The Dish: Deep In The Heart Of Vincent
Let me shed my veil of objectivity. I write about college football with quasi-regularity, and am encouraged by my boss, the intrepid (and brilliant handicapper) Brian Gabrielle, not to place bets or make picks on games that involve teams I care about. This is good advice, and as I say, Brian has a rare gift for handicapping, so I try and follow his lead. So you may read my handicapping column for college football, but you'll rarely see me weigh in on the University of Michigan, for whom I've had an unexplained affinity since I was six years old, and the University of Texas, where I went to graduate school. (It's not hard to avoid writing about my undergraduate institution, Cornell, who would most assuredly lose to many high school teams in Florida, Texas and California.) However, that doesn't mean I don't follow these schools. In fact, I'm a rabid maniac incapable of objectivity when it comes to either maize-and-blue or burnt orange. So let me just say that last Wednesday was one of the better nights of my life. I'm not married (gee, wonder why), and don't have kids, so as of right now, national championships are the only births I can celebrate. (God, did that sound as sad to read as it felt to type?) The Red Sox winning the Series, the Patriots and Cowboys winning Super Bowls, and now UT pulling off the insane, the impossible, the greatest comeback win in a big situation I've ever seen: down 12 with four minutes to go, Vince Young proves to be the messiah in orange, and I still have no functioning vocal chords. To the kind souls who allowed me to watch the game at their party, I thank you from the bottom of my nacho-cheese-stained heart, and I apologize for all the yelling. When my kid asks me about the birds and the bees at some point in the future (assuming, well, you know...), and he wonders if sex feels really really good, I'll tell him it does, it most assuredly does. But not quite as good as Texas 41, USC 38. Here we are on the cusp of the NFL playoffs---the most wonderful time of the year. For you, what are the leading storylines heading into the tournament? Rob Gillespie, BoDog.com: Coaches! Playoff teams always seem to bleed off assistants and with eight head coach vacancies I can see there being lots of attention. I know teams are not allowed to approach assistants until after the season, but rumors spread pretty quick. The Colts have to be the other big story...can they get back to their winning ways? If they can, they are easily the team to beat. You don't have to answer, but you know I have to ask: Who's going to be in Detroit for Super Bowl Xtra Large? RG, BoDog.com: I can safely say there will be a team from the AFC and a team from the NFC. I still like the Colts. Yes, they won't have played a meaningful game for a month when they first play (and that opponent could very well be the Patriots) but Indy was 0-5 in the preseason if I remember right and managed to turn it on pretty well to start the regular season! From the NFC side, it really is a crapshoot. Any of those teams are capable of a two- or three-game winning streak, but you have to like one of Seattle or Chicago just because they only need to win a pair and they are at home resting this weekend. What do you make of all the coaching firings on the NFL? Are there really eight new guys out there who are worthy of being NFL head coaches? RG, BoDog.com: There will be some recycling of these guys (Capers, Sherman, Mariucci could land jobs with other teams) as some just weren't right for the dynamic they were in, so I expect there only to be around six new head coaches. And yes, there are probably at least six guys who have been coordinators that can step and do the job. The question is: why are some of the GMs still keeping their jobs? I've waxed rhapsodic enough about the University of Texas. What's your take on last Wednesday night's national championship game in college football? RG, BoDog.com: Wow. I haven't thought Reggie Bush was #1 pick material and he showed why last night. Playing on a field with big, fast defenders he didn't look like Superman. Leinart looked better then I expected, although his touch passes just never seemed to work, and should be at the top of the draft. But the story of the game is easily Vince Young. I wasn't a believer but I am now. He showed the poise that seems to escape Michael Vick; it reminded me of McNair in 1999 when the Titans went to the Super Bowl. My only disappointment is that the game lived up the hype and the BCS is off the hook for another year.... Christopher Harris is a featured writer for the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at http://www.procappers.com |
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