Deliverance

SUPER BOWL COMMERICIALS

Most years I enjoy the Super Bowl commercials as much as the game.  But not as much this year.  I thought the quality was down somewhat this year.  There were still commericials I liked though.  Here's my top three in ascending order: 

3.  Halftime in American/Clint Eastwood--Chrysler.  Loved the message.  Perfect choice for the actor and voice.  I saw no political spin from it as the media is trying to portray.  I just thought everything worked in this commerical.  Moreover it's at a time when we needed to see and hear it and from an icon.

2.  Adriana Lima--Teleflora.  I don't think this one needs any explanation.  If it does, I feel sorry for you.

1.  Business Trip--CareerBuilder.com.  I've always loved their commericals and this one carries on the great tradition. Hilarious and reminds me of where I used to work.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-WEEK 14

I didn't pick last week due to the holiday or as Seinfeld would say "no pick".  There was some strategy involved though as I really didn't want to pick Tennessee against Kentucky.  And I'm glad I didn't.  The season is mercifully over for the Vols and maybe should have been for me as I went 0-5 in week 12. Anyway I'm 33-17 for the year even after my disaster week.

LSU 27, Georgia 20--I'm thinking Georgia will surprise the experts and play LSU much better than anyone is predicting.  If so it will be good for the Tigers as they need a tough game in preparation for the national championship game.

Oklahoma St 31, Oklahoma 28--State seems to have plateaued which should mean the Sooners roll. But hold your horses.  This game is at State and I think that makes the difference.  

Baylor 37, Texas 24--Another home field situation.  This game is at Baylor.  And I think this is an excellent Baylor team that on any given day can play with the big boys.  This is one of those days. Longhorns can't hang with them offensively.

Clemson 27, Virginia Tech 24--Just like the Cowboys above Clemson has seemingly plateaued after a great start.  But I think they get riled up for this one.  It will be close but it's the upset of the week.

Wisconsin 24, Michigan St 21--This one should be the game of the week for college football fans.  Both teams are even talent wise and both have had losses they shouldn't have.  The game is at a neutral site so no advantage for either team there.  I believe the Badgers win because of their quarterback play.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-WEEK 12

After three straight weeks of 3-1, finally a 4-1 week again.  I only missed the Florida/SC game last week.  I'm 33-12 for the year. 

Tennessee 27, Vanderbilt 24--This is the first time in many years that Vandy has a solid chance to beat the Vols.  But I think the Big Orange will be fired up for its in-state rival and beat them with a late field goal.  There's both good and bad about this game.  The good is that Tennessee wins.  The bad is that we have sunk so low that we are getting fired up over playing Vandy.

Oklahoma 34, Baylor 20--I still believe the Sooners have a chance at playing LSU for the national championship.  Sure there are a lot of things that have to happen and LSU could stumble at Arkansas along the way but besides their one loss Sooners are damn good.

Oregon 41, USC 27--Ducks are my team in this one.  Full discosure--whoever is playing USC is my team.  Why?  Lame Kiffin. Enough said.

Ohio State 28, Penn State 21--Buckeyes are not having a good year but compared to Penn State it's a wonderful life year.  An upset of sorts for the Buckeyes and more misery for the Lions.

Nebraska 24, Michigan 23--This one should be the game of the week.  Both teams are 10-2 but I think the Cornhuskers have played a little bit tougher schedule.  I'm not entirely sure that will be enough to overcome the home field advantage for Michigan but I hope so.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-WEEK 11

I had my third straight 3-2 week last week.  Pure mediocrity but I'm 29-11 now for the year because I did well with my early picks in the season.  

Arkansas 34, Tennessee 17--A weak Vol pass defense against a very good Razorback pass offense means this could be a blowout.  Let's hope that I'm wrong.

Nebraska 16, Penn State 13--This is a pure guess.  Who knows how the Nittany Lions will play?  It could be the exact opposite score or a blowout by either team.

Georgia 27, Auburn 24--Tigers have lost their three games this season on the road.  They will play Georgia tough but come up short for their fourth road loss.

Virginia Tech 27, Georgia Tech 20--The Yellow Jackets running game is excellent but I think the Hokie's run defense is even better.  This game could be close if the Jackets decide to cross the defense up and come out passing.  Hokies run nearly as well as the Jackets so I think that decides it.

Florida 23, South Carolina 21--this is my upset special of the week.  Steve Superior against his alma mater.  Gamecocks have not been playing well.  They are home but I don't think it will be enough.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-WEEK 10

Yet another 3-2 week for me last week.  I'm 26-9 now for the year.  

Tennessee 27, MTSU 20--After playing the number 1, number 2 and number 9 teams in the nation in sucessive weeks, the Vols should have a breather.  It's homecoming and they're playing an instate rival. Let's hope they take advantage.

Alabama 23,  LSU 21--Everything is two in this game.  Two great defenses meet.  But I believe two other things make the difference for the Crimson Tide.  One is the Tide's running game and the other is home field.  And therefore Bama by...two, of course. 

Arkansas 30, South Carolina 20--Razorbacks got lucky last week and missed getting upset by Vandy. Gamecocks didn't look that good against Tennessee. I think the Hogs bounce back and take it.

Oklahoma 41, Texas A&M 17--Sooners are back rolling again after stumbling big time against upstart Texas Tech. That game may have cost them a spot in the national championship game if LSU or Alabama don't stumble the rest of the way. The Aggies don't have enough to stop the Sooners.

Michigan 30, Iowa 23--Hawkeyes have been upset minded on their home field in the past and even though they aren't very good this year they could still surprise the Wolverines.  If they don't come to Iowa ready to play this could easily be the opposite score but I'm going with Michigan.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-WEEK 9

Another ho-hum 3-2 week last week took me to 23-7 for the season.  I'll be in Nashville Sunday to cheer the Titans on against the Colts.  It took me eight years to get tickets to a Colts/Titans game and when I finally do I get a winless and Manning-less Colts team.  And so it goes...

South Carolina 26, Tennessee 24--Gamecocks are down with their star running back out for the season.The Vols are down with the loss of their starting QB and one WR.  Steve Superior has bedeviled the Big Orange for years and I think he does it again on our own turf against a Tennessee defense that struggled in the last half of the last two games.

Wisconsin 28, Ohio State 21--Badgers got ambushed last week by the Spartans.  This game could be dangerous for them since it is in Columbus but the Badgers are pretty talented.  I'm counting on that talent to overcome that home field advantage.

Oklahoma 33, Kansas State 20--Sooners were shocked last week by Texas Tech.  Kansas State is undefeated and playing at home.  Do the Sooners get shocked again?  No.

Stanford 31, USC 27--I got burnt last week picking the Irish over USC and I may get burnt again with this pick but I refuse to pick Lame Kiffin to win anything.  

Michigan State 24, Nebraska 23--Both teams are 6-1 but I consider this my upset special of the week. I think the Spartans continue to ride high after last week's takedown of Wisconsin.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-WEEK 8

A 3-2 week last week took me to 20-5 for the season.   I'm back for more.

Alabama 40, Tennessee 7--LSU number 1 last week and Alabama number 2 this week.  It doesn't get much harder than that.  The Tide's defense is really outstanding, even extraordinary and better than LSU's.  Not close.

LSU 28, Auburn 17--There's potential for an upset here if LSU looks down the road to Alabama.  But I think they're not doing that just yet and the game is at LSU.

Notre Dame 27, USC 20--Nothing I like better than seeing Lame Kiffin get his butt kicked.  I'm hoping that the Irish doubles my prediction.  Nice guy, Lame.  Glad he's gone.

Wisconsin 31, Michigan State 27--Game of the week. Wisconsin doesn't seem to play well on the road and I think that makes this game very close.  

Clemson 30, North Carolina 17--This is the best Clemson team I've seen in years.  They have beaten good teams at home this year and good teams on the road.  And now they have a good chance now to stay undefeated and the Tar Heels help them along this week.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL --WEEK 7

Another 4-1 week last week and I am 17-3 for the season.  Missed the Tennessee game but Florida lost to LSU and that's almost like a Tennessee win.  Here I go again.

LSU 37, Tennessee 17--The Vols had the Tigers beat at LSU last year and let them escape.  I would like to say they're out for revenge but with Tyler Bray and Justin Hunter out John Chavis is going to double DaRick Rogers and crowd the line against the run.  No mas.

Michigan 28, Michigan State 24 --I think Michigan is out for revenge from last year's game and while I realize they are playing in State's backyard I think that motivation is enough to pull this one through.  It will be close but I think the more experienced Wolverines get the job done.

Auburn 27, Florida 24--A toss-up for sure.  Both teams have taken their licks this year.  But it's at Auburn and the Gators inspire hatred everywhere they go and that's even without Urban or Steve.

Illinois 24, Ohio State 21--Buckeyes had the Cornhuskers beat and let them off the hook, much like Tennessee did with LSU last year.  I like the Illinois defense and defense wins games.   

South Carolina 30, Mississippi State 23--If Steve Superior had not finally dismissed QB Stephen Garcia from the team I would like the Bulldogs in a close one.  But Garcia's backup isn't only better off the field he's also better on the field.  Ergo--a Gamecocks win on the road.  NOTE:  Steve is feeling his oats.  He also dismissed a reporter from his press conference this week.  Nice guy, that Steve.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-WEEK 6

I skipped the picking last week and I am 13-2 for the season.  So here we go...

Oklahoma 30, Texas 28--Mack Brown is a Tennessee boy, born and bred.  Therefore I would normally pick Texas but the Longhorns have struggled of late and the Sooners are damn good.  Texas is better than last year but I don't think they up to Sooner level yet.  They will make it close though because it's in Texas.

LSU 31, Florida 24 --The Gator's speed saves this one from being a blow-out.  LSU is good, for sure, but this is not the Florida teams of the past.

Arkansas 27, Auburn 25--A toss-up but the game is in Arkansas.  That's worth at least 3 points and I think this Razorback team is a lot better than people realize.  I don't think the Vols could beat them in Arkansas for sure.

Tennessee 27, Georgia 24--Speaking of the Vols, they got their butts kicked last year in Athens by a not that good Dawgs team.  I'm counting on the returning Vols players to remember that and return the favor.  We know Tyler Bray can throw touchdowns but if we can get Tauren Poole going it could be a hard day for the Dawgs.

Nebraska 27, Ohio State 17--Buckeyes don't travel well and it doesn't help this week that they're in football crazy Lincoln.  OSU better come ready to play or this one could get ugly.

"HELL COACH, I LOVE NEEDLES"

I knew Pete Gent first as a football player for the Dallas Cowboys who was then my favorite team.  

That was before Jerry Jones came along and turned me into anything but a Cowboys fan and ultimately into a Titans fan.  Pete Gent was a tight end or maybe a wide reciever for the Cowboys in the mid- sixties and by 1970 was already gone from the team.  He caught passes from a young Don Meredith. 

In 1973 he wrote a novel called North Dallas Forty and to this day it's the best sports book that I ever read. I still have a paperback copy of it.  The book was semi-autobiographical and cast a hard look at the NFL and its owners and coaches, particularly toward legal and illegal drug use by the players and teams.  

The book was a success and was turned into one of the best sports movies ever as well with a litany of characters from Mac Davis to Nick Nolte and my favorite, a younger G.D. Spradlin who played the Tom Landry-like coach.  It also starred a young brunette who no one had never heard of but I still remember her.  Her name was Dayle Haddon and she was a stunning beauty.  She wasn't heard of much after than movie but she remains in my mind.

The movie received critical acclaim and it should have.  It was funny and outrageous with a wise-ass Mac Davis as a Don Meredith type but had the underlying dark theme of how much physical and mental damage that professional football can do to the players.  As in the quote from Nick Nolte playing a wide receiver nearing the end of his playing days and trying to hang on: "Hell coach, I love needles".

If you're a football lover and have never read the book or seen this movie do yourself a favor and take the time to do one or the other.  You won't regret it.  It's a well written book and maybe even a better movie and you'll be surprised how relevant it still is today.  Go rest peacefully, Pete Gent.  You did good.