Idle Thoughts- The BCS BS Has Worn Out It's Welcome.
ASHLAND, K.Y. -- I'm not one to share my opinion, but since you asked...
- In the world of college athletics, there is nothing more criminal than the Bowl Championship Series and how it robs the non-members a chance to play for a 'mythical' national title. There may not be a less meaningful title in sports than winning this so called honor. The BCS is a joke and it must be stopped. Knowing that winning a title like this didn't happen in some sort of bracketed tournament involving multiple teams makes it worthless. Until there is a playoff, winning this means nothing as far as I'm concerned. I hope that a lawsuit is brought by school presidents from non-BCS schools like they are discussing regarding this ridiculous regime. Can we just get a 16-team tournament together and end this nonsense already?
- Well both of my selections for the World Series are out. I had Cincinnati & Tampa Bay. I did pick the Reds a few days before I knew who they would play, but now I think it's going to be San Francisco & Texas in the Series. It's hard to imagine the Philadelphia Phillies losing in a seven game series, but I will back the dog, despite not having the home field advantage. All four teams have great rotations. Why can't Tim Lincecum of the Giants & Cliff Lee for the Rangers, who is 5-0 with a 1.62 ERA in six career post-season starts, lead their teams to series wins. Yes, yes, I know the Phillies have Roy Halliday & Roy Oswalt, but this is just a gut thing. I also can't see many runs being scored by anybody, so one or two runs could be enough in each game.
- Brent Johnson started on Monday in net for the Penguins, making 30 saves in a 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils, marking the 1st win against their division since before the end of the 2008-09 season. Yes, the Pens were 0-7 against their Atlantic Division rivals last year. Granted, the Devils were short by 3 players on their roster due to salary cap issues, but it was good to see the team get their 1st win and against such a bitter rival. For all the talk of Caps-Pens, I still think games against Jersey hold more weight, based on the fact they play more often due to the divisional alignment.
- The idea that Boise State could not play for the title if they go unbeaten is astounding. The Bronco's could be #1 in the 1st BCS poll to be released next week, but don't expect them to necessarily be in the title game at the end, provided one or two teams from BCS conferences go undefeated and win their respective league titles. The strength of schedule will very well likely come back to haunt Boise in the end, adding even more fuel to this ever-growing fire. I hope this one goes the route of Disco...'burn baby burn!"
- Joe Paterno, please retire.
- My 'Late Night Locks' went 3-2 this past week, bringing me to 7-12 on the year. I feel a hot streak coming, so stick around and fade this square.
- Well I guess from what I've been told, the real football season that counts is about to start for the Pitt Panthers. You can take those previous five games that have been played and rest knowing they have no barring on the next seven left. For those who say this team can roll through conference play and win the Big East, be warned this is your last chance to reassess this version of Pitt football for what it really is, mediocre at best. West Virginia is the class of the league and will still take the Conference title. As for the Panthers, they better bring their 'A' game to Syracuse because if they don't, the air will be completely out of the balloon and people will be asking about the 1st game at the Pete in a month vs. Athletes In Action.
- How dominant was Cliff Lee in his Game 5 performance? Well, he tossed the 4th 10 strikeout, no walk game in post-season history, when he beat the Rays on Tuesday. That puts him 3 ahead the next closest pitchers who only have one, with Tom Seaver among that group. His command has been nothing less than dominant and it's been fun to watch. Lee will not start until game three vs. the New York Yankees next Monday when he faces Phil Hughes. This will mean New York could only see Lee twice over the course of a seven game series and that's an advantage. I still like the Rangers in 7.
- I wonder if Marc-Andre Fleury was watching with great intent as Brent Johnson made several key 3rd period saves on Monday? I hope Fleury can get it together and stop making mental lapses during key stretches of play that seeming cost his team victory. It doesn't happen all the time, but more often that it should have in the Pens last 40 games dating back to last season. He should start vs. Toronto and if so, I'm pulling for him to get win #1 of the season. I like Fleury, I just want to see him mature some more and when he does, the sky's the limit. He does need scoring help, but a few more saves at key moments would do the trick in lieu of goals.
- Ben Roethlisberger's return has been felt in Las Vegas as the Steelers are 14 point favorites entering his return to the NFL on Sunday vs. Cleveland. The number was a bit higher than I expected, but its not hard to imagine Roethlisberger wanting to make an immediate impact, other than just dressing for the AFC North showdown. To say that Big Ben wants to do big things is a vast understatement. Ben, from all accounts, looks focused, buff & ready to tear into the leagues defenses that now must face his talent. That's good news for the Steelers & its fans and well, bad for anybody else not in those previous groups.
- With the NBA about to begin, only one question begs asking. How much security will be needed when the Miami Heat visit Cleveland on December 2nd? Nothing less than the Ohio National Guard I recon.
- Ben's stat line next Sunday will be 21 of 28 for 293 yards, two scores and one pick. I'm saying Steelers 27, Cleveland 10.
