Bleacher Report - Articles by dave darby

Dave's College Football Pick ATS: 9/19/09 Utah State at Texas A&M

dave darby — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:04:09 -0400

Texas A&M (1-0) vs. Utah State (0-1)

Line: Texas A&M -19.5

Texas A&M was all over New Mexico in week one, winning 41-6. The Aggies outplayed the Lobos in every area. You can't ask for more than 606 yards of total offense including 349 yards passing.

Jerrod Johnson was 31 of 41 passing including two touchdowns. He ran for 57 yards and another score to add to his outstanding day. New Mexico finished with a laughable 24 rushing yards as the A&M defense shut them down.

Utah State hung with Utah for 30 minutes, entering halftime down just 26-17. The new spread offense was effective, especially on the ground.

The passing game however, never got going and Utah State lost 35-17. Quarterback Diondre Borel was just 10-26 passing for 121 yards and tossed an interception. After struggling early against a good Utah offense, the Utah State did buckle down in the second half.

Texas A&M is 12-0 against the WAC and that will likely move to 13-0 this Saturday. Both teams covered the spread in their opening game and both teams were idle last week.

The advantage in having an idle week probably goes to A&M as they are preparing for the Utah spread offense. However, I do expect Utah State to be able to have some success on offense and this is a large number to cover.

Utah State is 5-1 against the spread in their last 6 games. Utah State is 8-4 against the number in their last 12 road games. Texas A&M is 3-6 against the spread in their last nine games at home.

If Utah State can find a way to have some success in the passing game, they could make this a very close game at the end. I'll take the points.

Dave's Pick: Utah State +19.5

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Dave's Free College Football Pick ATS: 9/19/09 Iowa St. at Kent St.

dave darby — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:36:49 -0400

Kent State (1-1) vs Iowa State (1-1)

Line: Kent State +3

Kent State comes off a difficult game against Boston College in which they lost 34-7 and looked bad doing it. The Golden Flashes looked lost on offense and racked up just 179 total yards.

The passing game has been bad and the run game, while averaging over 100 yards per game, is limping along at 2.9 yards per carry. Giorgio Morgan and Spencer Keith have both spent time under center with no real positive results obtained.

After shutting out Coastal Carolina in their week one win, Kent State gave up 34 points and 349 total yards to the Eagles in week two.

Iowa State hits the road for the first time this weekend and that is usually not a good thing for the Cyclones who have lost 17 straight as the visiting team. After defeating North Dakota State in the opener, Iowa State looked lost last week against rival Iowa.

Iowa came into the game struggling to run the ball but left with 191 rushing yards in the game which was won by Iowa 35-3. Austen Amaud completed just 10 out of 22 passes for a miserable 79 yards. The ball wasn't always hitting the ground as the Hawkeyes managed to intercept four of those passes.

Both teams are 0-1 against the spread. Both teams have offenses that have been less than stellar and we know quarterback play has been an issue for both teams so far this season.

The big issue for me though is Iowa State's inability to stop the run. Kent State is not a great run team (2.9 yards per carry) but they keep at it. They will still run the ball 35 times a game, and against ISU, that may be effective.

There is no reason right now to believe ISU will be able to tighten up enough that the run game will be ineffective for KSU. This pick is more about what ISU can't do, verses what Kent State can to, but it thankfully leads me to a home dog.

Dave's Pick: Kent State +3

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Dave's College Football Pick ATS: 9/19/09 Kansas State at UCLA

dave darby — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:43:27 -0400

UCLA (2-0) vs Kansas State (1-1)

Line: UCLA -13

UCLA is coming off a 19-15 win over Tennessee and stands 2-0 on the season. While the Bruin offense has struggled to gain yardage, they have been able to score 52 points in their two games. Quarterback Kevin Prince will not be available for this game however as he suffered a fractured jaw in the Tennessee game.

The Bruin defense has led the charge in the first two games and will be leaned on heavily for the next few weeks while the offense finds it's way. Opponents are averaging just 14.5 points a contest against UCLA. Not only did the defense hold Tennessee to 208 yards, they recorded four turnovers.

Kansas State lost on the road last week to UL-Lafayette in a game that surprised many, but won us some money. Much like the Bruins, the Wildcats have been strong on defense the first two weeks of this season. The offense has struggled to replace Josh Freeman at quarterback.

Carson Coffman has been ineffective in running the offense and is working behind a line with only one member having any experience. Coach Bill Snyder has a history of playing a balanced, yet quarterback driven offense and the Wildcats have failed thus far to be effective.

The question here is will anyone score? Both defenses are stout, but the UCLA offense has found a way to get what it needs. On defense I would put the teams at about equal strength. The nod goes to UCLA on offense as I question if Kansas State can clear 10 points in this game. The special teams of the Wildcats has been horrible and the only reason the UMASS game was so close. Kansas State has had punts blocked, returned for touchdowns and field goals missed.

This is a game Bill Snyder never would have scheduled and for good reason. Kansas State is in dire need of improvement, and heading off to the Rose Bowl for a non-conference game is not the way to make positive steps while guiding an inexperienced team towards the Big 12 regular season. One way or another, UCLA gets it done here.

Dave's PIck: UCLA -13

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Dave's College Football Pick ATS:9/19/09 Texas Tech at No. 2 Texas

dave darby — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:46:47 -0400

No. 2 Texas (2-0) vs Texas Tech (2-0)

Line: Texas -17.5

Texas is looking for revenge this week for the 33-39 defeat last season at the hands of the Red Raiders that put a damper on the Longhorn title hopes. Texas has two blowout victories thus far against UL-Monroe and Wyoming. The Cowboys were roping the Longhorns in the first half last week before the stampede occurred in the second half.

Despite the 544 yards of offense and 41 points scored against Wyoming, the Longhorns failed to cover for the second week in a row.

The Red Raiders won 38-13 against North Dakota in week one and 55-10 last week against Rice. Taylor Potts is the new quarterback for Texas Tech, but it really is hard to tell from year to year that the personnel has changed. The offense still throws the ball and piles up the yardage and points.

Potts has a Big 12 leading 861 yards passing and nine touchdowns while completing 67 percent of his passes.

Both of these teams can pile up the points and yardage. Both teams have yet to be tested defensively but will probably have a long day on that side of the ball. If Texas cannot get to the quarterback, Potts will pick them apart. Texas Tech is 1-0 against the spread and Texas is 0-2 against the number this season. On a side note, the OVER has hit the last five times these two teams have played.

The margin between these two teams is not great. 17.5 is just too many points to give against an offense like Texas Tech which can strike in bunches.

Dave's Pick: Texas Tech +17.5

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Dave's College Football Picks ATS: UConn at Baylor

dave darby — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:06:46 -0400

Baylor (1-0) vs. UConn (1-1)

Line: Baylor -10.5

Baylor had Week Two of the college football season off after traveling to Wake Forrest and winning by a 24-21 score in Week One. The Bears faithful have high hopes for this year's squad, led by multi-threat quarterback Robert Griffin III.

The defense looks to be improved and played well in the opener. Playing in the brutal Big 12 South division, Baylor is looking to pile up a few victories before the Oklahoma and Texas schools come calling.

UConn opened the season with a 23-16 victory against Ohio before losing last week to North Carolina, 12-10, after an offensive hold in the end zone caused a safety with under two minutes to go.

The defense has been the bright spot for the Huskies thus far. The defensive unit has come away with two takeaways each game. The offense struggled against North Carolina, and starting quarterback Zack Frazer was lost for two to four weeks with a knee injury. Backup Cody Endres was not sharp in relief but will have the starting nod this week.

Obviously the Huskies need a low-scoring game. They may hang for a while, but, sooner or later, Griffin is going to get loose and the Bears will start to roll.

Baylor is 5-0 against the spread over its last five games and has the extra week to prepare to go with the home cooking. Won't be long before more people jump on the Baylor bandwagon.

Dave's Pick: Baylor -10.5

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Dave's College Football Pick ATS:9/19/09 Tulsa at #12 Oklahoma

dave darby — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:31:31 -0400

#12 Oklahoma (1-1) vs Tulsa (2-0)

Line: Oklahoma -18

After losing the opener to BYU and losing Sam Bradford for a portion of the season, the Sooners got to take out some frustrations on a helpless Idaho State team. The 64-0 pounding may ease some of the panic notions that OU was done for the season. Landry Jones competed 18-of-32 for 286 yards which included three touchdowns. The offense racked up 564 total yards in the game. The defense was never challenged.

Tulsa started the season 2-0 behind victories against Tulane and New Mexico, neither of which was very close. The Tulsa offense is averaging 40.5 points per game behind an average of 450.5 yards per contest. G.J. Kinne has been outstanding at quarterback and the defense has limited opponents to 11.5 points per game and just 267.5 yards each week on average.

The Sooner defense is certainly capable of slowing the Tulsa offense down, but Tulsa is going to score. The Sooners will have a difficult time matching that scoring and tacking on an extra 18 to cover. Bradford is not expected to be back for this weeks game so this will be the first full game test for Jones and the OU offense. This is certainly a big time in state game for Tulsa so OU will get their best. This will not be a low scoring game, but the quality defense of Tulsa should be able to slow down a Bradford-less offense enough to cover.

Dave's Pick: Tulsa +18

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Dave's College Picks Against the Spread: Nebraska-Virginia Tech

dave darby — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:50:31 -0400

No. 13 Virginia Tech (1-1) vs. No. 19 Nebraska (2-0)

Line: Virginia Tech -5.5

This will be Virginia Tech's second attempt this season to take down a Top 25 team after falling 34-24 against No. 5 Alabama in week one.

The Hokies bounced back last week with a 52-10 beat down of Marshall. While he didn't catch a pass in the game against Marshall, tight end Sam Wheeler was given some credit for his blocking, which helped the run game improve.

Wheeler is back on the field after his rehab from surgery for a torn ACL. The production of freshman running back David Wilson certainly is a big help as well. Wilson rushed for 165 yards on 12 carries (13.75-yard average).

Nebraska has made easy work of the Sun Belt Conference thus far with blowouts of Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State.

The 38-9 victory over Arkansas State is a much more impressive feat than it appears as they have a high powered offense that was shut down by the Black Shirts.

Quarterback Zac Lee threw four touchdown passes and passed for 340 yards, leading Nebraska to 490 total yards against Arkansas State.

The win against Arkansas State was the sixth in a row for the Cornhuskers. The defense looks strong if untested against top 25 type offenses. The passing game has been effective and Roy Helu Jr. continues to have success on the ground.

But Nebraska may not be equipped to handle the firepower that Virginia Tech brings to the table. Virginia Tech has not only the speed that Nebraska has had a glimpse of this year, but the power to go along with it.

The Hokies have won 31 straight non-league home games. While Nebraska has beaten the spread both games this year, the Cornhuskers are just 4-8-1 against the number in their last 13 games on the road.

Virginia Tech will run the ball effectively while controlling the clock and Nebraska's passing game. I like this Nebraska team and know they will have a lot of success this year, just don't think it will be this week. I'm on the Hokies.

Dave's Pick: Virginia Tech -5.5

Dave's College Football Pick ATS: 9/19/09 Wyoming at Colorado

dave darby — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:15:44 -0400

Colorado (0-2) vs. Wyoming (1-1)

Line: Colorado -7

Colorado returns home to a crowd that is quickly turning on their Buffalo football team after two loses to start the season. After a home loss to Colorado state, CU was thumped by Toledo 54 to 38 in a game that wasn't even as close as the scoreboard indicated. Colorado found themselves in a 30-3 hole at half and battled to close the gap in the second half. Quarterback Cody Hawkins has struggled thus far this season and once the Big 12 teams roll around, there is little chance for improvement.

Wyoming got crushed last week, but for those of us who went with Wyoming and the points, it was a slim victory. The Cowboys defense played well early which allowed them to squeak by the 33.5 point spread against a superior Texas team. Wyoming has switched back and forth between two quarterbacks and neither has been efficient.

Truth be told, this is a game that pretty much anyone outside of the fans of the two schools could do without. Colorado has shown nothing. Their run game doesn't exist, their passing game moves the ball at times but interceptions often come into play. Wyoming is standing on their defense as they have no other choice. The offense cannot be relied on. Wyoming is 1-9 ATS in their last 10 on the road. Colorado is 1-4 against the number in their last five at home. Not a game I like at all but Ill go with Colorado as they have shown the only glimpse of an offense between these two teams.

Dave's Pick: Colorado -7

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No. 22 Kansas-Duke: Dave's Free College Pick ATS 9/19/09

dave darby — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:14:41 -0400

#22 Kansas (2-0) vs. Duke (1-1)

Line: Kansas -22.5

The Kansas offense did its thing again last week in the 34-7 win on the road against UTEP.

The Jayhawks produced 576 offensive yards, including 255 on the ground. It was the second week in a row that the Kansas run game has been the story despite having a potent passing attack. Kansas has yet to be forced into a situation where they need to throw and this week may no different. Quarterback Todd Reesing is thrilled with the success the offense has had thus far, but has been public with his wish to air out the ball a bit more.

Duke gained a 35-19 win against Army at West Point which was a tale of two halves.

Army held a 10-7 lead before Duke poured it on in the second half, using redshirt freshman, second string quarterback Sean Renfree who was seven of eight for 106 yards. Duke struggled to run the ball and tallied just 70 yards on the ground against Army. What really got things going against Army were the four takeaways including two interceptions returned for touchdowns.

While Kansas may choose to air it out more this week, I'm sure they would prefer not to. Army wasn't able to put a ton of points on the board, but they were able to move the ball on the ground. The less of the passing game KU can show on tape, the better off they should be come Big 12 Time. Reesing will get his chance, it just may not be the all out attack he is looking for. Another reason I expect to see the KU run game front and center again is that they are sure to pull away from an outmatched Duke team. KU has several blow out wins, but those were by no means because of any running up of the score, they were just the superior team on the field and were able to run the ball at all times. The Duke offense has no chance against a stout KU defense and this one should be out of hand by half.

Dave's Pick: Kansas -22.5

Dave's College FootballPick ATS: Rice at OSU

dave darby — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:21:18 -0400

#16 Oklahoma State (1-0) vs. Rice (0-2)

Line: Oklahoma State -32.5

Oklahoma State dropped 11 spots in the polls after a 45-35 loss to Houston last Saturday. The Cowboy defense played back to protect against the big play which the Cougars speedy wideouts are certainly capable of making. Houston reacted with screen passes and the unexpected run game. The Cougars rushed 36 times for a total of 146 yards. Add in 360 yards of passing offense and Houston has shown a template on how to attack the Cowboys. There should be a small bit of help arriving this week as starting Strong safety Markelle Martin is expected back after missing the first two games.

Unlike Houston, Rice is struggling on offense. Rice gained just six yards in the first quarter and a 45 yard field goal was it for their first half scoring. The Rice defense played strong in the fist half, but allowed 44 points to the Texas Tech offense in the second half. Red Raider quarterback Taylor Potts ended up with 456 yards passing which included seven touchdowns. Ouch.

It is a tall order for the Owls to play back to back games against offensively explosive Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Rice has failed to cover the spread in their first two games. The Owls will once again give up a ton of points and they just haven't shown the firepower on offense to keep up. I expect Oklahoma State to tighten their defense against a weaker offense and play with more effort this week. The goal of being 7-0 going into the Texas game is lost, but the Cowboys still have a lot to play for. OSU scores early and often.

Dave's Pick: Oklahoma State -32.5

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Dave Previews: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Chevy Rock & Roll 400

dave darby — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:46:10 -0400

It is do or die time for drivers hoping to make the "Chase for the Cup" top 12. After the race in Richmond on Saturday night we will know who has made NASCAR's version of the playoffs.

We know Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin are locked in. Carl Edwards just needs to finish middle of the pack to assure himself a spot. Mark Martin, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth have a seat at the dance as it stands today, but will have to perform well in this race to keep Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch on the outside looking in.

Jimmie Johnson is the defending champion, beating Tony Stewart by less than a second last year. Johnson is looking for the three-peat on Saturday night, having won this race the past two years. Denny Hamlin finished 3rd followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin.

There were 22 lead changes among 10 different drivers. The race was caution filled with 14 yellow flags for 71 laps.

This race should be very exciting as there will most certainly be some jousting at the end to see who is in and who is out.

Matt Kenseth, who is currently in 12th place just 20 points ahead of Brian Vickers and 37 ahead of Kyle Busch, appears to be the likely driver to drop a spot or two and miss the "Chase". Richmond isn't Kenseths favorite even though he won in 2002. In the last eight versions of this race, the #17 car has finished in the top five just twice and 28th or worse three times.

Brian Vickers is closest to Kenseth but has had a rough go of it in this race. In five races, he has run no better than 24th place. That leaves Kyle Busch.

The most hated driver by fans, Busch will probably be a big focal point leading up to and during the race. Kyle finished 15th last year, 20th in 2007, second in 2006 and forth in 2005. That's pretty steady. He knows he needs to get it done this week so don't expect him to play nice.

Kevin Harvick is in a great position to win this race. Harvick won in 2006 and has finished 7th the last two years. Harvick has finished no worse than 18th place in this race going back to 2001 with his average finish being 12.8.

If Harvick or Busch aren't at the front, look for Johnson and Stewart to be the lead dog. Stewart has finished second to Johnson the last two years and has an average finish of 10th for his career here. Those two would be battling for the 10 bonus points the winner would fetch.

Don't forget we will have our live lap by lap coverage again this Saturday night at Sportschatplace.com. If you can't be home for the race or if football will be on the TV or if you just want to chat about the race, we would love to see you there.

Dave's Free Pick ATS: 09/12/09 Kansas State at UL-Lafayette

dave darby — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:34:06 -0400

Kansas State (1-0) at UL-Lafayette (1-0)

Line: Kansas State -6

A win on the road is always a good thing, but the 21-17 win the Wildcats achieved last week over UMASS was not all that impressive. K-State looked to have it in hand at half with a 21-3 lead, but would score no more in front of the largest ever opening game crowd in Manhattan. The defense played well, giving up just 212 yards all together. It was the special teams that made this game much closer than it should have been. A fumbled punt and a blocked punt led to two scores by the Minutemen.

UL-Lafayette came out with a 42-19 victory against Southern University in week one. New quarterback Chris Masson went for 18-of-24 passing for 283 yards and two touchdowns. For good measure, Masson added 36 yards on the ground and a score. The running game was effective in their first match up without the conferences all time leading rusher Tyrell Fenroy. The defense returns nine starters and came up with three interceptions.

While I expect Kansas State to gradually improve this year under Bill Snyder, they are not there yet. The offensive line has just one experienced player and it will take some time for that unit to be effective. Until they are, the offense is going to struggle. Errors on special teams are a big concern and not something the Wildcats can afford. I expect the public to be on K-State here, but I''m not buying it. There is going to be a meltdown before there is much improvement in Manhattan. The Ragin' Cajuns better put it on the line in this one as their upcoming schedule is brutal.

Dave's Pick: UL-Lafayette +6

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Dave's Free College Football Pick ATS: Bowling Green at No. 25 Missouri

dave darby — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:46:20 -0400

Bowling Green (1-0) at No. 25 Missouri (1-0)

Line: Missouri -20

First year Bowling Green head coach Dave Clawson is 1-0 after guiding the Falcons to a 31-14 victory over Troy in the first week of the season. Bowling Green took to the air for 339 yards with Freddie Barnes hauling down 15 catches for 157 yards and two scores.

A focal point of practice this week is likely to center around the ground game, which moved just 50 yards on 28 carries.

The Falcons held Troy to just two yards per carry and 41 overall. Forcing Troy to the air produced a couple of interceptions, one resulting in a return for a score.

Missouri could not have played any better in its opening match against Illinois. The Tigers were nearly flawless in every area of the game, which they won, 37-9. The defense played great, Blaine Gabbert looked like Chase Daniel with more mobility, and Danario Alexander was making folks forget that Jeremy Maclin is no longer with the team.

Even the kicking game was on fire with field goals of 31, 41, and 44 yards. This game has many rethinking their pecking order in the Big 12 North.

I, like everyone else, was impressed with the Missouri showing last week; however, I am not completely sold that Missouri is much better than a 6-6 record team. Illinois is not a very good football team and was missing several of its play-makers.

I'm happy for the Tiger fans and I know Memorial Stadium will be rocking Saturday night, but I'm not going to predict a Missouri romp here. Bowling Green is 5-0 against the spread in its last five road games and Missouri is just 2-5 against the number in its last seven games overall.

This one may be close, but I'll take the points.

Dave's Pick: Bowling Green +20

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Dave's Free Pick ATS: 09/12/09 Arkansas State at No. 22 Nebraska

dave darby — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:54:49 -0400

Arkansas State (1-0) at #22 Nebraska (1-0)

Line: Nebraska -23

At first glance this looks like a huge mismatch and the public may very well move this line higher. Arkansas State is not one to take lightly however. In week one the Red Wolves put a 61-0 thumping to Mississippi Valley State. The Red Wolves put up 496 yards which included 358 on the ground. Reggie Arnold went for 128 yards rushing and four touchdowns. The defense gave up just 69 total yards which is ridiculous.

Nebraska also had an easy time last week in beating Florida Atlantic 49-3. The Cornhuskers averaged 8.1 yards per carry and 259 yards on the ground. Starting quarterback Zac Lee had 213 yards passing in 22 attempts before leaving the game when it got out of hand. Nebraska did allow 358 total yards with zero sacks, so there is some concern regarding the blackshirts.

This game may have snuck up on Nebraska a bit more if their opponent hadn't won 61-0 in their opener. There also is the matter of Arkansas State's game against Texas A&M last season which you may remember was won by the Red Wolves 18-14. Nebraska's next game is on the road against Virgina Tech, which may be a bit of a distraction. I don't look for a repeat of last years Texas A&M game, but I look for some folks to be surprised at how hard Arkansas State makes Nebraska work for this one.

Dave's Pick: Arkansas State +23

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Dave's Free Pick ATS: Sept. 9

dave darby — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:16:48 -0400

Colorado (0-1) at Toledo (0-1)

Line: Colorado -4

Colorado comes off of a horrible showing at home against Colorado State in which they lost 23-17 in a game in which they were favored by double digits. The Colorado offense was stagnant and produced just 251 total yards including just 29 on the ground. Good luck with that come Big 12 time.

With a run game like that, it is not surprising the Buffalo offense is usually heavy on the passing side. Colorado State had CU quarterback Cody Hawkins running for his life most of the game. The defense didn't fare much better, giving up 376 yards in the first half to go with the 20 CSU points. The defense did show a ray of hope in the second half, limiting their opponent to just one field goal.

Toledo went on the road week one against Purdue and had success on offense after getting down 21-0. Aaron Opelt set a Toledo record with 67 pass attempts while completing 41 passes for 423 yards. The senior quarterback mixed in two interceptions to go with his three TD passes. Purdue was just too much on offense for the Rockets to keep up. The Boilermakers amassed 535 total yards including 315 on the ground while protecting their lead.

This is a tough turnaround road game for Colorado who played on Sunday and now is in front of a national audience on the following Friday night. If Colorado isn't there defensively, this could be an ugly two losses to start the Buffalo season. Both teams failed to cover in week one. Colorado is 1-4 against the spread in their last five road games while Toledo is 6-3 against the number in their last nine home games. Not looking good for CU. I'm on Toledo and have a close eye on the money line.

Dave's Pick: Toledo +4

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Dave's Free Pick ATS: Sept. 12 Kansas at UTEP

dave darby — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:57:31 -0400

No. 24 Kansas (1-0) at UTEP (0-1)

Line: Kansas -13

Kansas played someone named Northern Colorado last week and won as easily as you would imagine they would. The Kansas offense is a good one and is led by quarterback Todd Reesing who is expected to put up huge passing yards this year. However, it was the running game that was front and center in week one as Northern Colorado pulled back into a zone defense. Kansas responded with 47 rushes for 328 yards on the ground. Reesing put the ball up just 20 times, connecting on 13 for 208 yards. A small wrinkle in the KU offense was a short appearance of the "pistol" offense started at Nevada and finding its way around the country.

The weak point on the Jayhawk defense is in the secondary, but there were no issues against the Bears who failed to find the end-zone and passed for just 172 yards despite trailing the entire game.

UTEP fell at home to Buffalo 23-17 in Week One. The Miners led early but struggled with their usually potent passing game, gaining just 233 yards in the air and zero touchdowns. UTEP did enjoy some success on the ground led by Donald Buckram's 108 yards on 14 carries. As a team, the Minors averaged 4.8 yards per rush against the Bulls. The UTEP defense gave up just 309 total yards on offense which is a good sign of improvement over last years squad. The Miners,however had little pass rush to speak of and did not come up with a turnover.

UTEP will rebound from their Week One struggles, but it won't be this week. It is hard to take much away from a game against Northern Colorado, but the presence of a strong running game does not bode well for KU opponents this season. KU will also regain the services of four players who were suspended last week which includes standout wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe. Kansas is 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 road games and UTEP is 2-6 against the number in their last eight games at home. It's all Rock Chawk Jayhawk in this one.

Dave's Pick: Kansas -13

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Dave's Free Pick ATS—9/12/09 Rice at Texas Tech

dave darby — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:10:52 -0400

Rice (0-1) at Texas Tech (1-0)

Line: Texas Tech -28

Week one of the college football season was not a kind one for the Rice Owls who lost 44-24 to conference foe UAB. The loss broke a seven game win streak for Rice and does not paint a pretty picture for the upcoming schedule.

Rice is using a platoon at quarterback and the early returns are not all that stellar. Rice finished with 391 total yards, but has a couple turnovers and could not get it done on third down (4-of-13). The Rice run defense was shredded by UAD who averaged 7.6 yards a carry and finished with 295 yards on the ground for the game.

Texas Tech had an easy time with North Dakota State and walked away with a 38-13 victory. The Red Raiders are learning to play without quarterback Graham Harrell and wide receiver Michael Crabtree who have both moved on.

Quarterback Taylor Potts has the helm at quarterback and fits in well with the passing attack that Texas Tech has become known for, but has to improve on his three interception performance last week. The Tech defense gave up just 207 total yards to North Dakota State.

It has been a while since we have seen Rice as such an underdog, and I think many of their week one issues against a good UAB team can be corrected. Texas Tech will get better as the season moves forward, but it will take some time to get the chemistry going and they will struggle at times early on. I like Rice to bounce back and put up a fight.

Dave's Pick: Rice +28

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Dave's Free Pick ATS- Houston at No. 5 Oklahoma State

dave darby — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:32:04 -0400

Houston (1-0) at #5 Oklahoma State (1-0)

Line: Oklahoma State -15

Oklahoma State earned praise for their week one victory over Georgia, but Houston's offense has many folks wondering if this week is a trap game for the Cowboys.

Things sure didn't look good for Oklahoma State early against Georgia. Georgia ripped right through the Cowboy defense for an early score and had all of the momentum in the first quarter. Oklahoma State came alive in the second quarter and shut out the Bulldogs, while the Zac Robinson to Dez Bryant train started to roll.

The result was a 24-10 win, and a bit of time in the national spotlight for OSU. It is the Cowboy's defense that faces the largest task this week in not only facing the potent attack of Houston, but switching gears from the Georgia smash-mouth ground game to Houston's fast paced passing attack.

Houston had no trouble getting by Northwestern State in week one, winning 55-7. Case Keenum led the nation last year in passing yards and tallied 359 last week to go with his four touchdown passes.

While there was not much to speak of as far as a run game, Houston used freshman tailback Charles Simms as a weapon in the passing attach with six catches for 128 yards and a score.

I think Houston will be the "sexy" pick for many this week as there is so much attention on the Houston offense and the anticipation of a let down by OSU after their big victory last week. Houston had an early lead last year before the Cowboys turned it on and won 55-37.

I see this year's game ending much the same way. Houston are 1-7 against the spread in their last eight games on the road while OSU is 5-2 against the number at home. Both offenses are good, but Houston have no hope against the Oklahoma State ground game while the Cowboy defense will offer some resistance to the Cougars.

I'm on the Cowboys.

Dave's Pick: Oklahoma State -15

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Dave's Free College Football Pick ATS for Sept. 12: Texas at Wyoming

dave darby — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:48:22 -0400

No. 2 Texas (1-0) at Wyoming (1-0)

Line: Texas -33.5

Texas hits the road for the first time this year against a Wyoming team that should be overmatched, but the Longhorns have a big spread to cover.

Texas had its way with UL-Monroe in Week One with a 51-10 victory at home. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy got his Heisman campaign off to a good start with 21-of-29 passing for 317 yards and two scores. Cody Johnson provided much of the scoring with three rushing touchdowns.

The Warhawks were held under 300 yards of offense as a relatively new Longhorn defensive line held its own. That same line will be tested a bit this week against a decent Wyoming run game.

Wyoming first-year coach Dave Christensen got his first Cowboy win in Week One against Weber State, but it wasn't easy. Quarterbacks Robert Benjamin and Austyn Carta-Samuels struggled through 188 yards of passing, completing just 16-of-31 passes. With the passing attack ineffective, the Cowboys leaned heavy on their running game, which came through with 246 yards and over five yards per carry.

While Texas won big last week, it failed to cover the 41.5-point spread against UL-Monroe. I don't expect Wyoming to stay with Texas the entire game, but Wyoming does have a strong defense that should be able to slow down the Longhorn scoring machine. Wyoming gave up some passing yards last week, but also recorded five interceptions and is a tenured group.

Dave's Pick: Wyoming +33.5

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Dave's Free Pick ATS: Iowa at Iowa State 9/12/09

dave darby — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:58:23 -0400

Iowa (1-0) at Iowa State (1-0)

Line: Iowa -6.5

While both of these teams won their first game of the season last week, they most certainly feel different about how they got there.

Iowa pulled out a close one at home on Saturday, beating Northern Iowa 17-16.

The Hawkeyes had to block two field goal attempts in the last seven seconds to secure the lead. After the first blocked attempt, Northern Iowa recovered the ball for a second attempt on second down which was also blocked.

While Iowa's defense played well, the offense struggled to get going. The Hawkeyes gained just 320 yards for the game including 87 on the ground. The lack of running game wasn't totally unexpected however as Iowa lost running back Shonn Green to the NFL and Jewel Hampton to injury prior to the season's start.

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi was able to throw for 242 yards to keep Iowa in the game. Tight-end Tony Moeaki was the top target from the air catching 10 tosses for 83 years and a touchdown.

Iowa State broke a 10-game losing streak in their win over North Dakota State and looked good doing it.

The Cyclones had a balanced attack that included 204 yards on the ground and 238 in the air, which led to their 34-17 victory.

Most of the Iowa State offense this year looks to come from quarterback Austen Arnaud and running back Alexander Robinson and game one was no exception. Robinson rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown while Arnaud threw for two scores and ran one in for a third.

The area of concern for the Cyclones is the suspect defense. North Dakota State racked up 388 total yards including 210 on the ground.

These two teams match up very closely.

Iowa figures to be a good defensive team and will face an Iowa State team that has some confidence going on offense.

Iowa State struggled on defense in the opener, but faces an Iowa squad looking for answers in the running game.

I look for Arnaud to take what the defense of Iowa gives and have an impressive day. While he was dicing up the North Dakota secondary with 238 yards passing, he still managed to get in 17 rushes for 78 yards. It is that versatility that makes the difference here.

Dave's Pick: Iowa State +6.5

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NASCAR Sprint Cup CARFAX 400 Preview and Prediction

dave darby — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:23:23 -0400

Is Brian Vickers the new "Rocket Man" of the Sprint Cup? Ryan Newman has held that distinction in recent years for his ability to qualify on the pole. Vickers has now qualified for the pole in six races this season. Mark Martin will join Vickers on the front row this week in Brooklyn, MI for the CARFAX 400 on Sunday.

This race is always a big one for the teams, as it is run in the Big Three automakers back yard. Those companies certainly can use the boost. After Vickers and his pole position, Toyota, spots two through five are all Chevrolet's.

Although Carl Edwards has not won yet this season on the Sprint Cup circuit, he is the defending champion at Michigan—beating Kyle Busch last year by almost a full second.

David Ragen finished third, Greg Biffle forth, and Matt Kenseth (from nearby Wisconsin) finished fifth. Brian Vickers won the pole here last year as well and finished seventh. Last years race featured seven cautions for 27 laps and had 18 lead changes among nine different drivers.

Tony Stewart needs only to start the race to assure his spot in the final "Chase." While red hot this summer, Stewart has never won this race, coming as close as second once and third place twice.

Behind Vickers and Mark Martin in qualifying were Juan Montoya, Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, Joey Logano, Bill Elliott and Kasey Kahne.

After another victory last week, here are our picks to win this week in Michigan, and they both should bring good odds.

Greg Biffle—This one could almost qualify as an underdog pick of the week, but there is an strong undercurrent right now for "The Bif."

Biffle has finished in the top seven here at Michigan in five of the past six years, including a win in 2004. Biffle also has two top five finishes in the past three races.

Sitting in tenth in the standings, he may need to be a bit cautious and do some points racing, but he needs to be near the front.

Matt Kenseth—Flat out loves Michigan, at least as much as anyone from the Badger state is allowed to. Kenseth has finished no worse than 11th here in the past eight years, including a win in 2006.

He will have to come from the back of the pack after a bad 30th place qualifying, but the Dewalt gang knows what it takes at Michigan International.

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Allstate 400 Preview

dave darby — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:15:46 -0400

What a difference a year makes. Last year at the Brickyard in Indianapolis, NASCAR and Goodyear had one of the biggest debacles ever seen in stock car racing when the race had to be halted every 10 laps because of failing tires.

This year, the drivers are singing the praises of Goodyear like they are in a blimp on a commercial. It appears the tires will be the headline story of the race to begin with and thankfully go away after lap one. However, rain has delayed qualifying and remains a possibility on race day.

ESPN takes over the television drivers seat this week and Jimmie Johnson is the defending champ in the race. Johnson, who won the pole position last year, beat Carl Edwards by less than a second but not many remember anything but the tire wear issue. It was Johnson's first Brickyard victory. Last year's race featured 11 caution flags lasting 52 laps, but we hope to never see something similar again.

Outside of Daytona, this race is viewed by many drivers as the most important of the year. The long straightaways are met with four different technical turns, which favors experienced drivers.

Lets get to our picks to win on Sunday.

Jeff Gordon—Gordon has won this race four times with his last victory coming in 2004. In the last eight years, Gordon has finished in the top eight seven times, with the only exception being a 16th place finish in 2006. Gordon is coming off a second place finish in Chicago a few weeks ago.

Tony Stewart—No one wants this race each year more than Stewart. With his open wheel history at the track and being from Columbus, Ind., Stewart holds Indianapolis in high reverence. Stewart has two victories here ('07 and '05) and will go all out this year to have an opportunity to kiss the bricks after the checkered flag waves.

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Fantasy Baseball All-Stars at the Break

dave darby — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:52:51 -0400

With the Midsummer Classic come and gone, it is time to look at the Fantasy All-Stars for the first half.

Rather than simply listing the top-ranked players, we are going to take a look at those who have greatly outshone their preseason rankings. It is these type of players that fuel a winning fantasy team.

If you are the owner of these players, this might be your chance to "sell high" if you believe they can't keep up their performance during the second half.

CATCHER

Pablo Sandoval (SF)—A late round pick in most drafts, Sandoval has rewarded his owners with 15 home runs and a .333 average for the first half.

Joe Mauer (MIN)—It is no surprise that he is productive, but no one expected the power behind his .373 batting average. With 15 home runs on the year, Mauer has already set his career high.

Brandon Inge (DET)—You wouldn't know it by watching this week's All-Star events, but Inge has been smashing. He has long been a catching favorite—although he spends most of his time at 3B—and has shown up in more games than your average catcher. With 21 home runs and 58 RBI, Inge has been an owner favorite.

FIRST BASE

Mark Reynolds (ARI)—Reynolds has been golden thus far, with 24 long balls and 62 RBI. He's a good unload candidate, as those 123 strikeouts will catch up with him soon.

Carlos Pena (TB)—Similar numbers to Reynolds, including the strikeouts. Good trade bait for filling a needed space on your roster. Similar numbers can be found elsewhere, as players like Hank Blalock are available in many leagues.

Russell Branyan (SEA)—Branyan seems to have figured something out, the evidence being 22 home runs and a .280 batting average.

SECOND BASE

Aaron Hill (TOR)—An absolute steal on draft day. 20 home runs, 60 RBI, 190 total bases, .292 average, and a .820 OPS. Hill is hitting his prime at 27 years old; he is a keeper.

Ben Zobrist (TB)—A true fantasy MVP. 17 HR, 11 SB and a .297 batting average while being eligible at 2B, SS, LF, and RF. He'll be a great plug-and-play option as the season winds down.

Marco Scutaro (TOR)—Does nothing outstanding, but does everything well. Eligible at 2B, 3B, and SS. Scutaro is a good "throw-in" player to ask for in multi-player deals, as he can be overlooked.

THIRD BASE

See Reynolds, Sandoval, Inge, Branyan, and Scutaro above.

Casey Blake (LAD)—Another one of those all-around solid guys that make for good "throw-in" options in multi-player trades.

Scott Rolen (TOR)—He is healthy and productive...at the moment. A .320 batting average is a good nugget to attract would-be suitors. Time to unload before the DL comes calling.

SHORT STOP

See Zobrist and Scutaro above

Jason Bartlett (TB)—He's commanding players along the line of Matt Cain in current trades. With eight home runs, 19 steals, and a .347 batting average, Bartlett is solid—his biggest drawback being he is rated in just one position.

Clint Barmes (COL)—His comeback may be complete. Another player that is solid in many areas, but not going to drive a victory in any one category. Eligible at 2B and 3B, Barmes is another good "throw-in" player.

LEFT FIELD

Carl Crawford (TB)—Projected as a late second/early third-round draft pick, Crawford has been first-round material. The All-Star MVP has eight home runs, 44 steals, and a .309 batting average. If you have several holes to fill, look for a team needing steals and ask for the world.

Raul Ibanez (PHI)—An early surprise in the rankings, Ibanez is starting to slide back to his original ranking. Sell now, while he is at 22 home runs and a .309 batting average.

Adam Lind (TOR)—Another player reaching his prime. Lind has delivered power (19 home runs), while maintaining a .306 average. He has talent to maintain his pace, but what will the batting lineup look like in the second half for the Blue Jays?

CENTER FIELD

Torii Hunter (LAA)—A mid-round draft pick, Hunter has delivered in the first half. It may be possible to use his stint on the DL to steal Hunter for the stretch run. You know the lineup around him will be good if healthy.

Jayson Werth (PHI)—20 home runs and 12 steals have made Werth a great pick, although he needs to cut down on the strikeouts in the second half.

Adam Jones (BAL)—Great all-around numbers for this surprising All-Star. He says his knees are fine, but raise the red flags. For me he is a great "sell high" player. Eligible in CF only at this point.

RIGHT FIELD

See Werth and Zobrist above

Justin Upton (ARI)—Another great all-around talent. 16 home runs, 12 steals, 172 total bases, and a .301 average. Upton is nearing his career high in at-bats, but should hold up well in the second half.

Nelson Cruz (TEX)—That power is not going away. With 22 home runs and All-Star notoriety now, Cruz could be easily dealt. That smooth swing looks like it could go all year in the Arlington Band Box.

STARTING PITCHING

Dan Haren (ARI)—Haren was about a fifth-round draft pick in most leagues, but is currently rated as the second-best fantasy player in baseball. 129 strikeouts, 2.01 ERA and a WHIP of 0.81 are amazing. Probably should have been the All-Star game starter.

Zach Greinke (KC)—See Haren above. 129 strikeouts, 2.12 ERA and a WHIP of 1.08. Greinke should have been starting the All-Star game opposite Haren. 10 wins in the first half while pitching for the Royals and their weak offense? Don't doubt the Zack Attack.

Chris Carpender (STL)—Comeback player of the year? Carpenter is 7-3 with a 2.47 ERA and a .87 WHIP. His biggest drawbacks are the lack of strikeouts and health history.

CLOSERS

Ryan Franklin (STL)—If you guessed right from the early season closing committee of the Cardinals, Franklin has rewarded you big time. Many folks thought they were slick for drafting Motte in the late mid-rounds, but the job is Franklin's for the keeping.

Andrew Bailey (OAK)—This All-Star has been a big plus for owners so far. 10 Saves while sporting a 1.92 ERA and .97 WHIP.

Heath Bell (SD)—Gets the loss in the All-Star game, but that team is cursed to lose no matter what. Bell has been solid all year with 23 saves, a 1.69 ERA and a WHIP of 1.07.

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Autism Speaks 400 Preview

dave darby — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:13:13 -0400

After David Reutimann's rain shortened victory in Charlotte, the Cup guys have moved north to Dover, Delaware for Sundays Autism Speaks 400.

Reutimann has kept the momentum going and will start from the poll on Sunday based on his qualifying speed of 156.794 MPH around the 1 mile track. Joining Reutimann on the front row is Kasey Kahne. Juan Montoya and Reed Sorenson make up the second row.

It was Greg Biffle who started from the poll last year and finished in 3rd, behind Carl Edwards and race winner Kyle Busch. The race featured five cautions for a total of 26 laps and 9 drivers led at least one lap.

Favorites are hard to come by in this race. There have been 12 different winners in the last 12 years. Jeff Gordon has won twice, but his first victory was back in 1996 and his last in 2001.

However, that won't stop us from making our top two selections to win and one longshot to watch for.

Carl Edwards

"Concrete Carl" hasn't won this race yet, but the track suits him just fine. Carl preceded last year's 2nd place finish with a 3rd place result two years ago. Carl will start 13th. Could be backflip time in New England.

Kyle Busch

"Rowdy" has last years win, a 2nd and 5th place finish on his Dover resume. Look for the kid to force his way to the front early and often. Kyle starts in the 6th position.

Ryan Newman

Our long shot this week has a 2nd and 4th place finish in this race to go along with his victory back in 2003. Ryan will start 11th on Sunday.

Fantasy News and Notes for May 26, 2009

dave darby — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:14:31 -0400

News and notes from around Fantasy Baseball.

Albert Pujols (STL—1B) Pujols isn't getting much protection in the lineup. He has been walked nine times, including four intentionally in his last four games. Great for the OBP, but not so good for hits, HR's and RBI.

Mike Lowell (BOS—3B) That day off we advised was coming will be Tuesday night.

Todd Helton (COL—1B) Helton left Monday's game with a migraine and is day-to-day.

Carlos Beltran (NYM—OF) Beltran will have an MRI Tuesday on his right knee. Beltran has been playing through the pain as a DH, but with that inter league option over for now, it is time to get the scoop on the problem.

Ted Lilly (CHC—SP) Lilly got the boot in the fifth inning Monday for arguing balls and strikes. Fines and a possible suspension (which rarely effects starting pitching) to come later.

Brian Roberts (BAL—2B) Roberts left Monday's game with an ankle injury. For right now, consider him day to day.

Ryan Ludwick (STL-OF) Ludwick appears ready to come off the DL when eligible on Friday.

Alex Rodriguez (NNY—3B) Rodriguez appears to be back with his 5-for-5 effort on Monday. Prior to that game he was hitting near .200 with close to a home run or nothing result.

Rafael Furcal (LAD—SS) Furcal missed Monday's game with a sore left buttocks. Insert your "pain in the @#&" joke here.

Joakim Soria (KC—RP) Soria heads for Arizona on Tuesday to rehab and could be back with the Royals early next week.

Jose Reyes (NYM—SS) Still no word on a return date for Reyes. It is looking more like a DL possibility. The Mets will have to make that call later this week.

Matt Capps (PIT—RP) Capps was hit on the right elbow by a Geovany Soto line drive and ran off the field. Initial X-rays were not conclusive and a second round of tests is likely.

Felipe Lopez (ARZ—2B) Lopez is still probably a few days out from returning to the starting lineup due to his hamstring issue.

Carlos Quentin (CHW—OF) Quentin will undergo testing Tuesday on his faulty foot and is a likely candidate for the DL.

Carlos Marmol (CHC—RP) The Cubs will probably be without Marmol until Wednesday as his wife is due to give birth Tuesday.

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Fantasy Baseball News and Notes for May 25, 2009

dave darby — Mon, 25 May 2009 11:32:08 -0400

News and notes from around the Fantasy Baseball world

Brandon Phillips (CIN-2B)

Phillips suffered a hairline fracture in his right thumb on Saturday while fielding a ground ball. Phillips is going to try to play through the injury, which is good news for those enjoying his league-leading 27 RBI this month.

Jermaine Dye (CHI AL-OF)

With the return of Carlos Quentin from the DL, Dye will see a few more days off along with Scott Podsednik and Brian Anderson.

Pablo Sandoval (SF-C)

Sandoval strained his right elbow while making a throw on Friday. The elbow is still bothering him, and he will be held out again on Sunday and re-examined in San Francisco on Monday.

Mike Lowell (BOS-3B)

Just a heads up that Mike Lowell will be given a day off this week during the Minnesota series. Lowell has missed just one game thus far this season, so owners are not used to having him on the bench.

Carlos Beltran (NYM-OF)

The right knee bruise that has keep Beltran as a DH during interleague play is apparently bad enough to possibly keep him out of the lineup when NL play resumes.

Jason Bartlett (TB-SS)

Bartlett will be out at least on Monday after Dan Uggla slid into his left ankle on Sunday.

Jorge Posada (NYY-C)

Posada was 1-for-4 Sunday in a minor league game in Tampa. Manager Joe Girardi is hinting that Posada could be back with the big club within a week.

Brad Ziegler (OAK-RP)

Ziegler was in the game during the seventh inning Saturday against Arizona. It appears unlikely there are any save opportunities in his near future due to his recent struggles.

Joey Votto (CIN-1B)

Votto was held out of the lineup on Sunday because of a recurring dizziness issue the first baseman has been experiencing due to an inner ear infection.

David Price (TB-SP)

Just as we hinted a few days ago, Price has joined the big club and will start Monday against Cleveland. If all goes well, expect the move to be permanent.

Andre Ethier (LA-OF)

Not big news, but I find it humorous that Ethier was held out of the lineup Sunday with a cracked big toenail. Is that better or worse than a strained eyelid?

Jose Reyes (NYM-SS)

Reyes will continue to sit on Monday due to the right calf injury that has kept him out for the last five days.

Joba Chamberlain (NYY-SP)

Chamberlain is good to go on Tuesday after taking a line drive to the knee in his last start.

David Ortiz (BOS-DH)

Ortiz is looking at a possible drop in the order due to poor performance.

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Fantasy Baseball News for May 23, 2009

dave darby — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:18:40 -0400

A look around the major league fantasy world.

Manny Ramirez (LA-OF) Man Ram has started workouts again in Florida as prep for his return to the majors on July 3. Expect about a 10-game prep tour in the minor leagues prior to joining the Dodgers.

Homer Bailey (CIN-SP) Bailey has been recalled from the minors to start against Clevel and Saturday. With Edinson Volquezon the 15 day DL, Homer may get a three-game audition to remain in the rotation.

Scott Kazmir (TB-SP)Kazmir was placed on the 15 day DL Friday with a right quad strain. The Rays were worried that the injury was beginning to mess with Kazmir's mechanics and could lead to arm issues. Could there be a David Price move coming up?

Grady Sizemore (CLE-OF) Sizemore showed signs of life Friday night with a home run and a stolen base. Hitting just .220 on the year, Sizemore has been given a few games at DH this week to rest up.

Joakim Soria (KC-RP) Soria is throwing off a mound again and likely will go on a rehab assignment in the next week to 10 days.

Ricky Nolasco (FL-SP)Nolasco, who won 15 games last season, has been optioned to Class AAA New Orleans. With an era of 9.07 the Marlins are hoping for Nolasco to fix his issues and return to the Marlins more like the guy whith the 3.52 era last year.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS-SP)Dice K made his return from the DL with mixed results against a tough Mets lineup. Mats went five innings, giving up four earned with four K's.

Chipper Jones (ATL-3B) Jones missed the game Friday night as a result of a sprained joint in this right big toe. Jones hurt the toe while short stepping first base Thursday night. Chippy will be out of the lineup Saturday with Sunday looking iffy.

Rich Harden (CHI NL-SP)Harden was placed on the 15-day DL Friday with a mid-back strain. harden is eligible to return June 2.

Jose Reyes (NY NL-SS) Reyes, who has tendinitis behind his right calf is still listed as day to day. The Mets shortstop has been out of the lineup since mid week and he is not sure how long he will be out.

Frank Francisco (TEX-RP)Francisco returned from the DL Friday with a 10th inning save.

Jarrod Washburn (SEA-SP)Washburn with skip his scheduled start on Saturday because of some left knee pain. Washburn will make his next start on Tuesday.

Benjie Molina (SF-C)It's a good bet that Molina will start at catcher Saturday. With Steve Holm optioned to Class AAA Fresno, Benjie is the only catcher on the roster.

Vladimir Guerrero (LAA-OF)Vlady will rehab in Class-A Rancho Cucamonga in prep for a return to the majors on Monday.

Jake Peavy (SD-SP) One day after rejecting a trade to the White Sox, Peavy struck out 10 in six innings of work to beat the Cubs.

Troy Percival (TB-RP)Percival was placed on the 15 day DL Friday with right shoulder tendinitis. Percival went back to California and is thinking about retiring. Joe Nelson is the first choice to step in as closer for the Rays.

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NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race Preview

dave darby — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:12:50 -0400

It's All-Star race time this weekend for the NASCAR Sprint Cup from Lowe's Motor Speedway. All drivers winning a race in last years events or this years events have a spot in the race for one million dollars.

Non-qualifiers will race in the Sprint Showdown and the top two advance to the All-Star race. In addition, the fans can vote in an additional driver who finished on the lead lap of the Sprint Showdown.

Last year's All-Star race winner, Kasey Kahne made good use of the fans' votes. Needing the fans help to make the All-Star race, he took home the $1 million first place prize. Second place pays $455,950 and third $137,975. Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth filled those slots last year.

The format for the race is a 50 mile segment with a mandatory caution at lap 25, then two 20 lap segments that set up the final 10 lap sprint.

Mark Martin has won this race a couple times and Jeff Gordon has taken the checkered flag three times.

Here are our picks to win this Saturday night:

Matt Kenseth

Kenseth has five top ten finishes in this race including a win in 2004. Kenseth is one of those drivers that may not be talked about most of the race and just show up in front at the end.

Tony Stewart

Tony has done well in the All-Star race and has the tough "all or nothing" attitude needed to go for it. That same attitude could backfire and cause a pileup, but should be exciting either way.

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Matt Kenseth Wins Nascar's Nationwide Diamond Hill Plywood 200

dave darby — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:51:07 -0400

Kyle Busch ran into some bad luck Friday night at the NASCAR Nationwide race in Darlington.

Kyle Busch was in control, much of the race. But Matt Kenseth was closing in with two laps to go, when a caution came out.

During the caution, it was discovered that Kyle Busch had a flat tire, and he was taken out of the running, eventually finishing 16th.

That left Kenseth in the lead for the green, white, and checkered finish.

Shortly after the green came out, caution was waved for a wreck, and Kenseth was declared the winner of the Diamond Hill Plywood 200.

One of our picks to win, Kenseth, is now a three-time winner of this race. Jason Leffler finished second and Carl Edward's third.

The NASCAR Nationwide series takes a week off before racing in Charlotte on May 23rd.

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NASCAR Nationwide Diamond Hill Plywood 200 Preview

dave darby — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:45:33 -0400

The NASCAR Nationwide series invades Darlington, S.C., for tonight's Diamond Hill Plywood 200, which will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Tony Stewart is the defending champion after edging Clint Bowyer in last year's race. Stewart will not be defending his title in tonight's race.

Also not in the race is Denny Hamlin, who won the prior two races at Darlington or Mark Martin, who has three Nationwide victories at Darlington.

Outside of the obvious favorites of Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch, here are our top three for tonight's race.

Matt Kenseth: A two-time winner in this race, Matt is well-suited for this technical driving race. At Darlington, you race the track and not the other cars, which plays to Kenseth's strength.

Jeff Burton: Also a past winner, Burton brings experience to the "track too tough to tame."

Jason Keller: Keller is our long shot pick of the race. Jason has had success at Darlington with two top 5 finishes and four top Ten finishes in this race.

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