Day 15: The Gamecocks, Cubby Occurances, NFL picks and more

HEADLINES

1) The ole' ball coach led South Carolina to an upset win over No. 4 Ole Miss last night 16-10. Is this the biggest win for Spurrier at the helm of the Gamecocks?

Ben: I think it's the biggest win for South Carolina in about 20 years. I do think that overall the victory over an overrated Ole Miss team is not as impressive as Houston's win over Oklahoma State, but for the Gamecocks this is a huge victory. It has taken Spurrier quite a while to build that program up and develop any kind of tradition with them. This win helps validate his efforts, and will also help South Carolina gain recognition in a loaded SEC.

Boz: Yes. It's the first win he's had over a top five team since he's taken over the program in 2005 and the first win the program has had over a top five team since 1981. I was actually not surprised by this win for South Carolina. They were a play away from beating Georgia and being 4-0 on the season and undefeated in the SEC. This is a pretty good football team and while I don't think they'll compete for a SEC Championship, I do think they are a team that will cause some trouble for teams down the line, especially when they have to travel to Columbia. The only thing weird about this team is that they are winning through defense and not scoring a whole lot of points. Not the type of team you think of when its coached by Steve Spurrier.

2) After Jeff Baker hit a two-run go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth (the exciting part), Derrek Lee, who scored on the play, and Baker were met by teammates for congratulations. During all of the excitement, relief pitcher slapped Lee on the side of the head giving him a neck spasm that took him out of the lineup for the bottom of the ninth and possible the next two days. Are you shocked by this at all?

Ben: I'm a little surprised, but Cubbie Occurances have been rampant the last 2 years. It started with a strained testicle from Felix Pie and has grown weirder by the day. Derrek Lee has had next problems on and off for the last two seasons so it doesn't surprised me as much that something like this has happened. I'll agree with Boz and say that I'm thankful this wasn't during a playoff race and instead is just at the end of a forgetful season.

Boz: Not at all. This just sums up the Cubs season plagued by injuries. It seems like in this disappointing 2009 season, Derrek Lee was the only player who hasn't been seriously injured. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Lee landed on the DL for this. It's just too ironic that this injury happened after a celebration since the Cubs haven't had a whole lot to celebrate this season. They're missing the playoffs after being the favorites to win the NL Central and maybe the NL pennant. Sweet Lou coined the occurance correctly when calling it a "Cubby Occurance". The silver lining in this case is that at least it didn't happen with the Cubs in a playoff hunt.

3) Jets head coach Rex Ryan actually gave the game ball from the win over the Patriots last Sunday to the Jets most famous fan "Fireman Ed" during a team meeting this week. What do you think of this?

Ben: It seems like every couple days here at the Sports Desk we've had coaches go out and do amazing things, this is another example. It seems like Rex Ryan has got a great personality for the Jets organization, although I think something like this would be more appreciated in Green Bay or Jacksonville, being "small market" teams. He really is helping establish a bond between the staff and the fans -- that helps you have staying power and build a long-term plan in New York.

Boz: I think this is really cool. All the time you hear coaches and players talking about how the fans were the difference in the game and that they deserve the game ball, but never actually physically give the ball to a fan or fans. For Rex Ryan to physically hand over the ball to the leader of Jets fans is awesome and shows that these players and coaches appreciate the support that they get during the games. I haven't been a fan of what the Jets have been doing off the field so far this season, but this brings them back in good graces just a bit.

4) The Mayweather vs. Marquez boxing match on Saturday drew one million pay-per-view buys on a night where it went head-to-head with a UFC pay-per-view card. A lot of people have declared boxing dead and has been overtaken by UFC. Does this help to diminish that thought?

Ben: Boxing isn't dead, but this is an abberation. Boxing needs a heavyweight with personality to gain more support and it currently doesn't have it. I think we saw great numbers with this because people accidently subscribed the boxing instead of UFC and therefore boosted the numbers. Some people don't pay attention. Sorry boxing, Money Mayweather is fun to watch, but no one else is.

Boz: No. This was a big number for the boxing match but I still believe that boxing is second fiddle to UFC. I still follow boxing more than I do with UFC, but I might be one in a million. Boxing is the sport that our fathers and grandfathers followed. With our generation and the generations below us, UFC is taking over in a huge way. One of the reasons why this fight got such a big number was probably because of Floyd Mayweather was part of it and if he were to fight Pacquiao I would imagine that it would draw more than one million. But I'm not ready to decalre boxing back from the dead yet.

NFL FOOTBALL PICK 'EM

Last Week                Ben: 2-4      Boz: 4-2
Season:                     Ben: 2-4      Boz: 4-2

1) Atlanta (2-0) at New England (1-1)

Ben: Obviously I like college pick 'em better. I'll go with NEW ENGLAND. They never lose two in a row, and won't let Matty Ice and the Falcons get past them at home. Patriots get this one, big.

Boz: NEW ENGLAND. I want to say that I really like Atlanta and I think the have a very good shot at representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. However, I can't see the Patriots losing in Foxboro and I really can't see that Patriots losing two in a row. This one will be a good one to watch.

2) San Francisco (2-0) at Minnesota (2-0)

Ben: 49ers. I'll take Frank Gore and P-Willy. I like Singletary and I think he's a better game coach then Brad Childress. Everything else leans Minnesota's way except those things and my gut feeling.

Boz: MINNESOTA. I know I am a Niners fan but San Fran is making a long trip to Minnesota to square off against the Adrian Peterson and the Vikings. The only thing the 49ers can do on offense is run the ball with Frank Gore and the Vikings defense makes a living on stopping the run. With that being said...I hope I'm wrong.

3) Washington (1-1) at Detroit (0-2)

Ben: DETROIT. Homer pick. I've got nothing else.

Boz: DETROIT. I'm picking the streak to end here and I'll to you why. Only the Lions would win their first game since the 2007 season and not let their fans outside of Ford Field view the game because they failed to sellout. True meaning of irony.

4) Chicago (1-1) at Seattle (1-1)

Ben: DA BEARS. No Matt Hassleback and the Bears defense looked good last week, so I don't think Seattle will be able to get past a stingy D, and I think Cutler is getting, slowly, more comfortable with his new offense that he'll look better and better each week.

Boz: CHICAGO. The Bears look good last week in their win over the defending champs. This one is on the road but I still think Cutler is good enough to pick apart the Seattle defense. Not to mention Seneca Wallace is most likely under center for the Seahawks.

5) Pittsburgh (1-1) at Cincinnati (1-1)

Ben: PITTSBURGH. Big Ben wins late in games and Cincinnati crumbles late in the games. I'll take the Steelers in a close game that is decided in the final couple drives.

Boz: PITTSBURGH. The Steelers can't run the ball and they are still without Troy Polamalu but they won't lose two in a row. I know Mike Tomlin will figure out the faults in the defense and Big Ben will lead the Steelers to a win over a divisional rival.

6) New Orleans (2-0) at Buffalo (1-1)

Ben: NEW ORLEANS. They put up 40 points a game, nobody else can do that.

Boz: NEW ORLEANS. I'll keep picking the Saints until someone shows that it is actually possible to hold them under 35 points. I don't think that'll be the Bills.

7) Indianapolis (2-0) at Arizona (1-1)

Ben: INDIANAPOLIS. Peyton Manning is the best QB in the NFL, the Colts just know how to play and get it done in important games. When it comes to it, my rule is, never pick against a Manning.

Boz: ARIZONA. This is not a homer pick now that I live in Phoenix because I still don't like Kurt Warner or the Cardinals. But they looked real convincing that last year wasn't a fluke in their win against the Jags. I know it was the Jags but their offense busted out and it'll continue this Sunday night.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy 37th Birthday John Lynch and Happy 33rd Birthday Chauncey Billups. I had to do two birthday's today because Boz took the best one in Pippen. Lynch was one of the best safeties in the league, especially for the Tampa 2 system, for several years. And B-B-B-Billups has been one of the best point guards in the league for about 6 or 7 years. Both players played great in big games and, while Lynch's career is over, Billups is continuing the trend in Denver, where Lynch ended his career.

Boz: Happy 44th Birthday to Scottie Pippen. Pippen played second fiddle to Michael Jordan in six NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls. Pippen was named to three all-NBA teams and eight all-NBA defensive teams. He was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary Team and is one of my favorite Chicago Bull of all time, behind Michael Jordan. I never owned a Michael Jordan jersey, but I did own a Scottie Pippen jersey. I look forward to him joining the Hall of Fame next year.