Jon

I guess. That should be the matchup. If Ohio State were to be left out, it sounds like Iowa would most likely fall to the Music City Bowl with Minnesota going to Detroit. These teams look quite similar. But there are several factors that are going to get UCLA favored by a significant margin. 1) Our offense hasn't really done much since October 22nd. They did nothing against Michigan, Iowa (minus the last three minutes), or Ohio State. And the 38 they put up on Illinois is nothing to write home about. 2) The defense depends on turnovers but Olson isn't the guy who's going to give up many. 3) Special teams. UCLA's return game is good. Northwestern's return coverage doesn't...tackle...at all. If we have to punt more than 4 times, it's not going to be pretty, especially since neither punter is any good in terms of yardage, hangtime, and kicking towards the sideline. Also, expect pooch kicks like USC did. We've done that a couple of games already and the results have been pretty meh. Some good kicks, some bad ones. Either way, UCLA will likely get good field position all game long. With that said, it could be a really good game. I'm not sure if UCLA is getting any defensive starters back, but Heinz will play his first game of the year in the secondary for Northwestern. Hopefully he'll boost the unit up from to . And OC Mike Dunbar, who could be making me swear for the last time if he accepts a position elsewhere for next season, absolutely has to run the ball. The running game needs to set up the passing game, unlike what's been done the past 4 or 5 games. CBS is going to really be able to market a Basanez/Olson matchup.

Nothing like needing overtime to beat Delaware State at home. If there are any Big Ten teams that are bad enough to lose to Northwestern this year, they should be ashamed.

Agreed. Not sure what Lewis was thinking on that catch. Maybe he just didn't know where he was. Didn't cost them, though.

And their first child is due in January, I believe. I don't think going to Texas would be a desired move right now.

0-3 for Pie last night.

Is the Reggie Bush = Gale Sayers thing still going or can I change back to ABC?

I did, but I'd rather disassociate myself from all things Neifi.

The Bulls turn it on with 4 minutes to go and despite Pierce's 43, the Bulls escape with a 106-102 victory. Great free throw shooting down the stretch.

Those two fouls on Songaila are complete jokes. Textbook charge a foot outside of the circle is called a blocking foul and then they call him on a phantom over the back.

Celtics have outscored the Bulls 40-20 in the past 15 minutes. Down 76-71 after 3.

Celtics lead. I can't put into words just how terrible they look right now. Stupid fouls, stupid shots, bad defense.

Chandler really needs to start shooting free throws underhand. Nocioni with a huge three to extend the lead back to 8.

go back to dinner :wink: And the first thing I saw when I turned the TV on was Chandler missing two free-throws.

56-48 at the half. Ugh.

Get back from dinner to see the Bulls up 51-36. Nice.

Yeah. That's just not going to happen (as much as I'd like it to).

Bulls look to bounce back from that terrible loss in New York a couple of days ago and beat the Celtics on the road. And I can actually watch the game now that I'm back home. Plus, I'll probably be going to the Bull/Celtics game at the UC in two weeks. It'll be my first Bulls game in...a long time. Probably since '98.

Anyone else as excited about this game as I am? I just hope I don't have to see Noah Herron in a Packers uniform on the field.

Pie PR tonight late in the game and hit an RBI groundout in his only AB.

Felix went 2-4 last night with a double, a triple, an RBI, and two runs scored. No strikeouts.

Felix PH in the 6th inning last night and hit an RBI single and later scored.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-11/20719503.jpg

BCS time: 1 USC 2 Texas 3 Penn State 4 LSU 5 Virginia Tech 6 Ohio State 7 Oregon 8 Notre Dame 9 Miami 10 Auburn 11 West Virginia 12 UCLA 13 Georgia 14 TCU 15 Alabama 16 Texas Tech 17 Florida 18 Wisconsin 19 Michigan 20 Boston College 21 Louisville 22 Northwestern 23 Oklahoma 24 Georgia Tech 25 Fresno State My 'Cats move up to 22. No changes in the top 12.

All aboard the pain train: http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-11/20694835.jpg http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/TPS10911272126.jpg http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-11/20694777.jpg http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-11/20694725.jpg http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-11/20694718.jpg http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-11/20694715.jpg Is that the knee brace or is Thomas Jones packing heat? http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-11/20694838.jpg http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/TPS11311272155.jpg http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/TPS10611272114.jpg http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/TPS10311271941.jpg

Gado puts it on the ground again. I want to see the Bears defense come away with at least 3 turnovers next Sunday.