JR's Random Anger

BCS Clarity and Temple Victories!

I really don't think anyone on Temple knew how to line up in victory formation, because they called a rush for the final play of their staggering upset of Bowling Green.  Okay, "staggering" may be a reach, but when a team that had lost its prior 20 games pulls one out, then it's a huge upset.  So, I think congratulations are in order for probably the most ill-fated team in football not named the Arizona Cardinals.

The Beyond Crappy System (BCS for short) has once again lucked out for now and it has clear and consensus #1 and #2 teams:  Ohio State and Michigan.  Oh yeah, one small problem...THEY PLAY EACH OTHER NOV. 18!  Needless to say, it is a great possibility that either Michigan or Ohio State will fill (at least) one of the spots in the National Championship game.  The rest is completely up for grabs.  So, here's a pedestrian's attempt to handicap the race for the college football National Championship.  But just so you know, because the BCS is such an awful system with little rhyme or reason there is little validity to this list, other than this guarantee: The two best teams in college football will NOT play each other for the National Championship.  Remember its happened only 3 times since the BCS was implemented.  So anyway, here's my handicap list:

1. Michigan-Ohio St. Winner: I'm no longer giving this one to Ohio St, because as you will see on Sunday.  The gap between the two schools will shrink.  And it is worth noting that the Computer Polls, as ridiculous as they are, are NOT based on preseason rankings.  Their criteria are strictly based on game results.  All but one of them has Michigan ahead of Ohio St.  But for BCS purposes, this game is essentially one half of a bracket.  The winner basically gets an automatic bid to the championship game.  The loser of this game will likely play in the Rose Bowl, which is one hell of a consolation prize.

2. West Virginia: Out of the unbeaten teams left, WVA has possibly the toughest road left of any serious national championship contender with games against Louisville, Rutgers and Pitt.  However, WVA has looked awesome this year and I mean literally.  I am dumbfounded by that teams sheer speed on the field.  I favor them over Louisville because they are healthy.  And over Rutgers because of their great team speed.  But WVA is not a sure bet.  But let the fun begin on Thursday!  W. VA vs. Louisville!

3. Florida: Well, they kind of fell off of the radar after their loss to Auburn, but the Gators have only that one disputed blemish and a clear shot to the SEC title game.  Auburn does hold a tie-breaker against Florida and is ranked higher in the BCS.  However, Auburn must win out in the SEC, and get some help because Arkansas is up one game on them AND holds the tie-breaker.  Yes, that means Auburn must remain perfect AND Arkansas must lose TWO for Auburn to have a legitimate shot at the national title, because only the SEC Champion will have a legitimate shot, and right now that favors Florida.

4. Texas: Yes, Texas is back in the hunt.  Even after getting shellacked at the hands of the Buckeyes on national TV, Texas has avoided coughing up another game while coming close the last two weeks.  Their road includes a tough test against A&M and a trip to Kansas City for the Big 12 Championship.  That title game looks a little bit easier because Nebraska (and yes I actually mentioned Nebraska in a piece about the National Championship) is no lock to get to KC after gagging against "That School whose Name I will Never Type".  Anyway, Texas needs some help down the road to make a National title hope a reality.

5. Michigan-Ohio State Loser: Why not?  Michigan and Ohio State are clearly the two best teams in College Football.  Period.  Why shouldn't the world get treated to a rematch in January on neutral ground?  I know it seems odd that not only two teams from the same conference, but two arch-rivals could play each other for the National Title.  But think about it.  USC gagged against a weak opponent Saturday.  They're done.  West Virginia is no lock to win any of those three big games, which also holds true for Louisville and Rutgers.  Flroida must win out in the SEC.  Auburn has too much ground in the SEC to make up and I don't think they even make their conference championship.  Texas has two tough games left.  Beyond that, the next highest team in the rankings is Notre Dame.  But would you put the Irish ahead of Michigan or Ohio State, especially since Michigan made them cry in South Bend?  Hey, this scenario isn't likely but it gets more likely every week.

6. Notre Dame: They need to win out.  It's just that simple.  Their one-loss record is good, but it lacks luster since they were bitch-slapped by Michigan (Man I love those digs!)  MSU and PSU are not as good as advertised, which will drop their computer rankings.  They play a very weak schedule until USC.  To be blunt, for a berth in one of the BCS bowls, the Irish must win out.  One more loss and they are done.  They must finish higher than 8th to get an automatic berth.  They're currently 9th, with some chaos ahead of them.  They have the best shot at the BCS for a team that has no chance at the National Title.

7. Auburn: I've already explained why Auburn will not appear in the National Champinoship.  They need too much help.  But a berth in a BCS bowl is likely especially since the field has grown to 10.  They played a tough schedule and maybe Tommy Tuberville is right.  The SEC may be too tough to make the National Championship.  The nightmare scenario for the SEC and Auburn, would be either a Tennessee or Arkansas win in the SEC Championship.  That clearly would mean no National title for the nation's most contested conference.

8. California: One loss and USC is out of the BCS?  Yeah, probably!  Look, Cal is undefeated in the PAC-10 and gets their chance at USC.  Plus, Cal has been playing the best ball of any PAC-10 team so far this year.  They are poised to win, plus they have no other big games left after that one.  And that's assuming USC will not slip even more before their date with Cal.  USC still has Oregon (which Cal beat) and Notre Dame sandwiching the Cal game on Nov. 18.  (Hey is there something else going on that day?)

9. Boise State: I don't want to jinx these guys because it's bad enough that they have been playing with a bull's eye on their backs all season.  But they are primed to join Utah as BCS BUSTERS!  Because of the new rules, the Broncos will be in position this Sunday.  They need to finish 12th or higher, OR finish higher than an automatic qualifier while placing in the top 16.  They are currently 15th and since no one wants to win the ACC, they are in good shape.  Boise State MUST take care of their own business, starting with Wednesday's date with Fresno State on the Smurf Turf!  If you don't know what I'm talking about, go to the link on the right and check out the coolest stadium in college football!

10. ACC "Champion": Did you ever think a November game between Boston College and Wake Forrest would possibly decide the ACC?  Welcome to the worst division in College Football!  Right now, I'd take a Sun Belt team over this 12-team steamer!  They simply do not deserve a BCS berth, but their entry will eliminate one of the following: Rutgers, Louisville, Tennessee, or USC.  So, before someone gripes about Boise State and Notre Dame earning automatic qualifiers, please remember that there is one sopt reserved for the ACC!

Here's my NFL picks for this week.  And for the Eagles fans out there, please take note.  I am picking them to win outright!  Okay Kool-Aid?  

Texans @ Titans (-3): What a way to start off the picks!  Right out of the gate!  What do you get when you have two teams facing off that have a combined 3-9 record, and the team that passed on Reggie Bush?  You guessed it!  It's Pillow Fighting time!  This game should not be televised, but if Travis Henry goes off, than it will at least be enjoyable for all 12 of the Titans fans.  PICK: Titans.

Jaguars @ Eagles (-7): The Jags have a lot of key guys on the injured list, especially on the wrong side of "questionable".  I just don't know if this is the bouce back game for the Birds.  They've lost two consecutive games at the gun.  (And I want to know why people say buzzer-beater referring to game-winning kicks.  There are no buzzers in the NFL!)  Plus, Jacksonville is actually going to have a QB that can throw the deep ball, now that Garrard has replaced Leftwich.  Don't get me wrong, the Birds will win this game, so you can stop your hate mail, Kool-Aid!  I just don't see the Eagles covering a 7-point spread this week.  PICK: Jaguars (yes, only to cover!)

Falcons @ Bengals (-4): Finally, Chad Johnson is back!  He's easily the most entertaining reciever in football, and he finally started trash talking again.  This is not an easy game to pick because after early season success, the Bengals have gone back to the Bungles form that everyone is familiar with.  I should write a column on imapct players for every team in the NFL.  There are those players whose impact on their team goes way beyond their stats.  Chris Henry is the Bengals impact guy.  They didn't have him that past few weeks.  He's back now.  PICK: Bengals.

Buccaneers @ Giants (-9): The Bucs have won the last two games through a ticky-tack roughing the passer penalty, and a friggin 62-yard kick.  That's how close they are to 0-6.  Meanwhile, there is nothing but discontent from the Giants which all but guarantees a berth in the Super Bowl.  PICK: Giants.

49ers @ Bears (-15): Fifteen points?  There's no getting around the fact that the Niners stink and the Bears are playing good.  But 15 points?  Plus, Mike Brown is out.  You know those players that have an enormous impact on their team even though they are relatively unheralded.  Mike Brown is one of them.  His play is absolutely vital to the Bears and their long-term success.  As for this week...yeah the Niners really suck!  PICK: Bears.

Cardinals @ Packers (-4): First, they blow a 20-point lead, then they cough up a game against the Raiders.  Now, they're going to add to the "legend" of BrettFavre.  "Don't count him out just yet!"  He'll will the Pack to victory, even though he will eventually crap the bed against a real NFL-quality opponent.  PICK: Packers.

Seahawks @ Chiefs (-6): First, the NFL MVP goes down.  Now, Hasselback goes down.  I really don't believe there is a curse on the Super Bowl losers.  It must be the law of averages working itself out.  To win the Super Bowl, a team needs to have a great regular season and have everyone healthy enough to play a 19 or 20 game schedule.  Well, anyway, having your backup start his first game at Arrowhead isn't a good thing.  Arrowhead alone should cover the spread.  PICK: Chiefs.

Ravens @ Saints (-2): Here's why the Texans' fans should contemplate suicide or relocation about now.  The Saints are actually able to successfully play with Deuce McAllister AND Reggie Bush on the field at the same time.  So, thedecision not to go with Reggie Bush, because they have Dominick Davis seems pretty damned dumb right now.  You can never, ever, ever pass on a proven playmaker.  Bottomline is the Saints have done everything right in rebuilding their moribund franchise.  And they have momentum going into the Dome.  The Ravens, with their defense returning to form, need to playa perfect game to win this one.  PICK: Saints. 

Rams @ Chargers (-9.5): Didn't the Chargers just get their faces bashed in this past week?  The Rams are not the same Rams team they have been for years.  They are not totally pass-wacky so games out of the dome are not as daunting as before.  Even though the Chargers can put the best 22 players on either side of the ball, they have a lot working against them to make a 9.5-point spread work.  PICK: Rams.

Steelers @ Raiders (+9): Damn you, Raiders!  As someonewho has rooted for the Chiefs for years, I wanted the Raiders to be the first 0-16 season.  Damn you for showing up to play!  Now, the Raiders are even less entertaining.  They had a legitimate chance to go winless which created some intrigue to an otherwise steaming turd of a team.  Now the Raiders are just a steaming turd!  PICK: Steelers (Big Ben or no).

Jets @ Browns (-2): The Jets are on pace to become the worst 10-win team in league history.  That fulfills my obligation to write something about the Jets/Browns game. PICK: Jets.

Colts @ Broncos (-2.5): Wow, a game with actual intrigue!  Who woulda thunk it?  The Broncos defense has been unstoppable.  The Colts are undefeated.  It can't be very nice out in Denver at this time of year.  The Broncos have been nothing short of inept on offense.  The Colts with all of their glamour, have looked rather vulnerable as their running game sputters and starts with no pattern.  So, here's the prediction, the Broncos go up early and you'll hear plenty of: "IN-COM-PLETE!"  PICK: Broncos. 

Cowboys @ Panthers (-5): TO-NY RO-MO <<clap, clap, clap-clap-clap>>!  It's really bad when you're banking on Tony Romo to save the season.  Man, I just can't wait for this one.  All I needis one more T.O. implosion for the impetus to call into 610 and give them my impersonation.  Speaking of impersonations...I have a great idea for a Halloween costume.  Pad you stomach with a pillow.  Borrow your wife's or girlfriend's bra and load it with two pool balls.  Color your hair white.  Look miserable all the time, while being abusive about everything.  Congratulations you just pulled a Bill Parcells routine.  PICK: Panthers.

Patriots @ Vikings (+2): The Vikings are playing a lot like the St. Louis Cardinals.  They are just doing enough.  Don't get me wrong...they stink.  They're not a good football team, but they are just not screwing up.  They keep everything close, pressure the opponent just enough for them to blink and then POW, the next thing you know, Scott "the Scumbag" Rolen has a World Series ring.  But hey, maybe this is the game that the Patriots dynasty dies!  (Yes, I'm using reverse psychology!) PICK: Patriots.

Enjoy the games this weekend, and please do yourself a favor.  Watch at least one of the College Football games this week on ESPN.  See Fresno State @ Boise State on Wednesday  for the best team you've never seen and Blue Turf!  West Virginia @ Louisville has the potential for Game of the Year.  And Air Force @ Army should be fun, with the Triple Option and Michie Stadium, the most beautiful stadium in the US.

Thanks for reading...see you next week.

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