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Winning NFL picks, odds and power rankings all from our friends at Doc's Sports Service.

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Week #5 is here and there are several games between ranked teams that have the potential for future BCS implications. While some teams are trying to stay on top, there are a couple of smaller teams that will be hoping for some upsets. Here are a few previews as well as my predictions for the week...

#21 Texas at #8 Oklahoma - Coming off an embarassing 22 point loss last week at home to UCLA, Mack Brown is going to stop at nothing to prevent back to back losses, getting knocked from the top 25 and even worse a loss to OU. Last week Texas gave up 27 passing yards and still lost. They also gave up 264 on the ground and you have got to believe that the OU running game is going to have a great day and the Texas defense will have a hell of a time trying to keep Landry Jones from having big numbers. Gilbert has been anything but incredible so far in trying to make Texas fans forget Colt McCoy thus far. This Texas team is just not the same without a leader at QB, and they still don't have a RB that has over 200yds rushing. Texas will have a descent season, but I just don't think this will be a game Texas will want to remember...Oklahoma 41, Texas 24

#7 Florida at #1 Alabama - If the top 25 polls didn't come out until this week I am just not sure Florida would be in the top 10. They, much like Texas, are attempting to replace the face of their football program for the past few years under center. John Brantley is doing pretty well so far with 6tds and only 1 int. but the offense has taken some criticism for their slow starts, one in particular was the Miami Oh. game to open the season. One can only wonder what the QB position may look like had 2007 Freshman Cameron Newton had stayed at Florida, but I'd say they are probably pretty happy with the outcome. Brantley will continue to do fine....Just not this Saturday night. John will leave the swamp and enter the sea of crimson under the lights at 'Bama. Alabama has 3RBs that have over 25 carries and each average over 7 yards per carry.  Oh and by the way, they also have the reigning Heisman winner in Ingram. I am sure the Florida defense will find a way to keep it entertaining to watch, but I expect Alabama to pull away late and wear Florida down as well as force Brantley to make poor decisions. Alabama has no business losing this game...Alabama 31, Florida 20

#19 Michigan at Indiana - I may be the only person reading this that cares at all about this game, but that's just fine by me. I don't have a good feeling about this game Saturday. I am a UM fan and the thought of Rich Fraudriguez on the sidelines screaming at the miserable defense throughout the entire game as Ben Chappell looks like the 2nd coming of Joe Namath is making me lose sleep. I want to believe. I want to believe that Denard is going to stay healthy, throw for 200, run for 120 and the UM defense will grow up right before my very eyes. The thing is, I know better. I know what a Rodriguez version of Michigan football looks like and it doesn't sit well with me. The defensive backfield has almost no experience and the WR turned Safety Cameron Gordon, while he hits hard, is slow. My problem with this game isn't the offense at all, I am scared that the Indiana offense may have a bigger day than the Michigan offense and that is hard to believe I know. I hope Rodriguez proves me wrong...But until then...Indiana 37, Michigan 35

OSU 49, Illinois 13

Wisconsin 23, Michigan St. 21

Stanford 31, Oregon 30

Iowa 28, Penn St. 24

Boston College 16, Notre Dame 9  (One can only hope)

College Football college football picks, texas, oklahoma, florida, alabama, michigan, indiana

Bye weeks are here. Now is the time for strategy. Now is the time to make the right choices. Here's some players to lock in and lock out of your lineups this week...

LOCK IN

QB
Kyle Orton @ TEN: Orton threw almost 500 yards last week and is averaging well over 300 yards per game thus far. Those are elite statistics. Orton is a Top 10 QB and unless you've got one of the elite few, Orton should be your QB this week versus the Titans.

Bruce Gradkowski vs. HOU: If you have Tony Romo or Brett Favre on bye, then Gradkowski makes for a fantastic play this week. Gradkowski faces one of the worst passing defenses in the league that has yielded 300 yards to every quarterback this season. Gradkowski should be locked in for this week.

Chad Henne vs. NE: Henne opened a lot of eyes in his Monday night performance against the Jets. He threw all over the field on a very good defense. The Patriots young secondary could get exposed again by Henne, who is really coming into his own as a quarterback.

RB
Ladainian Tomlinson @ BUF: "LT" is back. Shonn Greene has been invisible and it's Tomlinson who is making a fantasy impact. This week, he gets the Bills. With a majority of the touches, LT should surpass 100 yards. In PPR leagues, he's even more valuable. Lock in LT in Week 4.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis @ MIA: The Patriots may have found their featured running back. Fred Taylor is likely out again which means a repeat performance of nearly 100 yards and a score from "the law firm" is quite possible. For that reason, you should lock him in as a RB2 or flex play this week.

LeSean McCoy vs. WAS: As Michael Vick has taken the spotlight in Philly, McCoy has put together an elite season thus far. McCoy will expose the Redskins defense and rack up the yards and at least one score.

WR
Chad Ochocinco @ CLE: The Bengals WR promises big things against Cleveland this week. He's scored 12 times in his career against the Browns and he definitely owns Cleveland. I would look for a huge day from Ocho and maybe his cohort TO as well.

Jabar Gaffney @ TEN: As Kyle Orton has gone off, Gaffney has been the beneficiary of the Broncos passing attack. I don't expect that to change this week against a Titan secondary that can be score on. Gaffney finds the end zone again this week. Lock that in.

Malcolm Floyd vs. ARI: Floyd is quickly moving his way up to must start status. If you start 3 WRs in your league, then I can't imagine not using Floyd. Floyd makes for a great WR2 or flex option this week.

TE
Chris Cooley @ PHI: Cooley faces off against his Philly counterpart Brent Celek and this week it's Cooley who is the much better start. McNabb loves throwing to his tight end and will be under pressure and look for his big target. Lock in Cooley in Week 4.

Dustin Keller @ BUF: At this point, consider Keller a top 5 tight end. In PPR leagues, he's a must start and in PPR leagues, he would start over many WR options too. Keller is being targeted early and often and this week must be locked in.

LOCK OUT

QB
Joe Flacco @ PIT: Flacco was exposed as being unable to throw under pressure or on the move. Against blitzburgh, he will be on the ground a lot. I still like Flacco, just not this week, so lock him out.

Vince Young vs. DEN: Don't be fooled by the defensive rankings of Denver. They are ranked 21st against the pass. However, I think Young will hand the ball off a lot to Chris Johnson and the Titans will try to control the clock. So, expect limited stats out of Young and thus, lock him out.

RB
Shonn Greene @ BUF: I don't know what's wrong with Shonn Greene. I don't know if he's in Rex Ryan's doghouse. LT has outperformed him so much that Greene is practically invisible. Despite a great match up, I would not trust Greene with my fantasy squad at this time.

Clinton Portis @ PHI: Portis is still a "starting" running back. And yes, in Week 2 he scored twice. But, his yards per carry and total yardage are miserable. Philly's run defense is top 10. This is a bad combination for Portis this week.

WR
Steve Smith (CAR) vs. NO: Poor Steve Smith. First he hurts his arm playing flag football. Then when he's healed up, he gets a rookie quarterback throwing to him. The Panthers entire offense is anemic and for that reason, I'm shying away from all Panthers.

Michael Crabtree @ ATL: The 49ers fired their offensive coordinator this week; and for good reason. If the new coordinator is going to get the offense going it's going to require a gradual transformation. It starts with getting Vernon Davis more looks. Eventually, Crabtree might get more action and targets, but until this Niners team gets going, I'm locking Crabtree out.

TE
Brent Celek vs. WAS: Michael Vick has been electric, but he's been awful for Celek owners. Celek is staying in to block and Vick is running with the ball instead of dumping it off to Celek. Until these two show a connection, keep Celek on your bench.

Heath Miller vs. BAL: I see this game as a very low scoring effort. I don't see many points or yards being gained by anyone. I definitely think the Ravens will keep Miller silent this week. Keep Miller locked out for now.

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Four weeks in and some things are starting to shake out. But other players seem to be overperforming as other players seem to be greatly underperforming. Here’s a list of those players who you should target to buy low or sell high.

Buy Low

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, New England: Every fantasy owner knows that the New England backfield doesn’t typically yield big fantasy numbers. But, that may be changing. Green-Ellis was given a chance to thrive last week and produced (and more importantly didn’t fumble) with 98 yards and a touchdown. He’s owned in 69% of leagues and that will only go up. He’s a great buy-low candidate, as most owners want to see it continue before they pencil him into their RB2 spot.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Buffalo: Yes Buffalo is awful and yes the Bills have CJ Spiller, but they have been featuring Lynch for a couple weeks. They are either getting him time to showcase him for a trade, or they want to rely on him for to protect Spiller. Either way, more playing time, equals great value for Lynch. I still say he gets traded (probably to Green Bay) and if that happens, he’s back to RB1 status. Lynch is only owned in 60% leagues at this point, so get him and reap the benefits.

Ryan Torain, RB, Washington: Mike Shanahan loves his former Bronco running backs. But one of them, Clinton Portis, has underperformed and looks long in the tooth. And, of course, Portis is always injury prone. Waiting in the wings is another former Bronco, in Torain. He can be found on many waiver wires as he’s only owned in 20% of leagues. Whether you have Portis or not, Torain is an excellent buy low candidate.

Bruce Gradkowski, QB, Oakland: Inexplicably, the Raiders benched Jason Campbell. But this is the Raider organization we’re talking about, so that’s just par for the course. Now Gradkowski is under center and is an excellent buy-low candidate. Gradkowski has a friendly match up this week and has shown a propensity for managing a game and finding an open receiver. He won’t put up elite numbers, but can be a great addition to a fantasy squad and play the match up.

Louis Murphy, WR, Oakland: Speaking of the Raiders, Murphy is the #1 target in the Oakland passing game and is only owned in 51% of leagues. Murphy can make for a very nice player, especially in deep leagues. Buy him low, especially in keeper leagues.

Blair White, WR, Indianapolis: The Blair White Project (yeah, I’m coining his nickname now Chris Berman) is underway in Indy. The former practice-squad receiver hooked up with Peyton Manning for a touchdown. Get him now, before his value goes way up. With all of Indy’s injuries (Garcon and Gonzalez), White could be the next Austin Collie.

Sell High

Roy Williams, WR, Dallas: Williams had 2 TDs and more than 100 yards last week. Prior to last week he had only 7 total receptions. Exploit his performance and with him on a bye week, sell Williams high.

Mike Tolbert, RB, San Diego: Tolbert has filled in admirably while rookie Ryan Matthews was out with an injury. Matthews is supposed to be active and play this Sunday, which means less of a role for Tolbert. But take advantage of his outrageous stats and parlay Tolbert into something.

Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland: Hillis has far exceeded anyone’s expectations. Smart owners drafted him late (like yours truly) and smart owners have already dealt him and played the hot hand. Hillis’ value can’t get any higher and that makes him a great player to sell high.

Thomas Jones, RB, Kansas City: Jones found the end zone and racked up decent yardage in Week 3. All the while Jamal Charles continues to be the clear and obvious better running back for the undefeated Chiefs. Take advantage of Jones' hot hand, before his Week 4 bye is over and sell him high as it's only matter of time that Charles takes almost all of the carries from Jones, and rightfully so.

Kyle Orton, QB, Denver: Kyle Orton is a top 10 fantasy quarterback. My fingers could barely type those words it’s so unbelievable. But it’s true. So surely there’s an owner in your league in need of a QB and now is the time to make them pay for top 10 value. Orton will continue to produce, but I just don’t think he’s going to keep putting up 300+ yard games. A big warning sign for Orton is his sub-par conversion rate in the red zone. Sell Orton high for the value he currently commands.

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With the Cincinnati Reds falling two games behind the San Francisco Giants for the No. 2 seed in the upcoming playoffs it is becoming more apparent that the Reds will be facing the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round of the N.L. playoffs set to start next week.

The Giants hold the tiebzreaker which means the Reds would have to make up three games with just four games to play in the regular season to jump them in the seeding.

Assuming the Phillies opt for the series with the day off as many experts predict, the Reds would open in Philadelphia on Wednesday and stay in the City of Brotherly Love for Game 2 on Friday.

Game three and four (if necessary) would then be played on Sunday and Monday in Cincinnati.

That means that the first-ever playoff game(s) at Great American Ballpark will be played on Sunday, October 10, the same day the Bengals are set to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

All of MLB’s Divisional Round games will be aired on TBS, making for some interesting schedule considerations. There is no doubt that games will be pitted directly against NFL games.

Wed
AL WC @ Min
Tex @ AL East
Cin at Phi (likely to be a day game)

Fri
Cin at Phi (will play second fiddle to other NL match-up)
Atl at SF

Sun
*MIN at AL WC
*AL East at Texas
Phi at Cin (will be an early day game if both AL series go to Game 4)
SF at Atl

Mon
*Cin at Phi (could end up in prime time)
*Atl at SF

The ideal scenario would have the Bengals kicking off at 1PM and having the Reds have a 4:30 start. A night game would be too much time for tailgaters to drink and a simultaneous start time or something close to it would force fans to pick. I know what I would choose, I’ve waited 15 years for it!

MLB, NFL cincinnati bengals, cincinnati reds, cincinnati dream sports day, 2010 mlb playoffs

In a one swift Jay Bruce swing of the bat the Cincinnati Reds did something they’ve never done before, clinched the N.L. Central.

It has been 15 years since the Reds last appeared in the post-season and the team and fans enjoyed every minute of celebrating on Tuesday night at Great American Ballpark.

The game epitomized the essence of the 2010 Reds. It featured late-game heroics, a comeback effort.

One of the team’s young arms, Aroldis Chapman, picked up the win and the team was aided by great defense with Drew Stubbs pulling a would-be-homerun Astros’ backup.

It was an end not even Hollywood’s finest writers could’ve of scripted any better.

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Though I haven't been in many NFL football stadiums, I have been to over 20 MLB stadiums. One of my favorite part of each ballpark is the food. Having seen many, Great American Ballpark rates highly in my opinion. However, Cincinnati's other pro stadium, Pro Brown Stadium, is terrible. I have long said the team has one of the worst concessions in professional sports. Now, it has been confirmed. Esquire magaizine recently released their NFL Stadium Food Power Rankings and Cincinnati ranked dead last:

31. Cincinnati Bengals (Paul Brown Stadium)
Number of concessions: 56
Number of restaurants: 0
Local options: Awful
Beer selection: Good (Bud, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Guinness, Warsteiner)
Pro: The Mett by Bluegrass Meats.
Con: Everything else.

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It’s Tuesday and that means it’s time to go to the waiver wire…

PICKUP OF WEEK
BenJarvus Green-Ellis – The Patriots traded Laurence Maroney. Kevin Faulk is on the I.R. and veteran Fred Taylor is already banged up. Ellis could emerge as the top gun by default in New England sooner rather than later.

QB
Bruce Gradkowski – potential Week 4 filler
Sam Bradford – slowly gaining value
Ryan Fitzpatrick – benefits from Trent Edwards’ departure

RB
Ryan Torain – keep your eyes on him
Chris Ivory – the backup to have in New Orleans

WR
Louis Murphy - somehow he’s still available in half CBS leagues
Brandon Lloyd – worth a roster spot, but inconsistent
Lance Moore – big boost with Reggie Bush out
Kenny Britt – a ton of upside if Titans start throwing more

TE
Jeremy Shockey – you could do worse at tight end

DEF
Falcons – highly under-rated defense; nice match ups ahead

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