Friday, September 11, 2015

As we kick off the 2015-16 football season, here is my team-by-team analysis and predicted order of finish in their respective divisions.  This is followed by my fearless playoff and Super Bowl predictions.  I would love to hear your predictions, so feel free to reply and send those to me!  

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AFC SOUTH

Indianapolis Colts

The only question is:  Why do the Indianapolis Colts play in the AFC South?  There is no question, however, as to the reality that the Colts will win the division going away.  Andrew Luck is a stud.  They added U-Miami guys Frank Gore and Andre Johnson.  Watch for these two to put up monster numbers.  The Indy defense will have six games within the division in which they will dominate.  This is a no brainer.  The Colts will reach the AFC Championship game

Houston Texans

Quick . . . who is the starting QB in Houston this year?  Their running attack, usually in the very capable hands of noted atheist Arian Foster, but he is out for a while. although the team is optimistic that he will be back during the first month of the season.  BTW, the starting QB is Houston is none other than Brian Hoyer.  The fact that he couldn’t make it in Cleveland should tell us something.  Their defense is led by the best player in the NFL, JJ Watt. If Jadeveon Clowney can finally get on the field, this defense will cause pain for the rest of the NFL.  

Jacksonville Jaguars

This team is on the rise, but that is based on the fact that they are 7-25 the past two seasons.  They can’t get any worse.  I love QB Blake Bortles, and their receivers are gonna be pretty good, especially once TE Julius Thomas is ready to take the field.  Watch for WR Allen Robinson to have a breakout year and rookie RB TJ Yeldon will push Denard Robinson for playing time.  Their defense will continue to improve, and that bodes well for head coach Gus Bradley.  

Tennessee Titans

Marcus Mariota is the savior of the franchise, but, at this time, there is not much around him.  Bishop Shankey is expected to carry the load at running back.  Their defense was awful in 2014, so they brought in defensive coordinator extraordinaire Dick LeBeau, who even at age 77, will make this defense much better.  After a 2-14 season, improvement will not happen overnight.

AFC EAST

Miami Dolphins

This is the year for Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins to put up or shut up.  Tannehill has a very talented group of receivers around him this year and Lamar Miller is poised to have a big season running the football.  The offensive line needs to step it up a notch and stay healthy.  On defense, the defensive line, led by Ndamukong Suh, will make life difficult for the rest of the league, and make the Dolphins linebackers and defensive backs a lot better.  This team is poised to return to the playoffs.  If it doesn’t, say goodbye to head coach Joe Philbin and his staff.

New England Patriots

It is very hard for me to count the Patriots out, with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick leading the way.  However, this could be the year they are dethroned in the AFC East.  Brady is getting older, and the rest of their offensive skill players not named Gronkowski don’t strike fear into anyone.  Their defense is no more than average, although Belichick always finds a way.  I’m sticking to my theory that this is the year they fall from their perch atop the East.

Buffalo Bills

I don’t care that Rex Ryan is their coach.  They still have a gaping hole at QB and there is no stud running back to take the pressure off new starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor.  Their defense, however, should be outstanding.  The longest drought in playoff participation (15 years) will continue in upstate New York.  New ownership bodes well for the future, however.  

New York Jets

This team is in utter disarray after one of their linebackers, IK Enemkpali (since waived), broke QB Geno Smith’s jaw with one punch, reportedly over a $600 debt.  New head coach Todd Bowles will make this team better, but it may take more than one year.  Their defense will be good, although Sheldon Richardson will be sitting out the first four weeks of the season due to a substance abuse suspension.

AFC NORTH

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals look like a division winner, but only if Andy Dalton continues to progress and their running backs, led by Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard, keep opposing defenses busy.  WR’s AJ Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, and Brandon Tate are a nice group to have.  They would love for Tyler Eifert to be a big part of that offense as well.  Their defense, especially the secondary, is solid.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens’ story is pretty simple:  Joe Flacco wins games.  The Ravens defense wins games.  Can Justin Forsett do it again in 2015? Methinks they can.  Regardless of what people think of him, John Harbaugh is a very good game-day coach.   

Pittsburgh Steelers

Not a typical Steelers team . . . a defense that can’t be trusted and a running game with questions, especially with injuries to the offensive line and the absence of suspended RB Le’Veon Bell.  Ben Rothlisberger and Antonio Brown are going to have to single-handedly outscore their opponents.

Cleveland Browns

The Brownies are getting better, but they are still a couple of years and a couple of star players away.  Josh McCown is the starting QB, Johnny Manziel the backup.  If that doesn’t scare the fans in the dog pound, nothing will.  Their new wideouts, Brian Hartline and Dwayne Bowe don’t necessarily make either QB any better.  Remember, Bowe was part of a KC group of wide receivers that combined for ZERO touchdown passes last year.  The defense allowed 4.5 yards per carry last year.  They have to do better than that.

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

As long as 39-year-old Payton Manning plays at his usual level, you cannot think that the Broncos will not win the AFC West.  Their stout defense, stud receiving corps, and a very potent running attack will make sure of that.  New offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak returns to Denver to take some of the pressure off Manning’s right arm, and keep him healthy as the season goes on.
   
San Diego Chargers

The Chargers did the right thing in re-signing QB Philip Rivers, and added the NFL’s potential rookie of the year in RB Melvin Gordon.  He could be a stud.  They still don’t play defense like a playoff team should, so they probably will be a day late and a dollar short once again.

Kansas City Chiefs

Star running back Jamaal Charles is healthy once again, and that bodes well for the Chiefs.  QB Alex Smith has to get the ball to his wide receivers.  Last year, the Chiefs’ wideouts scored NO touchdowns.  That sounds too ridiculous to be true, but it is.  They added Jeremy Maclin to try and remedy that.  My prediction is that Maclin will score a TD in the first game of the season.  The Chiefs could challenge, but it probably won’t happen for them in 2015. Their schedule is brutal, with only three home games in the first 11 games of the season. 

Oakland Raiders

New coach (Jack del Rio), new attitude, same old Raiders.  However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it is not an oncoming train.  QB Derek Carr is the real deal, and new WR Amari Cooper will benefit from that.  Khalil Mack is a stud on the defensive side of the ball, and the Raider D will be much improved, although not enough to make a difference this year.  Their streak of 13 consecutive losing seasons will continue.

NFC SOUTH

New Orleans Saints

Another team whose window of opportunity may be closing.  Drew Brees is 36, although he really hasn’t shown signs of slowing down.  He will miss TE Jimmy Graham, who is now in Seattle.  The Saints had the second-worst defense in the NFL last year, under the “leadership” of freak-show coordinator, Rob Ryan.  After a 7-9 season, in which they lost four games by  3 points or less, they could turn it around and take this division at 10-6.

Atlanta Falcons

The Birds need to keep QB Matt Ryan off his back.  Too many sacks and pressures last year, and new starting RB Devonta Freeman has to produce and take some of the load off.  Julio Jones and the receivers are top notch, and keep your eyes on former U-Miami wide receiver Leonard Hankerson as he builds rapport with Ryan.  The defense is still a work in progress, but this team could surprise this year.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers have won this division two years in a row, but I don’t see a three-peat in the cards.  Cam Newton can be very good at times, but the loss of Kelvin Benjamin will be huge, and they hope that rookie WR Devin Funchess can pick up the slack. TE Greg Olsen will still be the security blanket for Newton.  They will need a big year from RB Jonathan Stewart.  Their defense is led by LB Luke Kuechly, who has the most tackles in the NFL since 2012.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

First overall pick Jameis Winston is the key to how good the Bucs are in 2015.  They need production from what could be a pretty good group of running backs, led by Doug Martin, Bobby Rainey, and Mike James.  Their wide receivers are studs:  Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans will catch it if it is in the neighborhood.  Watch for the development of second-year TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins.  Their defense is lead by all-pro DL Gerald McCoy and LB Lavonte David.  Improvement, but they will probably still be in the cellar at the end of the season.

NFC EAST

Philadelphia Eagles

Chip Kelly’s team has won 10 games two years in a row, and they were the only 10-win team not to reach the post season last year.  That won’t cut it  this year.  He needs to get this team to the conference championship game.  If Sam Bradford stays healthy, this could be a special year.  DeMarco Murray and the receiving corps will see to that.  Their defense is still solid.  

Dallas Cowboys

The window of opportunity is starting to close for Tony Romo and the Cowboys.  The loss of DeMarco Murray hurts, but the best offensive line in the NFL will make average running backs look like studs.  Dez Bryant must stay healthy and the defense must continue to improve.

New York Giants

Eli Manning and the Giants have missed the playoffs the last three seasons, and they are probably going to make it four in a row.  The defense was horrible last year, and they have shown no signs of being much better.  Their offense must lead the way and must Eli must keep the mistakes down to a minimum.  Their wideouts, especially Odell Beckham, are fun to watch.

Washington Redskins

The Redskins are in trouble.  This will be a very long season for Washington.  Their offense needs a new identity, and they gave the starting QB position to Kirk Cousins, sending the much-maligned RG3 to the bench.  Alfred Morris is a serviceable and productive running back, but keep your eyes on Matt Jones, who may be the starter before the season is over.  Their defense may be even worse than last year’s edition, who gave up a whopping 28 points per game. 

NFC NORTH

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy on offense.  Clay Matthews leading the defense.  This is a solid bet to advance to the NFC title game.  The loss of Jordy Nelson hurts.  

Minnesota Vikings

A team on the rise.  QB Teddy Bridgewater arrived last year and developed quickly into a very good field general.  If Adrian Peterson returns to his level of play, look out.  Their defense is also much-improved.  

Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford completes a lot of passes, wide receivers MegaTron (Calvin Johnson) and Golden Tate catch a lot of passes, but they still don’t put it all together.  A consistent running game would really help, and they are counting on rookie RB Ameer Abdullah to hit the ground running this year.  Their defense will miss Ndamukong Suh.  

Chicago Bears

The Bears will bring up the rear in the North.  Jay Cutler is still one of the most puzzling and inconsistent QB’s in the league.  Matt Forte cannot be expected to burden the entire weight of the offense on his shoulders.  Defensively, they need to kick it up a couple of notches if they are going to make any noise in a division that has three extremely powerful offenses that you have to play a total of six times. 

NFC WEST

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are looking to three-peat and win their third straight NFC title.  I don’t think so.  Their offensive line is a bit shaky, and complacency may be setting in.  The holdout by standout safety Kam Chancellor is not a good sign.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals were 9-1 last season, before injuries took them out of contention.  This team has won 21 games over the last two seasons.  If QB Carson Palmer, WR Larry Fitzgerald, and RB Andre Ellington can stay healthy this year, look out.  

St. Louis Rams

The Rams have gone 11 consecutive seasons without posting a winning record.  They could do it this year, in Jeff Fisher’s fourth season with the Rams.  New QB Nick Foles and rookie RB Todd Gurley have to make an impact this season, although Gurley is still recovering from major knee surgery.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers could threaten to earn the distinction of having the first pick in the 2016 draft.  QB Colin Kaepernick has to find his way and return to the form he displayed his first couple of years in the league.  The absence of former head coach Jim Harbaugh may help him in that endeavor.  The loss of Frank Gore won’t help, and they're counting on RB Reggie Bush and newly-acquired WR Torrey Smith to add a lot of UMPPH to their offense.  For me, the most interesting guy to watch out in San Francisco is gonna be former Australian Rugby player Jarryd Hayne. 

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HERE ARE MY FEARLESS PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2015-2016 SEASON:

AFC EAST CHAMPS Miami Dolphins
AFC SOUTH CHAMPS Indianapolis Colts
AFC NORTH CHAMPS Cincinnati Bengals
AFC WEST CHAMPS Denver Broncos
AFC WILD CARD New England Patriots
AFC WILD CARD Baltimore Ravens

NFC EAST CHAMPS Philadelphia Eagles
NFC SOUTH CHAMPS New Orleans Saints
NFC NORTH CHAMPS Green Bay Packers
NFC WEST CHAMPS Arizona Cardinals
NFC WILD CARD Seattle Seahawks
NFC WILD CARD Minnesota Vikings

NFC CHAMPS Green Bay Packers
AFC CHAMPS Indianapolis Colts 

SUPER BOWL CHAMPS Indianapolis Colts

Let the games begin!


A PERSONAL SIDE NOTE FOR YOU TO CONSIDER:

If I was a betting man, which I am not, and if I was looking for a potential wild-ass, crazy, off the wall, money-making bet with huge odds, I would pick a Super Bowl matchup of the Miami Dolphins and the Arizona Cardinals. Miami is 30-1 to win the Super Bowl, while the Cardinals are 40-1.

Remember . . . . please call me or e-mail me for your real estate needs up here in Central Florida.  You will absolutely fall in love with The Villages!





Signing off for now . . . . .  Jerry

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

It is time again for my weekly NFL picks, as well the scheduled games involving state of Florida college teams.


A 4-2-1 record ATS last week took my season numbers to 28-13-2 against the spread, 21-8 overall. 

Remember, I select the games based on the national telecasts, the Dolphins’ game, and at least one of the doubleheader games on Sunday.  

These selections are for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.  Don’t forget that wagering is illegal at Bushwood, sir.

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FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS IN THE VILLAGES AND OCALA AREA, CALL ME!


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Here are my SUPER SEVEN picks this week in the NFL:


(HOME TEAM IN CAPS):

My picks are highlighted.

Thursday

Jets @ PATRIOTS -8 8:30 pm CBS

The reports of the demise of the Patriots were greatly exaggerated.  
Sunday

Dolphins + 3 over BEARS 1:00 pm CBS

I am sticking with the Dolphins, at least for one more week.  Their defense played extremely well against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers last week, and with any luck, and a little bit of better coaching, they would have won that contest.

Seahawks -6 over RAMS 1:00 pm FOX

After a stinker last week, the Seahawks are going to take it out on the Rams this Sunday.   

COLTS -3 over Bengals 1:00 pm CBS

Riding the "Luck" train for awhile longer.     

CHARGERS -4 over Chiefs 4:05 pm CBS

The Chargers are really good.   

BRONCOS -5 over 49ers 8:30 pm NBC

Hard to pick against the Broncos and Payton Manning at home. 

Monday Night

Texans +4  over STEELERS          8:30 pm             ESPN

The Steelers are struggling.  The Texans need a win after falling to the Colts.  

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Here are all this week’s NFL games and point spreads:

Thursday, October 16th

Jets @ PATRIOTS -10 8:30 pm CBS

Sunday, October 19th

Dolphins @ BEARS -3 1:00 pm CBS
Bengals @ COLTS -3 1:00 pm CBS
Seahawks @ RAMS +6 1:00 pm FOX
Falcons @ RAVENS -7 ½ 1:00 pm FOX
Saints @ LIONS -2 ½ 1:00 pm FOX
Browns @ JAGUARS +5 ½ 1:00 pm CBS
Vikings @ BILLS -3 1:00 pm FOX
Panthers @ PACKERS -7 1:00 pm FOX 
Titans @ REDSKINS -4 ½ 1:00 pm CBS

Chiefs @ CHARGERS -4 4:05 pm CBS

Cardinals @ RAIDERS +3 4:25 pm FOX
Giants @ COWBOYS -5 4:25 pm FOX

49ers @ BRONCOS -5 8:30 pm NBC

Monday, October 20th

Texans @ STEELERS -4 8:30 pm ESPN

The bye teams this week:

Philadelphia Eagles
Tampa Bay Bucs

If you play fantasy football, make sure you remember to take the bye weeks into consideration when setting your lineups.

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Here are this week’s games involving the state of Florida teams:

South Florida @ TULSA 12 noon ESPNEWS
Tulane @ UCF 12 noon ESPNU
Western Kentucky @ FAU 12 noon Sinclair
Marshall @ FIU 6:00 pm American Sports Network
Missouri @ FLORIDA 7:00 pm ESPN2
Notre Dame @ FSU 8:00 pm ABC

The University of Miami Hurricanes are off this week.

Check your local listings for the local broadcast channels.

The college games to keep your eyes on this coming Saturday:

Texas A&M @ ALABAMA               3:30 pm CBS
Georgia @ ARKANSAS                  4:00 pm SEC Network
Oklahoma State @ TCU               4:00 pm Fox Sports 1
Stanford @ ARIZONA STATE         10:30 pm ESPN

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Behave yourselves, and remember that tomorrow will bring us another day.  Enjoy the weekend!!

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Happy Tuesday!  Here is today’s blog.  



Let’s kick it off with the NFL.  

The Dolphins lost a close one to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, 27-24.  After  a very ineffective performance in the first half, QB Ryan Tannehill led the Fins to three second-half touchdowns to take the lead, but it wasn’t enough as Aaron Rodgers mounted one of his patented fourth-quarter comebacks, scoring the game-winning touchdown with three seconds remaining in the contest. 

There are no such things as “moral victories”, so I’m not hanging my hat on that one.  However, it is good to see the Dolphins at a point where they were in a position to beat a very good Packers team, and, in fact, should have won the game.  A questionable timeout by the Dolphins during the Packers’s game-winning drive, some shoddy pass coverage schemes and poor tackling came into play as well after the game.  In order for the Dolphins to take a step in the right direction, they need to start winning these games.  It isn’t just the players . . . the coaching staff needs to also step up their game.  

Next up:  the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, next Sunday at 1:00 pm.  Another opportunity for the Dolphins’ defense to step up, after a very impressive performance against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

The Dolphins got some more bad news, as RB Knowshown Moreno suffered a season-ending knee injury.  We have probably seen the last of Moreno, who only has a one-year deal for this season, in a Dolphins uniform.  



How did I do on my picks this past week?

Once again, I went 4-2-1.  My record now, after six weeks, is a lofty 28-13-2 against the spread, 31-12 overall.

My winners, losers, and pushes for this past weekend are highlighted.:

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS):

Thursday

Colts 33 TEXANS 28 (Colts -3 over TEXANS) 

Sunday

Patriots 37 BILLS 22 (Patriots -3 over BILLS)

Broncos 31 JETS 17 (Broncos -10 over JETS)

Packers 27 DOLPHINS 24 (DOLPHINS +3 over Packers)

Cowboys 30 SEAHAWKS 23 (SEAHAWKS -8 over Cowboys)

EAGLES 27 Giants 0 (Giants +2 ½ over EAGLES )

Monday Night

49ers 31 RAMS 17 (49ers -3 over RAMS)

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Here are all of last weekend’s game recaps and scores:

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9

Indianapolis 33 Houston 28

Andrew Luck and T. Y. Hilton lit up the Texans.  Luck threw for 370 yards and 3 TD’s, and Hilton finished with nine catches for 223 yards and a score.  

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12

New England 37 Buffalo 22

New owners didn’t help the Bills against the Patriots, as the Pats beat the Bills for the 21st time in their last 22 encounters.  Tom Brady was 27-of-37 for 361 yards and threw four touchdown passes.

Cincinnati 37 Carolina 37 (OT)

Mike Nugent and Graham Gano each kicked field goals in overtime, but Nugent missed a potential game-winner as the Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers played to a 37-37 tie.

Cleveland 31 Pittsburgh 10

Ben Tate rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns.  Pittsburgh gave up 31 straight points after the first quarter.

Green Bay 27 Miami 24

Aaron Rodgers engineered a game-winning drive, throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass with three seconds remaining to Andrew Quarless.  Ryan Tannehill led three straight second-half touchdown drives for the Dolphins as they took the lead, but it wasn’t enough. 

Detroit 17 Minnesota 3

The Detroit Lions had eight sacks and three interceptions.  Matt Stafford was 19-for-33 for 185 yards and one touchdown.

Denver 31 NY Jets 17

Peyton Manning finished 22-of-33 for 237 yards. Demaryius Thomas had 10 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown, while Julius Thomas caught four passes for 51 yards and two TD’s.

Baltimore 48 Tampa Bay 17

Joe Flacco threw for career-high five touchdowns, completing 21-29 passes for 306 yards.  Torrey Smith caught two of Flacco's touchdown passes and Steve Smith had another while amassing 110 yards on five receptions. Justin Forsett added 111 yards on the ground on just 14 carries.

Tennessee 16 Jacksonville 14

Ryan Succop connected on three field goals and the Titans needed a game-saving field-goal block in the final seconds to beat the Jags. 

San Diego 31 Oakland 28

Branden Oliver's 1-yard touchdown run put San Diego ahead, and an interception by Jason Verrett sealed the win. Philip Rivers ended up with 313 yards and three TD’s on 22-of-34 passing.

Arizona 30 Washington 20

Carson Palmer completed 28-of-44 passes for 250 yards and two touchdown passes in his return, after missing the past three games with a nerve issue in his throwing shoulder.  Larry Fitzgerald had 98 yards and a touchdown on six receptions.

Chicago 27 Atlanta 13

Matt Forte rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Jay Cutler completed 26-of-38 passes for 381 yards and a touchdown, while Forte also added 77 yards on 10 catches.  Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall totaled 136 and 113 receiving yards, respectively.

Dallas 30 Seattle 23

DeMarco Murray joined Jim Brown as the only running backs in NFL history to surpass 100 rushing yards in six straight games to start the season.  Murray carried 29 times for 115 yards, and his go-ahead touchdown run with 3:16 to play gave the Cowboys the lead for good. 

Philadelphia 27 NY Giants 0

LeSean McCoy exploded for 149 yards on 22 carries. Nick Foles completed 21-of-34 passes for 248 yardsand two touchdowns.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13

San Francisco 31 St. Louis 17

Colin Kaepernick passed for 343 yards and three touchdowns after the Rams jumped out to a 14-0 lead.  San Francisco scored 24 straight points after that.  Brandon Lloyd, Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree each hauled in a TD pass. 

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Here are this week’s NFL games and early point spreads:

Thursday, October 16th

Jets @ PATRIOTS -10          8:30 pm CBS

Sunday, October 19th

Dolphins @ BEARS -3          1:00 pm CBS
Bengals @ COLTS -3 1:00 pm CBS
Titans @ REDSKINS -4 ½ 1:00 pm CBS
Browns @ JAGUARS +5 ½ 1:00 pm CBS
Seahawks @ RAMS +6 ½ 1:00 pm FOX
Falcons @ RAVENS -7 ½ 1:00 pm FOX
Saints @ LIONS -2 ½ 1:00 pm FOX
Vikings @ BILLS -3 ½          1:00 pm FOX
Panthers @ PACKERS -7 1:00 pm FOX 

Chiefs @ CHARGERS -4 4:05 pm CBS

Cardinals @ RAIDERS +3 4:25 pm FOX
Giants @ COWBOYS -5 4:25 pm FOX

49ers @ BRONCOS -6         8:30 pm NBC

Monday, October 20th

Texans @ STEELERS -4 8:30 pm ESPN

The bye teams this week:

Philadelphia Eagles
Tampa Bay Bucs

If you play fantasy football, make sure you remember to take the bye weeks into consideration when setting your lineups.

What else are the Dolphins up to?

Miami Dolphins blog from Armando Salguero:


Chris Perkins and Omar Kelly bring us their Dolphin blog:


For more news from around the NFL, here is NFL NATION:


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In my college football picks last week, only the Hurricanes kept me from a perfect week: 

UCF 31 BYU 24 
MIAMI 55 Cincinnati 34
Florida State 38 SYRACUSE 20
UTSA 16 FIU 13
East Carolina 28 SOUTH FLORIDA 17
LSU 30 FLORIDA 27

Here are this week’s games involving the state of Florida teams:

South Florida @ TULSA 12 noon ESPNEWS
Tulane @ UCF 12 noon ESPNU
Western Kentucky @ FAU 12 noon Sinclair
Marshall @ FIU 6:00 pm American Sports Network
Missouri @ FLORIDA 7:00 pm ESPN2
Notre Dame @ FSU 8:00 pm ABC

Check your local listings for the local broadcasts channel.

The college games to keep your eyes on this coming Saturday:

Texas A&M @ ALABAMA          3:30 pm CBS
Georgia @ ARKANSAS             4:00 pm SEC Network
Oklahoma State @ TCU          4:00 pm Fox Sports 1
Stanford @ ARIZONA STATE    10:30 pm ESPN

I will, once again, bring you all my picks, both in the NFL and the Florida College games, on Thursday.

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Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have all the latest news from the University of Miami.


From FIU, David J. Neal of the Herald, who is, once again, allowed to see FIU play and practice, has the latest from the University of Westchester in his blog.  


Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and the Seminoles:


From Gainesville and the University of Florida:


The Central Florida Knights are in the house:


Every week, celebrating the fact that we will now have a four-team playoff to determine the national championship, I will bring you my TOP FOUR teams in college football, a good barometer of what teams could end up in the four-team playoff.  For now, here are this week’s “TOP FOUR”:

1.  Florida State
2.  Mississippi State
3.  Ole Miss
4.  Baylor

Just on the outside, looking in:  Notre Dame 

Another reminder . . . . I’ll have my picks, both NFL and College, in Thursday’s blog.

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Remember - - - Call me for all your real estate needs in Central Florida, Ocala, and The Villages . . . 




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Let’s shift gears, and head out to the baseball diamonds.

The Kansas City Royals have taken a 2-0 lead in their series with the Baltimore Orioles, and now are home for the next two contests.  Over in the National League, the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals are tied at one game apiece.

Here are the probable pitchers and schedules for the week:

TUESDAY  

4:00 pm   Cards @ Giants John Lackey vs Tim Hudson    Fox Sports 1


8:00 pm Orioles @ Royals Wei-Yin Chen vs Jeremy Guthrie TBS


WEDNESDAY

4:00 pm     Orioles @ Royals Chris Tillman vs James Shields
TBS

8:00 pm Cards @ Giants      Shelby Miller vs Ryan Vogelsong 
Fox Sports 1

Playoff news and notes:

In Wednesday’s game, since game Three was rained out in Kansas City on Monday, both managers have the options of going with their game one starters on regular rest.  Otherwise, the Royals could choose to go with Jason Vargas, while the O’s could opt for Miguel Gonzalez.  

The Cardinals are keeping their fingers crossed on the status of catcher Yadier Molina.  Molina suffered a strained oblique muscle in Sunday’s game.  He is feeling better, but he is not in the starting lineup for game 3.  A. J. Pierzynski will be starting behind the plate for the Cards, hitting sixth in the lineup.  Molina may be available off the bench.  Personally, I wouldn't hold my breath for him to make an appearance in game 3.

The Orioles have an uphill battle as they face a 2-0 deficit in their series with the Royals.  Eleven times a home team has lost the first two games of a seven-game League Championship Series, and none have rallied to win the series.  We should remember however, that both the 1986 Mets and the 1996 Yankees lost the first two games of the World Series at home, and came back to win the series. 

Can you believe that the Royals have had at least one runner on base in every inning so far in this series against the Orioles?  They are beginning to look like a team of destiny, as they are the first team in major league history to win four extra-inning games in the postseason.  

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION:  Who has the record for the most postseason home runs in MLB history?  Who holds the record for the most World Series home runs?  The answer comes later, alligator. 

For the latest Marlins news and stories, as well as Dolphin news, you need to make sure you follow my good friend Larry Walansky on nbcmiami.com. 


Here is Joe Frisaro’s MLB Marlins Blog:


The Yankees’ blog is here, thanks to Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News:


The Baseball Writers Association has released the schedule for award announcements in MLB:

Rookies of the Year Mon   November 10
Managers of the Year Tue    November 11
Cy Young Awards Wed   November 12
Most Valuable Players Thu   November 13



THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION:  Who has the record for the most postseason home runs in MLB history?  Who holds the record for the most World Series home runs?  

The postseason record for home runs is held by Manny Ramirez, with 29.  Bernie Williams is second, with 22 and Derek Jeter is third, with 20.  The World Series record for home runs belongs to Mickey Mantle, who blasted 18.  Babe Ruth is second, with 15 and Yogi Berra holds down the third spot with 12.  

NOTE TO THE NEW COMMISSIONER:  BASEBALL NEEDS TO  DIFFERENTIATE AND SEPARATE WORLD SERIES RECORDS FROM POSTSEASON RECORDS.   THE WORLD SERIES RECORDS SHOULD REMAIN SEPARATE AND STAND ALONE.  

Let’s go to the hardwood.  Here is the Herald’s Miami Heat Blog: 


Let’s shift gears and hit the ice.  Here is George Richard’s Florida Panthers Blog:


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Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day.