Top 10 college telecasts: Ohio State-Michigan tops weekend
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez
The traditional Ohio State-Michigan rivalry game tops the week, even though the Wolverines are struggling this season at 5-6 overall and 1-6 in the conference under coach Rich Rodriquez. Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) needs a victory to wrap up an outright Big Ten championship.
All games Saturday unless noted with Wednesday’s Latest Line.
1. No. 9 Ohio State at Michigan, 11 a.m., ABC (OSU by 12)
2. No. 10 LSU at Mississippi, 2:30 p.m., CBS (Miss by 3)
3. No. 13 Penn State at Michigan State, 2:30 p.m., ABC (PSU by 3)
4. Oklahoma at Texas Tech, 11:30 a.m., FSN (OU by 4)
5. No. 11 Oregon at Arizona, 7 p.m., ABC (not in Big 12 region) (Ore. by 5)
6. Colorado at No. 12 Oklahoma State, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, ESPN (OSU by 15)
7. Kansas State at Nebraska, 6:45 p.m., ESPN (Neb. By 15)
8. No. 6 Boise State at Utah State, 8:30 p.m. Friday, ESPN2 (BS by 23)
9. No. 2 Mississippi State at Arkansas, 11:20 a.m., SEC (Ark by 10)
10. Kansas at No. 3 Texas, 7 p.m., ABC (Texas by 27)
Also worth a look:
Minnesota at No. 15 Iowa, Noon, ESPN (Iowa by 9)
Kentucky at Georgia, 6:45 p.m., ESPN2 (Georgia by 7)
N.C. State at No. 16 Virginia Tech, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (VT by 20)
Virginia at No. 18 Clemson, 2:30 p.m., ESPN (Clemson by 19)
Duke at No. 21 Miami, Noon, ESPNU (Miami by 17)
San Diego State at No. 23 Utah, 3 p.m., Versus (Utah by 17)
Vanderbilt at Tennessee, 6 p.m., ESPNU (Tenn. By 17)
Gruden’s new multiyear deal good news for MNF viewers
Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden’s new multiyear deal with ESPN is good for “Monday Night Football” viewers. Gruden has been a great addition to the broadcasts, giving a boost to even bad games, such as Baltimore’s 16-0 victory over Cleveland on Monday night.
He’s been insightful and clever. He’s not afraid to give his opinion, such as sticking up for Patriots coach Bill Belichick and his decision to go for it on fourth and 2 from his own 28.
However, I’m still skeptical if a good coaching job comes around, Gruden won’t hesitate to wave goodbye to the Worldwide Leader of Sports to return to the coaching sidelines. Coaching is in his blood.
ESPN spokesman Bill Hoffheimer said the network is planning on Gruden sticking around for several more years.
“Jon is committed to MNF for multiple years and his decision to sign this extension is a clear indication of his commitment to ESPN,” Hoffheimer told the Sporting News. “He will not be seeking any coaching positions for the foreseeable future. We expect to have him here at ESPN for a long time.”
According to the ESPN release, Gruden also will work on ESPN Radio’s 2010 Rose Bowl and Bowl Championship Series title game broadcasts, where he will team with Mike Tirico.
Top 10 college football telecasts: Utah-TCU tops a slow week
TCU coach Gary Patterson pumps up his defense
It’s a bad week for college football as evidenced by the lopsided lines for my top 10 games. For Big 12 fans, two North Division games should be interesting: Missouri at Kansas State at 11:30 a.m. on Versus and Nebraska at Kansas at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
Games are Saturday unless noted with Thursday’s Latest Line
1. No. 16 Utah at No. 4 TCU, 6:30 p.m., Versus (TCU by 20)
2. No. 25 Stanford at No. 11 USC, 2:30 p.m., FSN (USC by 10)
3. West Virginia at No. 5 Cincinnati, 7 p.m. Friday, ESPN (Cincy by 9).
4. No. 1 Florida at South Carolina, 2:30 p.m., KWTV-9 (Fla. by 16)
5. Texas Tech at No. 17 Oklahoma State, 7 p.m., ABC (Southwest region) (OSU by 4)
6. Missouri at Kansas State, 11:30 a.m., Versus (Mizzou by 1)
7. Nebraska at Kansas, 2:30 p.m., ABC (Neb. by 3)
8. No. 15 Iowa at No. 10 Ohio State, 2:30 p.m., ESPN (Ohio St by 16)
9. Texas A&M at Oklahoma, 6 p.m., FSN (OU by 20)
10. No. 3 Alabama at Mississippi State, 6 p.m., ESPN (Ala. by 12)
Also worth a look:
No. 2 Texas at Baylor, 11 a.m., FSN (Texas by 24)
Notre Dame at No. 8 Pittsburgh, 7 p.m., ABC (not carried in Southwest) (Pitt by 7).
10. No. 7 Georgia Tech at Duke, ESPN2 (Ga. Tech by 13)
Idaho at No. 6 Boise State, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (BSU by 31)
Louisiana Tech at No. 9 LSU, 7 p.m., ESPNU (LSU by 24)
Arizona State at No. 14 Oregon, 9:20 p.m., ESPN (Ore. by 17)
Kentucky at Vanderbilt, 11 a.m, SEC (Ky by 3)
Northwestern at Illinois, 11 a.m., ESPN Classic (Ill. by 5)
Tennessee at Mississippi, 11:30 a.m., CBS (Ole Miss by 5)
Florida State at Wake Forest, 11 a.m, ESPNU (Wake by 5)
Versus gives Chad Ochocinco a weekly platform for his zaniness
Chad Ochocinco
If Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco doesn’t get enough publicity for his outrageous stunts, such as attempting to bribe an official with a $1 bill, the Versus cable network has given him another platform for his zaniness. This week, Ochocinco debuted a segment “Child, Please!” on “Sports Soup,” 9 p.m. Tuesdays.
In his first segment, he sounded off on Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh, the bribe in this past Sunday’s game, and much more:
On Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh: Experts had us as underdogs this Sunday, I mean come on, son. Get out of here with that. Troy, Ike Taylor, Ryan Clark, Deshea Townsend, William Gay. You guys … child please, that’s all I can say. Literally no disrespect but you guys don’t stand a chance. I’m riding high on confidence right now.
The bribe in the Nov. 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens: Me being me — a fun guy who likes to have fun — I asked the guy next to me if he had a dollar. He obliged. I took the dollar and I wasn’t going to actually ask the ref, you know, let me get the call. Just having fun. It’s me and again, the NFL sees things like this and fines me and enjoys it and embraces me because I’m around for the next 10 years.
Top 10 college telecasts: LSU-Alabama tops week
LSU coach Les Miles
The Southeastern Conference showdown between LSU and Alabama tops the weekend of college football telecasts. LSU needs a victory to keep its SEC final’s hopes alive.
Games are Saturday unless noted with AP ranking and Thursday’s Latest Line.
1. No. 9 LSU at No. 3 Alabama, 2:30 p.m., CBS (Ala. by 9)
2. No. 15 Ohio State at No. 11 Penn State, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2 (PSU by 3)
3. No. 20 Oklahoma at Nebraska, 7 p.m., ABC (OU by 6).
4. No. 18 Oklahoma State at Iowa State, 2:30 p.m., ABC (OSU by 7)
5. Kansas at Kansas State, 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Versus (KU by 3).
6. Navy at No. 19 Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m., NBC (ND by 11)
7. Vanderbilt at No. 1 Florida, 6:15 p.m., ESPN2 (Fla. by 33)
8. UCF at No. 2 Texas, 11 a.m., FSOK (Texas by 36)
9. Florida State at Clemson, 6:45 p.m., ESPN (Clemson by 
10. Fresno State at Idaho, 9 p.m., ESPNU (FS by 7).
Also worth a look:
No. 5 Boise State at Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Friday, ESPN2 (BS by 21)
No. 6 TCU at San Diego State, 3 p.m., Versus (TCU by 25)
Northwestern at No. 8 Iowa, 11 a.m., ESPN (Iowa by 18)
Syracuse at No. 14 Pittsburgh, Noon, ESPNU (Pitt by 21)
South Carolina at Arkansas, 11 a.m., SEC (KSBI-52) (Ark. by 5)
Memphis at Tennessee, 6 p.m., ESPNU (Tenn. by 26).
NBA TV analysts discuss Thunder-Lakers game
Kevin Durant shoots in front of Kobe Bryant
NBA TV studio analysts discussed the Thunder during the network’s Lakers-Thunders telecast Tuesday night. Here are a few of the comments:
Chris Webber in the pregame on why Oklahoma City guard/forward Kevin Durant is one of the most exciting players in this league: “Tonight you are going to get to see one of our best players (in Kevin Durant). He is one of our best scorers, he’s explosive and he is on a young team. And believe it or not, he can go to the basket. Even though he is skinny and has a lot of development to do, he goes to the basket like (Scottie) Pippen and he has a right or left hand just like TMac (Tracey McGrady). This guy, I really like his game. I think Carmelo (Anthony) is probably the easiest to score, but this guy (Durant) is a top five scorer in the NBA.”
Kevin McHale on who Oklahoma City guard/forward Kevin Durant reminds him of: “Iceman (George) Gervin. You look at him and think, ‘Oh, I’m going to have my way with him’ and he drops 35 on you.”
After Thunder GM Sam Presti joined the Fan Night crew via Arena Link, Webber commented on Presti’s well-known skills as a drummer: “Anybody is a good drummer on Guitar Hero, Sam. We need to hear you live. My nephew is a good drummer on Guitar Hero.”
At halftime, Webber on an athletic move by Thunder guard Jeff Green: “All it takes is effort, ladies and gentleman. Well, also a 40-inch vertical like (Green) has.”
After the game, Webber on the learning process for the Thunder: “You’ve got to be in close games to learn how to win them. You have to lose a couple, unfortunately. The game is to be learned and it’s just not going to be given to them.”
Webber on Thunder guard/forward Kevin Durant’s poor performance down the stretch: “He I bet you feels like he’s let him team down…I just wouldn’t want to be the guy who has to check Kevin Durant for the next 10 games. He’s already started out slow and did this tonight. He is going to bust somebody’s butt the rest of the season.”
Divorce proves costly for CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz
CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz
CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz must pay $916,000 yearly in alimony and child support to his ex-wife and give up their Connecticut home under terms of a newly issued divorce decree.
Court documents from the divorce trial cited Nantz’s $3.2 million salary from CBS and other assets, including millions in other income, shared investment accounts, real estate and other property.
The ruling, made Monday in Bridgeport, Conn., Superior Court, dissolves the 26-year marriage of Nantz and Ann-Lorraine “Lorrie” Carlsen Nantz. It comes after both testified about the breakdown of their marriage; Judge Howard Owens concluded neither was at fault.
Nantz, CBS’ silky smooth lead play-by-play announcer, wasn’t so successful with his personal life. He filed for divorce last year from his wife after years of marriage counseling.
Although Nantz, 50, acknowledged he started dating a 29-year-old woman before the divorce was final, the judge concluded the marriage deteriorated years earlier and “this remote event in no way contributed to the breakdown of the marriage.”
In his ruling, Owens noted that the couple didn’t share the same interests in Nantz’s television career, which required frequent travel as the network’s primary commentator for college football, golf and basketball, as well as appearances at charity events.
Under the ruling, Nantz must pay $72,000 in alimony monthly until he dies or his ex-wife remarries, and another $1,000 weekly in child support for the next two years.
Lorrie Nantz will get their home and a separate condominium in Westport, while Jim Nantz will get their home in Houston and a luxury condominium in the Deer Valley ski resort in Park City, Utah. They were awarded joint custody of Caroline, 15.
He also must pay Caroline’s college expenses until she reaches 23 years old and has to split various joint accounts with Lorrie Nantz, including the current value of his pension through the Screen Actors Guild.
He also must keep his ex-wife listed as beneficiary of a $3 million life insurance policy while he’s still paying alimony and/or child support, and pay $70,000 so she can join any country club of her choice.
She had been seeking more than $1.5 million in yearly alimony and child support.
TNT tips off the 2009-10 NBA season
Shaq and LeBron James have joined forces on the Cavs.
TNT opens the NBA season on Tuesday with an opening night doubleheader: Boston at Cleveland at 6:30 p.m., followed by L.A. Clippers vs. the L.A. Lakers at the Staple Center.
TNT is going to carry 53 games, primarily Thursday nights. ESPN will have 75 telecasts, primarily Wednesday and Friday nights, ABC will have 15 games, Christmas on Sunday afternoon. NBA TV also will have 96 live games.
TNT announcers Doug Collins, Reggie Miller and Chris Webber discussed the upcoming season in a conference call. Here are a few of the excerpts:
Collins on how the addition of Shaquille O’Neal is going to help LeBron James and the Cavaliers: “(LeBron’s) game has gotten better every year and I love the energy he plays with. He’s in a good spot this year in that he’s in the last year of a contract and Shaq’s motivation to say that he’s won three championships with Kobe Bryant, one with Dwyane Wade and now one with LeBron. I think that Shaq will help on their frontline. They really got hammered inside last year and they didn’t have any answers for Dwight Howard. He’ll also take some of the pressure off of (James) in dealing with the media all the time. These are two very dynamic personalities. I don’t know who is going to be in charge of the pre-game introductions now so I can’t wait to see that.”
Collins on the competition between the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference: “It’s going to be so exciting to see which of the top three teams (Celtics, Cavaliers and Magic) in the Eastern Conference will be able to get the best record and get that number one seed. That will be so important this year because that will prevent you from having to go through two of those teams to get to the NBA Finals. The three-horse race in the East is going to be really exciting to watch.”
Miller on the defending NBA Champion Lakers: “Who is going to step up and challenge the defending champs, the Los Angeles Lakers? The rich get richer; you basically have the same team with the addition of a former defensive player of the year in Ron Artest.”
Miller on the San Antonio Spurs: “San Antonio added the veteran presence of Antonio McDyess and Richard Jefferson, but the key will be the health of Manu Ginobili.”
Webber on the San Antonio Spurs challenging the Lakers in the West: “I’m somebody that I’m the biggest San Antonio fan in the world and I think ever year they are not given the credit they deserve. They usually come through but they do it in a methodical way so it’s not interesting or sexy. I’m really looking for them to challenge and dethrone the Lakers.”
Webber on the Portland Trail Blazers: “Portland is the most exciting team in the NBA and I’m looking for them to take a big step and make their mark in the NBA.”
Miller on the New York Knicks plans for the prized 2010 free agent class: “Everyone has their eye on the prize of the 2010 class from LeBron James to Chris Bosh to Dwyane Wade to Joe Johnson to Amare Stoudemire. If I’m (Knicks general manager Donnie) Walsh and the New York Knicks, we know that your focus is LeBron James. But if you could get two of those guys in New York, I think that would pay bigger dividends than getting one big fish in LeBron James.”
Collins on if the Los Angeles Clippers can make the playoffs: “When you look at the Clippers and you don’t play in paper but the key is Baron Davis. Is this the Baron Davis who played 82 games in Golden State; played so well and was such a leader? They’ve got a ton of talent but will they be able to put it together? When I look at the Western Conference, to me there are (already) six playoff teams and two open spots. Houston is vulnerable without (injured) Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming for a while and New Orleans is a team that has slipped. There are two spots and I think the Suns could slip in (to the playoffs) or Golden State or the Clippers, they have talent.”
Webber on the Sacramento Kings: “I still think Geoff Petrie is one of best GMs in the game. I think it makes it harder for guys to come together when there isn’t a system to rely on. Are you relying on defense or on pick and rolls? Of course, there’s experience from playing that style of ball. I think Tyreke (Evans) is going to be the Rookie of the Year and they are looking to grow. They are probably not going to make the playoffs and definitely won’t win a championship but if they are looking to grow, it’s great to have a teacher and that’s what they need in Sacramento. Someone who will teach them, let them build on something and not just waste a 82-game schedule.”
Top 10 college football telecasts: TCU-BYU tops week
It’s a slow week for college football. The best game is in Provo, Utah, where BYU hosts TCU in a Mountain West showdown and ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be there.
With Thursday’s Latest Line.
1. No. 10 TCU at No. 16 BYU, 6:30 p.m., Versus (TCU by 2).
2. No. 25 Oklahoma at No. 24 Kansas, 2:30 p.m., KOCO-5 (OU by 7).
3. Auburn at No. 9 LSU, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2 (LSU by
4. Tennessee at No. 1 Alabama, 2:30 p.m., KWTV-9 (Tenn. by 15)
5. No. 14 Oklahoma State at Baylor, 11:30 p.m., Versus (OSU by 9).
6. No. 3 Texas at Missouri, 7 p.m., KOCO-5 (Texas by 13).
7. No. 2 Florida at Mississippi State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN (Fla. by 23).
8. No. 13 Penn State at Michigan, 2:30 p.m., ESPN (Penn St. by 4).
9. Arkansas at Mississippi, 11 a.m., SEC (KSBI-52) (Miss. By 6).
10. Connecticut at No. 22 West Virginia, 11 a.m., ESPNU. (W.Va. by 7)
Also worth a look:
Minnesota at No. 18 Ohio State, 11 a.m., ESPN (Ohio St. by 18)
Air Force at No. 19 Utah, 3 p.m., Versus (Utah by 9).
Vanderbilt at No. 23 South Carolina, 6 p.m., ESPNU (SC by 12).
Iowa State at Nebraska, 11:30 a.m., FSN. (Neb. By 18)
Jim Nantz’s ugly divorce trial reveals intimate details about CBS sportscaster
Jim Nantz
Jim Nantz’s ugly divorce trial last week in Bridgeport, Conn., revealed intimate details about CBS’ premier sportscaster, including the fact he has a 29-year-old girlfriend and earns almost $8 million a year from CBS.
Nantz, 50, is claiming his 26-year marriage is over because of his wife’s lack of support for his career and her excessive spending.
According to reports in newsblues.com and connpost.com, Nantz said he started dating the 29-year-old girlfriend only because his marriage had “died” more than 10 years ago. That, apparently, was news to his wife, Lorrie, who later testified she was still going to counseling until 2008, trying to save their marriage, when Nantz told her he wanted a divorce.
In 2007, according to Jim Nantz, he was offered $7 million to host the CBS “Early Show” but turned it down because his wife opposed it. He says his wife, who early on accompanied him to major sporting events, now stays at home and spends vast sums of money on shopping sprees.
According to connpost.com, Nantz testified that early in their marriage his wife would accompany him to all the major sporting events he worked. But after that ended, he complained she showed no support for his career.
“In 2004, I got the Man of the Year award from the New York Athletic Club. Rudy Giuliani had been the previous year’s winner and it really meant a lot to me,” he said. “My mother flew in from Houston, but Lorrie wasn’t there.”
In 2007, Nantz became the first TV broadcaster to host a Super Bowl, the NCAA men’s basketball championship and the Master’s golf tournament in the same year.
“It was the triple crown. People told me I should write down my remembrances of the events, it was that big, but Lorrie didn’t care,” he said.
Testimony concluded Friday afternoon. Superior Court Judge Howard Owens says he will file a written decision on who gets what and how much. But, he promised, “No one is leaving this courtroom with zero.”
Nantz is hoping to protect much of his earning of nearly $8 million a year. His wife wants alimony and child support for their 15-year-old daughter in excess of $1.5 million a year. She also wants to keep their six-bedroom, six-bath house in Westport, Conn.
According to court records, Nantz earns $3.9 million a year from CBS and another $4 million in deferred compensation.
