Wild Card Saturday

So it begins, the best month of football. The recent parity within the NFL has made it so that the games leading up to the Super Bowl are usually competitive and down to the wire. From my point of view I think we can be looking at at least 3, maybe 4, tight and entertaining football games.

Washington (9-7) at Seattle (10-6) - The Redskins are riding a wave of emotion off of Sean Taylor's death, and with Todd Collins at QB, are playing smart and hard nosed football featuring their running game. On the other hand, the Seahawks have all but abandoned their banged up running game and pass whenever possible. Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck is more than capable of handling this workload with WR's Branch, Burelson, and Engram. To say that the Seahawks offense is one-dimensional is an understatement.

The weather will definately be a factor. The forecast is for showers and high winds with the temperature in the low 40's, feeling like mid-30's with those aforementioned high winds. This is great news for the Redskins who, despite their talented receivers (Moss, Cooley, Randle-El) can keep the ball on the ground and be successful with Portis, Betts, and the occasional end around to Randle-El and short WR screen to Moss. Seattle can not run, and with high winds might find it hard to move the ball.

Many times you'll go into a game thinking that the weather will be a huge factor, and it's not. I'm not sure this'll be one of those games. I think the Redskins can pull this one out.

Jacksonville (11-5) at Pittsburgh (10-6) - Jax is the team that Pitt and SD didn't want to play in the first round, and why they played hard after securing a play-off birth to get that 3rd seed. Pitt lost their last game of the season, and now find themselves with the 4th seed and playing the most feared team this side of the Pats.

Jacksonville features a two headed running game with veteran RB Fred Taylor, who could very well be the most underrated player in the history of the NFL, and everybody's favorite fantasy sleeper Maurice Jones-Drew. Jaguars QB David Garrard's performance in this game could be the X factor, and I'm not sure how well it bodes for a team when your QB is the wild card.

Pittsburgh's defense has Troy Polamalu healthy and is extremely physical, and while that type of play bothers most teams I don't think Jacksonville is one of them. Like Jax, Pitsburgh likes to run before passing, but they lost Willie Parker for the year. Najeh Davenport is now the feature back and while he's a strong runner, he's much more effective as the change-up second back.

I think we have a big possibility of seeing two road wins this Saturday.

David Wright is charitable.

Thursday night on the Celebrity Apprentice, (damn this Writers strike), Mets start third baseman David Wright made an appearance.

For the handful of you who didn't watch this 60 minutes of suspense and drama, this is how it broke down. The teams were competing to make the most money from selling hot dogs on the street in NYC. Some of the celebrity contestants called a few of their high-profile contacts, asking them to come down and make donations. One of the contestants is Jennie Finch, the star softball pitcher for Team USA, she had David’s number and gave him a call. Wright came down and bought the remaining hot dogs to be given out to people on the street. All proceeds went to charity.

Factoring in Wrights growing notoriety as an NY area lady-killer, and considering that some of these "celebrities" are aging-but-still-hot Carol Alt, Playmate Tiffany Fallon, and of course Jennie Finch, I'm really just surprised that David didn't stop to have sex with some of these lovely ladies. I'm sure former-hot chick Marilu Henner wouldn't have said no. As a Met fan I have no idea how to feel about this, except that I like his track jacket. Very stylish. Here's a clip from the show, and of course a picture of Ms. Fallon.

The Sweet Science

A South Korean boxer who lost consciousness after winning an WBO intercontinental flyweight bout last week has been declared brain dead.

Choi Yoi-sam was declared brain dead Wednesday after a series of brain tests, said Ko Seung-kwan, a spokesman at Asan Medical Center. Choi had been in a coma since shortly after winning the fight against Indonesian challenger Heri Amol in Seoul on Dec. 25.

In 1982, South Korean lightweight Duk Koo Kim died four days after being knocked out by Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini in a title fight in Las Vegas. Another South Korean fighter, bantamweight Lee Tong-choon, died of acute swelling of the brain in 1995, four days after losing consciousness following a fight against Setsuo Kawamasu in Tokyo.

Wow, at least he won the fight. I'd hate to see what happened to the other guy. ZING! Seriously folks, that sucks. South Korean's should stay out of the ring. It should be illegal to wear boxing gloves in Seoul. The only way to celebrate Choi Yoi-sam's life is to put up a pic of some South Korean hottie. I think a Japanese chick would be more interesting. All I know is that the weird porn comes from Japan. Sick bastards.

Picture Pefect

I wanted to take a day to digest the Patriots 38-35 win against the Giants this past Saturday, that gave them a perfect regular season, 16-0.

My thoughts on the Patriots, in bullet points to save me from having to use proper punctuation.

• The Patriots offense is pretty much unstoppable. You can't cover them, it's impossible. Double Moss and Welker is wide open. Double both of them, and then Stallworth is wide open. Plus Daniel Graham is a underrated receiving TE, and RB Kevin Faulk is an ideal back out of the backfield in this offense.



• Of course Tom Brady, arguably the best QB of all time. Football is a game of tradition, and it's hard for the old school purists to even think of having one of the games best to play within the past 10 years, let alone now. But lets face it, love or hate the Pats, you need to appreciate that you get the chance to watch this guy play.



• They get all the breaks. Just like when a pitcher throws a no-hitter, there are always a few plays that it just looks like it was meant to be, and any other day they wouldn't have been made. Whether it's Brady completing 3rd and long passes while being hit and falling back, to shoe string tackles, barely tripping up an opposing runner about to break free for 6, it seems meant to be.



• In all sports, your reputation precedes you. In the case of the Pats, it's their offensive line, and they seem to get the benefit of the doubt most of the time. Yes, I'm a Giant fan and I wanted this game as bad as the actual Giants team did, and I might be sounding bitter, but when you never have holding called on you it's easy to be the best offensive line in football. They get away with murder. The countless text messages from Jet, Dolphin, and Bill fans I received through the game confirms my thoughts.



• The Patriot defense can be beat. They are smart, but old and slow. They can be beat deep, and up the middle. But let's face it, when your offense puts up 35, you only need to stop the opponent from scoring 34, which isn't the biggest task around.

As always, when I mention those hallowed words, Tom Brady, we get a picture of Gisele Bundchen, (today we get two). She's just another reason to either hate or love Tom Brady. Regardless, you need to admire the bastard.

The last of the Bowl picks.

Now come the not so meaningless Bowl games...or so we're told. Again, entertainment purposes only, and my picks with little or no explanation.

Humanitarian Bowl - Georgia Tech (+5.5) vs.Fresno State - This game is being played in gorgeous Boise, it's where you want to go to play an insignificant Bowl game. Tech's coach has been fired. The new coach has already been hired, but not with the team yet, so they are being coached by an interim coach who is rumored to be going elsewhere. Fresno always plays well against teams from the bigger conference's.

Lee's Pick - We're taking the Bulldogs taking the points, but expect them to win the game.

Sun Bowl - South Florida (+6.5) vs. Oregon - Since Dennis Dixon, the Ducks QB and probable Heisman front-runner, went down with a knee injury they have lost 3 straight. Along with RB Johnathan Stewart, they made up a dangerous running attack, which ended the year 8th in the nation. However, the USF defense is fierce, with very talented cornerbacks and George Selvie who is becoming one of college football's top pass rushers.

Lee's Pick - The 6.5 is a lot, but it's under a TD. I'll take the Ducks, but I think the Bulls of South Florida to win by a couple.

Music City Bowl - Kentucky (+10) vs. Florida State - The story of this game is that 36 FSU players have been suspended from this game. Leaving this already flawed team with no depth. The only upside is that the Seminoles didn't lose any of their top skill position players, and Kentucky might overlook this....but then the Wildcats are looking to win their 2nd straight bowl game, the first time in school history.

Lee's pick - Seminoles. They wouldn't have won anyway, now they need to keep up with the Wildcats high powered offense (scored 40 eight times, and 50 three times), and only freshman left to stop them. The FSU QB's aren't good enough to get into a shoot-out, they'll lose but keep it within the spread.

Chick-fil-A Bowl - Clemson (+2.5) Auburn - Finally, a nice game. This will be a defensive match-up, pitting two of the nations top 10 defenses against each other (Clemson is 6th & Auburn 8th). This is a pretty even match-up, two good running games and the aforementioned defenses.

Lee's pick - Auburn taking the points. This game comes down to a field goal or less, and I think Auburn will be the team that sneaks by by a point or two.

Rose Bowl - Southern Cal (+14) vs. Illinois - USC is playing like the best team in the country, which they very well might be. This won't be a blow-out from the start, the Illini are a team that plays hard and has a solid running game, ranked 5th in the country. Oh yeah, the Trojans defense is 4th in the nation against the run.

Lee's Pick - USC is going to route them. I'm taking the Trojans.

Sugar Bowl - Georgia (+7.5) vs Hawaii - Hawaii's passing offense is high powered, and will put up a ton of points. The Rainbow Warriors defense aren't push-overs either, however neither is this Georgia team who came within a win/loss of a possible National Championship run.

Lee's Pick - The question is can Hawaii keep up with this team. This is their first game against a BCS opponent, and it's not a bottom rung BCS team either. I don't think they can, and Georgia will win by two scores. Georgia wins giving the points.

Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma (+7.5) vs. West Virginia - The line for this game is shifting from 6.5 to 7.5, all depending on where you take your lines from. We're going with Sooners giving 7.5 line. The main reason for this 1 point swing is WVU losing it's coach, Rich Rodriguez, to Michigan...and rather bitterly. You can never tell how a team will react to losing it's coach, especially when you have an ace coaching staff on the other side of the field.

Lee's Pick - Like with many of the later bowl games, this is a nice match-up that should be a good game. WVU is a solid team, and matches up well against the Sooners pass offense, and of course they feature QB Pat White, who's name was mentioned regarding the Heisman at points this season. I'm taking the Mountaineers with the points. I don't think they will win, but they should keep it close.

Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech (+3) vs. Kansas - Virginia Tech has been playing good ball all year, and Kansas lost it's only meaninglful game.

Lee's Pick - Virginia Tech's defense will be too much for the high scoring Kansas offense. Plus this is a team playing with a sense of purpose all year, and has the bowl experience. It'll be close, but I'm taking the Hokies outright.

BCS Championship Game - LSU (+4) vs. Ohio State - This game should be USC vs. LSU, but Ohio State played well enough, and one less game than the other contenders, to fall into this game. Let's face it, OSU should thank Stanford for this chance.

Lee's Pick - I think the 4 points is kind of low, even with the Buckeye's top ranked defense, and OSU wanting to redeem themselves from last years debacle. LSU will win by 10.

More bowl picks.

In my quest for more sleep I missed my prediction for the Meineke Bowl between Wake Forst and UConn, which I am watching as I type this and it's a rather entertaining game.

Anyway, so I don't miss anymore I'm just going to give me picks for the games through 12/31, with little or no explanation to my picks.. Enjoy!

Liberty Bowl - Central Florida (+3) vs. Mississippi State - We'll go with Miss. St, when in doubt go with the SEC underdog.

Alamo Bowl - Penn State (+3.5) vs. Texas A&M - Did the Aggies really need to talk smack about Paterno? Way to give a team that was already going to beat you extra motivation. Oh, you silly rednecks. Penn State takes this outright, especially with A&M's head coach not in attendance.

Independence - Alabama (+3.5) vs. Colorado - The battle of the 6-6 teams. This should be renamed the Independently Mediocre Bowl. Ha, I'm a laugh riot. Anyway, there isn't anybody I'd like to see lose more than Nick Saban, and normally I never take games I have rooting interest in. Especially since the Buffalo's coach is a good dude, and for the record he built up that Boise St. program before coming to Colorado. I'm going against my better judgement and taking Colorado, so I can root for them.

Armed Forces - California (+3.5) vs. Air Force - Cal was ranked #2 at one point this year, and can now finish with a losing record with a loss to Air Force. I like to watch Air Force's offense, it's entertaining. Plus it's on the ground, which will keep Cal's O off the field, which includes WR stud Desean Jackson, RB Justin Forsett (1,403 rushing yards) and QB Nate Longshore, who can make the throws despite recent poor play. I'm going to take Air Force, I mean c'mon, it's the Armed Forces Bowl, taking the 3.5 points, a great ground game spells out a close game.

Crop dusting.

Spatters from the world of sports, links to other blogs, columnists, and a gratuitous pic of a hot chick.

-The Boston Celtics won last night as Paul Pierce scored 26 of his season-high 37 points in the second half, against the Seattle SuperSonics 104-96. This is Boston's 24th win, which matches the Celtics' victory total from all of last season. Who'd a thunk it, a dominating team in Boston.

-Mack Browns step-son is an idiot, and I'm sure Brown uttered "...thank god, he doesn't have my genes" at some point after this dumb play. Here's Deadspin showing love for Chris Jessie, no really.

-I'm a big Bill Simmons fan, and here's his love of links.

- Should NFL Cheerleaders unionize? Here's the answer to that age old question.

-I'm a big Jason Whitlock fan, and he needs to stay in one place. His weekly 10 truths.

Oh, the random hot chick? Her name is Jessica Jaymes.....which seems to be a common name in the world of women who get scantily clad and/or naked for a living. And in her case, make porn.

My God....more worthless Bowl games.

It just doesn't stop, I thought Week 17 in the NFL had cornered the market on meaningless games....I was way off. Here we go.

Champ Sports Bowl - Boston College (14) and Michigan State go at it today at 5 on ESPN with BC giving 5.5. I normally do not comment on broadcasters outsider of the travesty that is Joe Buck & Tim McCarver, but Mike Patrick and Todd Blackledge are doing this game and they might be one of the few sport broadcasting teams that do not annoy me in any way. (Wow, I was just inspired....this might be the subject of a future post. I digress).

If you like watching good running teams then make sure you watch this game. Making it even more interesting, the Spartans have a top 20 rushing team and the Eagles have the best rushing defense in the nation.

Lee's Pick - Eagles win outright. Boston College QB Matt Ryan is playing for draft status and some pride, considering he was a Heisman front runner in September, and didn't even get an invite in December. Plus, he's the best QB the Spartans will play all year, who are missing defensive players due to suspensions. Also, as I mentioned, the MSU strength is the running game and BC has the best run defense around.

Texas Bowl - I'm unsure why two unranked teams in the Texas Bowl are on at 8:00, and the previously mentioned match-up with two big time programs is on at 5:00. Why do we kiss the ass of Texas? Annoying accents, fat disillusioned pampered housewives, and the Simpson Family(Jessica, Asslee, & Papa Joe) is all this state has to offer. But I digress......again.

Houston and TCU (who isn't even ranked by the BCS) go head to head in this thrilling match-up. To quote college sport guru's Rivals.com, "Well, if you're from Texas, this might have some intrigue. And if you liked Southwest Conference football, these are former league rivals getting back together. Other than that … "

I could care less, Houston is giving 6.5 to the Horned Frogs. The only somewhat intriguing aspect of this game is Houston's offense, which is 4th in the nation in total offense, and feature RB Anthony Alridge who is among the national rushing leaders.

Lee's Pick - It's the Cougar O vs. the Horned Frog D, and I think that'll keep the game within a possession. Let's go with TCU taking the points.

Emerald Bowl - Tonight at 8:30 est Maryland will take on Oregon State, with the Beavers giving 5. (For the record, I have also seen lines at 5.5, but I am going with the 5).

Two middle of the pack teams with no history, from different conferences that are based 3,000 miles from each other equals a horrific football game. These Friday night bowl games are the epitome of why the Bowl games have become worthless and annoying. Is it showing, that all the research into these uninteresting programs and games that I have done has made me tired and annoyed? The worst part, it's not like LSU vs. Ohio State will be thrilling either. One more time, digressing.

Lee's Pick - Maryland taking the 5. The game, which is in San Francisco, is a short trip for the Beaver fans giving it a home game atmosphere for them. The Terrapins only have one offensive weapon, WR Darius Heywood-Bey, and the Beavers can key on him. Plus they have the second ranked run defense in the nation. Seems like the making of a route, however OSU's pass offense is horrific. While I think the Beavers will win, it'll be by a field goal.

Holidaaaay...'cause it'll feels so nice.

The Bowl season resumes today with the Holiday Bowl (Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego. 8 pm), which pits #11 Arizona State (+2.5) against the #19 Texas Longhorns.

Most of the focus of this match-up will be on Keegan Herring, the ASU tailback who lost his Father, Sister, Aunt, and a close friend over the past year. You have to feel for the dude, but he does go to Arizona State, where they invented hot chicks.

Lee's Pick - This should be a close game, and I'm going to go with the dog, Texas, taking the 2.5. They have the big bowl experience, and even though they are missing their big target Limus Sweed, the Longhorns RB Jamaal Charles is a good match-up against ASU.

Oh yeah..........The best part about talking about Arizona State, using a pic of some ridiculously hot chick who claims to go to ASU. Like this girl, I'm sure she's a whiz at micro-economics. Either that, or I can go with ASU head coach Dennis Erickson. C'mon, 2 shots of JD and he's a looker.

The Twoseamies

COMING SOON........

The Twoseamies. The highlights and lowlights of this year in sports. The ballots have been sent out and the winners will be posted Monday, December 31st.

Tickets are available for the presentation ceremony. Two drink minimum, appetizers will be served.

The Giant lay-down.

Saturday night's game between New England and the New York Giants on the NFL Network will be simulcast on CBS and NBC.

"We have taken this extraordinary step because it is in the best interest of our fans," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement after the league announced it was reversing course. "What we have seen for the past year is a very strong consumer demand for NFL Network. We appreciate CBS and NBC delivering the NFL Network telecast on Saturday night to the broad audience that deserves to see this potentially historic game. Our commitment to the NFL Network is stronger than ever."

Good for the NFL, okay done with that. The real debate is how should the G-Men approach this game? The sport pundits that scream on talk radio and ESPN are loving this scenario. Should the Giants, who for the most part have nothing to lose and/or gain from this game, go out and play this game like it's week 9 or 10? Or, should the Giants take advantage of having their playoff spot solidified, take this game with a grain of salt, and rest their injured and nicked up players.

I'm a Giant fan, and I could care less about this game. I believe that most Giant fans will agree that they need to rest their hurting players, and there is no need to subject Eli to a Bellicheck defense right before a play-off game. In regards to their responsibility to the league? There were 15 other games where the Pats could have lost, including a Charger rematch game and of course, the Colts. Ultimately, if the Patriots go 16-0 and lose in the playoffs then all this hub-bub is for not.

As promised, whenever I talk about a Tom Brady related topic I'll throw up a picture of Gisele Bundchen, and then drone on about how his life is great, and I'm currently huddled over a lap-top debating whether or not to eat Frosted Flakes for breakfast or cry myself through the day.

Clemens to lie on 60 Minutes.

Mike Wallace will be interviewing Roger Clemens for 60 Minutes to be aired on January 6th. Clemens will also begin to answer questions from all reporters on that same day.

I'm somewhat into this interview. Normally, watching a self-important, pretentious redneck (yes, an oxymoron) lie on TV usually doesn't get my excitement level up. There will be a lot of Clemens denying steroid use, but Wallace wont stop there. I'm pretty sure 60 Minutes researchers will have combed the Mitchell Report with a fine tooth comb, as well as Clemens career. We could expect questions about Andy Pettitte, Clemens training partner, admitting to using HGH. I wonder if Roger will call him a big fat liar? I also wonder if Clemens will have frosted tips? That was by far the gayest haircut any self-respecting, gay-bashing, red-blooded Texan has ever had.

Excitement in Detroit.

When you think Bowl games, the first thing that comes to your mind is always Detroit, which is why the Motor City Bowl is such a huge spectacle.

But seriously, can Purdue vs. Central Michigan be less appealing to anybody outside of the Central Michigan and Purdue campuses, respectively? Purdue is giving 8 points, and manhandled the Chippewas, (yes, that's the Central Michigan nickname), 45-22 when the teams met in September. By the way, 4-1-1 after 6 bowl picks.

I'm going with the Boilermakers to take this outright. Not sure how much has changed between these teams since September. I know, boring. Which is weird, because when you think Purdue, you never think boring and uninteresting. Although, you do normally think of hot Australian girls like Emily Scott. Insert your own down under joke here, perverts.

Merry X-Mas

I wish all our faithful readers the best, and have a very Merry Christmas.

Up and coming over the next few days.....

-NFL Playoff preview.

-More bowl picks (4-1-1 so far)

-College basketball update.

-Hockey! Woo hoo.

Jingle all the way..............

Insert cheesy "lei" joke here.

So 3-1-1, the push being Cincinnati winning by 10, while giving 10 on the spread. Nevada was crushed by New Mexico, bad loss. Tonight at 8 PM, the 24th-ranked Broncos will be playing their second straight game in Honolulu on Dec. 23 when they face East Carolina in the Hawaii Bowl.

The lore of Boise State's late game heroics in the Fiesta Bowl last year against Oklahoma still lives on. I don't think that a match-up against East Carolina is as sexy, but Boise State is fun to watch none-the-less.

This game could be a coming out party for East Carolina's RB Chris Johnson, who rushed for 1,244 yards and 16 touchdowns on 208 carries this season, considering ESU doesn't get much national exposure, especially when they are 7-5 and play in Conference USA. Johnson also caught 34 passes for 496 yards and five scores.

Boise State should win this game, but I'm going to pick ESU taking the 11 points. This game should be a shoot-out, so the over is a no brainer. (Famous last words).

Smoke a Bowl game

Two for two ladies and gentleman. Florida Atlantic's first venture into the topsy turvey world of bowl games was stellar. The Owls flew past Memphis 44-27 in the New Orleans Bowl. So, let's get to Saturday's Bowl game extravaganza. Oh, who's the severely airbrushed chick to the right you ask? No idea, but I'm sure she'd fall madly in love with me and my bank account.

Papajohns.com Bowl - 1:00 PM ET, at Legion Field in Birmingham , AL pits Southern Miss vs. Cincinnati, with the Bearcats giving 10, and the over/under at 55. The So. Miss Eagles have a solid defense that kept them in games all year, but they go up against an explosive Bearcat offense that they won't be able to contain. Unfortunately for Southern Miss, their offense is established through the run game, and Cincinnati has been one of the best against the run this year, only allowing a 100 yard rusher 3 times.

Lee's pick - Cincinnati giving 10 with the under. The Cinncy offense is too big for So. Miss, and the Eagles won't put up enough points to get close to the O/U.

New Mexico Bowl - 4:30 PM ET at University Stadium , Albuquerque , NM on ESPN has Nevada going up against New Mexico giving 4 (O/U 54) in what is basically a home game for the Lobo's. On paper, these teams are fairly equal and this should be a good game. However, New Mexico is 5-1 at Albuquerque and the Nevada Wolfpack does start a freshman QB, which leads you to believe that this has the makings of a Lobo win.

Lee's pick - Like the true maverick that I am, I'm going to go with Nevada, taking the 4 points, although I think they'll win outright. We'll also go with the over.

Las Vegas Bowl - finds UCLA vs BYU tonight at 8 PM in Las Vegas, obviously. BYU is giving 3.5 (O/U 47) to the Bruins, in this match-up that will feature defense due to both teams woeful offense. The Bruins, who are coming in without their recently fired head coach Karl Dorrell, have lost their top RB and both their 1st and 2nd string QB's. The Cougars meanwhile feature a bruising freshman RB that won't do much against a strong UCLA run D, especially with the Cougars inconsistent play at QB.

Lee's pick - I'm definitely going with the way under, and UCLA taking the points.

Bowl 2 of 32

Current status - 1-0 (the O/U will be tallied separately at the end of Bowl season), with last nights Utah win. The Utes couldn't cover in a closely contested game, and the Midshipmen made it a 3 point game.

Tonight's game, the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, Memphis vs. Florida Atlantic to be seen on ESPN2 at 8 EST. The Memphis Tigers giving 3.5 with o/u at 67.

Lee's Prediction: neither team can play D, and both have sick offenses. So the over is a no brainer. I'm going to go with my heart, and take the Florida Atlantic Owls outright. This is the programs 7th season and the progress they have made is pretty unbelievable. Plus, the Owls Defense is slightly better than the Memphis Defense.

December Madness

The holiday season marks yet another shift regarding our focus regarding the world of sports. By this time, usually all of the blockbuster deals during the baseball off-season have taken place, or at the very least everybody except Buster Olney and Peter Gammons are bored to tears with the Hot Stove. The NBA and NHL are in the middle of their extremely long and boring regular season, and as the NFL regular season winds down only a handful of games are significant. Which leave us with the NFL playoffs, Bowl games, and college basketball.

Bowl games for the most part suck, and the 4-5 weeks in between the regular and post seasons leaves everybody uninterested. The NFL playoffs are nothing short of awesome, but only take place on the weekends. This leaves a void in sporting life, and in comes the aforementioned college basketball.

Yesterday's Pitt vs. Duke game did not disappoint. With 4.7 seconds left in OT and -- after Duke missed two final shots -- Pittsburgh (No. 9 ESPN/USA Today, No. 11 AP) guard Lavance Fields hit a 3 pointer leading the Panthers to a 65-64 victory over the Blue Devils (No. 7 ESPN/USA Today, No. 6 AP) on Thursday night in a match up of two unbeatens in the Aeropostale Classic, at MSG.

After the game, Fields was contrite and said it was a team effort, and that Duke is always a tough opponent. He then asked where the white women were at. Isiah Thomas quickly ran over and corrected him to say "bitches", not women. Always a teacher.

Bowl 1 of 32

Tonight at 9 pm on ESPN is the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. Yeah that's right, the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. (God bless cut and paste).

It'll be Navy's prolific option offense vs. what has quietly become one of the more successful college programs, the Utah Utes, who are going for their seventh consecutive bowl win. Pretty impressive to say the least. The Utes are giving 8, with the over/under at 110.

Lee's pick: Navy taking the points, and the under. Why? There's a naval base in San Diego and you cannot underestimate the power of the 12th man. I think Utah will pull it out, but it'll be close. Utah has the countries top scoring D which kind of makes my under pick a bit shaky, but Navy rarely puts the ball in the air (which means no INT's) and is proficient on the ground and they rarely fumble.

Man, how can you not be into the Midshipmen vs. the Utes? If your not, then consider yourself a unpatriotic monogamist!

Read this

Here are some articles and blogs you should check out, some good stuff. Hearty and deeeeelish.

Page 2's Jemele Hill is spot on regarding the "Oh so contrite" Andy Pettitte, and his apology.

This guy is a freak and is already talking about Fantasy Baseball. I'm a freak because I'm reading it.

Curt Schilling likes to talk about other baseball players, including Roger Clemens.

A personal favorite of mine, Jason Whitlock, gives his thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons hierarchy, (present and former).