I am laughing at this College Football season. This is the Doomsday scenario for the BCS. Who would of thought that a possible SIX teams could go undefeated(Florida-Alabama are on a collision course for one another).
While I did like SI.com's Stewart Mandel's idea of a Plus-One scenario, even that possibility would be hammered in this season. Mandel's theory would worked fantastic in any other season, but 2009.
This is the perfect year for the arguement of an 8 team tourney for the title. Florida, Texas, Alabama, Iowa, TCU, Boise St., Cincinnati, and Oregon are clearly the top 8 teams in the country, barring no setbacks. A team like Georgia Tech could sneak their way into this if a team like Iowa, TCU, or Oregon fell.
I just love chaos in College Football. To watch all teams, coaches, Universities, fans, etc. cry and plead their cases for an obvious outcome that was premeditated. That is why we have Pre-Season Rankings right?
The Heisman Race is just as messy as the BCS. Instead of eight teams all fighting and presently deserving of a Title Game, there are about a dozen players that have had good seasons, but just cannot pull away from the pack. Here is my first Heisman rankings.
1. Jimmy Clausen, Jr. QB, Notre Dame - He has played the most consistent so far. 19 Touchdowns and only 2 Int's, Clausen has put up big stats against defenses like USC. Even in the Irish's 2 losses, it was not because of lack of offense.
2. Mark Ingram, Soph., RB, Alabama - The workhorse for a contending program. With over 1,000 yards rushing and 11 total TD's against SEC defenses, Ingram is plowing his way to New York City. Ingram also has two monster games left on National TV to showcase. LSU and the possible showdown against Florida.
3. Ryan Matthews, Jr., RB, Fresno St. - He does not get the national recgonition that he deserves, but Matthews is tearing up the country. With over 1,300 yards, Matthews is leading the NCAA in Rushing Yards per Game. Also, do not make the argument that Matthews plays a weak schedule. He ran over Wisconsin (107 yards), Boise St. (234 yards, 3 TDs), and Cincy (145 yards and a TD). Oh yeah, they were all on the road as well.
4. Casey Keenum, Jr., QB, Houston - I just cannot take my eyes off of these stats. Close to 3,300 passing yards, and 25 TDs, with only 5 Ints. He is the lone reason why Houston is nationally ranked. He may not win it this year, but he punched his name as a frontrunner next season.
5. Tim Tebow, Sr., QB, Florida - It pains me to put Tebow on this list. I am tired of hearing how valuable he is and how his fortitude is surpassed by no one, blah, blah, blah, blah! Until last week, his numbers were plain average. The Georgia game was his first real "Tebow-ish" game he has had in the SEC this season. He put one great game together, he will go to NYC if he can string some of them together now.
Honorable Mention: Cincy QB Tony Pike, Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh, Boise St. QB Kellen Moore, Notre Dame WR Golden Tate, and TCU DE Jerry Hughes.
Now, onto the picks:
Kansas St. 41, Kansas 38 - Do you believe that Kansas St. could actually be playing in the Big 12 Title Game? The Jayhawks were destined to be there, but have decided to meltdown the past few weeks. Bill Synder always has had Kansas's number.
Georgia Tech 34, Wake Forest 13 - Wake will be playing without QB Riley Skinner, which is a huge loss. Georgia Tech is the team that could of snuck into a playoff system and given fits to any of the top 8 teams because of their style of play.
Arkansas 31, South Carolina 23 - The Old Ball Coach Spurrier wishes he had a Ryan Mallette to groom and win a SEC Title with. Gamecocks keep it close, but will miss key starters on defense in this game.
Houston 54, Tulsa 51 - Do not blink watching this game, you will most likely miss one of the 15 touchdowns that will be put up in this game. Vegas must be going nuts trying to set the point total on this one.
Oklahoma 24, Nebraska 10 - Could wind up being a defensive struggle. Both teams have very good defenses, but the Sooners can muster enough offense to open the lead late.
Cincinnati 38, UConn 24 - This Huskie bunch will stay in the game, as they play everyone close, but the Bearcats just have too many weapons to burn you with, reguardless of who is playing QB.
Oregon St. 34, California 28 - UPSET SPECIAL! The Beavers always play better in the stretch run, and the Rodgers brothers are just too much for Cal to handle.
Notre Dame 38, Navy 20 - Just when you thought that you can stop Golden Tate, he gets back his partner in crime. Irish WR Michael Floyd will be back and playing. The Heisman Meter on Clausen could be hitting record levels now.
Oregon 42, Stanford 17 - There is no way you can put the Ducks ahead of Boise St., but do you think any team would want to face this team right now? What they did to the Trojans was boarderline criminal. I loved it.
Penn St. 17, Ohio St. 10 - Low scoring game, with two of the better defenses in the nation squaring off. I just cannot see the Lions losing in Happy Valley. Turns out to be a very disappointing season for Jim Tressel and the people of Columbus.
Alabama 20, LSU 9 - Notice that I did not mention LSU as a team that could sneak into a theoretical playoff system? The Tigers could not score off a an inferior Florida defense. Do you think that they could be any different against a better defense? No way. I am foaming from the mouth to see the Julio Jones-Patrick Peterson duel though.
Last Week: 5-5
Season: 59-38
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
World Series Champs
People that really know me realize how tough this next article will be for me to write. It is not that I am a Yankees hater, but I am not exactly a fan of their fanbase.
That will be another article, on another date. Right now, I want to congratulate the New York Yankees on their World Series victory.
There is a certain level of congratulating with this roster and personnel of Yankees though. I will point them out right now.
Congrats to:
Phil Coke, Brett Gardner, David Robertson, Alfredo Aceves, Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Robinson Cano for being mostly homegrown young Yankees that got their first taste of being a champion.
Brian Bruney, for not being punched out by someone on the field this season.
Chad Gaudin and Jerry Hairston, for being the type of pickups the Yankees would of made in the 98-00 Era.
Jose Molina, for becoming the last of the trio of catching brothers to get a ring.
Damaso Marte, for saving his only quality pitching with the Yankees since last July, in the ALCS and World Series.
Eric Hinske, for getting even with the Phillies in the World Series the very next year.
Nick Swisher, for coming in and loosening up a clubhouse that was in much need of exactly that.
CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and AJ Burnett, for living up to the 400 million in contracts they received, and winning in Year One.
Johnny Damon, for the moment that I thought won the World Series. That was one of the best 4-5 at bats I ever seen. Even better than Shawn Dunston's dozen pitch single to lead off the Robin Ventura Grand-Single game. Then coming up with a clutch, hustle play that is usually reserved for Derek Jeter in Yankee folklore.
Hideki Matsui, for abusing Phillies pitching and winning Game 6 by himself in what might be his Yankee swan song.
Alex Rodriguez, for getting that monkey off his back. He is now offically, a real Yankee.
Brian Cashman, for being able to tell Randy Levine where to go now.
Joe Girardi, for being able to get out of that shadow that was Joe Torre.
George Steinbrenner, for one more moment of glory before riding in the the sunset. The best owner sports might of ever seen.
Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, for showing their father that his baby in his in very good hands for a long time.
But, most of all, these four:
Congrats to Jorge Posada, who has gone from a rookie that rarely played for his first ring, and coming full circle as the unoffical Team Captain for his 5th ring.
To Andy Pettitte, for being a slightly lesser verison of Whitey Ford in this era of pinstripes. He might of left for three seasons, but he was always a Yankee. I still feel that the game that really cemented the first dynasty was Pettitte's 1-0 gem against John Smoltz in 96 at 24 years old. This Game 6, on 3 days rest at the now rugged age of 37, might of been the game that catapaulted the Yanks into their next one.
To Mariano Rivera, for being the Grim Reaper to an opposing team at the end of the game. No pitcher ever has put the fear of God into an opponent in the playoffs like you.
And finally, to Derek Jeter, for enchancing your mythical being in Yankee history. Of all the great players and future Hall of Famers on this team (At least 3, Minimum), Jeter is the one that stands out. He is the closest thing to what Mantle, Mays, Snider were in the eyes of how my father and his generation saw ballplayers. They were heroes. Icons. Jeter has that feel to him, and it is the only player in baseball today that comes close to that.
That will be another article, on another date. Right now, I want to congratulate the New York Yankees on their World Series victory.
There is a certain level of congratulating with this roster and personnel of Yankees though. I will point them out right now.
Congrats to:
Phil Coke, Brett Gardner, David Robertson, Alfredo Aceves, Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Robinson Cano for being mostly homegrown young Yankees that got their first taste of being a champion.
Brian Bruney, for not being punched out by someone on the field this season.
Chad Gaudin and Jerry Hairston, for being the type of pickups the Yankees would of made in the 98-00 Era.
Jose Molina, for becoming the last of the trio of catching brothers to get a ring.
Damaso Marte, for saving his only quality pitching with the Yankees since last July, in the ALCS and World Series.
Eric Hinske, for getting even with the Phillies in the World Series the very next year.
Nick Swisher, for coming in and loosening up a clubhouse that was in much need of exactly that.
CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and AJ Burnett, for living up to the 400 million in contracts they received, and winning in Year One.
Johnny Damon, for the moment that I thought won the World Series. That was one of the best 4-5 at bats I ever seen. Even better than Shawn Dunston's dozen pitch single to lead off the Robin Ventura Grand-Single game. Then coming up with a clutch, hustle play that is usually reserved for Derek Jeter in Yankee folklore.
Hideki Matsui, for abusing Phillies pitching and winning Game 6 by himself in what might be his Yankee swan song.
Alex Rodriguez, for getting that monkey off his back. He is now offically, a real Yankee.
Brian Cashman, for being able to tell Randy Levine where to go now.
Joe Girardi, for being able to get out of that shadow that was Joe Torre.
George Steinbrenner, for one more moment of glory before riding in the the sunset. The best owner sports might of ever seen.
Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, for showing their father that his baby in his in very good hands for a long time.
But, most of all, these four:
Congrats to Jorge Posada, who has gone from a rookie that rarely played for his first ring, and coming full circle as the unoffical Team Captain for his 5th ring.
To Andy Pettitte, for being a slightly lesser verison of Whitey Ford in this era of pinstripes. He might of left for three seasons, but he was always a Yankee. I still feel that the game that really cemented the first dynasty was Pettitte's 1-0 gem against John Smoltz in 96 at 24 years old. This Game 6, on 3 days rest at the now rugged age of 37, might of been the game that catapaulted the Yanks into their next one.
To Mariano Rivera, for being the Grim Reaper to an opposing team at the end of the game. No pitcher ever has put the fear of God into an opponent in the playoffs like you.
And finally, to Derek Jeter, for enchancing your mythical being in Yankee history. Of all the great players and future Hall of Famers on this team (At least 3, Minimum), Jeter is the one that stands out. He is the closest thing to what Mantle, Mays, Snider were in the eyes of how my father and his generation saw ballplayers. They were heroes. Icons. Jeter has that feel to him, and it is the only player in baseball today that comes close to that.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Weekend Wrap-Up
Ah, the first week that all four major sports are going at full steam. A sports junkie's wet dream. To be top it all off, it was bad weather around here. Rained all week, so there was no interruptions in my sports frenzy except for sleep.
-I watched the Bucks 1st round pick Brandon Jennings go one rebound and assist short of a Triple-Double in his debut. Then followed that game up with 24 points the next night. This is the same fast, up-tempo point guard that the Knicks passed up in the draft? This kid would of been perfect for Mikey D ball. Knicks figure they could grab John Wall in the next draft. Wait, they cannot? Ouch!
- Carmelo Anthony finally "gets" it. He gets the idea that if he is in top shape, no one can guard him in this league. Small Fowards are too small in frame and Power Fowards are just way too slow. The first three games were very interesting to watch.
-I watched the New York football teams meltdown this weekend, and I am not just talking about the Jets and Giants. Syracuse proved that they are completely inane as well. Jets give up 30 points, on 105 total yards of offense by the Dolphins, which is horrific, but not as bad Giants.
The Giants have shown that they can hammer the creampuffs, but when faced against a real team? They get smacked around like these teams were The Zohan. Eli Manning is throwing wounded ducks like Chad Pennington in the Meadowlands circa 2007. The defense cannot generate a pass rush, forget about trying to stop the pass. CC Brown is putrid! How did this clown even get a job as a Special Teamer, let alone a backup spot?
-Speaking of teams that have beaten the Giants recently, the Cardinals follow up that huge win on the East Coast by getting thumped by the Panthers? What the hell happened here? Cardinals are #1 in the NFL against the run, and the Panthers run roughshot all over them. Kurt Warner channeled his inner Jake Delhomme and tossed around a handful of Int's.
I am sorry, but serious contenders do not get pimpsmacked at home by a team that is incompetent as the Panthers after a road win like that the week before. I do not care if this was a revenge game for the Panthers or not. Zero excuse there.
-Memo to TJ Houshmanzadeh: You are NOT an elite WR that can go to the sidelines and trash your teammates in that fashion. You got that contract based on reaping the benefits of Chad Johnson/Ocho Cinco double teams for years. You have zero speed, and you have a warrior QB that is getting hammered to the ground with broken ribs. Be happy you got rich, and pardon my french, shut the f*ck up! You are getting paid like a top WR, but you have never been near a top WR.
-We all agree that Adrian Peterson is the best RB in the world. Yesterday we saw the battle for #2 in Maurice Jones Drew and Chris Johnson. They combined to run for roughly nine holes of a golf course. Johnson leads the league in rushing, and Jones Drew leads the league in Rush TDs. Fun game to watch. It felt like the US 4x100 relay race.
-Congrats to the Green Bay Packers for what it actually looked like bending over for Brett Favre. This is the guy that basically bitchslapped your franchise, employers, and most important, your teammates over the course of a two year saga to get to a divison rival to stomp on your heads.
The defense did not touch him. Some of the players are hugging him like two old lovers having one last one night stand for closure. It made me sick. Only one guy in green last night did not bend over. Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers played like a guy that was dissed by Favre. He did everything humanly possible to mount a comeback, eventhough he was getting creamed by a Vikings defense that was plowing through a lazy, weak Packers OLine. Rodgers got up everytime and tried again. After getting sacked 15 times in 2 games against the Vikes, would any of us flinch or critique Rodgers if he ran into his Left Tackle with his car in the parking garage? I know I would not care.
-Speaking of getting ran over, I told everyone a couple of months ago that USC had no shot in hell in making the Title Game with a Frosh QB at the helm. Now, I know it was not Matt Barkley's fault in this, but what a blowout that game was in the 2nd half. Oregon just crippled a Trojan defense for over 600 yards! BCS has no choice but to drop USC now.
-Now, all of my predictions do not come to fruition. Oklahoma St. took the gaspipe as well. Texas went into Stillwater and clobbered the Cowboys, although at least they were missing Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter. I will hold onto that excuse if questioned!
-The media will never kill the Gators huh? In a day where Tim Tebow finally put it all together and had a Tebow-like game, it really should not be the headlight of that game. Neither should the fact that Florida has a stranglehold on the BCS #1 ranking.
It should be all about how much of a cheap shot LB Brandon Spikes was pulling, when he was literally trying to eye gouge a Bulldog player at the bottom of a pile. This was ten times worse than LeGarrette Blount. At least the Bryon Hout was not pinned down. I am glad that Urban Meyer is going to be strict with his punishment....
Wait a second, ONE HALF!!! Spikes gets to sit for one half of a football game when he tried to rip a player's eyes out? I am begging the NCAA to get involved in this one, and while you are at it, suspend Meyer for a bad joke.
- There are seven undefeated teams left in college. I do not know which Doomsday scenario I want more. All of the teams to somehow lose, or for all the teams to somehow stay undefeated as long as possible. I do know one thing...
Iowa will not remain in this group. After watching Indiana carve up their defense, there is not a snowballs chance in hell that the Hawkeyes go into Columbus and beat Ohio St.
- I have not written much about baseball eventhough it is by far my favorite sport. It is alot easier and more smooth to write about football and basketball, but I have to comment on the greatness of Johnny Damon last night.
First, he is the one that derailed Brad Lidge with a brutally laboring nine pitch at bat, then singling on a good outside corner fastball. Damon just flicked it into Left Field.
Then, he realizes how slow Lidge is to the plate and takes off for 2nd. This I knew was going to be a play before it went off. Now, I take pride in knowing baseball situations, but I had no idea what Damon was doing when he went off for third. I have no idea that teams played Big Tex in the infield like that played Jason Giambi. Damon did not hesitate.
Lidge now could not throw his slider in the dirt, and it cost him when he had to come fat with a fastball to ARod. The rest is history. Yankees up 3-1.
I think the Phillies though bring it back to Yankee Stadium, but the Yankees still win in 6.
Monday Night Game:
Just expect fireworks tonight. Alot of fireworks from both offenses. There will be more less punts in this game than wins by the Detroit Lions.
Saints do not lose at home though.
New Orleans Saints 45, Atlanta Falcons 38.
-I watched the Bucks 1st round pick Brandon Jennings go one rebound and assist short of a Triple-Double in his debut. Then followed that game up with 24 points the next night. This is the same fast, up-tempo point guard that the Knicks passed up in the draft? This kid would of been perfect for Mikey D ball. Knicks figure they could grab John Wall in the next draft. Wait, they cannot? Ouch!
- Carmelo Anthony finally "gets" it. He gets the idea that if he is in top shape, no one can guard him in this league. Small Fowards are too small in frame and Power Fowards are just way too slow. The first three games were very interesting to watch.
-I watched the New York football teams meltdown this weekend, and I am not just talking about the Jets and Giants. Syracuse proved that they are completely inane as well. Jets give up 30 points, on 105 total yards of offense by the Dolphins, which is horrific, but not as bad Giants.
The Giants have shown that they can hammer the creampuffs, but when faced against a real team? They get smacked around like these teams were The Zohan. Eli Manning is throwing wounded ducks like Chad Pennington in the Meadowlands circa 2007. The defense cannot generate a pass rush, forget about trying to stop the pass. CC Brown is putrid! How did this clown even get a job as a Special Teamer, let alone a backup spot?
-Speaking of teams that have beaten the Giants recently, the Cardinals follow up that huge win on the East Coast by getting thumped by the Panthers? What the hell happened here? Cardinals are #1 in the NFL against the run, and the Panthers run roughshot all over them. Kurt Warner channeled his inner Jake Delhomme and tossed around a handful of Int's.
I am sorry, but serious contenders do not get pimpsmacked at home by a team that is incompetent as the Panthers after a road win like that the week before. I do not care if this was a revenge game for the Panthers or not. Zero excuse there.
-Memo to TJ Houshmanzadeh: You are NOT an elite WR that can go to the sidelines and trash your teammates in that fashion. You got that contract based on reaping the benefits of Chad Johnson/Ocho Cinco double teams for years. You have zero speed, and you have a warrior QB that is getting hammered to the ground with broken ribs. Be happy you got rich, and pardon my french, shut the f*ck up! You are getting paid like a top WR, but you have never been near a top WR.
-We all agree that Adrian Peterson is the best RB in the world. Yesterday we saw the battle for #2 in Maurice Jones Drew and Chris Johnson. They combined to run for roughly nine holes of a golf course. Johnson leads the league in rushing, and Jones Drew leads the league in Rush TDs. Fun game to watch. It felt like the US 4x100 relay race.
-Congrats to the Green Bay Packers for what it actually looked like bending over for Brett Favre. This is the guy that basically bitchslapped your franchise, employers, and most important, your teammates over the course of a two year saga to get to a divison rival to stomp on your heads.
The defense did not touch him. Some of the players are hugging him like two old lovers having one last one night stand for closure. It made me sick. Only one guy in green last night did not bend over. Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers played like a guy that was dissed by Favre. He did everything humanly possible to mount a comeback, eventhough he was getting creamed by a Vikings defense that was plowing through a lazy, weak Packers OLine. Rodgers got up everytime and tried again. After getting sacked 15 times in 2 games against the Vikes, would any of us flinch or critique Rodgers if he ran into his Left Tackle with his car in the parking garage? I know I would not care.
-Speaking of getting ran over, I told everyone a couple of months ago that USC had no shot in hell in making the Title Game with a Frosh QB at the helm. Now, I know it was not Matt Barkley's fault in this, but what a blowout that game was in the 2nd half. Oregon just crippled a Trojan defense for over 600 yards! BCS has no choice but to drop USC now.
-Now, all of my predictions do not come to fruition. Oklahoma St. took the gaspipe as well. Texas went into Stillwater and clobbered the Cowboys, although at least they were missing Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter. I will hold onto that excuse if questioned!
-The media will never kill the Gators huh? In a day where Tim Tebow finally put it all together and had a Tebow-like game, it really should not be the headlight of that game. Neither should the fact that Florida has a stranglehold on the BCS #1 ranking.
It should be all about how much of a cheap shot LB Brandon Spikes was pulling, when he was literally trying to eye gouge a Bulldog player at the bottom of a pile. This was ten times worse than LeGarrette Blount. At least the Bryon Hout was not pinned down. I am glad that Urban Meyer is going to be strict with his punishment....
Wait a second, ONE HALF!!! Spikes gets to sit for one half of a football game when he tried to rip a player's eyes out? I am begging the NCAA to get involved in this one, and while you are at it, suspend Meyer for a bad joke.
- There are seven undefeated teams left in college. I do not know which Doomsday scenario I want more. All of the teams to somehow lose, or for all the teams to somehow stay undefeated as long as possible. I do know one thing...
Iowa will not remain in this group. After watching Indiana carve up their defense, there is not a snowballs chance in hell that the Hawkeyes go into Columbus and beat Ohio St.
- I have not written much about baseball eventhough it is by far my favorite sport. It is alot easier and more smooth to write about football and basketball, but I have to comment on the greatness of Johnny Damon last night.
First, he is the one that derailed Brad Lidge with a brutally laboring nine pitch at bat, then singling on a good outside corner fastball. Damon just flicked it into Left Field.
Then, he realizes how slow Lidge is to the plate and takes off for 2nd. This I knew was going to be a play before it went off. Now, I take pride in knowing baseball situations, but I had no idea what Damon was doing when he went off for third. I have no idea that teams played Big Tex in the infield like that played Jason Giambi. Damon did not hesitate.
Lidge now could not throw his slider in the dirt, and it cost him when he had to come fat with a fastball to ARod. The rest is history. Yankees up 3-1.
I think the Phillies though bring it back to Yankee Stadium, but the Yankees still win in 6.
Monday Night Game:
Just expect fireworks tonight. Alot of fireworks from both offenses. There will be more less punts in this game than wins by the Detroit Lions.
Saints do not lose at home though.
New Orleans Saints 45, Atlanta Falcons 38.
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