Not a Done Deal

The sale of the Tribune company and more specifically the Cubs to Sam Zell was to be completed by now. What's the hold up? Well, several concrete issues and many rumors. First and foremost, Zell wants the Trib co. but not all of the assets. He has stated publicly, "why would anyone want to own a baseball team". He has also indicated that he will sell of the 25% stake in Comcast sports.

The major issue holding up the vote is the FCC. They are to vote within days as to whether the Trib will receive a waiver to own TV stations in the same market. If granted the waiver, it will last for 2 years. If not granted the waiver, Zell will be forced to sell his TV stations in many markets. The second hold up is an IRS ruling on his attempt have this sale declared an ESOP. This ESOP ruling would change the tax status of the Trib Co. when he takes them private.

The biggest indicator that this deal won't go through as planned is the arbitrage community. These are the guys who play the spreads between the sale price and the current price. The greater the likelihood a deal will get done, the narrower the spread. In this case the spread is huge for a deal about to close imminently. The sale price is $34 and the current price is $31.70, a difference of almost 10%! The arbitrage guys are amongst the shrewdest and most clued in traders, so they obviously know something.

What does this mean for the Cubs? It means that everything else is still up in the air. They can continue to sign players to outrageous contracts because, regardless, their will still be many offers for the team. They won't ever be on the hook for the contracts because there will be new owner. The biggest clue that confusion is setting in at 1050 W. Addison is that John McDonghough left to go to the Hawks. He waited 15 years to get the coveted role of President of the Cubs to go to the lowly NHL. True the Hawks are rebuilding with the exciting death of Bill Wirtz, but the two positions aren't even in the same league. What does he know?

If Zell doesn't get the deal done, the likelihood that someone else will step up to bat for the Trib is not good. But Zell knows how to wheel and deal with the best of them. He also knows hidden value when he sees it. He is after all selling the Cubs and keeping Wrigley.

The Paxson Rules: Shitbag players equals many losses

Having prostituted myself for a corporate sky box to the Bulls game yesterday I was witness to just the third win of the season. This team is playing lifelessly. Kirk is horrible. The whole team has trouble scoring. Noah has almost no talent. As a twenty year Bulls fan this is absolutely unacceptable. Unfortunately, with Reinsdorf, there will never be any accountability with upper management. Paxson could keep his job indefinitely, even though an honest evaluation of his rein would only leads to an immediate termination.

So much has been made of Paxson's drafting philosophy. Only drafting players from established winning programs. So burned was the franchise by the Eddie Curry & Tyson Chandler fiasco that they wanted to go with players that had a strong practice ethic and had come from a culture of winning. The result of this persistent philosophy? Nothing. How about worse than nothing. The worst record in the Eastern Conference.

Ultimately, in the NBA, pedigree doesn't matter nearly as much as talent. The only real talented player on this team is Tyrus
Thomas. The rest of the scrub club might as well be playing in the WNBA.

These are the players that Paxson was afraid of trading for Kobe? Really? Is he this bad at talent evaluation? How much worse could they possibly be if they had traded everyone for Kobe? Kobe would be able to account for several wins just by himself.

The crowd heavily booed Captain Kangaroo when he passed on an easy layup and deposited the ball to no where. Deng showed some life in the third quarter but even he has plateaued. How many superstars take three years to develop? Not many. He is what he is. Not one player on the Bulls would start on a contending team. Oftentimes, they don't have the second or third best player on the court during a whole game.

The East being what it is and the NBA's everyone makes the playoffs mentality will mean that the Skiles led Bulls will probably make the playoffs. That should not be enough. That is far too low a measuring stick. If this team does not make a major trade or turn things around considerably, Paxson for sure and maybe Skiles should be serving peanuts in the United Center.

I know I had the Bulls making the Eastern Conference Championship, but after what we've seen so far, I'd say 43 wins and a first round exit seems more likely. Too bad. Bulls fans have been suffering for a decade now. It might not seem long in a town who has a team that hasn't won in a 100 years, but for a once proud franchise, it is too long. Da Bulls are going to be da disappointment this year.

Ricky's Return

Ricky Williams made his second comeback last night for the Dolphins on Monday night football. The results weren't stellar, but he caused the usual commotion that has followed him since draft day. Williams was taken out in the second quarter after someone decided to stomp on his shoulder before recovering his fumble.

Williams is commonly referred to as one of the dumbest players to play football because of his statements which are usually taken out of context. More than anything, he is guilty of speaking an open mind and being unorthodox for a football player.

On draft day, Ditka traded half his team to draft Williams. Williams was blamed for this when he didn't perform superbly, while Ditka got off the hook as he usually does. Then came Williams refusal to speak to the media because of an anxiety disorder. Again, Williams was portrayed as aloof and not a team player when in fact he had a problem that wasn't addressed properly.

Then came the infamous "marijuana" statement that did him in with the league. Admitting that he liked to smoke weed and that his priority in life wasn't football, Williams was done for. You can do almost anything in this league except, maybe killing a few dogs, but you certainly can't show anything but 100% loyalty to your team and feel "blessed" to play in the NFL. Admitting that you like to party or that you are like to indulge is a sin and leaves you branded.

Shawn Merriman tests positive for steroids, which clearly allow his elite play, and it is dusted under the rug. He gets a 4 gm suspension and no more talk. Merriman is what is wrong with the game, i.e. cheating. The league rewards cheaters because it enhances the violence and speed of the game.

Williams violation of the substance abuse policy resulted in frequent testing which he failed and was repeatedly suspended with subsequently harsher punishments. Merriman is still only randomly tested because he tested positive for performance enhancers- the hypocrisy!

When Williams plays and entire season, he is incredible! The unique combo of speed and power. When asked about steroids during his first hiatus, he laughed and said, " i don't need them". He is clearly overweight and will need time to get in shape. Lets hope the pathetic Dolphins recognize the talent they have and treat him like the special project he is. Dennis Rodman is a perfect example. He had great difficulty fitting in with the discipline of the Spurs, but when Phil let him do what he wanted, he thrived on the court.

Lee Steinberg is now Williams agent and will focus him. He still has time to achieve great numbers in the NFL. Williams has always needed a good p.r. person to keep him on page. But he has usually refused and has certainly paid the price.

Devin Hester, the next president of the United States of America

With a notable exception or two, the Bears looked like shit against the Broncos. Probably most alarming was the great gaps in the defense. Seven yard run here, 65 yard pass there, 432 yard run everywhere. The offense looked anemic as well- until the end. When Rex lost a fumble in the fourth with the Bears down 14, it surely looked over. Sometimes a team can hang around for an entire game even being outplayed, and deservedly win it in the end. I really can't say that in this game.

A clear chain of impossible events conspired to keep this season alive- for another week at least. Hall of Fames two kick returns for TD's were obvious points of divine intervention. The blocked punt. Adrian Peterson was stopped short of the goal line- but then the Bears' lines push wasn't whistled dead until the ball was in the end zone. And the final drive was kept alive with a ' very lucky to be called ' penalty on fourth down and one of the most spectacular and clutch touchdown catches in N.F.L. history by Bernard Berrian. And: nice pass, Rex- is this not a sign of God's help ??

And what are we to make of Hall of Fame? He had an NFL record six returns last year, plus another TD on the longest play in NFL history -the 108 yard missed field goal run back- and the KO return in the Super Bowl- the fastest points ever scored in the Super Bowl. That's eight last year - and four this year. He has more TD returns than Billie "White Shoes" Johnson and Gale Sayers. And his rate of TD/returns is the highest in NFL history. I believe that if he retired today, he should immediately be enshrined in Canton. What- there's ever been better??

More than anything, it was Hall of Fame that kept the patient alive. The Bears wanted to let it get away, but he brought them back. He didn't allow the Broncos get away. On the Tillman punt block, I thought right away that that ' fear of a Hester planet ' somehow made the block possible- later views on the Sunday nite recap shows shows that to be correct. It was way more than just him, but a supreme player elevates those around him. What time is Sunday's kickoff??

And the playoffs are still in reach. Waited forever for the Sox this past season, and am waiting still for the Bulls. But maybe just maybe they can stay alive this season and turn a corner. As it is, they are tied with six other teams at one game out of the wild card position. Many have said the Bears will have to win out, but It's possible nine wins will do.

The Giants are next. They are 7-4, but were just beaten by the Vikings. The Bears mite be able to do it next week. The Bears also have to play Green bay, who has only one loss (to the Bears) this year. The other games are winnable- but only if the Bears can start to win. They haven't won two games in a row this year, and nothing (other than miracles) suggests they can again. But there is still life.

HALL

OF

FAME

Bowl Anarchy Society

written by Le Roux

It's come down to the last week of the season, and our hopes for a clear cut picture that exactly shows how bankrupt the BCS system is doesn't seem likely. Unless there is @ least one major upset next week, the lap dogs in the NCAA will attempt to claim victory for its shit caked system. However, there has now been 12 upsets of a top 5 team by an unranked opponent SO FAR this year, so we still watch with interest.

There were two major upsets this weekend. The major one, of course, was the triple OT 50-48 Arkansas win over then #1 LSU. With 2 losses, it seems LSU has no argument for the title game....unless.... The other 'upset' was less major- former #1 USC beat former #7 Arizona State, giving them two losses. They also are out....unless...... And the best game of the weekend was the Big 12 North match up that lead to now 11-1 Missouri beating formerly undefeated Kansas. That leaves four teams with one loss, although West Virginia and Missouri play a last game next week.

Our hopes depend on the outcomes of these two games. Unranked Pittsburgh -v- AP#2 West Virginia is the most important, and boy do we need an upset. West Virginia, like Ohio State, has no conference championship game. Unless they lose to Pitt next week, we are stuck with a title game of Ohio State and West Virginia. The other game is the Big 12 title game between Missouri and Oklahoma (10-2). Both games start around 7pm Saturday nite, and by 11 we should know.

What the Bowl Anarchy Society are hoping for this last weekend is a massive Pitt upset of West Virginia. If this unlikely event happens, then we hope that Oklahoma beats Missouri in the Big 12 title game. This will give us two teams- Ohio State and Kansas- with one loss. Since Kansas didn't even play in their conferences title game, that will tarnish the BCS game. However, if West Virginia wins, our only hope is to claim "What about Kansas?" and the ultimate card= what about Hawaii ??

Hopefully, it will not come to that. But we are ready to deal with the BCS by any means necessary.

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On Friday, I will run a special pre- conference championship Bowl Anarchy Society. Here is where I will outline my plan for the NCAA 16 team playoff the good people of America deserves. Next Monday I will return again with the matchups..... that the good people of America deserve.

The N.I.T of the I.H.S.A.

Congrats to St. Rita football team for thei 31-7 pounding of Morgan Park H.S. in todays Prep Bowl at Soldiers Field. This is the fourth Prep Bowl win in St. Rita's hisory, and their first since 1977. It's always best to end the season on a victory, and St. Rita can close it's books on a semi succesful season. QB Jason Kafka (left) was the star- 181yards on eight carries, including runs of 58 yards and a TD run of 85.

In addition to Kafka, there were many other Mustang hero's. D'Marcus Dullen and Daniel Dispensa also scored on runs. Three had two interceptions each- Alex Vitkauskas, Tim Nicholas, and Gerald Tonio. And superb kicker Steve Flaherty started the scoring with a 26yd field goal.

But the win for the 10-4 St. Rita Mustangs can only be described as 'bittersweet'. St. Rita was the defending 7A State champion (as opposed to what they won today, the Prep Bowl champion), and hopes were high for a repeat in August. With the #1 state ranking, a USA Today national ranking, and many seniors returning, another run to the crown was anticipted. But it just didn't turn out that way this year. St. Rita plays in the toughest high school football conference in the nation, the Catholic Blue. Every team in the Blue made the playoffs this year. Rita lost to Mt. Carmel, Loyola, and Br. Rice - all tough teams. Despite the harsh schedule, they finished 6-3 and made the state playoffs. St. Rita advanced into the second round to meet #1 ranked and undefeated Wheaton Warrenville South. Leading by two touchdowns in the third quarter, it looked like they mite upset Wheaton. It was not to be.

But their does exist an out for Catholic and Public League teams in the form of the Prep Bowl. Back before the state playoffs existed, the champions of the Catholic League and the Public league played each other each November. Since the advent of the state post season system, the Prep Bowl has lost a lot of stature. Much like the N.I.T of NCAA basketball, the Prep Bowl takes those teams who didn't qualify for the state playoffs and those teams who lost in the first two rounds of the state playoffs. In other words, although yr still playing football in late November, a team like St. Rita would much rather be playing in the state championships- like they were last year.

However, this years Prep Bowl was the 74th year of a tradition that has drawn as much as 120,000 fans to Soldiers Field in the 1930's and attracted national attention for the famous 'national champion' 1963 St. Rita team. To take part in this Chicago tradition is still a treat. Playing in a televised game @ Soldiers Field in Week 14 against good competition isn't all that bad. Although last years championship was rightfully celebrated, this years lesser championship will nonetheless once again put Rita's name on a championship trophy and another banner in the gym. St. Rita students a hundred years from now will look up to that banner during an assembly or a basketball game and wonder about those who came before to represent them @ Soldiers Field way back in November 2007.

Go Rita Go!

Watch the highlites here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from the DCS staff. Enjoy the Holidays!

L. A. Confidential

Los Angeles: I'm in the land of Kobe who is on the front of the sports section everyday! Amazingly with no NFL team to give him competition, its the hollywood celebs and Kobe's world. But the Angels are making a move to create their own star.

The Angels pulled off their second stunner of the week late Wednesday night, signing free-agent center fielder Torii Hunter to a five-year deal that is believed to be worth about $80mill.

Of course, Kenny Williams was actively chasing Hunter as a "must have" and the Angels seemed to be set in center field with Gary Mathews Jr. But Tony Reagins, the Angels rook g.m. placed a call late last night for a surprise deal.

The Angels, who have been searching for a power bat to protect Vlad Guerrero in the lineup, were in trade talks with the Marlins for Cabrera. Hunter, who has won 7 gold gloves will play center and Matthew will most likely move to left with Anderson pushed to D. H.

Hunter, 32, hit .287 with 28 hr's and 107 rbi's last year. The signing was the second major move for the Angels this week. On Monday, they traded shortstop Orlando Cabrera for the Sox John Garland. Looks like the Sox got hit twice this week, while the Angels made solid investments in attempting to compete with Boston.

Gate D

Wonderful article- well, smutty wonderful- about the antics going on @ N.Y. Jets games @ the Meadowlands in N. J.. Yes, two sides to every story, but things like this always tickle me. They use the word 'harassment', so I do feel..................it was an interesting article to read.

I can remember women @ Comisky doing the same and being tossed. On the street, same. Now, where is the same section @ Soldiers Field?

And now.....Champions League !!

The Champions League, to those in the know, is a stunning sporting spectacle. We all know the World Cup, though some may not watch it. But for us super soccer fans, the quality of the soccer teams in the final 16 teams of The Champions League is often better than most World Cup teams. Teams like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and the present champion, A.C. Milan, are mind bogglingly good. These are the richest teams in the world, and the talent on these teams is deep- their second teams would beat many national teams around the world. Most games are a thrilling ride.

It's a strange tournement if you have never experienced before and are an American. You qualify for the tournament by being one of the top teams in you domestic league the season before. Each country gets a set number of teams that is contingent on how well the country does in various competitions- World Cup, European Cup, qualifiers, and previous editions of the Champions League. For example, England rite now gets the max number of teams in the competition- four. A few years ago they were stuck on only three qualifiers. So, this year Man U. reached the2007-8 competition because they won the league in 2006-7. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea qualified because they came in 2d, 3d, and 4th. The smaller teams and 3d and 4th place teams have to play qualifiers to get into the final round of 32 then whittles to another group stage of 16- before there is a knock out round for quarterfinals on in. Exciting all the way through as one finds yr team playing strange teams from wired countries in the early stages, then its all competition against the world top teams and players from the final 16 out. Great theatre.

Since the mid 90's, ESPN started to put these games on in the afternoon. An afternoon start (dictate by the fact that Europe is 7-8-9h ahead of our clock) is perfect for ESPN and for soccer fans- we realise that the ratings are not gonna be high, but we also get to see the beautiful game played by beautiful teams. And now, finally, there is going to be a Champions League for MLS teams to play in.

One of the great things about MLS (There are many bad things as well, but not the time) is that they're trying to make sure the game is synced up with the game in the rest of the world. When the league started , it had many UGLY aberrations- the shootout after 90m (Gone forever after the first four seasons- good riddance!!!), the time kept on a countdown clock and not on the ref's watch (GONE!!).

But they also joined in soccer traditions. Some of the team names made me gag - D.C. United? F.C. Dallas? Real Salt Lake? But w/ time they become normal. They also put MLS teams in the U.S. Open Cup (only 20 years younger than the Stanley Cup), which is a competition similar to those held around the world. The Open Cup is open to EVERY team in the States, and it is a single knockout tournament. The closest thing I can think of in type and in spirit is the NCAA basketball tournament. Just like the odd Gonzaga or Valpo or whatever gets some upsets in every year, there are the upsets of the 'minnows' -v- the giants. In England, the F.A. Cup is gigantic- A Superbowl type experience there. Here- just growing.

But the Concacaf Federation- the one the USA is in- has just announced it's own "Champion's League". well, actually, it was Telefutura TV network that announced :

“CONCACAF Champions League” patterned after the highly successful UEFA Champions League and featuring the top club teams from the Mexican Primera Division and Major League Soccer, the tournament will be televised exclusively on TeleFutura, with 33 live matches including all quarterfinals, semifinals, and the big final game. (July 18 – November 15, 2007, Tuesday and Wednesday nights) "

Before this there was a similar competition. It was called The Champions Cup. It went through various formats, from an "All eight teams in one week long knock out tournament" to a "Final 16 teams play a home and home knockout tournament".

Now, however, it seems that there will be a real tournament, with 16 (?) teams playing in groups presumably in a home and home format. It will allow teams from the area to compete in a more professionalized tournament than the seemingly hodge podge way it had been conducted before. Very exciting to see- just like in Europe- your team playing strange non league teams in a fiery competition.

There are problems. NYT announced that the competition would last from August throught he winter till the next May, but that would force MLS teams to play in their off season. Also, it will be hard for MLS and Mexican giants like Houston or America to play some tiny nations qualifier whose home country doesn't even have enough people to fill a small stadium.

But I believe these are all teething problems. I have long wanted this competition in this format in this area. It may not reflect well on me, but I do so enjoy the trapping of European soccer. I like the various cup competitions, and heartfully welcome this competetion to the area. Finally.

Now- do the Fire qualify for thise years competition?

The Black Sox Faction

In many ways, I view the tough trade of Sox longtime starter John Garland to the California Angels as a nod to THIS YEAR, and not (well, totally) with a view towards the Sox's salary base in 2012 or whatever. And as hard as it is to lose a real Sox guy, I'm glad the emphesis is on this year.

First, the loss of Garland. I should be looking forward, but there is always a little time to mourn. It took garland forever to break out and become a great starting pitcher He was no Johann Santanna now, but he was solid. I used to make the the crack that with all of the obsessive attention the Trib people forced down our gullets about Wood and Prior (for the Iowa peoples team) that combined they haven't had his impact on the field (except for some game 10 years ago when Wood had 20 k's. Whatever.) I was wrong, but not by much- it's 114-86 -v- Garland's 92-81. However, he developed into a totally reliable starter who will the Sox will be very hard pressed to replace. A consistent, 200= innings starter, @ least 32 games started the past few years, and 18 wins in '05 and '06. On top of all that, a kool teamate.

The roatation? Remember the 'greatest rotation ever' a few years back? One can rely only on Burlehe and Vazquez, and hope for ANYTHING out of the bottom three. Danks showed some good stuff at times, but nothing mainly. Broadway? Haegar? Floyd? Yeesh, this rotation looks thinner than skin. It'll need help, and big time. The trade was very rough for this aspect.

But I welcome Orlando Cabrerra. I'll state the obvious= what the fuck is Juan Uribe getting a $5m contract if we are bringing in Cabrera? And @ 32yo are we getting Cabrera on the downslide of his career? How will the Sox sign him after his contract is up this year?

However, he has many upsides. He has won the Gold Glove, which can only help the infield "D" (although I was happy w/ Uribe defense). He had a great year last year @ the plate- .301, 192 hits, 86 RBI. He will be great in the 2d hole. I'd like his OBA to be better- .345 last year and only .321 all time. But he could be an important piece to the puzzle.

However, @ this time, we don't know what the rest of the pieces are. Crede or Fields @ third? LF Scott Podsednik was released yesterday, so who is in left? What about Jerry Owens? The rumours about Tori Hunter seem strong, so it seems Ozzies wish of a real speed and defense centered team is coming closer to fruitation. However one feels about getting Hunter or Aaron Rowand (neither mite make it to the team, y'all) or any other moves, it does seem that GM Kenny Williams has his sites on THIS YEAR. Not a bad thing, however one feels about the trade. I got such a bad feeling last year this time when Garcia and then Mccarthy were traded for procpects- a 90 win team playing for 2012. Hopefully it is THIS YEAR that Williams is siting.

Over and Out!

The Bears looked great for 10 minutes today. Benson finally broke one loose and Rex's rating was respectable as he dinked and dunked the entire game. But in the middle of the first quarter Seattle took over momentum and the game.

Let's be honest , the Seahawks are barely above average. They are a shell of the team of several years ago. They still managed to score easily on the broken down bears. At this point, the Bears can only beat up on the weakest in the league. Their defense scares no one and their offense still remains in the Juron era.

I am officially declaring the Bears finished for the year. At 4-6, they have no chance of catching the 9-1 Packers. They are also 3 games back of the Giants who are 7-3 for the wild card. They will probably go 7-9 and not come close to making the playoffs. Sure, this is a fall from grace from a super bowl appearance. But the worst is a look at their future- they don't have one. They have no QB, no RB and their O line is old and useless. Their Defense is missing Ron Rivera and has no cohesion. Angelo has to come to grips with the changing winds. The NFC is getting stronger while the Bears stubbornly refuses to accept their mistakes.

The Bowl Anarchy Society

Written by Le Roux

The sys tem

Fuck it- the current way of crowning a NCAA football champion suxx, and it should be done in with w/ a playoff system to determine a champion- just like every other level of football in college- and in high school- and in grammer school- and just like EVERY OTHER SPORT IN AMERICA. For me, there is no credibility in NCAA Division 1 football, since the champion is never decided on the field. For me, the current system is like throwing dice- the champion under the BCS system is the one of two teams who gets selected by a variety of sports writers and computers programs. There is no way of determining the true champion in a really unfettered way until everyone wises up and flushes the BCS into the sewer.

For monetary reasons - or whatever other excuses the BCS fools have managed to sadly create the current 'manufactured consent' in the public - we get stuck with this fucking crap. Enough. Lets determine the champion through palying, and not via the computer.

This week end

Well, what am I supposed to say? I'm scared? Maybe. Two great upsets this weekend. I love it-but there is a downside. The upsets may give a "Weapons of Mass Destruction" type dishonest arguing point to the Jokers who tout the BCS when there happens to be only two teams that seem to be the absolute best. With so many upsets this year, there may be just two teams with one or none losses this year that the fools can point to and say "HEY- BCS WORKS". Never. BCS is a deeply rotten system held aloft only by the various bowl committees who want it to cntinue.

But I'll also admit, that for our purposes, the revolutionaries in The Bowl Anarchy Society were resplendent with joy over the dual upsets this weekend: AP #2 Oregon lost on Thursday nite to Arizona 34-24, and on Saturday Nite Texas Tech ran up a huge lead in the first half and held on over AP #3 Oklahoma. Oregon and Oklahoma now have two losses, and that dwindles the field of possible national contenders to six........or is it eight? We love the fact that there has been deep anarchy @ the top of the college football polls, and we hope it continues to show up the BCS bowl system as the piece of shit fakery to real competition that it has always been.

Well, what am I supposed to say? I'm scared that the WMD crowd can continue their manufacturing ? Maybe. But I'll also admit, that for our purposes, The Bowl Anarchy Society were happy over the dual upsets this weekend: AP #2 Oregon lost on Thursday nite to Arizona 34-24, and on Saturday Nite Texas tech ran up a huge lead in the first half and held on over #3 Oklahoma. Oregon and Oklahoma now have two losses, and that dwindles the field of possible national contenders to six........or is it eight? We love the fact that there has been deep anarchy @ the top of the college football polls, and we hope it continues to show up the BCS bowl system as the piece of shit fakery to real competition that it has always been.

If you want the truth, I think the best two are LSU and Ohio State. And, if upsets continue, they may meet for the one off BCS championship. But more likely, it may produce an LSU -v- Missouri or West Virginia. If that happens, fuck all of you who keep this rot alive. The BCS and its crowd deserves it.

Me? I'm hoping for that dual championsip to yet again rear its lovely head. But you know what? Just like 50m people voted for Bush in 2004- Americans, believe it or not, voted for that guy- there will be similar types who keep insisting that BCS is the way to go.

I want a true national champion- not whatever two teams the computers have attempted to manufacture consent over.

Next Week

On Thursday, #7 Arizona State (9-1) plays still dangerous USC, and I believe USC will win. AP #2 Kansas and #4 Missouri meet this week to determine the winner of the Big 12 North Division. Kansas is 11-0 and Missouri is 10-1. The winner will play in the Big 12 championship in December. For our hopes, it would be nice to see Missouri win this game and then lose in the Big 12 title game. That would give both teams 2 losses. LSU, West Virginia, and Ohio State all have one loss.

The plan is to get all of the above teams 2 losses- that would mean that 20 teams or so would have a legitimate argument for inclusion into the BCS title game.

We're rooting for Anarchy.

two retirements

This week the Chicago Fire had an official retirement announcement and an unofficial announcement. And although forward Paoloa Wanchope has had a far bigger name world wide, it's midfielder Chris Armas' retirement that will hamper the Fire seriously next year.

First the good news. The two retirements will save the fire $500,000 in annual salaries split between the two. Since the MLS is a league that has a pretty serious salary cap*, this will allow the Fire to pay their own players more- goalie "Slim" Pickens is up for a renewal- and search for other players. A half mil will help.

Now the bad news. Chris Armas has been the outstanding midfielder for the Fire's first ten years. Again, there have been greater names in the Fire's midfield- Peter Novak as the teams original captain and Hristo Stoichkov is simply one the of the greatest players in the games history- but Armas has been special for the teams entire history.

The quintessential 'holding' midfielder whose job it was to be a nuisance to the other teams attackers, Armas was always in the other teams players faces, harrassing, slowing, and winning the ball. One of my favourite sights always was Armas winning the ball from the other players, then his quick 1-2-3 dribbles to find the half centimeter of open space, then him dishing it off to an open teamate who could get it out of danger. Complete hustle, and a good guy.

A deep shame about Armas career is that he never played for the US in the world cup. On the eve of the last two World Cup Armas was the regular holding mid on the team, and one of it's key players. Just before both World Cups Armas was seriouslt injured. He came back fit both times, but what a terrible blow both to himand the us teams chances. One wonders how much better they would have been in 2002- maybe to the semis or even the final- and if they would have played so poor last Cup. We'll never know.

Wanchope is retiring after a third of a season with the Fire. He came with great promise, but it seems his best days are behind him and he doesn't want to try to regain them. A big and fast defender who played in Europe for years and is best known here for his two World Cup goals -v-Germany. However, he never seemed to get into the flow of the team. Every game, despite two goals scored, he just didn't seem with it.

Wanchope had talked about starting the next season from spring training to regain his from. Maybe it would have worked, but my guess is is that his retirement will not hurt the Fire too much. What they need is a striker who can put the ball away. I'm sorry, but Chad Barret still is not a terrible danfger to other teams back lines. The Fire's acquisition of C. Blanco and William Cinde were fantastic. With the half mill saved from the dual retirements this week, I hope the Fire will get a great scorer. And that Chris Armas comes back from retirement.

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*= There is one salary cap out. The "David Beckham rule" allows each team to make one salary exemption. This came in this year specifically to acquire Bexx.

The Circus is Leaving Town

Pax has had it and the Bulls are leaving on the "circus" road trip. At this time every year, the Ringling Bros. circus comes to the U.C. So the Bulls leave on the west coast trip and will play Phoenix, LAC, LAL, and Denver. This should be four straight losses with the effort they are giving.

Bench the starters Skiles says. But their isn't much substance on the bench. They've shown very little effort and suddenly the value of their marquee tradeables such as Gordon and Deng doesn't look very promising. Bonnix and I went to the Detroit win last week and a few things stood out. Most surprising to me was Joe Smith. He was quick to the boards and scored well underneath. Another aspect was Deng's lack of willingness to go underneath.

Deng is another example of the new way of scouting a professional athlete. He is a victim of the ceiling of expectations. Its all about the upside, not the now. Most likely that upside will never be reached. Deng could actually be great at the 2 spot. Heinrich at the 1 and Smith and Nocioni at the forward pos. Wallace would be center and Smith would be able to for his lack of offense by forcing someone to cover him. Gordon and Thomas would provide a spark off the bench. Its not perfect, but its all they have to work with.

Enough of the we're sick of the Kobe talk- wait till they get to LA, Kobe will tear them apart. Play well and win and people will forget about Kobe. At least we don't hear much of that Bulls as NBA champions talk anymore. I know its a long season, but at this rate it will be endless.

Bowl Anarchy Society

The spectre of the dual National Champion 'rears its beautiful head'

There comes a time in our mission to strew anarchy across college football and destroy the bowl system root and branch when our rooting each week for giant upsets becomes possibly counter productive. The down side of weekly upsets is that the BCS system actually tends to make sense once every five years (at least not be majorly unfair), and to destroy this system, we must make sure it never makes sense. We wish to make sure that there is no clear cut choice of only two teams with a legitimate claim to the title game. For now, we feel secure in the validity of our claims will be see by all @ this point in the season- but things can change.

This week is a great example of the duality of our wishes: down again goes the #1 team in the nation- this time, our assassin was Illinois in its 28-21 upset of formerly unbeaten Ohio State. Boston College lost for the second week in a row and dropped them out of any possible hope for a BCS bowl. These two losses leave seven teams with one loss and one with none- Kansas*. So far , so good- eight teams with a good claim.

NCAA football expert John Suanders told the national television audience in the minutes after the Ohio State upsets that he believed there “could be a split national championship this year.” This sense of anarchy about having no satisfactory system of crowning a champion continues and hopefully will last until the end of the season. Good- fuck this system!

But with Missouri (9-1) at Kansas (10-0) on 24 November and the winner probably playing Oklahoma (9-1) in the Big 12 title game, two more teams will fall out of the BCS race with a loss. That will leave six teams with a legitimate claim to the BCS title game. Any more upsets can potentially whittle the field down to just two one or no loss teams- a public relations disaster for our side. However, all in all, we stand committed to a continued campaign of upsets in the hopes that there will be no teams without at last two losses. But- even if only two teams remain with one loss and meet in the BCS title game, we still despise this horrible system for settling a “national champion”. Do it like every other level of football or indeed every sort in the NCAA- by a playoff. Fuck the bowls!

This week brings more upsets chances. Ohio State, still with only one loss and currently #7 in the AP, plays @ # 23 Michigan. AP #5 West Virginia plays @ #21 Cincinnati (8-2), and Oklahoma plays @ Texas Tech (7-4). Although I warned all readers last week to watch for a possible upset in the Ohio State - Illinois game, I don’t see any upsets this week. However, Ohio State was the NINTH team this system to be upset by an unranked team, so whom knows what will happen. Check back here next week.
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*= not included in that count for now includes 9-0 Hawaii and 9-1 Boise State. I’ll handle their case later.

Home; but not Free

There has been Hawks home games on T.V. before to-nite, but the game against the Detroit Red Wings set for six o’clock is in all sense something brand new: it marks the start of the commintment of the black hawks organization to finally televise home games. It is a completely overdue- even embarrassingly overdue - move. A generation of young fans have been deprived of their proper quotient of Black Hawk coverage because of the bungling policies of the organization and have been alienated from the team. However, I believe this nite begins (only begins) the start of a long climb back into the general conciousness of the Chicago sports fan.

There was a time when the Hawks were easily the most popular winter sports team. They were the only team in town until the Bulls were founded in the mid Sixties. The Sixties teams, featuring Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita, were consistently outstanding and entertaining. The Eighties teams, the ones I more properly grew up with, were also outstanding units. Featuring Al Secord, Dennis Savard, and Steve Larmer, the Eighties teams (and their close relatives, the Nineties teams, with Chris Chelios, Jeremy Roenick, and Eddie Belfour) were always in the midst of excitement. The atmosphere @ the Stadium was always electric- packed Stadium, everyone hunched over, intent on the game, the organ, the “OOOOOOOO !!!” on an almost goal, the slice on the ice of the skates, the “BKKKK!!!” of the puck slapped off the boards- game after game after game. Its strange to think back now, but the year before Mike Jordan arrived to play for the Bulls, the basketball team averaged something like 4,700 a game. The old soccer team the Sting also played indoors @ the Stadium that same year and averaged 11,700. But the Hawks consistently had a hard ticket to get and always had standing room crowd of 18-19,000+. And now look= although the Bulls are not the Bulls of the 90’s, they are still far more popular than the Hawks. There is a good argument to be made that the Wolves are the most popular hockey team in town.

I got to go to a couple a year. Lazers and Moho had season tickets of almost unimaginable goodness= second balcony, second row rite above one of the blue lines. I got tickets once in awhile when one of them missed a game, and they got tickets here and there. All told, I got to about 2-3 games a year when lucky. I can remember making sure I saw Wayne Gretzky play. One of the two frenz above mentioned missed the game on #99’s first season in L.A.’s trips to the Stadium that fall, and then I somehow got a ticket to the next game. There was always a ‘real treat’ air around a live Hawks game in the loud smoky atmosphere of the Stadium.

Wirtz policies fostering an exclusivity about the team worked up to a certain point for televised games- to me, cable road games were another ‘deep treat’. I have many fond memories of watching regular season or playoff games @ this or that person who was a friend or a friend of my friend or a friend of my sisters - and I missed most televised games. There was the game in ’83 or so when we watched the Islanders game @ Big Man’s - we were all huge Mike Bossy fans. Then there was a playoff loss to Minnesota. And there was the ‘92 Stanley Cup game -v- Pittsburgh where the Hawks lost an early lead on the way to being swept. And although I do have hazy memories of Hawks games on free T.V. in the seventies, rarely was I ever able to enjoy the Hawks on T.V. in my formative years.

However, despite almost never seeing the team on T.V. and going to the games infrequently, I grew up a die hard fan. I knew every player, every line, who was in the minors, the other teams (especially division foes) strengths and weaknesses, etc… How did this happen? In a way that doesn’t probably doesn’t resonate with many of today’s young fans= the majority of my connexion with the Hawk games live was over the radio. I was of a high school set that thought nothing could be better than catching Pat Foley’s call of that nites game. We still joke about a game we listened to in Moho’s basement in what- ‘82. The Hawks were down a goal with less than a minute left and they had pulled the goalie. Daryl Sutter’s line was on the ice and someone made the crack that the only reason he was one the ice was because he was the captain- and of course he scored and tied the game.

Good memories, but they are of an older generation of fans, who grew up depending on the radio for sports in ways different to todays fans. We grew up without the vast expanses of sports available on T.V. these days- who knew in the Seventies I would not only be able to watch every single game of the Chicago Fire (to-days Sting), not to mention every Manchester United and every America game- if I could awake for all of them. I believe it is very important for the Hawks to put their product out readily available for every fan. Again, the elder Wirtz made the Hawks an exclusive deal, but I feel it was a case of “The forest for the tree’s”. He refused to change with the times. Non televised home games were famously great for his beer sales, but he lost fans growing up who never were able to become Hawks fans. In this world, being available on T.V. is all important. The business of marketing his team to the most impressionable part of our society- children- was lost. Wirtz blew it .

And now, to-nite, this long term mistake is finally being rectified. Good start. However, televised home games are only a start. For me, a far more important move by the Hawks would be to PUT GAMES ON FREE T.V. For me, this is of paramount importance. I understand that many houses (as well as most bars) have cable, but there is a significant percentage that only have the free stations. I believe that this is an important market.

An example is the sports loving kid who grows up in a non cable household. Since he only has free T.V., he basically never has a chance to see the Hawks on his T.V. Now= presto/chango, the Hawks put 12-15 games on Channel 9 and 26, just like the Sox, Cubs, and Bulls. Such a kid (with the limited viewing options on a given nite that is endemic to free T.V.) looking and not finding a baseball, basketball, football, or soccer game to watch; mite stop and watch the Hawks for awhile if it‘s the only thing on and he or she is flicking channels. To quote The Champ upon coming across a game back in the old days: “We got a game!!“ If they catch the game again and again, extended exposure to a non fan mite eventually lead to and enjoy and learn and become a fan if he or she stumbles across the Hawks.

It’s such a rite time for the change. God Bless the elder Wirtz, but his son Rocky is the needed fresh air. It was smart- and no disrespect to his father- to immediately get the seven home games on air. The change @ the top, the fresh 9-7 start with exciting new players such as Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews and two wins over to-nites opponent has created something that doesn’t often happen: a buzz about the Hawks. I welcome it, and hope it continues. The exciting team and the commitment to a realistic T.V. policy are significant advances for the team. However, a commitment to FREE T.V. games also should be pursued to further market the team to the kids growing up to-day. It should be an exciting time ahead for the team.

The Juice is Back!

What a way to revive a dead program. Illinois beat Ohio State on OSU's home turf and did so convincingly. With Juice Williams throwing for a career high 4 touchdowns, the Illini controlled tempo and the ball. This game added a true sense of legitimacy to the Zook era.

The alumni have demanded it for years and now we have a success full football program. The Ilini knocked Ohio St. out of BCS championship contention and guaranteed a decent bowl bid for themselves. A great football program gives a university national identity. The Illini have briefly been there before, but now need to build a reputation that will last. With the reputation comes recruiting and this leads an elite program. Throw in a coach who can see the big picture and you've got the makings of a perennial Rose Bowl contender.

The Illini were clearly outclassed in the talent department at OSU, but coaching skill showed its way through. Unlike his counterpart in South Bend, Zook is quite modest. Its obviously still a program that needs work, but wins like yesterdays add to what may become legend.

Frankie Vegas' Picks Week 10

2nd Half Left. Time to dice up your guy.
If even Doug Buffone can slip in his percentages, no one is infallible.


Picks appear in blue.

NFL Sunday, Nov. 11

Indy -3.5 at San Diego
48.5 over

Chicago -3 vs. Oakland
38 over

Pittsburgh -10 at Cleveland LOCK!
47.5 under

Carolina -4 vs. Falcons
36 over

Dallas -1.5 NY Giants
49 under

Tennessee -4 vs. Jacksonville
35 over

Green Bay -6 vs. Minnesota LOCK! (buy a half point and win)
40.5 over

Baltimore -4.5 vs. Cincinnati
44.5 under LOCK!

New Orleans -11.5 vs. St Louis
46.5 under

Washington -3 vs. Philadelphia
38 under

Arizona -1 vs. Detroit
45 under

Monday, Oct. 29

Seattle -10 vs. San Francisco
39.5 over

Five out of every six times

For the fifth time in the last six seasons, the New England Revolution ended the Chicago Fire season, this year in the MLS' s Eastern Conference championship 1-0 last nite. Played in 32 degree weather, the Fire outplayed the Revolution for a lot of the game. A stunning bicycle goal from Taylor Twellman in the 38m was the only goal scored.

The Fire was not going to score this nite. The offense was terrible. Paloa Wanchope started and had a lame game. Although the ball was sent into him often enough, any attempt to run plays off of him ended up with New England getting the ball. Chad Barret went back to his ineffectual self. Like Wanchope, any ball @ his feet was immediately lost. It was frustrating watching him try to take on New England defenders and having him kick it into their shins every time. Q Blanco, the huge kick starter to the Fires offense, was also ineffectual. He didn't have a bad game, but what can one do when service to his forwards led immediately to the ball being controlled off of Barrets or Wanchopes legs. After New England scored it seemed that it would be the only goal- unfortunately it was.

The goal was spectacular- it seemed that such an effort was the only way any goal was to be scored between these two teams this nite. Although the Fire's defense could be shaky in parts of the game, for the most part it was tight. The week before the game, any interviews by the Fires defenders stressed how they were practicing defending against crosses into the box. And yes, on a long cross into the boxx, Twellman had two Fire defenders on him- seemed he was defended well. But there was just enough space in between Dasan Robinson and Logan Pause for Twellman to totally jump head over heels backwards and strike the ball true. Even Fire goalie "Slim" Pickens seemed to be in position. However, it was struck true and out go the Fire.

As time ran in the second half, it seemed that the Fire would not score. It was one of those games - your basketball team can't seem to cut it to four, the baseball team stranding guys in scoring position, the football team never being able to string to-gether two first downs. The Fire tried, but in the end New England seemed bigger, stronger, and faster-- but only as the game wound down and the Fire pushed desperately for the tying goal.

The Fire seemed to just not be as cohesive as New England. New England now appears in the fourth final in seven seasons, although they have never won the title. The Fire, however, have revamped their roster this season. With Blanco, Wanchope, and William Conde playing a full season with younger players like Barret, Chris Rolfe, Justin Mapp, Dasan Robinson Gonzalo Segares, Logan Pause and Calen Carr will mean the Fire have a very brite future next season.

And it maybe time to say goodbye to Chris Armas. The great holding midfielder of the Fire, U.S. national team, and MLS had announced his retirement before the beginning of the season, but word is filtering out that he may may want to play next year. The Fire - or any other MLS team- would certainly want him back.

Spring training starts in February.

Run Lovie, Run!!

Pro Football Weekly unleashed a scathing report on Lovie Gump today questioning not only his coaching ability, but his ability to evaluate talent, most noticeably Cedric Benson, perhaps the biggest bust of the 2004 draft. The article claims that Lovie, with his newfound power has been horrible at personnel decisions and has ruined the draft. While I agree that Lovie Gump is, at best, a second rate coach, Angelo has to be held accountable as well.

All in all the article correctly states that Lovie's decisions, like putting Mark Anderson ahead of Alex Brown and moving around Daniel Manning around from position to position have resulted "in a manner that has been detrimental to the team"

From a week after the Super Bowl, Lovie has been making decisions that have basically screwed up the Bears. Ron Rivera getting fired, deciding to go with Cedric 'the Buster" Benson.

You have to give Lovie some credit, he did win coach of the year in his second year and take the team to the Super Bowl in his third year. Unfortunately, now that he makes $5 Million a year and feels he should assert his power, he has ruined the defense and I honestly believe he knows next to nothing about offense. Moreover, he doesn't know how to production out of his offensive coordinator.

Ultimately, I don't think Lovie's job is in jeopardy, but if the Bears have another throw away season he should not feel safe. Maybe by then, we might actually have a legit quarterback.

Death to the Bull Chit Series

Written by the Bowl Anachrist

Well, it could have been a better weekend for those of us interested in totally destroying the shitty bowl system the NCAA has shackeled us to, but when two of the top four in the BCS rankings lose, it can't be all that bad. We remain: interested in the replacement of the current bowl system by a 16 team playoff in NCAA football. We agitate and celebrate: losses and upsets and other factors that always make the BCS system look like what it is:

SHIT

The gimmie loss was Arizona State losing to Oregon. They were 4 and 5 in the BCS, so one high team or the other had to lose. They are both now 8-1. In retrospect it may have been better for our purposes for Oregon to lose- that would have given them 2 losses, whearas Arizona State still has to play USC and may well lose that game.

I figured that Boston College could not go undefeated this year, and they didn't. Normally I would totally root for B.C. against any of the Florida teams, but not this year.

The big excitement was the almost upset of LSU at Alabama. Double T.D.'s in the last three minutes- one helped by a fucking stupid ass fumble- allowed LSU to stay alive in the BCS chase.

And what about Kansas. Still another undefeated team we have to worry about, and fuck what a number they did on Nebraska.

So, as it stands now, Ohio State is a clear #1. We have to hope that there are too many questions as to who they should play in the BCS title game that its creditability will drop even further. Hopefully, we can have another split championship season. LSU is #2, but there are also six other one loss teams as well as another undefeated team. We still have a lot of work to go.

Best hopes this week for an upset, I hate to say, rests with Illinois -v- Ohio State. Hopefully something is out there to further fuck up the system.

Till next week-

DEATH TO THE BOWLS !!!

Happy Birthday DCS!!!!

We are offically 1 year old today! Thanks to all our staff and most importantly to our devoted readers. DCS had over 6500 hits this past year from all over the world. We look forward to having an even more exciting second year.

Weekend Wrap

Bears: No game this weekend because of the Bye week, but the Bears still find a way to lose. Every team in their division won. They are now tied for last place with the Viks, but are 1-3 in the division. They are also 4 games back in the win column from Green Bay. Like I said a couple of weeks ago, their playoff hopes lay in the other teams hands.

Bulls: Bullshit is more like it. Winless to start the season can be overcome, but its the way that they are playing. Heinrich is once again proving how overrated he is. Gordon is also reinforcing why the Bulls have not stepped up to the table contract wise. He continues to have ball handling issues and is looking more and more like a street player. The worst of the bunch is easily Ben Wallace- a complete waste of money! He has one of two issues; 1. He can't bring it anymore or 2. He only plays when he feels like it. He's got the headband back, but looks Pathetic! He has yet to break a 5 in either pts or boards. Skiles has to read him the riot act he reads everyone else or just bench him.

Colts vs. Pats.; The game lived up to the hype. The Colts were in charge most of the game and even had the fortunate scoring play at the end of the first half. But with 4 min left, Brady engineered the winning drive and put the game to rest. A few items to take away from this game. First the Colts defense was swarming and very impressive. They gave Brady a rough time with several sacks and an int. Secondly, the more Brady passed to Moss, the easier the Pats were able to move down field. It was only when they briefly turned away from Moss that they had difficulty. The Colts didn't have Harrison, but Addai was fantastic. The Pats couldn't stop him. These two teams will surely meet in the AFC championship, but now the Pats will probably have home field advantage. It was very important, confidence wise, for the Pats to go into Indy and win after last years loss. This erases the feeling that they belonged in the Super Bowl last year.

Fire on

Once again, the Fire lost a two goal playoff lead Thursday nite as DC United scored two goals in five minutes in the second half to tie the game 2-2. However, the Fire allowed no more United goals and emerged from the contest with the result they were very happy to get. By adding the 1-0 result of last Thursdays first leg in the two game total goals series to the result, the Fire advance to the Eastern Division finals next week 3-2 on aggregate goals.

There was a bit dueling history for this game. The Fire had lost two goal leads to blow playoff series, as in last year against New England and 1999 against Dallas. They had fucked up repeatedly this year to lose late leads and end up with ties instead of wins. In truth, the Fire was lucky to even qualify for the playoffs with so many slip-ties. When D.C.‘s Clyde Simms and Christian Gomez scored in the 69m and 74m, uneasy memories of these shitty times in soccer history came up. It was even worse in added time when Christian Gomez appeared to score again. Unfuckin’ believable fucker FUCKER !!

But it was a hand ball.

I didn’t see celebrating when I again lifted my head from its gaze on the floor- and I couldn’t see what happened in the repeated replays. But I also realized that our “asses weren’t grass”.

Although the “Fire falling apart late” bit of history was changed in this game, the other part of dueling history continued: the Fire have owned D.C. United in the playoffs. They are now 5-0-2 all time against D.C. in the playoffs. And although D.C. finally scored a goal against the Fire, the Fire still lead 13-2. Amen.

It was a good game. There were many chances early on, but the great breakthrough was in the 31m. The Fire’s Chad Barret scored in the 31st m and then Chris Rolfe in the 33d m. Rite then they were up three goals on aggregate, but there was still an hour to go in the games; D. C. was the highest scoring team in the league, and have a dizzying display of talent up front. It was only in the late 60’s that finally D.C.’s brilliant attack finally showed itself fully. Wow!! Wildly great passing and movement Simms, Gomez, Rod Dyachenko, Fred, Luciano Emilio, and D.C. great Jaime Moreno had them Brazil looking from, say, the 65th m on. Fire looked fucked after the two D.C. goals- @ the rate of D.C.’s attack, it looked like a third goal would come anytime.

Never did.

I gotta admit I feel bad for D.C. One of the foreign players on D.C. (can’t remember who) during the week talked about the cruelty of the MLS system- despite the best record in the league during the 30 game regular season and having a very entertaining team, they were out after two games.

However, D.C. deserved it- to lose, I mean. The Fire outplayed them for the first 155m of the series, and held on the last 25m. A near run thing. Next week they take on the winner of the N.Y. / New England series. The first game was 0-0 in New York. New England- methinks - will advance and set up yet another playoff match between the two teams. This mite be the sixth time in the last seven years that the Fire has to play N.E. At this point, MLS is as incestuous as both the early NHL and the NHL of the 80’s in that playoff match ups tend to occur year after year after year. The same way the Hawks played the Minnesota North Stars and the Edmonton Oilers year after year after year in the playoffs, it seems the Fire will be playing New England and D.C. endlessly.

The Fire will have a good shot against either possible opponent, although New England is the superior team. I’ve chronicled the Fire’s rise in these pages, and they deserve to be in the final four of the league. The addition of Blanco and Conde and the return of injured players have sparked the team, and they are a legitimate threat to win the title.

see the Hilts review of the first leg of the series

Super Bowl Sunday Part I

The Super Bowl is coming 3 months early this year with this Sunday's game between the unbeaten Patriots at the unbeaten Colts. It may not have the actual hype of the big game, but the match up promises to be better. These two teams have provided the best games of the last few years in the AFC championship, but this preview will definitely live up to the hype.

Both teams are playing as well as they ever have in their histories. Both Brady and Manning are having fantastic years with Brady about to break Manning's records. These offenses score at will and it will probably come down to a key defensive stop or special team play to win the game.
This game will also be a great test of what wins games- good offense or good defense. I'm a believer that a good offense can always beat a good defense- especially with today's offensive complexities.

Another key factor in hyping this game is that the NFC doesn't have a team that is even close to either of these two. Dallas is perhaps the best of the NFC, and the Pats defeated them quite easliy.

We may be fortunate enought to see this matchup aggain in Super Bowl Part II otherwise know as the AFC Championship. The line is Pats by 5. I'll take New England and the points.