Let's get right into it! Again, this is being done through What If Sports, and if you have not checked it out yet, be sure to head over there as soon as possible. It's a much better addiction than alcohol and drugs, that's for sure! If the '80 Phillies win, they will be crowned the best team in Phillies history, if the '08 Phillies win, we'll have a deciding game 3.
From Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pitching matchup: Dick Ruthven (ERA 3.55) vs. Brett Myers (ERA 4.55)
Top of the First Inning
Garry Maddox leads off the game by lining out to Myers. Pete Rose enters the game and he pops. Mike Schmidt stares at strike 3 and Brett Myers is off to an unusually good start. 0-0.
Bottom of the First Inning
Rollins starts the game for the '08 Phils by popping out to 3rd base man, Mike Schmidt. On comes Jayson Werth and Werth grounds out. Chase Utley sends one sky high to right that's caught by right-fielder Garry Maddox. No score after 1.
Top of the Second Inning
Bake McBride pops one up that lands in the hole! A bloop double gives us our first hit of the game. Up next is Greg Luzinski who lines out to 3rd base. Manny Trillo is up next and, wait a minute, McBride is running! The throw from Myers to Feliz is in time and McBride is out! Trillo grounds to short and that ends the inning. Still no score.
Bottom of the Second Inning
Howard starts the inning by popping out to Trillo. Burrell grounds out. Up next is Victorino and he pops it up to Pete Rose. The '08 Phillies just can't get any offense going whatsoever against this '80 Phils' pitching staff. 0-0 after 2.
Top of the Third Inning
Boone leads off the inning and grounds out. Bowa hits a liner that is grabbed by Chase Utley who makes a diving catch! Up next is pitcher Dick Ruthven who waves at strike 3. Myers is looking solid out there thus, far. Still scoreless.
Bottom of the Third Inning
Pedro Feliz leads off the inning for the Phils and he strikes out. Ruiz is up next and he takes ball 4. On comes Brett Myers and he strikes out. Rollins closes out the inning by launching a popper that is caught by Greg Luzinski out at center field. 0-0 after 3.
Top of the Fourth Inning
Garry Maddox leads off the inning and strikes out. On comes Pete Rose who has a base hit to left-center! Mike Schmidt follows that up by popping one to Feliz. Bake McBride ends the inning by grounding out to short. Still no score.
Bottom of the Fourth Inning
Jayson Werth leads the inning off and he'll rocket one to left-center for a double! On comes Chase Utley and Utley kills one down the right field line! Werth scores easily and it's 1-0 '08 Phillies after Utley's double! The always dangerous Ryan Howard is up next. Howard walks and the Philles have men on 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Pat Burrell is up next and he strikes out. 2 on and 1 out for Victorino who draws a walk! Bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the 4th! Pedro Feliz is up next and that one is SMOKED! IT BOUNCES OFF THE WARNING TRACK AND INTO THE STANDS! GROUND RULE DOUBLE! Utley and Howard cross home and it's 3-0 '08 Fightin Phils! That is the end of Dick Ruthven's day and taking his place is Dickie Noles. Ruiz is up now with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Ruiz hits a ground ball single to right! Victorino scores and it's now 4-0. Now it's Brett Myers' turn to bat. And Noles uncorks a wild one! Feliz advances and scores! 5-0 '08 Phillies! Where was this offense in game 1? Man on 3rd with 1 out and Myers grounds out. Rollins is up next and he waves at strike 3 and finally the inning is over. 5-0 '08 Phillies.
Top of the Fifth Inning
Grez Luzinski leads off the inning with a base hit to center! Manny Trillo is up next and he draws the walk. Bob Boone walks as well and it's already bases loaded in the top of the 5th with nobody out! Larry Bowa hits into a 3-2 fielder's choice. 1 down. Dickie Noles strikes out and Garry Maddox waves at strike 3 and Myers gets out of his jam! 5-0 '08 Philadelphia Phillies
Bottom of the Fifth Inning
Werth once again leads off the inning but this time he strikes out. Utley grounds out. Howard is up next and he LAUNCHES ONE OFF THE WALL! It bounces away from McBride and it's a triple for Ryan Howard! Pat Burrell draws the walk and it's 1st and 3rd with two out for the Flyin' Hawaiian Shane Victorino. Victorino grounds out Noles gets out of the jam. Still 5-0 '08 Phillies.
Top of the Sixth Inning
Rose pops out to short. Mike Schmidt flies out to Victorino. McBride hits a slow roller to 3rd and he'll beat the throw for an infield single! Here comes Greg Luzinski. LOOK OUT! McBride steals second! But Luzkinski grounds out and now it's the '80 Phils that are struggling offensively. They still trail 5-0.
Bottom of the Sixth Inning
Marty Bystrom comes in for the '80 Phillies to pitch. Feliz leads off by grounding out. Ruiz is up next and he pops out. Myers pops one up to right that is handled by Garry Maddox.
Top of the Seventh Inning
Trillo starts the inning by grounding one that is fielded by Ruiz who MAKES A BAD THROW! Trillo reaches on Ruiz's error! Boone it's a ground ball and it's a DOUBLE PLAY! Bowa grounds out to end the inning. Still 5-0 '08 Fightin Phils.
Bottom of the Seventh Inning
Ron Reed comes in to pitch. Rollins leads off the inning by grounding out. Werth grounds out. Utley singles to right! Ryan Howard is up and Ron Reed let's a wild one loose and Utley advances to 2nd! Howard eventually strikes out by waving at one outside of the zone. Two innings to play and it's 5-0 '08 Phillies.
Top of the Eighth Inning
Lonnie Smith comes in as a pinch hitter for Reed. Smith starts off the inning by grounding out. Maddox comes in and has a basehit to right center! Rose is up and he grounds to short, the '08 Phils get the force play at second but the throw to first is not in time! On comes Mike Schmidt and he ABSOLUTELY CRUSHES IT!.....DEEP!.....GONE! HOMERUN! It's a 2-run shot and the '80 Phillies are within 3, 5-2 in the top of the eighth! That will end Myers' day. On will come J.C. Romero. McBride grounds out to first and that'll end the inning. But not before Schmidt's 2-run homer made it a 5-2 game with the '08 Phillies leading.
Bottom of the Eighth Inning
Kevin Saucier is in to pitch for the '80 Phillies. Pat Burrell leads off the inning with a pop up to right. Victorino sees 4-balls (no, not like that, you pervs) and takes 1st base. Feliz grouns it AND IT'S A DOUBLE PLAY! One inning to go and the '08 Phillies lead it 5-2.
Top of the Ninth Inning
This is it. If the '80 Phillies can't score at least 3 runs in this inning, then we will go to a deciding Game 3. Brad Lidge comes on to pitch. Luzinski starts out with a walk! And here we go, perhaps. Manny Trillo is up and he strikes out. One down. Up next is Bob Boone and HE GROUNDS INTO A DOUBLE PLAY! AND THAT'S IT! WE HAVE A GAME 3! The 2008 Philadelphia Phillies have forced a Game 3 by beating the 1980 Phillies 5-2!
Final line
1980 Philadelphia Phillies: 2 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors
2008 Philadelphia Phillies: 5 runs, 6 hits, 1 error
I'll have Game 3 up by the end of the week.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Fantasy World Series Game 1: 1980 Phillies vs. 2008 Phillies
You can thank SSR for this! The moment I clicked on the site on his blog, I was hooked. But anyway, it got me thinking "What Philadelphia Phillies World Series championship team is truly the best Phillies team ever?" That's where What If Sports comes into play. Starting today, I will be conducting a 3-game series between the two teams with the 2008 Phillies being the home team. I'll have Game 2 later in the week and if a Game 3 is necessary, then I'll have that by the end of the weekend. And if the Eagles make it to the Super Bowl, then next week I'll have a 4-team playoff of the last 4 Eagle teams to win an NFC championship. (I count the '60 Eagles NFL championship as an NFC championship). Anyway, let's play ball! (Note: Some details have been fabricated for dramatic purposes, none of which effect the results of the game, each play, or the score, just I want to make so-and-so pops deep to center a little more dramatic and that kind of stuff.)
From Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pitching matchup: Steve Carlton (ERA 2.34) vs. Cole Hamels (ERA 3.09)
Top of the first inning
Up first for the 1980, Phillies is Garry Maddox. Maddox grounds out to 3rd base. Up next is left-fielder Pete Rose. Rose pops one out to left and Burrell comes down with if it. Schmidt is up next for the '80 Phils and he waves at strike 3. Scoreless after the top of the first.
Bottom of the first inning
On comes leadoff man, Jimmy Rollins. He starts out by lining out to 2nd baseman Manny Trillo. Up next is Jayson Werth. Werth also lines out to Trillo. Trillo's beasting it up out there. Up next is the 08 Phils second baseman, Chase Utley. Utley launches one deep.....but not deep enough! Caught by Left fielder Bake McBride at the warning track to end the inning. No score after 1.
Top of the second inning
Bake McBride comes in to lead things off and he blasts one to right for a leadoff double! Up next is Greg Luzinski. Luzinksi launches one.....DEEP TO CENTER FIELD.....IT'S OUTTA HERE! A 2-run shot by Greg Luzinski and the 1980 Phillies strike first! Manny Trillo is up next and he takes a 4-ball walk. Catcher Bob Boone comes in next and he will launch one sky high that is handled with ease by Utley. Larry Bowa is up next and he will hit to left field and pick up a single that advances Trillo to 3rd. 2 on and 1 out for picther Steve Carlton. Carlton pops it up, Victorino makes the catch, Trillo runs and Victorino's throw along the 3rd base line is not in time! Manny Trillo is safe and it's 3-0 for the '80 Phils! Maddox is back up for the 80 Phils and he pops one sky high that is caught by Cole Hamels. The 80 Phils exploded in that inning and they lead the 08 Fightins 3-0.
Bottom of the Second Inning
Howard is first up for the 08 Phils and he grounds out to 2nd base. Pat Burrell is up next and he waves at strike 3 outside of the strike zone. Victorino is up next and he takes it through the hole to left-center field for a single. Up next is 3rd base man Pedro Feliz who hits a groundball, 4-6 fielders choice. The 08 Phils can't produce and trail 3-0.
Top of the Third Inning
Pete Rose starts out the inning by grounding to third. Schmidt is up next and he draws a walk. On comes Greg Luzinski who hits into a fielder's choice. Luzinski, the man who went deep last inning, lines a single out to left and it's 2 on and 2 out for Manny Trillo who walked last time. This time he hits into a 6-4 fielder's choice to end the inning. 3-0 '80 Phils
Bottom of the Third Inning
Ruiz starts the inning by lining out to thrid. Cole Hamels gets his first at bat and waves at a strike 3 that he should have held up on. Rollins sends it DEEP.....Caught at the wall by McBride! The '08 Phils still can't produce anything on offense. 3-0 '80 Phils.
Top of the Fourth Inning
Bob Boone is the first one up and he lines out to Pedro Feliz. Up next is Larry Bowa and Bowa absolutely smacks a line drive to right and picks up a single! Pitcher Steve Carlton lays down the sacrifice bunt which allows Bowa to advance to second. Up next is Greg Maddox who flies out to Burrell to end the inning. '80 Phils still lead 3-0.
Bottom of the Fourth Inning
Jayson Werth leads off the inning by striking out looking. Utley is up next and he sends a grounder to first that is easily taken care of by Pete Rose. Ryan Howard is up next and he manages a groundball single to center! Burrell follows that up by popping out to center and ending the inning. 3-0 '80 Phils.
Top of the Fifth Inning
Pete Rose leads off the inning by popping out to Howard. Mike Schmidt is up next and he singles to center! McBride pops it out to Werth. Here comes the man who hit the 2-run shot in the 2nd, Greg Luzinski. Luzinski grounds out to second and that ends the inning. Still 3-0.
Bottom of the Fifth Inning
Victorino leads off and he strikes out. Up next is Feliz who singles to left. Can the '08 Phils manage to score here? Carlos Ruiz is up and he grounds into a DOUBLE PLAY! 6-4-3 and the '08 Phils are looking pretty futile right now. 3-0 '80 Phils.
Top of the Sixth Inning
Manny Trillo leads off by lining out to J-Roll. Boone waves at strike 3. Larry Bowa walks and that will birng on the pitcher Steve Carlton. Carlton grounds out. The Pitchers Duel Continues, 3-0 '80 Phils.
Bottom of the Sixth Inning
The pithcer, Cole Hamels is up for just his second at bat. He grounds out to Manny Trillo. Rollins is up next and he grounds out to Mike Schmidt. Jayson Werth stars at strike and 3 and it's another 1-2-3 inning. '80 Phils lead 3-0.
Top of the Seventh Inning
Garry Maddox leads off by hitting a shallow flyout. Rose is up next and he LAUNCHES ONE OFF THE WALL! A double for the 80 Phils 1st base man! Schmidt lines one to left and Rose will round 3rd and score without a problem! 4-0 '80 Phils. Bake McBride flies out to right-center. Luzinski grounds one to Howard who makes the easy play. The '80 Phils tacked on one more and they lead 4-0.
Bottom of the Seventh Inning
Steve Carlton has pitched 6 innings of shut out baseball. Can it continue? Utley strikes out on a ball he should not have swun at. Ryan Howard hits a ground ball to left-center that produces a single! Burrell strikes out. Victorino grounds to the 3rd base man, Mike Schmidt. Howard made it on but the '08 Phils still could not score. 4-0 '80 Phils.
Top of the Eighth Inning
Manny Trillo leads off and grounds out to second. Bob Boone is next and he sends one deep only to have it caught by Victorino. Bowa pops one up but no one is there and it falls in the hole! Bowa gets a double. Carlton is up next but he can't advance Bowa as he grounds to Feliz who throws it to Howard and the throw barely beats the runner. Still 4-0.
Bottom of the Eighth Inning
Feliz launches one sky high that is caught by Trillo. Ruiz is up and he HITS A LASER THAT'S CAUGHT BY MIKE SCHMIDT! WHAT A CATCH! Hamels waves at strike 3 and heading into the ninth, the '80 Phils still lead 4-0.
Top of the Ninth Inning
Garry Maddox grounds out to J-Roll. Pete Rose follows that up by also grounding to short. Mike Schmidt also grounds out, this one right to first base man, Ryan Howard. 4-0 '80 Phils.
Bottom of the Ninth Inning
One last chance for the '08 Phillies to come back in this game. Jimmy Rollins is up and he starts the inning with a single to left-center. Jayson Werth takes ball four, and hold on a minute! Utley pops one to center, Rollins runs and is safe at third! Werth holds. Here's Howard. Ryan Howard LAUNCHES ONE DEEP TO THE WALL! CAUGHT BY LUZINSKI! Rollins takes off and scores! The '08 World Series champs are finally on the board! And after 8.2 innings, Steve Carlton will leave the game for the 80 Phillies closer, Tug McGraw. His first batter is Pat Burrell who pops out to third and that's it! The '80 Phillies win a pitching battle against the '08 Phillies and take a 1-0 series lead.
1980 Philadelphia Phillies: 4 runs, 9 hits, 0 errors.
2008 Philadelphia Phillies: 1 run, 5 hits, 0 errors.
Game 2 will be later this week.
From Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pitching matchup: Steve Carlton (ERA 2.34) vs. Cole Hamels (ERA 3.09)
Top of the first inning
Up first for the 1980, Phillies is Garry Maddox. Maddox grounds out to 3rd base. Up next is left-fielder Pete Rose. Rose pops one out to left and Burrell comes down with if it. Schmidt is up next for the '80 Phils and he waves at strike 3. Scoreless after the top of the first.
Bottom of the first inning
On comes leadoff man, Jimmy Rollins. He starts out by lining out to 2nd baseman Manny Trillo. Up next is Jayson Werth. Werth also lines out to Trillo. Trillo's beasting it up out there. Up next is the 08 Phils second baseman, Chase Utley. Utley launches one deep.....but not deep enough! Caught by Left fielder Bake McBride at the warning track to end the inning. No score after 1.
Top of the second inning
Bake McBride comes in to lead things off and he blasts one to right for a leadoff double! Up next is Greg Luzinski. Luzinksi launches one.....DEEP TO CENTER FIELD.....IT'S OUTTA HERE! A 2-run shot by Greg Luzinski and the 1980 Phillies strike first! Manny Trillo is up next and he takes a 4-ball walk. Catcher Bob Boone comes in next and he will launch one sky high that is handled with ease by Utley. Larry Bowa is up next and he will hit to left field and pick up a single that advances Trillo to 3rd. 2 on and 1 out for picther Steve Carlton. Carlton pops it up, Victorino makes the catch, Trillo runs and Victorino's throw along the 3rd base line is not in time! Manny Trillo is safe and it's 3-0 for the '80 Phils! Maddox is back up for the 80 Phils and he pops one sky high that is caught by Cole Hamels. The 80 Phils exploded in that inning and they lead the 08 Fightins 3-0.
Bottom of the Second Inning
Howard is first up for the 08 Phils and he grounds out to 2nd base. Pat Burrell is up next and he waves at strike 3 outside of the strike zone. Victorino is up next and he takes it through the hole to left-center field for a single. Up next is 3rd base man Pedro Feliz who hits a groundball, 4-6 fielders choice. The 08 Phils can't produce and trail 3-0.
Top of the Third Inning
Pete Rose starts out the inning by grounding to third. Schmidt is up next and he draws a walk. On comes Greg Luzinski who hits into a fielder's choice. Luzinski, the man who went deep last inning, lines a single out to left and it's 2 on and 2 out for Manny Trillo who walked last time. This time he hits into a 6-4 fielder's choice to end the inning. 3-0 '80 Phils
Bottom of the Third Inning
Ruiz starts the inning by lining out to thrid. Cole Hamels gets his first at bat and waves at a strike 3 that he should have held up on. Rollins sends it DEEP.....Caught at the wall by McBride! The '08 Phils still can't produce anything on offense. 3-0 '80 Phils.
Top of the Fourth Inning
Bob Boone is the first one up and he lines out to Pedro Feliz. Up next is Larry Bowa and Bowa absolutely smacks a line drive to right and picks up a single! Pitcher Steve Carlton lays down the sacrifice bunt which allows Bowa to advance to second. Up next is Greg Maddox who flies out to Burrell to end the inning. '80 Phils still lead 3-0.
Bottom of the Fourth Inning
Jayson Werth leads off the inning by striking out looking. Utley is up next and he sends a grounder to first that is easily taken care of by Pete Rose. Ryan Howard is up next and he manages a groundball single to center! Burrell follows that up by popping out to center and ending the inning. 3-0 '80 Phils.
Top of the Fifth Inning
Pete Rose leads off the inning by popping out to Howard. Mike Schmidt is up next and he singles to center! McBride pops it out to Werth. Here comes the man who hit the 2-run shot in the 2nd, Greg Luzinski. Luzinski grounds out to second and that ends the inning. Still 3-0.
Bottom of the Fifth Inning
Victorino leads off and he strikes out. Up next is Feliz who singles to left. Can the '08 Phils manage to score here? Carlos Ruiz is up and he grounds into a DOUBLE PLAY! 6-4-3 and the '08 Phils are looking pretty futile right now. 3-0 '80 Phils.
Top of the Sixth Inning
Manny Trillo leads off by lining out to J-Roll. Boone waves at strike 3. Larry Bowa walks and that will birng on the pitcher Steve Carlton. Carlton grounds out. The Pitchers Duel Continues, 3-0 '80 Phils.
Bottom of the Sixth Inning
The pithcer, Cole Hamels is up for just his second at bat. He grounds out to Manny Trillo. Rollins is up next and he grounds out to Mike Schmidt. Jayson Werth stars at strike and 3 and it's another 1-2-3 inning. '80 Phils lead 3-0.
Top of the Seventh Inning
Garry Maddox leads off by hitting a shallow flyout. Rose is up next and he LAUNCHES ONE OFF THE WALL! A double for the 80 Phils 1st base man! Schmidt lines one to left and Rose will round 3rd and score without a problem! 4-0 '80 Phils. Bake McBride flies out to right-center. Luzinski grounds one to Howard who makes the easy play. The '80 Phils tacked on one more and they lead 4-0.
Bottom of the Seventh Inning
Steve Carlton has pitched 6 innings of shut out baseball. Can it continue? Utley strikes out on a ball he should not have swun at. Ryan Howard hits a ground ball to left-center that produces a single! Burrell strikes out. Victorino grounds to the 3rd base man, Mike Schmidt. Howard made it on but the '08 Phils still could not score. 4-0 '80 Phils.
Top of the Eighth Inning
Manny Trillo leads off and grounds out to second. Bob Boone is next and he sends one deep only to have it caught by Victorino. Bowa pops one up but no one is there and it falls in the hole! Bowa gets a double. Carlton is up next but he can't advance Bowa as he grounds to Feliz who throws it to Howard and the throw barely beats the runner. Still 4-0.
Bottom of the Eighth Inning
Feliz launches one sky high that is caught by Trillo. Ruiz is up and he HITS A LASER THAT'S CAUGHT BY MIKE SCHMIDT! WHAT A CATCH! Hamels waves at strike 3 and heading into the ninth, the '80 Phils still lead 4-0.
Top of the Ninth Inning
Garry Maddox grounds out to J-Roll. Pete Rose follows that up by also grounding to short. Mike Schmidt also grounds out, this one right to first base man, Ryan Howard. 4-0 '80 Phils.
Bottom of the Ninth Inning
One last chance for the '08 Phillies to come back in this game. Jimmy Rollins is up and he starts the inning with a single to left-center. Jayson Werth takes ball four, and hold on a minute! Utley pops one to center, Rollins runs and is safe at third! Werth holds. Here's Howard. Ryan Howard LAUNCHES ONE DEEP TO THE WALL! CAUGHT BY LUZINSKI! Rollins takes off and scores! The '08 World Series champs are finally on the board! And after 8.2 innings, Steve Carlton will leave the game for the 80 Phillies closer, Tug McGraw. His first batter is Pat Burrell who pops out to third and that's it! The '80 Phillies win a pitching battle against the '08 Phillies and take a 1-0 series lead.
1980 Philadelphia Phillies: 4 runs, 9 hits, 0 errors.
2008 Philadelphia Phillies: 1 run, 5 hits, 0 errors.
Game 2 will be later this week.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Eagles Divisional Round Recap (And a Big What Is Going On Around the NFL)
So let me get this straight. The Eagles' most tumultous season since the Terrell Owens debacle has resulted in the Eagles going to the NFC Championship game. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Okay, seriously, what is going on in the NFL?
The only thing perhaps a bit more bizarre than the Eagles turning this season into an NFC championship season is the fact that the Eagles are playing the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona! Good grief, what has happened to home field advantage in the NFL? The Eagles just became the 1st 6-seed to beat a 1-seed in the NFC and consequently, the first 6-seed in the NFC to appear in the conference title game. Remember when people were saying that the NFL should amend their playoff system so that teams like the Cardinals who stumbled into the playoffs could not get in and 11-5 teams like the Patriots could make it? Yeah, those people are quiet now.
Both 6-seeds remain. Pittsburgh was the only home team to win this week. And, oh yeah, in case I did not mention it before, the Arizona Fucking Cardinals are hosting the NFC Championship game!
Shifting back to the Eagles-Giants game, it all came down to the Eagles defense. And they were nothing but spectacular. While I have my doubt about Andy Reid (although he is succeeding in making me look like an idiot with my blog title), one person I have always loved is Jim Johnson. He is the man and his defenses are awesome. However, several times in the past, they would crumble in big games against teams just like the New York Giants with a power running back and a real good change-of-pace back. Not this time!
They held beautifully and Eli Manning struggled in his own stadium throwing the ball (although in his defense, as a resident of the northeast, it was cold and a heavy wind in cold weather is absolutely brutal). The Giants started out looking good with that long kick return deep into Eagles' territory to open up the game. However, the Gmen could only muster a field goal out of that drive. That would be a theme for the day as the Giants would not get in the endzone all afternoon. Their only scores were 3 field goals and a safety.
The Eagles forced 3 turnovers which included two interceptions of the unstoppable Eli Manning. who must have forgot to bring his Citizen Eco Drive with him to the game. He constantly missed his targets and while McNabb was not great, and while he himself threw two picks, he was more efficient than Manning, was able to move the ball in the second half, and was a more-effective game manager. It did not start that way, though. The Eagles offense reverted back to Cincinnati and Baltimore form in the first 28 minutes of the game, not being able to move the ball at all. However, the Giants played back at the end of the half in sort of a prevent defense. And the rest is history. Really. For the first time in NFL history, a #6 seed in the NFC but a #1 seed in the NFC and for the first time in NFL history, a game ended with the score of 23-11.
In the playoffs, one thing is a must. A good defense. The top 3 defenses in the NFL still remain (Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Philly). As far as Jim Johnson goes, he's had many great defenses in the past with the Eagles. But this one is definitley the best defense the Eagles have had in quite some time. It will be interesting to see how they handle a Cardinal team that has no doubt rejuvenated themselves since they took their Thanksgiving day beating.
The Eagles are going to Arizona to play the Cardinals in the NFC title game. Had you made that prediction at 1:00 on December 28 (Week 17), you would have been laughed at, called crazy, and placed in the insane asylum. But alas, that is the craziness of the NFL. And I'm loving every minute of it.
The only thing perhaps a bit more bizarre than the Eagles turning this season into an NFC championship season is the fact that the Eagles are playing the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona! Good grief, what has happened to home field advantage in the NFL? The Eagles just became the 1st 6-seed to beat a 1-seed in the NFC and consequently, the first 6-seed in the NFC to appear in the conference title game. Remember when people were saying that the NFL should amend their playoff system so that teams like the Cardinals who stumbled into the playoffs could not get in and 11-5 teams like the Patriots could make it? Yeah, those people are quiet now.
Both 6-seeds remain. Pittsburgh was the only home team to win this week. And, oh yeah, in case I did not mention it before, the Arizona Fucking Cardinals are hosting the NFC Championship game!
Shifting back to the Eagles-Giants game, it all came down to the Eagles defense. And they were nothing but spectacular. While I have my doubt about Andy Reid (although he is succeeding in making me look like an idiot with my blog title), one person I have always loved is Jim Johnson. He is the man and his defenses are awesome. However, several times in the past, they would crumble in big games against teams just like the New York Giants with a power running back and a real good change-of-pace back. Not this time!
They held beautifully and Eli Manning struggled in his own stadium throwing the ball (although in his defense, as a resident of the northeast, it was cold and a heavy wind in cold weather is absolutely brutal). The Giants started out looking good with that long kick return deep into Eagles' territory to open up the game. However, the Gmen could only muster a field goal out of that drive. That would be a theme for the day as the Giants would not get in the endzone all afternoon. Their only scores were 3 field goals and a safety.
The Eagles forced 3 turnovers which included two interceptions of the unstoppable Eli Manning. who must have forgot to bring his Citizen Eco Drive with him to the game. He constantly missed his targets and while McNabb was not great, and while he himself threw two picks, he was more efficient than Manning, was able to move the ball in the second half, and was a more-effective game manager. It did not start that way, though. The Eagles offense reverted back to Cincinnati and Baltimore form in the first 28 minutes of the game, not being able to move the ball at all. However, the Giants played back at the end of the half in sort of a prevent defense. And the rest is history. Really. For the first time in NFL history, a #6 seed in the NFC but a #1 seed in the NFC and for the first time in NFL history, a game ended with the score of 23-11.
In the playoffs, one thing is a must. A good defense. The top 3 defenses in the NFL still remain (Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Philly). As far as Jim Johnson goes, he's had many great defenses in the past with the Eagles. But this one is definitley the best defense the Eagles have had in quite some time. It will be interesting to see how they handle a Cardinal team that has no doubt rejuvenated themselves since they took their Thanksgiving day beating.
The Eagles are going to Arizona to play the Cardinals in the NFC title game. Had you made that prediction at 1:00 on December 28 (Week 17), you would have been laughed at, called crazy, and placed in the insane asylum. But alas, that is the craziness of the NFL. And I'm loving every minute of it.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Divisional Round Preview San Diego @ Pittsburgh
What: A game that is sure to set a record for the least amount of money wagered in Vegas for a divisional playoff game. Yeah, there was a little controversy last time...
Who: The San Diego Chargers and the Pittsburgh Chargers
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
When: 4:30 PM EST
What Channel: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Announcers' Talking Point of the Game: The Chargers were 4-8 and they are in the playoffs. Their comeback is so inspirational and amazing. And what about the Steelers. Big Ben can do no wrong! If Roethlisberger was Tim Tebow we would both be in the hospital with a more serious Tebowner than Gary Danielson.
Weather Forecast: Cloudy, 26 degrees
Regular Season Meeting: Steelers 11, San Diego 10
Analysis (I've finally given this section a name; very original, isn't it?): As I linked earlier, the San Diego Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers played a tight game that Vegas bettors will never forget. Lost in all the hooplah of whether the garbage time pick six by Polamalu should or should not count was the fact that these two played a very good defensive game.
However, something is telling me that we won't be seeing the same thing again. Just a feeling, but I think the score is going to be slightly higher this time. Darren Sproles is going to be the Nissan Z Factor, er, x-factor, in this game (Sorry for that BCS reference, I just can't get over the idiocy of the "z factor"). He had a monster game last week against the Colts and while we won't be able to get near the production he got against the Colts defense against this Steelers defense, the Chargers are going to need him to make some big plays, especially seeing as the play of Ladainian Tomlinson is becoming more and more like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.
The Steelers may also end up relying on the rushing attack against the San Diego Chargers, especially with the uncertainty that Big Ben truly is 100% after being carted off on a stretcher two weeks ago. Lucky for them, when not injured, the Steeler running game has provided them with a much needed spark. Willie Parker leads the team in rushing and will need to be the engine that makes the offense go. Parker is the player to watch for in terms of the Steeler offense. If he can get going, watch for the Steelers to put up big numbers offensively. If not, then look for the offense to struggle as Big Ben may not be able to carry the Steelers to victory in this one.
While some may call him a douchebag, there is no denying the success that Phillip Rivers had had this year at QB in San Diego. He was literally snubbed of the Pro Bowl and he is seeking his revenge in a big way. The Chargers have won their last five games and may just be the hottest team in the playoffs. If Rivers plays well, this can be a big night for the Chargers. However, with Troy Polamalu in the Steeler secondary that could end up being unlikely.
Prediction: This one's actually a tough one for me. I have a feeling that this one is going to go down to the wire and while it won't be as low scoring as the first game, we will more than likely be the witnesses to a defensive struggle. I know that my picks are more often than not what the rest of the country is saying, but I'm going to go out on a limb on this one. Nate Kaeding will kick a game-winning to field goal as time expires to give the Chargers a 20-17 win over the Steelers.
Who: The San Diego Chargers and the Pittsburgh Chargers
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
When: 4:30 PM EST
What Channel: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Announcers' Talking Point of the Game: The Chargers were 4-8 and they are in the playoffs. Their comeback is so inspirational and amazing. And what about the Steelers. Big Ben can do no wrong! If Roethlisberger was Tim Tebow we would both be in the hospital with a more serious Tebowner than Gary Danielson.
Weather Forecast: Cloudy, 26 degrees
Regular Season Meeting: Steelers 11, San Diego 10
Analysis (I've finally given this section a name; very original, isn't it?): As I linked earlier, the San Diego Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers played a tight game that Vegas bettors will never forget. Lost in all the hooplah of whether the garbage time pick six by Polamalu should or should not count was the fact that these two played a very good defensive game.
However, something is telling me that we won't be seeing the same thing again. Just a feeling, but I think the score is going to be slightly higher this time. Darren Sproles is going to be the Nissan Z Factor, er, x-factor, in this game (Sorry for that BCS reference, I just can't get over the idiocy of the "z factor"). He had a monster game last week against the Colts and while we won't be able to get near the production he got against the Colts defense against this Steelers defense, the Chargers are going to need him to make some big plays, especially seeing as the play of Ladainian Tomlinson is becoming more and more like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.
The Steelers may also end up relying on the rushing attack against the San Diego Chargers, especially with the uncertainty that Big Ben truly is 100% after being carted off on a stretcher two weeks ago. Lucky for them, when not injured, the Steeler running game has provided them with a much needed spark. Willie Parker leads the team in rushing and will need to be the engine that makes the offense go. Parker is the player to watch for in terms of the Steeler offense. If he can get going, watch for the Steelers to put up big numbers offensively. If not, then look for the offense to struggle as Big Ben may not be able to carry the Steelers to victory in this one.
While some may call him a douchebag, there is no denying the success that Phillip Rivers had had this year at QB in San Diego. He was literally snubbed of the Pro Bowl and he is seeking his revenge in a big way. The Chargers have won their last five games and may just be the hottest team in the playoffs. If Rivers plays well, this can be a big night for the Chargers. However, with Troy Polamalu in the Steeler secondary that could end up being unlikely.
Prediction: This one's actually a tough one for me. I have a feeling that this one is going to go down to the wire and while it won't be as low scoring as the first game, we will more than likely be the witnesses to a defensive struggle. I know that my picks are more often than not what the rest of the country is saying, but I'm going to go out on a limb on this one. Nate Kaeding will kick a game-winning to field goal as time expires to give the Chargers a 20-17 win over the Steelers.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Divisional Round Preview Philadelphia @ New York
What: The rubber match for the year between the Eagles and the Giants
Who: The Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Football Giants
Where: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
When: 1:00 EST
What Channel: Fox
Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman with Pam Oliver and Chris Myers working the sidelines.
Announcers' Talking Point of the Game: The Eagles are the New York Giants of last year.
Weather Forecast: Mostly Cloudy, 33 degrees
Regular Season Meetings: Week 10: Giants 36, Eagles 31; Week 14: Eagles 20, Giants 14
It's round three of the Giants and the Eagles (and the first round 3 we have seen thus far in the playoffs) and this should be a good one to say the least. The underdog Eagles come in red hot, winning five out of their last six games, whereas the favorite Giants are struggling, having lost 3 of their last 4 games.
The first game that these two played was a 36-31 thriller that was won by the Giants because the Eagles could not convert in a 4th and short situation. The second game was a game that was dominated by the Eagles, yet the reason the score appears close is because the Giants scored a TD via a block field goal return and another TD in garbage time with less than a minute to go in the game.
However, this game will be a lot different than the last time the Eagles were in the Meadowlands when the Eagles dominated them. The reason: Brandon Jacobs will be in the line-up this game and he was part of the reason the Giants were able to score 36 points on the Eagles in the first meeting. If the Eagles can contain Brandon Jacobs than they may be in good shape, but, it must be noted that the Eagles seemed to struggle a bit with the Vikes' change of pace back, Chester Taylor and frankly I'm surprised the Vikes did not go to him more often. So even if the Eagles can stifle Brandon Jacobs, it will be interesting to see how they deal with Earth, Wind, & Fire.
The Eagles offense on the other hand, will need an all-around big day from Brian Westbrook. Why? Because Westbrook, while somewhat smaller in stature, is a Giant killer, having been the dagger many times including the '03 punt return for a TD in the Meadowlands winning a game for the Eagles that they had no business winning. And of course, one can't forget the huge plays he made a month ago in the Meadowlands. The Eagles will need another solid effort from Donovan McNabb who will have to be mistake free in this must win game that both teams are sure to get up for. If the Eagles can drive the ball consistently, they stand a chance at winning. If the Eagles' offense from Cincinnati and Baltimore shows up this time, unlike last weekend against the Vikings where the Eagles' D stood a chance at saving them in case they laid an egg, the defense may not be able to hold their own against the Giants potent rushing attack. And oh yeah, they have a Super Bowl winning quarterback named Eli Manning, in case you forgot.
Prediction: Sigh.....sometimes going into games you have feelings about the outcome, whether they be positive or negative. And sadly, despite beating the Giants at Giants Stadium a month ago, I do not have a good feeling about this game. There is just something in me that says that this will be a game where the Eagles fight hard and give it absolutely everything they got, and yet, it just won't be enough to overcome the Giants in the playoffs. As much as it pains me to say it, I'm picking the Giants in a close one, 31-28 over my beloved Eagles.
Who: The Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Football Giants
Where: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
When: 1:00 EST
What Channel: Fox
Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman with Pam Oliver and Chris Myers working the sidelines.
Announcers' Talking Point of the Game: The Eagles are the New York Giants of last year.
Weather Forecast: Mostly Cloudy, 33 degrees
Regular Season Meetings: Week 10: Giants 36, Eagles 31; Week 14: Eagles 20, Giants 14
It's round three of the Giants and the Eagles (and the first round 3 we have seen thus far in the playoffs) and this should be a good one to say the least. The underdog Eagles come in red hot, winning five out of their last six games, whereas the favorite Giants are struggling, having lost 3 of their last 4 games.
The first game that these two played was a 36-31 thriller that was won by the Giants because the Eagles could not convert in a 4th and short situation. The second game was a game that was dominated by the Eagles, yet the reason the score appears close is because the Giants scored a TD via a block field goal return and another TD in garbage time with less than a minute to go in the game.
However, this game will be a lot different than the last time the Eagles were in the Meadowlands when the Eagles dominated them. The reason: Brandon Jacobs will be in the line-up this game and he was part of the reason the Giants were able to score 36 points on the Eagles in the first meeting. If the Eagles can contain Brandon Jacobs than they may be in good shape, but, it must be noted that the Eagles seemed to struggle a bit with the Vikes' change of pace back, Chester Taylor and frankly I'm surprised the Vikes did not go to him more often. So even if the Eagles can stifle Brandon Jacobs, it will be interesting to see how they deal with Earth, Wind, & Fire.
The Eagles offense on the other hand, will need an all-around big day from Brian Westbrook. Why? Because Westbrook, while somewhat smaller in stature, is a Giant killer, having been the dagger many times including the '03 punt return for a TD in the Meadowlands winning a game for the Eagles that they had no business winning. And of course, one can't forget the huge plays he made a month ago in the Meadowlands. The Eagles will need another solid effort from Donovan McNabb who will have to be mistake free in this must win game that both teams are sure to get up for. If the Eagles can drive the ball consistently, they stand a chance at winning. If the Eagles' offense from Cincinnati and Baltimore shows up this time, unlike last weekend against the Vikings where the Eagles' D stood a chance at saving them in case they laid an egg, the defense may not be able to hold their own against the Giants potent rushing attack. And oh yeah, they have a Super Bowl winning quarterback named Eli Manning, in case you forgot.
Prediction: Sigh.....sometimes going into games you have feelings about the outcome, whether they be positive or negative. And sadly, despite beating the Giants at Giants Stadium a month ago, I do not have a good feeling about this game. There is just something in me that says that this will be a game where the Eagles fight hard and give it absolutely everything they got, and yet, it just won't be enough to overcome the Giants in the playoffs. As much as it pains me to say it, I'm picking the Giants in a close one, 31-28 over my beloved Eagles.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
On the BCS (To Be Read Like A Keith Olbermann Special Comment)
This is nothing NFL related, yet I yearn for a place to express my feelings on the BCS. And this is the place. And now is the time.
Look at the situation. Look at what happened on Thursday, Friday, and Monday. Look at what happened in the Fiesta Bowl. Look at what happened in the Sugar Bowl. Look at what happened in the Rose Bowl. Look at what's happening in college football.
In what may be the biggest controversy in college football since the exclusion of Auburn in 2004, there are currently 5 teams with a legitimate case that they should be national champions. And while that number will become 4 after the "National Championship Game" when either Florida or Oklahoma lose, you still have one huge can of worms. And this can of worms, regardless of tomorrow's outcome, whether it be a 45-10 blowout or a 38-35 thriller decided in triple overtime, this can of worms will not go away.
Just look at who has a legitimate case. We'll start out with the team that should be playing in the national championship in the first place, Texas! We all remember what happened in Dallas, that one fateful afternoon when Texas beat Oklahoma 45-35 and yet somehow, someway, by running up the score on Texas Tech and Mizzou, Oklahoma is in the national championship. What kind of message is this sending? That if you run up the score and be poor sports that you can get your way? There is a difference between blowing a team out and sending a message, which is fine, but when it becomes a 40-point game in the 4th quarter and you're still trying to score, isn't that a little bit much? Hasn't the point already been made? But yet, it seems like the more I think about it, the more those garbage touchdowns have mattered more and more.
The BCS prides itself in a regular season where every game matters. I disagree. I disagree vehemently. It's not if you lose, it's when you lose that matters. It's rare these days that a team from a "major BCS conference" goes unbeaten through the regular season. It is possible that a team can lay an absolute turd week 1, get blown out 45-o and go undefeated the rest of the way and make the national championship. And yet, if a team goes undefeated for their first 11 games, lose their final game by a score 45-0 that team has absolutely no chance of making it to the national championship. How fair is that? Despite everyone in the BCS claiming that they look at the whole body of work, it's not. It's a "what have you done for me lately" system. And by "what have you done for me lately" it's what did you do in the last 2 weeks. And just to slam the point home, look at the final BCS standings.
1. Oklahoma (lost October 11)
3. Texas (lost November 1)
7. Texas Tech (lost November 22)
Notice a pattern here? Now imagine this. What if the Texas-OU game was later on in the season? What if that was the last Big 12 south game of the season? What if the score remained the same? Texas is playing Florida in the national championship game. Colt McCoy is the Heisman Tropny winner. In other words, the entire landscape of college football would be different.
And that's just the argument for one team! Let's move on to USC. The Trojans have one of the best defenses in the history of college football. They beat PSU in the Rose Bowl by a deceptively close score of 38-24. They bashed the Nittany Lions, the Big 10 champions and say what you will about the Big 10, Penn State under JoePa is a damn good football team and USC mopped the floor with them. And look at who they lost to, Oregon State. At the time it was "haha, USC lost to weak Oregon State", but look at Oregon State now! They are a ranked team and they beat Pitt in an, albeit unentertaining, Sun Bowl. USC is more than capable of putting a beat down on Florida and Oklahoma. USC is more than deserving of a national championship.
And lastly, Utah. Whatever happened to going undefeated? Apparently you only get in the national championship game in the FBS if you're undefeated and you play in a major conference. Of course the BCS absolutely ignores the Mountain West Conference. Who cares? Even if they are a BCS conference. They are not a major money maker for them. Therefore, they are shunned away. Forgotten about. Oh, they have an undefeated team? Ah, put them in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama and they'll get blown out. Oh, that Sugar Bowl was a blowout all right. 31-17. Utah beat Alabama. They have more than proven their worth. They beat 4 ranked teams this year. What more can you ask for? What more can they do? How fair is it that a team goes undefeated and is not credited with being a national champion? No matter the outcome of tomorrow night's championship game, one fact will remain the same, Utah is the best damn team in the nation and there's not a damn thing Florida and Oklahoma can do to change it! Oh, what about the rest of their schedule? Can you seriously consider a team that plays Weber State to be a national champion? To which, I quite ask the person who asks that question....what drugs are you taking? YES! You can! Why? It's simple. Look at Florida's schedule. Look at who they played? Notice anything. Wait, what's that? They played The Citadel? Yeah, that's right. Florida played The Citadel! The Goddamn Mother Fucking Citadel of The FCS! (pardon my French, s'il vous plait). So, according to you ignorant people who feels Utah should not be a national championship because they had Weber State on their schedule, surely you must feel the same way about Florida....
The bottom line is everybody has weak teams on their schedule. UT-Chattanooga, Baylor played Oklahoma. Should they be discredited then for playing such weak teams? The answer is a simple no. Utah is the best team in the nation. They beat a damn fine TCU team who more than proved there worth in the Poinsettia Bowl. They beat another solid BYU team. And then there was the Sugar Bowl. 31-17. That's the new rallying cry. 31-17! 31-17! 31-17! 31-17!.....
But alas, the BCS does not care. They don't care about the kids. They care about money. Florida and Oklahoma would make more money than a national championship involving Utah. It would be more appealing to a casual fan. There's no doubt about it. But what satisfies those qualities is not always right. In fact, it hardly ever is.
And maybe it's a blessing in disguise that Fox is covering the BCS. They're crappy production has in part helped to drive the BCS ratings into the ground. And maybe once driven completely into the ground. The ashes that rise up will be that of a new system. One where every FBS team gets treated fairly, regardless of conference. And I'm not totally against having bowl games. I would not get rid of the Bowl system, I'd keep the bowls, as they are a good and fun reward for teams not in the Top 8 to play one more game, show off some hidden talent to the country, and entertain us in the process. And then the top 8 teams in the country, regardless of conference, would use the BCS bowl game sites as a site for the quarterfinals of a playoffs (i.e. the Orange Bowl would be a quarterfinal game, the Rose Bowl another, etc.). Wouldn't that make everyone happy?
But then does that not diminish the importance of the regular season? No! It does not. Every game is still important. But there will still be snubs? Yes, there will be. But isn't it easier to snub a 2-loss team or a 1-loss team that got beaten badly by a sub-.500 team than it is undefeated Utah, Texas, and dominant USC?
But as long as the people in the BCS have any say, that will never happen. They are too blinded with greed to see their own greed. They are too obnoxious to realize their own obnoxiousness. Maybe this will finally snap them out of it. Chances are, they will most likely look at Texas, Utah, and USC and just put there nose in the air and say "hmph! I don't care about you". That would not be any different than what they have been doing all year and to teams like Boise State two-years ago and Auburn in 2004.
I, like most college football fans will watch the national title game. Not because I like laughing at Fox's band shots, not because I want to listen to Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis (and his Mangina), not because I want to see who the best team in America is (that honor for this year belongs to the Utes of Utah), but because of two reasons. A). I want to see two good teams play what should be an entertaining game. And B). I want to say I witnessed history when the shit hits the fan with the BCS.
And all the while, in my head, one thing sticks out in my mind above all else. 31-17......31-17.......31-17.....There it is, BCS. Your true national champions. Utah Utes.
Good night and good luck.
Look at the situation. Look at what happened on Thursday, Friday, and Monday. Look at what happened in the Fiesta Bowl. Look at what happened in the Sugar Bowl. Look at what happened in the Rose Bowl. Look at what's happening in college football.
In what may be the biggest controversy in college football since the exclusion of Auburn in 2004, there are currently 5 teams with a legitimate case that they should be national champions. And while that number will become 4 after the "National Championship Game" when either Florida or Oklahoma lose, you still have one huge can of worms. And this can of worms, regardless of tomorrow's outcome, whether it be a 45-10 blowout or a 38-35 thriller decided in triple overtime, this can of worms will not go away.
Just look at who has a legitimate case. We'll start out with the team that should be playing in the national championship in the first place, Texas! We all remember what happened in Dallas, that one fateful afternoon when Texas beat Oklahoma 45-35 and yet somehow, someway, by running up the score on Texas Tech and Mizzou, Oklahoma is in the national championship. What kind of message is this sending? That if you run up the score and be poor sports that you can get your way? There is a difference between blowing a team out and sending a message, which is fine, but when it becomes a 40-point game in the 4th quarter and you're still trying to score, isn't that a little bit much? Hasn't the point already been made? But yet, it seems like the more I think about it, the more those garbage touchdowns have mattered more and more.
The BCS prides itself in a regular season where every game matters. I disagree. I disagree vehemently. It's not if you lose, it's when you lose that matters. It's rare these days that a team from a "major BCS conference" goes unbeaten through the regular season. It is possible that a team can lay an absolute turd week 1, get blown out 45-o and go undefeated the rest of the way and make the national championship. And yet, if a team goes undefeated for their first 11 games, lose their final game by a score 45-0 that team has absolutely no chance of making it to the national championship. How fair is that? Despite everyone in the BCS claiming that they look at the whole body of work, it's not. It's a "what have you done for me lately" system. And by "what have you done for me lately" it's what did you do in the last 2 weeks. And just to slam the point home, look at the final BCS standings.
1. Oklahoma (lost October 11)
3. Texas (lost November 1)
7. Texas Tech (lost November 22)
Notice a pattern here? Now imagine this. What if the Texas-OU game was later on in the season? What if that was the last Big 12 south game of the season? What if the score remained the same? Texas is playing Florida in the national championship game. Colt McCoy is the Heisman Tropny winner. In other words, the entire landscape of college football would be different.
And that's just the argument for one team! Let's move on to USC. The Trojans have one of the best defenses in the history of college football. They beat PSU in the Rose Bowl by a deceptively close score of 38-24. They bashed the Nittany Lions, the Big 10 champions and say what you will about the Big 10, Penn State under JoePa is a damn good football team and USC mopped the floor with them. And look at who they lost to, Oregon State. At the time it was "haha, USC lost to weak Oregon State", but look at Oregon State now! They are a ranked team and they beat Pitt in an, albeit unentertaining, Sun Bowl. USC is more than capable of putting a beat down on Florida and Oklahoma. USC is more than deserving of a national championship.
And lastly, Utah. Whatever happened to going undefeated? Apparently you only get in the national championship game in the FBS if you're undefeated and you play in a major conference. Of course the BCS absolutely ignores the Mountain West Conference. Who cares? Even if they are a BCS conference. They are not a major money maker for them. Therefore, they are shunned away. Forgotten about. Oh, they have an undefeated team? Ah, put them in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama and they'll get blown out. Oh, that Sugar Bowl was a blowout all right. 31-17. Utah beat Alabama. They have more than proven their worth. They beat 4 ranked teams this year. What more can you ask for? What more can they do? How fair is it that a team goes undefeated and is not credited with being a national champion? No matter the outcome of tomorrow night's championship game, one fact will remain the same, Utah is the best damn team in the nation and there's not a damn thing Florida and Oklahoma can do to change it! Oh, what about the rest of their schedule? Can you seriously consider a team that plays Weber State to be a national champion? To which, I quite ask the person who asks that question....what drugs are you taking? YES! You can! Why? It's simple. Look at Florida's schedule. Look at who they played? Notice anything. Wait, what's that? They played The Citadel? Yeah, that's right. Florida played The Citadel! The Goddamn Mother Fucking Citadel of The FCS! (pardon my French, s'il vous plait). So, according to you ignorant people who feels Utah should not be a national championship because they had Weber State on their schedule, surely you must feel the same way about Florida....
The bottom line is everybody has weak teams on their schedule. UT-Chattanooga, Baylor played Oklahoma. Should they be discredited then for playing such weak teams? The answer is a simple no. Utah is the best team in the nation. They beat a damn fine TCU team who more than proved there worth in the Poinsettia Bowl. They beat another solid BYU team. And then there was the Sugar Bowl. 31-17. That's the new rallying cry. 31-17! 31-17! 31-17! 31-17!.....
But alas, the BCS does not care. They don't care about the kids. They care about money. Florida and Oklahoma would make more money than a national championship involving Utah. It would be more appealing to a casual fan. There's no doubt about it. But what satisfies those qualities is not always right. In fact, it hardly ever is.
And maybe it's a blessing in disguise that Fox is covering the BCS. They're crappy production has in part helped to drive the BCS ratings into the ground. And maybe once driven completely into the ground. The ashes that rise up will be that of a new system. One where every FBS team gets treated fairly, regardless of conference. And I'm not totally against having bowl games. I would not get rid of the Bowl system, I'd keep the bowls, as they are a good and fun reward for teams not in the Top 8 to play one more game, show off some hidden talent to the country, and entertain us in the process. And then the top 8 teams in the country, regardless of conference, would use the BCS bowl game sites as a site for the quarterfinals of a playoffs (i.e. the Orange Bowl would be a quarterfinal game, the Rose Bowl another, etc.). Wouldn't that make everyone happy?
But then does that not diminish the importance of the regular season? No! It does not. Every game is still important. But there will still be snubs? Yes, there will be. But isn't it easier to snub a 2-loss team or a 1-loss team that got beaten badly by a sub-.500 team than it is undefeated Utah, Texas, and dominant USC?
But as long as the people in the BCS have any say, that will never happen. They are too blinded with greed to see their own greed. They are too obnoxious to realize their own obnoxiousness. Maybe this will finally snap them out of it. Chances are, they will most likely look at Texas, Utah, and USC and just put there nose in the air and say "hmph! I don't care about you". That would not be any different than what they have been doing all year and to teams like Boise State two-years ago and Auburn in 2004.
I, like most college football fans will watch the national title game. Not because I like laughing at Fox's band shots, not because I want to listen to Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis (and his Mangina), not because I want to see who the best team in America is (that honor for this year belongs to the Utes of Utah), but because of two reasons. A). I want to see two good teams play what should be an entertaining game. And B). I want to say I witnessed history when the shit hits the fan with the BCS.
And all the while, in my head, one thing sticks out in my mind above all else. 31-17......31-17.......31-17.....There it is, BCS. Your true national champions. Utah Utes.
Good night and good luck.
Divisional Round Preview Arizona @ Carolina
What: An unlikely matchup that will produce the result that is likely.
Who: The Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
When: 8:15 PM EST
What Channel: Fox
Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl "Moose" Johnston, Tony "Goose" Siragusa
Announcers' Talking Point of the Game: The Carolina Panthers have such a dominant and dynamic running game.
Weather Forecast: Cloudy with a chance of showers later in the game, 53 degrees
Regular Season Meeting: Week 8: Panthers 27, Cardinals 23
I'll be the first to admit that I did not think that the Cardinals stood a chance in hell against the Falcons. To their credit, they surprised the shit out of me (which given my record of picking games, I guess really is not that big of a feat, but I was certain the Falcons would be here). So now they are traveling to the east coast where they have not won a game against a team a Carolina Panther team that has not lost at home all year.
That alone is a huge obstacle to overcome, and yet one can't help but notice the team that they are going up against. The Panthers are not a fluke team. Their rushing attack is one of the best in the league, consisting of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart who have combined for 28 touchdowns this season.
The only chance the Cardinals may have in this game is to get to an early lead and force Delhomme to throw the ball. Delhomme has pretty much been the only glaring weakspot in this Panther offense and while Steve Smith is a dangerous receiver, the Cardinals would be more than happy to get into an offensive aerial show against the Panthers, for they have Kurt Warner and two of the best receivers in the NFL in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. That may be their only chance. And even then, that would require Kurt Warner to play the game of his life, and at his age, there is no guarantee he won't throw a costly interception or two.
The most interesting part of this game in this otherwise unenticing divisional round match-up (the only one of it's sort) would be the ramifications of a Cardinal upset. That would pretty much raise the stakes of the Eagles-Giants game ten-fold, as if it was not a high stakes game already. For if Arizona wins, the winner of the Eagles-Giants showdown (I'll have a full preview of that one tomorrow), may very well earn themselves a free ticket to Tampa Bay as both the Eagles and the Giants mopped the floor with the Cardinals during the regular season.
Prediction: I'm sure you pretty much guessed by reading above who I am going with in this one. Not only have the Cardinals not won on the east coast and the Panthers not lose at home, but on Monday night, the only bit of mojo they had going for them, the underdog always winning at University of Phoenix Stadium was lost when Texas became the first team that was favored to ever win a post-season game there. So any mojo or dirt that they might bring to Carolina for good luck is no more. Basically, the Cardinals are up the creek without a paddle in this one and will be (figuratively) eaten alive by the Caroina Panthers by a score of 38-17
Who: The Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
When: 8:15 PM EST
What Channel: Fox
Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl "Moose" Johnston, Tony "Goose" Siragusa
Announcers' Talking Point of the Game: The Carolina Panthers have such a dominant and dynamic running game.
Weather Forecast: Cloudy with a chance of showers later in the game, 53 degrees
Regular Season Meeting: Week 8: Panthers 27, Cardinals 23
I'll be the first to admit that I did not think that the Cardinals stood a chance in hell against the Falcons. To their credit, they surprised the shit out of me (which given my record of picking games, I guess really is not that big of a feat, but I was certain the Falcons would be here). So now they are traveling to the east coast where they have not won a game against a team a Carolina Panther team that has not lost at home all year.
That alone is a huge obstacle to overcome, and yet one can't help but notice the team that they are going up against. The Panthers are not a fluke team. Their rushing attack is one of the best in the league, consisting of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart who have combined for 28 touchdowns this season.
The only chance the Cardinals may have in this game is to get to an early lead and force Delhomme to throw the ball. Delhomme has pretty much been the only glaring weakspot in this Panther offense and while Steve Smith is a dangerous receiver, the Cardinals would be more than happy to get into an offensive aerial show against the Panthers, for they have Kurt Warner and two of the best receivers in the NFL in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. That may be their only chance. And even then, that would require Kurt Warner to play the game of his life, and at his age, there is no guarantee he won't throw a costly interception or two.
The most interesting part of this game in this otherwise unenticing divisional round match-up (the only one of it's sort) would be the ramifications of a Cardinal upset. That would pretty much raise the stakes of the Eagles-Giants game ten-fold, as if it was not a high stakes game already. For if Arizona wins, the winner of the Eagles-Giants showdown (I'll have a full preview of that one tomorrow), may very well earn themselves a free ticket to Tampa Bay as both the Eagles and the Giants mopped the floor with the Cardinals during the regular season.
Prediction: I'm sure you pretty much guessed by reading above who I am going with in this one. Not only have the Cardinals not won on the east coast and the Panthers not lose at home, but on Monday night, the only bit of mojo they had going for them, the underdog always winning at University of Phoenix Stadium was lost when Texas became the first team that was favored to ever win a post-season game there. So any mojo or dirt that they might bring to Carolina for good luck is no more. Basically, the Cardinals are up the creek without a paddle in this one and will be (figuratively) eaten alive by the Caroina Panthers by a score of 38-17
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