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From the "Talks too much" studios, we have a LOT to say, so to lift a lyric from DJ Kool, let me clear my throat.
SEC
Southeastern ConferenceSEC (and beyond) items of interest
Normally in this space we pick five items in the SEC that have our attention.
Well, this is far from a normal week. The slate of games includes four byes, two Magnolia State walkovers and one prime time monster match-up.
So let's find some intrigue shall we.
1. LSU at night getting points
Alabama still carries the tag as the SEC favorite. You know, Auburn fans know it, heck Mississippi State fans know it. And even with home dates from the top-ranked MSU Bulldogs and the No. 3-ranked rival AU Tigers, Saturday night's trip to the Red Stick is likely the Tide's biggest hurdle. In match-ups like this we try to focus on what we know. We know that the environment will be nuts. We know Verne's going to need a nap before the 8 p.m. kick on CBS. We know that there likely will be 25-or-so NFL players on the field and 32 NFL teams with scouts in attendance. (It's LSU-Bama, there's always more talent in this game annually than any other.) And we know that Nick Saban and Co. always exploit one-dimensional teams, which means the Tide will try to make the QB combo of Anthony Jennings/Brandon Harris win the game. Good luck with that.
2. Old-school 865 grudge match
Know who is the defensive coordinator at LSU? Yep, John Chavis, the guy that made his bones in Knoxville before being chucked the curb. Know who the offensive coordinator is at Bama? Yep, Lane Kiffin, the guy that replaced Phillip Fulmer and chucked Chavis to the curb. Hmmmmm, this is the fundamental definition of SEC intrigue, right?
3. Is there drama anywhere else in the SEC
The rest of the games between conference teams feature some monster spreads. Auburn is giving three touchdowns and may score 50 against a Texas A&M team that is reeling. Georgia is a 10-point road favorite at Kentucky. Florida is more than a two-touchdown pick at Vandy. The Ole Miss-Presbyterian line is so big even David and Goliath think there's no chance, and Mississippi State-UT-Martin, well, you know. So, other than your personal allegiances, we full allow you these options on this Saturday...
4. Can UTC punch its postseason ticket
The Mocs are in position to make the playoffs for the first time since Reagan was preparing for his second term. How long was that? Well, it was 1984 and we pondered about Prince's futuristic "Party like its 1999" and the 5-at-10 was a 5-at-8th grader... Wow.
5. Eliminators, week 2
Last week's Eliminator was Auburn and Ole Miss. This week, the Eliminator wheel spins around the country and there are a few. TCU-Kansas State. Winner moves forward, loser looks toward a lesser postseason date. (Side note: Auburn fans would love for Kansas State to run the table.) Michigan State-Ohio State. Michigan State still has a toe in the College Football Playoff pool. If Ohio State wins, the Big Ten is almost assuredly out, since Ohio State lost by two touchdowns at home to a Virginia Tech team that may not make a bowl game. Notre Dame-Arizona State. We think Notre Dame will be a fly in the CFP committee's ointment before this thing is wrapped. If the Irish are 11-1 and that one loss is a controversial, four-point defeat at unbeaten and no-worse-than-No. 2-ranked Florida State, well, it's going to be tough to keep Notre Dame out of the picture.
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Fab 4 picks and then some
Yes, we will have some old favorites here, but the Fab 4 plus one will welcome a couple extra entries this week. And remember these picks are against the spread and for entertainment-purposes only (wink, wink).
Football tileWe are loyal when we are riding entertainment ventures. You know this.
We have rebounded from an October swoon and have had plus-entertainment weekends the last three weeks. (Side note: We also greatly enjoyed Wednesday night, and realized we have missed the MAC-action midweek games more than our entertainment portfolio realized.)
So, with that knowledge - that we have surged back to the plus side with loyalty and the 10-2-1 stretch we are currently riding against the number - we are looking to expand. Yes, we missed two last week, but those picks failed because a) East Carolina had more turnovers than a German bakery and b) the over/under total of 70 in Western Kentucky's 59-10 loss to La. Tech featured a scoreless final 14 minutes.
Now, these are not the games most of us will be watching. But these are the games that we think offer the most entertainment (wink, wink).
Giddy-up.
Last week: 3-2 against the spread
This year: 32-26-1 against the spread
Since the start of the 2011 season: 243-136-6 against the spread
Georgia Southern minus-12 over Texas State. It's hard to know who has benefitted more form the Georgia Southern move to the Sun Belt, UTC or the Fab 4 picks. Either way, all of Chattanooga should be grateful since the Eagles are highly entertaining 8-1 against the number this year. And giving less than two touchdowns to a team that lost by 24 at home to Louisiana-Lafayette seems opportunistic. Heck, it seems entertaining even.
Tulsa minus-12.5 over SMU. You know how sometimes you get in a relationship, and you're really happy and things are entertaining for everyone and then a situation comes up that tests your faith in the relationship. We are there with our beloved SMU Mustangs. SMU has been very, Very, VERY entertaining for us; it is 0-7 on the season and 1-6 against the number. And picking winners is entertaining, but picking losers can be just as beneficial. And SMU has been very beneficial. But, Tulsa is terrible. TURRR-ble as Chuck Barkley would say. Tulsa has lost seven straight since a gift overtime win over Tulane in the opener. Still, players on a streak have to respect the streak. We love you Smoo.
Rice minus-10 over USTA. We have an array of Rice puns - Rice goes with everything you know - but we are going to lay low this week and just respect the Owls. Speaking of streaks, after dropping their first three games, the Owls have won five straight (overall and against the number) by at least 14 points. You could say Rice is cooking even. You could say it, but we won't. Nope, just riding the hot streak and not going against the grain. (Sorry.)
La. Tech minus-3 over UAB. A field goal is a super price for a La. Tech team that is the class of Conference USA (along with Rice). UAB has flexed its muscle against overmatched teams (Hi, Troy) but La. Tech has the weapons to expose a Blazers defense that allows more than 30 a game.
Oregon State minus-7 over Washington State. Oregon State has lost three straight and has certainly underachieved for a team picked as a darkhorse by several with senior, record-setting quarterback Sean Mannion returning. Mannion has been really good at home this year, but his numbers - especially his TD passes - have been down. Washington State has been a video game, scoring in bunches and allowing points by the barrel. But that was with Connor Halliday, who had 3,873 passing yards and 32 TD throws in eight games and a quarter before breaking his leg last week. So yes, the straight-forward entertainment fact here is the home team with a senior, four-year starter at QB is only giving 7 to the visiting team that has lost four in a row straight-up and against the number with a QB-oriented system that just lost its record-setting quarterback. Hmmmm, yes, yes we do think this is entertaining.
Michigan State minus-3 over Ohio State. Ohio State's best win is.... exactly. Michigant State is at home and trying to make a statement that they belong in the discussion. We normally troll the trends and travel and match-ups of lower-profile leagues where the best teams in the non-Big 5 conferences are decidedly better than their foes, but this one screams 31-13 with Mark Dantoni taking the podium and politicking immediately afterward.
Colorado State minus-17 over Hawaii. The Rainbow Warriors are 0-3 overall and 0-2-1 against the number when they venture to the greater 48. Colorado State is a sneaky impressive 8-1 and is physical and can run the football with Alabama transfer Dee Hart. Hawaii will be jet-lagged and fatigued. Yes please.
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Goodell testifies
The screams from Sundays around the NFL have apparently served as the Rope-a-Dope that our man Roger Goodell needs.
Goodell and the league knows the appeals and the applications for reinstatement for Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice are upon us. Goodell even testified before the judge in the Rice appeal this week. (Side note: We are not a fan of Goodell's leadership methods, but we do feel that the league and Goodell made a proper step in allowing a third-party to hear the appeals. Before this instance, the path was Goodell makes a decision, then the player makes an appeal, and then Goodell decides on the appeal.)
We hate the violence Ray Rice committed as much as anyone, but dude should be cleared by the league. Same with Adrian Peterson.
Now if the teams decide not to sign either guy because the bad PR outweighs the talents and benefits these guys bring on Sundays, well, that's OK by us too.
But they should be cleared.
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This and that
- LeBron and the Cavities lost again. LeBron and Co. is 1-3 after Gordon Haywood played the part of Jimmy Chitwood. Is it time to panic? In the words of Pete the Cat and his four groovy buttons (hey we got two kids under the age of 7, that's our life station), "Goodness no." But LeBron and Co. need to recognize this pretty quickly - they are going to get everyone's best effort because every night is a chance to be the lead story on SportsCenter.
LeBron James- Speaking of the NBA, hey, Downtown Patrick Brown's Memphis Grizzlies toppled the Suns last night. The Grizz got 24 points, 11 assists from Mike Conley and shot right at 53 percent from 3 in the 102-91 win. Memphis is 5-0 and on pace to go 82-0, which would be a record. We feel certain there's room on the bandwagon, right, Downtown?
- Jason Heyward was recognized as the Wilson overall defensive player of the year for the 2014 baseball season. Heyward is an outstanding outfielder, but we're not sure he's even the best defensive player on his team. First off, Andrelton Simmons is a wizard and plays a much greater position of importance. Secondly, if we all agree that defense is the opposite of offense, then why noy B.J. Upton? He was the picture personification as the opposite of offense this year, right?
- Hey, did you know today's Adam LaRoche's birthday? And did you know Adam Laroche killed a monster elk. Here's the photo. Oh my G-O-S-H.
- On the Rushmore of rhetorical questions, there is the one about the tree in the forest and the meaning of life. Then, there's a giant hodgepodge of others, like "What's in a McRib?" Here one guy's answer.
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Today's question
Happy Birthday to a slew of folks.
Walter "Big Train" Johnson would have been 127 today. He died in 1946. Great nickname too.
Dr. James Naismith would have been 153 today. He died in 1939.
Corey Glover is 50 today. Glover was the lead singer of Living Colour and their "Cult of Personality" may be the best one-hit wonder song of all time.
This is also the day 19 years ago that Art Modell announced the Browns were moving to Baltimore.
What's our Rushmore of most hated sports figures in specific cities. Modell in Cleveland is a good start. (Side note: A-Rod everywhere does not qualify.)
Go and remember the mailbag.