By Michael Kelley ’14 and Mick Kowaleski ’14

The NFL Season is more than halfway over. The Mike’D Up guys give a couple midseason awards and their favorite story of the year.

Kowaleski: I, along with the rest of America, have fallen in love with J.J. Watt. The Houston Texan behemoth is making waves, but I have to say that Peyton Manning wins his fifth MVP. Last year, we saw just how much he meant to the Colts in terms of win total, and his presence alone has moved Denver from an 8-8 wild card team to a potential #2 seed in the AFC.

Rookie of the Year, despite Doug Martin’s huge day last week, goes to Colts’ QB Andrew Luck. He’s done so much for the team, and his calm and poise in the pocket befit a number one pick. They are in strong contention for the wild card, and it’s all due to Luck. Ryan Tannehill is close, but this week’s Colts win over my Fins just reassured Luck’s place as the best rookie quarterback in the 2012 Draft. RG3? All style, not enough W’s.

On a personal note, my favorite story this season has been the Utter Collapse and Humiliation of the New York Jets. This will probably be the last year I’ll be able to see Rex Ryan and the Sanchize lose together, and I’m relishing it. Absolutely relishing it.

Kelley: Peyton Manning, huh? He continues to amaze, coming off a serious neck injury, but playing as though it never happened. However, I have to go in a different direction. Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons has played stellar football through eight games, guiding Atlanta to an 8-0 record and boasting stats of 2,360 passing yards and a 103.0 QB Rating, third in the NFL.

Rookie of the Year: If he keeps current pace, Andrew Luck will win this award in a landslide. Preseason projections dubbed Luck and RG3 to be neck and neck, but Luck has clearly shown he is the prize of his draft class. If this was supposed to be a rebuilding year, what happens in 2013 and beyond? It could be scary, very scary.

My favorite story this season has been the resurgence of the dominant Bears defense that has gone missing in recent years. This defense is scary good and scores at a rampant pace that rivals their offense. They have allowed the fewest points in the NFL and have scored the most points by a defense. Déjà vu to 1985, anyone?

The 2012-13 NCAA Men’s Basketball season kicks off on November 9. Who will cut down the nets in March?

Kowaleski: LOVE ME SOME HOOSIERS! They were my darlings last season, and I love them again this year. Cody Zeller, aka The Big Handsome, is my favorite non-Syracuse player in the nation, and after averaging 16.6 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game, he’s bulked up and looks to factor even more in this 2012-13 season. Christian Watford, Victor Oladipo, and Jordan Hulls solidify the rest of the squad. There are very few flaws on the team, and although I expect Michigan and Kentucky to challenge, I’m all in on Indiana.

My major conference picks:

ACC: Trendy pick is NC State, but North Carolina.

Big East: Rare homer pick. Syracuse.

Big Ten: Trey Burke gives Michigan a shot, but Indiana.

Big 12: Baylor looks good, but gotta go with Kansas.

Pac-12: A great freshmen class gives UCLA the nod.

Patriot League: I hate to do it. I really do. But Lehigh. Don’t kill me.

SEC: Kentucky despite Florida and Mizzou.

Again, don’t kill me.

Kelley: Back to back goes the Kentucky Wildcats. Coach John Calipari finally got the weight off his back and won the elusive national championship after many journeys to the Final Four.

Yes, Kentucky graduated almost every major contributor from last year’s squad. But who better to progress newcomers than Calipari, who consistently recruits the most talented players the high school level has to offer and makes them seem like seasoned veterans come March Madness. Nerlens Noel is an absolute freak on the court. Good luck to all who cross his path.

Perhaps this team drops an early upset but that is just growing pains. The kinks will work themselves out and come time for the national stage, no one is better than Calipari.

My major conference picks:

ACC: Duke

Big East: Louisville

Big Ten: Indiana.

Big 12: Too much consistency from Bill Self; Kansas.

Pac-12: Arizona.

Patriot League: C.J McCollum is too good. Lehigh

SEC: Kentucky