Pop Coaches USA, World Series Set, High School and College Gridion

I still need to listen to PTI's podcast from yesterday. I'm sure Tony had no mercy for Mike Wilbon after his beloved Cubs lost the NLCS. Woohoo about Popovich taking over coaching Team USA after Coach K's reign ends with the 2016 Olympics. I love Coach K's style of a being a principled gentleman I admire despite the fact that he coaches the Duke University Blue Devils. Integrity knows no bounds or fan biases. He's a class act!

It will be the Kansas City Royals against the New York Metropolitans for the World Series. Go Mets.

High School Recap

1. Plano East defeated Lewisville, 27-13.
2. On Thursday, Lincoln won over Godly, 38-21.
3. McAllen Memorial took on crosstown rival McAllen High and beat them 55-21.

College Gridiron Time!

1. Poor Syracuse Orange hosts Pittsburgh.
2. Winless UCF readies itself for the Houston Cougars.
3. My beloved USC Trojans, still reeling from this season’s upheavals, expect no mercy from the Utah Utes. Sigh.
4. Despite the rain, Baylor thrashes Iowa State at its homecoming game.
5. Texas Tech travels north to Oklahoma, but they won’t prevail this time.
6. The luckless Kansas Jayhawks must be wondering why a trip to Stillwater, Oklahoma,–the domicile of Pistol Pete and his Oklahoma State faithful–is necessary at this point in the season.
7. Indiana Hoosiers will be 0-4 after their roadtrip to Lansing, Michigan. Sparty’s doing the undefeated dance.
8. Northwestern doesn’t recover from last week’s beatdown in Lincoln, Nebraska. Huskers win.
9. Texas A&M ventures to play Ole Miss. Gig 'em, Aggies!
10. Here’s an opportunity for Miami (OH) to have a win in the MAC conference at Western Michigan.
11. Ohio State plays Rutgers. Um, yeah. Why is this on national television on Saturday night?
12. Tennessee is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The orange faithful will leave dejected. I hope to silence the home crowd with an upset. Wake up!
13. Yawn. SMU is in Tampa to play ball against South Florida. Bulls win.
14. Kentucky will be hearing more cowbells than they ever imagined in Starkville, Mississippi. State wins.
15. Good luck to the Texas State Bobcats in their game against the South Alabama Jaguars.

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.

Desperately Seeking Victory

Illness makes a vacation desirable.  The last two days have found me not feeling well and not staying up with my sports as much as I'd like.  I don't know what to think about the Mike Tomlin fine except, "Ouch!" I couldn't write that cheque by any means.  Are we surprised that Kobe won't be back in action tomorrow? Who will win tonight's NFL game in Florida featuring the Houston Texans playing the Jacksonville Jaguars? The Jaguars haven't won a home game yet. The Texans desperately want another win for the season; the Jaguars desperately want to avoid the double-digit loss column and yet another loss in front of the home team crowd.  If the winter weather that is promised hits tonight, expect to find me drinking hot cocoa and bundled up while watching the game at some point in the evening. It's more likely I'll be playing catch-up with my recordings of Around the Horn and PTI.

Lady Grid out.

Roundball Rockin'

Collegiate Hoops

There are over forty NCAA games today.  There won't be forty picks made.  After last night's startling results on the hardwood, it makes one rethink the choices to be made.  Nah, time to pick some games.  Still won't catch me in Vegas or Atlantic City, though.

1. Alabama has a phenomenal football team; however, Coach K and his Blue Devils squad led by Jabari Parker will remind them with a sound whipping tonight in the NIT Semi-Finals.
2. Arkansas goes up against Gonzaga.  Go, Bulldogs.
3. Wisconsin faces off against West Virginia in Cancun. Adios, Mountaineers.
4. Syracuse beat Cal last night and now take on the eighteenth-ranked Baylor Bears.  Orange triumphs again.
5. The Drexel Dragons square off in the NIT Semis against the Arizona Wildcats.  Arizona will stay undefeated.
6. Illegal Game of the Day features Eastern Michigan at Kentucky.  That paycheck must be a good one.
7. Late Game: TCU Horned Frogs play at Alaska Anchorage in the Great Alaska Shootout Tourney at 2:00 A.M. CST.  I'll check the results tomorrow morning over coffee.  Push.

Pro-Speak

One dozen professional-level games get played today, but only a few rate my interest.  I agree with Charles Barkley about the East being terrible.  He gets paid to watch that madness while I get to pick what will sully my eyes.  Is there no one who can defeat the Miami Heat in the East? No one? Sigh.

1. LA Lakers at Brooklyn tonight? Brooklyn loses like they did until the Toronto game last night. Huh? How'd they do that?
2. Joke Reel: Cleveland has the Miami Heat coming to town.  I've seen the ads about the new face of the Cavs against the former face of the Cavs. James and Co. annihilate the Cavs tonight. Yawn.
3. San Antonio's Grumpy Old Men visit the youngsters in OKC.  This one will be too exciting to call at this point.  My son is pulling for the Spurs as usual, but I find Durant an intriguing player. Push.
4. Will Lob City return in the game against the visiting NY Knicks? Tony Kornheiser sure hopes not and will hopefully mention something about the game on PTI later today.
5. After that crazy 360-degree dunk last night, Washington bears watching.  Too bad they're playing the Bucs. Yawn number two.

Last Words: Cheers to the Dallas Stars for the win at home over Anaheim.  Three goals in fifty-three seconds just makes the eyes dizzy and the heart race with delight if the team you want to win does it.  Good job, guys!

Lady Grid out.

Mixed Bag of Tricks

It's been a busy week at work, and I finally was able to watch PTI and Around the Horn tonight after being too busy to view each of my new favorite programs. C'est la guerre!  Did you hear about the husband who tasered his wife after she lost the bet for the Packers-Bears game?  My husband and I don't take such bets now or any time in the near or distant future.

The Dolphins will eventually figure out what went awry between Incognito and Martin and their working relationship as such.  It's a mess that I cannot address because I don't have the particulars.  What little that has leaked out seems awful, but once again, I don't know each party personally.

Is he or isn't he? Will Nick Saban get itchy feet and move to Austin, Texas, to coach the Longhorns? Don't they already have a coach with Mack Brown? Don't they have a decent record (6-2) in their conference? Is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence? I don't have the answers either.

Washington (3-5) plays Minnesota (1-7) tomorrow night at Mall of America Field.  I don't know if the Vikings can work some magic before their hometown crowd or not.  Perhaps Robert Griffin, III, will be true to his form of last year and put a hurting on an already beleaguered defense.  Too many injuries cause too many holes.  Redskins win on the road.

Lady Grid out.