So I guess Thanksgiving was too busy to let Joe get his picks in...there goes that competition. Instead, I guess I will just recap my results in both the NFL and College, and we can move on from there.
Too bad for Boise State...still think they are a top 5 team, even with 1 loss. Their schedule was as hard as Wisconsin or Ohio States...look it up in Sagarin's Strength of Schedule.
College wrap-up:
This Week 12-8
Overall 38-20
I was impressed with Atlanta this weekend...they are looking legitimate. Also, my Colts are looking just plain ugly right now. Yes, a lot of injuries, but the Defense needs to step up and stop someone; I know San Diego was 0-8 on 3rd Down, but how many of those were in the Red Zone? The O-line was bad too...even though I still think the game could have turned out differently if the 2nd Pick-6 by Manning were called correctly...which was pass interference on Reggie Wayne. That was a huge play that changed everything. Despite that, San Diego played better than Indy and deserved to win. Come on Colts! Cardinals have given up on winning, think they want a high draft pick for a QB to throw to Fitzgerald. Beward Kansas City, that is another team that I think has a lot of upside, particularly if they get to play at home!
NFL wrap-up:
Week 12: 10-6
Overall: 30-16
At this point in the season...there is a lot to discuss. This weekend's Jets @ Patriots and Steelers @ Ravens games will tell a lot about playoff seeding, likely.
The College season is in the Championship week...then it's on to Army-Navy and the bowl games. By the way, I just heard the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl sent an invite to Army - they are Bowl Bound for the 1st time since 1996!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving! (NFL Picks!)
A Day to remember and celebrate all the provisions that we have been blessed with. Regardless of how much material blessings we feel we have, today is a day to remember all of the relationships, loves, victories, past struggles, and overcoming that have been part of our journey. I am thankful for family, friends, opportunities, freedom, but most of all a God who is loving, caring, and gives us all free will to decide whether to love Him back or not. I think often times we lose site of the sheer practicality of our relationship with God, and in why Jesus Christ had to come and die for us. We get wrapped up in figuring out all these details, and we often divide or claim that our way of understanding faith is absolutely the only way...may today's Day of thanksgiving and remembrance remind us that God first loved us. That any salvation that we receive is a freely given gift of God's grace. That life is to be lived, either in the knowledge and love of God or pursuing our own goals. God is not there to be a religion of rules, but God who chooses to enter into relationship with us...to know us and be known by us.
My picks for the NFL this week:
Patriots beat Lions
Saints over Cowboys
Jets beat Bengals
Falcons over Packers
Steelers beat Bills
Browns beat Panters
Jaguars over Giants
Redskins beat Vikings
Texans beat Titans
Raiders over Dolphins
Chiefs beat Seahawks
Bears over Eagles (Defense)
Broncos over Rams
Ravens barely beat the Buccaneers
Colts over Chargers
Cardinals over 49ers
My picks for the NFL this week:
Patriots beat Lions
Saints over Cowboys
Jets beat Bengals
Falcons over Packers
Steelers beat Bills
Browns beat Panters
Jaguars over Giants
Redskins beat Vikings
Texans beat Titans
Raiders over Dolphins
Chiefs beat Seahawks
Bears over Eagles (Defense)
Broncos over Rams
Ravens barely beat the Buccaneers
Colts over Chargers
Cardinals over 49ers
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thanksgiving Week College Picks
Since this week is Thanksgiving, and outside of Turkey and Family, it is a holiday of Football, here are my picks for the week!
A&M beats Texas
West Virginia beats Pitt
Bama over Auburn (even though Auburn is the only SEC team I can stand...thanks Nathan Helms!)
Nebraska beats Colorado before they both bolt from the Big 12
Oregon does beat Arizona
Boise State beats Nevada
Even though it isn't going to happen...I will still pick Michigan to beat Ohio State because of what the OSU President said today about TCU and Boise State. In fact, it is this kind of reasoning that has so messed up college football...sounds good, but really there is no solid ground for the argument. It's biased and arrogant and trying to keep the money where the money currently is. Period.
Penn State give Michigan State loss #2.
Purdue over Indiana (but barely!)
Arkansas beats LSU at home
Oklahoma State bedlams Oklahoma
Florida State beats Florida
Oregon State upsets Stanford
Georgia Tech over Georgia (notice that makes 2 in-state rivalries swinging to the ACC from the SEC this year...Florida State and Georgia Tech - but not like this next one:)
South Carolina over Clemson
Wisconsin beats Northwestern
Upset: Notre Dame gets USC!
Virginia Tech over Virginia
Washington surprises California
Arizona State beats UCLA
A&M beats Texas
West Virginia beats Pitt
Bama over Auburn (even though Auburn is the only SEC team I can stand...thanks Nathan Helms!)
Nebraska beats Colorado before they both bolt from the Big 12
Oregon does beat Arizona
Boise State beats Nevada
Even though it isn't going to happen...I will still pick Michigan to beat Ohio State because of what the OSU President said today about TCU and Boise State. In fact, it is this kind of reasoning that has so messed up college football...sounds good, but really there is no solid ground for the argument. It's biased and arrogant and trying to keep the money where the money currently is. Period.
Penn State give Michigan State loss #2.
Purdue over Indiana (but barely!)
Arkansas beats LSU at home
Oklahoma State bedlams Oklahoma
Florida State beats Florida
Oregon State upsets Stanford
Georgia Tech over Georgia (notice that makes 2 in-state rivalries swinging to the ACC from the SEC this year...Florida State and Georgia Tech - but not like this next one:)
South Carolina over Clemson
Wisconsin beats Northwestern
Upset: Notre Dame gets USC!
Virginia Tech over Virginia
Washington surprises California
Arizona State beats UCLA
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Great Tuesday Column on ESPN
One of my must-read football articles every week during football season for the past several years has been ESPN Page 2's Tuesday Morning Quarterback by Gregg Easterbrook. Check out this week's here.
Here is an excerpt from the column I found of particular interest:
Bonus Obscure College Score of the Week: Saint Cloud State 42, Hillsdale 28 (Division II playoff opening round). Located in Saint Cloud, Minn., Saint Cloud State charges its students a total of $1.3 million in fees annually to support athletic programs.
One of the hidden problems of collegiate sports is that schools increasingly charge students to support money-losing athletic programs beloved by alums and boosters. Longwood University of Virginia charges each student an annual $2,022 fee to support sports. In the 2008-2009 academic year, the large public universities in Division I charged their students a total of $795 million to support athletics. It' s one thing if wealthy boosters pony up for sports programs -- quite another if typical students, most of whom never benefit from sports, and most of whom are struggling to afford college, are the ones handed the bill.
This USA Today article notes that many big colleges don't disclose the fact that part of the tuition fee supports athletics -- students and their parents are made to think the tuition cost goes entirely to academics. Saint Cloud State held a referendum whether to increase athletic fees, so kudos to this school for being open. But there may be a scandal brewing here -- college students, and their parents, don't realize that what they think is an academics charge is actually for athletics.
Here is an excerpt from the column I found of particular interest:
Bonus Obscure College Score of the Week: Saint Cloud State 42, Hillsdale 28 (Division II playoff opening round). Located in Saint Cloud, Minn., Saint Cloud State charges its students a total of $1.3 million in fees annually to support athletic programs.
One of the hidden problems of collegiate sports is that schools increasingly charge students to support money-losing athletic programs beloved by alums and boosters. Longwood University of Virginia charges each student an annual $2,022 fee to support sports. In the 2008-2009 academic year, the large public universities in Division I charged their students a total of $795 million to support athletics. It' s one thing if wealthy boosters pony up for sports programs -- quite another if typical students, most of whom never benefit from sports, and most of whom are struggling to afford college, are the ones handed the bill.
This USA Today article notes that many big colleges don't disclose the fact that part of the tuition fee supports athletics -- students and their parents are made to think the tuition cost goes entirely to academics. Saint Cloud State held a referendum whether to increase athletic fees, so kudos to this school for being open. But there may be a scandal brewing here -- college students, and their parents, don't realize that what they think is an academics charge is actually for athletics.
Week 11 NFL Wrap-Up
An interesting week in the NFL:
Michael Vick continues his streak of performance and the Eagles have to be rising into the favorite in the NFC. Speaking of that, the top teams in the NFC by record right now are Atlanta, Philly, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Green Bay. Oh, and then you have the NFC West which will get a playoff spot.
Out of the rest of that group...I'd have to say I think Philly is playing the best, but my favorite is still the boys in the Bayou. The Saints are starting to look explosive again, and have some match-ups that are big coming down the stretch. Can Chicago's Defense keep them in contention with Green Bay? We'll see...but I think Green Bay wins the North.
The AFC is another matter...the Jets and Patriots have the best record, but I'd take the Patriots among these my least favorite teams in the NFL - at least I respect the Patriots for Belichek's always having them prepared. Sunday was another example. The Colts made mistakes, the Patriots did not. Manning was great - but trying so hard he pushed it just a little bit too much...the lack of syncronization with his receivers was evident on the interceptions, outside the last one which was just a forced pass...The Patriots need help on D, but I'll still support the under 6'0" club which are the Patriots receivers.
I actually still like the Steelers right now (NOT my pick - my pick remains the COLTS - it must!!!) for a post-season performance though.
Houston has officially pulled a Houston. Look good, have lots of hype, put up fantasy numbers, and lose football games. Jacksonville, in contrast, is actually in a position to make the playoffs!
Here are our week 11 pick results:
Rob 11-5
Joe 9-6 (did not pick the Thursday Bears-Dolphins game)
Overall: (2 weeks)
Rob 20-10
Joe 17-12
Good Turkey Hunting this week! Picks to come tomorrow!!!
Michael Vick continues his streak of performance and the Eagles have to be rising into the favorite in the NFC. Speaking of that, the top teams in the NFC by record right now are Atlanta, Philly, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Green Bay. Oh, and then you have the NFC West which will get a playoff spot.
Out of the rest of that group...I'd have to say I think Philly is playing the best, but my favorite is still the boys in the Bayou. The Saints are starting to look explosive again, and have some match-ups that are big coming down the stretch. Can Chicago's Defense keep them in contention with Green Bay? We'll see...but I think Green Bay wins the North.
The AFC is another matter...the Jets and Patriots have the best record, but I'd take the Patriots among these my least favorite teams in the NFL - at least I respect the Patriots for Belichek's always having them prepared. Sunday was another example. The Colts made mistakes, the Patriots did not. Manning was great - but trying so hard he pushed it just a little bit too much...the lack of syncronization with his receivers was evident on the interceptions, outside the last one which was just a forced pass...The Patriots need help on D, but I'll still support the under 6'0" club which are the Patriots receivers.
I actually still like the Steelers right now (NOT my pick - my pick remains the COLTS - it must!!!) for a post-season performance though.
Houston has officially pulled a Houston. Look good, have lots of hype, put up fantasy numbers, and lose football games. Jacksonville, in contrast, is actually in a position to make the playoffs!
Here are our week 11 pick results:
Rob 11-5
Joe 9-6 (did not pick the Thursday Bears-Dolphins game)
Overall: (2 weeks)
Rob 20-10
Joe 17-12
Good Turkey Hunting this week! Picks to come tomorrow!!!
College Wrap up - week of 11/20
Yeah - like I said, I should have quit while ahead last week!
Anyway, it seems that there were not that many compelling games this past weekend. A few good ones, but really a build up to some monsters over Thanksgiving! The Iron Bowl coming up!!! Oregon gets a test from Arizona and Boise State has a big test in Nevada.
Here is how we did last week:
Joe 13-8
Rob 10-9
So for the third of the season that we've just started...after 2 weeks our standings are:
Rob 26-12
Joe 17-11
I don't really have any comments on college games this week because I was involved all day with helping to package meals for starving children as part of the Arizona CityFest Season of Service. Check out what Feed My Starving Children does at http://www.fmsc.org/!
Anyway, it seems that there were not that many compelling games this past weekend. A few good ones, but really a build up to some monsters over Thanksgiving! The Iron Bowl coming up!!! Oregon gets a test from Arizona and Boise State has a big test in Nevada.
Here is how we did last week:
Joe 13-8
Rob 10-9
So for the third of the season that we've just started...after 2 weeks our standings are:
Rob 26-12
Joe 17-11
I don't really have any comments on college games this week because I was involved all day with helping to package meals for starving children as part of the Arizona CityFest Season of Service. Check out what Feed My Starving Children does at http://www.fmsc.org/!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
College Pick-ems!
Man - I missed the last 2 nights gimme games to pick being late...cause of course Boise St. and Alabama were going to win!
Anyway, on today's picks:
Army upsets Notre Dame in Yankee Stadium. (maybe not, but I HAVE to pick this one!)
LSU beats Ole Miss
Stanford over Cal (no band!)
Wisconsin gets by Michigan in the Big House
Nebraska beats Texas A&M
Iowa pulls one off against Ohio State
Oklahoma State over Kansas
Mississippi State at home over Arkansas
Virginia Tech over Miami (D-Fense)
San Diego State at home against Utah
Maryland in an upset against Florida State
Oklahoma beats Baylor (but it's close for awhile!)
West Virginia gets through Louisville
Northern Illinois over Ball State because of their QB who is from Norwell, I tihnk
Illinois over Northwestern (BUMMER - only because of losing Persa) in the Friendly Confines
Syracuse past UConn
Pitt over South Florida
and Buffalo gets a rare win over Eastern Michigan
In FCS: Yale beats Harvard
And now I'm off to pack food for starving children on this Saturday! Check it out at http://www.fmsc.org/ or www.arizonacityfest.com/season_of_service_projects for all this stuff going on!
Anyway, on today's picks:
Army upsets Notre Dame in Yankee Stadium. (maybe not, but I HAVE to pick this one!)
LSU beats Ole Miss
Stanford over Cal (no band!)
Wisconsin gets by Michigan in the Big House
Nebraska beats Texas A&M
Iowa pulls one off against Ohio State
Oklahoma State over Kansas
Mississippi State at home over Arkansas
Virginia Tech over Miami (D-Fense)
San Diego State at home against Utah
Maryland in an upset against Florida State
Oklahoma beats Baylor (but it's close for awhile!)
West Virginia gets through Louisville
Northern Illinois over Ball State because of their QB who is from Norwell, I tihnk
Illinois over Northwestern (BUMMER - only because of losing Persa) in the Friendly Confines
Syracuse past UConn
Pitt over South Florida
and Buffalo gets a rare win over Eastern Michigan
In FCS: Yale beats Harvard
And now I'm off to pack food for starving children on this Saturday! Check it out at http://www.fmsc.org/ or www.arizonacityfest.com/season_of_service_projects for all this stuff going on!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
College Pick 6!
So as far as my college picks go...
Roll Tide! (They play GA ST)
BSU beats Fresno St
LSU over Ole Miss
Standford beats CAL
A&M beats Nebraska
Wisconsin beats UM
Iowa beats OSU
OSU over Chalk Hawks
MSU over Purdue
Miss. St. beats Arkansas
Baylor beats OU
Iowa St. Beats MU
the "U" beats VT
SC over Troy
Nevada over NM St.
San Diego State beats UT
FSU beats MD
NC St over NC
S. FL over PITT
WV over Louisville
USC beats OSU
Roll Tide! (They play GA ST)
BSU beats Fresno St
LSU over Ole Miss
Standford beats CAL
A&M beats Nebraska
Wisconsin beats UM
Iowa beats OSU
OSU over Chalk Hawks
MSU over Purdue
Miss. St. beats Arkansas
Baylor beats OU
Iowa St. Beats MU
the "U" beats VT
SC over Troy
Nevada over NM St.
San Diego State beats UT
FSU beats MD
NC St over NC
S. FL over PITT
WV over Louisville
USC beats OSU
Bloggin'Bloke - Week 11
So I would have predicted that Chi-town runs on Mi-town... it was so boring I turned to the UW vs UCLA Game! How's that for lack-luster!
So my picks for remains of Week 11:
Cincy pulls it together for the T.OCHO SHOW!
Big D beats up on little d (Dallas over detroit)
Ravens mass pick on the Panthers...not a pretty site
The Dawg Pound pounds on Jax-un-ville Yags
Silver and Gold over Silver & Black... but with the aging defense of Pittsburgh, it won't be too long until Al Davis'Youth overcomes!
There's another Randy Moss siting...but that's about it as he watches Chris Johnson and Nate-dogg tear it up all over the Redskins. Low scoring game, but a lot of yardage on "O"
I'm going to call Zona Cards over the Chiefs... last second field goal... it could go either way :)
Green Bay puts an exclamation point on it, with a cherry on top as Farve inadvertently does the Lambeau Leap, getting tossed around like a rag doll vs. Green Bay. Better put that one on ice!
Jets run out of fuel and get sha-lallied by dem Texans
Hotlanta... HOT... scorches the Rams and the West continues to falter!
49ers beat Josh's Freed Man because Troy Smith is still running for Heismann!
Strong Brees in Seattle... I'm calling for Brees to go off on this one, lookin' like it was 2009!
Pats keep on marchin' and win the battle of Indy
The Human Hi-light Reel Lives! Eagles be-little the giants.
As for Monday... I'm calling the Chargers to strike down the Broncos
So my picks for remains of Week 11:
Cincy pulls it together for the T.OCHO SHOW!
Big D beats up on little d (Dallas over detroit)
Ravens mass pick on the Panthers...not a pretty site
The Dawg Pound pounds on Jax-un-ville Yags
Silver and Gold over Silver & Black... but with the aging defense of Pittsburgh, it won't be too long until Al Davis'Youth overcomes!
There's another Randy Moss siting...but that's about it as he watches Chris Johnson and Nate-dogg tear it up all over the Redskins. Low scoring game, but a lot of yardage on "O"
I'm going to call Zona Cards over the Chiefs... last second field goal... it could go either way :)
Green Bay puts an exclamation point on it, with a cherry on top as Farve inadvertently does the Lambeau Leap, getting tossed around like a rag doll vs. Green Bay. Better put that one on ice!
Jets run out of fuel and get sha-lallied by dem Texans
Hotlanta... HOT... scorches the Rams and the West continues to falter!
49ers beat Josh's Freed Man because Troy Smith is still running for Heismann!
Strong Brees in Seattle... I'm calling for Brees to go off on this one, lookin' like it was 2009!
Pats keep on marchin' and win the battle of Indy
The Human Hi-light Reel Lives! Eagles be-little the giants.
As for Monday... I'm calling the Chargers to strike down the Broncos
Week 11 Picks - Rob
Ok - new week: Here are my NFL picks!
Thursday -
Chicago over Miami
Sunday -
Buffalo beats Cincinnati
Dallas makes it two in a row against Detroit
Baltimore over Carolina (maybe the easiest pick of the week!)
Jacksonville barely gets Cleveland
Pittsburgh by at least 10 over Oakland
Tennessee squeeks by Washington
KC keeps piling it on Arizona
Green Bay tops the Circus formerly know as Minnesota
Houston rebounds against the Jets
Atlanta beats St. Louis in this weeks battles of the domes.
SF over TB (only because of the cross country travel)
New Orleans upends Seattle (this is my BLOW OUT of the week - think at least 20 pt win)
Indianapolis over NE (like I can pick anything else here? LOYALTY)
Philly continues the Vick against the Giants
Monday -
Denver beats San Diego
Thursday -
Chicago over Miami
Sunday -
Buffalo beats Cincinnati
Dallas makes it two in a row against Detroit
Baltimore over Carolina (maybe the easiest pick of the week!)
Jacksonville barely gets Cleveland
Pittsburgh by at least 10 over Oakland
Tennessee squeeks by Washington
KC keeps piling it on Arizona
Green Bay tops the Circus formerly know as Minnesota
Houston rebounds against the Jets
Atlanta beats St. Louis in this weeks battles of the domes.
SF over TB (only because of the cross country travel)
New Orleans upends Seattle (this is my BLOW OUT of the week - think at least 20 pt win)
Indianapolis over NE (like I can pick anything else here? LOYALTY)
Philly continues the Vick against the Giants
Monday -
Denver beats San Diego
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Week 10 NFL Wrap-Up
What a crazy week - there were some points put on the board by several NFL teams! Was it really that good of offense, or did many teams just come out not-all-that-fired up? Vick's perfomance was nuts, as were the pass happy games of Patriots/Steelers and Broncos/Chiefs. Not that talking about fantasy football means much...but how crazy was it that my Wide Receivers starting were Roddy White, Mike Wallace, and Dwayne Bowe? I got 115 points out of them (it's a PPR league).
As far as game predictions go: Joe and I are pretty even.
Rob 9-5
Joe 8-6
We'll keep track of these as we go forward...just have to make sure we get picks in prior to Thursdays games!!! (hear that Joe? I gave you the benefit of missing on game last week...the Thursday nighter...so gonna assume you wanted Matty-Ice to win)
Speaking of Matty-Ice - I was impressed with his performance! Plus I love those throwback red Falcons helmets! Now I just want to see a road game in the elements played with that precision by QB #2 and I'll start to buy into them being a legitimate Super Bowl contender...but not quite yet.
That edge is going to Philly right now...but man I don't like that team. Love Vick's resurgence though. Everyone deserves a second chance - particularly if you really serve the time, as Vick did. Leavenworth is no cake-walk. Vick looks like a changed man...now we have to see how the new resurgence of fame affects him. Will he remain post-incarceration Vick? I sure hope so.
The Colts - my team! - beat a bungling Bengals. The Colts don't look great, but how many injuries do they really have to sustain. They had 2 WR's they signed off the practice squad just to have 4 on their active roster. Manning is Manning, but the drops and miscues are there that show the offense if just slightly out of sync. Not bad though...they still have the shot. I actually thought the run defense looked good too...as did their 1st and 2nd down defense. My big concern is the defense on crucial downs. They gave up way too many plays when the Bengals needed one...if they want to go deep in the playoffs, they need more plays like that last drive of the game with the back to back sacks.
Speaking of that...I think Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are still getting back to the line of scrimmage for that final play. That was pathetic...particularly TO.
Maybe the Cardinals should trade for McNabb? Even-up for Derek Anderson? Heckm at this point how about for Beanie Wells?
I'll have a post soon in a ranking that we'll call Joe & Rob's team rankings. It will be a "like" ranking versus a "power" ranking. It is the order in which we both like teams. I can tell you the top of my list is the Colts, and the bottom two are the Patriots and Jets...the old AFC East rivalries in play!
As far as game predictions go: Joe and I are pretty even.
Rob 9-5
Joe 8-6
We'll keep track of these as we go forward...just have to make sure we get picks in prior to Thursdays games!!! (hear that Joe? I gave you the benefit of missing on game last week...the Thursday nighter...so gonna assume you wanted Matty-Ice to win)
Speaking of Matty-Ice - I was impressed with his performance! Plus I love those throwback red Falcons helmets! Now I just want to see a road game in the elements played with that precision by QB #2 and I'll start to buy into them being a legitimate Super Bowl contender...but not quite yet.
That edge is going to Philly right now...but man I don't like that team. Love Vick's resurgence though. Everyone deserves a second chance - particularly if you really serve the time, as Vick did. Leavenworth is no cake-walk. Vick looks like a changed man...now we have to see how the new resurgence of fame affects him. Will he remain post-incarceration Vick? I sure hope so.
The Colts - my team! - beat a bungling Bengals. The Colts don't look great, but how many injuries do they really have to sustain. They had 2 WR's they signed off the practice squad just to have 4 on their active roster. Manning is Manning, but the drops and miscues are there that show the offense if just slightly out of sync. Not bad though...they still have the shot. I actually thought the run defense looked good too...as did their 1st and 2nd down defense. My big concern is the defense on crucial downs. They gave up way too many plays when the Bengals needed one...if they want to go deep in the playoffs, they need more plays like that last drive of the game with the back to back sacks.
Speaking of that...I think Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are still getting back to the line of scrimmage for that final play. That was pathetic...particularly TO.
Maybe the Cardinals should trade for McNabb? Even-up for Derek Anderson? Heckm at this point how about for Beanie Wells?
I'll have a post soon in a ranking that we'll call Joe & Rob's team rankings. It will be a "like" ranking versus a "power" ranking. It is the order in which we both like teams. I can tell you the top of my list is the Colts, and the bottom two are the Patriots and Jets...the old AFC East rivalries in play!
Monday, November 15, 2010
College - Week 10 wrap up
Wow - week 10 wrap-up. I should just quit now...while I'm way ahead. I went 16-3 on the college picks this week!!! Even my comments were almost right on. No way can I keep this up, can I? Going to have to try!
As far as Joe is concerned - he went 4-3 in the much more limited predictions he made.
Here are some of my impressions from the week.
California found a way to slow Oregon's offense...can others execute that too...it gave them a shot.
All 3 Service Academies are bowl-eligible for the 1st time EVER!
Utah gave up in their loss to TCU, and it carried over to the no-show at Notre Dame.
Boise State is as good as anyone. Put them in a major conference, and they are the favorites right now. Same with TCU. Speaking of this, looking at the 4 teams that are undefeated...
TCU has the best defense, period.
They all use some form of the spread offense. Oregon just does theirs fast, Auburn relies on the QB to run, Boise St. QB has to pass, and TCU seems to be the most balanced in spreading it out.
That being said...I think Auburn loses to Alabama, then wins the Conference title game...so they drop to #4...but they are still better than the other 1-loss teams. War Eagle!
Not sure about Oregon yet - not predicting until this weekend for the Wildcat and Beaver games. I want to see the Oregon-Boise State championship game...I like the way Boise State plays the best. Maybe the best way to say it is I want to see either Auburn or Oregon play Boise State or TCU. Just mix it up!
How can you score 83 points in football when your basketball team rarely hits 60? Wisconsin even did this without their #1 RB Clay.
Lots of solid teams out there. This is why there needs to be a playoff! I would love to see what Les Miles does in a playoff! Same with Boise St. - how many trick plays can they pull out? The thing about NCAA basketball is that it is the 65th (ok - 69th this year with the tourney expansion) team that is feeling slighted...not the 3rd! Much less of an injustice! Let's let them play for it!
As far as Joe is concerned - he went 4-3 in the much more limited predictions he made.
Here are some of my impressions from the week.
California found a way to slow Oregon's offense...can others execute that too...it gave them a shot.
All 3 Service Academies are bowl-eligible for the 1st time EVER!
Utah gave up in their loss to TCU, and it carried over to the no-show at Notre Dame.
Boise State is as good as anyone. Put them in a major conference, and they are the favorites right now. Same with TCU. Speaking of this, looking at the 4 teams that are undefeated...
TCU has the best defense, period.
They all use some form of the spread offense. Oregon just does theirs fast, Auburn relies on the QB to run, Boise St. QB has to pass, and TCU seems to be the most balanced in spreading it out.
That being said...I think Auburn loses to Alabama, then wins the Conference title game...so they drop to #4...but they are still better than the other 1-loss teams. War Eagle!
Not sure about Oregon yet - not predicting until this weekend for the Wildcat and Beaver games. I want to see the Oregon-Boise State championship game...I like the way Boise State plays the best. Maybe the best way to say it is I want to see either Auburn or Oregon play Boise State or TCU. Just mix it up!
How can you score 83 points in football when your basketball team rarely hits 60? Wisconsin even did this without their #1 RB Clay.
Lots of solid teams out there. This is why there needs to be a playoff! I would love to see what Les Miles does in a playoff! Same with Boise St. - how many trick plays can they pull out? The thing about NCAA basketball is that it is the 65th (ok - 69th this year with the tourney expansion) team that is feeling slighted...not the 3rd! Much less of an injustice! Let's let them play for it!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
NFL Week 10 picks
Now this one - I'll pick each game each week. Was thinking of doing the against the spread thing...but nah, just who wins.
Atlanta over Baltimore
Buffalo win #1 over Lions (cause who is their QB this week?)
Da Bears beat Da Favre-ings (Vikings)
New Jersey Jets rebounds over Cleveland
Tampa Bay over Carolina
Houston beats Jax
Indy passes over Cincy
Titans beat Dolphins
Mile Highs upend KC
Giants crush the team formerly know as Cowboys
Cardinals are mightier than Seahawks (or at least more colorful!)
Niners barely against the Rams
Patriots step up on the road over Pittsburgh
McNabb beats Vick (I mean Shanahanskins over Reidgles)
Atlanta over Baltimore
Buffalo win #1 over Lions (cause who is their QB this week?)
Da Bears beat Da Favre-ings (Vikings)
New Jersey Jets rebounds over Cleveland
Tampa Bay over Carolina
Houston beats Jax
Indy passes over Cincy
Titans beat Dolphins
Mile Highs upend KC
Giants crush the team formerly know as Cowboys
Cardinals are mightier than Seahawks (or at least more colorful!)
Niners barely against the Rams
Patriots step up on the road over Pittsburgh
McNabb beats Vick (I mean Shanahanskins over Reidgles)
McDeadmeat's Collegiate Picks - Week of 11/13/10
So thinking about how to do this best...do I pick who I think wins, or who I want to win...so here, I'm going to do who I think wins. It won't be every game, but will be some good ones that I'm thinking.
As far as the BCS Championship is concerned - definitely we need a playoff! Because right now, you can't honestly tell me that Boise State doesn't deserve a shot...they can play with, and potentially beat, any team on any field any given day. Didn't Virginia Tech and Oregon State show something? TCU as well, going into the #5 team's house and putting the thumping they did on them is something that has a lot of value in comparison to Alabama losing at South Carolina. I'm not bashing the SEC though - think Auburn deserves a shot, as does Oregon. I'm just tired of those in the money trying to keep it all to themselves, which is the BCS & the 6.
Miami (OH) over Bowling Green 24-21 --oh yeah, that one already happened!
Picks:
Boise State over Idaho Friday by a bigger margin that Nebraska's 38-17 win over the Vandals earlier this year.
Ohio State over Penn State
Auburn beats Georgia
Alabama over Miss. State
Wisconsin tops Indiana
Florida State gets back on track over Clemson
Syracuse over Rutgers to keep in the Big East Championship hunt when coupled with
UConn upsetting Pittsburgh
Mizzou outscores K-State at home
Utah over Notre Dame
Oklahoma State adds to the Longhorns woes
Arizona State gives Stanford all they can handle, but comes up empty.
As much as I want South Carolina to win, Florida gets it done in the Swamp.
My upset pick of the week: Northwestern over Iowa
I'm in class all day Saturday, so the late games I definitely want to see are the PAC-10 match-ups (ASU-Stanford, USC-Arizona wins) and my:
Watch the game just for the enjoyment of the sport: Oregon at California. Ducks win; love that blur offense.
Air Force over New Mexico
Navy beats Central Michigan
And of course -
Army beats Kent State and becomes bowl eligible for the first time since 1996!
As far as the BCS Championship is concerned - definitely we need a playoff! Because right now, you can't honestly tell me that Boise State doesn't deserve a shot...they can play with, and potentially beat, any team on any field any given day. Didn't Virginia Tech and Oregon State show something? TCU as well, going into the #5 team's house and putting the thumping they did on them is something that has a lot of value in comparison to Alabama losing at South Carolina. I'm not bashing the SEC though - think Auburn deserves a shot, as does Oregon. I'm just tired of those in the money trying to keep it all to themselves, which is the BCS & the 6.
Miami (OH) over Bowling Green 24-21 --oh yeah, that one already happened!
Picks:
Boise State over Idaho Friday by a bigger margin that Nebraska's 38-17 win over the Vandals earlier this year.
Ohio State over Penn State
Auburn beats Georgia
Alabama over Miss. State
Wisconsin tops Indiana
Florida State gets back on track over Clemson
Syracuse over Rutgers to keep in the Big East Championship hunt when coupled with
UConn upsetting Pittsburgh
Mizzou outscores K-State at home
Utah over Notre Dame
Oklahoma State adds to the Longhorns woes
Arizona State gives Stanford all they can handle, but comes up empty.
As much as I want South Carolina to win, Florida gets it done in the Swamp.
My upset pick of the week: Northwestern over Iowa
I'm in class all day Saturday, so the late games I definitely want to see are the PAC-10 match-ups (ASU-Stanford, USC-Arizona wins) and my:
Watch the game just for the enjoyment of the sport: Oregon at California. Ducks win; love that blur offense.
Air Force over New Mexico
Navy beats Central Michigan
And of course -
Army beats Kent State and becomes bowl eligible for the first time since 1996!
Joe's Post from 11/9
*I'm posting this from his inserting as comments...we are still making sure we get all this stuff done right!*
BEAT NAVY! Hopefully the ND game is a nice warm-up for the submerged midshipmen of Annapolis.
So let's go bowling! The purple toads of Texas are about the only thing good in that part of the country these days aside from BBQ and Pabst Blue Ribbon! With games against the Aztecs of San Diego (noted landslide victories against Nicholls State & New Mexico State) and the NM-Lobos (1-8 Record), TCU is set-up for a BCS Championship Showdown against Boise St. Broncos!
Yes, I'm predicting a fall of both Auburn (obviously) and the UofO. With games left against the Jeykl & Hyde Cal Bears, #18 'Zona Zoo Who!, & the Civil War Beavers, Oregon is bound to lose at least 1 of 3, casting them out of the BCS Championship Game and giving birth to a "Mid-Major Extravaganza!" (If I was Dick Vitale, I'd be saying "Serendipity Baby!") And the confusion starts there and trickles down to what will be an unexpected, strange-brew, of college bowl games to end the 2010 season!
As far as upsets alerts this week, I'm picking Georgia over the Auburn War Eagle and USC beats 'Zona Zoo Hoo. My outrageous call of the week - I say Bevo and the Hook 'em Horns do just that to the Cowboys from Stillwater. The I'd rather go fishing game of the week: Louisiana Lafayette Rajun Cajuns (2-7) vs. FAU Owls (3-5). The Ragin'Cajuns have not so noticeable losses against Middle Ten. St, Troy, Western Ky, and Ohio. FAU looks to extend it's 2 game winning streak.
On to Week 10 NFL, by the way - Mercy Rule - no more extension of the NFL Season, let's cut it down! Owners make way too much money already and the players are taking a beating, all for entertainment purposes. So as Rome had it's gladiators, we too have ours- enter the NFL. Halloween still continues as The Silver & Black are Back! And the best news for Al Davis & Company is that they'll stay above .500 this week since they have a bye! The Bills get their first win of the Lions. Farve Central pulls it out against Duh Bears. Jets crash at the Pound. Moss stretches Miami. Payton back to business as usual with more TD's thrown to Tamme-who? Houston rolls the Jags. Carolina does what they do best...lose, lose, lose...they should actually schedule Dallas at the end of the season for braggin'rights, but I think Jerry Jones might say that the Dallas Stadium is full that weekend for Pee-Wee Championship Football. The NY Giants put in their 3rd string and Jason Garrett suits up at the QB Position to become the first player-coach combo. UPSET ALERT: Denver beats KC. Arizona beats Seattle in the worst division in football, where the 49ers are "still in it" and going to win the division according to the owner, but only after they beat Sam Bradford and the Brady Bunch. I'm calling the Patty's over the Steelers while Michael Vick does the Human Hi-light Reel, part Deux and Nike brings back the commercial of Michael Vick, The Amusement Park Ride! With Philly ahead in the 4th, Shanahan pulls the 2-min drill, which means no Donovan McNabb. Philly wins! Philly Wins! And Cliff Lee becomes a Yankee!
Beat Kent State!
BEAT NAVY! Hopefully the ND game is a nice warm-up for the submerged midshipmen of Annapolis.
So let's go bowling! The purple toads of Texas are about the only thing good in that part of the country these days aside from BBQ and Pabst Blue Ribbon! With games against the Aztecs of San Diego (noted landslide victories against Nicholls State & New Mexico State) and the NM-Lobos (1-8 Record), TCU is set-up for a BCS Championship Showdown against Boise St. Broncos!
Yes, I'm predicting a fall of both Auburn (obviously) and the UofO. With games left against the Jeykl & Hyde Cal Bears, #18 'Zona Zoo Who!, & the Civil War Beavers, Oregon is bound to lose at least 1 of 3, casting them out of the BCS Championship Game and giving birth to a "Mid-Major Extravaganza!" (If I was Dick Vitale, I'd be saying "Serendipity Baby!") And the confusion starts there and trickles down to what will be an unexpected, strange-brew, of college bowl games to end the 2010 season!
As far as upsets alerts this week, I'm picking Georgia over the Auburn War Eagle and USC beats 'Zona Zoo Hoo. My outrageous call of the week - I say Bevo and the Hook 'em Horns do just that to the Cowboys from Stillwater. The I'd rather go fishing game of the week: Louisiana Lafayette Rajun Cajuns (2-7) vs. FAU Owls (3-5). The Ragin'Cajuns have not so noticeable losses against Middle Ten. St, Troy, Western Ky, and Ohio. FAU looks to extend it's 2 game winning streak.
On to Week 10 NFL, by the way - Mercy Rule - no more extension of the NFL Season, let's cut it down! Owners make way too much money already and the players are taking a beating, all for entertainment purposes. So as Rome had it's gladiators, we too have ours- enter the NFL. Halloween still continues as The Silver & Black are Back! And the best news for Al Davis & Company is that they'll stay above .500 this week since they have a bye! The Bills get their first win of the Lions. Farve Central pulls it out against Duh Bears. Jets crash at the Pound. Moss stretches Miami. Payton back to business as usual with more TD's thrown to Tamme-who? Houston rolls the Jags. Carolina does what they do best...lose, lose, lose...they should actually schedule Dallas at the end of the season for braggin'rights, but I think Jerry Jones might say that the Dallas Stadium is full that weekend for Pee-Wee Championship Football. The NY Giants put in their 3rd string and Jason Garrett suits up at the QB Position to become the first player-coach combo. UPSET ALERT: Denver beats KC. Arizona beats Seattle in the worst division in football, where the 49ers are "still in it" and going to win the division according to the owner, but only after they beat Sam Bradford and the Brady Bunch. I'm calling the Patty's over the Steelers while Michael Vick does the Human Hi-light Reel, part Deux and Nike brings back the commercial of Michael Vick, The Amusement Park Ride! With Philly ahead in the 4th, Shanahan pulls the 2-min drill, which means no Donovan McNabb. Philly wins! Philly Wins! And Cliff Lee becomes a Yankee!
Beat Kent State!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Upon the Fields of Friendly Strife
The title of this blog is taken from a General Douglas MacArthur quote about Army football, and the benefits that these men had as officers in the Army during World War II. The quote:
"Upon the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that upon other fields, on other days, will bear the fruits of victory."
This quote embodies and understanding of football as a game which prepares many young men for future lives in many different fields, from the military to business pursuits. It places proper perspective on football, which often has been greatly overlooked in much of today's media. Football is king, it is a cash crop. Joe and I have many varying viewpoints on football, and love to discuss, analyze, play fantasy football, and critique the ways and sportsmanship of the game today.
While we in no way claim to be completely serious, this blog shall likely be humorous and like it seems always happens in sports, will spark debate between the two of us. We are sure that our views are not identical, even though we often share similar views. But, like the quote above, football goes beyond the goalposts, it has merit and application in our daily lives. The teams we like, the sports we follow, the decisions we make, are all a part of who we are. Thus, we, two Army football fans and classmates (it is our Alma Mater!) want to throw our two cents into the realm of sports opinion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)