Unlimited Mulligans vs Ken Burger Week 2

Week One saw Unlimited Mulligans beating Ken Burger 7-3 to his 6-4. Here's the games for this weeks contest.

Clemson at NC State -............................Clemson
South Carolina at LSU - ........................LSU
Charleston Southern at Hawaii -..........Hawaii
Winston Salem at SC State -.................SC State
Coastal Carolina at James Madison-....James Madison
Kentucky at Arkansas-..........................Arkansas
Georgia at Alabama-..............................Alabama
Maryland at Wake Forest-....................Wake Forest
Washington at UCLA-............................UCLA
Iowa at Wisconsin-.................................Wisconsin

This time I'm turning in my entry form so I can claim that sticker that I will attach to my Clemson cooler. Check in on Sunday for the results.

Red Sox Late Season Collapse

Are we perhaps witnessing one of the greatest September collapses in Baseball history? Red Sox nation is collectively holding their breath in anticipation of the doom that is fast approaching. That being the Red Sox lead in the AL East which now stands at only 1 1/2 games. It doesn't seem that long ago that fans and baseball analysts alike buried the Yankees and gave the Red Sox the Division crown, I included. But, and there is always a but, the Yankees didn't just roll over and die like everyone wished they would. They battled, found young pitching and found their offense.

At the All-Star break on July 10th the Red Sox held what looked like a very comfortable 9 1/2 game lead. They were a Major League best 54-34. Since the break they are 36-29, a very respectable record. Here's that but again, the Yankees have been better, 8 games better, they have a post all star record of 44-21 which is the best in baseball since.

What's happened?

That's what many Sox fans would like to know. Part of the answer is that in the second half of the season the Red Sox are 1-5 vs the Yankees, that not only gives the Yankees confidence but also gives Sox fans heartburn. The other part is two fold. One being the biggest hitter in the lineup hasn't played since Aug 28th, Manny Ramirez has been out since he suffered a strained left oblique. He was a huge part of that lineup and the main reason the team has gone 10-11 in his absence. The other part of the problem is pitching and the bullpen, which after the acquisition of closer Eric Gagne was supposed to be their strong suite, instead it's been their Achilles heal. Gagne since joining the Red Sox, has posted stats that makes former Brave closer Dan Kolb look like a Cy Young pitcher. Gagne has an ERA of 8.80. But he's not the only one in the bullpen that is struggling, Rookie Hideki Okajima, since August, has also posted a balloon sized ERA of 7.05. But you also have to look at the starting pitching. Prized rookie Dice-K, Daisuke Matsuzaka, has gone 1-4 in his last 6 starts with an ERA of 8.44.

Good News
Yes with the bad comes some good. The Red Sox remaining games are against the Devil Rays, Oakland A's and Minnesota Twins, with the last 6 games at home. They Yankees remaining games though are against the Blue Jays, the Devil Rays and Orioles.

But look on the bright side Sox Nation, you're still going to make the playoffs, lets just hope though that the curse doesn't rear it's ugly head once more.

Who will win the AL East?
	Red Sox
	Yankees
pollcode.com free polls

Week 2 NFL Power Rankings

Week 1 in the NFL doesn't make or break a team, week 2 though starts to give you an insight into what a team is capable of. As such there is a big shake up in the week 2 NFL Power Ranks.

1) New England Patriots
2) Indianapolis Colts
3) Pittsburgh Steelers
4) Dallas Cowboys
5) Chicago Bears
6) San Diego Chargers
7) Baltimore Ravens
8) Houston Texans
9) Detroit Lions
10) Green Bay Packers
11) Washington Redskins
12) San Fransisco 49ers
13) Cincinnati Bengals
14) Denver Broncos
15) Tennessee Titans
16) Seattle Seahawks
17) Carolina Panthers
18) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19) Jacksonville Jaguars
20) Minnesota Vikings
21) Arizona Cardinals
22) Philadelphia Eagles
23) New Orleans Saints
24) St Louis Rams
25) Miami Dolphins
26) Cleveland Browns
27) NY Jets
28) NY Giants
29) Buffalo Bills
30) Oakland Raiders
31) Atlanta Falcons
32) Kansas City Chiefs

Barrry's 756 a Future Space Odyssey or Cooperstown bound?

The ball that Barry Bonds deposited into the left center seats that broke the Home Run record was just recently auctioned off for just short of $900K. Well if the public has anything to do with that ball could soon be floating in outer space. Yes you heard that right.

The winner of the auction was Mark Ecko, a designer from what I've heard today in NY. He has decided what he wants to do with the record breaking ball he just won, let the public decide its fate. Yep, the man that just spent almost a cool Million isn't keeping the ball but may end sending it up with NASA if the public says so.

He created a web site called, Vote756.com, to let people vote on three choices for the ball. They are as follows:

1) Bestow It - Give it to Cooperstown
2) Brand It - Mark the ball with an asterisk (*)
3) Banish It - Launch it to outer space

I'm really not sure how I feel about this. I'm not happy about Barry breaking this time honored record but now that it's broken part of me feels it should be in Cooperstown and then again part of me wants to see it in outer space. But I really feel like this is some marketing ploy for his designer clothing company and to get his name out in the general public that might not otherwise have known him, ie me. So I'll give him is 15 seconds of fame here and I'm voting for Cooperstown.

Click here to enter your vote.

Unlimited Mulligans vs Ken Burger of the Post & Courier

Ken Burger of the Charleston Post and Courier holds a weekly contest in the fall for college pick'ems. Here's how it works. You cut out the form for the weekends games, fill out who you think will win then send it in to the Post and Courier. Ken will post his picks for the week on Saturday and if you beat him you'll get a bumper sticker that reads "I Beat Burger" and a chance to win a "Beat Burger" Koozie Deluxe Chair Cooler.

I'm going to try my hand at this for the first time. So the following are my picks:

Citadel at Wisconsin - Wisconsin
Furman at Clemson - Clemson
SC State at S. Carolina - S. Carolina
Johnson C Smith at Charleston Southern - Chas Southern
Boston College at Georgia Tech - G Tech
Virginia at UNC - UNC
Tennessee at Florida - Florida
Arkansas at Alabama - Arkansas
Notre Dame at Michigan - Michigan
USC at Nebraska - USC as in Southern Cal

I'll post the results on Monday against Burger. These seemed pretty easy to pick but you never know how these things will turn out.

Update

The only game Buger picked different from my picks was he stuck w/a promise to pick SC State in every game so he chose SC State over S. Carolina. I win!!!

Well as I had my mind on other things friday I forgot to get my entry by the Post and Courier so no bumper sticker for me this week. I'll try again this week.

Only the Raiders!!

Finally!! He's in camp. He being the the #1 overall pick in April's NFL Draft. The Raiders are still the Raiders. They are perhaps the only organization that would let the top draft choice sit out all of training camp and the whole first week of the regular season. Most organizations take the suspense out of their selection prior to the draft, i.e. the Houston Texans signing Mario Williams before the draft.

JaMarcus Russell just signed his rookie contract which has a maximum value of $68 mil with $31.5 guaranteed. But this long hold out has also guaranteed that he won't see any playing time anytime soon. On a side note, these rookie contracts are getting completely out of hand, NFL needs to cap these contracts like the NBA does. These kids haven't proved anything yet they get paid more than 90% of veteran and more proven players.

But back to Al.

There's isn't much the Al Davis and company are doing right these days. Only Al Davis would hire a32 year old, yes 32 as head coach. One that would have zero experience as an NFL coach. His highest position as a coach was USC (So Cal) Offensive Coordinator. Only Al Davis would sue fellow NFL franchises for color and logo similarities. That's right, he tried suing the Carolina Panthers for their silver and black color scheme and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of it's pirate logo.

His franchise was once feared, now people just laugh at them. Since their SuperBowl appearance in 2002, the Raiders have gone a total of 15-49 and are currently on their 4th head coach in that same span. This signing, well the fact that it took so long, is just another in a string of bad decisions he's making. This franchise isn't going anywhere anytime soon until Al decides to remove his name from the GM title.

Good luck JaMarcus, you're now a part of Raider Nation, one that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

NFL Power Rankings Week 1

Here are my week one NFL rankings. Choose to comment or leave you own ideas but this is mine.

1. Indianapolis Colts - Who knew the defense would play like it did against the Saints.
2. New England Patriots - Lets see what they do post spy games.
3. San Diego Chargers - Offense will play better but credit Bears D for lack of production
4. Pittsburgh Steelers - Browns not much of a test but new Offense will carry team, D good too
5. Chicago Bears - If they Rex can finally develop into a reliable QB this team is nasty.
6. Cincinnati Bengals - Defense is still the question mark on this team, Offense will carry them.
7. Carolina Panthers - Offense looks back in form, can Defense return to 03 form?
8. Dallas Cowboys - Offense hitting on all cylinders, can Defense play as expected? If so look out!!
9. New Orleans Saints - Didn't play well in opener but look for better in week 2.
10. Seattle Seahawks - Offense finally healthy, should be much better.
11. Denver Broncos - Team will go as far as Cutler can take them, how much will he improve?
12. Minnesota Vikings - Finally a franchise RB but question mark at QB.
13. Baltimore Ravens - Billick an offensive genius?? Really?? Defense will have to carry team once again.
14. St Louis Rams - If offense doesn't play better than week 1 they are in for a long year.
15. Philadelphia Eagles - Philly fans should hope McNabb can play all 16 games, rookie troubles otherwise.
16. Houston Texans - Offense improved w/additions at QB and RB, Defense better, new coach. No longer a laughing stock.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Not enough offense to carry team if the defense continues to get pushed around.
18. New York Jets - NY fans better pray Pennington stays healthy, no cheer.
19. Detroit Lions - Martz the mad scientist is at it again, weapons galore on offense.
20. San Francisco 49ers - Nolan has team in right direction, defense looks much improved.
21. New York Giants - Offense okay. Injuries and age hurting defense.
22. Tennessee Titans - VY (since when did we shorten his name media?) to have sophomore slump, on teams' radar now. Plenty of questions on defense.
23. Washington Redskins - Unproven QB...and well they are still the Redskins, great on paper..struggles on the field.
24. Miami Dolphins - Aging QB, Aging Defense, new coach...long season Dolphin fans.
25. Green Bay Packers - Yes they won but lack of playmakers on offense will hurt in long run
26. Arizona Cardinals - If monday is any indication this Offense will struggle thanks to it's O-Line.
27. Buffalo Bills - Only bright spots on this team; Losman, Evans, Parrish and Lynch.. Defense lacks playmakers.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - No Offense, aging Defense...another long year in Gruden's QB carousel.
29. Oakland Raiders - Well they are still the Raiders...They should be a couple games better in 07
30. Atlanta Falcons - With or without Vick this team would struggle.
31. Kansas City - I think Larry Johnson should've waited to be a free agent, this team stinks.
32. Cleveland - They belong in the Big 10. Seriously, App State would give them a game.

Palmetto State dominates Saturday Football

Saturday afternoon was a great day for many of South Carolina colleges and their fans. In 11 games that involved state schools, 8 won and one game pitted two state schools against one another. All in all the state's Saturday record was 8 -3. Of course the big two of Clemson and USC both notched a win.

Here's a quick rundown of the Winners:

Clemson won big against a lesser foe in Louisiana-Monroe. They were able to shake off a sluggish beginning to route Monroe 49-26 as Junior QB Cullen Harper passed for 5 TD's, a Clemson record.

South Carolina had arguably the schools biggest win in Steve Spurrier's tenure, as well as Lou Holtz's. They beat Georgia in Athens and between the hedges which maybe the school's biggest road win ever. They led throughout winning 16-12. The win vaulted them from the land of the unranked to #17 in the country. As much as it hurts me to write this, S Carolina has put themselves in great position to challenge for a spot in the SEC Championship game.

Citadel. That's enough said. Call this a program statement game or call it a blow out but whatever you call they won BIG, as in 76 to zero BIG. They beat Webber International of the NAIA. Granted they only have 550 students but for Citadel to score 76 unanswered points it is a thing of beauty. For giggles Citadel scored 4 TD's on their first 11 plays and the defense scored 3 TD's. Look out Wisconsin, another So Con team looks to take down the Big10.

Wofford beat up a Charleston Southern team already coming off one blowout the previous week at Citadel only to get ripped again 52-24. The Terriers ran for 317 yards on 57 attempts. The Buccaneers sadly enough will need to get used to blowouts, as in two weeks they will travel to Hawaii to take on the pass happy Rainbows and record setting QB Colt Brennan.

South Carolina State recorded their first win of the year as they knocked off Bethune-Cookman 24-13. SC State will try to bring their run game with them as they travel to Columbia Saturday to take on the Gamecocks.

Coastal Carolina in a rebuilding mode was able to fend off Winston Salem State to win 28-21 and even it's record at 1-1. William Richardson threw for 301 yards and a TD.

Newberry beat up a Bowie State team 41-7 as RB Alex Haynes rushed for 255 yards as the Indians piled up 507 total yards.

Presbyterian, in their first year of Division 1-AA football (FCS), knocked off Pikeville 58-7. QB Grayson Mullins passed for 342 yards and 6 scores. The Blue Hose, for laughter, scored 35 points in the second quarter.

Loses

North Greenville remains winless as they lost 21-17 to Fairmont State.

Furman traveled to NY only to come back with a loss as they were beat by Hofstra 32-17. They are 1-1 on the year.

2007 NFL Season Predictions

It's that time of the year, when football analysts and fans make their predictions for the season. Now I'm giving this a whirl for the first time. All give the winner for each division and the Wild Cards in both leagues and who will win the SuperBowl.

AFC

East
New England 11 - 5
NY Jets 9 - 7
Miami 8 - 8
Buffalo 4 - 10

West
San Diego 12 - 4
Denver 11 - 5
Kansas City 5 - 11
Oakland 5 - 11

North
Baltimore 12 - 4
Cincinnati 10 - 6
Pittsburgh 8 - 8
Cleveland 4 - 12

South
Jacksonville 12 - 4
Indianapolis 10 - 6
Houston 7 - 9
Tennessee 5 - 11

NFC

East
Dallas 12 - 4
Philadelphia 10 - 6
NY Giants 8 - 8
Washington 5 - 11

West
Seattle 11 - 5
St. Louis 10 - 6
Arizona 7 - 9
San Fran 6 -10

North
Chicago 12 - 4
Detroit 9 - 7
Green Bay 8 - 8
Minnesota 5 - 11

South
New Orleans 13 - 3
Carolina 10 - 6
Atlanta 7 - 9
Tampa Bay 5 - 11


AFC Wild Card: Denver, Indianapolis
NFC Wild Card: Philadelphia, St. Louis

AFC Championship Game: Baltimore at San Diego
NFC Championship Game: Dallas at New Orleans

SuperBowl: New Orleans vs San Diego

NFL Champion: San Diego




Check back on this in February to see how good of a prognosticator I am

App State makes themselves at home in the BIG HOUSE!

It's now being called the greatest upset in sports history, not college history, sports history. Even over the Miracle on Ice, USA over Russia in Olympic hockey. And rightfully so. I mean this is Michigan, they have the most wins in the history of Division 1A football, err FBS and they were playing at home in front of 100,000 or so fans. True life David vs Goliath. If this were college basketball it would be the likes of a 16 seed beating a 1 seed, something that has never happened.

This was the greatest upset in sports history, plain and simple. Never in the history of college football has a division 1AA school (FCS) beat a ranked 1A school (FBS). And this wasn't like Michigan was a top 20 or top 15 school, they were ranked #5 in the nation. Had the likes of a lower tiered Big 10 school beat them it would've been considered an upset but this takes on an even greater meaning.

I awoke on Sunday morning expecting to turn on ESPN's Sports Center and finding the following headline, 'Michigan fires Lloyd Carr', alas but nothing. I likened it to my high school days when Citadel beat Arkansas and the very next day they fired the head coach. So I figured the situation and record in big games coupled with this disaster of epic proportions was enough for Michigan nation to say enough is enough.

Well he has so far escaped being fired but I'm sure he's on a short leash now. I would say unless he beats OSU (something he can't do) or wins out the remaining games he's out as head coach. There's no coming back from a meltdown like this.

The following coaches would like to say thanks to Lloyd Carr; Charlie Weis, Bobby papa Bowden and Al Groh.


Oh by the way: Michigan also becomes the first team to drop from the Top 5 to completely out of the Top 25 in one week.

Braves and September renewals

Ah September!! It's that great time of the year when College Football and the NFL seasons are getting underway and baseball pennant races are heating up. It's the best time of the year if you're a sports fan, well with the exception of a three week period in March.

Well for the second straight year I am only left to look forward to football and wondering if the Dallas Cowboys will challenge the Eagles for the NFC East Division Championship and to see if Clemson can manage to piece together a great overall season and play for a ACC Championship. The reason I can't include baseball into that mix is because the Atlanta Braves can't seem to get anything together and are in a serious hole to make the playoffs.

With 23 games remaining in the 2007 schedule, the Braves find themselves at 70-69 and in third place in the NL East. They are currently 8 1/2 games out of first in the east and 6 games back of Wild Card leading Arizona Diamondbacks. Playoff hopes are fading as fast as Michigan's chances at a National Championship, but that's another story all together. Basically in order for Atlanta to have a chance at making the post season they would seriously almost have to run the table in the next 23 games and considering in the last 10 games they are 3-7, I'm not holding my breathe for that to happen. So I'm now re-shifting my focus to football.

It's yet another disappointing season for the Braves world. Remember back in early April, think hard, like really hard, the Braves were 10-1 and looking like an all-world team. They had pitching and hitting, timely hitting and a consistent bullpen. It looked then like last years losing season was just a fluke, a hiccup in a 15 year winning stretch. Well it's looking more like they have a flu and this isn't a hiccup anymore.

There are two things that have stood out the most in this turbulent season. One being Andruw's well document struggles at the plate. The second is really three things, as in Atlanta's 3, 4 and 5 game starters. With the exception of Smoltz and Hudson the braves have used a total of 7 men for those 3 spots and their combined record is 23-35 compared to Smoltz and Hudson's record of 27-17.

So I am taking my emotions out of baseball now and moving them to football.

Ah September, time for some Football and sports rejuvenation.