NCAA Football: Top Five Match-Ups for Week 9

College football is better when Miami and Notre Dame play.  Week 9 has some intriguing match-ups including Clemson at Floirda State, Northwestern at Ohio State Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Its Catholics vs. Convicts 2016. The only difference is, neither program is that good right now so this game won’t be as good as some clashes between these two teams were in the 80’s. I like Miami in this…

October 28, 2016
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Vallee’s View: Patriots Wear Down Depleted Steelers

By Michael Vallee -The New England Patriots, ho-hum, beat the Steelers minus QB Ben Roethlisberger; Brady, ho-hum, was predictably accurate and efficient and the defense, ho-hum, was it’s usual bend-but-don’t-break self, allowing the Steelers multiple trips inside their territory but surrendering only 16 points.  Yes, it’s a win against a good team on the road, and yes, as Belichick repeatedly said in his post-game press conference, it is a “tough…

October 25, 2016
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High School Football: Nickel Package for Week 7

Photo courtesy of SUN/Julia Malakie The playoffs are here but before we start dissecting match-ups, lets look back at the weekend that was.  1. I can’t say I’m surprised that Tewksbury beat Billerica. The Redmen are well coached and they are physical enough to match up with a team like Billerica. 2. St. John’s Prep might be the most dangerous entering the playoffs. The Eagles were impressive in their 17-7…

October 25, 2016
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NCAA Football: Dime Package for Week 8

Week eight featured a major upset by Penn State and return to dominance by Leonard Fornette. Here my thoughts on the week that was in College Football.  1.Ohio State’s season is over. Two years after winning a national championship, the Buckeyes will once again disappoint the faithful in Columbus. I am sorry, but losing to a mediocre Penn State team is inexcusable. 2. Leonard Fournette reminded us of why we…

October 25, 2016
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Patriots Pulse Recap: Patriots 27 Steelers 16

Game Rewind: The Patriots jumped out to a 14-0 lead and never looked back in a 27-16 win against a banged up Steelers team. Here are my five thoughts on the game. 1. Blount Force Trauma: The Patriots game plan this week was obvious from the out set. They wanted to be balanced  and run the football.  LeGarrette Blount was a manimal in this game carrying the ball 24 times…

October 24, 2016
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Patriots Pulse Preview: New England Patriots (5-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)

Storyline: The Patriots travel to Pittsburgh to battle the Ben Roethlisberger-less Steelers. Pittsburgh is still dangerous with Landry Jones under center but they are clearly not the same team. Here are our five keys to today’s game. 1. Get Consistent Pressure On Landry Jones: The Patriots catch a break today with Ben Roethlisberger out after MCL surgery. The Patriots need to get consistent pressure on his back up Landry Jones…

October 23, 2016
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NCAA Football: Top Five Games for Week 8

Sumlin and Saban have developed a little rivalry.  Week 8 is upon us and now is the time to start thinking about some of the key games this weekend that will impact the College Football playoff. Miami Hurricanes at Virginia Tech Hokies: Both teams are coming off of tough losses last week. Miami lost at home to North Carolina while Virginia Tech had an ugly loss at Syracuse. The Canes have…

October 20, 2016
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Vallee’s View: Patriots Surge Past Bengals

by Michael Vallee -The Future is Now:  Year-in-and-year-out things are rarely dull with the New England Patriots.  After years of wasting away in the NFL’s bin of irrelevancy New England now resides at the epicenter of the football world.  The success, the scandals, the stars……nobody makes news and moves the needle like the Patriots and, through six games, 2016 has been no exception.  New England’s constantly evolving QB soap opera…

October 18, 2016
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NCAA Football: Dime Package: Ten Thoughts on Week 7

Dino Babers has Syracuse headed in the right direction.  1.Clemson drops 56 on Boston College the week before but needs overtime to beat N.C State. I want to like the Tigers but their inconsistency drives me nuts! 2. Hat tip to Syracuse coach Dino Babers and his staff for beating Virginia Tech at home. Babers will get the Syracuse program going but it will take time. 3. Has anyone east…

October 18, 2016
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Patriots Pulse Recap: Patriots 35 Bengals 17

Game Rewind: Tom Brady made his 2016 debut at Gillette Stadium and led the Patriots to a 35-17 win over the Bengals. Brady threw for 395 yards and three touchdown passes in the win.  Here are five thoughts on the win.  1. Brady Was Brady: Tom Brady was Tom Brady yesterday. The Patriots had some protection issues early but once they made some adjustments and Brady had time, he got…

October 16, 2016
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