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Here are some comments on several (American) sports and sports teams.

BCS versus Playoff

It’s become pretty clear that to determine a true NCAA football champion, there must be a playoff and not rely of the top two ranked teams from a computer ranking. I would suggest a 4-game playoff, but a an 8-game playoff would be needed to satisfy everyone completely. Every year, there’s controversy over the “true” national champ, and I’m tired of it! Currently, the top five teams in the college football rankings all have one loss (Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and USC), so who’s to say which two should play for all the marbles? Let them decide that on the field with a playoff.

Lowly Detroit Lions

So the Detroit Lions NFL football team is 0-12. They are becoming very close to being the first 0-16 team in history. Only one team has gone 0-14, and they had an excuse–it was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their very first year of existence (1976). The 1980 Saints started 0-14, and last year’s Dolphins lost their first 13 games. The Lions themselves started the 2001 season 0-12 before finally beating the Vikings (who they play tomorrow!).

U of M football and basketball

So I won’t talk about my alma mater’s horrendous football season, but at least the Michigan Wolverine basketball team is finally doing well. They upset two teams already early this season–fourth ranked Duke and the week before, fourth ranked UCLA.

Bay Area Sports

So I’ve been living in the Bay area for 1 1/2 years now, and am still easing into the area’s professional sports teams. I did go to a San Francisco Giants baseball game this past summer, and am looking forward to a Golden State Warriors basketball game. I do have tickets to a San Jose Sharks hockey game in January (they’re playing the Detroit Red Wings).

Playoff basketball and hockey is here again. And I’m liking it.

I like many NBA teams, but the team from my hometown is my favorite–the Detroit Pistons. They’re up 2-0 on the Orlando Magic, and playing game 3 this evening. Also, today, Pistons guard Chauncey Billups won the Kennedy Award (for sportsmanship).

I’m not as much a hockey fan, but I usually get playoff Red Wings fever. They’re starting the next playoff series against Dallas tomorrow after destroying Colorado last week. The Red Wings will be well rested, hopefully not too rusty.

Go Pistons and Red Wings!

Chauncey Billups of the Detroit Pistons

Yesterday was a fun day. It was Cinco de Mayo, and my wife and I got away from the kids and had a great Tex-Mex meal at Don Pablo’s. Of course, had to wash it down with a Corona and a Margarita on the rocks. But more importantly, the Detroit sports teams all won! All games were at home.
The Detroit Pistons won big over the Chicago Bulls in the first game of the second round of the NBA playoffs. Take that, Ben Wallace!

The Detroit Red Wings won pretty convincingly over the tough San Jose sharks in the NHL playoffs. Not a huge hockey fan, but will always watch the Wings when I can.

The Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals. Gotta get to the very nice Comerica Park before I leave for California. Damn Comerica. They put their name on the nice baseball stadium downtown, and now I hear they’re leave the city…

This is a great time of year for sports fans. The NHL playoffs are entering the second round (go Red Wings!); the NBA playoffs just started (go Pistons!); and baseball is in full swing, (pardon the pun).

I tried going to a Detroit Tigers baseball game last Friday, but the weather was actually nice and there were only standing room tickets left! So my mom, wife and I (don’t laugh at me!) went to Greektown to eat, hit the Casino for a few, and even made it to the Old Shillelagh for a brew (yes, another great pub!).