Baily's Sports & Stuff

Last night, you didn't just see a couple good games and a walk-off or two. You saw some of the most dramatic moments in the history of the game, all in the span of two minutes. What you witnessed will not be seen by most people. You saw two games deciding the AL Wild Card go down to the wire, and the Braves lose a harsh fight in Philly. The Rays were ready to end their year having fought hard but not hard enough. However, that would soon change. Tampa Bay finally got back in the game, and Boston collapsed. The Rays scored their first three runs on a walk, HBP, and sac fly, but Evan Longoria provided the real punch with a three-run blast. In the ninth, the Rays had more to offer. At the time, Joe Maddon's move to send Dan Johnson, hitless since April 27, to the plate, seemed dumb. And you could still argue that it was risky. But it worked. Johnson took a 2-2 slider deep to right field, and the pitch left the yard. Tampa Bay had tied it, and there were more dramatics to...

In the NFL, three teams currently reside undefeated. Green Bay, Buffalo, and Detroit. Now, if I had told you that before the season, you'd think I was crazy. For Green Bay, probably not. The defending champs are returning basically the exact same team with the exact same quarterback, and even though New Orleans and Chicago stood in their way, the Packers simply find ways to win. But the Lions and Bills? Nobody expected Buffalo to knock off New England. Not many expected Detroit to beat Tampa Bay, Kansas City, and Minnesota. The Bills and Lions did. This year, will the unexpected actually happen? The Bills, Lions, Raiders, and all other small-market teams to blitz the playoffs? Nobody expects it. Surprising things happen. The Eagles have been sloppy, and the so-called "Dream Team" isn't living up to expectations. Matt Ryan and Eli Manning have thrown back-to-back four touchdown games on Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The Minnesota Vikings ...

Every year, teams we didn't see coming surprise everyone and start winning game, and often, make the playoffs. This year, we already have two. The Detroit Lions may have had higher expectations, but no one expected them to beat Kansas City by 45. Matthew Stafford is playing like the quarterback Detroit drafted in 2009. Stafford has thrown seven touchdowns already in the first two games, and while the Lions 27-20 win over Tampa Bay wash't a real show, the Lions of the future showed themselves on Sunday. Now, all of the sudden, you have the Lions, who have been plowing through opponents, against the 0-2 Vikings, who, other than Adrian Peterson, have looked worse than bad. Right now, we're looking at an easy 3-0 start for the Lions. Their schedule is favorable. And if they continue to steamroll opponents, the Green Bay Packers might have some competition. Another team looking poised for success is the 2-0 Buffalo Bills, who won two very different games against Kansas...

The Good Oklahoma: The Sooners were able to hold E.J Manuel and the Florida State Seminoles in check, and when Landry Jones needed to deliver, he did. With the score tied at 13, Jones hit Kenny Stills for a touchdown, and then Javon Harris intercepted a Florida State pass. The Sooners had three interceptions. Oklahoma's defense stopped Florida State almost every time, and while their offense wasn't perfect, it was enough. The Sooners are guaranteed to hold their number one ranking. The Bad South Carolina: Stephen Garcia and the Gamecocks struggled, and while they held off Navy (who is not a tough opponent), this will not go by in the SEC. South Carolina would've got blown out if they played this way against Georgia. Marcus Lattimore had a career day, rushing for 246 yards and 3 scores. But Stephen Garcia was missing passes, failed to throw a touchdown, and he wasn't good. The Midshipmen are not a challenging opponent, but this game may hurt South Carolina in...

If you are a loyal Cal Bears fan, you can press rewind to the glory days for California. Ranked number two. A share of a Pac-10/12 championship. And the Bears can still win, but they aren't the same team. But can they be? The Bears do have talent. They started 2-0 by beating some teams that have talent, Fresno State and Colorado. Fresno State's potent offense was held in check by the Bears defense. While transfer Zach Maynard wasn't at his best in Week 1, he guided Cal to a win, and in Week 2, he was stellar. Maynard threw four touchdowns, and hit Keenan Allen for a five-yard, game-winning score. California won't get much, if any credit, for this week's game, a battle against FCS school Presbyterian, but next week, they take on 2-0 Washington, and following a bye, they take on Oregon, USC, and Utah. In California's home opener, the Blue Hose travel to AT&T Park for what looks like an easy win for the Bears. If Cal prevails, they will improve to 3-0...

NFL Week 1 always brings us something we didn't expect. Maybe the Bengals grinding out a win. The Jets shocking the Cowboys. Jacksonville taking down Tennessee. Or the Ravens obliterating the Steelers. Pittsburgh came into this season with high expectations and high hopes. They still have those hopes, but picking up the W against Baltimore was crucial. The Ravens came out of the gates hungry. Ray Rice ripped a big run. Joe Flacco hit Anquan Boldin for a touchdown. Baltimore forced a fumble and got a touchdown. In all, Baltimore forced seven turnovers. It added up to a 35-7 clobbering of their bitter rivals, which will put Baltimore on everyone's "don't want to play" list. Baltimore scored 20 points off of turnovers and halted two more possible touchdown drives. In all, it added up to an easy Baltimore win. In another game featuring highly touted teams, Dallas and the New York Jets faced off. Early on, it looked like a repeat of Pittsburgh-Baltimore, as...

Notre Dame had Michigan beaten. They were up 24-7 in the fourth quarter, and they had just forced a fumble. The Irish had quieted the Big House. As Lee Corso would say, "not so fast!" Michigan agreed. Denard Robinson hit Roy Roundree for a touchdown with two seconds left as the Big Blue took down Notre Dame with four fourth quarter touchdowns. Michigan dropped Notre Dame to 0-2. With the Irish up 24-7, Michigan fumbled at the Notre Dame 1, but Denard Robinson recovered and sped in for the touchdown. Notre Dame went three-and out. The Wolverines marched right down the field, and Denard Robinson and Jeremy Gallon executed a fade perfectly for a touchdown. It looked like Notre Dame would answer, but the Big Blue forced a fumble. Michigan was poised to take the lead, but Robinson threw an interception and Notre Dame had a chance to put it away. However, the Irish did nothing, and the Big Blue responded. Robinson got Michigan into Notre Dame territory, then threw a t...