It's the Most Wonderful Time of the (Sports) Year!

     Tomorrow is the first day of October.  For the sports fan, that means one thing.........Sports Heaven!

     It doesn't matter what your sport is, there is something going on.  Seasons are wrapping up in some cases, and others are just getting under way in others.  For this month, they all seem to overlap and there is something for everybody.

      Do you like Major League Baseball? Good! Me too.  As we come up on the last few games of the season, there is some big time drama.  Who will win the wild cards in the AL?  Who will claim the title in the brutal AL East (Hint: It will not be my Red Sox.....I am petitioning to have this joke of a season erased from the record books).

      Throughout this month, we will get to see some great baseball as we get closer and closer to the world series.

     My prediction?  I'll take the Giants to beat the Yankees in a seven game thriller.

     How about College Football?  This is the time of year when things REALLY get interesting.  We are officially past the "let's see how good they are before we start talking" stage and into the "oh wow, we are really terrible/average/awesome this year!" portion of the season.  At this point, those who were overhyped in the preseason have gone by the wayside.  Over the next two months, we will witness some classics as teams try desperately to win their conference title.

     Locally, its going to be a fun week.  Utah will host the Trojans from USC on Thursday night.  I certainly don't expect the Utes to win, but I am hoping that they can come out and show some fight.

     The big match up this week will feature Utah State and BYU.  Five games in, and I am not sure what to make of either team.  I am looking forward to a close, low scoring game.

   There is a lot of football left to be played, so I won't make a prediction as to who will win.  I do have a good feeling about the Florida St. Seminoles, so we will see how that goes.

     I can't forget the Jazz!  I am intrigued by the makeup of this roster.  I feel that the team has depth at all positions.  But at the same time, this team is by no means a lock to get a playoff spot.  The competition will be fierce.

     How much has Gordon Hayward improved?  Is he finally ready to be the player we know he can be?  Will Alec Burks get more playing time this year?  As always, how do we find time for all of our worthy front court players?  Is Mo Williams an upgrade over Devin Harris?  How will we ever survive without CJ Miles? (sarcasm).

    I think the Jazz will take 6th place in the West this year.  I look forward to a fun season ahead!

    Is Hockey your favorite sport?  Well you are in luck!

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     How about Real Salt Lake?  After winning the MLS cup in 2009, RSL has remained a force to be reckoned with in MLS play, but has yet to claim a second crown.  Could this be the year for RSL?  After a big win over the goats (Chivas USA) in LA last night, the team is playing with confidence.

     Getting past San Jose and Sporting KC will be difficult, but RSL has the talent, experience, and chemistry to do it if they can get/remain healthy.

     Whatever your favorite sport is, this is an exciting time of year.  If you are into all sports, then this is the most wonderful time of the (sports) year!