Remember the old Quickie gimmick "Quickie Vocab?" I believe its finest hour was "T.O.-nanism."
Anyway, I have a new one: "Single Out," found in the lead of today's SN column. Definition: Vociferously blaming someone else for your own failings.
For the second straight game, Mike Singletary blames someone other than himself for the 49ers losing. Last time, it was Vernon Davis.
This time, it's Mike Martz, the "genius" who decided the Niners were better off running Michael Robinson than Frank Gore, from the Cards 2-yard-line with the game on the line.
Beyond that, we are living in a world where not only are the Cardinals winning on Monday Night Football, but they are 6-3 with the biggest division lead of any team in football. Whaaa?!
Meanwhile, other names to know today:
Matt Holliday: Billy Beane knows that Holliday will command premium trade value from a contender next July at the trade deadline. (Or, if it's the A's in contention, more power to 'em.)
Tim Lincecum: Or should that be Brad Lidge? (Or, in my fantasy world, CC Sabathia?) NL Cy announced today. If they included postseason results, Lidge would be a lock. Instead, it's likely going to be Lincecum. Good debate to be had there.
Paul Pierce: 22 in the 4th, leading the Celtics past the Raps. (BTW, how about OJ Mayo? 33 last night, affirming Sunday's 31-point binge. The guy can score. The Grizz still stink, but they are telegenic.)
Kyle Singler: 19 and 10 in Duke's romp over Presbyterian in the college hoops season opener.
(At some point this month, we'll dig into the absurdity of my affection for Jon Scheyer. Short version: He is Redick-like in his ability to inspire loathing, yet I can't help but root for him. Perhaps that's because he is the best Jewish basketball player in college hoops. No, that's exactly why. Otherwise, I'm quite sure I would hate him as much as the rest of you do.)
Free Darko: I am trying to get a post up today in honor of the release date of FD's new book, which is spectacular. Seriously, if you like the NBA, you need to own it. Amazing essays, fantastic graphics. In FD fashion, it really is like no other sports book you've ever seen. (And I mean that literally -- the aesthetics of the thing are remarkable.)
BlogPoll feedback: Thanks for the reality check. I flipped Alabama ahead of Florida, from 4 to 3. I kept Texas ahead of both, behind Texas Tech at No. 1. I can afford to be magnanimous about Florida in relation to Alabama because the Gators will have their chance to leapfrog Bama by playing them head-to-head on the field in a month.
(Totally random note: Does anyone out there have the new MacBook that just came out last month? Thoughts? Looking for first-hand feedback. Only from those who have actually bought it please; I'm totally fluent in the criticisms of the Mac fanboys who are disappointed by it, but didn't actually buy it.)
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
What Should Nate Silver Do Next?
Some of us recognized the greatness on May 30. Others recognized it today. Either way, Gawker's Hamilton Nolan has some very solid advice for Nate Silver on his professional future. (And it ain't in baseball -- unless Mark Cuban pulls an upset, buys the Cubs and hires Silver as his Theo.)
Arenas and Obama: You Read It Here First
When you read about Gilbert Arenas' new Obama tattoo, remember where you first read about their connection. (It even inspired a T-shirt.)
-- D.S.
-- D.S.
Alabama-Florida, TX Tech-Oklahoma Is College Football's De Facto 4-Team Playoff
As usual, Matt "Doc Saturday" Hinton has the best 10,000-foot BCS breakdown. The upshot: Alabama-Florida in the SEC title game and, in two weeks, Texas Tech-Oklahoma has all the de facto goodness of a 4-team, 2-game playoff to decide who plays for the national title. Sorry, Texas.
-- D.S.
-- D.S.
Monday 11/10 A.M. Quickie:
BCS, Giants, Big Ben, Lakers, JJ, More
As you can imagine, I have BCS on my mind in the lead of today's SN column. This weekend re-affirmed that college football's regular season IS a de facto playoff.
You can love or hate Florida, but you have to admit they are playing amazing right now. What I don't understand is how any fan outside Texas or Oklahoma could not unconditionally love Texas Tech.
They play the most telegenic brand of football -- college or pro -- in the country. Graham Harrell is rightfully atop the Heisman rankings. Michael Crabtree is arguably the best player in the country. And their defense is -- for the Big 12 -- tremendous; they did a better job on Oklahoma State than Texas did, and did a better job on Texas than Oklahoma did.
As much as I would like to see the Big 12 turn into a mini-me version of an epic BCS clusterf--- with Texas Tech losing in Norman to Oklahoma in 2 weeks, I really want to see Texas Tech make it to the national-title game.
If you believe, like me, that the champ of the Big 12 and the champ of the SEC meeting for the national title is the optimal outcome to this particular season, Texas Tech deserves it more than any other team in the Big 12. (I fear that if they do lose to Oklahoma, they will drop behind both Texas and Oklahoma in the BCS standings; I'm sure Texas fans are even more freaked at the outcome that Oklahoma beats Texas Tech, then leapfrogs Texas in the BCS standings.)
Anyway, thank you Penn State, for giving college football fans a true gift -- the closest thing to a 4-team, 2-game playoff in advance of the national title game as we have seen since the BCS was implemented. More on that scheduled to be posted at lunchtime, so check back.
Meanwhile, the Titans may still be unbeaten, but the Giants are the best team in the league. (It's sort of like once-beaten Florida being better than unbeaten Alabama. OK, so that's a stretch.)
I'm not ready to assign credit to Peyton for the Colts' win in Pittsburgh as much as I am ready to assign blame to Big Ben.
In the same way I ask how you can not love Texas Tech, how can you not love the Dolphins' Wildcat formation? It was arguably more successful yesterday than ever. Where are the copycats? The Dolphins -- the DOLPHINS -- are 5-4 and in contention for a Wild Card spot, in large part due to the innovation on offense.
Begrudgingly -- but absolutely fairly -- I would like to point out that I was quite wrong about Matt Ryan's fitness as an NFL QB -- particularly a rookie NFL QB. (I was slightly more bullish on Joe Flacco, and he has also proven to be a capable NFL QB.) Here's a question: Given how sickly the QB situation is in the NFL right now, where would you rank Ryan -- top half? Top 10? Right now, Ryan is No. 8 in QB rating among non-injured QBs. And, after all, he's just a rookie.
OK, two weeks into the NBA season, I have reason to re-think my preseason pick that the Rockets would upend both the Lakers and Celtics en route to the NBA title. Last week, the Celtics beat the Rockets; yesterday, the Lakers absolutely clocked them, particularly defensively. It was almost as if the Lakers took it personally that anyone would even suggest that the Rockets were in a position to dismantle LA from the top of the West. Consider me convinced.
Why I don't get NASCAR, Reason Nth: What's the point of a playoff system if the final race is meaningless? How much cooler would it be if 10 or however many drivers made the playoff, then each week, the guy who finishes last among the group is knocked out of the playoff? Forget points: Go for total elimination-style. It would make the final race meaningful, at least. One of you NASCAR fans out there needs to explain to me why this current system has yielded a good result in this case.
College hoops season tips off tonight: Duke vs. Presbyterian. No, seriously. I consider myself a pretty big CBB fan, and I have to admit I had never heard of Presbyterian as a Division 1 team.
Meanwhile, I put a challenge in today's SN column: You can have UNC to win the title if you give me the field. After the past 3 seasons, I have zero faith in Hansbrough's ability to lead this team -- however absurdly talented it might be -- to 6 straight wins in late March. The facts are on my side, aren't they?
Complete SN column here. More later. Did some posts early this morning that I have scheduled to post throughout the day.
-- D.S.
You can love or hate Florida, but you have to admit they are playing amazing right now. What I don't understand is how any fan outside Texas or Oklahoma could not unconditionally love Texas Tech.
They play the most telegenic brand of football -- college or pro -- in the country. Graham Harrell is rightfully atop the Heisman rankings. Michael Crabtree is arguably the best player in the country. And their defense is -- for the Big 12 -- tremendous; they did a better job on Oklahoma State than Texas did, and did a better job on Texas than Oklahoma did.
As much as I would like to see the Big 12 turn into a mini-me version of an epic BCS clusterf--- with Texas Tech losing in Norman to Oklahoma in 2 weeks, I really want to see Texas Tech make it to the national-title game.
If you believe, like me, that the champ of the Big 12 and the champ of the SEC meeting for the national title is the optimal outcome to this particular season, Texas Tech deserves it more than any other team in the Big 12. (I fear that if they do lose to Oklahoma, they will drop behind both Texas and Oklahoma in the BCS standings; I'm sure Texas fans are even more freaked at the outcome that Oklahoma beats Texas Tech, then leapfrogs Texas in the BCS standings.)
Anyway, thank you Penn State, for giving college football fans a true gift -- the closest thing to a 4-team, 2-game playoff in advance of the national title game as we have seen since the BCS was implemented. More on that scheduled to be posted at lunchtime, so check back.
Meanwhile, the Titans may still be unbeaten, but the Giants are the best team in the league. (It's sort of like once-beaten Florida being better than unbeaten Alabama. OK, so that's a stretch.)
I'm not ready to assign credit to Peyton for the Colts' win in Pittsburgh as much as I am ready to assign blame to Big Ben.
In the same way I ask how you can not love Texas Tech, how can you not love the Dolphins' Wildcat formation? It was arguably more successful yesterday than ever. Where are the copycats? The Dolphins -- the DOLPHINS -- are 5-4 and in contention for a Wild Card spot, in large part due to the innovation on offense.
Begrudgingly -- but absolutely fairly -- I would like to point out that I was quite wrong about Matt Ryan's fitness as an NFL QB -- particularly a rookie NFL QB. (I was slightly more bullish on Joe Flacco, and he has also proven to be a capable NFL QB.) Here's a question: Given how sickly the QB situation is in the NFL right now, where would you rank Ryan -- top half? Top 10? Right now, Ryan is No. 8 in QB rating among non-injured QBs. And, after all, he's just a rookie.
OK, two weeks into the NBA season, I have reason to re-think my preseason pick that the Rockets would upend both the Lakers and Celtics en route to the NBA title. Last week, the Celtics beat the Rockets; yesterday, the Lakers absolutely clocked them, particularly defensively. It was almost as if the Lakers took it personally that anyone would even suggest that the Rockets were in a position to dismantle LA from the top of the West. Consider me convinced.
Why I don't get NASCAR, Reason Nth: What's the point of a playoff system if the final race is meaningless? How much cooler would it be if 10 or however many drivers made the playoff, then each week, the guy who finishes last among the group is knocked out of the playoff? Forget points: Go for total elimination-style. It would make the final race meaningful, at least. One of you NASCAR fans out there needs to explain to me why this current system has yielded a good result in this case.
College hoops season tips off tonight: Duke vs. Presbyterian. No, seriously. I consider myself a pretty big CBB fan, and I have to admit I had never heard of Presbyterian as a Division 1 team.
Meanwhile, I put a challenge in today's SN column: You can have UNC to win the title if you give me the field. After the past 3 seasons, I have zero faith in Hansbrough's ability to lead this team -- however absurdly talented it might be -- to 6 straight wins in late March. The facts are on my side, aren't they?
Complete SN column here. More later. Did some posts early this morning that I have scheduled to post throughout the day.
-- D.S.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
This Week's BlogPoll Ballot, Version 1
Yeah, yeah: It's controversial to rank a 1-loss team ahead of an unbeaten team. Let alone 2 of them. This week's criteria: Resume, comparable opponents, momentum, eyewitness evaluation.
 | ||
| Rank | Team | Delta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas Tech | -- |
| 2 | Texas | -- |
| 3 | Florida |  2 |
| 4 | Alabama | -- |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 2 |
| 6 | Southern Cal | 2 |
| 7 | Utah | 4 |
| 8 | Boise State | 1 |
| 9 | Penn State |  6 |
| 10 | Ohio State | 4 |
| 11 | Oklahoma State | 5 |
| 12 | Georgia | -- |
| 13 | Missouri | 2 |
| 14 | TCU | 4 |
| 15 | Ball State | 1 |
| 16 | LSU | 3 |
| 17 | Michigan State | -- |
| 18 | North Carolina | 4 |
| 19 | Cincinnati | 7 |
| 20 | Brigham Young | 3 |
| 21 | Western Michigan | 5 |
| 22 | South Carolina | 4 |
| 23 | Florida State | 3 |
| 24 | Pittsburgh | -- |
| 25 | Oregon State | 1 |
Dropped Out: West Virginia (#18), Georgia Tech (#19), California (#20), Kansas (#21), Northwestern (#25).
(Happy to change things around before tomorrow's first BlogPoll deadline -- I can understand why ranking Florida ahead of Alabama will annoy some. I'm happy to flip it, even though I think that as of how they're playing right now, Florida will beat Alabama in the SEC CG in a month.)
Poll Absurdity: Bama Ahead of Texas Tech?!
As if the AP and Coaches polls could be any more ludicrous or less legitimate, they each have Alabama No. 1 ahead of Texas Tech. It's like the voters don't actually watch the games, but simply rely on the "name" -- if the team with Texas Tech's resume was named "Texas" they would be ahead of Alabama, for sure. Oh, wait: They already were. Get over it voters: Texas Tech is No. 1.
The Upside of Penn State's Loss
Even though it might not come across that way over the past month as I have attempted to discount Penn State's legitimacy as a national-title contender, I'm actually quite partial to this team.
I totally buy into the "aw-isn't-it-nice-to-see-the-old-man-succeeding" nostalgia (if not enough to corrupt the national-title process for it). I love Derrick Williams, who may be Percy Harvin and Jeremy Maclin's equal as one of the most exciting and valuable all-purpose players in the country. Of course I love the way they went into Columbus and beat Ohio State. And I love the idea of Penn State -- and Joe Paterno -- in the Rose Bowl, ideally against USC, in a classic match-up that wouldn't look out of place in the late 1970s.
What yesterday's Penn State loss did was free up those of us with a personal stake in the national-title debate to go back to rooting for Penn State again -- to appreciating the dream season that the team, the fans and Joe Paterno are having this season.
The whole BCS debate thing was distracting -- taking away -- from an otherwise amazing year from Penn State. Now we can fully enjoy it.
-- D.S.
I totally buy into the "aw-isn't-it-nice-to-see-the-old-man-succeeding" nostalgia (if not enough to corrupt the national-title process for it). I love Derrick Williams, who may be Percy Harvin and Jeremy Maclin's equal as one of the most exciting and valuable all-purpose players in the country. Of course I love the way they went into Columbus and beat Ohio State. And I love the idea of Penn State -- and Joe Paterno -- in the Rose Bowl, ideally against USC, in a classic match-up that wouldn't look out of place in the late 1970s.
What yesterday's Penn State loss did was free up those of us with a personal stake in the national-title debate to go back to rooting for Penn State again -- to appreciating the dream season that the team, the fans and Joe Paterno are having this season.
The whole BCS debate thing was distracting -- taking away -- from an otherwise amazing year from Penn State. Now we can fully enjoy it.
-- D.S.
Sunday 11/09 (Very) Quickie
I am baffled as to how any college football poll voter could not rank Texas Tech at No. 1.
If there was any confusion whether Texas Tech's win over Texas was some kind of fluke, the Red Raiders just demolished an Oklahoma State team that was not only ranked in the Top 10 of the BCS, but that nearly beat Texas in Austin. TT out-performed Texas on offense AND defense.
That said, after their bye next week, TT faces their toughest game of the season -- at Norman. We'll see if the transitive property holds up: If Texas beat Oklahoma and Texas Tech beat Texas, then Texas Tech should be able to beat Oklahoma. If not, the Big 12 has its own BCS-style controversy. (Let me get out in front of it: For the BCS to base second-order conference division tie-breakers on BCS rankings is LUDICROUS and begging for problems.)
Actually, for me the real question is Who's No. 2? I'm not sure it's Alabama. Yes, a win in Baton Rouge is impressive, but if you've watched LSU over the past few weeks, they're just not that great of a team (corrected: wow, are they missing a good QB...every other piece is solid).
But if they played right now -- or, say, in 4 weeks -- do you really think Alabama would beat Florida? Do you really think Alabama could beat Texas or Oklahoma? (I'm actually more convinced than ever that the Big 12 defenses contribute extensively to making the offenses look great -- I love Texas Tech's offense, but Oklahoma State's defense isn't exactly stout.)
Meanwhile, you see below my insta-reaction to Penn State losing. Hey, why isn't "JoePa gets to go to the Rose Bowl!" considered a perfectly fine consolation to missing out on the national-title game? And if Penn State really considers themselves one of the Top 2 teams in the country (or, at least, they did up until Saturday night), then they should be able to beat USC in the Rose Bowl, right? (Um, it is probably worth pointing out that USC doesn't even control its own destiny for the Pac-10 championship; that would be Oregon State.)
Speaking of USC, who else was unimpressed with the "style" in which they beat Cal, at home no less. I was actually impressed with USC's defense, but what happened to the high-powered offense?
I'm working on my Top 25 ballot now, but here's how I'm looking at the Top 10 right now:
1. Texas Tech
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. Alabama
5. Oklahoma
6. USC
7. Utah
8. Boise St
9. Penn St
10. Ohio St
There is a lot of football left to play, but it looks like we're heading toward a national title game that pits an unbeaten or 1-loss champ of the Big 12 against an unbeaten or 1-loss champ of the SEC. I don't think anyone will argue with that outcome, at least this season.
-- D.S.
If there was any confusion whether Texas Tech's win over Texas was some kind of fluke, the Red Raiders just demolished an Oklahoma State team that was not only ranked in the Top 10 of the BCS, but that nearly beat Texas in Austin. TT out-performed Texas on offense AND defense.
That said, after their bye next week, TT faces their toughest game of the season -- at Norman. We'll see if the transitive property holds up: If Texas beat Oklahoma and Texas Tech beat Texas, then Texas Tech should be able to beat Oklahoma. If not, the Big 12 has its own BCS-style controversy. (Let me get out in front of it: For the BCS to base second-order conference division tie-breakers on BCS rankings is LUDICROUS and begging for problems.)
Actually, for me the real question is Who's No. 2? I'm not sure it's Alabama. Yes, a win in Baton Rouge is impressive, but if you've watched LSU over the past few weeks, they're just not that great of a team (corrected: wow, are they missing a good QB...every other piece is solid).
But if they played right now -- or, say, in 4 weeks -- do you really think Alabama would beat Florida? Do you really think Alabama could beat Texas or Oklahoma? (I'm actually more convinced than ever that the Big 12 defenses contribute extensively to making the offenses look great -- I love Texas Tech's offense, but Oklahoma State's defense isn't exactly stout.)
Meanwhile, you see below my insta-reaction to Penn State losing. Hey, why isn't "JoePa gets to go to the Rose Bowl!" considered a perfectly fine consolation to missing out on the national-title game? And if Penn State really considers themselves one of the Top 2 teams in the country (or, at least, they did up until Saturday night), then they should be able to beat USC in the Rose Bowl, right? (Um, it is probably worth pointing out that USC doesn't even control its own destiny for the Pac-10 championship; that would be Oregon State.)
Speaking of USC, who else was unimpressed with the "style" in which they beat Cal, at home no less. I was actually impressed with USC's defense, but what happened to the high-powered offense?
I'm working on my Top 25 ballot now, but here's how I'm looking at the Top 10 right now:
1. Texas Tech
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. Alabama
5. Oklahoma
6. USC
7. Utah
8. Boise St
9. Penn St
10. Ohio St
There is a lot of football left to play, but it looks like we're heading toward a national title game that pits an unbeaten or 1-loss champ of the Big 12 against an unbeaten or 1-loss champ of the SEC. I don't think anyone will argue with that outcome, at least this season.
-- D.S.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
CFB Saturday Viewing Guide and Live-Blog:
And That'll Be All For This Penn State Talk
Evening Update 3: So I'm watching Florida eviscerate Vanderbilt (remember when Vandy was 5-0 and a Top 10 team?), and even though the Florida offense is toying with a very respectable defense and the Florida defense is totally shutting down the Vandy offense (as they should), but it's the special teams.
Here's how good Florida's special teams are: They are the best punt-block team in the country... AND they have the best punt returner in the country (Brandon James). Cripes: Who has BOTH? This team is playing better right now than the 2006 national-champ edition ever did.
Evening Update 2: So Alabama survives. I didn't have them ranked No. 1 last week, and as long as Texas Tech beats OK St tonight, the Tide won't be No. 1 for me this week. If TX Tech loses, Bama will be -- should be -- No. 1. (BTW: No one can make the case that Julio Jones is "too young" for the NFL. That guy is the second-best WR in the country, after Crabtree.)
Evening Update: Normally, I hate Iowa. Tonight, I was rooting for them like a nutjob fan. I feel bad for Joe Paterno and for Penn State, but I was in the camp that Penn State was just that smidgen unworthy of playing in the national title game ahead of the Big 12 and SEC champs. Now, it's a moot point.
What a massive win by Iowa. Look at the fans on the field. It's like Texas Tech fans, only colder. God, I love college football.
All the playoff talk and debate over Who's No. 1 or No. 2 or No. 3... it's all so freaking premature. Because results like this happen that solve the debate for us. That's why I will continue to insist that college football regular season is, itself, one long playoff.
There are now 7 teams with any shot at playing for the national title. And by the time Texas Tech and OK State finish tonight, it will be 6, max. And there's still time for Alabama to lose at LSU, as well as Florida and USC to be shocked tonight by talented opponents.
But we know one thing for sure: Penn State is finished. Wow.
Late-Afternoon Update: Bama-LSU is really a good -- if turnover-filled -- game. Looks like Iowa won't be the team to derail Penn State.
Big bounce win for Texas -- Colt McCoy won't hurt his Heisman chances with today's performance. Huge blowout for Ohio State -- as usual, vs. Northwestern.
Hmm: You think Boise State is trying to slow down the Utah bandwagon by racking up points? It won't help. If both Boise and Utah go unbeaten, can't we see them play each other in a BCS bowl?
In the aren't-they-all-just-kind-of-mediocre ACC, UNC has staked its claim as the league's best, with that big win over Georgia Tech.
Tennessee lost at home to Wyoming: Just when you thought the Vols hit rock bottom, they show you the skills they have to go even lower. Yeesh.
I think I'll be ranking Western Michigan in this week's BlogPoll Top 25g - they beat Illinois in Detroit. That WMU-Ball St game on Tuesday 11/25 could be a biggie.
South Carolina is going to be a test for Florida next week at the Swamp: The Gamecocks have only lost to Vandy, Georgia and LSU -- each by only a TD.
Tailgate: Ohio State fans who hate how much I rag on the Buckeyes enjoy at least one measure of payback every year -- the annual OSU ass-kicking of Northwestern. In my lifetime as a Northwestern fan, there have been a grand total of TWO moments of joy:
1995: Northwestern's dream season. Incidentally, that season didn't involve actually playing Ohio State. Instead, NU's trip to the Rose Bowl was sealed when favored Ohio State lost to Michigan, sending the Wildcats to Pasadena. Thanks for choking, Buckeyes. (OSU fans earned a measure of payback when Eddie George undeservedly beat out Darnell Autry for the Heisman.)
2004: The night before my wedding, Ohio State was playing at Northwestern in primetime. The rehearsal dinner festivities turned into a crazy game-watching party, where my Northwestern friends all went crazyin front of the TV -- and then my wife's Florida family all adopted the Wildcats for the game. When Northwestern won the game -- a rarity vs. tOSU -- everyone went crazy, adding to an already awesome weekend. (It helped take the sting from those on my then-fiancee's side who had to miss a Florida home game in order to be at the wedding, which was located close enough that they were still in Florida, but just too far away to go from the wedding destination to Gainesville and back, without missing a ton of festivities. Fortunately, we turned that into an excuse for a day-long tailgate/game-watching event.)
Noon: Ohio State at Northwestern, ESPN2.
(Mildly Tracking: GA Tech/UNC)
3:30: Alabama at LSU, CBS
(Closely Tracking: Penn St at Iowa, ABC)
8:00: Florida at Vanderbilt, ESPN2
(Very Closely Tracking: OK St at TX Tech, ABC)
Who says championships can't be won the second Saturday of November? Tonight, Florida can clinch the SEC East title -- their first (and most valued) step in winning a national championship (just ask Georgia a year ago). Urban's thinking is that if your season ends with an SEC East title, you will likely be in a position to be in the picture for the national title.
Live-Blog follows all day.
-- D.S.
Here's how good Florida's special teams are: They are the best punt-block team in the country... AND they have the best punt returner in the country (Brandon James). Cripes: Who has BOTH? This team is playing better right now than the 2006 national-champ edition ever did.
Evening Update 2: So Alabama survives. I didn't have them ranked No. 1 last week, and as long as Texas Tech beats OK St tonight, the Tide won't be No. 1 for me this week. If TX Tech loses, Bama will be -- should be -- No. 1. (BTW: No one can make the case that Julio Jones is "too young" for the NFL. That guy is the second-best WR in the country, after Crabtree.)
Evening Update: Normally, I hate Iowa. Tonight, I was rooting for them like a nutjob fan. I feel bad for Joe Paterno and for Penn State, but I was in the camp that Penn State was just that smidgen unworthy of playing in the national title game ahead of the Big 12 and SEC champs. Now, it's a moot point.
What a massive win by Iowa. Look at the fans on the field. It's like Texas Tech fans, only colder. God, I love college football.
All the playoff talk and debate over Who's No. 1 or No. 2 or No. 3... it's all so freaking premature. Because results like this happen that solve the debate for us. That's why I will continue to insist that college football regular season is, itself, one long playoff.
There are now 7 teams with any shot at playing for the national title. And by the time Texas Tech and OK State finish tonight, it will be 6, max. And there's still time for Alabama to lose at LSU, as well as Florida and USC to be shocked tonight by talented opponents.
But we know one thing for sure: Penn State is finished. Wow.
Late-Afternoon Update: Bama-LSU is really a good -- if turnover-filled -- game. Looks like Iowa won't be the team to derail Penn State.
Big bounce win for Texas -- Colt McCoy won't hurt his Heisman chances with today's performance. Huge blowout for Ohio State -- as usual, vs. Northwestern.
Hmm: You think Boise State is trying to slow down the Utah bandwagon by racking up points? It won't help. If both Boise and Utah go unbeaten, can't we see them play each other in a BCS bowl?
In the aren't-they-all-just-kind-of-mediocre ACC, UNC has staked its claim as the league's best, with that big win over Georgia Tech.
Tennessee lost at home to Wyoming: Just when you thought the Vols hit rock bottom, they show you the skills they have to go even lower. Yeesh.
I think I'll be ranking Western Michigan in this week's BlogPoll Top 25g - they beat Illinois in Detroit. That WMU-Ball St game on Tuesday 11/25 could be a biggie.
South Carolina is going to be a test for Florida next week at the Swamp: The Gamecocks have only lost to Vandy, Georgia and LSU -- each by only a TD.
Tailgate: Ohio State fans who hate how much I rag on the Buckeyes enjoy at least one measure of payback every year -- the annual OSU ass-kicking of Northwestern. In my lifetime as a Northwestern fan, there have been a grand total of TWO moments of joy:
1995: Northwestern's dream season. Incidentally, that season didn't involve actually playing Ohio State. Instead, NU's trip to the Rose Bowl was sealed when favored Ohio State lost to Michigan, sending the Wildcats to Pasadena. Thanks for choking, Buckeyes. (OSU fans earned a measure of payback when Eddie George undeservedly beat out Darnell Autry for the Heisman.)
2004: The night before my wedding, Ohio State was playing at Northwestern in primetime. The rehearsal dinner festivities turned into a crazy game-watching party, where my Northwestern friends all went crazyin front of the TV -- and then my wife's Florida family all adopted the Wildcats for the game. When Northwestern won the game -- a rarity vs. tOSU -- everyone went crazy, adding to an already awesome weekend. (It helped take the sting from those on my then-fiancee's side who had to miss a Florida home game in order to be at the wedding, which was located close enough that they were still in Florida, but just too far away to go from the wedding destination to Gainesville and back, without missing a ton of festivities. Fortunately, we turned that into an excuse for a day-long tailgate/game-watching event.)
Noon: Ohio State at Northwestern, ESPN2.
(Mildly Tracking: GA Tech/UNC)
3:30: Alabama at LSU, CBS
(Closely Tracking: Penn St at Iowa, ABC)
8:00: Florida at Vanderbilt, ESPN2
(Very Closely Tracking: OK St at TX Tech, ABC)
Who says championships can't be won the second Saturday of November? Tonight, Florida can clinch the SEC East title -- their first (and most valued) step in winning a national championship (just ask Georgia a year ago). Urban's thinking is that if your season ends with an SEC East title, you will likely be in a position to be in the picture for the national title.
Live-Blog follows all day.
-- D.S.
Saturday 11/08 (Very) Quickie
Mostly NBA this morning, as we all gear up for another big Saturday in college football.
AI's Detroit debut: A loss, but at least it was exciting (24 pts, 6 ast, 50+% FG). But, ultimately, it was a Pistons loss to the Nets (Devin Harris 38 pts)
Billups' Denver debut: Not a ton of points. Not a particularly good FG percentage. But a win. (And I love that the Denver native wears the most hallowed number in Denver sports: 7)
How would Tony Parker follow up his double-nickel? With an ankle sprain, and the Spurs lost to the Heat (Wade: 33 pts, 9 ast, 10 reb)
Um, the Hawks are still unbeaten.
Worst team in the NBA? How 'bout my Wiz? Sigh. It's not the fault of re-signing Gilbert Arenas. It's the freaking injuries - for the Wiz, when ISN'T it about the injuries?
Redskins sign DeAngelo Hall: This can't possibly end well.
CFB Viewing Guide and Live-Blog coming later this morning.
-- D.S.
AI's Detroit debut: A loss, but at least it was exciting (24 pts, 6 ast, 50+% FG). But, ultimately, it was a Pistons loss to the Nets (Devin Harris 38 pts)
Billups' Denver debut: Not a ton of points. Not a particularly good FG percentage. But a win. (And I love that the Denver native wears the most hallowed number in Denver sports: 7)
How would Tony Parker follow up his double-nickel? With an ankle sprain, and the Spurs lost to the Heat (Wade: 33 pts, 9 ast, 10 reb)
Um, the Hawks are still unbeaten.
Worst team in the NBA? How 'bout my Wiz? Sigh. It's not the fault of re-signing Gilbert Arenas. It's the freaking injuries - for the Wiz, when ISN'T it about the injuries?
Redskins sign DeAngelo Hall: This can't possibly end well.
CFB Viewing Guide and Live-Blog coming later this morning.
-- D.S.
Friday, November 07, 2008
CFB Weekend Preview and Picks
What constitutes a big weekend these days? How about the now-weekly Big 12 Battle for Everything -- Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State. As 2 of the mere 8 remaining teams with any (even remote) BCS title-game hopes, one stays in the hunt; one drops out. (Yes, if Texas Tech loses, they are effectively done, at least in terms of BCS title game potential.) For Alabama and Penn State, it's simply about "survive-and-advance" in their toughest remaining regular-season games.
(1) Alabama over @LSU - GOTW2... no gimme for Bama.
(2) Texas Tech over Oklahoma State -- GOTW
(3) Penn State over @Iowa -- GOTW3
(4) Texas over Baylor
(5) Florida over @Vandy
(6) Oklahoma over @Texas A&M
(7) USC over (21) Cal
(8) Utah over (12) TCU -- Locked Thursday
(10) Boise St. over Utah St.
(11) Ohio St. over @(24)Northwestern
(13) Georgia over @Kentucky
(14) Missouri over Kansas St.
(15) BYU over San Diego St.
(17) Ball St over N. Illinois -- Locked Tuesday
(18) Michigan St over Purdue
(20) Georgia Tech over (19) North Carolina
(22) Florida St over Clemson
Virginia Tech over (23) Maryland -- Locked Thursday
(25) West Virginia over Cincy -- Surprisingly interesting game
Other Games to Watch:
Illinois vs. Western Michigan in Detroit
Wyoming at Tennessee -- Just how much worse can it get for the Vols?
Virginia at Wake Forest -- The ACC: Competitively lame
Notre Dame vs. BC -- And this bumped Florida to ESPN2??
(1) Alabama over @LSU - GOTW2... no gimme for Bama.
(2) Texas Tech over Oklahoma State -- GOTW
(3) Penn State over @Iowa -- GOTW3
(4) Texas over Baylor
(5) Florida over @Vandy
(6) Oklahoma over @Texas A&M
(7) USC over (21) Cal
(8) Utah over (12) TCU -- Locked Thursday
(10) Boise St. over Utah St.
(11) Ohio St. over @(24)Northwestern
(13) Georgia over @Kentucky
(14) Missouri over Kansas St.
(15) BYU over San Diego St.
(17) Ball St over N. Illinois -- Locked Tuesday
(18) Michigan St over Purdue
(20) Georgia Tech over (19) North Carolina
(22) Florida St over Clemson
Virginia Tech over (23) Maryland -- Locked Thursday
(25) West Virginia over Cincy -- Surprisingly interesting game
Other Games to Watch:
Illinois vs. Western Michigan in Detroit
Wyoming at Tennessee -- Just how much worse can it get for the Vols?
Virginia at Wake Forest -- The ACC: Competitively lame
Notre Dame vs. BC -- And this bumped Florida to ESPN2??
Friday 11/07 A.M. Quickie:
Broncos, Brandon, Brady, BCS, Bissinger
Great to see the awesome turnout last night at Varsity Letters: Drew and Steinberg were hilarious, and Bissinger wowed with a very dramatic reading from Friday Night Lights and "3 Nights."
Meanwhile, Brandon Marshall is kind of a chucklehead -- a T.O./Chad Johnson wannabe. (See his belated attempt to "come back" at Joey Porter earlier this week.)
But, leading today's SN column, I think his heart (if not his head) was in the right place last night when he attempted to pull a John Carlos/Tommie Smith and raise a fist encased in a black-and-white glove.
What was his point? To celebrate the new national unity symbolized by the election of Barack Obama. Again: Heart in the right place.
He was dissuaded from doing it by his teammates, nervous about the impact of a personal foul late in a close game they just took the lead in after a crazy 4th-quarter comeback.
But the question lingers: Would we -- fans -- have been better off if he had done it and we could openly talk/debate/argue about what Marshall was trying to do and how he did it?
Meanwhile, Utah is zeroing in on a BCS-busting at-large bid for a non-BCS team. TCU was a really good team; maybe if the game wasn't in SLC, TCU wins. But the fact is, Utah is still unbeaten; their schedule played is tougher than any other non-BCS team in the conversation (Boise St) -- hell, their schedule played is arguably tougher than USC's right now. And, unlike the Trojans, Utah BEAT Oregon State. They are a worthy BCS party-crasher.
Big weekend in college football -- they're all big, aren't they? But if Penn State is going to get tripped up, it's going to be at Iowa. And if Alabama is going to get tripped up, it's going to be at LSU. And if USC is going to get tripped up (again), it's going to be vs. Cal. Weekly preview coming later, as usual.
NBA: (1) Brandon Roy is so money. (2) Is Gerald Wallace getting traded? (3) Who will score more in their new-team debuts: Iverson or Billups?
MLB: Does anyone really think the Padres would trade Peavy to the Dodgers? I think he ends up with the Cubs. Meanwhile, why isn't every team trying to get Matt Holliday? It's fascinating that he could wind up with Philly. What a coup that would be.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Meanwhile, Brandon Marshall is kind of a chucklehead -- a T.O./Chad Johnson wannabe. (See his belated attempt to "come back" at Joey Porter earlier this week.)
But, leading today's SN column, I think his heart (if not his head) was in the right place last night when he attempted to pull a John Carlos/Tommie Smith and raise a fist encased in a black-and-white glove.
What was his point? To celebrate the new national unity symbolized by the election of Barack Obama. Again: Heart in the right place.
He was dissuaded from doing it by his teammates, nervous about the impact of a personal foul late in a close game they just took the lead in after a crazy 4th-quarter comeback.
But the question lingers: Would we -- fans -- have been better off if he had done it and we could openly talk/debate/argue about what Marshall was trying to do and how he did it?
Meanwhile, Utah is zeroing in on a BCS-busting at-large bid for a non-BCS team. TCU was a really good team; maybe if the game wasn't in SLC, TCU wins. But the fact is, Utah is still unbeaten; their schedule played is tougher than any other non-BCS team in the conversation (Boise St) -- hell, their schedule played is arguably tougher than USC's right now. And, unlike the Trojans, Utah BEAT Oregon State. They are a worthy BCS party-crasher.
Big weekend in college football -- they're all big, aren't they? But if Penn State is going to get tripped up, it's going to be at Iowa. And if Alabama is going to get tripped up, it's going to be at LSU. And if USC is going to get tripped up (again), it's going to be vs. Cal. Weekly preview coming later, as usual.
NBA: (1) Brandon Roy is so money. (2) Is Gerald Wallace getting traded? (3) Who will score more in their new-team debuts: Iverson or Billups?
MLB: Does anyone really think the Padres would trade Peavy to the Dodgers? I think he ends up with the Cubs. Meanwhile, why isn't every team trying to get Matt Holliday? It's fascinating that he could wind up with Philly. What a coup that would be.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
More on Obamaball: The Arnovitz Theory
Barack Obama has won North Carolina, officially. And I'd contend it was partly from his basketball obsession.
I call it the "Arnovitz Theory," inspired by an exchange I had with super-hoops blogger Kevin Arnovitz, who is guest-blogging over at TrueHoop and was nice enough to link to my "Obamaball" theory from yesterday.
The Arnovitz Theory holds that Barack Obama's wins in Indiana and North Carolina -- incredibly, "flipping" both traditionally "red" states to "blue" -- can be attributed at least indirectly (but perhaps directly) to his two most high-profile campaign events related to his love of basketball:
*In Indiana, Obama issued that challenge, offering to play 3-on-3 with whoever registered the most new Indiana voters.
*In North Carolina, Obama scored a P.R. coup by playing hoops with the Tar Heels.
In hoops-crazy states where basketball transcends traditional party politics, those moments may well have each been THE defining moment for Obama when it came to wooing a majority of the voters in each state.
Folks talk about Obama being "post-racial" or "post-ideological" or "post-partisan," but -- in reality -- maybe he's just got game in the post.
Obamaball.
-- D.S.
I call it the "Arnovitz Theory," inspired by an exchange I had with super-hoops blogger Kevin Arnovitz, who is guest-blogging over at TrueHoop and was nice enough to link to my "Obamaball" theory from yesterday.
The Arnovitz Theory holds that Barack Obama's wins in Indiana and North Carolina -- incredibly, "flipping" both traditionally "red" states to "blue" -- can be attributed at least indirectly (but perhaps directly) to his two most high-profile campaign events related to his love of basketball:
*In Indiana, Obama issued that challenge, offering to play 3-on-3 with whoever registered the most new Indiana voters.
*In North Carolina, Obama scored a P.R. coup by playing hoops with the Tar Heels.
In hoops-crazy states where basketball transcends traditional party politics, those moments may well have each been THE defining moment for Obama when it came to wooing a majority of the voters in each state.
Folks talk about Obama being "post-racial" or "post-ideological" or "post-partisan," but -- in reality -- maybe he's just got game in the post.
Obamaball.
-- D.S.
Big Daddy Drew, Buzz Bissinger, Dan Steinberg: Best Varsity Letters Ever?
When I founded the Varsity Letters Reading Series three years ago -- still the nation's only reading series dedicated to sports -- before turning it over to the amazingly more competent folks at Gelf, tonight's lineup was the type that I think was the aspiration:
Drew Magary: One of the leading voices in the sports blogosphere, newly published author of the best-selling book "Men With Balls" and -- incidentally now, I guess -- a founding editor of Kissing Suzy Kolber and a contributing editor to Deadspin.
Buzz Bissinger: Pulitzer-winning author, "Friday Night Lights," "3 Days in August" yada yada yada, will likely be best-known for his nationally televised rant against bloggers. He and Drew are now pals, it is worth noting. When you blurb a book, it's like sleeping with someone.
Dan Steinberg: Creator and proprietor of the Washington Post's DC Sports Bog, one of the first mainstream newspaper sports blogs -- and certainly the gold standard for how newspapers can use the platform of blogging to add considerable value for their readers and their brand.
About a year ago, VL convened a "Blogger Night" that was about as packed and crazy as I think the reading space could allow for. I actually think tonight will be even more fun. If you live in New York, I highly recommend it. Complete details here.
(The image above was inspired by the cover image of "Men With Balls". Consider it my homage to the evening.)
-- D.S.
Drew Magary: One of the leading voices in the sports blogosphere, newly published author of the best-selling book "Men With Balls" and -- incidentally now, I guess -- a founding editor of Kissing Suzy Kolber and a contributing editor to Deadspin.
Buzz Bissinger: Pulitzer-winning author, "Friday Night Lights," "3 Days in August" yada yada yada, will likely be best-known for his nationally televised rant against bloggers. He and Drew are now pals, it is worth noting. When you blurb a book, it's like sleeping with someone.
Dan Steinberg: Creator and proprietor of the Washington Post's DC Sports Bog, one of the first mainstream newspaper sports blogs -- and certainly the gold standard for how newspapers can use the platform of blogging to add considerable value for their readers and their brand.
About a year ago, VL convened a "Blogger Night" that was about as packed and crazy as I think the reading space could allow for. I actually think tonight will be even more fun. If you live in New York, I highly recommend it. Complete details here.
(The image above was inspired by the cover image of "Men With Balls". Consider it my homage to the evening.)
-- D.S.
Thursday 11/06 A.M. Quickie:
Obama, Utah, Manny, TP, Amare, More
I didn't intend to lead today's SN column with continuing promotion of my college football playoff plan.
But I unexpectedly went on a local radio show last night, and we spend the bulk of the time talking about a CFB playoff -- and I think it was entirely driven by Obama bringing it up Monday.
The BCS/playoff debate is omnipresent, but it usually doesn't hit in full force until December. But because of Obama's mention of it on Monday, it is front and center. When the President-elect initiates a policy discussion, it tends to get attention. In this case, his policy is playoff. I want nothing more than to help.
And so on the show, I teased my "SEC-ession" plan -- but don't call me an SEC elitist. I have modified the plan! I now think the SEC and Big 12 should jointly secede, then dare the rest of the country not to follow. You can see the complete plan in the post below (or here).
Anyway, at some point, there will be a playoff. The fastest (if "exlusionariest") way to get there is my plan -- not sure what's holding the SEC and Big 12 back. They'd make more money dropping out of the BCS and creating their own playoff than staying in the BCS.
(UPDATE: As usual, Matt "Doc Saturday" Hinton has some of the most clear-eyed analysis about the current iteration of the BCS mess, specifically involving USC and Pete Carroll's recent complaints. The gist: If you had won, you'd be fine.)
But that's neither here nor there: It is an absolutely loaded column today. Among the highlights:
CFB: Utah/TCU tonight and it's big-big-big. One of the Top 3 most important games of the year, because -- presuming the winner wins out -- it should be for a BCS-busting BCS bowl bid.
NBA: Everyone is talking about Tony Parker's double-nickel, and it was impressive (boosted by the fact that it was the Spurs' first W of the season). But statistically, for my money, Amare's line was even more impressive. Points (49), rebounds, assists, blocks, steals. It was all there.
MLB: Dodgers make Manny a huge offer. And I say he's worth it.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
But I unexpectedly went on a local radio show last night, and we spend the bulk of the time talking about a CFB playoff -- and I think it was entirely driven by Obama bringing it up Monday.
The BCS/playoff debate is omnipresent, but it usually doesn't hit in full force until December. But because of Obama's mention of it on Monday, it is front and center. When the President-elect initiates a policy discussion, it tends to get attention. In this case, his policy is playoff. I want nothing more than to help.
And so on the show, I teased my "SEC-ession" plan -- but don't call me an SEC elitist. I have modified the plan! I now think the SEC and Big 12 should jointly secede, then dare the rest of the country not to follow. You can see the complete plan in the post below (or here).
Anyway, at some point, there will be a playoff. The fastest (if "exlusionariest") way to get there is my plan -- not sure what's holding the SEC and Big 12 back. They'd make more money dropping out of the BCS and creating their own playoff than staying in the BCS.
(UPDATE: As usual, Matt "Doc Saturday" Hinton has some of the most clear-eyed analysis about the current iteration of the BCS mess, specifically involving USC and Pete Carroll's recent complaints. The gist: If you had won, you'd be fine.)
But that's neither here nor there: It is an absolutely loaded column today. Among the highlights:
CFB: Utah/TCU tonight and it's big-big-big. One of the Top 3 most important games of the year, because -- presuming the winner wins out -- it should be for a BCS-busting BCS bowl bid.
NBA: Everyone is talking about Tony Parker's double-nickel, and it was impressive (boosted by the fact that it was the Spurs' first W of the season). But statistically, for my money, Amare's line was even more impressive. Points (49), rebounds, assists, blocks, steals. It was all there.
MLB: Dodgers make Manny a huge offer. And I say he's worth it.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Secession Is The Only CFB Playoff Solution:
SEC, Big 12 Should Join Forces, Force Issue
Like President Barack Obama, would you like to see a college football playoff? Did you enjoy hearing Bob Stoops join the chorus -- led by the SEC -- lobbying for a playoff?
Time to re-pitch the only reasonable playoff solution, now expanded for more awesomeness:
First, let's stipulate that the Pac-10 and Big Ten adamantly refuse to -- and even actively obstruct -- a playoff. (Sorry, Pete Carroll and Joe Paterno: Take your problems up with your conference commissioners. Not our problem.)
Next, let's stipulate that the Big East and ACC each bring very little to the table.
Finally, let's get revolutionary: The SEC and Big 12 should secede from the BCS and set up their own playoff system -- 16 teams, 8 from each conference. Each group of 8 competes in a 3-game playoff to determine a conference champ. The two winners play for the national title.
It doesn't even infringe on the schedule. The conference playoff quarterfinals would be played the day of the traditional conference title games. The next Saturday would be the conference playoff semifinals. The Saturday after that would be the conference finals. Two Mondays later -- in 2009, January 5 -- would be the "Big 12-SEC title game" or, as it would be universally recognized, the national title game.
We'll see how fast the Pac-10 and Big Ten fold when their teams are shut out -- shut out of championship legitimacy (who would crown an unbeaten Pac-10 or Big Ten team over a team that ran a 4-game gauntlet of Big 12 and SEC playoffs?) and, ultimately, shut out of recruiting. The Big East and ACC would do anything to join in; resist the temptation -- look what their inclusion did to the BCS.
And it would be backed by TV money -- a lot of it. Imagine how much ESPN would pay.
And it doesn't hurt the existing bowl structure, which can continue to cherry-pick the playoff losers for Christmas Week and New Year's Day bowl games... except the two title-game finalists, which can meet in a game that rotates quadrennially between the new Dallas Cowboys stadium, the Edward Jones Dome, the Superdome and the Georgia Dome.
Watch how fast the rest of the country comes into line. The Big 12 and SEC would have to be willing to give up their 8 vs. 8 exclusive playoff in favor of a nationalized 16-team playoff. The rest of the country can guarantee a preponderance of the revenues to the founding two conferences (call them equity stake-holders) in exchange for the chance to be included.
If the Pac-10 and Big Ten want to continue to keep themselves out -- perhaps committing to the Rose Bowl -- more power to them. But let's be clear here: Given the option to join a playoff, they actively choose to take themselves out of it. That way, there are no complaints when the Rose Bowl champ finishes no higher than 3rd in the annual final polls.
Thoughts? I had previously created this theory as SEC-only, figuring the Big 12 was a natural ally to join in, once the model proved itself. I am happy to open it up to the Big 12 right from the start. An SEC-Big 12 joint-venture would be unstoppable.
-- D.S.
Time to re-pitch the only reasonable playoff solution, now expanded for more awesomeness:
First, let's stipulate that the Pac-10 and Big Ten adamantly refuse to -- and even actively obstruct -- a playoff. (Sorry, Pete Carroll and Joe Paterno: Take your problems up with your conference commissioners. Not our problem.)
Next, let's stipulate that the Big East and ACC each bring very little to the table.
Finally, let's get revolutionary: The SEC and Big 12 should secede from the BCS and set up their own playoff system -- 16 teams, 8 from each conference. Each group of 8 competes in a 3-game playoff to determine a conference champ. The two winners play for the national title.
It doesn't even infringe on the schedule. The conference playoff quarterfinals would be played the day of the traditional conference title games. The next Saturday would be the conference playoff semifinals. The Saturday after that would be the conference finals. Two Mondays later -- in 2009, January 5 -- would be the "Big 12-SEC title game" or, as it would be universally recognized, the national title game.
We'll see how fast the Pac-10 and Big Ten fold when their teams are shut out -- shut out of championship legitimacy (who would crown an unbeaten Pac-10 or Big Ten team over a team that ran a 4-game gauntlet of Big 12 and SEC playoffs?) and, ultimately, shut out of recruiting. The Big East and ACC would do anything to join in; resist the temptation -- look what their inclusion did to the BCS.
And it would be backed by TV money -- a lot of it. Imagine how much ESPN would pay.
And it doesn't hurt the existing bowl structure, which can continue to cherry-pick the playoff losers for Christmas Week and New Year's Day bowl games... except the two title-game finalists, which can meet in a game that rotates quadrennially between the new Dallas Cowboys stadium, the Edward Jones Dome, the Superdome and the Georgia Dome.
Watch how fast the rest of the country comes into line. The Big 12 and SEC would have to be willing to give up their 8 vs. 8 exclusive playoff in favor of a nationalized 16-team playoff. The rest of the country can guarantee a preponderance of the revenues to the founding two conferences (call them equity stake-holders) in exchange for the chance to be included.
If the Pac-10 and Big Ten want to continue to keep themselves out -- perhaps committing to the Rose Bowl -- more power to them. But let's be clear here: Given the option to join a playoff, they actively choose to take themselves out of it. That way, there are no complaints when the Rose Bowl champ finishes no higher than 3rd in the annual final polls.
Thoughts? I had previously created this theory as SEC-only, figuring the Big 12 was a natural ally to join in, once the model proved itself. I am happy to open it up to the Big 12 right from the start. An SEC-Big 12 joint-venture would be unstoppable.
-- D.S.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Obamaball: President Obama and Sports
From today's SN column lead item:
-- D.S.
What will President Barack Obama mean for sports?There is a lot more in this theory to unpack. Fortunately, there are at least 4 years (and hopefully 8) to figure it all out.
No. 44 already made news earlier this week by declaring that he would like to see a college football playoff. I predict that by the end of his first term, he has brokered one.
That's because President Obama is a die-hard sports fan.
Most presidents have been fans, but you get the sense that Obama follows sports with the same passion as you or me -- when he is, y'know, not leading the free world.
But if there is one out-sized sports influence that an Obama administration will have on the country, it is this:
Basketball will become our national pastime -- a return to "Big" sport relevancy in the U.S. after years of increasing marginalization.
Obama's passion for hoops is well-known, a daily ritual throughout his campaign and a constant presence throughout his life.
Obama will be "Baller-in-Chief." He will install a basketball court in the White House. He will resuscitate the visibility and cachet of the sport, inspiring a generation of kids to take up and follow the game.
If there is a phrase that might have defined his perfect campaign plan -- and will certainly define his transcendent presidency -- may I propose:
"Obamaball."
-- D.S.
Wednesday 11/05 A.M. Quickie:
President Barack Obama. Enough Said.
I remain utterly elated over the result of yesterday's election. That lingering feeling is kind of remarkable, actually. Maybe I'm projecting, but people on the street seem to be perma-smiling.
It shouldn't surprise you that I led today's SN column with an attempt to put President Barack Obama into his proper sports context.
Needless to say, it is a new dawn when the First Fan is a real sports fan, much closer to how you or I consume sports than recent times.
And it has massive implications for a longtime Shanoff construction about the state of "Big" sports. I will republish the lead item in full later this morning.
Meanwhile, what you'll find in the rest of the column:
*NBA: The Celtics exposed the Rockets as not-yet-ready to challenge for a championship. Maybe in six months, but not now.
*CFB: Pete Carroll is a whiner: There is an easy way to master the BCS system when you have the most talented team in CFB playing the least challenging schedule of any contender: Win.
(Why doesn't Carroll flex some of his muscle as the biggest big dog in the Pac-10 to influence his conference's commissioner, who is one of the biggest playoff obstructionists in the country?)
*NFL: The state of the Raiders is so bad that it may finally be necessary for the NFL to step in. The pending purge could be the lowest moment yet.
*MLB: There will be some high-payroll team out there willing to give AJ Burnett a deal worth him opting out for. And they will pay for it, all right. Call it the "Pavano Effect."
*Schadenfreude: A roster of experts have determined that Derek Jeter is the worst fielder in baseball, which is a label that is a long time coming. Jeter fans are going to go insane.
More later. Complete SN column here.
President Barack Obama. Yes.
-- D.S.
It shouldn't surprise you that I led today's SN column with an attempt to put President Barack Obama into his proper sports context.
Needless to say, it is a new dawn when the First Fan is a real sports fan, much closer to how you or I consume sports than recent times.
And it has massive implications for a longtime Shanoff construction about the state of "Big" sports. I will republish the lead item in full later this morning.
Meanwhile, what you'll find in the rest of the column:
*NBA: The Celtics exposed the Rockets as not-yet-ready to challenge for a championship. Maybe in six months, but not now.
*CFB: Pete Carroll is a whiner: There is an easy way to master the BCS system when you have the most talented team in CFB playing the least challenging schedule of any contender: Win.
(Why doesn't Carroll flex some of his muscle as the biggest big dog in the Pac-10 to influence his conference's commissioner, who is one of the biggest playoff obstructionists in the country?)
*NFL: The state of the Raiders is so bad that it may finally be necessary for the NFL to step in. The pending purge could be the lowest moment yet.
*MLB: There will be some high-payroll team out there willing to give AJ Burnett a deal worth him opting out for. And they will pay for it, all right. Call it the "Pavano Effect."
*Schadenfreude: A roster of experts have determined that Derek Jeter is the worst fielder in baseball, which is a label that is a long time coming. Jeter fans are going to go insane.
More later. Complete SN column here.
President Barack Obama. Yes.
-- D.S.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Yes We Can. Yes He Can. Yes He Did.
Yes We Can. Yes He Can.
Yes He Did.
This is the most stirring national moment of my lifetime -- probably of many people's lifetimes.
From the Declaration of Independence to the Emancipation Proclamation to tonight. Defining moments in American history, running along a straight line of history.
What a glorious event. What a worthy man. I have never been more proud to be an American.
Hope is real.
-- D.S.
Yes He Did.
This is the most stirring national moment of my lifetime -- probably of many people's lifetimes.
From the Declaration of Independence to the Emancipation Proclamation to tonight. Defining moments in American history, running along a straight line of history.
What a glorious event. What a worthy man. I have never been more proud to be an American.
Hope is real.
-- D.S.
Vote
Everyone should have a voting story today. Your kids and grandkids will likely ask you about it -- if you are volunteering (or have volunteered) in some way, all the better... and thanks.
I voted early this morning -- hey, when you're up as early as I am, why not take advantage? -- and my wife and I brought our 2-year-old and our 2-week-old with us to the voting booth.
(We were fortunate: The line was short -- the whole thing only took 20 minutes or so. I cannot imagine -- but I salute -- those who have to deal with lines that last into the hours.)
Casting the ballot felt more exhilarating than any civic moment I have ever experienced. We are on the cusp of one of the greatest moments in American history. You can feel it.
I don't want to belabor the moment. Go vote.
-- D.S.
I voted early this morning -- hey, when you're up as early as I am, why not take advantage? -- and my wife and I brought our 2-year-old and our 2-week-old with us to the voting booth.
(We were fortunate: The line was short -- the whole thing only took 20 minutes or so. I cannot imagine -- but I salute -- those who have to deal with lines that last into the hours.)
Casting the ballot felt more exhilarating than any civic moment I have ever experienced. We are on the cusp of one of the greatest moments in American history. You can feel it.
I don't want to belabor the moment. Go vote.
-- D.S.
Tuesday 11/04 A.M. Quickie:
Election, Ben, Byron, AI, Fulmer, More
Today eclipses anything that could possibly happen in sports. It may turn out to be one of the most historic and important days in the history of the country.
It's a good thing, then, that we seemed to get all the fun storylines in sports out of the way yesterday, as broken down in today's SN column: AI traded to Detroit; Phil Fulmer on the outs in Tennessee; Byron Leftwich finding a moment of career renaissance in D.C. leading the Steelers to an Election Eve win; rumors of Jake Peavy heading to the AL...
Sorry for the short post this morning. Way too excited about the election today. More later. Complete SN column here. Go vote.
-- D.S.
It's a good thing, then, that we seemed to get all the fun storylines in sports out of the way yesterday, as broken down in today's SN column: AI traded to Detroit; Phil Fulmer on the outs in Tennessee; Byron Leftwich finding a moment of career renaissance in D.C. leading the Steelers to an Election Eve win; rumors of Jake Peavy heading to the AL...
Sorry for the short post this morning. Way too excited about the election today. More later. Complete SN column here. Go vote.
-- D.S.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Monday 11/03 A.M. Quickie:
BCS, Titans, Texas Tech, Colts, CP3
Still recovering from Saturday's win by Texas Tech over Texas. (What: You thought I'd say I'm still recovering from Saturday's win by Florida over Georgia?)
Perfection is on the brain in the lead of today's SN column: The Titans' perfection, Texas' inability to maintain perfection, the idea that Florida needs a perfect ending to even sniff the national-title game. (OK, maybe that last part didn't make the SN column.)
As a Gators fan, what those wins did was give me at least a reasonable scenario where Florida could make the national title game: Win out, including a win over a (hopefully unbeaten) Alabama in the SEC title game, plus a loss by either Texas Tech or (more remotely possible) Penn State.
Given that there are only 8 teams with even the remotest chance of making it (and 4 of the 8 play in the same conference division -- it's really 4: Big 12 champ, SEC champ, Penn St, USC), I'm just happy to be in the conversation.
Meanwhile, the Titans may have the NFL's best record, but I think it's obvious that the Giants are the NFL's best team (though the Cowboys are pretty awful, making the Giants look better). The AFC East is the most interesting division. And the Raiders (77 yards of offense?) are the league's worst. (Re: the Vick rumors -- he could only help.)
Saturday night was the real spectacular show in the NBA; yesterday's games were merely to (a) remind that the Knicks aren't THAT "new-look" and (b) get OKC the team's first post-relocation win. (Zzz: Tell me when Chris Paul or the must-see rookies are playing again.)
Complete SN column here.
Please weigh in on the BlogPoll ballot below, with a particular emphasis on the Top 10. (Yes, I know that I rank Michigan State way too high. I'll fix it.) And check out the post below that, which lays out a schematic for each of the 8 BCS contenders -- looking for your help on that.
More later. Tomorrow is a big day, to say the least. (Hmm: Have you bought your T-shirt yet?)
-- D.S.
Perfection is on the brain in the lead of today's SN column: The Titans' perfection, Texas' inability to maintain perfection, the idea that Florida needs a perfect ending to even sniff the national-title game. (OK, maybe that last part didn't make the SN column.)
As a Gators fan, what those wins did was give me at least a reasonable scenario where Florida could make the national title game: Win out, including a win over a (hopefully unbeaten) Alabama in the SEC title game, plus a loss by either Texas Tech or (more remotely possible) Penn State.
Given that there are only 8 teams with even the remotest chance of making it (and 4 of the 8 play in the same conference division -- it's really 4: Big 12 champ, SEC champ, Penn St, USC), I'm just happy to be in the conversation.
Meanwhile, the Titans may have the NFL's best record, but I think it's obvious that the Giants are the NFL's best team (though the Cowboys are pretty awful, making the Giants look better). The AFC East is the most interesting division. And the Raiders (77 yards of offense?) are the league's worst. (Re: the Vick rumors -- he could only help.)
Saturday night was the real spectacular show in the NBA; yesterday's games were merely to (a) remind that the Knicks aren't THAT "new-look" and (b) get OKC the team's first post-relocation win. (Zzz: Tell me when Chris Paul or the must-see rookies are playing again.)
Complete SN column here.
Please weigh in on the BlogPoll ballot below, with a particular emphasis on the Top 10. (Yes, I know that I rank Michigan State way too high. I'll fix it.) And check out the post below that, which lays out a schematic for each of the 8 BCS contenders -- looking for your help on that.
More later. Tomorrow is a big day, to say the least. (Hmm: Have you bought your T-shirt yet?)
-- D.S.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
This Week's BlogPoll Ballot, Version 1
As always, let me know what you think. As mentioned this weekend, we reach a point in the season where "resume" is supplemented by the context of how those wins (and losses) look now, along with that amorphous notion of "how well they're playing right now."
| ||
| Rank | Team | Delta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas Tech | 3 |
| 2 | Texas | 1 |
| 3 | Penn State | -- |
| 4 | Alabama | 2 |
| 5 | Florida | 2 |
| 6 | Oklahoma State | 1 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 1 |
| 8 | Southern Cal | 1 |
| 9 | Boise State | 2 |
| 10 | TCU | 3 |
| 11 | Utah | 1 |
| 12 | Georgia | 6 |
| 13 | LSU | 1 |
| 14 | Ohio State | -- |
| 15 | Missouri | -- |
| 16 | Ball State | 1 |
| 17 | Michigan State | 5 |
| 18 | West Virginia | 5 |
| 19 | Georgia Tech | 7 |
| 20 | California | 6 |
| 21 | Kansas | 5 |
| 22 | North Carolina | 3 |
| 23 | Brigham Young | 2 |
| 24 | Pittsburgh | 2 |
| 25 | Northwestern | 1 |
Dropped Out: Tulsa (#16), Minnesota (#18), Connecticut (#20), South Florida (#24), Central Michigan (#25).
The Path to CFB Title Game: 8 Teams Left
I was futzing around with the theory below. Please take a look and let me know in what way I need to adjust the parameters...
Only 8 teams have a legitimate chance to make the national title game, and only 2 control their own destiny, though 2 others are close. Here is how things lay out:
Destiny Controlled: If they simply win out, regardless of what anyone else does, they should make the national title game.
1.
2.
Needs help, but not much:
3.
(Yes, this presumes that if Texas Tech, Alabama and Penn State all go unbeaten, Penn State would be on the outside looking in. I think we could all agree that is reasonable.)
Needs help, but best shot of all 1-loss teams:
4. Florida: Win out (assumes beating Alabama in SEC CG) plus EITHER Texas Tech OR Penn State loses.
(Yes, this presumes that a 1-loss Florida team that wins the SEC title game over Alabama would be ranked ahead of a 1-loss Big 12 champ -- especially if Alabama goes into it unbeaten.)
Needs substantial help:
5. Texas: Win out;TX Tech loses, but NOT to Okla or Okla St; PLUS a loss by Penn State OR a loss by Alabama before the SEC CG + Florida losing again.
Needs a lot of help, in the form of Texas losing again PLUS:
6.Oklahoma: Win out (incl. beating TX Tech)
7.
Needs a ton of help:
8. USC: Win out; needs Penn St to lose; needs TX Tech to lose twice; needs Florida to lose again; needs Bama to lose; and needs BOTH Texas and Oklahoma to lose again.
Sunday 11/02 (Very) Quickie: Guns Up
Wow. Wow. Wow. I'm still blown away by the way Texas Tech put away Texas last night.
The Red Raiders dominated Texas for all but the final quarter. But just when the game seemed to get away from them -- literally in the final minute, when you could see a "Texas being Texas" moment of triumph -- they dominated Texas with one of the awesomest last-minute, game-winning drives you'll ever see (particularly given that it came against a consensus No. 1 team).
BTW: Have you ever seen a two-play turnaround like the one at the end of last night's game? Texas HAD THE GAME WON WITH THAT INT -- which they dropped. Then, Harrell (my new Heisman leader?) hit Crabtree (um, perhaps my newer Heisman leader?) with that sicksicksick TD pass. Matt Hinton summed up that Texas two-step nicely.
Speaking of No. 1, I have no idea -- ZERO -- how ANYONE could possibly NOT put Texas Tech at No. 1 in the polls this week. They are unbeaten, from the nation's best conference, and thoroughly outplayed the consensus No. 1 team in the country. That they would "vault" from 7 to 1 (some of us had them at No. 4 this week...) is hardly a radical thought, given the way they beat the team formerly considered No. 1.
But, really, you are an intellectually bankrupt poll voter if you gave your No. 1 vote to Texas last week, then don't turn around and give it to Texas Tech.
Here's the other dynamic that I find intriguing: Yesterday was the first moment we had a "state your case" game from a non-unbeaten, 1-loss team. Given the way that Florida destroyed another team in the Top 10, I'd argue that Florida is better right now than both Alabama and Penn State, despite that one loss. (In what other match-up this season of two teams both in the Top 10 did one team so thoroughly overwhelm the other?) Then again, plenty of would-be champions had to settle for the "playing better than anyone else right now" label... while still sitting outside the Top 2.
But, really, let me be revisionist: Just how impressive is Alabama's win at Georgia -- outlasting, rather than beating -- now that Florida just obliterated the Bulldogs on a neutral field? And Penn State's status as both unbeaten -- on the strength of a very good win over a good but not great Ohio State team -- and king of the Big Ten (umm...is that supposed to be impressive?) is one step up from Ball State: "We're undefeated, thus we're deserving!" Another year, another looks like another unbeaten Big Ten champ will ride a fluffy schedule to a beat-down in the national title game.
This isn't just about Florida; I'm seriously considering ranking Texas at No. 2, behind Texas Tech. Just as Oklahoma's close loss to Texas allowed them to hug tight behind the Big Three, Texas' close loss to Texas Tech doesn't mean they aren't the 2nd-best team in the country. If Texas played either Alabama or Penn State, I think they would work them over. I feel the same way about Florida.
Does that mean I should rank Texas No. 2 and Florida No. 3, ahead of Alabama and Penn State? At what point does "ranking by resume" turn into "resume, plus enough to know what those wins mean in context of everyone else." I also have been known to favor "how a team is playing at that moment," given that I named Georgia my national champ last season.
I don't want poll-jockeying to take away from that thrilling game last night. I didn't think anything would diminish or impact the high I was riding after the Florida win, but the way Texas Tech dismantled Texas did just that. It's not even that I'm anti-Texas; it's just that how can you not love a scrappy perennial second-tier rival, playing in (and delivering) the greatest game of the program's history, at home in front of an INSANE crowd (kudos to them for that, btw), just giving it to the team everyone presumed would roll through the regular season unbeaten.
The mainstream pundits have now been incredibly wrong twice in the past month or so: (1) USC was unbeatable; (2) Texas was unbeatable. Frankly, it's hard for me to put any stock in what they say anymore.
Here's what we know:
(1) Texas Tech earned itself the week at No. 1 -- with Oklahoma State coming next week, there's no guarantee that holds, but TT deserves to be in the pole/poll position. But given Tech's history, the chances of them running the table are not in their favor. (Personally, I find the Big 12 defense's more suspect than ever, particularly after watching Florida's defense opportunistically suck the life out of a Georgia offense considered one of the nation's best.)
(2) The polls may allow Bama and Penn State to back into 1-2 this week.
(3) I think Bama may have trouble at LSU next week, but they will certainly have trouble with Florida if the Gators and Tide both make the SEC title game and Bama comes in unbeaten.
(4) Penn State, god bless 'em, can simply ride out their cushy schedule, which doesn't feature a league title game, and go unbeaten.
Conclusion: Actually, there is very little BCS mess, contrary to Brent's rabble-rousing. There are 3 teams that should end up with a claim: An unbeaten Penn State, an unbeaten or 1-loss Big 12 champ and an unbeaten or 1-loss SEC champ. Now, deciding between them might be hard (for now), but we're not talking about a particularly messy situation. (Besides, if an SEC or Big 12 team is shut out of the national title game for Penn State, isn't that what the mythical AP championship is for?)
But that's all poll-wonky and looking too far ahead (given last night's Midnight Miracle, obviously). Let's not take away from the truly marvelous game that Texas Tech played -- and its gloriously worthy result.
-- D.S.
The Red Raiders dominated Texas for all but the final quarter. But just when the game seemed to get away from them -- literally in the final minute, when you could see a "Texas being Texas" moment of triumph -- they dominated Texas with one of the awesomest last-minute, game-winning drives you'll ever see (particularly given that it came against a consensus No. 1 team).
BTW: Have you ever seen a two-play turnaround like the one at the end of last night's game? Texas HAD THE GAME WON WITH THAT INT -- which they dropped. Then, Harrell (my new Heisman leader?) hit Crabtree (um, perhaps my newer Heisman leader?) with that sicksicksick TD pass. Matt Hinton summed up that Texas two-step nicely.
Speaking of No. 1, I have no idea -- ZERO -- how ANYONE could possibly NOT put Texas Tech at No. 1 in the polls this week. They are unbeaten, from the nation's best conference, and thoroughly outplayed the consensus No. 1 team in the country. That they would "vault" from 7 to 1 (some of us had them at No. 4 this week...) is hardly a radical thought, given the way they beat the team formerly considered No. 1.
But, really, you are an intellectually bankrupt poll voter if you gave your No. 1 vote to Texas last week, then don't turn around and give it to Texas Tech.
Here's the other dynamic that I find intriguing: Yesterday was the first moment we had a "state your case" game from a non-unbeaten, 1-loss team. Given the way that Florida destroyed another team in the Top 10, I'd argue that Florida is better right now than both Alabama and Penn State, despite that one loss. (In what other match-up this season of two teams both in the Top 10 did one team so thoroughly overwhelm the other?) Then again, plenty of would-be champions had to settle for the "playing better than anyone else right now" label... while still sitting outside the Top 2.
But, really, let me be revisionist: Just how impressive is Alabama's win at Georgia -- outlasting, rather than beating -- now that Florida just obliterated the Bulldogs on a neutral field? And Penn State's status as both unbeaten -- on the strength of a very good win over a good but not great Ohio State team -- and king of the Big Ten (umm...is that supposed to be impressive?) is one step up from Ball State: "We're undefeated, thus we're deserving!" Another year, another looks like another unbeaten Big Ten champ will ride a fluffy schedule to a beat-down in the national title game.
This isn't just about Florida; I'm seriously considering ranking Texas at No. 2, behind Texas Tech. Just as Oklahoma's close loss to Texas allowed them to hug tight behind the Big Three, Texas' close loss to Texas Tech doesn't mean they aren't the 2nd-best team in the country. If Texas played either Alabama or Penn State, I think they would work them over. I feel the same way about Florida.
Does that mean I should rank Texas No. 2 and Florida No. 3, ahead of Alabama and Penn State? At what point does "ranking by resume" turn into "resume, plus enough to know what those wins mean in context of everyone else." I also have been known to favor "how a team is playing at that moment," given that I named Georgia my national champ last season.
I don't want poll-jockeying to take away from that thrilling game last night. I didn't think anything would diminish or impact the high I was riding after the Florida win, but the way Texas Tech dismantled Texas did just that. It's not even that I'm anti-Texas; it's just that how can you not love a scrappy perennial second-tier rival, playing in (and delivering) the greatest game of the program's history, at home in front of an INSANE crowd (kudos to them for that, btw), just giving it to the team everyone presumed would roll through the regular season unbeaten.
The mainstream pundits have now been incredibly wrong twice in the past month or so: (1) USC was unbeatable; (2) Texas was unbeatable. Frankly, it's hard for me to put any stock in what they say anymore.
Here's what we know:
(1) Texas Tech earned itself the week at No. 1 -- with Oklahoma State coming next week, there's no guarantee that holds, but TT deserves to be in the pole/poll position. But given Tech's history, the chances of them running the table are not in their favor. (Personally, I find the Big 12 defense's more suspect than ever, particularly after watching Florida's defense opportunistically suck the life out of a Georgia offense considered one of the nation's best.)
(2) The polls may allow Bama and Penn State to back into 1-2 this week.
(3) I think Bama may have trouble at LSU next week, but they will certainly have trouble with Florida if the Gators and Tide both make the SEC title game and Bama comes in unbeaten.
(4) Penn State, god bless 'em, can simply ride out their cushy schedule, which doesn't feature a league title game, and go unbeaten.
Conclusion: Actually, there is very little BCS mess, contrary to Brent's rabble-rousing. There are 3 teams that should end up with a claim: An unbeaten Penn State, an unbeaten or 1-loss Big 12 champ and an unbeaten or 1-loss SEC champ. Now, deciding between them might be hard (for now), but we're not talking about a particularly messy situation. (Besides, if an SEC or Big 12 team is shut out of the national title game for Penn State, isn't that what the mythical AP championship is for?)
But that's all poll-wonky and looking too far ahead (given last night's Midnight Miracle, obviously). Let's not take away from the truly marvelous game that Texas Tech played -- and its gloriously worthy result.
-- D.S.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
CFB Live-Blog and Viewing Guide
Last Update: Oh my god. That ending was BONKERS! TT No.1!
Update: Texas Tech just picked off (now-former) Heisman Trophy leading candidate Colt McCoy to go up 29-13 halfway through the 3rd. Is everyone else enjoying this ass-kicking as much as I am? How can you not love seeing this? (Unless you're a UT fan.)
Brent just said "Here comes BCS chaos." I'm sorry: What's the chaos, at least right now? Why wouldn't you simply replace Texas with Texas Tech at the top of the rankings -- everything else holds the same. Texas Tech is the new Texas: The new No. 1. The new top contender for one of the BCS spots. The new team to beat. Don't discount they're success because the jersey says "Texas Tech" instead of "Texas."
Because given the way that Texas Tech is shellacking Texas, the Red Raiders are obviously -- not just casually -- the better team, if the result holds up. I mean, they are beating the snot out of this Texas team that everyone seemed to think was the best team, by far, in the country. That would make TT better than Oklahoma and Oklahoma State and Missouri, too. Now, TT might not survive the Big 12 gauntlet, but they are proving that at least for this season, they are better than Texas.
Oh, cripes, Brent: Please stop apologizing for Texas getting waxed. "It was the last few weeks... it wore on them!" Oh, please: STFU. They wanted all the credit for taking care of their schedule; they can take the hit for not taking care of their schedule. And Texas Tech is playing wonderfully; this is no fluke.
(Colt McCoy could weather a loss and maintain his spot as Heisman front-runner -- I mean, Tebow lost 4 games last year. But that was contingent on him putting up Heisman-like stats. In this game, he is playing like crap -- with stats to match. Graham Harrell for Heisman front-runner, frankly.)
Update: Hells. Effing. Yes.
Sorry for the lack of updates today, but I've been too immersed watching Florida eviscerate Georgia. If Alabama is No. 2 on the strength of outscoring Georgia in Athens, I think I'll take Florida not just out-scoring Georgia, but shutting UGA's offense down, on a neutral field. Man, was that fun to watch. Total domination from the first minute to the moment early in the 4th that Florida magnanimously took their foot off Georgia's spindly throat.
Meanwhile, so much for Tulsa as a BCS-buster. And so much for Florida State's legitimacy.
And how about the Ending of the Day, from Northwestern, winning at No. 17 Minnesota to ruin the GG's dream season. (The big meme among NU fans is the "what if?" from last week's ridiculous loss at Indiana. If not for that, Northwestern would be 8-1 with a beeline toward the Top 10.)
I need to come down from the Florida win. Got about an hour, then I'm ready to settle in for Texas-Texas Tech.
What I'm Watching...
Noon: Northwestern at Minnesota (ESPN2)
(Tracking: Miami@UVA on GamePlan)
(2:oo: Tulsa@Arkansas, GamePlan -- Tracking)
3:30: Florida-Georgia* (CBS)
(Tracking: Oregon/Cal, FSU/GaTech)
8: Texas at Texas Tech (ABC)
* - My brother-in-law is visiting and will be over to watch the Florida game. He's a "double-down" Florida fan -- grew up in Gainesville AND went to UF -- so my fairweather Florida fandom always feels a little shameful in his presence. (His wife is a Georgia fan, which makes today's game annually awkward for them.)
Update: Texas Tech just picked off (now-former) Heisman Trophy leading candidate Colt McCoy to go up 29-13 halfway through the 3rd. Is everyone else enjoying this ass-kicking as much as I am? How can you not love seeing this? (Unless you're a UT fan.)
Brent just said "Here comes BCS chaos." I'm sorry: What's the chaos, at least right now? Why wouldn't you simply replace Texas with Texas Tech at the top of the rankings -- everything else holds the same. Texas Tech is the new Texas: The new No. 1. The new top contender for one of the BCS spots. The new team to beat. Don't discount they're success because the jersey says "Texas Tech" instead of "Texas."
Because given the way that Texas Tech is shellacking Texas, the Red Raiders are obviously -- not just casually -- the better team, if the result holds up. I mean, they are beating the snot out of this Texas team that everyone seemed to think was the best team, by far, in the country. That would make TT better than Oklahoma and Oklahoma State and Missouri, too. Now, TT might not survive the Big 12 gauntlet, but they are proving that at least for this season, they are better than Texas.
Oh, cripes, Brent: Please stop apologizing for Texas getting waxed. "It was the last few weeks... it wore on them!" Oh, please: STFU. They wanted all the credit for taking care of their schedule; they can take the hit for not taking care of their schedule. And Texas Tech is playing wonderfully; this is no fluke.
(Colt McCoy could weather a loss and maintain his spot as Heisman front-runner -- I mean, Tebow lost 4 games last year. But that was contingent on him putting up Heisman-like stats. In this game, he is playing like crap -- with stats to match. Graham Harrell for Heisman front-runner, frankly.)
Update: Hells. Effing. Yes.
Sorry for the lack of updates today, but I've been too immersed watching Florida eviscerate Georgia. If Alabama is No. 2 on the strength of outscoring Georgia in Athens, I think I'll take Florida not just out-scoring Georgia, but shutting UGA's offense down, on a neutral field. Man, was that fun to watch. Total domination from the first minute to the moment early in the 4th that Florida magnanimously took their foot off Georgia's spindly throat.
Meanwhile, so much for Tulsa as a BCS-buster. And so much for Florida State's legitimacy.
And how about the Ending of the Day, from Northwestern, winning at No. 17 Minnesota to ruin the GG's dream season. (The big meme among NU fans is the "what if?" from last week's ridiculous loss at Indiana. If not for that, Northwestern would be 8-1 with a beeline toward the Top 10.)
I need to come down from the Florida win. Got about an hour, then I'm ready to settle in for Texas-Texas Tech.
What I'm Watching...
Noon: Northwestern at Minnesota (ESPN2)
(Tracking: Miami@UVA on GamePlan)
(2:oo: Tulsa@Arkansas, GamePlan -- Tracking)
3:30: Florida-Georgia* (CBS)
(Tracking: Oregon/Cal, FSU/GaTech)
8: Texas at Texas Tech (ABC)
* - My brother-in-law is visiting and will be over to watch the Florida game. He's a "double-down" Florida fan -- grew up in Gainesville AND went to UF -- so my fairweather Florida fandom always feels a little shameful in his presence. (His wife is a Georgia fan, which makes today's game annually awkward for them.)
Saturday 11/01 (Very) Quickie
Very excited for Florida-Georgia. Probably as much as any game since UF-UGA last year. CFB Live-Blog and Viewing Guide coming later this morning.
Anyone go to the Phillies celebration? Must have been fun.
So much for the "new-look Knicks."
Brandon Roy means: Who needs Greg Oden?
Rudy Gay (buzzer-beater last night) is going to have a monster year.
Bosh: 31 and 9? He's headed for 1st-team NBA.
Fantasy Watch: Al Thornton -- 30 and 11 in a Clips loss to Denver.
If the Heat are not good, how bad must the Kings be to lose by 26 to them?
NFL suspends LJ for Week 10: Surprised?
Aaron Rodgers must be doing something right: Extended through '14 with $20M guaranteed.
Tyler Hansbrough's DAD has to weigh in on his injury? Uh-oh.
Jim Mora says he doesn't want Washington job. Did anyone say UW wanted to give it to him?
Anyone go to the Phillies celebration? Must have been fun.
So much for the "new-look Knicks."
Brandon Roy means: Who needs Greg Oden?
Rudy Gay (buzzer-beater last night) is going to have a monster year.
Bosh: 31 and 9? He's headed for 1st-team NBA.
Fantasy Watch: Al Thornton -- 30 and 11 in a Clips loss to Denver.
If the Heat are not good, how bad must the Kings be to lose by 26 to them?
NFL suspends LJ for Week 10: Surprised?
Aaron Rodgers must be doing something right: Extended through '14 with $20M guaranteed.
Tyler Hansbrough's DAD has to weigh in on his injury? Uh-oh.
Jim Mora says he doesn't want Washington job. Did anyone say UW wanted to give it to him?
Friday, October 31, 2008
CFB Weekend Preview and Picks
For the Nth straight week, Texas is involved in the Game of the Week. It is, arguably, the toughest game on UT's schedule -- at Lubbock, where the atmosphere will be...hmm...batshit insane.
But there is a second GOTW that could end up being just as important -- the winner could very well end up with the SEC's claim on a spot in the national-title game. The Florida-Georgia winner controls the SEC East -- and I'd pick either over Alabama in the SEC title game. And a 1-loss SEC champ has probably earned the right to be considered for a national-title game.
Unlike Urban Meyer (or what Meyer claims), I think Georgia's "Gator Stomp" in the end zone ends up motivating the hell out of Florida -- meanwhile, how could Georgia be more motivated than they were a year ago? The math doesn't work. At least that's my theory...
(1) Texas over @(7) Texas Tech - GOTW 1
(2) Alabama over Arkansas St
(4) Oklahoma over Nebraska
(5) USC over Washington -- Blowout Watch
(8) Florida over (6) Georgia - GOTW 2
(9) OK St over Iowa St
(10) Utah over New Mexico
(11) Boise St over @New Mexico St
(13) TCU over @UNLV
(14) Missouri over @Baylor
Georgia Tech over (15) Florida St
(17) Minnesota over Northwestern
(18) Tulsa over Arkansas -- Malzahn's Revenge!
(19) LSU over Tulane
(20) BYU over Colorado St
(21) Michigan St over Wisconsin
Cincy over (23) South Florida -- Locked Thursday
Cal over (24) Oregon
West Virginia over @(25) UConn
But there is a second GOTW that could end up being just as important -- the winner could very well end up with the SEC's claim on a spot in the national-title game. The Florida-Georgia winner controls the SEC East -- and I'd pick either over Alabama in the SEC title game. And a 1-loss SEC champ has probably earned the right to be considered for a national-title game.
Unlike Urban Meyer (or what Meyer claims), I think Georgia's "Gator Stomp" in the end zone ends up motivating the hell out of Florida -- meanwhile, how could Georgia be more motivated than they were a year ago? The math doesn't work. At least that's my theory...
(1) Texas over @(7) Texas Tech - GOTW 1
(2) Alabama over Arkansas St
(4) Oklahoma over Nebraska
(5) USC over Washington -- Blowout Watch
(8) Florida over (6) Georgia - GOTW 2
(9) OK St over Iowa St
(10) Utah over New Mexico
(11) Boise St over @New Mexico St
(13) TCU over @UNLV
(14) Missouri over @Baylor
Georgia Tech over (15) Florida St
(17) Minnesota over Northwestern
(18) Tulsa over Arkansas -- Malzahn's Revenge!
(19) LSU over Tulane
(20) BYU over Colorado St
(21) Michigan St over Wisconsin
Cincy over (23) South Florida -- Locked Thursday
Cal over (24) Oregon
West Virginia over @(25) UConn
Friday 10/31 A.M. Quickie:
Halloween, CFB Playoff, CP3, Pats, More
Happy Halloween. No, I'm not going out as Tim Tebow (although my mother-in-law sent my older kid a toddler Tim Tebow jersey for the Florida-Georgia game tomorrow).
A Morning Quickie chat vet sent me a note this morning that one of our finest group debates during the era of the Morning Quickie was over what the best Halloween candy is. Please feel free to weigh in on this very pressing sports-news topic in the Comments.
Meanwhile, I think in today's SN column, I appropriately labeled this weekend's top college football showdowns as "playoff-ish" -- the winner not only survives, but gets an inside track on the national title game; the loser is out of it.
(Anytime you're talking about the top 2 teams in the Big 12 South and the top 2 teams in the SEC East, all ranked in the Top 8 in the BCS, you're talking about a game of consequence -- even beyond the "every game/every week is a playoff" mantra about college football, which you know I obviously buy into and propagate.)
Meanwhile, I looked at this week's NFL schedule, and it's a dud. Even the "marquee" games -- Pats-Colts and Giants-Cowboys -- aren't nearly what they looked like they'd be in the offseason.
NBA Last Night: The Rockets are so for real. I'm thrilled I was on the "Rockets over Lakers" bandwagon before the season started. Meanwhile, Chris Paul qualifies for the "after-2-games" MVP award (he was also the "after-one-game" MVP award, a good sign for him).
MLB Hot Stove: Who deserves more money -- Manny or Sabathia? Not that it matters: Both will make bank, even in this economy. (But what about a guy like Ryan Dempster? Outside of Wrigley, doesn't he seem less worthy of a big payout?)
More later, including the weekly CFB and NFL picks. Complete SN column here.
-- D.S.
A Morning Quickie chat vet sent me a note this morning that one of our finest group debates during the era of the Morning Quickie was over what the best Halloween candy is. Please feel free to weigh in on this very pressing sports-news topic in the Comments.
Meanwhile, I think in today's SN column, I appropriately labeled this weekend's top college football showdowns as "playoff-ish" -- the winner not only survives, but gets an inside track on the national title game; the loser is out of it.
(Anytime you're talking about the top 2 teams in the Big 12 South and the top 2 teams in the SEC East, all ranked in the Top 8 in the BCS, you're talking about a game of consequence -- even beyond the "every game/every week is a playoff" mantra about college football, which you know I obviously buy into and propagate.)
Meanwhile, I looked at this week's NFL schedule, and it's a dud. Even the "marquee" games -- Pats-Colts and Giants-Cowboys -- aren't nearly what they looked like they'd be in the offseason.
NBA Last Night: The Rockets are so for real. I'm thrilled I was on the "Rockets over Lakers" bandwagon before the season started. Meanwhile, Chris Paul qualifies for the "after-2-games" MVP award (he was also the "after-one-game" MVP award, a good sign for him).
MLB Hot Stove: Who deserves more money -- Manny or Sabathia? Not that it matters: Both will make bank, even in this economy. (But what about a guy like Ryan Dempster? Outside of Wrigley, doesn't he seem less worthy of a big payout?)
More later, including the weekly CFB and NFL picks. Complete SN column here.
-- D.S.
My 4 A.M. Read: Thamel Interviews Tebow
Up at 4:30 this morning with the baby, I cannot tell you how happy I was to have this extensive interview between Tim Tebow and the NYT's outstanding Pete Thamel. (The story on Tebow's Xs and Os prep that came from the interview is here. God, I am so excited for Florida-Georgia this weekend.)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
My NYT Play Essay on Naming Your Kid After an Athlete: The Director's Cut
Did you catch my essay in last week's New York Times' PLAY magazine weekly online edition about the decision-making that goes into weighing whether to name your kid after an athlete?
Call it "Project: Tebow." In addition to your compliments, many of you emailed to wonder why it was so short.
The fact is: They wanted 300 words; I gave them something closer to 500. This was, of course, my own fault -- I should have constructed it for 300 words. Believe me: I always appreciate a good edit, and -- if you look at my essays with them listed on the right -- they give them to me.
That said, I wanted to publish the original, longer version in full, for those of you who wanted to read more on it. Mind you, it's not better; it's just longer. Here you go:
"Timothy Tebow Shanoff" has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
In the lead-up to the birth of my son last week, baby names were on the brain – and on the table.
Sports fans are willing to do a lot of irrational things – scream helplessly at the TV, play dress-up in player jerseys. But maybe nothing about this irrationality hits closer to home than the pressure produced when we're naming our children.
It is not like my wife and I were actually going to name our kid after Tim Tebow, our favorite athlete. That would be as ludicrous as naming your kid after, say, Brett Favre. (What was Eric Mangini thinking?)
But for every name put on the table, my instant reaction was usually, "Hmm: Yes, but what athlete will my fellow fans think of first?"
Eli? Great name. But, after this past Super Bowl, I think it will be a wee bit overdone in the greater New York area.
Isiah? If the first thing you thought of was "Isiah Thomas," you will understand why I rejected that name in about 2 seconds.
Nate? Um, you mean like "Newton?"
Noah was a strong contender, though ultimately discarded because my Florida fandom would inevitably lead folks to believe I named him after Gator great Joakim Noah.
So what about Tim? We could do worse. It's a nice name. Tebow is a talented player and, from all accounts, saintly as a person. (I mean, it's not like saddling your kid with an ungainly name like "Peyton," as so many Tennessee fans did back in the 90s.)
For perspective, our first kid is named Gabe. Though it was just a coincidence, it is not without a little pride I connect him to Gabe Kapler. (Could my own son be that rare Jewish Major Leaguer? Probably not: But he can share a name with one!)
Nevertheless, last week, with my wife in labor, we settled on "Jonah." And I think part of that name's appeal for me was that my sports-fan baby-name radar couldn't immediately summon an athlete who shared his name.
(We gave him the middle name Ryan – I couldn't help but think approvingly of Ryan Braun. In the selection process, I will confess it wasn't problematic for me that each of my boys shares a name connection with a Jewish Major Leaguer.)
In the end, "Tim Shanoff" or "Tebow Shanoff" are as fantastical as the idea of my son suiting up for the Gators and winning a Heisman himself. I settled for paying homage by wearing a Tebow T-shirt in the delivery room.
The advice is this: You won't be able to escape the superficial connections between your baby's name and those of star athletes. You can only play your own game – and hope your children make their own name.
Still: During the long nights of Jonah's first week, my sleep-deprived brain couldn't help but hallucinate that "Jonah" is actually an anagram for "J. Noah."
Update: I remain stumped to find any current or notable major-sport athletes named "Jonah." Who am I forgetting? (There is a talented Detroit Tigers farm-system pitcher with promise named Jonah Nickerson. Thanks, Baseball-Reference.com!)
Call it "Project: Tebow." In addition to your compliments, many of you emailed to wonder why it was so short.
The fact is: They wanted 300 words; I gave them something closer to 500. This was, of course, my own fault -- I should have constructed it for 300 words. Believe me: I always appreciate a good edit, and -- if you look at my essays with them listed on the right -- they give them to me.
That said, I wanted to publish the original, longer version in full, for those of you who wanted to read more on it. Mind you, it's not better; it's just longer. Here you go:
"Timothy Tebow Shanoff" has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
In the lead-up to the birth of my son last week, baby names were on the brain – and on the table.
Sports fans are willing to do a lot of irrational things – scream helplessly at the TV, play dress-up in player jerseys. But maybe nothing about this irrationality hits closer to home than the pressure produced when we're naming our children.
It is not like my wife and I were actually going to name our kid after Tim Tebow, our favorite athlete. That would be as ludicrous as naming your kid after, say, Brett Favre. (What was Eric Mangini thinking?)
But for every name put on the table, my instant reaction was usually, "Hmm: Yes, but what athlete will my fellow fans think of first?"
Eli? Great name. But, after this past Super Bowl, I think it will be a wee bit overdone in the greater New York area.
Isiah? If the first thing you thought of was "Isiah Thomas," you will understand why I rejected that name in about 2 seconds.
Noah was a strong contender, though ultimately discarded because my Florida fandom would inevitably lead folks to believe I named him after Gator great Joakim Noah.
So what about Tim? We could do worse. It's a nice name. Tebow is a talented player and, from all accounts, saintly as a person. (I mean, it's not like saddling your kid with an ungainly name like "Peyton," as so many Tennessee fans did back in the 90s.)
For perspective, our first kid is named Gabe. Though it was just a coincidence, it is not without a little pride I connect him to Gabe Kapler. (Could my own son be that rare Jewish Major Leaguer? Probably not: But he can share a name with one!)
Nevertheless, last week, with my wife in labor, we settled on "Jonah." And I think part of that name's appeal for me was that my sports-fan baby-name radar couldn't immediately summon an athlete who shared his name.
(We gave him the middle name Ryan – I couldn't help but think approvingly of Ryan Braun. In the selection process, I will confess it wasn't problematic for me that each of my boys shares a name connection with a Jewish Major Leaguer.)
In the end, "Tim Shanoff" or "Tebow Shanoff" are as fantastical as the idea of my son suiting up for the Gators and winning a Heisman himself. I settled for paying homage by wearing a Tebow T-shirt in the delivery room.
Still: During the long nights of Jonah's first week, my sleep-deprived brain couldn't help but hallucinate that "Jonah" is actually an anagram for "J. Noah."
Update: I remain stumped to find any current or notable major-sport athletes named "Jonah." Who am I forgetting? (There is a talented Detroit Tigers farm-system pitcher with promise named Jonah Nickerson. Thanks, Baseball-Reference.com!)
The Best Thing About Last Night's Game
Let me reiterate arguably the most universal takeaway from last night's game:
EVERY sport should try having a close-out championship game that lasts a brisk 75 minutes and finishes before 10 pm.
That was the best part of all. What fan -- regardless of what team you root for or what sport you like -- couldn't appreciate that?
EVERY sport should try having a close-out championship game that lasts a brisk 75 minutes and finishes before 10 pm.
That was the best part of all. What fan -- regardless of what team you root for or what sport you like -- couldn't appreciate that?
Thursday 10/30 A.M. Quickie:
Phillies, Knicks, OKC, Oden, More
Welcome to history, "Game 5.5"
In the history of MLB, the NBA and, without any expertise, the NHL, there is a single instance I can think of where we know a moment by its placement in the series:
"Game 6": The 6th game of the 1986 World Series. When you say "Game 6," most fans know what you're referring to. And that's it. Until now.
I would argue that "Game 5.5" joins that incredibly exclusive group. It is befitting the unprecedented nature of the 2008 World Series, likely to be the least-watched World Series in history.
But "Game 5.5" will live on forever. I love the concept so much that I led today's SN column with it.
(God, wasn't the idea of a championship game that lasted less than 90 minutes and finished before 10 p.m. ET the freaking best? Some enterprising sports-league exec is going to make something big from that.)
Huge congrats to the Philly fans out there. The rest of us give you a hard time, but no fan base is more passionate or, for lack of a better word, real. You deserve it. Please enjoy it. After the 25-year title drought since "Fo, Fo, Fo," you should know better than to not appreciate this moment.
Meanwhile, you'll see in the column: I'm not feeling all that bad about the Rays. Look at what the '91 Braves did after going worst-to-first then losing in the World Series -- they made the playoffs about a gajillion seasons in a row. The Rays still have the most enviable roster in the league -- even if Joe Maddon strangely didn't use ace David Price until it was too late. If there was a gaffe, that was it.
On to the NBA and Part 2 of its Opening Night: Wow, the Knicks are different. First of all, that offense. Second, D'Antoni left both Marbury and Curry benched the entire game. Third, David Lee and Wilson Chandler are going to have very big seasons. Oh, and they won.
Meanwhile, the Lakers were even more dominant than they were against the Blazers on Tuesday; Chris Paul started his MVP campaign -- I'd call him the "after-one-game NBA MVP"; Chris Bosh will benefit more from Jermaine O'Neal than Jermaine O'Neal will from Chris Bosh; Rudy Gay is going to have a big season; Jefferson and Love are instantly the most enjoyable young 1-2 frontcourt combos in the league; man, it's going to be a long season for Wizards fans.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
In the history of MLB, the NBA and, without any expertise, the NHL, there is a single instance I can think of where we know a moment by its placement in the series:
"Game 6": The 6th game of the 1986 World Series. When you say "Game 6," most fans know what you're referring to. And that's it. Until now.
I would argue that "Game 5.5" joins that incredibly exclusive group. It is befitting the unprecedented nature of the 2008 World Series, likely to be the least-watched World Series in history.
But "Game 5.5" will live on forever. I love the concept so much that I led today's SN column with it.
(God, wasn't the idea of a championship game that lasted less than 90 minutes and finished before 10 p.m. ET the freaking best? Some enterprising sports-league exec is going to make something big from that.)
Huge congrats to the Philly fans out there. The rest of us give you a hard time, but no fan base is more passionate or, for lack of a better word, real. You deserve it. Please enjoy it. After the 25-year title drought since "Fo, Fo, Fo," you should know better than to not appreciate this moment.
Meanwhile, you'll see in the column: I'm not feeling all that bad about the Rays. Look at what the '91 Braves did after going worst-to-first then losing in the World Series -- they made the playoffs about a gajillion seasons in a row. The Rays still have the most enviable roster in the league -- even if Joe Maddon strangely didn't use ace David Price until it was too late. If there was a gaffe, that was it.
On to the NBA and Part 2 of its Opening Night: Wow, the Knicks are different. First of all, that offense. Second, D'Antoni left both Marbury and Curry benched the entire game. Third, David Lee and Wilson Chandler are going to have very big seasons. Oh, and they won.
Meanwhile, the Lakers were even more dominant than they were against the Blazers on Tuesday; Chris Paul started his MVP campaign -- I'd call him the "after-one-game NBA MVP"; Chris Bosh will benefit more from Jermaine O'Neal than Jermaine O'Neal will from Chris Bosh; Rudy Gay is going to have a big season; Jefferson and Love are instantly the most enjoyable young 1-2 frontcourt combos in the league; man, it's going to be a long season for Wizards fans.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Quote of the Day: Sam Hinkie on EVs
A Random Dribble Down Ball Street?
Sam Hinkie, Rockets VP of Basketball Ops, as told to Rockets.com's Jason Friedman:
“I’m probably pretty boring to watch a game with because I’m all about expected values. I don’t even care if it goes in or not, I’m all about it, ‘Should it go in?’ I can live with randomness. I mean, if it’s a close game in the end, yeah, I’m just like anyone else. But I just want us to play the odds all the time.
“Sometimes it’s even important to live with randomness because too often we all decide whether a play was a good play or bad play only after we’ve watched whether the ball went into the net. I think that can be misleading. Of course any shot that goes in we’ll take, but over time I want our players to continue to make smart decisions over the long term, and to do that you really have to take out whether the shot goes in or not, and you have to focus more on whether it should go in and whether it’s a good shot for our offense. That’s pretty critical, otherwise you end up chasing what you just saw—which might have been pure luck—versus constantly focusing on the future and what you’re most likely to see.
Damn, the Rockets front office is smart. I'm so crazy to pick Houston to win the NBA title?
-- D.S.
(h/t: TrueHoop)
The NBA's Future IS Europe, Ironically
Here's some quality irony: European dollars WILL have a massive impact on the NBA, but not necessarily in recruiting NBA super-stars to play over there...
...How about its billionaires coming HERE? The Nets would make a fine acquisition for any of your run-of-the-mill Russian oligarchs: New York, new arena, LeBron, cash out the wazoo.
David Stern better thank his stars for the salary cap. Oligarch money would make Mark Cuban look like Donald Sterling. (h/t Ziller)
-- D.S.
PS: Basketball Jones is back! In video form! Must-see!
...How about its billionaires coming HERE? The Nets would make a fine acquisition for any of your run-of-the-mill Russian oligarchs: New York, new arena, LeBron, cash out the wazoo.
David Stern better thank his stars for the salary cap. Oligarch money would make Mark Cuban look like Donald Sterling. (h/t Ziller)
-- D.S.
PS: Basketball Jones is back! In video form! Must-see!
Wednesday 10/29 A.M. Quickie:
World Series, Oden, Celts, More
Four-inning playoff games that end before 10 p.m. ET? I think MLB might be on to something.
Meanwhile, who had "Game 1" in the Greg Oden Injury Pool? Yeesh.
More later. Complete column here.
-- D.S.
Meanwhile, who had "Game 1" in the Greg Oden Injury Pool? Yeesh.
More later. Complete column here.
-- D.S.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
What Recession? Not In Online Sports Media
Congrats to Tyler and the SB Nation crew for the mid-seven-figure investment that puts former AOL programming honcho Jim Bankoff in charge (and Ted Leonsis, among others, as an investor).
Founded by Daily Kos' Markos Moulitsas, SB Nation is an aggregation of team-specific blogs -- some their market leader, others not.
Meanwhile, congrats to Bleacher Report for snagging a $3.5 million investment in a B-round of financing. (That should help finance those 7,500 contributors cranking out 400 articles a day.)
Aside from being entirely scalable -- though perhaps not without diminishing editorial quality -- BR has some notable distribution deals with mainstream sports sites.
Now, to the both of you, two words: Cash preservation! (Kidding: Just ask Mark Cuban -- this is the time to find your focus and create market share while others hunker down.)
-- D.S.
Founded by Daily Kos' Markos Moulitsas, SB Nation is an aggregation of team-specific blogs -- some their market leader, others not.
Meanwhile, congrats to Bleacher Report for snagging a $3.5 million investment in a B-round of financing. (That should help finance those 7,500 contributors cranking out 400 articles a day.)
Aside from being entirely scalable -- though perhaps not without diminishing editorial quality -- BR has some notable distribution deals with mainstream sports sites.
Now, to the both of you, two words: Cash preservation! (Kidding: Just ask Mark Cuban -- this is the time to find your focus and create market share while others hunker down.)
-- D.S.
Absurdly Shallow NBA Season Preview
From today's SN column:
(The only other thing to point out is that this is one of the most interesting and compelling rookie classes in years: There is Greg Oden. There is Mike Beasley, who was an even better college player -- and NBA prospect -- than Kevin Durant. There is No. 1 overall pick Derrick Rose. There is Spanish import Rudy Fernandez. There is D-League draftee Mike Taylor. And that doesn't even count players like Eric Gordon or Brook Lopez who could instantly contribute.)
Suggest your own Finals picks, award winners, players to watch and storylines to follow for the season through the Comments.
-- D.S.
The Celtics and Lakers feel like everyone's pick to play for the NBA title, with most thinking that with a healthy Andrew Bynum, the Lakers will reverse last year's result for its own "Remember the 80s" title. The rivalry is fine, but even 4 months after the Finals, it is lame and predictable.There you have it: Rockets over Magic. I just can't bring myself to pick either the Lakers or the Celtics, let alone both. Maybe that contrarian notion is blinding me to the obvious reality, but I actually think that the Rockets can win the West -- and the Magic can win the East.
I'm not just being contrarian as I pick the Rockets to beat the Magic for the NBA title. (Hey: it's like "Remember the 90s!")
The new "Big 3" is Yao, T-Mac and Ron Artest, who won't win MVP (that will be Chris Paul), but certainly will qualify for consideration by being the piece that earns Houston the title in the West. And I love analytics-driven Rockets GM Daryl Morey -- numbers win championships!
In the East, the aging Celtics can't possibly play with the same sense of mission as a year ago. (SO due for a bad injury, right?) Meanwhile, Orlando has a "Big 2" and a "Big-ish 4": The East's best post player (Howard); its best sidekick (Lewis); its best 6th man (Turkoglu); and, now, its top perimeter defender (Pietrus).
(The only other thing to point out is that this is one of the most interesting and compelling rookie classes in years: There is Greg Oden. There is Mike Beasley, who was an even better college player -- and NBA prospect -- than Kevin Durant. There is No. 1 overall pick Derrick Rose. There is Spanish import Rudy Fernandez. There is D-League draftee Mike Taylor. And that doesn't even count players like Eric Gordon or Brook Lopez who could instantly contribute.)
Suggest your own Finals picks, award winners, players to watch and storylines to follow for the season through the Comments.
-- D.S.
Tuesday 10/28 A.M. Quickie:
Rain Delays, Titans, NBA Preview, More
Look, I don't think anyone wants to see a World Series end in a rain-shortened result.
I think my problem, outlined in the lead of today's SN column, is that Bud Selig -- once again -- simply ignores or defies the rulebook at a whim.
Why didn't the rulebook have a "World Series exemption" already in it? With the weather forecast clear to all, why didn't Selig lay this out beforehand?
Consider: Both teams were playing as if the game would be over after officially registering after 5 innings. Fans certainly didn't know. Why did they play the game past 5 innings at all? (They could have easily called the sopping game before 5 innings, necessitating a full do-over. I guess a shortened "continuation" is more dramatic -- and interesting -- than a full do-over.)
Once again, Bud Selig turns something ordinary into a clusterf---. Now, that said, the situation instantly makes this World Series memorable, historically novel. There's something to be said for that.
Meanwhile, the Titans are 7-0, and I'm kind of rooting for this anonymous, unassuming bunch to break the '72 Dolphins record. Wouldn't that be amazing? Does great D, limited turnovers and a punishing 1-2 running game eventually leave you vulnerable -- or is it actually the most sustainable of any of the ways you can win? (Consider the Titans didn't even hit 100 yards rushing, yet still controlled the game.)
NBA Preview: You can find it in the column, but I'll re-print it later today, so you can go crazy in the Comments with your own NBA predictions. I ended up affirming my allergy to the ubiquitous Lakers-over-Celtics -- I'm taking the Rockets over the Magic.
(What does it say that of tonight's 3 openers, including both the Lakers and the Celtics, I am most intrigued to watch Greg Oden? His battle with Andrew Bynum is the first of many classics, as many have already forecast. Well, at least until Bynum breaks for the East.)
(I had my office fantasy NBA league draft last night and lucked into the 1st overall pick in a 12-team league. I took Chris Paul.)
Ty Willingham is out at Washington: Lane Kiffin is such an obvious replacement, UW should hire him RIGHT NOW -- let's call him "interim recruiting coordinator" -- and let him focus on recruiting, which is the only thing holding Washington back from returning to its glory days.
Meanwhile, is Phil Fulmer done after this season at Tennessee? He should be, certainly. And if he is, the Vols could go after Steve Spurrier, but why not go for the safer and less drama-queen pick in former Vols assistant David Cutcliffe, who in less than a year has turned Duke into a not-terrible team, perhaps the greatest one-season turnaround job in recent CFB history.
Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
I think my problem, outlined in the lead of today's SN column, is that Bud Selig -- once again -- simply ignores or defies the rulebook at a whim.
Why didn't the rulebook have a "World Series exemption" already in it? With the weather forecast clear to all, why didn't Selig lay this out beforehand?
Consider: Both teams were playing as if the game would be over after officially registering after 5 innings. Fans certainly didn't know. Why did they play the game past 5 innings at all? (They could have easily called the sopping game before 5 innings, necessitating a full do-over. I guess a shortened "continuation" is more dramatic -- and interesting -- than a full do-over.)
Once again, Bud Selig turns something ordinary into a clusterf---. Now, that said, the situation instantly makes this World Series memorable, historically novel. There's something to be said for that.
Meanwhile, the Titans are 7-0, and I'm kind of rooting for this anonymous, unassuming bunch to break the '72 Dolphins record. Wouldn't that be amazing? Does great D, limited turnovers and a punishing 1-2 running game eventually leave you vulnerable -- or is it actually the most sustainable of any of the ways you can win? (Consider the Titans didn't even hit 100 yards rushing, yet still controlled the game.)
NBA Preview: You can find it in the column, but I'll re-print it later today, so you can go crazy in the Comments with your own NBA predictions. I ended up affirming my allergy to the ubiquitous Lakers-over-Celtics -- I'm taking the Rockets over the Magic.
(What does it say that of tonight's 3 openers, including both the Lakers and the Celtics, I am most intrigued to watch Greg Oden? His battle with Andrew Bynum is the first of many classics, as many have already forecast. Well, at least until Bynum breaks for the East.)
(I had my office fantasy NBA league draft last night and lucked into the 1st overall pick in a 12-team league. I took Chris Paul.)
Ty Willingham is out at Washington: Lane Kiffin is such an obvious replacement, UW should hire him RIGHT NOW -- let's call him "interim recruiting coordinator" -- and let him focus on recruiting, which is the only thing holding Washington back from returning to its glory days.
Meanwhile, is Phil Fulmer done after this season at Tennessee? He should be, certainly. And if he is, the Vols could go after Steve Spurrier, but why not go for the safer and less drama-queen pick in former Vols assistant David Cutcliffe, who in less than a year has turned Duke into a not-terrible team, perhaps the greatest one-season turnaround job in recent CFB history.
Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Men With Balls By Drew Magary: Out Today
Men With Balls by Drew Magary, the new book (of totally new material) by the Kissing Suzy Kolber co-founder and heartthrob of the Deadspin commenters, is officially out today. Men With Balls is the bawdiest sports book of the year -- and given how hard it is for folks to write bawdy (let alone funny) about sports, one of the all-time funniest books about sports.
As you'd expect from nothing less than a talent like Drew Magary, who established himself at least 2 years ago as the laugh-out-loud funniest sports voice in America, online or off. Senselessly, I have been sitting on my book review for weeks. It's coming later this week, hopefully. Needless to say, Men With Balls is a must-buy and a must-read. Congrats, Drew.
-- D.S.
PS: It's a glorious moment for leading sports bloggers finally coming out with books: College Basketball Prospectus, by Ken "KenPom" Pomeroy and John (ne "Big Ten Wonk") Gasaway, and Free Darko's NBA uber-book both release imminently.)
As you'd expect from nothing less than a talent like Drew Magary, who established himself at least 2 years ago as the laugh-out-loud funniest sports voice in America, online or off. Senselessly, I have been sitting on my book review for weeks. It's coming later this week, hopefully. Needless to say, Men With Balls is a must-buy and a must-read. Congrats, Drew.
-- D.S.
PS: It's a glorious moment for leading sports bloggers finally coming out with books: College Basketball Prospectus, by Ken "KenPom" Pomeroy and John (ne "Big Ten Wonk") Gasaway, and Free Darko's NBA uber-book both release imminently.)
Monday 10/27 A.M. Quickie:
Phillies, Penn State, Westbrook, More
It's like "Pennsylvania Day" in today's SN column: Phillies? Check. Penn State? Check. Brian Westbrook? Check.
But can I first tip my cap to not one but two YouTube moments that are likely to have traction today?
(1) Mike Singletary, because nothing says "coaching debut" like a press conference freak-out.
(2) Patti LaBelle, for one of the worst National Anthems I can remember.
Meanwhile, I'm willing to admit that I was very very wrong about the Phillies' chances against the Rays; I totally discounted their HR power, obviously on display last night. That doesn't mean I'm not still pulling for the Rays or disappointed if Tampa falls short. But, again, it's hard to begrudge Philly sports fans this moment. If it's going to happen, I hope it happens tonight in Philly, rather than in Game 6 or 7 in Florida.
Penn State vs. the BCS: As expected, yesterday's anti-PSU rant triggered a lot of comments. Good comments, actually. And I appreciate you meeting my irrational rantings with (mostly) clear-eyed rebuttals and analysis. Really, my problems can be boiled down to two things:
(1) The notion that poll voters may use some sort of nostalgia for Joe Paterno's age or career to put them in a title game they aren't worthy of being in. If the name on the jersey was, say, "Texas Tech," and the coach was, say, Mike Leach, you wouldn't be seeing this.
(2) Penn State's schedule is not particularly challenging. Even their signature game wasn't that impressive -- sure, beating Ohio State in Columbus is something that Penn State hasn't done since before JoePa was in AARP, but (a) the PSU D shut down -- what? -- a true freshman QB, and (b) the vaunted PSU offense couldn't muster much against the same OSU defense that porously allowed USC to score at will. (Please don't say Oregon State, using the Beavers' win over USC as evidence -- the Pac-10 is terrible this year.)
If "going unbeaten from a BCS conference" is all that it takes to make the national-title game -- without even a hint of judgment from voters -- Texas or Alabama or Georgia or Florida or Oklahoma might as well bolt their leagues and join the ACC for football.
Anyway, as you can see, it's going to be a long 6 weeks. Maybe Penn State will do us all a favor and lose at Iowa next week.
(By the way, I'm not anti-Penn State, per se. I would love to see them win the Big Ten and go to the Rose Bowl. It HAS been a wonderful year for JoePa. It has been great to see them open up the offense. I just don't think they are as BCS title-game worthy as the Big 12 or SEC champs.)
UPDATE: Per your comments in the BlogPoll ballot post below, I have moved Penn State ahead of Texas Tech to No. 3. See? I'm not THAT much of a hater! (And not THAT unwilling to listen.) Mostly, I appreciate the discussion in the Comments of that post.
Wow, just getting to the NFL here? Huge day for Brian Westbrook. Huge day for Joe Flacco. Huge day for Ted Ginn. Huge day for the Giants. Huge day for quality long-snappers who might be out of work right now but looking to hook on with a playoff team. Huge day for the Titans. Are we already at the NFL midseason? Or does next week count as midseason?
Any more ideas for non-conventional (ie, not Lakers and not Celtics) picks for the NBA season?
BTW, love that new Guitar Hero ad with Kobe, Phelps, A-Rod and Tony Hawk. Brilliant.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
But can I first tip my cap to not one but two YouTube moments that are likely to have traction today?
(1) Mike Singletary, because nothing says "coaching debut" like a press conference freak-out.
(2) Patti LaBelle, for one of the worst National Anthems I can remember.
Meanwhile, I'm willing to admit that I was very very wrong about the Phillies' chances against the Rays; I totally discounted their HR power, obviously on display last night. That doesn't mean I'm not still pulling for the Rays or disappointed if Tampa falls short. But, again, it's hard to begrudge Philly sports fans this moment. If it's going to happen, I hope it happens tonight in Philly, rather than in Game 6 or 7 in Florida.
Penn State vs. the BCS: As expected, yesterday's anti-PSU rant triggered a lot of comments. Good comments, actually. And I appreciate you meeting my irrational rantings with (mostly) clear-eyed rebuttals and analysis. Really, my problems can be boiled down to two things:
(1) The notion that poll voters may use some sort of nostalgia for Joe Paterno's age or career to put them in a title game they aren't worthy of being in. If the name on the jersey was, say, "Texas Tech," and the coach was, say, Mike Leach, you wouldn't be seeing this.
(2) Penn State's schedule is not particularly challenging. Even their signature game wasn't that impressive -- sure, beating Ohio State in Columbus is something that Penn State hasn't done since before JoePa was in AARP, but (a) the PSU D shut down -- what? -- a true freshman QB, and (b) the vaunted PSU offense couldn't muster much against the same OSU defense that porously allowed USC to score at will. (Please don't say Oregon State, using the Beavers' win over USC as evidence -- the Pac-10 is terrible this year.)
If "going unbeaten from a BCS conference" is all that it takes to make the national-title game -- without even a hint of judgment from voters -- Texas or Alabama or Georgia or Florida or Oklahoma might as well bolt their leagues and join the ACC for football.
Anyway, as you can see, it's going to be a long 6 weeks. Maybe Penn State will do us all a favor and lose at Iowa next week.
(By the way, I'm not anti-Penn State, per se. I would love to see them win the Big Ten and go to the Rose Bowl. It HAS been a wonderful year for JoePa. It has been great to see them open up the offense. I just don't think they are as BCS title-game worthy as the Big 12 or SEC champs.)
UPDATE: Per your comments in the BlogPoll ballot post below, I have moved Penn State ahead of Texas Tech to No. 3. See? I'm not THAT much of a hater! (And not THAT unwilling to listen.) Mostly, I appreciate the discussion in the Comments of that post.
Wow, just getting to the NFL here? Huge day for Brian Westbrook. Huge day for Joe Flacco. Huge day for Ted Ginn. Huge day for the Giants. Huge day for quality long-snappers who might be out of work right now but looking to hook on with a playoff team. Huge day for the Titans. Are we already at the NFL midseason? Or does next week count as midseason?
Any more ideas for non-conventional (ie, not Lakers and not Celtics) picks for the NBA season?
BTW, love that new Guitar Hero ad with Kobe, Phelps, A-Rod and Tony Hawk. Brilliant.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
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