If you are participating in a Final Four bracket or consolation round, you should probably check out the Final Four Odds so you don’t end up crumpling up your bracket half-way through the first quarter of game one like so many people did a couple weeks ago.

Let’s take a look at the match-ups.

Butler vs. Michigan State

Saturday, 4/3 @ 6:07 p.m.

Neither the Spartans nor the Bulldogs were ever expected to make it this far. In fact, of 30 teams in the 4SportBoston Bracket Challenge, only one had either of these teams making it to the Final Four and even “Danny P” only had Butler. He’s been riding their hot streak straight to the Championship and I have to admit that I made fun of him for it when the tourney began.

Butler has been able to strong-arm opponents throughout the tournament. Starting out as a five seed in the West bracket, Butler beat UTEP 77-59 in the opening round, 13th ranked Murray State 54-52 in the second round, the Champion-hopeful (at least in my bracket) number one seed Syracuse 63-59 in the Sweet 16, and number two seed Kansas State 63-56 in the Elite Eight.

Michigan State has really had the luck of the draw in the tournament so far and may be the least tested Final Four team remaining. Entering the tourney as a number five seed, they beat 12th seed New Mexico 70-67 in the opening round, fourth seed Maryland 85-83 in the second round, ninth seed (and potential 2010 Cinderella team who beat Kansas a round earlier, the top seed overall) Northern Iowa 59-52 in the Sweet 16, and sixth seed Tennessee in the Elite Eight 70-69.

The Spartans are without their star point-guard Kalin Lucas and reports from everywhere in Michigan is that this loss is a non-issue at this point and the Spartans have been successful with Korie Lucious running the show since the Maryland game. Butler, however, is boasting a shut-down defense that struck through two of the best offenses in college basketball in Syracuse and Kansas State.

Two fifth seeds matching up in the Final Four and only one out of thirty people could even predict one of them? I am riding the “Danny P” Railroad while it lasts.

My prediction:

Butler Bulldogs by 6

Duke vs. West Virginia

Saturday, 4/3 @ 8:47 p.m.

Everybody hates the Dukies. Everyone that doesn’t have a degree from there anyway, and probably some that do. But why the hate? Duke is the NY Yankees of college basketball (without the huge dollar signs on players… at least, supposedly). You either love them or you hate them and most of the country chooses the latter.

West Virginia is the complete opposite. Besides being coached by Bob Huggins, who sort of falls under that same “love him or hate him” mentality, West Virginia is a team that gained momentum, and fans, on their march to the Big East title.

Duke is the only remaining number one seed in the tournament and they have one of the most tournament-tested coaches in college basketball history. This one should be easy, right? Let’s see how they got here. The Dukies started off with the usual first round demolishing of the 16th rank team in AR Pine Bluff 73-44, they beat eighth seed California in the second round 68-53, fourth seed Purdue in the Sweet 16 70-57, and third seeded Baylor in the Elite Eight 78-71. Good scoring margins for the Blue Devils.

Second seeded West Virginia is the second highest seed team reamining. The Mountaineers opened up the tournament with a 77-50 win over 15th seeded Morgan State, 10th seed Missouri 68-59, 11th seed Washington 69-56 in the Sweet 16, and John Wall and the number one seed Kentucky Wildcats 73-66 in the Elite Eight.

This match-up was a little more popular in the 4SB Bracket Challenge with seven contestants picking West Virginia to make the Final Four (two picked them to win it all) and nine contestants picking Duke to make the Final Four (one picking them to take the title).

Duke’s biggest worry headed into this game should be the play of Kyle Singler, who went 0-for-10 against Baylor in the last round. Between Singler and Scheyer, the Blue Devils are a huge threat from beyond the arc on every position but Bob Huggins will be throwing his 1-3-1 defensive scheme at them to try and negate that threat. This formation allowed the Mountaineers to force the Kentucky Wildcats to miss their first 20 three-pointers inthe Elite Eight match-up.

Duke is used to playing with jeering fans screaming at them and  the state of West Virginia’s proximity to Indy is certainly going to help here.

My prediction:

West Virginia Mountaineers by 10

That’s right. I did it. I picked them to make it to the big game in my original bracket and I am standing by it and in a big way.

So, we are staring right down the barrel of a Butler Bulldogs vs. West Virginia Mountaineers NCAA Championship game, in my own opinion. Who would have predicted this match-up just a short two weeks ago?

This is what NCAA basketball is all about and in the famous words that used to play on my Jock Jams cds for hours while playing ball in the driveway as a kid,

“IT’S AWESOME BABAYYYY!”

I enjoy watching pro wrestling.

There, I said it.

Wrestlemania Weekend is Here

I know that keeps me in line with teenagers and rednecks, but whatever. I also enjoy NASCAR and country music. I have some peccadilloes that make me unique and I am okay with that.

With those revelations in mind, I feel no shame in announcing that today is one of my favorite days of the year. It is Wrestlemania Day. Ever since I was a little kid, through the years my mom and dad banned me from watching wrestling because I used my little brother to practice what I saw and through college where my roommates and I would order Wrestlemania every year, I have always anxiously awaited the “Showcase of the Immortals.”

Once you get past the pre-ordained nature of the sport and the fact that at its core, pro wrestling is a bunch of men in underpants throwing each other around, the athleticism, passion and sheer ridiculousness of the whole thing is just fun to watch. Where else can you watch two men fight over shiny belts in their underpants? Maybe Project Runway, but that is it.

So, judge me as you will, but I make no apologies. Vince McMahon is a genius and runs perhaps the model entertainment company in the world today. Are there issues with the world of pro wrestling? Sure, namely drug use and injury. The same can be said for the NFL, MLB, NBA. Vince McMahon has been chugging along for almost 30 years, pretty much printing money with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, John Cena and the Undertaker drawing millions of fans each year around the world to his product. Along the way, perhaps no franchise in the United States has done as much charitable work with groups like Make A Wish and there is no question that the WWE is at the forefront of supporting our troops. Each year they head overseas to the Middle East for a week. I don’t see Major League Baseball holding a week of games in Kabul.

Anyways, to me, the WWE is pure entertainment. I enjoy laughing at the hijinx and staring in awe at the showstopping moves these guys pull out. And there is no better chance to witness all that the WWE has to offer than Wrestlemania.

This is the marquee event that the WWE puts on every year. Its biggest matches and most blood-thirsty feuds come to fruition at Wrestlemania and this year is no different. Multiple titles are on the line as are livelihoods and perhaps the biggest streak in the history of sports entertainment.

In order to properly preview Wrestlemania, I called upon Patrick M. to help me out. He and I watched a few Wrestlemania’s while in college together and he is always good to help shed light on what may happen. So, for those unknowing in the ways of the squared circle, here is a preview of each match tonight and our predictions on who will win. Check back on Monday for the results. Whoever picks more matches correctly gets to DDT the other one.

WWE Championship Match
Batista (Champion) vs. John Cena

This match is a highly personal encounter between the WWE’s golden boy, John Cena, and Batista, a giant monster who is on a rampage. Cena, a Massachusetts native (see Craig, this story is about Boston) is a movie star and multi-media mogul. Batista is jealous that he isn’t the chosen one of the WWE who gets all the extra love. Cena won the WWE

Hometown Boy John Cena in Boston

Championship in February and Batista came out right after the match and beat him to steal the belt. Boom. Instant feud over the title, money and fame. Pro Wrestling’s oldest storyline at the biggest stage of them all.

Chas: Have to go with John Cena here. He is the biggest moneymaker for the WWE and is as close to old school Hulk Hogan as it gets. Batista claims Cena can’t beat him and that whenever they are in the ring together Cena gets hurt. Look for Cena to add something he has never done before to overcome the big fella. This could be pretty violent and steal the show.

Patrick: What, did you really think I was going to pick against my hometown boy? C’mon, we grew up together.  He and his brothers are awesome.  And he’s literally the only famous person from West Newbury, MA, in the world.  You know, until I get elected President.  Or get caught in some massive tax evasion scandal.  One of the two. Plus, Batista is the single worst big-time WWE wrestler of the last 20 years. I have no idea why he’s popular or why Vince pushes him.

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Chris Jericho (Champion) vs. Edge

Ahhh the classic “Ex-tag team partners looking to settle the score” bout. Throw in the fact that both guys are Canadian and you have a recipe for awesomeness. Seriously, pretty much the best wrestlers ever are Canadian. Check it out. Anyways, Jericho – the son of ex-NHL player Ted Irvine (see, more real sports) is the champ and on a roll as the cocky, assh*le heel. Ever since his tag partner Edge got hurt, Jericho has been claiming that he was the one carrying the team and did so much better when Edge went to the sidelines. BAMMO, Edge comes back at the Royal Rumble, wins and earns the automatic title shot at Wrestlemania. Guess who he chooses? This battle has centered around Edge claiming his finishing move – the spear – has no defense. Jericho says he won’t hit it. Feel the drama.

Chas: I know we are supposed to love the good guys and boo the bad guys. That being said, I have a serious man crush on Chris Jericho. Maybe it is because he is the son of a hockey player. More likely it is because he is the funniest guy in the business and always puts on a good show. I feel like he will outsmart the overexcited Edge in the end and go on a serious run with the title.

Patrick: I am going with Edge. Why? In the battle of the Canucks, always bet against the dude who participated in “Celebrity Duets” on Fox. However, Jericho does get points for having the single-best entrance of anyone in the WWE of the last, oh, 10 years, outside of HHH.

Career vs. Streak
Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
Only in pro wrestling could a match between two guys over 40 that is going for the second year in a row be the most anticipated on the card. Last year, The Undertaker defeated Michaels in a great match. This year, Michaels wants his revenge. The storyline here is that Michaels fancies himself “Mr. Wrestlemania” and feels his loss to ‘Taker hurts that rep. The Undertaker is 17-0 at Wrestlemania over his career, a streak that is his legacy. Undertake didn’t want the rematch and only agreed if Shawn Michaels put his career on the line.

Undertaker and Shawn Michaels

Chas: The streak will never die, and if it does it will be to someone who needs to have ending the run associated with him. I am going with the Undertaker. This match can only end via pin or submission, allowing for some shenanigans. Don’t worry about the whole retirement thing for Michaels. Retirements in pro wrestling last only as long as celebrity marriages. Michaels could lose tonight and be on Raw and win the world championships tomorrow.

Patrick: – The streak is too important.  At this point, it’d be like Davey Johnson sitting Ripken in 96 against Ripken’s wishes for Luis Polonia.  Vince just won’t do that, not even for Shawn. That being said, I’m not even sure how the Undertaker moves anymore.  I remember where I was when I watched his debut in WWF at Survivor Series 1992. That was when I was 10. I’m 28 now. That’s… sad. Plus, I’m still angry about Shawn Michaels throwing Marty Jannetty through the plate glass window of the Barbershop, destroying The Rockers (my single favorite tag team in the history of professional wrestling), and sending my personal life into a tailspin for a month at age 9 on January 12, 1992.  Yes, I’m still upset about this. No, I will never get over this.

No Holds Barred
Bret Hart vs. Mr. McMahon
This is a match 13 years in the making. In 1997, Vince McMahon, then pretty much a behind the scenes kind of guy in the WWE, ordered for the ref to call the bell in a Bret Hart-Shawn Michaels match in Montreal, giving Michaels the win. The deal here was that Hart was leaving for WCW and McMahon was worried if Hart still had the belt he might take it and disparage WWE on live TV. He did what he felt was right for the WWE. Still, it looked terrible and was a big FU to Bret Hart after his years of service. On the plus side, it made Mr. McMahon a huge heel and made the WWE millions of dollars over the next decade. Now, Bret Hart is back for his revenge. Albeit this is a Bret Hart who has suffered a stroke and is about 50 years old. Anyways, look for lots of punching and strangling and a pretty excited crowd.

Bret Hart Back in The Day

Chas: Bret Hart will win here in pretty dominating fashion. Sure, Vince will get some shots in, but in the end Hart will get his Sharpshooter on and Vince will tap. I just hope Bret’s dad Stu gets in the ring and gets a few licks in. I only wish Owen were here.

Patrick: Why? Payback is a bitch, Vince.  This is for all 40,000 screaming Montrealians in 1997 who had their hearts ripped out. Plus, did I own a pair of Bret Hart glasses for 2 years around the age of 12 and rock them most everywhere I went? Yes, yes I did.

CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio
CM Punk is the bad guy here. He lives a straight-edge lifestyle (for real) and his storyline is that he is trying to get all the wrestlers to give up drugs, drinking and carousing to be clean like him. I am not sure how Rey Mysterio fits in except that he has been suspended for drugs a few times. Anyways, these two are great athletes and should put on a good show. If Mysterio loses, he has to join the Straight-Edge Society.

Chas: Punk is at the top of his game right now, playing the creepy, weird heel to the best of his ability. Still, you don’t have one of your more popular guys go bad at the biggest stage of them all. Look for Punk to score a fluke win here to keep this great feud going.

Patrick: – Why? Because I have absolutely no idea who CM punk is. Plus, I’ve always hearted Rey, esp since we went with Weiss to that WWE event my junior year at MCI where Weiss wore the Mysterio mask, and then proceeded to wear it while working at Vittles.(Ed. Note: Patrick is wrong here. It was a Hurricane Helms mask and cape, not Mysterio. We both bought them and would wear them at work while playing the theme song. Yes, we were 21 years old and we didn’t care. We usually were about seven Jack and Cokes in.)

Tag Team Titles
The Miz/Big Show vs. John Morrison and R-Truth
The Miz may be better known to people from his days on The Real World and all those Real World/Road Rules Challenges. Now, he is a pretty successful pro wrestler who is a tag team champion with The Big Show who was in The Water Boy with Adam Sandler. Tonight, they meet The Miz’ old tag team partner John Morrison and R-Truth. Morrison’s gimmick is that he is like Jim Morrison, all trippy and rock-star. R-Truth raps his way to the ring. I kid you not. Anyways, they are all pretty good wrestlers and this should be fun.

Chas: I am going with Morrison and R-Truth. They have been getting the better of Miz/Show lately and have a chance to shine. Plus, Miz is the United States Champion as well and his star is growing enough that he should be focused on as a singles wrestler. Look for the Big Show to set up his big knockout punch and hit Miz instead. Classic heel tag team blunder.

Patrick: Because when push comes to shove, I will never pick against a 2-time winner of the Real World/Road Rules Challenge. Plus, the dude dated Trishelle. Do we really think he won’t be able to handle these 2 people, whoever the hell they are? I say no.

Triple H vs. Sheamus
Two men who trained to be pro wrestlers in Massachusetts (see, another reason this is important to you) do battle on the biggest stage of the sport. Triple H is the veteran superstar who has done it all. Sheamus is the pasty white Irishman who is a rookie but has already won the WWE Championship. Now, he wants to prove he has what it takes to defeat “The Game” at Wrestlemania.

Chas: It is always hard to go against Triple H. He is arguably the greatest of this generation and this may be a case where he teaches the rookie a lesson. Hopefully Sheamus doesn’t get frazzled in front of 70,000 people and this lives up to what it could be. As long as Triple H brings out the sledgehammer, I will be happy.

Patrick: I am going with Sheamus. – Because ever since Vince has claimed to institute steroid testing in the WWE, HHH has lost about 70 pounds and all his will to live.  He does get to go home to Stephanie McMahon at the end of the night, though.

Triple Threat Match
Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhode vs. Ted Dibiase
All three of these guys used to be in a group called Legacy. It was named that way because all three are the sons of former Hall of Fame pro wrestlers. Then, after a while Rhodes and Dibiase tired of Orton being a big bully and turned on him. However, in the process Orton became the good guy fans cheered for and the other two became the heels. Only in pro wrestling… Anyways, the theme here is that Orton is really against both guys. But, beware one of the other two turning on each other to get the big win.

Chas: I am going with Orton. He is the only true star here and the fans are geeking over him big time. With the late storyline adding in Rhodes and Dibiase each saying they will get the win, my guess is one is close to the victory then the other breaks it up. They argue and Orton snipes in with his RKO for the win. Or maybe it is all a setup and Rhodes joins with Orton and they punk Dibiase big time.

Patrick: As someone who actively dislikes all 3 of these people, I base my decision on the relative strengths of their fathers as WWF wrestlers.  Cowboy Bob Orton sucked and was painfully boring, Dusty Rhodes was fat and terrible and spawned Dustin Rhodes/ie: Goldust, who was the single creepiest character ever created by Vince and co. (I mean, seeing a transvestite Rupaul-esque wrestler at age 10 was something that shatters your psyche, you know?).  However, the Million Dollar Man? He was LEGIT.  I won’t hold Virgil or Irwin R. Scheyster against him.(Ed. Note: IRS was the man. Patrick doesn’t know what he is talking about. A guy who is an evil tax man is as bad as a bad guy can get.)

Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Jack Swagger vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Evan Bourne vs. Kane vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Matt Hardy vs. MVP vs. Christian vs. Drew McIntyre
This is a Wrestlemania staple the past few years. It is a ladder match with the winner climbing the ladder to retrieve a contract good for a title match anytime in the next year. Everyone who has ever won this match has then won when they cashed in the contract. That is the storyline. There is no feud or anything, just 10 guys looking to make “the leap” to the next level. Expect lots of great moves and innovative violence. What more do you need?

Chas: Despite there being 10 guys in the match, only four have a chance to win. Christian won’t because he doesn’t need the push to be popular. Drew McIntyre is on a losing streak and just isn’t really good despite the WWE thinking he is. Kofi Kingston and Jack Swagger are the only two legit candidates. Kingston (also trained in Boston) was on a hot streak for a while before slowing down. He has shown he is capable of hanging with the true stars and a win could elevate him to that level for good. Swagger is a big, athletic youngster (former two-time All-America at Oklahoma in wrestling) and needs one final jump to get into the higher echelon of performers. The problem with Swagger is he talks with a lisp. No offense to people with speech issues, but if your job requires talking in front of large groups of people, you need to fix that. I am going with Kingston. Alos, expect Shelton Benjamin to do something insane. He is in the WWE because of this match and every year creates a new way to make me poop my pants. Just go You Tube “Shelton Benjamin Money in the Bank.” Do it now.

Patrick: Because a) I have no idea who any of these dudes are outside of Kane or Matt Hardy or Benjamin, and b) as a huge fan of “Boogie Nights” and “Rocky IV” I support anyone who creates his stagename from a mix of Dolph Lundgren and Dirk Diggler.

There you have it. Patrick’s and my thoughts on a fake sport. I really hope my girlfriend still talks to me tomorrow.

MAKE SURE TO ENTER THE 4SB BRACKET CHALLENGE! PICKS ARE DUE AT NOON!

FREE TO ENTER! PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS!

P.S. For those of you who don’t know, CBS March Madness on Demand is the greatest thing ever invented. You can keep up with all of the games and watch live from your computer. This will include you in the statistic that make today and tomorrow the least productive days in the United States in each year! I especially enjoy the “Boss Button” which brings up a random Excel sheet in case the bossman happens to walk by.

The Girlfriend/Wife’s Guide to March Madness: A Sports Nut’s Month Long Holiday

Forward

Mid-March every year, every sports fanatics favorite three weeks come to fruition. For the average sport enjoyer, it is simply more of the same in what seems like a never-ending basketball season, for those above that unsavory line, it is much more.

I have never claimed to be a woman, have the mind of a woman, or UNDERSTAND the mind of a woman, but in an effort to appease those of you who are asking, “What is this all about?” I am here to help.

In an effort to bring together the bond between the love of competitive sports and the love within a relationship, we will try to use this manuscript to help the average female find joy in their partner’s excitement for the sweaty man heap that is March Madness.

The Layout

On the Sunday before the tournament begins, the NCAA championship committee

gets together to decide who will “make” the field of 65 teams known as “The Bracket”.

To completely understand the process, one must understand how Division 1 colleges and universities are split into conferences.

Separate areas throughout the country play host to certain “conferences” of schools. Basically speaking, there are anywhere from 8-16 schools in a conference and it is like a division within the NCAA Men’s Basketball realm. Simply put, it resembles the NFL’s AFC East, North, South, West, etc but are not named by directions on a map. They are named such things as the “Atlantic 10”, “Pacific 10”, “Big East”, “Conference USA”, etc.

Knowing this, the week prior to “Selection Sunday” is spent defining the champions of each individual conference in a playoff format. The champions of each conference are given an automatic “bid” to the tournament, or “big dance”. This will take care of 31 of the 65 available bids to the tournament, except for the Ivy League, who sends their regular season champion but that is a whole other story and they’re probably not going to win any games anyways. The remainder of the teams that will be selected will receive “at large bids”. These are teams that did well throughout the year but did not win their individual conference championship. Teams’ performance vs. ranked opponents throughout the year, as well as their play in the conference tournament will sway the minds of the committee who chooses the final field of 65, which are then announced on live telecast on Selection Sunday.

Now, the mathematicians out there may say, how do you play an even number of games with 65 teams? Well, the last two teams to make the tournament will play one another on the Tuesday after Selection Sunday to earn the right to make the bracket and play the top seed. Phew… ya got it all?!

The layout of the tournament is laid out to have 4 branches of the bracket that will come together bringing the top team from each branch together as the Final Four who will compete for the National Championship.

Each branch will host 16 teams, ranked 1-16 with the 1 seed playing the 16, 2 playing the 15, etc. Each branch will have the eight first round games played over two days in three separate stadiums, not necessarily anywhere near each other in the country. First round games will be split between Thursday and Friday, and the second round games being split between Saturday and Sunday. The games will start at 12:30pm each day and run until about midnight, so if you like coffee, get it brewing, or just take frequent half-time naps.

After the first round games are completed, the teams continue on through the tournament, single elimination (you lose 1 game, you are out of it) until we have a winner. This is known as the “light at the end of the tunnel”, well, not really but sounds nicer than National Champ if you ask me.

“Picking the Bracket”

One of the biggest draws to the tournament is the inevitable gambling that comes a long with it. Almost every office, school hallway, and lumber yard will become the site of numerous people nervously scribbling their picks of each game and handing it to the organizer, along with a certain amount of money, generally $5-$50, more for the high rollers. The entire brackets worth of picks must be handed in before the tournament starts. A “perfect bracket” is the sports world’s Loch-Ness. Every website from ESPN to Facebook.com offers million dollar prizes, brand new corvettes, etc to anyone who can submit a bracket that picks every game correctly throughout the tournament, nearly unheard of.

Important Things to Know

If you want to be in on the tournament speak, or are dragged into it by only owning one television, you are going to want to know some things about the tournament itself and some random factoids that you can throw at your significant other in order to impress and possibly get him to flip to American Idol or Gilmore Girls for a couple minutes during a commercial.

There are numerous small pieces of info about the tournament that will make you look like you have been a UNC (University of North Carolina) fan all your life. Just remember these things, and you will be doing just that.

Dick Vitale - Remember that. Besides being a TB Rays fan, he is the effing man.

1. Remember that in the past 19 years of the tournament, 17 of those a 12 seed has defeated a 5 seed in the first round.
2. Number 1 seeds are 92-0 in tournament history in the first round, probably because they play the 16 seed but whatever.
3. Never bank on all four #1 seeds making it to the Final Four, it almost never happens.
4. They say no matter how much researching you do, it will do very little to help in picking the teams but I do it anyways.
5. There are always a couple of “Cinderella teams”. These are teams that are ranked poorly but make a run through the tournament and make it through a couple of rounds, thus making them a “Cinderella” team… kinda like how you used to run around your house dressed up and pretending to be Cinderella but then you took off the dress and were “just you” again. That’s what happens here, they are dressed up, looking good, making upsets, and then they lose eventually and they are just another victim to March Madness.
6. Dick Vitale is the effing man. “Dickie V” will be the excited old guy that will be dancing around on your television screen for the next 3 weeks. He looks kind of like the creepy guy from the Six Flags commercials but he is real and has his own lingo that your significant other will understand, such as:
   1. PTPer (Prime Time Player)
   2. Diaper Dandy (Impressive Freshman)
   3. “IT’S AWESOME BABYYYY!” (IT’S AWESOME BABYYYY!)
7. The tournament is on CBS, that’s channel 4. I know nothing good comes on that channel but make sure you know.

Conclusion

I think that this will provide a decent enough guide to how to understand the ins and outs of the March Madness, NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Make sure that plenty of snacks are on hand as well since he won’t be moving from the couch and you will probably either leave him to go shopping or spend most of your time in the kitchen, either way, good snack foods are most important on the first weekend.

I have attached a bracket that you can use for the 2007-2008 tournament. Lay it out on your significant other and tell him you would like to challenge his picks throughout. Just make sure you white out my name on it. He will be very impressed and you have made it seem like you care enough and now have a stake in the matter. Trust me, it will make it more bearable to watch!

ENJOY!

A little eye-candy for the ladies!

AFTERWARD

Please note that this piece is not guaranteed to make you understand the tourney or win a bracket, but it is in an effort to help you become more knowledgable about the subject, Any info you forget to show that you know after this is purely on you.

Oh yea, and yell at the tv a lot. Bad plays, horrible calls by the ref, great plays, all great reasons to scream random profanity at the television.

Boston sports.

Wait, did you think I was talking about the senatorial election?

Of course not. The minute Martha Coakley’s campaign gathered up all the strategies used by Grady Little, Dave Lewis, and Rick Pitino to diagram the final weeks of the campaign, Scott Brown had this thing in the bag. And if there was any doubt about who would win, Coakley claiming that Curt “Bloody Sock/I Hate N.Y.” Schilling is a Yankees fan locked up the win for the father of former American Idol contestant and B.C. Women’s hoops player Ayla Brown.

(See how it all tied back in to sports? You see what I did there?)

That, ladies and gentlemen, is why I am honored to accept the 2009 4SportBoston Writer of the Year Award. In honor of last weekend’s Golden Globes and Tuesday night’s election acceptance speeches, I would like to offer you mine.

“Hey, how about that ride in? I guess that’s why they call it ‘Sin City’” …

This is truly an honor. To be recognized by your peers, your girlfriend, your friends, your girlfriend’s friends, your dad, your lazy brother on the couch, a few guys you met at a bar in Philly and Facebook friends I haven’t seen in five years is such a tremendous feeling. To quote a wise philosopher and businessman, ‘Only in America!’

This crazy ride began like so many lasting and meaningful relationships do – with a Tweet. One little 140-character message from the Godfather of 4SportBoston, Craig Leger, was enough for me to believe in this operation. So, the doors were locked on my second stalled sports blog and the ascent to the top of 4SB’s hockey mountain began. Craig, thank you for believing in me and giving me a chance to spread my hockey knowledge to this site’s loyal and faithful readers. Every great performer needs outstanding direction and I blindly submit to your leadership.

I would like to also thank the other guys at 4SB. Some of you I have met, some of you I think are figments of Craig’s imagination. But Pho, Jawz, Sean, Bobby, Mike and El  Mustachio – you guys inspire me every day. It is difficult to keep a site like this fresh and updated every day, and to take time out of your busy lives to contribute selflessly is an example of how passionate about this topic you are. I even promise to read some of your stuff one day.

Finally, to you – the reader – I humbly submit my thanks and appreciation. I do this all for you. No seriously. Craig hasn’t paid me or even given me my staff Christmas present yet. So your comments and page views are my cyber salary. It is nice to know that the time I spend on this little slice of heaven known as Five Minute Major is read by actual human beings and even enjoyed by some of them. I appreciate the comments (even if 92% are from my dad who is contractually obligated to support me because he and my mom had some fun one night 28+ years ago) because discussion is the best way to create enthusiasm about the topic you are covering. Your thoughts, jokes, comments and even criticisms all work to make this place a better site.

In all seriousness, anyone who ever wins anything and tells you they didn’t enjoy it is a bigger scumbag than Lane Kiffin. I know this is a fun contest and I stacked the votes pretty hardcore with my friends and family, but I am also excited that so many people came to the site and viewed it. Everyone here is working really hard to improve the quality and quantity of what you can see when you swing by our neck of the woods and we are all honored that you consider us part of your travels on the innerwebs.

So, in conclusion, please keep inspiring us on a daily basis by keeping us honest. If you don’t like our work, tell us. If you do like our work, tell a friend. And while you’re at it, Save the Whales, Save the Environment, Give Peace a Chance, and Free Tiger!”

See, in the end, everything really is about sports …

For that, I’m sorry.

For the next apology, the Patriots, Bengals, and Eagles owe it to each and every one of us. Could these three teams have played any worse last weekend? If you listened to the 4SportBoston podcast, I noted that I couldn’t even watch the Packers / Cardinals game after the Pack fell down 17-0 early. I turned it off and missed the most entertaining game of the weekend.

This weekend, I promise to watch all games in their entirety, with the exception of the time I spend driving to and from the Baer’s Den in Tempe, AZ on Saturday for the Red Sox Nation Arizona Event Planning “meeting”.

With all this out of the way, and my playoff losing streak continued, much like the lowly Bengals own streak, I’ll go ahead and tell you who will lose this weekend. I’m basing all of my picks this week on my analysis of the Football Universe Karma Utility Factor (also known as the FUKU Factor). The FUKU Factor actively participated in the outcome of the Wild Card Round, and should come into play again this weekend.

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Cardinals over Saints

I really think the Saints are the better team here and should win this game at home. Kurt Warner is getting hot though, and that could spell danger for the boys from the bayou. At the very least, we should see offense in abundance in the first game of the weekend.

Final score according to the FUKU Factor:  17-14 Cardinals

Indianapolis over Baltimore

Indy hasn’t played a serious game in a month, and the Ravens are playing some of the best grind it out win in the playoffs type of football out of the remaining eight teams. Baltimore should be too physical and too angry about their loss to Indy earlier this year to lose again. I’m going against my gut once again, and I’m taking the Colts.

Final score according to the FUKU Factor:  38-9 Colts

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Cowboys over Vikings

I said it in Week 17, and still believe it. Of all the teams that needed a bye week, the Vikings were at the top of the list. Hopefully the Grape Ape spent his two weeks off locked in a room with Tiki Barber learning to hold onto the football, because if he didn’t, the Vikings will be golfing next week.

Like the Ravens, the Cowboys are playing grind it out football the way it needs to be played. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, with the exception of a Week 14 shocker over the Saints, the only thing the Cowboys have proved is they can beat the Eagles. The Eagles were a good team, but beating a division rival you know has no running game doesn’t help you stop Adrian Peterson. Once again, against the gut, I’m taking the Cowboys.

Final score according to the FUKU Factor:  28-19, Cowboys

"I like your picks El Mustachio!" (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Jets over Chargers

There’s no way the Jets can win this game. There’s just no way…  Right?

Final score according to the FUKU Factor:  11-3 Jets

So there are my pseudo unbiased picks. I’d love to see Ravens/Chargers and Vikings/Saints next week, so I’m picking against that hope. I’m not sure how the football universe will react to my ploy, but we’ll certainly find out how well I fooled it in the next two days.

Next week:  DETAILED Championship Game previews with REAL football analysis.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

To casual observers, Sunday’s 33-14 Ravens victory over the Patriots was only a semi-unexpected victory in a slightly more unexpected landslide.

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

The Ravens sniffed out every screen, bombarded the offensive line with multiple blitz packages, and simply dared Tom Brady to try and go deep to Moss with limited time and pocket mobility. The game plan attempted by nearly every team in the playoffs: “Run the ball, play great defense,” was executed with such heart-crushing precision that Foxboro fans were booing their beloved team off the field in the middle of the third quarter in order to beat traffic.

The Patriots’ game plan was to put pressure on Baltimore and make them pass. Joe Flacco passed for 34 yards and one interception. The Big Bangers on one team came to play on Sunday, and they were not wearing silver and blue.

So the Baltimore Ravens will move on (deservedly so) to face the Indianapolis Colts this coming weekend. And, despite the decade-long rivalry with Indianapolis, I’ll be rooting for the Colts on three-weeks rest over any team with Terrell Suggs on its active roster.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I just threw up in my mouth and have to rinse. Fare thee well, team of the 2000′s…

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

What a crazy NFL season. We had near undefeated teams completely throw their season, near undefeated teams completely collapse, a playoff chase that included seven teams in the AFC going into Week 17, a 40 year old QB take his team to a bye week and a rookie QB riding his defense into a wild card spot.

This year’s playoff includes a busload of superstar and up-and-coming quarterbacks:  Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Brett Favre, Kurt Warner, Donovan McNabb, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez… and also Carson Palmer and Tony Romo are there.

Of these quarterbacks, four have rings and an additional two more have been to the big game at least once. Three on this list played in conference championship games. Three players have never won a playoff game: Aaron Rodgers (second year as a starter after sitting behind Brett Favre for several years), Mark Sanchez (let’s give this guy a break here, he’s a rookie), Carson Palmer (Carson suffered a severe knee injury in the final game of the 2005 season, and was unable to participate in the only playoff game the Bengals have played in since he joined the team in 2003, a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and hasn’t been the same player since that injury), and Tony Romo.

It’s the playoffs, so screw the spreads.  I’m picking winners! Home team underlined.

Philadelphia over Dallas

Tony Romo, professional choke artist. In Romo’s first playoff appearance in 2006, he dropped the snap on an extra point try, then stumbled toward the end zone only to fall down on the 2-yard line. The result was a 21-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. In 2007, Romo, no longer holding for field goals and extra points, ended the Cowboys season with a fourth quarter interception to then-Giants cornerback, R.W. McQuarters.

Here in 2009 (this is the 2009 season, by the way), The Cowboys come into the playoffs as the division winner and will host the Eagles for the second straight week. The Cowboys have defeated the Eagles twice this season. It would appear Dallas has the advantage this week after an absolute dismantling of the Eagles in Week 17.

However, I’m going the other way.  I think it’s the making for a perfect storm. Romo is holding kicks again, and has to be feeling good about their chances this weekend. I’m no karmic expert, but I think the universe has it in for Tony Romo, and we’re going to see it again on Saturday.

New England over Baltimore

Mr. Pho of the 4SportBoston crew gave a darn good breakdown of the Ravens/Patriots matchup, and I’ll let it stand. I’ll just tell you my pick and move along. I know we’re in trouble without Wes Welker, and the Ravens have just the type of running attack we struggle to match-up against, however, maybe the Welker injury works in our favor this week.

At least it will make the Ravens guess early what we’re going to try to do. All season it’s been Welker, Welker, Welker, Welker, Welker, Moss touchdown. Well something will have to change for us to move the ball, and I don’t think you, me, or the Ravens know what BB has in mind.

Cincinnati over NYJ

The Bengals were embarrassed last week. They played their starters for most of the game and couldn’t get anything going on offense against this same Jets team. This week they get back to doing what they do best, run the football. Chad Ochocinco had some key drops in Week 17, and I’m sure he’s been beating himself up over it all week, since, you know, he’s so hard on himself. Anyway, this one is going to be close, and if either team scores 20 points I’ll be scatterbrain shocked.

Green Bay over Arizona

I watched some of this game last week, and saw the Cardinals lay down. This was probably a good strategy for the them. It kept Kurt Warner off the turf and maybe even gave the Packers some overconfidence. I don’t think it matters though. I think the Packers are a better team and their defense is just playing great right now. Factor in the knee injuries suffered by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Anquan Boldin, and I’m really leaning towards the cheeseheads.

This only leaves one final claim.

My Super Bowl Extra-Large-4 picks:

I’m always going to root for the Pats, but without Welker, I just can’t make that pick.

I am going to go ahead and make my pre-playoff Super Bowl pick here, I’m sure this will evolve in the meantime:

Minnesota Vikings over San Diego Chargers. There, I did it.  I know the Vikings have some issues, especially defensively with EJ Henderson gone and Antoine Winfield apparently not 100 percent healthy. However, provided Adrian Peterson takes some time during the bye week to practice holding onto the football, the Vikings can score points with anyone. Also, the Chargers are the best team in the AFC right now, but I won’t put money on a Norv Turner coached team to win a Super Bowl until it’s over.

Or will I? I just flip flopped.

Final pick:

San Diego Chargers over Green Bay Packers

Didn’t see that coming did you?  Well there it is, that’s my pick.

“Our goal for athletics is to achieve sustainable excellence in all areas,” said Athletic Director Peter Rob. Northeastern football hasn’t had recent success since their 2002 Conference Championship.

After Coach Don Brown left Northeastern in 2004, the school started scheduling Division I powerhouse opponents such as Virginia Tech, Northwestern University, Ball State, and Boston College. Each of these games ended in humiliating defeats and showed how weak the program might be.

Don’t get me wrong, the program certainly has some players such as John Griffin, a local product from Oakmont High School; he finished the year with 715 yards and four touchdowns on an offense that was one of the worst in Division I-AA.

The University said that they will honor all scholarships to current student athletes that stay at the University, and the NCAA has waived the transfer rule for the NU football players (Sitting out one season, after transferring).

This all makes me honestly wonder that if you combine the scheduling of unrealistic opponents and these well thought plans for the student athletes, how long has the university been planning this?

The Huskies played at Parsons Field, known for baseball not NU football. I remember seeing the field for the first time at Northeastern football camp and thinking, “This is it?”. Most Massachusetts high schools and lower division colleges have better facilities, raising the question where was all this money going to that was spent on the football program?

Northeastern spends four million dollars a year on the football program with little to show for it, but I don’t think it was all the players’ and coaches’ fault. Being set up for failure and combining this huge mystery budget, pushed the administration and others against the team.

Northeastern is known for basketball, baseball, and hockey. Along with some other programs that have had recent success, it really proved that the football program was one that could be easily dealt with.

Recently, Matthews Arena received a multi million-dollar renovation. A new roof, new locker rooms, new seats, new press box and a spectacular video scoreboard lead the list of improvements. I understand that Northeastern Hockey is huge and the basketball team in recent years has been very good, but maybe if some of these renovations were scaled down, the football program could have been saved.

Northeastern has had a hidden agenda against the program for the past couple of years and it is just apparent with the decision to drop the program that they truly do not care about this group of young student athletes.

Northeastern isn’t the only wealthy division I-AA University that dropped their football program recently either. Hofstra University, which used to be a powerhouse in the Atlantic 10 and has produced numerous NFL players for a 1-AA program, shut it down on Dec 3^rd.

Their reasoning was specifically to take those resources from the football program and reinvest them into academic needs and need-based scholarships. The same options like the players at Northeastern about scholarship fulfillment and transfer waivers are available for the players at Hofstra.

I just hope these players take advantage of the opportunities given to them in the future and don’t let this situation discourage them. Also, I hope it makes student athletes that are not the major recruits to the bigger schools think about how they choose their school. Lower division student athletes have to think about life after football, life after sports, and these programs coming to end really shows that it can happen at any University.

The NFC playoff picture was just as cluttered as the AFC until this past week. Now, it is a lot simpler than its AFC counterpart by a wide margin.

Four of the six playoff spots have been clinched and the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys control their own Wild Card destiny, with the New York Giants waiting for one of them to slip up. The only thing left up for grabs in the NFC is the Wild Card, the number one seed, home field advantage between the Vikings and Saints, and the first round bye between the Eagles and the Vikes.

The Saints can clinch the number one seed and home field with a win or a Minnesota loss, after last week’s loss to the Cowboys, a check back to reality might have been just what the Saints needed heading into the playoffs. Their last two opponents are a combined 8-20.

Tampa Bay this week, which has had few bright spots besides rookie QB Josh Freeman coming off a 95.8 QB rating against the Seahawks, will try to upset the Saints. Then the Saints face off against Carolina, which has had an injury laden and disappointment of a season.

But, the Panthers are coming off their biggest win of the season against Minnesota in which they physically whooped the Vikes (Julius Peppers had 1 sack, 5 QB hurries, and benched a Pro-Bowl left tackle). Carolina could prove to be a test for the Saints, whom fans will be watching intently to see if they can clinch home field throughout the playoffs and to see if they will indeed rest their starters.

The Vikings can clinch their first round bye with a win or a Philadelphia loss, and keep a shot at the number one seed and home field as long as they win out and the Saints lose their last two games.

This should be an interesting game for the Vikes this weekend, with all the Favre vs. Childress media. Favre has always performed after being called out by the media so I expect him to continue his dominance of NFL defenses (27 TDS 7 INT 3,565 YDS and a 104.1 QB Rating, best of his career).

Minnesota plays Chicago this week and the NY Giants in Week 17. They should run over the Bears, but I’m iffy about Week 17. Carolina really exposed some weaknesses on the Offensive line, and the Giants front four is a lot better than the Panthers front four.

The Eagles have the toughest remaining schedule of any of the remaining NFC playoff teams, with games against Denver (8-6) and division rival Dallas (9-5). Philadelphia can simply clinch with a win combined with a Dallas loss. The Broncos are inconsistent but a good team and the Cowboys seem to be clicking on all cylinders. Romo is averaging 350 passing yards per game in December. Eagles and Cowboys in Week 17 is going to be the battle for the NFC EAST in my opinion.

The playoff sleeper for the second year in a row could be the Arizona Cardinals. The Cards have shown signs of greatness with their 30-17 win over the Vikings in Week 13 and then showed signs of inconsistency and lack of focus with their 24-9 loss in Week 14 against the 49ers. If any team in the NFL proves that you only play as well as your QB plays, it is the Cardinals.  When Warner throws one or less interceptions, the Cardinals are 9-0…

Arizona has an interesting remaining schedule. The Rams are 1-13 and seem like a no brainer win for the Cards, but then they have a potential wild card preview as they play the 9-5 Packers.

Green Bay is in the best shape out of the three potential wild card teams. With a win and a Cowboys or Giants loss, the Cheese Heads are back in the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers’ MVP-like play (28 TDS 7 INT 3,962 YDS 102,4 QB Rating) has led the Packers throughout the year and you have to remember up until a couple of weeks ago the Packers offensive line was playing like a JV high school team. Rodgers has carried this team on his back and I think he can do it to the Conference Championship.

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off of a huge win at New Orleans. They can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Giants loss. Tony Romo is playing out of his mind right now threading defenses with no legitimate number one receiver so the ‘Boys control their own destiny in their decisive two remaining division games. The first being Washington, which can’t be taken lightly, and the final game of the regular season against the division leading Eagles. If the Cowboys win out, they can win the division and the number three seed in the playoffs.

The long shot for the wild card is the New York Giants. They need to have the Cowboys to either lose one game or lose both of their remaining games and the G-Men to win out to make the playoffs.

With a schedule featuring the Vikings and Panthers, they face a tough test. The Giants have a plethora of talented wide-outs and Eli Manning’s play has been very good, posting QB ratings of 130.5 and 144.4 the last two weeks. If they can get into the playoffs they can be a problem for any defense.

Week 16 Picks

Green Bay over Seattle -14. The Seahawks secondary is a joke, Rodgers is going to have a fun day.

Cleveland over Oakland -3. Oakland can’t stop the run, Harrison should have another big day.

Cincinnati over Kansas City -13.5. Jamaal Charles will be a challenge for this new-identity Bengals defense.

Atlanta over Buffalo -9. Another week of rest for Michael Turner and Matt Ryan should help the Falcons.

Miami over Houston -2. The Wildcat will dominate this young Texans defense.

Giants over Carolina -8. The Giants aerial assault will dominate a weak and injured Panthers secondary.

New Orleans over Tampa Bay -14. The Saints will dominate every aspect of this game. Josh Freeman will be running away from Vilma and company all day.

New England over Jacksonville -9. Pats will win but MJD is going to have a huge day against this Patriots defense.

Pittsburgh over Baltimore -3. Big Ben still has some more magic in there, and going up against the second best defense in points per game should bring out some fireworks.

Philadelphia over Denver -7. The Eagles offense is high flying and full of weapons. Brian Dawkins returns to Philly, so watch out for some BIG HITS.

Arizona over St. Louis -15. The Cardinals will wake up this week and continue from their big win in Detroit. St. Louis just needs to keep losing and get that first pick in the draft.

Indianapolis over NY Jets -5.5. The Colts will most likely play all healthy starters like last week. The Jets and Rex Ryan will make this out be their Superbowl (just like every other week).

Washington -7 over Dallas. The ‘Boys are back and I feel bad for the Redskins, they are flying high after their New Orleans win.

Chicago -7 over Minnesota. Favre will respond as always and dominate.

El Mustachio’s Week 16 Picks

While you check out the amazing Bruins’ “Naughty or Nice” post below from Chas, I want to make sure that we added in some random fun stuff recently found on the web in somewhat of a “grab bag” sort of arrangement.

In addition to this fun, I also want to kick off the contest to win the January 1st SupahFans.com t-shirt! For those of you who do not know, our friends over at SupahFans give us a free shirt to give away every month. The winner can pick their own size and will have it shipped right to their doorstep completely free of charge courtesy of 4SB and SupahFans.com. We only ask that you provide us with a picture of yourself wearing the shirt!

So this month, we will be giving away the Longsleeve “Entering the Garden – Legends Live Here” Bruins edition to celebrate the Winter Classic on New Years Day (which Chas will be attending so make sure to hit us up if you are going and maybe get some free 4SB goodies!).

To win this shirt:

Simply comment on this post with who you think will win and what you think the final score of the Winter Classic will be . Whoever picks the winner and is closest guess on the correct score will win the shirt. If there are numerous answers tied for the win, we will use “The Hat” to pick a winner.

Picks will be accepted until January 1st at noon EST.

Some goodies pulled from Santa’s bag for your enjoyment:

Tommy Heinsohn - 1977

Tommy Heinsohn, John Havlichek, Red Auerbach, Don Nelson - 1976

Lego Fenway c/o Flickr user Patrick Haney

And, to go out on a high note: