Chicago Cubs - It is fair to say that the Chicago Cubs have underperformed this season. They've been plagued by injuries, bullpen woes and a lack of timely hitting.
Best Case: They right the ship, realize they are only 2.5 games down in a winnable division, get healthy and make a run into the postseason. They get through at least one playoff season this year.
Worst Case: They struggle throughout the year, but keep it close enough just to break the lil' Cubbie blue hearts of Cubs fans everywhere. They spend money to sign aged vet Pedro Martinez, which flops. And to top it all off, they end the season without completing the sale of the team from the penny pinching Tribune Company.
Most probable: I think this team still has a reasonable shot of winning the division this season. They have the pieces, they will likely get a few parts back from the DL soon, and may add to the roster at the trade deadline. I highly doubt they make a run at the World Series this year, and if they make another first round exit, I wonder if it isn't time to blow this team up and try to hit the reset button with some new young prospects.
Minnesota Twins - The Twins sit a few games behind Detroit in the AL Central.
Best Case: The Twins do have a young, exciting team this season. If they can add a bullpen arm or two to get them to All Star closer Joe Nathan, they have a chance at winning a few more games down the stretch. Joe Mauer continues his superhuman hitting and wins both the batting title and MVP.
Worst Case: The team fades, young pitchers can't hold it together in the second half of the season and Detroit walks away with the AL Central.
Most probable: I'd say this team has about a 50-50 shot of winning the division. If they do make it into the postseason, they could win a series against Texas or the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but probably not the Yankees or Boston. At they very least, there should be optimism for Twins fans - they have a young team and a new ballpark opening next season.
Minnesota Vikings - The Vikings were 10-6 last season with two very, very average quarterbacks running the offense. This offseason, they drafted some rookies that will help right away and are looking to sign future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. Favre is known for his cannon arm and reckless abandon on the gridiron. For him to have success with the Vikings he will simply need to stretch the field slightly to keep defenses honest for Minnesota's already strong backfield.
Best Case: With Favre, a record of 11-5 or a repeat of 10-6 is possible. Don't put me in the category of Vikings fans worshiping at the alter of Brett quite yet, but I think with a healthy arm he can still play. The Vikings would have to ask Favre to rely on the run more than he did in the first ten weeks of last season, and in this scenario Percy Harvin - the Vikings new wideout - shreds offenses forces to play up against Minnesota's potent running attack. Without Favre, I still see as many as 9 wins. Sidney Rice could become the red zone threat that he has shown himself capable of becoming. Adrian Peterson could be an MVP candidate.
Worst Case: Brett Favre signs, then re-aggravates his arm and drags the team down by throwing interceptions late in the season. Vikings lose to Packers in both games, and muster splits with Detroit and Chicago. They miss the postseason despite sky-high preseason expectations.
Most probable: This is tough to call. I think they will sign Favre, boosting both TV ratings and ticket sales. It will be a two way race for the division between the Bears and Vikings. Though I like that scenario for the Vikings, they haven't made it to the Super Bowl since I've been alive and they've never won.
California Golden Bears Football - California has been knocking on the glass ceiling HARD the last few seasons, but they just haven't been able to break through. Last year they were 9-4 and were rewarded with a trip to the Emerald Bowl in which they defeated Miami in one of the highest rated mid-range bowl games last season. But let's not pretend that fans of the Golden Bears were perfectly satisfied with the performance. It seems like every season the Bears, led by coach Jeff Tedford, lose one game they shouldn't and fall to USC. Pundits have also predicted Oregon to rise to the top of the Pac-10 for the past several seasons, despite falling to Cal in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Best Case: Cal could be a BCS bowl contender this season, but they have to limit themselves to just one or two losses - and they can't lose to both USC and Oregon. Kevin Riley, a junior this season, should be an upgrade over graduating Nate Longshore. Longshore, despite giving Cal fans some great memories, actually saw his completion percentage decline every season he played. Running back Jahvid Best stays healthy all season and competes for the Heisman Trophy (something Marshawn Lynch, DeSean Jackson, et. al. couldn't quite do).
Worst Case: Riley doesn't progress, Best gets nicked up, and the Bears lose to USC, Oregon and Minnesota getting yet another invite to the second place bowl.
Most probable: I'm optimistic about the Golden Bears this season. I think they take a step forward and USC takes a step back without newly minted New York Jet Mark Sanchez. The big tests will come early. Weeks 3-6 could be fantastic or tough (at Minnesota, at Oregon, USC, then at UCLA - a possible letdown game).
Minnesota Golden Gophers Football:
Best Case: A repeat of last year's success. Last year, I was hoping the Gophers would win 4 games after their dismal 2007 season. Instead, they won 7 games last season and were rewarded with a trip to the Insight Bowl. They drew a tough matchup in their bowl game (Kansas). People have, for years, predicted the Gophers would wind up in the lowliest of postseason games - the Motor City Bowl. Thankfully, they've nearly always managed to squeak into slightly more desirable bowl games. This season, however, any bowl appearance would be a great finish to a really tough looking schedule.
Worst Case: 4-8. I see them beating South Dakota State and Air Force for sure, after that it is anyone's guess.
Most probable: No matter what happens to the Gophers this season on the field, they will be opening up a new stadium, bringing football back to the University of Minnesota campus. That's a plus. Recruiting will likely improve over the next couple of seasons and the team is loaded with young talent.
