Sports Time Update 11/06/05
NCAA DIV 1-A Football
And then there were three.... UCLA's Bruins were exposed buck naked in Arizona, getting whipped 52-14. Marcus Vick & the Virginia Tech Hokies were smothered at home by the U. Miami Hurricanes defense, losing 27-7.
The Crimson Tide of Alabama shut out Mississippi State on the road 17-0. Texas rolled over Baylor High School for the Crippled 62-0, while USC just kept chugging along beating the Stanford Cardinal silly 51-21, it was 44-7 at the half.
Alabama finishes with #6 LSU in house (their only loss, at home to Tennessee by 3), then #17 Auburn on the road (their only loss, on the road to LSU by 3). Should 'Bama survive these two, they will face Georgia or Florida in the SEC championship game. We don't think they will survive the Auburn game. That leaves USC vs. Texas.
Texas closes with two handicapped school opponents (what else can you find in the Crippled Sisters of the Elderly Conference?), Kansas at home and then Texas A&M on the road. Texas follows the title game legacy of 05 USC 55 vs Oklahoma 19; 04 LSU 21 vs Oklahoma 14 (lost Big 12 championship game to K-State 35-7); 01 Miami 37 vs Nebraska 14 (lost Big 12 championship game to Colorado 62-36).
USC closes at #23 Cal , then home for #21 Fresno State , and #7 UCLA. Despite losing 3 games this year, the Cal Golden Bears at home are a dangerous bunch.
Pete Carroll's Trojans need to be vigilant against Da Bears. Last year, Cal totally outplayed the Trojans, outgaining USC 424-205 and leading in first downs, 28-12. However, at crunch time, Cal couldn't score on four tries from the USC 10-yard line, losing 23-17 in So Cal.
USC's only loss over the last three years, was a 34-31 triple-OT game at Cal in 2003. USC beat Cal in a thriller 30-28 at the Coliseum in 2002.
Not to put the cart before the horse, but; should USC & Texas arrive in the Rose Bowl, the books will make the Trojans at least a 6 point favorite. Although last year, Oklahoma opened as a one point favorite.
We plan to once again, take full advantage of the eastern media bias in our betting this year. Last year we gave -21 to all comers as the Trojans (a one point favorite by game time) routed Oklahoma by 36 points; 55-19, and the game really wasn't even that close. We think an appropriate line for this years mismatch would be USC -17.
Factoids: Should USC finish 12-0 they would enter the Rose Bowl with: a 37-1 record with Matt Leinart as starting QB; a 16 game winning streak vs. top 25 teams; an overall 34 game winning streak with back to back national championships; winners of 45 of 46 and 52 of 56.
Should the Trojans finish ranked #1 by the AP: this would be only the third time a team went wire to wire ranked #1. Florida State did it in 1999 and USC did it last year. It would be the first time a team went wire to wire, back to back.
When the Trojans are ranked #1 by the AP: their record 61-4-2; 3-0 vs. #2 team ; 5-0 in bowl games. Most importantly, USC is 27-7-2 all time vs the Big 12.
No team has ever won 3 consecutive NCAA football national championships. Should USC win the Rose Bowl, it would also be the first threepeat in AP poll and Division I-A football championship history. Or should we say "3 Pete"??
NFL
This week out of 12 games, 10 home teams were dogs. I haven't seen that in a goon's age. On that note, it is time for our mid season report. Quotes from our original predictions 09/19/05 Sports Time are in quote marks and italicized.
"NFC Division Winners: Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle
NFC Wild Card Contenders: Tampa Bay, Carolina, Dallas, NY Giants"
"Carolina, Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Dallas could rebound after last years disappointments. I expect Minnesota, Green Bay, Baltimore, Seattle & St. Louis to be disappointments. Surprises will be Cincinnati, Buffalo, Kansas City, Chicago and Tampa Bay."
West: Seattle headed for the division title and so far, NOT disappointing as we expected. St. Louis a disappointment.
East: One of our surprises, NY Giants headed for a division title, rather than a wild card spot. Rebounding Dallas or Washington could make a wild card run.
"Philadelphia has too many problems with T.O. to repeat in the weaker NFC." This week, T.O. suspended indefinitely for detrimental conduct. Stick a fork in Philly, as this bird is well done, they won't even make the playoffs.
Central: One of our surprises, Chicago seemingly headed for a division title on defense, watch out if they find an offense. Minnesota & Green Bay major disappointments.
With Daunte Culpepper now out for the season & Brad Johnson stepping in, there might be hope as Minnesota is still only two games back of da Bears.
South: The strongest division in the NFC. Atlanta headed for a division title. Carolina & Tampa Bay rebounding and pushing for the wild card spots.
Tampa Bay was 5-1; then starting QB Brian Griese went down for the season. With no Griese in the skids, the Bucs lost to SF, then got pounded at home by Carolina. Translated, next year.
"In the NFC I like Atlanta, Tampa Bay or Carolina." At mid season we admit our oversight of Philly's total collapse. However, we take credit for spotting da Bears, Bucs, Panthers & G-men. I'll gladly take calling 3 of 4 division winners and mention of the wild cards. We still like Atlanta in the NFC, but the G-men or Panthers might have a say.
"AFC Division Winners: New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Kansas City
AFC Wild Card Contenders: Cincinnati, Jacksonville, Buffalo, NY Jets"
West: Overlooked by moi, Denver headed for a division title and looking strong. The Bolts & rebounding Chefs attempting wild card runs.
North: One of our surprises, Cincinnati contending for a division title. However, Pittsburgh isn't going to give it up easily. Worst case, the Bengals take a wild card. Baltimore a disappointment.
East: Despite major injuries and coaching changes, the Patriots headed for a division title. Buffalo & Da JETS disappointing.
South: "If Indianapolis can find a defense and stop making mistakes against the Patriots this could be their year." It is, and perhaps in a really big way. Jacksonville making a wild card bid.
Once again, I will gladly take calling 3 out of 4 division winners with mention of the two wild cards. "If the Patriots stumble, Indianapolis and Peyton Manning finally get their moment."
Although Denver, Pittsburgh and New England will not go quietly, we still like Indy with their new found defense, to pick up where the Patriots appear to have left off in the AFC & the Super Bowl.
Bold prediction: If Indy wins at New England Monday night, it is quite possible we could see the Miami Dolphin's perfect 17-0 season in 1972 finally eclipsed by a 19-0 season.
The 1985 Bears & 1984 49er's came oh so close. Key 2nd half games to realize this dream: Cincy & Jacksonville on the road, Pittsburgh and San Diego at home.
And then there were three.... UCLA's Bruins were exposed buck naked in Arizona, getting whipped 52-14. Marcus Vick & the Virginia Tech Hokies were smothered at home by the U. Miami Hurricanes defense, losing 27-7.
The Crimson Tide of Alabama shut out Mississippi State on the road 17-0. Texas rolled over Baylor High School for the Crippled 62-0, while USC just kept chugging along beating the Stanford Cardinal silly 51-21, it was 44-7 at the half.
Alabama finishes with #6 LSU in house (their only loss, at home to Tennessee by 3), then #17 Auburn on the road (their only loss, on the road to LSU by 3). Should 'Bama survive these two, they will face Georgia or Florida in the SEC championship game. We don't think they will survive the Auburn game. That leaves USC vs. Texas.
Texas closes with two handicapped school opponents (what else can you find in the Crippled Sisters of the Elderly Conference?), Kansas at home and then Texas A&M on the road. Texas follows the title game legacy of 05 USC 55 vs Oklahoma 19; 04 LSU 21 vs Oklahoma 14 (lost Big 12 championship game to K-State 35-7); 01 Miami 37 vs Nebraska 14 (lost Big 12 championship game to Colorado 62-36).
USC closes at #23 Cal , then home for #21 Fresno State , and #7 UCLA. Despite losing 3 games this year, the Cal Golden Bears at home are a dangerous bunch.
Pete Carroll's Trojans need to be vigilant against Da Bears. Last year, Cal totally outplayed the Trojans, outgaining USC 424-205 and leading in first downs, 28-12. However, at crunch time, Cal couldn't score on four tries from the USC 10-yard line, losing 23-17 in So Cal.
USC's only loss over the last three years, was a 34-31 triple-OT game at Cal in 2003. USC beat Cal in a thriller 30-28 at the Coliseum in 2002.
Not to put the cart before the horse, but; should USC & Texas arrive in the Rose Bowl, the books will make the Trojans at least a 6 point favorite. Although last year, Oklahoma opened as a one point favorite.
We plan to once again, take full advantage of the eastern media bias in our betting this year. Last year we gave -21 to all comers as the Trojans (a one point favorite by game time) routed Oklahoma by 36 points; 55-19, and the game really wasn't even that close. We think an appropriate line for this years mismatch would be USC -17.
Factoids: Should USC finish 12-0 they would enter the Rose Bowl with: a 37-1 record with Matt Leinart as starting QB; a 16 game winning streak vs. top 25 teams; an overall 34 game winning streak with back to back national championships; winners of 45 of 46 and 52 of 56.
Should the Trojans finish ranked #1 by the AP: this would be only the third time a team went wire to wire ranked #1. Florida State did it in 1999 and USC did it last year. It would be the first time a team went wire to wire, back to back.
When the Trojans are ranked #1 by the AP: their record 61-4-2; 3-0 vs. #2 team ; 5-0 in bowl games. Most importantly, USC is 27-7-2 all time vs the Big 12.
No team has ever won 3 consecutive NCAA football national championships. Should USC win the Rose Bowl, it would also be the first threepeat in AP poll and Division I-A football championship history. Or should we say "3 Pete"??
NFL
This week out of 12 games, 10 home teams were dogs. I haven't seen that in a goon's age. On that note, it is time for our mid season report. Quotes from our original predictions 09/19/05 Sports Time are in quote marks and italicized.
"NFC Division Winners: Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle
NFC Wild Card Contenders: Tampa Bay, Carolina, Dallas, NY Giants"
"Carolina, Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Dallas could rebound after last years disappointments. I expect Minnesota, Green Bay, Baltimore, Seattle & St. Louis to be disappointments. Surprises will be Cincinnati, Buffalo, Kansas City, Chicago and Tampa Bay."
West: Seattle headed for the division title and so far, NOT disappointing as we expected. St. Louis a disappointment.
East: One of our surprises, NY Giants headed for a division title, rather than a wild card spot. Rebounding Dallas or Washington could make a wild card run.
"Philadelphia has too many problems with T.O. to repeat in the weaker NFC." This week, T.O. suspended indefinitely for detrimental conduct. Stick a fork in Philly, as this bird is well done, they won't even make the playoffs.
Central: One of our surprises, Chicago seemingly headed for a division title on defense, watch out if they find an offense. Minnesota & Green Bay major disappointments.
With Daunte Culpepper now out for the season & Brad Johnson stepping in, there might be hope as Minnesota is still only two games back of da Bears.
South: The strongest division in the NFC. Atlanta headed for a division title. Carolina & Tampa Bay rebounding and pushing for the wild card spots.
Tampa Bay was 5-1; then starting QB Brian Griese went down for the season. With no Griese in the skids, the Bucs lost to SF, then got pounded at home by Carolina. Translated, next year.
"In the NFC I like Atlanta, Tampa Bay or Carolina." At mid season we admit our oversight of Philly's total collapse. However, we take credit for spotting da Bears, Bucs, Panthers & G-men. I'll gladly take calling 3 of 4 division winners and mention of the wild cards. We still like Atlanta in the NFC, but the G-men or Panthers might have a say.
"AFC Division Winners: New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Kansas City
AFC Wild Card Contenders: Cincinnati, Jacksonville, Buffalo, NY Jets"
West: Overlooked by moi, Denver headed for a division title and looking strong. The Bolts & rebounding Chefs attempting wild card runs.
North: One of our surprises, Cincinnati contending for a division title. However, Pittsburgh isn't going to give it up easily. Worst case, the Bengals take a wild card. Baltimore a disappointment.
East: Despite major injuries and coaching changes, the Patriots headed for a division title. Buffalo & Da JETS disappointing.
South: "If Indianapolis can find a defense and stop making mistakes against the Patriots this could be their year." It is, and perhaps in a really big way. Jacksonville making a wild card bid.
Once again, I will gladly take calling 3 out of 4 division winners with mention of the two wild cards. "If the Patriots stumble, Indianapolis and Peyton Manning finally get their moment."
Although Denver, Pittsburgh and New England will not go quietly, we still like Indy with their new found defense, to pick up where the Patriots appear to have left off in the AFC & the Super Bowl.
Bold prediction: If Indy wins at New England Monday night, it is quite possible we could see the Miami Dolphin's perfect 17-0 season in 1972 finally eclipsed by a 19-0 season.
The 1985 Bears & 1984 49er's came oh so close. Key 2nd half games to realize this dream: Cincy & Jacksonville on the road, Pittsburgh and San Diego at home.
Comments