Dennis de la Pena's Blog

Another week, another 101X listener goes down.  Went 3-2 on a tough handful of games to keep my hot streak going.  Feel free to join in the fun every Friday morning on 101.5 FM with DJs Jason and Deb.

With that said... here are this week's pigskin pearls:

UT Basketball over Stetson:  Jason was in a giving mood, so he threw in a freebie this week.  Rick Barnes' Longhorns will smoke the Hatters (Yes, they're called the Stetson Hatters.  I guess Stetson "Cologne" was taken ).

Colts over Texans:  As long as Sage Rosenfels is throwing to the wrong team, it's hard to ride the H-Town Express.

Cowboys over Redskins:  Dallas gets Romo back while Washington puts Portis on the pine.  As Silver and Blue fans know, it's hard to make things work without your key puzzle piece.

Baylor over Texas A&M:  Did I just type that?  Bottom line: these are two programs going in different directions.

Texas over Kansas 34-24:  It will take more than a cold, windy day to ice these two offenses.  'Horns win a tough road game to keep their BCS Title Game hopes alive.

Agree?  Disagree? Feel free to chime in.

I'm officially on a roll.  Another 4-1 week in my 101X football picks keeps 100 free hot wings off a listener's table.  Be sure to catch my prognostications/sports chat Friday mornings on 101.5 FM with DJs Jason and Deb. 

With that said, here are my picks for this week:

Texans over Ravens:  Houston plays well at home... and the Ravens' physical D is a bit banged up.

Giants over Eagles:  Philly's actually favored at home... but NYG is arguably the NFL's most complete team.

Alabama over LSU:  I'm setting the over/under at 17.5 for how many times Nick Saban gets pelted with concession stand food.  Happy "Homecoming"!

Oklahoma St. over Tech:  This isn't sour grapes from last week.  I simply think the Cowboys are the better team... and that Tech may be emotionally spent after the program's biggest victory.

Texas over Baylor 38-17:  Oddsmakers are picking a bigger blowout, but the 'Horns are too banged up and too worn down to hang 50 on an improved BU bunch.

Agree? Disagree?  Feel free to share. 

101X DJs Jason and Deb can breathe easy... I'm officially on a roll and depriving morning 101X listeners of free hot wings.  Went 4-1 again last week and almost nailed the tiebreaker... can you say momentum?

With that blather aside,.. here are this week's picks (a day early, no less):

Giants over the Cowboys:  In a few weeks, when all the "real" Cowboys heal up, this will be a great game.  Unfortunately, Dallas' JV is no match for the defending champs.

Vikings over the Texans:  After three straight winning weeks, it's time to jump off the Texans' bandwagon.  Vikings will win a surprisingly high-scoring affair.

Florida over Georgia:  Coin flip special... always hard to predict what will happen between the hedges.

Texas A&M over Colorado:  Aggies are showing more life than the battered Buffs as of late.

Texas over Tx Tech 45-35:  Simple analysis: both offenses can put up points,.. but I don't think Tech's D is in UT's class.  Colt McCoy will walk away from his West Texas reunion undefeated and with Heisman still in hand.

Disagree?  Make your case right here.... or chime in Friday mornings on 101X!

After another win, I'm starting to pick up a little momentum with my 101X de la Pick'ems.  I went 4-1 last wek to deprive a listener of 100 free hotwings (not a very nice thing to do in this economy - I'll be sleeping with one eye open).

This week's picks:

Cowboys over the Buccaneers:  Brad Johnson will shake off the rust, and the rest of the 'Boys will wake up and realize they can't sleepwalk to a 13-3 season.

Texans over the Bengals:  In an unprecedented move, I'm picking the Texans for a third straight week. 

Kansas over Texas Tech:  The Red Raiders are a bit overrated... and Kansas is saltier than most people think. 

Penn State over Ohio State:  Joe Pa's Nittany Lions make their case for a national title game spot.

Texas over Oklahoma State 31-24:  'Horns are a two TD favorite, but I see this one playing out a little closer.  The Cowboys' 5th-ranked rushing attack will test the 'Horns... and keep Colt and company off the field.  Mack Brown's biggest concern is his team's inconsistent kicking game... which happens to be one of OSU's strengths.

If you think you can outpick me, feel free to blog here... or tune into 101X every Friday morning for a chance at 100 free hotwings.

Despite my traitorous Sooners pick on the TX-OU game, I still went 4-1 and denied a not-so-lucky 101X listener 100 hotwings.  (Picking the Cowboys to lose and the Texans to win keyed my big comeback).

This week's gems:

Cowboys over the Rams:  No Romo, no Pacman, no problem.  Last week's Debacle in the Desert will motivate the 'Boys more than easy goin' Wade Phillips ever could.

Texans over the Lions:  That's right.  Two in a row for H-Town.  The Lions were already horrible and that was before Roy Williams put the Motor City in his rearview mirror.

Oklahoma over Kansas:  Kansas won't get to Sam Bradford like Texas did.  OU will roll.

Texas Tech over Texas A&M:  I'm not a big believer in Tech... but the Aggies are ridiculously bad this season.

Texas over Missouri 37-30:  Last Saturday's win over OU was impressive, but UT's young secondary will suffer a few more growing pains against the pass-happy Big 12.  Heisman hopeful Chase Daniel will likely put up some gaudy numbers... but I like the 'Horns to win a scorefest.

Happy watching.

My weekly 101X de la Pick’ems challenge is turning into a hot wing giveaway. Went 5-0 last week only to lose the tie-breaker - and the 100 wings - to a very lucky (or very psychic) 101X listener. At this rate, Djs Jason and Deb are going to stop asking for my picks by midseason.

Nevertheless, here are this week’s pigskin predictions:

Texans over Dolphins: Call it the “due” theory. Houston has to win sooner or later,.. and Sage “You spin me right round, baby, right round” Rosenfels won’t be in the game to fumble this one away.

Cardinals over the Cowboys: Upset special of the week… and perhaps the jolt the ‘Boys need to start playing some inspired football. Cards are tough at home and will throw on the depleted Dallas secondary.

Florida over LSU: 2nd best college game of the week. I always like the Gators in the Swamp (unless Jevan Snead and Ole Miss are in town).

Kansas State over A&M: Aggies have to show me they can win before I take them again. Even at home against a mediocre K-State squad.

Oklahoma over Texas 31-20: I think Mack Brown and his staff have done an incredible job with this Longhorn bunch… but the Sooners simply have more ammo in the chamber. If Jamaal Charles and Jermichael Finley had stayed in college and/or Blaine Irby had stayed healthy… I might see this one differently. However, without a pass-catching tight end and an explosive running back, it’s going to be hard to put up more than 20 points against an athletic Sooners D. I also don’t like the match-up of UT’s young DBs against one of the nation’s best QBs protected by one of the nation’s top O-Lines. Hope I’m wrong.

Feel free to agree/disagree… or call into 101X on Friday morn and we’ll go head-to-head.

Went 4-1 last week but still lost 100 chicken wings to a lucky 101X listener.  My street/sports cred is on the line as I lay these gems out there.

Cowboys over 'Skins:  The best team in the NFL's best conference will win this one easily.

Jags over Texans: Houston we have a... subpar team.  Again.

Oklahoma over TCU:  Stoops and his Sooners will play like the #1 team in the nation.

Georgia over Alabama:  Best game of the week.  Gotta side with the Dawgs between the hedges.

Texas over Arkansas 38-17:  If the 'Hogs still had Darren McFadden and Felix Jones in their backfield, this one would be compelling.  With both in the NFL, this one's a stinker. 

OK... so I'm an underwhelming 8-6 so far this season.  Nevertheless, you should still listen to 101X FM every Friday morn for my football picks with DJs Jason and Deb.

This week's gridiron pearls:

Cowboys over the Packers: GB's rookie QB is due for a letdown... right?

Titans over the Texans:  Houston's former franchise is still the better team.

LSU over Auburn: I'll set the over/under at 5.5

Texas A&M over Miami:  For the second straight week, we're picking a matchup that would've been great 10 years ago.

Texas over Rice 42-17:  I'd have picked a bigger blowout, but Mack's not the type to kick a team when they're flooded, sleeping on cots, and lacking electricity.

Feel free to chime in..... or listen in every Friday am on 101X!

As promised on 101X last Friday... I'm back in the groove with my footbal picks.  My 4-1 record and near-perfect guess of the UT-UTEP score kept another 101X listener wingless.

My pick of the week:  Texas will NOT beat Arkansas this Saturday.  I guarantee it.

My real picks:

Kansas over S. Florida: I can't root against Lake Travis alum Todd Reesing.

USC over Ohio St.:  A banged up Beanie Wells keeps me from picking the upset.

Michigan over Notre Dame:  Five years ago, this game would've been great!

Texans over the Ravens:  Houston extra-motivated after stinking it up in Pittsburgh.

Cowboys over the Eagles 27-20:  Don't expect to see T.O. and McNabb hugging after this one.

Feel free to agree/disagree/call me an idiot right here on this blog. 

After a horrible 2-3 debut, I'm hoping to get back on track in my weekly 101X football picks.   As I told DJs Jason and Deb this morning, another 2-3 week and I'll have to turn in my "sports expert" badge.  (Who gave me that badge anyway)?

This week's picks:

Cowboys over Browns: Jessica Simpson wouldn't travel to Cleveland would she?

Steelers over Texans:  I think the Texans will be decent this season.. just not "win at Heinz Field" decent.

Colts over  Bears:  I'll take a banged up P.Manning over a healthy Bears QB every time.

Texas A&M over New Mexico: There's no way the Aggies start 0-2... right? 

Texas over UTEP 45-17: Young UT secondary grew up a lot in the second half against FAU.  I could still see a big play or two from Mike Price's bunch... but the 'Horns should roll.  I just hope they don't celebrate their late-night win in Juarez... that would definitely go down as a loss.

Agree/disagree?  Share your opinions here... or call into 101X next Friday and we'll go toe-to-toe for 100 hotwings.

We're back for another season of 101X de la Pick'ems.

In case you're new to this blog, I talk sports with 101X FM DJs Jason and Deb every Friday morning.  During football season, I go head-to-head with a lucky caller in a football pick'em contest.  If the caller picks more winners than me... he/she wins 100 free hot wings!  Pretty simple.  Very fun.

With that said, here are my Week 1 picks:

Clemson over Alabama:  Should be close, but I like the home team (and I don't care for Nick "Pinocchio" Saban).

Missouri over Illinois: Perhaps the best season opener on the board.  I like Chase Daniel and the fast-paced Tigers' offense in this battle of top 20 squads.

Tennessee over UCLA: Neuheisel's back at UCLA.  The Vols will celebrate by beating his Bruins in their own house.

Texas A&M over Arkansas St:  Will the same Arkansas St. team that scared the 'Horns in last year's opener do the same in College Station?

Texas over Florida Atlantic 35-14:  UT's young secondary will be ripe for the picking against  a pass-happy FAU team.  Horn DBs will likely give up a couple big plays.... but 94,000 Longhorn fans will go home happy (buzzing about Vondrell McGee's explosiveness).

Feel free to disagree here on this blog.  Better yet.. call 101X on Friday morns, and we'll go toe-to-toe for a bucket o' cluck.

The Longhorn football team reports for pre-season workouts on Sunday... and they'll be packing plenty of question marks as they roll their luggage into the Jester dorms.         

No... I'm not worried about the RB situation.  As long as Mack Brown's at UT, there will always be a couple talented backs to plug in (Vondrell McGee and Fozzy Whitaker will provide a solid 1-2 punch).

And no... I'm also not too concerned with John Chiles' playing time.  Greg Davis will find plenty of ways to use him (think Ramonce Taylor without the off-field drama). 

UT will miss Limas Sweed...  but one of the the talented youngsters will step up to join Quan Cosby and Jordan Shipley.  True Freshman Dan Buckner's already wearing the #4 jersey... and he's already  flashed some skills that would make Limas and Roy Williams proud.  

For me, the biggest question mark has to be the UT defense against the pass (big limb I'm out on, right)?  The 'Horns gave up a school-record 278 passing yards per game last season... and lost three of four starters in the secondary.  This year, they'll go against some of the nation's most prolific QBs (Chase Daniel, Graham Harrell, Todd Reesing, Sam Bradford, etc.).  I know Will Muschamp is a great defensive mind... but he'll definitely earn that 425 grand in '08.

What do you guys think? 

Next week, we'll be in Kansas City for the Big 12 Football Media Days.

We'll be chewing the fat with all the head coaches.... and MOST of the league's top players.  I say MOST, because I see Texas Tech isn't scheduled to bring Heisman hopefuls Graham Harrell or Michael Crabtree.  Guess we'll have more time to ask the Red Raiders' defense about holding Texas to a mere 59 points last season.  Should make for some compelling t.v. 

So... do you guys have any burning Big 12 gridiron questions? 

Post them here before Monday... and I'll take the best ones with me to KC!

(Just don't ask me to ask Bob Stoops if he's "slipping" as a head coach).

Unless you're self-employed, you've likely been miffed a time or three at your boss.  But did you ever grab him by the neck,  throw him down, and jump on him?  Apparently you don't play by Shawn Chacon's rules.

Maybe the Astros' starting pitcher was still feisty after starting the season with a major leage record nine straight no-decisions.

Perhaps Chacon's 2-3 record and beefy 5.04 ERA had made him a bit irritable.

And sure... no one likes getting called to the GM's office in front of the fellas during a meal. After all, you don't want the pasta getting cold.

Nevertheless, how in the name of Latrell Sprewell did Chacon feel he needed to go WWF on Astros GM Ed Wade?!  Somebody needs to test Mr. "Choke on" for 'roid rage (but you better hit him with a tranquilizer dart first before dragging him into the lab).

Chacon has now been suspended indefinitely for insubordination, but he's lucky not to be locked indefinitely in the slammer.  That's where most of us would be if we tried to polish our company's Top Brass with the floor.

First Rocco Mediate teaches the world how to compete with dignity.... now we learn that Tiger Woods showed us how to perform through SERIOUS pain. 

Two golfers.  Two lessons.  Two incredible stories.

Us media types would salivate over ONE of these intriguing storylines per sporting event... much less TWO! (in one of golf's biggest events to boot)!

So who's more of "Da Man"?  Rocco and his unshakable sportsmanship... or Tiger and his refusal to lose?