A Little Sports Potpourri

1. I miss Dandy Don. Early Monday Night Football announcer Don Meredith passed away yesterday. For all you folks who like watching football, I am not sure I can explain the importance of Don Meredith and his two buddies, Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford to the sport. They came along when football was just another game, along side basketball, and right after the baseball season. But Monday Night Football changed that. It was an event. It was appointment viewing, either at home or in a bar. Monday Night Football made the NFL and sports television what it is today. If you go to sports bars to watch games these days, thank Don, and Howard, and Frank. Rest in peace Don Meredith... and say hello to Howard. 2. Auburn vs. Oregon in the BCS Championship. I admit, I am conflicted about this. I grew up rooting for the Pacific 8/10 and have been a fan all of my life. But my son went to Auburn and I have come to love that school. I have many friends who have attended Oregon, and a nephew who is also an Auburn grad, so picking a winner is going to be tough. But here is where I am. I am taking Auburn in a lower scoring game than most people think. I think Auburn coach Gene Chizik is a better defensive coach than Oregon coach Chip Kelly, and defense wins championships. Sorry Gordon. 3. Adrian Gonzalez signs with the Red Sox. With apologies to my blogging friend Shaw over at Progressive Eruptions, this is another nail in the baseball coffin. Following a trend that started when Curt Flood challenged the reserve clause of baseball, Gonzalez is the latest star to leave the team that gave him his start for more money. Is it any wonder kids have no allegiance to a specific team. Except for a few rare exceptions, gone are the days when players were identified primarily with one team. Think Mays and the Giants, Ripkin and the Orioles, Koufax and the Dodgers, and now Jeter and the Yankees. While good for the Red Sox, this was bad for baseball. 4. With apologies to Peyton Manning, Tom Brady is the man in the NFL. A winner and champion to me is someone who can elevate those around him to another level. Think Magic Johnson here. He came to a team that had all the parts and made them champions. If you take Tom Brady off the Patriots, they are not the same team. They'd still be good, but not the dynasty they are on the verge of becoming. If this team wins the AFC and the Super Bowl this year, Brady just might replace Joe Montana in the eyes of many as the greatest quarterback in NFL history. 5. A judge has ruled in favor of Jamie McCourt in the Dodger Divorce Duel. This potentially means that to settle their divorce, the McCourt family will have to sell the Dodgers. I could only hope that maybe Magic Johnson might be interested. We could do a lot worse.

The Mission Buffet

I know people who call this type of post a smorgasboard, the variety post, or even something like the daily potpourri, but for those of us in Las Vegas, we'll call it The Mission Buffet! I have dug up a few interesting articles from around the web and some other places that I have found to especially thought provoking. Enjoy! The first article is from a good friend, Dennis McFadden. A former pastor, he now is Executive Director of a large Baptist Retirement Center in Alhambra, CA. Don't let the title scare you away. If you have ever wondered about whether the concept of Santa could co exist with Jesus, read this! The Scale for Measuring Society's Slide Down Secularism's Slippery Slope. by Dennis McFadden OK, I confess. I am a Christmas fanatic. I love the sights, the sounds, the smells, and (yes) even maintain a tradition of day-after-Thanksgiving shopping at 4:00 a.m. This year, we were visiting our second and fourth children and their families in the Ozarks and my fifth child and I still made it to five stores between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Friday morning. (Read more) Next up we have a little political item, cerca 1992! Certainly a thought provoking article recalling the candidacy of Ross Perot. Check it out and see what you think. Was Ross Perot Right? by David Sirota “Ross Perot was fiercely against NAFTA. Knowing what we know now, was Ross Perot right?” That’s what CNN’s Wolf Blitzer asked Hillary Clinton at last week’s Democratic presidential debate. It was a straightforward query about a Clinton administration trade policy that polls show the public now hates, and it was appropriately directed to a candidate who has previously praised NAFTA. (Read more) This story should concern you. If it was 1945 and we were reading that after routing the Nazi Party from Germany, they had somehow reconstituted and were in control of over 50% of Germany, our efforts there would have been called failure. The implications of this article are chilling in they are indeed true as many are reporting from around the world. Afghanistan Falling into Hands of Taliban by RIchard Norton-Taylor The Taliban has a permanent presence in 54% of Afghanistan and the country is in serious danger of falling into Taliban hands, according to a report by an independent thinktank with long experience in the area. (Read more) Finally, here's a little sports item from one of my favorite writers, Gene Wojciechowski. Here's why I like the guy. He's smart. How many other sportswriters do you know who could somehow work North Korean leader Kim Jung Il into a story about college football? Three College Football Myths to Stay Away From by Gene Wojciechowski The only people who love college football more than me are Bebes Maisel, Joe Paterno and the Auburn fans who TP'd Toomer's Corner [pictured here] after a sixth consecutive Iron Bowl win against Bama. (Read more) technorati tags: Ross Perot, Santa, Jesus, Taliban, Afghanistan

The Mission Top Five

Alright all you USC Haters last week was your week to crow. After Michigan lost in the upset of the century, the only question this year was how long 'til another giant bit the dust. Since SC barely got by Washington, I think we all thought they were going to be the one, but no one thought Standford would do the deed. It is indeed a Topsy Turvy season so far. If you want to think about some of the potential hijinx, check out the full rankings at Shadow Sports. He likes to think in terms of worst nightmares for the NCAA and the BCS. 1. LSU (6-0) – The Tigers knocked off Florida in a hard fought game. It doesn’t get any easier with a road trip to Kentucky this week and Auburn, slayer of top 10 opponents next week. 2. Ohio St. (6-0) – Ohio St.’s defense has looked great so far. The question is how it will hold up against a top level offense after last season’s collapse. Another question is will it matter as there are no top level offenses in the Big Ten. 3. Cal (5-0) – The Bears were one of the biggest beneficiaries of all the upsets the last two weeks, and nearly ascended to the number one ranking. 4. Boston College (6-0) – The Eagles have one more game on the JV slate; then we will really learn how good they are. 5. Arizona St. (6-0) – The Sun Devils didn’t have it last week at Washington St., but found a way to win, something past Sun Devils teams have been unable to do, and something others have been unable to do this year. (as always, take all you want, just give us credit)

The Mission Top Five

Here you go folks. I told you last week that I didn't think Wisconsin belonged in the Top Five and lo and behold, Shadow Sports dropped them a little. Gordon, Oregon is getting close in the complete poll, [Number 10] but they are still not Top Five material. Actually, here is where I am at in all of this. The top four teams in the country are USC, LSU, Oklahoma, and Florida. No question about it. They could all lose a game and in my opinion, they'd still be the best 4 teams in the country. So that leaves one place for the rest of the college football fraternity to fight over and this weeks winner seems to be...Penn State. With the worst helmets in football. Finally, I told you either Michigan or Notre Dame would win last week. The question now becomes whether or not Our Mother of South Bend can even score a touchdown on offense. Rankings (W-L, Last Week in Parenthesis) 1. USC (2-0, 1) – USC looked impressive enough in a tough road game to keep the top ranking. Things get a little easier this week (Washington St. at home). For anyone on the west coast, avoid the ABC Saturday night slaughter and watch the SEC showdown on ESPN. 2. LSU (3-0, 2) – We now know the difference between LSU and Louisville: defense. LSU shutout Middle Tennessee St. while the offense rolled. Louisville gave up 42 points while the offense rolled. 3. Oklahoma (3-0, 3) – Oklahoma has been flat out dominant so far, but against sub par competition (the Miami defense might be good, but when the offense can’t get a first down, you get tired fast). This week could be a spot of minor trouble (ask BYU about Tulsa). 4. Florida (3-0, 6) – After destroying Tennessee, it is valid to ask the question: Is Tennessee being overvalued since the defense has looked awful, or another question: Is Florida-Cal going to be the title game? 5. Penn St. (3-0, 7) – Penn St. slept through last week’s game against Buffalo. They won’t be able to do that this week with a revitalized Michigan on deck. (you know the drill...take all you want, just give us a link. preferably hot!)

The Mission Top Five

Okay, so last week we missed getting our rankings up, but this week we are back on schedule. So here is what you missed. LSU looks awesome. They won big and totally trashed Va. Tech last week. Auburn will lose more than they win if they have to score more than 20 points to win. Their offense is just that...offensive. Wisconsin does not belong in the Mission Top Five, but what can I say, I am contractually bound to keep them there, even if the owner of Shadow Sports has a screw loose. Sorry Gordon, maybe next week Oregon makes the grade. So here you go, this weeks rankings and my picks for the week. SC kills Nebraska and either Michigan or Notre Dame will finally win a game. Rankings (W-L, Last Week in Parenthesis) 1. USC (1-0, 1) – To avoid dropping to number three, the Trojans need an impressive win in their national showcase game after LSU and Oklahoma sparkled in theirs. This week: at 19 Nebraska (2-0) 2. LSU (2-0, 2) – The LSU offense was a revelation in the demolition of Virginia Tech. Even if there is a letdown, the defense will keep LSU unbeaten for now, despite the presence of an offensively potent Middle Tennessee team (ask Louisville about that). This week: Middle Tennessee St. (0-2) 3. Oklahoma (2-0, 4) – The toughest early season test has been passed with flying colors. Now they just need to beat Texas and avoid some of the defensive letdowns of years past and the national title game, or at least an undefeated season is in sight. This week: Utah St. (0-2) 4. Louisville (2-0, 3) – Just a thought, if my offense rolled up 58 points and over 700 yards of offense, I would have won in a blowout and my second and third teamers would have given up 28 of those 42 points. That Middle Tennessee scored on their first five drives should really worry Louisville fans with Kentucky and the SEC’s best offense this week. The only silver lining: The Kentucky defense is somehow even worse meaning Louisville should win, even if it’s by whoever has the ball last conditions. This week: at Kentucky (2-0) 5. Wisconsin (2-0, 5) – The Badgers were lucky to get out of Las Vegas in one piece. Fortunately for them, there are a few weeks before the next legitimate test. That comes October 13 at Penn St. This week: The Citadel (1-AA) (take all you want, just give us credit)

The Mission Top Ten

As regular interlopers of "the mission" know, I post a weekly NCAA Top Ten during the college football season. Our thanks to Shadow Sports for their generosity in providing our rankings. For their complete rankings and comments, check "em out over at The Sporting News Blogosphere. 1. USC - There's just so much talent coming back. I don't think they are going to win it all, but they seem like the best team right now. 2. LSU - The same as USC. So much talent and no other outstanding early contenders. They have a better chance in the end than USC. 3. Louisville - I don't know why they aren't ranked higher in the polls I have seen. They are still loaded and the coaching change isn't going to be that big of a deal. Brohm is still there and there are no huge landmines early. 4. Michigan - While they will return to pre-2006 form and lose an early game they shouldn't, the offense is going to be as good as any in the country. Too bad the defense stinks this year. 5. Oklahoma - As long as the quarterback is not a complete idiot, Oklahoma has a shot as an undefeated season. Everything else is loaded. 6. Wisconsin - I really have no idea how accurate this is. The Badgers played nobody last year and won't play and strong teams until October this year. 7. Virginia Tech - They have tons of talent, but there is no telling how the shooting tragedy will affect them. A win over LSU week 2 could launch a national title run. 8. Florida - The Gators are going to have loads of problems. They are only here because it's tough to rank the defending champions too low until they start losing, which could happen as early as the Tennessee game in week 3. 9. UCLA - 20 starters and loads of experience could make UCLA this year's Arkansas, except the preseason polls have picked up on this. An 11-0 start is possible if they get good quarterback play. 10. Tennessee - The Vols are finally going to be Tennessee again after some down time. The road game at Cal to start the year is worrisome, as is the Florida game, but this team feels a lot like the 2003 team that beat Miami on the road and was better than its 10-3 record would indicate. (you know the local rules. take whatever you want, but give us credit, got it?) technorati tags: NCAA Top Ten, College Football, Sporting News