Day 21: Twins/Tigers, Kerry Collins, Juice and more

HEADLINES

1) The Detroit Tigers blew their two game lead to the Twins in the final weekend and the AL Central is going to take 163 games to decide a winner. The Twins and Tigers play a playoff game in Minnesota on Tuesday night. Who do you got?

Ben: I've picked the Tigers the whole time, and I can't stray from that decision now. I'll take the Tigers in a wild one. Neither team has the ace on the mound and both offenses stepped up big on Sunday. I guess I'll take the Tigers, but I'm really impressed with what the Twins have done this year, and over the last few years, constantly being in the race come October.

Boz: I've got the Twins. They've been here before and they know what it's like to play in a one game playoff (they lost to the White Sox just last year). The game is going to be in Minnesota and the Metrodome is going to be very loud, which doesn't help a rookie pitcher throwing on the road, which the Tigers will be with Rick Porcello taking the mound. The Twins will be starting Scott Baker, who picked up a win over the Tigers last week. I see Joe Nathan shutting it down in the bottom of the ninth.

2) The Titans have stated they are going to stick with Kerry Collins despite the 0-4 start. Is this the right move or should give Vince Young the reigns once again?

Ben:Vince Young is a winner and I'll take him over Kerry Collins 8 times out of 10. Sure, he's had some issues and sure he's not the greatest face-of-a-franchise, but he wins football games. Never has his team been under .500 in his 5 year starting career post-high school. Even his rookie season in the NFL he was 8-8. Kerry Collins, throughout  his career, has proven his is not a good QB and can only be counted on in short spurts.

Granted the entire blame doesn't go on Collin's shoulders, but some of it does, and Vince can make plays, I'll take him.

Boz: I don't think the 0-4 start is all on Kerry Collins' shoulders. The defense that was one of the best in the league last season has been abismal this year. I think they are realizing how much they are missing Albert Haynesworth this season. However, Collins hasn't had the best start to the season. He's thrown for five touchdowns but six interceptions as well. His yards are up but it seemed like last season when the Titans won, Collins' stats were 180 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions, while the running game and defense picked up the victory.

I wouldn't bench Collins just yet. However, I think that this season is lost for the Titans and if it doesn't turn around, then the reigns must be turned back over to Vince Young. He has won games for the Titans before and he actually is the future of the franchise at the current moment. I think he could successful if the Titans can get him to just manage the game.

3) The Fighting Illini actually have benched senior quarterback Juice Williams after a 1-3 start and will start junior Eddie McGee against Michigan State. Is this the right move by Ron Zook?

Ben: It might be the right move, but at this point, the Illini's season is done. They have a tough schedule, and McGee in brief appearances has shown he can't do much better then Juice anyway. I'm surprised at the move, but I don't disagree with it. Something had to be done, and this seems like the most logical decision.

That being said, the defense is still horrible.

Boz: It must have been a very hard move for Zook to make. Williams has been such a big part of the Illini football program since he started as a freshman. He helped guide them to the Rose Bowl as a sophomore, but missed any bowl game altogether last season and it was looking as a repeat this season. To Williams' credit the three losses have been against pretty good teams in Missouri, Ohio State and Penn State. Their offense has been down this season and Williams is suppose to be the leader of that offense. With the two toughest teams out of the way early in the year, the Illini can turn it around and still make a bowl game. I don't like the chances without Juice though.

4) The Auburn Tigers are 5-0 under first-year head coach Gene Chizik and have cracked the top-25 poll at No. 17. Are the Tigers a legitimate threat in the SEC?

Ben: Not to win the conference. The SEC has 3 teams in the top 4 ranked teams in the nation. I think Auburn has imrpoved and will be a force down the line. But does anyone think they'll compete with Flordia, Alabama, LSU, or even Ole Miss? I doubt it.

Boz: They are not a threat to any of the top teams in the SEC but they are a much improved team and will find themselves in a decent bowl game this season. Yes, they are 5-0 but haven't had a significant win yet. The most impressive wins have come against West Virginia and at Tennessee. They give up a lot of points, which isn't like a usual Auburn team, and I think the undefeated streak ends next week at Arkansas.

What's funny about this is no one at Auburn is complaining about the hiring of Chizik over Turner Gill at Auburn anymore. Chizik has the Tigers at 5-0, while Turner Gill returned to Buffalo where the one-hit wonder Bulls are 1-4.

ODDS

1) The Manning brothers are 8-0 on the season and the Giants and Colts are looking strong. What are the odds that the Manning brothers will face off in the Super Bowl?

Ben: 6%. Something will trip one of them up. They are playing out of there minds, but there are too many good football teams out there in both conferences to let this happen.

Boz: 10%. I think that both teams look very good a quarter of the way through the season. However, the Colts still have to get through the Ravens, Patriots, Steelers and Jets. The Giants have to get through the Vikings, Saints and Eagles. There are just too many teams that stand in a way of a Peyton vs. Eli Super Bowl.

2) What are the odds that Tim Tebow will be under center when the Gators take on LSU this Saturday?

Ben: 85%. Everyone wants him to play, except Les Miles, and unless there is a serious issues with symptoms, he'll be behind center on Saturday.

Boz: 76%. Urban Meyer has stated that Tebow is no longer dealing with post-concussion symptoms, which is a good sign. There is no way that Tebow will ever want to miss this game against LSU and he'll do whatever it takes to play. He's not practicing but Tim Tebow at this point in his career does not need every practice. I think there is a good chance you'll see No. 15 on the field Saturday.

3) Fredi Gonzalez led the Marlins to 87 wins this season but there are still rumors he might be fired. What are the odds that Gonzalez will be coaching the Marlins next season?

Ben: 40%. There are a lot of great managers available, and if Gonzalez makes more then minimum wage, he's making too much according to the Marlins payroll department. I think Gonzalez should be back, because he's got quite a bit out of the Marlins this season, and they seem to like each other. I don't think they will bring him back, because the Marlins love to blow things up, and there are a few good managers available.

Boz: 35%. The wins doesn't matter for owner Jeffrey Loria. He fired Joe Girardi right before he was named NL Manager of the Year (which was obviously a big mistake now that Girardi has led the Yankees to the best record in baseball. The Marlins change personnel more than Dennis Rodman use to change his hair color. They have a lot of good young players that are very valuable that they don't want to get rid of. Therefore, the change will be at manager. Look for Bobby Valentine to make his return to the NL West.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy 37th Birthday JJ Stokes. Remember Stokes? The 3rd or 4th receiver on those great 9ers teams back in the day. Yeah, I liked Stokes, thought I'd give him some love.

Boz: Happy 37th Birthday to Grant Hill. Hill had a great college career at Duke, winning two National Championships in 1991 and 1992. He started a great career with the Detroit Pistons and after having a injury plague seven years in Orlando, Hill has resurged in Phoenix. He played all 82 games with the Suns this last season, a huge accomplishment for Hill.