Sports Blog

After grinding out 162 regular season games and nine playoff games, the New York Yankees finally punched their ticket to the World Series Sunday night with a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. It will be the Yankees first trip to the big dance since 2003 when they lost to the Florida Marlins in six games. Although they have struggled sealing the deal this decade, the Yankees history is quite illustrious. This marks the 40th time they have won the American League pennant and a win over the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series would be their 27th time winning it all.

Of course, the Phillies will more than put up a fight to defend their World Series crown. The match up features some of the best pitchers in the game (Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, CC Sabathia, Mariano Rivera, etc.) as well as some of the leagues’ premier hitters in Ryan Howard and Alex Rodriguez. Game one is scheduled Wednesday in New York at a time to be determined.

Other baseball news: The Yankees victory over the Angels and subsequent berth in to the World Series was not the only piece of interesting baseball news over the weekend. After much debate in St. Louis over whether or not manager Tony La Russa would return to the club next year, it was announced that he and management agreed to a one year deal for 2010 that includes a mutual option for 2011. However, the real buzz surrounding the agreement was word that the Cardinals will be replacing hitting coach Hal McRae with a former slugger most recently known for his refusal to speak about the past during a Congressional hearing on steroids. That slugger is none other than Mark McGwire, who was coached by La Russa during his time with the Cardinals and Oakland Athletics.

College football: For those of you (like me) who do not like the BCS and desperately want to see a playoff system implemented, the storm clouds have started to brew with the most recent set of BCS rankings. The top four teams in the current standings — Florida, Alabama, Texas and Iowa — are all undefeated and barring an upset, three of those teams will likely end the season that way. A one-loss USC team comes in at number five and is followed by another set of undefeated teams in TCU, Boise State and Cincinnati. Even if only half of these top-eight teams win out we are looking at plenty of BCS drama and will hopefully move one step closer to a playoff system.

NFL: After seven weeks of play there are still three undefeated teams (Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, and New Orleans Saints) attempting to join the 1972 Miami Dolphins in the NFL history books. The Dolphins ran the table that year and remain the only team to have ever completed a perfect season. The field was nearly trimmed down to two teams this week as the Saints struggled against, ironically, the Dolphins. The Saints found themselves down 34-24 at the end of the third quarter but scored 22 unanswered points in the fourth to secure the victory.

What do you think was the biggest story of the weekend? What are you looking forward to the most this week? Let us know in the comments section below.

This was a great weekend for college football! The weekend was full of great upsets and match-ups and it’s weekends like these that remind us why we miss football during the off-season. It seems like every week now top 10 teams are just taking turns losing to unranked teams. This weekend four teams in the Top 10 went down creating some chaos in the rankings. The first team to go down was Ole Miss. Ranked #4 for the first time in a while the Rebels couldn’t live up to the hype and pressure. They were shut down by a good South Carolina defense in a sloppy 16-10 loss. This brought talk of why they were even ranked that high in the first place, which was mainly because of other Top 10 teams losing. The next victim to fall was Cal. Cal had a tough game on the road against an inspired Oregon team wearing some interesting throwback. Let’s just say Oregon is living up to it’s reputation for having the craziest jerseys every week. I mean they have a ton of different combinations. Well back too the game where I guess the unies did work cause they absolutely demolished Cal 42-3. This was a complete turn around form the opening season loss and it looks like they are now a team on the rise.

At the same time Cal was getting killed another Top 10 team was also no faring as well. There was a lot of hype surrounding the Miami program after two straight wins over teams in the Top 25. Everyone was saying The U was back. Well they got a rude awakening for Virginia Tech getting smashed 31-7. It is a disappointing loss that they will have to get over quickly cause the have to play Oklahoma next week. After all of this happened during the day the final Top 10 team lost at night. # 5 Penn St. was looking forward to this game since last year when Iowa beat them to end their undefeated season. Well they are going to have to wait another year cause Iowa pulled of the upset again 21-10. Next weekend should be just as good as there are some huge match-ups. Some notable games are Cal vs. USC, Miami vs. Oklahoma, LSU vs. Georgia

Ever been so disappointed in your team’s performance that you felt ripped off and wanted your money back for attending the game? I know I have, but I have never thought to send a letter to the head coach about it. Well a fan from Oregon did so after a disappointing loss to open the season at Boise St., in where the now infamous punch from star running back LeGarrette Blount got him suspended for the season, and received a check in the mail signed by the coach. Tony Seminary, an Oregon Alumnus from the Portland area, made the trip to Boise and was so unhappy that after the game he sent an email to coach Chip Kelly, with an attached invoice for $439 in travel expenses.

According to the website everydayshouldbesaturday.com the email message was this,” The product on the field Thursday night is not something I was at all proud of, and I feel as though I’m entitled to my money back for the trip.” Chip Kelly then responded to the email with “What’s your address?” A couple days later after giving his address Seminary received a check for $439 in the mail signed by Kelly. He was so impressed by this gesture that he returned the check with a thank you note, instead of cashing it. Seminary said he was speechless when he saw the check and had this to say about the coach, “I think of Coach Kelly as a totally different person now. I have a different bond with him now. … Let’s just say he lost every game as an Oregon coach. You would never hear me calling for his head. It just wouldn’t happen. The guy showed an incredible amount of class.” This is a very cool story I just have to wonder how many fans are now going to try this after a loss now? And if they do get a check would they cash it, instead of sending it back?

With the NCAA Football season days away from kickoff, it’s time to gear up for the season.  Get a team jersey of your favorite school for a great price at Smarter.com.  Whether your going to the game or watching it at home, do so in style.  There is nothing like walking around in it with pride after a big win!  Here are some team’s all for under $60:

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adidas UCLA Bruins #4 True Blue Replica Football Jersey - $54.95

Nike Texas Longhorns #12 Burnt Orange Replica Football Jersey - $60.00

Nike Ohio State Buckeyes #2 White Replica Football Jersey - $60.00

Find coupons for FootballFanatics.com here.

Find more football college team jerseys at Smarter.com.

10. Oregon Vs. Boise St., Sept. 3
The 2009 College Football season opens up on the blue turf. It puts two teams in the top 20 together for a Thursday night classic. Last year this game was very entertaining with lots of offense and Boise pulling out the win. This season looks to be more of the same, with Oregon looking for some revenge.

9. Alabama vs. Virginia Tech, Sept. 5
After the Thursday night opener there are some big games on the opening Saturday. Alabama vs. Virginia Tech is one of the best that day. It pits two teams in the top 10 with National Championship aspirations. A loss on opening week could all but ruin that. But a win could jump start a good season. Alabama did that last year with a win against Top 10 Clemson to start the season, and went undefended till they meet Florida in the SEC Championship game. It was still a very successful season.

8. Tennessee vs. Florida, Sept 19
This game will be good just to see how new coach Lane Kiffin fares in his first game against Florida. He didn’t waste anytime making enimies in the SEC but especially with Florida, who he said he couldn’t wait to beat this season. That is going to be a very tough task and this game could get out of hand in the second half. It will be a good rivalry to watch in the future.

7. Georgia vs. Oklahoma St., Sept 5
Another big game to start the season, this one could be the most entertaining of all. It’s going to be good offense (Okla St) vs. good defense (Georgia). It should be a great game with both teams thinking National Championship this season.

6. USC vs. Cal, Oct. 3
Cal is looking to take USC’s crown this season and it looks like there best shot in years. USC has a lot of new players in key positions to break in but you know the guys are still talented. Can they survive a road game at Cal. We will see.

5. USC vs. Notre Dame, Oct. 17
Another team looking to knock USC off when they appear weaker, Notre Dame is looking for a good season and a win against USC will be perfect. The schedule is a lot easier for Norte Dame so a win could make them a Top 10 season by the end of the season.

4. Ohio St. vs. Penn St., Nov 7
This Big Ten rivalry will have National Championship and Conference Championship hopes on the line. Penn St and Ohio St are the class of the Big Ten so this game will be huge. Winner will probably go to the Rose Bowl.

3. LSU vs. Florida, Oct. 10
This is probably the best chance for Florida to lose this season. There schedule is really easy but a slip up here could ruin their repeat hopes.

2. USC vs. Ohio St., Sept 13
Last year everyone picked this game as the game of the year, the only problem is that only one team showed up, USC. It was a huge blow out with USC winning 35-3. Ohio St. to say the least will be looking for some big revenge. It should be a very good game with Ohio St. being home and both being in the Top 10. Will USC’s inexperience hurt them this year? We will see. This starts the brutal road schedule off.

1. Oklahoma vs. Texas, Oct 17
Possibly the game of the year last year will be even bigger for these two hated rivals. This game will have everything Two ultra-star heisman candidate quarterbacks and a place in the National Championship possibly on the line. This game will be super hyped and possibly one of the most hyped games of the decade. I think it will live up to the hype.

The A.P. has released the preseason top 25 to start the 2009 season. In the top 10 the SEC (South Eastern Conference) and the Big 12 both have three teams, tied for most among conferences. Next is the Big 10 with two (Ohio St., Penn. St.), and followed by the PAC 10 (USC) and the ACC (Virginia Tech) with one. Here is a breakdown of the Top 10 teams this year:

1. Florida , SEC
Returning Starters: Off: 6, Def: 11
Star: Tim Tebow, QB
With former Heisman Tim Tebow back for his senior season and a full 11 starters returning on defense it’s no wonder that defending champ Florida is ranked #1 to start the season. Some people believe that this could be one of the best teams in college football history, and it’s tough to argue with a team with so much speed on both sides of the ball. Like most SEC teams, Florida does not play a very tough out of conference schedule. They also don’t have to play Alabama or Mississippi in the regular season making their back-to-back championship dream a real possibility.

2. Texas, Big 12
Returning Starters: Off: 7, Def: 7
Star: Colt McCoy, QB
Last years Heisman runner-up Colt McCoy and Texas have a lot to prove this year. Last year Texas was left out of the National Championship to Oklahoma even though they beat them earlier in the year. Even Worse is McCoy lost out to Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford in the Heisman race making Texas fans even more mad. It’s safe to say that this years game is going to be very entertaining. Texas plays an easy non-conference schedule, so their main challenges come in conference play. They have to play fellow top 10 Oklahoma and Oklahoma St., two games that could determine the National Title.

3. Oklahoma, Big 12
Returning Starters: Off: 5, Def: 8
Star: Sam Bradford, QB
While Texas wants revenge on them, Sam Bradford and Oklahoma want another chance at Florida. They have the talent to get back there, but have a lot tougher schedule. Their non-conference schedule includes BYU and @ Miami. That just adds to the tough games they will play in conference.

4. USC, PAC 10
Returning Starters: Off: 9, Def: 3
Star: Taylor Mays, S
Every year USC can play for the National Title, it seems, if they would stop losing to conference opponents. They are always very talented, but this year they have to replace a lot at linebacker and QB. They also have a very tough schedule playing @ Ohio St., @ Notre Dame, @ Cal, @ Oregon. That might be to hard for them to overcome with a first year starter at QB.

5. Alabama, SEC
Returning Starters: Off: 4, Def: 8
Star: Julio Jones, WR
Alabama had a dream season going till the finish took all the steam out. Back-to back loses to Florida the Utah will do that to you. Alabama wants to be in the SEC championship facing Florida and they have the conference schedule to do it. The only conference game that have to worry about is winning @ Ole Miss. They open up with Virginia Tech so that will be a good one.

The Rest of the top 10 follows:

6. Ohio St., Big 10
Returning Starters: Off: 4, Def: 7
Star: Terrelle Pryor, QB
Key Games: USC, @ Penn St., @ Michigan

7. Virginia Tech, ACC
Returning Starters: Off: 8, Def: 7
Star: Tyrod Taylor, QB
Key Games: Alabama, Nebraska, Miami, @ Georgia Tech

8. Mississippi, SEC
Returning Starters: Off: 6, Def:8
Star: Jevan Snead, QB
Key Games: @ South Carolina, Alabama, LSU

9. Penn. St., Big 10
Returning Starters: Off: 5, Def: 4
Star: Daryll Clark, QB
Key Games: @ Michigan, Ohio St.

10. Oklahoma St., Big 12
Returning Starters: Off: 7, Def: 6
Star: Dez Bryant, WR
Key Games: Georgia, Texas, @ Oklahoma

This week in news and sports blogs around the Net:

• Jason Elam release his new book, “Monday Night Jihad” - Sports by Brooks
• One writer upset doctor didn’t screw up Dick Vitale’s surgery - The Sports Hernia
• The best and worst of the College Bowl Games - Rumors and Rants
• Top Ten Baseball Degenerates - Yankees Chick
• Top 7 players on Mitchell Report whose fame has changed - Joe Sports Fan
• Woman arrested for flashing the jumbotron at a Grizzlies game - Awful Announcing

YouTube - Watch 

And in Smarter Sports we talked about:

• NFL Fantasy Stats of the Week
• “Don’t Stop Believin” Tony Romo
• Michael Jordan Laces them up, Practices with Bobcats
• Curt Schilling tells Roger Clemens to Prove Innocence
• Santa Brings the Pain! Kicks Robber While he’s Down

I didn’t get around to posting this yesterday, but this finish is too good to overlook. This Division III team really put to work the phrase, “it ain’t over, till it’s over.”

Check it out.

Source: College Humor

Although the car really does look a bit hideous, you have to give Arkansas running back some credit for doing what he can to spice up what looks to be a Crown Victoria.

Don’t ask me why he lifted it and puts some rims on this pile of metal. Maybe he’s just trying out some new ideas before he starts really getting creative when he makes his millions in the NFL. And I do hope that when MTV Cribs does an episode with him, he lines up this red machine next to his pimped out Escalade.

You should never forget where you came from.

Source: Everyday Should Be Saturday