Momo's Munchies

1. Is it just me or did the college football season end two weeks ago? No real drama left and I'm not looking forward to the bowl games.

2. Urban Meyer to Ohio St. is not a shocker. The shocker is how Urban TRIED to make everyone think he wasn't contacted and he didn't accept the job last week.It was the worse kept secret in all of sports. Meyer has no one to answer to but his family. He was the one who decided to step away because of health and family reasons. Meyer was the one who signed a contract with his children stating he wouldn't coach for five years. Personally, I think Meyer got tired of competing with the other SEC schools for top talent and bolted for Buckeye land. At the very least, the Buckeyes will not slip that in the Big Ten.

3. Can anyone answer how the Crimson Tide can play for a title and they didn't even win their division, let alone conference?!?!?!?!?!?!?

4. Kansas fired coach Turner Gill after two seasons. Have they forgotten they are Kansas and football is not a top priority at the school? The AD stated they wanted their team to contend regularly in the Big 12. Maybe he was talking about basketball because even in Kansas best year two years ago, when they snuck into a BCS bowl, they lost to Mizzou on a neutral field.


5. Ndamukong Suh got suspended for two games for kicking a Packers lineman. If I'm Terrell Pryor, I'm highly upset and am making a call to the commissioner. This isn't the first time Suh has fought an opponent or teammate. There are now stories coming out of Nebraska where the coaches had to sit him out from practice to keep him away from certain players. If Goddell thought it was fair to punish Pryor for circumventing the supplement draft rules and deceiving the NCAA, then Suh's suspensions should have been longer for his collegiate offenses. Goddell opened himself for this type of criticism.

6. Also Jim Schwartz and the Lions team should be fined as well. They have condoned his actions for the last two years. Schwartz wants his team to be the toughest bully on the block but they often lose composure when the teams they pick on fight back. Someone in the Lions organization needs to stand up and be a leader. You can play tough and hard but there needs to be veteran leadership to make sure everyone is playing the RIGHT way.

7. Isn't it funny how everyone gush over Brady and the Patriots when they beat bad teams? No one even realizes that their defense is so bad that it gave up 400 passing yards to Vince Young. Yes that Vince Young who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Young had a career passing day against the Patriot secondary.

8. I was wrong three years ago when I said the Rams should have taken Mark Sanchez instead of Jason Smith. The actual pick should have been Michael Oher who fell to the Ravens. Just not sold on Sanchez and I believe that Rex Ryan isn't either. He just makes too many boneheaded mistakes at critical moments in the game.

9. If the Saints and Packers hook up in the NFC Championship game, its going to be a shootout.

10. A part of me actually feels bad for the Texans. They are 8-3 and now are down to their 3rd string quarterback. For a franchise that has never made the playoffs, this season has been set up nicely for them. Peyton's hurt, Jacksonville got rid of their veteran quarterback and the Titans were actually rebuilding. All the Texans needed was a little luck to win the division and host a playoff game. Being down to a rookie quarterback isn't too bad with the top ranked defense. Still, I have a feeling the Titans mat catch and pass them and that's where I actually feel bad.

End Zone (Week 11)

This week version of the End Zone features a question about Andrew Luck. We get answers from all the contributors to my page.

1. With all the hype about him is expected to come in and save a franchise, how high should the fanbase that drafts Andrew Luck should be will the expectations be? Also, is it fair to him to be labeled a savior when really he is an unknown quantity?
Droddy: Knowing Luck will go to the worst team in the league this year, he will not win many games. As long as the fan base keeps things in perspective, I do not think the media will play much of a role in his development. The media hypes everything possible and Luck is no exception. The hardest part for him will not be expectations, but landing on a team that is starting from scratch. Cam Newton at least has a great WR to throw to and a decent running game to fall back on - Luck probably won't have that much.
KDC: Outside of how unforgiving his hometown may or may not be (because there's no way to know this), I don't think the national media will be hard on him because of the rookie status. Cam Newton is continually praised for his great numbers even as Carolina continues to lose. Even the lesser ranked QBs are being given time to develop. I don't see it being different next year.
Momo: What is going to hurt Luck next year is how well Andy Dalton has done this year. Dalton has put the Bengals squarely in the playoff hunt with a young team AND he was drafted in the 2nd round. Traditional bad teams take their quarterbacks high in the first round which that will happen to Luck. The team that drafts him will expect him to come in and resurrect their franchise and make them relevant. That is going to be especially difficult considering if he has a really bad surrounding cast. The one thing that could help Luck is that the skill position players he will get in the pros will be better than any he has ever played with. I think whoever drafts him has to be a little reasonable and patient and not fall into love immediately with all the hype.

2. I was wrong about ...
KDC: The Miami Dolphins. Yes, they're still rarely winning, but look how hard they play every down. They barely lost to a good (not great) Cowboy's team on Thanksgiving, and they give everyone fits. Earlier I picked them as the most likely team to go winless (as every team in their division started so much better), but not only was I wrong, I didn't give them credit for their teamwork & professional pride. They embarrass the Colts, who have been uninspired from their first exhibition game forward. (I know. I was there.) Yes, they need more talent, better coaching & GMing, but that doesn't mean they can't look themselves in the mirror & say they played their hardest.
Momo: How bad the Niners would be with Alex Smith at quarterback. I will be the first to say that I have routinely bashed Smith for being the worse quarterback in the league for years. Somehow Jim Harbaugh has enstilled confidence in him and has nearly turned his career from a bust into a near Pro-Bowler this season. Smith has the 49ers sitting atop of the NFC West. It has been easy to compare Smith to Rodgers because they Smith was the top pick while Rodgers tumbled to the Packers. Smith started immediately while Rodgers had to sit behind a legend. The difference is Rodgers has had the same offensive coordinator his entire career while Smith has had 7 different ones in 7 years. Having a consistent voice in his ear and giving him confidence has started to make Smith a better passer. Will he be great, I doubt it but at least the 49ers are starting to reap returns on their investment.

3. We could all learn from ....
KDC: Charles Woodson. Yes, he was the defensive player of the year 2 years ago, & the undisputed defensive captain of the Green Bay Packers, & is on his way to the Hall of Fame, but it's not his talent, it's his hunger to change games (at the age of 35) that continues to make him extraordinary. This man doesn't know how to coast. Look no further than the way he ripped the ball out of Detroit's Brian Pettrigrew's hands to prove he cultivates an amazing hunger few at any age show. Last year many thought he should retire on top after the Super Bowl win. Why do that when you're still on top?
Momo: From the humbleness of Tim Tebow. No other player besides Tony Romo, is scrutinized more harshly than him. Regardless that his coach does not believe in him, his GM John Elway does not want him but Tebow does not bash his detractors. All he does is go out and win. What matters to Tim is that his teammates believe in him and he rewards that confidence by displaying true leadership. He serves his teammates by closing out close games with wins and then Tim praises their play and not his own when they win. This is what you want out of a leader and your quarterback. In this day and age we could use more young leaders in sports.

End Zone (Week 10)

1. Pundits from all the networks are now calling Rodgers the "Greatest Quarterback Ever". Agree or Disagree?
KDC: Disagree. He might end up having the greatest season ever in 2011, but he got "great" at the end of last season. I figure he'll have to dominate for at least 3-5 more years before he can be discussed with Starr, Unitas, Montana, and the rest. That said, he's obviously the key to an offense no one has been able to stop so far. It's probably in his favor he doesn't have an All World receiver because it means they're all excited to do their job and share the glory around. It's also amusing to see everyone's "NFL Power Rankings" each week & put Green Bay as the undisputed #1 team, then spend the rest of their time talking about other teams. Even the pictures of the Power Rankings rarely feature the Packers. Talk about disappearing into the headlines.
Momo: I'm a big Rodgers fan but these accolades they are heaping on him are a tad bit ridiculous. Yes he is playing at a high level, and yes he looks unbeatable, and yes his team is undefeated but Rodgers is still growing. We are forgetting that the key in the NFL is Super Bowl wins and Rodgers only has one. Once he gets 3 or 4 then he goes into rarefied air. Rodgers game right now has the accuracy of Montana and the athletic ability of young and Cunnigham but he is not among the greatest of all time.

2. The Chicago Bears have several players in dispute against upper management. Can they keep playing this well if it continues?
KDC: It might work in management's favor because these key players are trying to justify new contracts. Plus their teamwork is high. Give Lovie Smith & Mike Martz credit for coaching well through early adversity. This team is on par with last year's National League championship contender, it's just their bad luck that Green Bay has leapt ahead of everyone.
Momo: I think it can. The players all have one thing in common and that is they feel under appreciated by Jerry Angelo, the bears GM. It seems that Lovie Smith is using this as a rallying cry and his guys are responding to it. I also find it interesting that Martz turned down an extension with the team. Maybe he too wants more pay but its probably more than likely he wants a head coaching job.

3. "If we were trying to run a regular offense, he'd be screwed," head coach John Fox said of the quarterback, who's won both starts since the Denver staff implemented an option offense that maximizes Tebow's strengths as a runner. "After the loss to Detroit (Week 8), we decided if Tim is going to be our guy, we can't do that other crap," Fox said of the altered approach. "We had to tweak it." John Fox's take on Tebow Fair or Foul?
KDC: It's both. It's fair in that Tebow (like most young QBs) hasn't got the entire skillset necessary to play NFL QB, so they have to adjust to that skillset. It's foul in how obstinately they stuck to an offensive scheme that didn't fit best with their skills players until they were destroyed by the Lions! Come on guys! The point is to win with who you've got. In 4 weeks Tebow has won more games than Cam Newton (who everyone supposedly wants) in 9! Yes, Tebow still has much to improve on, but at least create the environment for him to win in (& get better!).
Momo: Completely foul. So foul in fact that Fox has now apologized for making the statement. Its obvious to everyone,including the Broncos players,that Fox and John Elway do not want Tim Tebow as their quarterback. The gameplan the Broncos are installing is totally setup to make Tebow the scapegoat and try to make management look better. First they trade away the teams only viable receiver, next they got to a college style offense and the statement made by Fox is that Tebow is not a passer. I'm pretty sure he can throw swing passes and screens. How about having the receivers run slants or shorter routes? Each week, Tebow finds a way to win. This guy is a leader and his teammates believe in him regardless of what the coaches think.

4. What we know, 9 weeks into the season . . .
KDC: These teams are not real contenders no matter how the media gushes - Giants, Jets, Ravens, Bills. These teams are overlooked - Texans, Bengals. This team is interesting in all the right ways - Bears. I wouldn't mind seeing this team crash & burn because of their lavish immaturity - Lions. This team is perennially overhyped by the media - Patriots. These teams are real and you'd better watch out: Packers, Steelers, 49ers.
Momo: The Matt Schaub injury could change the fortune of the Texans franchise. Schaub was having a great year but now is out for the rest of the year. the Texans were cruising along before this even with the loss of Mario Williams earlier this season. I could easily see the Texans losing all 6 of their next game and missing the playoffs. If Matt Leinart has any talent he is going to have to step up and lead this team to a place its never been. The playoffs.

End Zone (Week 9)

1. Which Peyton needs a bounce back 2012, Manning or Hillis?
KDC: Manning. Brady & Manning are now the Favres of the NFL - the old guns who are burnishing their legends but won't be winning any more championships. The sheer force off Manning's drive to win has been proven by the total collapse of the Colts. If anyone ever doubted his leadership intangibles, they can no longer do that. To see him come back & lead them to the playoffs in 2012 would be a movie. It would also prove that the 3 neck injuries weren't long-lasting. Sadly, I'm afraid it's unlikely we'll ever see Peyton Manning back on the gridiron as anything but a shadow of his former greatness. Neck injuries do that to even the immortals. That's why he needs a bounce back - just to be healthy for the rest of his life.
Momo: Its gotta be Hillis. Peyton Hillis has had a strange season since being on the cover of "Madden Football". He's had leg issues, strep throat, skipped out on a charity event for disadvantaged children, complained about his contract through the press, and had an intervention performed by teammates in the locker room. Peyton Hillis season so far sounds like a scripted TV drama. His problem is this is a lot of the same things that got him ran out of Denver.Hillis needs to line up and play football. Just get back to running downhill and all the other stuff will take care of itself.

2. Which Harbaugh do you see in a championship game, John or Jim?
KDC: The Ravens. I see the 49ers falling to earth when someone makes Alex Smith alone beat them. I'm still unconvinced the Ravens offense is good enough or consistent enough to go to the Super Bowl, but they've had the Patriot's number for a couple years, they seem to have finally hexed Pittsburgh and I'm guessing the Bengals & Texans will eventually wilt due to inexperience with excellence. That leaves the wildly inconsistent (& lucky) Jets. I'm not sure there's anyone in the AFC who can handle the Ravens defense, so if the offense can keep it together . . .
Momo: It's all about Jim and the Niners. Now at the beginning of the season no one would have said that after the Packers, the Niners would be the second best team in the NFC, but that is the case. The Niners are more than likely going to get a bye and homefield at least for their first game. After that, all they need to do is win one game and they are in the NFC Championship game.

3. Did the lockout hurt all the free agent signings this year?
KDC: Maybe that's it. Maybe it's the lockout. But maybe most free agent signings make better headlines than players. The wheels have come off most of Philadelphia's multiple big signings & both of the Patriot's signings (Ochocinco & Haynesworth) are no shows this year. In fact, for every historic signing (think Reggie White to the Packers in 1993) I'm guessing there are 10-12 total busts. It's probably about the same odds as most drafts, except you think you're getting a known quantity (a veteran player) and you're not.
Momo: I believe the lockout has hurt teams who signed free agents get continuity and chemistry. If you look at the teams who are succeeding they are the one's who did not make wholesale changes. The Giants, Jets, Ravens, Packers, Saints and Steelers have been together for a while and that has benefited these teams.

4. This NFL season, just a few good teams or just a lot of bad teams or has the lockout and rules changes made it hard to build excellence?
KDC: I'm afraid there are a lot of bad teams this year. After the Packers, & the 49ers (!), everyone else has been wildly inconsistent. The Ravens can only beat the Steelers, but could lose to anyone else. The Patriots can only put up "Wow!" stats on weak teams. No one trusts the Bengals or Texans or Jets.... I mean, any given week any really bad team can beat a decent team, but is that good football? It's an off year. (& frankly, I love that my Packers are undefeated, but it doesn't make very many games watchable.)
Momo: Its just a lot of bad teams and combined with new rule changes we are now watching some bad football. There is a huge dropoff between the good teams and bad. Just look at the Rams, Dolphins and Colts. If you combine the defenses of Alabama and LSU, those teams might just score 17 points or less. Also the rule changes have virtually made it impossible for defense"s to tackle. Look at the fines this week from the Ravens-Steelers game. The majority of the hits in that game used to be called "good football hits". Now players are getting penalized and their wallets lightened because the league wants higher scoring games. These two things have changed the game we watch.

2 Point Conversion (Week 11)

1. Your Thoughts on the Penn St. scandal:
Droddy: Trying to sum these crimes at Penn St in a few words does not show respect to how big of a story this will end up being. Simply put, the news coming out this week from Happy Valley changed history. It not only changed the way history will remember Joe Paterno, but it will change the way we look at university and small town life. The amount of cover up needed to keep these horrific crimes quiet can be equated to the Catholic church and is yet another example of how we have to watch people closely, regardless of the title they hold. I learned more about Penn State this week that I had ever hoped I would and still have a million questions. I take no pleasure in watching Paterno fail...we were all led to believe he was the last good guy that not only wins with honor, but did it for 60 years. I think after Bobby Bowden and his dinged legacy, college football fans deserved a hero – for that matter …Americans do as well.
BTW – Penn State students…what in the world are you thinking?? Please tell me this is just another chance for you to riot!
Momo: The majority of what I had to say was in my previous post "Not So Happy Valley" but I have one more thing to say about Mike McQueary. It just sickens me to know that he not only didn't save the child out of a bad situation BUT he golfed with Sandusky and was around him at other charity events. Mike heard all of the moral and act with high character speeches, yet when push came to shove he did not utilize those teachings he was given by Paterno. Its so sad that he did not think about the children.

2. Think Bo Pelini is in trouble at Nebraska?
Droddy: No, Nebraska is not going to fire Pelini any time soon. He has some time, but he will have to step up his recruiting (a lot) to be able to compete for the Big10 title on an annual basis. I will have to see it to believe NE can win on a national level again – I just do not believe they will pull the recruits needed (at all positions) to win all their games. That said, just imagine how much NE has done over the years with virtually zero recruiting base to work from so anything is possible.
Momo: Pelini is in a little trouble but he survives one more season. Nebraska has looked flat all season and they have been out hustled badly. The Cornhuskers have been dominated at both lines of scrimmages, in the past Nebraska dominated these areas. I'm not sure the NE can compete nationally again. Dominating in the Big 10 will become more difficult if Ohio St. and Penn St. get top notch coaches.

3. “Who You Got” With another perfect week under my belt , I am 18-6, while Droddy is 17-7. I don’t expect my run to continue but I’ll take it!! Here’s our picks this week:
Nebraska vs. Penn St.
Momo: This game will have a ton of emotion for both teams. Nebraska got ran out of Lincoln by Northwestern last week and its Senior Day for the Lions who will be playing for their former coach. I’ll take PSU because they will need some good news this week but it will be close.
Droddy: Penn State will be able to run with the emotion for this week. I think the PN St wheels come off after this week, very possible they don’t make it that far though.

Auburn vs. Georgia
Momo: I’ll take them Dawgs. Get their running backs back and they need this more than Auburn.
Droddy: Georgia has a lot on the line and just seem to be playing better right now. Should be a good game.

TCU vs. Boise St.
Momo: Boise St. wins this on the blue field, even though they can’t wear their all blue uniforms. Could this game be Kellen Moore’s Heisman moment?
Droddy: Boise State is just better. TCU is not the same TCU team we have seen recently.

Oregon vs. Stanford
Momo: I really wanted to go with Stanford BUT after seeing that they lost another one of Luck’s weapon, I think Oregon wins. It will be closer than last year but the Quack attack has too much offense.
Droddy: Oregon – similar to last year, just too many athletes coming at them at a fast rate to deal with. I think well know early if Stanford can hang in there, they need long established drives and stuff Oregon runs between the tackles.

Not So Happy Valley

This is bigger than football. This is more than a game. This is about right and wrong. This is about good and evil.

The feelings that most fans had about Joe Paterno was this; he was the epitome of what was right about college football. The old coach, who has been at the head of one college football's most prestigious programs, was a man of integrity, class, and a man you wanted your children to follow. After this scandal broke about former coach Sandusky, my views have changed about what Joe Paterno and what Penn State football means. The program with the classic, clean uniforms and image is now tarnished not only in my eyes but in the eyes of a nation. Jumping to conclusions is wrong in any case, and this I know but this isn't about covering up for NCAA violations of cash, cars, or tattoos. This is about how we as parents, brothers, sisters and members of society view our children.

How could Joe turn a blind eye to such despicable acts? How could Penn State University continue to provide a safe haven to Jerry Sandusky on campus by providing him an office. How can these so-called leaders of men not say anything about the disgusting acts that were taken place under their noses for over a decade. In a statement Paterno made last night was that he and his wife pray for his 17 grand kids every night and now they will start praying for the victims. Now you want to pray for the victims?!?!?! That's very noble of you now Joe. You had an opportunity to prevent these atrocities from happening but you passed the buck to someone else and never followed up to see about the victim. You allowed more children to be harmed. Paterno had a moral responsibility as a parent, grandparent, and face of a university to do more.

What blows my mind is that no one acknowledge the victims initially. The school president, who will be removed, backed the former athletic director and VP, rather than acknowledge what a horrible and traumatic event these young children went through. Have we as a society become so desensitized to violence that we look the other way when its happening before our eyes?

The other part of this whole scandal that sickens me is how did a graduate student who witnessed a child being harmed and to not step in and protect the child?!?!? You are 24-25 years old and I know that could have been upsetting but your next reaction is to remove the child from harm's way. What has happen to us as a people when we stop protecting children. This was someone's son, brother, nephew, friend who was already in an at-risk situation and went to the community for helped and the right people from a school president, to the football coach or an assistant just turned their back and continue to let the child suffer. Its appalling and just breaks my heart. Can we have real men to stand up and lead and not worry about the university or legacies or their jobs. In the case of the assistant coach, if the school would have fired you for turning in Sandusky then so be it. You would have prevented the hurt that was felt by many other children and there are more coaches that would have hired a guy with upstanding principals and morals than one who just ran away.

Finally the students out in support of Paterno don't really have a clue what the victims are going through. Abuse like this never goes away and some victims can barely deal with it. The hurt becomes a part of you and future relationships can be damaged. Holding a rally in support of a coach is only good if the coach DID THE RIGHT THING!!! Its not about football, its not about wins and losses. It's about adults not acting like adults. Covering up a crime to protect an image. And making victims relive a horrific and painful part of their life that they will never forget. The innocence that once was Happy Valley, Pa, was lost when the school turned its back on the very people it should have been protecting.
The children.

Momo's Munchies

It's Tuesday so time for some past thoughts from this weekend's games:

1. The Game Of The Century was just a defensive battle. All the hype that surrounded it and you basically saw a defensive scrimmage between LSU and Alabama. Both squads have some super elite defenders that could honestly hold Colts offense to about 10 points. I do not want to see a rematch because I want to see these defense's play against a top-flight quarterback like Andrew Luck or Kellen Moore.

2. Why do fans complain so much about the BCS? When Alabama loses a game and only drops one or two spots, just angers people. No disrespect to the Crimson Tide but prior to LSU their toughest games was against Arkansas. They always talk about scheduling when it goes to the smaller school to schedule tougher opponents. But in this case, by having a weak schedule Alabama is in a position to return to the title game. Stop punishing the smaller schools when its convenient. Boise St. has played and beaten their toughest opponent as well.It's shameful.

3. How bad is the Pac-12 South Divison? Since USC is not eligible for postseason play, by winning on Saturday against Arizona St, a 5-4 UCLA team controls its own destiny. Not good for a so called premier conference.

4. The most entertaining game on Saturday was K-State and Okla St. It was the polar opposite of LSU-Bama. These two teams scored a combined 97 points. Absolutely no defense was played in this game. Everyone was so captivated with the Game of Century in the SEC that they missed a highly entertaining one in the Big 12.

5. Things cannot be good in Nebraska after the Huskers lost to Northwestern on Saturday. They lost to the Wildcats at home and to their backup quarterback. The "Black Shirts" are not intimidating anymore. I remember a day when teams went up to Lincoln and came out battered and bruised. On Saturday, Northwestern was the tougher team and beat the Cornhuskers at their own game.

6. I said that before in previous post about some coaches, they just seem to out think themselves instead of making the right call. One of my favorite sports writer's describes his thoughts about the Rams losing on Sunday to the Cardinals. Here is a snipet from Bernie Miklasz:"On offense, coordinator Josh McDaniels seems to be suffering from the Smartest Guy in the Room Complex. Instead of implementing some simple but highly effective pass plays -- for example more frequent use of the quick slant, which is a terrific counter to blitzing defenses -- we see all of this fancy stuff that takes too long to develop. That makes it easy for defensive coordinators to get to Bradford behind the vulnerable Rams O-line."
McDaniels definitely has this complex and that is what essentially got him fired from Denver Broncos head coaching job. He felt that his system was the best and McDaniels ran Cutler and Brandon Marshall out of town. Now, he is wasting away a good talent like Sam Bradford. Ultimately this will be laid at the feet of Steve Spagnolua. What he should have done is hired a coach that used the similar offense that they used last year. You can read more here at Bernie's Bites.

7. Albert Haynesworth got released by the Patriots today. Who couldn't see that coming. 3 tackles in 6 games is not worth the time. The next to go will be Chad Ochocinco. Its nice to see Belichick's magic dust is starting not to work.

8. Can we officially stick a fork in the Eagles? Because their season is DONE. So much for the Dream Team. At least the Miami Heat made the NBA Finals.

9. I will post about the Joe Paterno situation separately.

Thanks for reading....

End Zone (Week 8)

1. Most surprising team at the midway point..
KDC: Gotta be the Bengals. As surprising as the Bills are, most people thought the Bengals might win 5 games all season, not 5 out of 7. Yes, it will likely crash & burn as they play division opponents, but still - what a fun ride for them so far!
Momo: For me its the Buffalo Bills. No one figured that a team of castoffs would be contending for the playoffs this year. Sure the Bills showed flashes at the end of last year but to be i the mix for the AFC East is something that even their fans have to be shocked about. Everyone expected this team to be competing for Andrew Luck and they went and gave Ryan Fitzpatrick a long-term deal. What a great year for a city that wants and deserves a winner.

2. Most disappointing team at the midway point...
KDC: Gotta be the Colts. We've talked about them plenty already, but without coaching & locker room leadership, they're helplessly adrift & nearly out of a playoff race they're used to dominating. I like em, but this year has exposed them as a team w/out a heart.
Momo: I'm probably going to surprise you with this but the San Diego Chargers have been very disappointing. Rivers leads NFL quarterbacks in turnovers, Gates, Jackson, Floyd have not been producing and their defense can barely get anybody off the field. As much talent as this team is suppose to have, they can never seem to get out of their own way. This team is poorly coached and cannot execute in the clutch.


3. Bigger game for Tebow or Palmer on Sunday?
KDC: Palmer has to justify 2 No. 1 draft picks, as well as disprove the Bengals treatment of him as a non-factor. He's got a serious challenge ahead of him & I'm guessing it'll be 2-3 more weeks before we know if he's any good. I can't imagine there must be a worse feeling in football than to have (Bengal's owner) Mike Brown declared being right about something.
Momo: As bad as both guys were two weeks ago, and they were bad, I just think Tebow has to show some ability to play the position better. This game is bigger for him because if he wants to be considered a quarterback in this league then he needs to start showing it. Tim is auditioning for other team as a a backup and needs to show more than running ability. Of course the game plan has to be tailored as such to show his strengths and not his weakness's. Its great that Tim's teammates believe in him now he has to reward them by raising his level of play.

4. Who needs a win more on Sunday, the Steelers or Ravens?
KDC: The Ravens, because the Steelers just beat the Patriots, while the Ravens barely beat the Cardinals & lost to Jacksonville. You really have to wonder if Baltimore has the offense to actually win big games anymore.
Momo: The Steelers need this more. What happened to them in Baltimore at the beginning of the year was not Steeler like. The Ravens manhandled and humiliated them in Baltimore. If the Steelers want to get their swagger back then Sunday's game is it.

2 Point conversion (Week 10)

1. Most surprising team so far this season...
Droddy: I will say the Clemson Tigers have surprised me the most. We've seen Clemson field great athletes every year for more than a decade and do next to nothing with it. I know they lost to Georgia Tech last week, but for them to be 8-0 to that point was stunning. They are still in the driver's seat for an ACC championship crown - a test they have never been able to pass.
Momo: Most surprising team to me so far has been Oklahoma St. They have always been the leftout stepchild in Oklahoma but this years team has so far exceeded my expectations. If you look at the fact that they control their destiny not only in the Big 12 but in the BCS title game, that is way better than most people would have expected. Normally this time of year we hear a lot of "Boomer Sooner" chants but the Cowboys are making believers out of everyone. Honorable mention to Clemson and South Carolina and Vandy for being competitive.

2. Most disappointing team this season...
Droddy: Starting in the top 5, its hard not to say Florida State as the most disappointing team. That said, they were overrated to begin with and they lost their QB for the toughest stretch of their season. Plenty of teams would lose those games without an experienced signal caller. Honorable mentions to the Florida Gators in this category, they not only have lost they have been embarrassed more often than not and we have been told they have the best recruits for the last 5 seasons or so.
Momo: I have to agree with Florida St. as well but I will also throw in Missouri. The Tigers were a top 1 team and I thought that was a little high for a team with a first-year starter at quarterback. Not only has James Franklin had an up and down season as the new trigger man but the Tigers defense has been awful at forcing teams off the field. Everyone figured the defense would keep the offense in the game but that has not been the case. Honorable mention to Notre Dame and Florida. Maybe Muschamp should have stayed in Austin for another year.


3. Better game coach Les Miles or Nick Saban?
Droddy: Being a lifelong LSU fan, I am torn on this question. I have seen every game they have coached since joining the SEC - I've paid special attention to Alabama over the last 5 years for some reason. In fact, I have asked myself this same question more than once of the years. I can honestly say I believe Miles is a better "game coach" than Saban. Reason being is Miles just seems to have that extra feel for when to call his trick plays, to keep pounding the ball at an opponent or when to put the other QB in the game. There's nothing tangible to point to other than Saban saying the following after LSU beat Bama last year "we just weren't ready for what LSU was going to do today" - that speaks volumes. Again speaking from seeing their teams, you know what you're going to get with Saban on a week to week basis...Miles, you just can't pin him down to one play or even a style of play - this allows him to be more versatile in game situations. I will concede Saban is probably a better judge of talent and has the ability to put people in the right situations to succeed - examples from his LSU days were Josh Reed and Devery Henderson started LSU playing running back...both ended up being NFL receivers.
Momo: This is a tough one because I believe both coaches bring different styles to their teams when it comes to "in-game" coaching. I agree with Droddy on Miles in games touch. No one can question he certainly lets his guys play free and easy and I think that's a big factor on why they win. Saban on the other hand doesn't deviate from his gameplan too often and he has a certain swagger that his guys feed on. Its that belief in his attention to detail and planning and the trust it creates with his team that gives his guys an unrelenting edge when they play top notch opponents. His players trust that the scheme is right and the excution is going to follow. So when tough situations arise they do not panic and are able to shine and make big plays.

4. "Who You Got" I had a perfect week last week and we are now tied with record of 14-6. Here's our picks for this week:

South Carolina v. Arkansas
Droddy: SC wins - Arkansas has been begging to lose the last few weeks, I think SC can finally grant that wish. Has there ever been a top 10 matchup ignored like this one?
Momo: I don't even know that mot of the country knows these two teams are playing. What a fantastic weekend in the SEC. I'm going to take the Hogs at home. I think the loss of Lattimore will finally be felt.

Kansas St. v. Okla St.
Droddy: OK St wins - K St was exposed last week and the bleeding wont stop this week.
Momo: Oklahoma St. wins and wins big. This is probably one of the last weeks Kansas St. is in the top 25.

Oregon v. Washington
Droddy: Oregon wins - Washington has an offense, but not enough defense to hang in there.
Momo: A part of you always want to take Washington at home in a night game in Seattle but the Ducks have too much offense. The Huskies will make it tough though.

And the big one
LSU v. Alabama
Droddy: LSU wins - Sure you can take this with a grain of salt after my LSU confession above, but I have called for LSU to lose before...just not this one. In huge games everything imaginable is looked at stats wise - in most categories Bama has the better numbers. What is being lost in the stat comparison is the competition the stats were posted against. Here is a small example, LSU has played 3 teams (Oregon, Auburn, Mississippi St) with a better rushing offense than Bama's BEST opponent (Vanderbilt) - sort of puts the "best defense ever" talk into perspective. With common opponents (Tennessee and Florida) the stats and scores were very similar. I think for the most part the stats are very similar when you keep strength of schedule in the conversation. Once one moves past looking at stats for a definitive edge, you have to look differences in the teams. The most glaring is experience at the QB spot and punting. LSU's punter of the best in the nation while Bama's has been a weakness for the season - these teams rely on field position and LSU should own this piece of the game. Also, in enormous games you want the QB that has been there before - LSU has 2 and Bama has none. When the running game stalls and you need a QB to make a play, I'll go with the team with the QB(s) that has seen numerous SEC defenses over the years.
Momo: LSU wins this one and here's why. In watching Alabama play all season I have noticed that they have struggled to find a rhythm on the offensive side of the ball until the second half of games. Of course, you think its a big game and they will be up for this one but I think at this point of the season you are who you are and these guys are slow starters. All that slow starting will put them behind against LSU because the Tigers are led by upperclassmen on the offensive side of the ball. I believe the Tigers senior quarterbacks give them edge over the Tide. Also, like Droddy said LSU's special teams gives them another edge in field position. Don't be surprised if Miles calls some fake punts or field goals to catch Alabama off guard.

Momo's Munchies

1. Wisconsin has had a tough couple of weeks. Losing on back to back Hail Mary plays in two weeks. That has to mess with a team's psyche.

2. I am not a fan of Lane kiffin but what happened to USC against Stanford Saturday night was wrong. The Pac-12 should not have fined Kiffin because the player was clearly out of bounds and a timeout could have been granted. That would have given USC a chance at a 50 yard field goal and the win against Stanford.

3. Matt Barkley(pictured above) is going to be a very good pro quarterback. Barkley doesn't get nearly the attention of Andrew Luck but what he's done at USC during these tough years has been phenomenal.

4. What is that loud crash you heard on Saturday night? That was the undefeated seasons of Clemson and Kansas St. coming back down to Earth.

5.Saddest game on Saturday was the Arkansas-Vanderbilt matchup. Vandy was going in to score and be up by 21 points in the 3rd quarter when they fumbled the ball away and the Razorbacks recoverd and returned it for a touchdown. Of course after that, the wheels fell apart and the Coomodores missed a chip shot to tie the game. Vanderbilt football in the words of Denny Green, "You are what we thought you were!" A program that can't win a big game against a ranked opponent.

6.What is wrong with Philip Rivers? Leading the league in interceptions and fumbling the ball away in a critical situation. The Chargers and Rivers just look out of sync.

7. It's so disrespectful of the Lions to mock Tim Tebow and his prayers during a game. You can trash talk, dance and act a fool when making plays in football. But treading on some one's faith who doesn't openly proselytize people is shameful and sends the wrong message to football fans.

8. The Cowboys laid down on Sunday night against the Eagles. Rob Ryan trying to take the blame for the loss when he isn't the head coach. Sure the Eagles scored against Ryan's defense but where is the offense. America's so-called team is truly dysfunctional. Where is the leadership n this team?

9. Will the real Chris Johnson please stand up!?!? 2.9 yards per carry, AFTER you got the money. That's stealing and shame on him for not being prepared for the season. The Titans believe in running the ball and Johnson is being outplayed by backup Javon Ringer. Mike Munchak said he will split time between the two, I would just play the guy who is working hard even if he isn't the star. Wonder has Chris Johnson knows who Wally Pipp is?

10. Did anyone notice how poorly the defense of the Saints and Patriots are playing? The Saints got ran over by the second-string quarterback in A.J. Feely. And the Pats have the worse defense in the league. Neither Drew Brees nor Tom Brady can score enough to cover up for their teams defensive poor play.



Bonus:
Congrats to the World Series Champions St. Louis Cardinals!!! What a wild and fun ride they put us on the last two months. It was great to see my city celebrate another championship.