What a weekend of college football we just had! All of the top 4 teams were tested. And all survived. Alabama scored in the final minute to outlast LSU in their annual battle. Oregon gave up 51 points, but put up 62 of their own and moved up to #3 in this week's BCS Standings. K-State stayed put at #2 by taking care of business against Oklahoma State. The biggest threat of all came in South Bend where the Fighting Irish staved off the Pitt Panthers with a triple OT thriller. All 4 teams remain undefeated, and all 4 teams remain in the thick of a national championship chase. Alabama and K-State are the top 2 in the BCS this week. Oregon and Notre Dame flip flopped again. A lot can and will change over the next month. The Ringer Poll is what we use here though, and I have Oregon as the #2 team. This is where your favorite team would likely be headed if the Ringer Poll is what determined the BCS and bowl games were to be set today. (Rankings are based on current Ringer Poll)
December 15
New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - Arizona St. vs. San Diego St.
Famous Idaho Potato (Boise, ID) - 19 Louisiana Tech vs. Northern Illinois
December 20
Poinsettia (San Diego, CA) - Nevada vs. BYU
December 21
Beef O'Brady's (St. Petersburg, FL) - Baylor vs. Bowling Green
December 22
New Orleans (New Orleans, LA) - UL-Lafayette vs. San Jose St.
Maaco (Las Vegas, NV) - 21 USC vs. Boise St.
December 24
Hawaii (Honolulu, HI) - Fresno St. vs. East Carolina
December 26
Little Caesar's Pizza (Detroit, MI) - 24 Toledo vs. UL-Monroe
December 27
Military (Washington, DC) - Ball St. vs. Middle Tennessee
Belk (Charlotte, NC) - Wake Forest vs. Cincinnati
Holiday (San Diego, CA) - 18 UCLA vs. TCU
December 28
Independence (Shreveport, LA) - Arkansas vs. Georgia Tech
Russell Athletic (Orlando, FL) - 20 Rutgers vs. Miami
Meineke Car Care (Houston, TX) - West Virginia vs. Michigan St.
December 29
Armed Forces (Dallas, TX) - Air Force vs. SMU
Pinstripe (Bronx, NY) - Oklahoma St. vs. Utah St.
Kraft Fight Hunger (San Francisco, CA) - Arizona vs. Navy
Alamo (San Antonio, TX) - 15 Stanford vs. 16 Texas
Buffalo Wild Wings (Tempe, AZ) - 23 Texas Tech vs. Minnesota
December 31
Music City (Nashville, TN) - Virginia Tech vs. Ole Miss
Sun (El Paso, TX) - Duke vs. Washington
Liberty (Memphis, TN) - UCF vs. Vanderbilt
Chick Fil A (Atlanta, GA) - 22 Mississippi St. vs. NC State
January 1
Heart of Dallas (Dallas, TX) - Tulsa vs. Western Kentucky
Gator (Jacksonville, FL) - 14 Texas A&M vs. Wisconsin
Outback (Tampa, FL) - 12 South Carolina vs. Michigan
Capital One (Orlando, FL) - 6 Florida vs. 25 Northwestern
January 4
Cotton (Arlington, TX) - 11 LSU vs. 13 Oklahoma
January 5
BBVA Compass (Birmingham, AL) - Iowa St. vs. Ohio
January 6
Godaddy.com (Mobile, AL) - Kent St. vs. Arkansas St.
BCS Bowls
January 1
Rose (Pasadena, CA) - 10 Oregon St. vs. 17 Nebraska
Orange (Miami, FL) - 7 Florida St. vs. 9 Louisville
January 2
Sugar (New Orleans, LA) - 5 Georgia vs. 8 Clemson
January 3
Fiesta (Glendale, AZ) - 3 Kansas St. vs. 4 Notre Dame
January 7
BCS National Championship (Miami, FL) - 1 Alabama vs. 2 Oregon
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
NCAA Football - Week 7 Ringer Poll
1. Alabama (5-0)
2. Oregon (6-0)
3. South Carolina (6-0)
4. West Virginia (5-0)
5. Notre Dame (5-0)
6. Kansas St. (5-0)
7. Florida (5-0)
8. USC (4-1)
9. LSU (5-1)
10. Oklahoma (3-1)
11. Georgia (5-1)
12. Florida St. (5-1)
13. Clemson (5-1)
14. Oregon St. (4-0)
15. Texas (4-1)
16. Louisville (5-0)
17. Mississippi St. (5-0)
18. Stanford (4-1)
19. Cincinnati (4-0)
20. TCU (4-1)
21. Boise St. (4-1)
22. Michigan (3-2)
23. Rutgers (5-0)
24. Louisiana Tech (5-0)
25. Texas A&M (4-1)
Michigan St. (4-2)
Baylor (3-1)
Iowa St. (4-1)
Nebraska (4-2)
Ohio (6-0)
Arizona St. (4-1)
Northwestern (5-1)
NC State (4-2)
UCLA (4-2)
Tulsa (5-1)
2. Oregon (6-0)
3. South Carolina (6-0)
4. West Virginia (5-0)
5. Notre Dame (5-0)
6. Kansas St. (5-0)
7. Florida (5-0)
8. USC (4-1)
9. LSU (5-1)
10. Oklahoma (3-1)
11. Georgia (5-1)
12. Florida St. (5-1)
13. Clemson (5-1)
14. Oregon St. (4-0)
15. Texas (4-1)
16. Louisville (5-0)
17. Mississippi St. (5-0)
18. Stanford (4-1)
19. Cincinnati (4-0)
20. TCU (4-1)
21. Boise St. (4-1)
22. Michigan (3-2)
23. Rutgers (5-0)
24. Louisiana Tech (5-0)
25. Texas A&M (4-1)
Michigan St. (4-2)
Baylor (3-1)
Iowa St. (4-1)
Nebraska (4-2)
Ohio (6-0)
Arizona St. (4-1)
Northwestern (5-1)
NC State (4-2)
UCLA (4-2)
Tulsa (5-1)
Saturday, October 6, 2012
2012 MLB Playoffs - Division Series Predictions
The implementation of the one-game 'Wild Card" proved to be wild alright. A controversial call on the infield fly rule contributed to ending the Braves season and Chipper Jones' career. The defending World Series champion, Cardinals survived and will now face off with the Nationals. In the AL, Texas' bid for 3 straight AL pennants came to a screeching halt as the darling Orioles continued their miraculous season and will now play the Yankees. I picked both of those games wrong. Hopefully I will fare better in the Division Series. Here is how I expect this round of the 2012 MLB Playoffs to play out.
ALDS
Baltimore (93-69) vs. NY Yankees (95-67)
Season series tied 9-9
Baltimore Season Stats
BA - .247
RPG - 4.39
ERA - 3.90
NY Yankees
BA - .265
RPG - 4.96
ERA - 3.85
I cannot believe what the Orioles continue to do. They battled the Yankees for the division crown all the way until the last day and now they have disposed of the 2-time defending AL champion, Rangers in the sudden death Wild Card. Can they do it again? I don't think so. The Yankees have too much firepower in their lineup, and actually may have a better pitching staff. The Yanks will want to get out to leads though. If there's a close game, the Orioles are likely to pull it out as they went 16-2 in extra inning games this year. Ultimately, I like the Yankees to impose their will and make quick work of the O's.
Prediction - NY Yankees over Baltimore 3-0
Detroit (88-74) vs. Oakland (94-68)
Tigers won season series 4-3
Detroit Season Stats
BA - .268
RPG - 4.48
ERA - 3.75
Oakland Season Stats
BA - .238
RPG - 4.40
ERA - 3.48
Much like the Orioles, it is hard for me to fathom the A's being in this position. I had Oakland and Baltimore as 2 of the worst teams in the AL coming into the season. Now they could realistically play each other in the ALCS. The A's have ridden some talented young arms and timely hitting to the AL West title and a spot in the postseason. The Tigers still have the best pitcher in baseball and a loaded lineup lead by Miguel Cabrera who won the 1st Triple Crown since 1967 this year. The A's will battle, but will fall sort against a more talented Detroit squad.
Prediction - Detroit over Oakland 3-2
NLDS
St. Louis (88-74) vs. Washington (98-64)
Nationals won season series 4-3
St. Louis Season Stats
BA - .271
RPG - 4.72
ERA - 3.71
Washington Season Stats
BA - .261
RPG - 4.51
ERA - 3.33
The Washington Nationals are bringing postseason baseball to the nation's capital for the 1st time in 70 years. They must beat the defending champs to advance. The Nats produced the best record in baseball during the regular season, lead by the best pitching staff in the bigs. Stephen Strasburg has been shut down though, leaving Gio Gonzalez as their ace. This series will be a telling sign of how much experience matters. Unfortunately for the Nats fans, I think it does matter.
Prediction - St. Louis over Washington 3-2
San Francisco (94-68) vs. Cincinnati (97-65)
Reds won season series 4-3
San Francisco Season Stats
BA - .269
RPG - 4.43
ERA - 3.68
Cincinnati Season Stats
BA - .251
RPG - 4.12
ERA - 3.34
The Giants are known for their arms with 5 starting pitchers capable of being part of any rotation. Many don't realize that they have one of the better offenses in the NL to go with it. Buster Posey is a bona fide MVP candidate at Catcher. The Reds have a great pitching staff of their own and some pop in their lineup. Cincy's staff is lead by Cy Young candidate, Johnny Cueto and their lineup is boosted by the power of Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. This is probably the most evenly matched series this round. I like the Giants by the slimmest of margins.
Prediction - San Francisco over Cincinnati 3-2
ALCS Prediction
Detroit over NY Yankees 4-2
NLCS Prediction
San Francisco over St. Louis 4-1
World Series Prediction
San Francisco over Detroit 4-3
I had the Phillies and the Angels in the World Series before the season began. Neither of those teams made the playoffs. The teams I had them beating in their respective Championship Series' were the Giants and Tigers. I'm sticking with San Francisco and Detroit. I think both of these teams have the makeup of teams built to succeed in October. I like the way the Giants have played down the stretch and I believe they will win their 2nd World Series in 3 years.
ALDS
Baltimore (93-69) vs. NY Yankees (95-67)
Season series tied 9-9
Baltimore Season Stats
BA - .247
RPG - 4.39
ERA - 3.90
NY Yankees
BA - .265
RPG - 4.96
ERA - 3.85
I cannot believe what the Orioles continue to do. They battled the Yankees for the division crown all the way until the last day and now they have disposed of the 2-time defending AL champion, Rangers in the sudden death Wild Card. Can they do it again? I don't think so. The Yankees have too much firepower in their lineup, and actually may have a better pitching staff. The Yanks will want to get out to leads though. If there's a close game, the Orioles are likely to pull it out as they went 16-2 in extra inning games this year. Ultimately, I like the Yankees to impose their will and make quick work of the O's.
Prediction - NY Yankees over Baltimore 3-0
Detroit (88-74) vs. Oakland (94-68)
Tigers won season series 4-3
Detroit Season Stats
BA - .268
RPG - 4.48
ERA - 3.75
Oakland Season Stats
BA - .238
RPG - 4.40
ERA - 3.48
Much like the Orioles, it is hard for me to fathom the A's being in this position. I had Oakland and Baltimore as 2 of the worst teams in the AL coming into the season. Now they could realistically play each other in the ALCS. The A's have ridden some talented young arms and timely hitting to the AL West title and a spot in the postseason. The Tigers still have the best pitcher in baseball and a loaded lineup lead by Miguel Cabrera who won the 1st Triple Crown since 1967 this year. The A's will battle, but will fall sort against a more talented Detroit squad.
Prediction - Detroit over Oakland 3-2
NLDS
St. Louis (88-74) vs. Washington (98-64)
Nationals won season series 4-3
St. Louis Season Stats
BA - .271
RPG - 4.72
ERA - 3.71
Washington Season Stats
BA - .261
RPG - 4.51
ERA - 3.33
The Washington Nationals are bringing postseason baseball to the nation's capital for the 1st time in 70 years. They must beat the defending champs to advance. The Nats produced the best record in baseball during the regular season, lead by the best pitching staff in the bigs. Stephen Strasburg has been shut down though, leaving Gio Gonzalez as their ace. This series will be a telling sign of how much experience matters. Unfortunately for the Nats fans, I think it does matter.
Prediction - St. Louis over Washington 3-2
San Francisco (94-68) vs. Cincinnati (97-65)
Reds won season series 4-3
San Francisco Season Stats
BA - .269
RPG - 4.43
ERA - 3.68
Cincinnati Season Stats
BA - .251
RPG - 4.12
ERA - 3.34
The Giants are known for their arms with 5 starting pitchers capable of being part of any rotation. Many don't realize that they have one of the better offenses in the NL to go with it. Buster Posey is a bona fide MVP candidate at Catcher. The Reds have a great pitching staff of their own and some pop in their lineup. Cincy's staff is lead by Cy Young candidate, Johnny Cueto and their lineup is boosted by the power of Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. This is probably the most evenly matched series this round. I like the Giants by the slimmest of margins.
Prediction - San Francisco over Cincinnati 3-2
ALCS Prediction
Detroit over NY Yankees 4-2
NLCS Prediction
San Francisco over St. Louis 4-1
World Series Prediction
San Francisco over Detroit 4-3
I had the Phillies and the Angels in the World Series before the season began. Neither of those teams made the playoffs. The teams I had them beating in their respective Championship Series' were the Giants and Tigers. I'm sticking with San Francisco and Detroit. I think both of these teams have the makeup of teams built to succeed in October. I like the way the Giants have played down the stretch and I believe they will win their 2nd World Series in 3 years.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
2012 MLB Playoffs - Wild Card Predictions
The inaugural "Wild Card" games will be played tomorrow in a winner-take-all format. 1 game will decide who gets to move on to the AL and NL Division Series' respectively. We will end the night in the American League where Texas faces elimination early in their quest to win a 3rd consecutive AL pennant. The Rangers host the surprising Baltimore Orioles. The O's are making their 1st postseason appearance in 15 years. The winner will get a date with the New York Yankees. The day gets started in the NL where the defending World Series champ, Saint Louis Cardinals, play in Atlanta against the Braves. The winner will face the Washington Nationals. Both of 2011's World Series participants could be out on the 1st night of the postseason. This is the type of drama Bud Selig envisioned when deciding to go to this format. Let's play ball! Here is a look at who I expect to advance to play this weekend.
NL Wild Card
St. Louis (88-74) at Atlanta (94-68)
Braves won season series 5-1
St. Louis Season Stats
BA - .271
RPG - 4.72
ERA - 3.71
Atlanta Season Stats
BA - .247
RPG - 4.32
ERA - 3.42
This should be a hell of a pitching match between Kyle Lohse and Kris Medlen. The plain and simple though is that Atlanta doesn't lose when Medlen is on the mound. Give me the Braves to advance, meaning their will be a new World Series champ in 2012.
Prediction - Atlanta over St. Louis
AL Wild Card
Baltimore (93-69) at Texas (93-69)
Rangers won season series 5-2
Baltimore Season Stats
BA - .247
RPG - 4.39
ERA - 3.90
Texas Season Stats
BA - .273
RPG - 4.98
ERA - 3.99
This game is must see. Baltimore shocked everyone in the baseball world by making the playoffs for the 1st time since 1997. Texas has lost the last 2 World Series and now must survive an elimination game right out of the gate to have a chance to make it back to the Fall Classic. Everyone loves the O's, but the Rangers will dispose of them quickly. There's too much experience in the Texas clubhouse for me to think they lose this game.
Prediction - Texas over Baltimore
NL Wild Card
St. Louis (88-74) at Atlanta (94-68)
Braves won season series 5-1
St. Louis Season Stats
BA - .271
RPG - 4.72
ERA - 3.71
Atlanta Season Stats
BA - .247
RPG - 4.32
ERA - 3.42
This should be a hell of a pitching match between Kyle Lohse and Kris Medlen. The plain and simple though is that Atlanta doesn't lose when Medlen is on the mound. Give me the Braves to advance, meaning their will be a new World Series champ in 2012.
Prediction - Atlanta over St. Louis
AL Wild Card
Baltimore (93-69) at Texas (93-69)
Rangers won season series 5-2
Baltimore Season Stats
BA - .247
RPG - 4.39
ERA - 3.90
Texas Season Stats
BA - .273
RPG - 4.98
ERA - 3.99
This game is must see. Baltimore shocked everyone in the baseball world by making the playoffs for the 1st time since 1997. Texas has lost the last 2 World Series and now must survive an elimination game right out of the gate to have a chance to make it back to the Fall Classic. Everyone loves the O's, but the Rangers will dispose of them quickly. There's too much experience in the Texas clubhouse for me to think they lose this game.
Prediction - Texas over Baltimore
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