Let us not forget the terrible horror that happened 13 years ago this morning. Thanks a fireman or a police officer today, and if you see a soldier, but him lunch. In fact, we're going to take a moment of silence - a rarity for us to be sure - and remember the unforgettable terrorism of 9/11.
From the "Talks too much" studios, a heartfelt thanks to those that work tirelessly to give us all the our cherished freedom, which allows us so many gifts, including the chance to debate sports topics on this forum. Thanks to those who paid the ultimate price and to those who pay the daily price 24/7. God Bless.
SEC
Southeastern ConferenceFive SEC items of interest
1) Battle for supremacy in the East
Georgia at South Carolina, and the winner has control for a trip to Atlanta. In truth, for Georgia, a win Saturday in Columbia really sets the Bulldogs up for an unbeaten run until Auburn comes calling in early November.
2) Quarterback dress rehearsal
Alabama has cruised to a 2-0 start and will be 3-0 come Saturday afternoon because unless the Tide bus gets redirected or Brett Favre returns for Southern Miss, the Golden Eagles have no chance against the Tide. So, yet again, the biggest story line for Alabama is the lovely debate about whether Blake Sims - only the No. 6-ranked passer in the country - or Jacob Coker will be the starting quarterback for Alabama. Saturday, it doesn't matter - Joe Namath's liver could take snaps and the Tide will roll - but the longer the debate lingers the possible bigger the distraction. (And certainly the increased likelihood of a Nick Saban meltdown.)
3) Tennessee ready for next step
The Vols take to the road as a three-touchdown underdog against Oklahoma, which carries legit national playoff hopes and a serious disdain for the SEC. Talent and hatred... not exactly the best combination for the chance of a UT upset. The good for the Vols - a noticeable increase in team speed will be useful against an Oklahoma offense that has big-play potential. The bad - about everything else.
4) Arkansas' big test
Rebuilding a program in the SEC West is like reworking a peace treaty in the Middle East - for every step you take there are three more potential nightmares on the horizon. So for the Razorbacks, getting to a bowl game is dependent on sweeping the non conference schedule. So a trip to Dallas to face Texas Tech looms huge for Bret Bielema's effort to get the Hogs pointed toward the right trough.
5) Rewriting history
Kentucky is better than last year. The jury is still out on Florida's new-look offense. (Seriously, how much can you decipher from a 65-0 win over Eastern Michigan?) But in the history of the SEC few matchups have been this one-sided. If Kentucky hangs with Florida, then it will scream volumes about the progress of the Wildcats and the possible future of the hottest seat in the league. Good times.
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Fab 4 picks plus 1
Last week we actual had a Fab 4 picks plus 2. So it goes, and we split the six games - missing on Arizona, Michigan State and UCLA; hitting on Georgia Tech, Missouri and USC. So it goes. And since these picks run in Friday's paper, and we're going with a game tonight, we likely will have six total picks again this week, too.
We look at week three with hope and consternation. And that's a good thing when hunting entertainment, because as always, these picks are for entertainment only.
Last week against the spread: 3-3
This year against the spread: 7-4
BYU minus-17 over Houston: Short week for each team, so that greatly favors the home team, especially when the trip covers great distances. (Distance-cities.com tells us that it's 1,170.05 miles between Houston and Provo, so there's that.) BYU just pummeled Texas in Austin and has plenty on the line, since, as an independent, the only way the Cougars can get into the postseason mix is to crush everyone. Tonight will be step three in the journey.
Football tileCentral Michigan plus-7 over Syracuse: It's crazy, right? We've picked as many underdogs in three weeks as we have in three months last year. It can be a dangerous game comparing numbers and previous scores, but CMU pounded a bad Purdue team on the road last week after surviving a home scare from UTC. Syracuse beat Villanova at home 27-26. This feels like a pick 'em game and the seven points is a gift. We like seven-point gifts. And if that's not enough, well, here's another one...
Arkansas plus-3 over Texas Tech: Arkansas played a pass-happy Auburn team without Nick Marshall even for the first half, and defensively, the Razorbacks' strength is rushing the passer. Plus, this game is in Dallas rather than Lubbock, so the 'homefield' edge for Texas Tech will be lessened. Quick stat of interest (but don't get spoiled with all this "research" OK): Texas Tech has allowed 222.5 yards rushing per game against Central Arkansas and UTEP; Arkansas averages 324 rushing yards per game. Yes please.
Louisville minus-6 over Virginia: We do not want Bobby Petrino watching our kids or hanging out at our backyard cookout. But the dude can flat-out coach.
Georgia minus-6 over South Carolina: We know that the Bulldogs have struggled in Columbia. We also know that it's not a wise entertainment investment plan to go against a desperate Steve Spurrier. We further know that Williams-Brice Stadium will be rocking' when Georgia arrives. Still, none of that knowledge outweighs this simple fact: Georgia has Todd Gurley, and that's enough for us.
Check Friday's TFP for our final pick.
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Even more Rice
Ray Rice holds hands with his wife, Janay Palmer, in Mays Landing, N.J., in this May 1, 2014, file photo.Now an Atlantic City law enforcement agent has told the AP that he gave the tape of Ray Rice knocking out his fiancee to the NFL in April and got confirmation from a female on voice mail that said, "You're right; it's terrible."
Beyond the Rice family and the Ravens, this now points the finger at the NFL with a truckload of questions:
Who in the league office saw the tape?
Did Roger Goodell see the tape, and if not, then why not?
If anyone involved with the original two-game penalty had seen the tape - Rice's devastating left jab and then his utter indifference to his unconscious finance - how can they explain that original decision and then the subsequent moves of revised policy and now an indefinite suspension?
If Goodell and any of his advisors watched the tape, then we'd have to ask why the change in policy since the tape is no worse today than it was in April, the only difference is that we now have seen the tape.
ABC News has reported that the Ravens organization knew about the tape but never asked to see it, which is guilt by indifference and begs the question as to why the Ravens did not act sooner by releasing Rice.
Beyond the current state of the story and what it means for the powers that be in the NFL office and Baltimore and the Rice, it also begs some wider arcing questions:
Let's say the NFL officials had watched the tape and tried to sneak the two-game penalty by, which is worse the crime or the cover-up?
Let's say they did next to nothing to find out more about the tape, which is worse Rice's action or the league's inactivity?
This is not to excuse Rice in any way. But the questions facing the league, the Ravens and even the authorities in and around Atlantic City continue to mount.
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This and that
- Reminder that Downtown Patrick Brown will field UT-related questions at noon here on timesfreepress.com. Check it out. Dude knows his Orange.
- Interesting point made this morning on Mike and Mike: Of the top-five viewed stories on ESPN.com, three of the top five were Rice-related but No. 1 was "Top WR options for Week 2." The lesson here is never underestimate the power of the fantasy football following.
Oscar Pistorius rubs his eye in court in Pretoria, South Africa, in this April 15, 2014, file photo .- Wow, Oscar Pistorius was found not guilty of premeditated murder. Here's more and the complete verdict is expected some time later today.
- Here's an interesting look at the conference call that has the league wondering if Danny Ferry will be an NBA executive for much longer.
- The Braves actually won a game. Stop the presses. Here's the wildcard race in the NL for the Braves, who trail the Nationals by eight games after Wednesday's 6-2 win. San Fran is four games up on Pittsburgh, which is 1.5 games up on Atlanta and Milwaukee.
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Today's question(s)
Feel free to share a Patriotic story as needed. We'll never forget.
Also, did you submit a mailbag question yet?
Finally, our Nanny's birthday is today. She would have 93. She did not wear hats. But two other guys who also are no loner with us who had signature hats would have celebrated birthdays today.
Bear Bryant would have been 101; Tom Landry would have been 90.
What's your Rushmore of famous hats?
Go.