What do Willie Mays, Joe Namath and Johnny Unitas all have in common? Besides all being hall of fame players in their sports, they each finished their careers with teams nobody associates them with and most people probably don't even realize they played with. For Mays it was back to New York with the Mets, Namath went to L.A. to play for the Rams and Unitas played for the San Diego Chargers. Why am I bringing this up??? Cause I'm tired of hearing about Derek Jeter and how he has to come back to the Yankees. The argument goes that he is the face of the franchise. Well, that may be the case for this current generation of thirty somethings, but I know quite a few people that would argue Mickey Mantle was and is the face of the Yankees. I would also bet that if their is anyone old enough to remember seeing them play a case would be made for Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio, and for me personally, when I think of the Yankees, I think of Yogi Berra. If there was ever a sports franchise that isn't tied to one player or one moment in time, it is the New York Yankees. Now, should they decide to bring him back...great. If not, I don't need to hear how the universe is unraveling at its' seams cause Jeter will be in another teams jersey. The Yankees will continue to be a top tier team with or without #2 and before long they will have another "face of the franchise." Perhaps that player will help pull the curtain on Jeter's plaque in Monument Park, cause either way, he's getting there.
Two more mid week picks, and we did a bit better than most mid weeks going 1-1. How about those fighting Zips staying close and almost pulling out the win?? Looks like they have a good coach in Akron as he isn't letting his team quit during the midst of a winless season. As for the Falcons...blah. What an uninspired performance against your top rival. This was set up to be a rebuilding year in Bowling Green, but that was tough to watch. We head into the weekend with a cumulative record of 5-7-1, but the weekend was made for more than just Michelob...it was made for cashing tickets. Last week the well went dry on me with Michigan games going over, but I think I found a new well and it is spelled H-O-K-I-E-S. Virginia Tech is playing some great football, but this is nothing new for them at the end of seasons. Even on the road, they have won 11 of their last 12 November games. This week they are at the U and taking on the Hurricanes. Miami will be playing the freshmen quarterback again this week and I fully expect the Tech defense to be too much for him. Currently Virginia Tech is a two point favorite, so lay the points but don't go higher than three. Next up is a trip to the Big House as Wisconsin battles Michigan. I don't see how Michigan can stop the Badgers from scoring at will. Wisconsin still has alot to play for while the Wolverines became bowl eligible last weekend. I think -4 is a bargain as Wisconsin drives toward a berth in the Rose Bowl. Finally for this lackluster weekend let's head down to the Bayou where Mississippi (spell check optional in Tuscaloosa) plays LSU. With Auburn clinching the SEC West last week, not much to play for if you are a Tiger. This game will also be played in the afternoon, so not as big of an advantage as a night game in Baton Rouge. The Rebels are getting 16.5 which I will take, but I will also be shopping around or waiting to get 17 if possible. Good luck and remember, never bet what you can't afford to lose.
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