BCS National Championship

I don't think anybody wants to see a (LSU vs. Alabama) rematch in the BCS National Championship Game.  We already saw LSU beat Alabama once in Tuscaloosa, AL and now they might get to play on a neutral field (New Orleans), where is the fairness in that LSU has to beat the same team twice and on the road both times.  If Alabama wins, both teams will have one loss, to be fair they should have to play in Baton Rouge, LA otherwise LSU is the National Champion win, lose, or draw.  LSU is playing in the SEC Championship, if they loose they'll have a loss but they'll probably win since the SEC West is so much better than the East.  Even if LSU loses the SEC Championship their probably in the National Championship Game (based on BCS standings).  Alabama is not in the SEC championship, how do you have a team not play for its Conference Championship and then play for the National Title.  How do you have two teams from the same division of the same conference, play for a National Championship.   LSU is most likely going to be in that game no matter what happens.  I don't want to see a rematch and I don't know too many people who do.  Instead of a one loss Alabama lets see a one loss Oklahoma. ST or Stanford or maybe Virginia Tech, Boise. St and Houston are on the out side looking in as far as the National Title is concerned.  The BCS is a screwed up system (we're letting computers pick our Champions) that needs to be replaced (playoff maybe).                

College basketball

The college basketball season started with some great games, in places as far away as Maui, Hi and before that on the deck of the U.S.S Carl Vision.  The ACC (North Carolina, Duke) and the Big East (Syracuse, Connecticut) are in my opinion the two best conferences in college basketball.  These teams just reload year after year.  In the ACC, North Carolina is always good under coach Roy Williams, Duke has Mike Krzyewski (winiest coach in  division 1, college basketball) and an athletic team who will give you their best effort night after night.  Their are a lot of good teams in the big East (5 ranked teams).  Uconn has some gelling to do as a team, but they can be a dangerous as we saw them (as a bunch of freshman) grow up before our eyes in winning the NCAA tournament last year.  I like what I have seen out of Syracuse so far with Fab Melo and the athleticism on that team, they can shut opponents down with their zone.  I am a Big East person and, I do like syracuse to make a run in the tournament.  Syracuse's tournament run is contingent upon coach Jim Boeheim and the team not getting wrapped up in the child sex abuse case against former assistant Bernie Fine.  Conference play doesn't start for another month or so and that is when things get sorted out, as far as every team playing equal competition, night in and night out.                 

week Tweleve, NFL picks (Thanksgiving edition)

Well we've made it to week 12 in the NFL, Thanksgiving weekend.  This is where things start to get interesting, with almost every team battling for playoff positioning over the next six weeks.  The AFC is wide open, with no one dominant team as we have the Jets, Titans, Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Raiders and Broncos all battling for divisions or Wild Cards.  The NFC doesn't have quite as many teams in the race but it will be a harder fight as you will need at least 10 wins.  It all gets started tomorrow with three good, better then in recent memory, football games.
week 12: picks
1)  I am going to pick two Thanksgiving games so lets start with the Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys, tomorrow afternoon at 4 P.M.  Its hard to tell what Cowboy team will show up and Miami is starting to look like a good team, now that they have a few wins under their belt.  I'll take the Miami Dolphins (+7) on the road in Dallas.  Miami Dolphins +7     
2) Also on Thanksgiving evening at 8 P.M the San Francisco 49ers travel east to take on the Baltimore Ravens, in a battle of the Harbaugh brothers.  The Ravens are one of AFC's inconsistent teams but I don't like San Francisco traveling east on the short week, plus their due to loose.  That being said i'll take the Baltimore Ravens (-3) at home.  Baltimore Ravens -3        
3) On Sunday now, the Chicago Bears visit the Oakland Raiders.  The Bears just lost their quarterback and I don't know about Caleb Hanie who will get the start.  Give me the Oakland Raiders (-4.5) at homes against the Bears.   Oakland Raiders -4.5
4) The NY Jets should be able to get back on track this week as they host the Buffalo Bills.  Rex Ryan has sort of become the coach who cries wolf, when it comes to how good his team is but this week their playing a Buffalo Bill team that after starting off strong has just about given up on the season.  I'll take the New York Jets (-9) at home against the Bills.    NY Jets -9
5) After a disappointing game against the Eagles on Sunday Night, in which the Giants dropped a couple passes, failed to change their offensive game plan to see if they could run the ball, played undisciplined, and took some bad penalties.  The NY Giants travel to New Orleans to play the Saints on Monday Night Football, hopefully the Giants have a better game plan this week because 29 yards rushing will not work against a Saints team coming off the bye week.  The Giants have to figure out a way to get to 10 wins and that will not be easy when your schedule includes games against the Saints, Packers, Redskins, Cowboys (2) and Jets.  I think a win this week in New Orleans will be to much to ask, I'll take the Saints (-7) at home against the Giants.  New Orleans Saints -7
   

MLB awards

Postseason awards in baseball are stats, they go on your record and on your baseball card for us all to memorize.  Winning a postseason award (such as an MVP, Cy Young, Manager of the Year, or Rookie of the Year) is an accomplishment, You were the the best in a respective category through 162 games.  This year the most dominant player, also happened to be the best pitcher which allowed Justin Verlander to win both the Cy Young and MVP awards.  I am of the belief that you should only be allowed to win one award.  Since both the Cy Young and the MVP are for the best player, pitchers who are eligible for the Cy Young shouldn't be able to win both.  It's not a pitchers fault he's best utilized on the mound and it's not a position players fault he's not a pitcher.  I feel that since these are very similar awards that the MVP should be the award for position players, and the Cy Young should be for pitchers.  Justin Verlander was the best pitcher this year (24-5: 2.40 ERA) and he should have won the Cy Young, the MVP should have been between Granderson and Ellisbury.            

week eleven, NFL picks

We have made it to week eleven, football fans.  After holding steady in week ten, we move on into a stream where a 9-win team could make things interesting in a mediocre AFC.  In the NFC we have some teams like the Packers and 49ers that have been dominating things, over all they are bore bunched up and getting to 10 or 11 wins is going to be key.  I didn't do to well with my picks last week, I have to get back on the horse and finish strong.
Week 11 picks:
1) Let's start with last nights game which I found odd.  Neither team played vey well, however the NY Jets let the Denver Broncos hang around and ultimately drive down the field for the winning score.  the Jet offensive line was manhandled last night, they were letting guys get free runs on Sanchez, their special teams need work, and their defense is very up and down.  I don't think Tim Tebow and the option offense can last very long in the NFL, its pretty much all trick plays, it worked last night.  Tebow took his team down field for the winning score after being awful for the first 58 minutes.  Denver Broncos 17- New York  Jets 13
2)  The Cleveland Browns are an up and coming team, while the Jacksonville Jaguars are still trying to find themselves.  I'll take Cleveland (-1) at home over Jacksonville.   Cleveland Browns -1 
3)  Arizona is not very good, San Francisco can for all intensive purposes win the division this week, with an offense that Alex Smith runs to perfection.  I'll take San Francisco (-9.5) at home over the Arizona Cardinals.  San Francisco 49ers -9.5           
4)  The Detroit Lions will continue to play well at home and go into their Thanksgiving tilt on a good note by beating a Carolina team that is in transition.  I'll take the Detroit Lions (-7) at home against the Carolina Panthers.  Detroit Lions -7
5)  After plying a very good game last week in San Francisco which came down to basically came down to about two drives in the 4th quarter where after Alex Smith had put the 49ers up 7, Eli Manning throws an interception and after a missed assignment by the Giant defense the 49ers go up 14.  Eli was up to the task of bringing the Giants back, he got them back 7 points before the clock ran out on the final drive and they lost by 7.  Big Blue has to get back on the winning track this week as a battered Philadelphia Eagle ( Michael Vick is questionable) team comes in,  the G-men have to put the Eagles to sleep this week. The Eagles are bad and they've got Dallas hot on their heels in the division with games against Green Bay as well as New Orleans, not to mention Dallas still to come.  I think the Giants will come out fired up this week,  give me the New York Giants (-4.5) at home against the Philadelphia Eagles.  NY Giants -4.5       

NFL midseason report

We have made all the way to week 11 in the NFL season, back in June we were in the middle of labor talks and now we are a little more than half way through the 2011 NFL season and heading right towards Super Bowl XLVI.  Let's start in the AFC where things are pretty open.  This conference is open for the taking with only a few teams who will have 10 or more wins.  In the east we have the New England patriots who will most likely win the division, after beating the Jets twice.  The New York Jets who are not as good as advertised with a porous offensive line and a defense which doesn't always show up and Rex Ryan's comments are becoming a little much, will battle it out with the Buffalo Bills for a Wild Card.  In the north the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals will battle it out for the division and the other Wild Card.  Only one team from the south the Houston Texans who just lost its quarterback will make the playoffs and it will be the same story in the west where either the Oakland Raiders or the San Diego Chargers (this team is cursed, every year people think they'll be good and they disappoint) will make a playoff run.  in that conference the Indianapolis Colts are winless and may end up drafting the successor to Peyton Manning.
The NFC is fun, the New York Giants have lead in the east and will have to fend off a Dallas Cowboy team, which they have not seen yet.  Both Wild Cards could come out of the north where behind the 9-0 Green Bay packers, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions are in a tie at 6-3 and both Wild Cards may come from their.  The New Orleans Saints 7-3 will battle with the Atlanta Falcons 5-4 for the South, both teams are hard to read.  The San Francisco 49ers are for real, and have run away with the western division which they have pretty much already won at 8-1.  Aaron Rodgers has become a star on an undefeated Super Bowl winning team, the Packers still look good for a playoff run but I wouldn't be surprised with a regular season loss or two.                
Power Rankings:
1) Green Bay Packers
2) San Francisco 49ers
3) Pittsburgh Steelers
4) New England Patriots
5)  Houston Texans
6) New York Giants
7) Chicago Bears
8) New Orleans Saints
9) Baltimore Ravens
10) Atlanta Falcons  

week ten, NFL picks

Here it is week 10, we're starting the stretch run and the second half of this 2011 football schedule.  Both locals got big wins last week, the Jets up in Buffalo and another late fourth quarter comeback for Eli and the Giants.  Joe Flacco also drove his Baltimore Ravens team downfield for the win, late.  The Miami Dolphins got their first win in blowout fashion in Kansas City over the chiefs,  as the only remaining one loss team can the Indianapolis Colts say hello to the number 1 pick and Andrew Luck.    
Week 10: Picks
1)  The Dallas Cowboys want to be an elite team and if Tony Romo doesn't make the crucial mistake, I'll take Dallas (-5.5) to beat the Buffalo Bills at home.  Dallas Cowboys -5.5
2)  The Tennessee Titams have been an up and down team all season, I like 1 pick Cam Newton at home.  I'll take the Carolina Panthers (-3.5) over the Tennessee Titans at home.   Carolina Panthers -3.5 
3) The Detroit Lions have become that team in which no one likes,  as the year goes on Chicago gains a bigger home field advantage.  I'll take the Chicago Bears (-3) to beat the Detroit Lions at home.  Chicago Bears -3 
4)  The NY Jets are coming off a big win last week in Buffalo and they are now in a three way tie for the division, the New England Patriots have had their holes exposed two weeks in a row and I don't see them stopping the bleeding Sunday Night in Metlife Stadium.  I like the New York Jets (-1) to knock off the New England Patriots at home.  NY Jets -1 
5)  The NY Giants had a great win last week in New England and now travel out to San Francisco.  Eli Manning is becoming an elite quarterback, (top 5 this season) TE Jake Ballard has emerged as a good pass catching Tight End.  The San Francisco offense isn't very complicated but they do have a good defense and are helped by Frank Gore running the ball.  I like the New York Giants (+3.5) to make it two in a row on the road in San Francisco against the 49ers.  NY Giants +3.5                 

Joe Paterno (Penn State)

In a story thats been getting national attention, and rightly so Penn State University was forced to make some necessary changes. In the aftermath of what has become a uneasy situation at PSU,  the board of directors meet last night to discuss the situation.  Joe Paterno who has been the head coach there since 1966, announced earlier in the day that he would step down at seasons end.  As much as I like Joe Pa and what he has done at PSU, stepping down when the season ended in three months (after the final three regular season games and a bowl game) wasn't going to stop the bleeding.  The board of directors did what they had to do, in firing the university's president and football coach Paterno.  Joe just wanted to put what would've been a tourniquet on the situation and the board stepped in and put what is hopefully and end to it.  Now that Joe Pa is gone and will not be coaching Saturday against Nebraska, assistant coach Mike McQueary who was the graduate who told Joe Pa what he observed in the shower can not be allowed to coach either.  This just the beginning, with the firing of the president, the athletic director, Joe Paterno, and (should be firing of) McQueary.  It might not be until after the season but Penn State has to clean house, get rid of all the assistants and other personnel who might have or might not have known anything.  It doesn't really surprise me the board hasn't fired McQueary yet, they have been kind of slow with the repercussions.  This story broke over the weekend and they didn't fire the president and Paterno until yesterday, its only Thursday they have until noon on Saturday to get their heads on straight.  The other side of this story besides the innocent boys who were the victims, is their is still a football season to finish.  The Nittany Lion football team is 7-1 and undefeated in the Big Ten, hopefully they can rally around this situation to win the conference and go to The Rose Bowl.  Saturday will be the first time in 50 + years that someone other then Joe Paterno will be leading the team, they'll be coached on an interim basis by defensive coordinator Tom Bradley.                                   

Joe Paterno (Penn State)

In a story thats been getting national attention, and rightly so Penn State University was forced to make some necessary changes. In the aftermath of what has become a uneasy situation at PSU,  the board of directors meet last night to discuss the situation.  Joe Paterno who has been the head coach there since 1966, announced earlier in the day that he would step down at seasons end.  As much as I like Joe Pa and what he has done at PSU, stepping down when the season ended in three months (after the final three regular season games and a bowl game) wasn't going to stop the bleeding.  The board of directors did what they had to do, in firing the university's president and football coach Paterno.  Joe just wanted to put what would've been a tourniquet on the situation and the board stepped in.  Now that Joe Pa is gone and will not be coaching Saturday against Nebraska, assistant coach Mike McQueary              

Penn State (Football)

On more than one occasion, Penn State University has involved in scandals that may tarnish its reputation.  At least once in 2002 a graduate assistant observed, longtime assistant Jerry Sandusky preforming anal sex on little boys, as young as 10 years old in a PSU locker room shower.  Long time head coach Joe Paterno was apparently told of this scene, and he failed to let the proper authorities know.  Although JoePa let University authorities know of the incident, everyone involved failed to let outside law enforcement know, they were trying to cover for the university.  One one hand you have to feel for these boys who were being sexually abused, on the other JoePa and the University knew about this (happening possibly  more than once) and let Sandusky hang around the football program until very recently (holding camps, attending practices, and having an office in the facility) .  In what is a sleepy little college town, State College Pennsylvania where just about everybody knows about the football program and the football coach who is an institution and knows everyone personally.  Joe Pa who has been the head coach at PSU since 1966 (1950-1966 as an assistant), knows everyone and their families in town.  How could Joe pa not have know about this happening more than once and have not let the proper authorities know.  This incident is going to tarnish the reputation of Penn State University, and most likely Joe Pa as well.  So far Joe Pa has only been a witness and is not being sought after legally, we have yet to hear Joe speak.  Joe Pa who is in the last year of his contract, will likely be forced out.  Joe Pa is a legend in State College, fathers and their sons played for him and most of the campus and alumni will be able to tell you his name before the president of the school.  I think the University will be forced to clean house, getting rid of everyone from the football staff to the University president.  Penn State University will have to start all over again.                              

week nine, NFL picks

In what is a great weekend for T.V, we should just sit down in front of our televisions at about 8 p.m (Alabama vs. LSU) Saturday and not move until about 11 p.m Sunday (Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens).  We start with college football and end with the NFL and we can mix in some of the Breeders Cup tomorrow, if thats your cup of tea.  Their is some great television watching this weekend.  As far as the NFL we have some good games on the local slate, with the NY Jets in Buffalo and in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII the NY Giants are up in Foxboro to meet the Patriots.        

Week 9 picks:

1) The Indianapolis Colts Can't do much right this season, Peyton is out and that is exposing some other holes on that team.  Atlanta has been disappointing this season and their is some concern this week because the Falcons are coming off a bye and facing a winless team.  Let me have the Atlanta Falcons (-7) on the road in Indy. Atlanta Falcons -7  

2) The Washington Redskins are having some problems not to mention that they changed quarterbacks,  the San Francisco 49ers aren't great but they are going to win the west and soon.  I'll take San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) in Washington.  San Francisco 49ers -3.5 

3) I am going to go out on a limb here because sooner or later the Green Bay Packers are going to loose and/or the Miami Dolphins are going to win a game.  Miami has looked impressive and almost every week they are right there and if they don't win this one they'll have to wait.  This could be a tricky game for Kansas City who's coming off the short week.  Let me have Miami (+4) in Kansas City.  Miami Dolphins +4  

4)  The NY Jet defense isn't as good as it could be and they might not be able to get a pass rush on Ryan Fitzpatrick who doesn't go through and read the whole defense.  Ill take the Buffalo Bills (-2) who will make enough plays to beat the New York Jets at home.  Buffalo Bills -2

5) In a rematch of Super Bowl XLII the NY Giants travel to Foxboro. The Giants are suffering from injuries most notable to Ahmad Bradshaw (offense) and will now have to give to ball to a disgruntled Brandon Jacobs, and Jason Pierre-Paul (concussion) on defense.  The Patriots are good at home and are near  unbeatable coming off a loss.  Although the Giants (+9) will score the Patriots will win at home, but not cover. New York Giants +9, New England Patriots win                    

week nine, NFL picks

In what is a great weekend for T.V, we should just sit down in front of our televisions at about 8 p.m (Alabama vs. LSU) Saturday and not move until about 11 p.m Sunday (Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens).  We start with college football and end with the NFL and we can mix in some of the Breeders Cup tomorrow, if thats your cup of tea.  Their is some great television watching this weekend.  As far as the NFL we have some good games on the local slate, with the NY Jets in Buffalo and in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII the NY Giants are up in Foxboro to meet the Patriots.      
Week 9 picks:
1)  Indianapolis Can't do much right this season, Peyton is out and that is exposing some other holes on that team.  Atlanta has been disapointing this season and their is some concern this week because the Falcons are comming off a bye and facing a winnless team.  Let me have the Atlanta Falcons    

No Opening Night: NBA

This is usually the night, the stars of the NBA come out and Dallas begins its title defense.  This year instead of playing on the hardwood, NBA owners and players occasionally sit around a hardwood table and talk about the most pressing issues, trying to hammer out a labor deal in order to have some sort of a basketball season.  Owners and players are at a stalemate over basketball related income (players don't want to take less than 53%),  length of contracts (players want teams to be able to sign their own (Bird) guys to 5 year deals and others to 4 whereas owners want 4 and 3) , and the salary cap. (hard or soft cap)  this lockout is different then it was in the NFL, there are NBA teams loosing money and they want to fix things.  Last week it appeared they might be able to agree and save a full NBA season, until talks broke off.  Only the die hard NBA fans are going to miss basketball until Christmas, we're in the middle of an exciting NFL season and we got the NHL.  If NBA players and owners can get back to the negotiating table by next week, right now there not even scheduled to meet, and hammer out a deal by Thanksgiving we can have a 60 or so game season, that would start on Christmas.  One source I talked to said if their was a season it would be 50 games at best.  It sounds like the NBA might be willing to take the year off, by canceling the entire season.  If they cancel the entire season they should have a plan to get their fans back, when they do return.  I think they are prepared to take the season off money wise.