Coverin' The Spread

An Intuitive Sports Blog Coupled with an Effective and Affordable Pick Service

Why College Football Needs Boise State to Beat Virginia Tech

Sep 3

Posted by CTS in Columns, Football | No Comments

It’s hard to imagine but one half of the BCS title game could be decided on Labor Day. The Boise State Broncos could very well be walking out of FedEx Field Monday night having to simply hold serve the rest of the season to reach Tempe and the national title game.

Following Virginia Tech, the two toughest games left on the Bronco schedule are a home game versus 24th ranked Oregon State and a road match-up in late November at Nevada.

Oregon State, an 8-5 club from a year ago, has to replace its’ offensive leader in first team All-Pac 10 quarterback Ryan Canfield. Behind Canfield in ’09, the Beaver passing attack ranked 27th in the nation, two spots higher than Kellen Moore and the dynamic passing attack of the Broncos.

Now Oregon State must depend on sophomore Ryan Katz to help continue the offensive success the Beavers experienced under Canfield. Tailback Jacquez Rodgers will surely help the first year starter, but I don’t see the offense putting up the kind of points to match a Beaver defense that was 84th overall in pass defense in ’09.

Oregon State has lost four straight September games versus ranked opponents and I fully expect Kellen Moore to exploit the shaky OSU pass defense and win this game handedly on the smurf turf.

The next toughest challenge on Boise States’ 87th ranked schedule comes two months later when the Broncos visit Nevada on November 26th.

The Wolfpack will have an even tougher time than OSU in slowing down Boise’s Heisman candidate quarterback. In ’09, Nevada ranked second to last in the entire NCAA in pass defense giving up 298 yards a game through the air.

Nevada was a 15 point favorite in their Hawaii Bowl finale versus SMU in the Mustangs’ first bowl game in 25 years. Although Nevada was the biggest favorite of the 2009 bowl season, they lost by the largest margin. In that game, Nevada allowed freshman quarterback Kyle Padron to complete 78% of his passes for 460 yards, an SMU record for passing yards in a game.

If a freshman quarterback can light up the Wolfpack defense for 460 yards, I’m sure Kellen Moore will have little problem doing the same.

So once again, if Boise State can go into an extremely hostile environment in front of 80,000+ and defeat a very good tenth ranked Virginia Tech team, they will more than likely be playing for a national title in January.

I am in no way saying that this will be an easy game for Boise State, but did Alabama step into the BCS title game by beating a seventh ranked Virginia Tech team in their opener in Atlanta last season? Absolutely not.

Unlike some critics, I in no way blame the Broncos for this. Boise State has consistently scheduled the best team that would actually play them year in and year out trying to make up for their pathetic WAC schedule. Boise is opening up at Virginia Tech this season and at Ole Miss next season. Neither school is returning the favor and visiting Boise the following year.

This situation is not Boise’s fault. The blame for this lies on the NCAA.

Many people, myself included, feel Boise State has no business playing in the national title game by beating just two top 25 opponents. This number has a great chance to beat cut in half if TCU takes care of business against Oregon State Saturday at Cowboys Stadium.

This would not be a problem if the NCAA had a a playoff.

With a playoff, college football fans would get to see how Boise State does week in and week out against the top programs in the nation.

One game is one game. Anything can happen in one game and that is no way to determine a national champion. College football needs to see these Davids play Goliath in consecutive weeks to see how tall they really stand.

Yes, Boise did win the one BCS bowl game they played versus a BCS opponent. All it took was a fourth and 18 conversion via a hook and lateral on the final play of regulation followed by the statue of liberty play on a two point conversion in overtime for a one point Bronco victory over Oklahoma.

That was one game. What if Boise had to play another top 10 opponent the following week? Would the result be the same? Unlikely.

The rigorous schedules teams in conferences such as the Big Ten and the SEC play, take their toll on a team and every week presents its’ own problems. 11 of 12 SEC schools have a top 50 schedule compared to Boise whose schedule ranks at the bottom of the pack at 87. To throw in TCU for arguments’ sake, the Horned Frogs have the 93rd ranked schedule in college football according to college football guru Phil Steele.

A team like Boise may play two games this season that they could actually lose. A team such as Alabama, Ohio State, or Florida have six or seven games that present possibilities of an “L”. Next, if an Alabama, or an Oklahoma, or a Florida club are fortunate enough to survive their brutal schedule, then they are rewarded with a conference title game versus a team that is likely in or hovering around the top 10.

College football needs Boise State in the national title game. Whether the Broncos pull off another exciting victory such as they did in the Fiesta Bowl in ’08, or they get annihilated by a bigger, faster, stronger BCS school, it doesn’t matter. People outside Idaho will be upset enough either way that it will force the NCAA to think long and hard about a playoff system.

College football has been yearning for an end of the year tournament to decide its’ champion. Every other collegiate champion is determined this way and its’ time for the NCAA to do the same with football. A third trip in four years to Tempe by the Broncos might just be what college football needs to speed up the inevitable.

-scf

WTF of the Week

Sep 1

Posted by CTS in Football, WTF of the Week | No Comments

First, Ray Finkle loses his diamond in Snowflake’s Dolphin tank, now Kendall Langford loses his diamond on the Fins’ practice field.

The third year defensive end from Hampton lost a 2.5 carat, $50,000 diamond earring while practicing Tuesday. The Dolphins halted practice to search for the earring as Langford and teammates got on all fours to search for the rock. Other teammates began to rake the field in search of the buried treasure to no avail. The search was eventually ended when the Dolphins were called in for a team meeting.

Langford’s mistake was good enough to overtake Troy Polomalu’s $1 million insurance policy Head & Shoulders put on Polomalu’s lovely locks for our most recent WTF of the Week. This also overtook Mark Sanchez’s attendance at Justin Bieber’s Wednesday night concert at Madison Square Garden. Two pretty big WTF’s and you beat ‘em out. That a boy Kendall.

Mr. Langford, a little bit of advice: If Ochocinco is buying cubic zirconia earrings to flare himself up, why are you spending 50 G’s on yours? I’m pretty sure that if diamond earrings are too expensive for Ocho, then they are absolutely too expensive for you and your $640,000 a year contract.

Good luck on your continued treasure hunt, Kendall.

The Cuban Missile & The 10 Best Nicknames in Baseball

Sep 1

Posted by CTS in Baseball, Quick Thoughts | 3 Comments

With Aroldis Chapman’s call up to Cincinnati and the big leagues, I loved seeing the “Cuban Missile” take the mound Tuesday night and blow 102 mph fastballs past Brewer hitters. I am also excited that baseball has another great nickname to replace recently retired players Frank Thomas “Big Hurt”, Julio Franco “Father Time”, Orlando Hernandez “El Duque” and Randy Johnson “The Big Unit”.

These are great nicknames that you can only find in the sport of baseball. These are real nicknames. Not just a play on an athlete’s name such as “A-Rod” (Alex Rodriguez), Miggy (Miguel Tejada), or my favorite “B-Weezy” (Brian Wilson).

Aroldis Chapman has only pitched one inning so far in his brief career but that didn’t stop the Cuban Missile from cracking CTS’ most recent Top 10 Countdown. Enjoy.

 

1. Rated R Superstar – Jayson Werth – Originally a nickname for the wrestler Edge, Werth’s resemblance of the WWE star has earned him this gnarly nickname. Much better than Werth’s other nickname, “Werewolf”.

2. Kung Fu Panda – Pablo Sandoval – Nicknamed after the movie, Sandoval could not have a more appropriate nickname with his round body and extreme athleticism. Also nicknamed “Fat Ichiro”.

3. Big Donkey – Adam Dunn – Dunn received this nickname after teammates made jokes about the 290 pounder’s speed. Better to be Big Donkey than “Number 1 Dunner”.

4. Big Puma – Lance Berkman – Berkman was upset with his original nickname “Fat Elvis” telling a reporter “I’m more like a puma so I’m not sure why people call me Fat Elvis”. Ever since, Lance has been Big Puma.

5. The Jay Hey Kid – Jason Heyward – Pretty self explanatory if you happen to know who a guy by the name of Willie Mays is.

6. El Caballo – Carlos Lee – At the start of his career with the White Sox, Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson nicknamed the husky Panamanian “El Caballo” or “The Horse”.

7. Godzilla – Hideki Matsui – Originally a nickname given to him by the Japanese because of skin problems at the beginning of his career, now a suitable nickname for the Japanese sluggers’ monster bat.

8. Flyin’ Hawaiian – Shane Victorino – He’s from Hawaii and he’s fast. Go figure.

9. The Hebrew Hammer – Ryan Braun – Named after Adam Goldberg’s character in “The Hebrew Hammer”, Braun acquired this nickname because of his Jewish heritage and his powerful stick at the plate.

10. The Cuban Missile – Aroldis Chapman – Such as Victorino’s nickname, Chapman hails from Cuba and the radar gun says he throws fast. 105 miles per hour fast. Now Chapman will try to retain this nickname as he tries to help the Reds win the NL pennant for the first time in 20 years.

Honorable Mention: Pudge (Ivan Rodriguez), The Machine & Phat Albert (Albert Pujols), The Freak (Tim Lincecum), O-dog (Orlando Hudson), Big Papi (David Ortiz)

 -scf

Exit Stephen Strasburg, Enter Aroldis Chapman: Reds to Recall Phenom

Aug 31

Posted by CTS in Baseball, Reports | 1 Comment

2010 has undoubtedly been the year of the pitcher. So far this season baseball has seen three no-hitters, two perfect games, and five other no-hit bids have been lost in the ninth inning. Baseball has been introduced to fiery young aces such as Stephen Strasburg, Trevor Cahill, and Mat Latos and now you can add one more to the list.

Today, the Cincinnati Reds are expected to call up left handed Cuban sensation Aroldis Chapman.

Chapman, who defected from Cuba last July, was acquired by the Reds after Cincinnati won a bidding war for the 22-year-old in January.

Since signing a six year deal worth $30.25 million with an estimated $16 million in bonuses, Chapman has been designated to Cincinnati’s Triple-A affiliate Louisville where he has wowed everyone with a nasty slider and a 103 mph fastball.

After struggling with his command as a starter in Triple-A, Chapman was moved to the bullpen where he has consistently overpowered minor league hitters. In 26 relief appearances, Chapman was 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA. In 30 innings out of the bullpen, Chapman has used his triple digit fastball to fan 49 hitters and enters the big leagues with a scoreless inning streak currently at 10.

In Chapman’s final appearance in the minors last Friday, the lefty struck out the side and was clocked at 105 twice. Many believed that the minor league scoreboard was a few digits off the actual speed including a scout in the stands. After the scout changed the battery on his radar gun, assuming it was on the fritz, Chapman rocketed another fastball that once again blew up the radar gun at 105.

Now, Chapman takes his electric fastball to the Cincinnati bullpen as the Reds try to hold on to their six game lead over St. Louis in the NL Central. By calling up Chapman now, the Reds make Chapman eligible for the postseason against lineups that have never seen him before.

Chapman, who competed for the final spot in the Reds starting rotation in the spring, will be in relief duty for Cinci and should give the Reds’ bullpen a much needed boost. Cincinnati’s bullpen currently ranks 21st in the MLB with a 4.18 ERA and both Dusty Baker and GM Walt Jocketty believe Chapman immediately improves the Reds’ pen for a run in October.

“We felt with his stuff, if you shorten the game more he should be successful,” Jocketty said. “That’s why we put him in there for now. We’ll get him back to starting next year.”

If Chapman can continue to have success out of the bullpen and command his 105 mph fastball, National League hitters are in for a long September and baseball fans are in for a must-see October.

-scf

Albert Pujols, Joey Votto, & the X-Factor in the Race for the First Triple Crown in 43 Years

Aug 30

Posted by CTS in Baseball, Columns | 1 Comment

Every few years before the All-Star break, a slugger has a big first half and triple crown talk gives way. By August, a triple crown seems like a distant memory. The hopeful who was likely leading one or two of the three categories in June, has either slumped, been pitched around, or just simply not had the luck required to accomplish this amazing feat.

This season that was Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera, who is currently hitting .342 with 33 home runs and a major league leading 107 RBI’s, hasn’t slowed down one bit since his hot start. He is still being pitched to, still hitting for average, and still cranking the long ball that has allowed him to drive in over 100 runs before the month of September. Unfortunately for Cabrera, Toronto RF Jose Bautista has had a career year and continues to belt bombs at an alarming rate with a major league leading 42 dingers.

That’s the luck part of the equation. If Cabrera played in the National League, he would have a commanding lead in RBI’s, batting average, and would be just three jacks shy of Albert Pujols in the home run category.

Luckily for Albert Pujols, his St. Louis Cardinals are in the NL and he doesn’t have to contend with a Bautista, a Cabrera, or even a Josh Hamilton for the league lead in any such category. Enter Joey Votto.

Votto, who is currently battling the Machine for league MVP and NL Central supremacy, has become a household name in 2010 with his production at the plate. Votto is currently second in the NL in all three triple crown categories and is in striking distance of first in each one. Votto’s .325 average, 32 jacks, and 93 RBI’s are currently .001 behind the NL leader in batting and three dingers and two RBI’s behind Pujols in homers and RBI’s.

For the first time in recent memory, September rolls around with not one, but two legitimate contenders for the first triple crown since Carl Yastrzemski in 1973 and the first NL triple crown winner since Joe Medwick accomplished the trifecta in 1937.

One would be likely to assume that if the triple crown is not accomplished in 2010, it will be simply because one beat out the other in the final category lacking. While this may end up being the case, another player in the National League has a say so in the race for baseball immortality. Not only does this player have a say so, he may actually acquire the whole triple crown for himself.

Who is this third contender in the race for the great triple crown you ask? Say hello to 24-year-old Carlos Gonzalez. In his first full season in the big time, Gonzalez quietly leads the NL in batting with a .326 average while belting 29 home runs and driving in 90 RBI’s for a Rockies club that is battling for the NL Wild Card.

While Cards and Reds fans are fearing that the youngster will win the batting title and prevent their hero from the triple crown, don’t count this kid out of winning the triple crown all on his own. Five RBI’s behind Pujols for the league lead and six behind Albert in homers, it isn’t inconceivable that Gonzalez has a power surge in September and gives both Votto and Pujols a serious run for their money.

With both the Cards and the Reds in a pennant race, Votto and Pujols could see less and less pitches as the season winds down leaving the door wide open for Gonzalez. While six home runs is still a sizable lead for Pujols over Gonzalez in the bombs department, Gonzalez still has 17 games remaining at the launching pad they call Coors Field.

Both Gonzalez and Pujols had their best months of the season in August setting up for a thrilling September. During the month of August, Pujols blasted 12 homers, batted .412, and drove in 24 runs. Gonzalez was not far off pace, leaving the yard nine times while batting .378 and also driving in 24 runs. Votto had a fabulous month of August as well batting .322 with 21 runs driven in, but fell off the home run pace of Pujols sending just five balls out of the park. If Pujols and Gonzalez have the type of month in September that they did in August, baseball could have an extremely intriguing final series as the Rockies visit the Cardinals in the final week of the season.

Albert Pujols, Joey Votto, and Carlos Gonzalez are in a tight race heading into the last month of the season. The Machine, the Canadian, and the youngster are all chasing a feat that hasn’t been achieved in their league in 73 years and in all honesty likely won’t be done this season. But if just one of these players can stay hot, healthy, and acquire the right amount of luck, we could maybe, just maybe, see an epic feat that many of us have never witnessed in our lifetime.

-scf

Early Bird Gets the Champ? Road Blocks to Tempe Come Early for the Tide

Aug 27

Posted by CTS in Columns, Football | 7 Comments

Usually for the Alabama Crimson Tide, the meat of the schedule usually begins the third Saturday of October with a match-up versus the Tennessee Volunteers. After Tennessee, big SEC West match-ups follow with LSU and the annual Iron Bowl match-up versus in-state rival Auburn. These are the games that usually define the Tide’s season. Not this year.

This year the the rebuilding Vols are pushed back to the fourth Saturday of October to make room for the true tests on the Tide’s 2010 schedule. In a span of 29 days the Tide have match-ups versus Penn State, Florida, and trips to Arkansas and South Carolina.

Three of the these four teams are in the top 20 and South Carolina just missed the top 25 finishing fourth among the ”Others receiving votes” in the Associated Press.

Many would believe that LSU or Auburn could give the Tide trouble but don’t count on this happening.

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson returns to lead an LSU offense that totaled less than 4,000 yards in ’09 ranking the Tigers 102nd in the NCAA in total offense. Les Miles chose this off-season to retain offensive coordinator Gary Crowton to the chagrin of many Bengal fans and to the delight of the rest of the SEC.

The buzz down in the Plains in Auburn is all centered around JUCO transfer and former Florida quarterback Cameron Newton. While Newton should be an upgrade at quarterback over Chris Todd, I do not see the Auburn offense having the success they did last year finishing thirteenth in the nation on offense and third in the SEC, just 29 yards behind the Tide.

Auburn played their best game of the season last year at home against Alabama and still came up short. In that game Auburn scored on a 67 yard end around and a 72 yard touchdown pass, both easily the two biggest plays the Tide defense gave up all season long. The other Auburn touchdown was set up by an onside kick recovery. Last but not least, Heisman winner Mark Ingram had his worst performance of the season rushing for just 30 yards on 16 carries. All of those occurrences and the Tigers still fell short at Jordan-Hare Stadium nonetheless. The Tigers trip to Bryant-Denny this season should not be as fortunate so look for Nick Saban and the Tide to roll over Auburn in front of 102,000 screaming Tiger haters.

So with the month of November being as easy as it will ever be for the Tide, what’s to stop them from winning the SEC and getting to Arizona for a chance to defend their BCS title? Answer: Five weeks of intense competition in September and October with a visit to Duke sprinkled in. Here is a list of four of the Tide’s early season opponents and why they could give the champs trouble.

September 11 /Penn State/ Tuscaloosa, AL

Why Penn State Could Win: Tailback Evan Royster. Behind Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett, Royster will be the most feared offensive weapon the Tide should face all season long. The past two seasons, Royster has rushed for over 2400 yards making him a preseason Heisman contender in 2010. The Crimson Tide returns only three players off arguably the nation’s best defense last season, one of whom is returning from a torn ACL in linebacker Donte Hightower. If the Nittany Lions want to upset the Tide, they will have to get a huge performance out of Royster.

Why Alabama Will Win: While Evan Royster returns for a Penn State squad that finished their 2009 campaign ranked eighth in the nation, he may have some trouble repeating the success of his sophomore and junior seasons. Not only did the Nittany Lions graduate half of their offensive line, they lost their offensive leader in quarterback Darryl Clark. Last season Clark threw for over 3,000 yards and had 24 touchdown passes as he lead Penn State to an eleven win season and a bowl win over LSU.

The real concerns for Joe Pa and Penn State in this game lie on the defensive side of the football. Penn State lost the heart of their defense in LB Sean Lee who was a second round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys. Along with Lee, Penn State lost five other starters on a defense that gave up 12.2 points a game ranking third best in the nation. On the other hand, Alabama’s offense returns Heisman winner Mark Ingram along with seven other returning starters and sophomore sensation Trent Richardson who will be splitting carries with Ingram in 2010. Look for Alabama to control the clock and dominate this football game.

September 25 /Arkansas/ Fayetteville, AR

Why Arkansas Could Win: Arkansas returns 10 starters on an offense lead by Heisman hopeful Ryan Mallet. In Mallet’s first year in Bobby Petrino’s offense, the Michigan transfer lead the SEC in passing throwing for 732 more yards than the conference’s second leading passer Tim Tebow. Mallett was also fifth in the nation with 30 touchdowns and only threw seven interceptions in 403 attempts. The Hogs are tough to beat at home dropping only one game last season in Fayetteville, a 52-41 shootout loss to Georgia in the second week of the season.

Why Alabama Will Win: While Arkansas does return seven starters on defense, that may not necessarily be a good thing. The Razorbacks ranked 89th last season in total defense in Division 1 and ranked 99th in pass defense. While most teams will put eight men in the box this season to try and contain Alabama’s vaunted rushing attack, Arkansas likely will have to take its’ chances with the two best running backs in the SEC and leave an extra man back deep. In last season’s 35-7 blowout loss to the Crimson Tide, Bama QB Greg McElroy had arguably his best performance of the season. In the win, the first year signal caller completed 17 of 24 passes for 291 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Now, with 13 more games of experience under his belt, McElroy is more confident allowing Bama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain to not lean so much on the run game. I expect McElroy to have another big game as Bama wins a high scoring affair at Razorback Stadium.

October 2 /Florida/ Tuscaloosa, AL

Why Florida Could Win: The Gators may have lost Tim Tebow and many of his weapons in Brandon James, Aaron Hernandez, and Riley Cooper on offense but that doesn’t mean the Gators will have trouble scoring points. Florida returns four experienced offensive lineman who are all seniors to go along with a trio of backs who could rival any backfield in the nation in Jeff Demps, Emmanuel Moody, and Chris Rainey. Alabama returns just one player, Marcel Dareus, from the front seven that dropped Texas in Pasadena. While Tim Tebow will not be under center for the Gators, the player who broke his Florida high school record of 98 touchdown passes will be in redshirt junior John Brantley.

Why Alabama Will Win: In last season’s SEC Championship game, the Florida defense gave up 26 first downs, 490 yards of total offense, allowed Bama to convert on 73% of third downs, and were on the field for 40 minutes. What has changed since ’09? Little on Bama’s O and the best players on Florida’s D are now playing on Sundays. Joe Haden, Jermaine Cunningham, Brandon Spikes, and Major Wright are all in the NFL with their buddy Carlos Dunlap who missed the title game in Atlanta. Bama’s offense will be even harder to slow down in ’10 and while I think the Gators will be able to score some points, there’s no way the Florida defense has any chance of stopping the Bama offense. If Florida is to have any chance of defeating Alabama, they will have to wait for a third consecutive SEC title game match-up versus the Tide when the defense is a little more experienced.

October 9 /South Carolina/ Columbia, SC

Why South Carolina Could Win: The last three seasons the Gamecocks are 16-4 in games played prior to October 15th. After the middle of October South Carolina is a horrendous 4-14. The Gamecocks always play well at the beginning of the season and are a tough match-up whenever they are at the Cockpit. Luckily for Spurrier and his Gamecocks they get the number one ranked Crimson Tide early in the season and in Columbia. South Carolina will field a very experienced team in 2010 with nine starters returning on offense and eight on a defense that ranked 22nd in the nation in points against.

Why Alabama Will Win: While South Carolina does return eight starters on an above average defense, they lose the two players that made that defense special in DE Clifton Geathers and LB Eric Norwood. Last season, even with the two NFL guys on D, South Carolina allowed Mark Ingram to have his biggest game of the year as the sophomore carried the ball 24 times for 246 yards, an average of 10.3 yards a pop. Alabama will have the same game-plan again this year and it will take eight or even nine men in the box for the ‘Cocks to stop Ingram and Trent Richardson. Bama beat the Gamecocks last season 20-6 despite one of their sloppiest performances of the season. Greg McElroy was held under 100 yards passing and had two picks to zero touchdowns. This was McElroy’s only SEC game in which he failed to throw for at least 120 yards and I don’t see South Carolina being able to contain the Bama passing game again this year, especially with what Ingram did to the defense last season.

-scf