News and Notes Thursday

Thursday, November 30, 2006

 

Joe Duffy is CEO of OffshoreInsiders.com, which is offering a premium version of the advanced news and notes, computer trends, weather information and more for the entire bowl season.  Much of the information is compiled from hometown newspapers and the team’s own press releases. The entire bowl season version of the OffshoreInsiders.com clipboard is $69.

NFL

Baltimore-Cincinnati

Associated Press

With a victory over Lewis’ Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night, the Ravens (9-2) would become the first team to clinch a division championship this season. A victory in Cincinnati would snatch the AFC North title away from the Bengals (6-5) and put the Ravens on course for greater things. Some Ravens are miffed by the way receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh talked down to them the first time they met this season. The Ravens won 26-20 on Nov. 5, but Houshmandzadeh wasn’t about to give them any credit afterward. “Deep down, we know we’re better than Baltimore and they know it,” Houshmandzadeh said. “We’ve got better players than they do.” Houshmandzadeh isn’t backing down. “I think we’re better than them,” he said Tuesday. “We’ll find out.”

That jarring loss in Baltimore became a turning point for Cincinnati. The offense finally got on a roll, with Carson Palmer throwing for nine touchdowns in the last three games. For the first time in his career, he has put up passer ratings above 120 for three games in a row.

CFB

Ohio-Central Michigan

Sports Network

Two teams making their first-ever appearance in the Mid-American Conference championship game will clash this Thursday night at Ford Field, as the Ohio Bobcats battle the Central Michigan Chippewas. The Chippewas are coming off their best season since 1994 when the team finished with a 9-2 ledger and claimed the MAC title. CMU’s season got off to a rough start, as the team lost three of its first five games. Fortunately the Chippewas were able to right the ship and closed out the season winning five of their last six matchups, with the lone loss coming against Northern Illinois, 31-10. The Chippewas possess one of the most dangerous offensive units in the MAC in 2006, mainly because of the team’s potent passing attack, which produced 247.2 ypg. The success of the aerial assault has led to 29.2 ppg, which ranked the team first in the MAC in scoring. Quarterback Dan LeFevour is the biggest reason for the success, as the redshirt freshman had a sensational season, completing 63 percent of his passes for 2,555 yards. Defensively, the Chippewas were not dominant by any stretch of the imagination, however the unit did enough to help produce victories. Overall the team surrendered 24 ppg, while allowing the opposition to collect 353.2 total ypg. The unit had some success against the run, permitting just 135.2 ypg, but the team’s weak spot came against the pass, as opponents threw for 217.9 ypg.

CBB

Louisiana Monroe-Auburn

Press Notes

The Warhawk men’s basketball team fell at the hands of the No. 6-ranked Crimson Tide of Alabama, 75-61, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. By playing at Alabama, ranked No. 6 in the AP poll and 7 in the ESPN Coaches Poll, ULM has played two, top-10 opponents from the Southeastern Conference on the road. Auburn is led by third-year head coach Jeff Lebo, who guided the Tigers to a 12-16 overall record last season, 4-12 in the Southeastern Conference’s West division. Auburn is currently 5-2 on the year after a 92-87, come-from-behind overtime victory over Nicholls State on Tuesday. The Tigers return four starters and seven letterwinners from their 2005-06 squad, including guard Frank Tolbert who is third on the team in scoring with a 14.0 per game average.  Joe Duffy’s sports betting selections are at www.GodsTips.com  

NBA

Pistons-Heat

Detroit Free Press

Miami returned all of its key players from last year’s championship season. But a lot has changed. The Heat is 6-8, with five losses by 15 points or more. Shaquille O’Neal is out for another month after a knee operation. Guard Jason Williams is still limited after off-season knee surgery. Dwyane Wade is still scoring, but playing too many minutes after entering the season already exhausted from playing for Team USA in the World Championships. Gary Payton, 38, and Antoine Walker have struggled; both have been benched at times by coach Pat Riley. The Heat’s offense has struggled most. It ranks second-to-last in points scored per game.  MasterLockLine.com has the top plays from the top sports service in their highest ranked sports.    

Jazz-Lakers

Salt Lake Tribune

About the Jazz: They are 5-2 on the road. They are 3-1 on the second night of back-to-back games. They are 7-2 at home.  They are in the middle of a stretch of 12 out of 13 games in the Staples Center. They have yet to travel east of Salt Lake City, and won’t until Dec. 12.