MLB
The regular season is winding down and we are entering the next to last weekend of the season before the Playoffs begin. It could be the dullest 2 weeks of baseball in the American league, since all 4 spots are basically claimed save for an apocalyptic collapse. In fact only 2 teams outside of Minnesota, New York, Tampa Bay, and Texas are not mathematically eliminated, the A's and Angels, but each of those teams have a less than 1% chance of making the postseason. There are 2 races left to be decided in the AL although. New York and Tampa Bay are battling it out for the AL East division, with the loser still going to the playoffs where anything can happen. And home-field advantage throughout the ALCS is still up for grabs between Minnesota and the 2 AL East teams. Important yes, but you have to get there first to have home field advantage in the ALCS.
So we look to the National League to provide some do or die games the rest of the way to keep things exciting. The NL east race is over, Philadelphia has that in the bag, damn. The NL Central race is over, Cincinnati, a perennial loser has outdistanced themselves from St. Louis, damn. But alas, we finally have a race or 2 and it involves the NL West and subsequent Wild Card race between the loser of the NL West & the Atlanta Braves. San Diego, at one point in August was on cruise control and punching their ticket into postseason seemed a foregone conclusion. One 10 game losing streak poured water on the flames of that dream. Now the Padres are actually a half game behind the San Francisco Giants AND the Atlanta Braves for the final 2 playoff positions. There is one more team fighting for a playoff spot and they come out of the West too, the Colorado Rockies. At 3.5 back of each the division and wild card, the Rockies still have a chance, but a lot of factors need to come into play and their recent 4 game losing streak certainly hasn't helped.
Key MLB weekend match ups:
Twins at Tigers - As the newest best team in Baseball, the Twins will try to keep the peddle down and hold on to that top spot, securing home field throughout the AL playoffs. SERIES PREDICTION Twins 2-1
Yankees at Red Sox - At this time of the year, these 2 teams would normally garner national headlines and prime time TV spots, however with the Red Sox all but out, their story line turns to spoilers, an unfamiliar and unfavorable role. And with a division title and best record on the line, you can best bet that the Yankees want these game more. SERIES PREDICTION - Yankees 2-1
Seattle at Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay gets the best match up scenario of the weekend, hosting a futile Mariners team that is playing triple A players and evaluating talent. The Rays, still a half game back of the AL East and dying to play the first round at home, will be heavily favored, and should sweep the Mariners out of town. SERIES PREDICTION - Rays 3-0
Giants at Rockies - Easily the biggest match up of the weekend between two teams that are in a dog race for the playoffs. The Rockies have the edge at home in front of their fans, coming off a 2-4 road trip, a little Coors Field action might be just what they need. A sweep puts Colorado in the thick of it, 2 out of three keeps them alive, a Giants sweep would end the Rockies hopes. SERIES PREDICTION - Giants 2-1
Reds at Padres - San Diego gets to play at home this weekend, but against the surprisingly good Cincinnati Reds. They might be catching them at a good time though, the Reds have the Central all but locked up save for a miracle by St. Louis, and at 6 games behind the Phillies, the best record in the NL is out of reach. Look for the Reds to rest a lot of their starters and for the Padres to pounce. SERIES PREDICTION - Padres 2-1
Braves at Nationals - Lastly the Braves are holding down the wild card trying to fight off the NL West. They take on a Nationals team that has the 3rd worst record in the NL. The Nationals (unfortunately) and Braves are in familiar spots. However, the Braves have lost their last 3, where the Nationals have won their last 3. Despite that, the honus is on Atlanta and Washington will try to spoil their dreams. SERIES PREDICTION - Braves 2-1
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
It's week 4 of the college football season, which means its generally the last non-conference weekend of football. This is the time for the big programs to get their last shot at crushing inferior competition and on the flip side, giving lower D-1 programs a shot at proving their worth against perceived superior talent. It's also a time for the super powers to get their cracks at other elite programs and provide fodder for which teams and conferences are more superior.
Top 25 Match ups
Alabama (1) at Arkansas (10) - Both teams are from the SEC and undefeated at 3-0. Alabama hasn't had a problem yet and boasts last year's Heisman winner. The Hogs narrowly defeated Georgia last week and will be charged up at home to beat the #1 team in the land. PREDICTION - Arkansas 24-21
Oregon State (24) at Boise State (3) - America's favorite underdog team, playing their home games on that weird blue turf, Boise State may be the 3rd ranked team in the country, but their high ranking will only hold up in an undefeated season. Not only do they have to win every game to get into a BCS, they have to do so convincingly. The Broncos are America's hope to bust the BCS system this year and make way for a true national playoff that would determine a clear national champion. The Beavers may hold a top 25 ranking, but their numbers don't hold a candle to Boise State who despite playing in the WAC, plays superior talent and beats them too. PREDICTION - Boise State 45-21
South Carolina (12) at Auburn (17) - Another SEC game pitting undefeated teams at 3-0. The Tigers are an extremely tough team to beat at home, and despite the lower ranking by an upstart Gamecocks team, an Auburn loss would come as a surprise to many. PREDICTION - Auburn 28-21
West Virginia (22) at LSU (18) - SEC vs Big East powerhouses clash in the Bayou. It could be an offensive struggle on both sides of the ball as each team comes into this weekend with a top 10 ranked defense. Giving the home edge to LSU. PREDICTION - LSU 21-17
Other Undefeated Game
Kentucky at Florida (9) - The SEC is in full swing this week with several good match ups, another one to keep an eye on is this one where Kentucky has been beating up on inferior competition and Florida has toughed out 3 wins against fairly decent opponents. Gainesville is a wild place to go into and opposing teams usually head home disappointed. Kentucky has scored the 11th most points in college football so far this season and will have to continue that trend to pull off the upset. PREDICTION Florida 35-31
Upset Special
Temple at Penn State (23) - Keep an eye on this game as undefeated Temple goes into Happy Valley to take on a Penn State team still trying to find their identity. Temple sports 3 wins against quality competition and Penn State has 2 easy victories and a bad loss to Alabama (albeit the number 1 team in the country). Plus a chance to beat an in-state adds a little flavor and possible recruiting advantages for teams separated by a 3.5 hr drive. PREDICTION - Temple 38-35
GOPHERS WATCH
Northern Illinois at Minnesota - The Golden Gophers are coming off 2 tough home losses in a row. The first, an ugly and utterly embarrassing loss to FBS (formerly Division 1AA) South Dakota, and a tough gut check loss to USC after a brief 3rd quarter lead. To put it blatantly, a loss to UNI for the Gophers would decimate this team. It can be argued that South Dakota is a better football team than UNI, with the Huskies only win coming against North Dakota this year, combined with a horrid offense that isn't even in the top 100. The Gophers need to show why they belong in the Big Ten and use this game to get some confidence back before what will be a grueling Big Ten season, having 5 of their next 8 games against Top 25 teams. PREDICTION - Minnesota 35-21
NFL
It's week 3 for the NFL and already its panic time for a couple teams. Mainly the Cowboys and Vikings.
Cowboys at Texans - Dallas has been really flat in their first 2 losses to 2 teams that are playing better than expected, the Redskins and Bears. The Cowboys will stay in state this weekend, but not at home as they travel to Houston to face the suddenly best team in Texas, Houston. The two Texas teams have no problem tossing the ball, both teams are in the top 10 in passing yards, but its the rushing game that polarizes the two teams. The Texans have the top rushing offense in the league at 157.5 yards/game, whereas the Cowboys are 28th with just 69.5. PREDICTION - Texans 31-28
Lions at Vikings - Fresh off their devastating NFC Championship loss, the Vikings were primed to be one of the favorites this year, bringing back their elderly, but still Hall of Fame Quarterback, Brett Favre and having nearly everyone back from the squad last year that went 12-4 and who's offense was eclectic. The results so far have been complete opposite of any one's predictions. After a week 1 loss to the Super Bowl Champion Saints, a game many were not surprised or concerned by. A home loss to the Miami Dolphins, an underrated team, but a team that should have been beat at home by the Vikings, has created ulcers for many Vikings fans, players, and coaches. Minnesota gets Detroit at home in what should be a perfect remedy to turn the goose egg into 1 in the win column. The Lions are probably not a playoff ready team, but they should no longer be taken lightly with an emerging quarterback in Matthew Stafford, a budding star running back, Javid Best, and a defensive lineman that puts the fear of god into you in Ndamukong Suh. PREDICTION - Vikings 38-28
Hope you enjoyed Friday's read. Till next time...have a great weekend!
bsv
the courtesy wave
very nice my friend. I enjoyed reading it..
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