I saw Tom Crean speak at something called a “Power Breakfast” last week in Indy.  In case anyone does not know yet, he is the genuine article. 

Here’s the thing that struck me the most about his speech — I believed just about everything he was saying.  I believed him when he made no bones about this being a rebuilding year for the Hoosiers.  I also believed him when he said that he had lots of good players, and just because we have not heard of them before, we should not assume that they are going to lose every game.  I also believed him when he said that they might just have the right combination of youth and talent to surprise some people.

Well, the Hoosiers are on their way to Maui and they might just win a game or two.  There are virtually no expectations at all on this team, they are young, they have a top notch coach, and they have nothing to lose…as in, nothing at all.  Do not be surprised if they win a game or two in Maui this weekend and shock some people.

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I am the first one predicting this — the 2008-2009 Dallas Cowboys will not lose another game.  Here’s why:

• They have San Francisco and then Seattle (both at home), which should have them at 8-4 and then they have 10 days to get ready for Pittsburgh on December 7th, followed by the stretch run
• Here is a list of players that have been banged up and will continue to get healthier every week:
  • Tony Romo
  • Jason Witten
  • Terence Newman
  • Anthony Henry
  • Leonard Davis
  • Bobby Carpenter
• Pacman Jones is coming back…and yes, I am admitting that they have shown that much liability in the secondary that they are forced to welcome Pacman back with open arms
• They are still a team made up of the same players that had EVERY SINGLE expert in the world claiming them to be the biggest team they had ever seen that could impose their will on anyone with sheer strength and size.  Well, guess what?  They have finally figured that out.  Watch what they do to Pittsburgh’s defense in 3 weeks.

Unfortunately, Dallas got some bad news recently — Felix Jones is out for the year — but, they still have the same exact offense that jammed the ball down the throat of the New York Giants last January for the entire first half.  Their decision to start chucking the ball all over in the second half because of Donald Ross’s injury is well documented and cost them a 6th Super Bowl.  They will not make the same mistake again.  Look for Marion Barber to average 130 yards per game for the rest of the season and even more in the playoffs.

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