2015 FCS Top 10 Picks - Week 1

It is 2015 and time for college football to start off the new season. This will also start off something new for Sports Cognition as well as I will be predicting the winners of the Top 10 teams in the FCS and the FBS, or college football playoff, or whatever they are calling it now. This year will start off with #1 North Dakota State taking on #12 Montana. This should be a great game to start off the new college football year despite what some people think of the FCS. These are two great teams and should be a really fun game to watch. So without any further ado, here are my pics for Week 1 of the Top 10 in the FCS.

#1 North Dakota State vs #12 Montana (North Dakota State wins 27-17)

#2 Illinois State vs Iowa (Illinois State wins 32-28)

#3 Villanova vs Connecticut (Villanova wins 32-2)

#4 Sam Houston State vs Texas Tech (Sam Houston State wins 28-11)

#5 Coastal Carolina vs Furman (Coastal Carolina wins 31-2)

#6 Eastern Washington vs Oregon (Oregon wins 39-30)

#7 New Hampshire vs San Jose State (New Hampshire wins 30-5)

#8 Chattanooga vs #9 Jacksonville State (Chattanooga wins 29-27)

#10 Northern Iowa vs Iowa State (Northern Iowa wins 28-0)

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Some Thoughts About the SEMO vs Missouri Game

On September 5, 2015 I will be traveling to Columbia, MO to watch the SEMO Redhawks take on the Missouri Tigers. I am very excited about this game because I think this will be more competitive than many people are thinking it will be. The last time these two teams met was back in 2008 where Missouri came away with a 52-3 victory over the Redhawks. Fast forward seven years and both teams are very different. Missouri is now in the SEC, and has been having success. The Redhawks have a new coach, new quarterback, and a lot of healthy starters. A lot of people feel as though this is going to be a practice for the Missouri Tigers, which is fine, keep thinking that. This team isn't the same team from 2008, and it isn't the same team that many people joke about. This is a talented team that works hard and is very competitive. If they can stay healthy they should go far this year. People seem to think that because Missouri is in the SEC that they are automatically going to dominate SEMO. If you really think about it, Missouri hasn't done anything in the SEC that they haven't done in the Big 12. I have the utmost confidence in the Redhawks' ability to pull off a win in Columbia.

Some of you might be thinking, "How in the world do you see SEMO beating Missouri?" To that I say, why can't they win? Thee kids are the same age, they all know the game, they are all athletic, hard-working, they are all humans. The only thing different about SEMO and Missouri is that Missouri has more money, a bigger stadium, bigger fan base, and more national recognition. So to me there really isn't that big of a difference between the two. When they get on the field they are equals, men vs men. If SEMO goes into this game with complete confidence and not allowing any doubt in their mind that they can win. SEMO just needs to be focused, and play as one unit with high intensity. Everyone is doubting SEMO's chances except me and many of their fans. This will be the game to help put SEMO on the map. This game is the first step to a great 2015 season for the Redhawks. I am confident that Coach Tuke will have his team mentally and physically ready to take on the Tigers in Columbia. I can't wait for this game!

2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final Prediction

The Stanley Cup Final is finally here and this year should be a fun one to watch. The Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Chicago Black Hawks. The Lightning are the best offensive team in the league, and they will have a challenge on their hands because the Black Hawks are one of the best defensive teams in the league.

It is very hard to make a prediction for this series because the teams are so close, and this is what the series will be like. This will go to 7 games, and I think Tampa Bay will come away lifting Lord Stanley's Cup for the first time since 2004.

ESPN's Britt McHenry Gets Off Easy

ESPN's Britt McHenry has just become the top candidate for the worst human being in the United States. She is seen here going off on a clerk at what I think is a parking lot attendant or tow truck attendant of some sort. McHenry is a reporter for ESPN and now fits the stereotype of the thin, blonde, pretty, stuck-up girl that everyone hates. McHenry said some pretty degrading things to this lady. McHenry talks about how she has a degree and the clerk does not, she goes on and makes a crack about the attendant's weight. McHenry went on to talk about how she is on television, like that makes her special or even important. She berated this employee in typical snobby fashion. It's true that we don't know what was said before all of this happened, but I can't imagine it would warrant this kind of treatment from someone who is "educated." I'm sure that Northwestern University is very proud to call he one of their "educated alums."

McHenry received a week suspension from ESPN. I don't know if she still gets paid or not, but it seems like a very light punishment for treating another human being so harshly. I understand that ESPN can do whatever they want because it's their company, but is this the kind of person that you want representing your company? If I was running a television company and I had an employee get caught on video doing this, I would probably fire them. I can't see what it is that she brings to ESPN that is worth keeping her on and risking bad PR with fans of ESPN. McHenry will be remembered for this episode for a very long time, and will probably be remembered for this more than her reporting. I honestly have never heard of her until I heard about this earlier today. It's kind of funny that she finds herself an important television personality, and I don't remember seeing her before.

I'm sure there will be more information coming out about this incident in the future, but right now it paints McHenry in a very ugly light. I think McHenry has lost the respect from many of her followers and fans, and rightfully so. I can see many people deciding not to watch whatever show McHenry is on in the future, which will hurt ESPN's ratings, which will hurt their advertising revenue. If they were smart, and they are, they would find a way to dismiss Britt McHenry.

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2015 NCAA Final Four Championship: Duke vs Wisconsin

Tonight the college basketball season will come to an end. It is usually an exciting time for fans of college basketball, but this year is different. This year there feels like something is missing, and that something is the Kentucky Wildcats. I am not a fan of Kentucky by any stretch of the imagination, but this year's championship game could have been the biggest event of the year if it was Duke vs Kentucky. I don't want to disregard what Wisconsin has done because they are a great team and deserve to be where they are, but they are not a big brand. In college sports it's all about the brand, and in college basketball there isn't anyone bigger than Kentucky and Duke. There are other big schools like Kansas, Louisville, North Carolina, Indiana, UCLA, etc., but they just don't add up to the two big blue schools. The ratings for the Duke vs Kentucky game would have been through the roof. Some of that is because they have fans all over the country, they have are hated throughout the country. Half of the country would be rooting for Kentucky to have the perfect season, and the other half would be rooting for their failure.The same goes for Duke. These are two of the most loved and most hated teams in college basketball, and if they were playing for the championship the ratings would rival the Super Bowl's.

Unfortunately we have Duke vs Wisconsin. Don't get me wrong, I expect to see a great game played by two great teams, but it's lacking the same excitement. The only people that will be rooting for Wisconsin are basically going to be Badgers fans, and while there are many of them they don't come close to the amount of Wildcat fans in the country. There will be some Duke haters watching to see Duke lose, but I don't think they are turning out as much as they would for Duke vs Kentucky. 

Everything else aside this is going to be a hard-nose, well played game. Although I didn't get the match-up I, and many Americans wanted, I am still looking forward to this game tonight. 

Wisconsin is coming into tonight's game with a win against an unbeaten Kentucky team that many thought were a sure thing to win the championship. That is pretty impressive to say the least. Wisconsin is beating their opponents in the tourney by an average of 8.4 points per game. The two big guys for the Badgers are literally just that. Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker are playing incredible. Kamisnky was just named the Naismith Award winner, and justifiably so. In the tournament alone Kaminsky is averaging 22.2 PPG, and 8.8 RPG. He is shooting 54% from the field, 86% from the free throw line, and an incredible 55% from the three point area. Kaminsky is playing like a man on fire, but there is another bonfire that is still burning in teammate Sam Dekker. Dekker as been an intricate role for the badgers during this tournament. Dekker is averaging 20.6 PPG and 5 RPG. Dekker is shooting 61% from the field, 71% from the free throw line, and 50% from the three point area. Duke will have to guard these two on the perimeter and inside if they want to stop the Badgers from scoring. 

Duke has been playing their best basketball of the season by far. The Blue Devils have been dominating their opponents in the tournament by beating them by an average of 17.6 points per game. Duke has one of the best defenses in the country right now. They can smother you from one side of the court all the way down to the other. Tyus Jones was able to shutdown Travis Trice in the game against Michigan State and is averaging 2 steals per game in the tournament. Jahlil Okafor is one of Duke's best players especially on the defensive side of the ball averaging 2 BPG in tournament. Okafor is averaging 16 PPG with 6.2 RPG. He is a huge presence in the paint for Duke. Justise Winslow will be another factor for Duke averaging 15 PPG with 9.4 RPG. Winslow is another big presence in the paint as well on defense averaging 1.4 BPG. Quinn Cook is averaging 15 PPG with 2.4 APG. Duke will have to have another great defensive performance if they want to beat the offensively minded Badgers.

Wisconsin has the best player in college basketball in Frank Kaminsky and Duke has been playing lights out defense in the tournament. Wisconsin has big scorers that can shoot from anywhere on the court, but Duke can play defense with the best of them. Wisconsin is a 1 point favorite, but I think Duke is going to win by 1 point. I pick Duke to win by 1 with a score of 77-76.

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2015 NCAA Final Four Bracket

2015 OVC Tournament Prediction

The regular season has ended, and it is time for the Top 8 teams in the OVC to head to Nashville to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. It's time for Music City Madness. The OVC will kick off its conference tournament on Wednesday night with Morehead State taking on SEMO followed by Eastern Illinois taking on SIUE. The winners of Wednesday night's games will go on to play UT Martin and Belmont in the next round. Murray State is the #1 seed and Eastern Kentucky is the number #2 seed. Last year Eastern Kentucky won the tournament and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Colonels lost to Kansas in the first round of the big dance, but they are looking to reclaim the automatic bid and make a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. 

The first game of Morehead State vs SEMO is one that heavily favors Morehead State. The Eagles defeated SEMO earlier this year on the road by 13 points. The Redhawks have been playing a little bit better since then, and have definitely been better at free throws since earlier in the year. The Eagles are coming off of a three game winning streak, while the Redhawks are coming off a dominating win against Austin Peay, who is one of the worst teams in the OVC. Before SEMO played Austin Peay they were on on a three game losing streak. I know that SEMO has the talent to compete with the Eagles, but Morehead State seems to be on another level at the moment. I don't see SEMO getting past the Eagles on Wednesday, but it will be a close game. I think Morehead State comes away with a four point victory.

The second game of the first round will be Eastern Illinois vs SIUE. This is the only game that I see the lower ranked seed getting a victory over a higher ranked seed in this tournament. The EIU Panthers beat the SIUE Cougars in the first meeting of the year at home by three points. The second meeting between the two teams saw SIUE blowout the Panthers at home by 17 points. I think SIUE are a better team than EIU. EIU started the year off hot, and was considered one of the teams to beat, but they have fallen off that ride and I think the Cougars will advance to the second round. I don't think SIUE will blowout the Cougars again. This will be a very competitive game, but I see SIUE coming away with the win by a two point victory.

I don't see any other surprises throughout the rest of the tournament. I see the Top 2 seeds fighting each other for that automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Murray State is currently ranked 25th in the country and they are undefeated in conference play. I think the Murray State Racers will be too much for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, and be the undefeated, undisputed OVC Tournament Champions. 

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My Take on Coach Kevin Stallings Yelling at Player

Last night the Vanderbilt Commodores played their in-state conference rival Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. The Commodores came away with the win, but what is making the most noise is what happened after the game. Following the end of the game while players were getting ready to enter the handshake line, Wade Baldwin was seen clapping his hands in the face of Tennessee player Armani Moore. Coach Kevin Stallings was informed of this by a member of the Volunteers staff, and did not take very kindly to this. Stallings exploded on Baldwin on live television, screaming at him, yelling obscenities, and at one point said to Baldwin, "I will f-cking kill you." 

A lot of different opinions have been made about this incident. Some people think that Stallings was right in what he did, and others do not agree with his approach. While I agree that Baldwin was in the wrong with his postgame taunting, I don't believe that Stallings went about it the right way.

Stallings is the head coach for the team. He is a representative of the team and the university. I like his stance on good sportsmanship, but the way he went about it was completely uncalled for. I don't feel as though he was truly threatening Baldwin with murder. It was more about Stallings' anger towards Baldwin taunting opposing players after you just beat them. His language was inappropriate, his conduct was inappropriate, and cussing out his player in front of everyone on live television was inappropriate. I understand that in locker rooms there is all kinds of colorful language, and I am fine with that. Outside of the locker room, players and coaches both need to be aware of what they say and do. Basketball is a game where spectators sit close, and some can hear what you say. Families are there with their kids, and they don't take their kids to a basketball game with the idea that they are going to hear a coach scream obscenities at his players out of frustration. What Stallings should have done is quietly go up to Baldwin and tell him how he felt and make him apologize to the opposing player and team, then yell at him in the locker room. 

I don't think this is a fireable offense, but I do think it should warrant at least a one game suspension. A coach can't keep his composure toward a player on the court makes him look bad. I don't have a problem with the Coach yelling at his player for poor sportsmanship, but the way he went about it should have been saved for the locker room.

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Super Bowl XLIX Preview

This might be the most anticipation I have felt for a Super Bowl since "The Greatest Show on Turf" won it back in 1999. Nothing makes big games even more special than some good old fashion scandal and controversy. The Patriots have been dealing with the "Deflate Gate" while the Seahawks have been dealing with Marshawn Lynch's antics. Even though this isn't really a rivalry, it kind of has the feeling of one that's been brewing the last week or so. The fact that these are two of the most hated teams in the NFL combined with the news that has been surrounding them will make for one of the most watched Super Bowls in history. I will be watching to see two great teams go at it, while many people will watch to see what color of cleats Marshawn Lynch will wear or what he is going to do with his private parts after scoring a touchdown, Who knows, maybe they will have Marshawn Lynch inspect the Patriots balls before the game, he has plenty of experience with ball grabbing. But seriously, this will be a great game. It's like watching the old dynasty take on the up-and-coming dynasty.

There is no question that the Patriots have one of the best offenses in the NFL. Despite what you feel about Brady personally, he is one of the bet quarterbacks of all time. Bill Belichick is one of the greatest coaches of all time, the two make and amazing combination. The Patriots have a great offensive line and they will need to be on top of their game against the Seahawks, who have the best defense in the NFL. The Patriots will have to use their running game a little bit to try and open up the passing game. I don't see the Patriots being able to run much against the best rushing defense in the league.

The Seahawks have the new school coach/quarterback combo in Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll. They seem to have some similar qualities that Brady and Belichick have. Wilson and Brady both have the wholesome, American, nice guy thing going for them, plus they are great quarterbacks. Belichick and Carroll are two of the most hated coaches in the NFL, although Carroll gets most his hatred from his days at USC. They get plenty of hate because they win. Seattle has hands down the best defense in the league. They have tremendous pass rushing, great run stopping, and their secondary is hard to through in. They are great, but they also have had some injuries in Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas. These guys are two very important components to that stifling defense. I'm sure that Carroll will have something to make up for the possibility of those two guys not being 100%.

This game is very hard to call. Like I stated previously, both teams are the best one different sides of the ball. Brady and Belichick will not let the surrounding scandal interfere with their plans for the game, they are very professional when it comes to preparation. Seattle won't be at home, so they will have to get it done without their 12th man backing them up. New England is favored by 1 point, and I have to agree with this. I would take the Patriots and the points on this one. I think the Patriots beat the Seahawks by 2 points with a score of 24-22.

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Interview with De'Michael Jackson

I had the pleasure to interview the starting running back for the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks, De'Michael Jackson. From interviewing him I found him to be a really nice young man that is hard-working, and determined to make it to the NFL. I am very gracious that De'Michael took the time out of his busy schedule to do this interview. I have attached a link to his college highlight video at the bottom of the interview, you should check it out. Here is the interview between De'Michael and myself, Michael Miles.

MM: Can you introduce yourself?
DJ: My name is De’Michael Jackson, I play running back and I’m a senior here at Southeast Missouri State.

MM: You are from Louisville, Kentucky. You had offers from Indiana State, Eastern Kentucky, and even a chance to walk-on at an SEC school at Kentucky. Why did you decide to choose SEMO as your school?
DJ: I had some pretty good offers coming out of high school and people still ask me to this day why did I go to SEMO? But to me it was never about the name or how successful a program was before I came. I wanted to pick a school that I would be comfortable at for the next 4 or 5 years and that was a better opportunity for me to play, and hopefully make it to the next level. SEMO had produced great running backs before I came here, but none of them really got their shot at the next level and I wanted to be that guy that changed that.

MM: How was transitioning from a city of 250,000 people to a town of 30,000 people for you, and being 4 hours away from home?
DJ: The transition from 250,000 people to 30,000 was the hardest thing to me because I’m from the city, and I was raised by a single mother with my 6 other siblings so being away from home on my own was something that took me awhile to get used to.

MM: You were expected to have the best year of your college career, and then you broke your hand in the second game of the season against Kansas. You missed the next four games, but still had a terrific season. If you weren’t injured you would have easily had over 1,000 yards rushing. What did you do mentally and physically to make sure that you would come back and have a great season?
DJ: When I broke my hand I was devastated because I've never in my life missed a game of any sport, and I've had all types of things wrong with me in the past so it was very new to me. I was down on myself real bad for a while, but if it wasn't for the support of my teammates and coaches pushing me and encouraging me then I wouldn't have finished strong like I did.

MM: As a player and as a team, what do you think was the biggest difference this season compared to last season?
DJ: The biggest difference this season was that we was more bought into what coach Tuke was doing and came together as a team.

MM: What do you think you improved on the most this season?
DJ: This season I improved on my pass blocking, last year I struggled at times with my pass blocking but the techniques that Coach Martin taught me, made things a lot easier for me.

MM: If there is one thing that you need to improve on, what would it be?
DJ: My strength. I need to get a lot stronger then what I am now.

MM: What kind of changes did Coach Tuke bring to the program that you enjoyed the most?
DJ:Coach Tuke brought excitement to this program. He made us love the game of football again.

MM: What are the rivalries with Murray State and SIU like for the team? What are they like for you personally?
DJ: The rivalry between Murray State and SIU is the same as it is to any other team we play. I don’t like them, so when it’s time to strap on the pads and the ball is kicked off, it’s straight business. I’m a competitor, and the game of football is what saved me from the streets growing up so I take every game serious and treat every game the same with a lot of serious emotions.

MM: What was your favorite game or moment from a game this season?
DJ: My favorite moment was when Paul McRoberts scored the game winning touchdown against Southeast Louisiana. The place went crazy and it was the best atmosphere I’ve seen since I've been here at SEMO.

MM: What will you take away the most from this season?
DJ: We actually took a step forward this season, so now we gotta add a couple more pieces and get a conference title.

MM: What is your biggest regret about this season?
DJ: I don’t have any regrets this season because every day we went hard as a team and competed. 

MM: How do you feel about the future of the program?
DJ: I feel like the future of this program is going to be great. With the way Coach Tuke runs things and mentors you, I honestly believe there will be some more championships that will be celebrated in Cape Girardeau.

MM: What expectations do you have for yourself for next season? What expectations does the team have for next season?
DJ: I have high expectations for myself next season, I've never won a ring, but I've been on great teams. But just never finish strong, and next season I want to change that.

MM: How have you been spending your time during winter break?
DJ: I've spent time with my family this winter break. I have 6 siblings and 4 nephews so I spend a lot of time with them when I go home because I barely get a chance to see them.

MM: What artists or songs do you listen to before a game?
DJ: The artist and song I listen to is "Understand Me" by Chief Keef.

MM: What do you love the most about SEMO?
DJ: I love the way fans have been sticking by our side even though in the past we've had bad years, they always support us. That's big because we actually see that and get motivated by it.

MM: If you had any advice for the running backs that are coming up what would you tell him?
DJ: That at this level it's a job. Your weakness will be exposed so you have to be on top of your game. You have to study the opponent's weakness, so that means extra film. You have to make fast cuts, be prepared to take big hits, and people stripping at the ball every play. Every move you make has to be faster and better than your opponents. When the ball gets put in your hand do something special with it, because if you don’t the next guy will.

MM: If you had one day to do whatever you want, what would it be?
DJ: Play in a NFL game. I've dreamed about that day since I first started playing football.

MM: If there is one thing you would like to see the football program achieve, what would it be?
DJ: Win a National Championship.

MM: How do you want to be remembered during your time at SEMO?
DJ: As one of the best running backs to play at SEMO.

I'm very confident that De'Michael Jackson will go down as one of the best running backs in the history of SEMO Football. I know that players at FCS schools don't receive the same amount of attention as players at FBS schools, but if he can stay healthy and have the kind of season he is capable of having, then he could have a chance to get taken in one of the later rounds. I wish him nothing but the best of luck. Below is a link to his highlights at SEMO. Give it a look, and check out his skills.

De'Michael Jackson highlight video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3465964/highlights/198915378

You can Follow De'Michael on Twitter @DMIKE_20

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