Ten for '10...

2010 came and went like a blur. Too many things on the sports landscape to fairly document.


So to combine scattershot summaries with everybody's best crutch, THE LIST... here we go...:

1-- Superbowl Smackdown... and snowbound-- New Orleans beat Indianapolis 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV... and what wasn't there to like? A gutsy call to start the second half on an onside kick. A masterful game by MVP Drew Brees... and a pick-six thrown by Peyton Manning. An area that hasn't had a lot to celebrate lately (Katrina) got a moment in the sun. A downtrodden franchise (paper bags, anyone) finally won it all. And the trifecta of Yankees-Lakers-Colts as world champs (pure hell for any Boston fan) was prevented. This took place during a February where the DC Metro area doubled as the Ice Planet Hoth... and I swear I saw a tauntaun. After ten years of living in the area and joking about the "rough winters", I actually experienced a rough winter. Still, much more mild than New Hampshire.



2-- Hall Hell... and hoops hubris-- I was excited when the Hollies were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I avidly watched the induction ceremony-- only to learn that drummer Bobby Elliott and guitarist Tony Hicks weren't there because of a concert in London... with the Hollies. So the guys getting honored (Allen Clarke, Graham Nash and a very hammered Terry Sylvester) weren't actually with the band anymore-- yet they were making speeches while the guys still touring as the Hollies were in a different nation. Like if the Rolling Stones were inducted this year and Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor show up to the ceremony because Mick, Keith and Charlie have a gig overseas. And it didn't help that Stevie van Zandt's induction speech sucked. On the hoopfront, I was excited when Syracuse was ranked #1 for the first time since the 1989-90 season (when I finally invent that time-machine, I'm going back to '88 and getting Kenny Anderson to attend SU). But unfortunately the Orange peaked on a Saturday night rout of Villanova... and dropped 3 of their last 5 games en route to a Sweet Sixteen succumbing to Butler. At least the wings were money at Sign of the Whale-- they didn't have them (excuse me? this is a sportsbar! I expect you to run out of everything but beer before you say you don't have wings) for Syracuse's Lacrosse loss to Army (I still blame the bar for the defeat).



3-- NBA Finals... or Green with disgust-- I wasn't expecting to fall for this spring's Boston Celtic squad. The rapidly aging and skill eroding bunch was going to be handed sure defeat if not by Lebron James' getting better by the moment Cleveland Cavaliers, then they'd be schooled by last year's conference champ Orlando. Not so fast sir! Danny Ainge's questionable move for Nate Robinson paid off... Rajon Rondo went from apprentice to master... and the Aging Trio turned in one memorable May. I made the wise decision of watching games two and five with a friend who is one massive Lakers apologist (with the phrase "that's a foul" never too far away) and got to hear a lispy Lakers fan say "ith all tied up now, bithcheth!". After a nice win in game five ("that's a foul!) I was expecting flag #18 and the requisite championship paraphernalia. One Kendrick Perkins injury and two tough losses later, I was sick beyond belief. Damn that one hurt. Still hurts.



4-- Can't spell collapse without C-A-P-S... this was the year, right? So much for a 3 games to 1 first round lead... so much for cruising into Lord Stanley's waiting room. Instead, an offseason of doubt surrounding the direction of the best-run franchise in the Beltway... months of wondering which moves were necessary and a fall of unfulfilled dreams that turned into a dismal December (8 game losing streak) underneath a major microscope (HBO). Hopefully it won't rain Saturday at the Winter Classic in Pittsburgh.



5-- Lebron looms large-- "taking one's talents to South Beach" will never sound the same. After flaming out in the conference semifinals, King James made a smart move in the most stupid way. Go to Miami and a much more talented team? Brilliant. Do so on national TV with a hype-machine on overdrive, making us feel like NBA GM's should have been there expecting roses, bachelor-style? Buffoonish. While the Heat have finally gotten their act together, this will be James' "Maroon and Black" moment... if they win, great-- but if things don't work out this will be the moment and that will be the phrase everyone looks back at. Meanwhile, Jim Gray looks more ridiculous every time he has an incident (this fiasco plus the golf channel melee with Corey Pavin making those forget his Pete Rose run-in).



6-- Toothless Tiger-- Tiger began the year under a cloud of mystery (what happened on Thanksgiving?)... apologized after a slew of nasty texts....failed to win a major (the road to 18 has a few more bumps) and became an odd non-story on the PGA Tour. One has to feel he can still reel off two or three major wins in one year, though-- although the window for a "natural grandslam" may be closing fast.



7-- Skinsationalism-- they're on the right path... then all of a sudden Shanahan doesn't know what he's doing. McNabb is the savior. Then he doesn't get the offense and is out of shape. Donovan gets a contract extension-- then is benched. Haynesworth's in... but can't run... then is run out of town. Gold pants help them beat Dallas-- then are the cause for everything wrong. There's no better entertainment in and around the beltway...



8-- NFL...longer with labor-- the best-run league may run itself aground with its current labor issues. Head injuries suddenly become serious. And now the league wants to extend its regular season to 18 games. Great, more January games with 3-14 Carolina facing 7-10 Detroit.
Why mess with perfection? Yeah, I know-- money.


9-- November baseball?-- talk about drawing things out. Extra off-days during the postseason ruin whatever rhythm develops- and heaven forbid a series ends in a game or two early... then you've got a week off. I enjoyed San Francisco's run to the title (they remain my National League mistress and have been since the days of Kevin Mitchell and Will Clark) and the Yankees collapse... but let's wrap this thing up quicker so we can focus fully on the NFL.



10-- December departures come in threes--and an arrival is awesome. Over one weekend the futures of Gilbert Arenas, Ralph Friedgen and Donovan McNabb were determined-- further underscoring how fickle the world of sports is. Gilbert Arenas had the brightest DC future in 2006... and one bad contract, multiple surgeries and a poor understanding of firearm laws later is in a different uniform as a franchise rebuilds. Instead of an all-time great we get a major what-if. Ralph Friedgen spent his life with the job of head football coach as his goal and College Park as his dream destination; and after ten years of returning his alma mater to relevence was shown the door despite being named ACC Coach of the Year. Instead of departing into the sunset in 2012 or 2013 or 2014... a proud alum leaves under a cloud. Even in the "I don't remember yesterday/I won't make plans for tomorrow" world that is the Redskins, most thought Donovan McNabb would be the starting quarterback longer than 13 games. Now #5 is in the land of limbo but definitely on his way out after giving fans a glimpse of the NFC East rival who terrorized them for a decade. Nothing is forever-- or even temporary. Enjoy the games while you can.

Ohh... the arrival. My sister gave birth April 7th to my first niece... and Sarah Margaret is a bundle of joy who will get Maryland, Syracuse, Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox and Caps gear until she turns eighteen. Happy new year to everyone... may 2011 be as rich with hopes and dreams and laughter and tears as this past year was.

Redskins Rehash--Spoiling in Style...

It's always better to be playing for your own postseason dreams... but who says it isn't nice to upset somebody else's applecart? A 20-17 overtime victory at Jacksonville put the Jaguars playoff hopes on life support... and the Skins can pull the plug in week seventeen against the New York Giants.

Cardiac Kids-- four games in overtime. Eight decided by three points or less. Eleven decided by less than a touchdown (and these aren't backdoor covers either)... the Skins are keeping eyes on the sets until the very end. But before you agree with your die-hard Burgundy and Golders about how this team could be 10-5 or 11-4 with a few breaks, recall they could just as easily be 1-14 or 0-15.

Not the worst week for a Rex -- Mr. Grossman threw for 182 yards and a touchdown with an interception... but at least there were no foot fetish issues.

Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb's agent released a firebomb statement midway through the week saying that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan felt threatened by his suggestions for screens. Over the weekend a report from Adam Schefter (who co-wrote a book with Mike Shanahan) said #5 would ask for his release after the season... which McNabb denied to Brian Mitchell. Even when one doesn't play, the games continue.

Announcer upgrade-- forgive me for preferring the announcing team of Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan with Nischelle Turner over Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Sirigusa trio... but Rosen has a nice understated call and delivery that elevates lesser games while the "Goose Shtick" is decidedly not awesome. Moose is a decent analyst who suffers as well with Albert, who appears to be wearing a coat hanger inside his jacket at all times.

Dissecting the division... and cleaning out the conference-- Philadelphia's game with Minnesota was snowed out, but the Giants' loss at Green Bay delivers the division to the Eagles. Two wins plus a loss by Chicago secures the #2 seed. The Giants need a win over the Redskins in week 17 plus a Green Bay loss to the Bears to climb back into the playoffs... if the Giants and Packers both lose, Tampa Bay secures the last wildcard with a victory over New Orleans.

Stitched up secondary a primary factor-- Carlos Rogers' first quarter interception set up the Skins' first touchdown of the day... and Kevin Barnes' OT pick set up the gamewinning field goal. Despite Barnes being pressed into duty thanks to injuries, I'm still amazed Rogers was able to hang onto the ball.

Third and forever...almost-- the Skins finished 4-of-15 on third down, and failed to move the chains on eight attempts until late in the third quarter.

What's a Haynesworth?-- not as much fun as Tracking the Triumvirate-- Fred Davis' touchdown catch gives the second round picks of '08 19 catches for 296 yards and two touchdowns with the team this fall...unfortunately it's all Davis as Malcolm Kelly's on IR and Devin Thomas was released earlier in the season and has now not been making catches for three teams (Carolina cut him; he's with the New York Giants now). Two fun features that will die at the end of this season-- thank goodness.

Redskins Rehash-- the draft is when?

The offseason arrives early in Ashburn as the Redskins are eliminated and in full "evaluation" mode (so does this make this the preseason again?)...thoughts, musings and mandatory rantings from the Redskins 33-30 loss to Dallas.


Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb, after being told his services would likely not be needed for the remainder of the season, handled the pregame coin-flip with aplomb.


Rex rally-really?-- okay, so the numbers looked good for Rex Grossman...: 322 yards passing, 4 touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions. But were those fourth quarter scores technically garbage-time touchdowns?


Dissolving Defense-- the Skins allowed 434 total yards... 270 in the first half. The last in the league unit allowed seven straight drives into their red zone at one point; on the other possession the Cowboys kicked a field goal. No matter who plays quarterback they can't stop anybody this fall.


Armstrong Stretches the Field-- wide receiver Anthony Armstrong continues his fine season... notching 5 catches for 100 yards in the loss and providing the Skins with a deep threat-- Santana Moss taking advantage with 8 grabs, 72 yards and two TD's.


Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia's 38-31 rally past the New York Giants turned the division upside-down... instead of scoreboard watching the last two weeks the Eagles take a one game lead with the sweep tiebreaker into Christmas. The Eagles hold down the #3 spot in the NFC... with the Giants hanging on at #6 and facing a must-win game at Green Bay in week sixteen. The Redskins own third place instead of Dallas because of a slightly better (4-7 to 3-7) conference record.

Feeling a draft-- the Skins are one of six 5-9 teams... so right now they're ranging from 7th through 12th depending on tiebreakers. Whither Andrew Luck?



What's a Haynesworth?-- Sorry, force of habit.

Tis the season to be...leaving?

Departures are a big thing Christmas week-- time to get on that plane and head to your parents... or the islands for holiday season. In DC, it means the jets are revving up for three big names on the sports landscape...




Maryland decides to buy out the final year of football coach Ralph Friedgen's contract... evidently 74 wins at a program over ten years (Terps went 37-73-1 in the previous decade) plus 7 bowl games at a school that had gone nine years without postseason play before he arrived wasn't good enough to earn a contract extension. Did I mention he graduated players as well? And not a whiff of scandal. Friedgen seemingly was doing everything right-- except sell out Byrd Stadium and advance to the ACC Championship game every year. Everything was apparently set in motion when offensive coordinator James Franklin departed for the Vanderbilt job. That freed up one million dollars coming to Franklin if he wasn't the head coach by 2012... and created a staff erosion that would take four assistants with Franklin to the SEC school.

Instead of extending Friedgen, Athletic Director Kevin Anderson felt that the ceiling had been reached and there were greater possibilities out there. If Franklin had stayed, they likely would have kept the status quo uncomfortable in place... with Friedgen coaching not knowing if he'd be back in 2012 and Franklin wondering if he'd actually get the gig. It's a shame a loyal alum has been shown the door so unceremoniously. Why cut ties? There are many who think the program has plateaued (43-42 over the last seven seasons) and Friedgen has a reputation as a so-so recruiter; for some reason he's reportedly rubbed local high school coaches the wrong way in his tenure. If the Terps had won the Atlantic Division this year (a loss to Florida State in November ending their hopes), or 2008 (Florida State again) or 2006 (Wake Forest the culprit) Friedgen may have generated the necessary momentum for an extension before this fall. Ex-Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is the expected successor-- be prepared for a high-octane offense and eccentric pirate talk.

Donovan McNabb's tenure as the Redskins quarterback apparently is coming to a close... at least that's what common sense would lead one to believe with #5 getting benched for the final three games of the season. Rex Grossman threw for over 300 yards in his debut and is priced well enough to be a good holding pattern for the team until they get and groom the quarterback of the future. Meanwhile, they drastically cut McNabb's value if they want to trade him... so those draft picks that could have been used on building blocks (say one seven and one eight year player) go towards 13 games for a former Pro Bowl quarterback. Donovan, we hardly knew ye.

Gilbert Arenas came to DC with plenty of promise and he actually delivered for a while-- the crazy shots... the monster games... the magnetic personality on and off the court-- until injuries hijacked two prime years of his career. Then the gun thing. Since last December, his clock has been ticking on agent zero's district residency. Rashard Lewis will provide a little more of a stable leadership role as this team claws its way back to respectability-- this move also lessens the backcourt logjam of Nick Young/John Wall/Kirk Hinrich...allowing each to learn and improve under Flip Saunders' guidance. Unfortunately, we've had to deal with the shadow of Arenas the last few years. But for a while, he was real-- and that was pretty cool.

Redskins Rehash... from Hero to Hill...

I was at WTOP (103.5 FM) Sunday as the Redskins were driving downfield with under a minute to play against Tampa Bay... and as they lined up for 4th and goal I couldn't resist youtubing "Holding out to a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler for my co-workers... and when Donovan McNabb found Santana Moss in the endzone there was excitement again in Redskins Nation. But then longsnapper Nick Sundberg's snap sailed high beyond the grasp of holder Hunter Smith... and thankfully I had cued up "Yaketty Sax" aka the Benny Hill Theme. Do me a favor... next time you're online--cue up "Yaketty Sax" and think about the Redskins. You'll smile, chortle and maybe even laugh at the tragic comedy the 2010 season has become.

Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb (amidst swirling rumors that he'd be operating on a short leash against the Buccaneers) threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns... and was 8 of 12 for 79 yards on the 75-yard scoring drive that almost sent the game into overtime. This despite the Buccaneers taking away the team's vertical passing game.

Uniform Update-- I'm one of the seven people who wish the Buccaneers would go back to their creamsicle orange full-time. Red and pewter look sharp, but Bucco Bruce needs a regular gig! (When he's not doubling as UVa mascot Kippy Cavalier).

Running Aground-- Ryan Torrain in his first game back from injury began with a BANG--158 yards on 18 first half carries--but ended with a second half 14 yards on six carries whimper.

Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia and the New York Giants remain tied atop the NFC East with wins... although the Eagles own the head-to-head tiebreaker (they visit the Giants Sunday). Philly would be seeded 3rd while the Giants would get the #6 seed... while the Redskins are 11th and Dallas is 14th (both officially eliminated by losses Sunday).

Second half slump-- the Skins issues after intermission continue: the team was outscored 14-6 in the third and fourth quarters. During the elimination-inducing three game losing streak the Skins have been outscored 34-13 after halftime. The last time they outscored their opponent in the second half? October 24th against Chicago.

The South rises again--in 2007 the AFC South posted a league-best 42 wins, and the next year the NFC South notched 40 victories to pace the eight divisions. Last year the AFC South combined for a league-high 38 wins... and this fall it's the NFC South's turn to dominate. Their 30 wins are tied with the AFC East-- and that's with worst team in the league Carolina at their disposal.

Not so Special Teams-- Graham Gano missed a pair of field goals in the first half... and a mishandled snap on an extra point attempt with nine seconds left wound up being the difference. The Skins also muffed the second half kickoff-- setting up a Buccaneer field goal. Hunter Smith Punter Hunter Smith took the fall--getting released Tuesday. It was more than just the extra point play-- Smith's ranked 30th in the league in punting. Sam Paulescu returns (he averaged 50 yards over three punts against Atlanta last year filling in for an injured Smith) to Ashburn after being on the sidelines this fall.

West the worst-- as good as the NFC South is... the NFC West remains the division of depression... 21-31 composite record with two teams sharing the lead with losing records... and not one team in the division has scored more points than they've allowed. Even 4-9 Arizona still has hope...and that is not a good thing.

What's a Haynesworth?-- the 100 million dollar man's reign went the way of "Tracking the Triumvirate" when placed on suspension without pay. His 2010 tally? Sixteen tackles and 2.5 sacks. Final Redskins numbers? 53 tackles and 6.5 sacks... which prorates to 42 tackles and 5 sacks for a 16 game season-- and a lesson for the future. Because if we've learned anything, it's that the Redskins learn from their mistakes.

Redskins Rehash-- turn out the lights... in more than one way...

They didn't allow 59 points... and weren't down five touchdowns one play into the second quarter. Still, the Redskins 31-7 loss at the New York Giants felt just as discouraging for those in the nation. Outclassed again by a better constructed team. Undone by mistakes on both sides of the ball. A touch of controversy on who plays and who sits. Par for the course in a season not worth remembering-- but one the faithful will have trouble forgetting.

Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb threw for 296 yards and a touchdown... but tossed a pair of interceptions and lost a fumble. And it could have been worse-- he had two other fumbles; he was able to cover up one while the other was recovered by Stephon Heyer. But the coaching staff stayed with him to the bitter end; on the final play, #5 tossed an INT.

RIP Dandy Don-- the NFL lost a good one over the weekend; former Dallas quarterback and ABC analyst Don Meredith passed away at the age of 72. As a player he took a beating trying to guide an expansion team to credibility... and took a beating from the press and fans when they came up short. Before Dallas became "America's Team", they were known as "Next Year's Team"... and Meredith guided the Cowboys to consecutive heartbreaking losses to Green Bay in the NFL Championship Game. Were it not for a fourth down pass intercepted in 1966 and a Bart Starr sneak in 1967, we'd be toasting Meredith as the QB of the 60's instead of Joe Namath. During the Ice Bowl Game his jaw muscles had actually frozen-- he had to use his move his mouth in the huddle to call the play. Word is he was tormented by both of those losses and they haunted him throughout the remainder of his career. But he's mostly remembered for his time on "Monday Night Football"-- where he won over fans by puncturing holes in the intellectual arrogance that was Howard Cosell. The chemistry between the two in the booth turned just another game into a phenomenon... and whether Dandy Don was saying he was "really Mile High" in Denver-- or commenting on Cleveland wide receiver Fair Hooker's unlikely name... he charmed many a viewer. A must read for anyone who grew up watching MNF-- "MONDAY NIGHT MAYHEM"- it was made into a TNT or USA movie about ten years ago, but a big chunk of the good stuff remains in the book. Like the quarterback who retired when he still had years to play... and the announcer who signed off when he still had quite a bit to say- Mr. Meredith left everyone smiling and wanting more.

Turnovers told the tale-- in addition to McNabb's three miscues the Skins lost three fumbles. Five of the team's nine second half possessions ended with a turnover-- including the last three times they had the ball that day. It's tough to rally when you're coughing up the pigskin on a regular basis.

Run over and Out-- the Skins allowed 197 yards rushing... 139 in the first half and 57 of those on the game opening 58 yard drive by the Giants. Let's just say run defense will be a focus this week.

Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia's win keeps the Eagles in first thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker; the Eagles would be seeded third in the NFC while the Giants would be 6th if the season ended today (love that phrase-- obviously the season still has four weeks remaining)... thanks to a better conference record than Green Bay. The Redskins are currently in 11th place in the NFC (losing the conference record tiebreaker to Seattle)... while Dallas is in 12th after three wins in four weeks. What's a shame for the Skins is before their loss at Detroit, they were 4-3 but 4-1 in the NFC... that early season advantage is gone (4-5) from a tiebreaker standpoint. Now a loss to Tampa Bay or wins by the Giants and Philadelphia eliminate them from postseason contention.

Why stats are meaningless minus context-- the Skins were only outgained by 20 yards on the day... averaged 4.6 yards a carry and held the Giants to 2 of 10 on third down. Proving once again that figures do not lie, but liars may figure.

What a Wild Weekend-- from Thursday night's Philadelphia-Houston slugfest to a Cowboys near-collapse against the Colts to Sunday and Monday Night divisional duels (Pittsburgh-Baltimore and New England-New York Jets)... the NFL proved once again it deals very well in the commodity of drama. Game I wish I could have seen: Atlanta rallying past Tampa Bay to cement its status as NFC favorite.

What's a Haynesworth?-- the 100 million dollar man was de-activated before the game. Afterwards coach Mike Shanahan stated the defensive lineman missed a practice due to illness Friday and didn't practice well on Thursday; rumors now swirl around Ashburn regarding #92's future status wearing burgundy and gold.

College Football Corner-- break out the brackets?

I wish. Instead of a tight 16 team tournament where hopes and dreams are created and extinguished on the field, an oh-so unwieldy 35-bowl schedule is thrust upon us. Hey, I'm all for postseason participation... but a parade of 6-6 schools that got there thanks to a win over a I-AA school plus three "non-conference home buys" is not what one dreams about. A National Title game that's over a month away is not what you dream about.

So what's a dreamer to do? I give you a 16 team solution... instead of March Madness it's December Destiny. All eleven conferences get an automatic bid (if Coppin State can make the Big Dance, FIU deserves a chance to get blown out here). The field is padded with 5 at-large schools... so massive upsets as well as natural disasters will need to take place to keep your school out if they finish in the top ten. Regionalize the automatic bids so you limit travel for the smaller schools.

First round would be campus sites this upcoming Saturday; the quarterfinals would be played at neutral sites January 1st... the semifinals take place January 8th and the title game is Monday January 17th... one week after Oregon would play Auburn anyway.

East-- #3 TCU (MOUNTAIN WEST) vs #25 UConn(BIG EAST) #8 Arkansas vs #12 Virginia Tech (ACC). BEAMER BALL! Plus, a Big East preview two years in advance.

South-- #2 Auburn(SEC) vs #26 UCF (SUN BELT), #7 Michigan St. vs #10 Boise State. Spartans despite going 1-0 against OSU and Wisconsin get robbed by BCS-- not so here.

West-- #1 Oregon (PAC TEN) vs Sun Belt champ FIU, #6 Ohio State vs #13 Nevada(WAC). The Wolfpack get the WAC automatic bid because of their win over Boise State; the Broncos are one spot higher than LSU in the rankings so 11th rated LSU stays home-- a WAC windfall. Things are tough all over.

Midwest-- #4 Wisconsin vs #30 Miami (OH)(MAC) #5 Stanford vs #9 Oklahoma (Big XII). Call it the red regional.



Virginia Tech cemented its status as the ACC dynasty of the moment-- with a fourth league championship in seven seasons of membership... the Big East misses your excellence while your new conference co-members bristle under your benevolent occupation. The Hokies 44-33 victory over Florida State sends VT back to the Orange Bowl for a date with Stanford.
Hokie Highlights-- 13 of 18 on third down... and what a finish for Tyrod Taylor (18-28, 263 yards and three touchdowns passing with a touchdown run... a triple back attack that moved the ball well on the ground-- Evans, Williams and Wilson combining for 157 yards rushing...a defense that held FSU to 53 yards rushing and notched a pair of interceptions-- running one back for a score. Hokie Humblings-- a blocked extra point run back for two? Is that BEAMER BALL! ?
And once again the defense took a while to get in gear-- allowing 10 first quarter points.

Presto's Picks-- Progress (-7) over Tradition...

Championship Saturday... a relatively new wrinkle in a sport that bleeds tradition. It remains odd to see a handful of regular season games in the mix, courtesy of the Big East and Pac Ten. Next year there will be two more championship games as the Big Ten and Pac Ten join the pigskin parade. Which I guess is a good thing, right? The one sport that doesn't have a playoff has more than a few playoffs under its umbrella. A world without tradition may be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof, but a college football roof shingled with dollar bills is robust as ever. And while tradition is nice, you can't contain progress.

If the NFC East can have Dallas... TCU joins the Big East. Wow, a school west of the Mississippi. Frankly, I was hoping Hawaii would join the league as well to complete the transformation. But in a world where the Big 12 will have ten schools and the Big 10 will have 12 teams, a world where the Atlantic Ten's 14 team membership includes a school on the coast of the Mississippi River, a Pac 12 (thanks for keeping it real with numbers, kids) that has four schools not residing in Pacific coast states--I'm okay. At least for a moment.

Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse is bowl bound! To the Bronx! Yes, the Pinstripe Bowl may not have the history (starting up this year) or the prestige of other December destinations, but it sounds much better than the "Beef O'Brady's Bowl"...and at least at Yankee Stadium they'll be using both endzones (thanks, Wrigley). As the Big Apple is an SU alumni magnet, I'm sure they won't have issues selling out the stands. Although I wonder if the New England contingent of Orange fans will start a "Yankees Suck" chant if the game gets out of hand.

Another relic in the refuse can-- Nebraska plays Oklahoma in the Big XII Championship Game... in the Cornhuskers final game leaving for the Big Ten plus Two. Cornhuskers-Sooners used to be the November game you circled on your schedule when they were Big Eight rivals... and although they've played sporadically since the beginning of the Big XII, it marks the passing of the era after the era. Nebraska-Oklahoma was great for the game, and it's a shame we won't see this matchup anytime again soon.

Top Coach + Top Rookie= shortest commute?-- Congratulations to Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen and Danny O'Brien for taking respective ACC honors... as the road to redemption takes the coach off the hot seat and opens up some pretty incredible possibilities for 2011. Unfortunately, due the fact that Maryland doesn't draw that well, the Terps could find themselves shut out of a warm-weather bowl. If the right things fall into place we could have a Maryland-Notre Dame Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando... or a Maryland trip to the Armed Forces Bowl at RFK Stadium in DC. The same fans who stayed away from October 30th's game with Wake Forest will be among those complaining about the lack of respect given the program now.


#15 Virginia Tech plays #21 Florida State in the ACC title game... and in a perfect world we'd care about this game because the winner would clinch one of eleven automatic berths in the Division I playoffs. Instead, it's a battle of dynasty present against dynasty past... for the right to go to the Orange Bowl. Frank Beamer's been here before (although not Charlotte for the title game until this year) and you have to think his Hokies are playing the best football in the league (since two September losses in five days). The running game is firing on all cylinders with 17 runningbacks able to carry the load if needed... Tyrod Taylor is quietly having a fantastic finish to his seemingly ten-year career... and you can't underestimate BEAMER BALL!... although I expect the customary slow start. Hokies allow the usual early touchdown before rallying, 28-21.




Last Week: 2-0.

Overall: 50-24.