The End of the Real Pro Golf Season: FedEx Cup Results and Ryder Cup Predictions
Rory McIlroy proved he was human. Tiger Woods proved he was third-phase Tiger. Jim Furyk proved he was "Nerves of Jello" Furyk. . .again. And a poster boy for a pre-Tiger, pre-Vijay world of golf (blond and ultra-preppy Vanderbilt, no less) walked away with the FedEx Cup, the FedEx Championship, and two checks worth over $11 million combined.
The Ryder Cup has become problematic for the American team. The Europeans, led by golf's newest superstar, Mr. McIlroy, have four of the top five golfers in the world. They are more accustomed to more difficult situations. However, the Americans have hope for three reasons.
First, they have a home-course advantage. Sure, European Ryder Cup players are familiar with Medinah Country Club outside Chicago, the host of two PGA Championships in the past 13 years. Euros Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia have played very well there in majors. Yet, the maintenance crew and groundskeepers have groomed the course to Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III's exacting specifications for this competition, specs designed for the games of the Americans. Hence, no monster roughs and no outrageously slender fairways you find at most of the Grand Slam events. This gives long but wild strikers like Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, and Phil Mickelson a green light to swing away.
Second, they are led by golf's hottest golfer, the man with the hottest putter, Mr. Snedecker, who was fortunately a Captain's pick before his recent streak began. Golf is a streaky game, and nobody in the world is riding higher this week than the Snedmeister. McIlroy has the hottest game over the past six weeks, but Snedecker is the hottest right here, right now. It remains to be seen whether he'll be able to handle the rowdy crowds, nationalistic pressure, and team atmosphere of a Ryder Cup.
Third, they are catching the Euros when their stars are showing signs of vulnerability. Martin Kaymer has been in a near year-long slump, and some critics question his inclusion as a Captain's pick. Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood have cooled considerably since the first half of the season. Even McIlroy faded last Sunday, losing four strokes to par in the first nine holes alone.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Sandflea's Week 5 NCAA Women's Indoor Volleyball Top 40
Sandflea's Week 5 2012 NCAA Women's Indoor Volleyball Top 40
(through games of September 23, 2012)
Rank School Record Ranked Teams Played Rank Last Week
to Date
1. Oregon (11-0) 3 2
2. Washington (11-0) 1 3
3. Penn State (12-1) 5 4
4. BYU (14-0) 3 7
5. USC (13-1) 5 1
6. Minnesota (11-2) 5 11
7. UCLA (9-2) 7 5
8. Nebraska (9-2) 4 10
9. Stanford (10-2) 3 13
10. Florida State (10-2) 5 14
11. Texas (9-3) 6 19
12. Hawaii (10-2) 4 17
13. Louisville (12-2) 7 9
14. Kansas State (13-1) 3 6
15. San Diego (10-2) 2 20
16. Purdue (11-2) 6 21
17. Florida (9-2) 4 23
18. North Carolina (11-2) 2 26
19. Michigan State (13-1) 1 8
20. Pepperdine (10-4) 7 12
21. Michigan (13-3) 3 18
22. Texas A&M (10-2) 1 15
23. Western Kentucky (16-3) 6 36
24. Kansas (13-2) 2 38
25. TCU (12-2) 2 39
26. Missouri (11-3) 3 23
27. Arkansas (11-3) 5 NR
28. Marquette (10-3) 3 NR
29. Creighton (11-2) 3 24
30. Tennessee (9-4) 6 27
31. Northern Colorado (10-2) 3 28
32. Wisconsin (13-2) 2 29
33. Oklahoma (12-4) 7 33
34. Ohio State (10-4) 5 35
35. Dayton (10-4) 5 37
36. Duquesne (13-5) 5 NR
37. Iowa State (7-4) 4 NR
38. Miami (FL) (10-3) 3 16
39. Virginia Commonwealth (13-2) 1 25
40. Northwestern (11-2) 3 32
Others to Watch: Colorado State (7-5), California (7-5), Notre Dame (9-5), Illinois (7-5), USF (10-5),
Santa Clara (11-5)
DroppedOut: Pacific (11-2), Oregon State (10-4), Arizona State (12-3), Southern Illinois (11-3)
(through games of September 23, 2012)
Rank School Record Ranked Teams Played Rank Last Week
to Date
1. Oregon (11-0) 3 2
2. Washington (11-0) 1 3
3. Penn State (12-1) 5 4
4. BYU (14-0) 3 7
5. USC (13-1) 5 1
6. Minnesota (11-2) 5 11
7. UCLA (9-2) 7 5
8. Nebraska (9-2) 4 10
9. Stanford (10-2) 3 13
10. Florida State (10-2) 5 14
11. Texas (9-3) 6 19
12. Hawaii (10-2) 4 17
13. Louisville (12-2) 7 9
14. Kansas State (13-1) 3 6
15. San Diego (10-2) 2 20
16. Purdue (11-2) 6 21
17. Florida (9-2) 4 23
18. North Carolina (11-2) 2 26
19. Michigan State (13-1) 1 8
20. Pepperdine (10-4) 7 12
21. Michigan (13-3) 3 18
22. Texas A&M (10-2) 1 15
23. Western Kentucky (16-3) 6 36
24. Kansas (13-2) 2 38
25. TCU (12-2) 2 39
26. Missouri (11-3) 3 23
27. Arkansas (11-3) 5 NR
28. Marquette (10-3) 3 NR
29. Creighton (11-2) 3 24
30. Tennessee (9-4) 6 27
31. Northern Colorado (10-2) 3 28
32. Wisconsin (13-2) 2 29
33. Oklahoma (12-4) 7 33
34. Ohio State (10-4) 5 35
35. Dayton (10-4) 5 37
36. Duquesne (13-5) 5 NR
37. Iowa State (7-4) 4 NR
38. Miami (FL) (10-3) 3 16
39. Virginia Commonwealth (13-2) 1 25
40. Northwestern (11-2) 3 32
Others to Watch: Colorado State (7-5), California (7-5), Notre Dame (9-5), Illinois (7-5), USF (10-5),
Santa Clara (11-5)
DroppedOut: Pacific (11-2), Oregon State (10-4), Arizona State (12-3), Southern Illinois (11-3)
Sandflea's Week 4 2012 NCAA FBS College Football Top 40
Sandflea's Week 4 2012 NCAA FBS College Football Top 40
(through games of September 23, 2012)
Rank School Record Ranked Teams Played Rank Last Week
to Date
1. Alabama (4-0) 1 1
2. South Carolina (4-0) 1 2
3. Oregon (4-0) 1 3
4. LSU (4-0) 1 4
5. West Virginia (3-0) 0 6
6. Stanford (3-0) 1 7
7. Texas (3-0) 1 9
8. Florida State (4-0) 1 11
9. Georgia (4-0) 1 10
10. Kansas State (4-0) 2 17
11. USC (3-1) 1 12
12. TCU (3-0) 0 13
13. Ohio State (4-0) 0 14
14. Notre Dame (4-0) 2 15
15. Boise State (2-1) 2 16
16. Clemson (3-1) 2 8
17. Florida (4-0) 1 19
18. Rutgers (4-0) 1 18
19. Louisville (4-0) 0 20
20. Baylor (3-0) 1 21
21. Oklahoma (2-1) 1 5
22. Cincinnati (2-0) 0 22
23. Tennessee (3-1) 2 24
24. Northwestern (4-0) 0 27
25. Oregon State (2-0) 2 36
26. Texas Tech (4-0) 0 30
27. Michigan State (3-1) 2 28
28. Virginia Tech (3-1) 1 29
29. Nebraska (3-1) 2 31
30. Iowa State (3-0) 0 35
31. UCLA (3-1) 2 25
32. Mississippi State (4-0) 1 33
33. Wisconsin (3-1) 2 37
34. Arizona State (3-1) 1 39
35. Miami (FL) (3-1) 2 NR
36. Utah State (3-1) 1 NR
37. North Carolina State (3-1) 1 38
38. Ohio U. (4-0) 0 40
39. Louisiana Tech (3-0) ) NR
40. Tulsa (3-1) 0 NR
Others to Watch: Nevada (3-1), Mississippi (3-1), Central Florida (2-1), Texas A&M (2-1)
Dropped Out: BYU (2-2), Arizona (3-1), Michigan (2-2), Georgia Tech (2-2)
(through games of September 23, 2012)
Rank School Record Ranked Teams Played Rank Last Week
to Date
1. Alabama (4-0) 1 1
2. South Carolina (4-0) 1 2
3. Oregon (4-0) 1 3
4. LSU (4-0) 1 4
5. West Virginia (3-0) 0 6
6. Stanford (3-0) 1 7
7. Texas (3-0) 1 9
8. Florida State (4-0) 1 11
9. Georgia (4-0) 1 10
10. Kansas State (4-0) 2 17
11. USC (3-1) 1 12
12. TCU (3-0) 0 13
13. Ohio State (4-0) 0 14
14. Notre Dame (4-0) 2 15
15. Boise State (2-1) 2 16
16. Clemson (3-1) 2 8
17. Florida (4-0) 1 19
18. Rutgers (4-0) 1 18
19. Louisville (4-0) 0 20
20. Baylor (3-0) 1 21
21. Oklahoma (2-1) 1 5
22. Cincinnati (2-0) 0 22
23. Tennessee (3-1) 2 24
24. Northwestern (4-0) 0 27
25. Oregon State (2-0) 2 36
26. Texas Tech (4-0) 0 30
27. Michigan State (3-1) 2 28
28. Virginia Tech (3-1) 1 29
29. Nebraska (3-1) 2 31
30. Iowa State (3-0) 0 35
31. UCLA (3-1) 2 25
32. Mississippi State (4-0) 1 33
33. Wisconsin (3-1) 2 37
34. Arizona State (3-1) 1 39
35. Miami (FL) (3-1) 2 NR
36. Utah State (3-1) 1 NR
37. North Carolina State (3-1) 1 38
38. Ohio U. (4-0) 0 40
39. Louisiana Tech (3-0) ) NR
40. Tulsa (3-1) 0 NR
Others to Watch: Nevada (3-1), Mississippi (3-1), Central Florida (2-1), Texas A&M (2-1)
Dropped Out: BYU (2-2), Arizona (3-1), Michigan (2-2), Georgia Tech (2-2)
Friday, September 21, 2012
Sandflea's Week 4 NCAA Women's Indoor Volleyball Top 40
Sandflea's Week 4 NCAA Women's Indoor Volleyball Top 40
(through games of September 16, 2012)
Rank College Record Ranked Teams Played Rank Last Week
to Date
1. USC (12-0) 3 1
2. Oregon (9-0) 1 3
3. Washington (9-0) 1 4
4. Penn State (10-1) 4 5
5. UCLA (8-1) 5 7
6. Kansas State (12-0) 2 10
7. BYU (12-0) 2 11
8. Michigan State (12-0) 0 14
9. Louisville (11-1) 7 15
10. Nebraska (8-1) 2 2
11. Minnesota (9-2) 4 9
12. Pepperdine (9-3) 6 20
13. Stanford (8-2) 3 24
14. Florida State (8-2) 5 6
15. Texas A&M (10-1) 1 17
16. Miami(FL) (9-2) 3 12
17. Hawaii (7-2) 4 18
18. Michigan (12-2) 2 8
19. Texas (8-3) 5 19
20. San Diego (8-2) 2 21
21. Purdue (9-2) 4 22
22. Florida (8-2) 3 26
23. Missouri (10-2) 2 27
24. Creighton (10-1) 2 28
25. Virginia Commonwealth (12-1) 0 29
26. North Carolina (9-2) 2 16
27. Tennessee (8-3) 5 23
28. Northern Colorado (9-2) 3 32
29. Wisconsin (12-1) 1 34
30. Pacific (11-1) 2 35
31. Oregon State (10-2) 3 36
32. Northwestern (11-0) 1 37
33. Oklahoma (11-3) 5 39
34. Arizona State (11-2) 1 NR
35. Ohio State (9-3) 4 25
36. Western Kentucky (13-3) 6 NR
37. Dayton (8-4) 5 31
38. Kansas (11-2) 1 40
39. TCU (11-2) 2 NR
40. Southern Illinois (11-1) 0 NR
Others to Watch: Colorado State (7-4), Marquette (9-3), Iowa State (6-4), California (6-4)
Dropped Out: San Diego State (8-4), Kentucky (6-5), Arkansas (9-3), Duke (9-3)
(through games of September 16, 2012)
Rank College Record Ranked Teams Played Rank Last Week
to Date
1. USC (12-0) 3 1
2. Oregon (9-0) 1 3
3. Washington (9-0) 1 4
4. Penn State (10-1) 4 5
5. UCLA (8-1) 5 7
6. Kansas State (12-0) 2 10
7. BYU (12-0) 2 11
8. Michigan State (12-0) 0 14
9. Louisville (11-1) 7 15
10. Nebraska (8-1) 2 2
11. Minnesota (9-2) 4 9
12. Pepperdine (9-3) 6 20
13. Stanford (8-2) 3 24
14. Florida State (8-2) 5 6
15. Texas A&M (10-1) 1 17
16. Miami(FL) (9-2) 3 12
17. Hawaii (7-2) 4 18
18. Michigan (12-2) 2 8
19. Texas (8-3) 5 19
20. San Diego (8-2) 2 21
21. Purdue (9-2) 4 22
22. Florida (8-2) 3 26
23. Missouri (10-2) 2 27
24. Creighton (10-1) 2 28
25. Virginia Commonwealth (12-1) 0 29
26. North Carolina (9-2) 2 16
27. Tennessee (8-3) 5 23
28. Northern Colorado (9-2) 3 32
29. Wisconsin (12-1) 1 34
30. Pacific (11-1) 2 35
31. Oregon State (10-2) 3 36
32. Northwestern (11-0) 1 37
33. Oklahoma (11-3) 5 39
34. Arizona State (11-2) 1 NR
35. Ohio State (9-3) 4 25
36. Western Kentucky (13-3) 6 NR
37. Dayton (8-4) 5 31
38. Kansas (11-2) 1 40
39. TCU (11-2) 2 NR
40. Southern Illinois (11-1) 0 NR
Others to Watch: Colorado State (7-4), Marquette (9-3), Iowa State (6-4), California (6-4)
Dropped Out: San Diego State (8-4), Kentucky (6-5), Arkansas (9-3), Duke (9-3)
Sandflea's Week 3 2012 NCAA FBS College Football Top 40
Sandflea's Week 3 2012 NCAA FBS College Football Top 40
(through games of September 16, 2012)
Rank School Record Ranked Teams Played Rank Last Week
to Date
1. Alabama (3-0) 1 1
2. South Carolina (3-0) 0 4
3. Oregon (3-0) 0 5
4. LSU (3-0) 1 7
5. Oklahoma (2-0) 0 9
6. West Virginia (2-0) 0 10
7. Stanford (3-0) 1 13
8. Clemson (3-0) 1 12
9. Texas (3-0) 1 11
10. Georgia (3-0) 1 14
11. Florida State (3-0) 0 20
12. USC (2-1) 1 2
13. TCU (2-0) 0 18
14. Ohio State (3-0) 0 21
15. Notre Dame (3-0) 1 33
16. Boise State (1-1) 1 16
17. Kansas State (3-0) 1 15
18. Rutgers (3-0) 1 22
19. Florida (3-0) 1 25
20. Louisville (3-0) 0 26
21. Baylor (2-0) 1 17
22. Cincinnati (2-0) 0 19
23. BYU (2-1) 0 8
24. Tennessee (2-1) 2 23
25. UCLA (3-0) 1 27
26. Arizona (3-0) 1 28
27. Northwestern (3-0) 0 29
28. Michigan State (2-1) 2 3
29. Virginia Tech (2-1) 1 6
30. Texas Tech (3-0) 0 31
31. Nebraska (2-1) 2 33
32. Michigan (2-1) 1 34
33. Mississippi State (3-0) 1 30
34. Georgia Tech (2-1) 1 35
35. Iowa State (3-0) 0 32
36. Oregon State (1-0) 1 37
37. Wisconsin (2-1) 2 40
38. North Carolina State (2-1) 1 36
39. Arizona State (2-1) 1 NR
40. Ohio U. (3-0) 0 NR
Others to Watch: Louisiana Tech (2-0), Nevada (2-1), Mississippi (2-1), Central Florida (2-1), Fresno State (2-1), Virginia (2-1), Indiana (2-1), Texas A&M (1-1), Air Force (1-1), Louisiana-Monroe (1-1)
Dropped Out: Utah State (2-1), Southern Florida (2-1)
(through games of September 16, 2012)
Rank School Record Ranked Teams Played Rank Last Week
to Date
1. Alabama (3-0) 1 1
2. South Carolina (3-0) 0 4
3. Oregon (3-0) 0 5
4. LSU (3-0) 1 7
5. Oklahoma (2-0) 0 9
6. West Virginia (2-0) 0 10
7. Stanford (3-0) 1 13
8. Clemson (3-0) 1 12
9. Texas (3-0) 1 11
10. Georgia (3-0) 1 14
11. Florida State (3-0) 0 20
12. USC (2-1) 1 2
13. TCU (2-0) 0 18
14. Ohio State (3-0) 0 21
15. Notre Dame (3-0) 1 33
16. Boise State (1-1) 1 16
17. Kansas State (3-0) 1 15
18. Rutgers (3-0) 1 22
19. Florida (3-0) 1 25
20. Louisville (3-0) 0 26
21. Baylor (2-0) 1 17
22. Cincinnati (2-0) 0 19
23. BYU (2-1) 0 8
24. Tennessee (2-1) 2 23
25. UCLA (3-0) 1 27
26. Arizona (3-0) 1 28
27. Northwestern (3-0) 0 29
28. Michigan State (2-1) 2 3
29. Virginia Tech (2-1) 1 6
30. Texas Tech (3-0) 0 31
31. Nebraska (2-1) 2 33
32. Michigan (2-1) 1 34
33. Mississippi State (3-0) 1 30
34. Georgia Tech (2-1) 1 35
35. Iowa State (3-0) 0 32
36. Oregon State (1-0) 1 37
37. Wisconsin (2-1) 2 40
38. North Carolina State (2-1) 1 36
39. Arizona State (2-1) 1 NR
40. Ohio U. (3-0) 0 NR
Others to Watch: Louisiana Tech (2-0), Nevada (2-1), Mississippi (2-1), Central Florida (2-1), Fresno State (2-1), Virginia (2-1), Indiana (2-1), Texas A&M (1-1), Air Force (1-1), Louisiana-Monroe (1-1)
Dropped Out: Utah State (2-1), Southern Florida (2-1)
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Sandflea's Week 3 NCAA Women's Indoor Volleyball Top 40
Sandflea's Week 3 NCAA Women's Indoor Volleyball Top 40
(through games of September 9, 2012)
Rank College Record Ranked Teams Played Rank Last Week
1. USC (9-0) 3 1
2. Nebraska (8-0) 3 2
3. Oregon (7-0) 1 9
4. Washington (8-0) 1 10
5. Penn State (7-1) 4 3
6. Florida State (6-1) 4 4
7. UCLA (6-1) 3 11
8. Michigan (10-1) 1 13
9. Minnesota (6-1) 2 14
10. Kansas State (9-0) 0 15
11. BYU (9-0) 2 16
12. Miami (FL) 1 21
13. Duke (8-1) 2 19
14. Michigan State (9-0) 0 20
15. Louisville (8-1) 6 24
16. North Carolina (8-1) 2 22
17. Texas A&M (8-1) 1 23
18. Hawaii (7-2) 4 7
19. Texas (6-2) 5 6
20. Pepperdine (6-2) 3 8
21. San Diego (5-2) 2 12
22. Purdue (6-2) 4 18
23. Tennessee (7-2) 4 26
24. Stanford (6-2) 3 28
25. Ohio State (8-1) 2 34
26. Florida (6-2) 2 31
27. Missouri (8-2) 1 36
28. Creighton (8-1) 2 40
29. Virginia Commonwealth (9-1) 0 38
30. Arkansas (9-2) 2 39
31. Dayton (7-2) 3 5
32. Northern Colorado (7-2) 3 17
33. Kentucky (6-4) 6 27
34. Wisconsin (8-1) 1 NR
35. Pacific (8-1) 2 NR
36. Oregon State (7-2) 2 NR
37. Northwestern (8-0) 1 NR
38. San Diego State (6-2) 3 32
39. Oklahoma (8-3) 5 35
40. Kansas (9-1) 1 NR
Others to Watch: TCU (8-1), California (5-3), Colorado State (7-3), Arizona State (7-2), Marquette (7-2)
Dropped Out: New Mexico State (6-3), Northern Iowa (6-4), Wyoming (8-2), Clemson (8-2), Santa Clara (7-3)
(through games of September 9, 2012)
Rank College Record Ranked Teams Played Rank Last Week
1. USC (9-0) 3 1
2. Nebraska (8-0) 3 2
3. Oregon (7-0) 1 9
4. Washington (8-0) 1 10
5. Penn State (7-1) 4 3
6. Florida State (6-1) 4 4
7. UCLA (6-1) 3 11
8. Michigan (10-1) 1 13
9. Minnesota (6-1) 2 14
10. Kansas State (9-0) 0 15
11. BYU (9-0) 2 16
12. Miami (FL) 1 21
13. Duke (8-1) 2 19
14. Michigan State (9-0) 0 20
15. Louisville (8-1) 6 24
16. North Carolina (8-1) 2 22
17. Texas A&M (8-1) 1 23
18. Hawaii (7-2) 4 7
19. Texas (6-2) 5 6
20. Pepperdine (6-2) 3 8
21. San Diego (5-2) 2 12
22. Purdue (6-2) 4 18
23. Tennessee (7-2) 4 26
24. Stanford (6-2) 3 28
25. Ohio State (8-1) 2 34
26. Florida (6-2) 2 31
27. Missouri (8-2) 1 36
28. Creighton (8-1) 2 40
29. Virginia Commonwealth (9-1) 0 38
30. Arkansas (9-2) 2 39
31. Dayton (7-2) 3 5
32. Northern Colorado (7-2) 3 17
33. Kentucky (6-4) 6 27
34. Wisconsin (8-1) 1 NR
35. Pacific (8-1) 2 NR
36. Oregon State (7-2) 2 NR
37. Northwestern (8-0) 1 NR
38. San Diego State (6-2) 3 32
39. Oklahoma (8-3) 5 35
40. Kansas (9-1) 1 NR
Others to Watch: TCU (8-1), California (5-3), Colorado State (7-3), Arizona State (7-2), Marquette (7-2)
Dropped Out: New Mexico State (6-3), Northern Iowa (6-4), Wyoming (8-2), Clemson (8-2), Santa Clara (7-3)
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
2012 FedEx Playoffs: Rounds 2 and 3: The Deutsche Bank Championship and The BMW Championship
Proclaiming Rory McIlroy to be the new messiah of golf is old news. However, the number of doubters goes down as his poll numbers go up. If only the presidential candidates could have been so convincing in expressing their superiority over the last month as Rory has been. It's almost getting to the point of embarrassment, like Tiger in 2000, Faldo in 1992, Watson in 1982, Nicklaus in 1972, Palmer in 1962, and Hogan in 1952. Right now, when Rory's clicking on all twelve cylinders, who has a real chance against him?
In the Deutsche Bank Championship over Labor Day weekend, the Northern Ireland wunderkind beat Louis Oosthuizen by a single shot and Tiger Woods by two. Other big names in the top twenty included Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson (tied for fourth at -14); Adam Scott (tied for seventh at -12); Lee Westwood, Keegan Bradley, Steve Stricker, and Jim Furyk (tied for thirteenth at -8); Webb Simpson and Jason Dufner (tied for eighteenth at -7); and Nick Watney (tied for twentieth at -6). Losers of the week included Justin Rose and Bubba Watson, who both missed the cut at Boston TPC.
Last weekend, Mr. McIlroy solidified his hold on the world number one ranking by triumphing again, this time by beating a returning-to-form Phil Mickelson and a typically steady Lee Westwood by two shots. The week before, he won by finishing twenty shots under par. At Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indiana, he won the BMW by finishing twenty shots under par again. Now, that is steady golf. Other big names in the top twenty included Tiger Woods (tied for fourth at -17); Dustin Johnson and Adam Scott (tied for sixth at -16); Vijay Singh (in eighth at -15); Jim Furyk (in ninth at -14); Bubba Watson, Ian Poulter, and Zach Johnson (tied for twelfth at -12); and Justin Rose, Padraig Harrington, and Louis Oosthuizen (tied for sixteenth at -10).
In two weeks, the FedEx Championship takes place outside Atlanta. Only the top thirty golfers in the world will be there.Even if it were the top three hundred golfers in the world, it wouldn't matter. Just like Woods, Faldo, Watson, Nicklaus, Palmer, and Hogan in their primest prime before him, if Rory again brings his "A" game, nobody else has a chance. The rest of the field will be watching from behind, sucking up the contrails left by his Rolls Royce jet engines in the Georgian sky.
In the Deutsche Bank Championship over Labor Day weekend, the Northern Ireland wunderkind beat Louis Oosthuizen by a single shot and Tiger Woods by two. Other big names in the top twenty included Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson (tied for fourth at -14); Adam Scott (tied for seventh at -12); Lee Westwood, Keegan Bradley, Steve Stricker, and Jim Furyk (tied for thirteenth at -8); Webb Simpson and Jason Dufner (tied for eighteenth at -7); and Nick Watney (tied for twentieth at -6). Losers of the week included Justin Rose and Bubba Watson, who both missed the cut at Boston TPC.
Last weekend, Mr. McIlroy solidified his hold on the world number one ranking by triumphing again, this time by beating a returning-to-form Phil Mickelson and a typically steady Lee Westwood by two shots. The week before, he won by finishing twenty shots under par. At Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indiana, he won the BMW by finishing twenty shots under par again. Now, that is steady golf. Other big names in the top twenty included Tiger Woods (tied for fourth at -17); Dustin Johnson and Adam Scott (tied for sixth at -16); Vijay Singh (in eighth at -15); Jim Furyk (in ninth at -14); Bubba Watson, Ian Poulter, and Zach Johnson (tied for twelfth at -12); and Justin Rose, Padraig Harrington, and Louis Oosthuizen (tied for sixteenth at -10).
In two weeks, the FedEx Championship takes place outside Atlanta. Only the top thirty golfers in the world will be there.Even if it were the top three hundred golfers in the world, it wouldn't matter. Just like Woods, Faldo, Watson, Nicklaus, Palmer, and Hogan in their primest prime before him, if Rory again brings his "A" game, nobody else has a chance. The rest of the field will be watching from behind, sucking up the contrails left by his Rolls Royce jet engines in the Georgian sky.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Sandflea's Week 2 2012 NCAA FBS College Football Top 40
Sandflea's Week 2 2012 NCAA FBS College Football Top 40
(through games of September 9, 2012)
Rank School Record Ranked Teams Played Rank Last Week
1. Alabama (2-0) 1 1
2. USC (2-0) 0 2
3. Michigan State (2-0) 1 3
4. South Carolina (2-0) 0 4
5. Oregon (2-0) 0 5
6. Virginia Tech (2-0) 1 7
7. LSU (2-0) 1 11
8. BYU (2-0) 0 8
9. Oklahoma (2-0) 0 10
10. West Virginia (1-0) 0 6
11. Texas (2-0) 1 5
12. Clemson (2-0) 1 14
13. Stanford (2-0) 0 17
14. Georgia (2-0) 1 22
15. Kansas State (2-0) 1 25
16. Boise State (0-1) 1 12
17. Baylor (1-0) 1 16
18. TCU (1-0) 0 21
19. Cincinnati (1-0) 0 23
20. Florida State (2-0) 0 20
21. Ohio State (2-0) 0 27
22. Rutgers (2-0) 0 26
23. Tennessee (2-0) 1 29
24. Notre Dame (2-0) 0 33
25. Florida (2-0) 0 37
26. Louisville (2-0) 0 38
27. UCLA (2-0) 1 NR
28. Arizona (2-0) 1 NR
29. Northwestern (2-0) 0 40
30. Mississippi State (2-0) 1 NR
31. Texas Tech (2-0) 0 NR
32. Iowa State (2-0) 0 NR
33. Nebraska (1-1) 2 9
34. Michigan (1-1) 1 19
35. Georgia Tech (1-1) 1 35
36. North Carolina State (1-1) 1 36
37. Oregon State (1-0) 1 NR
38. Utah State (2-0) 1 NR
39. Southern Florida (2-0) 0 NR
40. Wisconsin (1-1) 1 18
Others to Watch: Arizona State (2-0), Virginia (2-0), Ohio U. (2-0), Louisiana Tech (1-0), Nevada (1-1), Mississippi (2-0), Texas A&M (0-1), Air Force (1-1), Indiana (2-0), Central Florida (1-1)
Dropped Out: Arkansas (1-1), Oklahoma State (1-1), Utah (1-1), Auburn (0-2), Washington (1-1), Missouri (1-1), Southern Mississippi (0-1), Miami(FL) (1-1)
(through games of September 9, 2012)
Rank School Record Ranked Teams Played Rank Last Week
1. Alabama (2-0) 1 1
2. USC (2-0) 0 2
3. Michigan State (2-0) 1 3
4. South Carolina (2-0) 0 4
5. Oregon (2-0) 0 5
6. Virginia Tech (2-0) 1 7
7. LSU (2-0) 1 11
8. BYU (2-0) 0 8
9. Oklahoma (2-0) 0 10
10. West Virginia (1-0) 0 6
11. Texas (2-0) 1 5
12. Clemson (2-0) 1 14
13. Stanford (2-0) 0 17
14. Georgia (2-0) 1 22
15. Kansas State (2-0) 1 25
16. Boise State (0-1) 1 12
17. Baylor (1-0) 1 16
18. TCU (1-0) 0 21
19. Cincinnati (1-0) 0 23
20. Florida State (2-0) 0 20
21. Ohio State (2-0) 0 27
22. Rutgers (2-0) 0 26
23. Tennessee (2-0) 1 29
24. Notre Dame (2-0) 0 33
25. Florida (2-0) 0 37
26. Louisville (2-0) 0 38
27. UCLA (2-0) 1 NR
28. Arizona (2-0) 1 NR
29. Northwestern (2-0) 0 40
30. Mississippi State (2-0) 1 NR
31. Texas Tech (2-0) 0 NR
32. Iowa State (2-0) 0 NR
33. Nebraska (1-1) 2 9
34. Michigan (1-1) 1 19
35. Georgia Tech (1-1) 1 35
36. North Carolina State (1-1) 1 36
37. Oregon State (1-0) 1 NR
38. Utah State (2-0) 1 NR
39. Southern Florida (2-0) 0 NR
40. Wisconsin (1-1) 1 18
Others to Watch: Arizona State (2-0), Virginia (2-0), Ohio U. (2-0), Louisiana Tech (1-0), Nevada (1-1), Mississippi (2-0), Texas A&M (0-1), Air Force (1-1), Indiana (2-0), Central Florida (1-1)
Dropped Out: Arkansas (1-1), Oklahoma State (1-1), Utah (1-1), Auburn (0-2), Washington (1-1), Missouri (1-1), Southern Mississippi (0-1), Miami(FL) (1-1)
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Sandflea's Week 2 NCAA Women's Indoor Volleyball Top 40
Sandflea's Week 2 NCAA Women's Indoor Volleyball Top 40
(through games of September 2, 2012)
Rank College Record Ranked Teams Rank Last Week
Played to Date
1. USC (6-0) 2 1
2. Nebraska (5-0) 1 4
3. Penn State (5-0) 4 5
4. Florida State (6-0) 3 6
5. Dayton (6-0) 2 7
6. Texas (5-1) 3 3
7. Hawaii (5-1) 2 2
8. Pepperdine (4-1) 2 12
9. Oregon (6-0) 1 17
10. Washington (6-0) 1 19
11. UCLA (3-1) 1 14
12. San Diego (3-1) 1 16
13. Michigan (7-0) 0 20
14. Minnesota (5-0) 0 21
15. Kansas State (6-0) 0 23
16. BYU (6-0) 2 29
17. Northern Colorado (6-0) 2 30
18. Purdue (5-1) 3 8
19. Duke (5-1) 2 18
20. Michigan State (6-0) 0 24
21. Miami (FL) (6-1) 0 22
22. North Carolina (5-1) 2 25
23. Texas A&M (5-1) 1 26
24. Louisville (6-1) 4 32
25. New Mexico State (7-0) 0 33
26. Tennessee (4-2) 4 11
27. Kentucky (5-2) 4 13
28. Stanford (3-2) 3 15
29. Northern Iowa (4-2) 2 28
30. Wyoming (7-0) 0 31
31. Florida (3-2) 2 10
32. San Diego State (5-0) 1 35
33. Clemson (6-0) 0 36
34. Ohio State (5-1) 1 38
35. Oklahoma (5-2) 3 34
36. Missouri (6-1) 1 40
37. Santa Clara (6-1) 1 NR
38. Virginia Commonwealth (5-1) 0 39
39. Arkansas (6-1) 1 NR
40. Creighton (5-1) 1 NR
Others to Watch: TCU (5-1), Wisconsin (5-1), Oregon State (4-2)
Dropped Out: Iowa State (2-3), California (2-3), Colorado State (4-3)
Biggest Disappointments to Date: Illinois (2-3), Long Beach State (2-4), UC Davis (2-4),
California (2-3)
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Sandflea's Week 1 2012 NCAA FBS College Football Top 40
Sandflea's Week 1 2012 NCAA FBS College Football Top 40
(through games of September 3, 2012)
Rank School Record Ranked Opponents Rank Last Week
Played to Date
1. Alabama (1-0) 1 1
2. USC (1-0) 0 3
3. Michigan St. (1-0) 1 10
4. S. Carolina (1-0) 0 4
5. Oregon (1-0) 0 2
6. West Virginia (1-0) 0 11
7. Virginia Tech (1-0) 1 15
8. BYU (1-0) 0 16
9. Nebraska (1-0) 1 20
10. Oklahoma (1-0) 0 17
11. LSU (1-0) 0 6
12. Boise St. (0-1) 1 12
13. Arkansas (1-0) 0 8
14. Clemson (1-0) 1 21
15. Texas (1-0) 1 30
16. Baylor (1-0) 1 25
17. Stanford (1-0) 0 9
18. Wisconsin (1-0) 0 14
19. Michigan (0-1) 1 5
20. Florida St. (1-0) 0 18
21. TCU (0-0) 0 7
22. Georgia (1-0) 0 19
23. Cincinnati (0-0) 0 13
24. Oklahoma St. (1-0) 0 23
25. Kansas St. (1-0) 0 26
26. Rutgers (1-0) 0 27
27. Ohio St. (1-0) 0 28
28. Utah (1-0) 0 31
29. Tennessee (1-0) 1 NR
30. Auburn (0-1) 1 29
31. Washington (1-0) 0 36
32. Missouri (1-0) 0 34
33. Notre Dame (1-0) 0 37
34. S. Mississippi (0-1) 1 22
35. Georgia Tech (0-1) 1 38
36. North Carolina St. (0-1) 1 33
37. Florida (1-0) 0 39
38. Louisville (1-0) 0 NR
39. Miami (FL) (1-0) 0 NR
40. Northwestern (1-0) 0 NR
Others to Watch: Iowa St. (1-0), Arizona St. (1-0), Colorado St. (1-0), UCLA (1-0), Nevada (1-0), Virginia (1-0), Central Florida (1-0), Ohio U. (1-0), Utah St (1-0), Arizona (1-0)
Dropped Out: Houston (0-1), California (0-1), Wyoming (0-1), SMU (0-1)
(through games of September 3, 2012)
Rank School Record Ranked Opponents Rank Last Week
Played to Date
1. Alabama (1-0) 1 1
2. USC (1-0) 0 3
3. Michigan St. (1-0) 1 10
4. S. Carolina (1-0) 0 4
5. Oregon (1-0) 0 2
6. West Virginia (1-0) 0 11
7. Virginia Tech (1-0) 1 15
8. BYU (1-0) 0 16
9. Nebraska (1-0) 1 20
10. Oklahoma (1-0) 0 17
11. LSU (1-0) 0 6
12. Boise St. (0-1) 1 12
13. Arkansas (1-0) 0 8
14. Clemson (1-0) 1 21
15. Texas (1-0) 1 30
16. Baylor (1-0) 1 25
17. Stanford (1-0) 0 9
18. Wisconsin (1-0) 0 14
19. Michigan (0-1) 1 5
20. Florida St. (1-0) 0 18
21. TCU (0-0) 0 7
22. Georgia (1-0) 0 19
23. Cincinnati (0-0) 0 13
24. Oklahoma St. (1-0) 0 23
25. Kansas St. (1-0) 0 26
26. Rutgers (1-0) 0 27
27. Ohio St. (1-0) 0 28
28. Utah (1-0) 0 31
29. Tennessee (1-0) 1 NR
30. Auburn (0-1) 1 29
31. Washington (1-0) 0 36
32. Missouri (1-0) 0 34
33. Notre Dame (1-0) 0 37
34. S. Mississippi (0-1) 1 22
35. Georgia Tech (0-1) 1 38
36. North Carolina St. (0-1) 1 33
37. Florida (1-0) 0 39
38. Louisville (1-0) 0 NR
39. Miami (FL) (1-0) 0 NR
40. Northwestern (1-0) 0 NR
Others to Watch: Iowa St. (1-0), Arizona St. (1-0), Colorado St. (1-0), UCLA (1-0), Nevada (1-0), Virginia (1-0), Central Florida (1-0), Ohio U. (1-0), Utah St (1-0), Arizona (1-0)
Dropped Out: Houston (0-1), California (0-1), Wyoming (0-1), SMU (0-1)
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