Championship Time!

How about that? An all-SEC Women's National Championship tomorrow night. I have no dog in the race since I just knew the Huskies would roll on without a defeat. Now they know how it feels to lose a game and to play a tight game. It's a good lesson. Mississippi State and South Carolina face off, and I hope it's a good game. Congratulations in advance to the winner of the game.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs face off against my UNC Tarheels on Monday night. I've been a Tarheels fan for at least twenty-five years since my tenure as a young teacher in Abilene. I just liked them for some reason and took a strong dislike to Duke down Tobacco Road. Now I have one of my favorite underdogs facing my all-time favorite NCAA Men's team (aside from my beloved Texas A&M Aggies!). I want my Tarheels to redeem themselves from last year's heartbreaking buzzer beater against Villanova. Go Tarheels! Frank Isola of Around the Horn fame is the only panelist who picked UNC in the finals to win it.

Lady Grid out.

No Scares Today

Thursday Night Lights aka High School Wrap-Up

1. Plano East defeated Hebron 21-14. Woo-hoo, Panthers! Keep on rolling through the playoffs!
2. Frisco Centennial demolished Little Elm, 42-10. Way to go, Titans.
3. McAllen Memorial annihilated La Joya Palmview, 69-21.
4. Manual Arts Toilers were defeated by Los Angeles on Friday evening.
5. The Lincoln High Tigers suffered a loss to Venus on Friday evening.

College Picks – October 31, 2015 - I've bolded my choices to make them easier to identify.

1. Illinois vs. Penn State
2. Ole Miss vs. Auburn
3. Syracuse vs. Florida State
4. South Carolina vs. Texas A&M University
5. Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech
6. University of Southern California vs. California
7. Georgia vs. Florida
8. Maryland vs. Iowa
9. Louisiana Monroe vs. Louisiana Lafayette
10. Tulsa vs. SMU
11. San Diego State vs. Colorado State
12. Tennessee vs. Kentucky
13. Texas at Iowa State
14. Notre Dame vs. Temple
15. Stanford vs. Washington State

Congratulations to the Mets on their win over the Royals last night. That first inning two-run homer by Captain David Wright set the tone for the evening. Let’s get game two under our belts tonight, boys!  Play ball!

I think the Around the Horn win was rigged since Izzy dressed up like Tony Reali on yesterday's broadcast. Just saying. (wink, wink)

Lady Grid out.

The Lady Smiles

My NFL playoff bracket had the Denver Broncos against the Seattle Seahawks.  I still won't go to Las Vegas to play the odds, but bragging rights can be fun as long as one isn't obnoxious about it.  Some of my students will see a smile on my face tomorrow, but they won't hear any taunting of any sort.  In the past when Texas A&M was in the SWC and then Big XII and beat Texas, I simply wore a shirt/sweater with the logo and went about my business. I never mentioned the game's result or became overly emotional. I have neither Seattle Seahawks nor Denver Broncos gear and wont' purchase any.  When the Super Bowl kicks off, I will be cheering for General Peyton who came back after multiple surgeries and had an epic season capped off by defeating one of his best rivals out there. I will hear some of the hype and hooplah that comes along with Super Bowl XLVIII; I just won't listen to all of it.

OVERALL PLAYOFF RECORD:  7-3

Kevin Durant is a boss after a career-high fifty-four  points scored in a game against the Golden State Warriors and then scoring thirty last night against the Sacramento Kings.  He is definitely one to watch.  My son Ninja Boy will watch the Spurs-Thunder game's results on Wednesday night when the Thunder come to San Antonio to play some hoops.  The Magic were happy to notch up their first win of 2014 after suffering a ten-game losing streak.  Ouch.

You know I'll be tuned in to Around the Horn and PTI this afternoon.  Woody Paige was the only columnist to pick correctly on Around the Horn; I will be curious to see how many points are deducted from the writers who did not pick correctly.  Fear the chalkboard, baby!

Lady Grid out.

I'm Back!

Technical issues with the computer have kept me away from my keyboard, but I've been watching my shows Around the Horn and PTI without fail.  A self-portrait in the throne room is classless and tasteless, J. Winston.  You're on the national championship team and need some schooling about appropriate protocol. A Yellow Flag of Shame to you!

I know of a couple of students who are unhappy about the performance of their beloved Miami Heat in New York.  Two losses in a row on the road for the Heat won't really matter much when the post-season starts. They will be in the thick of things, no doubt.  I want Blake Griffin to continue improving his game, not just the video-worthy dunks.  They beat the Lakers by thirty-six points.  Whoa, Nellie!

You already know who I pick to win on Saturday and Sunday for the NFL divisional playoffs.  Just a quick refresher won't hurt. I am favoring the home teams this week, once again.

Saturday, January 11, 2014, at 3:35 P.M.:  Saints vs. Seahawks

I think the Saints will ride in after beating the Eagles in Philadelphia, but they won't overcome Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, and the crowd.  The ONLY 12th Man I acknowledge is from Texas A&M University; accept no substitutes.  His name was E. King Gill; we have a statue commemorating him and his willingness to step on the field as the original 12th man.

Saturday, January 11, 2014, at 7:15 P.M.:  Colts vs. Patriots

Let's see, Bill Belichick is the head coach for New England; Tom Brady is the quarterback for New England; these guys know how to win even without having marquee receivers.  I like Andrew Luck's style, but the Indy defense makes you have to play catch-up football.  No thanks.  Patriots win.

Sunday, January 12, 2014, at 12:05 P.M.:  49ers vs. Panthers

I've been listening to talk all week: Cam or Kap?  Which young QB inspires me as a football fan? Whose defense is going to show up to harass our young game managers?  I think the Panthers have had a nice rest getting ready to send Kap packing. My son Ninja Boy is a Panthers fan who lives in Texas.  Go figure. Being a good Mama, I  picked them on my bracket. My fingers are crossed, and I may be too nervous to watch the game when Kaepernick dons his greasy jersey. I truly believe his soaks his jersey in some type of oil that keeps him out of defenders' grasping hands.  It is maddening!

Sunday, January 12, 2014, at 3:40 P.M.:  Chargers vs. Broncos

General Peyton is marshaling the troops to take on Mr. Bolo aka Peck's Bad Boy Philip Rivers.  The Broncos have to really want it and find ways to stop Mr. Bolo.  Peyton has never beaten these guys in the playoffs, yet.  It's time to take advantage of being at home, boys.  The Chargers are hungry; the Broncos have to cut off the buffet.

Lady Grid out.

A One Bowl Day

Here's a look at my Bowl Report Card.

Taxlsayer.com Gator Bowl: Nebraska vs. Georgia, LOSS- That Dawg let me down.  The Huskers only scored during two quarters of the game, and the Dawgs scored in the last three quarters but came up short. Woof.
Heart of Dallas Bowl: UNLV vs. North Texas, LOSS - I will not doubt the Mean Green again.
Capitol One Bowl: Wisconsin vs. South Carolina, WIN - Now SEC quarterbacks can sleep well because Jadaveon Clowney will head to the NFL in the draft.
Outback Bowl: Iowa vs. LSU, WIN - This one ended with a closer score than anticipated.
Rose Bowl: Stanford vs. Michigan State, WIN - I was questioning my choice after the first quarter ended.
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: UCF vs. Baylor, LOSS - What happened here?  I was stunned because Baylor had been mugged in the first quarter then rallied to make this a bit more even before the half ended.was questioning my choice after the first quarter ended.

OVERALL SCORE: 13-16

Mercifully, there is only one bowl game scheduled for today with the Allstate Sugar Bowl.  I think that the Alabama Crimson Tide will whip up on the Oklahoma Sooners (aka the Wagonriders).  You and I will find out at the same time this evening if I am correct or not. The SEC will be 6-1 in bowl games if I am right.

A big welcome back to Around the Horn and its sister program PTI.  I have missed the banter of the columnists and relish laughing about their observations at 4:00 P.M. CST on ESPN2.  I'll be figuring out my NFL post-season bracket and letting you in on my personal predictions. 

Lady Grid out.