It seemed obvious in my previous post how the college football Final Four standings would shake out. #1 Clemson would remain so. #2 Alabama wasn't going anywhere. #3 Oklahoma was idle, but that hardly constituted a reason for them to fall. And #5 Mich St. had defeated #4 Iowa by the thinnest of margins. MSU would move to #4 while Iowa dropped out. As Mr. Spock would have said, "Logical. Perfectly logical".
What could possibly go wrong with that? But ah, the mighty, if questionably competent, Selection Committee just had to get in a last lick. Incredibly, they leap-frogged Mich St. over Oklahoma.
Now instead of Mich St. facing Clemson and Bama facing the Sooners in the semis, the deck has been reshuffled. The Spartans will face the Tide, while the Okies square off against the Clemson Tigers.
Leave it to Condi, the general, a reporter, and a few other college bureaucrats to throw one last wrench in the works. We should have known they'd come up with something off the wall.
Which team of the Final Four will ultimately prevail and become national champions is anybody's guess. They're all really good, though perhaps in different ways. Of the four, Mich St. would seem to be the weakest link and they'll definitely have their hands full with the beasts from Tuscaloosa. Early "expert" predictions say Bama has a 68% chance of winning the game. And they very well might roll the Spartans. Then again, minus their starting QB Connor Cook, the Spartans were supposed to get blasted in Columbus by Ohio State a few weeks back. We know how that turned out.
Already forgotten is the miracle the Spartans caught at Michigan on the last play to turn a certain loss into the most improbable of victories. If Michigan didn't totally botch a routine punt play, MSU wouldn't be in the playoffs at all. But sometimes that's just the way the breaks fall.
It really matters little whether MSU faces Clemson, Bama, or Okla in the semis. It just turned out to be Alabama thanks to the Committee and their last second infinite wisdom.
Nevertheless, no matter how one wants to slice it or dice it -- in the words of the immortal Gregg Popovich -- it's big boy time. If Mich St. wants to finally shed its Rodney Dangerfield reputation on the national stage, they'll never have a better chance than this year. Connor Cook will be gone to the NFL after this season so the odds MSU gets back in this position next year are likely slim.
But as they say, if you want to be considered the best, you have to beat the best. Getting by Alabama and then whoever comes out of the Clemson/Okla showdown is quite the formidable gauntlet.
Can the Spartans pull it off? Maybe. First they'll have to overcome the 2-1 odds mentioned above to defeat the Tide. It's certainly possible if they play their best and catch a break or two.
Even given that, the Spartans would likely be the underdogs against either Clemson or Okla in the title game. Long odds indeed to win the two games necessary to be crowned champs.
But you never know. As yours truly suggested in a post a while back (see "College football playoffs madness" -- stage right under November posts), the Michigan State Spartans just might have been the best of the bunch all along.
We shall see. Would I bet on them to win the next two games? Hell no. But they've got a shot.
That's all they can ask for......
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Saturday, December 5, 2015
College football. Exciting, boring, and boneheads
Lots of games were on TV, but there were only three anybody much cared about. First the cannon fodder.
Texas at Baylor. It meant nothing.
S. Mississippi at W. Kentucky? Please.
Temple at Houston? Yawn.
Alcorn St. vs. Grambling in the whozit bowl? Gimme a break.
San Diego St. vs Air Force and W. Virginia at Kansas St.? Does anybody watch this crap?
The three that mattered were Alabama vs Florida, Clemson vs N. Carolina, and Iowa vs. Mich St.
It was almost a foregone conclusion Bama would whup the Gators -- and they did. The Tide is back in the Final Four, likely as a #2 seed. This game started at roughly 4:30 PM eastern time on CBS.
The truly exciting game turned out to be Clemson/N. Carolina. The #1 Tigers would prevail and will likely remain #1 going into the Final Four. There's absolutely no reason why they should fall back a notch or two after defeating the #10 ranked Tar Heels. These teams were a joy to watch. They played fast and were imaginative in their play calling. This was shown on ABC starting shortly after 8 PM.
At the same time, ESPN was bringing us the Stanford/USC game. Maybe important to the Cardinal and Trojans, but of little consequence or importance to the rest of the fans across the nation.
And that seemed to be somewhat boneheaded. Consider both ABC and ESPN are owned by Disney. Why would the imagineers schedule two games in the same time slot -- both on their own networks -- to compete against each other for ratings and ad dollars? The Stanford/USC game could easily have been moved back to the 10 PM eastern/7 PM pacific time slot as a stand alone game. Few people east of the Rockies cared much about this contest anyway. But at least it would have given football junkies something to watch after the "good" games were over. Beats tuning into the local news where some Groucho Marx wannabe sportscaster keeps laughing at his own pathetic jokes. Can you hear me Bernie?
Predictably, the boring game turned out to be Mich St. and Iowa. In true Big 10 fashion, they put on a yawn-a-thon. The over/under was 51 points. The Spartans and Hawkeyes combined to score 29. The best teams in the Big 10 have graduated from three yards and a cloud of dust to three yards and a puff of shredded tires on turf. The play calling remains decidedly unimaginative and they seem to be in slow motion compared to the show Clemson and N. Carolina put on.
But the Spartans prevailed 16-13 by punching in a touchdown on another boring play as time was about to expire. Mich St. makes it to the Final Four, while Iowa heads off to another bowl game somewhere, possibly the Rose. Not sure how that tie-breaker thing works with the Hawkeyes and Ohio St. Both have one conference loss and they didn't face each other this year.
But if all things shake out like they should, the Final Four rankings are as follows:
#1. Clemson
#2. Alabama
#3. Oklahoma
#4. Mich St.
Given such seedings, #1 would face off against #4, and #2 against #3 in the semis.
In other words, the two brutes named Alabama and Oklahoma will slug it out. Thugs in red in a turf war. Maybe like the Bloods and the Crips. That should be brutal, but very interesting to watch.
On the same day, a very fast Clemson team will take on a methodical Mich St. squad. The Tigers have a QB named Watson that plays a lot like a Cam Newton junior. The Spartans just grind it out for four quarters and hope they're still there at the end with a chance to win. Somehow orange fighting green doesn't come across quite as daunting. Maybe more like Halloween takes on St. Patrick's day,. But those guys are pretty good too.
Who will win these games is anybody's guess.
But after all the hype about the super-duper know-all "wisdom" of the almighty Selection Committee, it turns out they have nothing to discuss whatsoever. The field set itself. So Condi, the general, and the rest of their merry band can continue to collect their hefty paychecks while not having to make any tough decisions. Not that they would get them right if they had to.
But that's sort of how things work these days. When in doubt, appoint a committee. Chances are they'll screw it up anyway if matters are left in their incompetent hands -- so best to have matters decide themselves before the bureaucrats have a chance to weigh in and come up with something stupid. Bless their little hearts and smaller brains -- it's just what they do. They can't help it. It's the nature of the beast. If they weren't clueless in the first place -- they never would have been appointed to the Committee by people that are even dumber than they are.
Nevertheless, come New Year we should have a couple pretty decent games to watch. Even Condi couldn't screw that up, at least so far.....
Texas at Baylor. It meant nothing.
S. Mississippi at W. Kentucky? Please.
Temple at Houston? Yawn.
Alcorn St. vs. Grambling in the whozit bowl? Gimme a break.
San Diego St. vs Air Force and W. Virginia at Kansas St.? Does anybody watch this crap?
The three that mattered were Alabama vs Florida, Clemson vs N. Carolina, and Iowa vs. Mich St.
It was almost a foregone conclusion Bama would whup the Gators -- and they did. The Tide is back in the Final Four, likely as a #2 seed. This game started at roughly 4:30 PM eastern time on CBS.
The truly exciting game turned out to be Clemson/N. Carolina. The #1 Tigers would prevail and will likely remain #1 going into the Final Four. There's absolutely no reason why they should fall back a notch or two after defeating the #10 ranked Tar Heels. These teams were a joy to watch. They played fast and were imaginative in their play calling. This was shown on ABC starting shortly after 8 PM.
At the same time, ESPN was bringing us the Stanford/USC game. Maybe important to the Cardinal and Trojans, but of little consequence or importance to the rest of the fans across the nation.
And that seemed to be somewhat boneheaded. Consider both ABC and ESPN are owned by Disney. Why would the imagineers schedule two games in the same time slot -- both on their own networks -- to compete against each other for ratings and ad dollars? The Stanford/USC game could easily have been moved back to the 10 PM eastern/7 PM pacific time slot as a stand alone game. Few people east of the Rockies cared much about this contest anyway. But at least it would have given football junkies something to watch after the "good" games were over. Beats tuning into the local news where some Groucho Marx wannabe sportscaster keeps laughing at his own pathetic jokes. Can you hear me Bernie?
Predictably, the boring game turned out to be Mich St. and Iowa. In true Big 10 fashion, they put on a yawn-a-thon. The over/under was 51 points. The Spartans and Hawkeyes combined to score 29. The best teams in the Big 10 have graduated from three yards and a cloud of dust to three yards and a puff of shredded tires on turf. The play calling remains decidedly unimaginative and they seem to be in slow motion compared to the show Clemson and N. Carolina put on.
But the Spartans prevailed 16-13 by punching in a touchdown on another boring play as time was about to expire. Mich St. makes it to the Final Four, while Iowa heads off to another bowl game somewhere, possibly the Rose. Not sure how that tie-breaker thing works with the Hawkeyes and Ohio St. Both have one conference loss and they didn't face each other this year.
But if all things shake out like they should, the Final Four rankings are as follows:
#1. Clemson
#2. Alabama
#3. Oklahoma
#4. Mich St.
Given such seedings, #1 would face off against #4, and #2 against #3 in the semis.
In other words, the two brutes named Alabama and Oklahoma will slug it out. Thugs in red in a turf war. Maybe like the Bloods and the Crips. That should be brutal, but very interesting to watch.
On the same day, a very fast Clemson team will take on a methodical Mich St. squad. The Tigers have a QB named Watson that plays a lot like a Cam Newton junior. The Spartans just grind it out for four quarters and hope they're still there at the end with a chance to win. Somehow orange fighting green doesn't come across quite as daunting. Maybe more like Halloween takes on St. Patrick's day,. But those guys are pretty good too.
Who will win these games is anybody's guess.
But after all the hype about the super-duper know-all "wisdom" of the almighty Selection Committee, it turns out they have nothing to discuss whatsoever. The field set itself. So Condi, the general, and the rest of their merry band can continue to collect their hefty paychecks while not having to make any tough decisions. Not that they would get them right if they had to.
But that's sort of how things work these days. When in doubt, appoint a committee. Chances are they'll screw it up anyway if matters are left in their incompetent hands -- so best to have matters decide themselves before the bureaucrats have a chance to weigh in and come up with something stupid. Bless their little hearts and smaller brains -- it's just what they do. They can't help it. It's the nature of the beast. If they weren't clueless in the first place -- they never would have been appointed to the Committee by people that are even dumber than they are.
Nevertheless, come New Year we should have a couple pretty decent games to watch. Even Condi couldn't screw that up, at least so far.....
Friday, December 4, 2015
College football. Pre nitty-gritty
After all the months of hype, stats from hell, and more "experts" chiming in than we'd see on your average CNN program after a plane crash or mass shooting -- we're almost there. One more step until the Final Four of the college football world is etched in stone.
That takes care of three spots.
Actually one of the spots has already been locked up. Oklahoma is in. Currently sitting at #3 with the pollsters, the Sooners don't play another game -- so they can't possibly lose.
Another is pretty much a foregone conclusion. #2 Alabama will not, repeat NOT lose to Florida. As an 18 point favorite, the Tide will roll over the Gators. It's a mere formality, but count Bama in.
The Big 10 conference championship game is interesting. Undefeated (12-0) and #4 Iowa taking on one loss Michigan State. The Spartans sit at #5. This is easy to figure. It's a play-in game for the Final Four. The winner is in, and the loser is most definitely out. MSU is favored by 3.5 -- sounds about right -- and they've been getting a lot of attention lately. After waltzing into previously undefeated Ohio State and defeating the Buckeyes fair and square without the services of their star QB Connor Cook, then routing Penn State to finish off the regular season -- the Spartans have been opening some eyes.
All the while, Iowa has pretty much flown under the radar. But hey, undefeated is undefeated. Low profile or not, the Hawkeyes are obviously doing a lot of things right. This should be a terrific game.
That takes care of three spots.
The other is the most interesting of them all. #1 Clemson taking on #8 North Carolina. If Clemson wins, and they're a 4.5 point favorite to do so, the field is set. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is an all-around good guy and a terrific rags to riches story. Like Sara Lee, nobody doesn't like Dabo. He's a goofball, master motivator, and football junkie all rolled into one. Other than the Tar Heels and their faithful, it's difficult to imagine very many people will be rooting against Dabo and his Clemson Tigers. After all, when's the last time Clemson won anything of note? North Carolina perennially has a great hoops team, and their rival Duke as well. NASCAR is based in North Carolina and the NFL Panthers remain the only undefeated team. This year the entire state of South Carolina has Clemson. Period. Of course most otherwise neutral fans will be rooting for them.
But it might not turn out as planned. NC's only loss was their season opener @ South Carolina in a close game. Since then, the Heels have run the table in impressive fashion. These guys are good, and likely deserving of a higher ranking then #8. Oddly enough, they were #10 before the "Committee" last passed judgment in their infinite wisdom, even though nothing had changed on the rankings landscape. They got eased up a couple spots for reasons unknown.
Nevertheless, Clemson will have their hands full with NC, especially with the game being played in Charlotte. Again, if Clemson wins, it's a done deal. The Final Four field will be set. But what if they lose? Dabo and his boys would tumble out of the playoffs, but would a win against Clemson be enough to elevate the Heels all the way up to #4 and get them into the big dance? Probably not, unless it's a blowout. So who would get the last invite?
Might a one loss Ohio State team jump back into the fray again at the last second, like they did last year? We know how that turned out. They won the national championship. The Buckeyes are sitting home this week watching other teams slug it out. Same with Notre Dame.
If a two loss Stanford team goes into USC and wallops the Trojans, might the Cardinal sneak into the last spot? Remember, alumnus Condi Rice sits on the Committee. Plus she's black and she's female -- I think. Lump that whole minority thing all together and if she could sell weapons of mass destruction that didn't exist, don't put it past her to sell Stanford as a Final Four team.
What's that? It's now Saturday and the games that matter will take place in a few hours?
Well then.
By all means, bring them on. Enough with the talking heads and moronic blog posts like this one.
Let's sort out who's who -- and it's about damn time......
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Detroit Lions. The clowns strike again
Quick question to Lions fans. When your team was ahead of the Packers 20-0 at Ford Field in the third quarter, which thought crossed your mind?
A. We've got this sucker in the bag, or
B. Could they possibly find a way to screw this up?
C'mon, be honest.
After more than a few crazy twists and turns, it turned out to be the latter. The Lions would lose indeed. They found a way to return to the blooper reels and be punch lines -- again.
One should remember the Lions have experienced more than their fair share of lucky breaks in recent times. (Last year they caught one miracle after another to even MAKE the playoffs, but Lions fans can only remember a questionable non-call against Dallas that ended their season.)
Just a few weeks ago, the Lions came away with a victory in Green Bay, their first in a quarter century. But the Packers basically handed it to them. Usually super-reliable QB Aaron Rodgers made some ill-advised throws, and at the end of the game, Green Bay place kicker Mason Crosby muffed a field goal attempt from 50 yards. The snap was good, the hold was good, and 50 yards is well within Crosby's range. The Lions didn't block it. Crosby just pretty much whiffed on a kick that would have won the game for the Packers. Another definite break for the Lions.
Then they returned home to defeat a sub-par Oakland Raiders team. The following week the Philadelphia Eagles came to Detroit. The Eagles had long since completely collapsed. Beating such a sad-sack team handily is certainly better than losing to them, but hardly anything to crow about.
Nevertheless, the Lions were now on a 3-game win streak. Could they possibly -- gasp -- still find their way into the playoffs? One must also remember that Lions fans (and some of their koolaided media) are a very strange breed. Only in Detroit do they think that every year is THE year. Evidently, over a half century of a bumbling franchise, year after year after year, has not been enough to dampen their eternal, if foolish optimism. Fifty -- count-em -- FIFTY Super Bowls, and the Lions have yet to appear in a single one of them, let alone actually win it. Their battle cry has become predictable, if pathetic. Matthew Stafford is the greatest. All hail the killing the Lions made in the draft, buy another Calvin Johnson jersey, re-up the season tickets, and pass the blue salsa. Sigh. You'd think they'd learn.
But back to the Packers game last night. How does a team blow a 20-0 lead at home when they're supposedly on a "hot streak"? Leave it to the Lions. They'll figure out a way. Throw in a few of their usual bonehead penalties at critical moments late in the game. Add the Packers catching a couple breaks. It goes both ways.
Next thing ya know, the Lions have seen the Packers eat into their lead. But it shouldn't be a problem. Green Bay's still down 9 points late in the fourth quarter, and have no time-outs remaining. They need two scores. Not a chance -- right? But the Cheesers strike for a quick touchdown. Now the margin is 2 points. The Lions get the ball back and sure enough, they try to run out the clock -- but can't quite. The Packers hold them to a 3 and out and the Lions have to punt the ball back to the Green guys. Under 30 seconds remain and the Packers have the ball at their own 21. They likely need to advance it 40 yards or so to get Crosby within field goal range.
And then the craziness happened. Aaron Rodgers threw a deep pass to a receiver who was obviously interfered with by a Detroit defender. But no call. Another break for the Lions. With time running out, Rodgers was sacked. End of game, right? Not so fast. A Lion lineman got called for a personal foul face mask penalty on Rodgers on the play. Replays would show the facemask never actually occurred (those damn refs botched another one), but it was a break for the Packers. Fifteen yard penalty and one more play. Those 15 yards were just enough where Aaron Rodgers could heave the final ball into the end zone. The classic Hail Mary.
The Lions knew it was coming of course. They had eight defenders back in deep pass protection. By the time the ball actually came down, the end zone was swarming with Honolulu blue and silver uniforms. Anything but the most unlikeliest of miracle touchdowns, and the Lions win again. Make that win streak 4 and, lookout playoffs, they aren't done just yet. They and their media would tell you so. There's always hope (or dope -- perhaps they should start smoking it -- or stop) when it comes to the puddy-tats, but that was already discussed above.
But despite everybody in the stadium, both teams, and countless millions more watching the nationally broadcast game knowing exactly what was coming, the Lions still found a way to let the Packer miracle happen. A Green Bay tight end caught the ball in the end zone. Touchdown. Game over. Packers win. Lions lose.
Incredibly, none of the herd of Lions defenders in the end zone found a way to get in front of the eventual receiver and bat it down. This, despite the ball thrown by Rodgers being in the air for seemingly forever. The receiver made a clean catch.
It's almost unbelievable and will surely be shown over and over again on various telecasts. The talking heads on ESPN will yuk it up for days, weeks, and late night comedians have another punch line courtesy of the Lions.
But they have always been and remain the Lions. Just when you think it can't possibly get any stupider, they will find a way.
And that playoff thing? They didn't belong their last year and this year was just another pipe dream. Or maybe their fans and media should stay away from that damn pipe. Their infernal koolaid was bad enough, but I hear that stuff some people smoke in pipes these days is downright addictive and can turn otherwise semi-sane people into raging lunatics that can suffer all sorts of different delusions.
You know, like continuing to mention the Lions and the Super Bowl in the same breath. These people don't need season tickets. Their money would be better spent on a high-class hospice. They're dying anyway -- they just haven't figured it out yet.
But for now, it's business as usual for the Lions.
Another year, another clown act.
A. We've got this sucker in the bag, or
B. Could they possibly find a way to screw this up?
C'mon, be honest.
After more than a few crazy twists and turns, it turned out to be the latter. The Lions would lose indeed. They found a way to return to the blooper reels and be punch lines -- again.
One should remember the Lions have experienced more than their fair share of lucky breaks in recent times. (Last year they caught one miracle after another to even MAKE the playoffs, but Lions fans can only remember a questionable non-call against Dallas that ended their season.)
Just a few weeks ago, the Lions came away with a victory in Green Bay, their first in a quarter century. But the Packers basically handed it to them. Usually super-reliable QB Aaron Rodgers made some ill-advised throws, and at the end of the game, Green Bay place kicker Mason Crosby muffed a field goal attempt from 50 yards. The snap was good, the hold was good, and 50 yards is well within Crosby's range. The Lions didn't block it. Crosby just pretty much whiffed on a kick that would have won the game for the Packers. Another definite break for the Lions.
Then they returned home to defeat a sub-par Oakland Raiders team. The following week the Philadelphia Eagles came to Detroit. The Eagles had long since completely collapsed. Beating such a sad-sack team handily is certainly better than losing to them, but hardly anything to crow about.
Nevertheless, the Lions were now on a 3-game win streak. Could they possibly -- gasp -- still find their way into the playoffs? One must also remember that Lions fans (and some of their koolaided media) are a very strange breed. Only in Detroit do they think that every year is THE year. Evidently, over a half century of a bumbling franchise, year after year after year, has not been enough to dampen their eternal, if foolish optimism. Fifty -- count-em -- FIFTY Super Bowls, and the Lions have yet to appear in a single one of them, let alone actually win it. Their battle cry has become predictable, if pathetic. Matthew Stafford is the greatest. All hail the killing the Lions made in the draft, buy another Calvin Johnson jersey, re-up the season tickets, and pass the blue salsa. Sigh. You'd think they'd learn.
But back to the Packers game last night. How does a team blow a 20-0 lead at home when they're supposedly on a "hot streak"? Leave it to the Lions. They'll figure out a way. Throw in a few of their usual bonehead penalties at critical moments late in the game. Add the Packers catching a couple breaks. It goes both ways.
Next thing ya know, the Lions have seen the Packers eat into their lead. But it shouldn't be a problem. Green Bay's still down 9 points late in the fourth quarter, and have no time-outs remaining. They need two scores. Not a chance -- right? But the Cheesers strike for a quick touchdown. Now the margin is 2 points. The Lions get the ball back and sure enough, they try to run out the clock -- but can't quite. The Packers hold them to a 3 and out and the Lions have to punt the ball back to the Green guys. Under 30 seconds remain and the Packers have the ball at their own 21. They likely need to advance it 40 yards or so to get Crosby within field goal range.
And then the craziness happened. Aaron Rodgers threw a deep pass to a receiver who was obviously interfered with by a Detroit defender. But no call. Another break for the Lions. With time running out, Rodgers was sacked. End of game, right? Not so fast. A Lion lineman got called for a personal foul face mask penalty on Rodgers on the play. Replays would show the facemask never actually occurred (those damn refs botched another one), but it was a break for the Packers. Fifteen yard penalty and one more play. Those 15 yards were just enough where Aaron Rodgers could heave the final ball into the end zone. The classic Hail Mary.
The Lions knew it was coming of course. They had eight defenders back in deep pass protection. By the time the ball actually came down, the end zone was swarming with Honolulu blue and silver uniforms. Anything but the most unlikeliest of miracle touchdowns, and the Lions win again. Make that win streak 4 and, lookout playoffs, they aren't done just yet. They and their media would tell you so. There's always hope (or dope -- perhaps they should start smoking it -- or stop) when it comes to the puddy-tats, but that was already discussed above.
But despite everybody in the stadium, both teams, and countless millions more watching the nationally broadcast game knowing exactly what was coming, the Lions still found a way to let the Packer miracle happen. A Green Bay tight end caught the ball in the end zone. Touchdown. Game over. Packers win. Lions lose.
Incredibly, none of the herd of Lions defenders in the end zone found a way to get in front of the eventual receiver and bat it down. This, despite the ball thrown by Rodgers being in the air for seemingly forever. The receiver made a clean catch.
It's almost unbelievable and will surely be shown over and over again on various telecasts. The talking heads on ESPN will yuk it up for days, weeks, and late night comedians have another punch line courtesy of the Lions.
But they have always been and remain the Lions. Just when you think it can't possibly get any stupider, they will find a way.
And that playoff thing? They didn't belong their last year and this year was just another pipe dream. Or maybe their fans and media should stay away from that damn pipe. Their infernal koolaid was bad enough, but I hear that stuff some people smoke in pipes these days is downright addictive and can turn otherwise semi-sane people into raging lunatics that can suffer all sorts of different delusions.
You know, like continuing to mention the Lions and the Super Bowl in the same breath. These people don't need season tickets. Their money would be better spent on a high-class hospice. They're dying anyway -- they just haven't figured it out yet.
But for now, it's business as usual for the Lions.
Another year, another clown act.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
The Sixers and the Warriors
At long last, one streak has finally been broken. The Philly 76ers had started the season 0-18, but finally managed to get a win. Who did they beat? The LA Lakers of course, somewhat handily.
The late Jerry Buss must be twitching in his grave. How could the once so proud franchise he owned for so long have sunk to such depths? The Lakers have gone from showtime to blowtime, smoke to joke. It's no longer a question if they're the best team in their own building -- they are decidedly not with the Clippers also calling Staples Center home -- it's whether or not they're the worst team in the entire league. Plankton. And they just might be. Getting hammered by the 76ers? Really?
On the other hand are the Golden State Warriors. They just bopped Charlotte to go 20-0 to start the season. Few doubted the Warriors would be the class of the league this year. Fresh off a very convincing NBA championship and still young, the only question with the Warriors (barring injuries) was whether they would remain motivated. 20-0 pretty well answers that with an exclamation point.
Next up for Steph Curry and Co. are the Toronto Raptors, the third game of a seven game road trip for the Warriors. The Raptors are no slouches, leading their own division. Could this spell the end of GS's winning streak? Maybe, but probably not. And while anything can happen in any given game -- their remaining four games on the road trip aren't exactly against top-flight competition. Then the Warriors go home for a five game stretch. So wouldn't it be something if they were 30-0 to ring in the New Year? The talking heads would hyperventilate and the wise guys (bookies) in Vegas would be doing a healthy business setting odds and taking bets on which game would be the Warriors' first loss. Surely they'll lose one eventually -- right?
But if they stay clean until then-- no given -- there's one game that everybody will be watching, likely including Santa Claus as he's back at the North Pole recuperating from his rounds the previous night. Hey, if he can give away TVs, Saint Nick has to at least have cable or a dish himself -- right?
On Christmas day the Warriors will host the Cleveland Cavaliers. You know, Lebron and that bunch. The same guys that got lit up by the Warriors in the NBA finals last year. At that point GS could conceivably be 28-0. And you just know the Cavs want another crack at them, especially considering they had some key players out with injuries in the Finals last June. If they're healthy, Santa will have given NBA fans a terrific Christmas present indeed.
Idle thought. While Golden State head coach Steve Kerr remains on the IR rehabbing a bad back, Luke Walton (Bill's boy) has stepped up as interim coach. But Steve gets the official coaching credit for all the wins.
Thing is, Luke, you, I, or the widow lady next door could step in and "coach" the Warriors. They're going to win anyway, pretty much on autopilot. These guys are just that good.
For coaches, it's all about being incredibly lucky enough to land in the right place at the right time.
The late Jerry Buss must be twitching in his grave. How could the once so proud franchise he owned for so long have sunk to such depths? The Lakers have gone from showtime to blowtime, smoke to joke. It's no longer a question if they're the best team in their own building -- they are decidedly not with the Clippers also calling Staples Center home -- it's whether or not they're the worst team in the entire league. Plankton. And they just might be. Getting hammered by the 76ers? Really?
On the other hand are the Golden State Warriors. They just bopped Charlotte to go 20-0 to start the season. Few doubted the Warriors would be the class of the league this year. Fresh off a very convincing NBA championship and still young, the only question with the Warriors (barring injuries) was whether they would remain motivated. 20-0 pretty well answers that with an exclamation point.
Next up for Steph Curry and Co. are the Toronto Raptors, the third game of a seven game road trip for the Warriors. The Raptors are no slouches, leading their own division. Could this spell the end of GS's winning streak? Maybe, but probably not. And while anything can happen in any given game -- their remaining four games on the road trip aren't exactly against top-flight competition. Then the Warriors go home for a five game stretch. So wouldn't it be something if they were 30-0 to ring in the New Year? The talking heads would hyperventilate and the wise guys (bookies) in Vegas would be doing a healthy business setting odds and taking bets on which game would be the Warriors' first loss. Surely they'll lose one eventually -- right?
But if they stay clean until then-- no given -- there's one game that everybody will be watching, likely including Santa Claus as he's back at the North Pole recuperating from his rounds the previous night. Hey, if he can give away TVs, Saint Nick has to at least have cable or a dish himself -- right?
On Christmas day the Warriors will host the Cleveland Cavaliers. You know, Lebron and that bunch. The same guys that got lit up by the Warriors in the NBA finals last year. At that point GS could conceivably be 28-0. And you just know the Cavs want another crack at them, especially considering they had some key players out with injuries in the Finals last June. If they're healthy, Santa will have given NBA fans a terrific Christmas present indeed.
Idle thought. While Golden State head coach Steve Kerr remains on the IR rehabbing a bad back, Luke Walton (Bill's boy) has stepped up as interim coach. But Steve gets the official coaching credit for all the wins.
Thing is, Luke, you, I, or the widow lady next door could step in and "coach" the Warriors. They're going to win anyway, pretty much on autopilot. These guys are just that good.
For coaches, it's all about being incredibly lucky enough to land in the right place at the right time.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Michigan State a lock to win Big 10 title
It's all but official now. The Spartans will defeat Iowa in the Big 10 conference championship game this Saturday night in Indianapolis.
That prediction might seem brazen given a few things. True, MSU is currently a 3.5 point favorite against the Hawkeyes. A close call. Also true is Iowa is the only undefeated Big 10 team at 12-0.
One can debate various stats and mundane matters such as strength of schedule and "quality" wins, but none of that really matters. It is what it is and there can be only one Big 10 champion. Somebody has to win -- and somebody has to lose. The winner is guaranteed a spot in the Final Four for the national championship, while the loser will go out west or down south to play in a "prestigious" bowl game.
The people that run that bowl will be happy. So will the TV folks. Lots of cha-ching ad time available to those that would pony up to advertise their wares. The players will be treated like royalty in a strange town while seeing the sights. And this is the highlight of the year for the marching bands. They'll come up with something special at halftime.
All in all a very good thing for everyone involved. Sort of. It matters little that the game itself will go down as a minor footnote in history of no consequence, or that it typically actually costs the participating schools more to participate in such a contest than what they will get back in "prize money". It's all about school spirit and having a good time. Let the bean counters worry about the financial stuff later. And what's a few thousand in loose change compared to the exposure on national TV? Priceless.
Nevertheless, Michigan State caught the luckiest of breaks long before they had to take the field against Iowa. Actually, it could have went either way. With the Hawkeyes considered #4 and in -- and the Spartans considered #5 and barely out, the geniuses had to make a decision.
Sports Illustrated chose to splash Iowa on its latest cover. Iowa raucous. New Kirk. New QB. New title contenders. And knock, knock, they're at the championship door.
Of course we all know what this means. Iowa is doomed. The SI cover jinx is legendary. When they hype-em or pick-em -- they're going down. Somewhere MSU head coach Mark Dantonio likely heaved a sigh of relief. It could have been HIS guys getting the whammy.
Idle thought. I wonder if the bookies take SI's always fearless, but usually bass-ackwards predictions into account? If that 3.5 point spread goes up to 6 or 7, then you know why.
But here's the thing. Though they've struggled to get respect in recent years, Michigan State just might be the best of them all this year. Sure, Alabama is always a popular choice. And who can root against #1 Clemson, though I think they're very much vulnerable to a good team. Oklahoma appears Final Four bound and are quite formidable themselves.
Yet in the end -- don't be surprised if Michigan State winds up winning it all. These guys are the real deal. When they went into Ohio State without the services of their star QB Connor Cook and knocked off the undefeated Buckeyes in their own back yard anyway, the message was loud and clear.
This is our year and, one way or the other, we're going to get it done.
Look out for these guys. I'm just saying.
And the SI jinx fell the other way. Definitely an omen.
That prediction might seem brazen given a few things. True, MSU is currently a 3.5 point favorite against the Hawkeyes. A close call. Also true is Iowa is the only undefeated Big 10 team at 12-0.
One can debate various stats and mundane matters such as strength of schedule and "quality" wins, but none of that really matters. It is what it is and there can be only one Big 10 champion. Somebody has to win -- and somebody has to lose. The winner is guaranteed a spot in the Final Four for the national championship, while the loser will go out west or down south to play in a "prestigious" bowl game.
The people that run that bowl will be happy. So will the TV folks. Lots of cha-ching ad time available to those that would pony up to advertise their wares. The players will be treated like royalty in a strange town while seeing the sights. And this is the highlight of the year for the marching bands. They'll come up with something special at halftime.
All in all a very good thing for everyone involved. Sort of. It matters little that the game itself will go down as a minor footnote in history of no consequence, or that it typically actually costs the participating schools more to participate in such a contest than what they will get back in "prize money". It's all about school spirit and having a good time. Let the bean counters worry about the financial stuff later. And what's a few thousand in loose change compared to the exposure on national TV? Priceless.
Nevertheless, Michigan State caught the luckiest of breaks long before they had to take the field against Iowa. Actually, it could have went either way. With the Hawkeyes considered #4 and in -- and the Spartans considered #5 and barely out, the geniuses had to make a decision.
Sports Illustrated chose to splash Iowa on its latest cover. Iowa raucous. New Kirk. New QB. New title contenders. And knock, knock, they're at the championship door.
Of course we all know what this means. Iowa is doomed. The SI cover jinx is legendary. When they hype-em or pick-em -- they're going down. Somewhere MSU head coach Mark Dantonio likely heaved a sigh of relief. It could have been HIS guys getting the whammy.
Idle thought. I wonder if the bookies take SI's always fearless, but usually bass-ackwards predictions into account? If that 3.5 point spread goes up to 6 or 7, then you know why.
But here's the thing. Though they've struggled to get respect in recent years, Michigan State just might be the best of them all this year. Sure, Alabama is always a popular choice. And who can root against #1 Clemson, though I think they're very much vulnerable to a good team. Oklahoma appears Final Four bound and are quite formidable themselves.
Yet in the end -- don't be surprised if Michigan State winds up winning it all. These guys are the real deal. When they went into Ohio State without the services of their star QB Connor Cook and knocked off the undefeated Buckeyes in their own back yard anyway, the message was loud and clear.
This is our year and, one way or the other, we're going to get it done.
Look out for these guys. I'm just saying.
And the SI jinx fell the other way. Definitely an omen.
The Johnny Manziel enigma
Johnny "Football" Manziel is tough to figure out. Certainly he's a highly skilled quarterback. He can throw, run, and improvise with the best of them. But some of his "not-so-highly-valued" characteristics have long been in play as well. This was due to his "attitude" or, more properly put, his penchant for partying.
He fell on draft boards coming out of college, but was eventually selected by the Cleveland Browns. This was not exactly the best of teams to throw a rookie onto and expect him to be successful in the brutal world of the NFL.
And now he's back in the news. Not for anything he did on the field but for what he did off it. It seems Johnny Football was videoed having a good time with some champagne and pretty girls.
Well then. Johnny Manziel will turn 23 in a few days. A young man indeed, but not even the purest of Puritans would question his legal right to consume alcohol. And c'mon. He was doing a little private partying with some bubbly and fun company. It's not like he was out and about raping, looting and pillaging. The only thing he blew up was the cork coming out of the bottle. No one would raise an eyebrow if any average citizen did exactly the same thing.
But the Browns and the legions of politically correcters around the country -- in their infinite wisdom -- decided this sort of behavior should not be tolerated. Johnny must be a good little droid and toe the Amish line, dammit.
So instead of starting for the Browns in their game against the Baltimore Ravens, Manziel was demoted to the #3 quarterback on the depth chart. Long time loser Josh McCown would get the nod with Austin Davis as his backup. You remember those guys. Josh came out of powerhouse Sam Houston State and -- surprise -- has yet to find an NFL team he can play competently for, though he has tried for several. Austin Davis? Ever hear of him before? Me neither. But guys from Southern Mississippi typically have a way of flying under the radar.
Nevertheless, McCown would suffer a broken collar bone in the Baltimore game. He's done for the season. Davis tried his best in relief, but it's probably a fair statement to say AD isn't exactly up to speed as an NFL quarterback, particularly when he's thrown in with the rag-tag team the Browns have assembled once again. These guys are not good.
But dammit, they had to punish Johnny for his "outrageous" behavior mentioned above. So he sat on the bench. That raises a couple interesting points.
While Manziel was sitting, he was collecting a full game check. Put yourself in his shoes and ask yourself this question..... Would you rather watch the game from the sidelines and never break a sweat -- or be thrown into the fray to get your brains beat out while collecting the same amount of money? This is punishment? If I'm in that position, I say bring it on. Want to pay me my same salary for not working? Most people would accept that proposition in a heartbeat. Who's punishing who?
The other point is the Browns were faced with a dilemma. They could stand on the ever-present misguided principles the PC zealots keep coming up with -- or they could try to actually -- gasp -- win the damn game. Manziel would have given them a shot. Their chances with the other QBs were pretty much doomed before the game even started. Did I mention they're not good either?
All this because some 23 year old millionaire stud decided to have a good time for a couple hours? Privately. Only a video snoop -- and they're everywhere these days -- would make it public. So what, pray tell, was so wrong with Manziel's actions? Actually, absolutely nothing.
And let's get real. Halls of Fame, particularly the one in Cooperstown, are chock full of drunks and womanizers -- even serial adulterers. But they remain heroes.
One is left to wonder what their fates would have been had they played the same game in modern times with the sensationalists looking for a story -- any story -- dogging them at every turn. Food for thought.
I say let Johnny Manziel be Johnny Manziel. He's a young jock with a lot of money, and likes to party away from the field occasionally. As long as he's giving his all to his job as an NFL QB, then who is anybody else to question what he does in the few hours of his personal life?
And besides that -- he's pretty much all the Browns have these days. They would be wise to ignore the clamoring Crusaders and the centuries old resurgence of their archaic morals -- which has morphed into the modern day PC whiners -- and get about the business of winning a few football games. In the NFL -- there's no style points. Winning is all that matters.
Johnny gives them a chance in at least some games. Maybe not a good one -- but at least a shot. The Browns benching him was no more than the team shooting themselves in the foot -- again.
He fell on draft boards coming out of college, but was eventually selected by the Cleveland Browns. This was not exactly the best of teams to throw a rookie onto and expect him to be successful in the brutal world of the NFL.
And now he's back in the news. Not for anything he did on the field but for what he did off it. It seems Johnny Football was videoed having a good time with some champagne and pretty girls.
Well then. Johnny Manziel will turn 23 in a few days. A young man indeed, but not even the purest of Puritans would question his legal right to consume alcohol. And c'mon. He was doing a little private partying with some bubbly and fun company. It's not like he was out and about raping, looting and pillaging. The only thing he blew up was the cork coming out of the bottle. No one would raise an eyebrow if any average citizen did exactly the same thing.
But the Browns and the legions of politically correcters around the country -- in their infinite wisdom -- decided this sort of behavior should not be tolerated. Johnny must be a good little droid and toe the Amish line, dammit.
So instead of starting for the Browns in their game against the Baltimore Ravens, Manziel was demoted to the #3 quarterback on the depth chart. Long time loser Josh McCown would get the nod with Austin Davis as his backup. You remember those guys. Josh came out of powerhouse Sam Houston State and -- surprise -- has yet to find an NFL team he can play competently for, though he has tried for several. Austin Davis? Ever hear of him before? Me neither. But guys from Southern Mississippi typically have a way of flying under the radar.
Nevertheless, McCown would suffer a broken collar bone in the Baltimore game. He's done for the season. Davis tried his best in relief, but it's probably a fair statement to say AD isn't exactly up to speed as an NFL quarterback, particularly when he's thrown in with the rag-tag team the Browns have assembled once again. These guys are not good.
But dammit, they had to punish Johnny for his "outrageous" behavior mentioned above. So he sat on the bench. That raises a couple interesting points.
While Manziel was sitting, he was collecting a full game check. Put yourself in his shoes and ask yourself this question..... Would you rather watch the game from the sidelines and never break a sweat -- or be thrown into the fray to get your brains beat out while collecting the same amount of money? This is punishment? If I'm in that position, I say bring it on. Want to pay me my same salary for not working? Most people would accept that proposition in a heartbeat. Who's punishing who?
The other point is the Browns were faced with a dilemma. They could stand on the ever-present misguided principles the PC zealots keep coming up with -- or they could try to actually -- gasp -- win the damn game. Manziel would have given them a shot. Their chances with the other QBs were pretty much doomed before the game even started. Did I mention they're not good either?
All this because some 23 year old millionaire stud decided to have a good time for a couple hours? Privately. Only a video snoop -- and they're everywhere these days -- would make it public. So what, pray tell, was so wrong with Manziel's actions? Actually, absolutely nothing.
And let's get real. Halls of Fame, particularly the one in Cooperstown, are chock full of drunks and womanizers -- even serial adulterers. But they remain heroes.
One is left to wonder what their fates would have been had they played the same game in modern times with the sensationalists looking for a story -- any story -- dogging them at every turn. Food for thought.
I say let Johnny Manziel be Johnny Manziel. He's a young jock with a lot of money, and likes to party away from the field occasionally. As long as he's giving his all to his job as an NFL QB, then who is anybody else to question what he does in the few hours of his personal life?
And besides that -- he's pretty much all the Browns have these days. They would be wise to ignore the clamoring Crusaders and the centuries old resurgence of their archaic morals -- which has morphed into the modern day PC whiners -- and get about the business of winning a few football games. In the NFL -- there's no style points. Winning is all that matters.
Johnny gives them a chance in at least some games. Maybe not a good one -- but at least a shot. The Browns benching him was no more than the team shooting themselves in the foot -- again.
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