Watching another great slate of college football games Saturday afternoon and night, I noticed on one of the score-tickers on the bottom of the screen that the Texas Rangers led the San Francisco Giants 3-0 in the sixth inning. I thought for a moment about the score and that it could be a great finish to Game 3 of the World Series. Unfortunately, that was about all I did – think for a few seconds about the game. I had no interest in changing the channel from Oregon-USC to the baseball game, even though I consider myself a huge fan of the national pastime.
So, why didn’t I change the channel? I know most will say it has everything to do with following my college football game selections. But that isn’t it at all. In fact, the week I went 0-7 (man, that still hurts), I didn’t watch a single college football game in full because I was at the Yankees-Twins ALDS Game 3. On that night, I didn’t care about college football. Even if I wasn’t at Yankee Stadium, I would have been in front of the television with baseball on the screen and the remote nowhere to be found.
So, again, why didn’t I change the channel? Well, the answer is something I believe is the real reason why baseball ratings consistently lose to football. I hear all the time that it has to do with gambling and fantasy sports, and while I’m sure that has something to do with it, it isn’t the most prevalent reason for your typical sports fan.
Baseball is a sport that is based on your rooting interest of one team, and when that team isn’t playing, the sport doesn’t have the same appeal. Like it or not, football is a faster-paced sport with action on every single play. Baseball is a great sport to watch when you have a rooting interest, but when it’s two random teams, the slow nature of the game just doesn’t hold the same appeal.
I watched at least part of probably every single Yankee game this season. In big games and especially in the playoffs, I live and die with every pitch. When the Yankees are in the playoffs, there is nothing that will take my attention away from the game. But when it comes to the Giants and Rangers playing for a world title, I really could care less who wins, so I don’t watch. If I don’t have a rooting interest, and there is a football alternative, I’m not watching baseball. You could say when the Yankees are eliminated from the playoffs, so I am. And I believe your typical sports fan feels the same way.
The best example I can come up with is way back in 2001 when the Yankees played the Diamondbacks in the World Series. Game 7 was played on a Sunday night in competition with a Sunday night football game featuring the Jets and the Saints. All of you loyal readers of this blog realize how big a fan I am of the New York Jets. And guess what, I didn’t turn on the Jets game until something happened in the Yankees game that I won’t ever talk about or write about. Now, if that World Series Game 7 featured the Giants and Rangers, I would check the game out during commercials of the Jets game – at most.
Football has greater appeal to your typical sports fan. Whether real or perceived, the game is faster, more exciting, and always gives you something to root for, whether or not you’re a fan of either team. It’s not the same with baseball.
But with all that said, and contrary to what has been talked about, baseball isn’t dying. It’s still the national pastime and always will be. Football is simply the better spectator sport – unless your team is playing baseball.
Here are a couple of quick notes before we head to the breakdown.
Everyone reading this should watch at least the first two minutes of this week’s web episode of Brad Carroll’s GameDay, which is at the top of the web page. I’m really proud of our Halloween-themed opening, so make sure you check it out and hopefully you’ll have a good laugh. By the way, we’re still doing the whole show in one take, but we’re getting to the point where we’ve created a nice flow, which makes for a better show and something we’re proud to have other people view. That doesn’t mean the show is perfect, because we still flub our words every now and again, and I did this week late in the show, but we’re proud nonetheless. So, check out this week’s episode and pass the word along to those you think would enjoy it.
I wrote last week that Joe Girardi wasn’t going anywhere as Yankees manager (not shocking news), and it was made official this week with him signing a three-year deal. We all know how I feel about Girardi and the job he did this season, but with that said, he did win a championship last year, and made it to the ALCS this year, so he deserves another year. But if the team doesn’t make the World Series next year, I don’t believe I’ll be the only one ready for the Yankees to fire the former catcher. I think the Steinbrenners will be leading that charge. With that said, let’s go Yankees!
Finally, the diva Brett Favre is going to play against the Patriots Sunday. We all know it. He just wanted to make it as dramatic as possible so all the attention is on him. It’s interesting, though, that he would do it when this whole Jen Sterger mess is still going on. You would think he’d want to keep a low profile and keep himself out of the news as much as possible, but the man just can’t help himself. The guy is really, really sad. Don’t believe me, just listen to the messages he allegedly left for the former Jets game hostess.
Now, on to the breakdown:
My Weekend: 5-2 (spread); 6-1 (overall); 1-0 (upset picks)
My Season: 37-26-1 (spread); 49-15 (overall); 4-0 (upset picks)
My Money: UP $840 (season)
Craig Carroll's Weekend: 4-3 (spread)
Craig Carroll's Season: 33-30-1 (spread)
Craig Carroll's Money: $0 (season)
No. 5 Michigan State +6.5 at No. 18 Iowa
My Pick: Iowa 28, Michigan State 20
Actual Score: Iowa 37, Michigan State 6
In my expert analysis, I said and wrote that Michigan State didn’t stand a chance against Iowa, but even I didn’t expect this bad of a beatdown by the Hawkeyes. The Spartans are a solid team, but nowhere near great, and that was the reason for me picking Iowa without hesitation. The Hawkeyes didn’t disappoint and put this game away in the first quarter. Craig and I both start the week with a victory, while Anthony gets the loss.
No. 6 Missouri +7.5 at
No. 14 Nebraska
My Pick: Nebraska 33,
Missouri 30
Actual Score: Nebraska 31,
Missouri 17
This was about as frustrating as a game can get. Nebraska raced to a 24-0 lead and looked to be a no-doubt loss for those picking Missouri plus the points. But the Cornhuskers slowed considerably from there, lost quarterback Taylor Martinez to injury, and gave the Tigers every opportunity to make it a game. But Missouri could never get within seven, despite all the help Nebraska was giving it. Obviously, Missouri came up just one touchdown short of covering. Craig pointed it out during the game, and afterward it was easy to see that Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert was skittish in the pocket, and if his first option wasn’t open he clearly panicked and ran into tacklers instead of away from them. If the Tigers had a capable quarterback, there is no doubt they could have at least made this game closer. Gabbert was 18-for-42 for 199 yards. He was sacked six times. The three of us take losses with this pick.
Florida +2.5 at Georgia
My Pick: Florida 23, Georgia 21
Actual Score: Florida 34, Georgia 31 (OT)
Anytime I pick an upset to happen, the game holds special meaning and has my full attention – and that was the case in this game. Luckily, the second half and overtime was exciting as it gets and, better yet, Florida improved my upset special record to 4-0 on the year with the victory. The Gators pulling out the win was great, but talking on the phone to Craig while it was happening was even better, as he had the Bulldogs. There is obviously nothing better than the double-victory. The fact that Florida controls its own destiny to play in the SEC title game, however, is a joke. But that’s a topic for another day. I was the only one to go with Florida, so I improve to 2-1 after the afternoon games. Craig drops to 1-2 with the loss, while Anthony falls to 0-3.
No. 3 Auburn -7 at Ole Miss
My Pick: Auburn 30, Ole Miss 20
Actual Score: Auburn 51, Ole Miss 31
All you need to know is Auburn quarterback Cam Newton caught the team’s first touchdown pass of the game on a fantastic play in the corner of the end zone. If that doesn’t cement his claim to the Heisman trophy, I don’t know what else will. For the Tigers, this game proves the team is for real. To put up 51 points on a solid team playing at home is a big statement. The 31 points allowed might be troublesome, but when you’re playing on the road, it’s all about survival. This game only reinforced my claims from a few weeks back that I like Auburn and Oregon to play in the title game. I improve to 3-1 on the day with the win, while Craig gets the win to improve to 2-2. Unfortunately for Anthony, but hilarious to the rest of us, he drops to 0-4.
Michigan -3 at Penn State
My Pick: Michigan 34, Penn State 28
Actual Score: Penn State 41, Michigan 31
If Michigan scores 31 points on the road against a big-time rival it should be an automatic win, right? Well, not when you have the worst defense in the country on the field. That defense allowed 41 points in yet another embarrassing display, and the talented and explosive Michigan offense had to watch another game go in the loss column. Is it the players? Is it defensive coordinator Greg Robinson? Who knows? But Robinson should be fired as soon as the season ends. Start over and maybe next year could be special for the Wolverines. All they need is a run of the mill defense to succeed. Craig and I both take losses here; I’m 3-2 and Craig is 2-3. Anthony finally gets a win to improve to 1-4.
No. 1 Oregon -7 at No. 24 Southern Cal
My Pick: Oregon 45, Southern Cal 30
Actual Score: Oregon 53, Southern Cal 32
What more can I say about the Oregon Ducks that I already haven’t? They scored 53 points against a talented Southern Cal team. They turned a second-half deficit into another blowout victory. They used their defense to close the door on the Trojans, with an interception in the end zone on a drive that could have cut their lead to seven. They proved to everyone on national television that it will take a monumental defensive effort to shut them down. Oregon is simply impressive. The Ducks are fittingly my top team in the nation and my favorite to win the national championship – and that is going back a few weeks as well. Unless you’re a USC fan, you have to love watching Oregon play football, and I look forward to what the rest of the season will bring for one of GameDay’s seasonal favorites. The three of us take home victories in this game. I’m 4-2 against the spread and 5-1 straight-up with one game to play. Craig improved to 3-3 and Anthony moved his record to 2-4.
Colorado +23.5 at No. 11 Oklahoma
My Pick: Oklahoma 52, Colorado 24
Actual Score: Oklahoma 43, Colorado 10
There is nothing better than ending the night not having to worry about a loss. Oklahoma rolled to an easy victory against Colorado to give me a 5-2 record against the spread and 6-1 straight-up for the week. I have had a winning record every single week except for one this season, which is still an amazing feat. Craig Carroll finished with the win as well, to post a winning 4-3 record. Anthony continued his slide with his fourth straight losing week. He lost with Colorado to end with a 2-5 record. Now that is scary. Make sure you watch our very special Halloween edition of Brad Carroll’s GameDay at the top of the web page, and check out a brand new episode setting up Week 10 of the college football season next Friday.
(AP photos)
How bad were the Jets Sunday afternoon? So bad that I'm going to string together some angry statements on their 9-0 loss that may or may not flow correctly. But at this point, I don't care.
