The Friday Fivesome

1. Baseball delivered one magical night of drama. There are two occurrences in the regular season where the majority of the sports watching public tunes in to baseball: opening day and the last day of the season if playoff implications are still riding on the game. We received the latter this week with four games ongoing, two playoff positions still undecided, two utter collapses unfolding before our very eyes, and one team refusing to throw its closer which would have probably put Boston in a one game playoff with the Rays. Do you think the Yankees were sticking it to the Red Sox just a little bit? Oh, they will claim they were not doing so. But, we all know better. In a week where I saw Moneyball, this was fitting. At least the Red Sox pinpointed what the problem was as Terry Francona was fired informed that the club would not be activating its option for the next two seasons. Let's fire the guy who managed the club to not one, but two World Series championships. Right. Francona made the Sox play like utter crap for the month of September. Got it. First the Patriots collapse to the Bills and now this? Beantown is in shambles this week.

2. It has been 18 years since the Oilers were in the NFL playoffs. The last appearance was in the Astrodome if my memory serves me correctly and the Joe Montana led Chiefs came into Houston and demoralized a city. This was the year that the Oilers started 1-4, then proceeded to reel off 11 straight wins in the NFL. Quite an accomplishment to say the least. One thing I have always found interesting: how does the city of Houston have Titans fans still in existence? Does Brooklyn root for the LA Dodgers? Does Milwaukee root for the Atlanta Braves? Does San Diego root for the Houston Rockets? No. None of the aforementioned cities embarrass themselves like "Titan fan" does living in Houston. Oh wait...you are all transplants from Nashville. Got it. I digress, where was I? Oh yes, the playoff drought. You will have to excuse the blame game for Texans fans. They are simply irrational at times. The bottom line is this team is still unproven. Talk of 12-4 or 11-5 seems a bit premature. The next three games will be telling. They must go 2-1 during this stretch. Otherwise, another 8-8 season is in the offing.

3. Are we headed for several unbeaten teams in college football this season? If so, how does this shake down regarding the BCS? It appears safe to forecast that LSU or Bama, OU or Pokes, Boise State, Stanford, and Wisconsin all could effectively run the table. This is the part of the college football season when teams lose one game and all hope is lost. Well, unless you are the 2008 Oklahoma Sooners. Then, you are rewarded for losing in October. Yep. I am not over that one yet. Back to 2011: we will get to sort out the upheaval that is the BCS hideousness in due time. I hope we get five unbeaten teams this season. I'd love to hear the BCS defense of their anointing two of the five to play for the "national title." Can't wait for 2011 Edition of Death to the BCS.

4. Picks for the weekend:
Wisconsin over Husker
Kansas State over Baylor
Bama over Florida
Horns over Cyclones
Clemson over Va. Tech
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Texans over Steelers
Browns over Titans
Lions over Cowboys
G'men over Cards

5. Finally, the Aggies and Horns will be pointing fingers at one another as one of the longest college football rivalries appears to be headed for dormancy. The bottom line here is pride is getting in the way. Each respective institution is not thinking clearly when it comes to the decisions they are currently making. The road to success for the Aggies was staying put in the Big 12 according to Jerome Solomon. The man makes very valid points here. Instead, the Aggies will venture into waters with no true rivals, no history save for LSU and Arkansas, and an increased travel budget of over $1 million per year. They won't make more money in the SEC and will falter in their quest for recruiting dominance. Texas can only sign 25 scholly players per year with or without the Longhorn Network. This is a bad move for the Aggies and time will illustrate this to be the case. Watch and learn.