A couple of Saturdays ago, I tuned in to one of the greatest rivalries in sports, the Iron Bowl, an annual battle between Auburn and Alabama (often for SEC supremacy). The game didn’t let me down, as each quarter was packed to the brim with exciting moments and breathtaking plays I’d never seen before … Continue reading The Ten Greatest Sports Games I’ve Ever Seen
Category: NCAA
First Month of College Heat Index
One of my favorite inventions of the modern magazine has been the heat index. On the top, the hottest item in the category, while the bottom is reserved for the coolest of the cold. And it works with just about anything, sports or otherwise. With one month of college in the books, I'm going to gauge the … Continue reading First Month of College Heat Index
Read Option: On the ‘Cats, Cubs, Ravens and Cowboys
Hey guys! I’ve written a lot of series over the years, and their names have ranged the spectrum from cringy (Professor Sports) to clever (Varsity Letter) to fitting (Nostalgia Blast). Today, as I kick of the college era of Johnriker.com, I’m resurrecting one of my favorite formats/names, the Read Option. Quick history lesson -- my … Continue reading Read Option: On the ‘Cats, Cubs, Ravens and Cowboys
The best of the best in sports media
As a major consumer of sports media, I’ve developed refined tastes preferences for a variety of different forms of sports media, from magazines to newspapers to books to websites to talk shows to broadcasts and everything in between. Each one can come with a different role or purpose, but regardless of its role a great … Continue reading The best of the best in sports media
2018 highlighted by exciting firsts
There seemed to be a first time for everything in 2018. Eagles winning a Super Bowl behind the arm of Nick Foles? Check. Capitals not only reaching the Stanley Cup Finals, but winning it? Check. A 16-seed routing one of the most dominant 1-seeds of the past couple years in March Madness? Check. U.S. Curling … Continue reading 2018 highlighted by exciting firsts
College Football Preview: Alabama, Clemson teams to beat
The college football season officially kicks off this weekend and storylines abound across the CFB landscape. Alabama and Clemson are heavyweights that look primed for another championship bout, but teams such as Washington, Ohio State, Georgia, and Oklahoma have the potential to make things interesting. Dark horses like Penn State, Michigan, Miami, and Wisconsin are … Continue reading College Football Preview: Alabama, Clemson teams to beat
World Cup, March Madness among spectacular sports tournaments
The World Cup captured the sports world’s attention for the past weeks with excitement, action and a product that certainly lived up to the hype. Even I was hooked, and I don’t watch any soccer. The games were unpredictable and the finishes were nail-biting. I’ll certainly look forward to the World Cup come 2022. Sports is full … Continue reading World Cup, March Madness among spectacular sports tournaments
Method to the Madness: How We Arrived at our Maddest March Yet
How We Arrived at our Maddest March Yet Round of 64 Step 1: Loyola-Chicago Stuns Miami at the Buzzer Step 2: Arizona Upset by Buffalo Step 3: Wichita State Falls to Marshall Step 4: UMBC Becomes First 16 Seed to Advance Step 5: Play-in Syracuse Beats Reigning NIT Champ TCU The madness started when … Continue reading Method to the Madness: How We Arrived at our Maddest March Yet
Nate’s College Football Playoff Predictions
2017 college football playoff predictions By Nate Riker The new year is coming up, and that also means that the College football bowls are going on. The bowl season has been recently revolutionized by a new system named the College football playoff. The playoff is determined by a committee of 13. Their job is to … Continue reading Nate’s College Football Playoff Predictions
Year in Review: 2017 a whole lot more than 28-3
If the sporting year of 2017 is remembered by one moment, it will be the lopsided, otherwise forgettable score of 28-3. That was the score midway through the third quarter of Super Bowl LI, with the red-hot Atlanta Falcons demolishing the powerhouse New England Patriots. It was all for naught, as New England quarterback Tom … Continue reading Year in Review: 2017 a whole lot more than 28-3