Bored

Just realized with the way things are at the moment the Rose Bowl wouldn't be able to take Cal. The Top 6 are automatically in and then you have Wisconsin and West Virginia with automatic bids. Rose Bowl would probably end up with Florida State taking the Pac-10 spot with USC going to the Orange Bowl.

Wisconsin has a very good shot at running the table so they'll be fine and still go to the Rose Bowl. The Fiesta Bowl was already showing a lot of interest in Utah. Oklahoma beats Kansas and Miami beats N.C. State but Oklahoma hops them? Not that I don't think they shouldn't be ahead of Miami but just another sign of the bizarness of the BCS. Oh and in advance let's try to keep the thread civilized.

That was quick. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1908871

I was kinda surprised too but K-Rod was actually only better in one category than Gordon and that was FIP, granted he had a big edge (1.89 to 2.68). Incidently that was the only category that Ryan was better than Gordon as well. Gordon led everyone on the list in ERC, WHIP, VORP, and RAA. He was 3rd in FIP and 4th in K/BB ratio. Tom Gordon ERC: 1.51 K/BB Ratio: 4.17 WHIP: 0.88 VORP: 39.6 FIP: 2.68 RAA: 27 Francisco Rodriguez ERC: 1.64 K/BB Ratio: 3.73 WHIP: 1.00 VORP: 37.6 FIP: 1.89 RAA: 25 B.J. Ryan ERC: 2.35 K/BB Ratio: 3.49 WHIP: 1.14 VORP: 36.7 FIP: 2.33 RAA: 24

Even without the forfeits both your strength of schedules would still be bad. Just estimating but Mike would be about #7 and you'd be just outside the top 10.

Now for middle relivers/set-up men. The list has the top 60 in relief appearances, not including those who were on the closer list. I used the same statiscal components as I did for closers except I left out win shares as middle relievers just don't get very many of them. Middle Relievers 1. Tom Gordon, Yankees 2. Francisco Rodriguez, Angels 3. B.J. Ryan, Orioles 4. Akinori Otsuka, Padres 5. Juan Rincon, Twins 6. Scott Linebrink, Padres 7. Luis Ayala, Expos 8. Salomon Torres, Pirates 9. Guillermo Mota, Dodgers/Marlins 10. Scot Shields, Angels 11. Julian Tavarez, Cardinals 12. Steve Kline, Cardinals 13. Ray King, Cardinals 14. Kent Mercker, Cubs 15. Jamie Walker, Tigers 16. Rafael Betancourt, Indians 17. Carlos Almanzar, Rangers 18. Mike Timlin, Red Sox 19. Dan Miceli, Astros 20. J.C. Romero, Twins 21. Rheal Cormier, Phillies 22. Damaso Marte, White Sox 23. Antonio Alfonseca, Braves 24. Alan Embree, Red Sox 25. Brian Meadows, Pirates 26. Mike Stanton, Mets 27. Luis Vizcaino, Brewers 28. Jim Brower, Giants 29. Justin Speier, Blue Jays 30. Jim Mecir, A's 31. Chris Reitsma, Braves 32. Felix Rodriguez, Giants/Phillies 33. Steve Reed, Rockies 34. David Riske, Indians 35. Esteban Yan, Tigers 36. Todd Jones, Reds/Phillies 37. Duaner Sanchez, Dodgers 38. Mike Koplove, Diamondbacks 39. Ricardo Rincon, A's 40. Scott Eyre, Giants 41. Chad Bradford, A's 42. Paul Quantrill, Yankees 43. Randy Choate, Diamondbacks 44. Kevin Gryboski, Braves 45. Kyle Farnsworth, Cubs 46. Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Mariners 47. Gabe White, Yankees/Reds 48. Tom Martin, Braves/Dodgers 49. Matt Perisho, Marlins 50. Terry Adams, Blue Jays/Red Sox 51. Dave Weathers, Astros/Mets/Marlins 52. John Grabow, Pirates 53. Al Levine, Tigers 54. Jason Grimsley, Royals/Orioles 55. Mike Myers, Mariners/Red Sox 56. Mike Gallo, Astros 57. Phil Norton, Reds 58. Javier Lopez, Rockies 59. Roberto Hernandez, Phillies 60. John Rielding, Reds

And I don't care how many saves anyone had, it's not an accurate way to compare closers. "Mo" actually did have one more win share than Foulke (16 to 15). What really hurt Rivera is his peripheral numbers weren't among the elite this year. He ranked 10th in component ERA, 11th in K/BB ratio, 12th in WHIP, and 9th FIP among those on the list.

Finally got around to start doing pitchers, starting with closers. The list has the top 30 in saves this year although of course saves aren't used at all to compare them. I used seven statistical components: Component ERA (ERC), K/BB Ratio, WHIP, Value Over Replacement Player (VORP), Fielding Indpendent Pitching (FIP), Runs Saved Above Average (RAA), and Win Shares. Closers 1. Brad Lidge, Astros 2. Joe Nathan, Twins 3. Eric Gagne, Dodgers 4. Aramando Benitez, Marlins 5. Keith Foulke, Red Sox 6. Mariano Rivera, Yankees 7. John Smoltz, Braves 8. Trevor Hoffman, Padres 9. Billy Wagner, Phillies 10. LaTroy Hawkins, Cubs 11. Jason Isringhausen, Cardinals 12. Francisco Cordero, Rangers 13. Shingo Takatsu, White Sox 14. Braden Looper, Mets 15. Octavio Dotel, Astros/A's 16. Eddie Guardado, Mariners 17. Chad Cordero, Expos 18. Danny Kolb, Brewers 19. Tim Worrell, Phillies 20. Jose Mesa, Pirates 21. Danny Baez, Devil Rays 22. Troy Percival, Angels 23. Jason Frasor, Blue Jays 24. Gregori Aquino, Diamondbacks 25. Dustin Hermanson, Giants 26. Ugueth Urbina, Tigers 27. Danny Graves, Reds 28. Jorge Julio, Orioles 29. Matt Herges, Giants 30. Shawn Chacon, Rockies

The entire Marshall University football team was killed in a plane crash back in 1970.

Continuing to try to make things tougher this week. Week 9 Deadlines Thursday, October 28th, 7:45 PM EST/4:45 PM PST -Lose out on VaTech/GaTECH game, tiebreak #2 Friday, October 29th, 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST -Lose out on HI/BS game, tiebreak #1 Saturday, October 30th, Noon EST/9:00 AM PST -Fofeit Week 9 Match-ups #1 Virginia* (Edwin MacPhisto, 6-2) vs. #9 Oregon* (nogoodnick, 5-3) - GAME OF THE WEEK #2 Minnesota* PM (Vern Gagne, 4-4) vs. Auburn* (Agent of Oblivion, 5-3) #3 Washington State* PM (bravesfan, 4-4) vs. USC* (Cartman, 4-4) #4 Ohio State* (Gert T, 5-3) vs. Penn State* (therealworldschampion, 2-6) #5 West Virginia* (Loaded Glove, 4-4) vs. Rutgers* (the pinjockey, 2-6) #6 Notre Dame* (Lando Griffin, 7-1) vs. Kent State* (JHawk, 3-5) #7 UCLA* (phoenixrising, 4-4) vs. Stanford* (Bored, 7-1) #8 Syracuse* PM (Canadian Chris, 6-2) vs. Oklahoma* (Damaramu, 3-5) #10 Hawaii* PM (Will Scarlet, 3-5) vs. Boise State* PM (Vern Gagne/*dead team*, 2-6) LSU* PM (teke184, 6-2) vs. Texas* (Flyboy, 4-4) Alabama* PM (AlwaysPissedOff, 4-4) vs. Arizona State* - late (Spicy McHaggis, 2-6) Maryland* (MarvinisaLunatic, 5-3) vs. Florida State* (2GOLD, 3-5) Florida* (Agent Bond34, 2-6) vs. Georgia* (A_MikeSC, 7-1) Miami* (Spaceman Spiff, 3-5) vs. Boston College* (HarleyQuinn, 3-5) Michigan* (Mad Dog, 2-6) vs. Michigan State* (Dangerous A, 3-5) Tennessee (Kotzenjunge, 2-6) vs. Bowling Green* (iggymcfly, 6-2) Week 9 Games to pick from THURSDAY Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech FRIDAY Hawaii at Boise State SATURDAY Oklahoma at Oklahoma State N.C. State at Clemson Purdue at Northwestern Missouri at Nebraska Western Michigan at Central Michigan Connecticut at Syracuse Kansas at Iowa State Kentucky at Mississippi State New Mexico at Colorado State Army at East Carolina TCU at Cincinnati Utah State at Middle Tennessee State Air Force at Wyoming Rice at Tulsa Florida vs. Georgia Ohio at Kent State Texas Tech at Kansas State Oregon State at Arizona Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Hawaii/Boise State game? Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Georgia Tech's P.J. Daniels have against Virginia Tech?

Add to that they were down five runs. Oh and Mark Bellhorn was the best second baseman in the American League this season. Yeah I said it! http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/index.php?showtopic=62141

Getting beat by one of the best second baseman in baseball this season is hardly a so called "choke." I don't know giving up those other nine runs didn't exactly help things. When you score nine runs you should win. Shit blaming Edmonds and Rolen? I think the Cardinals pitching had just a tad bit more to do with them losing.

Boise State is up 23-3 so I'm already going to concede it to them. Edit: Fresno State might make it a game but there would be only a very, very minor change and it wouldn't effect the overall rankings if they make the big comeback. BCS Top 10 thru Week 8 1. Virginia - Edwin MacPhisto 2.67 (4/1/3) 2. Minnesota - Vern Gagne 6.67 (12/7/1) 3. Washington State - bravesfan 7.67 (12/7/4) 4. Ohio State - Gert T 8.33 (8/1/16) 5. West Virginia - Loaded Glove 8.67 (12/4/10) 6. Notre Dame - Lando Griffin 9.33 (1/4/23) 7. UCLA - phoenixrising 10.33 (12/15/4) 8. Syracuse - CanadianChris 10.67 (4/10/18) 9. Oregon - nogoodnick 10.67 (8/6/18) 10. Hawaii - Will Scarlet 10.67 (19/7/6) Ya, ya, ya I know. Can't you just have blind faith? Bowl Match-ups, if the season ended today Massengill Douche Country Flower Bowl: Washington State (At-large) vs. Ohio State (At-large) Out Magazine Bowl: Oregon (Pac-8 #3 or Big MAC #3) vs. LSU (Mid South #3 or Big Atlantic #3) KFC PETA Bowl: Stanford (Pac-8 #2) vs. Maryland (Big Atlantic #2) Lucky Strikes Cigarettes Tar Bowl: Bowling Green (Big MAC #2) vs. Georgia (Mid South #2) Traditional Bowl presented by Adam & Eve’s Anal Lube: UCLA (Pac-8 #1/BCS at-large) vs. Notre Dame (Big MAC #1/BCS at-large) Oxycotton Bowl: Syracuse (Big Atlantic #1/BCS at-large) vs. Auburn (Mid South #1/BCS at-large) MILFHunter.com Bored Bowl: Virginia (BCS #1) vs. Minnesota (BCS #2)

Week 8 Final Results #1 Virginia (Edwin MacPhisto) 16, #2 Minnesota (Vern Gagne) 14 #6 West Virginia (Loaded Glove) 16, #8 Syracuse (CanadianChris) 14 #10 Oregon (nogoodnick) 16, #9 Stanford (Bored) 14 #3 Ohio State (Gert T) 16, Florida State (2GOLD) 11 Texas (Flyboy) 16, #4 Washington State (bravesfan) 16; Texas wins by tiebreak #5 Notre Dame (Lando Griffin) 16, Boston College (HarleyQuinn) 12 Auburn (Agent of Oblivion) 14, #7 Oklahoma (Damaramu) 12 UCLA (phoenixrising) 17, Arizona State (Spicy McHaggis) 15 Hawaii (Will Scarlet) 15, Maryland (MarvinisaLunatic) 15; Hawaii wins by tiebreak LSU (teke184) 15, Miami (Spaceman Spiff) 12 Alabama (AlwaysPissedOff) 14, Tennessee (Kotzenjunge) 13 USC (Cartman) 15, Florida (Agent Bond34) 15; USC wins by tiebreak Bowling Green (iggymcfly) 15, Penn State (therealworldschampion) 11 Georgia (A_MikeSC) 15, Michigan State (Dangerous A) 12 Kent State (JHawk) 15, Michgian (Mad Dog) 14 Boise State (Vern Gagne/*dead team*) 14, Rutgers (the pinjockey) 13 Conference Standings (conference record, overall record) Pac-8 1. UCLA (3-0, 4-4) 2. Stanford (2-1, 7-1) 3. Oregon (3-2, 5-3) 4. Hawaii (2-2, 3-5) 5. Washington State (1-2, 4-4) 5. USC (1-2, 4-4) 5. Boise State (1-2, 2-6) 8. Arizona State (1-3, 2-6) Big MAC 1. Notre Dame (4-0, 7-1) 2. Bowling Green (3-0, 6-2) 3. Minnesota (2-1, 4-4) 4. Michigan State (2-2, 3-5) 4. Kent State (1-1, 3-5) 6. Ohio State (1-2, 5-3) 7. Michigan (0-3, 2-6) 7. Penn State (0-3, 2-6) Mid South 1. Auburn (4-1, 5-3) 2. Georgia (3-1, 7-1) 2. LSU (3-1, 6-2) 4. Texas (2-1, 4-4) 4. Alabama (2-1, 4-4) 6. Florida (1-3, 2-6) 7. Tennessee (1-4, 2-6) 8. Oklahoma (0-4, 3-5) Big Atlantic 1. Syracuse (3-1, 6-2) 2. Maryland (2-1, 5-3) 2. Boston College (2-1, 3-5) 2. Miami (2-1, 3-5) 5. Virginia (1-2, 6-2) 5. West Virginia (1-2, 4-4) 5. Rutgers (1-2, 2-6) 8. Florida State (1-3, 3-5)

CORRECTION AoO will beat Damaramu if Texas wins, who are up 38-14 at the moment. I had Damaramu having the win locked up. Sorry for the mistake.

I'd have to dig up the old thread from last year but even though LSU did hurt their quality win they hepled their strength of schedule greatly with that second game against Georgia and that was what allowed them to hop USC. Going into the SEC title game USC actually had a better strength of schedule than LSU. Important game for me and in the contest this week, Oregon leads Stanford 16-13 with 2:50 left. No idea who has the ball since it's not on t.v. Stanford needs to win or their bowl hopes suddenly get dicey as their remaining schedule is very tough and have only one home game left. Shit, Stanford loses.

It's time for the NCAA to allow conferences with at least 10 teams to hold conference championship games instead the current 12 team rule. If you have more than nine teams in a conference you can't guarentee that the top two teams in the conference will play each other. Of course everyone remembers the same thing happened in the Big Ten two years ago with Ohio State and Iowa.

Match-ups decided so far today, updated thru Oregon/Stanford: #1 Virginia (Edwin MacPhisto) def. #2 Minnestoa (Vern Gagne) #6 West Virginia (Loaded Glove) def. #8 Syracuse (CanadianChris) #5 Notre Dame (Lando Griffin) def. Boston College (HarleyQuinn) Hawaii (Will Scarlet) def. Maryland (MarvinisaLunatic); Will holds tiebreak LSU (teke184) def. Miami (Spaceman Spiff) USC (Cartman) def. Florida (Agent Bond34); Cartman holds tiebreak Bowling Green (iggymcfly) def. Penn State (therealworldschampion) Georgia (A_MikeSC) def. Michigan State (Dangerous A) #3 Ohio State (Gert T) def. Florida State (2GOLD)

I think JoePa wanted to conjure up memories of the days before the forward pass today. Almost had a similar score with Maryland/Clemson but Clemson scores a touchdwon with 23 seconds left to go up 10-7. Wow has Maryland been a huge dissapointment this year. Mississippi State scored with nine minutes to go to take a 31-24 lead on Florida. Ron Zook might get fired today. Mississippi State lost to Maine earlier this year.

Quite the thriller on ESPN2, Iowa leads Penn State 6-2 in the 4th. Does Iowa have a good bullpen?

Week 8 Match-up Breakdowns #1 Virginia (Edwin MacPhisto, 5-2) vs. #2 Minnesota (Vern Gagne, 4-3) - GAME OF THE WEEK UVA: Wyoming, Iowa, Michigan, Oklahoma State Min: Colorado State, Penn State, Purdue, Missouri Tiebreak Answers: 51/62, 260/290 #6 West Virginia (Loaded Glove, 3-4) vs. #8 Syracuse (CanadianChris, 6-1) WV: Colorado State, Penn State, UTEP, Michigan, Oklahoma State, New Mexico State SU: Wyoming, Iowa, Louisiana Tech, Purdue, Missouri, North Texas Tiebreak Answers: 40/48, 150/298 #9 Stanford (Bored, 7-0) vs. #10 Oregon (nogoodnick, 4-3) Stan: Stanford, N.C. State Ore: Oregon, Miami Tiebreak Answers: 56/64, 207/276 #3 Ohio State (Gert T, 4-3) vs. Florida State (2GOLD, 3-4) OSU: Wisconsin, Bowling Green, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, North Texas FSU: No point for SU/WV, Northwestern, Ohio, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Texas Tech, New Mexico State Tiebreak Answers: 52/48, 300/na #4 Washington State (bravesfan, 4-3) vs. Texas (Flyboy, 3-4) Wazzu: Wyoming, UTEP, Purdue, Oregon, New Mexico State Tex: No point for SU/WV, Colorado State, Louisiana Tech, Michigan, Stanford, North Texas Tiebreak Answers: 56/48, 250/na #5 Notre Dame (Lando Griffin, 6-1) vs. Boston College (HarleyQuinn, 3-4) ND: Colorado State, Iowa, UTEP, Purdue, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Oregon State, Stanford, New Mexico State, Boise State BC: Wyoming, Penn State, Louisiana Tech, Michigan, Missouri, UCLA, Washington State, Oregon, North Texas, Fresno State Tiebreak Answers: 40/30, 302/250 #7 Oklahoma (Damaramu, 3-4) vs. Auburn (Agent of Oblivion, 4-3) OK: Michigan, UCLA, Washington State, Texas Tech Aub: Purdue, Arizona State, Oregon State, Texas Tiebreak Answers: 52/41, 234/359 UCLA (phoenixrising, 3-4) vs. Arizona State (Spicy McHaggis, 2-5) UCLA: Michigan, Oklahoma State, Stanford, North Texas ASU: Purdue, Missouri, Oregon, New Mexico State Tiebreak Answers: 56/52, 200/207 Hawaii (Will Scarlet, 2-5) vs. Maryland (MarvinisaLunatic, 5-2) HI: Boston College, Michigan, Missouri, Stanford MD: Notre Dame, Purdue, Oklahoma State, Oregon Tiebreak Answers: 40/37, 200/255 LSU (teke184, 5-2) vs. Miami (Spaceman Spiff, 3-4) LSU: Bowling Green, Oklahoma State, North Texas Mia: Ohio, Missouri, New Mexico State Tiebreak Answers: 40/50, 242/255 Alabama (AlwaysPissedOff, 3-4) vs. Tennesee (Kotzenjunge, 2-5) Ala: Colorado State, Penn State, UTEP, Michigan, Washington State, Oregon, Alabama, Texas, New Mexico State Ten: Wyoming, Iowa, Louisiana Tech, Purdue, Oregon State, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas Tech, North Texas Tiebreak Answers: 34/45, 253/307 USC (Cartman, 3-4) vs. Florida (Agent Bond34, 2-5) USC: Colorado State, Boston College, Alabama, New Mexico State Fla: Wyoming, Notre Dame, Tennessee, North Texas Tiebreak Answers: 45/75, 300/267 Penn State (therealworldschampion, 2-5) vs. Bowling Green (iggymcfly, 5-2) PS: No point for SU/WV, Northwestern, Ohio, UTEP, Purdue, New Mexico State BG: Wisconsin, Bowling Green, Louisiana Tech, Michigan, North Texas Tiebreak Answers: 52/55, na/198 Michigan State (Dangerous A, 3-4) vs. Georgia (A_MikeSC, 6-1) MS: No point for SU/WV, Penn State, Ohio, UTEP, Missouri, New Mexico State, Miami UGA: Iowa, Bowling Green, Louisiana Tech, Oklahoma State, North Texas, N.C. State Tiebreak Answers: 53/54, na/270 Michigan (Mad Dog, 2-5) vs. Kent State (JHawk, 2-5) Mich: Nore Dame, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, North Texas, N.C. State KS: Boston College, Missouri, Texas, New Mexico State, Miami Tiebreak Answers: 54/32, 285/168 Rutgers (the pinjockey, 2-5) vs. Boise State (Vern Gagne/*dead team*, 1-6) Rut: UTEP, Oklahoma State, UCLA, Texas Tech, New Mexico State BS: Louisiana Tech, Missouri, Arizona State, Texas, North Texas Tiebreak Answers: 52/62, 325/290

West Virginia beats Syracuse 27-6. What do you mean you weren't watching?

Yes there should be seperate threads for each game. Anyways I might have to end my six year streak of pretty much avoiding the World Series. The only annoying thing is the Red Sox, the wild card, having homefield against the Cardinals who had the best record in baseball. The wild card doesn't get homefield in the first two rounds so why the hell should they get it in the World Series? THIS counts not the All-Star Game. But otherwise I'm looking forward to it since there is no expansion teams, no thunderstix, and no Yankees. Go TLR and the Cardinals.

Sorry Flyboy and 2GOLD you both missed the deadline so no point for tonight. Dangerous A and therealworldschampion also missed the deadline and have yet to submit picks. Alabama (AlwaysPissedOff) West Virginia Louisville Colorado State Wisconsin Penn State Georgia Notre Dame Bowling Green UTEP Michigan Missouri FSU Arizona State Washington State Oregon Alabama Texas New Mexico State Miami Boise State TB#1: 34 TB#2: 253

PM'd picks Minnesota/Boise State (Vern Gagne) THURSDAY Syracuse at West Virginia FRIDAY South Florida at Louisville Wyoming at Colorado State SATURDAY Northwestern at Wisconsin Iowa at Penn State Georgia at Arkansas Bowling Green at Ohio Boston College at Notre Dame UTEP at Louisiana Tech Michigan at Purdue Oklahoma State at Missouri Florida State at Wake Forest UCLA at Arizona State Washington State at Oregon State Oregon at Stanford Alabama at Tennessee Texas at Texas Tech New Mexico State at North Texas Miami at N.C. State Fresno State at Boise State Tiebreaker #1: How many total points will be scored in the USF/Louisville game?62 Tiebreaker #2: How many total yards (passing & rushing) will West Virginia's Rasheed Marshall have against Syracuse?290 Syracuse (CanadianChris) THURSDAY West Virginia FRIDAY Louisville Wyoming SATURDAY Wisconsin Iowa Georgia Bowling Green Notre Dame Louisiana Tech Purdue Missouri Florida State Arizona State Oregon State Stanford Tennessee Texas North Texas Miami Boise State Tiebreaker #1: 48 Tiebreaker #2: 298 Ohio State (Gert T) THURSDAY Syracuse at West Virginia - West Virginia FRIDAY South Florida at Louisville - Louisville Wyoming at Colorado State - SATURDAY Northwestern at Wisconsin - Wisconsin Iowa at Penn State - Iowa Georgia at Arkansas - Georgia Bowling Green at Ohio - Bowling Green Boston College at Notre Dame - Notre Dame UTEP at Louisiana Tech - UTEP Michigan at Purdue - Purdue Oklahoma State at Missouri - Missouri Florida State at Wake Forest - Florida State UCLA at Arizona State - Arizona State Washington State at Oregon State - Oregon State Oregon at Stanford - Oregon Alabama at Tennessee - Tennessee Texas at Texas Tech - Texas New Mexico State at North Texas - North Texas Miami at N.C. State - Miami Fresno State at Boise State - Boise State Tiebreaker #1: How many total points will be scored in the USF/Louisville game? 52 Tiebreaker #2: How many total yards (passing & rushing) will West Virginia's Rasheed Marshall have against Syracuse? 300