Great Weekend of Football

What a great weekend of college and NFL football. Looking forward to having football take my mind, albeit temporarily, off the devastation of Sandy on Hoboken, NYC and the tri-state area.

College

LSU v 'Bama - rematch of last years National Championship where 'Bama killed LSU. 'Bama is going into this game ranked #1 and undefeated, LSU is ranked # 5 with 1 loss to Florida. I am taking 'Bama in this game, their D is looking incredible and their QB McCarron is playing great and has far more experience playing big time games than LSU rookie QB Mettenberger. 'Bama is looking good this year but I don't know I would go as far as HC Nick Saban to say they could beat and NFL team, well maybe Kansas City.

Oregon v USC - Going into this season USC was supposed to be the team to beat this year with QB Matt Barkley returning and some of the best receivers in college football. I am not a Lane Kiffin fan so color me happy to see USC struggling as of late and Barkley aka Ken Doll falling out of Heisman talk.  Oregon goes into the game ranked #4 and and 8-0, USC goes into the game ranked #17 and 6-2.
Oregon has pulled their starters early in the last 2 games vs Arizona St and Colorado and still won overwhelmingly. They pulled their starters half way through the 2nd qtr last week vs Colorado and still won 70-14. No one has ever questioned how fast and talented their Offense is, outside the SEC they are the fastest (if not the fastest with DAT) most skilled college team. The knock of Oregon has always been on their Defense. This year their D has really stepped it up and I think it will be the difference in the game this year. I am taking Oregon (in their first real challenge of the year) to beat USC in this game.

Notre Dame v Pitt - Usually I am skeptical about any ND game, but this year things have changed. The #4 ranked team is playing great football on both sides consistently. I do not want to jinx myself and ND, but I am taking ND to beat and unranked Pitt this year. God I hope I am right. Looking forward to watching T'eo put up another Heisman worth performance.

NFL

Giants v Steelers - Gmen look to continue their winning streak versus the Steelers this week. It's a battle of 2 of the best QB's from the 2004 draft class,Manning and Roethlisberger. They have only played 2 times since then, once in their rookie seasons with the Steelers winning 33-30 and again in 2008 where the Giants won 21-14. Manning will be up against the NFL's top-rated pass defense in a Steelers unit that is yielding 182.6 passing yards per game, but a meager pass rush that has only 12 sacks all season. The absence of Polamalu has been big for the Steelers. Hopefully the Giants can get a good running game going. The Steelers offense has looked less than stellar this season as QB and OC Haley have continued to bang heads and not see eye to eye on the direction of the offense. Steelers will be traveling game day to NY as their hotel is still without power due to Sandy and no rooms available elsewhere. I have the Giants winning, but it will be a close game.

Eagles v Saints - Both teams have had better seasons. The Saints seem to have the advantage as they have been playing much better with the return of Vilma and Interim head coach Joe Vitt. The Eagles look like a train wreck as of late. The were decimated last week by the Falcons, looking lifeless and clueless on both sides of the ball. Vicks ball management skills have continued to plague him all season. Some suspected that Reid would bench Vick this week for Nick Fowles but I don't think starting a rookie for his first time on MNF at the Superdome would be the best time to do that. If the Eagles lose this one I suspect more changes will be coming to the coaching staff and starters. Not really sure who I take here, I give the Saints a slight edge, but their D is horrible so maybe Vick has a chance.

Colts v Dolphins - Only thing I am looking forward to in this game is seeing how Andrew Luck and Ryan Tannehill fair vs each other. Two very impressive rookies with a lot to prove. Both teams have been playing well as of late, should be a good game.

Misc.

In other heartbreakng news, My Tebow apparently has a new lady friend Camilla Belle, not sure how I will survive this heartbreak.

Jahvid Best who has not played a game in over a year has officially been ruled for the rest of the season and possibly for his career. Sad what severe head injuries can do.

Giants will be activating Travis Beckum, TE who tore his ACL in the Superbowl for the for this Sunday's game. They made room for him by waiving backup guard Mitch Petrus. Should be interesting what roster moves they make next week when Safety Will Hill returns from his 4 game suspension

That's all for now. Till next time,

Sassy