MMBSD: New Realities

As always Mighty Mike's review of the week in sports...from the backseat.....

NFL

All aboard the Who Dey Van As the Colonel correctly pointed out while Indy v. New England might have gotten the hype Cinci v. Pittsburgh might have had equal claim as two of the best teams in the AFC. The game demonstrated Cinci's depth, determination but most importantly its' defense. Yes finally Carson Palmer has a defense to rely on and its hard to argue that Who Dey are not contenders.

Hey kids get on board the Bengals' Van. They've got candy!

Don't Go To Bed Early If I had turned in early and mailed in the MMBSD I would have talked about the Pats offense - which was great. However I stayed up late and watched something truly stunning with the Colts come back win. What particularly stood out was Belichek's head scratching decision to go for it on 4rth-2 while the Pats were on their own 28 yard line. Simply a stunning decision by a former defensive coordinator. When the Pats failed and the Colts scored a TD to get the win Belichek showed something I don't think I've ever seen out of him - regret.

NFC East Not Good, Mushy Between the Cowboys and the Iggles bitch slapping this week I think its pretty apparent that the NFC East frankly blows. For years the Eastern bastion was thought of and was one of the toughest divisions in football..perennially sending one if not both of the wild cards. This year none from the NFC East rank as a contender and frankly I'm doubtful any will get a wild card.

College Football

USC Can No Longer Harm You As Dr. Saturday notes, if two weeks ago Oregon proved that the USC dynasty was dead, this week Stanford dug up the corpse of USC, dragged in through the streets, and then proceeded to string it up for everyone to see. Stanford curb stomped USC 55-21 - USC's worst home loss in 43 years. The only question remaining surround long term ramifications as UCS finished for the year (probably headed to the Sun Bowl). One of the bigger questions I think is how does this affect the perception of the Pac 10. The Pac 10 has been one of the (if not THE) best conference in recent years but a combination of USC dominance and bad marketing have meant it's gotten short shrift. It's possible that the dismemberment of USC opens the door for the conference.

Harbaugh ignoring USC's claim that it's not dead yet

Nobody puts the Mustache in the Corner Another big story of the weekend was that the Wannstache put the final nail in Charlie Weis' coffin. I think its safe to say now that Charlie Weis will be fired and Notre Dame will opening the wallet to try to replace him with a big name. Cinci's Brian Kelly might well be the top candidate but don't be surprised if Stanford's Harbaugh or even OU's Bob Stoops gets their names raised in the rumor mill.

Could the Mustache Rule the Big East?

Roses for Ohio State Finally a mixed emotion win for Ohio State. For the 5th straight year the Buckeyes won the Big 10 and for the first time since John Cooper beat Jake Plummer tOSU is Rose Bowl bound - which is very impressive anyway you slice it. However since Urban Meir probably still has a jar with Tressel's testicles in it, the Buckeyes won in particularly ugly affair. One only need to look at any the national website olumnists (Pat Forde, Greg Doyal, Stewie Mandel) who showed nothing but contempt at the beyond conservative approach. Most of the jawing and unhappiness with the ugly win is predictions for yet another Big 10 Rose Bowl beatdown. Perceptions for tOSU (and Big 10) will be built on bowl wins and losses. A victory for the Sweatervests and redemption will be all that is written about, another big loss and yet further confirmation that tOSU is merely the big dog in the by far worst conference in the BCS .

Angry media types pelted Tressel with pretzels

NBA

• This may will be be known as the Year of the Young Point Guards. Jennings 55 points is a highlight but Lawson, Evans, Flynn and Maynor are also showing solid to All Star potential.
• Hidden away so far are how good the Atlanta Hawks have been. At 7-2 and now boasting a victory over Boston in Boston the Hawks now with Jamal Crawford might be finally taking the step into contender status.