Scoop Jardine Saga

The Scoop story broke this morning in the Post-Standard. Seems like he'll miss a bit more time then come back. I'm not going to hold the incident against him. Let's move on and beat DePaul.

And yes, I did know about this story yesterday. My dad knows someone who knows people inside the program. He swore my dad to secrecy.

We're back in!

Syracuse makes Joe Lunardi's most recent Bracketology released today as an 11-seed.

We missed the bracket just before this one.

We're not making the NCAAs easily yet, Lunardi ranks us as the second-to-last entrant in the tourney, and jabs "Do you trust this team for more than a week? A game? A half?," but in it we are.

Celebrate!

Santana to the Mets

Before I drool over the 2008 Mets, a word on Scoop Jardine. Today I was told more information about Scoop from a different channel, but I was sworn to secrecy about it. It's the first time I've ever known something that I can't report. I don't really like it. All I'll say is that what I've heard has nothing to do with a missed curfew, and is a bit more serious. Here's Donna Ditota in the Post-Standard, explaining the process for dealing with a violation of SU policy:

"It appears that Jardine's transgression falls under the jurisdiction of the university's Judicial Review Board, which oversees all disciplinary action taken against SU students who violate the university's code of Student Conduct. That code is a sweeping document that covers everything from underage drinking to felony arrest. Generally, any student accused of violating the SU conduct code is informed of the complaint and is scheduled to meet with a member of the Judicial Affairs office to resolve the matter informally. If no informal agreement can be reached, the case proceeds to a Judicial Review Board hearing... Usually, the board hears a student's case within 30 days of the initial complaint..."

So there is a chance it will be a month before we see Scoop on the court again. On the other hand, Boeheim mentioned today that there might be some closure to the issue by the end of the week. Jardine didn't practice with the team today.

Now, on to the good news. Johan Santana to the Mets for OF Carlos Gomez, P Phil Humber, and two other pitching prospects. I'm thrilled, mainly because Minaya swung the big deal without giving up Jose Reyes.

This deal has a chance to do for the Mets what the Pedro Martinez deal did for the Red Sox. Granted, Johan is a couple years older. But he is moving from the AL to the NL. He's joining a team that has a great offense already (one kept in tact with Reyes staying put). The Mets still have to improve their bullpen, but their rotation is exciting:

Santana
Pedro
John Maine - at 27, should last later into the season
Oliver Perez - still only 26!

Then it's rounded off with the ageless El Duque, the promising young Mike Pelfrey, or some other not yet acquired pitcher.

On the other side of this story, I think it's a massive missed opportunity for both the Red Sox and the Yankees. The Yankees needed to close the gap on the suddenly dominant Red Sox. The Red Sox had a chance to open up an insurmountable gap for the next five years in the AL East. I think both teams should have given up more than they offered. Isn't losing Ellsbury worth putting the kibosh on the Yankees for the foreseeable future? And no, Ellsbury isn't the same as Reyes. The Red Sox didn't need Ellsbury to win the Series. The Mets did need Reyes for their offense. Ellsbury is still basically a prospect.

I'll admit that it sucks the Twins couldn't keep Johan, but YOU have to admit it's nice that the national league has one top tier team. The AL is so freakin good right now, at least we can imagine that whoever comes out of the AL might get a fight in the series from the Mets.

Bedard for Jones

Just now, Paul e-mailed me this:

Are you as excited about the possibility of him in Seattle as I'm guessing you are? How good does a Felix-Bedard one-two punch make you guys in the AL West?

On the other hand, are you as disturbed about the possibility of adding Luis Gonzalez to the Seattle lineup as I'm guessing you are? On a scale of Beltre to Sexson, where would signing Lu-Go rank?

Brad Wilkerson?? Isn't he just an above-average NL hitter?

A few things, in no particular order:
1. I've loved Bedard for years. Gammons has been trumpeting him ever since I can remember. The possibility of him in Safeco is thrilling.
2. I love he spells it "Erik."
3. Throwing Felix, Erik or Erik, Felix back-to-back will force opposing lineups to strike out almost as much as we will. (For two days in a row). Sexson, Beltre, Wilkerson? Brutal.
4. This trade ensures that we are reasonably competitive, like last year, for the AL West title. Nothing more. That's a harsh reality, and one not every Seattle fan understands or believes.
5. I own both Felix and Bedard on the fantasy team I care most about. They are both penciled in as keepers. I'm not sure I can keep two Seattle starters -- out of four keeper spots. Trouble brewing.
5a. I'm keeping two Seattle starters!
6. I had two fantasy teams last year. The other one was named, from April until September, "adam jones fan club." I went to two Triple-A games last year -- over an hour from my home -- to watch him play. I'm not anxious to lose him.
7. We cannot trade Brandon Morrow. We cannot. Our first round pick last year, the 23-year-old was selected in front of Tim Lincecum and struck out 66 batters in 63 IP last year. Memo to Bavasi: Do not trade Brandon Morrow.
8. Good move otherwise.
9. It will be Wilkerson. Geoff Baker, Seattle Times, has been all over this story. For months. LuGo was a serious possibility a few months ago, now much less likely.
10. A guy named Wladimr Balentin will get more playing time than whoever else is signed.

Scoop Jardine scoop

Because I know you know to come here first for the inside info on SU sports, I did a tiny bit of digging on the Scoop Jardine situation. My source, who gave no indication that he wants to remain anonymous but I'll give him anonymity anyway because that makes it cool, tells me that what we have here may have been a curfew violation. My source has heard that Scoop was spotted at Kimmel food court at roughly 3:00am the night before the game.

This, of course, displeased Jim Boeheim, who was interrupted in his attempt to eat 20 Kimmel Taco Bell tacos in 20 minutes. Just kidding.

Many thanks to my source for that info. The only question I have is about the timing of the supposed incident. If Jardine was in Kimmel at 3:00am on Sunday, then how did Kristof Ongenaet, according to this Daily Orange article, know on Saturday that he would be starting. Maybe Scoop was in Kimmel at 3:00am Saturday.

Of course, I don't need to add that this is reckless speculation and does not jive at all with the practices of good journalism that I was taught at Newhouse (Hail to thee!). Frankly though, I hope the truth is as fairly harmless as this rumor suggests.

P.S. If you, like me, were wondering why we didn't see Sean Williams in yesterday's game, it's because Boeheim doesn't think he's ready for the Big East. That's according to a Post-Standard quote.

Frankly, I don't quite understand why Justin Thomas can get 3 key minutes, but Sean Williams doesn't get any while A-O (I love that nickname for Onuaku by the way) plays 39 minutes. Can't we get Sean in there just to give A-O a breather here or there? Of course, Rick Jackson only played 17 minutes...

Ah, but Boeheim knows what he's doing. When I was an undergrad at SU, Mike Tirico visited campus and answered a question about Boeheim's short bench style by saying that, with TV timeouts every four minutes, you don't need a deep bench. This year is certainly putting that theory to the ultimate test. I think the Orange will get away with it, unless they have to play deep into the Big East tournament.

"Tigers are orange" or "Orange plays like a tiger" or "Tiger Woods watch is on level 'orange.'"

Significant win for the Orange today over Providence. If you missed it, Scoop Jardine began a suspension for an university policy violation of some undisclosed sort. (I'll keep my ears open.) Thus Boeheim was forced to beg former SU point guard and current Providence assistant coach Allen Griffin to suit up. SU led comfortably most of the way, got tired and let Providence briefly take the lead, then came back to pull away for the win.

Ignoring the obvious (The Scoop Issue), there were a lot of good things about the victory. First off, Syracuse held court in the dome. Also, every game against teams from the bottom half of the Big East is must-win for the Orange, since they've yet to beat anyone from the top half. Free throw shooting was excellent down the stretch. (A-O unveiled a new sky-high free throw shot that flies suspiciously like a beer pong shot. He went 4-5 from the line.) Donte Greene put the team on his back offensively when he had to. And overall, the team rolled with a late run and gutted out an ugly game.

Jim Boeheim coached a gem. He has always shown a great deal more courage and trust than the average coach in playing guys with 4 fouls with lots of time left. He did that today with Harris and Ongenaet and it paid off again. At one time, I would have disagreed with the strategy, but after years of watching Syracuse, I'm buying into it. Even if the bench was deeper, Harris would have been playing with eight minutes left. That was a pivotal part of the game.


As for Tiger Woods, he's put the Sports Sauna on notice with his 8-stroke victory over a strong field at the Buick Invitational, his first tournament of the year. As I've said before in this space, I've been waiting for Tiger to return to his turn of the millenium game when he was winning majors running away. Maybe he's dialed in now after a couple tumultuous years (swing change, wife, dad passing away, kid). I for one would love to see it.

The exodus before the storm?

Syracuse's young stars Donte Greene and Jonny Flynn both make Chad Ford’s latest freshman-who-might-be-first-round-picks list. Greene looks like the sixth pick, Ford writes. Kansas State's Michael Beasley, Memphis' Derrick Rose, Indiana's Eric Gordon, Texas A&M's DeAndre Jordan and USC's O.J. Mayo are top five.

At this point, Greene looks poised to make it six out of six freshmen at the start of the first round. He's drawing some comparisons to Marvin Williams and Rudy Gay with his size, athleticism and ability to shoot. But the truth is, as a freshman, he's already having a more productive season than either Williams or Gay had in college.

Flynn is a “Other to watch.”

I'm not sure any of that is terribly good news for a Syracuse program that might, maybe, possibly miss the NCAA tourney for a second year in a row. (Lunardi was on Seattle radio this morning. He predicted Syracuse would be on the bubble the entire year). The Orange cannot be losing its stars, particularly if they aren't even stars enough to win anything.

...sort of depressing, really

From the LATimes:

USC freshman guard O.J. Mayo may have violated NCAA rules by accepting complimentary tickets from Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony to Monday's Lakers-Nuggets game at Staples Center.

...Anthony made the offer of tickets at a party he hosted Sunday night, Mayo said.

"I was talking to him like, 'Man, you're out pretty late. You've got a game tomorrow against Kobe [Bryant],' " Mayo said. "He said, 'Nah it will be all right.' And then he asked, 'You want to come to the game?' And I was like, 'Sure.' "

Boy. It ain't good when OJ Mayo, problem child that he seems to be, is chiding you for a lack of work ethic. Or when you're telling him to chill.

Quick NFL Conference Championship Picks

After last weekend, I would have picked the Patriots to cover the 14 point spread. But I've talked myself into the idea that the Chargers are pretty good. Plus, as I noted last week, teams have been covering against the Patriots as of late (now 6 of the last 9). I think the Chargers getting 14 might be the lock of the year.

Of course, I think the Patriots will still win. Again, the only way San Diego pulls it out is if Cromartie has a Game of Insanity.

As for Packers-Giants, I've cooled off on the Giants since last weekend. I think 7 points isn't enough to bet on them. I do think the game will be close and entertaining, but I'm thinking Favre adds a fourth quarter TD to make it a 10 point victory.

I'm giddy over the prospect of Patriots v. Favre. I'll certainly be rooting for the Chargers, but part of me will be disappointed if NE-Green Bay doesn't go down. Of course, I'll be devastated if the Giants win.

A Different Approach to Fighting PEDs in Sports

Having merely skimmed this Bonnie Ford story from ESPN.com, I feel like I should strongly recommend it to anyone interested in PEDs in sports. It's about a very interesting - and I must say surprising - development in cycling. Teams, in particular a new American team, are taking the initiative to fight doping by operating with 100% transparency and submitting to testing above and beyond that required by the laws of the game.

Imagine if, say, the Toronto Blue Jays came out and said they were going to self-impose strict anti-steroid and anti-PED rules and testing with an aim at being a 100% clean franchise. What if they vowed to cut anyone on their team who tested positive to a test. What if they intentionally signed only players who had never had a sniff of suspicion. Wouldn't you root for that team? That's what this American cycling team, Slipstream, is going for.

I think their paradigm works better in cycling, because of the way a team can be built from scratch. It's not out of the question that a brand new team will be invited to participate in the Tour de France.

I'm excited to root for Slipstream, and intrigued at the direction cycling is headed as it cleans itself up.

P.S.

[Was going to make this a comment but felt it was too important to hide down there].

Just finished the article. Fascinating stuff. One major thing I came away with is a change in my attitude towards the US Postal/Discovery cycling team. Zabriske said he wants Slipstream to be "Not Discovery". Former Discovery members have an "ax they have to grind" with Discovery. And though it's not specified in the article, I would bet that the anonymous cyclist who called his old team "dirtbags" was a former Discovery rider.

Which leads me to believe, for the first time, that Discovery was not the most talented team, just the best team at cheating. (No positive tests.) In turn, for the first time, I think Lance might have doped.

Notent Notables: SU v. Rutgers

Went to the game with the Infamous Joe Reis tonight. Here are my thoughts...

• Rutgers is terrible. If there is a worse team in the Big East, I'm shocked. They'll win a game or two at home, though.
• Paul Harris is a joy to watch. He's one of those guys who only knows how to play at one speed. It's also fun to yell, "Paul Arras rules!" at SU games these days.
• Donte Greene didn't look so great in amassing 19 points. So I was shocked when I just discovered he shot 7 of 15. I thought he missed twice as many. I guess I just expect him to make everything. He definitely needs to look to pass just a tad more on offense. I thought his defensive effort was solid. They only credited him with one block, but he was contesting a lot of shots.
• One other point about Greene. He came in late in the game without his headband on and was unrecognizable from my 200 level seat. It became a bit of a joke. "Who's number 5? Green-ee? Who's Green-ee? One of the walk-ons?"
• Flynn played well. That was probably the biggest development of the game. His line is beautiful, except for the 4 turnovers.
• When Sean Williams, the 3rd string center, scored his first bucket late in the game, all the Freshmen on the bench went nuts celebrating. I figured it was his first field goal of the season, but I just checked and he's already scored two! It's good to see the lads having fun again. When Jonny Flynn is smiling on the road, we'll know they're making progress.
  

A fantastic NFL postseason rolls on

I'm basking in the glow of some of the best predictions I've ever made. If you missed them, they were made hours before the games kicked off. I supported Eli Manning. I pooh-poohed the Dallas team. I said the Jaguars would cover, be in the game in the fourth quarter, but lose. And I said the Packers would win. I missed the Chargers pick, but that was not the Colts defense I had seen earlier this season. They were not sharp at all. For me, the story of that game was the Colts letting San Diego off the hook over and over again. I'll have to double-check, but I think the Chargers' success rate on third and long was 107%.

Unfortunately, the fact that the Colts's defense is The Official Sports Sauna Dud of the Week means we miss out on Pats-Colts next weekend. Instead, I'm afraid the Chargers are going to be an even easier opponent for the Patriots than the Jaguars were. As I said in my last post, I have the impression, probably from Bill Simmons, that the Pats and their fans have a particular disdain for the Chargers. They won't be caught looking ahead to the Super Bowl. Plus, their coach is the best that I've ever seen.

But there is always a chance for an upset. The one thing San Diego has going for them is its very athletic secondary. Perhaps they'll be able to cover New England's receivers well enough to play them tighter than Jacksonville did this weekend. If Brady throws more than one interception, the Chargers win. Pretty unlikely.

In the NFC, I got the game I wanted. Packers. Favre. Lambeau. Mid-January. I am EXTREMELY excited about this. Has a 42-20 game ever been as riveting as that one we just had? I'm so glad I thought to fix the Fox HD signal in our house ahead of time for that one. The Giants should be a tougher opponent than the Seahawks, but how can you not pick the Packers to win this one?

Looking farther down the road, I think Pats-Packers would be a fantastic Super Bowl. I finally understand what Chris has always said about the Yankees, how it's great that they're good because it makes the games so much more interesting when you have a reason to root against one of the teams. This would be the ultimate Good versus Evil game. Frankly, I'm having a hard time thinking of a Super Bowl in my lifetime that was as highly anticipated as Pats-Packers would be.

Of course, the Patriots would probably win. But Brett Favre winning the Super Bowl at age 38? The only sports event that has ever occurred that would be equivalent to that would be Jack Nicklaus winning the '86 Masters. That is my earliest sports memory. I was watching with my dad in the basement of our old house in Camillus, NY. When Jack won, my dad just kept shouting, "Unbelievable! Unbelievable!" over and over again.

Bottom line, unless you're a Giants fan, hop on the Packers bandwagon. Oh, and find an HD TV to watch the Lambeau game this weekend. There is no ceiling to how great this NFL post-season could be.

SUBSCIBE TO THE SPORTS SAUNA!!!

Well, the Sports Sauna has finally entered the 21st century. I know that our frequency of publication is erratic. I also know there are 2 to 6 hardcore fans out there. To make it easier for you guys, I've set up a subscription option. If you click on the link way down at the bottom of the blog, you can subscribe to the Sports Sauna so you'll get an email whenever there is a new post up.

In other news, lately I've been pondering the idea of a non-sports podcast. I haven't even begun to see what is out there as far as free podcast hosting sites. If anyone knows how I might go about that, drop me an email. I'll start to seriously look into that after I get my grad school applications done this month. Stay tuned.

Notent Notables: NFL Playoffs

• Just heard Sean Salisbury criticizing Matt Hasselbeck for the infamous "We want the ball, and we're gonna score!" comment. I have no experience to back this up, and maybe Fyall can support or refute this, but I always imagine that Seahawks fans look at that moment kinda the same way Nebraska fans look at Tom Osborne's famous "go for two and the win" call back in 1984. Ranked #1 and undefeated, Nebraska failed on the 2-point conversion to lose the game by 1. As I understand it, every Nebraska fan will side with Osborne's decision to their death. It's become mythical. I feel like Seattle fans should love Hasselbeck's comment the same way. It was youthful exuberance and it blew up in his face, but you want your quarterback to have that kind of confidence.

• Speaking of youthful exuberance, Philip Rivers needs to tone it down. He seems so angry all the time. I loved the juxtaposition last weekend of Tomlinson and Rivers. With the play clock winding down, Tomlinson realized they weren't going to get the snap off so he calmly turned to the official with about 5 seconds left to call timeout. As the clock rolled down to zero, Rivers looked up and turned angrily to also call timeout. With the timeout granted he shouted angrily at I don't know who and stomped over to the sidelines. I'm all for intensity, but I think Rivers takes it a bit too far. That will be a story at some point in his career, you watch. For now, the Chargers are lucky that Tomlinson, by all accounts a class act, is the personality and leader of the team.

• Count me in the minority who believe Eli Manning is going to be a fine NFL quarterback. Obviously, he has the physical tools. And his record of three playoff appearances in his first three years is significant. The problem right now is high expectations and high pressure. Expectations are high not merely because of his talent, but because of his last name. Pressure is high because he plays in New York. I wonder if he might have flourished right off the bat had he stayed in San Diego. I also think a lot of people don't want him to succeed because they root against the Mannings (like Bill Simmons) or root against the Giants. I root against the Giants, but I root for Eli and Peyton, especially now that they've got that hilarious SportsCenter commercial.

• Many of you know that I am a proud NFL bandwagon rider. The Bills will always be my favorite, though for a while they were (I'm ashamed to admit) overshadowed by my joyful support of the Greatest Show on Earth Rams. This year was a fun year to follow the Bills, particularly because I got to watch most of their games with my dad, a big Buffalo fan. With the Bills long gone, I am happily settled into my seat on the Packers bandwagon. How can you not drink the Brett Favre cool aid? I loved the SI Sportsman of the Year article. I catch all night with Jason Smith (SU alum) on ESPN radio on my way to work in the early morning these days. The other day he was raving about Favre, and he noted that we fans have been able to follow Favre's topsy turvy life unlike any other NFL star today. He really seems like a regular, accessible guy. And when he retires, pointed out Smith, we won't have any other star like that in the NFL. I mention all this to explain why I am really hoping that the NFC championship is in Lambeau, not just because I don't like the Cowboys, but because I'd love to see Favre on the frozen tundra with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. I think I'd be more excited about that than I would be about Pats-Colts, Part II.

• I do sincerely believe the Giants will be the underdog who wins this weekend. Not because they're playing well. Not because of Eli. I've just felt the whole season that the Cowboys weren't as good as their record, and would be upset in their first playoff game, whoever they play. This is one of those upsets that, when it happens, we'll all realize we saw it coming. First of all, Dallas peaked in the middle of the season. Second of all, T.O. is banged up. That's huge. Third of all, the Romo trip, whether or not it was a good idea, turned out to be a distraction. Fourth of all, Wade Phillips is not that good a coach. I even heard somebody on the radio talking about the mere possibility that he could be fired, despite the 13 wins.

• Other than that, I'm picking the favorites. Indy and Green Bay will beat the spread. I think the Jaguars will cover, but lose. I feel like everyone subconsciously believes the Patriots blew out all 16 of their opponents this year. I mean, everyone KNOWS, that's not true, but their subconscious perception is no one was close, if that makes sense. While I do think this is an historically great team, even without the 16-0 record, I think the remaining AFC teams are not so far below them. I think if they had ended up playing the Chargers at home, that would have been a rout, because they have a bit of a grudge towards them, as does the crowd. But Jacksonville will keep it close and have a chance to win in the fourth quarter. Just like 5 of New England's last 8 opponents, the Jags will cover.

• Mike Tirico, on his radio show, reminded listeners how bizarre the Colts-Chargers regular season game was. Remember? Peyton had one of the worst games of his life and the Colts STILL had a chance to win, but Vinateri actually MISSED that short field goal! It was surreal. This time they'll take care of business. Aaron Schatz had the best point I've heard all week on Bill Simmons's podcast, saying that the person who'll miss Antonio Gates the most on the Chargers will be Tomlinson, not Rivers. Gates would normally occupy Bob Sanders' attention, but now Sanders will be free to key on Tomlinson all game.

• There is almost always someone in the NFL to whom I attribute superhuman skills. For the past couple of years, its been Tomlinson. Now its Bob Sanders. I think part of that comes from Sanders rocketing to prominence while I was in London, because I heard about him long before I actually saw him. Now I love watching him whenever the Colts are on defense. I feel like he's going to do something ridiculously spectacular on every play, and so I tend to be disappointed. But I just keep attributing those superhuman skills to him, and I'll watch him all game tomorrow. You should too. Oh, I also love his name. It's so delightfully pedestrian.

Good news!

Boy did I hit the coffee this morning at work!

***

Just noticed Chad Ford's Stock Watch, and Donte Greene is nowhere to be found. As much as I'd like to see him get some credit, you know he's awesome, I know he's awesome... that's enough for now. The more underrated he is, the better. I'm still saying 50/50 he leaves after this year, which is pretty good these days.

Another note: Paul Harris was quoted in the Post-Standard as saying Donte Greene has been saying that he'll say. So we got that going for us, which is nice.

But please enjoy this year! Onuaku is going to be a star by the end of the season. Our offense has remained superb post-Devo. We've got nothing to worry about with the schedule strength. Overall, I think, if not now, then by the end of the year Syracuse will be one of those high upside teams that nobody wants to play. That's a pretty fun role.

National Championship Running Diary

Bill Simmons has a rule: whenever Paul Arras's former favorite sport to watch is holding a pseudo-national championship the day before a New Hampshire primary, and Paul actually thinks it might be a really good game, then Paul has to keep a running diary.

8:13 After catching 15 minutes of a surprisingly entertaining pre-game show with Eddie George, Urban Meier, Jimmy Johnson and what looked like Lance Bass, Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis (Tony Gwynn?) take over the commentary.

8:16 Brennaman mentions some of the key players, who I only vaguely recognize. Let me come right out and say that I am not at all qualified to say anything insightful about college football anymore. Back in middle school, I used to watch every single bowl game. Now I'm only watching one bowl game more out of obligation as a sports fan than anything else. And yes, I do think this will be a good game. I just don't buy the theories that say the SEC is THAT much better than everyone and that Ohio State doesn't have the athletes to compete.

8:19 If anything, the biggest factor is that LSU is playing in their own state. How is that fair? I guess OSU travels well.

8:26 A minute and a half into the game, Chris Wells gives LSU and the SEC a taste of Big 10 speed...65 yards for the touchdown! I should also mention, Ohio State has been my Big 10 team to cheer for since the John Cooper-era, when they were second fiddle to Michigan in the Big Ten. Also, when Chris and I lived in the same room in our fraternity senior year, we lived next door to Steve Register, who might have been the biggest Ohio State fan to not go to OSU. He was a pretty soft-spoken guy, but everybody knew it when he was watching a Buckeye game in his room. Somewhere, Register is shouting.

12:03 (Let's switch to game time.) LSU goes three and out, moving backwards after the center snaps the ball over the QB's head on third down. That's followed by one of those "Dude!" beer commercials, with a cameo from Joe Buck. Has there ever been a less likable big time announcer? He just rubs me the wrong way.

11:53 Another huge play from Ohio State, this time a pass, gives the Buckeyes first down on LSU's fifteen! Moments later, Brennaman reminds us that LSU's defensive coordinator, Bo Pelini, is moving to Nebraska and is, by the way, an OSU alum.

9:15 Nice job by Pelini's squad, holding OSU to a field goal and keeping this game reasonable.

9:05 First beer. Work tomorrow at 6:00am, but this was my only day off all week. Plus, I'm possibly the greatest Borders employee ever. The secret to waking up at 4:50am is having all your clothes picked out the night before. Who wants to choose a golf shirt and khakis or chinos that early in the morning? It's just straight into the shower for me. I'll also probably get my lunch together so I can just toss it in a bag and go. The beer, by the way, is a JW Dundee Honey Brown. Not the best honey brown I've ever had, but it hits the spot right now.


6:35 LSU RB Jacob Hester majors in Interdisciplinary Studies. That reminds me...

Hibbert: (Chuckles) Your playing days are over, my friend. But you can always fall back on your degree in... communications!? Oh, dear Lord!
Lubchenko: I know! Is phony major! Lubchenko learn nothing. Nothing! (cries)


2:31 (1st) I just wanted to point out I spent four minutes of game time looking up that quote online to get it right. LSU, having converted three straight third downs, is now in the red zone. They kick a field goal to make it 10-3.

13:00 (2nd) LSU ties it up with an impressive drive, capped off with a trick-formation TD. But Chris Wells comes right back with another nice run featuring a devastating stiff arm. I just looked it up...Wells is only a Sophomore. Wow.

12:12 "When it comes to blood...blood is going to win ahead of school, when blood is in the contest." -Charles Davis. Valid.

10:53 LSU blocks a Buckeye field goal. The Tigers just drove up, threw Momentum in a white van, and flew off down the road with it. This is starting to feel like a coaching chess match. Tressel came out firing, now Miles has countered. It's up to Tressel to respond before LSU takes the lead.

7:25 (2nd) Too late. LSU TD on yet another impressive drive. Les Miles is an excellent coach. 17-10 Tigers.

4:16 Another TD makes it 24 unanswered. 24-10. OSU has to score before the half or I'm looking at an early bedtime after all.

Half Didn't happen. I don't know about Jim Tressel, but my second half game plan consists of milk and cookies, fiddling with the TV cables to try to get the weak Syracuse Fox HD signal over the antenna, and playing it by ear whether I stick with this game to the bitter end.

7:47 (3rd) OK, I've spent all of halftime until now trying to get the elusive Fox HD signal. I've had to dig up this old HD antenna and plug that in. I've got the signal, but it flickers every minute or so, which is really annoying. With an analog signal, if the signal wavers, the picture might get a little scratchy or something. When a digital signal wavers, it drops out completely for a split second. This is very important, because the Super Bowl is on FOX this year. If it takes climbing up onto the roof and actually manipulating our antenna, old school style, with someone shouting up at me, so be it. We will get HD Fox by the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, this game is over. 31-10 LSU. I was wrong. The SEC is much better than the Big 10 right now. Oh well. Time for those cookies.