NFL Anyone?

I love football. I love both college and professional football, and I love that my team is 3-0 on the season right now. Which team you might ask? Well, the fact that I said 3-0 should limit it. Could it be the Patriots? The New England Patriots, standing at 3-0 after totally demolishing all of their opponents so far.  Even in the midst of controversy of clepto-Belichick stealing play calls from other teams. This team seems to always have something up their sleeves to pull out victories even when it seems the odds are stacked against them. However, regardless of how much drama is pumped into a situation, when it comes right down to it, they have arguably the best quarterback in the league in Tom Brady, the best coach in the league in Belichick and some of the best role players out there. So on the field is a different world, a world owned by the Pats and one not soon to be destroyed by anybody else. But, no, it's not the Patriots. NEVER will it be the Patriots.

 

Who else then? How about the surprising Green Bay Packers? I mean, who thought they would be sitting at 3-0 right now? Look at them on paper. They have a quarterback who is probably drawing social security now and goes back to the nursing home every night to ice down after practice, and aside from him they have a whole host of young guys with little to no experience. What gives? Well, Grandpa Favre must be teaching the young guns a thing or two. Week three against San Diego, a team with some serious firepower, they had 405 yards of total offense, 363 of which were through the air. Brett is airing it out on almost every play. You would think other teams would recognize this and use it to their advantage. I mean seriously, how long can that arm hold out? I would say the number one reason this team is 3-0 right now is because they take care of the football. They don't turn it over, and when other teams turn it over to them, they take advantage of that for a score. Well, as much a Cinderella story as it is, nope, its not Green Bay either.

 

Dallas, no, but I do like what I am seeing out of Tony Romo. Pittsburgh? No, I think they are tough though. That defense is going to be very stingy all season. Oh, and Polamalu, CUT YOUR HAIR!

 

No, my team are the defending Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts. Yes, last season was amazing for me. As I sat in front of my television weeping tears of joy over the comeback win against New England in the AFC championship, the hopes of a childhood dream were realized. Well, except for the fact that I wasn't playing in the games. I had literally waited my entire life for that moment, and winning the big one against Chicago was just as sweet.

 

This season may be a repeat. I think it is going to be VERY tough for them to put together a record like last season, and I think, yet again, that the road to the super bowl goes through New England and we are going to have to get a lot better before we can beat them. However, each week Indy has shown some improvement in one area or another. An encouraging thought considering their defense at this time a year ago was something a team of junior high girls could have scored on. In a tough game against Tennessee on the road Peyton & his ponies come through when it mattered most. That shows veteran leadership and poise from the champs and something that will benefit them greatly this season. Are the Colts primed to make a run at a second straight championship? I would say it is too early to tell, but, until they are beaten, I dare someone to say they aren't.

Autumn in Major League Baseball

By popular demand, I am writing an article on baseball. I will be the first to admit that it is my least favorite sport, the most boring to watch, and totally overshadowed by the corruption within its ranks. Then again, show me a professional sport without corrupted players, coaches and owners. I dare you.

Anyway, as autumn rolls around we think of a lot of things. The leaves changing colors on the trees and falling to the ground, Halloween parties and little kids dressed up in costumes, even Carmel apples and apple cider. Oh yeah, and baseball, the “fall classic” as it is sometimes called. The pennant race is getting exciting, especially in the AL. The NL has some excitement too, but the AL is going to be a barn-burner.

At this point in time there are four teams in the AL that look primed to make a deep run in the postseason and maybe win it all. However, this is not exclusive, other teams could make a surprising run. Let me make this simpler, this is how I see the AL working out.

AL East: Boston Red Sox (BARELY) beating out their rivals, the New York Yankees. This is going to be interesting though, a lot of factors at work here. I feel the least confident about this predicition. The Sox are injured and that may be the deciding factor right there. I believe though, they will pull it together in time and take the AL East.

AL Central: Cleveland Indians. I mean, who saw this coming at the beginning of the season, I knew they would be good, but this good? There is no contest here. The closest team is Detroit and the Indians just handled them easily in a series. Cleveland wins. End of story.

AL West: LA Angels: Again, not contest. Boasting the best record in the league the Angels look like the favorite for the World Series at this point. However, I can think of at least three teams off the top of my head that could beat them in a series. Seattle is chasing them in the division, and they are riding a three game win streak, but still, there is not enough time left, and the Angels are too good to let Seattle catch up.

AL Wild Card: New York Yankees: Surprise, surprise. The pinstripes pull it together again. This is one of the most Jekyll and Hyde teams I have ever seen. Earlier in the season, it was almost to the point where they couldn’t buy a win even with you know who throwing money around like it was toilet paper. Now, they look like a team that might not lose another game all the way to the World Series Championship. I don’t know what their problem was, but I hope their sakes, that it doesn’t come back to haunt them in the postseason.

Suffice it to say, its going to be a very interesting road to the playoffs in the AL.

The NL is going to be a heated race as well, but that will be for another article. For now, I will leave you with my picks for the NL.

NL East: New York Mets.

NL Central: Chicago Cubs

NL West: Arizona Diamondbacks

NL Wild Card: San Diego Padres

Unfamiliar Territory

We are currently in the waiting period for week four of the 2007 NCAA College Football Season. The first three weeks have been a wild ride to say the least. What have we seen so far? Well, normally about this time of year you would hear me say something along the lines, of the traditional power house conferences are dominating as usual, and the mid-major conferences are still fighting to be considered at the end of the season. Same old song and dance, right? Well, this season it’s been a little different. Okay, a lot different. So far this season we have seen one of the biggest upsets in NCAA regular season history, two traditional powers that have struggled more than any other time in history, a much maligned coach coming back to the college game and turning a sinking ship around, and not one single team that at this point has proven itself to be “the team to beat.” Some of you know exactly who I am talking about, but for those of you who don’t let me break it down for you.

THE UPSET

Where exactly is Appalachian State University? Well, if you didn’t know before, I am sure you know now. AppState, as the locals call it, is located in Boone, NC. Not much to talk about in Boone before the big game, but now the friendly folk there will be talking about this one for a long time to come.

Appalachian State University got paid a lot of money to travel to Ann Arbor, MI to take on one of the two winningest programs in college football history. The Wolverines of Michigan. The Big house was rocking for the season opener, lots of fanfare, cheerleaders jumping up and down, the band playing “The Victors March” and thousands upon thousands of Big Blue fans ready to see their boys destroy another mediocre team.

Sorry to disappoint you Ann Arbor, but not today. Not a whole lot went Michigan’s way in this game. Their defense gave up 387 yards in total offense to a team that the odds makers didn’t think would even see the end zone in this game. Michigan had plenty of problems on offense too. Losing 56 yards due to the seven penalties they racked up, turning the ball over twice, and holding the ball for almost four minutes less than their opponents, they gave themselves every opportunity to lose. And they did.

With time running down on the clock the Mountaineers of App State marched down the field again. This time they go to within field goal range, and kicker Julian Rauch stepped up for what would normally be a chip shot, at 24 yards, but at this point was probably the biggest attempt of his career. Confidently Rauch put it through the uprights to give his team a 34-32 lead with under thirty seconds to play. Michigan had one last chance, their leaders drove them down the field and they had the same opportunity. One chance to knock a field goal through to save the day. As the 100,000+ fans in the Big House held their collective breath, Michigan’s kicker gave it his best shot. To everyone’s surprise Corey Lynch of the Mountaineers got a hand in the right place at the right time, blocked the kick and gave App State it’s biggest win in school history. As they celebrated themselves off the field back to Boone, what happened at Michigan? The rumors began to fly and the “good people” of Ann Arbor are almost ready to run Coach Lloyd Carr out of town on a rail.”

SABAN : A Savior?

In every sport there are some who can hack it in the pro leagues, and some who can’t. Then again there are also some who don’t even try, and run away back to the college game. Such is the story of Nick Saban. Saban, once the outstanding coach of the outstanding LSU Tigers, now coaches the less than outstanding Crimson Tide of Alabama in the same conference. We all know the story, Saban took the head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins, only to vacate it as soon as possible and head to Tuscaloosa to say “Roll, tide roll.” Why? Who will ever know? I for one, could care less. I think he did the right thing. The right thing for him, I wont say this for everyone, but I think the college game is where he belongs, and as far as I am concerned the college game should be glad to have him, I know Alabama is.

After enduring several seasons that were mediocre at best the Tide fans were ready for someone to bring them back to national prominence. Nick Saban was just the thing they needed. Due to all the controversy with the Miami job, when he came to ‘Bama he automatically thrust the school and the program into the spotlight. Oh yeah, and he is a fantastic football coach too. He turned the LSU Tigers into the perennial powerhouse and a team that challenges for the national title every year, even after he was gone. Will he do the same for Alabama? Well, he is well on his way.

Last week was his first real test. A ranked team came to Tuscaloosa. That team, the Arkansas Razorbacks. They came in ranked #16 and were definitely the favorites in this game. However, one huge defensive stand, a last-minute drive led by John Parker Wilson and Matt Caddell and a final, game-winning pass into the end zone sealed the victory for the Crimson Tide. A huge win, and possibly a taste of things to come in the Saban era at Alabama.

Dominance?

Again I ask you, who is the dominant team this season? I realize that USC is number one and undefeated, but, I think that their trip to Nebraska revealed the weaknesses in the armor for USC. They gave up 427 yards to the Huskers, most of which were through the air. Granted the Trojans are amazing when defending the run, but if they come across teams with a fantastic aerial game, they are going to lose. Also, the Trojans turned it over. If there is one thing that Pete Carroll coached teams don’t do it is turn the ball over. I was surprised to see it happen and if it continues to do so, teams will beat them. I will say this, for now, they remain #1 in my book, but I don’t think they are indestructible.

Who else? LSU? I would say yes at this point, they have destroyed everyone they have played, but then again, who have they played? In my opinion they have only played cupcakes. Some will argue that Va Tech was a true test, well with a final score of 48-7 I beg to differ. I think their first real test will be Spurrier’s Gamecocks. When South Carolina come to the Bayou we will see two things. First, how good the Tigers really are, and second, if SC’s win over Georgia was fluke or if Spurrier has the Gamecocks primed for a run at that SEC crown.

Is there any other team that looks like they can’t be beaten? Florida? Maybe, but wait until they play South Carolina, LSU, and Georgia before making that call. Oklahoma? Can we say chokers? They will, trust me. Ohio State? Hmm. That’s a good question, ask me after the Penn State, Indiana, Purdue, and Michigan games.

Suffice it to say after only three weeks, I don’t think you can choose a dominant team. However, it will be very interesting to see what happens from hear on out.

Hello, the season has started.

What is going on in Ann Arbor and South Bend? These two cities boasting the two most winning programs in college football are not off to a very good start.

Let’s start with Michigan. Of course we already mentioned the embarrassing loss to App State, lets jump ahead to the game against Oregon. We are talking giving up a staggering 620 yards in total offense to the Ducks. Not to mention 4 turnovers and going 7-19 on third downs. After two games in a row like this the fans in Ann ArborMichigan struggling so badly. Although I am sure the good people at THE Ohio State University aren’t exactly providing moral support. are restless and want Carr’s head on a platter. It is almost sad to see, a powerhouse like

The luck of the Irish does not seem to be residing in South Bend, IN right now. I will be the first to admit that I am a biased Notre Dame fan. Born and bred in Indiana, I kind of have to be. This season though has been the first in a long long time that I have turned off the TV during ND games. I couldn’t stand it. The Irish looked like a pee-wee football team taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Bradshaw era. It is just painful to watch. It really is shocking too, how poorly they have played. I still firmly believe that Charlie Weis is one of the top 5 coaches in college football today and he will have them back, but its going to hard for him to endure all the mud that will be slung at him from people in South Bend.

These two winless teams met in week 3 at Michigan. It was not even something I care to talk about. Michigan 38 Notre Dame 0.

Lloyd Carr lives to coach another day and Charlie Weis said after the game that maybe his players and coaching staff were not awake yet, and were not aware that the 2007 season had begun. He decided they needed to go back to the beginning, so he is taking them back to training camp, literally. I guess we will see if it helps.