Rivalries

I hate Canton McKinley!!!  I enjoy seeing them lose every time they play and no matter what Percy Snow thinks, Chris Spielman was head and shoulders above him as a linebacker.  As a bit of a background, I am from Massillon, Ohio and we have a historic rival with a school to our east.  It can be quite intense and bitter at times and has even been documented by Sports Illustrated, USA Today and the idiots from EsPN.  One of my proudest accomplishment as an athlete came while I was on the j.v. golf team and we beat McKinley.  Every sport at every level has rivalries.  Some of the most famous are Ohio State-Michigan, Red Sox-Yankees, Lakers-Celtics and of course, Auburn-Alabama.  The reason I ended the list with that particular rivalry is the recent incident at Toomer's Corner.  If you are not aware, Toomer's Corner is famous for being a gathering spot for both Auburn students and alumni.  After every Tigers win, the trees at Toomer's Corner are covered in toilet paper, a scene that was widely covered when Auburn won the most recent fraud championship game for college football.  The trees that get covered are over 130 years old, but may not last much longer.  An Alabama fan was recently arrested for poisoning the trees.  Seriously...a 62 year old man was so fired up by the rivalry that he felt it necessary to poison and kill the historic and symbolic trees.  What triggered such a reaction???  Surely an Auburn fan killed Nick Saban's dog or the sign welcoming you to the University of Alabama was permanently changed to say something derogatory, right??  Oh no...this 62 year old man had his crimson panties in a bunch because an Auburn fan had put a Cam Newton jersey on the Bear Bryant statue before this years Iron Bowl.  Now, let me be clear...a jersey was placed on the statue...not spray painted on.  So within a minute of discovering it, the jersey I am sure was removed.  This is the type of prank that goes on between rivals all the time, fun and harmless.  But this one individual decided killing trees was the only way to respond.  How sad of an existence does the man have that what happens in athletic contests between 18 to 22 year old student-athletes could push him to an action like this?  Now, I am sure this one person does not represent the typical Bama fan.  But I am also sure that fans like this exist within every fanbase.  With all the talk radio and 24 hour sports coverage today, it seems to me that someone could be driven to an act like this much more easily now than even 15 years ago.  Anonymous idiots can also hide behind their computers and spit ideas like this out all the time with the hopes that some other idiot will actually act it out.  And to what end?  Did this mans life alter from one year to the next cause his team wasn't the fraudulent national champion anymore and his rival team was?  I highly doubt it.  Trust me, the teams I cheer for are awful.  In the famous words of Dr. Seuss as only Boris Karloff could sing, they "stink, stank, stunk."  But my life is not altered in any way because a few athletes as a collective group aren't better than the collective group of other athletes.  Rivalries are great and can be alot of fun for both fans and players, but let's keep things in perspective.  It is only sports after all.  Oh...one more thing...BEAT McKINLEY!!!!

The roll we were on came to an abrupt end this week.  Kansas looked like the overrated team they were and the Lightning went down in a seven round shootout to the Flyers.  Now that we are one game under .500 again we need some winners this weekend.  First up is a game from the ridiculous EsPN marketing machines bracket buster.  Kent State will be on the road playing Drexel Friday night and are getting 5 points.  I think Kent will play well and pull out the win, but I'll take the 5 just to be safe.  As an oddball pick, let's turn to the NBA All Star game and play the over.  I have no idea what the total is, but I'll bet over, especially with the game in Los Angeles.  Everyone will be out to make a name for themselves on the offensive end, not the defensive end.  Good luck, and remember, never bet what you can't afford to lose.

P.A.C.R.

One of the most underrated days of the year has arrived and no it's not Valentine's Day.  While it happens to be the same day, today is the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training.  It is a day of optimism for everyone that is a fan of baseball.  For me, my Indians aren't 20 games out yet and still have a chance to make the playoffs.  It is also a sign that warmer weather is around the corner for most of the country.  Warmer weather means summer is almost here and no school for those young punks out there.  It really is true, hope springs eternal, and spring training is a shining example of that philosophy.  For those of you that have never attended a spring training game, I highly suggest trying to make it happen.  The atmosphere is relaxed and cozy.  The prices are reasonable and, for the most part, the players are accessible.  It truly is a good time that gives a glimpse into what baseball must have been like in the 50's and 60's.  A time when the game itself was what brought people to the stadium, not the jumbotron or a rally monkey.  So find your way to Florida or Arizona, grab a beer, a dog and a scorecard and enjoy some baseball.  Just don't forget your sunblock.  You northerners and midwesterners aren't that ready for the sunshine yet.

Looks like we are on a roll, going 2-0 again over the weekend to get back over .500 at 13-12-1.  No reason to stop the streak now so I will stick with what works, the Lightning.  Tampa has two days off before taking on the Flyers at home on Tuesday night.  The game should be about even money on both sides, so no big juice to lay with the Lightning.  My second choice comes from the Big XII tonight as Kansas travels to the little apple to take on Kansas State.  It says this is a rivalry, but Kansas has owned KSU over the years.  KSU has some issues this season so I will lay the 5 points with the Jayhawks.  I am looking for them to play with a bit more motivation now that they are #1 in the nation.  Good luck, and remember, never bet what you can't afford to lose.

Shrinkage is Good

To paraphrase the great Jerry Seinfeld, "Everyone knows about shrinkage."  Well, if they don't, they should.  But I am referring to shrinkage in a sports context, of course.  Since the NBA is now front and center in the sports world I will stick to them for the moment.  But make no mistake, every sports league needs to experience some shrinkage.  In case you haven't noticed, and judging by the ratings, you haven't, the product in the NBA isn't all that great.  In fact, currently one franchise has lost a record 25 straight games.  Should the Cavs lose tonight they would set the mark for consecutive losses by any professional sports team...in history.  Now, the interesting thing is who the Cavs play tonight, the Los Angeles Clippers.  Yes Virginia, there is a second team in L.A., it's just that nobody cares.  So let's start on the court of Quicken Loans Arena tonight, eliminate both those franchises, and imagine how much better the NBA product would start to become.  Let's be honest about the Cavs, there is no real history to that franchise.  They have never won an NBA title and have only ever been to one NBA Finals.  Now that Lebron has shown he doesn't even want to play in his hometown and the owner looks like a buffoon to any future free agents, why bother keeping the team in existence?  Neither the Cavs or the city of Cleveland offer anything to the NBA or its fans.  Same goes for the Clippers.  Los Angeles has the Lakers, so cut the Clippers and 90% of America wouldn't know the difference.  This would get the league down to 28 teams, but that isn't enough, we need to cut two more.  Toronto, despite the size of the market, is next up.  Honestly, nobody wants to play there and nobody is lining up to visit Toronto in the winter to watch basketball.  That eliminates two teams in the east and one in the west, so the final cut will be New Orleans.  This is a city that has hard times, but I'm done feeling sorry for them.  Even the coach of the Saints doesn't want his family living there or his kids going to school there.  Sometimes a place is just a hell hole that doesn't deserve professional sports teams.  The Jazz got out when they could and now it is time to eliminate the Hornets.  Just imagine, with those four teams gone, how much better the play would become.  Once the players on those teams that are good enough supplant the crappy players on other teams, we may see some good play once again.  Be a leader David Stern and make something good happen in professional sports!!

So rivalry was good to us, as we were 2-0 this past week to bring the overall record to 11-12-1.  The first play will be on Saturday.  I am sticking with the Lightning as they will be playing on three days rest.  Also on Saturday the Buckeyes travel to Madison to battle Wisconsin.  Ohio State is the last undefeated team but Wisconsin is undefeated at home.  They survived the look ahead game at Iowa this past week and will be primed to take down the #1 team in the country.  Quick, someone tell me the last time one school was #1 in both football and basketball in the same season and lost to the same school to lost that ranking???   I am not sure it has ever happened.  That being said, I will take the Badgers.  I expect them to actually be a slight favorite in this game, but I will be quite interested in what the oddsmakers make the line.  Good luck, and remember, never bet what you can't afford to lose.

Enough Already

It's finally time for the NFL to concentrate on football.  Enough with the superstar national anthems and elaborate half time shows.  In case you missed it or haven't heard, Christina Aguilera botched our national anthem.  I realize it is a difficult song to sing, but don't make it more difficult by singing your own anger filled rendition as you try to increase your own brand.  Sing the song with a bit more respect and focus on the words rather than your style.  Not only do you look bad, but it sounded bad.  Speaking of sounding bad, did you pay attention to that half time show?  First of all, Black Eyed Peas are awful and never should be given a stage like this.  Without Fergie, nobody outside of their family members would have heard of them, and she isn't bringing them attention because of her talent.  The performance they gave yesterday is just another example of how bad popular music is these days.  It is only about sizzle with no thought given to the substance.  And it pains me to say this, but why Slash...why?  I hope you made enough money from that appearance yesterday to take care of several generations of your family.  It was so disappointing to see you sell out like that.  All of this is just another example of what money can get you.  The person in charge of the half time show was none other than Jerry Jones daughter.  Her only job for the past year was to put this show together, and we were given that.  It's a shame that the NFL cant just leave well enough alone and let football rule the day.

What an awful weekend for my picks, going 0-3.  Sitting at 9-12-1 doesn't feel too good but it's not a problem as rivalry week is here in college basketball.  Tonight Pitt is at West Virginia, and while one of Pitt's top players is out, don't count them out.  They are 4-0 on the season in true road games, so give me the point as Pitt will win outright.  Next on the list is North Carolina at Duke this Wednesday.  Duke has looked pretty good since crashing against St. John's, but North Carolina is really putting things together at the moment.  Since they have been getting overlooked most of the season due to their sluggish start this becomes a big statement game for the Tar Heels.  They should be getting at least 8 points, which I would gladly take.  On a sidenote, feel free to bet the Cavs on the money line any chance you get.  They have now lost 24 in a row, and it should be 25 after tonight, but they cant lose every game...can they?  Good luck and remember, never bet what you can't afford to lose. 

The End...Finally

My favorite day of the year is this Sunday, Super Bowl Sunday.  No, not because I love the game and the commercials and the halftime show.  It's my favorite because it means the NFL has finally ended another season.  The problem now though is that the NFL is becoming the main story on EsPN for all 12 months.  Sure, they will cover the beginning of spring training and of course we'll hear from idiots predicting the brackets for March Madness, but keep an eye on how many Sportcenters air with no NFL story, especially this year with the impending work stoppage.  I realize there are some smart people that run EsPN, or at least I would assume so, but is getting in bed this deep with the NFL good for a network, besides the NFL Network?  Everything is cyclical, and depending on what happens this offseason, it is only a matter of time until the teams or the league or the players do something to alienate a good portion of its fanbase...and then what?  EsPN will crawl to the most popular sport at that time and jam it down our throats nearly 24/7.  People say they enjoy living in the northeast or the midwest for the season changes.  I used to enjoy sports for the same reason...but this monopoly by one network and one league is beating me down...quickly. 

The Lightning did as predicted and won on Tuesday night, so we are now 9-9-1 for the calendar year.  The same situation is upon us tonight as the Lightning host the Capitals.  Bet the Lightning and count that money.  Also, it is the Super Bowl, so we need a pick for that game.  I am of the belief that the AFC is the better conference, and despite how the Packers have been playing, the Steelers should be the favorite.  Since they are not, I will take the Steelers and the 2.5 points.  One prop bet I like is how many different players will have a passing attempt, over or under 2.5.  Obviously each team will throw one pass, so you automatically have two.  Now all it takes is one trick play, which the Steelers enjoy running, or a QB to get knocked out, Aaron Rodgers already with two concussions this season, and you will get the over.  I'll bet on the over, especially getting +220 on my money, and hope for the best.  Good luck, and remember, never bet what you can't afford to lose.