The 110th annual Army-Navy game is as big as it has been in the last five years. With a win, Army (5-6) can clinch a trip to the EagleBank Bowl at RFK Stadium in Washington on Dec. 29.
Army has dreaded playing Navy at the end of the season, since they have not won since 2001. Army needs a win today to prove that they are improving from their 0-13 season in 2003.
Navy has been dominating the Black Knights and the rivalry over the past ten seasons. Navy already knows they will be playing in the Texas Bowl in Houston on New Years Eve where they will play Missouri. What game do you think is bigger? Beating Army or beating Missouri?
Navy wants to stick it to Army by denying them of their first bowl game since 1996, and Army has had enough of Navy pushing them around for the past decade. This game is going to be fought like a national championship game, because it is to these players and their families.
On the football side, Army needs to stop the relentless running attack from Navy, which features the triple option. Navy is 3rd in the country in rushing yards per game with 279.7 yards per game, and if Army is going to win, they need to force Ricky Dobbs to throw the ball downfield and keep Navy out of the endzone.
This game is more than just the last game of the season, this game is for a year of bragging rights and national pride.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
NFL Pick of the Week
Jacksonville -8.5 vs. Buffalo
This game is a tap in. The Bills recently fired their coach Dick Jauron and Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the starting quarterback. The Jaguars are looking to extend their current win streak to three, and Maurice Jones-Drew leads a rushing attack that ranks 6th in the NFL at 140 yards per game. Jones-Drew is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and will feast off of the Bills rush defense, that ranks dead last in the NFL giving up 173 yards per game.
The Bills have basically no chance of winning this game and being on the road makes it that much worse, watch for a big ground game for Jones-Drew and a big win for the Jaguars.
This game is a tap in. The Bills recently fired their coach Dick Jauron and Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the starting quarterback. The Jaguars are looking to extend their current win streak to three, and Maurice Jones-Drew leads a rushing attack that ranks 6th in the NFL at 140 yards per game. Jones-Drew is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and will feast off of the Bills rush defense, that ranks dead last in the NFL giving up 173 yards per game.
The Bills have basically no chance of winning this game and being on the road makes it that much worse, watch for a big ground game for Jones-Drew and a big win for the Jaguars.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
College Football Pick of the Day
Texas A&M -5.5 vs. Baylor
The Aggies are looking to bounce back from a beating Oklahoma put on them last week. The Aggies (5-5, 2-4 Big 12) look to become bowl eligible after losing to Colorado and Oklahoma on the road. The Aggies need this win today to become bowl eligible, because Texas comes to town next weekend.
I like the pressure that A&M puts on the ball and it starts with DE Von Miller. The Aggies like to put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and today against Baylor will be no exception. Miller has 15.5 sacks this season and he needs to get pressure in the backfield or else Baylor will easly be able to pick apart a very sub-par Aggies secondary.
A&M needs better special teams play, due to three muffed kicks last Saturday that resulted in scores for Oklahoma, the special teams cannot afford to make mistakes if they want a chance to win (and cover).
On the offensive side, QB Jerrod Johnson has played well this season. He has thrown for 272 ypg, 22 TD's 5 INT's. 5 receivers have more than 25 catches for the Aggies, so obviously Johnson likes to spread the ball around. Johnson also likes to use his feet to gain yards. He is 3rd on the team in rushing, and leads the team in rushing touchdowns with 7.
Look for Johnson to make plays on offense and Miller to get great penetration on this Baylor offensive line which will lead to a A&M cover.
The Aggies are looking to bounce back from a beating Oklahoma put on them last week. The Aggies (5-5, 2-4 Big 12) look to become bowl eligible after losing to Colorado and Oklahoma on the road. The Aggies need this win today to become bowl eligible, because Texas comes to town next weekend.
I like the pressure that A&M puts on the ball and it starts with DE Von Miller. The Aggies like to put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and today against Baylor will be no exception. Miller has 15.5 sacks this season and he needs to get pressure in the backfield or else Baylor will easly be able to pick apart a very sub-par Aggies secondary.
A&M needs better special teams play, due to three muffed kicks last Saturday that resulted in scores for Oklahoma, the special teams cannot afford to make mistakes if they want a chance to win (and cover).
On the offensive side, QB Jerrod Johnson has played well this season. He has thrown for 272 ypg, 22 TD's 5 INT's. 5 receivers have more than 25 catches for the Aggies, so obviously Johnson likes to spread the ball around. Johnson also likes to use his feet to gain yards. He is 3rd on the team in rushing, and leads the team in rushing touchdowns with 7.
Look for Johnson to make plays on offense and Miller to get great penetration on this Baylor offensive line which will lead to a A&M cover.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Pick of the Night
There are some great games tonight all over the world of sports. In college basketball there is Syracuse vs. Cal., UNC vs. Ohio State, as wellas UK and Kansas each playing at home tonight. The Thursday night NFL game features the Ronnie Brown-less (I like to make up words) Miami Dolphins visiting a Carolina Panthers team looking for some easy prey (god i'm good). Oh and let's not forget some good puck on tonight also. A huge game between the Chicago Balckhawks and Calgary Flames goes down tonight, awhere the Flames look to erase the memory of a 5 goal Hawks comeback last time they played. But these games are not my pick tonight.
Rider +4.5 @ Virginia
The Broncs (thats right not Broncos) have some offensive firepower in their guards. Novar Gadson, a 6-7 guard leads the team in points (20.5) and rebounds (9.0) per game. Ryan Thompson and Justin Robinson are second and third respectively on the team in points per game and they really power an explosive backcourt. Rider has already beaten Mississippi State this season by 14 and Lehigh by 15.
Virginia is 1-1 this season and their loss came to South Florida by 17 points. Ouch. Sylven Landesberg leads the team with 18.5 points per game and big man Mike Scott is leading the team in rebounds with 9.0 per game. This team is not that good and besides Landesberg, and the Cavaliers do not have any other scoring threats. Virginia shot an awful 2-12 (16.7%) from three against South Florida last game and they are 10 of 34 this season (29.4%).
These numbers do not sit well with me and Rider is looking for a big win tonight against Virginia before they head to Rupp Arena to play the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday afternoon. Take the Broncs, and I would buy the extra half point if you can (road game--I like to be safe).
Rider +4.5 @ Virginia
The Broncs (thats right not Broncos) have some offensive firepower in their guards. Novar Gadson, a 6-7 guard leads the team in points (20.5) and rebounds (9.0) per game. Ryan Thompson and Justin Robinson are second and third respectively on the team in points per game and they really power an explosive backcourt. Rider has already beaten Mississippi State this season by 14 and Lehigh by 15.
Virginia is 1-1 this season and their loss came to South Florida by 17 points. Ouch. Sylven Landesberg leads the team with 18.5 points per game and big man Mike Scott is leading the team in rebounds with 9.0 per game. This team is not that good and besides Landesberg, and the Cavaliers do not have any other scoring threats. Virginia shot an awful 2-12 (16.7%) from three against South Florida last game and they are 10 of 34 this season (29.4%).
These numbers do not sit well with me and Rider is looking for a big win tonight against Virginia before they head to Rupp Arena to play the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday afternoon. Take the Broncs, and I would buy the extra half point if you can (road game--I like to be safe).
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Capitals Showing Who's Boss in the East
The Washington Capitals are the best team in the Eastern Conference. This is not just an opinion, this is fact. Without Alex Ovechkin, the Capitals were still able to stay in the hunt for the top spot in the conference. When he came back, he scored and the Caps picked up two points beating the New York Rangers 4-2 Tuesday night. The Capitals are playing some of the best blue line hockey in the league and Mike Green is a assist machine, picking up assists number 16 and 17 last night on the power play.
There is little weakness on this team but they have to stay healthy and they must be better in net. Mike Knuble and Alexander Semin need to get back on the ice to help aid the power play and add consistent chemistry with Ovechkin, and the Caps need consistent goaltending from either Semeyon Varlamov or Jose Theodore. The Caps rank 20th in the NHL in save percentage at 90.1, 24th in GAA with 2.95, and have not recorded a shutout all season.
If the Caps can stay healthy and play better in net, this team will have home ice throughout the playoffs come April.
There is little weakness on this team but they have to stay healthy and they must be better in net. Mike Knuble and Alexander Semin need to get back on the ice to help aid the power play and add consistent chemistry with Ovechkin, and the Caps need consistent goaltending from either Semeyon Varlamov or Jose Theodore. The Caps rank 20th in the NHL in save percentage at 90.1, 24th in GAA with 2.95, and have not recorded a shutout all season.
If the Caps can stay healthy and play better in net, this team will have home ice throughout the playoffs come April.
Week 11 Fantasy Plays
Week 11 gives us many options on the waiver wire in most 12-14 team leagues. If these players are still available, they could help you win your week 11.
Jason Snelling, Atl RB
Snelling has been running hard this season when he has had the chance to. Last week, with the departure of Michael Turner, Snelling stepped in and carried the ball 16 times for 61 yards and one touchdown. This week he faces a challenge in the top ranked New York Giants defense who are fresh off a bye, but they rank 13th against the run, giving up 106 rushing ypg and 12 TD's. Matt Ryan has struggled for the Falcons, throwing 8 INT's the last 4 games. He needs to pick up first downs and limit interceptions so that can increase the carries for Snelling. Although reports say Jerrious Norwood will be starting, his role may be limited fresh off an injury and Snelling has proven he has been a tough runner to bring down. Projection: 19 rushes, 89 yards, 2 TD's
Matthew Stafford, Det QB
The Lions play the Browns this weekend. That should be reason enough to play Stafford. For teams that don't have a quality QB, Stafford is a great play this week. He finally gets a healthy Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew. Staffiord has settled down a little since his 5 INT game against Seattle week 9, and Stafford played very well against the Vikings last week, throwing for 224 yards and 1 TD. Detroit has a lot of weapons that can be exploited against a horrible Browns squad. Look for solid fantasy numbers from Stafford this Sunday. Projection: 260 pass yards, 2 TD passes, 1 INT
Robert Meachem, NO WR
This may seem like a stretch, but if you don't have a favorable matchup for your flex player, I like Meachem. He has been inconsistent this season, but recently he seems to have one bad game followed by a good game, good news is, last week he had a bad game. He only has 14 catches this season, but 11 of them have been for first downs. As the #4 receiver on the team, he has 4 TD's which is pretty impressive. Brees likes to spread the ball around, and if Meachem can continue to pick up first downs, he and Brees can gain some confidence and make some plays. Projection: 5 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD
Jason Snelling, Atl RB
Snelling has been running hard this season when he has had the chance to. Last week, with the departure of Michael Turner, Snelling stepped in and carried the ball 16 times for 61 yards and one touchdown. This week he faces a challenge in the top ranked New York Giants defense who are fresh off a bye, but they rank 13th against the run, giving up 106 rushing ypg and 12 TD's. Matt Ryan has struggled for the Falcons, throwing 8 INT's the last 4 games. He needs to pick up first downs and limit interceptions so that can increase the carries for Snelling. Although reports say Jerrious Norwood will be starting, his role may be limited fresh off an injury and Snelling has proven he has been a tough runner to bring down. Projection: 19 rushes, 89 yards, 2 TD's
Matthew Stafford, Det QB
The Lions play the Browns this weekend. That should be reason enough to play Stafford. For teams that don't have a quality QB, Stafford is a great play this week. He finally gets a healthy Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew. Staffiord has settled down a little since his 5 INT game against Seattle week 9, and Stafford played very well against the Vikings last week, throwing for 224 yards and 1 TD. Detroit has a lot of weapons that can be exploited against a horrible Browns squad. Look for solid fantasy numbers from Stafford this Sunday. Projection: 260 pass yards, 2 TD passes, 1 INT
Robert Meachem, NO WR
This may seem like a stretch, but if you don't have a favorable matchup for your flex player, I like Meachem. He has been inconsistent this season, but recently he seems to have one bad game followed by a good game, good news is, last week he had a bad game. He only has 14 catches this season, but 11 of them have been for first downs. As the #4 receiver on the team, he has 4 TD's which is pretty impressive. Brees likes to spread the ball around, and if Meachem can continue to pick up first downs, he and Brees can gain some confidence and make some plays. Projection: 5 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD
Monday, November 16, 2009
Are the Hurricanes Really Back?
The Carolina Hurricanes started the year as bad as one could dream of. Carolina's third win of the season came Sunday beating a challenging Minnesota Wild team. The Canes' third win puts them one point behind second to last place Toronto Maple Leafs. I see good things coming from Carolina, Eric Staal has started off slow and he has as much offensive talent as anybody, and Cam Ward is on injured reserve due to a freak leg injury involving Blue Jackets LW Rick Nash, where Ward's leg was cut with his skate.
Although they have some problems in net, look at the Eastern Conference standings, the top six teams are not going anywhere, but Atlanta, NY Islanders, Tampa Bay, Boston, Ottawa, Montreal, Florida and Toronto stand in front of Carolina. These teams are not showing any signs of generating a push right now, except for the Islanders. Look for Carolina to start to string some wins together and gain some ground on the east standings.
Although they have some problems in net, look at the Eastern Conference standings, the top six teams are not going anywhere, but Atlanta, NY Islanders, Tampa Bay, Boston, Ottawa, Montreal, Florida and Toronto stand in front of Carolina. These teams are not showing any signs of generating a push right now, except for the Islanders. Look for Carolina to start to string some wins together and gain some ground on the east standings.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)