HAR-BOWL Review

By Kalen Patrick

Well after riding an 8 game winning streak, the 49ers finally got beat by the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving. The Ravens stuffed the 49ers to win it 16-6 . While there is no doubt that the Ravens were definitely the superior team on the night, the game was actually very very close fought and one or two questionable calls against the 49ers really hurt them. The 49ers on a very short week having to travel across the country were already at a disadvantage so if they were to lose any game, this was going to be the one.

The 2 calls I mentioned were the chopping block by Frank Gore/Chilo Rachal on Alex Smith's 75 yard TD pass to Ted Ginn, and the 50 yard Pass Interference call on Tarrell Brown's Interception which gift wrapped another 3 points to the Ravens. Both of these calls were very harsh and hurt the 49ers big time. However bad calls will always happen in games and you must overcome them, unfortunately the 49ers could not do that this time around.

THE RAVENS SACKED ALEX SMITH 9 TIMES

One or two bad decisions hurt the 49ers even more, while in Field Goal range and the end of the half, Alex Smith attempted to hit Braylon Edwards in the endzone, which got picked off, and cost the 49ers 3 points when it was a 6-3 ballgame in favor of the Ravens. So while the Ravens did win, and it was somewhat of a convincing win for them, I have to look at the positives.

Short week, travel across the country, 2 big calls by the officials and one or two mistakes and the game could have a completely different outcome. Plus that Baltimore team was just firing on all cylinders, the defense played out of its mind. My hat goes off to the Ravens, they beat us and deserved to win.

49ers now have extra time to prepare for the Rams next Sunday in Candlestick Park. A win next Sunday would clinch the NFC West for the 49ers.

College Football Recap and NFL Week 9 Preview

By Kalen Patrick

COLLEGE FOOTBALL RECAP
Well what a day in College Football! One of the all time great defensive battles between LSU and Alabama, while Kansas State and Oklahoma State were involved in a shootout. Not only this but we had some big upsets with Northwestern topping Nebraska, Iowa beating Michigan and also UCLA taking it to ASU.

While LSU were victorious over Alabama, the Crimson Tide squandered many opportunities to walk away with the W. Missing 4 FG's including 1 in OT killed any chance of winning a game like this. Defensive struggles tend to be a rarity in College Football, but this one I feel may go down as one of the all time classic SEC games. This is one game I'm sure Les Miles will never forget. Now we go from that game to KSU and OSU where there were 11 Offensive TD's in this game. Wide Receiver Justin Blackmon ruled the day with 13 catches, over 200 yards and 2 TD's. OSU's QB had a monster day with Brandon Weeden throwing 4 TD's and for over 500 yards.

LSU EMERGED VICTORIOUS OVER ALABAMA IN A  BATTLE OF DEFENSES

The biggest shocker of the day was definitely Northwestern beating the #10 ranked Cornhuskers IN Nebraska. Not an easy task for any team. Northwestern did it through the air and on the ground and came away with what will no doubt be their biggest win of the season. Denard Robinson could not do enough to lift Michigan over Iowa as the Wolverines are headed towards another somewhat disappointing for such a prestigious program.

NFL WEEK 9 PREVIEW
We have some very good divsional match-ups coming tomorrow. First off we have the Baltimore Ravens traveling to Pittsburgh, with the Steelers looking to take revenge for that embarrassing week 1 humiliation in Baltimore, when the Ravens won 35-7. Another interesting match-up will be the New York Jets vs the Buffalo Bills. Believe it or not, but the Bills are actually leading the AFC East. The Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson has claimed this game to be the do or die game of the season for the Jets. While I don't know if that's true, it will make it very difficult to get to the playoffs should the Jets fall to the Bills.

STEELERS-RAVENS WILL CLASH ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL 

Some other big games include; the Giants vs the Patriots, 2007 SuperBowl Revenge game perhaps? Anyone remember when the Patriots have lost back to back games? But don't count out the Giants either, Eli Manning is quietly having an amazing season (102.1 QB rating, with only Brady and Rodgers higher than him). There will also be a big game in the NFC South with the Bucs going up against the Saints in New Orleans. Can the Saints rebound after a huge upset against the Rams last week?

Other games that are sure to be good are Bengals at Tennessee, San Francisco at Washington, and on Monday Night Football, Chicago takes on Philly.

OK so I'm obviously late to start this BUT I am gonna start doing a Pick 'Em every week now. I figure I will give it a shot now and get it going fully next season. The team I pick to win will be in bold

Miami @ Kansas City
Atlanta @ Indianapolis
Tampa Bay @ New Orleans
NY Jets @ Buffalo
Seattle @ Dallas
Cleveland @ Houston
San Francisco @ Washington
Cincinnati @ Tennessee
Denver @ Oakland
NY Giants @ New England
St. Louis @ Arizona
Green Bay @ San Diego
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh