Santa Claus is coming to town

Hyman Rubin vaults into second place with a 12 win week, even picking against his own Carolina Panthers (more on that game below). But it was his selection of the Eagles and the Bucs that went against the majority and earned him the victory. Now with two weeks to go he finds himself in the same position as the Buffalo Bills -- longshots at pulling off the surprise and making the playoffs; needing help to do so; but not out of it yet (and having won their last seven against the spread). Still Norm's 10 win week, his fifth straight of 9 or better, enabled him to maintain a 7 game cushion. If he had been betting for real it would be a very Merry Christmas for Tracey.

I want to say a few words about the LotW pick of the Panthers. I forgot that Chris Weinke was starting for the Panthers and that apparently (and I say this as a DeAngelo Williams fantasy owner) the Panthers are unaware that you can advance the ball by running it -- having abandoned the run in their last two contests. Needless to say, like Miss USA -- Tara Conner -- LotW is asking for a second chance. LotW will be entering a rehab program soon, like in February when all we have is the NBA, hockey and College Hoops (and don't forget the EPL).

Last night was the start of the College Bowl season, and I want to say how disappointed I am about the lack of interest in ESPN College Bowl Mania. I suspect it reflects our disillusionment with the bowl system which, like so much of American Higher Education, seems to reward mediocrity. Sure we'd prefer a playoff system, but, to paraphrase Donald Rumsfeld (to quote Bill Murray in Ghostbusters, "I'm gonna miss that guy") sometimes you have to pick the games you have, not the games you would like to have.

So take a break from your Holiday shopping -- she's just going to return whatever you bought anyways -- and get your College Bowl Picks in. You've only missed one game, so you are only starting minus one point. A small price to pay.


ESPN College Bowl Mania

Group: Godfather's College Days
Password: Canes


Some interesting games this week. And games being played all weekend. Starting tonight at Lambeau Field (a game all of us non-NFL Networkers will miss) Then Saturday night, All day Sunday and, best of all -- two games Christmas day (5 and 8:30) so we are not all forced to watch Christmas movies or the NBA when we are sick of dealing with our families and our exhausted children who have been up since 5.

The Bears only favored by 4.5 against the Lions seems just plain wrong, but is it even fair to pick against the Lions once again? The Lions have the inside track on the Number Pick in the 2007 draft (sorry Dwayne Jarrett) and will not want to risk a TB loss in that big game against Cleveland and losing that pick.

I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and if you don;t observe or celebrate Christmas, a nice weekend and a day off on Monday.

Jono