imatreat's Blog

A fitting end to a brilliant career.  Lifetime Houston Astro Craig Biggio received the 2007 Roberto Clemente Award before Game 3, of tonight's World Series Game between the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies.  This award combines tremendous community service with excellence on the field.  With this award, he received a Chevy SUV, which he plans on donating to the Sunshine Kids charity, which he does so much work with.  I can't think of anyone more deserving than Biggio to win this award, especially in his last Major League season.  Congratulations to Craig on winning such a worth while award.  

As the World Series shifts to Colorado for Game 3 tonight (right here on FOX 26), the advantage clearly shifts to the Colorado Rockies for the next three games, as one of the Boston Red Sox regulars will have to take a seat (No DH in the NL).  Manager Terry Francona has decided to play David Ortiz (the normal DH) at first base.  Kevin Youklis, who's been red hot in the playoffs and could have been the ALCS MVP, will sit for at least Game 3.  He normally plays first base, but can play third base as well.  Mike Lowell, who normally plays third base, will also start.  Youklis no doubt will be the big bat off the bench, when the Red Sox need it.  The Red Sox are up 2-0, but I look for the capacity Colorado crowd to be a major factor in the game.  "Dice-K" Matsusaka will get the start for the Red Sox, and he's been shaky at best.  The longer season has clearly taken its toll on the Japanese right-hander.  He's 1-1, with an ERA of 5.68 in the playoffs.  Josh Fogg will get the start for the Rockies, he's 2-0 with an ERA of 1.14 in the playoffs.  Clearly in all factors, the Rockies have no excuse for losing this game tonight.  However, the Rockies are very familiar with streaks.  The Red Sox are 6-0 in their last six World Series games.  We have heard all too well in the race for the White House, that "experience matters".  If that's the case, the advantage is clearly Red Sox.  While I am definitely for the Red Sox, I'm hoping Colorado wins at least one game at home.  They have been a great story and their fans deserve it.  Especially since some of them have paid Super Bowl/Hannah Montana prices for their tickets.

Eastern Conference, BEWARE!  The Celtics are back!  Yes, I'm talking about the Boston Celtics.  The 16-Time Champions, who haven't won much since the Bird/McHale/Parrish era.  Not to mention, Danny Ainge was playing Guard for them.  These days, he's been the much-maligned General Manager for the team.  However, this off-season the Celtics brought in a couple of big names, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to help Paul Pierce and bring Boston Basketball back to the forefront in New England.  Well, if you missed it last night, Kevin Garnett had a Triple-Double with 21 Points, 13 Rebounds, and 10 Assists.  Former UConn standout Ray Allen felt right at home, as he poured-in 20 points, and Pierce added 12 points, as the Celtics routed last year's Eastern Conference Champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-89.  If these Celtics are able to stay healthy through the lengthy NBA season, they are going to be tough to deal with in the weaker Eastern Conference.  We'll see if the 'Irish Luck' is back in 'Bean Town'.  They certainly looked good last night.  The NBA season starts this coming Tuesday.

Bad news for Sacramento Kings fans (as if you know any other kind of news), Star Point-Guard Mike Bibby, tore a ligament in his thumb, and will be sidelined for approximately 10 weeks.  Not exactly the news you want to hear as the season is about to start, and you are about to start the season and you play in an already very tough Western Conference.  

It's Official, the San Diego Chargers and your Houston Texans will play at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday.  The devastating California Wildfires have had all of Southern California in a state of uncertainty.  Qualcomm Stadium had become a shelter for families who lost their homes or were evacuated due to the fires.  The Chargers had been practicing this week at Sun-Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona all week.  What concerns me is the Air Quality there in San Diego.  The Stadium might be ready to go.  However, how will the air quaiity outside be during the game?  If you remember a few years back, when Mexico had many wildfires, the smoke made it all the way up here to Houston and our air was much more polluted than usual.  Qualcomm is an open-air stadium.  The smoke will not clear by Sunday.  It's going to be extremely unhealthy for the players and fans.  I hope the Chargers organization and the city has plenty of oxygen on-hand for those who need it, because I think while their hearts were in the right place (to have the game at Qualcomm), their heads were not.  This game should have been moved to the Los Angeles area, played in Tempe, and I know it's not the most popular move, but maybe here to Texas.  If I were a Charger, I'd rather play in a place where it is easier to breathe clear air and not smoke, even if it is in front of a bunch of Texans fans. 

The New York Yankees have not found the man to replace Joe Torre yet, but have interviewed former Yank first baseman and Torre's Bench Coach, Don Mattingly.  They have also interviewed former 2006 NL Manager Of The Year and current FOX and Yankee Broadcaster Joe Girardi and Yankee Coach and 2003 AL Manager Of The Year, Tony Pena.  The Yankees have not made a decision.  However, most reports have Mattingly, the only one without Managerial experience as the front-runner.  There have been many reports that have Girardi linked with the Dodgers.  However, they still have Grady Little at the helm there and the Dodgers have 'no comment' on the situation.  While they shop for a new manager, they also are in discussions with Alex Rodriguez for an extension on his contract.  He has three years left on his 10-Year $252 Million Dollar Deal.  He's owed $24 Million for this season, however $21.5 Million is being paid by the Texas Rangers, who traded A-Rod to the Yanks three years ago.  A-Rod can opt out of his current deal, ten games after the World Series is over and become a Free Agent.  If he does, the Steinbrenner Family has said they will not negotiate any further with him or his agent, Scott Boras.  That's why the Yankees are working feverishly to get an extension done.  Also, the Yankees are trying to hold on to ace closer Mariano Rivera, Catcher Jorge Posada, and Right Fielder Bobby Abreu, amongst others who are Free Agents and can bolt from the Yankees when the Free Agent period begins after the World Series.  

The Breeders Cup weekend got underway yesterday, with the big race beginning today.  However, if you plan on betting, make sure you read the Racing Form on how the horses do in the mud.  The continuous rainfall in the New York City area,  has made the track extremely 'Sloppy'.  So keep that in mind while wagering.  And, being I just gave you that tip, I'll expect a small fee in return.  Here's the field for the $5,000,000 Breeder's Cup... 1-Lawyer Run, 2-Street Sense, 3-Any Given Saturday, 4-Curlin, 5-George Washington (IRE), 6-Awesome Gem, 7-Diamond Stripes, 8-Hard Spun, and 9-Tiago. 

And finally, there are some tremendous matchups in College Football today...

#1 Ohio State at #25 Penn State

#12 USC at #5 Oregon

#21 California at #4 Arizona State

#7 West Virginia at Rutgers

#9 Kansas at Texas A&M

#10 South Florida at #23 Connecticut

#11 Florida at #18 Georgia

#16 South Carolina at Tennessee

Let's see how many upsets we have today.  If you missed the #2 Boston College at #8 Virginia Tech game on Thursday (because you were watching the World Series), you missed an 'almost upset'.  BC was trailing almost the entire game.  With 2:11 left in the 4th Quarter, the Golden Eagles scored their first touchdown to make it 10-7 Hokies.  BC then went for the on-side kick, and got it.  Heisman candidate, QB-Matt Ryan, drove Boston College down the field and with :11 seconds left, on a 3rd Down and 20 yards to go play, threw a TD pass to put Boston College up and the extra point gave them a 14-10 win.  That means if THE Ohio State Buckeyes get upset today, that BC will probably take over that number one spot.  That's a big "If" though. 

It's the end of an era in The Bronx. Joe Torre, the beloved Manager of the most elite of sports franchises, The New York Yankees, has turned down an offer to remain as Manager for the 2008 season. The contract was for one year at the base salary of $5,000,000, plus $3,000,000 more in incentives, based on level of playoff successes. Personally, after all that he's been through, walking the tightrope the last few years, I think he'd had enough. The Yankees had not reached a World Series in the past four years. They had not won one in seven years. "The Boss" (George Steinbrenner) has had to "evaluate" Torre's status each year. And, in each of the past six years, Torre's job has reportedly been in jeopardy. However, no change was ever made. It was a happy Yankee family once again by Spring Training. Sure, some of Torre's coaches would exit, but Torre stuck around. Not this time though. I think Steinbrenner's statement before Game 3 of the ALDS against the Indians, saying that if the Yankees did not win, Torre would be out. The Yankees did win that game, but they lost the series in four games. I think Torre made his mind up then, but was going to listen to what the Yankees decision was in the off-season, before he made his own. When they only offered him a one-year deal, Torre told them "no". He had enough.

After the Yankees lost Game 4 of the ALDS, Torre said in his post-game press conference, that if it was indeed his last game with the Yankees, that he was not ready to fade off into the sunset yet. He still wanted to manage. So, it will be interesting to see where he might wind up. Even if he has a change of heart, and never manages again, his Hall-Of-Fame resume speaks for itself. He managed the Yankees for 12 years. All 12 years, they made the playoffs. They won 10 AL East Titles, 6 AL Pennants, 4 World Series Titles, 2 Manager Of The Year Awards. He was 1173-767 during his Yankee tenure. And, he is 8th on the All-Time Victories list among managers. An incredible run and in any other organization, he probably would have been given a lifetime contract and keys to the city. However, as former Yankee Broadcaster Charlie Steiner once said, (paraphrasing) it's only a happy time when the Yankees are winning World Series. If you don't accomplish that, it is a bad season. It's that kind of mentality that makes me hate the Yankees with a passion. But as much as I hate the Yankees, I have always liked and had a great deal of respect for Torre. During his time as Yankee Skipper, not only did he survive the wrath of Steinbrenner, but he survived Prostrate Cancer. His brother Rocco died. And, his brother Frank survived Heart Transplant Surgery. It's pretty remarkable that he went through all of that, and had to deal with the everyday pressure of managing the Yankees. It will be some big shoes to fill for whoever takes the job next. As I said in a previous post, this is what I thought Joe should do. He deserves better than having to twist-in-the-wind for his job everytime his team doesn't win the World Series. Congratulations Joe on a great Yankee career. I hated to see all of those 1173 wins, but I sure respect you a great deal, and a whole lot more after today.

Just when you thought this crazy football season, could not get any wilder, it did.  I can't remember the last time I saw the Number One and Two teams fall on the same day, but that's exactly what has happened today.  First, the 17th Ranked Kentucky Wildcats, yes the school more known for Hoops, than BCS bids, upset the Number 1 Ranked, LSU Tigers 43-37 at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington.  I guess they got a little of that Midnight Madness magic from the Arena next door.   Then, the Oregon State Beavers went into Berkeley Stadium and upset the California Golden Bears 31-28.  So, once again you will see a new Top 5 and a new number one, and Michigan fans might want to turn their head away from the computer screen, but it will probably be the Ohio State Buckeyes.  Who up to this point, really haven't played anyone.  But, the futility of some of these others like LSU and USC might propel the Buckeyes into that top position when the new Top 25 comes out tomorrow.  

If you wanted more drama in football, then this is definitely your year, because I can't remember seeing anything like this.  Each week brings us new excitement.  And, the fact that schools like Kentucky, not known for its football prowess and South Florida, who just keeps winning are really turning some serious heads amongst the College Football Insiders.  I cannot wait to see what happens next week!  

Boomer Sooner shines bright as OU was shakier than I thought they would be.  I thought for sure they'd take Texas to the woodshed, but it was definitely a close, winnable game for the 'Horns.  They just could not contain Sam Bradford, who recovered nicely from his horrible game in Colorado the week prior.  All that matters, is OU has righted the ship and stopped the bleeding from the past two years. 

Travis Johnson was right that it was a low hit by Trent Green.  However, his actions following the hit, by taunting an unconscious Green were inexcusable and if I'm Gary Kubiak, he's sitting out a game.  No matter what, you have to keep a cool head on the field.  And, especially if you see the player is hurt.  Not to mention, his remarks after the game.  I know he apologized, but sometimes there has to be some punishment in that kind of situation, so the player knows he overstepped his bounds and his actions won't be tolerated.

No matter what happens, Buffalo just cannot beat Dallas.  They played each other in the Super Bowl in 1992 & 1993, and the Cowboys beat them in both games.  Then, not too many years later, I can't remember the year.  They faced each other in the Stanley Cup Finals... the Dallas Stars beat the Buffalo Sabres on a controversial goal by Brett Hull, in which the phrase "No Goal" has become many Sabres fans' kids first words.  Then, this past Monday Night, Buffalo took advantage of six Tony Romo turnovers, to build a big lead against the Cowboys, only to see Tony Romo throw a touchdown pass with :20 seconds, then go for the two-point play.  They missed.  Go for the on-side kick, they recovered and Romo again drove the ball down close enough and efficiently left :02 sec left on the clock.  The score is 24-22 Buffalo.  The Cowboys llned up for a 53 yard field goal, and they made it.  However, Buffalo called time out right before he kicked it.  No problem, the Cowboys again lined up for the 53 yarder and once again, it was good.  Final Score, 25-24 Cowboys.  Again, Buffalo denied against Dallas.  And, it sets up a battle of the unbeatens at Texas Stadium next week... New England and Dallas.  A game that will separate the Men from the Cowboys.  So-to-Speak.

Marion Jones' steroid confession was a long time coming, but the true tragedy to the story is that a couple of the medals that she had to give up were Gold and Silver Medals for Relay races.  That means the other girls involved with those Relay races will have to give up their Gold and Silver Medals, too.  I just wonder how many of those girls knew that Jones was juicing?!  If they were ignorant to the situation, it is truly a tragedy.  If they did indeed know, it will cast an even darker shadow over the US Track & Field teams. 

Joe Torre shouldn't wait for the Yankees to "fire him" (technically he's fulfilled his contract, they just would not offer him a new one).  I would tell them I'm not coming back.  All they do every year, in which they don't win the World Series, is dangle off a pier until they finally come to their senses and say they're going to keep him.  What does Joe have left to prove?!  He's been the Yankees manager for 12 years.  In those 12 years, he's made the playoffs 12 years in a row.  They have four World Series Titles and Six American League Pennants.  Any other team would be happy with that.  Not the Yankees or their fans, and this why I hate them.  Anything besides a World Series Win is a bad season.  That's why broadcaster Charlie Steiner left the Yankees Radio Booth for the Dodgers.  He got tired of that mentality.   Let's see how the Yankees do without him.  Let's see how many of their many Free Agents, including A-Rod, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada will stick around if Joe isn't there?! 

Roger Clemens, please retire.  Not because I can't stand you.  But your body is trying to tell you that it is time to hang it up.  It was trying to tell you that at the end of last season, when you had the leg problems with the Astros.  Your ego and your friends talked you into this season you'd like to forget, instead of going out at the top of your game with your incredible '06 season with the Astros.  Supposedly your hometown team.  I guess karma really does exist, because it bit you on the backside pretty hard.  

This is truly shaping up to be one of the greatest College Football Seasons ever.  Every Saturday seems to be an "Upset Saturday".  Imagine the AP Polls, had LSU and USC both lost.  It almost happened.  Not to mention, South Florida being in the Top 5!  Who'dathunkit?! 

It is time for the Championship Series in Major League Baseball, and once again, the New York Yankees are on the outside looking in.  All that money and all that talent, and still no World Series for one Alex Rodriguez.  He's been in New York for three years, and yet he's has not drank the tastiest of all champagnes.  And, it is uncertain whether he or many other of his Yankee teammates will be wearing the Pinstripes next season.  But, enough of those not-so-ready for Primetime Performers.  It is on to the four teams left.  In the National League, both teams swept the opponents.  The Wild Card winning Rockies continued their hot streak, as they took down the NL East Winning Phillies, in three games.  And, the NL West Winning Diamondbacks made quick work of the NL Central Winning Cubs, as they beat Chicago in three straight, and extended the Cubs streak of no World Series titles in 99 years.  Next year will be the 100th Anniversary of the last time the Chicago Cubs won a World Series.  So, it will be Arizona hosting Colorado in Games 1, 2, 6, & 7 (6 & 7 if Necessary), with Games 3, 4, & 5 (if Necessary) in Denver.  Will the Rockies hot streak continue with almost a week off between games or will Arizona reach their second World Series in six years?  

In The Junior Circuit, the AL East Winning Boston Red Sox made quick work of the AL West Winning Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, by outslugging them and outpitching them in three straight games.  They will host the AL Central Winning Cleveland Indians, who knocked out the forementioned Wild Card WInning New York Yankees, 3 games to 1.  Boston will host Games 1, 2, 6, & 7 (6 & 7 if Necessary) and Cleveland will host the middle three games, Game 5 if necessary.  

Unlike the last few years, Fox 26 will only be carrying the ALCS, which will start on Friday at 6pm.  The NLCS will be carried by TBS, who carried the entire Division Series and the entire World Series can be seen on Fox 26 as well.  The NLCS will get underway tomorrow (Thursday) night at 7pm.  Arizona will pitch their ace, Brandon Webb against Colorado's Jeff Francis.  In the ALCS, you'll see Spring's own Josh Beckett pitching for the BoSox, as The Tribe will send out their ace, CC Sabathia.  Will the Red Sox win their second title in four years?  Or Will Cleveland break their city's long five decade drought of not winning a title?  How about the Rockies?!  Will they win their first ever World Series Trophy?  Or will the Phoenix Rise and bring the Trophy back to the desert sands of Arizona?!  

My Dad's a lifelong Red Sox fan, so I'm pulling for the Sox to go all the way.  However, if they can't do it, I gotta jump on the Rockies bandwagon.  It's just such a great story.  Anyway you slice it, it's October and it's when Baseball is at it's absolute best!  Here's hoping for some real drama! 

Welcome back Manny!   If you missed Game 2 of the Red Sox/Angels, you missed a dandy finish.  Tied at 3, in the Bottom of the 9th Inning at Fenway Park, Angels closer Frankie Rodriguez is on the mound.  A single by former Astro Julio Lugo leads off the inning, after a sacrifice moves him to 2nd, Kevin Youklis strikes out.  With two outs, and the winning run on 2nd Base, Angels Manager Mike Scioscia is not about to pitch to 'Big Papi', David Ortiz.  So, an intentional walk is issued to the Red Sox MVP.  Up comes Manny Ramirez.  The very good, but very often criticized Ramirez has always been Mr. Clutch when it comes to hitting.  However, he suffered an oblique injury late in the season, which kept him out of the Red Sox lineup down the stretch.  His absent bat prevented David Ortiz from getting the much needed protection that he needed.  Mike Lowell's had a nice season for the BoSox, but he's hardly Manny.  Since Manny's return to the lineup, he hasn't exactly been his old self.  However, just like Frampton, tonight Manny Came Alive.  F-Rod grooved a fast ball down the middle of the plate, and Manny knocked it over the Green Monstah, for a three run homer to win the game for the Red Sox and give Boston a 2-0 series lead with one more to win to advance to the ALCS.  The series shifts to the left coast now, as Curt Schilling will try to nail it down for the Sox.

That wasn't all that made the Red Sox fans cheer with glee.  Around the 2nd Inning in last night's game, the scoreboard on the Monstah, was updated... Final Score Cleveland 2, NY Yankees 1.  A masterful outing by Deer Park's own and former Astro Andy Petitite was wasted by Jaba Chamberlain who had issues with the swarm of gnats, who made their way into Jacobs Field off of their breeding ground of Lake Erie, thanks to the warmer-than-normal Fall Evening.  A couple of wild pitches and a hit batsman and all the sudden the game is tied.  Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona was even more brilliant than Petitite.  He pitched nine strong innings, and between him and the Indians Bullpen, they allowed only three hits by the Yankees potent lineup.  The Indians had many chances to break the game wide open, but could not seem to get the big hit.  Until Travis Hafner singled in the 11th inning with the bases loaded, to win the game for Tribe.  So, now the series shifts to Yankee Stadium, where Steinbrenner is hoping for more than he got in his hometown.  His team needs a win to survive.  The Indians need one more victory to advance to the ALCS, for the first time in ten years.  And, all of us Yankees haters need not be reminded that the Yankees have been in this position before.  A few years back, the Oakland A's won the first two games at Yankee Stadium, only to see the Yankees go out to Oakland and win two games and come back home and win won to advance to the ALCS.  So, the Yankees aren't dead until the last out.  So, we will hold off on all celebrations.  Another former Astro and 350+ game winner Roger Clemens will try to stop the bleeding for the Bronx Bombers.  Will the old man have enough gas in the tank to keep the Yanks in the playoffs and avoid another early finish for the team with the highest payroll. 

Rocky Mountain High, Colorado is the place to be today.  As the Rockies will try to get one more win to advance to the NLCS for the first time in their brief history.  If I remember right, I was at the Sports Book at Caesar's Palace in Vegas back in January.  And, I believe the Rockies were about a 500-1 shot to win the World Series.  If you have one of those tickets, I'll be glad to trade you with my Mets ticket, it has 6-1 odds.  The Rockies will try to knock off the Phillies this evening.  If they do that, they will have won 17 out of 18 games.  Anyway you slice it, it is one of the most incredible winning streaks in Baseball History.  How can you not pull for the Rockies?!  They are one of the most exciting stories in Sports right now!

Cubbies fans are feeling that feeling right about now.  That feeling that they will see a goat walking through Wrigley Field.  Or a black cat to run in front of the Cubs dugout.  Or visions of Bartman reaching his glove over Moises Alou's to cause a catchable ball not to be caught, and allow an on slaught of Marlins runs and another wasted year by the loveable losers from the Northside of the Windy City.  What can go wrong next?  Well, if they lose one more game, that's what will go wrong.  Their season will be over.  No goats, cats, or missed foul balls about it.  They are back in the friendly confines of Wrigleyville, but they have been overmatched by a very focused group of youngsters known as the Arizona Diamondbacks.  The D-Backs can secure their second NLCS appearance with one more win today on Addison Street in Chi-town.  

Kind of interesting that all the teams either have a 2-0 lead or an 0-2 deficit.  Also, last night's two walk off wins were very exciting, after a very uninteresting Friday Night of one-sided victories.  The American League Series takes a hiatus for travel on Saturday and the National League will take centerstage.  We'll see if we have one, two, or no teams advancing to the NLCS. 

In the words of the late Jack Buck, in calling Kirk Gibson's dramatic walk off home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, against the Oakland Athletics... "I Don't Believe What I Just Saw!  I Don't Believe What I Just Saw!"  I can't remember when I've seen a weekend of College Football with so many dramatic upsets in one weekend.  Here is the rundown of all of the upsets... 

Unranked Auburn went into "The Swamp" and beat the #4 ranked Florida Gators 20-17.  

The Colorado Buffaloes, on their Homecoming, rallied from a 24-7 deficit to beat the #3 ranked Oklahoma Sooners 27-24, with a Field Goal as time expired.

My favorite, as I have been mentioning, the Texas Longhorns have been extremely lucky and belong nowhere near the Top 10.  That was confirmed earlier in the day, as once again the Kansas State Wildcats beat them for the second year in a row.  This one was even more convincing, because this time, they beat the Longhorns by 20 points, 41-21 at Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin.  Colt McCoy had a rough day, suffering a first half injury and four interceptions.     Both OU and Texas suffering losses before they matchup next week in the Red River Shootout in Dallas. 

The Maryland Terrapins knocked off #10 Rutgers in New Jersey by a score of 34-24.  Giving Rutgers their first loss on the season.

Chan Gailey's Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defeated the #13 Clemson Tigers 13-3.

The #22 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions were upset last week at "The Big House" in Michigan.  Well, they lost another key Big Ten matchup, as they lost to the Fighting Illini of Illinois, in Champaign 27-20.  That drops them to 0-2 in conference play.

Florida State may not be the National Championship contenders that they were a few years back, but they still can get it done.  For the first time in 33 years, they faced the #22 Alabama Crimson Tide.  FSU Coach Bobby Bowden was once an Alabama Quarterback and it was always his dream to coach The Tide.  However, it never happened.  A couple of years ago, Bowden passed former 'Bama Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant as the winningest coach in College Football History.  Bowden's defense kept Alabama in check for most of the game and FSU was able to take advantage of a weary Tide Defense to prevail 21-14 in Tallahassee. 

And, look out for South Florida.  "Who?"  Yes, South Florida is making a habit of knocking off ranked teams, and have climbed to #18 in the most recent polls.  Look for them to keep climbing as they came away with a 21-13 win over #5 West Virginia Friday Night. 

And, there was almost one more.  #1 USC barely hung on for a 27-24 victory against the Washington Huskies.  So, that makes FIVE Top Ten teams going down this weekend.  I'd like to be in the room when they try to figure out the Top 25 this week.  It is going to be quite a chore.  If you ask me, there is a clear #1, and it is LSU.  There is no one else that comes close to what they've done defensively this season.  They are averaging giving up only SIX points a game.  Not to mention, the offense is nothing to sneeze at.  Every other team has shown signs of weaknesses.  I have yet to see it with LSU.  Next week they will face Florida, so the competition looks a little stiffer.  However, after Florida was upset tonight, things look a little easier for the Bayou Bengals. 

GO SOONERS NEXT WEEK!  Red River Shootout at the Cotton Bowl.  As T.O. would say, "Get Your Popcorn Ready."

I'll be the first one to admit, I haven't been thrilled with the baseball season this year, despite my Mets being in first place for most of the season.  Somehow with the Astros dismal season, and other sports events transpiring, like my Spurs winning the NBA Championship, I just haven't paid much attention to baseball this year.  However, despite the Astros woes, there are some great pennant races going on.  With this being the last week of the season, there is still a lot up for grabs.

Cleveland has won the American League Central and the Los Angeles Angels have won the American League West.  That is the only thing that has been determined to this point.  The Boston Red Sox have secured a playoff spot.  However, they are only up three games on the Yankees in the AL East.  Their magic number to clinch the East is three games.  Any combination of three Red Sox wins or three Yankees losses will secure the division for Beantown.  The Yankees can clinch a playoff spot with their next win or a Detroit Tigers loss.  They currently lead the Tigers in the AL Wild Card by 4.5 games.  They have at least clinched a tie in the WIld Card. 

The National League is WIDE OPEN.  The forementioned Mets have done everything to give away their NL East stranglehold this year.  A few weeks ago, the Mets looked like they were in cruise control, up 7.5 games on the Phillies.  However, they got swept, not once, but twice by Philadelphia and they continue to lose to teams like Florida and Washington, who have never been in the playoff hunt this season.  The Mets NL East lead has dwindled to 2 games over Philadelphia.  Their Magic Number to clinch the East shrunk to 4 tonight, as Philly lost.  However, given the Mets record the last two months, it will probably be a quick finish in the playoffs for the Mets, as they have really struggled of late.  The pitching, both starting and bullpen has been atrocious and they are going to have a lot of work to do this offseason to address that problem.  The Cubs magic number also remains at 4, after they got beat by Florida tonight and Milwaukee beat St. Louis.  The Cubs are 2 games up on the Brewers.  We shall see if this is the year the Cubs will break the 'Goat, Black Cat, & Bartman' curses, or if they will add a new one to the mix.  The NL West and Wild Card Races are some of the best we've ever seen.  Currently, the Arizona Diamondbacks lead the NL West by 2 games over San Diego, and 3 games over Colorado.  Both the Padres and Rockies won tonight and the D'Backs lost.  Arizona's magic number is also 4, to clinch the West crown.  It is a four team race in the Wild Card, with the Padres win tonight, they vaulted back into the lead by one game over the Rockies, who beat the Dodgers and the Phillies, who lost to the Braves.  Those Braves are the fourth team in the mix, as they have been red-hot and pulled within three games of the Wild Card lead. 

Colorado is probably the most surprising team in the entire playoff mix.  No one expected the Rockies, with this team of youngsters and relatively no superstars to be in the hunt.  However, the Rockies are 85-72 and have won nine games in a row.  If you remember last year, the St. Louis Cardinals weren't the best team in the league.  They only won 83 games in the regular season.  However, they were the hottest team going into the playoffs.  Right now, that would be the Rockies.  Now, am I saying that they are going all the way, not yet, but don't underestimate this young, scrappy team.  Manager Clint Hurdle will definitely get some votes for Manager Of The Year.  Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki should easily win Rookie of the Year and Outfielder Matt Holiday should get some MVP votes.  I guess the ball humidor is working there as well, because the Rockies pitching has not been bad at all, especially their bullpen.   If they don't quite make it this year, watch out for the Rockies as they will be a force to be reckoned with over the next few seasons.

So, get ready for an incredible last week of the season, it will probably be a photo finish with a lot of smiles, sighs, and even some tears. 

Three weeks into the college season, and the drama is starting to play out. Can you believe teams like Auburn, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Michigan, Louisville, Arkansas, UCLA... all not ranked!

I know I say this a lot, and my hatred for the school shines proudly, but for Texas to stay in the Top 10, after the three games they have played... surviving Arkansas State in the first week. Then, having a horrible first half against TCU, and now only beating Central Florida by three this week. This is NOT a Top 10 team, even if I liked the Longhorns, I would say this is not a Top 10 team. They play an 0-3 Rice team this week, in which they should be able to pitch a shut out against in Austin.

To elaborate on my 'can you believe' comment above, Alabama, Kentucky, and South Carolina have pushed out Auburn, Tennessee, and if Georgia loses to 'Bama this weekend, in Tuscaloosa, they will find themselves on the outside looking in, as far as the elite SEC teams go. Who would have thought that the Basketball Powerhouse Kentucky Wildcats would be ranked, especially in the extra tough SEC?! And, Steve Spurrier's South Carolina Game Cocks get their next huge test, as they will travel to the Bayou to take on #2 LSU this weekend. Somehow, I see the Game Cocks dropping a few notches next week. And, Kentucky will face Arkansas, who went from #16 to not ranked. I thought that was a pretty big drop for a team that only lost by three points on the road. The game is in Arkansas, so I think the Razorbacks will find their way back into the Top 25 next week.

Does Michigan have ANY road games this year?! The 1-2 Wolverines won the Futility Bowl last week against Notre Dame. However, the Nitany Lions of Penn State will invade "The Big House" this weekend, and well, they're 3-0 and have looked pretty good so far. Somehow, I see another long day for the 112,000 faithful in Ann Arbor on Saturday. How in the world did Notre Dame go from being so good the last couple of seasons, to being one of the worst football teams in College Football?! Charlie Weis better be careful or it will be "No More Mr. Weis Guy" in South Bend.

A&M gets its first true test this Thursday night, as they will head down to the Orange Bowl to take on the Miami Hurricanes. While the 'Canes have seen better times, they are still a tough team to play at home. We shall see if they will remain in the Top 25 next week.

Houston area teams kind of off to a rough start. I mentioned 0-3 Rice. U of H, is 1-1 so far. Texas Southern is also 0-3. And, Prairie View has the best record so far at 2-1, but they only managed a 4th Quarter safety against Southern. So, let's hope that they will get things turned around.