Saturday Sports Thoughts and Weekly Pick 'em

The MLB playoffs are underway and just like last week in College Football, we've had some surprising results. The visitors in each series in the NL won both opening games as the home team won both opening games in the AL.

Who would have thought that the Bronx Bombers, the Evil Empire of baseball would be down 0-2? The Yankees were depending on Alex Rodriguez, who quietly has had one of the best seasons of any major leaguer ever, to deliver this October. He is having another October swoon going 0-for-4 and striking out three times Friday. In turn, the Yankees are down 0-2. You think George Steinbrenner will want Pay-Rod back after this performance?

The Rockies, they of the 11 game win streak to close the season, have continued their winning ways in the postseason winning both games at Philly. If your team isn't in it, the Rockies are the team to root for as they voted Mike Coolbaugh's widow and family a full playoff share. What a class act. Go Rockies!

Saw the Caps and Thrashers go at it last night. The Caps look much improved on the defensive side of things however, they need to work on the special teams part of things as they blew a two man advantage during the game and were 1-7 on the power play. You heard it hear first:: Nicklas Backstrom is the real deal.

This week picks are by no means locks as thanks to last weeks upsets in College Football I am only 9-7 on the season. This week, I've got two upsets for you. I think most of the favorites are going to win in the NFL this week except one. The best football game will NOT be in Louisiana this week. Maryland, with a new QB at the helm, should have no trouble with a perplexing Georgia Tech squad.

WEEKLY PICKS

Upsets

In College Football, I'll be watching the best game of the week which will be Cincinnati taking on Rutgers. The game is in Piscataway and I think the Bearcats are going to take it to the Scarlet Knights in this one. This is an upset as Rutgers has been pretty good last year, while Cincy has been mediocre. The Bearcats are turning the corner.
Cincy 26 Rutgers 21

In the NFL, the only non-favorite I'm picking to win this week is the Carolina Panthers over the Saints. Why? Not because of David Carr. I'm picking the Panthers to win because of their running game and because of Steve Smith. I think Steve Smith will torch Jason David. The Panthers D isn't bad either.
Carolina 24 NO 16

College Football

I like::

Oklahoma over Texas - This just doesn't appear to be Texas' year.

LSU over Florida - Florida has something like 16 first or second year starters. That's inexperience and something LSU will exploit. LSU wins at home.

Clemson over Virginia Tech - Being from Virginia, this pains me to predict this, but playing at Clemson, I don't see the Hokies coming out on top.

Wisconsin over Illinois - This game is in Illinois and will be a lot closer than people think. The Badgers will come out on top though as their D will contain the powerful running game of the Fightin' Illini.

NFL

In the NFL, I like::

Green Bay over Chicago - Green Bay is one of the top passing offenses in the league and just about every member of the Bears secondary is hurting.

Washington over Detroit - If the Skins don't play a soft zone like they did in the second half of week 3 against the G-men, they'll win easily here. They're at home, in one of the loudest arenas. Detroit will leave town 0-21 against the Skins. Keenan McCardell and Reche Caldwell will see some action at WR for the Skins which has us fans wondering when Joe Gibbs will cut Brandon Lloyd?

Tennessee over Atlanta - Did you know Joey Harrington is one of the top QBs stat-wise in the league? I had to check the stats twice. This Titans squad is a lot better than the team Atlanta face last week though. They'll shut down the Falcons running game and force Joey Harrington to throw against Nick Harper and the rest of a very tough secondary. Tennessee comes out on top.

Denver over San Diego - San Diego can't tackle anyone. Travis Henry is hurt, but remember the name Selvin Young. I tried to get him in our fantasy league, but someone snatched him up. Get him before someone else does. Denver gets back in the W column in this one which will prompt ESPN and the other 'experts' to start the Norv watch.

Well there you go. Please feel free to discuss below. Enjoy what should be a terrific sports weekend!

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