Wahoo Wire

Wednesday October 14

World Cup Qualifier: Argentina at Uruguay

For the countries of the CONMEBOL (South American) World Cup Qualifying group, this Wednesday is the last game.  While three of the four automatic World Cup spots have been filled (Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay), the fourth automatic spot and the fifth play-off spot remain wide open.  Argentina, managed by Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona, is in fourth place; one point ahead of Uruguay and two points ahead of Ecuador.  Before qualifying started most people would not have believed that with one game left there’s a possibility two-time World Cup Winners Argentina would not make the tournament.  With so much talent, including international superstar Lionel Messi, it’s hard to believe that anybody couldn’t guide this team with ease to the World Cup.  The inexperience of Maradona has shown, but he has publicly asked God to guide his team to the World Cup and for his own job’s sake they have to win.

Two-time World Cup Winners Uruguay, led by Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan will look to pull off a huge upset at home against a struggling Argentina side.  After a crucial away victory over Ecuador, Uruguay will hope to ride the momentum to a South Africa berth.  Ecuador also is in the picture, but they must win and have Uruguay either lose or tie to get fifth place and a play-off game with either Honduras or Costa Rica of the CONCAF qualifying region (North and Central America).  I personally can’t imagine the World Cup without Argentina with so much talent on their team; somehow they will pull out the win.  Ecuador will also pull out a win against a reserve filled Chile team that has already booked their place in South Africa, leaving Uruguay to wish they had beaten Argentina.

Friday October 16

MLB: American League Championship Series; Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at New York Yankees

Most New York fans will be happy to see the Los Angeles Angels instead of the Boston Red Sox.  As great as the rivalry is between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, when both teams are of fairly equal talent, the series could go either way; and in recent times that has not boded well for the Yankees.  Regardless, the Angels are not to be underestimated.  The Angels had the second best record in baseball behind the Yankees, had four pitchers win 11 or more games, and also have Scott Kazmir, formerly the ace in last year’s World Series Runner up Tampa Bay Rays.  Their lineup is equally deadly, with Kendry Morales hitting 34 Home Runs this year and power hitters Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero and Bobby Abreu always a threat. Sweeping the Boston Red Sox, who had the third best record in baseball, in the playoffs is no easy task and the Angels did it with style and grace.

Regardless of the praise, the Angels still face a massive task as they take on team with the best record in baseball by six games.  The Yankees pitching staff has four pitchers with ten or more wins and includes former Cy Young winner and lefty CC Sabathia, the currently tied for most wins by a pitcher in playoff history in lefty Andy Pettite and arguably the greatest closer of all-time in Mariano Rivera.  If that isn’t enough, seven guys in the lineup hit 22 or more home runs, and that doesn’t include the clutch Derek Jeter (18 home runs, .334 Batting Average) or Melky Cabrera (13 home runs).  With a more star studded team in both batting and pitching, as well as a fan’s bias, there’s no way the Yankees lose this series or the next on their way to becoming World Series Champions for the 27^th time.  Expect the Yankees to win in 6.

Saturday October 17

College Football: #20Oklahoma versus #3Texas (played at a neutral location in Dallas)

Before the season started, this game was marked on everybody’s calendar as a duel between two national championship contenders with Heisman candidate quarterbacks and the added bonus of Big 12 South title implications.  Though things have changed a little with reigning Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford spraining his shoulder and Oklahoma’s national championship dreams hampered if not over after two losses, the hype surrounding this year’s Red River Shootout has started up again.  Bradford was injured in second quarter of the opener in Cowboy’s Stadium versus a solid, ranked Brigham Young.  Without him, they lost by one point.  The Sooners went on to dismantled Idaho State and Tulsa without Bradford, shutting both teams out. In a hard game at Miami they again lost by 1.  This past week was Bradford’s first game back.  He looked healthy as he threw for 389 yards and a touchdown in a 33-7 win over Baylor.  With Bradford back and the amount of talent on this Oklahoma team, this team is capable of winning nine straight and winning a record fourth Big 12 championship.

Texas on the other hand seems disrespected as they dropped from ranked second to third after winning by more points than Alabama who is now ranked second.  Colt McCoy is still putting up big numbers (1410 yards passing, 73.4% completions, and 10 touchdowns) and the team has beaten all their opponents by 10 points or more en route to a 5-0 record.  With Oklahoma their first real challenge this will be the telling game to show us what this Longhorns team is capable of.  After a weak first half showing this past weekend before blowing out Colorado, expect Texas to regain some of the respect lost and take home the Golden Hat Trophy.

UVA Men’s Soccer: At Virginia Tech

After starting their ACC conference schedule 1-3, it need not be said how important this away game is to the UVA Men’s Soccer team’s hopes for even a chance at winning the ACC, and furthermore for them to have an easier road to a 30^th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.  After slip ups versus Duke and Clemson at home and a tough double overtime loss at then #5 (now #2) UNC, the Cavaliers will again look to right their ship.  After a strong 2-0 win over Longwood and what should be an easy game in Charlottesville versus Liberty on Tuesday October 13, the men’s soccer team will hope to ride the momentum all the way to Blacksburg.  Luckily for the team, the Wahooligans (The UVA student soccer support group) always make the trip and out-cheer the home crowd; making the away game feel like a home game (much like Virginia Tech out-cheers our home crowd at the football games when the game is at Scott Stadium).  With Brian Ownby also back from the U-20 World Cup, the loaded UVA offense will look to start converting their continual abundance of shots into goals.  Expect UVA to stuff the Hokies in this crucial ACC game.

Sunday October 18

NFL: New York Giants at New Orleans Saints

Currently there are five undefeated teams in the NFL; the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, New York Giants and New Orleans Saints.  After this Sunday, at most there will only be four.  Now while my famous last words last week were that the Broncos could not stay undefeated against the Patriots, I will be very surprised if the Saints offense can continue its average of 36 points per game against the Giants defense that has not been fully healthy while only allowing 14 points per game.  This game has at least a partial share of NFC supremacy at stake as well.  The Saints will also look to beat both New York teams in a season for the first time since the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots did it in 2007.  Jeremy Shockey will also love the chance to beat up on his old team.

For the Giants, it remains to be seen how long Eli Manning will be able to play in the game until his plantar fasciitis becomes too much to handle.  The Giants backup quarterback is former Number 1 overall draft pick David Carr though, and he has looked alright in the limited playing time he has had this season. One also cannot overlook the strength of the running game with both Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs capable of bull-dozing opposing defenses. Given the lack of a running game for the Saints and the strong defense of the Giants, look for the G-men to stay undefeated with a close victory in New Orleans.