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.
Monday, September 13, 2010
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
My Life with Trey
"Where’s Trey going?" It’s the question that I got asked the most over the last 3 years. Not because I graduated from CMU where his dad is the head coach, and not even because I am a basketball analyst for Chippewa Country, CMU rivals site, it’s because I am on staff at Mt. Pleasant High School on the boys varsity basketball team and for the last four years I have had the honor and privilege to coach Trey Zeigler, a 4 star basketball recruit who is a top 30 player in the nation. . Four years ago when I met Trey he was a 6’3 skinny semi shy freshmen in high school, today he is a 6’5 stronger, much more confident and better overall player who is a freshmen in college, and though he has a lot of god given talents, make no mistake about it he is where he is today because he works very hard. I have watched him grow up, content the first few years of high school just playing. He was the best basketball player on our team from the first day he stepped in to the gym but he didn’t always act like it. His freshmen year we had a lot of seniors on the team and he let them do their thing. Even as a sophomore he didn’t totally lead the team. By his junior year however he fully took over. He was going to be the leader both on and off the court; he was going to make sure we had successful seasons. Even though I know he wishes we could have been more successful we still won 4 district titles and got to 4 regional finals during his 4 years here. In two of those years we lost to the eventual state champion in the regional final. His senior year was the best, a 21-4 record and a conference championship and he finished runner-up for Mr. Basketball, the state’s top individual award.
Over the last few years most of the cool people I have meet and the great things I was able to see was because of Trey. I got to sit court side in Ann Arbor at a Michigan-Michigan State game because of Trey, and go in to the locker room afterwards and talk with the coaches and players. I got to sit 3 rows behind MSU’s bench this past year for the Michigan game in East Lansing because of Trey. I have got a chance to meet coaches from Michigan, Michigan State, Duke, UCLA, Notre Dame, Providence, Louisville, LSU, Miami Fl, Oklahoma, ASU, and Arizona to name a few, because of Trey. I got a book autographed by Mike Krzyzewski and had a chance to talk to him because of Trey. For all these great things and many more that I got because of him, I don’t really think I ever gave him anything.
The only down side was being asked all the time about where he was going. Friends from high school who graduated from Michigan or MSU would find me on facebook and ask me, people would call, email, and ask me on message boards assuming I knew. I always told them the same thing; I would give them the school list and tell them I have no idea where he was going to go. Sometimes maybe I would give a guess, Michigan, or maybe UCLA, but I never knew. He never told me. In a way, I am happy he didn’t because then I didn’t have to lie when people asked me where he was going, but the truth is, he didn’t know either. Most people might find this hard to believe but it’s true. Recently I asked him if he kept it from me so I didn’t have to lie or because he didn’t want it getting out “No I really didn’t know until the Sunday before my press conference” Trey said.
When he did pick CMU of course I was very happy, to be honest I was surprised, but very happy. I always knew that the Zeigler’s are a very close family, and a wonderful family at that, and staying close was important for them. But I also think Butler’s run to the title game helped to. Players all over could see it can happen anywhere. Looking back at it now I wondered how was it for him, so I asked him what the best and worst part of the recruiting process is. The worst part I think shouldn’t surprise anyone. “The questions for sure.” As for the best part Trey said this “Talking to all the coaches, and all the fans showing you love and support.” I can attest to the love they show. When we were down at MSU, it was amazing how many people would stop him as he was walking and say “hey it’s got to be state right” or “you would look good in green” everyone knew who he was. I was popular by association just for walking in with him.
I then starting to worry that I was too annoying during the process myself. My love for CMU comes behind only my love for God, my Daughter and my wife, and I make that very well known, but I never want to pressure anyone to go somewhere they don't want to go, and I hope that it didn’t happen with Trey. So I asked him to make sure. “I think the people who were close to the situation did a great job not pressure me.”
Just what I wanted to, because all I tried to do was let Trey know that I care about him, and to be honest, I love him, and would support what ever he chooses to do. I really feel that is why he has become such a great young man, it’s because all the people around him support him and would have gotten behind any choice he made. I’m just really glad he chose to become part of my CMU Basketball Family. Because we have had a coach and player relationship and even a friendship, but now, we are something much more, we are family. It’s a great time to be a Chippewa!
Over the last few years most of the cool people I have meet and the great things I was able to see was because of Trey. I got to sit court side in Ann Arbor at a Michigan-Michigan State game because of Trey, and go in to the locker room afterwards and talk with the coaches and players. I got to sit 3 rows behind MSU’s bench this past year for the Michigan game in East Lansing because of Trey. I have got a chance to meet coaches from Michigan, Michigan State, Duke, UCLA, Notre Dame, Providence, Louisville, LSU, Miami Fl, Oklahoma, ASU, and Arizona to name a few, because of Trey. I got a book autographed by Mike Krzyzewski and had a chance to talk to him because of Trey. For all these great things and many more that I got because of him, I don’t really think I ever gave him anything.
The only down side was being asked all the time about where he was going. Friends from high school who graduated from Michigan or MSU would find me on facebook and ask me, people would call, email, and ask me on message boards assuming I knew. I always told them the same thing; I would give them the school list and tell them I have no idea where he was going to go. Sometimes maybe I would give a guess, Michigan, or maybe UCLA, but I never knew. He never told me. In a way, I am happy he didn’t because then I didn’t have to lie when people asked me where he was going, but the truth is, he didn’t know either. Most people might find this hard to believe but it’s true. Recently I asked him if he kept it from me so I didn’t have to lie or because he didn’t want it getting out “No I really didn’t know until the Sunday before my press conference” Trey said.
When he did pick CMU of course I was very happy, to be honest I was surprised, but very happy. I always knew that the Zeigler’s are a very close family, and a wonderful family at that, and staying close was important for them. But I also think Butler’s run to the title game helped to. Players all over could see it can happen anywhere. Looking back at it now I wondered how was it for him, so I asked him what the best and worst part of the recruiting process is. The worst part I think shouldn’t surprise anyone. “The questions for sure.” As for the best part Trey said this “Talking to all the coaches, and all the fans showing you love and support.” I can attest to the love they show. When we were down at MSU, it was amazing how many people would stop him as he was walking and say “hey it’s got to be state right” or “you would look good in green” everyone knew who he was. I was popular by association just for walking in with him.
I then starting to worry that I was too annoying during the process myself. My love for CMU comes behind only my love for God, my Daughter and my wife, and I make that very well known, but I never want to pressure anyone to go somewhere they don't want to go, and I hope that it didn’t happen with Trey. So I asked him to make sure. “I think the people who were close to the situation did a great job not pressure me.”
Just what I wanted to, because all I tried to do was let Trey know that I care about him, and to be honest, I love him, and would support what ever he chooses to do. I really feel that is why he has become such a great young man, it’s because all the people around him support him and would have gotten behind any choice he made. I’m just really glad he chose to become part of my CMU Basketball Family. Because we have had a coach and player relationship and even a friendship, but now, we are something much more, we are family. It’s a great time to be a Chippewa!
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