Catchin Up

Lots of big stories goin on now in the world-o-sports.

That Pats spying story is getting waaaay too much attention, just put microphones in the helmet of the free safety, like the QB, and you won't have to worry about it anymore. Simmons and Aaron Schatz have a good article on it

The Rangers are actually playing good baseball, somewhat making up for the horrible start to the season. I just hope that JD isn't brainwashed into thinking that this team isn't a 32 year old centerfielder and #4 starter away from the playoffs and goes crazy in free agency.

Yesterday we learned that Greg Oden's full name apparently ends with "Sam Bowie", although shouldn't Amare be in there somewhere? This sets him back a year, but the Trailblazers weren't going to be a playoff team this year with him anyway. He can recover from this, the bigger problem may be that he has one leg 3 inches longer than the other and may have chronic back/leg problems...as apposed to every other Trailblazer for the past 10 years who's just has chronic problems. This may actually be a good thing for Portland, who is a good point guard and 3 years away from being really scary, this Odenless squad is now virtually guaranteed a top 5 pick in next years draft. Add Eric Gordon or Derrick Rose and get ready for Mavs/Portland Western Conference championship games for years to come!

After nearly missing a 5-0 college football Saturday (thanks to terrible Nebraska play calling and Cal letting in a meaningless...to the final score...late touch) here are the picks for this week.

Central Michigan @ Purdue (-22) 11:00 AM ESPN 2

Purdue has won it's first two games by a combined score of 104-30. They are now facing the same Central Michigan Chippewa squad that lost their first game 52-7 to Kansas...Kansas!... And not in basketball! The Chippewas...that's just fun to say, so at least they got that goin for em which is nice...currently boast the 107th ranked scoring defense, 112 against the pass. Purdue loves to throw, QB Curtis Painter will put up big numbers...even if the Boilermakers, Boilermakers vs Chippewas is by far the best mascot match up of the year, elect to the run the ball all second half they have two runners averaging over 6 ypc. I love stats! Put in on the board!

Notre Dame @ Michigan (-7.5) 2:30 ABC

The resistible force at the movable object. Two true freshman QBs. Two winless proud schools. This could be the worst game of all time. As a Notre Dame fan, I'd like to think that we could win this one...but the Irish have the worst offense in the country. Jimmy Clausen has all the makings of a future stud but the O-line maybe the worst of all time. -4 rushing yards after 2 games!!! -4! So when looking at the line, Michigan -7.5, the question really is; can Michigan score 8 points? They still have Mike Hart and there was something in the crazy look in his eye when he guaranteed victory that I kind of liked, he'll get two 2 TD himself which will assure the cover...assuming the luck of the Irish doesn't give them a fumble recovery. Charlie Weis v Lloyd Carr may be the biggest coaching mismatch of all time...but ND is that bad right now.

***Side rant: Can't Notre Dame's offensive struggles be seen as a validation of Brady Quinn, a lot was made of the fact that he played in Weis' system and that was why he put up big numbers...I think we can put that argument to bed now. Conversely, LSU is just as good as ever even without JaMarcus Russell...sorry, just a Notre Dame homer trying to salvage something good from this year. Rant over ***

Louisiana Tech @ California (-33) 6:30

The Bears burned me last week but like a battered wife I've convinced myself that it's only because they love me, and that I deserved it...so I'm back for more. 33 is a really big number but Cal's at home, has ridiculously superior talent, and is playing a rush first team who will be down early and often forced to abandon the run and they're offense will completely stall out. DeSean Jackson is my favorite player in college football right now, closely followed by Run DMC and I can't wait for both of them to play for the Cowboys next year.

#1 USC (-10) @ Nebraska 7:00 ABC

Nebraska is banged up on the defensive side of the ball, and while the Trojans are facing an injury bug of their own, the Huskers don't have the 7 star blue chip recruits on their 4th team like USC. Last year Nebraska really played just not to get blown out, losing by 18, they're scared of these guys...as they should be! I think USC might be a little pissed about all the "LSU is the number 1 team in the country" talk and want to show everyone on national TV how good they really are.

#21 Boston College (+7) @ #15 Georgia Tech 7:00 ESPN 2

The battle for the ACC!!...yeah, ok, I'm not that excited either. Georgia Tech's only real offensive weapon is Tashard Choice...which is a good one to have but Boston College has one of the best run defense in the country and a legit star at QB in Matt Ryan.

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