. Neer's mouthguard comes loose and causes a short stoppage. Ludwig is landing well with the counters, but Neer doesn't seem to feel that he's being hit. Neer catches a kick and takes Ludwig down. Ludwig pulls guard, but Neer is all over him and locks in a guillotine. It's in tight and Rosenthal checks Ludwig's arm. He is limp and this is done. Great submission.

Official Decision: Neer by Submission at 3.04 of Round 1

Rating: *** 1/2 Josh Neer

Melvin Guillard vs Jim Miller (Lightweight)

Referee: Herb Dean

Round 1
Guillard goes for a couple of flying knees early and lands a great shot that drops Miller. Miller back to his feet, but gets caught with another hard knee. High kick from Guillard blocked. Miller presses Guillard against the cage, but the takedown attempt is stuffed. Miller throws some shots, but Guillard is in total control here. Knee from Guillard, but Miller lands the takedown. Guillard gets up, but Miller takes the back and locks in a choke and Guillard taps out! Wow.

Official Decision: Miller by Submission at 2.04 of Round 1

Rating: *** 1/2 Miller was getting blasted standing, but as soon as Miller took his back the writing was on the wall. He didn't even have the arm across the throat, but that choke was locked in so tight, Guillard had no choice but to tap. Great comeback from Miller, and a huge win.

Joseph Sandoval vs Nick Denis (Bantamweight) (Bonus Prelim Fight)

Referee: Josh Rosenthal

Round 1
Denis comes out swinging and lands some great shots. Another few punches and three or four elbows in the clinch put Sandoval down. It's over very quickly in the first round.

Official Decision: Denis by KO at 0.22 of Round 1

Rating: *** What a way to make your UFC debut. Stunning finish from Denis. Sandoval had no idea what had hit him.

That was a really enjoyable Fight Night card and a fantastic way to debut on FX. Anik and Florian were excellent on commentary, and it's nice to see the UFC give them the gig on the B-show. It gave the event a different feel from the Pay Per Views, which in my opinion is a good thing. Of course, it helped that they had some really good fights to call. Next weekend sees Rashad Evans vs Phil Davis and Michael Bisping vs Chael Sonnen on Fox (thankfully on ESPN here in the UK!) and I'll be covering that event as per usual.

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Weekend Sunday

After the Saints (disappointingly) crashed out in a thriller at the 49ers and Denver were blown out by the Patriots, the final two Divisional Round games take place this evening. The Patriots await to find out their visitors, and the 49ers will find out whether they will host the Giants, or travel to Lambeau.

AFC Divisional Round
Houston (11-6) at Baltimore (12-4)
Home advantage has been paramount in this year's playoffs, with all six home teams having come out on top so far. The Ravens are undefeated at M&T Bank Stadium this season, while three of the Texans six losses have come on the road. TJ Yates has done well since coming in for the injured Matt Schaub, but it was their rushing game, namely Arian Foster, that saw off the Bengals last weekend. Foster has 153 yards and 2 touchdowns then, but it remains to be seen whether he can do that against the Ravens' 2nd ranked rushing defence.

And it is the Ravens defence that has been instrumental in seeing them to this stage.They are third in the league in total yards allowed, and also third in points given up. Inside linebacker Ray Lewis remains one of the scariest defensive players in the NFL even at 36 years old, and he will have Foster right in his sights. Joe Flacco hasn't lit the fires at quarterback, but with Ray Rice pitching in with 12 rushing touchdowns (and a touchdown pass of his own) their offence has been pretty efficient. I don't see the Texans being able to break down the Ravens defence, and I predict that Baltimore will be playing in Foxborough next week.

Prediction: Houston 13 Baltimore 20

NFC Divisional Round
New York Giants (10-7) at Green Bay (15-1)
It's been a contrasting season for these teams, as the Packers had the playoffs wrapped up early as they went 13-0, while the Giants only secured their place by winning in week 17 against Dallas. The two sides did meet in the regular season on December 4th at Lambeau, when the Giants took the Packers all the way before finally being defeated 38-35 in an absolute thriller of a game.

And that's where the interesting part comes in. While the Packers won all but one of their games this season, they gave up over 22 points a game, and their defence was worst in the league for passing yards and total yards allowed. Only the performance of Aaron Rodgers (and Matt Flynn in week 17) lifted them to that 15-1 record. The Giants will take heart that they put up 35 points just six weeks ago, and their near shut out of Atlanta last week (they only gave up a single safety) will give them confidence going forward.

While it would be easy to say that the Packers will breeze this game, I think there's more to it than that. Firstly, Aaron Rodgers and many Packers starters now haven't played for 3 weeks having been rested for week 17, while Eli Manning and the Giants have momentum on their side. Secondly, the Packers have lost three of their last five home playoff games. And thirdly, the Giants play outdoors in a cold weather city, so much of the weather advantage that Green Bay tends to hold is nullified. I still think the Packers will win and go on to host the 49ers for the Conference Championship next week, but I have a feeling it will be a lot closer than most people will expect.

Prediction: New York Giants 31 Green Bay 35

Event Recap: UFC 142: Aldo vs Mendes

HSBC Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Saturday 14th January 2012

Main Pay per View report once again, as I was watching the NFL Playoffs while the prelims were taking place. It's the UFC's return to Brazil after a highly successful show last August.

Edson Barboza vs Terry Etim (Lightweight)

Referee: Dan Miragliotta

Round 1
Crowd is absolutely rabid. Massive boos for Etim during the introductions. Some good early strikes from Etim after a takedown attempt. Etim gets a takedown but Barboza sweeps back to the feet. Good leg kicks from Barboza. Both men trading some nice strikes, with some good punches landing from both. Spinning back kick to the body from Barboza right at the end of the round may just have nicked the round.

Score: 10-9 Barboza

Round 2
Strikes landing again, mainly leg kicks from Barboza. Etim shoots for a takedown but gets stuffed. Good technical striking from Barboza, but Etim managing to land some good shots. Head kick from Etim only partially blocked. Takedown from Etim but Barboza gets back to the feet again. The round ends with Barboza landing some more kicks. Etim is landing, but Barboza is landing harder and more accurately.

Score: 10-9 Barboza

Round 3
Barboza misses a couple of strikes, and Etim tries to capitalise. He fails with his strikes and gets stuffed on a takedown attempt again. Spinning back kick from Barboza and it's a highlight reel knockout. Stunning stunning stunning.

Official Decision: Barboza by KO at 2.02 of Round 3

Rating: **** It was a nice little fight, with Barboza looking good after the first 90 econds or so. The knockout was absolutely outstanding, one of the best I've ever seen. It came out of absolutely nowhere and will be on the UFC highlight reels for quite some time. Incredible.

Erick Silva vs Carlo Prater (Welterweight)

Referee: Mario Yamasaki

Round 1
Tentative start from both men, but Sliva hits a knee to the body to drop Prater. Silva jumps all over him and Yamasaki steps in to stop the fight. Explosive finish. There is some talking between the officials here, and I think I've heard something about illegal shots being mentioned. This may end up in a DQ. Yamasaki has ruled illegal shots to the back of the head.

Official Decision: Prater by DQ at 0.29 of Round 1

Rating: N/A The shots looked legal from the first view and the replays. One or two may have strayed to the back. Yamasaki attempts to explain the decision, and says he had to make a decision on the spot. It looks like an uncharacteristic mistake from Yamasaki, and we may see this get changed to a No Contest. Very very unlucky for young SIlva, who looked absolutely explosive.

Rousimar Palhares vs Mike Massenzio (Middleweight)

Referee: Leon Roberts

Round 1
Pre-fight reaction for Palhares was incredible! Leg kicks from both men early, and an accidental low blow from Palhares. Massenzio takes a minute and the fight starts again. Takedown from Palhares straight into a leglock. Massenzio taps immediately.

Official Decision: Palhares by submission at 1.03 of Round 1

Rating: *** Great submission from Palhares, who, still only 31, can push himself back to the upper echelon of the division. Outstanding finish.

Vitor Belfort vs Anthony Johnson (197lbs Catchweight)

Referee: Dan Miragliotta

Round 1
Johnson came in a ridiculous 12lbs overweight, but Belfort agreed to the fight. Say goodbye to 20% of your purse, and possibly your job as well. Great takedown from Johnson early, his power is impressive. Belfort pulls guard, but Johnson gets a couple of good shots in. Belfort pulls guard and neutralises things, and Miragliotta stands them up. Belfort stuffs a takedown attempt and lands some good shots from the sprawl. Miragliotta stands them up. Johnson misses a shot and gets hit by some good shots. The two end up on the ground and Belfort pulls guard again. Miragliotta stands them up again, that one seemed a bit premature. Belfort takes the back and rains some shots down on the head of Johnson. Belfort flattens Johnson out, softens him up with some big punches and elbows and locks in a rear naked choke. The crowd is going mental as Johnson taps out.

Official Decision: Belfort by Submission at 4.49 of Round 1

Rating: **** Great back and forth fight for the first three and a half minutes, then Belfort took control. It was a great submission, and the lead up to it was absolutely perfectly executed. The crowd are utterly stunning tonight, they are chanting like at a football match, and Joe Rogan says it's giving him goosebumps. Belfort calls Johnson unprofessional, but says he just had to get on with things. Great performance from Belfort, and at just 34 years old, he can have another run at the top, and I'd love to see him back there,

Jose Aldo vs Chad Mendes (UFC Featherweight Championship)

Referee: Mario Yamasaki

Round 1
Powerful leg kicks from Aldo. Mendes tries to counter, but gets hit hard. Takedown attempt from Mendes, stuffed effortlessly by Aldo. Low blow from Mendes, but Aldo ready to go right away. Huge uppercut from Aldo and Mendes attempts a takedown on the counter. Stuffed again by Aldo. Mendes holding his own standing, but goes for another takedown. Aldo grabs the cage to stuff a takedown, and gets a warning. Knees to the thighs from Mendes as he has Aldo's back standing. Aldo breaks out and smashes a knee square into Mendes' face. Two shots on the ground and it's all over at the buzzer. Aldo runs straight from the cage into the crowd to celebrate and is swarmed by fans. This is an amazing visual. He is being carried on the shoulders of a sea of fans around the arena. Absolutely incredible. I've never seen anything like this before.

Official Decision: Aldo by KO at 4.59 of Round 1

Rating: **** 1/2 It was a great one round fight, of which we have seen so many of recently. Chad Mendes was holding his own, and had maybe done enough to win the round by holding Aldo's back. But what a finish from Aldo, he broke away from Mendes and landed the most perfect knee to the head. His reaction after winning was spellbinding, the guy is an absolute star.

Ricardo Funch vs Mike Pyle (Welterweight) (Bonus Prelim Fight)

Referee: Mario Yamasaki

Round 1
Both men trade some blows early. Pyle catches Funch with a straight right hand, follows up with a knee and lands some shots on the ground until Yamasaki steps in.

Official Decision: Pyle by TKO at 1.22 of Round 1

Rating: *** Good win from Pyle who saw an opportunity and took it.

Gabriel Gonzaga vs Ednaldo Oliveira (Heavyweight) (Bonus Prelim Fight)

Referee: Dan Miragliotta

Round 1
Gonzaga comes in looking a little soft. It's a tentative starts as both men try to find range. Oliveira lands a few punches as Gonzaga circles around the cage. Hge single leg takedown from Gonzaga into side control. The two men stand and Gonzaga lands another takedown. Knee to the body from Gonzaga who locks in a rear naked choke. Oliveira taps.

Official Decision: Gonzaga by Submission at 3.22 of Round 1

Rating: ** 1/2 It was a good win from Gonzaga, who never looked in any real trouble from Oliveira

Thiago Tavares vs Sam Stout (Lightweight) (Bonus Prelim Fight)


Referee: Leon Roberts

Round 1
Score: 10-9 Tavares

Round 2
Score: 10-9 Tavares

Round 3
Score: 10-9 Stout

Final Score: 29-28 Tavares

Official Decision: Tavares by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Rating: * 1/2 Pretty stuffy fight that neither man will have gained or lost much from.

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Weekend Saturday

All four home teams won last week, which meant that New Orleans, Houston, New York Giants and amazingly Denver progressed to the Divisional Round. The tow games couldn't be more different today, with one expected to be very close, and the otehr with a predicted blowout. Here's what's happening.

NFC Divisional Round
#3 New Orleans (14-3) at #2 San Francisco (13-3)
The Saints showed exactly what they're made of last weekend as they put up 45 points for the third game running in an obliteration of a very good Detroit Lions side. Drew Brees threw for another 466 yards after smashing the regular season passing record, while the defence did their part by intercepting Matthew Stafford twice. The 49ers defence has been pretty hard to break down all season, so it remains to be seen if the running back trifecta of Pierre Thomas, Chris Ivory and the superlative Darren Sproles can break through that D-line. If not, their receivers have the advantage of being thrown to by Brees, with Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston, along with the aforementioned Sproles being his favoured targets - though Brees and Sean Payton's spread offence can cause major confusion.

It's their stuffy defence that has lifted San Francisco to the season that they've had. Coach Jim Harbaugh has had an incredible debut season, but he must do something big to beat the Saints. Quarterback Alex Smith has thrown just 17 touchdowns (compared to Brees' 46) and 2,000 yards less passing yards than his counterpart. Running back Frank Gore is going to have to have a monster game, but the Saints' rush defence has been pretty solid. The 49ers have a very difficult task ahead of themselves, but home advantage may help them out. The spread is set at 3.5 in favour of New Orleans, and that won't be far off the mark. It will be the Saints who move on to the Conference Championship in a close, entertaining game.

Prediction: New Orleans 34 San Francisco 30

AFC Divisional Round
#4 Denver (9-8) at #1 New England (13-3)
It was an absolute thriller at Mile High last Sunday, as Denver booked their place in the Divisional Round with the first play of overtime against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tim Tebow may have only completed 10 passes, but two of them for for touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown, and led the number 1 ranked rushing offence in the league to a surprising and momentous win. I still have my doubts about Tebow as a true NFL quarterback, and tonight will have a big bearing on his career.

Tom Brady and the Patriots came from a long way behind to beat the Broncos four weeks ago when they met in the regular season, and Brady has had another fantastic season, 2nd only to Drew Brees in passing yards. The fact that the team have managed to win 13 games with the worst defence I've ever seen under Bill Belichick (31st in pass yards and total yards allowed) says alot about Brady and his two main targets, Wes Welker, and record breaking tight end Rob Gronkowski. The spread is set at 13.5 in favour of the Patriots, which on the surface looks fair. But if Tim Tebow can prove himself and take advantage of the Pats' poor defence, things might just get shaken up a bit.

Prediction: Denver 27 New England 28

Boxing News: WBA orders immediate Khan vs Peterson Rematch

While Khan has bitched and moaned and generally come across as a bad loser since the fight in Washington DC on December 10th, it is now clearly obvious that something dodgy went on at that fight. I've seen the footage, and if that guy (‘mystery man’ Mustafa Ameen) isn't an official, what the hell is he doing talking to the judges? I personally scored it by 1 point to Peterson, so would have had Khan winning if the 2 points hadn't been deducted, but that's beyond the point now. There was someone who shouldn't have been there, and he may have affected the outcome. It's not going to be proven one way or another.

As you can see from the scorecards, judge George Hill has made a rather odd looking amendment to round 7, and this seems to be where most of the allegations of tampering have come from.

Well done to the WBA for doing the right thing and ordering a rematch. I'm hoping the IBF will do the same when they meet next week. It would surprise me slightly if the Washington DC Athletic Commission decide to call it a no-contest, but I suppose it is a possibility if they can't prove what actually happened with the judges and the scorecards. It's going to be interesting to see what Ameen says at the IBF meeting on the 18th, that is for sure. A meeting that Khan is still weighing up whether or not to go to.

Bring on a rematch, it was a cracking fight and I'll happily see them go again.

College Football: BCS National Championship Game

#1 LSU Tigers (13-0) vs #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1)

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

LSU were clearly the best team in the DI-FBS throughout the regular season, beating everyone that was put in front of them, often highly comfortably. Alabama's sole loss was by a field goal in overtime against the Tigers, and while Oklahoma State, Houston and Boise State both also finished with one regular season loss, that close run match gave them the #2 ranking in my eyes. If only just!

This year's bowl season has been pretty spectacular, especially the four BCS Bowls, with two going to overtime, and putting up an average of 94.5 points per game (the 70 scored by West Virginia in the Orange Bowl admittedly helping that figure). While that may hint at things to come, the previous encounter between these two finished 6-6, with the Tigers adding another 3 in overtime, and while it was a nailbiter, it was hardly the most thrilling of games for the neutral.

The nation's two best defences go head to head here, not overly surprising when Les Miles and Nick Saban are the head coaches of the two sides. LSU's defensive line has been almost impenetrable, while sophmore corner Tyrann Mathieu has been utterly explosive, with 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns as well as 2 touchdowns from punt returns. Mathieu found himself becoming a Heisman finalist, and winning the Chuck Bedarnik award for the best defensive player in college football. He also intends (for now) to return for his junior year, so LSU may have a bit of beast on their hands with the "Honey Badger".

On offence, LSU haven't set the world alight, with neither of their senior quarterbacks, Jordan Jefferson or Jarrett Lee putting up spectacular numbers. Running backs Spencer Ware, Alfred Blue and Michael Ford have carried a lot of the offensive weight. That said, the Tigers have put up over 38 points per game, and even the Tide's impressive defence may struggle to contain them.

The Tide are also dominated by their defence, with their defensive line being almost as impenetrable as the Tigers'. They do lack the stand out player that Mathieu is, but Saban and defensive co-ordinator Kirby Smart have set up a tough, tough defence. Junior linebacker Dont'a Hightower is projected to be a late first round NFL Draft pick (Houston, New Orleans and the Giants are reportedly interested), and he is the lynchpin of this solid defence.

On offence, the Tide have another standout running back in Trent Richardson. The junior has already tasted the National Championship when he was Mark Ingram's backup in the 2009 season, and finished third in the Heisman running this year. Sophmore quarterback AJ McCarron has had an up and down season, but with Richardson in his backfield, the spotlight has been off him.

This match promises to be another defensive battle, but I fully expect a higher scoring game than their regular season meeting. The Tigers have almost home advantage, and while the tickets are officially split 50-50, LSU fans have snapped up most of the neutral seats. With over 70,000 travelling the 84 miles upstate from Baton Rouge without a ticket, it's Tiger country in New Orleans tonight. With the city and state still buzzing from the Saints' playoff win on Saturday, Louisiana is rocking.

Alabama will put up a good effort, and I fully expect them to break through LSU's defence at least once. However, I also fully expect the Tigers to put up a couple of touchdowns (perhaps even another defensive one), and pull out the win in a tight, entertaining game.

Prediction: LSU 20 Alabama 17

NFL Predictions: Wildcard Weekend Sunday

Apologies for missing yesterday's games, had an unexpected pub session. I'm happy to say that the Saints cruised through, as did the impressive Texans. The third and fourth Wildcard games take place this evening. I'm short on time so it's score predictions only. A full preview of tomorrow night's BCS National Championship will be posted tomorrow, and a full previews of the Divisional Round will be here next week.

NFC Wildcard Game


#5 Atlanta (10-6) at #4 New York Giants (9-7)
Prediction: Atlanta 34 New York Giants 31

AFC Wildcard Game


#5 Pittsburgh (12-4) at #4 Denver (8-8)
Prediction: Pittsburgh 42 Denver 13