Carey

For real. A nice bit of adversity for the AL Champs. To be fair, while it was not the case for Game 3, Houston isn't San Diego. They're close to it though, but I don't think 5 homers are going to be a regular occurrence. Philadelphia can score, but going deep nearly a half dozen times might not happen again, nor do I think Houston will get shutout again. Could see a home bagel though if there's a game on Sunday

Tennessee is indeed Number 1. First time in the CFB Playoff Era. Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson, Michigan, and Alabama follow Here are the rest of the teams in the first CFB Playoff Rankings for 2022

So the rankings are expected to be released in just over an hour from now. In most of the past years, the top team was sorta obvious (usually Alabama). IMO, this year is all but obvious, but will be super obvious next week. Even if Ohio State pounds the hell out of Northwestern + Georgia/Tennessee featured in a very sloppy game, I don't think the Buckeyes can jump to the Top spot. The previous sentence would actually be their best shot, unless they are already in the Top 2 heading into Saturday. Last Week was the preview show. I was about to post those, but I'd rather link to them. Except it might be ancient history. To summarize, Kirk & Rece had the same top 4 of OSU, Tennessee, Georgia, and Michigan while flipping with 5 & 6 (Herbie had Bama & Clemson, Davis had it flipped). Joey G & Pollack had the same 3 & 6 (Tennessee & TCU, respectively). Both left out Alabama from the Top 6; Joey had OSU & Georgia and Clemson & Michigan as 1&2, 4&5, David had those flipped. Not on the ESPN CFBP show but on the Herd, top CFB analyst Joel Klatt had the same Top 6 as Herbie, while adding TCU, Oregon, Oklahoma State, and Utah as 7-10. Oklahoma State's placement will be revealed much, much earlier, ahead of the Top 10 they're going to be excluded from. This is assuming that the reveal is the same as 2021's reveal. I don't think Utah cracks the Top 10. If they don't they shouldn't be too far from it. I could be typical & go with the Bulldogs in the top spot, but I'll be different & put Tennessee instead. Fortunately, instead of yours truly choosing the Final 4, the bracket will be determined by the committee (as has been the custom for nearly a decade). If I had to post a list, I'll go with the following Top Four: Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, First Out (Five & Six): Clemson, TCU Afterward: Alabama, Oregon, UCLA, Ole Miss, USC, LSU (7-10 & 11-12) Barring a different reveal, they'll start with 21-25, then go to 16-20 & 11-15. After that comes 7-10 in reverse. Then the Top 6 reveal is random, which usually the likelier spot before what may be a surprise

There may be some validity to that. Some other sources put it down as "parting ways" which is sorta overused and/or a nice way of kicking someone out. On the other hand, I have to see the financial situation. If he's getting paid what he was expected to get paid while under contract, then it's an outright fire. If there's a settlement, then it would be a mutual parting of ways. Basically the same way Joel Klatt put it in terms of Paul Chryst's Wisconsin exit (where, while that climate was sane compared to Brooklyn's, neither Paul or Steve were let go with cause)

When was the last time an NBA Head Coach wasn't fired in-season? Though Nash's exit is a non-shocker despite 2-5; It prolongs the inevitable

Rather than like the above post, I'll do so in writing. Hats off to Cleveland. Cincinnati may be for real, but as mentioned, it's all about parity. There is a ton of it. First time scoring against the AFC Champs in the second half, and in a big way. A much needed win to officially keep Pittsburgh at the bottom right now. In the history of the NFL, Burrow might be a guy full of success, the first guy to be that without ever winning a game against the Browns. It's incredible! Yeah, that logo, the current one, looks like something out of a Disney Haunted House

Cincinnati finally scores. Missed PAT. It was smart to save the 2-point try for later, but now they'll need to hit it twice. Or do whatever it takes to score 3 times. Probably not going to happen. Margin is decent enough for Cleveland to run out the clock

It's all about parity. Cincinnati has the great teams' numbers (AFC North powerhouses, Kansas City), while Cleveland has Cincy's number. First time giving up a TD in the second half too. Same Cincy team that beat up on a Miami team that ran through everyone prior including Buffalo & New England. If Cincinnati can come back like they did twice against the Chiefs, great. If they end up dominating their next several opponents, then it's more a Browns problem than a Chase-free issue

Happy birthday, mojoween! Sorry it wasn't a great time in terms of your team on Sunday. Meanwhile, Joe and Troy as classic MNF folks for Halloween!

I would've simply done a shoulder shrug to react to the above post. Instead, all I can say is that's it's the business of the sport. Can't beat Alabama, lost to Penn State, and the rest of the West is getting better (Ole Miss, LSU, plus Arkansas & Texas A&M). That's just the West. The East with Tennessee and Georgia (plus Kentucky) are another threat. No need to procrastinate here

The Ninth AP Poll, which was released this afternoon, has the Top 8 remaining as they were headed into Saturday, October 29 for the most part. To be more specific, Tennessee has move up one spot to a tie for 2nd place with Ohio State. Oklahoma State & Wake Forest tumbled out of the Top 10 to 18th and 20, respectively. USC moved up a spot, and UCLA is back inside the Top 10 (only team not to be ranked there last week as Wake was tied for 10th). Kansas State had the biggest surge thanks to their 48-point shutout. Penn State and Syracuse both fell, and while they're still in the Top 25, their playoff hopes are gone. Kentucky, Cincinnati, and South Carolina all fell from the poll, which makes room for Liberty, Oregon State, and Central Florida. There will be a new conference champion in both the Big-12 and the ACC. Definitely the latter. Baylor might have a hidden shot, but the help they'd need would result in that team, who may have a head-to-head TB, at worst tying them in the B12 standings. Baylor does control its own destiny when they face TCU and Kansas State, but I can't see them winning both of those games. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, would need to win out (which is very possible), but they'd also need for North Carolina to lose out, which I think is definitely not happening. Plus, if it did, some teams, like Georgia Tech would benefit to where they'd win the Coastal due to head-to-head. Furthermore, even if Pitt had been great again, they're not beating Clemson. In the Pac-12, Utah could repeat, but maybe not. Looks like it'll come down to USC, UCLA, and Utah. In the Big 10, that big game at the horseshoe will determine everything. And in the SEC, Alabama has some tough games at LSU and at Ole Miss. They might not even represent the West, but even if they did, it might be curtains for them this year against Tennessee or Georgia. When the rankings transition into the Playoff version on Tuesday, when you see a number next to a team, it'll be off of that, and no longer one's AP number. To add to that, there will not be a tie for second place on Tuesday's CFB Playoff rankings

I'd be surprised if he's still the head coach this time in a week or two

Picks ATS, courtesy of FanDuel Eagles over Steelers by 11.5 O/U 42.5 Eagles cover & over hits Rams over Niners by 1 O/U 41.5 San Francisco Wins outright, under hits Bills over Eagles 10.5 O/U 46.5 Bills cover, over hits Bengals over Browns 3.5 O/U 45.5 Cleveland wins outright, under hits Philly could be favored by 57.5 and I'd still pick them to cover. Even if the roles were reversed where the Steelers were coming off of a bye and the Eagles had just traveled back from a night game the week before, the 2017 NFL Champs would still win. I wonder if some of the Phillies contigent show up. It'll be super ugly for the 2020 AFC North champs. The best thing (outside of winning) would be for them to lose 2-0. A loss of something like 18-20 is not beneficial. As mentioned, despite a winless mark in Philadelphia for the Black & Gold over the past 57 years, it's irrelevant to this year. The thing is there are certain places that are difficult for teams despite their record. For Pittsburgh, it's Oakland and Philly. For instance, 2016 is a fair example as the Steelers had double-digit wins in that season while the Eagles ended up being a dumpster fire. 2008 both teams make it to the conference title game with Pittsburgh winning out. At the end of the day, when the Eagles win, it'll be because they're the better team, and not due to the mentioned schedule benefit or other past trends. The Eagles are a great team; the Steelers are not. If there is ever a game that Los Angeles can win to break the streak over San Francisco, this is the game. Until they do it, I'll keep picking the Niners (too make up for the opposite in seasons past). Similar to Pittsburgh, Green Bay gets to travel to a hostile environment against a team that didn't play the week before. Similar to Pittsburgh, if they lose, it'll be because Buffalo is a great team and the Packers are not. The Bills are the better team right now. Similar to the LA/San Fran matchup, I'll pick Cincinnati to beat the Browns when it happens. As mentioned, there is often a venue or a team that is a nightmare for someone. One where they can't ever win, and a team that just has the number of the other

I've never felt so happy over something I'd be mad about in the past. The NFL really blew it with overrating the Denver Broncos in the off-season, which was a bad idea anyway regardless of Russell's arrival. They've had, I think, nearly a dozen stand alone games, and we're not even at the midway point of the NFL season

I think PSU turned it over, maybe a pick-six. I was on CBS tuning into Brad Nessler's tribute to Vince Dooley. Though it looks like Penn State offset that score & might (backdoor) cover after all. So it went from 31-24 to 37-24, followed by 44-24 and into 44-31 in 15-25 seconds

In case I forget, for a couple SEC big games: Florida will cover and the under hits Kentucky covers too, but I like the Over there

Week Nine Picks: Syracuse, Penn State, TCU, Illinois, Oklahoma State, UCF, Oregon, Louisville, South Carolina, Tennessee, USC, Michigan, Texas Tech, UNC, UCLA I don't know (or think) PSU will win outright despite picking them to do so, but I think they'll be able to cover that 15.5. Ohio State is great, but they haven't really been tested yet (against a decent squad). No telling if they're elite. Penn State, who knocked off OSU six years ago, could do that. They're not bad, this time if they do & win out, they'll be in the playoff (that based on the Buckeyes surviving at home against Michigan). That 60.5 or whatever O/U hits, BTW

It's Gisele & AB's affair. Not really, since the latter would not have to try to un-disclose that tidbit!

Houston got lucky against Seattle in a game with Verlander pitching, and not so much for Game 1. That is a bad loss for the AL Champs. Usually they do the rallying when it comes to runs, and when they're up, it's usually over. We'll see if it's more Philadelphia being a great team or Houston getting a "lucky bounce" since they got the benefit of playing a worn out Yankees team with a non-favorable League Championship Series schedule. If Bryce Harper determines that they'd rather not fly back to Houston, looks like the series is over. I did ponder them winning in 5 but ended up saying they'd go the distance with the goal being to pick the actual series winner. I think the Astros can survive tonight, but if they don't (and the Phillies don't crumble due to something unfortunate), then the fall classic will not be coming back to Houston on Friday

Here come my Week 8 picks. This time, it's half picking the slated losers and half not. Part of that reason is that there are several games where both teams within a game aren't very good (i.e. Broncos & Jaguars). Nothing I decide is going to lead to perfection, but the predicting is worthwhile! Predictions: Jacksonville, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Arizona, New Orleans, New York Jets, Philadelphia, Houston, Washington, San Francisco, New York Giants, Buffalo, Cleveland I'll do my stuff ATS later for the London Game, the PA Game, the GOTW, SNF, and MNF

Looked like those 2 runs were enough before Houston added insult to injury...except all that did was force the Astros to blow a 5 run lead with about another half of Game One left

100%. I grew up with a ton of greats calling it before Joe, but he'd been the guy forever. Really grew over his time at FOX. I mean that since I'm just not used to Kenny as a main PBP guy right now (and he's not polarizing)

Phillis in 7 for my World Series Prediction. Either team can win. Both haven't seen the other. Though the time off might play a factor at least to start

I think he was planning on returning anyway. Just not to Tampa. He didn't even want to return to the Bucs, but he was under contract. There was the Miami plan but that no longer makes sense. I think it could be Indy, Tennessee, Vegas, and New England in that order, but there's no sense in playing in Tampa Bay anymore

It's easy for me to say I would've quit the game. No way I'm separating from my wife. It is until death do us part. The fact is, marriage isn't for everyone (long term / everlasting). I wouldn't bet on people being mad about not working forever right before they die. Though there have been some cases (at least one) where someone died soon after exiting the game. It's usually a case where someone has nothing left (no family, no friends) and work is all they have. And they would do it until it's over. Not me though! BTW, Tom will be too busy with FOX that if he can't hang out with his son(s) and daughter, he might be okay. It'll happen especially when kids need money. Or not since Gisele will still have more money