College Football 2011 - Week 5.....

OK, Notre Dame fans, I am not the bad luck charm you claimed me to be as the Irish held off Pittsburgh to even their record at 2-2. Another four matchups of ranked teams meeting up this weekend, including a "Welcome to the Big 10" for Nebraska as they go to Camp Randall in Wisconsin.

Week 5 games (Home team in CAPS)

Notre Dame over PERDUE - The Irish looking to get on the winning side of the season ledger, but will need to stay focused as they travel to West Lafayette to face Perdue or they will get a surprise.
SOUTH CAROLINA (#10) over Auburn - These Auburn team is terrible on defense and will not give the Gamecocks much of a fight as long as the South Carolina offense takes care of the ball. A big "if" sometimes for QB, Stephen Garcia.
ARKANSAS (#18) over Texas A&M (#14) - An early "hello" for the Aggies from a future conference opponent. Both teams coming off losses to ranked opponents and both want to get back on track. Hogs at home should come out on top.
VIRGINIA TECH (#11) over Clemson (#13) - Second ranked game for Clemson against an ACC opponent. The Tigers are coming off a big win against Florida State, but will stumble against the tough Hokie team on the road.
Alabama (#3) over FLORIDA (#12) - The Gators have done a solid job so far this year, but will be moving up in class when facing SEC rival Alabama. The Swamp will be rocking, but it will be the Tide rolling over Florida to sent the home folks home a little sad.
WISCONSIN (#7) over Nebraska (#8) - A "Welcome to the BIG 10" to Nebraska as their first conference opponent are the Badgers and they get to travel to Madison. Russell Wilson has been stellar so far for Wisconsin and will be the difference, along with the Camp Randall atmosphere.


Week 4: 5-1
2011 season: 15-9

College Football 2010 (Week 11).....

Well, things are starting to get clearer with regards to the possible BCS champion at the end of this season. It looks like it is down to seven possible teams with Auburn and Oregon controlling their own paths to the championship game, while TCU and Boise St. wait and hope for one of the top two to fall and let them in. Then sitting further on the outside, LSU, Ohio St., and Wisconsin's only hope it a complete collapse from those top four teams.

Very slow week as there are only two match-ups this week that involve Top 25 teams and all those teams are outside the Top 10.

Week 11 games:

ALABAMA (#11) over Mississippi State (#17) - Alabama gets knocked out of the National Championship debate in losing to LSU. Have to wonder if they will be up for MSU, but I think that Nick Saben gets them ready and back on the winning path.
FLORIDA (#24) over South Carolina (#22) - The battle for the SEC East crown. Coach Spurrier would love to get the victory over his old team in The Swamp, but coming off the bye will be a plus for the Gators and they take down the Gamecocks and get their season back on a positive note.
Oregon (#1) over CALIFORNIA - Now it is just up to Oregon to keep rolling and while early in the season this looked like it could be trouble, this now looks like it could get ugly.
AUBURN (#2) over Georgia - Auburn must make sure they don't look ahead to their Black Friday meeting against Alabama and if this game was on the road, I might be worried, but because it is a home game, Cam Newton and the Tigers roll over a disappointing Georgia team.
Iowa (#13) over NORTHWESTERN - Iowa can look back at two tough losses on the road to a "what could have been", but they need to take this Northwestern team seriously as they play tough Big Ten football. The Hawkeye defense is just too tough and they get the road victory.
Virginia Tech (#16) over NORTH CAROLINA - This is not the same Virginia Tech team that came out of the gate 0-2 and while North Carolina has played respectfully despite all their problems, they are missing too much talent to keep up with the Hokies.

Week 10: 2-4
2010 season: 38-22

Down goes Alabama - The SFB Podcast (10/11/2010).....

So there is some life with the "Ol' Ball Coach", as Steve Spurrier coached his South Carolina Gamecocks to an upset victory over #1 Alabama. Ohio St. now takes the top spot, but will they be on top of next week's first BCS ranking? Anyone have Florida and USC losing again on consecutive Saturdays? I'll take a look at the college games from this weekend.

Plus, the Yankees and Phillies have advanced after each swept their Divisional Sereis, but for me the Yankees advancing was a "yawn". Will anyone but Yankee fans care if they keep moving forward? Also, besides ratings for Fox, are the Yankees winning good for baseball? We'll explore. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: October 11, 2010 (right click to "save as target)

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College Football 2010 (Week 6).....

Alabama sure looks like the best team in college football as they crush their rival Florida Gators, while my favorite team to watch are the very exciting Oregon Ducks. Meanwhile Denard Robinson is turning into a player I want to watch and normally I don't look at individual players in the college game. Four match-ups of ranked teams this week, including a couple of in-state rivalries and two SEC match-ups.

Week 6 games:

Alabama (#1) over South Carolina (#19) - Maybe the "Old Ball Coach" can have his Gamecocks pull the upset over Alabama, but after seeing the Tide dismantle Florida last week, I think it will take a perfect effort and I just don't see it happening.
Michigan (#18) over Michigan State (#17) - What a game for the state of Michigan as both teams come in ranked and undefeated, which not many predicted at the start of the season. This will be another video game shootout with both offenses going up and down against these defenses. Denard Robinson makes the plays to lead the Wolverines over Sparty.
Miami (#13) over Florida State (#23) - Another in-state rivalry game, but Miami has too much speed on both sides of the ball and handles the Seminoles.
Notre Dame over Pittsburgh - Notre Dame has been looking good on offense and gets a win in a game that should be close and entertaining.
Florida (#14) over LSU (#12) - Both teams have been shaky all year, but more so for LSU and I think this is the game they finally get their first loss of the year. Florida bounces back from getting whipped last week against Alabama.
Stanford (#16) over USC - The USC defense is young and a little slow. Not a good match-up against a Stanford team that is hurting after blowing a 21-3 lead and getting outscored 49-10 the rest of the game against Oregon.


Week 5: 4-2
2010 season: 22-8

College Football 2010 (Week 5).....

Alabama showed that they are not giving up their position as the #1 team in college football without a big fight in their comeback (thrown to them by Ryan Mallett) win over Arkansas. It doesn't get any easier as they get Florida coming down for a visit. A good week of ranked match-ups between conference opponents.

Week 5 games:

Oklahoma (#8) over Texas (#21) - The Longhorns were embarrassed at home by UCLA and would love to spoil Oklahoma's year in their annual "Red River Rivalry" game. Unless Texas all of a sudden finds a running game, this should be the Sooners' year to win this attraction at the Texas State Fair.
Wisconsin (#11) over Michigan State (#24) - One of two Big Ten conference games between two ranked teams. Wisconsin has struggled as of late and this game is in Lansing, but the Badgers are a better team than the Spartans and will get a tough Big Ten win.
North Carolina State (#23) over Virginia Tech - Nice road win for NC State last week against Georgia Tech. When the Wolfpack show up among the ranked teams and that usually that means a letdown for my local team. This year just feels a little different and they play well at home against Virginia Tech and keep the nice start rolling along.
Alabama (#1) over Florida (#9) - Yes, I picked against the Tide last week, but I will not do that two weeks in a row, especially with this game at home. Florida has not looked great in their games and will struggle this week against Nick Saban's Alabama defense, in what could be a preview of the SEC Championship.
Oregon (#4) over Stanford (#9) - A showcase of the Pac 10's best two teams and it does not include USC. Andrew Luck and Stanford will try to keep up with the high flying Ducks' offense, but Oregon being at home will be the difference in this matchup that has the possibility of looking like a video game with all the scoring these two teams can generate.
Iowa (#17) over Penn St. (#22) - Both teams need the victory after some lackluster performances. The Hawkeyes have the Nittany Lions at home and that is the reason I favor Iowa in this matchup.


Week 4: 4-2
2010 season: 18-6

College Football 2010 (Week 3).....

No real "heavyweight" games this weekend, but any Saturday with college football is a good Saturday. Last week's games looked good on paper, but were disappointments with so many blowouts.

Week 3 games:

Notre Dame over Michigan State - The Irish defense were exposed as still a bit slow, but I think Brian Kelly gets them back on track against the Spartans.
Iowa (#9) over Arizona (#24) - Only match-up this week of top 25 teams. Iowa will have a tough test traveling west, but this is a good football team that will get the job done in a hostile environment.
Nebraska (#8) over Washington - The Cornhuskers travel up to Washington to face an improving Huskie team. The Husker defense is very good and is able to control quarterback Jake Locker.
LSU (#15) over Mississippi St. - A tough loss for MSU at home last week against Auburn and it doesn't get any easier with the Tigers coming to town. LSU needs to take advantage of a MSU team that may still be upset by that loss.
Arkansas (#12) over Georgia - Tough SEC game with the Razorbacks traveling to Athens. Georgia already lost one SEC game in dropping last week's contest to South Carolina. Ryan Mallett leads Arkansas to road SEC victory.
Florida (#10) over Tennessee - Florida has looked shaky in their first two victories, but I think they get healthy against a Volunteer team that will keep the game close, but doesn't have enough talent to beat the Gators.

Week 2: 5-1
2010 season: 10-2

College Football 2010 (Week 1).....

While I love watching college football, predicting the end of year Bowl match-ups in August is not on the top of my list of favorite things to do, as depending on 18 and 19 year olds to do what you think they will for a whole season is virtually impossible. That said, here are some of the teams I am keeping my eye on as the season gets started.

Alabama - Can they repeat or will Mark Ingram's knee injury be enough to hurt the Tide in the tough SEC ?
Florida - How will life be PT (Post Tebow)?
Auburn - Will they be the team to sneak up on league and make the Iron Bowl interesting again.
LSU - Again, they need to find offense to go with the defense. Les Miles on "hot seat"?
Ohio St. - Can Terrelle Pryor step up and show everyone what we saw at season's end?
Wisconsin and Iowa - Two teams who are going to be very good again this year.
Penn St. - Joe Pa without glasses?
Texas and Oklahoma - The "Big 2" will again battle it out for supremacy of the Big 12 South.
Nebraska - Will the Cornhuskers represent the Big 12 as its BCS champion in their swan song season?
Florida St. - The Jimbo Fisher era starts. Will the ghost of Bobby Bowden hover over it?
Miami - Is this the year they put together a whole season?
Virginia Tech - Will the Boise St. game define their season?
North Carolina - How will the off-field questions effect a team that was poised for good things before the NCAA came calling?
Oregon - Seemed to clean out the "problems" on the roster and look like the head of the Pac 10 class. December 4th OSU match-up could be for the state and Pac 10 titles.
Oregon St. - See December 4th match-up above. Who scheduled TCU & Boise St. in first 3 weeks? Will they bust the "BCS Busters"?
USC - Did Pete Carrol leave at the right time? Will Lane Kiffin get his players to forget the bad taste of NCAA sanctions?
Boise St. - If they can't beat Virginia Tech in Washington, DC Labor Day weekend (a virtual VT home game), will the "I told you so" chant be deafening?
TCU - Open with Oregon St, then it is "who are they" for the remainder of the schedule.
Notre Dame - Will it be different with Brian Kelly at the helm? The schedule is again a brutal and may lead to a record not reflective of their improvement.

Week 1 games:

NOTRE DAME over Perdue - The Kelly era starts well.
USC (#16) over HAWAII - USC's Bowl game as they get a trip to the Islands.
TCU (#6) over Oregon St. (#24) - TCU takes advantage of being at home.
LSU (#21) over North Carolina (#18) (in Atlanta) - The off field distractions hurt the Tar Heels.
Virginia Tech (#10) over Boise St. (#3) (in Landover, MD) - Best game of the opening weekend. "Home" game for VT gives them slight edge.
MICHIGAN over Connecticut - Just a hunch that Michigan gets back on the winning track.

Coaching Carousel Turning Stomachs.....

The USC and South Florida coaching jobs have been filled by Lane Kiffin and Skip Holtz which means that the Tennessee and East Carolina jobs are now open because these coaches have left for “greener pastures”. It is quite possible those jobs will be filled by current head coaches, which will leave those schools without a head coach and just start the merry-go-round up again.

Yes, this seems to happen every year in college football, but this year just feels different. Maybe it is because the jobs available since early December were at schools that we are not used to seeing open, or thought we would not see open for quite some time. If on December 1st I was to have told you that the following head coach positions would be available, you would have laughed me out of this column, but look what schools have had the “help wanted” sign up these last six weeks.

Notre Dame
USC
Tennessee
Texas Tech
Cincinnati

Plus, let’s not forget that for 24 hours the Florida coaching job was vacant. You could have had three of the top ten, maybe even top five football universities with different head coaches next year. Crazy.

Add in the other “name” schools that have replaced coaches since the season’s end (Virginia, Kansas, and Louisville) and then a dozen or so smaller schools, and that is a bunch of coaches moving around.

But this isn’t about the coaches leaving and who replaced them, it is about the process surrounding these coaching changes and how this “coaching silly season”, and especially this week’s events, have really brought into focus the need for change in how and when coaches change jobs and that the NCAA, which is supposed to be looking out for these “student athletes”, actually turns their back on them during these times.

While some like seeing this game of “move a coach here, place a coach there”, I for one am getting tired of it, especially after seeing what has gone down these past couple of days with USC and Tennessee recruits. Because of the timing of these changes, eighteen year old kids have to play games with the schools they committed to if they now decide they don’t want to honor that commitment, and that just stinks. On Wednesday, some had to resort to not attending classes at the school of commitment, just so they can transfer without having to sit out a year. Does the NCAA think it is a good idea for these kids to skip classes just to keep from losing that year of playing time?

So coaches come and go as they please, but a player, who may have been highly influenced to attend a certain school because of the coach, will get punished if he wants to leave to follow said coach, or just attend another school that he had previously considered. While I am concerned about the player who already has attended the school for a year, I am more bothered by those kids who are ready to commit and attend the school for the upcoming year / season. As shown this week, some of these kids are being tugged every which way when a coach leaves a school, and besides thinking about just staying with the school they committed to, if they decide to change their commitment, they must do so in quick fashion.

Look at four star recruit defensive tackle Brandon Willis who was committed to Tennessee. On Tuesday he was on his way to Knoxville to start classes when he heard the news of Kiffin leaving. The coaches leaving with Kiffin tried to persuade him to go to USC, but he was having nothing of it. On Wednesday, he decided to attend North Carolina. How fair is it for this kid to have his mind made up, then have it swept away because the coach that recruited him leaves before he even gets on campus, then he has to make another decision on where he should attend school? If Willis had stepped on campus, and attended a class, he would have been stuck at Tennessee, or if he wanted to transfer would have had to sit out a season at the other school.

By the way, if you are wondering how coaches can just up and leave their contracts they have with a school, it is because in most cases these coaches have buyout clauses that allow them to buy their way out of the contract, so in most cases it is the school that puts themselves in this position by allowing those clauses.

While I don’t want these kids moving around from school to school just to follow a certain coach, or chase playing time, I think the NCAA needs to make it available to them as a one-time exemption during their years of playing eligibility. Yes, I know it is supposed to be about their education, but let’s be adults here and know that for a few it has absolutely nothing to do with education, and all about playing football, or basketball, etc. Brandon Willis is a perfect example of someone who wanted to play for Lane Kiffin, but once Kiffin left, Willis wanted nothing to do with Tennessee and also nothing to do with Kiffin because he felt betrayed by him.

The feeling of betrayal or being deceived by coaches who tell these kids and parents that they will be at a program is not even a part of this discussion, and can be a whole new column for another day.

My idea would be to allow each student/athlete one free transfer, without having to sit out a year, if the coach that recruited them to a school leaves that school, whether on their own or because they were fired. Any other transfer attempt following the first one would play by the current rules and the student would have to sit out one season before being eligible to play for their new school. Not all players on a team would use this “out”, but it would make it fairer for the athletes, instead of them having to watch that coach who promised them everything walk away from them and go onto to a different place without any consequences, while the same could not be the same for them. Personally, I don’t think too many players would use this “escape clause” because most of these kids get comfortable with their college surroundings and would not want to “start over” again at another school.

While not a perfect solution, and maybe addressing the coaches’ buyout clauses maybe the solution for some, it would at least give a little something to a player who made a commitment to a coach, but whose coach truly didn’t make a commitment to the player.

Tebow Tears.....

Did you see where during the last remaining seconds of the SEC Championship Game, presented by Dr. Pepper (I think everybody is legally obligated to say it this way), the camera caught Florida Gator quarterback Tim Tebow crying on the sidelines? Not sure if those tears were due to Tebow realizing his dreams of another National Championship were gone with the loss to Alabama, or because he was upset he didn’t play well enough to carry his teammates to the victory, but it was a scene showing a young man’s emotions and was captured for all to witness.

The scene was replayed on all the highlight shows, was the top Twitter trend, and seemed to be a topic on many of my friends’ Facebook pages. It was the topic of a “First & 10” segment on ESPN’s First Take, with Detroit writer Rob Parker pulling out tissues and faking tears in mocking Tebow. I think the only place it wasn’t shown or spoken about was on Saturday Night Live. (Thank you, White House Crashers and Tiger Woods.)

Oh, how sweet you say. Ah, no, it had nothing to do with sweet. Most of the chatter concerning those tears were cheap shots and rips into the young Tebow. There were a few “Tebow is my hero”, and “Look how much he cares” posts, but for the most part it was mostly pokes, prods and jabs at the quarterback’s expense.

If you are thinking there sure are many sport fans that must dislike the Florida Gators and were happy to see the Alabama Crimson Tide get the victory, you would again be off the mark. These remarks against Tebow have nothing to do with who he plays for or who Tebow was playing against, as this is completely personal against the college senior. Check the Nebraska sidelines Saturday night after the Texas placekicker, Hunter Lawrence’s kick sailed through the uprights and there were tears, but none got an ESPN highlight, tweets or Facebook time.

I like human emotion, and I like to see athletes show that emotion. When I see an eighteen year old freshman who just dropped the pass in the end zone to cost his team the game, or the bench warmer who never stepped foot on the field have tears, I feel for them. I also feel for those kids if they have tears of joy after a victory. Same goes for the professionals who show emotions and caring after their long season has ended, whether it be holding the trophy or saying “We’ll do it next year”. Why? Because it makes me care more about what I just witnessed knowing they put everything into what they were trying to accomplish. When it is the professionals showing that caring, it helps me forget about salaries and millions of dollars, and gets back to the heart of what I tuned in to see, playing to win and leaving it all out there on the field/court/rink with no regrets about effort.

Personally, any athlete, professional or college, who after a victory has a sour face, or after a loss has a smile and laughter, shows me they didn’t care enough for it to hurt. (It also means they probably play for themselves, and not the team, but that’s another column) Now don’t think I mean they can never smile or be upset, but immediately after the game has ended emotions should still be carrying them.

So, what are Tim Tebow’s crimes to illicit these different reactions? Well, Tebow is described by most as a good person, a great teammate and a winner. He is a good student, loves his parents, and doesn’t get into any trouble. I know what you are thinking, "Why are you telling me about such a terrible being?" Also, he is also a Christian who wears his faith on his sleeve for all to see. Because Tebow’s Gator teams have been a college football powerhouse for his four years in Gainesville, and because Tebow is the quarterback, he has been in the spotlight for all to view. With those views, we have seen Tebow’s eye-black tape with Bible verses written on them, have heard his “God Bless” after all interviews and have been told all the stories about his missionary work in the Philippines and how he ministers prisoners in his spare time.

Problem? Well for some it seems the above characteristics are the problem, especially the last part of the above paragraph describing his Christian faith, and how he lives his life. It is one of those “too good to be true” stories, that some feel has been exaggerated by those who cover and report on the quarterback. I don’t feel exaggeration was the problem as much as the number of Tebow stories that surfaced on the air last year.

Those feeling went over the top for many Tebow detractors when Thom Brennaman told the audience tuning into last year’s BCS title game against Oklahoma that “If you are fortunate enough to spend five minutes or twenty minutes around Tim Tebow, your life is better for it.” Over the top? Sure. Give you a “roll of the eyes” moment. Check to that also. What it also did was unleash a backlash against the kid that I have never seen in my time watching and loving sports. He was no longer the good guy Florida quarterback, who was also a Christian. Instead, for many, he turned into the Jesus freak, no way it’s too good to be true, hope he falls on his face, quarterback of the Gators.

Tebow didn’t ask Brennaman to say that about him, and I am sure he was embarrassed when told of the remarks, but it was too late as the floodgates were opened.

The 2009 college season started with Florida ranked at the top of the polls, poised for a repeat, and Tim Tebow the favorite to win the Heisman trophy for the second time of his college career, and right from the start there was an anti-Tebow mood with college football fans. Not just “against Florida, SEC fans”, but what seemed like all fans other then Gator fans. While I agree Tebow and Florida did seem to be crowned in the preseason, it was by no fault or ways of Tebow. He was responding to what was being presented, not initiating the crowning.

As the season progressed, Tebow did not have the kind of year that was expected of him, but the Gators kept winning, and that winning kept Florida on top of the poles, and kept Tebow in the spotlight, which seemed to make the divide wider. It all cumulated with the scene on Saturday night after Alabama crushed Florida in the SEC Championship game, and the cameras capturing Tebow crying as the clock wound down.

As I mentioned, I love true human emotion, and so does the nation of Tebow non-fans when it comes in the form of #15 tears because of a loss. As of this writing if you Google “Tim Tebow cries” it brings up 153,000 hits, and not all of them are glowing accounts of the moment.

For more fun, put in “Tim Tebow sucks” and get another 94,000 links presented for your viewing pleasure.

Is a good guy really that much of a problem for us? Do we really need to tear down and mock a 22 year old kid because he is nice, and does the right things? While other sport stars have fallen off the cliff of their own doing either though cheating, drugs, performance enhancing substances, domestic abuse, murder, robbery, or just plain being a terrible person, here we have a kid who is on the opposite side of that fence, and yet we are ready to push him off with the others. How about we see if he brings himself to the cliff’s edge before we toss him off it? You can even make the argument that some of those others receive forgiveness and a second chance (Michael Vick, anyone?) while this kid is being buried for just being “too good to be true” and too overexposed for some?

For full disclosure I am a Christian (baptized in the Pacific Ocean along with my wife in August 2008), but the religious angle of this is not a part of my thoughts. I don’t care that he is a Christian, or if he was Jewish, Muslim, or believed in little green aliens. Strip away all religious aspects, and this is still a good kid and someone that could and should be looked upon in a positive light. That is what I care about, him being a good person and someone I can tell my daughter she can look up to. Not how or who he says his prayers to at night.

In a time when we have the most famous current athlete paying off affairs and his wife to keep a false image clean, why must we dismiss someone who for now seems to be the opposite of what is wrong in sports and society. Are we afraid of getting hurt by him if he does falter like other have before him? Or is it that we like a little dirt in our lives, and that makes it easier for us when that fall from grace does arrive. That way we can say “I told you so”, and just move on.

To those of us that are parents, isn’t this “height” what we hope for our children to emulate and inspire to be like, or do we want them teasing the straight A student who doesn’t get in trouble at school. That way the student may come down a level and make it easier for our child to reach those lowered heights. Is that what we truly want?

Yes, he may be pushed by some others to be more then what he really is, but even when you take off the extra coats of sugar put on Tebow by some, what you get at the core is someone we should wish was more the norm, then pointed at and ridiculed like a freak show.

This & That (Friday 12/4/09).....

--- NFL Playoff scenarios starting to take shape as we come down to the final five weeks, but the way the last few weeks have played out, it could be a mess by the time the Monday Night game ends. It's not that all the teams have a chance, but the teams you think are ready to fall off the "playoff ledge" seem to be getting the right combination that still keeps their hopes alive.

NFL MVP talk is starting to heat up with the names Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Brett Favre leading the discussion, but the Titans' Chris Johnson is starting to get some whispers. While Johnson may get to 2,000 yards, if the Titans don't make the playoffs, he should not be part of the conversation.

--- Ron Artest and Hennessy? I find it strange that he admitted this in the middle of a season and not during an off season. While Artest claims he no longer keeps a "stash", how closely do you think the Lakers and the NBA are watching his behavior?

Never thought I would see Allen Iverson making a return trip to 76ers, much less the emotional press conference to reintroduce himself to the city of Philadelphia. It will be interesting to see if Iverson plays well and is able to help the team win a few more games, along with putting more fans in the seats, which is the primary reason AI was brought back to Philly.

--- Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Mark Ingram and Toby Gerhart are the Heisman Trophy front runners. Gerhart's season is finished, while the other three have their final chances to show the voters they are "the one", but each face their toughest defensive opponent this weekend. If any of the three have a "statement game", they should move to the top of the list. If the three have their normal productive games, then it will be a very interesting night next Saturday in New York.

Personally, while I think Gerhart has had the best year in terms of pure statistics, but last week's game against Texas A&M put it in McCoy's hands, and only a terrible game against Nebraska will cost him the trophy.

After ripping Florida coach Urban Meyer a few weeks ago, I must give my kudos to him for his quick action with regards to suspending defensive end Carlos Dunlap, for this week's SEC Championship game against Alabama. Dunlap was issued a DUI after falling asleep in his car at a red light. Besides the DUI, Dunlap is under age, which makes this a double mistake. There are some who think Meyer is making the wrong decision in suspending Dunlap as it hurts his team's chances to win the game, and winning is supposed to be Meyer's job. Plain and simple those people are wrong. Winning the game is one thing, but doing the right thing is another, and Meyer did the right thing in this situation.

If Dunlap was found drinking at the frat house, then maybe a suspension would not be warranted. The same goes for Dunlap just falling asleep at the wheel from exhaustion. Combine the two, and there is no question he should have been punished.

--- Vin Scully will be coming back to broadcast Dodger games in 2010. This will be Scully's 61st season in the booth, and he still sounds as great as ever. Not to be out done on the golden tones front, the San Diego Padres will have Dick Enberg describing their games for the local television broadcasts. With those two legends calling games, there are some very lucky baseball fans in Southern California.

Roy Halladay has told the Toronto Blue Jays that he will now accept a trade to the New York Yankees, which can only make the Toronto front office happy, as that should help them get a better deal for the star pitcher. At the same time Halladay also informed them that he will not accept any trade made once the spring training starts, which will handcuff the Blue Jays' management.

I'm sure Halladay's thinking for issuing the deadline is that last year his season hit a bit of a swoon while all the trade discussion was going on, and he doesn't want to go through that mess again.

There was a large amount of players not offered arbitration, which will flood the second and third tier free agent markets. Looks like it will again be a buyers' market for those players not considered superstars.

--- Keith Ballard accidently hitting Tomas Vokoun is still the talk of the NHL and sport fans in general. In all my years of watching hockey, I have never seen anything close to what happened Monday night. Vokoun has forgiven Ballard, and they are trying to put the incident behind them and move forward with the Panthers' season.

There were some rumblings by hockey fans that maybe the league should have looked into suspending Ballard for his loose work with his stick. While I am a strong proponent of players controlling their sticks, I think Ballard has been punished enough for his mistake, and if discipline was to be handed out, it should have been the Panthers call to make, and not the league.

Alex Ovechkin was suspended two games due to his knee to knee hit on the Carolina Hurricanes' Tim Gleason, last Monday night. The suspension was fair, as that type of play is dangerous for both players, and in this case as Ovechkin was the one hurt on the play. I was at the game, and didn't think the hit had intent behind it, but nevertheless, the league needs to send a message to it players.

The 2010 Winter Olympics are still a couple of months away, but the NHL is already causing a stir with regards to the 2014 Olympics set to take place in Russia. At this time, the NHL says it is not sure if it will stop the season for the two week Olympic break. That is not sitting well with the current NHL players from Russia, who want to play for their Olympic team in their home country. I would say now the NHL is thinking "no", but does not want to take away from the Vancouver games. In the end though, the NHL will send players in 2014, only to avoid the nasty scenarios that could occur otherwise.

This & That (Black Friday Edition 11/27/09).....

Hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving with family and/or friends. If you decided to go out and do physical shopping on "Black Friday", hopefully you were able to purchase the items you targeted and didn't see too much bodily harm from shoppers in the stores.

--- The NFL version of Thanksgiving Football was a three course meal of complete turkeys. The heavily favored Packers and Cowboys won their games in easy fashion during the afternoon action. While in the NFL night cap, the Giants went to Denver to face the Broncos, and looked like they wanted to be anyplace but playing football on their holiday.

Green Bay's offense was moving right along in their 34-12 victory over the Detroit Lions. Donald Driver was the offensive star with his 142 receiving yards and one TD catch. The Packer did was solid all day, and seemed to show no ill effects from the injuries they have suffered on that side of the ball.

In an off the field story, Packer defensive back Charles Woodson donated $2 million to the new University of Michigan hospital. Bravo to Woodson for his giving back to his alma mater.

While in Dallas, the Cowboys' offense seemed to wake from their two week nap by gained 195 yards on the ground and Tony Romo playing mistake free football in rolling over the Raiders 24-7. The "bad" Oakland team showed up for this game, but they did manage to gain 124 yards on the ground against the Cowboy defense.

The Giants traveled to Denver to face the Broncos, but looked like they never really got off the plane. Denver looked like the team who started the season 6-0, in whipping New York 26-6. The Broncos dominated every facet of the game and look to be back on track, while the Giants look like they are in serious trouble with only 5 games remaining.

---The best game of the day was the college rivalry match-up between the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies. In a game that brings Texas a step closer to the BCS Championship game, the Longhorns beat the Aggies 49-39 in a good old fashioned shootout. The performance by Colt McCoy firmly moved him up the Heisman discussion, and to me I think he is the leader of the race with Florida's Tim Tebow and Alabama's Mark Ingram just behind the Texas QB.

The concern coming out of the game if you are a Longhorn fan, is giving up 39 points and 542 yards to the Aggies' offense. While Nebraska's offense isn't as explosive, I'm sure Coach Mack Brown will look for the defense to tighten up and play better before facing Huskers in the Big 12 title game.

Alabama faces Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Friday, while Florida hosts Florida State on Saturday, and if both clear those hurdles, it will set up the December 5th SEC Championship game as a "semi-final" to see who will be one half of the championship game participants.

Wonder what the rest of the holiday weekend sports has in store for us? Hopefully, I will be better then my zero for three turkey in picks on Thanksgiving Day.

Week 9 NFL Picks & The SportsFan Buzz Podcast (11/5/2009).....

SportsFan Buzz now also has a podcast. I hope you enjoy, and please provide all comments as this is in the very infant stage. Thank you.

Week 9 NFL picks (see below). Yankees' championship & celebration. Yankees buying World Series. A different turn in the Brandon Spikes suspension.
Please click on the below link to directly download the episode, or you may use this link Subscribe to The SportsFan Buzz (also found to the right) to get a subscription and automatic download (including iTunes).

The SportsFan Buzz: November 5, 2009

If you have picks you want to share, please use comment section. More details behind the picks is discussed in the podcast.

Week 9 picks: (home team in CAPS)

JAGUARS (-6 1/2) over Chiefs
Jaguars should ride Maurice Jones-Drew to a victory at home over a poor Chiefs team. The Larry Johnson mess during bye week did not help Chiefs. Picking up Chris Chambers, should help Matt Cassel and the Chiefs passing game.

Ravens (-3 1/2) over BENGALS
Another desperate game for Ravens, as a loss puts them 2 games behind Bengals, plus losing season series. Ravens seemed to put it together last week, and they get revenge for the early season late game loss to Cincinnati back in week 4.

Texans (+9) over COLTS
Houston's offense will put up enough points to keep this close, but Peyton Manning and the Colts should win the game. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson really have the passing game clicking. The loss of tight end Owen Daniels could slow them down.  Colts losing CB Marlin Jackson for the remainder of the season could be huge to Indianapolis' defense.

FALCONS (-10) over Redskins
Atlanta played well in New Orleans, and seemed to get running game rolling. Matt Ryan needs to protect the ball better from the interceptions. Washington is a mess, and I don't think it got fixed during bye week.

Packers (-9 1/2) over BUCS
Tampa Bay could go winless again 33 years after first winless year. Green Bay gets back its two offensive tackles in Mark Tauscher & Chad Clifton, which should make Aaron Rodgers very happy and keep him upright, which will allow him to get the ball downfield to Donald Driver and Greg Jennings.

BEARS (-3) over Cardinals
Arizona is in that group of teams that you just are not sure about. Chicago also fits into that category. Think the Bears at home will get enough offense to win the game, but they way these two have flip flopped in their efforts, anything is possible.

Dolphins (+10 1/2) over PATRIOTS
Back to the scene of the "birth" of the Wildcat. It may not be all Wildcat, but expect the Dolphins to run Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown and try to keep Tom Brady on the sidelines. Miami runs enough to keep the game close.

Panthers (+13 1/2) over SAINTS
Carolina may have finally realized last week what every fan has known all year. That they are a running team first, and should pass only when needed. If they stick to that gameplan, they should keep it close and could even surprise a Saints' team coming off a tough Monday Night victory.

SEAHAWKS (-10) over Lions
Lions looked very poor last week in losing to the Rams, at home. Traveling cross country will not help them. Even though Seattle is beat up on defense, they should have enough offense and home field advantage to win and cover this game.

49ERS (-4) over Titans
Tennessee got their first win last week, but it will stop there. San Francisco is looking good on offense with Alex Smith, Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree & Vernon Davis. Those weapons should be able to take advantage of the Titans defense which is still playing poor. Look for the 49er defense to cause a couple of Vince Young turnovers.

Chargers (+ 4 1/2) over GIANTS
I think the Giants will win this game, but it will be a 4th quarter victory. Expect the Giants to get back to basics on both offense and defense, and take advantage of a Charger defense which is not where they were 3 years ago. Battle of the "traded 2004 QBs" with Philip Rivers facing Eli Manning.

EAGLES (-3) over Cowboys
The Giants helped Philadelphia's offense get very healthy last week, and look for it to keep rolling this week at home against Dallas. Philly's speed could mean even more big plays against this Cowboy defense. Roy Williams sounded "TO ish" in his reasoning behind his poor numbers will not help the Cowboys. Look for the Eagles' defense to harass Tony Romo.

BRONCOS (+3) over Steelers
Denver at home on a Monday night is a nice combination. The loss last week to Baltimore was not totally unexpected, and we will see how they respond after their first setback. Look for the Bronco defense to get back on track and put plenty of pressure on Ben Roethlisberger.

Week 8 record (8-5)
2009 season (15-10-1)

The SportsFan Buzz Podcast (11/3/2009).....

SportsFan Buzz now also has a podcast. I hope you enjoy, and please provide all comments as this is in the very infant stage. Thank you.

World Series Game 5, Monday Night Football between Saints & Falcons and the Urban Meyer "suspension" of Brandon Spikes is discussed. Enjoy.

Please click on the below link to directly download the episode, or you may use this link Subscribe to The SportsFan Buzz (also found to the right) to get a subscription and automatic download (including iTunes).

The SportsFan Buzz: November 3, 2009