Wednesday, September 29, 2010

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.

Monday, September 27, 2010

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.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

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.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

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.

Monday, September 13, 2010

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.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

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.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

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.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Kickoff weekend

I am just getting back from Higgins Lake and had a nice time with the fam. First CMU did ok and won 33-0 over Hampton. They had a few first game mistakes, and Hampton is bad, so we will find out a little more on Thursday when they play at Temple. Saturday could not work out better for me. I am at the Cottage with only one TV, and my daughter and wife and her grandparents and of course my daughter wants to go out side and play all day.. I just want to sit around and watch college football. So what happens? in yet another example of how much God loves me, it is cold and raining all day. Oh how saw, lol. So I got to lay around and watch a lot of the college football I wanted to watch. There is one big game that begins in about a half and hour but I will talk about a few of the games that already happened.

Michigan looked good, well let me changed that, D Robinson looked good. Got to wait and see on them, remember this is the same team that was 4-0 last year and #18 in the nation, and finished 5-7.

MSU destroyed Western after a slow start. Which makes me happy, because not only do I like MSU, besides some of their stupid fans who think they are a elite program, and being a CMU grad I do not like western Michigan at all, and that is the nicest way I can say that. Again, like Michigan, MSU has a long way to go if they want to go 11-1 like some of their fans think they will. I'm telling you, they are entertaining

ND looked decent against a Purdue team that who knows how good they will be. I can't say I am happy about that, never been a ND fan and the fact that now ex CMU coach Brain Kelly is there, I want them to fail even more.

The other Ex-CMU coach at a BCS program now is our last coach Butch Jones at Cinci, who was up 14-0 on Fresno State, so I turned off the game and went to bed, well I guess the Cinci football team stopped playing too, as Fresno won 28-14. I am not too happy about that, I wish Coach Jones well, if you wonder the difference, there are a few things: 1) BK is a good coach, but he is a huge A hole, and only cares about himself, he also left right after he told his players he would not after a MAC title. 2) I believe Coach Jones did all he could to better the team while he was here. 3) I got to know his wife rather well, as I coached his oldest son in Basketball and she is a wonderful lady, and she gave me a lot of CMU stuff.

UNC made a great comeback on LSU, but just couldn't get it done in the end with all those players out. Plus LSU is a good program. Butch Davis has done a great job at UNC though and they could be a very tough team to beat, if they get their guys back

Utah beat Pitt in OT in a very good game. Dion Lewis is the best RB in the nation, but had a bad game for him for Pitt and Utah is a very tough team to beat on the road, they have won 18 games at home in a row now I believe. It was funny how Pitt missed a kick at the end of the game, but a time out by the Utah coach gave the kicker another chance, and he made it, only to have Pitt throw a pick on the first play of OT and Utah kick a FG for the win.

TCU beats Oregon Sate, but to me, it showed me they are overrated. They are not a top ten team if they barly beat Oregon State, who is in the 20's. Unless Oregon State is better then people think, but I don't. TCU is a good team, but not a top ten team.

Looking forward to Boise and Va Tech, now starting in about ten minutes. I would like to see Boise win, but I think Va Tech will win, if it was at Boise no question they win, but Va Tech is a very good football team as well. Should be a good game though. Tomorrow I will do my NFL picks. I'm right, you're wrong

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Just in Time

Football is back, for real, tonight, as a few college games kick off the 2010 season. One of those games is my alma mater CMU, who will host Hampton at 7pm. I am looking forward to taking the short drive from Alma up to Mt. Pleasant for the first game under new coach Dan Enos. I am just excited about the season. There are a lot of questions to be answered and I am just glad the season is under way and those questions will begin to be answered.

The Big Ten (12) announced their two divisions for football only starting in 2011. I have lived in Michigan since I was about 4, I'm 27 now, so I have been watching big ten sports for a long time, so I will give my thoughts on the divisions. One division has Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, MSU, Minnesota and Northwestern, and the other has OSU, PSU, Wisconsin, Ill, Purdue and Indiana. Michigan and OSU being in different divisions surprise me, but they will still play ever year. Which means they could play twice a year, if both won their divisions, they would play again in the big ten title game. The game looks to be moved towards the middle of the year, instead of at the end. I think they should make it at the beginning of the year, it would be the big national game every year, start a new tradition. Nebraska is not a bad team this year and should be solid at least for years to come, but I really think Michigan's division is way easier. Iowa is good now, but just a few years ago they were not, and they are not a great tradition rich program. MSU isn't half as good at football then most of their fans think they are, but they could get to some big ten title games, if they have Ill and IU as cross over games, and not have to play OSU, PSU or Wisconsin. Traditionally I see Michigan and Nebraska as the two powers of one conference, with Iowa enjoying some success now, MSU being a 7-8 win team a year, and then Minnesota and Northwestern being towards the bottom, usually. The other division you have three very good programs, Ill and Purdue who ever so often are good, and then IU who sucks out loud. That division is strong at the top, but weak at the bottom. I am surprised by the divisions being what they are, but I guess they did want to break it up as fair as possible, I mean if you went east/west, and put Michigan, MSU, PSU, OSU, ILL and Northwestern in one, and Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minn, Iowa, Purdue and IU in the other, that wouldn't really be fair, traditionally as you would be giving Wisconsin or Nebraska a division title basically ever year, I know Iowa is good now, but I really don't see them has a strong program for years to come. It will be interesting to watch, luck will have a lot to do with it depending on who your cross over games are against and where you have to play them. To think Michigan may have to go to Nebraska, MSU and PSU and then play OSU at home, or something would be a very tough schedule for them. Of course a team like MSU will most likely get lucky, only have to play OSU ever few years, and they may get IU and Purdue in cross over games, play Nebraska at home, and have to play at Michigan, while they are still rebuilding and MSU may even get to a big ten title game, though they will not deserve it, and would get killed by OSU, as we saw a few years ago in E Lansing. It's hard to believe that I am a MSU fan, but I am. I really do like MSU, I just get tired of their fan base talking about their football program like it is some elite program. NO, your basketball program is elite, your football programs hasn't won the rose bowl since 1988. Like last year when CMU beat them and their fans before the game talked about how they are going to kill us, and it will not be within 21 points, not thinking that they had a new qb, we had a 4 year starter, who has the most touchdowns in the history of FBS, we believed we were going to win, and played like it

Anyway, it's time to shower and get ready for this game. only a few more hrs till kickoff, I can't wait, Fire up Chips. I'm right, you're wrong.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Another tough one for the Tigers

The Tigers were up 3-0 vs the Twins in Minn, everything was going good, and then, the offense stooped and the Twins did what they seem to always do, find a way to win. Coming all the way back and winning 4-3. It's the Tigers 4th one lose game in the last ten, two of those were in extra innings. They still have two more games left in this series, but they needed a sweep if they wanted any chance to make this interesting. Their season is basically over... and it's September 1st, time for some call ups. Roster expand and even more guys from Toledo will be able to get some nice experience in Detroit. I will still watch games, and still support the team, I am looking forward to seeing how some of the young guys play.

One thing I have to bring up from last nights game, Casper Wells is 3 for 3 with two doubles and in the 8th inning Leyland pinch hit for him, because a righty was in the game now. Leyland does the lefty/lefty righty/righty thing way too much. If a guy is hot and playing well, leave him in. He is clearly seeing the ball well and is in a grove, much more then a guy who is cold sitting on the bench and isn't in the game. Of course it ended in a ground out. Who knows if Wells would have gotten a hit and maybe the inning would have been differently, but give the kid a chance, he is playing well. Leyland over manages a lot IMO. Sometimes you just have to ride the hot players out and stop looking at what this guys numbers are against right handers in night games after the 7th inning.

CMU football starts tomorrow, I am pump. They are just playing Hampton, but football is football and I am happy it is back. Fall is here, we just need the weather to get the memo, it's been way too hot in Michigan this week. Hockey and Basketball will be here before we know it to, it's just a get time of year. My prediction, CMU 42 Hampton 7.

After a close call vs Brazil Team USA will play Iran today at noon in the world championship. I am going to say they will have no problems with Iran at all. I think the close game with Brazil will serve as this teams wake up call that they need to play as a team, and not turn the ball over if they want to win this tournament. Rebounding could be a problem with this team because their lack of team size, but it takes five guys to rebound, and if all five on the floor take pride in boxing out their man, they are long enough and athletic enough to be fine. I'm right, you're wrong.