FanNation - The Republic of Sport

All right- so there's a storm brewin' in the BCS; that's not our concern right now.  I'd love to waste 600 words breaking down the Saturday action, but that's what Stew Mandel is there for.  I will say this, though (and I know it's a BIG-time cliché), but the Final Four of the Most "Schizophrenic" Teams in NCAA Football would definitely feature Wake Forest, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Maryland (yeah, yeah, I know- it's easy to pick from the loaded ACC).  Just check their records, people, these teams lose more winnable games than Boston College with the BCS in the balance.  Y'know, time was when Texas lost a game it shoulda won every year; this was earlier this decade, until Vince Young came along and got them past all that nonsense.  Nowadays, of course, the 'Horns are back, and can hardly be criticized for dropping that shootout to the diabolical Red Raiders (nothing short of Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams resurrected in the backfield could have saved them that day in Lubbock). Oh well, I said I wouldn't digress but there I went; let me give you a few predictions and then we can all get on with our lives.

So... I'm not sure if I love anything this week- so there's another bad omen for all of us, but what can we do- ignore this week's slate of games?  Not head for that window and grab something that "looks good on paper but we'll see?"  No, this league gives us 17 precious Sundays a year (not counting playoffs and, for you absolute degenerates, preseason).  So we'll make a few picks, and hope for the best.  That all being said,  we dive right in:

Cincinnati (wait, wait- don't stop reading- please, just hear me out) comes out at home today to defend its winning ways, having posted its first "W" just 2 weeks ago.  I know this is boring and I could be waaay off (read "Philadelphia 42, Cincy 2"), but here's what I think is a bonafide home dog- nothing to lose, fresh off a bye week, etc.  And Philly, well, they're just up and down enough to not run away with this one.  So I advocate the once-and-future Bungals, starting up nine points at home.

Now let's look at a home favorite- one game that does jump out at me this week, believe it or not,  is Carolina  hosting the not-even-comically bad  Motown Lions (I know- definitely not the sexiest matchup on the board today).  I don't think we'll see the most eye-popping final tally in this one, but I really just envision an obvious 27-3 or 24-nil.  That's the Panthers in the "Win" column, by the way.  So Carolina gets my blessing, even with the 2 td spot the Lions get just for showing up in Charlotte.

Along this very same idea, I'll also go an inch or two out on a very sturdy limb and guess that Miami should have no problem handling the visiting Raiders, who are this year's (actually defending from last year and the year before- threepeat baby!) team that I will hammer against until they prove to me that they belong in the NFL.  Right now the Dolphins are giving 10 points, and I will gladly back that number.  One road dog I do approve of today is San Diego; they come to Pittsburgh 5 points ahead, and the Steelers are just too inconsistent and error-prone (and by that I mean God knows which Big Ben will show up).  

Need another idea?  Okay, hear me out: Matt Hasselbeck should be hassel-back today.  I know, I know, this aint' a big secret, and the Sly Stallone of the Hasselbeck brothers (where Tim = Frank, of course) doesn't do a ton of good unless he brings a boost to the Seahawks' woeful secondary.  But I still like Seattle as a field goal home dog against Arizona.  I mean, yes the Cardinals are having a franchise year, but deep down they are still the Cardinals.  So just maybe we'll get a close one today, as divisional games often are, and should be.  One more then I'm out; same deal, similar rationale: Jax is hosting Tennessee, who still haven't lost one this year.  Well, the Jags are getting 3 here- and I say the worst you'd end up with is a push if you take those points.  The Titans' 16-0 bubble is just itching to burst.  I have a feeling that the annual never-funny-or-witty-to-begin-with comments about Don Shula, Bob Griese, and Mercury Morris (you think these guys haven't been in the same room together since Eastern Airlines folded, right?) popping the cork will be heard on highlight recaps nationwide tonight.  So, yeah, I like the Jaguars is what I'm trying to say.

Now remember to heed this warning: I did go five and one yesterday (and yes, Mother, I suppose I do want a freakin' medal), so today's picks might be ice cold.  Or I might still be on that roll- who knows?  We'll find out, pals, we will find out.