Thursday, March 4^th, Ben Rothlisberger, resident man about town, was at it again.  This time, in a small town in Georgia, Rothlisberger got his club on.  The problem is, he’s being accused of forcing his club on someone else.

Rothlisberger has retained high powered legal council to defend him in allegations by a 20 year old college woman who has accused Rothlisberger of sexual assault.  According to reports, he is fully cooperating with the police investigation.

Whether he did or he didn’t, Rothlisberger’s innate ability to place himself in bad situations continues.  Very visible in public throughout his career in Pittsburgh, Rothlisberger can regularly be found boozing it up at any number of bars in the area.  Some reports have suggested he’s not as accommodating as an autograph seeker would have you believe, allegedly trying to skip out on a hefty barb bill every now and then.  Fame and success at a young age can mold anyone’s psyche into that of an ego maniac, and Rothlisberger has a reason for bullet-proof arrogance, having just turned 28 and already achieved the pinnacle in his sport twice. 

 After nearly killing himself for riding his motorcycle without a helmet, and then becoming a windshield pancake, Rothlisberger initially appeared defiant when asked if he would ever ride again without a helmet.  The seemingly false accusation last July by a woman in Tahoe accusing Rothlisberger of raping her now appears to have some unfortunate weight (sort of ;like that girl in ‘Precious”, but not that excessive).  However, Rothlisberger has maintained his innocence, so maybe he’s just a victim.   Maybe women see him as a quick way to get rich in a settlement.  Either way, he’s the fool for continuing to get blasted in public (See photos) and allow himself to be a target.  Then again, maybe where there’s Rothlisberger, there’s tube steak.

I can hear the pick-up line now.  “Hey Baby….wanna see my bacon double Rothlisberger?  It’s all beef.”

Feel free to insert your favorite Rothlisberger pick-up line below.

How do you know its time to get it on? When the big hand meets the little hand.

With the absolute class that Ladanian Tomlinson exudes on and off the field-possibly the classiest player in the NFL-its damn hard to make fun of LT.  But not even a class act and model citizen is safe from the wrath of NOTESPN.  All I will say is, because he is so damn likable, one can only hope this delicious little morsel was done for charity.

LT has had progressively worse years since 2006, culminating with this year’s 3.3 yard per carry average.  With his large contract, increasing age, and low production LT seems to have electrically glided his way out the door in San Diego. To last as long as he did is a small miracle, but Tomlinson has clearly lost a step…or three.

One can’t help but root for the guy.  But for future reference, when making these types of videos, don’t let them leak when you’re having the worst year of your career and getting set to get into the playoffs.  No doubt you will face some tough defenses, maybe the #1 defense in the league, and they just might shut you down.

Wait, that just happened.

I’m thinking “No Astroglide” is a better name for the video, but we welcome you to leave your name for the video below.

Embattled Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas pled guilty Friday to felony gun possession.  Arenas was originally cited for the locker room incident with teammate Javaris Crittenden, where both player allegedly pointed guns at each other.  Arenas has since tried to chalk all 4 guns he had in the locker room and the entire incident up to a practical joke.  The charge can carry up to 5 years in prison, and the plea is an attempt to get community service and probation instead.  Moreover, its a desperate move to save his $80 million dollars from the Wizards, who would love nothing more than to terminate the contact that has hamstrung the franchise, and start over.

Some news outlets made a giant deal out of it, and perhaps it is to the general public.  To us here at notespn, its business as usual for the NBA.  A league that has gone away from the classy spit and polish of Magic, Bird, and Jordan to the me-first, self-centered thug/gangster that the NBA has become.

Arenas (self nick-named “Agent 0”) falls into that category. And it might be a bigger deal if he was a big star on a big team, but Agent 0 is long removed from the day he hung 60 on the Lakers.  Certainly, if this were Kobe or Lebron, it would be shattering.  But this gives David Stern, which regularly rules with a Stalin-esque iron fist minus the genocide, a chance to firmly discipline a talented player without any real detriment to the league’s popularity or its marketing.

This is why players like Dwight Howard and Chris Paul are so refreshing.  They take us back to the glory years of the NBA, the 80’s and the 90’s.  Charismatic, engaging, and making the league fun.  Players that help out in their community and do charity work.  No promotion of “being hard”, having guns, bitches and ho’s.  No “making it rain” in the club or treating a hooker like your own personal sex puppet while your wife and 3 kids can’t wait for loving husband/father to get back from the 3 game road trip.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Conversely, this is why players like Allen Iverson, Ben Wallace, Anthony, Stephen Jackson, Ron Artest, and (any of the rest of the players vs. fans brawl from the Palace a few years ago) the like are such pains in the ass…players who’s sense of self is greater than the good of their team, players like Kobe Bryant used to be, not that long ago.

We’ll see how it plays out, and without any jail time, the Wizards reportedly will have a tough time getting out of the rest of the $80 million they owe to Arenas.  But we can rest assured of one thing.  Players like Chris Paul and Dwight Howard are few and far between, and until the culture changes, we can rest assured more happenings like Arenas will continue.

Let’s just hope next time, the perps don’t take the safety off.

A little after 5:30 pm on Wednesday, January 13th, 2010, Lane Kiffin took the podium in Heritage Hall and spoke into the mic, his first press conference as head coach of the University of Southern California.  “To be here today, I’m extremely fortunate”.  That’s the understatement of the f#@&ing century, and we’re only 10 years into it.

Lane Kiffin has somehow parlayed failure, before being rescued by mediocrity, into 3 coaching gigs in the last 4 years (each one seemingly superior to the prior), thanks to having good people around him. Senile Al Davis (who is beginning to look more sane thanks to Kiffin) hired him away to be a first time head coach…anywhere.  Kiffin sported a .333 winning percentage, though in his defense, it was the Raiders.  Still, he was fired, and somehow got hired at a national power program at the University of Tennessee, replacing a legend, where they have had 3 head coaches in 30 years.  Kiffin, the last, was there only 14 months.

Kiffin jumped into the toughest conference in America, openly taking on conference rival and defending National Champion Florida and coach Urban Meyer.  Kiffin even went so far as to accuse Meyer of recruiting violations and cheating, which was inaccurate, before racking up 6 NCAA violations himself.  Not seeming to know or care about the NCAA rule book and moving on to USC, a program that may incur sanctions for things he did when he was there, would seem to be a recipe for disaster.

Click here to view the embedded video.

If it was Kiffin by himself.

However, Kiffin comes in a package.  A package that contains two other great coaches (One of which, Ed Orgeron, was reportedly calling the recruits he brought to Tennessee and told them to now come to USC-a classless move), thereby increasing his own value. A package that will no doubt convince recruits to come to USC, just when it looked like the program was imploding faster than David Hasselhoff at a local drinking hole.  And one of those great coaches is revered defensive coach Monte Kiffin, Lane’s dad.  Continuing to get by on his daddy’s merit is one way Lane was hired at Tennessee.  A national power program wouldn’t normally hire a young coach who had never coached in college, and who’s only head coaching was a 5-15 record.  Lane Kiffin now seems to have achieved one of the signs of the football apocalypse:  Making Al Davis look completely likeable. Kiffin has gone from success as an assistant to failing on his own, to mediocrity with a hand-picked staff that is far more talented.  He moves on to USC with that staff, and his own ego-driven self-delusion.

Seeing Kiffin the night of Tuesday, January 12th, in a 60 second self-congratulatory monologue before scurrying away like a coward, the fear in his face and body language was more than distinguishable.  Knowing the Lynch mob wasn’t too far behind; Kiffin briefly rattled on about how he was proud of what he did and worked hard every day.  Then he slithered away, where he must have had a chopper waiting with blades churning, needing to be extracted from a hot LZ.  It was reminiscent of Mussolini in Dongo, trying to find a way to escape.  Or Ceausescu in Bucharest and then Targoviste.

Unlike those sociopaths, Kiffin did get away.  Kiffin is the loudmouth kid in the gang who loves to start trouble, as long as he has his boys around him to protect him.  But one thing is for sure.  If SC falters again, not even little Laney’s supporting cast will be good enough to save him from the axe.

And after Pete Carroll fails in the NFL (again), look for his prodigal return.  It should only be a couple years.

2-2 Last week, which isn’t very exciting.  Winning 3 out of 4 this week will give us some more credibility.

Arizona +7.5 vs. New Orleans

Despite the atrocity that has been Arizona’s defense lately, the defense ended up winning it for them last week.  New Orleans barely beat some truly awful teams, and then lost their last 3 games to some teams that weren’t so good.  In keeping with the theme that this year’s Cardinal team is better than last year’s because of their improved running game, look for Arizona to keep it within a touchdown if not outright win.

Baltimore vs. Indianapolis -6

After Indianapolis lost their final 2 games of the regular season, and with the way Baltimore handed Tom Brady and the rest of the Patriots their own ass in the first round of the playoffs, one could argue that the Ravens will definitely surprise the Colts.  The Ravens defense is playing great, and so is their running game.  As we said last week to expect Ray Rice and Willis McGahee to have big games on the ground, you should expect the same from them again this week against he Colts porous run defense.  And still, I can’t help but bet on Peyton Manning.  The colts are 10-4-1 ATS in thier last 15 games overall, so roll with TV’s new favorite pitch man of the post Tiger era.

Dallas   vs. Minnesota -3

Its tough to root for one of the 5 biggest egos in the history of sports, and maybe I won’t root for Brett Farve.  In fact, I’m sure I won’t…but I think they’ll win.  Minnesota has a better running game, better offensive line, and better defense.  Dallas is the “it” team for a lot of people right now, finally trying to validate Wade Phillips and Tony Romo’s credibility.  Consider Dallas’s victory last week a fluke, and don’t be surprised if Minnesota blows them out.

New York Jets +7 vs. San Diego

Something about the Chargers and the playoffs just don’t go well together.  San Diego is the league’s hottest team with 11 staright wins, and Philip Rivers may be one of the league’s top 5 quarterbacks.  But the Jets have the best corner in the league in Rivas, and their pass defense is outstanding.  Ladanian Tomlison is not what he once was, but everyone should hold off on annointing Mark “Dirty” Sanchez the next Joe Namath.  Considering San Diego cannot run the ball, don’t be suprised if the Jets and the NFL’s biggest belly, Rex Ryan, keep it close enough to cover, if not win outright.

1-9-10 Wild Card Weekend

Its finally that time of year.  The time where some depression starts to set in.  The beginning of the end.  Its sort of like when you are at the greatest party of your life, and its clear that its winding down.  All the cool people are leaving, the booze is almost gone, and that hot girl you wanted to take into the master bath and ritualistically plow  just went off with one of the douche bags in True Religion jeans and an Affliction T-Shirt to get porked, because you were being the nice guy and giving some of your time to the nerd that was in your acting class.  Yes…the playoffs are here, which signifies the end is near.  However, like an orgasm, lets hope we go out with a bang.

What’s intriguing about this year’s matchups is that we have 3 re-matches from the previous week.  All of those were blow outs.  Looks for a reversal of fortune for all 3 teams here.

New York Jets at Cincinnati -3

At home this time, the Bengals just weren’t there last week, and the Jets played their asses off just to get into this game.  Look for Dirty Sanchez to look like the rookie quarterback he has most of the year, and make quite a few mistakes.  Cincinnati is 7-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. A 3 point spread should be more than enough for the Bengals.

Philadelphia +5.5 @ Dallas

I’m not buying into Dallas, especially if its the same crew of Wade Phillips and Tony Romo.  Trusting them to win in January is like trusting Bill Clinton in a whore house.  Dallas is 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games vs. the NFC East, and they are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games in January. Don’t be fooled by last week’s debacle.  I love Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb, and with those stats take Phili and the points all day long.

Baltimore +3.5 vs. New England

Betting against Tom Brady and Bill Belly-chuk in January may be a stupid move, but after losing Wes Welker, I’m not so sure they cover the 3.5 points.  Look for Baltimore to have a big game on the ground and control the bal, and keep Brady and Moss off the field. New England’s defense just can’t stack up to Baltimore’s running game.  Look for Ray Rice and Willis NcGaheee to be huge like John Holmes.

Green Bay at Arizona + 2

Arizona got trounced last week by Green Bay 33-7.  But Arizona didn’t use most of their starers for more than a few minutes, while Green Bay threw eveything they had at them.  Arizona could sit back and gameplan for the following week all game last Sunday. Arizona’s situation is very similar to last year when they almost won the Super  Bowl, with a couple changes for the better.  They had one more victory in the regular season, and their runing game is much better.  Anquan Boldin is out, but he was out most of last year’s playoffs too.  Combine all this with being a home dog, and look for Arizona to bounce back.  Take them and the points.

New York Jets vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Wow.  With all the success I’ve had picking games all year (admittedly more so in pro than college), the bowl season has not been kind to me.  Call it my love for the Pac 10 betraying me, or just that I may have smoked too much crack that day.  Actually, a lot of the underdogs won outright, and when you pick favorites to cover a small spread, which is the smart play, well…I ended up looking not too smart. Here’s my selections for the bowls that matter.

OUTBACK BOWL Friday, January 1

Northwestern +8 vs. Auburn

This may be the first time in my life I have ever picked a Big 10 school to beat an SEC school.  The way the season has gone, I’ve learned to go with the underdog.  Auburn has played some pretty sorry football this year, but other than that, the statictical edge would favor Aubun slightly.  Take the Wildcats and the points though, and hope they keep it close enough.

GATOR BOWL Friday, January 1

Florida State vs. (16) West Virginia -2.5

Its Bobby Bowden’s swan song, and its almost impossble to imagine one of the 2 greatest coaches in college history coaching his final game in Florida and not coming out on top.  But then you have to look at the stats.  Florida State’s defense allows more than West Virginia puts up in total yards, passing yards and rushing yards.  This means that West Virginia should be able to execute to its fullest on offense, where they managed a 9-3 record. My heart is telling me to go with Bowden, but considering the spread is 2.5, that should be more than enough for West Virginia.

CAPITAL ONE BOWL Friday, January 1

(12) LSU vs. (13) Penn State -1

Again this situation rears its head, and my respect for the SEC and disrespect for the Big 10 face off.  But Penn State has been good to be all year.  I was 7-1 ATS this year with them.  Yes, the SEC faces tougher competition, but look at the other stats: Penn State is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 overall.  LSU, however, is 8-20 in thier last 28 games on grass ATS, and 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games overall. Put it all together, and you can lay the 1 point with Paterno’s squad.

ROSE BOWL Friday, January 1

(8) Ohio State vs. (7) Oregon-4

A tough one here, but I have to go with the Pac 10 again.  Tressel has been awful in BCS games, and the PAC 10’s best has beaten the Big 10’s best quite a bit lately here.  Oregon stomped USC, who beat Ohio State in Columbus.  What’s more, is that Oregon is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 bowl games. Take the Ducks, and enjoy what should be one of the most exciting Rose Bowls in years.

SUGAR BOWL Friday, January 1

(3) Cincinnati vs. (5) Florida -12.5

For the record, I’m pulling for Cinci here. Any time we can get more undefeated teams to destroy the BCS cartel, I’m all for it. But with Brian Kelly pulling a Bobby Petrino, Cinci may be in a state of disarray.  They surely have never faced a defense this tough and this fast.  And with Urban Meyer not returning next year, you can bet Tebow and the boys will have a “Win it for Coach Meyer” attitude.   What’s glaring is that Florida is 20-6 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. Pull for Cinci, but if you’re putting money down, a 30-17 victory sound about right for the Gators, and would cover the spread.

INTERNATIONAL BOWL Saturday, January 2nd

Northern Illinois vs. South Florida -7

If indeed the name of this Bowl is to attract international viewers, they could have picked 2 more attractive teams.  Then again, I said the same thing about the Humanitarian Bowl, and it has been the most exciting Bowl game of the season thus far.  Its pretty even statistically, but South Florida has played and beaten tougher competition this year.  Lay the points and ride the Bulls.

PAPA JOHN’S PIZZA BOWL Saturday, January 2nd

Connecticut +4 vs. South Carolina

Another bowl named after very sub-par pizza.  Hopefully the quality of the game is better than that of the sponsor.  The old Ball Coach and the Cocks play in a tougher conference, but UCONN iss 10-2 ATS this year.  In addition,  they are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning record.  Take UCONN and the points.

LIBERTY BOWL Saturday, January 2nd

Arkansas vs. East Carolina +7.5

Give me Liberty, or give me two teams that when playing each other, make me want death”-Patrick Henry.  At least I think he said something like that.  When you look at these two teams, the most glaring statistic is that Arkansas gives up over 400 yards a game.  That should allow East Carolina to fully execute on offense, at least in theory. It should be enough to keep the Pirates within a touchdown and cover.

COTTON BOWL Saturday, January 2nd

Mississippi + 3 vs. (19) Oklahoma State

Once one of the 4 major Bowls, the Cotton Bowl has slipped in prominence the last 15 years.  Still, it usually pitts some good 2nd tier teams against each other.  I love Randy Gundy, because he’s a man because he’s 40.  But Mississippi’s offense puts up over 400 yards per game and almost 5 yards per rush, and they play in a tougher coference.  Underdogs have been playing well, so take the Rebels and the 3 points.

ALAMO BOWL Saturday, January 2nd

Michigan State vs. Texas Tech -7.5

Texas Tech lost their greatest coach ever 2 days ago, after he was fired for abusing a player.  Still, without Mike Leach, Tech has said they had even better practices and were more focused because the pressure was off.  Combine that with the fact that Michigan State is 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning record, and you can feel good about taking the Red Raiders and laying the 7.5.

FIESTA BOWL Monday, January 4th

(6) Boise State + 7.5 vs. (4) TCU

Both of these teams have been underdogs all year.  The BCS waited for them to fall, and they never did.  So what did the BCS selction committee do?  Instead of allowing these two great programs to wipe the deck with one of the national prima donnas, they forced them to play one another, in a weak attempt to try to minimize the discussion for a playoff system (see our article Bowl Chicken Sh!t on the home page).  I love both of these programs, and as great as Boise State has proven they can be, they’ve never faced a defense like TCU’s.  Then again, Gary Patterson and the Horned Frogs haven’t faced an offense with this much big play and trick play ability this year.  This is my favorite Bowl game this year, and no matter who wins, the fact that the winner will not get a chance to play for the  national championship is a crime.   Boise State is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 bowl games.  Boise State should be able to keep it within a touchdown, so take the Mustangs and the points, and if you happen to see a guy with a BCS tattoo, tell him his mother is a whore and spit beer on him.

ORANGE  BOWL Tuesday, January 5th

(10) Iowa vs. (9) Georgia Tech -4

Iowa somehow managed a 10 win season, and a lot of those were come from behind victories against weaker school.   So good for them.  They had a nice season.  Aside from that, there’s no reason to think Georgia Tech won’t treat them like a slave in a German Scheisse video.   Georgia Tech averages 142 yards per gamne on offense more than Iowa, and a 4 point spread seems as sure a lock as any game we’ve seen.  Both of these schools are just happy they don’t play TCU or Boise State.  F’ing BCS cowards.

GMAC BOWL Wednesday, January 6th

Troy vs. Central Michigan -3.5

I thought as the Bowl season goes on, the teams were supposed to be better?  Well, just because these are smaller schools, don’t underestimate the shootout possibility in this one.  Troy gives up over 420 yards per game, and that is the biggest difference here.  Take Central Michigan and lay the 3.5 points.  And if you’re really into over/unders take the over on 63.

BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

(2) Texas vs. (1) Alabama -4 Thursday, Janaury 7th

The national champion comes out of this game, and Texas is good.  But Alabama seems so much more superior.  They took one of the nation’s top 5 defenses (Florida) and pounded them like hooker.  They have the Hesiman trophy winner, although Mark Ingram should have finished 2nd to Stanford’s Toby Gerhart.  Their conference strength is better, and then you have these stats: Texas is 5-7- ATS this year and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 bowl games.  I like Alabama, and I like them in a route.  I and the rest of America would love and deserve to see them play the winner of the Fiesta Bowl.  Okay,okay…I’ll get off my soap box.

Every year it seems, the BCS is on the verge of a major controversy that would push for a playoff.  And every year, somehow, the questions that develop after the season ends somehow fall on deaf ears.  But this year, a scenario developed that couldn’t be ignored, or so we thought.  This year, a “BCS BUST” scenario has never been more prevalent, but the BCS selection committee chose the chicken sh!t way out.

Case in point: pairing Boise State and TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.

Going into the 2009-2010 Bowl season we had 4 undefeated teams, something the system has never had.  The argument has always been that schools from historically “weaker” conferences couldn’t play with the big boys in the power conferences.  But that argument has been drilled like a Paris Hilton on a night out in recent years.

Just three years ago, Boise State put all the critics complaints to rest, taking out Oklahoma in-maybe not so arguably-the most exciting college football game in history. The dramatic 43-42 overtime victory culminated with Boise State’s Statue of Liberty 2- point conversion was seen on prime time national television.  And let’s not forget, Oklahoma was a 2 loss team that year, with one of them being to Oregon on a call that was pure robbery.  The game was stolen from Oklahoma like the innocence of a child by Gary Glitter. If not for that horrible call, Oklahoma would have been playing for the national title, and Boise State beat them.

And last year, undefeated Utah squared off against #3 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.  The SEC is perennially thought to be the toughest conference in the country year after year, and the Mountain West shouldn’t have been able to compete.  Utah not only competed, but dominated from the outset and finished the year undefeated and with a #2 ranking.  After working over the SEC #2, we all wanted to see them square off against the BCS champion and SEC #1 Florida.  What we were left with was the only undefeated team finishing the season ranked second, and an ass load of questions.

So now here we are, with 2 undefeated schools ready to play the big boys, and prove once and for all that a playoff system is necessary.  The problem is, the big boys don’t want to play them, and the BCS selection committee didn’t want to put their power conferences in a position to be beaten.  The BCS had a chance to redeem themselves, or at least practice what they preach, and instead went and hid like cowards.

We can sit here and speculate that, although Georgia Tech had a very nice year, but TCU would very likely beat them, but now we’ll never know.  And what would happen if Boise State were to face Iowa?  If you are going to put the Big Ten #2 in a BCS game, that’s  nothing.  Boise State already proved they could beat the Big 12 #1 two years ago. Given these scenarios, there would be 3 undefeated teams including the BCS title game winner.  If Cincinnati were to upset Florida, that would have given us 4 unbeaten teams at year’s end, all but demanding a new system be implemented.

At the very least, a “Plus 1” scenario would be some sort of improvement, but don’t count on the BCS to revamp any time soon.  BCS conferences have perennial toilet teams like Duke, Syracuse, Indiana, and Vanderbilt raking in 3 times as much money as TCU and Boise State. The WAC and Mountain West Champions put it all on the line and succeed every year, including beating the best conference and teams in bowls, but can’t get paid because the conference is apparently not good enough.  So don’t expect the BCS conferences to all of a sudden go for a playoff, even though it’s clear that it would be fairer.

Just like organized crime (and the case can be made that’s exactly what the BCS is) its all about money.

The shock value is over, at least for now. Short of video footage coming out of Tiger Woods dressed as the Gimp from Pulp Fiction and Rush Limbaugh playing the role of Zed, most of us are now just numb to the philandering charges. The bigger question is how many other athletes are on pins and needles?

Indeed, if the world’s most dominant and recognizable athlete, largely portrayed as infallible in every sense, is brought down to the bottom of the low-character well, certainly no one else is immune. Unconfirmed reports suggest that since the Woods story broke November 28th, florists across America haven’t been able to keep flowers in stock. How many women on the side now see a big pay check staring them in their slutty face, particularly in this bad economy? How many other voice mails are out there? How many videos? How many love letters and emails? How much “hush money” is being paid out (Even that wasn’t enough for Tiger Woods)? And just how many big time athletes watch the Woods saga, knowing their own reputation and family’s well-being is teetering on the brink of collapse?

Once the king of endorsements, the endorsements that follow are not exactly what he had built his life on to this point.

Lakers forward Ron Artest called Woods, “The perfect role model for me and my sons for longer than anyone I have known”

Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis said, “If he could keep that a secret and aint nobody came out and told on him, hey, congratulate him”

What’s more is that they have said these things amidst a perhaps larger controversy coming out with regard to Tiger using per enhancing drugs. Victor Conte, infamous steroid provider turned canary, and one of the two main men to bring down so many athletes and ruin the credibility of Major League Baseball, has suggested that Tiger Woods has used performance enhancing drugs.  “Wonder why Tiger has had such a strong libido? Could it be the same reason he gained 30 lbs of muscle? Is there possibly a connection?” Not that I place a great deal of confidence in the character of Victor Conti, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned from both Conte and Jose Canseco, its that where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

And sure, it’s easy to point the finger at Tiger. Maybe because he’s the only golfer that appears to be in any kind of shape. You have your Craig Stadler’s stomach physiques; Phil Mickelson’s man-boobs followers, and the rest of the tour being of an awkwardly gangly and lanky build. Though not a hulk like Barry Bonds morphed into, Woods is definitely larger and noticeably more muscular than when he first hit the tour, and his detractors will surely call for an investigation.

If there is any evidence of Woods using performance enhancing drugs, that would almost certainly blow the infidelity stories out of the water. There is no athlete now, nor has there ever been, bigger than their sport. There has never been a sport that needed an athlete more than the athlete needed it. Woods is that athlete, having transcended the sports popularity generationally, racially, and globally. Well on his way to shatter the sport’s greatest achievements of total major victories, how many of those would be called into question were someone to hang on to an old needle, or have his signature on a prescription for HGH?

We may just be at the ti[p of the iceberg.  Stay tuned.

College Football’s bowl season kicks off tomorrow.  I’ve supplied my prediction and witty commentary about who will win and why for all the bowls through the end of the year.  This is my first installment, covering the bowls from December 19th through December 31.  Then I’ll get into the ones that matter in my second installment.    For now, take these bets to the bank, and enjoy your egg nog, though it may come back up after looking at some of these match ups.

NEW MEXICO BOWL Saturday, December 19th

Wyoming vs. Fresno State -10.5

Most of the data suggests Wyoming will cover.  Still, a 35-24 game doesn’t sound like too much of a chore for Pat Hill to get done, especially with Wyoming allowing about 100 yards more on defense than they muster up on offense.

ST. PETERSBURG BOWL Saturday December 19th

Central Florida -3 vs. Rutgers

What?  The St. Petersburg Bowl?  What the Hell is this?  And will anyone watch?  The only glaring difference is Central Florida is 3 games better vs. the spread this year.  Lay the 3 points, and go punch yourself in the face for a better time.

NEW ORLEANS BOWL Sunday, December 20th

Middle Tennessee State vs. Southern Mississippi + 3.5

This isn’t the bowl the people of N’awlins are hoping for.  And take these records and throw them out the window.  I used my magic 8 ball (not the cocaine one), and all signs point to Southern Miss upsetting MT State.  Take the points and pray Favre’s alma matter comes through like he has this year.  Old ass.

MAACO LAS VEGAS BOWL Tuesday, December 22^nd

(14) BYU vs. (18) Oregon State -2.5

Now we’re getting somewhere.  Some decent teams with good records and tougher conferences.  The Rogers brothers play in the tougher conference, and that should be all they need to beat Max Hall and the Cougars by a field goal.  That, and the fact that Oregon State is 23-8 in their last 31 games against the spread.

POINSETTIA BOWL Wednesday, December 23^rd

(23) Utah vs. Cal -3.5

Another PAC 10 vs. Mountain West clash.  Last year, the Mountain West owned the Pac 10 like a Pirate owns his wench:  Dirty and unforgiving.  But the PAC 10 is far better this year, and the Mountain West is down.  The question is which team will show up for Cal, as they have been Jekyll and Hyde all year. Jahvid Best, is one of the top 5 backs in the country, but is still questionable for the game .  Strength of conference is the decider here again, so roll with the PAC 10 and lay the 3.5.

HAWAII BOWL Thursday, December 24^th

Southern Methodist vs. Nevada -15

It seems as if a more watchable bowl game could have been put on Christmas Eve.  Then again, I’ll be so wasted on egg nog and single-barrel Jack Daniels and cursing at the Christmas carolers, I won’t watch anyway.  What I do like is Nevada putting up 522 yards of offense per game, and that seems sufficient to lay the 15 against Eric Dickerson’s alma matter.

LITTLE CAESAR’S PIZZA BOWL Saturday, December 26^th

Ohio vs. Marshall -2.5

Sadly, more people may find the sponsor’s pizza more appetizing than this game.  Instead of the “We are (clap-clap) Mar-shall!” cheer, television ratings may pick up a “No One (clap-clap) Will Watch!!! ” reaction.  So what do we do?  Go with the home team being 7-1 in their last 8 meetings against the spread…wait a minute, it’s a bowl game, so there’s no real home team…f’it.  Flip a coin.

MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL Saturday, December 26th

North Carolina vs. (17) Pittsburgh -3

After a heartbreaking loss to Cincinnati to cost them a BCS birth, Pittsburgh should rebound against North Carolina.  You never know which UNC team will show, and we like that Pitt gets almost twice as many yards per carry on the ground.  That’s enough to lay 3 points.  I still think Dave Wannstedt looks like a porn star, without the intelligence.

EMERALD BOWL Saturday, December 26^th

Boston College +9 vs. (24) USC

It’s no secret who UCLA will be cheering for.  And its no secret that USC will be looking to make an example out of Boston College after a huge bowl demotion.  Emerald Nuts has a bowl, and USC will try to make Boston College taste theirs.  But USC’s arrogance may have finally caught up with them, as their talent, once able to back up their hubris, can no longer. SC no longer possesses a deep threat or quick strike offense, nor do they put up a great amount of points.  Combine that with Boston College being 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games versus a team with a winning record, and I’ll take the Eagles +9 all day.

MUSIC CITY BOWL Sunday, December 27^th

Kentucky vs. Clemson -7.5

When you have a match up like this, a lot of the time it comes down to conference strength.  But throw in a potential top 5 NFL pick in Clemson’s C.J. Spiller, and a 28-20 score is definitely foreseeable.  Roll with the Tigers.

INDEPENDENCE BOWL Monday, December 28^th

Texas A & M vs. Georgia -7

I can’t believe A & M even made a bowl.  However, in all the major statistical categories, its pretty evenly matched.  But when you factor in the even statistics with Georgia playing in a much tougher conference, plus Georgia is 8-3 against the spread in their last 11 bowl games, Georgia should win by at least a touchdown.

EAGLE BANK BOWL Tuesday, December 29^th

Temple + 4 vs. UCLA

UCLA had to wait until the very last game of the college football season to see if they could get to a bowl.  That game was the Army/Navy game.  I never thought UCLA’s bowl eligibility would ride on this contest.  With Navy’s victory, UCLA gets the privilege of facing Temple in the Eagle Bank (Bailout) Bowl.  Playing in a weaker conference, Temple is the underdog here.  But they are 9-3 in their last 12 games against the spread, and UCLA’s victories have all come against really bad teams.  I like the Owls all day.

CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL Tuesday, December 29^th

(25) Wisconsin vs. (15) Miami -3.5

Finally, a more scintillating match-up with two ranked teams.  Wisconsin’s rank is suspect, because of the Big Ten’s perennial over rating.  Although the statistical differences are negligible, I think Jacory Harris could be a Heisman candidate in 2 more years.  The Canes are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 bowl games, and Miami’s high powered offense should have no problem covering 3.5.  Lay the points, and watch for any drugs or weapons on the Miami sideline (You can also do the same in the Emerald Bowl with USC’s sideline).

HUMANITARIAN BOWL Wednesday, December 30^th

Bowling Green -2 vs. Idaho

The Humanitarian Bowl in the past has featured some more intriguing match ups.  But this year, if the board of directors for this bowl selection committee had any sense of what the word “humanitarian” means, then they wouldn’t subject us to watch these 2 teams.  Bowling Green is 6-2 in their last 8 games on turf against the spread, and that’s enough for us to lay the 2 and go buy the liquor for the New Years party.

HOLIDAY BOWL Wednesday, December 30^th

(22) Nebraska vs. (20) Arizona -1.5

Arizona averages 2 yards per carry more than Nebraska, but they have never seen an interior lineman like Ndamukong Suh.  That said, you have to figure with Arizona playing in the second best conference in the country, Suh is the sole reason the spread is only 1.5.  The over/under is 40, and should be a lot lower than that.  Figure 13-10 Arizona, and lay the 1.5.

ARMED FORCES BOWL Thursday, December 31^st

Air Force vs. Houston -4

Obviously, the sentimental favorite is Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl.  But Houston averages 230 yards of total offense more per game.  The conference strength between these two teams is negligible here…so that’s a lot.  Throw in the fact that Houston is 8-4 against the spread this year and 9-4 in their last 13 games, and I like the Cougars to cover the 4 points here.

SUN BOWL Thursday, December 31^st

(21) Stanford +8 vs. Oklahoma

My favorite new team of the year, Jim Harbaugh has taken Stanford to a more than respectable program.  Their Heisman candidate Toby Gerhart was robbed of the trophy, due again to East Coast bias.  The odds makers must no a whole lot that I don’t, and I guess that’s why they are the odds makers and I am a self proclaimed expert.  I love Stanford’s offensive line, Toby Gerhart and Andrew Luck.  They average almost 3 yards per rush more than Oklahoma, and play in a tougher conference.  They should win outright, and easily stay within 8 points.

TEXAS BOWL Thursday, December 31^st

Navy + 6.5 vs. Missouri

Navy’s biggest claim to fame this year was their victory over Notre Dame, sealing the fate of the fatty tuna, Charlie Weis.  They still love to run the ball, using option and wishbone and other 3 back sets constantly.  Averaging almost 2 yards more per rush could help them stay close, and when you consider Missouri is 1-8 against the spread versus a team with a winning record, I like Navy and the points.

INSIGHT BOWL Thursday, December 31

Iowa State + 2.5 vs. Minnesota

Here’s some insight:  Don’t put two .500 teams from the same conference, and the most overrated conference at that, in the same game and make us watch, then have the nerve to call it the “Insight Bowl”.  Why not call it, “The Battle For Mediocrity”?  Iowa State is the underdog, and when you consider they are 10-2 against the spread in their last 12 vs. their own conference, take the Cyclones and 2.5, and a box of valium to make the game more interesting.

CHICK FIL-A BOWL Thursday, December 31

Tennessee vs. (11) Virginia Tech -4.5

How Tennessee finished 7-5 and made a bowl is perplexing.  Crybaby Lane Kiffin got his team in to a bowl, despite episodes of atrocious playing, including a home loss to UCLA.  But the bigger mystery is how is VA Tech only a 4.5 point favorite.  Frank Beamer is an experienced coach and has VA Tech as a perennial bowl team, and he’ll have his team ready to work over little Laney.  Lay the 4.5 with arrogance.  If there is a lock in a bowl game, this is it

Here we go again.  Yet another chance for another story of East Coast bias.  This time, it’s an award ceremony at New York City’s Downtown Athletic Club for the best college football player on the land, and while there is only 1 out of the 5 nominees playing on the East Coast, a lot of the time its West Coast” hating.  Case in point:  Stanford running back Toby Gerhart, the most deserving of all the nominees, may very well get overlooked.

Some may point to the fact that Gerhart is heavily rumored to pursue a career in baseball, one in which he may be more talented than football, which is scary.  That may preclude people from voting for him, just like when Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward won in 93.  Ward went on to an average career in the NBA.

But the award shouldn’t be predicated on “what the athlete might do”.  It’s for the best player in college football, and if you look at who each payer has played, you will see what I mean.  Gerhart’s main competition at running back is Alabama’s Mark Ingram.  Gerhart racked up more rushing yards, touch downs, and yards per game than Ingram.

Gerhart          Ingram
Yards                        1736              1542
Yards per game        144.67          118.62
Touch downs             26                 15

More importantly, Ingram played in one more game, facing a division I-AA school in Chattanooga. Gerhart played a tougher schedule, as evidenced by his average rush defense faced of 59th, when compared to Ingram facing the 67th, and no doubt would have been lower if not for the fact that you can’t even factor in Chattanooga because they are not a D-1 school. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, the other main threat, faced a pass defense that ranked on the average 77th in the nation. And everyone’s favorite Christian Warrior, Florida Quarterback Tim Tebow, already ha the award once.  Losing to Alabama in the SEC championship sealed his fate for a chance at a second award.

Certainly, the winner of this award by no means goes on to greatness at the professional level.  In the last 20 years, there have been numerous busts, while setting records in college.  This includes Andre Ware (89), Ty Detmer (90), Gino Toretta (92), Charlie Ward (93), Danny Wuerffel (96), Chris Weinke (2000), Eric Crouch (2001), Jason White (2003), Matt Leinart (2004), Troy Smith (2006).  Four of the above player never started an NFL game.

The running backs were no guarantee either, and besides Eddie George, who was always “good” but never “great”, ’94 winner Rashaan Salaam and ’99 winner Ron “No Gain” Dayne were complete busts. 1998 winner Ricky Williams snagged one NFL rushing title, but his career has been significantly damaged due to multiple retirements, drug use and depression.  2006 winner Reggie Bush is little more than a 3rd down back.

Though it seems the Heisman is more of a curse than a blessing, there can be no denying Gerhart is more deserving of the award.  So lets here it for Toby.  The ward isn’t about who might be the higher NFL draft pick, but who has exhibited the most excellence on college football this year.  And tough Stanford is vastly improved, the fact remains that the PAC-10 is far better than anyone gives it credit for, and has higher rush defense ratings than other conferences thought to be better.

We’ll see if the West Coast Hate continues December 10th.