Football variety: Super Bowl edition
Welcome, everyone, to Super Bowl Weekend. We have a lot to discuss so let's get down to it.
NBA SNIPPETS
- The New Jersey Nets are 4-43. No need for me to make a joke.
- Kobe Bryant has become the career point's scorer for the Lakers. Becomes uber impressive when you consider that Magic Johnson, Jerry West, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have played as Lakers. What else has Kobe done that they didn't? He raped a girl.....so there's that.
MARCH MADNESS
It's all but for certain that the NCAA tournament will expand to either 68 or 96 teams next year. If its 68, then four games would be added to the current format, but if it is 96 then something like 31 games would be added. The 96 scenario is too much. You would be letting everyone with a .500 or winning record in. Also, how are they doing this but will not even hear out a football playoff scenario?
BIG TEN
Now, take this with a grain of salt, being as how I have already heard that Missouri was joining the Big Ten: Pitt seems to be the new leader for the 12th spot in the Big 10. A good source has told me that its already a done deal and that an announcement should be coming by the end of the week. It would actually work pretty well since Pitt is directly in between Ohio St. and Penn St. The Big 10 could go back to the old Thursday/ Saturday road games. Play Pitt on Thursday and drive up to Penn St. and play them on Saturday. At any rate, we will know by the end of the week.
Update: The Big Ten is denying this.
Just yesterday (for me), Wisconsin knocked off Michigan St. by 18 points. That's not even close. They also injured Spartan leading scorer Kalin Lucas, who suffered an ankle injury. It's unknown how long he will be out but this deals a huge blow to M State. If he is out for the season or even for just a small time they will suffer, especially on the road. Them dropping another two games is highly likely and that will open up the door for Illinois, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Ohio State. This will easily become a wide open race. The real test will come Saturday. Michigan State will travel down to good ol' U of I and take on the Illini on national television for ESPN's College Gameday. All of the Big Ten will be watching to see what kind of condition the Spartans will be in as it could make for an interesting February.
MMA
UFC 109 Relentless is this weekend. Anytime they give the event a name that doesn't include anyone who's fighting in it, you know the card will be suspect. Randy Couture will take on Mark Coleman in what is basically a Hall of Fame match. These are two of the oldest men and longest running fighters in MMA today. BORRING. Neither of these men will compete for a championship again and they are both only slightly younger then my father. I respect them...but I would respect them more if they'd retire with some dignity. Matt Sera and Frank Trigg will face each other in one of the other fights. Neither of these men will ever be contenders again and the only reason people remember Sera is because he got lucky in his fight against St. Pierre.
There is a little saving grace though and that will come in the form of two fight between up and comers. Mike Swick vs. Paulo Thiago and Demian Maia vs. Dan Miller will have my undivided attention. The four have a combined seven losses (Main eventer Couture has 10) and 48 wins. Anyone of these men could be fighting for a title by the end of the year and will both make for exciting fights.
NFL SNIPPETS
- Kurt Warner and his amazing comeback story (wank wank) have officialy retired. Told you so.
- Rex Ryan (Jets coach) flicked off a camera at last weekend's Strikeforce (Diet UFC) event in Miami. He has now "officially" apologized for it. Really, is that neccisary? These must be the same people who are aghast at the people who drink beer at a Nascar race.
- The NFL will be Salary Cap-free next year. This means teams won't have to cut good players to free up space; the bad news is that whenever a new cap is signed in a year or two a lot of players will have to take a huge pay cut and the free agent market will be insane.
- The Pro Bowl is a joke. Some thirty-something players elected to not play and the ones who did showed no effort.
- Mike Martz has an impossible task in front of him. He takes over as Bears Offensive Coordinator with no draft picks in the first two rounds and a quarterback that just isn't living up to his potential. Cutler is no Warner, but Martz has showed genius before so it will at least be an interesting clusterfuck.
SUPER BOWL SPORTSBOOK
Colts -6
Saints +6
Over/Under 57
Both Quarterbacks have been stacking points all season, especially Brees. The Saints are loaded with recievers on offense. Each man would be a star on any other team but with the Saints they are just another piece of the puzzle. Back in '09, seven different people caught 35 passes or more from Brees and 10 had TD catches; that's a staggering number. This postseason Brees also has yet to commit a turnover. The Colts rely more on a smaller set. Not to take anything away, they are a very good set and with a QB like Manning all you have to do is be where you are supposed to be because the ball definitely will.
Both defenses take a back seat to the offense. The Saints defense was outgunned by about 200 yards against Minnesota two weeks ago. That's actually more of a testament to the power of their ofeense to still pull off the win. This - 200 yards is a big deal considering Manning is coming off a killing of the Jets, the number one defense Jets. The Jets hadn't allowed a 320 yard passer all season, Manning threw for 377, and hadn't allowed a 420 yard day all season: Colts had 461. The Colts defense the last half the season was so-so. They havnt had to put up with a test like Brees all season so its hard to guess how they will do.
Straight up I think the Colts win it.
When it comes to the spreadi am not too sure. If you have the ability to buy a point and make it a +7 then you should take the Saints. I guess even at +6 you should still take the Saints and the points.
The over/under is going to be tricky. Both QB's are explosive and the last couple superbowls have been in the 40's for total. Ill say take the Over 57.
Final score prediction: Saints 28 Colts 34.
With that being said I hope the Saints win.
SPORTSBOOK
Randy Couture over Mark Coleman: Nursing Home Duel.
Nate Marquardt over Chael Sonnen: This one could actually be a surprise. Nate is an amazing fighter but few people have heard of Chael. He is actually really good.
Demian Maia over Dan Miller: Miller is starting to look washed up.
ISU girls over U of I girls: I was surprised too but it's true.
Hurt Locker over The Field: Oscar Race for best Picture.
Most Recent Sports Comments
Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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Most Recent Comments
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.