Recapping the Week
BCS Championship- Does anyone else think that there should be more time between the end of the season and the Championship Game? I mean seriously it must be impossible to get a team ready in the span of thirty-seven days. Contrary to the belief of a high scoring shoot-out fans were instead treated to a defensive battle in a game that seemed to feature a little bit of everything. For those that didn’t watch I’m not quite sure you should be reading this blog. It might not have been the prettiest game at times but still you have to think that most college fans are pleased to see a Championship game come down to the wire. I think many Auburn fans actually would view the biggest play in this game as a negative but to me it turned out to be the difference in the game. A track down tackle of Lavasier Tuinei at the three-yard line would eventually lead to Oregon turning it over on downs at the one-yard line. After the catch it looked like Tuinei was end zone bound but he was tracked down and a few plays later the Ducks got stuffed on the one-yard line. For all the speed of LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner the Ducks running game would be unstoppable if they had a bruising power back. The games final score came as a surprise as both teams were known for their defenses. Seriously big props to both defenses both were opportunistic and beared down when they needed to. I think both teams when looking at the final score can legitimately say that they should have won even though Oregon getting back in the game occurred as a fluke. Really that might have gone down as the choke of the century if the Ducks had been able to force overtime after Newton’s fumble. Fortunately for Newton he got another chance and led the Tigers downfield for the winning score and their will always be Troy Smith’s unforgettable choke job in the 2007 National Title (4-14, Interception, Fumble). As a Duck fan (prepare for Duck Rant, sorry for those who aren’t Duck fans skip to the NFL) I can’t say there was much I would have done differently I thought the game plan was good and really this game could have gone either way (probably a biased statement but who cares). Chip Kelly never ceases to amaze me a punter kicker two point conversion, standard, fake punt pass from the negative side of the field, nothing new, going for it all on fourth down, the usual (there’s a reason he’s known as Big Balls Chip). The one thing many here in Eugene find puzzling was LaMike’s lack of carries (13) but really I don’t think there was much for him to run at Auburn was very fast on the edges and Nick Fairley consumed the interior. I would argue though that LaMichael has to be the one getting the rock on fourth and one from the one. I’ll do a shameless plug for Cliff Harris, the man can flat out ball. Harris is a playmaker and he will be one to watch on Sunday’s he is bound to make at least one or two big plays every game. Side note I’m almost certain (bias speaking) that Harris should have had two picks but the booth missed one as well as that Dyer run on the last drive. Somewhere in the vast Midwest Oklahoma fans are telling anyone that will listen, “what goes around comes around”. Looking forward the future is obviously bright but it’s hard not to look back on this season and see that last L on the schedule. I fully expect Oregon to contend every year for a BCS Bowl but I don’t think Oregon will be back playing for a National Title for a couple of years lets face it you have to obviously be very skilled to make it to the National Title but it requires so much more than that to make it there. You either have to have a remarkable player (looking at you Cam Newton) or a team with phenomenal chemistry (your Oregon Ducks) and above all else you have to be very lucky to go undefeated throughout the regular season. Oregon and Auburn both caught some breaks throughout the year and that’s bound to even out at some point in the next season or two as a result Oregon will lose a game or two knocking itself out of “The Natty” as its referred to around here. I mean really how many times do you have a kicker false start himself out of a field goal, once in millennia? Side note I think I might get in trouble for even mentioning this game in Eugene this early. Fearless prediction for 2011/2012 (if were still alive that is) an SEC team will not win the Title or so all non-SEC fans hope.
Sports details for the rest of the article might be sketchy as ESPN and all other sports websites/channels mysteriously vanished after the National Title. Funny how that happens right?
NFL- Has there ever been a better lineup of games in the Divisional Round? I’m sure there has been but I for one was jacked for all the games but did anyone really think the Seahawks were going to win? For those paying attention now’s your time to say that I picked them to win (shame on me).
Steelers 31 Ravens 24- Was anyone else convinced there was going to be a full on backyard brawl during the game ala Anchorman? Side note best Will Ferrell movie had to plug it in the day after the National Title to fulfill my daily sports watching allotment since ESPN and all other sports channels disappeared. Back to the game after that unnecessary side-track, this game at times was just strange and if I were to describe it I would say it was finesse football at it’s finest. Somehow these guys are professional but they leave the balling rolling on the field for six seconds like that’s pretty standard. Side note was watching the game with some friends and immediately after that happened we were yelling for them to pick it up but they seemed content to stare at it like it was fine art and readjust their jock straps (obviously you have to look nice for the TV cameras). Athletes these days. But really I think that the two best teams in the AFC were playing this game and as of now the Steelers have to be considered favorites to win the Super Bowl. This will not stop me from picking the Jets later in the column (have to ride those gut instincts, my 1-3 record from last week picks notwithstanding). For all Seahawks fans here in the Northwest (kind of sad that there is only one option) we now finally understand why T.J. Houshmandzadeh was cut. The dude can’t catch when it matters, I don’t think you can ask for a better play on fourth and a mile. Still Joe Flacco is not a Super Bowl quarterback and proved it during the second half.
Packers 48 Falcons 21- Is there a better quarterback in the league right now then Aaron Rodgers? I think that has to be your first thought following this game I don’t think Rodgers made a single mistake. Granted the Falcons aren’t the worlds strongest defense but he turned them into the Texans back seven or he actually might have made Texans back seven look good compared to the Falcons back seven (scratch that I have come to my senses and realized that’s impossible). If Ryan Grant were healthy, no disrespect to Starks, Kuhn, and other no-names in the Packer backfield, this team would have the potential to go games without punting. Upon further review they accomplished this last game so I will shut-up. As it is they will have to settle for 48 points.
Bears 35 Seahawks 24- A. Yes I was dumb enough to pick the Seahawks and B. this game was nowhere close to an eleven-point game no matter what the scoreboard might say. I remain convinced that Cutler is going to lose the Bears the Championship and I fully expect it to occur against the Packers next weekend. Of course he will have a helping hand from Mike Martz who dialed up a Wild Cat pass while up 25 in the fourth quarter. I mean really who does this? Not to be lost in the bad play calling I actually think this was the first time they have ever run this play because no one looked at all like they knew what they were doing and that pass by Forte was pitiful never ever want to see that again. As for the Seahawks you had one fluke week and this is what everyone expected from you but congratulations you did prevent every single one of your losses from occurring by fifteen plus points. Don’t really no if that’s any consolation I tried Seahawks fans really not too much else out there. This game also insured that I would be getting NFL Sunday Ticket instead of watching 16 Seahawks games because they’re the “regional team”. This I’m quite sure would be the best advertising pitch for Sunday Ticket, “You no longer will be forced to watch the Seahawks offense featuring Matt Hasselbeck.” Catchy isn’t it?
Jets 28 Patriots 21- Someone let Bart Scott know that I actually picked the Jets as well. Side note I actually don’t think I want him to know the guy is crazy. I felt bad for Sal Paolantonio I think I would have run away from Scott he seemed to think the game was still going. Sad to see Oregon legend Pat Chung turn the game around by muffing the fake punt snap but if I’m Bill Belichick is there any need to go for it there? Punt the ball away for heavens sake Mark Sanchez is the opponents QB. You got to love the Jets they don’t stop talking about how they are the better team but once the final whistle blows they all act like they were one hundred point underdogs. For the future you have to be one or the other can’t play up to both. Side note Braylon Edwards backflip, leave that on the soccer pitch, but really does anything else say freak athlete other than that move?
NBA- Amid all the rumors about Carmelo Anthony there actually was basketball being played headlined by the Clippers taking care of the Lakers. Someone needs to get Clipper games on TV and no not when there playing the Kings no one wants to watch Blake Griffin play a D-League team. That might be the first time someone has ever suggested more Clipper games on TV but really more Blake Griffin can’t be a bad thing. Also I have always liked Baron Davis and am glad to see he once again cares more TV means Baron Davis will get in shape (Davis has always been known to have his priorities straight). Hope I don’t jinx it but Blake Griffin cannot get hurt he has to be the most exciting player in the league. Is it just me or do all star basketball players have a bad “inner circle”. Does Melo have any idea that New Jersey is not a good place to play basketball? The only shot he has at winning a title in Jersey is if (trying to come up with some ideas here, maybe it will come to me by next week)… Plug for Lamarcus Aldridge to the All-Star team since no one even knows who he is.
The Week Moving Forward-
Jets 31 Steelers 21- Still going to ride the underdog Jets even though I already said the Steelers have to be Super Bowl favorites (I’m really not stupid believe me). I like the way the Jets played and their defense was on point yesterday giving up only 14 points (not counting the garbage time TD) to the supposed best offense in the league. Still anything can happen and I expect this to be another bruising painful to watch football game. Can you just imagine how the Steelers Ravens felt the next day every play either involved a big hit or a massive pile followed by a near fight good football if you ask me. And yes I am picking a team led by Mark Sanchez a little scary.
Packers 35 Bears 17- Jay Cutler will throw four picks enough said.
No really I’m quite confident that the Packers will win this the only way I really see the Bears hanging tough is if the Packers can’t keep Peppers, Briggs, and company off Rodgers and if Cutler doesn’t implode. I’m betting on Cutler imploding. And yes I am picking two six seeds on the road to win playoff football everybody.
I will stop watching the NBA until Carmelo Anthony gets traded or disappears. He actually is turning into the new Brett Favre (shocker he just turned in his retirement papers).
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