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BCS standings 11/22

Bill Sullivan — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:21 +0000

The sixth Bowl Championship Series standings were released on Nov. 22, and Florida and Alabama continued to occupy the top two spots.

Who else remains in the running? Texas retains its No. 3 position and remains on pace to play the Florida-Alabama winner in the Rose Bowl, with the national championships at stake. TCU, hanging in at No. 4, continues to be very much in the mix.

BCS rankings combine the USA Today Coaches Poll, the Harris Interactive poll, and the average of six computer rankings.

Here’s how it works, courtesy of USA Today:

“To derive a team’s poll percentages in the Harris Interactive and USA TODAY polls, each team’s point total is divided by a maximum 2850 possible points in the Harris Interactive Poll and 1575 possible points in the USA TODAY Poll.

“Teams are assigned an inverse point total (25 for #1, 24 for #2, etc.) for each of their respective computer poll rankings to determine the overall computer component. The highest and lowest ranking for each team is dropped, and the sum total of the remaining four rankings is divided by 100 (the maximum possible points). This figure produces a Computer Rankings Percentage. The six computer ranking providers are Anderson & Hester, Richard Billingsley, Colley Matrix, Kenneth Massey, Jeff Sagarin and Peter Wolfe. Each computer ranking accounts for schedule strength within its formula.

“The BCS Average is calculated by averaging the percent totals of the Harris Interactive and USA TODAY Polls, and Computer rankings. The highest BCS Average receives the #1 ranking, the second highest receives #2, and so forth.”

Here are the Top 10 after Week 4:

1. Florida — .966
2. Alabama — .961
3. Texas — .926
4. TCU — .867
5. Cincinnati — .859
6. Boise State– .783
7. Georgia Tech– .776
8. Oregon– .672
9. Pittsburgh– .664
10. Ohio State– .652

To read more about the individual breakdowns, visit USA Today.

NASCAR champions

Bill Sullivan — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:00:42 +0000

It’s a lot more than 500 miles of left turns, as any serious NASCAR fan will tell you.

It’s about rivalries. It’s about passion. It’s about hating Jeff Gordon, even if you’ve never met the man, and loving Dale Earnhardt, Jr., whether he ever wins another race or not.

NASCAR divides families, bridges cultural boundaries, and often defies common sense. Still, hundreds of thousands pack tracks across America every week, dreaming of that great final lap where the winner crosses the finish line upside down, preferably on fire.

Whether it’s named for Winston or Nextel or Sprint, a cup is awarded to the points leader at the end of the season. In 2009, Jimmie Johnson added to the sport’s lore, becoming the first driver ever to win four consecutive titles.

Here’s the list of the last 10 champions, with number of victories that season and money won:

2009 — Jimmie Johnson (7) $7,143,910

2008 — Jimmie Johnson (7): $7,225,850

2007 — Jimmie Johnson (10): $7,646,420

2006 — Jimmie Johnson (5): $8,909,140

2005 — Tony Stewart (5): $6,987,530

2004 — Kurt Busch (3): $4,200,330

2003 — Matt Kenseth (1); $4,038,120

2002 – Tony Stewart (3); $4,695,150

2001 — Jeff Gordon (6): $6,649,080

2000 — Bobby Labonte (4): $4,041,750

Source: NASCAR.com

American Music Awards 2009

Bill Sullivan — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:40:05 +0000

Here’s a list of winners of major winners at the 2009 American Music Awards:

Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift

Pop-Rock:

– Male artist: Michael Jackson

– Female artist: Taylor Swift

– Band, duo or group: Black Eyed Peas

– Album: Michael Jackson, “Number Ones”

Soul-R&B:

– Male artist: Michael Jackson

– Female artist: Beyonce

– Band, duo or group: Black Eyed Peas

– Album: Michael Jackson, “Number Ones”

Rap-Hip-Hop:

– Artist: Jay-Z

– Album: Jay-Z, Blueprint 3

Country:

– Male artist: Keith Urban

– Female artist: Taylor Swift

– Band, duo or group: Rascal Flatts

– Album: Taylor Swift, Fearless

Adult Contemporary: Taylor Swift

Alternative Rock: Green Day

Latin: Aventura

Contemporary Inspirational: Mary Mary

Soundtrack Album: Twilight Soundtrack

T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Award: Gloriana

International Award of Excellence: Whitney Houston

USA Today Coaches’ Poll 11/22

Bill Sullivan — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:00:15 +0000

As the 2009 college football season winds to a close, the cast of characters competing for the national title remains pretty much static.

Defending national champion Florida continues to lead the USA Today Coaches Poll, with Alabama No. 2 and Texas No. 3. Upstart TCU checks in at No.4, hoping at least two of the teams at the top will slip up and allow the Horned Frogs a berth in the big game.

Here’s the entire Top 25, with first places votes, season records, and total points:

1. Florida (47), 11-0 (1,459)
2. Texas (4) 11-0 (1,398)
3. Alabama (8) 11-0 (1,388)
4. TCU 11-0 (1,279)
5. Cincinnati 10-0 (1,224)
6. Boise State 11-0 (1,181)
7. Georgia Tech 10-1 (1,125)
8. Ohio State 10-2 (1,031)
9. Pittsburgh 9-1 (1,021)
10. Oregon 9-2-1 (941)
11. Penn State 10-2 (843)
12. Oklahoma State 9-2 (815)
13. Iowa 10-2 (714)
14. Virginia Tech 8-3 (656)
15. Brigham Young 9-2 (510)
16. Clemson 8-3 (467)
17. LSU (FL) 8-3 (463)
18. Oregon State 8-3 (450)
19. Utah 9-2 (318)
20. Houston 9-2 (305)
21. Miami 8-3 (266)
22. Southern Cal 7-3 (261)
23. Nebraska 8-3 (191)
24. North Carolina 8-3 (167)
25. Mississippi 8-3 (165)

Source: USA Today

Most corrupt countries

Bill Sullivan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:40:00 +0000

Watchdog group Transparency International is out with a list of the most and least corrupt countries in the world. The “Corruption Perceptions Index” was published Nov. 17.

Here’s the list of the world’s most corrupt countries:

1. Somalia
2. Afghanistan
3. Myanmar
4. Sudan
5. Iraq
6. Chad
7. Uzbekistan
8. Turkmenistan
9. Iran
10. Haiti

To read more about these rankings, visit Transparency International.

10 poorest states

Bill Sullivan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:55:41 +0000

While Wall Street may be trumpeting a big economic recovery, Main Street is still feeling the pinch, according to a new report issued by the Pew Center on The States.

The organization has come out with a list of states suffering the most under current economic pressures. Several factors were considered, including lost revenue, budget gaps, unemployment and foreclosure rates, poor money management practices, and state laws governing the passage of budgets.

According to Pew, the 10 most troubled states are:

Arizona
California
Florida
Illinois
Michigan
Nevada
New Jersey
Oregon
Rhode Island
Wisconsin

Source: CNN Money

States with most grocery stores

Bill Sullivan — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:22:28 +0000

Need to pick up a few items for dinner? That’s easier done in some places than others.

AARP Bulletin recently published a list of the number of supermarkets in each state and the District of Columbia as of 2008. Here are the Top 10:

California — 3,753
New York — 2,202
Texas — 2,145
Florida — 2,133
Illinois — 1,444
Pennsylvania — 1,428
Ohio — 1,350
North Carolina – 1,349
Michigan — 1,217
Georgia — 1,151

Source: The Nielsen Company

Dow Jones Industrial Average by month

Bill Sullivan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:26:48 +0000

While the stock market has shown signs of a healthy rebound lately, potential investors still sweat out daily volatility as the recession plays itself out.

Here’s a list of the Dow Jones Industrial Average on the first trading day of each month, beginning with August, 2008:

August 1, 2008: 11,326.3203
Sept. 2, 2008: 11,516.9199
Oct. 1, 2008: 10,831.0703
Nov. 3, 2008: 9,319.8301
Dec. 1, 2008: 8,149.0898
Jan. 2, 2009: 9,034.6904
Feb. 2, 2009: 7,936.8301
March 2, 2009: 6,763.29
April 1, 2009: 7,761.6001
May 1, 2009: 8,212.4102
June 1, 2009:8,721.4404
July 1, 2009: 8,504.0596
Aug. 3, 2009: 9,171.6104
Sept. 1, 2009: 9,310.5996
Oct. 1, 2009: 9,509.2803
Nov. 2, 2009: 9,789.4404

Source: finance.yahoo.com

Top movie gimmicks

Bill Sullivan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:16:48 +0000

Hollywood types will do just about anything to herd folks into the theater.

Big star pairings? Check. Lots of stuff blowing up? You bet. Endless sequels to films that made it big? Count on it. Funky glasses to make it look as though the action is right in your face? Coming right up.

Time put together its list of the Top 10 Movie Gimmicks. Some worked well, others had their moments, and a few were complete bombs. See how many you can remember.

Here’s a peek:

To learn more about these stunts, and to see a slideshow, check out Time.

Most World Series Championships

Bill Sullivan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:13 +0000

Among sports records not likely to be challenged, the New York Yankees’ 27 World Series titles has to rate high on anyone’s list. After all, no other franchise can claim more than 10 Series victories, and Yankees fans wrapped up a year-long celebration of their new stadium by winning the championship for the first time since 2000.

Led by those Yankees, the American League has won the World Series 61 times, while the National League has prevailed on 41 occasions. In all, 27 different franchises have finished the season on a happy note.

Here’s a list of the most World Series winners ever, with league and championship years:

27 — New York Yankees, AL: (1923, 1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1943, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009)
10 — St. Louis Cardinals, NL (1926, 1931, 1934 ‘42, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006)
7 — Boston Red Sox, AL (1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007)
5 — New York Giants, NL (1905, 1921, 1922, 1933, 1954)
5 — Philadelphia Athletics, AL (1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, 1930)
5 — Pittsburgh Pirates, NL (1909, 1925, 1960, 1971, 1979)
5 — Los Angeles Dodgers, NL (1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1988)
5 — Cincinnati Reds, NL (1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, 1990)
4 — Detroit Tigers, AL (1935, 1945, 1968, 1984)
4 — Oakland Athletics, AL (1972, 1973, 1974, 1989)
3 — Baltimore Orioles, AL (1966, 1970, 1983)
3 — Chicago White Sox, AL (1906, 1917, 2005)
2 — Chicago Cubs, NL (1907, 1908)
2 — Cleveland Indians, AL (1920, 1948)
2 — Florida Marlins, NL (1997, 2003)
2 — Minnesota Twins, AL (1987, 1991)
2 — New York Mets, NL (1969, 1986)
2 — Philadelphia Phillies (1980, 2008)
2 — Toronto Blue Jays, AL (1992, 1993)
1 — Anaheim Angels, AL (2002)
1 — Arizona Diamondbacks, NL (2001)
1 — Atlanta Braves, NL (1995)
1 — Boston Braves, NL (1914)
1 — Brooklyn Dodgers, NL (1955)
1 — Milwaukee Braves, NL (1957)
1 — Kansas City Royals, AL (1985)
1 — Washington Senators, AL (1924)

Source: MLB.com

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