SEC Showdown Saturday, Slipping Shotguns & a Steelers Sunday

I have three topics on the board this morning. They all involve football, of the college and professional prowess. First and foremost is the Florida-Alabama SEC title game taking place in Atlanta this afternoon. The game features the fierce fireball quarterback Tim Tebow of the Gators. Tebow can make a statement by annihilating the Tide today. An overpowering win would ensure him another Heisman Trophy and a chance at a repeat national championship. Urban Meyer is the mastermind behind a well-rounded, well-coached team. Meyer has shown nothing but brilliance as a college head coach. His resume includes remarkable revamped Bowling Green and Utah teams. The Gators were his biggest challenge and he hasn’t failed yet. Today he faces a stimulating test against Nick Saban. Saban is equal in success and ability as far as coaching goes. Under his instruction and leadership, the Tide have managed to remain the top team in the nation coming into the title game. Still, Alabama is a 10 point underdog. It says a lot about the Florida Gators that they are favored by more than a touchdown on a neutral field. I think many experts are overlooking Saban and underscoring the Alabama team.
The Tide boast a beefed up defense and are fully healthy. The same cannot be said for the Gators on defense. They are missing key players in the most important game of the year so far. Florida has been so consistent and terrifyingly tenacious defensively and Alabama may be the only other team that can match their talent. Blitzing Tebow is the way Saban needs to shape his defense today. In order to beat Florida, a successful pass rush is needed. The Gators do not turn the ball over very often so the secondary needs to concentrate on limited the run and forcing Tebow to hurry his passes. Tebow has the ability to rush on his own, but the Alabama defensive line is painstakingly persistent in pressuring the quarterback. Offensively, the Tide have to win the turnover ratio and be stronger on special teams. Last week, the Gators were weak against the Seminoles on special teams. Saban should take advantage of this but also be aware Florida is very good at forcing turnovers. Glen Coffee, the talented Alabama running back is a difference maker offensively. The Gators can’t afford to look past Coffee or the Tide offense. I think the Gators have the upper hand with their high octane offense and shutdown defense. They are not as healthy as they would like to be though and wideout Percy Harvin is questionable. But this game will be close in the fourth quarter and come down to what coach can manage the better game.

Topic two takes us to Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania’s Heinz Field. The Cowboys are the visiting team against the Steelers in what is considered a highlight of week 14. The Cowboys are on a roll now that Tony Romo is healthy but they really have not beaten any team with the Steelers’ caliber. Look for a bloodfest with the Pittsburgh defense tackling and chasing Romo all day. On the other side of the ball, Demarcus Ware leads Dallas defensively and is going to play Sunday. He horrified the Seahawks on Thanksgiving and will go for seconds against the Steelers tomorrow. The Cowboys are likely going to be without their star running back, Marion Barber. With Barber sidelined and Felix Jones already out for the year, Romo needs to locate his receivers and tight ends more often. Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett will find ways to create plays but it won’t be enough against this Steelers defense. I foresee Pittsburgh coming away with a two touchdown victory unfortunately.

Finally, I have had a week to ponder the Plaxico Burress situation. The Giants continue to shake off all Plax’s distractions and can probably win games without him. He is their best player because he scares defensive coordinators and can catch just about any ball thrown his way. We all witnessed how crucial the receiver was to the Superbowl champs last year. But enough is enough. Burress made a stupid mistake and should not be given the star treatment for his behavior. There is no excuse for carrying an unlicensed gun or going to a club on a week he was not scheduled to even play. He deserves his suspension and any criminal penalties coming his way. I really was a fan of his for a long time but have to admit he cannot keep this up and earn the respect of the fans.
The Giants got rid of Jeremy Shockey and Eli Manning turned the team around. Shockey was also a very talented player but his off and on field distractions were inhibiting the quarterback. I think the same can be said of Plax missing in action from here on out. Eli will be forced to use different receivers. Mario Manningham, Steve Smith, Amani Toomer and Kevin Boss can emerge as the stars now. Manning and the Giants will be better for it too. They might lose a game because of Plaxico’s absence but in the end, won’t lose the respect of the fans.

Parting points: Congratulations to Buffalo on winning the MAC last night. They surprised a very good Ball State team.

Monster Mash

The elements are eerie and the task tall for the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday at the Meadowlands. The spookiest scenario for America’s Team is Brad Johnson taking snaps. The Cowboys offense is going to have to wear their best masks in facing a monstrous Giants defense.
Dallas’ defense is doomed to deliver doubts when Eli Manning’s menacing offense waltzes their wicked weapons. The Cowboys are too beat up in the secondary and at running back, too inefficient on the offensive line and too inept at quarterback to defeat New York on the road. A Meadowlands mashing may be what the witch is brewing, and I do think the Giants’ defense will cast a spell on Dallas all game.
The Cowboys will play Sunday once again without their star quarterback, Tony Romo. Head Coach, Wade Phillips, is choosing backup Brad Johnson to take Romo’s place. He might be better off with Brooks Bollinger seeing how ancient Johnson looks out there. Also missing in action will be the flippant and frisky Felix Jones in the backfield. Marion Barber will have to carry the entire load against one of the NFC’s best defensive units. I cannot see him having much luck running the ball, even with the firm protection provided him. Cornerbacks Terence Newman and Anthony Henry, and safety Patrick Watkins all will not see time this week due to injury. Linebacker Anthony Spencer is also on the shelf, leaving a haunted front to defend against Eli Manning. Dallas has a very inexperienced secondary unit and I believe Plaxico Burress will find it a treat in tricking them. The one thing going for the young corners on Dallas is their speed. They showed they could hang with the Tampa Bay receivers last week and maybe they will simply go out there and play hard. Cowboys Tight End, Jason Whitten, has a cracked rib and can barely breathe. However, the Dallas Pro-Bowler insists he will suit up this week. Even with Whitten, the Cowboys are undermanned on offense. T.O. is always a threat to score touchdowns and make big plays. But, Brad Johnson has trouble throwing long passes and Owens does not run short routes successfully. The Giants’ pass rush is too dynamic to allow Johnson time to throw.
Justin Tuck has been the centerpiece of the New York defense. Tuck has emerged as a superstar and risen to a higher level quicker than I expected. The return of leader Antonio Pierce to the field only makes the Giants more beastly. Last week the entire line was effective enough to pressure the Steelers with the sack and force turnovers. Big Ben is a more mobile quarterback than Brad Johnson. The game was close. This one, the first heated rivalry between the two, will not be.

Parting points: Since when are there chocolate Skittles? I had no idea.

Does Dallas’ defense deliver?

Tony and T.O. travel to the tundra (not quite yet) in Wisconsin this Sunday night for what should be one of the week’s best games in the NFL. Romo established himself in the NFC since he started for the Cowboys two years ago. His pocket poise and sideline scramble success opens up the Cowboys offense. Owens is Romo’s number one receiver. The wideout has talent and speed but the Packers defense is going to challenge him. Tight End, Jason Whitten, was injured last Monday night against the Eagles and is questionable for the game on Sunday. Therefore, I expect Romo will be throwing TO’s way even more than usual. Tony has to protect the football. If the Packers double up on T.O., Romo still has the running option with swift running back, Marion Barber or raucous rookie, Felix Jones. AJ Hawk is one scary Packer defender to keep note of this season. By the way, this Troy Aikman fan thinks Tony Romo is capable of winning an MVP. I still like the Aikman to Irvin combo better than Romo to T.O.
The Cowboys’ defensive line did not pressure McNabb much in game two. The secondary showed several shaky symptoms, and the team was hurt by the penalty. Defense is necessary if Dallas wants to stop the Packers’ Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and the impressive Aaron Rogers. Something tells me Rogers will outperform Romo but the Cowboys will pull out of Lambeau with their first ever victory…
I find this statistic amazing: The Cowboys have NEVER beaten the Packers in Green Bay. The team has won when the team played in Milwaukee, but never at Lambeau Field.

It is still entirely too early to start worrying (or getting too excited) about teams but it’s surprising to me the Chargers and Vikings haven’t won a game and the Bills are undefeated. Buffalo will always carry that jinx of losing three Superbowls. I find it hard to imagine a legitimate, lethal, dominant and durable season shaping soon in the snowbelt. Then again, I am still amazed the Giants beat the Patriots to win the Superbowl last February.

Keep an eye on Rashad Mendenhall and Willie Parker in Pittsburgh. As the running game goes, so go the Steelers, especially with an ailing Big Ben.

Parting points:
Is the U.S. going to win the Ryder Cup? Mickelson and Kim are like the odd couple. Who put them together? It is working well.
Book recommendation for baseball fans: Three Nights In August by Buzz Bisinger and Tony LaRussa. I am halfway through and am just enjoying every page thus far.

This just in:
Terrelle has a terrific time vs. Troy. Two TD’s in first half, two in the second half. That’s four more than he had a week ago. Go Buckeyes!
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282640194