Capping College Football: Week Nine Lines

I just finished my college football line creation system and for the most part it’s pretty good. It still definitely needs some tinkering, but I think for the most part it’s offered some nice looks into some possible value bets.

Since there is still such a variance with how much the lines differ by (ranging from .5 – 16.5) most of the games settled in between 1 - 6 so I’m marking the ones larger than 6 as a mistake/in need of fine tuning for something and the one’s less than 4 as games that don’t offer too much value (I did 3 but… there was like a thousand games and I just don’t have that much money, I’m afraid). I’m not necessarily saying the odds makers fudged up these particular games either, I’m just saying that perhaps the games line is skewed a bit to get equal betting on either side (obviously).

All of the games that are in between 4 – 6 points from the overall line I’ve starred as possible value bets. We’ll see how it does – again, this is going to need some fine tuning just like my NFL system, but for the most part it should provide a great little tidbit of extra research for everyone… at least that’s what I’m hoping for. I’m very nice like that! I’m either going to hit the sweet spot with this differential, or I’m going to need to pick games with bigger or smaller differences in the two lines for the coming weeks. We’ll see how it does this week, though.

Before we get into some further discussion, let’s take a look at every single game. That’s right, each and every one. Even the circled ones! Woo-hoo! (The games with three stars are this weeks games with the best potential (hopefully) of offering some value. And by value, I mean helping me/us benefit monetarily.

Auburn @ West Virginia ***

My line: -9.5 / -10

Actual line: -3.5

New Mexico @ Air Force

My line: -3 / -3.5

Actual line: -5.5

Boise State @ San Jose State

My line: +15 / +15.5

Actual line: +7

Texas Tech @ Kansas

My line: -2

Actual line: +1.5

Eastern Michigan @ Ball State

My line: -22

Actual line: -23.5

Northwestern @ Indiana

My line: -3.5 / -4

Actual line: +9.5

Minnesota @ Purdue

My line: EV

Actual line: -1

Cincinnati @ Connecticut

My line: +4

Actual line: -2.5

Boston College @ North Carolina ***

My line: -7 / -7.5

Actual line: -2

Illinois @ Wisconsin ***

My line: -2.5

Actual line: +2.5

Wake Forest @ Miami (FL)

My line: +5.5 / +6

Actual line: -3

Central Michigan @ Toledo ***

My line: +9 / +9.5

Actual line: +3.5

Oklahoma @ Kansas State

My line: +7 / +7.5

Actual line: +19

Kentucky @ Florida ***

My line: -27 / -27.5

Actual line: -23

Baylor @ Nebraska

My line: -13

Actual line: -9.5

Louisiana Tech @ Army

My line: +1.5

Actual line: -2

UNLV @ BYU ***

My line: -16.5 / -17

Actual line: -23

Duke @ Vanderbilt

My line: EV

Actual line: -10

Fresno State @ Utah State ***

My line: +13 / +13.5

Actual line: +18.5

Rice @ Tulane

My line: +5

Actual line: -2.5

Oklahoma State @ Texas ***

My line: -7 / -7.5

Actual line: -12

Georgia @ LSU

My line: +7

Actual line: -1.5

South Florida @ Louisville ***

My line: EV

Actual line: +4

Rutgers @ Pittsburgh

My line: -8

Actual line: -9.5

Virginia @ Georgia Tech

My line: -11 / -11.5

Actual line: -12

Virginia Tech @ Florida State ***

My line: EV

Actual line: -5

UCLA @ California ***

My line: -12 / -12.5

Actual line: -17

North Carolina State @ Maryland ***

My line: -15.5

Actual line: -10.5

Michigan State @ Michigan ***

My line: EV

Actual line: +5.5

Kent State @ Miami (OH)

My line: -9.5 / 10

Actual line: -8

Southern Methodist @ Navy

My line: -14 /-14.5

Actual line: -12

Bowling Green @ Northern Illinois ***

My line: -3 / -3.5

Actual line: -7

New Mexico State @ Idaho

My line: EV

Actual line: +15

Wyoming @ TCU

My line: -17.5

Actual line: -31

Colorado @ Missouri

My line: -12.5

Actual line: -21

Mississippi @ Arkansas ***

My line: EV

Actual line: +4

Texas A&M @ Iowa State

My line: +6 / +6.5

Actual line: -3

Troy @ North Texas

My line: +7.5

Actual line: +24

Middle Tennessee State @ Mississippi State

My line: -12.5

Actual line: -13.5

Florida Atlantic @ Louisiana Monroe

My line: +4

Actual line: +1

Alabama @ Tennessee

My line: +4

Actual line: +6.5

Penn State @ Ohio State

My line: -14.5

Actual line: +1

Southern Mississippi @ Memphis

My line: +4.5

Actual line: +4

Notre Dame @ Washington ***

My line: +7 / +7.5

Actual line: +11

Colorado State @ San Diego State

My line: +4.5

Actual line: +7.5

Oregon @ Arizona State

My line: EV

Actual line: +3.5

USC @ Arizona

My line: +14

Actual line: +14

Nevada @ Hawaii ***

My line: +6

Actual line: EV

UCF @ Tulsa

My line: -8 / -8.5

Actual line: -21

Zee plays:

West Virginia (-3.5) North Carolina (-2) Wisconsin (+2.5) Central Michigan (-3.5) Florida (-23) UNLV (+23) Utah State (+18.5) Oklahoma State (+12) Louisville (+4) Virginia Tech (+5) UCLA (+17) Maryland (-10.5) Michigan (+5.5) Bowling Green (+7) Arkansas (+4) Washington (+11) Nevada (EV)

Note: Yes, I plan on playing all of those games. Probably for about $5 a game, but still – hopefully I can narrow it down after this test week so I’ll be able to bet more on the games. But that’s going to assume that this whole system works so… that actually brings us to our next point:

IMPORTANT NOTE: In the highly off-chance someone read this and was going, “Wow, this kid did a lot of work – I’m going to put a **** load of money on those picks!” please don’t. While I would recommend doing that with my NFL selections, I still don’t know how this college thing is going to shake out… so here, at least, is a warning for you not to try and bet the house on these – which I don’t know why someone would EVER do, but still… there are some strange, strange, people in this world that we live in.

Any remarks, comments, suggestions, disses ect are welcome as always!

10 Things I Think Smell like Shit (10/22/08)

Busy day and a busy night for sports. With the World Series starting tomorrow, there's lots of things that smell like shit...

1. Brett Favre, Backstabber. I have to think this is a lot smaller deal than is being made but: This just wreaks of sour grapes on Favre's fault. If I were a Packers fan, I just don't know what I'd think of Favre anymore...no one is above the colors as far as I'm concerned, not All-Pro, Future Hall of Famers, Stud RBs, GMs or Owners...
2. Same Sports Guy, Same Sports Bullshit. Leave it to Bill Simmons to not even mention the World Series. Is this guy serious? The guy, preping to hop on the NHL/Bruins bandwagon, orders the NHL package on DirectTV but won't mentioned the biggest event in baseball because his favorite team isn't in. Look, this guy's a crock and when the Bruins get good and he hops on the wagon, know that you read it here first. He's full of shit...
3. Pacman's well ahead of the Joneses. An interesting discussion about the treatment of Pacman versus Larry Johnson (Jones, as I've been told) and Matt Jones. Frankly, I've had enough with these chances...Fool me once, shame on you, fool me 14 times...and...uh...well you don't get fooled again. Kaiser Goodell frankly has bumbled the whole thing. I wish he'd step up and set a clear line for all. Clarity has lacked to say the least.
   
4. Daulerio's Faith. Deadspin's editor and chief is a fellow Philly fan. And he's got the confidence all rational Phils fans have...we're fucked.
   
5. Domo arigato Romo. Tony Romo is out until Mid-November. At least he made it clear. Between Jerruh's sketchy trade, a 20 point blowout by the Rams and Romo's gal, its been a weird season for the Cowboys. Oh and T.O. is involved...so they've got that going for them...I love waiting for the Cowboys implosion.
6. Sign that Ref up. Sure you can call out Ed Hochuli all you want, but at least he wasn't this guy. Seriously, how is this guy not also getting death threats...Yeah, Hochuli is...
7. Pick Em? Riiiight. ESPN did their usual pick 'em for the World Series. As of this weekend only one guy (Peter Gammons) picked the Phils. Its up to 3 (out of 10) now, but all the Phillies guys, said Phils in 6 or 7. Of course, they did the same thing for the NLCS...that worked out well, right?
8. Kellen Winslow...not so bad now is he. He's still kinda right. The whole incident just has no winners out of the whole thing. Kellen was being a vindictive bitch, but the Browns hiding the issue has some clear ethical issues as well. I don't like it and it only goes to prove where money talks and bullshit walks.
   
9. A non-stinker, Philly's ideal Celeb. Its Kelly Monaco. And for all those Dancing with the Stars fans, puuuhhhhllleeeassseeee. She was in Playboy before that.
   
10. And this one doesn't stink: Why Can't Us. Seriously, besides the fact that they've embraced the whole grammatically incorrect thing, but its also for a good cause. Order here
    

Its coming...(10/22/08)

I know its mid-day and you're banking on "10 things"...

Its coming, I promise you. I just had to stop at the eye doctor today and they managed to dilate (unnecessary) eyes to the point where my face is ridiculously close to the monitor so I can type this.

But I've been told it will wear off soon enough. Have no fear, the smell of shit will proliferate through BNB soon enough.

*Yawn* Daily "Linkin' Logs" (10/21/08)

And today we enter a relatively dull period in the world of sports. Between now and the start of the World Series tomorrow at around roughly 8pm we have 10 hockey games...

That's it.

It could be a dull period throughout then. Don't get me wrong, I love hockey (even college hockey), but we can only live in the glory of one sport for so long

• Apparently a plane ticket to tampa + a game ticket to the World Series at the Trop + an overnight hotel stay.
• EC Gives us some reasons to hate Rays fans (they have fans?! As in Plural?!)
• While you're there, EC also makes us wonder what's next for Crush...err...Gina Carano.
• AA tells us that the Rays-Sox game 7 was the most watched turd (on cable) ever...
• And just like that, Jack Del Rio is the only suit left in the NFL...
• Quietly, the Pats just look a lot worse. Laurence Maroney is done for the year with a mysterious Belichickian shoulder injury.
• A second team in Toronto (NHL)? Its a nice thought but I enjoyed this quote the most: “Why shouldn't we put another team in the best and biggest market in the world?” - Anonymous NHL Governour. I also believe he said it with a straight face.
  
• Is Red Sox Nation growing complacent?
  
• And Finally, MLBTR gives us Manny Mania! Its only the beginning.
  

Walker-Sports Top 25 Poll:Don't Mess With Texas

Week 8 is in the books, and the Texas Longhorns put their stamp on the college football polls with their beat down of the Missouri Tigers. Elsewhere in the country the ACC proved why it is an average conference at best, Penn State is ready to put their name in the ring for a BCS Championship run. Basically what it comes down to is this is a great season for college football so keep up with your top 25 polls and make sure your favorite team doesn’t get dropped.



1) Texas Longhorns: The Longhorns had a big home game on Saturday night and they did not disappoint. Texas came out swinging against the Missouri Tigers and the Longhorns put on a show for the ages. Colt McCoy is the best playing in college football today, and completing 81% of his passes proves that. The Texas Longhorns may be around for a while.


2) Alabama: Ole Miss just finds a way to mess with peoples heads. They gave Alabama all they could handle on Saturday afternoon. However Nick Saban’s defense showed up and they were strong to hold the fort down. Next week they get to square off against lowly Tennessee.


3) Penn State: Talk about halftime adjustments. I’m not sure who made the speech but it sure worked. Penn State was in a slow tough game with Michigan on Saturday even. Then I ordered a beer, looked up and they were crushing the Wolverines. This is an explosive Penn State offense, when they face Ohio State it will be a game for the ages.


4) Florida Gators: Tim Tebow has willed this team all season and there is no more important time for him to put his mark on the Florida Gators than right now. He may not have the numbers that he put up last season, but you can believe he is every bit as important. The race for the SEC East will be a tight one, but in Tebow we trust.


5) Texas Tech: Just win baby. The Red Raiders keep winning games, and they keep avoiding Big 12 opponents. I feel like they are a boxed who knows they are not a real champion. Despite great talent, I still think this is the fifth best team in the Big 12 and they will exposed shortly.


6) Georgia Bulldogs: This is a team that I just like. They are horrible to gamble with, as we have see in the College Football Pick’em game, but they are a solid squad nonetheless. The Bulldogs are just hanging around and taking care of business. The Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville this year will be huge and you can believe that Walker-Sports will be there.


7) Oklahoma Sooners: Sam Bradford is playing his ass off. He set Oklahoma records for passing yards on Saturday against Kansas. If the Sooners want to get back into the BCS Title hunt, he will need to continue to perform at a high level on the football field. The Sooners have an uphill battle to fight especially with the way Texas is playing. Bob Stoops will need to work extra hard to keep his team focused and sharp going through the rest of the season.


8) Oklahoma State: Mike Gundy has put together a good team. There really is no other way to put it. Add in the fact that Gundy is one of my favorite coaches in college football, and I like OSU. I don’t think they are a BCS team but they are damn good and they are fun to watch.


9) Ohio State: The Buckeyes put an end to all that Michigan State talk last weekend. Now it’s time for them to step back up to the big leagues. OSU has a history of blowing big college football games. The last time the whole nation watch them they were being run out of L.A. by the Trojans. Saturday they have a grudge match against Penn State. The winner will likely get the Big 10, the Rose Bowl and maybe a chance at the BCS Championship. Let’s hope Jim Tressel has learned to coach under pressure.


10) USC: The Trojans proved that Washington State is the worst team in BCS Conference football. 62-0 is beyond embarrassing. The Trojans are a good team and it’s hard to ignore the rumors of them slipping into the backdoor of the BCS Championship. Personally I think that is B.S. If the Trojans make it the BCS Championship and leapfrog a one lost SEC or Big 12 team, then the BCS has failed us once again.


11) Utah: Well BYU is out of the way, and Utah is getting votes in the Harris Poll. This could be their year to make a second run to a BCS game. However, BYU taught us, that staying focused the entire season may not be that easy.


12) Boise State: With Hawaii out of the way, Boise has reclaimed their rightful position atop the WAC. However, this team has grown too big for their own good. Winning the WAC is no long the big accomplishment it used to be, not when you have won a Fiesta Bowl. Boise has their eyes on another BCS trip and they will stop at nothing to get it.


13) LSU: The Tigers seem to follow this formula every year. Lose against good SEC teams, hang around till someone else in conference knocks that team off, and then slip away with an SEC Title and chance at the BCS. Right now it looks like the LSU Tigers are right on schedule.


14) South Florida: The Bulls are a good team in a horrible conference. The Big East should trade in their BCS Spot with a WAC or Mountain West team.


15) Pittsburgh: It’s just strange seeing this team in the top 25. However, good ole Dave may have finally put together a team he can be proud of. Now they just need to make sure they don’t stumble coming down the stretch.


16) BYU: Well they had a good run.


17) Kansas: Sometimes life just isn’t fair. Playing Oklahoma a week after they lost a potential national title. Now that’s just not fair. On the bright side of things, Kansas gave Oklahoma all they could handle and made it a very interesting game.


18) Ball State: Undefeated, no chance at the BCS, but still fun to watch. Chances are you have never seen this team or any team they play on the field but that doesn’t mean they don’t belong on this poll.



19) Missouri Tigers: Chase Daniels is still a very good quarterback, but you won’t be seeing this Missouri Tigers team anytime soon. A trip to the Cotton Bowl is nothing to be ashamed of, really it isn’t.


19) Tulsa: Much like Ball State, this is a college football team most of you have never seen, but do yourself a favor and try to check them out. If nothing else, just watch how they execute their spread offense, one of the best in the country.


20) Georgia Tech: The triple option is alive and well in the south. More importantly quietly the Rambling Wreck has compiled a 6-1 record and has a chance at an ACC title. Saturday they are facing the hottest team in the ACC, Virginia in a game that could have a huge affect on the outcome of the conference.


21) Florida State: The job Bobby Bowden and have done with the Seminoles this season is largely overlooked due to the success Joe Pa is having up at Penn State. What that tells me is no matter where FSU end this football season at, Bowden will be another year just so he cans one up Joe Paterno.


22) TCU: Back in the top 25 for the second time this season. Sounding beating BCS crasher BYU will do that to a team. TCU is solid on defense and they can shut down just about any offense in football.


23) Boston College: Like most of the ACC, Boston College has flown under the radar all year, but they have compiled an impressive 5-1 record. The crowning moment of which was a win at home against Virginia Tech. Boston College now has a chance to control its fate and reach the ACC Title game once again.


24) Minnesota: Talk about one of the great turnarounds in college football. 1-11 last season 6-1 to this point of this season. Some of that is due to cupcake scheduling in the first half of the season. It will be interesting to see how Minnesota holds up against the Big 10 going down the stretch of the season.


25) Northwestern: Two weeks ago, nerdy schools wee all the rage in the top 25, now Northwestern is the lone one remaining. Not surprising considering they are one of the only smart schools to have at least some success on the football field at one time or another.

World Series Entrants Edition Daily "Linkin' Logs" (10/20/08)

And there you have it. Courtesy of a Tampa Bay Rays game 7 win, we'll have a FOX dream ratings World Series...oh wait...no we won't. That being said, this World Series will feature the 5th and 19th largest Metro Areas, as compared to the following: (Teams, Population Ranking by Metro Area, Combined Ranking Score, total population and TV Ratings (average per game)):

• Year - AL Entrant (Pop. rank) Vs. NL Entrant (Pop. Rank) - Combined Pop. Rank - Total Combined Pop. - Average Rating per Game.
  
• 2000 - New York Yankees (1) Vs. New York Mets (1) - 2 - 19,000,000 - 12.4 (*Only One Metro Area*)
  
• 2001 - New York Yankees (1) Vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (13) - 14 - 23,000,000 - 15.5
  
• 2002 - Anaheim Angels (2ish) Vs. San Francisco Giants (12) - 14 - 17,000,000 - 11.9
  
• 2003 - New York Yankees (1) Vs. Florida Marlins (7) - 8 - 24,000,000 - 12.8
  
• 2004 - Boston Red Sox (10) Vs. St. Louis Cardinals (18) - 28 - 7,000,000 - 15.9
  
• 2005 - Chicago White Sox (3) Vs. Houston Astros (6) - 9 - 15,000,000 - 11.2
  
• 2006 - Detroit Tigers (11) Vs. St. Louis Cardinals (18) - 29 - 7,000,000 - 10.1
  
• 2007 - Boston Red Sox (10) Vs. Colorado Rockies (21) - 31 7,000,000 - 10.7
  
• 2008 - Tampa Bay Rays (19) Vs. Philadelphia Phillies (5) - 24 - 9,000,000 - N/A
  

The average ratings for the World Series are roughly 12.6 with the top ratings getters being the 2001 Series, which went 7 games and happened just after 9/11 (in New York no less) and the 2004 Series which featured the cursed yet Historic Boston Red Sox. As you can see in 2007, a curseless Sox (with roughly the same home viewership) is a stagnant Series at best. If you remove those outliers (which we are deeming fair, since a Yankees - Mets and Yankees- Marlins series each brought in numbers above 12) you get 11.5, not such a lofty number for this year's World Series, which features a top 5 population (and media market). Perhaps this isn't quite the boondoggle Fox is predicting

or maybe they're just morons.

• Jerruh is back...would you want to be in that lockerroom?
• Brad Lidge is glad he lost the All-Star Game?
• Do you think Lou Holtz referenced Hitler because...I dunno...he knew the guy?
• AGM's Davis21Wylie scouts the Southeast in the NBA
• The Yankees will help...if you're good
• And finally, via PFT, Brett Favre...helping the Lions?
  

Thursday Evening "10 Things I Think Smell Like Shit" (10/16/08)

With the Phils spectacular win and my job requiring, I don't know, some work, I wasn't able to post yesterday. But feat not, 10 Things... was still kept. Let's see what's stinkin' today

1. T.J. Simers hackismo. If you didn't know, T.J. Simers is a pathetic excuse for a writer at the L.A. Times (which is really saying something, they also employ Bill Plaschke), who has taken to bashing the hell out of Philly, declaring, amongst other things, that the pissed off fan base doesn't deserve a winner. Subsequently, he's been subjected to numerous blogging banter that is frankly living up the the Angryville name Simers provided. This fraud of a writer now experienced some real fanship. The Dodgers got whupped 4-1 in a series and Philly fans watched as their L.A. counterparts arrived after the 1st and left before the 8th. Topping that, videos have surfaced of fraudulent L.A. fans douchebagging it up. Simers response for the poor attitude in L.A.? "I was afraid of this, knowing some folks born in Philly have probably moved here and become Dodgers fans over the years. The thing is, you just can't take the Angryville out of them, which obviously explains all the problems in Dodger Stadium."
   
2. Too Much Champagne. Discussions have been abound on the internet (and some popular sports writers) regarding champagne celebrations throughout MLB. For some, its been an all out celebration for each step. Some are more subdued then others, but frankly they're all too much. Winning your division? Sure pop the cork and have a few minutes of fun. But Division Series and Championship Series victories mere weeks apart? Just crack a cold one. I understand a young team like the Rays grasping at each chance, but teams like the Red Sox or even the Phillies need not apply...they've taken these steps, no need to celebrate your next business trip.
3. Obama's Delay. And here's praying for a sweep. Barack Obama will preempt FOX pregram for Game 6 of the World Series to provide Barack Obama with a 30 minute ad for his run at the Oval Office. I prefer my sports with politics (on the sideline). The RNC is protesting such a move...because they didn't think of it first. Frankly, the whole thing makes me sick.
   
4. Wait, We're Still Talking About Favre? And you don't care. And you shouldn't. ESPN is now debating who got the best of the Favre deal; after 6 weeks of the season. Apparently nothing else is going on.
5. Pacman is back...man. As I'm sure you heard earlier this week. Pacman was back to his old tricks. He's done with chances as far as I see it. No matter what you do for the guy, he doesn't get it. I say, let him walk.
   
6. Wow Whitlock. Even for a hater, its impressive when KC Star's Jason Whitlock gets one right. Scoop just can't get it right...and he's not helping anyone.
   
7. Don't Cap Mr. Penn. The rumors were out that once high seated William Penn was to be fitted with a Phillies cap. Mr. Penn has already been covered with a cap in 1993 and a Flyers Jersey in 1997, but fear of curses squashed that, thinking it was the cause for both losses. Turns out, as a result of the Eagles and Sixers runs, there's no such curse. But Mayor Michael Nutter isn't taking any risks. No Cap.
8. Pessimism? If you've talked to a Phillies fan lately, you know s/he's pretty happy. But as happy as they seem, they know it doesn't mean squat. Don't act like they haven't won shit yet, they've done better than you, unless your a Sox fan (and even then, you've got a few hours at most). You say you're a Rays fan? Bullshit. So let the Philly guy get back to pessimism himself, he doesn't need your help.
   
9. Simmons back to form. Its true, I gave Bill Simmons a sweetheart article not too long ago. I was wrong, he's back to form and the typical bullshit about basketball and him being better than you. Stop Reading him...please
   
10. And This One Doesn't Stink: God Bless Uncle Charlie. You may think its pretty tough for the old fella to push through a few games of tough NLCS baseball to make it, but frankly, I think for good ole uncle Cholly it was the best medicine. Charlie Manuel lost his mother last week. I sympathize with that (though I've never experienced anything like that). I'm sure it weighed on Charlie's heart and I imagine there were times he would have preferred to go home. But that game, those guys in the clubhouse and perhaps the thought of doing what he loved...what his mother would have wanted, made it just a little bit easier.
    

Elevator? No Thanks, I'll Take the Stairs - Daily "Linkin' Logs" (10/14/08)

It wasn't like I knew. It was around 11pm last night, the Dodgers willing themselves to as 5-3 lead and me resigning myself to the 2-2 series tie, knowing the onslaught of Simers and Plaschkes telling me how they knew the Dodgers could do it. The tough love of Boston fans around me who say they are "rooting" for the Phillies (if only to be, as they believe, the sacrificial lamb to their beloved Sox...more on this later).

A quiet Ryan Howard single breathed little life into the scenario, down 2 in the eighth. Cory Wade arrives to promptly retire Pat the Bat. 2 outs and the game, almost essentially rests on the shoulder of the littlest man, Shane Victorino

And with another blast, Vic's ascension to the thrown, perhaps above recently former centerfielder Aaron Rowand and maybe, just maybe above the last playoff centerfielder (to win a game) Lenny Dykstra.

Or maybe Victorino, like many before him and frankly, many of us, is just happy to be there, happy to be doing what he does, happy to be a major leaguer this close to the biggest stage in baseball.

Victorino breathed life and then Carlos Ruiz pumped the chest. A quiet single by the man FOX nicknamed "Cooch" lead to another 2 out baserunner. And up stepped another no-name hero. Matt Stairs, the former Blue Jay, odd kind of acquisition you think might help you win a September game or two provided an October blast for the ages. Unlike Vic's eaking of a homer, Stairs Dinger was a no-doubter, the kind of blast in October that a city will walk about for years.

The kind that makes you think, maybe this is it?

On the other side of the country, Boston was a different kind of atmosphere. After receiving the news that Josh Beckett claims he is ok, the rumors are swirling that he is not. And its bad. Then Sox fans had the pleasure of watching their newly minted ace, Jon Lester, get smacked around by their division rival and ALCS opponent. And now the Sox's hope rest on the shoulder of the 5-2 ALCS knuckleballer, Tim Wakefield. When he's on, he's on and when he's off...well, warm up the pen. The Sox will try to keep pace tonight. If Wakefield falters, you can say goodnight Irene.

• Bill Plaschke and T.J. Simers look for excuses, while Bill Shaikin thinks they just screwed up.
• On the other side of the country, Sam Donnellon talks about Vic the Villain, And Mike Jensen talks about Matt Stairs moment in the lime lights of L.A.
• Tony Romo will be out for 1 month with a broken pinkie. Its either Brad Johnson or Brooks Bollinger. Yeah, its pretty funny.
  
• Giants pummeled by the Browns...wow
• SSReporters is pissed and thinks you broadcasters could learn a thing or two...or three...or four
• AwfulAnnouncing's got the battle a-brew-ing between Mike Wilbon of PTI and David Scott of Scott's Shots. Was Kimbo's fight fixed. Is MMA even real?
• Over the next 6 hours, we'll note the fate of Tony Gonzalez...and frankly, its gonna be weird
  
• And finally, thefightins picked up on something I read in the Donnellon article above (but I'll give them credit, because they made a blog post before me). Matt Stairs talks about the Phillies Clubhouse culture.