A crazy weekend lies ahead in the MLB

As we enter the final weekend of the Major League Baseball regular season, the playoff race is still in hot pursuit. For those Cardinals and Braves fans who aren't used to not having a team to cheer for at this time of the year, there are 11 teams still in it. Fans of other team eliminated from the playoffs? You know the drill.

Although the American League teams are already set, the match ups are yet to be determined, while seven National League teams remain in contention for the playoffs this year.

In the American League, the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (the name still drives me crazy - just pick one city!) have already clinched their divisions and the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have both clinched playoff berth, although Boston remains three games ahead of New York.

In the National League, no one has even clinched the playoffs as the New York Mets lead the East division by a game over the Philadelphia Phillies, the Arizona Diamondbacks lead the West division by a game and a half over the San Diego Padres and two and a half over the Colorado Rockies while the Chicago Cubs lead the Milwaukee Brewers by two games in the Central division.

This weekend promises to be a very exciting one in baseball. Determining home field advantage, the Red Sox host the Twins as the Indians travel to Kansas City to face the Royals. For teams fighting to simply make the playoffs, the Diamondbacks face the Rockies in a major battle for the division and the Brewers and Padres will play to keep their hopes alive.

The Cubs need any combination of three Cubs wins or Brewers losses to clinch the division, four Mets wins or Phillies losses for New York, three Diamondbacks wins and Padres losses for Arizona, and two Red Sox wins and Yankee losses for Boston.

Cleveland and Boston are currently tied for the best record in the AL, but the Angels and Yankees are not completely out of the running, although it would take a near miracle for New York. Barring a near complete break down by Cleveland and Boston, regardless of which team has the better record, in the first round of the playoffs, Los Angeles will face Boston and New York will face Cleveland.

On the National League side, the scenarios are not nearly as pretty. In fact, it is a possibility for a five-way tie for the National League wild card. The Cubs and Brewers have both been eliminated from contention in the wild card, and so they each can only reach the playoffs by way of division championship. However, the Mets, Phillies, Diamondbacks, Padres and Rockies are all within two and half games of each other with the Diamondbacks at 89-70, Mets and Padres at 87-71, and Phillies and Rockies at 86-72.

So what if they are all tied at the end of the season? Well, first, division leaders must be determined, so the Mets and Phillies would face off in a one-game playoff on Monday to decide the East, and the Rockies, Diamondbacks and Padres would have a three-team, two-game playoff on Monday and Tuesday in a location to be determined. The Rockies have the best three-way head-to-head record and would have the option to either host the two-playoff, or receive a first game bye.

After that is determined, there will still be three teams tied for the wild card, so those three would face off in another three-team, two-game playoff on Wednesday and Thursday. If the Rockies are left, they would, once again, have the option to either host or receive the bye. If the Rockies win the West, however, there are way too many different three-way head-to-head record winners to print the scenarios here.

So should it come down to a five-way tie, the Rockies have a good shot to make the playoffs as if they choose the bye, only need to win one game out of two to make the postseason.

After all of these one-game and two-game playoffs on Monday through Thursday, we begin the actual playoffs on Friday.

Head spinning yet? Well there could also be a four-way tie for the wild card, which is possibly more absurd than the five-way tie, depending on who those five teams are. If the two NL East teams tie and two of the NL West teams tie with them as well, the Mets and Phillies would have the one-game playoff in Philadelphia to determine the division and the two NL West teams would also have a one-game playoff, unless of course the other NL West team was the division champion, in which they would face the loser of the NL East playoff in a three-team, two-game playoff. Should the other NL West team not win the division, after the two one-game playoffs, two teams remain tied for the NL wild card and will face a one-game playoff. If the Mets are involved in this one-game playoff, there will be a big coin flip to determine the site, as the Mets were so unlikely to not win their division when MLB did preliminary coin flipping to determine sites beforehand, that they never included the Mets.

And that's not even all of the possible scenarios, but I don't have room to publish them all. The craziness of the playoffs has only begun, and it should be an exciting postseason.

NFL Predictions-Week 4

Last week was a tough week in predictions. There were only a few games I was 100% confident in. Congratulations to Ryan Beard for beating me by a single game for the second week in a row. A special shout out to those following the Statesman on the web and one even beating me as well, but only students are eligible for the drawing. This week has a few more tough games, but Brandon, the Assistant Sports Editor, and I have discussed them over, and here is what we decided.

The no-brainers tell me that Dallas will walk over the Rams, Houston will find relief in not playing the Colts by beating on the Falcons, and the Ravens will destroy the struggling Browns as the fans wonder what happened to the team that got in a shootout with the Bengals in the second week. Minnesota is a better team than their 1-2 record implies, but until they get a real quarterback at the helm, I don't see them winning more than four or five games this year. Playing Green Bay this week, this will not be one of those wins. I'll take Packers.

Chicago is a better team than they have been playing and I keep waiting for Detroit to turn back into a pumpkin. Philly walked all over the Lions last week, but I don't think they are done. Until the Bears get some confidence and real production out of the quarterback position, I don't see them being the threat they were last year. I never thought I would say this, but I'll take the Lions over the Bears.

The New York Jets at Buffalo game is a tough one for me, as I don't have a whole lot of confidence in either team to be able to take a win, especially with J.P. Losman out this week.

I'm going to go with the Jets, but I doubt I would be willing to put even a dollar on it. I'll take Miami over Oakland as well, for the same reason as the Jets.

Seattle will take the 49ers, even in San Francisco. Yes, the 49ers are improved, but until they prove they can be consistent, they won't be able to beat a team like the Seahawks. Tampa Bay is climbing back into the kind of team that won the Super Bowl, but I see a big game from, imagine this, Steve Smith and a Carolina win.

Indianapolis has carried the momentum from last season and has proven itself more every week. I don't see them stopping now, especially with Jay Cutler getting hurt last week. Give me the Colts. San Diego isn't quite the team they were last year and Ladainian Tomlinson really needs to step it up, or face death threats from fantasy owners all over the nation. I think it will get better this week against a no. 18 rush defense, but it will be closer than you think. I'll take the Chargers in a close one.

In my upset special, I will take the Cardinals over the Steelers. The Cardinals' two losses were really close with one tied until a field goal as the clock hit zero and the other in a sloppy game to the 49ers that they should have won. They could just as easily be 3-0 right now and we would all be talking about this game as if it were a big match up. They just may catch the Steelers off guard and put Pittsburgh on its heels, some place the Steelers haven't been all season. Look for this game to be bigger than anyone thinks.

The Philly at New York Giants game is tough, as neither team really seems like it wants to contend with Dallas for the division. This will be a big game in a difficult division. I'll take the Giants in a coin toss.

In the Monday Night Football game New England will face an embarrassed, but better than they show Cincinnati Bengals. The easy choice would be to pick the Pats in any match up, but the Bengals have a lot riding on this game. Carson Palmer can lead his team against anyone and he has a lot more pride than to let his team slide to 1-3. If all cylinders are firing for the Bengals, and that's a big "if", it will be an exciting game, but even then I'm not sure that Cincinnati will be able to pull it off anyway. I'll take the Patriots, but I won't enjoy it.

NFL Predictions-Week 3

After going 9-7 in week one, I was hoping to improve. Instead I dropped to an even 16-16 on the season. Congrats to Ryan Beard for being the only student to top my picks and, by default, winning the weekly drawing of an iTunes gift card.

Week two was a very telling week in the NFL, but it seems I have ticked off the football gods with my statements about Cleveland, Kansas City, Oakland and Tampa Bay. So a little note to all but the Chiefs: point taken, and to the Chiefs: maybe you should have stuck with Trent Green.

San Diego is coming off a tough loss to New England that made its defense look silly, while the Packers are looking better than they have in recent years. This would normally spell a Packers win, but I just can't see the Chargers staying down. Look for a bounce back and a really big game from LT. I'll take the Chargers.

Minnesota travels to Kansas City this week in a game of two teams that can't seem to close the deal. The Chiefs have really struggled and Larry Johnson has not been the running back many expected him to be this season, averaging only 3.8 yards per carry, while the Vikings have found relief in the form of rookie running back Adrian Peterson. Both are fighting for their first win of the season, but the edge comes in the form of the Vikings defense. I'll take Minnesota, but don't expect a pretty game.

New England is proving to be the powerhouse it was expected to be this season and even with the distractions of the cheating allegations and investigation by the NFL, they don't seem to be slowing down. But the NFL has gotten serious and if this cheating extends much further than the game against the Jets (and it looks like he does with reports of files upon files of video on each coaching staff in the NFL that he has been asked to hand over), Belichick might be in some serious trouble and receive the wrath of commissioner Roger Goodell. There are rumors it could cost Belichick his job, which could be a distraction this week. However, they are not playing the Colts; they are playing the Bills. I'll stick with the Pats.

Miami will take the Jets, although I see a future in Kellen Clemens. That is, if his receivers start using their hands near the end zone. Detroit will roll over a struggling Philly and the Steelers will destroy a 49ers team that is lucky to be 2-0.

The Bucs took advantage of a struggling New Orleans last week and the Rams are just that: struggling. Common logic should tell me to take the Bucs, but I can't seem to do it. I'll take the Rams, but I wouldn't put money on it. Baltimore is getting better, and I still think it is a top team in the AFC, so I'll take the Ravens over the Cardinals.

The Indy at Houston game might be the biggest Colts-Texans game in NFL history. Never before have the Texans looked as good as they do now and may finally be contenders. I think it may all come down to the Colts run defense. Last year, I would have hesitated, but this year I have confidence in the Indy defense. I'll take the Colts in one exciting game.

I'll take Denver over Jacksonville and the Browns over the Raiders, but look for a good game between the Bengals and Seahawks. Oh, and I will take the Bengals. Carolina will walk all over a lost Falcons team, while the Giants and Redskins battle another ugly NFC East game. It won't be pretty, but the Giants have more weapons. I'll take New York.

The Sunday night football game will be everything it is billed to be, and the winner will be crowned the team to beat in the NFC. The Chicago defense will really test young quarterback Tony Romo. Romo and wide receiver Terrell Owens, though, have much to prove after Romo's muffed snap that lost the playoffs and Owens' dropped passes last year, and that is a very dangerous thing. Look for an exciting game and Dallas still standing in the end.

Tennessee dropped a close game last week to the Colts and the Saints, billed as the best in the NFC in the preseason, were embarrassed by the Bucs. The Saints will look to rebound, but I don't think this will be the week for it. The Titans are looking better by the week and are finally living up to their potential. After the draft last year I knew they would be good, I just wasn't sure how soon those draft picks could play out. The Titans will win it, but the Saints won't go quietly.

Think you can do better? Send your picks to sasspted@isugw.indstate.edu. We've had one winner so far, but I don't plan to make a habit of it.

NFL Predictions-Week 3

After going 9-7 in week one, I was hoping to improve. Instead I dropped to an even 16-16 on the season. Congrats to Ryan Beard for being the only student to top my picks and, by default, winning the weekly drawing of an iTunes gift card.

Week two was a very telling week in the NFL, but it seems I have ticked off the football gods with my statements about Cleveland, Kansas City, Oakland and Tampa Bay. So a little note to all but the Chiefs: point taken, and to the Chiefs: maybe you should have stuck with Trent Green.

San Diego is coming off a tough loss to New England that made its defense look silly, while the Packers are looking better than they have in recent years. This would normally spell a Packers win, but I just can't see the Chargers staying down. Look for a bounce back and a really big game from LT. I'll take the Chargers.

Minnesota travels to Kansas City this week in a game of two teams that can't seem to close the deal. The Chiefs have really struggled and Larry Johnson has not been the running back many expected him to be this season, averaging only 3.8 yards per carry, while the Vikings have found relief in the form of rookie running back Adrian Peterson. Both are fighting for their first win of the season, but the edge comes in the form of the Vikings defense. I'll take Minnesota, but don't expect a pretty game.

New England is proving to be the powerhouse it was expected to be this season and even with the distractions of the cheating allegations and investigation by the NFL, they don't seem to be slowing down. But the NFL has gotten serious and if this cheating extends much further than the game against the Jets (and it looks like he does with reports of files upon files of video on each coaching staff in the NFL that he has been asked to hand over), Belichick might be in some serious trouble and receive the wrath of commissioner Roger Goodell. There are rumors it could cost Belichick his job, which could be a distraction this week. However, they are not playing the Colts; they are playing the Bills. I'll stick with the Pats.

Miami will take the Jets, although I see a future in Kellen Clemens. That is, if his receivers start using their hands near the end zone. Detroit will roll over a struggling Philly and the Steelers will destroy a 49ers team that is lucky to be 2-0.

The Bucs took advantage of a struggling New Orleans last week and the Rams are just that: struggling. Common logic should tell me to take the Bucs, but I can't seem to do it. I'll take the Rams, but I wouldn't put money on it. Baltimore is getting better, and I still think it is a top team in the AFC, so I'll take the Ravens over the Cardinals.

The Indy at Houston game might be the biggest Colts-Texans game in NFL history. Never before have the Texans looked as good as they do now and may finally be contenders. I think it may all come down to the Colts run defense. Last year, I would have hesitated, but this year I have confidence in the Indy defense. I'll take the Colts in one exciting game.

I'll take Denver over Jacksonville and the Browns over the Raiders, but look for a good game between the Bengals and Seahawks. Oh, and I will take the Bengals. Carolina will walk all over a lost Falcons team, while the Giants and Redskins battle another ugly NFC East game. It won't be pretty, but the Giants have more weapons. I'll take New York.

The Sunday night football game will be everything it is billed to be, and the winner will be crowned the team to beat in the NFC. The Chicago defense will really test young quarterback Tony Romo. Romo and wide receiver Terrell Owens, though, have much to prove after Romo's muffed snap that lost the playoffs and Owens' dropped passes last year, and that is a very dangerous thing. Look for an exciting game and Dallas still standing in the end.

Tennessee dropped a close game last week to the Colts and the Saints, billed as the best in the NFC in the preseason, were embarrassed by the Bucs. The Saints will look to rebound, but I don't think this will be the week for it. The Titans are looking better by the week and are finally living up to their potential. After the draft last year I knew they would be good, I just wasn't sure how soon those draft picks could play out. The Titans will win it, but the Saints won't go quietly.

Think you can do better? Send your picks to sasspted@isugw.indstate.edu. We've had one winner so far, but I don't plan to make a habit of it.

NFL Predictions-Week 2

With a very telling first week, I feel like I can erase my 9-7 record from last week. So let's gaze into what the future brings us in the land of professional football. Until these teams prove me wrong, I feel very comfortable picking any team that plays Cleveland, Kansas City, Oakland and Tampa Bay. So the Bengals over Browns, Saints over Bucs, Bears over Chiefs and Broncos over Raiders are easy picks.

Last week, the Titans exploited the Jaguars' poor rush defense and Jacksonville dropped its home opener. I see things repeating with the Falcons this week … that is if Atlanta had a rushing game to begin with. I'll take the Jaguars in an ugly game.

St. Louis looked confused against the Panthers last week as running back Steven Jackson failed to reach even 60 yards in 18 carries, well under the predictions for him this year. The loss of Orlando Pace doesn't help those circumstances, but I can't see Jackson being held back all year, and after such an ugly game between the 49ers and Cardinals, full of holes to exploit, I'll give the Rams another chance this week.

The Texans upset the Chiefs last week and forced America to pay attention, but I am not sure how much of that was Houston playing well, or Kansas City just dropping the ball. The Panthers started out the season proving they can be contenders. I'll take Carolina.

Green Bay upset Philly at home even though the Eagles out-gained them in both rushing and passing yards. The Packers won by forcing more turnovers. They won't be as lucky against the Giants. As long as Eli Manning is back, and reports look like he will, I'll take the Giants.

Pittsburgh plays a tougher opponent than the Browns in Buffalo, but the Steelers will stay on top. The Titans will prove to be a tougher foe than years before with another year under Vince Young, but the Colts answered the call against the Saints and don't show any signs of slowing. I'll take the Colts.

Detroit has started the season 1-0 and looks to be better than years before, but the Vikings are not the Raiders, and that makes all the difference. Give me Adrian Peterson and the Vikings. I'll take the Cowboys and Seahawks in easy games over the Dolphins and Cardinals.

Baltimore was roughed up against Cincinnati, with injuries to numerous players including Steve McNair and Ray Lewis, keys to the offense and defense. With Lewis back and McNair probable, I don't see the Jets with much of a chance. Ravens all the way.

In a possible AFC Championship preview, the Chargers and Patriots face off on Sunday night. Two questions will be answered. Can Bill Belichick win without cheating (he was caught video taping the Jets' signals last week - a big no-no)? A big yes, but he won't this week as the second question of "Can Norv Turner win a big game on the road?" is answered as well and maybe we quit worrying about whether he has "still got it." I'll take the Chargers.

For the Monday Night game, I see the Redskins and Eagles putting a lot of people to sleep early. Washington squeaked by in overtime last week, and I really don't see Philly making as many turnovers this week. If the Eagles turnover the ball three or more times again, it could be a rough season for Eagles fans. Philly will win it, but I doubt America will care.

So there are my picks, what are yours? No one sent me his or her picks last week, so the odds are in your favor. Send your picks to sasspted@isugw.indstate.edu, and see if you can do better. Can you?

An ode to the unsung heroes of college sports: the Sports Information Director

As we reflect on 9-11, it is a time of remembrance of those who lost their lives tragically in 2001 as well as a time of reflection of the things that matter most in life.

We learned a lot on that day: that we aren't as impenetrable as we once thought, that if we band together as a nation we can get through anything, that the world of terror extends farther than we had thought. Nevertheless, the greatest thing we may have taken away from this tragedy is the respect and appreciation for those unsung heroes in our lives.

As countless police officers and firefighters gave their lives in New York City, we came to appreciate the unselfish giving of their lives for our safety. We came to appreciate those people in our lives who don't get the everyday praise for their work, but work hard for the glory of others.

Well, today I would like to honor college sports' unsung heroes, the sports information directors or directors of athletic media relations as they are known here at ISU.

SIDs work hard all year, for not one sport, but all sports. While most working adults put in Monday through Friday, 8 to 5 days, SIDs put in those hours plus many nights and almost every weekend. "Coaches put in a lot of hours," said ISU women's basketball head coach Jim Wiedie, "but (SIDs) put in more." Often they do so for the salary of most assistant coaches, but are in charge of several sports.

It is the SID who makes sure the athletic program gets the attention and recognition it deserves. Everyone enjoys reading previews in the paper and most credit the paper for taking that initiative, but often it is the SID who calls the newspaper and gives them the information necessary for the article.

That brilliant feature you read on your favorite athlete and how he or she are balancing ROTC with sports and class and still remaining at the top of his or her class? It was probably pitched by the SID.During the game, SIDs are in charge of stat keeping and making sure the media has everything they need, which can sometimes be a pretty large task by itself. Preparing for the game, SIDs work just as hard or harder than even the coaches at times.

SIDs put together game previews and analyze possible story angles for the media and ways to get recognition for their athletes as well as retrieve opponent rosters, stats and other information. The SID will setup the press box, arrange a support staff to run the scoreboard and game clock, and contact local media to make sure they will have a representative available.

At smaller schools such as Rose-Hulman, the SID will even write game stories and send it to the local media outlets when a representative is not present, lest games go uncovered. Often, these stories will go into the paper with a "Staff Report" byline with no credit to the submitting SID.

However, just because SIDs get no credit from us, does not mean they go unnoticed. If assistant coaches are a head coach's right hand, the SID is their left.
"Ace Hunt (the Associate Director of Athletic Media Relations) does a lot for our (women's basketball) program," Wiedie said. "He makes our media guides look great and travels with our team and is someone I really rely on (when we are) on the road.

"He sits at the scorer's table next to me and makes sure I am aware of timeouts and substitutions. He is one of those guys that is a security blanket for me on the road, someone I feel extremely confident about, a guy who is extremely loyal to our program and just invaluable to what we do."

Michigan Who?

Ahh, the first week of college football has come and gone and everyone is talking about it. Talking about how No. 5 Michigan lost in a huge upset to little Appalachian State, how Indiana State got trounced by yearly Big Ten bottom feeder Indiana University and how great Georgia Tech looked last week.

Wait. You didn't hear about Georgia Tech? You mean if you weren't a Notre Dame fan, you didn't even know Georgia Tech even played them?

Well, unless you watched the games I mentioned above, all you really heard was how bad the big-time teams were. But why not raise a glass to those teams that did well?

Because the media often feel that's not as big of a story. In no other sport could a team claim the title of reigning NCAA tournament national champions and still be such underdogs.

This is the same system that a team can start out the season ranked tenth, but actually fall a spot in the rankings after winning by 32 points and the No 5 team dropping out of the top 25. But enough with that, that's another column.

All we want to hear about is how a select few that have a powerhouse tradition, and in turn the only ones with a chance for the BCS title, triumph or fall. And when they fall? Oh we love to see them fall.

I'll admit it; last year when everyone was talking about University of Southern California and its greatness and they lost in the final week to California, I couldn't have cared less who they were playing. I just loved to see USC go down. I fell into the trap.

But California worked hard to take USC down and played hard defense to force errors on the Trojan offense. We focus on the big dogs, but that's not the whole story.

So here's to you, Indiana University. James Hardy was a speed demon and picked apart defenses like Torry Holt and would have had a fourth touchdown had Kellen Lewis not thrown that pass an inch too far. Here's to you, Appalachian State. You may be Division I-AA, but no one can take you lightly anymore. You showed speed and brilliance and Michigan has raised the alert level on you.

And here's to you, Georgia Tech. Your defense that claimed nine sacks and forced three fumbles is still making Irish fans everywhere twitch.

And here's to you, Indiana State, Michigan and Notre Dame. Better luck next time.

Finished Before You Even Began

I am now the Sports Editor of the Indiana Statesman, so I will be writing many columns this semester. Here is my first as published in the Statesman:

It is soon to be September and you know what that means - it is football season and more importantly, college football season. Millions of rabid fans have been yearning for this day since the final whistle of the Bowl Championship Series national championship game in January.

Every newspaper, every sports magazine, anyone who is anyone in sports has some version of rankings and everyone wants to see how their team stacks up this season.

Fans of the University of Southern California can rejoice at their No. 1 ranking and know they have a lot to look forward to this year, and fans of No. 24 ranked Boise State can begin talking about how underrated they are after going undefeated and winning what is considered by many the best college football game ever in their Fiesta Bowl upset last season.

And that would be wonderful - that is if these were merely preseason rankings like any other sport, that don't mean anything more than one writer's opinion. But they aren't.

Without a playoff system in place, rankings mean more in college football than any other sport. These rankings tell us who may even have a shot at the college football championship.

Only the top two BCS ranked teams after week 15 compete for the championship at the end of the season which are determined using the Harris Poll, the USA Today Poll and computer rankings. So that third spot is like finishing fourth in the Olympics - so close, yet so far away.

Last season, Boise State finished the year undefeated, the only team to claim that feat in the BCS, but they were not awarded the championship. They were not ranked high enough by the end of the year to have a chance in the BCS championship.

When writers send in their ballots for their rankings, they often take the current rankings and decide for the ones that won, how significant their win was, and for those that lose, how significant their loss was. So where they begin in the rankings make a big difference.

Boise State wasn't even in the Top 25 when the season began, but would slowly gain recognition and appearance in the rankings after the first quarter of the season. By week 13 they had climbed into the Top 10, but their pre-bowl season was over at 12-0, one of two undefeated teams left.

They gained one more spot by week 15, which would determine who would fight for the national championship. However, only the top two contend for the championship.

Fluke incident? Ask Auburn. Its 2004 run is very similar, beginning at No. 17 and climbing to No. 3 by week 15, but was cheated out of a chance at the championship, even going undefeated for the season.

So USC and Louisiana State fans, go ahead and buy your BCS Championship ticket now. Ohio State and Louisville fans, good luck, because there's a long road ahead of you. Boise State and Texas A&M fans, look on the bright side: tickets to a minor bowl game are normally much cheaper.