Someone say they wanted some action? Well here you go.
By Ron Johnson
Can the Gospel of Prime Unleash another Massive Sermon in Eugene?
All eyes will be on Oregon today as Coach Prime leads his undefeated Buffaloes (minus dual threat Travis Hunter) to Eugene to face the tough task of the Oregon Ducks. But they are not the only big game this weekend:
16 Oklahoma vs. Cincinnati
The Sooners are quietly making their way towards the top ten. They are locked in step with Texas heading into their annual Red River Showdown later this season, but first, they have to entertain the Bearcats of Cincinnati.
Rutgers vs. 2 Michigan
The Wolverines have stayed undefeated in the absence of their head coach. With this being the final game of his suspension, how will Michigan finish off his absence? Can they remain unbeaten and stay in step right behind Georgia?
4 Florida State vs. Clemson
Dabo Sweeney needed something good to happen after losing the opener against Duke. They bounced back in their last two games and now find themselves battling a motivated Seminoles squad looking to make an appearance in the CFP and possibly send a message to the other conferences if they truly intend to leave the ACC before the season ends.
SMU vs. TCU
The Mustangs have been trying to make a case to get into the power five conferences. The Horned Frogs are still trying to shake off the shocking loss to Colorado in the season opener. Either way, someone is going to have some fun today.
22 UCLA vs. 11 Utah
The Bruins are making their case for the Pac-12 Championship (which could possibly be the last one), while the Utes are just playing their game. Both sides have proven to be good at what they do, and now, they will get their chance to move one step closer to the top of their respective conferences.
19 Colorado vs. 10 Oregon
Vegas had Oregon as 22.5-point favorites in this game. Have they not been paying attention to the way that the Buffs have been playing? Coach Prime is looking to have his team ready for the madness of Eugene as the crowd in Autzen will be ready to make things complicated for Colorado from start to finish.
15 Ole Miss vs. 13 Alabama (Kiffin vs. Saban)
This is the rematch that no one seems to be talking about. Nick Saban’s Tide (after a lackluster performance last week) will host Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels. Saban has seem to have had his coaching staff’s number in collision matchups, but with the chance to move closer to a potential showdown with Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, and with the fact that Alabama has not really looked like its once-dominant self, can the Rebs capitalize and upset the Crimson Tide?
FAU vs. Illinois
The Owls are trying to get back to good. After a great season opener, FAU has been unable to get back on the winning track. They look to get back to that as they face the Illini, who are also trying to get back on the winning track themselves. Coach Herman has to have his boys ready for today because Illinois always likes to play spoiler no matter the opponent.
14 Oregon State vs. 21 Washington State (Battle of the Undefeated States)
Don’t let the nickname fool you. The Beavers and Cougars are about to collide in a battle of undefeated teams. While their distant brethren (Ducks and Huskies) are also undefeated, only one of these two teams will own that title when today’s game ends. Take notes, Mountain West. This could be your future if this deal with what is left of the Pac-12 goes through.
Arkansas vs. 12 LSU
The Annual Golden Boot Game should be fun for all. The Tigers feel ready after getting decimated by Florida State to start the year. The Razorbacks look ready to unleash some madness of their own as they try to add their name to the list of teams that upset LSU. On top of all this, the Golden Boot, an annual rivalry championship trophy given to the winner of this game, will be on the line.
6 Ohio State vs. 9 Notre Dame (Highlander Bowl)
There are those who have already penciled in either or both of these teams into the CFP. But the biggest question is who will remain undefeated after this game ends. The reason I have nicknamed this The Highlander Bowl is because of all the thunder and lightning that will come from this game. Notre Dame has been called out year after year. This time, they are not trying to leave any doubt that they belong. As for the Buckeyes, they are also trying to erase any memories of dominating performances followed by lackluster (at best) results. By the time this ends, there should be a flood in South Bend. But in the end, there can be only one.
24 Iowa vs. 7 Penn State
In another matchup of undefeated teams, the surprising Hawkeyes look to head into Beaver Stadium and hand the Nittany Lions their first loss of the season. As for the Lions, they are out to prove why their house is a dangerous place to play and show why THEY ARE…PENN STATE!
5 USC vs. Arizona State
The Trojans are continuing to polish off their resume in the hopes of getting into the CFP, but standing in their way happens to be the Sun Devils. Can Caleb Williams continue his campaign for the Heisman and help the Trojans move one step closer to Vegas? Or will the Sun Devils be the pain in their backsides?
Cal vs. 8 Washington
The nightcap of football Saturday will have the Golden Bears (a surprising 2-1) facing the Huskies (a shocking 3-0) both teams are out for blood as this border war takes place with more than just pride on the line.
Time to Wake Up Because September is Ending
Baseball fans that are trying to get their fix in before the season is over for most. Those that are heading to the postseason are trying to secure better seedings, while others are just trying to secure a slot in the Fall Classic. Currently, the American sits with the Orioles leading the pack followed by Texas, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Toronto and Houston clinging to the final wild card spot. But the hottest team of the summer, the Mariners, are only a half game back and have a pivotal pair of games on the horizon as they look to take two from the Rangers before welcoming the Astros in town for a three-game series. This is where the simplicity ends and the complication begins.
The National League still looks like stop-and-go Denver traffic with about a little over two weeks left in the season. The reason for all this confusion just so happens to be the Wild Card Race as currently there are four teams (Miami, Cincinnati, San Francisco and San Diego) in the hunt for the final pair of Wild Card spots (currently held by Arizona and Chicago). Now when we took a look at these spots a month ago, it was confusing then. Nothing has changed except for the fact that at least we got some teams locked in for the postseason.
Every game this weekend has the implications to either make or break a team’s chances to reach the postseason as evident by the Mariners going from the top spot in the West to the outside looking in.
Uh…Was That a Slapshot?
Don’t adjust your calendars, folks. Indeed it is official: HOCKEY…IS…BACK!!! And the fans are already piling in for a weekend filled with preseason action. The NHL starts out tonight with a pair of games featuring the St. Louis Blues and Arizona Coyotes (who will be in the spotlight today as this will be their second and third games of the day). Both teams will have a home-and-home matchup starting at high noon mountain time.
But the action is continuing tomorrow as the fun kicks into high gear with a slate of games as well.
On Sunday, we’ll have Buffalo facing Washington, Toronto vs. Ottawa, Phoenix facing Los Angeles, Columbus (with a new coach no less) visiting Pittsburgh and Minnesota facing Colorado. We’ll also have the Rangers battle the Bruins in Beantown, Winnipeg facing Edmonton, Vancouver going against Calgary and the defending Cup Champ Golden Knights tangling with the Sharks. It is safe to say that we are about to get a little more active as we add hockey to the list of sports to watch this fall.
Sunday Sermons from the Gridiron
The NFL takes center stage once again on Sunday. After a lackluster Thursday night matchup that didn’t really pick up until the second half, folks are ready for some madness on Sunday. And we got some key matchups coming up.
Falcons (2-0) vs. Lions (1-1)
No one expected the Falcons to be 2-0 this season, but they are. No one expected the Lions to be this much trouble this early in the season, but they are. Had it not been for a late pick six in last week’s game, the Lions could easily be 2-0. Don’t be surprised if the Lions become the one in 2-1 when it comes to Atlanta.
Saints (2-0) vs. Packers (1-1)
No one should be happy about the Saints starting 2-0. They have not looked good in the absence of Kamara, and Derek Carr has looked like trash. Jordan Love and the Packers on the other hand have looked better than expected. But after blowing that lead last week to Atlanta, which versions of these two teams will show up on Sunday?
Chargers (0-2) vs. Vikings (0-2)
One team deserves to be 0-2, but it’s not the Vikings. Justin Herbert should refrain from doing Subway commercials and focus on his playbook. I see Mr. Icey making a return in this game along with a Vikings win. Either way, someone is going to win their first game of the season, and we all remember what happened last year when the Vikes started 0-for-all.
Patriots (0-2) vs. Jets (1-1)
Mac Jones has been on the cusp of getting a pair of wins for New England. Now for the first time since 2001, they are winless. They did end that season playing in the Super Bowl, so that is something to aspire to right? As for the Jets, they are still trying to find a quarterback with Aaron Rodgers on the shelf for the season.
Broncos (0-2) vs. Dolphins (2-0)
The Broncos have not been bad this year. They just haven’t been better than the teams they faced so far. Two nail-biter losses has got to have Payton and Russ taking EXTRA time this week. It doesn’t help that they got a red-hot Dolphins team on their slate for this week.
Titans (1-1) vs. Browns (1-1)
Without Nick Chubb (thoughts and prayers to you) in the lineup for the rest of the year, the Browns called on an old friend to take the reigns in the backfield. Kareem Hunt returns to the lineup against a Titans team that is in disarray despite the record they have. Is this the last season that Derrick Henry will be in a Titans uniform? All signs point to yes.
Bills (1-1) vs. Commanders (2-0)
In another trip through the time machine, Buffalo and Washington reignite some rivalry blood. Buffalo is coming off a recovery game against the Raiders, while Washington is coming off another huge win. Which Josh Allen will show up, and will Washington finally have its glass slipper removed by force?
Steelers (1-1) vs. Raiders (1-1)
The Steelers could not find offense against the Niners but found it against the Browns. The Raiders couldn’t beat down the Broncos but rather got beat down by the Bills instead. Something has to give in this game.
Eagles (2-0) vs. Buccaneers (2-0)
In a battle of undefeated teams, the Eagles, who have not looked dominant but have looked prepared, will face the Bucs, who are one of the more shocking undefeated teams in the league right now. No, Tom Brady is not playing this season, but Baker Mayfield is, and he has been looking good.
Rams (1-1) vs. Bengals (0-2)
It is a rematch of Super Bowl LVI in which the Bengals almost got it. The Rams almost beat the Niners on Sunday. But like horseshoes and hand grenades, almost does not cut it. The Rams and Bengals meet for the first time since Aaron Donald’s big play to end the Bengals’ chances of shocking another team in the playoffs. They Rams are trying to get back on track, while the Bengals….they are just trying to win a game.
