- I've never hidden my dis-taste for Boston College. I was personally slighted by this institution 20 years ago, or so I like the story to go. It bears little importance though, my personal grudge, upon this weekend's trip out the Turnpike to Chestnut Hill, where the undefeated UMass Minutemen will attempt to pluck the BC Eagles. The National press, of course, dismisses this game as nothing more than an exhibition. I'm sure most of the Eagles players, comments to the contrary aside, are looking past this game. History certainly does not favor the Maroon and White. UMass last beat BC in 1978, and the last time they beat a D1-A team was 1984 when they upset Ball State. BC is also undefeated this year, and are ranked #12 in the Nation's elite college football "sub-division". They have Matt Ryan, a legit Heisman candidate. A UMass victory, however, would signal the team's best start since 1975 in a week where the Trustees agreed to move forward with a study into a UMass migration to college football's more prestigious "Bowl Championship Sub-division" (stupid friggin' name). I think this is a much tighter game than people expect. First of all, this is a UMass squad that is coming off of a dominating performance against Maine. We have a quarterback in Liam Coen who has Tom Brady-like poise. We have a team that has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Face it, if UMass loses this game by 3 touchdowns, essentially nobody notices. They are supposed to lose this game. But if the Minutemen play this one tight, they take some of the shine off of a BC team that is enjoying its highest national ranking since 1993, a team that would acheive its first 5-0 start since 1954. And better yet, if UMass WINS this game, not only is it egg in the face of BC (which I, of course, would enjoy thoroughly), it also validates the power of a UMass offense that has scored 35 points in each of its first 4 games (sounds a bit like a certain NFL team from the area, doesn't it). In the 125 year history of UMass football, that has never happened. Hey look, I'm not expecting an upset here, but I've been following this team closely, and I also won't be surprised if they DO win. 1:00PM tomorrow. I'll be listening.
- First of all, take a look back at the Good, Bad & Ugly column from earlier this month. You'll note that I assured you that David Ortiz would go for 35/100+. Big Papi clocked #34 last night. 3 games to go. Even Khalil Gibran would call me a (sports) prophet. Anyhow, the Magic Number is 2. It would be nice if the Sox could take care of business tonight and if the Yankees would falter so I could relax a little bit this weekend. Not that I'm afraid we'll lose the division at this point, but as we in Red Sox Nation know, it ain't over till the fat lady sings. I cut my finger-nails short this morning to prevent biting. But no matter how you slice it, a new season starts next week. Let's hope we start the second season like we did the first. Oddly enough, this time, we actually have to worry about our pitching. Which, by the way, provides me a perfect opportunity to plug Josh Beckett for the Cy Young award again. Becks has been our undisputable ace this season, and if they weigh last night's start too heavily and he doesn't collect the hardware, expect some screaming from these parts. Keep the Faith, Nation...the fun starts in just a few days.
- The New England Patriots are prepping for a showdown Monday night with the Bengals. Cincy has a potent offense that can put up points. But so do the Patriots. This could be one of those games that ends with a college basketball score. How do I like the Patriots chances? Let's just say the '72 Dolphins will still be sweating next week. Rudi Johnson is out for the Benglas, taking a little bit of juice out of their O, and providing an additional advantage to the Pat's D. It is going to be a shootout, to be sure, but look for the Patriots to prevail, 45-31, something in that range. As usual, you heard it here first...tell your friends.
- Helloooooooo...Europe? The Celtics take off for Rome this weekend to begin training camp and participate in Year 2 of the league's "NBA Europe Live" tour. It should be a good couple of weeks of bonding and sorting out the new look C's. I'll come clean here and admit to being a basketball geek extraordinaire. Yes, I watch pre-season games every year but it is usually just because, hey, it IS basketball after all. But this year, well, October 6th is going to be a little different. It has been a LONG time since we've been able to look at a Celt's pre-season game with enthusiasm for the up-coming year. It is going to be a treat to see, Kevin, Ray and Paul grace the court together in a game that means nothing on one hand and so much on the other. Our expectations are huge. Finally, after months of waiting, we're going to get our first look at reality. I can't wait. I feel sorry for the Raptors. Victim #1.
- Finally, I posed the question that other day: "If the Red Sox win the World Series again, the Patriots win the Super Bowl again and the Celtics win 2 of the next 4 NBA Championships, which Minnesota tranfer is a bigger hero in Boston...David Ortiz, Randy Moss or Kevin Garnett?" While none of you could be bothered to let me know what you think, it doesn't really matter. The winner is Kevin Garnett, hands down. Why? Well, a couple of things and thanks to my friend Don for helping to crystalize the first point. You have to remember what it was like here when the Celtics mattered. You have to be old enough to remember what it was like in the '80s when Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish roamed the parquet. It was INSANE. New England was Green in winter back then. KG, Ray and The Truth can bring that back. I've lived through a Red Sox World Series win, and it was undeniably the Greatest Sports Moment of my life, but the next one won't quite be the same as the 2004 one was. That was a magic year, and it can't be duplicated. Add to that the fact that while Big Papi is, well, Big Papi, a World Series victory is dependent on many factors and many players, and pitching plays a huge role in the outcome. As popular as Ortiz is, he alone can't have the impact on a Championship that Garnett can. And look at the Patriots...do they need Randy Moss to win another Super Bowl? Hardly. Sure, I'm happy to have him and he makes the trip a lot smoother, but his impact is icing on the cake. He's not taking them from bottom-dweller to Champs. He's just helping to add another chapter to the Dynasty. So there you have it. Sorry 'Sota.
Well there it is, Barstool Friday. Have great weekend watching the Sox claim the AL East crown for the first time in well over a decade. Enjoy one of the biggest college football upsets in ages. Take a good look at how grea the Pats are...and break out the shamrocks, your 2007-2008 Boston Celtics take the court.
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