Saturday, October 11, 2008

NFL Picks, Week 6

Some picks while digesting OU’s loss to Texas. It could be worse. I could be a Michigan fan today.

Last week: 8-5
Season: 47-26

Dallas at Arizona: This was once practically a home game for the Cowboys in the desert. The Cardinals are now competitive, though, and are showing signs of being a respectable franchise. Kurt Warner and his receiving corps are very dangerous. Tony Romo really, really needs to quit throwing interceptions. And, Adam Jones needs to realize that those bodyguards are there to protect his career and livelihood. Still, the Cowboys are just a hair better. Pick: Dallas

Chicago at Atlanta: It wasn’t that long ago that the Falcons’ fortunes were lost in an illicit pseudo-dog kennel in Virginia. Now, the Falcons are riding the arm of Matt Ryan and legs of Michael Turner to some success. The Bears are better than their record indicates. Pick: Chicago

Miami at Houston: The Texans are snake-bitten. Never was it more apparent than last week when they blew a 27-10 lead in the last four minutes of the game to lose to the Colts. Now, the resurgent Dolphins come to town. The Dolphins are trusting in Big Bill, with Tony Sparano as the front man. I’m picking against the Texans until they win. Pick: Miami

Baltimore at Indianapolis: The Colts meet the newest Baltimore franchise, and are very lucky to be 2-2. The Ravens have shown flashes of brilliance to date, but are unpredictable. Pick: Colts

Detroit at Minnesota: The Lions are awful. I will pick against them until they win. Pick: Minnesota

Oakland at New Orleans: The Raiders play their first game after the firing of head coach Lane Kiffin. The franchise is a huge joke. The Saints lost a wild game last week to the Vikings. The Raiders aren’t as good as the Vikes. Pick: New Orleans

Cincinnati at New York Jets: The Bengals didn’t give up last week after being down 17-0 to the Cowboys. The winless Bengals now visit the Jersey Meadowlands to face the Fighting Brett Favres. Pick: Jets

Carolina at Tampa Bay: It’s really hard to pick against the Bucs at home. Pick: Tampa Bay

St. Louis at Washington: After 20 years, I saw this game on the schedule and still thought Cardinals. These Rams are as bad as some of the old Cardinal teams. The Redskins are flexing their muscles after a Week 1 loss to the Giants. Pick: Washington

Jacksonville at Denver: The Jags lost a tight one last week to Pittsburgh, while the Broncos escaped against Tampa Bay. It’s really hard to pick against the Broncos at home. Pick: Denver

Philadelphia at San Francisco: The Eagles need to get on the stick or they will be left behind in the rugged NFC East. The mediocre 49ers should be able to help them with that. Pick: Philly

Green Bay at Seattle: The Seahawks are like Kryptonite on the road, but are super-tough at home. It’s a long way to Puget Sound for just about anybody. Pick: Seattle

New England at San Diego: Great matchup for the Sunday Night extravaganza. Chargers need this one more, and should be able to handle the Brady-less Patriots. Pick: San Diego

New York Giants at Cleveland: Dangerous game for the undefeated Giants. But, I’m picking them until they lose to someone, or until they play Dallas. Pick: Giants

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

College Picks, Week 7

Last Week: 17-3 (Awesome!)
Season: 92-28

This week includes the mother of all rivalries: OU-Texas. Interestingly, the Big 12 has three of the top five teams in the nation, and four of the top seven. That will change after this week.

Texas vs. Oklahoma at Dallas: Sooners are ranked #1 in the nation, while Texas has whipped five opponents to start the season, and is ranked #5. This has all the makings of a great game. Pick: OU

Oklahoma State vs. Missouri: Look for lots and lots of points in this game. Mizzou has an even more high-powered offense. OSU’s roll stops here. Pick: Missouri

Nebraska at Texas Tech: The Huskers got spanked last week by a good Missouri team, and now must go out to the plains of West Texas for another potential thrashing. Get your licks in on Nebraska now, because they’ll be back. Pick: Tech

Colorado at Kansas: Crucial game in Big 12 North. Colorado is stumbling after last week’s annihilation by Texas. Pick: KU

Kansas State at Texas A&M: Which team shows up for this game? A&M gets what looks to be a rare conference win. Pick: A&M

Iowa State at Baylor: Battle of Big 12 bottom feeders desperate for a win. Baylor has shown flashes of brilliance and is playing at home. Pick: Baylor

LSU at Florida: Which Gator team shows up? The one that whipped Tennessee and Miami, or the one that lost to Ole Miss? LSU has already won a big road game this season at Auburn. Pick: Florida

Tennessee at Georgia: Is it too early to start the countdown on Phil Fulmer? Georgia, and it might not even be close. Pick: Georgia

Notre Dame at North Carolina: Carolina is an interesting team. It’s always a big game when the Fighting Irish come to town, but the Tar Heels should be ready. Pick: UNC

Ohio State at Purdue: Purdue got spanked last week by Penn State, while the Buckeyes proved themselves on the road at Wisconsin. Look for form to hold true this week. Pick: TOSU

Arizona State at USC: USC came back to life last week by drilling Oregon. Arizona State heads back to the desert with their heads between their legs. Pick: USC

TCU at Colorado State: TCU is toying with the rest of the Mountain West before they run into BYU and Utah. Pick: TCU

Clemson at Wake Forest (Thursday): Clemson has been sorely disappointing this year, after being picked by some to finish undefeated. Wake lost an inexplicable game last week to Navy. Strange things happen on Thursday nights, but Wake should have the edge. Pick: Wake Forest

Minnesota at Illinois: The Gophers need just two more wins to become bowl-eligible. They won’t get one this week in Champaign. Pick: Illini

South Carolina at Kentucky: Gamecocks saved some face last week with a win at Ole Miss. UK had their chances at Alabama before losing, 17-14. Pick: Kentucky

UCLA at Oregon: Late night game at Autzen Stadium does not bode well for the Bruins. Ok, the game isn’t late out there, but it is for the rest of us. Oregon should cruise. Pick: Oregon

Michigan State at Northwestern: Wildcats are undefeated, putting my preseason projections to shame. Spartans have only lost once, at California. Winner stays tied for first place in the Big Ten. Pick: Northwestern

Vanderbilt at Mississippi State: Commodores are riding high after last week’s win over Auburn. Can they keep the string going? They will this week. Pick: Vandy

Arizona at Stanford: Wildcats only need two more wins to become bowl-eligible. Stanford is wildly inconsistent. This will be an up week for the Cardinal. Pick: Stanford.

Stony Brook at Liberty: Stony Brook is 1-4 this season, and must travel down to Lynchburg for this one. It’ll be a long trip back to Long Island for the Seawolves. Pick: Liberty

Monday, October 06, 2008

Ugly Uniform of the Day


Normally, I find the WNBA not worthy of comment. I think I heard that Detroit (coached by the great Bill Laimbeer) won the title over the weekend. However, I saw some really gross uniforms on SportsCenter the other night.




The Los Angeles Sparks were wearing these purple things with designs all over them. If they wore long pants, they would have looked like pajamas. These are U-G-L-Y! In researching these things, I found that they wear a similar gold uniform at home. Gross!

These uniforms are putrid. Yet another reason not to watch the WNBA.