The JS Poll: Week 1 Rankings

Hello, all. I know we are still in shock over the results of Tuesday night's presidential election. But, the name of this blog is "Smeltzer on Sports", and sports I shall write. I have not been on top of this year's college football season as much as I would like to have been, but better late than never. The first College Football Playoff poll came out last week, and since I am a procrastinator, my first poll will be published a little later. In addition, since only a limited amount of teams have reasonable chances to get into the College Football Playoff at this point, my rankings will consist of 10 teams, not 25. . Let's get into why I think what I think.

#1 Alabama

#93 Jonathan Allen is one of the best players in college football. (photo creds to WalterFootball.com

No debate here. Bama is head and shoulders above everybody else in College Football. The Tide have an elite defense and an offense that is good enough to compliment it. Jalen Hurts has proven himself as a solid QB as a true freshman, while studs like Jonathan Allen, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Marlon Humphry are just a few of the stars on the other side of the ball. The Tide are the best, and until they are challenged, there is no reason to believe that anybody can challenge them.

The road ahead: Nothing too complicated. The next two weeks, Alabama should romp over Mississippi State and Chattanooga, and although Auburn will be a tough out, I think the fact that Alabama is at home will make a big difference in this years "Iron Bowl." In the SEC Championship game, Bama will likely take on Florida, and we all saw how that turned out in 2015. In short, the Tide are virtually a lock for the playoff.
#2 Michigan

#5 Jabril Peppers can do anything he wants to on a football field, and that's why he is a heisman canadite (photo creds to Bleacher Reports)

Again, there is little debate as to who the second best team in the country is. Say what you will about Jim Harbaugh, but he has put Michigan back where they belong. Statistically, Michigan is the most dominant team in the country. The Wolverines offense, led by the most underrated quarterback in college football, Wilton Speight, averages 47.8 Points per game, good for 3rd in the nation. As good as the Michigan offense is, defense is what makes this team unique. Anchored by Jabril Peppers (he plays safety and linebacker too), Jordan Lewis, who might be the best cornerback in the country, and a defensive line anchored by big bois Chirs Wormley and Mathew Godin, Michigan allows just 10.8 PPG, which is the very best in America.

The road ahead: Michigan's next two games are at Iowa and home against Indiana, both of which should be easy wins. Then there is "The Game". No disrespect to the Big 10 West, but whoever wins the Ohio State-Michigan game will be in the College Football Playoff. That's how it's going to be.
#3 Clemson

QB DeShaun Watson may not be the heisman frontrunner, but he is still capable of leading his Tigers to the promised land

The Tigers are flying under the radar in my opinion. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like Clemson doesn't get talked about as much as Alabama, Michigan or even Ohio State. Whether they are underlooked or not, this Clemson team is every bit as good as the one that came within six points of winning a national title just ten months ago. Sure, they've had some close calls (see Troy, NC State), but it looks like the Tigers are coming on at the right time. DeShaun Watson might not be the Heisman favorite that he was at this point last season, but he is still electric, and his core of receivers is as good as any in America. The Tigers are still here, and you better believe they could win their first national title in 35 years.

The road ahead: Clemson will finish the regular season 12-0. Their next three games (vs. Pitt, at Wake Forest and vs. South Carolina), all should be wins. That will likely set up a date with Virgina Tech in the ACC Title game. The Hokies are no pushovers, but Clemson is finding their stroke, so I don't see anybody in the ACC stopping the Tigers from making the top 4.

#4 Washington

#1 John Ross is one of the more talented receivers anywhere (Photo creds to CBS Seattle)

Are they the best team in the country? No. But regarding teams to watch and be entertained by, there is no team in college football that I'd pay more money to see than the Washington Huskies. The Huskies offense is a powdered keg. It all starts with the quarterback, Jake Browning, who might be the Heisman frontrunner as we speak if not for the greatness of Lamar Jackson. The Huskies also have one of the nation's best runningbacks in Myles Gaskin, who will make one NFL team happy soon. Gaskin and Browning will get most of the hype, but a player on the Huskies that has become one of my favorites in all of college football is wide receiver John Ross. Any receiver who can run a 4.29 is a beast, and Ross also knows how to catch the ball. Simply put, John Ross needs to be looked at seriously by NFL scouts.

On defense, corners Kevin King and Sydney Jones lead one of college football's best secondaries, while Vea Vita and Elijah Qualls anchor the D-Line. Overall, the Huskies are an excellent team, but the Pac-12 ain't what it once was. The Huskies have beaten but one team currently ranked in the top 25, and Chirs Peterson's squad still has something to prove for the nation to buy in fully.

The road ahead: The Huskies have a big one on Saturday, as they are taking on a top 20 team in USC. Washington is a better football team than SC is, and they are playing at home, so the Huskies should be able to handle the "Men of Troy." After that is a cakewalk in Arizona State, followed by the "Apple Cup" with Washington State, which will be anything but easy. Luke Falk is one hell of a quarterback, and I just have a feeling that the Cougars will pull a 2014 Ole Miss and ruin the season of their rivals. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.


#5 Lousiville 

Lamar Jackson may not be a lock for the Heisman Trophy, but he's pretty damn close.

This is the first occasion in which my ranking is different from the playoffs ranking. To clarify, I feel that Ohio State has a better shot of making it to the playoff than Lamar Jackson and company do. If Ohio State wins out, sorry Lousiville. However, I feel that Lousiville has done more to deserve a top 5 ranking than the Buckeyes have.

What separates these two teams in my view is comparing their losses. Both teams have lost one game. Lousiville lost to the Clemson Tigers, who will likely be in the College Football Playoff, by six points on the road. Ohio State, on the other hand, lost to my Penn State Nittany Lions in a game in which they were heavy favorites. In my view, that is the tiebreaker.

The Road Ahead: Lousiville needs Washington and Ohio State to lose, or else they have no shot at getting in. Their early season loss to Clemson means that they likely will be shut out of the ACC Title game, so the Cards won't be able to boost their stock in a conference title game the way other teams will. None of Lousiville's next three games (Vs. Wake Forest, at Houston and vs. Kentucky), are great resume builders. In short, if we want to see Lamar Jackson in the playoff, the Cardinals need some help. They do not control their destiny.


#6 Ohio State

From New Castle, PA, saftey Malik Hooker is one of the anchors of the Buckeye defense.

Fear not, Buckeye fans. Win out, and you're in the playoff. By that, I mean beat Michigan, and you're in the playoff. Although the Buckeyes would still have to win the Big 10 Championship game should they win "The Game", I have no reason to believe that the team that is this year's winner of the greatest rivalry in college sports will be shut out from the third annual College Football Playoff.

The Buckeyes appear to be waking up. They've struggled at times this season (and no, I'm not just talking about the Penn State game), but if last Saturday's 62-3 victory over then #11 Nebraska is any indication, college football should be on alert. Knowing the history of Urban Meyer's past teams, that night in Happy Valley might be the best thing that could have happened to this Buckeye squad.

The Road Ahead: The Buckeyes have two road games against Maryland and Michigan State, neither of which should be a problem. That sets up the big game against Michigan, and as I said earlier, whoever wins that game in the Horseshoe on November 26th will be in the college football playoff. Unlike Louisville, the Buckeyes control their destiny.

#7 Wisconsin 

The Badgers offense is inconsistent, but #6 Corey Clement has been a bright spot

Yes, the Big 10 is well represented in this Top 10. I urge all of you reading not to sleep on Wisconsin sneaking into the playoffs. Is it a long shot? Yes. Is it going to happen? Probably not. But is Bucky can win it's last three games, which they should, they will win the Big 10 West. Then, they will likely meet Michigan or Ohio State in the Big 10 championship game. If they win that, and either Washington or Lousiville loses along the way, Bucky could be in. As we speak, The Big 10 has three teams that have at least some sort of shot to make it to the college football playoff. Pretty impressive, eh?

The road ahead: The only challenge the Badgers have left is their regular season finale at home against 7-2 Minnesota. Assuming Wisconsin wins that game and the rest of their  remaining regular season games, they will have to play (again), the winner of the Ohio State-Michigan game for the Big 10 Championship. If the Badgers win out, and other teams falter, you never know.

#8 Auburn 

#36 Kamryn Pettway is off to the races

How about the job Gus Malzahn has done with these Tigers? Ole Gus was likely one average year away from getting the ax, and instead, the once average Tigers have become great again. One of the main reasons for this is Kamryn Pettaway, who is one of the best running backs in college football. The Tigers have won six in a row, and both of their losses have come against worthy foes in Clemson and Texas A&M. If the Iron Bowl were at Jordan-Hare Stadium this year, I would feel that Auburn has a decent chance of an upset. But, it is in Tuscaloosa, so, good luck Gus.

The road ahead: Similar to Wisconsin, Auburn needs to defeat a top 4 team in Alabama. If Auburn is somehow able to get an Iron Bowl victory and win the SEC title game, they will still need some help from the teams ahead of them. It's a long shot, but as with Wisconsin, there is a chance that we see Auburn in the College Football Playoff. Not a good chance, but a chance nonetheless.

#9 Oklahoma
Houston Cougars. Those are two words that every Oklahoma Sooner fan should dread. Had Oklahoma defeated Tom Herman's team Week 1, they could be right in the thick of things. Instead, the were shredded by Houston's QB, Greg Ward Jr., and now it will take a lot of madness to happen for the Sooners to get into the College Playoff, not to mention that they have two tough teams in West Virgina and Oklahoma State remaining on the schedule. It will take a lot for Bob Stoops to make his second consecutive CFB Playoff appearance, and I just don't think it's in the cards for Boomer this season.

#10 Penn State
Yes, my Nittany Lions have made it big. I am proud to say that Penn State is in the top 10, and I never thought that James Franklin would improve his team this quickly. I have a seperate post dedicated to Penn State lined up soon, so stay tuned.

Steelers-Ravens: 3 Keys to victory

Hello, all. After a bye week, the Pittsburgh Steelers are back in action against the hated Dirty Birds. Pittsburgh has lost two in a row and has just a one game lead in the woeful AFC North. So, a win today would be pretty damn important. Here are three things that Pittsburgh can do to ensure that this happens.

Key #1: Ben be Ben (or at least not Landry)

Ben Roethlisberger is "questionable" for today's game. But let's be real; he's going to play. The question is; how good is #7 going to be? The Steelers tend to struggle whenever Roethlisberger first comes back off the shelf, and I think this is because of rust. The Ravens pass defense is ranked 6th in football according to NFL.Com, so points will be hard to get. Nonetheless, I'd take a rusty Ben Roethlisberger over a healthy Landry Jones or Zach Mettenberger.

Odds of exuction: OK

Key #2: Ring the Bell

Because we don't know how good Big Ben is going to be, Le'Veon Bell is still the most important part of the Steelers offense. In my opinion, Todd Haley should still look to run the ball a lot and throw plenty of screens to #26, almost as if Landry Jones is playing QB. Unfourtanly, Baltimore's run defense is ranked 4th in football, also according to NFL.Com.
Odds of Exuction: Moderate

Key #3: Feed off of Cam Heyward 

Photo creds to CBS Sports

Guess who's back? Back again? Heyward's back. Tell a friend.

The heart and soul of the Pittsburgh defense makes his triumphant return. Cam Heyward is back, baby, and hopefully, this means the Steelers can stop the run. Also, Heyward is the emotional leader of the defense, and his presence will make everyone else better. Hopefully, Cam's talk about how the Steelers D ''quit'' two weeks ago against New England will light a fire under this unit. Heyward's return could be huge if the Steelers allow it to be.

Odds of exuction: Solid 

Final Prediction 
I'll be blunt here at say that this game has disappointment written all over it. Recently, the Steelers have not done well in Roethlisberger's first game back (Cincy last year, Chargers in 2012). Pittsburgh has also struggled to beat Baltimore recently, and they are playing on the road, which of course does not help things.

I don't know if you can call this a trap game, as the Steelers are just one game better than the hated dirty birds. But I think you can call this a loss. A rusty Roethlisberger going against a solid defense in a hostile environment will be too much for this Steelers team to handle.

Ravens 27, Steelers 17

NFL Week 9 Picks

 

Before I begin my offical introduction to this weeks NFL preview, I need to get something off my chest. The Thursday Night Football games suck. They are pathetic. They are turrible, and believe it or not, there was once a time when Joseph Arthur Smeltzer tried to get his NFL Preview's in by Thursday, so we could breakdown the Thursday night game. Now, I don't even bother, because the matchups are garbage.

Now that I got that out of the way, let's talk about Week 9. The Joseph Arthur Smeltzer vs. Ryan Carlton Stewart rivalry is healthier than ever, and everybody else is looking from the rearview mirror. Let's talk about football. As usual, my Steelers will be written about in a seperate preview.



The ''Never won a Super Bowl'' Bowl
Lions (4-4) at Vikings (5-2)

Joe: Did we overreact to the Vikings 5-0 start? Yes. But they are still a talented football team, and I foresee a bounce back here. The Vikings defense is among the best in football, and because of that,  I think Matthew Stafford and Marvin Jones won't make too much noise. Without offense, the Lions can't do anything, and you will find that out Sunday.

Vikings 26, Lions 14

The battle of Dan Marino 
Jets (3-5) at Dolphins (3-4) 

For those who are confused, the title I gave this game is about the Jets passing on some kid named Dan Marino in the 1983 NFL Draft for future immortal Kenny O'Brien. This week's game won't make Jets fans feel any better about that choice.

Miami is a mediocre. New York is horrendous, and are even worse than their 3-5 record shows. Expect Miami to win by a comfortable margin at home.
Dolphins 24, Jets 10

Will the Browns win?
No. 

The pedestrian game of the week
Jags (2-5) at Chiefs (5-2) 

Photo creds to AJC.Com

As much as I want to have faith in my man Blake Bortles, I can't see this week being the start of a turnaround in Jacksonville. The Chiefs are rolling, and are even better at Arrowhead Stadium. Bortles will struggle against the Chiefs vaunted secondary, throwing 4 INT's; 2 to Marcus Peters, 1 to Eric Barry and another to Tamba Hali (just have a feeling).

Chiefs 33, Jags 13

The Battle of the New Jersey Turnpike 
Eagles (4-3) at Giants (4-3)

Photo creds to NYCRoads.com

Call me crazy, but the loss of Josh Huff won't be the reason the Eagles lose this game.

What will be the reason is the Giants passing attack. Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. are both pretty good, and the Eagles secondary is not. Expect a close game, as both teams are equally inconsistent. However, I feel that the way New York matches up with Philly's secondary as well as the fact that they are at home will be the difference.

Giants 31, Eagles 21

The Panthers won't make the playoffs, but.....

They will beat LA. I like the Rams. Jeff Fisher is an honorable man, and I would love to see this team thrive in their new city. However, the honeymoon is over. After starting out 3-1, the Rams are falling fast, as they have lost three straight games to three straight mediocre football teams in Buffalo, Detriot, and the New York Giants. Hopefully, for Cam Newton, he will play well enough that he won't feel the need to complain the refs not being on his side.

Panthers 31, Rams 17

The Immortal vs. the Jackass
New Orleans (3-4) at San Fransico (1-6) 

I called the Saints upset over the might Seahawks last week, and I'll call New Orleans to receive a taste of their own medicine this week. I love me some Drew Brees, but the Saints are just not a consistent football team. As bad as San Fran has been, the losing has to come to a halt at some point. Colin Kaepernick is a jerk, but the Saints defense stinks, and as much as it pains me to say it, I see the assclown getting the best of the future Hall of Famer in this one.

San Franscio 31, New Orleans 24


The ''Who the Hell Cares?'' Game of the Week
Titans (4-4) at Chargers (3-5) 

The Chargers know how to score points. They will score more points than the Titans. Neither one of these teams is going anywhere, so I'll just leave it at that.

Chargers 28, Titans 16


The Battle of Tony Manderich
Colts (3-5) at Packers (4-3) 

Tony Mandarich, steroid freak and NFL bust, spent time with both Indy and Green Bay (photo creds to Total Packers

The Colts stink. I've finally declared that to be the truth after their stinker against KC last week. Andrew Luck is a class act, but Aaron Rodgers is a better QB with better teammates to support him. A-Rod is finding his stroke, and defenses everywhere should be concerned, especially one as pitiful as Indy's.

Packers 38, Colts 21

My boys won't be denied 
Broncos (6-2) at Raiders (6-2) 

In Carr we trust

Derek Carr, this is your time. I've had a man-crush on you for a little over a year now, and this is the perfect setting for your official initiation into the NFL's elite. It's primetime. It's against the NFL's best defense. The ball is in your court, DC.

This will be a close game, but I foresee the power of AC/DC being too great for even Denver's majestic defense to handle. This is the night where the Silver and Black prove to the world, officially, that they are back. Just win, Baby.


Raiders 27, Broncos 20

Will Buffalo talk proud?
In Seattle? On Monday Night? No. Never.

Sehawks 30, Bills 17. 

Penn State-Iowa: 3 Keys to Victory

Hello, all. If you haven't been paying attention, things have been going pretty freaking well in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions are riding a 4-game winning streak and are #12 in the nation. Today is likely their toughest remaining hurdle in the regular season, as the 5-3 Iowa Hawkeyes come into State College, looking to start to salvage what has been a underwhelming year in Iowa City. Here are three things Penn State can do to ensure a 5th straight victory.

Key #1: Let Saquon run wild

The best player on Penn State's offense is without question Saquon Barkley. So, common sense says  that for an offense to score points, its best player needs to produce. Both the Nittany Lions and Barkley are heating up at the same time, and I don't think that is coincidental. I see no reason to believe that #26 takes a step back tonight.

Odds of excution: Fantastic 

Key #2: Stop Akrum Wadley 

The Iowa Hawkeyes are a solid offensive football team. However, they are not known for passing the football. Akrum Wadley is the man on Iowa's offense, as so far, he has accounted for 636 yards rushing with eight touchdowns, and averages a staggering 7.1 yards per carry. According to reports, Iowa also plans on using Wadley as a receiver. If Penn State can stop Akrum Wadley or at least limit him, they will win the football game. However, I have my concerns. 

Odds of excution: Moderate

Key #3: Feed off the crowd

Just like I wrote before the legendary Ohio State game, Penn State has 107,000 people on their side under the lights at Beaver Stadium. Just because Penn State is favored does not mean that they should play with much less intensity than they did when they defeated the Buckeyes. If Penn State is not ready to play with all that they have going for them tonight, then that is a problem.


Prediction
I have my doubts about this game. Yes, Penn State is the better team. Yes, Iowa has been disappointing. Yes, the Lions are at home. But Iowa still has a lot of talent back from the team that went to the Rose Bowl just ten months ago, so they are still capable. Nonetheless, Penn State is rolling. The offense is clicking, the defense is getting healthy, and everything is starting to come together. I don't see this Iowa team coming into Beaver Stadium and stopping this runaway train.

Penn State 35, Iowa 13

Reflection: Baseball Wins

It Happened

That's all the headlines needed to say. There was no need to write an article. No need to give an analysis. No need for anything other than a cover with a picture. The Chicago Cubs are World Series Champions.

What in the hell has this world come to? Gone are the memories of Leon Durham booting that ground ball in the 1984 ALCS. Gone forever is the picture of a black cat walking past the Shea Stadium on deck circle as Ron Santo watched in horror. Gone is the ''loveable losers'' moniker that was long synonymous with the Cubbies. Gone is Steve Bartman's reach, Moises Alou's frustration, Alex Gonzalez's error, and Dusty Baker's mismanagement of the Chicago pitching staff. All of that is gone. To the Chicago Cubs and their fans, congratulations. You deserve this, and there isn't a lot more I can say about the joy that the North Side of Chicago is still basking in that has not been said already. To retract my above statements, those painful Cubbie memories mentioned above are not gone, but they don't matter anymore.

To me, as a baseball fan, what is as important as anything else is that the notion that baseball is a dying sport is dead along with William Sianis and his damn goat. Objectivley speaking, what is more important than anything to me is that, at least temporarily, the notion that baseball is a dying sport is gone.

I've heard it a lot. "Baseball is so boring." "My God, will this game ever end?" "Hockey players are real men, unlike baseball players." "Only old people like baseball anymore." Well, the 2016 MLB Playoffs proved all of that to be false.

I had been thinking about the prospect of a Cubs-Indians World Series since May. The idea excited me, because, for the past few years, I have been concerned about the game of baseball. I love the sport, but I felt like people like me (young people who love our national pastime) were becoming fewer and fewer as the years went on. The ratings of the 2014 and 2015 World Series were a cause of concern, as both were among the five lowest rated of all time. While I never felt baseball was in any trouble finically, as ticket sales have always been just fine, the continuing downward spiral of interest, especially among my age demographic (I am 18), was something that I thought about more than I should have over the past few years.

Whenever it became established that my Pirates had a slim-to-none chance to get to their first Fall Classic since 1979, the prospect of a Cubs-Tribe match up excited me. Just imagining the two greatest title droughts in Major League Baseball- 1908 vs. 1948, clashing to see which curse would continue, made me smile. The thought of Chicago getting to the fall classic, especially considering the massive following they have throughout the Midwest region, sounded like rating dynamite. Although Cleveland is a small market, they are a rabid sports town, and I had no doubt that, especially considering the Cavs title win, plenty of outsiders would get behind Cleveland in the effort to become the new "City of Champions." So, even though the Bucs still theoretically had a chance to get to the playoffs in August, I don't fault myself for thinking about what was best for business.

I discussed this with two of my friends. One of them did not feel that a Cubs-Tribe series would not draw much better than either of the ones involving the Kansas City Royals, while my other friend believed Cleveland not being in a large market would stunt the intrigue a little bit. Both the Cubs and the Tribe were romping through their divisions, so the possibility of the match made in heaven was more than a pipe dream. That was until late September, when two of Cleveland's best starting pitchers, Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco, were lost indefinitely with injuries. Here is where the Boston Red Sox enter this equation.

At Waynesburg University, there is a campus television show known as ''Plead Your Case'', which is a sports talk show that focuses on hot takes of hot topics in college and professional sports. On the first episode, one of the subjects involved baseball. During the discussion, one of the panelists stated that he felt a Cubs-Red Sox World Series would be great for the game. I thought about this a lot over the next few weeks, and here is what I had to say about a potential Cubs-Red Sox showdown in my MLB Playoff Preview;

"For most of this season, I thought that it would be in baseball's best interest to have a Cubs-Indians fall classic (1908 vs. 1948). But the more I think about it, the more I would love to see Cubs-Red Sox. The Cubs would be a big-time draw in the World Series regardless of who they played because of the whole "100 years of misery" thing. But Boston is arguably the most rabid baseball town in history, with one of the most historic franchises in history, and both the Cubs and Red Sox have the two oldest ballparks in history. It's perfect. A dream for the business of Major League Baseball. And I think there's a good chance it happens."

While we have no idea what would have happened had the Red Sox won their 12th American League pennant, it's hard to imagine a Boston-Chicago matchup out doing what this World Series accomplished. Granted, the quality of play was not always great. Of the seven series games, we saw three blowouts and a pretty dull 5-1 Chicago victory in Game Two. That said, it was a back-and-forth battle throughout with both teams threatening to take control of the whole damn thing. And then we have the ratings.

Oh, those ratings. Those excellent ratings. It started with a bang, as Game One (a 6-0 Cleveland victory), had 19.368 Million viewers, the highest amount for a series opener since 2009. Game Two saw regression, as ''only'' 17.395 M people tuned in. Still, it was the highest-rated Game TWO since 2009, when two large media markets- New York and Philadelphia, were the cities involved in that Fall Classic. Game Three did well, as 19.384 M people watched Wrigley Field's first series contest in 71 years.  It was the highest-rated Game Three, also since 2009. Things slowed down in Game Four, as ''only'' 16.705 M people tuned in, continuing the pattern of most watched *inserts game # here* since 2009. After Game Four, business started to pick up.

Game Five was on a Sunday. Amazingly, Sunday Night Football is also on a Sunday. Usually, this does not go well for MLB. But this Sunday was different. For the just the 3rd time since 2010, Baseball prevailed over the No Fun League, as the World Series drew a 15.3 rating, while Dak Prescott drew an 11.6. The Cubs won Game Five, 3-2, and the series was headed back to Cleveland. Game Six was a slight drop off from the previous contest, as 23.396 M tuned in, which was the highest for a Sixth Game since 2007. The Cubs raised the W high again, and now it was time for Game Seven.

It was predictable that the ratings for the winner-take-all affair would be through the roof. It was not predictable that the winner-take-all affair would be the greatest baseball game that Joseph Arthur Smeltzer's eyes have ever seen in his lifetime.

We all know what happens. Cubs get an early led and are four outs away from breaking the curse. Joe Maddon gets greedy and puts in Aroldis Chapman before the 9th inning, while still nursing a 3-run lead. Tyler Naquin doubles, Raja Davis homers, Tribe ties it at 6. The game goes to extras, has a short rain delay, and when it resumes, the Cubbies score twice. Carl Edwards Jr. comes in for the save, gives up a run, and Mike Montgomery gets Michael Martinez to ground out, 5-3, for the last out. Cubs win! Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Wubs Cin, etc....

The way Game Seven picked up after a pretty dull 7 1/2 innings was surprising. The television rating was not. 40.045 M. It was the highest rated sporting event since Super Bowl 50 (yes, it was even greater than the almighty Warriors-Cavs Game Seven), and the highest rated baseball telecast since Gene Larkin drove in Dan Gladden to give the Minnesota Twins their second world championship in Game Seven of the 1991 World Series.

As a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, I understand why people would have a problem with the Chicago Cubs being the champions of the world. Sure I do. Both the Buccos and Cubbies have been in the same division since the National League East formed in 1969. Through most of that time, neither team has thought of the other as a "rival". However, the past two years have been a little different. The combination of both franchises being successful, as well as Chris Coghlan breaking Jung-Ho Kang's leg, and multiple heated on-field exchanges between Sean Rodriguez and the Cubs coaching staff have led to  hatred in the Steel City for the artists formally known as the "loveable losers." It can be very irking to see an enemy reach the holy grail, and I understand why people in my city would be frustrated.

However, I do not share in this frustration. Does the fact that I was not upset in any way when Kris Bryant fired to Anthony Rizzo for the last out make me a bad Pirate fan? If it does, then, ok. But in addition to being a die-hard fan of my Buccos, I am also a die-hard fan of Major League Baseball. Anybody who knows me knows that I am a historical fanatic. I love reading about guys like Jimmie Foxx, Ducky Medwick, Dizzy Dean, Mel Ott, etc. Baseball is my #1 passion when it comes to sports. That's why the fact that I never lived in an age when Baseball was at the top of the American sports food chain bothers me.

It irks me that baseball has lost popularity. It bugs me how many people my age are driven away by the game because it is  "too slow". It saddens me that the NFL and, at least in my age demographic, the NBA, are miles ahead of what should be America's Pastime in popularity. These things agitate me, and that's why, whoever ended up winning game seven, there was no reason for anybody outside of Chicago or Cleveland to be upset.

It's been nearly three days since the baby bears reversed the curse, and Cub Haters everywhere should be, at least for the most part, settled down and ready to move forward with whatever it is they do in their lives. However, I believe that the 2016 World Series was an excellent example of the line between sport and team. I'm sure there are people out there who love the Pirates but don't care about Baseball aside from that one team. I don't agree with this. I believe that, if one follows a sport in any form, they should recognize when something special happens that does not relate to their boys. In short, while it is perfectly OK not to be thrilled about Chicago's triumph, I feel that it should be recognized that this years playoffs, from David Ortiz's Farewell to 108 years of pain going down the train, was the most exciting month baseball has experienced in quite some time.

Even the phenomenal TV ratings don't tell the full story of how this year's Fall Classic captivated America. If you went on Twitter at any point of Game Seven, you knew what the top story was. For at least a short while, an adult Joe Smeltzer got a taste of a time when everything stood still during the fall classic, and Baseball's mecca didn't just blend in with the crowded world of professional sports.

Is this a sign of things to come? Who knows? But I do know that this years World Series was awesome, and anybody who considers themselves a fan of our game should sit back, reflect, and realize that they were a part of something special. How could that be a bad thing?

World Series Game 7: The pressure is on both teams..... but mostly Cleveland

Cleveland city of light, city of magic (Photo creds to That's Cleveland Baby)

The 2016 World Series will come down to a deciding seventh game. That became apparent in the top half of the 3rd inning last night, when Addison Russel smacked a 2-0 offering from Cleveland's Dan Otero over the left-center field wall for a grand slam, giving the Cubbies a commanding 7-0 lead. Chicago would hold on to win by a convincing 9-3 margin. So it will all come down to one game, and the pressure is on.

It's common sense that everybody involved in a Game 7 has a lot of weight on their shoulders. But I am of the belief that, in most cases, one team is carrying more weight than the other is. For example, in 2011, the World Series between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals went the distance. Both teams had pressure on them in Game 7, but the Rangers had fallen short in the past World Series. Both that, the fact that they were one strike away (twice) from ending the series in Game 6, and the reality that Texas had never seen a world championship (St. Louis had ten at the time), made it evident to me which team had more to lose. The Rangers would lose Game 7, 6-2, and the franchise has yet to win a playoff series in the five years since then.

In 2002, both the San Fransico Giants and Anaheim Angles had a lot of pressure on them when their series went to a Game 7. But the Giants had far more of a load to carry, as they were trying for their first World Championship since 1954 (when they were still in New York). In addition, San Fran had blown a 5-0 lead in Game 6 when they were just eight outs away from glory. The Giants could not recover from losing Game 6, and Anaheim won Game 7 and the title.

In 1997, the Cleveland Indians and Florida Marlins went the distance. The Marlins had almost nothing to lose, as they were in just their 5th year of existence and already had progressed far more rapidly than anybody could have imagined. The Indians, on the other hand, were going for their first championship since 1948. Cleveland fans know all too well how this story ended. The Tribe had a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 9th and were just two outs away from bringing it home. But then, Jose Mesa blew the save, and two innings later Edgar Renteria singled Craig Counsell home to bring Jim Leyland his long overdue first world title.

Both the Cubs and the Indians are in a unique situation at the moment. For the first time in baseball history, two teams with 50+ year championship curses are matched up against each other. Coming into the series, I think most baseball experts would have said that Chicago had more to lose than Cleveland did. After all, the Cubs had been the best team in baseball from day 1, while Cleveland was not expected to get here, largely because of critical injuries to their starting rotation. The whole 1908 thing also did nothing to ease the tension in the Windy City. But given all that has happened over the first six games, how much will the Cubbies lose if they are unable to fully come back from 3 games to 1 down?

Yes, one could say that if the Cubs can't finish the deal, that it's just another chapter to the fabled ''Curse of the Billy Goat''. But this situation would be far different from a regular Cubbies ''Choke''. The usual Cubs playoff cycle involves either;
A. Being blown away in 3 or 4 games or
B. Getting a big series lead and letting it slip away.

The 2016 World Series have not exhibited either of those cases. Yes, the Cubs were the favorites going in. But if Chicago falls, I think the fact that they have made it to the Fall Classic for the first time since 1945 and did not go down without a fight will make the defeat a much easier pill for Cubs fans to swallow. Perhaps the biggest reason why I feel that the Cubs don't have as much to lose as one would think is that Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have built this franchise for long- term success. They have a loaded core of young players, as well as a few savvy veterans, and to top that off; they have the money to keep it all together.

It is also important to note that the Cubs are still building. Just two years ago, Chicago was 73-89 and in the NL Central cellar. The rapid rise that this team has been on is not normal. Championships take time, and Cubs fans need to remember that should they come up short tonight.

The Cleveland Indians have been somewhat of a feel-good, underdog story throughout this postseason. Sure, they were one of the titans of the junior circuit this season, winning 94 games. However, tragedy struck in September, as two of the Tribe's three top starters, Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco, were lost to injuries (Carrasco has not been able to pitch in the playoffs, while Salazar has been used exclusively out of the bullpen). But due to Terry Francona's splendid management of the Indians bullpen,  and timely hitting from the Indian offense, Cleveland surprised both Boston and Toronto, going 7-1 on route to their first AL Pennant since 1997. As stated before, Cleveland was the underdog against the mighty Cubs. Nonetheless, the Tribe jumped out to a three games to one lead and looked to be on their way to giving Cleveland their second world champion in 4 months. But the Cubbies fought back, and now, it all comes down to Game 7.

It might be hard to see Cleveland as the team that is carrying the bigger cross. It is true that Cleveland was not expected to get past the ALDS, while Chicago was the odds-on favorite to take it all. However, imagine the anguish that ''the land'' will go through if their beloved Tribe can't get the job done on this night. Imagine having three chances to get one win. One win that would turn Cleveland into dare I say, the new ''City of Champions.'' Imagine the Tribe being so close.... and not getting the job done. Now, one might think that Lebron James and the Cavs getting Cleveland a title (their first since 1964) just four months ago would soften the blow, and you can certainly make a valid argument for that. On the contrary, an Indians loss could remind Clevelander's that the Cleveland Curse is still alive, and a lot of the good feelings that northeast Ohioans have about their sports could evaporate, at least for now.

There is so much at stake for everybody involved in this World Series. The pressure is on Corey Kluber, as a bad outing in Game 7 could, reasonably or not, negate all he has accomplished throughout his career as the Indians ace in the minds of a lot of, albeit, out of touch, people. The pressure is on Terry Francona, as nobody wants to be steering the ship that blew a 3-1 series lead. The pressure is on Joe Madden, as the Cubbie manager's decision to milk 20 pitches out of Aroldis Chapman last night in a 7-2 ballgame could come back to bite. Most of all, the pressure is on the city of Cleveland.

Both of these franchises are cursed. But only one of these cities is cursed. Make no mistake, the city of Cleveland has one world championship in the past 52 years. As great as it was for Ohio when Kyrie Irving's 3 sealed the Cavaliers first championship, a loss by the Indians tonight would be a painful reminder of why Cleveland sports fans think thought for so long God hates them (please don't take that statement seriously). It should be regarded as a great season for the Tribe regardless of what happens, but the Indians have put themselves in a position where they are expected to win it all, and, as talented as the Indians are, I feel that they have less of a chance to get back to the dance than the Chicago Cubs do.

In conclusion, to paraphrase the ''Book of Mormon'' musical, the Cubs and the Indians... but mostly the Indians, have the weight of the world on their shoulders tonight.

NFL Week 8 Picks

If you are surprised that I am at the top, you are out of your element

The boys are back. Last week, we were unable to provide an NFL preview due to circumstances. However, all of us had our picks in for last week, and they still count. For Week 8, we are back and better than ever, Let's get into it.
9:30
Redskins (4-3) at Bengals (3-4) 

Not those Bengals. 

The NFL's overseas games never seem to interest me. This is no exception. While before the season, this looked to be a decent matchup, as both Cincy and Washington were playoff teams a year ago. However, neither team is off to a particularly eye-opening start. I feel that Cincinnati still has it in them to come around, and a win over Washington could be the start of something big. AJ Green will torch Washington's horrid secondary, and Cincy will get a big W and move to .500.
Bengals 31, Redskins 20

1:00
Raiders (5-2) at Bucs (3-3)

Photo creds to What's Up Magazine 

Expect a lot of points in this one, as both teams have exciting young quarterbacks that lead potent offensive attacks. However, I love me some AC/DC. Derek Carr will prove once again that he is clutch, and Tampa's little 2-game win streak will come to a close.

Raiders 35, Bucs 32

Chiefs (4-2) at Colts (3-4) 

Photo creds to The Stanford Flipside

Kansas City is a good football team. Unfourtanly, they are not the same when they play away from Arrowhead Stadium. I know Indy has had their problems, but Andrew Luck is still superb, and the Colts showed that they still have a pulse in last weeks win at Tennesse. The Colts still have the talent to do some damage in the AFC South, and I feel that Luck and T.Y. Hilton will give a little gift to the hometown fans in ''Nap City.''


Colts 35, Chiefs 27

Upset Special
Seahawks (4-1-1) at Saints (2-4) 

T;hese streets are a lot more livley after a Saints win (Photo creds to Serious Eats)

Yes, Seattle is an elite football team and a force in the NFC. However, New Orleans can score. A lot. Especially in the Superdome. I forsee Drew Brees having a huge game, and the Saints defense being just adequate enough to hold Russell Wilson and co. Seattle is the better team, but New Orleans is dangerous and is a sleeper in the woeful NFC South.

Saints 34, Seahawks 31

Lions (4-3) at Texans (4-3)

Matt Stafford does not want to deal with this man (Photo creds to Si.com)
Both of these teams are unremarbakle at 4-3. However, I see Houston getting a big win at home. The pass rushing duo of Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus will make life miserable for Matthew Stafford, and Brock Osweiler will have his best game as a Texan against the suspect Lions defense. 

Texans 24, Lions 13

The Browns win a game!
Jets (2-5) at Browns (0-7)

The Browns winning a game might outweigh the Cavs championship (Photo creds to San Fransico Chronicle)

Why the hell not? The Jets stink, and with Geno Smith's season coming to a tragic end, New York is forced to call on Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback once again. Cleveland has been playing teams tough all year. They deserve one.

Browns 20, Jets 16

Beating New England Twice?
Pats (6-1) at Bills (4-3) 

Photo creds to Masshole Sports

Theoretically, this should be a tough matchup for the Pats. They are facing a pretty good division rival on the road in a tough environment. However, the Bills shut out New England in their backyard earlier in the year, and a revenge-thirsty Patriots team is not good news for the city that talks so proud. Oh, another note from Buffalo's victory earlier in the season; Tom Brady was not playing in that game.

Patriots 28, Bills 14

Remember when these teams were good?
Cardinals (3-3-1) at Panthers (1-5)

It's hard to believe how far these teams have fallen after being the two representatives in the NFC Title game just seven months ago. Carolina is clearly not the same football team that they were in 2015. While I do not expect Cam Newton and the boys to go on an insane win streak and make the playoffs, I can't imagine them starting at 1-6. I just can't do it. Carolina's defense will have a bounce back performance against an inconsistent Carson Palmer, and Cam Newton will be Superman again, at least for a day. If Arizona were to follow up a gut-wrenching Sunday Night tie with a victory, it wouldn't shock me, but it's not what I expect to happen.

4:05
Chargers (3-4) at Broncos (5-2) 

Photo creds to Slate.com

San Diego took down Denver just three weeks ago and looked pretty good doing it. However, this time, they will have to do it at Mile High Stadium. Make no mistake, the Broncos are still the class of the AFC West and have the potential to be the best team in the AFC. They also have an insanely good defense that is at its best when at high altitude. I like Phillip Rivers, but the chances of an upset repeating itself are not high.

Broncos 31, Chargers 13

`4:25
Packers (4-2) at Falcons (4-3) 

Atlanta has a lot going for them. They are atop the NFC South. They are at home and favored by 3 points. However, they are also inconsistent. They also coughed up a 17 point lead at home to a mediocre San Diego team last week, and they are also facing Aaron Rodgers. 2016 has not been a banner year for #12, but he looked pretty damn good against the Bears last Thursday, and might just be turning back into the Rodgers of old. I'm expecting a close game, with Julio Jones doing Julio Jones things for Atlanta. However, a close game does not favor the Falcons. As the past two weeks have shown, Atlanta is not good at closing out games. When the chips are down, I trust Aaron Rodgers and the Packers more than I do Matt Ryan and the Falcons.

Packers 34, Falcons 26

Game of the Week
Eagles (4-2) at Cowboys (5-1) 

This is a tossup. When I do these articles, I usually have a good idea of who I want to pick, but this is one of the rare times where I wrestled with myself. Finally, I decided on Dallas. Sure, their winning streak is bound to end at somepoint. But Dak Prescott and Big Zeke Elliot are rolling, and they are backed up by the best offensive line in the NFL. The Cowboys offensive line will also limit the Philly D-Line, which is the bread and butter of that defensive unit (it dosen't help that Bennie Logan has been ruled out.) In addition, Carson Wentz has cooled down over the past three weeks after a hot start, and the Eagles offensive line has been having problems without Lane Johnson. Wentz also dosen't have a lot of weapons to throw to, as I don't think Jordan Mathews and Darren Sproles are anything the Cowboys defense can't handle. Dallas is on fire, and young Wentz and the Eagles won't be able to put the flame out. Eat your heart out, Skip Bayless.

Cowboys 33, Eagles 20


Just another morbid Monday
Vikings (5-1) at Bears (1-6)
The Vikings vaunted defense, led by Linvel Joseph, Harrison Smith, Xaiver Rhodes and Eric Kendricks, going up against (possibly) Matt Barkley and the Bears. Wonder how that's going to turn out?

Vikings 27, Bears 10