I’ve been away for a few days … did I miss anything? I know, I know. We’ll talk about that soon. But I’m finally (sorry) updating the blog while on my mini-vacation on Long Island readying for the huge Jets-Patriots matchup tonight on the NFL Network (which, of course, I don’t get in Connecticut … therefore I’m off for a few days.) To all those who have called, e-mailed and texted, I’m completely cool with everything that is going on. I have mixed feelings for sure about a possible close, and that has a lot to do some comments I’ve read on staff writer Steve Collins’ Bristol Blog and another guy who keeps calling the paper saying that karma has caught up to us and then laughs into the phone. We’re going to be putting the recordings of those calls (oh, yeah, there has been at least one a day since the announcement that I know of … not all to me) up soon on the website so everyone can hear it and point out exactly who it is. (It’s a small town, after all). I’m sort of laughing at this because all those haters out there will be getting exactly what they want, and part of me wants them to see exactly what that is. Of course, the haters number just a handful. The true readers and fans are numerous and outnumber those others by a huge number. I’m sorry for those people that will never get to read about their son or daughter in a newspaper ever again, save for maybe (maybe!) a championship game. They will never be Athlete of the Week or Athlete of the Year. They will never be part of Bob Montgomery’s Insider column. No more Battle for the Bell coverage. They will play sports in a vacuum where only parents and a few close friends will know about it. It would be a sad thing.Now, on to College GameDay Rewind:
My Saturday: 3-4 (spread); 5-2 (overall); 0-1 (upset picks)
My Season: 41-34-2 (spread); 58-19 (overall); 4-4 (upset picks)
My Money: UP $360 (season)
Craig's Saturday: 3-4 (spread)
Craig's Season: 35-40-2 (spread)
Craig's Money: DOWN $900 (season)
No. 12 Ohio State -11 at Northwestern
My Pick: Ohio State 28, Northwestern 14
Actual Score: Ohio State 45, Northwestern 10
The day started out great for both of us on Saturday afternoon as Ohio State rolled to an easy win at Northwestern. It was probably the first easy win of the season for the Buckeyes, who may have played their way into a BCS bowl game with the victory. Michigan, by the way, beat Minnesota 29-6 for the Little Brown Jug at the same time. The Michigan game was on ESPN, while the Ohio State game was on ESPN2. Why does that matter? Just thought it was interesting to see how others judge the pull (or lack thereof) of OSU.
No. 6 Oklahoma -27.5 at Texas A&M
My Pick: Oklahoma 56, Texas A&M 21
Actual Score: Oklahoma 66, Texas A&M 21
Is there a better offense in the nation than Oklahoma? If there is, I’d love to see them, because what the Sooners have done this season is truly remarkable. Oklahoma put up 66 points on the road to easily cover the huge spread and make a winner out of GameDay. Craig went with the points and A&M to drop to 1-1 early. It’s too bad Oklahoma is idle this coming weekend because it would be an easy pick and win.
No. 1 Alabama -3.5 at No. 15 LSU
My Pick: LSU 28, Alabama 27
Actual Score: Alabama 27, LSU 21 (OT)
This one really, really hurt because if the Tigers don’t block the field goal at the end of regulation, Alabama wins and LSU covers the spread. Now, that doesn’t mean I was hoping for the kick to be true, because I cheered when LSU knocked it down. But then the Tigers throw a pick and Alabama busts into the end zone a short time later to take a six-point victory in overtime. It was a case of rooting for the upset pick rather than the spread win. That’s bad mojo, and it bit me. I’m 2-1 on the day, while Craig is 1-2.
Clemson +4 at No. 24 Florida State
My Pick: Florida State 23, Clemson 20
Actual Score: Florida 41, Clemson 27
It was 20-17 Florida State at the half, but Clemson could get no closer. FSU kept the pressure on, even after Clemson cut the lead to seven with two minutes to go. The Seminoles punched in a score just 11 seconds after that. Two straight losses headed to the night games for GameDay. Craig wins with FSU to even us up at 2-2 each.
Cincinnati +6.5 at No. 20 West Virginia
My Pick: West Virginia 34, Cincinnati 14
Actual Score: Cincinnati 26, West Virginia 23 (OT)
West Virginia made a big comeback to send the game to overtime, but Cincinnati won it with a touchdown in the first extra period. Not much to say, other than this was a pathetic loss for the Mountaineers. And why was I picking a game that was ESPNU? We both lose this one.
No. 5 Florida -24 at Vanderbilt
My Pick: Florida 40, Vanderbilt 20
Actual Score: Florida 42, Vanderbilt 14
Vanderbilt scored a touchdown in the fourth to pull within 28, but that was that. GameDay is 2-4 on the day. Craig went with Vandy as well and he drops to 2-4.
No. 8 Oklahoma State +5.5 at No. 2 Texas Tech
My Pick: Texas Tech 31, Oklahoma State 17
Actual Score: Texas Tech 56, Oklahoma State 20
Texas Tech scored 14 points in each quarter to show the nation that it is indeed for real this season. I said it last week, and I’ll say it again, Texas Tech should be the No. 1 team in the nation. Both Craig and I end on a winning note to pull in with 3-4 records. Not good, especially considering GameDay’s 2-0 start. Still, it’s always good to end with a win.
3 comments:
SO you saying the Waterbury Republican or the Courant won't cover the Battle for the Bell?
Or a blog?
Of course, we know the answer. No. I hope someone rescues the 2 papers.
Brad, there is no doubt in my mind that the only people who suffer from those papers closing are the kids. People can bash those papers all they want, but you and I both know that local sports coverage won't be the same for those kids.
I feel for the kids in the New Britain/Bristol area who deserve their kudos too, and won't get them should the papers shut down.
The Waterbury paper definitely won't cover the game, and the Courant probably won't either (they barely have the staff to cover local games in and around Hartford, let alone Bristol). Everyone can still, at the least, look forward to the Press' coverage of the game this year.
Tiffany, you're right. These local student-athletes will now get the same treatment I got playing high school sports on Long Island - maybe a line or two in the "local" newspaper, which for me was Newsday and for these kids will now be the Courant.
But it ain't over till it's over.
And, how about them Jets!
Post a Comment