1. Now Rangers. See #2.
2. Now my Red Sox. Could be...

   AL	W-L	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon
   Rangers	94-65 +2		dr	dr	dr
   my Red Sox	92-67 --	@yn L	bj	bj	bj
   Indians	91-67 ½	@tg (ppd)	@ry	@ry	@ry	@tg &

   ^{Tiebreakers: Rangers > Red Sox > Indians. &=If necessary.}
   
   After clinching the playoffs, my Red Sox got swept at Yankee Stadium. At least the hated Yankees mowed a tribute to Big Papi in CF. My Red Sox now need to go 0-3 while the Rangers go 0-3. Quite likely they'll have to return to Detroit on Monday to make it up... all for seeding... at most. LMFAO.
   
   
3. Now Indians. See #2.
4. Now Blue Jays. See #5.
5. Now Orioles. The idle Astros were eliminated w/Orioles win. Could be...

   AL Wildcard	W-L	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon
   Blue Jays	87-72 --	or L	@rs	@rs	@rs
   Orioles	87-72 --	@bj W	@yn	@yn	@yn
   Tigers	85-73 1½	in (ppd)	@br	@br	@br	in &
   Mariners	85-74 2	at W	at	at	at

   ^{Tiebreakers: Blue Jays > Orioles >Tigers > Mariners;
   except Mariners > Blue Jays, Mariners > Orioles.
   &= If necessary.}
   
   
6. Cubs locked in at 101-57-1. The Cubs and Pirates tied 1-1 in six innings tonight. This was the first MLB tie since 2005.
7. Now Nationals. See #8.
8. Now Dodgers. Could be...

   NL	W-L	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
   Nationals	93-66 +2	dm W	mz	mz	mz
   Dodgers	91-68 --	@pd W	@gn	@gn	@gn

   ^{Tiebreaker: Dodgers > Nationals.}
   
   Sabo's Padres lost to the Dodgers 4-9 to close out Petco Park this season. So... now, and only now... I can back the Dodgers a bit to get that not so important #7 seed. They'll need to go 3-0 and have the Nationals lose two -or- go 2-1 while the Nationals get swept three.
   
   
9. Now Mets. See #10.
10. Now Giants. Could be...

    NL Wildcard	W-L	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
    Mets	85-74 +1		@ph	@ph	@ph
    Giants	84-75 --	rc W	dd	dd	dd
    Cardinals	83-76 1	rd W	pr	pr	pr

    ^{Tiebreakers: Cardinals > Mets > Giants.}

Coming off a bye is always a proper time to evaluate a team. Sabo's Aztec's bye this year is early, just three games into non-conference. Unlike through three games last year, when they'd beat only a non-scholarship FCS team, and then gotten whipped by two Power-5 schools... they're undefeated, ranked, beat their only Power-5 school, and... they're riding a 13 game win streak, 2nd longest in FBS.

SDSU went into their bye, beating Northern Ill 42-28. It wasn't as close as the score seems. Senior D.Pumphrey is leading the nation in rushing with 599yds. He's also finally getting Heisman attention. SDSU s #12 nationally in rushing (260.7yd/gm). Sophomore QB C.Chapman is playing well (41/67 6 td, 2 int). However, it is a run oriented team, and SDSU is #104 of 128 in passing (182.0). They are #57 in total offense (442.7). Special teams are clicking too, with SDSU #6 in KO returns (31.75 ave). Of course a Rocky Long team is all about the defense. SDSU has the #20 rushing defense (102.7yd/gm). One concern has been the pass defense. They're #103 in pass defense (268.3), dragging the total defense down to #52 (371.0). That's somewhat mitigated, as a lot of those passing yards were surrendered to Cal (see below).

The last game the Sabo's Aztecs lost was to South Alabama, @Q on 2015-9-19. The Jaguars came in ~four touchdown dogs, outplayed Sabo's Aztecs, and won 34-27 in OT. Southern Alabama started the season with a stunning upset over Mississippi St 21-20 in Starkville MS. Since then they've lost to Georgia Southern and LA-Lafayette, before needing OT to beat FCS Nicholls State 41-40. S.Alabama leads the series 1-0. This is SDSU's first visit to Ladd-Peebles Stadium. SDSU is -1200, -19½pts.


Sadly for Sabo's Aztec's rankings, my Golden Bears lost a gut-wrenching game in Tempe, and... AZ State isn't even ranked, falling just seven votes shy of #25.

The total score didn't reach triple digits, but the game was an over. The Cal defense was again defenseless, giving up 454yds. The "Bear Raid" offense gained more this time, 637 yards. Cal is #2 nationally in pass offense (459.3yd/gm). D.Webb (32/56 5td) is now the #1 passer with 1837yds. Cal, up by 14 at the half, seemed to have the game in hand with 6:21 left... but two D.Webb interceptions, the first setting up AZ State at the 15... the second a pick-6 with 3:16 left... turned the tide. Did I mention gut wrenching ???/?

The Utes are 1-0 in the Pac-12 South, beating USC in Salt Lake City 31-28 last Friday. The series is tied 5-5. The Utes beat Cal at home, in an exciting game, 30-24 on Oct 10th. Utah is 1-3 @Memorial Stadium. Cal is -130, -2pts.


My Chargers did, what else, managed to pull a come from ahead defeat Sunday in Indianapolis. They, what else, suffered another devastating injury, as team captain, and radio-controlled play caller, Manti T'eo is out for the season. IDK what's up with all the injuries, it seems like just terrible luck. One thing I do know they gotta step up the intensity, and get their damn butts in gear. There's possibly only 13 games left ever to redeem 50 futile years chasing that damn Superb Owl. Football Outsiders have them down to only a 26.9% chance of making the playoffs. Fifty years, 13 games, this needs to get done !!!1!

The Chargers need to beat up the bad teams. Luckily, they have the sad sack 0-3 Saints coming into the Q this week. My Chargers lead the Saint's series 7-4. The Saints are 2-3 @Q (2-6 including preseason). The Saints won the last meeting 31-24 @Superdome back on 2012-10-7. San Diego is -200, -4pts.

1. Rangers locked in at 95-65 with win over Rays.
2. Now my Red Sox. Big Papi had a big game, as my Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 5-3 in cold Fenway rain. They now know they'll be playing the Indians in the playoffs. Seed #2 could be...

   AL	W-L	Fri	Today	Sun	Mon
   my Red Sox	93-67 --	bj W	bj	bj
   Indians	92-67 ½	@ry W	@ry	@ry	@tg &

   ^{Tiebreaker: Red Sox > Indians. &=If necessary.}
   
   
3. Now Indians. See #2.
4. Now Orioles in a change. See #5.
5. Now Blue Jays in the corresponding change. Could be...

   AL Wildcard	W-L	Fri	Today	Sun	Mon
   Orioles	88-72 +1	@yn W	@yn	@yn
   Blue Jays	87-73 --	@rs L	@rs	@rs
   Tigers	86-73 ½	@br W	@br	@br	in &
   Mariners	86-74 1	at W	at	at

   ^{Tiebreakers: Blue Jays > Orioles >Tigers > Mariners;
   except Mariners > Blue Jays, Mariners > Orioles.
   &= If necessary.}
   
   
6. Cubs locked in at 102-57-1.
7. Now Nationals. Today's game is the penultimate dog game. See #8.
8. Now Dodgers. The Dodgers now need to go 2-0, while the Nationals go 0-2, to get that #8 seed. Obviously the Giants, who are fighting just to get in the playoffs, have a whole lot more on the line. The current All-Star Sabo-Metrics estimate for a Red Sox-Dodgers World Series is 10.9%. Seed #8 could be...

   NL	W-L	Fri	Today	Sun
   Nationals	93-67 +2	mz L	mz	mz
   Dodgers	91-69 --	@gn L	@gn	@gn

   ^{Tiebreaker: Dodgers > Nationals.}
   
   
9. Now Mets. Clinched a game #163 with win over Phillies. See #10.
10. Now Giants. Could be...

    NL Wildcard	W-L	Fri	Today	Sun
    Mets	86-74 +1	@ph W	@ph	@ph
    Giants	85-75 --	dd W	dd	dd
    Cardinals	84-76 1	pr W	pr	pr

    ^{Tiebreakers: Cardinals > Mets > Giants.}

I hate to interrupt this sports blog with a little Sabo news... but we had our third "Broken Arrow" yesterday. Only now I can blog the poster for the crappy movie. This was the worst Sabo Broken Arrow.


The summer of 2016 will always be known as the summer of Sabo's first love: the big floor fan. Twice this summer I noticed he wasn't stuck to the front of it. He was out being an escape artist... but neither led to a Broken Arrow.

The first time grandpa discovered Sabo out front. He brought him into me, and Sabo gave me the super big greeting. Sabo did not want to get locked out of his Sabotat! The second time I went out front looking for Sabo. I spied a tiny black spot ~1000ft down the sidewalk. I yelled "Come Here Sabo !!!1!". Sure enough, Sabo came running at about million mph up to me. What was happening here was this: grandpa had improvised a sally-port gate on the north (Chihuahua) side, and had the regular gate open while working on his gardens. He was amazed when I showed him that Sabo, a terrier who were bred to go down fox holes, could flow like water through his improvised gate. That wasn't the problem here yesterday.

The hot weather had finally moderated the last weeks of summer. But the turn of fall brought the heat back with a vengeance. This week they recorded the highest temp at Lindbergh Field since Sabo's been born. I looked up at ~8am, and noticed Sabo wasn't stuck to the front of the fan. The south side gate (away from the Chihuahua) was open. He had gone Broken Arrow.

Well, after spending ~90 minutes driving around yelling "Sabo !!!1!" out the open car windows, and asking everyone I saw if they'd seen him... there were a ton of folks out on Saturday morning, none had seen him... I got the call. The blessed call from a Good Samaritan, who will forever be known as Saint Connie, telling me she had my dog. Sabo it seems had left his yard, went around the block and across the street, and was exploring her back yard. He was hanging out quite amicably with her cats she said. Sabo's replacement Jingle-Jangles have now paid for themselves too.

I was so happy I cried. Blessed be Saint Connie !!!1! OK, now back to the regularly scheduled Papi Fest...

1. D'backs. OK, the snakes aren't in the playoffs. All the following seeds are off by +1. But, their game is also Sabo's Padres last game, it's the last dog game, and it's the last game broadcast by the Sabo's Padres great HOFer Dick Enberg. I won't be watching the D'backs game however, because of that stupid thing MLB does where all games are played at the same time. Stupid, stupid, stupid !!!1!
   
   
2. Rangers locked in at 95-66 with win over Rays.
3. Now Indians in a change. The Indians play for seeding @Royals today. I won't be watching the Indians game however, because of that stupid thing MLB does where all the games are played at the same time. Stupid, stupid, stupid !!!1! See #4.
   
   
4. Now my Red Sox, in the corresponding change. My Red Sox gave up a run in the ninth to lose 3-4. Sure, it's just seeding, but it's better to have it than not. My Red Sox need a win and an Indians loss, today or tomorrow... or two Indian losses, to move on up. I won't be watching the Red Sox game however, because of that stupid thing MLB does where all the games are played at the same time. Stupid, stupid, stupid !!!1! Seed #4 could be...

   AL	W-L	Fri	Today	Mon
   Indians	93-67 +½	@ry W	@ry	@tg &
   my Red Sox	93-68 --	bj L	bj

   ^{Tiebreaker: Red Sox > Indians. &=If necessary.}
   
   
5. Now Blue Jays in a change. The Blue Jays clinched a game #163 with win @Red Sox. See #6.
6. Now Orioles in the corresponding change. The Orioles had previously clinched a game #163. The Mariners were eliminated with loss to A's. The Tigers need a win in the last MLB game @Turner Field to even have a chance. I won't be watching the Orioles or Tigers games however, because of that stupid thing MLB does where all the games are played at the same time. Stupid, stupid, stupid !!!1! Seed #6 could be...

   AL Wildcard	W-L	Sat	Today	Mon
   Blue Jays	88-73 --	@rs W	@rs
   Orioles	88-73 --	@yn L	@yn
   Tigers	86-74 1½	@br L	@br	in &

   ^{Tiebreakers: Blue Jays > Orioles > Tigers. &= If necessary.}
   
   
7. Cubs locked in at 102-58-1.
8. Nationals locked in at 94-67 with Dodgers loss.
9. Dodgers locked in at 91-70 with loss to Giants. All-Star Sabo-Metrics has a Red Sox-Dodgers World Series at @@%.
10. Mets locked in at 87-74 with win over Phillies.
11. Now Giants. Clinched a game #163 with win over Dodgers. The Card's need a win over the Pirates to even have a chance. I won't be watching the Cardinals game however, because of that stupid thing MLB does where all the games are played at the same time. Stupid, stupid, stupid !!!1! Seed #11 could be...

    NL Wildcard	W-L	Sat	Today
    Giants	86-75 --	dd W	dd
    Cardinals	85-76 1	pr W	pr

    ^{Tiebreaker: Card's > Giants.}
    
    I'll be watching the Dodgers @Giants. Besides being arguably the best game of the day... it's the best sports announcer of all time, Vin Scully's last broadcast. Vinny famously works alone. In his honor, I'm going to stream the Dodgers broadcast exclusively. No NFL, no other MLB... for this game all the tvs will be turned off.

1. Rangers 95-67. Sunday the Giants beat the Dodgers, thereby eliminating the Cardinals. Sabo & me watched and listened to Vin Scully's call. Sublime. Simultaneously, all the other games were played. Have I mentioned stupid, stupid, stupid? So, it seems the Tigers lost and were eliminated. It seems the ten playoff teams ended up locked into the same seed as they started the day. For Rangers see #4.
   
   
2. Indians 94-67. See #3.
3. My Red Sox 93-69. Sure, it's just seeding, but it's better to have it than not. My Red Sox, after clinching the playoffs, slumped from #1 to #3 seed. So... it's off to Cleveland they go. All-Star Sabo-Metrics has a Dodgers-Red Sox World Series at 10.3%. Go Big Papi !!!1!
   
   
4. Blue Jays 90-73 (1-0 playoff). The lone canucks won a thrilling extra inning battle to win the wildcard game. Next up... on to Arlington. Beware the Blue Jays.
   
   

   Date	Game	Blue Jays SP	IP R	opp SP	IP R	Notes...
   Tue 10-4	or W 5-2(11)	Stroman	6 2	Tillman	4⅓ 2	Wins Wildcard Round !!!1!
   Wed 10-5
   Thu 10-6	@rn 1:38	Estrada		Hamels*		* Lefty
   Fri 10-7	@rn 10:08	Happ*		Darvish		Times PDT
   Sat 10-8
   Sun 10-9	rn 4:38	Sanchez		(tba)
   Mon 10-10	rn (tba)	Stroman		(tba)

   
   
5. Orioles 89-74 (0-1 playoff). Eliminated by Blue Jays. See #4.
6. Cubs 103-58-1. Host Giants Friday.
7. Nationals 95-67. Hosts Dodgers Friday.
8. Dodgers 91-71. At Nationals Friday.
9. Mets 87-76 (0-1). Eliminated by Giants. See #10.
10. Giants 87-75 (-). In another thrilling wildcard game, Noah Syndergaard went seven scoreless innings, Conor Gillaspie hit a three run homer in the ninth. Not that any of that mattered. Madison Bumgarner was just going to pitch a shutout, and he would have eventually got the GWRBI if necessary.
    
    

    Date	Game	Giants SP	IP R	Mets SP	IP R	Notes...
    Tue 10-4	@mt W 3-0	Bumgarner*	9 0	Syndergaard	7 0	Wins Wildcard Round !!!1! * Lefty

Sabo & me just learned that his Uncle, and personal trainer, Colin Reed Citron, 32, has gone onward. The last time we talked, we were talking about Sabo finally finishing school. I joked it was like the last day of HS. Colin said: "No, it's not like that. I'm Sabo's trainer for life. Always bring him back."

I only saw the bitter end of the Saints-Chargers game, so I'll let the above from the New Orleans Advocate recap that fiasco. I could blog about how these three come-from-ahead defeats aren't helping to win that elusive Superb Owl in perhaps the last try. But none of that matters this week. This is the Rivalry Bowl, the first half of the two game season-within-the-season vs. the hated Raiders.

The Rivalry Bowl is, of course, the yearly regular season matchup of San Diego Chargers @Oakland Raiders. My Chargers won the first Rivalry Bowl 44-0 way back on 1961-9-17 at San Francisco's defunct Candlestick Park. The two teams split 2-2 at Oakland's defunct Youell Stadium (My Chargers were 1-0 preseason there). However, since 1966, these games have been held at the Oakland-Alemeda County Collisium (the O.Co naming rights have expired), where my Chargers are 16-20-1. In fact, with this game, the Mausoleum moves past Denver's defunct Mile High Stadium into #2 on the list of Chargers road stadiums (with 41 including 0-3 in preseason; FYI: #1 is KC's Arrowhead Stadium with 44). Oakland won last season's Rivalry Bowl 23-20 in OT. Oakland is -180, -3½pts.


I couldn't figure out how to, or if I even could, stream the Cal game last week. This week... and this is the Sabo Big Day™ Anno... I'll miss this weeks Cal game too, as Sabo will be hosting our monthly IWW social, a picnic @Children's Park downtown. This is in celebration of the five year anny of OSD.

The above recap from the Deseret News explains how they beat Utah. Next up, is the sad sack Beavers @Reser Stadium, in Corvallis, Oregon. Cal's offense should be able to "Bear Raid" the Beavers relentlessly. Perhaps, after last week's game winning goal line stop, Cal's defense might hopefully find an offense they can stop, or at least slow down.

Oregon State is 0-1 in P12 North. Cal leads the series 36-32. Cal won last season in Berkeley 54-24. Cal is 9-12 @Reser Stadium. Cal is -550, -13½pts.


Yeah, Sabo's been yapping. I got it all wrong. Last week, SDSU's last loss was to Penn State. I'm sure he thinks I jinxed his Aztecs, as I misblogged South Alabama. That's true this week. He's got yapping rights, he's right... so what can I do ??

For the second year in a row, the massive underdog Jaguars stepped up to SDSU, and beat them as the better team on the field. Their offense picked up a quick lead, and got the job done. Their defense slowed down, if not stopping D.Pumphrey (156yds td), and came up big when needed. The game was closer than the score indicates, as Sabo's Aztecs were leading 28-24 with 12:58 left in the 4th. But a Jaguars TD, then a snap over the SDSU's punters head setting up a three yard Jaguars TD, then an 80 yard fumble recover TD by the Jaguars put the shell shocked Aztecs away.

So goodbye rankings, goodbye winning streak, and... if you believe G5 teams are even de facto eligible... goodbye playoffs. We'll see with #6 Houston. But if Houston stumbles, Sabo's Aztecs could still get that G5 Cotton Bowl invite. Which requires repeating as MW Championship. So, it's time to start focusing on the Mountain West. Oh yeah... Sabo's Aztecs 11 game conference winning streak remains intact. They start conference play ½ game down to Hawaii, and this week's guest @Q: UNLV (both 1-0 in MW West).

SDSU leads the UNLV series 16-9. SDSU won last season in Las Vegas 52-14. UNLV is 3-10 @Q (2-11 if you count the 1984 30-14 UNLV win later forfeited). SDSU is -660, -16pts.

It's Prime Time week. This week Sabo & my teams will be done before Saturday. Sabo's Aztecs start a stretch of three straight Friday Night Lights. While my Chargers, formally a NFL night fixture, will play their only prime time game this season on TNF.

My Chargers are still reeling from losing the Rivalry Bowl. Complete, of course, with a botched snap on a game tying FG attempt at the two minute warning The Chargers have now snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with winning percentages of 99.7% (Chefs), 98.6% (Saints), 82% (Colts), and 76% (Rivalry Bowl). Of course, losing to the hated Raiders makes it all much, much worse.

The upside, if there can be such a thing, of losing the Rivalry Bowl was the two sack debut of Joey Bosa. Being wildly in the "immediate need" camp this draft, I was surprised the Evil Carpetbagging Spanos Family (ECSF) finally did something right. With the third overall pick they drafted a stud projected as an "immediate impact" DL. With the so-called "Charger Rule" in the new CBA mandating salaries for top picks... so teams couldn't force holdouts like the ECSF are infamous for... what could go wrong? Well, the ECSF triggering a holdout anyway. The amazing thing is that while pretty much 100% of the press, and even a reported majority of NFL execs, were laughing, pointing, and blaming the ECSF for this fiasco... and considering the emotional torture the ECSF has and is gleefully inflicting on the fan base... your typical Bolt Head was 1000% backing the petty greed of the ECSF, and loudly vilifying Bosa & even his whole family. Stockholm Syndrome, amirite

In the end, none of this mattered, as Bosa suffered the stereotypical football injure, a hammy, and thus was delayed debuting anyways. As a team, just like last season, the Chargers are once again suffering through an epidemic of injuries. I'm not a doctor or trainer, so I won't presume to lay this at the feet of coach McCoy and staff. As a fan however, the team looks dead. I'm still surprised they brought McCoy back this season... and if it wasn't for the ECSF's established track record of playing out the string with low salary lame duck coaches just to save $$$$, I'd figure McCoy wouldn't last this season.

Let's talk playoffs. I know, ZOMG, normally it would be LMFAO talking playoffs regarding a 1-4 (0-1 vs Raiders) Chargers team. This isn't normal times. After going 0-50 winning Superb Owls, this might be the very last shot. We're not there yet, but with the bumbling start, the playoffs are starting early in this season of Double Urgency. Realistically, the Chargers need to win out, or at least go 10-1, to get a first round bye. They can only lose two, maybe three, and expect to make the playoffs. They need to start beating everybody... the harder they come, the harder they fall, one-and-all. Football Outsiders has the Chargers at 13.9% playoff chances. This needs to happen.

The place to start is at the historic Q, our house. The time to start is tomorrow, jamming up a road team with short rest. The team to start against is our most frequent opponent (this will be the 118th meeting, including preseason). The win to start should be over the world champions. The Chargers need to snap their 10 game division losing streak. Denver leads the series 63-47-1, including 1-0 in the playoffs. The Broncos are 23-26 @Q. Denver is -170, -3½pts.


Hosting UNLV, Sabo's Aztecs got back to their winning ways... running their conference win streak to 12. The Rebels played it close at first... it was only 10-7 SDSU ninety seconds before the half. The second half was a different story, as the R.Long coached defense shut down UNLV. D.Pumphrey had 198 yards from scrimmage, including 141 yards rushing, to push his national leading total to 891.

Next up, the battle for the Old Oil Can in Fresno (pix above). The can in question is the trophy established in 2011 for the San Diego State University -vs- California State University - Fresno football rivalry. Sabo's Aztecs won possession of the Old Oil Can @Q on Oct. 3rd last year, 21-7. Fresno State leads in the Old Oil Can era 3-2. SDSU leads the overall series 28–23–4. Sabo's Aztecs are 1-4 @Bulldog Stadium. SDSU is ½ game back of Hawaii (2-0), and a game ahead of Fresno State (0-1), in the MW West. SDSU is -800, -17pts.

I'm saddened to announce Sabo has lost another Uncle. Chris Bruner of San Diego went onward last week. Chris left us as the all time leader in hosting Sabo visits, and the all time leader in saving meat bones for Sabo.

About two weeks ago now Sabo once again broke his left front dewclaw. Good Nurse Sabo gnawed that broken claw off in record time, lust about two days. Of more concern, to me at least, was I've been battling a terrible cold this last week. Good Nurse Sabo has been busy nursing me with that TLC all week. His side-of-the-bed manner is just lovely. Gotta that Sabo... he's a good guy !!!1!

We'll get to Cal at the end. First up, we have Sabo's Aztecs coming off a whipping of Fresno State on Friday. SDSU easily retained the Old Oil Can up in Bulldog Stadium. The R.Long coached defense won the game by thoroughly shutting down the Bulldogs... holding them to just 217 total yards, 78 rushing. Sabo's Aztec's D.Pumphrey got 220 yards rushing himself, bringing his nation leading total to 1111.

Next up for SDSU is SJSU, the oldest college on the west coast. SDSU is now ½ game ahead of Hawaii & UNLV in the MW West. A SDSU win sends them bowling for a school record seventh straight season. SDSU is looking to tie the series, as SJSU leads 19-18-2. SDSU won last year 30-7 in San Jose. SJSU is 1-9 @Q. SDSU is -2500, -23pts.


I missed TNF, as Sabo & me we driving around the City of the Angels that evening (recap above). My Chargers once again ran up a big lead, having a 99.2% win percentage... then managed to hit that equivalent of a Hold'em 45.6-outer to hang on for the win. Next up in this most urgent of seasons is a trip to Atlanta. FYI: our tailgate host M at last year's Fish Bowl is going to this game. The Chargers are two games behind the Broncos and hated Raiders in the AFC West. The Falcons lead the series 8-1. Atlanta won the last meeting 27-3 back on 2012-9-23 @Q. The Chargers are 0-2 @Georgia Dome. The Falcons are -260, -6½pts.


Coming off a bye is always a good time to evaluate a team. First, I missed the last Cal game before the bye, as Sabo & me were at a picnic that day (game recap above). This was Cal's second bye... they had a week off earlier after their season opening win over Hawaii down under. Since then they've beaten then ranked Texas and #19 Utah. However, they lost their three other games... one of which gave Sabo yapping rights.

My Golden Bears now sit at 3-3. Gone are any playoff dreams. They're two games behind both Washington & Washington State in the Pac-12 North, with six games left. To win the division, and have a shot at the Rose Bowl, it would really help to win out. ESPN's FPI gives them 0.1% chance of doing that. They could win the division going 5-1... if Wash & Wash St go 3-3 or worse, &etc. ESPN's FPI gives them zero chance winning the conference. ESPN's FPI ranks Cal as having the 3rd hardest schedule going forward. To go bowling they'd need to finish 3-3. ESPN's FPI has them as a dog in every remaining game except Oregon, and finishing 5-7. My Golden Bears have their work cut out for them.

Cause for optimism is the "Bear Raid" offense. Grad transfer D.Webb has taken off where J.Goff left off, and is #3 nationally in passing yards (ironically #1 is Patrick Mahomes of his Alma Mater Texas Tech). Cause for alarm is the Golden Bear's defense, which hasn't really showed it can stop anyone this season.

Next up is the Oregon Ducks @Memorial Stadium. Cal leads the series 40-37-2. Oregon won last season 44-28 in Eugene. The Ducks are 15-22-1 @Memorial Stadium. Cal is -160, -3pts.

Sabo continues to enjoy Yapping|Taunting rights. He's expected to retain these rights for three years. My puddle of hope turning the tables with a championship has evaporated. My Red Sox got into the playoffs all right, but then they got ice cold instead of hot. After clinching they went 1-8, including 0-3 in the actual post season. So... goodbye Big Papi; hello Sabo yapping for ~3 years.

Looking back on our 2016 baseball picks, I've already wrapped up the win... regardless of how our final pre-series WS picks, which are guaranteed to be wrong, end up doing. Alas, predictions count for nothing when it comes to yapping|taunting rights.

2016 Baseball Picks	Sabo	me
Sabo's Dog Day Championship	Padres	Pirates
Sabo's Padres	Playoffs	Lusers
My Red Sox		Playoffs
Red Sox @Padres, Labor Day	Padres	Red Sox
Red Sox @Padres Series *	Padres 3-0	Red Sox 2-1
All-Star Game	Envision it	Attend it
World Series, preseason	Padres 4 , Astros 1	Red Sox 4 , Nationals 3
World Series, pre-series *	Spoiler: Cubs 4, Indians 1
	Spoiler: Cubs 4, Indians 1

* ^{Double checkmarks for correctly picking games.}

The LA Coliseum could be called "America's Stadium". It's also #2 on my stadium 'Bucket List'... and I'll be checking that off tomorrow night. Sure, it's been the home of USC football since 1923, was the home of UCLA football (1933 to 1981), and hosted two Olympics, hosts the LA Rams again, and was the site of the AFL-NFL World Championship Game (later renamed Super Bowl I), etc, etc... not to mention the home of the LA Express of the USFL, who julietinozi saw there.

The LA Coliseum was also the original home of the LA Dodgers (1958-1961, pix at top). It holds the MLB records for regular season attendance (78642 first game vs Giants 1958-4-18), post season attendance (92706 World Series game #5 vs White Sox 1959-10-6), and baseball attendance record period (115301 spring training, Red Sox vs Dodgers 2008-3-29). I will forever kick myself for missing that 2008 tribute game !!!1!

Friday Cal started out easily handling the Ducks, just like Sabo's Aztecs were handling things at same exact time, running up a 21-0 lead. However, Cal would fall behind to start the 4th quarter. Cal went back ahead with 9:50 remaining, but the Ducks tied it back up with 3:15 left. Cal missed an easy FG attempt to end regulation, then the teams trading TDs in the 1st OT. Like last week vs the Beavers, Cal settled for a FG in the top of the 2nd. Unlike last week, the Cal defense then got a pick to win the game. D.Webb threw for five TDs, and ran for a sixth.

USC is coming off their bye. USC leads the series 68-29-5 (counting a forfeit by each team). The Trojans won last year 27-21 in Berkeley. Cal is 20-49-4 @LA Coliseum (including 12-32-3 vs USC; not counting a UCLA forfeit). With five games left, Cal is two back in the P12 North. USC is -700,-16pts.


Sabo's Aztecs are going bowling for a school record seventh straight season. If they don't win the MW they'll most likely be bowling their home alley, er @Q, Dec. 21st in the Poinsettia Bowl (although if Boise St is picked for the Cotton Bowl, SDSU could play in the Las Vegas Bowl). If they repeat as MW Champs, they'll most likely play the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 17th (although they could get picked for the NY6 Cotton Bowl on Jan. 2nd).

Sabo's Aztecs became bowl eligible by thoroughly trouncing SJSU @Q under the Friday night lights. The R.Long coached defense again won the game, holding the Spartans to only three points, and 209 yards. D.Pumphrey, with two TDs, broke Marshall Faulk's overall and rushings team records.

Next up: SDSU is moving on up, up to 4710' that is in Logan UT. They'll be playing what's been projected as their hardest matchup this season vs. Utah State. SDSU has won nine straight vs Utah State, and leads the series 11-1. Last season, the Aztecs won 48-14 @Q. SDSU is 2-0 @Maverik Stadium. With five games left, the Aztecs are ½ game up in the MW West. SDSU is -240,-6pts.


Sunday my Chargers tried a different approach. Instead of rolling up a big lead, then losing... they fell 17 behind the Falcons, then came back to win in overtime. Next up: the Broncos who they beat @Q two weeks ago. The now oddly named Sports Authority Field is the Chargers 7th most visited stadium (preseason included). The Chargers are 6-10 there, including 0-1 in the playoffs. With nine games left, San Diego is two games back in the AFC West. Denver is -230,-5½pts.

On Sabo's behalf, I'd like to congratulate the Chicago baseball fans on their first WS championship since 2005. He would only smile when I asked him, but I think Sabo was kinda backing the Cubbies. OTOH the Cleveland fans have now endured 68 years without winning a WS... twenty years longer than Padres fans like Sabo. With the Cubs first WS in 108 years, and the season over, my 2016 Baseball Picks ended up at 6-4, while Sabo went 2-6.

The Rangers won the SDDC, They didn't technically have it wrapped up until after the season, however. As they say, the SDDC schedule is always a work in progress. If I would have taken Sabo to "knothole" the Padres Futures Game (above), the Mighty Cubs would have ended up being SDCC champs too. I didn't...and wouldn't have, as the game was free.

Unlike the human Cubs fans, the Cubs dogs are whining. Those dogs are whining that, just like last season, they've been robbed of a championship by an in-season rule change. The Mighty Cubs finished ½ game ahead of the champion Rangers, which was the standard when the season started. However during the season, the Competition Committee changed the standard to Record Difficulty Factor, then winning percentage. I'll repeat: Sabo runs with the big dogs. Once again, he just smiles at this so-called controversy.

Or perhaps "Post Legislative Special", as the news of As the Stadiums Turn hasn't been the Chargers Stadium initiative on Tuesday... which is still going to lose (rendering at top). Instead it's been... wait for it... the Nevada state legislature. Because of these Carson City based pols, I'm changing my considered opinion: I now feel this won't be the last season for my San Diego Chargers. This is why:

• Nevada's pols voted the largest sports subsidy ever to lure the hated Raiders to Las Vegas. This is hardly a done deal. But, there's 750 million reasons to think Mark Davis (no, not the Cy Young award winning RP for the Padres) will at least ask his fellow NFL owners for permission to move. However...
  
  
• The NFL owners aren't going to vote on any of this shiz in January. They are, quite understandably given Las Vegas' #40 media ranking, gonna wanna have some economic studies ginned up. There is no real hurry anyways, as M.Davis is saying he'll play as an Oakland "Lame Duck" in 2017 & 2018. So, with M.Davis currently too busy, so to speak, to exercise his secondary LA option, what about the Evil Carpetbagging Spanos Family (ECSF)'s primary LA option, which extends to 2017-1-15? Well...
  
  
• There's a clause in last season's Rams agreement saying the ECSF can request an extension of their LA option to 2018-1-15 if a stadium initiative passes. I predict the NFL owners will, at the ECSF's request, "punt" and so extend the Charger's LA option... even though the initiative will have lost (<2/3 majority), and even if it loses badly (<50%). This group of spoiled inherited billionaires are most understandably infamous for collectively kicking the can down the road whenever possible.

The ECSF have already demonstrated this season that they'd rather be #1 @Q > #3 @LA Coliseum. After finally visiting the Coliseum last week I can see why. For what the NFL really sells... higher priced tickets, luxury boxes, alcohol, and club sections... the Q's misshapen facilities are better than the Coliseum's nonexistent ones. They are simply not going to draw more fans at the Coliseum, as a #3, and especially without the parking the Q has. There's no reason for the ECSF to move the team to LA before the Ram's stadium is completed. Bolt fans... get ready for 2017: Season of Torture III.

Oh yeah, they play football too. Despite my predictions, the ECSF still could immediately move the team... so it's still a season of extreme urgency. That urgency spiked Sunday as my Chargers lost in Denver 19-27. Football Outsiders have them down to just 14.7% to make the playoffs. It was a "could have/should have" game to win, excepting turnovers and a couple of late offensive failures. With eight games left, my Chargers are in last, three back in the AFC West.

Next up: Titans @Q. This is this season's Fish Bowl... the game I would have gone to if I wasn't boycotting. The Chargers are 10-2 vs. various Titans (including 3-1 vs New York Titans), and 8-1 vs. various Tennessee teams (including 1-0 vs. TN Oilers). The Titans are 0-5 @Q (including 0-1 in playoffs; not including TN Oilers 0-1 in preseason). The Titans won the last meeting, in this very preseason (Week -1), and won the last regular season meeting 20-17 back on 2013-9-22. San Diego is -200,-4pts.


My 'bucket list' trip to the LA Coliseum was a great success. The 'Nuncle', my Uncle B, joined me for the game. FYI: I'm a month older than the Nuncle. This stadium most certainly was deserved to have been #2 on my bucket list. Even though we were past the end line, we still had an excellent view of the game, with a generous c-value. I'm glad USC will be keeping this historic venue going for the next ~100 years. This was the largest stadium I've ever been in (currently 93k). My previous personal record was Cal's Memorial Stadium (then 75k). However, attendance was only 42k when I was at Memorial Stadium, and the paid attendance at the Coliseum Thursday was 61,725... meaning the biggest sports crowds I've been a part of remain at the Q (high 60k for both MLB & NFL).

My trip to the LA Coliseum was a great success, but there were a few glitches nonetheless. My trick right foot was acting up, and I couldn't bring my Good Nurse Sabo to care for me. It's not baseball so I missed my little boy. We missed the first USC TD because we got the most incompetent Uberista ever... he didn't know how to use his GPS, =and= didn't have the slightest idea where Union Station is =or= where the Coliseum is. There is no beer during USC games

Oh... and one other thing... Cal got slaughtered. The Cal defense gave up three USC TDs to open the game. The rest of the game they basically gave up a score every time Cal's offense got a score... and ended up yielding 629 yards. Next up: Washington. The #5 8-0 Huskies. The motivation is simple: Cal needs to win to keep their Rose Bowl dream alive. The Huskies lead the series 52-39-4. Washington is 23-19-1 @Memorial Stadium. Cal won last year's meeting 30-24 in Seattle. Washington is -900,-17pts.


Last week Sabo's Aztecs whipped Utah State to completed a perfect 3-0 stretch under the Friday Night Lights. D.Pumphrey rushed for 223yds, advancing his national lead to 1469yds, and moving into 5th on the all time rushing list with 5741yds. Next up: the Rainbows @Q. Sabo's Aztecs needs a win, and a New Mexico win (-650,-15pts), to clinch the MW West. Sabo's Aztecs lead the series 19-9-2. The Rainbows are 3-8 @Q (including a 27-17 win over Illinois in the 1992 Holiday Bowl). SDSU won last year's meeting 28-14 in Hawaii. SDSU is -1600,-21½pts.

OK, that was Arlington TX vote for a new MLB stadium. If Sabo's going to attend a game @Globe Life, he'll need to go the next three seasons. The San Diego stadium vote, which needed 67% yes to pass, lost badly... only getting 43% yes. Going forward, the Evil Carpetbagging Spano's Family have already announced that "no decision will be announced until after the football season concludes". So, there you have it for now... the torture will continue unabated.

At short notice my brotherman L & me attended Sunday's Fish Bowl. To review, the Fish Bowl is the Chargers home game that I, the "fish", would most like to attend. This year for the Titans, we were in P21R6, which has a view right between the goalposts opposite the scoreboard. We did it up right: trolleying in early to watch the early game at a classic San Diego tailgate, complete with mobil home. Our friend M was once again our hostess. It was a perfect sunny San Diego fall day. I wouldn't say there were a lot, but a surprising few were sporting Titan's gear. TN not New York. Who knew anyone was really from Nashville? A great time was had by all... with nary a hooligan in sight.

This Fish Bowl would have been in hand like last years except for a short window around halftime: After a Charger's FG to make it 19-7 Chargers 28 seconds after the 2-min warning... TN scores a TD, gets the 2nd half kickoff, then marches down to score another TD... to go ahead 23-19. Ouch. However, M.Gordon, having the biggest game of his career with 261yds from scrimmage (2nd only to L.Tomlinson's team record 271) to put the Chargers up for good with the next score.

L & me attended last season's Fish Bowl, the Dolphins game, which the Chargers won 30-14. The difference was striking. Last year it looked to be the last Chargers home game ever. It was the most emotional game I've been to. Fans, vendors, players were crying. This year it was just another great day @Q. Nobody mentioned the vaporware 'convadium' (at top, which we can now consign to history along with the vaporware Carson stadium, at bottom), no fans mentioned Measure C, nobody mentioned the whole odious election at all, nobody was emotional, there was no sense of dread that the team was immediately going to move... and it wasn't close to a sellout.

Next up: coincidently, a rematch of last year's Fish Bowl, as described above. The Dolphins lead the series 16-15, including 2-2 in the playoffs. Miami is 5-10 @Q, including 0-1 in the playoffs. San Diego is -185,-4pts.


Sabo's Aztecs pounded the Rainbows every which way and loose @Q on Saturday. Sabo was out yapping in celebration. Early the next morning... after the first, but before the second, 1am Albuquerque time... Sabo's Aztecs clinched the MW Western Division with New Mexico's win. Sabo started into yapping again... but I called him in. He may have yapping rights over me, but he doesn't have yapping rights over the neighbors after 10pm.

So, what do Sabo's Aztecs have to play for before the championship game? Pride in their 16 game conference win streak, seeding, and a chance at the NY6 Cotton Bowl... if they can win out -and- anyone but Western Michigan wins the MAC (6.4% by ESPN FPI). Of course, seeding here means championship game home field advantage. In a sane world, if Sabo's Aztecs win out, they'd have the only undefeated conference record, and would therefore host the game. That's how it works in the AAC and CUSA. Here in the insane MW, none of that matters. It's BCS style ranking and those damn computers. Excuse me while I puke like it was 1999.

OK... where do Sabo's Aztecs stand? Well, they're slightly behind in the computers to Wyoming (see above). This will most likely be settled on the field, as the teams meet in Laramie on Nov. 19th. They're comfortably ahead in the computers over New Mexico, and longshots Colorado State and Air Force... enough that they could *probably* eat a loss. The wild card is #22 ranked Boise State. If the Broncos win out, =and= Wyoming (-275,-7½pts) loses @UNLV tomorrow, -or- @Utah State on Nov. 26th... Sabo's Aztecs will be flying to the game (34.5% by ESPN FPI).

Next up: @Nevada. Sabo's Aztecs lead the series 5-3. SDSU is 1-2 @Mackay Stadium. The Aztecs won last year 31-14 @Q. SDSU is -2000,-23½pts.


As it has every year since the 1958 season, the Dream of the Rose has died on the vine. Saturday Cal ran with the Huskies for a while, pulling within one at 20-21 in the 2nd quarter... but that was it. The Cal defense gave up 704yds, They're now averaging yielding 527.9yd/gm, 125th in FBS. They're #128 and worst in run defense at 286.7yd/gm.

So, what do my Golden Bears have left to play for? Two things: Big Game and going bowling. They'll need two wins in the last three games to achieve the latter. It won't be easy, ESPN's FPI gives them 34.8% and 19.7% chances respectively. Next up: #23 Washington @Pullman WA. My Golden Bears lead the series 46-26-5. Cal is 7-11 @Martin Stadium. Cal won last season 34-28 in Berkeley. Washington State is -600,-14½pts.

Canine Cocktails @Hotel Indigo tomorrow with our good friend, and Sabo's new personal trainer, JQ.

Saturday I attend the wake for my friend, and Sabo's Uncle, Chris Bruner. His elderly mother said "I recognize you, where's Sabo?". Sabo actually couldn't attend. She said the last couple of years they always saved their meat bones for Sabo. It's always sad when a parent buries their child.

So, now that the rose has been plucked, what do my Golden Bears have to play for? Big Game The Cardinal kept the Axe at home last year 35-22. The Cardinal are uncharastically weak this season. Stanford has won six straight games. It's time for the Axe to do more than just visit Berkeley. The Cal band will be marching Telegraph Ave tonight. It's time for the Axe to stay in Berkeley. Go Golden Bears !!!1!

Last Saturday in Pullman Washington State eviscerated Cal. It was another epic defensive failure... nuff said. Stanford leads the Cal series 61-46-11. To go bowling Cal needs to win out (11% proj). Stanford is 25-20-6 @Memorial Stadium. Stanford is -450,-10½pts.


So, with the division wrapped up, what do Sabo's Aztecs have to play for? Pride in their 17 game conference win streak, with Clemson's loss to Pitt, now the longest in FBS, home field for the championship game, and a chance at a NY6 Bowl. Barring some unlikely backdoor scenarios, this is where SDSU stands:

• MW Championship, Dec 4, New Mexico (proj) @SDSU. To play @Q SDSU needs to win out, Boise State needs to lose a game (18%).
• Las Vegas Bowl, Dec 17, SDSU vs. Arizona State (proj). Two scenarios: SDSU wins the MW, Western Michigan wins the MAC =or= Boise State wins out, wins the MW, and Western Michigan doesn't win the MAC (49% total).
• Poinsettia Bowl, Dec 21, BYU @SDSU. Saturday BYU beat FCS Southern Utah 37-7 in Provo. Afterwards, BYU (6-4) officially accepted their Poinsettia Bowl bid. Sabo's Aztecs "safety bowl" is most likely @Q (42%).
• NY6 Cotton Bowl, Jan 2, SDSU vs. Colorado #10 (proj). SDSU needs to win out, win the MW, Western Michigan doesn't win the MAC (9%).

Sabo's Aztecs neutered the Wolf Pack in Reno Saturday. D.Pumphrey ran for 198yds, moving into 4th on the all-time list. Next up: A possible MW Champ preview @Wyoming. The Cowboys lead the series 18-17. Sabo's Aztecs are 6-11 @War Memorial Stadium, which at 7215' is the highest in FBS. Sabo's Aztecs won last year 38-3 @Q. SDSU is -400,-10pts.

Sabo had a great time at Canine Cocktails like usual. JQ official accepted Sabo, and is now his new Aunt and Personal Trainer. Sabo, for his part, was actually a little playful with JQ two nights ago. He was very playful with his late Uncle and Personal Trainer Colin. It was a little sad, this changing of the guard, so to speak... but Sabo deserves the best, and life goes on for Sabo. That Sabo he's a good guy !!!1!

Tomorrow, Sabo's going to his regular IWW meeting, which is always fun for Sabo.

Coming out of their bye is always a good time to evaluate a team. The Chargers have suffered an unusual amount of key injuries (again), specialized in incredible come-from-ahead defeats (like always), isn't particularly good (alas), and there's a mystery why the coach has a job (still). The local press considers the season toast at 4-6. They do have some upside, particularly rookie J.Bosa and future HOFer P.Rivers. Perversely all the close losses point to a better team. But they slumped into the bye losing another game they shoulda, coulda, won... another come-from-ahead defeat. P.Rivers had the worst game of his career, throwing four completions... to the Dolphins. It's been a brutal season so far... even without the special background emotional torture.

As blogged earlier, under normal circumstances the playoffs would start early this year. An 11-round Virtual Extended Playoffs would be declared. My Chargers would have earned last week's first-round bye on their 4-6 record. Just win ten more rounds to capture that elusive Superb Owl. However, these last two seasons are not normal circumstances. As current UCLA coach J.Mora (above) would surely agree, there's no sense talking playoffs from last place. This season the presumptive wild card teams are the Broncos & Chefs. This season just getting out of last would likely get my Chargers into that other thingee by default. So... the post-bye plan is to simple worry about getting outta last place... and just pretend that other thingee doesn't exist.

Oh, the math that us Bolt Heads do. OK... my Chargers win the next five. They're undefeated @NRG. As a rivalry game, the Hooligan Bowl vs the hated Raiders is a given. They should be favored in two of the other three. Let's say the Broncos lose to the Patriots and split with the Chefs. That would set up New Year's Day, where if the hated Raiders beat the Broncos... the Chargers would escape the basement by winning The Charger Bowl at home against the Chefs. Similar farfetched scenarios exist. Altogether Football Outsiders give the Chargers a 3.2% chance of escaping last place (...and that other thingee too).

It's still the most urgent of seasons. This needs to get done. First up outta the bye: @Texans. FWIW, the Texans are on short rest, coming off MNF @Azteca Stadium in Mexico City... while my Chargers are on long rest, coming off their bye. San Diego is 21-15-1 vs Houstons (including 17-14-1 vs Oilers), and 7-2 vs Texanses (including 3-1 vs Dallas). My Chargers are 2-0 @NRG (3-0 including preseason). The last meeting was back on 2013-9-9 @Q. The Bolts lost 28-31 after blowing a 21 point lead. Some things never change. Houston is -115,-1pt.


Well, that was depressing. The pressure must have gotten to Sabo, because he was out yapping a symphony sweating the game. After the game he was silent... seemingly sulking or in shock. One point down, with no time left, Sabo's Aztecs failed on a two point try. They scored that TD on a Hail Mary with one second left... which was ruled incomplete... then overturned on replay. The TD finished a 99 yard drive with only a minute left. Of course, Sabo's Aztecs wouldn't have even have been in the game without a school record two kickoff returns, one to start the game. Ouch.

I tried to explain to Sabo about keeping things in perspective. His Aztecs are still playing for the conference championship. His Aztecs are still going bowling. Perversely, the loss increased SDSU's chances of winning the conference. They most likely will be right back in Laramie next week for a rematch. So, without a conference win streak, and without a NY6 dream, what's to play for? Well... Senior Day, and if Boise State loses on Friday... a chance to host the championship game. Next up: Colorado State. SDSU leads the series 20-13. The Rams are 8-13 @Q, including 7-10 vs SDSU. Sabo's Aztecs won 41-17 last year in Colorado Springs Ft. Collins. SDSU is -425,-11½pts.

• MW Championship, Dec 4, Wyoming @SDSU. To play @Q SDSU needs to win, a Wyoming loss, and a Boise State #19 loss (10%).
• Las Vegas Bowl, Dec 17, SDSU vs. Arizona State (proj). SDSU wins the MW =or= Boise State wins the MW, Western Michigan doesn't win the MAC (72%).
• Poinsettia Bowl, Dec 21, BYU @SDSU (28%).

I figured out about streaming P12-Bay Area on SD Spectrum (fka TWC)... I can't. So I missed Big Game (above). So no roses, no Axe, no bowling for the Berkeley bros this season. My Golden Bears complete their disappointing season against UCLA on Saturday. What's to play for? Well... Senior Day and the mythical UC championship.

Davis is the only other UC football school. Both Cal (> Oregon >) and UCLA (> UNLV > Wyoming >) have "degree of separation" wins over the FCS Aggies. UCLA leads the Cal series 53-32-1. The Bruins are 23-20 @Memorial Stadium. UCLA won 40-24 last year at the Rose Bowl. UCLA is -160,-3½pts.

On Sabo's behalf, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. For those who live where there's no Thanksgiving, like julietinozi, I'd just like to add our condolences that you live somewhere where there is nothing to be thankful for. No Turkey, or pumpkin pie, for you. Grandpa, who doesn't like a fuss if julietinozi isn't visiting, will be having turkey sandwich and pie with whipped cream tomorrow. I'm going to give Sabo some chicken and pumpkin pie (no whipped cream). I get to watch football.

This will be Sabo & my third Thanksgiving together... can you believe it? He doesn't come right out and say it, but Sabo's a thankful dog. He shows this two ways: he's happy and he's loving.

Compared to his days in doggy prison, Sabo has a lot to be thankful for. He gets regular vet visits. He has his jingle-jangles and other gear. He always has rocks & water down. He's always got a safe place inside. Thanks to his Sabo Door, he always has his Sabotat to patrol, he's always got room to run and terraces to jump. He's always got his nest, he has his burrow privileges (which he's been exercising every night now with the change in seasons). He's got his Padres, and visits his shrine, and he has his quests and road trips. He attends games, and union meetings, he visiting friends, goes on errands, and gets plenty of walks & hikes. He's got the neighbors to yap at... and they love his yapping. He's got his Aunts and Uncles, friends, and union sisters and brothers. But most important... he's no longer a lost stray. Now he's part of a pack. Now he shares the love and attention that we all need, and that Sabo so deserves. And when he wants more of the love and attention... he knows it's just a nose-nudge away.

Gotta that Sabo... he's a good guy !!!1!.

Again, I had to have a talk with Sabo about keeping things in perspective. His Aztecs are having a great season. They're defending MW champs. They're playing for their second consecutive championship. They are favorites at -265,-6½pts. Then they're going bowling for the seventh straight year. At the beginning of the season... this is right where you wanna be.

Well, except for that where being in Laramie (below). There are concerns. No yapping this weekend... instead Sabo borrowed deeply under the covers, seemingly in shock. Colorado State crushed his Aztecs. For the second week D.Pumphrey was held to nominal yardage, like the earlier S.Alabama loss, it seems if this team falls a few scores down it just isn't able to come back, and most shocking... for second week the defense was porous, this time on a wet field.

About that bowl... well, it seems ESPN, which owns the Las Vegas Bowl, doesn't have to pick the MW champ. They're openly musing picking Boise State regardless. So, it looks like Sabo's Aztecs will be bowling at home in the Poinsettia Bowl, win or lose. Which is fine with me. I ain't going to Vegas, but I'll go see BYU@SDSU. Sabo's SOL attending either way.


Well, thanks to the Broncos OT loss on SNF, the post bye quest to escape the cellar is off to a fine start. That, and my Chargers victory @Texans. P.Rivers, J.Bosa, and WR D.Inman all had big games. The Chargers were in control the whole game, and actually played like a good team. It just makes a Bolt Head shake that head and wonder again about those incredible come-from-ahead defeats earlier this season. *sigh*

Next up: Buc's @Q. My Chargers lead the series 7-2 (not counting the scab game of '87). The Bucs are 2-4 @Q, including a 48-21 whipping of the hated Raiders in Superb Owl XXXVII. This last fact I researched by examining the commemorative mini-football Sabo found abandoned in the canyon behind Kearney HS. Tampa Bay won the last meeting vs Chargers 34-24 in Tampa back on 2012-11-11. San Diego is -200,-3½pts.

Bookmark this page for the best sponsor free bowl listing on the interwebs... this year enhanced with conference and division winners:

Quote:

Date	Time	TV	Bowl	Record	Team	Record	Team	Pts	At Home of...	Notes
Sat Dec 10	9:00	CBS	War	6-5	Army	#25 9-3	Navy AA+	-7	NFL Ravens	Regular season
Sat Dec 17	11:00	ESPN	New Mexico	6-6	UTSA CUSA	8-4	@New Mexico MW	-7	@University Std
	12:30	ABC	Las Vegas	10-3	Sabo's Aztecs MW++	9-3	Houston AA	-3	UNLV
	2:30	CBSSN	Cure	6-6	Central Florida AA	7-5	Arkansas State SB++	-6	MLS Orlando
	2:30	ESPN	Camellia	9-3	Appalachian State SB++	9-3	Toledo MAC	-1	NAIA Faulkner	Montgomery AL
	6:00	ESPN	New Orleans	6-6	Southern Miss CUSA	6-6	Louisiana-Lafayette SB	-3	NFL Saints
Sun Dec 18	1:25	CBS	Hooligan		Raiders		@Chargers		Q	NFL
Mon Dec 19	11:30	ESPN	Miami Beach	6-6	Central Michigan MAC	9-3	Tulsa AA	-12	MLB Marlins
Tue Dec 20	4:00	ESPN	Boca Raton	8-4	Memphis AA	10-3	Western Kentucky CUSA++	-4	Florida Atlantic
Solstice	6:00	ESPN	Poinsettia	8-5	Wyoming MW+	8-4	BYU	-8½	Q
Thu Dec 22	4:00	ESPN	Potato	8-4	Idaho SB	7-5	Colorado State MW	-13½	Boise State
Fri Dec 23	10:00	ESPN	Bahamas	7-5	Eastern Michigan MAC	9-3	Old Dominion CUSA	-3½	FIFA Bahamas	Nassau
	1:30	ESPN	Armed Forces	8-5	Louisiana Tech CUSA+	#25	Navy AA+		TCU
	5:00	ESPN	Mobile	8-5	Ohio MAC+	9-3	Troy SB	-3½	South Alabama	now Dollar General
Xmas Eve	5:00	ESPN	Hawaii	8-4	Middle Tennessee CUSA	6-7	@Hawaii MW	nl	@Aloha Std
Boxing Day	8:00	ESPN	St.Petersburg	6-6	Miami (of OH) MAC	5-7	Mississippi State SEC	-12	MLB Rays
	11:30	ESPN	Pizza	6-6	Boston College ACC	6-6	Maryland B10	-2	NFL Lions	now Quick Lane
	5:00	ESPN2	Independence	6-6	Vanderbilt SEC	6-6	North Carolina State ACC	-4	@Indep Std	Shreveport LA
Tue Dec 27	9:00	ESPN	Heart of Dallas	5-7	North Texas SB		Army		@Cotton Bowl Std
	10:00		Bowl Parade						@CAC Park	Sabo !!!1!
	12:30	ESPN	Military	6-6	Wake Forest ACC	#24 10-3	Temple AA++	-13	Navy
	4:00	ESPN	Holiday	8-4	Minnesota B10	8-4	Washington State P12	-6½	Q
	7:15	ESPN	Cactus	6-6	Baylor B12	10-2	Boise State MW	-9	MLB D'backs
Wed Dec 28	11:00	ESPN	Pinstripe	6-6	Northwestern B10	#23 8-4	Pittsburgh ACC	-5	MLB Yankees
	2:30	ESPN	Florida Tourist	#16 10-2	West Virginia B12	8-4	Miami (of FL) ACC	-3	MLS Orlando	now Russell Athletic
	5:30	Fox	Emerald	6-6	Indiana B10	#19 8-4	Utah P12	-8	NFL 49ers	now Foster Farms
	6:00	ESPN	Texas	8-4	Kansas State B12	8-4	Texas A&M SEC	-2	NFL Texans
Thu Dec 29	11:00	ESPN	Birmingham	6-6	South Carolina SEC	10-2	South Florida AA	-10½	UAB (on hiatus)
	2:30	ESPN	Care	7-5	Arkansas SEC	#22 9-4	Virginia Tech ACC+	-6½	NFL Panthers	now Belk
	6:00	ESPN	Alamo	#12 9-3	Oklahoma State B12	#10 10-3	Colorado P12+	-3	UTSA
Fri Dec 30	9:00	ESPN	Liberty	6-6	TCU B12	7-5	Georgia SEC	-1	Memphis
	11:00	CBS	Sun	8-4	North Carolina ACC	#18 9-3	Stanford P12	-3	UTEP
	12:30	ESPN	Music City	9-3	Nebraska B10	#21 8-4	Tennesee SEC	-3	NFL Titans
	2:30		Arizona	6-6	South Alabama SB	9-3	Air Force MW	-12½	Arizona
	5:00	ESPN	Orange	#11 9-3	Florida State ACC	#6 10-2	Michigan B10	-7	NFL Dolphins	NY6
NY Eve	8:00	ABC	Citrus	7-5	Kentucky SEC	8-4	Georgia Tech ACC	-4	MLS Orlando
	8:00	ESPN	Gator	#13 9-3	Louisville ACC	#20 7-4	LSU SEC	-3	NFL Jaguars	now TaxSlayer
	12:00	ESPN	Peach	#4 12-1	Washington P12++	#1 13-0	Alabama SEC++	-16½	NFL Falcons	NY6 Playoff
	4:00	ESPN	Fiesta	#2 12-1	Clemson ACC++	#3 11-1	Ohio State B10	-3½	NFL Card's	NY6 Playoff
NY Day	1:25	CBS	Charger		Chefs		@Chargers		Q	NFL
Mon Jan 2	10:00	ABC	Hall of Fame	8-4	Iowa B10	#17 8-4	Florida SEC+	-2½	NFL Buc's	now Outback
	10:00	ESPN	Cotton	#15 13-0	Western Michigan MAC++	#8 10-3	Wisconsin B10+	-7½	NFL Cowboys	NY6
	2:00	ESPN	Rose	#5 11-2	Penn State B10++	#9 9-3	USC P12	-7	UCLA	NY6
	5:30	ESPN	Sugar	#14 8-4	Auburn SEC	#7 10-2	Oklahoma B12++	-4½	NFL Saints	NY6
Mon Jan 9	5:30	ESPN	FBS						NFL Buc's	FBS Championship
Sun Feb 5	3:30	Fox	Superb Owl LI						NFL Texans	NFL Championship

++ ^{Conference Champ. SB has co-champs.} + ^{Division winner. Odds: vegasinsiders.com. Ranking: Final CFP. Time: pst.}

It's the most wonderful time of the year... for ESPN. That's right, it's bowl season. Amazingly enough Sabo's Aztecs are going to the ESPN's Las Vegas Bowl, and they're going to play Houston. How did that happen? Well, last week ESPN went to the conferences and negotiated a swap option for the dozen bowls they own. The purpose is to set up better games... and swap they did, setting up this top-10 matchup, and the best bowl with a G5 team besides the Cotton Bowl. Sabo was yapping for joy !!!1!

Where & When trivia... Home teams: New Mexico & Hawaii. No P5 or independent teams bowl before Xmas. Only six G5 teams bowl after Xmas. Matchups: P5-vs-P5(21), G5-vs-G5(13), P5-vs-G5(4), G5-vs-Ind(2). In bowls: P5 46/64 (72%), G5 32/60 (53%), Ind 2/4 (50%). In playoffs: P5 (6%). Conf-vs-Conf: none unlike last season. Rematch: Heart of Dallas Bowl is rematch of 10-22 North Texas 35 @Army 18. Records: 13-0(2), 12-1(2), 11-1, 11-2, 10-2(5), 10-3(5), 9-3(14, including Navy who still plays Army), 9-4, 8-4(18), 8-5(3), 7-4, 7-5(6), 6-5(Army), 6-6(17), 6-7, 5-7(2).


In the meantime, the post-bye Quest to Escape the Cellar had a catastrophic day Sunday. In a morning game the sad sack Jaguars rolled over to the Broncos and lost 10-20, deservedly eliminating themselves. Then, in an afternoon game, my Chargers engineered came close to doing the sme with another come-from-ahead defeat 21-28. The Chargers coulda, shoulda, won this game too.

Oh, the math us Bolt Heads do. All that needs to happen is for the Chargers to win the next three. EZ game: this week over the slumping Panthers, the rivalry Hooligan Bowl is a given, and the Browns are 0-12. The Broncos need to lose two of three against the Titans (6-6), Patriots (10-2), or Chefs (9-3). That sets up the New Years Day Cellar Escape Chargers Bowl. Carolina leads the series 4-1. My Chargers are 1-1 @BofA Stadium. The Panthers won the last meeting 31-7 back on 2012-12-16 @Q. Carolina is -1pt.

The primary reason the Chargers are #1 in arrests is the yearly Hooligan Bowl. This Shame of the NFL has racked up 69, 60, 36, etc arrests recently. Combine the Evil Carpetbagging Spanos Family driving down attendance 11k/game with the hated Raiders big season could well result in record breaking numbers. I ain't going... or even watching, as I'll be chaperoning Sabo at his relocated IWW meeting that day. They should go ahead and move this game to LA, ASAP, regardless, already.

Twice a year, nothing else matters. It doesn't matter that the Raiders are 10-3, and cake walking into the playoffs. Dude bros playing dress-up and fighting don't matter. It doesn't matter that my Chargers are 4-8, and all but mathematically eliminated. All the urgency disappearing don't matter. It doesn't even matter the Panthers pounded the Chargers in Charlotte... while M.Gordon and J.Bosa got carted off the field, and P.Rivers turned the ball over five times. Nobody cares that the Raiders are -3pts. It's Raiders week. It only matters that the hated Raiders have won three straight, including the Rivalry Bowl earlier this season, and the Hooligan Bowl last season. Charge On Chargers !!!1!
Las Vegas Bowl vs.Houston. Sabo's Aztecs open the bowl season after just a week off... so it's effectively a bye. SDSU got to Vegas by going back to Laramie, and winning their 3rd MW title... and the second unshared in a row. According to the announcers this was the first December football game in Wyoming in over 100 years, and the 2nd coldest game SDSU has ever played in. Credit to both teams that the cold, or elevation, didn't seem to affect play. I really think the Aztecs being there just two weeks before prepared them well. It was another close game that could have gone either way... but this time SDSU won.

The Houston Cougars are what the SDSU football program aspires to be. They're the marque G5 team. They won the de facto G5-sub-subsection last season, getting the token NY6 bid. Then they beat Florida State in the Peach Bowl. They were first choice when the P5 Big Twelve was considering expansion. This season they scheduled up, and beat ACC power Louisville, and B12 champion Oklahoma. This season they're in the de facto G5 second place playoff. Former OC Major Applewhite will be making his coaching debut, replacing T.Herman who took the Texas job. That's the Houston coach's name, not a rank.

If SDSU wants to take it to the next level, if they wanna be the next Houston... they gotta start playing at that level. They need to start winning these kinda games. This is a big game for the program's future.

Houston won the two previous meetings, 49-14 @Astrodome in 1972, and 14-9 @Q in 1973. Sabo's Aztecs have played in the Las Vegas Bowl once, losing to North Carolina 13-20 in 1998. SDSU is 6-7 overall in Boyd Stadium. Houston has never played in the Las Vegas Bowl. The Cougars are undefeated and unscored upon at Boyd Stadium, beating UNLV 69-0 in their only visit in 1989. This is the only game where Sabo's Aztecs are dogs. Houston is -3½pts.