The Sports Socialite

I honestly can’t stand people, who are irresponsible, having guns.

Plaxico Burress shot himself as his gun apparently slid down his pants while at a club.  Check out TMZ for the details.

Here is the rest of the NFL For this long weekend…

San Francisco @ Buffalo : Bills

Baltimore @ Cincinnati : Ravens

Indianapolis @ Cleveland : Colts

Carolina @ Green Bay : Packers

Miami @ St. Louis : Dolphins

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay : Saints

NY Giants @ Washington : Redskins

Atlanta @ San Diego : Falcons

Pittsburgh @ New England : Steelers

Denver @ NY Jets : Jets

Kansas City @ Oakland : Raiders

Chicago @ Minnesota : Vikings

MNF-

Jacksonville @ Houston : Jaguars

So, here are my Saturday picks for this odd week-

Georgia Tech @ Georgia : Tech

Virginia @ Virginia Tech : Tech

Kansas @ Missouri : Kansas

Florida @ Florida State : Florida

Auburn @ Alabama : ‘bama

Maryland @ Boston College : BC

Kentucky @ Tennessee : Tennessee

Oregon @ Oregon State : OSU

Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State : OU

Notre Dame @ USC : SC

This has been a confusing and hard weekend.  Yesterday, my focus was the mall.

There is plenty to be thankful for tomorrow… that you may still have a job, still have a home, still have your pension, still have your family (at least the ones you can tolerate).

On this Thanksgiving, I have nearly inked in my schedule inorder to get all accomplished.  Like many, I will be starting things off tonight.

Here’s how I see Thanksgiving Day -

Tennessee @ Detroit : Titans

Seattle @ Dallas : Cowboys

Arizona @ Philadelphia : Cardinals

Now, because the late game is on the NFL Network, my friends and I will be finding an alternate location for this, but my day will begin at my Mom’s home for the early game.  I will play with my dog, watch the Lions lose, eat lunch, and do some cooking of my own. 

The mid-day game will, most likely, be watched at my house as I prepare the dishes I will be taking up the street to the dinner hosted by my friend Natalie.

Like any good planner, I will be creating a fab dessert tonight as a few of us get together and enjoy some already open bottles of wine… I may also whip up my cranberry/Grand Marnier relish, as it cannot hurt to let that marinate until tomorrow.

Last night, I couldn’t believe how empty Staples Center was. 

Not how empty it was at the start of the game, waiting for the typical LA crowd to show up, but how empty it stayed.

About one third of the concession stands were open, there was never a line for the restroom, and the seats were so empty.

Both teams played a good game, but toward the end the Clippers’ desparation and frusteration became evident with the fouls that were being committed.  At one point, it looked like Chris Paul almost got his head torn off as I watched from the far court.

Just before the half, I joined the small crowd that was gathered on the concourse to watch Drew Brees & his Saints finish off the Packers in what was their first home game in more than 40 days… well, first home game in New Orleans.  Bear in mind, that trip to London was a home game for them, too.

His Seniors knew how to send Joe off onto retirement…

Coach Joe Tiller coached his last game on Saturday, a 62-10 thumping of IU.  It was Senior Day, the last game on the schedule, and it was against Indiana.  Unfortunately, there is no bowl game this year as Purdue is a notch above the bottom of the Big 10.

Tiller’s first season was my freshman year at Purdue.  I hate dating myself like that. 

Joe was the most successful coach Purdue has had.  Over 12 seasons he went to 10 bowl games and won a Big Ten Championship in 2000 (his 4th season).  In the past years, the program hasn’t been as fruitful, but many argue that the athletic department hs pulled in the reigns in many areas which has hurt the program and taken power away from the wrong people.

So long, Joe… you will be missed.  I hope you and Arnett enjoy a wonderful retirement.

Yes, your’s truely has a date with basketball.  Chris Paul & the Hornets are in town on an extended stay to play the Clippers tonight.  I’ll be at the game whenever I get done with whatever it is I do.  Keep an eye out for me down on the floor.

If you remember any of the trade info from the past seasons, Baron Davis is one team removed from being a Hornet.

I don’t think there is a lot of anamosity between Baron & his former team… but his current team could use a lot of help.  Apparently BD is not enough to make the Clips good.

With Thanksgiving 4 days away, I encourage ya’ll to go get ‘em!

Tampa Bay @ Detroit : Detroit

NY Jets @ Tennessee : Jets

Buffalo @ Kansas City : Cheifs

Chicago @ St. Louis : Bears

New England @ Miami : Dolphins

Minnesota @ Jacksonville : Jaguars

Philadelphia @ Baltimore : Eagles

Houston @ Cleveland : Browns

San Francisco @ Dallas : Cowboys

Oakland @ Denver : Broncos

Washington @ Seattle : Redskins

NY Giants @ Arizona : Cardinals

Carolina @ Atlanta : Falcons

Indianapolis @ Chargers : Colts

MNF -

Green Bay @ New Orleans : Saints

I know I did nopt post my pick for the thursday game, but I totally had the Steelers takling it.

Rivalries!  That’s what is supposed to be going on this week.  There are a few gamess listed below that I wouldn’t consider to be in that category.  It seems that some conferences do not play long enough (Big Ten) to keep their teams in the spotlight.

Michigan @ Ohio State : OSU

North Carolina State @ North Carolina : NC State

Indiana @ Purdue : Purdue

Tennessee @ Vanderbilt : Vandy

Syracuse @ Notre Dame : ‘Cuse

Michigan State @ Penn State : PSU

Stanford @ Cal : Cal

Cal Poly @ Wisconsin : Wisconsin

BYU @ Utah : BYU

Oregon State @ Arizona : U of A

Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati : Pitt

Texas Tech @ Oklahoma : OU

After this weekend, you will see the Big Ten fall off the map ( their play was mediocre this season ).  I’m sure those Cal Poly kids from the beach will love Madison this time of year.  According to The Weather Channel, the high for the game will be 38*, while back here 76*.

Ball State University.  Really?  Really, 11-0?  I don’t get it. 

But here’s what I do get, after winning at Central Michigan on Wednesday (I dislike these mid-week games, by the way… have I mentioned that?) in a game that was a bit too close, BSU is undefeated but probably will not crack the top 10.  There are currently five 2-loss teams ahead of them.

Ball State’s opponents’ records and opposition will hold them back.  All BSU can hope for is a mess in the middle in the next two weeks… BSU needs teams like Boise State, Utah, and a few Big 12 teams to drop the ball to free up those at large bids.