Sfvftc's Shot: UCLA's upset victory over USC gives the BCS a perfect exit strategy for the 2006 college football season: A) Michigan (11-1) v. Florida (12-1) in the Sugar Bowl on January 3; and B) Mich/Fla. winner v. Ohio State (12-0) in the BCS Championship Game on January 8.
The Score: The vast majority of DI men's college basketball superpowers schedule several "Cream Puff" games in the early part of their season.
Sfvftc's Shot: A "Cream Puff" game is a boon for both teams involved.
A "Cream Puff", of course, is a basketball game between a powerhouse team and a far weaker team. The juggernaut squad often clobbers its opponent.
Nevertheless, these typeS of games benefit both teams. For example, here a few ways that each team earns dividends by playing: 1) both teams gain valuable game experience; 2) both teams discover their own strengths and weaknesses; 3) both teams get to try plays that they have practiced; and 4) both teams get an opportunity to build cohesiveness.
The Score: The Coke & Nachos Match Up is #6 Notre Dame v. #3 USC
Sfvftc's Shot: USC is playing for a berth in the BCS Championship game versus Ohio State. Notre Dame is playing for revenge, pride and a possible trip to BCS Championship game against Ohio State.
Last year, USC and Notre Dame played a classic which concluded with the Bush Push and a Trojans victory. This year, ND returns 17 starters from last year's squad. USC, on the other hand, lost several key players including Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and LenDale White.
Nevertheless, the Trojans recorded a stellar season. The Trojans are 9-1. The offense is not as potent as previous years but it is still averaging 30.1 points per game. Quarterback John David Booty has tossed 22 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. Booty's is supported by a defense that ranks 11th in the country.
ND's defense is improved but it remains a weakness. The Irish rank near the bottom in the vital defensive statistical categories. Irish head coach Charlie Weiss, though, has a dynamic offense led by senior quarterback Brady Quinn. This unit stacked with first-rate performers. Running back Darius Walker is a splendid RB. Wide receiver Jeff Samardzija is a lanky receiver who is adept at using his size, 6' 5'', to shield defenders and catch the ball. His fellow WR Rhema McKnight ranks second in the country in touchdown catches with 14.
McKnight and his teammates are still stinging from last year's bitter loss to USC. Yet the Trojans are unbeatable at home under Pete Carroll.
In another high scoring thriller, though, ND avenges the last year's loss and wins 38-35.
The Score: New York Giants running back Tiki Barber criticized his coaches offensive play calling during his team's 26-10 loss on Monday night to the Jacksovnville Jaguars.
Sfvftc's Shot: Tiki Barber's rant is a diversionary tactic.
Barber criticized his coaches because he wanted the media to concentrate its collective attention on him rather than his struggling quarterback, Eli Manning.
It is a savvy veteran move by Tiki. He is protecting his quarterback, Manning. Manning is struggling. In his last two games, both Giants losses, he misfired on several routine passes and he threw four interceptions.
In addition, it is obvious that Manning's confidence is waning. If he throws an incomplete pass, he hangs his head and seems dispirited.
Barber's ploy is working--for now.
Key Play (s):
1. Tiki Barber criticized his coaches because he wanted to shift the media's attention away from his QB's struggles, Eli Manning.
The Score:Chicago Sun-Times Joe Cowley voted New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter 6th in the balloting for the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Sfvftc's Shot: In order to maintain its integrity, Baseball Writers of America (BBWA) has to strip Chicago Sun-Times Joe Cowley of his vote for the MVP award.
It is both indefensible and inexplicable that Cowley voted Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter 6th on his MVP ballot. Jeter deserved to be no lower than third on any ballot.
Jeter compiled a stellar '06 campaign. His final offensive statistics: .343 avg.; 14 hr; 97 rbi; 118 runs. On defense, he won the gold glove award. Jeter's splendid season helped propel the Yankees to the best record in the American League (AL). In addition, he posted this outstanding season in the crucible of New York City.
In other words, Jeter deserved better than a sixth place vote from Cowley.
Key Play(s):
1. BBWA needs to revoke Joe Cowley's MVP voting privileges.
Sfvftc's Shot: For a "cerebral" quarterback, New York Jets signal caller Chad Pennington is making too many mistakes.
On Sunday, Pennington threw two pivotal interceptions against the Chicago Bears. He tossed the first interception in the opening quarter. New York had the ball at Chicago's 6-yard line and the Jets appeared poised to score a touchdown or least a field goal. On a 3r-and-goal play, Pennington focused his concentration downfield on one wide receiver for the entire duration of the play. Then, he threw the ball and Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher intercepted the pass in the end zone. Urlacher made a decent play to intercept the pass but Pennington gave him an early Christmas present. By locking in on one receiver right after the snap, Urlacher knew exactly where the Jets QB wanted to throw the ball.
Pennington threw his second interception of the game in the third quarter. On that particular play, the Jets attempted to a tight-end screen pass. Pennington dropped back to throw and a couple of Bears defenders dashed into the backfield to sack him. Instead of taking the sack and maybe staying in field goal range, Pennington lofted the ball into the air and Chicago's Nathan Vasher easily picked off the pass. That kind of awful decision making is expected from a rookie or inexperienced QB, not from a seven-year veteran who is acknowledged as a "bright" signal caller.
Nevertheless, Pennington's interception total this season is not indicative of a smart QB. In 10 games, he's thrown 11 interceptions and 10 touchdowns.
Unless Pennington improves his touchdown-to-interception ratio, NFL analysts will characterize him as "mistake prone" not studious.
Key Play (s):
1. Chad Pennington's interception total is far too high for a "cerebral" QB.
The Score: NFL head coaches Mike Nolan and Jack Del Rio both donned a suit and tie for their team's game this past week.
Sfvftc's Shot: An NFL coach stalking the sidelines in a suit and tie appears stylish but the cumbersome head set a coach wears detracts from the spify look.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan's homage to his father,a former NFL head coach who wore a suit and tie on game day, and to legendary coaches Paul Brown, Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry is terrific. Yet Nolan diminshed the natty look by wearing the bulky head set.
Instead of putting on the large head set that all coaches wear, he should have used a less intrusive communication device. A wireless "blue tooth" gizmo would have appeared more sleak and modern.
After all, fashionistas laud the importance of accessorizing the right way.
Key Play (s):
1. An NFL coach in suit and tie on Sundays is a classy look.
2. The current head set coaches wear has to go if a coach dons the suit and tie.
The Detroit Lions (2-8) give a respectable in every game but they lack the talent necessary to win in the NFL. Therefore, Miami will defeat the Lions on Thanksgiving.
Next, the Dolphins play the Jacksonville (5-4) Jaguars. Jacksonville features a stout defense but their offense is inconsistent. With home field advantage, Miami will tally the victory over the Jags.
The New England Patriots (7-3) travel to Miami on 12/10. Earlier this season, Miami lost a spirited contest to the Patriots 20-10 in Foxboro. The Dolphins, in the last few years, have enjoyed success at home against the Patriots and this trend will continue.
After facing New England, the Dolphins fly north to play the Buffalo Bills (4-6). Buffalo defeated Miami back in September 16-6. Yet by this date in the season, the Dolphins will be the superior team thanks to Miami's head coach Nick Saban. Saban's teams usually make significant improvements from early in the season to late in the season.
Then, it is back home for a AFC East showdown with the New York Jets on Christmas night. Once again, Miami will avenge a loss from earlier in the year. The Dolphins defense will harrass Jets QB Chad Pennington and force him into to a couple of vital turnovers.
Finally, to wrap up the regular season, Miami journeys to Indianapolis to play the Indianapolis Colts (9-1). By this point in the season the Colts will have secured home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Thus, QB Peyton Manning and the rest of the starters on both sides of the ball will play a couple of series in the first quarter. Then, the Colts' first-stringers will take a seat on the sideline--to prevent an injury.Competing against the Colt's second-team players, Miami's starters will record the victory.
In fact, Miami has already started down this path. They have won 3 games in a row and by season's end the winning streak will reach 9.
Sfvftc's Shot:Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith eviscerated a group of Wolverines today.
Before you call or e-mail PETA to report an animal slaughter, the Wolverines Smith disemboweled were University of Michigan football defenders. He completed 29 of 41 pass attempts for 318-yards and four touchdowns with only 1 interception in Ohio State's 42-39 victory over arch rival Michigan.
Smith threw the ball all over the "Horseshoe" in Columbus. He passed left; he passed right; and he passed down the middle of the field. Each completion seemed more accurate than the previous one. All the while, Michigan defenders tried in vain to stop this aerial assault.
In fact, the mighty Wolverines defense appeared to be at the mercy of Smith and the Buckeyes robust offense. Only his turnovers--two fumbles and one interception--prevented Ohio State from hanging 50 points or more on the Wolverines.
Nevertheless, Smith ravaged the Wolverines defense. It is an exclamation mark on a splendid regular season for this senior signal-caller. His statistics in 12 games: 297 Pass attempts; 199 Pass completions; 30 TD's Passes; 2,509-Yards pass; 5 interceptions; and, oh yeah, his team is a perfect 12-0.
Instead of calling or e-mailing PETA, contact the Heisman Trophy Foundation and tell them the name to engrave on their prestigious trophy this year is Troy Smith--the eviscerator.
Key Play(s):
1. Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith eviscerated a group of Wolverines--Michigan Wolverines.
The Score: The Coke & Nachos match up of the week is #2 University of Michigan Wolverines vs. #1 The Ohio State University Buckeyes.
Sfvftc's Shot: The death of former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler casts pall over this epic clash.
Neverthelss, as Bo would want, "the game" will go on.
In preparing for this game, Michigan and Ohio State discovered that they are a facsimile of each other. They both possess a stout defense, a dynamic offense and a superb special team unit.
Nevertheless, a significant difference exists between these two teams: quarterback. Buckeyes quarterback (QB) Troy Smith and Wolverines QB Chad Henne are both superb passers. Troy Smith, though, is a more adept rusher than Henne. Smith's speed and elusiveness enables him to evade defenders and either complete a pass or gain some yards rushing. In addition, his mobility can demoralize a defense. For example, on a pass play a defense can do everything right---cover the receivers and get a terrific pass rush-- for several seconds but Smith manages to elude a pass rusher, a receiver sheds a defender and he completes a pass. Demoralizing.
However, Michigan running back (RB) Mike Hart will keep the fleet-footed Smith on the sidelines for extended periods of time. He is an underrated RB. The diminutive Hart reads his blocks well and he is a surprisingly powerful runner. Furthermore, the Wolverine's offensive line is outstanding.
Given each team's similarities, there is a high-probability that a field goal attempt will determine who wins. Wolverines place-kicker Garrett Rivas converts a 41-yard field goal with 17 seconds remaining and it is "Hail to the Victors."
Sfvftc's Shot: Garrett Rivas or Aaron Pettrey, in all probability, will decide the outcome of Saturday's epic clash between Michigan and Ohio State.
Who are Rivas and Pettrey? Rivas is the place kicker for Michigan; Pettrey is the place kicker for Ohio State.
Rivas, a sports and communications major, is from Tampa Florida. A senior, he is Michigan's all-time leading scorer with 343 points. He's converted 62 of 80 (77.5 %) career field goal (FG) attempts for the Wolverines. He recorded the longest FG of his career with a 48-yard boot against Vanderbilt earlier this season. In '06, Rivas has made 15 of 18 (83.3) FG attempts. Furthermore, he has converted 37 of 38 extra point attempts this year.
Pettrey, Rivas' counterpart on Saturday, is a red shirt freshman from Raceland Kentucky. Pettrey, a social and behavioral major, walked-on to the team last fall and showed enough talent for Ohio State University to award him a scholarship. He has converted 8 of 11 (72.7) field goal attempts in his '06 campaign. During his team's 44-3 thrashing of Indiana, he made a 51-yard FG--a career best.
Thus, remember the names Garrett Rivas and Aaron Pettrey as you watch Saturday's showdown between Michigan and Ohio State. After all, great match-ups have a way of being decided by an "unknown" place kicker.
The Score: The Houston Dynamo won the 2006 MLS Cup over the New England Revolution on a penalty kick shootout.
Sfvftc's Shot: Soccer, a.ka. the "beautiful game," is tarnishing itself by continuing to use penalty kick shootouts to decide championship or playoff matches.
Soccer, often, markets itself as a "marathon not a sprint." Advertising campaigns promote the fact that this sport has zero timeouts. The action is continuous. There are no commercial breaks once a half starts. Coaches are prevented from squeezing the life out of the contest because there are no timeouts.
Penalty kick (PK) shootouts are inconsistent with this non-stop action ideal. PK's stop the game and reduce the match from a splendid 11 versus 11 marathon contest into a series of one-on-one abrupt competitions between the goalies and the shooters.
Instead of PK's, in a playoff or championship match, tie games should continue with 15 minute periods until one team wins. The players will tire and eventually one team will score. If the game remains tied after 3 overtime periods (OT), each team is allowed one to make one more substitution.
By adopting this change, soccer will remain consistent with its mantra that the game is a "marathon not a sprint." Plus, there will be more of the "beautiful game" to watch.
Key Play(s):
1. Soccer or football is ruining itself by continuing to use penalty kick shootouts to decide a playoff or championship match.
The Score: Texas Tech men's basketball coach Bobby Knight hit one of his players, Michael Prince, on the nose with an open palm in an attempt to get Prince's attention during Tech's 86-64 victory over Gardner-Webb on Monday night.
Sfvftc's Shot: It is imperative for Texas Tech to dismiss men's basketball coach Bobby Knight.
Knight demonstrated both a lack of self-control and poor judgement when he accidentally hit Michael Prince. Knight, besides winning basketball games, is allegedly paid to guide and nurture his young and impressionable players in all aspects of their lives while they are students at Texas Tech. He is suppose to serve as a role model for his players. By striking a player, even by accident, he modeled both criminal and incorrect behavior for his players.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon to Texas Tech to terminate Bobby Knight's contract with the school.
Key Play(s):
1. Texas Tech should fire Bobby Knight for hitting Michael Prince.
Above: Jets DT Dewayne Roberston and Jets head coach Eric Mangini exit the field amidst the afterlglow of New York's stunning upset of the New England Patriots.
Sfvftc's Shot: Look out NFL: the New York Jets are devouring what head coach Eric Mangini is cooking.
Since Day 1 of his reign in New York Mangini has extolled the virtues of togetherness, tenacity and fastidiousness to his team Players, of course, have heard many coaches preach adherence to those ideals. The Jets effort yesterday, though, reflected a sincere commitment to their head coach's exhortations.
New York entered the game as a major underdog. New England had the home field advantage and the Patriots, losers last week, had not lost two games in a row since December 2002. In addition, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady struggled the previous week and conventional NFL wisdom held that he would not falter for a second straight week. After all, Brady is a three-time Super Bowl champion. Nobody except the Jets believed that they had a chance to win this game.
Yet the Jets played a spirited game. New York out hustled the Patriots from the first play to the last play. For example, early in the second quarter, Jets linebacker Victor Hobson chased down Patriots wide receiver Doug Gabriel and forced a fumble, which New York's Kerry Rhodes recovered. On that play, Gabriel had shedded a tackle and appeared to be on his way towards a long yardage gain. Hobson could have given up on the play because one of his teammates was close to Gabriel and appeared ready to make the tackle. Of course, Hobson's splendid speed enabled him to catch Gabriel but he also made that play because he hustled.
In the fourth quarter, the offense posted a similar style of play. Jets QB Chad Pennington lofted a 22-yard pass into the Patriots end zone. Pennington had under thrown the pass and the Patriots defender, Ellis Hobbs, appeared poised to intercept the ball. Instead, Jets wide receiver Jericho Kotchery leaped into the air and wrestled the ball away from Hobbs to give New York a 17-6 lead.
Those two plays--Hobbs forced fumble and Kotchery's touchdown catch--are indicative of a team that is unified, tenacious and meticulous. In other words, the Jets are regulars at Mangini's restaurant of coach's rhetoric.
Key Play(s):
1. The Jets are devouring what head coach Eric Mangini is cooking.
2. The Jets out hustled the Patriots.
3. There is nothing more dangerous in the NFL than a team that is scarfing down the coach's exhortations.
