Sports Reasons to Forget About the Election

Forget about the election! Obama did. (Bill Frakes/SI)

Week of November 5, 2012

Let me start by saying, that I don't mean to downplay the significance of the 2012 Presidential Election; no doubt an important election, that all Americans should care about.  But, Holy Shit! If I never watch CNN again, it'll be way too soon.  Hearing the terms 'exit poll' or 'projected electorate' one more time might convince me to take a few snaps behind the Eagle's offensive line (not really, I wouldn't wish that upon anyone.  Atlanta's still got love for you, Mike Vick!).

But seriously.  I have had just about enough of politics for at least four years.  Good luck to President Obama, I truly hope you serve us well and have a better term this go round.  But let's talk about what really matters to We the People: sports.  Let's take a look at some games this week to get your mind off politics.

Tonight 11/7

 

Brooklyn Nets at Miami Heat

These two teams face off in Miami in a potential playoff match-up preview.  This off-season was a huge one for the New Jersey Brooklyn Nets.  Retaining Deron Williams was a make or break move for the franchise, and despite Mark Cuban's biggest hopes, Jay Z (who is only around 1% owner, btw) and the Nets convinced D-Will to stay.  Throw him in with newly acquired Joe Imakewaytoomuchmoney Johnson and Gerald Holycrapweoverpaidforthisguytoo Wallace and you've got a solid team, especially if Brook Lopez can stay healthy--good luck with that.  So the Nets kinda have a Big 3 too now, right? Ok, more like Deron Williams and some solid, highly paid, guys around him.  But in the Eastern Conference, you've got to mention the Nets as far as postseason contention is concerned, especially after they've got some time to gel together.

On the other side, you've got one of the most exciting teams to ever be assembled.  Hate em or love em, the Miami Heat are damn good.  I'm still confused as to how people hate on that #6 fella on their team, but the guy can play some ball.  Realistically, 80% of the Eastern Conference has no shot of touching the Heat in a 7 game series, and the other 20% upsetting them seems like a long shot as well.  The Nets COULD be one of the teams to give the Heat some problems.  Maybe not in this game tonight, but later on down the road.  The Nets are potentially a pretty tough match-up: elite PG, scorer at the 2, good wing defender in Wallace, plus Lopez and Kris Kardashian down low.  Watch out for these guys, especially come playoff time.

All that said, Miami wins this game.  The Nets are still getting used to each other, the game's in Miami, and, oh yeah, the Heat are pretty good.  Win or lose, for the Heat, they'll be keeping an eye on Brooklyn this season.

Saturday 11/10

 

College Football

Well, unfortunately there aren't any blockbuster games this weekend (especially compared to last weekend), but still a solid set of games lined up, and at least it's better than election coverage.

Louisville (9) at Syracuse

Taking Syracuse in the upset.  Honestly don't know much about either team, but I do know that it's the Big East and none of the teams are really that good.  I'm just rooting for the technically undefeated (even though they haven't played anyone) Louisville to lose.  It's at Syracuse, USC had some trouble there, who knows?

Northwestern (24) at Michigan

It's Big 10 football, so who really cares? I joke (not really). But I like Michigan in this one.  A couple playmakers at QB go at it in Denard Robinson and Kain Colter.  Should be a good game.  I'm really just hoping both quarterbacks rack up hella rushing yards because watching them throw the football is well...you know.

Notre Dame (4...somehow) at Boston College

Well, if the Fighting Leprechauns play like they did against Pitt (fingers crossed), their season will go up in flames, unless of course BC plays like Pitt did towards the end of the game.  ND should win, but, seriously, who wants that?

Texas A&M (15) at Alabama (1)

So the almighty Alabama is just gonna roll over the Aggies of A&M since Bama is untouchable and that much better than any team on the planet, right? Eh... I don't think so.  I don't know if you guys have noticed or not, but the Aggies have been ballin' lately.  Johnny Manziel is having a heck of a season, and if he plays a good game, watch out Bama.  I can't lie part of me wants to see the upset, but not if it'll cost the SEC a berth in the BCS Title Game.  I think A&M has a good showing, but in the end their defense can't hold up against the Crimson Tide of Alabama.  I hope ol' Johnny Football shows out though; dude should be definitely be in the Heisman conversation (Check his numbers out).

So there's your college football fix for the weekend.  Four games worth watching A couple good games, plus the ND and Louisville games you should check periodically and hope for an upset. Also got Oregon St. vs. Standford and LSU vs. Mississippi St., but I won't got into detail about those games. Not a stellar college football Saturday, but definitely acceptable. 

Sunday 11/11

 

Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans

Well, Happy Veteran's Day! What do you get?  How about a prime time NFL game that's actually worth watching?  I'll take it.  Two 7-1 teams battle it out Sunday Night, in what should be one of the best games of the regular season so far.

These teams are pretty similar once you begin to look at them.  Strong defenses anchor both sides.  JJ Watt has become a bonafide star in this league, and don't look now, but Charles "Peanut" Tillman is putting up dumb numbers (7 forced fumbles?!?).  Offensively, both squads have solid QBs-- Schaub being a bit more reliable than Cutler--, strong running games, and studs at wideout in Andre Johnson and Brandon Marshall.

Both of these teams have, at times, looked like the best in the NFL, and I think this game is really a toss up.  The Texans running game and defense are a little better than the Bears, and plus Jay Cutler has a history of imploding in prime time games.  Close game, but I'll take the Texans in Chicago, 20-13.


That pretty much sums up this week in sports.  So if you're still watching CNN, FoxNews, or MSNBC following the aftermath of the election, stop that and watch some sports. (If you're watching FoxNews or MSNBC ever, you should probably stop.)  Let's use the rest of this week to focus on the important things in life.  Forget the economy. Psh! Foreign policy?  Who needs that stuff anyway?