Top 10 BCS Standings & Bowl Predictions: 2.0

Week 9 of the college football season has ended and it was a great week of upsets and crazy games. Three top 10 teams suffered losses in Kansas State, Michigan State and Clemson. This was a big blow to Kansas State in their quest for a BIG 12 Title, but now they are tied for second place in the BIG 12 conference with Oklahoma and behind #3 Oklahoma State. Kansas State was only down 23-17 at halftime but would end up getting decimated 58-17. Clemson suffered loss number one but are still not in bad shape for the ACC Title picture and a shot at a BCS bowl game. Clemson was easily man handled by Georgia Tech 31-17. After Michigan State upset National Title hopeful Wisconsin on a last play hail mary last week, the Spartans got taken care of by Nebraska, 24-3. Numbers 1 and 2, LSU and Alabama were idle the week before their big clash in Alabama in what could decide one half of the National Title picture. Oklahoma State layed another nasty whooping, this time to RG3 and Baylor. Boise State was idle and things actually look good with Clemson and Kansas State falling. Stanford looked to be getting upset by USC but escaped with a thrilling 56-48 Triple Overtime win. Both Oklahoma and Oregon, once heavy National Title favorites, got big wins this week. Now it's time for the second edition of my top 10 BCS Standings.

1.LSU Tigers (7-0) BYE WEEK. Last week (1). The Tigers got a needed week off before the biggest game of the year between themselves and #2 Alabama.

2.Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0) BYE WEEK. Last week (2). The Crimson Tide got a needed week off before, well, just look above.

3.Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-0) defeated Baylor Bears 59-24. Last week (3). The Cowboys are rolling, off to their best start since 1945. Considered moving them up in the standings but LSU and Alabama have been deserving off their spots, but if the Cowboys win next week against a very upset Kansas State team, they will move up after one of Alabama and LSU will fall.

4.Boise State Broncos (7-0) BYE WEEK. Last week (4). Boise State is still clinging to hope of playing in the National Title game and if they can beat UNLV next week and Oklahoma State gets upset by Kansas State, Boise State will be in position to play in the big game as we all know one of LSU and Alabama will tumble next week.

5.Stanford Cardinals (8-0) defeated USC Trojans 56-48 (Triple OT). Last week (5). Stanford was once down 10 in the second half but stormed back with under a minute left to tie it and force overtime and outlast USC in three overtimes. The Cardinals have a not so easy test again next week, at 6-2 rivals Washington.

6.Oklahoma Sooners (6-1) defeated #7 Kansas State Wildcats 58-17. Last week (10). The Sooners destroyed K-State a week after being upset by Texas Tech in Norman. With K-State, MSU, and CLEM falling and Oregon looking shaky against Washington State, Oklahoma advances four spots.

7.Oregon Ducks (7-1) defeated Washington State Cougars 45-28. Last week (9). Oregon looked a bit shaky against Washington State but did put up 45, advancing two spots in the standings, but Oklahoma leaps them with their thrashing on K-State.

8.Arkansas Razorbacks (7-1) defeated Vanderbilt Commodores 31-28. Last week (N/R). Arkansas barely survived Vanderbilt, but with a 7-1 record and 3-1 in the SEC, the Razorbacks make their debut in the standings. Tough tests await Arkansas though in two of the final four games, against South Carolina next week, and at LSU on November 25th on the final game of the year.

9.Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-1) defeated #9 Michigan State Spartans 24-3. Last week (N/R) - Nebraska embarrasses Michigan State a week after their improbable comeback hail mary win over Wisconsin. They share a lead with Michigan for 1st place in the BIG 10-Legends Conference. They got Penn State and Michigan consecutive weeks on the road on November 12th and 19th, respectively.

10.South Carolina Gamecocks (7-1) defeated Tennessee Volunteers 14-3. Last week (N/R). South Carolina improves to 7-1 without star running back Marcus Lattimore, who is out for the year with a knee injury. They have a one game lead on Georgia in the SEC East and that defense is just so good like every other defense in the SEC. There's no doubt that the SEC is the best conference in the nation.

National Title Game: Alabama Crimson Tide vs Oklahoma State Cowboys
Rose Bowl Game: Stanford Cardinals vs Penn State Nittany Lions
Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma Sooners vs Oregon Ducks
Sugar Bowl: LSU Tigers vs Boise State Broncos
Orange Bowl: Clemson Tigers vs Cincinnati Bearcats

Heisman - Stanford QB Andrew Luck
2nd Place - Oklahoma QB Landry Jones
3rd Place - Houston QB Case Keenum
4th Place - Alabama RB Trent Richardson
5th Place - Boise State QB Kellen Moore

Week 8 NFL Picks

Week 8 of he 2011 NFL season upon us and just like week 7, it's not the greatest slate of games. Last week I went 8-5 in last weeks picks. Starting this week, I'm making my picks against the spread. So here goes nothing, my Week 8 NFL Picks.

Indianapolis Colts (+8.5) over Tennessee Titans
Houston Texans (-9.5) over Jacksonville Jaguars
Carolina Panthers (-3) over Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints (-13.5) over St.Louis Rams
Baltimore Ravens (-12) over Arizona Cardinals
New York Giants (-9.5) over Miami Dolphins
Buffalo Bills (-5) over Washington Redskins
Detroit Lions (-3) over Denver Broncos
New England Patriots (-2.5) over Pittsburgh Steelers
San Francisco 49ers (-8.5) over Cleveland Browns
Cincinnati Bengals (-2) over Seattle Seahawks
Philadelphia Eagles (-3) over Dallas Cowboys
Kansas City Chiefs (+3) over San Diego Chargers

LOCKS OF THE WEEK (GAMES I REALLY LOVE AND WOULD BET):
New York Giants (-9.5) over Miami Dolphin
Buffalo Bills (-5) over Washington Redskins
Carolina Panthers (-3) over Minnesota Vikings
Houston Texans (-9.5) over Jacksonville Jaguars

Andrew Luck Sweepstakes

Andrew Luck, have you heard that name before? Assuming you've been following the 2011 NFL season, you definitely have heard it. Luck is the top college QB prospect in the country playing at Stanford. He's in his junior year at the college and has put up insane numbers ever since he's become the starting QB in his freshmen year in 2009. He became the first ever Stanford QB to be named the starter in his freshmen year. Many experts are calling Luck the best QB prospect since Peyton Manning was drafted in 1998 by the Indianapolis Colts out of Tennessee. Some experts are even calling Luck the best QB prospect since John Elway was drafted in 1983 by the Baltimore Colts out of Stanford and then traded right away to the Denver Broncos after he voiced his displeasure of not wanting to play for the Colts and forcing a trade. 


Andrew Luck has had a great first two and a half season's at Stanford going 27-5 so far and being the Heisman trophy runner up in 2010. He was named the 2010 Orange Bowl MVP after guiding Stanford to a 40-12 win over Virginia Tech. Over his collegiate career, Luck has a 66.1 completion percentage and a passer rating of 163.5. Luck has thrown for 7,801 yards, 65 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He's also run for 890 yards and six touchdowns. He has 8,691 yards of total offense as well. Those numbers would make you go on to think that he is a tremendous QB and a top prospect. This is why Andrew Luck is the projected #1 overall pick in the 2012 draft, if he enters of course. He was projected to be the #1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers, if he had entered.


There are three teams currently battling it out for the #1 overall pick in the upcoming 2012 draft. All teams are win less through seven weeks of the season. Those teams are, the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, and the St.Louis Rams. Miami and St.Louis are both 0-6 after already going through their bye week and Indianapolis is 0-7 without having their bye week yet. Miami has no QB whatsoever, their opening day QB Chad Henne separated his shoulder this season and got season ending surgery on it and backup QB Matt Moore has looked absolutely awful. Miami looks to have given up on head coach Tony Sparano and look to be tanking this season for the chance to draft Andrew Luck. The Indianapolis Colts started the season without future hall of fame QB Peyton Manning after Manning went under off season neck surgery in May and with the NFL lockout going on at that time, Manning could not get treatment and help from the team doctors. When the lockout was ended in late July and Manning allowed to get treatment, he tried to hurry to be ready for the season opener against Houston on September 11th. He didn't have enough time and ended up going under his second neck surgery of the year on September 8th. He was ruled out for 3-4 months and still has a chance to play in mid to late December but many people don't think it's worth the risk to play a few games especially if they're not in the playoff race. Then there is the St.Louis Rams. The Rams were 7-9 in 2010 and missed out on the playoffs by virtue of losing the final game of the season to division rival Seattle. Their surprising 0-6 start is puzzling. St.Louis isn't expected to draft Andrew Luck if they were to receive the #1 overall pick because they drafted QB Sam Bradford out of Oklahoma with the #1 overall pick in 2010 and are very satisfied moving forward with Bradford at the helm. Now i give my reasons for these three teams to draft or not draft Andrew Luck.


Miami Dolphins (0-6) - The Dolphins are a mess, point blank. They have no team whatsoever. Their opening day starting QB Chad Henne is out for the year after shoulder surgery. Their backup is horrible. There is no reason at all why the Dolphins shouldn't take Andrew Luck with the #1 pick if they were to get it. They would have a great QB to throw to their #1 WR Brandon Marshall, who if provided a good QB can be a top 10 WR in the NFL. Miami ranks 23rd in the NFL with 1,313 yards passing. So that position is without a doubt in need of major improvement.  I mean come on, can you think of ONE reason why Miami shouldn't take Andrew Luck if they have the chance? Exactly, you can't because they have no current QB on the roster better then Luck already is and will be throughout his career. There is a reason why they're comparing Luck to Manning and Elway as a college prospect. The Dolphins could use offensive line help, a running back, and defense, but the QB position needs to be addressed first and when you could possibly be able to draft perhaps the next Peyton Manning, you have to pull the trigger, no doubt about it. Miami is already clearly tanking this season for a shot at the #1 pick because they know how badly they need a QB and how good Andrew Luck is and will be when he reaches the NFL. Don't give me nothing that they could be tanking to draft top offensive tackle Matt Kalil out of USC, or top WR Justin Blackmon out of USC, or top defensive end Quinton Coples out of UNC, they are tanking for Andrew Luck as he can make them a playoff contender within his first three years in the league. In Peyton Manning's first two seasons with the Colts, he went 3-13 and then 13-3, a 10 game turnaround. Indianapolis probably would've done better in Manning's rookie season but they had a league worst defense that gave up 27+ points per game. The Colts have made the playoffs and won double digit games every year since Manning entered the league except for 1998 and 2001. If Andrew Luck is being compared to Peyton Manning and Manning did that in his career so far, how can you not draft him? The point is, is if the Dolphins land the #1 pick, they shouldn't even use one minute of the 15 minutes they get to go over a draft selection, drafting Andrew Luck is a no brainer for Miami.


Indianapolis Colts (0-7) - The Colts have have a tough decision to make if they land the #1 pick. They currently have superstar QB Peyton Manning on the roster but Manning has had three neck surgeries within the last two to three years, so his long term durability is in question. He recently signed a 5 year, $90 million dollar extension in July. So the Colts have him locked up for awhile but with the health questions surrounding his neck, they may want to get his eventual replacement right now in Andrew Luck if they have the chance. If I'm the Colts, I run a series of tests beginning a month before the draft to make sure Peyton's neck looks good enough for the remainder of his contract. If the tests look sketchy or no good, you have to take Luck. If the tests come back great or good enough and Colts owner Jim Irsay is willing to take the risk, you either draft an offensive tackle to help protect Manning like Matt Kalil from USC or Jonathan Martin from Stanford or maybe defensive end Quinton Coples from UNC or get Reggie Wayne's possible replacement at WR in Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon. Then there's the option of trading the #1 overall pick to a team that will also love to add Luck, like Seattle, Washington, Kansas City, Denver, Miami, Cleveland, or maybe even Dallas if Tony Romo keeps choking under pressure in the 4th quarter of games. Indianapolis has big decisions if they get the #1 pick and it all relies on the health and long term outlook on future hall of famer Peyton Manning. 


St.Louis Rams (0-6) - I believe it's a 100% certainty that the Rams would not take Andrew Luck if they had the #1 overall pick in the draft. In 2010 the Rams had the #1 overall pick and took then Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford. Sam won rookie of the year honors in the 2010 season after passing for 3,512 yards and 18 touchdowns. St.Louis appears very content going with Bradford at QB for the next decade. They have no need for a QB but sure could use WR and OL help. They would most likely trade the #1 pick, if they get it, to a Andrew Luck hungry team. Experts seem to believe that some teams who really want Luck would be willing to trade three 1st round picks for the #1 overall pick if a team like St.Louis were to get the pick or Indianapolis and they decided to stick with Manning and not take Luck. St.Louis sure could use guys like Kalil, Blackmon, and Coples. Trading the #1 pick for two-three future first round picks and maybe more complimentary picks would be the way to go. You'd still maybe have a chance for Blackmon, or Kalil, or Coples. Why take one of those three players, and not trade the #1 pick for a different pick and still have a chance for those players and have two first round picks in 2013 and 2014? It's surprising knowing St.Louis is 0-6 and in great contention for the #1 pick in 2012, when they were 7-9 last year and just missed making the playoffs. Without a doubt, St.Louis needs a WR to pair up with newly acquired WR Brandon Lloyd. They also need offensive line help to protect their rising star quarterback. Defense needs be improved as well, St.Louis needs lots of help this offseason. Point blank though, if St.Louis gets the #1 overall pick, they're likely to trade it for three first round picks. Lots of teams will want that #1 pick if St.Louis has it and I'm positive that the Rams can get a kings ransom for it and stock pile draft picks for the future and draft players to be apart of their good looking future. 


If I had to make a pick on who I would go with to get the #1 pick currently, I think I'd go with Miami. They have absolutely no play makers outside of wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who isn't much of a play maker when Miami has no QB. Indianapolis has wide receiver's Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, and Pierre Garcon, also have tight end Dallas Clark, and defensive end's Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. So I would think Indianapolis can tally a couple wins at least. St.Louis has rising star QB Sam Bradford, star RB Steven Jackson, newly acquired star WR Brandon Lloyd. I think St.Louis can get 1-3 wins with those guys. Miami appears to be tanking already anyway in hope of being able to get their future franchise QB. I think Miami is going to become the second team ever to have a win less season and go 0-16 (2008 Lions). Pretty funny considering in 1972 they won the Super Bowl after having a perfect season of going 16-0.

Now, the thing that Miami, or any team that lands the #1 pick and intends on selecting Andrew Luck, have to hope doesn't happen, is what happened in the 2004 NFL Draft when #1 overall pick Eli Manning was selected by the San Diego Chargers, but Manning made it clear, he did not want to play for the Chargers and his request to not be taken by San Diego was not granted. The New York Giants selected QB Phillip Rivers 4th overall and traded him to San Diego in exchange for Manning. So, for a team getting the #1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft that wants Andrew Luck, can only hope that Luck is fine with playing for them and does not decide to go back to school for his senior season, which I think, will not happen, but hey, anything is possible.

NFL Top 10 Power Rankings Week 7 Edition

Week 7 of the 2011 NFL season has ended and it was just a bad week of games. NBC and ESPN's Sunday night and Monday night football games were atrocious. The Saints put up 62 points on the Colts, Sunday night. The Jaguars pulled off an ugly upset of the Ravens at home by only kicking four field goals. Week eight may be just as bad, with bad teams playing each other or a good team playing a bad team. The only games that jump out at me are the Patriots @ Steelers, Cowboys @ Eagles on SNF, and Chargers @ Chiefs on MNF with 1st place in the AFC West on the line. Now, there were five teams in my top 10 last week that looked very ugly in their respective week seven games, so that could only mean changes galore in this weeks top 10 power rankings for me. Lets take a look at all the changes I have to make, here's last weeks edition of the power rankings, http://damnilovesports.blogspot.com/2011/10/nfl-top-10-power-rankings-week-6.html

1.Green Bay Packers (7-0) defeated Minnesota Vikings 33-27. Last week (1). The Packers fell behind early against their division rivals on the road but a 20 point third quarter propelled the Packers to remain the only undefeated team in the NFL.


2.New England Patriots (5-1) BYE WEEK. Last week (2). The Patriots were second last week and with PIT,NYG,NYJ,PHI,BUF on the second half of their schedule, the bye couldn't come at a better time, so they can prepare for these big games.


3.New Orleans Saints (5-2) defeated Indianapolis Colts 62-7. Last week (5). I know what you're gonna say, I know, but putting 60+ points on any team sure is impressive. Drew Brees was 31 of 35 for 325 yards and 5 TDs and didn't even play in the fourth quarter! Things could get even uglier with a game against the win less Rams next week.


4.San Francisco 49ers (5-1) BYE WEEK. Last week (4). The 49ers have had a tremendous start to the season. if they can win three of their next four games (vs CLE, @ WSH, vs NYG, vs ARI) and head into week 12, 8-2 or better, that Thanksgiving night game in Baltimore becomes such a huge game.


5.Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) defeated Arizona Cardinals 32-20. Last week (N/R). The Steelers are 5-2, but in all their games except for this game vs Arizona, they haven't looked that great but you have to give credit where it is due, and Pittsburgh has tied the Ravens for 1st place in the AFC North after getting destroyed week 1 in Baltimore 35-7.


6.Houston Texans (4-3) defeated Tennessee Titans 41-7. Last week (N/R). After taking a beating at the hands of the Ravens in week six, the Texans got back on track with their high powered offense in Tennessee with a beat down of the Titans. Top WR Andre Johnson will be back next week vs Jacksonville after surgery on his hamstring and missing  three games so Houston should really start to get going now.


7.New York Giants (4-2) BYE WEEK. Last week (10). With a bye week, the Giants move up three spots due to a lot of teams in front of them getting beat in week seven. With a game vs win less Miami coming out of their bye, their second half of the schedule has to be the scariest one in the NFL with games @ NE, @ SF, vs PHI, @ NO, vs GB, @ NYJ, and two games vs Dallas. If they can come out 4-4 or better in those games, it'll show if they are a legitimate playoff contender in the NFC.


8.New York Jets (4-3) defeated San Diego Chargers 27-21. Last week (N/R). After falling behind 21-10 at halftime, the Jets defense shutout the Chargers in the second half, by picking off Phillip Rivers twice. Mark Sanchez found WR Plaxico Burress three times in the end zone for all three of his TD passes. Shonn Greene looked good too, running the ball for 112 yards. Now they go into the bye week and get two divisional games @ BUF, and vs NE when they come back out


9.Detroit Lions (5-2) lost to Atlanta Falcons 23-16. Last week (6). The Lions have lost two straight after starting 5-0, and although they're on a two game skid, they survive in my top 10 due to other teams not looking that great. Detroit goes to Denver this week and should win before their bye. After their bye, they got games @ CHI, @ NO, @ OAK, vs SD, and two games against the undefeated Packers. Go 3-3 in those games and beat Minnesota and Carolina like you should and they'll finally be back in the playoffs.


10.Baltimore Ravens (5-2) lost to Jacksonville Jaguars 12-7. Last week (3). The Ravens didn't get a first down until more then midway through the third quarter and QB Joe Flacco looked awful all game. The defense was splendid only giving up four field goals but the offense couldn't get anything going against a bad Jaguars team. They are 5-2 but losses vs TEN and JAC are not good at all.
N/R = Not Ranked


NFC Player Of The Week: Dallas Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray - 25 carries, 253 yards, 1 TD.
HM: New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees - 31 of 35 passing, 325 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INT.


AFC Player Of The Week: Houston Texans RB Arian Foster - 25 carries, 115 yards, 2 TDs. 5 catches , 119 yards , 1 TD.
HM: Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger - 26 of 39 passing, 361 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT.


Upset Of The Week: Jacksonville Jaguars defeat Baltimore Ravens 12-7.
HM: Kansas City Chiefs defeat Oakland Raiders 28-0.


Most Exciting Game Of The Week: Green Bay Packers defeat Minnesota Vikings 33-27.
HM: New York Jets defeat San Diego Chargers 27-21.


HM = Honorable Mention 


Feel differently? Share it in a comment.

Top 10 BCS Standings & Bowl Game Predictions

The 2011 college football season has been a fun wild ride and the first BCS standings were released last week and I didn't think I would do weekly rankings but I've changed my mind and decided to do it. The second edition of the rankings were published tonight and there is some head scratchers in my opinion. I'll do my version here and you can see how they compare to the actual rankings. Here's my first edition of the BCS rankings. Comment with your views.


BCS Standings:
1.LSU Tigers (8-0) defeated #20 Auburn Tigers 45-10.
2.Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0) defeated Tennessee Volunteers 37-6.
3.Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-0) defeated Missouri Tigers 45-24.
4.Boise State Broncos (7-0) defeated Air Force Falcons 37-26.
5.Stanford Cardinals (7-0) defeated #25 Washington Huskies 65-21.
6.Clemson Tigers (8-0) defeated North Carolina Tar Heels 59-38.
7.Kansas State Wildcats (7-0) defeated Kansas Jayhawks 59-21
8.Oregon Ducks (6-1) defeated Colorado Buffaloes 45-2.
9.Michigan State Spartans (6-1) defeated #6 Wisconsin Badgers 37-31.
10.Oklahoma Sooners (6-1) lost to Texas Tech Red Raiders 41-38


National Title Game: Alabama Crimson Tide vs Oklahoma State Cowboys
Rose Bowl Game: Stanford Cardinals vs Michigan State Spartans
Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma Sooners vs Oregon Ducks
Sugar Bowl: LSU Tigers vs Boise State Broncos
Orange Bowl: Clemson Tigers vs Cincinnati Bearcats 

Week 7 NFL Picks

Week 7 of the 2011 NFL season is just about ready to begin and I can honestly say their isn't many good games tomorrow. If I were to choose, I'd say the three best games are all 1:00 pm games. Those games are the Chargers @ Jets, Falcons @ Lions, and Bears @ Buccaneers in London. When those are your three best games, you know the rest of the NFL slate can't be very good. Anyway, here's my Week 7 picks, feel free to comment with your picks.

Carolina Panthers over Washington Redskins
Detroit Lions over Atlanta Falcons
Denver Broncos over Miami Dolphins
Tennessee Titans over Houston Texans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns over Seattle Seahawks
New York Jets over San Diego Chargers
Oakland Raiders over Kansas City Chiefs
Pittsburgh Steelers over Arizona Cardinals
Dallas Cowboys over St.Louis Rams
Green Bay Packers over Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints over Indianapolis Colts
Baltimore Ravens over Jacksonville Jaguars

I went 10-3 with my Week 6 picks.

Parlay Picks:
Carolina Panthers (-2.5) over Washington Redskins
Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5) over Arizona Cardinals
Green Bay Packers (-9.5) over Minnesota Vikings
Baltimore Ravens (-8) over Jacksonville Jaguars

NOTE: I normally don't like giving teams a free touchdown and/or more to start the game but this weeks point spreads for all games just stink so I'm taking the risk of Green Bay and Baltimore giving Minnesota and Jacksonville, 9.5 and 8 points, respectively.

World Series Preview: Texas Rangers vs St.Louis Cardinals

Ah, the time has come, the 2011 World Series has arrived. The moment all fans have been waiting for from the start of the regular season. Many people before the season started thought the perennial power houses from Boston, Philadelphia, and New York (Yankees) would be the World Series contenders after the LCS'. Well, that didn't happen this year. The Redsox failed to even make the playoffs after the most epic collapse in MLB history through the month of September that allowed division rivals Tampa Bay to claim the Wild Card in the final day of the season. The Yankees, were upset by the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS in a do or die game five at Yankee Stadium. The Phillies, were also upset, over in the NLDS by the St.Louis Cardinals, who had to fight all the way to the last day of the season to beat out the Atlanta Braves for the NL Wild Card. So since the three power house franchises aren't in the World Series (for the SECOND YEAR IN A ROW), who is? Well, it's those pesky St.Louis Cardinals and last year's AL Champion Texas Rangers.


Keys To The Series:


St.Louis Cardinals - The offense HAS to keep the pace it has been on in the NLCS vs Milwaukee. They scored six, twelve, four, two, seven , and twelve. The two and four aren't too impressive, but the offense was really just so good, all series. Another strong point was the bullpen. Yes, the bullpen. The same bullpen that was looking for major upgrades at the trade deadline and looking at Padres set up man Mike Adams (who got traded to Texas) and Padres closer Heath Bell (who stayed put). The starters have to go deeper in games and not put so much pressure on the bullpen. There's just so much good this 'pen can do without messing up. The two days off between the end of the NLCS and Game 1 of the World Series will definitely help rest up the bullpen though. The offense should be fine, with Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, Lance Berkman, and rising star David Freese leading the charge. The starting pitching, other then ace Chris Carpenter, must last at least five innings and not give the bullpen so much work if they want to win the World Series.


Texas Rangers - C.J Wilson, Josh Hamilton, and Michael Young must wake up if Texas wants to avoid losing in the World Series for the second straight year. C.J Wilson is 0-2 with an 8+ ERA so far this post season. The bullpen has performed well to back up C.J Wilson so far. C.J can't keep relying on the bullpen to help him out after a bad performance, he must get his head on straight for the World Series. Not only that, but he is a free agent after the World Series is over, so pending his performance in one, maybe two World Series starts, could determine what his next contract will look like and if Texas wants to re-sign him. Just like St.Louis, the Texas offense has been phenomenal thanks to Nelson Cruz (ALCS MVP), and high priced free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre. Center fielder Josh Hamilton and DH Michael Young must start hitting more if they want to win the title because you can't keep relying on Cruz and Beltre to carry the offense by themselves. Hamilton has yet to hit a home run in the playoffs and Michael Young has been cold. If Hamilton can start hitting for power and Michael Young starts hitting, to go with Cruz and Beltre's hot starts, Texas should have no problem beating up the Cardinals starters and bullpen. It all relies on Wilson pitching better, the bullpen holding up, and Texas getting key offensive guys going. If all that happens, Texas very well could be bringing the World Series home to Arlington,Texas.


My Prediction - It should be a fantastic World Series with two powerhouse offenses and great bullpens. If Texas can get Game 1 starter C.J Wilson going and St.Louis gets their starters to go deeper into games, it'll make this series even more better then it already is. I have my pick, but I'm not sure how many games this will last, but i gotta go with Texas in 6 games. Adrian Beltre will be your World Series MVP.


There you have it, Rangers win the World Series in 6 games over the Cardinals.

NFL Top 10 Power Rankings Week 6 Edition

Six of the 17 weeks in the 2011 NFL season have been completed and what do you know, I'm making even more changes to my weekly top 10 power rankings. Lots of surprises in week six and upsets. Detroit proved to be human, Tampa Bay got back on track, the Jets snapped their three game losing streak. But will any of these three tams make it into the top 10? Lets find out now, here is my NFL Top 10 Power Rankings for after Week 6.


1.Green Bay Packers (6-0) defeated St.Louis Rams 24-3. Last week (1). The reigning champs remain the only perfect team through six weeks and don't look like they'll be slowed down.


2.New England Patriots (5-1) defeated Dallas Cowboys 20-16. Last week (3). Tom Brady did it again, by driving the Patriots down field for a winning touchdown drive with under 2 minutes.


3.Baltimore Ravens (4-1) defeated Houston Texans 29-14. Last week (5). The Ravens defense proves to be the best in the league shutting down the Houston defense. Offense looks good too.


4.San Francisco 49ers (5-1) defeated Detroit Lions 25-19. Last week (6). The 49ers looks terrific under new head coach Jim Harbaugh knocking off the undefeated Lions.


5.New Orleans Saints (4-2) lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-20. Last week (5). After coach Sean Peyton was knocked out with a Torn MCL and Broken Leg, the Saints flopped to a Bucs team that lost to San Fran last week 48-3, still, without their head coach, they only lost by six on the road to an up and coming team.


6.Detroit Lions (5-1) lost to San Francisco 49ers 25-19. Last week (2). After a roaring perfect start to the first five games of the year, Detroit came back down to earth with a home loss vs San Francisco. Still, they kept the game close, even without RB Jahvid Best who suffered another concussion. 


7.Oakland Raiders (4-2) defeated Cleveland Browns 24-17. Last week (9). First home game without legendary owner Al Davis, Oakland took care of business against the lowly Browns, but did lose QB Jason Campbell to a broken collarbone.


8.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) defeated New Orleans Saints 26-20. Last week (N/R). After being humiliated by the 49ers last week, the Bucs pulled off a huge upset win at home vs their division rivals.


9.San Diego Chargers (4-1) BYE WEEK. Last week (8). With a week off, the Chargers had a chance to get everyone healthy and ready for their week seven battle in New York with the Jets.


10.New York Giants (4-2) defeated Buffalo Bills 27-24. Last week (N/R). The Giants got a huge win at home against the previously 4-1 Bills, and are atop first place in the NFC East.


N/R = Not Ranked


NFC Player Of The Week: Falcons RB Michael Turner - 27 carries , 139 yards , 2 TDs.
HM: Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw - 26 carries , 104 yards , 3 TDs.


AFC Player Of The Week: Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall - 23 carries , 146 yards , 1 TD.
HM: Jets CB Darrell Revis - 2 Interceptions , 100 return yards , 1 TD.


Upset Of The Week: Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat New Orleans Saints 26-20.
HM: San Francisco 49ers defeat Detroit Lions 25-19.


Most Exciting Game Of The Week: San Francisco 49ers defeat Detroit Lions 25-19.
HM: New York Giants defeat Buffalo Bills 27-24.


HM = Honorable Mention


Feel differently? Share your views in the comments section.

Week 6 NFL Picks

Week 6 of the 2011 NFL Season is upon us and it is time to make my weekly picks. I'll also make my weekly four parlay picks. Chime in with your picks in a comment once you're done reading.


Atlanta Falcons over Carolina Panthers
Cincinnati Bengals over Indianapolis Colts
Detroit Lions over San Francisco 49ers
Green Bay Packers over St.Louis Rams
Buffalo Bills over New York Giants ** UPSET PICK
Pittsburgh Steelers over Jacksonville Jaguars
Philadelphia Eagles over Washington Redskins
Oakland Raiders over Cleveland Browns
Baltimore Ravens over Houston Texans
New England Patriots over Dallas Cowboys
New Orleans Saints over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chicago Bears over Minnesota Vikings
New York Jets over Miami Dolphins


Parlay Picks:
Carolina Panthers +7 @ Atlanta Falcons
Buffalo Bills +3 @ New York Giants
Chicago Bears -3 vs Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints -6 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL Top 10 Rankings Week 5 Edition

Five weeks of the NFL season are in the books. There remains two undefeated teams and both teams reside in the NFC North, and one may surprise you. I have made constant changes to my weekly power rankings and this week will be no different. The top two remains the same but after that, its a roller coaster ride of different teams once again. Here is my week five edition on the top 10 power rankings in the NFL.

1.Green Bay Packers (5-0) defeated Atlanta Falcons 25-14. Last week (1). The defending Super Bowl champs are just unstoppable.
2.Detroit Lions (5-0) defeated Chicago Bears 24-13. Last week (2). Detroit keeps shocking people with their great play and 5-0 record.
3.New England Patriots (4-1) defeated New York Jets 30-21. Last week (4). New England took care of the rival Jets and look like the usual power house you can rely on for a win.
4.New Orleans Saints (4-1) defeated Carolina Panthers 30-27. Last week (3). New Orleans barely squeaked by the 1-4 Panthers, dropping a spot in the rankings.
5.Baltimore Ravens (3-1) BYE WEEK. Last week (5) With last weeks 6 through 9 teams all losing, Baltimore hangs on to their #5 spot.
6.San Francisco 49ers (4-1) defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-3. Last week (10). A decimation of the 3-2 Bucs at home has things looking great in the Bay Area,
7.Buffalo Bills (4-1) defeated Philadelphia Eagles 31-24. Last week (N/R). Knocked out of the top 10 last week due to being upset by the Bengals, Buffalo took care of business against the "Dream Team" this week.
8.San Diego Chargers (4-1) defeated Denver Broncos 29-24. Last week (N/R). San Diego is 4-1 for the first time since 2006, barely escaping a Tim Tebow comeback.
9.Oakland Raiders (3-2) defeated Houston Texans 25-20. Last week (N/R). Upset win in Houston after the passing of legendary owner Al Davis has boosted spirits in the black home.
10.Washington Redskins (3-1) BYE WEEK. Last week (N/R). Washington had the week off and with a surprising 3-1 record and many other teams not looking to great falling, Redskins jump into the top 10.
N/R = Not Ranked

NFC Player Of The Week: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson - 29 carries, 122 yards, 3 TDs.
HM: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers - 26 of 39 passing, 396 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT.

AFC Player Of The Week: Chiefs QB Matt Cassell - 21 of 29 passing, 257 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INT.
HM: Patriots RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis - 27 carries, 136 yards, 2 TDs.

Upset Of The Week: Seattle Seahawks defeat New York Giants 36-25.
HM: Oakland Raiders defeat Houston Texans 25-20.

Most Exciting Game Of The Week: New Orleans Saints defeat Carolina Panthers 30-27.
HM: Seattle Seahawks defeat New York Giants 36-25.

HM = Honorable Mention

Got different views? Leave a comment with your thoughts.

Week 5 NFL Picks

Here are my week five NFL picks.

Indianapolis Colts over Kansas City Chiefs
New York Giants over Seattle Seahawks
Tennessee Titans over Pittsburgh Steelers
Cincinnati Bengals over Jacksonville Jaguars
New Orleans Saints over Carolina Panthers
Houston Texans over Oakland Raiders
Buffalo Bills over Philadelphia Eagles
Arizona Cardinals over Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers over San Francisco 49ers *UPSET PICK
New England Patriots over New York Jets
San Diego Chargers over Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers over Atlanta Falcons
Detroit Lions over Chicago Bears

ALCS & NLCS Predictions

The 2011 LDS' are over and there were some surprising outcomes both leagues. In the ALDS', the Detroit Tigers upset the New York Yankees in five games, winning game five on the road at Yankee Stadium and the Texas Rangers took care of the upstart Tampa Bay Rays in four games, clinching on the road just like Detroit. Should be interesting to see Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander pitch in game 1 and possibly game 5 against the high powered Rangers offense. This means that Detroit and Texas will meet in the ALCS and try to earn a spot in the World Series.

In the NLDS', the Milwaukee Brewers took a 2-0 lead on the Arizona Diamondbacks before losing two straight on the road in Arizona, but Milwaukee held on to win game five at home in extra innings on a Nyger Morgan walk off rbi single. In the other NLDS match up, the almighty Philadelphia Phillies had home field advantage over the upstart St.Louis Cardinals. The Phillies finished the regular season with the best record in the MLB at 102-60 and have three Cy Young candidates in the rotation. Well, that didn't matter to the Cardinals as they pulled off a huge upset by beating Philadelphia in five games winning game five on the road at Citizens Bank Park as ace Chris Carpenter threw a complete game shutout as St.Louis won 1-0 and the series 3-2. That means division rivals Milwaukee and St.Louis will meet in the NLCS and slug it out for a spot in the World Series. Now it's time for me to make my predictions for each LCS' match up.

ALCS: Detroit Tigers @ Texas Rangers - This is the second straight year that the Rangers have made the ALCS and last year they made the World Series, where they fell short against the San Francisco Giants. This time though, Texas is without Cliff Lee, who was a force in the ALDS and ALCS last year before getting hit around in the World Series. Texas will now rely on a rotation of CJ Wilson,Colby Lewis,Derek Holland, and Matt Harrison. Not exactly a scary staff but a staff that got by and helped the Rangers to a 96-66 record and second best record in the AL. The strong part about this Texas team is the lineup. In my opinion, the Rangers have the best lineup in the MLB. When you have a lineup that consists of Ian Kinsler,Elvis Andrus,Josh Hamilton,Michael Young,Adrian Beltre,Mike Napoli, and Nelson Cruz, you can give opposing pitchers nightmares the night before they have to face that lineup. Thankfully, for Detroit, the Tigers boast a solid rotation that consists of and is being lead by the AL Cy Young favorite Justin Verlander. The rotation also consists of young guns Max Scherzer,Rick Porcello, and Doug Fister, who pitched a great game 5 against the Yankees in the ALDS. MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez lead the offense. This Tigers rotation isn't quite like the Giants rotation we saw tame the Rangers in the World Series last year, but it should be interesting to see how the Detroit rotation pitches the Texas offense. They said pitching wins championships, and I think Detroit has the better rotation and bullpen, but the Rangers offense is just so scary, its made me think long and hard about just quickly picking Detroit to win this series, but the Tigers offense isn't too far behind the Rangers offense, and with the pitching edge, I got to go with Detroit representing the AL in the World Series.

My Prediction: Detroit Tigers over Texas Rangers in 7 games, 4-3.

NLCS: St.Louis Cardinals @ Milwaukee Brewers - Both teams went to game fives in their NLDS match ups. Both are coming off one day of rest each, Milwaukee is the home team and was already home after knocking out Arizona. St.Louis is flying in from Philadelphia after beating the Phillies in five games. Milwaukee has Zack Greinke (who is 11-0 at Miller Park this year) starting Game 1 at home vs Jaime Garcia. They get Shaun Marcum in game two and ace Yovani Gallardo in game three on the road in St.Louis. The offense is a top 10 offense to me being lead by Prince Fielder,Ryan Braun, and Rickie Weeks. The bullpen is very good too with Latroy Hawkins,Frankie Rodriguez, and John Axford. St.Louis has a scary 3-4-5 in the lineup of Albert Pujols,Lance Berkman, and Matt Holliday. They will be without ace Christ Carpenter until game three at home since he pitched game five of the NLDS. I honestly don't think that will bode well for the Cardinals in their quest for a second World Series title in six years (2006). The bullpen can at times, look suspect. They did a great job against Philadelphia, working deep counts against the four aces the Phillies contain. If they can do that again against the Brewers two and a half aces, they can make this series even more exciting being that these two teams are division rivals. On September 7th, in a game at Busch Stadium in St.Louis, Nyger Morgan struck out during the eighth inning against Carpenter and jawed with Carpenter as he made his way back to the dugout, but Morgan threw his chewing tobacco towards Carpenter and exchanged words with Albert Pujols

My Prediction: Milwaukee Brewers over St.Louis Cardinals in 6 games , 4-2.

My World Series prediction was Milwaukee vs Detroit before the playoffs started and I'm sticking with it.

NFL Top 10 Rankings Week 4 Edition

A quarter of the 2011 NFL season is in the books and we have some big surprises already. Detroit is 4-0, Buffalo is 3-1, Philadelphia is 1-3, Kansas City is 0-4 & Matthew Stafford has remained healthy and looks like a MVP QB. I've been doing the rankings the last three weeks and have made a boatload of changes. Here is my week 4 edition and there are even more changes.

1.Green Bay Packers (4-0) defeated Denver Broncos 49-23. Last week (1).
2.Detroit Lions (4-0) defeated Dallas Cowboys 34-30. Last week (2).
3.New Orleans Saints (3-1) defeated Jacksonville Jaguars 23-10. Last week (4).
4.New England Patriots (3-1) defeated Oakland Raiders 31-19. Last week (5)
5.Baltimore Ravens (3-1) defeated New York Jets 34-17. Last week (6)
6.Houston Texans (3-1) defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 17-10. Last week (8)
7.New York Giants (3-1) defeated Arizona Cardinals 31-27. Last week (7)
8.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) defeated Indianapolis Colts 24-17. Last week (N/R)
9.Tennessee Titans (3-1) defeated Cleveland Browns 31-13. Last week (N/R)
10.San Francisco 49ers (3-1) defeated Philadelphia Eagles 24-23. Last week (N/R)

NFC Player Of The Week: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers: 29 of 38, 408 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 9 carries, 36 yards, 2 TDs.
HM - Bears RB Matt Forte: 25 carries, 205 yards, 1 TD.
AFC Player Of The Week: Texans RB Arian Foster: 30 carries, 155 yards, 1 TD.
HM - Chargers QB Phillip Rivers: 21 of 31, 307 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT.
Upset Of The Week: Cincinnati Bengals defeat Buffalo Bills 23-20
HM - San Francisco 49ers defeat Philadelphia Eagles 24-23.
Most Exciting Game Of The Week: Detroit Lions defeat Dallas Cowboys 34-30.
HM - Chicago Bears defeat Carolina Panthers 34-29.

Have different views? Leave a comment.

Week 4 NFL Picks

My week 4 NFL picks:


Bears over Panthers
Bills over Bengals
Titans over Browns
Lions over Cowboys'
Vikings over Chiefs
Redskins over Rams
Eagles over 49ers
Saints over Jaguars
Texas over Steelers
Giants over Cardinals
Falcons over Seahawks
Packers over Broncos
Raiders over Patriots
Chargers over Dolphins
Jets over Ravens
Buccaneers over Colts


Parlay Picks:
Detroit (+2.5) over Dallas
New Orleans (-7) over Jacksonville
New York Giants (-1.5) over Arizona
Oakland (+4.5) over New England