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With a win over ND, USC will jump Michigan. They've already done so in the two polls (Harris and Coaches) and a win over ND would not only increase USC's computer ranking but make Michigan's worse. True, but a ND win may push Michigan into it. In that case Arkansas would still have a chance to jump them all by beating LSU and Florida. Arkansas doesn't have much of a chance in the computer rankings. There's one computer ranking, for example, that allows you to add up to 5 games and see how the results would turn out. These are approximates, because obviously other results would influence it a little bit-but here's what I put in. Notre Dame beats USC USC beats UCLA Arkansas beats LSU Florida beats Florida State Arkansas beats Florida Here are the results Ohio State-.96511 Michigan-.94305 Notre Dame-.91777 USC-.91593 Arkansas-.90405 Notre Dame, USC, and Arkansas are very close-but Michigan is still a long way away. USC and Florida have a chance to catch Michigan in the computer rankings if things fall their way. I don't think Notre Dame or Arkansas do.

Except Soriano would be replacing Juan Pierre and Lugo would be replacing Cesar Izturis and Ronny Cedeno. Exactly. KC's excellent analysis is regarding the marginality of the replacement players. Hence his point that upgrading on a position basis from bad to OK does just as much for your team as upgrading from OK to good or good to great. However, upgrading from bad to OK cost significantly less than the other alternatives. Hence, Lugo does just as much for your offense (over 2006 cubs SS production) as Sori does (over 2006 cubs CF production). The problem with this argument is that if we signed Lugo to play SS we'd still need an outfielder. That outfielder's salary would have to be added also in order to see what the difference between Lugo+Outfielder is better than Soriano+Izturis, with the possibility of subtracting Izturis's salary from part 1 if he was able to be traded (which is reasonable).

And apparently never will either... Who is going to play CF and what happened to Murton and Jones? Bruce said that Murton is safe. Jones may play CF, and he may get traded.

Why is he even in the conversation? Is Hendry enamored with him as a pinch hitter? Apparently a person has found the flaws in his delivery, and they think he can be worked back to not repeat a year like last year.

I'm still holding out hope that we sign Drew and trade Jones, and/or sign Lugo for SS. If we can add one or two of the decent SPs that are available (Padilla, Westbrook), we have a real contender next year. I agree, the lineup still needs a big bat in the 6th spot, Im not holding out any hope for Jones. Im not sold on Westbrook just yet, but depending on what we can get for him I would be ok with that with him in the #4 or #5 spot. The porblem is we need a #2 or #3 type starter and IMO Padilla and Westbrook are not it. The Cubs don't need another bat. They need pitching. Jones and Barrett batting sixth and seventh is perfectly fine. We have Z and then ? for starting pitching. Imagine if Prior and Miller are healthy to join one of the second tier starters we get this offseason along with Z and Hill. The only starter we can count on next year is Z. Prior and Miller are still ?'s and Hill doesn't have a ton of ML experience and we don't know how he'll do once ML hitters start seeing him multiple times. To go into next season without acquiring a starter would be disappointing. Yeah, we need at least one dependable starter, and then at least one more "option" if not another dependable starter.

Well, ND drops again-this time it is again unbelievable. Arkansas was not impressive against Miss State, and because of that game they move past ND? That's typical of how it's been this season (I did look it up-Arkansas was behind ND in the coaches poll last week). Rutgers lost, so perhaps the points that made ND ahead of Arkansas last week was because Akransas was behind Rutgers on a lot of peoples ballots. So they moved up one spot, but ND didnt gain anything on those ballots Now that's a probable explanation-thanks. It's just been frustrating with the polls the last few weeks.

Well, ND drops again-this time it is again unbelievable. Arkansas was not impressive against Miss State, and because of that game they move past ND? That's typical of how it's been this season (I did look it up-Arkansas was behind ND in the coaches poll last week). It's only 17 points. Previous week aside, who do you think deserves to be ranked higher between the two? If it's Arkansas, then why does it matter? I'm really not sure who deserves to be higher right now. Both of them have one blowout loss at home to one of the top 3 teams. Both of them have had a couple games that the other team helped them to win the game (Notre Dame-MSU, UCLA), Arkansas (Vandy, Alabama). Arkansas has beaten Auburn and Tennessee, while ND just has GT-but ND has played the better schedule overall so far. The teams are very even, but I'm just frustrated because this has happened to ND 3 or 4 times this season. They win, and they drop. I thought going into this week that if ND struggled against Army and Arkansas destroyed Miss State, then Arkansas would probably go ahead. Instead, the opposite happened, and they still moved ahead. What in the games made them deserving to move ahead at all?

Well, ND drops again-this time it is again unbelievable. Arkansas was not impressive against Miss State, and because of that game they move past ND? That's typical of how it's been this season (I did look it up-Arkansas was behind ND in the coaches poll last week).

Spurrier to Miami? That's something I didn't expect: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/111906aak.html

While I would agree that money is the primary consideration, there is the aspect that ND simply does not want to give up certain games. They feel the favor to Navy to give them an annual game is very important. They of course also would not want to take the USC game off the schedule. That's 2 of the 4 nonconference games already: and that doesn't address teams like Stanford and Boston College who the Irish want to play as much as possible, and also the 1 big game around the country that ND wants to play to get to as much of their fan base as possible. It would just be a really tough schedule fit for ND also, and there would have to be some tough choices and some problems with scheduling if they joined the Big 10-that and the money makes it pretty much impossible. Too bad. I agree it would be difficult, but with those 3 academy games on the schedule it really hurts the Irish in the new BCS-type scheme. Years ago, if the Irish were doing well they got the benefit of the doubt from the voters. But now, with the big conferences tagged and given preference by voters, I just think it's going to be next to impossible for the Irish to be in the title game unless they go undefeated. I think they should buckle down, make a few sacrifices, and joing the Big 10. But I agree it's probably not going to happen. The academies are more highly rated then you think. Army is the only one of the acadmies that are in the bottom of the NCAA. The other 2? Navy is in the top 50 of the NCAA in just about every ranking, and Air Force is about the same this year as a team like Michigan State in one computer ranking I've seen. They are overall not the best teams to play, but they are better than some of the other teams. That's why ND's schedule strength is still high in the computers, even though they have had few marquee games-because they simply haven't played many terribly rated teams either.

While I would agree that money is the primary consideration, there is the aspect that ND simply does not want to give up certain games. They feel the favor to Navy to give them an annual game is very important. They of course also would not want to take the USC game off the schedule. That's 2 of the 4 nonconference games already: and that doesn't address teams like Stanford and Boston College who the Irish want to play as much as possible, and also the 1 big game around the country that ND wants to play to get to as much of their fan base as possible. It would just be a really tough schedule fit for ND also, and there would have to be some tough choices and some problems with scheduling if they joined the Big 10-that and the money makes it pretty much impossible.

Last time I checked, the Big 10 doesn't have to do that-they just love tradition, and that's what they choose to do. They could play next week just like all the other conferences are if they choose to-blame the Big 10, not the NCAA. I wouldn't mind seeing a Big 10 Championship game. I think that would be a good idea for the Big 10 as well-they would just have to figure out what 12th team to add in order for them to be eligible to have a championship game.

Last time I checked, the Big 10 doesn't have to do that-they just love tradition, and that's what they choose to do. They could play next week just like all the other conferences are if they choose to-blame the Big 10, not the NCAA.

I do not foresee a scenario other than the voters don't want a repeat in the title game that ND jumps Michigan. I can see that scenario playing out because we have seen it play out over and over again in college football. Every time we have a situation like this plays out, a late loss hurts worse than a head to head loss early in the season does. It may not be right, but it almost always happens that way-so I wouldn't be surprised if it happened again. I think it's viable because it is precedent. Two quick examples: 1993-ND/Florida State-each with 1 loss, FSU's loss was to ND-FSU wins this matchup. 2000-FSU/Miami/Washington. All finished with 1 loss. Washington beat Miami, and Miami beat FSU, but FSU goes to the title game. If ND jumps Michigan, it will simply be following the same principle that college football has always followed. At the same time, I wouldn't be unhappy with the breaking of that principle either, so I can see it going either way.

I would agree with that. If USC wins out, I think it should be Ohio State-USC. If Florida, ND, or Arkansas do-then it could be them, or it could be Michigan-both ways are reasonable.

Not exactly. If WVU wins out, their only loss will be to Louisville on the road. They'll have a legitimate case. As would Louisville for that matter. A legitimate case for what? :-k The National Title game. WVU over a school like Michigan, USC, or ND for the national title game? They wouldn't even be in the discussion. They lost a close game, on the road, to another very good opponent in Louisville. They should most definitely be in the discussion. I know Cuse has said it but I'm going to repeat it: the complete underestimation and disrespect for the Big East by some people is insane. The only problem is WV's lack of big wins. All the other teams will have at least 2 big wins over marquee teams if they win out (Michigan over ND, Wisconsin) (USC over Arkansas, Cal, ND, and a good win against Nebraska), ND (GT, USC). WV has a good win against Maryland, and a good win over Rutgers, but those caliber of wins simply doesn't stack up with the others, especially when you consider that WV only has a couple wins against the next tier of teams (teams like Pitt for WV, or Penn State and Purdue for ND, etc) that the others have a few more wins aginst.

It should be a good game. I hope ND can stay in it. Good luck to USC next week.

There's a tendency to try and quantify all of this with stats and whatever. I just think the Heisman is won and lost based on those few big pressure games where the player plays----unless he simply blows it against lesser opponents. Troy has had 2 this year and shined in both. Quinn had 1 and didn't look all that great, for whatever reason. Even if he plays lights-out against USC, they aren't #2 and it won't be that huge mega-game that the Texas and Michigan games were for Troy Smith. Oh, that's a perfectly logical argument-but ND has played the better defenses and a better schedule, and I'm just responding to the statement that Ohio State had better in each of those. BTW, Quinn wasn't all that bad for a player running for his life the entire Michigan game (2 INT's weren't his fault, only 1 was a bad decision or bad throw). I do understand though that his game was not nearly as good as Smith's games-but I do think Soccers argument that ND has had no offensive line pretty much all year and yet Quinn has done this has credence also. Remember that year when Woodson won the Heisman over Peyton? Peyton was the favorite to win it, but then Woodson was having this great year-----and in the biggest regular season game, he comes up big again. I think Peyton takes it if not for that final big game (I think it was OSU too). For better or for worse, that's the Heisman in a nutshell. Tennessee fans still burn up over that one. I know-I heard the complaining about that one just today from a Tennessee fan :D

There's a tendency to try and quantify all of this with stats and whatever. I just think the Heisman is won and lost based on those few big pressure games where the player plays----unless he simply blows it against lesser opponents. Troy has had 2 this year and shined in both. Quinn had 1 and didn't look all that great, for whatever reason. Even if he plays lights-out against USC, they aren't #2 and it won't be that huge mega-game that the Texas and Michigan games were for Troy Smith. Oh, that's a perfectly logical argument-but ND has played the better defenses and a better schedule, and I'm just responding to the statement that Ohio State had better in each of those. BTW, Quinn wasn't all that bad for a player running for his life the entire Michigan game (2 INT's weren't his fault, only 1 was a bad decision or bad throw). I do understand though that his game was not nearly as good as Smith's games-but I do think Soccers argument that ND has had no offensive line pretty much all year and yet Quinn has done this has credence also.

Before the OSU/UM game I agreed with you. Quinn's stats are still better. More yards, more TD's, same # of INT's and Smith doesn't have the benefit of a bunch of rushing yards and TD's like he did last year. Quinn's been the better QB this year. And I'm not exactly one to hand out compliments to ND or their players very often. It's not a stats race---never has been. Quinn had a prime shot to show he was the Heisman favorite against Michigan in his own building, and they got slaughtered. Quinn looked overmatched at times. Smith has faced down two #2 challengers and looked real good against both of them. Smith is the clear Heisman winner IMO. I doubt the voting will be particularly close. Smith had 2 good games and a bunch of eh/crap games. Quinn had one bad game and a bunch of solid/good games. Do you know how many games Smith has been held under 200 yards passing? 6. Quinn? 0. Want to talk about who is more important to his team? It's Quinn and it's not even close. Quinn has to play well because ND's defense isn't that good. OSU has one of the top defenses in the nation. Coming into today, Notre Dame's defense has allowed 67.5 more ypg than OSU. Offensively, OSU has a far better running game than ND and is averaging 65.5 more rushing ypg than ND. Ohio State has a better team than ND and Smith doesn't have to do as much to keep his team in the game. Quinn is a better player, has better stats, and is more important to his team than Quinn is. To me, that means the Heisman winner should be from South Bend. And, as with many of my Brady Quinn posts, and to annoy ndistops, I have one more thing to say. Quinn is going to look good in Silver and Black next year. Strength. of. Schedule. Which in every SOS ranking (in all the computers for example) favors Notre Dame-so your point is what? Then replace "schedule" with "defenses faced". What good defenses did Ohio State play that ND didn't? Remember that ND played Penn State, Michigan, and Michigan State. Here's the rest of Ohio State's opponents: Northern Illinois, Texas, Cincy, Iowa, Bowling Green, Indiana, Minnesota, Illinois, Northwestern. Who of those opponents are better defenses then teams like Georgia Tech, UCLA, or upcoming USC? I can only see 2 or 3 of those teams that even have decent to good defenses.

Before the OSU/UM game I agreed with you. Quinn's stats are still better. More yards, more TD's, same # of INT's and Smith doesn't have the benefit of a bunch of rushing yards and TD's like he did last year. Quinn's been the better QB this year. And I'm not exactly one to hand out compliments to ND or their players very often. It's not a stats race---never has been. Quinn had a prime shot to show he was the Heisman favorite against Michigan in his own building, and they got slaughtered. Quinn looked overmatched at times. Smith has faced down two #2 challengers and looked real good against both of them. Smith is the clear Heisman winner IMO. I doubt the voting will be particularly close. Smith had 2 good games and a bunch of eh/crap games. Quinn had one bad game and a bunch of solid/good games. Do you know how many games Smith has been held under 200 yards passing? 6. Quinn? 0. Want to talk about who is more important to his team? It's Quinn and it's not even close. Quinn has to play well because ND's defense isn't that good. OSU has one of the top defenses in the nation. Coming into today, Notre Dame's defense has allowed 67.5 more ypg than OSU. Offensively, OSU has a far better running game than ND and is averaging 65.5 more rushing ypg than ND. Ohio State has a better team than ND and Smith doesn't have to do as much to keep his team in the game. Quinn is a better player, has better stats, and is more important to his team than Quinn is. To me, that means the Heisman winner should be from South Bend. And, as with many of my Brady Quinn posts, and to annoy ndistops, I have one more thing to say. Quinn is going to look good in Silver and Black next year. We'll see when the voting comes down. I'm telling you it's not going to be close soccer. I would agree with that. No matter what the debate about what should happen ends up deciding, what will happen is that Troy will win easily.

Before the OSU/UM game I agreed with you. Quinn's stats are still better. More yards, more TD's, same # of INT's and Smith doesn't have the benefit of a bunch of rushing yards and TD's like he did last year. Quinn's been the better QB this year. And I'm not exactly one to hand out compliments to ND or their players very often. It's not a stats race---never has been. Quinn had a prime shot to show he was the Heisman favorite against Michigan in his own building, and they got slaughtered. Quinn looked overmatched at times. Smith has faced down two #2 challengers and looked real good against both of them. Smith is the clear Heisman winner IMO. I doubt the voting will be particularly close. Smith had 2 good games and a bunch of eh/crap games. Quinn had one bad game and a bunch of solid/good games. Do you know how many games Smith has been held under 200 yards passing? 6. Quinn? 0. Want to talk about who is more important to his team? It's Quinn and it's not even close. Quinn has to play well because ND's defense isn't that good. OSU has one of the top defenses in the nation. Coming into today, Notre Dame's defense has allowed 67.5 more ypg than OSU. Offensively, OSU has a far better running game than ND and is averaging 65.5 more rushing ypg than ND. Ohio State has a better team than ND and Smith doesn't have to do as much to keep his team in the game. Quinn is a better player, has better stats, and is more important to his team than Quinn is. To me, that means the Heisman winner should be from South Bend. And, as with many of my Brady Quinn posts, and to annoy ndistops, I have one more thing to say. Quinn is going to look good in Silver and Black next year. Strength. of. Schedule. Which in every SOS ranking (in all the computers for example) favors Notre Dame-so your point is what?

I think that was an incomplete pass because by the time he caught the ball he was already being driven back by the Cal guy and never made a "football move". Because of that, he had to hold the ball all the way to the ground in order for it to be a complete pass, and he didn't.

It's 10-0 Cincinnati over Rutgers right now-early 2nd quarter.

This season: Wells: .303/.357/.542/.899 Barrett: .307/.368/.517/.885 Three year splits: Wells: .282/.338/.493/.831 Barrett: .289/.349/.494/.843 How much of an improvement would Wells over Barrett be? I understand that Wells would play more games than Bare, but Blanco/Soto would not provide comparable production to Pierre. Blanco is just bad offensively and Soto is unproven without much of an upside. Plus, Wells would only be under this team's control for a year unless he gets an extension. Wells has age on his side and his three year stats skewed by an injury in 2005. more than likely his star is rising while Barrett's is fading. and the fact that Barrett is a catcher is a huge factor in determining who has more impact on the offense. who would you rather have, Wells for 160 or Barrett for 120 and Blanco for 42. 120 games per year the offense would be comparable, but it's not hard to see that the Cubs offense would be significantly better in those 40 games per year with Wells instead of Hank. I personally think it reasonable that Blanco and Soto combine for a .315/.410 line. Blanco is bad, but so is Pierre. their OPS has been virtually identical the past two years. Soto has put up a .350ish OBP in every level of minor league play and his ability to draw a walk won't go away. he also has more pop than Pierre. Plus they won't be up at the top of the lineup making outs, they will be at the bottom of the lineup making outs. I don't see your point about control of Wells because the Cubs only have control of Barrett for one more year too. The one thing I disagree with is that Soto has more pop than Pierre-Pierre has a very slight edge over their last 4 years SLG percentage (but they are close). The rest of your post I agree with (other than maybe being a little optimistic on the Blanco/Soto platoon). If the Cubs are not ready to give Barrett an extension after this season, then maybe they should trade him for a player who they are ready to sign to an extension.