Baily's Sports & Stuff

UCLA at Arizona State Lazeric Jones scored 18 points, UCLA made 3 3 pointers in overtime and the Bruins survived Arizona State 73-72. However, the ending was bizarre in many ways. UCLA held a 34-19 second half lead, but Arizona State, a good comeback team, chipped away at that margin. Star Ty Abbott had done nothing, scoring 0 points until 4:11 was left in the second half. Jamelle McMillan and Rihards Kukskis were forced to carry the load, and they did nothing at first but got the Sun Devils started and on a 16-9 run. However, a period of over 4 minutes that Arizona State couldn't score proved critical, as UCLA went back up by 12. Josh Smith made a thundering dunk and Tyler Honeycutt nailed a jumper, giving UCLA a 47-35 lead. But ASU wouldn't go away. 2 3's helped power a 12-3 run to make it 50-47, but a free throw and a layup by Lazeric Jones got the Bruins back up by 6. Then came Ty Abbott, who nailed 2 free throws to jumpstart a rally. A pair of Malcolm Lee...

This year many different Pac-10 teams have put themselves on the map for an NCAA Tournament bid, like Washington finding it's way into the Top 20 and UCLA knocking off one-loss BYU. However, one thing we can assure is that this year, the Pac-10 will have at least 3 teams in the NCAA Tourney. The Washington Huskies used great 3 point shooting to get into the Top 15 early, but they lost close games to Kentucky and Michigan State and were knocked out of the Top 25. However, the same formula that worked early in the year has UW riding a 3 game win streak, including wins over then #25 Arizona and Arizona State. The Huskies play Washington State tonight at 7:00 PM PT. Arizona got a great start, going undefeated until a tough road loss at Kansas. After another loss at BYU, the Wildcats bounced back, winning close games over Cal and Washington State to help power them into the Top 25. Although a loss at Washington knocked them out of the rankings, they fought back and have racked up 2 ...

Well, it's finally here; the Super Bowl. In just 12 days, confetti will be flying and the notable players, like Aaron Rodgers or Ben Roethlisberger, will be celebrating. But now, all we can do is predict. The Super Bowl features the 2nd seed Pittsburgh Steelers and the 6th seed Green Bay Packers. Green Bay has a reason to be fired up, for the trophy was dedicated to their former coach, Vince Lombardi. However, to win this game they will need a nice game from seldom-used James Starks, who came on in the playoffs. In Week 1, Ryan Grant got hurt and was never able to convalesce. So, with coaches exasperated and looking for a running back, they finally found their long overdue answer. Starks ran for 123, 66 and 74 rushing yards, scoring a touchdown in Green Bay's NFC Championship triumph over Chicago. But, to defeat Pittsburgh, they will have to overthrow Ben Roethlisberger and co. Big Ben has penetrated through defenses all year, with his only multi-pick game coming against ...

Green Bay at Chicago Before the NFC Championship game, B.J Raji was just another player for the Green Bay Packers. At the end, he was the hero; the one that made all the difference. Raji returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown as Green Bay held off 3rd string quarterback Caleb Hanie and Chicago for a 21-14 win. Green Bay will meet Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl. Green Bay started with the ball at their own 16, and using a few slants and out patterns, they picked apart the Chicago defense and got to the one, where Aaron Rodgers faked a handoff and took the ball in for 6. Chicago got to the Green Bay 34, but after Jay Cutler over-threw Devin Hester on what would have been a sure touchdown, the Bears had to punt. Both teams couldn't score for a long time, with a sack taking away a field goal try for Green Bay and Chicago having to punt from their own 2. Tramon Williams muffed the punt and lost 5 yards for Green Bay, but the Packers still had outstanding field positi...

New York Jets at New England From the result of New England's 45-3 thumping over New York in December, no one expected the 6th seeded Jets to back up a week of trash talk and pull off an amazing upset. No one, but the Jets. Nothing else mattered. Mark Sanchez threw 3 touchdowns, Shonn Greene rushed for another as the Jets held off New England 28-21 to advance to the AFC Title game. The Jets will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers in a match-up that determines a Super Bowl bid. David Harris intercepted an early Tom Brady pass and returned it to the New England 12 yard line, but the Jets couldn't put up 7 and Nick Folk missed a chip shot field goal wide left. On the next Pats series, Alge Crumpler caught a 28 yard pass to set up a Shayne Graham field goal. New England led 3-0 after 1. But it would take the Patriots offense time to get going. After a New England punt, the Jets had the ball at their own 46. On 3rd and 6 in Patriots territory, Mark Sanchez connected ...

At first, we all thought that this game would be Cam Newton vs the Oregon Ducks defense. We never expected anyone else to step up for the Tigers. But when it mattered most, it wasn't Cam Newton handing Auburn the win. Michael Dyer ran for 143 yards and gains of 37 and 16 late to hand Auburn a last-second 22-19 BCS Title victory over Auburn. Cam Newton threw 2 touchdowns for Auburn and the defense forced 2 interceptions. Oregon got the ball first and went 3 and out, but after a bad punt Auburn had good field position. They wouldn't take advantage though, with a sack forcing another punt. But they would get another chance, for a short pass intended for Kenjon Barner went off his fingertips and into Demond Washington's hands. But again, they couldn't make it a 7-0 game. Newton overthrew a pass and it landed right in Cliff Harris' hands, and the speedy safety returned the pick to the 47. The Ducks were driving and they had the ball at the Tigers 20. But a blitz...

It took a nice game on defense, a couple missed field goals and a great game from a 6th round pick, but at the end, it was the Green Bay Packers moving on, and the Philadelphia Eagles that were not. James Starks ran for 123 yards, Aaron Rodgers threw 3 touchdowns as the Green Bay Packers beat the Philadelphia Eagles 21-16. The Packers will play Atlanta in the Divisional Round Saturday night. Philadelphia got a break when Green Bay muffed a punt, but Pro Bowl kicker David Akers was wide right from 41 yards out. Philly got nothing on their second drive, and Green Bay got going. With only 8 seconds left in the 1st quarter, following a 27 yard run by Starks, Rodgers hit Tom Crabtree for a touchdown. On their next drive, the Packers picked up right where they left off. Getting everyone involved, Rodgers led Green Bay to first and goal, where Rodgers hooked up with James Jones on a curl pattern. Although a 44 yard pass set up a Philly field goal, the Packers led 14-3 at halftime. ...

New Orleans at Seattle In any other division, the Seattle Seahawks wouldn't be in the playoffs and they never would have even gotten the chance to be here today. But they got the chance, and here they are, still standing. Marshawn Lynch scored on a crazy 67 yard touchdown run as Seattle stunned the defending champion Saints 41-36 to move on to the second round. The Seahawks will play either Atlanta or Chicago. The opening kickoff went out of bounds and gave the Saints good field position, which they took advantage of and got a field goal. After a Saints interception Drew Brees hit Heath Evans for a touchdown, giving New Orleans a 10-0 lead. However, a nice kick return gave Seattle good field position, and they got to the New Orleans 10. On 1st down John Carlson slipped behind the Saints D and caught a touchdown, making it 10-7. The scored stayed the same after 1 quarter. But the Saints roared back, with Jeremy Shockey catching a 19 yard pass on 2nd and 15 to help set ...

New Orleans at Seattle When you first look at this match-up, the defending Super Bowl Champs against a 7-9 team that somehow won the division, you think that this game is over before it starts. Add in the fact that New Orleans defeated 7-9 Seattle 34-19 in the regular season just makes the winner seem obvious. But then again, New Orleans is without running backs Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory, QB Drew Brees has thrown 20+ interceptions and may be without star wideout Marques Colston. While Seattle has a defense ready to stun New Orleans. However, even with that I don't like Seattle's chances. Matt Hasselbeck and Charlie Whitehurst have combined to throw 14 TD's and 20 interceptions, while Seattle's running backs haven't quite showed up yet. If Seattle wants to win, Marshawn Lynch must step up. Plus, Seattle's leading receiver has only caught 2 touchdowns and their second leading receiver only has 30 receptions. In addition, blitzing Hasselbeck and/or W...

St. Louis at Seattle Call them what you want. Horrible. 7-9. No quarterback. But whatever you say doesn't matter, for the 7-9 Seattle Seahawks are going to the playoffs. Olindo Mare kicked 3 field goals, Mike Williams caught a touchdown and Seattle beat St. Louis to take home the NFC West title. The Rams were held out of the end zone for the second time this season. Seattle won the coin toss and elected to receive. On the second play of the game, Ruvell Martin got his man drawn away and he was wide open downfield. Backup QB Charlie Whitehurst found him for a 61 yard gain, and soon, after a defensive holding call. Seattle was in the end zone, with Whitehurst connecting with Williams on a drag route. It took 2 drives for the Rams to get going. Once they finally did, it wasn't the right time. Starting at their own 3, a bunch of short passes got the Rams close to the end zone. On 3rd and 6, Sam Bradford found Laurent Robinson on a pass. He appeared to get both feet in bo...

Wisconsin vs TCU If you are going to keep calling these "little teams" weak and unable, do what you want. But here are some examples of little guys winning over AQ teams. Air Force beat Georgia Tech. San Diego State bested Navy. UCF upset Georgia. And now you have TCU. Andy Dalton accounted for 2 touchdowns, Tank Carder had a sack and batted down Wisconsin's late 2 point conversion try as TCU held on to beat Wisconsin 21-19 in the Rose Bowl. The first play from scrimmage was a run right to Montee Ball, who found a seam and galloped 40 yards to the TCU 28. Although the Badgers couldn't punch it in for a touchdown, Phillp Welch nailed a 30 yard field goal, giving the Badgers a 3-0 lead early. But the Horned Frogs would answer. TCU converted 2 third downs, both passes to Jimmy Young, getting the Frogs to the Wisconsin 26. After a 3 yard rush Dalton went to Bart Johnson on a deep slant, getting the Frogs ahead. But Wisconsin would answer. Without a single 3r...

Georgia vs UCF If teams like UCF and Tulsa keep winning, Conference USA may have to get an upgrade. Last year Houston had success, but East Carolina won the conference title and was a field goal away from beating Arkansas. And now it's UCF, who has a Liberty Bowl win. The Knights held on to win a defensive battle, with the final score 10-6. The only touchdown was scored by UCF running back Latavius Murray with 9:01 left, giving UCF the lead for good. UCF couldn't score on their opening drive, but Georgia got going, driving 95 yards in 15 plays, with QB Aaron Murray going 7/7 and throwing for 53 yards on the drive. Unfortunately for the Dawgs, they started at their own 2, so they were forced to kick a 20 yard field goal. At the end of 1, Georgia led 3-0. They were looking to build to that in the second quarter, with the ball at the UCF 33, but Reggie Weems intercepted a Murray pass. And UCF seemed to be making use of it, but Brandon Boykin intercepted a Jeff Godfre...