PokBefore we delve into the NFL playoffs, let’s talk a little bit about college basketball. College hoops is losing a lot of its unique charm, and additionally costing those of us who work on projecting the games a lot of opportunities in the mega-conference era. I take notes on interesting things that happen in college basketball that may provide motivational or matchup clues for the re-match. Unfortunately there are fewer and fewer rematches. When Georgia Tech was obliterated by North Carolina this week I took note that Paul Hewitt doesn’t even seem to be trying sometimes in these early-season conference affairs, all the better to capture his team’s attention and have his team revved up for the home stretch and tourney time. It worked for him last year. But unfortunately there is no rematch of the two teams. That’s right, unless they meet in the ACC tourney Georgia Tech and North Carolina do not play after January 12th this season. On Thursday night experienced and smart Marquette played a horrific game in their loss at Memphis, turning the ball over a stunning 25 times. Travis Denier shot 3 for 12, Steve Novak scored 6 points, mostly in garbage time, and the Warriors (errr, excuse me, Golden Eagles) did nothing right and took a couple of elbows and cheap shots. Obviously a veteran team like this would be highly motivated on their strong home court when the undisciplined Tigers came to town, right? Sorry, no rematch.

But these mega-conferences keep a lot of ex-jocks with minimal job skills employed as mid-level Assistant Athletic Director For Dental Floss Management from having to sell insurance for a living, so I guess it is all worth it. After all, ACC purists can’t be upset when two former Big East teams play each other for the conference football championship in Year 1 of their conference affiliation, can they? And isn’t it worth having college hoops powers Virginia Tech and Miami boosting your conference RPI?

Let’s discuss the NFL playoffs. Historically this round of the playoffs has been a field day for the rested #1 and #2 seeds. The problem is that everybody knows it. Even your Aunt Mildred could quote the stats. That’s why the Jets are as much as a 9-point dog on the same field where they were catching 5 (and outgaining the Steelers) in a competitive 17-6 loss (two 4th quarter Steeler TD’s) with a less healthy Chad Pennington just a few weeks ago. Due to the rest and focus you’re giving away 4 points, including key numbers 6 and 7.

Now in the past that hasn’t mattered. The rested teams rolled. But last year the underdogs went 0-4 to the number in this round, with two outright upsets, a miracle win by favored Philly over Green Bay, and a lot of “woulda, coulda, shoulda” from the Titans after their near miss in New England. Is there so much parity that this history doesn’t matter? That’s an important judgment to make as we analyze the weekend card. I don’t have the answer.

In addition to the Steelers/Jets game mentioned above, the other three games are all rematches from the first two weeks of the season. In the prime-time Thursday night season kickoff New England beat the Colts by 27-24 in a game where the Colts had 3 red zone turnovers. In week 2 on Monday night the Eagles beat the Vikes 27-16 in a game where Minnesota had a killer “entering the end zone” turnover and Terrell Owens had a long TD catch that should have been overturned. And the Falcons beat the Rams 34-17 with a rushing edge of 242-30, but the game was 17-17 in the 4th quarter.

Now a lot has happened since those early season games, but it is worth noting that the Eagles were –2 then and –8½ now while the Falcons were –2 then and –7 now. Conversely, Peyton Manning’s monster season and New England’s cornerback situation has that 3-point line down to 1½ or 2, despite the less than Domelike temperatures in Foxborough. But then again, New England had a defensive backfield back around Labor Day.

My handicapping service (Strategic Sports Publishing) was fortunate enough to earn the #1 rankings from The Sports Monitor both in the NFL and in College & NFL combined with a 74-34 (68.5%) record for the full season. We’re also winning pretty good in hoops. For more information see here: http://www.consumerbet.com/articles/winner.html or keep up with my free football and basketball analysis every day by calling 1-770-618-8700 (free 24-hour voice mail broadcast).

Let me get this straight, a 15-year old girl shoots 75 in windy conditions in the opening round of a PGA Tour event and it is seen as a disappointment? Yikes. And a nationally televised high school football All Star game has players announcing their college decisions live on the air. I understand you want to know who your school is getting to play for them but the level of interest in this whole recruiting thing and the thought of grown men spending their evenings emailing and calling high school kids for scraps of information really flummoxes me.

Sharp-shooting Texas hits nearly 49% from the field but the conference road is a different story and Rick Barnes’ crew came up short against resurgent A&M earlier in the week. The Longhorns head to Lincoln Saturday to take on a Cornhusker team that has held opponents to only 37.6% shooting on the season. Nebraska will demand a slower pace and the home team usually controls the tempo. While the Longhorns should be looking to bounce back, Texas hosts Oklahoma State on Big Monday two days hence. Lookahead anyone? Take the points with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Thanks for reading us this week. Good luck and be careful. If you’d like to get this newsletter directly via email you can do so by signing up at http://www.consumerbet.com/email.html. Remember to call our free hotline at 770-618-8700, a free 24-hour service with analysis and selections every game day.