Greg Cote's Random Evidence of a Cluttered Blog

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll; voting now underway!

[Note: Separate Collball Week 12 post featuring today's 34-16 UM win over Duke, Gators-FIU and more may be found in blog post directly below this].

The 20th-ranked Miami Hurricanes today closed their 2009 home schedule with a 34-16 victory over Duke, putting the Canes' season record at 8-3. Time now for the latest installment of the Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll.

The CSM, new to the blog this season, is a continuing gauge of how UM fans are feeling about the team and season. Polls are posted following the conclusion of every Canes game. Season results appear beneath the latest poll.

The criteria for voting is your own, but I suggest fans consider the most recent game's performance, the season as a whole, the program's direction, and your overall degree of optimism -- all in the context of reasonable expectations.

Poll and comments section stay open, but results become official on midnight the day after each game; in this case midnight Sunday.

Results of previous polls may be found below the current one. Now let's vote!

Online Surveys & Market Research

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter season results:

Game 1: 98.9 percent satisfaction (72.3 very, 26.6 somewhat) following 38-34 victory at FSU.

Game 2: 99.5 percent satisfaction (89.0 very, 10.5 somewhat) following 33-17 victory vs. Georgia Tech.

Game 3: 65.3 percent satisfaction (24.9 very, 40.4 somewhat) following 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech.

Game 4: 99.0 percent satisfaction (87.5 very, 11.5 somewhat) following 21-20 victory vs. Oklahoma.

Game 5: 99.0 percent satisfaction (76.4 very, 22.6 somewhat) following 48-16 victory over Florida A&M.

Game 6: 97.1 percent satisfaction (71.5 very, 25.6 somewhat) following 27-7 victory at Central Florida.

Game 7: 44.1 percent satisfaction (15.5 very, 28.6 somewhat) following 40-37 OT loss vs. Clemson.

Game 8: 59.8 percent satisfaction (13.4 very, 46.4 somewhat) following 28-27 win at Wake Forest.

Game 9: 95.2 percent satisfaction (66.4 very, 28.8 somewhat) following 52-17 victory vs. Virginia.

Game 10: 24.9 percent satisfaction (5.9 very, 19.0 somewhat) following 33-24 loss at North Carolina.

Game 11: Voting underway following 34-16 victory vs. Duke. 

Hurricanes 34, Duke 16 (Final); Taut game turns to rout; plus Gators edge FIU, 62-3

Collball Week 12 roundup:

[Note: Our latest Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll will be up in a separate post here in the blog at precisely 4 p.m. Watch for it and vote!] 

Hurricanes 34, Duke 16 (Final):

Final: UM now 8-3 and still thinking New year's bowl after a tight game turned easy and Canes whipped visiting Duke, 34-16. Jacory Harris shook off an early pick to throw for 348 yards -- 143 of them to Leonard Hankerson.

4Q: UM returns interception for a TD and 34-16 lead. A sudden rout. Three-plus quarters of a win in doubt becomes an easy day for Miami ..... Jacory Harris to Leonard Hankerson for 44 yards and a 27-16 lead. First time all game a UM win has seemed certain ..... UM lucky when Duke misses short Fg ..... Damien Berry short TD run caps an impressive drive in which Berry rushed for more than 50 yards .....

3Q: UM seems poised to retake lead as quarter ends ..... Miami pulls within 16-13, settles for three after failing to fully cash in on 1st and goal situation ..... Duke grows lead to 16-10.

Half: Way too early to panic, but struggling at home against Duke is never a good sign. The Canes must not lose this game.

2Q: Canes give up TD pass to Miamian/Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis and trail again, 13-10 ..... Harris-to-Tervaris Johnson on short TD pass off deflection for 10-6 lead, after earlier Graig Cooper TD run negated by penalty. Harris 44-yard play to Leonard Hankerson set up the score ..... UM driving again, and again gives it up on a turnover, this time a fumble-after-catch. Sloppy ..... Blue Devils up 6-3 on another FG. Pretty tough when you struggle at home to beat Duke.

1Q: Canes settle for 33-yard FG to tie it 3-3 ..... Duke takes early 3-0 lead after Canes appeared headed for first score of game but Jacory Harris was intecepted again -- 17th of season after four last week.

Original post:

20th-ranked UM (7-3) plays its final home game of season and nex-to-last overall before the bowl. It's vs. a Blue Devils squad that is good enough (5-5) to not be terrible (as in years past) but bad enough to still be an 18 1/2-point underdog. You know Duke. It's where they don't give a crap about football unless Coach K tells them it's OK to. Looking for a nice bounceback win by the Canes here after last week's disappointing loss to Butch Davis in Chapel Hill. Also looking for zero picks by Jacory Harris, although that finger injury of his could be an issue. How about it, kid. Zero INTs. Too much to ask?

Commentary welcome here on Canes, FIU-in-Swamp and all of today's other pertinent collball action.

Other state-college FBS/Division 1 games today:

Florida State 29, Maryland 26: Bobby Bowden was an 18-point home favorite and barely won, but barely is good enough in a rough season now at 6-5. 

South Florida 34, Louisville 22: The Bulls -- who host Miami next week -- were favored at home and improved to 7-3.

No. 1 Florida 62, FIU 3: Top-ranked Gators (now 11-0) were a 45-point favorite -- and covered. Easily. Fiu now 3-8. College football should have a mercy rule, by which FIU (3-7) could have agreed ahead of time to lose by, say, 34, to save on travel expenses.

Tulane @ Central Florida, 2 p.m.: UCF is 6-4 and a 22-point favorite.

FAU @ Troy, 4:15 p.m.: Howard's fightin' bitin' hootin' Owls (3-6) are a 16 1/2-point underdog to a guy named Troy. Sad.

National game of the day: The only top-25 matchup is 25-Cal at 17-Stanford. Therefore I anoint 10-Ohio State at Michigan as the national game of the day. Historic rivalries are what college football does better than the  NFL. And not by a little.

COTE'S TOP 30-PLUS

Our own rankings! It's OK, though. Relax. Experimental formula. Let's judge it in a couple of week as the bowl games near.

Rank  School   Points (Last week)

1 FLORIDA 1,077 (1)

2 Texas 1,032 2)

3 Alabama 1,014 (3)

4 Boise State 845 (5)

5 Southern Cal 839 (4)

6 Louisiana State 808 (6)

7 TCU 751 (7)

8 Ohio State 725 (9)

9 Penn State 719 (8)

10   Cincinnati 699 (11)

11   Virginia Tech 667 (10)

12   Oklahoma State 605 (12)

13   Georgia Tech 560 (14)

14   MIAMI 535 (13)

15   Iowa 518 (16)

16   Oregon 490 (17)

17   Oklahoma 480 (15)

18   Brigham Young 431 (19)

19   Mississippi 399 (18)

20   Houston 363 (20)

21   California 336 (21)

22   Pittsburgh 311 (24)

23   Utah 307 (22)

24   Kansas 246 (23)

25   Nebraska 236 (25)

26   Georgia 197 (26)

27   Notre Dame 163 (27)

28   North Carolina 135 (28)

29   Wisconsin 127 (35)

30   SOUTH FLORIDA 116 (29)

39   FLORIDA STATE 77 (37)

Dolfan Satisfaction Meter: 94.4% (plus NFL Week 11 picks)

[Game post on last night's Dolphins win is just below this and comments specific to the game are encouraged there. Comments on the season at large are encouraged here].

NFL Week 11 picks: Click here. Friday Page NFL notes column: Click here.

Fan satisfaction is buoyed and at a solid 94.4 percent in the wake of Thursday night's 24-17 win at Carolina, a second win in five days putting Miami's season record at 5-5. That's the season's second-highest Dolfan Satisfaction Meter reading, topped only by the Week 7 victory over the Jets.

In its second year in the blog, the DSM is a continuous gauge of how fans are feeling about the team and its direction. Right after each game, I invite fans to share their overall degree of satisfaction. Criteria for voting is your own, but I suggest fans consider the most recent game's performance, the season as a whole, the direction the club is heading and your overall degree of optimism -- all in the context of reasonable expectations.

Poll and comments section stay open; however, poll results are certified official on midnight the day after the game, meaning midnight last night/Friday in this case.

Week-by-week results may be found beneath the latest poll.

Online Surveys & Market Research

DOLFAN SATISFACTION METER: Season Results

Game 1: 9.9% satisfaction (3.0 very, 6.9 somewhat) after 19-7 loss at Atlanta.

Game 2: 22.3% satisfaction (3.9 very, 18.4 somewhat) after 27-23 loss vs. Indianapolis.

Game 3: 6.4% satisfaction (3.7 very, 2.7 somewhat) after 23-13 loss at San Diego.

Game 4: 79.4% satisfaction (34.2 very, 45.2 somewhat) after 38-10 victory vs. Buffalo.

Game 5: 97.1% satisfaction (65.0 very, 32.1 somewhat) after 31-27 victory vs. N.Y. Jets.

Game 6: 25.2% satisfaction (5.5 very, 19.7 somewhat) after 46-34 loss vs. New Orleans.

Game 7: 85.5% satisfaction (23.3 very, 62.2 somewhat) following 30-25 victory at N.Y. Jets.

Game 8: 33.6% satisfaction (8.0 very, 25.6 somewhat) following 27-17 loss at New England.

Game 9: 59.9% satisfaction (5.8 very, 54.1 somewhat) following 25-23 victory vs. Tampa Bay.

Game 10: 94.4% satisfaction (42.9 very, 51.5 somewhat) following 24-17 victory at Carolina.

Next poll: Nov. 29 following game at Buffalo.

Dolphins 24, Carolina 17 (Final); Ricky Williams for mayor! His 3 TDs lead Miami to Fortune .500

[New Dolfan Satisfaction Meter poll is up and running in separate blog post just above this. Vote!]

FINAL: Enormously impressive road win for Miami, led by stellar offensive-line play not giving up a sack and paving the way for a big, big effort by Ricky Williams in the absence of injured Ronnie Brown. Wildcat was minimal; Miami did it old-school.  

FOURTH QUARTER: Carolina 48-yard FG for 24-17 with 1:41 left. Likely onside kick coming ..... Ricky Williams' 46-yard TD run gives Dolphins a winning 24-14 lead late in game. Huge 3rd down catch by Davone Bess set it up ..... Steve Smith TD pass from Jake Delhomme, then a DeAngelo Williams 2-point run pull Carols within 17-14 with 5 minutes left ..... Dan Carpenter FG makes it 17-6 Miami and it will take a bizarre ending for Dolphins to lose this game ..... Panthers settle for FG to draw within 14-6 in first minute of 4Q, after big sack by Randy Starks.

THIRD QUARTER: Nose-tackle Jason Ferguson out injured for Miami. Could be serious, based on his body language ..... Randy Starks having a big game defensivley for Miami, one of the reasons why this is looking more and more like an upset road win for the Dolphonics.

HALF: Panthers driving, but drive erased by Nathan Jones INT. Huge. Jacory I mean Jake Delhomme continuing with his pick issues ..... Impressive show by Miami. Plenty enough defense so far led by Joey Porter's two sacks, and Ricky Williams stepping up large -- with his first career TD catch and TD run in same game -- in the void of Ronnie Brown.

SECOND QUARTER: This time it's a short Ricky Williams run ot of the Wildcat for a 14-3 Miami lead just before halftime ..... Davone Bess is team's most reliable receiver ..... Chad Henne to Ricky Williams TD pass and Miami up 7-3. Ricky may be the best back his age (32) in the NFL. Lex Hilliard with a couple of nice runs in an impressive 81-yard drive.

FIRST QUARTER: Quarter ends with Carolina running pretty well and Miami needing to show something offensively ..... By the way, Miami 2-4 this year after losing the coin toss. Oy! ..... Hate to pile on Ted Ginn, but the guy just has a knack of not getting open ..... I know 3rd and 8's a big play, but that's awfully early to burn a timeout, Dolphins ..... Miami stiffens late in opening drive and limits Carolina to FG and 3-0 lead. Big sack by Joey Porter. Like Vontae Davis getting in Steve Smith's grill. To play corner in the NFL you need balls the size of grapefruits. CAN I SAY THAT!?  

PREGAME: Surprised Matt Millen's career survived his having driven the Detroit Lions into the ground. I say that nuetrally ..... Just heard from a buddy at Bodog.com. Betting over/under on Ricky Williams rushing yards is 82.5. What you got? ..... Inactives out. Too bad for Miami neither DeAngelo Williams nor Jonatahn Stewart are on Carolina's.

Original post:

Tonight comes a tough battle between teams that have fought back from 0-3 starts but, at 4-5, are still too shaky in the playoff chase to comfortably abide a loss. Dolphins at Panthers. Big duel of power-running teams, although Ronnie Brown out injured for the season could change things -- open things up.

The possibility presents itself that Brown's injury might force, or allow, Miami's Wildcat offense to be more what it was intended to be: a run/pass double threat. That's why they drafted Pat White. With Brown as triggerman it was heavily run-oriented. With Ricky Williams taking snaps it still will be. But I suspect Brown's absence will mean more White ["Stay White, Miami!" -- Micky Arison, 2006] and more passing from the 'Cat -- which I loosely define as any offensive set in which QB Chad Henne is not taking snaps.

I'm on record predicting a 24-20 Carolina win. Panthers have quality running in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. That, the venue and no-Ronnie tip it for me. Then again, I may be wrong!

Your thoughts welcome here before, during and for sure after tonight's game.

Join us here just before kickoff for our Unofficial Semi-Live Boutique Blog, which recently was voted America's favorite Unofficial Semi-Live Boutique Blog.

Then watch for the latest installment of the Dolfan Satisfaction Meter poll in a separate post soon after the final whistle, probably around midnight.

Ominous Ronnie Brown news confirmed; plus Isiah Thomas called bizarre, Bud's holiday bird, wild turkey menaces drivers & more

[Note: TODAY'S LIVE ONLINE CHAT IS CANCELED due to technical issues at MiamiHerald.com. We'll return next Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. To join live, read transcripts or post questions anytime (well, anytime the system is working), click on Mad Chatter].

DOLPHINS' BROWN-OUT DIMS PLAYOFF HOPES:

Dolphins announce today that Ronnie Brown is placed on injured reserve with his foot injury and out the rest of the season. Readers of this blog are not surprised. I said yesterday here, after hearing the Dolphins were sending Brown to see a specialist, that "specialist" often means this is worse than a typical injury. My guess was Brown's out awhile. Unfortunately, I was right. (Of far less importance: This soap opera with Joey Porter. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Joey would not play this week and perhaps beyond. Wrong. Tony Sparano said Porter would play Thursday. Doh!) The Brown news is disheartening for Dolfans. As the primary running back and Wildcat triggerman, Brown it could be argued was Miami's MVP. No arguing his absence makes the uphill climb to a playoff berth that much steeper. A hard question in the wake of this week's news: Is it now fair to call Brown injury-prone? He missed nine games in 2007, is now missing seven games in 2009, and has yet to start all 16 games even in his three healthy seasons. Does that add up to injury-prone? And does that mean Ronnie may have played his last game as a Dolphin? His contract ends this season and he has not been re-signed.  

OPPONENT CALLS ISIAH THOMAS "VERY BIZARRE": Tulsa'a coach on Sunday labeled FIU coach Isiah Thomas "very bizarre" for motioning and yelling during a lopsided loss that Tulsa should remove its starters. Click here for story. I have a feeling this Thomas tenure, however long it lasts, could be a wild and bumpy ride.

BUD ADAMS' HOLIDAY BIRD: Tennessee Titans 86-year-old owner Bud Adams is fined $250,000 by the NFL for giving the bird, repeatedly, to Bills fans. Click here to access a brief video. I have learned exclusively that the fine breaks down to $150,000 for the obscene gestures and $100,000 for wearing a powder blue suit.

COGHLAN HONOR DESERVED: Richly deserved NL rookie of the year award for Marlins' Chris Coghlan. An everyday player should always have the edge over a pitcher, uness the latter's stats were overwhelmingly better, and J.A. Happ's were not. Happ was named on more top-three ballots, though. More kindling for the Phillies-Marlins rivalry.

WILD TURKEY SEEKS VENGEANCE: A wild turkey has been wreaking havoc on the New Jersey Turnpike (click here) in apparent retribution for the annual slaughter of his kin. "They kill us to celebrate a [bleeping] holiday," said the turkey. "Frightening a few motorists was the least I could do." Pictured is the actual havoc-wreaking wild turkey. I have a soft spot for pictures of angry, menacing, purposefully striding turkeys.

BILL BELIWRONG: Speaking of turkeys, Pats coach Bill Belichick was wrong to gamble on 4th and 2 from his own 29 rather than punt late in Monday's loss to the Colts, and got what he deserved. Andf the pople saying Belichick was not wrong are also wrong. He'd have been wrong even if his gamble had worked. You punt right there. Period.

TIGER'S PALACE NEARLY COMPLETE: Here's a photo of part of Tiger Wood's new oceanside mansion in Jupiter. The nieghbors complain that it's too big and snooty, which is saying something, considering how big and snooty all of their places are.

EUREKA! TWO FANTASY WINS!: Both my fantasy teams won. I'm having a fake heart attack like Fred Sanford. The Bad Newz Fennelz (now 3-7) won 57-45 behind Frank Gore's 20 points. Greg's Lobos (now 4-6) won 152-82 led by Randy Moss' 39. 

UNFRIENDLY DECISION: "Unfriend" (as in what one might to do someone on Facebook) is New Oxford American Dictionary's 2009 Word of the Year. Congratulations, Unfriend. 

Click back. Probably be adding more stuff to this post later.

Love,

Twitter.com/gregcote

Dolfan Satisfaction Meter: 59.9%

[Game post on today's home win may be found in blog directly below this. Comments specific to the game are encouraged there. Comments on the season as a whole are encouraged here].

The latest Dolfan Satisfaction Meter poll results are in, and Dolphins fans' overall satisfaction stands at a lukewarm 59.9 percent, with only 5.8% calling themslves "very" satisfied," in the wake of Sunday's 25-23 home win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers putting Miami's season record at 4-5. Those are season-low totals following a win. (Click on Chad's Redemption for my column off the game).

In its second year in the blog, the DSM is a continuous gauge of how fans are feeling about the team and its direction. Right after each game, I invite fans to share their overall degree of satisfaction. Criteria for voting is your own, but I suggest fans consider the most recent game's performance, the season as a whole, the direction the club is heading and your overall degree of optimism -- all in the context of reasonable expectations.

Poll and comments section stay open; however, poll results are certified official on midnight the day after the game, meaning midnight last night/Monday in this case.

Week-by-week results may be found beneath the latest poll.

Online Surveys & Market Research

DOLFAN SATISFACTION METER: Season Results

Game 1: 9.9% satisfaction (3.0 very, 6.9 somewhat) after 19-7 loss at Atlanta.

Game 2: 22.3% satisfaction (3.9 very, 18.4 somewhat) after 27-23 loss vs. Indianapolis.

Game 3: 6.4% satisfaction (3.7 very, 2.7 somewhat) after 23-13 loss at San Diego.

Game 4: 79.4% satisfaction (34.2 very, 45.2 somewhat) after 38-10 victory vs. Buffalo.

Game 5: 97.1% satisfaction (65.0 very, 32.1 somewhat) after 31-27 victory vs. N.Y. Jets.

Game 6: 25.2% satisfaction (5.5 very, 19.7 somewhat) after 46-34 loss vs. New Orleans.

Game 7: 85.5% satisfaction (23.3 very, 62.2 somewhat) following 30-25 victory at N.Y. Jets.

Game 8: 33.6% satisfaction (8.0 very, 25.6 somewhat) following 27-17 loss at New England.

Game 9: 59.9% satisfaction (5.8 very, 54.1 somewhat) following 25-23 victory vs. Tampa Bay.

Next poll: This Thursday night following game at Carolina.

Dolphins 25, Tampa Bay 23 (Final); late drive for FG averts embarrassing loss

[Vote in our our newest DOLFAN SATISFACTION METER poll up now in separate blogpost just above this. Latest Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll is welcoming votes in blog post directly below this].

FINAL: This game presents a classic glass-half-full-or-empty situation for fans. Either the late rally is thrilling and a win is a win is a win. Or I-can't-believe-we-almost-lost-to-the-lowly-Bucs! I tend to accentuate the positive here and write, in a game column online and in Monday's paper, about Chad Henne finding the wherewithal to shake off a terrible interception and lead the winning drive. Click on Chad's Redemption for column.  

FOURTH QUARTER: Dan Carpenter 25-yard FG with 10 seconds left wins it. Ricky Williams 27-yard run to TB 7 puts Miami in position to win ..... Cadillac Williams 1-yard TD run with 1:13 to play. That was after Chad Henne intercepted to give Bucs ball at Miami 26 with 1:43 left ..... Miami stops Bucs on downs at 2-minute warning, from Dolphins 22. Hueg defensive stop ..... Carpenter 45-yard FG gives Miami a nervous 22-16 lead with 6:04 to play ..... Bucs within  19-16 on first play of 4Q on 33-yard Freeman to Maurice Stovall TD pass over rookie CB Sean Smith. Miami victory suddenly in doubt ..... Ronnie' Brown's injury announced as ankle and his return questionable. Given the score, means he's likely done for day ..... They're playing the traditional fight song! Woo hoo! 

THIRD QUARTER: Bucs driving as quarter ends mercifully ..... Ronnie Brown loses fumble. More important he is hurt on play and limps off seeming to favor his right ankle ..... Ricky Williams 19-yard run wakes dozing crowd ..... Bucs within 10 at 19-9 on Connor Barth 54-yard FG, his third three-pointer of 50-plus yards ..... I don't believe there is a player in the NFL who voluntarily runs out of bounds more than Ted Ginn does ..... Second half underway. I have never heard 60,000 people quieter.

HALF: Offense at a premium. Dolphins with 183 total yards, 45 of them on that one run by Ronnie Brown, and the Tampa Bay Bads with a mere 120 yards. Miami seems in control, but mainly because the Bucs stink.

SECOND QUARTER: Dan Carpenter 30-yard FG makes it 19-6 just before half. But snap came with 10 seconds left. They probably had time to take a shot into the end zone and then kick it if needed, but Tony Sparano played it safe ..... Cameron Wake with a sack. The CFL project looking more and more like a smart find ..... Chad Henne 5-yard TD pass to Kory Sperry with 1:25 left in half gives Miami a 16-6 lead. Sperry, a tight end, was promoted from the practice squad this week ..... Jason Taylor returns an apparent fumble for TD, but ruling is an incomplete pass. Review rules that Taylor actually intercepted the ball but was down at that spot; so Miami ball at TB 15 ..... The Brit next to me in the pressbox just mentioned that a cricket match can last five days. This Dolphins-Bucs game seems like it's lasting five days ..... G Donald Thomas shaken up but off field on own power ..... Bucs add a 50-yard FG to draw within 9-6 ..... Charlie Anderson with his second sack. See that's how it's done, Joey! ..... Dan Carpenter 49-yard FG grows Miami lead to 9-3. More "Fins." Bring back the traditional fight song!!!  ..... Lord what a bad game! The Bucs stink, the Dolphins are not playing to a playoff caliber, and the crowd is dead. Otherwise, it's electric in here!

FIRST QUARTER: A bad first quarter ends with Miami looking for a spark ..... Akin Ayodele recovers Bucs fumble ..... Davone Bess muffs punt return but recovers. He's a fire drill back there ..... "Fins" song follows the score. BRING BACK THE TRADITIONAL FIGHT SONG! Dammit ..... Ronnie Brown 1-yard TD run puts Miami up 7-0 on a series highlighted by Brown's 45-yard run to TB 16, on a couple of terrific moves. XP kick blocked ..... Ted Ginn lets slip through his hands acatchable deep pass. Loud booing ..... Bucs 3-0 after 51-yard FG caps opening drive. Dolphins gave up a too-long kick return, had a facemask penalty.

PREGAME: Don Shula with a giant papier mache head casually sauntering the sideline ..... Seated in the pressbox beside a Times of London reporter here to research a Super Bowl-angled piece on Miami. He's been peppering me with questions. So I punched him. Just kidding. I am fomenting international peace ..... Dolphins missing four inactive prominent players today: G Justin Smiley, DT Paul Soliai, TE Anthony Fasano and made-to-sit-in-a-corner LB Joey Porter ..... Ted Ginn starting at WR over Brian Hartline. Uh oh.

Original post:

The Dolphins at 3-5 continue with a faint heartbeat in the playoff chase and must beat lowly, 1-7 Tampa Bay at home this afternoon to avoid flatlining. I predict Miami in a rout, 31-3, and the main reason is that I think the Ronnie & Ricky Show will run wild against the Bucs' lousy ground-defense.

Joey Porter isn't active today for reasons not injury-related. Um, that means he is being disciplined for doing something that p---ed off Tony Sparano. How else to couch it? In other breaking news, a column in today's Miami Herald reports exclusively that the Dolphins are in "dire need of WR upgrade." What!? Geez nobody knew that! Scoop! SCOOOOOP!   :)   :D

Almost forgot. I am starting a campaign to reinstall The World's Gayest Mascot (see right) as the official imprimatur of the Bucs. The guy in Tampa's former logo looks as if he might be headed to a leather bar, not that there's anything wrong with that. Also, he appears to be suffering a rather serious case of jaundice.

Your thoughts before, during and of course after today's game are invited here.

Join me right here for an Unofficial Semi-Live Boutique Blog beginning just before kickoff.

Then look out for our blog's latest Dolfan Satisfaction Meter poll in a separate post soon after the final whistle, probably around 5 p.m. 

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll: 24.9%

[Game post on Saturday's UM loss and other state-college results may be found directly below in blog. Comments specific to game are directed there. Comments on the season as a whole are encouraged here].

Results are in, and the 14th-ranked Miami Hurricanes' 33-24 loss at North Carolina on Saturday, dropping UM's record to 7-3, has seen overall fan satisfaction sink to a sesaon low. It is at only 24.9 percent -- with only 5.9% calling themselves "very" satisfied, according to the latest figures from the Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll.

The CSM, new to the blog this season, is a continuing gauge of how UM fans are feeling about the team and season. Polls are posted following the conclusion of every Canes game. Season results appear beneath the latest poll.

The criteria for voting is your own, but I suggest fans consider the most recent game's performance, the season as a whole, the program's direction, and your overall degree of optimism -- all in the context of reasonable expectations.

Poll and comments section stay open, but results become official on midnight the day after each game; in this case midnight last night/Sunday.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter season results:

Game 1: 98.9 percent satisfaction (72.3 very, 26.6 somewhat) following 38-34 victory at FSU.

Game 2: 99.5 percent satisfaction (89.0 very, 10.5 somewhat) following 33-17 victory vs. Georgia Tech.

Game 3: 65.3 percent satisfaction (24.9 very, 40.4 somewhat) following 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech.

Game 4: 99.0 percent satisfaction (87.5 very, 11.5 somewhat) following 21-20 victory vs. Oklahoma.

Game 5: 99.0 percent satisfaction (76.4 very, 22.6 somewhat) following 48-16 victory over Florida A&M.

Game 6: 97.1 percent satisfaction (71.5 very, 25.6 somewhat) following 27-7 victory at Central Florida.

Game 7: 44.1 percent satisfaction (15.5 very, 28.6 somewhat) following 40-37 OT loss vs. Clemson.

Game 8: 59.8 percent satisfaction (13.4 very, 46.4 somewhat) following 28-27 win at Wake Forest.

Game 9: 95.2 percent satisfaction (66.4 very, 28.8 somewhat) following 52-17 victory vs. Virginia.

Game 10: 24.9 percent satisfaction (5.9 very, 19.0 somewhat) following 33-24 loss at North Carolina.

Next poll: Nov. 21 following game vs. Duke.

North Carolina 33, Hurricanes 24 (Final); Butch-ered in Chapel Hill as Harris' four INTs doom UM

Collball Week 11 roundup:

[Look for our latest Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll in a separate blogpost just above this one]

North Carolina 33, No. 14 Hurricanes 24 (Final):

FINAL: Well I said in the original post below that I had a bad feeling about this game, and with apparent good reason. Canes fall to 7-3 and the curse of having never won in Chapel Hill continues. A sweet win for Butch Davis against his former school. A tough loss for Miami, which probably cost itself a chance to finish the season ranked in the top 10. Pretty simple about today: Teams that throw four interceptions win about as often as the [Old Reference Alert] Washington Generals used to against the Harlem Globetrotters.   

SECOND HALF: UNC chashes a killer FG for a 33-24 lead with just under 2 minutes left. Miami needing a miracle now ..... UM run defense not good enough in closing minutes ..... Harris-to-Graham TD pass pulls Miami within 30-24. A defensive stop here and UM will have time to win. What a crazy, weird game ..... Harris' 4th interception results in a UNC touchdown and 30-17 score. Interceptor fumbles forward and from there the score results. Rview affirms call on field, tough Randy Shannon argues vehemently. ..... Canes rally continues with Cooper 2-yard TD run drawing Miami within 23-17 late 3-Q ..... Hankerson Ginns (drops) a TD pass ..... Bosher FG pulls Um within two TDs. Still plenty of time if the defense can keep Team Butch at 23 ..... UNC adds a FG for 23-7 lead. Big hole for Canes on a nightmare afternoon -- so far -- for Jacory Harris and the offense.

FIRST HALF: Poor clock management by UM, ending the first half with a timeout unspent ..... Jacory Harris' 3rd INT of game returned 77 yards for TD in final minute of half. .... Very daring fake punt by Miami works! Gutsy call ..... Jacory Harris throws 2nd interception of game. Too, too many for him this season. This one leads to FG and 13-7 Heels lead ..... UNC settles for 22-yard FG, mid-2Q. Miami pass defense looking shaky ..... Berry in from 2 out and UM ties it 7-7 ..... Tar Heels beat Miami blitz for touchdown pass and first score of game, early second quarter ..... Georgia Tech winning today eliminated UM from contention for the ACC title. No matter. plenty still in play for the Canes as long as they keep winning, including a major bowl and final top-10 ranking.

Original post:

Well traveling to Butch Carolina is a mighty test for the 7-2 Canes, who still have a top-10 ranking and major bowl very much in play with a win. UNC is a credible 6-3 and plays solid defense and you know ex-Canes coach Butch Davis will have his troops pumped. This also presents a mental hurdle for UM because the Canes have never won in Chapel Hill. Is it finally time? Canes a 3-point favorite but I must say this one makes me nervous. I do not have a good feeling. I'd be pleased to be wrong. [Pictured below left: Randy Shannon and Davis pretending to like each other].

Your thoughts invited before, during and after the game. Look for our latest Canesfan Satisfaction Meter blog poll in a separate post soon after the final whistle,  probably by around 7:30.

Other Week 11 state-college FBS/Division 1 games:

Rutgers 31, No. 24 South Florida 0: Thursday night spank! Bulls should be disbanded after loss like this.

Florida State 41, Wake Forest 28: Nice road win for the underdog Seminoles, now 5-5. Good to see a little good news toward the end of a tough, tough season for Bobby Bowden. 

Central Florida 37, No. 15 Houston 32: Huge home win today for the underdog Knights (now 6-4) over a ranked opponent.

No. 1 Florida 24, South Carolina 14: The Gators surviving more than spanking Steve Spurrier's 'Cocks. Knew this one would be interesting. But 10-0 is 10-0.

FAU 35, Arkansas State 18: Nice little home upset win for Howard & The Owls, now 3-6.

FIU 35, North Texas 28: The Int'l improves to 3-7 with a big home win. Victories by FIU and FAU on the same day. No way!

National game of the week: No. 11-Ohio State beats No. 10-Iowa 27-24 in overtime to secure a spot in the Rose Bowl.

COTE'S TOP 30-PLUS

Our own national Top 30 ranking, plus any state schools with points. Rankings do not include Week 11 results from earlier this week:

Rank  Team  Points (Last week)

1     FLORIDA 987 (1)

2     Texas 947 (2)

3     Alabama 925 (3)

4     Southern Cal 810 (4)

5     Boise State 770 (5)

6     Louisiana State 746 (6)

7     TCU 670 (10)

8     Penn State 666 (7)

9     Ohio State 658 (8)

10   Virginia Tech 622 (9)

11   Cincinnati 621 (11)

12   Oklahoma State 551 (12)

13   MIAMI 508 (14)

14   Georgia Tech 488 (16)

15   Oklahoma 480 (13)

16   Iowa 468 (15)

17   Oregon 429 (18)

18   Mississippi 397 (17)

19   Brigham Young 395 (19)

20   Houston 341 (21)

21   California 330 (20)

22   Utah 283 (23)

23   Kansas 246 (22)

24   Pittsburgh 243 (26)

25   Nebraska 222 (24)

26   Georgia 197 (25)

27   Notre Dame 163 (27)

28   North Carolina 117 (28)

29   SOUTH FLORIDA 116 (31) 

30   Arizona 100 (36)

37   FLORIDA STATE 77 (34)

[Poll note: Our rankings, in their first year and experimental, use a formula that results in more conservative movement -- up or down -- than in other polls or rankings. I'll be interested to judge them after the regular season as the bowls approach].

NFL Week 10 picks: Dolphins in a rout; plus Dwyane vs. LeBron poll, Lingerie Football League, Taylor Swift, Tony Gonzalez nekkid & more

Happy Friday the 13th, everybody! I read that 60 million Americans refuse to drive or leave the house on this day. If I believed that it would be depressing. Are you one of those nutcases superstitious people?

[Can't get enough Dolphins? Our midseason poll on the team's biggest problem may be found in the blog post directly below this].

NFL WEEK 10 PICKS: DOLPHINS SLAP LOWLY BUCS: Let me attempt to un-do Tony Sparano's entire week of talks to his team by saying the Dolphins should be overconfident, take Tampa Bay lightly and look past this game. I'm kidding. Sort of. But this is a game in which the Ronnie & Ricky Show will dominate the Bucs' run-defense and Miami will win, 31-3. It's true because I say so. Click on Week 10 Gems for all the latest NFL picks, and on Midyearies four our Friday Page column of midseason awards and more.  

DWYANE VS. LEBRON: It was Wade 36, LeBron 34 last night even thought Cleveland won the game. I don't think Dwyane Wade will ever be seen, nationally, as the NBA's greatest player or biggest star. I think the overlapping careers of first Kobe Bryant and then LeBron James have kept that distinction from Miami's No. 3. I may be wrong. At any rate, with James (oh yeah, almost forgot, and Shaq) visiting the Heat, I thought it might be fun to ask in a poll whom Heat fans would rather have: Dwyane or LeBron? Vote and say why. Click here for the column by me on the possibility the Heat will have both next season. I think it is Pat Riley's dream to try to make it happen. Do you think it can?

Online Surveys & Market Research

MIAMI CALIENTE BACK IN ACTION: The Miami Caliente, our Lingerie Football League team, is back in action tonight/Friday at the Sunrise arena. I know this because Tina Caccavale (#11, pictured) personally told me in an email. I have a long-standing policy of publicizing and trying to promote in any way I can events involving women who look like this in lingerie. The LFL is struggling for acceptance despite billing itself as the "true" fantasy football. I would offer the league another selling-point motto: "Lingerie Football: Where Wardrobe Malfunctions Are Encouraged!" Or, here's another one: "Lingerie Football: Where the Touchdowns Are Not Nearly As Exciting As Watching Players Slap Each Other On the A-- After the Touchdowns."

TAYLOR SWIFT TAKING OVER WORLD:

Pop-country singer Taylor Swift, 19 (pictured), dominated this week's CMA Awards in Nashville, unfortunately. It seemed like she won every award. I knew the fix was in when she even won Male Vocalist of the Year. Does anybody else think Taylor is odd-looking with those perpetually squinty eyes? Also, I propose that Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus combine forces and put out music as Tayley Swifrus or Milor Cyrift on their own exclusive radio station so they are not heard anywhere else.

STEVE PHILLIPS' MISTRESS BREAKS SILENCE: Brooke Hundley, the mistress of fired ESPN analyst Philanderin' Steven Phillips, appears on Good Morning America. Click here for video. Aside to Steve: When planning your next affair. make a mental note to at least make it a hottie. 

CHIMP-ATTACK VICTIM REVEALS FACE: Click here for story and video. WARNING: Do not click to watch video without knowing the woman's face was badly disfigured in the attack.

THE PETA NUDIE ADS JUST KEEP ON COMIN'!: I love making fun of PETA and its nudie ads. Love the whole idea that the group has developed the thoroughly illogical leap that nothing says you support animal rights like getting nekkid. The latest ad pictured here stars Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez and his wife, who evidently would rather go nude than wear fur. Me? I certainly would rather see her go nude than wear fur. Him, I'd prefer to see wearing fur.

I AM NOT QUITE SURE...: ...how this guy fares in job interviews. Although I would think he at least has a fighting chance at Benihana's.

Click back. Adding more stuff to this post later.

Twitter.com/gregcote

Midseason poll: Dolphins' biggest problem; plus PETA's new nudie ad, Parcells befriends homeless; Sosa turns white; Donaghy book excerpts & more

[It is Veterans Day. Thanks to all of America's servicemen and women, active-duty and retired. We appreciate what you do. Pictured at right, Dolphin Ricky Williams (with Ronnie Brown) hosting a luncheon this week for members of the military].

[It's LIVE-CHAT WEDNESDAY! But different. Today's chat only will be 3-4 p.m., NOT 1-2. Click here to join us live at 3 or to submit questions early].

DOLPHINS MIDSEASON POLL: It is midseason. The Dolphins are 3-5. Playoff hopes are teetering. Much of the record might be blamed simply on a very tough schedule -- Miami's five losses are to teams that are a combined 32-8 -- but the record also suggests a team still needing to mend problem areas. Take a dip in our poll, identify the Dolphins' greatest weakness or area of concern, and tell why you feel that way. My feelings are known with my latest column (click here). It's the most-read thing on MiamiHerald.com today. But that doesn't make me right. Weigh in. 

Online Surveys & Market Research

[Congrats! Y'all made the above our latest blogpoll to surpass 1,000 votes. Keep 'em coming!] 

HEY! SOMEBODY'S NAKED IN A PETA AD!:

Christian Serratos is the latest actress to appear nude in an ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (right) because, really, nothing says "animal rights" quite like celebrities getting naked. Longtime readers may be aware I consider PETA to pretty much be run by extremist nut-hounds. However, I am highly in favor of most of their ads!

BIG TUNA, BIG HEART: The Palm Beach Post (credit where it's due) had a neat story this week (click here) about Dolphins chief-architect Bill Parcells befriending a local homeless man. Nice human interest story. But since I'm more into the cheap gag, I'll mention that Parcells has since signed the homeless man to replace Ted Ginn Jr. in the wide receiver rotation. 

"WE'RE NO. 30! WE'RE NO. 30!": Click here to see that in a new survey, Floridians are rated the 30th happiest people. We'd feel pretty good about that if there were say, 500 states instead of only 50.

SAMMY SOSA QUIETLY MORPHS INTO CREEPY-LOOKING WHITE MAN: A spokesman indicated Sosa's skin is undergoing a "rejuvenation." Loving the lip gloss as well!

 

I AM WORLD'S WORST FANTASY OWNER: My Bad Newz Fennelz are now 2-7 after a 90-84 loss. Led after Sunday but got buried by Brandon Marshall Monday night. My greg's Lobos are 3-6 after a 142-110 loss, despite 61 combined points from Michael Turner and Randy Moss. I stink.

OPRAH RULES "AHA MOMENT": Oprah Winfrey has settled a suit agasint Mutual of Omaha to stop the company from using the phrase "aha moment" in an ad campaign, claiming the common phrase  is closely associated with her. Inspired, I am hereby claiming proprietary rights to any number of common phrases, beginning today with, "Criminy!" Do not say "Criminy!" without first consulting my attorneys.  

DOLPHINS OFF-DAY PHOTO OF THE DAY: Here we have receiver Greg Camarillo on a stage doing the hula-hoop during a Publix-related charity appearance, while, in the background, team mascot T.D. appears to be making a drug deal.

 

 

SUBWAY TRAIN NEARLY RUNS OVER WOMAN (with video): Story and video here. It appears to me the lucky woman's stumble onto the tracks may have been aided somewhat by inebriation. Not that she deserved to die for it.

WSOP CROWNS YOUNGEST WINNER: Joe Cada, 21 (pictured), a Michigan poker professional, has become the youngest winner in the history of the World Series of Posers. Cada is expected to squander his $8.55 million fortune foolishly and spend the rest of his life failing to equal his one shining moment. Not that I'm bitter or anything.

TIM DONAGHY BOOK EXCERPTS: The book, "Blowing the Whistle," by disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy, has yet to find a publisher. Here are excerpts from the book that may never be seen...

On gambling refs: "To have a little fun at the expense of the worst troublemakers, the referees working the game would sometimes make a modest friendly wager amongst themselves: first ref to give one of the bad boys a technical foul wouldn't have to tip the ball boy that night. In the NBA, ball boys set up the referees' locker room and keep it stocked with food and beer for the postgame meal. We usually ran the kid ragged with a variety of personal requests and then slipped him a $20 bill. Technically, the winner of the bet won twice — he didn't have to pay the kid and he got to call a T on Mr. Foul-Mouthed Big-Shot Du Jour."

On star treatment: "Relationships between NBA players and referees were generally all over the board — love, hate, and everything in-between. Some players, even very good ones, were targeted by referees and the league because they were too talented for their own good. Raja Bell was one of those players. Bell had a reputation for being a "star stopper." His defensive skills were so razor sharp that he could shut down a superstar, or at least make him work for his points. Kobe Bryant was often frustrated by Bell's tenacity on defense. Let's face it, no one completely shuts down a player of Kobe's caliber, but Bell could frustrate Kobe, take him out of his game, and interrupt his rhythm. You would think that the NBA would love a guy who plays such great defense. Think again! Star stoppers hurt the promotion of marquee players. Fans don't pay high prices to see players like Raja Bell — they pay to see superstars like Kobe Bryant score 40 points. Basketball purists like to see good defense, but the NBA wants the big names to score big points. If a player of Kobe's stature collides with the likes of Raja Bell, the call will almost always go for Kobe and against Bell. It was important to keep the stars on the floor."

On Heat-Knicks: "Madison Square Garden was the place to be for a marquee matchup between the Miami Heat and New York Knicks. I worked the game with derrick Stafford and Gary Zielinski, knowing that the Knicks were a sure bet to get favorable treatment that night. Derrick Stafford had a close relationship with Knicks coach Isiah Thomas, and he despised Heat coach Pat Riley. I picked the Knicks without batting an eye and settled in for a roller-coaster ride on the court."

On referee Dick Bavetta: "From my earliest involvement with Bavetta, I learned that he likes to keep games close, and that when a team gets down by double-digit points, he helps the players save face. He accomplishes this act of mercy by quietly, and frequently, blowing the whistle on the team that's having the better night. Team fouls suddenly become one-sided between the contestants, and the score begins to tighten up. That's the way Dick Bavetta referees a game — and everyone in the league knew it."

Radio note: Am on 790 The Ticket with Dan LeBatard today around 4:20 p.m. Odds we'll actually talk about sports? Maybe 30 percent.

Click back. Adding more stuff this afternoon.

Dolfan Satisfaction Meter: 33.6%

[Game post on Sunday's Dolphins loss may be found directly below this in the blog. Comments specific to the game are encouraged there; comments about the season are encouraged here].

The latest Dolfan Satisfaction Meter results are in following Sunday's 27-17 loss at New England, and they show overall satisfaction plummeting to 33.6 percent, including only 8.0% calling themselves "very satisfied." That reflects the reality of a 3-5 record at midseason.

Back in the blog for a second year, the DSM is a continuous gauge of how fans are feeling about the team and its direction. Right after each game, I invite fans to share their overall degree of satisfaction. Criteria for voting is your own, but I suggest fans consider the most recent game's performance, the season as a whole, the direction the club is heading and your overall degree of optimism -- all in the context of reasonable expectations.

Poll and comments section stay open; however, poll results are certified official on midnight the day after the game, meaning midnight on Monday in this case.

Season results may be found beneath the current poll.

Online Surveys & Market Research

DOLFAN SATISFACTION METER: Season Results

Game 1: 9.9% satisfaction (3.0 very, 6.9 somewhat) after 19-7 loss at Atlanta.

Game 2: 22.3% satisfaction (3.9 very, 18.4 somewhat) after 27-23 loss vs. Indianapolis.

Game 3: 6.4% satisfaction (3.7 very, 2.7 somewhat) after 23-13 loss at San Diego.

Game 4: 79.4% satisfaction (34.2 very, 45.2 somewhat) after 38-10 victory vs. Buffalo.

Game 5: 97.1% satisfaction (65.0 very, 32.1 somewhat) after 31-27 victory vs. N.Y. Jets.

Game 6: 25.2% satisfaction (5.5 very, 19.7 somewhat) after 46-34 loss vs. New Orleans.

Game 7: 85.5% satisfaction (23.3 very, 62.2 somewhat) following 30-25 victory at N.Y. Jets.

Game 8: 33.6% satisfaction (8.0 very, 25.6 somewhat) following 27-17 loss at New England.

Next poll: Nov. 15 following game vs. Tampa Bay.

New England 27, Dolphins 17 (Final); Miami falls to 3-5 at midseason

[The latest DOLFAN SATISFACTION METER appears in separate post directly above this. Meantime the latest Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll results are now official in the post directly below this].

FINAL: Miami stands at 3-5 at midseason after today's 27-17 loss at New England. The difference to me was the two passing games. Tom Brady is a top-tier master in is prime, with one of the NFL's great targets in Randy Moss. Chad Henne is in the midst of on-the-job training, with a mediocre-at-best receiving corps and no reliable deep threat. (By the way, chatty Joey Porter's game did not rise to the level of his mouth, with zero tackles). Today's loss makes it very difficult to realistically imagine a playoff season might still be in store for Miami. A wild-card spot seems unlikely, and the Dolphins now trail New England by three games in the division. 

FOURTH QUARTER: Pats kick 40-yard FG to go up by 10 with just over a minute left and no timeouts for Miami. Miracle, anyone? ..... Dolphins heading to defeat after 4th down pass dropped by Ted Ginn. That was after delay penalty because Henne called a timeout Miami didn't have. ..... Huge 3rd and 4 stop by New England puts Pats in control with 5 minutes and change left. Would have been an interesting spot for a fake punt, but Miami didn't gamble.

THIRD QUARTER: Big loss out of 'Cat as quarter ends. That's problem with Wildcat. When it doesn't work, it really doesn't work. ..... Chad Henne interception negated by roughing-passer penalty. Violent helmet to helmet hit should bring league fine. ..... Randy Moss 71-yard TD pass from Tom Brady, most of it after the catch thanks to a stiffarm to elude Vontae Davis. Then Moss agin on the 2-point conversion catch. Brady again with too much time to settle in the pocket. ..... Miami up 17-16 on Ronnie Brown short TD flip to Joey Haynos out of the Wildcat.

HALFTIME: A close game as I thought it would be (my pick was 31-24 Pats), but Dolphins must get more pressure on Tom Brady to have a real chance. Brady is on a 400-yard pace with way too much time way too often to sit in the pocket and cherry-pick open receivers.

SECOND QUARTER: New England builds lead to 16-10 with FG on last play of half. Tony Sparano irate over apparent home-field advantage by the scoreboard operator to leave Pats 1 second left after incomplete pass. .....  Pats back up 13-10 with FG as 2-minute warning nears. ..... Dolphins knot it 10-10 on Ricky Williams' 15-yard run capping an excellent drive with does of the Wildcat and Pat White. ..... Pats add short FG for 10-3 lead, mid-quarter.

FIRST QUARTER: Vontae Davis leaves game with quad injury. ..... Pat up 7-3 on Laurence Maroney 1-yard run, set up by deep pass to Randy Moss to the 1, on one-handed catch over Vontae Davis. ..... Miami 3-0 on Dan Carpenter 52-yard FG. That kid is very good. ..... Adalius Thomas returns Chad Henne sack-fumble for TD but Miami challenges call and wins. Replay indicates forward motion for incomplete pass. ..... Vontae Davis picks Tom Brady on  deep ball on game's first possession. Kid's beginning to show why he was a first-round draft pick.

PREGAME: Boomer Esiason declares the Wildcat is "done" on CBS pregame show; Dan Marino disagrees. So did 72% in quickie poll. I also disagree it's done, althought I think the threat of a pass out of the 'Cat must  increase. ..... LB Channing Crowder and NT Jason Ferguson both inactive for Dolphins. Uh oh. Then again, Pats missing LT Matt Light could open up some sack opps for the visitors. ..... Jason Taylor's 177th Dolphins start today surpasses Bob Kuecheberg for second most in club history behind Marino's 240.

Original post:

Sorry, Channing Crowder, but with all due respect, ther AFC East does go through New England, certainly this season, and in general. The respect Miami is after takes more than just last season to create. A victory up there today would be a huge help toward that end. I'm on record saying Nuevo England will win 31-24. Think Dolphins beat the point spread but not the Pats. Tom Brady is his old self and very hot, NE's defense is very good, and Bell Belichick at home coming off a bye is a mountain to climb.

Your thoughts welcome here before, during and of course after this afternoon's game.

Join us here for an Unofficial Semi-Live Boutique Blog beginning just before kickoff.

Then watch for the latest Dolfan Satisfaction Meter poll in a separate post at 5 p.m.  

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll: 95.2%

[Post on Canes-Virginia game is in the blog directly below this. Comments specific to game are encouraged there. Comments about game in the context of season are encouraged here].

Saturday's easy home win by the Miami Hurricanes, 52-17 over Virginia, has sent fan satisfaction back into the healthy/happy region after a two-week lull. It's now 95.2 percent overall satisfaction -- including 66.4% calling themselves "very satisfied," according to the latest Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll results.

The CSM, new to the blog this season, is a continuing gauge of how UM fans are feeling about the team and season. Polls are posted following the conclusion of every Canes game. Season results appear beneath the latest poll.

The criteria for voting is your own, but I suggest you consider the most recent game's performance, the season as a whole, the program's direction, and your overall degree of optimism -- all in the context of reasonable expectations.

Poll and comments section stay open, but results become official on midnight the day after each game; in this case midnight Sunday.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter season results:

Game 1: 98.9 percent satisfaction (72.3 very, 26.6 somewhat) following 38-34 victory at FSU.

Game 2: 99.5 percent satisfaction (89.0 very, 10.5 somewhat) following 33-17 victory vs. Georgia Tech.

Game 3: 65.3 percent satisfaction (24.9 very, 40.4 somewhat) following 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech.

Game 4: 99.0 percent satisfaction (87.5 very, 11.5 somewhat) following 21-20 victory vs. Oklahoma.

Game 5: 99.0 percent satisfaction (76.4 very, 22.6 somewhat) following 48-16 victory over Florida A&M.

Game 6: 97.1 percent satisfaction (71.5 very, 25.6 somewhat) following 27-7 victory at Central Florida.

Game 7: 44.1 percent satisfaction (15.5 very, 28.6 somewhat) following 40-37 OT loss vs. Clemson.

Game 8: 59.8 percent satisfaction (13.4 very, 46.4 somewhat) following 28-27 win at Wake Forest.

Game 9: 95.2 percent satisfaction (66.4 very, 28.8 somewhat) following 52-17 victory vs. Virginia.

Next poll: Nov. 14 following game at North Carolina.

Hurricanes 52, Virginia 17; plus Gators, FIU, FAU, Cote's Top 30 & more

Collball Week 10 roundup:

No. 17 Miami 52, Virginia17: Canes (now 7-2) were favored by a somewhat modest 13 1/2 points over the Cavaliers on the heel of last week's narrow UM escape at Wake Forest. I thought Miami at home was due a big, convincing show; i.e. an easy win, and was right. Maybe it was some payback due for the fact Virginia embarrassed UM 48-0 in the Canes' last game at the Orange Bowl. UM in total control, led by Graig Cooper's 152 rushing yards. Plenty still in play for the Canes' season, including a major bowl. By the way I most certainly am not making fun of the Cavaliers mascot/logo at right. On the contrary, I credit with a lot of nerve a any man who would dare be seen publicly wearing a hat festooned with such a large plume. (Not that there's anything wrong with that). 

Your thoughts welcome before, during and after today's game. Look for the latest edition of the Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll in a separate blogpost directly above this post.

Somber note: Today is the three-year anniversary of the still-unsolved murder of UM football player Bryan Pata. How many people among us know who did it but have not found the conscience or spine to step forward? Three? Twenty? Fifty? One brave heart is needed. Only one.

 

 

Other FBS (Division 1) state-college games:

No. 2 Texas 35, Central Florida 3: UCF (5-4) thought it was pretty good. Hahahahaha! 'Horns in a name-your-score rout.

Alabama-Birmingham 56, FAU 29: Owls (2-6) blown out in a game that should have been closer. Anybody wanna play some defense? No?  

Middle Tennessee State 48, FIU 21: G-Panthers (2-7) continue to be killed  by lack of D.

No. 1 Florida 27, Vanderbilt 3: The Gator (9-0) not missing Brandon Spikes a bit vs. overmatched foe.

Clemson 40, Florida State 24: Lates disappointment for Bobby and the 'Noles (4-5).

Off this week: South Florida, 6-2 and dreaming of a final ranking.

National game of the week: Had to be the Saban Bowl, won by No. 3 Alabama over No. 9 LSU, 24-15, securing 'Bama's SEC title-game spot vs. Florida. Although No. 16 Ohio State upsetting No. 11 Penn State made for a fine Miss Congeniality.

COTE'S TOP 30-PLUS

Our own experimental rankings formula, with the latest Top 30 plus other state schools with votes:

Rank Team Points (Last week)

1    FLORIDA 897 (1)

2    Texas 860 (2)

3    Alabama 841 (3)

4    Southern Cal 748 (4)

5    Boise State 695 (5)

6    Louisiana State 682 (6)

7    Penn State 628 (7)

8    Ohio State 595 (9)

9    Virginia Tech 591 (8)

10 TCU 589 (10)

11 Cincinnati 543 (12)

12 Oklahoma State 511 (11)

13 Oklahoma 480 (13)

14 MIAMI 455 (14)

15 Iowa 417 (18)

16 Georgia Tech 416 (16)

17 Mississippi 397 (15)

18 Oregon 377 (19)

19 Brigham Young 371 (17)

20 California 330 (20)

21 Houston 288 (22)

22 Kansas 246 (21)

23 Utah 236 (25)

24 Nebraska 221 (23)

25 Georgia 197 (24)

26 Pittsburgh 175 (27)

27 Notre Dame 163 (26)

28 North Carolina 117 (28)

29 South Carolina 99 (29)

30 Missouri 97 (30)

31 SOUTH FLORIDA 92 (33)

34 FLORIDA STATE 77 (34)

[Note: Our first-year rankings are conservative, meaning teams tend to move up and down more gradually than in other polls. We'll judge them not week by week but in total, as the bowl games approach].

LeBron to Heat?; plus Dolphins lose; New Mexico women's soccer video; Marlins' 2010 odds; UM hoops ranking; newspapers saved by weeds & more

King James joining D-Wade in Miami?: A speculative piece on ESPN.com about the future of LeBron James quotes sources as saying the Miami Heat is very much in the running to pair King James with Dwyane Wade next season. Click here to read. Will it happen? Check back in about eight months. Fun to consider in the meantime? Oh yeah.

NFL Week 9 picks: It pains me to inform you today that the Dolphins will lose Sunday up in Foxboro, 31-24, beating the point spread but not the Patriots. Tom Brady is at the top of his game, Nuevo England's defense is very good, and Pats at home off a bye is a lot to overcome. Your thoughts welcome. Click on Week 9 Gems for all of this week's selections. Click on Edge Is Iffy for our Friday Page NFL notes column leading with the Hall of Fame chances of recently cut ex-Cane Edgerrin James -- shaky to doubtful, those chances, despite his ranking 10th all-time in career rushing yards. You think James should be or will be Canton-bound?   

Dolphins now 60-1 to win Super Bowl: Bodog's updated Super Bowl odds show Saints the favorite at 3-1, followed by 5-1 Colts, 11-2 Patriots, 8-1 Vikings and 10-1 Steelers. Miami's 60-1 ties for 18th.

New Mexico women's soccer video: Have you seen it? Click here. Wild. No. 15 in the red for New Mexico should be suspended from the team, kicked out of school, prevented from ever having children, and be made to listen to a continuous loop of Whitney Houston music.

Pete Rose "Bruno" outtake: Click here for video of a two-minute scene starring Pete Rose that did not make the final cut for the movie, "Bruno."

Marlins 25-1 to win 2010 World Series: Yankees are an 11-4 fave to repeat, says Bodog, followed by 13-2 Red Sox, 9-1 Phillies and 10-1 Angels and Cardinals. The Marlins' 25-1 ties for 13th overall but is third in NL East behind 15-1 Mets and 18-1 Braves.

Tim Lincecum busted for pot: Imagine Giants ace pitcher Tim Lincecum being found out to be a marijuana smoker! Shocking! Although maybe a little less shocking when you see photos of Tim like this one that should be captioned, "Hey, man, pass me another brownie, dude."

"We're No. 56! We're No. 56!": Preseason rankings in ESPN The Mag's men's college basketball preview issue have the Miami Hurricanes 56th in the void of Jack McClinton. The good news? That'd still make the NCAA Tournament. Gators (32nd) and Seminoles (35th) aren't expected to be much better.

Thanks for the memories, Jeremy! (That's sarcasm): Marlins trade outfielder Jeremy Hermida to Boston for two young lefthanders. It was time to untether from Hermida's unfulfilled potential. Maybe the Fenway ambience will inspire something better, but five years of underachieving is a lot to get past. 

Weeds to rescue newspaper industry?: It is a sad fact that newspaper circulation is declining nationwide, which analysts blame on the Internet and the economy but which I blame on people being too damn cheap to spend a quarter. At any rate, it has come to my attention that wet newspapers are an excellent weed deterrent. I am totally serious. Google "weeds and wet newspapers" if you don't believe me. So here's what you do: Subscribe to The Miami Herald, clip out and frame Greg Cote's columns for an at-home shrine as you normally would, and overlap the rest of the paper around your plants, soak with water, and cover with mulch. Voila! Your weeds are gone, and the newspaper industry enjoys a roaring rebound coast to coast as Americans finally get wise on this whole computer fad.

Scott Rothstein linked to 1919 Black Sox scandal?: Let me admit I have no specific proof that disgraced Fort Lauderdale lawyer and accused scam artist Scott Rothstein (pictured) is a distant relative of Arnold Rothstein, the club owner behind ther 1919 Black Sox thrown-World Series scandal. But neither have I seen any indication the two are not related. (Arnold Rothstein, of course, was the inspiration for Jay Gatbsy's crooked business partner Meyer Wolfsheim in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." Scott Fitzgerald ... Scott Rothstein ... eerie, isn't it?)

On Meb Keflezighi: Meb Keflezighi won the New York City Marathon and feelgood headlines trumpeted his being the first U.S. runner since 1982 to win. Hmm. Meb was born in Eritrea (formerly part of Ethiopia) and learned to run there before coming to this country at age 12. Those headlines may have been literally correct since Keflezighi became a citizen, but should "first American since..." designations be reserved for those born and raised here? I'm just asking.

Latest round of thanks...: ...include Allentown (PA) Morning Call, Belleville (IL) News Democrat, Boston Globe, Boston's WBZ-FM, CBS-4 "SportsZone," Hartford Courant, Los Angeles Times, Merced (CA) Sun-Star, Sacramento Bee, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and, as always, 790 The Ticket.

Click back. Might be adding more stuff.

Twitter.comgregcote

Hurts to say, but credit to Yankees; plus litmus test for Dolphins; Joey Porter 2nd-dirtiest; Scott Rothstein shames local stars; Alan Ogg & more

[Hey it was LIVE CHAT WEDNESDAY in the Q&A Forum! Thanks for joining us today from 1-2 p.m. Click HERE to join live each week, to read past transcripts or to post questions any time].

Credit to Yankees. (Oh that hurt): I sure rooted for the Phillies last night to make it a true Fall Classic by gifting us with baseball's first seven-game World Series since 2002. Also I rooted for the Phils because, as a lifelong infantryman in Red Sox Nation, I instinctively root against the Yankees in any way possible. Having said that, give NYY credit. They had the best team, played like it, and deserve the title. Resist any urge, please, to now complain that the Yankees "bought" the title with their spending. Please! That's what good franchises and good owners are supposed to do! They are supposed to spend enough to win big. It would be disengenuous of me to constantly complain about the Marlins' cheap ownership (which I do), then turn around and fault a team for over-spending. Besides, spending alone guarantees nothing, as the Yankees themselves proved most of this decade. You still have to prove it on the field. There, your fat wallet can't swing the bat for you or make a 3-2 pitch. So, with grudging respect from a Red Sox fan, I say congratulations Yankees.

Pats the ultimate test awaiting Dolphins:

The Jets bring the noise, annoyance and nonsense to the Dolphins' schedule, for sure. But the Patriots -- led by genius-coach Bill Belichick and pretty-boy QB Tom Brady (pcitured) -- bring the true test, the measuring stick. That's why this coming week defines the season and its playoff hopes for Miami. Click here for today's column by me on the Dolphins' biggest game of the season.

Scoop! Porter a dirty player!: A new Sports Illustrated poll of NFL player names Dolphin Joey Porter tied for second-dirtiest with 6% of the vote, equalling Albert Haynesworth. Dirtiest of all? Hines Ward. Story here. 

Chris Chambers available. but goes elsewhere: The Chargers cut ex-Dolphins wide receiver Chris Chambers. Wouldn't he have been an upgrade to Miami's WR corps? Yes. Wasn't he still good enough to be in the mix with Camarillo/Bess/Hartline/Ginn? Yes. Alas, the Chiefs claimed Chambers off waivers.

Blog exclusive!: Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline and two team cheerleaders today were caught in broad daylight (pictured) stealing items from a Rooms to Go truck and -- whu? Wait. Really? Oh. Sorry. Umm, it turns out this was not a daylight crime at all, but rather an off-day charity event.

Disgraced lawyer embarrasses local sports: Apparent financial shenanigans by disgraced Fort Lauderdale lawyer Scott Rothstein (pictured), of the firm Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, has links to major South Florida players in sports. Rothstein has appeared in advertisements with Dan Marino and Alonzo Mourning, for example, and the RRA firm also is a major advertiser with local sports clients including the Panthers. Click here for the news story on the man who has embarrassed local sports by association.  

Heat novelty player dies: Sad news. Former Heat reserve center Alan Ogg has died at 42. Click here for the story.Ogg played for Miami in 1990-92 and became something of a fan favorite because of his odd surname and 7-2 frame. Fans would chant his name lately in games, hoping he'd get some garbage time.

Poker question: I'm not a huge poker player, so let me ask you something. When competing in a tournament, is it permissable to intentionally distract your opponent with (to use a totally random example) your choice of attire? I'm just wondering.

Why? Because if I am dead, how much enjoyment will I get out of a $5,000 casket?: So let me go out on the cheap.

Click back. Will be adding more stuff here later.

Love,

Twitter.com/gregcote

Dolfan Satisfaction Meter: 85.5%

[Dolphins-Jets game post is in blog directly below this. Comments specific to game are encouraged there. Comments on game in context of season as whole are encouraged here].

Results are in and Dolfans are pleased to the tune of 85.5 percent in the wake of Sunday's 30-25 win at the New York Jets, according to the latest Dolfan Satisfaction Meter poll. (Interesting dynamic at play here. The Dolphins are only 3-4, yet fan satisfaction is much higgher than that of UM fans, whose Hurricanes are 6-2). 

Back in the blog for a second season, the DSM is a continuous gauge of how fans are feeling about the team and its direction. Right after each game, I invite fans to share their overall degree of satisfaction. Criteria for voting is your own, but I suggest fans consider the most recent game's performance, the season as a whole, the direction the club is heading and your overall degree of optimism -- all in the context of reasonable expectations.

Poll and comments section stay open; however, poll results are certified official on midnight the day after the game, meaning midnight Monday in this case.

Season results may be found beneath the current poll.

Online Surveys & Market Research

DOLFAN SATISFACTION METER: Season Results

Game 1: 9.9% satisfaction (3.0 very, 6.9 somewhat) after 19-7 loss at Atlanta.

Game 2: 22.3% satisfaction (3.9 very, 18.4 somewhat) after 27-23 loss vs. Indianapolis.

Game 3: 6.4% satisfaction (3.7 very, 2.7 somewhat) after 23-13 loss at San Diego.

Game 4: 79.4% satisfaction (34.2 very, 45.2 somewhat) after 38-10 victory vs. Buffalo.

Game 5: 97.1% satisfaction (65.0 very, 32.1 somewhat) after 31-27 victory vs. N.Y. Jets.

Game 6: 25.2% satisfaction (5.5 very, 19.7 somewhat) after 46-34 loss vs. New Orleans.

Game 7: 85.5% satisfaction (23.3 very, 62.2 somewhat) following 30-25 victory at N.Y. Jets.

Next poll: Nov. 8 following game at New England.

G7: Dolphins 30, New York Jets 25 (Final); Huge road win as Miami beats stinkin' Jets a-Ginn!

[Note: The latest Dolfan Satisfaction Meter poll is up and running in separate blogpost just above this one. Let's vote!].

FINAL: Ted Ginn, beloved hero! What a bizarre game. Not much offense from Miami, but two kickoff-return touchdowns of 100 and 101 yards by Ginn, a defensive score from Jason Taylor and timely defense at the end are enough. Dolphins improve to 3-4 and, more important, 3-0 in division. And Ginn, stripped of his starting job at wide receiver, gains his redemption.

FOURTH QUARTER: Randy Starks big sack and Dolphins deny 4th down pass! ..... Chad Henne takes too many sacks!! ..... Jets pull within 30-25 with 5:52 left on Dustin Keller TD catch. Two-point pass wiped out by penalty, then second attempt fails. That's big. ..... Excuse me. Dolphins offense? Lil' help, please? And they answered. Chad Henne short TD flip to Joey Haynose completes first offensive TD drive of day and gives Miami a 30-19 cushion -- Dolphs' fourth straight game with 30 or more points. Missed the two-point try, though. Why'd they go for two? Shouldn't have.

THIRD QUARTER: NYJ keeps climbing back into this game just when it seems momentum is all Miami's. Now it's a 19-yard Braylon Edwards TD catch to make it 24-19. Dolphins deny Jets the two-point conversion. ..... Ted Ginn with another 100-yard kickoff return touchdown. Astounding! ..... Davone Bess muffs punt; turnover gives NYJ ball inside Miami 30, Jets convert mistake into short Sanchez TD run to draw within 17-13 . ..... Jason Taylor returns fumble for touchdown and suddenly Miami is in charge 17-6. Amazing. Offense doing nothing, but TDs by special-teams and defense have Dolphins in charge. ..... Ted Ginn 100-yard kickoff return touchdown gives Miami 10-6 lead. OK Ginn,we love you again. Still not so much as a receiver. But as a return guy, you're OK pal! ..... Jay Feely career-long 55-yard FG puts Planes up 6-3. Looks like a World Series score. Mariano Rivera warming up in bullpenp for New York.

HALFTIME: Chad Henne and the league's worst wide receivers not getting much done. Mark Sanchez looking bad, too. Not quite sure if this is a titanic defensive show or just a bad game. 

SECOND QUARTER: Dolphins on board with 48-yard Dan Carpenter field goal just inside 2-minute warning. Did not peg this for a defensive struggle ..... Signs of life with Ricky Williams' 28-yard catch and run, but then another punt. ..... Jay Feely chipshot gives Planes 3-0 lead early in second, after Sean Smith could not make a goalline interception that he might have returned nearly 100 yards. Based on the rookie's reaction, I think he thought he should have made the play.  

FIRST QUARTER: Dolphins go entire first quarter with no first downs, minimal offense. ..... Nice hit by Gibril Wilson on Mark Sanchez. When those rare opportunities come to compliment Wilson, you take them. ..... Ted Ginn not in starting lineup. That was that big cheer heard eminating from South Florida.

PREGAME: Jets wearing their ridiculous-looking throwup throwback uniforms. ..... Three of the five talking heads on ESPN just picked the Dolphins. A bit surprised. ..... Welcome, blogonians. No Channing Crowder today, although Planes' D will miss Kris Jenkins more than Miami's misses Crowder. ..... Speaking of the ex-Gator, quick note from covering yesterday's Cocktail Party: Herschel Walker attends the Fla-Ga game every year in Jax but was conspicuously not present Saturday because he couldn't bear to see Tim Tebow break his SEC TDs record.  

Original post:

The Dolphins today commence a brutal schedule stretch of schedule -- four of the next five games and six of the next eight are on the road -- at the national seat of boorishness, otherwise known as "at Jets." [Pictured here: Each franchise's original logo in honor of the AFL's 50th anniversary. Fair to say this is close to a must-win scenario for Miami (2-4). Also fair to say the next two games (at Patriots follows) will define Miami's chances in the AFC East, and thus in the playoff race. Will be interested to see if last week's demoralizing, blown-lead home loss by Miami seems to have any carryover effect. Expect a rough, tough, physical game. Expect both teams stacking to stop the other's running game -- meaning the likelihood of much opportunity for Chad Henne and Mark Sanchez. I'm on record forecasting a 27-20 Jets victory, but not feeling real certain either way.

What say ye? Your thoughts invited here, before and during and after today's game.

Join us here for an Unofficial Semi-Live Boutique Blog commencing just before kickoff.

Then look for the latest edition of our Dolfan Satisfaction Meter poll series in a separate post approximately 30 minutes after the final whistle.

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll: 59.8%

[Game post is located directly below this in blog. Comments specific to today's UM game are encouraged there. Comments on the result in the context of the whole season are encouraged here].

Hurricanes fans are moderately satisfied, to the tune of 59.8 percent overall in the latest Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll, in the wake of UM's 28-27 escape at Wake Forest Saturday on a last-minute touchdown. It's 13.4% very satisfied and 46.4% somewhat satisfied as the Canes improved to 6-2.

The CSM, new to the blog this season, is a continuing gauge of how UM fans are feeling about the team and season. Polls are posted following the conclusion of every Canes game. Season results appear beneath the latest poll.

The criteria for voting is your own, but I suggest you consider the most recent game's performance, the season as a whole, the program's direction, and your overall degree of optimism -- all in the context of reasonable expectations.

Poll and comments section stay open, but results become official on midnight the day after each game; in this case midnight Sunday.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter season results:

Game 1: 98.9 percent satisfaction (72.3 very, 26.6 somewhat) following 38-34 victory at FSU.

Game 2: 99.5 percent satisfaction (89.0 very, 10.5 somewhat) following 33-17 victory vs. Georgia Tech.

Game 3: 65.3 percent satisfaction (24.9 very, 40.4 somewhat) following 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech.

Game 4: 99.0 percent satisfaction (87.5 very, 11.5 somewhat) following 21-20 victory vs. Oklahoma.

Game 5: 99.0 percent satisfaction (76.4 very, 22.6 somewhat) following 48-16 victory over Florida A&M.

Game 6: 97.1 percent satisfaction (71.5 very, 25.6 somewhat) following 27-7 victory at Central Florida.

Game 7: 44.1 percent satisfaction (15.5 very, 28.6 somewhat) following 40-37 OT loss vs. Clemson.

Game 8: 59.8 percent satisfaction (13.4 very, 46.4 somewhat) followiung 28-27 win at Wake Forest.

Next poll: Nov. 7 following home game vs. Virginia.

Do you believe in miracles? Hurricanes 28, Wake Forest 27; plus Gators rout Georgia, plus FIU wins & more

Collball Week 9 roundup and a Happy Halloween!:

[Note: The latest Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll is up and running in a separate post just above this one. Look for it and vote!]

No. 19 Miami 28, Wake Forest 27: Miracle finish as UM overcomes a game-long deficit to take the lead with a minute left on a Jacory Harris TD pass. Wow. UM dug itself an early 17-0 hole and seemed headed for a second straight loss before rallying. Miami now 6-2, ACC hopes still alive. [Original post: Let's see how the Hurricanes (5-2), missing a few key injured players, respond to last week's crushing 40-37 overtime home loss to Clemson. Wake (4-4) is not bad, but should not present a loss-risk for UM. Should not. For example, Wake recently lost to Clemson, 38-3. But The U is a very modest 6 1/2-point favorite, which should make a Canes fan a bit nervous. (By the way, who at Wake Forest decided a crotchety old man would make a great mascot?) Your thoughts welcome here before, during and of course after today's game. 

Week's other FBS/Division 1 state games:

South Florida 30, No. 21 West Virginia 19: Friday night upset could lift 6-2 Bulls back into polls.

Florida State 45, North Carolina State 42: Seminoles got back up to .500 at 4-4 with another sterling display of defense to continue to stave off the wolves at Bobby Bowden's door.

FIU 20, Louisiana-Lafayette 17 (OT):) Golden Panthers (now 2-6) put a little smile on a disappointing season with a rare stout showing defensively.

No. 1 Florida 41, Georgia 17 in Jacksonville: World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party was just that for Gators, a party, as Florida improved to 8-0, led by four TDs by Tim Tebow and four interceotions by the defense. A complete swamping. I'm up in J'ville columnizing on the game and it should be posted by later this evening.

Middle Tennessee State 27, FAU 20: Owls now 2-5 after disappointing home loss.

Marshall @ Central Florida, 8:15 Sunday: Knights are 4-3 and a one-touchdown fave over the Herd.

National game of the day: Looking like a tie between No. 3 Texas at No. 14 Oklahoma State and No. 5 Southern Cal at No. 10 Oregon. Could be Shakeup Staturday in the BCS rankings.

COTE'S TOP 30-PLUS

Our own rankings of the top 30 teams entering Week 9, plus any other state schools wit points:

Rank Team Points (LW)

1 FLORIDA  807 (1)

2 Texas 773 (2)

3 Alabama 757 (3)

4 Southern Cal 692 (4)

5 Boise State 617 (6)

6 Louisiana State 616 (5)

7 Penn State 567 (8)

8 Virginia Tech 566 (7)

9 Ohio State 545 (9)

10 TCU 510 (10)

11 Oklahoma State 475 (11)

12 Cincinnati 466 (13)

13 Oklahoma 447 (12)

14 MIAMI 410 (15)

15 Mississippi 397 (14)

16 Georgia Tech 354 (18)

17 Brigham Young 353 (16)

18 Iowa 345 (19)

19 Oregon 307 (t20)

20 California 306 (17)

21 Kansas 246 (t20)

22 Houston 237 (24)

23 Nebraska 221 (22)

24 Georgia 197 (23)

25 Utah 193 (25)

26 Notre Dame 129 (27)

27 Pittsburgh 123 (31)

28    North Carolina 117 (26)

29 South Carolina 99 (34)

30 Missouri 97 (28)

33 SOUTH FLORIDA 78 (32)

34 FLORIDA STATE 77 (33)

Note: We are test-driving this cumulative formula in this first season for our rankings. Teams tend to move more gradually, up or down, in our rankings than in others. Let's see how ours look come bowl-time.

NFL Week 8 picks: Jets beat Dolphins; plus Ted Ginn a bust? (with poll); Heat outlook (with poll); Yanks even series, Griese, dog-Pope & more

DOLPHINS, FAVRE LOSE: Building a moat against sharply incredulous e-mails or comments, I would remind that predicting a Dolphins loss is not the same as wishing for one; well, except to the extent that once the choice is made I do root for my picks. Nobody dislikes the J-E-T-S! or their annoying, bellicose fans more than I. But intangibles here side with NYJ and I make it 27-20. [Your dissent is welcome. How do you see the game going and why?] Click on Week 8 Gems for all my latest picks, which include Brett Favre losing the Favre Bowl at Lambeau Field, and Bills beating Texans in our Upset of the Week. "Aawwk!" Click on Favre-Cam for my Friday Page NFL notes column.

HEAT OPEN "BRIDGE" SEASON:

I say that because expectations are modest (Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Mag both pick Miami for No. 8 playoff seeds) and all eyes are on the 2010-11 season and whether Dwyane Wade will re-sign and what blockbuster Pat Riley will conjure in free agency. This season is like a way-station. Although the development of Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers certainly will weigh in Wade's stay-or-go decision. (I like getting Beasley in the starting lineup and accelerating that progress; sorry Udonis). Weigh in on what you realistically expect of this season and why. [Thursday update: Heat opened with a big home win over Knicks last night, on a combined 69 points from Wade, Jermaine O'Neal and Beasley. Here's the wet blanket. Knicks are sub-awful. Click here for my column off the game].   

Online Surveys & Market Research

THE REFERENDUM ON TED GINN JR.: It's time to call Ginn a draft bust. Sorry. Watching his Sunday performance help bury the Dolphins finally convinced me. Click here for my column on the matter. But that's just me. You count, too. What's your take on Ginn and why? Take a dip in our poll and expound.

Online Surveys & Market Research

[Blognote: The above is our latest poll to blast past 1,000 votes in the first 24 hours. Keep 'em comin!]

WORLD SERIES: YANKS TIE PHILS, 1-1: I'll stick with my pick -- New York in six games -- less nervously now that Yanks won last night 3-1 on A.J. Burnett's gem to even the series 1-1. Swings to Philly for Game 3 Saturday night. This series is the choice from hell for someone like me, a born-and-raised Red Sox fan who counts the Marlins his second-most-passionately held team. Yanks-Phils are enemies I and II. Any way they can both lose? No? Consolation prize: No matter the outcome, I get to see either Yankees fans or Phillies fans dissolved to that exquisite combination of silent and sad.

WHIPPLE-SHANNON: My feeling is that Canes offensive chief Mark Whipple overreacted with his TV-captured sideline incredulity over Randy Shannon calling a timeout Saturday before Whipple would have liked. Also, I think too much has been made of it. 

BOB GRIESE'S 'OOPS' COMMENT: So on a college football telecast Bob Griese, a humor-challenged man attempting a quip, says that NASCAR's Juan Pablo Montoya isn't on some list because he's "out having a taco." OHMIGODPOLITICALLYINCORRECT! Bob cries our pardon on the air but it isn't enough so he's suspended by his backlash-fearing network for a week. Who's offended? More important, are we offended because Bob apparently mistook Montoya (who is Colombian) for Mexican? What if he'd at least been more accurate with his stereotype and said Pablo was "out having an arepa"? Better? Same? What if Bob had said a driver with an Irish name was "out having a potato"? Are we too sensitive? I think so. I may be wrong.

TWITTER CLAIMS LATEST VICTIM: Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, disciplined by team for berating coach Todd Haley on his Twitter page and later for using a homophobic slur. Offending-by-Twitter is to me a bit worse than a Griese-esque off-the-cuff remark because taking the time to make something fit within 140 characters requires thought and cannot be claimed to be spontaneous. Dear Athletes: The stereotype that sports stars in general are not all that bright is gaining some of its best evidence in the way so many of you Tweet yourselves in the foot. Funny!

DEAR GREG...: ...Your blog's OK but would be much better if occasionally you would show a picture of a housewife baking a pie. Thank you.

MAN'S MOUTH FULL OF COCKROACHES: I have given instances before of Guinness having way too many categories for world records. Need one more example? A man from Lansing, Mich., named Sean Murphy has set a Guinness world record by stuffing 16 live Madagascar hissing cockroaches into his mouth. The story and unfortunate video may be found here. On a scale of sad spectacles to get attention, this isn't quite as sad as lying about your young son being carried away by a hot-air balloon. But almost.

ESPN FIRES PHILANDERER STEVE PHILLIPS: Speaking of dumbasses.

McGWIRE CRAWLS OUT OF EXILE: And in other baseball news, Mark McGwire has been hired as the Cardinals new hitting coach by manager Tony LaRussa, apparently the only man left on Earth who doesn't believe that Mr. I'm Not Here To Talk About The Past is a PED-tainted cancer whose very association might embarrass a club.

MY DOG IS DRESSING AS THE POPE FOR HALLOWEEN: What. You didn't believe me?

[Twitter.com/gregcote]

[Blognote: Our Collball Week 9 post leading with UM at Wake Forest will be up Saturday morning].

Dolfan Satisfaction Meter poll: 25.2%

[Click on Self-Inflicted Wounds for my column off the game].

The latest Dolfan Satisfaction Meter results show overall fan satisfaction has fallen to 25.2 percent, the lowest total in three weeks, following Sunday's blown lead and 46-34 loss to the visiting New Orleans Saints that left Miami's season record at 2-4.

Back in the blog for a second season, the DSM is a continuous gauge of how fans are feeling about the team and its direction. Right after each game, I invite fans to share their overall degree of satisfaction. Criteria for voting is your own, but I suggest fans consider the most recent game's performance, the season as a whole, the direction the club is heading and your overall degree of optimism -- all in the context of reasonable expectations.

Poll and comments section stay open; however, poll results are certified official on midnight the day after the game, meaning midnight Monday in this case.

Season results may be found beneath the current poll.

Online Surveys & 

DOLFAN SATISFACTION METER: Season Results

Game 1: 9.9% satisfaction (3.0 very, 6.9 somewhat) after 19-7 loss at Atlanta.

Game 2: 22.3% satisfaction (3.9 very, 18.4 somewhat) after 27-23 loss vs. Indianapolis.

Game 3: 6.4% satisfaction (3.7 very, 2.7 somewhat) after 23-13 loss at San Diego.

Game 4: 79.4% satisfaction (34.2 very, 45.2 somewhat) after 38-10 victory vs. Buffalo.

Game 5: 97.1% satisfaction (65.0 very, 32.1 somewhat) after 31-27 victory vs. N.Y. Jets.

Game 6: 25.2% satisfaction (5.5 very, 19.7 somewhat) after 46-34 loss vs. New Orleans.

Next poll: Sunday, Nov. 1 following game at N.Y. Jets.

New Orleans 46, Dolphins 34 (Final); Miami blows 21-point lead in crushing home loss

[Note: The latest DOLFAN SATISFACTION METER poll is up and accepting your votes in a separate blogpost just above this one. Look for it and vote!].

FINAL: Good Lord but what a monumental collapse, from a 24-3 lead late in the first half to a 46-34 defeat. Wow. Crushing. Click on Self-Inflicted Wounds for my column off the game,.

FOURTH QUARTER: Tracy Porter interception-return TD for Saints and that's the ballgame at 46-34; two-point pass failed. ..... Saints add 20-yard FG and grow lead to 40-34 with 3 minutes and change left. ..... Awfully dumb penalty by Joey Porter. ..... Anthony Fasano must make that catch. ..... Drew Brees sneaks in from 2 to give Saints their first lead at 37-34. It's been all New Orleans ever since Miami led by 24-3 late in first half. Potentially huge missed extra point, though. ..... Jeremy Shockey 56-yard catch and run to Miami 13. Sets up a 10-yard TD run by Reggie Bush on a double-reverse. This game has gone crazy, by the way. Hope you had the "over."

THIRD QUARTER: Henne to Brian Hartline for 67 yards to the Saints 4, then Ricky Williams punches it in for a 34-24 lead. ..... Brees to Colston 10-yard TD quiets crowd, draws Saints within 27-24 late in third. ..... Miami forces Drew Brees fumble; Randy Starks recovers at Saints 15. Turnover results in Carpenter 33-yard FG and 27-17 lead with 5:59 left in quarter. ..... Dolphins offense must get going. When I said 24 points probably wouldn't win this game, I wasn't kidding. ..... Nathan Jones just won a goalline fight with Marques Colston for the ball. Coulda been a tying TD; instead, Miami ball. ..... Miami must find a way to reclaim momentum and the crowd. ..... Darren Sharper interception and 42-yard return off deflection for TD trims Miami's lead to a now-nervous 24-17. This guy Sharper has made a career of this. Play upheld by review. ..... Miami can't play safe and nurse this lead. Not sure 24 points wins this game.

HALF: Dolphins with a nice lead after a great first half, but Saints' last-second TD made a game of it. Do not discount Drew Brees' ability to score quickly. Don't think Miami should have called that late timeout. Think N.O. might have settled for a FG without it. Not much offense from either side apart from Ricky Williams' 68-yard scoring run, with two Miami TDs set up by interceptions. Loving my upset pick right now, of course, but sure not ready to claim victory

SECOND QUARTER: Saints finally cross goalline (barely) when ruling is that Marques Colston reaches across line on 21-yard catch, with 5 seconds left in half. BUT NO! Review puts ball at half-yard line. Then Saints in for real when Brees jumps and reaches across line. ..... Davone Bess loses fumble after catch; one of few mistakes by Miami so far. Play upheld by review. ..... Jason Allen with a big special-teams play. No, seriously. Then a big Yeremiah Bell sack forces a N'Awlins punt. ..... Saints miss 49-yard FG wide left. ..... Dolphins pick off Brees again, this time Reggie Torbor off a deflection at line. Ball at Saints 19 results, and soon after that Ronnie Brown bulls across the 8 for a 24-3 Dolphins lead. Oh my! ..... Greg Camarillo 24-yard catch helps set up 32-yard Dan Carpenter FG and 17-3 Dolphin lead.

FIRST QUARTER: Saints punt after Brees 3rd-down pass deflected at line. ..... Ageless Ricky Williams 68-yard TD run gives Miami 14-3 lead, a career-long run for Ricky. ..... Saints' Courtney Roby 87-yard kick return follows Miami score and sets up Saints at 21. Sack of Brees forces FG try. The 46-yard FG is good and N.O. within 7-3. ..... Tyrone Culver INT of Drew Brees pass and 23-yard return sets up Ricky Williams 4-yard TD run from Wildcat and 7-0 lead. ..... Instant-replay machine malfunction erases Saints challenge of Davone Bess first-down catch. Oy! But series ends in Miami punt. ..... Saints punt ends game's first possession. ..... Game on!

PREGAME: In a brief pregame ceremony, the Dolphins' weekly inactive list was named in honor of Matt Roth. ..... They're introducing the Dolphins' defense to the crowd. Let's hope the Dolphins' defense introduces itself to Drew Brees. .....  Quick scan suggests better than typical number of opposing fans today. I'm not talking Jets, but seeing lots of fleur de lis. Who dat! ..... Greg Cote's 400th Tweet (Twitter.com/gregcote) passes with little fanfare. I'll celebrate at 1,000. Celebrating at 400 would be like honoring a Super Bowl loser. Ziinng! ..... Have an eye out to see if Bob Griese shows up and insults any minorities. Nothing yet. ..... Club honoring its 1982 and '84 AFC championship teams today, and so the honorary pregame captains are Bob Baumhower, Doug Betters, Mark Clayton, A.J. Duhe, Mark Duper, Don Strock, Dwight Stephenson and Fulton Walker. I STILL say it's weird to have a big ceremony honoring Super Bowl losers. Sorry. ..... Hello all. Very sunny and humid. And Saints, a dome team, are in black jerseys. Feeling better and better about my upset pick. 

Original post:

Here comes one of those pivotal, season-shaping games. Two wins in a row have hauled the Dolphins up from an early abyss into sort of a feel-good place that allows playoff dreams. An upset home victory today over the unbeaten, high-flying New Orleans Saints would announce to the league that the Dolphins are, indeed, a team to be reckoned with.

I'm on record predicting a 27-24 upset by Miami. My thinking is that the Dolphins will be able to control the ball and limit Drew Brees' time on the field. Also thinking this is a sandwich game for the Saints emotionally. Beating the Giants last week and next week's game vs. division-rival Atlanta both are more important to N.O. than this game is.

Your thoughts on today's matchup are invited before, during and after today's late-afternoon-into-evening game. Join us here for an Unofficial, Semi-Live Boutique Blog from the stadium starting just before the game. Then look out for the latest edition of our Dolfan Satisfaction Meter poll in a separate post soon after the final whistle.

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter: 44.1%

[Comments specific to today's UM loss to Clemson are directed to the game post just below this. Comments on the season as a whole and how satisfied Canes fans should be are directed here].

The latest Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll results are in, and overall satisfaction has fallen to a season-low 44.1 percent in the wake Saturday's 40-37 home loss in overtime to Clemson that dropped UM's season record to 5-2. That breaks down to 15.5% who are "very" satisfied and 28.6% who are "somewhat" satisfied.

he CSM, new to the blog this season, is a continuing gauge of how UM fans are feeling about the team and season. Polls are posted following the conclusion of every Canes game. Season results appear beneath the latest poll.

The criteria for voting is your own, but I suggest you consider the most recent game's performance, the season as a whole, the program's direction, and your overall degree of optimism -- all in the context of reasonable expectations.

Poll and comments section stay open, but results become official on midnight the day after each game; in this case midnight Monday.

Complete season results may be found beneath the current poll. 

Online Surveys & Market Research

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter season results:

Game 1: 98.9 percent satisfaction (72.3 very, 26.6 somewhat) following 38-34 victory at FSU.

Game 2: 99.5 percent satisfaction (89.0 very, 10.5 somewhat) following 33-17 victory vs. Georgia Tech.

Game 3: 65.3 percent satisfaction (24.9 very, 40.4 somewhat) following 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech.

Game 4: 99.0 percent satisfaction (87.5 very, 11.5 somewhat) following 21-20 victory vs. Oklahoma.

Game 5: 99.0 percent satisfaction (76.4 very, 22.6 somewhat) following 48-16 victory over Florida A&M.

Game 6: 97.1 percent satisfaction (71.5 very, 25.6 somewhat) following 27-7 victory at Central Florida.

Game 7: 44.1 percent satisfaction (15.5 very, 28.6 somewhat) following 40-37 OT loss vs. Clemson.

Next poll: Oct. 31 following game at Wake Forest.

Clemson 40, Hurricanes 37 (Final, OT); plus Gators, FIU, FAU & more

COLLBALL. THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 8 POST: Ranking numbers listed are Bowl Championship Series rankings, because, starting now, well, that's pretty much all that matters. Makes no never mind whether you personally like the BCS or not, Lord Fauntleroy. The BCS is "The Man."

CLEMSON 40, No. 10 MIAMI 37 (OT): 

Oh my. Oh no. What a wild game, but such a terrible ending at home for UM in overtime, Clemson winning on a touchdown pass that affirmed what a disappointing day Miami's defense had. Turnovers, mistakes, poor D -- tough to say the Canes didn't bring on this loss themselves.

Big picture? A crusher. Hopes of an ACC championship are greatly damaged. Hopes of winning up into the national-championship picture, however slim, are now erased. The overall season mark of 5-2 is still solid, but this was a gut-punch.

Your thoughts on today's loss are invited. The latest Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll is now up and running in a separate post just above this one. Look for it and vote. Meantime, vent. 

Original post: 

Midday Saturday and the heat'll be on in all regards. UM needs to win out to have a chance for the national championship -- yes, I am beating that drum -- and this figures to be one of the biggest remaining tests, with Clemson bringing a hefty pass rush to challenge Jacory Harris. Also concerned about Tigers return game vs. UM's special teams. Betting line favoring Canes dropped during week from 6 to 4 1/2 points, meaning a lot of money was flowing to Clemson. Nevertheless, I like Canes (5-1) taking care of business at home.

Weigh in here before, during and after on the Canes game and on anything else on the Collball platter. Look for the latest edition of our Canesfan Satisfaction Meter poll in a separate post just after the UM game ends.

Week 8's other FBS state action:

FSU 30, North Carolina 27: Huge Thursday night road win for the struggling Bowdens at Butch Davis. UNC was a narrow favorite. Noles now 3-4, 1-3 in ACC

No. 20 Pittsburgh 41, South Florida 14: Dave Wannstedt & mustache are partyin'!

Central Florida 49, Rice 7: Rice is so bad, Uncle Ben was picketing the game.

FAU 51, Louisiana-Lafayette 29: Huge road win for the slight-underdog Owls. "Go Howard, go Howard, g-g-go Howaard!" FAU now 2-4 but, more important, 2-1 in the Sun Belt.

Arkansas State 27, FIU 10: Golden Panthers fall to 1-6. What else need be said?

No. 1 Florida 29, Mississippi State 19: Looked a name-your-score special, but The Gator (like Alabama) struggled a bit to survive.

UM NATIONAL-TITLE TRACKER

Well, this was something new that we planned to do every week as long as Miami kept winning and stayed in the hunt -- tracking the results of every team ranked above the No. 10 Canes in the BCS rankings. Umm, et's just consider the idea stillborn and move on.

COTE'S TOP 30-PLUS

Rank Team Points (LW)

1 FLORIDA 718 (1)

2 Texas 689 (2)

3 Alabama 669 (3)

4 Southern Cal 611 (4)

5 Louisiana State 550 (5)

6 Boise State 543 (6)

7 Virginia Tech 514 (7t)

8 Penn State 508 (9)

9 Ohio State 502 (7t)

10 TCU 437 (11t)

11 Oklahoma State 422 (11t)

12 Oklahoma 420 (10)

13 Cincinnati 390 (14)

14 Mississippi 374 (13)

15 MIAMI 370 (15)

16 Brigham Young 340 (17)

17 California 298 (16)

18 Georgia Tech 294 (18)

19 Iowa 274 (21)

20t Oregon 246 (23t)

20t Kansas 246 (19t)

22 Nebraska 221 (20)

23 Georgia 197 (22)

24 Houston 191 (24)

25 Utah 157 (25)

26 North Carolina 117 (26)

27 Notre Dame 111 (27)

28 Missouri 97 (28)

29 Michigan 81 (29)

30 Auburn 79 (30)

31t SOUTH FLORIDA 78 (32t)

33 FLORIDA STATE 77 (31)

Cote Top-30-Plus rankings explainer: Our rankings are cumulative, do not weigh head-to-head results, and utilize a formula that tends to make upward and downward movement less extreme than in other polls. This is an experimental formula that may not be perfect -- believe me, I hear from Canes fans! -- but will be more fairly judged in its entirety, late in the season as bowl games approach.

Postseason Baseblog 10-25: It's a Yankees-Phillies World Series!

Welcome to our MLB Postseason Baseblog! We update this post daily throughout the playoffs and invite you along for the ride. Included below: a poll on which playoff team you're rooting for to win the World Series. Share your predictions and why.

WORLD SERIES:

Phillies-Yankees commencing Wednesday night.

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:

Philadelphia Phillies win series over Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-1: [My preseries pick: Close call. Even. I think the world of Joe Torre, but Phils led NL in runs and have the offensive pop to overcome L.A.'s home-field edge. Philadelphia, 4-3].

New York Yankees win series over Los Angeles Angels, 4-2: In G6 tonight in da Bronx the yanks clinched 5-2. [My preseries pick: Not for nothing did the Yanks have the best record in baseball. And now A-Rod's October bat is awake? Look out. New York, 4-2]. 

NL DIVISION SERIES:

Three sweeps and a 3-1 series. So much for parity. I wen`t 2-for-4. That's good for a batting average, not so good for predicting division series. How my picks squared with actual results:

Philadelphia Phillies win series over Colorado Rockies, 3-1: Phillies won G4 last night 5-4 on a two-out, 9th-inning rally led by Ryan Howard's two-run double. [My preseries take: Marlins fans will be wishing the other way on this series, but Philadelphia has more pitching depth and better offense. Wild-card Colorado doesn't have much in the starting rotation beyond Ubaldo Jimenez. Pick: Phils in phive I mean 5].

Los Angeles Dodgers sweep St. Louis Cardinals, 3-0: Wow. Maybe not a stunning upset, but St. Lou was the NL betting favorite in Vegas to reach the World Series. [My preseries take: Way off. I'd said, "Cards have two legit aces, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, either one of whom could and should win the Cy Young, Oh yeah, and some guy named Albert Pujols. Dodgers good. Birds better. Pick: St. Louis in 4"].

AL DIVISION SERIES

New York Yankees sweep Minnesota Twins, 3-0: The big story probably was Alex Rodriguez shaking off his reputation for October shrinkage with a couple of home runs. Click here to read about the Yanks' secret weapon, pictured left. [My preseries take: A bull's-eye. I'd written, "Minnesota is a feelgood story after getting in through that playoff and being a low-budget team a la the Marlins, but Twins' chances are Minny. Zero, actually. New York bats will overwhelm 'Sota pitching. Pick: Yanks in 3. Sweep"]. 

Los Angeles Angels sweep Boston Red Sox, 3-0: Angels clinched yesterday when Jonathan Papelbon played Papel-bum. Excuse me while I softly weep. [My preseries take: Misfire. I'd written, "Toughest call of the four by far. Even teams, but I give wild-card Bosox slight edge in both offense and pitching. Then again, as an infantryman in Red Sox Nation since before the term was invented -- named my first cat Yaz -- I can't even pretend impartiality here. Pick: Boston in 5"]. Click on Alex's Ordeal for an interesting story on what Red Sox SS Alex Gonzalez, the former Marlin, has been going through personally. 

EXCLUSIVE! MARLINS IN PLAYOFFS!: Well, ex-Marlins, anyway. Still alive: Yankees Joe Girardi and A.J. Burnett and Dodger Juan Pierre. Now out: Red Soxers Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell and Alex Gonzalez; and Twins Carl Pavano and Mike Redmond.

THE WHO-ARE-YOU-ROOTING-FOR? POLL

Online Surveys & Market Research

Just below in the blog: NFL Week 5 picks post and more...

[Twitter.com/gregcote]

Should Dolphins honor Super Bowl losers? (with poll); plus NFL Week 7 picks, Isiah-Magic, lukewarm Heat, designer homeless blankets & more

DOLPHINS UPSET SAINTS. BANK IT!: Yeah you heard right. Dolphins stop Drew Brees, whup best team in football. Agreed? Click on Week 7 Gems for all of this week's prognosticatory marvels. Also check out my "National Foreign League" Friday-page column (click here) on the London-loving, globe-conquering NFL.

IN PRAISE OF SECOND PLACE?: The Dolphins, during Sunday's game here against the Saints, are honoring the club's 1982 and 1984 AFC Championship teams. Another way to put that might be, they are honoring the teams that lost the Super Bowl those seasons. Hmm. Really? Seriously? Have we become that desperate as a franchise to cheer something? I mean, I can see a franchise bereft of a Super Bowl title doing cartwheels over a runnerup finish. But a club with back-to-back championships including a Perfect Season (however distant) might want to keep the bar raised sufficiently high as to not start celebrating the "almosts." I may be wrong. How do you feel? I know this: Super Bowl losers get rings, too, and Dan Marino never wears his. What does that tell you?

Online Surveys & Market Research

THIS WHOLE ISIAH-MAGIC TIFF: I would begin by saying that, generally speaking, when something in a forthcoming bad sports book causes two former athletes to get into a media shout over something that happened ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO, I don't pay much attention. Not a big fan of corned beef rehash. I'll make a begrudging exception here only because Isiah Thomas is the FIU basketball coach now and so therefore marginally relevant locally. So if he's pissed "hurt" about something Magic Johnson says in a new book written by Magic and Larry Bird (via an actal writer who actually wrote it), then, OK, whatever. Click here for the new old-news story about this. Now let's get back to things happening this century, yes?

LUKEWARM HEAT: The Oct. 26 Sports llustrated NBA preview issue, whose theme is how so many teams have gotten better, forecasts the Heat to finish 8th in the East -- the bare edge of the playoffs -- with concerns about the supporting cast around Dwyane Wade. I'm not saying expectations are modest, but I do think the club could have aimed higher for a marketing slogan than, "We'll Be Better Than the Panthers!" Pictured at right: Heat guard Chris Quinn channels a 1940s mob apprentice-hitman. UPDATE: Just got some odds from Bodog. Heat 45-1 to win it all, tied for 11th best odds but well down from the favored lakers (2-1), Cavaliers (10-3) and Celtics (4-1). Miami 20-1 to win the East, where Cavs, Celts and Magic are prohibitive frontrunners. Scoring-average over/unders are 28.0 for Wade (No. 1 in the league), 15.6 for Michael Beasley, 13.4 for Jermaine O'Neal and 10.2 for Mario Chalmers. Wade is third pick for MVP after LeBron and Kobe. Heat over/under on wins is a mediocre 40.5.

BEDDING INSPIRED BY THE HOMELESS: Evidently it is becoming trendy to support the plight of the homeless (click here for story) by sleeping under expensive covers designed (see photo) to sort of look like cardboard boxes or something. For me, the only disconnect is, you are sleeping under these covers in a $400,000 home, with a flat-screen TV murmuring in the background as a BMW awaits in the circular drive. It would make as much sense (meaning none) to design cardboard boxes to look like designer comforters on behalf of the homeless. Also, I understand Bentley is coming out with a new model whose front grill is designed to look like a purloined shopping cart.

KATE HUDSON HAS YANKS 1 WIN FROM SERIES: Or so it says here. Kate Hudson always struck me as the kind of woman who would sleep in an expensive blanket designed to look like cardboard. I may be wrong.

AWW. POOR BERNIE MADOFF: Sorry, Bern (click here), but I just Googled the phrase "may you rot in hell" and saw your picture. 

RICHARD LEWIS VS. ROBIN WILLIAMS: Saw Lewis, one of my neurotic-comic heroes, a couple of weeks ago at Hard Rock Improv. Front-row seats (he looks his age; 62), and he was terrific. Saw Williams, not a hero, but a manic-comic I've admired, at the larger Hard Rock Live. Went in thinking Lewis was a tough act to follow. Went in expecting Williams, I dunno why, to sort of coast or be an SNL caricature of himself. Well -- blown away. Robin Williams was constant, laugh-out-loud funny. What a great performer, and great show. Of course I may or may not have been unduly influenced by having a VIP pass and, during the post-show meet-and-greet, being surprised to hear a long and surprisingly thoughtful response when I asked him, "Did you enjoy making Birdcage as much as I enjoyed watching it?"

PEOPLE I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE RIGHT NOW:

HEADLINES YOU THOUGHT YOU'D NEVER SEE: One in a series.

Click back. Might be adding more stuff to this post later. Then again, I always say that.

[Twitter.com/gregcote]

Displays of religion in sports: OK or no? (with poll); plus, double-dreaming on Canes, Dolphins; Marlins awards

[Angels stay alive; Postseason Baseblog newly updated in post just below this one].

RELIGION IN SPORTS: OK OR NAY?:

Please do not misinterpret my asking this question as blasphemy, or as an indication that I am an anti-religion heathen doing the devil's work. I know religion is an important, vital, comforting part of  many lives. I'm all for it. But I also think it is a personal expression that perhaps should be confined to the home or place of worship. I think kneeling and praying in an end zone is roughly as out of place as kneeling and praying in a supermarket aisle. I may be wrong. Is it an exercise of freedom of expression? Yes. But it's a matter of context. I wouldn't want my athletes espousing their political beliefs at the start of interviews, either. This story and video (click here) about a Minnesota Gophers mascot appearing to mock a Penn State player as he prays is an impetus for this post that I've been meaning to write for awhile. There are other examples all around of the mixing of religion and sports. The Dolphins, for instance, are the only NFL team to still have a pregame prayer. Is that appropriate? How many times have we heard an athlete asked a specific question about a game or play start by praising God or Jesus? Should there be a separation of church and sport? Take a dip in our poll and expound with a comment. Are you all for athletes using their professional stage as a platform for sharing their religious beliefs or do you consider that out of place?

Online Surveys & Market Research

DOUBLE-DREAMING ON CANES, DOLPHINS: I have a column online and in the paper today (click here) that will be misinterpreted by some as predicting UM and the Dolphins will emerge as champions this season. Wrong. Wrong. What the column does is lay out scenarios by which those things are possible. With the Canes I think there is a decent chance if they win out. With the Dolphins the next three weeks will tell, but Miami occupies the driver's seat in the AFC East at the moment and that's a good start. The column puts an unabashedly optimistic spin on both seasons, for which no apology shall be forthcoming.

HANLEY UP FOR AWARDS: Marlin Hanley Ramirez up for two major MLBPA Players Choice awards: overall Player of the Year (vs. Cards' Albert Pujols and Twins' Joe Mauer), and NL Outstanding Player (vs. Pujols and Brewers' Prince Fielder). Also, Chris Coghlan a finalist for NL rookie, and Nick Johnson for NL comeback player.

Click back. Probably adding more stuff to this post throughout the day...

[Twitter.com/gregcote]

Marino says Colts can match '72 Dolphins (with poll); plus BCS disses UM, Sanchez stinks, pinkmania, House of Tripe, gettin' it in the can & more

[Note: Postseason Baseblog 10-20 updated in post directly below this].

MEDIA PUTS '72 DOLPHINS ON ALERT!:

It starts. The perfect-season talk. Our own Dan Marino: "I'm picking Indianapolis (as most likely). Peyton Manning is playing better than anybody in the league right now. Their defense is playing good, only giving up 14 points in a game.  If they can play like that all year, defensively, they'll have a chance to win every game because of Peyton Manning." Bill Cowher, also on CBS: "I'm going to say the New Orleans Saints. When you look at their schedule, every game they have is going to be in a warm weather city. This team is built for the dome, built for the warm weather. I love this defense. It leads the league in takeaways. It’s the most balanced New Orleans team right now that they've ever had down there. I think they have a chance." Greg Cote: "Everybody is full of crap because nobody will finish unbeaten. Back to your naps, '72 Perfectos. Champagne ready. Will bother you at around 12-0 if needed." 

Online Surveys & Market Research

BCS RANKING DISSES CANES: Miami showing up 10th in the first (of eight) Bowl Championship Series rankings disrespects the Hurricanes a tad, considering UM is 8th in The AP poll and 9th by USA Today. But The U remains in a position -- with luck -- to play itself into the BCS championship game if it wins out. Remember that the SEC title game figures to be a play-in game for Florida and Alabama, with the loser likely out of the national-championship game. Miami -- even at 12-1 with an ACC title -- might need Texas to lose to make the BCS' final two. Not impossible to get there from No. 10, though. Consider that LSU reached the BCS title game from an inital BCS ranking of 12th in 2003.

SETTING RECORD STRAIGHT ON "COTE GOURMET": It has come to my attention there is a popular French bistro in Miami called Cote Gourmet. I must deny rumors that I am affiliated. To set the record straight, my only foray into the restaurant business was the 1990s local chain, Cote's International House of Tripe, which failed despite a massive marketing campaign (right) centered around the catchphrase, EAT TRIPE.

FANTASY NIGHTMARE: I am here to report my fantasy teams still suck. The Bad Newz Fennelz fell to 1-5 with an 82-41 loss. Because I was away for the weekend I forgot to update my team, so Drew Brees (on a bye the previous week) did not start. Ouch. My family-league Greg's Lobos doing a bit better, improved to 3-3 with a 135-116 win led by Randy Moss' 38 points. 

JETS FANS MUST REWRITE CHANT: The Jets lost a third straight game on Sunday and rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez -- hailed as the next Broadway Joe Namath just a few weeks ago -- suffered five interceptions. New Jets chant: "P-I-C-K ... PICK!" 

ENOUGH WITH THE PINK, ALREADY: I love women (married one) and think breast-cancer awareness is one of the great, important causes. But enough with the pink shoes, wristbands, cap bills and other stuff in NFL games. No man looks good in pink; not even Dennis Rodman. It works as a one-time, single-weekend thing, NFL. Also, while I'm at it, throwback uniforms -- and that includes the AFL 50th Anniversary duds showing up sporadically this season -- mostly look horrendous and should be burned in a public ceremony.

PANTHERS, HEAT LOOKING FOR PICK-ME-UPS: When last I checked the NHL Panthers were off to a 2-4 regular season start and last in ther division, and the Heat were 1-4 in the preseason. C'mon, fellas. Give us at least a reason to occasionally divert our attention from football. Otherwise, see y'all in a few months.

R.I.P., JASPER HOWARD: Never met the former Edison High football star-turned-UConn defensive back killed over the weekend, but all accounts paint him a terrific young man. These kinds of tragedies always feel that much worse when they happen on a campus. Condolences to his loved ones.

THE LATEST THANKS...: ... for growing the meager product go out to, among others, Bayou Buzz, Belleville News Democrat, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Chicago Daily Herald, Gazette Online, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, San Antonio Express, San Diego Union Tribune, Seattle Times, SportsBusiness Daily, Wall Street Journal and, as always, 790 The Ticket.  

GETTIN' IT IN THE CAN: Click here for the new Bud Light Lime commercial that some stations are refusing to air because of its double-entendre alluding to, well, you know. Pictured at left from the ad, a young woman who speaks of getting' it in the can for the time -- and enjoying it. Funny? Offensive? Neither? I find it amusing on first watch but tire of it pretty quickly, as I would an SNL skit that goes on too long.

Click back. Might add more stuff to this post later.