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

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]

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.