Eli Skywalker?

All I can say is: WOW. In what could arguably have been the greatest Super Bowl of all time, the New York Giants knocked off the 18-0 New England Patriots 17-14 with an improbable fourth quarter comeback. Eli Manning makes it two MVP’s in row for the Manning clan, while relegating New England to also-ran status. The entire nation can take a collective deep breath, knowing that we will no longer be subjected to Boston’s rants of “All-Time Greatest” and “Welkaaaah!!!!”

The Eli Manning sack-escape and 30 yard throw, followed up with David Tyree’s miraculous catch-on-the-helmet will surely be re-played for years to come. When New York first went up 14-10, Tom Brady and the Patriots seemed to be energized into action and stormed down the field to re-take the lead. The quick drive covered 80 yards in just over five minutes, and New England only faced one third down, which happened to be the final play of the drive. With just over two minutes to go, Eli Manning returned the favor. Two third down conversions and one fourth down conversion kept the drive alive time and time again. I have to say I had all the confidence in the world that Eli would lead his team to victory. Kind of a weird sensation. But the Giants seemed like they KNEW they would win, even after just watching New England take the lead with a fairly effortless drive.

It should not be too surprising that the Giants ended up winning, even though they were double-digit underdogs. What is surprising is the manner in which they won. If anything, many people expected a high scoring game in which the Giants would need to be perfect to pull off the upset. Instead, the Giants relied on a stifling defense and just enough offense to win the game. Other than Wes Welker, the Giants kept New England’s offensive weapons in check. Brady appeared rattled and unsure for most of the game, missing several open receivers. Maroney was non-existent. Randy Moss was kept in check, aside from the touchdown pass, which was made much easier when the corner fell down. Even Welker never truly burned the Giants - his longest gain only went for 19 yards and he averaged under ten yards per reception. I felt that New England was somewhat fortunate to have been in the game as long as they were – at times they appeared to be completely dominated. An unfortunate bounce killed a second quarter NY red-zone drive. Another drive that approached the red zone fell apart after an Eli Manning fumble and “batting” penalty.

New England did have some perplexing play calls of their own. Normally going for the jugular whenever possible, NE decided to punt on a fourth and 2 in Giants territory (although the eventually were awarded a first down due to a Giant’s penalty on the punt) and then oddly decided to go for it on fourth and 13 when the could have attempted a 48 yard field goal. Those three points clearly would have come in handy at the end of the game. Who knows what the hooded master was thinking on those two calls? We’ll never know, but I don’t really care. Evil was defeated, and all of America was united in celebrating the Giants’ victory in perhaps one of the greatest Championship games ever.

Oh, and sorry Bill Simmons. Maybe you shouldn’t have written an article naming the 2007 Patriots as Boston’s best ever sports team…THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!

Jackass…

Pulitzer Prize, here I come!

This just in! Jacksonville defensive lineman Paul Spicer made inflammatory statements regarding the New England Patriots as recently as September of 2007! And he failed to take them back when given a chance to do so!! Can you believe the nerve of this guy?

According to ESPN.com, “If the undefeated Patriots need bulletin board material for their playoff game Saturday night against the Jaguars, they have it now.” Agreed! Of all the negative things said about New England over the last four months, the Patriots will surely use this nugget of gold to fire them up. For example, Spicer absurdly claimed, in reference to the Spygate scandal, "Do like the NCAA and kick them out of the playoffs or something." He then proceeded to blaspheme "This ain't news. I've heard it in the past. They finally got caught. The Patriots got caught. They're busted." When given the chance to recant his earlier outburst, Spicer retorted “I don't regret saying what I said. I'm a man of my word. I always speak my mind and that's what I felt at that time… If they got to bring up something said so long ago, let that be their motivational tool.” Well, you know what, Paul? You have just awakened the sleeping giant. I hope you’re happy. New England would not have been motivated to win this game at all, but thanks to you, they will have just the motivation they need to kick your Jaguar asses.

ESPN.com, we must bow at your feet. Your round-the-clock reporting has given us this great insight into the minds and psyches of NFL players and coaches everywhere. In fact, I am getting a mental image of Bill Belichick pulling out a newspaper from last September and whipping his team into frenzy. “Look at this Spicer joker! He thinks we shouldn’t be here. Well, golly, let’s show him that we do deserve to be here!”

Hopefully, NFL players will learn a lesson from Spicer's gaffe. Never state your opinions, much less make observations regarding recent controversial events, lest an opponent or some bored sportswriter bring them up a year later and make you look like the fool that you are.

Tough Break, NBC Sports

Notre Dame's season just keeps getting better and better. For non-Notre Dame fans, of course. The Irish managed to make a bad season infinitely worse by falling to long-time whipping boy Navy. For the first time in 44 years. Let's make this a little more real for our readers. 44 years ago, Roger Staubach won the Heisman Trophy. Dr. Martin Luther King gave his "I have a dream" speech. President Kennedy was assassinated. The University of Alabama admitted its first black students ever. And 44 years ago, Navy defeated Notre Dame.

One positive note, Notre Dame managed to put up nearly as many points against Navy (44) than it had in its previous seven losses (60). Now for more bad news - Notre Dame's leading rusher (James Aldridge) has a grand total of 374 yards, or 8 fewer yards than Darren McFadden has put up in his last two games. Notre Dame's leading receiver (Robby Parris) has a grand total of 312 yards, or 9 fewer yards than what Jordy Nelson of Kansas State has gained in his last two contests.

Not to be outdone, Nebraska lost a lengthy streak of its own, losing to Kansas for the first time in 39 tries. The Cornhuskers amazingly gave up 76 points to its former doormat.

In honor of these fallen streaks, I would like to mention of few streaks that still live on:

Tennessee holds the nation's longest winning streak over a single opponent (22 over Kentucky) but that streak is anything but safe as the resurgent Wildcats hope to finally exorcise their orange demons.

Michigan State continues to own the nation's longest streak for most consecutive seasons with a fourth quarter meltdown. Nice work against Michigan. We knew you had it in you.

New England moved to 9-0 , longest active winning streak in the NFL.

Bill Belichick is still the biggest douchebag alive.

Travis Henry hopes to continue his streak of impregnating a woman in each city where he plays. Still some work to be done, but you'll get there, big guy.

Escobar Season lost its fifth straight fantasy matchup. Unfortunately, not all of Travis Henry's 'scores' count in the standings. I think I need to speak with the commissioner.

Now on to this week's college football rankings.

1.) LSU
LSU just managed to scrape by a motivated Alabama squad. Four consecutive SEC games decided by a touchdown or less have Tiger fans on the edge of their seats. Louisiana Tech should give LSU a breather this week.
2.) Oregon
Oregon dominated Arizona State with an even balance of run and pass. Assuming that Dennis Dixon's injury is nothing serious, Oregon will have plenty of ammunition to support its run to the BCS title game.
3.) Ohio State
Ohio State slogged its way to a 17-17 fourth quarter tie with the PJ Hill-less Badgers before blowing the game open. The Buckeyes defense looks to be for real, having allowed 17 or fewer points in each of its contests so far. Illinois and Michigan have the playmakers to test Ohio State's defense.
4.) Oklahoma
Oklahoma has struggled at times over the last month, but was clicking on all cylinders against the hapless Aggies. Barring an unexpected collapse, the Sooners look to take on Missouri or Kansas in the Big 12 Championship.
5.) Missouri
Kansas is starting to gain support and has passed Missouri in the polls. Don't forget that Missouri blew out Nebraska 41-6 (nearly the same margin as Kansas) while also blowing out a Colorado team that hung tough with Kansas. Until Kansas beats Missouri, I don't believe that the Jayhawks deserve to be ranked ahead of Missouri.
6.) WVU
Idle this past weekend, WVU faces a still-dangerous Louisville team this week. With the early loss to South Florida, West Virginia cannot afford any slipups in the Big East.
7.) Kansas
Kansas managed to go from underrated to overrated somewhere in between its ninth and tenth touchdown against Nebraska. Kansas travels to OK State in what could be the Jayhawks' toughest challenge yet.
8.) ASU
Arizona State was beaten by a better team in the de facto Pac-10 championship game last weekend. Other than its win against Cal, ASU doesn't have alot to stand on. Consecutive wins against UCLA and USC would go a long way towards proving that Arizona State still belongs in the top ten.
9.) Georgia
The 'Dawgs gave up 34 points to Troy State, who probably deserves more credit than they have received, but nonetheless the game raised a few questions. This weekend's game against Auburn is HUGE. A loss effectively knocks either team out of the SEC championship race.
10.) Florida
Florida avoided a letdown by thrashing Vanderbilt. You can bet that the Gators will be excited for this week's game: Florida travels to South Carolina to face the Ol' Ball Coach.
11.) Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech really put the screws to a weak-looking Georgia Tech, who missed the presence of star running back Tashard Choice. A suddenly dangerous Florida State team comes into Blacksburg this Saturday.
12.) Auburn
Auburn cruised over lightweight Tennessee Tech, but the schedule ends in tough fashion with games against rivals Georgia and Alabama. Two wins would certainly vault the Tigers into BCS at-large consideration, despite the three losses.
13.) Michigan
One cannot say enough about Mario Manningham. This playmaker has bailed Michigan out of more tough situations than I can remember. Michigan travels to Wisconsin this weekend and then next weekend (sh!) the Buckeyes come into town. I think I speak for all SEC fans when I say that I would love to see Michigan win the Big Ten. It's not everyday that a team that loses to a I-AA team is in position to win the Big Ten.
14.) BC
The wheels finally came off of BC's pumpkin carriage and Matt Ryan's Heisman hopes. The loss to Florida State still leaves BC in position to win the ACC and chance at a BCS bowl, but no dice on competing for the National Championship.
15.) USC
USC has a chance to post its first notable win of the season. The Trojans face off against Cal this weekend.
16.) Connecticut
After routing Rutgers, Connecticut certainly looks like the real deal. Imagine if someone had said that sentence five years ago. That would have just sounded plain ridiculous.
17.) Texas
Another fourth quarter comeback for the Longhorns ensures that they stay in the Top 25. Jamaal Charles has been the savior of this team, racking up 470 yards in his last two games. Texas Tech's porous defense shouldn't present much of a challenge for the Texas running game, but their aerial attack should trouble the Longhorns defense.
18.) Cal
After three straight losses, Cal was able to hold off Washington State and get the win. A win at home over USC this weekend would help ease the pain of falling from #2 to Pac-10 also-ran.
19.) Alabama
Nail-biter loss to LSU doesn't diminish the fact that Alabama has re-established itself as contender. The Crimson faithful is eagerly anticipating the season finale against hated Auburn.
20.) Tennessee
Tennessee looked like a finely tuned offensive machine against last week's opponent. Unfortunately, that opponent was 1-8 Louisiana Lafayette. The Volunteers' questionable defense must be very nervous at the prospect of chasing down Darren McFadden and Felix Jones this Saturday.
21.) Boise State
Boise State was impressive in handling San Jose State. With winless Utah St and 1-9 Idaho next on the schedule, Boise State should have plenty of time to prepare for Colt Brennan and the Hawaii Warriors.
22.) Clemson
Clemson has blown out all of its weaker opponents, but struggled against anyone presenting a moderate challenge (Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech) so it will be interesting to see if Clemson shows up for Wake Forest, BC and South Carolina.
23.) Kentucky
Kentucky was idle last week. If Kentucky can knock off Tennessee and Georgia, they could be right back in the thick of the SEC East race. I consider that to be a pretty big 'if' at this point, though.
24.) Virginia
Not quite dead yet, Virginia eked by Wake Forest to stay atop the ACC Coastal division.
25.) Hawaii
Hawaii finally gets a chance to prove itself this week. The Warriors face off against Fresno State in a battle of WAC contenders.

Others warranting consideration: Florida State, Illinois, Penn State, Cincinnati, Arkansas