FanNation - The Republic of Sport

While we should start with the NFL, instead we'll talk College Football.  Whether you have SC or LSU at number one, I don't think it really matters. They are the two best teams regardless !!!  Personally I have the Trojans at number one.  They looked deadly again this past weekend against Washington State.  The Trojans heard the voices across the nation and have responded.  LSU got a big win at home against the other USC.  However they had to earn this one and pull some trickery out of the ole bag in order to nail it down.  The Gamecocks are much better than anyone had given them credit for.  Spurrier should be putting a positive spin on that loss in Baton Rouge. I know it was a loss, but they battled hard and should feel good about pushing the Tigers to the edge. LSU gets their annual beatdown on Tulane this weekend before the much anticipated game against Florida. The Gators coaches have no doubt secretly started looking at what the Gamecocks did right against LSU...however with Auburn coming to town this weekend they can't look to far ahead. Auburn, who was shocked twice already this year got the ship righted against New Mexico State with an impressive 2nd half display. They'll be looking to parlay that into an upset of the Gators in the Swamp. It won't be easy...I'll say it again...this Gator team is better than last year's Championship squad !!! The "Red River Showdown" is still a week away, but both Oklahoma and Texas will be looking for some tune up this week going into what should be a great battle in Dallas. One of the biggest games this weekend will be in Morgantown, where we get to see just how good the South Florida Bulls are, when they visit West Virginia. Keeping Slanton and White in check is a tall order, however the Bulls have nothing but confidence behind them after an upset of Auburn, and a romp over UNC. It should be fun !!!

Who thought at the start of the NFL season, that three weeks in we would be talking about the Cowboys and the Packers as the Class of the NFC ??? Be honest now. I'll give you the Cowboys...Wade Phillips has the "Boys" in mid-season form, on both sides of the ball. Tony Romo appears to have put last years Playoff debocale completely behind him.  Brett Farve tossed #420 against the Chargers to tie Hall of Famer Dan Marion in career TD passes. The Pack are 3-0 to start the 07 campaign. Like Dallas, they are getting done on both sides of the ball.  Tampa Bay showed last weeks win over New Orleans was no fluke with a big win at home over St.Louis. We'll see if that carries over to this weekends game with Carolina. The Bears 2nd half collaps against Dallas was accented by the loss of 3 more starters to a squad riddled with injuries.  That coupled with Rex Grossman's....well come up with your own adjective for that performance....leaves some major question as to whether the defending NFC Champs will make it back to the post-season. Seattle showed some metal in their comeback win over Cincy at Qwest.  The win moves them into a tie with SF in the West.

That was because SF got swacked in Pittsburgh by the Steelers.  Mike Tomlin is his debut season in the Steel City is 3-0.  Everyone in the AFC is talking about the Patriots and the Colts, and rightfully so...however the Steelers quietly have put together three very complete wins over the Niners, Bills, and Browns.  Willie Parker is the leading rusher in the NFL, Big Ben Roethlisberger has 6 TD passes...but its the Defense...number one in points against and 2nd in yards against taking the headlines.  With Arizona and Seattle on tap...excitment is growing at Heinz Field.  After a slow start agaisnt the Bills, Tom Brady and crew rolled in the second half against Buffalo.  It makes me giddy just thinking about what kind of numbers the combo of Brady and Moss could possibly put up this year !!! The Colts kept pace with a win over the previously unbeaten Houston Texans ( I know that just didn't sound right did it ). Payton Manning was his surgical self, but I thought the running of Joesph Addai was the difference for the Colts.  The Texans and Matt Schaub are the real deal. However the Texans and coach Gary Kubiak have been hammered with injuries and one wonders if they will start to take its toll on the Texans...still an impressive start to the season for both they and the Colts. So I guess its safe to say that Marty wasn't the problem in San Diego.  Wow the Chargers have not looked good at all this year. LT has yet to rush for 100 yards in a game and I will once again question the decision not to play him in the Pre-Season.  He is the spark for that offense and when he is invisible...it shows. The in-fighting has already started on the sidelines and that is never a good thing. Nice to see Lane Kiffen get his 1st win as coach of the Raiders, and he also showed he is learning, after pulling the same move on Cleveland, icing a FG attempt to win by the Browns.  The same move Mike Shanahan put on the Raiders last week.

Hey who forgot to tell the Colorado Rockies they were out of the race for the Post Season ??? Hey who was that ??? Wow out of nowhere, the Rockies have swept both the Dodgers and now the Padres and very much are in the picture for the NL wildcard. The Rocks, a game and a half back of San Diego, travel to LA and then The D-backs to finish. The Dodgers would like nothing better than to spoil it for Colorado, as that sweep they suffered against Colorado was the end of the Dodgers playoff push.  Philly is just a half game back of the Padres. The Phillies finish at home against Atlanta who, while slim at best...still have a slight shot at the Wildcard themselves (3 and a half back). Philly then finishes with the Nationals.  The Padres who have watched the NL West title disappear, will try not to let that happen with the Wildcard spot as well. They finish with the Giants and then the Brewers...all on the road.  They have one more game to play than both the Phillies and the Rockies.  Speaking of the Brewers...it looks like their promising run has finally collapsed as the Cubs have finally opened up that race in the NL Central. At 3 and a half games it will be a miracle for the Cubs not to make the Post-Season and the Brew Crew make it in. The only thing left to be decided in the American League is who wins the AL East, and who gets the Wildcard ??? The Red Sox lead over the Yankees is again down to a game and a half.  The Yankees ahve the easier sked down the stretch.  They finish up their home sked against Toronto today and then head on the road against T-bay and Baltimore.  The Sox finish up at home, with two against the A's, and 4 against Minnesota.  At least bot teams know they are going to the Dance.