The Sports Socialite

Two teams at 10-0…that’s it.  Nevermind that at 9-1, the Vikings are sitting pretty, but it is the Saints and the Colts who are getting all the attention.  The Saints do have the most favorable schedule to make it through the regular season unscathed, but how good are the Saints?  Are they good enough to sustain a few rounds of the playoffs against winning teams?  I hope so, I will not hide the fact that I had class with Drew Brees in college, and he’s a stand-up guy, and I like it when good guys win, since it seems to not happen often enough.

Tampa Bay @ Atlanta – Falcons

Miami @ Buffalo – Dolphins

Cleveland @ Cincinnati – Bengals

Seattle @ St. Louis – Rams

Carolina @ NY Jets – Jets

Washington @ Philadephia – Eagles

Indianapolis @ Houston – Colts

Kansas City @ San Diego – Chargers

Jacksonville @ San Francisco – 49er’s

Chicago @ Minnesota – Vikings

Arizona @ Tennessee – Cardinals

Pittsburgh @ Baltimore – Ravens

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New England @ New Orleans – Saints

The week of Thanksgiving is typically rivalry week in college football, except that the Big Ten has already finished their schedule.  I continue to believe that the Big Ten needs to restructure their schedule so that a majority of teams are still playing this weekend.  All of the Big Ten’s rivalry match-ups happened last weekend…and now the teams are off, waiting for the bowl selection show to know who they are playing, where, and when.

During this time of thanks, there is more than just family, friends, faith, and football to be thankful for…but those four pretty much cover it.

Alabama @ Auburn – Crimson Tide

Pittsburgh @ West Virginia – Panthers

Clemson @ South Carolina – Tigers

Oklahoma State @ Oklahoma – Sooners

Miami @ South Florida – Hurricanes

Arizona @ Arizona State – Wildcats

Utah @ BYU – Cougars

Notre Dame @ Stanford – Cardinal

UCLA @ USC – Bruins

For UCLA, this game is a true statement game.  Their program is on the up-swing, while USC got found out.  Both teams already bowl-eligible, would like the win to put themselves in a better bowl position since the win/loss record isn’t the only thing the selection committee’s consider. 

When Mark Sanchez declared for the NFL draft and Pete Carroll wasn’t fully supportive, it seemed easy to understand…Pete didn’t want to lose hs starting quarterback.  It seems as if there is more behind those thoughts.  USC lost 9 defensive starters; as a coach, you hope to not lose so many at once.  Until the new starters get used to playing the full game, you need a lot of offense to compensate for the loss.  Your new goal is a shoot-out, run up the score, and hope your defense doesn’t allow the oppostition to score as much.  If you have a brand new QB too, that is not as easy.  The defense never got caught up to quality opponent game speed as the season went on. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yikes, need my picks!

Green Bay @ Detroit – Lions
Oakland @ Dallas – Raiders
NY Giants @ Denver – Giants

Update: wow, I was off.  I mst have been tired from the fun Wednesday night out with friends and needing to get dinner started. :/

What a great evening!  Laughs for Bald Bryan, hosted by Adam Carolla, raised money for “Bald” Bryan Bishop who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor this past April.

Bryan and his bride Christie went onstage near the start of the show to give an update and to say thanks to the sell-out crowd, before retiring to their front row-center seats amongst their family and friends. 

Kate with Adam Carolla

Adam Carolla did more than just emcee the night, he and his wife were essential in getting the evening to come together and using their friends to help.  As it was said, you want Adam Carolla as your friend if you get a brian tumor.

Kate with Joel McHale

Joel McHale would want me to tell you, that you can catch him on Community at 8/7ct Thursdays on NBC.

To learn about Bryan’s progress, you can read Christie’ s blog about what Bryan and her go through everyday.

I did participate in the silent auction and won the table saw… something I could have totally used today as I worked on renovating my new home.  I am waiting on delivery.

I stopped playing soccer after 5th grade.  I have not been to a professional soccer match.  I have been in the same room as David Beckham, and had no idea because I am taller than him.

Apparently, importing David Beackham is finally paying off for the LA Galaxy.  The Galaxy are facing Real Salt Lake tonight (ok, it’s airing right now) in Seattle for the MLS Cup.

Good luck LA!  You’ve got the MVP on your team, Landon Donovan.

As fans and commentators continue to question Bill Belichick’s 4th down call late in the 4th quarter against the Colts last week, the Patroits have professed that the call was statistically correct, and they have moved on to their game today against the Jets.  Nevermind that Belichick may not have any faith in his defense and felt taking more time off the clock and potentially scoring was more important.

There are only 2 undefeated teams left…the Saints and the Colts.  It seems as if the Colts would have the more difficult task of coming away with a win this season, however, the Saints are travelling to Tampa Bay without Reggie Bush and Sedrick Ellis which could factor into an upset.

Washington @ Dallas – Cowboys

Cleveland @ Detroit – Lions

San Francisco @ Green Bay – Packers

Pittsburgh @ Kansas City – Steelers

Atlanta @ NY Giants – Giants

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay – Saints

Buffalo @ Jacksonville – Jaguars

Indianapolis @ Baltimore – Ravens

Seattle @ Minnesota – Vikings

Arizona @ St. Louis – Cardinals

NY Jets @ New England – Patriots

Cincinnati @ Oakland – Bengals

San Diego @ Denver – Chargers

Philadelphia @ Chicago – Bears

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Tennessee @ Houston – Titans

Living in Los Angeles and not having a team, I am alwasy slightly annoyed when CBS & FOX don’t air a double-header on Sundays.  Today, CBS does have the double-header while Fox is only airing the 1p/est game.

I was en route to another losing game as I received frantic texts, facebook updates, and calls about how awful Purdue started, and eventually finished.  Another close game hurts more than a blow-out.   I got to witness the blow-out that afternoon.  The day was filled with firsts including the first time I had left a football game prior to the end.

Apparently this week has transpired into many celebrations… ESPN is taunting the 25 yr anniversary of Doug Flutie’s incredible pass while at Boston College against Miami, and Georgia is celebrating the life of Uga XII as he passed n Thursday.  There will be no mascot roaming the sidelines during the Kentucky @ Georgia game tonight.

Ohio State @ Michigan – Buckeyes

Minnesota @ Iowa – Hawkeyes

Connecticut @ Notre Dame – Huskies

LSU @ Mississippi – Tigers

Penn State @ Michigan State – NIttany Lions

Virginia @ Clemson – Tigers

Arizona State @ UCLA – Bruins

California @ Stanford – Cardinal

Kentucky @ Georgia – Bulldogs

Oregon @ Arizona – Ducks

Yes, I watch College Gameday on ESPN, and I find it interesting how in USC’s bye-week, they still find a way to talk about the Trojans.

Tonight is the night!  Besides a great night of comedy from Adam Carolla, Jimmy Kimmel, Dr. Drew, Greg Fitzsimmons, Dana Gould, Larry Miller, Joel McHale, and Eric Stromer, and music by The Dan Band and Bad Religion the night is for a great (tax-deductable) cause… Bryan Bishop.

Besides the jokes and music for those in attandance, there is also an auction that can be accessed on-line for those who will not be at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre tonight for Laughs for Bald Bryan.

I am hoping for Dr. Drew and Ace to team up for some live Loveline but either way, I promise to ask Dr. Drew how to fix my “picker”.

I will have pictures following the event.

Regarding the Thursday night game that airs on the NFL Network, I dislike it.  The NFL is meant for Sunday and Monday night.  The only acceptable time for a Thursday game is Thanksgiving.  I am a traditionalist.  I also do not like how 2 teams have to fly to England (old England), and one of those teams loses a home game.

New Orleans @ St. Louis – Saints

Tampa Bay @ Miami – Dolphins

Detroit @ Minnesota – Vikings

Jacksonville @ NY Jets – Jets

Buffalo @ Tennessee – Titans

Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh – Bengals

Denver @ Washington – Broncos

Atlanta @ Carolina – Falcons

Kansas City @ Oakland – Raiders

Seattle @ Arizona – Cardinals

Dallas @ Green Bay – Cowboys

Philadelphia @ San Diego – Eagles

New England @ Indianapolis – Colts

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Baltimore @ Cleveland – Ravens

A fun-filled dayof adventure was had up until kick-off.  We went to the Sharkeez Tailgate Tent hosted by the South Bay Alumni Club,

Pictures to follow.