Big East Expansion

Yesterday, after my random Chris Bosh rant (that actually drew a live studio audience!), we opened talking Big East expansion. The news yesterday was that a number of schools were being considered as possible new members by the conference. Sources to the New York Posts' Len Robbins have said up to 12 teams were on the Big East's expansion wish list. Obviously, Villanova, Central Florida, and Memphis have to be on that list. All three have long been rumored to be the next schools added to the bloated Big East.

- The shocking news out of Robbins' report was that the conference was actually even thinking of adding TCU to the fold. That, boys and girls, is Texas Christian University. As in Texas, the state (just to be clear)! And you thought the 'Big East' playing conference games in Kentucky was ridiculous. TCU is, evidently, one of those 12 schools being looked at by the Big East.

- Reports today out of the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram say that TCU officials have actually met with Big East officials in the past month about a possible jump from the Mountain West Conference to the conference that once was just in the east. TCU AD Chris Del Conte, according to the Star-Telegram, was unavailable for comment because he was away on business that took him to Philadelphia and New York City. The stop in Philly was to deal with MWC television meetings, but the speculation certainly jumps as to why Del Conte went to NYC. One could take a guess he was there to once again listen to the Big East officials make their pitch to have TCU join the Big East.

- First, I hate that this is the death of the Mountain West Conference. The MWC is and has been a better football conference than the Big East for the last five years, and in all reality, if it could have stuck, the conference deserved the BCS title that the Big East is still trying to hold on too. BYU is going independent (stupid), Utah jumped to the Pac-10 (smart), and now TCU wants out. If, in 10 years, you are arguing with someone about why there should be a playoff system in college football, remind them how freaking fun it was to watch TCU, Utah, and BYU continually beat up on the 'Big Boys.' The BCS dream and the BCS money caused these three schools to venture away from the conference in hopes of one day having a shot at the national title and a shot at all that cash.

- Secondly, since 2004 I have been on the get 'Syracuse Out of The Big East' tangent and battling the Big East 'homers'. There is a massive rift between the basketball schools and the football schools in the conference. I have heard from multiple trusted sources that the divide between the two would eventually cause the league to go under and I want to see SU jump ship before the it goes under. The two sides of the Big East have been forced to get along because there hasn't been a choice. Every 'big program' is settled into a BCS conference, so if Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Syracuse wanted to leave the Big East they would have to go independent or hope another BCS conference threw them an invite.

- Adding in TCU, Villanova, or Memphis, etc, is once again putting a band aid on hole in the Titanic. The addition of Connecticut (up from FCS), South Florida, Cincinnati, and Louisville was the original band aid. With TCU you have to figure what to do with the entirety of their athletics (cost), with 'Nova you need to wait as the football program goes from FBS to FCS status, and Memphis, well, Memphis is horrible. None of those options gives the Big East a leg up against the rest of the BCS leagues. There are six total and the Big East, with even a top 10 TCU squad, is last.

- The Big East loyalists that I battle with want to save the conference at all costs, but does the league they want to save even exist? Remembering history is great, clinging to it keeps you from moving forward. Is Syracuse v. DePaul in hoops or Syracuse v. TCU in football staying true to what was created in 1980 ('91 in football)? I continue to maintain SU needs to get out. How do that? The same way Colorado went from afterthought Big 12 school to Pac-10 member in about a two week cycle. The Pac-10 intimated that they were looking at expansion and there is no doubt that Colorado officials jumped on that. Back channel communications, phone calls, meetings, all of that led to the Buffaloes playing in the same league as USC and UCLA next year. Syracuse needs to do the same.

- All this energy fans want the Big East to waste on trying to avoid leagues like the Big 10 or SEC from taking away members should be used by SU officials to speak with those very leagues about moving too.

- I hate that the Big East has fallen to the point that TCU seems like a good 'get.' The Horned Frogs have been talented under Gary Patterson, but, at their best, TCU is not a conference savior. I hate that Big East loyalists would rather have the conference include programs from Texas just to preserve the tradition that's long since gone, rather than have Syracuse jump to a better situation. Sometimes it is best for conferences just to go away, even the tradition filled ones (ask the SWC).

- At this point I am hoping Syracuse has an option outside of the Big East, because if the loyalists get their way, the new Big East will be larger than ever and just as mediocre. (nunesmagician.com)

MMSF Power 10 Week 3

Every Tuesday here on the Blog - and later on the show - we unveil our NFL Power 10. This is a snap shot of the top tier of teams in the league based on the games played to this point. Do you agree or disagree with these rankings? Please email your thoughts in at mattmcsportsfix@yahoo.com

1. Pittsburgh 3 - 0 (2) - Ben Roethlisberger who? 87 year old Charlie Batch guides the Steelers to two big road victories and the Steelers are one game away from going 4-0 without Roethlisberger. Can we all agree that Troy Polamalu is still nasty?
2. Indianapolis 2-1 (NR) - Two bounce back victories for the Colts following their opening day loss at Houston show that Indy is probably going to quietly win 12 games again this year. Blah blah blah.
3. New York Jets 2-1 (8) - loved this stat from Sports Illustrated's Peter King - since the start of the '09 season Miami has had five players get arrested. The maverick run Jets have had one player arrested in that same time period.
4. New Orleans 2-1 (1) - The Saints have struggled in their first three games of the season, finally losing in OT to Atlanta this past Sunday. I still think that Drew Brees and company will right the ship, especially with that upcoming schedule.
5. Green Bay 2-1 (3) - The glass half full says that the Packers should have beaten the Bears on the road Monday night but self inflicted errors cost them. The glass half empty says that the Packers committed 17 penalties. Does a Super Bowl team really implode like that?
6. Atlanta 2-1 (NR) - The Falcons laid an egg at Pittsburgh in week one and has since turned it around. The 49ers are up next at the Georgia Dome and that means San Fran will be 0-4 (I picked the 49ers to finish #2 in the NFC)! I still have my concerns about the Falcons offense, especially quarterback Matt Ryan.
7. Miami 2-1 (5) - Is it just me or have the Ravens and the Dolphins been the exact same team for the past 12 years? All Miami does is play defense, stay with teams in games, and win ugly. The exact same recipe Baltimore uses. It's not pretty but Miami will probably win 10 games, make the playoffs, and lose round one, again.
8. Houston 2-1 (4) - Week one Arian Foster had to rush for 4 million yards for the Texans to beat the Colts. Week two had Matt Schaub throw for 4 million yards for the Texans to come back and beat the Redskins. Without those type of performances Houston went down to Dallas at home. I think the Texans are closer to that team than they are to a Super Bowl contender. Their secondary is horrible, plus keep an eye on the injured Andre Johnson.
9. Baltimore 2-1 (7) - I can't tell you how much I hate the Ravens right now. Not only do I still own Joe Flacco for my fantasy team, but I also employ running back Ray Rice. Baltimore's offense is horrible (See; Dolphins, Miami) and their defense just gave up over 100 yards and a TD to that dude Peyton Hillis. If I could sell the Ravens right now I would but no one is taking Flacco or Rice, trust me, I know.
10. New England 2-1 (6) - It's a general rule of thumb for us here at MMSF to not rank any team that allows the Buffalo Bills to keep the game close and allows Ryan Fitzpatrick to look like a professional quarterback. The issue here is I don't buy the Chicago Bears, thus here are the Pats. Three weeks into the season we have a whole lot of crap teams and a whole lot of alright teams and no dominate team.

MMSF Top 10 Week Four

Every week here on the Blog we unveil our Top 10 in college football. These rankings are based on this week only, it is not a prediction for how we feel the season will end. Click here to see the latest Top 25 Associated Press and Coaches Polls.

1. Alabama 4-0 (1) - I'm not exactly sure how the Tide survived Arkansas. Granted they did force two Razorback quarterback Ryan Mallett picks in the fourth quarter and 'Bama running back Mark Ingram ran like crazy against the Hogs, and...oh yeah I guess I do know how the Tide survived.
2. Ohio State 4-0 (2) - Can you believe that the Buckeyes allowed Eastern Michigan to score 23 points on Saturday at the Horseshoe? Completely shocking. Oh, Ohio State did put up 73 points, so theres that. I think we are all trying to not talk about the fact OSU and Alabama are on a course to play each other in the BCS title game.
3. Boise State 3-0 (3) - There is no one happier that the Nevada football team is ranked again for the first time in years than the team and it's coaching staff. Well, no one happier than Boise who needs all the wins over ranked teams they can get. It just so happens the Broncos play at the Wolfpack later this year.
4. TCU 4-0 (4) -This is the last time the Horned Frogs will be this high in the Top 10. I love Gary Patterson as a coach and TCU has legit talent like QB Andy Dalton, but there next big challenge is at Utah. Thanks to the BCS there can only be one Boise State per season, sorry TCU.
5. Oregon 4-0 (6) - I love Chip Kelly's Oregon Ducks! They do nothing but score points, and until Saturday at Arizona State, the Ducks had crushed opposing offenses as well. I say until Saturday because the Sun Devils tallied almost 600 yards of total offense! That's concerning.
6. Florida 4-0 (NR) - That's right I didn't have the Gators ranked last week. Why this week? Because; A. The offense looked great against Kentucky and B. Freshmen backup QB Trey Burton rushed for five TDs and caught another one. Tim Tebow Part II - The Tebowing.
7. Nebraska 4-0 (8) - The Cornhuskers looked less than Top 10 worthy this past weekend at home against South Dakota. I put little stock in that game and more in the fact that Nebraska has looked great in the previous three games. The Huskers are better than they showed at home Saturday against an FCS school.
8. Stanford 4-0 (NR) - The Cardinal have road wins at UCLA (who won at Texas on Saturday) and at Notre Dame (who is always hyped beyond belief). Four games into the season Jim Harbaugh's team has two quality road wins - next up is the real test - at Oregon. The winner of that game has the inside track for the Pac 10 title. Yup - Stanford or Oregon!
9. Auburn 4-0 (NR) -
   Two ugly wins in a row for the Tigers, but by beating Clemson and South Carolina at home, Auburn has shown they are a legit team. QB Cam Newton is a two-way threat who could run or pass the Tigers to victory. Auburn is going to create havoc for the entire SEC this year.
10. Oklahoma 4-0 (9) - I hate the Sooners so far this season. OU blew out an overrated Florida State team and they have struggled with Utah State, Air Force, and at Cincinnati this past weekend. This Saturday in the Red River Shootout against Texas is probably going to be the most over-hyped, meaningless, game of the weekend. If Texas wins this game then the Big 12's chances to have a team in the title game fall squarely on Nebraska and their freshmen QB Taylor Martinez.

NFL Power 10 Week 2

Every Tuesday here on the Blog - and later on the show - we unveil our NFL Power 10. This is a snap shot of the top tier of teams in the league based on the games played to this point. Do you agree or disagree with these rankings? Please email your thoughts in at mattmcsportsfix@yahoo.com

1. New Orleans - 2-0 (2) - Drew Brees got the ball back on Monday night with over one minute to go in the game against San Fransisco. If Brees gets the ball back with over 30 seconds to go in a game in which the Saints need three or seven points to win, Brees will get it done. He is in Manning Mode, actually Brees has been in that mode for the past two seasons.
   
2. Pittsburgh - 2-0 (7) - There is just so much to like about the Steelers right now. First up, playing without Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, and even losing Dennis Dixon, Pittsburgh turned to 83 year old Charlie Batch to qb the team. This on the road against Tennessee and the Steelers win while holding Titans RB Chris Johnson to less than 40 yards rushing! Win of the weekend.
3. Green Bay 2-0 (6) - You and I along with nine other schlubs could probably hang with, if not beat, the Buffalo Bills. So I take little away from the Pack beat down against the Bills, but a quick hot start should lead Aaron Rodgers and co. to walk away with the NFC North.
4. Houston - 2-0 (4) - The Texans have beaten AFC rival Indianapolis and last weekend Washington on the road. Houston appears tougher than in the past, but keep in mind it took Matt Schaub throwing for near 500 yards against the 'Skins and RB Arian Foster rushing for over 230 yards against the Colts for the Texans to be 2-0.
   
5. Miami - 2-0 (8) - The second best win of the week has to be the Fins winning against Minnesota in the Metro Dome. Miami is not at all pretty to watch, but their defense is solid and their grind it out offense speeds up games and will keep Miami up right all year.
6. New England - 1-1 (1) - On Sunday the Patriots played two great quarters and two pathetic quarters against the Jets. The two bad quarters, however, came in the second half of a close game. Credit to Rex Ryan and New York for putting up 18 points on the Pats and running away with a win against their rivals. However, New England seems to lose this type of game (see; 2009, Week Two) and then turn it around from there on out.
7. Baltimore 1-1 (3) - Joe Flacco has looked putrid in two games, including throwing for 4 picks against Cincinnati, and back Ray Rice hasn't hit the century mark on the ground. That much talked about offense for the Ravens has yet to show up for 2010 and it looks like Baltimore will be a grind it out, defensive orientated, team this year (heard that before).
8. New York Jets - 1-1 (9) - The Jets would be a lot higher up this list if wideout Braylon Edwards hadn't gotten a DWI Tuesday morning. Throw in the fact that Santonio Holmes is still out serving a suspension and Shonn Greene looking flat out bad as starting running back and the Jets offensively are more of what they showed against the Ravens than the Patriots.
   
9. Tennessee - 1-1 (5) - Tennessee looked like week one's big blow out victory came against a horrible Oakland team (oh wait...) as the Titans couldn't do anything against the Steeler D. QB Vince Young regressed quickly against Pittsburgh and back Chris Johnson looked mortal, both real bad signs for Jeff Fisher's team.
10. Chicago 2-0 (NR) - Jay Cutler didn't throw an interception on the road against Dallas. Let me repeat that again, Jay Cutler didn't throw an interception on the road against Dallas! Everyone's wondering if this Bears team is for real. I'll let you in on a secret, they're not.

MMSF Top 10 Week Three

Every week here on the Blog we unveil our Top 10 in college football. These rankings are based on this week only, it is not a prediction for how we feel the season will end. Last week's ranking in parenthesis.

1. Alabama 3-0 (1) - The Tide got back Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram on Saturday at Duke. The junior back hadn't played a down until Saturday and all he did was run for 151 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries! 6 Alabama runners tallied a total of 315 yards against the Blue Devils.
2. Ohio State 3-0 (2) - In three games Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor has looks as though he has finally hit his stride. In fact I would take Pryor over Michigan QB Denard Robinson any day of the week, but have you realized the OSU defense is allowing just 8 points per game (special teams is another story)?
3. Boise State 2-0 - (3) - The Broncos welcome in #25 Oregon State this Saturday to the Smurf Turf. Boise State also welcomes in ESPN's GameDay and ABC's primetime Game of the Week. We will learn more about Boise in how they deal with GameDay/ABC than the Beavers of OSU.
4. TCU 3-0 (4) - The Horned Frogs have that nasty defense (9th in the nation in points allowed) and TCU now has a nasty offense (6th in the nation in points scored).
5. Texas 3-0 (5) - I was shocked when the 'experts' thought the Longhorns would lose at Texas Tech on Saturday. That's more of a comment on the Red Raiders than on Texas.
6. Oregon 3-0 (6) - The Ducks are first in the nation in points scored, in points allowed, second in rushing yards per game (LaMichael James is a dark horse Heisman candidate), and 49th in passing yards per game. The competition has been weak (last weekend a 69 - 0 win over FCS Portland State), but Oregon is for real.
7. Arkansas - 3-0 (NR) - I may be drinking up the Razorback kool-aid more than others, but Ryan Mallett reminds me of a Drew Bledsoe or Peyton Manning in the way he is owning college football. If Mallett and the hogs can beat 'Bama Saturday, you can the Arkansas qb the Heisman and start printing the Mallett #15 Bills jerseys.
8. Nebraska - 3-0 (7) - The Cornhuskers fall a spot in this week's rankings, but it's not because of their play. Nebraska dominated Washington on the road and looked like a complete team. My blind love for Arkansas evidently caused this ranking. Although, Frosh Taylor Martinez has looked way better than expected for Nebraska so far.
9. Oklahoma 3-0 (8) - What is the deal with the Sooners? Crush Florida State and struggle with Utah State and Air Force. In two weeks either OU or Texas will officially show their true colors in the Red River Rivarly.
10. Wisconson - 3-0 (10) - My national champion runner up is looking horrible in the early going. The Badgers have yet to dominate any opponent and it took fluke and luck to beat Arizona State on Saturday. At Michigan State in two weeks and at Iowa later on will let us all know how much I know about college football.

NFL Power 10 Week 1

Every Tuesday here on the Blog - and later on the show - we unveil our NFL Power 10. This is a snap shot of the top tier of teams in the league based on the games played to this point. Do you agree or disagree with these rankings? Please email your thoughts in at mattmcsportsfix@yahoo.com

1. New England (1-0) - The most impressive win of the weekend that no one seems to be talking about has to be the Pats beat down of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals won the AFC North in '09 with most of the starters returning, yet Cincy was down 24 - 3 at halftime! Wes Welker tore his ACL in week 17 last year. May we all be so lucky!
2. New Orleans (1-0) - What's scarier? The fact that the Saints defense propelled the team to victory over a very good Minnesota team in the season opener, or the fact that Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees had a pedestrian like game yet the Saints still won? I'll give you the answer, it's both. The D looks nasty and we all know Brees is going to eventually tear up secondaries.
3. Baltimore (1-0) - The Ravens held the New York Jets to 176 total yards and six first downs on Monday! Although the offense was still very 'Baltimoreish' (think Trent Dilfer) that win let the NFL know the Ravens are worth the hype.
4. Houston (1-0) - Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson are both Pro Bowlers and they are still members of the Texans. You may not have realized that though due to all of the coverage given Arian Foster. Fantasy owners knew all about Foster well before Sunday, you can bet the Indianapolis Colts don't need to Google him now. The Texans running back rushed for 231 yards and three touchdowns against the defending AFC champs. Houston is now 2-16 all time against the Colts.
5. Tennessee (1-0) - So much for the Oakland Raiders being a sleeper, eh? The Titans looked like the '07 Patriots against the Raiders on Sunday as they crushed Oaktown 38 - 13. Running back Chris Johnson did his thing (142 yards rushing - 3 TDs) but more impressive to me was his 76 yard touchdown run. It's almost unfair to see a running back do that in the National Football League!
6. Green Bay (1-0) - The Packers got up 17 points at Philadelphia and were having their way with an injury and experience depleted Eagles team. It looked as though the Pack were every bit a Super Bowl contender as most made them out to be in the pre-season. Then the Eagles defense pressured Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers into multiple bad throws and Eagles backup Mike Vick carved up the Pack D. I'm not jumping off the Green Bay Bandwagon, but, especially with the injury to Ryan Grant, I am starting to look for a soft spot to land.
7. Pittsburgh (1-0) - Ben who? I kid, I kid. In a game only a field goal kickers mom could love, Pittsburgh beat Atlanta in overtime using backup quarterback Dennis Dixon and kicker Jeff Reed. I come away from this game thinking that the Steelers should be above .500 once Ben Roethlisberger comes back from his suspension and I come away wondering the Falcons Matt Ryan's overall talent. There I said it.
8. Miami (1-0) - The Fins beat Buffalo thanks in large part to a heavy pass rush, the opponent not being good, and Buffalo head coach Chan Gailey not being a good coach. With the schedule Miami has this year, I would worry if I am a fan.
   
9. New York Jets (0-1) - The Jets lost and offensively looked putrid, yet I still think Rex Ryan's outfit will rebound quite nicely. Baltimore was a tough opening game, and clearly Marc Sanchez and the Jets O needs work (week 5 Santonio Holmes comes back), but in the end New York will be there all year.
10. New York Giants (1-0) - I hate the rest of the 1-0 teams just a little bit more than I hate the Giants. New York looked lost at times against Carolina, but the defense forced quarterback Matt Moore into bad throws and Eli Manning seems to have a nice connection with wide receivers Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks (3 TD catches). I'm still not feeling the G-Men in '10.
    

MMSF Top 10

Every week here on the Blog we unveil our Top 10 in college football. These rankings are based on this week only, it is not a prediction for how we feel the season will end.

1. Alabama (1) 2-0 - Mega Saturday turned out to be exactly as I thought - a Mega Over Hyped Saturday as all the favorites cruised to a victory. Bame v. Penn State sounded way better than it was and I think it reaffirmed to the haters that the Tide aren't rebuilding after last season's title. Plus, Nick Saban will get Heisman winner Mark Ingram back soon.
   
2. Ohio State (2) 2-0 - Speaking of Mega Over Hype Saturday, the only 'big' win for me was OSU beating Miami convincingly. The Buckeyes should cruise until a mid-October game at Wisconsin.
3. Boise State (3) 1-0 - The Broncos didn't play, yet they took a major loss as Virginia Tech face-planted at home against FCS James Madison. The road to the title game became that much more difficult for non-AQ Boise.
   
4. TCU (4) 2-0 - The Hornfrogs have scored a total of 92 points in two games! Granted one of those tilts was against Tennessee Tech, but still the TCU defense may not be the best unit on Gary Patterson's squad.
5. Texas (5) 2-0 - In the latest Associated Press poll someone voted Texas number one. The Longhorns have beaten Rice and Wyoming while Alabama, Ohio State, Boise State, and TCU all have at least beaten ranked teams. That voter should be banned. BANNED.
   
6. Oregon (6) 2-0 - Oregon hung 72 points on New Mexico week one and 48 points at Tennessee week two! The Ducks will play four ranked teams in the future, but it's likely they will be favored in every game from here on out. Could OU make a run at the title?
   
7. Nebraska (8) 2-0 - This one goes out to the Jake Locker SU haters - Nebraska plays at Husky Stadium on Saturday in a game that could make or break the Cornhuskers run for '10 and Washington qb Locker's Heisman/NFL status.
8. Oklahoma (7) 2-0 - The Sooners looked much better in game two of the season than in week one against Utah State by hammering Florida State. I still think there are big question marks for Bob Stoops' team. In two weeks UT and OU will battle in the Red River Rivalry with the loser showing their true colors.
   
9. Iowa (9) 2-0 - It's not that I hate Iowa or Hawkeyes, but I hate this team. Is it just me or is Iowa always boring? Watching a Kirk Ferentz coached Iowa team is like watching the Browns play the Bills every week. Calling it now, Iowa loses at Arizona this weekend.
   
10. Wisconsin (10) 2-0 - Still plenty of time to hop on the Sconny bandwagon! Running back John Clay is averaging 130 yards on the ground and two touchdowns in two games. Heisman dark horse possibilities for a BCS title game dark horse?
    

MMSF Top 10

Every week here on the Blog we unveil our Top 10 in college football. These rankings are based on this week only, it is not a prediction for how we feel the season will end.

1. Alabama (1-0) - Keep an eye on this Mark Ingram knee surgery issue. Ingram may miss a month of action. The Tide are home to Penn State Saturday and then at Arkansas later in the month. Upset alert potential.
   
2. Boise State (1-0) - Did you watch that game last night? Virginia Tech is not an elite team, but the Broncos and Hookies played one exciting game. QB Kellen Moore is legit and so is Bosie.
3. Texas (1-0) - The Longhorns didn't look like World Beaters against Rice, but week one is week one.
   
4. TCU (1-0) - Outside of Boise State over Virginia Tech, the biggest win of the weekend went to the Hornfrogs. TCU beat a really good Oregon State team at Jerry's World. Now comes the fall from the top 5 as Gary Patterson's club plays NO ONE else of importance.
5. Florida (1-0) - No Tim Tebow meant a closer than expected home game against Miami. That's not The U, that's Miami, Ohio! Heesh. Urban Meyer's boys better get it together sooner than later.
6. Oregon (1-0) - This poll is based on last weekend and last weekend Oregon beat New Mexico, a division one team, 72 - 0!
7. Oklahoma (1-0) - Of all the games this weekend, the one most over looked may have been OU's squeaker against Utah State. Utah State!?
   
8. Nebraska (1-0) - Cornhuskers head coach Bo Pelini waited until 30 minutes prior to kickoff until naming freshman Taylor Martinez starting qb. Martinez threw the ball 15 times in the win over Western Kentucky. In other words, it didn't matter who was playing 'quarterback' Saturday.
   
9. Iowa (1-0) - Last year Iowa's season went down hill when quarterback Ricky Stanzi got hurt late in the year. In game one Stanzi left with injury (he did return). I still question Stanzi's ability and his stability.
10. Wisconsin (1-0) - To sum up my thoughts on Sconny this year: I have the Badgers losing to Alabama in the National Title Game!