The Nonsense Math Doesn’t Like Stanford

Here are your BCS rankings. They are opaque and indecipherable. They indicate little, but they somehow are the ultimate arbiter for which two teams may play for a championship. ESPN involving Craig James and Skip Bayless in the unveiling offered the precise level of seriousness and decorum they deserve. This will fluctuate wildly, but, as of this week, it looks as though Dabo and David Shaw better work on their stump speeches. Taking no account of victory margins. Brilliant.
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma State
4. Boise State
5. Clemson
6. Stanford
7. Oregon
8. Kansas State
9. Oklahoma
10. Arkansas

Publicist calls report of alleged T.O. suicide try 'not factual'

Terrell Owens did not try to commit suicide Oct. 6, when his assistant placed a 911 call and authorities took the free-agent receiver to the hospital, his publicist said Thursday night.

Earlier Thursday, TMZ.com released audio of the emergency phone call, in which the assistant told a 911 operator in Los Angeles that Owens had ingested pills, was unresponsive and might have tried to kill himself.

"Terrell Owens absolutely did not attempt suicide nor did he attempt to overdose on pills on October 6, 2011," Owens' publicist, Diana Bianchini, said in a statement. "Reports released today claiming he did are completely false and were made in relation to a 911 call his assistant made that evening. The facts are that she arrived at his home that evening after he had already taken a sleeping aid to fall asleep. He was unresponsive because of this.

"Unaware that he had taken a sleeping aid prior to her arrival, his assistant became concerned and decided to call 911. When the ambulance and police arrived, Owens was responsive and was not held in the hospital. Reports released with the 911 call today are misleading and not factual."

Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, didn't respond to messages regarding the report.

The report surfaced two days after Owens staged an hour-long workout in Calabasas, Calif., to show teams that his surgically repaired left knee -- he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in the spring -- was healthy enough to let him play. No NFL teams showed for the workout.

"As one can see from his workout televised this past Tuesday, he is strong both mentally and physically as well as 100% focused on playing football," Bianchini said.

Owens, a 15-year veteran, spent last season with the Cincinnati Bengals and finished with 72 receptions for 983 yards and nine touchdowns. He ranks second on the NFL's all-time list in receiving yards (15,934), is tied for second with Randy Moss in touchdown catches (153) and is sixth in receptions (1,078).

Lions roaring as road favorite

　　Now that's more like it.
Pro Picks rallied as if Josh Freeman was leading the charge, going 11-4-1 against the spread and 13-3 straight up. That was as impressive a turnaround as what the Steelers and Titans displayed in Week 2 after ugly openers.
Or as noteworthy as what is going on for Detroit. The Lions not only are 2-0, but this week are road favorites. In a division game, no less.
The Lions' roar has been heard in Tampa and at Ford Field, with Detroit outscoring the Bucs and then the Chiefs by a combined 75-23. This isn't the team we've grown to ignore except when they host the early Thanksgiving Day game — or when they are going 0-16.
Nope, these Lions are a 3½-point choice at Minnesota, and rightfully so after the power they have shown. The Vikings are 0-2 and, while they haven't been nearly as hapless as some of the other winless squads, they twice have blown late leads.
In this game, they won't likely have a late lead. Or any sort of lead, unless the Lions get cocky.
"We have some experienced players and they know that two games don't make a season," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "We have a hard-working group of players that understand that it's not about what you've done in the past, it's what you do in the future ... nobody's trying to rain on any parades or anything else, but it's two games."
Soon to be three games won.
LIONS, 24-16
We usually like home underdogs. In this case, though, see last week: "Until otherwise notified, the Patriots will be the choice to cover, whatever the spread."
BEST BET: PATRIOTS, 41-28
Let the weirdness continue for Dolphins: lose at home, win on the road.
UPSET SPECIAL: DOLPHINS, 16-13
This would be the upset special if the Raiders were healthier. They should at least cover.
JETS, 20-19
Pack is in Super Bowl form, losing players (Nick Collins) and winning games.
PACKERS, 28-16
Inside the Superdome could be a true proving ground for the Texans. Or not.
SAINTS, 34-27
If this game is close in final period, count on Freeman and the Bucs.
BUCCANEERS, 24-23
Titans come off big win without getting much from Chris Johnson. They'll get plenty this week.
TITANS, 24-20
Niners' first road game — and they will remain in the East before their second next week at Philadelphia.
49ERS, 16-13
Time for Cam Newton to either come down to Earth, or get his first pro win.
PANTHERS, 27-16
Chiefs have been league's worst team by far. Can't believe they are really that bad.
CHARGERS, 30-20
Winless and battered is no way to face the angry (at themselves) Ravens.
RAVENS, 17-10
How juicy: Big Ben vs. four-time MVP Peyton ... oh, wait. Wrong year.
STEELERS, 22-7
OK, forget about that attraction to home underdogs, considering these last three picks.
CARDINALS, 23-10
Redskins can stamp themselves as a real contender in NFC East with a win. Tony Romo's injured ribs force this one off the board.
COWBOYS, 26-21
Michael Vick's status clouds this game and eliminates any betting line. But Eagles still are the healthier (and superior) team.
EAGLES, 24-17
RECORD:
Against spread: 11-4-1 (overall 17-13-2); straight up 13-3 (overall 19-13).
Best Bet: 1-1 against spread, 1-1 straight up.
Upset Special: 1-1 against spread, 1-1 straight up.