Day 24: Eli Manning, MLB playoffs, college picks and more

HEADLINES

1) With the first day of the MLB playoffs in the books, what was most surprising thing that you witnessed?

Ben: The surprise for me was the lack of offense from the Cardinals. This is a team that, at one point, had won 75% of their games coming down the stretch. Mostly with great offense that could not be stopped. They put up 2 runs on the Dodgers staff (not counting that lazy fly that got past Matt Kemp) and the bullpen basically shut them out for 5 and a third. That's disappointing.

Boz: The first two games went pretty much as everybody expected. The surprise to me was the struggle of Cris Carpenter against the Dodgers. This is a potential NL Cy Young winner and he was being out-pitched by Randy Wolf. Carpenter gave up four runs in only five innings. If the Cardinals are going to go far in the playoffs they need better performances from the ace of their staff. The good thing for the Cardinals is that they also have another potential NL Cy Young winner in Adam Wainwright on the mound tonight.

2) Eli Manning missed yet another practice as he trys to heal from his plantar fasciitis injury in his right heel. Should Eli play or rest this weekend against the Raiders?

Ben: No. It's the Raiders, he is the face of your franchise, you just gave him 97 million dollars, let him sit. Don't risk his injury to pound the Raiders 35-3 instead of just beating them 24-7. Darren McFadden isn't playing for the Raiders, so they don't have to worry about ANYONE on the offensive side of the ball. Just throw it away from Nmandi Asomghua and you're good.

Boz: There's no question to me that he should rest this Sunday. Not only are the Giants playing the Raiders, but they are playing the Raiders at home. If JaMarcus Russell is under center for the Raiders, then Eli Manning does not have to be under center for the Giants to keep New York undefeated. David Carr would take over for Manning and is completely capable of guiding a Giants team to a win. I actually thought Carr was a good quarterback during his time in Houston and always wanted to see what he could do with an offensive line that could protect him and some talented players around him. This could be his redemption game.

3) The Yankees have stated that Jose Molina will start at catcher for game 2 of their ALDS against the Twins. Is this a good move?

Ben: Nope. Posada has been a benchmark behind the plate for over a decade. He's won playoff games before and I doubt that much of what he is actually doing is keeping AJ Burnett from winning baseball games. I don't think Molina is a terrible start, I just think that Posada is such a presence in that locker room that it's a shame to make him watch from the bench.

Boz: Looking at the offensive stats of both catchers it looks like the worst move in the history of the playoffs. But the argument has always been that pitching wins in the playoffs. In 16 starts for A.J. Burnett with Posada behind catcher he is 5-5 with 4.96 ERA. In 11 starts where Molina was the catcher, Burnett is 5-2 with a 3.28 ERA. I know Burnett and Posada have had their problems in the past, but I am not suggesting that the switch is because of that and I believe Burnett when he says he had nothing to do with the change. I think it's just Joe Girardi looking at the numbers and wanting Burnett to be as comfortable as possible on the mound. You can't take any chances in the playoffs.

4) After quitting the team after the conclusion of last season to focus on school, Jeff Jordan has begun talking to coaches about returning to the Illinois basketball team. Good call by Jordan?

Ben: I guess. Make up your mind though. Your probably the 8th kid on the roster, so I think your playing time is going to be limited anyway. I liked what he offered as far as a point guard off the bench, but I'm not exactly thrilled by his overall upside. I would think that the coaching staff wouldn't mind getting him on the roster, but I would imagine getting a full scholarship back might be a tough situation for Bruce Weber.

Overall I say it's a good call, just surprised he left in the first place.

Boz: Absolutely. Not many players get the opportunity to play basketball at the level that Illinois is at. Even if no playing time is available, the opprtunity to be part of a major Division I basketball team is something that should be appreciated. I'm sure Jordan missed working out with the team (who I am sure became most of his friends) and just being part of the team. The article I read stated that he had yet to talk to Bruce Weber and its unclear whether or not Weber will let him back. If I'm Weber, I let him back on the team because it must be a huge recruiting tool to say that Michael Jordan is going to be at most games. But other than that, the team wouldn't have suffered without Jeff Jordan.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK 'EM

Last week         Ben: 6-1        Boz: 4-3
Season:             Ben: 24-9      Boz: 17-16

1) No. 21 Nebraska at No. 24 Missouri (Thursday, 8 p.m.)

Ben: MISSOURI. I'm still not sold on the Huskers and I think Missouri is a tough offense to stop. I'll take the Tigers in a close on.

Boz: NEBRASKA. The Huskers almost went into Virginia Tech and beat the Hokies in their own backyard so I like Nebraska on the road tonight. I think the Huskers are too physical for Mizzou which is more of a finese team.

2) Michigan State at Illinois (Saturday, 11 a.m.)

Ben: ILLINOIS. See below.

Boz: ILLINOIS. I have no reason why I am picking Illinois except for hope.

3) Wisconsin at No. Ohio State (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.)

Ben: OHIO STATE. At OSU, and Ohio State basically had the week off last week against Indiana. I'll probably take the Buckeyes the rest of the season in the Big Ten, they are that strong.

Boz: OHIO STATE. The Badgers aren't as strong on the road after barely winning at Minnesota last week and the Horseshoe is one of the hardest places to play in the nation. I know Wisconsin in 5-0, but it ends here. Gaurenteed.

4) Michigan at No. 12 Iowa (Saturday, 7:05 p.m.)

Ben: MICHIGAN. The last time Iowa played a big time game under the lights at Kinnick, they were floored by a more powerful Ohio State team. I think that it'll be a close game throughout and the Hawks defense is as tough as they come, but Tate Forcier just knows how to win, and the Hawks have never sustained success.

Boz: IOWA. I'm finally taking the Hawks! After going 0-3 on Hawkeye games this season, I have finally realized that I have under estimated Ferentz and the Iowa football team. The defense once again wins the game for the Hawkeyes.

5) No. 3 Alabama at No. 20 Mississippi (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.)

Ben: ALABAMA. Nick Saban wins football games. Ole Miss is just learning how to be at the front of the pack. Saban's defense will punish Jevan Snead and the visitors will run away late.

Boz: ALABAMA. The Tide's defense is just way too tough. We witnessed against South Carolina that while Ole Miss is a good team, they're not good enough to challenge the top teams in the SEC, and Alabama is one of the top teams in the SEC.

6) No. 1 Florida at No. 4 LSU (Saturday, 7 p.m.)

Ben: LSU. I like the Tigers and think Death Valley at night is a tough place to play. With Tebow probably not at 100% I think LSU will win, if Tebow doesn't play at all I think LSU dominates.

Boz: FLORIDA. This is a tough one to pick because it all comes down to whether or not Tim Tebow plays. If he does play, Florida wins. If he does not play, Florida loses. I'm guessing that Tim Tebow won't miss a game of the caliber.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy 2nd Anniversary Cleveland Indians AND Joe Torre. Sounds like an odd mix but in 2007 with a 6-4 victory at Yankee Stadium, the Indians advance to ALCS for the first time since 1995. This win also began speculation of the impending firing of New York skipper Joe Torre, who was chastised in the press by owner George Steinbrenner for the team's first round woes. Turned out to be a good call for Torre, who has gone to the Dodgers and helped them get to 2 straight post-seasons.

Boz: Happy 35th Birthday to Rashaan Salaam. Salaam won the 1994 Heismann Trophy and let all Bears fans believe he was the next Walter Payton when the Bears selected him with their first pick in the 1995 draft. He had a good rookie season, rushing for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns but injuries shortened what could have been a promising career.