Who's The Favorite? NCAA Bracket Talk

In a year where no #1 team has stayed atop the rankings for an extended period of time, many experts and fans have tossed around the label "favorite" for countless teams. Kentucky started as the favorite at the beginning of the year, until UCLA knocked them off their perch. After a few stumbles in their conference, they now find themselves at #16. Michigan State got bumped around in conference play, suffering two losses two Iowa and then some scattered other, yet are back up at the six spot. The other big favorite has been Kansas, who I see as a legit contender. Of their four losses, 3 were at the hands of ranked teams, with the lone non ranked loss to OK State. Kansas has unmatched depth that can spark a big tournament run come March. As good as OU is, their lack of tournament experience can't be overlooked by Buddy Hield. This brutal tournament requires composure and experience, something Bill Self has. I also do not believe in Villanova. Of their 27 games, six of those were against ranked teams. Of those six, three were losses. Sure you can argue that the other three were wins, but not against teams posing a legit come tournament time. Sure Villanova can make a sweet sixteen bid, if they remain a one seed. However, don't count on them to make it any further.

My personal favorite is the Virginia Cavaliers out of the ACC. Despite their 5 losses, I still believe this overlooked team has the best chance to make it to Houston and come out victorious. The cavaliers have a smothering defense that forced Louisville to commit 18 turnovers and shoot 66% from INSIDE the arc. This team should have beat Duke, thanks to one controversial travel call, and have quality wins against West Virginia, and Villanova. The major test for them is their next two games, Miami and UNC. We will learn the most about the resiliency and determination of the Cavaliers in these next two games, and will tell us why they belong as a #1 seed. Keep in mind that they beat Louisville this year, who would be my favorite to take the title home in Houston barring their postseason ban.

Who wins in a race: A Bronco or a Panther?

In nature, a Bronco can typically sprint five mph faster than a Panther can. Panthers are known for maintaining fast sprint speeds for short distances, while Broncos can hold a steady speed. In the NFL however, that trend is reversed.

Cam Newton and his Carolina Panthers have been virtually unstoppable this year. No team, except for the Falcons, have figured out how to stop this electrifying offense. Time and time again they find a way to score, with weapons most people did not for-see making such a big impact. Ted Ginn is having a career year, and the shipping of DeAngelo Williams to Pittsburgh solved the forever question of "How good is Jonathan Stewart?" This years Panthers team has been able to continually pounce on their prey with 31 PPG in the regular season, and 40 PPG in the post season, both leading the league. Cam Newton has eliminated his mistakes, throwing only 10 INT's, and the Defense has shocked the world with how well they have come together. This team has been sprinting continuously and don't seem to stop.

The Broncos have stumbled throughout this season but have pulled it all together in the end. Peyton Manning was BENCHED this year, something no one saw coming. We saw Brock Osweiller beat Tom Brady, and Peyton has led an incredible post season surge. Von Miller has the defense in prime condition, and is thought of as the best defense in the league currently.

Super Bowl 50 will not look like Super Bowl 48, where the Seahawks made the Broncos look like a high school team. Denver's defense is stronger than two years ago, with the addition of Demarcus Ware and Aqib Talib to name a few. Everyone knows the Panthers will score. When Cam Newton runs your offense, it's a proven fact. It's too hard to contain all their weapons, and he will beat you. Can the Broncos offense step up to the plate and keep up in a race with Cam Newton? Josh Norman will key on either Emmanuel Sanders or Demariyus Thomas, so what Peyton can do with the rest of his weapons will determine the game. The front 7 of the Panthers can and will shut down CJ Anderson and the Bronco rushing attack, so this game will be an aerial one.

The Panthers should win this game. No defense has stopped them, and the only reason they lost to the Falcons is Julio Jones. Enough said. Despite what nature says, these Panthers will outrun these Broncos. I just don't see enough fire power behind the Broncos offense to keep up in a shot for shot offensive battle that this will be.