CBSSports.com Writer's Group

The game SF 49ers and the NO Saints was a great thriller.  It ebbed an flowed seemed over and then started again, it had mini games with in the game.  I now wonder will there be a topper in the events that are remaining.  The AFC Conference has the making for a monster showcase.  The Patirots lead by Tom Brady and their well oil football program.  Their Coaches excellent scouting and prepareness, coupled with outstanding schemes, both offensive and defensively.  Set up a playoff atmosphere to thrill the fans and players.  Also, the NFC match has the same potential to explode into and exciting show of grid iron knowledge and strategy.  Eli manning is on fire now and so is Alex Smith which set the tone for good action.  And some good to great football from both teams would satisfy my curiousity..  Good games, Great games or one sided blowout's I predict a two brothers superbowl.

Category: General

is he hurt or what?  woundering if he is playing this week

Category: Fantasy Football

Update:  He is playing and San Diego is up to it's usual lousy defense...
So does anybody know what is up with Maurice Jones-Drew?  CBS has him red and for personal reasons I guess.  Sure would be nice if he doesn't start as MJD is the only thing keeping me from advancing in our playoffs.

Category: Fantasy Football

Got some schools here I am surprised are not being talked about for the Big 12. Also some points.

1: Don't replace, Expand: Look at the proactive ACC going to 14 schools and follow that model. say Mizzou leaves and add 6 teams.

2: considering the picked over land scape, take the hot stock/merger/acquisition approach and build schools in smart markets that will also build the conference long term

3: Teams: I have 8 that would make financial sense and 2 that would keep the conference strong in regional tradition

4: Teams ranked in order:

1. San Diego State: This is a perefect example of a great school, location, market, stadium, facilities, recruiting ground and already a city with Holiday Bowl ties to the Big 12. A destination for any road game for good travel bases. Also this is a school with a base that would raise in passion if they played in a good conference. I still can't believe this school gets no headlines other thatn its region, excluding the Pac-12 that already has that market, the location only makes sense for the Big 12...no other BCS conference.

2. BYU: obvious-own network, tradition, Slat Lake and national market for alumns and religion

3. West Virginia: they want out, the market is unappealing, but the mark in that region is and especially with a relevant school looking to get out of the Big East this is a power school that should be in to maintain conference relevancy to counter Iowa St, KSU, and Baylor

4. Louisville: Northern KY and South Ohio market, relevant tradition especially in BasketBall good match with KU...a GREAT football stadium and facilities good market for recruiting..keep close to WV for regional tie in

5: University of South Florida: recruiting market and presence...not sexy now but like SDSU this is a school that could rise rapidly in a great conference and also a great addition to say an eastern conference with already relevant Louisville and WV..a penny stock that could pay off huge with the conference to back it

6. Cinncinati? well we start to dip a little regionally with already going after Louisville who also has that market, but you even solidify it more there and add to an Eastern conference of USF, WVU, and Louisville...Great BBall tradition, great market, good recruiting, good facilities, great passion in the region if in a great conference.

7. TCU! surprisingly low I know, but again how much do you gain when your entire conference footprint is already here..this is only a power add for a great football school to boost the stregth of the conference.

8. Memphis: not sexy unless Calipari is still coaching hoops, the potential market is intriguing, also a good add for the East plenty of potential to be relevant for the conference..great hoops tradition...they do Care about football in Memphis as well.

9. Central Florida: see USF, but less sexy

10. Houston: if we werent talking dollars this move makes perfect sense but since we are this adds no new revenue but only a school with potential to be really great in the right conference..already better or eaqual to ISU, Baylor, and KSU in relevance.

*11. UNLV: intriguing market and BBall school, but culturaly Vegas would never match with the Big 12 region

5:So waht do we have here?

1. Pre-Big 12 and BCS tie-ins, TTech, Baylor, ISU and KSU could just have easily been mid-majors and some would argue with the exception of KSU and TTech could still be...but their profiles have been rasied in the right conference to build them.

2. The football traditions would rapidly rise in this conference with all the tools at the disposal of the football tradiition rich Big 12 playing your conference championships in Jerry World would only help nationaly.

3. These schools need the big 12 1-5 just as much as the Big 12 needs them. This means? Texas and OU can still get thier way in the conference while these other schools reap the rewards of raising their own profile long term.

4. You may have a basketball conference to finally rival the ACC or at least be the second best

5 after a half decade or so, with the right leadership and vision this could be the highest paid TV conference due to its national market affiliations

Food for thought: think bigger than 12 and bigger than the Southern plains to save your conference long term

Category: NCAAF

Thought you guys might like a little behind the scenes look at the wagering activity that took place this first NFL weekend.  If I were involved with an off-shore book, it might have gone something like this--

The sharps had a good weekend, as did the general public.  Everybody had the Green Bay over, although the public were a bit heavy on the Saints.  On Sunday, the sharps were on the Bears and Philadelphia, but missed the Steelers.  The public had the Lions and Houston big, but missed on Kansas City.  Teasers did real well, especially those working the overs.  Overall, the book took a hit--good start for all the players.  I'll try to post early before kickoff with any strong stuff, but mostly just thought you guys might like to know where the money is...


Category: NFL