Getting caught up

Wow, it has been a long time since I wrote on here. First things first, one major reason for that is my son was born on November 29th, pierce timothy is doing great, and is a big boy, I have a future LB in the making, second my basketball recruiting/scouting website is now up and running so check it out, www.alleyesonuhoops.com. Other then that, there is of course way too many things to talk about that has happened in sports since the last time I wrote, so I will just mention a few things quickly.

-My Giants have a big game against the Eagles today, they already lost once to them, so they need to hold serve and beat them at home

-The Clippers didn't win a road game all year, until the last two nights, they have beaten the pistons, more on them in a second, and the bulls back to back.

- Got to feel bad for Yao Ming, who is done for the year again, he was also the leading vote getting for centers in the west, even though he hadn't played since early November.... Thank you China

-I have made a choice to give the Pistons until the new year, at that time I will re due my NBA playoff picks, and think if I want to believe that this team can still be the 7-8th seed in the east, or is it lottery for sure, and no real reason to watch many of their games.

-The Wings are playing well, though they didn't play great Friday night in chicago, they play today, and hopefully will get another win, they still have the most points in the western conference

-Tom Izzo being suspended for MSU's game yesterday was so funny, he had a guy work a camp who knew a recruit, the guy got paid the same amount as everyone else, and the guy worked a middle school camp where the recruit in question wasn't even there, that is the NCAA at its best. Calapari can give a star players dad or AAU coach way more money then others get, and have them join his staff, basically doing nothing but paying them a lot, and he can still go from school to school and he never gets punished for it. I know recruits, I have worked college camps, I got paid the same amount of everyone else, is that wrong, no, of course not.

-Michigan basketball is playing well right now and got a nice 16 point win over a good Oakland team, who had beaten Tennessee the game before. The big ten has a lot of good teams, msu, osu, purdue, minn, wisc, ect, but I think Michigan will have a chance to be in the top half of the conference and thus make the tournament.

-Duke is really good, even with Irving most likely done for the year

-Now that Kansas has Josh Shelby back they should be a final four team as well, though they didn't look great against USC at home yesterday and really got lucky to win.

-Ill losses to UIC, in a real big win for the flames and their first year coach.

-I hope I can see win my semi final match up in fantasy football even without Aaron Rodgers, the problem is I have mark Sanchez as my backup and he is playing pitt, I did great a nice start on the week from Vincent Jackson though, so we shall see.

Anyway, go check out the website, www.alleyesonuhoops.com and have a happy holidays everyone. I'm right, you're wrong.

Lansing Eastern Tip off Classic

-Website should be live by Monday- until then, here is a write up on the tip off classic from Saturday, December 11th, at Lansing Eastern High School.

Talk about saving the best for last. Lansing Eastern lead most of the game against rival Lansing Sexton Saturday night at Don Johnson Field House and the score read 67-60 Eastern with just over two minutes to go. Sadly for the Quakers they didn’t score again, as Sexton finished the game on a 10-0 run to win 70-67. MSU bound 2012 wing Denzel Valentine came up big in the final minute and after tying the game with 40 seconds to go on a runner in the lane, he then had a steal and a dunk to give the Sexton’s the lead for the first time in the second half. It was a second half of runs, as Eastern built a 9 point lead before Sexton came back and tied it at 42; Eastern then went on a 12-0 run themselves to retake the lead and some people even starting to end for the exits. Eastern gave Sexton a chance by taking some quick shots, having some turnovers and then missing free throws in the final two minutes. 2013 PG Cha Cha Tucker missed a front end of a one and one, and then missed his other two free throws, as well as a runner in the lane when they were down two with 3 seconds to go. After Valentine spilt from the line, Eastern had the ball down 3 with 2.5 seconds to go. A long pass gave LaDontae Hinton a contested 3 pointer at the buzzer to tie the game, but it was off the mark as the Sexton players and fans celebrated a big win. It may only be early December but the game had a March feel to it. LaDontae Hinton had his usually double double and finished with 31 points. Brain Morton, 6’2 2013 guard had a good overall game, as he hit two 3s, got some big offensive rebounds, had a handful of steals and played as good as defense as you can play on Valentine all nigh, Valentine finished with 13 points, but half of those were in the final two minutes. Morton may not get the love as Eastern’s other 2013 studs, Tucker and Steve Haney JR, who because of transfer rules is out till January, but Morton can flat out play as well. Tyrin Wade, the 6’5 senior also played well for Sexton as he joined Bryn Forbes, 6’3 2012, as the other Sexton players in double figures.

Before that game Detroit Pershing lost 97-81 to Summit Christian, as Pershing is a year away from being the normal Pershing team we have come to expect. Leading Pershing was 2012 Sherron Dorsey-Walker, who had 26 points, though it wasn’t one of his better shooting games. 2013 guard Martez Walker had 19 points as well for Pershing. For Summit Christian it was Trahson Burrell with 22 points, while Justin Edmonds had 18 and Walter Pitchford had 17. Pitchford is basically a 6’9 wing player now and showed a good touch on his mid range jump shot, while still showing that athletic ability to finish off plays above the rim and get some rebounds. He still needs to get a little stronger, but I feel the one time DePaul commit will find another division one home without too much trouble before this year is over.

Steve Schwanda
All Eyes on U Hoops
alleyesonuhoops@gmail.com
www.twitter.com/alleyesonuhoops

Lots of Talent at Lansing Eastern SS

For some reason Homestead doesn't want to have my website go live yet, well for now, I will have this write up from the Lansing Eastern Super Scrimmage on here, please go ahead and take a look at it, and feel free to leave your comments, or email me at alleyesonuhoops@gmai.com. Thank you.


March Madness… in November

The Saturday after Thanksgiving makes most people think about the state football finals but it has become a big day in Michigan High School hoops as well. The day Lansing Eastern holds their annual super scrimmage at the Don Johnson Field house. This year 16 teams took part in the event and there was no shortage of talent on display. Even though it is very early in the year some teams were already in mid season form. I was unable to stay the entire day but here is a quick look at the teams, and some of the players, who played well during the day that I saw.

Best Teams:

Class A: Lansing Eastern- To find the most dominate Class A team look no further then the host team. Eastern played with a purpose and really made a statement during the day. They started their day by a 30 point blow out over Cass Tech. The game was over real quick. Next they took on the defending Class A Champions from Kalamazoo Central and beat them by 20. It was a around a ten point game with about 6 minutes to go, but Eastern really opening the game up, and it gave them a chance to get a lot of guys in to the game. If Eastern continues to play like this, they are going to be a tough team to beat.

Class B: The defending Class B champs may have lost a McDonald’s All American, but they sure have some talent left over. They started their day by beating Kalamazoo Central in a very good game, and then took care of Lansing Sexton. Country Day is more then just OSU bound Amir Williams, though the 6’10 center played like the top 40 player nationally that he is.

Class C: If Consortium doesn’t win the Class C title there should be an investigation. Their talent and depth is not match by many teams in the state, no matter the class. I saw them beat a Jordan Hare-less Arthur Hill team, and then they beat Detroit Loyola as well. They have a couple of really nice players.

Best Players:

Not mentioning guys who have already signed who played well, Amir Williams, LaDontae Hinton, who looks great, he has added some muscle, and TJ Buchanan who played well for Kalamazoo Central, but did get hurt in the Lasing Eastern game, and he was not moving very well, so that is something to check up on. Denzel Valentine (MSU) played the way you would expect him to play, so I will not mention him either. And again these are just some of the players who played well.

2011:

Lee Bailey- DCD-6’1- strong and takes the ball hard to the rack, he played well in what I saw, but would have to check with Football coaches on what sport he will be playing in college… adding to that, Kenny Knight, who I also think will go the football route, also showed his quickness and good handles.

Tyler Bell-K-Central-6’1- Bell did the things you would expect him to do. He looks like a player, and he is very solid but he doesn’t really do any one thing great.

Darius Norman-K-Central-6’6- Had a great chance for a big game against Amir Williams and I thought he played very well. He showed a decent mid range jump shot touch, even though he missed a few, and had a nice pump fake to get Amir in the air, and drove by him for a easy two. The two big guys battled all game long and for a guy who loves good post play it was fun to watch. There is no question in my mind Norman can play, and someone will give him a chance, it’s just too bad he sat on the bench for King James during AAU instead of played for a Michigan based team.

Dell Simon-Arthur Hill-6’1- Just built like a tank that will go through you, but he moves very well too and with Pookie gone will get a chance to handle the ball more. Baseball may be more in his future however.

Alex Williams-Benton Harbor-6’4- He is long and lanky and has a nice touch on his shot. He is just smooth, but really didn’t do as much as you would hope.

Tyrin Wade-Lansing Sexton-6’5- The big body lefty has a lot of things to like about his game, but is his attitude where you would want it? He arrived late, and was the last member of his team to show up… could be a problem.

2012:

Khaliq Spicer-Robichaud-6’8- He is long and lanky, and very athletic, dunks off of two feet with ease and gets up in a hurry. Has nice hands, but needs to post a little bigger and stronger and not get in a fight with his hands. Something that I talked to him about and he seemed to listen to, so that’s another plus, great kid.

Sherron Dorsey-Walker-Pershing-6’4- Sherron was Sherron, if you don’t know anything about his game, you’re too late. But if you need help, he is long and athletic, and can shoot the 3 or get to the rack.

Matt Willms-Consortium-6’10- I talked about how deep and talented Consortium is, Matt is a 6’10 JR with some D1 offers/interest and he didn’t play much for them in what I saw, that’s how deep they are. He is very long, but moves really well for his size, and has a nice touch, keeps the ball high and showed a lot of the P word. He needs to find a weight room, and quickly, but he is adjusting to the American game, he is a transfer from Canada if you hadn’t heard, and will be just fine.

Jordan Price-DCD-6’6- He may not have the upside of his younger brother, more on him in a minute, but Jordan is a player in his own right. He is long, and needs to get stronger, but has a nice touch on his shot and has 3 point range. I plan on seeing a lot more of him this winter.

Connor Tava-WDLS-6’5- Built well and he plays really hard, could be a very good D2 type player, my only question is, will he grow?

Justin Beal-WDLS-6’4- See Connor Tava

Chazz Miller-DCD-6’5- At Country Day he doesn’t get to play all that much right now but when he does he is a nice post prospect, he is built well and strong, but like Beal and Tava will he grow? He is undersized for a true post right now at the next level.

Tre Tignor-Consortium-6’5- Big body, who moves well and plays hard. Athletic too, he can get up and finish strong too.

Antoine Wilson-Ottawa Hills-6’1 OH didn’t have D Ivy, who will be out until January after surgery for a football injury but Wilson played well. He was under control all day, and can finish too. Very good passer and drives to the basket with his head up.

2013:

Vincent Hunter-Consortium-6’5- I mentioned Consortium is good right? Watching him play it is hard to believe Hunter is a sophomore. Top ten talent for sure, he is long, athletic, a great passer, attacks the rim under control, basically he’s a stud.

Jalen Hayes-Lasing Sexton-6’5- Oh to be long and athletic, slim, but he can flat out get up. Will have to watch his jump shoot and if his handles improve but he is someone to keep an eye on.

Lorenzo Bonah-Robichard-6’3- Very very athletic, great driver, who is long and lanky, BUT the jump shot needs work, a lot of work. Still a very good player though who will not be stopping his basketball career anytime soon. Also let’s not forget, he has three years of varsity ball ahead of him.

Leo Edwards-Cass Tech-6’8- He is long and moves well. Has a nice touch on a couple put backs that I saw, and if he continues to grow watch out. He also is a great student, so that’s another plus, I do need to see a little more from him though before I put him as high as some others might have him.

Austin Price-DCD-6’1- Jordan’s little brother, doesn’t have his size, but the 6’1 combo guard is going to be a star. He is built well and is under control. Plus it is hard not to get better playing against the guys he will face every day in practice. I like him to be in the top ten in this class, he has that much potential.

2014

Mory Diane-DCD-6’1- The only freshmen that I knew of who I saw play at the event, doesn’t mean there were not more, he is built really well and has a lot of upside, that is a understatement. If you are a freshman and can get some time on Country Day’s varsity you are doing something right. Top ten for sure.. closer to top 5.


Steve Schwanda
All Eyes on U Hoops Founder/SR Recruiting Analyst
alleyesonuhoops@gmail.com
www.twitter.com/alleyesonuhoops

Slide Eli Slide!

Yes it is true that Eli won a super bowl in 2007 so I tried my best to give him a pass for awhile, well guess what, his pass is done. I went crazy when the Giants gave up so much to trade and get him in the draft, ask anyone that was in my dorm room at the time and they will tell you that, I even broke a Giants hat I threw it so hard, so anyway I wasn't happy with him from the start, but I can admit he played very very well during the playoff run in 07 and did a great job in the super bowl. Since there, not so much. He is paid like, and people treat him like he is a elite QB, the only problem is, he isn't a elite QB. He isn't close to being like his brother. He isn't a bad QB, but he is not a great one. Last night he once again showed this. In a very big game on the road against Phil with first place in the NFC East on the line Eli lead a Giants offense who had 5 turnovers and a night full of the Eli face. You are going to have some bad throws in every game, and of course some times you have wide outs drop balls or run the wrong routes, and the team is playing without three pro bowlers, but still you can't turn the ball over that much, you can't throw picks, and you can't fumble, especially the fumble he had to all but end the game. The rush defense finished that job off two plays later giving up a long run. Just like the long run they gave up on 4th and 1 at midfield up one to give Phili the lead, and eventually the win.

If you didn't see the game, or stay up for it, this is what happened. Eli made first a good play, he saw no one was open and took off, he gained the first down and a whole lot more, he is passed the 40 yard line and you are driving for the tie. the NFL does all the can to not let QB get hit, they have the slide run, give yourself up, no one can touch you, you got what you needed on the play, instead Eli slide hands and face first instead of legs first, and when he hit the ground he fumbled the ball. Now sure he was down and the ground caused the fumble, but in the NFL since he just fell forward and didn't slide, the play wasn't dead until someone touched him, which they didn't, so Phili recovers, runs the ball, and kicks a FG. I of course went crazy, I could not believe I just watched what I saw, you are a NFL veteran QB, you know the rules, how do you not slide there, how?

That's two big losses in a row for the Giants in division games and they now have to win next week at home over the Jags. They really have some winnable games coming up so hopefully they can avoid another late season melt down, but last night was not a very good start. I'm right, you're wrong.

24hr college basketball marathon aka Heaven

Yesterday was ESPN's 24 hr college tip off marathon, one of my favorite days of the year, Since CMU played at 4am est against Hawaii, I actually went to bed early and didn't see the first game, Memphis beating da U in a good game, but I saw at least a part of each game after that. Here is a quick recap.

2am game- St John's and first year coach Steve Lavin went on the road and lost to St Mary's. St Mary's is a very good team, and will actually be a real threat to the Zags this year in the WCC.

4am game- CMU lost to Hawaii by 3 in a very good game. Hawaii has 10 new players and a new coach, but they played hard, and it was a very physical game. Hawaii's zone gave CMU trouble, as they shot just 6-25 from 3. Way too much standing in the zone offense was CMU.

6am game-Stony Brook had a nice road win over Monmouth. It was also a 3 point game, as the start of the marathon all featured games decided by less then 5 points

8am game-Kent State had a great comeback against Robert Morris to get a big home win for them. Kent has been a 20+ win team for awhile now in the MAC and they always seem to have JU CO transfers and other guys that no one else can get in to school go there and do well... can you tell I don't like Kent State?

10am game- SIU lost a heart breaker in OT to Northeastern by one when SIU rebounded a miss with 4 seconds to go and called a time out when they didn't have one. It was a very good game before that, but tough tough way to lose a game

noon game- Tulsa played very well against ORU and pulled away late. Tulsa may be a nice team this year in conf usa

2pm game-Baylor had some trouble with Lasalle but was able to win by ten. Baylor has some long athletic big man, and freshmen stud Perry Jones III is one of them for sure

4pm- Va Tech did a nice job playing with Kansas State for awhile, and it was a very close game, for about 30 minutes, but the last ten belonged to the deeper team, and that was K-State, and they ended up winning 73-57

6pm game-OSU and FL was a very close game at halftime, and actually FL was up by 3, but the second half was all OSU, as they rolled the Gators on the road 93-75 for the best win so far in college basketball. OSU is going to be very good later on this year, and they already are pretty sweet.

8pm game- Butler feel well behind on the road at Louisville and they did cut the lead a little, but never could get all the way back as they ended up loosing 88-73 in a tough game for them

10pm game- The last game of the day on ESPN saw MSU beat South Car 82-73. I am sure Coach Izzo will not be too happy though as his team lost 48-40 in the second half, after playing good in the first half and being up 42-25. 48 points is way too much in a half to score on MSU and that will be talked about I promise you. South Car did play hard and showed they could be a good team in the SEC.

SDSU also got a nice win over Gonzaga on the road in a big win for Coach Fisher and his team. SDSU got off to a early lead, and held on late to win 79-76

Cuse won the other way around, having a bad first half and seeing UofD come in to the dome and be up 3 at halftime. The second half was better for the Cuse and they won 66-55

It was a great day of college basketball and I wish we could have more days like this, but I understand why we can't it takes a lot for coaches and players to get ready to play at strange times. College basketball is here, and I could not be happier. There isn't too many good games today, or really none, but tomorrow we start getting in to the early season tournaments, so I am looking forward to that. I'm right, you're wrong.

College and NFL football wrap up

It's Wednesday already, I am behind on writing this, good thing no one reads it.. I hope people do. So lets get to it.

College:

Auburn had a nice win over UGA, the only thing that can stop them now is the NCAA throwing the book at them about the Can Newton thing, which I don't think they will, at least not for a few years, or the game against Bama, which after their LSU loss they find themselves with nothing left to play for but endeding Auburn's run.. that will be enough

Oregon won 15-13, yeah, they only scored 15 against Cal, what a stange game

Michigan also won a defensive game, man Purdue is bad, which was also surpising

Wisconsin was beating IU 10-3 after the first quarter, the final, 83, yes 83 to 20. What in the world are they doing, you can't say you are not running it up when you score 28, 21, and 24 in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters. On the other hand, if you have your back ups and 3rd string guys in, how can you tell them not to play. Don't throw deep bombs, but they should still be able to play, it may be the only chance they get.

CMU played hard against Navy but lost 38-37, as they have done in years past they went for the two and the win instead of kicking the PAT with 4 seconds left to take the tie. Their defense hadn't really stoped Navy all day, they didn't punt once, and thought that going for two game them the best chance to win, sadly they didn't but it was nice to see them play so hard.

ND beat up on Utah, really showing that Utah isn't that good, thus TCU's big win over them really doesn't matter.


NFL:

I am still very mad about the Giants game. Give the Cowboys credit they played much better no question about it, but my G-Men also played their worst game of the year, and that had a lot to do with it. fumbles, picks, throwing a pick in the end zone that was returned for a touchdown, just a ugly ugly football game. The Giants need to regroup, becase...

Phili looked great against the Skins on the road, my god, what a butt kicking. Vick had a huge day.

The Pats came in and but up 39 on the Steelers on the road, wow. One week after looking bad in a loss to the Browns, they beat up on the Steelers, the NFL makes zero sense sometimes.

Like the Seahawks who after getting rolled by the Giants at home, went to Zona and beat the Cards, ok the Cards are not good, but still, and like I said from day one, they will win the NFC West.

Terrible football weekend for me, I went 0-3 in fantasy, thanks to vick big day going agianst me, and me leaving some bye week and hurt players in, since I was out of town for a bacholor party.. no excusses though, got to have a better week in the two leauges I am 7-3 in, the one I am 3-7 in, I have already traded away a lot of guys, for draft picks next year and I am rebuilding. I'm right, you're wrong.

Bye Bye Wade

You knew it was coming, and really most are surprised it took so long, but Wade Phillips was finally fired by the Cowboys on Monday after they didn't even show up against the Packers on Sunday night football and lost 45-7. Their next game is against the Giants so we will see how Jason Garret does. I always thought it wasn't as good of a coach as Jerry Jones did, who is paying him 3 million to be a offensive cord and head coach in waiting.. well his wait is over, but now he has to do something with a team that is 1-7 and hasn't shown up the last two weeks. Hopefully my Giants will be ready playing their rival at home, and not look past them. The Giants are coming off a big win themselves beating the Seahawks in Seattle 41-7. The Giants are really playing well right now, and I could not be happier, but it's a long season, and there are a lot of games to go.

I was 3-0 in fantasy football this week, that's sweet.

Viks had a big comeback over the terrible Cards to win that game in OT. Farve actually played well in the 4th when he needed to

The Raiders, yes Raiders, are right there in the AFC West race, as they beat the Chiefs, also right there, in OT.

The Chargers did win over the Texans and this is about the time that they usually start their winning streak in years past after slow starts, will they do it again? I think yet, and they still win the AFC West.

The Rams are tied for first place in the NFC West right now, I know, I'm shocked too, them and the Bucks are my two biggest surprises has far as doing much better then I thought they would. I still have the Seahawks winning that division though, but not if Charlie W has to be their QB for too many more games.

The Lions had a big home victory over the Jets and then gave it away, and even a bigger loss it looks like Stafford will be done for the year as he re injured his shoulder. That is a big loss for the Lions who are playing better football, they just don't know how to win close games yet. They are there, they just can't finish. If Drew Stanton is their QB I don't know if they can win, but they do have the Bills and Cowboys coming up, so you never know.

The Browns, yes Browns beat the Pats.. in New England... What the hell is going on out here! The Pats will be fine, but wow, what a loss for them.

Pitt held on to beat Cinci on the road, after getting a big lead the Bengals came back and made it close, they played hard, but turnovers hurt them.

Ravens may be the best team in the NFL right now.. in fact, they are my pick. I'm right, you're wrong.

All is well.. for now

CMU got the football weekend started off right with their big 26-22 win on Friday night at home over hated rival western michigan on sr night on espnu. It wasn't a well played game, but it was a great game. Both teams made big plays and then some really bad ones, but CMU was able to make the last one, recovering a fumble with 1:40 left as western was about to score the go ahead touchdown inside the five. That has made me happy the rest of the weekend, and even though this season will still be a disappointment, even if we win our next two games against Navy and Toledo and finish 5-7, but beating western always, ALWAYS, feels good and will help this team in the future. It was a great win.

Michigan and Ill can score on each other.. wow, what a game, 67-65 triple OT win for Michigan, very exciting offensive game. Please someone tackel

MSU got back to winning beating a terrible Minn team.

LSU beat Bama, which surprised me, but good for LSU. Bama could still play a role in the national title game if they beat Auburn, but it is very likely a one loss SEC team would still make it to the national title game over TCU or Boise.

TCU actually kind of hurt themselves by beating up on Utah so bad, because it really shows that Utah wasn't very good, I mean their best win this year is over Pitt, and they are not exactly world beaters. Either way the BCS will most likely match up TCU and Boise again, which I hate, but them up against the big boys.. but they are scared of what could happen.

ND didn't lose on Saturday.. oh yeah, that's right, they didn't play

Oregon still has Zona at home, no problem they will score 50 on them, and at Oregon State, that will be a big game, but they should, and will, go undefeated. Oregon State is a tough one cause it's playing your biggest rival on the road, but this Oregon offense is just too good.

I will wait till tomorrow to talk NFL, since there is still one more game left this week

The Pistons won their first game of the year on Friday night, and their second last night over GS. They have problems, too many guys who do the same thing, no inside scorer and no true pg to get other people going, but I am sticking with them that they can win 40 games and be the 7th or 8th seed in the playoffs... I will stick with that until at least xmas.

Wings won on Friday night as well, but lost a tough one on Saturday, they are back at it tonight against Phx, and word is Brain R will be playing very very soon for the Wings, which is good, they get their second best defender back. I'm right, you're wrong.

Thank You Randy

Randy Moss is so funny.. He makes the NFL so much more fun. So he calls out his coach and praises the Pats and then gets cut. I really hope the Pats pick him right back up, if only for the news to come across the bottom line, Pats trade Randy Moss to the Viks for a 3rd round pick... and Randy Moss.. It would be wonderful. Moss isn't as dominate as he once was but he can still help a team, if he wants to, and judging from how much he talked about how great the Pats were, after his old new team just lost to them he must still want to be there and think he can help them win. Just a bad move for the Viks all together, they are falling apart

The Cowboys are taking some of the pressure off the Viks since they have totally fallen apart and are done, I can not tell you how happy that makes me, but if you read this blog at all you know by now how much I love the Giants and thus hate the cowboys, so you probably do know how happy that makes me.. so much for hosting a super bowl that you are playing in Jerry, you will be lucky to win another game.

Lions beat the Skins, good for them, and all my friends who are Lions fans, great call to put Rex Grossman in the game for the two minute drill, since mike S said that McNabb isn't in shape to run it.. ouch. So Rex Grossman is the way to go, good call on that, all he did was fumble on the first play and Suh picked it up and rain for a touchdown to seel the win.

Saints got a big win that they needed at home over the Steelers

Raiders won big again this time over the Seahawks, who are playing the Giants at home this week, I am worried about that game because that is a tough place to go in and come away with a win, and the last time the Giants played there it wasn't pretty.

It is really hard to tell who is good in the NFL, which is how they like it, just a lot of average teams. The Bucks keep winning, what in the world in going on here? really, someone explain it to me. The Chiefs won again as well, be it against the win less Bills in OT, but still.

What do I know about the NFL after 8 weeks? Well, the Ravens, Steelers, Pats, Jets, and Colts are good in the AFC. I believe that the Texans will still take that last wild card spot, but a team from the West has to be in, so will it be the Chiefs, or the Raiders, or will the Chargers stop messing around and still make it.. I think they will. In the NFC, I still think the Packers will make it, and the Saints and ATL have a great chance as well. I think the Giants are in great shape to win the East, and I still think the Seahawks will win the West by default. Can the Viks rebound and still make the playoffs? yes, but with each passing week I am starting to think they will not.

I saw the SF Giants won the World Series last night, congrats to them and their fans, and to me for not watching one pitch, but instead watching NBA basketball. I'm right, you're wrong.

I knew it was coming

I pushed it back all year, MSU was playing great but I didn't want to buy in, I have seen this before, I kept thinking they were going to lose, but they kept winning. So then last week I finally gave in and wrote this:

"I am all in on MSU now, they are winning the big ten, meaning Iowa will beat them 31-17"

Turns out it wasn't even that close. MSU lost 37-6 and was never in the game, made worse was the fact that Chris L Rucker got out of jail on Thursday and then traveled with the team on Friday and played in the game. This is such a MSU thing to do. As soon as people start talking about big ten title, and a chance at the national title, which they never really had, they go and get killed. I like MSU, and they are not a bad team, but where they are ranked now 15 or 16 depending on the poll, it about right, compared to the 5 or 6 range that they were going in to the game. MSU has only beaten one good team all year, and that was Wisconsin at home, which is a good win, but the only other good team they played, Iowa, they got killed. A team with one good win isn't a contender. I hope they can rebound and still win at least a share of the big ten and go to a bowl, but this is what usually happens, they start good, then they have a big loss, and then they start their tailspin, I hope it doesn't happen this year, they have a good defense and a great running game, hopefully they can bounce back.

Michigan can score... they just can't stop anyone, and PSU got a good win for them, because as I have said many times, and use to joke with my old college rm chaz about, you don't go in to happy valley and win at night.

Mizzu got killed by Nebraska just like I thought

Auburn kept winning, as did Oregon, though I was right, USC hung around for awhile. They still need to play Zona, coming up, big game, and then their big rival Oregon state at the end of the year but if I had to pick right now I would say Oregon plays in the national title game, against.... Bama. Yes Auburn will keep winning, until that Bama game at the end of the year, Bama will then win the SEC title game and get to the national title game. There is no way they wouldn't jump a undefeated Boise or who ever wins TCU-Utah.

ND lost to Tulsa.... very sad about the student dieing on the video tower this week, my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.. but as far as the game.. suck one bk.

I need to enjoy bk doing bad since CMU is having a terrible year themselves, loosing their third home game, and 6th game overall in a row on Saturday, 17-14 over a bad Bowling Green team. After being down 10-0 at half they then took the lead 14-10 until a fumble by Paris Cotton with just over 2 minutes to go gave BG the ball back, and they scored with 21 seconds left. Tough tough year for CMU football, on Friday they play our biggest rival Western Michigan in our last home game. That would be a big game to get, and would really help this team and all the fans, though nothing will help make this a good season at this point, just get a win. We have won 4 in a row against western, and they would love nothing more then to beat us at our place for just the second time since 1973, they have one tie as well in that time. Lucky for me, and other CMU fans, the basketball season is here, there will be a ex game on Wednesday night at mt p hs, and then the new events center opens DEC 1st against Temple.

The Pistons were up 19 on the Bulls and ended up loosing on Saturday night, it sucked, they were outscored 33-9 in the 4th, and our now 0-3. They lost on Friday night to the Thunder by one, after CV31 made a 3 to go up one, Jeff Green drove by Jason M like he was standing still and no one helped in time and he made a lay up for the win, Ben G didn't even get a shot off in the final 2.5 seconds, and basically dribbled out the clock, since we didn't have a time out left.

Wings did win 5-2 on Saturday night, so that is good, and the news is Jimmy Howard will be back in net starting on Wednesday, so that's good.

Someone told me the World Series is still going, but I can not confirm that. I'm right, you're wrong.

Tip Off 2010

The first two nights of the NBA season has had the excitement of a NBA finals. The Heat-Celtics game on Tuesday was very exciting and the fans in Boston were ready like it was a playoff match up, those two teams will have in the eastern conference finals. The Heat will be fine, and beat the 76ers by ten last night with Wade looking much better, but it is just going to take some time, they are not going to win 70 games, but they will be fine. The Celtics are one of the teams that got the most out of all the hype the heat get. Lets not forget this team was in game 7 of the finals last year, and added Shaq, J O'neal, and more importantly kept PP, Ray, KG and the rest all in tack. This team plays great defense and I still feel, even though they lost at the Cavs last night, this is the best TEAM in the east.

The Lakers won a close game vs the Rockets, they are a jump shooting team so when Brooks and Martin are hot, watch out the Rockets will beat some people, but if they are off, they will lose some ugly games. It is nice to see Yao back, but it is clear he still isn't 100%, and can only play 24 minutes a game. The Lakers ring ceremony was sweet, what a great idea.

Durant had 30 and the Thunder beat the Bulls, who are a good team, like I thought they would be, D Rose is quickly rising in the PG rankings, top 5 for sure, close to the top 3 with CP3 and D wills, he is just so talented.

CK had 8 points and 11 rebounds last night in the Clippers lost, but my boy did not play well, he shot 4-18 from the floor, which is really really bad, so hopefully he got that bad shooting out of the way, and will play better next game. Blake Griffen showed he was worth the wait for Clipper fans as he had 20 points and 14 rebounds, on 8-14 shooting, more impressive of his 14 rebounds, 9 were offensive, that's big time. His first NBA points was on a lob that was thrown high on a two on one, and he got up and threw it down with one hand, if you haven't seen it, you should. B Roy is sick and lead 5 blazers in double digits with 22.

The Nets started last year 0-18, this year they are 1-0. They beat my Pistons by 3, despite the Pistons being up 7 with 1:40 to play. The Nets out worked the Pistons and new coach Avery Johnson out coached Kruster all night, especially in the 4th. He showed how much he wanted to win the game, by going hack a Ben in the 4th with about 4 minutes left. It took three or four trips down the floor before Big Ben was finally taking out. I think Johnson knew with a young team they need to have some success early to gain some confidence. With Lopez inside and Harris outside they have a nice 1-2 punch, they will not make the playoffs this year, but they will be better. As for my Pistons, that was a terrible loss, but the important thing to remember about it is it is just one game, you have 81 more, don't let the Nets beat you twice, as they say, Friday night in the home opener it will be much tougher, against the Thunder, but the Pistons need to regroup and be ready to go. I still feel that this team will make the playoffs in the east as the 7th or 8th seed.

Good weekend of college football this weekend as well, as NFL of course, and NBA and NHL games, so it should be a great sports weekend. Wings play tonight, and should be well rested, they haven't played since Saturday. So hopefully they can get another win tonight.

USC will score on Oregon for awhile, but Oregon will beat them

Nebraska will beat Mizzu

MSU will beat Iowa... I am all in on MSU now, they are winning the big ten, meaning Iowa will beat them 31-17

Michigan gets a big win over PSU this week

Auburn gets by Ole Miss

Farve will play, but the Pats will beat the Viks anyway

Colts will beat the Texans at home, they can't get swept by them

Skins will beat the Lions, because they just had a bad game, so they are now due for a good game. I'm right, you're wrong.

NBA Picks

yes it is that time of year again, the NBA season tips off tonight, and after a very eventful off season it is nice that the games are actually going to be played now, and the best can be crown champs on the court, not in the media, at the end of the year. So lets get to it.


East:

1) Heat- They will have the best record because they think things like that are important, they will win 60-65 games, but with all the pressure on them, they will lose a few that they shouldn't

2) Boston- Have a easy division and know that there clock is ticking, this is their last run.

3) Magic- Haven't really gotten better, so they will be a 3 seed. How much can you really depend on Vince Carter?

4) Hawks- Joe Johnson got his money, can he play like a max player? no, cause he isn't, but this is still a talented team that in the east will host a playoff series

5) Bucks- Can this team take another step forward, I think they will be fun to watch

6) Bulls- I really like what they did in the off season, but of course Boozer is hurt already, with a broken hand, he shouldn't miss too much time, and D Rose is a top 5 pg in the NBA IMO.

7) Pistons- Call me a homer if you want, but it's the east, who else is good? come on. If the Pistons can stay healthy and not have as many injuries as last year I think they can make the playoffs and win 45 games.

8) Bobcats- There is just no one else


Heat over bobcats- quickly

Boston over Pistons- in 5 tops

Magic over Bulls-in 7- These teams always have great series and D Rose is good for a few wins

Bucks over Hawks- Jennings goes off

Heat over Bucks- in 4 or 5

Boston over Magic- in 6. Shaq can give Dwight problems.. or with him, Jermain and Perkings they can foul him all day

Boston over Heat- in 6- Say all you want about talent, the Heat don't know how to win a playoff series together, it will take some time, and the Celtics are better coached and more of a team, they also know this is their last chance. The Heat will win the NBA title, in 2011-2012, not 2010-2011.


West:

1) Lakers- A lot of people are on the Thunder, and I like them a lot too, and the Lakers don't care about having the best record in the west, just getting to the finals, but I really think they have too much talent not to

2) Thunder- How can you not like this team?

3) Dallas- This team can win some games... as long as they don't really matter

4) Utah- I like the Al Jefferson pick up and D wills is a top 2 PG in the NBA

5) Portland- B Roy is their leader, but they have a lot of talent around him

6) Spurs- Do they have one last run in them

7) Suns- They can score

8) Clippers- yeah I went there, CK will avg 20 and 10, Blake will have a big year, and because they will start well b diddy will stay interested. Plus, Houston can't trust Yao to play enough games and Denver will blow their team up, CP3 needs more help with the Hornets, so really it was between them or the Griz, I'm serious, but I am going with my boy Kaman.

Lakers over Clippers- in 5, the Lakers will mess around one game

Thunder over Suns- Nash was great, but Westbook is better today

Spurs over Mavs- in 6, The Mavs need to blow it up and start again, the Spurs have one last small run in them

Utah over Portland- in 7, this would be a great series, home court in game 7 would be the differences for the Jazz

Lakers over Utah- in 6, D wills is good for two wins

Spurs over Thunder-in 6, Thunder are the up and coming team, but they haven't won a playoff series yet going in to this year, baby steps, they can't make the west finals yet

Lakers over Spurs- in 6, Spurs have their last run to make it this far but the Lakers are too good.

NBA Finals:

Lakers over Boston- in 6- The Celtics beat the Lakers, then the Lakers beat the Celtics, who will win this year, Kobe going for another 3 peat, Phil going for his 4th 3 peat, which is just sick, plus gasol, odom, artest, barns, blake, brown, fish, and you know this one guy named Kobe. Who isn't going to score 28-30 points per game, but he knows he doesn't have to for this team to win, and he can still score if need be, I think this team will actually slowly be Gasol's team, and he can get you 20-25 a night. This would be a great series and I hope we see it.

MVP: Durant- should avg 30-32 ppg, 7-9 rpg, 4-6 ast per game, and his team will win. Just everything you want in a player, how can you not like him? BTW, Is it amazing that once again Portland took a big man with injury concerns, Oden, over a sure thing wing scorer like Durant. To make it worse, it isn't like the Jordan thing, where you had drexler, who wasn't great but a very good scorer, close in height to MJ anyway. Durant is a 6'10 wing who shoots 30 footers like they are free throws, so long, can get to the basket at will, and because of his length, Jay Bilas is smiling somewhere, he can be a good rebounder and defender too.

ROY: Blake Griffen will beat out John Wall, remember Blake is tech a rookie this year, because, The Clippers will win more games the the Wiz. Big year from Blake.

All NBA first team:

D Wade
Lebron
Durant
Gasol
Dwight

All Star starters:

East:
rose
wade
lebron
bosh
dwight

West:
D wills
Kobe
Durant
Gasol
Duncan

I'm pumped and ready for the season, lets play some Basketball! I'm right, you're wrong.

Texas size beat down

The Giants beat the Cowboys, and ended their season, last night in Dallas, and why it is too bad that Romo got hurt, the Cowboys were in trouble long before that. Romo doesn't play on defense and the D could not stop the Giants, the only thing that stopped the giants all night was the giants, 5 turnovers and you give up a punt return for a TD and you win on the road, that doesn't happen much. The Giants did what they had to do and now our in first place alone on top of the NFC East going in to the bye week. Really it is a bad time for a bye week for this team because they have won 4 games in a row and are playing well, you want to keep it going. Eli started off bad, even though the first two picks were tipped, so catchable, they were both very high and would have been great catches, but I give him credit, he settled down and played well.

Denver must not have known when they game started this week, wow the Raiders just killed them

Miami is 3-3 and not only did they get screwed on Sunday against Pit, but their 3 losses are to the three 5-1 teams in the NFL, ouch.

Seahawks are 4-2, who picked them to win the NFC West? oh yeah, that's right, ME! so far at least I am right about that, because....

KC and Tampa are also 4-2. I didn't think Tampa would win a game. KC losses are to the Colts, and the Texans, which they gave away, who are both 4-2 themselves.

That's the Monday night game this coming week, Texans at Colts, the Texans put so much in to their big week one match up, but if they could find a way to win this one too, watch out. I will stand by my pick that the Colts will win the South and the Texans will be the wild card.

Packers got a nice win over the Viks, and Farve hurt his ankle and may end his consecutive starts streak, I say no way, I will be shocked if he doesn't play. They are playing the Pats are really need a win, they can't fall too many games behind.

The NFL is really getting what they want this year, there are a lot of teams that are just average, not a lot of great teams, and only a few who are bad. I'm right, you're wrong.

It's time

All yeah I have been fighting it, and the start of the game turned out to be what I thought would happen, Northwestern was up 17-0 on MSU at one point, until the Spartans came back and got a nice road win. Setting up a big game this Saturday in Iowa City against Iowa. Even though Iowa messed it up a bit by loosing by 1 at home to Wisconsin last week in one of the worst clock managements I have ever seen. I didn't want to believe in MSU football because so many times when I thought they were doing good they would come out and lose to a team that they were suppose to beat. This year is seems different. They keep finding new ways to win, and it just seems like this is made for them to win the big ten. Of course that means Iowa will beat them by 21 on Saturday, but I am buying in, MSU will win.

Mizzu made it 3 in a row, as #1 OK went down, making it now three weeks in a row where number one has went on the road to a lower ranked team, at night, and lost in prime time. Could Oregon be next, they go to USC, and since USC can't go to a bowl game, or win anything for real, this is their bowl game. I think too many people are forgetting about USC, they still have talent, and I think they will give Oregon a good game, but I like Oregon to run the table this year.

Nebraska got back on the right track beating OK State, they now have Mizzu, which is another big game in the big 12.

Bama beat Tenn, I see them continuing to win until that game against Auburn, and they they will beat Auburn, win the SEC title game and still play in the national title game against Oregon.

Auburn had a nice 24-17 win against LSU, giving LSU their first loss. LSU has a great defense but their offense is just so bad.

OSU took out all their frustration of loosing to Wisconsin on the road by beating up on Purdue at home, 42-0 at halftime.

Switching to UFC, Brock got knocked out in the first round on Saturday night, didn't see that coming.

The World Series is set, Rangers and Giants, find me someone who says they had that match up at the beginning of the year and I will show someone who is a lying sack of crap. I did end up seeing a little of the end of the Giants game, because I was playing NCAA 2011 on xbox live and talking to two of my former college roommates, and since they were talking about it, I did click over and see the end... How do you take that pitch if you are Ryan Howard? Come on Man.

Big game tonight for my NY football Giants on the road against the Cowboys, this would be a huge win for them, in a game that the Cowboys really need. I got my Giants stuff on and I'm ready to go. I'm right, you're wrong.

Let the sports weekend begin

Oregon and their sick offense got the sports weekend kicked off last night with a big win over UCLA.

The Wings came back down 1-0 and then 2-1 to win 4-2 over the flames last night, so a good game for them.

Tomorrow there are some big college games as LSU-Auburn, Nebraska-OK State, Wisconsin-Iowa and OK-Mizzu all are games with big time conference and national championship repercussions on the line. MSU also tries to continue their undefeated run at Northwestern... this screams a Northwestern win by two scores.. I hope I'm wrong this time about MSU.

In the NFL Dallas can save themselves a bit with a game against my Giants on Monday night. This would be a big win for the Giants to win in Dallas, but it is needed much more by the Cowboys, I hope my Giants continue to play the way they have been with running the ball and putting a lot of pressure on the QB.

The Viks and Packers also play a big game this week in the main game on Sunday. Both teams need this game as the Packers have a lot of injuries and have lost two tough OT games in a row, including last week at home to Miami. The Viks got the win they needed against the Cowboys last week, but they still need to keep winning if they want to do what they thought they were going to do before the season.

The World series match up will also be set up this weekend, but I am not watching baseball, so I don't care, I do know both series are at 3-2 now, but that's about it. It's football, hockey, and basketball season, baseball is over. I'm right, you're wrong

Football weekend

MSU wins again, and are now 8th in the nation, I don't know if I am ready for this. They still do have to play at Iowa and at PSU, and even though PSU is down this year that is still a tough place to play. I hope I am wrong, but I still think this team will lose a couple of games, they have a good running game and a good defense but besides beating Wisconsin at home, made to look better after Wisconsin beat OSU last week in Madison, they really haven't beaten anyone good. Michigan is once again a good offense and a terrible defense and that catches up to you, and ND is average at best, and those are their best wins. They will lose in Iowa city and at PSU, if not another game. I would love if they ran the table, but I just don't see it. It is a nice story, but I have learned too many times, just when MSU has you thinking they are a legit big ten title team, they lose.

Nice win for Wisconsin. OSU gave up that kickoff return to start the game, and just got too far down before they made their comeback, you can't do that on the road. Auburn wins again and they look to be a very good team right now. I don't see them making it though undefeated though, they still have some tough games left. Bama got back on track and they still are one of the better teams in the nation. Oregon really only have two more games they could lose that stand between them and playing for a national title. At USC and then home vs Oregon State. Oregon State is a rivalry game at the end of the year, and could go either way, and USC has nothing to play for but ruining their season, so they have nothing to lose. That game should be a shoot out, but I do think Oregon will win both and be in the national title game, who they play will be interesting

Nebraska lost their chance by loosing at home to Texas. Texas needed that win, but in Lincoln I did not see that coming at all.

Switching to the NFL the Cowboys lost again and are 1-4, I can not tell you how happy that makes me. They still have enough talent to turn it around and make the playoffs, but I hope they don't. They have two games in the next four weeks against my Giants so that could help them make up games in the division.

Speaking of my Giants they survived against the Lions, which I am so happy about, because I would never hear the end of it from all my Lions fan friends, which is basically almost all of my friends, if the Giants lost at home to the Lions. The Lions are getting better through that is for sure. They need a better offensive live and some better CB, but other then that they are a lot closer to being a good team then a bad team. They play hard and even with their 3rd string QB for more then half of the game, after Hill got hurt, they still were right there and I was worried until that final pick sealed the deal. I am happy that the Giants are starting to find themselves and look like the old Giants, who were built on good defense and a good running game. They ran the ball well and their front 4 has played very well the last three weeks.

My fantasy teams went 1-2 last week, that should have been 2-1, thanks Jeff Fisher, sure I have Chris Johnson in one league but that was the team that already won, I was playing him in another week and I was up and going to win, until a 4th down 4th quarter TD with the game well out of reach beat me. That league I had been going win/lost every other week, but now I have lost two in a row, and are 2-4, which is big since I have a lot of guys on bye weeks this coming week and would need a miracle to win again. Damn you Jeff Fisher.

Helmet to helmet hits are a big deal right now, its football, deal with it people. If it is clear the guy is leading with his head and trying to hurt a guy he should be suspended, but if he is leading with his shoulder and at the last second a guy drops his head or turns around or something, you can't expect a guy to be able to stop in mid air. The NFL already protects the QB to the point where the next step is to let them wear the red jerseys in games to, and don't get me wrong I don't want to see anyone get hurt, and not be able to walk again, but you have to be able to hit a guy if you are on defense, just don't lead with your head.

I hear baseball is still going on, I don't care, still haven't watch any of it

College basketball season is here, practice started officially on Friday, I am very much looking forward to that since I love basketball so much. NBA season starts for real next week as well. This is a great time of year.

Wings got a win in PHX on Saturday night, as they scored with just a few seconds left in OT. That was a nice win and I enjoy seeing a lot of people at homecoming at CMU, if only the team didn't lose 27-20 when they gave up a 71 yard TD on 3rd and 13 with 19 seconds left to a guy that was open by 20 yards. So frustrating. CMU fans have been spoiled for the last few years, and are getting shot down to earth this year. I still have all the faith in the world in Coach Enos and this program that they will get it turned around, but we have a long way to go. We have lost a lot of close games, and we just need to find someone who will step up and make a play. The Va Tech game was bad, and the Ball State game got ugly, but even that game we had some chances, other then that, is's a OT loss to Temple by 3, lost at Northwestern by less then a touchdown, gave up a late TD to Miami Ohio, it's tough, CMU is about 6 plays away from being 6-1, instead they are 2-5.

I am also doing some work this week on a new basketball recruiting site that I am starting. It is called All Eyes on U scouting and hopefully it will be up by the weekend. I will have the link up on here for sure, and look forward to cover basketball more. I will have a link for the blog on that as well, and the message board, so maybe we can get some message board traffic and get this going a little. As always feel free to email me at any times with any sports, or non sports, related questions you have. I'm right, you're wrong.

Steve Schwanda
schwa1sa@cmich.edu

Wings lose a tough one

Playing the Avs on Tuesday night when they were playing the second night of the back to back, the Wings hadn't played since Saturday and had their starting GK in playing at home you think that it was a game the Wings would win. They scored first, 3 minutes in, but the Avs did tie it before the end of the period. The Wings then scored the next two to take a 3-1 lead. The Avs came back however and scored the next two to tie the game at 3. Then the Wings scored on a short handed goal to take the lead again with about 8 minutes to play in the game but once again the Avs came back. After 60 minutes the game was tied at 4. the 5 minute overtime belonged to the Wings but they were not able to score. They were not able to score in the shoot out either and finally the Avs 6th shooter finally did to end the game, and give the Avs a 5-4 win at the Joe.

Of course it is only one game early in the season so it isn't to big of a deal, but you don't want to let games like that get away from you. Tonight the Wings play in Dallas, as Mike Madono will return to play the Stars after they didn't want to resign him after 20 years. Hopefully the Wings can play well and get a win to start the short two game road trip. They already have some injuries so hopefully this year will not be a repeat of last year. Right now it is Brain R who is arguable their second best defender who will miss 3-4 weeks that is the biggest concern. The Wings are talented enough and deep enough however, that as long as they only have one or two guys hurt at a time they should be fine, and win the West.

Pens haven't won yet, which is great, either has the Blackhawks I believe. The Maple Leafs are playing very well, they haven't lost yet, which makes my dad happy. I am really getting in to hockey more and more, it really is a great sport, and when your baseball team is out of it, when there is no football games worth watching during the week it is the best thing to watch. But the NBA will be starting soon for real as well and that will give me something else to watch as well, which I am really looking forward to. I'm right, you're wrong.

NFL week five

If someone can make sense of the NFL season right now, please give it a try. What do you know about your team right now? To me, the NFL is getting what they want, the NFL with their hard cap and scheduling based on how you did the year before is a leauge unlike any others, to them they want every team to be 8-8. Of course that isn't going to happen, but this year besides three our four teams who are pretty good and three our four teams who are really bad, everyone else could be right around there. KC was 3-0 but didn't have any good wins, they go to Indy and though they ended up loosing 19-9 they held their own for a long time in that game, I was expecting the Colts to roll them. The Cowboys lose to the Titans at home, which I love, since I am a Giants fan, but I think everyone is waiting for them to just turn it on, but they have the Viks next, who are also having some problems, I mean their only win is against the Lions, and the loosing of that game would be 1-4, not good. The Saints lost to the Cards yesterday, and the Cards have been bad, really bad, in most games this year. My Giants had a nice road win at the Texans and that was great to see, but you expect the Texans offense to play a lot better then that. The Giants are looking a little like they did when they got to the Super Bowl, a very good defense, 1st in the NFL in total defense and 1st in passing defense, and with Nicks on the outside they have a big time WR, in the making. I am not calling for them to make the Super Bowl or anything, but a playoff bearth is with in reach that is for sure.

Lions got a big win over the Rams, but if Calvin Johnson is hurt bad it isn't good for them for the rest of the year, maybe he shouldn't have been in in the 4th quarter up 31-6. The Lions play at the Giants this Sunday in a really big game for me. Living in Michigan and being a big Giants fan I would never hear the end of it if the Giants lost at home to the Lions. It is a must win.

The Chargers are off to their usually terrible start, they will still win the AFC west, and I am not at all worried about that pick

The 2010 NFC West may be the worst division in NFL history.

I went a disapointing 1-2 in fantasy this week, got to bounce back. In one leauge where it was my teams first lost I really couldn't do much, I was going against the Lions D who scored over 40 points, how many times is that going to happen this year? I will tell you, no more times, it was just one of those things.

switching gears the Wings look to start the year 3-0 tonight when they play the Avs at home. I think the Wings will get the job done, but I really don't see them loosing unless they get lots of guys hurt again. 82-0 for them, jk, but they will win the West. The NBA season is getting closer, so I will do some thinking and then get my NBA picks out in the next week or so. I'm right, you're wrong.

A Full Sports Saturday

A jamed backed Saturday of Sports. Bama falls at South Car, MSU beats Michigan for the 3rd time in a row, two of those time in the big house, FL losses to LSU, on a great fake FG call by Les Miles, that sets up the winning TD, Auburn survives at Ken in OT, Free shoe takes it to da U, plus you had NHL games, MLB playoffs, preseason NBA, what more could you want.

I am very happy MSU won, I am surprised, I thought Michigan would beat them in a close shoot out. MSU's D really stepped up, and turnovers of course hurt Michigan. I have said many times how MSU is not a elite football school though a lot of their die hard fans talk about them like they are, they usually are good for 7-8 wins. But ever so often they put together a big year and win 10 games. This is looking to be that year. Great teams use to do two things, run the ball on offense and stop the run on defense, MSU does both of those things well, while still have some talent and speed in the wide out position. They have a very nice schedule and really Iowa is there only for sure loss that I see. I am sure now that my hopes are up they will lose three out of their next four, because that would be a MSU thing to do, but maybe, just maybe, this year is different.

Bama could not make it though their three game test of at Arkansas, home vs FL, who is not very good, and at South Car, as they lost for the first time in a long time, and still didn't fall out of the top ten, which is fine, they are a good team. Now that debate will start, does a one loss SEC team deserve a national title shot over a undefeated Big 10, Pac 10, ACC, Big East or Big 12 school.... I know they would get it over Boise or TCU. I think they do over a Big East and ACC< but not the other 3. Nebraska looks really good, and them and OK should be undefeated when they meet in the Big 12 title game, and the winner of that should go to the BCS title game.

What a call by Les Miles

Wings beat the blackhawks 3-2 and ruined their banner raising night. The Wings are 2-0 and play the Avs on Tuesday. I am very happy hockey as started

I have not watched one pitch of the baseball playoffs yet, for a few reasons, one, I would rather watch football, or the Wings, and two, I am really not a baseball fan, I am a fan of the Tigers, and Cubs, though not as much anymore now that they traded my boy D lee. Heck I watched preseason NBA over post season baseball. But I love basketball and would watch almost any basketball game over a non Tigers baseball game.

Some good NFL games today to talk about, but I will wait to do that until all the games are done. I'm right, you're wrong.

Big week

So much to get to, I got a new job and I am working long hrs so I haven't updated in a while, which is bad timing since there is a lot going on. Big win for my Giants over the Bears, the D brought it. Jags big time win over the Colts, Moss gets traded to the Viks, Lynch to the Seahawks, Lions lose again, but again it was close to the Packers, my fantasy teams went 3-0 last week. Oregon destroyed the tress, Bama did the same to FL, MSU had a nice win over Wisconsin, Michigan held on over IU, setting up a MSU at Michigan game on Saturday where both teams are undefeated and ranked for the first time since 1999. It is so great for this state, so much trash talking and hype, I think it is good for the big ten and college football too, but of course game day has to be at a SEC game.

Tomorrow is also the Red Wings home opener, which is very exciting as well. As long as they don't have so many injuries like last year they will be the team to beat in the West.

The Pistons started the preseason against the Heat and lost, but the bigger loss for Jonas being out, and also rookie trico white. Hate to see guys get hurt so early, but hopefully they will be back. Dwade also got hurt and will miss a few weeks, but he will be fine.

We had a no hitter yesterday in the baseball playoffs, so I had to mention it, though I didn't see a second of any of the games, and I think that will continue, there is just way too many other things going on for me to watch baseball if the Tigers, or Cubs, are not in the playoffs. College Football, Pro Football, NHL and NBA.

College basketball starts soon too, officially, with midnight madness and the like. Just a great time to be a sports fan.

I will try to post again tonight or tomorrow for more of a rundown, but now I have to go. I'm right, you're wrong.

NFL week 3

The Bears are the last undefeated team in the NFC, yeah the Bears. KC is also 3-0 as is the Charlie Batch lead Steelers. All three have to be a little surprising, the Steelers still have that running game and defense but the NFL is a QB leauge right? The Bears is even more surprising because those wins include on the road in Dallas and at home vs the Packers, two of the top picks from everyone to come out of the NFC to go to the Super Bowl. Of course if it wasn't for the Calvin Johnson play they would have lost to the Lions at home, and if James Jones doesn't fumble, among other things and the Packers would have won that game too, and the Bears would be 1-2, instead of 3-0. I still am not buying the Bears, I think they will be around 7-9 actually, Cutler will get you some yards, and throw some TDs but he will also throw some picks, like the one he threw at the end of the game where he just chucked it up there, but because of the pass interference call, by another player, it was wiped off. The Steelers have a tough game vs the Ravens this week, but even assuming they lose 3-1 is a good start without your starting QB. KC has had some easy games considering the 49ers have just been so bad, even though a lot of people picked them to win the NFC West, I was not one of them, so I am going to say that no team, yes NO team that is 3-0 will make the playoffs. KC and the Bears really isn't going out on a limb, but the Steelers may surprise some people, but I think they will not make the playoffs and I am sticking with my AFC picks of the Colts, Pats, Ravens, SD, Jets and Texans.

The Giants ruined my Sunday big time this week. It wasn't just that they lost to the Titans, I can take losses, but the way they lost. Two turnovers inside the 10, a clip called in the end zone that was a safety instead of a long pass, lots and lots of stupid uncalled for 15 yard dead ball fouls, The Titians did some cheap shots and some late hits but you have to be smart, you can't keep going after guys when the play is over right in front of the refs, I mean come on. They didn't punt the entire game, but still couldn't score. It was a disgrace. Hopefully they can bounce back as they play the Bears at home this week. I think they can regroup and go to 2-2 and give he Bears their first win.

The Texans got caught up in the moment, and the Cowboys finally thought they should play and took it to them. Now everyone is back on the Cowboys, they have enough talent that they will win the East, though the Eagles and Mike Vick look much much better then I thought they would, but I don't think the Cowboys will come out of the NFC.

Some good match ups next week and it should be a great weekend of football, since there are some great college games on Saturday as well. I'm right, you're wrong.

MAC's "big" Saturday

The Mid-American conference does what it can to get any type of national spot light, If it means playing a lot of their games mid-week so they can be stand alone games on epsn or espn2, they will do it. If it means playing a bunch of Big Ten teams on the road, they will do it. This Saturday 8 MAC teams played at Big Ten teams. two of them, Toledo and NIU won, beating Purdue and Minnesota. Temple did start out great against PSU and scored 13 points in the first quarter, sadly for them, they didn't score again, and lose 22-13. CMU also played Northwestern close for most of the game, it was 13-13 at halftime, but the Wildcats took control in the 3rd, leading 30-13, before the Chips came back to make it a game, at 30-25, but a onside kick was not recovered with just over a minute left and that was the game. CMU made too many mistakes to win, missing a field goal and two PATs, as well as turning the ball over three times. They need to get those problems fixed, but if they do, they could still be a force in the MAC. It does look like Toledo will be the team to beat in the MAC West. Some of the MAC teams didn't fair so well as Ball State got rolled 45-0 at Iowa, Michigan put up 65 on BG, and of course the worst MAC team, if not worst team in the country, Eastern Michigan went to OSU and somehow scored 20... but they gave up 73. The other MAC-Big Ten match ups was Akron at IU, which was close for awhile. Two other MAC schools had "big" games against the Big East, Buffalo vs UCONN, and the Big 12, Miami Oh at Mizzu. Uconn won 45-21, while Mizzu had no problems with the Redhawks 51-13.

For the rest of the nation:

Auburn beat south car at home after a nice come back

Bama had a great come back on the road to beat Arkansas

Boise handled Oregon State at home

Texas got rolled at home to UCLA

Cinci played OK very tough, and almost got the win, but couldn't finish, loosing 31-29

The college football weekend got started with da U going to Pitt and destroying them 31-3.

SMU played well for a half at home vs TCU, but the second half belonged to TCU winning 41-24

NC State continues to be one of the surprise teams in the nation, as they handled UGA Tech 45-28, and are now ranked.

The Big East has no teams in the top 25, as WVU feel out after loosing at LSU 20-14.

FL had no problem with Ken, as they get ready for Bama next week.

Next week there will be a lot more big games, so I am looking forward to that. CMU plays Ball State in their conference home opener, and after a three game road trip, I am ready to go to K/S for another CMU win.. hopefully they will bounce back nicely. I'm right, you're wrong.

NFL week two

The Cowboys and Viks are 0-2. KC and Tampa Bay are 2-0. That is all you need to know about the NFL. You never know. I didn't think the Bucks would win one game all year and they are 2-0. I still don't see them winning more then three or four, but who knows. The Cowboys now go to Houston to play the 2-0 Texans... remember who picked them to be good this year, this guy, and I do think the Texans will win this game. The crowd will be hyped and the Texans have a good team, the only thing that worries me, is they already played in Houston in preseason and the Texans killed them, I just worry about that, I think the Cowboys will know what to expect going in their now, and be ready.. I still think the Texans will win though.

The Lions made a nice comeback but lost to the Eagles by three. They recovered a onside kick but couldn't move the ball at all with four in completions in a row, after some questionable play calls IMO. BTW, Vick should start at QB for the Eagles, not question about it, he has earned it. But Andy Reid doesn't see it this way, he doesn't want any of the questions, so he is sticking with Kevin K as long as he can play.

My Giants got rolled by the Colts, which worries me. Not that they lost, since I thought they would, but to be down 24-0 at halftime and lose 38-14 and for the offensive line to not give Eli anytime, and Eli not making good choices most of the time anyway, and the Defense wasn't able to stop the run, and the offense never got the running game going that is one bad combination, and something that worries me. I don't think this team is great, but I would like them to at least be in the playoff picture, and win 9 or 10 games. With them, the Skins and Eagles all being 1-1 and Dallas being 0-2 of course any of those teams could win the division now, but you don't want to give up 38 points.

The Seahawks got beat one week after beating up on the 49ers, who are now 0-2 after a tough close lost to the Saints, but at Denver is a tough place to play and I still like the Seahawks to win the NFC west, because I don't trust Alex Smith.

Andre Johnson had a game like I expect him to have, and my fantasy teams thank him, even though Chris Johnson didn't. I did got 3-0 in fantasy this week, so that's good, after going 1-2 last week.

The Jets backed up all their talking for one week at the beat the Pats, the game was in Jersey though, so we shall see what happens, I still like the Pats to win the AFC east.

I was surprised the Ravens lost to the Bengals, maybe Cinci will have a better year then I thought they would. The Steelers keep finding ways to win, and a big shout out to "down town" Antonio Brown, as the ex Chippewa scored a touchdown in his first NFL touch of his career on a reverse off a kick off return. I wonder if Steeler fans will start chanting "touchdown brown" before every kick and punt that he is back there for, like us CMU fans did for the last few years.

The Packers are going to be a tough team to beat this year, I hope my preseason picks are wrong and it is the Packers in the super bowl, cause I don't want it to be the viks, vs the Colts, or Ravens. I'm right, you're wrong.

College Football wrap up- week 3

I should have got to this before now, but oh well. In a week where there wasn't a lot of hype leading up to the week because of a lack of "big time" games, there was a lot of good games this week, and way more then last week, IMO even though last week got all the hype.

Fl vs Tenn would be the normal "big" game in the 3rd weekend of September but the Vols have fallen off a bit, and even FL is not a national threat this year IMO, so Fl one but not really anything special there

NC State destroyed Cinci, Southern Miss destroyed Kansas, figure them out, they beat UGA Tech, who was ranked at the time, but have lost to a FCS school and southern miss. Cal also got waxed by Nevada. In college football if you are not a top team, OSU, Bama ect, you really can get beat by anyone week in and week out.

Nebraska rolled Washington at Washington, if everyone can stop bringing up Jack Lockers' name now that would be great.

Moving on to some good games.

Texas Tech held their own against Texas and that was a very good game most of the way.

Clemson and Auburn was a very good game, that QB for Auburn Cam Newton is a stud, about 6'6, built, has some speed, good arm, he is going to be fun to watch for the next few years. Auburn made a nice comeback and won in OT, after a made FG by Clemson was called back by a flag, and then the kick was missed 5 yards back. Nice win for them, and a tough loss for Clemson, who played very very well in the first half, and couldn't hang on.

Michigan showed they are not there yet against UMASS, UMASS isn't bad, but if you want to be a top team you need to take care of business, look at what Ohio State did to Ohio. You need to get out on them early and that way you can play some of your back ups. The fact that Robinson had to play so much in the game for them to get the win is a loss to me. BG should be easier, because I don't think they are as good as UMASS, enough FCS teams have shown they are good football program, and top teams from that division can give most teams in the FBS a game. The other funny thing about Robinson is, and it just shows how great his start has been, he had 345 yards of total offense and 3 touchdowns and that was a "down" game for him.

MSU-ND- MSU is really trying to matter in the national scene. OT at home in prime time on national TV and you run a fake FG for the win. I love the call, it reminds me of something I would do in video games, that you wouldn't do in real life because if it doesn't work you are in trouble. The thing is though, it wasn't a sure thing kick, especially with their kicker, so it really wasn't much of a gamble. But what a great call, this was a really good game, but it does take a back seat to Dantonio having a small heart attack and being out for awhile. Northern Colorado shouldn't give MSU any problems, but then home vs Wisconsin and at Michigan is not a easy big ten start, I really see them being 0-2 to start big ten play. They played ok against ND, but two things, one, ND really isn't that good yet, and two, they gave up a lot of yards, especially in the air. They do have a good running game though, so I think they can win 8 games or so, but I still don't think they are a 10 win team, like most of their fans do.

Good to see Mark Ingram is back, and doing ok, he had over 100 yards in the first quarter... be it, against Duke, but still, he's a stud.

Arkansas had a nice win on the road at UGA, for Mallet's first road win. Setting up a real big game at Arkansas this Saturday vs Bama. I am not sold on Arkansas at all, and I think Bama will win by 2-3 scores.

Zona had a nice win over Iowa, which I did pick right in my pick-um league. Not that Iowa is bad, but I do think the were a little overrated, and going out west, on the road, it's hot there, against a good team, that was going to be a tough game for them. Zona may be Oregon's only threat for the PAC-10 title, since USC can't win it. I'm right, you're wrong.

The Wife Fires Back...

A Short time ago I posted a post about my experiences with Trey Zeigler who I got to coach at Mt Pleasant High School, and who turned down UCLA, MSU, Michigan, and Duke, among others to stay home and play for his dad at CMU. Here is the link, if you want to take a look at that, or another look, if you already have read it.

http://schwandasports.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-life-with-trey.html

Well now my wonderful wife has responded, and I must say, though it mocks me, it is really really funny, and I would call it a must read.... Here it is:



Who is Trey Zeigler and why is he stealing my husband from me?


You know how every woman has that one person in their partner’s past that are a bit jealous over because of how important that person was to him? It just seems like no matter what you do, nothing will ever compare to how well -insert the little bimbo’s name here- did it? Or how about those times where you run into that same stupid bimbo out with your partner and you cringe as you watch how his face lights up and he acts like a silly school boy in her presence.

Well my situation is a little different than that one, though creepily similar.

First I need to add some background to the story. My husband loves sports. When I say love, I do not just mean that he really likes sports a lot, or that he participates in the same ritual of stuffing one hand down the pants and a beer in the other hand on game day as many men do. I do not even mean that he gets in a foul mood when his team loses, or that he owns many team jerseys and watches every game like clockwork. No, he LOVES sports, like a love that, in his words, is comparable to the love he has for me. The same “I would do anything for you” or “I can’t live without you” passion. He is obsessed. His life, in many ways, literally revolves around it. His heart feels the same kind of pain as a scorned lover when his team does poorly. In fact, his emotions are more likely to run rampant at a sporting event than ANY OTHER event in his life. What do I mean by this? Cry on his wedding day when he marries the love of his life? Nope. How about the day his daughter is born? Nah. Or when his beloved grandfather dies? Not even then. But what about when his high school lacrosse team loses their last game his senior year? BRING ON THE FLOOD GATES!

With a man like this, I have nothing to worry about when it comes to another woman: past, present, or future. But what I do have to worry about is a boy named Trey Ziegler, who has stolen the heart of my husband and has me a bit jealous.

So who is Trey Ziegler? Well to me, he is a boy who just graduated from high school, has a good family, and has some talent playing basketball. No big whoop, nothing to get your panties in a twist over, he is a kid. He also had to make a decision about where he was going to college this year (as most kids do), and after knowing he could go pretty much anywhere in this country, settled on the very prestigious, ever-exciting, located in the action-packed metropolis of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan (which is where he graduated from high school): Central Michigan University. He is one of the many, almost 4,000 other kids who made that same decision this year. Nothing special, right? Who the heck cares, this affects my life in absolutely no way whatsoever.

Well, if you ask my husband, I am very wrong. Color me stupid, because Trey Ziegler is not “just a kid who can play basketball,” he is apparently a god-like man who can dribble the ball on water and each basket he makes saves the lives of many sick children. The fact that CMU was able to score (no pun intended) such a gem like Trey is the equivalent of finding a magical leprechaun who not only grants you the one wish you always wanted but throws in a pot of gold for extra measure. Trey makes my husband feel like much more than just an assistant varsity basketball coach of a little high school in Michigan. He makes him feel like he has celebrity status because my husband was “privileged” enough to coach him and be his friend. My husband turns into a giddy school boy when talking about Trey: his eyes light up, a smile spreads across his face, and he puffs out his chest in pride. Trey Ziegler is the person that I feel I will never live up to for the simple, stupid fact that I have zero talent in sports.

So what is so darn special about that kid Trey Ziegler? Well, he plays basketball well. Quite well, I suppose. But never fear, because I have just as many, and in my opinion, more important talents, too. In fact, right now I am using my super womanly powers to grow a baby in my belly, beat that Trey!!!

I will never understand my husband’s obsession with sports and Trey, but I suppose I can just deal with it and be glad that I am sometimes important enough to be seen with him at CMU basketball games (which I also like to attend…notice I didn’t say love…basketball games and I are “just friends”). And I am glad that we have a good player like Trey on our team, even though I do believe he is just a mere mortal and won’t kiss the ground he walks on or pretend that he is some huge celebrity. But I do respect my husband’s passion and will be there cheering on the wonderful Chippewa’s this season, as I am every season…except this one will most likely include many eye rolls at my husband.

Love you, Steve.

NFL week one

The NFL is the hardest league to figure out. I thought Tampa Bay Bucks may not win a game all year, they win week one. You think the Viks and Saints will play a offensive shootout, nope. Dallas, as much as I hate them should win the east and the Skins will struggle, nope. The Chargers are by far the best team in the AFC West they wouldn't have any troubles with KC right, nope. At least some things I was right about. The Texans did beat the Colts, I wouldn't worry too much, or at all, if I was a Colts fan. That game meant a lot more to the Texans then it did to the Colts, the Colts know they are a good team, they know they will make the playoffs, the Texans is the team that has to show it will. I have already said I think the Texans will win a wild card spot in the AFC, now they need to keep this going.

The Jets showed the problems they still have last night, for all the people talking about them like they are a super bowl team they still have lots of problems. The Ravens are going to be tough to beat, and I think 13-3 for them is about right.

I am very happy my Giants did win, but they need to run the ball better, and Eli can't throw 3 picks. The Panthers may be worse then 7-9, we shall see.

The Lions thought they won, and then they didn't, I am not a Lions fan, but many many people I know are and I feel bad for them that they keep finding ways to lose, to me it was the right call, it is just a stupid rule. How can you throw the ball basically at the pylon and as long as the ball touches it before any part of your body touches the ground it's a TD, but if you catch the ball, come down with both feet, have your butt hit, a elbow hit, and then roll over and put the ball down on the ground and it comes out, it isn't. Just a messed up rule. Saying that, the Lions were up 14-3 and let the game get away, that has a lot to do with Stafford's injury and hopefully he will be ok. They now have a big home game vs Phili and most likely Mike Vick. I think the Eagles will win that game, but for all of my Lions fan friends out there I hope I am wrong.

The end of the skins-cowboys game made me so happy, I can't even put it in to words. I hate the cowboys more then any team in the NFL so to see that team with all their "talent" and all this hype to lose a game like that to the Skins is just great. I also think they gave Miles Austin too much money, too soon, but whatever, do what you want. The Cowboys should still be fine, but I hope they are not.

The Steelers found a way to win, got to give them credit, now they go to Tennessee, that is a game I think the Titans will win. ATL is such a hard team to get a read on.

I was right, at least for one week, about the Seahawks, if they are healthy they still have the best qb in the division imo and that helps a lot. They have a great home field advantage and they have a coach that is very upbeat and brings in a winning attitude. The 49ers, to me, showed they have talent, but they don't know how to win yet.

Not a bad week one in the NFL, besides me going 1-2 in fantasy football. Looking forward to the rest of the week, some big games this week as well, that I will talk about as we get closer. I'm right, you're wrong.

The Post season is here

The CMU keeper baseball league starts their playoffs this week, and while this year was the closest in the history of the league, with 7 teams all having 7 wins or more, only 4 make it to the playoffs. Noodle Swingers is the first place team with a record of 14-8, and half of those losses were the first four weeks of the year. The swingers are lead by a strong pitching staff lead by Verlander and Lee and also the power bats of Teixerira, Dunn and Konerko, as well as Victor Martinez. Swingers manager Sean T has been very busy this year making 45 moves, 3rd highest in the league. So far the moves as paid off and he will face the 4th seed Maggs is Innocent in the semi finals. They are lead by Miguel Cabrera, Dan Uggla, and Evan Longoria. They also have Manny and Brain Roberts to lead a strong offense. They have a strong rotation as well. The teams have played twice this year with each team winning once but I believe the swingers are too powerful and will win the semi final match up 9-4.

In the other semi it is league commish, and his league high 79 moves, yes 79, playing the 2 seed off in the words, aka the tieing machine. Off in the words has 11 wins, just like a few teams that didn't make the playoffs, the differences, the team only has a league best 6 losses all year, because they also have 5 ties. Off in the words offense is lead by Joey Votto, Matt Kemp and BJ Upton, but the strong point of their team is their pitching. Lackey, Jimenez, sanchez and Roy Halladay are just some of their strong starters on this team, as well as having Matt Capps in the pen. They are 2-0-1 vs Lil rumor this year, and I don't see them loosing the pitching match up. Though lil rumor will be adding and dropping a lot in trying to get the most players to play each day, since he puts the work in to get that cash. I see Off in the words having just enough and winning 7-6. Rumor will be lead by Jon Lester and the hard throwing stud Aroldis Chapman, while his offense is very strong with Jason Heywood, Cano, Rollins, Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. I see Lil Rumor being very strong again next year as well.

In the finals I like the Swingers to beat Off in the Words 8-6. Lil Rumor will win the 3rd place game however 7-6.

Over Hyped Saturday

We have heard for a long time now about the big games in the second week of the college football season, OK vs FSU, da U at the shoe, Bama and PSU, and of course Mich-ND always play the second game of the year, well besides the Michigan-ND game all the others disappointed me. I will take a short look at some of the games I got a chance to see some of.

UGA vs South Car- Real nice win for the gamecocks, uga had some turnover problems and south car took advantage, big win for them, and tough way for uga to start the SEC season

Free shoe vs OK- Well either one of two things happened, I really underrated OK after a sloppy first game last week, or I really overrated free shoe. FSU just got killed. Loosing 47-17. For a team that is suppose to be a top 20 team in the nation playing in a big game you need to play better then that.

da U playing in the shoe- OSU played ok and got a nice 12 point win here but they still have some problems, they gave up a kick and a punt return for a td, and really it was the U who helped them out the most, J Harris being the main helper, throwing 4 picks on the day. One big one inside the ten when the score was 26-17. Harris has thrown 12 picks in da U's last five losses. He needs to not turn the ball over for them to do well... I know, expert breakdown by me.

Bama- PSU- freshmen qb on the road for his first start at the defending national champions... at night, come on. Next year maybe this can be a decent game in happy valley, but this year PSU had no chance and lost by three touchdowns, 24-3. Even without the Heisman trophy winner, Bama has more then enough talent to win games.

Oregon-Tenn- Tenn was doing well, and at one point was actually leading the game 13-3. Looking at the score now with a few minutes to go in the game, it is now 48-13 Oregon. Getting beat like that at home will not sit well with the Vol fans. Oregon has a lot of talented backs, they are going to go to the rose bowl again.

Mich-ND- So for the second year in a row a qb making his second career start has a big day against ND to lead a come from behind win for Michigan. Last year Tate, this year D. "shoelace" Robinson just put on another show. Last week against UCONN was one thing, but this was on the road in ND, and all he does in his first career road start is have 502 yards of total offense. Yes, you are reading that right, 502 yards of total offense for one guy. When you have a QB who can break 87 yard TD runs and finish over 200 yards passing and running, you are going to be tough to beat. Because as many times as he ran, he still was 24-40 passing, so you have to worry about his arm too. ND did show a lot the way they fought back, and they did have to use three QBs, but the second half when the starter could return, it was a great game. Really ND had a good chance at the end of the game, getting it all the way down to the 26 or so, even though Michigan scored with just 27 seconds left to go up 4, 27-24. The last play of the game was thrown out of the end zone, you can't do that, have to give your team a chance. Michigan most likely will be ranked now, and once again their fans will talk about how good they are and how they have a Heisman candidate at QB. Last year things didn't work out after a 4-0 start, this year, it remains to be seen, but the way Robinson is playing right now, they are going to be in some games, and should have a much better year.

MSU had a closer then one might think game with FL Atlantic, my old roommate who was there said they didn't look too good. We will see how they come out next week playing ND at home in prime time. I will promise one thing, their students will be hammered.

Tomorrow the NFL season really gets under way, I know the Saints and Viks starting on Thursday, some nice match ups for week one. Texans vs Colts, is a game I think will be the biggest. The Texans need to take that step, and if you read my preseason picks, you know that I think they will. I am actually going to the Tigers game tomorrow, I haven't been yet this year, and I have to go to at least one a year, so I am going to go with my wife and daughter and cheer them on, one last time this year, before I just focus on Football, and then Basketball. USA in the gold medal game tomorrow at 2pm vs the host nation Turkey, Kevin Durant is a stud, that's all I need to say. I'm right, you're wrong.

NFL Season Picks

The NFL season is here! No really it is, the first game is tomorrow, so it is my last chance to get my season picks on here before the games start. For those of you who haven't seen my picks before I take each game and pick a winner and then total up the number of wins for each team, so the win/loss records will not be right, since that doesn't factor injuries or going west for a early game, or what ever, it is just me quickly looking at the game and picking the better team to win. So here we go.

AFC:

North:

Pitt: 11-6- tough start early but they will have a nice season, but no playoffs

Browns: 2-14- they are bad

Ravens: 13-3- win the division.

Cinci: 6-10- just a ticking time bomb

South:

Colts: 14-2- win the division

Texans: 12-4- yeah, I'm all in on them this year, I like this team. Wild card team.

Jags: 8-8- Not bad, not great

Titans: 8-8- see Jags

East:

Mia: 5-11- Not crazy about them this year

Pats: 14-2- Win division, sorry, they are still the best team in this division

Jets: 12-4- They will still have a great year though. Wild card team.

Bills: 1-15- They are terrible

West:

SD: 13-3- Win division.. easy.

KC: 3-13- May get up to 5 wins

Raiders: 4-12- Think this is right where they will be, 5 wins tops

Denver: 7-9- sorry but I can't seem them doing better then 8-8.

AFC Playoffs:

Ravens beat Jets
Texans beat SD

Indy beats Ravens
Pats beat Texans

Indy beats Pats

NFC:

North:

Packers: 13-3- I like this team a lot this year. wild card team.

Viks: 14-2- win division, I don't like this, but I really think Farve has one more year in him

Bears: 3-13- Don't like this team at all

Lions: 6-11- I think they will be better, they are getting there.

South:

ATL: 9-7- I don't know about this team, they could win 12 games, or be 7-9

Saints: 14-2- At first I was going to pick them to have a bad year, but I have changed my mind, they will win the division and have a good regular season record.

TB: 0-16- I am sure they can find a way to get one win, but they are really bad.

Car: 7-9- I think this will be their record.

East:

Dallas: 10-6- They will win the division

Skins: 4-12- Too many question marks for me

Phili: 3-13- I am sure they will win more then 3 games, but I don't like them this year, I just don't.

Giants: 10-6- I am hoping my G-Men can put together 10 wins and a wild card spot.

West:

SF: 10-6- Nice year just missing a wild card spot

Seattle: 11-5- Yep, I went there, I am taking them to win the division.

Cards: 6-10- They will take a big step back

Rams: 1-15- They thank the Bucks so they are only the second worst team in the league.

NFC Playoffs:

Packers over Dallas
Giants over Seattle

Packers over Saints
Viks over Giants

Viks over Packers

Super Bowl: Viks over Colts 28-21- Farve has one more good year in him and will lead this team to the title, and then finally retire, for good... I hope. I'm right, you're wrong.