Debate Of The Young Sports Minds: World Series Winner?

Alright, Luke and I switching things up a little bit and adding 3 questions to every debate, to prevent us from making the same argument over and over again. It should be a welcome change and add some spice into this weekly segment.

So since postseason baseball is the talk right now, we're going be debating that. The first question in the series is:

WHO IS GONNA WIN THE WORLD SERIES?

LUKE: The big disclaimer on this question is that once these teams make it to the postseason, it becomes a crapshoot with regards to picking a winner. Some teams get hot at the right time and others cool off when it matters the most. That being said - all things being considered equal - the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have the best shot to win the World Series. They are simply the team with the most positives.

It starts with their manager Mike Scioscia, who is one of the game's best. He remains level-headed throughout, and knows how to flat-out win. Having already won a World Series shows that he knows what it takes to capture the championship, which is a tremendous asset to a ball club.

Their offense is one of the most well-balanced in all of baseball. They have power with in the middle of the order with Mark Teixeira (33 home runs), Vladimir Guerrero (27 home runs) and Torii Hunter (21 home runs). They have guys who can hit for average and get on base like Chone Figgins and Howie Kendrick. They also have the ageless wonder Garret Anderson who hit .293 this season with 15 home runs and 84 RBI's to provide leadership experience and come up big with a clutch base-hit.

Their pitching staff resembles their offense in the case of being balanced from top to bottom. They had four pitchers start more than 30 games which shows durability and reliability. All five of their main starters won more than ten games, which shows depth. Just look at their numbers. Joe Saunders 17-7, Ervin Santana 16-7, Jon Garland 14-8, John Lackey 12-5, and Jered Weaver 11-10.

And oh yeah, don't forget their closer.

Francisco Rodriguez was amazing this year, closing a Major-League record 62 games. He provides the anchor to a tremendously under-rated Angels pitching staff. You know playoff games come down to the ninth inning, and who else would you want running out of the bullpen to close the game THIS SEASON than K-Rod?

However, the biggest asset for this Angels squad is that they are finally healthy come October. Last season they were banged up, and it showed as they were dispatched by the Red Sox. This time around it is Boston who is nicked up and Anaheim with the health advantage.

Cases could be made for just about any team this year, but the Angels have the strongest.

MATT: As you stated in your argument, picking a team to win the World Series is a crapshoot. Because in no way does the best team always win. Teams like the Rockies 0f 2007 are the perfect example of a team that got hot when it mattered and got to the World Series though in no way, were they the NL's best. With that in mind, I'm taking a huge gamble here and picking the Tampa Bay Rays to win it all.

And unlike Luke, I don't have that much to back it up. The Angels, Red Sox and Cubs are all better teams than the Rays but just like in 1997 with the Marlins and D'Backs in 2001, no one really gave them a chance to win it all. But despite what others thought, they stayed true to themselves and their game and won it all. That's what I think the Rays are going to do.

The playoff experience on this team is slim to none. But you know the saying: ignorance is bliss. Sometimes, not knowing the pressures of the playoffs allows the team to stay loose during the stressful time. Players like Evan Longoria, Dioner Navarro and Scott Kazmir can just play like they always do, though playing in a full Tropicana Field will be something new to see for sure.

And this is a team that knows how to win the big game. They've done it all year en route to winning their division. They won the season series with the Angels 6-3. Won the season series with the Red Sox 10-8. Won the season series with the White Sox 4-2 and tied the season series with Twins 3-3. They held off the Yanks and Red Sox all year despite nearly everyone saying it couldn't be done.

And if you mention managers, you have to remember that Joe Maddon has done an amazing job with this team. They believe in him and he believes in them. His demeanor and attitude is exactly what this team needs. And more importantly, he was the bench coach for Mike Scioscia when the Angels won the World Series in 2002 so he also knows what it takes to capture a championship.

So again, cases can be made for any team and for sure, better cases can be made for the Cubs, Red Sox and Angels. But sometimes, you have to throw out the numbers and go with your instincts. Mine are saying this Rays team has the pieces in place to make a good run at the title. They have the manager, they have the players but more importantly, they have been battle-tested all season to make up for their lack of playoff experience.

Now, it's just time to see if they can put it all together and win a World Series.

NFL Week 4 Power Rankings

Well, many teams are 25% through their season and for some, it's a good time to see where you've been and where your team is going. For some, that's nowhere. Case in point, the St. Louis Rams who were nice enough to let Scott Linehan go instead of game-planning for a team with no hope. But for others, that means continuing their super starts like Tennessee and Buffalo.

The season is still young though so plenty of time to see teams rise from the bottom or fall from the top. It only takes something like an injury to turn the tables on a team. But before we head into a wild week 5 of games, time to dish out my Power Rankings.

AFC
1. Tennessee (4-0) - Call me a believer. I gave this team no chance once Vince Young went down. I mean, really, Kerry Collins is leading this team? I guess so. I'm giving the most props though to that defense. Given up just 46 pts and they've played JAX and MIN. (Next @ BAL)

2. Denver (3-1) - That loss to KC was ugly but no doubt this is still a team you don't want to mess with. They exposed a bit of its run defense against KC but Arrowhead has been a bugaboo for Mike Shanahan for years. Game vs. TB will be a good test of how good they are. (Next vs. TB)

3. Buffalo (4-0) - No doubt they are playing great ball, as seen by their record. Slow start against STL was scary but they showed their true colors in the 2nd half. Only caution on this team: The combined record of the 4 teams they have beat is just 4-11. (Next @ AZ)

4. Pittsburgh (3-1) - Typical Steelers team this season. Gritty offense built around the run. Doesn't score at will but moves the ball continually. Defense is rugged and keeps teams honest on both sides of the ball. Getting Willie Parker back healthy too will make this team tough to beat. (Next @ JAX)

5. San Diego (2-2) - 25 points in the 4th quarter against a team like the Raiders may not seem impressive but it is against any team. LT and Sproles is gonna be a tough combo to stop. If the defense would actually do its job, then this team is gonna shoot up these Power Rankings. (Next @ MIA)

6. Jacksonville (2-2) - HOU played them tough but they have since their inception. David Garrard proved he is a dual threat (finally) and got threw for 236 yards. 57 yards between Taylor/Jones-Drew is a concern. Josh Scobee in crunch time though is not. (Next vs. PIT)

7. Indianapolis (1-2) - Coming off of a bye week so Peyton and the offense should be more than ready against HOU. Gets tougher after that though. Trips to GB, TEN and PIT are just three of the next 5 games for the Colts. Defense better be ready to stop the run. (Next @ HOU)

8. Baltimore (2-1) - Give Joe Flacco credit. The Delaware Blue Hen knows how to manage an offense. And with the Ravens D, he'll always be in the game. Put up a good effort against a depleted Steelers team but next week vs. TEN will be a step up. (Next vs. TEN)

9. New England (2-1) - This is the team to watch out for going into Week 5. Bill Belichick getting two weeks to prepare Matt Cassel for the rest of the season under center. Two games on the road out of the gate won't help. Defense also looking for redemption after Week 3's 38-13 loss to MIA. (Next @ SF)

10. NY Jets (2-2) - I never thought that this year, I would see Brett Favre do something he has never done before (besides miss a game). The 6 TD performance was impressive. But this defense needs work. And the running game is still a work in progress. (Next: BYE WEEK)

11. Miami (1-2) - Good news for the Dolphins. They are coming off a bye week and a convincing win over the Patriots in Week 3. Bad news is that they have to take on LT and the Chargers. For a defense that gave up 31 points to Arizona, that's not good. (Next vs. SD)

12. Cleveland (1-3) - The bottom of the AFC is really bad. That's the only reason Cleveland is this high. And just how much does ESPN not care about the Browns this season. Check this out. Bottom right...and you'll see Charlie Frye is leading the team in passing. Ouch. (Next: BYE WEEK)

13. Oakland (1-3) - Something tells me that this really isn't that bad a team but Lane Kiffin's job situation and the lack of experience on the roster is the reaosn behind the losses. They have a good core of talent though and Jamarcus Russell is turning into a solid QB. (Next: BYE WEEK)

14. Houston (0-3) - Matt Schaub did his best to get this team a win over JAX but it takes more than a QB. This defense needs to control the scoring. 99 points in 3 games? Gonna be tough to win ballgames when you are forcing your offense to score 5 TD every game. (Next vs. IND)

15. Kansas City (1-3) - Props to Herm Edwards and crew for beating the Broncos. They had no business winning the game but maybe this win turns their season around, though I highly doubt it. Too bad Tony Gonzalez couldn't break the TE receiving yards record at home too. (Next @ CAR)

16. Cincinnati (0-4) - The Carson Palmer injury gave them no chance to beat the Browns. Palmer says he should be ready for the Cowboys. He better be since he is gonna hafta throw about 5 TD passes to keep up with the offense on the other sideline. (Next @ DAL)

NFC
1. NY Giants (3-0) - Defending champs take the top spot after Dallas loses. It wasn't the quietest bye week though for the G-Men. Plaxico Burress suspended two weeks and will miss the SEA game this Sunday. I don't think the G-Men will miss him too much in the forthcoming blowout. (Next vs. SEA)

2. Dallas (3-1) - There once was a show on TV called "Dallas". Well, there's a second one going on now. T.O. crying about not getting the ball and it's only Week 4. Wade Phillips better get it under control because another first round playoff loss won't fly with Jerry Jones this season. (Next vs. CIN)

3. Tampa Bay (3-1) - Yet another team that I am sold on finally. Brian Griese is nowhere near spectacular, throwing 3 INT. But when your defense gets 3 INT and a TD of their own, it's a case of forgive and forget. Now time to see if that same defense can slow down Denver. (Next @ Denver)

4. Washington (3-1) - Give Jim Zorn credit. His team stepped up to the challenge of playing the Cowboys in Big D and won a tight one. Jason Campbell keeps playing smart football and the Redskins defense continues to find a way to keep games close. (Next @ PHI)

5. Carolina (3-1) - I thought the strength of this offense was its running attack but Jake Delhomme and this passing offense may be the strength in the end. Steve Smith and Mushin Muhammed are great targets and can stretch a field, allowing the running attack to flourish. (Next vs. KC)

6. Philadelphia (2-2) - So what happened against the Bears? They couldn't hold onto the ball. They couldn't slow down Kyle Orton and the offense. All in all, they took a big step backwards. Better correct it quick cause WAS is coming into town and the NFC East is a tight race. (Next vs. WAS)

7. New Orleans (2-2) - I said last week that the Saints may be better without Deuce McAllister. Well, I was wrong. When the Deuce is loose, he's also deadly. With his strong runs and Drew Brees' arm, this Saints offense is turning into the best show on turf: 2008 style. (Next Mon. vs. MIN)

8. Green Bay (2-2) - Initial reports about Aaron Rodgers is that it is just a sprain of his shoulder. Any more than that and it would really be panic mode in Packer town. 20 rush yds from Ryan Grant is just sad. Should get much more this week when he faces the Falcons D. (Next vs. ATL)

9. Chicago (2-2) - This team may be better than where I have them. Their two losses were by 6 points and their two wins are against the Colts and Eagles. The defense could tighten up a little bit more because they can't expect Kyle Orton to carry this team all season. (Next @ DET)

10. Arizona (2-2) - Well, there's no doubt what needs to happen with this team. Fix the defense and fast. They faced Brett Favre and his merry men and gave up 56 points. That's ridiculous. Couple home games in the desert heat may help the defense...or not. (Next vs. BUF)

11. San Francisco (2-2) - In the first four games, they are right where they should be at 2-2. But the next 3 games may be a tough time for the Niners. NE, PHI and a road game vs. the Giants. If they win just one of those games, they should be happy. (Next vs. NE)

12. Minnesota (1-3) - Talk about disappointment. The offense is stagnant and with a possible injury to Gus Frerotte, it could really be bad news. Good news for the team is that they still have 2 games against the Lions to come. But that won't help them vs. NO this Sunday. (Next @ NO)

13. Atlanta (2-2) - Falcons players, coaches and fans have to be happy with their record thru 4 games. But again, the 2 wins are versus DET and KC so their record may be a bit overblown. Next two weeks are not easy. At GB and at home vs. CHI. Uh oh. (Next @ GB)

14. Seattle (1-2) - They went into the bye week with a big win over the Rams. But every team is gonna beat the Rams. Hopefully, MAtt HAsselbeck found himself and can ignite an offense that showed no life in Weeks 1-3. No easy test though coming out of the week off. (Next @ NYG)

15. St. Louis (0-4) - I'd put them at the bottom but two things kept me from doing it. The first is that they were leading Buffalo for a half so they showed promise. The second is that Jim Haslett took over as coach and I am a huge Haslett fan. He'll whip them into decent shape. (Next: BYE WEEK)

16. Detroit (0-3) - Matt Millen is gone. Unfortunately, that does not make them any better on the field. Millen's dirty hands are all over this team and that means this is gonna be a long, long season. Week 7 @ Houston may be their best shot at a win this year. (Next vs. CHI)

CFB Week 5 Recap

Welp, not sure if you can call it Upset Saturday (because the biggest one came on Thursday) but it was definitely what I will call "Shake Up Saturday". It was bound to happen that all these undefeated teams would lose a game. Didn't think it would happen before we reached October though. If this past week was a sign of things to come, then I am really excited.

THE BIG 10 THINGS I LEARNED THIS WEEK

1. Terrelle Pryor + Beanie Wells = Wins - Yes, you may notice I always start this section with OSU. It's my blog. Get used to it. But seriously, this combo looked really good in a 34-21 win over Minnesota. Yes, they were playing Minnesota but that's a step up from Troy and Youngstown State for sure. Pryor showed some throwing ability and some great pocket presence as well. Did a decent job with the deeper throws and looked amazing running the ball as usual. I don't like comparisons but he looks a lot like Tim Tebow and that's a good thing. Beanie looked like Beanie again and that was a great sign. Not only did his speed and agility look good, but he looked confident while running and not hesitant thinking about the toe. I mean, he eve hurdled a guy! This is a dynamic offense once again.

2. Road Sweet Road - Yea, apparently home fields aren't that important if you are a ranked team. Georgia takes on Alabama in Athens, GA and even calls for a blackout. Result: a 41-30 spanking. Florida welcomes a 2-2 Ole Miss team just hoping to be competitive at the Swamp. Result: a 31-30 shocker. Wake Forest welcomes the Naval Academy to Winston-Salem for a game that no one thought would be close. Result: Navy upsets the Demon Deacons 24-17. And finally, East Carolina looking for a rebound win against Houston in good 'ol Greenville. Result: ECU stinks up its home joint with a 41-24 loss. What is going on? Teams aren't scared anymore and the talent gap is getting smaller and smaller. It takes a lot of heart to win on the road, especially a place like Georgia or Florida. You have to just want the win more. Well, that was the case for these teams.

3. USC = University of Sudden Chokes - It's almost becoming as inevitable as the Cubs not winning the World Series. A loss by USC to a team that has no business being in a game with them. And while it is inevitable, you just never know when it is coming. For USC, it was this week after 12 days of preparation for the Beavers. So why did they lose? Maybe they knew they were the number one team and felt they didn't need to play 100% to win. Or maybe Oregon State just wanted the win more. It's sad to see a great team like USC fall just because they get too cocky and forget that you have to go one game at a time. You think it would be a lesson they would have learned in 2006 (loss to Oregon State) or 2007 (loss to Stanford) but apparently not.

4. Nick Saban knows how to coach (the college game) - You have to add the college game part in cause the NFL stint with the Dolphins was less than impressive. But hats off to Saban for getting his Bama team ready for that game and then just taking it to the Dawgs. If there was any doubt about how good Bama is, there's isn't much now. This is a team that can run the ball, pass the ball, and flat out defend. But most of all, they have a coach that knows how to gameplan. UGA looked out of sorts all game on both sides of the ball. The 41-30 score is not symbolic of how dominant Bama was. The 31-0 halftime lead is more like it.

5. Conference play is gonna be good - Let's start in the Big Ten. Illinois and Penn State in a scoring duel until the 4th quarter. Wisconsin with a 19-0 lead on a less than mediocre Michigan team just to see the Wolverines show some heart, grit and determination to pull out a victory. And Ohio State looking like they may return to glory. This is gonna be fun. And the same goes for the SEC. Already, UGA and UF have a loss and they are probably the best two teams in the conference. Auburn isn't great but good enough to win whatever game they decide to show up in. Ole Miss proved they will be no pushover. South Carolina seems to have found a quarterback in Stephen Garcia. LSU and Bama are the class of the conference now but it's not even October yet! And even the Pac-10 season may be a bit more exciting now that USC has gone down. Every team knows they are a vulnerable team now. And the ACC, Big East and Big 12 are getting underway next week. Should be fun.

6. Time to start thinking about BYU/Utah in BCS - Well, East Carolina looked like the BCS Buster but they were just leading us all on. TCU showed they weren't worthy against Oklahoma. Fresno State has already lost so count them out too. So it may be time to resign to the fact that the winner of BYU/Utah on November 22nd is gonna be in a BCS game. And as crazy as it sounds, may have an outside shot of making the national title. Again, it's not even October and a lot of good teams have one loss. And with two months to go and most of it conference play, many of those teams are gonna add another L. You just have to think that if there is just one team with one loss and a lot of others with two losses, can you really put a two-loss team in the title game over an undefeated BYU/Utah squad? Both have played and beaten (handily) BCS conference opponents so they have a better resume than Hawaii did last year. Just keep that in mind as we move thru the season.

7. Gameday has nowhere to go next week - It's impossible for this show to map out where they are going to go before the year because if they did, they'd probably be stuck at a pointless OSU/Mich or Pitt/WV game. But after being handed UGA/Bama last week, look at the possibilities for this upcoming Saturday. Oregon/USC, Auburn/Vandy and OSU/Wisconsin are the three games with ranked teams playing each other. And while those look to be good games, you have to remember. Three weeks ago, Gameday covered USC and OSU. Two weeks ago was LSU/Auburn. And last week, they did the SEC and you hafta try and not get stuck doing one conference all the time, especially the SEC where there is always a marquee game. Something tells me they were really hoping Nebraska would beat VT so that they could do Mizzou/Nebraska or at least have Wisconsin win so that game would feature a top 10 team. But now those games just aren't as big anymore. Something tells me they'll go for Oregon/USC but no matter what, tough week to choose.

8. Washington is not a football state right now - Is it me or has the state of Washington just fallen off the college football map? Washington is 0-4 and Washington State is 1-4. Ouch. Nothing like when the two teams in your state are a combined 1-9 and the future looks bleak in getting any more. And it wasn't that long ago when both these teams were national title contenders. In 2000, the Huskies went 11-1 behind Rick Neuheisel and QB Marques Tuiasasopo. Meanwhile, the Cougars were 10-3 in 2002 behind QB Jason Gesser and at one point were 9-1 before losing to UW. But now, both teams are running on fumes. People think the pro football in Ohio is bad. Well, that may be true but the college football scene in Washington is definitely worse.

9. The Heisman race is quiet right now - and I like it that way. I hate a lot of talk about the Heisman race in September and thankfully, there wasn't. Besides the preseason talk, it has been fairly quiet. And that may be because the best players haven't played anyone substantial yet to get real talk. Sam Bradford of Oklahoma has not played anyone special. Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin are good but so far, the competition has been weak. Javon Ringer's best performance came against Notre Dame. And names like Tim Tebow, Beanie Wells, Knowshon Moreno and Pat White have almost played themselves out of contention due to bad losses or injuries. The unnecessary hype will pick up but for, I am enjoying the clam before the storm.

10. If you want to play QB in college, don't go to Cincinnati - Talk about bad luck. Week 2 vs. Oklahoma in what the Bearcats hoped would be a statement game, they lose their starting QB Daniel Grutza for the season to a broken right leg. As if that wasn't bad enough, in this week 17-15 win over Akron, the Bearcats lose their 2nd string QB Tony Pike for 3-4 weeks with a broken left arm (his non-throwing arm). So now, the team that is hoping to make a run at the Big East title is on to their third string quarterback and it's not October yet. Yikes. And while this is a college football recap, it is ironic that Carson Palmer is injured as well and missed Sunday's game with an injury. Some call Cincinnati the Queen City. Some call it the Nasty 'Nati. May wanna call it the QB cemetery.

11. This is the best catch of the year - Hands down. I know it's only Week 5 but I don't think anything can beat this.



I bet you he couldn't do that again if he tried.

BEST GAME - Ole Miss vs. Florida
This was a tough decision considering the amount of good games there were but this game wins because of how Ole Miss won. They had to come back from a 17-7 deficit. They had to win on the road in a raucous environment. They forced 3 fumbles from a team that had none going into the game. They blocked an extra point to keep the lead they had. And to top it all off, they stopped the defending Heisman trophy winner on 4th and 1 to secure the win. It had all the drama and big plays you want in a great game. And the faces of the Florida fans and players was priceless. They were simply outplayed by a team that wanted it more and quite frankly, it was fun to watch.

WORST GAME - VMI vs. Ohio
I didn't even get to see this game on TV or even see highlights but watching the game on GameTracker just told me how bad this game was. Yes, my alma mater Ohio won 51-31 and put up a lot of points. But they also gave up a ton of points. That's not a good sign. The defense had been playing so well in the previous 4 games so to see them give up 24 points in the first half was disheartening. I'm afraid they used all their energy in those first four games OR they can't get motivated for teams that are equal or lesser than them. Again, this team has the talent to win the MAC. Now, it's just up to them to want to.

OVER/UNDER
Well, you could put a lot of names here but I am going to go with Clemson as being overrated. This team just does not know how to win games against quality opponents. And what's funny is this is a team that normally comes out flat and loses because they couldn't come back. This week, they were ahead 17-6 but Maryland scored the final 14 points and won 20-17. This team has problems getting motivated to play well for 4 quarters and I put that on the coaching staff.
And I have no problems saying that Ole Miss is underrated. I've been writing it on this blog that Ole Miss is turning the corner faster than expected under Houston Nutt and the win versus Florida proved me right. It's great seeing a team want to win more than another though they are less talented. Ole Miss believes they are better than their past few seasons and their belief alone is making them competitive.

HE/SHE SAID WHAT?
"They call it a naked bootleg, because you are out there alone, and they are undressing you, and you are left all exposed." - Dave Archer

"We have to get more consistent, we're doing some good things then we have some blows."- Jim Tressel to Big ten Network's Charissa Thompson

3 QUESTIONS
1. Is Auburn's offense really this bad? Because it can't be against Vanderbilt

2. How far do the big guns fall after these losses? If all is right in the world, teams like USC, Florida and Wisconsin have to fall out of the Top 10 at least

3. How many teams are gonna lose this year at the #1 spot?

Week 4 NFL Picks

Alright, games are almost on. Bye Weeks are in effect now as well so less games to choose. Last week, I still had a winning record, but barely at 9-7. Meanwhile, my picking rival Jake dropped the ball again and was 8-8. So his season record stands at 22-25 while I enjoy my lead with a record of 27-20. As usual, you can see his picks on his blog. But now, on to this week's picks!

WEEK 4 PICKS
Atlanta @ Carolina - CAR
Cleveland @ Cincinnati - CIN
Houston @ Jacksonville - JAX
Denver @ Kansas City - DEN
San Francisco @ New Orleans - NO
Arizona @ New York Jets - AZ
Green Bay @ Tampa Bay - GB
Minnesota @ Tennessee - MIN
San Diego @ Oakland - SD
Buffalo @ St. Louis - BUF
Washington @ Dallas - DAL
Philadelphia @ Chicago - PHI

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29TH
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh - PIT

Week 4, here we go!

College Football: Week 5

It's the last weekend of football in September and that means for most teams, this is the last week on non-conference games. In some ways, it's a bit depressing but in another, it'll be nice to get to some conference showdowns. The SEC and Big Ten are in conference mode and I couldn't be more excited. The conference I love and the best conference in the nation (and I kind of have to love).

Unfortunately though, the entire slate of games this week is really weak besides a select few. And when I say weak, I mean WEAK. Only 2 matchups with two ranked teams playing each other, and both are at 7:45 or later. So if you happen to have something to do Saturday afternoon, don't worry. You won't be missing much at all. Or if happen to be at OU's homecoming, just forget about college football and be good patrons at the establishments.

I did pretty good last week, going 10-5 and my APPY pick worked out with Colorado, making my overall APPY total to 2-2. Let's see what happens this week.

TOP 15 GAMES

GAME OF THE WEEK
1. #8 Alabama vs. #3 Georgia - There's no debate that this is the biggest game of the year. Tow undefeated SEC teams and for one, national title hopes go down the tube and not to mention the hopes of winning even the SEC title. Alabama has been a surprise to many. They were thought to be a year away from this kind of season but the future is now. Give Nick Saban credit. He is a college coach and knows what he is doing. He's got a offense with talent and showing it off. But it may be his defense that is so strong, holding a good Clemson offense to 10 points to start the season. That defense will have to be strong to slow down the Bulldog attack. Matthew Stafford continues to perform well as a junior and Knowshown Moreno continues his Heisman-like season as a sophomore. And this defense is getting stronger with each game as well. The difference in this game in my mind is the home crowd advantage that the Dawgs have. They're doing a "blackout" and a night game in Athens, GA is very rare, meaning UGA fans will be louder than usual. I'm taking GEORGIA and hope this game lives up to its hype. Bulldogs 34-23

REST OF THE BEST
2. #22 Illinois vs. #12 Penn State - This is the other Top 25 matchup and for a Big Ten guy like me, this is a big one. Illinois hasn't looked as good as last year so far but looking back at last year, the Illini got better every week so maybe Week 4 is the time they really come to play. Meanwhile, Penn State has played next to no one in their first 4 games so there are still questions of just how good this team is. But if I had to take an educated guess, I'd say they're pretty darn good. Their offense just looks unstoppable right now and despite the fact they haven't played anyone good, I think they'll be more than ready for the Illini. PENN STATE is my pick.

3. #1 USC @ Oregon State (THU) - This week's Thursday nighter looks good on paper but I have a bad feeling it will turn out being a blowout. Why? Well, USC spanked Ohio State 35-3 and they are a pretty good team. Penn State spanked Oregon State 45-14. So looking at that, I just don't think the Beavers have much of a shot. But this is a Thursday night game and Oregon St. had plenty of time to prepare for the Trojans. Not to mention also the Corvallis crowd will be louder than usual, hoping to pull off the HUGE upset. As much as I want to see this upset, I'd be crazy to actually pick it. Gimme USC to beat their second straight OSU.

4. Purdue @ Notre Dame - In the whole scheme of things, this game doesn't mean too much but this is true test for the Fighting Irish and it is games like these that they need to win to keep their hopes of a winning season alive in my mind. Yes, their schedule is light but they need to get some confidence going into those games. They looked flat against MSU and Javon Ringer just ran all over them. Purdue played a good Central Michigan team and looked solid after losing a heart breaker to Oregon. I am not one to give an advantage to Notre Dame for the crowd because it's not big there so I'll take the better team, which in this case is PURDUE.

5. Tennessee vs. #15 Auburn - Well, these are two SEC teams that are fuming after their recent conference losses. The Vols lost handily to the Florida Gators while Auburn lost a nail biter to the LSU Tigers. There's no doubt that Auburn is the better team but in the SEC, sometimes that doesn't matter. Tennessee has the talent to stay in this game and Auburn is shaky enough to let the Vols win it. I'm going with AUBURN but this is the SEC. Wouldn't be surprised to see Tennessee pull out a win.

6. Florida State @ Colorado - Well, good to see FSU out of the Top 25. They didn't deserve to be there. However, they are still a good team and will be playing the role of spoiler all season in the ACC. Meanwhile, Colorado did their best to audition for a Top 25 spot after their upset of West Virginia. And they looked good doing it. And though Erin Andrews said over and over that the altitude was not a problem for West Virginia, I disagree. I think it is just enough to slow players down or tire out those linemen a little bit more than usual. I think that will be a problem for FSU this Saturday so I'm taking COLORADO to win yet another non-conference game.

7. #13 South Florida vs. NC State - On paper, this game shouldn't be close. South Florida is easily the better team and NC State has struggled to score offensive touchdowns in every one of their games. Oh wait, that was before NC State beat East Carolina last week and showed the country that they do have an offense. And now, with that win over ECU, maybe some confidence. And for USF, that may not be good news considering they are a fresh off a disappointing 17-9 win over Florida Intl. that was overshadowed by the terrible-looking injury to Brouce Mompremier. With that behind them though, I think the Bulls rebound and rebound big. SOUTH FLORIDA rolls.

8. #9 Wisconsin vs. Michigan - Seems like for the past 10 years or maybe longer, this game was huge. Both teams in the Top 25 with the winning getting a huge conference win going into a later matchup with the Bucks, Illini or Nittany Lions. Well, not the case this season as Michigan has not held up their end of the bargain. But this has all the signs of a trap game for 'Sconsin. On the road at a huge stadium. Taking on a team with a losing record. A big game next week against defending Big Ten champs Ohio State. Uh oh. I have no doubt Bret Bielema is keeping his team focused on the Michigan but let's be serious, those guys are looking forward to having the Bucks at home at Camp Randall. Meanwhile, the Wolverines have nothing to lose in this game. They are expected to lose this game. All the pressure is on the Badgers. And both teams have had two weeks to think about this game and to me, that favors Michigan. I'm still picking WISCONSIN but man, this one could go down to the wire.

9. UConn @ Louisville (FRI) - So who is gonna win the Big East? Most people will say South Florida (as they should) but it is a game like this that will show who may give the Bulls a run for their money. UConn is fresh off a win over Baylor while Louisville is coming off a victory over Kansas State. Both teams have good offenses led by good quarterbacks but the big difference is the defense. Yeah, UConn gave up 28 to Baylor but in the end, their defense is better than Louisville's and that why I'll pick the UCONN Huskies to move to 5-0.

10. Buffalo @ Central Michigan - Outside of the MAC, this is not a big game but within the MAC, this is a goodie. That's because Buffalo has been playing well this year and look more than capable of making a run at the MAC East title. They've won nail biters like the one against Temple, played very well against Missouri for three quarters, and played Pitt tough too. Meanwhile, Central Michigan has been through the ringer too, losing against Georgia and Purdue and sneaking out a win against OU. This is a big game for both. I'll pick CENTRAL MICHIGAN by 7 points or less.

11. Ole Miss @ #4 Florida - Yeah, the quality of games is down so this makes the top 15. I'm putting in here because while Florida is the better team and playing at home, Ole Miss has played every ranked team tough this year. They lost to #16 Wake Forest 30-28 and #21 Vandy 23-17 and fumbled away their chance to win. So instead of just saying this game will just be another Gator blowout, you have to consider that Ole Miss will keep this game tight. I'm still picking FLORIDA to win but this could be a good game.

12. North Carolina @ Miami (FL) - Again, kind of makes the list by default. Butch Davis' crew took their first L last week versus VT but lost more than just a game. Their starting QB TJ Yates is out for 6 weeks with an ankle injury. That's not good for a team that already isn't that great. Miami (FL) isn't good either but with every win, they gain confidence that could do a long way to getting them back to where they were just 5 years ago with Ken Dorsey and company. Because of the Yates injury, I'm taking MIAMI (FL).

13. #25 Fresno State @ UCLA - Alright, UCLA is back home and remember what they did last time at home? Knocked off a ranked Tennessee team in front of a national TV audience. Well, another ranked team is invading the Rose Bowl but something tells me, Fresno will be ready. Not to mention also the UCLA upset of Tennessee doesn't look that big anymore as the Vols continue to falter. Fresno barely left with a win in Toledo. But all things considered, FRESNO STATE is better and should beat the Bruins badly.

14. #24 TCU vs. #2 Oklahoma - (UPDATE 9/25 8:18pm - I had no idea TCU was ranked) This is the kind of game that screams upset...if you're an idiot. LT ain't playing for TCU anymore and Oklahoma is damn good. If TCU plays their best game, they may be able to stay in this game but I don't see any way Oklahoma loses. This only makes the top 15 because you get to see Sam Bradford pad his stats against yet another team that has no business playing the Sooners. OKLAHOMA rolls.

15. Virginia Tech @ Nebraska - Again, neither team is ranked but this should be a good non-conference matchup. The Hokies have turned the ship around after the ECU loss in the first week and seem to playing well. Tyrod Taylor has been the major reason behind the better play, bringing the running element back to the QB position. And with 3 wins in a row, they're just 3 spots away from being ranked again. Meanwhile, Nebraska is 3-0 and playing some great football under new head coach Bo Pelini. The Huskers get great QB play from Joe Ganz and the defense has only given up 43 points in 3 games. This may be a stretch but in my APPY pick of the week, I'm taking NEBRASKA over VT. Not the biggest upset but considering VT is practically ranked, it counts.

TEAMS I LOVE (OR ACT LIKE I LOVE)
Minnesota @ Ohio State - I'd like to go in-depth about this game but why? The only two things that I am wondering about this game is how much each QB will play and how good Beanie will look in this game (if he plays). Kind of important he looks good and plays well with Wisconsin on the horizon. The outcome of this game is without question. But those two things are what I'll be watching for. OHIO STATE wind easily. Buckeyes 42-13

VMI @ Ohio - Thank God for VMI because it means the Bobcats will get a win. Yeah, it may come against a team that is terrible but it is what the team needs right now. They are 0-4 but playing very well (when they don't turn the ball over). Plus, it is homecoming and there will be more fans, though they could care less the result of the game probably. VMI was the first opponent I saw OU play as a student so it is fitting it is the homecoming opponent. No doubt, I'm taking OHIO and here's hoping they (the football team, not the band) give the fans a show. Bobcats 38-10

UAB @ South Carolina - I enjoyed my first Williams-Brice Stadium experience. The stadium is huge, the people are friendly and the food was really good, despite me only having 10 minutes to chow it down. This week, I should get there with plenty of time to really enjoy the place and get seconds from the buffet line. Oh, there's a game going on? Completely forgot. South Carolina's offense is bad but let's be serious, they're playing UAB. SOUTH CAROLINA wins despite another sloppy offensive show. Gamecocks 31-10.

Alright, enjoy the games everyone (if you can) and for all you OU peeps, have fun with all the Homecoming festivities. Wish I could be there.

Debate Of The Young Sports Minds: Cubs-Rays World Series

It's a new debate between Luke and I and this one should be fun. Since the Rays and Cubs have made the playoffs, time to do some dreaming. If the Cubs and Rays played in the World Series, which team would be the better story? Let the debate begin...

MATT - In a time in baseball where teams with lower payrolls are given almost no chance to compete, it's refreshing to see a team like Tampa Bay make the playoffs. And if you ask me, if both the Cubs and Rays make the World Series, the Rays are the better story.

Just think, this is the same team that went 66-96 last season, the worst record in all of baseball. And in the nine years before that, the team had only one 70-win season. Talk about being bad. But despite all that, they pulled all of its talent together this year and clinched a playoff berth. Now, that's a team that anyone can root for.

And unlike the Cubs who have a rich history with Hall of Famers and even a World Series, the Rays pretty much have no history. This is their first playoff berth of all-time and they are doing it with 15 players that are 25 and younger (as of active roster 9/22). And even their manager is a great story. The highest level he ever played in was Class A and after quitting his playing career, worked his way from the minor league ranks (he started in Idaho Falls-Class A) to his first managerial position in Tampa. Plus, Don Zimmer is the senior baseball advisor and who wouldn't wanna see Zim get one more ring.

I have many more reasons for why the Rays are the better story but I'll make this something like an opening argument and leave it open now. Congrats to the Rays though for making the playoffs. Proving people wrong one game at a time and now, slowly becoming America's favorite team to root for to win the World Series.

LUKE - First of all, if both the Cubs and Devil Rays (they will always be the Devil Rays in my book) make the World Series, let me be the first to offer condolences to my father (Big John). He is a huge Casey Blake fan, and with the Indians slumping, the only thing he has going is Casey Blake thriving with the Dodgers. A Cubs-Rays World Series would devastate him. Okay, after I got that out of the way, let's talk some baseball.

I've been rooting for the Rays all season long for all of those reasons Matt mentions. They are young, never had a winning record, and are flat out fun to watch. However, the story for the Rays is making the playoffs, NOT making the World Series. The better story in the Cubs-Rays hypothetical match-up is without a doubt the Chicago Cubs.

You have to be careful Barnes, making a statement that includes both the Cubs and a "rich history." Ask any knowledgeable sports fan, and they will tell you, the Cubs have one of the most depressing histories in all of professional sports. They haven't won a World Series since 1908. They have the Curse of the Billy Goat. They have Steve Bartman. They have Lou Pinella pulling Carlos Zambrano early in Game One of the NLDS last year to save him for a Game Four that never came. None of that seems particularly "rich" to me. If you are talking about the Cubs BEFORE 1910, then yea, I guess they had a pretty impressive history.

Don't get me wrong, the Rays making the World Series would be an incredible achievement, but you are not going to find ANY disappointed Rays fans if they fall short in October. For them, just making it to October is monumental. However, the Cubs would be heart-broken again if they failed to win the World Series.

We all remember where we were when the Red Sox finally broke the curse, even if you weren't a fan of those Pawtucket players. They had so much negative history behind them that you almost had to root for them (after the Indians were gone mind you). The same applies for the Cubbies. The Rays are too young of a franchise to be the better story here. It has to be Chicago, their back-story continues to set them up for a memorable World Series celebration, whenever it finally takes place.

MATT - Well, first of all, I hope Big John gets his wish. I don't wanna see him depressed. Plus, even I wanna see the Casey Blake playoff beard make a return. But back to the topic...

I'm glad to see that you have been rooting for the Rays as you should, considering their amazing rise from futility. They are the definition of an underdog defying the odds already and to add a World Series to that would just be amazing. And who does not like the Rays? They have no natural rivals so everyone is behind them unlike the Cubs. While many would like to see the Cubbies break their supposed "curse", there are many in Chicago that would love to see the Cubs choke again.

And to say that the Cubs don't have a rich history is just flat-out wrong. They've been around since 1874. 37 Hall of Famers have played for the Cubs, including the likes of Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg and "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks. 9 different Cubs have won the MVP award, including Sammy Sosa, Andre Dawson and Rogers Hornsby. 4 pitchers have won Cy Youngs, inlcuding Greg Maddux and Bruce Sutter and since 1960, they have won 35 gold gloves. And the amount of all-stars...well, let's not go there.

Now, let's take a look at the Rays. Been around since 1998. The only Hall of Famer to play for them was Wade Boggs and that was at the end of his career when he could barely run the bases. Besides 1999 (Jose Canseco and Roberto Hernandez) and this season (Scott Kazmir, Evan Longoria, and Dioner Navarro), they've only had the mandatory one All-Star and some of those names are just laughable (Lance Carter, Danys Baez, Greg Vaughn and Fred McGriff).

And let's not forget, the Rays are doing all of this with the lack of any fan base and a terrible stadium. So to see them overcome all of these odds is just refreshing to see in a sport where money makes teams good. That's not the case for this team with a total payroll of $43 million. That's less than Carlos Zambrano, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano combined ($45 million).

In the end, the Rays are not only more fun to watch but more fun to root for by everyone. You mentioned the Red Sox winning their title. Problem for the Cubs now is that since the Sox did it, seeing the Cubs win a World Series just isn't as big or as good of a story anymore, but the Rays' uprising in just one year definitely is one for the record books. Here's hoping that they win the whole thing and become the best sports story of the year.

LUKE - Yeah, you can't go wrong with the Casey Blake playoff beard. Wait, what am I saying? Last time Blake was in the playoffs, he gave a crucial ground ball the old Roger Dorn "ole" late in Game Seven of the ALCS. Good riddance.

You missed my point saying the Cubs don't have a rich history. Of course they have several players in the Hall Of Fame, and it was refreshing to see you dropping the Billy Williams reference on all of us. The point I was conveying is that the Chicago Cubs have a horrible playoff history, and isn't that the time when it matters the most? Everyone seems to anticipate something bad happening to the Cubs as soon as the playoffs start. Who doesn't remember Alex Gonzalez letting a potential inning-ending double-play ball go right through his legs immediately AFTER the Steve Bartman incident. In fact, if there was no Gonzalez error, then there is no Steve Bartman. I could go on and on about the Billy Goat Curse of 1945, and how they failed to win just one out of three games in San Diego during the 1984 NLCS, but it starts to remind me of old Cleveland Browns stories, so I will digress.

The fact that the Rays have no natural rival is not a good thing. Every great "story" (as you dubbed this Barnes), has an evil and a hero. The Rays are a hero without a villain. While the Cubs have their playoff history behind them acting as the overseeing nemesis preventing them from reaching their Utopia. Both sides are necessary for a compelling story. The Cubs have it. The Rays, unfortunately, do not.

Right now, make no mistake, the Rays are the better story. They are on the verge of clinching the AL East and have essentially knocked the New York Yankees out of the playoffs for the first time since 1995. Who doesn't love that? For the Rays, everything that happens after the playoffs start is gravy. However, for the Cubs, it is not enough to JUST get to the playoffs, they have been there many many times, yet they ALWAYS fall short. That resonates with the general public. It's the same reason the Red Sox winning the Series in 2004 was such a huge history. They finally got over the hump. It's the same reason movies like "Rocky" and "Cool Runnings" are American classics.

The Cubs have some of the most depressing playoff history in all of professional sports. If they win the World Series, that would be the better story. Their history trumps whatever the ten-year old Rays franchise has to offer. The Rays winning would be a nice story, but the Cubs winning would truly be history. And baseball is all about history.

MATT - How dare you dismiss the Casey Blake playoff beard? It's just classic. But we can make that a debate for another day.

After reading your latest argument, I wanted to give you a tissue...cause all you did was whine about how the Cubs squander away regular season success. I don't know about you but when you have the money they have, the fan base they have, and the amazing history they have, seeing them win a World Series just doesn't exactly excite me.

You know what does excite me and most of America though? Seeing a team like the Rays defy all odds. They haven't even had the resources to even have a chance to screw up like the Cubs. I know they have no natural rival but to say they didn't have a villain in this amazing story is wrong. The villain was everyone who didn't believe in them, and that's a lot of people, including you and I when the season began.

Give it up Luke. As much as you can bring up Bartman and Billy Goats, the Cubs are old news almost now. Seeing them choke over and over again has killed much of the enthusiasm to seeing them actually win the World Series. If they actually do it, most of America will say "Finally!" and move on with their lives. Like I said in the last post, once the Red Sox did it, it took the luster off the Cubs' eventual World Series title. It's just not that big of a deal as it once was and definitely not as good a story the Rays' ride.

The Rays making the playoffs is a great story but it's not THE story as you claim. A lot of teams have moved from the worst record in a sport to the playoffs before (2008 NHL playoffs - Philly Flyers). But if they win the World Series, oh buddy. And while I know ESPN will make it seem like the Cubs winning is the biggest thing since sliced bread (like USC-OSU, Brett Favre retiring/unretiring, anything dealing with the Patriots, etc...), you and I both know what the Rays have done and could do in the World Series would be the better story for ESPN, MLB and people everywhere.

America loves underdogs. The Rays qualify no doubt. The Cubs...not so much. Not with that payroll, fan base, and history. And if you need further proof the Rays are the better story, check this out. The Rays were asked who will throw out the first pitch of their first playoff game. And they had no idea. Why? Because they are in an unprecedented spot and with their lack of history and popularity, the only names kicked around were Wade Boggs and Dick Vitale. Yikes.

If the Cubs win, good for them. 100 years in the making. 'Bout time. But if the Rays win, it will just what baseball and frankly America needs. Our economy is in the depths of hell, just like the Rays once were. America needs a team that relates to where we are. If the Rays win it all, not only now is it already the better story, but it provides inspiration to all. It can happen folks. It can happen. Go Rays!

LUKE - I have to tell you, if I were ranking your arguments thus far, that last piece of nonsense would go straight to the bottom. Basically, you are trying to say that Tampa Bay is America's Team and that me and you acted as "villains" for the Rays because we didn't believe in them?? I honestly don't know how to respond to that, except that you must have been watching an unhealthy amount of FOX News before you wrote that. And then you throw in the Philadelphia Flyers out of left field as a representative of why the Rays making the playoffs is not the big story. Oh that's right, the Flyers back in 2008, wasn't that there first time EVER reaching the NHL playoffs? Not even close Barnes. Nice try.

You have to clump the Rays in with the Florida Marlins and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Two expansion franchises that quickly vaulted into the playoffs and went on to win World Series. They are nice stories, but they are forgettable in the long run. They are the teams that when you go back and try to remember what year they won, you can't, because they blend in with each other.

Here's a story for you, one that people will remember. A franchise, one that hasn't won a World Series since 1908, finally triumphs over their Albatross which is the MLB playoffs and wins it all. It doesn't get much better than that. And thanks for the tissue Barnes. Cubs fans appreciate it. Oh, and saying seeing the Cubs choke over and over again also just drives home my point. We EXPECT that to happen with the Cubs. We don't EXPECT them to win. This is where the Red Sox comparison comes in. Even when Boston was one out away from winning it all and the weak ground ball was fielded by the pitcher, Keith Foulke, you still thought he would throw it away. But he didn't. They finally won. It was something that every sports fan can resonate with and one they will always remember. Whenever the Cubs win it all, this will happen again. Probably even more so, because the Cubs have suffered more than any other sports franchise.

You make this too easy Barnes when you talk about how the Rays don't even know who will throw out the first pitch in the playoffs. They have no back-story, they have no history. Yes they are a professional baseball franchise, but they are not on the same level of the Cubs, Yankees, and Indians - teams that have been a part of baseball's history. It takes one major thing for the Rays to be a part of that. Time. They are only ten years old, babies in comparison to the Cubs. So what if they win? There will be no over-bearing historical significance. Yeah it's a nice little story for the baseball season, but then everyone will forget about it. However, if the Cubs win it all, especially this season - the 100 year anniversary of their last Championship - well, now that would be something that no sports fan would ever forget.

DEBATE OVER!

NFL Week 3 Power Rankings

Week 3 of the NFL season is in the books and yet again, I begin this post with a feeling of confusion. That's because I still have no clue what is going on with some teams. Teams that are 3-0 that really shouldn't be in my mind. Or teams that are 0-3 that have more talent than half of the NFL. But that's the NFL and that's why I love it.

After three weeks of games, it's interesting to see that the NFC seems to be stronger than the AFC this season for the first time in what seems like an eternity. Again, it is early and I could be reading a lot into what is just the first three weeks but there may be a power shift occurring this season, right before our very eyes. Enough babble though. On to the power rankings, now with pictures!

AFC
1. Denver (3-0) - Remember when Denver was a running team that amassed 200 yards on the ground each week no matter who they were playing. Well, times have changed. It's all about Jay Cutler and the pass, and boy, is it fun to watch. (Next @ KC)

2. Pittsburgh (2-1) - That game against Philadelphia was ugly. But the defense shut down a Philly offense that scored almost at will against Dallas and with the lack of good offenses in the AFC right now, that bodes well for them. (Next Mon vs. BAL)

3. San Diego (1-2) - They don't have the best record but they are darn good and the wins will come as they play OAK and MIA next. If they ever figure out how to play defense, they will be a force. I've already circled their Week 17 showdown with Denver at Qualcomm. (Next @ OAK)

4. Buffalo (3-0) - Seeing them come back against Oakland convinced this team is for real. They have a solid defense, a solid running game and above all, Trent Edwards is turning into a solid NFL quarterback. Plus, their division is really easy. (Next @ STL)

5. Jacksonville (1-2) - Now that they know that running the ball is the key to their success, this team will be dangerous. More than 41 minutes of total possession is just sick. If they weren't playing Peyton, they would've won by a lot more. (Next vs. HOU)

6. Indianapolis (1-2) - Defense was a let-down against JAX, unable to stop the run. But the offense is clicking and that's what makes this team go anyways. Plus, once they get Bob Sanders back, teams like JAX won't be able to complete a 2-minute drill. (Next BYE WEEK)

7. Tennessee (3-0) - Another win but I'm not convinced this team is for real. Kerry Collins just doesn't evoke confidence to me. Their running game is decent and their defense hasn't had a true test yet. It'll come in Week 4 with Adrian coming to town. (Next vs. MIN)

8. New England (2-1) - What in the heck happened? A Patriots D giving up 38 points and 5 touchdowns to Ronnie Brown? I think the defense has found out that those 41-38 showdowns of last year aren't happening this year. Shore up the D with the week off. (Next BYE WEEK)

9. Baltimore (2-0) - Their two wins are against CLE and CIN so hard to gauge how good they really are. But we know one thing: their defense will keep them in a lot of games and as long as the running game takes pressure off of Joe Flacco, they'll be okay. (Next Mon @ PIT)

10. NY Jets (1-2) - Well, Favre can only get you so far. They may want to work on defense now. Oh, and maybe a running game. Oh, and maybe Favre. He hasn't exactly played well yet for them. Maybe he should learn the playbook first. (Next vs. ARZ)

11. Miami (1-2) - So they do know how to score? Who knew? If Ronnie Brown can run (and pass) like that every game, this team could make some noise. Not to mention the defense is pretty good as well. (Next BYE WEEK)

12. Cleveland (0-3) - The talent is there. And for the first time in 3 years, I'm starting to think the coaching is not. Many thought this would be a rough 4-game start for the team. But if they lose to CIN, Quinn may be in and Romeo may be out. (Next @ CIN)

13. Cincinnati (0-3) - Give Marvin Lewis and his team some credit for sticking with the G-Men. They showed some grit and gave their fans some hope for the rest of the season. Too bad hope doesn't equal wins. (Next vs. CLE)

14. Oakland (1-2) - Lane Kiffin still has his job and he should. His team almost moved to 2-1 and his defense looked strong for three and a half quarters. This team is not bad because of Kiffin. This team is bad because of the GM/Owner/King of the team (Next vs. SD)

15. Houston (0-2) - They seem to have taken a step backwards. Matt Schaub has looked sketchy. The defense has not played well at all either. Blame last week on Ike if you want but I'm not. They're just not good. (Next @ JAX)

16. Kansas City (0-3) - I got "lucky" to see them vs ATL this week. Let me tell ya. Herm Edwards may "play to win the game" but when your team is this bad, you just play. They might go 0-16 this season. (Next vs. DEN)

NFC
1. Dallas (3-0) - Is there any question that they are the class of the NFC right now? The offense is nearly unstoppable and the defense is doing a good job of bending but not breaking. Plenty of season left but for now, they are the NFC's best (Next vs. WAS)

2. NY Giants (3-0) - Had their first real test and they passed. As well as Eli played, Brandon Jacobs and the run game did not. He has to rush for more than 35 yds for them to be victorious from here on out. (Next BYE WEEK)

3. Philadelphia (2-1) - It's fun to watch McNabb when he is healthy. The worry for this team right now is Brian Westbrook though. Looking a player like him who is so versatile would really slow down this dynamic offense. (Next @ CHI)

4. Green Bay (2-1) - They didn't really play bad against Dallas. They just are not as good. But for the 3rd game in a row, Aaron Rodgers proved he is capable of leading the Packer offense. The division should be theirs for the taking. (Next @ TB)

5. New Orleans (1-2) - This may sound crazy but this may be a better team without Deuce McAllister. Reggie Bush is just too big of a playmaker to ever have on the bench. Once their defense gets fully healthy, they'll be a tough team to beat. (Next vs. SF)

6. Washington (2-1) - If they weren't in the NFC East, they would be a playoff team. Their defense is tough and Jason Campbell is doing a great job running that offense. Give Jim Zorn credit for keeping this team focused after Joe Gibbs' retirement. (Next @ Dallas)

7. Arizona (2-1) - It was their first loss and on the road. It happens. This is still a good team though. Their defense should be just fine in their hapless division but against the top of this list, it has no chance. (Next @ NYJ)

8. Carolina (2-1) - Watching them struggle against Minnesota was odd after their strong first half start. Once they get a consistent running game, they'll be okay. And having Steve Smith back should make the passing game more potent. (Next vs. ATL)

9. Minnesota (1-2) - Sorry Tarvaris. This team needs a QB that knows the game now and not one that is learning on the fly. Gus Frerotte managed the offense and the defense showed just how good they can really be. Watch out NFC. (Next @ TEN)

10. San Francisco (2-1) - Frank Gore is a stud, hands down. If he does not get the ball at least 25 times, it's a travesty. J.T. O'Sullivan playing another solid game is a good sign too for a team that really hasn't played a great team yet. (Next @ NO)

11. Chicago (1-2) - Kyle Orton and the offense did its job against a tough TB defense, scoring 24 points and racking up 405 total yards. It was the Bears D that lost this game though. Not a good sign when you give up 454 yards of offense to the Bucs. (Next vs. PHI)

12. Tampa Bay (2-1) - They may have beaten CHI who is above them but knowing that Brian Griese threw 67 times and their rushing game only gained 47 yards is not good. They have some kinks to work out before they are considered a serious contender (Next vs. GB)

13. Atlanta (2-1) - Their two wins have come against the NFL's worst teams so their record is deceiving. But they do have an explosive offense. Matt Ryan can throw the deep ball and Michael Turner is a beast on the ground. (Next @ CAR)

14. Seattle (1-2) - The game against STL was supposed to be a coming out party. It was for the running game (245 yds) but not at all for the passing game (162 yds). But then again, a win is a win. (Next BYE WEEK)

15. St. Louis (0-3) - They finally showed some sign of life against SEA. But by signs of life, I don't mean anything substantial. This is a team that is struggling in every aspect and have no reason why. (Next vs. BUF)

16. Detroit (0-3) - Can anyone tell me why Matt Millen still has his job? Not even the owner's son can. This team is in dire need of wholesale changes and soon if they want to see anything positive from this season. They have a week off to figure something out. (Next BYE WEEK)