TRIPLE THREAT CLE: September 2016

Friday, September 30, 2016

TV Weekend 9.30 - 10.1

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

Last Man Standing (FRI, ABC, 8pm)
Hell's Kitchen (FRI, FOX, 8pm)
MacGyver (FRI, CBS, 8pm)
New Japan Pro Wrestling (FRI, AXS TV, 8pm)
Masters Of Illusion (FRI, The CW, 8pm & 8:30pm)
Dr. Ken (FRI, ABC, 8:30pm)

Dateline NBC (FRI, NBC, 9pm)
Shark Tank (FRI, ABC, 9pm)
The Exorcist (FRI, FOX, 9pm)
Hawaii Five-0 (FRI, CBS, 9pm)
Z Nation (FRI, Syfy, 9pm)
New Japan Pro Wrestling (FRI, AXS TV, 9pm)

Blue Bloods (FRI, CBS, 10pm)
Burgers, Brew & Que (FRI, Food Network, 10pm)
ELeague (FRI, TBS, 10pm)
Van Helsing (FRI, Syfy, 10pm)
Quarry (FRI, Cinemax, 10pm)
High Maintenance (FRI, HBO, 11pm)

--

Saturday Night Live Classic (SAT, NBC, 10pm)
Saturday Night Live: Margot Robbie, The Weeknd (SAT, NBC, 11:30pm)

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Stanford @ Washington (FRI, ESPN, 9pm)
Toledo @ BYU (FRI, ESPN 2, 10:15pm)

Rutgers @ Ohio State (SAT, Big Ten, 12pm)
Texas @ Oklahoma State (SAT, ABC, 12pm)
Notre Dame @ Syracuse (SAT, ESPN, 12pm)
Miami @ Georgia Tech (SAT, ESPN 2, 12pm)
Baylor @ Iowa State (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 12pm)
Florida @ Vanderbilt (SAT, SEC, 12pm)

Wisconsin @ Michigan (SAT, ABC, 3:30pm)
Tennessee @ Georgia (SAT, CBS, 3:30pm)
North Carolina @ Florida State (SAT, ESPN, 3:30pm)
Illinois @ Nebraska (SAT, ESPN 2, 3:30pm)
Kansas State @ West Virginia (SAT, ESPNU, 3:30pm)
Minnesota @ Penn State (SAT, Big Ten, 3:30pm)
Texas A&M @ South Carolina (SAT, SEC, 4pm)
Oklahoma @ TCU (SAT, FOX, 5pm)

Kentucky @ Alabama (SAT, ESPN, 7pm)
Missouri @ LSU (SAT, SEC, 7:30pm)
Louisville @ Clemson (SAT, ABC, 8pm)
Arizona State @ USC (SAT, FOX, 8pm)
Michigan State @ Indiana (SAT, Big Ten, 8pm)
Utah State @ Boise State (SAT, ESPN 2, 10:15pm)
Arizona @ UCLA (SAT, ESPN, 10:30pm)

NFL
Top 10: Wide Receivers of the 2000s (FRI, NFL Network, 8pm)
A Football Life: Chad Johnson (FRI, NFL Network, 9pm)

MLB
Blue Jays @ Red Sox (FRI, ESPN 2, 7pm)
Indians @ Royals (FRI, STO, 8pm)
Dodgers @ Giants OR Pirates @ Diamondbacks (FRI, MLB, 10pm)

(SAT, FOX, 1pm)
(SAT, MLB, 1pm)
Indians @ Royals (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 4pm)
(SAT, MLB, 10pm)

NBA PRESEASON
Warriors @ Raptors (SAT, NBA TV, 7:30pm)

NHL PRESEASON
Blackhawks @ Penguins (FRI, NHL, 7pm)
Canucks @ Flames (FRI, NHL, 9:30pm)

NASCAR & RACING
XFINITY Series: Drive Sober 200 (SAT, NBC Sports, 3pm)
Camping World Truck Series: Las Vegas (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 8:30pm)

MMA & BOXING
UFC Fight Night: John Lineker vs. John Dodson (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 11pm)

GOLF
2016 Ryder Cup, Day 2 (SAT, NBC, 9am)
2016 Ryder Cup, Day 2 (SAT, NBC, 3pm)

WNBA
Phoenix Mercury @ Minnesota Lynx (FRI, ESPNews, 8pm)
Chicago Sky @ Los Angeles Sparks (FRI, ESPNews, 10pm)

WLWB Special: My Top 5 Favorite WWE Moments In 2016, So Far

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE brings you my latest wrestling blog.

It's been quite sometime since I last sat down and wrote a blog for the website, but here I am. I was recently tweeted by the Vince McMahon of Triple Threat CLE, Raven, and he wondered what my top 5 moments in wrestling were for 2016. After thinking long and hard, there are way too many moments to try to pick a top 5 throughout the wrestling world. So I'm going to share with you my top 5 moments in the WWE at the moment.

#5: Sting Enters The WWE Hall Of Fame: Now as I was writing this blog I was really going back and forth between this being number five and this being number four. The Stinger has done so much in the wrestling business and it was really an honor to see this man get inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this past April. I remember growing up being a huge fan of Sting watching his memorable feuds against Ric Flair, Nikita Koloff, Vader, Hulk Hogan, The Great Muta, Rick Rude, Lex Luger and so many other great wrestlers of the 80s. The Stinger has done it all in the wrestling business, he has won pretty much every major championship in the business, of course the WWE World Heavyweight Championship being the only exception. The Stinger may have officially announced his retirement, but myself and I'm sure many other wrestling fans are still hoping for that one last dream match against the Undertaker at Wrestlemania.

#4: Shane McMahon Returns: It was a huge night to remember back in March when Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon were interrupted by that famous "Here Comes the Money" intro of Shane McMahon. Shane McMahon returned to the WWE after a seven-year hiatus from the company, performing other business ventures on his own. Shane McMahon returned by stating that he still had some power in the WWE and he was actually next in line to take over the WWE when Vince McMahon stepped down. This infuriated the whole McMahon Family and even Triple H, as Vince McMahon forced his prodigal son into a Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania against the Undertaker, to earn his power. Shane McMahon unfortunately came up the loser against the Undertaker and lost his spot in line to take over, but he has gone on to become the commissioner of SmackDown Live and is attempting to defeat Raw on a weekly basis.

#3: The Shield All Hold The World Title In One Night: This was a huge memorable night back at WWE Money in the Bank, as all three former members of The Shield held the WWE World Heavyweight Championship all in the same evening. The main event consisted of WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns defending the title against Seth Rollins in Seth Rollins' return match from his leg surgery. Seth Rollins went on to defeat Roman Reigns to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship when the match was all said and done. What Seth Rollins wasn't expecting though was Dean Ambrose cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Seth Rollins. Ambrose went on to hit Dirty Deeds on Seth Rollins, score the pinfall and become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, making all three members of The Shield a world champion in one night.

#2: The Rise of Kevin Owens and Finn Balor: Triple H has created a huge money making machine down in Orlando, Florida called NXT. NXT has steered away from the entertainment part that the WWE gives us on a weekly basis and instead offers us wrestling matches. Two guys that have made it big in NXT and now are making it big in the WWE are Kevin Owens and Finn Balor. Finn Balor who has made a name for himself in New Japan Pro Wrestling as Prince Devitt and a former leader of The Bullet Club, has taken the WWE by storm after winning the NXT World Championship and then becoming the first ever WWE Universal Champion at SummerSlam.

Kevin Owens meanwhile, who made a name for himself on the independent wrestling scene and Ring of Honor wrestling as Kevin Steen, has had a great run of his own. Within a two year time frame, Owens has won the NXT World Championship, the WWE Intercontinental Championship, and is now the current WWE Universal Champion. Finn Balor is currently suffering from a shoulder injury and Kevin Owens is still going strong, but I expect huge things from both of these men in 2017.

#1: AJ Styles Signs With The WWE: Whoever would have thought that former TNA World Heavyweight Champion and IWGP Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles would ever step foot in a WWE ring. Last January at the Royal Rumble all that came true as Styles entered and did fairly well in the Royal Rumble. Since entering the rumble, Styles has gone on to feud with Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns, John Cena, Dean Ambrose, turned heel, created the WWE version of The Bullet Club with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, has become one of WWE's highest merchandise seller and now has become the face of WWE Smackdown Live as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Styles has accomplished a lot in his 10 month time frame considering he came from TNA, which WWE is known to not care about pushing wrestlers from other promotions that made that wrestler famous.

So there you have it that is my Top 5 favorite moments that have happened so far in 2016. Now we do still have October, November and December left of the year, so this top 5 may possibly change before the end of the year. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, please follow me at @B_Rock1978 as I tweet a lot about sports, wrestling and entertainment and of course please follow @TripleThreatCLE as we provide you with many great writers that consistently blog about sports and entertainment as well.

Buckeyes Preview 9.30.16: Rutgers Scarlett Knights @ Ohio State Buckeyes

By Jason Disantis, @JasonInCLE

This Saturday the #2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) are back at home for their homecoming game and to start conference play against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten). The Buckeyes are coming off of a bye week after their biggest win of the season on the road against Oklahoma while Rutgers is heading to Columbus after losing to Iowa last week.

The biggest story line of this game has more to do with who will be on the sidelines rather than on the field. Rutgers head coach, Chris Ash, was Urban Meyer's co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach from January 2014 to December 2015. And while the Ohio State coaching staff will recognize many of the coaches across the field this game should bring back some memories for current Buckeyes co-defensive coordinator and former Rutgers head coach, Greg Schiano.

Meyer has already noticed the impact Ash and the coaches he took with him have made on the defensive side of the ball for Rutgers.

"They do a very good job and their defensive line is much improved and the guys are bigger and stronger and they also stole one of our strength coaches, Kenny Parker, and it looks like it. They're very strong," said Meyer.

Although these coaches know each other well the talent on the field is still worlds apart.

J.T. Barrett will resume his Heisman campaign as he looks to improve on his 650 yards passing and 13 total touchdowns through three games. Barrett leads the Big Ten in passing efficiency and touchdowns while orchestrating an offense which leads the conference in scoring average.

Mike Weber is number two in the Big Ten in total rushing and yards per game only to Rutgers junior running back Robert Martin.

The Buckeyes defense will be looking to add to their conference leading 11 turnovers this Saturday. Previously turnover-free Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield was picked off twice by the Silver Bullets secondary as the Buckeyes "basic" defense proved to be a problem for the Sooners. Now the Buckeyes will look to force a Rutgers offense lead by senior quarterback Chris Laviano into the same mistakes.

Chris Ash has a lot of work to do at Rutgers before the Scarlet Knights can stand toe-to-toe against the Buckeyes and come out winners. The talent differential is just too much and it would take a major letdown by Ohio State to give this game up at home. It's going to be good for the Buckeyes to get their first taste of Big Ten play this year as they have some tough in-conference match-ups in the upcoming weeks.

What: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
When: Saturday October 1, 2016 at 12:00 PM ET
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Watch: Big Ten Network (BTN)
Line: OSU -39, O/U 60

Browns Preview 9.30.16: Cleveland Browns @ Washington Redskins

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The Browns travel to Washington to take on the Redskins in week four. The Browns came up short in a very winnable game against the Dolphins 30-24 in overtime. With the loss the Browns start the season 0-3 and are last in the AFC North. The Redskins on the other hand pulled out a win against the New York Giants 29-27. With their win they are 1-2, but are last place in the NFC East.

Browns Offense vs Redskins Defense

The Browns offense was based around wide receiver Terrelle Pryor. Pryor had 144 yards receiving, 21 yards on the ground, and 35 passing yards. And this week isn't going to be any different. Pryor will be going against one of the best corners in the NFL, Josh Norman. If Pryor can have another big game it might just solidify him as an NFL wide out and a top one.

Again, like last week the Browns should have success running the ball with Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson. Isaiah Crowell is tied for second in rushing yards with Zeke Elliott. Coach Jackson hoped Crowell could breakout this year and go for 1000+ yards on the ground, and he's on pace to do that and a lot more. The Browns running game is starting to look like the Bengals from last year, where Hue Jackson was an offensive coordinator. Crowell is like "Jeremy Hill" and Duke Johnson is like "Gio Bernard". Crowell and Johnson have different skill sets but together they really have helped this offense move the ball, especially since the Browns are on their third string quarterback. Last week Washington gave up 120 yards on only 21 rushes and 5.7 per attempt. If the Browns stick to the run and control the clock they have a great opportunity to win this game in Washington.

It may seem like a broken record but if Cody Kessler can just manage the game like last week, the Browns will be in a position to win this game. Kessler last week was 21/33 for 244 yards, no touchdowns, but no interceptions. Kessler didn't force anything and played within himself. And that's all you can hope for with a rookie. There were times Kessler didn't run when he had open field, but he moved in the pocket and threw the ball away. Most rookies force bad throws. Now going into this week expect the same game plan for Kessler. Slant routes, out routes, play actions, and a few bombs down field, with Deangelo Hall out for the season and to make sure Ryan Kerrigan doesn't get into the backfield.

The Redskins defense has been terrible the first three weeks. They rank 29th in points given up, with 30.7. and 29th in total yards given up with 424.7 per game.

Browns Defense vs Redskins Offense

The Browns secondary will have their hands full with the likes of DeSean Jackson, Jordan Reed, Pierre Garcon, and Jamison Crowder. Now based on the first three weeks the Browns main problem is guarding the slot receiver. Week 1 vs Matthews (7-114-1TD), week 2 vs Steve Smith (3-64), and week 3 vs Landry (7-120-1). This week they will be going against Crowder who has (16-175-2) through three weeks.

Unfortunately, its not just Crowder, its the Redskins entire passing offense. Quarterback Kirk Cousins ranks second is passing yards with 989. The Redskins rarely run the ball, last week they ran it 30 times for only 90 yards. So if the Browns want to win this potential shootout their main key should be getting to Cousins. He has three picks on the season along with his three touchdowns. He's a solid quarterback with a lot of weapons at hand. If the Browns can slow down the passing game, which they might be able to, they will be in a position to win

Five Guys to Watch

Terrelle Pryor: This one is pretty obvious. Pryor is coming off a history making game last week. If he can get near the same numbers this week...I think the Browns will win.

Isaiah Crowell: The number two rusher against on of the worst rush defenses in the NFL, again this is another obvious pick. And with Kessler starting again expect to Hue Jackson to "Feed the Crow".

Jamar Taylor: Taylor seems to have revitalized his career in Cleveland. With Joe Haden questionable this week, Taylor needs to step up again if the Browns are successful in stopping the Redskins passing offense.

Emmanuel Ogbah: Its not just on the secondary to stop the receivers, its also very important to get a consistent pass rush. Ogbah has played well the first three weeks, but is due to have a break out game. The Redskins offensive line has some question marks this week. Its extremely important to get to Cousins to force a bad throw.

Cody Parkey: Yes, he kick who blew the game last week like the Warriors blew a 3-1 in the Finals, a one of the five guys to watch. Lets all hope last week was an anomaly. The guy was signed on Friday night and didn't have any reps until Sunday morning. Parkey is a former Pro-Bowler so there is hope.

Injury Report:
Weather Report:
Betting Line: Washington (-8)

Prediction

The Browns will finally get a win this year 31-27. The Redskins are currently in a weird position and apparently at odds with quarterback Kirk Cousins so this seems like one of those let your guard down games the Browns will win. Also with the emergence of Terrelle Pryor and Isaiah Crowell the Browns have a great opportunity to control the clock and set a tempo for this shootout of a game. Also this Browns team has shown that its going to be prepared every week and that falls on the coaching staff. Quite frankly; Hue Jackson deserves this game, Browns fans deserve this game and dammit Terrelle Pryor deserves this Dub.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

TV Tonight 9.29

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

NFL
NFL Thursday Night Kickoff (CBS, 8pm)
Dolphins @ Bengals (NFL Network, 8:25pm)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Connecticut @ Houston (ESPN, 8pm)
Kansas @ Texas Tech (FOX Sports 1, 8:30pm)

MLB
Red Sox @ Yankees OR Reds @ Cardinals (MLB, 7pm)
Rockies @ Giants @ Dodgers @ Padres (MLB, 11pm)

HOCKEY
2016 World Cup of Hockey Final: Team Europe vs. Team Canada (ESPN 2, 8pm)

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Superstore (NBC, 8pm)
Grey's Anatomy (ABC, 8pm)
Rosewood (FOX, 8pm)
IMPACT Wrestling (POP, 8pm)
The Good Place (NBC, 8:30pm)

Chicago Med (NBC, 9pm)
Notorious (ABC, 9pm)
Pitch (FOX, 9pm)

The Blacklist (NBC, 10pm)
How To Get Away With Murder (ABC, 10pm)
Better Things (FX, 10pm)
Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'n Out (MTV, 10pm)
Joking Off (MTV, 10:30pm)
MTV Wonderland (MTV, 11pm)

Radio Show 9.28.16: On Browns & NFL Week 4, Indians, College Football, BET Hip Hop Awards & More

Spread Offense, College Football Week 5: Clear Your Weekend Schedule

By Pat Luhta, @PLuhta

For most people, the weekends are a time to catch up on things around the house. Whether it's yard work or house work or even a DIY project, most of those chores occur on the weekend since the majority of people usually don't have the time throughout the week. Friday and Saturday night are also popular date nights. Dinner and a movie, maybe a stop at a local bar for a few drinks or a walk in the park even, perfect time to stay out a little bit later and spend some quality time together.

I'm here to tell you to clear that schedule and give yourself a whole weekend of free time in order to watch football. The house work can be done early Saturday morning or pushed to Sunday or even next weekend, it can wait. As for date night, hopefully you are fortunate enough to be with someone that also enjoys college football, maybe even have a date night that is football-centric (can't go wrong with a sports bar). If not, then hopefully he/she understands your passion of football and will understand that you want to just sit home and watch TV all weekend, make it up to them by taking them out to a Sunday morning brunch and/or buy them something to show your appreciation for their understanding (just some suggestions).

Before we get started, I just wanted to fit in a little paragraph on my thoughts on LSU firing Les Miles. I see some people saying that if they would have snapped the ball just a half second sooner against Auburn then he would still have a job and his only other loss this season being by 2 points to a top 10 team in Wisconsin. Fair points, but after last season where LSU practically fired him then brought him back, he basically had to win a national championship in order to keep his job this season. If a program is sold on not retaining their current head coach then it's much more beneficiary to let him go earlier in the season rather than later, especially for recruiting. Les Miles will land on his feet somewhere, he had a great run at LSU and a coaching career that most would love to have. He'll be fine but the writing was blatantly on the wall that his time was up, LSU made the right call for their program.

Week 5 is loaded with games and you won't want to miss a snap, here's a rundown of the top games, starting on Friday night.

FRIDAY SEPT 30TH

We get a battle of 2 top 10 teams on Friday Night. The #7 ranked Stanford Cardinal is 3-0 and every one of their games has been spotlighted so far in my weekly article (Kansas State, USC, UCLA). They face the #10 ranked Washington Huskies in Seattle, who have yet to play a marquee game. The Huskies have a lot of preseason hype and so far their record is beginning to prove themselves, but this will be the big test in truly showing that they belong. Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State followed by an OT win against Arizona have been Washington's current schedule, so while both sides of the ball has looked impressive, many are waiting for this game before giving them credit. To show that they deserve a top 10 ranking, they'll need to slow down Ryan Burns and Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey was stifled, for his standards, against UCLA last week but in crunch time the Cardinal found different ways to get the job done. While offensive players like McCaffrey and Washington's QB Jake Browning get a lot of attention, it's been both teams' defenses that have truly been their strong point. Washington leads the NCAA in takeaways while only giving up an average of 14.5 points per game, Stanford is even a bit better there with only 12 points per game. Get ready to see some big plays sprinkled in with an overall defensive game in this highlighted Friday night game.

SATURDAY OCT. 1ST

Ok...so I lied. If there's a time to do some house or yard work then during these noon games would be it. #13 Baylor at Iowa State, #23 Florida at Vanderbilt, #22 Texas at Oklahoma State, #14 Miami at Georgia Tech and Rutgers at #2 Ohio State makes this a somewhat "meh" start to the college football day. By all means still watch but if there's a pressing needs that has to get done then there's definitely some time to take care of it here.

At 3:30 though, we get rolling! #11 Tennessee, coming off their big win over rival Florida, heads to Athens to take on the #25 Georgia Bulldogs. The Vols finally broke the losing streak against Florida (11 straight), are still undefeated and have their sights set on the SEC East title. Georgia was undefeated until last week, where they were outplayed and overmatched by Ole Miss, ending in a 45-14 lopsided loss. Tennessee still has a history of slow starts and one of these games it is going to get them unless they can get it together and start figuring out how to have better starts. They are currently in the gauntlet stretch of their schedule, with Texas A&M and then Alabama looming, so it's time for them to put a full 4 quarters together. Georgia has to find another playmaker other than Nick Chubb to step up in order to win this game. They've scraped by in their first 3 games and then did not have an answer for Ole Miss, it's also time for them to play to their full potential and see what kind of team they truly are or else this could end up being a long season for them.

Also at 3:30 is a battle of 2 of the top teams in the Big Ten, which btw, is the best conference in the NCAA. #8 Wisconsin, coming off a statement win against Michigan State, travels to the mitten again to face the #4 Michigan Wolverines. Wisconsin looked about as a good as a team could look last weekend, their defense stymied the Spartans and their offense continually picked up big first downs on their way to a 30-6 win in East Lansing. MSU and LSU (who Wisconsin defeated in week 1) typically have 2 of the best offensive and defensive lines in the country and the Badgers controlled the trenches all game against both teams. They'll need to do so again if they want to remain undefeated by beating the Michigan Wolverines. Michigan is looking like a well-oiled machine this year, the kind of team we come to expect from Jim Harbaugh. QB Wilton Speight has been way more than a game manager and he throws to 2 of the country's elite WR's (Darboh, Chesson) along with a top Tight End(Butt). The return of CB Jourdan Lewis is big for an already good defense and their LB/DB/KR/PR/WR(practically everywhere) playmaker, Jabrill Peppers, has become of the most electric players in the country. Wisconsin has been battled tested and will go on the road in this one, Michigan looks to pass their first big test by playing and beating a top 10 team, this game has everything a college football fan wants.

Smothered in between the 3:30 and 8pm games is a 5pm kickoff between the Oklahoma Sooners and the #21 TCU Horned Frogs. Not sure if anyone predicted in the offseason that the Oklahoma Sooners, Big 12 champs and college playoff team from last year, would be unranked with a 1-2 record. Fortunately for them, both losses were non-conference games, meaning they still control their own destiny in winning the Big 12. They will need a good defensive game on top of good performances from Mayfield, Mixon and Perine on offense though if they want to avoid 1-3. TCU sits at 3-1, with their lone loss being an OT thriller against Arkansas. Former Texas A&M QB Kenny Hill has been their dual-threat that they need for this offense and RB Kyle Hicks has been a big complement to him in the run game. Both teams leave a lot to be desired on defense though, both giving up more than 380 yards and 25 points a game on average. This game looks to be a offensive firepower game that we are all so used to when it comes to the Big 12.

And then, we arrive at our main event of the evening. #3 Louisville vs. #5 Clemson in a conference clash that takes place in Death Valley. Before we get to the game, be sure to tune in for the pregame where they will almost for certain show the Clemson entrance. It is easily the best entrance in all of college football, they arrive via bus and enter through the stands and run down a hill and onto the field. Trust me, it's worth tuning in early for and if it doesn't get you hyped up for the game then you may not have a pulse. The game will be about the QB's here, Lamar Jackson of Louisville and Deshaun Watson of Clemson. Both are top 5 in the Heisman race with Lamar Jackson right now being the heavy favorite to win it. After a slow start in the first 2 weeks and just when people started to wonder if something is wrong with Clemson, they have turned it up big time and are looking like they are in full form now. Louisville has started off fast and continued a torrent pace of putting up ungodly offensive numbers, including a 63-20 beat down at Florida State. Both defenses have looked good this season as well, Clemson's has kept them in those first two games while their offense struggled and Louisville's just doesn't get the talk that it deserves considering how good their offense has looked. Clemson has one of the best home-field advantages in the country and Louisville has already gone on the road this season and won a big game, this game just looks so close and so good on paper, it's truly a can't miss game.

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon 9.29.16: NXT Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE, is here with your NXT Recap Edition.

This week's NXT took place at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida. The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament Classic returns. Tye Dillinger battled Angelo Dawkins one on one with Dillinger ending up with a Glorious partner for the tournament. The Revival's tag team match gets interrupted by an angry Samoa Joe. Ember Moon battled Mandy Rose in Women's Division action. The Authors Of Pain battled two local wrestlers in tag team action. NXT Women's Champion Asuka battled Liv Morgan in a one on one non title Women's Division match. Main event time saw Hideo Itami battle the debuting luchador Lince Dorado in one on one action.

*** NXT ***

- NXT GM William Regal highlights the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament Classic and announces the second annual tournament will take place with the Finals ending at NXT Takeover: Toronto.

- Tye Dillinger vs. Angelo Dawkins: The match closes out with Dawkins and Dillinger trading shots. Dillinger takes control and mud hole stomps Dawkins. Dillinger hits a series of forearms and then finishes off Dawkins for the pinfall with the Tye Breaker. After the match, Bobby Roode interrupts Dillinger's celebration. Roode says that Dillinger's victory was impressive, but not a perfect ten. Roode wants to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament Classic, but he needs the perfect partner. Dillinger accepts Roode's offer to team up.
Winner: Tye Dillinger, by pinfall.

- Backstage, Hideo Itami says Lince Dorado has heart, unlike Austin Aries. Itami plans to hit Go To Sleep on Aries again.

- The Revival vs. The Ealy Brothers: The match never starts as Samoa Joe hits the ring and destroys The Ealy's with strikes, punches and sentons, leaving both men laid out. Joe throws one Ealy into the steel steps and Joe says he will continue to destroy the NXT roster until NXT GM William Regal gives Joe back his NXT World Championship.
Winners: No Contest

- It's announced that former Pittsburgh Panthers lineman Dan Matha debuts next week in NXT.

- Ember Moon vs. Mandy Rose: The match closes out with Ember attempting a leg scissors take down, but Mandy drops Ember on her face. Ember fights back and traps Mandy in the corner. Ember hits the O Face Stunner on Mandy and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Ember Moon, by pinfall.

- Backstage, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano are entering the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament Classic, plan on beating The Revival and lastly winning the NXT World Tag Team Championship.

- A video highlight shows that the new faction called Sanity is coming.

- Authors Of Pain vs. Local Wrestlers: The match closes out with yet another squash match for the AOP. AOP hit their double team finisher and secure the pinfall. After the match, manager Paul Ellering says that stage one of the AOP began with their arrival, and now the next stage will involve a plethora of pain.
Winners: Authors Of Pain, by pinfall.

- Backstage, NXT GM William Regal says he has the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament Classic locked down, but still isn't sure what to do about the Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura issue right now. Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy interrupt, but start arguing with each other. Regal tells them to take a hike.

- Asuka vs. Liv Morgan: The match closes out with Liv giving all she has while unloading forearms and a drop kick. Asuka drops Liv and makes Liv tap out to the Asuka Lock. After the match, Asuka asks who's next, but knows that nobody is ready for Asuka.
Winner: Asuka, by submission.

- Hideo Itami vs. Lince Dorado: The match closes out with Itami unloading a fury of kicks on Dorado. Dorado returns fire and unloads a fury of kicks of his own on Itami. Itami goes for the Go To Sleep, but Dorado counters out. Itami sends Dorado into the corner and hits a corner drop kick on Dorado. Itami hits Go To Sleep on Dorado and scores the pinfall. After the match, Austin Aries hits the ring and attacks Itami. Itami counters an Irish whip and goes for Go To Sleep on Aries. Aries escapes and exits up the ramp to the NXT stage. Itami stares down Aries to end the show.
Winner: Hideo Itami, by pinfall.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

TV Tonight 9.28

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

MLB
Indians @ Tigers (STO/ESPN 7pm)
Rockies @ Giants (ESPN, 10pm)

WNBA PLAYOFFS
Phoenix Mercury @ Minnesota Lynx (ESPN 2, 8pm)
Chicago Sky @ Los Angeles Sparks (ESPN 2, 10pm)

SOCCER
MLS: Orlando City SC @ Toronto FC (FOX Sports 1, 7:30pm)

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Krunch Time With Katelin: Terrelle Pryor: The Wide Receiver, Not Just The Athlete

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The Cleveland Browns are 0-3 to start the year. But one of the bright spots so far has the development of Terrelle Pryor "the wide receiver". And its been fantastic to see. Last year the 6'4 Pryor was claimed off waivers from Cincinnati back when he was still a quarterback and its weird to see how things come full circle.

Back in 2011, Browns current head coach Hue Jackson was the head coach in Oakland when Pryor was drafted in the supplemental draft. He was the backup quarterback for Jason Campbell and Carson Palmer. Now its not like Pryor didn't have success as a quarterback. He had a record of 3-7 with nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions in two seasons as a starting quarterback. He also set the record for the longest running touchdown run by a quarterback, with a 93 yard run against Pittsburgh back in 2013. But in 2014 he was traded to Seattle for a seventh round pick and was cut during training camp. Then signed with Kansas City in January of 2015 but was cut four months later.

Last May, when Jackson was the offensive coordinator for the Bengals before coming to Cleveland, Pryor signed with the Bengals during mini-camp. Jackson mentioned to Pryor that playing receiver could prolong his NFL career...and boy was Jackson right.

Now last "football" year Pryor was in the first time he ever played receiver and when he came to the Browns he was behind the eight ball. He was injured most of the preseason and was unfortunately cut before week one of last year. Now I know hindsight is always 20/20 but if only the Browns could have been without Dwayne Bowe and his five catches last year. Pryor could have developed while being in the building and the active roster. He remained unclaimed until December when the Browns picked him back up. Pryor played in three games while starting two. He was targeted eight times but only had one catch, which was for 42 yards.

This season Pryor has become one of the best players on this team and last week against the Dolphins proved it. In his breakout game, Pryor caught eight balls for 144 yards, ran for 21 yards and a touchdown, and was 3/5 passing for 35 yards. Hell he even played a snap on defense. The guy did everything in his power to win that game but we all know how it ended.

This breakout game was so important for Pryor for a few reasons. First off, The Browns needed someone at receiver to step up in the absence of Corey Coleman and Josh Gordon. Second, it proved that Terrelle Pryor, the athlete, has a future at receiver. And third, it shows that players trust head coach Hue Jackson. Like I stated before, Jackson was one of the main people to bring up the position change to Pryor.

Entering week four, Pryor has 14 catches for 244 yards and he has an another great opportunity to develop his game against one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL Josh Norman. Now even if he struggles this upcoming week don't think Pryor was a one game wonder. I mean it will only be his sixth career game at wide out, so lets all remain calm. His development will continue even after this week when he goes back to being the number two receiver option with Josh Gordon coming back and when Coleman comes back later on in the year.

I'm not sure when the Browns should start talking contract extension with him, but lets hope his connection with Coach Jackson and the Browns willingness to take a chance on him at wide receiver will keep him in Cleveland for the long term.