Christmas is a special time of year for those of us in the Christian faith. Most importantly it’s a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, but it’s also a time to gather with family and friends.

It has become a tradition at this time of year to exchange gifts with those same friends and family. While the season of giving culminates today, let’s take a look at some of the things on our favorite teams’ wish lists.

I know Atmore’s own Tyler Nero and the rest of the Auburn Tigers are hoping for a great performance in the BCS National Championship game in Pasadena, Calif. on Monday, Jan. 6.

Tigers fans are hoping for a victory too. It should be a good game between Auburn and Florida State, but I don’t expect the SEC team to lose and believe it will be eight championships in a row for the conference.

Florida State has a very high-powered offense, but the Tigers are downright unstoppable this season. A combination of great coaching and talented athletes make this Auburn team very dangerous.

When it comes to strength of schedule, the Tigers have the advantage as well. The Seminoles have been impressive this season, but have only played one offense anywhere near the caliber of the Tigers — and that’s the offense of another set of Tigers, the ones from Clemson.

Auburn has played in the built-in playoff division called the SEC West this year. That means they’ve taken down Alabama, Texas A&M and Ole Miss. They’ve also defeated Georgia in the East.

When the dust clears in January, I think Santa will have delivered the goods for Auburn in a close win against Florida State.

Alabama fans, who’ve been spoiled by success since Nick Saban took over as coach, will once again ask Santa for a BCS victory, although this time it’ll be in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Even if it won’t be a national title, Alabama’s recent success can’t be ignored. Take it from someone who witnessed four years under the Mike Shula regime, there’s happiness in Tuscaloosa.

I don’t know how motivated the Tide will be to beat Oklahoma in the Superdome. Alabama had its eyes on taking a trip out to the Rose Bowl, but those dreams were crushed in a second in the Iron Bowl.

Looking forward, the New Orleans Saints just need Santa to help them continue to improve this week and make a playoff push that might land them in a very cold Super Bowl.

The Atlanta Falcons want Kris Kringle to deliver a good draft pick in April. The Falcons still have a lot of talent, but some new energy may be needed in order to get back to their winning ways.

I left the Braves wish list to our publisher Justin Schuver, who has been a fan of the team since he was a kid. He said Braves fans will be hoping for a return to form by the Upton brothers, as well as continued production from catcher Evan Gattis, who will most likely be the starting catcher now that Brian McCann is gone. Gattis was a great feel-good story last year, but it will be interesting to see if he can handle the added pressure of being the No. 1 guy.

That’s it. Those are your sports wish lists this year. Here’s hoping everyone was good and gets everything they want. Merry Christmas.

 

You can email Dale Liesch at dale.liesch@

atmoreadvance.com