By: Kevin Cottrell Jr. 

STUDENT ATHLETES...Every year the NCAA uses the college football bowl season and the NCAA basketball tournament to promote the STUDENT athlete. Many times we as fans tend to lose sight of the fact that these gifted athletes also carry the burden of performing well in the classroom as well as on the hardwood or gridiron. Now obviously many of the players are not properly acknowledged because so many of the athletes are known for not completion their collegiate matriculation and others have been found to have cheated in the past. While all of that may be true none of that has to do with one Myron Rolle. Rolle is a Free Safety for the Florida State Seminoles and although FSU has not been as dominate as past Seminole teams Rolle has exceeded expectations in the classroom. In fact, Rolle was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford, where he intends to study medical anthropology. As a result of his performance Rolle has decided to forego his senior year to attend Oxford. In making this decision he has also delayed his plans to enter his name into the NFL draft. So now when you hear the term student-athlete please be aware that there are legitimate one's out there. In the case of Myron Rolle he should no longer be called a student athlete but a Rhode Scholar. Congratulations Myron!

I. NFL Week 15 Predictions: (Last Week: --) I know you're probably saying I left ya hanging for the past couple of weeks (and I did..) put it wasn't personal here's my sure fire picks for this week's games with playoff implications. Let's take a look!

1. (7-6) Saints @ Bears (7-6) (Th. 8:15 pm NFL Network)- These two teams have identical records but headed in two totally different directions. The Bears are one game out of their division lead and the Saints are clinging on to their Wild Card hopes. The past few years the Saints have had to travel to the Windy City in the middle of December. Although the games have provided various fireworks that outcomes have all been the same. The Bears come out with the win. I tend to not believe that Dome teams in the South have trouble playing outside in the Winter but the numbers say otherwise. Drew Brees and company will be locked and loaded but so will the Bears and the forecast. High 20 degrees. Prediction: BEARS by 6

2. (9-4) Buccaneers @ Falcons (8-5) (1:00 FOX)- This game is huge as the two NFC South teams clash for a shot at one of the two Wild Card spots. The Bucs were in position to win the division when the Panthers denied them of their chances on Monday night. As for the Falcons they've been the surprise of the season as their rookie Coach, QB and new RB have all come together to form a true NFC force. Within the division home teams are 24-2 and as I glance at the schedule this game will be played in the Georgia Dome. Outcome decided. Prediction: FALCONS by 3

3. (8-5) Vikings @ Cardinals (8-5) (1:00 FOX): This game should have a playoff atmosphere, the Vikings are holding on to a one game lead in their division and even thought the Cards have clinched their division they look to get in gear for their first trip to the playoffs in a million years! It looks like the Vikes will put the ball in the hands of inexperienced Tavaris Jackson. The same QB that lost his job to Gus Ferotte earlier in the year. What this will equate to is a heavy dose of Adrian Peterson. On the flip side the Cardinals have a pair of pro-bowl receivers and an experienced QB that will be using this game to prepare for playoff situations. This game may turn into a shootout but the home team seems to have the edge. Prediction: CARDINALS by 4

4. (10-3) Steelers @ Ravens (9-4) (4:15 CBS)- Both the Steelers & Ravens are coming off wins that should be credited to their defenses. Pittsburgh fought back against the Cowboys and the Ravens ripped apart the Redskins the entire game. So which defense will bend but not break this weekend? I would have to lean towards the Ravens because they will be backed by the energy of their home crowd. However, the Steelers will have an opportunity to feast on the rookie signal caller Joe Flacco. The Ravens have an opportunity to catch the Steelers coming off the emotional high of defeating the Cowboys and put themselves in position to win the AFC North. This game is very tough to call but the team that can rattle the opposing quarterback will be victorious. Prediction: STEELERS by 3

**GAME OF THE WEEK**

5. (11-2) Giants @ Cowboys (8-5) (8:15, NBC)- I know what Cowboy fans across the nation is thinking, where is that team that was featured on Hard Knocks? Where is the Cowboys team that everyone picked to run away with the NFC? Well you're looking at them. The Giants will travel to Irvin, Texas to play a Cowboys team who seems to be up against the ropes. Marion Barber is banged up, Pacman is knocked out and T.O. and Romo is not on the same page. The good news for the 'Boys is that the Giants too have internal issues. So which team can overcome its soap opera and get things back on track? Home field is always a good remedy then again so is good play. The 'Boys are fighting for their playoff lives and the Giants are simply trying to lock up home field throughout the playoffs. With that said the Cowboys will have to find a way to pull things out under the bright lights of Texas. This game is a definite must see. Prediction: COWBOYS by 3

***Quick Picks***

Packers over Jaguars

Titans over Texans

Broncos over Panthers

Redskins over Bengals

Rams over Seahawks

Browns over Eagles

Dolphins over Niners

Patriots over Raiders

Colts over Lions

Jets over Bills

Chargers over Chiefs

II. Sports Ventz