The Best Game of THIS Week(end) Debate – Playoff Preview in San Diego

December 18, 2009

Read Sports Geek’s argument and Loyal Homer’s argument about which will be the best game of this coming week(end).



Sunday’s matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Diego Chargers was already going to be very exciting. It is a late-season matchup between two of the best teams in the AFC, featuring the probable division champions in the AFC North and AFC West. It is likely a playoff preview, with the winner assuming control of the remaining AFC bye during the first round of the playoffs (Indianapolis has already claimed one of them).

Yesterday, though, the buildup to the game took an entirely different direction after Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry died as a result of injuries suffered in an accident earlier this week. Although Henry had not been active on the Bengals roster since suffering a broken arm in early November, he was nonetheless a member of the Bengals family, and his tragic death will certainly impact the teams as it plays out the remainder of the 2009 season.

This is the second time that death has cast a pall over the Bengals during a season that should be full of celebration and excitement. When defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s wife suddenly passed away earlier in the year, the Bengals showed their support by rallying around Zimmer (who returned to coach the Bengals in a game only three days after her death), and played to a very inspiring win over the division rivals Baltimore Ravens.

Once more, the Bengals will take the field on Sunday in honor of a lost member of the family. Whether this loss will serve as motivation or a distraction for the Bengals has yet to be seen, but the importance of this game cannot be overlooked. If the Bengals succeed in defeating San Diego, they will clinch the AFC North and hold the tiebreak over San Diego, securing control of the second AFC bye.

As sorry as San Diego may be for the passing of Chris Henry, though, the team is not about to just hand the Bengals the game with a sympathy card attached. There is just as much at stake this weekend for the San Diego Super-Chargers, a team that is trying to lock up a bid for the postseason in front of the hometown fans on Sunday afternoon.

If you were paying very close attention last weekend, you may have heard this obscure fact: Did you know that Philip Rivers is undefeated as a starter when playing games in the month of December?! I didn’t know that until Terry Bradshaw, Jimmie Johnson, Howie Long, Boomer Esiason, Dan Marino, Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Keith Olberman, Chris Berman, and just about every other NFL analyst harped incessantly on the fact as if they had just uncovered some ground-breaking discovery… but, I digress. The point is that Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers are playing some of the best football in the league right now, and have won each of the last eight games.

San Diego, a team that had been overshadowed by Denver’s surprise start this season, has assumed control of the AFC West, as most preseason projections indicated. Like Cincinnati, the Chargers can clinch the division with a win and would tighten the grip on the second seed in the AFC playoffs (or possibly clinch it with a little extra help from around the league).

This Sunday, while our hearts are with the Cincinnati Bengals, our eyes will be on Qualcomm Stadium for this game between two of the AFC’s best!

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The Best Game of THIS Week(end) Debate – Huge Game for Wade Phillips

December 18, 2009

Read the arguments from Sports Geek and Bleacher Fan.



The past few years the NFL has scheduled a Saturday night game on its own network, the NFL Network, during week 15. This year, we are fortunate enough to have a great Saturday night week 15 matchup when the reeling Dallas Cowboys travel to the Bayou to take on the undefeated New Orleans Saints. The undefeated Indianapolis Colts survived a road trip to Jacksonville with a thrilling come from behind victory last night. Can the Saints survive unscathed as it awaits America’s team in a huge game for the Cowboys?

We all know the Saints’ story. It has been well-documented. Quarterback Drew Brees has had a monster season, and, with each passing week it seems he has a stronger grip on that NFL MVP trophy… though I’m guessing he would tell you that at the end of the season he would much rather have that Lombardi Trophy. While the Saints have not lost yet, they have definitely had some close calls, including a come from behind overtime victory two weeks ago in Washington, and a 26-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons last week. Looking at the Saints’ schedule it is clear the team has thoroughly dominated some teams, much more than the Colts. The bad news for the rest of the league is that Reggie Bush, who has underachieved as a pro, may be on the right track, finally. He scored two touchdowns last week. It is already tough enough stopping Sean Payton’s high-flying offense… imagine the nightmare for opposing defenses if Reggie Bush shows the elusiveness he showed in college.

Meanwhile, over in Dallas, things are not as rosy. The good feelings presented by the 8-3 start have subsided due to losses the past two weeks to the Giants and the Chargers. Now, instead of being in excellent shape to win the NFC East, the Cowboys are struggling to stay in contention for the wild card. At this point, with a tiebreaker over the Cowboys, I am giving Green Bay that first wild card spot. That leaves the Cowboys competing with the Giants and other teams for the second wild card spot. Keep in mind that the Giants, while currently 7-6, also hold the tiebreak over the ‘Boys. I would not necessarily call Saturday night’s game a must-win for the Cowboys, but it’s darn close. Lose Saturday, and Dallas loses the ability to control its own playoff destiny. Lose Saturday, and Wade Phillips’ seat, which is already warm (which I addressed back in July), becomes smoking hot!!! What a disaster it would be for Jerry Jones to sit and watch the playoffs from the comfort of his million-dollar mansion (which really isn’t so bad) when he spent over a billion dollars on the new stadium. However, a win Saturday eases the tension in Dallas and would be a huge momentum boost.

Many of you do not have NFL Network. Fortunately, Loyal Homer does and has made plans to invite people over to watch the game. You should make plans to watch the game, too!

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The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate – Looking Through the Eyes of The Loyal Homer!

December 11, 2009

Read the arguments from Sports Geek and Loyal Homer about which will be the best game of THIS weekend.



They say that you will never understand a person until you walk a mile in their shoes. Well, today I am going to try that approach by taking a page out of Loyal Homer’s book. Hopefully, this will help me understand all you Loyal Homers out there a little bit better…

Because the ACTUAL best game of the weekend has already taken place, with the Browns ending the Steelers hopes (HA!!!) for a repeat run at the Super Bowl, I have decided to shift my focus elsewhere for this weekend’s excitement.

The best game that will be taking place this weekend is not just one single match, but actually a series of three matches that will begin tonight and end Sunday afternoon, culminating in the crowning of a national champion. The event is the 2009 College Cup, which will feature the Final Four in NCAA Division I Soccer.

The Loyal Homer in me will be watching because my alma mater, The University of Akron Zips, are entering tonight’s semi-final matchup against the Tar Heels of North Carolina as the favorites not only to win the game, but to actually win the Cup, and they could make NCAA history in the process (more on that in a moment). As a fan of the Zips, it is not very often that I get to celebrate my school’s athletic prowess, but there can be no denying the domination that the Zips have displayed on the pitch this season. The Loyal Homer in me is just busting at the seams to see the Zips as they strive claim the first National Championship for a MAC program since 1965!

The Zips have played as a team of destiny this season. Consider the following statistics:

  • Akron has outscored opponents in 2009 by a combined score of 58-7
  • Akron has allowed an average of only 0.30 goals against (the fourth best result in NCAA history)
  • Akron has outshot opponents 4:1
  • Akron has not given up a single goal in the NCAA Tournament to this point
  • Akron has already tied an NCAA record by winning 23 consecutive games within the same season, and, if they finish off the championship run, will become the most successful team in the 51-year history of the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship

Akron’s head coach, Caleb Porter, is no stranger to this situation, though. As captain of the Indiana Hoosiers soccer team in 1997, Porter actually led the Hoosiers on to set the 23 consecutive game win streak that the Zips have tied this season. It was at this point in the 1997 tournament, however, that Porter’s Hoosiers were upset by UCLA in their semi-final match, and Porter is determined not to let his 2009 team repeat.

His path to the championship will not be an easy one. With very little happening in the way of upsets during the 2009 tournament, the Final Four truly is a collection of the best teams from the season! The three teams that round out the Final Four, each from Division I’s most dominant soccer conference, the ACC, will pose some of the toughest opposition that the Zips have faced all season.

Akron’s first test will be against the fifth-seeded UNC Tar Heels, a team that will essentially be playing in front of a home crowd in Cary, North Carolina. As last season’s tournament runner-up, the Tar Heels are on a quest of their own to take that final step they fell just short of in 2008. The winner of that match will be set to square off against the winner of the other semi-final match between the second-seeded Virginia Cavaliers and the third-seeded Demon Deacons from Wake Forest.

With competition like that, the team which ultimately emerges as the 2009 National Champions will have undoubtedly proven they truly are the best of the best! Putting all personal bias aside (GO ZIPS!!!), the 2009 College Cup will feature competition from the best programs in college soccer, complete with all of the emotion, drama, and intensity that is found in any national championship tournament.

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The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate – A Key December Matchup in the Sunshine State

December 11, 2009

Read the arguments from Bleacher Fan and Sports Geek.



We are at the point in the NFL season now where every game is critical for those who want to be playing in the playoffs. Last night was an absolute must-win for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the team laid a serious egg and lost to the hapless Cleveland Browns, which – trust me – absolutely made Bleacher Fan’s night. At 6-7, the Steelers have essentially been eliminated for playoff contention. Another must win game, for both teams really, takes place down in Jacksonville this weekend as the Miami Dolphins come to town to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in a game with HUGE playoff implications.

The Dolphins are coming off a thrilling come from behind win over the New England Patriots last weekend and now are not only in contention for the Wild Card at 6-6, but are also just a game back of the Patriots in the AFC East race. Showing how little I know sometimes, I believed the Fish were done when Ronnie Brown was lost for the season a few weeks ago. I thought, “How could a team without Brown and with Bleacher Fan and Sports Geek favorite Chad Henne (sarcasm!) do much of anything?” All the Dolphins have done is rebound from an 0-3 start. Obviously, “the Wildcat” has not been working without Brown. In fact, the Dolphins did not even use the Wildcat last week against the Patriots – coincidentally the team they were playing when using the Wildcat the first time. But who needs that gimmick when Henne is shredding opposing defenses to the tune of 335 yards, as he did in last week’s game against the Patriots?

Meanwhile, the Jaguars are quietly having a solid season and would be in the playoffs if the regular season ended today. Not that anyone in the Jacksonville area has noticed, with an average attendance of 45,500 per game. Yikes! Even this week’s game is blacked out locally. Surprisingly, though, that has not stopped the Jaguars from going 5-1 at home so far this season. The Jags really do not have any stars on the team outside of Maurice Jones-Drew and his 13 touchdowns… and perhaps receiver Mike-Sims Walker, who is one of the best young receivers you have probably never heard of. With a Thursday night game against the Colts and a cold December road trip to New England looming, this game is huge for the Jaguars.

This game is really big for both teams, though. A loss, which would put them at 6-7, likely eliminates the Dolphins from playoff contention. A win, however, improves the Dolphins’ chances and gives the team a key head-to-head tiebreaker over the Jaguars. A win by the Jaguars secures an 8-5 record and, just as importantly, gives the team an impressive 7-2 record against AFC opponents. That conference record plays a huge role when determining playoff teams in a three-way tie.

If you are a resident of northeastern Florida you are not going to get to watch this game. But, to the rest of the country, I advise you to keep an eye on this game. While the teams playing are not the most glamorous teams in the league, they are still good football teams. Everyone loves December football with playoff implications. That is what we get with this game!

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The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate – Chargers Must Cowboy Up

December 11, 2009

Read the arguments from Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan about which games they believe are the best of the upcoming weekend.



Welcome to December, that magical time in the NFL season that separates the good teams from the okay teams, and the okay teams from the bad teams. And, apparently the same time of year that separates the former Super Bowl champs from logic. One game, more than any other, features two teams with a great deal to prove. When the San Diego Chargers visit the Dallas Cowboys Sunday afternoon both teams are under pressure to perform and prove they belong among the elite teams building momentum into January and playoff time.

Here is a fun fact… that is not particularly fun for Tony Romo. Did you know that Tony Romo’s non-December/January record in the NFL is 31-8? Did you further know that his December/January record (including playoffs) as the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys is 5-11?

Now the Cowboys are coming off a tough interdivision loss to the New York Giants last Sunday. For once, this team failure cannot be laid at the feet of Tony Romo. Romo led a furious comeback on the road completing 41 passes for 392 yards, three touchdowns – and no turnovers. While Romo’s arm and decision making appear to be locked in during the first part of December, the running game and defense are not stepping up. The Cowboys ran for a mere 45 yards last weekend and lost a fumble, forcing Romo to shoulder the majority of the team’s offensive production.

The Cowboys defense is also struggling, giving up several big plays to what was an out of sync Giants offense. Eli Manning threw one long touchdown pass – a 74 yard pass to Brandon Jacobs – and the special teams gave up a crucial 79 yard punt return for a touchdown to Domenik Hixon.

The problem with the 2009 Cowboys is that every aspect of the team does not show up for every game. One game Romo plays well, the next he doesn’t. One week the defense is a top tier defense, the next week it isn’t. And, there is no team in the NFL more opposite of the Cowboys than the Chargers. The Chargers are in sync weekly and making continuous improvement.

While the Chargers are a decent middle of the pack group on defense giving up 20 points a game, the offense has NO problem scoring more than 20. The Chargers have the third best defense in the NFL averaging nearly 29 points per game. One reason the Chargers perform so well on offense? The team does not cause self-inflicted wounds. The Chargers are the fourth least penalized team in the NFL, having been called for just 61 penalties. Also, those penalties are not killers, as they have been penalized the LEAST amount of yards in the NFL this season. This achievement is in stark contrast to Sunday’s opponent. The Cowboys are the fifth most penalized team in the league. Is this the game where the Cowboys turn the corner and stop making unforced errors? It must be, or the separation between the playoff-ready Chargers and the fledgling Cowboys will never be more stark.

Because the Chargers continue to get better, and the Cowboys continue to perplex, the Cowboys need to win this game to prove to the fans, the management – and each other in the locker room – that the team is able to compete in high pressure situations as the weather becomes colder.

Cowboys must prove they are an elite team worthy of a playoff appearance. They are constantly fighting the well-earned reputation of a good team out of the gates, but a terrible team at closing. For the franchise to return to post-season prominence it MUST establish itself as a strong team in December, and a strong team against other good teams. Make no mistake – this is a statement game for the Cowboys. It is a must win.

But, that must-win for the Cowboys could not come against a more difficult opponent than the San Diego Chargers. Man, are these Chargers good. As a result, this game promises to be outstanding. Expectations are through the roof for both teams, and it is a must win for both teams – making it the best game of THIS weekend.

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The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate – Big East Football Is Legit?

December 4, 2009

Read the arguments from Bleacher Fan and Loyal Homer about which games they believe will be the best of THIS weekend.



The Sports Debates created a stir with a debate verdict, written by me, that suggested the BCS kick out the Big East. The verdict was clear (since I wrote it, of course) that the Big East’s body of work in the BCS was unimpressive, and that its best programs were now in the ACC. The furor created by that commentary came from Big East fans who said on a number of websites, on the radio, and in a few newspapers that, well, the ACC sucks, too. So, it is impossible to blame the Big East for sucking because the ACC also sucks.

This argument is a non-starter for me. The two conference’s poor performance on the national stage has nothing to do with each other. However, here we are in early December approaching championship weekend and one of those conferences is sprinting to the finish, and the other is downtrodden, wounded, and limping to the regular season’s finish. The ACC has a four loss Clemson team facing a two loss Georgia Tech team. Both are coming off of emotional losses to an archrival. The Big East, on the other hand, features one team coming off of a loss to a rival in Pittsburgh, and an undefeated top five team in Cincinnati. The Big East certainly features the better game. In fact, it is the best game of THIS weekend.

Maybe TSD will get more fodder with a Big East-ACC champion BCS bowl matchup. That would help generate a new debate. I’ll put in a word.

So, the team matchup is a good one, but so is the coaching matchup. Everyone in the world has now heard the rumors about Brian Kelly’s affair with Tiger Woods. Er, rather, Brian Kelly’s possible departure to South Bend to coach the Fighting Irish next season. A win is good for Cincinnati and good for Kelly. The winner of this game wins the championship in the Big East and is awarded a BCS berth and the hefty pay check that goes along with it. That would be a nice present to leave Cincinnati, should Brian Kelly be moving along to greener – and “golder” – pastures.

Once the BCS selection show occurs on Sunday – depending on what happens with Florida, Alabama, and Texas – Cincinnati may also back its way in to the national title game, as well. It is not a lock, but it is not unreasonable, either. Ask another team from Ohio, Ohio State. A Big East win from Pitt over highly ranked West Virginia late in the season helped secure a spot in the title game for the Buckeyes just a few seasons ago.

Cincinnati has a lot riding on this game. But, after all of this ancillary stuff, there is also an actual GAME to be played between two teams that are both excellent and that both create matchup problems for the other.

Pitt has been tough to figure out this season. Wins over solid teams (not great, but solid) like Navy, Notre Dame, Connecticut, and South Florida are nice. But, a close win over a mercurial team like Rutgers is perplexing, as is the loss to one of the more awful teams in the ACC at North Carolina State, and the vaunted defense giving up 27 points to Buffalo. Not to mention the team is coming off of a tough, emotional loss to its rival in the Backyard Brawl. Plus, Pitt has yet to play a ranked team this season. On the surface it appears as though the Panthers are going to get clobbered by the unbeaten Cincinnati.

But, Pitt does seem to have a good defense. The Panthers’ defense is second in conference allowing less than 18 points per game and a second-best 208 yards per game passing. The Panthers will need those defensive numbers to remain solid, too. They face a Cincinnati team that leads the Big East in just about every offensive category.

The best matchup of the game is Pitt’s defense against Cincinnati’s vaunted passing offense, which is led by healthy quarterback Tony Pike and AFCA First Team All-American receiver Mardy Ginyard. Pike, despite missing three entire games, is still second in the Big East in passing yards. Ginyard is second in the conference with over 1,000 yards receiving already and nearly 100 yards per game along with being one of only two pass catchers in the conference with 10 touchdowns.

Pitt has a good offense, and Cincinnati has suspect defense, ranking near the bottom of the conference thanks to giving up nearly 350 yards of offense per game.

Bottom line, if you like offense you will like this game (are you reading this Loyal Homer?). Defenses may make a couple of big plays here and there, but the main story of the game revolves around which team will get the ball last.

Oh, and it is supposed to snow. Bonus! It will be interesting to see if the conditions will slow either team down. My seasoned gut says no.

This game has plenty going on the field and off it. It is also on at 12n, so it doesn’t conflict with the other more talked about games my colleagues are putting pen to paper about. As far as dramatic sports stories, it is hard to top all of the craziness and drama around this game. For on and off the field reasons, this is the best game of THIS weekend.

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The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate – This One’s a No-Brainer!

December 4, 2009

Read Sports Geek’s argument and Loyal Homer’s argument about which will be the best game of THIS weekend.



FINALLY, we have some worthwhile football to watch this weekend. If last night’s unofficial Pac-10 Championship between Oregon and Oregon State is any indication of what is in store for us this weekend, then we are all in for a treat! With three premier games on the slate – #5 Cincinnati at #15 Pittsburgh for the Big East Championship, #3 Texas versus #22 Nebraska for the Big XII Championship, and #1 Florida versus #2 Alabama for the SEC Championship – Saturday should make for a college football lover’s dream come true!

That is, of course, unless you face a dilemma similar to Bleacher Fan’s this weekend. You see, the Bleacher Fan Clan (without soliciting any actual input from Bleacher Fan) felt that Saturday, December 5th, would be the PERFECT time to embark on an annual holiday tradition. That means that while the rest of America is settling down to enjoy some of the best college football games of the year, Bleacher Fan will be heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols. I, therefore, must choose between the three games and select the one that I most want to watch, sacrificing the other two all because the most enduring traditions of the season are best enjoyed in the warm embrace of kith and kin. Thith THTINKTH!

Fortunately, the decision is not a difficult one. Although the Big XII and Big East Championships should make for outstanding games, neither will be able to match the excitement (or impact) of the National SEC Championship Game.

Any time the top two teams in the nation play it is a game worth watching. This one, however, comes loaded with implications exceeding even those of your “normal” number one versus number two matchup. First, it is a championship game. The winner of the Florida–Alabama game will not only be named the top team in the country but also the 2009 SEC champions (a pretty good title to have when you consider that the last three SEC Champions have also gone on to become national champions).

Second, both teams are virtually GUARANTEED an invitation to the BCS, with the winner being offered the opportunity to play in the national championship game. For people who want to see a college playoff setup, this is about the closest that we can get. Two BCS-caliber teams will take the field with the winner moving along to the national championship game – I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a playoff setting to me!

There is even more at stake, specifically for the Florida Gators who are teetering on the brink of “Dynasty” status. Having already won national championships in 2006 and 2008, the Gators are very close to winning a third title in four years. Depending on the outcome of the other conference championship games, Alabama may be the last REAL opportunity for a school to prevent that from happening. When you consider that the Crimson Tide are conference rivals of the Gators, it is safe to assume that ‘Bama would love nothing more than to be the team that stopped Florida in its tracks.

Neither coach is a stranger to the BCS (Urban Meyer won national championships in 2006 and 2008, and Nick Saban earned one title while head coach of LSU in 2003), and both schools would be worthy representatives from the SEC at the title game in January. All we have to do is sit back and enjoy as these two titans battle it out on the field at the Georgia Dome this Saturday at 4pm. It’s a winner-take-all matchup between the best two teams in the country for the SEC crown and a shot at the national championship – it doesn’t get any better than this!

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The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate – Colts Should Beware the Titans

December 4, 2009

Read the other arguments from Bleacher Fan and Sports Geek.



It is a sad weekend to some extent, as the end of the regular season in college football is upon us. However, we still have five more weeks in the regular season for the NFL, and then of course there is the long college football bowl season approaching. This week I am once again focusing on the NFL. The game I have my eye on is Tennessee traveling to Indianapolis to take on the undefeated Colts.

Now I know what you are saying, “What in the name of Bud Adams’ middle finger are you thinking, Loyal Homer? This is a total mismatch! The Colts haven’t lost and the Titans have a losing record!” The Colts are also around a seven point favorite. But, let’s take a closer look at the game.

The Colts are obviously established as the team to beat in the AFC. I can nitpick all I want, but 11-0 is 11-0. Being the guy I am, however, I want to play devil’s advocate not because I have anything against the Colts. I don’t. Peyton Manning is one of the more likable guys in all of sports today. But the Colts have really been skating by the past few weeks with five-consecutive fourth quarter comebacks. Are the comebacks a sign of a resilient team or a team that is not as dominant as its record indicates?

Perhaps this is the week the Colts go down. I keep thinking to myself that the lack of a running game is going to catch up to the Colts. That lack of a running game is why Manning has had to shoulder much of the load with in an inexperienced group of receivers who have really stepped up. The missing running game is one of the reasons Manning is one of the favorites to win a fourth MVP award in 2009, along with two other quarterbacks who are having outstanding seasons – Drew Brees and that Favre fella!

But, here come the Titans, winners of five in a row. I threw the whole team under the bus back in October. But as Bleacher Fan pointed out in Monday’s debate, the Titans are right in the thick of the AFC wild card hunt, as they currently sit just one game back. Vince Young is managing the game effectively, which is something Kerry Collins was not doing the first six games of the season. The real stud on this team, however, is running back Chris Johnson, who has quickly become one of “my boys” with his ability to carry my fantasy team. He is on pace to have one of the greatest seasons ever.

These two teams played back in October in Nashville, with the Colts winning easily 31-9. I remember watching the game and thinking, “What has happened to Tennessee?” Well, the December Titans are a different Titans team fully capable of knocking off the Colts from the ranks of the unbeaten. Laugh now, but be prepared to hear from me if it happens!!

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The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate – Hey Tim Tebow, Do You Play Defense, Too?

November 26, 2009

Read the arguments from Bleacher Fan and Loyal Homer about which game they believe is the BEST of this Thanksgiving weekend.



Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! It is our first Thanksgiving in existence her eat TSD, so we are thankful that we’ve survived and that we have such wonderful readers (see the reader nominated badge we earned on the top right!). Thanks, everyone. We hope to still be cranking out the kind of sports content you like to read for a long time!

While today, and the weekend, is mostly about pro football, I like a college football game that SEEMS to be decided before the teams take the field. Not only is it easy to orient on a rooting interest, it sets up the possibility of seeing the unexpected. The unexpected happens less frequently in sports these days, so it is all the more welcome when it makes an apperance. The chance for the unexpected is precisely why the Florida State-Florida match up in Gainesville this Saturday is the best game of THIS weekend.

I anticipate the unexpected here because the situation just feels strange. Florida, the team that was believed to have the best defense in the country by many last season – and returned all of its starters this season – seemed to be set up to dominate the competition in what was widely regarded as the best conference in college football (though that presumption is rightly questioned now).

Florida’s defense has not really disappointed this season. It is ranked first overall in points allowed per game, second in yards allowed per game, and first in passing yards allowed per game. Those are excellent statistics through 11 games… especially when considering the 9.8 points allowed per game.

But we must also consider Florida’s competition, especially as it relates to the quality of the offenses the team has faced. Lest we forget, Florida has played one – that’s right, ONE – ranked team all season, the dubiously highly ranked LSU Tigers. At the time LSU was ranked fourth, but the Tigers have since lost three games and have plummeted to 17th… which is still questionable with three losses. The Tigers also have one of the worst offenses in college football, ranked behind Western Michigan, Buffalo, Ohio, Louisiana-Monroe, etc. Not impressive.

The other stout offenses the vaunted Florida defense has faced? Charleston Southern, Troy, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas (a team that actually can play some offense, scoring 20 and only losing by three), Mississippi State, a dreadful Georgia team, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and the impressive Florida International. The SEC stinks. While the defenses are good, the offenses are so bad that it inflates the perception of the league’s defenses. Florida has not played a good offense team, yet.

Now the Gators are facing a good – even excellent – offense for the first time this season. While Tebow will put up Tebow like numbers against the porous defense Florida State seems to have adopted for venerable defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews’ last season in Tallahassee, Florida State’s offense has been revived this season with Jimbo Fisher as the offensive coordinator. After losing junior quarterback Christian Ponder in a play at the end of the game against Clemson, EJ Manuel has come in and shown the ability to win by running the Florida State attack-style offense well enough. Manuel turned the ball over three times against Maryland, but has the ability to extend plays and scramble… the type of ability that is difficult for even good defenses to prepare for. For the first time, perhaps all season, Florida will face a team that is capable of scoring points against its defense. A lot of points. In fact, Florida State is the second best offense, statistically, in the ACC, ranking just behind the CJ Spiller led Clemson Tigers.

Florida State’s offense also ranks 26th nationally and converts nearly 50 percent of the time on third down. Manuel already averages, in a few brief appearances (including just one start), 5.2 yards per carry and a 65 percent completion rate. While it is true that Christian Ponder is a better quarterback, Manuel has stepped in effectively to this point, already notching his first collegiate win over the aforementioned Maryland (a team that shut down Clemson’s high powered offense).

Running back Jermaine Thomas has game breaking speed, too, with seven touchdowns and an average per carry north of five yards. As the season has progressed the Seminoles have run the ball more effectively. Florida should expect a balanced attack from a desperate team.

As Jimbo Fisher continues to improve as offensive coordinator in Tallahassee, he feels the pressure to construct a winning gameplan not just for the sake of the team, but for his future as future head coach. Florida State is a desperate team. Florida has “been there before” but the Seminoles are scratching and clawing for every inch, trying to regain elite statsus. In a big rivalry game where records are neutral but hatred is not, anything can happen. The circumstances surrounding this game – Florida expected to win the game, to win the SEC, to win the national championship game – is the perfect opportunity for Florida State – a team that appears down and drifting without its starting quarterback – to score a major blow in the rivalry.

Of course Florida is expected to win. Of course… except for the unexpected.

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The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate – Holiday Traditions

November 26, 2009

Read the arguments from Sports Geek and Loyal Homer about which game they believe will be the best game of THIS weekend.



Happy Thanksgiving!

Turkey Day is a time of tradition for many people across our country. Whether it is getting together with friends for the annual “Turkey Bowl” football game at your local park, a favorite dish that you look forward to all year at your Thanksgiving dinner, or a special activity that you share with your friends and family, tradition is a big part of how we give thanks. Another annual Thanksgiving tradition is Detroit Lions football!

It doesn’t matter that the Lions are 2-8 this season or that they are likely to get CRUSHED by their division rival Green Bay Packers. This is the game to watch this weekend. Why? Tradition!

The Detroit Lions have been a part of Thanksgiving Day since 1934. Like the Macy’s parade, the Lions have become an indispensible piece of the holiday experience. With the exception of a five-year layoff between 1939 and 1944 due to World War II, the Detroit Lions have played football on every single Thanksgiving Day for the past 75 years. Generations of Americans have gathered together on the last Thursday of every November to celebrate their lives, families and friends, and those parts of life they are most thankful for. After the feast every year, those same generations have gathered together to hear or watch the Lions play football.

Once again today, millions of people around the country are gathering together for some turkey with all the fixin’s. After second-helpings (or in my case, third-helpings), and a piece or two of pumpkin pie, many family will settle down into a sofa, loosen their respective belts, and tune in as Aaron Rodgers and the Packers travel to Detroit.

With the Minnesota Vikings at the front of the NFC North with a record of 9-1, the Packers are not likely to win the NFC North this season. Instead, the Packers are competing for one of the Wild Card spots. Currently they stand at 6-4 and are tied with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles for the two remaining postseason spots. Because the Giants and Eagles both have seemingly more difficult schedules to close out the season, the Packers need to make sure they capitalize on “gimme” games like a matchup today against the Lions. They cannot afford to get caught looking ahead, because each game could make the difference in whether or not they reach the playoffs.

The Detroit Lions, despite a very exciting come from behind victory against the Cleveland Browns last weekend, will likely finish out this season in very bleak fashion. Adding to the struggles of the Lions (like they didn’t have enough problems already), they will be playing today without quarterback Matt Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Without two of their primary offensive weapons available, the Lions will have to rely on their worst-ranked defense to stop Aaron Rodgers, who has been one of the top quarterbacks in the league so far this season. I hate to say it, but I don’t think the Lions will be up to the challenge today.

The game may turn out to be a one-sided affair, but it is a Thanksgiving tradition that cannot be beaten. Spending the day with friends and family, enjoying good food, celebrating all that you are thankful for, and watching the Lions play football is what makes Thanksgiving so enjoyable. Besides, this game will also provide the perfect excuse for slipping into a turkey-induced nap before your second round of dessert begins!

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