The NoTex Rant

Weekend TV Preview

2008-10-30T15:40:00.005-05:00

- After 2 weeks off licking my wounds, I'm back up on the horse and ready to ride hard and strong to the finish line. Ready to right this ship and get myself back over .500. Here we go.

YTD - 71-80-4

DOUBLE PLAYS -

Michigan State -4.5
Florida -5.5
Boston College -6.5
Oklahoma -22

Thursday

South Florida (-2.5) at Cincinnati - ESPN - 6:30 pm
South Florida comes in with 2 losses, both in conference, to Pitt at home and to Louisville on the road. South Florida is a really good team, with tons of athletes, an above average quarterback, a difference maker on the defensive line. And Cincinnati has been very average all year. Give me the athletes over a mediocre team.
Pick - South Florida -2.5

Dallas (-4) vs. Houston - TNT - 7:00 pm
One team comes into a new NBA season with hefty expectations, one team comes in with absolutely none. Houston, everyone's preseason darlings ever since Yao and McGrady joined forces, now have media types really creaming over themselves now that Ron Artest is on board. Like I say every year about Houston, I'll believe it when I see it.

At the same rate, the Mavericks are being severely underrated and overlooked. Which is completely fine with me. I see a better than expected, motivated, flying under the radar Mavs team this year.

One of my favorite websites, www.dallasbasketball.com, has tons of great points as to why this season will be a pleasant surprise to most media idiots out there.

Reason 1 - Dirk Nowitzki shows no sign of decline. In fact, The UberMan may still be on the incline. In that first-round Hornets series, Dirk averaged 26.8 points, 12 rebounds and four assists per game. He was, indeed, better than he’d been in the regular season. Those numbers are better than any collection of numbers he’s ever had over the course of a regular season. With a bum leg.

Reason 2 - They were 6 games out of 1st place. And how terrible were they late in games after Kidd trade? Very awful. I say that was a combo of a new point guard and a handcuffing coach who had that team overthinking and acting like puppets. And teams sitting on Avery’s plays. That gets fixed this year.

6 out of Dallas’ top 7 players from the 67-win team from two seasons ago remain on this roster. Even last season – in a supposed down year – this group won 51, scored over 100 points per game, played sound-enough defense to finish fourth in the NBA in FG-against percentage, were not turnover-prone, were a near-dominant rebounding team and endured a huge trade and a Dirk injury to finish seventh in the toughest sports conference in the history of ever...And they suddenly suck?

Reason 3 – Redemption/motivation for Howard and Kidd. Kidd's playing for his final contract. Howard is playing for character redemption, for a return to All Star status, and for his next contract in 2 years. Add in Dirk’s motivation and a new coach tailoring the offense to the players he has.

That’s 3 motivated top guys with a brand new system and opponents not sitting on plays. The toughest thing in pro sports to stop is having 3 top players (1 who is a top 5-10 player in the game) playing motivated and with chips on their shoulders.

- Write off the Mavericks at your own peril. This team is not as old, not as far off from the top of the West, and not as left behind in the dust as everyone thinks. And remember how this team plays when the bulls-eye is not on them.

Pick -Dallas -4

Saturday

Wisconsin at Michigan State (-4.5) - ESPN - 11:00 am
Wisconsin has to be one of the most disappointing teams in the nation this year. Tons of hope early in the season and a high ranking have given way to a losing record in the Big 10 and a lost season. Michigan State has an offense that can score on most of the teams in America. They're at home, they're fresh off a great win in the Big House, and Wisconsin sucks.
DOUBLE PLAY - Michigan State -4.5

Northwestern at Minnesota (-6.5) - ESPN2 - 11:00 am
One of the best stories of the year has been lost in the headlines this year. Perennial doormats Minnesota and Northwestern are sitting at 7-1 and 6-2, respectively. Minnesota even has a 3-1 conference record and a #17 ranking. Northwestern just lost to a bad Indiana team. Minnesota went on the road and dominated Purdue. I take the team with more momentum.
Pick - Minnesota -6.5

Michigan at Purdue (-2) - Big 10 Network - 11:00 am
2 bad teams. Just take the home team.
Pick - Purdue -2

Kansas State at Kansas (-10.5) - FSNSW - 11:30 am
Kansas State is pretty bad. They put up a lot of points, but can't stop anyone. Kansas, as I expected, is not enjoying the success they had last year. They're still a good team, even though Texas Tech scored on 20 straight possessions on them. My hate for Kansas State is not enough to think they'll score enough points to hang with Kansas. Kansas needs a good bounceback game at home.
Pick - Kansas -10.5

Pittsburgh at Notre Dame (-4.5) - NBC - 1:30 pm
2 teams I hate the most, Pitt and Notre Dame, have actually put together good seasons. Notre Dame is 5-2 (4-0 at home), and Pitt is 5-2 with a win at South Florida on their resume. This should actually be a decent game. Given that Pitt can beat South Florida on the road, I believe they can beat Notre Dame.
Pick - Pitt +4.5

Iowa State at Oklahoma State (-31) - ABC - 2:30 pm
Oklahoma State proved a ton to me last weekend in Austin. Without some sketchy playcalling late, they probably would have won that game. I'm still convinced that is the 2nd best team in the Big 12, with them not being far behind Texas. They have athletes at every position, can actually line up in an I-formation and pound the rock. They are the most balanced, explosive offense in the league. I trust Oklahoma State in a championship game over any other Big 12 team just because they have athletes on both sides of the ball, and can run the ball on anyone. Great teams in title games can shut down passing games. Oklahoma State can ram you. They annihilate Iowa State.
Pick - Oklahoma State -31

Georgia at Florida (-5.5) - CBS - 2:30
Florida looks like they are rounding into form. Ever since their shocking defeat to Ole Miss, they have beaten Arkansas by 31, LSU by 30, and Kentucky by 58. Wow. I'm still not a believer in Georgia. Their offense is not tailored to use their abundance of talent at the skill positions. Their offensive line sucks. And they just don't play well in big games. Give me Florida to continue to roll to the SEC Title game.
DOUBLE PLAY - Florida -5.5

Iowa at Illinois (-2.5) - ESPN - 2:30 pm
Iowa sucks, Illinois is average. But they have more athletes than Iowa, have an explosive quarterback, and are at home. Give me Illinois.
Pick - Illinois -2.5

Clemson at Boston College (-6.5) - ESPNU - 2:30 pm
Clemson is awful. Boston College is good enough to cover a touchdown at home against a team as bad as Clemson. They beat a good Virginia Tech team at home, so taking care of Clemson shouldn't be a problem.
DOUBLE PLAY - Boston College -6.5

BYU (-14.5) at Colorado State - ESPN2 - 5:00 pm
Colorado State historically has been a good home play for me. And I had my eyes opened on BYU a few weeks ago when they got mauled by TCU. I know nothing else but those 2 facts, so I'm going with CSU to keep it close at home.
Pick - Colorado State +14.5

Tennessee at South Carolina (-6) - ESPN2 - 6:00 pm
My rationale for taking South Carolina is simple. Tennessee sucks, their coach is going to get fired, Steve Spurrier owns Phil Fulmer, and it's at South Carolina. Those bullet points are all you need to know.
Pick - South Carolina -6

Texas (-4) at Texas Tech - ABC - 7:00 pm
To Texas, there have been bigger games and more meaningful ones. But to Tech, this is the biggest game of the school's history. Never mind that they have to play Oklahoma and Oklahoma State after this weekend. Everyone forgets about that. As bad as Texas's murderer's row was for the past 4 weeks, they're done after this Saturday. Win, and they can coast into the Big 12 title game. Texas Tech's murderer's row is just beginning.

So whether Tech win this weekend or not really means nothing to me, I think one of the Oklahoma schools takes care of them. And I think this Texas team has that undeniable "it" factor. I've been harping on them all year, and they have beaten Oklahoma, Missouri, and Oklahoma State. Why would they stop at Texas Tech? The train chugs on down in Austin.
Pick - Texas -4

Nebraska at Oklahoma (-22) - ESPN - 7:00 pm
Probably the game I've been looking forward to all year. Never mind that Nebraska could get their brains beat in. Never mind that they're severely outmatched. Never mind that they're 22 point underdogs. All I care about is what this matchup means to me and how I was raised on this matchup. This game has conjured up all kinds of heritage, roots, and historic memories for me this week. It's been fun remembering just how important this game used to be and all the memories that go with the game. For nostalgic sake, I'd love a close game. But the realist in me says Oklahoma-44, Nebraska-17. And it's a double play unfortunately.
DOUBLE PLAY - OKLAHOMA -22

TCU (-14) at UNLV - CBSSC - 7:00 pm
I think TCU is the strongest of the non-BCS teams out there. They just had the misfortune of scheduling Oklahoma and getting a loss on their record. UNLV actually hasn't been as bad their record indicates. They have been in most every game they've played, and have barely lost to Air Force, BYU, Colorado State and have wins over Arizona State and Iowa State (2 BCS conference schools). I think they're due for a tight win in conference. As much as I love TCU, I think UNLV plays them close and has a chance to win in the 4th quarter.
Pick - UNLV +14

Utah (-7.5) at New Mexico - Mtn Network - 8:30 pm
New Mexico is not a bad team. Utah is overrated. New Mexico has a good running back who can control the clock. They will play Utah tough. They may even win this game.
Pick - New Mexico +7.5

Crown Game

Arizona State at Oregon State (-14.5) - FSNSW - 9:15 pm
This has to win the prize for biggest line movement in a week's time. What started out as a 9 point favorite has ballooned into 14.5 points, and we're only to Thursday. Look for at least another 1 or 2 points movement by kickoff. Arizona State is awful. Oregon State is talented and at home. They have a running game that should keep ASU's offense on the sideline. A very good crown game here, hopefully there's lots of fog, rain, and a rowdy crowd.
Pick - Oregon State -14.5

2008-10-18T11:19:00.004-05:00

- Not much time for write-ups, just take these double plays.....

DOUBLE PLAYS
Louisiana-Monroe -18
Oklahoma State -18
Arizona +2.5
Tulsa -18
Troy -10
Iowa State +8

Weekend TV Preview

2008-10-16T12:47:00.005-05:00

- An absolutely miserable picking weekend for me. Confidence is at a season low, need a big one this weekend....

Last week - 7-17-1
YTD - 65-74-4

Thursday

BYU at TCU (1.5) - Versus - 7:00 pm
I'm really not sure how TCU is favored in this. I know they're at home, but it's not like Amon Carter Stadium is The Swamp. They have a backup QB playing. They played like crap in their game a week ago, against a bad Colorado State team. BYU has a passing offense that can score on just about anyone. They've been way more impressive in their games than TCU. TCU has also lost its last 7 Thursday night ESPN games. Give me the more talented team.
Pick - BYU +1.5

Florida State (-10.5) at NC State - ESPN - 6:45 pm
2 teams that are really bad. This should be an ugly, offensively-challenged, horrible game to watch. I don't plan on tuning in. There's nothing in this game to get me to watch it.
Pick - NC State +10.5

Friday

Hawaii at Boise State (-24.5) - ESPN - 7:00 pm
Boise is another good non-BCS team. Hawaii hasn't looked bad in the past few weeks, covering spreads and giving more talented teams problems. That ends this week. Boise employs a power running game that will beat Hawaii into submission. Add in a decent play-action passing game led by freshman Kellen Moore, and this will be another blowout for Boise.
Pick - Boise State -24.5

Weekend TV Preview

2008-10-09T10:03:00.006-05:00

- A below average picking performance last weekend was saved by my double and triple plays. Somehow I managed to finish 3 games up for the weekend.

Last week - 16-13-1
YTD - 58-57-3

DOUBLE PLAYS
- West Virginia -24
- Miami -17
- Oregon -17.5

TRIPLE PLAY
- Texas Tech -20.5

Thursday

Clemson at Wake Forest (-2.5) - ESPN - 6:30 pm
Wake Forest is a very good team, and I'm not sure what the hell happened against Navy. I like their coach too much to expect them to come out flat again, especially against a conference rival. Clemson is just too inconsistent and too overrated for me to trust them on the road.
Pick - Wake Forest -2.5

Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies (-135) - FOX - 7:22 pm
I'm going with reverse psychology on this one. I hate the city of Philadelphia and all the pukes who live there. The crowd is fun to watch, they're one of the best in the league. But my favorite thing to watch is Philly fans getting suckerpunched by defeat. They have never won anything as a city, and they have a stepchild complex with NYC and Boston. I'm picking the home team on this one, but I want the Dodgers to win. So I win either way.
Pick - Philadelphia -135

Friday

Louisville (-6.5) at Memphis - ESPN - 7:00 pm
These are 2 pretty bad teams. I really don't know much, I've only seen Louisville a few times this year, and they haven't impressed me much. Memphis sucks as well, but they're at home and getting almost a touchdown. Louisville is not good enough to cover a TD on the road against anyone.
Pick - Memphis +6.5

Boston at Tampa Bay (-105) - TBS - 7:37 pm
This will be a very intense series, these teams hate each other. It will also be a very home team-intensive series. Tampa and Boston will both take care of business at home, with Tampa winning a Game 7 in the Tropicana Toilet. Tampa takes Game 1.
Pick - Tampa Bay -105

Saturday

Oklahoma (-7) at Texas - ABC - 11:00 am
The game of the day is being played during hangover hours. Lots of red eyes will be watching this one. A hard one to pick with the spread, but easy to pick straight up.

Why Oklahoma wins:
1) An offense that has yet to give in to a pass rush, allowing Sam Bradford to pick defenses apart at a historic rate.
2) Texas gets mind F'ed by Oklahoma. That is bigger than talent levels in most years when these 2 teams meet. Oklahoma has a mindset of taking no bullshat from anyone that is cultivated from their coach. Texas has a soft mentality cultivated from their preacher coach.
3) Defense is fast as hell, and Texas doesn't have a run game outside of Colt McCoy. Oklahoma will shut him down and force Texas's RB's to produce.
4) Bradford, given he gets protection (see #1), will absolutely pick apart a young, no-name secondary.

Why Texas wins:
1) Colt McCoy grows his legend and plays out of his mind. He keeps his running and throwing freak show going, and doesn't let the fact that they don't have a star running back affect outcome of the game.
2) Texas could have the best offensive line in the nation, allowing McCoy time to run and throw effectively.
3) Will Muschamp devising a way to get pressure on Bradford. Bradford is only as good as his offensive line allows him to be. He can't run, he can't avoid the rush, and he's not a scrambler. Get pressure on him, and the Oklahoma offense suddenly becomes average.
4) Special teams. Texas blocks kicks at an historic rate. As an underdog, they may need one of these.

That said, Oklahoma's pros outweigh Texas's pro's. I just can't see Texas getting enough pressure on Bradford, and I'll take Stoops over Mack any day of the week. As long as VY isn't playing.

Pick - Oklahoma -7

Minnesota at Illinois (-12.5) - ESPN - 11:00 am
As long as the Juice is playing well, Illinois can hang with anyone. Ron Zook may be a terrible coach, but he has brought athletes to Illinois. Minnesota doesn't have a very good defense, allowing some lower level teams to get into the upper 20's and 30's on them. Juice Williams is hot right now, throwing for 310 and 2 TD's, and running for 120 and 2 TD's last week at Michigan. He comes home and rolls over Minnesota.
Pick - Illinois -12.5

Syracuse at West Virginia (-24) - ESPNU - 11:00 am
Syracuse is awful. West Virginia is average, but at home, against a terrible Syracuse team, they roll to 50 points.
DOUBLE PLAY - West Virginia -24

Toledo at Michigan (-16) - Big 10 Network - 11:00 am
Michigan got rolled up on at home last week to Illinois, quickly bringing people back to earth after the Wisconsin upset. Toledo doesn't have much, they almost beat Fresno at home, but that didn't prove to be very impressive after Fresno lost to Hawaii at home last week. So I'm not sure what to think. I guess give me Michigan.
Pick - Michigan -16

Colorado at Kansas (-14) - ESPN2 - 11:30 am
Kansas needed a historical comeback last week in Ames. They struggled against a mobile, dual threat QB. Cody Hawkins is mobile, but he doesn't present the same problems that the ISU QB did. Colorado is terrible on defense, and terrible on the road. Kansas comes home and plays a solid game after last week's scare.
Pick - Kansas -14

Nebraska at Texas Tech (-20.5) - FSNSW - 2:00 pm
While Bo sifts through the Callahan mess and attempts to field a competitive team this year, I will take advantage and do Triple Plays against all ranked teams they play this year. It is really a miserable time in Lincoln. 40+ years spent building the most consistently dominant team in college football was wrecked in 4 years by an NFL con-man. It's truly depressing.
TRIPLE PLAY - TEXAS TECH -20.5

Arizona State at USC (-27.5) - ABC - 2:30 pm
Arizona State is pretty bad. Rudy Carpenter is banged up, they can't run the ball, they can't protect the QB, and their defense is awful. After yet another early season shocking loss, USC is going to roll through the rest of their schedule and be there at the end. They don't deserve anything more than a Rose Bowl bid, but they more than likley will roll through the schedule and have 1 loss.
Pick - USC -27.5

Tennessee at Georgia (-12) - CBS - 2:30 pm
Georgia is quickly buckling under inflated expectations. Tennessee is terrible all around. I just don't trust either team. I don't trust Georgia to blow anyone out. And I don't trust Tennessee to keep it close on the road. I'm conflicted. Give me the points I guess.
Pick - Tennessee +12

Purdue at Ohio State (-19) - ESPN - 2:30 pm
Purdue is pretty bad against the run, and has disappointed me on offense. Chris Wells is healthy and Tyrelle Pryor is firmly entrenched as the QB. They will begin to roll through teams in the Big 10.
Pick - Ohio State -19

Michigan State (-1.5) at Northwestern - ESPN2 - 2:30 pm
Another tough game to pick. Northwestern is 5-0, with Iowa being their best win. Michigan State has won 5 in a row after a season opening loss at Cal. In this case, I'd lean towards the team I think has more talent (MSU), and against a potential fluke team with a history of being average (NW).
Pick - Michigan State -1.5

TCU (-15) at Colorado State - CBSCS - 2:30 pm
TCU is a really good team. They do just about everything well. But Colorado State is very tough at home, and I have to take them with 15 points. TCU definitely wins, but 15 points on the road is just too much against a team that's 3-0 at home this year.
Pick - Colorado State +15

Central Florida at Miami (-17) - ESPNU - 2:45 pm
Miami actually looked decent on offense last week. UCF is pretty bad, one of the worst teams in the nation. Miami uses that offensive momentum to roll UCF this week. Too many athletes.
DOUBLE PLAY - Miami -17

Iowa State at Baylor (-4.5) - FCS - 6:00 pm
Baylor has a great coach in Art Briles who will get that program to heights it has never seen. They have a great QB in Robert Griffin who will be a major selling point to potential recruits for the next 3 years. I fully expect Baylor to pass Texas A&M in the next couple years. This will be a very entertaining game with 2 very good, young dual threat QB's. Give me the home team.
Pick - Baylor -4.5

LSU at Florida (-6) - CBS - 7:00 pm
If Texas-Oklahoma wasn't being played, this would be the no doubt game of the day. I'm not sure why Florida is laying 6 points in this one. LSU proved it could go on the road and beat Auburn. Say what you want about Auburn and their offense, but they're a top 25 team, with speed on both sides of the ball, and a bear to beat at home. LSU's defense is more than capable of defending Florida's disappointing offense. I'm not sure if LSU wins outright, but they cover 6 points.
Pick - LSU +6

Penn State (-5.5) at Wisconsin - ESPN - 7:00 pm
I have 2 things going for this pick. Wisconsin is bound to win a game after melting down 2 weeks in a row to Michigan and Ohio State. Penn State is not a top 10 team, and is just due for a loss. I have to take a ready to win Wisconsin team at home, at night, against a potentially overrated Penn State team.
Pick - Wisconsin +5.5

Oklahoma State at Missouri (-14) - ESPN2 - 7:00 pm
Not the biggest game of the day, but potentially the most exciting. Both offenses live in the 50's, with both scoring 50+ in 4 of their 5 games. Missouri has yet to be held to a 3 and out on offense. Both defenses suck, so the possibility of a blowout on either side is unlikely. Last team with the ball wins.
Pick - Oklahoma State +14

CROWN GAME

UCLA at Oregon (-17.5) - FSNSW - 10:00 pm
A very late Crown Game, even by Crown Game standards. This will be a nice nightcap. Expect tons of offense for Oregon, and expect to enjoy watching Rick Neuheisel look very feminine on the sideline. Oregon rolls.
DOUBLE PLAY - Oregon -17.5

Weekend TV Preview

2008-10-02T12:42:00.003-05:00

- Another bad week last week, but I'm feeling a 75% weekend here.....A few Double Plays this weekend.

Last Week - 8-11
YTD - 42-44-2

DOUBLE PLAYS -

- South Florida -13.5
- Texas Tech -7.5
- Central Florida -13.5
- TCU -24.5
- Oregon +16.5

TRIPLE PLAY

- Missouri -10.5

Thursday

Pittsburgh at South Florida (-13.5) - ESPN - 6:30 pm
As has been written in this space in the past, I hate Pittsburgh. It's well chronicled. South Florida is everything that Pittsburgh isn't. Athletic, fast on offense and defense, have a competent QB, and a great homefield advantage. This game won't even be close. South Florida is going to sneak up on voters this year. Everyone else in the country is going to cannabalize each other, and South Florida is going to roll through their schedule with no problem. Check their schedule sometime.
DOUBLE PLAY - South Florida -13.5

Oregon State at Utah (-11.5) - Versus - 8:00 pm
Oregon State woke up last week. I had them as my sleeper pick in the PAC-10 before the season started, and they let me down until they knocked out USC. Utah should have lost to Air Force, and is a decent team, but not BCS-worthy like everyone thinks. Of the non-BCS teams that could contend for a BCS bowl (BYU, Utah, Boise State, and TCU), Utah looks to be the weakest. I'll take the 11.5 points and bet on the PAC-10 finally showing some nuts against the Mountain West.
Pick - Oregon State +11.5

Friday

Cincinnati (-3.5) at Marshall - ESPN - 7:00 pm
I like Cincinnati a lot. I think Brian Kelly is a great coach, and probably will be at a major program within 2-3 years. I know nothing else about this game. Take Cincinnati.
Pick - Cincinnati -3.5

Saturday

Penn State (-13) at Purdue - ESPN - 11:00 am
Purdue somehow lost by 14 to Notre Dame last week. I guess I overrated Purdue's offense, didn't expect them to only score 21 against a pitiful Notre Dame team. I'm not a huge believer in Penn State. Not convinced that they've played anyone of substance, I don't count an overrated Illinois team. I can see Purdue rising up at home and scoring some points, and keeping it within 2 touchdowns.
Pick - Purdue +13

Iowa at Michigan State (-7.5) - ESPN2 - 11:00 am
Michigan State is not a bad team. They lost a tough game out in California in week 1 and have been unbeaten ever since. They have a stud at RB in Javon Ringer. Iowa is pretty bad, losing to Northwestern, barely beating Iowa State, and losing to Pittsburgh. Michigan State rolls them.
Pick - Michigan State -7.5

Duke at Georgia Tech (-14) - ESPNU - 11:00 am
How Duke is 3-1 is beyond me. I don't care who they've played, to be 3-1 after 4 games is a huge accomplishment for the worst football program in America. Georgia Tech is a good team, and I love their triple option running attack. Duke can't keep up with this team. Georgia Tech should have beaten Virginia Tech and should be undefeated right now. They routed Mississippi State, who only lost to LSU by 10 pts. And also went on the road and beat Boston College, which is always a tough thing to do. They take care of Duke big at home.
Pick - Georgia Tech -14

Indiana at Minnesota (-7) - Big 10 Network - 11:00 am
The parade of Big 10 games continues. Minnesota played Ohio State tough last week, although I'm not sure how pumped Ohio State was for the game. But they still played them within 13 points on the road. Indiana has had some wind let out of their sail these past 2 weeks with losses at home to Ball State and Michigan State, but I still think they're a better team than Minnesota. They bounce back this week with a close game against Minnesota.
Pick - Indiana +7

Oklahoma (-26.5) at Baylor - FSNSW - 11:30 am
This could be the smallest line that has been set in this series in a while. Baylor, while never playing Oklahoma close enough to scare them, (outside of a 37-30 loss in 2005) never really gets hammered at the same time. With athleticism at QB and a great offensive mind in Art Briles, I can see them covering this spread at home.
Pick - Baylor +26.5

Kansas (-12.5) at Iowa State - Versus - 11:30 am
Iowa State is terrible. Kansas is a good team, on the 2nd level of Big 12 contenders. Covering 12.5 points against a bad team like Iowa State should be no big deal.
Pick - Kansas -12.5

Stanford at Notre Dame (-7) - NBC - 2:30 pm
I just can't do it. I can't take Notre Dame at any point this year, if ever. If San Diego State can almost beat Notre Dame at home, Stanford surely can keep it close.
Pick - Stanford +7

Texas Tech (-7.5) at Kansas State - ABC - 2:30 pm
Texas Tech is just waiting to blow someone out of the water. I watched the Kansas State-Lousiville game and couldn't figure out what the love affair with Josh Freeman is. That guy gets so much hype for having such a bag of nothing. He looked terrible. Kansas State lost to a mediocre Louisville team, and Texas Tech is a legit Top 10 team this year. They beat Kansas State big.
DOUBLE PLAY - Texas Tech -7.5

Kentucky at Alabama (-16.5) - CBS - 2:30 pm
I'm still not hopping on the bandwagon. Alabama is good, but they're not championship worthy. John Parker Wilson is possibly the worst 4 year starting QB of all time. I could walk into any High School in the DFW area and find dudes with stronger arms than him. Yes they beat Georgia, but how good is Georgia?? They look to be nothing more than a product of preseason media hype, with no substance behind them. I still hold true to my statement from last week, "Alabama will lose 4 games this year." I'll stand by that. Kentucky has a good defense and will keep this close, as most Alabama games are played within 10 points anyway.
Pick - Kentucky +16.5

Illinois at Michigan (-2.5) - ESPN2 - 2:30 pm
Illinois, while nothing special, has an athletic QB who should give Michigan problems. Michigan played out of their minds in the 4th quarter last week, and have shot their load. Illinois comes in and wins easily.
Pick - Illinois +2.5

SMU at Central Florida (-13.5) - CBSCS - 2:30 pm
There are 2 teams you should bet against every week, SMU and North Texas. And if either of those teams are on the road? Make them Double Plays. SMU is terrible. UCF has a great homefield advantage and too much speed.
DOUBLE PLAY - Central Florida -13.5

Navy at Air Force (-6) - Versus - 3:00 pm
A good, American game right here. Air Force should have beaten Utah. Navy beat Wake Forest. Both are decent teams. I know nothing else, except that I bet it's a close game.
Pick - Navy +6

Auburn (-4) at Vanderbilt - ESPN - 5:00 pm
Vandy is the most surprising 5-0 team in the nation right now. They have a good QB and a good offense overall. They will definitely fall back to being Vanderbilt at some point this year, but I can see them pulling an upset here. Auburn has played 1 road game this year, at Mississippi State, and that was the 3-2 barnburner. With that info, and with how Auburn always plays close games (14-12 last week vs. Tennessee), give me the home team with the points and the momentum of an undefeated season.
Pick - Vanderbilt +4

San Diego State at TCU (-24.5) - MTN - 5:00 pm
TCU is a damn good team. Don't look at last week's result and draw conclusions. Oklahoma is on another level compared with the rest of the nation. TCU plays suffocating defense, has a good enough offense to put up 30 points every week in the Mountain West, and is very well coached. They will take out their frustration on SDSU.
DOUBLE PLAY - TCU -24.5

UConn at North Carolina (-7) - ESPN2 - 6:00 pm
North Carolina showed me a ton last weekend, winning on the road with a backup QB playing. They were definitely on my radar before the year, as I picked them as the winner of the ACC. Like last week, I think they show again that the QB injury isn't going to affect them. Butch Davis is too good of a defensive coach to let UConn beat them. That QB for UConn is terrible throwing the ball, seriously looks like a girl shot-putting it. Butch is salivating right now.
Pick - North Carolina -7

Texas (-13.5) at Colorado - FSNSW - 6:00 pm
Texas looks really strong this year. A fast, nasty defense. A QB playing at an historically efficient level. A dominating offensive line. And the luxury of being overlooked and underhyped. Texas has proven they don't play well when the target is on their back. All of that being said, Colorado is a different team at home. They have a history of playing top teams tough at home (see: Oklahoma's loss last year in Boulder). I think they keep it very close, but Colt McCoy will lead UT on a game-winning drive in the 4th quarter.
Pick - Colorado +13.5

Maryland (-13.5) at Virginia - ESPNU - 6:00 pm
Any team that loses 31-3 to Duke I have to bet against on a weekly basis. Virginia is terrible and Maryland isn't great, but they're good enough to beat them by 2 touchdowns.
Pick - Maryland -13.5

Washington at Arizona (-21.5) - Versus - 6:30 pm
Washington is 0-4 somehow. With perhaps the most talented QB in the conference, they've looked pretty bad this year. They've been blown out, they've lost heartbreakers, etc. It's been a terrible year so far for Washington, and the season is only 5 weeks old. It's going to be a long, painful season. Arizona has won big in 3 of their 4 games, with only a strange loss to New Mexico mixed in there. They are not a bad team. But I think Washington is going to put together a good game at some point soon, I believe in Jake Locker too much.
Pick - Washington +21.5

Oregon at USC (-16.5) - ABC - 7:00 pm
Oregon has a great offense, and is really talented, on both sides of the ball. They've only lost at home to a pretty good Boise State team. USC has proven to be very average and methodical on offense, and not as good as I thought they would be on defense. It seems you can run at them and overpower them. Oregon averages 300 yards rushing a game through 5 games and will be able to run on USC and keep it close. Bare-minimum USC lets teams hang around, their offense just doesn't blow anyone out.
DOUBLE PLAY - Oregon +16.5

Rice at Tulsa (-14) - CBSCS - 7:00 pm
This game could be 70-70 late in the 4th, with the last team holding the ball winning. Tulsa averages over 600 yards a game on offense, and Rice just scored 77 points in 3 quarters last weekend. This could be one of the most underratedly exciting games of the weekend.
Pick - Rice +14

CROWN GAME

Missouri (-10.5) at Nebraska - ESPN - 8:00 pm
Missouri is clicking on all cylinders. Their offense is damn near unstoppable. I see them going undefeated and meeting an undefeated Oklahoma team in the Big 12 Title Game, producing the most exciting Conference Championship game the Big 12 has ever seen. Nebraska severely disappointed me last weekend by laying an egg on offense at home to a mediocre Virginia Tech team. The Nebraska defense also couldn't slow down an average VT offense, and will get absolutely hammered by the best offense in the Big 12. The 30 year winning streak in Lincoln vs. Missouri ends in horrible fashion this week. This is the best bet of the weekend.
TRIPLE PLAY -
MISSOURI 56
NEBRASKA 21

Weekend TV Preview

2008-09-25T14:23:00.001-05:00

- A mediocre week last week.

Last week - 9-9-1
YTD - 34-33-2

Thursday

USC (-25.5) at Oregon State - ESPN - 8:00 pm
USC has looked very impressive so far this year. They really do seem to have everything this year, a good QB, a fast and nasty defense, and a ball control, pounding offense that can also spring for some big plays in the passing game. However, there is something I can't really explain about USC. They just don't wow me like some of the other USC teams of the past 5-6 years. Those teams would go on the road in conference and take care of business and cover 20+ point spreads. These post-Leinart and Bush USC teams seem to play down to their opponents when they go on the road. Oregon State is terrible, losing to Stanford and getting blown out by Penn State. However, they have history of playing USC tough in Corvallis. 26 points is just too much.
Pick - Oregon State +25.5

Friday

Connecticut at Louisville (-3.5) - ESPN2 - 7:00 pm
Louisville has a great defense and is at home, fresh off a big win against Rutgers. Connecticut is terribly 1-dimensional, yet talented at the same time. But I just couldn't believe how ridiculous that UCONN QB looked when he attempted to throw passes. Louisville is the best in the Big East at stopping the only thing that UCONN does well, running the ball. The UCONN QB is going to be forced to throw the ball, and that won't go well.
Pick - Louisville -3.5

Saturday

Michigan State (-8) at Indiana - ESPN - 11:00 am
Indiana has a great offense, and mobile QB. They can score points. Michigan State has a great running game, but has not wowed me as a whole this year. I have to take a good offense, at home, against a mediocre team, with 8 points.
Pick - Indiana +8

North Carolina at Miami (-7.5) - ESPN2 - 11:00 am
Up until last week, I had North Carolina as my sleeper to win the weak ACC. Now that their starting QB has been lost for the year, and they are now relying on a freshman, all bets are off. As average as I think Miami is, they still have tons of athletes to harass that new QB, and they have enough skill position speed to cover a TD at home.
Pick - Miami -7.5

Minnesota at Ohio State (-18) - Big 10 Network - 11:00 am
Minnesota is somehow 4-0, beating up on 1-AA and the worst Division 1 programs in the country. Ohio State now has their future in play at the QB position, and I expect gradual improvement every week. Ohio State has too much talent to let a team like Minnesota hang with them at home. Pryor is good for 100 yards rushing, and 3 total TD's in this one.
Pick - Ohio State -18

Army at Texas A&M (-28) - Versus - 11:30 am
Texas A&M is terrible. They're worse off with Mike Sherman than Nebraska was with Bill Callahan. At least Callahan could recruit speed and have a top offense. Sherman is nothing more than an NFL digit-head. Terrible, rushed hire by knucklehead AD Bill Byrne, who's more concerned with the women's rifle team than with building a top-flight football program. Give me Army just out of principle and my hate of the NFL.
Pick - Army +28

Arkansas at Texas (-27.5) - ABC - 2:30 pm
Arkansas is terrible. Barely beating 2 directional schools, and then getting pounded by an average Alabama team (don't believe the hype on Bama) at home. Just an awful team. Texas, as I've stated previously, is flying under the radar compared with other Big 12 teams such as Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech. They are really going to surprise some people. Colt McCoy is playing as well as anyone at the QB position. The offensive line is back to 2005 levels. And the defense has a new, nasty approach with Muschamp at the helm. They absolutely kill Arkansas.
Pick - Texas -27.5

Purdue at Notre Dame (-1) - NBC - 2:30 pm
How Notre Dame can be favored against any team is beyond me. Charlie Weis sucks. Notre Dame's offense sucks. The whole program is just crap. Weis touted his "schematic advantage over every team they play" on offense, and they struggle to score TD's against San Diego State. Purdue has too much offense for Notre Dame to keep up.
Pick - Purdue +1

Tennessee at Auburn (-6.5) - CBS - 2:30 pm
Tennessee is in disarray. This program has been spiraling downward ever since 1999, when they won the title. It's been a consistently average program for the past 10 years. I really can't see Fulmer still having a job in December. Auburn has a really good team, a below average offense, and nasty defense. Tennessee got embarassed at home last week to Florida, scoring only 6 points, and that's after getting embarassed by a bottom feeder in the worst conference in the nation (UCLA, Pac-10), and the embarassment will continue. No way Auburn loses 2 in a row at home, not with this good of a team.
Pick - Auburn -6.5

Wisconsin (-6) at Michigan - ESPN - 2:30 pm
Another program that I just love watching squirm and wallow in mediocrity and misery. Michigan just sucks. They'll be good eventually, just because Rich Rodriguez is a good coach and he will eventually get athletes for his offensive system, but right now, the cupboard's bare. Wisconsin has proven it can win on the road against a good team (Fresno State), and they're going against a far inferior team in Michigan.
Pick - Wisconsin -6

Houston at East Carolina (-10.5) - CBSCS - 2:30 pm
Somehow Houston lost to a terrible Colorado State last week. East Carolina somehow lost to an even worse NC State team last week. In situations like this, you have to look at both teams, decide which one's loss was more of a fluke, and bet that they rebound the following week. In this case, no doubt that it's ECU.
Pick - East Carolina -10.5

Navy at Wake Forest (-16) - ESPNU - 2:45 pm
Wake Forest dominated Florida State on the road last week. This is a good team. Well coached, disciplined, and smart. They dominate Navy.
Pick - Wake Forest -16

North Texas at Rice (-17.5) - Ch. 21 - 4:00 pm
Poor North Texas. How can a team be this terrible? Rice is not a bad team. They play tough and beat teams they should. They really can be a good team within their own demographic (i.e. their conference). They rout North Texas.
DOUBLE PLAY - Pick - Rice -17.5

TCU at Oklahoma (-18.5) - FSNSW - 6:00 pm
TCU is undefeated, confident, and has a great defense. They went into Norman in 2005 and shocked the world by beating a top 5 Oklahoma team. That year's Oklahoma team was just a tad overrated. This year's team is not. They are a totally different animal this year. TCU doesn't have near the offense to hang with Oklahoma. They may be able to slow the Oklahoma offense, but they may not score 10 points for the whole game. Stoops will not be caught off guard again against TCU.
Pick - Oklahoma -18.5

Mississippi State at LSU (-24) - ESPN2 - 6:30 pm
LSU won another thriller and an emotional game against Auburn last week. The dominating thought would be that they would have a letdown this week, against an inferior opponent, and in a far less intense environment. Not LSU, they're way too talented for that to happen.
Pick - LSU -24

South Florida (-8.5) at NC State - ESPNU - 6:30 pm
NC State somehow snuck up on East Carolina last week and upset them at home. There is no way they should have been able to beat ECU. South Florida has too many athletes, has proven it can win on the road, and no way NC State has anything left in the tank to beat a much more talented South Florida team. South Florida is damn good, and will put NC State in their place.
Pick - South Florida -8.5

Alabama at Georgia (-7) - ESPN - 6:45 pm
Alabama is a classic case of the media hyping up a signature program of a sport the minute they look like they have a sliver of hope of being good again. Alabama is not that good. They beat an overhyped Clemson team, a terrible Arkansas team, and has looked average in the other 2 games. Georgia beats them by 14 points. Alabama will lose 4 games this year, mark it down.
Pick - Georgia -7

Virginia Tech at Nebraska (-7) - ABC - 7:00 pm
I'm still not sure what to think of Nebraska. The new coaches have definitely changed the culture back to what Nebraska should be. They are more disciplined, more passionate, and there's definitely a better vibe than what was seen for the past 4 years. That said, they couldn't run the ball effectively against inferior teams, their defense has looked average, and the passing game hasn't been as good as I thought it would be. Virginia Tech is an ugly team. An ugly offense. A good defense. They definitely keep it close, and this game more than likely a 3 point game, with either team having equal chances of winning.
Pick - Virginia Tech +3

NO CROWN GAME

Weekend TV Preview

2008-09-18T14:00:00.007-05:00

- In the spirit of the famous Leprechaun video, another gem from the Dirty South.....

On to picks.....a terrible week last week.

Last weekend - 3-10-1
YTD - 25-24-1

Thursday

West Virginia (-3) at Colorado - ESPN - 7:30 pm
West Virginia has officially burned me. They have proven to be woefully 1-dimensional, getting embarassed against East Carolina, scoring 3 points, throwing for 75 yards, and only rushing for 179 yards. 1 dimensional teams do not do well on the road, against a rowdy crowd, and an inspired team. Colorado, when inspired and playing what they perceive as a good team, can be dangerous as hell. Give me points, and give me another bad performance passing by Pat White.
Pick - Colorado +3

Friday

Baylor at UCONN (-12) - ESPN2 - 7:00 pm
Baylor has posted back to back blowout wins at home, with Robert Griffin running and throwing with efficiency and electricity. I really don't know much about UCONN, except that they have a decent team and have really risen from the ranks of the cellar in the past few years. Baylor is still bad, and they're on the road, and I'll take a home favorite of less than 14 points against Baylor any day of the week.
Pick - UCONN -12

Saturday

East Carolina (-7.5) at NC State - ESPN - 11:00 am
East Carolina is this year's South Florida or Rutgers. An out of nowhere team that has caught the media's attention, and now they're all you hear about. They are no doubt a good team, and they will get exposed at some point this year, but NC State is the worst major conference team in America. 2 blowout losses by below average teams (Clemson and South Carolina), and 1 ten point win against William & Mary. They get hammered at home.
Pick - East Carolina -7.5

Iowa at Pittsburgh (-1) - ESPN2 - 11:00 am
If it involves Pitt, I hate it. I hate their offense, their style of play, their city, their stadium. I get depressed when Pitt is on TV and at home. I hate their Athletic Director, Steve Pederson for single handedly setting Nebraska back 10 years. I hate Dave Wannstedt for being an absolutely terrible in-game head coach. I hate their stadium, a stale, boring professional stadium that is never even 50% full and turns into a dirt field come October. And I hate Pittsburgh the city, it's a nasty, industrialized, depressing piece of crap hole in the earth.
Pick - Iowa +1

Troy at Ohio State (-21) - Big 10 Network - 11:00 am
Another team I despise, Ohio State. All the hype in the world due to the East Coast Media Hype Machine. And consistently failing when it comes to hanging with top teams in the nation. For a small school, Troy has talent and speed. They have the goods to hang with the big boys. Have to take Troy with 3 TD's out of principle. After watching Ohio U hang with Ohio State, give me Troy.
Pick - Troy +21

Central Florida at Boston College (-10.5) - ESPNU - 12:00 pm
Central Florida gave South Florida a really tough game last week. This is a good team with tons of speed and good weapons. Boston College is not a bad team, but they're not a good team either. Someone with speed at the skill positions can hang with them. And since it's not November and in the 30's, I give UCF a fighting chance.
Pick - UCF +10.5

Arizona (-2.5) at UCLA - FSNSW - 2:00 pm
This game baffles me. UCLA has played 1 good half (2nd half vs. Tennessee), and has played like the worst team in the nation the rest of the time. 59-0 at BYU? Arizona killed 2 bad teams at home, and then went and lost at New Mexico, a very weak team who got beat at home by an even weaker team, Texas A&M. I guess give me the home team with points, and who at least has Norm Chow and Rick Neuheisel on their sidelines.
Pick - UCLA +2.5

Miami (-4) at Texas A&M - ABC - 2:30 pm
Texas A&M is pretty bad. All around, just a bad team. It's crazy to think that they may not even be better than Baylor this year. Miami has a great defense (as shown in their game at Florida), and has tons of speed as always. But the offense and the QB is not very good, no matter what Musburger and Herbstreit said last week as they were trying to induct him into the Hall of Fame during the game. Look for an ugly, defensive game and Miami winning by a score of about 17-6.
Pick - Miami -4

Florida (-7.5) at Tennessee - CBS - 2:30 pm
Florida didn't look overly impressive against Miami at home. The offensive line and running game didn't look good at all. Not good when you can't run the ball on the road in the SEC. Tennessee has just enough talent to either pull this one out, or keep it within 7 points. They will be able to contain the Florida offense for the most part. The question is whether they'll be able to generate any points against Florida. Either way, expect a close game.
Pick - Tennessee +7.5

Notre Dame at Michigan State (-8.5) - NBC - 2:30 pm
Meet yet another program that draws my ire. Notre Dame, another queen of the East Coast Media Hype Machine, goes to Michigan State this week. MSU is not a bad team, barely losing on the road at Cal, and winning comfortably in the 2 other games. Notre Dame beat a bad Michigan team, and needed supreme luck against San Diego State at home just to sneak away with a win. Michigan State will roll them. Charlie Weis's schematic advantage that he claims he owns over every program in college football will blow up in his face yet again.
DOUBLE PLAY
Pick - Michigan State -8.5

Utah (-7.5) at Air Force - Versus - 3:00 pm
Utah has dreams of the BCS, and has a really good team. A versatile, experienced QB and great coaching. Air Force always plays tough, no matter how out-manned they may be. I expect a tough game for Utah, with them barely sneaking out with a win. Air Force can grind out clock, and should have a good home crowd making things tough. But expect a Utah win.
Pick - Air Force +7.5

Wake Forest at Florida State (-4) - ESPN2 - 6:00 pm
Florida State could be on the way back to respectability, but I need more evidence than beating two 1-AA teams at home. Wake Forest is good team, very disclipined, well coached, and has already beaten 2 major conference teams. I'm a Jim Grobe fan and a believer. Give me the 4 points.
Pick - Wake Forest +4

Rice at Texas (-30.5) - FSNSW - 6:00 pm
Texas is quietly putting on dominating performances. While Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Missouri get all the headlines, Texas is demolishing teams. Their offensive line is back to top form after a down year, Colt McCoy is a year older and is noticeably better built to withstand a pounding. He's also putting up stats that rival Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel. The defense is playing with an edge now with Muschamp doing his best Joe Avezzano fake intensity bit on the sidelines. The only question, the running back situation, doesn't seem to be a problem as long as McCoy keeps picking people apart while barely being touched. Their lack of run game may haunt them at some point, but not against Rice. The roll continues....
Pick - Texas -30.5

Ball State at Indiana (-3) - Big 10 Network - 6:00 pm
Ball State is an exciting team that can put up points on a lot of teams. Indiana also has a really good offense. Both have dual threat QB's that are the main cogs in their team's engines. Expect an unusually exciting offensive game that involves a Big 10 team. This could really be a game where both teams score in the 40's. Give me the home team.
Pick - Indiana -3

LSU (-2.5) at Auburn - ESPN - 6:45 pm
The game of the week. A classic must watch SEC game. Tons of speed. At night with 85,000 screaming, drunk idiots. Great uniforms. SEC pageantry. Ron Franklin on the call. I can't wait. I would like to think LSU all the way on this one, especially after Auburn's 3-2 barnburner last week at Mississippi State. LSU has a new QB, but has talent everywhere else. Auburn's offense is still adjusting to a new spread style, and will not have any leeway against a bad ass LSU defense.
Pick - LSU -2.5

TCU (-24) at SMU - CBSCS - 7:00 pm
A potentially exciting game. June Jones has a chance to end TCU's BCS hopes very early in the season. Something tells me this will be a close game. TCU loves to make games ugly, and SMU will score some points. TCU has a history of playing down to SMU's level.....
Pick - SMU +24

Georgia (-7) at Arizona State - ABC - 7:00 pm
Sun Devil Stadium will be loud. Georgia hasn't traveled west of the Mississippi since the 60's. Arizona State is a team that will play terrible against terrible teams, and will rise up against good teams. Dennis Erickson has enough athletes, Rudy Carpenter is a good enough QB to lead them to some points, and Arizona State will win this game. Georgia has a weak offensive line, and that is never a good thing when you're on the road, and fighting against speed and a loud home crowd.
Pick - Arizona State +7 and an outright win

Fresno State (-7) at Toledo - ESPNU - 7:15 pm
Fresno State will make up for a loss last weekend at home to Wisconsin. I have nothing else on this game except I'm a believer in Pat Hill on the road against a lesser team.
Pick - Fresno State -7

NO CROWN GAME

Weekend TV Preview

2008-09-11T09:55:00.004-05:00

Last week - 8-8
YTD - 22-14

Thursday

North Carolina at Rutgers (-5) - ESPN - 6:30 pm
My favorite coach of all time outside of Dr. Tom, Butch Davis takes UNC on the road to Rutgers. Rutgers seems to be living off the legend of Ray Rice, and the 1 good year that they had back in 2006. I think they're severely overrated. North Carolina returned everyone on both sides of the ball from a team last year that was rounding into shape near the end of the year. They have a good, mobile QB, a great group of WR's, and a decent defense. In the weak ACC, they were my sleeper for the conference title. In a few years, they will be the class of the ACC, mark it down.
Pick - UNC +5

Friday

Kansas at South Florida (-3.5) - ESPN2 - 7:00 pm
Why this game isn't on ESPN, I'm not sure. This is going to be a great game. South Florida has athletes all over the field, especially on defense. Kansas is trying to prove last year wasn't a fluke, and fields a very good offense. This should be a primetime Saturday night game. Kansas will prove to be a fluke this year, the schedule set up for them perfectly last year, and this year they will take their lumps and will probably be a 8-9 win team. South Florida has too many athletes and is at home.
Pick - South Florida -3.5

Saturday

California (-14.5) at Maryland - ESPN - 11:00 am
Cal has looked dominant so far this year. Tons of points, stifling opponents on defense. Maryland could be the worst BCS conference team in the nation. They beat Deleware by 7 at home, and then lost to Middle Tennessee State on the road. California will defy my Time Zone Theory and will destroy Maryland.
Pick - California -14.5

Washington State at Baylor (PK) - FSNSW - 11:30 am
Baylor has found a QB, one who can run like the wind and whip the ball around. Too bad he's the only athlete they have. That said, Washington State has looked really bad in their 1st 2 games, and will continue to look bad. Baylor will actually beat a BCS conference team.
Pick - Baylor PK

Nevada at Missouri (-26.5) - PPV - 11:30 am
Missouri is my pick this year to win it all. The defense has not impressed me, a championship team cannot be ranked in the 90's in total defense. Missouri and Texas Tech seem to have comparable defenses, and Nevada put up 500 yards on Tech last weekend. Missouri will win this game, and win comfortably, but Nevada will score enough to cover.
Pick - Nevada +26.5

Michigan (-1.5) at Notre Dame - NBC - 2:30 pm
Two programs that haven't done squat in forever. For Michigan, they snuck their way into a title in the pre-BCS era. In today's environment, they get demolished by Nebraska in the championship game in 1997, but that argument is for another time. So other than 1997, they have been painfully mediocre in the painfully mediocre Big 10. Notre Dame has sucked for the past 25 years. This game will suck as well.
Pick - Michigan -1.5

Georgia (-7) at South Carolina - CBS - 2:30 pm
Georgia's first test outside of the Hedges. South Carolina is not very good, has a terrible offense, and got beat by Vandy of all teams. But Steve Spurrier has a history of playing Georgia tough, he has a really good defense that can keep it close, and is at home. Give me a Georgia win, but a South Carolina cover.
Pick - South Carolina +7

UCLA at BYU (-8) - VS - 2:30 pm
Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow are showing that having superior coaching in college makes a ton of difference. The NFL is more of a player's league and the coach is more of just a caretaker, but if you have top-level coaching in college, that can be worth 2 TD's a game. See the Tennessee game. No way UCLA has as much talent as Tennessee. But they have coaches who can scheme, call plays, and put the talent they have in the best possible position to succeed. The UCLA QB's throws 4 interceptions in the 1st half, the coaches tweak the offensive game plan, come out in the 2nd half, and that same QB kicks ass and directs an upset win. The passing plays were tailored to what that QB does well.
BYU is a good team, but I believe in Chow and Neuheisel.
Pick - UCLA +8

Auburn (-10.5) at Mississippi State - ESPN2 - 6:00 pm
Auburn was another sleeper pick of mine this year. Talented everywhere and with a new, more imaginative scheme on offense. Mississippi State is nothing more than a media darling team. They get rolled at home.
Pick - Auburn -10.5

SMU at Texas Tech (-36.5) - FSNSW - 6:00 pm
After 2 less than impressive wins, Texas Tech is ready to explode. Expect Mike Leach to assault SMU until the final seconds tick away. They could go for 80 on Saturday. Leach will make sure they have at least 1 blow your mind victory in non-conference play. Poor SMU.
Pick - Texas Tech -36.5

New Mexico State at Nebraska (-25) - PPV - 6:00 pm
Nebraska has looked painfully average in the first 2 games of 2008. But they have been painfully average for the past 6 years, so I'm not surprised. Nebraska struggles big time against passing teams. And New Mexico State throws the ball around 60 times a game. They will score points. Chase Holbrook is an experienced, better than average QB. Expect Nebraska to win, but no way they cover 25 points.
Pick - New Mexico State +25

Oklahoma (-20.5) at Washington - ESPN - 6:45 pm
My objective mind tells me that Oklahoma blows Washington out of the water. My wishful thinking mind tells me that I hate Oklahoma with a passion, love watching Jake Locker play football, and thinks that Washington is due for some good luck. And I also remember what happened the last time Oklahoma was in the Pacific Northwest. Give me Washington giving Oklahoma a game at home.
Pick - Washington +20.5

Ohio State at USC (-10.5) - ABC - 7:00 pm
The game of the year according to the media, and more specifically ESPN. A good game awaits, as it should be when 2 top 5 teams meet up. I'm not sure what to expect. I hate the Big 10, I hate the East coast driven Ohio State/Michigan hype machine that shows up year after year, and I'm also aware of how USC has a penchant lately for not handling success and living up to expectations. So I'm just not sure what happens on Saturday. USC should win comfortably, but USC has let me down in the past. Still, I can't take a Big 10 team on the road, against a fast team.
Pick - USC -10.5

CROWN GAME

Wisconsin (-1.5) at Fresno State - ESPN2 - 9:30 pm
A great, great Crown Game. Fresno is a program I love watching year after year. That coach is pure greatness. Never any Mack Brown excuses about playing teams, always have good offenses, and always play BCS conference teams tough. Wisconsin is always a bettor's nightmare. They always disappoint. I have to take Fresno at home with points.
Pick - Fresno State +1.5

Weekend TV Preview

2008-09-04T11:23:00.008-05:00

Against the spread results:

Last Week - 14-6
Year to Date - 14-6

Thursday

South Carolina (-10) at Vanderbilt - ESPN - 7:30 pm
South Carolina dismantled a terrible NC State team last Thursday. I put absolutely no stock in that rout. NC State is a bottom feeder in the worst major conference in the nation. Vandy has a very good QB in Chris Nickson who can run and pass. South Carolina is the better team, but I don't trust their offense to beat a conference team by 10 on the road.
Pick - Vanderbilt +10

Washington at New York (-4) - NBC - 6:00 pm
Don't know much here. I do know that Washington is going to some West Coast attack dependent on quick reads, lots of guys in patterns, and minimal pass protection. The polar opposite of the Joe Gibb's attack used last year. With Jason Campbell at QB. New York eats him alive.
Pick - New York -4

Friday

Navy at Ball State (-7) - ESPN - 6:00 pm
Ball State has a bad ass QB who I remember going into Lincoln last year and absolutely ripping apart Nebraska. Now Nebraska had the worst defense in Division 1-A, but still, they are a major program. Navy has a great ground game that gave Ball State fits last year, but BSU's offense is just too good, and they're at home.
Pick - Ball State -7

Saturday

Ohio at Ohio State (-34) - ESPN - 11:00 am
Solich's boys go into the Horseshoe and should get slaughtered. They only rushed for 39 yards against Wyoming last weekend. Ouch. Ohio State always takes care of mid-level teams early in the year.
Pick - Ohio State -34

Miami (Ohio) at Michigan (-14.5) - ESPN2 - 11:00 am
Michigan only a 14.5 point favorite to a team that lost by 21 to Vanderbilt (a below average to average SEC team) at home last weekend. Wow. Michigan has to cover. They just have to.
Pick - Michigan -14.5

Marshall at Wisconsin (-20.5) - Big Ten - 11:00 am
Wisconsin is always a tough team to take when they're playing someone inferior. They almost always play down to the level of the other team, and either barely cover a 20 point spread, or barely even win the game. Blowouts are not this team's forte.
Pick - Marshall +20.5

BYU (-10) at Washington - FSNSW - 2:00 pm
BYU is one of the non-BCS teams vying for an undefeated season and spot in a big bowl. They have a top 5 passing game and a really good QB, Max Hall. Washington looked pretty bad last weekend at Oregon, but Oregon has a kick ass defense and a tough stadium to play in. Washington back at home, with 10 points, with a potentially injured (questionable) Max Hall for BYU. I take points and the home team.
Pick - Washington +10

Cincinnati at Oklahoma (-21.5) - ABC - 2:30 pm
Tough line to pick. Oklahoma looks like they have it all, speed on both sides of the ball, speed at skill positions, and always superior coaching (at least in the regular season). Cincinnati usually puts up a ton of points, but Oklahoma is not an average team, they are top 5-worthy and at home.
Pick - Oklahoma -21.5

San Diego State at Notre Dame (-22) - NBC - 2:30 pm
If this was last year, I'd take SDSU, as bad as they are. But Notre Dame should be improved this year, and will take care of one of the weakest D-1 schools in the nation. SDSU lost to Cal-Poly last week.
Pick - Notre Dame -22

Oregon State at Penn State (-16.5) - ESPN2 - 2:30 pm
A team that can't win at Stanford probably also can't win on the road 3 time zones away and playing against a much better team. Penn State should rise up in the Big 10 and contend for 2nd place.
Pick - Penn State -16.5

West Virginia (-8) at East Carolina - ESPN - 3:30 pm
Another game I'm torn on. ECU has held Pat White in check in the past, but at the same time, I smell a let-down for them a week after an emotional upset of Virginia Tech. West Virginia seems to be pretty motivated and in "screw you" mode after Rich Rodriguez left for Michigan. I see the betting public jumping on the ECU bandwagon, and I see WVU going into ECU and winning by 2 TD's.
Pick - West Virginia -8

Texas A&M (-3) at New Mexico - VS - 4:00 pm
Is A&M really that bad? New Mexico looked bad as well, losing handily to TCU last weekend. TCU, however, is a perennial 10 win team in a semi-major conference. Give me the home team with points.
Pick - New Mexico +3

South Florida (-14) at Central Florida - ESPN2 - 6:00 pm
Kevin Smith is no longer the RB at Central Florida, and South Florida returns everyone. Central Florida has no one on offense to break that stout SFU defense. This could get ugly.
Pick - South Florida -14

Lousiana Tech at Kansas (-20.5) - FSNSW - 6:00 pm
Kansas will take a step back this year. The schedule and lost talent will catch up with them. Louisiana Tech seems like they can always give a major team a game, year after year. Kansas wins, but not by 21.
Pick - Louisiana Tech +20.5

Miami at Florida (-21.5) - ESPN - 7:00 pm
Florida could have the best team in the land. They have 2 Heisman contenders at 2 skill positions, have the best coach in the SEC, and have a really good defense. Miami still sucks.
Pick - Florida -21.5

CROWN GAME

Texas (-26.5) at UTEP - FSNSW - 9:15 pm
Texas makes a rare appearance in the Crown Game. The Sun Bowl will be sold out, but 60% of the crowd will be pro-Texas. UTEP is not very good, and Texas has a great offensive line and a new nasty demeanor on defense that should help them handle road games better this year.
Pick - Texas -26.5

Weekend TV Preview

2008-08-28T12:01:00.004-05:00

- Week 1 of 2008 kicks off tonight.

Thursday

Wake Forest (-12) at Baylor - FSNSW - 7:00 pm
Wake Forest brings back 16 starters from a very solid 2007 team. 9 starters back on a great defense. I love Art Briles, I think he'll win and get Baylor to 6 wins within 2-3 years. He's got more connections with Texas high school coaches than anyone in the state, including Mack Brown. He will get players to Baylor. He just won't win this year. Offenses like that take at least a year to get going. Blowout.
Pick - Wake Forest -12

Oregon State (-3) at Stanford - ESPN2 - 8:00 pm
I like Oregon State for a sleeper pick to contend for the #2 spot in the PAC-10 (behind USC of course). I think Stanford peaked with the win at USC, losing 5 of their next 7. Oregon State will be a 9 win team in 2008.
Pick - Oregon State -3

NC State at South Carolina (-14) - ESPN - 7:00 pm
NC State absolutely sucks. 10 starters return for South Carolina, which should have a top 3 defense in the SEC. NC State is terrible on offense and may not get 200 total yards. A typical, SEC-type ugly game. 20-3 Carolina.
Pick - South Carolina -14

Friday

SMU at Rice (-3.5) - ESPN - 7:00 pm
SMU will be good eventually, June Jones will turn things around. But he has guaranteed himself a terrible season by benching Justin Willis. Rice has 18 starters back. That's all I know. Take the home team.
Pick - Rice -3.5

Saturday

Virginia Tech (-9.5) at East Carolina - ESPN - 11:00 am
Virginia Tech is possibly the most boring team in America to watch. And are severely overrated year after year. 7 starters were lost on defense. The 2 top running backs have been either lost to injury or kicked off the team. The offense licks nuts. This is ripe for an underdog cover.
Pick - East Carolina +9.5

Syracuse at Northwestern (-11.5) - ESPN2 - 11:00 am
The first 11 am Big 10 game of the year. If there's a bigger TV viewing beating than an 11 am Big 10 game, I don't know of it. I do, however, think Northwestern will be a much improved 7-8 win team this year. There's too much offense for them not to be. A good QB and a very good RB, look for them to put up very un-Big 10 offensive numbers. Syracuse is depressingly terrible.
Pick - Northwestern -11.5

Bowling Green at Pittsburgh (-13) - ESPNU - 11:00 am
Another team that disgusts and bores me, Pittsburgh, a Big 10 team trapped in the Big East. Only fitting that they play at 11 am along with all the other Big 10 juggernauts. They return 15 starters and are picked to contend for the Big East. So I can't take a mid major, even with 2 TD's.
Pick - Pittsburgh -13

USC (-19.5) at Virginia - ABC - 2:30 pm
Now is where the day gets good. USC goes 3 time zones east to play Virginia. With the athletic QB Jameel Sewell not on the team anymore, some cement shoed white guy is the starter and will get eaten alive by USC, who may have the best defense in the nation. The Dirty Sanchez era begins with a bang.
Pick - USC -19.5

Utah at Michigan (-3.5) - ESPN2 - 2:30 pm
The 1st upset alert of the day. Utah is a very underrated, dangerous team. Remember what athletic QB's did to Michigan last year? App State and Oregon took Michigan to the woodshed with athletic QB play. Brian Johnson is a top 5 running QB in the nation. Rich Rodriguez will eventually rule the Big 10 with his speed oriented offense, but it will take at least a year to implement, especially with a former walk-on starting at QB. Upset in the Big House.
Pick - Utah +3.5

Oklahoma State (-7) at Washington State - FSNSW - 2:30 pm
Oklahoma State possesses one of the most explosive offenses in the nation. 8 starters back on offense, with Zac Robinson being the most unknown star QB in the conference. The defense sucks still, so I can't take them as a road favorite of a touchdown or more. I know nothing of Washington State, except that they're in the PAC-10, can probably score points, and are playing in-state. Give me the points.
Pick - Washington State +7

TCU (-6.5) at New Mexico - VS - 5:00 pm
Could be a decent game. New Mexico broke through with a bowl game last year, and TCU returns 14 starters, including 8 on defense and their QB and RB. TCU and Utah are the overlooked Mountain West teams to BYU. TCU could win 11 games this year. A loss at Oklahoma could be the only blemish. They start strong in the desert.
Pick - TCU -6.5

Boston College (-10) at Kent State - ESPNU - 6:30 pm
Please tell me how a major conference 11 win team in 2007 can be favored by only 10 against a mid major? With only the QB to replace on offense (a 5th year senior who has the goods to deliver according to scouts), and the defense bringing back multiple talented players, I see this as the pick of the day.
DOUBLE PLAY - Boston College -10

Alabama at Clemson (-4.5) - ABC - 7:00 pm
Clemson will be among the most overrated teams in the nation this year. The skill players initially excite you, but part of the equation of making those talented skill players excel is having a decent offensive line. The line was mediocre last year and contributed to disappointment, and with only 1 returning starter, expect more of the same this year. Alabama signed the best class in the nation this past off season and seems ready to climb into the elite again, but not this year. As much as I think Clemson will disappoint this year, they will win and cover against a young, talented, but not yet ready Alabama team.
Pick - Clemson -4.5

Illinois at Missouri (-9) - ESPN - 8:00 pm
Missouri (my pick for National Champion), returns everyone. They lost Martin Rucker at TE, but still have Chase Coffman. That was the only star who was lost from a team that was last seen ripping through Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl. If not for 2 meltdowns against Oklahoma last year, this team is in the BCS Championship game. This is their year. The schedule is favorable, with their 2 hardest road games very winnable (Texas and Nebraska), and their toughest game overall (Kansas) being played at a neutral site. It's all laid out for them. And Illinois comes down to earth this year, no Rashard Mendenhall means more emphasis on Juice Williams throwing the ball, which is never a good thing.
Pick - Missouri -9

CROWN GAME

Washington at Oregon (-13.5) - FSNSW - 9:00 pm
The 1st PAC-10 Crown Game of the year. How great it is to have college football back. I don't know much about either team, except that Oregon's offense will take a backseat to the defense for the 1st time in Mike Bellotti's tenure at Oregon. The defense should be a top 5 unit nationally this year. Washington has a decent game breaker at QB with Jake Locker, but little else.
Pick - Oregon -13.5

Sunday

Kentucky at Louisville (-3.5) - ESPN - 2:30 pm
The Bourbon Bowl. Not sure who to pick here, as both teams lost way too much talent to the NFL. Kentucky had 6 guys lost to the NFL on offense, and Louisville lost Brian Brohm and Michael Bush on offense. This is such a toss up, but I think Kentucky has a better chance of having a decent season than Louisville does, so give me Kentucky.
Pick - Kentucky +3.5

Colorado (-11) at Colorado State - FSNSW - 6:30 pm
Colorado could have the toughest schedule in the nation this year, with games against West Virginia and Texas at home, Kansas, Missouri, Texas A&M and Nebraska on the road, and this game against Colorado on a neutral field. They will be very much improved and a very dangerous team for anyone. Expect a few upset wins. Their final record will probably not reflect how good of a team they may be. Colorado State sucks, but this is an underrated rivalry game that is always exciting, so I can't let 11 points sit there without taking them.
Pick - Colorado State +11

Monday

Fresno State at Rutgers (-5) - ESPN - 3:00 pm
Fresno State plays anyone, anywhere, at anytime. I love this team and this program. It shocks me that Pat Hill is still in the Valley. Rutgers goes to a more pass-based offense, which is a concern as I was not impressed at all with Mike Teel last year, and that was with Ray Rice in the backfield supposedly taking the pressure off of him. Fresno has a very underrated QB, 10 starters back on offense, and should have a more than solid defense. They always rise to the occasion when playing a big conference school. Give me the points.
Pick - Fresno State +5

Tennessee (-7) at UCLA - ESPN - 7:00 pm
UCLA burned me last year as being my sleeper top 5 pick for the year. With 20 starters back and a favorable schedule, they flopped big time. I will not make that mistake again. Rick Neuheisel is an offensive genius, but even he can't turn around that crap offense in just a year. Tennessee is a very under the radar, dangerous team that returns a ton of talent. They run all over UCLA in the Rose Bowl.
Pick - Tennessee -7

Football is back

2008-08-27T11:15:00.034-05:00

- It's Kickoff 2008-eve. Let's get my game-by-game schedule analysis out of the way first.

08/30 Western Michigan - W 45-28
09/06 San Jose St. - W 38-13
09/13 New Mexico St. - W 56-21
09/27 Virginia Tech - W 21-20
10/04 Missouri - L 38-24
10/11 @ Texas Tech - L 47-24
10/18 @ Iowa State - W 28-16
10/25 Baylor - W 44-14
11/01 @ Oklahoma - L 41-17
11/08 Kansas - L 31-27
11/15 @ Kansas St. - W 28-25
11/28 Colorado - W 37-27

Final Regular Season Record - 8-4.
Bowl - Alamo Bowl.

- Tim Griffin poses 5 questions for the 2008 Nebraska team.

Five burning questions for the Cornhuskers

August 26, 2008 10:44 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

After an embarrassing defensive skid last season, Nebraska coach Bill Callahan was fired and replaced by Bo Pelini, a one-time Nebraska defensive coordinator who went on to greater fame and fortune as the defensive coordinator for LSU's national championship team last season.

Pelini's expertise is defense and he's got his work cut out with a unit that was blistered for more yards than any Nebraska unit in history last season. His old-school, no-nonsense approach appears to be ideal for the Cornhuskers' program heading into the season -- particularly after hiring several familiar assistants from Frank Solich's old staff to bring a sense of normalcy back to the program.

The Cornhuskers should have a punishing offensive attack that should allow them to dictate the clock and keep that defense off the field. A bruising offensive line, several potential I-backs and QB Joe Ganz gives them a nice offensive start.

But the ultimate litmus test for Nebraska this season will be how much their defense improves. It will determine how competitive they will be heading into Saturday's opener against Western Michigan.

Here are five pressing questions that will dog Pelini heading into the season.

1. Can Pelini bring some life back to the moribund defense? The Cornhuskers' defense was so bad last season that they took their Blackshirts away from the starters. Pelini still hasn't given them back. Maybe he's heard too much about producing a Big 12-low 11 turnovers last season or how they allowed 172 points in their final three games. But the unit has to improve and make more big plays or it could be a long year for the new coach.

2. Do they have enough depth at defensive tackle? After Kevin Dixon was kicked off the squad before camp began, it left Pelini scrambling for inside players. Pelini needs to light a fire under Ndamukong Suh, who badly tailed off last season. Ty Steinkuhler's back injury has been a concern. Perhaps the biggest show of panic at the position came when little brother Baker Steinkuhler was switched to defense. He was expected to be one of the Big 12's premier young offensive linemen. Oh well.

3. Who will emerge at I-back? The Cornhuskers have some of the best depth in the conference with Big 12 returning rushing leader Marlon Lucky sharing his No. 1 position with Roy Helu and Quentin Castille. Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson has called Lucky his starter, but watch for Helu and Castille to also get a lot of early work.

4. Can Joe Ganz cut down on his turnovers? Ganz posted pinball-like numbers in his three starts, rolling up 1,399 yards and 15 touchdown passes. But he was also victimized by seven interceptions and can't afford to be nearly as reckless this season. Keeping the ball away from the other team will be Nebraska's most important task offensively.

5. How will Pelini handle an extended period of losing? It's all good now for Pelini, who's the nearest thing to a rock star that can be found in Nebraska. He's even bigger than "Larry the Cable Guy."

Books have already been written about Pelini before his first game. But how would these fans handle a slump or a couple of surprise losses? More importantly, how would Pelini react to it? I still remember him going after Bill Snyder following a 2003 loss against Kansas State. And that was back when he had some good defensive players. Imagine this year's defense after facing teams like Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas or Texas Tech. Bo might have an aneurism, unless he's learned a lot of patience over the last five years.

- 2008 Roster Analysis

- Offense.

QUARTERBACKS

• Latest word: Funny thing, there doesn't seem to be near the commotion for Joe Ganz as for Sam Keller a year ago, and Ganz could be set to do greater things. Confidence is no problem for the senior who posted some gaudy numbers in his three starts closing out 2007. Traditional Husker fans might enjoy seeing an NU quarterback run the football again, and Ganz should be adequate at it. Let's be honest, though: There are bigger names across the Big 12 and the Huskers have no backups with meaningful experience.

• Big 12 rank: 8

• Who can help: Patrick Witt and Zac Lee have made it difficult to pick who might be No. 2. Different styles include Lee being the better runner and Witt a slightly better thrower. Might not be a bad idea to get one or the other some work if a non-conference game allows.

2 Patrick Witt Fr. 6-4 225... First three semesters have included 4.0 grade average
3 Zac Lee So. 6-2 210... Threw TD pass in Husker spring game
7 Kody Spano Fr. 6-2 210... Graduated early for January arrival in Lincoln
12 Joe Ganz Sr. 6-1 210... Passed for 1,399 yards, 15 TDs in three starts
15 Beau Davis Sr. 6-4 180... At 23, Davis is the oldest of the bunch
16 Jim Ebke So. 6-0 210... Lincoln East grad transferred from South Dakota State
18 Zach Ruiz Fr. 6-3 210... Twice led Beatrice to Class B state semifinals

RUNNING BACKS

• Latest word: Marlon Lucky is a returning 1,000-yard rusher but it won't be surprising to see Nebraska spread out some carries. Roy Helu has been coming hard since spring practice and routinely gained praise from NU coach Bo Pelini. Quentin Castille could be the short-yardage man if he protects the football. Lucky lends a nice element coming out of the backfield but don't expect 75 receptions again. Hey, who knows, No. 1 fullback Thomas Lawson might even see the football.

• Big 12 rank: 3

• Who can help: It's still a little strange seeing Cody Glenn on defense, and the offense lost some experience and attitude with his departure. If Lucky, Helu and Castille stay healthy, not sure what that leaves somebody like Marcus Mendoza. Backup fullback looks to be Justin Makovicka.

5 IB Marlon Lucky Sr. 6-0 215... Accounted for 1,724 yards in 2007 with rushing and receiving
10 IB Roy Helu So. 6-0 215... California background includes experience playing rugby
14 IB Lester Ward Fr. 6-3, 215... His father, Lester Sr., played for the Dallas Cowboys
19 IB Quentin Castille So. 6-1 235... Posted 100-yard rushing game against Oklahoma State
25 IB Jeremy Wallace Fr. 6-1 220... Walk-on capped Omaha Bryan career as a 1,000-yard rusher
27 IB Kenny Wilson Sr. 6-0 225... Once promising career sidetracked by injuries
28 IB Austin Jones Fr. 5-10 205... Half-brother of Nebraska receiver Menelik Holt
29 IB Collins Okafor Fr. 6-1 195... Ran for 3,375 yards in final two Omaha Westside seasons
30 IB Mike Hays Fr. 6-1 230 ... Played both linebacker and fullback on 200 scout team
32 IB Marcus Mendoza Fr. 5-10 185... After redshirt season, caught TD pass in spring game
33 FB David Pillen Fr. 5-11 230... Son of former Husker linebacker Clete Pillen also long-snaps
35 FB Jordan Makovicka Fr. 5-10 170... Nearly hit 2,000-yard mark as senior at East Butler
36 FB Thomas Lawson Sr. 6-0 250... All three catches resulted in TDs in 2007
37 FB Kevin Thomsen Fr. 6-2 240... Elkhorn High grad redshirted last season
41 FB Aaron Gillaspie So. 6-2 240... Previously played for Nebraska's lacrosse club team
43 FB Brent Moravec Fr. 6-0 180... Son of former NU fullback Mark Moravec
45 FB Justin Makovicka So. 6-1 240... Brother of Joel and Jeff looking for first playing time
48 FB Tyler Legate So. 5-10 220... Redshirting after transfer from South Dakota

WIDE RECEIVERS

• Latest word: There's some real concern with the Husker receiving corps and with good reason. Nate Swift and Todd Peterson bring experience and senior leadership, but neither is considered the "go-to'' threat (a la Maurice Purify) necessary in the Big 12. Swift certainly deserves praise for his 103 receptions to date. A host of unproven receivers are waiting for the chance to contribute. The safest bet is that junior Menelik Holt breaks through first. Sophomore Niles Paul might be most capable of providing some flash.

• Big 12 rank: 8

• Who can help: Phrase that in a question, please. After Holt and Paul, there's Chris Brooks, Curenski Gilleylen and Will Henry -- but their combined career catches are minimal. It's not likely than any of the scholarship freshmen will make a huge impact, if they play at all.

1 Chris Brooks Jr. 6-2 210... Played in just one game last season
4 Menelik Holt Jr. 6-4 220... All four catches after Joe Ganz became starting QB
6 Khiry Cooper Fr. 6-2 180... Fifth-round draft pick by Los Angeles Angels in June
8 Will Henry So. 6-5 220... Named to 2007 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team
9 Ben Lester Fr. 5-10 170... Comes from the same hometown as former Husker Matt Davison
11 Curenski Gilleylen Fr. 6-0 210... Caught a 77-yard TD pass in spring game
17 Todd Peterson Sr. 6-4 215... Nine TDs and a career 17.7 average per reception
21 Tim Marlowe Fr. 5-10 160... Graduated from same high school as coach Bo Pelini
23 Matt Donahue So. 6-2 180... Mandatory redshirt year for transfer from Ohio U.
24 Niles Paul So. 6-1 210... Workload likely to include punt and kickoff returns
26 Steven Osborne Fr. 6-4 185... Twin brother Courtney is on the Husker defense
82 Wes Cammack Jr. 5-11 195... First-team Academic All-Big 12 in 2007
84 Steve Spratte Fr. 5-11 180... Recruited walk-on out of Waukesha, Wis.
85 KC Hyland Fr. 6-6 195... Caught 36 passes as senior at Lincoln Pius X
87 Nate Swift Sr. 6-2 200... Needs 41 receptions to become NU's all-time leader

TIGHT ENDS

• Latest word: Part of what accompanied the recruiting hype of the past is that when players didn't produce immediately it made people ask what was wrong. Mike McNeill from the 2006 class would be an example of somebody who just needed a little time to master the system, shake some injuries and mature physically. As a third-year sophomore, he might be ready to go. Definitely a position of need for the Huskers, who haven't gotten significant production out of a tight end since Matt Herian in an injury-shortened 2004.

• Big 12 rank: 7

• Who can help: Hunter Teafatiller and Dreu Young have played some, but Teafatiller has hurt his own cause with off-the-field issues. Ryan Hill is coming off a redshirt and actually started preseason practice listed No. 2. It looks like this will be the future home for Kyler Reed, who also has the ability to play fullback, linebacker and defensive end. Longtime NU receivers coach Ron Brown has brought his energy and experience to handling a new position.

25 Kyler Reed Fr. 6-3 220... Versatility to play a number of positions
44 Mike McNeill So. 6-4 240... Leg and shoulder injuries have set him back before
47 Tyson Hetzer Jr. 6-6 250... JC recruit from 2007 hasn't gotten untracked
49 Dreu Young So. 6-4 245... Caught a 14-yard pass vs. Nevada in first career game
80 Ryan Hill Fr. 6-3 245... Fifteen pounds heavier after a redshirt season
81 Ben Cotton Fr. 6-6 230... Shunned others for NU when his dad, Barney, joined Husker staff
83 Damon Bechtold Fr. 6-4 215... Two-way player logged 10 sacks as Omaha Westside senior
88 Jay Martin Fr. 6-2 215... Redshirt freshman practiced at linebacker last season
89 Hunter Teafatiller Sr. 6-3 240... Remember those four TD catches in 2006?

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

• Latest word: Some minor setbacks have come with the indefinite suspension of Andy Christensen before spring practice and Jaivorio Burkes missing the start of fall camp. There is stability and more, though, with seniors Lydon Murtha, Matt Slauson and Mike Huff. Junior Jacob Hickman slides over to handle the center chores and depth is starting to be restored after some lean years.

• Big 12 rank: 3

• Who can help: Backup guard Keith Williams is going to be one of the hardest to keep out of the lineup and a likely anchor in 2008 and 2009. D.J. Jones can play guard or tackle on the right side. Marcel Jones ran with the No. 1s at right tackle until Burkes was ready. Surprise of the bunch is Mike Caputo, a redshirt freshman and walk-on, as the No. 2 center.

54 Max McShane Fr. 6-6 290... Elkhorn grad spent a year with NU track team
56 Justin Baumgartner Sr. 6-2 245... Started his career at Chadron State
58 Mike Caputo Fr. 6-1 275... Starter on Millard North state championship team in 2005
59 Brian Thorson Fr. 6-3 280... Also a walk-on from Millard North
61 Mike Huff Sr. 6-4 300... Career numbers include 19 starts and 27 games played
63 Derek Meyer Sr. 6-5 300... K-State transfer won't be eligible until 2009
65 Mike Smith So. 6-6 285... Backup at LT played in all 12 games last season
66 Cruz Barrett So. 6-4 310... Signee from 2006 gets fresh start with new line coach
67 Jacob Hickman Jr. 6-4 290... New center started nine games last fall at left guard
68 Keith Williams So. 6-5 305... Interesting major for the bulldozing lineman: Art
69 Cory Iske Fr. 6-4 285... Millard West grad joined Huskers in January
70 Matt Slauson Sr. 6-5 320... Locked at right guard after starting at three positions in 2007
72 Jaivorio Burkes So. 6-5 325... Ditched redshirt to start three late-season games in 2007
73 D.J. Jones So. 6-5 305... First duty included playing in nine games last fall
74 Ricky Henry Jr. 6-4 305... Took two-year detour through a North Dakota JC
76 Lydon Murtha Sr. 6-7 315... Now at left tackle and protecting Joe Ganz's blind side
78 Marcel Jones Fr. 6-7 310... Big, agile and definitely looks the part in uniform
79 Brandon Thompson Fr. 6-6 295... Scholarship recruit had several Big 12 offers
82 T.J. O'Leary Sr. 6-1 235... Entering third season as NU's long snapper

- Defense.

Defensive line

• Latest word: The Huskers need to stay healthy and develop a few young players to avoid a bad situation among the front four. All starters return, but remember, these guys combined for only 6 sacks last year on a defense that surrendered 37 points per game. Regardless, the talent is there to be a strong unit. Zach Potter, Ndamukong Suh and Barry Turner are capable of big years. Ty Steinkuhler needs to stay healthy.

• Big 12 rank: Fifth

• Who can help?: Redshirt freshmen Jared Crick and Terrence Moore impressed NU coaches in preseason camp. Baker Steinkuhler figures to fit somewhere. Maybe Pierre Allen or William Yancy can emerge as a pass-rush specialist.

17 DE Josh Williams Fr. 6-4 225 Rookie out of Texas is speedy but still undersized for line play.
31 DE Nick Covey Jr. 6-2 250 Moved to line after two injury-plagued years at linebacker.
34 DE Cameron Meredith Fr. 6-4 225 Californian started three seasons at powerful Mater Dei High School.
43 DT Ty Steinkuhler Sr. 6-3 280 Eight-game starter a year ago still bothered by back trouble.
47 DE William Yancy Fr. 6-4 245 Athletic pass rusher redshirted a year ago out of Glendale, Ariz.
50 DT Quentin Toailoa Fr. 6-4 300 Two-time all-conference high school pick from Highland, Calif.
54 DT Shukree Barfield Sr. 6-4 290 New Jersey native made 15 stops last year as juco transfer.
55 DT Baker Steinkuhler Fr. Freshman 6-6 290 Top newcomer earned prep All-America honors at offensive tackle.
58 DT Justin Jackson Fr. 6-3 255 True frosh walk on made 105-man roster for preseason camp.
63 DT Ben Martin So. 6-4 275 Versatile lineman recorded three tackles in seven games a year ago.
66 DE Conor McDermott Fr. 6-2 230 Walk on earned second-team All-Nebraska honors at Creighton Prep.
68 DE Josh Molek Fr. 6-3 235 First-team all-state in Class B a year ago at Omaha Skutt.
70 DE Kenny Anderson Fr. 6-2 235 Millard West graduate recorded 13 sacks as senior last year.
73 DT Keifer Burke Fr. 6-3 220 Honorable-mention all state last year out of Maxwell, Neb.
75 DE Luke Lingenfelter Fr. 6-4 255 Redshirted after earning C-2 all-state honors in Plainview, Neb.
80 DE David Harvey Jr. 6-4 265 Appeared in just one game last year after moving from tight end.
85 DE Faron Klingelhoefer Fr. 6-2 255 Redshirt season at UNK followed all-state career in Amherst, Neb.
88 DE Clayton Sievers Sr. 6-4 255 Former tight end has started four games over three years as top reserve.
89 DE Jonathon Santin Fr. 6-3 225 Prep star in Fullerton, Neb., redshirted last year as walk on.
90 DT Terrence Moore Fr. 6-3 275 New Orleans native may step into key backup spot after redshirting.
92 DE Tyrone Fahie So. 6-3 255 25-year-old spent six years in the U.S. Navy before walking on.
93 DT Ndamukong Suh Jr. 6-4 300 Physically gifted starter at nose tackle is coming off knee surgery.
94 DT Jared Crick Fr. 6-6 280 Pushing for lots of interior playing time after redshirting last season.
95 DE Pierre Allen So. 6-5 265 Made 16 tackles last year in 11 games as bulked-up top reserve.
98 DE Zach Potter Sr. 6-7 280 Most consistent returning lineman after making 45 tackles in 11 starts.
99 DE Barry Turner Sr. 6-3 265 Returning starter has yet to match production from freshman year.

Linebackers

• Latest word: This is what happens when you lose four seniors who rarely came out of the game, even when NU was way ahead or behind. Nebraska is as young and perhaps more inexperienced than ever in the heart of its defense. Phillip Dillard, with three starts and 52 career tackles, ranks as the most seasoned defender. Alongside him, Cody Glenn has never played a down of defense in college, and Tyler Wortman is unproven. Several youngsters appear talented.

• Big 12 rank: 10th

• Who can help?: Coach Mike Ekeler might need to hire a babysitter for his 14 linebackers, out of 21 total, who are freshmen. Sorting through the youth, Will Compton, Alonzo Whaley and Sean Fisher look impressive. Walk-on Matt Holt stood out early in camp.

7 LB Latravis Washington So. 6-3 225 Progress of ex-prep QB from Florida hurt by August leg injury.
9 LB Austin Stafford Fr. 6-2 205 Status remains in question after missing spring and preseason practice.
34 LB Cody Glenn Sr. 6-0 235 Three years as an I-back didnt hurt Texan in bid to start right away on weak side.
35 LB Matt Holt Fr. 6-0 200 Early reporting walk on from Kansas City originally committed to sign with S.D. State.
40 LB Blake Lawrence So. 6-2 225 Former K.C.-area star played in eight games last year and enters fall as No. 2 Buck.
41 LB Thomas Grove So. 6-2 225 Played on special teams last year as rookie walk on from Arlington, Neb.
42 LB Joseph Camarata Fr. 5-10 225 Started high school at Lincoln S.E. before moving to Overland Park, Kan.
42 LB Sean Fisher Fr. 6-6 225 Big-time athlete out of Millard North could eventually fit many defensive roles.
44 LB Micah Kreikemeier Fr. 6-3 210 Bo Pelini's first recruiting score will redshirt after summer knee surgery.
45 LB Alonzo Whaley Fr. 6-1 225 Talented Texan was two-way star in high school, recording 162 tackles last year.
48 LB Marcus Smith Fr. 6-1 195 Earned second-team all state to help Crete win two consecutive Class B crowns.
49 LB Tanner Foxhoven Fr. 6-3 210 Walk on was C-1 all-state as two-way performer last year in Crofton, Neb.
51 LB Will Compton Fr. 6-2 230 NU won recruiting battle over Missouri for top recruit who could help right away.
52 LB Phillip Dillard Jr. 6-1 235 Former prep All-American looks to assume big leadership role from middle.
53 LB Tyler Wortman Sr. 6-3 235 Academic star earned starting Buck spot in spring as fifth-year walk on.
54 LB Colton Koehler Jr. 6-1 230 Nebraska Wesleyan transfer has moved into top backup role at Mike position.
61 LB Matt Manninger Fr. 6-1 225 Two-year starter at Creighton Prep walked on at NU over small-school offers.
62 LB Mychael McClure Fr. 6-5 210 Three-sport star from Wisner-Pilger is brother of NU trackster Kellen McClure.
65 LB Colin McDermott Fr. 6-2 225 All-Nebraska Creighton Prep grad earned defensive MVP of Shrine Bowl.
67 LB Sam Meginnis Fr. 6-2 210 Walk on was second-team all-state last year after leading Lincoln East in tackles.
71 LB Graham Stoddard Fr. 6-2 215 Walk on was a playmaking defensive end at Lincoln Southwest.

Secondary

• Latest word: Other than perhaps I-back, no spot on the NU depth chart offers more athleticism than safety, where Larry Asante and Rickey Thenarse could form one of the Big 12s best duos. But there are many questions. What happens with Anthony Blue and the situation at right corner? Armando Murrillo will be solid, and Major Culbert is poised for a big year in some kind of a new role. Also, watch out for Matt OHanlon, who might just step into a leadership spot.

• Big 12 rank: Sixth

• Who can help?: Somebody among the freshmen figures to get a look for playing time. Alfonzo Dennard is a candidate. If sophomore Prince Amukamara can stay consistent, hell get on the field and make things happen.

1 CB Alfonzo Dennard Fr. 5-10 190 Newcomer from Georgia has drawn early praise for his athleticism.
2 S Major Culbert Jr. 6-0 205 Versatile performer appears ready to finally find a spot after two years of shuffling.
3 S Rickey Thenarse Jr. 6-0 195 Special teams star is ready to show athleticism on defense as top free safety.
4 S Larry Asante Sr. 6-1 210 Scheduled starter at strong safety might be poised for a breakout final year.
5 CB Anthony West So. 6-0 200 Third-year defender from San Diego may end up starting in place of Anthony Blue.
6 CB Armando Murrillo Sr. 6-0 190 Started 12 games last year and set to anchor otherwise young group of corners.
8 S Austin Cassidy Fr. 6-1 205 Walk on and former prep QB is son of ex-NU associate AD Tim, now at Texas A&M.
12 DB Courtney Osborne Fr. 6-3 175 Signed with brother Steven seven years after Bullocks, last twins to star at NU.
13 S P.J. Smith Fr. 6-2 205 Committed late in recruiting season out of Louisiana after winning three straight state titles.
14 CB Anthony Blue So. 5-10 180 Availability in doubt for budding star after March knee injury and operation.
16 S John Levorson Fr. 6-3 190 Superb athlete from Crete, Neb., needs to fill out a bit after star prep career as QB.
18 CB Shawn Sullivan Fr. 5-10 190 Texan redshirted a year ago and may find backup spot this fall.
20 DB Jase Dean Fr. 6-0 180 Walk on from Bridgeport, Neb., won three state sprinting titles as high school junior.
21 CB Prince Amukamra So. 6-1 195 Talented youngster from Arizona played in eight games as true freshman.
22 S Mason Wald Fr. 5-11 205 Hard hitter gives NU its first signee from Alabama since Brett Byford in 2003.
23 CB Lance Thorell Fr. 6-1 190 Redshirted walk on set the Class D record in the 110-meter hurdles at Loomis HS.
24 S Adam Watson So. 6-0 190 Youngest son of NU offensive coordinator did not play in first two seasons.
28 CB Eric Hagg So. 6-1 200 Versatile defender of out Arizona is capable of lining up anywhere in backfield.
33 S Matt OHanlon Sr. 5-11 195 Veteran walk on from Bellevue East will play special teams and provide depth.
36 S Matthew May Fr. 6-1 195 Made 105-man camp roster after redshirting out of Imperial, Neb.
46 DB Taylor Dixon Fr. 5-11 170 Walk on ran and passed for more than 1,000 yards last year at Wauneta-Palisade.

Kickers

• Latest word: Titchener figures to improve again and continue the trend of strong senior punting at Nebraska. Kunalic and Henery remain stuck in a fight for the top field-goal duties, while Kunalic is again likely to handle kickoffs.

• Big 12 rank: Third

• Who can help?: Barring injury, the Huskers are set to stick with the veterans. Maher, the lone newcomer, will likely redshirt and battle next year for the punting job.

20 PK Adi Kunalic So. 6-0 185 Strong-legged kickoff man got just one chance at field goal last year, hitting from 46.
37 PK Jake Wesch Sr. 6-1 205 Contributor for three seasons as holder and occasional kickoff specialist.
90 PK Alex Henery So. 6-2 175 Omaha Burke grad was perfect on eight field goals last year and can also punt
96 PK Brett Maher Fr. 6-0 160 Walk on from Kearney, Neb., kicked and played wide receiver to earn all-state honors.
97 P Dan Titchener Sr. 6-0 200 Two-year starter from Wyoming improved average by two yards last year to 41.3.

- Big 12 Preview.

- Big 12 North.

1: Missouri.

Coach: Gary Pinkel, eighth year.
2007: 12-2, 7-1.

• SWAGGER FACTOR: The coaching staff is trying to downplay it, but Missouri players aren't bashful about discussing a trip to Miami for the BCS championship game. The Tigers were one half away from qualifying last year before Oklahoma, tied 14-14, swamped them in the second half of the Big 12 title game. No team has more preseason All-Big 12 picks than MU (8), and only Florida has two Heisman Trophy candidates as strong as QB Chase Daniel and WR-KR Jeremy Maclin.

• ALL WILL BE REVEALED: Oct. 4 at Nebraska. The Tigers haven't won in Lincoln in 30 years. That has to change for MU to take the next step.

• OFFENSE: Better use of the running game last season made this spread offense even more dangerous. Now, with a tackle-breaker in TB Derrick Washington, the red zone woes might be over, too.
Big 12 rank: 1.

• DEFENSE: Missouri, which made huge in-season improvement last year, should be good from the opening kickoff this season. Ten starters return, led by All-America S William Moore.
Big 12 rank: 2.

• COACHING: Pinkel used to be the butt of jokes for some of his weird and panicked game-day decisions. But credit him with learning from his mistakes, trusting his players more and listening to his staff about changes.
Big 12 rank: 5.

• INTANGIBLES: MU fans look at the long history of football disappointments and can't believe something this good can happen. But young people have short history horizons, and don't know or care about past woes.
Big 12 rank: 1.

• QUOTEWORTHY: "We certainly haven't arrived. We won the Big 12 North last year. Missouri hasn't won a Big 12 championship yet. So we've made progress. Certainly I'm very proud of the players in our program, and the seniors a year ago who really helped change things.'' - Coach Gary Pinkel

SCHEDULE:
Aug. 30, Illinois in St. Louis
Sept. 6, SE Missouri State
Sept. 13, Nevada
Sept. 20, Buffalo
Oct. 4, at Nebraska
Oct. 11, Oklahoma State
Oct. 18, at Texas
Oct. 25, Colorado
Nov. 1, at Baylor
Nov. 8, Kansas State
Nov. 15, at Iowa State
Nov. 29, Kansas in Kansas City

• 2008 PREDICTION: 13-0, BCS title game.

2: Kansas.

Coach: Mark Mangino, seventh year.
2007: 12-1, 7-1.

• SWAGGER FACTOR: The naysayers claim that a tougher schedule will bring Kansas back to earth this season. But any program that finishes in the Top 15 nationally in turnover margin (1), scoring offense (2), scoring defense (4), rushing defense (8) and total defense (12) like KU did in 2007 isn't going away. Mark Mangino has turned a town full of basketball fans into football believers. The system is in place, the recruiting is rock solid and the facilities are upgraded.

• ALL WILL BE REVEALED: Oct. 25 vs. Texas Tech. This could be the swing game for both schools in their attempts to become upper-echelon regulars.

• OFFENSE: The Jayhawks are counting on junior-college transfer Jocques Crawford (1,935 yards, 19 touchdowns) to add some giddy-up. QB Todd Reesing's best bodyguard - T Anthony Collins - left early for the NFL.
Big 12 rank: 6.

• DEFENSE: The LBs are as good a group as any in the country, led by 6-3, 255-pound Mike Rivera. The loss of DT James McClinton is big, but the ends are strong and the secondary is deep and talented.
Big 12 rank: 3.

• COACHING: No one in this league enjoys the week before a Kansas game. Mangino is Bill Snyder-esque in his preparation and game planning. A key this year is how new defensive coordinator Clint Bowen operates on game day.
Big 12 rank: 2.

• INTANGIBLES: For years, Mangino and his staff played chess with only checkers-caliber players. Now that the recruiting has been upgraded, the moves and counters are executed faster and better, and it shows.
Big 12 rank: 5.

• QUOTEWORTHY: "Expectations are very high for our program. We embrace those expectations because there was a time when I first arrived here that there were no expectations for Kansas' football program. We think we're going to have a pretty good football team again.'' - Coach Mark Mangino

SCHEDULE:
Aug. 30, Florida International
Sept. 6, Louisiana Tech
Sept. 12, at South Florida
Sept. 20, Sam Houston State
Oct. 4, at Iowa State
Oct. 11, Colorado
Oct. 18, at Oklahoma
Oct. 25, Texas Tech
Nov. 1, Kansas State
Nov. 8, at Nebraska
Nov. 15, Texas
Nov. 29, Missouri in Kansas City

• 2008 PREDICTION: 8-4, Holiday Bowl.

3: Nebraska.

Coach: Bo Pelini, first year.
2007: 5-7, 2-6.

• SWAGGER FACTOR: Bo Pelini was a strong hire for a program that had lost its identity and its manhood. Nebraska was badly in need of some no-nonsense toughness and straightforward communication. Now, how many victories does that produce? That's the $1.1 million-a-year question. Husker fans want it hot and want it now, but a 7-5 or 8-4 record with a minor bowl should be considered a good first step on the road back to the Top 15.

• ALL WILL BE REVEALED: Sept. 27 vs. Virginia Tech. The Huskers need a good showing against a strong program before facing Missouri and Texas Tech back to back.

• OFFENSE: Having a good line is a good place to start. And QB Joe Ganz looks like a spunky leader in the mold of Chase Daniel and Todd Reesing. But this unit is lacking in big-gainers and playmakers.
Big 12 rank: 7.

• DEFENSE: There are too many good players on this side of the ball to be as bad as last year. Don't be surprised if NU recovers as many fumbles in the season-opener as it did all last season (three).
Big 12 rank: 6.

• COACHING: Regardless Pelini's pedigree, questions always linger over a first-time head coach. Will he be a giant in the game like Oklahoma's Bob Stoops or someone on the hot seat in four years like Arizona's Mike Stoops?
Big 12 rank: 7.

• INTANGIBLES: Nebraskans need to deal with the fact that after six games, the record could be 3-3. So pay more attention this season to whether the Huskers act like they're coached and play like they care. Those are the keys.
Big 12 rank: 4.

• QUOTEWORTHY: "I know I'm not a psychologist. I'm not a guy who can just get them into a room and wipe out any bad feelings or bad memories they've had. As they're taught and get comfortable in our system and they develop confidence, then those things go away.'' - Coach Bo Pelini

SCHEDULE:
Aug. 30, Western Michigan
Sept. 6, San Jose State
Sept. 13, New Mexico State
Sept. 27, Virginia Tech
Oct. 4, Missouri
Oct. 11, at Texas Tech
Oct. 18, at Iowa State
Oct. 25, Baylor
Nov. 1, at Oklahoma
Nov. 8, Kansas
Nov. 15, at Kansas State
Nov. 28, Colorado

• 2008 PREDICTION: 7-5, Insight Bowl.

4: Colorado.

Coach: Dan Hawkins, third year.
2007: 6-7, 4-4.

• SWAGGER FACTOR: The Buffaloes would like to strut around some after going from 2-10 in 2006 to 6-7 last year. But they know they could be a better team this year and end up with a worse record because of a nasty schedule, both in and out of conference. Coach Dan Hawkins appears to have things in place for long-term success. But this season could be a sideways step because the offensive talent is young, and too many top-flight veteran defenders graduated.

• ALL WILL BE REVEALED: Consecutive games against West Virginia (Sept. 18), Florida State (Sept. 27), Texas (Oct. 4) and Kansas (Oct. 11). Whew!

• OFFENSE: CU really needs TB Darrell Scott, the nation's top incoming prep runner, to be as good as advertised. A breakaway threat in the backfield will give developing QB Cody Hawkins much-needed cover.
Big 12 rank: 9.

• DEFENSE: All-Big 12 choice George Hypolite leads a strong front four. But the Buffs lost two first-team All-Big 12 picks in the back seven. With so many great QBs in this league, this isn't the year to have a green secondary.
Big 12 rank: 8.

• COACHING: Hawkins' high-energy personality has been a big hit in laid-back Boulder. The recruiting is rolling at a high level. And for the first time in 19 years at the school, the entire staff remained intact.
Big 12 rank: 6.

• INTANGIBLES: If a young offensive line and the freshman Scott develop quickly, Colorado could make a lot of predictions look bad. But the meat-grinder schedule looks like too big a challenge for any kind of breakout.
Big 12 rank: 6.

• QUOTEWORTHY: "So much of life is made up in the details of little things. We were a 'skosh' away from winning 10 games a year ago, and also a 'skosh' away from winning two, as horrific as that sounds. So in every area, it's going to have to be minuscule improvements to scratch and claw and be able to win.'' - Coach Dan Hawkins

SCHEDULE:
Aug. 31, Colorado State in Denver
Sept. 6, Eastern Washington
Sept. 18, West Virginia
Sept. 27, Florida State in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oct. 4, Texas
Oct. 11, at Kansas
Oct. 18, Kansas State
Oct. 25, at Missouri
Nov. 1, at Texas A&M
Nov. 8, Iowa State
Nov. 15, Oklahoma State
Nov. 28, at Nebraska

• 2008 PREDICTION: 5-7, no bowl.

5: Kansas State.

Coach: Ron Prince, third year.
2007: 5-7, 3-5.

• SWAGGER FACTOR: Ron "Bold and Daring'' Prince would seem to have lost that title after a $250,000 buyout of a home game against Fresno State in order to schedule Montana State. But then he signed 19 junior college players in February, which is about as bold and daring as you can get. K-State's November collapse last season _ four losses by an average score of 51-28 _ looks like it has sparked a panic move, though Prince said the JC bonanza is part of his master plan.

• ALL WILL BE REVEALED: Oct. 4 vs. Texas Tech. If KSU doesn't win that Big 12 home opener, up next are four road games around a home game with Oklahoma.

• OFFENSE: The Wildcats scored three points total in the spring game. The top running back was a walk-on junior college transfer. All-America WR Jordy Nelson graduated. And Josh Freeman says he's the league's best QB. You sort it out.
Big 12 rank: 10.

• DEFENSE: Changing from the 4-3 to a 3-4 last year was a major mistake. It left the Wildcats short-handed and out of position, leading to the late-season wipeouts. Moving Ian Campbell back to DE is a good start.
Big 12 rank: 10.

• COACHING: In Prince's first two seasons, eight assistants left. He has upset Texas twice, but is 0-6 against Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Still, he just got a $350,000 raise and two more years on his contract.
Big 12 rank: 9.

• INTANGIBLES: Prince is either a mad scientist with a secret formula for success or is over his head and looking to cobble together a decent year to use as a way to get out. Either way, it's a fascinating story.
Big 12 rank: 7.

• QUOTEWORTHY: "We've started 45 players in each of the past two seasons. We've redshirted very few players. We've put ourselves in a position to be one of the most experienced teams in the league for 2008. That was one of our goals from the beginning.'' - Coach Ron Prince

SCHEDULE:
Aug. 30, North Texas
Sept. 6, Montana State
Sept. 17, at Louisville
Sept. 27, UL-Lafayette
Oct. 4, Texas Tech
Oct. 11, at Texas A&M
Oct. 18, at Colorado
Oct. 25, Oklahoma
Nov. 1, at Kansas
Nov. 8, at Missouri
Nov. 15, Nebraska
Nov. 22, Iowa State

• 2008 PREDICTION: 4-8, no bowl.

6: Iowa State.

Coach: Gene Chizik, second year.
2007: 3-9, 2-6.

• SWAGGER FACTOR: ISU earned respect around the league with a sound finish to 2007. After a 53-point home loss to Texas, the Cyclones played Oklahoma and Missouri close and beat Kansas State and Colorado. Still, this is a major work in progress. There are no preseason All-Big 12 picks, and there probably won't be any postseason ones, either. A major infusion of talent is needed in the next few years for ISU to even think about reaching the upper half of the North Division.

• ALL WILL BE REVEALED: Sept. 6 vs. Kent State. The Cyclones lost at home to Kent State (3-9) last year. They can't let it happen again.

• OFFENSE: Even with QB Bret Meyer and WR Todd Blythe, ISU was last in the Big 12 in scoring and total offense. So what happens with them gone? Look for more ball-control, milk-the-clock drives to try to shorten games.
Big 12 rank: 12.

• DEFENSE: Where's the beef? The depth chart shows a front four with weights of 258, 273, 288 and 250. The biggest linebacker weighs 223. And only one of the top eight secondary players tops 200 pounds.
Big 12 rank: 11.

• COACHING: Chizik's teams will play hard and line up correctly. But the big questions are whether the recruiting can improve and if the staff needs to be beefed up with more guys who have been at BCS schools.
Big 12 rank: 12.

• INTANGIBLES: When the Iowa State administration pulled the plug on the Dan McCarney era, it knew patience would be required in trying to build this differently. But waiting is the hardest part.
Big 12 rank: 11.

• QUOTEWORTHY: "Our last eight months have been very driven to show progress. We feel like everything is on the right track. We will have more growing pains. We don't have a lot of players where you 'add water, instant player.' So we've got to do a lot of developing.'' - Coach Gene Chizik

SCHEDULE:
Aug. 28, South Dakota State
Sept. 6, Kent State
Sept. 13, at Iowa
Sept. 20, at UNLV
Oct. 4, Kansas
Oct. 11, at Baylor
Oct. 18, Nebraska
Oct. 25, Texas A&M
Nov. 1, at Oklahoma State
Nov. 8, at Colorado
Nov. 15, Missouri
Nov. 22, at Kansas State

• 2008 PREDICTION: 3-9, no bowl.

- Big 12 South.

1: Oklahoma.

Coach: Bob Stoops, 10th year.
2007: 11-3, 6-2.

• SWAGGER FACTOR: Despite four BCS bowl losses in a row, the Sooners' strength inside the Big 12 remains plainly evident. OU has played in six of the past eight Big 12 championship games, and will be favored to make it seven of nine as long as QB Sam Bradford (No. 1 nationally in pass efficiency as a freshman) avoids a sophomore slump. Oklahoma has reached a rhythm in its style of play and its recruiting that makes it difficult for the rest of this league to keep up.

• ALL WILL BE REVEALED: Oct. 11 vs. Texas in Dallas. Regardless of which new contender pops up, this game always sets the table in the South.

• OFFENSE: What's not to like? Bradford proved to be more than a caretaker at QB. The offensive line might be the nation's best. TB DeMarco Murray is a game-breaker. And the receivers are above average.
Big 12 rank: 2.

• DEFENSE: The front four is nasty and deeply talented, providing the pressure up front that is so important against spread offenses. The back seven lost some key players, but several redshirts showed well in the spring.
Big 12 rank: 1.

• COACHING: Since becoming a head coach in 1999, Bob Stoops has averaged 10.8 wins a season. And that's while having five assistants move on to other Division I-A head coaching jobs.
Big 12 rank: 1.

• INTANGIBLES: After winning a league-best fifth Big 12 title and becoming the first school to win two in a row, Oklahoma is on a roll on the field with its play and off the field with facilities and support.
Big 12 rank: 3.

• QUOTEWORTHY: "We've been in six Big 12 championship games and we won five, so we're doing something right. We know how to win those games. We'll manage the others the best we can. As much as anything, it's the players staying invested in us as coaches as well as us doing the job we need to do to be at our best.'' - Coach Bob Stoops

SCHEDULE:
Aug. 30, Chattanooga
Sept. 6, Cincinnati
Sept. 13, at Washington
Sept. 27, TCU
Oct. 4, at Baylor
Oct. 11, Texas in Dallas
Oct. 18, Kansas
Oct. 25, at Kansas State
Nov. 1, Nebraska
Nov. 8, at Texas A&M
Nov. 22, Texas Tech
Nov. 29, at Oklahoma State

• 2008 PREDICTION: 11-2, BCS bowl.

2: Texas Tech.

Coach: Mike Leach, ninth year.
2007: 9-4, 4-4.

• SWAGGER FACTOR: The Red Raiders are the trendy pick nationally for a breakout season. They have a wild and crazy coach, 19 starters back from a 9-4 team and a three-year starting QB who led the nation in passing. Confidence is high, but is it justified? For every big victory Tech has had in recent years, there seems to have been two head-scratching defeats to counter it. The Red Raiders' best finish under Leach is No. 18. That leaves too much doubt for now.

• ALL WILL BE REVEALED: Oct. 25 at Kansas and Nov. 22 at Oklahoma. In road games against ranked foes, Texas Tech under Leach is 1-18.

• OFFENSE: Tech was second nationally last season in total offense and seventh in scoring. That probably won't change, but too many stats are piled up against weak non-league foes. More consistency in league play is needed.
Big 12 rank: 4.

• DEFENSE: This unit did improve after changing coordinators following a 49-45 loss at Oklahoma State in week four. But giving up 41, 31, 59, 27 and 28 points in games after mid-October leave an uneasy feeling.
Big 12 rank: 5.

• COACHING: Leach has extended Texas Tech's Big 12-best streak of consecutive years with bowl eligibility to 15, and created an identity for Red Raider football. The next step is to move up a step into the BCS-bowl echelon.
Big 12 rank: 4.

• INTANGIBLES: Is this Tech team the one that is so tired of banging on the door and not being let in that it will do something about it? That's the theme entering the season. We'll see where it leads.
Big 12 rank: 2.

• QUOTEWORTHY: "Our expectations are already high. So what that means to me is we just need to ignore expectations and everybody needs to do their job and improve on their role. If everybody does that together for the entire season, we have a chance to continue to improve.'' - Coach Mike Leach

SCHEDULE:
Aug. 30, Eastern Washington
Sept. 6, at Nevada
Sept. 13, SMU
Sept. 20, Massachusetts
Oct. 4, at Kansas State
Oct. 11, Nebraska
Oct. 18, at Texas A&M
Oct. 25, at Kansas
Nov. 1, Texas
Nov. 8, Oklahoma State
Nov. 22, at Oklahoma
Nov. 29, Baylor

• 2008 PREDICTION: 9-3, Cotton Bowl.

3: Texas.

Coach: Mack Brown, 11th year.
2007: 10-3, 5-3.

• SWAGGER FACTOR: It was interesting at Big 12 media days to watch Texas _ with a $105 million athletic budget and a 98,000-seat football stadium - attempt to label itself as an underdog this season. Perhaps that's reverse swagger from a program that has won at least 10 games for seven straight seasons. Even if the Longhorns are a year away, as many analysts think, there is too much talent around for them to be too far off the radar screen.

• ALL WILL BE REVEALED: Oct. 11 vs. Oklahoma in Dallas. The Longhorns could rattle the ratings with an upset here.

• OFFENSE: Is the offense that produced 52 points in the Holiday Bowl the real deal? For that game, UT used a quicker tempo, more exotic plays and some passer-runner QB alternating. This under-performing unit needs some jazzing up.
Big 12 rank: 5.

• DEFENSE: New coordinator Will Muschamp from Auburn has had free reign to jumble this unit, which gave up the most yards in school history. He has opened the depth chart and promised to play those who produce.
Big 12 rank: 4.

• COACHING: Muschamp is as well-regarded as any defensive coordinator nationally. Also, bringing in former QB Major Applewhite as an offensive aide could light a fire under longtime coordinator Greg Davis.
Big 12 rank: 3.

• INTANGIBLES: When the Longhorns get fired up and want to play, few can hang with them. The problem is effort and intensity sometimes seem optional. Will UT believe it is a year away or be willing to strike now?
Big 12 rank: 9.

• QUOTEWORTHY: "The Big 12 may be the strongest it has ever been from top to bottom. We have nine bowl teams on our schedule, so it will be the hardest schedule we've ever played. We'll have to play really, really well to have as good as team as we have had because of the strength of schedule and the offenses in this league.'' - Coach Mack Brown

SCHEDULE:
Aug. 30, Florida Atlantic
Sept. 6, at UTEP
Sept. 13, Arkansas
Sept. 20, Rice
Oct. 4, at Colorado
Oct. 11, Oklahoma in Dallas
Oct. 18, Missouri
Oct. 25, Oklahoma State
Nov. 1, at Texas Tech
Nov. 8, Baylor
Nov. 15, at Kansas
Nov. 27, Texas A&M

• 2008 PREDICTION: 8-4, Alamo Bowl.

4: Oklahoma State.

Coach: Mike Gundy, fourth year.
2007: 7-6, 4-4.

• SWAGGER FACTOR: With billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens writing checks, swagger is in plentiful supply in Stillwater. But can the Cowboys cover the checks being written? Mike Gundy is known more for his verbal assault on a female sportswriter last season than for his coaching acumen. The loss of offensive guru Larry Fedora to Southern Mississippi won't help. OSU is scary-good athletically, but hasn't discovered the keys to consistency yet.

• ALL WILL BE REVEALED: Oct. 25 at Texas. Considering the schedule OSU drew this season, a road upset of major magnitude will be needed to contend.

• OFFENSE: Of all the Big 12 spread formations, this one structurally may be the most difficult to defend. QB Zac Robinson and TE Brandon Pettigrew are very underrated, and the line depth may be the school's best in years.
Big 12 rank: 3.

• DEFENSE: After finishing 101st in total defense last season, improvement is a must. Only two starters in the front seven return. Five juco defenders enrolled in January and need to make an impact.
Big 12 rank: 9.

• COACHING: Give Gundy credit in recruiting. For the first time, the Cowboys have landed Top 25 classes for three straight years. The problem has been more in fitting that talent together.
Big 12 rank: 11.

• INTANGIBLES: It's hard to find any. This looks like the usual Oklahoma State team. The Pokes will pull an upset, lose an easy one, finish just above .500 and go to a minor bowl.
Big 12 rank: 10.

• QUOTEWORTHY: "Our players are very excited, very confident. We feel very good about our progress in the latter part of last season. We finished strong, with a bowl win over Indiana. We had a great recruiting class. We have a lot of discipline and structure in our program, and that's what we believe in.'' - Coach Mike Gundy

SCHEDULE:
Aug. 30, Washington State in Seattle
Sept. 6, Houston
Sept. 13, Missouri State
Sept. 27, Troy
Oct. 4, Texas A&M
Oct. 11, at Missouri
Oct. 18, Baylor
Oct. 25, at Texas
Nov. 1, Iowa State
Nov. 8, at Texas Tech
Nov. 15, at Colorado
Nov. 29, Oklahoma

• 2008 PREDICTION: 7-5, Sun Bowl.

5: Texas A&M.

Coach: Mike Sherman, first year.
2007: 7-6, 4-4.

• SWAGGER FACTOR: Don't assume this is a carbon copy of the Nebraska-Bill Callahan experiment, even though new coach Mike Sherman has been in the NFL the past 11 years (Green Bay, Houston) and then hired four former Callahan staffers. Sherman has been at A&M twice before for seven seasons total. He has work to do to repair the Aggie spirit. Under Dennis Franchione, A&M recorded its worst loss ever and had two losing records in five years.

• ALL WILL BE REVEALED: Oct. 11 vs. Kansas State and Nov. 1 vs. Colorado. These home games are must wins for A&M to get bowl eligible.

• OFFENSE: Drastic change is afoot. The option-based attack has been scrapped for a pro-style set, often with two backs. That means two-year QB starter Stephen McGee has to start over to hold off 6-foot-5 Jerrod Johnson.
Big 12 rank: 11.

• DEFENSE: The man punching the buttons is 64-year-old Joe Kines. He'll pull out every trick in his thick book to shore up the Wrecking Crew, which gave up 42 touchdowns and 416 yards a game last year.
Big 12 rank: 7.

• COACHING: It's an interesting collection. Kines is in his 40th year. Former Kansas wishbone QB Nolan Cromwell, the offensive coordinator, has zero time as a college coach. Tom Rossley is a former head coach at SMU.
Big 12 rank: 8.

• INTANGIBLES: First-year coaches struggle in leagues this good. No reason to expect an exception here. The learning curve for the NFL guys will be steeper than they expect. And the current personnel doesn't fit the new systems.
Big 12 rank: 8.

• QUOTEWORTHY: "I know the landscape well, and I know what it's all about. It's as similar as I can get to a place like Green Bay, where you come to work every day, the expectations are very high and the fans are very passionate.'' - Coach Mike Sherman

SCHEDULE:
Aug. 30, Arkansas State
Sept. 6, at New Mexico
Sept. 20, Miami (Fla.)
Sept. 27, Army
Oct. 4, at Oklahoma State
Oct. 11, Kansas State
Oct. 18, Texas Tech
Oct. 25, at Iowa State
Nov. 1, Colorado
Nov. 8, Oklahoma
Nov. 15, at Baylor
Nov. 27, at Texas

• 2008 PREDICTION: 6-6, Independence Bowl.

6: Baylor.

Coach: Art Briles, first year.
2007: 3-9, 0-8.

• SWAGGER FACTOR: New coach Art Briles says he likes to "walk down paths nobody else wants to walk down.'' Well, he's at the right place. Baylor is 11-85 all-time in the Big 12, has finished last in the South in 10 of 12 years and has a 13-year bowl drought. Briles, the fifth BU coach in 13 years, has plenty of work to do before even thinking about "swagger.'' The Bears first need to find their way to "respectable'' then "improving'' and "challenger.''

• ALL WILL BE REVEALED: During nonconference play. That's when Baylor faces Wake Forest (9-4), Washington State (5-7) and Connecticut (9-4).

• OFFENSE: Briles was an assistant for three years to Texas Tech's Mike Leach, which added to his wide-open offense. As a Texas prep coach, Briles developed five QBs who each threw for 3,000 yards in college.
Big 12 rank: 8.

• DEFENSE: Only Nebraska's sorriest defensive season ever kept Baylor, 110th nationally, out of last place in the Big 12. LB Joe Pawelek is an honors candidate. But depth and talent are in short supply overall.
Big 12 rank: 12.

• COACHING: Briles is a fixer-upper. He led Houston to its first undisputed conference title in 26 years and first 10-win season since 1990. He also turned Stephenville (Texas) High into a winner.
Big 12 rank: 10.

• INTANGIBLES: Chuck Reedy, Dave Roberts, Kevin Steele and Guy Morriss couldn't make it work. So what hope does Briles have? With his extensive Texas roots (five high schools, three colleges), maybe recruiting ramps up.
Big 12 rank: 12.

• QUOTEWORTHY: "If I walked through the room and 11 other head coaches from the Big 12 walked through, there probably wouldn't be a whole lot of people pointing at me saying, 'There goes Baylor football.' So that's what we're out to change.'' - Coach Art Briles

SCHEDULE:
Aug. 30, Wake Forest
Sept. 6, NW (La.) State
Sept. 13, Washington State
Sept. 19, at Connecticut
Oct. 4, Oklahoma
Oct. 11, Iowa State
Oct. 18, at Oklahoma State
Oct. 25, at Nebraska
Nov. 1, Missouri
Nov. 8, at Texas
Nov. 15, Texas A&M
Nov. 29, at Texas Tech

• 2008 PREDICTION: 3-9, no bowl.

- 2008 Games to watch.

Keep up-to-date on the best the 2008 season has to offer

Rivalries. Backyard brawls. Cocktail parties. From Aug. 30 to Dec. 6, the 2008 college football season is chock full of great matchups from coast to coast. Here's a week-by-week schedule of games to watch:

Week 1

Aug. 30: Alabama vs. Clemson (8 p.m. ET, ABC)
The Crimson Tide and the Tigers meet in Atlanta's Georgia Dome, where Clemson ended the 2007 season with a 23-20 overtime loss to Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. A loss to Alabama would greatly diminish Clemson's lofty expectations in 2008.

Aug. 30: Illinois vs. Missouri (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Who knew last year's opener in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis would produce two of college football's biggest surprises? The Tigers have their sights set on a national championship this season; the Illini hope to stay near the top of the Big Ten.

Upset alert: East Carolina over Virginia Tech (Noon ET, ESPN)

Week 2

Sept. 6: Oregon State vs. Penn State (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
The Nittany Lions, with 14 starters back, might be flying under the radar in the Big Ten. The Beavers have quietly put together the best two-year record in the Pac-10 by a team other than USC.

Upset alert: Central Florida over South Florida (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Week 3

Sept. 12: Kansas at South Florida (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
The Jayhawks and Bulls play in Tampa on Friday night in a matchup of two of last season's biggest surprises. South Florida climbed as high as No. 2 in the national rankings before slipping badly at season's end. Kansas went 12-1 in 2007, but didn't face a nonconference opponent anywhere near the level of the Bulls.

Sept. 13: Ohio State at USC (8 p.m. ET, ABC)
The Buckeyes, losers in each of the past two BCS championship games, hope to finally silence their critics by beating the Trojans in the Coliseum. USC is going for its seventh consecutive Pac-10 title, but must replace several key pieces and pray quarterback Mark Sanchez is ready to play against Ohio State.

Sept. 13: Georgia at South Carolina (3 p.m. ET)
Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier loves beating the Bulldogs more than any other opponent. South Carolina's 16-12 win in Athens last season cost Georgia a chance to play for the SEC title and possibly a BCS championship. Another loss to the Gamecocks would probably all but end the top-ranked Bulldogs' championship hopes again.

Upset alert: Fresno State over Wisconsin (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Week 4

Sept. 20: Georgia at Arizona State (8 p.m., ABC)
The Bulldogs make a rare trip west of the Mississippi River. The Sun Devils won 10 games in coach Dennis Erickson's first season, but they'll have to do a better job protecting quarterback Rudy Carpenter against Georgia's defense.

Sept. 20: Florida at Tennessee, (TBA)
The Gators blasted Tennessee 59-20 in the Swamp last season, one of the most embarrassing defeats in coach Phillip Fulmer's tenure. The Volunteers are flying under the radar in the SEC East, with nearly everyone focusing on Florida and Georgia.

Sept. 20: LSU at Auburn (TBA)
The third big SEC game of the weekend could decide which team wins the SEC West. It's a physical, close game each time these teams meet. Defending national champion LSU won 30-24 at Auburn last season.

Upset alert: Boise State over Oregon (3:30 p.m. ET)

Week 5

Sept. 27: Illinois at Penn State (8 p.m. ET)
The Illini beat the Nittany Lions 27-20 last season, one of the first big victories for coach Ron Zook. The winner of this year's game might challenge Ohio State and Wisconsin for Big Ten supremacy.

Sept. 27: Virginia Tech at Nebraska (TBA)
The Hokies are the first big test for new Cornhuskers coach Bo Pelini, who hopes to restore Nebraska's pride on defense. Defending ACC champion Virginia Tech must replace a boatload of talent on defense.

Upset alert: Oregon State over USC (Thursday, Sept. 25, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Week 6

Oct. 2: Pittsburgh at South Florida (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The Thursday night game is the Panthers' first opportunity to prove they're finally ready to challenge for the Big East championship again. Pitt must slow down Bulls quarterback Matt Grothe; South Florida must contain tailback LeSean McCoy.

Oct. 4: Ohio State at Wisconsin (8 p.m. ET)
The Badgers get their chance to beat the Buckeyes in a night game at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin was no match for Ohio State last season, losing 38-17 in Columbus.

Oct. 4: Oregon at Southern Cal (8 p.m. ET)
The Ducks beat the Trojans 24-17 in Eugene, Ore., last season and seemed to be on their way to winning the Pac-10 until quarterback Dennis Dixon blew out his knee. Each team has a new quarterback this season.

Upset alert: Rutgers over West Virginia (Noon ET)

Week 7

Oct. 9: Clemson at Wake Forest (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The Demon Deacons might be Clemson's stiffest competition in the ACC's Atlantic Division. Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe hopes his team puts up more of a fight than last season -- the Tigers won 44-10 at Death Valley.

Oct. 11: Texas at Oklahoma (Noon ET, ABC)
Oklahoma stopped a two-game losing streak to the Longhorns with a 28-21 victory in last season's Red River Rivalry. The Sooners have won six of their past eight games against Texas.

Oct. 11: LSU at Florida (TBA)
The past two national champions meet in the Swamp, with the Gators still smarting from last season's 28-24 loss in Baton Rouge. The Gators led for all but 1 minute, 9 seconds -- but somehow lost the game.

Oct. 11: Tennessee at Georgia (TBA)
The Volunteers routed Georgia 35-14 at Neyland Stadium last season, the last time the Bulldogs would lose in 2007. Tennessee won 51-33 at Sanford Stadium in 2006, becoming only the second opponent to ever score more than 50 points between the hedges.

Oct. 11: Arizona State at USC (TBA)
The Sun Devils were no match for the Trojans in 2007, losing 44-24 in Tempe. Arizona State might be USC's best competition in the Pac-10 this season.

Upset alert: Notre Dame over North Carolina (TBA)

Week 8

Oct. 16: BYU at TCU (8 p.m. ET)
If the Cougars are going to crash the BCS party, they'll have to get past the Horned Frogs, who failed to get to the BCS last season.

Oct. 18: Kansas at Oklahoma (TBA)
The Jayhawks didn't have to play Oklahoma or Texas while posting a 12-1 record in 2007. Kansas has to play both teams this season.

Oct. 18: Michigan at Penn State (4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Rich Rodriguez takes his spread offense to Happy Valley for the first time, hoping his new quarterback will make the Nittany Lions not-so-happy.

Upset alert: South Carolina over LSU (TBA).

Week 9

Oct. 23: Auburn at West Virginia (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The Tigers make a rare trip near the Mason-Dixon Line in a battle of teams with BCS title aspirations. Mountaineers quarterback Pat White gets a chance to beat a team from his home state of Alabama.

Oct. 25: Georgia at LSU (TBA)
The Bulldogs and Tigers have played in two of the past five SEC championship games, and the winner of this game might jump in the driver's seat of the conference race.

Oct. 25: Texas Tech at Kansas (TBA)
Red Raiders coach Mike Leach takes his high-powered offense to Lawrence, Kan., for the first of two very difficult road games in Big 12 play.

Oct. 25: Penn State at Ohio State (8 p.m. ET)
The Nittany Lions might be one of only three Big Ten teams that can challenge the Buckeyes this season. Ohio State blasted Penn State 37-17 at Happy Valley last season.

Upset alert: Alabama over Tennessee (TBA)

Week 10

Nov. 1: Georgia vs. Florida (TBA)
The Bulldogs finally beat the Gators 42-30 last season, winning in Jacksonville, Fla., for only the third time in 18 meetings. Florida has its sights set on revenge after the Dogs danced in the end zone in one of the most bizarre moments in the storied rivalry.

Nov. 1: Clemson at Boston College (TBA)
The Eagles beat the Tigers 20-17 at Death Valley last season to win the ACC's Atlantic Division. Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski believes his team might be better than everyone else thinks.

Upset alert: Notre Dame over Pittsburgh (2:30 p.m. ET)

Week 11

Nov. 8: Alabama at LSU (TBA)
Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban returns to Baton Rouge, La., for the first time. The Tigers beat their former coach's team 41-34 in last season's meeting in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Nov. 8: Cincinnati at West Virginia (TBA)
Pat White helped the Mountaineers run the Bearcats out of the Big East race last season by running for a pair of touchdowns in a 28-23 victory.

Nov. 8: Oklahoma State at Texas Tech (TBA)
After beating the Red Raiders 49-45 last season, Cowboys coach Mike Gundy screamed, "I'm a man!" After this year's meeting in Lubbock, Texas, Leach hopes he'll be able to scream, "I'm the man!"

Upset alert: California over USC (8 p.m. ET, ABC)

Week 12

Nov. 15: Ohio State at Illinois (TBA)
Last season, the Illini upset the Buckeyes 28-21 in Columbus, Ohio, nearly knocking Ohio State out of the BCS championship game. Coach Jim Tressel has to find a way to neutralize Illinois' spread offense.

Nov. 15: Georgia at Auburn (TBA)
The Tigers might be the last roadblock in Georgia's quest for a national championship. These teams have ended each other's championship hopes countless times during the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry.

Nov. 15: USC at Stanford (TBA)
The Cardinal stunned the Trojans 24-23 in the Coliseum last season, ending the Trojans' 35-game home winning streak.

Upset alert: South Carolina over Florida (TBA)

Week 13

Nov. 19: Ball State at Central Michigan (7 p.m., ESPN2)
The MAC's top two teams play in a game that might decide which team wins the MAC West. Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour and Ball State's Nate Davis are two of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country.

Nov. 22: Michigan at Ohio State (TBA)
Rodriguez can run for governor in Michigan if he ends the Wolverines' recent slide against Ohio State. The Buckeyes have won six of the past seven meetings.

Nov. 22: Texas Tech at Oklahoma (TBA)
The Red Raiders took a 27-7 lead in the first half of last season's 34-27 victory, beating the Sooners for the second time in a row at AT&T Jones Stadium. The loss knocked the Sooners out of the national championship race.

Upset alert: Utah over BYU (6 p.m. ET)

Week 14

Nov. 28: West Virginia at Pittsburgh (Noon ET, ABC)
Last season, the Panthers stunned the Mountaineers 13-9 in Morgantown, W. Va., knocking the Mountaineers out of the BCS championship game. The 101st meeting of the Backyard Brawl figures to be just as intense.

Nov. 28: Fresno State at Boise State (6 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
If the Bulldogs can get past a tough early schedule, which includes a road game at Rutgers and a home game against Wisconsin, they might still be in the BCS hunt when the play the Broncos on the blue turf.

Nov. 29: Kansas at Missouri (TBA)
The Tigers beat the Jayhawks 36-28 last season to win the Big 12 North. But Missouri still has revenge on its mind because Kansas received an at-large invitation to the Orange Bowl.

Upset alert: South Carolina over Clemson (TBA)

Week 15

Dec. 6: South Florida at West Virginia (TBA)
The Bulls and Mountaineers both climbed as high as No. 2 in the national rankings last season. Each team is good enough to get that high again this year.

Dec. 6: USC at UCLA (4:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel gets an up-close look at the dynasty he must overcome in Los Angeles. It will probably take a couple of more years until he's ready to compete with the Trojans.

Upset alert: Arizona over Arizona State (TBA)

State of the Rangers' Farm

2008-08-21T12:28:00.004-05:00

- After watching spare after spare make their major league debuts on the mound for the Rangers, I was calmed down and excited at the same time after reading this report from Newberg.

- I'm getting sick of watching soft-tossing, pitch to contact pitchers come up and spare us to death. Read this Top 20 and you immediately regain hope that yes, the Rangers do have strikeout pitchers who can touch 95+. And all of them are starters.

- A great team is built up the middle. Pitching, catching, center field, and middle infield. And the Rangers are stacked to the gills with all of this.

- This farm system makes my pants go crazy.

Farm Crop: Rangers' Top 20 Prospects

By Jamey Newberg / Special to MLB.com

Not long ago, a list of the legitimate frontline prospects in the Texas Rangers' farm system only went about four or five deep.
Not so these days.

Few teams are as flush in minor league talent as the Rangers are today. The combination of improved drafting (including a willingness to pay above slot to get the right player), a huge resurgence in the international market, and a Herschel Walker-esque flurry of trades in the last week of July 2007 has produced a massive influx of talent into the club's farm system the last couple years. The player development program has executed as well, providing a franchise-record-tying 16 rookies to the big leagues in 2008, and there's more on the way. Lots more.

Each week in this space I'll rank the top 20 prospects in the Rangers system, with two criteria: (1) only players who still have rookie eligibility (fewer than 130 big league at-bats or 50 innings pitched) are candidates for the list, and (2) in order to go as deep into the system as possible, I'll leave off players currently with the big league club. So while Warner Madrigal isn't eligible for this list, for instance, Max Ramirez is.

One other thought before launching into this initial Top 20 list, which I'll adjust each week as players assert themselves even further: I could make a case that there are farm systems in baseball right now whose Top 10 lists aren't as strong as the number 11-20 entries on the list that follows.

1. NEFTALI FELIZ, RHP, AA Frisco

The jump to AA may be the toughest in the minor leagues, but it hasn't tripped up the 20-year-old Feliz, who skipped High A altogether. He continues to strike out more than 10 batters per nine innings, has yet to allow a home run in eight AA starts, and punches up triple digits on the radar gun from time to time. Feliz threw five no-hit innings Tuesday night, improving his opponents' batting average for the year to .198.

2. DEREK HOLLAND, LHP, AA Frisco

The greatest breakthrough in the system this year, without question. In his first full season out of Wallace State Community College, Holland has lost one game in 24 starts between Low A, High A, and AA, sporting a 12-1, 2.40 record with 145 strikeouts and 36 walks in 138.2 innings. His power arsenal (featuring a fastball that sits 91-97) is playing up: Clinton opponents hit .228 off Holland, Bakersfield opponents hit .185, and Frisco opponents are hitting .156.

3. ELVIS ANDRUS, SS, AA Frisco

The youngest position player in the Texas League, Andrus hit .260 / .302 / .310 in April, .278/.343/.22 in May, .309/.385/.397 in June, and .330/.382/.423 in July. He's stolen 49 bases and makes every play defensively. Special player.

4. MICHAEL MAIN, RHP, Low A Clinton

Sidelined with a ribcage injury for the first half of the season, the 19-year-old Main has been dominant since returning, striking out more than a batter per inning and walking only a third as many. The Midwest League is hitting just .217 off the athletic righthander, who works in the mid-90s.

5. TAYLOR TEAGARDEN, C, AAA Oklahoma

Teagarden's year at the plate (.217/.331/.378 in the minors) has been less productive than his 2007 season, but he's a brilliant defender and one of the top catcher prospects in baseball, as evidenced by his selection to the Futures Game in July and Team USA as it competes in Beijing.

6. MAX RAMIREZ, C, AAA Oklahoma

If Justin Smoak hits .315/.415/.520 as a minor leaguer, he'll be on every publication's list of the best prospects in baseball. That's what Ramirez has done offensively in his five pro seasons, and he has shown this year that he's a better catcher than his reputation suggested. Great future.

7. JUSTIN SMOAK, 1B, Clinton

Power from both sides of the plate, good size, outstanding defender at first base. He'll be higher on this list in the spring. Signed minutes before last week's deadline, Smoak should never have fallen to Texas at number 11 in the draft. Perceived signability issues didn't scare the Rangers off.

8. ENGEL BELTRE, CF, Low A Clinton

The youngest position player in the Midwest League, Beltre is built like a middle infielder but throws like Josh Hamilton. Some view him as a leadoff hitter with game-changing speed (though he has alarmingly low walk rates), others think he will hit with middle-of-the-order power. A .208 hitter when Texas insisted that Boston include him with David Murphy and Kason Gabbard in the Eric Gagné trade, Beltre has hit .286 since joining the Rangers.

9. BLAKE BEAVAN, RHP, Low A Clinton

Pitching at age 19 in a league full of hitters three years older, Beaven is 9-6, 2.50 in 21 starts, walking only 1.5 batters per nine innings. Outstanding pro debut for the Irving product, whose ERA in his last nine starts is a sparkling 1.47.

10. KASEY KIKER, LHP, High A Bakersfield

Kiker, still just 20, is unfairly overlooked because of the massive influx of new talent since he arrived in 2006. Pitching against older competition in the hitter-friendly California League, the southpaw is 5-4, 4.18 with a 3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, posting a 2.39 ERA in the second half.

11. WILMER FONT, RHP, Rookie-Level Arizona League

The Rangers are exercising understandable caution with the 18-year-old, who stands a sturdy 6'4" and touches 98 on the radar gun. The club held him back in extended spring training with shoulder fatigue, and then a knee issue delayed his season until this week, when he showed up in the AZL. Font debuted in that league last year, racking up 61 strikeouts in 45.2 innings.

12. JULIO BORBON, CF, AA Frisco

A plus defender in center field, the Rangers envision Borbon as a leadoff hitter with gap power. So far, so good: one year into his pro career, he's hit over .300 and reached base at a .350 clip between High A and AA, stealing 49 bases in 65 tries.

13. MARTIN PEREZ, LHP, Short-Season A Spokane

Huge upside for the 17-year-old from Venezuela, whom Texas signed for nearly $600,000 last summer. Pitching against competition four to five years older this season, Perez has held his own in the Northwest League, striking out seven batters per nine innings and posting a 4.26 ERA.

14. NEIL RAMIREZ, RHP, Short-Season A Spokane

The 19-year-old, taken by Texas in the supplemental first round last summer, has 37 strikeouts in 32 innings this season, holding the Northwest League to a .164 batting average. Ramirez has electric stuff, featuring a mid-90s fastball-power curve combination that has elicited John Smoltz and A.J. Burnett comparisons.

15. WILFREDO BOSCAN, RHP, Short-Season A Spokane

Phenomenal season for the 18-year-old Venezuelan, who is 8-0, 3.02 with 59 strikeouts and an unfathomable eight walks in 56.2 innings, not to mention one of the best groundball rates of any starter in the system.

16. JOSE VALLEJO, 2B, AA Frisco

A standout defender with eye-opening range, good hands, and a strong arm, the 21-year-old is having his best year at the plate. A .253 hitter with five career home runs in four seasons coming into 2008, he's hitting .293 with 11 homers this year between High A and AA, to go along with 37 steals in 41 tries.

17. TOMMY HUNTER, RHP, AAA Oklahoma

His big league debut was shaky, but in what would otherwise be his junior season in college, Hunter has had a phenomenal year, going 12-8, 3.68 at the High A, AA, and AAA levels, getting into the seventh inning on average, issuing fewer than two walks per nine innings, and flashing a solid breaking ball.

18. GERMAN DURAN, IF, AAA Oklahoma

Don't be discouraged by the .225/.279/.363 line he put up in sporadic work for the Rangers this spring. The 24-year-old was impressive defensively and showed some pop at the plate. Suffering a season-ending thumb injury in July, he's a candidate for a big league utility role going into 2009.

19. CRISTIAN SANTANA, LF, Low A Clinton

The former catcher has had a difficult season, striking out more than a third of the time and hitting just .223/.288/.392. There's still plenty of time for the 19-year-old, who has 15 home runs in 422 pro at-bats, but he'll be expected to take a step forward in 2009.

20. ROBBIE ROSS, LHP, Unassigned

Signed for mid-first-round money last week, the 2008 second-rounder won't make his pro debut until 2009. A short but athletic fastball-slider-change pitcher, Ross will report to the Rangers' fall instructional league program next month and give Texas its first chance to work with the newest member of its growing stable of promising lefthanders.

- Same cast of characters back for another mediocre season. The sudden decline into an average team is painful to watch.

Devean George agrees to two-year deal with Dallas Mavericks

07:56 PM CDT on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
By BRANDON GEORGE / The Dallas Morning News
bgeorge@dallasnews.com

Devean George is staying in Dallas, after all.

George and the Mavericks reached an agreement Wednesday on a new, two-year contract worth about $4 million, according to George's agent, Mark Bartelstein. Bartelstein said the deal includes an option for George to return to free agency after next season.

"He's excited about returning to the Mavericks," Bartelstein said. "He's excited about playing for [new coach] Rick Carlisle. Rick made a great impression on him and came to visit him a couple of times."

The signing of George, who turns 31 on Aug. 29, leaves the Mavs with one open roster spot. The 6-8 guard/forward was on the roster last season, earning roughly $2.3 million.

George averaged 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 53 games last season. He has averaged 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds over nine NBA seasons, the first seven with the Los Angeles Lakers.

At least six other teams showed interest in George in free agency.

For a while, it appeared George would be headed elsewhere. The Mavs' roster was filling up, and George had controversially refused in February to be included in a trade with New Jersey for Jason Kidd.

Fans booed George during a Feb. 13 game at American Airlines Center for his refusal to be included in the trade. The Mavs wound up acquiring Kidd in another deal, but it cost team owner Mark Cuban in excess of $11 million more than the proposed trade involving George would have.

Mavericks president Donnie Nelson said earlier this month that fans shouldn't "hold out a lot of hope" of the team resigning George because the two sides were so far apart on the numbers.

However, Bartelstein said "there was an interest on both sides all along to keep him in Dallas.

"'DG' has done a good job as a defensive specialist for us," Cuban said. "We think he can be even better under Coach Carlisle."

- McLovin

- A total bad ass

Deadline Day

2008-07-31T09:52:00.005-05:00

- Deadline day is here. After robbing the bank last year, Jon Daniels seems to be (and should be) content on just standing pat, unless someone blows him away with offers of young pitching.

- After stealing David Murphy (for Gagne) and Max Ramirez (for Lofton), along with the Teixeira steal, JD has earned the right to be selective and not have the pressure to make a deal.

- ESPN looks at the most interesting 9 deals of the past 10 years, and the Rangers have 3 of the top 4.

The Boston Red Sox acquire reliever Eric Gagne from Texas for outfielders David Murphy and Engel Beltre and pitcher Kason Gabbard -- July 31, 2007

The quote: "We actually love our bullpen," says Boston manager Terry Francona. "We think it just got a lot better."

Red Sox fans rejoice over the addition of Gagne, who has 16 saves and a 2.16 ERA for the Rangers, to complement Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima at the back end of the bullpen.

Boston's glee is magnified because the Yankees were also pursuing Gagne but failed to land him because GM Brian Cashman refused to part with Ian Kennedy or Melky Cabrera to clinch the deal.

The postscript: The Red Sox went on to win their second World Series in four years, so it's tough to knock GM Theo Epstein for the trade. But Gagne was so bad in Boston, the Red Sox were scared to use him in big spots down the stretch. He now serves as a cautionary tale for executives who are wary of paying extortion prices for high-profile bullpen arms.

Texas, meanwhile, loves its end of the deal. Murphy has 14 homers and 66 RBIs this season, and he has played better than expected from a guy who was considered a fourth outfielder. Beltre, a mere 18, is hitting .282 with 20 stolen bases for Clinton in the Class A Midwest League.

Atlanta acquires first baseman Mark Teixeira and reliever Ron Mahay from Texas for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, shortstop Elvis Andrus and minor league pitchers Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison and Beau Jones -- July 31, 2007

The headline: "Brave Heart -- By Nabbing Teixeira, Schuerholz Proves He's the Alpha GM" (New York Post)

Braves GM John Schuerholz, the proverbial lion in winter, earns widespread praise for landing the big stick on the market. The consensus is that Teixeira will combine with Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones -- who's driven by a potentially huge free-agent payday -- to make Atlanta the front-runner in the division.

It's a heck of a coup for the Braves, considering that: (a) Julio Franco had been playing first base before Teixeira's arrival; and (b) Schuerholz also acquired Octavio Dotel for the underachieving Kyle Davies to upgrade Atlanta's bullpen for the stretch run.

The postscript: Teixeira drove in 56 runs in 54 games with Atlanta. But the Braves, 4½ games out at the time of the trade, finished five behind Philadelphia in the division. And now Schuerholz's successor, Frank Wren, has responded to a lost season by trading Teixeira to the Angels before this year's deadline.

Texas' haul from Atlanta looks good even though Saltalamacchia has yet to hit as advertised. Andrus, only 19 years old, is hitting .291 for Frisco in the Double-A Texas League. And Feliz, who recently turned 20, throws a fastball that has been clocked at triple digits. He has 127 strikeouts in 102 minor league innings this season.

Along with the Gagne deal, the Teixeira trade helped GM Jon Daniels rebuild the Texas farm system and regain some of the goodwill he lost with that Adrian Gonzalez-Chris Young San Diego fiasco.

- Texas acquires outfielders Carlos Lee and Nelson Cruz from Milwaukee for reliever Francisco Cordero, outfielders Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix, and minor league pitcher Julian Cordero -- July 29, 2006

The quote: "I was so excited I couldn't sleep," said Texas owner Tom Hicks after receiving a 1:30 a.m. call telling him the team had acquired Lee.

Two days after the Rangers are swept by the Yankees, Daniels makes it clear he hasn't quit on the season. He adds a premier middle-of-the-order bat in Lee, who became available after spurning a four-year, $48 million contract offer from Milwaukee.

Daniels' bold move sends the desired jolt of energy through the Texas clubhouse. "I'm real excited this club is really going for it right now," says shortstop Michael Young.

The postscript: In hindsight, Hicks should have rolled over and gone back to sleep. Lee hit .322 with a .525 slugging percentage as a Ranger. But the pitching staff ranked 29th in the majors in ERA, Texas finished 80-82, and manager Buck Showalter paid for it by getting fired. In November 2006, Lee signed a six-year, $100 million contract with Houston.

The Brewers regarded Mench as a linchpin to the deal. But after hitting 51 homers during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, Mench arrived in Milwaukee wielding a Nerf bat. He hit nine homers in 414 at-bats to play his way out of town, and he's been little more than an afterthought in Toronto.

Cordero might have been the biggest beneficiary of the trade. He parlayed a strong finish with Milwaukee into a four-year, $46 million free-agent contract with Cincinnati.

- Rangers only looking for pitching if they're going to deal one of their veterans or young catchers.

Texas Rangers only want to get their mitts on pitching

02:32 AM CDT on Thursday, July 31, 2008
By EVAN GRANT / The Dallas Morning News
egrant@dallasnews.com

ARLINGTON – A year ago, the Texas Rangers baseball operations staff spent the final hours of the non-waiver trading period formulating, constructing and tweaking complicated multiplayer deals designed to restock the farm system.

General manager Jon Daniels' plan for this year's deadline is much simpler.

Either the Rangers will get quality young pitching or they'll keep their wealth of catchers at least until the off-season. Though Daniels continues to hold conversations, particularly with Cincinnati, Boston and Kansas City, the chances of completing a deal are slim.

The trading period expires today at 3 p.m. Central time. To make a deal after the deadline, players must clear waivers.

"It's not a well-kept secret that we've placed a priority on quality young pitching," Daniels said Wednesday. "If we do something, we want it to be somebody that can help us now and in the future.

"[Catching] is probably the area about which we've had the most conversation. I haven't initiated any of them. And I don't plan to. We have depth there and good players. We are not motivated to make a deal unless it is something that makes us a better club going forward."

The Rangers have catchers to satisfy the needs of just about any team, and that's why they've been such a popular destination. For clubs seeking a veteran, Gerald Laird has four years of experience and an inexpensive contract. Cincinnati has expressed the most interest in him but probably would have to give up top pitching prospect Homer Bailey of LaGrange, Texas, to get a deal done.

For building clubs, there is 23-year-old Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who could mature into an everyday player. Kansas City is looking to improve its stock of position players and might be willing to consider trading its top starter, Zack Greinke, if it received a package of players.

And for teams seeking a catcher of the future, there is Taylor Teagarden, on loan to Team USA for the Olympics.

Boston is looking for a potential replacement for Jason Varitek, a free agent at the end of the year. The Red Sox, who have a deep minor league system, and Rangers cut a deadline deal last year that sent Eric Gagne to Boston. Minor league right-hander Michael Bowden, who reportedly was among the names discussed in last year's deal, could be of interest again.

But in return for any of their catchers, the Rangers want – and need – more starting pitching. Though Daniels said there have been proposals with clubs that revolved around position players, most deals have centered on getting pitching in return. Prying away young pitching has been hard to do in this trading season.

"It's a limited market," said Daniels, who declined to comment on specifics of any deals.

Although the Rangers would like to upgrade a pitching staff that began the day with a 5.26 ERA, he said the club isn't likely to add a free agent-to-be "rental" player. The Rangers will, however, watch free agent Freddy Garcia, who is coming back from shoulder surgery, work out next week, Daniels said.

If the trade market does not produce the kind of pitching the Rangers want, the club could wait until the winter when more teams may be in the market for catching.

"We do put a high value on our guys," Daniels said. "The interest we've received only serves as affirmation of that."

- Rangers win again, close to within 4.5 games of the wild card.....

Young comes through in a pinch in Texas Rangers' 4-3 win

01:47 AM CDT on Thursday, July 31, 2008
By RICHARD DURRETT / The Dallas Morning News
rdurrett@dallasnews.com

ARLINGTON – Even a stiff, fractured right ring finger wasn't enough to keep Michael Young from making an impact in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Seattle.

He couldn't start because of the finger and didn't even put on his uniform until the seventh inning. He'd been watching the game on TV with his finger in an ice bucket. But when manager Ron Washington needed his leader to step in and deliver in his first pinch-hit appearance in nearly six years, Young was ready.

He needed just one swing, sending a fly ball to center off reliever Arthur Rhodes that scored David Murphy from third in the eighth to break a tie score. It was Young's first pinch-hit RBI in seven career appearances.

"I was pretty jacked up," said Young, who helped his team move 4 ½ games behind in the wild-card race. "I hadn't ever pinch hit in that kind of situation. I had to take some deep breaths."

Young's heroics, which reminded him of his winning hit in the All-Star Game in 2006, wouldn't have happened without starter Vicente Padilla and a patient Rangers offense.

The deliberate Padilla managed to get through the seventh inning despite loading the bases with no outs (two infield singles and a hit batsman). Murphy caught Raul Ibanez's fly ball and threw out Willie Bloomquist trying to score. Padilla then struck out Adrian Beltre.

It was just the 20th time a Rangers starter went at least seven innings this season. Padilla has done it eight times.

That helped set the stage for the eighth. The Rangers, who were tied for second in the AL in pitches per plate appearance (3.86) coming into the game, were patient against Rhodes, a left-hander. Murphy, Josh Hamilton and Marlon Byrd each walked on 3-2 pitches before Young drove in the winning run. Rhodes was yelling at plate umpire Paul Nauert and was ejected.

The Nomadic Punk moves on

2008-07-30T13:07:00.004-05:00

- Mark Teixeira moves on to his 3rd team in 1 year, and will be expected to suit up for his 4th team by Spring Training 2009.

- As has been written here many times, this guy is a poison pill to the highest degree.

- He cares nothing about his team, his city, his teammates, fans, and anyone else outside of himself. He plays not for team championships, not for passion, not for pride, etc. He plays for the highest bidder and develops absolutely no connection with his surroundings.

- He's basically a younger A-Rod.

- What's sad is, the guy is a legit hitting/fielding superstar. Gold Glove ability, and a 40 HR/150 RBI machine. But no one seems to want him, and are happy to ship him away.

- What will be fun to watch will be his side-stepping of contract questions by the LA media. The spin control stays the same, even when the cities change.

- Bash Jon Daniels all you want, but last year's trade could have been his best move of his entire career. If the 5 minor leaguers keep progressing like they are, he will never make another move this in his career. We're talking a potential baseball version of the Herschel Walker trade, the trade that laid the groundwork for the Cowboy's Championship run of the 90's.

- Buster Olney's analysis. Notice the final statement in the write-up.

Braves' '07 deal for Teixeira now a bust

Wednesday, July 30, 2008 | Feedback | Print Entry

It was a year ago that the Atlanta Braves traded five pieces of their farm system to the Texas Rangers for Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay. The hope then was that Teixeira would return to the city where he went to college and thrive and hoist Atlanta to October glory.
And Teixeira did hammer the ball in August and September, driving in 56 runs after he joined the Braves. But Atlanta's starting pitching crumbled and didn't make it to October. The Braves slogged through more injuries at the beginning of this season, when Teixeira didn't hit. And he balked at signing a multi-year deal to stay in Atlanta.

With the trade deadline looming and Teixeira only a couple of months away from achieving free agency, first-year Braves GM Frank Wren, who took over for John Schuerholz last fall, was left to make the best of a bad situation. Yes, the Braves checked in with a number of teams on Teixeira, but that's a long way from serious and aggressive interest, and in the end Wren had to choose between a couple of flawed offers. He wanted Conor Jackson from the Diamondbacks, but Arizona offered Chad Tracy instead.

So Wren took the Casey Kotchman proposal from the Angels, which was made possible only because Kotchman has generally failed to reach expectations.
If Kotchman -- the younger, cheaper player -- had been generating more than his .327 on-base percentage and his .448 slugging percentage, the Angels would not have considered making this deal. But the Angels' first basemen are 22nd in OPS and 22nd in RBIs this season, so they were willing to ship three years of Kotchman, who won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2011 season, for two months of Teixeira.

Maybe Kotchman will take a major step forward in Atlanta, or maybe not. Either way, we are one step closer to tabulating the Braves' final bill on Teixeira. In his one year with the team, the Braves went 77-83, and ranked 13th in runs per game in the big leagues. Meanwhile, the five players they shipped to Texas are making their own journeys:

• Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the switch-hitting catcher, is hitting .232, and increasingly, there are questions about how much he's going to hit in the big leagues.
• Left-hander Matt Harrison is 2-1 with a 7.32 ERA with the Rangers.
• Elvis Andrus, a slick-fielding shortstop, is hitting .291 with 43 stolen bases in Double-A.
• Lefty Beau Jones has a 2.93 ERA in Class A.
• Right-handed pitcher Neftali Feliz is 8-3 with a 2.46 ERA this season and has reached Double-A, and has racked up 127 strikeouts in 102 1/3 innings.

Feliz may turn out to have the biggest impact in the majors, and Andrus and Saltalamacchia are poised to have long careers in the big leagues. Time will tell on Harrison and Jones, but as a group, there is the great potential for low-price quality service in the majors, for years to come.

So there is no way that the Teixeira deal could be looked at as anything but an enormous bust for the Braves, and an enormous success for the Rangers and general manager Jon Daniels. The Braves made an aggressive, bold move in an effort to win, and the effort backfired. You can bet that other general managers will remember this when they are similarly tempted in the months and years to come, as they consider similar deals for stars marching toward free agency, like a Matt Holliday or a Prince Fielder.

The trade of Teixeira had to be done, writes Mark Bradley. Kotchman considers the trade a blessing, because it probably means he'll get to play more regularly.
Meanwhile, a couple of the Atlanta pitchers are going to get checked out by Dr. James Andrews. Atlanta got wrecked on Tuesday, fielding a depleted lineup. Within this Carroll Rogers piece, there is word of an odd scene in the Atlanta clubhouse:

(Inside the clubhouse, it was awkward. An hour before the game, with teammates in earshot, Teixeira gushed to reporters that the Angels were "the best team in baseball." While also being complimentary of his former teammates, it had a strange ring. Braves coaches recognized the situation and ushered Braves players into other areas of the clubhouse.)

- What started out as a promising career in 2004, will more than likely end in disappoint this Winter when the Rangers decline Hank Blalock's option.

Hank Blalock's time with the Texas Rangers may be done

By GIL LeBRETONglebreton@star-telegram.com

ARLINGTON — They ran out of time, ran out of hope and ran out of imaginary excuses to protect Hank Blalock’s Texas Rangers career Tuesday night.

When Blalock revealed before the game that his throwing shoulder has been bothering him since Friday, when the third baseman expressed surprise that it had been announced that he missed Monday’s game because of a stomach ache, and when Blalock had to be placed — again — on the disabled list Tuesday, the implications became ominous.

No, the veteran won’t be getting traded this week in exchange for somebody’s hot young pitching prospect.

No, carpal tunnel syndrome apparently wasn’t the last of Blalock’s boundless physical issues.

And, yes, most ominously, his career with the Rangers, a seven-year run that included two All-Star games, could well be over.

He was trade bait. And what team is going to be in the market now for a third baseman who can’t throw?

By the time Blalock will be eligible to return from the disabled list, Thursday’s major league non-waivers trading deadline will have passed.

An announcement was made during Tuesday’s win over the Seattle Mariners that Blalock has been given an injection and will be re-evaluated in 10 to 14 days. With little to show for his work at third base over the past two seasons, except for X-rays and rehab assignments, Blalock’s career at that position appears to be done.

"I think it’s too early to say that," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels countered Tuesday. "It’s concerning. We’ll just see how it plays out."

If Blalock does return to capable health — a long shot, based on his recent medical history — his prospects of rejoining the starting lineup would seem to be in jeopardy.

Rookie Chris Davis already has a two-fisted grip on the Rangers’ first base job. Davis could be moved temporarily to third base, but why would the Rangers do that, unless they plan to exercise a club option that would pay Blalock $6.2 million in 2009?

And on what wishful grounds would they base that decision? Blalock has played only 89 games in two seasons.

The Rangers are trying to turn the page to a brighter tomorrow. Hank hasn’t shown yet that he can be a dependable part of that.

His best bet was to get a fresh new start — somewhere over the rainbow, in, like, Minnesota.

That apparently was the motivation behind Monday night’s ham-handed decision to announce that Blalock’s last-minute scratch from the starting lineup was because of an "upset stomach."

"I erred in judgment in trying to protect one of my players," manager Ron Washington said before Tuesday’s game, "and I take the blame for that. I was just trying to protect one of my guys."

In a pregame meeting Tuesday with Washington, however, Blalock reportedly vividly expressed his displeasure that the club had concocted the stomach excuse.

"I can take responsibility for that," Washington said. "I didn’t want to put it out there that he had shoulder trouble, because I thought maybe that it would be well today. I didn’t want to put that out there, with him coming off the DL and everything.

"Sometimes, it’s not good to protect [someone]. I had to learn that the hard way."

Daniels, however, wouldn’t let Washington take the full blame for the deception.

"We had a call to make whether to protect a player or not," Daniels said. "No, he was not solely to blame."

Whatever. The Rangers aren’t the first local sports team to disguise the full details of a player’s injury. Daniels asserted that the club had no intentions of trading an injured player "without full disclosure."

Instead, the whole Stomach-Gate incident illustrates how earnestly the Rangers wanted to deal Blalock. It also sheds a brighter light on Blalock’s own sudden decision last month to shift to first base.

Too late now, of course. The clock is ticking on the trading deadline. And Hank Blalock is hurt — once again.

When he returns — if he returns — there is no place for him on these new Rangers, especially at $6.2 million next season and with nowhere to play him.

The finality of that, a popular player seeing his Rangers career at a likely final crossroads, cast an awkward and somber pall on Tuesday’s proceedings.

The fact that it was handled awkwardly didn’t help things.

- Unbelievablely awesome time-killer here....

http://watchthesimpsonsonline.com/

CJ the set-up man

2008-07-24T10:35:00.008-05:00

- CJ has lived on the edge all year. Sometimes it works out and he gets the save, and sometimes it explodes in his face. The rollercoaster continued last night.

- Why CJ is not a closer, and what a closer needs as compared to what CJ has.......

NEEDS -

1) Needs a cannon and the ability to strike people out with 2 pitches - Fastball must be 95+ and you must have an off speed killer pitch, either a change-up (it looks like the fastball, just slower, kills hitters), or a good curveball.

2) Needs the mentality - Nerves of steel, not rattled easily. Closers blow saves, even the good ones. But the great ones shake them off and come back to the mound the next night.

3) Needs quirkiness - Good closers are weird and nuts. Have to be.

4) Needs to be right handed - Unless you're throwing 99 mph and can blow people away, you have to be right handed. Most hitters in baseball are right handed, and most right handed batters hit lefty pitchers better than they do righty pitchers.

5) Needs to limit pitches - You have to get up there and go right at hitters and try to blow them away. The mentality is - here's my stuff, try to hit it. You cant try to dance around and outsmart a hitter. You'll throw too many pitches, and closers arent built to throw tons of pitches. The more they throw, the less effective they are.

WHAT CJ HAS -

- CJ has half of #1. He has a good fastball (95 mph), but he has no great secondary pitch to keep hitters off-balance.

- He has #2.

- He has #3.

- He doesn't have #4. He doesn't blow people away, so most right handed hitters can have success off him. This ties with #1. If he had a great 2nd pitch, he could get away with being a lefty closer who tops out at 95-96 mph with his fastball.

- He sure doesnt have #5. He tries to outthink hitters and nibble the corners. He's been the most effective this year when he's just gone right at guys. When he attacks the strike zone instead of dancing around trying to outsmart a hitter, he's pretty good.

The problem is, he doesn't do it enough. He's a former starting pitcher, and that's their mentality, to nibble and dance around the strike zone and outsmart hitters. You cant do it as a closer.

- Another reason- A hitter's mentality changes in the 9th inning when his team's down a few runs. His team needs base runners, so they are patient and don’t bite on pitches dancing around the strike zone. Earlier in the game, hitters take chances on those pitches and they swing more freely. But late in the game, they lay off those borderline pitches.

If CJ would just attack the strike zone right away and come at hitters, he'd be more effective (See his consecutive strike-outs of Jim Thome and Paul Konerko a few weeks ago). Instead, he walks a ton of batters and has baserunners on the majority of the time he’s pitching.

Summary -

Unless he develops a good 2nd pitch, he needs to be a set-up guy on a winning team. On the Rangers, he's the closer because it's all they have and they're not contenders. But if he's a corner-nibbling, lefty who throws 95 mph with no off-speed pitch, he's going to be just an average closer.

- Rangers lose a chance to win a series on the road against a 1st place team.

Karma, Quentin crush Texas Rangers, 10-8

12:29 AM CDT on Thursday, July 24, 2008
By RICHARD DURRETT / The Dallas Morning News
rdurrett@dallasnews.com

CHICAGO – If you listen to White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, it was those pesky baseball gods who doomed the Texas Rangers and closer C.J. Wilson in a 10-8 loss Wednesday.

Wilson entered with two outs and two on in the eighth after the usually reliable Eddie Guardado had given up two runs and couldn't find his command. Wilson's first pitch – he called it a "meat ball" – was blasted by Carlos Quentin over the left-field wall to give the White Sox the lead for good.

Guillen wasn't yelling at Wilson from the dugout this time. He was ejected a few innings earlier for arguing balls and strikes. Maybe he was cheering in front of the television in his office.

He was asked if winning the game against Wilson meant more to him.

"Not to me," Guillen said. "But I think for the team, yes. They might not say it, but they should.

"... Always out there is the baseball gods. Be careful what you do and what you say in this game because he's going to get you back."

Guillen yelled at Wilson during the last series in Arlington after Wilson showed emotion in getting out of a jam in the ninth to win a game. Guillen felt it was unprofessional and showed disrespect to his players.

Wilson said Wednesday's loss wasn't any tougher because it was to the White Sox.

But it was tough in general. Kevin Millwood, as has become a pattern, left the game early. His right groin tightened up in the second inning and he was taken out after giving up three runs in 12/3 innings.

"It got bad enough to where I couldn't push off, and I wasn't going to do us any good that way," Millwood said. "It's annoying. It's frustrating. I want to get it taken care of and be able to pitch without worrying about it."

It was the 11th time this season a Rangers starter hasn't completed the third inning. The Rangers are 4-7 in those games. For Millwood, it was the fifth time an injury has forced him to leave a start – twice because of a bruised shin and three times with groin issues.

The injury led to overtime innings for the most-used bullpen in baseball. Josh Rupe, Warner Madrigal and Jamey Wright came through, but Guardado couldn't hold the three-run lead. He put the blame on himself, not any baseball gods.

"I didn't get the job done, plain and simple," Guardado said. "It's frustrating when that happens. I could not find the zone, and when I did, I was behind and they hit the ball."

The Rangers, for their part, hit the ball, too. An offense that was struggling to hit consistently, scored six two-out runs and was aggressive on the bases with four steals. It wasn't enough, though, to overcome the White Sox heroics. Or the baseball gods.

- Dillwood hurt again, there goes his trade-ability.....

Texas Rangers' Millwood ends start early

08:46 PM CDT on Wednesday, July 23, 2008
By RICHARD DURRETT / The Dallas Morning News
rdurrett@dallasnews.com

CHICAGO – It didn't take pitching coach Mark Connor long to figure out something was bothering starter Kevin Millwood. After Millwood walked two consecutive batters with two outs in the second inning, Connor made a visit and immediately signaled to manager Ron Washington and assistant trainer Kevin Harmon to come out to the mound.

Millwood felt his right groin tighten – a recurring problem the last few months – and he left. Washington said Millwood will be examined today. If Millwood can't pitch in his regular slot Monday, the club could turn to Scott Feldman or Luis Mendoza, who pitched four innings Tuesday.

Feldman is supposed to pitch out of the bullpen but made a spot start for RHP Eric Hurley on Monday. He gave up one run in six innings in a win over the White Sox.

Hurley expected to start Sunday: Hurley, who is on the disabled list with a hamstring strain but was scratched from his last start because of a sore arm and stiff shoulder, appears on track to start Sunday in Oakland. Hurley said he has felt good throwing off flat ground from various distances the last few days.

Davis showing power: 1B Chris Davis has eight home runs since he was called up June 26, the most in the AL since that date. "His power is legit," Washington said. "It's not just BP [batting practice] power." Davis is pleased with his power production but said he still has "a lot of work to do."

He pointed to Tuesday's second inning as an example. He grounded out to pitcher Mark Buehrle on an 0-1 count with a runner at third and one out.

"I got a little impatient," Davis said. "That was the first time I faced Buehrle, and I should have taken some more pitches there. I was pretty disappointed I didn't get that run in."

But he did homer off Buehrle in the eighth, his third homer off a left-hander this season.

Briefly: OF Milton Bradley was hit in the left forearm in the seventh and didn't hit in the ninth. He's listed as day-to-day. ... The Rangers agreed to terms with 2008 fifth-round draft pick OF Clark Murphy from Fallbrook (Calif.) High School and seventh-round selection RHP Matt Thompson, who lives in Burleson and attended Grace Prep Academy. ... ESPN has picked up the Rangers' home game against the Yankees on Wednesday, Aug. 5. FSNSW also will broadcast the game.

- Trade deadline talk from Master Newberg.....

Last year at this time, the likelihood of the Rangers being central figures in the trade market was much greater than it is today, not just because the club isn’t hopelessly out of the hunt this time around but also because Texas has fewer obvious trade pieces right now. On the one hand, it seems unlikely that the Rangers would part with blue-chip prospects for a veteran unless it were an impact player who would be under control for multiple years (not many of those available), and on the other hand, given where the team is right now, there may not be an active effort to trade a veteran who is a key part of the lineup or staff unless the offer is overwhelming.

But seeing national writers report, for instance, that the Yankees are calling about Gerald Laird, that the Dodgers have joined a couple other teams showing interest in Hank Blalock, and that there are any number of contenders that could use Eddie Guardado, and figuring that another gem out of Vicente Padilla tomorrow night could make him as valuable as any starting pitcher on the market, I find myself fired up that A.J. Preller and Don Welke work for my team.

The thing I love about the Yankees, as an example, showing interest in something we have is that I’m comfortable that Preller and Welke probably know New York’s international kids as well as anyone in the Yankees’ own front office. Slight exaggeration.

When the 2007 season began, 18-year-old righthander Neftali Feliz was ranked by Baseball America as Atlanta’s number 18 prospect (lower than Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison, and Beau Jones, by the way), having only 29 stateside innings under his belt.

When the 2007 season began, 17-year-old outfielder Engel Beltre was ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s number 20 prospect. He had yet to play a pro inning.

Less than four months into the season, they were Rangers property, Feliz after another 27.1 short-season innings, Beltre after a pedestrian 125-at-bat run (.208/.310/.400) in short-season ball.

But it’s not all about what your pro scouts can envision when watching other organization’s kids play Gulf Coast League and Appy League games. Preller and Welke knew all about Feliz and Beltre well before they signed with the Braves and Red Sox.

Now, that’s not to suggest that those teams didn’t know what they had in Feliz and Beltre (or that other teams weren’t aware of them). Recall this note from Peter Gammons after the Gagné trade:

“The biggest holdup in the Gagné deal, other than working out his negotiated rights to refuse a deal to Boston, was 17-year-old outfielder Engel Beltre. When Epstein went to bed at 2 a.m. Tuesday morning, he had refused to include Beltre in the trade, so on Tuesday morning, the Rangers still were down to the Brewers ― who were on Gagné’s list of teams to which he could be traded ― and the Red Sox. But Epstein decided a 17-year-old kid a half-dozen years from the big leagues probably was worth including for a shot to win the World Series. ‘When Theo called and said he would put Beltre in the deal, it was down to the no-trade language and the paperwork,’ Daniels said. That paperwork was so complicated that it almost was not completed by the 4 p.m. deadline.”

Let me put this another way.

Even if Texas doesn’t make a major trade in the next seven days, and does nothing except maybe find a new home for Frank Catalanotto, we won’t be getting someone’s Chad Reineke back.

And if Preller and Welke worked for the Padres, they wouldn’t have, either.

If only for 1 night

2008-05-15T09:46:00.002-05:00

- Wow. If that's the last home game of the Star's season, I'll take that and ride off. What an atmosphere. Tons of intensity. Tons of standing in the crowd. Tons of chanting. You never would have guessed that the Stars were down 0-3 in the series.

- This playoff run has re-ignited a fan base and re-introduced a city to the Stars. Although it shouldn't be hard for people to like this team and these guys. No prima-donnas who create public or private rifts in the team. No huge salaries with huge egos. (Outside of Brad Richards, but he's about as non-controversial as they get). Just a blue collar team in every sense of the word. How can people not enjoy and get behind this team?

- Mike Modano played probably his best game of the postseason. A game after getting beat up pretty good on a hit against the boards, there he was, at 37 years old, knocking in a vintage 1-timer for the game winner. Putting in 18 minutes of ice time. Making cross-ice passes that only he can do. He's simply amazing. And if this was his final game at the AAC, what a way to go out.

- The Stars finally got a clutch, shut down game from a rookie defenseman. Nik Grossman played out of his mind last night. He was physical, knocked Holmstrom around and out of the crease all night, won loose puck battles in his own zone, and just was a prototypical shut-down defenseman. The Stars may have found their new Derian Hatcher.

- Mike Ribeiro. 11 faceoffs. 10 wins. Phenomenal.

- Marty. I'm pretty sure you could chalk up some of those saves as nothing but pure luck. But superior skill breeds superior luck. He made great saves, and got lucky with some pucks just floating in and around the goal-line. In a series where he has gotten no breaks, it was great to watch things finally go his way. He's definitely talented enough to get luck like that. So I say, it's about time.

- Morrow - the captain further adds to his legend. A game after looking he should have a bone sticking out of his forearm, he's out there banging away, leading the team, and scoring goals. Simply amazing.

- Henrik Zetterberg is scary to watch. I put him on the same level as Crosby, Ovechkin, and the like. You hold your breath when he has the puck. Because there's a 75% chance something bad is about to happen to your team. He's unreal.

- What I loved is that when Detroit flipped the switch into motivated, crank it up mode in the 3rd period, the Stars were able to weather it and survive it. And score 2 goals and ice the game. Very impressive.

- The crease violation by Holmstrom seemed to be BS. But I look at it as make-up for Game 1 in which Holmstrom committed a clear violation that went uncalled and pretty much sealed the loss for Dallas. He's still a punk.

- All in all, I just wanted 1 more game. At this point, I'm so far up in casino winnings, that Game 5 on Saturday is like that prime steak dinner the pit boss just gave me at the Horseshoe Casino.

- I wanted to see fight, passion, and intensity. I wanted to see the Stars give the home crowd even more reason to love this team. I wanted a fitting end to a great season, which was a stirring home victory. Go let the handshake happen up north. I wanted one more watching party on Saturday. I don't want this season to end. But if it ends Saturday, what a ride it's been.

- Seeing a local Dallas team overachieve is a beautiful thing to watch.

Still a prayer vs. Wings: Dallas Stars win Game 4, 3-1

02:30 AM CDT on Thursday, May 15, 2008
By MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News

Marty Turco has been a lot like his team this season – embattled.

The Stars goalie has fought ups and downs, playoff demons, and critics who want more – and he has overcome most challenges.

But the one poltergeist that has chased him throughout his career comes dressed in red, so it was particularly sweet for Turco and his teammates when they beat the Detroit Red Wings, 3-1, Wednesday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals at American Airlines Center.

Turco pushed his career record against Detroit to 3-13-5 and became the first goalie since Ed Belfour in 1998 to beat the Red Wings when they had the chance to eliminate an opponent (a run of 12 consecutive wins).

"He's played phenomenal hockey against every team in the league, but for some reason, Detroit hasn't been on his list," center Steve Ott said.

"And tonight, he proved to himself and he proved to us boys in here that it doesn't matter who he faces. He's the same guy and the same goalie, and he's just a great, great competitor."

The Stars said they proved a lot to themselves with the victory. Yes, they are still facing a daunting task of coming back against the Red Wings with a 3-1 series deficit. Yes, they head up to Joe Louis Arena on Saturday – a place where Turco has never won in the NHL. Yes, they grabbed a huge break when officials disallowed a Pavel Datsyuk goal in the second period.

But the Stars say they were put in a tough situation and responded. Loui Eriksson scored with 22.7 seconds left in the second period on a drive to the net to give Dallas its first lead of the series. But that lead lasted only 49 seconds into the third period, when Henrik Zetterberg whipped a shot past Turco's glove to tie the score.

In past games, that would have been enough to break the Stars' back. In this one, it strengthened their resolve.

"We just weren't going to give up, that's all there was to it," defenseman Stephane Robidas said. "We didn't know if we would win or lose, but we weren't going to give up."

Dallas, applying the desperate pressure of a team backed to the elimination wall, drew a tripping penalty on Brian Rafalski and scored on the ensuing power play.

Mike Modano scored from the slot to give the Stars and their fans life.

"When you're in the situation we are, where there's no tomorrow, you might as well keep playing," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "It's that little extra desire in the third period. You just love to see that ... the character of the group."

This time, the Stars kept the lead and even expanded upon it. Brenden Morrow added his ninth goal of the playoffs with a wrister from the slot, and the Stars had their fans – and themselves – believing.

Still, there was one more challenge to bat away, and that fell in Turco's lap. Morrow and Modano each took penalties in the final three minutes, and Dallas had to kill a 6-on-3 after Detroit pulled its goalie.

Turco ran his save total up to 33 as he shut the door.

"You lose, you go home ... it's going to be like that for a while," Turco said. "Going back to Detroit ... it's nothing short of an exciting challenge for all of us, and for me personally."

Just unfair

2008-05-13T09:35:00.005-05:00

- It just seems unfair to play these guys. How can a salary cap-era team be this good?

- It was like they were just toying with the Stars all night. Letting them tie the game twice, and then promptly slamming the door shut on them.

- Case in point - Modano whips a bad ass back hand pass across Osgood right to Grossman who slams it in for a 1-1 tie. The Stars worked hard as hell for almost a minute in Detroit's end, working hard, working the puck, holding it for as long as they have all postseason, and got rewarded with a goal. It was a satisfying sequence. And the crowd was electric.

- The towels hadn't stopped waving in the crowd and Detroit goes right down the ice (after winning the face off of course) and scores 37 seconds later. Air out of the building, and from then on, the same intensity they had been seen to open the game was gone.

- The Stars played with passion, with aggression, and had awesome puck control. And put a ton of pressure on Detroit for 2 periods. They looked like a team that was playing as good as it had all postseason. But it didn't matter, Detroit was that much better.

- It's just depressing to watch. The Stars are working their asses off to score a goal, and to make this thing a game/series. And it just seems like Detroit can roll out any one of 4 lines out there and score at will. They are never worried.

- What's also depressing is, in the past 2 games, the Stars have played with energy and passion, they just aren't scoring on golden chances, and are learning that they're just not good enough to win these games.

- Nik Hagman is writing his own Dallas obituary. He's making it very easy for management to let him go this off season. He's had more chances than any player on the ice in these 3 games, and has nothing to show for it. Add a dumb penalty last night, and it's safe to say that the Stars will let him walk.

- The difference between these 2 teams? Detroit slams home their golden chances because they have 4 lines of ridiculously talented 2-way players. And Dallas has only 1 or 2 lines of talented players. (Who are still a level below Detroit).

- What's sad is, the Stars really do have good offensive and defensive talent. They were better than a division winner, and a defending Cup Champion. But Detroit is just that much better, and is making Dallas look like an expansion team. They're that good.

- Detroit has 4 or 5 legit lines that threaten you non-stop. You can't defend that. You just can't.

- The rookie defenseman are just having a miserable series. You can get away things against San Jose and Anaheim, but Detroit will eat your lunch. Game 1 it was Mark Fistric making mistakes that lead to 3 goals. And last night it was Matt Niskanen who allowed the backbreaking goal on a premature exit from the ice before the puck was cleared out of the zone.

- I said before the series that the rookies were likely to get exposed. That Detroit's stars eat rookie defenseman alive. Well there you go.

- Another thing that makes Detroit what they are. Jiri Hudler, a no-name, scores on a shot that I'm not sure anyone outside of maybe Ribeiro, Richards, or Modano can make. A breakaway backhanded shot over Turco's shoulder. The thing is, if that spare (relative to the other Detroit players) can make that shot, the WHOLE team can as well.

- All in all, a great season, a great postseason, expectations were met and exceeded 10-fold, and I will be grateful for the good times provided this year. No way I thought when I became a ticket holder back in August 2007 that I would be attending a Western Conference Final game at the AAC in May 2008. I got more out of this year than I could have ever imagined. I'm just going to enjoy it one last time tomorrow night, take it all in, and thank the Stars for a wonderful 9 month joyride.

Dallas Stars' Turco has a Game 3 to forget

04:00 AM CDT on Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The Dallas Stars got nearly everything they were seeking when the Western Conference finals shifted back to Dallas on Monday.

The fact that Detroit won, 5-2, suggests that maybe the Stars are looking for something that isn't out there.

They got the better scoring chances early, outshooting the Red Wings, 5-0, in the first few minutes. They got the Red Wings to take penalties, giving Dallas a seven-minute edge in power-play time.

They won 43 percent of the faceoffs, which may sound awful given that they were at home, but after winning 38 and 29 percent in Games 1 and 2, at least the Stars got to play with the puck a little more frequently.

And they limited the team that gets the most shots on goal to 21 shots, their fewest in the postseason by five.

But they lost, 5-2, because they didn't get one thing they have lacked in this series.

They didn't get stand-on-his-head goaltending from Marty Turco.

It was strange to see him looking so 2005 playoffs vulnerable in net here, the first game back at American Airlines Center since he delivered one of the best goaltending nights in Stars history. Turco stopped 61 of 62 shots against San Jose last week, allowing the Stars to advance to the conference finals with that four-overtime victory.

Turco stopped 16 of 21 shots Monday.

It was nothing like the Turco who outplayed Anaheim's Jean-Sebastien Giguere and San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov. Nothing at all.

That's not to say the Red Wings aren't the better team. Their skill players perform at a level that the Stars are unable to get to.

Or defend.

Pavel Datsyuk's hat trick, Henrik Zetterberg's short-handed goal and two assists – this is a two-man wrecking crew that apparently doesn't even need Johan Franzen, who was leading the team in goals before missing Games 2 and 3 with a concussion.

"They put Datsyuk and Zetterberg and [Tomas] Holmstrom out there with [Nicklas] Lidstrom and [Brian] Rafalski – that's probably the five best guys I've seen or played against in a long time," center Mike Modano said.

And when that group creates chances, they bury them in the net, not in Turco's pads.

"I'm not sure what's going on other than the obvious of just getting outscored and not doing enough," Turco said. "My perspective is pretty simple. I'm out there just worrying about what I need to do.

"And it just hasn't been good enough for me. We're 0-3, so obviously I haven't been giving the team their best chance to win."

The Red Wings have had five multiple-goal periods against Turco out of nine tries. We saw nothing like that from the Ducks and Sharks, but then the Red Wings are a heck of a lot better than the Ducks and Sharks.

There's a reason this team wins the Presidents' Trophy more often of late than Tiger Woods wins majors. They're better than everyone else, and after frustrating playoff losses to Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton and the Ducks again the last four years, the Wings are determined to prove it when it counts.

If the Stars have any hope – and I'm talking about getting to see Detroit again, not winning a seven-game series – it has to start with Turco on Wednesday.

Forget scoring chances, winning faceoffs, getting power plays.

To energize this team and the fans who will surely carry considerable doubt into the building for Game 4, Turco needs big, big stops when he's facing Zetterberg and Datsyuk firing at him from the slot, from point blank range.

Get this crowd chanting "Marty, Marty" again instead of offering derisive applause when he stops a shot from center ice.

Then and only then we can talk about what might or might not happen in Game 5 at Joe Louis Arena.

- Top 10 moments in Dallas Stars history.

Controversy in the crease headlines Stars' all-time playoff moments

What is it about the Dallas Stars and incredibly long playoff games? Amazingly, Dallas has been involved in five of the 20 longest playoff games in league history. This season's quadruple-overtime thriller against the Sharks should have been expected. We dig into the history books and go all the way back to the franchise's roots in Minnesota to examine the most memorable playoff games in Stars/North Stars history.

10. April 29, 1997: Game 7, Western Conference quarterfinals vs. Edmonton (4-3 loss in OT)
In what was one of the fastest and most entertaining playoff series of the decade, it was only fitting a Game 7 was needed to determine a winner. The No. 2 seed Stars, arguably the best team in the NHL, had fought tooth-and-nail in Game 6 to eek out a 3-2 win and force a Game 7 on home ice. Dallas carried the play throughout Game 7, but Curtis Joseph was unbelievable, making one save after another. Cujo had already shut out the Stars twice in the series but saved his best for the final game. In overtime, swarming Joe Nieuwendyk had a wide open net off a rebound, but Joseph dove across and made an all-time great glove save to continue the game and the series. Off the next faceoff Todd Marchant turned on the jets at center ice, raced past Grant Ledyard, who had slipped and then beat Andy Moog for the game and series winner. At the time, this was arguably the most unexpected and disappointing loss in Stars franchise history.

9. April 16, 1968: Game 7, Quarterfinals vs. Los Angeles (4-3 series win)
In the first year of the expansion era, the Minnesota North Stars were one of six new teams to join the Original Six and form a 12-team NHL. That spring, the North Stars played in their first playoff series against another expansion cousin -- the Los Angeles Kings. The North Stars lost the first two games in L.A. before winning the next two on home ice. After losing Game 5 in L.A. and facing elimination, Minnesota needed an overtime goal by Milan Marcetta in Game 6 to force a Game 7. The North Stars were the clear underdogs, returning to Los Angeles where they had already lost three times, scoring just three goals total. But the North Stars would light up the scoreboard, beating Kings goalies Terry Sawchuk and Wayne Rutledge nine times for a 9-4 win. The North Stars won their first playoff series in dramatic fashion.

8. April 11, 2007: Game 1, Western Conference quarterfinals vs. Vancouver (5-4 loss in 4th OT)
The sixth longest game in NHL playoff history had a bitter finish for the Dallas Stars. Much like a decade earlier, when a young Curtis Joseph gave Dallas shooters fits, Roberto Luongo -- making his playoff debut -- couldn't be beaten in overtime. Luongo made an incredible 72 saves, including many spectacular ones during overtime. Marty Turco was equally solid for the Stars until the Sedin twins got to him. Henrik scored the game winner on a pass from his brother Daniel 18 minutes into the fourth overtime. Another heartbreaking overtime loss for Dallas. The Stars lost the series in seven games.

T-7. May 27, 2000: Game 7, Western Conference finals vs. Colorado (3-2 win)
For the second straight year the Stars and Avalanche met in the Western Conference finals and for the second straight year a seventh and deciding game was needed to determine a winner. Once again, in the final game, the Stars suffocating defense kept the likes of Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg in check. Eddie Belfour made 31 saves and got some help from the Stars special teams. Sergei Zubov and Mike Modano both scored power-play goals as Dallas took a 3-0 lead midway through the third period. The Avalanche scored twice on the attack to make it a 3-2 game and then in the final minute Ray Bourque (still in search of that elusive Stanley Cup) rang a shot past Belfour but off the post as the Stars advanced to the Stanley Cup finals for a second straight year.

T-7. April 22, 1984: Game 7, Norris Division finals vs. St. Louis (4-3 win in OT)
One of the greatest playoff wins in Stars history came in 1984 in a seventh game of the second round. A team led by young stars Neal Broten, Brian Bellows and Dino Ciccerelli had already eliminated the Blackhawks 3-2 in a best-of-five series. Against the Blues, the Stars were counting on their depth and the importance of home ice to get by. By Game 7, St. Louis was focused on shutting down Bellows and Broten, so when the game went to overtime it was Steve Payne who stepped up to be the hero just six minutes in. Payne's third career overtime goal made a winner out of Stars goalie Don Beaupre, who was brilliant throughout the playoffs. The win sent the Stars to the Conference finals where they were swept by Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers.

6. April 27, 1980: Quarterfinals vs. Montreal (4-3 series win)
This North Stars team was one of the youngest in the NHL with only one player older than 30 (Paul Shmyr, 33). Led by Al MacAdam, Steve Payne and Bobby Smith, Minnesota finished the season above .500 for the first time in seven years. After eliminating the Maple Leafs in a three-game sweep in the first round, the Montreal Canadiens -- winners of four straight Stanley Cups -- were next up. Montreal finished third overall in the NHL standings and boasted a lineup that included two 50-goal scorers in Guy Lafleur and Pierre Larouche, along with future hall of famers Steve Shutt, Larry Robinson and Bob Gainey -- all still in their 20s. Undaunted, the Stars won the first two games in Montreal. The Habs stormed back winning the next three games, outscoring a shell-shocked Minnesota 16-3. In Game 6 at home, the Stars would win 5-2 to force a Game 7. Montreal was the heavy favorite. Everything pointed to a Canadiens win -- they were the higher seed, at home and were far more experienced having won 13 straight playoff series. But the Stars would not be denied: Goalie Gilles Meloche withstood incredible pressure and the Stars pulled off the shocking upset, beating Montreal 3-2 to win the series and end the Canadiens' dynasty.

T-5. June 1, 1999: Game 6, Western Conference finals vs. Colorado (4-1 win)
With their season on the line and facing Patrick Roy on the road, the Dallas Stars put together one of the best playoff games in franchise history. Claude Lemieux opened the scoring for Colorado, beating Eddie Belfour in the final minute of the first period. From that point on Dallas dominated. Jere Lehtinen tied it up early in the second period, then in the third, Jamie Langenbrunner scored twice to seal the 4-1 win. Ed Belfour made 26 saves in the win as the Stars exercised their previous playoff demons. In Game 7 at home, Dallas again dominated, winning by the same 4-1 score, advancing to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since 1991.

T-5. June 10, 2000: Game 6, Stanley Cup finals vs. New Jersey (2-1 loss in 2nd OT)
In 1999, Dallas won a Stanley Cup in an overtime thriller. One year later, the Stars found themselves on the wrong end of an overtime Cup-winning goal. Eight minutes into the second overtime period, Jason Arnott driving to the net, beat a sprawling Ed Belfour to give the Devils their second Stanley Cup. Arnott becomes the 15th and last player to score a Cup-winning overtime goal. The loss came less than 48 hours after Mike Modano had scored in triple overtime to give the Stars a 1-0 win in Game 5 and send the series back to Dallas.

4. April 24, 2003: Game 1 Western Conference semifinals vs. Anaheim (4-3 loss in 5th OT)
In one of the NHL's all-time epic playoff battles, the Stars and Ducks battled at the American Airlines Arena into the wee hours of the morning, until Peter Sykora finally ended the game less than a minute into the fifth overtime by beating Marty Turco stick side on a pass from Adam Oates. The game lasted nearly six hours, finishing as the fourth longest game in NHL playoff history, 11 minutes longer than this year's thriller against San Jose. The Stars dodged a bullet, temporarily, in the third overtime when an apparent goal by the Ducks' Steve Thomas was disallowed because the Stars net was loose. J.S Giguere, eventual playoff MVP, was amazing in this game making 60 saves, 40 in overtime. Turco was equally good finishing with 50 saves, including an acrobatic highlight-reel stop in the second overtime off a Paul Kariya shot. Stars defenseman Sergei Zubov logged a game high 63:51 seconds of ice time. Reportedly, he lost eight pounds during the eight-period marathon.

3. April 22, 1984 Game 7, Norris Division finals vs. St. Louis (4-3 win in OT)
One of the greatest playoff wins in Stars history came in 1984 in a seventh game of the second round. A team led by young stars Neal Broten, Brian Bellows and Dino Ciccerelli had already eliminated the Blackhawks 3-2 in a best-of-five series. Against the Blues, the Stars were counting on their team depth and the importance of home ice. By Game 7, St. Louis was focused on shutting down Bellows and Broten, so when the game went to overtime, it was Steve Payne who stepped up to be the hero just six minutes in. Payne's third career overtime goal made a winner out of Stars goalie Don Beaupre, who was brilliant throughout the playoffs in net. The win sent the Stars to the Conference finals where they were swept by Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers.

2. May 4, 2008: Game 6 Western Conference semifinals vs. San Jose (2-1 Win in 4th OT)
After leading the series three games to none, the Dallas Stars -- in overtime of Game 6 -- were facing what could have been a historical Game 7 back in San Jose. Luckily, Dallas made its own history by winning the sixth longest overtime game ever. Conn Smyth candidate Brendan Morrow scored the game winner on the power play, beating Evgeni Nabokov nine minutes into the fourth overtime. Marty Turco, who had been unfairly characterized as a "weak" playoff goalie by some, answered his detractors by making a franchise-record 61 saves for the victory. Nabokov, despite the loss, made one of the all-time great playoff saves, stopping Brad Richards on a one-timer with his glove less than two minutes into the first overtime period. The win thrust the Stars into the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2000.

1. June 19, 1999: Game 6, Stanley Cup finals vs. Buffalo (2-1 win in 3rd OT)
This game will always be remembered for its controversial finish, and the fact it brought Dallas its first and only Stanley Cup championship. The second-longest game in Stanley Cup Final history and the 18th longest playoff game ever, ended nearly 15 minutes into the third overtime period when Brett Hull, on a rebound, beat Dominik Hasek for the Cup clincher. Hull scored the winner with his left skate in the crease, but the league ruled Hull had possession of the puck and was entitled to be in the crease on the play. An incensed Sabres team was in disbelief that the goal counted and waited for 20 minutes in their dressing room expecting the goal to be overturned. An exhausted Stars team celebrated the championship while the fans in Buffalo protested the loss.

The controversial ending overshadowed what was a dramatic back-and-forth game featuring two future hall of fame goaltenders Eddie Belfour and Dominik Hasek, who combined to make 101 saves. The two goalies allowed just 22 goals in the series -- the lowest scoring six-game total in NHL finals history. For Hull, who played much of the series with both a knee and groin injury, the win was especially sweet as he joined his father Bobby as a Stanley Cup winner. Mike Modano led the Stars with 23 points in the postseason, while Joe Nieuwendyk was named playoff MVP.

As advertised

2008-05-09T12:51:00.005-05:00

- Wow.

- Not sure if it was the mystique. Not sure if it was the dead legs from the 4 OT game on Sunday night (which I don't believe - 4 days rest is good enough). Not sure what it was last night. But good gosh that team is good.

- The Stars looked flat. They looked tight. They looked slow. They lacked intensity that was shown in their lack of hitting and standing up to Detroit punks standing in Marty's crease.

- I haven't watched Chris Osgood very much, I know he's very good, and I know he's been good for a while. But if he plays like he did last night for the rest of the playoffs, he might be the greatest friggin' goaltender ever.

- I'm curious to see if last night was a fluke, or if he really is that good. His blind save on the Zubov shot from the blue line, where he was screened by 3 guys, it even went through Morrow's legs, and he snagged it. That summed everything up. Also his saves on 2 different breakaways. I want clarity tomorrow night if this joker is really as good as he showed last night.

- From the get-go, it just felt like a matter of time before Detroit got on the board. And then when they called that bullshit roughing penalty on Mark Fistric, you just knew it was going to be 1-0. And it was.

- Marty couldn't do anything about any of those shots last night. He had guys up his ass in his crease on every power play. And he had a breakaway scored on him after another mistake by Fistric, a turnover in his own zone that Fillpula quickly put in on the far post. Last night was not Marty's fault.

- The Stars HAVE to do something about Holmstrom crowding Marty's crease. They HAVE to. If not, this series is going to be over quick, in 4 games maybe. In what summarized the whole night with less than stellar physical play, the Stars just let him hang in the crease, ass in Marty's face, and screen him the whole game.

- In the old days, Derian Hatcher, Richard Matvichuck, Craig Ludwig, or Daryl Sydor would have that guy on his ass bleeding from the mouth. No way would he have free roam in Eddie Belfour's face. And if those guys didn't put Holmstrom on the ice, Belfour would rack Holmstrom's nuts right off of his body.

- This picture says it all.

- But it just summed up the whole night for Dallas. They didn't hit. They didn't show any agression. Detroit is a finesse, skilled team. Dallas hits and plays physical. They should eat up soft teams like Detroit. I'm not sure if they didn't have their legs back from the San Jose series. I'm not sure they were scared of the Red sweaters. But they HAVE to hit these guys in the mouth Saturday night and get them thinking about getting hit. They HAVE to.

- Watching Detroit play keep away with the puck could be the most demoralizing thing I've seen in a while. It just about makes the game unbearable to watch. Dallas's offensive chances were few and far between. They just couldn't get any flow on offense or any scoring chances because they never had the puck.

- The 3 keys to the series that I detailed before Game 1 -

1) Marty/Detroit curse - It sure wasn't Marty's fault. And I'm not sure if the team as a whole was overwhelmed by the mystique. I think it was more of a lack of agression and energy. So this wasn't a factor.

2) Blue line rookies - Mark Fistric played horribly. A penalty to put Detroit on a 5 on 3 (although it was a crap call) and leads to the 1st goal. A turnover in his own zone that turns into the game ender. 2 mistakes turn into 2 goals. Not good.

3) Money players - Non-existent. Only 1 line showed any offensive pressure, the Richards-Erikson-Lundquist line. Other than that, Ribeiro's and Modano's lines were non-existent. That can't happen again.

- So they lose 2 of the 3 keys and get hammered. Only way they win is if they win all 3 keys. 2 out of 3 won't do it. 1 out of 3 surely won't do it. 3 for 3 is a must.

- All in all, I'm keeping hope. I'm hoping Game 1 was a dead legs, get the Detroit mystique/awe out of our system kind of game. I'm banking on Dallas coming back with stronger physical play. I'm banking on Osgood not being as good/lucky as he was in Game 1. And I'm banking on more scoring chances and better puck possession by the Star's top lines.

- They don't show up tomorrow night? This thing is over in 4 or 5 games.

Dallas Stars better rise quickly, or say goodnight

10:46 AM CDT on Friday, May 9, 2008

DETROIT – If the Stars, the team that played with bravado and arrogance in the first two rounds of the playoffs don't show up in a hurry, the Western Conference finals will end in four games.

No doubt.

You know it. I know it. Even the players know it, though they certainly aren't going to admit it.

The Stars played Game 1 as though they were afraid of the moment. Perhaps they spent too much time reading press clippings about Detroit's omnipotence. Maybe they're still emotionally hung over after their draining four-overtime win against San Jose on Sunday that propelled them into this series.

Whatever the reason, Dallas had better correct its issues quickly because the Red Wings have no concept of mercy.

Detroit 4, Dallas 1.

And the score could've been much worse.

Please, spare me all of the whiny e-mails about the officiating. Yes, the officials should've waved off Tomas Holmstrom's goal, which made it 3-0, since he was clearly in the crease.

But let's be real, would it have really mattered? Nope. The Stars still would've been smoked.

Besides, good teams overcome bad calls. Detroit finished with three power-plays goals. Guess what? They earned each of them.

The more aggressive team always gets the benefit of the doubt from the officials. It has been that way, no matter the sport, since the beginning of time – and it's never, ever going to change.

Even when the teams were at even strength, Detroit dominated much of the play with a puck-possession style that forced the Stars to chase the Red Wings. Actually, the Stars spent so much time in their own zone during the first two periods, no one should've been surprised they were popped for five penalties.

"You can't stand around and watch the puck," Brenden Morrow said.

Now, Dave Tippett must spend the next 48 hours making sure all of the confidence the Stars established in beating Anaheim and San Jose doesn't fade just because the Red Wings spanked the Stars.

He better start with Marty Turco.

The Stars goalie will spend much of the next two days answering a whole new set of questions about why he can't win at Joe Louis Arena, his personal house of horrors.

"Really, it doesn't matter," he said.

But it does.

So much of succeeding in pro sports is about having confidence and the proper mental approach, so we can't ignore Turco's raggedy record in Detroit.

Turco's regular-season career record against the Red Wings is 2-10-5. His NHL record at Joe Louis Arena is 0-8-2.

Sorry, we can't disregard that. Until he wins here, it's an issue.

The Red Wings faithful are well aware of his struggles in Joe Louis, and they serenaded him with rhythmic chants of Tur-co, Tur-co throughout the game. Turco was OK, but the Stars need him to be phenomenal to beat Detroit.

"A lot had to do with the team in front of him," Tippett said. "Not so much Marty."

With Mattias Norstrom already in the penalty box for hooking less than five minutes into the game, Mark Fistric took a stupid roughing penalty, giving Detroit a 5-on-3 power play for 1:26.

Nine seconds later, the Red Wings led 1-0 on Brian Rafalski's wrist shot.

The Red Wings made it 2-0 when Johan Franzen outmaneuvered Trevor Daley in front of the goal and deflected a shot into the net for his league-leading 12th goal of the postseason.

"If you lose after playing your best game, then you worry," Stars center Brad Richards said. "But we didn't play our best game. Once we do that, then we can start worrying about the Red Wings."

Go time

2008-05-08T10:10:00.007-05:00

- Gameday is finally here.

- Can the Stars keep the good vibes going? Can they keep the incredible Mojo working? Or will the door get slammed shut in their faces like so many other past meetings with Detroit? A lot of demons can be exorcised in the next 2 weeks.

- From the Ann Arbor paper.

Wings expect Dallas' Morrow to be tough matchup

by Ansar Khan
Wednesday May 07, 2008, 1:21 AM

DETROIT -- After the euphoria of scoring in the fourth overtime finally faded, Dallas' Brenden Morrow felt the effects of logging 51 minutes of ice time and registering 19 hits in the decisive Game 6 playoff victory over San Jose Sunday.

"It felt like two games' worth of hitting," Morrow said. "Body was a little drained. Every time you (sat) down in the chair, it was pretty tough getting up, just losing all those fluids, aches and pains. ... It was grueling playing that many minutes, trying to play the same way, play physical. It took its toll, but it was well worth it."

After having three days to recharge, the Detroit Red Wings can expect Morrow to be just as relentless and as difficult to deal with when they face the Stars in the Western Conference finals, starting Thursday at Joe Louis Arena.

While Detroit's Johan Franzen was rewriting the record books with his goal-scoring binge against Colorado in the last round, Morrow likewise has been a force in the postseason. Though not as big as Franzen, Morrow is a hard-nosed left winger who is difficult to contain around the net, a scoring threat, a punishing checker and the team leader as a second-year captain.

"He's their heart and soul," Franzen said. "He plays hard every night. He's got a really hard body. He's not that big, but he hits hard. He takes the puck to the net and you have to be ready for him."

Red Wings forward Aaron Downey, who played with Morrow for two seasons in Dallas, said, "I think Brenden Morrow is becoming probably the premier power forward in the league by the looks of his playoffs. Look at the development of Johan Franzen, it's the same situation with Brenden. He's doing it at both ends of the ice."

Morrow leads the Stars with seven playoff goals, including that power-play effort at 9:03 of quadruple-overtime. He leads all players with 66 hits, including a devastating shoulder check that knocked Milan Michalek out of Sunday's game at the end of regulation.

"He wants to hunt you down a little bit on the ice," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "That's the player most people would like to have on their team."

"It's been a long time since I've seen a player have as much of an impact on a series as Brendan had," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "When you see a player play that hard, that determined, willing to do whatever it takes, whether it's finding a big hit, blocking a shot, scoring a goal, that's very infectious within your group."

Through two rounds against Nashville and Colorado, the Red Wings haven't faced a forward this difficult to play against.

"We've got to match his work ethic. That's the key," Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "He's not huge (5-11, 205), but he's strong on his feet. He's got one of the biggest hearts in the league and passion for the sport. That's something we have to match to be able to contain him."

Stars goaltender Marty Turco called Morrow "a consummate leader."

"What he does is demand the puck, demand to be good and make his next shift the best one possible," Turco said. "To say it's contagious is an understatement. It's something that we're going to continue to need from him and from everybody else to follow suit. It's one thing to say things in the locker room as a leader, to inspire and try to encourage players, but it's another thing to get out there and actually do it."

Morrow promises to forecheck just as hard and be just as physical against the Red Wings as he was against Anaheim and San Jose in the first two rounds.

"It's tough to get a good lick on (defensemen Nicklas) Lidstrom or (Brian) Rafalski. They're pretty good puck-movers," Morrow said. "Our plan is to attack, get pucks in areas where we can force turnovers, get some pressure on them. It's finishing checks on (Henrik) Zetterberg, trying to get in people's way, slow them down a little bit. That's going to be our focus against this team."

- The preview from the Detroit paper.

Wings-Stars scouting report, prediction

Forwards

The Wings have two lines stacked with the likes of Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Tomas Holmstrom, Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula and Mikael Samuelsson, and there's still more offensive depth with Dan Cleary and Jiri Hudler. Plus, every line is reliable defensively. For Dallas, trade-day acquisition Brad Richards has delivered, producing 11 points in 12 games, tying with team captain Brenden Morrow and trailing only Mike Ribeiro's 14 points. Former Westland resident Mike Modano has 10 points.

Edge: Push

Defense

Stars defenseman Mattias Norstrom is as tough as they come, and Sergei Zubov and Stephane Robidas are productive from the points, giving Dallas a good all-around defense. Nicklas Lidstrom, who may soon win his sixth Norris Trophy, and Brian Rafalski are the most adept puck-controlling duo in the NHL, and Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart add fierce physicality and offense. Beyond a third pairing made up of Chris Chelios, Brett Lebda or Andreas Lilja, the Wings possess great depth, too, with Derek Meech, Kyle Quincey and Jonathan Ericsson ready if needed.

Edge: Wings

Goaltending

Chris Osgood hasn't had to steal a game yet for the Wings. They've been playing so well in front of him, and scoring so much, he has just needed to make timely saves. Marty Turco has played a bigger role in getting the Stars to Round 3, building a 1.73 goals-against average and .929 save percentage. Now the question is if he can overcome his past against the Wings. He's 2-10-5 against them in his career, and is 0-7-2 at Joe Louis Arena -- but those numbers all come from regular-season games.

Edge: Wings

Special teams

The Stars already have 15 goals off their power plays -- including four each from Modano and Morrow -- giving them a 25% success rate, compared with 20.4% for Detroit. On the penalty kill, the teams are practically dead even: Dallas has an 85.7% success rate, Detroit is at 85.4%, albeit with three shorthanded goals.

Edge: Stars

Coaching

Mike Babcock has gotten the Wings to a point where they can win by finesse or grit and is making his second straight appearance in the Western finals. After seeing the Stars go 4-8-2 from March to the end of the regular season, Dave Tippett has guided the team past defending Stanley Cup champ Anaheim and San Jose, a team widely picked to win the Cup.

Edge: Push

Other Details

Everything has been going so well for the Wings -- no serious injuries, no straining travel -- it seems like they're touched by destiny. The Stars, however, come into this series hardened by two tougher opening rounds and have to be bursting with confidence.

Edge: Push

Prediction

Wings in six.

- The Detroit curse.....

Hockeytown curse? Stars goalie Turco 0-7-2 at Detroit

DALLAS — Throughout the shellings, blown leads and other indignations he’s endured at Joe Louis Arena, Dallas Stars goaltender Marty Turco has pacified himself with one thought: “At least it’s not the playoffs.”

Well, now it is.

Turco is carrying an 0-7-2 record and a 3.17 goals-against average at “The Joe” into the Western Conference finals against the Detroit Red Wings starting Thursday night.

Uh-oh, eh?

“Actually, not at all,” Turco said Tuesday. “This is totally a different animal. ... To say I’m looking forward to this is an understatement.”

He’s coming off arguably the best performance of his career, one of the best in club history — a franchise-record 61 saves in a quadruple-overtime victory that ended the second-round series against the Sharks. Had he let any of those shots get past him, Dallas would’ve been playing Game 7 in San Jose on Tuesday night.

Turco has been solid the entire postseason, with a goals-against average that’s second only to Detroit’s Chris Osgood and the fourth-best save percentage. More important, he outdueled reigning Stanley Cup champion Jean-Sebastien Giguere of Anaheim in the first round, then topped Vezina Trophy finalist Evgeni Nabokov in the second round.

“He’s been spectacular in making the hard saves look easy for us for a long time,” Stars captain Brenden Morrow said. “It’s been a lot of fun to watch.”

Now, if he wins a single game — and Dallas will need at least one in Detroit to win the series — he’ll really have done something.

“I’m not trying to erase any memories of playing against these guys at Joe Louis at all,” Turco said. “I’m here to win this series, to win the next game, and, from a focus level, to make that next save. That’s for me, and pretty much all goalies, the approach you need to have and look forward to it.”

The last time the Stars won in Detroit, backup Mike Smith got the win. The time before that, it was another of Turco’s backups, Johan Hedberg.

But Turco isn’t much better against the Red Wings in Dallas, going 2-3-3. That’s a career record of 2-10-5 against Detroit for a goalie who’s 205-93-21 against everyone else.

“I really could care less if I was 0-and-100 against these guys or had never lost a game and never got scored on,” Turco said. “It is totally all irrelevant at this time of year. It’s something that, to be honest, isn’t entering my mind at all. ... So there’s a lot to think about, and that’s not one of them.”

The Red Wings surely will be thinking about it. They know they’ve owned Turco at their place and will do all they can to remind him of it. In other words, if they’re not already in his head — like he insists — then they will try getting there quickly, whether they admit it or not.

“I’m not playing into that,” Detroit forward Kris Draper said. “It’s a different time of year. He’s a huge reason why the Dallas Stars are coming into the Western Conference finals. He’s never played here this time of year, and we’ve never played him this time of year. It’s a whole new ballgame.”

Turco is in the conference finals for the first time in his career, a feat that would be the angle if Dallas was facing anyone else.

After winning his first-ever playoff series, back in 2003, he lost four straight. The last three were first-rounders, prompting questions of whether he was the right guy in goal.

Turco earned the benefit of the doubt last postseason with three shutout wins and forcing overtime in two of his losses, including a four-OT thriller. His performance the last two rounds — which includes winning Games 1 and 2 on the road in both series — proves the franchise was right to keep trusting him, having dealt the highly touted Smith to Tampa at the trade deadline for Brad Richards.

Now, conquering his house of horrors, er, Joe Louis Arena, and getting Dallas back to the Stanley Cup finals would be a double dose of credibility.

“Today is a new day and a series is a new series, so it’s a time to re-establish yourself again and quiet those critics,” Stars icon Mike Modano said.

The irony is Turco loved playing at The Joe during his college days at Michigan.

“You know, it’s got a lot of great memories for me, not just the disappointing ones in the NHL,” he said. “To draw on experiences from all areas of my career, you know, you’re going to do that. But I’m really looking forward to going back there and looking to have some more success.”

- A look back at the 1998 series.

A rematch 10 years in the making

Bob Matuszak May 7, 2008, 5:01 PM EDT

In the spring of 1998, hope sprung eternal for the Dallas Stars. After all, they had just disposed of the Edmonton Oilers in a mere five games to advance to the conference finals for the first time since 1991, the year they made it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. And like that team at the turn of the decade, this edition was built to win a championship.

A confident group guided by wily veterans like Pat Verbeek and Guy Carbonneau, these Stars had an edge to them, thanks in large part to their taskmaster, Ken Hitchcock. Hitchcock drove the team hard while implementing a disciplined and defensive style that suffocated teams to death.

The Stars fully expected to meet up with either Buffalo or Washington, the two teams playing in the Eastern Conference finals, and then proudly parade the silver trophy through the streets alongside Reunion Arena.

The only thing standing in their date with destiny was Scotty Bowman, Steve Yzerman, and the rest of the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings.

"I've played against these guys my whole career, so I know what they're going to do," Dallas' enigmatic goaltender Ed Belfour said about his upcoming opponent. "I know who their snipers are, and I know how to approach them."

The series was billed as a battle of the behemoths. The Stars boasted a tight-checking style, with Belfour rarely seeing more than 25 shots per game. Centers Joe Nieuwendyk and Mike Modano led the offensive charge, while general manager Bob Gainey bolstered the veteran presence on his team with the addition of Mike Keane and Brian Skrudland in a deadline deal with the New York Rangers.

The Red Wings, meanwhile, had won their first championship in 42 years the summer before, and were looking to become the first team since Pittsburgh in 1992 to win consecutive Stanley Cups. Like the Stars, the Red Wings had a splendid mix of gritty forwards like Kris Draper and Darren McCarty coupled with offensive stars Yzerman and Sergei Fedorov.

Heading into the series, the Stars were on a roll despite losing Nieuwendyk for the rest of the postseason when he injured his knee in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against San Jose. Dallas had allowed just five goals to the Oilers in their semifinal series win, and was ready for whatever Detroit was going to throw at them.

Below is a capsule look at the series that proved to be everything it was billed up to be.

Game 1, May 24 at Dallas
Having won six of their last seven games, Dallas entered Game 1 with tremendous confidence. Detroit goalie Chris Osgood, however, quickly let the air out of the Stars balloon.

Playing in front of a raucous sold-out Reunion Arena, Osgood silenced the crowd while being hardly tested, finishing with just 14 saves, including only eight after the first 20 minutes.

Slava Kozlov and Martin Lapointe scored second-period goals for the Red Wings, who improved to 6-1 on the road in the '98 playoffs.

"Both of these teams can shut down the other one real well," Bowman said. "That's what happened today. There was not much in the way of scoring opportunities."

The Red Wings took 23 shots on Belfour, and killed off all five of Dallas' power play opportunities, including a 5-on-3 in the first period.

"Our power play did not get it done," Hitchcock said. "We need to focus on that. Detroit's four outworked our five."

The Stars work on the power play was becoming troubling for Hitchcock. Dallas had converted only twice on its last 34 man advantage attempts heading into the series, and following Game 1 they were just 9-for-75 in the postseason.

"We're not happy with the way we played," Stars captain Derian Hatcher said. "After we got behind I think we got frustrated. It's a lot tougher to come back from the deficit against teams that play like ours."

Game 2, May 26 at Dallas
Determined to erase the bitter taste of their Game 1 loss, the Stars came out hitting in Game 2. The strategy worked.

Outmuscling the Red Wings the entire game, the Stars tied the series thanks to a convincing 3-1 win. Dallas got goals from grinder Bob Bassen and Greg Adams, and Carbonneau iced the game with an empty-net tally to send the best-of-seven to Detroit deadlocked at a game apiece.

The Stars set the tone in a physical first period, outhitting the Red Wings by a 15-5 margin.

"The nastier and harder Derian (Hatcher) and those guys play, the harder the whole group plays, and that's better for us," Hitchcock said.

Bassen, who had scored all of three goals in the regular season, opened the scoring when he chipped the puck over Osgood's shoulder just six minutes into the game. Hatcher and defensive partner Richard Matvichuk, meanwhile, combined for nine hits in the game, which was one more than all of the Detroit blueliners.

Bassen also got physical after he scored, banging into the glass with a jubilatory force the Stars soon latched onto.

"I was a little out of control there," Bassen said. "I had to go sit on the bench."

It was quite a change for a team that looked lethargic at best in Game 1.

"Our first game effort was not good enough," Modano said. "We knew we had to come out and play physically, play with a high level of intensity and take the body."

In the process, the Stars set a playoff record by allowing two goals or less in 10 consecutive postseason games. The original record was set by the 1928 Montreal Maroons.

"The last 10 minutes, Dallas just stayed back and played defensive hockey," Fedorov said. "All five of their guys stayed back and played defense in the third and they did an outstanding job of doing that and upsetting our attack."

Game 3, May 29 at Detroit
Stingy defense had been the name of the Stars game throughout the '97-98 season. In Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, it took the night off at the most inopportune time.

Detroit used four unanswered goals in the game's first 25 minutes to unglue the Stars just enough to take a 2-1 series lead with a 5-3 Game 3 win. Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom scored twice in the four-goal outburst, and Brent Gilchrist, Jamie Macoun and Lapointe also scored.

Down 4-0, the Stars put on a ferocious counter-attack, and made it 4-3 with 12 minutes left in regulation on Modano's goal. But Lapointe put the game away with his seventh postseason tally with just over four minutes to go after he knocked down Belfour behind the net before skating out in front to deposit the clincher.

"Lapointe two-handed me and caught me in between a piece of pad," Belfour said. "Obviously it hurt. I went down and tried to get back in the net, but it was too late."

Jere Lehtinen had a pair of goals for the Stars, who registered 34 shots on Osgood but went an abysmal 0-for-7 with the man advantage.

"We can talk all we want about how we came back and almost won the game, but we aren't going to fool anyone," Skrudland said. "Detroit had a 4-0 lead in their building and they slacked off a little. That's just human nature, and that's all it was."

Game 4, May 31 at Detroit
The Stars didn't want to dream about what would happen to their championship aspirations if they lost Game 4. Unfortunately, their nightmare came true.

Smelling blood, the Red Wings jumped on the Stars early then held on for dear life for the second straight game, defeating Dallas 3-2 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead back to Texas.

Kirk Maltby and Yzerman scored in the first period, and Kozlov netted the winner midway through the third period for Detroit.

Verbeek cut the lead in half with a goal in the second period, and Sergei Zubov tied it just under a minute into the third. But the rally fell short again, as the Stars found themselves in a big hole that was going to be tough to crawl out of.

"There's a big difference between 2-2 and 3-1," Yzerman said. "This is going to be one of the most difficult teams in the league to try and end the series."

The Red Wings also received an emotional boost with the attendance of former defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov, who was recovering from a severe head injury sustained in a limousine accident last June.

The Stars, meanwhile, once again unloaded on Osgood, peppering the netminder with 30 shots.

"We had some great chances, but Chris Osgood played better than I've ever seen him play," Hitchcock said.

"This team's got way too much character and way too much strength and experience to give up," Matvichuk said. "We know if we can get that one early in our rink, we'll be all right."

Game 5, June 3 at Dallas
The Stars didn't need a miracle to get back into their series with the Red Wings, they just needed a win. They ended up getting both.

Jamie Langenbrunner's improbable goal from 100-feet out just 46 seconds into overtime helped Dallas stave off elimination with a 3-2 Game 5 win at Reunion Arena. Langenbrunner's slap shot from the center of the red line skipped over Osgood's stick and jumped into the net, giving the Stars sudden life in sudden death.

"I don't know if I've ever scored form that far," Langenbrunner said.

Langenbrunner, though, never would have been in the position to win it had it not been for Carbonneau's dramatic goal with just 85 seconds left in regulation. Carbonneau's wrist shot from the right circle deflected off Lidstrom's stick and over Osgood's shoulder to send the game into the extra session.

"I didn't really see what happened," said Carbonneau, who also assisted on Keane's first-period goal. "I know I wasn't trying to shoot the puck high."

That didn't matter. What did was the Stars not squandering another powerful offensive effort in which they pummeled Osgood with 36 shots.

"I've had the chance to win the Cup twice," Carbonneau said. "Once you win it once, you want to win it every year. Instead of going on vacation, we get to play another game."

Game 6, June 5 at Dallas
The showdown in Motown turned into a severe Dallas Stars letdown.

Larry Murphy and Fedorov scored for the Red Wings, and Osgood atoned for his shoddy play in Game 5 to help lift Detroit to a 2-0 Game 6 win at Joe Louis Arena, sending the Presidents' Trophy-winning Stars home with a bitter 4-2 series defeat.

The Stars were unable to ride the high of their Game 5 win, as the Red Wings put 14 shots on Belfour during a first-period surge. After Fedorov scored early in the second, Osgood took over, making 19 of his 26 saves over the final two periods to post his second shutout of the series.

"I allowed a couple of long goals in the playoffs, but who cares," Osgood said. "I bounced back. I couldn't wait to play tonight."

Osgood assisted in the Stars elimination, but one of the main reasons was their inability to put the puck in the net while Detroit was shorthanded. Dallas was a meager 1-for-30 in the series on the power play, and even allowed a pair of short-handed tallies.

"That hurt us," Verbeek said. "It helped us win games all year, but we couldn't get any when we needed them at the most crucial times of the game. It's frustrating…you get this close to going to the finals, and then come up short."

"They won, and there's not a lot to talk about," Hatcher said.

The Aftermath
Hatcher, Verbeek and Co. had plenty to talk about a year later, as the Stars captured their first-ever Stanley Cup on Brett Hull's triple-overtime winner in Game 6 against Buffalo, who had lost to Washington in the '98 Eastern Conference finals.

Detroit, meanwhile, went on to sweep the Capitals to win their second straight Stanley Cup in 1998.

- Time for some old school magic.

- The Captain.

- Round 1.

- Round 2.

Welcome back 1998

2008-05-06T09:58:00.005-05:00

- A classic rematch is back. The series that got me hooked on hockey 10 years ago is back and ready to go on Thursday.

- As good as Dallas has looked this year, and as much as they look like a team of destiny, you can't help but look across at Detroit, consider the mental block the Stars have against them, and not expect doom.

- Just look down the roster - Draper, Maltby, McCarty, Dallas Drake, Hasek, Osgood, Lidstrom, Datysuk, Zetterburg, Franzen, Chelios. This friggin team could be an all-star team by themselves. In the salary cap era, how is this even possible? How can all of these guys be signed and under the cap?

- 3 keys to this series. Dallas must win all 3 of these to advance to the Finals.

1) Marty/Detroit curse - Can he keep his stellar play up? Can the Stars get over the Detroit mental block? I lump these together because the team as a whole, and Marty in particular, just can't help but be owned by Detroit. Turco is 2-10-5 in his last 17 games vs. the Red Army. And he is winless in his career at Joe Louis Arena. This is no doubt the key to the whole series. Slaying that mental dragon that is the Detroit Red Wings.

Something tells me this team is as well prepared as any in the past 10 years to do it. Brendan Morrow has completely re-wired this team's brain. They are as ready mentally as they've been ever against Detroit.

2) Blue line rookies - That all-star lineup I listed above could potentially scar these 3 rookie defenseman for the rest of their careers. Fistric, Grossman, and Niskanen were able to take some lumps, get some experience, and perform admirably in the first 2 rounds. But playing Anaheim and San Jose is not like playing Detroit. You're looking at the finest group of forwards and center iceman in the league. You're also looking at a historically phenomenal power play, with possibly the best quarterback ever (Lidstrom). These guys take rookies to the woodshed.

The 3 rookies will have help for sure (Daley, Robidas, and Zubov). But their performance and ability to not crack under pressure could decide this series.

3) Money players - Up until this point, the Stars' money players have raised their games and made their money in the postseason. Ribeiro leads the league in points. Richards has been a maniac with the puck. Modano has been scoring. Morrow has raised his game to legendary status. Robidas has been the best scoring defenseman in the playoffs. Hell, even cement footed defenseman Norstrom has 2 goals.

2-1 games won't happen against Detroit. To beat these guys, a minimum of 3 goals is needed, with 4 the most likely number. Dallas' money players must continue to be money. Pretty simple.

- Summary - All in all, I can't see all of these 3 keys coming to fruition. I see Dallas' defense cracking under the constant barrage of offensive talent, with the rookies being preyed on big time by Detroit. I do see Marty playing a pretty good series and I do see Dallas' money players continuing to produce, but I see the mental block Dallas has against Detroit rearing its ugly head. Bad bounces, bad breaks, etc. It all happens against Dallas when they play Detroit. Things just start snowballing, and those evil thoughts start creeping back into the Stars' heads.

Detroit in 6.

- ESPN's take.....

Conference finals breakdown: Red Wings vs. Stars

By Scott Burnside
ESPN.com

Guess the Dallas Stars have gotten over their first-round postseason phobia, haven't they? After failing to advance beyond the opening series since 2004, the Stars this spring have upended the defending Stanley Cup champs in six games and disposed the hottest team heading into the playoffs, the San Jose Sharks.

The Stars went to a fourth overtime in Game 6 but advanced to their first conference finals since 2000, when they also went to the Stanley Cup finals.

The Detroit Red Wings, meanwhile, struggled midway through their opening-round series against Nashville but took advantage of woeful netminding by Jose Theodore and cruised to a four-game sweep of the Colorado Avalanche in the West semis. The Stars, who have terrific depth down the middle, now have an identity they lacked the past three or four postseasons. Marty Turco, fresh off a 61-save effort, will represent a much sterner test than the Avs, or he should.

Still, the Red Wings seem to be firing on all cylinders and will be very difficult to knock out.

1. Not stubborn, just smokin' - Here's the thing about Johan Franzen, goal-scoring machine -- he didn't just start his torrid tear when the playoffs began. Down the stretch, the Red Wings forward scored 15 goals in the last 16 games of the regular season. When you factor in his 11 postseason markers, Franzen has scored 26 times in his past 26 games. More impressive, however, has been the crucial nature of Franzen's contributions. He scored eight game-winning goals during the regular season and has added four more winners in the playoffs. Forget about Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom. Whether the Stars can stop the big Swede they call "The Mule" may be the most important question of this series.

2. Captain Morrow - The decision to make Brenden Morrow a captain at the start of the 2006-07 season created quite a kerfuffle in Dallas, given the iconic status of former captain Mike Modano. Morrow missed half of last season with wrist and groin injuries, but played in all 82 regular-season games this campaign and has helped solidify the Stars' hard-working and skilled identity. Morrow finished second in team scoring to Mike Ribeiro with 74 points and was a team-best plus-23. In the playoffs, he has taken another step forward as he leads the team with two overtime winners, including the series-clincher versus San Jose. Morrow, who played 51 minutes in the deciding game and was credited with 19 hits, also had two goals disallowed in Game 5, but he didn't let that slow him down. In the way that Steve Yzerman used to be "the guy" in Detroit and Modano used to be "the guy" in Dallas, Morrow is now that player for the Stars.

3. The big men on the blue line - This series features two of the finest veteran defensemen in the game in Lidstrom and Dallas' Sergei Zubov. Lidstrom is unparalleled -- the cool, calm catalyst that drives a precise Detroit engine. Lidstrom is expected to win his sixth Norris Trophy and third in a row as the game's best defenseman. This spring, he's added seven points, is a plus-7 and has one game-winning goal for the 8-2 Red Wings. Zubov, meanwhile, has been a surprise contributor to the Stars' playoff success. The often underappreciated Russian missed the start of the playoffs, not to mention 26 regular-season games, trying to work through a sports hernia injury. The 37-year-old went to Germany on the eve of the playoffs to have the injury treated, returned in the second round and made an immediate impact with four points in five games. He played an astounding 53:50 in Game 6 against San Jose. Both Lidstrom and Zubov are key to their teams' respective power plays and have the ability to turn the course of a game on their own.

4. The snarl factor - The expected knock 'em down, drag 'em out battle against the Avalanche never materialized for the Red Wings. Detroit so often was ahead early in games that Colorado was forced to open things up as opposed to grind them out. The Wings may yet get that type of series against a Stars team that is comfortable playing close to the vest. Last season, the Wings displayed a surprising amount of grit in advancing to the Western Conference finals against Anaheim, and they have the tools to play that type of game with veterans like Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby, Dallas Drake and the reclaimed Darren McCarty. The Stars, meanwhile, don't mind the dirty work in the corners, either, with Steve Ott and Morrow. Neither team has a heavyweight in the Georges Laraque/Donald Brashear mold, but don't think this series won't get a bit ugly.

5. Ozzie redux, again - All Chris Osgood has done since coming off the bench for an inconsistent Dominik Hasek after Game 4 of the first round is win six straight games. The 35-year-old veteran won a Stanley Cup as the starter here in 1998 but has never really been given credit for being an elite netminder. The perception is no different now, and many will suggest the Stars hold a significant advantage in goal with Turco. Still, Turco is the one who historically has struggled in the playoffs. Both have played exceptionally well this postseason. Osgood leads the league with a 1.52 goals-against average and a third-best .937 save percentage. Turco has a 1.73 GAA and .929 save percentage. Watch for Detroit coach Mike Babcock to go back to Hasek if Osgood can't match Turco save for save. Not that he may have to worry about that.

- Key Matchup -

• Mike Ribeiro vs. Niklas Kronwall: Mike Ribeiro remains the Stars' most dangerous forward and leads the team with 14 points in 12 games. He can expect to spend a lot of time making sure he's not getting his head handed to him by Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall, who is making the most of his first playoff run with the Wings. The injury-prone Swede has good offensive tools, is strong in his own zone and has the added bonus of being able to deliver the big open-ice hit. The Stars need Ribeiro's continued offensive production, while the Wings need Kronwall to shut him down.

- Who's hot, Who's not -

• Red Wings: Zetterberg is second in team scoring with 13 points and is a league-best plus-10 through the second round. Daniel Cleary has one goal and one assist through 10 games.

• Stars: Stephane Robidas is tied with Kronwall for the lead among NHL defensemen with eight postseason points. Niklas Hagman has just two points in these playoffs, and both came in one game against San Jose.

- Prediction -

We didn't have enough courage to pick the Stars in the second round after picking them to beat Anaheim. And as much as we love how far the Stars have come this season, we once again lack courage to pick them against a Red Wings team that is healthy, rested and just a little too deep for the Stars to handle.

Wings in seven.

- Watching the pure joy and excitement on the faces of these guys never gets old.

A new side of Avery emerges

2008-05-02T09:57:00.005-05:00

- A new side of Avery Johnson has emerged from all of this. He's quick to take the credit for not only team successes, but for player successes/improvements that happened under his watch.

- He claims it's a miracle that a 67 win in 2007 made the playoffs in 2008.

- He claims (against countless insider reports that say otherwise, and a quote, "Get me a point guard.") that he loved the direction Devin Harris was going and was on the verge of being an 18 and 8 All-Star.

- He's a paranoid, self-aggrandizing, insecure person. As good of a person he is off the court, his true colors come to pass when he's in an athletic, authoritative environment.

- It's sad to see him go, he's truly a good person, he had the most success of any coach in the team's history, and he gave me some of my best Maverick's memories.

- But what's written below by www.dallasbasketball.com is all the proof you need.

- Insecure, mentally weak, and paranoid -

1) These are the main things I will take from Avery. As much as he liked to preach being mentally strong, I'll argue he was just as mentally weak as the team he was coaching.

2) His pet projects - Dampier, Howard, Devin Harris. All mush in the head. Dampier with his penchant for getting his feelings hurt by teammates. Howard with his penchant for cracking under pressure and also getting his feelings hurt by pretty much anyone who bashes him or stands against him. And the way he handled his BFF Harris geting traded. Grow up and get a sack. Harris and his penchant for being ultra-sensitive to media criticism. All Avery guys.

3) Avery's so paranoid, insecure, and afraid of his power getting compromised or his knowledge being questioned, runs off 3 assistants in the past 3 years. He runs off an NBA lifer, a man who's been in the league for 40 years (Del Harris). The power issues, the paranoia of his coaching decisions being put into question, and the insecurity of someone else being more knowledable than him. All adds up the ridiculousness of this guy.

4) And then not only running Del Harris off, but also promoting some video coordinator whipping boy in "Assistant coach Joe Prunty". A dude who Avery KNEW he could control and wouldn't speak up.

- Read below, DallasBasketball.com does it about as good as I could do it in why Little Hitler needed to go. This was written before the firing.

In March 2005, upon his hiring as head coach, Avery Johnson – with equal parts humility and power –promised that if he didn’t lead the Mavs to a title in the coming years, he “wouldn’t have to be fired’’ because he would resign. That humility is gone. That power should be. That title never came. The dismissal now must.

To the bitter end – and by God this is bitter, The Lil' Johnson somehow screaming down his exciting and elite 2006 NBA Finals club into a team that this year felt fortunate to even make the playoffs – Avery twisted the empathetic tales into being all about Avery, and twisted the tales of failure into being all about the shortcomings of “the men.’’ The media noticed. The fans noticed. And yeah, the players noticed.

"This is tough for me," said Avery after Tuesday’s playoff dismissal in New Orleans as he sidestepped a question about his job security. "Obviously this is where I was bornand raised. " Yes, that is an important note, Avery. All the time, money, blood and sweat invested in the Dallas Mavericks, by owner, staff, players and fans. … but what the 4-1 loss to the Hornets is REALLY about is the fact that you grew up there.

To those who read this space, it is not a newsflash that Avery is tip-toeing toward the unemployment line. We’ve spent the year chronicling how his approach has devolved from inspirational preacher/teacher to obnoxious Napoleonic know-it-all, from General Johnson to Captain Queeg. Because of Avery’s well-documented positives – he is a man of faith, a self-made basketball hero, helped get Dallas to some of its greatest pinnacles and even to this day, is admired by the players who have tired of his relentless hectoring – make this diffcult. The many examples of slippage – most of them never before reported -- have been painful for DallasBasketball.com to watch and to report.

DEL’S DEPARTURE: You first read about Del Harris’ semi-retirement a year ago in this space. Now know this: Del sits in a luxury suite at Mavs games and serves as a consultant to the owner in large part because Avery forcefully decided he no longer needed the once-valued guidance of the man the inexperienced coach used to refer to as “Professor.’’

NEVER CONTRADICT AVERY!: Avery’s close friend Joe Prunty earned sympathy from players after an incident in Detroit this year when the head coach excitedly called the wrong play in the huddle (no problem, it happens) and Prunty attempted to correct him. Johnson’s viciously profane directive to Prunty to “never’’ contradict him again caused players to alarmingly notice Avery’s sensitive ego.

‘AVERY’S TEAM’: Mark Cuban’s March 18 post-game meeting with Avery over the use of players in a home loss to the Lakers was well within the rights of the owner, and certainly not uncommon in Dallas. It wasn’t even an act of unhappiness with the coach, as evidenced by Cuban’s ensuing donning of an “Avery’s Team’’ T-shirt. Avery didn’t discuss the issue as if the owner was his boss, or even his co-worker; Avery discussed the issue loudly, defensively, and illogically.

THE ORIGIN OF BROKESTACK MOUNTAIN: Avery’s choice of which players would be his “pets’’ and which would be in his “doghouse’’ was once thought to be the result of his knowledge of psychology. We now believe it was more about which players stood up to the coach’s screaming and which did not. The feisty Jerry Stackhouse made it clear more than two years ago that he would not; we are told Stack was inches away from a physical altercation with the badgering coach before he was pulled away by teammates. And the next thing you know, Avery is a “Stack guy.’’ (And yes, Mavs fans, that is the genesis of Avery’s BrokeStack Mountain love for his veteran.) Avery and Stack are respectful friends. But Stack not taking Avery’s crap is part of how they got that way.

‘WE DON’T HAVE ANY LEADERS’: One of Avery’s training-camp themes was about how the Mavs “don’t have any leaders,’’ and that Avery is therefore the sole leader. This was, at the very least, an irritant to his veteran players. At at most, a stinging insult. In fact, the empty platitudes from the cartoon character we came to call “Cliché’vry Johnson’’ were empty to some of his players, even the many who love him.

MEDIA-ALLY WHISPERING: In what is either a clumsy political attempt to gain PR clout or just something clumsy, period, Johnson had made a habit of whispering to media confidants about the shortcomings of his stars. It’s bad form, it’s disloyal, and it is difficult to keep that sort of thing from caroming back in one’s face. Jason Kidd has definitely been a victim of this (intentional or not) back-stabbing. Dirk Nowitzki has probably been a victim of it. The phrase "thrown under the bus'' become trite in DB.com readers' circles, but it was accurate enough.

WHERE’S WESTPHAL?: Paul Westphal was brought here this year to help with the offense. Insiders suggest that Westphal has been allowed to make virtually no changes in Dallas’ attack.

CREDIT AND BLAME: Avery has an annoying habit of taking credit for the successes and deflecting blame to the players upon failure. When speaking of Dirk’s success, for instance, Avery’s comments were about how well Avery had guided Dirk. And when asked what Avery could do better during a tough time in the postseason, Johnson was sarcastic is saying he’s accept all blame, but then added a “but’’ and went on to say it’s about the players performing at a higher level.

‘AVERY’S SYSTEM’: Another important example to some staffers: Avery tells anyone who will listen about his “system.’’ In fact, the “Mavs System’’ – while obviously influenced by three-plus years of Avery’s thoughts -- is the result of 40 years of labor by Don Nelson, Del Harris and others, endorsed by Cuban and Don Nelson, and by now a component in the teachings of most NBA and college coaches. It is not “Avery’s System’’ because there is in fact no such thing as “Avery’s System.’’

RE-WIRING: Avery’s attempts to make Dirk “more Duncan-like’’ (a phrase used derisively by Mavs staffers) and to “re-wire’’ Kidd (Kidd’s own words) speak to the coach’s mindset: Mold star athletes around the coach’s style and strengths, rather than molding the coach around the star athletes’ style and strengths.

WE LOVE AVERY, BUT. …’: This quote from one chuckling veteran: “We love Avery. But 80 percent of the time, we have no idea what he’s trying to do.’’

THE ONE-VOICE POLICY: We are told that at one point during the season Avery became so irritated at the number of assistants who were offering ideas to players during practice that the head coach instituted a “one-voice’’ policy. And that the “one voice’’ was to be, of course, Avery’s.

THE PLAYERS-ONLY BLOWUP: Any one of those could be a justifiable last straw. But then came this week’s players-only practice, and the apparent blowup that preceded it.

As DallasBasketball.com initially reported, Josh Howard had scheduled a birthday party for Sunday night, after Game 4 against the Hornets. This was not news to us, this was not news to our readers, this was not news to listeners of “urban’’ radio. … but it was apparently news to “The General,’’ who prides himself on his relationships and communications with his players.

Howard, very much in the spotlight last weekend thanks to his public pronouncements of Reefer Madness, should’ve been the most important member of the Mavs to receive guidance and attention. How, given the circumstance, could the team let this goofball escape over the wall? Instead, we understand that Avery learned of details of the party (likely attended by a handful of teammates) too late, and that his reaction contributed to his angry decision to cancel Monday’s potentially final practice of the season. (Note: Some gossip has it that Avery knew about the party in advance and ordered it be cancelled. Neither version of the story makes Avery appear to be a respected boss in charge of his employees.)

Howard screwed up. Again.

Avery blew up. Again.

The players decided to practice on their own (imagine an NFL team not practicing before the Super Bowl because its coach was bothered!). And Avery’s comments that afternoon about the session were dismissive.

“We're in a situation right now where I don't know if we need another drill,’’ he said.

“Dismissive’’? “Pouty’’? The exact opposite of “communication’’ and “leadership’’ and “motivation’’? You (and Mark Cuban) be the judge.

Please note that none of the aforementioned items even approach being about X’s-and-O’s, about benching Kidd in the final seconds of the loss at San Antonio, about Avery’s assemblage of thirty-something “pets’’ who on a whole made few contributions to one of the worst overall seasons experienced in the highly-successful Cuban Era. None of them are even about wins and losses, the recent 3-12 playoff record, for instance – even though Avery struggles in all these areas.

No, these complaints are about dealing with people, about motivation, about relationships, about communication.

Avery Johnson’s 2006 Coach of the Year trophy casts a large shadow. Paired with his ego, that shadow has wilted all those areas that were once his blossoming strengths.

So is Avery a bad apple? Are his players a spoiled bushel?

No, and no.

It is so important to remind the reader that the players’ inability or unwillingness to follow their leader is in part the fault of a coach who has not developed in those areas. But it is also the result of human nature. In coaching history, smart organizations replace an avuncular-style coach with a taskmaster, and then replace the taskmaster with an avuncular guy. (See Jimmy Johnson being replaced by Barry Switzer, and then later, Bill Parcells being replaced by Wade Phillips.) Under the avuncular guy, discipline eventually slips, and it’s time for a taskmaster. After four or five years (according to Jimmy) players cannot help but tune out the taskmaster, and it’s time for a cyclical change.

True story: Old Cowboys linemen Nate Newton and the late Mark Tuinei were telling me all the way back in 1993 – Jimmy’s fifth season, not coincidentally – that during team meetings, the veterans would fall asleep in meetings and skip pep talks altogether. “We’ve heard the same speech every August 17th for five straight August 17ths,’’ Tui once told me, adding that the Pro Bowl lineman also passed the time by sitting in the back of meeting rooms with the fellas doodling in the margins of the Cowboys playbook. (I saw the doodles.)

When did Jimmy leave the Cowboys? After that 1993 season. Why? Contrary to those who think it’s Jerry Jones’ fault, Jimmy left on purpose. He knew the guys were failing to pay attention. He knew they were sick of his voice. He knew that what they had there was. … a failure to communicate.

He knew.

Remember? It was his fifth season.

Now, the question is: Does Avery know?

Does Avery know that it’s time for the Mavs to negotiate a departure, to wish him well elsewhere, and to begin the contemplation of a long list of candidates?

By the way, what a long (and very preliminary) list might look like: Mavs assistant Mario Elle, Jeff Van Gundy, Boston assistant Tom Thibodeaux, Detroit’s Flip Saunders, Rick Carlisle, fired Bobcats coach Sam Vincent, Phoenix’ reportedly available Mike D’Antoni and Washington’s Eddie Jordan, who happens to be a “Kidd guy.’’

The experienced of those guys might not be available. The young among them might be too Avery-green.

If you believe us when we say this organization believes it provided Avery “the best team we’ve ever had,’’ don’t dismiss the idea of a short-and-quick list: Head coach Paul Westphal, with his suitcase of offensive ideas still unopened, assisted by the suddenly re-respected Del Harris.

After the Mavs were eliminated, Dirk, Stack and other team leaders could not avoid the obvious question of their coach’s future.

Said Dirk: “You don't want to say stuff when you're emotional and disappointed. We'll just let this one sit for a while and then obviously, once you don't win it all, once you don't win a championship, you've always got to look at what you have to do to make the franchise better.’’

Said Stack: “We've had a great run with this group. But when you lose in the first round two years in a row, you expect some changes. We're all hired to be fired at some point. … They all see the end. … We'll wait and see what the boss (Cuban) does. No matter what happens or what changes are made. … for the last four years, it's been a great situation for everybody that's involved. So if this is the end or whatever, you can't do nothing but say we had our chance. Had our opportunity.’’

Meanwhile, the passionate Cuban wisely did not engage with reporters.

Johnson, however, did.

“Our offseason has started,” Avery said. “We will evaluate everybody and every situation from the coaching staff and the players. (Cuban) and I have great communication and we’ll sit down and talk about it, and see what we need to do to go from here.”

What we need to do to go from here is apparent. The Mavs season shouldn’t have been all about the coach, but he made it so. Now the Mavs offseason is all about the coach. And in a way befitting a control freak, he made that so, too.

- And then a post-firing press conference analysis. More lies, more backtracking, more contradictory comments. Once again, a brilliant piece from DallasBasketball.com.

The Miracle Worker

Avery Leaves 'Suite' Life With Mavs
By Mike Fisher -- DB.com

I came to the Ritz-Carlton to praise Avery, not to bury him. But as the departing Mavs coach exited through the lobby and retreated to the Suite 1402 that is his temporary home, I leafed through my notebook full of “goodbye’’ quotes and realized there was no praise I could offer him that Avery hadn’t just spent the morning giving himself.

Honest to God, I recognize that before we do as Avery instructs and “turn the page,’’ we should honor the man who helped us to a 67-win season, and to an NBA Finals appearance, and – Avery’s words again – “changed the culture’’ of the once-woeful Mavs.

It’s all true. Avery was an important leader during the Mavs’ charge toward the top.

And if you don’t believe how important he was. … just ask him.

It is indeed a “suite’’ life. Avery appreciatively bids Dallas – “a city that’s one of the major cities in all of the world’’ – with what a massive severance check. (At least $12 mil? Or, given Tony Cubes’ famous generosity, could it be a check for $360,000,000,000?) He is the owner of his pad just up the street from American Airlines Center (it’s a two-bedroom, 2,700 square-foot piece of real-estate heaven worth $2.09 mil if you’re in the market). The owner and the rest of the Mavs are all trying to say the right things as their old coach considers what he insists can be an immediate move, if he wishes, to a new club. (If not New York, maybe Chicago, where there are already an-interview-is-coming sources?)

Avery tried to say the right things, too. He thanked “all of our players that put on a Maverick uniform,’’ and all the staffers, and the fans, and said “I want to thank Mark for taking a shot and a swing on me four years ago as an assistant, to think enough of me to bring me in immediately, he and Nellie, to make me an assistant head coach without any experience. I’ve enjoyed my time here working with Mark. We had a lot of great moments. And we had a lot of fun.’’

There is no denying that. Cuban and Nellie handed Avery the baton, and he ran with it like his hair was afire. He coached like that, too, and there is no truly shame in a driving style, a 100-MPH/24/7 style, that inevitably runs out of gas.

There is some shame, though, in continuing his efforts to revise history, to attempt to escape blame for failures, and to try to sell the successes as the result of the coach’s individual brilliance.

I’ll try to quit judging now. I’ll let Avery talk. You judge. I’ll nudge.

Avery on this year’s team: “This year’s team? It was a miracle we made the playoffs.’’

And there’s the money shot of the day: Avery Johnson is. … “The Miracle Worker.’’

Avery on the 67-win team: “When we won 67 games, that team significantly, significantly overachieved.’’

More miracles. Are you sensing a theme here?

Avery on bad decisions: “We can get up every morning and look ourselves in the mirror, every player that played, coach, and also myself. We can look ourselves in the mirror and really be proud of what we took over when we took over this team and the direction we went in. We can feel very proud of what we did, each and every day. Every decision that I had a chance to be a part of, I can really feel good about it.’’

Proud of every decision he was part of. (And, of course, not so proud of the ones he wasn’t a part of.)

Every. Single. Decision.

That’s one proud son of a gun.

Avery on his organizational know-how: “I think in terms of what I came from a blueprint of what I knew how an organization should be run from top to bottom; I knew what type of players should be drafted, free-agent signings, how the coach should function. I had a really good blueprint with all my successful years down south (as a player with the Spurs). And we were able to come here and really make some headway. We were able to change the culture and attitude. ‘’

Avery on this being a “results-driven business’’: We got the results that we wanted in terms of when we made it to the Finals. Now once you make it to the Finals, one of two teams are going to win, but this organization had never made it there before, so that was a pretty good result.’’

Avery on whether this year he had everything in place to succeed: “No, not this year. This is a different team. Before we made the trade, we had the best record against the Western Conference and one of the things that I talked to Mark and Donnie about, I said: ‘Hey, I’ve got to get a point guard.’ That’s why I wanted to develop Devin Harris.’ I said ‘I’ve got to get this boy to a point where he can be a scorer first and pass some. We got him to a point, like I told you guys before, we were knocking on the door with this young man making the All-Star team. He was going to be an 18-and-8 player. I invested a significant amount of time with him and, again, he was injured and a lot of things were happening around the NBA, and like I said, if we can just hold on a little while, we’ve got the best record against the West. I think we were second or third in the Western Conference at that point and we were going to play the Western Conference quite a bit after the All-Star break. The team was changed and we never really got back on track.’’

Seems pretty clear. Avery is claiming he was 100-percent against acquiring Kidd, 100-percent for handing the reins to Devin. And that the Kidd deal ruined Avery’s blueprint.

Wow. He's lying. The Triangle of Authority made it "unanimous,'' says Donnie, who wasn't trying to be argumentative but rather was simply answering a Randy Galloway question. Truth is, to my knowledge, the other two points on the triangle NEVER forced on the coach a player he did not want. NEVER.

Avery, when asked if he’d like to clarify: “We not here for slamming anybody’s name through the mud. … Whatever happened, I think my name is on record with the organization as what I wanted to do.’’

As a matter of fact, Avery’s in-house position is very clear to those in the know. Although the record might have gotten stained after having been “slammed through the mud.’’

I will add, as a sidebar: When Avery’s potential future employers are digging around. … and they call Donnie, or Keith Grant, or Dirk. … and they ask them whether Avery is telling the truth about his supposed don’t-trade-for-Kidd views. … I wonder what they’ll say? And I wonder what the prospective employer will think?

“The Miracle Worker’’ with more offerings on this year’s club: “I feel proud about what we’ve done here, contrary to popular belief. We were a seventh-seed this year that was anywhere from a seventh to a ninth seed, could have been a 10th seed with this particular team. We weren’t quick. We just didn’t have what it takes to compete against some of the teams in the Western Conference. It is what it is.’’

Only a bit confusing. Avery’s “seven-seed’’ should have been a 10th seed. … but at the same time, “It is what it is’’?

And more, on whether Avery got all he could from this year’s team: “Oh, yes. Absolutely. And more. Yes. Yes. Yes.’’

Avery on whether the team tuned him out: “Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. When that happens, then sometimes you need a new voice. It's not that I'm cool with it or I'm not resilient or I'm not disappointed. But this is a part of coaching. Because of that, I've said it all the time. Coaches, we're going to resign or we're going to get fired. Now, whatever words we try to use, that's what happens.’’

I feel absolved. More immediately important to the Mavs in the last two months than Avery’s assorted flaws is this issue, which has little to do with his personality or his strategies: Players eventually tune out coaches. It’s not a coaching crime. It’s cyclical. I’ve tried to explain that my view on this subject is not an attack on Coach, but rather a fact I’ve seen up-close in 28 years of study. Avery said it better than I have.

More on the cycle, and how it has nothing to do with ownership: “I'm proud of my working relationship with Mark. I'm proud of it. We've had moments behind the scenes where we've talked about management styles, vision and I've learned a whole heck of a lot from Mark. I don’t have anything but great things to say (about Cuban). There were 29 other owners in the NBA and nobody else gave me my first shot but him. Did we have some rough periods? Absolutely. Am I proud that we were able to get through those rough periods? Yes, I am.

“(Coaching changes are) going to happen at some point, whether it was five years down the line or yesterday. … All coaches either get fired or resign.’’

Avery on whether he’s already fielded calls from interested teams: “Yes!’’

That’s grand, and I believe as with most guys, they will be better on their second go-round. “I won’t try to do 200 different things on the first day of training camp,’’ Avery said, in a rare moment of genuine self-reflection.

A cautionary note: The buzz suggests that Avery is a candidate for openings with the Bulls and Knicks. (And if Avery is telling the truth about getting multiple calls, he’s almost certainly talking about those positions.) I wrote on Wednesday that if Avery thinks the DFW media represents “Poisonous Journalism,’’ he ain’t seen nothin’ ‘til he loses three straight games in Chicago and New York.

I just realized this, for people (maybe Avery included) who think Cuban was a demanding, involved boss? In addition to the fact that I APPLAUD Cuban’s passionate involvement. …

Chicago’s owner is Jerry Reinsdorf. New York’s owner is James Dolan.

I’m telling you, Avery’s existence in Dallas was more “suite’’ than he knows.

Avery on the times when the team did listen to him: “Whatever strategies we tried, they really bought into them -- even if they were bad strategies. Because I've had one (bad strategy) in four years.’’

There were a lot of folks assembled at the press conference. The media came out in full force; when the Ritz-Carlton staff saw most of us unkempt hacks slogging in, they surely assumed we should be entering through the service door, or were maybe begging for dumpster-stored kitchen scraps.

There were also a handful of emotional staffers who came three blocks up from the gym to say their goodbyes, including assistant Popeye Jones, broadcaster Laura (Mrs. Joe Prunty) Green, equipment man Al Whitley, trainer Casey Smith and the hard-working PR people. (I thought a number of The Lil’ General’s admiring enlisted men were conspicuous in their absence, but I’m cynical that way. I might even kid that if they had shown up and said anything to Avery, it’d be the first time all year he let most of them speak).

And when Coach drawled out the “one bad strategy’’ line, we all chuckled. Avery – in so many ways the most successful coach the Dallas Mavericks have ever employed-- had made a funny.

A self-effacing joke.

At least I think it was a joke.

A team of destiny

2008-04-29T21:46:00.004-05:00

- What else can you say? They're winning on the road. They're getting production from both role players and star players. They're winning overtime games. They're getting top-level goaltending. The money players are delivering. There is just something about this team that you can't explain. There's a confidence, there's a swagger, a belief that they just will not lose.

- Sergei Zubov. What a talent. I severely underrated his return. I got so sick of hearing people talking about his return like Wayne Gretzky was coming back to the lineup. I recognized his greatness for sure, the guy is awesome, but I thought no way would he be able to return and have his stamina intact, and be able to give the Stars 25 minutes of effective ice time.

- Not only is he back, he's playing huge minutes, he's back to quarterbacking the power play, and he's racking up points. A huge power play goal to tie the game in the 3rd (a period in which the Stars now have outscored opponents 18-6).

- Marty continued to perform like a top 3 goalie in the NHL. If not for a breakaway goal, he'd have yet another shutout. His save in OT on CheeChoo no doubt turned the series. They score there, it's suddenly 2-1, with the biggest game of the season tomorrow night. Instead, he stoned him, and now it's 3-0 and the Stars can close this thing out tomorrow.

- Brendan Morrow is quickly building his legend as the Captain of the Dallas Stars. He is rising to every occasion. He is not disappearing from the spotlight. One night he's scoring the game winner (Game 1), then he's assisting on big goals (Game 2), and then he's leading the team in hits and being the inspirational leader on the ice (Game 3).

- He's a special player. A player who can combine top-notch leadership qualities with tangible production as well, (especially production in the playoffs), is about the most valuable player you can have on a hockey team outside of a kickass goalie. Brendan Morrow is a stud.

- What has to be killing San Jose is that it looked to me as though they gave their best shot tonight. That was probably their best effort of the series. Joe Thornton, CheeChoo, and Setagoochi (spelling?) were active and assaulting Turco all night. San Jose stayed out of the penalty box for the most part, played pretty good defense for about 2 periods. And got an absolutely superb performance from their goalie. And that was all they had.

- But in the end, the Stars just played just as well, if not better than San Jose. They owned the 3rd period like they have all during the playoffs. They severely outshot the Sharks in the 3rd, played the entire period in San Jose's end, and once again scored on the power play.

- The Stars seemed to win every loose puck battle, seemed to be the more aggressive team the whole game. They were flying all over the ice and looked like an insanely hungry team.

- Game 4 tomorrow night. End this thing. Get some rest. Let Colorado and Detroit beat each other up. Teams that want to make a long trip through the playoffs need at least 1 quick series at some point, preferably in Round 1 or Round 2. They need a sweep or a 5 gamer in order to rest up for a long series down the road. You can't make every series into a 6 or 7 gamer, it takes too much out of you. You'll have nothing left come Round 3 or Round 4. The Stars need this win tomorrow night.

- I'm ready for Game 4.

- This is great.

Jugular night

2008-04-29T09:54:00.012-05:00

- The Stars can effectively bury San Jose tonight with a win. A 3-0 series lead is 99% of the time Church. And the Mavs look like they are taking the sword from New Orleans and slicing their own jugular. They want no part of the playoffs anymore. They'll get beat by double digits tonight.

- The view from San Jose.

Sharks don't need any momentum

Ray Ratto
Tuesday, April 29, 2008

(04-29) 04:00 PDT Dallas -- It is still too early to declare that the San Jose Sharks are the Atlanta Braves of shinny, and it is also too generous. Right now, backed against the ropes by a team that doesn't hit all that much, they aren't even Braves caliber. Truth be told, they actually look more like the Sacramento Kings of the Rick Adelman era - always in the playoffs, rarely for very long.

The Sharks made their annual plea for "desperate" hockey after being smothered again by the Dallas Stars in Game 2 on Sunday night. They said it as though it was an actual strategic plan, like the neutral-zone trap, rather than a "Well, what brilliant idea do you have, smart ass?" statement that betrays both the arrogance of talent and the fear of failure.

And therein lies the problem with Game 3 coming tonight. This isn't so much about whether the Sharks can skate with Dallas, because they can. This isn't even about tactical considerations, because they were doing the things they needed to do throughout most of the first two periods Sunday.

But as they seem to do far too often, they stopped doing it. They were caught surprised when Joe Pavelski hit the deck, lost the puck and surrendered Brad Richards' game-tying goal 32 seconds into the third period Sunday. They were gob-smacked when the underharassed Sergei Zubov spun at the right face-off dot and hit the even less bothered Mike Modano for a one-timer from the left face-off circle that provided the game-winner.

And they accepted their fate too easily thereafter. Not by quitting, which is too easy a buzzword, but deciding to no longer do the things that worked for them before - crowding Dallas goalie Marty Turco, blocking shots, taking care to keep tabs on Dallas' best players, Mike Ribeiro, Brenden Morrow, Brad Richards and, yes, Modano Emeritus.

The fact is, and you don't need stats to prove this although they are easily found, Dallas' best players have enjoyed too much free-range hockey, with the predictable result, and San Jose's best players have been harassed, smothered or simply failed on their own.

Ribeiro has been better than Joe Thornton. Richards has been better than Jonathan Cheechoo. Morrow has been better than Ryane Clowe. Zubov and Stephane Robidas have been better than Brian Campbell, and Turco has been better than Evgeni Nabokov. And San Jose's young players and support staff have done largely nothing.

Hockey is not played as a man-on-man exercise, but when your best lose to their best, you lose. And when your other guys don't dramatically outplay the other guy's other guys, you lose fast.

The Sharks' only hope, then, is not that they have such a swell road record, or that they do well in Dallas, or that they're really good when they're desperate. In fact, what ails the Sharks is that, though they do have some exploitable players, what they really have is a bad case of short attention span. They go good, but if the other team doesn't cave under the Sharks' collective throw-weight, the Sharks sometimes forget what got them there. Contemporary example: They have had one consistently strong game out of nine, and that was Game 7 against Calgary.

This Sharks team, then, is not a Cup winner, not with what it is showing this postseason. This isn't even the Braves.

So what, then, do they have going for them in Game 3 other than the template for winning that actually was working before they abandoned it for whatever Dallas wanted to do? The fact that momentum doesn't hold much water in hockey.

You see, Dallas is capable of playing less well in Game 3 than it did in Games 1 and 2, simply by forgetting to mind its trap well, or getting a squirrelly performance by Turco, or by thinking the job is done before it is done. And though San Jose's trip to the conference finals seems highly unlikely at this point, the Sharks still can win only the game in front of them, which is tonight's.

We are seeing that San Jose is in fact not as good as it persistently has been cracked up to be, and that's not a coaching issue but a talent and devotion issue. But the Sharks are surely better than going down in an uninspired heap, aren't they?

Well, aren't they?

- Turco proving his worth....

Turco has taken his duties, his team to a serious level

By JIM REEVESStar-Telegram Staff Writer

Hockey, by its nature, is a game of scars. The speed, the flashing blades, the violent collisions, inevitably see to that.

That most of Marty Turco's scars are on the inside, instead of the outside, doesn't mean that they have been any less painful.

On the contrary, I would argue that Turco has bled more than most in his NHL career. His hemorrhages have simply been internal. That's the lot of an NHL goaltender.

It's no coincidence that the Dallas Stars have advanced this deep in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in five years with Turco playing at a higher level.

We can talk about how Mike Modano owns San Jose, or Brad Richards' four third-period points in Game 2 Sunday night, or even the dramatic return of defenseman Sergei Zubov, but make no mistake about it, the Stars are where they are, leading the Sharks 2-games-to-none in this best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series, because Turco has been, hands down, the best player on the ice.

As the Stars and Sharks line up tonight for Game 3 at the AAC, there's not a single player on either team who doesn't know that.

This is the new and different Turco, the one we actually saw emerging during last year's seven-game, first-round loss to Vancouver, when the Stars won three times only because he pitched shutouts.

This Turco, the father of two young daughters, doesn't laugh as much as he did when he was 27 and coming off a modern-day NHL record-setting season after replacing Eddie Belfour and posting an amazing 1.76 goals-against average in his first full year between the Stars' posts.

Subsequent playoff failures, when the fickle finger of blame found itself, more often than not, wagging in Turco's direction changed his outlook, changed his approach, even changed his persona.

Like most of us, he simply didn't know then what he knows now.

"For me, the complete understanding of what I need to do for this hockey club has come to me," Turco said in San Jose, where the Sharks threw everything they had in his direction and it still wasn't enough. "I've always known that stopping the puck and moving it and giving these guys confidence is what I've wanted to do, but I'm just at a better place now.

"You always wish you'd known more things when you were younger, but there's nothing I would change now that got me to this point."

He understands and appreciates the first-round losses now as learning experiences, a process that he needed to go through and absorb to become the goaltender and person he is today.

"Experience is a huge thing for anybody, experiences you can draw on to keep you calm," Turco said. "My game has developed with a lot of confidence to trust my instincts and abilities, to remain in position and to remain patient and to be strong for the whole game.

"Every facet of being a professional athlete has been tremendously better. It's been a lot of hard work, a lot of sacrificing, but that's exactly what I wanted."

Stars' play-by-play TV and radio announcer Ralph Strangis has had a front seat for Turco's metamorphosis from cocky playoff failure to quiet, efficient brilliance.

"Losing humbles you. It slaps you in the face," Strangis said. "I imagine life had always been pretty easy for Marty Turco. He'd won at every level, played on two national [collegiate] championship teams.

"Then he had to wait behind Belfour, and I'm sure he thought he would step right in and [win Stanley Cups], too, and he didn't."

At least not yet. But this Turco, who owns a 1.99 goals against-average for the first eight games of the 2008 playoffs, has the talent, and now the maturity, to do exactly that.

"What you're seeing is the maturity of becoming a veteran goaltender, accepting his role on the team," coach Dave Tippett said. "His leadership has evolved and his leadership is essential for our team.

"That's his personality. The combination of recognizing that he's one of our best players, of doing the job, has a big impact on him being a leader. Those are all situations and processes you go through."

If that means he doesn't joke around quite as much as he once did, or that the smiles are fewer because of how seriously he takes his responsibility now, it's a small price to pay.

"It's not just me out there that's out there working and thinking," Turco said. "It's for my guys.

"It's about winning, and that's all that I want. It's always been about getting better in order to win and give these guys confidence."

Turco is so confident in his own ability now, he's almost surprised on those rare occasions when the puck winds up in the net behind him.

"There's not too many goals, and I mean probably less than you'd think, that I shouldn't have had," he insisted. "There's something inside me that thinks I actually should stop all of them.

"But you have to know that mistakes are going to happen, never mind just goals and bounces, whatever. My job is about kind of forgetting and moving on. I've played enough, in big games and in overtime, to know that it's all about the next play, the next save and that my teammates look at their goalie as a wall. It's something I cherish dearly."

He has been that mighty wall throughout these playoffs, the Stars' last and most formidable line of defense.

"To say that I trust myself, it's true," he said. "But it's been a long road.

"I'm not perfect. I'm not the best ever. But I think I can help this team win."

Five years after his first foray into the postseason, a wiser, stronger Turco is all about proving he can do just that.

- You knew it was coming.....the bandwagon Dallas sports fan is tearing ass down the tracks trying to hop back on to the Stars train.

Hockey hot again in Dallas

04:50 AM CDT on Tuesday, April 29, 2008
By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News
ccarlton@dallasnews.com

As the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs progressed, people sitting near stressed Stars fan Linda Rich at American Airlines Center fretted.

She was so tense and uncharacteristically quiet that they wondered if she was sick or facing a personal crisis.

Not to worry, Ms. Rich said. It was just the tension of the playoffs.

Ms. Rich might be in rare form tonight. The Stars will make their first AAC appearance of the second round, having taken a surprising 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 series against the higher-seeded San Jose Sharks.

The Stars might have made some of their fans anxious by going five years without a playoff series victory before defeating defending champion Anaheim last week in six games. Their six wins in these playoffs are more than they have achieved in the last three postseasons combined.

Perhaps this postseason run will improve their standing in the local big league sports scene, where they have fallen greatly since winning the Stanley Cup in 1999 and reaching the Finals again in 2000.

"I'm beyond belief excited," said Ms. Rich, a dog groomer from Wylie and a Stars season ticket holder since 1995.

She isn't alone. A sellout crowd made the clinching victory against Anaheim sound like the Stars' halcyon days at Reunion Arena.

"The fans have been as eager as we've been to get out of the first round," said center Mike Modano, the face of the franchise. "It seems like they're waiting to erupt, and they're waiting for us to give them something to cheer about.

"I think they were missing it as much as we were."

Team owner Tom Hicks admits to a soft spot for the Stars, his first pro team in a sports empire that includes the baseball Rangers and Liverpool FC, the renowned English soccer team.

"We're getting our season-ticket base back, and that's what it is all about," Mr. Hicks said. "Dallas is a city that loves winners. Whether it's the Stars or the Mavs or the Cowboys – and hopefully someday it's going to be the Rangers again – there's a lot more interest when they feel like you're going to win."

Consider where the Stars' local pro neighbors stood when they held their championship parade in June 1999. The Rangers actually were their closest competition, having won division titles in 1996, '98 and '99 – but having gone 1-9 in Division Series play following those title runs. New Cowboys coach Chan Gailey got the 1998 team back into the playoffs, but it lost at home to Arizona. The Mavericks had just completed their 10th consecutive losing season.

When the Stars franchise moved from Minnesota in 1993, it was a novelty. Team executives like Jim Lites and Jeff Cogen sold the experience as football on ice.

Ms. Rich, an Oklahoma transplant, was smitten after watching her first Stars game during that 1993-94 season. She told her husband, Wayne: "I don't care if we go to another football, basketball or baseball game. I want season tickets."

She wasn't alone. In 2000-01, the Stars had 16,500 season ticket holders. The total now: 12,500.

The 2000 Finals finale, a loss to the New Jersey Devils at Reunion, drew a 28.7 TV rating and a 47 percent share in the local market. During the 2007-08 regular season, the Stars averaged an 0.8 rating on local over-the-air broadcasts vs. a 4.8 for the NBA Mavericks.

The Stars' decline in popularity wasn't totally tied to playoff shortcomings. The move from Reunion to AAC in 2001 alienated some fans who feel the new arena is too impersonal. And there was the unique loss of an entire season because of the NHL lockout of 2004-05.

Ms. Rich kept her season tickets, but she noted other familiar faces who quit attending games as first-round eliminations negated successful regular seasons.

"That's about the worst situation that you can imagine," said Daniel Howard, chairman of SMU's marketing department. "Good enough to raise hopes – not good enough to win."

Mr. Cogen replaced Mr. Lites as team president last fall and likens the current situation to what he faced in the mid-'90s during his first tour with the Stars, with some advantages. He credits Mr. Hicks for building the eight Dr Pepper StarsCenters, which Mr. Cogen said function as "fan factories."

The Stars have already announced lower ticket prices for most upper-bowl seats next season, in hopes of luring back fans and gaining new ones.

"Would they come back at a price? Probably," Mr. Cogen said. "Would they come back at a price and with some success? More probable."

- Whoever doesn't think this team has tuned Avery out, I present this.....

Dallas Mavericks practice for Game 5 without coaches

03:58 AM CDT on Tuesday, April 29, 2008
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
esefko@dallasnews.com

NEW ORLEANS – After Game 4 confirmed suspicions that this season just isn't meant to be, it seemed clear that the only thing left for the Mavericks was to close ranks and pull together.

Instead, they might be pulling apart as the season's end lurks as early as tonight.

The players stepped out on their own Monday afternoon. After coach Avery Johnson spoke briefly with the team at American Airlines Center, he canceled practice and said he would see everybody at the team plane for the flight to New Orleans.

But several players said that they wanted to practice. So they did, without the coaching staff.

"After the conversation, the players decided to have more of a players-only practice, and from what I heard, it went pretty good," Johnson said at the team's New Orleans hotel. "Somebody amongst the players decided that they thought they needed some sort of practice."

It was not disobeying a direct order. But it was clear the players felt they needed to organize themselves away from authority figures. Though no players were made available to the media Monday, Johnson's commentary on his team spoke volumes.

He sounded like a coach who was not excited that his team would go beyond simply having a players-only meeting by actually doing court work. Players-only meetings happen all the time. But a players-only practice before a possible playoff elimination game?

"We're in a situation where I don't know if we need another drill," Johnson said. "We've been having drills and scrimmages since the first day of training camp and if you don't have it by now, I don't know if you're going to have a CliffsNotes session and get it.

"I was just thinking about keeping the legs fresh and meeting on the plane. But they decided they needed to go down on the court and do something. We'll see what type of carryover it has."

The Mavericks are down 3-1 to the New Orleans Hornets. Game 5 could end their season tonight at New Orleans Arena. Eight teams in NBA history have come back to win a series after falling behind 3-1, the most recent being the 2006 Phoenix Suns against the Los Angeles Lakers.

There already has been talk about the future of the Mavericks if they lose this series. Everything from the security of Johnson's job to the roster spots of pretty much every player not named Dirk Nowitzki are open to question.

Johnson talked openly Monday about whether the players are still in his corner. He said he will continue to run his team the way he believes it should be run. He said that since the trade for Jason Kidd, the transition has been rocky.

"Overall, these men have been very loyal to me," he said. "It's a tough spot for us. Sometimes, we haven't played our best basketball. Maybe another team at that particular time was just a better team. But it's not because the men don't listen or don't try.

"This is a team that hasn't been together for a while. We've tried to incorporate a very tough situation. And we just haven't had the type of carryover like we want.

"But we're still alive. We're playing this game [today], and we have every reason in the world to think we can win it."

The Mavericks have had trouble on the road all season. In Game 4, at home, they had trouble with so many of the same things that made them a No. 7 seed in the eight-team playoff bracket.

Nowitzki said Game 4 was a microcosm of everything that has gone wrong.

"All season long we've lost leads way too quick," Nowitzki said. "We gave up fast-break points, way too many. We left some of their shooters wide-open and just didn't have the composure you need there when things got tight."

None of the Mavericks had it. That's another reflection on the coaching staff.

As for his job security, Johnson said he knows what people have said and written, adding that it hasn't bothered him and he hopes it doesn't distract his players.

"I don't think what we've done, we have to be ashamed of," he said. "We try to lay it on the line and get the team in the best shape as we can to go out and perform. From there, obviously, you need some of the guys to really step up and play well."

- Hollinger on Josh Howard. I was seeing this 3 years ago. Why was everyone so blind? I guess they needed to see absolute rock-bottom before everyone started to see what I saw as far back as 2005.

The disappearance of Josh Howard
When I looked at these teams before the series, it seemed as close as you could get to a dead-even matchup, and the Hornets' home-court advantage was the main reason I picked them in seven.

It hasn't worked out that way, even though Dirk Nowitzki has had a very strong series. But he isn't getting enough help, thanks mainly to Josh Howard's complete and total implosion at the offensive end. Forget this week's controversy about his confession that he smoked marijuana in the offseason -- it's his game that's gone to pot.

In the series, he's mustered just 12.8 points and 6.5 boards while shooting a dismal 15-for-58 (25.9 percent). By Sunday night's Game 4, the Hornets were leaving him wide open for jumpers throughout the second half, but he clanked all of them.

It's not like he's got Michael Cooper on him either. His primary defenders have been Peja Stojakovic and Bonzi Wells, neither of whom is known for putting the clamps on opponents. While Peja's D probably is a little underrated, Howard faced plenty of good defenders this season and averaged 19.9 points and 7.0 boards on 45.5 percent shooting.

As a result of his struggles, a position where Dallas expected to have a sizable advantage has become a surprising plus for the Hornets. And not surprisingly, the unexpected minus at the small forward spot also has put the Mavs at a minus in the games department, 3-1.

- The analysis and obituaries are coming from everywhere. Here's the New York Times....

Mavericks’ Only Certainty Is a Cloudy Future

By HOWARD BECK
Published: April 29, 2008

NEW ORLEANS — The itinerary Monday called for the Dallas Mavericks to hold a brief practice, then fly to New Orleans. But the practice was decidedly unconventional and the Mavericks’ ultimate destination is anything but clear.

The team landed here in the Crescent City in midafternoon, with considerable baggage in tow: a former All-Star who has lost his way, a future Hall of Famer who has lost his touch and a coach who may soon lose his job.

The Mavericks play the Hornets on Tuesday night, with their season and just about everything else at stake. The Hornets lead the first-round series, three games to one.

Despite the stakes, Coach Avery Johnson initially canceled practice in Dallas. His players decided to practice anyway, without the coaches. The unofficial workout allowed the Mavericks to skirt league rules on news media availability, and thus avoid many nagging questions.

Chief among them: How is a team that was supposed to contend for the title facing first-round elimination for the second year in a row? Wrapped up in the answer is Johnson’s future.

He guided the Mavericks to the Western Conference title two years ago, but since then they have produced mostly disappointment. Dallas had a 2-0 lead over the Miami Heat in the 2006 finals, but lost the next four games. The Mavericks won a league-best 67 games last season, but were bounced by the Golden State Warriors.

Despite trading for Jason Kidd, a future Hall of Famer, at midseason, the Mavericks struggled to make the playoffs and finished as the seventh seed. Now they are fizzling again, against a New Orleans team that is younger, grittier and more confident.

The Mavericks are 3-11 in their last 14 playoff games under Johnson, including 0-8 on the road.

These are not the marks of a contender, which is why speculation is growing daily that the owner Mark Cuban will fire Johnson when the season ends. If Cuban’s anger runs deep enough, he might just jettison everyone but Dirk Nowitzki, last season’s most valuable player.

When Johnson met with reporters at the team hotel early Monday evening, he acknowledged, albeit indirectly, that his job could be at stake.

“Whatever decisions that were made, it will have to be discussed at a later time,” he said. “Right now, we’re still alive.”

Johnson added, “We have to let it run its course, and then we’ll have to adjourn after, whenever that is, and we’ll take a look at it, put everything on the board and see at that point.”

A year ago, the heat fell mostly on Nowitzki. But Nowitzki has been more than solid against the Hornets, averaging 28 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists, while shooting 50 percent in the series. It is the rest of the roster that is failing.

Josh Howard, an All-Star in 2007 and the Mavericks’ No. 2 scorer this season, has been an unmitigated mess in the playoffs. He is shooting 26 percent from the field and averaging 12.8 points. He has been alternately tentative and overeager with his jump shot and has failed to attack the basket consistently.

Kidd was supposed to be the missing piece of a championship team but instead has been a disappointment. He is averaging 7.3 points and 6.3 assists, and he has hardly made an imprint in the last three games. He has also failed to do the one thing he did best in Phoenix and New Jersey — make his teammates better.

Kidd’s most noteworthy moment in the series came in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 97-84 loss, when he was ejected for a flagrant foul on Jannero Pargo. The N.B.A. reviewed the play Monday but determined that it did not warrant a suspension.

As it stands now, the bold trade for Kidd — which cost the Mavericks the young point guard Devin Harris — looks like a mistake.

“Whenever you do something or make a decision, I think there are going to be ramifications of that decision,” Johnson said.

It was yet another subtle admission that the Mavericks are more of a work in progress than a polished product. The trade was clearly the primary reason. The Mavericks still feature five of their top six scorers from the 2006 finals (Nowitzki, Howard, Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse and Erick Dampier), but they lack cohesion.

With everything up in the air, Johnson seemed to be asking for understanding — from fans, from the news media and perhaps from Cuban.

“I think over all these men have been very loyal to me,” Johnson said. “It’s just a tough spot for us. Maybe another team at that particular time was just a better team. But it’s not because the men don’t listen or don’t try. But again, this is a team that hasn’t been together for a while. We’ve tried to incorporate a very tough situation. And we just haven’t had the type of carryover like we want. But we’re still alive.”

- The new fan favorite....

- Punk Roenick gets nailed.

Turn out the lights

2008-04-28T10:11:00.006-05:00

- This party is over. The Avery era is over. The post-Nash/Finley era is over. It's time to strip this thing down.

- It's time to strip it down to Dirk, Bass, Terry, and Dampier. Avery gone. Howard gone. Stackhouse, Eddie Jones, Devean George gone. Jason Kidd can stay as long as a new coach comes in.

- A core of Dirk, Bass, and Terry can be more successful than this current mix. The bench/role players have maxed out. Josh Howard has regressed so severely that I'm not even sure what you could get for him anymore. They need more youth, different basketball IQ's, and a new voice leading them.

- Get some youthful and hungry young players, get an athletic wing (trade Howard and trash and cash for Jason Richardson), an athletic big man (re-sign Diop), get Kidd a less Hitler-like coach, get Dirk healthy, get Bass 35 minutes a game, and insert Terry back into the starting lineup full time, and I think we can get back to watching good basketball.

- Josh Howard - 3-16, 6 points. 25% shooting for the series.

- If the game can ever be won in the 2nd quarter, it happened last night. The Mavericks are up 32-23, momentum is there, and New Orleans has its 2nd unit in the game.

- So what does Avery do? Reacting to Scott's substitutions for some reason (you're up 9 and are at home, why are you reacting to his moves?), he inserts Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, and JJ BAREA. Instead of laying the hammer down with CP3 and the rest of the starters out of the game, he inserts probably the least effective lineup of any playoff team ever. Within 3 minutes, the Hornets have the lead and the game is officially over.

- Just like in Game 1 when he put George, Stack, and JUWAN HOWARD in the game when Scott put in his 2nd unit. The game was officially over at that point as well.

- How many more times can a person out-coach himself, out-think himself, and just get dominated by the opposing coach? Byron Scott is not Red Auerbach, but he's sure looking like it this series.

- When you go into a series, your coach should be about #3 or #4 on the list of reasons why you will lose. Avery's coaching decisions consistently rank #1 or #2 on expert's lists on why Dallas will lose a series. He cannot be here anymore. That's unacceptable.

- He's had 4 seasons in the league. Opposing coaches have figured him out. And he's not good enough to win a chess match, adjustments-type game. The book is out on Avery.

- What a pitiful team this is. On a night where CP3 just looked like an average point guard, and the rest of the team looked pretty average, the Mavericks looked like a team that has mailed this season in. They looked like a beaten, get this damn thing over with type of team. I really do hate this team.

- Marc Stein's column says it all.

Mavs Fall In A Tough Hole

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

DALLAS -- Chris Paul required some extra in-game stretching to stay loose Sunday night, took most of the second quarter off and looked closer to mortal than he has for months.

None of which helped the Dallas Mavericks one iota.

The surging New Orleans Hornets didn't need Paul at his peak to deliver a Game 4 blow to the Mavs -- and Avery Johnson's tenure coaching them -- that looked and sounded unmistakably fatal. The Hornets erased Dallas' biggest lead with Paul on the bench, kept piling on from there and progressively drained away the Mavs' spirit, emptying the building earlier than any playoff game here in recent memory and ultimately cruising to a 97-84 triumph that will be recorded as the franchise's first win in this town since 1998.

"You want to see if hopefully you can take their life away," Hornets coach Byron Scott said, summarizing the message he plans to transmit to his players before Tuesday's Game 5 back home.

Honestly? It looks like they already have.

Judging by the clear-cut lack of swagger, bounce, intensity and belief coming from the Mavs -- all of which began to fritter away on this night when New Orleans uncorked a 15-2 run in the second quarter with Paul spectating -- you'd give Phoenix more of a chance to overturn its 3-1 deficit to mighty San Antonio faster than you'd suggest Dallas can come back from 3-1 down in this series.

Jason Kidd looked more out of sorts in Johnson's offense than ever before, managing just three points, three assists and four rebounds while attempting just six shots from the field. Josh Howard responded to the scrutiny his untimely comments about marijuana use have invited by trying to shoot his way out of it and hitting a new low by missing 15 of 18 attempts from the field. No surprise, then, that New Orleans responded by swarming Dirk Nowitzki throughout, trying to force the ball out of Nowitzki's hands by packing the paint and attacking him almost every time he dared to dribble. Although he still managed 22 points and 13 rebounds, Nowitzki's production and Jason Terry's 20 points weren't nearly enough to compensate for the struggles of Kidd and Howard and a bench that provided virtually nil.

Even Nowitzki was guilty of uncharacteristically missing three free throws … as well as an accidental slip into the past tense.

After Dallas absorbed its 11th loss in 14 playoff games since taking a 2-0 lead over Miami in the 2006 NBA Finals, Nowitzki said: "This sport is still about scoring points. And we just didn't have a great offensive series, I guess."

The series, of course, is not quite over. But the Mavs will need some benevolence from the league office just so Kidd -- whom Dallas chased so hard in Feburary because he "knows how to finish games," in Johnson's words -- can play in the expected finale.

He's facing a possible suspension after being ejected with 7:16 to play after a hard one-handed takedown of Jannero Pargo. It was a flagrant foul on a fast break, with New Orleans up 16, that would have been a lot uglier if not for Pargo's deft landing.

Pargo was heading for the floor headfirst when he managed to get his hands down to break the fall. The sight of the Hornets' bench spark plug bouncing back up quickly, however, doesn't change the fact that every Type 2 flagrant foul is automatically reviewed by the league office for additional penalties. Kidd denied later that it was a frustration foul, but it might regrettably wind up being the signature play of his 2008 postseason if he's forced to sit out Game 5, which would only add to the sense of doom rapidly enveloping the Mavs after they were widely picked to upset the No. 2 seed.

"The league is going to do what they do," Nowitzki said. "You never know what's going to happen with them anyway and what they're going to make up."

Said Paul: "I don't think there's [any] reason for him to be suspended for the next game."

The bad news there is that Paul might also be saying that the Hornets wouldn't mind seeing Kidd in Game 5, fond as he is of Kidd after their time together on Team USA.

You certainly can't hang the fact that Howard has become totally undependable (15-for-58 from the field for the series) on his coach. The Hornets likewise never imagined that Jerry Stackhouse's contribution would be so negligible … or that Johnson, getting nothing from his reserves apart from Brandon Bass, would gamble on playing little-used guard J.J. Barea and then pay the price during New Orleans' second-quarter burst without Paul.

Yet there have been whispers coming from the Hornets' camp, going back before the series even started, that they looked forward to playing Dallas because they were convinced that Kidd couldn't hurt them in his current role, given Johnson's penchant for slowing the game whenever it gets close and an offense not exactly known for ball or player movement, which so often turns Kidd into a weakside shooter.

And …

After backing off to let David West (24 points) carry the offense in the third quarter and finishing with a tame (for him) 16 points, eight assists and seven boards, Paul did say that the Hornets believed they could win this comfortably, even though he had never won a game at American Airlines Center in six previous tries.

Asked if the ease of the victory surprised him in any way, Paul said: "Not really, to tell you the truth."

He's only that confident with good reason. It would be an immeasurable surprise, after this dour display, if Dallas goes to Avery's hometown and finds a way to drag Paul back here for a Game 6.

- At least one team is playing inspired, clutch, and raising their game in the playoffs.

- Any questions as to why the Stars paid such a high price for Brad Richards should be answered by now. The guy is a gamer. He looked lost and out of sorts during those 20 or so game in the regular season. But he has found his way on this team, is comfortable, and is now kicking ass. In sports, you pay a premium for players who step up their games when it matters most. Regular seasons are nice, but legends are born when the lights shine the brightest. Richards is just as advertised.

- Wow did Sergei Zubov look good last night. That spinning, backhand assist on Modano's goal was just unreal. There's maybe a handful of defenseman in this league who can make that pass.

- Marty continues to play some of the best hockey of his career. He has continued his top-level play from last year's playoffs and has really locked it down this year.

- His passing and elimination of the opponent's dumping and chasing has really pushed his game to the next level. You can see teams getting frustrated when they try to dump it in and start an offensive attack, and there's Marty to grab the puck and shoot it back out quickly to one of his teammates. This is a part of his game that is so underrated and is something that no other goalie can do. He's like a 3rd defenseman back there with how he can pass and handle the puck.

- Mikey Modano has found the fountain. He's in a groove right now. He always loves playing San Jose, but he has raised his game. He looks as effective as he has in a while right now.

- Bottom line, the Stars are getting big time production from their money players. Richards, Ribeiro, Modano, Turco, Morrow, and Zubov.

- Like last round, the Stars sweep the 1st 2 road games of the series, and have a chance to come home and really shut the door on a team. Sure is fun to watch a team excel and raise their level of play in the playoffs.

Dallas Stars beat San Jose, 5-2, in Game 2

02:19 AM CDT on Monday, April 28, 2008
By MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News
mheika@dallasnews.com

SAN JOSE, Calif. – This is exactly why the Stars got Brad Richards.

The 27-year-old center simply has a way of making the big play at the biggest of times.

He did it again Sunday. With the Stars trailing San Jose in the third period, Richards came up with a goal and three assists, breaking a Stars playoff record and leading Dallas to a 5-2 victory in Game 2.

Richards scored the tying goal 32 seconds into the period when he converted a Joe Pavelski turnover into a beautiful wrister that beat Evgeni Nabokov on the stick side. He then added assists on goals by Mike Modano and Niklas Hagman, who scored twice, including an empty-netter.

"He just has a knack for making the right play at the right time," Modano said. "I mean, you look at the play he scored on, and Pavelski falls down. But when you get a play like that, it takes someone special to turn it into a goal. He's just done that his whole life.

The victory gives the Stars a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 second-round series that heads to Dallas for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Dallas continued its trend of leaping on teams at the most opportune moments. The Stars have outscored opponents 16-5 in third periods during the playoffs.

"It's hard to explain," Richards said. "I know last game we didn't have a good third period, and we didn't want to repeat that. We didn't want to sit back when we got a lead. When you sit back, good things don't happen, so we really tried to push the pace."

Dallas was trailing 2-1 thanks to solid play from the Sharks. Pavelski made a deft redirection of a Craig Rivet pass on a first-period power-play goal, and then Milan Michalek split defensemen Trevor Daley and Sergei Zubov for a second-period breakaway. Those two goals were sandwiched around Mike Ribeiro's third goal of the playoffs, and they gave the Sharks and their rabid fans at HP Pavilion reason to get excited.

But Richards sapped that excitement in no time at all. With Hagman applying pressure on the forecheck, Pavelski had to make a hard cut to receive a pass and fell down. Richards grabbed the loose puck, took a couple of steps and whistled a hard wrister past Nabokov to tie the score.

"I probably should have waited longer, but I just wanted to get a shot off," Richards said.

The Stars were happy with that decision, and they rallied behind it. Steve Ott drew a holding call on Christian Ehrhoff minutes later, and Modano scored on the power play. Zubov, who was returning to play for the first time since Jan. 17, whipped a spinning, backhand pass from circle to circle to Modano, who picked the top corner for the 14th playoff game-winning goal of his career. Richards got the puck to Zubov on that play.

But the Stars weren't content to sit on that one-goal lead. Inspired by its newfound energy, the Richards line scored twice more. Richards carried the puck into the offensive zone, circled behind the net and fed out front to Hagman, who flipped in his first goal of the playoffs to give Dallas a 4-2 lead. Richards then fed Hagman for an empty-netter to finish the scoring.

It was a strong statement about a team that has struggled in third periods in playoffs past.

"Scary, eh?" Modano said with a raised eyebrow. "It's just a different team. We're really confident playing from behind. We're really confident playing in pressure situations. It's just who we are right now."

Life, barely

2008-04-26T00:39:00.002-05:00

- Tonight you saw everything I've been preaching. Dirk had 44 minutes, 32 pts and 19 rebounds. JET had 40 minutes, 22 pts and 6 assists. I want Dirk and JET playing together. Bottom line. This team was most successful (2006) with Dirk and JET being the #1 and #2 scoring options.

- And what about the spares trying to play in front of JET? Stackhouse had 7 minutes, Devean George had 12 minutes, and Eddie Jones had ZERO minutes. That's a total of 5 points, by the way.

- Tonight you saw the perfect lineup for the Mavs. Kidd and JET at the guards. Dirk and Howard at the forwards. And Damp at the center position. And you saw the result. A Win.

- I'd really like to see this lineup ride out the rest of the playoffs. If I'm going down, I'm going down with guys I can bleed with. That's guys like JET, Dirk, and Kidd.

- Dallas wins Game 3, keeps a 2006 theme alive (Dirk and JET scoring), stays alive.......

Dallas duo of Terry, Nowitzki lift Mavs to first win of series

DALLAS (AP) -- Even with Jason Terry guarding him, the crowd booing him and Dirk Nowitzki setting the tone for a renewed intensity among the Dallas Mavericks, Chris Paul insisted being on the road in the playoffs wasn't much different than being at home.

Well, except for that whole thing about him and his New Orleans Hornets teammates putting the ball in the basket with ease.

"I think we got a lot of shots we wanted," Paul said. "We just missed them."

With 13 of Paul's first 16 shots falling out instead of in, and fellow All-Star David West clanging 11 of his first 14, the Hornets couldn't get into a groove until it was too late. Nowitzki and Terry came up big on both ends of the court, pulling Dallas right back into this first-round series with a 97-87 victory in Game 3 on Friday night.

Nowitzki had 32 points, 19 rebounds and six assists to get the Mavericks within 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday night in Dallas, where the Hornets haven't won since January 1998.

"We wanted to make sure we made it a series and win this first one," Nowitzki said. "They're going to keep coming. It's going to take the same effort, the same intensity."

And, very likely, the same new lineup.

Terry replaced Jerry Stackhouse as a starter and replaced Jason Kidd as Paul's primary defender. The MVP candidate went from ringing up consecutive games with at least 30 points and 10 assists -- something nobody had ever done in his first two playoff games -- to having 16 points and 10 assists.

Terry cut off Paul's first step early and the speedster seemed a lot more content running the offense from the 3-point line. He kept getting the ball to West in hopes he would find his touch, but that didn't work either.

"Jet had a lot of energy. It takes lot energy to guard Paul," Dallas coach Avery Johnson said.

Paul finished 4-of-18 and West was 6-of-20 for 14 points. His late surge helped New Orleans cut a 17-point deficit to 90-83 with 2 minutes left, but the Hornets couldn't close the gap.

"We can't have the type of stretches I had to start the game off," West said. "That really put us in a hole."

New Orleans' only consistent scorer was Jannero Pargo, who had 30 points, his most of the season and most ever in a playoff game. Peja Stojakovic was the only other double-digit scorer with 13. The Hornets shot just 38 percent.

"They came out with a Game 7 mentality, we came out with a Game 3 mentality," New Orleans coach Byron Scott said. "From the start, they outworked us. They were more physical, more aggressive."

Terry gave the offense a lift, too, with 22 points, including a 3-pointer with 1:39 left to help hold off the Hornets' final surge. He had six assists. Kidd had eight points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

Josh Howard scored 18 points for Dallas, but was only 5-of-16. His performance drew extra scrutiny because hours before tipoff he went on local radio and admitted to using marijuana in the offseason. Team owner Mark Cuban said Howard will be disciplined.

"I'm sorry things have gone the way they are," Howard said. "I never meant to hurt nobody's feelings. ... It's over with now. I'm trying to talk about basketball."

With all their playoff experience, the Mavs opened the series with two strong quarters. Then came six poor ones, which happened to coincide with the six best for the Hornets. Dallas players insisted they'd be better simply by being home -- and they were right.

The Mavericks led by 11 points in the first quarter and were up by seven at halftime. Then came a third quarter that might get NBA conspiracy theorists going.

Dallas took 22 free throws in the period, compared to just seven for New Orleans. Yes, the Mavericks went to the rim harder than the Hornets. They also were aided by getting into the bonus just 3:17 into the quarter.

"They shot more in one quarter than we did for the game," Paul said -- accurately. The Hornets took only 13 free throws, making them all. Dallas made 15 in the third quarter alone.

The game, and series, nearly turned midway through the third quarter. With Dallas up 62-54, Nowitzki was conked from behind by Tyson Chandler, then run into by Pargo. He was sprawled on the court, the crowd silenced.

Then last season's MVP got up and hit four straight free throws, then a jumper.

"You could tell from the start he was really into it," Scott said.

So, how did Paul's first road game and his first playoff loss change his mind-set?

"Now we're trying to win it in five games," he said. "This is fun. I love this. We lost tonight, but we get to see them again Sunday. This isn't the end of the road."