The Dallas Cowboys are experiencing the NFL Playoffs from their sofas once again, but that has not prevented infectious postseason excitement from spreading throughout Coppell. The Wild Card round was full of excitement, highlighted by Tebow’s overtime magic lifting Denver over heavy favorites Pittsburgh. With four matchups pitting the league’s best teams and everything on the line, the second round is sure to have more thrilling performances in store. Below I will give my take on the two NFC Divisional Round games and briefly predict who advances, and who goes home.

New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers

Despite not being one of the top two teams in the NFC, the New Orleans Saints and their record-breaking offense have been touted as a Super Bowl favorite. The Saints looked convincing in their 45-28 disposal of Detroit last week and are riding a nine game winning streak, with 40+ points in each of the last four games. On the other side of the field will be a team that is almost the polar opposite: the San Francisco 49ers. San Fransisco’s trump card is its defense – one that had not allowed a single touchdown run until the very last game of the season. This Divisional Round matchup is the most intriguing one of the season thus far because it pits the NFL’s most explosive offense against its most stringent defense. Although I was not impressed with the Niners when I watched my Dallas Cowboys defeat them in week 2, they dominated thereafter. The Saints posted inexcusable losses to the lowly Rams and Bucs and have one of the worst defenses in the league.  My Prediction: “Defense Wins Championships”. 49ers advance after a gritty 23-21 contest

New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers

As a Cowboys fan, I am very familiar with the New York Giants. And as an avid NFL fan, I am also very familiar with the Packers‘ near-perfect 15-1 season. At first glance, this game seems like an obvious choice. The Packers have the best record in the league, while the Giants barely snuck into the playoffs at 9-7. But in the playoffs it’s all about who has momentum – who’s hot. And just like in 2007 when they toppled 16-0 New England in the Super Bowl, the G-Men are getting hot at the right time. As a Cowboy fan, I loathe the Giants, but I am well aware of how dangerous of a team they can be when all on the same page. Osi Umenyiora is finally healthy again and adds a whole other dimension to New York’s pass rush, not to mention Jason Pierre-Paul. Despite struggling in the run game for most of the season, in the past few weeks (especially in their 24-2 throttling of Atlanta in the Wild Card round) the Giants’ duo of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs has been hitting a groove. In short, it’s all coming together at the right time for the Giants and they rolling an all cylinders. But no matter how well the Giants play, it may not be enough. Green Bay is led by the best quarterback in the NFL in Aaron Rodgers, and they will do anything it takes to defend their title. My Prediction: The Giants lost to the Packers 38-35 in the regular season. This time they get the job done, 31-27.

Staff Writer

2010 was filled with breath taking moments in many sports including hockey, soccer, basketball, and football. Graphic by Scott Bennett.

As I contemplated the past year during the first days of the New Year, it struck me that 2010 was truly a great year. It was filled with fantastic games and performances, and the most prominent were the amazing moments in sports leaving fans speechless.

One thing is for sure: it was an exciting year for sports enthusiasts. All of the usual hype surrounding yearly sports events such as the NFL or NBA was converged with rare occurrences such as the Winter Olympics and the World Cup.

This made 2010 the ultimate year in sports, stocked full of amazing moments. Although there were definitely thousands of amazing sporting feats that could be mentioned, I have compiled what I think were the five most amazing sports moments of 2010.

5. 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Game: Duke vs. Butler

The 2010 NCAA Tournament lived up to its nickname “March Madness” when Butler faced Duke in the championship game. With just three seconds left, Duke went to the free throw line with a 60-59 lead. Brian Zoubek swished the first free throw to extend Duke’s lead to 61-59. When Zoubek missed the second, Butler’s Gordon Hayward sprinted up the court and tossed up a prayer from half-court at the buzzer. The shot was inches away from going in, but bounced off the rim, giving Duke fourth national championship. Had Butler won, it would’ve gone down as one of the greatest upsets in NCAA history. Watch the video!

4. Texas 5A Football Playoffs: Coppell vs. Trinity

Senior corner back Bennett Okotcha tackles Trinity receiver. Photo by Aditi Shrikant.

Next on the list is the Coppell Cowboys football team’s matchup against the Trinity Trojans in the fourth round of the playoffs. This isn’t exactly the Super Bowl, but as a witness, I can attest that this game had intensity like very few I’ve seen before. Both teams were undefeated, and knew that everything they had worked for was on the line. Trinity, being the No. 1 team in the state, was obviously favored. However, Coppell was hungry for an upset, and jumped out to an early 13-0 lead. The Cowboys led for the entire game, save one play: the final one. Coppell had a 40-35 lead with a second left and Trinity lining up on the goal line.

Everyone in the stadium was on their feet; the intensity was cranked up to top notch. However, the Coppell side completely deflated as Trinity rushed into the end zone for a 41-40 victory. Coppell’s storybook 13-0 season was the first in school history and their loss to Trinity was by far the best high school game I’ve ever seen. Watch the video!

3. Olympic Hockey Gold Medal Game: USA vs. Canada

For the “bronze medal” spot on the list, we’ll venture outside of the U.S. to Vancouver where the 21^st Winter Olympics were held. The United States and Canada’s hockey rivalry was revived as the two battled for the gold medal. The score was tied 2-2 at the end of the third period, sending the game into overtime. Only a few minutes into the overtime period, Canada’s Sidney Crosby slipped the puck into the net behind USA’s Ryan Miller. The red-clad audience exploded into a frenzy of cheering and flying Maple Leaves. This was part of a historic 14 gold medals for Canada in the 2010 Olympics, the most of any nation. Watch the video!

2. World Cup 2010: USA vs. Algeria

Even over the unbearable noise of the vuvuzelas, there was plenty of epic action in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In the final match of group stage, America was in a duel with Algeria, both teams fighting for their spot in the knockout stage. The intensity reached a climax when the match was hurdled into extra time at the end of a scoreless regulation. In the first minute of extra time, when least expected, USA’s Landon Donovan collected a shot blocked by Algeria’s goalie and swiftly punched it into the net. The game was over, and the USA team was moving on to the knockout stages. All across the world people were thrilled by this spectacular moment. Watch the video!

1. Super Bowl XLIV: New Orleans vs. Indianapolis

Claiming the top stop as the most memorable sports moment of 2010, was the New Orleans Saints’ Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The Saints prevailed 31-17 on the biggest stage in all of football. New Orleans overcame an initial 10-0 deficit in a riveting game of trick plays and improbable feats. This was not just a win for a football team, but for the entire city, struggling to rebound from the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina. Awe inspiring images of jubilant Saints fans and Drew Brees lifting his son into the air in joy after the game are the stuff of legends and will always be known as one of the most amazing moments in 2010, and in sports history. Watch the video!

Last night, the Super Bowl champions returned to the field in style. Well, for the first quarter at least.

The opening drive of the night ended in a fabulous touchdown by Drew Brees. The Superdome erupted into applause that was laced with more than just team pride. Their cheers went out to their entire recovering city.

After suffering the tragedy Hurricane Katrina left in its wake, New Orleans, five years later, is making progress. This in no small part is due to the success of its football team.

The team that was at one time nicknamed the Ain’ts won a super bowl and officially proved itself as a viable franchise in the NFL, joining the ranks of 18 other teams that have hoisted a Lombardi. Now, it’s time for them to prove themselves and they know the pressure is on.

This past week the team has had several guest speakers come to talk them about how to handle the expectations, and whatever was said, it obviously had an impact on the players.

The Saints beat the Vikings, who they also defeated for the NFC Championship earlier this year, 14-9. They started strongly, with a touchdown right off the bat. They lagged in the second quarter and were continually shut down by the tough Vikings defense. But in the third quarter they came back and scored again for the win.

Though no one is talking about a Super bowl repeat now, I wouldn’t count out the Ain’ts just yet.

Staff Writer

The Heisman Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in the world of collegiate football. Every season, the Heisman Trust declares the most outstanding athletes of the year. Soon after, a mixture of sports journalists, former Heisman winners, and fans vote for the champion. The victor is presented with the trophy at a banquet that is viewed by millions of football fans on live television.

The Heisman Trophy has a rich history that began with Jay Berwanger in 1935. It has thrived for decades all the way up to the most recent winner, Mark Ingram, in 2009. Yes, there are other awards, but the Heisman Trophy is the honor of all honors for a college football athlete.

The Heisman Trophy rewards an athlete’s perseverance, hard work, talent, and dedication to the sport. When one is awarded the Heisman, they inaugurated into an elite group of superstars, a group of the most talented men to ever take the field. A group of Heisman winners. It is the ultimate prize, an irrevocable honor. Or is it?

In 2005, running back Reggie Bush rushed for over 1700 yards on the season, a record shattering performance. As a Jr. on a National Championship caliber USC Trojans team, he was poised for a phenomenal year. When it came time for the Heisman Trophy nominations, Bush was a no-brainer. He was voted Heisman Trophy winner by an overwhelming margin-the largest margin in Heisman Trophy history.

Due to his success in the 2005 season, Bush subsequently entered in the NFL Draft and was selected 2nd overall by the New Orleans Saints. Bush is currently a centerpiece of the Saints’ roster and enjoyed a Super Bowl victory last season.

However, early this summer after a thorough investigation, the NCAA tarnished the name of USC and even Reggie Bush. The Trojans were found guilty of numerous violations, the most notable of which involved Bush himself. NCAA reported that during his time at USC, Bush received benefits such as cash, a house, and possibly even more such bribes.

Due to their findings, NCAA declared Bush ineligible for all of the games he played for USC during which he accepted benefits (which was nearly all of them) and all of the Trojans’ achievements during which Bush was on their roster invalid.

This decree has had catastrophic consequences on Bush. Not only did USC lose its 2005 BCS National Title, but the Heisman Trust is considering revoking Bush’s Heisman Trophy. According to sources such as Yahoo! Sports the Heisman Trust will take Bush’s Heisman back by the end of September.  After all, if he was actually ineligible to play the whole time then his statistics and accomplishments should not count.

This is the most recent turn of events in the USC Scandal that has plagued the Trojans for a few months now. Humbled and stripped of their scholarships and bowl games, USC will be a much different team in the coming seasons.

Bush has declined to comment as of yet on the Heisman Trophy that may be taken back by the Heisman Trust. It’s highly likely that for the first time in history a Heisman Trophy, a supposed irrevocable honor, will be revoked from its recipient.

The USC Scandal is a black eye on the face of the school and this recent development surrounding Bush’s Heisman has only darkened the bruise and further tainted the reputations of USC and Bush.

Staff Writer

The NFL is stupid. Not the football part. That’s what fans like I live for. But the Pro Bowl BEFORE the Super Bowl is just a waste of time and takes away emphasis from the important game.

The Pro Bowl is a fun and entertaining football game where players relax and just play a friendly game of football. In history, the Pro Bowl has always been after the super bowl, so players who were in the Super Bowl could play in the game.

But this year the NFL screwed up. The NFL scheduled the Pro Bowl for this Sunday, January 31^st, 2009. The Super Bowl is not until February 7^th.

Archie Manning is the former quarterback of the New Orleans Saints *Photo courtest of Ole Miss Athletic Department

By Wren Culp

Staff Writer

(To read the full article, click here)

On Monday October 26, 2009 I got to sit down and talk to former NFL quarterback Archie Manning over the phone. I asked him a series of questions that did not belong in the story.

Q: What is your opinion on the Dallas Cowboys?

A: “When I was in college and even before that I always had admired the Dallas Cowboys. Back when Landry was around was when I was really into them.”

Q: When Peyton and Eli play against each other, who do you pull for?

A: “When they played three years ago, Olivia and I just pulled for the offense. It was a very interesting night.”

Q: Which team looks best in college football?

A: “Absolutely Florida. Tebow is in his prime and is playing some amazing football.”

Q: Who is going to play in the National Championship in college football?

A: “Texas will definitely go and they will face the winner of Alabama and Florida.”

Q: Favorite movie?

A: “That is way too hard to choose. Probably Sundance Kid. That movie has a lot of good insight in it.”

Q: Favorite book?

A: “This book called The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.”