NFL Week 9 Preview

Arizona Cardinals @ Chicago Bears
Spread: Bears, -3
o/u: 44.5
Last week Matt Forte finally had a strong showing. Last week was also the only week the Bears will face the Cleveland Browns. While Arizona has a decent run defense, their pass defense should be easy pickings for Jay Cutler. The fact that Chicago's defense isn't all that great, either, should keep the score close, but they'll cover in the end.
Pick: Bears 28 - Cardinals 24

College Football Week 10 - Important Matchups

Vanderbilt @ 1 Florida
Favorite: Florida, -35
This game matters because of Brandon Spikes. By now its been everywhere: he tried to gouge out another Waushaun Ealey's eyes, he was suspended for the first half of this game, Ealey didn't want him suspended, Spikes decided to suspended himself for the full game. Well, the only thing talked about more than this in the past few days has been the Alabama-LSU game, and thats just barely. With Florida at 8-0 and Vandy at 2-7, we'll know how much being without Spikes matters by the end of the first quarter, and it probably won't matter much.
Pick: Florida 45 - Vanderbilt 17

9 LSU @ 3 Alabama
Favorite: Alabama, -7.5
As it stands right now, this game will probably have national title repurcussions. The winner will probably play Florida for the SEC title, and the winner of that game will probably play for the BCS National Championship. For both teams, their big games have been low scoring, including LSU's 13-3 loss to Florida. They've both had their moments on offense, but defense has been carrying both teams all season. With both teams fairly even on that side of the ball, the offensive edge goes to Alabama. 'Bama's offense puts up more points and yards per game, and is already 3-0 against ranked opponents to LSU's 1-1.
Pick: Alabama 20 - LSU 13

16 Ohio State @ 11 Penn State
Favorite: Penn State, -3.5
This is the only other ranked-ranked game of the weekend, and it also hold conference title ramifications. With both teams 4-1 in-conference, they trail only undefeated Iowa for the Big Ten title. With Penn State already having lost to Iowa this season, Ohio State clearly needs this game more, as they take on Iowa next week, and would take the conference by winning out. Ohio State has looked beatable this year, and with Terrelle Pryor possibly nursing a leg injury, this could be a close win for Penn State.
Pick: Penn State 28 - Ohio State 24

9 Oregon @ Stanford
Favorite: Oregon, -7
Poor Stanford. Poor, poor Stanford. They are one game away from bowl eligibility and three of their last four games are at home, where they are undefeated this year. Unfortunately, those three games are against 9 Oregon, 20 Cal, 22 Notre Dame, and the away game is next week is at 12 USC. Having already lost to Wake Forest, Oregon State, and Arizona, I'm not giving the Cardinal much hope of bcoming bowl eligible this week. Maybe in two weeks against Cal, but not this week.
Pick: Oregon 35 - Stanford 17

And They Wonder Women Aren't Allowed to Play Men's Sports

Apparently they use prison rules for women's college soccer in the southwest:

Friday Morning News - 11/6/09

Bobby Abreu has agreed to a two-year deal to stay with the LA Angels. [LA Times]

The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a trade, sending two minor league pitcher to the Florida Marlins for OF Jeremy Hermida. [Boston.com]

Sacramento King Andres Nocioni has been arrested on DUI charges. [Sacramento Bee]

Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant is expected to turn pro after the appeal of his suspension was rejected by the NCAA. [Omaha.com]

The Brock Lesnar-Shane Carwin fight has again been postponed due to Lesnar contracting mono. [ESPN]

Further Proof the BCS is Flawed

From ESPN:

The Western Athletic Conference is using Boise-based PR firm Scott Peyron & Associates to help Boise State's football team in its push for a BCS bowl.

The firm was put on a monthly retainer this summer to help promote Boise State as a legitimate participant in a BCS bowl should it go undefeated regardless of whether another nonautomatic qualifying school is ranked ahead of it.

Last season, the Broncos were undefeated during the regular season and ranked No. 9 in the BCS standings, but Utah was ranked ahead of them and earned the guaranteed spot to a BCS bowl.

The fact that any team should have to promote themselves rather than let their record speak for themselves is rediculous. The NCAA heads love to talk about parity in college football, but where is it? Why would a star player want to play for a Boise State or Utah or Hawaii, where they can have an undefeated season and not play in a BCS bowl game, when he can go to Florida or USC or LSU, lose two games, and play for a National Championship? Does anyone even remember that Boise State beat Oregon in Week 1? You know, the Oregon that just beat USC? Here's another interesting fact you might not know about Boise State: since their last losing season, in 1997, their record is 122-25. In that time, they have two undefeated seasons and four one-loss seasons. They have won their conference every year since 1998 except 2001 and 2007. The idea that a school with a history like that over the last 12 years will probably never get to play for a National Championship is completely appalling, and the NCAA and BCS executives should be ashamed of themselves.

Thursday Morning News - 11/5/09

The NY Yankees have won the 2009 World Series, 4-2. Hideki Matsui was named Series MVP, becoming the first played to win the award without ever taking the field. [MLB.com]

Indianapolis Colt Tyjuan Hagler will miss the rest of the season with a ruptured biceps muscle. [Indianaplos Star]

Florida's Brandon Spikes has announced he will sit out the entire game this week against Vanderbilt, instead of the one-half suspension given to him by head coach Urban Meyer. [Gatorsports.com]

Danica Patrick is reportedly close to signing a deal with Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s JR Motorsports to race in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. [Yahoo Sports]

NFL Week 8 Wrap-up

Coming up on the mid-point of the season, some divisions look like marathon, and other look like a run-away sprint:

Already Over?:
NFC North
The Minnesota Viking are clearly the team to beat right now in this division. Brett Favre is playing like he did the first half of last season, and no one is stepping up to challenge them yet. They are 3-0 in their division, and already swept the Green Bay Packers. The one challenger may still be the Bears, who the Vikes haven't played yet. That, and Brett Favre's age. Last season's late injury may be a sign that his body can't handle a full season any more. Only time will tell.

Tuesday Morning News - 11/3/09

The Philadelphia Phillies have won Game 5, 8-6. Chase Utley's 2 HRs tied him with Reggie Jackson for most in a single World Series. [Newsday]

The Cleveland Browns have fired GM George Kokinis. Kokinis was hand picked by head coach Eric Mangini after Mangini was hired in January. [The Huddle]

Philadelphia Flyer Simon Gagne will miss 6-8 weeks after ungergoing surgery on a double hernia. [SB Nation]

Anaheim Duck James Wisniewski has been suspended two games for an illegal hit on Phoenix Coyote Shane Doan. [LA Times]

A US Bankruptcy Court judge has approved the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes to the NHL. [ESPN]

Doug Barron is the first player suspended under the PGA Tour's anti-doping policy. The drug he tested positive for is not being released, and he will miss one year of competition. [Golf Channel]

David Beckham will be returning to AC Milan on a six month loan from the LA Galaxy. [Times Online]

Suspension coming for Florida's Brandon Spikes? **UPDATED**

Florida needed to finally put up a big showing, after struggling offensively the past few weeks. And they did, beating Georgia 41-17. But theres no excuse for what the cameras caught in the middle of the third quarter:

If you didn't notice it, watch #51, Brandon Spikes. Specifically watch his right hand.


I know a lot of dirty things happen in the pile in football, and I know a lot of trash talk was going back and forth in this game. That is no excuse for what is clearly a player trying to injure another player. Spikes clearly reached into Washaun Ealey's facemask and gouged at his eyes, clearly with the intent to injure him. If he had succeeded, an eye injury could cause permanent damage, and even end a player's career. In 1999, Orlando Brown of the Cleveland Browns was hit in the eye by a penaly flag thrown by a ref. He missed three years and never fully regained his vision. For a player who is a freshman and just beginning his football career, like Ealey is, this could have been a quick career ender. Spikes should get suspended the rest of the year, at the very least.

**UPDATE** Good videos of this will probably keep getting taken down, so if this one disappears, just click here.

**UPDATE 2** Spikes has been suspended for the first half this week against Vanderbilt by head coach Urban Meyer. The SEC has accepted this punishment and will not take further action.

MNF Preview - Week 8

Stlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints
Spread: Saints, -12
o/u: 55.5
The Saints are still the NFC's only undefeated team after a big comeback win over the Dolphins last week. For the Falcons, Matt Ryan suddenly looks like hes hitting a sophmore slump, throwing 5 picks in the last two games. That looks even worse when added to the fact that Saint Darren Sharper leads the league in INTs. But really, these two fact from ESPN's preview of the game are all you need to know:

The Saints are the first team in history to score 45-plus points in four of their first six games. ... Since joining New Orleans, [Drew] Brees has beaten Atlanta five out of six times.

Pick: Saints 48 - Falcons 17

NFL Sunday Recap - Week 8

Some guys have been giving their teams a much-needed spark lately:

Energizer Bunnies:

Vince Young
He may not be the best QB in the NFL, but he played well in his first start since Week 1 of last year. He went 15/18 for 125 yards and a TD, but it's his scrambling ability that got the win here. The fact that defenses have to respect his speed and his arm opens up the field for the backs, and Chris Johnson took full advantage, rushing for 228 yards and 2 TDs. Kerry Collins couldn't get it done, so Vince Young gives Tennessee their first win of the season.

Monday Morning News - 11/2/09

The NY Yankees have won Game 4, 7-4, taking a 3-1 World Series lead into tonights Game 5. [NYDN]

Yankee Derek Jeter and St Louis Cardinal Albert Pujols have been named the 2009 recipients of the Hank Aaron Award, for outstanding offensive performance in each league. [MLB.com]

NY Knick Al Harrington has been fined $25,000 for criticizing officials after Friday's loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. [Newsday]

Jamie McMurray was the surprise winner of NASCAR's AMP Energy 500. Jimmy Johnson finished 8th and still holds a 184 point lead in the Chase for the Cup. UPI]

For the first time since 1982, and American has won the NYC Marathon. Meb Keflezighi finished the race in 2:09:56, leading six Americans in the top 10. [USA Today]

MY 25 - Week 9

There is probably nothing in sports I disagree with more than the BCS and college football poll system. With that in mind, each week I'll be naming my own Top 25. The only hard and fast rule of MY 25: overall records come first.

1. Texas
2. Alabama
3. Boise St
4. Florida
5. Cincinnati
6. TCU
7. Iowa
8. Oregon
9. Penn State
10. LSU
11. Houston
12. Pitt
13. Utah
14. Georgia Tech
15. Miami(FL)
16. Wisconsin
17. USF
18. Rutgers
19. BYU
20. Arizona
21. Notre Dame
22. West Virginia
23. Cal
24. Idaho
25. Temple


Performance of the Week: TCU
Lets be honest: TCU is a very good team, and UNLV is bordering on bad. They've still be averaging 25 points and roughly 380 yards per game. That just makes TCU's performance even more impressive. They allowed just 160 yards of total offense, 42 passing, in shutting out UNLV 41-0. Its their first shutout in almost exactly two years, and they've outscored opponents 123-13 in their last three games.

The Sunday News - 11/1/09

Week 9 college football upsets: UNC 20 - No. 13 Virginia Tech 17(Thursday), USF 30 - No. 21 West Virginia 19(Friday), No. 10 Oregon 47 - No. 5 USC 20, Tennessee 31 - No. 22 South Carolina 13, Auburn 33 - No. 25 Mississippi 20 [ESPN]

The NY Yankees have won Game 3, 8-5, and lead the World Series 2-1. Roecord in the game: the first postseason use of instant replay, Ryan Howard's 7 Ks set a record for most strikeouts in consecutive World Series games, Andy Pettite pitched in his postseason record 17th win and 39th start, Jason Werth's 2 HR put him one away from the single postseason record.

With his 50th and 51st, Tim Tebow broke the SEC record for career rushing TDs in Florida's 41-17 win over Georgia. [Miami Herald]

Appalachian State QB Armanti Edwards became the first player in D-I history with 9,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards for their career. [GoASU.com]