October 4, 2007

The first Thursday is October is here. This weekend contains some important games in college football as teams now scramble to stay in the national championship race. The Oklahoma-Texas loser will lose their slim hopes for a national title and doubly bad, is the fact that the loser will miss out on the Big 12 championship game as well.

The SEC has a couple of big games, starting with tonight’s battle between Kentucky and South Carolina. The teams have only one loss between them as they sit atop the SEC East. Both teams are dependent on their offenses but for different reasons. Kentucky, who relies on theirs, is led by quarterback Andre Woodson. He is grabbing the attention of many NFL scouts as he went 325 pass attempts without an interception, which was a new NCAA record. South Carolina, whose offense can be a hindrance at times, is led by head coach Steve Spurrier. Spurrier has had to rotate between two quarterbacks, Chris Smelley and Blake Mitchell as his usual offensive display has been muzzled. Though South Carolina’s defense is strong, I think Woodson leads Kentucky to victory and keeps them undefeated.

The “major” SEC battle looks a lot less important as Florida unexpectedly lost at home to Auburn. Even still, the Gators trip to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers has huge national title implications. The Tigers defense has been stifling, especially at home. For further proof, check the game earlier this season when Virginia Tech visited the Bayou. Florida was left licking its wounds as they got caught looking ahead to this game. Now they have the chance to show what they can do. Sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow has looked good against inferior competition but he will have to play his best collegiate game as Florida not only tries to not only stay in the national championship picture but two losses will probably knock the Gators from the SEC title chase as well.

If its October, then its Major League Baseball playoff time. Three of four playoff series have started and I am comfortable in feeling that the Colorado Rockies will face the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. The Rockies have too much momentum, while the Red Sox have too much pitching. For the first round in the National League, the Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks will advance as the Chicago Cubs will pay for not leaving their ace, Carlos Zambrano in the game longer. In the American League, the Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians will advance as their pitching staffs are the most complete.

Well, October is a great month for sports fans. You have baseball playoffs, college and professional football and then at the end of the month, the NBA. October, ITS FANASTIC!!!!!!