How can you not like the American-born actress/model?

MORE PICS (AskMen.com)

Just For Fun hot girls, gsi hottie, holly weber

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I thought Bengals' wideout Chad Ochocinco did well on Late Night:

Just For Fun cincinnati bengals, chad ochocinco, david letterman

It's unbelievable to me, as a Bearcat football fan from the 1990s, to even talk about the Bearcats and BCS title in the same breath. Last year's Orange Bowl appearance was special, at least until they took the field. So, I'm putting out there, with the memory of losing to an average Virginia Tech team in the Orange Bowl last year, the idea of the best scenario for the long-term health of the Bearcat football program would be for the Cats to go undefeated and then get snubbed by not getting a shot at the BCS title. The Cats could be this year's Utah or Boise State (heck Boise State could be this year's Boise State) and that wouldn't be a bad thing. If the Cats win out, they get a BCS bowl. Probably another trip to Miami in January (would that be so bad?).

But, by being "snubbed", they would avoid any potential embarrassment of being annhialated by a Florida, Alabama or Texas squad, for all the nation to laugh and say "I told you so." Instead, if UC goes undefeated, gets back to the Orange Bowl, beats an ACC team and dominates them, finishing undefeated, it would build a huge legacy off the what if scenario. For us, what if is better than the potential of losing on the national stage, at least at this infant stage of the Bearcat football program.

Look what Utah and Boise have been able to do since being snubbed by the BCS. They've increased their recruiting base, increased their national prominence and built more of a legacy. And conversely, look what has happened to Ohio State by losing a couple of embarrassing national title games. While their legacy hasn't been decimated, their reputation has been tarnished by losing, badly, in the national title game.

So, relax Bearcat fans. Enjoy the ride and take it game by game. Until then, any talk of a BCS title is premature.

College Football

Game of the Week:

#5 USC at #10 Oregon
8:00 PM
ABC

The Pac-10 champion won't be decided Saturday when these two square off, but it will definitely have an effect on the outcome.

The fifth-ranked Trojans will be out of the hunt if they should lose to Oregon. Meanwhile, Oregon has turned around their season since their season-opening loss to Boise State and are looking for their first Pac-10 title since 2001.

The key for the Trojans will be their defense and their running game. They will have to improve on the defensive side of the football after giving up 36-points last week to Oregon State this week, as they go against Oregon's prolific offense led by quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. On offense they will need to control the ball and open up some big holes for Joe McKnight and Allen Bradford in the run game.

For Oregon the key will be to get off to a fast start on offense and create turnovers on defense. The offense is averaging 45.7 points and 484.7 yards in the last three games that Masoli has played. Defensively the Ducks are tied for the lead in the Pac-10 with 19 takeaways. If they are able to get up early and force a turnover or two by USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley then the Ducks have a great chance to pull off the upset.

Other Games to Watch:

#3 Texas at #14 Oklahoma State

This year should renew the rivalry between these two teams. Colt McCoy is 3-0 against the Cowboys while completing 79.4 perecent of his passes for 1,019 yards. Will he come out of this one 4-0?

#22 South Carolina at Tennessee

Tennessee tries to rebound at home after their close call with Alabama last week against a South Carolina team that has only won once in 14 tries in Knoxville.

Upset Pick of the Week: Tennessee over South Carolina

College Football ncaa, football, usc, oregon, south carolina, tennessee

• Trent Edwards, Bills - Edwards has been ruled out for Week 8. He participated in practice on Wednesday but only in a limited capacity. He's not recovering as quickly from the concussion as the medical staff would like, even though he's been cleared to play. Ryan Fitzpatrick will start in his place.

• Matthew Stafford, Lions - Stafford practiced fully on Tuesday but was limited on Wednesday with his knee injury. The fact that he practiced two days in a row is a step in the right direction, but it's still not known whether or not he'll be able to start on Sunday.

• Daunte Culpepper, Lions - Culpepper practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday and his hamstring injury seems better. The Lions won't announce a starter for Week 8 until later in the week.

• Aaron Rodgers, Packers - Rodgers was limited in practice on Wednesday with a foot injury. He is listed as questionable for their game on Sunday against Minnesota.

• Brett Favre, Vikings - Favre was limited in practice on Wednesday with a hip injury but it's tough to see a situation where he wouldn't play on Sunday against Green bay.

• Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks - Hasselbeck did not practice on Wednesday due to a rib injury but head coach Jim Mora said that Hasselbeck will be at full-strength by Sunday.

• Donald Brown, Colts - As much as he wants to be at practice, Brown was held out on Wednesday with a left shoulder injury. Brown says he will practice this week but Bill Polian says he's not likely to play on Sunday.

• Darren McFadden, Raiders - McFadden's knee is not ready to return to action. He'll miss his fourth straight game on Sunday, which is good news for those of you who have handcuffed McFadden with Justin Fargas.

• Brian Westbrook, Eagles - Westbrook was held out of practice on Wednesday but still hasn't been ruled out of Sunday's game. That's crazy considering that Westbrook cannot remember whether he was knocked out of the game on a pass or run play.

• LenDale White, Titans - White's knee injury kept him from practicing on Wednesday and it's unlikely, even though the Titans haven't said as much, that he'll play on Sunday.

• Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants - Bradshaw made a trip to North Carolina to visit a foot specialist and get an opinion on his nagging foot/ankle injury. He usually spends Wednesday and Thursday in a protective boot and practices on Friday. He's played each week since tweaking the ankle in Week 3. He's listed as questionable at this point.

• Jonathan Stewart, Panthers - Stewart is expected to be limited by his Achilles injury all season. He missed practice on Wednesday but is expected to practice on a limited basis on Thursday.

• Anquan Boldin, Cardinals - Boldin practiced on Wednesday even though his ankle is still tender. He's been playing through the pain for a while now. Expect him to be on the field on Sunday.

• Calvin Johnson, Lions - Johnson was not able to practice on Wednesday making it very shaky that he'll play on Sunday. He is listed as questionable on the injury report.

• Andre Johnson, Texans - Johnson didn't practice on Wednesday due to a chest injury but is expected to play on Sunday -- he almost guaranteed as much.

• Anthony Gonzalez, Colts - Gonzalez is expected to get back to practice this week for the first time since damaging ligaments in his left knee during the season opener. It's questionable as to whether he'll be able to play on Sunday.

• Reggie Wayne, Colts - Wayne was not able to practice on Wednesday but the team expects him to only miss a day or two and to be able to play on Sunday.

• Bernard Berrian, Vikings - Berrian missed practice on Wednesday with a hamstring injury. He is listed as questionable for Week 8.

• Jerricho Cotchery, Jets - Cotchery returned to practice on Wednesday, participated on a limited basis and said that he will be ready to play on Sunday.

• DeSean Jackson, Eagles - Andy Reid told reporters that Jackson would be ok, even though he missed practice on Wednesday. Expect him to play on Sunday.

Fantasy Football, NFL fantasy football, injuries

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Fantasy Football fantasy advice, live blog, fantasy frenzy, week 8

Week 8 offers up some really sweet match ups. Also, please join me tonight for the Fantasy Frenzy blog where we'll answer all of your questions and go into these lineup locks more in depth.

Lock In QB:
Brett Favre @ Green Bay - Favre returns to Lambeau Field, but in a different uniform. His first match up versus the Packers saw him throw 3 TDs, so no reason to think he won't rack up a lot of stats and scores again.

Tony Romo vs. Seattle - Romo is coming off a week where he threw 3 TDs and gets a favorable match up against the Seahawks. Expect Romo to put up big numbers again this week.

David Garrard @ Tennessee - This is the pick of the week for me. Garrard is normally a borderline QB1, but this week he gets the 31st ranked passing defense in the winless Titans. Coming off a bye, he's rested and healthy and in case you have forgotten the last time he played the Titans he had 323 yards and 3 TDs.

Lock Out QB:
Donovan McNabb vs. New York Giants - McNabb has been too inconsistent to be a top 10 QB. He's still a QB1, but on the low end. This week, he has a tough match up against the Giants and is facing the possibility of not having Brian Westbrook.

Kyle Orton @ Baltimore - Orton makes for a nice bye week/QB2 play, but this week he gets a rested and desperate Ravens team who always plays well at home. Despite being undefeated, I am not sold on the Broncos offense or their team in general.

Joe Flacco vs. Denver - Quietly, the Broncos are one of the elite defenses in the NFL and in fantasy football. They are ranked in the top 10 against the run and pass. For this reason, I expect the Ravens to have minimal scoring and thus, Flacco's numbers will be down this week.

Lock In RB:
Kevin Smith vs. St. Louis - This game might set the NFL back a decade in ineptness. But, Smith is hungry and has vowed to step up his performance. The Rams woeful defense is just what the doctor ordered.

Matt Forte vs. Cleveland - Few first round picks have disappointed more than Forte, but here come the Browns to face an angry and embarrassed Bears team. Forte will get back on track with 100+ yards, a couple catches and a TD.

Joseph Addai vs. San Francisco - Addai has been in a time share with rookie Donald Brown, but Brown has a painful shoulder injury is likely to not play. This means the touches are mostly Addai's and he might look to take advantage of it with a solid performance.

Lock Out RB:
Ryan Grant vs. Minnesota - Grant has been a disappointment and can't be considered anything more than a RB2 at this point. This week playing a tough Vikings defense, he's not worth a start at all.

Tim Hightower vs. Carolina - The Cardinals are not a good running team and rookie Chris Wells has emerged as the much better option in their backfield. Hightower's stock continues to drop and he belongs on your bench at this point.

Knowshon Moreno @ Baltimore - A rookie running back versus one of the better and hardest hitting defenses in the NFl and you get an unfavorable match up. Leave the Broncos rookie on your bench this week.

Lock In WR:
Miles Austin vs. Seattle - I have to say that in one of my keeper leagues, I drafted Austin and stashed him. I was a fan of Austin this year and am not surprised by his rise. So, if you have him on your team, you have to make room for him since he's amassed more than 400 yards and 4 TDs in his last two games and seems to be the number one target in Big D.

Mike Sims-Walker @ Tennessee - As mentioned, the Titans secondary is terrible. Sims-Walker presents a great target for Garrard and should get 100 yards and a TD this week.

Calvin Johnson vs. St. Louis - Johnson is such a great talent but has been hampered by playing for a woeful offense. However, the Rams have nobody who can cover Johnson and this should mean a solid performance from Calvin this week.

Lock Out WR:
Eddie Royal @ Baltimore - In his last game, Royal was a scoring machine. Unfortunately, unless your league rewards individual special team scoring, you got nothing to show for Royal's two special teams touchdowns. The reason Royal is listed here is because he had no catches in that game and has a bad match up this week.

Ted Ginn Jr. @ New York Jets - Ginn may have been #1 on the Dolphins depth chart at WR, but that has since changed. Ginn has done nothing to impress his coaches and will see decreased touches and thus belongs on your bench.

Roy Williams vs. Seattle - Miles Austin seems to be the #1 WR target for Tony Romo and then of course there's still Jason Witten. Compile that with a solid running game and there's not enough touches to make Williams viable.

Lock In TE:
Visanthe Shiancoe @ Green Bay - Favre throwing TDs to a tight end in Lambeau Field is a familiar scene. This time he'll be doing it as a Viking, but still makes Shiancoe a nice option this week.

Owen Daniels @ Buffalo - Daniels is the #1 TE this week and is well on his way to being the starting tight end in the Pro Bowl. The match up this week is just too sweet to even think of putting anyone else in your starting lineup.

Vernon Davis @ Indianapolis - I called this one last week and he went off for three TDs. Not sure he'll match that, but he'll be good for at least one score and 75+ yards again this week as newly appointed quarterback Alex Smith will look for a safety valve.

Lock Out TE:
Todd Heap vs. Denver - Heap is a borderline starter most weeks, but this week, versus a top defense, he should remain on your bench.

John Carlson @ Dallas - I think the Seahawks will score some points against the Cowboys, but I don't think it will be Carlson who finds the end zone.

NFL lineup locks

Here's the Week Eight Inside Out Promotions Cheat Sheet (last updated 10/29)...

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*All rankings are based off year-to-year leagues (yardage/TD combo, non-PPR format) 

COMPLETE RANKINGS

Fantasy Football fantasy advice, fantasy football rankings, player rankings, cheat sheet, week 8

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Fantasy Football getsportsradio.com, fantasy advice, fantasy playbook

from the Kansas City Star:

The Chiefs have suspended running back Larry Johnson for two weeks, effectively immediately. The punishment is for conduct detrimental to the team.

Johnson is forbidden to be at team headquarters or participate in team activities before Nov. 9, the day after the Chiefs play at Jacksonville.

The Chiefs told Johnson on Tuesday to stay away from the team's practice facility, but that was not a suspension. Now that it has become a suspension, Johnson will forfeit his game checks for the next two weeks, which will cost the 29-year-old back about $660,000 total.

****
Johnson has been a grave disappointment and a malcontent for most of his career and it's not surprising to see it come to this. The fact that he was ignorant enough to use the offensive remarks twice in 24 hours shows you where his head is at. Many reputable NFL writers are speculating that Johnson has played his last down with the Chiefs. Look for Jamal Charles to get his shot at being the team's primary ball carrier.

NFL kansas city chiefs, larry johnson

Here a quick take and the fantasy impact (albeit minimal) on some developing QB situations:

BUFFALO - Ryan Fitzpatrick has led the Bills to two straight wins and even though Trent Edwards (concussion) has returned to limited practice, the team is opting to stick with Fitzpatrick at least for Week 8. Fitzpatrick only has value in deep leagues and ones that require starting two quarterbacks.

CLEVELAND - It appears as if the Browns have seen enough of Brady Quinn as they are sticking with Derek Anderson despite his struggles. With just one touchdown and five interceptions over his last three games, Anderson isn't much of an option.

DETROIT - Matthew Stafford is nearing a return from rookie Matthew Stafford (knee), but his status for Week 8 is unclear at this point. If he fails to make it back this week, don't be surprised to see Drew Stanton over Daunte Culpepper get the shot. When healthy Stafford makes for a decent QB2 for owners that have a solid QB1 and those playing in keeper or dynasty formats.

TAMPA BAY - With little left to play for this season, the Bucs have turned to rookie Josh Freeman. The first-rounder apparently is 12 pounds over his listed playing weight and is very raw. Not only are none of the Bucs' quarterbacks fantasy worthy, the rest of the players in the offense all take a dip in value.

TENNESSEE - Team owner Bud Adams has called for Vince Young, but head coach Jeff Fischer is not ready to make it official. He will reportedly name the team's starter for Week 8 following Thursday's practice. Expect to see Young get his crack sooner rather than the later.  Young definitely has more value than Collins going forward, but that's not saying much.

SAN FRANCISCO - Shaun Hill is giving way to former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith. Smith did come in off the bench and toss three touchdowns last week vs. the Texans. While he's more appealing than most of the names on this list owners need to take a wait-and-see approach before considering picking up the 49ers' new starter.

WASHINGTON - The Redskins' offense has been disappointing all season long, but don't expect Jason Campbell to get pulled any time soon. Still, you can do much better than him for a QB2 and job security will remain an issue if he can't turn things around soon. The problem is Todd Collins is not a viable option.

Fantasy Football, NFL buffalo bills, cleveland browns, detroit lions, tampa bay bucs, tennessee titans

Fantasy Sports Girl Brittani has the latest from the gridiron, and is scanning the waiver wire in this week's Hot or Not...

Fantasy Football fantasy advice, fantasysportsgirl.com, week 8

Here are some great reads from around the web:

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire (KFFL.com) - Each week during the NFL fantasy football season we break down players who should be on your radar to pick up in your league. Sitting on your hands and not being aggressive in picking up fantasy football free agents is not a wise move.

Buyer's Bargains (FantasyFootballReport.com) - Some players that you should try to buy right now. 

Pickups Of The Week (Yahoo.com) - Looks at six intriguing fantasy football players likely to be available on the waiver wire in fantasy leagues.

The Big Rotowski (ESPN.com) - These rankings are meant to capture fantasy value from today through the end of the NFL regular season. We'll publish them every Tuesday during the season to help you make decisions about trades and waiver-wire acquisitions; as such, this list won't always reflect news that comes out later in the week.

Waiver Wire Pickups (FantasySharks.com) - Looks at the players you should be targeting as free agent pick ups this week.

Pickups Of The Week (FFToolbox.com) - Players who may be available in your league, that are worth considering adding to your roster.

Waiver Wired (Rotoworld.com) - Top pickups, drops, player to think about and players to be patient with for the 4 main offensive positions.

Fantasy Football fantasy advice, waiver wire, week 8, fantasy links

The graph below indicates the fantasy points allowed by each team by position, ranked from 1 through 32. The higher the number means the better the match-up...

(from AskTheCommish.com): Scoring System Used - Passing Yards: 1 point per 30 yards; Rushing Yards: 1 point per 15 yards; Receiving Yards: 1 point per 15 yards; Passing TDs: 4 points per TD pass; Rushing TDs: 6 points per TD run; Receiving TDs: 6 points per TD reception; Interceptions: -2 points per interception; Fumbles: -2 points per fumble lost; Two Point Conversion: 2 points per pass, run, or reception; Field Goals Made: 3 points per field goal made; Field Goals Missed: -1 point per field goal missed; Extra Points: 1 point per extra point; Missed Extra Point: -1 point per missed extra point.

Fantasy Football fantasy advice, points allowed by postion, fantay points

Here's a look at the targets from Week 7's NFL action:

Sidney Rice (MIN) - 14 targets/51 total passes (27%)
Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) - 13 targets/36 total passes (36%)
Marques Colston (NO) - 12 targets/38 total passes (32%)
Vernon Davis (HOU) - 11 targets/33 total passes (33%)
Chad Ochocinco (CIN) - 11 targets/24 total passes (46%)
Steve Smith (CAR) - 11 targets/44 total passes (25%)
Roddy White (ATL) - 11 targets/35 total passes (31%)

Others with 10 targets: Fred Davis (WAS), Louis Murphy (OAK), Wes Welker (NE), Percy Harin (MIN), Steve Smith (NYG)

Fantasy Football, NFL target report, fantasy advice, week 7