CS&T/AllsportsAmerica Friday Sports News Update and What's Your Take? 10/23/2015.

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Sports Quote of the Day:

5 things to remind yourself of daily:

1. I am amazing.
2. I can do anything.
3. Positivity is a choice.
4. I celebrate my individually.
5. I am prepared to succeed.

~ Author Unknown. (Taken from a Facebook Post)

Trending: "We can't get to Opening Day fast enough and a chance to go back and finish what we started." ~ ‪#‎Cubs‬ president of baseball operations Theo Epstein. (See the baseball section for Cubs updates).

Trending: Bears cut Jeremiah Ratliff, sign DL Ziggy Hood. (See the football section for Bears updates).

Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Jay to Shea, Sun-Times experts review Bears.  

By Patrick Finley

Jay Cutler has been solid in the Bears' new offense. (Getty Images)

While most Bears players were leaving town to enjoy four days away, the Sun-Times’ experts — Adam L. Jahns, Patrick Finley and Mark Potash — used the upcoming bye as an opportunity to issue an in-season report card.

From Jay Cutler to Shea McClellin, from regrets to pleasant surprises, here’s a look at how the Bears have fared through six games.

Biggest surprise at the bye week:

JAHNS: The Bears might actually need McClellin. As linebackers coach Glenn Pires explained: “Shea has always had that leadership communication skill … He has a good calmness and veteran presence that we miss when he isn’t out there.” Coordinator Vic Fangio also has been effusive in his praise for McClellin. The Bears have to start somewhere at linebacker in 2016, and it could be with him.

FINLEY: Jarvis Jenkins and Sam Acho signed one-year deals, and both have shined. Jenkins, a defensive end, has 3 ½ sacks in six games after totaling two his entire career. Acho, released in Week 1 because of a roster crunch but re-signed almost immediately, has graded out well since taking over Jared Allen’s starting outside linebacker gig.

POTASH: Jenkins’ sacks are impressive, but the defensive end also has seven quarterback hurries — production that has come in handy with Jeremiah Ratliff released Thursday and Ego Ferguson placed on IR the week before.

Biggest disappointment:

JAHNS: That the Bears haven’t had a player emerge as a reliable pass rusher to go opposite outside linebacker Pernell McPhee. Allen wasn’t the answer, while stories this week highlighted how Lamarr Houston and Willie Young still are adjusting. Acho has been solid, but most of his highlights have come on special teams or on the Bears’ side of the line.

FINLEY: That Kyle Fuller’s ups and downs have been so drastic. Inconsistency comes standard with young players, but the cornerback posted three good games and three dogs in his second season. There’s nowhere to hide, either, as the Bears are starting two rookie safeties and have watched cornerbacks Alan Ball and Sherrick McManis struggle.

POTASH: The offense has been unable to carry its share of the load, mostly because of injuries. With wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (out four games) and Eddie Royal (one), left tackle Jermon Bushrod (three), quarterback Jay Cutler (one) and center Will Montgomery done for the year, the Bears are 26th in total offense and tied for 26th in scoring.

Jay Cutler has been:

JAHNS: Playing himself onto next year’s roster. He’s having a good season. Not great, but good. The Bears wouldn’t have two wins without him. He appreciates having coaches who commit to the run and he believes in the game plans that coordinator Adam Gase devises. Things have clicked. Will they next year? Who knows. But he’s earning that chance.

FINLEY: Better than Peyton Manning! Cutler has shown an early mastery of Gase’s offense despite having a hamstring injury, patchwork offensive line and four games without Jeffery. Those would make for great excuses, but Cutler’s been legitimately good, even if soul-crushing late-game interceptions haven’t been exorcised from his system. Perhaps they never will.

POTASH: Intriguing. Without several key players on offense, including first-round draft pick Kevin White and Jeffery, Cutler has avoided disaster — five consecutive games with one turnover — and played efficiently enough and well enough to provide hope that with a full complement of offensive players he might be worth keeping in 2016.

The Bears will regret:

JAHNS: Nothing. This season, in many ways, isn’t about this season. It’s about next year and beyond. Pace is watching and evaluating everything. That includes proven veteran players and young ones trying to make an impact. Everything done has to be held in that context.

FINLEY: Not moving Kyle Long to right tackle during training camp — or OTAs. Despite Charles Leno Jr.’s preference for the left side, the long-term plan must be playing Long at the coveted left tackle spot, perhaps as early as next season. They can’t do that until he gets comfortable on the right side first.

POTASH: Trading linebacker Jon Bostic if the former second-round draft pick pans out with the Patriots. Bostic never played for the Bears in 2015 because of injuries but was active for the Patriots against the Colts last week. The Bears’ inside linebacker spots are hardly solid and Bostic has speed the Bears could use if he’s healthy.

The Bears will be glad they:

JAHNS: Moved Long to right tackle and kept him there. There will be more lumps ahead. But it will work. He will develop into a viable right tackle, who will play at an All-Pro level at some point. A move to left tackle may never happen, but his work on the right side is a good start if another move comes.

FINLEY: Took their time with Jeffery. Everyone was frustrated by Hamstring Watch 2015: The Thrilling Sequel to Mild Calf Strain Patrol. But Jeffery proved Sunday that, when healthy, he’s a unique talent. Now the Bears need to pay him.

POTASH: Gave center Hroniss Grasu the starting job after Montgomery was injured. Grasu, after an early mishap against the Chiefs, has acquitted himself well — his 2.0 rating from Pro Football Focus against the Lions was higher than anything Montgomery had in his four games.

How they’ll fare in their last 10 games:

JAHNS: Let’s get specific. The Bears will beat the Vikings, Lions, 49ers and Redskins at home and ruin Lovie Smith’s season again, this time in Tampa. But road losses against the Chargers, Rams, Packers and Vikings should be expected. The Broncos win the John Fox Bowl.

FINLEY: They’re a mediocre team in a league full of them, but their easy schedule presents a few opportunities to prove otherwise. Call it 4-6.

POTASH: 5-5 if they get healthier. With all three phases in a formative stage, this team is a candidate to improve in the second half. A victory over a team the Bears are not supposed to beat would be a bonus: the Packers on the road, the Broncos at home, the Chargers or Vikings on the road.

NFL rules experts had no idea if this controversial Golden Tate play was a catch, interception or TD. What's Your Take?

By Chris Chase

So here we are, watching yet another football game that involves one of these controversial catches that might not be a catch, but nobody really knows because the NFL’s rulebook is as confusing as the first Mission Impossible movie.

Here’s what we know happened: Matthew Stafford hit Golden Tate with a pass caught at the half-yard line. Tate was immediately surrounded by a bevy of white uniforms and, after he had crossed the plane of the goal line — which, as we all know, means nothing in determining catches — had the ball stripped. It bounced around for a second or two and eventually went into the hands of James Anderson. The ruling on the field was an interception and everything that’s happened over the past 10 months with catches and non-catches led viewers, fans and players to believe that the ruling was correct.



On Fox, Mike Pereira was assured of it, saying it was an interception when you viewed it in real-time and calling it a “curious” a call and not obvious at all.

Then Walt Coleman came out and reversed the call. But rather than educate America on the league’s most controversial and incomprehensible rule, here’s how Anderson started his reversal at Ford Field:

“After review the ruling on the field is changed. It is a touchdown.”

(Photo/Tim Fuller/USA TODAY Sports)

That’s like a policeman pulling someone over, giving out a $350 ticket and then, when asked why, saying “driving violation.”

Anderson did mumble a few things after reversing the call, squirming a bit like he was completely uncomfortable and unsure whether to say anything at all. He eventually mentioned that Tate took steps before crossing the plane , but he was drowned out by cheering Lions fans and Ronde Barber talking on TV. It was immediately unclear why or how the call was changed (that’s the key — it wasn’t upheld, it was overruled, something that has a larger burden of proof).

That’s what Pereira of Fox harped on. “The ball is already out when the third foot is on the ground,” he said. “To me, the process is you have to maintain control of the ball until you clearly become a runner in this case because the ruling on the field was that he didn’t.” He then said the officials in New York didn’t have the evidence to overturn the call.

Later, on NFL RedZone, the NFL’s VP of Officiating, Dean Blandino, said Tate took three steps and insists this is not the same thing as the Dez Bryant or Calvin Johnson catch because it’s about Tate becoming a runner not going to the ground. That’s all true.

The problem is that we’ve seen so many catches that have been ruled non-catches that no one knows what to believe anymore. Watching Coleman, Pereira and Blandino, all rules experts, give different interpretations only further shows that the NFL rulebook is indecipherable and that there’s an easy way to solve this weekly problem: “If it looks like a catch, it’s a catch.”

Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: We're still seething that the NFL has done nothing to clarify this rule. Everyone that watches one of these controversial catches has a different interpretation. There is no consistency in the enforcement of this rule and it's confusing the fans, players and coaches. The inconsistency of the game officials and the New York NFL review team in making the correct calls are a blemish on the integrity of the NFL. Fans are getting distraught because their teams are losing games on these bogus calls.

To be frank with you, it's really not the rule, it's the inconsistency of the calls. The NFL experts cannot agree when these plays are reviewed. Where do we go from here? Commissioner Roger Goodell should sit the competition committee and  the NFL executive committee down and demand a solution for this situation. In the long run, this issue can create serious doubt and distrust in the game's officiating. It's just a bad situation that has been going on too long and needs to be corrected immediately if not sooner.

We hope something can be done to rectify the interpretation of this rule or look out because it's going to get ugly.

As usual, we've stated our position; you know how we feel and now we want to hear your thoughts and what's your take? Please go to the comments section at the bottom of this blog and share your opinion with us. We really look forward to hearing what you have to say........

The Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.

Bears cut Jeremiah Ratliff, sign DL Ziggy Hood.

CSN STAFF

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Ryan Pace's roster turnover in his first year as Bears general manager continued on Thursday.

The Bears announced that they have terminated the contract of Jeremiah Ratliff and signed defensive lineman Ziggy Hood.

After being suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, Ratliff appeared in two games with the Bears this season. He registered seven total tackles. In three seasons with Chicago, the 34-year-old Ratliff appeared in 18 games, notching 63.5 tackles, eight sacks and 18 quarterback pressures. 

“We felt moving forward without Jeremiah was in the best interest of our team,” Pace said in a press release. “We appreciate his contributions and wish him well. We are also excited to be able to add Ziggy Hood to our roster.”

Hood, 28, appeared in 96 games over six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2009-13) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2014), recording 164 tackles, 12.5 sacks and 23 QB hits. He was originally selected in the first-round (32nd overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft out Missouri.

Hroniss Grasu becomes present, and projected future, at center.

By John Mullin

The Bears signed veteran center Will Montgomery to a one-year deal in the offseason, to stabilize the offensive line with someone familiar with coordinator Adam Gase from their days with the Denver Broncos. But Montgomery was lost for the season with a leg injury against the Oakland Raiders in Week 4, rocking the entire position group. Briefly.

Third-round pick Hroniss Grasu effectively “won” the No. 1 center job in the week of practice after the Montgomery injury. With Grasu inactive for the Raiders, Matt Slauson had moved over to center from left guard. But the days that followed that game, the rookie showed the coaches enough to install him at center, return Slauson to guard and assign Grasu to handle two-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Dontari Poe and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Before that, however, back in training camp, coaches saw no reason to over-use Montgomery. Instead they gave a huge share of the work, in practice and in preseason games, to the rookie from Oregon.

“We laughed about it, him saying, ‘You damn-near tried to kill me in [training] camp.],’” said line coach Dave Magazu. “He had a ton of work in training camp and obviously things are a lot different playing center in the pro game than it is in college.

“We thought he was very close to being NFL-ready but there were a lot of things he had to learn. He started to melt a little like an ice cream cone in camp because he was getting so much work.”

Grasu has far from melted. The last Bears rookie to start at center was Olin Kreutz, a third-round pick in 1998, and that was just for one game. Grasu is seen as both the present and the future at the position for the Bears.

Along with the specifics of the job, Grasu has earned the respect of teammates, particularly the ones in his own meeting room.

“I think,” offensive tackle Kyle Long said. “He did such a great job leaning on Will Montgomery in the months that he’s been here, because Monty has such a unique understanding of this offense having that he’s been there since the birth of it with Peyton [Manning] and variations of the offense.

“Hroniss did a great job using that resource, and obviously Matt Slauson, can’t say enough about Matt Slauson and the job he does, being able to break it down to simpler terms and really show things to the guys—although Hroniss is really smart. We have a lot of complex things that go on within our offense, and he’s done a great job handling that.”

Eddie Goldman anchoring the defensive line.

By John Mullin

The future of the Bears – the future of any NFL team, really – will turn ultimately on the abilities of GM Ryan Pace and his staff to draft players of impact. And while the full measure of a draft may take some time to become apparent, drafts are like fine wine: The quality of a vintage will become apparent while it’s still in barrels.

So it may be for the Bears’ 2015 draft, which has all five of its available members active and playing on Sundays. Some of the reasons for three of them starting may lie in injuries above them on the depth chart, but each has performed well enough to secure the job in competitions despite other options being available to coaches.

In the first of a series, CSNChicago.com looks at the top 2015 draft choices and their impact as the Bears regroup at the off week:

WR Kevin White  (Rd. 1, 7^th overall)

White is still rehabbing after surgery to fix a stress fracture. He was in the top-three rotation with Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal before the offseason injury. His return this season from the reserve/physically unable to perform designation is uncertain.

NT Eddie Goldman  (Rd. 2, 39^th overall)

During a defensive-line drill, Goldman had occasion to grab the shirt of coach Jay Rodgers, who recalled, “when he got his hands on me, he ripped my shirt from here to here. So he’s got those things that we like.”

The former Florida State All-American doesn’t see his job as all that complicated, which is probably the way a nose tackle should approach NFL life: “As long as you don't mind being physical and as long as you can dish out punishment, that's all there is to it,” he said.

But there is more to it, and Goldman has grasped that after some early struggles with conditioning prior to the season: “Just the little things like your hands, something as small as a single step, just being physical and being consistent.”

And therein lies perhaps the reason Goldman has established himself as the hoped-for anchoring force in the middle of the 3-4 scheme as envisioned by coach John Fox and coordinator Vic Fangio. Goldman has started three games, including one at end, and has 1.5 sacks despite being taken out routinely in nickel packages.

“He’s worked hard to get to that point, dropped a little weight from where he was in training camp, and I think he’s at a good spot where he can play,” said defensive line coach Jay Rodgers. “I like ‘athletes,’ athletic D-linemen is what I like, and he has athleticism.”

Goldman was credited with five tackles in the Detroit game, plus a half-sack in addition to pursuing Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford across the field.

“He’s really starting to increase his production,” Rodgers said. “Little by little. And his footwork is so much cleaner than it was in training camp. So he’s continued to grow at this [upward] pattern. And having more experience in understanding what we want from him has really helped him.

“And just getting used to the way we do things. Seeing blocks. Performing certain tasks. And so he’s just going to keep going up and up as long as he keeps to the grind.”

How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Kane, Seabrook have three-point nights in Blackhawks win over Panthers.

By Tracey Myers

Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford, right, celebrates with right wing Andrew Shaw, center, and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk after they defeated the Florida Panthers 3-2 in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Brent Seabrook and Patrick Kane each had a goal and two assists as the Blackhawks beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 on Thursday night at the United Center.

In their first game without Duncan Keith, who is out 4-6 weeks after having right-knee surgery earlier this week, the Blackhawks played a solid all-around game. The Blackhawks went on the power play eight times, including five during the second period. Seabrook connected on the second one. Kane scored on the fifth power play, 17 seconds into the third period.

Artem Anisimov scored his third goal of the season. Corey Crawford got his first assist of the season, the secondary helper on Kane’s goal. He also stopped 16 of 18 shots in the victory.

Jaromir Jagr got one back for the Panthers, who had 1:54 of 5-on-3 in the third period.

Where Quenneville, Blackhawks stand on eliminating morning skates.

By Tracey Myers

Marian Hossa is all for it.

The veteran forward was talking about morning skates, and how at least two NHL teams, Colorado and the New York Rangers, have stopped having them for the most part. To Hossa, it sounds like a pretty good idea.

“I’d love it. I wish they’d put it in the CBA,” Hossa said with a laugh.

All kidding and future CBA considerations aside, you wonder if full-team morning skates could become a thing of the past. Avalanche coach Patrick Roy decided this season to not have them, as long as the team practices the day before the game. The New York Rangers started eliminating them in the second half of last season and have continued that this early season.

The Blackhawks are already one of the lighter practicing teams. Coach Joel Quenneville either has short and energetic practices or none at all. So they may not be getting rid of them as quickly as teams that may practice longer and more often.

“You see the way Joel is: He gives us so many days off as far as practice days. It seems like, by the end of the year, we’re a little more fresh than other teams,” Patrick Kane said. “I don’t know. Some guys have their routines where they like to go out there, shoot some pucks, move their feet a little bit. But I think all of us probably wouldn’t be opposed to having that [morning skate] off.”

Considering the few practices the Blackhawks already have, it’s unlikely they’ll get rid of morning skates – at least right now.

“I think if we didn’t have morning skates we’d never practice,” Quenneville said with a grin. “If there’s one thing our team will never be accused of is being worked too hard as far as practice times and days go along. Sometimes we feel if we get the day off before the day of the game, there’s nothing wrong nothing wrong with going out in the morning and getting loosened up, and a goalie needs to see and feel pucks.”

Still, there are always individual exceptions. Quenneville said Joe Sakic, who played for the Colorado Avalanche when Quenneville was an assistant coach and later head coach, usually didn’t participate in morning skates. Some Blackhawks veterans, Hossa and Duncan Keith among them, have taken off skates in the past.

“Some guys, we leave it up to them,” Quenneville said. “But the majority of the time, they don’t mind being up there.”

Jonathan Toews said it depends on the situation whether or not the team should have morning skates.

“If you’ve had a lot of games throughout the week and it’s a back to back, I agree, you don’t have to be on the ice. But sometimes on that game day it’s good to get into that mindset, come to the rink, go through those motions, make sure the body and mind are ready,” Toews said. “We get that treatment where sometimes we don’t get practices the day before, but game days we’re expected to be ready. So it’s either/or.  Our coaching staff does a good job of judging that.”

Marcus Kruger understands why some teams are taking that route.

“Every team’s trying to find ways to get advantages and having fresh legs every night,” he said. “It’s such a long season. Teams will try to figure out ways to get that better.”

So would he be OK if the Blackhawks nixed them?

“If we would do it, I’d be OK with that,” Kruger said with a smile.

Who knows if no morning skates catches on league wide. Every team is always looking for an edge. The Blackhawks don’t sound like they’re going that route right now. The Rangers and Avalanche have chosen to do away with morning skates. Ultimately, be it with those two teams or with other teams, it probably comes down to what the majority of players prefer.

“Everybody’s different. Some guys are used to doing that. But everyone would get used to it if the whole league didn’t have them,” Hossa said. “Me, personally, I wouldn’t miss that. If you practice today, tomorrow we would just come for the game at night. I don’t think it would be a huge deal.”

Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic's chemistry clicked this summer in Spain.

By K.C. Johnson

Spain's center Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic celebrate after a victory over Poland in the EuroBasket 2015 tournament. (Photo/EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

There was at least one, sometimes two practices per day. More often than not, three meals were shared together. And the intense training and patriotic-filled competition stretched over two months.

Yes, Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic grew closer this summer, the two top scorers on the Spanish national team that won gold at the EuroBasket tournament.

It's a bond Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg witnessed first-hand when he traveled to Spain to become acquainted with the big men. It's also a pairing Hoiberg looks increasingly poised to place in the Bulls' starting lineup.

"We went through ups and downs. We won a championship that was very difficult to win, so obviously that brings people together," Gasol said. "Comfort level? I would say big."

Added Mirotic, who played with the Spanish national team for the first time after two stints with the junior national team: "Playing with Pau was huge for me to keep learning and improving."

Hoiberg's offense places a premium on shooting. At 37.8 percent from beyond the arc this preseason, Mirotic still isn't connecting at a clip fitting for a player sold as a stretch-four power forward. But Mirotic has looked more decisive and aggressive as the preseason has progressed.

"He's a player who spreads the floor, knows how to play the game, is a threat from outside," Gasol said. "It allows me to have room to operate from the post and we understand each other well. We have good chemistry and connection and play well off each other."

Hoiberg said that extends to their shared Spanish language that Mirotic, a native of Montenegro, speaks fluently. More often than not, Gasol communicates to Mirotic in Spanish.

Hoiberg noted Mirotic's recent decisiveness as well. That included four 3-pointers in Tuesday's victory over the Pacers.

"I loved it. He was firing it up. He had a really good rhythm," Hoiberg said. "You could see it in his shot. He had great balance. His legs were good. I was really happy with the way he played."

This is a huge opportunity for Mirotic, who led the NBA in fourth-quarter scoring in March but endured too many bouts with inconsistency during his rookie season. He's confident his second season will be smoother.

"I know how to play now. I know the players," Mirotic said. "And I like the new system. Playing fast, running the floor, trying to score easy baskets. I think we need that. We need to play with space. I don't think it's just me. I think everyone likes it."

Mirotic downplayed his likely starting role.

"I don't care about this really. My only worry is how I can put the energy into my team," he said. "I just have to play a simple game and be good defensively. Whether I start or not is not my preoccupation. The coach has to think about that. But I'm really feeling great right now and I just want to enjoy this season."

Derrick Rose practices, could play in preseason finale.

By Vincent Goodwill

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

The left eye was still squinting but opening more than it had been since media day for Derrick Rose, who went through a contact practice and appears ready to play a few minutes in Friday's preseason game against Dallas.

Fred Hoiberg would certainly like to see Rose out there for at least a few minutes of game action before declaring his point guard fit to play on opening night.

“Derrick participated in a little bit of the contact, not a lot,” said Hoiberg, who wants to see Rose play 5-10 minutes if possible. “But it was good to see him out there. He’s getting more work with Randy (Brown, assistant coach). We’ll see. Maybe see how he feels in the morning. He has a lot of general soreness right now just from picking up the activity after basically not doing anything for two weeks.”

Hoiberg said Rose’s double vision would prevent him from playing but Rose said he would play anyways, as long as his vision doesn’t take a step back overnight.

“They just want me out there,” Rose said. “As long as I'm out there and moving around, I'm not worried about attacking or being aggressive. That's going to come. I just need to be out there.”

Playing with the mask seems to be growing on him, although he’s not sure if he’ll stay with it even after the eye heals. Catching the basketball and judging the speed of it are the major issues with the healing orbital bone, which was repaired a little over three weeks ago.

When asked by a reporter if he still has double vision, Rose said, “Yeah, yeah. Right now I see two of you. It’s kind of bad, but it’s preseason you know, so it’s all about getting out there and playing, just playing a couple of minutes and seeing how it goes.”

Rose worked up a good sweat in Charlotte before the game Monday, shooting around, and actually got hit in the face with his mask on during practice. He said it didn’t feel as bad as he thought it would, which could bring him some level of comfort as far as driving to the basket.

“Every day I’m improving. The eye itself, the swelling is going down, so just taking my time,” Rose said. “Practice has been going well. Been practicing pretty hard, and if everything is alright tomorrow, I’m going to play a little bit.”

It seemed like a daily thing with Rose, as far as his progress headed toward opening night. But it seems as if, at the very least, playing on opening night against the Cleveland Cavaliers next Tuesday is not only in his sights but a priority.

“I mean for anybody opening night is opening night,” Rose said. “It’s when the season starts, so it’s your showcase to show everybody what you been doing the entire summer. So it’s a big night, but at the same time if I feel like I can’t go there’s no point in rushing it or pushing myself.”

Hoiberg stressed it’s a long season, especially with three games in four nights hitting the Bulls smack in the face to start the season but isn’t putting any pressure on Rose.

“To have him out there today, there’s a lot of rust, which there should be,” Hoiberg said. “Not many guys can take that amount of time off and come back and look like an All-Star right away. I think it’d be great for him if he could (play).”

Cubs fans cringe as curse strikes again, Series hopes smashed.

By Mira Oberman

Lifelong Chicago Cubs fan Greg Duffner takes photos of his family in front of Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois on October 15, 2015 (AFP Photo/Mira Oberman)

If a neighborhood could sink under the weight of decades and decades of crushed baseball dreams, it happened in Chicago Wednesday night as the Cubs were again knocked out of World Series contention.

This was supposed to be the year that baseball's 'loveable losers' ended the longest title drought in North American sports history: a whopping 107 years.

They'd already beaten baseball's statistically 'best' team -- the St. Louis Cardinals -- in the first round of the playoffs, after a wildcard game victory over the Pittsburg Pirates sealed their first post-season win in 12 years.

That is not to mention the fact that the movie "Back to the Future" predicted the Cubs would win in 2015. And Thursday -- October 21 -- was the day that Marty McFly's DeLorean landed him in front of that implausible holographic billboard "Cubs Win World."

But the Cubs failed. Their loss Wednesday night made it 4-0 for the New York Mets in the best of seven series in the National League Championship.

If Hollywood had been writing the script, the Cubs would have dug in after losing the first three games against the Mets, pulled off an underdog, come-from-behind win on Wednesday night and then swept to a glorious, curse-breaking World Series victory.

It happened to the Boston Red Sox in 2004: a team also weighed down by a curse, and a weightier one at that.

The Red Sox were saddled with the "curse of the Bambino" after selling Babe Ruth to arch-rivals the New York Yankees a year after he helped them win the 1918 series. And it only took them 84 years to win another.

The Cub's "curse of the Billy Goat" is much less deserved: it was lobbed by an irate tavern owner after he tried to bring a pet goat into Wrigley Field during Game Four of the 1945 World Series.

- "Go Cubs! Go!" -

"107 years we've been waiting. Figured maybe this was going to be the year," David Dakota said as he held his 22-month-old son Blake in front of a gate that offers a view of the play at Wrigley Field.

"Hoping for a victory here, but it's not looking so good," Dakota said during the bottom of the third inning.

Blake hadn't picked up on his father's disappointment yet as he piped out adorably lispy "Go-Cubs-Go" chants. His wide eyes drank in the excitement of bright lights and busy streets outside one of the last stadiums in the United States still nestled in a neighborhood, rather than surrounded by a sea of concrete parking lots.

He didn't know that the bars across the street were usually a lot more packed. Or notice that many of the people left inside had already stopped paying attention to the big screen TVs.

Some of the team's most faithful fans kept believing they had a shot long after the Cubs gave up four runs in the first inning and two more in the second.

- 'There's always next year' -

Bartender Diane Harder, 63, grew up just a few blocks from the team's storied stadium and loves the Cubs so much she tattooed their logo on her shoulder.

"They're down, but we've got a lot of time, we can do it, absolutely," Harder told AFP after slipping away from her costly playoff seat for a smoke break during the sixth inning when the Cubs were down 6-1. 

Cheers and chants of 'Go Cubs Go' poured out of Wrigley as she smoked, but so did plenty more fans who weren't heading back in.

Soon, that trickle of dejection turned into a flood.

"Everyone's heart gave out. It was kinda terrible," said Nicko Makropoulos, 22, who couldn't bear to wait it out until the bitter end. "I thought for sure we were going to win."

Jill Staunton, 33, and her father left their costly seats during the eighth inning when the Cubs were down 8-3. They didn't want to have to see the Mets celebrate a playoff victory underneath Wrigley's ivy-covered walls.

"True Cubs fans don't get too upset, they just hold out hope," she said with a sigh. "There's always next year."

Epstein, Cubs start to look ahead after 'magical' year.

By ANDREW SELIGMAN

A day later, Theo Epstein was ready to start again.

Next season can't come soon enough for the Cubs executive after Chicago wrapped up a year he described Thursday as ''magical.''

Yes, it was quite a ride.

The Cubs put five consecutive losing seasons behind them and emerged as one of the best teams in baseball, led by young players and veterans and a manager in Joe Maddon who pulled all the right strings in getting the franchise back in the postseason.

It ended Wednesday with the New York Mets completing a four-game sweep in the NL Championship Series, but the Cubs already believe they have what it takes to contend again next season.

''We know what we have here,'' All-Star rookie Kris Bryant said.

What they have is a team that often started four rookies, won 97 games and then knocked out the two teams that finished with better records - NL Central rivals St. Louis and Pittsburgh - in the playoffs. They came up short against New York's young arms, and it left a desire for more.

''We can't get to opening day fast enough,'' said Epstein, the club's president of baseball operations and the executive credited the most with overhauling the Cubs.

Epstein, like Maddon, would like to add pitching before the opener. That's not the only item on his to-do list. NL Cy Young candidate Jake Arrieta is eligible for arbitration and figures to get a big raise after leading the majors with 22 wins.

There are some other issues to address. Here are some things to look for as the Cubs start preparing for next season:

CONTRACT TALK: With his five-year contract expiring after next season, Epstein figures to discuss an extension this offseason with chairman Tom Ricketts. Exactly when?

''That is not anywhere near the top of the list of priorities this winter,'' Epstein said. ''I'm sure this winter at some point we'll sit down and talk - not just about me but a lot of the guys in the front office who contribute behind the scenes and making sure this group can stay together for a while and finish what we started.''

ARMS RACE: There will be plenty of speculation about David Price coming to the Cubs. The 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner would fit nicely next season at the top of the rotation alongside Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester. Don't dismiss his history with Maddon from their time together in Tampa Bay or the fact that the Cubs look like they are poised to contend for at least the next few years. Then again, the price will be high and the Cubs did give Lester a $155 million deal last offseason. Cheaper options might be John Lackey or former Cub Jeff Samardzija. A trade involving Starlin Castro and a prospect or two might be a possibility.

FRONT AND CENTER: The Cubs could have a hole to fill at the top of the order and in center field with Dexter Fowler's contract expiring. In his first season in Chicago, he wound up fourth in the NL with a career-high 102 runs despite a slow start. Epstein would love to keep Fowler, saying he made ''a wonderful impression.'' If Fowler leaves, that could mean more playing time in the outfield for Bryant and Javier Baez.

CATCHER OR OUTFIELDER?: For a guy who began the year in Double-A, Kyle Schwarber made quite an impression with 16 homers and 43 RBIs in 69 games. In the playoffs, he set a club-record with five home runs. But he also struggled in left field in the NLCS. And the question remains - is he a catcher or an outfielder? For now, Epstein said the plan is to continue developing him at both spots.

''We're not good enough to forecast exactly how his career is going to go defensively, what position he's gonna play,'' Epstein said.

NEXT FOR WRIGLEY: New bleacher sections in left and right field were added this year, along with two large video boards. That's just the start for Wrigley Field. The massive overhaul of the 101-year-old ballpark continues in the offseason with what should be some welcome changes for the club. The team is expected to move into a new, expanded clubhouse next season. Future upgrades call for moving the bullpens underneath the bleachers, more concessions and concourses, new seating and a hotel across the street, among other things.

MLB 'interested' in Mexico franchise.

AFP

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred prior to game four of the American League Championship Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre on October 20, 2015 in Toronto (AFP Photo/Vaughn Ridley)

Major League Baseball is studying the possibility of launching a franchise in Mexico but the tantalizing prospect of a team in Cuba remains distant for the time being, league commissioner Rob Manfred said on Wednesday.

Manfred told the Hollywood Reporter that officials were interested in seeing more franchises based outside the United States, with Canada and Mexico heading the queue of possible locations for new teams.

"I'd be interested in another team in Canada. We are really interested in Mexico. It's a huge broadcast market," Manfred said.

"If we can find the right location, it is possible to support a team in Mexico economically. And an increased flow of Mexican players into the big leagues combined with a team in Mexico would help us with the Hispanic market in the US," he added.

Baseball is popular in parts of Mexico, and MLB matches are regularly broadcast on some channels.

Manfred meanwhile did not rule out the possibility of MLB one day launching a team in baseball-mad Cuba as relations between the United States and its bitter Cold War rival continue on their path towards full normalization.

"I'd like to see more teams outside of the US a long-term proposition," Manfred said.

But he cautioned: "A lot would have to happen in Cuba to get to a position where they could support a major league team economically."

Manfred meanwhile reiterated his support for an exhibition match in Cuba involving an MLB team, saying it could happen in 2016.

"We're working hard to try to get to a position where we might be able to do an exhibition game in Cuba as early as 2016 -- so next spring," Manfred said.

"We think it's important to play in Cuba for a host of reasons, including the fact that the US government thinks it's important for us to play in Cuba.

"We also like markets where baseball is part of the culture. And it's also is an important source of talent."

Golf: I got a club for that..... Fast start in Vegas for exciting prospect Rodgers.

Reuters; Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes, Editing by Frank Pingue

May 16, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Patrick Rodgers hits an approach shot during third round play at Quail Hollow Club. (Photo/Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)

Patrick Rodgers, one of the most exciting prospects in the game, continued his impressive start to the 2015-16 PGA Tour by charging into contention at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas on Thursday.

The 23-year-old American, who tied for sixth place in the season-opening Frys.com Open last week, took advantage of the customary low-scoring conditions in the Nevada desert as he fired a sparkling six-under-par 65 in the opening round.

With barely a breath of wind at the TPC Summerlin, Rodgers added six birdies and two bogeys to an eagle at the par-five ninth to finish one stroke off the early lead set by compatriots Mark Hubbard and Michael Thompson, and Canada's David Hearn.

Level with Rodgers at six under were Japan's Ryo Ishikawa, South Korean D.H. Lee, Englishman Greg Owen and Americans Chad Campbell and Ricky Barnes.

"It was nice to be the first off, the greens were perfect," Rodgers told reporters after teeing off in the first group of the day and storming to the turn in a sizzling five-under 30.

"I felt really comfortable and was able to roll in a few putts, especially there on that front nine. I definitely wasn't at my sharpest on the back but all in all a very good start."

Rodgers, whose best PGA Tour finish was a tie for second at this year's Wells Fargo Championship, felt he had also benefited from an eight-week break from competitive golf before starting the new season at the Frys.com Open in Napa, California.

"It definitely could be an advantage," said Rodgers, who was an outstanding amateur golfer at Stanford University where he won 11 times to match a record set by Tiger Woods.

"I made the most of my time off and I felt really prepared last week. I'm going to try to use to that my advantage this fall."

Rodgers made 12 of 17 cuts as a non-member on the 2014-15 PGA Tour, including two top-10s, before finishing in the top 125 in the FedExCup standings to secure his card for this season.

American world number five Rickie Fowler, the highest-ranked player in the field, hit his tee shot into water at the par-three 17th on the way to a double-bogey and an opening round of 72.

His compatriot Ben Martin, who clinched his first PGA Tour victory at last year's Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, was among the late starters.

Tiger's old coach says Spieth has edge on Rory, Day due to putting skills.

By Kyle Porter

Jordan Spieth will have the best record of the Rory McIlroy-Jason Day trio, Hank Haney says. (Photo/USATSI)

Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth or Jason Day. Who you got?

That's going to replace the "when does Tiger Woods tee off?" as the biggest weekly golf question over the next year or so. And it should. The trio won 12 times on the PGA Tour in 2015, including three majors, and is primed for a monstrous next decade.

So ... who you got?

"I think Jordan will wind up with the best record of the three,” Tiger Woods' old coach Hank Haney said, per The Scotsman. “He has that internal motivation that is second to none right now. He has had no issues with his body. And he is best in putting, the part of the game that is hardest to improve. When you get to your 30s, you don't normally become a great putter. So I have to go with him.”

The internal motivation thing is interesting to me. It's something McIlroy has clearly struggled with throughout his career. And as someone who had made hundreds of millions of dollars, that won't change.

“When it takes external motivation to get someone going, it isn't typically sustainable," Haney said in reference to McIlroy saying that the performances from Day and Spieth had inspired him. "It's short-term. The best motivation is internal, as it has clearly been for Jason and Jordan. And was for Tiger.”

I have no idea who's going to end up as the best of the three. McIlroy is the most inherently skilled, Day the most mind-numbingly disciplined and Spieth (as Haney noted) the best putter.

Instead, I'll defer to the posture Lee Trevino takes. He said it perfectly to ESPN recently.

"... I love watching them."

NASCAR: Halfway through Chase, Denny Hamlin looks formidable.

By Nate Ryan

At the halfway mark of the Chase for the Sprint Cup, he has the most top fives of playoff contenders, a victory lane appearance and an enticing third-round record.

He also made the championship round last season and nearly stole the crown at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

He clearly has emerged as a 2015 title favorite.

Joey Logano, right?

Actually, try Denny Hamlin.

While Logano will enter Sunday’s CampingWorld.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway as the only Chase driver guaranteed a third-round berth through his consecutive victories at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway, Hamlin has four top fives (one more than Logano) and an 18-point cushion on the Chase cutoff line as the second-ranked driver behind points leader Logano.

That hardly offers any comfort given that Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch entered Talladega with a 26-point margin last year and was eliminated in 41^st because of a crash that happened despite a strategy of sandbagging to avoid being caught in a multicar wreck.

“We’re by no means locked in,” Hamlin said after finishing second at Kansas. “We’re still in an in‑between zone, so we’re going to need to go to Talladega and race, and it’s still been such a great Chase run for us so far; with the exception of Dover (18^th)where we’ve had those two pit road speeding penalties, we’ve been top 5 every race and contending for wins.”

Hamlin opened the Chase with a victory at Chicagoland Speedway after falling a lap down because of a spin on the second lap. Sunday’s goal will be to stay ahead of such trouble to ensure being one of the eight drivers who advance.

“The success that I’ve had at Talladega has come from trying to run up front every single lap,” said Hamlin, who can clinch a third-round spot with a top 15  regardless of where anyone else finishes. “I don’t think 18 (points are) enough to just go out there and ride around. I just don’t think that’s safe.”

If the No. 11 Toyota can advance, though, Hamlin’s path to Homestead suddenly will appear more comfortable. The third round shapes up as his most favorable and a virtual firewall against elimination, given that he has wins at Martinsville Speedway (five, including most recently in March), Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway.

Conversely, Logano has only one win across those three tracks (Texas in April 2014).

“The Chase tracks just play out well for me,” Hamlin said. “You look at the bracket and you look at the tracks (in the third round), and you’re like, ‘Well we can win at all three of those pretty easily.’

“I knew if we could get to the final eight last year then we were going to go to Homestead with a chance. Luckily for me, the tracks play out the way they do.”

Hamlin and Logano are two of 10 repeat drivers in the second round. Here’s how they are positioned entering Talladega this year vs. last year:



NASCAR to make 1 attempt to finish Talladega under green.

AP - Sports

NASCAR will make just one attempt to finish races under the green flag this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.

NASCAR currently gives three attempts at a green-white-checkered flag finish, even if it means adding additional laps to a race. But in cutting it down to one attempt, NASCAR is reducing the chance of accidents in the Sprint Cup Series and Truck Series races.

The July race at Daytona was marred by a last-lap crash that sent Austin Dillon's car sailing into the fence.

NASCAR chief racing development officer Steve O'Donnell says the procedural change to one attempt at a green-flag finish is an effort to balance ''exciting finishes and safety.''

SOCCER; Fire notes: Bliss urging Men in Red to play spoiler to Red Bulls.

By Danny Michallik

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

When the New York Red Bulls (17-10-6, 57 points) walk into Toyota Park, and step onto the field to face the Fire (8-19-6, 30 points) for the third and final time this season, the thought of playing spoiler to Jesse Marsch's group would be a fitting conclusion in the eyes of interim coach Brian Bliss.

The last time the Fire tasted a home loss against the Red Bulls, Bob Bradley, the Men in Red's inaugural head coach and then-New York/New Jersey MetroStars marched into Soldier Field, and walked away with a 3-0 victory on May 14, 2005.

A Fire win against the Red Bulls, who've already clinched the No. 1 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, could shake up the MLS Supporters' Shield race on #DecisionDay.

"That would be great," said Bliss, whose training session Wednesday was attended by newly appointed General Manager Nelson Rodríguez. "Obviously it would be a win, if we can win at home, for ourselves and for our fans who have supported us all year. There's nothing better than upsetting somebody else's tea party. If we can do that and play that role, I think guys can walk off the field and say they at least accomplished something at the end of the season."

Some notes from training...  

- Whether younger players enter the fold come Sunday's regular-season finale is still up for debate. Bliss was receptive to the notion when it was first broached prior to the Fire's convincing 3-1 win over the New England Revolution on Oct. 3. The likes of Homegrown midfielder Collin Fernandez, goalkeeper Alec Kann and others come to mind, but Bliss may be up against the wall.  
   
“I’d like to," Bliss added. "Look, the league is built for a reason the way it is and when you’ve got New York and Dallas fighting for the Supporters’ Shield, it’s tough to say, ‘Alright, I’m going to throw three guys in there.’ I think we’d be disingenuous to Dallas. I’m not even saying that the younger guys wouldn’t give the performance that a senior guy would.”

- Two USL players were invited to train with the club this week: Saint Louis FC centerback James Musa rejoined after enjoying a stint during the previous international break; and Louisville City FC midfielder Charlie Adams was brought in as a guest player.

- Midfielder Razvan Cocis took a couple knocks in the 4-0 loss at D.C. United over the weekend, and was held out of practice along with defender Ty Harden and forward Mike Magee, who did not travel. Cocis should return to full training on Thursday.

- With the Fire missing out on the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six seasons and the 2015 campaign nearing its end, contract talks are fast approaching. Deals for Harden, Magee and midfielder Matt Watson are set to expire, and "a handful" of others have options that could be exercised. 

“I would say 50 percent, maybe, that are either out-of-contract or on an option, and 50 percent are guaranteed [for 2016]," Bliss said.

Europa League Roundup: Spurs stumble, Liverpool grab first goal under Klopp.

By Kyle Bonn

(Photo/nbcsports.com)

Liverpool 1, Rubin Kazan 1

Funny how these things write themselves. In Jurgen Klopp’s first game at Anfield as new manager of Liverpool, it’s a German to break the duck. Emre Can scored just before halftime, moments after Rubin Kazan captain Oleg Kuzmin was sent off, giving Liverpool its first goal under Klopp.

Can’s goal brought the Reds level at 1-1, and the home side completely dominated the entire second half a man up, but could not score, with Christian Benteke coming closest when he hit the post inside the final 10 minutes.

Anderlecht 2, Tottenham 1

Spurs blew an early lead after Christian Eriksen‘s 4th minute goal, conceding twice and falling to the Belgian side on Stefano Okaka’s 75th-minute winner. The loss drops Tottenham out of the Group J top spot and down to third (albeit just a point off the top spot), with Anderlecht and Monaco both jump into advancing positions halfway through group play.

FC Qabala 1, Borussia Dortmund 3

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got back on schedule with a hat-trick, bringing his season total to 17 goals in 17 matches across all competitions to ease Dortmund past last year’s third place finisher in the Azerbaijani league. The win maintains Dortmund’s outright lead in Group C, and returns them to Bundesliga play on a high after early October was not kind to them.

FC Midtjylland 1, Napoli 4

Napoli took firm control of Group D behind Manolo Gabbiadini’s brace and a worldly from Jose Callejon. The latter put Napoli in front after 19 minutes on a brilliant ball over the top from Kalidou Koulibaly, which landed at the feat of a streaking Callejon who lifted it superbly on first touch over Mikkel Anderson. Gabbiadini grabbed his brace, and Gonzalo Higuain came on late to add a fourth to move Napoli three points clear of Midtjylland at the top of the group.

Fenerbahce 1, Ajax 0

Turkish club Fenerbahce topped the Dutch leaders with a Fenrandao header in the 89th minute, throwing Group A even further out of whack. These two clubs came into the group stage favorites to go through to the knockout round, but have floundered early. The win moves Fenerbahce into second place behind Molde, while Ajax continues to flounder with just two points through three matches. Robin Van Persie was not a part of the Fenerbahce squad.

Braga 3, Olympique Marseille 2

Marseille’s nightmare season continued as they came back late before blowing it just moments later to fall out of an advancing position in Group F. The first half saw no goals, but Braga was suddenly ahead with a pair of goals before the 77th minute. Marseille triumphantly came back with two goals in three minutes to draw level on 87 minutes, but as the season has gone for the French club, they gacked it away when Brazilian winger Alan scored from close range just one minute later to push the Porguguese club in front. Marseille sits in 16th in the Ligue 1 table, and now sit on the outside looking in on their Europa League group as well.

Lazio 3, Rosenborg 1
Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 0, St. Etienne 1
Lokomotiv Moscow 1, Besiktas 1
Sporting Lisbon 5, Skenderbeu Korce 1
Basel 1, Belenenses 2
Fiorentina 1, Lech Poznan 1
Schalke 2, Sparta Prague 2
Monaco 1, FC Qarabag 1
Villareal 4, Dinamo Minsk 1
AZ Alkmaar 0, Augsburg 1
APOEL 2, Asteras Tripoli 1
Molde 3, Celtic 1
Bordeaux 0, FC Sion 1
PAOK 0, Kuban Krasnodar 0
Legia Warsaw 1, Club Brugge 1
Rapid Vienna 3, Viktoria Plzen 2
Liberec 1, FC Groningen 1

NCAAFB: No. 1 Ohio State trying to stay unbeaten and on top.

By CRAIG MERZ

Ohio State has another chance to make its case Saturday against Rutgers as to why it should remain the top-ranked team.

So far, the voters in The Associated Press poll have not been impressed with the Buckeyes despite their unblemished record (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten).

After becoming the first unanimous No. 1 preseason pick with 61 votes, Ohio State received 28 this week, one more than the previous, and is 12 points ahead of second-place Baylor.

Apparently winning by an average of nearly 21 points per game (37.0-16.3) isn't enough when you're the defending national champions loaded with several possible NFL first-round picks.

''There are probably 10 programs in America that are held to extremely high standards and we're one of them,'' coach Urban Meyer said.

''I hear a question what's wrong with Ohio State, why aren't things working out? Everything's fine. We're just trying to get a little better every week and win a game.''

The disappointment could be in part because Ohio State hasn't matched the emphatic finish to the 2014 season when it beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game (59-0), Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal (42-35) and won the championship with a 42-20 win against Oregon.

''People are going to say, 'Why can't you play like you did against Wisconsin last year?' " left tackle Taylor Decker said. ''There's always going to be a ton of questions and everything, especially when people are gauging us off those last three games. I think we're farther along than we were last year.''

Ohio State opened strong this season with a 42-24 win at Virginia Tech, the only team to beat OSU last season.

That was followed by a 38-0 win over Hawaii, although the lead was only 14-0 at the half. Ohio State then was in a 10-10 halftime tie with Northern Illinois before winning 20-13. The Buckeyes next beat Western Michigan 38-12.

The Big Ten opener at Indiana produced a nail-biter that Ohio State won 34-27, thanks to a last-second goal-line stand. In the next game, Maryland tied the score at 21 early in the third before the Buckeyes pulled away for a 49-28 win.

Doubts about the Buckeyes' chances of repeating as champions grew louder.

''It comes with what we did last year,'' center Jacoby Boren said. ''Everyone expects us to be the No. 1 team in the nation. We have high expectations of ourselves. In the end it doesn't come down to what everybody on the outside says, it's what we're doing.''

It took the first home night game of the season, special all-black uniforms and playing rival Penn State last week for the Buckeyes to finally flaunt their talent in a 38-10 win.

Meyer said considering the strength of the Nittany Lions' defense, it was one of the best offensive efforts by his team in his four years as coach.

''The first game against Virginia Tech we put together a good game then kind of fell off a little after that,'' Boren said. ''This past week was a good start to it.''

If it's beginning to look like 2014 for Ohio State, it might be because quarterback J.T. Barrett, who was 11-1 as a starter last season before being injured, on Tuesday was named to replace this year's starter Cardale Jones.

Barrett had a breakout game playing most of the second half against Penn State.

''You can kind of see where we picked up (from) last year, especially when you see the explosive run plays,'' left guard Billy Price said. ''It was a great feeling, you get a lot of energy, then you get the crowd in the stadium behind you. It's flashbacks to old times.''

Wisconsin going for another 300-yard passing game vs. Illini.

By ERIC OLSON

Some things to watch in the Big Ten Conference during Week 8 of the season:

GAME OF THE WEEK: Wisconsin (5-2, 2-1) at Illinois (4-2, 1-1). Both teams have lost to Big Ten West-leading Iowa, so the winner takes sole possession of second place in the division. The Illini are 4-0 at home this season but have lost nine of 10 to Wisconsin and 12 of 14 following open dates. With their running game struggling, the Badgers have relied on Joel Stave's arm. He could become the first Wisconsin QB since 1983 to throw for 300 yards in three straight games.

BEST MATCHUP: Indiana offense vs. Michigan State defense. The Nate Sudfeld-led Hoosiers (4-3, 0-3) lead the Big Ten in passing and will go against an opponent that's 10th in the league in pass defense. Indiana heads to East Lansing as a desperate team, having lost three in a row since a 4-0 start. The Spartans (7-0, 3-0) have not been as imposing since defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi left. They're middle of the pack in the conference in scoring defense, and four of their seven wins have been by seven points or less.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Penn State freshman Saquon Barkley has quickly established himself as one of the most electrifying running backs in the nation. He ran for 194 yards against Ohio State last week for his third 100-yard game. He's averaging 8.3 yards a carry, and 17 of his 68 attempts have gone for double-digit gains. Barkley is within striking distance of D.J. Dozier's true freshman-record five 100-yard games in 1983.

LONG SHOT: Rutgers (3-3, 1-2) is a three-touchdown underdog at home against Ohio State (7-0, 3-0), the first top-ranked opponent to visit Piscataway since 2002. The Scarlet Knights played Michigan State tough two weeks ago, and last week they made the largest comeback in the country this season when they erased a 25-point deficit in the second half to beat Indiana. Rutgers could be without star Leonte Carroo and fellow receiver Janarion Grant. Both are questionable with lower-body injuries. QB J.T. Barrett gave the Buckeyes a spark against Penn State last week and will get the start.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Northwestern RB Justin Jackson must get going against Nebraska (3-4, 1-2) or it will be another long day for the Wildcats (5-2, 1-2). Jackson has been limited to 55 yards the last two weeks against Michigan and Iowa, and the Cornhuskers are allowing only 91 yards a game on the ground.

Is the SEC down? League depth a question at midway point.

By JOHN ZENOR and DAVID BRANDT

Halfway through the regular season, a dirty little secret is becoming more obvious to college football fans.

The proud Southeastern Conference doesn't look quite as formidable this fall.

There are still some good teams and talented players: No. 5 LSU and its Heisman Trophy candidate - running back Leonard Fournette, top the list. No. 8 Alabama has its own big back in Derrick Henry and has bounced back after a surprising loss to Mississippi in September.

But the depth around the conference appears to be lacking. The SEC has just five nationally ranked teams after a peak of 10 earlier in the season.

Preseason darling Auburn has been disappointing and Arkansas lost to Toledo. Missouri - the two-time defending Eastern Division champion - is 1-3 in conference play and struggling to score points. Georgia and Ole Miss looked like early contenders, but the Bulldogs have lost two of their past three games and the Rebels were thumped by Memphis on Saturday.

South Carolina has struggled so much that coach Steve Spurrier resigned, Tennessee and Kentucky are inconsistent, Mississippi State is uninspiring and Vanderbilt continues to bumble along in the Eastern Division basement.

Not that anyone in the league is panicking.

''We've got a long way to go, especially with the playoff system,'' Alabama quarterback Jake Coker said. ''Everybody's still alive.''

Maybe not everybody, but Alabama and LSU certainly look like teams that could make some postseason noise. Which one could be decided after they meet on Nov. 7.

It remains to be seen if any other late challengers emerge.

The only team that's legitimately been a pleasant surprise is No. 13 Florida, which lost for the first time on Saturday against LSU but still has a great shot at winning the East. No. 15 Texas A&M is also coming off its first loss - against Alabama - but has big games against Ole Miss and LSU remaining.

Here are some of the highlights and lowlights from the first half of the season:

BEST PLAYER: Fournette. This one really isn't close. Fournette has been unstoppable, featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated and is probably the Heisman Trophy front-runner. He has rushed for 1,202 yards when nobody else in FBS has reached 1,000. He's also second nationally in scoring with 14 touchdowns - two more than Vanderbilt and Missouri have scored, respectively. Runner up: Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett, one of the nation's best pass rushers.

BEST TEAM: LSU. The Tigers haven't played the most imposing schedule but are coming off a 35-28 win over Florida and are the only remaining unbeaten team in the SEC. The matter should be settled more definitively on Nov. 7 when LSU and the Tide clash at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Runner up: Alabama, which has romped through the past four games since losing to Mississippi.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Auburn. The Tigers opened the season ranked No. 6 and a popular pick to win the SEC. They've looked like anything but contenders this season. Quarterback Jeremy Johnson came in widely mentioned in the Heisman conversation but was benched after dreadful early performances. Runner up: Georgia, which has blown a big lead against Tennessee and been throttled by Alabama after being ranked in the top 10.

BIGGEST MYSTERY: Ole Miss. The Rebels were once ranked as high as No. 3 after beating the Tide. Since then the Rebels have been routed by Florida and lost to Memphis. Runner up: Arkansas. Once a Top 25 team, the Razorbacks appeared poised for a breakthrough season under coach Bret Bielema. Instead, they have lost four of their last five games.

BIGGEST BLOW: Georgia losing RB Nick Chubb to a season-ending knee injury. Chubb had been almost a surefire 100-yard runner every Saturday and was averaging 8.1 yards per carry. Runners up: D'haquille Williams/Laremy Tunsil. Auburn booted its talented receiver from the team after multiple suspensions. Tunsil is returning against Texas A&M after serving a seven-game NCAA suspension for receiving illegal benefits.

Half of the ACC's 14 teams have records of .500 or worse.

By GARY B. GRAVES

The Atlantic Coast Conference is struggling with half of its 14 teams at .500 and below.

The list of schools includes four 2014 bowl participants: defending Coastal Division champion Georgia Tech (2-5), Virginia Tech, Boston College (both 3-4) and Louisville (2-4). The others are Wake Forest (3-4), Virginia (2-4) and Syracuse (3-3).

Just three ACC teams had losing records at the midpoint last season according to STATS. Fulfilling its nine bowl ties might be a challenge for the league unless several teams can turn things around.

''Whether we were 2-4 or 4-2 or whatever, you have to put everything behind you and move forward,'' said Louisville coach Bobby Petrino, whose team hosts BC on Saturday. ''We do want to get the seniors to a bowl game, I think that is something that is real important and it gets the young guys to practice more and get better. ... What you really have to do is focus on this game right now.''

The ACC has partnerships with 11 bowls, including two secondary bowl affiliations, which means if another conference can't fulfill its bowl commitments, an ACC team would be an option. However, the ACC needs to handle its own business first.

The Orange Bowl, which usually features the ACC champion, this season is one of two playoff semifinal sites (the other is the Cotton Bowl). And while No. 6 Clemson and No. 9 Florida State square off on Nov. 7 as the top teams in the conference, there is the possibility no ACC team plays in the Orange Bowl this year.

Then there are those teams on the other end of the spectrum just trying to become bowl eligible.

Syracuse (1-1 ACC) is looking to end a three-game slide Saturday at Coastal-leading Pittsburgh (5-1, 3-0). The Orange face plenty of challenges in the second half with games against FSU, Clemson and North Carolina State (4-2), and have been outscored 123-96 in their last three losses.

''You really don't have time to stop and think about how many you're going to win,'' Syracuse offensive coordinator Tim Lester said. ''Now I'm just thinking about going to the next practice to see how we can get a little better. You want to win as many as you can, but you just want to win the next one.''

Boston College (0-4 ACC) has hung tough in many of its league losses including a 14-0 defeat against Florida State in September. But after a season-ending ankle injury to starting quarterback Darius Wade in that contest, the Eagles, with 64 underclassmen, must win four of their final five to become bowl eligible.

''I think they see the big picture,'' coach Steve Addazio said. ''Our job is to continue to develop this team to get as many wins as we can each week for this season and also, you have to understand that we are building something really good here.''

Georgia Tech is 0-4 in league play and reeling with five straight losses overall. The road to six wins only gets tougher with Florida State on Saturday, and Miami and rival Georgia still looming. Virginia Tech's path includes getting past second-place Duke (5-1, 2-0) this weekend and North Carolina next month.

Wake Forest is still a work in progress under coach Dave Clawson and wasn't expected to be a postseason team. The Demon Deacons got shellacked 50-14 last week at North Carolina but have been close in many of their contests including a 3-0 win over BC.

Compared to a front-loaded schedule featuring three ranked teams, Louisville's second-half docket seems relatively easier. But the Cardinals are still in an unfamiliar territory with a losing mark and a loss total matching last year.

Though that suggests a falloff after five straight bowl appearances, Petrino reminds players their best is still ahead. Cardinals fans hope that includes continuing the bowl run.

''Everybody's pretty aware of the record,'' said Louisville sophomore quarterback Reggie Bonnafon. ''But guys are ready to go and we just move forward.

''We try not to look too far ahead. The coaches always emphasize (playing) one week at a time and that's what the team does. We're going to continue to do that and let the rest take care of itself.''

NCAABKB: Wisconsin regroups, welcomes newcomers after 2 Final Fours.

By GENARO C. ARMAS

Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan groaned when he thought back to passing drills on the first day of preseason practice.

So many new faces, so many mistakes.

''I was afraid someone was going to get hurt,'' Ryan said at the team's media day Thursday. ''There were five or six guys out there that hadn't been in the drills that hadn't seen them.''

There is quite a different dynamic from last season's veteran, fun-loving squad.

The trusted senior backcourt of Josh Gasser and Traevon Jackson is gone. Sam Dekker is in the NBA after being drafted in the first round by the Houston Rockets.

And no more Frank Kaminsky, the 7-foot ringleader, anchoring the middle. The Wooden Award winner as the top college player was drafted by Charlotte.

They were the four leaders of teams that went to back-to-back Final Fours, and had a school-record 36 wins last season.

This new group is still getting used to each to other.

''It was weird, man,'' said forward Vitto Brown, recounting the first day that the Badgers gathered as a team. The nameplates on the lockers belonging to the storied departing class were empty.

''Now that they're gone, it was like, 'Who's there?'''' Brown recalled.

Well, Ryan, for starters. Given another opportunity to talk about his future after this season, Ryan passed.

''There are no guarantees out there. For me to even take 2 seconds about later just takes away from the job that I can do with these young men,'' Ryan said.

He had announced in June that he planned to retire at the end of the season. Two months later, Ryan left open the possibility of staying beyond this season.

Last week at Big Ten media day, Ryan didn't rule out coaching beyond this season.

On Thursday, his focus was trained on the immediate future.

''I don't know what else he would do besides coach,'' forward Nigel Hayes said.

The junior with the affinity for NCAA tournament stenographers is the leading returning scorer after averaging 12.4 points. Hayes said he has worked on all facets of his game this offseason. Ryan wants Hayes to get to the foul line more and to be more assertive.

''He needs to make sure that what he does is scrutinized even more now because .... all eyes are on him from his teammates,'' Ryan said. ''His leadership skills will be on display, every drill he does in practice when it comes to his teammates.''

It's a role that Hayes has already relished, Ryan said. Another junior, lightning-quick point guard Bronson Koenig (8.7 points), is the other returning starter who will be counted on to set the tone for the youthful roster.

Brown and Zak Showalter, two juniors who had moments coming off the bench, are also back. They'll assume more responsibility this year.

And that's it from last year's nine-deep rotation, which means a lot more teachable moments for newcomers. That means some growing pains for Wisconsin at the season's outset.

The starting lineup isn't already set, unlike last year's star-studded group. Beyond Hayes and Koenig, and Brown and Showalter to a lesser extent, there will be jostling for roles on the depth chart.

''I'm not Santa Claus with a bag of minutes over my shoulder, ready to give them out,'' Ryan said gruffly. ''I don't give them out - they're earned.''

St. John's about to start the "Mullin Era".

By JIM O'CONNELL

Chris Mullin handled everything thrown at him as a player. He was a two-time All-America selection at St. John's and is the school's career scoring leader, had a stellar 16-year NBA career and was part of the original Dream Team. All that meant election to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.

Now that he has started his coaching career at his alma mater, is there anything that has been a surprise in the first weeks of practice?

''Nothing yet,'' he said Wednesday at St. John's media day. ''And if something does come up, I'll handle it.''

That confidence should get tested pretty soon as the Red Storm get closer to their first game, Nov. 13, against Wagner.

''I don't want them anxious or impatient. When games come, they come. The schedule is all laid out,'' Mullin said, sounding like an NBA veteran. ''You are going to make turnovers and miss shots, that's basketball. There's always going to be a balance but it does take time.''

Mullin walked into a program that lost four starters to graduation and two of the top returnees - Rysheed Jordan and Chris Obekpa - left school. That meant there would be three returning players and they accounted for a total of 4.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Not one of them, all three combined.

Mullin hired two big-time recruiters as assistants - Barry ''Slice'' Rohrssen from Kentucky and Matt Abdelmassih from Iowa State. They managed to bring in five freshmen and three transfers, two of whom are fifth-year graduates eligible to play right always.

''We need those guys to be leaders,'' Mullin said about Durand Johnson from Pittsburgh and Ron Mvouika from Missouri State.

''I've always been a leader,'' said Johnson, a swingman who averaged 5.7 points in two injury-plagued years at Pitt. ''But coming here as a fifth-year senior, and Ron as well, we can speak to the younger guys.''

Johnson said he is enjoying having a ''new chance with a new coaching staff and new teammates.'' But there is one thing that's making the transition tough.

''Except for the 10-page term papers they give you every day in graduate school, it's been great,'' Johnson said with a laugh.

Mvouika, a native of France, said the chance to play college basketball for one more season was ''one last shot.''

''It's still a new experience but it's been good once we got inside the lines,'' said Mvouika who averaged 6.8 points in two seasons at Missouri State after a very good junior college career. ''I could use all the stuff I learned in the past against these younger guys.''

And there are younger guys.

''I'm also older than everybody,'' he said. ''They call me 'Uncle Ronnie.' I'm about to turn 24 and some of these guys are 18. That's a big gap.''

The predictions around St. John 's range from surprise team in the Big East - the Red Storm were picked 10th in the 10-team conference in the coaches' preseason poll - to worrying about finding enough wins to reach double figures.

Last season's team went 21-12 and lost to San Diego State in its opening game in the NCAA Tournament. That wasn't enough to save Steve Lavin's job.

Enter Mullin to the rescue and he's surrounding himself with some big names in basketball.

Greg St. Jean, the son of longtime NBA coach Garry St. Jean, joined the staff from the Sacramento Kings where he was considered one of the top people in player development.

Then there is special assistant Mitch Richmond, Mullin's running mate on the Golden State Warriors and, like his new boss, a two-time Olympian and a member of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. All that's missing is Tim Hardaway to have a ''RUN TMC'' reunion.

''I believe we are the first coaching staff to have two Hall of Fame players,'' Mullin said. ''We are still a work in practice and we need hard work and effort from all these guys.''

American Pharoah, Beholder among 10 in Breeders' Cup Classic.

By BETH HARRIS

Triple Crown champion American Pharoah will try to close out his career in style by winning the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic next week against a loaded field that includes two-time Breeders' Cup-winning mare Beholder and Keen Ice, who handed him his only loss this year in the Travers.

Tonalist, the 2014 Belmont Stakes winner, and Frosted, who pressed American Pharoah much of the way in the Travers before finishing third, are also among the 10 horses expected to run in the 1 1/4-mile Classic, which will be shown live on NBC.

''It's some good horses in there,'' said Bob Baffert, who trains American Pharoah, ''but that's what the Breeders' Cup is supposed to be. It's supposed to be tough.''

The Classic field is among a total of 200 horses - one less than last year's record - which were pre-entered Wednesday for the $26 million, 13-race Breeders' Cup world championships being held for the first time at Keeneland on Oct. 30 and 31.

New York-based trainer Chad Brown pre-entered a leading 14 horses in the two-day event. Coolmore had 10 horses pre-entered, tops among owners.

Final entries and the post-position draw will be Monday at Keeneland. Thirty-two foreign horses were pre-entered.

American Pharoah will attempt to become the first horse to sweep the Triple Crown and the Classic in the same year. The 3-year-old colt is expected to make his final start at the Lexington, Kentucky, track before being retired to stud.

American Pharoah will tackle older horses for the first time in his career, with 5-year-old mare Beholder looming as the toughest challenger. She's won all five of her starts this year, including a dominating victory in the $1 million Pacific Classic over male horses at Del Mar.

''I feel confident I have him at that level that he's going to run a big race,'' Baffert said.

American Pharoah is set to work once more at his home base of Santa Anita on Monday before traveling to Kentucky the next day.

Beholder could become the first horse to win three different BC races and the first female to win the Classic since Zenyatta in 2009. She won the 2012 Juvenile Fillies and the 2013 Distaff.

Beholder was also entered in this year's Distaff, but trainer Richard Mandella said he intends to run her against the boys in the Classic.

The mare was doing better Wednesday after developing a temperature while traveling to Keeneland on Monday.

''She was really tense on the flight,'' Mandella said. ''I think that's what triggered it. With a little treatment, she's doing great.''

The Classic offers a rematch between American Pharoah and Keen Ice, who rallied to catch the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years in deep stretch in the Travers.

Frosted gets another shot at American Pharoah, too. Frosted, who was fourth in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Belmont and third in the Travers, is coming off a two-length victory in the Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 19.

''It's a tough, tough race with American Pharoah and Beholder,'' said Kiaran McLaughlin, who trains Frosted.

Also pre-entered in the Classic were English and Irish Guineas winner Gleneagles; Whitney winner Honor Code; Gold Cup winner Hard Aces; Smooth Roller; and Suburban Handicap winner Effinex.

The top race Oct. 30 is the $2 million Distaff for fillies and mares. Sixteen horses were pre-entered - two more than the limit.

Defending champion Untapable, who is 1 for 5 this year, will take on Sheer Drama, Wedding Toast, Got Lucky and Stopcharging Maria among other horses.

The field for the $3 million Turf, long dominated by European horses, is led by Golden Horn, who has lost just once in eight career races. The 3-year-old will try to become the first horse to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Turf. Other European contenders are Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Postponed; and 3-year-old filly Found from Ireland.

The U.S. entries are topped by United Nations winner Big Blue Kitten and Arlington Million winner The Pizza Man.

The $2 million Juvenile, whose winner is tabbed as the early favorite for next year's Kentucky Derby, features undefeated Nyquist, who is 4-0 for trainer Doug O'Neill. Among his challengers are Brody's Cause, Cocked and Loaded and Greenpointcrusader.

The event will open with four races Oct. 30, followed by nine races Oct. 31.

A maximum of 14 are allowed in each race, except the Dirt Mile and Filly & Mare Turf, which are capped at 12. Ten of the races drew more than the allowable limits.

On This Date in Sports History: Today is Friday, October 23, 2015.

Memoriesofhistory.com

1930 - J.K. Scott won the first miniature golf tournament. The event was held in Chattanooga, TN.

1945 - The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Jackie Robinson.

1978 - Bryan Trottier (New York Islanders) broke an NHL record when he scored six points in one period.

1988 - Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins) passed for 521 yards, three touchdowns and completed 35 of 60 against the New York Jets. It was considered the single-best passing day in NFL history.

1993 - Joe Carter (Toronto Blue Jays) became only the second player to end the World Series with a homerun.

1993 - The Toronto Maple Leafs set an NHL record when they won their ninth straight game at the start of the season.

1996 - The civil trial of O.J. Simpson opened in Santa Monica, CA. Simpson was later found liable in the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

1998 - Mark Messier (Vancouver Canucks) became only the 10th player in NHL history to reach 600 career goals.

2002 - Brett Hull (Detroit Red Wings) got his 1,250th career point.

2003 - Peter Forsberg (Colorado Avalanche) scored his 200th career goal. He scored three goals in the Avalanche's 6-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

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