Sports Agenda for Thursday (10/11/12)
Big Story:
The Heat are in action in Beijing this morning, including Dwyane Wade for his first action since offseason knee surgery. The Dolphins welcome in Jeff Fisher and the Rams on Sunday, revenge anyone? The Canes can't look past the Tar Heels this weekend. Plus my weekend picks!
Quote of the Day:
"Those who produce should have, but we know that those who produce the most – that is, those who work the hardest, and at the most difficult and most menial tasks, have the least." – Eugene V. Debs, sums up broadcast journalism perfectly.
College Football:
Some huge games this weekend including Spurrier's Gamecocks heading to Death Valley to take on the LSU Tigers.
That game is in prime time and Death Valley didn't get that nickname for nothing.
Many a team has gone into Death Valley with championship aspirations only to leave with their tail between their legs.
Plus, Notre Dame looks to stay undefeated.
We've got the Red River Rivalry.
And an undefeated team no one saw coming, Oregon State, and a one-loss team looks to become bowl eligible for the first time in years, Duke.
So, on to the picks.
Kansas State over Iowa State
Texas over Oklahoma
Ole Miss over Auburn
Duke over Virginia Tech
North Carolina over Miami
Alabama over Missouri (told you, I'm not picking Missouri again this season)
Oklahoma State big over Kansas (take that Jayhawks)
Oregon State over BYU
Stanford over Notre Dame
West Virginia BIG over Texas Tech
Florida State over Boston College
Florida over Vanderbilt
Baylor over TCU
USC over Washington
South Carolina over LSU
Mississippi State over Tennessee
UPSET SPECIAL: Louisiana Tech over Texas A&M
Miami Dolphins:
Ah yes, remember the last time we saw Jeff Fisher?
He was leaving the Dolphins facility in a chopper after being wooed by Stephen Ross and company?
He took the Rams and will do well there if he can turn the RGIII trade into solid players, which remains to be seen.
Miami, yeah, they took Joe Philbin and Ryan Tannehill and just like that, are contenders.
Yes, the Dolphins are contenders in the AFC East because let's face it, Buffalo is just awful and the Jets, well, they're still stuck in the Sanchize mode.
As for this weekend's game, I think Miami will continue to stuff the run and I don't think Sam Bradford has the weapons yet to beat the Dolphins as a one-dimensional passing team.
That said, Miami will have to watch it when it goes to the air because the Rams corners are improving and Cortland Finnegan will get in your head in a hurry.
Miami is a 3.5 point favorite and I think that's about right.
Take Miami and the points over St. Louis, 21-17
Miami Heat:
The Heat are in the Far East this morning, local time, and are playing the Clippers.
They'll play them again on Sunday before returning home.
The Heat saw Dwyane Wade return to the lineup this morning, which is good, but let's hope they don't rush him back too fast.
Remember Heat fans, October-March doesn't matter in the NBA…it's only April-June to focus on.
That's it for today, enjoy the weekend of football.
Follow me on Twitter @timkephart33
