Summer Debriefing
by Kelly L. Martinez

Three months. Thirteen weeks. Ninety-one days. I’d say I’ve had a long enough rest from my writing duties at Meridian. Not that I’ve been lounging on a yacht in the Caribbean or anything like that. In fact, I’ve been busier than I have been in a very long time. Writing sports articles is still a hobby for me and, until an editor signs me on to the payroll, will remain a part-time endeavor.

Enough about me. On to more pressing matters. Our list of LDS athletes is still posted on Meridian. In fact, it’s been updated! There are some LDS athletes that are still missing, however. NFL players like Aaron Boone, Joe Germaine, Scott Mitchell and Aaron Nead were on rosters over the summer, but have disappeared all of a sudden from NFL.com’s list of current players. These players’ names are highlighted in red. If you are aware of their whereabouts, please fill me in.

Prognostics-R-Us

For those of you not wishing to wait for the upcoming football seasons to run their course, allow me to ease your load by letting you how the seasons will end. We’ll start with the NCAA:

The Sugar Bowl, which will pit the BCS #1 and #2 teams, will determine this season’s national champions. Whether you put much stock in the BCS rankings or not, this is the game that will officially settle it all.

After the dust: Miami 29, Southern Cal 22.

Sorry BYU fans, the Cougars will not be booking flights to New Orleans in January – not to play, at least.

I don’t necessarily like the ‘Canes, but it’s hard to refute the fact that they are still one of the nation’s best teams. Southern Cal’s offensive coordinator, Norm Chow, will make it evident why he’s considered one of the premier coaches in collegiate football as the Trojans will improve on last season’s 11-2 record, but will fall short of its first national title since 1978. Head coach Pete Carroll gets the credit for winning, but it’s Chow’s offense that puts the points on the board.

Houston, we have a winner

On to the pros. Super Bowl XXXVIII: St. Louis 33, Oakland 30.

Eat your hearts out, Los Angelinos! Nine years ago, this match up would’ve been the dream of every football fan in L.A. Now, however, it will be a simple clashing of two premier NFL squads. I think the rumors of discord in Oakland are not relevant. Discord in a Raider camp? I consider that the norm. Aging athletes will fuel the Silver and Black, contrary to popular belief.

As for the Rams, Kurt Warner is back and at near peak form. Forget their 0-5 start in 2002; look for the Rams to go deep into the season before posting one in the loss column.

So there you have it. Now that you know which teams will come out on top, you can focus your time on things that really matter. Like getting those leaves out of your gutters.

The updated list:
http://www.ldsmag.com/sports/thelist.html