Here we go...yet another installment of the Game. The Buckeyes versus That Team Up North. So what are the matchups that will determine the Game.
1. Brandon Graham v. tOSU O-Line By far the best defensive player on Michigan is senior Brandon Graham. Primarily a defensive end Graham will move around the entire line to exploit his explosiveness (8.5 sacks). OSU's o-line has been beset by inconsistency, injuries, and the swine flu but has come on as of late.
2. Michigan Safeties v. OSU Passing Attack - The Michigan pass defense has been horrible. As in 82nd in the nation. This is only matched by how bad their rush defense is. Most of this is a function of bad safety play. Now to exploit this OSU will have somehow overcome their anemic dead last in the Big 10 passing attack. Watch to see if Tressel gives a tribute to Woody (run 3 straight plays)
3. Carlos Brown/Vincent Smith v. The Silver Bullets - Contrary to I think conventional wisdom, the Wolverine offense is primarily a running team. That is their strength. Unfortunately for them their number 1 running back (Brandon Minor) is out. OSU's D-Line (the so called Silver Bullets) are 10 deep and probably the best tOSU has had since the 02 Championship team. Shutdown the running game and they'll be able to tee off on Forcier.
4. Roundtree v. Chekwa - Best Maize and Blue WR will face off against OSU's best cover corner. Chekwa was burned against Iowa - can he redeem himself? Can Roundtree take short pass plays and turn them into long gains?
5. Zoltan v. Thoma - The Biggest Wolverine advantage lies in the punting game. With super cool named Zoltan Mesko having about a 9 yard per kick advantage over the struggling Thoma.
Final Mighty Prediction:
Ohio State 27 Michigan 17 . Pryor scores 2 TDs as OSU pulls away in the 2nd half.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Preview: Ohio State v. Michigan
Finally, A Slow Awakening?
But since one should always offer praise when it is well-deserved – even to a fool – I will let Dave Cameron of FanGraphs do my praising for me.
Congrats to the BBWAA for getting both Cy Young picks right. Perhaps it means the dawning of a new age or perhaps it was just dumb luck. Either way, I’m happy that Greinke and Lincecum got the hardware they so richly deserved.
NFL Coaching Curiosity
The Vikings are 8-1 and are, in my opinion, the best team in the NFL thus far in 2009. Overall, Childress’s head coaching record sits at 32-25 with the Vikings (his only head coaching position) but it’s worth noting that before the ’09 season began, he was 24-24. One wonders just how much of this contract Childress should pay to Brett Favre as thanks for saving him from a season of either Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson. I detest Favre but it’s hard to argue that he hasn’t been the NFL MVP thus far.
Although I fully expect the Vikings to continue their march deep into the NFL season, one does have to wonder what happens if they flop in the playoffs. Their remaining regular season schedule looks pretty easy on paper – home vs. SEA, CHI, CIN, NYG; road vs. AZ, CAR, CHI – so it’s entirely possible that they only lose one more game this year and finish at 14-2. But weren’t the Vikings Super Bowl favorites this pre-season? What to make of a coach that can’t win until he gets Brett Favre on his roster and still can’t win the big one?
I just want to know what the rush was to lock Childress up in mid-season. He had another year left on his deal so it’s not like he was going anywhere. If the Vikings finished the year as strongly as they’ve started it, sure, rewarding the coach would be a perfectly normal thing to do. But why now? Why hurry to make a decision when there is still room for things to go horribly, horribly wrong?
A career .500 head coach convinces a Hall of Fame quarterback to come out of retirement to save the team from another season of mediocrity and gets a contract extension? Wow, what a country.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Week 11- Congrats to the World Cup Field
First off, congrats to Portugal, Greece, France, and Slovenia. Extra congrats to Slovenia, the only one to pull off the upset. Going into the 2nd leg of their match against Russia, they were down 2-1. However, because they had the away goal, and ended up winning the 2nd leg 1-0, that was enough to get through! Away goals are the first tiebreaker in Europe for some bizarre reason. Interestingly, this means that Guus Hiddink will NOT be at the World Cup, despite his past successes with Netherlands, South Korea, and Australia. No idea where Hiddink will go, or if any country would dare to fire their coach just to have him as their coach! Early rumors are Hiddink could be coaching English Club Chelsea very soon.
Manwich Matchup of the Week
Chargers@ Broncos - What a shitty week... this is the best game I could find. That Broncos ship is sinking fast!
Pick: Chargers
Upset of the Week
Dolphins @ Panthers - There really are no games where I truly believe there will be an upset. This is again, the best that I have.
Pick: Dolphins
Opening Round Playoff Game #11
Teams that have been eliminated: Cincy (against Denver in week 1)!, St. Louis, Washington, Buffalo (twice), Jacksonville, Tampa, Oakland, Detroit, and now San Fran.
Falcons @ Giants - both teams have 4 losses. Lose this game, and that gives you 5 losses and gives you almost no room for error. Plus, both teams may be locked in a tiebreaker at the end. This is a very important game, and for some reason, I'm still a sucker for the Giants turning it around.
Pick: Giants
Fantasy Football Game of Interest
Titans @ Texans - If only for the selfish reason that I have no idea if Steve Slaton is still starting for the Texans...
Pick: Houston
Other Games
Cleveland @ Detroit - Worst matchup ever. Good thing I decided in August to buy tickets to the game to visit a friend. Seriously.
Pick: Detroit by 18
Buffalo @ Jacksonville-Pick: Jack-o
Pitt @ KC - Pick: Pitt
Indy @ Baltimore - Pick: Indy
San Fran @ Green Bay - Pick: Green Bay
Seattle @ Minny - Pick: Minny
Washington @ Dallas - Pick: Dallas
New Orleans @ Tampa - Pick: New Orleans
Arizona @ St. Louis - Pick: Arizona
Jets @ New England - Pick: New England
Cincy @ Oakland - Pick: Cincy
Philly @ chicago - Pick: Philly
Last Week: 7-8 (note: Balki method chose 5 games differently than I would have chosen, but surprisingly succeeded on Bengals and Packers)
Season: 92-52
Manwich: 4-6 (Pats blew it)
Upset of the Week: 4-6 (Thanks Balki for believing in Packers over Cowboys!)
NBA games of the Week-
last week's "Games of the Week" - Cavs went to Miami and beat the pretty soundly... Nuggets snapped a losing streak by destroying the Lakers... Spurs/Mavs still playing (wed. night)
This week...
Orlando @ Boston - Friday 11/20 - Oh yeah!
Bucks @ Spurs - Monday 11/23 - The Bucks are 6-3, the Spurs are having trouble w/ the new pieces and are only 4-4. I will be on high alert if the Bucks win this game.
Skynet Championship Series: Week 5 in the Year 2009
Most underrated by the humans: Cincy, Oregon, USC (this is strange, but the computers don't take score into account, so the the thrashings by Oregon and Stanford just look like they are losing to good teams)
Most overrated by the humans: Texas, Ok State, Penn State
| 2009 | SCS | BCS | Sched Rnk | Harris | Coaches | |
| 1 | Florida | 0.85 | 1 | 39 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Alabma | 1.00 | 2 | 27 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | Cincy | 1.53 | 5 | 66 | 5 | 5 |
| 4 | TCU | 2.26 | 4 | 68 | 4 | 4 |
| 5 | Texas | 2.77 | 3 | 54 | 2 | 2 |
| 6 | Georgia Tech | 6.59 | 7 | 48 | 7 | 7 |
| 7 | Boise St | 7.10 | 6 | 113 | 6 | 6 |
| 8 | Oregon | 9.48 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 11 |
| 9 | LSU | 9.73 | 8 | 32 | 10 | 10 |
| 10 | Pitt | 11.58 | 9 | 74 | 9 | 9 |
| 11 | Ohio St | 12.92 | 10 | 29 | 8 | 8 |
| 12 | Iowa | 13.08 | 13 | 43 | 14 | 15 |
| 13 | Va. Tech | 14.95 | 15 | 3 | 16 | 16 |
| 14 | USC | 15.05 | 18 | 9 | 20 | 21 |
| 15 | Ok St | 15.55 | 12 | 44 | 13 | 13 |
| 16 | Ore St | 15.83 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 20 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 16.09 | 16 | 50 | 15 | 14 |
| 18 | Miami (FL) | 16.66 | 20 | 10 | 24 | 24 |
| 19 | Penn St | 17.18 | 14 | 71 | 12 | 12 |
| 20 | Stanford | 17.20 | 17 | 36 | 17 | 17 |
Sien U In Suid-Afrika Hierdie Somer!
Yeah baby!
Yeah Baby!
YEAH BABY!
Our hero, Dimitris Salpigidis, scored the only goal of the home-and-home series with Ukraine. As they say here in the US, Dimitris Salpigidis, this Bud’s for you!
Hate Week: Fuel for the Fire
As you are all aware this week is Ohio State v. M*ch*g*n aka The Game. Unfortunately given the current ennui that Michigan fans are suffering from the hate just isn't quit there. As such here is a small list to remind everyone - why all sides should dig deep down and rekindle the hate.
1.) Justin Boren
Probably the biggest source of hate for this game (outside of all that history of hating the entire side stuff) is Justin Boren. Boren was the starting guard for the Maize and Blue before transferring to Ohio State citing lack of family values on the part of RichRod and Company. He then went on taunt RichRod by dressing up as him for Halloween (and then probably banging this hottie in the picture. not sure how that fuels hate but it does)
2.) Brandon Graham - Graham, the star defensive linesman for the Wolverines, this week called out Boren - basically calling him a giant pussy. Now I'm not an offensive lineman but when one of your own is called out you rally around him.
3. ) Jimbo Slice - Yes Jim Tressel. Winner of 5 in a row and 8 out of 9 v. the hated rival. Tressel's status as an OSU legend is arguably primarily tied to his slaying of Lloyd Carr and avenging John Cooper. I get the feeling though that the Wolverines would like nothing better to take it to Jimbo.
4.) Tate Forcier - Forcier promised a Wolverine victory. Well that requires a little bit of word manipulation but its hate week so lets do it. Forcier promised that that Team Up North would go to a bowl game. That can only happen if he defeats the Buckeyes. Hence ipso facto acetylsalicylic acid tri diem Tate Forcier promised he would defeat the Buckeyes. Thats fuel to the fire
5) Alternative Uniforms - As part of Nike's Pro Combat something something marketing campaign tOSU will be wearing modern classic uniforms a pseudo tribute to the 1954 team. Apparently tOSU players like the uni's and I'm guessing will only be allowed to wear them again if they win . Wolverine players are probably jealous Nike didn't like them enough for fancy new threads.
As such all of these reasons and of course hundreds of others should provide suitable sustenance for those demanding more hate.....
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Week 11: College Football Trend Watching
What Happened
tOSU claimed a Rose Bowl bid, USC was hung, drawn and quartered, Pitt took a big step forward nationally, Arizona faceplanted out of the Pac 10 race, G-Tech clinched its division and will almost assuredly play Clemson for the ACC title, TCU is the best non-BCS team - by far, and Cinci edged West Virginia - meaning the winner of Cinci at Pitt on Dec 5th will win the Big East and get a bid.
Games of the Week
The Ohio State at M*ch*g*n - Yes the Game isn't quit what it used to be as the Big 10 champion has already been crowned but there's still a lot to play for (namely blood). Richrod needs a win to avoid 2 straight bowl-less seasons. Ohio State looking to win the Big 10 title outright (and humiliate Michigan)
Oregon at Arizona - Probably an elimination game in the crazy Pac 10. Arizona had been riding high until last week's lost to Cal. An Oregon lost means they fall into tie for first place, lose the tie breaker to Stanford, and putting Stanford up as the team to beat.
Cal at Stanford - Stanford seems to have taken USC role as the hottest team in the country. They've destroyed two Pac 10 giants but need another win to keep their BCS hopes alive. For those unaware this is Stanford's main rivalry game as everyone knows Stanford hates Berkley hippies.
Team to Watch
Oregon State - With Arizona's loss, Oregon State now controls its own destiny in the crazy Pac 10. Oregon State has the best QB (Sean Canfield) in the conference. With an easy game against Wash State and a rivalry game at Oregon it's very easy to see how the other other OSU can win the Pac 10.
Bowl Predictions
Just a reminder BCS spots go to conference winners plus 4 at large spots (which can go to any team in the BCS top 14 with each conference at max being eligible for 2 teams). Assuming SEC/Texas go to the BCS game that means that the Fiesta/Sugar Bowl will have the first choices for the at-large teams. The Big East has no tie to any BCS bowl game. Teams listed below in black have clinched a spot.
TCU is way ahead of Boise State and will get an automatic bid. Rumor has it that the Fiesta prefers Iowa to Penn State. Note this is where selection order matters as if the Fiesta picks TCU over Iowa then the Orange Bowl would probably take Penn State leaving Iowa out of the BCS. Nonetheless for the last spot that nobody has claimed right now I have Ok State. Oklahoma State has several advantages (size, location, and most importantly Big 12 connections which the Fiesta normally has ties to) and with only 2 losses would get the spot over alternatives - this assumes Ok State beats Oklahoma. If Ok State loses to its arch-rival then its 's probably Boise State. The reason for this is while the loser of Pitt v. Cinci or if G-Tech loses to the suddenly red hot Clemson Tigers would be possible choices - Bowls rarely pick losers of their last game - especially so for non-glamour teams like G-Tech or Pitt.
BCS Championship: Alabama v. Texas
Orange Bowl : TCU v. G-Tech
Sugar Bowl: Florida v. Cincinnati
Fiesta: Ok State v. Iowa
Rose Bowl: Oregon v. Ohio State
Monday, November 16, 2009
Ok State Hopes Rest on Robinson' Head
For those wondering about Ok State's BCS hopes - they rest on the recovery of QB Zachary Robinson from this hit...YEESH
MMBSD: New Realities
As always Mighty Mike's review of the week in sports...from the backseat.....
NFL
All aboard the Who Dey Van As the Colonel correctly pointed out while Indy v. New England might have gotten the hype Cinci v. Pittsburgh might have had equal claim as two of the best teams in the AFC. The game demonstrated Cinci's depth, determination but most importantly its' defense. Yes finally Carson Palmer has a defense to rely on and its hard to argue that Who Dey are not contenders.
Hey kids get on board the Bengals' Van. They've got candy!NFC East Not Good, Mushy Between the Cowboys and the Iggles bitch slapping this week I think its pretty apparent that the NFC East frankly blows. For years the Eastern bastion was thought of and was one of the toughest divisions in football..perennially sending one if not both of the wild cards. This year none from the NFC East rank as a contender and frankly I'm doubtful any will get a wild card.
College Football
USC Can No Longer Harm You As Dr. Saturday notes, if two weeks ago Oregon proved that the USC dynasty was dead, this week Stanford dug up the corpse of USC, dragged in through the streets, and then proceeded to string it up for everyone to see. Stanford curb stomped USC 55-21 - USC's worst home loss in 43 years. The only question remaining surround long term ramifications as UCS finished for the year (probably headed to the Sun Bowl). One of the bigger questions I think is how does this affect the perception of the Pac 10. The Pac 10 has been one of the (if not THE) best conference in recent years but a combination of USC dominance and bad marketing have meant it's gotten short shrift. It's possible that the dismemberment of USC opens the door for the conference.
Harbaugh ignoring USC's claim that it's not dead yetNobody puts the Mustache in the Corner Another big story of the weekend was that the Wannstache put the final nail in Charlie Weis' coffin. I think its safe to say now that Charlie Weis will be fired and Notre Dame will opening the wallet to try to replace him with a big name. Cinci's Brian Kelly might well be the top candidate but don't be surprised if Stanford's Harbaugh or even OU's Bob Stoops gets their names raised in the rumor mill.
Could the Mustache Rule the Big East? 
Angry media types pelted Tressel with pretzelsNBA
- This may will be be known as the Year of the Young Point Guards. Jennings 55 points is a highlight but Lawson, Evans, Flynn and Maynor are also showing solid to All Star potential.
- Hidden away so far are how good the Atlanta Hawks have been. At 7-2 and now boasting a victory over Boston in Boston the Hawks now with Jamal Crawford might be finally taking the step into contender status.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
WHO DEY!
Who Dey Think Gonna Beat Dem Bengals, Where Do They Play In The Jungle, Afraid of NOBODY!!!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Breaking News: Snot-Nosed Know-It-All Gets Fucked In Own Ass By Wildly Wrong Prediction
The heartiest, most deeply-felt and emphatic “FUCK YOU!” goes to Matt Taibbi for penning this article back in April. In it, he spouts out lies, half-truths, common misconceptions, pedantic arguments, tired clichés and ad hominem attacks. None of that bothers me, given the fact that, as I’ve learned in writing online on a semi-regularly basis, every author is prone to these kinds of rants.The danger, of course, is being proven wrong and having your words spoon-fed back to you through a feeding tube, presumably because someone punched you in your arrogant, dirty, cock-sucking mouth.
Eat up Matty, while the food’s still hot.
Cheers and Jeers: Golden Glow Punch Edition
Ingredients
| 1 liter Ice | |
| 1 qt (chilled) Apple Juice | |
| 6 oz Orange Juice | |
| 1 pint Lemon Sherbet | |
| 6 oz (Concentrated) Lemonade | |
| 2 qt (chilled) Ginger Ale | |
Well with 4 weeks left in the College Football in seems nothing can stop the early predictions of Texas v. SEC winner from happening. Ughh. How boring. Where in previous years its been almost a March Madness atmosphere of upsets and changes at the top. Not this year. And its certainly not like Texalabarida have been challenged at all...each has only beaten one ranked team (in Texas' case Ok State in Alabama/Florida's LSU). I'm still hopeful that crazy upsets will befall one of the giants but that doesn't seem to be anchored in reality.
and now for some needed Cheers and Jeers
Jeers: To Boise State. At this point I'm tired of their shtick. Between the hiring of a PR firm and then bitching about nobody willing to play them in Boise I think they've used up their goodwill. Yes I realize that Boise State wants to make more money and please their fans. Cool. There's a word for that...self-interested. Let's not pretend Boise State is motivated by anything else than the same thing that motivates every other school and every bowl game. Fortunately college football fans and the powers that be have voted and it doesn't include Boise State.
Cheers: For Big Daddy Drew making fun of Greg Easterbrook. I often wonder if Easterbrook and Mike Luppica have a secret pact as to who can simultaneously make the dumbest comment in the most pretentious manner.Cheers: To Lou Dobbs quiting. For those that are unaware Lou Dobbs version of advocacy journalism involves yelling at minorities to get off his lawn. Also he hates the Eagles
Lou Dobbs being dragged out of his CNN car for hating on the Eagles (and minorities)
Jeers: To the Milwaukee Bucks being decent so far. I'm sorry but a team but the Bucks winning is an afront to the laws of men and gods.
And the C&J gal of the week goes to Christian Serratos who stripped for animals or orphans or leprechauns or something I don't care about....
