On the Plate … 11/17/04

Smoke & Mirrors

"CSG goes 3-4 on Saturday"

That was the cover of the Washington Post Sports section Sunday morning.

But believe me, word hit the street way before the ink hit the paper. And I took a few shots for it. 3-4? Word was that I've lost my edge. That I don't have it anymore. That I'd gone "Bowden." Not good.

Imagine I how felt. I used to be revered around these parts. The sidewalk used to light up everywhere I went like in the Billie Jean video. Remember Joe Pesci's nickname for Robert DeNiro in Casino? Yea, well I was called "The Golden Italian" on the streets of Charm City and Northern Virginia. And now kids are taking shots at me? Please.

OK, 3-4 is tough. I understand. But take a step back and look at the damage...

First, the W's...1) Miami. I should be relaxing in a whirlpool filled with Pina Coladas on a tropical beach right now. That's how right I was on Miami. Instead I'm writing this column. And that's how much I love all of you. 2) Colorado. I have a gift. 3) Oregon State. That gift is OSU. And, yes, they keep giving.

Now, the L's...1) Northwestern. I should have made NW a first half only bet. I blew it. 2) Ohio State. Have I mentioned that I hate the Buckeyes? 3) Vanderbilt. Yep. Up 13-0 in the 4th quarter and lose 14-13 in the last 2 minutes for UK's first SEC win of the season. Obviously. F'ing Vandy shouldn't even have a football team. What a joke. 4) Oklahoma. I lose because that imbecile Bob Stoops was trying to run up the score instead of kicking a GD field goal and OU turned the ball over. The Huskers, for pride purposes, drive down the field and kick a FG to kill my push.

Oh, and for the record, Cal pushed with Washington. Another joke.

The way I look at it, I was really 5-3. OU and Cal "covered" but didn't. Understand? Yea, I know it is also calling "losing", but remember, I'm "The Golden Italian." I don't lose. Yes, I do. But that's not the point. The point is I was all over it but didn't cash in. And that happens to the best of them. Like me, every weekend.

On that note...

Michigan State (-3.5) at Penn State - This is money. Why? 3 reasons. 1) Penn State is a joke. 2) Michigan State is playing for its 6th win and therefore its bowl eligibility. 3) 3.5 is not nearly enough points.

Michigan (-5.0) at Ohio State - See above except insert Ohio for Penn, 10th for 6th, "a Big 10 title" for "bowl eligibility."

Iowa State (+11) at Kansas State - It's the Big 12 North. Everyone is miserable. 11 points is a lot to give especially to the Big 12 North standings leader. ISU is 3-3 in the conference and 5-4 overall. KSU is 2-4, 5-6. Don't sleep on the "bowl eligibility factor" here - win #6 gets the Cyclones a bid somewhere. Take ISU and the points.

Oregon at Oregon State (-4.0) - Beaver Nation. Unstoppable. As in, not stoppable. Oh, and if the Beavs win, guess what? That's right. They go bowling. (Kicker is so do the Ducks with a W. But like I've always said, "F the Ducks.")

For the record...

I want everyone to know that I watched GW at Wake on Monday night and Niagara at Providence on Tuesday night.

They were glorious. Roundball is officially back in season.

But I'm laying low on commentary until I catch a few more games. Need to taste before judgment.