One failed game

I had noted earlier to another blogger that if the BYU Cougs came to play they could take this game. They were one of the Jekyll and Hyde teams I saw play this year. Well, they came to play. Add that to the fact that the Beavers seem pretty deflated by the second half and you had the recipe for a pretty disappointing game as far as competition. I am sure there are a million Mormons who loved it though.

Oregon State 35, BYU 24

EOM

Southern Miss

I will take Southern over Middle Tenn, 35-24.
Today, it was a most delightful day in the NFL. It would have been stupendous had Chicago beat the Ravens and put the playoff picture in complete disarray, but as it is, it is pretty scary for a lot of teams. My sentimental favorite is Tennessee, which started off the season by losing six games and now stands a chance of making the playoffs at 7-7. Why? Because Miami, NYJ, Pitt, and Jacksonville are all at 7-7 also. With the Ravens at 8-6, they are in great shape, however, they do have to play the Steelers. The Broncos have limped to an 8-6 record and may not make it to ten wins, at that rate it will depend on the tie breaking rules.
Over in the NFC, it is all but decided. Only the Giants, Cowboys and Falcons have a chance at that last spot, with the Cowboys in the driver's seat. With that said, they have a tough schedule still left, ending their season against the Eagles.

It was a good game

Fresno blew their chance to give me the correct winning total of 35 by not making a goal line TD, but my hat goes off the Wyoming who hung in there and pulled off a double OT win.

tough call, going with Rutgers

Although the Scarlet Knights have a much much better rushing defense, I don't see that as being that critical to Rutgers, since they aren't a ground and pound offense. 21-20 Rutgers.

Fresno

Fresno over Wyoming 35-17

Call me the boss!

Not that it was a surprise, but as I said would happen, Ingram won the Heisman. Call it an East Coast bias, or the fact that Stanford didn't get the primetime they needed, but I just don't see how a running back with lesser stats could win, be damned that they were a title contending team. Stanford was a team that with a better O line might have garnered their star running back two thousand yards, not to mention, week in and week out, he played Pac 10 schools, that in and of itself speaks volumes for Gerhart.

Early predictions

Based upon some early predictions, this is who I have winning, however, I will be reviewing these this week and I may have some changes. (Need to get thorough with my statistics)
Minn
USF
Fresno
Bowling Green
UCLA
Texas Tech
UCF
Nevada
So Miss
U So. Car.
Georgia
Clemson
NW/Auburn tossup
Mizzu/Navy tossup
USC
Houston
Miami/Wisc tossup
ECU/Ark tossup
CMU
Ole Miss/Ok St. tossup
VTU
Cal
Pitt
Ore St.
GT
Arizona
Stanford
Penn St.
Cincy
WVU
Oregon
Texas

The unexpected in the NFL, that wasn't that unexpected, and the BOWLS

Well, today some would have said that the NFL had some unexpected wins and losses. Lets start with New England losing to the Dolphins. Although this game should have gone to the Patriots who had early success, the truth is, they haven't been that impressive since their stunning loss to the Colts, and if you take that into account, then the near loss of the Saints to the Redskins shouldn't be that surprising, although, I will say that although I had this a close game, I thought it would be a close game with a low score, because the one thing that the Redskins have proven this year, is that they can play defense. The Oakland Raiders, or as I like to call them, the Dr. Jekylls beating the Steelers shouldn't be a huge surprise, they did after all beat the North leading Bengals two weeks ago. The only other games that had any intrigue at all (minus the one playing at this minute Minn/Ari) were the Cowboys/Giants, of which I have said all along that neither is that good, and the 49ers/Shehawks of which I know neither one of them is any good. The Cowboys may now be in position to appear to have a huge collapse, although if you look at their schedule if they do have a breakdown and miss the playoffs, it will be because that is a tough schedule they have left. However, with all three of those teams in that division vying for a spot, I still think the Cowboys make the playoffs, especially since only the Packers are a playoff team left in the NFC wildcard race, with Atlanta losing today.

The Bowls are out and nothing is really that surprising, although the TCU/BOISE game may be the most interesting game in the whole series. Florida staying in the BCS after that embarassing loss is absurd, but oh well, who else are you going to let have it?
I will make a prediction right here. I am going to be IRATE when Ingram wins the Heisman. He is the leading candidate of runningbacks, but how can you give it to him when he pales in comparison to Gerhart? Just watch, because of Alabama beating Florida, Tebow won't win, and because McCoy stunk, he will be out as well. Ingram just backed his way in.

One more note

Colt McCoy, if there was a close vote, didn't help himself at all. Nebraska's D pummeled him all day and his performance was second rate at best. In their final games, only Gerhart had an A+ game.

College football lost my respect.

Through the entirety of this football season, I had to watch the SEC officials make one call after another to assure that the RIGHT team would make it to the championship game and that no matter who one, they would have one of the national title contenders. Yesterday, I watched the BIG 12 do the same thing for Texas. Nebraska scored the go ahead field goal (after a suspect no call against Texas, which would have given Nebraska a first down), and then kicked off to Texas. Immediately, the officials tack on an extra 15 yards on a VERY suspect call. They gave Texas the opportunity to march close enough to kick a 40 yarder and win the game. I am not sure I can accept college football as legitimate anymore. Why not just tell us who is going to win the National title at the beginning of the year so we don't have to ACT surprised.

Today was A DAY!

We knew one of two things had to happen, either Florida was going on to the national championship or Alabama was. The game remained close through the half, but there were two very discouraging signs for Florida, one being Alabama's 3rd down conversion rate, and the other was time of possession. Both were pretty incredible stats for Alabama. Throw in the fact that Florida couldn't stop Alabama's run, and it wasn't because Ingram was great, but rather Alabama's O line dominated Florida's D line, and you have the recipe of what was cooked today, Florida's goose. Tebow and Ingram did nothing to help nor hurt their Heisman chances and I have to believe that whomever gets the coveted trophy, it was probably already decided before this game, however, the Nebraska/Texas game could have a bearing on that award.
Likewise, I really thought if Nebraska beat Texas, Cincy would leap over TCU for the National title, but afterSURVIVING Pittsburg, I am not so sure of that anymore.
USC proved what I have said all along, the Pac 10 is the toughest league in the nation. Seven of the ten teams will go on to bowls and I am pretty sure that most, maybe all will win their respective games. (However, I really think UCLA will lose.)

The Civil War was entertaining.

Although the Oregon Ducks won the game, it was a much more difficult task than last years rout. Out of the nationally televised game, the biggest star wound up being Oregon State's James Rodgers. I believe he will have a prosperous pro career ala Duper and Clayton of the Dolphins many years ago, small but resourceful wide receivers. I held off on a prediction because I really thought this could go either way, and but for a lapse of offense in the fourth quarter, this could very well have been Oregon State's time to go to the Rose Bowl. But alas, it was not and Oregon, the team that I said at the beginning of the year was the best team in the Pac 10, is going to the grandaddy of them all. (However, the team playing the best at the end of the year is Stanford.)
College Basketball: So what have we learned this early in the season? First, the pac 10 isn't very good. Second, the Big 10 is, evidence being the ACC/Big 10 challenge won for the first time by the Big 10. I still can't tell you how good Kansas is, they haven't played anyone. They just added Alcorn State to their list of unimpressive victories. Their opponents have gone a combined 16-28, with all but 7 of those victories against EACH OTHER. It appears that Kansas is playing a pre league season with a bunch of JUCO schools. Kansas may be a good team, but we just don't know yet.
Texas has played a better schedule so far, but none of their opponents have been the cream of the crop in their respective big boy conferences, (Pitt, USC, Iowa, Rice.) But at least they are playing schools with more than 10,000 students.
Villanova is the third ranked them and they have played two quality teams, again so early to really know how good these teams are. Really, what we see is that the Big 10 and the ACC, which are absent from the top of the rankings, are the only teams that have played anyone and that is because they played each other. Look for those two divisions to dominate the rankings come late in the season.
Pro Basketball: Consistency is something I like in sports. It allows me to better follow the progression and to really speculate on what impact players have. Take the World Champion Lakers, are they going to be as good with Ron Artest? Clearly he is better than Trevor, the man he replaced, but is he a cancer? Will his arrival doom the Lakers? Will the arrival of Shaq in Cleveland be the inside presence that Lebron needs to win a championship? Will AI be a one man wrecking crew for Philly? Can a team like Denver that stayed pat with their roster be the best in the west? Finally, the most visible change was the Orlando Magic. They added Sgt. Carter. Is that the best team in basketball?
I disagree with one of my avid responders, College Football doesn't rock my boat like Pro Football. I love the pro set, I love the schemes they run, I enjoy the progression of the learning curve I get every time I watch a coach coach the same guys over and over. More than that, I LOVE STATISTICS I can sink my teeth into. With that said, I used to love college football much more than pro, but I tired of the lack of playoffs. It is tiring watching the same schools work their way into the national championship, undeserving and unfairly there. If college football keeps it up, it will be a recreational sport, watched while drinking beer at Islands.
I watched MMA last night, oooh how I wish I had been 25 years younger. It would have been a sport I would have participated in after college wrestling. It makes boxing borish.
How I can't wait for the baseball season to begin.

The NFL!!!

Okay, I know, the week isn't over because the most compelling game of the week hasn't actually been played, but regardless of the outcome, it doesn't effect the playoffs like those previously played. I think I can give a pretty accurate forecast now that week 11 is all but in the books. If you recall, I said that Tennessee was the best 0fer team out there when they were 0-6, predicting they would win in week 7. Well, they haven't stopped winning, now having posted a record of 5-6. However, because of a favorable schedule...FOR DENVER, they will unfortunately miss the playoffs. Denver, a team I also stated wasn't that good, did just enough to secure a playoff spot. I knew they wouldn't win that division, that their deficiencies would eventually be exploited, and it happened rather viciously over weeks 7-10, losing all four games and now trailing the Chargers by a game. However, because the gap has widened between the HAVES and the HAVE NOTS, their aren't many upper echelon teams in the AFC, meaning that there won't be a 10-6 team sitting out of the playoffs this year, in fact, a 9-7 might actually make the playoffs this year. Lets look at the teams that are going or have a chance to go to the playoffs in the AFC.
First, Indy is already in. At 11-0, they have won their division. All they have to shoot for now is perfection. I hope they try because even though we learned that the pressure put on NE for trying probably cost them the Superbowl, do we really want to see the Dolphins as the only undefeated team in history? Not really.
NE, which may or may not win tonight, is going to win their division. The schedule for the only other contenders in that division, Miami and the Jets, is brutal, so brutal, they won't be dealt a wild card. Miami has such a tough road, they might only win one more game. The Jets could conceivably win three more, but at 8-8, they won't be getting out for practice after week 16.
Cincy will win their division, not that they are great, but the hill to climb for Pitt and Baltimore is too steep. Both those teams could wind up at 9-7 and it could be up to a tie breaker as to who goes on, as that would put them, in my mind, in the number six spot. They both have an easy two games in their schedule, with the game up in the air, the one they play against each other in Pittsburg.
Although I am picking San Diego to win their division, the reality is, no one has an easier road than Denver. They have three gimmees, and should have 10 wins when the season is over. SD has two games they should win, and a tie breaker may decide the champion. Either way, they both go to the playoffs.
So in recap, the teams will be Indy, NE, Cincy, Pitt/Balt winner, SD, and Den. If you want to press me, 1. Indy, 2. NE, 3. SD, 4. Cincy (however 3/4 will be very close), 5. Den, 6. Pitt.
In the NFC, it is much different this year. There are better middle of the road teams in the NFC, and that doesn't bode well for NY and Atl. The two clear favorites for a first round bye are NO and Minn, strangely, the two teams in the NFC that have inspired more sympathy than any other two teams in NFL history. I can't think of another team that could compete with these two as teams everyone would love to see win a superbowl. (Check that, maybe Buffalo.) Nonetheless, these two teams will win their divisions and will draw first round byes.
Philly has an easier road than the Cowboys, in fact, after having a cushy first half the season, the Cowboys have a tough tough final five, having only one easy game. Philly on the other hand has five games with teams very capable, no easy games, but no games that they shouldn't be the favorite. However, after watching the Eagles this year, I am convinced that Andy Reid has lost his mind and I will give the nod to the Cowboys. Still, the Eagles make the playoffs. The Giants, darlings through the first five games, are just a horrid team now. Don't let their 6-5 record fool you, they will be lucky to win two more games.
As I said, the Vikings will win their division, however, Favre's old team will also make it to the post season. Green Bay may limp in though. They really only have one easy game, but I see them garnering one more in that five. A 9-7 record should secure a spot for them.
NO will have the top spot in the end. Their schedule is more favorable than the Vikings, even with a tough one tonight. Atlanta has a very favorable schedule but we will know after the next two games, the only two tough games of those five. If they could win one of them, they could slip past GB for the sixth spot.
Finally, Arizona finishes with 10 wins and wins their division in a rout, primarily because that division is poor. I doubt another team is above five hundred in that division, since I only see SF winning three of their final five and finishing up at 8-8.
To round up the NFC, 1. NO, 2. Vikings, 3. Dallas, 4. Arizona, 5. Green Bay, 6. Philly. HOWEVER, don't shoot the messenger if in fact not only does Atlanta make it, but they have the 5 spot. Their schedule is very soft, whereas GB and Philly have the two toughest schedules (outside of Dallas) of anyone left.

The week that could have been.

If only Bobby Bowden could have pulled some magic out at the swamp. Well, as much as I hoped that it would happen, that it wouldn't be the winner of the SEC vs Texas, unless Texas loses to Nebraska in the Big 12 championship, it is going to be business as usual for the BCS and its idiotic computer system.
Alabama looked pedestrian this week and I am inclined to amend my prediction, since Florida seems to look better with each week. I went with Alabama to beat Florida, but I doubt Alabama's offense can score more than 14 points.
Toby Gerhart is a man among boys. He will be responsible for a QB getting the Heisman because there is no way the selection committee can give it to Ingram in good conscious over Gerhart. Gerhart rushed for over 200 yards against the Dame, had three more TDs and threw for one to boot. He has 26 rushing TDs, Ingram has 12. He leads the nation in rushing with 1736, Ingram has 1429. Only one category does Ingram boast an advantage and that is yards per carry, 6.5 vs 5.6, but anyone that watched the ND/Stanford game saw a running back that takes on linebackers and wins. I would love to see the comparisons of YARDS AFTER CONTACT. In fact, I would like to see their YARDS DRAGGING A DEFENDER, or YARDS AFTER THE PILE ON, or HOW MANY DEFENDERS CARRIED ON THE PLAY.

Remarkably similar looking to another famous Cardinal Alum. He looks like a beefed up John Elway.

Mercy Rule: I know that every Thanksgiving since I was knee high to a grasshopper, Dallas and Detroit have played on Turkey Day, something about having a D as your first initial, because now Denver has been added, but does the nation have to be subjected to watching Detroit play? It's okay, I took the time during that game to get myself acquainted with the kitchen and became a cook.

College Basketball: Too early. Teams are still jockying for position and I don't think we will get a clear focus until the non conference games have subsided and major schools start playing major schools. Right now, watching powerhouses beat up on Tennessee Tech, Hofstra, Central Arkansas, Oakland, (Oakland is in Michigan by the way), just isn't that interesting. (These were the opponents of Kansas so far - They also played a rebuilding Memphis.)
Tiger Woods has a bent iron? What is a man doing going out of the house at 2:30am on Friday? Isn't that the time most people are coming home? And why is no one talking? I have a theory, his wife wasn't trying to get him out of the Cadillac with the golf club, but rather she swung it as he screeched out of the driveway and he crashed because of it! Now, I wish no ill will on my favorite golfer, but have you seen the woman the National Enquirer is claiming he was seeing behind his wife's back? SHE'S HOT! However, one does wonder how a mega star like Tiger would be doing with a gate keeper at a Vegas Club.

What's wrong with the Pac 10.

What's wrong with the Pac 10 isn't a question, it's a surmise. Officiating! The problem with the Pac 10 is that their officials aren't on board with the SEC officials, who have figured out that it is good business to have one of your teams, or in their case, two of your teams, in the running for a national championship, because if poor officiating for the BETTER team is any indication, then the Pac 10 surely hasn't figured that out. Not that Oregon should have won that game yesterday, but in the extra session, the officiating crew did what was necessary to get Arizona the seven points they needed to knot up the score. In truth, I have discovered how to beat Masoli, stack your defense to the right. Masoli, not only rolls EVERYTIME to the right, but he actually flushes HIMSELF out of the pocket and rolls right on EVERY PASS PLAY.
I predicted that OU was the best team in the pac 10 and that I really thought OSU was the second best team. Check that, Stanford and that power running game is the second best team. Forget their loss to Cal, another pretty formidable team, I like Stanford. Likewise, with a very suspect team in UCLA, I now see seven Pac 10 teams going to bowl games. Given that UCLA will get beat in a bowl game, the Pac 10 has a good chance to win six games. But that is a small consolation that the closest they will get to a Championship game is that the bowl game is played in UCLA's stadium. Bringing me back to the big picture: had the refs in the Stanford/Oregon game done what the SEC officials did in both Florida and Alabama's undefeated runs, the pac 10 would have a team vying for a national championship.
Speaking of, the path is cleared and the teams are set, winner of the SEC vs Texas. You don't have to like it, it's the way it is. TCU will get the loser of the SEC, Cincy plays Oklahoma State (provided they beat OK), BOISE gets Penn St. This isn't how it's going to be, but it could be. I don't agree with it, but I live with it.
Oh, and for the championship, Texas plays Alabama. Yeah, I am predicting now, that Alabama beats Florida, in more ways than one. Ingram takes that hiked up trophy away from Tebow. OH, but wait, if there was a running back more deserving, it is Toby Gerhart of Stanford. He is a moose, with 11 more touchdowns than Ingram and 132 more yards. Yet, that 6.8 yards a carry for Ingram is tough to overlook. Speaking of running games, when BOISE plays Nevada, they will be competing against a team that has two runningbacks averaging over 8 yards a carry. This may be the WAC, but it ain't your daddy's WAC anymore.

College Basketball:
And I don't mean Girls! Because as we know, it will come down to UConn or Tenn, as it always does. They get the best lesbians, er, players in the nation, EVERY year.
MENS: Kansas is the preseason favorite and after watching the first week of play, it is too early to say if anyone is that special. I will say this about Kansas, the big white kid in the center is a load. Cole Aldrich plays a lot taller than 6'11". Not to mention, I think Bill Self is one of the premier coaches and have believed so ever since his days at Tulsa, yes he was somewhere before his Illinois days.
Michigan State, by virtue of playing in the big 10 is a safe bet to be at or around the top at the end of the year. Not that what I saw against Gonzaga was special, but lets face it, make it through the first ten games, get to the league, and they cruise on through.
Texas, hey aren't they #3 in Football too? Anyway, I haven't had the privilege to see them play yet, however, they like Michigan State, should be helped by their schedule, outside of Kansas, their league schedule is pretty soft.
Kentucky, nobody in the top five has an easier schedule than Kentucky, however, they have thoroughly been unimpressive, and I fear they live on reputation at this stage of the season.
North Carolina! If playing good teams help build a program, folks, you are looking at the cream of the crop. Forget the season, which is a dogfight in the ACC, look at their next six games. They play the second ranked, third ranked and fourth ranked (Villanova is actually ranked ahead of NC in the AP poll) teams in the country. If they survive that test, they will be the second ranked team in the country. Basketball, unlike every other college sport is so much more about good coaches. With fewer pieces to work with, getting five guys on the right page is truly artistic, and year in and year out, teams coached by the likes of Roy Williams, Bill Self, Coach K, Rick Barnes, Ben Howland, Tom Izzo, John Calipari, Mark Few, Jim Calhoun, Jim Boeheim, and Rick Pitino always find ways to win. It isn't all about the school, evidenced by Few, Calhoun, and Self. Calhoun created a dynasty that until he arrived was nothing. Few took over a program that was gaining prominence and not only continued it, but built it up. Few went to a great basketball school, but had proven to make every team he ever coached better, doing so with Kansas by winning a national championship.
Pro Basketball:
Of the teams leading their respective divisions, (Boston, Milwaukee Atlanta, Dallas, Denver/Portland, Phoenix) only Boston, Dallas, Denver will be there at the end of the year. Cleveland will catch Miwaukee, albeit, Milwaukee is a much improved squad and arguably has the rookie of the year in Brandon Jennings. Orlando will catch Atlanta, and Miami might well do the same, however, Orlando is a cream of the crop team in the NBA. This team sports Howard, Lewis, and Carter. That is a formidable line up. They have five guys in double figures and it appears that JJ Redick may finally show up in the NBA, averaging just under 10 points. If he can become a 3 point presence, this is a scary team. Dallas appears to have regained the composure they had three years ago when they made the finals. The addition of Shawn Marion has made a remarkable difference, throw in that Kidd is playing great assist basketball, Dirk is off the charts, Terry is having a great year and you have a recipe for disaster, that's right, disaster. This is the one team that is an injury away from being a bad team. That injury, would be to Dirk. If he stays healthy, they will go far in the playoffs. Of course, injury teams are no better represented than in their division by the Houston Rockets. This is a team that is being led by Trevor Ariza, even though, two hall of famers are sitting on the injury bench in Yao Ming and TMac. If you could ever get all those pieces together, Rick Adelman might actually have a winner. Denver wins that division, period. They are good from top to bottom. Portland is more than tournament ready, they are another good team. Finally, alas, as much as I despise the Lakers, they are going to overhaul the Suns. The suns with the addition of Jason Richardson have regained their swagger from a few years ago, but they are playing WAY above their heads right now. The Lakers are right on their heels and get Pau Gasol back. I am not a big fan of Gasol, I think he plays ole`defense but I recant everything I ever said about Andrew Bynum. I always thought he was a big body, but the guy has an offensive presence that completely caught me off guard. To me, the only downfall to this Laker team is Ron Artest and Odoms. Two guys that think they want to play outside the lines. We will see.

Pro Football: I told you the Denver Broncos weren't that good. I keep repeating myself after every loss because I thought I would have to eat crow after they be New England. However, New England has lost two games this years purely because of poor coaching. Never thought poor coaching and New England could be said in the same sentence. Mid season surprises: Cincinnati, Minnesota, New Orleans, Dallas, NY Giants. The first four because they are winning, the last one because they aren't. I'm still not sold on Cincy, but I give them a clear path to the playoffs, they have earned it. Minnesota, if you learn that you are a great running team, you will be unstoppable. New Orleans, uh oh, I see chinks and they are growing. Dallas, your schedule is your friend. Indy, you cleared the way for a HUGE season, possibly a ring in your future. San Diego, granted your coach sucks, but your obstacle, the Broncos, aren't that good. New England, you still have a great team, but you blew a chance to have home field advantage. It may have cost you a trip to the superbowl. Arizona, stay quiet, no one realizes you are playoff bound.
Track and Field. Caster Semenya. If I didn't mention Track and Field, that name probably wouldn't register, but since I did, everyone must be saying, "The gal/guy that gets to keep her medal." My only comment here is, "Wow, how embarrassing that must be." What a shame it wasn't handled better by the organizers of the event. However, I find it quite ironic that the Germans of all people would be the definitive decision maker on gender bending and subsequent punishment, since we all know that during the eighties they cranked out testosterone heavy women in an effort to show the world their supremacy in athletic endeavors.

So who is TCU?

Since they narrowly beat the Falcons of the Air Force, the Horned Frogs have rattled off four impressive routs, culminated by a 55-28 shellacking of Utah. When I don't mention them, they are clearly under the radar, especially since I have been calling the number of BOISE and Cincy all season long. So who are these Horned Frogs? They only give up 244 yards a game, less than a hundred against the run. More importantly, they gave up 284 against Utah and 298 against BYU, the two quality wins on their schedule. They had more than 400 yards of offense against BYU and a whopping 500+ against Utah. This could leave FIVE undefeated teams at the end of the year, and hopefully, someone other than Texas and SEC winner will get a shot at the National title, of course, the only way that will happen is if there are only four undefeated teams at the end of the year and Texas isn't one of them. Reality is this, the BCS is going to be smart and pit Cincy against TCU, that way they negate any argument either team might have if they played the loser of the SEC championship and beat them. That team, the loser of SEC, will get either Iowa, Penn St, USC, Stanford, Oregon St, etc. You get the picture, big boys vs big boys. This leaves BOISE! Who do they get to play if they are undefeated? They are going to get a one loss or two loss big boy. Theoretically, at the end of the day, when all is said and done, there may be three undefeated teams, with either Texas or the winner of the SEC being declared the National champs. Since Stanford crashed the party and destroyed the reputation of the Pac 10 by stunning both Oregon and USC, I don't care. The Pac 10 will get 5 maybe six teams in lower tier games and they should win 5 maybe six of those games. Doesn't speak much about the aspirations at the beginning of the year though. I could see Oregon, Oregon St., Stanford, USC, Cal, and Arizona, and an OUTSIDE chance UCLA, if they finish at 6-6, they would be bowl eligible. Of course, seeing Neuheisel in a bowl isn't an appetizing thought. He is so overrated as a coach.
NFL: Has Bill B lost his mind? New England had to have a fix in on that game against Indy. You are up by 13 with five minutes to play, okay, you let them score and are up by six, you get the ball with just over 2 minutes left and you can't even run the clock down below two minutes, what's worse, you GO FOR IT FROM YOUR OWN 30? What are you? A F*&%ing moron? when it was 4th and 3 and the clock was at 2:06, here's what I do: Snap back to punt, run the ball back to the endzone, killing the clock and taking their timeout from them, fall on the ball and take a safety. 4 points is the same as 6 in that situation. You punt the ball and make them start at their own 20 or 30 yard line. They would have had about buck 40 to play with, that would have taken the center of the field away from them. Bill, I lost half my respect for you last night. Furthermore, when they completed that first pass to the ten, LET THEM SCORE! Don't waste any more time. You have Tom Brady for God sake, let him drive down for a field goal.
SEE I TOLD YOU! Denver AIN'T that good. They lost to the one team that has mystified the league by their futility, the Washington Redskins. San Diego caught the Broncos and by the season's end, the Broncos will be watching the playoffs from the comfort of their couches.
OKAY, I BELIEVE! Cincy really is a contender, not for the superbowl, no I don't believe that much, but they are definitely contenders for the playoffs. It wasn't their offense that surprised me though, albeit, Palmer, 85, and a tough running game was impressive, it was their defense that made big plays of Big Ben, a tough hombre to take down, of which they managed to do, ending the game with a manic rush that forced an errant throw.
I TOLD YOU SO! Tennessee was the best 0fer team three weeks ago, now they are the best 3 win team. THE BEST DIDN'T SHINE. New Orleans showed a different way to win, use Reggie. They were thoroughly unimpressive against, arguably, the worst team in the NFL, the St. Louis Rams, but they won nonetheless. As did the Vikings against the lowly Lions.
I WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE MY MIND, BUT... The Dallas Cowgirls proved once and for all, that their record was tainted by a crappy schedule. When they finally played a team that was pretty good, they were pretty bad.
Here's how it went:Seattle vs Arizona
Seattle 20
Arizona 31
K. Warner: 29-38, 340 yds, 2 TDs
Monday, Nov 16 Baltimore vs Cleveland
Thursday, Nov 12
Chicago 6
San Francisco 10
Sunday, Nov 15

Atlanta 19
Carolina 28

Tampa Bay 23
Miami 25

Detroit 10
Minnesota 27

Jacksonville 24
NY Jets 22

Cincinnati 18
Pittsburgh 12

New Orleans 28
St. Louis 23

Buffalo 17
Tennessee 41

Denver 17
Washington 27

Kansas City 16
Oakland 10

Dallas 7
Green Bay 17

Philadelphia 23
San Diego 31

New England 34
Indianapolis 35

Today was disappointed, but not because...

Not because Oregon lost. I knew sooner or later an undersized Defense that overpursues would eventually get caught, and they did. Throw in a power running game and it was destined to happen against Stanford. No, this week was disappointing, because I think I correctly called the Alabama game. For three quarters, LSU had that game, but they went away from what worked and Alabama's defense capitalized. I will say this though, WOW, Ingram is a great back. I didn't see a good Heisman this year, but I am throwing my hat to Ingram until someone shows me evidence that someone else is more deserving. I knew Iowa would eventually lose, however, I didn't think it would be this week. Unfortunately, the system is going to win out over me, because Texas and the SEC winner will play for the National Title, and BOISE and Cincy will be on the outside looking in.

The interest might be dead

So what has the SEC done for us? Nothing, save tell us that there is a general bias void of any intelligent thought about the strength of teams around the country. Granted, Oregon is the highest ranked one loss team in the nation, however, when LSU beats Alabama, that will change. LSU will leap past Oregon and Alabama may not fall but no further than 10th. Meaning that the winner of the SEC end of season tourney is going to the championship dinner. I believe that the dinner guest is going to be Texas, I just don't see Texas losing a game. Sadly, that will put the Pac Ten on the outside looking in, which is really too bad, since I believe that the Pac Ten is the best league in college. My sorrow to the Big Ten, but when Iowa is your top ranked team, it's a down year, something they have had a lot of in recent memory. And I swear to the Almight above, if they wind up pitting BOISE against Cincy, I will be as angry as I get when my children eat the last link sausage. (That's pretty darn angry!) Put Cincy and BOISE against the two losers in the SEC, either LSU, Alabama, or Florida. That would give us a litmus test. Let Oregon embarrass Iowa, that's always good for the Pac Ten alum. We can't go a year without a good whipping of a Big Ten team.

The picks

Cleveland at Chicago CHI, Cutler officially becomes a bum if they lose.
Seattle at Dallas  DAL, I have given up on my hometown team.
Houston at Buffalo BUFF, going out on a limb. I think Buffalo irons out the wrinkles this week.
St. Louis at Detroit DET, As bad as Detroit was last year, St. Louis is worse.
San Francisco at Indianapolis IND, Okay, I bow down, Peyton is the best QB of all time.
Miami at NY Jets NY, Okay, if Miami wins, I won't be disappointed.
NY Giants at Philadelphia PHI, Uh, because they are the home team? Can't think of any other reason they will win.
Denver at Baltimore DEN, I know, I know, I have said all along Denver sucks, and they do, but that "us against the world" mentality should hold up for another week.
Oakland at San Diego SDG, Oakland isn't too far behind St. Louis.
Carolina at Arizona ARI
Jacksonville at Tennessee TENN, Wow, can't believe I am picking them, but they are the best 0fer team still left.
Minnesota at Green Bay GNB, I want Minnesota, I will be rooting for Minnesota, but if they don't start putting the ball in AP's hands, they are going to lose a lot more than one game.
Atlanta at New Orleans NOR, If NOR is going to lose a game, this would be it, just because of the frantic hangover they must have from last week, but I'm not counting on it.

Ducks vs USC

I said it wouldn't be close, I said Oregon was better than USC. NEED I SAY MORE?
611? That is the yardage Oregon racked up on that stellar USC defense.

The NBA has started

From about 1990 on, we quickly realized that the thoroughbreds of the sports world were basketball players. Tonight the NBA started and I have to say that the scale has tipped from college basketball, something I perennially loved, to pro basketball. To me there is a perfection line that is being raised every year in that sport. Although great, Boston's teams of the sixties would be lucky to make it to the playoffs against some of today's poorer teams. One great example is in the rebounding department. In the sixties, getting 30 rebounds wasn't unheard of, today, it's not possible because there are barely that many misses. Where teams shot 40% from the field, today they shoot 40% from THREE point range. I am ready and I have my big hand with the number one finger pointing upward as I cheer on my teams. GO SEASON!

PRO FOOTBALL: Wow, New Orlean Saints are for real! I am so happy. I can root for the downtrodden and feel good about their chances. However, the Vikings, as I suspected were not able to beat a quality team in Pittsburg. Still, Brett played a hell of a game. Dismally, Oakland proved that a once great dynasty is no more, as did KC. Dallas, on the other hand, I may have written off too soon. They have only lost two games and both of them are pretty good teams.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The rankings came out and nothing real surprising. Everything will rest on the end of season league championships, at that point two of the top three may fall away and we will get an answer to our prayers, a BOISE championship game.

PRO BASEBALLL: Did I miss a snub or what? Shouldn't the very androgenous Alex Rodriguez have won the ALCS most valuable award? Let's see, hit over 400, had three dingers, all of them either tying the score or putting his team ahead, walking a run in, intentionally walked a couple of times. Wow, they must really hate that diva attitude of his.

OKAY! My Take.

The best team out west isn't BOISE, isn't USC, it's Oregon. Think what you will, and I will admit when Oregon beats USC next week, they will creep up to just behind Cincy and BOISE, and that will be acceptable. They did, after all, lose to BOISE. USC's vaunted defense, isn't that vaunted. Had OSU been able to figure out that defense in the first half, the score would have leaned in their favor at the end of the game. Likewise, take Alabama down. Two weeks in a row they have proved that the SEC isn't that good. That is clearly the most overrated, overhyped group of teams in the nation. If the victory by UCLA over Tenn doesn't make you wonder. Think about it, UCLA is horrible and Tenn should have beaten Alabama three times yesterday. One of those teams might get to play for the national championship, and they better hope it is against BOISE, because folks, they AIN'T beatin' the Pac 10, and they certainly won't beat the Big 12.
You know what makes pro sports so great? The constant. Because players are around for the lifespan of a kids youth, kids drive the love of the professional circus we call pro sports. I am reminded when I walk downtown and see kids with jerseys on. They aren't wearing their parents' favorite college team, but rather they are wearing, one of the statistical greats in pro football, baseball, or basketball. Amen to that. I can recall my days back up in the Pacific Northwest, on blustery fall afternoons, or snowy winter nights, passing the ball to one of my cousins, sure that I was going to be Fran Tarkenton, or running as though I was Franco Harris. I certainly always wanted to be Brooks Robinson in baseball and Wilt Chamberlain in basketball. As I watch sports today, I see the fun of college sports and their unpredictability, but I see that the kids want to watch people they know, and for that I find myself going back and revisiting pro sports, falling in love with the game all over again.
Talk to you tonight after the Yankmees/Angels series.

The two most important games in the quest for a playoff system

This week, a seemingly insignificant game will be played up in the pacific northwest, followed by a game next week in Los Angeles that may go far in determining a real shot at a playoff system in college football.
When Oregon plays UW this week, they will be playing the team that has given USC its lone loss. If they pass that test, of which I believe they will do so rather convincingly, they then will be tested by that very USC team that lost to UW.
Why are those two games important? Why are they so crucial to the very foundation that the BCS championship series computer rankings sit on? Because the progression of strength of schedule is determined by a series of who beat who. By virtue of BOISE'S win over Oregon, every team Oregon beats is a lesser team to BOISE, or so the computer computes. BOISE'S only real out of conference quality win was the Ducks, and for BOISE to say, "SEE!" they need Oregon to run the rest of the table. If Oregon gets past Washington and then past USC, the granddaddy team in the west will be BOISE.

Feeling vindicated

Today the SEC suspended the officials from the Arkansas/Florida game, you remember the bunch that allowed Florida back in the game with suspect defensive penalty calls against Arkansas. This was the same crew that helped LSU beat Georgia on a horrible unsportsmanlike call that just HAPPENED to help LSU win that game.
The SEC is not only overrated, they have used collusion to get where they are.

So here is the vaunted Computer rankings for the bowl series. So if either Florida or Alabama get slammed in their league championship showdown, does that mean they fall below BOISE or Cincy? What if both lose before then, which is very possible.
Florida
Alabama
Texas
Boise St.
Cincinnati
Iowa
USC
TCU
LSU
Miami (FL)
Oregon
Georgia Tech
Penn St.
Virginia Tech
Oklahoma St.
BYU
Houston
Utah
Ohio St.
Pittsburgh
Wisconsin
Arizona
West Virginia
South Carolina
Kansas

Two days of predictability

Yesterday the Dodgers gave up two ninth innings runs against the defending world champs to go down 1-3 in the series. What was most disturbing about the night was that their million dollar baby wasn't there to see it unfold. Manny Ramirez might feel vindicated that his team made it to the second round, whereas his old team did not, but the Dodgers will be bounced out of this series because of a lack of chemistry highlighted by, I THINK I WILL TAKE A SHOWER DURING THE NINTH INNING teammate Manny Ramirez. He is a cancer if ever there was one.
On the other hand, as predicted, the Angels are just no match for the Yankmees. I would have yellowed my underwear if I had to face that lineup. Throw in two wonderful pitchers in Burnett and Sabathia, and I just don't see the Angels coming back from 1-3.
Finally, I picked the SD Chargers to beat the Broncos. I lost the pick but I am holding steadfast to my statement, The Broncos aren't that good.

Jay Brown invites you to one of my sites!

This is one of my websites that I would love to have you look over.

The week that was

From the beat down in college football by GT over VT, to the crushing beatdown by NE on Tennessee, there were a multitude of surprises. Just days before I was shocked that BOISE couldn't play a better game against Tulsa, however, never fear, the four teams in front of them didn't fare much better. Florida, straight up, should have lost. Some shady refereeing led to one touchdown, and a missed field goal opened the door for the Gators. Likewise, Texas can thank another injury to Bradford, or they don't win that game. Finally, outside of the last five minutes of play, South Carolina hangs with Alabama. Of the top ten, only USC, of which the game was not nearly as close as the score, Cincinnati, and Miami were the only real winners of the elite group. Two teams, Ohio State and VT will drop out of the top ten, both giving black eyes to their respective leagues.
Somebody stop Brett Favre! Another late fourth quarter drive leads to a go ahead field goal and eventual win. However, all you need to know about week 6 in the NFL is TOM BRADY. In a snow storm, Tom had the greatest quarter ever for a QB. Had he had four of them, they would have put up 140 points, as it was they put up 59, and got a goose egg on D-FENSE. Of the 13 games played in the day games, I only won 7 of them, bad day for me.
Hey, great idea, if you are going to fire Jim Zorn, hire Dave Kreig because we all remember what happen on that mid-season (actually mid game) replacement. Jim never got his job back and Dave went on a wonderful career run.
I said it before and I will say it again, THE YANKMEES are going to win it all. Yesterday they proved why they are the best. After kicking the ball around in the top of the 11th like a kick the can game, they gave up a tie game and were one run down going into the bottom of said inning. Alex Rodriguez, yes the same much maligned post season bum, tied the game with his third homer of the playoffs. He has had at least one hit in all five games, (seven so far this post season), and has been clutch. They eventually won it in the 13th off some more errors in the playoffs. This won't be remembered as the great fielding year. If this series goes beyond five games, I will be surprised.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

With the help of officiating, as well as, help from the Arkansas kicker, Florida will survive, but oh so undeservedly. That is the best team in the country? YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.

Oh the irony!

As I related yesterday when I said Riggins should shut his piehole, I am reminded that the heat is on Jim Zorn, even though a consistently bad coach like Wade Phillips keeps getting jobs. Like his father before him, Bum Phillips whom I really liked, neither can coach.
Jim Zorn can't get a vote of confidence, but Wade Phillips can?
The Washington Post reported this morning that three prominent Redskins players -- all of whom went unnamed -- wanted owner Dan Snyder to proclaim that head coach Jim Zorn is safe for the year. It's not necessarily that they're dying for Zorn to remain coach; it's just that they're tired of the uncertainty.
They just want to know, one way or the other. They'd like for Dan Snyder, as they say, to drink or get away from the water fountain.
Well, the day has passed, and they haven't gotten their wish.
Oddly, though, Dallas Cowboys head coach Jerry Jones, who has his own coach under fire, issued Wade Phillips a season-long vote of confidence out of the clear blue sky. From Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas:
"Under no circumstances would I make a change," Jones said. "We've got a chance to get a lot of things done and we've got a lot of football left to play and we've got some good people that not only can play it, but coach it."
Phillips is in the final year of a three-year contract, though there is an option that hasn't been picked up. Jones said Phillips will finish out the season as coach.
"Yes, he would be and without equivocation," Jones said.
Jones was just answering a question he was asked, but the timing of it makes it seem like he was maybe needling Danny Snyder a little bit. "Oh, you won't give your head coach a vote of confidence? I'll give my coach a vote of confidence, because we are clearly the superior organization."
Whether or not that's a good thing for the Cowboys, we'll let you decide. If you choose to see this as Jerry Jones saying, "Hey, I'll hold on to my bad head coach longer than you can hold on to yours!" There may be no argument.
It's understandable where the three unnamed Redskins are coming from, though. It's not a case of them really wanting Jim Zorn -- at least, that's really hard to imagine -- they just want to know who's going to be their boss tomorrow. That's a reasonable thing for anyone to want.

Here's a novel concept...

Okay so the difference between Oklahoma playing Tulsa and BOISE playing Tulsa was nine more points were scored in the BOISE/Tulsa series. That's putting a spin on things. OU won 42 to ZIP, BOISE won 28-21. Okay, so style points were thrown out the window. Still, the real marketing issue isn't going to be the spread of BOISE'S wins, but rather just winning and hoping that the teams above them stumble, perhaps more than once. However, there is another sleeper in the picture, and after my earlier remarks about Cinderella, I might have to eat crow. Turns out, from a fan's observation, this Cincinnati team is much better than I first credited them with, and they have just as easy a path to an undefeated season as BOISE. This is a team averaging 468 yards of offense per game, granted in the Big East. However, this team will play a schedule of opponents that currently includes two one loss teams, likewise, two of the teams they have beat have one loss courtesy of the Bearcats. Here's to toasting both Cincy and BOISE, may they both win out!

Why does the National league playoff look so much weaker than the American league? Could it be that pitching is tight in the American league and runs are a premium? I just watched LA/Philly play and there were over 20 hits in the game and four home runs. It bordered on a softball game.

I was flipping through the channels on the TV and came across SPIKE TV and they had on their very popular ultimate fighting series. I watched to light heavyweights go at it and was struck how hard the to competitors attempted to bloody each other up before one contestant was caught in a arm submission move and the fight was over. It was very anti-climatic. Sort of like hearing Duran scream "No Mas!"

I saw Serena on Tavis Smiley last night. She says she lives with her sister. I wonder if they share a bed? I didn't say that outloud did I? Nevermind, forget what I was thinking!

This weekend two games stand out. First, I don't know if a #20 playing a #3 has had so much interest before as it does with OU/Texas. I am sure it has much to do with the fine QBs the two teams have, and the fact that had Bradford not been hurt, this might have been a 2 vs 3 match up. The other game is the pro game of the Saints vs the Giants. I find I am really looking forward to a pro game.

Hey Riggins, shut your piehole. What a douchbag. Whatever respect I had for the former Redskin running back went out the door when I heard him slam Zorn. It wasn't that he said something, it was the words he chose. "Face it, your out of your league." (By the way, his high school was in a town with the same name as mine!)

Cincy over Houston, Greenbay over Detroit, (surprise) Ravens over Minnesota, (My heart pick) NO over Giants, Pitt over Cleve, (Yawn) Carolina over TB, Washington over KC, Jacksonville over Rams (duh!), SEATTLE!!! over Arizona, Philly over Raiders, NE over Tenn, NY over Buff, Atlanta over Chicago (this should be a good game), (UPSET PICK) SD over Denver.

College - Fl over Ark, Alabama over SC, but boy would I like to see an upset, Texas over OU, VT over GT, USC over ND, Ohio St over Purdue, Miami over UCF, Iowa over Wisconsin (although this is going to be a better game than people think), TCU over Colorado St., Penn St. over Minn, Neb over TT (This will be a good game too), (if mizzu was playing at home I would reverse this pick) OSU over Mizzu, Kan over Col, The Mormons over SDS, Hou over Tulane, Utes over UNLV.

Rush 'wind bag' Limbaugh

BOSTON -- Rush Limbaugh's bid to buy the St Louis Rams ran into opposition within the NFL on Tuesday. Colts owner Jim Irsay vowed to vote against him and commissioner Roger Goodell said the conservative commentator's "divisive" comments would not be tolerated from any NFL insider.


"I, myself, couldn't even consider voting for him," Irsay said at the owners meetings. "When there are comments that have been made that are inappropriate, incendiary and insensitive ... our words do damage, and it's something that we don't need."

Limbaugh has long been a hero of conservatives and villain to the left, thriving on his place in the political spectrum while establishing himself as one of the most successful broadcasters in history. But the NFL tries to avoid controversy, as Limbaugh learned in 2003 when he was forced to resign from ESPN after saying of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb: "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well."

"Divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about," Goodell said. "I would not want to see those kind of comments from people who are in a responsible position in the NFL."

Limbaugh also said, according to transcripts posted on his Web site: "The NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it." That comment, and others, resurfaced this month when he revealed he is teaming with St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts to bid on the Rams.

Goodell said the Rams updated the league on the progress of their potential sale, but bidders were not discussed.

"They're not certain they are even sellers," New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch said, adding that he expected a decision by the end of the season. "We can't speculate on potential owners because they have not brought up any names to put before ownership. It's out there, but without confirmation from the Rams or the Rosenbloom family, frankly, we don't know who the potential buyers are."

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft referred questions about Limbaugh to the commissioner. Houston Texans owner Bob McNair said anyone who meets the "normal criteria" is a candidate to own a team.

"But our vetting process is very thorough," he said.

Prominent blacks are already lining up against Limbaugh, including the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. NFL Players Association head DeMaurice Smith, who is also black, urged players to speak out against Limbaugh's bid, and several have already said they would not play for his team.

But Irsay is the first owner who has stated unequivocally he would reject Limbaugh if it comes up for a vote. Prospective owners must be approved by 24 of the league's 32 teams.

Irsay said at first that he would consult with people he respected, such as defensive lineman Dwight Freeney, coach Jim Caldwell and former coach Tony Dungy, all of whom are black. But later, the owner said he did not need to get anyone else's input before rejecting someone who made a habit of "demonizing individuals."

"I met Rush only once. He seemed like a nice guy to me and all those kind of things," Irsay said. "It's bigger than the NFL. As a nation, and as a world, we've got to watch our words and our thoughts. They can do damage."

Here's my take, if Rush had been civil as a human being, he would have a lot more fans than wingnuts on the right. His behavior is deplorable at best, and extremely uninformed, ignorant, and borders incendiary. I am surprised the NFL took a stand, but hip hip hooray for them.

Late Night Edition

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, I am a brain surgeon picking the Yankmees to win tonight, but the handwriting was on the wall. They are a stacked team, that have both pitching and hitting, more than anyone else. You add Teixeira to a playoff ready Rodriguez and WOW, that is a dangerous team.  Of course the photo is of ANOTHER blunderous play in this playoff, a pick off of a runner at third.

Well, I suppose it is becoming appropriate to assume that the torch of greatness has been handed to Peyton Manning. More than his numbers, his management of the field is truly remarkable. It is hard to give him all this praise, since we really want our QBs to look tough, and well, he doesn't. However, his dissection of opponent defenses is really remarkable.

Well, it is 4-4 in the Colorado/Phillies game. Still seems strange seeing baseball played in winter conditions.

PRO FOOTBALL and other less attractive events.

So what gives with the Buffalo Bills. Wasn't the acquisition of Terrell Owens supposed to take a team on the cusp of playoff potential over the top? Well, it hasn't and the only real interesting future of the Bills is waiting for TO to explode. That will be 'Must See TV' indeed.
The Shehawks? Is Matt really that good? After he went down in the beginning of the season, they sucked. I assumed it was coaching, and or, a lousy team, but today they surprised the hell out of me by goose-egging Jacksonville, and putting up an ungodly amount of points. They have to have the best spread of points for/against of any sub 500 team.

I know, I know, you are out there snickering of my burial of the Broncos. Laugh it up, because they aren't that good. After today, I have come to believe that neither are the Patriots. They didn't look good on defense or offense but still took the game to OT. The only real interest in an otherwise boring game was the brown pre-orange uniforms the Broncos once had MANY MANY years ago. How many years ago? I don't remember those uniforms. 
I picked Atlanta to beat the 49ers, but I didn't pick it to be so easy. Boy, there is still hope in the WEST. Go Hawks.
Brett won again, albeit against the worst team in football, the St. Lous Rams. Anyone disagree?
Cincinnati beat the Ravens. I didn't see that one coming. However, if the Patriots game had been played earlier, I might have.
A funny thing happen on the way to the Cleveland/Buffalo football game, a baseball game broke out. Score - 6-3, Cleveland hit a three run homer in the Top of the ninth.

The PRESIDENT'S CUP goes to USA. 19.5-14.5
Only the third time in President Cup history has a player earned five points. Tiger Woods became that third player. Along with Phil Mickelson's 4.5, and Stricker's 4, the top three players in the US carried the event. However, impressive showings by Vijay Singh, Tim Clark, and the youngest player ever in the event Ryo Ishikawa, gives hope to the future of the non US, non European players.

Footnote: USA beat Honduras 3-2 to make it to the ... what did they make it to? Oh yeah, the World Cup.
Hockey. When I learn something about hockey, like how many guys are even on the ice, I will get back to you.
Women's Beach Volleyball. I don't know much about it, but seeing Amazonian women with great bodies in bikinis is AWESOME!

Nascar - Strike up the banjo music and squeal like a pig.

BASEBALL!
Well, the monkey is off of the Angels' back. They put away the nation (Sox) in a sweep and now await the imperial force (I have already given the Yankmees the win over the Twinkees. Maybe not tonight, but before they leave Minnesota.)
Tennis: Serena Williams appears nude on the ESPN magazine, well sort of nude. She doesn't have a lick of clothing on, but she is in a pose ala Farrah Fawcett which covers all the vital parts. I once stood next Serena at a tournament in Manhattan Beach, CA. Unless you have had that privilege, you would be surprised at her physical size. Nearly six feet and extremely ripped. Mugging her would be a strait set loss for the mugger.

Boxing: Now that MMA has become popular, of which I can name NO ONE, it has stripped boxing of any worthwhile entertainment. While I admit to knowing no one in MMA, I now know no one in boxing either. I can't say my love of boxing was ever great, and that my interest was probably wasted energy, but it strikes me as culturally sad that I don't know of any great boxers.
How many knew that the Phoenix uh uh uh MERCURY won the WNBA? Who did they beat? That would be the Indiana uh uh uh FEVER. Some wonderfully attractive lesbian girls out there, if I do say so myself. Wait, that's unfair of me to say that. Fact is, I only remember the ones that say they are lesbian, which is quite a few.
Anyway, the game went five games, which is their best of, because quite honestly, we don't need to see a best of seven in women basketball. Somehow it strikes a chord of B league entertainment.

That would be Diana Taurasi of U Conn fame.

and hero for the Phoenix uh uh uh MERCURY.

There ya go!

Unimpressive afternoon!

After watching the LSU/UF game, I couldn't believe I was watching two of the top five teams in the country. Were they both so good that they could do NOTHING? Of the two, LSU was thoroughly horrible, and yet I found myself surprised that after playing the supposedly best team in the country, they had fallen to tenth in the latest poll. Alabama is, at this stage, the best team in the country. After a game against VTU, where it appeared to be less than spectacular, they rolled off several big wins, (one against a less notable Mean Green 53-7 - I mention that to motivate a cousin of mine to comment!), however, after further review, that 34-24 victory over Virginia Tech might be more impressive than first thought. VTU is much better than I thought they were. Texas, I bite my tongue leaning over a fence because I don't know if they are any good. They have played NO ONE! Okay, TTU would argue that they are someone, having a 4-2 record, however, those four wins aren't wins I would place on my mantle as memorable games against memorable teams. Texas will get a test over the next three weeks. If they are undefeated after that, I will give them another look. Virginia Tech has four quality games of their six, winning all but one of them. They give credibility to Alabama. We all know where I stand on BOISE!!! WIN OUT, PLEASE!!! Nowhere in the universe is there more justice about to be handed down to a playoff system than if BOISE wins out and is offered the opportunity to play for the national championship. #6 is USC. Funny, USC isn't even the best team in the Pac 10, in my opinion. I believe that belongs to Oregon. They have thoroughly impressed me on both sides of the line. (Mind you, their lone loss is to BOISE!!!) They had quality wins against the Utes and Cal, before dispatching UCLA, which was supposed to be a team to beat. I will most definitely be watching Oregon/USC with much interest. If Ohio State is better than Iowa, I will be surprised, but since neither is that good, who cares. (And their third wheel in that league, Penn St. hasn't played a quality team, other than Iowa, and they LOST.) Ho hum, another crappy big 10, er 11 (try to figure out why a league called big 10 has 11 teams, and that their logo big 10 has an 11 hidden in it.)
Sad that USC rides its rating on beating Ohio St.
Cincinnati, CINCINNATI? Well, they did beat Oregon State, and beating a Pac 10 team always gets you a star. Remain undefeated and you get to ride that wave. Yet, there can be only one. Only one Cinderella that is, and that is BOISE!!!
Finally, Miami gets the nod at 10. A team I spent my life disliking, has crept back into the national picture, albeit with a win against an FSU team that was overrated when they beat them, followed by a BYU team that was overrated when they beat them. Personally, the ACC might be more overrated than the overrated SEC. Yeah, you heard it here, the SEC is overrated. LSU, isn't that good. Take out South Carolina and LSU from the rankings and what do you have? You have twelve teams with only two teams worthy of ranking, albeit, number one and number two at this point in the season!
The big 12, now that is a division. You throw Missouri and Texas Tech into the fold and you have SEVEN quality teams, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, and of course Texas.
My Pac 10 has more than the two ranked teams that are quality teams. Toss in Cal and OSU, wait and see. As for Washington, not so much. They are overachievers this year, as is Stanford. Arizona, should have been a contender, but after that ridiculous loss to UW, I think they are going to be UNDERachievers this year.
By the way, were there any good games this weekend? Arizona/Washington, Iowa/Michigan, two 'who cares' games. Just wonderful.

Watched the Yankmees win

This year's playoffs have been memorable for blunders more than anything else. We ALL remember last night what happen to Holliday when, with two outs in the ninth and no one on, he let the ball hit him in the nuts and eventually let said runner come in to score, tie and then lose the game. Well, tonight, rookie Carlos Gomez of the Twins decided to run so fast that his legs came out from under him rounding second base. There were two outs, he was on first, Delman Young was on Second, and Matt Tolbert was at the plate. Tolbert hits a single to right field, and Young motors around third and heads for home. An easy run, right? Well, not exactly, turns out Gomez rounds second, slips and falls. Jeter, seeing this signals for the ball and applies the tag BEFORE Young reaches home. NO RUN SCORED! The blunder wasn't in falling down, it was just sitting there. Had he had a lick of sense, he would have gotten up and ran to third, got  in a run down, letting the run score before he was put out. That one run would have prevented the 3-3 tie in the ninth and subsequent extra innings. Man, this might be a playoff to remember.

A funny thing happen on the way to the dugout

Two outs, no one on, 2-1 lead, and you let a line drive COMPLETELY miss your glove and hit you right in the nuts. Man, I hope Holliday was wearing a cup, and I hope he was wearing earplugs so he didn't hear the collective, "Oh Shits" from his teammates and the "You the Man" from the Dodger fans. Somewhere out there someone is writing a thesis about how there really is a baseball God, because there are only two scenarios that seem fitting to the end of this season. The reality is, there is an immovable object this year, however, there is no irresistable force, so the Yankmees are going to be almost impossible to stop. Only A-Rod slapping an ump for making a pass at him, (Because he doesn't do anything without a payment involved), or a 1919 incident where they throw the series, are going to keep the Yankmees from winning it all. The two scenarios that pose any interest at all is a Phillies/Yankmee series, since that is the defending champion giving it their all to stop that machine, and the other one is Joe Torre vs the Yankmees. Of course that one will hold interest until the first pitch by the Dodgers to the Yankmees and the subsequent 1-0 lead that won't be relinquished. Of course, a Red Sox/Yankmees will be fun to watch, if for nothing else than the brawl.
Today, Shaq said that of all the teams he has ever played with, this Cavalier team is the best. You think he is trying to get under Kobe's skin. Hell ya! If nothing else, Shaq is great for print. He may be long in the tooth and pretty much a part time player, but when he speaks, I listen.
Can someone get me a moist towlette, college football this year is starting to be a dud. Remember last year when one team a week took the top spot. This year, it is turning into a yawner. The only salvation will be Boise State. May the football Gods PLEASE let them win out. What better way to prove computers are whacked when it comes to predicting who's who in football.
Pro Football, usually deplorably too long, looks like it will keep us busy since college football makes us want to tune in to PBS. With the Vikings and Saints as the premier teams in the National Conference, oh and the Giants, what a treat we get. Now, if one falters we can jump on the wagon of the other team. Unfortunately, nothing has changed in the American Conference. The best teams are still NE in the East, Pittsburg in the North (I know they aren't in first, but they will be), Indianapolis in the south, and no one in the west (don't worry Denver fans, you will win that division and then lose in the first round.) The only hope is that Cincinnati gets a playoff berth and wins their first game, outside of that, we are asking way too much. You can use this same scenario for the SF 49ers. They should bow out quickly in the playoffs.

Maybe I was a little rash about Brett

I always held Brett in as high esteem as I thought he deserved, that of a guy that played long enough to set records, both good and bad. However, five days shy of his 40th birthday, he proved that he is far better than I gave him credit for. With the exception of an ill advised pass with less than two minutes left, of which I would bet he audiblized, his control of his offense was stellar. I tip my hat to Brett.

Tonight the Tigers lost to the Twinkees. Now the Twinkees are about to play a juggernaut in the Yankmees. I don't see this being a good series. I think the Red Sox/Angels will be the best series of the four of them, although if there is a surprise series I think it will be the Rockies/Phillies. I don't see the Dodgers posting up much of a fight against the Cardinals.

The Hawks are bad

As I expected, the Colts destroyed the Hawks. As the season is shaping up, I will tell you what I think. At 4-0 and with great defensive stats, the Broncos AREN'T that good. At 4-0. the Saints and Colts ARE. I think NE and the Ravens are great teams as well at 3-1. I don't know what to think of the Giants, I'm not a big fan of Eli, but I might be blinded by that. Give me a few more games. Same goes for the Vikings. I can't wait to see the game against the Packers. Is it me, or is Tomlinson done? It is very odd how runningbacks peak and then fall so quickly. This is just a quick sound bite. I need to take a look at the standings so I can blast the pretenders (cough) Bengals! Talk to you later.

The Fuskies!

I just finished watching the exciting game between the Huskies and Notre Dame. What made it really exciting was the HORRIBLE officiating. Instead of having the Irish lose because they would be down by 11 with three minutes left, they decided to alter the outcome. Taking a look at the replay of the touchdown, it was a touchdown. Pretty irrefutable, however, they refuted it. I will give the Irish credit though, for SIX STRAIGHT plays they held the Huskies at bay from the ONE INCH line.
So, that gave the Irish a five point deficit, to which they promptly went down and scored a touchdown, UP BY ONE. So of course they had to go for two. What happen next defies good officiating. They run a power fullback PUSH up the middle. The back is stopped at the THREE yard line but thanks to some resourceful teammates who PULLED defenders off while other teammates, TUGGED at the running back, they RUGBIED him in. NO CALL, TWO POINTS!
Washington went down and scored a field goal to tie and then lost in OT. It was some horrible officiating that made it a game to remember! God bless the network media that has a stake in the Irish winning. We don't want to have bad television and with that contract they have for the next thousand years to show every insufferable minute of Irish football, we can't have ND being a bad team.

I read Dan Wetzel's article on Boise St. this morning...

and although I can empathize with Dan on Boise St. possibly playing for a national championship, I not only welcome it, I am praying for it. What better for the collapse of the current system than to have Boise play in the national championship ahead of the likes of LSU, USC, OU, etc.
What I hope doesn't happen is Boise goes undefeated while the rest don't, and they DON'T get that chance. I can see a backlash coming by the very creators of this system, actually dropping Boise through some sense of perverted justice that undermines their own system in an attempt to KEEP that very system intact.
If you, like me want to see Boise push through for a national championship, root for Oregon.

On to baseball - While the American league leaders are tighting up the screws for the playoff run, the national league leaders are doing their best to back their way into position. I am sure the Cardinals would love the fact that the Dodgers are going to have the best record, and thus be their opponent if it weren't for the fact that they themselves are currently on a losing streak. I'm not a fan of one minor rule of the current playoff system and that is two teams from the same division can't play each other in the first round. So what if you have the best record and the team in your division is the wild card. Simply stated, the best record should play the worst record, period. Besides, rivalries are something that thrive in baseball and two years ago when the Red Sox and Yankees should have played each other as best and worst in the playoffs is a great example. It never happened because the Yankees couldn't make it past the first round. Those Yankee/Red Sox series are compelling.

Pro Football - Brett plays the entire Green Bay Packers all by himself this week, or so it seems. I haven't even heard about anyone else on the Vikings, even though I am sure that AP will have something to say about the outcome before it is all over. If AP comes to play, chances are Brett won't have to do much. Besides, can Rodgers hold up against the Viking defense? I haven't been impressed with him as a winner. Not that I think he isn't an above average QB, but a winner?  Side note - WILL SOMEONE FIRE MORA PLEASE. I really thought my Shehawks had a chance, but after that debacle of a game last week, I am thinking they have a chance to dig deeper than the St. Louis Rams for the worst record.

The dreaded Cowboys

Why would a state like Texas claim to have America's team? Texas is SO NOT AMERICA. Little kids don't grow up thinking, "Man, I would love to live in Texas." The only redeeming quality the entire state has is the Dallas Cowboy CHEERLEADERS!
I watched the Cowboys beat the Panthers last night. The first half was a sleeper and all my suspicions of Romo were being played out as true. He really isn't very good. However, the second half was 30 minutes of redemption for the QB, regardless of what I think of him. He consistently kept his offense on the field and by the time the game was over, he had led his team to a quality win. Still, one can't help but wonder if this might be his last year in the big D.
Well, my Shehawks are pathetic. Time to fire the coach. How can you have a 3rd and two, and throw two passes to end the game. GET YOUR FIRST DOWN.
Still, it isn't that painful, not as painful as watching my Mariners not make the playoffs again. Baseball will always be more of a sport than football. In fact, it's more of a sport than the other major three. (I know, I included hockey, don't ask me why.)
Is it me, or is the fact that alcohol sales and promotions for sporting events so integral in American culture is an oxymoron? Sports is about attaining the highest physical ability possible, and well drinking, is not. I know why though. Ever have just enough beers to believe you are one of those athletes. Hell yeah. That's usually about the time you tear the ACL deciding to go out and play tackle football.
Is it me, or are women tennis players more manly than men tennis players? I went to a women's tournament in Manhatten Beach Ca, and the Williams sisters were there, I was surprised at how big they were in person. Very imposing. In fact, even a short tennis player like Date from Japan was thick.

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS!
So you think Tiger isn't the best? Well, he doesn't even have to win to take home the Fed ex trophy and he certainly has placed himself in position to do so. However, you have to love a 49 year old guy shooting a 64 in Kenny Perry. Once again, the Big 10 rolled over when they were in the top 10. Penn St wasn't very good offensively yesterday, as is usually the case when the Big 10 is in the top ten.
Too early to talk hoops, so I will leave it alone, BUT, having Ron Artest come to LA is like giving your favorite girl crabs.
PRO FOOTBALL! Already two weeks in the books and nobody seems to be that good. What sort of world is it when we can't rely on the Pats to dominate? I'll tell ya, it is the kind of world that saw the post packers of the 60's give rise to the 70's and the Cowboys and Steelers, then they gave way to eighties and the 49ers, then they gave way to the Cowboys, then they gave way to the Pats. Who will rise from the ashes? (And don't say the Steelers. They were lucky to beat the Hawks and REALLY lucky that they got the Cardinals, because that team had no business being in a superbowl.) Maybe we will see an interim team, like the Rams of the turn of the century, or the Broncos in the mid 90s, or the Bears of the mid 80s, or Dolphins in the early 70s, or or or these very Steelers. (I doubt it!) Are the Colts washed up already, or is it just me? Sad when Peyton's little brother looks more promising than him. Sad, because that kid brother is horrible. (Another unfortunate event, watching the Giants spoil the Pats undefeated season. Sad because we had to listen to all those Dolphin ex players gloat.) Something about powder blue and orange colors that brings out the man in them. Wouldn't it be great if that interim team was the Saints? Who wouldn't root for them. Besides, isn't Drew Brees the most underrated QB in all of football. He is the Kurt Warner of this day and age, oh wait, Kurt is still playing. Maybe the Chargers will get the monkey off their back. Doubtful, I think they are cursed for getting rid of Marty. You don't get rid of a coach when a player fumbles the ball and GIVES the Pats the win, not when the team had an insane winning percentage under him. How about the Vikings? If not for the Bills, who more sad than the Vikings. Now that they have Brett Faaaaaaaaav, (lets face it, it is pronounced FAV RAY!) Anyway, now that they have him and that mule train of a running back, aren't they supposed to win the superbowl? Wouldn't that be the John Elway way to go out? Of course, Brett would come back with another team, maybe the Dolphins.
TRACK AND FIELD. Yeah, I know, who cares. Since there isn't any great American even remotely close to EVER catching the Jamaican Bolton. Wouldn't it be good to juice that guy up and see just how fast a human could run. I'm thinking he catches a cheetah.

This won't be a curse this year

Sure, we have all heard of it - The Curse! That would be the fate of the superbowl runnerup the following year. However, do you seriously believe if the cardinals don't make it to the playoffs that it will be because they were cursed? Actually, two things will keep the Cardinals out of the playoffs, first, they aren't that good, and second, because of their lofty job last year, their schedule will be tougher. Don't get me wrong, I root for the underdog, and in fact, I was rooting for the Cardinals last year, when just like the last time the Steelers were in the playoffs, they broke my heart. I like Kurt Warner, albeit, HOW MUCH LONGER CAN HE PLAY?
The NFC is tough enough, and with the soft NFC west, you better win that division to make the playoffs, because I don't see two teams out of that division going on, and since I am blind with love for the Seahawks, I am betting the Cardinals are resting comfortably by playoff time.

What I can't stand about rules.

Professional football could liven up their sport if they adopted another one of college footballs great rules. (the first being the two point conversion) If pro football wanted to really generate excitement down the stretch of a game, they would simply install the movement of the chains timeout. It is a truly wonderful rule, and anyone that has watched a two minute drill in college football knows what I am talking about. Come on pro football, get your crap together.

College football needs to adopt a playoff system and I have one that is genius if I don't say so myself. Start the league schedule on week 1, don't schedule non conference games until the end of the season. (you will see why in a minute.) At week eight, take the top 16 teams and put them in a week to week tourney. The teams that are taken out of their schedule because the team they would have played is now in the playoffs simply slide into the scheduled game of the other playoff teams opponent. example: Lets say USC - ranked 1st is playing the 16th ranked BYU cougars, and lets say that in week 9 the trojans were scheduled to play WSU. Conversely, BYU in week 9 was scheduled to play San Diego State. WSU would play San Diego State in week 9. If both were home games, the team with the higher ranked playoff team opponent gets home field. It would be a real interesting way of scheduling spur of the moment non conference games. Now, lets say USC wins in week 9 against BYU. BYU goes back into their rotation of games, and USC's 10th week regular season team plays the regular season opponent of USC's 10th week playoff opponent. By the tenth week there are only 8 teams left so the regular schedule is only disrupted for eight other teams in the nation. By week 11, it's down to four teams. I like this system and believe it is beautiful. I think it has ZERO flaws.

Tiger Woods vs Jack Nicholas

I will jump into this fray. Golf is such an inexact sport that perfection is not something any golfer will ever have. Perfection would imply that every approach shot went in the hole. Every par 3 would be a hole in one. Since perfection isn't a possibility, what actual barometer can we use in golf? Personally, the only one I can think of is wins. However, with wins the argument then becomes competition and there are so many arguments about competition that we must first discuss the reality of competition.
In my humble opinion, our sports universe is evolving, not de evolving. With the popularity of getting physically fit, as well as the technological advances one wonders how we can't be getting better. With computers helping us understand body mechanics and equipment improvements I would have to believe that today's athletes are superior to yesterdays.
Given that hypothesis, I am going to weigh in on the Tiger argument. At his age, his totals surpass Jack's. I don't buy the competition argument because Arnie was not a major factor for most of Jack's career and neither was Tom Watson. One left before Jack was in full bloom and the other arrived as Jack was declining. The only real constant for Jack was Gary.
Tiger has a lot of young talents in the game today, not to mention an international contingent that has never been more talented.
As a betting man, I am putting my money on the gamble that Tiger will retire with most majors, most wins, and greatest winning percentage. Can't argue that if he has that, he isn't the greatest golfer of all time.

Why another sport's page

Ever since yahoo started a sports page, I have realized that anyone can write sports, their lame writers are testimonies to that. I know several writers here in Los Angeles that are far more astute, with less opportunity to actually interview the figures being written about, than the selected writers on yahoo. That isn't to say that I don't enjoy the Yahoo writers, it's just that more often than not, they are wrong. What I hope to do here is to find out just how many sport know-it-alls there are out there. I will freely give the space for any and all individuals who think they have an opinion that will bear fruit.