Two weeks from now, the Journalism class at my school will be participating in a smash tournament amongst the class. For my blog this week I will be giving a prediction based on how I think the skill of my classmates is in smash.
For those of you readers that don’t know what Super Smash Bros Ultimate is, it is a game that consists of fighters trying to stay on top of a platform. Characters have a bunch of different attacks these include a neutral smash, a side smash, up smash, and a down smash on top of these attacks there are the same directions but with a light attack. Heavy attacks do more damage at the cost that they leave an opening at the end of the attack for the opponent to take advantage of.
The ordering of placements will go like this (I’m not going to use their names for privacy I will use their initials)
The list goes from first to last
E.H.
N.J.
A.K.
C.C.
H.L.
Z.D.
S.H.
B.M.
E.S.
Wildcards: Z.Z., C.H., F.A.
E.H. Has the game and plays it a lot, so I trust his skill.
N.J. plays with E.H. a lot and supposedly is very good, so he makes the number two spot.
C.C. recently got the game and had been playing it a lot.
H.L. plays smash on her brother’s switch in preparation for the tourney.
Z.D. hasn’t played a lot of Smash but has a lot of prior game knowledge.
A.K. plays games to my knowledge but I don’t know how much, I just know how good others are.
B.M. plays Madden so he knows how to strategies, so I think he’ll do pretty well.
E.S. doesn’t play games and when she did it was quite disappointing.
F.A. I’ve never seen him play a videogame ever he says he knows how, though, so he’s gonna be a wildcard.
Z.Z. is a bit of a mystery to me because I have no clue of her videogame knowledge, so I put her at the bottom but she is a bit of a wildcard.
C.H. confuses me because I don’t know if he plays videogames, so he’s another wildcard.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Los Angeles Rams. Joe Shiesty vs Matt Stafford. I am really not quite sure how this year’s Super Bowl will pan out. Many people believe the Rams will steamroll the Bengals with the elite pass rush of Aaron Donald, Leonard Floyd, and Von Miller absolutely decimating a below-average offensive line. However, I believe Joe Burrow will somehow survive this defense pressure and only be sacked twice. It will be the passing game of the Rams that will win them this game. Having Cooper Kupp and OBJ will cause havoc in Cincinnati’s secondary. I believe both receivers go over 100 receiving yards and each score.
My Super Bowl MVP will go to Aaron Donald who will record both sacks for LA and will also have multiple tackles for loss, as well as a pass deflection and a forced fumble.
The final score will be 38 to 24 in favor of the Rams.
This match up should be a good ole fashioned shoot out. The Bengals have arguably the best receiving room in league with Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, and Ja’Marr Chase. Along side their excellent receivers the Bengals have a Pro-bowl running back in Joe Mixon. And the man that ties it all together, the gunslinger, Joe Shiesty, Joe Brrrrrr, Joe Burrow. Burrow is becoming a top QB in the league and a win over the 1 seed will solidify him as one of the best in the league.
pc: nfl.com
The Titans may be the least talked about 1 seed in recent memory, and for them, it may be a good thing. They get star running back Derrick Henry back for this match-up (the first time he’s played since week 8). With Henry back, their passing game might actually improve, QB Ryan Tannehill with King Henry in the backfield averages around 10 yards on play-action passes compared to abruptly 6 yards on play-action passes. The Bengals are also the 5th worse defense against play-action passes.
I have the Bengals nabbing the victory over the Titans 45-35.
Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs
The Bills are coming into this game hottttttt. Last week they blew out the Patriots, scoring tuddies on their first 7 drives. Led by QB Josh Allen and elite receiver Stefon Diggs the Bills offense is scary and hungry. While their defense has played well as well, they will have a tough task at hand facing TikTok legend Jackson Mahomes’s older brother Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes, who had struggled early this year, has been playing back at an elite level. Alongside Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, this offense is poised to have another deep playoff but they need to get past Buffalo first.
With a rematch from last year, I believe the Bills taking the victory this year 31-21
In my opinion the 2021 American League MVP should go to Vladimir (Vlad) Guerrero Jr.
Many will argue in favor of Royals catcher Salvador Perez or Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani. Perez and Ohtani both put up record breaking and setting numbers in 2021 but will both come up short in the AL MVP race.
Lets start with Perez. Salvador Perez put up ridiculous numbers, with a slash of .273/.316/.859. Perez also hit 48 home runs, breaking Red’s Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench’s prevision record of 45 home runs hit by a catcher. He also added in 121 RBI’s and 169 hits(72 of them for extra bases). Perez also played his usual gold glove caliber defense behind the plate, but it is a hot bat that will land the All-Star catcher 3rd in the 2021 AL MVP race
Shohei Ohtani is unique, a phenomenon, an a unicorn. This year Ohtani did something no one has ever done in the history of baseball. Pitch at an All-Star level and hit at an All-Star level, he was selected to the American League All-Star team as both a pitcher and a hitter. Let’s start with the pitching; Ohtani started 23 games for the Anaheim Angels going 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA, he threw 130.1 innings, while striking out 156 batters. His ERA and strikeout numbers are excellent, placing him within the top 20 for strikeouts among AL pitchers. Now Ohtani the hitter is a different animal. Ohtani hit a respectable .257, but it is his rare combination of power and speed that makes his offensive game so special. He hit 46 home runs and drove in 100 while also stealing 26 bases and leading all of MLB in triples with 8. His elite pitching and hitting makes him a specimen, but he will fall just short in the AL MVP race.
Vlad Jr. arguably had the greatest season a 22 year old could ever have. Guerrero Jr. was the most complete hitter in 2021, he hit for power and average while having the ability to drive in runners at a high clip and maintaining an elite on-base percentage. Vlad slugged an impressive .311/.401/1.002 along with leading the league with 48 home runs, tacking on 111 RBI’s and 188 hits; he lead the AL in 5 of the 13 major offensive categories. His impressive age 22 seasons was capped with a 3rd place finish in the Al east and he lead the youthful Toronto Blue Jays to a well above average record of 91-71, missing the playoffs by a game. Guerrero Jr. was awarded All-Star game MVP at this year’s mid-summer classic in Colorado and we will take home American League MVP following the completion of the world series.
Here are my NBA awards and playoff bracket predictions
League MVP: There are many options for MVP such as Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. But my pick this year is none other than Stephen Curry from the Golden State Warriors. Curry lead the league in scoring last year along with averaging 5 boards and 5 assists. He should’ve taken home the award last year but the Warriors missed the playoffs by game which was the biggest knock on his 2020-2021 campaign. This year the Warriors will most likely have a high seed in the west due to incoming rookies Mose Moody and Johnathan Kuminga providing much needed help off the bench; and most importantly the return of all-star shooting guard, and co-splash bro Klay Thompson. Thompson will provide much needed assistance to the Warriors back court. Klay Thompson with bring out the best of Stephen Curry in this upcoming season.
Rookie of the Year: Rookie of the Year is an easy pick; Jalen Green out of Houston. Green will get to play both the 1 and 2 guard positions for the Rockets this year allowing him to have the ball in his hands for most of the game. Having the ball in his hands not only gives him the free range to create his own shot it also allows for him to be a playmaker. Houston with out a doubt will find themselves in the bottom of the western conference but at least they have a franchise player in Jalen Green.
Most Improved Player of the Year: The player who’s game that will elevate the most will be Michael Porter Jr. Porter Jr recently signed a 5 year max-extension worth up to $207 million; not only will he have to prove he is worth a two hundred million dollar contract he will also have to prove that he can be a leader on this Denver Nugget team. The Nuggets will be without point guard Jamal Murray this year so Porter Jr will have the opportunity to take more shots and elevate to an all-star wing he was projected to be coming out of the University of Missouri.
Defensive Player of the Year: This year’s DPOY will be Anthony Davis. Anthony Davis, or AD for short, should’ve taken home the award in the 2019-2020 season. Davis has a chip on his shoulder coming into the 2021-2022 season, AD missed most of last year due to injury and was given the nickname “Anthony Day-To-Day Davis” via the ruthless nba followers on Twitter. AD will not only remind everyone the type of player he is, he will surpass everyone’s expectations for him. I believe this year will be AD’s career year due to the fact that the Lakers added another Hall of Fame playmaker to their roster in Russell Westbrook, brought back legendary point guard Rajon Rondo, and have some guy named LeBron James as well. Davis’s defense will be a key part in the Lakers hunt for their 18th title.
6th Man of the Year: This award will go to Jordan Clarkson out of Utah. It’s his award to lose and nobody is as consistent as Clarkson when coming off the bench. There’s not much to say for JC as he knows his role on the Jazz; fucking score the basketball. And he does, he does it very well so he’ll find himself adding another 6th Man of the Year trophy to his award case.
Coach of the Year: What team/coach fits the NBA’s narrative for the 2021-2022 season. I like Nate McMillan from Atlanta.
To preface, I am not a football analyst but my takes go crazy.
New York Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons (-3.5) [London, England]
In this weeks toilet bowl, I’d the Jets with the points. The Falcons are the worst team in football. I would summarize the Falcons with this clip:
VC: ItsKurt
Need I say anymore?
Anyways, Zach Wilson is the chosen one and if his receivers can catch his magical mormon passes he can torch the Falcons defense.
Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers (-3.5)
I thing the Panthers pull off the win with Wilson’s predecessor and MONO survivor Sam Darnold at the helm. Need them to win for my fantasy team too so that may play into it slightly. I just think the Panthers have been more impressive so far this season.
Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-10.5)
This week is not an exception to the “never bet against Brady” rule. Bucs by a million. The team he has created in Tampa will prove to be unstoppable, rolling the Dolphins at home.
PC: NFL Combine
New Orleans Saints (-1.5) at Washington Football Team
Famous Jameis is unstoppable. Finally in his starting role I really want to see him do well. The Saints wins have been against more impressive teams than their losses, and I think they will shake off their losses and turn a corner, starting with a win this week. The WFT has had less impressive wins, irking out wins against poor teams. I’d take the saints with the points.
Tennessee Titans (-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars
I don’t know who to take so Im gonna go Jags with the points. Partially because I’m feeling like a bit of a wimp for not taking more underdogs, partially because the points are the safe bet, and mostly because this video of the Titans mascot lives rent free in my head. Kindly disregard the title.
VC: NFL
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-7.5)
Dan Campbell is the biggest football guy in the league right now. For this reason alone Lions NO POINTS. Lions gonna role. Biggest underdog bet right here.
Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers (-1.5)
Still resent the Steelers for their tik tok dances. For this reason Broncos with the points. Points=Safety here.
Moneybagg Jo takes makes it close. The discount double-check guy will pull off the victory, but the Bengals win on points.
Can you really bet against this man:
VC: LSUsports
New England Patriots (-9) at Houston Texans
McCorkle (Mac) Jones will lead the Patriots to victory in an absolute steamrolling of the lost Texans. It hasn’t been close for them at all this season, things in H-Town haven’t been the same since Deandre Hopkins departure and Deshaun Watson’s massuse scandal. Take the Pats with points, I would take them -20.
Chicago Bears at Las Vegas Raiders (-5.5)
Everyone has the Raiders in this one. Though the Bears pattern of beating lesser opponents and the spread at home and losing to stronger opponents and the spread on the road is in my periphery, I feel like Justin Fields has got something. I think they could keep it close, lose by a field goal or win even. This is my sleeper. Just saying the Bears are a sneaky good pick in this game.
Cleveland Browns (-1) at Los Angeles Chargers
I honestly have no clue at all. No jokes. Just have no idea.
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-7)
I never take the Cowboys, I don’t have a team I just hate the Cowboys. I like the Giants with the points after last week’s win over a strong saints team.
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (-5.5)
Cardinals are hard to bet against, especially because of the QB scenario in the bay. I think the Cardinals well rounded game will be hard for the 49ers to crack, and just don’t think the 49ers are team enough to win this one.
PC: NBC Sports
Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens (-7)
Ravens are a lock in this game. Points and all, Wentz doesn’t have it like that.
In the season 6 trailer Bran Stark is seen with what appears to be the White Walker leader. While I believe this is a dream I think the White Walker King is looking for Bran. But why would the White Walker King want to find Bran you might ask. It’s simple Near the end of season 5 during the White Walkers siege on the Wildling camp there was 4 horseman ominously watching the battle from the cliffs overlooking the camp. At some point, one of these horsemen joined the battle and was killed by Jon Snow. Because he died they are probably looking for someone to take his place. I think The White Walker King wants Bran to take his place making Bran one of the four horsemen. Brans ability to warg may transfer when he turns into a white walker giving him the ability to control the living and the dead. It only makes sense that the white walkers find a new horseman because George RR Martin is clearly alluding to the four horsemen of the apocalypse and three just doesn’t cut it.
With March Madness looming, the science of bracketology has taken America by storm. With 64 teams in the running, I’m sure you are all aware of the competition to name the exact winner and who beats who etc., etc. Now I must inquire, where the hell is my german zoo animal when I need one?
If it were up to me, I’d have them predict my choices or at least my 8/9 and 7/10 games. Between Paul the octopus correctly predicting the world cup (r.i.p) and Heidi the cross-eyed possum predicting the Oscars, last year’s winner Jake Johnson’s method of deciphering and guessing the winners was not one of classical analysis and probability based on past contests and statistics. He used the help of his pet guinea pig.
As you can see nowadays, the commercial for March Madness has shown us all kinds of uses. While some believe it is simply luck and others believe that it is science, I opt for the animal kingdom. Who knows, it might work out for me.
Happy betting.
Horoscopes are a guilty pleasure of mine, along with several million people out in the world, but why?
Everyone wants to know what’s going to happen in the future, what our love life will be like, what our job prospects are like. It’s the same reason that people go to psychics, the same reason they see fortune tellers. Do these stars determine what will happen to us in the future? Maybe, maybe not.
They are simply self-fullfilled prophesies. If we’re told that something is going to happen, unconsciously our mind will try to alter our reactions, our words, and our thinking to fulfill whatever story that was told. Anything can happen, really.
OVS Journalism Blog 