Beer of the Week (Plus a Bonus Beer Review)

Week of December 31 2007 --- Beer of the Week

Railbender Ale





Railbender Ale will sit on the throne as the final beer of the week for 2007. Railbender Ale is the kind of beer that grows on you as you drink it (which beer isn't*), but after the first Railbender the rest were actually quite satisfying.

That is all for 2007 folks. I am going to guess that 2008 is going to get off to a pretty slow start due to all the work I am supposed to do, but I will mention football playoffs briefly and talk a little about the OSU championship game. Everything should hopefully ease up just in time for college basketball to hit the home stretch.

Happy New Year! Here is to hoping that your 2008 is better than 2007.



*I am going to go out on a limb and say that no matter how much Yeti Imperial Stout you drink it will still taste like liquid beef jerky. And even better Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout will always taste like beef jerky with a hint of vanilla.



Just look at the thickness of the beers, I am pretty sure you could stand a fork up in those.

Can I still trade for the bottle of Bailey's?

On Tap (New Years Day Edition)

Helping you get your weekend viewing priorities straight since 2007

Almost exclusively college football, with a couple of NFL playoff implication games thrown in for good measure.

Thursday

8:00 (ESPN) Holiday Bowl - Arizona State vs. Texas. Arguably the best non-BCS bowl game of the year. ASU surprised a few people by challenging for the Pac-10 title for a little while this season, Texas had a less than ideal season (by Texas standards) but not much was expected from this team. Key Fact: Mac Brown (head coach Texas) has really struggled in big games that Vince Young has not been his quarterback.

Friday

5:00 (ESPN) Champs Sports Bowl - Boston College vs. Michigan State. From #2 in the BCS to the Champs Sports Bowl, kind of a tough fall for BC. MSU will be without their top pass rusher, which should make things tough against the prolific passing of BC QB Matt Ryan. Key Fact: After scoring a first quarter touch down, Matt Ryan will tackle coach Jagodinski in celebration taking him out for the rest of the game.

8:00 (#^%^@ NFL Network) Texas Bowl - TCU vs. Houston. A battle of former SWAC foes. TCU was supposed to be a possible BCS buster, but had a mediocre year. Houston lost their head coach to Baylor. Key Fact: TCU’s mascot is a horned frog, I am sure this is and indigenous species to Texas, but you are telling me they could not come up with a better mascot (hint: Armadillos).

8:30 (ESPN) Emerald Bowl - Maryland vs. Oregon State. The Terrapins take on the Beavers in an all aquatic battle in San Francisco. Maryland’s Ralph Friedgen challenges Mark Mangino for the fastest head coach in the FBS. Oregon State’s Mike Riley is in his second stint with the school and has not been able to attain the same BCS magic the Dennis Erickson had while he was at OSU. Key Fact: Fear the Turtle.

Saturday

1:00 (ESPN) Meineke Car Care - Bowl UConn vs. Wake Forest. Two traditional football powerhouses in a big time bowl game. Seriously though, UConn vs. WF in a post season battle, this has to be a sweet sixteen game. These teams are going to be shocked when they show up and hardwood has been laid down on top of the turf. Key Fact: This game is proof of the parity in college football these days, not too many years ago UConn was a 1-AA school and Wake Forest was like Duke.

4:30 (ESPN) Liberty Bowl - Central Florida vs. Mississippi State. Mississippi State in their first bowl game since… well I have no idea and I am too lazy to look it up. CFU, lead by notorious resume doctorer George O’Leary, had a very nice year, winning the C-USA championship and almost knocking off Texas earlier this season. Key Fact: There are too many games and I can only make so much shit up.

8:00 (ESPN) Alamo Bowl - Penn State vs. Texas A&M. Great things were expected of Penn State this season, apparently some things don’t go as planned. A&M had a pretty typical year for the Aggies, mediocre all year long and then knock off rival Texas. Key Fact: Joe Paterno is old and underpaid. He may not have won too many championships lately but what he has done for PSU is worth far more than a half million per year.

Sunday

1:00 (FOX) San Francisco @ Cleveland. A last audition for Derek Anderson to keep his starting job next year, in case you have not been watching he has struggled the second half. Key Fact: It almost does not matter what the Browns do in this game (see below).

8:00 (ESPN) Independence Bowl - Alabama vs. Colorado. I would like to say something good about this game, really I would. Key Fact: You really have to love college football to watch this game.

8:15 (NBC) Tennessee @ Indianapolis (NFL). If the Titans win they are in the playoffs, if they lose the Browns are in. Key Fact: The only way the out come of the Browns game means anything is if the Titans and Colts tie.

Monday

12:30 (ESPN) Armed Forces Bowl - Cal vs. Air Force. Yet another game featuring a team that was ranked #2 at sometime this year (Cal). This game also features something more common than teams ranked #2, that would be a team that beat Notre Dame (AF). The Air Force hybrid option game should give Cal fits, and with the absolute second half collapse of Cal I would not expect them to be real hyped up about playing in the Armed Forces Bowl. Key Fact: It is always a pleasure to watch the service academies play, and this game should be no different, regardless that is being played at 12:30 on a Monday.

2:00 (ESPN2) Humanitarian Bowl - Georgia Tech vs. Fresno State. Two Words: Smurf Turf. There is really no other reason to tune into watch this game other than watching that hypnotic blue turf. Key Fact: This has nothing to do with this game, but I am very intrigued to see what kind of offense Paul Johnson (formerly of Navy) will be bringing with him to Atlanta next year.

2:00 (CBS) Sun Bowl - South Florida vs. Oregon. A game featuring two teams that were #2 at some point this year. Dennis Dixon is out for Oregon making this game significantly less exciting. Key Fact: Oregon has not beaten anyone since Dixon went down. Also, Oregon barely plays defense, so USF should have a banner day.

4:00 (ESPN) Music City Bowl - Florida State vs. Kentucky. University of “we beat LSU” Kentucky and Florida “we are going to bring our JV team because all of our starters cheated on an online exam” State will be playing in possible the least exciting bowl game of the year. Key Fact: 7 years ago Florida State’s walk-ons would have probably defeated Kentucky’s first string, this year I am not sure if FSU starters could get out with a win.

5:30 (#^%^@ NFL Network) Insight Bowl - Indiana vs. Oklahoma State. Indiana is in a bowl!!!! Actually this is probably the feel good story of the year. After the passing of head coach Terry Hoepner the Hoosiers found a way to pull together and achieve Hep’s goal of playing 13. Key Fact: OK State lost their offensive coordinator to Southern Miss, it will be interesting to see what kind of effect this has on their high octane offense.

7:30 (ESPN) Chick-fil-A Bowl - Clemson vs. Auburn. Hmmm, two words come to mind when I think about this game…orange and tigers. It will be pretty confusing if the announcers continually refer to the tigers during the game. Key Fact: Tommy Tubberville and Tommy Bowden are routinely on the coaching hot seat, the loser of this game will have the pleasure of staring the season on a slightly warmer seat than the other.

Tuesday

11:00 (ESPN) Outback Bowl - Wisconsin vs. Tennessee. SEC speed vs. Big Ten power #1. Everyone seems to forget that last year the Big Ten won two of the three games like this played. I expect Wisco to just pound PJ Hill into the UT front. Tennessee has struggled against teams that show up with a physical defense. Key Fact: Unless Phil Fulmer wins (more) national titles Tennessee fans will never embrace him. I found this hard to understand until my cousin who attends Tennessee compared Fulmer to John Cooper, and then it all became crystal clear.

11:30 (FOX) Cotton Bowl - Missouri vs. Arkansas. If the Holiday Bowl is not the best non-BCS bowl, this one definitely is. Missouri was passed over for BCS spots by two teams they defeated this season (Kansas, Illinois). Arkansas will still be riding high off of their Thanksgiving weekend upset of #1 (current #2) LSU. It will be interesting to see how Arkansas will do with out the services of their former head coach (and resident wacko) Houston Nutt. Key Fact: This game features two of the 4 Heisman finalists (McFadden and Daniel) so look out for some wild individual performances from them or their co-stars Felix Jones or Jeremy Maclin.

1:00 (CBS) Gator Bowl - Texas Tech vs. Virginia. Solid D vs. we will throw the ball on first, second, third, and possibly fourth down. Really though this is what bowl season is all about, providing match-ups that you would not normally see, this game is one of the more intriguing games of the season. Key Fact: Texas Tech head coach (and part-time pirate) Mike Leach has been a rumored candidate for many head coach openings this bowl season. It will be interesting to see what he can do when some high profile team with NFL caliber athletes gives him a shot.

1:00 (ABC) Capital One Bowl - Florida vs. Michigan. SEC speed vs. Big Ten power #2. OK, it would seem that Florida is going to pound Michigan (honestly I would be shocked, shocked, if anything other than that happened), but there is a reason the games are not played on paper. Key Fact: Rumor has it now that Tim Tebow has won the Heisman trophy as a sophomore he will retire from football to challenge the record of the youngest man to be elected Pope.

4:30 (ABC) Rose Bowl - USC vs. Illinois. The Rose Bowl passed up a USC – Georgia match-up to preserve the traditional Big Ten – Pac Ten set up. I understand why they did this, but for their sake I hope this game is better than the experts think it will be. Key Fact: Ron Zook taking on Pete Carroll in a battle of grey haired dudes who can recruit the pants off of anybody in college football.

8:30 (FOX) Sugar Bowl - Georgia vs. Hawaii. Another WAC team with something to prove. After last year I think it would be prudent of Georgia to take Hawaii very seriously. The Warriors should be able to put some points on the board, but I will be surprised if they can slow down the Georgia offense. Key Fact: You have to love watching teams with a unique offense going up against a team that has far more talent. It is fun to watch the game planning and in game strategy that has to take place for the weaker team to win.

* there is very little respect for the word fact around here.

all times eastern

Fictional National Champion

Congratulations to the Oklahoma Sooners for winning the first annual IJWDBAPA college football playoffs.

On Tap (Wednesday Edition)

7:30 ESPN Motor City Bowl Purdue vs. Central Michigan. CMU and super quarterback Dan LeFevour take on the Boilermakers. Expect a few points to be scored in this game. Key Fact: LeFevour is only the second quarterback ever to pass for 3000 yards and run for 1000 yards in the same season. The other... Vince Young.

Back tomorrow with On Tap taking you through the New Years Day Bowls.

Picture of the Year?

Cover page of Sports Illustrated pictures of the year issue. A picture of Brandon Day of Carroll College, celebrating a 5th Carroll national title in 6 years. As you may know Carroll is the bitter rival of my undergrad, Montana Tech, as well as the alma mater of my sister. She is pissed that I was rooting for Carroll to lose the NAIA championship, so I post this picture as a peace offering.

Best on the Net

Scouring the interwebs to find the best stuff out there so you don't have to.

Best name ever? (Deadspin)

Is the BCS unconstitutional? (Lion in Oil)

If caught in the unfortunate situation of being attacked by a mob of 5 year olds, how many could you fend off? (Many other ridiculous time killing quizzes here as well)

Impressive streaks. (The Sports Hernia)

Some guy got sick of the bowl games so he made up his own. He actually invites teams to the game, although they never show, some teams send letters declining the invitation. (Tom Bowl)

What would your name be if you were a Brazilian soccer star? (Soccer Name Generator)

Good stuff about Michigan's new coach. (Bucknuts)


And how great is it now that the bowl games have started. Navy/Utah was a great game last night that came down to a last minute interception to seal the game for Utah. Hopefully this is the beginning of a long streak of great games.

On Tap (Hung Over Edition)

Thursday

7:00 (ESPN) Pitt @ Duke. (Hoops)

9:00 (ESPN) Poinsettia Bowl Utah vs. Navy. First bowl game of the season. Utah has won 6 bowls in a row, and Navy just lost their head coach to Georgia Tech. Key Fact: If you have somehow not watched Navy and their triple option this year, find sometime to tune in to watch the precision they work with.

Friday

8:00 (ESPN2) New Orleans Bowl Memphis vs. Florida Atlantic. Florida Atlantics first bowl game ever. This is Howard Schnellenberger’s third time building a program from essentially nothing (Miami, Louisville). Key Fact: I don’t even know.

Saturday

12:00 (ESPN) Georgetown @ Memphis. (Hoops)

1:00 (ESPN2) PapaJohns.com Bowl Southern Miss vs. Cincinnati. Southern Miss has been a long standing quality mid major team. Cinci is on the rise with head coach Brian Kelly. Key Fact: This bowl is not sponsored by the pizza chain papa johns, but by their website, what ever the hell that means?

2:00 (ESPN) Tennessee @ Xavier. (Hoops)

2:00 (CBS) UCLA @ West Virginia North. (Hoops) Oh my bad that is UCLA at Michigan.

4:00 (CBS) Florida @ Ohio State. (Hoops) National Championship rematch sorta. It is the same two teams, but not many of the players.

4:30 (ESPN) New Mexico Bowl Nevada vs. New Mexico. Nothing like playing an extra home game to end the year for New Mexico. Only problem is they will get beat in the extra home game. Key Fact: Yes, this is one of those bowls, that when people talk about having too many bowls, they are referring to.

6:30 (EPSN2) Texas @ Michigan State. (Hoops)

8:00 (ESPN) Las Vegas Bowl UCLA vs. BYU. In a rare rematch in a bowl game BYU and UCLA will go at each other again. Somehow UCLA ,a team that lost to Notre Dame, defeated BYU. Expect a hot BYU team to get their revenge. Key Fact: What is better than a bunch of Mormons in Las Vegas?

Sunday

1:00 (CBS) Cleveland @ Cincinnati. Holy, the Browns control their playoff destiny. If the Steelers find away to keep tripping over their own feet the Browns could even end up winning the division. Key Fact: After this game there will be 5 more dollars in my estate account (thanks Paul).

8:00 (ESPN) Hawaii Bowl Boise State vs. East Carolina. If there is any bowl you don’t want to play in it is this one. 2000+ miles from home, 1500 fans, and you can’t spend too much time on the beach because you have an unimportant game to play. Key Fact: Really this game only makes sense if Hawaii is playing in it.

* there is very little respect for the word fact around here.

all times eastern

Playoff Championship

Well the Championship Game of the inaugural IJWDBAPA playoffs is here

#4 Oklahoma vs. #7 Georgia

(vote on the sidebar)

Interesting Title Game Facts

Well at least interesting to me.

Some thing happened this year that has not happened since the inception of the BCS national championship game (granted 10 years is not very long). Every division’s championship game had a repeat contender.

For the rest of this post just remember FBS stands for Football Bowl Subdivision (old division 1) and 1-AA stands for Football Championship Subdivision because I refuse to use FCS when 1-AA is so handy.

10 years of the BCS championship game by the numbers

- No repeat champions

- No team has won two BCS championship games (that will change this year)

- 3 Teams have (or will have) played in 3 BCS title games: Oklahoma, Florida State, and Ohio State.

- No SEC team has ever lost when appearing in the BCS title game (Tennessee, LSU, and Florida).

- The Big 12 has most title game appearances (5) and most loses (3).

- No current Big East team has played in a title game (Miami (2) and VT (1) before they fled to the ACC).

- The ACC, Big Ten and Pac Ten have each only had one team make the title game [ACC – FSU (3), Big Ten – OSU (3), Pac Ten – USC (2)].

Looking at some of the interesting things from the last 10 years of championship games.

- In both 2006 and 2007 six out of the ten teams playing in the championship game played in the championship the previous year. Appalachian State (1-AA ), Northwest Missouri State (D-II), Mount Union (D-III), and Wisconsin Whitewater (D-III) have all appeared three years in a row.

- As stated earlier for the first time, each championship game has at least one repeat contender. The teams above plus Ohio State (FBS) and Sioux Falls (NAIA).

- Every team competing in a championship game has played in at least one other title game in the last 10 years. Mount Union has played in the most (8).

- 1-AA has had the most different teams compete in the championship game (12). FBS (11), D-II (8), D-III (9), and NAIA (7).

-The FBS has had the most different champions (9*), 1-AA comes in second (7), and all three other division have had 5 different champions.

- Longest winning streaks: Carroll College (4, NAIA), Appalachian State (3, 1-AA, current), Mount Union (3, D-II).

- Most appearances: Mount Union (8), Northwest Missouri State (5), Grand Valley State (5), and Carroll College (5).

* This will not change with OSU and LSU having already won a championship.

Weekend Sports Review

Ohio State loses another national championship game in 2007. This time it was Men's Soccer. The team made an improbable run to the championship game and even held a 1-0 lead into the second half only to fall to Wake Forest 2-1.


Rich Rodriguez is the new head football coach at Michigan. A lot of people will question whether or not his system will fit with the personnel at Michigan but if you look at the teams he coached for in the 90's (Tulane, Clemson) it shows that the offense allows for the team to throw the ball around a little bit. Also it is possible that stud super recruit Terrelle Pryor could attend Michigan next year and start from day one. Dan Shanoff called Pryor a love child of Pat White and Tim Tebow, I have heard "Vince Young Lite". Either way I think Rodriguez will do well at Michigan, I am not sure he will do better than Lloyd Carr, but I think he will have the Wolverines competing for a Big Ten title most years and an occasional national title.

Good to see Troy Smith finally getting some snaps for Baltimore, too bad someone (Kyle Boller) had to get hurt for it to happen. I can’t stand the Ravens, but it is hard to root against Smith, I hope he uses his chance to prove he can play in the NFL. Leading your team to tie the game and set them up for the game winning field goal is a step in the right direction, but losing to the Dolphins hurts.

Dynasty Alert.... Appalachian State (1-AA) wins their third title in three years. Carroll College (NAIA) wins their 5th title in 6 years.


Later today or tomorrow I will post a break down of the 10 years of the BCS title game (and other division title games).

Beer of the Week

Week of December 17 2007 --- Beer of the Week


Winter Hook




Winter Hook Winter Ale from Red Hook brewery is probably the best winter brew I have tried this season. It has all the right flavors without them being so overpowering that you can barely stand to drink more than one. If you are in the mood for a winter ale to warm you up this holiday season run out and buy a sixer of Winter Hook.

Maps

If you happen to be a sports nut mixed in with a little bit of a geography nerd you will enjoy this site. Sport Map World. Someone took the time and used Google maps to layout the locations of all the teams in different leagues around the world. It is a good place to kill 15 minutes (or 3 hours if you really don't want to be productive).

Best on the Net

Scouring the interwebs to find the best stuff out there so you don't have to.

It seems like 90% of the internets were talking about the Mitchell Report this week. Being that I could really care less who used steroids, I will totally avoid linking to it. Anyhow, here are the links of the week:


Awesome beer pong tables. (The Beer Blog)


Kick ass trout. (HT: Deadspin)


No wonder we can't have playoffs. (The Wizard of Odds)


A little Ohio State football update. (Buckeye Commentary)

On Tap (College Football Championship Edition)

Helping you get your weekend viewing priorities straight since 2007

Friday

7:30 (ESPNU) UMass vs. Ohio State. Men’s Soccer Final 4. Key Fact: This is soccer, I expect no one who is reading this will watch this game, but I thought just in case I would let you know that it is on.

8:00 (ESPN2) Delaware vs. Appalachian State. Division 1 (AA) Football Championship game. It is fitting that App State plays a team in blue and yellow with winged helmets to end the year, now if only Delaware was coached by Lloyd Carr. App. State is playing for their 3^rd title in 3 years. Key Fact: This game should be an awesome battle between quarterbacks with vastly different styles: Joe Flacco (Delaware) is a classic drop back passer with NFL aspirations, and Armanti Edwards (App. St.), a duel threat QB with 1750 yards passing and 1499 yards rushing.

Saturday

12:00 (ESPN) Oklahoma State vs. Pitt. (hoops)

12:00 (ESPN2) NW Missouri State vs. Valdosta State. NCAA Division II National Championship. NWMS avenged last year’s championship loss to Grand Valley State (while also ending GVSU’s 40 game winning streak) in one of the semifinals, and Valdosta came back to defeat California (of Pennsylvania that is) in the other. Key Fact: I watched about 9 minutes of NWMS’s last game, their running back looked quite good.

1:00 (CSTV) Sioux Falls vs. Carroll. NAIA National Championship. Sioux Falls is trying to repeat as national champion. Carroll is trying to regain the throne that they held for the previous 4 years before Sioux Falls. Key Fact: I attended Montana Tech for undergrad and Carroll College was like our Michigan. Imagine watching Michigan play for 5 out of 6 national titles while rolling over OSU two times per year; how bad would that suck? Plus my sister went to Carroll. So GO SIOUX FALLS!!!

2:00 (ESPN) UAB vs. Kentucky. (hoops)

3:00 (ESPN2) Arkansas vs. Oklahoma. (hoops)

3:30 (CBS) Louisville @ Purdue. (hoops)

4:00 (ESPN) Mount Union vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater. Division III National Championship. Does Mount Union ever not play for the D-III title? That is a serious question, not that I watch a lot of D-III football but I can’t remember a year where they were not in the game. (Some quick wikipediaing has revealed since 1996 Mount Union has been in all but 2 title games where they have won 8, losing only once). This is the third straight year that the schools will face off for the title with Mount Union winning the two previous contests. Key Fact: Only the John Wooden led UCLA Bruins dynasty can even compare to the kind of dominance that has be laid down by Mount Union in the last 12 years.

5:00 (ESPN2) Ohio vs. Kansas. (hoops)

7:00 (ESPN2) Memphis vs. Middle Tennessee State. (hoops)

Sunday

1:00 (CBS) Buffalo @ Cleveland. The winner of this game will be in the driver’s seat for the final AFC Playoff spot. Key Fact: If you would have told me that at the beginning of the season I would have punched you in the jaw.

I still have not watched much college basketball. Once I have the faintest idea of what is going on, I will provide my usual limited/skewed/blatantly wrong analysis.

* there is very little respect for the word fact around here.

all times eastern

Semifinals

After a week of voting and whopping six votes (I choose to ignore the one person that stopped by and only voted for Hawaii to beat OSU) the semifinals are set in the first annual IJWDBAPA college football playoffs.

#1 OSU vs. #4 Oklahoma

#6 WVU vs. #7 Georgia

Same as last week, vote for who you think would win (or who you would like to win)

Bowl Pick'em Contest

I usually have a NCAA Basketball bracket contest on Yahoo!, but this year I have expanded to college football as well. So to join the inaugural IJWDBAPA college bowl pick'em go to

http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/bowl

pick join group

put in your yahoo ID

and enter this information

Group ID: 19352

Password: buckeyes

(isn't that password original)

and pick away, the winner gets something. What? Yeah it's worth will depend on who wins, for example if it is me: eleventy billion dollars.

Beer of the Week

Week of December 10 2007 --- Beer of the Week

Busch Light (aka Nectar of the Gods)





Busch Light is the greatest beer on Earth. And because this is the greatest week of the year, Busch Light must serve as Beer of the Week. Also it has been proven that nothing helps you through a quarter life crisis like Busch Light (this is fact people, look it up).

Best on the Net

Scouring the interwebs to find the best stuff out there so you don't have to.

Just three quick links this week.

Grand Slam of Curling? Hell yes!!! (Lion in Oil)

The real Heisman Trophy winner (NOIS)

Cow Hunting? Awesome picture. (The Big Lead)

On Tap

Helping you get your weekend viewing priorities straight since 2007

Thursday

9:30 (ESPN) LSU @ #21 Villanova.

Friday

8:00 (ESPN2) Richmond @ Appalachian State. Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA) semifinal #1. App. State is the two time defending 1-AA champion. Last week Richmond beat Wofford who beat App. State just 3 weeks after their dramatic upset of then #5 Michigan. Key Fact: If Jerry Moore (App State Coach) were 10 years younger he would be picked by a 1-A school about 2 hours after his team’s season was over.

Saturday

12:00 (ESPN) #24 Arizona @ Illinios

2:00 (ESPN) DePaul @ #3 Kansas

2:00 (CBS) Michigan @ #7 Duke

2:00 (ESPN2) Dayton @ #11 Louisville

3:00 (FSN) #9 Pitt @ Washington

4:00 (CBS) Kentucky @ #15 Indiana

4:00 (ESPN) Delaware @ Southern Illinois. 1-AA semifinal #2. Southern Illinois is the only seeded team (#4) left in the playoff. Delaware knocked off #1 seed Northern Iowa last week to advance to the semifinal. Key Fact: Delaware’s mascot is the Blue Hens, if that does not get you fired up to root for a football team I don’t know what will.

Both the NCAA division II and division III will be holding their semifinal games this day. I could not find if there are any national (or local) broadcasts for these games, but that is due to a complete lack of trying.

(Update: Grand Valley State @ Northwest Missouri State is on ESPN2 at 9:00 PM)

Sunday

4:00 (CBS) Cleveland @ NY Jets. Cleveland is coming off a debatable loss at Arizona and the Jets are coming off a whooping of Miami. This game is key for Cleveland’s playoff hopes. Key Fact: Romeo Crennel vs. Eric Mangini would probably be the best head coach sumo wrestling match up imaginable (NFL only, cause Mark Mangino, Kansas head coach, would obviously handle them both).

Notice the complete lack of information about the college basketball games. I have yet to watch more the about 5 full halves of Ohio State games and about 31.5 combined minutes of other hoop action. Once I have the faintest idea of what is going on, I will provide my usual limited/skewed/blatantly wrong analysis.

* there is very little respect for the word fact around here.

all times eastern

Playoff

If you look to the right you will see some polls have been added where you can vote for who you think would win in the fictitious playoff match ups posted earlier.

Here at IJWDBAPA we will crown our own mythical national champion.

So vote early and vote often.

Oh Yeah

Today is Repeal Day!!!

On December 5th, 1933 the US government officially repealed prohibition. I can't think of a better reason to crack open a beer and celebrating.



Repeal Day

Playoffs?

The playoff the Yeti would like to see.

Quarter Finals

#1 Ohio State (Big 10) vs. #8 Hawaii (Mid major) (Citrus Bowl)

#2 LSU (SEC) vs. #7 Georgia (at-large) (Cotton Bowl)

#3 Virginia Tech (ACC) vs. #6 WVU (Big East) (Peach Bowl)

#4 Oklahoma (Big 12) vs. #5 USC (PAC 10) (Rose Bowl)

Semi Finals

OSU/Haw vs. OU/USC (Fiesta Bowl)

LSU/Georgia vs. VT/WVU (Orange Bowl)

Championship

Semifinal winners (Sugar Bowl)

The playoff includes 6 BCS conference champions and 2 at-large teams. Undefeated mid-majors are automatically qualified (unless more than 2, then go by BCS rankings). If no qualified mid-majors, at-large bids go to the highest ranked remaining teams as determined by the BCS. Seeds based on final BCS standings (BCS conference champions always get the 6 highest seeds).

Back For More

Ohio State will once again (3rd time in 6 years) be playing for the BCS title. They will be taking on LSU in their backyard (New Orleans).



More impressive than Tressel leading the Buckeyes to the championship game 3 times in 7 years is that in his 22 years as a head coach he has finished the season with a championship game NINE times.


All hail coach Sweatervest.

Beer of the Week

Week of December 3 2007 --- Beer of the Week

Samuel Adams Winter Lager

It is not quite winter yet, but it is cold enough outside to be enjoying beers that have winter in their name. Since I almost thought about drinking a Samuel Adams Winter Lager yesterday, it will serve as this week's beer of the week.

Weekend

Enjoy the weekend, and remember...


Boomer Sooner!!




And if all else fails pull for the Wannstaches.

On Tap

Helping you get your weekend viewing priorities straight since 2007

Thursday

7:45 (ESPN) Rutgers @ Louisville. When the Big East put this game on the schedule I think they were hoping for some title implications. Whoops. Key Fact: If you can not find access to a TV with the NFL network (see below) and you are Jonesing for some football this is the game for you.

8:15 (NFL) Packers @ Cowboys. Tony Romo. Brett Farve. T.O. Tony Romo. Brett Farve. NFL Network. Blah. Blah. Blah. Key Fact: Both teams are 10-1 this should be a good game.

Saturday

12:00 (CBS) Army v. Navy. Best game of the year regardless of record. The tradition is fantastic. Army already captured Navy’s goat and put up a Youtube video of the operation (Wizard of Odds). Key Fact: Seriously if you have never watched an Army-Navy game tune into this, also this game tops my list of games I would like to see in person.

1:00 (ABC) Boston College v. Virginia Tech. For the ACC title, also rematch #1. Last meeting BC snuck out of Blacksburg with a victory. Key Fact: the loser of this game is probably out of the BCS picture.

4:00 (CBS) LSU v. Tennessee. I feel a 4 or 5 overtime game. Key Fact: Les Miles has one foot out the door to Michigan.

4:30 (ABC) UCLA @ USC. Battle for LA. Key Fact: UCLA (6-5, 5-3) still has shot at wining the PAC 10 and playing in the Rose Bowl, I shit you not.

7:45 (ESPN) Pittsburgh @ West Virginia. Backyard Brawl. A win secures WVU’s spot in the title game. Pitt has been dominated recently in this “rivalry” and would like nothing more than to ruin WVU’s season. Key Fact: WVU will put up 50 in this game and there is no way Pitt could score that many points even if you gave them 120 minutes to do it.

8:00 (ABC) Missouri v. Oklahoma. For the Big 12 title, rematch #2. Last meeting OU won by 10, but only because a last minute Mizzou touchdown. A Missouri win secures their spot in the national title game. Key Fact: OU QB Sam Bradford will use this game to show OU is the true class of the Big 12, it must be tough thinking that if he did not get hurt against Texas Tech this game might be for a spot in the national championship.

11:30 (ESPN2) Washington @ Hawaii. A win for Hawaii puts them in the BCS, thus giving them a chance to prove their dynamic offense can work against a top 10 caliber team. Key Fact: Hawaii is already planning a party for the BCS selection show, something gives me a feeling that may be a little to cocky.

Sunday

4:00 (CBS) Cleveland @ Arizona. The Browns reign of terror over inferior opponents continues in the desert. Key Fact: Now that I have shown confidence in the Browns they will probably lose.

* there is very little respect for the word fact around here.

all times eastern

Remembering Jimmy V

If you have 10 minutes to spare watch this video. Great speech.

College Hoops

Big 10/ACC Challenge

Last night the only Big 10 win was Indiana sneaking past Georgia Tech, meanwhile Wisconsin (the best Big 10 team in action last night) got absolutely throttled by Duke.

Totals after last night ACC -5 Big Ten - 1

Best Games of the evening.

NC State travels to East Lansing to take on #13 Michigan State (7:00 ESPN).
This is probably the Big 10's best chance to get a win tonight.

#2 North Carolina heads into Columbus to challenge (feast on) the Buckeyes (9:00 ESPN).
Last year a young Buckeye's team challenged the Tar Heels in a close game in Chapel Hill. If Ohio State keeps this game close it would be a great confidence builder for the rest of the year. An upset here would be a miracle for OSU and detrimental to a confident UNC team.


Best Case scenario is the Big Ten loses the challenge 8-3.

OSU Basketball

Got a chance to catch the Ohio State - VMI game last night, played in historic St. John Arena.

I expected the VMI experience to be a little more exciting than it was. VMI came into the game averaging a 100+ points a game this season. This stat is not fluky due to the small sample size (4 games) they averaged 102 all of last season.

Anyhow, VMI managed only to put up 55 points and countless times were at the very end of the shot clock before they had to heave up a desperation shot. This is a team that likes to shoot with no less than 15 seconds remaining on the shot clock, and even that is a long possession for them. One more thing; I am not sure if the NCAA keeps shot clock violation statistics, but if they do I would like to see how many shot clock violations VMI has had in the last two years. I bring that up because OSU forced one last night and it may have been the most impressive 35 seconds of defense I have witnessed in a long time.

The game was a nice rebound win for OSU after the shellacking they took from Texas A&M Friday night.

Long Weekend Sports Review

-College Football

#1 LSU loses to Arkansas.

#4 Missouri defeated #2 Kansas.

#3 WVU destroyed # 20 UConn.

#5 Ohio State watched and is now #3.


-NFL

Browns win! Browns win!

Patriots almost lose! Patriots almost lose!


-NBA

LeBron = Triple Double.

Celtics looks like the class of the East.


-MLB

Someone overpaid for a free agent(imagine that), and it was not Arod.


-College Basketball

Games were played.


-Curling

If any curling happened and I missed it, I am going to be pissed.


-Turkey Bowl

It ended in a tie (what are the odds?).

Beer of the Week

Week of November 26 2007 --- Beer of the Week

Winter Solstice






Every family has a beer snob and mine is apparently no different. With last week's beer of the week (Icehouse) not being quite up the the beer snobs standard he showed up with a six pack of Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice left such a good impression that it will now forever be remembered as a beer of the week.

Here is a description that I don't quite understand, yet completely agree with.

"Layers of malt spread out for your enjoyment on a bed of deep, mild bitterness."
~Jim Anderson, Publisher: Beer Philadelphia

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone is too busy eating and celebrating to check this.


Things the Yeti will be giving thanks for this holiday season:



~College Football Playoffs (1-AA knows how to do things)

~Emergency Rooms (2 Turkey Bowls = 2 broken bones, this year should make it 3)

~7 foot Freshman centers (Koufus 24 points 9 boards in NY last night)

~Upsets (preferably of LSU and WVU)

~Beer, don't forget beer

~Friends and Family


Enjoy the holiday Weekend

On Tap (Thanksgiving Edition)

Helping you get your weekend viewing priorities straight since 2007

Wednesday

7:00/9:00 (ESPN2) Texas A&M v. Washington/Syracuse v. Ohio State. NIT semifinals from Madison Square Garden in New York. Key Fact: These are basketball games.

Thursday

8:00 (ESPN) USC @ Arizona State. A win in this game most likely secures a birth in the Rose Bowl (for USC this is assuming an Oregon team led by Brady Leaf drops one more game). But for Arizona State a win keeps them on the very edge of the BCS national title game talk. It would take a complete catastrophe in front of them, but this has been a strange year of college football so don’t count them out. Key Fact: There will be far too much maroon and yellow for my liking.

Friday

2:30 (CBS) Arkansas @ LSU. This may not be LSU’s toughest remaining game, but it should be the most interesting. Arkansas will line up and run the ball, then they will run it again, and when they are done they will run it again for good measure. The LSU defense has been a little bend but don’t break here late in the season, the nature of the Arkansas offense should be able to take advantage late in the game when the LSU defense is good and tired. Key Fact: Les Miles will be more caught up in the Michigan coaching situation than his players will be. How will this affect the game? Who knows Miles is already a little bit of a loose cannon as a coach.

3:30 (ABC) Texas @ Texas A&M. With a win here coupled with and Oklahoma loss Texas will make the Big 12 South champion. Key Fact: Texas A&M could pay $1200 for a special scouting report from Texas’s head coach and it still would not help.

7:00 (ESPN) NIT Championship game. Teams TBA.

8:00 (ESPN2) Boise State @ Hawaii. Winner has an outside shot at sneaking into a BCS game assuming the ACC or Big East Champion finish worse than 16^th in the final BCS standings. Key Fact: Ssssh, the best quarterback in the WAC might not play for Hawaii.

Saturday

12:00 (ESPN2) VT @ Virginia. Winner plays BC in the ACC championship. A little bit of a surprise that Virginia is here (lost first game to Wyoming of all teams). Key Fact: Virginia is not a State it is a Commonwealth.

1:30 (CBS) Tennessee @ Kentucky. A Tennessee win clinches the SEC East, a loss and Georgia wins the East. Key Fact: Kentucky still has one of the best quarterbacks in the country (Andre Woodson) but it seems everyone has forgotten about him after a couple of losses.

3:30 (ESPN2) Notre Dame @ Stanford. A battle of prestigious academic institutions trying to lay a foundation for next years football seasons. ND is also looking to avoid a dreaded 10 loss season. Key Fact: There will be no actual football played during the third quarter, instead an advanced calculus test will be taken by both teams, highest average scores gets 10 points on the scoreboard; this is bound to be the deciding factor in an otherwise low scoring game.

3:30 (ABC/ESPN) UConn @ WVU. West Virginia has serious title game aspirations. All they need to do is win out, have the winner of the Kansas/Mizzou game lose the Big 12 championship game, and hope the voters don’t do something crazy and they will be playing for the whole enchilada. Key Fact: UConn is not as good as advertised, WVU by 21 minimum.

3:30 (FSN) Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State. Suddenly this game means a little something. An Oklahoma State win along with a Texas loss will mean a three way tie at the top of the Big 12 south. The tie-breaker is highest BCS standing which all but eliminates OK State, but will be awfully interesting between Oklahoma and Texas. Key Fact: Oklahoma State is the kind of team that could win this game by 20 or lose by 37.

5:00 (CBC) Florida State @ Florida. Only thing about this game that matters is Tim Tebow padding his already impressive stats in an attempt to win the Heisman Trophy. Key Fact: Take away one loss or add one year experience to Tebow and he wins the Heisman going away. Seriously 20+ rushing and 20+ passing TDs, come on people.

8:00 (ESPN) Alabama @ Auburn. Alabama better win this game or the 4 million bucks that Alabama gave to Nick Satan Saban is going to look like and awfully bad idea (not that it already doesn’t). Key Fact: This might be the only year that Tommy Tuberville and Saban face off in this rivalry, no not cause Saban will be fired, but cause Tuberville could be the next head coach at Texas A&M.

8:00 (ABC) Missouri vs. Kansas from Kansas City. Holy crap the Big 12 North title and possible national championship appearance are on the line. If at the beginning of the year anyone told you this game would have major BCS implications they are a big fat liar. Key Fact: If you stacked the two starting quarterbacks on top of each other they would just barely be able to get on the rides at Disney World.

Sunday

1:00 (CBS) Houston @ Cleveland. Currently the Browns are tied for the last playoff spot in the AFC. It looks good for them to get to at worst 10-6 this year with the schedule they have left (Houston, @ Arizona, @ NY Jets, Buffalo, @ Cincinnati, San Fran), but they need to beat the teams they are supposed to beat (all of these) to avoid an epic second half collapse. Key Fact: Yes, the Browns should make the playoffs, but as any good Cleveland fan knows, shit can happen.

* there is very little respect for the word fact around here.

all times eastern

Michigan Blocking Scheme

Not much else I can add here.

Beer of the Week

Week of November 19 2007 --- Beer of the Week


Icehouse






It is Thanksgiving week. That means seven things: family, food, football, ping pong, arguing, Turkey Bowl, and beer.

To handle this weekends family ordeals, I recommend a beer that can be easily purchased in mass quantities and has a high enough alcohol content to either fuel the family fireworks or soothe even the savage beast.

That is why this week Icehouse and its 5.5% alcohol content will be the Thanksgiving week Beer of the Week.

Now What?

Thanks to the infinite wisdom that is the Big Ten, Ohio State is not playing football these next two weekends. There will still be plenty of great games to watch, and if you feel like you need to have some teams to pull for here is a little guide.

Teams to root for if you would like to see Ohio State play in a second straight national title game:

Oklahoma. Now that they have lost a second game they are out of the national title picture, but they will have a major say in who will eventually end up in the game. Currently both Kansas and Missouri are ahead of Ohio State in the BCS standings. These teams play on Saturday with the winner taking on Oklahoma (or Texas if Oklahoma slips up against Ok State). If Oklahoma knocks off the winner of the Kansas/Missouri game that would leave only two teams that are currently ranked in front of Ohio State.

Arkansas. The Razorbacks take on LSU this Friday. If the Razorbacks fail to pull the upset then root for the SEC East Champion.

Kentucky. Why do you need to root for Kentucky? Well they don’t play anyone who is in front of OSU but they do play Tennessee. Currently Tennessee is in the driver’s seat to win the SEC East and take on LSU in the SEC championship game. There are many people who believe LSU would more than likely be able to run over Tennessee, but would have tougher time getting past Georgia. Georgia currently sits second in the SEC East and can only pass Tennessee with a Volunteer loss to Kentucky.

UConn/Pittsburgh. Both of these teams get a chance to knock off WVU in Morgantown.

USC. USC gets included here because the only 1-loss team behind OSU that would have a realistic chance to catch them is Arizona State. The Sun Devils and Trojans square of on Thanksgiving Day in Tempe.

And Now We Wait

OSU 14 Michigan 3

OSU will be at worst #5 in the next BCS

Here we go upsets, here we go.

Oregon Goes Down

Only 5 teams ahead of OSU in the BCS and two of them are guaranteed to lose one more game this year(Big XII). OSU needs to beat UM and hope for only two upsets to have what seemed to be an improbable chance to reach the national title just 5 days ago.

M*ch*g*n's Goals

About the 3 prominent Michigan seniors.

Remember Chad Henne, Mike Hart, and Jake Long all came back to school for three reasons: 1) Beat OSU (the are 0 for 3) 2) Win a bowl game (0-3) and 3) Win a national title.

Goal 3 is out of the question.

Michigan will probably accomplish goals 1 or 2 but not both.

Here is why:

If Michigan beats Ohio State they will play in the Rose Bowl (possible opponents ASU, USC, or Oregon who is currently getting whooped by Arizona). Assuming all of their players are healthy these 3 teams are superior in talent (and coaching) to Michigan (or so I believe).

If Michigan is to lose to Ohio State they will probably be heading to the Champs Sports Bowl in Tampa to face off against the 4^th bowl eligible team from the ACC. This currently looks like Virginia or possibly Boston College. Assuming Virginia Tech beat Virginia, the Champs Sports bowl should be Michigan vs. Virginia. Michigan should be a solid favorite against a team that has only beat two decent teams (UConn and Wake Forest both by one point) and was absolutely manhandled by 5-5 Wyoming in the first week of the season.

So it looks like Mike Hart and company will get one of their goals.

Saturday’s pick: OSU 31 Michigan 24.

On Tap (the abbreviated version)

Helping you get your weekend viewing priorities straight since 2007

9:00 (ESPN) Oregon @ Arizona. Key Fact: Oregon needs to win and win big if they want to think about a possible national championship.

Friday

11:00 (ESPN2) Hawaii @ Nevada. Key Fact: Colt Brennan got knocked the f#$@ out last week, combine that with his effectiveness away from the islands and I smell upset.

Saturday

12:00 (ABC) Ohio State @ Michigan. Key Fact: It is Thursday Nov. 15th and Michigan still sucks.

12:00 (ESPN) Northwestern @ Illinois. Key Fact: A win gives Illinois an outside shot at a BCS bowl.

2:30 (NBC) Duke @ Notre Dame. Key Fact: Duke fans are getting a little too excited about a chance to be Chucky Weis, Notre Dame in a laugher.

3:30 (ABC) Iowa State @ Kansas. Key Fact: Yes, Kansas is still undefeated.

3:30 (CBS) LSU @ Misississippi. Key Fact: Closer than the experts think.

7:45 (ESPN) West Virginia @ Cincinnati. Key Fact: If Cinci pulls the upset (they will) the Big East will be back in disarray.

7:45 (ESPN2) Boston College @ Clemson. Key Fact: Clemson controls their ACC destiny.

8:00 (ABC) Texas Tech @ Oklahoma. Key Fact: Texas Tech play little to no defense, combined final score closer to 85 than 50.

Sunday

1:00 (CBS) Cleveland @ Baltimore. Key Fact: The Browns have a chance to separate themselves from the rest of the division (minus Pittsburgh).

OSU Basketball (the year after)

I got a chance to catch my first OSU basketball action last night (second half against Columbia).

Here are my initial impressions.

Kosta Koufus (C, Fr): He's tall and moves very well for his size. Koufus does a great job getting position on the block and finds ways to get his shots off (even most of the ugly ones went in). He has more offensive moves right now than Oden had at the end of last year.

Jon Diebler (SF, Fr): Looks a lot more physically ready for the college game than I would have thought. Still needs to put on some more muscle but has done a good job since the high school games I saw him play. Also he holds the record for most points scored in Ohio history, that does not happen by accident, he can play.

Jamar Butler (PG, Sr.): Can knock down the three ball with the best of them. I thought he would be better suited off the ball last year but he seems more comfortable running the offense and taking his shot when it comes. It looks like he will have to carry this team while the freshman learn how to play.

Othello Hunter (PF-C, Sr): Had a calf issue so did not see much, but had 7 boards when he left the game.

Matt Terwilliger (PF-C, Sr): Fills in when needed, is not going to get you a lot of points.

Dallas Lauderdale (PF, Fr.): Filled in for Hunter for awhile, but Thad seemed content with keeping the starters on the floor for most of the half. Not many minutes to judge Dallas on.

David Lighty (G-F, So.): I feel he is going to be the glue guy for this team. He is going to get done what needs to get done, not excelling in any one category but not lacking in any either.

Evan Turner (G, Fr.): Ran the floor well and knocked down a nice kick out three, but not much to go on here either.

Transition defense was very poor early in the second half.

Transition offense looked very good in the middle part of the half.

Late in the game Thad had Butler, Lighty, Diebler, Turner and Koufus on the floor. I think this is a lineup to look out for as the year goes on, two lights out shooters, two slashers, with the big man in the middle and you don't give up some much size that you are going to get killed on the boards.

The problem with evaluating a game against Columbia is the good things are probably not quite as good as they seem and the bad are probably worse.

Columbia lived and died by the three (mostly cause they could not buy a non dunk two for their lives). I will be scary this year against more talented teams. Hopefully the freshman grow up fast, and thankfully this is not football so losing a few games early in the season while your team in learning will not kill you.

Final words about this season: I am going to be watching a lot of the games in the bar to the %$#&% Big Ten Network.

Way Late Way Short Bar Golf Recap

Did people actually show up? Yes.

18 bars 18 drinks can it be done? Yes.

Was it a good idea? Probably not.

Will it happen again? More than likely.

Will it be better organized? For damn sure.

Will you hear about it? If you are lucky.

Is the Fat Lady Singing?

A ridiculous scenario in which Ohio State can still make it to the National Championship game.

Here is how it could happen: Ohio State currently sits 7^th in the BCS standing with West Virginia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Oregon and Louisiana State in front of them.

1) #7 Ohio State beats Michigan (preferably convincingly)

2) #6 West Virginia loses at Cincinnati or to Pittsburgh in the backyard brawl.

3) #1 LSU loses to Arkansas or in the SEC championship game (Georgia or Tennessee)

4) #2 Oregon loses at Arizona or in the Civil War to Oregon State

5) Now it gets confusing with the three Big 12 teams. Most likely #4 Oklahoma will be playing either # 3 Kansas or #5 Mizzou in the Big 12 championship. All three of these teams will need to lose one game. There are a few possible ways this could happen.

Scenario 1: Oklahoma loses to Oklahoma state and then comes back to beat an undefeated Kansas in the Big 12 CG.

Scenario 2: Oklahoma wins out. Mizzou loses to Kansas State. Kansas loses to Mizzou. Kansas beats Oklahoma in the Big 12 CG.

Scenario 3: Kansas loses to Iowa State. Oklahoma loses to Oklahoma State. Mizzou wins out, but loses to Oklahoma in the Big 12 CG.

Confused? Good so am I. I read over that Big 12 thing 4 times and am still not sure if it works out right, but for the sake of argument lets say it does.

Now if the first four things happen OSU would likely move up to #2 and #1 would likely come from the survivor of the Big 12 disaster.

With as crazy as this season has been there is an outside chance of something like this happening. First and foremost OSU must beat Michigan this weekend and then sit back and watch the carnage of the rest of the college football landscape.

One last thing, if OSU and Arizona State lose one more game each and all of that other crap up there happens we could have a two loss team playing for the national title. How crazy would that be? Good luck picking what 2 loss team would be most deserving.

Playoff! Playoff! Playoff!

Beer of the Week

Week of November 12 2007 --- Beer of the Week


Natural Light








This beer of the week of the week is cheap and can be found in mass quantities at any corner store. This is particularly helpful to Ohio State fans trying to recover from last Saturday as well as prepare for next Saturday against the state up north. With the OSU-M*ch*g*n game kicking off at noon this year it is very important to have a beer that is an easy drink since you will have to start sometime around 8:30 AM to be in good form for the game.

So this weeks beer of the week will be the favorite of Ohio college kids, Natty Light.

On Tap

Helping you get your weekend viewing priorities straight since 2007

Thursday

7:45 (ESPN) Louisville @ West Virginia. What was supposed to be the game of the year in the Big East has become a must win for WVU to keep any outside chance at an appearance in the national championship game. Also a WVU win keeps them on a collision course with UConn to play for the Big East title in the final game of the year. Key Fact: Brian Brohm (UL QB) deserves better than playing for a team that has absolutely no defense.

Friday

8:00 (ESPN2) Rutgers @ Army. Not real sure what to say about this game, usually the fun of watching a service academy play is watching what kind of offense they use to take advantage of the particular kind of athlete they have (smart and insanely disciplined). Army on the other hand tries to operate in a more “modern” offense. Key Fact: Ray Rice should run wild against a smaller Army defense.

Saturday

12:00 (ESPN) Michigan @ Wisconsin. Back in September people would have argued that this game would decided the Big Ten title, but know we know that the OSU-Michigan game will have that honor. Key Fact: Wisconsin will not fake a punt inside of their own 40 in the 4^th quarter, unless the punter misses the sign … again.

12:00 (ESPN2) Wake Forest @ Clemson. Wake Forest would need to run they table and have BC slip up twice the rest of the way for them to have a chance to represent the Atlantic division in the ACC championship game. Clemson still has a game remaining with BC and controls their own destiny (with a win this week). Key Fact: When the Tigers wear their purple jerseys, they look like a team of Grimace’s.

2:30 (NBC) Air Force @ Notre Dame. Can Notre Dame find a way to lose to a service academy two weeks in a row? I am sure Cheeseburger Weis will find a way to go for a 4^th and 17 from his own 37 with 34 seconds remaining in a tied game only to have Evan Sharpley fumble leading to a game winning 41 yard field goal from Air Force. Seriously who tries a 41 yard field goal when the game is tied and time is running out? Key Fact: I almost feel bad about piling on Notre Dame in the middle of their horrendous season, almost, but if they are beat by a second straight military academy Notre Dame fans lose all rights to defend their current team or Cheeseburger Weis. Seriously.

3:30 (ABC) Illinois @ Ohio State. The battle for the Illibuck (a turtleish looking creature). Illinois has given OSU fits in its last two undefeated seasons and looks to finally knock them off this year. Unfortunately OSU seems to be most susceptible to a team with a good passing game, Illinois is not that team (152 ypg). It will take a great defensive effort for the Illini to pull this game out. Key Fact: It will be senior day in the Shoe, but how many juniors will the Buckeye faithful be watching for the last time? (Laurinaitis, Gholston, Jenkins, Boone, Boeckman, Freeman, ….)

3:30 (CBS) Auburn @ Georgia. The Bulldogs need to win out, and hope that UT slips up one time, to secure the SEC East championship. Auburn has given people fits on the road this year, I don't expect this game to be any different. Key Fact: After the first Georgia touchdown scored the entire student section will rush the field to celebrate with the team in a heart felt display of school unity.

7:45 (ESPN) Florida @ South Carolina. I am pretty sure not many people thought these team would come in with a combined 7 losses (all in SEC play). Florida needs a win to still have an outside chance (way outside) of making the SEC championship game and a rematch with LSU. South Carolina is playing to try and knock of Spurrier’s old team for the second time in 3 years. Key Fact: Late in the 4^th quarter, down 3 points, Urban Meyer inserts Tim Tebow at safety; Tebow promptly intercepts a Smelley pass, breaks free down the sideline only to be clotheslined by Spurrier as time expires. Unfazed Tebow kicks a 67 yard field goal to send the game into over time where the Gators go onto win and thus a legend is born. Excuse me? Tebow is already a legend? Whatever.

8:00 (ABC) Kansas @ Oklahoma State. Holy undefeated Kansas, 76 points last week against Nebraska? Oklahoma State can also put up some points, so this game should turn into a scoring extravaganza. Key Fact: Kansas is playing a Saturday night high profile game and most of the nation will be tuning in surprised to find out that the game is being played on grass and not hardwood.

11:00 (ESPN2) Fresno State @ Hawaii. Nothing like a game that will end sometime after the bars close. Hawaii needs a win to remain undefeated in anticipation for their Nov 23^rd match up out in the islands with Boise State. Key Fact: Hawaii may not really be deserving of a BCS game, but I would really like to see that offense go up against a BCS caliber defense, so root for the (Rainbow) Warriors.

Sunday

1:00 (CBS) Cleveland @ Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh absolutely destroyed Baltimore on Monday night, here is to hoping that the short week will some how slow them down giving the Browns the edge. A Browns win will have these two teams tied atop the AFC north, a Steelers win gives them a stranglehold on the division. Key Fact: Cleveland could be on top of their division after this game and the year is not 1987.

College Basketball games will start taking up this space when some better match ups are being played. In other words YES college basketball is back, and it is on every night, just channel surf until you find a D-II team beating up on the national runner-up.

* there is very little respect for the word fact around here.

all times eastern