Week 4 NFL Picks

Same deal as NCAA - now posting the Week 4 NFL Picks:

DET @ DAL
Lions: Ed Vander Woude (EVW), Rachael Eggebeen (RE), Dave Wasson (DW), Joe Lacanlale (JL)
Gary McFarren (GM)-Detroit to show the Cowboys the right way to play football in Texas
Joe McFarren (JM)-Cause who doesn't want to be on this bandwagon?
Dusty Miller (DM)-I am enjoying seeing the Lions do well and I can't stand the Cowboys.
Rob McFarren (RM)-Did you see how confused the Cowboys offense looked last week? The Lions Offense is more explosive than the Redskins.
Cowboys:
Dennis Lowe (DL)-Dallas will give Detroit their first loss of the season

CAR @ CHI
Panthers: JL
DL-Cam Newton is HOT this year so far!! He will be able to pick the Bears defense apart!!
Bears: DW, RE, EVW
DM-I will pick my favorite team for the first time this year (which probably means they will disappoint me!)
GM-Bears stop Cam-olina
JM-Carolina is really a lot worse than they are playing.
RM-Newton looks good cause all they are doing is letting him throw...look how few rushing attempts they have, even with the backs they have. If that continues, Da Bears easily win!

BUF @ CIN
Bills: EVW, RE, JL
DW-I'm picking Buffalo to go 16-0 this season...
JM-Do they really have a legit shot at 4-0?!?!
DL-The Bills are going to remain undefeated and add another loss to the horrible Bengals.
GM-Buffalo stampedes the Bengals
DM-2 teams that are much better than anticipated, but I'll take the Bills to stay undefeated.
RM-Why do I hear OJ Simpson singing "Buffalo is going to the Su-per Bowl"?
Bengals: *unanimous for Buffalo

TEN @ CLE
Titans: EVW
DL-The Titans' Chris Johnson will run all over Cleveland. Yes the Browns have won 2 in a row but it was against teams that will struggle to win a game all year: the Colts and the Dolphins.
RM-In match ups like this, I should pick the home team. But is Hillis healthy enough (he lost 10 lbs due to Strep throat last week!)?
GM-Mr. Hasselbeck to lead the Titans
DM-I will take the Titans in this one, I think they have more offense than the Browns.
Browns: RE, DW, JL
JM-Because I really don't care...

MIN @ KC
Vikings: DW, EVW, JL
GM-Vikings get their first win over KC
DM-Glad I won't have to watch this one, yuck! I'm hoping the Vikings decide to not blow another lead this week.
DL-The Vikings will keep the Chiefs, or should I say the Chefs, in the loss column. The Chiefs have given up the most points and scored the fewest points so far this season.
Chiefs: RE
JM-They have to win one eventually.
RM-I'll take the home team. Something is not right with the Vikings...Just hand it off to Peterson!

WAS @ STL
Redskins: EVW, DW
DL-The Redskins will win this one in a tough battle.
GM-Washington to rebound over the Rams
DM-I have been impressed by how the Redskins have played so far and I think the Rams have been a huge disappointment.
RM-I regret this pick already, but I want to see how Grossman responds to the narrow loss last week.
Rams: RE, JL
JM-Sam Bradford finally breaks out in his sophmore year.

NO @ JAX
Saints: RE, DW, EVW, JL
DL-The Saints are tied with the Pats for the second most points scored this year behind the Bills. Jacksonville has given up the second most points this year just ahead of the Chiefs. So in other words, the Saints are going to win BIG this week.
JM-Too good of an offense against too poor of a defense.
DM-This one could be over early, the Saints should be able to score at will here.
RM-Colston back, Drew Brees will win. The real question is who will be the Saints fantasy play this week?
GM-NO will kill the Jags
Jaguars: *No one dares pick Jones-Drew and mates.

PIT @ HOU
Steelers: EVW, RE
RM-Tomlin is too good of a coach to let them lose 2 in a row. The line will do much better.
JM-I would love to pick Houston here, but Pittsburgh is bound to find their rhythm at some point.
Texans: DW, JL
GM-Texans defense is better than the Steelers - Houston wins 90-85.
DM-Before last Sunday night, I would have probably leaned toward the Steelers in this one, but they showed some pretty serious flaws against a horrible Colts team.
DL-This is the year for a change on tope of the AFC. Houston will win this week en route to #2 in the standings in the AFC behind the Bills at the end of the season. *Already a season prediction! Wow!

SF @ PHI:
49ers: EVW
 RM-Which team is tougher (not better, tougher)? 49ers, hands down. Plus, they stayed on the East Coast all week to practice rather than travel cross-country twice after last weeks win at Cincy.
Eagles: JL, DW, RE
JM-There is no way the Niners are goign to be able to win on the road here.
DL-This game will be a shootout with the Eagles pulling it out. Vick needs to suck it up and play!!
GM-Philly over the 45er's (they just don't have enough)
DM-Vick says he will play again this week. If so, he's enough to give them the edge at home over the 49ers.

NYG @ AZ
Giants: DW, EVW, RE, JL
RM-Living out here next to the stadium, I know this is a game that Whisenhut will have the Cards motivated and the crowd will be too (they have these "big" games every year - this is the first one)
DM-I should have picked them last week. The Cardinals could still win the NFC West at 7-9.
DL-The Giants will keep the ball rolling and pull this one out in the desert!!
Cardinals:
GM-Cardinals beat the Giants (I don't believe in them yet)
JM-Arizona (i.e. Larry Fitzgerald) will hit their stride against a team that seems to forget home good they are away from home.

ATL @ SEA
Falcons: DW, RE, EVW, JL
DL-Time for the Falcons to pull their heads out of their rumps and play like they are supposed to this year.
DM-Let's face it, Seattle is bad!
GM-Falcons get flying high over the waterlogged Seahawks
JM-Matt Ryan, are you going to show up?
RM-I am so, so tempted to pick the other way here, but don't want to lose ground on the season standings. Long travel for the Falcons.
Seahawks: *If it is rainy weather, we'll all regret not picking Seattle.

MIA @ SD
Dolphins:*Are there more dolphins in Miami or San Diego, anyway?
Chargers: DW, RE, EVW, JL
GM-SD beats the Dolphins in the Best-Place-To-Live Bowl.
DL-Miami looked good in week 1 but that was a fluke against a New England team that is not as tough as they have been in years past. The Chargers will win by a good margin this week.
JM-Phillip Rivers may just throw for 1,000 yards here.
RM-Mathews' recent emergence puts them over the top, even with Gates out.
DM-Miami on the road? I don't think so!

NE @ OAK
Patriots: DW, JL, RE
DM-I still can't believe the meltdown the Patriots had in Buffalo last week (although I was glad to see it!). I have a feeling they may take out some frustration on a much improved Raider team.
GM-Patriots get it straightened up against the Raiders.
JM-As much as I hate to say it, I am enjoying watching Tom Brady do pretty much whatever he wants on the field, and there is no way Oakland will change that.
RM-If NE had won at Buffalo, I'd take the Raiders. Think this is much more balanced than most think, but Beli-cheat won't lose 2 in a row-Brady even cut the model hair-do.
Raiders: EVW
DL-I believe the Pats will lose 2 straight for the first time in many, many seasons!! Changing of the guard will occur in the AFC.

DEN @ GB
Broncos: *Let's go Broncos!!
 Packers: JL, DW, EVW, RE
JM-Kyle Orton may throw for a lot of yards against a horrible secondary, but the Packers are just too good.
DL-The Packers will win again. They are looking good again this year and could go a long way. What do you think about a Packers/Bills Super Bowl in Indy?
GM-Packers tie up the Broncos
DM-The hated Packers should win easily again this week.
RM-Super Bowl re-match! Then it was Elway-Favre, now Orton-Rodgers. Yeah.

NYJ @ BAL
Jets: RE, JL
JM-Mark Sanchez is finally growing up.
Ravens: DW, EVW
GM-Ravens ground the Jets (I thought if you had great corners you couldn't lose! Too bad Rex Ryan)
DM-I will take the Ravens at home in what should be a very good game to watch.
DL-This will be a tough game to pick. I am taking the Ravens at home.
RM-Just take the home team. Plus, the Harbaugh's can coach!
 
IND @ TB
Colts: RE
JM-Could it finaly happen? I'm not talking about winning, but have enough quarterbacks injured that they really have to bring in Pat McAfee as the QB. Oh, yeah! That's what I'm betting on with this jumble of horrible QBs as the Colts' options.
Buccaneers: DW, EVW, JL
DL-The Colts may not win a game this year. Now that we see what happens with an average QB, it is now time to go for the #1 pick in next years draft!!
RM-While I will not be a partisan spectator and hope Painter gets some tempo to the offense (looked that way last week), not against this Bucs team that is relishing the national exposure for once!
GM-Bucs defeat the Colts (this will be a very low scoring game - Colts defense is good but they can't score!)
DM-The Colts should just bring back Jeff George for the rest of this season...he's just as good as Painter and just as old as Collins.

Week 5 NCAA Picks

OK - to try to cut down on the number of posts being made on the homepage, I'm going to try something different this week. I'm going to put all the picks in 1 post. This is because not everyone comments on every game, and so I'll include all comments by name for each game, as well as each pick. 


As always, you can click on the NCAA tab above to see the comparative picks and results from previous weeks.


Texas A&M @ Arkansas
TA&M: Ed Vander Woude (EVW), Rachael Eggebeen (RE), Joanna Lacanlale (JNL)
Joe Lacanalale(JL)-Aggies4Life 
Joe McFarren(JM)-Both teams are going to try and bounce back, but A&M should have won last week, while Arkansas got soundly beaten.
Dennis Lowe (DL)-A&M will get back on the horse this week and take out the Razorbacks.; 
Gary McFarren (GM)-Aggies over the Hogs
Rob McFarren (RM)-Time to show the SEC what they are adding - too much motivation in this game.
Arkansas: Dusty Miller (DM)-Pig Sooey wins at home.




Tulane @ Army
Tulane: EVW
DL-Hate to say it Rob, I will probably not pick Army again this year!! Sorry!!!
Army: RE, JNL
RM-I should be there for this game, its my classes 10-yr reunion...Joe Lac - you too! 
JL- Go Black Knights
GM-Army to bounce back to calm the Green Wave
JM-Back at home after being trounced by my big, bad Cardinals!
DM-Green Wave? What kind of mascot is that ?!?


Air Force @ Navy
Air Force: RE
JM-Air Force.  I will never cheer for Navy!
JL-Off we go into the Wild Blue Yonder
Navy: JNL, EVW
DM-The Midshipmen take the first step in trying to win the Commander In Chief trophy(I think that's what it's called.) *Yes, that is what it's called!
GM-I don't really know why!
DL-Navy should have beaten S.C. last week but did not. Navy will be a force this season.
RM-Should be a good game, wish they could both lose, as they will do to Army!



Nevada @ Boise St.
Nevada: *No one picked them to repeat their upset from last year
Boise St: RE, EVW, RM, GM, JNL
JL-Noisey St. Broncos
DL-Boise State is pushing for a National Championship this season...and it is also hard to go against the Broncos on the blue turf.
JM-No way will they forget last year's game and let Nevada pull the upset again.
DM-Broncos don't lose games on the "Smurf Turf"

Baylor @ Kansas St.Baylor: RE, EVW
DM-Too much speed for the Wildcats
RM-When Griffin III has more TDs than Incompletions, I'll ride that bandwagon!
GM-Baylor over the Purple Pride of Manhatten (this is because I don't like purple - LEO High School!!!)
JM-This is their breakout game.
Kansas St.: JNL, DL
JL-K-S-U Wildcats


Michigan St. @ Ohio St.
Michigan St: RM, EVW
JL-Sportin' Spartan
JM-Ohio St. can take their cheating to the house!
Ohio St: GM, JNL
RE-Watch the OSU quaterback!
DL-I think I just threw up a little in my mouth!! Can't believe that I had to even think about either team winning!!
DM-The Spartans just won't be able to hang on the road in the Big Ten against quality opponents.


Clemson @ Virginia Tech
Clemson: RE, JL
DL-Awesome game for the ACC. I am going out on a limb and saying that the Tigers are going to beat the Hogies.....errrr the Hokies!!
GM-Clemson to keep up the great start and beat the Hokies!
Virginia Tech: EVW, JNL
JM-Clemson totatlly played over their heads against Florida State last week.
DM-I have to go with my favorite college football team here. The Hokies are tough to beat in Blacksburg.
RM-This is 1 of the 2 must-see games with Neb-Wisc for most people (3 for me, cause I add ND-Purdue to the list). Should be a great game...the winner will be the favorite. I just think this is the year VT doesn't have a let-down game.


Texas @ Iowa St.
Texas: EVW, RE, JNL
JM-The climb back up continues.
DL-We will see what the Cyclones are all about but they have not played a tough schedule and they should have been beat by Iowa. Sorry Cyclones, the Longhorns are tough.
GM-Texas calms the Cyclones
DM-I will take the Longhorns on the road this week
RM-Just can't yet buy that Iowa St. is for real.
Iowa St.: JL



Washington @ Utah
Washington: JNL
DL-I am going with Washington in this one. They played tough against a very, very good Nebraska team. We will see the outcome on Saturday.
RM-U-dub program on the upswing. A PAC-12 put-down in order for the newly added Utes.
Utah: RE, EVW
DM-There could be a lot of points scored here; I'll go with the home team.
GM-The Utes are good, too bad Huskies
JM-Uh, coin flip amongst the "I couldn't care less" games.
JL-You-tah



North Carolina @ East Carolina
UNC: RE, EVW, JL, JNL
JM-Pirates, really?
DL-ACC is going to smoke C. USA in this game.
GM-North over East - Carolina that is
DM- I don't think the Pirates have Garrard or Chris Johnson back this week so I will take the Tar Heels
E. Carolina:
RM-I'll represent this tougher team than they look - another that has a conference to impress for realignment as they look into Big East, a win here goes a long way for that.

Marshall @ LouisvilleMarshall: JL, RE 
Louisville: JNL, DL, EVW, RM,
DM-The Cardinals will win in Papa John's stadium this week
GM-Louisville over the Herd (at least that's what I heard!)
JM-Should be close, but both aren't good


Alabama @ Florida
Alabama: RE, EVW, JL, GM, JNL
RM-Please, let this be so. Don't like Saban, but no Gator obnoxious fans for me.
JM-I don't care who they are playing...down with Florida!
DL-The Crimson Tide will lay the wood on the Gators
Florida:
DM-I will take the Gators in the Swamp, even though I think Alabama is favored here



Nebraska @ Wisconsin
Nebraska: JNL
GM-The toughest game of the day - Nebraska shows the Big 10 (12) what it's like, as they beat Wisconsin
DL-Time for the Big Ten Champs to flex their muscles early in the season and put the Badgers in the loss column on their own home turf.
JM-Smash-mouth football at it's best.  This is the game that will show Nebraska moving to the Big Ten was totally awesome.
JL-Big Red *At least this is the Big Red I think Joe was referring to with this pick!
Wisconsin: EVW
RE-when you say Wisconsin, you've said it all!
DM-In the first of what should be a long line of great conference battles between these two I will take the home team.
RM-Just can't see Wisconsin losing at home in their Big 10 opener, especially to the newcomer



Notre Dame @ Purdue
ND: EVW, GM, JNL
RM-Love watching this clash of Indiana gold helmets, but this year the Fighting Irish are definitely better, even though Purdue is improving. These 2, plus Army, are my trifecta of gold helmeted teams that are my favorite NCAA programs!
DM-This used to be a fun game to watch, not so much any more.
DL-Purdue is absolutely horrible!!
JM-Another battle of the gold helmets.  Although this one won't be much of a battle.  More like a Pee Wee championship game.
Purdue: RE
JL-Boil'em Makers



UCLA @ Stanford
UCLA: (It's unanimous for the Cardinal)
Stanford: RE, EVW, RM, JNL
JM-The blow out of the week.
JL-The Evergreen Trees
DL-Andrew Luck will be a Colt next season...I hope!!
GM-Stanford over UCLA because the know how to spell their entire school name while the guys from the south only use a few letters.
DM-The Cardinal shouldn't have too much trouble this week.

NFL Week 3 Wrap-up

And as promised - here are the wrap-up picks from Week 3 of the NFL. Who would have named the last 3 undefeated teams as: Packers, Lions, and Bills? There must be something radioactive in the Great Lakes these days? (ok - so something beneficially radioactive!)

First up - the results: We have got to stop Dad - Gary McFarren is winning way too much!

Week 3
Gary McFarren        11-5
Rachael Eggebeen   10-6
Joe Lacanlale           10-6
Rob McFarren         10-6
Dusty Miller             10-6
Ed Vander Woude   10-6
Joanna Lacanlale      7-9
Dennis Lowe            7-9
Dave Wasson           7-9

And now, the picks:

HOU @ NO - Dusty Miller: "This should be an exciting game with lots of offense. I think the Saints will be able to stop the Texans when they need a stop."; Joanna Lacanlale: "Gotta root for my fantasy team!"


NYG @ PHI - Dave Wasson: "I wish I didn't enjoy NFC East games so much."


JAX @ CAR - Dusty Miller: "Ok, last week's performance sold me on Cam Newton. I will take the Panthers in a battle of two fairly bad teams."


NE @ BUF - Dennis Lowe: "Laugh at me if you want to...Buffalo will win this one. They have put up the most points in the league this far into the season and New England always tend to struggle with Buffalo. This might also be wishful thinking but we will see how good Buffalo really is."


MIA @ CLE - Joe Lacanlale: "Laces-out Dan!" (nice shout out to Ace Ventura)


SF @ CIN - Dave Wasson: "Carson Palmer wouldn't even watch this game if he WAS starting for the Bengals."


DEN @ TEN - Just have to say OUCH on this one from Dave Wasson: "Dear Kenny Britt, please keep it up. Love, Your fantasy football owner in two leagues."


DET @ MIN - Joe Lacanlale: "Rawrrr!!!"


BAL @ STL - Dusty Miller: " I think the Ravens will rebound from their poor performance last week to beat the Rams. I almost feel bad for Sam Bradford."


NYJ @ OAK - Dave Wasson: "How one of the Ryans brothers isn't the head coach of the Raiders is a mystery of the ages."


KC @ SD - Dennis Lowe: "KC is also horrible!!! Chargers will win big this week."


AZ @ SEA - Dennis Lowe: "Wow...never thought I would pick Arizona to win a game!!" (oops!)


ATL @ TB - Dusty Miller: "I'll take the Bucs at home over the Falcons who seem to struggle on the road."


GB @ CHI - Ed Vander Woude: "Pastor vs. Wife (Rachael) - my pick: Pastor (CHI)"


PIT @ IND - Gary McFarren: "the Colts are in a world of hurt - they don't know how to get out of it!"


WAS @ DAL - Joe Lacanlale: "BFF & the Cowgirls."

Apologies for not posting; Week 4 NCAA Picks Wrap-Up

Hey everyone - I know, I know - I was unable to stay on top of things this past week. I had to help run and execute a Student Retreat and do a New Student Orientation Friday and Saturday last week for Fuller Seminary Southwest. Then, Amanda picked me up and we stayed up in North Central Arizona, having dinner in Prescott, and going to a wine club event at Page Springs Cellars in the Verde Valley. Lots of fun, nice and relaxing, and some good quality time with the wife. So that's my excuse on why everyone didn't get posted this week.


So here is how I'll make it up to you! I'm going to post the results, and include comments on each game wrapped up into one email! Not every comment will be there, but the ones that were significantly good or bad!!!


Without further ado: NCAA Week 4


Toledo @ Syracuse - Syracuse won (wait - did they? The Refs got a call wrong and now Toledo wants the result overturned...)


Notre Dame @ Pittsburgh - Dennis Lowe: "Hey Notre Dame...If you can pull off another one...that is what you call a winning streak!! Don't think they will do it!!"


Army @ Ball State - Dusty Miller: "Ball St. - This is the game the McFarren family has been waiting for!! I will take the fighting Cardinals at home over the Black Knights"; Gary McFarren: "Ball State will not be good hosts to the Cadets"


Arkansas @ Alabama - Joe Lacanlale: "Roll Tide"


Oklahoma St. @ Texas A&M - Rob McFarren: "Close game, but the edge will be Ok. St.'s passing game."


Florida St. @ Clemson - Dusty Miller: "It won't be easy in death valley, but I think the Seminoles are the real deal this year."


Kansas St. @ Miami (FL) - shout out to the lady Wildcat fans Joanna Lacanlale and Rachael Eggebeen (I know - UofA Wildcats, but still!) for nailing this pick!


Nebraska @ Wyoming - Dennis Lowe: "Nebraska should walk right through the Big Ten this year in their first year. They are out only hope for a National Championship I think. Even though Michigan is playing tough now...the real test is starting now!! I think San Diego State will march into the Big House and show their old coach what's up...I can't believe I just said that!!"


Missouri @ Oklahoma - Joanna Lacanlale: "A tough choice, but I gotta go for Mizzou, Oklahoma is too much of a powerhouse for my liking."


LSU @ West Virginia - A comment on this one - LSU deserves to move to #1 with the start they have had to the season. No one has played more "big games" so far than them. And it pains me to say that about the purple and yellow Tigers...but right now, I'd love to see them vs. Oklahoma St. or Boise St. for the title. (yeah - I say Oklahoma St. will be Oklahoma later this year)


Tulsa @ Boise St. - Rachael Eggebeen, Dusty Miller, Dennis Lowe all took the Blue Field in commenting for Bronco victory.


North Carolina @ Georgia Tech - Joe Lacanlale: "Tardy-Heels"; Dusty Miller: "The option will be too tough for the Tar Heels to defend in this one...hopefully the referees don't get faked out by the QB and blow the play dead(right, Rob?)!"


California @ Washington - Dennis Lowe: "U Dub will hand the Golden Bears their first loss of the season."


Oregon @ Arizona - Joe Lacanlale: "Quack-quack"; Gary McFarren: "Oregon over the Not-So-Wildcats"; Rachael Eggebeen: "can't pick against the Wildcats on principle.  Reality: Oregon will run all over us."


USC @ Arizona St. - Joanna Lacanlale: "I would prefer if both teams  could lose, but that is not possible... choosing the lesser of two evils"; Rob McFarren: "I'll eat it on this one. Thought ASU would buckle - instead, they looked great. Maybe its the new uni's!"


Week 4 Standings: (Overall found here)

Gary McFarren 12-3

Rob McFarren 11-4

Dusty Miller 10-5
Rachael Eggebeen 10-5

Ed Vander Woude 10-5

Joanna Lacanlale 10-5

Dennis Lowe 10-5

Joe Lacanlale 8-7

Joe McFarren (Did not pick)

Realignment of college football

The news came yesterday and this morning of the move of Syracuse and Pittsburgh to join the ACC, leaving the Big East. This is just the latest news of schools going to what's "best for their institutions." The recent Texas A&M move to the SEC, only to be held up because of the threat of lawsuit for contractual obligations to the Big 12 again shows how each university is holding on for dear life to do what is best for their school.

College football is largely the reason for these moves, because college football is the cash cow among college sports. Nevermind that most schools are non-profits, that hasn't stopped the non-profit NFL from gain, so why should it stop them? Texas' Longhorn Network shows just how big one school can think it can get. But why should there not be the backlash, of Texas A&M, Nebraska, Colorado, and others that realize the disadvantage that posed for them?

While there have been the rise and fall of conferences (Southwestern - fall, Conference USA - rise, etc.) throughout history, there is a lot of immediate payoff that is trying to be played. Everyone is trying to strengthen their conference. You can't tell me that TCU's decision to join the Big East would not be impacted if they knew that Pitt and Cuse were leaving...sure, they could still join, but football-wise, who is left? West Virginia is the traditional power, TCU is joining, and then South Florida. Louisville, Cincinnati, Rutgers, and UConn currently round out the league. Can that league really maintain BCS eligibility?

Can 4 major conferences be that far off? 3? What is happening is just a bigger division of those who think themselves the "haves" and then the "have nots" of the mid-majors and other strong conferences like the Mountain West, WAC, MAC, etc. How long until we have a new split in "divisions...or maybe these "have nots" realize how they can't compete financially with BCS good-ole boys, so they move and join or develop a new Football Championship Series (rather than Football Bowl). I guess that all depends on where the money is. Let's be honest, that is what all of these moves are about, and shows the downfall of the BCS if left un-checked by the NCAA. I'm not against the shifts, nor am I for them. I cannot fault any university from looking to do what is best for its university. Travel makes it easy for the conference to be nation-wide these days...thus TCU joining the Big East is actually easier travel than them staying in the Mountain West. (just a reminder how big the West is!!! Why I love living out here!)

For fun, let's blow it all up and re-create college conferences! Who is with me? Lets do a all-over realignment!

So why muse on the subject? Because eventually one of two things will happen. One, we get the split as some programs think themselves bigger than others. I mean, who would confuse Texas with UTEP, or Florida with Florida A&M. But I think one thing that will happen is that talented players will eventually figure out that playing time matters more than the school one attends. We see the rise of programs like TCU, South Florida, Boise State, and others.

The other option is that university's start working in mutual interest, which is where conference even came into the picture in the first place. Conferences won't go away, but will realize there needs to be some parity, some competition. It isn't about how much revenue 1 school can rake in short-term, but what is the long-term solution. Schools will have to realize some parity or equality among themselves, regardless of how big a sports program might be. This is what kept the Big 12 together last summer from the perspective of the "other" schools of Kansas, Kansas St., Mizzou, Iowa St., and Baylor. These are all quality schools and programs that are focused on student athletes.

And here is the bottom line - is college sports really going to throw student-athletes to the wind, and just exploit them for their own gain? If you have time, go search TMQ (Tuesday Morning Quarterback) on ESPN. Gregg Easterbrook talks regularly about graduation rates, etc. of schools and shows how the idea of the big schools guaranteeing NFL possibilities is basically a myth. There are almost no schools (Miami, FL the prime exception) that can show they have a better than average turn-over of NFL talent.

I guess I just want to see the rights of the student-athlete be kept. A college player needs to focus BOTH on football and academics. It is a hard life compared to non-athletes, as it is more. But look at the military academies...they know it is a hard balance, but is possible. There needs to be a way that a university does not just use college football players for money, but for their best interest. Football programs are huge - and the amount of time required to train continues to grow...but is why the NCAA must continue to regulate that.

Ok - enough musing...this is more a discussion. I'm not saying I know what should be done, or even yet what really is the right thing. All I know is money cannot be the determining factor in what is right or wrong for a university. Just as, in life, what is right or wrong is not determined about what gain I get from it, financially or otherwise. That's just self-interest, and a faulty ethical standard.

NFL Week 2 - Dennis Lowe

Dennis Lowe is up to defend his lead!

Kansas City v. Detroit

 

Seattle v. Pittsburgh

 

Oakland v. Buffalo

 

Green Bay v. Carolina

 

Baltimore v. Tennessee

 

Cleveland v. Indianapolis

 

Tampa Bay v. Minnesota

 

Arizona v. Washington

 

Chicago v. New Orleans

 

Jacksonville v. New York Jets

 

Dallas v. San Francisco

 

San Diego v. New England

 

Cincinnati v. Denver

 

Houston v. Miami

 

Philadelphia v. Atlanta

 

St. Louis v. New York Giants

NFL Week 2 - Rachael Eggebeen

Rachael's turn - I have to get all caught up!

Kansas City @ Detroit

Oakland @ Buffalo

Tampa Bay @ Minnesota

Chicago @ New Orleans

Baltimore @ Tennessee

Cleveland @ Indy - such a sad day for Indy when the Cleveland Browns have a chance.

Jacksonville @ NY Jets

Seattle @ Pittsburgh

Arizona @ Washington

Green Bay @ Carolina - Go Pack Go!

Dallas @ San Fran 

San Diego @ New England - Sorry Ed!

Houston @ Miami

Cincy @ Denver

Philly @ Atlanta

St. Louis @ NY Giants

NFL Week 2 - Ed Vander Woude

Now - Ed's NFL Picks for week 2.

Kansas City @ Detroit

Oakland @ Buffalo

Tampa Bay @ Minnesota

Chicago @ New Orleans

Baltimore @ Tennessee

Cleveland @ Indy

Jacksonville @ NY Jets

Seattle @ Pittsburgh

Arizona @ Washington

Green Bay @ Carolina

Dallas @ San Fran 

San Diego @ New England - taking a chance on my Chargers!

Houston @ Miami

Cincy @ Denver

Philly @ Atlanta

St. Louis @ NY Giants

Week 3 NCAA - Ed Vander Woude

Here are Ed's picks. I apologize for not getting them up here on time, I did get them on the 15th. I just had the end of my last quarter of classes so too much writing to do!

LSU vs. Miss. St  WV vs. Maryland  Buffalo vs. Ball State  Pittsburg vs. Iowa  Utah vs. BYU  Colorado State vs. Colorado  Michigan State vs. Notre Dame  Tennessee vs. Florida  Texas vs. UCLA  Virginia vs. North Carolina  Northwestern vs. Army  Ohio State vs. Miami (FL) UCF vs. FIU  Kent State vs. Kansas State  Oklahoma vs. Florida State

Week 3 NCAA - Dusty Miller

Dusty's looking to move forward in the rankings:

LSU vs. Miss. St - Too much D on the Tigers. WV vs. Maryland -  I will take the home team with the hideous uniforms! Buffalo vs. Ball State -  Going with the fightin' Cardinals this week, gotta take 'em sometime since it is my alma mater Pittsburg vs. Iowa - Should be a fun game to watch for some good hitting, I will go with the Big 10 here. Utah vs. BYU -  I am thinking this one will be a shootout...lots of offense. Colorado State vs. Colorado - I don't see the Rams knocking off the Buffaloes here. Michigan State vs. Notre Dame - This one probably won't be pretty to watch, two teams that just aren't very good. ND probably finds a way to lose this week again. Tennessee vs. Florida -  Gators in the Swamp, enough said. Texas vs. UCLA - It's just hard for me to take a PAC 10 team vs. a Big 12 team. Virginia vs. North Carolina - I will take the Tar Heels at home. Northwestern vs. Army -  Army just doesn't appear to be ready to win against a quality opponent yet. Ohio State vs. Miami (FL) - Only because I despise Ohio State more than I despise Miami. UCF vs. FIU -  I seriously didn't even know that FIU had a football team. Kent State vs. Kansas State - I don't see Kent being able to hang on the road. Oklahoma vs. Florida State -  FSU is back to being a serious national contender, but the Sooners are too strong here.

Week 3 NCAA - Rachael Eggebeen

Rachael is up - and she is also informing me that Ed's pick for tonights game is LSU. Ed will send the rest in tomorrow.

LSU vs. Miss. St 

WV vs. Maryland

Buffalo vs. Ball State 

Pittsburg vs. Iowa - Big Ten!  (perhaps a bounceback from losing to the Cyclones?)

Utah vs. BYU

Colorado State vs. Colorado

Michigan State vs. Notre Dame - Big Ten!

Tennessee vs. Florida - even if it means losing, I just can't pick Florida

Texas vs. UCLA

Virginia vs. North Carolina - I have to care?  I wish I could pick Santa Claus instead

Northwestern vs. Army - Big Ten trumps my respect for Rob.

Ohio State vs. Miami (FL)  - Big Ten!

UCF vs. FIU

Kent State vs. Kansas State

Oklahoma vs. Florida State - Bobby Bowden's spirit lives on

Week 3 NCAA - Joe McFarren

At Air Assault School and don't have a lot of time.

LSU vs. Miss. St 

WV vs. Maryland

Buffalo vs. Ball State 

Pittsburg vs. Iowa 

Utah vs. BYU

Colorado State vs. Colorado

Michigan State vs. Notre Dame 

Tennessee vs. Florida 

Texas vs. UCLA

Virginia vs. North Carolina

Northwestern vs. Army 

Ohio State vs. Miami (FL) 

UCF vs. FIU

Kent State vs. Kansas State

Oklahoma vs. Florida State