Month: October 2010 (Page 9 of 62)

      2010 College Football Week 9 Odds

      October 27, 2010 /
      EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Mark Dell of the Michigan State Spartans scores a touchdown in front of Justan Vaughn of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

      No. 5 Michigan State vs. No. 18 Iowa, 3:30PM ABC
      After narrowly escaping Northwestern last Saturday, the Spartans once again hit the road this week to take on a Big Ten opponent looking to play spoiler. Given that they don’t have to play Ohio State this year, this will likely be Michigan State’s last big challenge in the conference. If they can beat the Hawkeyes, the Spartans have very winnable games against Minnesota and Purdue at home, as well as at Penn State in late November to wrap up the season. If MSU can get through Iowa, then the sky’s the limit.
      CURRENT ODDS: IOWA –6.5

      No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 14 Nebraska, 3:30PM ET ABC
      In beating long-time nemesis Oklahoma last week, the Tigers proved to the rest of the college football world that they’re for real. Of course, things don’t get any easier for them this week as they travel to Lincoln to take on a Nebraska team that rebounded from its loss to Texas two weeks ago with a win over Oklahoma State. Missouri has lost 15 in a row on the road against AP Top 25 teams, but they’ve won four of seven over the Huskers since losing 24 straight earlier in the series. A big road win would further cement the Tigers’ place in the top-10.
      CURRENT ODDS: NEBRASKA –7.5

      No. 1 Auburn vs. Ole Miss, 6:00PM ET ESPN2
      Dear, Barbara – how good is Cam Newton? Auburn’s Heisman Trophy candidate rushed for a career-high 217 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-17 win over LSU last Saturday. Those 217 yards gave him 1,077 for the year, which is the most in a single-season by a quarterback in SEC history. He and the Tigers have a tough task ahead of them this Saturday, as they look to avoid the fate that Ohio State and Oklahoma (previous No. 1-ranked teams) succumbed to in previous weeks. Auburn has the nation’s 10th-ranked offense and shouldn’t have a problem moving the ball against the SEC’s 10th-ranked defense. The Rebels have split their last six games against top 10 opponents, while the Tigers had won seven straight road games against Ole Miss before losing 17-7 in 2008.
      CURRENT ODDS: AUBURN –7

      No. 2 Oregon vs. USC, 8:00PM ET ABC
      While No. 1 in the AP Top 25 polls, the Ducks are currently No. 2 behind Auburn in the BCS Standings, which is further proof how screwed up college football is when it comes to its rankings. The last time these two teams met Oregon handed USC a 47-20 loss, which was the Trojans’ worst defeat since 1997. That victory catapulted the Ducks to a Pac-10 championship, ending the Trojans’ seven-year title run. This year, it’ll be USC’s turn to play the role of spoiler, as Oregon continues to make its claim to play in the national title game. Opponents that have tried to get into a shootout with Oregon this season have suffered a miserable fate, but with Matt Barkley under center, USC certainly has the tools to go toe-to-toe with the Ducks’ high-powered offense. This should be one of the most entertaining games of the season.
      CURRENT ODDS: OREGON –6.5

      2010 College Football Week 9 Opening Odds:

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      College Football, External Sports

      Sterger’s Friend: Favre is a “dopey, dopey character.”

      October 27, 2010 /
      Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre looks up after being sacked by the Green Bay Packers defense with less the two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, Wisconsin October 24, 2010. Favre's legendary status as the ironman of the National Football League looked vulnerable on Monday when he was diagnosed with two fractures in his left ankle. Picture taken October 24, 2010. REUTERS/Allen Fredrickson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      The hits keep coming for Brett Favre, both on and off the field.

      While speaking to the New York Post recently, Jenn Sterger’s friend Allison Torres claims that Sterger and Favre traded text messages “regularly” while they were both in New York. Torres also confirmed what everyone already knows: that the naked text messages were in fact of Lord Favre’s junk.

      “At the time, his family was living somewhere in Morristown, NJ, but he would stay at a hotel near Giants Stadium,” Torres said.

      “I did think that was kind of weird. He would say to her, ‘Come over.’ She would keep saying to me, ‘I don’t know what to do.’ ”

      But Torres said Sterger wouldn’t tell her whether or not the two actually met for a tryst.

      “I just know they kept texting each other back and forth and that he wanted to hook up,” Torres said. “I wouldn’t doubt she was enjoying the attention from him.”

      Favre was not the first star athlete to allegedly send naked pictures to Sterger, Torres said.

      “She could make millions if she ever cashed in on all the naked photos she gets from friends,” Torres said.

      Torres described Favre as a “dopey, dopey character.”

      Here’s a wild thought: What if Sterger asked Brett to send photos of his manhood? If what Torres says is true and Favre isn’t the only celebrity to send Sterger junk mail, then maybe she asks the guys to do it for whatever reason (whether it be to exhibit some kind of control over them or just to laugh at them with her friends).

      Either way, it still doesn’t appear that Favre did anything legally wrong here. If Sterger was sending text messages back to Brett and laughing about his advances with her friends, there’s an obvious case to be made that she wasn’t sexually harassed – nor did she ever feel that way. He may be a douche for cheating (or trying to cheat) on his wife, but that doesn’t mean he should face punishment from the league.

      Of course, if you look at the photo of Torres in the NYP, she looks like someone that wouldn’t mind getting a little attention of her own. It might be best to take what she’s saying with a grain of salt.

      External Sports, NFL

      Major announcement coming on Thursday from Dana White

      October 27, 2010 /
      NEW YORK - MARCH 24: Dana White, president of the UFC, speaks at a press conference for UFC 111 at Radio City Music Hall on March 24, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

      Nate Lawson of HeavyMMA.com writes that UFC president Dana White will be making a major announcement this Thursday.

      There is no word as to what the announcement is, as the promotion has not hinted at anything as of this point in time.

      The last time the promotion came out with a major announcement, Dana White revealed that the UFC would be opening offices in Toronto and that Tom Wright would lead the charge in Canada. However, no rumors have surfaced about another office opening. Thus, the announcement is currently a bit of a mystery.

      Be sure to check back with HeavyMMA.com for coverage on the upcoming announcement.

      Read more MMA headlines.

      External Sports, Mixed Martial Arts, UFC

      DVD Review: “Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals”

      October 27, 2010 /

      For years, the passion they shared for winning made Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird the most bitter of rivals. It also made theirs the most compelling rivalry in sports, driving the NBA to new heights of popularity in the 1980s. Narrated by Liev Schreiber, this all-new documentary tells the riveting story of two superstars who couldn’t have been more different — until they forged an unlikely friendship from the superheated rivalry that had always kept them apart.

      And that’s how “Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals” is described on its back cover. HBO Entertainment did a nice job outlining the duo’s relationship starting with their joint appearance as part of Team USA’s warmup to the 1976 Olympics and their clash in the 1979 NCAA championship game all the way through their respective retirements.

      By now, most basketball fans are aware of the rivalry/friendship that Magic and Larry developed over the years, but this 90-minute documentary digs deeper into each man’s personality and puts their relationship into context based on what was going on in the country at that particular time. Bird was extremely introverted and for much of his career it wasn’t his style to be friends with an opponent. Meanwhile, Magic was an extrovert and loved being loved, so when Bird snubbed Magic before the NCAA title game, the relationship was purely adversarial for several years. That loss bothered Bird for years, and it wasn’t until Converse convinced the two players to shoot a commercial (in French Lick, Indiana, on Bird’s request) did the two men actually become friends.

      The documentary also covers each player’s childhood, Larry’s first day with the Celtics, how their rivalry became fodder for racists in Boston and around the country, Larry’s reaction to Magic’s HIV revelation, and how their unselfish style of play effectively saved the NBA. The film relies heavily on interviews with the two players, and it’s refreshing to hear them describe the different milestones in their relationship in their own words. It’s funny, emotional and for those of us that grew up watching the two superstars battle in the Finals — plenty of nostalgia.

      The only knock is the complete lack of bonus features on the DVD, so for viewers who have already seen the film on HBO, there isn’t any extra content to dig into. But that’s just a small gripe — on the whole, “Magic & Bird” is an outstanding production.

      External Sports, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Television

      Celtics hold off new-look Heat, 88-80

      October 26, 2010 /
      Boston Celtics' Shaquille O'Neal (R) dunks over Miami Heat defenders, including Chris Bosh (1), during the first quarter of their NBA game in Boston, Massachusetts, October 26, 2010. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

      It was an ugly first half that included a nine-point first quarter from Miami’s new Super Friends, but LeBron James (31-4-3, 8 turnovers) got it going in the second half and led the way as the Heat cut Boston’s 19-point lead down to three. But Rajon Rondo (17 assists) Paul Pierce (19-9-3), Ray Allen (20 points, 5-8 3PT) and Glen Davis (13-5) were too much in the end, and the Celtics prevailed, 88-80.

      I actually think the Heat will come away feeling pretty good about the game, given the performance of Dwyane Wade (4-of-16, 13 points) and Chris Bosh (3-of-11, 8 points). Wade didn’t play much at all in the preseason and was obviously shaking off the rust as the game wore on. And let’s not forget that the Heat were without their fourth (or fifth) best player, Mike Miller, who injured his hand and will be out for a while. They also need to figure out how to chase Allen on those off-ball screens. Both Wade and House tried to go over the top when they should just chase, chase and chase some more.

      For the Celtics, Shaq (9-7) started the game, but Davis finished it. The best line I saw on Twitter came from @ShotDrJr: “When Big Baby comes in for Shaq, it’s as if the Celtics have opened a nesting doll.” Classic.

      Heat fans obviously shouldn’t panic. It was an important game, but the chips were stacked against Miami. Wade was rusty and the Heat haven’t had a chance to work out the offensive kinks, and going up against the league’s best defensive team is not the way to do it. The fact that they scored just nine points in the first quarter and still only lost by eight is actually encouraging.

      External Sports, Fantasy Basketball, NBA

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