“If a man speaks in a forest and there is no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?”

As I’ve mentioned before, I find that watching a football game with the guys has turned into a twisted contest in which each tries to prove how “right” he is. Perhaps that’s because in society we are always telling men they are wrong and this is a way for them to redeem themselves. The end result is that they almost seem to believe that their worth is determined by their ability to predict games. Have you ever seen a man hours after he has predicted a Ball State upset this year (as we all know they finished the regular season 12-0)? Depressed, despondent, lonely, that is, until the 8 o’clock games roll around and he can find redemption. It is all so meaningless and the fact is that the “skill” they are truly using in predicting games is instinct. Ironically, “women’s intuition” is one of their most valuable resource when it comes to football. (And, yes, it is in quotes because it’s not just for women, we just admit to using our intuition). And even more valuable than that is luck. Yet somehow these guys expect to earn credit and credibility for their “achievements” by guessing a game correctly. Guys--you can continue to pick games, but don’t think that you’re earning any intelligence points. Your logic and reasoning that lead you to those choices is what matters even more than your result.

That is actually the big problem I have with sports television these days. I don’t want to know their answer—I want to know the facts and the logic behind it. The broadcasters have fallen into a trap of simply picking a team with the most basic, obvious facts to support them. If I want to listen to a man argue just for the sake of it, I’ll call up my friend Eric. But I don’t want to waste my valuable television time doing that. I would rather spend the time reading what the beat writers have to say about the subject. Do I care what random sportscaster went 0-6 for the week? It doesn’t affect my opinion of her/him the same way that going 6-6 is meaningless as well.

And to prove this, I realize I get just as much valuable information from my friend Angelique as I do these guys. She is an actress who does not like football and does not watch football…ever. See below for her picks (in bold) for the college football games this Saturday and her reasoning, which I consider just as substantial if not more so than the “experts” because she is truly in tune with her sixth sense.

Auburn @ Alabama. My friend Mary was talking about Alabama.
Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State. I like the musical Oklahoma!
Florida @ Florida State. Just because.
Notre Dame @ USC. I like that school (boooo)
Baylor @ Texas Tech. I think the name is cool.
Georgia Tech @ Georgia. Just because.
Kansas @ Missouri. I like cows.
Syracuse @ Cincinnati. I hate that place (Syracuse)!
Oregon @ Oregon State. Just because.
Maryland @ Boston College. I like Maryland.
South Carolina @ Clemson. I don’t even know what Clemson is.
Virginia @ Virginia Tech. The name sounds official.
Miami @ NC State. Warm...
UAB @ UCF. I like the letters.
Arkansas St. @ North Texas. I like the state of Arkansas.
Nevada @ Louisiana Tech. I like the name—it sounds official.
Southern Miss @ SMU. It sounds better than Smoo.
New Mexico St. @ Utah St. I don’t like Utah St. because I’m afraid of Mormons.
North Carolina @ Duke. Because Tucker Max went to Duke (hey Ang, I went there too!)
Tulsa@ Marshall. It reminds me of a type of dance (Ang is a professional ballroom dancer also).
Houston@Rice. I like the City and the restaurant (Houston’s Steak House).
Tulane@Memphis. It makes me think of “Walking in Memphis” and I like that song.
Florida Int’l @ Florida Atlantic. I don’t like to travel internationally.
Kentucky @ Tennessee. It’s a cool shaped state.
Vanderbilt @ Wake Forest. I would like to wake up in the forest.
Washington St. @ Hawaii. I want to live there.

Watching football with the guys...otherwise known as "Why me?"

I watch football because I enjoy watching football. But, sometimes I question why guys watch football. If they didn't have money on the game or their pride on the line, would they still watch and care? It's amazing to me how many of them don't even gamble, but live and die by what they said about the game. Sometimes I feel like I'm trapped in a video game with rules I don't understand. Do you get points each time you say you like a team and they win? Are there magic jellybean rewards that give you extra power or lives if you can pick a team against the spread? Perhaps gambling is so popular because it turns the video game into reality. One does get additional strength (i.e., buying strength) every time he makes a correct pick. But, keep in mind that eventually he dies (i.e., runs out of money). I wonder what would happen if men weren't allowed to talk on game days? If they were forced to gather in silence and just watch the game, what would happen? For one, the following rendition of my latest Saturday morning wouldn't have happened and the ensuing headache I endured may have been prevented.

As I have mentioned before, I work on the set of ABC's College Football Studio Show. This Saturday, we went on-air at 3:00pm, but had to get to the set at 11:00 am for a production meeting and then to watch the games and prepare for the Countdown Show. This is how my day went before live television...

Keep in mind that the majority of this conversation revolves around a college football pick 'em pool at ESPN. No one involved had any actual money on these games. None.

11:59 am. BK: Check it out. Edwards is falling from grace. I'm only 4 points behind.

12:00 pm. BK: Now that I'm sniffin the title it's really gonna bother me.

12:09 pm. JF: Did we solidify anything? I'll take BYU. I just need some games to get my day going.

12:12 pm. BK: God I'm in trouble. Iowa's just carving them up. (Note that this is literally three minutes into the Purdue v. Iowa game on Iowa's first possession).

12: 13 pm. Jr: That's the second week in a row your picks are struggling early. (Struggling early?? The game just started. It's twelve-friggin-thirteen!)

12: 14 pm. BK: OHHH!!! Iowa missed the point after. That's huge! (Note that this is now 6 minutes and 9 seconds into a game that showcases two teams that no one in the room has any affiliation with).

12: 14 pm. BK: I'm getting 18 with Purdue. I like Kansas, but everyone in the world picked Texas.

12:16 pm. BK: Ohio State scored.

12:16 pm. Me (out loud this time): Wow, thanks for the information (as I'm watching the game directly on the television in front of me and saw the entire thing unfold thirty seconds prior to that announcement). Do you even know how they scored?

12:16pm. BK: No.

12:24 pm. Jr: You know, this is the second week in a row your "pick of the week" isn't coming through. (Jr is finally catching on-- BK's "pick of the week" has an 80% failure rate, yet it doesn't stop him from pointing to the outfield and calling his shot every single frigging week).

12:27 pm. BK: Turnovers are key.

12:27 pm. JF: I think Illinois might beat Ohio State

12:28 pm. BK: Really? Sniffin that? Sniffin that?

12:33 pm. BK: Look--off the glass...(he says as the cap he's trying to throw in the trash falls on the ground nowhere close to making it into the can).

12:39 pm. BK: What the hell are you doing?? Going for it again on 4th and 1?? Good job Tiller. (He relaxes as Purdue converts on 4th down for the second time this possession).

12:39 pm. JF: Do you have money on Purdue?

12:39 pm. BK No! I'm in this pool and look all of the sudden where I am. I'm only 4 points behind.

Quick break as I leave our research desk for a few minutes to go look at a media guide.

12:48 pm. BK: Brutal call.

12:48 pm. JS: You got money on the game?

12:48 pm. BK: No! I don't bet anymore. I'm in a pool.

12:48 pm. JS: Tell that to Rick Neuheisal.

12:48 pm. BK: Darn. No upsets today. (as he ignores the gambling accusations and gets back to work talking at the television. I, however, am saved by another fortunate task that I must accomplish AWAY from the research desk).

1:07 pm. BK: (shrieking) That's how we pull an upset!!

1:07 pm. BK: (to Jr) You taking notes on the mental tidbits I'm throwing out here for you?

1:07 pm. BK: We should put Georgia as the most disappointing team.

1:07 pm. BK: I might have to re-evaluate the fold-out chair. One of the worse decisions I've made. (As he continues his stream-of-conscious rant, he finally acknowledges what a bad idea it was to choose to sit in a fold out chair for 12 hours as opposed to the office chairs the rest of us chose to bring down to the set.)

1:08 pm. BK: These weather conditions. That's a great equalizer my friend. Write that down.

1:08 pm. BK: (screaming at the television) Oh throw the flag!!

1:08 pm. BK: (to FK who just entered the room) What you got?...Check it out (as he shows yet another victim the infamous college football pick 'em pool score sheet)

1:09 pm. FK: Are you in second place (although he's trying to be encouraging, his tone fails to hide his disbelief)??

1:09 pm. BK: (matter-of-factly) Right there. Breathing down his neck.

1:10 pm. FK: But your record isn't that good?

1:10 pm. BK: I make accurate picks. It's all about confidence.

1:12 pm. Me: Oh dear god.

1:12 pm. BK: (high pitched shrieking again). Run it!!!!!!!! Ohhhh...chicken shit.

1:12 pm. Jr: You need 7 here.

1:13 pm. BK: I know I need 7. It's just bad play calling. (Again--we are talking about Purdue v. Iowa)

Someone scores. BK's Celebration ensues with a Kirk Gibson fist pumping.

1:16 pm. BK: Once you get the 6 home you're okay.

1:16 pm. Me: huh?

1:16 pm. BK: I blew DB away--12 points in front of him.

1:16 pm. Jr: You got four weeks left?

1:16 pm. BK: What the hell was that!? Just went for two!?

1:17 pm. BK: He's thinking about the picks because he's feeling the heat. (Back to discussing the current leader of the pool).

1:17 pm. BK: He took Utah at San Diego State. Oh--go Aztecs... He loves Florida State.

1:17 pm. Jr: This is pretty impressive though.

1:18 pm. BK: I don't care. It's all about point totals my friend. In my humble opinion, the wild card is the most impressive because they don't force you to pick it. I can go through college football and pick 6 games and do a lot better than that record if I choose which games.

I go back to watching the nine games we have on directly in front of us. Meanwhile, BK is showing JR the Pick 'em sheet...again.

1:22 pm. BK: You got two games at pro stadium's right now. You don't see that too often. There are only 6 teams that play in pro stadiums.

1:22 pm. Me: So is that 6 or 7? Wait...who cares?????

1:23 pm BK: I think I'm good here. Oh you're getting 36. That would take a meltdown.

1:23 pm BK: That's Stephanie's graphic (pointing to a graphic that just came up on our preview screen about the reversals of fortune in college football this year).

1:24 Me: Thanks for the credit. By the way, in the meeting this morning when you tried to give someone else credit, were you sabotaging me or are you just an idiot and forgot that just 12 hours ago I came up with that title?

1:25 pm. Jr: You should probably go with the second option.

1:30 pm. BK: See Kansas was moving the ball again and now they don't have it. Not good. Not good.

1:31 pm. Me: Yeah, they went for it on 4th and 2 and were stopped. Then they went on it on 4th and 1...

1:34 They stopped it again! Oh they're faking a punt. Oh-- they're not! But you have to worry.

Who should worry? Does anyone in the room have a personal interest in Kansas or Texas? Again, that would be a negative.

1:35 pm. BK: It should either just snow or rain. That in-between stuff is nasty. Oh Charlie Weiss is losing weight. Must be under some stress. Oh and that guy almost stepped out on that run. Notre Dame field goal.

1:36 pm. Me: I know. I'm sitting next to you watching the game directly in front of me.

1:37 pm. BK: Oh did you see that?! Oh--how great is that?!!

Somewhat startled, I eagerly glance at the television directly in front of BK to see what I missed, hoping for a replay of what just transpired.

1:37 pm. BK: That's is a really nice jacket. I like that jacket a lot (referring to the Big Ten Network Reporter).

I have no response to that. I just shake my head and continue watching football. Strange how as the only woman on the set I'm probably the only one qualified to give fashion advice, yet these guys talk about the hats, coats and ties they see on television like they’re batting averages.

1:38 pm. BK: Kirk Ferentz. He reminds me of someone. Maybe a teacher of mine. He's got that look. Some dude from my past.

1:38 pm. Jr: Maybe from Buffalo? Hey, what's their mascot?

1:38 pm. BK: The Bulls. The bulls man, B-U-L-L-S.

1:39 pm. BK: Why do I have a faulty headset?

1:39 pm. Jr: That's a lack of respect man, a faulty headset.

1:40 pm. BK: First down Jayhawks! He DID NOT fumble that ball! They might replay that. They might review that. Mack wants a RE-view. Oh no. It's out. Run a play Kansas. Oh, didn't run a play in time. What kind of shitty kickoff was that? It was like a pop up? Oh Tiller is drunk. The good thing is that they brought in Curtis Painter. Man this is just a shitty kick. That's a hold. What is that? (He says this as he's pointing to the television, which simultaneously blocks my view of it). They're going to give that ball to Texas on the review. Weather and turnovers. Those are two great equalizers.

1:41 pm. Me: Aren't turnovers evidence of a good defense?

1:41 pm. Jr: (sarcastically) Weather, turnovers, coaching, bad recruiting. Great equalizers.

1:42 pm. BK: Watch the replay. Iowa quarterback threw right to the Purdue guy. Right there. Right there. You gotta catch that. Ahhh man.

1:43 pm. BK: He caught that!!!! How the heck did he catch that?! I'll tell you Big Ten camera angels stink. Yeah I knew that was going to be a fumble. They should have run the play sooner. I think the best name in college football is Knowshon Moreno. That's my opinion. In my humble opinion.

1:44 pm. BK: Miss it!!

1:45 pm. BK: Pick!! Tell you what--Kansas has a little something. Kansas has a little MO JO today. Tell you what's the great equalizers: Weather and turnovers.

1:46 pm. BK: I don't know man. It might have gone over that yellow pipe. It's getting cold down here on the set.

1:50 pm. BK: Oh man--Texas defense swarming!

1:51 pm. BK: Oh go boilermaker! Go boilermaker! Keep going! Keep running! Only problem is that I don't know if the Boilermaker mascot makes road trips because he is great. He gets out there like a weeble.

No response because no one knows what the hell that means.

1:52 pm. BK: Oh man--they went back to the other quarterback. What are you doing Tiller? Look at this guy-he stinks. Siller. Siller is silly. Silly bad!

1:52 pm. Jr: Hey can I go on the record and call a gamecock upset?

1:53 pm. BK: It's not gonna happen but you can make it. DB will feel that all the way in Hawaii. See that's the thing you can't account for when you gamble. Coaching and officiating. This hurdling thing is getting out of control. Look at that man, great kick-off return and we have to punt.

1:54 pm. Me: "We?" So now you went to Purdue?

1:55 pm. I give up. My headphones are on. I see fist pumping and pointing. And fingers covering up the televisions. But I don't care because I have peace. There will be more fist pumps and pointing, but I have 15 minutes to just sit back and watch football with no one talking to me, or at least no one I can hear.

And then the headphones come off...

2:10 pm. BK: Oh Fumble. Nice. Turnovers. What do we know about that?

211 pm. BK: Now get that Siller guy out of there and put Painter in.

2:11 pm. Me: (sarcastically) So do you think it's that Tiller doesn't know that Painter is a good quarterback.

2:11 pm. BK: He's looking to the future.

2:12 pm. Me: Yeah, I bet that's what he's thinking. He has a quarterback looking forward to the NFL draft who needs to try to impress the scouts, who's been hurt. But, you think he's putting Siller in because he's looking to the future--to a team he probably won't even be coaching?

no response and onto the next random topic...

2:13 pm. BK: "Vanderbilt is once again..."

2:13 pm. Me: Wait--what are you doing?

2:13 pm. BK: I'm talking to Jr.

2:13 pm. Me: You're reading the entire news story from the AP wires...OUT LOUD. We all, including Jr., have it sitting in front of us on our computers.

2:14 pm. BK: "Vanderbilt is once..."

2:14 pm. Me: Wait! Wait! Wait!!! (As I secure my headphones to block out all sound). Now go.

I block out the Vanderbilt news story and watch the games for ten beautiful uninterrupted minutes. But nothing lasts for ever.

2:25 pm. BK: Penn State!

2:25 pm. BK: Didn't Stephanie tell you it was going to be like the Wisconsin game?

2:26 pm. BK: That's the kiss of death right there.

2:26 pm. Jr: The kiss of death was asking you what you thought of it and you agreeing with me.

2:45 pm. BK: Do you like that tie? Does that even go with that outfit?

2:48 pm. BK: Not a fan of Johnny Gilmore's tie (says this on the intercom system to someone out there who must care).

2:49 pm. BK: Uh oh!! Got a loose lion.

2:50 pm: BK: Hey I'm gonna grab some Starbucks before we go on-air. What do you want?

2:50 pm. Jr: A chocolate-banana smoothie.

2:50 pm. BK: I can't order you that! I'll lose four man points just for saying it.

2:50 pm. Me: No comment.

Ahhh at last it's time to get ready for our show which starts in 10 minutes. Peace at last. Peace at last.

What we learned from Week 12 of College Football...or, rather, what I keep saying about Florida

#25 South Carolina 6 at #4 Florida 56.
Urban Meyer handed Steve Spurrier the worst loss of his career at the school he took to a national championship. What I find so interesting about this game is that while Tebow is called Super Man, this game was decided early on by Florida's defense and special teams. To get things started, Florida's Brandon Spikes had a pick six. Next possession, Florida defense came up with another interception and on Florida's immediately following possession, the rushing game came through with the touchdown. Percy Harvin ran it in 26 yards on his way to a 167 yard, two touchdown day. It's shocking that he can do that much damage on just 8 carries. Meanwhile, Tebow ran for just 50 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. And before the Gamecocks even had the ball on the next possession, they fumbled on the kick off and Florida's special teams recovered. With just five yards to go, Tebow rushed the ball three times in a row for the eventual score. And just like that, Florida was up by 21 points with all of the momentum, thanks to a quarterback, but not Tim Tebow. It was South Carolina's Chris Smelley that helped out Florida the most in the crucial first quarter. It's easy for Tebow to look good on a day like this. Let's face it, last year when Florida's defense was picked apart by the NFL draft and left for dead with the least experienced unit in the country, Florida went 9-4. Tebow had the year of his life and won the Heisman, but Florida as a team did not have such luck. This year, this team looks like they might just be one of the strongest in the country. The difference? Tebow's statistics are down and the defense's statistics are up. So is it really a result of this guy you like to call Super Man? Or is it just easier to make him the face of the Florida team rather than the guys that are out there knocking the opposition to the ground play after play?

College Football Week 12....why sometimes passing doesn't matter.

Juice Williams is quietly becoming a great passing quarterback as he's ranked 13th nationally in passing yards per game. Last year he didn't crack the top 100. This year he leads the best passing offense in the Big Ten. Last year it was the worst. But this year Illinois is 5-5, last year they finished 9-3 in the regular season and represented the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl. Another difference is that last year Illinois ran the ball much more effectively behind Rashard Mendenhall. It's good to see that Williams can pass, but Illinois fans must be somewhat frustrated given the fact that Illinois' success relies heavily on its ground game. This year they only have two games where they have rushed for over 200 yards as a team. Last year they did it in all nine of their wins (and none of their losses). But it's a different game plan as Illinois has taken about 7 of their running plays per game from 2007 and turned them into passing plays in 2008. Good for Williams' pro career, but bad for Ron Zook's.

Jimmy Clausen has taken his passing offense from 110th (where Notre Dame finished in 2007) to 21st thanks in large part to an improved schedule, a year of experience and the fact that he cut his hair. All joking aside, the Irish are looking much better than they did a year ago, but they are still 5-4. As someone who predicted them to finish 6-6, I can't say I'm surprised. I don't care if Clausen is ranked 16th in the nation in passing, I still don't like this offense.

Speaking of quarterbacks I don't like, Matthew Stafford is right behind Clausen up there in the top 20. And it's not that I don't like him, it's just that I think Stafford is over-rated. Georgia has a great team when they're playing official disaster-areas like Tennesse and Arizona State. Many thought Stafford was the messiah who was going to prematurely lead his team to the promised land. But they got the wrong guy. This guy may have a great arm and at times can scramble and make stunning plays, but for the most part he makes bad decisions. Please note, the lone exception to this was last Saturday when Stafford apparently had the game of his life against Kentucky.

Btw, what happened to the "IT" Quarterbacks of 2007, i.e., the guys who finished in the top 15 nationally in passing yards per game? Most graduated. Max Hall and Chase Hollbrook remained. And the Big 12 guys tripled in size. In 2007 they had just two quarterbacks in this group, but this year they have six (and sometimes seven, depending on the week). But fallen are (and injuries the last two weeks to Bacher and Painter are not to blame):
Willie Tuitama 9th
C.J. Bacher 10th
Curtis Painter 12th
Rusty Smith 15th

NFL... and some thoughts from Tyra

Why do I watch football? Because it is a nice break to have the men treated as cattle as opposed to women. Right now The Tyra Banks Show, hosted by a self-proclaimed 34DD with a booty, is showing a segment entitled "Big vs. small breasts and butts." Seriously, those are our issues? Figuring out how our breasts and butts play a roll in society. At least in football their muscles, butts and other physical attributes have a purpose. Stronger butts and legs of course give you more power and help you run, escape tackles, etc.

The episode gets better-- one woman on the panel, sporting 40 DD's, let a man in a bar touch her breasts for everything in his wallet ($600 at the time). Tyra asked the question we all wondered: is that a soft form of prostitution? But I like football because, for the most part, breasts are not involved, other than the gratuitous flashing of the swimsuit models on the sidelines at football games (I know they're supposed to be cheerleaders, but as a former cheerleader myself I fail to see the connection between cheerleading and NFL "cheerleaders").

I guess my real issue isn't that breasts are part of society, it's that we talk about everything incessantly these days and some things are just not worth discussing. Your breasts are small...how do you feel about that?

I think a better question is why is Tyler Thigpen still a free agent in most fantasy leagues? He's been a solid fantasy quarterback in his last three starts. His only other start was in Week 3 when Kansas City still had options at quarterback. Starters one and two, Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard, respectively, were since placed on injured reserve. I looked at several fantasy leagues that all score completely differently and Thigpen's average fantasy quarterback rank was 4.5. Clearly starting material and next week he faces the struggling Saints defense. And there are teams starting quarterbacks like Sage Rosenfels, Shaun Hill, Aaron Rodgers and Jake Delhomme so there's really no excuse for Thigpen to be on the bench at this point. At least in the girls only fantasy league only had team had to start one of those guys.

What we learned from Week 11 of College Football...not much, but a few observations...

Terrelle Pryor was the number one recruit in the country for a reason. As my college football co-researcher Brett pointed out, Pryor glides across the filed while other guys just run. Watching him against Northwestern today, I was impressed by the way he was able to pass down-field and find an open man in situations where many quarterbacks would have thrown the ball away. Beanie Wells looked strong and contributed another 140 yards and two touchdowns. You can tell he's not 100% since the injury he suffered against Youngstown State, but yet he has had 100 yards (or almost 100 yards) in every game this year that he has played in except against Penn State. The Nittany Lions, of course, have the best rushing defense in the Big Ten.

Why do I watch football (this question is slowly becoming my theme)? Because at least they pretend to be real men out there. These guys may not be the Spartans, but the things you see them do in "battle" at least spark up more excitement than what you see on shows like "Two and a Half Men" or "King of Queens." These shows depict men as idiots. My favorite part of the former is that most of the witty lines appear to come from the half-man. Now these observations come exclusively from previews because I can't bring myself to watch the show so if someone else feels differently let me know. But, in general, sitcom Television is saturated with sarcastic, rude statements on society (note, I did not say conversations because they are monologging, not conversing). And while I can appreciate the idea of these shows, my view of society is not as horrid and most men I know are not just complete assholes. Please note, that if you are someone I know and are reading this, do not assume that you fit into the "most men I know" category.

The only show that I can watch that fits this mold is Family Guy. However, what I like about Family Guy is that it is mocking these shows, their characters and their original sources of inspiration and takes the man of the house's idiocies to an extreme to prove that point.

As far as idiocies are concerned, surprisingly Matthew Stafford did not supply any this weekend. Stafford, better known for his interceptions, poor decision making and generally unimpressive performances (at least in my eyes), actually had a pretty great game on Saturday against Kentucky. By far the best game of his career with 376 yards passing, 3 TDs and don't faint, but no interceptions. While Kentucky's defense doesn't shine in the SEC, they don't look too bad overall.

What we learned from Week 10 of College Football...Florida 49 vs. Georgia 10

With all of the talk about Tim Tebow one would think he put up 400 yards of offense, but in reality he passed for just 154 yards and ran for 39. His five touchdowns are what made him the star of all the highlight reels, but that's because they're easy to package and tell a simpler story than the real story that took place this weekend. Florida's defense looked impressive. And Matthew Stafford looked exactly like the quarterback that he is--making poor decisions in not getting rid of the ball and making weak throws that resulted in costly interceptions. He would have had four interceptions had it not been for a Florida penalty that erased his mistake. And Muhammad Massequoi was quite impressive...on defense, stopping more than one of Stafford's mistakes from becoming scores. But in the end, Georgia's four turnovers resulted in 21 Florida points. On the score that put the Gators up 21-3, Tebow got all the glory, but Joe Haden did all of the work with the interception that he returned 88 yards to set his quarterback up for the score.