Watching New Orleans completely force the hand of the Colts late in the game last night made me think of one thing… The Packers really were good enough to do the same thing. You could say, “Oh, well Indy would have torn apart Green Bay’s D,” or “The Packers’ offense is good but it’s not dominant like the Saints.” But let’s look at the numbers shall we.

In the regular season the Saints had the 26th ranked passing defense while the Packers ranked fifth. Okay, maybe ranking in the upper 15% was a bit of a flash in the pan for the Pack because of an easy schedule; but had they faced tougher offenses would they have dropped 21 spots to 26? I don’t think so.

How about the run defense? You could tell last night that the Colts felt pretty comfortable running the ball. The reason being is because New Orleans gives up an average of 122 yards on the ground, good for 21st in league. The Packers? Only the top ranked running defense in the NFL, giving up 83 yards per game.

The turnover margin is also in the Packers’ favor with a league best +24, while the Saints –a team that proclaims to rely on turnovers- sits at +11.  So with all these statistics we can agree that the Packers defense is at least up to par with the “Who Dats?”

Now on to the offensive side of the ball. The Saints were outstanding putting up 6,461 total yards this year. This was the number 1 offense, but the Packers were not too far behind at number six, putting up 6,065 yards. Both teams were led by excellent quarterbacks. Drew Brees’ performance over the last few seasons speaks for itself. A-Rodge’s does as well. He actually put very similar statistics with the ex-Boilermaker. He had more yards and less picks, while Brees had 4 more TD’s and a slightly higher passer rating.

While numbers clearly aren’t everything, they provide a good way gauge a team. And if you’re gauging with these numbers, you could say that the only thing holding back the Packers from the Superbowl was a better defensive game plan against the Cardinals . Either way, with a few minor adjustments, these numbers give Packer fans all the more reason to be excited for next year.

Florida vs. Alabama Game:  Crimson Tide Dominates

• One of the best weekends in football just wrapped up and there are a lot of things that caught my eye. First though, I want to get to the most anticipated match-up in, well…a year, since the last time Alabama took on Florida in the SEC Championship game. For the second consecutive year, and only the fourth time ever that a #1 ranked team squared off against a #2 ranked team before a bowl game, Alabama showed that they would not be denied. Greg McElroy, a quarterback who has been overlooked his whole life, started as a back-up to Chase Daniel in high school and only got a scholarship offer from Alabama because Tim Tebow declined his.

  McElroy proved his worth to the Tide by being on-time and accurate all night, including a beautiful touch pass to his tight-end from 17 yards out. He also showed an unknown dimension, “gracefully” tight-rope walking the sideline for a key first down to set-up Bama’s first score.

  Demonstrating his toughness, he threw a block, and also scrambled to the three-yard line to set-up Mark Ingram for the third of his three touchdowns. But in spite of all this (including Ingram’s performance which I will touch on later), I was most surprised and disappointed in the play of the nation’s #1-ranked defense.

  The Gators surrendered the most yards ever under Urban Meyer and looked like they thought they could just throw their jock out on the field and waltz into Pasadena. Obviously not having a future first-round pick in defensive end Carlos Dunlap (suspended) on the field hurt the Gators, but it might not have mattered much had he played as poorly as Brandon Spikes and the rest of the Florida front seven played.The Gators’ defense was battered all night as Ingram had over 80 yards after contact and the Tide ran for 251 yards. And yes, Tim Tebow did play in this game. He was OK, totaling 310 yards and a touchdown pass, but for the first time I can remember, he could not will his team to a win. Nonetheless, Bama looked very impressive.

Is his NFL future at Tight End?

Where is Tim Tebow’s NFL Future?

• In the aftermath of the Florida-Alabama SEC Championship game, the question becomes (after the Sugar Bowl), what happens with Tim Tebow? I don’t believe he is an NFL quarterback, despite his legendary toughness and leadership qualities. He has solid arm strength but has an elongated motion, causing his throws to be late and defenders to hit his arm during its backswing.

  Tebow also has average accuracy. Even with those negatives, counting out one of the best college football players of all time will be tough. I think he has a chance to become a similar player to Dallas Clark of Indianapolis with his similar size, strength, and speed. Tight End is his most likely position in the pros. Nonetheless, he has been a great ambassador to college football.

Mark Ingram:  Will Alabama Get its First Heisman?

• Even though no Alabama player has ever won the Heisman Trophy, that streak should end this week. Running back Mark Ingram had a big day with over 180 total yards and 3 TDs against Florida and has done it all year, totaling over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns, both Alabama records.His toughness, vision, and ability to break tackles reminds me of another former #22 from an SEC school, Emmitt Smith. His talent and big-game performance, along with his consistent production all year (when healthy) should result in Bama’s first Heisman winner.
  

  Mark Ingram may be Alabama's first Heisman winner ever

C.J. Spiller:  Best NFL Prospect?

• Clemson finished 8-5 overall with a loss in the ACC Championship Game but C.J. Spiller continues to impress and could be the first running back taken in the NFL Draft next spring. His size, speed, and explosiveness make him a prototypical NFL back.He has had an inconsistent season (18 yards against South Carolina and then 230 against Georgia Tech), but his ability is not in question. Big games against Miami, TCU, and Georgia Tech show that he can get it done against the top teams.

Is Wisconsin football on its Way Back Up?

• Wisconsin football has struggled the past few years, but this season might prove to be the turnaround that the program needs. After a 51-10 whipping of Hawaii in which John Clay ran for 172 yards and 3 TDs, the Badgers are 9-3 and face a 9-3 Miami Hurricanes team in a return trip to the Champs Sports Bowl. The ‘Canes quietly had a good season this year. They won an impressive victory over the ACC winner Georgia Tech.Wisconsin does not have a signature win this season and with the majority of their starters returning, a victory over the ‘Canes could jumpstart them to a strong 2010 and maybe propel Clay to some 2010 Heisman consideration.

Ndamukong Suh May Actually Deserve the Heisman

• I believe Mark Ingram will win the Heisman, but Ndamukong Suh is the best defensive player in college football since the last defender to win the Heisman, Charles Woodson. This guy should be the #1 pick in the NFL draft. Suh turned in the most dominant defensive performance I’ve ever seen in a big game, totaling 12 tackles and 4.5 sacks as he shredded double teams with power and showed lateral quickness to bring down Texas runners. This guy seems like the real deal, an absolute beast at arguably the most important position on defense.
  

  Suh put in the most dominating defensive performance since....(still thinking)....

When ranking teams according to their all-time winning percentages, the Minnesota Vikings are fourth overall in the NFL and have the highest within the NFC north.  They also appeared in one-third of the first twelve Super Bowls.  So what’s stopping the Minnesota Vikings from being considered one of the NFL’s most prestigious franchises?

They are 0 and 4 in their four Super Bowl appearances — their last one being Super Bowl XII in 1977 — and are ranked 25th out of 32 teams in postseason winning percentage. Maybe they wouldn’t choke so much if they chewed their breakfasts more prior to their postseason games.

The odds-makers are singing a different tune this year (these are the people who make a living off of wagering large, difficult bets backed by their large crystal cajones). The Vikings are currently tied for second with the New Orleans Saints (+400) to win Super Bowl XLIV, only trailing Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts (+300).

"So You're Saying There's a Chance...."

With the NFC North Division practically already won — sorry Packers fans, there is always next season — many are already trying to put together the postseason puzzle.

Although upsets are always possible, some people are already drooling over a Vikings/Saints NFC Championship Game with the winner playing the favored Colts out of the AFC for the Super Bowl XLIV title.

Ruling out Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, and the rest of the present-day Purple People Eaters from a potential Super Bowl XLIV Title would be foolish. Every passing week brings that closer to reality.