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Editors Note: This letter addresses concerns about the chancellor of Purdue Northwest. While IUPUI's campus is run by IU administration and Purdue will soon be departing from our campus, the editors of The Campus Citizen decided to move forward with the publication of this letter as this issue affects the Purdue students on our campus. The following is the second of two letters addressing the Purdue Board of Trustees sent in by the Purdue Northwest Faculty Senate Chair Thomas Roach. The first was sent on Dec. 23, 2022, and the second was sent on Mar. 23, 2023.
It is finals week again, and as you walk out of your last test for your hardest class, the emotions hit you. There is no chance you passed and now your GPA is in the dumpster. The water works are coming and you need a place to let it all out quietly and without anyone noticing, so where do you go? Here is the list you never knew you needed: the best places to cry on the IUPUI campus.
The 2019 NFL season is finally upon us. Many teams’ trajectories changed throughout the offseason (some more recently than others), but another thrilling campaign is sure to come. Our sports staff members at The Campus Citizen chime in and give their takes on this year in football. NFL MVP Drew Brees, Saints - Zach Griffith Why Brees? - Drew Brees and the Saints have been through hell these past two seasons. He may not be getting any younger, but he’s definitely as hungry as ever for another Super Bowl ring. If Patrick Mahomes hadn’t been as otherworldly as he was in 2018, the MVP trophy would have surely been handed to Brees. It’s hard to think of any player or team that has more of a motivation factor than Brees and the Saints. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs - Bryce Shadday Why Mahomes? - Losing Kareem Hunt but gaining LeSean McCoy is not a huge dropoff for Mahomes and that Chief offense, which is why I think not much will change for Mahomes under center. Andy Reid continues to find ways to be creative offensively, and he has the perfect quarterback to run his system. Plus, Mahomes can hit receivers without looking at them so, yeah, there’s that. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs - Jacob Keith Why Mahomes? - 5,000 yards, 50 touchdowns, and both accomplished with a completion percentage of 66. At 23 years old, Mahomes can only go up, and under former Coach of the Year Andy Reid, he is going to do exactly that. Russell Wilson, Seahawks - Alex Burr Why Wilson? - Russell Wilson feels like the undervalued pick to me. The Seahawks are typically a run first team, but Wilson will probably have to sling the ball for them to win. A big part of being the MVP is to put your team in position to win, and Wilson has a reputation for leading Seattle to victory. What more do you want from an MVP? Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys - Thomas Butler-Guerrero Why Zeke? - Recently signing a six-year extension for $90 million after holding out the preseason makes Elliott a Cowboy through 2026. The current highest paid running back in league history has led the NFL in rushing two out of his first three seasons. Elliott is also the active leader (101.2) for rushing yards per game (2nd all-time behind Hall of Famer Jim Brown). Elliott, Le’Veon Bell, and Saquon Barkley are the three players in the backfield you can bet on to surpass 300+ attempts in 2019. If there is any player that has a chance to break the historical 2,000 yard mark, it will be the #21 with the blue star on his helmet. REMINDER, the last non-QB to win MVP was running back Adrian Peterson back in 2012. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs - Devin Voss Why Mahomes? - Everyone had their own set of expectations for Patrick Mahomes last season, but I’m not sure many could have predicted 5,097 yards and a 50:12 touchdown to interception ratio paired with a ridiculous 66% completion. The loss of Kareem Hunt hurt, but returning running back Damien Williams along with recent addition LeSean McCoy are more than formidable. It’ll be difficult for Mahomes to live up to the expectations he generated last year, but count me as a believer. Patrick Mahomes will reign in the AFC for years to come. Aaron Rodgers, Packers - Will Hogsett Why Rodgers? - Coming off a 2018 season in which Rodgers battled through multiple injuries, 2019 looks like a fresh start for the 15-year vet. A new head coach, added defensive pieces, and a healthy offensive line all look to give Rodgers more time with the ball. Rodgers looks primed to take back the crown that so many have given to Mahomes. Drew Brees, Saints- DJ Deak Why Brees? - The Saints are coming off a devastating loss in the NFC Championship last year. Drew Brees had an outstanding year, finishing first in completion percentage. Brees and the Saints are going to come out and avenge last year's defeat. Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack, Bears - Zach Griffith Why Mack? - Ask any quarterback. Khalil Mack, Bears - Bryce Shadday Why Mack? - Chuck Pagano referred to Mack as a “game wrecker.” And that he is. I really do not need to say much more. Aaron Donald, Rams - Jacob Keith Why Donald? - Back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year winner Aaron Donald averaged 20.5 sacks on the Super Bowl runner-up Los Angeles Rams under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. I expect him to do exactly that. Bobby Wagner, Seahawks - Alex Burr Why Wagner? - Madden gave him a 99, so he has to be good, right? All jokes aside, Wagner is one of the best covering linebackers in the league, and playing with Jadaveon Clowney should get him some more sacks. Aaron Donald, Rams - Thomas Butler-Guerrero Why Donald? Back-to-back DPOY, Donald is already making a case for Canton through his first five seasons. Only five players have led the league with a 20+ sack season since Michael Strahan broke the NFL record (22.5) back in 2001. DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen, Justin Houston, JJ Watt & Aaron Donald… If the already five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman can continue this dominance for another season, he will tie JJ Watt & Lawrence Taylor for the most Defensive Player of the Year Awards in the history of the NFL. Darius Leonard, Colts - Devin Voss Why Leonard? - In terms of value, there’s no doubt that Khalil Mack and Aaron Donald are two of the most valuable defensive players in football. However, it’s too hard for me to shy away from Leonard’s marvelous 163 tackles, 7 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions...as a rookie. To give perspective, the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers, attributed for 156 tackles, 2 sacks, and 4 interceptions. Leonard anchors the Colts defense the same way as Mack, Donald, and even Kuechly. I see no reason why he doesn’t follow up with a similar, if not better, sophomore campaign. Khalil Mack, Bears - Will Hogsett Why Mack? Plain and simple, the Raiders made one of the most questionable moves in NFL history when letting the 6-3, 250 pound defensive end go for a bundle of picks. With that being said, it doesn't matter what field Mack steps on each week, he will find a way to make an impact. Khalil Mack- DJ Deak Why Mack?- Mack is a big reason that the Bears made their way to the playoffs. He has a stopping power that can stop offenses to a halt. Opposing quarterbacks are scared of him before taking the snaps. Offensive Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray, Cardinals - Zach Griffith Why Murray? - It seems like any short quarterback with potential gets compared to guys like Drew Brees or Russell Wilson; that’s just not fair. However, it’s quite possible that Murray could be this year’s version of 2018 Baker Mayfield, who came close to leading the Browns to the playoffs. I could also see some 2017 Deshaun Watson here, especially considering the explosiveness and stats that he put up at Oklahoma last season. Kyler Murray, Cardinals - Bryce Shadday Why Murray? - I’m not going to lie, I do not feel as if there are a lot of good options to choose from this year. I would love to see Daniel Jones or Dwayne Haskins be unleashed Week 1, but that is not the case. On the other hand, I am excited to see what Murray can do paired with another young coach in Kliff Kingsbury. I expect Murray to make plenty of amazing plays with his arm but especially with his feet. David Montgomery, Bears - Jacob Keith Why Montgomery? - Sure, some people are not sure who this third round steal is. However, the former Iowa State running back is going to turn some heads in his first few weeks on the field. The Bears traded away Jordan Howard in the hopes that David Montgomery can cover what he was able to do on the ground. With a high usage rate, Montgomery could be the sleeper of the season. Also, if you are into gambling, +2000 odds are just about as good as you’re going to get. Kyler Murray, Cardinals - Alex Burr Why Murray?- Even though we don’t know how good of a coach Kliff Kingsbury is, we know he can coach offense well. Expect Murray to break rookie records for yards, and hopefully Larry Fitzgerald will shine this year. Kyler Murray, Cardinals - Thomas Butler-Guerrero Why Murray? - Simple answer to this is that out of all the skill position players taken in the first round, Murray is the QB with the keys to the franchise from day one...QB Daniel Jones will have to begin his career behind Eli Manning. It also does not help that the Philadelphia and Dallas defense will be four games that Washington QB Dwayne Haskins will have to face to begin his career. Not to mention that only one running back and one wide receiver were taken in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Murray proved how he could disrupt defenses at Oklahoma and will perform well enough to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year this season. Kyler Murray, Cardinals - Devin Voss Why Murray? - Kyler Murray was electric at quarterback during his single starting season at Oklahoma. When viewing his play as a Sooner, it’s almost a no-brainer why the Cardinals selected the former Heisman winner with the first overall pick. While his height is often picked on by those within the NFL, it has no real impact on his ability to make plays. He plays similar to Russell Wilson. Judging from his 69% accuracy rating at Oklahoma, and rocket arm, I think he’ll adjust fine to the NFL. There’s no need to expect perfection, but I think he’ll perform well enough to take home the trophy. Kyler Murray, Cardinals- DJ Deak Why Murray?- Murray's ability to read defenses and make quick decisions will speed up Arizona's offense. Having veteran Larry Fitzgerald will help make great plays downfield. Defensive Rookie of the Year Quinnen Williams, Jets - Zach Griffith Why Williams? - Not many defensive players in college can have the kind of impact that Quinnen Williams had for Alabama last season. Nick Saban’s prized defensive tackle controlled games at times (8 sacks in 2018), and he was simply too good for the Jets to pass up with the third overall pick. Look for Williams to wreak havoc early on opposing offensive lines. Ed Oliver, Bills - Bryce Shadday Why Oliver? - Oliver was one of the best interior defensive linemen in college football and honestly could have entered the draft following his sophomore season. On a rebuilding Bills team that finally has their quarterback of the future, look for Oliver to leave his mark on that defense and become a building block in Buffalo. Devin White, Buccaneers - Jacob Keith Why White? - Former LSU stud Devin White had 62 tackles last year. 62! On a bad Buccaneers team, I think that White can really do some damage lined up next to Lavonte David. Nick Bosa, 49ers- Alex Burr Why Bosa?- Bosa is a name that could become synonymous with success in the NFL, a la Gronkowski or Watt. Nick Bosa is such a game changer, Ohio State bemoaned him sitting out the season to prepare for the draft. Expect Bosa to headline a rejuvenated 49ers defense. Josh Allen, Jaguars - Thomas Butler-Guerrero Why Allen? JOSH ALLEN IS HARD! The former Kentucky Wildcat immediately transitioned to the Jaguars defense at training camp. The defense of the Jaguars took Jacksonville all the way to the AFC Championship just two seasons prior. Allen won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (awarded to the best defensive player in college football) in his last season at Kentucky. He left the all-time sack leader (31.5), 220 total tackles and 11 forced fumbles. Former teammate, cornerback Lonnie Johnson (Gary, IN), was selected in the second round by the Houston Texans and will also rise to the occasion, being able to shine early to begin his professional football career in the AFC South together. Devin Bush, Steelers - Devin Voss Why Bush? Devin Bush was a beast during his tenure with the Michigan Wolverines. A standout of one of the most hounding defenses in college football, Bush totaled 95 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 1 interception as a sophomore. His junior campaign wasn’t as spectacular, but I’m convinced Bush is brewing with talent. The Steelers tend to have a knack for selecting great linebackers in the draft and I think they found another with Bush. Josh Allen, Jaguars - DJ Deak Why Allen? - Allen finished last year as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He is going to help light up every offense that comes his way. He can put enormous pressure on the quarterback and is hard to stop with a full head of steam. Coach of the Year Doug Pederson, Eagles - Zach Griffith Why Pederson? - After winning it all two years ago, it’s safe to say that the Eagles took a step back in 2018. But now, with a healthy Carson Wentz back and ready to roll, Jordan Howard added to the backfield and DeSean Jackson returning, the Eagles are primed to fly high once again. Who better to run the revamped offense than Pederson? He’s been the ideal mentor for Wentz since he arrived in 2016, and don’t be surprised if Philly is knocking on the door of another Super Bowl berth. Frank Reich, Colts - Bryce Shadday Why Reich? - I think it’s pretty obvious that losing a top-5 quarterback two weeks before the season starts would shake up any team, but there seems to be a calm that Frank Reich brings to this good Colts squad. In his words, I think Reich will “roll” with the massive gut punch he received and guide the Colts to a great playoff run that cannot be ignored. Andy Reid, Chiefs - Jacob Keith Why Reid? - They should just rename this award “ The Andy Reid Coach of the Year Award.” I mean sure, he’s only won it once (2002), but this award is built for his teams. Great in the season, not great in the postseason, which works out for Andy Reid and this Chiefs squad. Freddie Kitchens, Browns- Alex Burr Why Kitchens?- Let's be honest, media voters are predictable. In the NBA, when a guy gets more minutes and scores more points, he gets Most Improved. In general, the media awards Coach of the Year to the coach who has the biggest turnaround of fortune. While the Browns were okay last year, if they win 11 games like I believe they will, it’ll fit the formula to get him to be Coach of the Year. Mike Tomlin, Steelers - Thomas Butler-Guerrero Why Tomlin? 2018 was the first season Pittsburgh did not make the playoffs since 2013. The Steelers still went 9-6-1 last season and that came with all the drama surrounding the Le’Veon Bell FULL SEASON HOLDOUT and Antonio Brown’s departure should not even have to be mentioned. Remember Tomlin sent AB home prior to Week 17 in a must-win game. With the retirement of Andrew Luck, the entire AFC is so watered down, almost 100% of the starting QBs are either on their way towards retirement or just out of college. Pittsburgh has not had a sub-.500 record since 2003. Nine wins is all it should take to get to the postseason this year and the Steelers will be the surprise team after losing both Bell and Brown. Doug Pederson, Eagles - Devin Voss Why Pederson? - It’s an understatement to say the Eagles were a disappointment a season ago following their Super Bowl win. While most teams endure fatigue from the extended season, the Eagles never seemed to click. Carson Wentz will come back on the scene this year and dazzle our eyes once again. Nick Foles gave a spark to the dull Eagles offense after Wentz went down, but understanding that Wentz was playing a fractured vertebrae, it’s easy to see why he wasn’t playing up to his full potential. With a new and improved offense, I think Pederson guides the Eagles back to being among the best in the NFL. Freddie Kitchens, Browns - DJ Deak Why Kitchens?- Kitchens is new to being head coach but he is surrounded by a talented team. He can take the Browns to the playoffs. The addition of Kareem Hunt helps solidify the run game. Surprise Team Indianapolis Colts - Zach Griffith Why the Colts? - No, Jacoby Brissett isn’t Andrew Luck. Yeah, it’s probably difficult for some Colts fans to get hyped up for the season now. Still, the time to panic isn’t now. Brissett has one of the best in the business (Frank Reich) calling plays and showing him the ins and outs of the new offense. With a stellar offensive line protecting him, there’s no reason to believe that Jacoby and Reich won’t be able to help Indy surprise their opponents. Pittsburgh Steelers - Bryce Shadday Why the Steelers? - After losing Antonio Brown, which doesn’t seem like a bad deal now, and Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers have somewhat been counted out with the emergence of the Browns and Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. But this really seems like a season where the Steelers can, thrive doesn’t it? James Conner being a reliable back with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Donte Moncrief, and James Washington out wide should relieve Big Ben on the offensive side of the ball. Pittsburgh addressed the improving defensive side of the ball by adding rookie Devin Bush. I think Mike Tomlin and Big Ben will pull together a nice season. Indianapolis Colts - Jacob Keith Why Indianapolis? - Listen, I am not here to cry about Andrew Luck leaving, and neither are the Colts. Jacoby Brissett is an average quarterback and EVERYONE on that team is going to be playing with a chip on their shoulder. I think that Reich’s squad will surprise not only fans, but the entire NFL. Atlanta Falcons- Alex Burr Why Atlanta?- The Falcons were not particularly great last year. That is to be expected, after a year where they were ravaged by injuries. Matt Ryan will be dominant again this year, and the defense is capable of returning to how they performed in 2016, when they made the Super Bowl. Even though Atlanta is in a tough division, they can make the playoffs. Pittsburgh Steelers - Thomas Butler-Guerrero Why the Steelers? - Just to reiterate, the Steelers have not won less than 8 games in the entire 15 year career of Ben Roethlisberger. Prior to Luck’s early retirement, the AFC seemed to be clear for New England, Kansas City and Indianapolis to dominate while the AFC North is balanced out (disregarding Cincinnati). An easy case to be made is that Cleveland will handle the North, however, strength of schedule will determine the AFC North champion. Six out of Pittsburgh’s final seven games this season will be against teams that were not in 2018 playoff contention. Finally, without AB and Bell, everyone seems to be counting out the Steelers but a divisional title will silence all critics of the Steelers drama from this past season. Atlanta Falcons - Devin Voss Why Atlanta? The Atlanta Falcons found themselves in an unfortunate situation last season. Their most significant defensive players, Deion Jones, Keanu Neal, and Ricardo Allen, were eliminated by way of injury. The Falcons have built arguably one of the best receiving corps in the league, their defense should return to earth this season, and Devonta Freeman will have more of an impact with Tevin Coleman gone. This team has all the potential to make the playoffs. San Francisco 49ers - DJ Deak Why the 49ers? With a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo coming back and the addition of Nick Bosa on the other side of the ball, I think they will be a balanced team that could make the playoffs. I think they have good chance to snag a wild card spot in the NFC. Disappointing Team Los Angeles Rams - Zach Griffith Why the Rams? - Other than the Saints, no team has a worse taste in their mouth than the Rams. They couldn’t get anything going in the Super Bowl, Jared Goff looked terrible, Sean McVay looked out of sorts, and Todd Gurley was nowhere to be found. I’m not saying the Rams will miss the playoffs or anything, but an early exit could be on the horizon for LA. Cleveland Browns - Bryce Shadday Why the Browns? - Unpopular opinion but water seeks its own level. This is the season we all find out if OBJ can keep himself together for one season and be a good teammate. It’s a good thought, isn't it? I just do not see it. I think Baker Mayfield will not be as effective as last year and with a first-year head coach that has had no head coaching experience, I do not see them having as good a year as everyone expects them to have. Dallas Cowboys - Jacob Keith Why Dallas? - I know Zeke just inked his six-year, $90 million contract, but I think this offense isn’t going to click like everyone thinks. Remember, Jason Garrett is still running the team, and until Jerry Jones cans him, I think that the Cowboys will remain in mediocrity. Los Angeles Chargers- Alex Burr Why the Chargers?- When it comes down to it, do we really trust the Chargers? Yeah, they had one healthy year last year. Just because they can stay healthy for one season doesn’t mean it’s sustainable. I mean sure, they have the most overqualified backup in Tyrod Taylor, but if they can’t stay healthy then it’s all for naught. Chicago Bears - Thomas Butler-Guerrero Why Chicago? - THREE POINTS IN SIXTY MINUTES AT HOME! QB Mitch Trubisky was sacked five times Thursday night while throwing one crucial interception late and 0 touchdowns. You cannot defend keeping starters out of the entire preseason just to perform sloppy on opening night. At one point, Chicago had three straight penalties (10 total), not to mention several dropped passes. The defense actually played amazing limiting Rodgers to just one touchdown and eventually will win games for the Bears. But the best quote about the limited play of Trubisky was said best by Packers cornerback Tramon Williams. “We knew if we could get Trubisky to play quarterback, we could win” Williams said after the game. Los Angeles Rams - Devin Voss Why the Rams? This was a tough selection, but I’m going to have to agree with Zach and select the Rams. Don’t get me wrong, the Rams will make the playoffs. However, I don’t see them getting much further than that. Jared Goff is a good quarterback in the NFL, but after his late season performances, I have my doubts on his ability to play on the biggest stage. It was also mind boggling as to why the Rams were choosing C.J. Anderson over Todd Gurley in the playoffs. Indeed, Gurley was banged up, but he was still active. Regardless, the Rams aren’t going to have the same season as last. Houston Texans - DJ Deak Why the Texans? Sure the Texans won the AFC South last year but the division has only gotten stronger over the offseason. They also traded away DE Jadeveon Clowney to the Seahawks. Best case scenario for the Texans is placing second in the division and winning a wild card spot. AFC Champions New England Patriots - Zach Griffith Why the Patriots - Does Tom Brady still have a pulse? There’s your answer. Kansas City Chiefs - Bryce Shadday Why the Chiefs? - Patrick Mahomes, LeSean McCoy, Tyreek Hill, Damien Williams, Travis Kelce….good luck. Steve Spagnuolo takes over the defense this year for Kansas City, which saw Dee Ford and Justin Houston depart but Tyrann Mathieu and Frank Clark added. Spagnuolo has won a Super Bowl with the Giants so he knows what it takes to get there and win it all. New England Patriots- Jacob Keith Why the Patriots? - I think that Bill Belicheck, Tom Brady, and Robert Kraft might be eternal. Until the clock runs out, write me down for them as AFC champs. New England Patriots- Alex Burr Why the Patriots? They added Antonio Brown. I hate them. Kansas City Chiefs - Thomas Butler-Guerrero Why the Chiefs? - Andy Reid has not won a Super Bowl since he was the offensive line coach for the Green Bay Packers back in 1996. This season, the Chiefs replace Kareem Hunt with Lesean McCoy and also added the honey badger Tyrann Mathieu in their secondary. Patrick Mahomes will have another MVP caliber season, so the one Achilles heel is clearly their defense. Imagine putting up 51 points on a Monday Night Game in LA and still lose. Then scoring a league high 66 offensive TDs during the regular season just to be blanked in the first half by New England at home. Kansas City was within a penalty of potentially reaching the Super Bowl but this year the AFC is wide open for the Reid, Mahomes and the Chiefs to take the throne from Brady and Belichick. Kansas City Chiefs - Devin Voss Why the Chiefs? Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City Chiefs - DJ Deak Why the Chiefs? Patrick Mahomes in his rookie year led the league in TD passes and now he knows what he is getting himself into. Sure, they lost Kareem Hunt but they brought in Lesean McCoy to fill his shoes not to mention Travis Kelce and newly acquired Tyrann Mathieu will bolster both sides of the football for the Chiefs. NFC Champions Chicago Bears - Zach Griffith Why the Bears - Very few players in the league can single-handedly win games for their teams. Khalil Mack is one of those guys, and Matt Nagy is one of those coaches. Look for Mitch Trubisky to be one of the most improved quarterbacks in the league this year thanks to Nagy’s guidance. The Bears will ride their young core all the way to the top. Philadelphia Eagles - Bryce Shadday Why the Eagles? - Carson Wentz, please stay healthy! This guy has been through a lot in his young career, but with the Eagles paying Wentz as token of faith, it is time to see what Doug Pederson and Wentz can do in the playoffs. DeSean Jackson is back where it all started and I think he will make a great impact on the field along with Zach Ertz and Alshon Jeffery not to mention a loaded backfield and a veteran defense that plays with a chip on their shoulder. New Orleans Saints - Jacob Keith Why New Orleans? - Listen, this three-headed monster of Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara is a fast-paced, high scoring group that was robbed out of the playoffs last year. That chip on their shoulder will show these hard-workers what it feels like to be NFC champs. Alex Burr: Seahawks Why Seattle?- If you closely examined this document, you might believe I’m a Seahawks fan. I am not, but this team is going to be very good. Adding Clowney to a defense that was best described as very good gives them another element that I am not sure if they necessarily needed. You give me Russell Wilson and a defense that competent, I’m taking those odds. Dallas Cowboys - Thomas Butler-Guerrero Why Dem Boyz? Who is the real threat to Dallas in the NFC? Philadelphia got swept by Dallas last season and New Orleans lost as well. Teams improved, but so did the NFC East champion Cowboys. Adding WR Randall Cobb and bringing back Jason Witten adds cheap veteran offense to what is already the best O-line (Smith, Frederick, Martin, Collins) in the NFC which is finally healthy. Ezekiel Elliot is inked through the mid 2020s and all the pieces are finally together for a Super Bowl run by America’s Team. Demarcus Lawrence, Robert Quinn, Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch and Byron Jones lead the defensive group in the Big D. Finally, nobody is under more pressure than Jason Garrett (the only coach in the final year of his contract). Finally, Dak Prescott (32-16 through first three seasons) will surpass 40 wins and secure the bag from Jerry Jones with an NFC title. New Orleans Saints - Devin Voss Why NOLA? Once upon a time, the Saints were one ambiguously missed pass interference call away from a possible trip to the Super Bowl. No doubt, the AFC has a ton of competition this year, but the hunger I presume the Saints have for hoisting the Lombardi after that loss is insurmountable. In a team sense, the Saints return with one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL and a defense that was top-15. Expect the Saints to steam roll their way to Hard Rock Stadium this winter. New Orleans Saints - DJ Deak Why the Saints? They are hungry for their spot in the Super bowl. They are ready to redeem themselves and show why they should have won that game. Super Bowl LIV Champions New England Patriots - Zach Griffith Why the Patriots? - Yeah. Kansas City Chiefs - Bryce Shadday Why the Chiefs? - The combination of coaches that have been to the Super Bowl and a top-3 quarterback is hard to beat. The Chiefs are going to be too good to let an offsides penalty be the thing that beats them this year. The Chiefs have too many playmakers across the board so again…..good luck. New England Patriots - Jacob Keith Why New England? - Highlight why they are going to win the AFC, left click, copy it. Paste it here. New England Patriots- Alex Burr Why the Patriots?- They. Really. Added. Antonio. Brown. Way to go Raiders, you handed them another championship. New Orleans Saints - Devin Voss Why the Saints? Despite his age, Drew Brees is still playing on an elite level. Thankfully for him, the Saints adopted a stellar defense, which translates to less of a load on the offense. A Super Bowl match between the Saints and Chiefs could make for one of the best pairings in recent years. Due to the nature of how they were eliminated last year, the previous experience of Brees and the defensive superiority of the Saints, I see Brees asserting himself into the history books and taking home the Lombardi one final time. New Orleans Saints - DJ Deak Why the Saints? Like I said earlier, the Saints are out to make up for last year's game. They are hungry for a title and Drew Brees is ready to show us that he is not done or anywhere near it.
After spring midterms, the rest of the semester feels like it flies by. As IUPUI students scramble to get semester projects finished and daydream about summer vacation, we at The Campus Citizen are working towards big changes in the next couple of months. As many of our editors and writers are graduating in May, and we are looking to hire a Campus Editor, Sports Editor, Culture Editor, Marketing Director and a Social Media Manager. Below are the requirements for each position: Campus Editor -Must have a passion for sharing stories from IUPUI students, staff and faculty -Knowledge of AP style guidelines -Timeliness, organization and good communication skills -Applicants MUST be a student in the Department of Journalism and Public Relations Sports Editor -A deep understanding of IUPUI athletics -Timeliness, organization and good communication skills (this job requires you to communicate with local professional sports teams) -Knowledge of AP style guidelines -Applicants MUST be a student in the Department of Journalism and Public Relations Culture Editor -Have a passion for covering local art, including music, visual art, film and food -Good communication skills -Knowledge of AP style guidelines -Timeliness and organization -Applicants MUST be a student in the Department of Journalism and Public Relations Marking Director -Journalism experience preferred -Good communication skills -Graphic design experience -Good communication skills, organization and timeliness -Background in customer service preferred Social Media Manager -Journalism experience preferred -Must have a good understanding of all social media platforms and how to use them to build engagement -Photography and graphic design experience preferred If you are interested in any of these positions, please send an email to thecampuscitizen@gmail.com with your name, class standing, the position you're interested in, and your availability for interviews. Portfolios are optional but highly recommended.
https://youtu.be/3AwNH8Kyayc Check out this week's department spotlight, focusing on the Campus Section with Supervising Editor J.A. Bedell. Learn more about what the Campus Section has to offer and the many opportunities that The Campus Citizen can provide students by visiting www.thecampuscitizen.com or following us on Twitter @CampusCitizen. Follow Bedell on Twitter @journobedell
This weekend, the IUPUI volleyball team did more than fight for wins. They showed support for those fighting harder battles. The Jaguars took advantage of a two-game home stand to show their support for both those battling breast cancer and women who have been the victims of domestic violence. The Jaguars started the weekend by honoring breast cancer fighter Gloria Nunez in the annual Dig-Pink game versus the Wright State on Friday. The Jaguars donned pink ribbons to recognize the fight against women’s stage-four/metastatic breast cancer. In the first set, the Jags kept it within four points the entire match, eventually losing 21-25 despite a late rally led by great efforts from junior McKayla Wright, who recorded eight digs and eight kills on the night. The Jags took the second set 25-23 with a combined team effort led by Maggie Gibson, who was just one dig short of a triple-double on the evening with 12 kills, 16 assist, nine digs, two blocks, and two aces. The Jags rally efforts were truncated in the third set, despite the defensive efforts by Abby Boatman. The Jags led 17-16 in the fourth set before giving up a 1-4 run and losing the match 21-25 in Maggie Gibson’s high impact last ditch efforts. Rhiannon Schuenemann recorded the most digs in the Dig-Pink affair with 19. The following day, the Jags swapped their pink ribbons for purple ones to show support for victims of domestic violence in another conference match up, this time against the Northern Kentucky Norse. The Jags took set-one 25-22 behind Maggie Gibson’s 10 points scored. The Jags were stunned in the second set, trailing 11-14, when a questionable in-the-net call foiled Coach Steve Payne’s plan to rally. Rebecca Schlechte and Rachel Hickey combined for two aces late to bring the Jags to a 21-21 standoff but were thwarted by the equal reprisal of the Norse’s Haley Libs to outpace the Jags 25-22 with equally stellar game play. The third set was a 23-25 shortcoming despite freshman Hannah Oehlberg generating momentum both early and late in the match with clutch kills. The fourth set was a disappointing walk-off at 14-25. “We knew [Northern Kentucky] was going to tip the ball on us, so we set up our defense to do that, and we readjust as the match goes on; and each set differently,” head coach Steve Payne said. “We go on to Green Bay now, who is tied for first place. We’ve already played them once, so we see what they did against us last time and change up what we did against them.” The Jags are on the road for much of the remainder of the month, returning home Wednesday, Oct. 31 against conference foe Cleveland State.
The wait for professional football has spanned 214 long days. Tonight, the wait is over. The Atlanta Falcons will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles and kick of the 2018-2019 NFL season. The sports staff at the Campus Citizen is just as excited as the rest of the world for the return of the NFL. Here are their predictions for the upcoming season. MVP Aaron Rodgers, Packers - Ryan Gregory Why Rodgers? I don’t know about you, but a $134 million contract extension would motivate me to play my best week in and week out. Rodgers is already the best quarterback in the league. The addition of Jimmy Graham at tight end gives him a much needed redzone threat and sixth-round draft pick Equanimeous St. Brown should prove to be an exciting deep threat for Rodgers to bomb it to. Aaron Rodgers, Packers- Noah Wolfgang Why Rodgers? Do I really need to explain why? Rodgers has been the best passer in the league for a few years now. He has something to prove coming off of an injury obtained this past season. I predict he’ll lead the Packers back into the playoffs while passing for over 4,000 yards and tossing 35-plus touchdowns. Don’t forget that the Packers signed Jimmy Graham in the offseason. Drew Brees, Saints- Zach Griffith Why Brees? It seems like the only accolade that Drew Brees can’t boast is the NFL MVP award; the man has a ring, a Super Bowl MVP award, 11 Pro Bowl invitations, and is a four-time All-Pro selection. With weapons like Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas and Mark Ingram to throw to, Brees’s arsenal is as loaded as it’s ever been. The Saints will again be NFC contenders and, when you throw in the fact that Brees is less than 1,500 yards away from breaking the all-time passing record, it just seems like a huge season is in store. Aaron Rodgers, Packers- Justin Powell Why Rodgers? Aaron Rodgers has proved countless times that he should be mentioned with the greats among quarterbacks. Rodgers has a Super Bowl and two league MVP’s already, not to mention the $134 million contract that he just signed to make him one of the highest paid NFL players. Coming of a season-ending injury last season, Rodgers looks to have a bounce back season. With the addition of Jimmy Graham, Aaron Rodgers will be more of a threat, especially in the red zone. Todd Gurley, Rams- Devin Voss Why Gurley? Aside from his lone disappointing sophomore season (thanks Jeff Fischer), Todd Gurley has proven his worth, specifically a season ago when he rushed for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns in the highest scoring offense from 2017 (thanks Sean McVay!). Though his rushing numbers were solid, his receiving stats were just as good for a running back. He totaled 64 receptions for 788 yards and six touchdowns. Those numbers alone were MVP worthy, now imagine what Gurley will do under a four year, 60 million dollar extension. AFC Offensive Player of the Year Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs - Ryan Gregory Why Hunt? Put simply, Hunt is the best player on the best offense in the AFC. He proved his worth in his rookie campaign last season, rushing for 1,327 yards and catching for another 455. The Chiefs will lean on him to ease first-time starter Patrick Mahomes into the offense. More touches equals more yards. Hunt will be considered one of the league’s best by the end of the season. Antonio Brown, Steelers- Noah Wolfgang Why Brown? My belief that Le’Veon Bell will continue to hold out has been all but confirmed.His agents are saying it may be a minute before he sets foot on the field. This puts all of the responsibility on Brown, and if the past six seasons or so have shown anything, it’s that Brown will pick up the slack in stride. Deshaun Watson, Texans- Zach Griffith Why Watson?- Deshaun Watson was ROLLING before an ACL tear cut his season short in 2017. It seemed like Houston was putting up 40 points every week, and guys like Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins were reaping the benefits of Watson’s cannon arm. Watson threw for almost 1,700 yards and tossed 19 touchdowns in only 7 games last season before the injury. Assuming he stays on the field, another stat-stuffing year could be in the making. Antonio Brown, Steelers- Justin Powell Why Brown?- Antonio Brown has been a weapon for Ben Roethlisberger since he came into the league in 2010. In the last couple of years, Brown has been a headache for opposing coaches, recording five straight seasons with over a 1,000 yards receiving. Until Bell comes back from his holdout, Big Ben will look to Brown as often as he can. He is in for another big year. Tyreek Hill, Chiefs- Devin Voss Why Hill? While this pick is bold, it’s not as bold as one would think. Pairing Hill with future MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes seems like a match from heaven. While Hill’s success ultimately depends on Mahomes’ development, on paper these two just seem unfair together. Last season with Alex Smith at the helm, Hill put up respectable stats, totalling 1,183 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. Why such a big jump this season? Patrick Mahomes has a legitimate cannon for an arm and pairing that with the fastest receiver in the NFL seems lethal. Hill will also make an impact in the kick/punt return game as well as rushing. AFC Defensive Player of the Year Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars - Ryan Gregory Why Ramsey? All eyes are on Jalen Ramsey after his excessive amounts of trash talk this offseason. Players as good as him are allowed to talk all they want. Ramsey has the potential to be a Revis-like game changer who can shut down any team’s number one option. Everyone will be gunning for him, but I believe he’s up to the challenge Yannick Ngakoue, Jaguars- Noah Wolfgang Why Ngakoue? The young defensive end for the Jaguars will have a career defining season. Look for him to build on a stellar 2017 campaign in which he racked up an impressive twelve sacks. Don’t be surprised if he records around 16 sacks this season. Joey Bosa, Chargers- Zach Griffith Why Bosa? I’m not buying all of the Chargers hype, but I’m all in on Joey Bosa. With the first Pro Bowl selection of his young career under his belt, the elite pass-rusher will be looking to build on his breakout 2017 season. Bosa posted 12.5 sacks last year and could push closer to 19 or 20 this time around. J.J. Watt, Texans- Justin Powell Why Watt? For the last seven seasons, Watt has been a headache for coaches and offensive lines alike. Watt has had three seasons where he has recorded over 15 sacks in a season. Watt has struggled with injuries in the past, most notably his season-ending injury last season. Look for Watt to be a monster on the defensive side of the ball. I believe he could push 20 sacks on the season if he stays healthy. Calais Campbell, Jaguars- Devin Voss Why Campbell? Campbell has always been a monster on the defensive front. Though he had many great seasons with the Cardinals, none of them compare to what Campbell did with the Jaguars a season ago. He recorded 14.5 sacks and 67 combined tackles. Though it seems the entire Jaguars defense is running for defensive player of the year, Campbell may have the most impact of the bunch. AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens - Ryan Gregory Why Jackson? As evidenced by his Heisman trophy and first round draft selection, Lamar Jackson is an elite talent. The Ravens will likely get off to a slow start behind the lacking arm of Joe Flacco. Enter Jackson. He will impress enough from the midway point of the season to take home yet another trophy, this time AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year. Sam Darnold, Jets- Noah Wolfgang Why Darnold? This was tough. Sam Darnold of Baker Mayfield? The edge goes to Darnold because he is the more NFL ready quarterback. The Browns didn’t give Mayfield the start like the Jets did for Darnold. Look for him to have a decent first season in the league to build his career on. It won’t be enough to carry the Jets into the postseason, but he should help the Jets improve from their five-win total last season. Sam Darnold, Jets- Zach Griffith Why Darnold? Darnold seems like the most logical pick here, mostly because we have no idea when Baker Mayfield will see some action in Cleveland. It looks like a grim year for the Jets is in store, but Darnold ought to be a bright spot for New York. He won’t put up the stats like Deshaun Watson did for Houston last year, but I think he could provide steady play like Dak Prescott did for Dallas in 2016. Sam Darnold, Jets- Justin Powell Why Darnold? Darnold was the third player taken, behind Mayfield and Barkley. With Mayfield starting the season as the backup for Cleveland, we don’t know when he will be at the helm for the Browns. Darnold can be a bright spot for a Jets team that looks to build from last season. Darnold can be the quarterback that leads the charge for a Jets team in rebuilding mode. Sam Darnold, Jets- Devin Voss Why Darnold? With Darnold being declared the week one starter for the Jets and Baker Mayfield starting the season on the bench, this pick is simple. Darnold will not lead the team to the playoffs but he will put up respectable numbers as a rookie. AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year Harold Landry/Rashaan Evans, Tennessee Titans - Ryan Gregory Why either of these two? The Titans were dying for linebackers going into the draft this year. Evans was a given in the first round and Landry fell into their lap in the second. Both of these players are game-changers who, if they perform to their draft stock, could be the turning point this Titans team has been searching for on defense. Bradley Chubb, Broncos- Noah Wolfgang Why Chubb? Chubb is blessed to have been drafted by the Denver Broncos. He should be a great fit with Denver. He will learn from Von Miller, one of the best in the game. Combine this with his natural talent and you have a solid rookie. The fact that opposing teams will have to put two bodies on Miller should provide an easier path to the opposing quarterback. Bradley Chubb, Broncos- Zach Griffith Why Chubb? I was really hoping that Chubb would fall to the Colts in the draft, but John Elway landed him one pick in front of them. The Broncos’ defense has been among the best for a few years, so the addition of Chubb should keep that trend going. Put him alongside Von Miller and you’ve got yourself a scary-looking unit in Denver. Bradley Chubb, Broncos- Justin Powell Why Chubb? Bradley Chubb was the most anticipated player on the defensive side of the ball to be drafted back in April. Going to the Broncos and learning from Von Miller and a defense that has been top notch in past seasons can be beneficial for Chubb. Look for Chubb to have a huge season, and that Denver defense to be one of the best in the league again. Bradley Chubb, Broncos- Devin Voss Why Chubb? Bradley Chubb was highly touted coming out of North Carolina State and it’s not too hard to see why. He recorded 10 sacks in each of his last two seasons in the ACC. While Denzel Ward will be a hot commodity to the Browns defense, Bradley Chubb will have the biggest impact on the field. NFC Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints - Ryan Gregory Why Thomas? Thomas has three great blessings in his life. One of them plays quarterback and the other two play running back. With legitimate other targets on the Saints offense in Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, defenses are no longer solely concentrated on Thomas. With Drew Brees, one of the best quarterbacks ever, throwing him passes, Thomas should ball out this season. Todd Gurley, Rams- Noah Wolfgang Why Gurley? The Rams should be scary good this upcoming season. That defense should keep quarterbacks up all night. The offense will be carried by Gurley. Goff will be good, but Gurley will be better. A solid offensive line will open plenty of holes for him to burst through.With his capabilities, he should be tearing off big gains on a regular basis. Todd Gurley, Rams- Zach Griffith Why Gurley? This was a pretty simple choice. Gurley’s going to be the best fantasy running back for the second straight year, the Rams are shaping up to be The Greatest Show on Turf 2.0 and opposing defenses will have their hands full. Don’t be surprised if Gurley pushes 1,800 yards on the ground or even 20 touchdowns (had 13 last year). Drew Brees, Saints- Justin Powell Why Brees?- Drew Brees consistently puts up monster numbers in the passing game. Brees is less than 1,500 yards away from breaking the all-time passing yards record, which was set at 71,940 by Peyton Manning in 2014. Look for Brees to have another 4,000 yard season, and look for the Saints to be contenders in the NFC. Alvin Kamara, Saints- Devin Voss Why Kamara? Nobody expected Alvin Kamara would have such an impact for the Saints last season. Drafted in the third round, the former Tennessee Volunteer exploded as part of the Saints one-two punch at running back, which also featured Mark Ingram, last season. Seemingly out of nowhere, Kamara rushed for 728 yards on only 120 carries while pounding the ball into the endzone eight times. He also caught 81 passes for 826 yards and five touchdowns. With his sophomore season almost underway, one can only imagine what his numbers will be with a bigger role. NFC Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears - Ryan Gregory Why Mack? Mack was the best defensive player in the AFC until a trade brought him to Chicago from the Raiders. Now, Mack has his chance to wreak havoc upon a new host of trembling quarterbacks. Paired on a defensive line with other weapons like Leonard Floyd, Mack should thrive in the Midway. Aaron Donald, Rams- Noah Wolfgang Why Donald? Donald is ready to prove that he is worth every cent of that $135 million. He is the most dominant player on any defensive line across the league and will be the leader of a fantastic Rams defense. Look for him to have 10-plus sacks for the second straight season. Harrison Smith, Vikings- Zach Griffith Why Smith? Harrison Smith is one of the few safeties in the league who can command a quarterback’s utmost attention. He’s spearheading Minnesota’s dominant defense yet again and the Vikes are hoping for a Super Bowl run. If that turns out to be the case, you can bet that Smith will be one of the main reasons why. Aaron Donald, Rams- Justin Powell Why Donald? Aaron Donald spent part of the training camp in a holdout looking for a new contract. Boy did the Rams deliver with a $135 million deal that makes him the second highest paid defensive player in the league. Aaron Donald deserves every penny of that and is ready to prove that he is worth that much with a monster season. I expect him to have 15 sacks. Khalil Mack, Bears- Devin Voss Why Mack? The Bears robbed the Raiders of Mack and that’s putting it nicely. The Bears just acquired a top three defensive player who fits perfectly into Vic Fangio’s defense. Joining an already ferocious defense, Khalil Mack will put up huge numbers this coming season. That should be what’s expected from the now highest paid defensive player in the league. NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions - Ryan Gregory The last time a Detroit Lions running back rushed for more than 100 yards in a game was on Thanksgiving in 2013. That is an inexcusable drought for Detroit, but Johnson has the talent to flip the script. With little competition for the starting job, Johnson should step in immediately and start producing. Saquon Barkley, Giants- Noah Wolfgang Why Barkley? Rookie running backs are arguably the most NFL ready players every year. This year will be no exception as there will be many great rookie backs. Leading the charge will be Barkley. He’s an absolutely electric runner who is a consistent threat to find the endzone on every play. He will also be running behind an improved offensive line. Look for him to scratch at those unbelievable numbers that Ezekiel Elliott put up as a rookie in 2016. Saquon Barkley, Giants- Zach Griffith Why Barkley? Rookie running backs have been the talk of the town since 2015. That season, it was Todd Gurley. The year after that, Ezekiel Elliott. Last season? Kareem Hunt and Alvin Kamara. Barkley gives us no reason to think that trend will come to a halt. Saquon can catch passes out of the backfield, is a supremely gifted runner and can return kicks with the best of them. Barkley gives Eli Manning another weapon to go with Odell Beckham, Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard. Saquon Barkley, Giants- Justin Powell Why Barkley? Saquon Barkley was the second pick in the year’s draft behind only Baker Mayfield. At Penn State, Barkley did everything. That is why he was taken so high in the draft. Some people are calling Barkley the next Ezekiel Elliott. I think he will do more this season than Elliot did in his rookie season back in 2016. With Barkley in the backfield, and having Odell Beckham, Eli Manning and the Giants are in for a big year. Saquon Barkley, Giants- Devin Voss Why Barkley? Behind a relatively subpar offensive line, Barkley is still due for a huge season. Why? Pure talent. Barkley was phenomenal running the ball for Penn State. He can do anything asked of him whether it be run the ball, catch the ball, or even return kicks. While I don’t believe the Giants are going to put their franchise running back on the field to return kicks, he’ll be a massive part of the Giants offense. Barkley ultimately will relieve pressure off Eli Manning and even open up the passing game for receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard. NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year Jaire Alexander/Josh Jackson, Green Bay Packers Why either of these two? It’s fair to say the Packers haven’t been great defending the pass in recent years. Last year, they were in the bottom half of the league in pass yards allowed per game. Both of these corners have a high ceiling and should see legitimate playing time as rookies. The nod here will probably go to Jackson. Once a wide receiver, he was known for his knack for interceptions at Iowa. Roquan Smith, Bears- Noah Wolfgang Why Smith? Smith doesn’t face an overwhelming amount of competition for this spot. Even if he simply plays an average rookie season, he would still be my pick for this award. He led Georgia in tackles in both 2016 and 2017, and he should continue to make tackles in the NFL. He and Khalil Mack should be a terror for opposing defenses. Roquan Smith, Bears- Zach Griffith Why Smith? First they drafted Smith, then Khalil Mack fell into their lap; the Bears’ defense is looking better by the day. Smith was a standout in college for Georgia and I think his elite abilities will carry over to Chicago. Roquan Smith, Bears- Justin Powell Why Smith? Smith was a big reason why the Georgia Bulldogs made it to the National Championship last season. Leading the Bulldogs in tackles each of the last two seasons, Smith looks to bring that same mentality to Chicago. Playing alongside Khalil Mack will be beneficial for Smith, and the Bears defense will be much improved this season. Roquan Smith, Bears- Devin Voss Why Smith? Roquan Smith fits the Bears defensive system so well that it’d be almost impossible for him to fail. Smith lead the stellar Georgia Bulldogs defense to the NCAA National Championship last year. His contract holdout may have set him back a bit but it won’t stop him from taking the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Most Improved Player John Ross, Cincinnati Bengals - Ryan Gregory Why Ross? Speedster receiver John Ross finally looks comfortable. In his rookie season, he was obviously not used to running routes against defensive backs that could keep up with him. From what I saw in the preseason, Ross looks more like a receiver than a track star, as he did previously. With A.J. Green across from him to take some of the spotlight away, Ross should be an important part of the Bengals offense this year. Myles Garrett, Browns- Noah Wolfgang Why Garrett? Call me crazy, but I can see Garrett doubling his 2017 sack total of seven this season. He earned those seven while only playing twelve games. Way back in January, he said that he is not satisfied with his rookie season, and you know he has been putting work in this offseason. Mitch Trubisky, Bears- Zach Griffith Why Trubisky? I don’t think the Bears will make a ton of noise this season, but Trubisky could. He showed some flashes last year and, with the addition of Allen Robinson, Trubisky has the go-to receiver that he was looking for. Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen are viable pass-catchers from the backfield and Trubisky looked more than comfortable giving it up to them in 2017. Don’t expect a huge leap from rookie to sophomore year, but look for a better-than-expected showing from Trubisky. Jared Goff, Rams- Justin Powell Why Goff? The Rams are set to have a monster season with the additions of Brandon Cooks, Aqib Talib, and Robert Woods. Jared Goff led the Rams to an unexpected playoff birth last season that caught everyone by surprise. With the additions to his arsenal, Goff will have another big year for the Rams. John Ross, Bengals- Devin Voss Why Ross? There’s no direction John Ross can go besides up this season. After not catching a single pass last season, expect Ross to be a household name by the end of this season. Being a first round pick and on a team that lacks depth at his position, Ross should be able to put up big numbers with his uncanny speed and knack of being able to catch the ball. Comeback Player Josh Gordon, Browns - Ryan Gregory Why Gordon? Josh Gordon showed flashes of greatness at the start of his career. In 2013, he caught for 1,646 yards. He has dealt with his fair share of off the field issues. Gordon seems refocused on football and intent on restoring the career he nearly lost. He’s a freak athlete and, shockingly, the Browns have some playmakers that should open up the field for him. Look for him to make a splash in his return to the Browns. Andrew Luck, Colts- Zach Griffith Why Luck? It’s easy to forget just how good Andrew Luck was before the injuries began piling up. In 2014 (the last time he played all 16 games), the guy threw for over 4,700 yards and led the league in passing touchdowns with 40 while leading the Colts to the AFC title game. I’m not saying he’ll take Indy deep into the playoffs (or even to a winning record), however I do think that stellar stats are well within the realm of possibility. Andrew Luck, Colts- Noah Wolfgang Why Luck? Based on his performance this preseason, during which he evaded defenders to extend plays and carried the Colts offense, I can confidently say that Luck will, if not, already has, returned to pre-injury form. He should throw for over 4,000 yards and 25-plus touchdowns, although this won’t be enough to carry a barren Colts team into the playoffs. People also tend to forget that he did play through injury in 2016 on a Colts team had about as much talent as this one. That season he put up 4,240 yards and 31 touchdowns. J.J. Watt, Texans - Justin Powell Why Watt? Coming off another season-ending injury last season, Watt looks to have a bounce back season with the Texans. In his career Watt has shown why he is one of the best pass rushers in the league, leading in sacks in multiple years and recording over 20 sacks in two seasons, not to mention the many batted down balls he has recorded in his career. Watt is the leader on the defensive side of the ball, and I expect him to have another big season revamping that Texans defense into a force. Andrew Luck, Colts- Devin Voss Why Luck? As long as Luck can stay healthy throughout the regular season, this should be his award for the taking. Luck has proven his extraordinary talent many times by leading the Colts to three straight playoff runs in each of his first three seasons as a pro. Luck’s 2014 season was huge to say the least, throwing for 4,671 yards and 40 touchdowns at a 61.7% clip while leading the Colts to the AFC Championship game. If Luck can put up anything relatively close to those numbers, he’ll have this award in the bag. AFC Champion Jacksonville Jaguars - Ryan Gregory Why The Jaguars? The reign of the Patriots is finally over! The Jags will ride a stellar defense, powerful running back, and painfully average quarterback to the AFC crown. New England Patriots- Noah Wolfgang Why the Patriots? I’m not buying into all of the Chargers hype. Blake Bortles just won’t get the Jaguars through (as much as I’d love to see them upset the Patriots). If anything he’ll hold them back. The Bell situation in Pittsburgh doesn’t bode well. So who’s left? The most consistent Super Bowl contender since 2000. New England is still the best team in the AFC by a long shot. Sure, Tom Brady doesn’t have any receivers, but his isn’t the first time. It’s not the second time, either. Heck, it may not even be the third time. He also still has Rob Gronkowski, who, contrary to Jalen Ramsey’s belief, is an elite target. Let’s not forget that Edelman will return week five. As much as I dislike the Patriots, I just don’t see them being dethroned from the AFC crown quite yet. Maybe someday. Houston Texans- Zach Griffith Why the Texans? I’m definitely going out on a limb here, especially since Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are still in New England. But think about it this way: Houston ought to be in the postseason (either by winning the AFC South or as a Wild Card), they’ll be able to outscore just about any team out there with Watson throwing bombs to Fuller and Hopkins and they know the Jaguars’ defense better than anybody. Jacksonville is the only other serious challenger to the Patriots, and something tells me Deshaun Watson will outduel Blake Bortles in a big game scenario. New England Patriots - Justin Powell Why the Patriots? Tom Brady can be argued as the best quarterback of this generation, with the five Super Bowl rings and three league MVP’s, he is a no doubt hall of famer when he retires. In the past, Brady has turned no-name receivers into legitimate threats with each game the Patriots played. With Julian Edelman out for the first four games, Brady will still have Gronk as his main weapon of choice. I don’t see how anyone in the AFC can dethrone Brady and the Patriots this season. Los Angeles Chargers- Devin Voss Why the Chargers? This may be a shot in the dark but on paper, the Chargers should be one of the top three teams in the AFC. This could end up being one of Phillip Rivers’ best seasons at quarterback. Not only does he have one of the best receiving corps in the league (Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, Mike Williams, and Travis Benjamin), he has one of the best running backs in the league with Melvin Gordon. Combine that with the Chargers good (but not great) defense and they should be set up of a deep playoff run. NFC Champion Los Angeles Rams - Ryan Gregory Why the Rams? The Rams were already pretty good last year. This offseason, they added studs like WR Brandin Cooks (traded from New England), CB Marcus Peters (traded from Kansas City), CB Aquib Talib (traded from Denver), DT Ndamukong Suh (free agent signing), and CB Sam Shields (free agent signing). This team is loaded and primed for a Super Bowl run. New Orleans Saints- Noah Wolfgang Why the Saints? With a vaunted defense like the Rams have, it’s going to take an all-time great quarterback to beat them. Why not Brees and his band of Saints? Drew Brees and the Saints have Alvin Kamara. Brees can put even more votes bearing his name into the the GOAT hat this season by not only passing Peyton Manning for most passing yards all-time, but by capturing that elusive second Lombardi trophy. The Saints defense is pretty solid as well. Look for the Saints to edge the Rams in what should be one of the greatest NFC Championships of all time. Los Angeles Rams- Zach Griffith Why the Rams?- They already had Aaron Donald. Then, they added Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. That’s just scary. With an improved Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods heading the offense, LA could end up going 13-3 or better. Cooks gives coach Sean McVay the deep-ball threat that he was lacking last year, so Goff will be looking his way every chance he gets. Their main challengers will be the Eagles, Vikings, Packers and Saints, but their defense will be so dominant that it just won’t matter. Los Angeles Rams- Justin Powell Why the Rams? The Rams last season shocked the league by winning the NFC West and making it to the playoffs. This season they are a legitimate threat to make it to the Super Bowl. The Rams offense and defense last season already many weapons, with the additions of Aqib Talib, Brandin Cooks, and Robert Woods, Sean McVay and the Rams are a force to be reckoned with in NFC. New Orleans Saints- Devin Voss Why the Saints? The New Orleans Saints were one missed tackle away from going to the NFC Championship last season. Being on the opposite end of one of the most iconic plays in NFL history had to leave a bad taste for the Saints. This season they will be hungrier than ever to get to the Super Bowl. Besides, why not give Drew Brees one last ride? Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams - Ryan Gregory Why the Rams? The Jaguars vs. Rams Super Bowl will be a clash of some terrifyingly talented defenses. The Rams get the nod because of their superior offense. Jared Goff is coming into his own at quarterback and running back Todd Gurley II is still hot after rushing for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. New Orleans Saints- Noah Wolfgang. Why the Saints? In a battle of the old guys, the Saints will come out on top. When the Saints have a good defense, they win championships (look at Super Bowl XLIV for reference). This year, New Orleans will have the best defense it has had since that franchise-defining defense in 2010. Drew Brees will be out to win another ring. Alvin Kamara should be able to run all over a less than stellar Patriots defense. Michael Thomas will have a big game. That defense I mentioned should be able to keep Brady in check. Los Angeles Rams- Zach Griffith Why the Rams? Texans vs. Rams will be a classic battle between elite offense and elite defense. Honestly, if Houston’s defense is 100% healthy, who’s to say they couldn’t rival LA’s? However, we’ve heard this song before (Broncos vs. Seahawks, anyone?). I don’t think it’ll be the 43-8 debacle that was Super Bowl XLVIII, but it will be a convincing victory for this young and talented Rams core. Los Angeles Rams- Justin Powell Why the Rams? Patriots vs. Rams will bring a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI and will be a battle of old vs. young. The Rams have a young core group of players that are ready to make their names heard, and the ageless wonder Tom Brady has won an incredible five Super Bowls in his career, with one of those being against these same Rams in 2002. This time there won’t be sixth ring for Brady. Tn a close battle, the Rams will edge the Patriots to win the Super Bowl. New Orleans Saints- Devin Voss Why the Saints? The Saints arguably have the most motivation of any team not named the Atlanta Falcons to make it the Super Bowl. Their defense will be great and their offense will be even better. The experience and talent of Drew Brees will lead the Saints to their second Super Bowl win in eight years. Surprising Team Arizona Cardinals - Ryan Gregory Why the Cardinals? Often looked at as a draft bust, quarterback Sam Bradford is a serviceable starter when healthy. If he does go down with an injury (as he usually does) rookie Josh Rosen looked pro-ready at UCLA. David Johnson, forgotten by most after losing a season to a knee injury, is a superstar-caliber player. Larry Fitzgerald has the most reliable hands in football and Christian Kirk brings an exciting splash of youth to the receiving corps. The defense may allow a slew of points, but the offense should drum up some unexpected wins. Houston Texans- Noah Wolfgang Why the Texans? The Texans are primed to be a playoff contender this year, and I’m at a loss as to why they aren’t getting the same level of attention that the Chargers are. With multiple players returning from injury, including stud Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt, the Texans should be considered a lock to win around ten games. They finished fourth in the AFC South last year (they somehow managed to lose to the Colts twice), which means that they have a pretty easy schedule outside of the division. Watch out when the get into the playoffs. Watson performed well in big games while at Clemson, so don’t be shocked when he leads the Texans to a AFC Championship appearance. The Patriots will ultimately stand in their way, though. Atlanta Falcons- Zach Griffith Why the Falcons? Don’t sleep on Matty Ice and company. Julio Jones is the best receiver in football. Devonta Freeman will run through anybody and Tevin Coleman is one of the best pass-catching backs in the game. The defense is solid, they have playoff experience and came as close to winning the Super Bowl as you can get. It just seems like people have been overlooking the Falcons even though their offense should continue to be explosive. With that infamous Super Bowl LI now two years behind them, Atlanta should challenge teams like Philly, Minnesota, LA and the Saints for NFC supremacy. Cleveland Browns - Justin Powell Why the Browns? I think the city of Cleveland has had enough of the their favorite football team having bad seasons, and this season will be different for the city of Cleveland. After going winless last year, Cleveland looks to rebound in a big way, and I believe they will and make the playoffs this year. Baker Mayfield is the future for the Browns no doubt, and with key acquisitions in the draft and in free agency like Jarvis Landry, Carlos Hyde, and the return of Josh Gordon, this Browns team is ready to put up a fight in the AFC North. Carolina Panthers- Devin Voss Why the Panthers? The Panthers were finally able to acquire some talent at the wide receiver position to help out Cam Newton. They drafted D.J. Moore out of Maryland, picked up Torrey Smith and Jarius Wright in free agency, and still have Devin Funchess at their disposable. Christian McCaffrey should have a huge second season as well. The Panthers defense should be solid just as they have been for the past couple seasons. Disappointing Team Los Angeles Chargers - Ryan Gregory Why the Chargers? The hype has been palpable for the Chargers this offseason, some going as far as to predict them as Super Bowl champions. I just can’t see them living up to those standards. A revamped Broncos defense and an electric offense in Kansas City stand of the way of LA even winning the division, let alone the conference. With the loss of tight end Hunter Henry to an ACL injury and a failure to upgrade at the linebacker position, LA will fall short of expectations. Seattle Seahawks- Noah Wolfgang Why the Seahawks? Long gone are the days of the Legion of Boom. Now it’s just Russel Wilson. No one really has the Seahawks being a playoff team anyway, but I think they could be competing for the top pick in the draft. Remember those terrible Colts teams from the past few years? The Seahawks have become their reflection; a terrible team riding on the shoulders of a great quarterback. What’s worse is that the offensive line can’t keep Wilson off the ground. Just ask any Colts fan what happens when your only playmaker gets injured. Not to mention, they have the Rams and 49ers to deal with in their division. Pittsburgh Steelers- Zach Griffith Why Pittsburgh? The Steelers’ 2018 campaign is off to a rough start thanks to Le’Veon Bell. The star running back isn’t reporting to the team, Big Ben isn’t getting any younger and Ryan Shazier is a long way from playing again. Without Bell, the offense won’t be as intimidating, even with Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster running patterns for Roethlisberger. The Steelers could be a huge letdown for fans and the NFC North should very much be up for grabs. Pittsburgh Steelers- Justin Powell Why the Steelers? The Steelers will have to start off their 2018 campaign without Le’Veon Bell, who is holding out, because he wants a new contract and won’t play under the franchise tag. Without Bell, more pressure will be put on Big Ben and Antonio Brown to produce. Although I see Antonio Brown having a huge season, without Le’Veon Bell Big Ben will be forced to pass more, and putting that much pressure on him and his receivers is asking too much. The Steelers could be in trouble this season, and the NFC North is wide open for the taking. Pittsburgh Steelers- Devin Voss Why the Steelers? It almost seems as if the Steelers consistently sit on the throne of disappointment. Nothing should change this season. The Steelers have all the talent in the world to win the Super Bowl yet last year the Jacksonville Jaguars ran past them in the AFC Divisional game. That upon itself is an embarrassing feat. With talent slowly starting to balance out in the AFC, expect the Steelers to once again dissapoint. Coach of the Year Matt Nagy, Chicago Bears - Ryan Gregory Why Nagy? Nagy enters his first season at the helm in Chicago with a lot of young talent and low expectations. That is the perfect formula to win Coach of the Year honors. The Bears finished 5-11 last season which led to the firing of John Fox. The offense was 29th in the league in scoring. Nagy brings an exciting playbook with him from Kansas City. Last season with Nagy as offensive coordinator, the Chiefs were sixth in scoring. Under his guidance, young talent like Jordan Howard and Roquan Smith should turn the fate of the struggling Bears. Bill O’Brien, Houston Texans- Noah Wolfgang Why O’Brien? Sometimes a great team will win this award for their coach. O’Brien is a pretty decent coach on his own. Average play caller. Average game manager. What he has done very well is assemble a young, skilled core, and for that he must be given credit. After the Texans make a surprise run to the AFC Championship game, O’Brien will get the credit he deserves. Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs- Zach Griffith Why Reid? Patrick Mahomes will seamlessly transition into Alex Smith’s role in 2018. Reid was able to rejuvenate Smith’s career in KC and Mahomes could be in for a big season with Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and Kareem Hunt flanking him. Reid will play a huge part in Mahomes’s development, which should translate to a record of at least 10-6. Don’t be shocked if the Chiefs make some noise come playoff time, so you’ll most likely be giving Reid his due. Hue Jackson, Cleveland Browns - Justin Powell Why Jackson? The city of Cleveland has had enough of seeing the Browns lose. The future for the Browns is bright, and I believe Hue Jackson can get the job done. After going winless last year, you have to believe that he is fired up and ready to fight this season. The Browns are loaded on the offensive side of the ball and look to be among the top in the league. Don’t be shocked come December to you see the Browns in the hunt for a playoff spot. Jay Gruden, Washington Redskins- Devin Voss Why Gruden? After Kirk Cousins destined to leave in free agency, the direction of the Washington Redskins was unknown. Then out of nowhere breaking news had hit that the Redskins acquired Alex Smith from the Chiefs. Smith had his best season of his career last year and within Jay Gruden’s west coast, game managing style of offense I expect Alex Smith to thrive once again. Recently adding Adrian Peterson was a great move as well. The Redskins will likely be a playoff team this upcoming season and it wouldn’t be shocking to see them among the best in the AFC.
Every year, the dark cloud of an impending finals week has one silver lining: Record Store Day. On the third Saturday of April, local record stores, food trucks, music lovers and hipsters come together to celebrate the wonders of analog. With some avid record collectors lining up hours before the stores open, participants have the chance to walk away with exclusive pressings, listen to local music and munch on goodies from local restaurants and food trucks. This phenomena of communities coming together to support the arts will happen nationwide on Saturday, with live performances and activities scheduled throughout the weekend here in Indianapolis. We take Record Store Day very seriously here at The Campus Citizen. Not only is it a chance to get your fill of local beer, it also serves as a great opportunity to support local shops and the thriving music scene here in Indianapolis. Welcome to our Ultimate Guide to Record Store Day 2018. Whether you're wondering what albums to pick up or what bands to see, we've got everything you're looking for right here. Party on. The List Since 2007, musicians-from big names to indie acts- have put out limited edition releases. From box sets to 45's, the releases you'll find on Record Store Day are just as diverse as the people in the huge lines outside record stores waiting to get their hands on them. A box set of Eric Clapton's "Crossroads" reminded us of the first time we picked up a guitar trying to impersonate Slowhand himself, and Bruce Springsteen's 2014 release "American Beauty" helped fuel our obsession with The Boss. This year, a yellow-wax release of Led Zeppelin's Sunshine Studio mix of "Rock and Roll" and "Friends" will be available-insert question about a possible reunion here- and an Arcade Fire EP are among the myriad releases available this year. For a complete list, click the record below. WHERE TO SHOP There are no shortages of independent record stores here in Indianapolis. While we said farewell to Irvington Vinyl in late March (we miss you, Rick!), there are still plenty of shops where you can get your vinyl fix. Whether you're looking for a traditional record store, or one decked out with a full bar, look no further than Broad Ripple. We should note, however, that there are some awesome record stores outside of Broad Ripple participating. Luna Music and Indy CD & Vinyl are arguably the most visited stores on Record Store Day, with full line-ups of local acts and a wide selection of the aforementioned exclusive pressings. Click the record below for a complete list of acts performing at these venues this weekend. Square Cat Vinyl in Fountain Square is still a relatively new shop, but they too are gearing up for a large crowd. With their bar and coffee shop inside the store, food provided by Gomez BBQ and plenty in performances, it's safe to say that Record Store Day has extended far beyond the Broad Ripple limits. What to Eat While records may be the big star of Record Store Day, food is also a star player in the weekend. Food trucks, beer and coffee will likely be everywhere the eye can see. Whether you're in the mood for Mexican food, traditional English pub food or a burger, you'll be in luck if you shop around in Broad Ripple. If you'd rather opt for a sit-down joint after a long day of record shopping, save your receipts. Fat Dan's Chicago Deli will give anyone with a Record Store Day receipt 10 percent off their bill. A visit to Fat Dan's will also put you in the running to win one of 100 pressings of a Flaming Lips' beer-infused vinyl. A Record Store Day receipt will also get you a free order of crack fries from HopCat. Seriously, folks, save your receipts. Collectors Corner Around the world, Record Store Day brings countless people to their local record stores, including some of us here at The Campus Citizen. Here, you'll find two columns from intern Chris Walter and Editor Breanna Cooper, as well as Q&A's with local record collectors. When you make it back home on Sunday night after a long weekend of good music, food and local art, there's one thing to remember. Record Store Day comes once a year, but you have plenty of chances throughout the year to support the local musicians, artists, cooks, and business owners that make days like Record Store Day so enjoyable. So have a blast this weekend, but be on the lookout for events that help promote the work of the people that make Indianapolis a great place to live.
If you think analog is a thing of the past, you've probably never walked through Indy CD & Vinyl or Luna Music in the heart of Broad Ripple. Here, the spirit of technologies past lives on, thanks to the music lovers who swear by the traditionalist format. This year, as they do every year, both stores have a loaded schedule of performances. Indy CD & Vinyl Nestled between an optometrist office and a bustling night club, Indy CD & Vinyl is known for family-friendly events, and their Record Store Day celebration is no exception. Along with exclusive releases, the shop will have face painting and games outside, where you can also grab a bite to eat from food trucks from Union Jack and Kumo’s Corner. On Sunday, Girls Rock, a not-for-profit camp dedicated to sharing music with young girls, will be at the shop. While bringing your family is encouraged, have no fear….they’ll have beer. Indy CD & Vinyl is the official Record Store Day venue for Dogfish Head Brewery. The musical lineup for Saturday features the Indianapolis-based Chives, Rob Funkhouser, and more. Saturday April 21 Doors open at 8 A.M. Live Music Starts at noon inside the store. Nicholas Rowe - Singer/songwriter Chives - Psychedelic Rock/Punk band based out of Indianapolis David Peck - Electronic Musician and DJ Mark Tester - An artist who has been performing in Indianapolis since the early 80s his musical styles are a mix of experimental music and funk. Evan Snyder - A folk acoustic artist who is influenced by a number of bands from Black Sabbath to Tool to Bad Religion and country blues. Rob Funkhouser - An experimental artist who is an instrument builder lives in Indianapolis. He graduated from Indiana University where he studied musical composition A-Squared DJs Duchess Sunday April 22nd: Indy CD & Vinyl hosts their big outdoor music fest. Addison Agen of NBC’s The Voice will be performing. Agen, 17 was born in Fort Wayne, IN. She was a runner-up on the show where she performed songs such as “Tennessee Rain.” Ritual Howls - An Alternative Indie band based out of Detroit, Michigan. Michael Raintree - Featuring local musician Oreo Jones Razor Shines - A post grunge band that is based out of Ocean County, New Jersey. They currently have a new EP out called “The Light Brigade.” Brother O’Brother - A heavy blues rock band from Indianapolis their songwriting influences are inspired by the White Stripes, MC5, and the Black Keys. They released an album last year on Fonoflo records called the Neon Native. Sarah Grain - She is performing with her band the Billions of Stars. Her music is a combination of folk, bossa nova, rock, Americana, and jazz. They released an album last year called called Something Wild ByBye - An electronic experimental band from Indianapolis. Their newest album Metamorphasize was just released in February. Cosmic Preachers - A funk blues and rock band that is currently unsigned. They have an album called Inner Space which you can purchase and download from their website. [fvplayer src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ww_rAk4yJo"] LUNA MUSIC If you’re dedicated enough to stand in line in the early hours of the morning, you can grab some complimentary doughnuts from Taylor’s Bakery from the Luna staff. If setting your alarm for 4:00 a.m. isn’t your thing, there will be plenty of things going on throughout the day. Discounted “vintage” Record Store Day releases, food from La Margarita and a glow-in-the-dark slipmat, designed by the Brain Twins, are just a few of the things to catch on Saturday. In the lot behind the store, you can catch six hours of live music from local groups. 1 P.M. Vess Ruhtenberg who will be supporting his newest album released in November of 2018 called “Tremendous Downtime.” 2 P.M. Kevin Krauter an alternative artist who’s newest album Toss Up will be released June 14th. 3 P.M. Sleeping Bag an alternative band based out of Bloomington, IN. 4 P.M. White Moms an interesting mix of punk and electronic music you can listen to their newest album White Wine on their website: https://whitemoms.bandcamp.com/album/white-wine 5 P.M. Service will be performing, they are a punk band is inspired by artists like Lou Reed, Nirvana, and Siouxie and the Banshees 6 P.M. Mudkids, who will be performing their first show in over a decade. They are a Hip-Hop group and you can listen to some of their music at the Musical Family Tree website: http://www.musicalfamilytree.com/band/mudkids
Looking back, 2017 presented maybe one of the most diverse arrays of great films within a single year. From summer blockbusters, to year-end Oscar bait, to even early offerings of horror, audiences were treated to a consistent stream of exciting, hilarious, moving and horrifying times at the theater. Naturally, the Oscars have reflected this diversity, with films like Lady Bird, The Shape of Water and Get Out, as well as small nods to films like Logan, Blade Runner 2049 and Baby Driver. Now, obviously, film is subjective. Not every person will agree about every little thing about every single movie, but that’s where the beauty of film lies. What’s listed here are simply our predictions of who will win, who we think should win, and we think should have been at least nominated, not the be all end all of what is and isn’t good. Best Film Editing Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Baby Driver Dunkirk Call Me By Your Name Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Baby Driver Dunkirk Blade Runner 2049 Best Costume Design Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: The Shape of Water The Shape of Water The Florida Project Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: The Shape of Water Phantom Thread Star Wars: The Last Jedi Best Production Design Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: The Shape of Water The Shape of Water Phantom Thread Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: The Shape of Water The Shape of Water Star Wars: The Last Jedi Best Makeup and Hairstyling Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Darkest Hour Darkest Hour The Shape of Water Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Darkest Hour Darkest Hour The Shape of Water Best Sound Mixing Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Blade Runner 2049 Dunkirk Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Blade Runner 2049 Dunkirk War for the Planet of the Apes Best Sound Editing Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Blade Runner 2049 Dunkirk Call Me By Your Name Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Blade Runner 2049 Dunkirk Call Me By Your Name Best Cinematography Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Blade Runner 2049 Blade Runner 2049 The Florida Project Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Blade Runner 2049 Blade Runner 2049 The Post Best Visual Effects Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Blade Runner 2049 Blade Runner 2049 The Shape of Water Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Blade Runner 2049 Blade Runner 2049 Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Best Original Score Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: The Shape of Water Dunkirk Blade Runner 2049 Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: The Shape of Water The Shape of Water Blade Runner 2049 Best Original Song Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Remember Me Remember Me Who’s The (Bat)Man Coco Coco The Lego Batman Movie Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Remember Me Remember Me Evermore Coco Coco Beauty and the Beast Best Animated Feature Film Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Coco Coco The Lego Batman Movie Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Coco Coco The Lego Batman Movie Best Adapted Screenplay Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Call Me By Your Name Call Me By Your Name Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Logan Call Me By Your Name Blade Runner 2049 Best Original Screenplay Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: The Shape of Water The Shape of Water The Florida Project Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: The Shape of Water Get Out Coco Best Supporting Actor Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Willem Dafoe Willem Dafoe Mark Hamill The Florida Project The Florida Project Star Wars: The Last Jedi Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Sam Rockwell Sam Rockwell Armie Hammer Three Billboards Outside Three Billboards Outside Call Me By Your Name Ebbing, Missouri Ebbing, Missouri Best Supporting Actress Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Laurie Metcalf Allison Janney Bria Vinaite Lady Bird I, Tonya The Florida Project Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Allison Janney Allison Janney Holly Hunter I, Tonya I, Tonya The Big Sick Best Actor Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Gary Oldman Gary Oldman Hugh Jackman Darkest Hour Darkest Hour Logan Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Gary Oldman Gary Oldman Tom Hanks Darkest Hour Darkest Hour The Post Breanna Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Daniel Day-Lewis Daniel Day-Lewis Tom Hanks Phantom Thread Phantom Thread The Post Best Actress Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Saoirse Ronan Frances McDormand Brooklyn Prince Lady Bird Three Billboards Outside The Florida Project Ebbing, Missouri Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Sally Hawkins Frances McDormand Michelle Williams The Shape of Water Three Billboards Outside All the Money in the World Ebbing, Missouri Breanna Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Meryl Streep Saoirse Ronan Vicky Krieps The Post Lady Bird Phantom Thread Best Director Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Guillermo del Toro Guillermo del Toro Luca Guadagnino The Shape of Water The Shape of Water Call Me By Your Name Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Guillermo del Toro Guillermo del Toro Denis Villeneuve The Shape of Water The Shape of Water Blade Runner 2049 Best Picture Stephen Should Win: Will Win: Snub: Call Me By Your Name The Shape of Water Logan Manuel Should Win: Will Win: Snub: The Shape of Water The Shape of Water Coco Disagree with us? Let us know in either the comments below or on Twitter @CampusCitizen. Who knows, you may be way better at this than us.
The Super Bowl is beloved for many reasons. Some point to the clever commercials as their favorite part. Others prefer the halftime show. And then there are the crazy ones, the people who watch the Super Bowl for the actual game. Tom Brady isn’t worried about what Justin Timberlake will sing for his performance. Legarrette Blount is just fine with missing Budweiser’s new commercial this year. The New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles are set to square off in a rematch of the 2005 Super Bowl. Back then, Tom Brady was still a young man trying to prove himself. Today, he’s regarded as the best in the game and possibly the greatest of all time. The Eagles come into the game as underdogs. The Patriots are favored by four and a half points. Philadelphia was at one point the favorite to win it all. That was, until their star quarterback Carson Wentz went down with an ACL injury. Nick Foles has stepped into the role and performed well enough to get them here. This game is a clash of old versus new. The Eagles have never won a Super Bowl. The Patriots have won two of the last three. The city of Philadelphia is hungry for their first championship, but those in New England know they’re good. So the question remains, who wins? The sports writers of the Campus Citizen weigh in. _________________________________________________________________ Tyler Fenwick The New England Patriots had the most efficient offense in the NFL this season, according to Football Outsiders. And before you start babbling about how few teams use their quarterback as often as the Patriots, don’t lose sight of the fact that New England also features the third-most efficient ground game. On paper, the Philadelphia Eagles seem to have a defense that can disrupt at least some of the Patriots’ offensive groove (Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller said the key is pressure up the middle). This is what everyone will be paying attention to: Tom Brady vs. the Eagles’ defense. That’s simple and broad, but true. And Brady’s gonna win—because GOATs don’t lose. New England 28, Philadelphia 20 _________________________________________________________________ Chris Walter This one is going to be a close one, but I think that Nick Foles is going to pull a Jeff Hostetler and lead the Philadelphia Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. I believe that Foles is going to surprise the New England defense and throw 2 TDs and over 300 yards in the game. Tom Brady will get his opportunities probably throwing a couple touchdowns in the effort but the Patriots will come up short. Philadelphia 24, New England 17 _________________________________________________________________ Ryan Gregory I hate to say it, but there is no beating the Patriots this year. I love the Eagle’s defense this year. They’re tenacious and are dripping in swagger. My issue is the offense. The one-two punch of Legarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi need to carry Philadelphia’s offense, because it’s highly unlikely that Nick Foles torches their secondary. The Patriots are the better team and have been here before, so they get the edge in a close game. Tom Brady does enough with his arm to squeeze out his sixth ring. New England 17, Philadelphia 7 _________________________________________________________________ Leighann Strollo As someone who has increasingly lost interest in the NFL over the last few years, I couldn't think of two teams I don't want to watch in the Super Bowl more than the match up this year. Although, there is something about the underdog Nick Foles bringing the Eagles to face the big bad Pats that makes them a little more likable. Philadelphia will surely put up a good fight against a stellar New England offense but I just don't see it being enough to win. Brady will do what Brady does best (unless he's up against Eli Manning of course) and turn up the heat late in the game to solidify his sixth ring. Who knows, maybe he's already filmed a commercial showing it off, just as he did last year with his fifth. New England 24, Philadelphia 13 _________________________________________________________________ E.J. Bryan We once again find ourselves watching the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. This time they face an Eagles team that has a great defense, but Nick Foles as their QB, the Patriots defense is gonna force Foles to make game winning plays. They will focus on stopping the run and in the end, Foles is gonna crack under the pressure. In the end Brady will have as many rings as Jordan. New England 31, Philadelphia 17