Quack, Quack

Pre-Season Countdown:

5. Oregon Ducks

There is a lot of reason for Oregon fans to optimistic about the chances of a third consecutive BCS, as matter of fact, at this point anything less than that and the first PAC-12 championship would have to be considered a dissapointment in Eugene. The Ducks are without a doubt the conferences best team, I say this because I do not believe in Stanford nearly as much as most pollsters do, and should only be challenged twice during the regular season.

The offense has lost a few key parts, three starters on the offensive line, and star WR Jeff Maehl. But Heisman finalist LaMichael James is back, as is backfield speed demon Kenjon Barner, and QB Darren Thomas. With these three players back again, there is no reason the blur offense can't keep up the pace it ran at last season yet again.

The defense has to replace a few big cogs, specifically LB Casey Matthews, younger brother of Green Bay Packer Clay Matthews. The suspension of Cliff Harris will also hurt. Overall though, there is not likely to be a huge dropoff in quality. Last year this defense was able to force a TON of turnovers and that was likely the only thing kept it from being a sub-par unit. This years unit should not be far behind last years but the number of turnovers forced will be almost impossible to match. Expect the defense to struggle a bit and the offense to be good enough to make this seem unimportant.

Opening day should decide how feasible a second straight National Championship Game appearance will be, get past LSU, and it will be a strong possibility. A road game at Stanford looks to be the only other bump in the road, with a down PAC-12 providing a decent little doormat to the BCS for the Ducks.

Prediction: 11-1 - Rose Bowl

Comic Review

I have to say that so far I have been pretty impressed with the mini Marvel Knights re-launch going on right now. Daredevil #1 was a very good issue, Ghost Rider was frustrating because of the character change but still well written, but today I read Punisher #1 and was as impressed with it as I have been with any relaunch in some time. It was dark, compelling, graphic, and established some interesting characters along the way. I would highly recommend it.

One new series that I have not been so keen on is the much hyped X-Men event Schism. All the hype about the dreaded event that will have the X-Men fighting for their very survival appears to be, "oh no, Sentinels are back." Not new Sentinels with a power upgrade either, just Sentinels. Based on the solicitations I have seen for after the event ends, I don't think I'll be too keen on where this is leading either.

Marvel Madness

More winners are now final. Ultron, Nitro, Selene, Quicksilver, Ronan, Mystique, Sebastian Shaw, and Hobgoblin will be moving on.

On to today's matchups..............

42. Super-Adaptoid

vs.

23. Kraven the Hunter

55. Abyss
vs.

10. Onslaught

39. Stranger
vs.

26. Wrecking Crew: Note, I realize the Wrecker has been in the tournament, but the other members of the Crew have never had any real individual villian appearances, so they are being grouped together.

58. Hunger
vs.

7. Baron Zemo

47. Beetle
vs.

18. Maximus the Mad

50. Umar
vs.

15. Terrax

34. Stryfe
vs.

31. Holocaust

63. Polaris
2. Norman Osborn/Iron Patriot/Green Goblin I