Archive for September 29th, 2006

It probably won’t be hostile, but sports reporter Jim Masilak is taking over TheMemphisEdge.com Saturday morning to bring you live goings-on at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Along about 10 a.m., come check out Jim’s blog. He’ll spend the entire Tennessee-Memphis game writing live details on the game and mixing in commentary from fans who send him their thoughts. Since it’s TheMemphisEdge.com, expect it to be a little, well, edgy.
So come game time — and even before — get your laptop in front of the television, dial up ESPN on your TV and TheMemphisEdge.com on your computer and join in the fun. Jim will be waiting for your comments.

Some thoughts going into week five:
Auburn dodged a huge bullet at South Carolina last night, and I get the feeling the Gamecocks might be the SEC team that ends up in the Liberty Bowl.
If you had to project SEC bowl teams right now, and granted it’s an early projection, you’d take Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina from the East, and Auburn, LSU, Arkansas and Alabama from the West.
Since South Carolina was in the Independence Bowl last year, it won’t go back there if it qualifies. If Carolina finishes at 7-5, it will be here in Memphis or in Nashvile for the Music City Bowl.
Say this about Carolina coach Steve Spurrier. He might have been loco with the way he handled his quarterbacks in the 90s at Florida. But the new Spurrier at Carolina this decade seems a lot more settled and a lot more patient. What he’s doing with Syvelle Newton, who had almost 300 yards of total offense against a good Auburn defense, is remarkable.
Elsewhere around the league this weekend:
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Race No. 3 of the NASCAR Chase for the Nextel Cup heads to Kansas this weekend here are some things to watch for:
Who’s hot: Despite running out of gas last in last week’s race, Matt Kenseth has still finished in the top 10 in seven of the last eight races. Denny Hamlin lost two spots in the standings, but still gained points from the week before with his ninth top 10 finish in the last 10 races. Jeff Gordon has quietly come alive with five top five finishes in the last six races.
Who’s not: Kyle Busch holds that honor. He’s started the Chase horribly and needs to get hot real fast if he wants to contend for this title. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has yet to make a splash. He’s got two mediocre finishes and is yet to lead a lap in the Chase.
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