SPORTS: Weekend Recap, Michigan Robbed

NCAA Football
The BCS selection of Ohio State vs. Florida defined the weekend’s sports landscape. The wrong one-loss team was selected. Both Florida are Michigan great teams, but everyone I know wanted to see Michigan avenge their 42-39 loss to Ohio State.

The shame in this situation is everyone—AGAIN—is talking about a broken system rather than (1) USC blowing its BCS hopes vs. UCLA (complete with free furniture), (2) Arkansas hanging tough against Florida or (3) Rutgers losing out on the Big East title--and the Orange bowl--by losing in 3OT to West Virginia.

When the championship game is set right, the outcome is last year’s Texas vs. USC game, which was an all-time great game.

NFL
Rex Grossman killed my fantasy match up against Kenny Bloggins and seems destined to do the same to the Bears in the playoffs. Assuming the Bears win after their first-round bye, I’m predicting Grossman tosses three interceptions in the NFC Championship game.

More novice QB eras were unfolding this weekend too. Vince Young looks like a winner, despite what ESPN analysts said. Jay Cutler debuted Sunday night, while Mike Shannahan waited for the toughest possible game to introduce his young QB to the league. I like David Garrard and Jack Del Rio made the right albeit difficult decision by benching their “franchise player” Byron Leftwich (if he avoided taking monster hits, he’s a franchise player. Unfortunately, that won’t happen). Jason Campbell threw interceptions and his footwork is poor, but he has a strong arm.

Tony Romo started this novice QB trend, and had an effective game against the diminutive Giants. There’s a reason Romo went undrafted; he’s, at best, average in the pocket. Having said that, there’s a reason Bill Parcells is a genius; I’ve never seen a more accurate passer on the run than Romo, a rare talent indeed. He did this all day against the Giants, and Romo knocked the Giants down from Super Bowl contender to playoff pretender.

NCAA Basketball

FSU’s AL Thornton continues to be a stud against college basketball’s elite. His 28 points and 9 rebounds led the Seminoles to a stunning upset over the fourth ranked Florida Gators.

NHL
Viktor Kozlov’s four goal outburst put the Islanders atop the Atlantic Division after beating the Rangers 7-4.

NBA
Kevin Garnett said he’s angered by the trade rumors and he’s happy in Minnesota. Well, Kevin, I’m calling your bluff you liar.

The storyline for this NBA season is: if KG or Allen Iverson get traded, which uniforms will they don?

SPORTS: Recapping the Weekend

NCAA Football
Chuck Amato was fired yesterday as head coach of the North Carolina State Football Program. Also fired was Alabama coach Mike Shula, who finished a disappointing 6-6 this season after posting a 10-2 record in 2005. (Full story on Sports RX)

As expected, USC jumped Michigan and moved up to No. 2 in Sunday's Bowl Championship Series standings. For those in favor of a Michigan-Ohio State matchup for the national title, Los Angeles Times journalist and true homer Chris Dufresne defends USC's ranking and talks about the present and future of the BCS system.

NBA
The frustration behind Ben Wallace's insubordination Saturday night has been brewing since the first week of training camp. According to league and Bulls sources, Ben Wallace has felt unfairly singled out by team rules that have taken away his pregame music, his headband and his tape-free ankles. (Full story on Need4Sheed.com)

NFL
A frustrated Michael Vick saluted Atlanta fans with the same middle finger that has helped him throw so many incomplete passes this season. Sports Frog tracked down photo evidence and commented on the heinous event.

NCAA Basketball
A crazy start to the 2006-07 college basketball season continued on Friday night when Kansas knocked off top-ranked Florida. Check out how that and other weekend action affected Bracketology 101's First Field of 65.

NFL Scoreboard -- Sunday NBA Scoreboard -- NCAA Basketball Top 25 -- NCAA Football

SPORTS: Recapping the Weekend in Sports

By Dustin Hockensmith

College Football
Ohio State vs. Michigan – Both teams proved how good they really were, but Troy Smith and the top-ranked Buckeyes won 42-39 and secured a spot in the national championship game. The teams went nose-to-nose like a couple of heavyweight fighters, but Smith threw for four touchdown passes and essentially locked up the Heisman Trophy … BCS Implications – Ohio State became the first team in three seasons to earn a perfect 1.000 BCS score, and both OSU and Michigan finished their regular seasons … despite the loss, the Wolverines ended up No.2 in Sunday's BCS rankings, but won't stay there when No. 3 USC takes care of No. 5 Notre Dame next week.

NBA
Shaq to Have Surgery - Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal is having surgery on his left knee and is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks. We're starting to see accelerated wear and tear from supporting such a large human all these years. Maybe again he's 'fresh' for a playoff run, but that only happens if he can return to the lineup by January and get back into playing shape … Don't Get Too Excited Jazz Fans - The Utah Jazz is off to its best start in franchise history at 9-1, but don't get too excited just yet. This isn't the first time a Jazz team has flown out of the gates, and I don't buy them as a contender just yet. The Northwest Division is very average, so they'll win that and get a Top 4 seed, but they're not up to par with the Mavs or Spurs.

NFL
Chad Johnson Did It Again - Bengals WR Chad Johnson caught six passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns against the Saints on Sunday. That gives the wideout two-week totals of 17 receptions for 450 yards and five TD's … McNabb, Eagles Done - Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb tore his ACL on Sunday, effectively putting an end to the Eagles and your fantasy season. Needless to say, that offense just won't run the same with Jeff Garcia leading it ... Steelers Still Have a Pulse - They've got work to do, but the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't dead yet. Big Ben Roethlisberger threw for 224 yards in the third quarter after being picked off three times in the first half, and the Steelers rallied to beat the Browns on a Roethlisberger-to-Willie Parker connection with 30 seconds remaining … Colts Loss a Blessing in Disguise – They've been walking a tightrope for some time now, and I don't think anyone was shocked when the Colts lost to the Cowboys on Sunday. They'll get their edge back and be in better shape for the playoffs than they were last year … LT a Touchdown Machine – Not much you can say here that the numbers don't already suggest. LaDainian Tomlinson reached the 100-touchdown plateau faster than any player ever over the weekend, and he put the Chargers on his back in a comeback win in the process.

MLB
Cubs Keep Working in Free Agency – The Chicago Cubs have inked outfielder Alfonso Soriano to an 8-year, $136 million contract, it was announced on Sunday. It was the fifth-largest deal in Major League Baseball history. His rare 40-40 potential and dynamic bat combined with the signings of Neal Cotts and Mark DeRosa and the resigning of Aramis Ramirez have made for an outstanding off-season already for the Cubbies.