Brownie Points: ‘The Answer’ is very much a question mark

Well it took a few decades, but Allen Iverson and I are finally on the same page; we both think we can play in the NBA, but we can’t find anyone to share that opinion.

“The Answer” apparently retired this week – after the shame of coming off the bench in Memphis was just too much for his ego to handle. But if you read his statement to the media, it sounds more like a job application than and farewell to the game.

Here is where A.I.’s past is catching up with him. The man who brought the NBA cornrows, tattoos, entourages and hatred for Larry Brown (OK, I guess we can’t pin that on him) knows he’s 34 and knows he’s no longer the type of player who’s on-court production outweighs his off-court drawbacks.

Admitting it, however, it a whole new story. From Denver to Detroit to Memphis, Iverson has was given a chance to make a positive impact. The only positive came to those selling jerseys, although for every one sold there was one hanging on the discount rack after he left town.

Will Iverson be back? Count on it. Dennis Rodman kept finding work. Are his days as an impact player in the NBA over? Count on that too.

Prediction Time

Another week of perfection on the pro side ruined by poor Pac-10 predicting. Yeah, of course I was going out on a limb with the ASU pick, but if they do ANYTHING on offense they win the game. As for Stanford-Cal … well, you figure it out. My head hurts.

Unlike the Devils, Brownie got up off the deck and won the remaining six games and now sits at 54-21 for the season – that’s a .720 clip and a good Christmas for my loved ones, if you catch the drift. But we can’t get cocky, because evil and danger lurks behind every corner. Must think with our head:

Arizona 23, ASU 20: Did Dennis Erickson say he’s looking forward to the end of the season in the days leading up to the Civil War? Good grief! I hate to say I told you so about this guy, but any year that features more suspensions than wins and more quarterbacks than conference wins won’t be put in a maroon and gold time capsule.
The Cats need this one. If they don’t win, they are looking at a four-game losing streak to end the season (USC is up next) and a six-win season after being ranked in the top 20 a few weeks ago. Ouch.

Florida 37, Florida State 13: The Gators have beaten the Seminoles five straight times and by a combined score of 91-13 over the last two years. FSU coach Bobby Bowden was quoted this week talking about the rivalry between the two schools saying “It’ll eventually change,” Bowden said. “Nothing will last forever.”

Well said Bobby… now take your own advice.

Oklahoma State 23, Oklahoma 17: How about this for a change? The Cowboys need a win for BCS consideration, and the Sooners need it to stay away from a .500 season.
The Sooners have won the “Bedlam” game six straight times and the game is on their home turf. But the Cowboys need this one badly, and if they don’t win, they don’t deserve to come to the Fiesta Bowl.

BYU 31, Utah 27: Early-season wins over Oklahoma (see above) and Tulane don’t look quite as impressive now, and the Cougars need a win over the Utes to finish 10-2 with a loss to unbeaten TCU, which should make them very bowl attractive.

USC 35, UCLA 10: The 20th-ranked Trojans (wow, did I just say that?) need to finish strong with wins over the Bruins and Wildcats to earn a decent bowl trip. Every USC season begins with national title hopes, but it was evident early – OK, maybe not in Columbus – that this team is a year away. But next year … look out.

Titans 23, Cardinals 16: Even if Kurt Warner plays, the Cardinals aren’t going to stay undefeated on the road forever. And with a cushy three-game lead in the division and with the Titans surging and really needing this one, this could be a stumble game.

Steelers 23, Ravens 17: After back-to-back Pittsburgh losses to Cincy and Kansas City, Baltimore has to be looking at this game as their best chance to end a three-game losing streak to the Steelers. But the thought of Pittsburgh losing three straight in November? Quoth the Raven … never more.

Patriots 27, Saints 20: If anyone is going to beat the Saints, it will be the Pats. I predict New England getting out to a big lead, then letting it all but get away before being faced with a key fourth-down situation and …

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Tags: Allen Iverson, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona football, Arizona State Football, ASU Football, Dennis Erickson, Dennis Rodman, Kurt Warner, Larry Brown, U of A Football