Week Two Trash Talk

Hi folks, apologize for the late start on Trash Talk; had a very long day yesterday on a matter and with clients after. So, let us get down to business.

I’m worrying myself a little with this one, because neither the Big 10.2 nor Notre Dame are my usual cup of tea, but I am really interested in the game today between the Irish and Sparty of Michigan State. Both teams are 2-0, but the Spartans have a great defense which has not allowed an offensive touchdown yet (including the always offensively powerful Boise State). Notre Dame, however, has a QB controversy and struggled badly last week against Purdue. This game is a night game in East Lansing, and I think it will be a good night for Sparty.

The other two games that I will be watching closely are both Pac contests. The big one, of course, a huge early season conference matchup between USC and Stanford. The Tree has won an unheard of three straight against the Trojans, but I think they are out of Luck tonight. It is yet another night game and the weather in Palo alto should be perfect for Matt Barkley and the USC offense; they should get some revenge. The other game is a sleeper: Sun Devils against an honest to god SEC team, even if a new one, Missouri.

ASU and new coach Todd Graham have looked far better than anyone thought so far, and very disciplined, which has not been used in the same sentence as “ASU” in a long time. Missouri had a rough game last week against Georgia and will be looking to bounce back. The game is at Mizzou, and so is the slight edge; I will be looking for an upset by the Devils. If it is on your TV, it really might be worth watching. As will the Tennessee Florida game. Neither is what they once were in stature, but both are still interesting to watch. Game is in Knoxville and the Vols are getting better QB play, so much as Jim is going to hate it, I’ll take the Vols here.

Week Two in the NFL does not have that many great games. The one that really sticks out to me is Ravens and Iggles. Both have solid defenses and potentially explosive offenses. And, man, did Flacco, Rice and crew look sharp in their opener. Mike Vick and the Eagles looked anything but, and barely eeked out a win over the hapless Brownies. It is gut check time for the Eagles and their coaching staff, and I think they will come to play and will play well. Still think the Ravens win though.

The Kittehs are taking their raging hearts to San Francisco. If the Lions had a running game to take the pressure off of Matt Stafford, I would give them a shot in this game. But, they don’t and the boy named Su is apparently all googly eyes over famous virgin Lo Lo Jones. None of this bodes well for the Kittehs. Broken Beaked Bieber Brady should be able to nose out the Cardinals and Kamikaze Kevin Kolb. Even though Bill Bel LOVES him some SpideyDude Fitzgerald.

Other notable games are Dallas at Seattle; take the ‘Boys there. Lotta people had the Squawks as a sleeper team this year; dunno about that. Titans at Bolts could get interesting; San Diego is typically flaky, but I don’t think the inexperienced Jake Locker has enough to take them. Rounding out the Sunday tilts of note is an honorable mention to the Jets. Rex and The Circus won’t be playing the Bills this week, but a pissed off batch of Stillers reeling from getting Peytoned in Denver. I think the days of Mark Sanchez looking like Joe Montana are over; take what’s behind the Steel Curtain.

Lastly, the Monday Night game is a good one. Peyton and the Broncs visit Matt Ryan and the Dirty Birds for a night in Hot ‘Lanta. I have no idea how this one will go. I would normally say the Falcons have to be favored, but Denver looked very solid in all phases of the game in their opening win over the Steelers. This is a pick em; bring your popcorn.

About today’s music: It is riding With The King, an incredible album, and song, by Eric Clapton and BB King. I was reminded of it by Howie Klein who, along with Act Blue, is doing a fundraiser for progressive candidate Patsy Keever where one donor will be randomly selected to win the actual Platinum Record award for this album:

Rep. Patsy Keever is the intrepid grassroots populist taking on reactionary Wall Street shill Patrick McHenry. The newly reconfigured 10th CD in western North Carolina is a district that’s winnable. McHenry is loaded with “contributions” from Wall Street but DC Democrats aren’t coming to the party for Patsy. She’s far too independent-minded for that lot. So… Blue America is trying to help her raise some money for TV and radio ads. And we’re going to say “thank you” to one random donor– any amount– who contributes to Patsy’s campaign on this page. That “thank you” will be in the form of an extremely rare and valuable RIAA-certified double platinum record award for the Eric Clapton/B.B. King masterpiece, RIDING WITH THE KING.

Great cause and a great prize; help them out!