Soggy and I mean soggy upset specials

Hi there. While we write through the rain drops, we delve into this weeks upset specials. First the college. Stanford is a 7 point underdog heading to Eugene Oregon to take on the Ducks. Stanford is legit and I think they'll win outright. Andrew Luck is one heck of a QB. Now for the NFL. What odds maker in their sane mind thinks the Giants are 4 points better at home against DA Bears? I know there will be some big ceremony announcing the Giants Ring of Fame at halftime, but remember the last time the G-Men played a game with a special significance. The Panthers spanked them last December. Take the Bears. I also think some consideration should go to the Redskins who are 6 point dogs as they head to Philly and the Donovan McNabb welcome home dinner. Stick with the Bears though.
Unless your last name is Brees, Brady or Manning (not Eli) the most popular player on any football team is the back up QB.
What did Granville do to anger the schedule makers this year? After their game at Lake George, the combined records of the last 4 opponents the Horde will have faced is 10 and 2! I hear Mario Torres is a nice guy.
The Tamarac Bengals are 4-0. Who'd a thunk it.
Good match ups this week in Class D. The top four teams are all playing each other. Cambridge/Rensselaer and Whitehall/Fort Edward.
I hope the sick individuals who caused that kid from Rutgers to commit suicide get charged with murder or some sort of crime for what they did and not get just a slap on the wrist.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse. Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi is going to write a book! Hope there's pictures in it so the people who will actually buy it will be able to follow along.
Hope to see you at the games in Lake George and Hudson Falls that we're doing on the Mighty 1450 WWSC this weekend...Leccese out.

What day of the week is it, I have to ask?

Hi there. This weekend was such a blur! I do know that I went 1 for 3 in the upset specials. Cowboys won over the Texans and the college upset selections were a bust. Ole Miss put up 55 on Fresno State and the Boston College offense didn't bother to show up at home against Va Tech. So for the year after 4 weeks, I'm 2 and 7. Remember as much as I take picking the games somewhat seriously, they are basically something fun to get you into the weekend.
I knew I was really tired Saturday morning when I skipped the green tea for a large coffee from the fast food place across the street from the radio station. I like coffee but only on that rare occasion. Saturday morning was one of those rare occasions.
We've made it through the halfway point of the high school football season and here's a list of the teams that have caught my attention so far this season. Troy, Burnt Hills, Amsterdam, Schuylerville, Cambridge, Chatham, Albany Academy, Schalmont, and Hoosick Falls.
These are the teams that have been a pleasant surprise: Lake George, Queensbury, Tamarac, Greenwich and I'll include Glens Falls in the mix.
Teams that have been a disappointment: Granville and Hudson Falls.
Had a great time in Schuylerville and at Hickory Ski Center Sunday. Hopefully Mike will put some of the photos I took from those places on our facebook page. It was tough missing Taste of the North Country. I'm also proud of the fact that between the cider and donuts and a beer tasting going on at the Ski Center, I didn't partake in any of them while at was those places.
The only down side of the weekend was I wish more people would have showed up at the football game we did in Warrensburgh Saturday. Friday night under the lights at S.Glens Falls was amazing. It was a packed house.
Here's some advice to all those people who I saw protesting both in front of the Civic Center and up the hill by the traffic circle downtown Sunday afternoon. Look in the mirror and say to yourself, "I really need to find a hobby and get a life!"
Lindsay Lohan has officially become what I like to call a "multiple train wreck."
One more sports note. It was in last Tuesday's Post Star. It was announced that the Hartford WolfPack are being turned over to new managment and will change their name sometime this season to the Connecticut Whale. The man behind this change is one Howard Baldwin, the same man who nearly 40 years ago founded the then New England Whalers of the WHA, moved them to Hartford and owned the team for 15 years before selling in 1988. I'm curious and need to know why he is doing this? There's a part of me that thinks he is totally nuts. At the same time the idea that the man who first brought major league pro hockey to Hartford back in 1974 has come back and is trying re-ignite the fan base who very much still do love their Whalers and I happen to be one of those fans, is intriguing. Have "Brass Bonanza" digitally re-mastered and get ready to crank it at the XL Center...Leccese out.

Upset Specials and Uncle Pete, what is a MILF?

Hi there. Happy Friday. Upset specials kick off this entry and you get 3 for price of 2. 2 college and 1 pro. First the college. Heading to beautiful Chestnut Hill in Boston Mass where the BC Eagles play the VaTech Hokies in the house that Doug Flutie built. The ACC is down overall this year, (although Miami had a nice win last night over Pitt) and in the game BC is a home underdog to Frank Beamers boys. Eagles win. The other college upset special comes to us from the alma mater of one Eli Manning. The Ole Miss Rebels taking on Fresno State. The Bulldogs are like Boise State in the fact they're not afraid to take on anybody at anyplace. Like the Bulldogs in a mild upset. Now for the pro. This may not seem like much of an upset but in the battle of Texas, go with the Cowboys over the Texans on the road in Houston.
Other stuff. I almost had a heart attack yesterday morning when I heard Pete utter the term MILF on the air when I filled in for Dan who was on his way to the doctor. He almost killed two of us at the same time. Good thing Dave Thomas wasn't listening, he might have had the hat trick! The best part was Pete really didn't know what it meant! The other thing that was racing through my mind at the time was hearing the news story about how Katy Perry was apparently wearing something a little too inappropriate on a Sesame Street segment with Elmo. Parents were upset. The dirty, raunchy, sarcastic side of me was in 5th gear thinking of stuff. Brilliant stuff I might add.
Last nights "The Big Bang Theory" season premiere was fall off the couch histerical. Could they either move it back to Monday nights or flip flop it with TJ Hookers' new show so it doesn't conflict with "Community" on NBC?
I forgot to mention this Monday, but Saturday morning it was really neet seeing all those people lined up down Glen Street wrapping itself around Oakland Street near the bridge waiting on line to buy tickets for the BYU/Vermont basketball game in December. You know this will be a sell-out. I find it hard to believe that Jimmer Fredette's dad Al had to wait online to get more tickets. Why is everyone so upset with Joe Torre? He goes Mike Francessa's afternoon talk show on WFAN and was asked about the Mets manager job. His reply was that he would be curious if the job became available. How is that insulting to Jerry Manuel?
This weeks sign of the apocalypse. Keanu Reeves said he would like to make another sequel to "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." No, anything but that. I can picture it now. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are back as the Wild Stallions in "Bill and Ted Bury Rufus!" Personally, I'd rather see a sequel to "The Replacements."
I don't like writing or discussing politics in the "Greenhouse Effect" but "Real Time" with Bill Maher is one funny show even without all the political discussion.
So Wednesday morning I go to try again for the upteenth time to make friends with the weights and take "Body Pump" at the gym I work out at. It was sunny when I got there. Little did I know that while class was going on, the heavens opened up and their was a rain shower. No confirmation that a level of H-E-double hockey sticks froze as well.
Busy weekend ahead. Football games Friday night and Saturday afternoon on the Mighty 1450, then Sunday remotes in Schuylerville and Warrensburg. See you around...Leccese out.

There's been a lot of ugly football so far

Hi there. Its been one of those odd weeks that are pretty much hard to describe. First we review the upset specials and after 3 weeks I'm 1 and 5. Northwestern beat Rice and the Rams took the gas pipe against the Raiders. Still lots of time and picks left to get back to the .500 mark.
There is a part of me that is so glad to see both the Vikings and Cowboys at 0-2.
I didn't get a chance to comment on this last week, but sometimes you have wonder how competent NFL officials really are when the Lions and Calvin Johnson got completely hosed on that TD call in the Bears game that would have given them the win. I thought the rule was the ball must cross the plane of the goal line, and the receiver must have possession of the ball in the end zone? He did both. So he was down, the play was supposedly over and he dropped the ball. The official claimed no touchdown because the process wasn't complete. Huh? The process wasn't complete! What completes the process? Doing a dance so the official can give Johnson a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty? Sometimes the rules in the NFL are interpreted so ridiculously to the letter of the law.
It's deja vu all over again. Last year it was Erin Andrews and this year its Ines Sainz. However, how seriously can you take the Azteca network? They sent one of their eye candy reporters to a Super Bowl media day wearing a wedding dress and having her propose to Tom Brady? No one was right in that whole mess. The Jets behavior. The NFL. Most of all Ms. Sainz herself who got her more than 15 seconds of fame over this whole thing.
How soon will be it before Notre Dame wins a big game and Brian Kelly gets a 10 year contract extension like Charlie Weis got ? I give Mike Lupica credit for coming up with that one.
My fantasy hockey draft is tonight. I'm starting to get the NHL/AHL itch. My early take on the Phantoms is the parent club in their desire to win the Stanley Cup has traded away too many draft picks leaving the cupboard bare for Greg Gilbert.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse. Hulk Hogan is going to star in a tv show where he is going to rule and preside over sibling disputes. I love the Hulkster, but its time to just go to the old wrestlers home and hang out with the rest of the aging Hulkamaniacs.
After watching the season premiere of "Two and a half Men," I think it's time to end the
shows run.
Can't wait to see the new Wall Street sequel, "Money Never Sleeps." Note to Michael Douglas. Get better. I know you can beat this cancer. Greed is good...Leccese out.

Upset Specials and "Game Over, Jacks Win!"

Hi there. It's gonna be a short and sweet entry number 201. Upset specials. First the college. In the battle of the, "My football teams' smarter than your football team." The Rice Owls host the Northwestern Wildcats and are a touchdown home underdog. Take the Owls outright. Now for the pro, take the St Louis Rams over the Raiders on the road in Oakland.
For a couple of years my friends have been encouraging me to join in one of those office pool type things where they do pick football games. So I finally say yes and guess who won the first week? Give it up to Leccese! Some of the same friends are in my fantasy hockey league. Just to remind you guys, who was lasts years' champion? It's the year of Leccese and I'm looking for a repeat.
One more thing before I leave. 10 years ago I was at East Field doing baseball play-by-play when the Adirondack Lumberjacks won the Northern League championship in a 3 game sweep. My last out call sounded like John Sterling on a caffeine and crack binge. I think I might just have to wear the championship ring I got just for this one day. Where does the time fly?
See you in Fort Edward for high school football on Saturday...Leccese out.

Another milestone in the history of, " The Greenhouse Effect"

Hi there. Well we've reach another milestone in the history of the "Greenhouse Effect" This is edition number 200! I remember when the idea to write the blog was given to me. I thought Dan and Mike were one cashew short of a can of mixed nuts crazy. However I've come to love writing it and look forward to every Monday or Friday when I can get creative.
It's been a relatively calm week. Upset special wise went 1 for 2. The Texans upset the Colts, however Miami did lose to the Buckeyes.
O.K. football fans, its only 2 weeks and it is not time yet to threaten to jump off the tallest building or highest bridge you can find ending your life because your favorite team sucked after only one or two weeks. Virginia Tech fans, you maybe the exception. Lose a tough one to Boise State and then get humiliated at home by James Madison. There is room on the ledge for you.
I watched a couple minutes of the Boise State/Va Tech and I've got to ask who is coming up with these double bag, beer goggle ugly futuristic uniforms that these teams come out with and wear? It was bad enough when the Mighty Swoosh people punished the Oregon Ducks by having them wear the duds all year long, but now all the big time U's whose apparel are under the control of Pat Knight will wear some form once this year.
Between the blowhards that are the New York Jets and the blowhard that is Ray Lewis, I hope tonight's Ravens/Jets game ends in a scoreless tie. Maybe that will shut em both up for one brief moment.
I might be the only one who'd rather watch the Pirates/Mets than either Monday Football games tonight.
I had a Dubray moment. Friday night I was chopping peppers and putting them in a freezer bag. I thought I had thoroughly washed and cleaned my hands. Wrong! That was one pretty painful sensation I felt as I removed the contact lens' from my eyes later that evening.
When is the new tv season starting? I could use a fix of "How I Met Your Mother" and "Big Bang Theory" real bad.
I find it hard to believe that a school the size of South Glens Falls has only 27 varsity football players on its roster.
I forgot to set my DVD on record so I could watch the VMA's last night on MTV. What am I gonna do now? I am so pathetic.
Upset specials and edition number 201 on Friday...Leccese out.

Upset Specials time!

Hi there. Well from what I've been hearing, last nights Saints/Vikes affair was just as ugly a game as the high school one we did on WWSC. John and I got the better of the deal not having to suffer through the performances by Taylor Swift and Dave Matthews. I love the Lake George Drum Corp. Last nights Corinth/Lake George game had 9 turnovers. 7 fumbles, 2 interceptions and a blocked punt. It wasn't pretty, but when you in look in the "W"column it still counts.
On to this weeks upset specials. I'll open with the pro upset special. There are some intriguing match ups making this a fun opening week. I'm throwing a dart blindfolded (Oops sorry didn't mean to graze you Darrin) and it hits the Houston Texans as home underdogs knocking off the Colts. If this game was played in Indy, I'm no where near that game. Now for the college upset special. Big time games played by big time programs in Week 2 like Michigan/ND, Penn St/Alabama, Oklahoma/Fla. St., and I'm picking one of them. In the great state of Ohio in the capital city of Columbus, the Miami Hurricanes will defeat the Ohio State Buckeyes.
This weeks sign of the apocalypse. I'm not making this up. You can buy a KISS snuggie. We're talking about a stinkin' bathrobe that you wear backwards people!!!!!!
Enjoy the football and I'll see you at Queensbury High Saturday...Leccese out.

You can feel the change in the air already

In honor of the 100th episode of, "No Reservations" I shall begin this entry the way Anthony Bourdain opens his show. I'm Ken Leccese. I write a blog, call sports on the radio, I cook, I garden and I'm hungry to meet a really attractive intelligent women and.....never mind.
It was not a good start to the upset specials. UConn got thumped by Michigan, and SMU tried to make a comeback but fell short against Texas Tech. Hey its early and next week I get to pick a pro game.
I think everyone who was at the "Jug Game" was stunned how Glens Falls played and won it. They beat up Hudson Falls playing the Tigers' game and the play of the Indians' offense and defensive lines were just impressive. We gave the Player of the Game plaque to one those lineman, but entire group truly deserved it.
Picked my new Nissan Murano on Tuesday and I must say it is one sharp looking SUV. There's something about the black cherry color that makes it even more sweeter looking. It also has a lot of horsepower in that engine and at times I feel like I'm holding it back when I'm driving.
The way the Padres are taking the gas pipe having lost 10 in a row, I might have to rethink that National League manager of the year award to Bud Black and give to Dusty Baker of the Reds.
I didn't realize that the U.S.Open tennis tournament is going on.
Trying to figure out the dumber move in college football. BYU deciding to become an independent or the Big 10 plus 2 divisional alignment where they do not having Michigan and Ohio State in the same one.
Rutgers beating up on some 1aa team doesn't really count as far as I'm concerned.
Saw this movie in its entirety the other day and I must say that "Role Models" was one funny flick.
You want to know the best bun to put a burger on. Take my advice. If you can find them, Anzio and Sons Ciabatta rolls. Put your best juicy, beefy goodness with a slice of cheese and some bacon between the toasted top and bottom parts. One bite and you'll be in heaven.
If I had known that it was my friend Monica's birthday the other day, I would have wished her one. Nobody tells me anything at the gym.
As summer comes to a close, I actually made it to the track and went to a Valley Cats game. I just wish I had played more golf. There's still a little time left for the golf though.
Got another crazy week ahead. Filling in for Cloutier in the co-host chair for 3 days. Then not one, but 2 football games this week. I haven't had a normal on air week in nearly a month...Leccese out.

Are you ready for some football and the anticipated return of "Opie's Upset Specials!"

Hi there. Well the calendar has turned the page to September and it means that football is back. So how does WWSC kick off the year with its first broadcast? With the "Jug Game!" If we didn't do that game, I would be exiled back to Section 7 to broadcast high school football.
Let's cut to the chase and may I have a drum roll please. Here it is, the long anticipated return (O.K. knock off the chuckling back there) of "Opie's Upset Specials" Every week during the regular season I give you two upsets to be on the look for. One college and one pro. Since the NFL gets underway next weekend, you'll get 2 college picks. Pick number 1. I'm heading to the big house in Ann Arbor Michigan where the Rich Rodriguez Battan death march is underway. Well the pace picks up a bit as the UConn Huskies knock off the Wolverines. Game Number 2 is Sunday where the Mustangs of SMU have some fun with the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Here's the happy recap. UConn on Saturday and SMU on Sunday.
Enjoy the weekend and I'll see you at the Jug Game! Leccese out.