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Bar Chat

12/01/2014

TCU, Baylor or Ohio State?

Pittsburgh Steelers Quiz: Mark McCarter has a great article in the Dec. 1 edition of Sports Illustrated on Steeler great John Stallworth. Of course there is a mention that he’s part of probably the greatest draft-haul in NFL history, 1974, when Pittsburgh selected four future Hall of Famers; Lynn Swann (first round), Jack Lambert (second) Stallworth (fourth) and Mike Webster (fifth).

So that got me looking at other Steeler drafts in that era and while 1971 had only one eventual Hall of Famer, it produced some key contributors to the Steelers’ first two Super Bowl championship teams of 1974-75, and, for a few of them, Nos. 3 and 4 as well.

So the question is ‘where did the following go to school?’

Frank Lewis, WR (first round); Jack Ham, LB (second); Gerry Mullins, G (fourth); Dwight White, DE (fourth); Larry Brown, T (fifth); Ernie Holmes, DT (eighth); Mike Wagner, S (eleventh). Answer below.

College Football Review

*The breaking news of the death of missing Ohio State football player Kosta Karageorge, apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, is an enormous story that, added with others, spells the pending doom of the sport of football. That is not an overstatement. I have written for years that it is inevitable a player will die on the field, the victim of concussion syndrome and a final hit. The NFL certainly knows this...and it’s why you have seen a rush to improve concussion protocols.

Karageorge had told family members he was suffering from the effects of “at least four or five” concussions, according to his older sister. Just wait for the coming commentary on this one.

We were on the verge late Saturday night of ‘total chaos’ in relation to the playoff picture and instead emerged with just ‘chaos’...and still the potential for the total variety next Friday and Saturday with the respective conference championship games.

But before we get to that, a rundown of the key games, noting that it was a big day for the ACC with four wins over SEC opponents.

--What a game in Tuscaloosa, as No. 1 Alabama (11-1, 7-1) was down to No. 15 Auburn (8-4, 4-4) 33-21 in the third, only to pull away for the victory, 55-44. When ‘Bama was losing, every single football fan in America was thinking the same thing; coupled with an earlier loss by Mississippi State, was it possible the vaunted SEC would be totally shut out of the playoffs?! It sure seemed that way.

But then quarterback Blake Sims, who had thrown three interceptions, came back in spectacular fashion, helped in no small part by superstar wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Sims finished 20/27, 312, 4-3, with Cooper hauling in 13 passes for 224 yards and 3 scores.

For Auburn, Nick Marshall was heroic at QB, 27/43, 456, 3-1, with receiver Sammie Coates gaining 206 yards on just five receptions (2 for touchdowns). Just a highly entertaining contest, though I wanted a different ending.

--No. 2 Oregon (11-1, 8-1) won the latest version of the Civil War vs. Oregon State (5-7, 2-7) 47-19. Your Heisman winner, Marcus Mariota was 19/25, 367, 4-0, with another 2 TDs rushing. Through the air, Mariota now has 36 touchdown passes with but 2 INTs. Johnny Mac asked, “Is that good?” Yes, I believe it is. In fact, for his three-year career, Mariota’s TD/INT split is 99-12. For good reason, some NFL teams are salivating.

--No. 3 Florida State (12-0) survived yet again, 24-19 over Florida (6-5), despite a horrible performance by Jameis Winston, 12/24, 125, 2-4...that’s a career high 4 picks.

It’s amazing to think that Winston had 40 TD passes and just 10 interceptions last year, but is 21 and 17 this season. That’s why FSU now has six wins of six points or less.

--As I alluded to above, No. 4 Mississippi State (10-2, 6-2) suffered a crushing defeat in the Egg Bowl against Ole Miss (9-3, 5-3) 31-17 as the Rebels rode “Good Bo” Wallace to victory, even as they still had to deal with “Bad Bo” at times. Wallace was only 13 of 30 through the air, but picked up 296 yards. Running back Jaylen Walton had 148 yards rushing, including a key 91-yard score.

For Mississippi State Dak Prescott just didn’t get it done. 22/37, 282, 1-0, with only 48 yards rushing on 24 carries.

But as a fan, here’s hoping these two Mississippi programs remain at a high level for many years to come. It’s great for the sport.

--Thursday, No. 5 TCU (10-1, 7-1) staked its claim to a playoff berth with a convincing 48-10 win over Texas (6-6, 5-4).

--No. 6 Ohio State played Michigan in Columbus and the Buckeyes (11-1, 8-0) were once again mediocre, winning 42-28 over the Wolverines (5-7, 3-5) whose coach Brady Hoke will no doubt be fired. For Michigan, quarterback Devin Gardner finished up a disappointing career, while for Ohio State, the story was QB J.T. Barrett, who after getting his act together (13/21, 176, 1-0...plus 89 yards and 2 scores on the ground) suffered a broken ankle late and is done for the season. So Coach Urban Meyer now has to go with his third-string quarterback, Cardale Jones, in the Big Ten championship game and a hoped for playoff berth; OSU having lost last year’s star Braxton Miller in training camp.

--No. 7 Baylor (10-1, 7-1) hardly impressed with its 48-46 win over a crappy Texas Tech team (4-8, 2-7).  Baylor having to snuff out a final 2-point conversion attempt for the tie. Bears QB Bryce Petty suffered a “mild” concussion and no word as yet on his availability for next week, while for the Red Raiders, Patrick Mahomes threw 6 TD passes.

--No. 8 UCLA (9-3, 6-3) laid an egg in getting blasted by Stanford (7-5, 5-4) 31-10, thus keeping the Bruins from a berth in the Pac-12 title game against Oregon. Cardinal QB Kevin Hogan outshined Brett Hundley; Hogan superb in going 16/19, 234, 2-0...Hundley 17/32, 146, 1-0.

--No. 16 Georgia Tech (10-2) tuned up for its ACC title game match with FSU with a big 30-24 overtime win over No. 9 Georgia (9-3). In OT, Tech got a touchdown but the extra point was blocked, but then Georgia threw an interception. Game over.

Actually, it was a crazy game throughout, with three fumbles at the one-yard line, along with a 53-yard FG by Tech’s kicker to send the game into overtime as time expired.

--In the battle for Arizona, No. 11 AZ (10-2, 7-2) held off No. 13 ASU (9-3, 6-3) 42-35 on Friday to set up a Pac-12 title game rematch with Oregon. The Wildcats earlier in the year handed the Ducks their lone defeat, 31-24, but Oregon was suffering from major injuries along its offensive line then and that is no longer the case.

--No. 14 Wisconsin (10-2, 7-1) is as hot as anyone in the country these days, coming through on Saturday against No. 18 Minnesota (8-4, 5-3) 34-24 as Melvin Gordon rushed for 151 yards. Wisconsin now faces Ohio State in the Big Ten title game.

--On Friday, No. 17 Missouri (10-2, 7-1) was underwhelming in its win over Arkansas (6-6, 2-6), 21-14. So it’s Alabama vs. Missouri next week. This should be a rollover for ‘Bama.

--No. 21 Clemson (9-3) had a big win over rival South Carolina (6-6) in Greenville, 35-17, as Tiger freshman quarterback DeShaun Watson came up big...14/19, 269, 2-0, while freshman running back Wayne Gallman had 191 yards on the ground. We learned after that Watson, who had missed four games this season due to injury, was playing with a torn ACL that he suffered in practice during the week. Clemson was told that if the knee was secured, it wouldn’t suffer any further damage so Watson played. The school said he will be available for the Tigers’ bowl game and will have surgery after.

--In another of the ACC wins over the SEC, No. 22 Louisville (9-3) defeated interstate rival Kentucky (5-7), 44-40.

--No. 24 Marshall (11-1) blew their chance to secure a major bowl bid in losing 67-66 in overtime to Western Kentucky (7-5) at home. After Marshall went ahead in OT with a touchdown, 66-59, the Hilltoppers scored on their possession and then went for the two and the win. Marshall was hurt by the loss of star running back Devon Johnson in the second quarter, but then it’s not like the defense came through.

--So that left it to Boise State and the No. 23 Broncos (10-2) did what they had to do, whip a respectable Utah State (9-4) team, 50-19, which will give them the Group of Five New Year’s bowl game. Boise outgained Utah State 498-268 as star running back Jay Ajayi had a career-high 229 yards.

--USC (8-4) beat up on Notre Dame (7-5) 49-14 as quarterback Cody Kessler threw for 372 yards and six touchdowns, sending notice he is a Heisman candidate for next season. The Fighting Irish have now lost five of their last six. Love it.

By the way, do you want to feel old...you guys over, say, the age of 50? Saturday marked the 40th anniversary of the USC-ND matchup where ND took a 24-0 lead at the Coliseum, only to lose 55-24. That was a huge game at the time and every single sports fan in America was tuned in. 40 years ago. Goodness gracious.

--Rutgers (7-5, 3-5) staged its biggest comeback ever in coming from down 35-10 late in the second quarter to defeat Maryland (7-5, 4-4) 41-38. Coach Kyle Flood’s job is secure.

--Pitt beat Miami 35-23 to get bowl eligible, both finishing 6-6, as the Hurricanes had a disappointing ending to what had been a promising season. James Conner rushed for his 23rd and 24th touchdowns despite a hip injury, thus surpassing Tony Dorsett’s 1976 school record. Pitt will be a very entertaining bowl team. Hope they get a decent matchup.

For Miami, Summit’s Michael Badgley was 3 for 3 on his field goal attempts and is 12 of 15 on the season, which should guarantee he’s the starter next fall. [He’s 5 of 5 from 40-49.]

--Wake Forest’s season mercifully ended, the Deacs losing to Duke (9-3, 5-3) 41-21. Wake finished 3-9, 1-7, in Dave Clawson’s first season as head coach.

--SMU dropped to 0-11 in losing to Houston (7-4) 35-9. Sorry, Paul P., you really are the worst team in the country, not the Deacs, though a statistical analysis would show it’s very close.

--Fordham defeated Sacred Heart 44-22 to advance to the second round of the Football Championship division playoffs (I-AA) and a game against #1 seed New Hampshire next Saturday.

--Nebraska fired coach Bo Pellini after seven seasons. The Cornhuskers won at least nine games in each of them, but were 8-17 vs. AP-ranked teams; had no BCS Bowl appearances; no conference titles (lost in 2012 Big Ten title game, 70-31); 3-plus losses every season. [Mark Sherman / ESPN.com]

Pellini is owed $7.65 million by the school on his contract, which was stupidly extended after last season through February 2019. The assistants are all under contract through next year, so they can’t be too unhappy either. [Some good sports bars in Lincoln that they can hang out in on Saturdays, should they choose.]

--UAB’s coach is afraid the program is about to be closed, with the school having conducted a “feasibility” study. That wouldn’t be a good sign for the sport, seeing as so many schools are losing big money on their programs. Only the biggest of the big actually turn a profit, you know.

And now...your new AP Poll...and this one is interesting.

[Reminder, I write all of my prior comments before seeing this.]

1. Alabama 11-1 (25 first-place votes) 1426 points
2. Florida State 12-0 (29)* 1423
3. Oregon 11-1 (5)*
4. TCU 10-1
5. Baylor 10-1
6. Ohio State 11-1
7. Michigan State 10-2
8. Arizona 10-2
9. Kansas State 9-2
10. Mississippi 10-2
11. Wisconsin 10-2
12. Georgia Tech 10-2
13. Ole Miss 9-3
14. Missouri 10-2
22. Boise State 10-2

*Last time No. 2 had more first-place votes than No. 1 was 1968...Ohio State (21 ½) and USC (24 ½).

**Normally there are 60 votes...don’t know why just 59 this week. Hope someone didn’t die in a kiln explosion.

Last week FSU had 37 first-place votes to ‘Bama’s 21 (Oregon 2).

So the Selection Committee releases their next ranking on Tuesday. More analysis at that time.

For now the big matchups next weekend....

Arizona v. Oregon (Fri.)

Wisconsin v. Ohio State

Kansas State v. Baylor (reg. season)

NFL Action

--Thursday’s three games lacked excitement, as the Eagles moved to 9-3 in defeating the Cowboys (8-4) handily at Jerry’s Palace, 33-10, outgaining Dallas 464-267 in the process as Mark Sanchez exorcised his Turkey Day butt fumble of 2012 to play a fine game, 20/29, 217, 1-0, 102.2, while running back LeSean McCoy reminded everyone of the 2013 version in picking up 159 yards on 25 carries. Under Sanchez, who is subbing for the injured Nick Foles, the Eagles are 3-1.

For Dallas, it was not a good effort by Tony Romo, 18/29, 199, 0-2, 53.7, while DeMarco Murray was held to 73 yards on the ground.

In Detroit, Matthew Stafford had a spectacular day, 34/45, 390, 2-0, 116.0 as the Lions improved to 8-4 with a 34-17 come from behind win over the Bears (5-7), thus ending Chicago’s fleeting playoff hopes. Down 14-3 early, Stafford rallied the team back for the 12th double-digit comeback win since he entered the NFL in 2009, second to Tom Brady’s 13 in that period.

Also for the Lions, the game represented the return to form for superstar Calvin Johnson, Megatron having 11 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns; thus becoming the fastest to 10,000 receiving yards in the process...115 games, one better than Torry Holt.

And on Thursday night in San Francisco, the Seahawks (8-4) showed they are basically all the way back with a 19-3 win over the 49ers (7-5), allowing just 164 yards of offense in the process. A week earlier, Seattle had defeated Arizona by the same score, yielding just 204 yards in that one, while Russell Wilson continued to work his magic.

--Sunday, the Giants (3-9) had a 21-0 second-quarter lead and fell to the Jaguars in Jacksonville, 25-24, the biggest comeback in Jags’ history. Rookie Blake Bortles was solid...21/35, 194, 1-0, with 68 yards rushing in five carries.

The Giants lost three fumbles and two were returned for touchdowns, another first for the Jags.

New York coach Tom Coughlin is finished. The team can handle this in a classy fashion and it’s assumed they will.

--The streaky Chargers (8-4) picked up a huge win in Baltimore, defeating the Ravens (7-5) 34-33 with 21 fourth-quarter points. Philip Rivers was in control, 34/45, 383, 3-1, 113.5.

--The Steelers are now 7-5 after losing at home to New Orleans (5-7), 35-32. Drew Brees had a highly efficient game, 19/27, 257, 5-0, 140.0 in victory. The Steelers have now lost this season to the Saints, Jets, and Bucs.

--Indianapolis moved to 8-4 with a 49-27 win over Washington (3-9) as Andrew Luck was 19/27, 370, 5-1, 137.0. Pretty darn good. For the Redskins, Colt McCoy was fine on the passing end, 31/47, 392, 3-0, 113.1, but he did fumble four times, though lost only one. More on why McCoy was in there in a bit.

--Houston evened its record at 6-6 with a 45-21 win over Tennessee (2-10), as Ryan Fitzpatrick threw 6 TD passes, a franchise record. Receiver DeAndre Hopkins had nine catches for 238 yards and 2 scores. For the Titans, rookie Zach Mettenberger hurt his throwing shoulder.

--Cleveland (7-5) lost to Buffalo (7-5) 26-10 in a game with future wildcard implications. Browns QB Brian Hoyer sucked, so Johnny Manziel, fresh off his title bout (alleged), got his first real playing time and engineered the lone scoring drive for the Brownies. We’ll see what happens now.

--Minnesota (5-7) had two touchdowns off blocked punts (gee, you think the special teams coach will be in demand?) as the Vikings defeated the pathetic Panthers (3-8-1). Carolina QB Cam Newton has been dreadful this season.

--The Rams improved to 5-7 with a 52-0 win over the 1-11 Raiders. You expect me to say anything more?

--The Cardinals are now 9-3 after losing to the 5-7 Falcons in Atlanta, 29-18. It is conceivable that Arizona, after starting 9-1, could miss the playoffs.

--Cincinnati survived “Bad Andy” as the Bengals (8-3-10 defeated the Bucs (2-10) 14-13. Dalton was 19/27, 176, 1-3, 60.6.

--And in the feature contest, Green Bay beat New England 26-21 in the cold at Lambeau Field, both now 9-3. Aaron Rodgers was 24/38, 368, 2-0, 112.6; Tom Brady was 22.35, 245, 2-0, 102.7.

--Josh Katzowitz of the Wall Street Journal had a good piece on rookie QBs in the NFL this season. The main star coming out, Johnny Manziel, “has spent his entire season holding the clipboard for Brian Hoyer.”

Yet while the four first-year starters “have combined for the worst record of any rookie quarterback class since 2000...here’s what you might not realize about Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles, Minnesota’s Teddy Bridgewater, Oakland’s Derek Carr and Tennessee’s Zach Mettenberger: Despite an abysmal 5-25 record [Ed. entering this week’s play...now 7-27], these four quarterbacks are actually playing quite well. In fact, their collective passer rating of 76.3 is the fourth-best mark for a rookie class since 2000 and their 223.9 passing yards per game average is better than any class this century.”

In particular, despite their combined 2-20 record [Ed. now 3-21], Carr and Bortles give their fans hope. Either their stats aren’t really that bad, or, particularly in the case of Bortles, who leads the league in interceptions, you see the raw talent.

As for Mettenberger, I said this guy was a big-time prospect when he was at LSU. Now if he can just stop being a jerk....

--Dave Sheinin and Liz Clarke / Washington Post...on “Robert Griffin III in Washington: a meteoric rise, a precipitous fall.”

“With Robert Griffin III, it was always about more than just football. He wasn’t going to be merely a quarterback back when he arrived in Washington in 2012. He was destined to be the savior of the Redskins, the future face of the National Football League, a symbol of hope and pride for African Americans in this city and beyond. And for a while, about one season’s worth of games, he was all of those things....

“Griffin’s downfall in D.C. has been unprecedented in both its swiftness and its steep trajectory – from the highs of 2012, when Griffin was a record-setting rookie who led the Redskins to their first division title in 13 years, to the nadir of the past few weeks, with Griffin reduced to a battered and helpless figure who is, in a pointed critique from Gruden 10 days ago, ‘not even close to [being] good enough [for] what we expect from the quarterback position.’....

“The enormous cost of the Griffin era can be measured in cold football terms: from the three first-round and one second-round pick the Redskins had to surrender to the St. Louis Rams to secure his draft rights in March 2012 to the firing of Mike Shanahan as head coach at the end of last season to the unsightly 4-14 record Griffin has compiled as a starter the past two seasons.

“But what makes Griffin’s downfall an athletic tragedy worthy of Shakespeare is human cost. Far from the magnetic superstar with the sprinter’s speed and a persona that made him millions from Madison Avenue before he took his first NFL snap, he now appears a shell of his former self, broken of body and spirit.”

Ray Rice

2008: 107 att – 454 yards 4.2 avg (33 receptions)
2009: 254-1330, 5.3 (78 rec.)
2010: 307-1220, 4.0 (63 rec.)
2011: 291-1364, 4.7 (76 rec.)
2012: 257-1143, 4.4 (61 rec.)
2013: 214-660, 3.1 (58 rec.)

So I’m starting out this way because let’s forget just for a moment what got him in so much trouble. You’re an NFL GM. Rice turns 28 in January, still young, but as everyone knows most NFL backs have short shelf lives. 200+ carries five straight seasons is a lot of wear and tear.

Everyone is also saying he was already wearing down and obviously a 3.1 yards per carry average in his last season is Eddie George like.

But he’s now had a chance to heal his body and look at all those receptions. No doubt Ray Rice could still be an effective third-down back, or the second featured back in most offenses.

Ray Rice will be back. Not this season, but he’ll sign with someone next spring and get an invite to training camp and make the roster.

If I were Rice, I’d stay very quiet in terms of seeking retribution. Don’t blast Roger Goodell. You shouldn’t need the money that I’m sure your lawyers are saying you’re entitled to get back from the Ravens, let alone through a suit against the league. Your image is everything.

“The NFL suffered a rare setback Friday when its far-reaching and high-profile suspension of Ray Rice was overturned, allowing the running back to return to the league immediately – if anyone will take him.

“The league, which seldom has to backtrack on disciplinary decisions, agreed to reinstate Rice after arbitrator Barbara Jones, a former U.S. District Court judge, ruled the former Ravens star had been penalized twice for knocking out his fiancée in an elevator at an Atlantic City casino.

“Initially, Rice was suspended for two games, but when a second, more graphic, video of the incident was made public, the suspension was made indefinite. It was interpreted as a way for Commissioner Roger Goodell to demonstrate how serious the league was on inappropriate personal conduct.

“ ‘Because Rice did not mislead the commissioner and because there were no new facts on which the commissioner could base his increased suspension, I find that the imposition of the indefinite suspension was arbitrary,’ Jones wrote in her decision.”

In a statement released by the NFLPA on Friday, Rice said: “I would like to thank Judge Barbara Jones, the NFL Players Association, my attorneys, agents, advisors, family, friends and fans – but most importantly, my wife Janay. I made an inexcusable mistake and accept full responsibility for my actions.

“I am thankful that there was a proper appeals process in place to address this issue. I will continue working hard to improve myself and be the best husband, father and friend, while giving back to my community and helping others to learn from my mistakes.”

Janay Rice told ESPN’s Jemele Hill on Friday: “It feels unbelievable. It’s a relief. We’ve been telling the same story for months and we always had faith that we’d done the right thing. Everyone deserves a second chance. We’re excited about what the future will bring.”

The NFL, in its own statement, said in part: “Ray Rice is a free agent and has been eligible to be signed by an NFL team since he was released by the Ravens....Judge Jones’ ruling underscores the urgency of our work to develop and implement a clear, fair and comprehensive new personal conduct policy. We expect this policy to be completed and announced in the weeks ahead. Our focus is on consistently enforcing an improved policy going forward.”

“It is in the best interest of Goodell and his owners and the best interest of the NFL for him to give back some of his powers on crime and punishment in the league...Maybe down the road the commissioner won’t end up looking like the bad guy after a guy such as Rice throws a straight right hand to the face of his fiancée. Just about all of the way this has played out in nine months is wrong. You can start there. As much of a beating as Goodell is taking, Rice is the one who beat his wife.”

“Power is a dangerous thing in the hands of the wrong person.

“Roger Goodell overreacted and overreached with Ray Rice, just as he did with Bountygate. He may be a brilliant businessman, the best person to ensure that the NFL’s bottom line continues to grow. But the commissioner has failed miserably in his attempts to be the league’s moral compass, and he needs to recognize that, sometimes, the best use of power is to give it to someone else.

“In overturning Rice’s indefinite suspension Friday, Barbara S. Jones didn’t just side against Goodell. The former federal judge’s finding was an indictment of his decision making, essentially telling him that he, too, needs to play by the rules and can’t simply make them up as he goes along.

“ ‘The Commissioner is entitled to great deference in the review of his decisions...but review for abuse of discretion is not a rubber stamp approval,’ Jones wrote.”

“Jones included a line in her ruling that was probably a very painful ‘if’ for Goodell: ‘If this were a matter where the first discipline imposed was an indefinite suspension, an arbitrator would be hard-pressed to find that the commissioner had abused his discretion. But that is not the case before me.’

“She was right. Had Goodell and the league acknowledged last summer that players involved in domestic violence deserved more than a tiny two-game suspension, the NFL wouldn’t be facing the giant public-relations problem it is looking at right now.

“It took the public, and the video, to remind Goodell and the NFL that punching out your girlfriend deserved a severe punishment. Goodell then reacted, seemingly without thinking.

“He threw out Rice’s two-game ban, and made it possibly for good. Yet what he might have thought was a good idea to appease the public has just left the league without ballast. Instead of a strong leader when the league needs it most, he has been an inconsistent and weak one....

“The league is now at the mercy of arbitrators to clean up its messes. Another one next week will hear the case of Adrian Peterson, who was suspended at least until April 15 for hitting his 4-year-old son with a stick and leaving wounds. It is another chance for Goodell to fall even deeper into a hole that has now turned into a canyon.”

College Hoops

--Butler upset No. 5 North Carolina on Wednesday at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas, 74-66.

--As all of Wake Forest is saying, new coach Danny Manning has his “signature loss” already, an embarrassing 72-65 defeat at home on Friday at the hands of Delaware State. Delaware State! Delaware State out of the MEAC! It was their first ACC win in school history, with the MEAC improving to 7-221 all-time against the reputed best conference in the land.

I mean Delaware State had just lost to Iona 126-76 (Iona having defeated Wake 85-81 a few days before that).

For Wake, our best player, Devin Thomas, was 0 for 7 from the field, going scoreless. 

Well, I said I would be patient with the Deacs and Manning this year and I will be. But this is pathetic.

--On Wednesday, my No. 15 San Diego State Aztecs played No. 3 Arizona in Maui and it was another classic early-season loss to a big power, 61-59, which shouldn’t hurt SDSU’s ranking any, but was a missed opportunity. The Wildcats were held to 36.5% shooting from the field by the Aztecs’ stingy ‘D’, but Arizona hit 20 of 24 from the foul line and SDSU was only 13 of 24. There’s your difference.

--Sunday, No. 1 Kentucky moved to 7-0 with a 58-38 win over Providence (6-1) who it seems could be interesting this season. Coach Cal largely relied on his veterans in this one. [OK, I’ll state now, the Friars will be a Sweet 16 surprise...and that’s a memo...Bernie Goldberg is here...]

And No. 7 Texas (6-0) defeated No. 24 UConn (3-2) 55-54, as it wasn’t a good day for Jeff B., with his Steelers also going ‘splat.’

NBA Fever...Catch It (cough cough)

--Philadelphia is now 0-16 after a 110-103 loss to Dallas on Saturday, threatening the worst start in NBA history, that of the 2009-2010 New Jersey Nets who opened 0-18. The Sixers’ next three games are Monday, home, San Antonio; Wednesday, at Minnesota; Friday, home to Oklahoma City.

--The Brooklyn Nets are now 0-8 vs. teams with a winning record after falling to the Bulls (11-6) on Sunday, 102-84....Brooklyn is 6-1 against losing teams.

--The Knicks played in Dallas the other night, the first time they faced former teammate Tyson Chandler, and with Carmelo Anthony out with back spasms, the Knicks lost 109-102. I only mention this one because Chandler had 17 points and 25 rebounds. I’d say he was slightly motivated.

--And the pathetic Knicks also lost to Oklahoma City in the past few days, 105-78, as Russell Westbrook returned and all he did was pour in 32 points with 8 assists.

--Toronto acquired All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson from the A’s for third baseman Brett Lawrie, two pitchers and a minor leaguer. Donaldson had 29 HR, 98 RBI last season, but his average fell to .255 from his .301 in 2013 (24-93 power split). [He had just 10 RBI in 103 at-bats in Sept. as the A’s collapsed down the stretch this year.]

But he is no doubt a middle of the order guy, to go along with Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. With Boston’s moves Toronto is sending its own message.

As for A’s GM Billy Beane, he signed Billy Butler, and then acquired Pittsburgh/Mets first baseman Ike Davis for a bag of beignets (foreign considerations...really) and if Davis ever reverts to form, and Lawrie plays a full season, they will more than make up for the loss of Donaldson’s power numbers, so says the Editor, though David could also be cut.   [A’s outfielder Josh Reddick is all pissed off because he can’t understand why his team just traded their best player.]

--Arizona has landed Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas, who agreed to a six-year, $68.5 million contract, according to MLB.com. So Tomas joins fellow Cubans Jose Abreu, Rusney Castillo, Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes and Aroldis Chapman.

The Diamondbacks can only hope Tomas, who is reportedly 24 and a corner outfielder, matches the power numbers of Abreu.

Charlie Sifford, Part II

I wrote the other day that Sifford, the pioneering black golfer, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom last week. Afterwards, the New York Times’ William C. Rhoden had some interesting comments on the era that Sifford was trying to break through in, the 1950s and 60s.

“Often called the Jackie Robinson of golf, Sifford might have endured even more than Robinson. There was no national scrutiny, no daily media, to record his struggles. There was no Branch Rickey to run interference, no teammates to lean on. There was Sifford, walking alone on golf courses where hateful spectators were free to spit, swear and intimidate. It was awful.

“He was not part of a grand plan to integrate golf. He was doing it on his own, largely for a pragmatic reason.

“I remember 1964 as a year when America’s obsession with sports clashed with its ambivalence about racism.

“In 1964, Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to another NBA championship. Jim Brown led the Cleveland Browns to the NFL championship. And Bob Gibson pitched the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series title.

“Fifty years later, blacks have virtually disappeared from baseball; a handful of black golfers are on the PGA Tour; and no black women currently play on the LPGA Tour. The NFL and the NBA are dominated by highly skilled, well-compensated and largely silent African-Americans....

“Late Monday evening, at a room inside the Capitol, about 150 people gathered to honor Sifford. They were politicians, family members and a contingent from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s golf team and golf management program.

“They knew about the Sifford legacy and talked about carrying the torch – as players, instructors and entrepreneurs....

“This was a wonderful moment and a reminder, still, that there is no freedom without sacrifice.”

Premier League Standings

1. Chelsea 10-3-0...33 points...still undefeated, but 0-0 v. 13-Sunderland, Sat.
2. Man City 8-3-2...27
3. Southampton 8-2-3...26
4. Man U 6-4-3...22...won last three
5. West Ham Sandwich 6-3-4...21
6. Arsenal 5-5-3...20
6. Tottenham 6-2-5...20...my Spurs winning 3 of 4

Reminder...last season Southampton finished 8th and West Ham 13th.

And my brother reminded me that he is an Everton fan (10th...4-5-4), with Tottenham having defeated them 2-1 on Sunday. I then reminded him that there is an Everton scarf at Buddy Holly’s crash site outside of Clear Lake, Iowa. [No others.]

--Jordan Spieth picked up a prestigious win in taking the Australian Open in Sydney. Defending champion Rory McIlroy finished 15 shots back after a 76 in the third round, followed by a mediocre 72.

But Spieth carded a 63 in the final round, “a number that will resonate with a lot of Australians as that was the score cricketer Phillip Hughes was on before he died on Thursday from injuries sustained from being hit by a ball in the neck in a domestic game in the same city.

“It is somewhat poignant that the American finished with a flourish on what would have been Hughes’ 26th birthday on Sunday,” as reported in the Irish Independent.

Yes, Australia and the global cricket world were rocked by the death of Hughes last week, two days after being struck on the top of the neck by a ball from a delivery by bowler Sean Abbott. It really did plunge the nation into a state of mourning. As far as any can tell, it was the fourth death in the sport of cricket in 200 years and when you see the still photos of the accident, you can see just how freakish it was, Hughes wearing a helmet that just didn’t cover the spot where he was hit.

It reminds you how incredible it is that the sport of baseball has still just had one fatality, Ray Chapman, who died in 1920 after being hit by a pitch thrown by the Yankees’ Carl Mays. [Mays actually had his two best seasons, 1920-21, going 26-11 and 27-9 as part of a career that saw him win 207 games.]

Hughes vertebral artery was pierced, prompting immediate bleeding to the brain.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Hughes had been “a young man living out his dreams.”

“What happened has touched millions of Australians,” he said. “For a young life to be cut short playing our national game seems a shocking aberration.”

Prayers also went out to the family of Sean Abbott, who needless to say is devastated.

--We note the passing of former five-time NHL All-Star forward Murray Oliver. He died of a heart attack at 77.

Oliver played for Detroit, Boston, Toronto and Minnesota from 1957-1975, scoring 274 goals with 454 assists.

--Chuck Culpepper of the Washington Post had a nice piece on CBS broadcaster Verne Lundqvist and when asked about his minimalist style, Verne said he picked it up from the late Ray Scott, “the most minimalistic guy ever. Starr. Dowler. Touchdown.”

I’ve mentioned a few times over the years that Ray Scott was a personal fave. We only got one NFL game a week, back in those days (one AFL, too) and Ray Scott was the man for years...the electric football years in my case. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

--Loved this Sports Illustrated “Sign of the Apocalypse”: Kentucky coach John Calipari took to Twitter to wish his daughter a happy birthday – on the wrong day.

“A loyal dog has shown up every day for two years at a hospital where her master passed away.

“Masha appears at the Siberian hospital’s reception area every morning, the Siberian Times reports.

“Her owner was admitted to the hospital in Novosibirsk region, two years ago after falling ill.

“Masha is well cared for by staff who make sure she has a warm bed and food every night.

“The faithful canine was the elderly man’s only visitor, staff say, and used to run home every night to stand guard before returning the next morning.”

After being adopted by one family, Masha ran back to the hospital on her own hours later.

--So I’m reading this article on scavengers in The Economist and it starts out: “Vultures are not exactly picky eaters. The carcasses on which they dine swiftly decompose, broken down by micro-organisms that excrete a range of nasty toxins. This makes decaying flesh a perilous source of food for most animals. Vultures, by contrast, either wait until their chosen corpse has decayed enough for them to peck through its often tough skin, or find a quicker way in via natural orifices.”

This is where I need to stop. It is quite gross, boys and girls. In fact in the second paragraph there is a “Warning: this is not lunchtime readying.”

What I do note is the first-ever genomic analysis of the micro-organisms found on and in the facial skin and large intestine of voltures was just published in Nature Communications.

Bottom line, 528 types of bacterium were found on the heads of 50 turkey and black vultures that can cause botulism, gangrene, tetanus, septicaemia, blood clots and metastatic abscesses. Another study of vultures found Bacillus anthracis, which causes anthrax, except in vultures. Yes, they have strong stomachs.

So next time you see a turkey vulture in the back yard, stay far away. Stay...very...far...away.

--A Florida hunter bagged a 13-foot, 719-pound alligator by shooting it with a crossbow and then wrestling it into submission. I saw a photo of the beast in the New York Daily News and it’s most impressive. The hunter plans to serve “wild gator meat” from his catch at his restaurant chain.

Top 3 songs for the week 12/4/71: #1 “Family Affair” (Sly & The Family Stone) #2 “Theme From Shaft” (Isaac Hayes...had been #1 prior two weeks) #3 “Baby I’m – A Want You” (Bread)...and...#4 “Have You Seen Her” (Chi-Lites)   #5 “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” (Cher) #6 “Got To Be There” (Michael Jackson)  #7 “An Old Fashioned Love Song” (Three Dog Night) #8 “Desiderata” (Les Crane) #9 “Rock Steady” (Aretha Franklin) #10 “Imagine” (John Lennon Plastic Ono Band)

Pittsburgh Steelers Quiz Answer: 1971 draft...where did they go to school?

Frank Lewis / Grambling
Jack Ham (the HOFer in the group) / Penn State
Gerry Mullins / USC
Dwight White / Texas A&M-Commerce
Larry Brown / Kansas
Ernie Holmes / Texas Southern
Mike Wagner / Western Illinois

[Source: pro-football-reference.com...I see where Sean Forman, president of the site, is looking for a Web Developer...I’ve met him...good guy.]

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