4Dec/098:39 AM

Brownie Points: Which Tiger group are you in?

By Jerry Brown

It’s amazing to watch the members of the media line up in their respective packs in the wake of Tiger Woods’ week from hell.

Everybody seems to fall in to one of three groups in the Tiger Woods' situation.

The golf writers and columnists who have long ago sold their souls to be part of Woods’ inner circle – those he’ll deal with as long as the rules he creates are played by – are in lock-step. This is a non-story, a private, family matter that should be left behind gated communities and alarm-secured walls. Hasn’t the man been through enough?

Then we have the “that’s the way it is” media who quote Chris Rock and Richard Pryor and tell us that Woods’ marital transgressions are a product of the times, a man is only as loyal to his wife as his options dictate and if you are faithful, you’re either too ugly, poor or stupid to attract the attention of other women.

And then there are the Tiger haters, those who have been stiffed for interviews, banned after angering his inner circle in some way or just hold a grudge against a guy who has become so rich, so famous and so untouchable so fast.

Somewhere in the middle fair journalism resides. It’s being out-glitzed and out-shouted to be sure, but it’s in there somewhere in between TMZ, Rick Reilly, Jason Whitlock and Jimmy Roberts.

But those who say Woods owes no one an explanation, that just because he spends as much time trying to sell cars, golf clubs, video games and anything else that’s shoved in his hands with his image doesn’t mean he we should be interested in how he conducts himself – let’s get serious.

As with every other public figure using who he is to push units and make money, there is a responsibility to be who you claim – or at least be smart enough not to get caught and run your career into the lake.

Or, in this case, a fire hydrant and tree.

* The Sun Devils had their best day of the football season Thursday when offensive coordinator Rich Olson was sent packing and Dennis Erickson was finally convinced that calling his own plays was a disaster.

If the offense didn’t change course, someone on the ASU defense was going to go off the deep end. The playbook was about as predictable as a “Rocky” screenplay and the rest of the Pac-10 was at least a lap ahead.

But the best coaches in the world can’t get to the end zone without playmakers. And if Erickson doesn’t bring in and develop players that get defenses off-balance, all the x’s and o’s in the world won’t make a difference.

* Good move by ASU Athletic Director to bring Tim Esmay back to the baseball program as an interim to replace head coach Pat Murphy this spring.

Esmay has a long Sun Devil lineage as a player and assistant coach. He brings the same high energy to the ASU bench as Murphy, without some of the head games and drama that eventually build camaraderie but also take their toll on a team. The Devils have a lot of talent and now they have as seamless a transition as possible with a guy who was the assistant head coach for three years and knows the roster.

A national search is promised. But some of the same things that irked Murphy – from the facilities to the low pay for assistant coaches – could keep Love from picking off the top shelf. And if that happens, she could do a lot worse than keeping Esmay around.

* Derek Jeter Sportsman of the Year? Yawn. Why not give it to IBM, Wal-Mart or God? All it took for the Yankees to get back to the winner’s circle was Jeter and $200 million worth of teammates.

Prediction Time

Three losses last week is nothing to be excited about – although I will point out that my correct predictions were pretty damn good. U of A by 3. USC by 25. The Titans over the Cardinals by 7. I took a chance that Ben Rothlisberger was going to play against the Ravens, but there are no excuses for the Oklahoma State and New England debacles.

So the 5-3 week, one of the poorest this season, moves us to 59-25 for the year and in need of a really nice weekend with some huge college football games leading the way to an interesting NFL weekend:

USC 31, Arizona 17: The Wildcats, recipients of a gift field goal in Tempe last week, now have the seven wins they need to secure a winning season and decent bowl game. And it’s a good thing, because they weren’t going to beat the Trojans, who are in the midst of a disappointing season by their standards, but still have plenty of talent and the kind of offensive line that should work over Arizona.

Florida, 24, Alabama 19: Two great teams, probably the two best teams in the nation. The only difference? One team has Tim Tebow, and one doesn’t. The winner will probably win the national championship, and the other will have a tough time regrouping for a consolation prize.

Texas 41, Nebraska 17: The Longhorns have a much easier path to the national title game – the Huskers are the best team in a much weaker portion of the Big 12. I’m not sure if Texas can beat the SEC champ no matter who it is, and winning this one won’t change my mind.

Cincinnati 24, Pittsburgh 17: Is this a bigger game for the Bearcats, who are seeking their second straight BCS berth, or coach Brian Kelly, who could be tapped as the next coach at Notre Dame? Either way, this is another tough, late-season Big East game against a Pittsburgh team with two losses but capable of beating anyone in the conference.

Vikings 27, Cardinals 20: Playing Brett Favre under the bright lights is never a good thing. Playing a 9-1 Vikings team that doesn’t feel it’s getting the respect with three undefeated teams still going isn’t good either. Now add in Kurt Warner’s uncertain status, Arizona’s record at home on national TV, etc., etc., … well, you catch the drift. The Cardinals still have a two-game lead in the division and, if you remember how they were playing this time last year, there are still way ahead of the game.

Colts 24, Titans 10: Indy is undefeated and the Titans have won five straight and need this one badly. But the Colts have side-stepped every mine in the field to this point and the Tennessee secondary should be in for a long day.

Cowboys 21, Giants 17: Can the G-Men look any worse than they did in Denver on Thanksgiving? Now at 6-5, they are in real danger of missing the playoffs after a 5-0 start and have to have this one. But the Cowboys are playing better football and can put themselves in the driver’s seat in the NFC East.

Eagles 34, Falcons 14: Michael Vick makes his return to Atlanta, but the Falcons are more concerned about Matt Ryan, who won’t be playing Sunday. The Eagles are banged up too, but Donovan McNabb is healthy and this team knows how to win in December – although January is a different story.