Preview: Poinsettia Bowl (12/23)

Poinsettia Bowl
San Diego, CA
	Category		Navy		San Diego State		Edge
	Nickname		Midshipmen		Aztecs		SDSU
	Record		9-3		8-4		Navy
	Proximity		2,685mi		0mi		SDSU
	Points Per Game		31		35		SDSU
	Points Allowed Per Game		22		23		Navy
	Streaking		Won last 4		Lost 2 of last 3		Navy
	Last Game		W @ Army, 31-17		W vs UNLV, 48-14		Navy
	Passing Yards		118		297		SDSU
	Passing Yards Allowed		220		210		SDSU
	Rushing Yards		289		151		Navy
	Rushing Yards Allowed		156		142		SDSU
	Yardage Disparity		31		96		SDSU
	Best Win		W vs Notre Dame - 10/23		W vs Air Force - 10/16		Navy
	Key Stat / Player		5th best rushing offense		11th best passing offense		--
	Spread		O/U 60.5		-4		--
	Predicted Score		40		41		SDSU

Week 15: 11 Things I Know I Know

1. I know Matt Dodge should be looking for a job instead of reading this article. The Giants' punter kicked the ball to DeSean Jackson despite the fact he was directed to kick it out of bounds. [In case you have been under a rock since 4pm, Jackson returned it for the game-winning score with no time left on the clock.] Dodge has looked incredibly shaky all season, and it seemed like it was only a matter of time before he bit the team. No one could have predicted this, however.

 

In fairness, the Giants' defense blew a 21-point lead with just over seven minutes to play (vintage Michael Vick was in full effect). So, they too are to blame. While we are assigning blame, let's mention their head coach Tom Coughlin too. Why wouldn't he put his hands team on the kick return with his team up 14 points with seven plus minutes left. At that point, protecting the lead is priority numero uno. Even if the Eagles kicked it deep and the Giants are pinned inside their own 20 yard line, they would have been able to run a few minutes off the clock.

 

It is a rare day that we talk about clock management during an Eagle game without mentioning Andy Reid's name.

 

2. I know the Jets are back. On Saturday, I was explaining to anyone that would listen why the Jets were going to win this game outright: when you expect them to lose, they always play well (the opposite is also true, of course). Everyone jumped off the bandwagon when they lost back-to-back games, but they'll be jumping back on today.

 

A great team win. Crazy stat of the year: Jets are 10-0 when they score 10 points.

 

3. I know the Chargers are on the outside looking in despite a blowout victory Thursday night over San Francisco. If Kansas City can win out and they should be favorites in both games (vs Tennessee, vs Oakland), they will represent the AFC West in the playoffs and San Diego will be watching from home. The Chargers have to win at both Cincinnati and Denver to even have a prayer.

 

4. I know eight games could win two separate divisions this year: the NFC West (a certainty) and the AFC South (much less likely, but possible). With the Ram and Seahawk losses today and only two games remaining, no team in the division can possibly win more than eight games. In fact, the 49ers - yes, the 5-9 49ers - still have a decent shot of making the playoffs.

 

In the AFC South, the Colts (at Oakland, vs. Tennessee) and Jaguars (vs. Washington, at Houston) sit at 8-6 while the Titans (at Kansas City, at Indianapolis) sit two games back. If Tennessee wins out, the Raiders beat the Colts, and the Jaguars lose out, all three would be 8-8. Odds of this happening: 30:1 - I don't think Jacksonville loses at home.  

 

5. I know the Saints had two of the best touchdown catches of the year, although it wasn't enough against a Ravens team that looked very solid. Jimmy Graham's left-handed whirling dervish catch may be the best touchdown catch of the year. Lance Moore's deflection special was solid as well but a lucky hop or two along the way made it possible. If you haven't seen them, check them out.

 

6. I know that I should read my own column. Last week, I explained that the Dolphins alternated wins and losses for the past 10 weeks. Do I take them this week? Of course. Did they lose? Of course. I'm an idiot.

 

7. I know the Bucs are a mirage, but it took us 15 weeks to find out. The loss today at home to the Lions put the nail in the coffin for Tampa Bay. However, things are looking up in South Florida and they should be able to build on this next season. It was a good run while it lasted. Speaking of good runs, this was Detroit's first road victory in 38 months. Months!

 

8. I know the Giants vs Packers game next week will determine the last playoff team in the NFC. Very smart move by Green Bay to make sure Aaron Rodgers is completely healthy for the affair.

 

9. I know Rex Grossman cost a lot of gamblers a lot of money with his antics, and by antics I mean miracle comeback. The Redskins were down 20 in the second half only to come back to lose by three (and cover the seven-point spread). Many of us are saying the same thing Chicago Bear fans - and loyal Canadian reader RLynch - said between 2003-9: F*ckin' Grossman.

 

10. I know the Panthers locked up the first overall pick today despite winning against Arizona. With Cincinnati's win over Cleveland, every team but Carolina has three wins or more. Oh yea, the Panthers travel to both Pittsburgh and Atlanta to close out the year. Who is happiest about all of this? If he's ready to shoulder the challenge of turning a franchise around, Stanford QB Andrew Luck can get fitted for his new Panther jersey.

 

11. I know the Bears will beat the Vikings tomorrow night 21-10. The Vikings have nothing to play for. In fact, we hear more talk of them complaining about field conditions than about the game itself. I fully expect the Bears to shut down Adrian Peterson - no small task but something that the Giants did last week - and they should win easily.

 

 

"11 Things I Know I Know" is my feeble attempt to trump the untrumpable SI.com's Peter King and his "10 Things I Think I Think" which happens to be my favorite article each week. 

Dayton Moore

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

 

You had already solidified yourself as the worst GM in major sports. Now this?

Preview: Las Vegas Bowl (12/22)

Las Vegas Bowl
Las Vegas, NV
	Category		Utah		Boise State		Edge
	Nickname		Utes		Broncos		Boise State
	Record		10-2		11-1		Boise State
	Proximity		423mi		347mi		Boise State
	Points Per Game		36		47		Boise State
	Points Allowed Per Game		20		14		Boise State
	Streaking		Won last 2		Won 11 of 12		Boise State
	Last Game		W vs BYU, 17-16		W vs Utah State, 50-14		Utah
	Passing Yards		248		319		Boise State
	Passing Yards Allowed		216		156		Boise State
	Rushing Yards		157		200		Boise State
	Rushing Yards Allowed		104		104		Boise State
	Yardage Disparity		85		259		Boise State
	Best Win		W at SD State - 11/20		W at Virginia Tech - 9/6		Boise State
	Key Stat / Player		8th best rush defense		Top 10 in at least 12 categories		Boise State
	Spread		O/U 61		-17		Utah
	Predicted Score		20		48		Boise State
	Notes:
	- Both teams are disappointed they are playing in this game instead of a BCS game.
	- Utah was terrible against good competition.

NFL: Week 15 Picks

Titans PK

Dolphins -4.5

Dallas -7

 

Best Bet: Rams -1.5

 

Upset: Arizona +2.5

 

Record: 39-29-2 (Best Bet: 8-6; Upset 5-7-2)

Preview: St. Petersburg Bowl (12/21)

St. Petersburg Bowl
St. Petersburg, FL
	Category		Southern Miss		Louisville		Edge
	Nickname		Golden Eagles		Cardinals		Southern Miss
	Record		8-4		6-6		Southern Miss
	Proximity		602mi		895mi		Southern Miss
	Points Per Game		38		26		Southern Miss
	Points Allowed Per Game		29		19		Louisville
	Streaking		Won 3 of last 4		Lost 3 of last 5		Southern Miss
	Last Game		L @ Tulsa, 56-50		W @ Rutgers, 40-13		Louisville
	Passing Yards		255		195		Southern Miss
	Passing Yards Allowed		249		162		Louisville
	Rushing Yards		203		181		Southern Miss
	Rushing Yards Allowed		113		142		Louisville
	Yardage Disparity		96		72		Southern Miss
	Best Win		@ Central Florida, 11/13		vs. UConn, 10/23		Louisville
	Key Stat / Player		15th most yards per game		RB Bilal Powell averaged 10th most yards per game		--
	Spread		O/U 58		-4		--
	Predicted Score		33		21		Southern Miss
	Notes
	- Aside from an opening week loss at South Carolina, the Golden Eagles lost three games by a total of 8 points
	- This will be a homecoming of sorts for Louisville head coach Charlie Strong. Can he impress the Florida brass to offer him the job?
	- Southern Miss scored 30 or more points in all but two games this year
	- Louisville only allowed two teams to score more than 24 points against them all year
	- Louisville runs the ball well while Southern Miss stops the run
	- Southern Miss throws the ball well while Louisville stops the pass