Baylor replaces Mizzou at No. 5 in AP poll

Posted by John Taylor on October 27, 2013, 2:48 PM EDT

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For the first time in 60 years, Baylor has returned to the top half of the Top 10 of the Associated Press weekly poll.

Thanks to Missouri’s heartbreaking overtime loss to South Carolina Saturday, the Bears took over the Tigers’ spot at No. 5.  It’s Baylor’s highest AP ranking since it was No. 3 in 1953.  The Bears’ No. 6 ranking a week ago was the program’s highest since Jan. 1, 1980.

Mizzou landed four spots lower at No. 10.

As expected, there wasn’t much change ahead of that spot as Alabama (No. 1), Oregon (No. 2), Florida State (No. 3) and Ohio State (No. 4) stayed steady from a week ago.  One-loss Stanford actually leapfrogged unbeaten Miami, moving up two spots to No. 6 while the No. 7 Hurricanes are where they were after Week 8.

Another of this week’s leaping frogs is Auburn, which climbed up three spots into the Top 10 at No. 8.  The Tigers benefited from both Mizzou’s loss as well as one suffered by previously-unbeaten Texas Tech, which fell from No. 10 to No. 15.

Clemson is the other member of this week’s Top Ten, maintaining the Week 8 status quo at No. 9.

As far as first-place votes are concerned, there is no change from last weekend as Alabama (55), Oregon (three) and Florida State (two) hold the same number as they did seven days ago.

Outside of the Top 10, South Carolina and Oklahoma made the biggest moves up in the latest poll, climbing six and four spots to No. 14 and No. 13, respectively.  LSU (No. 11), Texas A&M (No. 12), UCF (No. 19) and Northern Illinois (No. 21) were each bumped up two spots apiece.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, UCLA plunged five spots to No. 17.

Interestingly, Fresno State and Louisville dropped despite wins: the Bulldogs to No. 15 from No. 16, the Cardinals from No. 18 to No. 20. 激安MP64

As was the case in the coaches’ poll, Virginia Tech (No. 16) and Nebraska (No. 25) were knocked out of the Top 25 after losses.  They were replaced by Michigan State (No. 24) and Arizona State (No. 25).

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Bud Selig says he’d ‘listen’ to talk about changing the DH rule

By Mike Oz1 hour agoBig League Stew

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ST. LOUIS — This time of year, the World Series shifts to a National League park and the chief rule difference between the AL and NL is amplified. The designated hitter.

That's especially true in a series like this year's, between the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox, where Boston is forced to leave Mike Napoli on the bench. It's why, during the last few days, most press conferences here in St. Louis have included a question about the DH, its validity and whether one day, a World Series should be played with a single rule about pitchers hitting.

Most people asked are wise enough to say it's a question above their spot in the MLB hierarcy. Red Sox manager John Farrell said he wished there were a DH this series, but that's strictly selfish — what manager wouldn't want to have his top two power hitters in the lineup?

There's one guy here who is in the right place in the MLB org chart to field questions about the DH. That is commissioner Bud Selig. Saturday night, after the Roberto Clemente Award ceremony, Selig had a huddle of reporters around him hurling questions. That's when Selig said he'd "listen" if someone wanted to change the DH rule. MP64日本仕様

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On his way out of the commissioner's office next year, could Selig be pondering an 11th hour, history-of-baseball-shifting move? Probably not. But he's at least paying lip service to keep his ears open:

"I did say three or four years ago I had very strong feelings on instant replay," Selig said, "and like everything else in life you make adjustments, and I now have somewhat different feelings," Selig said. "So I'm never going to say never to anything. Okay? But at the moment, is there anything going on? No. But if somebody has something to say (on changing the DH rules), I'm glad to listen."

Listening is a lot different than acting. Listening is even a lot different than considering a change. But, feel happy, DH lovers and/or haters, Bud Selig is happy to hear you out. We think you should write him a letter.

Houston Dynamo clinches playoff spot with win

By NBC Sports5 hours agoNBC on Yahoo Sports

Closing the season at D.C. United proved a boon for Houston, though as they’ve done throughout their campaign, the Dynamo found a way make things hard on themselves. But after a goal-laden first half gave way to a second half stalemate, Houston is back in the post season, their 2-1 win at RFK Stadium clinching their playoff spot.

After an 11th minute opener from Boniek Garcia, Houston conceded an equalizer to Kyle Porter. Gilles Barnes’s goal before intermission, however, gave the Dynamo a lead they’d never relinquish. After their 14th win of the year, Houston’s still alive for a third straight MLS Cup final appearance.

The victory temporarily vaults Houston third in the East, though where they’ll end up in the East’s pecking order depends on the day’s next two games. New England’s visit to Columbus and Chicago’s trip to New York give the Revolution and Fire a chance to pass the Dynamo, meaning Houston can still finish as low as fifth – the spot from which they started last year’s Cup final run.

On Saturday, Houston was the better side for much of the first half, their early forays at Bill Hamid’s goal eventually producing a penalty kick when Barnes was dragged down by James Riley. Garcia’s 11th minute conversion gave the favorites an early lead.

That advantage would prove short-lived, though. Just before the half-hour mark, D.C. broke out of their own half and played Luis Silva wide against a narrow defense trying to manage the transition. The midfielder’s ball toward the line was run onto by Chris Pontius, whose cross toward the right post allowed Porter to head home the equalizer.

Eleven minutes later, Brad Davis’s corner picked out Barnes on a near-post run, the attacker’s far post flick going into the far side netting for the eventual game-winner. With United electing to put a man at the near post while leaving the far post unprotected, Barnes found a seam through the goal mouth’s chaos, heading home his ninth career MLS goal.

Much of the second half was played to a stalemate, though with Houston becoming more defensive as the match wore on, D.C. was given chances to steal a draw. Focusing attacks on the left side of Houston’s defense, United were able to make inroads toward the Dynamo line, though their forays back across the box proved fruitless. The hosts would end the match with only two shots on goal, a late (weak) hand ball appeal their best chance to claim an equalizer. MP64

When full-time blew, the day’s favorites were in the playoffs, but as was the case throughout the season, Houston didn’t get there without a series of doubts. Though their attack produced the goals they needed, it never found the score that would ice the match. Much of that was due to Houston’s posture, electing to protect instead of pursue, but as D.C. United broke down the left side of Houston’s defense, it wasn’t hard to imagine a more efficient attack making the Dynamo pay for their caution. Perhaps Graham Zusi and Thierry Henry won’t be as forgiving a struggling Dwayne De Rosario.

They’re in the playoffs, but Houston still has work to do. The last two years they’ve shown an ability to rise to the postseason’s occasion, but this year, something feels different. The defense seems weaker; the attack, less efficient; their talented midfield unable to lock opponents down like Ricardo Clark and Adam Moffat did last season.

Still dangerous, Houston’s not on the same level as Kansas City and New York, and although they’re now in the postseason, the Dynamo have less than a week to figure out how to bridge the gap.

Oregon leapfrogs Florida State for second in latest BCS rankings

Posted by Chris Huston on October 27, 2013, 9:03 PM EDT

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The latest BCS rankings came out on Sundayand, as expected, Oregon used its 42-14 win over UCLA on Saturday to move past Florida State into second place, setting up a possible matchup with No. 1 Alabama down the road.

Of course, there’s still a lot of football to be played, but Oregon could further strengthen its position by beating Stanford on Nov. 7. The Cardinal moved up to No. 5 and are the highest-ranked one-loss team.

Alabama has a firm grip on the top spot at the moment. It was No. 1 in the Harris Poll and five out of the seven computer polls (it was second in the other two). It’s score of .9937 was well ahead of Oregon’s .9517.

Whereas last week FSU held an extremely narrow .0028 lead over the Ducks, the Seminoles (.9211) are now almost as far back from Oregon as Oregon is from ‘Bama. mp 64 But Florida State can make up some ground this Saturday when it takes on No. 7 Miami.

Here’s the BCS top 10 for this week:

1. Alabama — .9937

2. Oregon — .9517

3. Florida State — .9211

4. Ohio State — .8840

5. Stanford — .7918

6. Baylor — .7645

7. Miami — .7560

8. Clemson — .6687

9. Missouri — .6096

10. Oklahoma — .6064

Two Saints fans dress up as Sean Payton and Rob Ryan, win every costume contest ever

By Kevin Kaduk4 hours agoShutdown Corner

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New Orleans is famous for its Mardi Gras wear, but we're betting these two guys could win any costume contest in town — no matter what time of the year.

Yes, that's the goateed fan on the left going as New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan while his more fresh-faced friend goes as head coach Sean Payton. They pull off the opposites-attract look pretty well and we're awarding extra points for the headsets and pink ribbons. No wonder why cameras found them so early in New Orleans' 35-17 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. They're hilarious.

One question, though: Do you think you would you get recognized if you chose to dress up as any other defensive coordinator in the NFL besides for Rob Ryan?

We're, uh, asking for a friend who's thinking about going as Dick LeBeau.

h/t: SB Nation