1. Alabama 4-0 (1) - And that's why they're the defending champs.
2. Oregon 4-0 (2) - The offense is still rolling, just barely off the 1 point per minute pace, but wow, the defense got absolutely shredded on Saturday night, allowing 600 yards of offense as Az St beat itself really. But what's really crazy is that the Ducks are *still* the #3 defense in the nation in scoring defense. Who would've believed a month ago that on a weekend upcoming with Bama-Florida and Texas-OU, the game I'd be most excited for would be Stanford-Oregon?!
3. Boise St 3-0 (3) - Not dominant, shouldn't have to be. Got the win against an always feisty Beavers team and that's what matters.
4. Nebraska 4-0 (4) - Really looking like the alpha dog in the Big 12 now, may be a TD favorite in every game left this season until they face presumably Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game.
5. Ohio St 4-0 (5) - I'm excited for all the Terrelle Pryor hype for rolling up the score in a game against Eastern Michigan. *roll eyes*
6. Stanford 4-0 (9) - I watched the Cardinal play some on Saturday against the Irish and I'm sold. And it's not just a big offense but a dominating defense as well. Speaking of dominating, how good does that 35-0 shutout at UCLA look right about now? Wow.
7. LSU 4-0 (7) - No shame in just surviving against an always solid West Va squad.
8. Arizona 4-0 (8) - One of the weirdest endings to an awfully played game in awhile, and yet that is that W next to Arizona and what else matters? Nick Foles and Juron Criner only showed up for a couple of plays, but they were the ones that mattered.
9. Auburn 4-0 (13) - Finally got to see the Tigers, and I now believe in Cameron Newton. He is a monster on the ground and in the air, and he is an excellent manager and decision maker on top of it. I'd take him over Terrelle Pryor any day of the week.
10. Utah 4-0 (10) - The Utes are in the top 10 in the nation in both scoring offense and scoring defense. When do you think someone will notice?
11. TCU 4-0 (12) - Played Oregon St just as well as Boise, in hindsight, though this Toad defense doesn't look nearly as dominant as it was a year ago.
12. Oklahoma State 4-0 (14) - An off week and boy did my fantasy team miss Brandon Weeden. Come back soon.
13. Arkansas 3-1 (6) - This was the marquee win that Petrino should have had. Ryan Mallett was absolutely lighting up the Bama secondary in the first half, but Saban made the adjustments and Petrino couldn't match. And in the end, Ryan Mallett went from Heisman contender to pretender with an absolutely awful 4th quarter. Still get my best 1-loss team ranking though.
14. Iowa 3-1 (15) - Responded to the loss in style with a 45-0 beatdown of Ball State, and should be right back in the top ten if they take down Penn State and Michigan the next two weeks.
15. Miami 2-1 (20) - Wow, nothing like a 31-3 road beatdown against Big East favorite Pitt to get people back on board in a hurry. Can they repeat the feat in Clemson this weekend? This Canes team looks awfully good at times.
16. Michigan 4-0 (18) - I inch closer and closer to believing. This week in Indiana shouldn't hurt.
17. Penn St 3-1 (16)
18. Florida 4-0 (17)
19. Oklahoma 4-0 (18)
20. Wisconsin 4-0 (25) - Whatever.
21. Nevada 4-0 (24) - Not a ton of points, but impressive to go to BYU and win very comfortably. Looking like a real potential threat to Boise St down the stretch, maybe even a BCS buster if they could win that.
22. NC State 4-0 (NR) - Russell Wilson has really been an under the radar star QB for the Wolfpack for a few years now. Might be time he got his due.
23. Missouri 4-0 (NR) - Haven't really done much to earn this yet, but the Tigers' offense is gelling and in for another big season.
24. USC 4-0 (NR) - Just couldn't find enough teams to leave them out of the top 25 again.
25. Texas 3-1 (11) - They've done absolutely nothing to deserve a spot still in the top 25 after that home catastrophe against UCLA, but I want to believe that the Red River Shootout is still going to be exciting so we'll keep it as a matchup of top 25 teams. Where have you gone, Colt McCoy?
Dropped from rankings - South Carolina (21), Pittsburgh (22), Kentucky (23)
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Sept 25th predictions
Already on Thursday night, #20 Miami (my rankings - yes, I am that presumptuous) thumped #22 Pitt 31-3 in a battle of what was my only ACC top 25 squad against the only Big East top 25 squad. I've got GT knocking off NC State at home in a tough ACC battle today, while Va Tech wins on the road in Boston College. There's really only even one other Big East squad on my radar at all, truly a terrible conference right now, but that team is West Virginia. I didn't rank them this week because they should've lost to Marshall, but fact is they're 3-0 and travel to Death Valley tonight to face an underrated LSU team (my #7 compared to #15 nationally). Should be an entertaining game, but LSU is too fast on defense and too good at home to lose this one, though West Va may still end up taking the undeserved BCS spot at year's end.
Nothing exciting happening in the Big 12 today as both Oklahoma and Texas will probably struggle a bit more than they should with Cincy and UCLA while they sleepwalk through the game and prepare for next week's Red River Showdown. What else is new though - these teams are already sleepwalking through the season. The Big 10 is even less exciting with every team playing a home game against some crappy non-BCS opponent. The best opponent is Temple playing Happy Valley, and while I love the Owls squad and almost ranked them in the top 25 this week, I don't love them *that* much.
The big non-BCS game of the day is Boise State at home against Oregon State. I always like the Beavers especially in big games, but come on, Boise will roll at home like they always do. I'm intrigued to see what Jacquizz Rodgers can do against the Broncos, and he *could* be a one man wrecking crew on their national title hopes and launch himself into the Heisman discussion (where he should already be), but Boise should push 9 men up to stop him and make Oregon State's new QB beat them. And he won't. I do think another freshman QB will have some success today though as BYU regains some luster and takes care of soon-to-be MWC opponent Nevada in a minor upset. But today's big action happens in the Pac 10 and the SEC.
Stanford hits the road today to play Notre Dame, and you have to love the concept of Luck vs the Irish. I'm done picking Notre Dame to be real, and I believe in Stanford. I don't know how Notre Dame scores enough points to keep up with the Cardinal 30-40. Cal travels to Arizona and I think both teams will reverse fortunes some from last week and provide quite a scare to the home team, but I'll still say Stoops' boys stay undefeated. But the big game is a late one today with point-per-minute Oregon, my #2 squad in the nation, travelling to Arizona State. Will they find an angry squad that should have won in Wisconsin last week, or a team still disappointed and ready to roll over? I'm going with the former here. ASU's defense is quick and will limit the Duck offense, and I think a Pac 10 theme this year (like usual) will be home teams knocking off better road teams and knocking each other out of the title picture. I almost ranked Arizona State even after last week's 1 point loss, and they'll definitely jump there if I'm right this week.
I'd love to say I really believe Kentucky has a chance at Florida, and I do like how their offense matches up, but I can't pick them on the road. South Carolina and Auburn is a matchup of top 25 SEC teams, and I'm becoming a believer quickly in this Auburn squad. This might be one of those ugly looking low scoring SEC games with turnovers and tough defense, and that probably favors SC a bit, but I'm sticking with Auburn for the win. And then we get our game of the day, matching my #1 Alabama on the road at #6 Arkansas in a game I've been exciting about all week. We have what's probably a top 5 defense in the country facing what seems to be a top 5 offense, and that is always exciting, though the defense usually wins. But is Bama really a top 5 defense? I'm not so sure with the losses they had this offseason, and they have played a big pile of nothing so far. I can't honestly decide if Bama may have been playing vanilla defense to hide their cards, which is a very Saban move and I'm afraid it's true, but I actually just think they're a bit overrated. I think Arkansas will put up the points today in the biggest home game in quite awhile, and I'm not sure Alabama can keep up. If the Hogs score earlier, that negates the Tide rushing attack a bit and puts all the pressure on Greg McElroy or however you spell that crap. And I don't care if he hasn't lost since 8th grade, I think he's going down today anyway. I'm picking the home team. WOO PIG! Hogs win and my #1 and #2 teams in the nation go down today, and chaos ensues. Oh baby.
Nothing exciting happening in the Big 12 today as both Oklahoma and Texas will probably struggle a bit more than they should with Cincy and UCLA while they sleepwalk through the game and prepare for next week's Red River Showdown. What else is new though - these teams are already sleepwalking through the season. The Big 10 is even less exciting with every team playing a home game against some crappy non-BCS opponent. The best opponent is Temple playing Happy Valley, and while I love the Owls squad and almost ranked them in the top 25 this week, I don't love them *that* much.
The big non-BCS game of the day is Boise State at home against Oregon State. I always like the Beavers especially in big games, but come on, Boise will roll at home like they always do. I'm intrigued to see what Jacquizz Rodgers can do against the Broncos, and he *could* be a one man wrecking crew on their national title hopes and launch himself into the Heisman discussion (where he should already be), but Boise should push 9 men up to stop him and make Oregon State's new QB beat them. And he won't. I do think another freshman QB will have some success today though as BYU regains some luster and takes care of soon-to-be MWC opponent Nevada in a minor upset. But today's big action happens in the Pac 10 and the SEC.
Stanford hits the road today to play Notre Dame, and you have to love the concept of Luck vs the Irish. I'm done picking Notre Dame to be real, and I believe in Stanford. I don't know how Notre Dame scores enough points to keep up with the Cardinal 30-40. Cal travels to Arizona and I think both teams will reverse fortunes some from last week and provide quite a scare to the home team, but I'll still say Stoops' boys stay undefeated. But the big game is a late one today with point-per-minute Oregon, my #2 squad in the nation, travelling to Arizona State. Will they find an angry squad that should have won in Wisconsin last week, or a team still disappointed and ready to roll over? I'm going with the former here. ASU's defense is quick and will limit the Duck offense, and I think a Pac 10 theme this year (like usual) will be home teams knocking off better road teams and knocking each other out of the title picture. I almost ranked Arizona State even after last week's 1 point loss, and they'll definitely jump there if I'm right this week.
I'd love to say I really believe Kentucky has a chance at Florida, and I do like how their offense matches up, but I can't pick them on the road. South Carolina and Auburn is a matchup of top 25 SEC teams, and I'm becoming a believer quickly in this Auburn squad. This might be one of those ugly looking low scoring SEC games with turnovers and tough defense, and that probably favors SC a bit, but I'm sticking with Auburn for the win. And then we get our game of the day, matching my #1 Alabama on the road at #6 Arkansas in a game I've been exciting about all week. We have what's probably a top 5 defense in the country facing what seems to be a top 5 offense, and that is always exciting, though the defense usually wins. But is Bama really a top 5 defense? I'm not so sure with the losses they had this offseason, and they have played a big pile of nothing so far. I can't honestly decide if Bama may have been playing vanilla defense to hide their cards, which is a very Saban move and I'm afraid it's true, but I actually just think they're a bit overrated. I think Arkansas will put up the points today in the biggest home game in quite awhile, and I'm not sure Alabama can keep up. If the Hogs score earlier, that negates the Tide rushing attack a bit and puts all the pressure on Greg McElroy or however you spell that crap. And I don't care if he hasn't lost since 8th grade, I think he's going down today anyway. I'm picking the home team. WOO PIG! Hogs win and my #1 and #2 teams in the nation go down today, and chaos ensues. Oh baby.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
MLB Awards and Postseason
American League:
MVP - Josh Hamilton - I had a hard time picking this award, as Robinson Cano, Joe Mauer and Evan Longoria each deserved an MVP award, but Josh Hamilton has been outstanding this year. He is tops in batting average, home runs and RBIs. Plus he has an amazing story coming back from drugs and everything, I love the way he plays and wish he wasn't on our AL West rival...
Cy Young - Felix Hernandez - Yes, there are many candidates in the AL that deserve this award, but Felix has been SO much better than them. The "wins" aren't there, but that is a ridiculous reason for him to not win this year. Greinke won last year without the wins, and Felix's run support has been TERRIBLE. No apologies to anyone else...
ROY - Neftali Feliz - has been great at the end of games (37 of 41 saves) and has helped the Rangers win the AL West. 2 months ago this award was Brennan Boesch's to lose...
Coach - Ron Gardenhire - While I think the team to beat in the AL is the Rays, the Twins are very very good. I think Gardenhire is always in the mix for Coach of the Year as long as the Twins play this way.
National League -
MVP - Joey Votto - Where did he come from? Seriously, he has been AMAZING this year. While Pujols has been great too, Votto has been a Triple Crown contender all year and he has his team way ahead of Pujol's Cardinals.
Cy Young - Adam Wainwright - The true ace of the Cardinals has 20 wins and a 2.42 ER. Enough said. Yes Halladay has been good, but Wainwright has been better.
ROY - Jaime Garcia - What a great season for Garcia, 13-8, 2.70 ERA. He has been impressive and definitely deserves this award. Mike Stanton probably would've won this award had he been healthy all season. Also, same goes for Heyward.
Coach - Dusty Baker - Who had the Reds winning the AL Central? Seriously, I got taken totally by surprise by this team. Give Dusty some credit, he has this team playing very well and I am looking forward to seeing how well they do in the postseason.
While the playoff matchups aren't set yet, I am going to make my World Series picks. I really like the Rays this year, they have great pitching and an offense that can put up runs, so I am going with them for my AL representative. The Phillies are so hot right now I can't see anyone beating them. I don't know why, but I have to pick them. Can you see anyone beating Halladay/Oswalt/Hamels? Phillies over the Rays in a rematch of 2 years back, 4-2.
MVP - Josh Hamilton - I had a hard time picking this award, as Robinson Cano, Joe Mauer and Evan Longoria each deserved an MVP award, but Josh Hamilton has been outstanding this year. He is tops in batting average, home runs and RBIs. Plus he has an amazing story coming back from drugs and everything, I love the way he plays and wish he wasn't on our AL West rival...
Cy Young - Felix Hernandez - Yes, there are many candidates in the AL that deserve this award, but Felix has been SO much better than them. The "wins" aren't there, but that is a ridiculous reason for him to not win this year. Greinke won last year without the wins, and Felix's run support has been TERRIBLE. No apologies to anyone else...
ROY - Neftali Feliz - has been great at the end of games (37 of 41 saves) and has helped the Rangers win the AL West. 2 months ago this award was Brennan Boesch's to lose...
Coach - Ron Gardenhire - While I think the team to beat in the AL is the Rays, the Twins are very very good. I think Gardenhire is always in the mix for Coach of the Year as long as the Twins play this way.
National League -
MVP - Joey Votto - Where did he come from? Seriously, he has been AMAZING this year. While Pujols has been great too, Votto has been a Triple Crown contender all year and he has his team way ahead of Pujol's Cardinals.
Cy Young - Adam Wainwright - The true ace of the Cardinals has 20 wins and a 2.42 ER. Enough said. Yes Halladay has been good, but Wainwright has been better.
ROY - Jaime Garcia - What a great season for Garcia, 13-8, 2.70 ERA. He has been impressive and definitely deserves this award. Mike Stanton probably would've won this award had he been healthy all season. Also, same goes for Heyward.
Coach - Dusty Baker - Who had the Reds winning the AL Central? Seriously, I got taken totally by surprise by this team. Give Dusty some credit, he has this team playing very well and I am looking forward to seeing how well they do in the postseason.
While the playoff matchups aren't set yet, I am going to make my World Series picks. I really like the Rays this year, they have great pitching and an offense that can put up runs, so I am going with them for my AL representative. The Phillies are so hot right now I can't see anyone beating them. I don't know why, but I have to pick them. Can you see anyone beating Halladay/Oswalt/Hamels? Phillies over the Rays in a rematch of 2 years back, 4-2.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Top 25 rankings - Sep 22
September 22 top 25 rankings
1. Alabama 3-0 - I'm a believer in giving the defending champs the benefit of the doubt til they prove otherwise, even if they lost half of their dominant defense. They've dominated so far but played no one. Is that young defense ready for a road trip to Arkansas this weekend? The offense better be ready to put up 30 to win.
2. Oregon 3-0 - This team is just destroying it right now, averaging over a point a minute. Only legit win is at Tennessee where they scored 45 unanswered. Let's see how they do against a real opponent on the road in Arizona State this weekend before we get too excited though.
3. Boise St 2-0 - I don't care what James Madison says, the Broncos still have the best win of the season, a road victory (in my opinion) at Virginia Tech. The "trap game" at Wyoming was a 51-6 blowout, and they'll roll in the "big game" against Oregon State this weekend. Will 12-0 be enough this time?
4. Nebraska 3-0 - I'm awfully impressed so far, even with no Suh, because it looks like they have a real offense now too. A win by 35 in Washington is nothing to sneeze at, and it's time to take the Huskers seriously as title contenders. The only ranked opponent all season is a home game against Texas, plus a potential rematch in the Big 12 title game. Look out.
5. Ohio St 3-0 - The Buckeyes crushed a couple crappy teams, but that's a change from usual, and they were very good in a win over Miami. They should keep winning easily for now minus a speed bump in Wisconsin mid October, with a strong chance they are 9-0 with the final three games against Penn St, at Iowa, and home in the last legit "the game" against Michigan. Those three games will determine Pryor's Heisman status and Ohio St's title contending status too.
6. Arkansas 3-0 - The Hogs look great so far, dominant in 11 of 12 quarters and hanging on for an exciting win at UGa. Now they have their shot at home against Bama, and Ryan Mallett will have this offense ready to look for holes that seem to be there in Bama's possibly overrated defense. Oh my.
7. LSU 3-0 - Quietly dominant 11 of 12 quarters this year and may sneak their way into the national title picture yet again. A big home win against West Va this weekend should push them further into the spotlight. Could this potentially be the most complete SEC team out there?
8. Arizona 3-0 - What a huge win against Iowa, great to see all those fans going crazy at like 1 in the morning here. The Wildcats crushed their other opponents and have been very strong early on. One of many very good looking Pac 10 teams right now. Pac is back?
9. Stanford 3-0 - Speaking of the Pac, how about some love for the Cardinal? Oregon Lite right now with Andrew Luck lighting up an offense that is not your grandfather's Stanford squad. Jim Harbaugh's boys won 35-0 at UCLA in a rivalry game, but their road mettle will be tested in Notre Dame this weekend and a huge one in Oregon the week after.
10. Utah 3-0 - If you ask me, people are talking about the wrong M West team right now. Utah knocked off Big East favorite Pitt, and I'm already getting excited for Nov 6 when TCU comes to town. Utah may have the best chance of anyone not named Boise to go undefeated right now. They'll be a deserved favorite in that game and are a darkhorse title contender.
11. Texas 3-0 - The Big 12 looks a little overrated so far to me. Texas won by 10 at Tech, no small thing, but they've struggled some so far with no run game and Garrett Gilbert only sort of getting things going. Things get interesting soon with Oklahoma in two weeks and at Nebraska two weeks later.
12. TCU 3-0 - They beat Oregon State, though I suspect Boise will do so much more handily this weekend. They're not the #4 team in the nation right now but still very strong and will either go 11-1 or 12-0 depending on the showdown in Utah. Road game there may actually be a blessing in disguise - that road win over a top 10 squad late in the year would trump anything Boise can do all year and push the Toads to top-non-BCS status again.
13. Auburn 3-0 - They just survived against Clemson and at Miss State but the wild season could just be getting started. The defense is not great but Gus Malzahn's Cam Newton-led offense is, and Newton could be a sleeper Heisman candidate with this wide open schedule. Auburn gets all the toughies at home until the final game, where they could legitimately be 11-0 heading to Alabama in what would be the biggest Iron Bowl ever.
14. Oklahoma State 3-0 - This is another of those teams that hasn't played much of anyone yet but sure looks beastly on offense, scoring 65 in two of three games so far in Dana Holgerson's steroid offense. They should start 6-0 but will get a reality check with Nebraska, Texas, and Oklahoma looming in the second half.
15. Iowa 2-1 - My top ranked team with a loss already since they almost overcame a monster road game at a weird time where everything went wrong and still were a play or two away from victory. No huge shame in that. They're still favorites the rest of the way and have a very solid chance to run the table in the Big Ten. Would that be enough? Depends on Arizona now.
16. Penn St 2-1 - There's really no shame losing at Alabama even by 21 compared to the Tide's other games, especially when you are starting a true frosh QB in a crazy road game. Unfortunately for the Nittanies, they still have monster roadies coming up in Iowa and Ohio State later on. We'll see if Bolden learned enough to come through later on. JoePa's plan?
17. Florida 3-0 - Overrated right now with a truly struggling offense, but probably the best defense in the nation. That, a very special teams, and Urban Meyer should take them a long way. But will they really be able to move the ball enough in big games, like the road test next weekend in Alabama? That remains to be seen, and the defense can only score so many points.
18. Michigan 3-0 - They look pretty special right now and Denard Robinson wins the Heisman hands down if the season is over. But wasn't that true last year with Big Blue and Tate Forcier too? Color me a bit skeptical.
19. Oklahoma 3-0 - Not sure what to do with this team yet. They crushed Florida State but realllly struggled at home against far inferior Utah State and Air Force. What to make of this team? Looks like another Stoops squad that chokes in a game it should've won easily.
20. Miami 1-1 - Yeah so they lost by 12 in Ohio State but it's still the most talented and best team in the ACC. That may not matter if they don't rebound fast though, travelling to Pitt tomorrow and then Clemson next weekend.
21. South Carolina 3-0 - I'm never much of a believer in Spurrier's boys. They haven't left home yet and, despite beating Georgia, haven't impressed me a ton. A loss in Auburn this weekend should bump them out of my rankings and back to reality in the coach's polls.
22. Pittsburgh 1-1 - Can't really penalize them much for an overtime road loss in Utah. Plenty of chance to rebound tomorrow against the Hurricanes, and this is still a heavy favorite in the Big East for me. Pitt could still win 10-11 games and really push Utah to great heights if they keep winning. Utah could potentially have victories over two top 10-15 squads at season's end and a spot in the BCS title game if Wanny's boys play well.
23. Kentucky 3-0 - The Wildcats have been dominant so far with a big offense, though they haven't played much. This weekend in Florida is an interesting one. They'll be big underdogs, but their offense is going to score some points. Will UF keep up?
24. Nevada 3-0 - They're cruising so far and really dominated Cal last weekend on national tv. Actually a legit BCS shot this year and they're the only team with a chance to beat Boise, getting them at home later on. Important that Colin Kaepernick and his squad keep winning for now.
25. Wisconsin 3-0 - They probably should've lost at home to Arizona State this week and haven't been great in their other games, but the Sun Devils are pretty good too. Looks like another 8-10 win season in Badgerland.
1. Alabama 3-0 - I'm a believer in giving the defending champs the benefit of the doubt til they prove otherwise, even if they lost half of their dominant defense. They've dominated so far but played no one. Is that young defense ready for a road trip to Arkansas this weekend? The offense better be ready to put up 30 to win.
2. Oregon 3-0 - This team is just destroying it right now, averaging over a point a minute. Only legit win is at Tennessee where they scored 45 unanswered. Let's see how they do against a real opponent on the road in Arizona State this weekend before we get too excited though.
3. Boise St 2-0 - I don't care what James Madison says, the Broncos still have the best win of the season, a road victory (in my opinion) at Virginia Tech. The "trap game" at Wyoming was a 51-6 blowout, and they'll roll in the "big game" against Oregon State this weekend. Will 12-0 be enough this time?
4. Nebraska 3-0 - I'm awfully impressed so far, even with no Suh, because it looks like they have a real offense now too. A win by 35 in Washington is nothing to sneeze at, and it's time to take the Huskers seriously as title contenders. The only ranked opponent all season is a home game against Texas, plus a potential rematch in the Big 12 title game. Look out.
5. Ohio St 3-0 - The Buckeyes crushed a couple crappy teams, but that's a change from usual, and they were very good in a win over Miami. They should keep winning easily for now minus a speed bump in Wisconsin mid October, with a strong chance they are 9-0 with the final three games against Penn St, at Iowa, and home in the last legit "the game" against Michigan. Those three games will determine Pryor's Heisman status and Ohio St's title contending status too.
6. Arkansas 3-0 - The Hogs look great so far, dominant in 11 of 12 quarters and hanging on for an exciting win at UGa. Now they have their shot at home against Bama, and Ryan Mallett will have this offense ready to look for holes that seem to be there in Bama's possibly overrated defense. Oh my.
7. LSU 3-0 - Quietly dominant 11 of 12 quarters this year and may sneak their way into the national title picture yet again. A big home win against West Va this weekend should push them further into the spotlight. Could this potentially be the most complete SEC team out there?
8. Arizona 3-0 - What a huge win against Iowa, great to see all those fans going crazy at like 1 in the morning here. The Wildcats crushed their other opponents and have been very strong early on. One of many very good looking Pac 10 teams right now. Pac is back?
9. Stanford 3-0 - Speaking of the Pac, how about some love for the Cardinal? Oregon Lite right now with Andrew Luck lighting up an offense that is not your grandfather's Stanford squad. Jim Harbaugh's boys won 35-0 at UCLA in a rivalry game, but their road mettle will be tested in Notre Dame this weekend and a huge one in Oregon the week after.
10. Utah 3-0 - If you ask me, people are talking about the wrong M West team right now. Utah knocked off Big East favorite Pitt, and I'm already getting excited for Nov 6 when TCU comes to town. Utah may have the best chance of anyone not named Boise to go undefeated right now. They'll be a deserved favorite in that game and are a darkhorse title contender.
11. Texas 3-0 - The Big 12 looks a little overrated so far to me. Texas won by 10 at Tech, no small thing, but they've struggled some so far with no run game and Garrett Gilbert only sort of getting things going. Things get interesting soon with Oklahoma in two weeks and at Nebraska two weeks later.
12. TCU 3-0 - They beat Oregon State, though I suspect Boise will do so much more handily this weekend. They're not the #4 team in the nation right now but still very strong and will either go 11-1 or 12-0 depending on the showdown in Utah. Road game there may actually be a blessing in disguise - that road win over a top 10 squad late in the year would trump anything Boise can do all year and push the Toads to top-non-BCS status again.
13. Auburn 3-0 - They just survived against Clemson and at Miss State but the wild season could just be getting started. The defense is not great but Gus Malzahn's Cam Newton-led offense is, and Newton could be a sleeper Heisman candidate with this wide open schedule. Auburn gets all the toughies at home until the final game, where they could legitimately be 11-0 heading to Alabama in what would be the biggest Iron Bowl ever.
14. Oklahoma State 3-0 - This is another of those teams that hasn't played much of anyone yet but sure looks beastly on offense, scoring 65 in two of three games so far in Dana Holgerson's steroid offense. They should start 6-0 but will get a reality check with Nebraska, Texas, and Oklahoma looming in the second half.
15. Iowa 2-1 - My top ranked team with a loss already since they almost overcame a monster road game at a weird time where everything went wrong and still were a play or two away from victory. No huge shame in that. They're still favorites the rest of the way and have a very solid chance to run the table in the Big Ten. Would that be enough? Depends on Arizona now.
16. Penn St 2-1 - There's really no shame losing at Alabama even by 21 compared to the Tide's other games, especially when you are starting a true frosh QB in a crazy road game. Unfortunately for the Nittanies, they still have monster roadies coming up in Iowa and Ohio State later on. We'll see if Bolden learned enough to come through later on. JoePa's plan?
17. Florida 3-0 - Overrated right now with a truly struggling offense, but probably the best defense in the nation. That, a very special teams, and Urban Meyer should take them a long way. But will they really be able to move the ball enough in big games, like the road test next weekend in Alabama? That remains to be seen, and the defense can only score so many points.
18. Michigan 3-0 - They look pretty special right now and Denard Robinson wins the Heisman hands down if the season is over. But wasn't that true last year with Big Blue and Tate Forcier too? Color me a bit skeptical.
19. Oklahoma 3-0 - Not sure what to do with this team yet. They crushed Florida State but realllly struggled at home against far inferior Utah State and Air Force. What to make of this team? Looks like another Stoops squad that chokes in a game it should've won easily.
20. Miami 1-1 - Yeah so they lost by 12 in Ohio State but it's still the most talented and best team in the ACC. That may not matter if they don't rebound fast though, travelling to Pitt tomorrow and then Clemson next weekend.
21. South Carolina 3-0 - I'm never much of a believer in Spurrier's boys. They haven't left home yet and, despite beating Georgia, haven't impressed me a ton. A loss in Auburn this weekend should bump them out of my rankings and back to reality in the coach's polls.
22. Pittsburgh 1-1 - Can't really penalize them much for an overtime road loss in Utah. Plenty of chance to rebound tomorrow against the Hurricanes, and this is still a heavy favorite in the Big East for me. Pitt could still win 10-11 games and really push Utah to great heights if they keep winning. Utah could potentially have victories over two top 10-15 squads at season's end and a spot in the BCS title game if Wanny's boys play well.
23. Kentucky 3-0 - The Wildcats have been dominant so far with a big offense, though they haven't played much. This weekend in Florida is an interesting one. They'll be big underdogs, but their offense is going to score some points. Will UF keep up?
24. Nevada 3-0 - They're cruising so far and really dominated Cal last weekend on national tv. Actually a legit BCS shot this year and they're the only team with a chance to beat Boise, getting them at home later on. Important that Colin Kaepernick and his squad keep winning for now.
25. Wisconsin 3-0 - They probably should've lost at home to Arizona State this week and haven't been great in their other games, but the Sun Devils are pretty good too. Looks like another 8-10 win season in Badgerland.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
My NFL predictions for the year
So I've just been too busy/lazy to post this all. I'm going by what I predicted going into the year. You're just gonna have to trust me on this one.
NFC East
1) Dallas - I have the Cowboys starting slow out of the gates but then putting things together and having this year's unstoppable offense with Romo spreading it round to a ton of different targets and Austin having another great year. I have Dallas getting 12 or 13 wins and home field in the playoffs and a chance to host the Super Bowl. Just enough momentum for everyone to be absolutely stunned when MVP Romo blows it in the NFC title game and the Boys go home early.
2) Washington - One of my real sleeper teams this year. I see McNabb and Portis with good bounceback years and a very underrated defense. I got em for 10 or 11 wins and a definite wild card spot before a tough playoff out. Probably McNabb leads them to a week 1 road victory over some sucky NFC West team.
3) NY Giants - A bit underrated and a definite playoff contender. Both the run game and the defense should bounce back and this team will be in it to the finish line. I have them outlasting the Vikings and Saints (spoiler alert?) for my final playoff spot.
4) Philly - Absolute implosion. I didnt pick any Eagles on any fantasy teams this year, I think Kolb is going to be a complete fraud, and I think this team is going to blow up in a bad way. Could they take Reid down with them?
NFC North
1) Green Bay - I'm not as high on them as everyone else, but I do think their offense is very good and I think it's actually better with BJax than Grant since he fits their style better. I have him in every league and think he could be this year's out of nowhere top 10 RB. Finley could threaten the #1 TE spot as well. But I'm not sure the defense is stout enough in the end. 11ish wins and an easy division title.
2) Minnesota - Not buying in this year. The schedule sucks with a guaranteed week 1 loss in New Orleans, hopefully two home wins after that before the worst early bye possible (w Favre), then four awful games on the schedule. I have them starting 2-5 and hopefully taking down Childress midseason, then reeling off a five game win streak behind a Peterson explosion and some receivers getting back into the game, then a Favre choke job to cost us the playoffs week 17 against the Lions. Yep, that's about how I feel about all of this. Let's move on.
3) Chicago - Could easily finish higher than Minnesota, both teams right around .500. Underrated, defense will be much better with Harris and Urlacher healthy, and Cutler will post gross stats. But Cutler will also cost them a few wins, too many to compete for anything.
4) Detroit - I admit I actually had Detroit improving to 5-6 wins this year and liked them as a potential 2011 sleeper. I like what I've seen so far in their fight, and they should be 1-0 if not for one of the worst calls I've ever seen. But it's not happening with Shaun Hill.
NFC South
1) Atlanta - This is my big sleeper for the year, same division as my big sleeper last year who you might have heard of, the New Orleans Saints. I know I'm breaking the streak of 4th place division finishers winning the next year, but I just think the Falcons put it all together this year. Matt Ryan reminds people that they thought he was a young Peyton a year ago, the offense rolls, and the defense is much improved. Falcons rumble to 12+ victories and are my NFC Super Bowl pick.
2) New Orleans - Last year was special. This year will not be. Also while I'm here, can we all stop pretending Brees is the best QB? Maybe Sean Payton is the best offensive coordinator set-up. I'm fine with that. I have the Saints going like 8-9 wins in a nondescript Super Bowl defense. Unless the Madden curse strikes, in which case they're screwed.
3) Carolina - I don't really have anything to say about this team
4) Tampa Bay - Or this team.
NFC West
1) San Francisco - This entire division is awful. I'm not a believer in Alex Smith. But Gore and the defense, yes, and mostly in an AWFUL division. And I'd STILL pick SF even after the week 1 implosion.
2) Seattle - By default. I really don't even have more to add than that. I hope Justin Forsett gets more touches than they're projecting. And Golden Tate too.
4t) Arizona and St Louis - If I could project both teams to go 0-14-2 with their only non-losses against each other, I would do it. THIS DIVISION IS SO BAD. I have Arizona completely and totally falling apart this year, along with Fitzgerald falling out of the top 10 WRs, though I like him better with Derek Anderson. And that's how bad the Cards' situation really is.
AFC East
1) New England - By default, really, not because I love them. The defense is in serious serious trouble. But Brady et al should post plenty of points and they'll win one more lackluster division since I don't like the other teams. 10 boring wins and a quiet playoff exit.
2) Miami - Miami is just a fiesty team, not great, not bad, a nice 7-8 win team that I don't care enough about to say more.
3) NY Jets - Not a believer. I AM a believer in Shonn Greene, though he could hardly have been worse last week. I have him in my top 5 fantasy RBs. *gulp* But much as I love Ryan's bravado, I do not believe at all in Sanchez and I think the defense is a bit overrated. Due for a letdown. It's the J-E-T-S after all.
4) Buffalo - Remember when the Bills had Steve Tasker in the 90s? How was a guy so good that he is nationally known as a special teams player, but not good enough to have ever done more than that?
AFC North
1) Pittsburgh - Not sure if they really count as a sleeper, but they didn't make the playoffs last year and I have them easily getting there this year and, brace yourself JJ, winning it all. I can't really figure out why other than it just feels right. Mendenhall is the real deal, and I absolutely love the defense especially with Polamalu healthy. I think Big Ben is going to come back strong as well. I'm not confident in them winning the SB but it's the best team in the AFC to me and they'd beat Atlanta there.
2) Baltimore - Definitely not a believer, at least nowhere near as much as the masses. Flacco sucks and always will. Ray Rice is a beast though, and this defense is also wayyy overrated but still very good. Too talented of a team to miss the playoffs all together, and not an easy out, but way overrated.
3) Cincinnati - I expect big things out of this passing game and have TO in my top 5 WRs, but the team is going to fall apart after a dream year. My sleeper last year, but not this one.
4) Cleveland - Daylight come and Lebron'll Delhomme?
AFC South
1) Indianapolis - I refuse to pick against the Colts until they stop winning 12 games a year. I believe in this team a little less each year, but I won't pick against Peyton.
2) Jacksonville - I decided I needed an AFC sleeper and for some reason I picked the Jags. I like their offensive line, and I like Garrard and MJD and Del Rio. I could not be less confident in this pick but whatever. Rough division. I'll take the Jags for 9 wins and an ugly wildcard loss.
3) Houston - I'm done picking them as my sleeper. Note: the last time this happened, it was after like 5 years of picking the Cards and they came within about 30 seconds of winning the Super Bowl.
4) Tennessee - Not a 4th place team, but someone has to be in this division. I love Jeff Fisher and Vince Young. I have Chris Johnson finishing outside the top 10 RBs but feel pretty silly about that through two weeks of highlights so far, but we'll see if he stays healthy. Don't like his chances.
AFC West
1) San Diego - Not a believer but too much talent even without some of the missing pieces to not win this watered down division. Man, the west is awful. I'm gonna be taking a lot of Sunday afternoon naps this fall.
2) Kansas City - I really really wanted to talk myself into the Chiefs as my sleeper and a division winner here. I settled for picking them to beat the Chargers week 1. I think Jamaal Charles could explode, if the coaches remembered they have him, that is. Go Andy Studebaker!!
3) Oakland - I also tried to talk myself into this team. Campbell is an improvement and the defense is underrated. But it's the Raiders, alas.
4) Denver - I did not try to talk myself into them. Josh McDaniels is an absolute idiot. Man he is burying this franchise.
THE END
NFC East
1) Dallas - I have the Cowboys starting slow out of the gates but then putting things together and having this year's unstoppable offense with Romo spreading it round to a ton of different targets and Austin having another great year. I have Dallas getting 12 or 13 wins and home field in the playoffs and a chance to host the Super Bowl. Just enough momentum for everyone to be absolutely stunned when MVP Romo blows it in the NFC title game and the Boys go home early.
2) Washington - One of my real sleeper teams this year. I see McNabb and Portis with good bounceback years and a very underrated defense. I got em for 10 or 11 wins and a definite wild card spot before a tough playoff out. Probably McNabb leads them to a week 1 road victory over some sucky NFC West team.
3) NY Giants - A bit underrated and a definite playoff contender. Both the run game and the defense should bounce back and this team will be in it to the finish line. I have them outlasting the Vikings and Saints (spoiler alert?) for my final playoff spot.
4) Philly - Absolute implosion. I didnt pick any Eagles on any fantasy teams this year, I think Kolb is going to be a complete fraud, and I think this team is going to blow up in a bad way. Could they take Reid down with them?
NFC North
1) Green Bay - I'm not as high on them as everyone else, but I do think their offense is very good and I think it's actually better with BJax than Grant since he fits their style better. I have him in every league and think he could be this year's out of nowhere top 10 RB. Finley could threaten the #1 TE spot as well. But I'm not sure the defense is stout enough in the end. 11ish wins and an easy division title.
2) Minnesota - Not buying in this year. The schedule sucks with a guaranteed week 1 loss in New Orleans, hopefully two home wins after that before the worst early bye possible (w Favre), then four awful games on the schedule. I have them starting 2-5 and hopefully taking down Childress midseason, then reeling off a five game win streak behind a Peterson explosion and some receivers getting back into the game, then a Favre choke job to cost us the playoffs week 17 against the Lions. Yep, that's about how I feel about all of this. Let's move on.
3) Chicago - Could easily finish higher than Minnesota, both teams right around .500. Underrated, defense will be much better with Harris and Urlacher healthy, and Cutler will post gross stats. But Cutler will also cost them a few wins, too many to compete for anything.
4) Detroit - I admit I actually had Detroit improving to 5-6 wins this year and liked them as a potential 2011 sleeper. I like what I've seen so far in their fight, and they should be 1-0 if not for one of the worst calls I've ever seen. But it's not happening with Shaun Hill.
NFC South
1) Atlanta - This is my big sleeper for the year, same division as my big sleeper last year who you might have heard of, the New Orleans Saints. I know I'm breaking the streak of 4th place division finishers winning the next year, but I just think the Falcons put it all together this year. Matt Ryan reminds people that they thought he was a young Peyton a year ago, the offense rolls, and the defense is much improved. Falcons rumble to 12+ victories and are my NFC Super Bowl pick.
2) New Orleans - Last year was special. This year will not be. Also while I'm here, can we all stop pretending Brees is the best QB? Maybe Sean Payton is the best offensive coordinator set-up. I'm fine with that. I have the Saints going like 8-9 wins in a nondescript Super Bowl defense. Unless the Madden curse strikes, in which case they're screwed.
3) Carolina - I don't really have anything to say about this team
4) Tampa Bay - Or this team.
NFC West
1) San Francisco - This entire division is awful. I'm not a believer in Alex Smith. But Gore and the defense, yes, and mostly in an AWFUL division. And I'd STILL pick SF even after the week 1 implosion.
2) Seattle - By default. I really don't even have more to add than that. I hope Justin Forsett gets more touches than they're projecting. And Golden Tate too.
4t) Arizona and St Louis - If I could project both teams to go 0-14-2 with their only non-losses against each other, I would do it. THIS DIVISION IS SO BAD. I have Arizona completely and totally falling apart this year, along with Fitzgerald falling out of the top 10 WRs, though I like him better with Derek Anderson. And that's how bad the Cards' situation really is.
AFC East
1) New England - By default, really, not because I love them. The defense is in serious serious trouble. But Brady et al should post plenty of points and they'll win one more lackluster division since I don't like the other teams. 10 boring wins and a quiet playoff exit.
2) Miami - Miami is just a fiesty team, not great, not bad, a nice 7-8 win team that I don't care enough about to say more.
3) NY Jets - Not a believer. I AM a believer in Shonn Greene, though he could hardly have been worse last week. I have him in my top 5 fantasy RBs. *gulp* But much as I love Ryan's bravado, I do not believe at all in Sanchez and I think the defense is a bit overrated. Due for a letdown. It's the J-E-T-S after all.
4) Buffalo - Remember when the Bills had Steve Tasker in the 90s? How was a guy so good that he is nationally known as a special teams player, but not good enough to have ever done more than that?
AFC North
1) Pittsburgh - Not sure if they really count as a sleeper, but they didn't make the playoffs last year and I have them easily getting there this year and, brace yourself JJ, winning it all. I can't really figure out why other than it just feels right. Mendenhall is the real deal, and I absolutely love the defense especially with Polamalu healthy. I think Big Ben is going to come back strong as well. I'm not confident in them winning the SB but it's the best team in the AFC to me and they'd beat Atlanta there.
2) Baltimore - Definitely not a believer, at least nowhere near as much as the masses. Flacco sucks and always will. Ray Rice is a beast though, and this defense is also wayyy overrated but still very good. Too talented of a team to miss the playoffs all together, and not an easy out, but way overrated.
3) Cincinnati - I expect big things out of this passing game and have TO in my top 5 WRs, but the team is going to fall apart after a dream year. My sleeper last year, but not this one.
4) Cleveland - Daylight come and Lebron'll Delhomme?
AFC South
1) Indianapolis - I refuse to pick against the Colts until they stop winning 12 games a year. I believe in this team a little less each year, but I won't pick against Peyton.
2) Jacksonville - I decided I needed an AFC sleeper and for some reason I picked the Jags. I like their offensive line, and I like Garrard and MJD and Del Rio. I could not be less confident in this pick but whatever. Rough division. I'll take the Jags for 9 wins and an ugly wildcard loss.
3) Houston - I'm done picking them as my sleeper. Note: the last time this happened, it was after like 5 years of picking the Cards and they came within about 30 seconds of winning the Super Bowl.
4) Tennessee - Not a 4th place team, but someone has to be in this division. I love Jeff Fisher and Vince Young. I have Chris Johnson finishing outside the top 10 RBs but feel pretty silly about that through two weeks of highlights so far, but we'll see if he stays healthy. Don't like his chances.
AFC West
1) San Diego - Not a believer but too much talent even without some of the missing pieces to not win this watered down division. Man, the west is awful. I'm gonna be taking a lot of Sunday afternoon naps this fall.
2) Kansas City - I really really wanted to talk myself into the Chiefs as my sleeper and a division winner here. I settled for picking them to beat the Chargers week 1. I think Jamaal Charles could explode, if the coaches remembered they have him, that is. Go Andy Studebaker!!
3) Oakland - I also tried to talk myself into this team. Campbell is an improvement and the defense is underrated. But it's the Raiders, alas.
4) Denver - I did not try to talk myself into them. Josh McDaniels is an absolute idiot. Man he is burying this franchise.
THE END
Saturday, September 18, 2010
NFL Week 2
Since I don't get to watch NCAA anymore because of work, I barely know anything...but I *do* know that 'Bama made a statement today and I don't think anyone wants to play them anymore...
Onto my Week 2 NFL predictions...
Last week I was 10-5, correctly guessing the EXACT score of the Jets-Ravens game...
Arizona @ Atlanta - Seriously, the way 'Zona played vs. St. Louis...no way the Falcons go to 0-2...Atlanta wins 23-10
Baltimore @ Cincinnati - Baltimore took out a Jets team "opening" their new stadium, the Bengals got STOMPED by the Pats...I think the Ravens get their O going and the D does enough to stop Palmer, 85, TO and Benson 20-17
Kansas City @ Cleveland - Cleveland has Seneca Wallace at QB...as a Hawks fan, KC wins this game easily 20-9
Chicago @ Dallas - Cutler throws at LEAST 2 INTs, Dallas makes up for the crappy loss to the Redskins, 27-17
Philly @ Detroit - will anyone that's not an Eagles/Lions fan watch this game? Vick vs. Shaun Hill...GROSS...Philly better win this or they are OUT of the NFC East 24-10
Buffalo @ Green Bay - over/under on game minutes for when this game is decided - 20...Packers ROLL 30-9
Pittsburgh @ Tennessee - Gross, how do you pick this game? Pitts D looked great last week, while Tennessee beating up on Oakland is hard to tell how good they really are...I think Tennessee wins at home, with Dennis Dixon not being able to do it on the road, 15-10
Miami @ Minnesota - Miami catching Minny at the wrong time I think, extra time to prepare, pissed after ANOTHER loss to New Orleans, home opener...30-13
Tampa Bay @ Carolina - Matt Moore vs. Josh Freeman, and I'm not seeing it LIVE?!? I love the Carolina running game to carry the Panthers at home 24-10
St. Louis @ Oakland - There are some UGLY games this week, this probably being the worst...but I'm going with the rookie on the road in a hostile environment...how crazy am I? 23-20
New England @ NY Jets - Who did Rex Ryan have to sleep with to get 2 home games in a row and send the Ravens on 2 TOUGH road games in a row? Seriously?!? The Pats looks great last week, the Jets O sucks...I'm gonna say a low scoring game 17-9 Pats
Jacksonville @ San Diego - Without VJax and LT the Chargers look pedestrian...but I can't trust Jacksonville on the road either...the stadium won't be sold out...I'm going with the Chargers still 24-23
Houston @ Washington - I didn't know Foster would be THAT good...he's what Matt Schaub needed to put them over the edge to make the playoffs...maybe? This road game is definitely going to show us what they're made of...while McNabb needs to get the offense working...going with the Texans 30-20 in the matchup of 2 teams that won when I said they would lose last week)
Seattle @ Denver - Gotta go with my Hawks again...D was solid...O was clicking...Denver is in SHAMBLES thanks to Josh McDaniels being a psycho with personnel...20-17
NY Giants @ Indy - In the Manning Bowl, I take the over on 3.5 Archie shots...and Peyton to not go 0-2 with a 34-30 win
New Orleans @ San Francisco - The 49ers looked great for 15 minutes, then fell apart...and it didn't stop when the clock ran out...the Saints are going to TROUNCE them and I can't wait...38-20
Hopefully I do better than last week, but 10-5 opening weekend isn't bad (and I think I can say 11-5 cuz I picked the Saints just didn't *post* it before the game)
Onto my Week 2 NFL predictions...
Last week I was 10-5, correctly guessing the EXACT score of the Jets-Ravens game...
Arizona @ Atlanta - Seriously, the way 'Zona played vs. St. Louis...no way the Falcons go to 0-2...Atlanta wins 23-10
Baltimore @ Cincinnati - Baltimore took out a Jets team "opening" their new stadium, the Bengals got STOMPED by the Pats...I think the Ravens get their O going and the D does enough to stop Palmer, 85, TO and Benson 20-17
Kansas City @ Cleveland - Cleveland has Seneca Wallace at QB...as a Hawks fan, KC wins this game easily 20-9
Chicago @ Dallas - Cutler throws at LEAST 2 INTs, Dallas makes up for the crappy loss to the Redskins, 27-17
Philly @ Detroit - will anyone that's not an Eagles/Lions fan watch this game? Vick vs. Shaun Hill...GROSS...Philly better win this or they are OUT of the NFC East 24-10
Buffalo @ Green Bay - over/under on game minutes for when this game is decided - 20...Packers ROLL 30-9
Pittsburgh @ Tennessee - Gross, how do you pick this game? Pitts D looked great last week, while Tennessee beating up on Oakland is hard to tell how good they really are...I think Tennessee wins at home, with Dennis Dixon not being able to do it on the road, 15-10
Miami @ Minnesota - Miami catching Minny at the wrong time I think, extra time to prepare, pissed after ANOTHER loss to New Orleans, home opener...30-13
Tampa Bay @ Carolina - Matt Moore vs. Josh Freeman, and I'm not seeing it LIVE?!? I love the Carolina running game to carry the Panthers at home 24-10
St. Louis @ Oakland - There are some UGLY games this week, this probably being the worst...but I'm going with the rookie on the road in a hostile environment...how crazy am I? 23-20
New England @ NY Jets - Who did Rex Ryan have to sleep with to get 2 home games in a row and send the Ravens on 2 TOUGH road games in a row? Seriously?!? The Pats looks great last week, the Jets O sucks...I'm gonna say a low scoring game 17-9 Pats
Jacksonville @ San Diego - Without VJax and LT the Chargers look pedestrian...but I can't trust Jacksonville on the road either...the stadium won't be sold out...I'm going with the Chargers still 24-23
Houston @ Washington - I didn't know Foster would be THAT good...he's what Matt Schaub needed to put them over the edge to make the playoffs...maybe? This road game is definitely going to show us what they're made of...while McNabb needs to get the offense working...going with the Texans 30-20 in the matchup of 2 teams that won when I said they would lose last week)
Seattle @ Denver - Gotta go with my Hawks again...D was solid...O was clicking...Denver is in SHAMBLES thanks to Josh McDaniels being a psycho with personnel...20-17
NY Giants @ Indy - In the Manning Bowl, I take the over on 3.5 Archie shots...and Peyton to not go 0-2 with a 34-30 win
New Orleans @ San Francisco - The 49ers looked great for 15 minutes, then fell apart...and it didn't stop when the clock ran out...the Saints are going to TROUNCE them and I can't wait...38-20
Hopefully I do better than last week, but 10-5 opening weekend isn't bad (and I think I can say 11-5 cuz I picked the Saints just didn't *post* it before the game)
Sept 18th predictions
Time for some predictions for this week. And my predictions I mean facts.
First off, a couple of SEC road scares. I think Florida at Tennessee will be a tough game into the 4th quarter at least, but Urban Meyer does not lose these games. And actually I think Alabama will really struggle against Duke - yes Duke. They're coming off a huge game against Penn St and getting ready for a big SEC road trip to Arkansas next week. A road trip to an underrated ACC team is just the thing that could trip up a poor offense. I look for a low scoring game and I think Duke will have a chance to win but won't be able to pull off the biggest win in school history. Sticking with the SEC theme, two of the games I'd most like to watch today are the Arkansas/Georgia clash and the Clemson/Auburn battle. Both of these could see a whole lot of scoring and should be very entertaining. I like the home teams in each.
Wish I could see BYU pulling off the road win at FSU, but I don't. I tried to talk myself into ECU on the road against that struggling Va Tech squad, but couldn't do that either. I do like Notre Dame on the road taking down the Spartans, and I also think Georgia Tech picks up a road victory at UNC in a matchup of two ACC squads who have really stumbled early.
So where does our big upset come from? I really considered these games today:
Texas @ TTech
Neb @ Wash
Iowa @ Zona
AzSt @ Wisc
Everyone loves to pick Texas Tech for the upset, but I don't buy it. Texas has dominated TT over the years and one big Crabtree catch won't change that. I also don't think Arizona State has the firepower to stick with Wisconsin on the road. So it will be a home PAC 10 squad against either Nebraska or Iowa. I like Iowa this year and they are a national title darkhorse... but I think that ends today. The long roadtrip, the late start, and a tough Arizona offense give us the upset of the day.
First off, a couple of SEC road scares. I think Florida at Tennessee will be a tough game into the 4th quarter at least, but Urban Meyer does not lose these games. And actually I think Alabama will really struggle against Duke - yes Duke. They're coming off a huge game against Penn St and getting ready for a big SEC road trip to Arkansas next week. A road trip to an underrated ACC team is just the thing that could trip up a poor offense. I look for a low scoring game and I think Duke will have a chance to win but won't be able to pull off the biggest win in school history. Sticking with the SEC theme, two of the games I'd most like to watch today are the Arkansas/Georgia clash and the Clemson/Auburn battle. Both of these could see a whole lot of scoring and should be very entertaining. I like the home teams in each.
Wish I could see BYU pulling off the road win at FSU, but I don't. I tried to talk myself into ECU on the road against that struggling Va Tech squad, but couldn't do that either. I do like Notre Dame on the road taking down the Spartans, and I also think Georgia Tech picks up a road victory at UNC in a matchup of two ACC squads who have really stumbled early.
So where does our big upset come from? I really considered these games today:
Texas @ TTech
Neb @ Wash
Iowa @ Zona
AzSt @ Wisc
Everyone loves to pick Texas Tech for the upset, but I don't buy it. Texas has dominated TT over the years and one big Crabtree catch won't change that. I also don't think Arizona State has the firepower to stick with Wisconsin on the road. So it will be a home PAC 10 squad against either Nebraska or Iowa. I like Iowa this year and they are a national title darkhorse... but I think that ends today. The long roadtrip, the late start, and a tough Arizona offense give us the upset of the day.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
NFL Week 1
Ok, Brandon is more of the NFL expert between the 2 of us, but I wanted to post my predictions anyways (home team is the second team)...
Dolphins vs. Bills - Will the Bills win ANY games this year? Not that the Dolphins really are going to be that great this year (even with the addition of Brandon Marshall). The Dolphins roll, 24-10.
Lions vs. Bears - I think the Lions will be better this year than last year. I think the Bears are a team that could go either way. They could be decent, or they could suck. Depends on what Jay Cutler they get...Bears win 24-21
Raiders vs. Titans - I like what Jason Campbell brings to the Raiders, at least versus what JaMarcus Russell brought. I think if you know me well enough, you know my Vince Young feelings (HATE the guy), but Chris Johnson is SICK...Titans roll 27-10
Bengals vs. Patriots - I think the Pats are still the team to beat in the AFC East until the Jets can prove it. The Bengals only got better talent wise, but will that translate to more wins and longer playoff run? Not sure...Pats win at home 34-30
Giants vs. Carolina - Love Carolina's running game, but that's where my love affair with the Panthers ends. The Giants are hard to predict, Eli can win them some games, but will the defense and rest of his team help him out? Giants win the New Meadowlands opener 30-20
Falcons vs. Steelers - The Dennis Dixon era begins, Big Ben is out 4 games, and I still don't know what to think of the Steelers. Polamalu is back, the defense will be fine, huh...The Falcons are a team to reckon with this year I think, Matt Ryan is great, Turner is back...Falcons win 17-10
Browns vs. Buccaneers - No one cares...so I'll take the home team 20-16
Broncos vs. Jaguars - Wow, the Broncos are tough to read and I don't know what to think of them. The Jaguars suck, apart from MJD and are definitely destined for a top 10 pick...Broncos on the road 23-10
Colts vs. Texans - Apart from 49ers-Hawks, this is the game I'm looking forward to this weekend. The Texans are one of my "teams to watch" as they're on the rise and very talented, but the Colts have Manning and that means a LOT in this league. I could go either way with this game, but only because it is IN Houston...but I'm gonna go with the Colts 34-31 in the final minutes.
Cardinals vs. Rams - Bradford starting with NO WR help, Derek Anderson the QB of the future for the Cardinals? Yuck...SJax and Fitz make this worth anything at all, and have to go with the non-rookie (for some reason) 27-24
Packers vs. Eagles - Aaron Rodgers for MVP? Kolb for 3,500 yds passing? 2 bold predictions, but the Eagles are VERY outmanned in this game 41-27 Packers
Seahawks vs. 49ers - Ok, I am just going to say my prediction...20-17 Hawks! WOO HOO!
Cowboys vs. Redskins - I don't buy into Shanahan this year, letting his team and everyone get distracted with the Haynesworth stuff was stupid, and I think they suffer for it. The 'Boys are the "sexy pick" and I still don't buy it until they prove it...but they win this one easily 30-20
Jets vs. Ravens - This will be a blood bath, I like the Jets D and rushing offense and I LOVE Joe Flacco. This should be low scoring, lots of trash talking, and I can't wait (of course I will be asleep so I will read about it)...but I think I will take the Ravens in a 10-9 ugly offensive game.
Chargers vs. Chiefs - The Chiefs suck, although they have a gifted RB, but no one can take them seriously this year. The Chargers have had a crazy offseason with unhappy contracts, but will skate through the crappy AFC West with ease, including this 30-10 victory.
Week 1 is SO exciting, and we're less than 16 hours until the Hawks kick off! I wonder how I will do picks-wise...
Dolphins vs. Bills - Will the Bills win ANY games this year? Not that the Dolphins really are going to be that great this year (even with the addition of Brandon Marshall). The Dolphins roll, 24-10.
Lions vs. Bears - I think the Lions will be better this year than last year. I think the Bears are a team that could go either way. They could be decent, or they could suck. Depends on what Jay Cutler they get...Bears win 24-21
Raiders vs. Titans - I like what Jason Campbell brings to the Raiders, at least versus what JaMarcus Russell brought. I think if you know me well enough, you know my Vince Young feelings (HATE the guy), but Chris Johnson is SICK...Titans roll 27-10
Bengals vs. Patriots - I think the Pats are still the team to beat in the AFC East until the Jets can prove it. The Bengals only got better talent wise, but will that translate to more wins and longer playoff run? Not sure...Pats win at home 34-30
Giants vs. Carolina - Love Carolina's running game, but that's where my love affair with the Panthers ends. The Giants are hard to predict, Eli can win them some games, but will the defense and rest of his team help him out? Giants win the New Meadowlands opener 30-20
Falcons vs. Steelers - The Dennis Dixon era begins, Big Ben is out 4 games, and I still don't know what to think of the Steelers. Polamalu is back, the defense will be fine, huh...The Falcons are a team to reckon with this year I think, Matt Ryan is great, Turner is back...Falcons win 17-10
Browns vs. Buccaneers - No one cares...so I'll take the home team 20-16
Broncos vs. Jaguars - Wow, the Broncos are tough to read and I don't know what to think of them. The Jaguars suck, apart from MJD and are definitely destined for a top 10 pick...Broncos on the road 23-10
Colts vs. Texans - Apart from 49ers-Hawks, this is the game I'm looking forward to this weekend. The Texans are one of my "teams to watch" as they're on the rise and very talented, but the Colts have Manning and that means a LOT in this league. I could go either way with this game, but only because it is IN Houston...but I'm gonna go with the Colts 34-31 in the final minutes.
Cardinals vs. Rams - Bradford starting with NO WR help, Derek Anderson the QB of the future for the Cardinals? Yuck...SJax and Fitz make this worth anything at all, and have to go with the non-rookie (for some reason) 27-24
Packers vs. Eagles - Aaron Rodgers for MVP? Kolb for 3,500 yds passing? 2 bold predictions, but the Eagles are VERY outmanned in this game 41-27 Packers
Seahawks vs. 49ers - Ok, I am just going to say my prediction...20-17 Hawks! WOO HOO!
Cowboys vs. Redskins - I don't buy into Shanahan this year, letting his team and everyone get distracted with the Haynesworth stuff was stupid, and I think they suffer for it. The 'Boys are the "sexy pick" and I still don't buy it until they prove it...but they win this one easily 30-20
Jets vs. Ravens - This will be a blood bath, I like the Jets D and rushing offense and I LOVE Joe Flacco. This should be low scoring, lots of trash talking, and I can't wait (of course I will be asleep so I will read about it)...but I think I will take the Ravens in a 10-9 ugly offensive game.
Chargers vs. Chiefs - The Chiefs suck, although they have a gifted RB, but no one can take them seriously this year. The Chargers have had a crazy offseason with unhappy contracts, but will skate through the crappy AFC West with ease, including this 30-10 victory.
Week 1 is SO exciting, and we're less than 16 hours until the Hawks kick off! I wonder how I will do picks-wise...
College football picks 9/11
Some quick thoughts headed toward an awesome day of college football matchups that are what early season nonconference weekends should be all about...
bama vs penn state will get a lot of hype, and it'll match up two of the prettiest uniforms and best traditions in football, but the game is a no contest. PSU is starting a true freshman qb on the road in tuscaloosa against one of the nation's top defenses and the defending champion. roll tide.
another no contest is the weirdly hyped game between florida state and oklahoma. yeah i know OU struggled with utah state.... ya think maybe cuz they were thinking of this game? please, christian ponder is not lighting them up. oklahoma has the longest home win streak in the nation. theyre going to show why its absolutely ridiculous for these two teams to be ranked next to each other right now and finish the weekend a lot closer to #10 with fsu out of the top 25 or close.
florida struggles to put away south florida, even at home, and john brantley struggles again but the gators prevail. oregon tennessee is a very good matchup and the vols surprise and protect home ice. and we get some great conference matchups already in the SEC where lsu and georgia go to vandy and south carolina. look for one or both of the road favorites to go down. lsu is fresh off a big scare against unc and a big tv game, and vandy is always tough. and georgia's true freshman has a tough road task ahead of him, plus sc is always good for an early home sec win over a ranked foe. i'll take both the home squads.
best games of the day are right here in the good ol midwest. michigan at notre dame should be a good one if you enjoy watching teams score points. look for dayne crist to break out for the irish after a quiet first week, and denard robinson is one of the fastest football players ive ever seen with the ball in his hands. coaching and location make notre dame the definite pick for me but i also wouldnt be surprised to see another great game like last year. and then of course is miami at ohio state, or as i call it, the rucker bowl. a rematch of that awful national title game a decade ago marred by a brutal flag that cost miami its dynasty and a more brutal knee injury to mcgahee that cost me my dinner. i hope this rematch is all it looks like -- two potential heisman qbs, great talented smashmouth defenses, and a low scoring affair. and unfortunately, ohio state wins those games at home, so i gotta go with them. but go canes.
bama vs penn state will get a lot of hype, and it'll match up two of the prettiest uniforms and best traditions in football, but the game is a no contest. PSU is starting a true freshman qb on the road in tuscaloosa against one of the nation's top defenses and the defending champion. roll tide.
another no contest is the weirdly hyped game between florida state and oklahoma. yeah i know OU struggled with utah state.... ya think maybe cuz they were thinking of this game? please, christian ponder is not lighting them up. oklahoma has the longest home win streak in the nation. theyre going to show why its absolutely ridiculous for these two teams to be ranked next to each other right now and finish the weekend a lot closer to #10 with fsu out of the top 25 or close.
florida struggles to put away south florida, even at home, and john brantley struggles again but the gators prevail. oregon tennessee is a very good matchup and the vols surprise and protect home ice. and we get some great conference matchups already in the SEC where lsu and georgia go to vandy and south carolina. look for one or both of the road favorites to go down. lsu is fresh off a big scare against unc and a big tv game, and vandy is always tough. and georgia's true freshman has a tough road task ahead of him, plus sc is always good for an early home sec win over a ranked foe. i'll take both the home squads.
best games of the day are right here in the good ol midwest. michigan at notre dame should be a good one if you enjoy watching teams score points. look for dayne crist to break out for the irish after a quiet first week, and denard robinson is one of the fastest football players ive ever seen with the ball in his hands. coaching and location make notre dame the definite pick for me but i also wouldnt be surprised to see another great game like last year. and then of course is miami at ohio state, or as i call it, the rucker bowl. a rematch of that awful national title game a decade ago marred by a brutal flag that cost miami its dynasty and a more brutal knee injury to mcgahee that cost me my dinner. i hope this rematch is all it looks like -- two potential heisman qbs, great talented smashmouth defenses, and a low scoring affair. and unfortunately, ohio state wins those games at home, so i gotta go with them. but go canes.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Saints 38, Vikings 16
That's my prediction for tonight, and that's really all I have to say about my feelings on this year's Vikings chances.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
College Football Today!!!!!!!!
So... I don't know if I have much more to say than that right now, but what would a sports blog be without a post celebrating Christmas morning, fall version? In my world, there are about 5 or 10 Christmases every year.
And now I just thought of multiple blog posts I need to write at some point...
Boise State vs Virginia Tech. Wow, I am excited for this one in a big way. I don't buy the whole "neutral site" idea, this is just another VT home game. It makes sense for Tech to win, and Boise is quite possibly playing in a play-in game for the national title game and college football history. Love the home game for VT and love that they're the underdogs and have no pressure on them at all. But I feel like this game is going to be close down to the finish, and then I'm reminded of Kellen Moore vs Tyrod Taylor. Can Tyrod really make plays with the game on the line? Because I bet Kellen can. I don't know if I believe it, but I just CANT pick against Boise.
Lee Corso just put on some headgear... GAME TIME!!!
And now I just thought of multiple blog posts I need to write at some point...
- College football predictions
- NFL predictions
- Sports holidays
- Why Saturdays are awesome
Boise State vs Virginia Tech. Wow, I am excited for this one in a big way. I don't buy the whole "neutral site" idea, this is just another VT home game. It makes sense for Tech to win, and Boise is quite possibly playing in a play-in game for the national title game and college football history. Love the home game for VT and love that they're the underdogs and have no pressure on them at all. But I feel like this game is going to be close down to the finish, and then I'm reminded of Kellen Moore vs Tyrod Taylor. Can Tyrod really make plays with the game on the line? Because I bet Kellen can. I don't know if I believe it, but I just CANT pick against Boise.
Lee Corso just put on some headgear... GAME TIME!!!
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