Last week went 3-1 on picks missing the Oakland/Houston game. All four Of the home teams were winners and for those of you looking for white knuckle finishes there were none to be found last week so any NFL fan expecting better this week, what makes you think so?
The Texans won by 13 over Oakland and Pittsburgh won by 18 over Miami so there was no Clemson finish in either of those two. Over on the NFC games the differences were even worse as Green Bay won by 25 and Seattle by 20 and did not give up a touchdown.
Those who had byes last week scouted by tv join the scuffle this week. Houston visits England. The glamour game of the weekend is the Packers at the Cowboys. Roll Over to Sunday and Pittsburgh heads to the plains and Kansas City. The final game of the weekend just might have the chance to be the best.
Houston @ New England: This game has the best chance of the four this weekend to be another double digit blowout. Houston defense has a chance to just maybe give a challenge to Tom Brady and the Pats offense. I just can't see that the quarterback situation in Houston is stable enough to make this a game. New England 30 Houston 14
The Green Bay Packers @ the Dallas Cowboys: The intriguing game of the weekend. The red hot offense of the Packers taking on Cowboy pass rush. Can the Packers defense slow down the Boys enough to give Rogers a chance? My guess the loser may score 30.
Cowboys advance 34 Packers 30.
Pittsburgh @ Kansas City: Big question in this game is will be is Big Ben playing? If he does how effective will he be? This game will be a defensive struggle. The weather will play a huge part in this game. I have liked the Chiefs all year. I see no reason why the home team will not win this one too. Chiefs 23 Pittsburgh 17
Seattle @ Atlanta: Is there a more doctor Jeckel and Mr Hyde than the Seattle Seahawks. Almost unbeatable on the northwest Pacific coast but inside a big barn in the deep south? That Seahawks teams flies east?. Remember the last time Atlanta hosted a playoff game they Laid an Easter Egg. Hawks can't handle the east coast. Falcons 27 Seattle 20.
Last night was a double header night at North Carolina Wesleyan. The men took to the court first and the Battling Bishops led by as many as 13 points early in the second half led by Plymouth's Adrian Moore who poured in 41 points grabbed 13 rebounds, 5 steals and 7 assists but it was not enough as the Bishops gave up 65 second half points and lose their conference opener 104-98 to William Peace.
The nightcap former Northern Central player Timyra Station had the greatest night of her life pulling down 13 rebounds and ripping the cords for 29 points in leading the Lady Bishops to a 69-54 conference victory over Methodist.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
ACC Wins The One That Mattered
The Atlantic Coast Conference backed up their great first 11 games in the Bowl games of 2016/17 by winning the one game that justified the Bowl year for the ACC winning the National Championship game. Clemson 35 Alabama 31
The ACC goes 9-3 in Bowl games while the Southeastern Conference went 7-7. No other conference came close to the ACC's performance. Looking back to the NCAA College World Series the state of South Carolina has won the last two so called major titles with Coastal Carolina winning the baseball and now Clemson's football victory.
The football game didn't start very well for the Tigers as the Bama run game produced a 7-0 lead in the first quarter but the momentum shifter occurred on two non calls by officials. Twice in the first quarter the Bama defense should have been called for targeting on two tackles to the head of Clemson players but mysteriously no flags. This seemed to slow the Tiger offense while they recovered. The Tiger defense held Bama down just enough to 16-7 at the half.
Alabama led going into the fourth quarter but Clemson scored three times including the last score on the last play of the game.. This marks the second straight year that these two have played in the final game and both were memorable. It also marks the first time in Saban's career at Bama that they gave up a lead in the fourth quarter. He had been 96-0 before Monday night.
Even though I never officially put on this blog that I thought Clemson would win it has come down to another story of the mighty no way anybody can beat them has done it. All of the talk since the first of December was is there anybody that can keep it close against Bama? The Clemson defense showed in the Ohio State game that they were ready shutting out the Buckeyes.
Despite the slow first half start Clemson finished the game with over 500 yards of offense for the game. Just in the last two championship games Deshaun Watson the Clemson quarterback has accounted for more than 800 yard passing and running and 8 touchdowns.
It is now about time that all the hoopla over the Southeastern Conference and how great they are needs to take a reality check since 2013 the ACC has two National titles playing in three of the four title games while the SEC has won one title and losing twice to the ACC in title games. It is time that the ACC is be declared king of college football.
The ACC goes 9-3 in Bowl games while the Southeastern Conference went 7-7. No other conference came close to the ACC's performance. Looking back to the NCAA College World Series the state of South Carolina has won the last two so called major titles with Coastal Carolina winning the baseball and now Clemson's football victory.
The football game didn't start very well for the Tigers as the Bama run game produced a 7-0 lead in the first quarter but the momentum shifter occurred on two non calls by officials. Twice in the first quarter the Bama defense should have been called for targeting on two tackles to the head of Clemson players but mysteriously no flags. This seemed to slow the Tiger offense while they recovered. The Tiger defense held Bama down just enough to 16-7 at the half.
Alabama led going into the fourth quarter but Clemson scored three times including the last score on the last play of the game.. This marks the second straight year that these two have played in the final game and both were memorable. It also marks the first time in Saban's career at Bama that they gave up a lead in the fourth quarter. He had been 96-0 before Monday night.
Even though I never officially put on this blog that I thought Clemson would win it has come down to another story of the mighty no way anybody can beat them has done it. All of the talk since the first of December was is there anybody that can keep it close against Bama? The Clemson defense showed in the Ohio State game that they were ready shutting out the Buckeyes.
Despite the slow first half start Clemson finished the game with over 500 yards of offense for the game. Just in the last two championship games Deshaun Watson the Clemson quarterback has accounted for more than 800 yard passing and running and 8 touchdowns.
It is now about time that all the hoopla over the Southeastern Conference and how great they are needs to take a reality check since 2013 the ACC has two National titles playing in three of the four title games while the SEC has won one title and losing twice to the ACC in title games. It is time that the ACC is be declared king of college football.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
The ACC Trend
It will be vital this year for any ACC team that thinks they can make the NCAA Tournament they will have to be able to win on the road if they are looking for a high seed but most importantly this year there will be no playoff games in North Carolina. I think we can count on our fingers the number of times when any of the Triangle teams have lost in North Carolina Arenas during the NCAA's.
Carolina's destruction of State was a game where the Tar Heels played great at home in their homeopener but struggled on the road in their road games but they did win one. Carolina didn't play great defense in Law Vegas against Kentucky.
The Tar Heels played four true road games going 2-2. They opened with a 20 point win at Tulane who on the season is 3-11. I do see of the three teams in the Triangle that the Heels have the best chance of making final eight.
Duke has played two true road games at UNLV 8-9 winning by 50 and Virginia Tech. Coach K is the coach that every network wants so Duke had played six games on neutral courts in some made for TV tournaments.
Most years you can count on Duke getting better as the year goes on but maybe not this year since coach is on IR for a month. I truly have not seen to this point the Duke team that everyone is raving about having the best recruiting class in the country.
Duke has had a Mash unit on the sideline and at this point and if they lose Amile Jefferson this is the wrong time of year to have people sidelined. Despite not looking like a top ten team Duke is 14-2.
We will really know how good Duke is tonight after their game at Florida State a team at this point who looks like the best in the league. They have won on the road as well as they are playing great at home.
NC State now has now played what I call top 40 teams so far this year four times on the road or neutral court and they have looked like JVs in all four. If you are a team that is suppose to be loaded with maybe a top ten recruiting class you can not lose by 50 to anyone other than the Cleveland Caviliers.
Any fan has the right to expect when the team they support plays any game that the players give it all they have. I can live losing any game when I feel like we gave all they had but the other team was better.
It surely looked from the first second the Pack wanted to play Saturday night and didn't want to be there Sunday. If the Pack plays a more important game this year than one they have Wednesday at Boston College the team that looks like the last place team in the league. If you can't win that one you will never win all your games at home.
Carolina's destruction of State was a game where the Tar Heels played great at home in their homeopener but struggled on the road in their road games but they did win one. Carolina didn't play great defense in Law Vegas against Kentucky.
The Tar Heels played four true road games going 2-2. They opened with a 20 point win at Tulane who on the season is 3-11. I do see of the three teams in the Triangle that the Heels have the best chance of making final eight.
Duke has played two true road games at UNLV 8-9 winning by 50 and Virginia Tech. Coach K is the coach that every network wants so Duke had played six games on neutral courts in some made for TV tournaments.
Most years you can count on Duke getting better as the year goes on but maybe not this year since coach is on IR for a month. I truly have not seen to this point the Duke team that everyone is raving about having the best recruiting class in the country.
Duke has had a Mash unit on the sideline and at this point and if they lose Amile Jefferson this is the wrong time of year to have people sidelined. Despite not looking like a top ten team Duke is 14-2.
We will really know how good Duke is tonight after their game at Florida State a team at this point who looks like the best in the league. They have won on the road as well as they are playing great at home.
NC State now has now played what I call top 40 teams so far this year four times on the road or neutral court and they have looked like JVs in all four. If you are a team that is suppose to be loaded with maybe a top ten recruiting class you can not lose by 50 to anyone other than the Cleveland Caviliers.
Any fan has the right to expect when the team they support plays any game that the players give it all they have. I can live losing any game when I feel like we gave all they had but the other team was better.
It surely looked from the first second the Pack wanted to play Saturday night and didn't want to be there Sunday. If the Pack plays a more important game this year than one they have Wednesday at Boston College the team that looks like the last place team in the league. If you can't win that one you will never win all your games at home.
Monday, January 9, 2017
Full Week On Tap
Conference play has started with one game in the books and The Big East has a full week before exams and only one game played next week. Just think all the issues a basketball season faces that fall and spring sports don't.
Weather is always and issue during any school year. Hurricanes in fall, snow in winter and spring rains can disrupt any schedule so we will call weather equal in any season. But look, basketball catches the Thanksgiving vacation, Christmas time down and end of first semester exams. All these down times destroy any team rhythem
Rocky Mount due to their extended football playoff runs the last two years has not started out either year with a full rosters first day of basketball practice. Last year they had played 8 games before football ended. This year they put off every game possible but had to play in the Nash County Tournament. Any team that has continued deep runs in the football playoffs has this extra drama added to them every year so that is not only a Rocky Mount problem but any team thatthinks keeps winning in football.
Game two of Big East play has been put off until January 23rd. Those games scheduled for Tuesday were shifted to Wednesday but with the threat that school may not go Wednesday All those scheduled for Tuesday night have been moved to two weeks from tonight. Next week is exam week and no games can be played the first part of the week.
Boys:
The top game of the night features two of the undefeated teams Fike 11-3 1-0 at Nash Central 9-3 1-0. Nash Central is the only team that went on the road and won so in the long distance race to the finish line they lead the opening sprint
Hunt 3-11 0-1 pays a visit to Rocky Mount 3-5 0-1 who was the only team that played at home Friday that lost. They surely can't afford a second home loss.
Northern Nash 13-2 1-0 hits the road with a visit to Southern Nash 5-9 0-1. This is a game where the Knights can not afford to lose. Great teams win the ones they are suppose to and then win most of the toss up games.
Girls:
The girls game of the night has Hunt 13-1 1-0 at Rocky Mount 8-2 1-0. As early as it is in the conference year holding serve at home is vital for the Lady Gryphons.
Fike 11-3 1-0 at Nash Central 6-6 0-1. The Lady Bulldogs can't afford to be 0-2 and Fike will be a challenge.
Northern Nash 5-8 0-1 at Southern Nash 3-9 0-1. The Lady Birds have broken their two year old osing streak but their conference streak is still going. Northern can't afford a loss.
North Carolina Wesleyan has a double header in store Wednesday night. Most of the time girls play first but the guys hit the floor at 5:30 and then the girls follow.
Weather is always and issue during any school year. Hurricanes in fall, snow in winter and spring rains can disrupt any schedule so we will call weather equal in any season. But look, basketball catches the Thanksgiving vacation, Christmas time down and end of first semester exams. All these down times destroy any team rhythem
Rocky Mount due to their extended football playoff runs the last two years has not started out either year with a full rosters first day of basketball practice. Last year they had played 8 games before football ended. This year they put off every game possible but had to play in the Nash County Tournament. Any team that has continued deep runs in the football playoffs has this extra drama added to them every year so that is not only a Rocky Mount problem but any team thatthinks keeps winning in football.
Game two of Big East play has been put off until January 23rd. Those games scheduled for Tuesday were shifted to Wednesday but with the threat that school may not go Wednesday All those scheduled for Tuesday night have been moved to two weeks from tonight. Next week is exam week and no games can be played the first part of the week.
Boys:
The top game of the night features two of the undefeated teams Fike 11-3 1-0 at Nash Central 9-3 1-0. Nash Central is the only team that went on the road and won so in the long distance race to the finish line they lead the opening sprint
Hunt 3-11 0-1 pays a visit to Rocky Mount 3-5 0-1 who was the only team that played at home Friday that lost. They surely can't afford a second home loss.
Northern Nash 13-2 1-0 hits the road with a visit to Southern Nash 5-9 0-1. This is a game where the Knights can not afford to lose. Great teams win the ones they are suppose to and then win most of the toss up games.
Girls:
The girls game of the night has Hunt 13-1 1-0 at Rocky Mount 8-2 1-0. As early as it is in the conference year holding serve at home is vital for the Lady Gryphons.
Fike 11-3 1-0 at Nash Central 6-6 0-1. The Lady Bulldogs can't afford to be 0-2 and Fike will be a challenge.
Northern Nash 5-8 0-1 at Southern Nash 3-9 0-1. The Lady Birds have broken their two year old osing streak but their conference streak is still going. Northern can't afford a loss.
North Carolina Wesleyan has a double header in store Wednesday night. Most of the time girls play first but the guys hit the floor at 5:30 and then the girls follow.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Things Will Sort Themselves Out
Last week at this time the four ACC basketball schools from North Carolina all sat stunned that they had all lost their opening conference basketball games and sat tied for last. It maybe was not so much a surprise that they lost but State, Duke and Carolina all lost by double digits.
Some sanity has been restored as Duke has two conference victories at home this week and both State and Carolina one each. One of
the two will add their second win by dark this afternoon when they will collide in Chapel Hill.
I see no way the Deacons of Wake Forest will by the end of the ACC Tournament play will have enough wins to make the NCAA's. The rest do so lets look over how good the other three really are
North Carolina State roared back after their loss in Miami last weekend and by the way there are ten or more teams in the ACC they could be good enough to qualify for the Tournament but the numbers just do not add up ten or more can make it. It is imperative that every team has to win their 9 home games and win what you can on the road.
All three State,Duke and Carolina all lost on the road last week and Duke and State all three games at home they have won big. Is that a sign that none are really powerhouse teams?
State has 7 players who are playing their first year. They looked it at Miami. They showed against Virginia Tech what they could be. I think they will be a load for anybody by March. They need to win enough to stay in the NCAA hunt. They must intensify their defense.
During the Kentucky game all the shots made by the Tar Heels, the Wildcats shots could be marked as a great game but Clemson's ability to drive all night to the basket has to be a Roy Williams concern. The good news is the Tar Heels did get a road win.
Duke bounces back with two wins this week both at home. Grayson Allen timely returns at the start of conference play. Big question I have is who is the leader of this team. Allen showed last year with his antics and he is doing it again this year that he is not a leader any team needs to. have.
It is amazing how great every team looks when shots go in. There's 9 more weeks to go and there will be nights when nothing falls but somebody will prevail anyway in the ACC. The big question this year will it be a team from the Triangle.
Some sanity has been restored as Duke has two conference victories at home this week and both State and Carolina one each. One of
the two will add their second win by dark this afternoon when they will collide in Chapel Hill.
I see no way the Deacons of Wake Forest will by the end of the ACC Tournament play will have enough wins to make the NCAA's. The rest do so lets look over how good the other three really are
North Carolina State roared back after their loss in Miami last weekend and by the way there are ten or more teams in the ACC they could be good enough to qualify for the Tournament but the numbers just do not add up ten or more can make it. It is imperative that every team has to win their 9 home games and win what you can on the road.
All three State,Duke and Carolina all lost on the road last week and Duke and State all three games at home they have won big. Is that a sign that none are really powerhouse teams?
State has 7 players who are playing their first year. They looked it at Miami. They showed against Virginia Tech what they could be. I think they will be a load for anybody by March. They need to win enough to stay in the NCAA hunt. They must intensify their defense.
During the Kentucky game all the shots made by the Tar Heels, the Wildcats shots could be marked as a great game but Clemson's ability to drive all night to the basket has to be a Roy Williams concern. The good news is the Tar Heels did get a road win.
Duke bounces back with two wins this week both at home. Grayson Allen timely returns at the start of conference play. Big question I have is who is the leader of this team. Allen showed last year with his antics and he is doing it again this year that he is not a leader any team needs to. have.
It is amazing how great every team looks when shots go in. There's 9 more weeks to go and there will be nights when nothing falls but somebody will prevail anyway in the ACC. The big question this year will it be a team from the Triangle.
Saturday, January 7, 2017
IS NFL Still King
The most exciting two weekends of every NFL season are here and yet TV ratings show that the NFL has tumbled from it once proud perch as king of TV viewing on all of TV. Let's make our picks and then discuss the NFL's decline.
Saturday:
Oakland at Houston: Both teams have quarterback misery to worry about . I think if you both were playing anybody else they would both lose but one has to win. Oakland defense is better. Raiders 17 Houston 10
Detroit at Seattle: Detroit has trouble beating good teams. Seahawks never know which team is showing up. I would hate to have to travel to play in Seattle.. Hawks 26 Detroit 22
Sunday:
Miami at Pittsburgh: I find it hard to see the Dolphins winning in Pittsburgh. 33 -24 Steelers
Giants at Green Bay: Giants have their Super Bowl formula in tact. Defense with very little offense. Seems that Packers are rolling. Will be hard to beat Packers in tundra. Pack 36 Giants 27
Why are ratings down?
Injuries keeping best players out of games?
Unappreciative players. Not standing for national anthem when they make millions?
Fantasy football has become more important than who won?
When the ball is in the air who can tell who committed the penalty there by putting too many outcomes of games in official's hands?
Since latest contract hitting during practice has eliminated practicing fundamentals lacking and players are soft and fragile when games are played?
40 seconds too long between plays. need to cut it to no more than 25 seconds. Hate watching especially in college quarterbacks start calling signals then stop look at bench for a different call according to defense set up.
This is some of my guesses what are yours?
Saturday:
Oakland at Houston: Both teams have quarterback misery to worry about . I think if you both were playing anybody else they would both lose but one has to win. Oakland defense is better. Raiders 17 Houston 10
Detroit at Seattle: Detroit has trouble beating good teams. Seahawks never know which team is showing up. I would hate to have to travel to play in Seattle.. Hawks 26 Detroit 22
Sunday:
Miami at Pittsburgh: I find it hard to see the Dolphins winning in Pittsburgh. 33 -24 Steelers
Giants at Green Bay: Giants have their Super Bowl formula in tact. Defense with very little offense. Seems that Packers are rolling. Will be hard to beat Packers in tundra. Pack 36 Giants 27
Why are ratings down?
Injuries keeping best players out of games?
Unappreciative players. Not standing for national anthem when they make millions?
Fantasy football has become more important than who won?
When the ball is in the air who can tell who committed the penalty there by putting too many outcomes of games in official's hands?
Since latest contract hitting during practice has eliminated practicing fundamentals lacking and players are soft and fragile when games are played?
40 seconds too long between plays. need to cut it to no more than 25 seconds. Hate watching especially in college quarterbacks start calling signals then stop look at bench for a different call according to defense set up.
This is some of my guesses what are yours?
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Knights Back Up non-conference Record
The Knights of Northern Nash who started their season with a 12-2 non conference slate continued their hot start to their season defending their home court and knocking off Hunt 64-50. The Knights now 13-2. 1-0 while Hunt falls to 3-11 0-1
Girls Big East basketball the Hunt Lady Warriors backed up Their only loss to date by falling behind early at Northern Nash but powered their way to their 13th victory in 14 starts and now 1-0 in conference play after a 48-37 victory over Northern Nash 0-1 5-8.
The Lady Gryphons opened conference play at home with a 61-52 victory over Nash Central. The Lady Gryphons win their 8th in 10 tries while the Lady Bulldogs start conference play 0-1 and 5-7 overall.
The Bulldogs of Nash Central win on the road at Rocky Mount pulling off victory number 8 winning 60-55 now 8-3 1-0 while the Gryphons lose at home dropping to 3-5 0-1.
Weather is also effecting at this point the women's basketball game Saturday at home for the Lady Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan? They are suppose to play Ferrum in their home opener in conference play at 2pm Saturday. It has been bumped up to 3pm Friday in order that Ferrum can head home to the mountains of Virginia by dark Friday. Their 2pm game at home Sunday against Mary Baldwin is still on pending weather conditions Saturday of whether Mary Baldwin can get here or not.
Under the Heading Am I that blind? Thanks to many of you who gave me notice that I failed to include Detrelle Revis from Rocky Mount on the NCPREPS.COM all state team. Sorry to Detrelle for me making such a miss since my little rant about who and why people got on a website list I had Detrelle in mind why he wasn't on the list. He is, so congratulations to Detrelle Revis for also being named to the NCPREPS.COM all state defensive back.
Girls Big East basketball the Hunt Lady Warriors backed up Their only loss to date by falling behind early at Northern Nash but powered their way to their 13th victory in 14 starts and now 1-0 in conference play after a 48-37 victory over Northern Nash 0-1 5-8.
The Lady Gryphons opened conference play at home with a 61-52 victory over Nash Central. The Lady Gryphons win their 8th in 10 tries while the Lady Bulldogs start conference play 0-1 and 5-7 overall.
The Bulldogs of Nash Central win on the road at Rocky Mount pulling off victory number 8 winning 60-55 now 8-3 1-0 while the Gryphons lose at home dropping to 3-5 0-1.
Weather is also effecting at this point the women's basketball game Saturday at home for the Lady Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan? They are suppose to play Ferrum in their home opener in conference play at 2pm Saturday. It has been bumped up to 3pm Friday in order that Ferrum can head home to the mountains of Virginia by dark Friday. Their 2pm game at home Sunday against Mary Baldwin is still on pending weather conditions Saturday of whether Mary Baldwin can get here or not.
Under the Heading Am I that blind? Thanks to many of you who gave me notice that I failed to include Detrelle Revis from Rocky Mount on the NCPREPS.COM all state team. Sorry to Detrelle for me making such a miss since my little rant about who and why people got on a website list I had Detrelle in mind why he wasn't on the list. He is, so congratulations to Detrelle Revis for also being named to the NCPREPS.COM all state defensive back.
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