Northern Illinois @Sabo's Aztecs. For the second week in a row, Sabo's Aztecs had a game delayed. In a torrential downpour, halfway through the second quarter, the game was delayed over a hour by lightning. After play resumed, in lighter rain, and front of only a handful of diehards... they did something strange. They skipped halftime and just played on through.

Like last week with Stanford, SDSU was outplayed before the interruption... then Sabo's Aztecs were the better team afterwards. This time they ere down 0-9 before, and outscored the Falcons 28-15 afterwards.

Sabo's Aztecs have never lost to N.Illinois (5-0). I watched last year's matchup @DeKalb in Max Lager's microbrewery in Atlanta. Sabo's Aztecs won handily 42-28. Northern Illinois is 0-5 @SDCCU Stadium (inc 0-2 vs Aztecs). NIL's last visit in 2015 was for the now defunct Poinsettia Bowl, where Boise State slaughtered the Huskies 55-7. SDSU is -400 (-10 pts).


Golden Bears @Oregon. My Golden Bears played USC even for three quarters, but then USC scored 17 pts in ~six minutes. Take away a few takeaways/etc and Cal wins this game.

Oregon also lost last week, making them no longer undefeated or ranked. Regardless it's still a tough game... in the toughest part of the toughest FBS schedule. Cal leads the series on the field 40-38-2. At Autzen, Cal is 5-15 on the field. Cal won last season's meeting 52-49 @Memorial Stadium. Oregon is -700 (-15½ pts).


Panthers @my Patriots. I finally saw my Pats... and what I saw was a miraculous comeback keyed by Tom Brady. Now... I'm used to cliff-hanger endings, but I'm haven't been used to my team actually winning them. Well... I guess this is how the other side lives.

This tv situation is trying my patience however. You'd think the defending champs would be all over the tv. Nope. None of the four semi-annoying practice games were on here. I missed the opening game, which was on tv, as Sabo & me were at the Nationals game. Then the next two Pats games were the CBS national games... but they crammed the LA teams, then last week the Buffalo team, down our tubes. This week, the Pats game isn't the Fox national game. And... we don't get either. Instead they will cram the lesser LA team down our tubes... a game so bad Fox punted on showing it in LA itself.

So I went to Lucky Lady two weeks ago (they only had the NFL Dead Zone), and Seven Mile last week. This week maybe... IDK, Barona maybe? The series is tied 3-3, including my Patriots win in Superb Owl XXXVIII (after 2003 season). The Panthers are 0-1 @Gilette Stadium. The Panthers won the last meeting 24-20 back on 2003-11-18. New England is -500 (-9 pts).

Sabo's going to have a big week... as tomorrow we're headed to the Old Town train station to pick up his Aunt J (my sister J). She'll be visiting for the whole week. Sabo just luvs having guests around the house.

The Reds have won Sabo's Dog Day Championship for 2017. It was a long strange trip for the Reds... who became the first champion to lose a game (four in fact), while not leading the league in win percentage or games ahead. However, after the Reds had finished their dog game season, the correct teams lost in the correct order, giving the Reds the highest Record Difficulty Factor (RDF is chance that a .500 team would do worse).

They started the SDDC season back in March with a 1% chance of being champs, as per All-Star Sabo-Metrics. They won their first four dog games: @Pirates 4-11 (to 5%), Pirates 5-4 (to 6%), @Phillies 5-26 (to 11%), Cards 6-7 (to favorites at 16%). Then they came into the Barkyard... where Sabo's Padres swept them three 6-12,13,14 (down to 2%). They had a second four game winning streak: @Nationals 6-25 (to 3%), @D'backs 7-9 (to 8%), @Pirates 8-1 (to 16%), Mets 8-29 (to 17%). Prior to their last dog game on 9-21 they were favorites at 45%. But a loss to the Card's left them needing help at 16%.

#1 8-4 .667 ½	Reds !!!1!*
#2 3-1 .750 1½	Astros, Rays
#4 2-1 .667 2	A's
#5 5-3 .625 1½	Brewers, Marlins
#7 8-5 .615 1	Dodgers
#8 6-4 .600 1½	Mets
#9 3-2 .600 2	Mighty Rangers
#10 10-7 .588 1	Rockies
#11 7-5 .583 1½	Nationals
#12 19-14 .576 --	D'backs
#13 4-3 .571 2	Card's, Royals
#15 2-2 .500 2½	Twins
#16 44-45 .494 3	Sabo's Padres
#17 7-8 .467 3	Giants
#18 8-11 .421 4	Pirates
#19 1-2 .333 3	Indians
#20 2-4 .333 3½	Cubs, Tigers
#22 1-3 .250 3½	Mariners
#23 1-5 .167 4½	Braves
#24 1-9 .100 6½	Phillies
#25 0-1 .000 3	Angels, Orioles, my Red Sox
#28 0-4 .000 4½	White Sox

<sup>No dog games: Blue Jays, Yankees.
* Had highest Record Difficulty Factor at .806...
vs. D'backs at .757; Astros, Rays at .688.</sup>

Well, Team Go Sabo !!!1! ended up 13-11-1 in the Pointless League regular season, which was in the middle of the pack. However Sabo, this season's guest manager, used his patented Triple-P strategy to eek out a 48 point lead in Wildcard points. Which puts us in the head-2-head playoff with the regular season winner: the Mighty Team Bob Medina. This is a best of four series... where each round of the MLB playoffs constitutes a matchup.

So far, so good... as Team Go Sabo !!!1! leads 10-5 in categories halfway through the wild card round matchup. Oh yeah... if the series ends up tied, total Tiebreaker Points come into play. Team Go Sabo !!!1! leads in Tiebreaker Points too... 32-12.

Remember, this isn't quite a gratuitous sports post. Yapping/Taunting rights are in play. In fact, with my Red Sox once again in the playoffs, I asked the Pointless League Competition Committee to rule where we stand if my Red Sox win the World Series. This is what I got...

Winners	Yapping Rights	Taunting Rights
Red Sox & Go Sabo !!!1!	me > Sabo	me > league
Red Sox only	me > Sabo	champ > me
Go Sabo !!!1! only	Sabo > me	me > league
	me > Sabo	champ > me

Sabo's Aztecs @UNLV.

The last time Sabo's Aztecs were in Boyd Stadium, they where whipping Houston in last season's Las Vegas Bowl 34-10. Saturday they hope to beat UNLV to become bowl eligible this season... for the 8th consecutive time, a program record. SDSU is 17-9 on the field vs UNLV. They are 7-7 @Boyd Stadium (inc 6-6 vs UNLV). The Aztecs won last years meeting @SDCCU 26-7. SDSU is -400 (-10½ pts).

Last week Sabo's Aztecs eked out a win in a hardfought game vs a real good Northern Illinois team. Those Huskies might have even outplayed SDSU... but karma's a b**** sometimes as NIU linebacker Antonio Jones-Davis was caught on video eye gouging SDSU's star RB and kick returner Rashaad Penny (below).



Golden Bears @Washington. My Golden Bears got slaughtered by Oregon. The wheels really fell off in this game. It just keeps getting harder, as Cal makes it's second visit in two weeks to the PNW... to play #6 and undefeated Washington. Washington leads the series 53-39-4. My Golden Bears are 18-25-2 @Husky Stadium. The Husky's won last years meeting @Memorial Stadium 66-27. Washington is -5513 (-27½ pts).


my Patriots @Buc's. My Pats lost a close one to the Panthers. They've started out 2-2, already tieing their total losses last season. Speaking of last season... they started out 3-1 without Brady. Maybe he's lost it. Naw. The offense actually made another amazing drive to tie it up late. The problem was the defense, as it's been all season long. They allowed the Panthers to march on down for the winning score as time expired.

Next up: Tampa Bay. My Patriots lead the series 6-2. New England won the last meeting 23-3 @Gillette back on 2013-9-22. Amazingly enough, my Patriots have never played @Raymond James Stadium. New England is -250 (-5½ pts).

Final:
1st Playoff Matchup (#26): Go Sabo !!!1! 10, Bob Medina 4.

Partials: (thru date #182)
2nd Playoff Matchup (#27): Bob Medina 12-0.
Tiebreaker Pts: Bob Medina 83-78.

Well, Team Go Sabo !!!1! won the wildcard matchup, and so only needs to win two-of-three of the remaining playoff matchups to clinch the Pointless League championship.

On the other side of the Yapping Rights "doubleheader", my Red Sox got whipped 2-8 @Houston... meaning they'll need to win three-of-four to advance to the divisive round of the playoffs. I'm committed to going to a World Series game if my Red Sox play in LA (3% chance projected by All-Star Sabo-Metrics), or Phoenix (1%). Today's line is: Red Sox (Pomeranz) +161; Astros (Keuchel) -171 at vegasinsider.com.

Finals:
Go Sabo !!!1! 10, Bob Medina 4 (Playoff #1, 10-3 to 4).
Red Sox 2 @Astros 8 (Divisive #1, 10-5).
Red Sox 2 @Astros 8 (Divisive #2, 10-6).

Partials:
Bob Medina 11, Go Sabo !!!1! 6 (Playoff #2, thru day #2).
Tiebreaker Pts: Go Sabo !!!1! 132-102.

After two (of 5-8) days, team Go Sabo !!!1! is still trailing Bob Medina. They have however gone ahead in tiebreaker pts (below).

Hitters	Pts	10-3	10-4	10-5	10-6	Pitchers	Pts	10-3	10-4	10-5	10-6
Bruce, Jay (in OF)	17			11	6	Chapman, Aldonis (yn RP)	9	3			6
Sanchez, Gary (yn C)	13	5		-1	9	Devenski, Chris (as RP)	8			3	5
Judge, Mike (yn OF)	13	0		10	3	Price, David (rs RP)	8			8
Martinez, J.D. (dm OF)	11		1		10	Porcello, Rick (rs RP)	3	3
Descalso, Daniel (dm 2B,PH)	10		9		1	Jansen, Kenley (dd RP)	3				3
Gardner. Brett (yn OF)	10	9		1		Kintzler, Brandon (ex RP)	3				3
Gregorius,Didi (yn SS)	9	9		0		Ray, Robbie (dm RP)	2		2
Lucroy, Johnathan (rc C)	8		8			Kershaw, Clayton (dd SP)	2				2
Story, Trevor (rc SS)	8		8			Godley, Zach (dm RP)	2				2
Lamb, Jake (dm 3B,PH)	8		8		0	Rodney, Fernando (dm RP)	-2		-2
Santana, Carlos (in 1B)	8			3	5	Holland, Greg (rc RP)	-8		-8
Peralta, David (dm OF)	6		6			Clevinger, Mike (in RP)	-8				-8
Frazier, Todd (yn 3B)	6	0		0	6	Gray, Sonny (yn SP)	-8			-8
Parra, Gerardo (rc OF)	5		5			Berrios, Jose (tw RP)	-9	-9
Castro, Starlin (yn 2B)	4	0		4		Grienke, Zach (dm SP)	-9		-9
Hicks, Aaron (yn OF)	4	4				Rodriguez, Eduardo (rs RP)	-10				-10
Ramirez, Jose (in 2B)	3			2	1
Bellinger, Cody (dd 1B)	2				2
Mauer, Joe (tw 1B)	1	1
Turner, Trea (ex SS)	0				0
Ellsbury, Jacoby (yn DH)	0	0
Reynolds, Mark (rc 1B)	0		0

Finals:
Go Sabo !!!1! 10, Bob Medina 4 (Playoff #1, 10-3 to 4).
Red Sox 2 @Astros 8 (Divisive #1, 10-5).
Red Sox 2 @Astros 8 (Divisive #2, 10-6).

Partials:
Bob Medina 11, Go Sabo !!!1! 8 (Playoff #2, thru day #3).
Tiebreaker Pts: Go Sabo !!!1! 176-142.
Astros @Red Sox (Divisive #3, today 11:35 pdt)

After three (of 6-8) days, team Go Sabo !!!1! is still trailing Bob Medina, but have got back into this game of categories. As to the tiebreaker points, which only come into play if the series ends up tied, Go Sabo has opened up a 34 point lead (below). On the "flipside" of this possible Yapping Rights tourney... well, my Red Sox return home, to play their 7th straight game against the Astros. It's looking desperate, as they're down 0-2 in this best-of-3 series. But, as I'll never tire of pointing out to Yankee fans... they've been farther down in bigger spots, and came back. The line at vegasinsider.com is Houston (Peacock) -130 @Boston (Fister) +120. Go Red Sox !!!1!

Hitters	Pts	10-3	10-4	10-5	10-6	10-7
Bruce, Jay (in OF)	17			11	6
Descalso, Daniel (dm 2B-PH10-6)	14		9		1	4
Sanchez, Gary (yn C)	13	5		-1	9
Judge, Mike (yn OF)	13	10		0	3
Martinez, J.D. (dm OF)	13		1		10	2
Lamb, Jake (dm 3B-PH10-6)	12		8		0	4
Gardner. Brett (yn OF)	10	9		1
Gregorius,Didi (yn SS)	9	9		0
Barnes, Austin (dd C)	9					9
Rendon, Anthony (ex 3B)	8					8
Lucroy, Johnathan (rc C)	8		8
Story, Trevor (rc SS)	8		8
Santana, Carlos (in 1B)	8			3	5
Peralta, David (dm OF)	6		6			0
Frazier, Todd (yn 3B)	6	0		0	6
Puig, Yasiel (dd OF)	5					5
Parra, Gerardo (rc OF)	5		5
Castro, Starlin (yn 2B)	4	0		4
Hicks, Aaron (yn OF)	4	4
Ramirez, Jose (in 2B)	3			2	1
Bellinger, Cody (dd 1B)	2				2	0
Mauer, Joe (tw 1B)	1	1
Turner, Trea (ex SS)	0				0	0
Ellsbury, Jacoby (yn DH)	0	0
Reynolds, Mark (rc 1B)	0		0

Pitchers	Pts	10-3	10-4	10-5	10-6	10-7
Jansen, Kenley (dd RP)	10				3	7
Chapman, Aldonis (yn RP)	9	3			6
Devenski, Chris (as RP)	8			3	5
Price, David (rs RP)	8				8
Doolittle, Sean (ex RP)	5					5
Porcello, Rick (rs RP)	3			3
Kintzler, Brandon (ex RP)	3				3
Ray, Robbie (dm RP)	2		2
Kershaw, Clayton (dd SP)	2				2
Godley, Zach (dm RP)	2				2
Gonzalez, Gio (ex SP)	0					0
Rodney, Fernando (dm RP)	-2		-2
Holland, Greg (rc RP)	-8		-8
Clevinger, Mike (in RP)	-8				-8
Gray, Sonny (yn SP)	-8			-8
Berrios, Jose (tw RP)	-9	-9
Grienke, Zach (dm SP)	-9		-9
Rodriguez, Eduardo (rs RP)	-10				-10

Finals:
Go Sabo !!!1! 10 -vs- Bob Medina 4 (Playoff #1, 10-3 to 4).
Red Sox 2 @Astros 8 (Divisive #1, 10-5).
Red Sox 2 @Astros 8 (Divisive #2, 10-6).
Astros 3 @Red Sox 10 (Divisive #3, 10-8).

Partials:
Bob Medina 11 -vs- Go Sabo !!!1! 7 (Playoff #2, thru day #4).
Tiebreaker Pts: Go Sabo !!!1! 187-172.
Astros @Red Sox (Divisive #4, today 10:05 pdt)

After four (of 6-8) days, team Go Sabo !!!1! is still trailing Bob Medina, but having got back into this game of categories, they slipped by one. As to the tiebreaker points, which only come into play if the series ends up tied, team Go Sabo !!!1! lead has shrunk to only a 15 point lead (below). On the "flipside" of this possible Yapping Rights tourney... well, my Red Sox return home and kept things alive... coming back from a quick 0-3 deficit. This morning they must needs win again. The line at vegasinsider.com is Houston (Morton) -122 @Boston (Porcello) +112. Go Red Sox !!!1!

Hitters	Pts	10-3	10-4	10-5	10-6	10-7	10-8
Bruce, Jay (in OF)	17			11	6		0
Sanchez, Gary (yn C)	15	5		-1	9		2
Judge, Mike (yn OF)	14	10		0	3		1
Descalso, Daniel (dm 2B-PH10-6)	14		9		1	4
Gregorius,Didi (yn SS)	13	9		0			4
Lamb, Jake (dm 3B-PH10-6)	12		8		0	4
Martinez, J.D. (dm OF)	13		1		10	2
Gardner. Brett (yn OF)	12	9		1			2
Santana, Carlos (in 1B)	11			3	5		3
Barnes, Austin (dd C)	9					9
Lucroy, Johnathan (rc C)	8		8
Story, Trevor (rc SS)	8		8
Rendon, Anthony (ex 3B)	8					8
Frazier, Todd (yn 3B)	6	0		0	6		0
Peralta, David (dm OF)	6		6			0
Ramirez, Jose (in 2B)	5			2	1		2
Parra, Gerardo (rc OF)	5		5
Puig, Yasiel (dd OF)	5					5
Castro, Starlin (yn 2B)	4	0		4			0
Hicks, Aaron (yn OF)	4	4
Bellinger, Cody (dd 1B)	2				2	0
Mauer, Joe (tw 1B)	1	1
Turner, Trea (ex SS)	0				0	0
Ellsbury, Jacoby (yn DH)	0	0
Reynolds, Mark (rc 1B)	0		0

Pitchers	Pts	10-3	10-4	10-5	10-6	10-7	10-8
Price, David (rs RP)	20				8		12
Chapman, Aldonis (yn RP)	16	3			6		7
Jansen, Kenley (dd RP)	10				3	7
Doolittle, Sean (ex RP)	5					5
Porcello, Rick (rs RP)	3			3
Kintzler, Brandon (ex RP)	3				3
Ray, Robbie (dm RP)	2		2
Godley, Zach (dm RP)	2				2
Kershaw, Clayton (dd SP)	2				2
Gonzalez, Gio (ex SP)	0					0
Rodney, Fernando (dm RP)	-2		-2
Devenski, Chris (as RP)	-7			3	5		-15
Peacock, Brad (as SP)	-7						-7
Holland, Greg (rc RP)	-8		-8
Gray, Sonny (yn SP)	-8			-8
Clevinger, Mike (in RP)	-8				-8
Berrios, Jose (tw RP)	-9	-9
Grienke, Zach (dm SP)	-9		-9
Rodriguez, Eduardo (rs RP)	-10				-10

Finals:
Go Sabo !!!1! 10 -vs- Bob Medina 4 (Wild Round #26, 10-3 to 4).
Red Sox 2 @Astros 8 (Divisive #1, 10-5).
Red Sox 2 @Astros 8 (Divisive #2, 10-6).
Astros 3 @Red Sox 10 (Divisive #3, 10-8).
Astros 5 @Red Sox 4 (Divisive #4, 10-9).

Partials:
Bob Medina 13 -vs- Go Sabo !!!1! 5 (Divisive Round #27, thru day #5).
Tiebreaker Pts: Go Sabo !!!1! 231-213.

After five (of 7-8) days, team Go Sabo !!!1! is still trailing Bob Medina, and have fallen farther behind in this game of categories. It might seem that's there plenty of time left in this matchup... but, those 2-3 remaining days are all single games. They do retain a miniscule lead in tiebreaker points... which again, only come into play if the matchup series ends up tied (below). On the "flipside" of this Yapping Rights tourney... well, my Red Sox were eliminated yesterday morning, so there is no "flipside" anymore. So, to review: if team Go Sabo !!!1! wins the Pointless League, which both Sabo & me a hoping for, Sabo would have has Yapping Rights over me, and I'd have Taunting Rights over the entire league. Otherwise, I retain my Yapping Rights over Sabo, and the league champion would have Taunting Rights over me.

Hitters	Pts	10-3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Sanchez, Gary (yn C)	21	5		-1	9		2	6
Bruce, Jay (in OF)	20			11	6		0	3
Judge, Mike (yn OF)	19	10		0	3		1	5
Santana, Carlos (in 1B)	18			3	5		3	7
Descalso, Daniel (dm 2B*)	14		9		1	4
Gregorius, Didi (yn SS)	13	9		0			4
Bellinger, Cody (dd 1B)	13				2	0		11
Lamb, Jake (dm 3B*)	12		8		0	4		0
Martinez, J.D. (dm OF)	13		1		10	2		0
Gardner. Brett (yn OF)	12	9		1			2
Barnes, Austin (dd C)	9					9
Lucroy, Johnathan (rc C)	8		8
Story, Trevor (rc SS)	8		8
Rendon, Anthony (ex 3B)	8					8
Frazier, Todd (yn 3B)	6	0		0	6		0
Peralta, David (dm OF)	6		6			0
Ramirez, Jose (in 2B)	5			2	1		2	0
Parra, Gerardo (rc OF)	5		5
Puig, Yasiel (dd OF)	5					5
Castro, Starlin (yn 2B)	4	0		4			0
Hicks, Aaron (yn OF)	4	4
Mauer, Joe (tw 1B)	1	1
Ellsbury, Jacoby (yn DH)	0	0
Reynolds, Mark (rc 1B)	0		0
Turner, Trea (ex SS)	-2				0	0		-2

^{* PH on 10-6.}

Pitchers	Pts	10-3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Price, David (rs RP)	20				8		12
Chapman, Aldonis (yn RP)	16	3			6		7
Jansen, Kenley (dd RP)	15				3	7		5
Scherzer, Max (ex SP)	14							14
Doolittle, Sean (ex RP)	5					5
Porcello, Rick (rs RP)	3			3
Ray, Robbie (dm RP)	2		2
Godley, Zach (dm RP)	2				2
Kershaw, Clayton (dd SP)	2				2
Gonzalez, Gio (ex SP)	0					0
Kintzler, Brandon (ex RP)	-1				3			-4
Rodney, Fernando (dm RP)	-2		-2
Devenski, Chris (as RP)	-7			3	5		-15
Peacock, Brad (as SP)	-7						-7
Holland, Greg (rc RP)	-8		-8
Gray, Sonny (yn SP)	-8			-8
Clevinger, Mike (in RP)	-9				-8			-1
Berrios, Jose (tw RP)	-9	-9
Grienke, Zach (dm SP)	-9		-9
Rodriguez, Eduardo (rs RP)	-10				-10

Final:
Go Sabo !!!1! 10 -vs- Bob Medina 4 (Wild Round #26, 10-3 to 4).

Partials:
Bob Medina 11 -vs- Go Sabo !!!1! 7 (Divisive Round #27, thru day #6).
Tiebreaker Pts: Go Sabo !!!1! 263-223.

Well, the rainout in Chi-town yesterday condensed the schedule, while the Nats win there today extended it. This is it... day #7 for all the marbles... in the Divisive Round matchup that is. Team Go Sabo !!!1! has moved back within striking distance... although it will be hard to flip enough catagories with only one game. They have lengthened their lead in tiebreaker points to 40... which again, only come into play if the matchup series ends up tied (below).

Hitters	Pts	10-3	4	5	6	7	8	9	11
Sanchez, Gary (yn C)	21	5		-1	9		2	6	0
Bruce, Jay (in OF)	21			11	6		0	3	1
Judge, Mike (yn OF)	19	10		0	3		1	5	0
Santana, Carlos (in 1B)	18			3	5		3	7	0
Gardner. Brett (yn OF)	17	9		1			2		5
Descalso, Daniel (dm 2B*)	14		9		1	4
Martinez, J.D. (dm OF)	13		1		10	2		0
Gregorius, Didi (yn SS)	13	9		0			4
Bellinger, Cody (dd 1B)	13				2	0		11
Lamb, Jake (dm 3B*)	12		8		0	4		0
Rendon, Anthony (ex 3B)	12					8			4
Barnes, Austin (dd C)	9					9
Lucroy, Johnathan (rc C)	8		8
Story, Trevor (rc SS)	8		8
Ramirez, Jose (in 2B)	6			2	1		2	0	1
Frazier, Todd (yn 3B)	6	0		0	6		0
Castro, Starlin (yn 2B)	6	0		4			0		2
Peralta, David (dm OF)	6		6			0
Parra, Gerardo (rc OF)	5		5
Puig, Yasiel (dd OF)	5					5
Hicks, Aaron (yn OF)	4	4
Turner, Trea (ex SS)	3				0	0		-2	5
Mauer, Joe (tw 1B)	1	1
Ellsbury, Jacoby (yn DH)	0	0
Reynolds, Mark (rc 1B)	0		0

^{* PH on 10-6}

Pitchers	Pts	10-3	4	5	6	7	8	9	11
Chapman, Aldonis (yn RP)	24	3			6		7		8
Price, David (rs RP)	20				8		12
Jansen, Kenley (dd RP)	15				3	7		5
Scherzer, Max (ex SP)	14							14
Doolittle, Sean (ex RP)	8					5			3
Porcello, Rick (rs RP)	3			3
Sabathia, CC (yn SP)	3								3
Ray, Robbie (dm RP)	2		2
Godley, Zach (dm RP)	2				2
Kershaw, Clayton (dd SP)	2				2
Gonzalez, Gio (ex SP)	0					0
Kintzler, Brandon (ex RP)	-1				3			-4
Rodney, Fernando (dm RP)	-2		-2
Devenski, Chris (as RP)	-7			3	5		-15
Peacock, Brad (as SP)	-7						-7
Holland, Greg (rc RP)	-8		-8
Gray, Sonny (yn SP)	-8			-8
Clevinger, Mike (in RP)	-9				-8			-1
Berrios, Jose (tw RP)	-9	-9
Grienke, Zach (dm SP)	-9		-9
Rodriguez, Eduardo (rs RP)	-10				-10

My Patriots @Jets. The time has come to 're-purpose' the Rivalry Bowl. For 21 seasons, 1961 to 1981, then again for 22 seasons, 1995 to 2016, the Rivalry Bowl was designated as the annual San Diego @Oakland game. The bowl was on hiatus 1982 to 1994 while the NFL didn't field a team in Oakland. Now, not counting lame ducks, the NFL has abandoned both of these cities. So, let it be known...

The Competition Committee has made the following official rulings (a) the two 1960 AFL Boston-New York games are retroactively designated Rivalry Bowls, (b) going forward New England games against any New York city team, at any venue, will be designated as Rivalry Bowls, (c) to obscure things sufficiently, Rivalry Bowls will be renumbered with roman numerals.

Last week my Patriots eked out 19-14 win over the Buc's. The defense did OK this game, holding the scoring significantly down, and holding firm on the inevitable last drive. This time the offense was inconsistent. All-in-all... this hasn't been the championship quality team of last year, so far at least.

New England lead the Titans/Jets series 61-54-1. This includes 2-0 in Rivalry Bowls, 1-1 in the playoffs, and 2-0 last season. My Patriots are 5-2 @Metlife Stadium, including 4-2 against the Jets. New England is -500 (-9½ pts).


Boise State @Sabo's Aztecs. Last week Sabo's Aztecs slaughtered UNLV to become bowl eligible. It was actually a second-half slaughter, as UNLV kept it close in the first half. Next up: Boise State. This is another huge game for the program if they want to take it to the next level. Boise has been the class of the Mountain West, and have been off the Aztec's schedule the last two seasons. If SDSU wants to be thought of being in the cream of the G5 crop, they gotta show they beat the BMOC (Big Machine in Conference) on the field.

The SDSU-Boise State series is tied 2-2. The Broncos are 2-2 @the Union (aka San Diego County Credit Union Stadium)... include 1-1 vs SDSU. Boise State won the last meeting 38-29 on the blue turf @Albertson Stadium back on 2014-11-15. SDSU is -210 (-6½ pts).


Washington State @my Golden Bears. Last week my Golden Bears got creamed in Seattle. It wasn't as close as the 7-38 score indicates. Cal's offense was pitiful... the seven points were garbage time. The defense sucked too. And so, for another year, the dream of the Roses dies again. Cal isn't quite eliminated from the P12 championship, but wins this week by Washington (-1000) & Washington State would accomplish that too.

If playing with short rest is harder... it just keeps getting harder for my Golden Bears in this killer four-game stretch. Next up: undefeated #8 Washington State. My Golden Bears lead the series 46-27-5... including 29-12-3 @Memorial Stadium. The Cougars won last year's meeting 56-21 @Pullman WA. Washington State is -800 (-16½ pts).

Finals:
Go Sabo !!!1! 10 -df- Bob Medina 4 (Wild Round #26, 10-3 to 4).
Bob Medina 13 -df- Go Sabo !!!1! 5 (Divisive Round #27, 10-5 to 10-12)

Partials:
Bob Medina 7 -vs- Go Sabo !!!1! 7 (Legion Round #28, thru day #2).
Tiebreaker Pts: Go Sabo !!!1! 315-313.

Team Go Sabo !!!1! went on to lose the second playoff matchup. That means we're going the limit... all the way through the World Series. Things could hardly be closer.... we're now tied 1-1 in playoff matchup, the third matchup is tied at 7-7 through 2 days (of 6-10), and team Go Sabo !!!1! has a meager two point lead in Tiebreaker Points (below).

Hitters	Pts	10-3	4	5	6	7	8	9	11	12	13	14
Gardner. Brett (yn OF)	23	9		1			2		5		3	3
Judge, Mike (yn OF)	22	10		0	3		1	5	0		3	0
Sanchez, Gary (yn C)	22	5		-1	9		2	6	0		1	0
Bruce, Jay (in OF)	21			11	6		0	3	1
Santana, Carlos (in 1B)	18			3	5		3	7	0
Rendon, Anthony (ex 3B)	16					8			4	4
Gregorius, Didi (yn SS)	15	9		0			4				0	2
Bellinger, Cody (dd 1B)	15				2	0		11				2
Descalso, Daniel (dm 2B*)	14		9		1	4
Puig, Yasiel (dd OF)	14					5						9
Martinez, J.D. (dm OF)	13		1		10	2		0
Lamb, Jake (dm 3B*)	12		8		0	4		0
Taylor, Michael (ex OF)	12									12
Castro, Starlin (yn 2B)	11	0		4			0		2		2	3
Frazier, Todd (yn 3B)	10	0		0	6		0				0	4
Barnes, Austin (dd C)	9					9
Turner, Trea (ex SS)	8				0	0		-2	5	5
Lucroy, Johnathan (rc C)	8		8
Story, Trevor (rc SS)	8		8
Hicks, Aaron (yn OF)	7	4									0	3
Jay, Jon (cb OF)	7									7
Ramirez, Jose (in 2B)	6			2	1		2	0	1
Peralta, David (dm OF)	6		6			0
Parra, Gerardo (rc OF)	5		5
Almora, Albert Jr (cb OF)	3									3
Gurriel, Yuli (as 1B)	3										3
Mauer, Joe (tw 1B)	1	1
Ellsbury, Jacoby (yn DH-PH)	0	0									0
Reynolds, Mark (rc 1B)	0		0
Holliday, Matt (yn DH)	0										0

^{* PH on 10-6}

Pitchers	Pts	10-3	4	5	6	7	8	9	11	12	13	14
Jansen, Kenley (dd RP)	21				3	7		5				6
Price, David (rs RP)	20				8		12
Chapman, Aldonis (yn RP)	17	3			6		7		8			-7
Doolittle, Sean (ex RP)	11					5			3	3
Porcello, Rick (rs RP)	3			3
Sabathia, CC (yn SP)	3								3
Ray, Robbie (dm RP)	2		2
Godley, Zach (dm RP)	2				2
Kershaw, Clayton (dd SP)	7				2							5
Rodney, Fernando (dm RP)	-2		-2
Kintzler, Brandon (ex RP)	-3				3			-4		-2
Scherzer, Max (ex SP-RP)	-4							14		-18
Devenski, Chris (as RP)	-5			3	5		-15				2
Gonzalez, Gio (ex SP)	-6					0				-6
Peacock, Brad (as SP)	-7						-7
Holland, Greg (rc RP)	-8		-8
Gray, Sonny (yn SP)	-8			-8
Clevinger, Mike (in RP)	-9				-8			-1
Berrios, Jose (tw RP)	-9	-9
Grienke, Zach (dm SP)	-9		-9
Rodriguez, Eduardo (rs RP)	-10				-10

Fresno State @Sabo's Aztecs. Last week Sabo's Aztecs got whipped at home by Boise State. So much for beating -or- being mentioned with the established conference power, so much for being ranked, so much for those Fiesta Bowl dreams. Sabo has put this all away.

Next up: Time to concentrate on trying to win the Mountain West West division. SDSU (2-1 in conference) is a full game behind this year's leader, the rejuvenated Fresno State squad (3-0 in conference). Luckily, this week is SDSU's big rivalry week... vs those very same Bulldogs... with the Old Oil Can at stake. SDSU leads the series 29-23-4. The Bulldogs are 3-11 @the Union (aka San Diego County Credit Union Stadium). The Aztecs won last season's meeting 17-3 @Fresno. The two teams are tied 3-3 in the Old Oil Can era. SDSU is -290 (-7½ pts).


Arizona @my Golden Bears. Last week my Golden Bears pulled off a massive upset @Memorial Stadium. It wasn't even close, they slammed the previously unbeaten and still ranked Washington State. This means they weathered the hardest stretch of the hardest FBS schedule with a 1-3 record. My Golden Bears aren't completely out of the conference race either, being two down with five to go... although ESPN's FPI still has them pegged at zero.

Next up: the Wildcats. It's amazing what this last win means... at 4-3 it's now time to start getting eligible to go bowling. If we assume a win in Big Game, Cal only needs to win one of the other remaining four games. Why not this one right here at home? The Wildcats lead the series 16-14-2... including a 49-45 win in the last meeting @Tucson back on 2014-9-20. The teams are 7-7-2 @Memorial Stadium. The Wildcats are -170 (-3½ pts).


Falcons @my Patriots. It's time for the Superb Owl rematch @Gillette. How are the championship teams doing this season? Well... the Falcons are 3-2, tied with the Saints, half a game behind the Panthers, in the NFC South. Football Outsiders gives the Falcons a 41.7% chance of making the playoffs.

My Pats are 4-2, in first place in the AFC East, half a game ahead of the Bills and Jets. This includes their underwhelming win in last week's Rivalry Bowl... where it seems the ref's even got into the cheating spirit on that strange touch-back play. But a win is a win is a win, especially in the Rivalry Bowl.

Football Outsiders gives my Pats a 74.3% chance of making the playoffs. My Pats lead the Falcon series 8-6. The Falcons are 0-1 @Gillette Stadium. The last meeting was, of course, February 5th @NRG in Superb Owl LI... where my Pats won 34-28 in OT... of course. New England is -170 (-3 pts).

Finals:
Bob Medina -lost- Go Sabo !!!1! 4-10 (#26)
Bob Medina -beat- Go Sabo !!!1! 13-5 (#27)
Bob Medina -beat- Go Sabo !!!1! 10-5 (#28)

Partials:
Bob Medina -vs- Go Sabo (#29 World Round, starts 5:08 pdt)
Bob Medina -trails- Go Sabo !!!1! 497-506 (Tiebreaker Pts)

Team Go Sabo !!!1! went on to lose the third playoff round too. So this is what it'll take for Sabo to win our fantasy baseball league, and (because of a screwy ruling), for Sabo to gain Yapping Rights over me: win the final World Series matchup in categories -and- don't have Team Bob Medina out score Team Go Sabo by 10 or more Tiebreaker Points. That's a tall order which starts today up in LA. Oh yeah... here are our picks...

LA Clippers @my Patriots. Time for some closure. First things first. I've retired the "Chargers" word. Officially... and when I say 'official', I'm reporting the rulings of the Competition Committee, and as used by All-Star Sabo-Metrics...

Where-as: The NFL has been capricious and arbitrary in the records; see (a) not counting the AAFC stats, (b) counting the scab games of 1987, and Where-as: this includes their franchise continuity records; see (a) AAFC again, the NFL Dallas Texans and alleged priors, (c) the 'jumping of the shark' regarding the Browns name, and Where-as: the NFL as a league has evilly obliterated my former favorite pro football team... Let it be known that...

The 1960 AFL Los Angeles based team, the 2016 NFL team, alleged to be San Diego based, after the farcical stadium vote, and the 2017+ Carson based NFL team are a distinct franchise to be known as the L.A. Clippers

The 1961-1969 AFL San Diego based team, and the 1970-2015 NFL San Diego based team (not counting scab games, of course), and the 2016 NFL San Diego based team before the farcical stadium vote are a distinct franchise to be known as the San Diego Bolts

There... that feels better already. Now I can always have my beloved "Bolts", who while now defunct, will always live on in memory. Now I can say my brotherman L & myself went to the very last "official" Bolts game... as that Titans game was the last game that wasn't "lame duck", as soon became evident.

OTOH we have the despised and unwanted LA Clippers... who failed the first time as the 5th rate tennant at the LA Coliseum (behind the Dodgers, Rams, USC Football, UCLA football), who passed on hosting the Championship game because they couldn't sell any seats... who came back 56 years later mid season 2016 as a vagabond travelling team (btw: they lost four neutral site games @the Union). This season they're the second rate tennant at a ~30k soccer stadium, which they can't sell out, and which have all been effective road games as the only peeps who actually do buy seats "take over" the place for the visiting team. The Spanos family deserves being the laughing stock of sports, and the NFL owners deserve all the abuse they're getting now (even if it is largely for unrelated reasons). Screw them all !!!1!

Anyways, I've avoided going to the bars when the LA Clippers games have been on, which I'll continue avoiding tomorrow... mainly because of pity for that small minority of Team Stockholm Syndrome fans who pretend the newer LA team is "the same". The 0-4 start surely made them potentially unstable and bitter. It's a shame my favorite NFL player, P.Rivers, is finishing out his HOF career with these lusers... same with A.Gates, and I'll always have a soft spot for J.Bosa for standing up to the Spano's. But such is sports, players get traded/etc.

So, here's hoping my Pats... who easily whipped last season's Supurb Owl opponent, the Falcon's last week... do the same to the Clippers tomorrow. The Patriots-Clippers series is tied 1-1. The Clippers won the last meeting 45-16. That was back on 1960-10-28 @Nickerson Field... and not @Gillette like tomorrow. New England is -350 (-7 pts).


Sabo's Aztecs @Hawaii. Last week Sabo's Aztecs got squished by a superior Fresno State squad. So much for retaining the Old Oil Can... and really so much for winning the division, repeating as Mountain West champions, or returning to the Las Vegas Bowl. With the Aztec's "safety bowl", the Poinsettia Bowl going defunct, and the Mountain West not having a pecking order for their also-ran bowls, there's not really much to play for. Except... pride in program, Senior day, and a chance to tie the win total of the last two seasons.

Those possible bowls are 12-16 New Mexico Bowl, 12-22 Potato Bowl (@Boise St, 1-0 vs Buffalo 2013), 12-24 Hawaii Bowl (1-0 vs Cincinnati 2015), and 12-29 Arizona Bowl. So... Sabo's Aztecs could be playing to come back to this week's destination: the Hawaiian Islands. Sabo's Aztecs lead the series 29-9-2. SDSU is 9-5-2 @Aloha Stadium. The Aztec's shut out Hawaii 55-0 last season @the Union. SDSU is -330 (-9 pts).


my Golden Bears @Colorado. Rumor was that my Golden Bears lost in double overtime when the went for two. IDK because I couldn't watch that game... because Spectrum Cable sucks. Rumor is they're playing @Colorado right now. IDK... because Spectrum Cable sucks. I do know that if Cal is going bowling, they're going to have to win a conference game on the road. Why not this one?

Cal leads the Colorado series 5-3... including 3-2 @Colorado... and including the last meeting 59-56 @Cal. Colorado is -180 (-4 pts).

Finals:
Bob Medina -lost- Go Sabo !!!1! 4-10 (#26)
Bob Medina -beat- Go Sabo !!!1! 13-5 (#27)
Bob Medina -beat- Go Sabo !!!1! 10-5 (#28)

Partials:
Bob Medina -leads- Go Sabo !!!1! (#29, thru #5) 10-7
Bob Medina -leads- Go Sabo !!!1! 654-595 (Tiebreaker Pts)

Well, this could be it... the day I retire the Alex Sabo avatar, and the end of the baseball season. It could also be the day Sabo flips Yapping Rights over me. Why... because, by a stupid-stupid-stupid ruling, if my fantasy baseball team, which I've let Sabo manage this season, wins The Pointless League... that's why. There have been inquiries if this would make tonight's World Series game an official Sabo Bowl? The answer is "no". It's not "house divided" because I'm still hoping Sabo wins my fantasy league. And... we have players on both teams, as does our opponent.

It's looking pretty bleak however, for team Go Sabo !!!1! !!!!1! We could flip the three categories this evening, that's do-able. However, if the series ended there, that would tie the fantasy league matchups at 2 to 2. This would mean that Tiebreaker points would come into play... where our opponent has an effectively insurmountable 59 point lead. Since Go Sabo !!!1! has no starting pitchers left, our only hope is if Dodger Hill gets pounded tonight, but the Dodgers somehow win anyways, then Astro McCullers gets pounded tomorrow.

Sabo, the die-hard Padres fan, would add (if he talked)... and the Astros somehow win anyways. Anyone but the hated Dodgers to him. Also... Houston has gone the longest without ever winning a World Series (55 seasons), through two names (Colt 45s, Astros), two leagues, and three stadiums ... even longer than Sabo's Padres (49).

Bob Medina		Go Sabo !!!1!
Altuve McCann Bregman M.Gonzalez Reddick Taylor	Hitters	Bellinger Puig Barnes Utley Pederson Gurriel
Gattis Maybin Beltran Forsythe Hernandez	PH	Culberson
Hill (McCullers if game 7)	Starters
Maeda Watson Morton	Bullpen	Jansen Kershaw Devenski Peacock

^{Game 2 lineups. Playoff Phase Draft picks in italics.}

Finals:
Bob Medina -lost- Go Sabo !!!1! 4-10 (#26)
Bob Medina -beat- Go Sabo !!!1! 13-5 (#27)
Bob Medina -beat- Go Sabo !!!1! 10-5 (#28)

Partials:
Bob Medina -leads- Go Sabo !!!1! 12-8 (#29, thru #6)
Bob Medina -leads- Go Sabo !!!1! 682-618 in Tiebreaker pts

Well, this will be it... I've retired the Alex Sabo avatar, and it's the end of the baseball season. It could also be the day Sabo flips Yapping Rights over me. Technically. In reality, team Bob Medina's 2-1 record in match-ups, combined with the 4 category lead, and the 64 Tiebreaker points lead, both of which team Go Sabo !!!1! would need to overcome, is effectively insurmountable.

Bob Medina		Go Sabo !!!1!
Altuve0 McCann3 Bregman2 M.Gonzalez3 Reddick0 Taylor4 Forsythe0	Hitters	Bellinger0 Puig2 Barnes2 Pederson6 Gurriel2
Gattis0 Beltran0 Maybin Hernandez	PH	Culberson2 Utley1
McCullers	Starters
Maeda4 Watson4 Hill8 Morton	Bullpen	Jansen8 Kershaw Devenski Peacock

^{Game #6 points in superscript. Playoff Phase Draft picks in italics.}

Well, as predicted, Sabo managed team Go Sabo !!!1! didn't win the Pointless League. We didn't flip any net categories, and ended up losing the playoffs by 1-3 match-ups (10-4, 5-13, 5-10, 8-12). Tiebreaker points never came into play. Which means... I retain my Taunting|Yapping rights over Sabo.

Sabo's Aztecs @San Jose State. As my old friend Mary S says: "Football season starts when the World Series is over". That seems like a good time to review the SDSU football season so far... especially considering the late bye this season. After tonight's game @San Jose, Sabo's Aztecs will have played 10 straight.

The Aztecs came out winning six straight, clinching a bowling trip, and had entered the rankings. Rashaad Penny is getting serious Heisman consideration... something Pumphrey (who is spending the year on IR for the Eagles) never got. Chapman again has done a good job at QB. The Rockie Long coached defense is solid However, not all the wins were convincing, and then the wheels fell off... any Fiesta Bowl dreams, and really any chance of repeating as MW champs, evaporated with two straight spankings at home: to Boise St & Fresno State.

However, regarding defending that MW crown... the news last weekend was Fresno State lost in Vegas, even more maybe than Sabo's Aztecs dominating the Rainbow's in Hawaii last week. This prompted ESPN's FPI to raise SDSU to a 12.1% chance of winning the conference. Sabo's Aztecs are going to still need a lot more help however... as the Bulldogs would need to lose two more conference games (FYI: this scenario could only come into play after Thanksgiving).

After their bye, in the second "half" of their regular season, Sabo's Aztecs only play at home. They host Nevada and then New Mexico, both of which ESPN FPI have as under 12% of beating Sabo's Aztecs. Then (baring the above mentioned miracle) they will have 2-4 weeks off before returning to the Islands, or jetting off to Albuquerque/Boise/Tucson, for their bowl game. Firsts thing first however... the SDSJ-SDSU series is tied at 19-19-2. Sabo's Aztecs are 8-11-1 @CEFCU Stadium. SDSU won last season's meeting 42-3. SDSU is -3000 (-24 pts).


Oregon State @my Golden Bears. Well, rumor is that my Bears were beat handily in Boulder CO last week. I wouldn't know, because Spectrum Cable sucks. Which is the same reason I'm off in search of that rare bar which has both Dish (w/Pac-12 Bay Area) -and- DirecTV (all bars for NFL). To go bowling, Cal needs to win two of their last three games. As the last home game, and the only game they'll be favored in, this game is really a must-have.

And... it's Senior Day. Go Golden Bears !!!1!. Cal leads the series 36-33. Oregon State is 16-18 @Memorial Stadium. The Beavers won last season's meeting 47-44 in Corvallis. Cal is -270 (-7 pts).

[center]

Saturday	Sabo's Aztecs	7-2	my Golden Bears	4-5	my Patriots	6-2
#7 10-14	Boise St 6-2	L 14-31	#25 Wash St 7-2	W 37-3 Fri	@Jets 4-5	W 24-17 Sun
#8 10-21	Fresno St 5-3	L 3-27	#22 Arizona 6-2	L 44-45(2ot)	Falcons 4-3	W 23-7 Sun
#9 10-28	@Hawaii 3-5	W 28-7	@Colorado 4-4	L 28-44	LA Clippers 3-5	W 21-13 Sun
#10 11-4	@San Jose St 1-8	7:30	Oregon St 1-7	2:00

^{CFP Rankings. Odds from vegasinsider.com. PDT. A gratuitous sports post.}

My Patriots @Broncos. Coming off a bye is the traditional time to evaluate a team. In the first half of their season... and their bye comes after eight games, the actual half way mark... my Patriots are where they want to be. They are 6-2, alone in first, were tied for the second best record in the NFL, had the their highest projected playoff % from Football Outsiders... and they won their only division game: the first Rivalry Bowl.

Brady keeps up his age defying act. The only kink has been a suspect defense. Last week however, they held again. Although it was another marginal victory over a team they should whip... the lowly LA Clippers. As an aside: I really had a sense of double-reverse deja-vu watching my favorite NFLer, P.Rivers, drive down at the last seconds of the game... I had to remind myself right at the moment that the drive failing was a good thing... that's never happened before.

In the second half, coming out of their bye next week, they'll be challenged with their bags packed. They start with 5-out-of-6 away from home games. First up: Denver. The Broncoids lead the series 30-22, including 7-3 @bankrupt sports gear company stadium. Then they travel all the way to Mexico City to play the Raiders in the "Patriots Bowl" (shorthand for the game I'd go to this season... if I was going to go to any NFL game at all... which I'm not... screw those owners). After coming back to the USA, they finish with 5-out-of-6 games in division. The finally is @Gillette: the hated Jets in the second Rivalry Bowl.

My Golden Bears @Stanford. The Cal band was marching through the streets of Berkeley last night... just like the Cal football team was marching through the Stanford Band back in 1982 (at end)... it's Big Game time !!!1! Before a rivalry game is always a good time to review a season, especially when it's coming out of a bye... which is always an advantage going into a rivalry game. Nice.

The first "half", actually 10 games, have been in three phases. Cal scheduled the hardest FBS schedule coming in... and they finished the non-conference phase a surprising 3-0... including 2-0 -vs- Power-5 opponents. Then they entered a four game stretch against conference foes who started this phase ranked and undefeated. Cal went 1-3... the lone win in this gauntlet phase being that upset of Washington State under those friday night lights. Finally, in the rumored phase... so called because Spectrum Cable sucks... they've gone 1-2. This including a good win two weeks ago over Oregon State... I've heard rumor of. Another surprise: QB Ross Bowers has held down the starting job all season. The defense is much improved. All and all, a good showing for first year head coach J.Wilcox.

The second "half" after the bye just keeps getting harder... as it's all on the road. First, over to Palo Alto to take back that Axe. Second, down to Pasadena, to the Rose Bowl, for the championship. Third, go Bowling. OK J/K... that's Rose Bowl Stadium (not the game) and the UC championship, playing UCLA. And of course... they still need another win to go bowling.

Getting that Axe back is no joke however. Stanford leads the football series 57-43-11. Cal is 1-4 in new Stanford Stadium. Stanford has won the last seven Big Games, including 45-31 last season @Memorial Stadium. Stanford is -600 (-14 pts). Go Golden Bears... Beat Stanford !!!1!


My Patriots in Mexico City -vs- Raiders. Last week my Patriots eviscerated the Broncoids at Mile High Field at Sports Authority Field (5280 feet)... 1770 flight miles from home. Then they did something unusual for a football team... they didn't go home. Instead they travelled 58.4 driving miles south to practice for the week at the Air Force Academy... at 6621 feet. Then they flew 1443 miles to Mexico City... where they'll play at 7280 feet. After the game they'll fly the 2923 miles back to Boston.

The doctors say there are two good ways to deal with playing at elevation. Fully acclimate like my Patriots are doing -or- don't acclimate at all... which is what the hated Raiders are doing... flying the 2021 miles from Oakland today. Coming off their bye, they really couldn't do otherwise.

Yeah, the Raiders have two big advantages here: the bye, and the fact they are Mexico City's favorite team. Although technically a neutral site, it will play like a Raiders home game crowd. The Patriots lead the series against Oakland 16-12, including a 16-9 win @Gillette in the last meeting, back in 2014. New England has never played in Mexico. New England is -340 (-7½ pts).


Nevada @Sabo's Aztecs. Well, a lot can change in two weeks. In particular, Fresno State's 13-7 win earlier today @Wyoming clinched the Bulldog's the MW West. So... Sabo's Aztecs will be playing only for pride of program tonight -vs- Nevada.

Sabo's Aztecs lead the series 6-3. The Wolf Pack has never won in four tries @Union (San Diego County Credit Union Stadium, nee San Diego Stadium, nee Jack Murphy Stadium, nee Qualcomm Stadium... for the last time elaborated). Sabo's Aztecs won 46-16 in Reno last season. SDSU is -700 (-16½ pts).

My Golden Bears @UCLA. That was a terribly frustrating could, shoulda, woulda Big Game to lose. The end of both halfs demonstrated this: the missed FG off the crossbar to end the 1st, what turned out to be the margin of victory... and R.Bowers leading a brilliant drive, which could have put my Golden Bears ahead, late in the 4th... then inexplicably throwing a "fly ball" pick, followed by Stanford methodically running the clock out, as they do so well. Again, all Cal got to do was stare (down at) the Axe, then walk away empty handed... for the now record eighth time in a row. Ouch.

So... it's on to the Rose Bowl... Stadium, for the UC Championship. FYI: FCS UC Davis didn't play either other UC team this season. Besides the UC championship, the stakes are huge-er this year... under the Friday night lights on the Bruins Senior day... for both these 5-7 teams: lose and go home, your season is over -vs- win and go bowling !!!1!

The Cal-UCLA series has been played 87 consecutive years, which is the third longest streak in college football. UCLA leads the series 53-33-1 on the field (counting 1977 UCLA & 1999 Cal forfeits as wins). Cal won last season's UC championship 36-10 @Memorial Stadium. Cal is 5-18 at the hallowed grounds... Rose Bowl Stadium (including 4-13 vs UCLA). UCLA is -280 (-7 pts).


Dolphins @My Patriots. My Patriots made rolled tacos out of the hated Raiders in Mexico. Another impressive win. Football Outsiders now gives them a 99.7% chance of making the playoffs. Now they start the heavy divisional play part of the schedule, broken up only by 8-2 Steelers, at home against the Dolphins. The Dolphins lead the series 53-50, including 0-2 last season, 1-2 in the playoffs, and 2-13 @Gillette. New England is -2000 (-16½ pts).


New Mexico @Sabo's Aztecs. Earlier on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, it's Senior Day for Sabo's Aztecs... the last home game of their career for most. Heisman hopeful senior Rashaad Penny will surely play at the next level. It seemed he could have single-handedly beet Nevada on Saturday... with four TDs: two rushing, his record 7th on a kickoff return, and another on his first ever punt return attempt. SDSU leads the series 25-15. New Mexico is 7-13 @Union. Sabo's Aztecs won the last meeting 24-14 in Albuquerque back on 2014-10-10. SDSU is -1050 (-20 pts).

My Patriots @Bills. My Patriots had their third straight dominant post-bye game, drubbing the Dolphins @Gillette. That runs their divisional record to 2-0. The only division rival they haven't met yet is the 2nd place Bills. Next up: @Bills. New England leads the Bills series 69-43-1*, including 1-1 last season, 1-0 in the playoffs, and 27-16 @New Era Stadium. New England is -450 (-9 pts).

Well, not yet. First we have the Army-Navy defacto bowl game this Saturday. Sabo will be paying extra attention... as in an ESPN arraigned surprise, his Aztecs will be playing the Black Knights next. That is in the Armed Forces Bowl, in Ft.Worth TX. FYI: Faulkner is in Montgomery AL; Independence Stadium is in Shreveport LA.

The Saturday after that though... it'll be 39 bowl games over 17 days. Which features every winning FBS team... except UT-San Antonio (6-5 CUSA). After three seasons with three lusers going bowling, this season three bowl eligible teams didn't receive bids. Of the 6-6 teams, 14 of 17 got bids... with Ole Miss (SEC self-suspended), Buffalo (MAC), and W.Michigan (MAC) being the odd teams out. Four teams are bowling on their home lanes... FAU, Navy, Memphis and Miami.


[highlight[My Patriots @Dolphins[/highlight]. By all reports... the networks decided to cram those damn LA teams down our tubes again... my Patriots had another impressive win, whipping 2nd place Buffalo up in Orchard Park today. At 10-2, they are now four games up with four games left. A week from today, if the Colts win up in Orchard Park... my Patriots clinch the division (and a home playoff game) without playing another game. If not, a week from tomorrow, a Patriots win down in Miami Gardens, will do the same. The Dolphins lead the series 53-51, including 18-12 @Hard Rock Stadium, and the beating they got @Gillette two games ago.