Verb's Superbowl Pick 6

It's Superbowl time and oh man is this fun!

I love the Superbowl!

Every year its great even if my team isn't in it. And trust me it's been awhile!

This year is Pittsburgh and Arizona (in case you haven't hear yet).

Whisenhunt vs. Tomlin

Polamlu vs. Warner and Fitzgerald

Is Hines Ward going to be affective?

Will Ben be better this time?

How great is the Steelers defense?

How is Anquan Boldin going to affect the game?

Will Bruce Springstein end his set with "Born in the U.S.A?"

There are so many interesting stories for this year's game. Media week was relatively boring. I wasn't in Tampa but none of us really heard anything news worthy from either side going into the game. You didn't hear any trash talking, no one was talking about anyone's mother, no one was going out and getting arrested late at night. It really was rather uneventful.

The game is tomorrow and I am here to answer all the questions about who is going to win and by how much and what and who you should bet on.

I really had planned on giving you some prop bets but I couldn't find any lines so I am just going to give you 6 strange predictions that I think will happen during tomorrow night's game. Obviously the final two with include some analysis about the actual game and who you should take and how many points will be scored.

Anyway, here are my 6 quirky predictions for Superbowl 43.

1. Bud Light will have the best Superbowl commercial.

2. The Boss will not play "Born in the U.S.A" but he will play "Born to Run".

3. A quarterback will win the MVP award.

4. Larry Fitgerald will have a touchdown.

5. Hines Ward will not be a factor in this game.

6. Anquan Boldin will also have a touchdown in this game.

Bonus: Neither team will gain more than 70 yards rushing.

Bonus Part II: A field goal will be the first score of the game.

Ok, so I gave you a full Pick 6 plus 2 just with the quirky side predictions. I didn't play on it but then I threw those two in there about the commercial and the halftime show so I guess I went a little overboard.

Oh well, It's just more for you to think about and bet your money on!

Let's get to the game!

Pittsburgh & Arizona (in Tampa)

The Points Spread: It started out at 7 but I have saw it at 6.5 yesterday so I am going with that.

The Over/Under: 46.5

The Analysis: Oh man, what can I say that hasn't already been said. I believe its going to come down to who can make a big play in the passing game. I think there is going to be plenty of scoring but it's going to be the one big play that really decides the game. Pittsburgh's defense may be the best the NFL has ever seen. Arizona's offense isn't the best we have ever seen but it's pretty darn good and everyone is healthy right now. Boldin and Fitzgerald are both great and they will cause problem's for the Steelers secondary. I expect both running games to be somewhat neutralized and really neither one is going to be a factor. There might be one or two rushing touchdowns but they will be from in close. Don't be surprised if both quarterbacks get close or over the 300 yard mark. Quarterback pressure is going to be a big key in this game as well. Whoever can pressure the quarterback better will have a huge advantage. I give that advantage to Pittsburgh but you could give them the advantage in almost everything in this game. But remember, everyone expert has been giving Arizona's opponent the edge in everything up until this game and this game is not different. Arizona will keep this game close. It's going to be a great game to watch from start to finish.

The Pick: Pittsburgh wins 31-24, therefore take the Steelers and the Over. I really took that half point off because I really feel confident the Steelers are going to win by a touchdown and I didn't really want to predict a push.

There ya have it fans, enjoy the game, enjoy the commercials, enjoy the halftime show and most of all enjoy the company you are with! Have a great time!

Verb's Sweet Sixteen - 1/29

God, I love College Basketball!

The Superbowl is Sunday, (in case you didn't hear) so after this week, the college hardwood takes center stage.

I don't know if I told you yet but I don't really think the AP or Coaches' Poll matter much in College Basketball. As long as you are one of the 65 teams to make the tournament you're golden.

That's why I don't do a top 10 or a power ranking or anything like that. In college basketball, it just doesn't matter.

What really matters is where you are seeded, where you play your games and who you play them against. That's why I do the top 4 seed things. Soon enough I will come out with a list of teams that aren't routinely making my top 16 and which of them I think could really make a run come March. That's for a later date and more research.

Because I sort of do my own version, I like to look at Joe Lunardi's, Bracketology. That is the link. Check it out and think what you want. I have two beefs this week and that's it.

My first one as you will see in a minute is that Oklahoma is not a number 1 seed. I think they have a great team and Blake Griffin is playing great and they deserve to be rewarded. I know the argument is that the Big 12 is a bit week and what not but that team crushed Texas and they can only play who they play. They are handling every team and deserved to be rewarded.

The other is having Gonzaga as a 5 seed and St. Mary's a 10 seed. WHAT? I know Gonzaga has played a tougher schedule and all and should be rewarded for doing so but really, a five seed difference? St. Mary's has only lost 1 game all season! At least put them right around the same. I guess I have to wait and see when they play each other who is better, but I think Mr. Bracketology will be surprised by how good the Gaels really are.

Onto the seeds!

East (Boston)

1. Connecticut - They were here last week and all they did this week was end the nation's longest home winning streak by beating Notre Dame in South Bend.

2. North Carolina - They haven't played since the last version of this but that doesn't hurt at all. This team is poised to grab a one seed if one of the other teams loses.

3. Butler - That's right. Butler. I believe this team can play with anyone on any night. This is their debut in my sweet sixteen but I don't think they are going anywhere. It's just unfortunate they come in, in the East with Carolina and UConn.

4. Xavier - Same story, different week. I know I brought Butler in ahead of Xavier who has been here the whole time but I expect I'm splitting hair's and really, who would you rather play in the tournament, Carolina or UConn?

South (Memphis)

1. Duke - I am writing this before the game tonight against Wake so if they lose tonight this would totally change but right now Duke in my mind is the best team in the land. I know I am fan but I truly believe that right now with they way they play defense.

2. Louisville - I believe Duke is the best team right now but I believe Louisville is right on their heels. They team is playing great right now and they just keep beating good teams. Pitino has a good bunch of guys down there so look out.

3. Michigan St. - The Spartans lost to Northwestern. They are still a solid team but it's going to take a big win against a good team for Izzo's bunch to move back into the top 8.

4. Texas - Michigan State beat Texas earlier this season. That's the difference here plus Texas has recently lost to Arkansas and Oklahoma. It's close but Texas will be a 4 seed this week.

Midwest (Indianapolis)

1. Pittsburgh - The Big East is so tough that Pitt deserves this spot until they lose. DaJuan Blair is an animal on the inside and Fields is still running the show. This team is really good!

2. Wake Forest - The loss to Virginia Tech at home hurts bad. They spent 2 minutes at number 1 but have a chance to redeem themselves tonight against the Dukies.

3. Memphis - The one game that could propel Memphis to a number 3 seed just happened. It was the game against Tennessee and Memphis won the game. They get their 3 seed but this is the highest I see them going.

4. Illinois - The other newcomer to the sweet sixteen this week. Everyone thought Purdue would be the second best team in the Big Ten this year but the Illini are having their say. Let's see what happens with this team over the next couple of weeks.

West (Arizona but not necessarily Phoenix)

1. Oklahoma - I made my argument above for this team and why they deserve to be here.

2. Marquette - This team is the winning the Big East right now. They haven't lost a game in conference but when they do it won't hurt them a bit. This team is solid and will be hard to deal with in March.

3. Arizona State - The best team in the Pac-10 after beating UCLA and Arizona on the road. I don't know much about this team but they are playing well and winning games against solid opponents.

4. Clemson - A couple of wins will get this team back on track but I don't think they are as good as they were hyped up to be when they lost two games. Still a very solid group though.

That's it for this week. Tonight's game is going to be awesome!

Let's Go Duke!

Who is gonna win?

I am not sure if you have heard but there is a big football game this Sunday.

Some team from Arizona that has never been there before and another team from Western Pennsylvania that doesn't have any more room on their hand for rings will meet in Tampa Sunday evening.

Well actually most of the guys have met each other already and are probably dining together right now.

But that's besides the point.

This Sunday they will meet in the 43rd annual event known as the Super Bowl.

Have you ever seen it?

Yeah, me too.

But do you know who is going to win? Cause I do.


Okay now let's look at the game.

All the analysis and all the stats point to a victory by the team from Western Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

They played in the better division (although both divisions had some really bad teams) and they played in arguably the better conference. They definitely played a tougher schedule during the season and hell they won more games than the birds from Arizona.

The Steelers defense is great. They have a safety that looks like a poodle. They used to be the Steel Curtain but are now called (arguably) the best defense ever. The defensive player of the year is on the team. On offense they have a Big Ben and a Fast Willie. And to top it all off they have a guy that wears a big smile all day long especially when he is breaking guys jaws or calling for the trainers cause he just hurt somebody.

The other team, the Arizona Cardinals, well, they don't have any of that. What they do have though is the reputation of being one of the worst franchises ever although they are obviously better this year. They have a receiver who yells at his coaches in (what was) their biggest game of the year. The other receiver is being called (by some) the best in the game today. Oh and get this, they have a quarterback who used to stock grocery store shelves....no not as a kid but after college. Something else...their coach was an assistant on the Steelers last Super Bowl team. That has to count for something doesn't it?

The Cardinals have been written off all postseason. They were picked to lose against the Falcons at home. They won. They were given NO CHANCE against the Panthers in Carolina. They won, easily. They weren't supposed to beat the Eagles. They did. And guess what....they are being picked by just about everyone to lose again to the Steelers.

But you know what....this time....they will.

Steelers 34-24!

Something to watch until Super Sunday

I know that right now all of us sports fan are worried about what is going to happen next. The Superbowl is Sunday and well then what? Usually this is when the sports world kind of dies for a month and half until March Madness kicks up for a couple of weeks and then the same thing happens again.

We here at JO feel your pain as well. We have been really struggling to find things to talk and write about but I have something that may not spark all of your interests but check it out for a second and I think you might get hooked.

It's the second week of the Australian Open.

The what? you ask.

The Australian Open...The first grand slam of the year for the ATP.

That's right, tennis. I am telling you to watch tennis.

The reason I'm telling you to watch is because right now you have 3 players on the men's side that are worth watching. Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Rafa is the best player in the world and has improved his hardcourt game. He could win all 4 this year and that is awesome!

Fed has been the best player in the world and is arguably in the top 5 in history and this could be his last real run down under so don't count him out yet. He came back from 2 sets down against Berdych the other night and I wish I would've seen it.

Novak is the defending champion and really worked hard in the off-season to improve his game. If he improved it as much as the announcers say he did, he could be right up there with the other and this could be a legit three horse race.

Oh, and when the women play there are some hot chicks playing in short skirts. Check them out too!