Chris Jordan 3-0 Sunday Sweep ...
300♦ WISCONSIN BADGERS - The
Badgers have made it part of the norm, when it comes to defeating the Nittany Lions. The 23rd-ranked Badgers have won five straight road games against the Nittany Lions by double digits, and should have no trouble extending their overall win streak in the series to 11 this afternoon. I have been thoroughly impressed with how well this defense has been playing, and that's going to spell trouble for a Penn State team that traditionally struggles against that tenacious unit.
Wisconsin has held the Nittany Lions to an average of 50.8 points in winning 10 straight in the series, and has won five in a row on the road by an average of a staggering 18.8 points. Currently, Wisconsin ranks among the nation's top 15 defensively, allowing a mere 57.2 points per game, and is en route to a fourth straight season allowing fewer than 60.0. Though the Lions are on an impressive 4-1 run against ranked opponents, Wisconsin has won its last five conference road openers.
300♦ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS - He's not going to play the entire game, I know this, but for the time Philip Rivers is in the game, it's going to be showtime! Over the last five games, Rivers has shown why he belongs in the same conversation as all the other top-rated quarterbacks, as he's thrown for more than 300 yards three times and never less than 264 yards. In that span he has completed at least 72 percent of his passes three times and thrown for 10 touchdowns.
Wasn't too long ago the Redskins were once the top-ranked pass defense in the league, but they've been picked apart by NFC East quarterbacks the last two weeks, and by the looks of their body language, I don't believe they're going to be up for a trip to the West coast. If anything, they're enjoying warmer weather - but they don't want to play football.
And since a major reason for San Diego's success has been effective pass protection - the Chargers have allowed just 25 sacks, sixth best in the NFL - I don't care if it is Rivers or Billy Volek. Plus, Washington's secondary is vulnerable without its top safeties ... this is going to be a nasty blowout no matter who plays for the Bolts.
300♦ WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS - There were hundreds of basketball players who suited up for the late Skip Prosser during his 35-year coaching career. But only four remain, and they'll be on the court today when Wake Forest hosts Xavier at Joel Coliseum. L.D. Williams, Ish Smith, David Weaver and Chas McFarland - all seniors for Wake Forest - will do everything to honor Prosser in the inaugural game of a 10-game series entitled the Skip Prosser Classic.
After all, next season, when these two teams play again in Cincinnati, no longer will there be any Prosser disciples remaining. For those unaware, Prosser was head coach at Xavier from the 1994-95 season through the 2000-01 season, and head coach at Wake Forest from the 2001-02 season until his death on July 26, 2007. So this will always be a special game.
And right now, I like the way Wake is playing much more than how Xavier has performed. This is cheap chalk guys, and with heavy hearts, the Deacons prevail!!!