NFL Results

Picking Spreads: 2-2

Season Spreads: 45-30

Picking Winners: 2-2

Picking Spreads: 55-20

What I Learned This Week

- The NFC North will have only one team representing them in the playoffs and that’s the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers and Bears are average teams at best. Actually, speaking of Green Bay, when you lose to a winless Tampa team you aren’t any good.

- The Bengals defense, especially against the run, has made Cincinnati a complete team and a contender for the AFC title.

- Baltimore’s only problem is they don’t know how to win. Big problem to have right? They have a deep and complete team but when there’s a second year starting quarterback and rookie running back that’s an issue. They have no leadership on offense. Their skilled veteran and should be leader on the offensive side of the ball is wide receiver Derrick Mason and he retired before returning this offseason!

- The Houston Texans are a damn good football team they just can’t ever seem to win enough to make the playoffs. Matt Schaub one way or another falls just short of getting it done way too much. That’s probably why he was Michael Vick’s back up before starting in Houston.

- Chad Henne is sick. Sick as in very talented and sick as in his receivers can’t catch a pass so it makes him want to puke. The Dolphins should let Ricky Williams and Pat White start as their wide receivers. They can’t be any worse at catching the ball than the guys they have playing now and that way Miami can utilize two great athletes that can’t get in enough because of the people ahead of them at their positions on the depth chart.

- We must be about half way through the season because the San Diego Chargers are playing well again. They play soft to start the season, then start playing great until they reach the playoffs and fizzle out.

- Something is wrong with the Giants. Brandon Jacobs can’t run anybody over anymore, Eli Manning isn’t making the big incredible plays, and their defense can’t stop anyone when it matters. Good timing for a bye week… well that is if they work out the kinks and not work on everything going wrong when they thinks.

- Dallas and Tony Romo look more impressive with every game. Finally Romo has earned some of the praise he receives. The problem is the Cowboys always look good to start the season then play terrible in the later months. Let's see if they can finally keep looking good through November and December.

- Denver is a deep team with great leadership but doesn't have the talent at running back and quarterback to compete with the elite. Even their defensive secondary that is one of the best in the league has a little too much old aged veterans.

- Pittsburgh looks poised to repeat. If Ben can keep the turnovers to a minimum they will be playing in Miami to defend their Super Bowl.

College Football Results

Picking Spreads: 4-2

Season Spreads: 17-19

Picking Winners: 6-0

Season Winners: 26-10

What I Learned This Week

- If #6 Boise State played in the SEC they would be a .500 ball club.

- #12 Pittsburgh should be ranked higher. Pitt is a great team that is a one touchdown road loss away from being undefeated. I know they haven’t beat a ranked team yet, but when they play #5 Cincinnati in their last game of the year it will show the world that the Big East is a much better conference than critics give credit.

o How is Pittsburgh behind two-loss #8 LSU, #9 USC, and #11 OSU? LSU has two legitimate close losses to #1 Florida and #2 Alabama so I can see why they’re still in the top ten but USC lost to Washington, got spanked by #13 Oregon (who just lost to unranked Stanford), and just barely beat Arizona State 14-9! Then there’s Ohio State who lost to Purdue! What is it with the BCS loving So Cal and Ohio State?! USC and OSU don’t even deserve to be ahead of #14 Miami!

- Here’s more evidence that the BCS points system make no sense. #4 TCU jumped #5 Cincinnati! If Cincinnati or Pittsburgh, whichever wins the Big East, ends up playing TCU in a BCS game I promise you Cincy or Pitt will squash TCU with their Horned Frogs and all!

- North Carolina and Duke are still basketball schools. What a terrible 19-6 outing by both programs.

- Michigan sucks. Head coach Rich Rodriguez sucks. They have a great freshman quarterback in Tate Forcier and it sucks for him that he’s stuck as a Wolverine. Forcier could look on the bright side though; a lot of pro quarterbacks come out of Michigan.

- Notre Dame sucks. Head coach Charlie Weis sucks. They have a great quarterback in Jimmy Clausen that will be a pro.

- Notre Dame and Michigan are the same team. Traditionally great programs that took a dump the last ten years and can’t find a head coach to clean up the mess.

NFL Predictions

Picking Spreads: 43-28

Picking Winners: 53-18

Washington (+10) at Atlanta: Atlanta will cover the spread. Like I said before… the Redskins really are that bad.

Houston (+9) at Indianapolis: I like the Colts to win but not to cover the spread. The Texans defensive line will get enough pressure on Peyton Manning to keep their scoring drives to a minimum. Houston’s offense should be able to score against Indy’s D but not enough to pull out a victory.

Green Bay (-10) at Tampa Bay: Take the Packers to cover the spread in the battle of the Bays. Green Bay looks to avenge their Favre/Vikings beat down from last week and take it out on a winless Tampa team. The Packers have a couple of blow out wins already this season and I think this will be another one that goes in the slaughterhouse category.

Chargers (+4) at Giants: I see New York coming out strong and winning by at least ten all the while giving them confidence going into their bye week. New York’s toughness has been questioned in the last few weeks during their three game losing streak and when that happens the Giants seem to always shut the critics up with a strong performance. I think the Giants come out strong and make the Chargers look like the soft Norv Turner coached team that they are.

Can’t Pick These

Arizona (+3) at Chicago: The Cardinals have played great lately, but the Bears are great at home. Both teams tend to have bad games from time to time so I couldn’t pick this one.

Baltimore (-3) at Cincinnati: This should be one of the better games of the week. I believe whoever wins this game will get one of the two wild card playoff spots.

Miami (+11) at New England: The Dolphins haven’t been blown out yet this season, but the Patriots are a team that likes to run up the score. Miami did beat a Brady-less Pats team last year, but I don’t know if they’ll have it in them this season.

Kansas City (+7) at Jacksonville: The Cheifs could pull this off against a very inconsistent Jaguars squad, but Kansas City is so bad I can’t see myself ever picking them.

Carolina (+13) at New Orleans: The Saints do score a lot but I just have a feeling that the Panthers and their running game could make this closer than expected. Also the Panthers have won their last seven games in New Orleans.

Detroit (+10) at Seattle: The Lions are better than people think and the Seahawks have the potential to be good but their offensive line doesn’t give Matt Hasselbeck enough time to show his greatness. The outcome of this game lies in the hands of the Seahawks offensive lineman.

Tennessee (+4) at San Francisco: The Titans have a lot of talent but don’t know how to use it and the 49ers coaching staff has done a great job making them a decent franchise again. I just never know about those Titans.

Dallas (+3) at Philadelphia: This could go either way. I’ve been impressed by Tony Romo this season but a disgruntled Roy Williams’ comments give me reason to believe there’s trouble brewing in the Cowboys locker room (that’s something new right?). As long as Philly balances out their offensive attack they should win, but Andy Reid may just have another play calling relapse giving the Cowboys some hope.

Pittsburgh (-3) at Denver: This is the game of the week and I think it’s going to come down to the last seconds. I like the Steelers to win especially if it’s snowing, but it could be even closer than a three point game.

College Football Predictions

Season Spreads: 13-17

Season Winners: 20-10

-#7 Boise State (-21) at Louisiana Tech: Boise will win against another mediocre football program but won’t cover the spread. Louisiana Tech has been blown out by more than 21 a few times this year but those games were on the road against good programs. They are 3-0 at home and although I don’t think they’ll pull the upset I do think they’ll make Boise upset by making the game close and moving BSU down in the BCS rankings after this week. BSU really does play against some BS Universities don’t they? They need to stop complaining and start scheduling some tougher opponents so they will get some BCS respect.

- Duke (+10) at North Carolina: Duke will make it closer than 10 but will come up just short. I can’t believe I’m even talking about these two teams playing football instead of basketball but they’ve both had solid seasons.

- Vanderbilt (+35) at #1 Florida: Florida will win but won’t cover the spread. The spread’s way too high and Vanderbilt has a terrible record but have lost a lot of close games.

- Connecticut (+17) at #5 Cincinnati: Cincinnati will win but won’t cover the spread. UConn is playing for their fallen friend and haven’t been blown out yet this season. There a tough team that will play spirited but will come up just short once again.

- #15 Houston (+1) at Tulsa: How is Houston the underdog in this one? Houston has only one loss and Tulsa just got beat at home by Southern Methodist. This is the most guaranteed pick of the season.

- #9 LSU (+8) at #3 Alabama: Alabama keeps winning close games and I think this will be no different. Alabama will pull out the victory by letting running back Mark Ingram take over the game while punishing and tiring out the LSU defense. I don’t think Alabama will cover the spread. This is the game of the week and LSU’s shot at getting back in the national championship race.

Can’t Pick These

Virginia (+13) at #17 Miami- Virginia is the most inconsistent college football team. They either play great or come out flat. Miami makes nearly every game interesting. This one could be closer than expected but I wouldn’t bet on it.

Wake Forest (+16) at #10 Georgia Tech: The Demon Deacons nearly beat Miami last week at home. I see no way GT loses here, but there’s a shot Wake could make it close. I wouldn’t pick it though because Wake is coming off a tough game and did lose at Clemson 38-3 earlier in the year.

#21 Wisconsin (-10) at Indiana: This could be an upset. Indiana plays well, as they showed at #4 Iowa last week, but seem to lose it in the fourth quarter. I just can’t pick a team that doesn’t finish well.

#19 Oklahoma State (-7) at Iowa State: Iowa State could pull the upset. They beat Nebraska earlier this season and are tough at home. OSU is coming off that tough Texas loss and might not have the spirit to care about winning anymore.

#24 Oklahoma (-6) at Nebraska: Both these teams were hoping for so much more this season. I have a feeling that Nebraska will come out strong trying to at least notch a nice win under their belt, but I don’t know if it will be enough.

#16 Ohio State (+4) at #11 Penn State: Great game between two teams that just can’t seem to get it done when it matters. Whoever makes the big mistake will go down.

NBA Season Predictions

Basketball started already?! I missed it with all the football and World Series baseball going on. No, I knew it started; I just didn’t give you my predictions yet. Here they are… and basketball has to be one of the easiest sports to predict. Maybe not game to game and it’s never definite because of injuries, but every year it’s pretty obvious who will contend for the title.

Eastern Conference

1. Boston Celtics- Adding Rasheed Wallace makes them nearly unbeatable.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers- I don’t know how well slow old Shaq will fit in with Lebron but LJ is so good it won’t matter what Shaq does.

3. Orlando Magic- Having a healthy Jameer Nelson will equal out the loss of Hedo Turkoglu. Adding Vince Carter doesn’t hurt either.

These Teams Can’t Contend for the Championship, But They’ll Make the Playoffs

4. Atlanta Hawks- Their young talent guided by the veteran leadership of Mike Bibby gives them a lot of wins, but I think they’re too young to contend for a title.

5. Chicago Bulls- Derrick Rose will bring Chi town a championship eventually. They’re very similar to the Hawks.

6. Miami Heat- Michael Beasley will average about 20 points this year and of course Wade will carry the team. I think Jermaine O’Neal will play better but will get hurt at some point like he does every year and won’t be healthy enough to matter in the playoffs.

7. Philadelphia 76ers- Andre Iguodala is the best AI in the league. There wasn’t enough room for two AI’s in Philly and I think the organization made the right decision on which one to keep.

8. Washington Wizards- We will see the reemergence of Gilbert Arenas, but the talent of their complete roster can’t compete with the top three beats of the east.

How The Playoffs Will Go

First Round

- The Celtics sweep the Wizards.

- The Cavilers beat the 76ers, but it will get interesting. I predict 4-2.

- The Magic dominate the Heat with Howard killing O’Neal and Haslem down low. Wade will get them one win.

- D Rose will get the Bulls past the Hawks in seven putting a dagger in the Hawks fans hearts in Atlanta.

Second Round

- Rose shows just how great he is by making it a seven game series against the Celtics, but comes up just short. Boston is too talented to lose, but soon enough Rose will be so good that he will be able to single handily defeat a team like Boston.

- Lebron will be Lebron and get the Cavs past the Magic in six while enjoying the sweet taste of revenge since the Magic knocked the Cavs out last post season.

Third Round

- The Celtics all around talent defeat the Cavs in game seven in Boston. Critics will start to question if Lebron can ever win the big one. Shaq will prove to be worthless but he will stick it out another year to try and leach off of Lebron’s talent in hopes of getting another championship.

Western Conference

1. LA Lakers- How can anyone say Ron Artest won’t help as much as Trevor Ariza did last year? That’s asinine. Kobe keeps Ron’s head on straight as they defend their title.

2. San Antonio Spurs- Richard Jefferson is a perfect fit. This team is dangerous.

3. Denver Nuggets- As long as Carmelo stays out of trouble, which I think Chauncey helps with a lot, I see the Nuggets really pressing the other elite teams, putting themselves in the conversation about competing for the title.

These Teams Can’t Contend for the Championship, But They’ll Make the Playoffs

4. Portland Trail Blazers- They have a lot of talent, but they’re too young to compete with the elite’s for the title.

5. Utah Jazz- These guys really should be in the conversation for competing for the trophy but they just can’t seem to win once the playoffs start.

6. Dallas Mavericks- I don’t think Dirk will ever miss the playoffs.

7. New Orleans Hornets- Chris Paul is a winner and a great leader. He is the Hornets D-Wade.

8. Oklahoma City Thunder- Their young team will gel enough to inch them into the final playoff spot.

First Round

- Lakers sweep the Thunder.

- The Spurs beat the Hornets in five. Chris Paul gets the Hornets one win.

- Chauncey Billups leads the Nuggets past the Mavericks in six games.

- The Jazz win in game six in Utah. Portland is still too young and inexperienced. They will over-take the aging Spurs in the next two years for the top three in the West.

Second Round

- Lakers dominate the Jazz and win in five games.

- The Spurs experience and maturity get them past Denver in six.

Third Round

- The Spurs win a classic series in seven at LA. Jack Nicholas will be crying as the quiet Tim Duncan proves yet again that he’s the best ever power forward, even though he's playing center this year for the most part.

Championship Series

- Tim Duncan gets another ring as they take down Boston in six games. Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett will get frustrated by Timmy the Great.

Women's Soccer Sun-Belt Conference Tournament

Game 1

The #1 seed FIU Golden Panthers lost in the first game to the #8 seed Arkansas Little Rock Trojans in front of the largest crowd on the day. Regulation ended with a scoreless tie, really a sleeper especially for a first thing in the morning game. The Trjoans striked quickly in overtime making the Golden Panthers best ever in conference regular season record a waste.

It's official, there is a Sun-Belt Conference tournament in South Florida with neither of the South Florida teams involved. It's going to be tough to draw local fans, or really any fans at all that aren't the parents of the remaining teams' players.

Game 2

#4 North Texas beat #5 Middle Tennessee State and faces UALR tomorrow at 4pm.

Game 3

#2 seed Denver, the most impressive looking team and the defending champion, won 3-0 dominating #7 Troy.

Game 4

#6 Arkansas State upset #3 Western Kentucky 2-1 after winning a shoot out 4-2. WKU had plenty of chances to score but couldn't capitalize. These two teams made sure that the day and night of soccer could not have possibly gone any longer. It was 1-1 after the first half and then no one scored through the second half or either of the two overtime periods.

#6 ASU faces #2 Denver tomorrow at 7pm.

Interesting Notes

- In the last week of the season it was a question if either of the Arkansas teams in the Sun-Belt Conference would make the playoffs. They each helped their cause by shutting out the Owls at FAU. Now they control their own destiny on facing each other in the Sun-Belt Conference Championship at FAU Soccer Complex.

- I will be missing my softball playoff game in order to call both the games for the tournament tomorrow. If we didn't have two months of rain outs with my softball team this wouldn't have happened. Let's hope for no rain in Boca and pouring rain in Fort Lauderdale tomorrow night just like what happened tonight so I can be good with both.

- The Sun Belt Conference Championship game is Saturday at 1pm

Money Really Can Buy Happiness

Just look at the Yankees.