Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him @JHelmuth or "like" CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
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Sports Looking Forward 2014
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10. NHL Winter Classic - Jan. 1
The Red Wings and Maple Leafs will face off in this still fairly new hockey winter tradition. This year's Classic is special in that the game will be played in Ann Arbor, Michigan inside "The Big House," where they will attempt to break the world record for the highest attended hockey game -- more than 115,000 are expected. The weather? About 20 degrees with a 70 percent chance of snow.
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9. Manny Pacquiao's next fight - ?
Pacman was initially slated for an April fight but now word is swirling that he is actually in line for talks with Floyd Mayweather for May 3 -- which, of course, would be a dream come true for boxing fans. Mayweather has given Pacquiao strict guidelines to even allow talks, which includes not working with promoter Bob Arum. Rumors say Pacquiao will be coming back to the States in January as a free-agent in hopes of landing the biggest fight of the year.
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8. Winter/Summer X Games - January/June
While the winter games in Aspen (Jan. 22-26) are sure to be as great as ever, let's be honest, they'll be shadowed by the upcoming Sochi Winter Games. Keep an eye on the Summer X Games this June 5-8 where they'll crash Austin, Texas for the first time.
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7. The World Series - Oct. 22 (tentative)
Although last year's World Series finished in six games, it was one of the most memorable in recent history considering Boston's epic comebacks and the bizarre endings provided by St. Louis. We can only hope for the same drama this year -- 'obstruction' or not.
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6. BCS National Championship - Jan. 6
Is Auburn a team of destiny or is Jameis Winston the Superman everyone thinks he is? It will be interesting to see if the SEC can pull off an 8th straight BCS National Championship -- which is absolutely ludacrous. If Auburn wins, the trophy stays in the state of Alabama for the 5th straight year. If FSU wins, the trophy moves just 195 miles south.
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5. The NBA Finals - June 5
With Derrick Rose out again you can already punch Miami's ticket to the Finals for the fourth straight year. The question is whether or not LeBron can three-peat, just as Michael Jordan did twice. Will the Blazers keep blazing through the West? Will the Spurs surprise everyone again and take back the title (by guarding Ray Allen and not taking out Tim Duncan in crucial moments)? If the 2014 Finals is as good as the 2013 version, we're all in for a wild ride.
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4. March Madness - March 18 (opening rounds)
The 2013 NCAA Tournament was about as insane as we've seen in a decade. Not only did Florida Gulf Coast become the first No. 15 seed to make it to the Sweet 16, but unlikely Wichita State took a magical Cinderella ride to the Final Four. There is also an incredible amount of future NBA stars that will be playing in this year's tournament, featuring Duke's Jabari Parker, Kansas' Andrew Wiggins and Kentucky's Julius Randle.
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3. Sochi Winter Olympics - Feb. 7-23
Can Lindsey Vonn retain her Gold medal status on a partially torn ACL? What does Shaun White have in store? And does the U.S. hockey team actually have a chance at gold? These questions are just a few of the reasons Americans will tune in come February -- and we haven't even touched on the gay rights issue. It will be interesting to see which athletes step up to the plate.
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2. The Iron Bowl - Nov. 29
The 2014 game is already being talked about considering 2013's was arguably the greatest college football game ever played. While last month's game was the highest ranked Iron Bowl in history (Alabama No. 1 and Auburn No. 4), it's very likely that the two teams will be ranked just as high and with just as much on the line in Tuscaloosa in '14. Just don't expect another missed field goal return for a touchdown. DO expect tailgaters to show up even earlier than one week before kickoff like the previous date.
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1. Super Bowl XLVIII - Feb 2
Not since the "Ice Bowl" back in the 60s has there been a cold weather Super Bowl. Many think the NFL is certifiably insane for even considering hosting the biggest game in American sports in a city that could see a snow storm blow through during kickoff. Not only are we excited to see who makes the big game, but it's just as exciting to see what the weather will be like. Considering tickets are going for $10,000, you're best watching it from your warm and toasty couch for the price of nachos and dip.
