Bleacher Report - Articles by Michael Cline

Tiger Woods: Human After All

Michael Cline — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:42:50 -0500

What began as a single car accident early last Friday morning has turned into a media circus full of scandal for the most popular golfer of all time.

Early reports of a scuffle between Tiger Woods and his wife Elin roused questions about the accident and if it really was just a driving error.

There were rumors that Woods was having an affair and that the single car accident was somehow related to this fact.

Now, five days after the incident, Woods has openly admitted that he has in fact had an affair.

Woods stated, "I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings."

Now reality sets in.

To most fans, Tiger Woods and other sports heroes are somehow on a different level than the rest of us.

Their ability to excel in certain areas of their lives, mainly their profession, somehow gives us the impression that they have it all together—as if this world actually does have superheroes.

But this perception seems to be disproved time and time again by actions that prove to be merely human.

The fact is even if a person seems to have it all together, we are all human and are capable of doing imperfect and harmful things.

No one is exempt from this fallacy, and no matter how hard we try, there will be a time when we will all have to look in the mirror and see the person we are, not the person people think we are.

Today it's Woods' turn to gaze in that mirror.

Many people will look at this situation with disgust, saying, "I can't believe he would do such a thing," but this statement is unjust.

There is no justification for the actions, but there is no reason to believe that just because he can hit a golf ball better than any of us that he somehow has the power to overcome the temptation that this world offers.

There was only one person in human history with that power, and last I checked, he hasn't made his return.

The situation is disappointing, and I'm positive that Woods is sincere with his open apology.

I'll be interested to see how Woods handles this situation and where he'll go from here.

We've all made mistakes and have done things we regret. Victory comes in realizing that nothing will fix past behavior, but you can use the lessons from that behavior to better shape the rest of your life going forward.

Today we realize that Tiger Woods isn't perfect. Welcome to the club, Tiger.

USC-Ohio State: They Have The Swords, But We Have The Nuts

Michael Cline — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:00:07 -0400

It's the Eve of the Collision in Columbus, and by now hundreds, if not thousands of articles have been written concerning the match up between the USC Trojans and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Professionals have made their analysis and predictions and fans of both teams have made their claims as well.

Now it's time to sit, or stand, and watch how it all plays out on the field of Ohio Stadium.

Questions from both sides will finally get their answer: Will Matt Barkley be able to handle the crowd? Will Terrelle Pryor take his place in stardom?

Looking at stats alone, it seems that those questions have probable answers that we can almost predict with certainty, but life and especially football are not so predictable.

It's a game where anything can happen. All we need to prove that statement is to look at last week's Oklahoma-BYU game in Dallas.

And although predictions hardly ever come to fruition as imagined, they still are a great catalyst to an already great game.

On paper, the Trojans seem to be the better squad. They're big, bad, and brutal.

Sure, San Jose State was playing to get paid, but they were limping as they counting the money.

The Buckeyes have a lot of talent, but they're young and lost leadership to the NFL Draft.

Favored by three touchdowns, Ohio State escaped a loss by late fourth quarter heroics by linebacker Brian Rolle.

And with week one in the books, USC visits the Buckeyes seven point favorites in the Horseshoe.

Seven point favorites in the Horseshoe. Not a misprint, it needed to be said twice.

However unbelievable it might be, spreads are made according to statistics. And the statistics show that USC should be seven point favorites in Columbus.

But the spread and the statistics are unable to measure one thing: the heart of the players.

It's hard to say whether one team has more heart than another, but the Ohio State Buckeyes have a lot to play for.

They've lost their last five games to Top Ten opponents and their name has been pulled through the mud by television analysts and everyday sports fans.

The Ohio State University is etched in tradition, and the players play with pride.

If they dig deep inside themselves and are able to turn that pride into positive productivity, its easy to say that they could beat anyone.

The Trojans are also a team of tradition, and that tradition is winning. I don't assume that the USC players have no heart, I'm sure they do, but a wounded dog will fight harder than the one with no scars.

It's time for the Buckeyes to finally take a deep breathe and smell the aroma of the tradition that looms in Columbus. They might be outmatched, but it doesn't mean they have to be outplayed.

I hope that the Buckeyes use their past defeats as motivation to come away with victory.

To play the entire sixty minutes and leave it all on the field.

Sometimes the statistics are wrong. Sometimes the underdog wins.

Let's hope that that sometimes happens again Saturday night.

USC-Ohio State: A Buckeye Interviews a Trojan

Michael Cline — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:05:32 -0400

Recently I had the privilege of interviewing a lifelong USC Trojan fan about the upcoming USC-Ohio State game to be played Saturday, in case you were unaware.

I've personally never been to California and really haven't talked to many Californians so I was thrilled to get to talk to Joey.

Joey is a Los Angeles native who works at In and Out burger during the day and parks cars at night.

He aspires to be an actor and his number one dream is to be a guest on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brian, although he did say he'd settle for Craig Ferguson if push came to shove.

Enough with the introduction, let’s get to the real meat and potatoes.

MC: Joey, let me first say thank you for the interview. We Ohioans are always looking to meet different people, and I was assured that you would be the perfect candidate.

Joey: Thanks Mike. It was a pleasure to just be nominated.

MC: Spoken like a true Californian! So this will be your first trip to Columbus and the Horseshoe in general. What are you looking forward to the most?

Joey: All I want to see is the Buckeyes pay for what they did to my Trojans last year.

MC: ...But the Trojans beat OSU 35-3 last year. What could you possibly be upset about?

Joey: Just kidding' cuddie. Seeing if you were paying attention. Seriously though, the one thing I want to see is OSU go down on their home field.

MC: Last year was a beat down, I'll admit. There is actually talk in the media that this year will be much of the same. USC is favored by seven points. Do you think the Buckeyes will use this as motivation?

Joey: All I know about the Buckeyes is that I think they're a bunch of pansies. Not flowers either. Do you know that they are the most hated team out there? I mean it's like starring in a movie like Glitter. Sorry Mariah Carey, but it was bad.

MC: I was warned about your obsession with Mariah, let’s keep her out of this, OK? I also heard that you got a new Roman Armor last year at Halloween. Are you actually going to wear it to the game?

Joey: Dude, I only wear that on April Fool's Day.

MC: We only have a few more questions so let’s talk about the game. Matt Barkley is 18 years old and he seems to be a bit on the cocky side. Do you think that's a good move for Mr. Barkley at this point?

Joey: Well, I mean you can look at it two ways. One, take a look at sunsets in Miami. They can be cocky but they’re still beautiful. Barkley’s passes are like a Miami sunset. Or you can look at it the way most people do: If you don’t have confidence you are going to let the heat get to you, so just lay back, get sun burnt and play.

MC: Wow, that was very...poetic. Are you a USC alumni?

Joey: Yes...and no. Sometimes I wish I was and other times I wish I wasn’t. But yes I went there until my junior year. Go Trojans!

MC: OK. Now before we go let’s play a game. I'll give you a name, you tell me the first thing that comes to your mind. Ready?

Joey: Oh, like word association.

MC: Right, word association. Here's the first one: Pete Carroll.

Joey: Great Coach

MC: Jim Tressel

Joey: Homo

MC: Traveler

Joey: Intense

MC: Brutus

Joey: Giant

MC: Los Angeles

Joey: Kobe

MC: Columbus

Joey: Gloomy

MC: And finally give us your prediction and final score.

Joey: USC 57-5

MC: Wow! USC by 52 points! That is a bold statement from such a little guy?

Joey: I'm a woman. Name’s Josephine, but they call me Joey for short.

MC: Oh. My mistake. The mullet, I mean hair, threw me off. Well, thanks for your input Joey and enjoy the trip to Columbus. Any last words?

Joey: SHAKE AND BAKE BABY! GO TROJANS!

USC-Ohio State: A Buckeyes' Guide to a Buckeye Party

Michael Cline — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:28:27 -0400

Oh to be a Buckeye. Whether you hail from the great state of Ohio, or you've become attached to Buckeye Country from afar, we all know what a thrill it is to be a part of the storied tradition that is The Ohio State University. Full of tradition and pride, being an Ohio State fan means being a part of something far bigger than anything you've ever imagined. But being a fan does come with some prerequisites and necessities. This week, as the players gear up for the battle, we the fans must gear up for the party. So before we kick off the biggest game of the year, double check this list to make sure you're fully prepared for the entire night, whatever may come of it.

Begin Slideshow

Anchors Away: Ohio State Slips By Navy

Michael Cline — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:29:25 -0400

Stop the presses and pass the Tums.

The Ohio State Buckeyes were 21-point favorites heading into Saturday's midday clash with the Navy Midshipmen, but the Navy wasn't about to surrender.

Buckeye fans have grown fairly accustomed to close finishes and big losses, but to lose to a non-ranked opponent at home on opening day would've been a pillar of salt in an open wound.

But thanks to a Brian Rolle interception, the Buckeyes' season wasn't lost in week one.

Navy had the chance to tie the game at 29 with a two-point conversion, but Ricky Dobbs' pass attempt was plucked out of the air and returned the distance, giving Ohio State a 31-27 lead, and the ball back.

From there Terrelle Pryor was able to run the clock down and secure the victory.

But victory isn't always as sweet as they make it out to be.

Saturday's win brought more questions than answers and with the USC Trojans visiting the Horseshoe in seven days, everyone in Columbus is looking kind of crazy.

With "35-3" etched in our memory, it's difficult not to be a little worried.

But nevertheless, there is always hope.

Hope that Tressel can make the necessary adjustments and have a good week of practice in preparation for the defending Pac-10 Champions.

Hope that Pryor will never again ask to go for it on 4th and 2.

Hope that Aaron Pettrey has missed his last point after attempt.

On the bright side, the offense looked good.

The running back tandem of Dan Herron and Brandon Saine was impressive and our wide receivers looked on point.

Duron Carter is giving older fans a nostalgic feeling and Dane Sanzenbacher continues to make us proud.

The defense struggled at times with Navy's triple option offense, but they seemed to adjust well and were able to make big plays when needed.

They forced the Midshipmen into three turnovers, which all but secured the win for the Buckeyes.

One week down and the biggest game of the year is less than seven days away.

If you ate all the Tums this week, be sure to grab an extra pack by September 12.

Ohio State Buckeyes: Refusing to Go Away

Michael Cline — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 21:23:55 -0400

With the release of the 2010 USA Today Preseason Poll, college football is finally putting the car in drive. In four weeks the stadiums will fill, the fans will cheer, and the players will begin to battle it out on the gridiron.

Although I don't agree with the idea of having a Preseason Poll, it is there, it is relevant, so I cannot choose to just ignore its existence.

Rating the teams before they've even run out of the tunnel will continue to perplex me, but I must admit that seeing the Poll does get my blood flowing.

College football has one of the most thrilling regular seasons in all of sports, and I love every minute leading up to one of the worst postseasons in all of sports.

The top five teams listed were fairly predictable if you've been following college football in the off-season. With Florida at No. 1 and Texas, Oklahoma, USC, and Alabama filling in the rest of the spots respectively.

Then come the Ohio State Buckeyes sitting pretty at No. 6. The team the nation loves to hate is in fact refusing to go away.

The Buckeyes have lost three straight BCS Bowl appearances, two coming in the National Championship Game.

Because of this, many fans across the nation deem Ohio State as overrated, unworthy, and downright bad.

But is this true? Are the accusations against one of college football's most storied Universities accurate?

The Buckeyes have four Big Ten titles, shared twice, in four years. They've also been to a BCS Bowl game six of the last seven seasons.

Although their record in those bowl games is less than flattering, their ability to maintain top level performance throughout the season is unprecedented.

Jim Tressel has come under fire recently, with his struggles in the post-season, but he continues to build championship caliber teams by recruiting the best players from all over the country.

And with those recruits comes a team that will continue to be in the Top 10, whether you like it or not.

It's exciting to be a college football fan when camps begin to open, but even more exciting to be a Buckeye fan.

No matter the hard knocks we've taken over the years, our team is still our love and nothing will change that. Not even the four-win season in 1988.

Ohio State is once again favored to win the Big Ten and will have an early shot at proving their national stakes with a September 12 meeting against USC.

Losing to the Trojans in Columbus would be tumultuous, but a win should solidify the team as being contenders once again.

Is the nation ready for that? Are they ready to see the boys in Scarlet and Gray on national television in early January? Are they ready to swallow their pride and give Ohio State the credit they'll deserve?

It may be too early to tell, but in the mind of the Buckeyes who will put on their pads Monday for training camp, there will be an answer.

One way or another, ready or not, here they come.

Terrelle Pryor: Heart Of a Champion

Michael Cline — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:02:52 -0400

Champions are built differently than the rest of us.

Their drive, determination, and competitiveness are leaps and bounds above that of the average human being. So much so that at times we cannot relate to them, and neither they to us.

However, these qualities that the champions possess are what enthralls us, their fans, into studying every aspect of their being. And though we might not understand them, we at least would like to try.

That's why we're glued to our TV sets, computers, and magazines.

We watch them, write about them, talk about them, and even defend their honor to those who think that their talent is less than extraordinary.

There are many Champions among us, those who've proved themselves on and off the playing field, and there are Champions still waiting to emerge.

One of those in the making is 19 year old college sophomore Terrelle Pryor.

Entering his first full season as the starting quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Pryor is a young man on a mission.

As a freshman, Pryor started the season thinking that he'd mostly be watching from the sidelines, learning the offense, and taking a few snaps here and there as needed.

But after his predecessor, Todd Boeckman, was pulled early, Pryor's career started sooner than anticipated.

In week four of the 2008 season, Coach Jim Tressel called on Pryor to make the start.

From that moment on we began to watch a kid from Jeanette, PA go from a high school standout, to one of college football's most talked about players.

Pryor won his first game as a starter, and added four more before he finally felt the taste of defeat.

The Buckeyes were hosting the Penn State Nittany Lions, in a battle that would eventually determine the Big Ten Champion.

The game was brilliant, but due to a late fumble by Pryor, the Buckeyes would fall 13-9.

After the game, a picture was snapped of Pryor sitting on the bench by himself, hands clasped, and his head down.

No one can know what was going through his mind at that moment, probably more than he spoke about.

Afterwards Pryor said, "When you turn the ball over twice, it's on you. I gave them the ball and put pressure on the defense again. I feel the loss is on me."

Those words, that game will prove to be the turning point in Terrelle Pryor's career.

Years from now we'll look back and say to one another, "The Penn State loss is what made Pryor the quarterback he is today."

It's not in the good times that champions are made, it's in the trying times.

When there's a dilemma, a struggle within oneself. It's at those pivotal moments in a person's life that really determines how far one will go.

Penn State was Terrelle Pryor's pivotal moment, and only he knows which path he took.

We can only speculate for now and watch as Pryor and the Buckeyes take the field yet again to try and make history.

Terrelle Pryor came out of high school with a lot of attention. Deemed by many to be the top quarterback of his recruiting class, it's his season to prove that statement.

It's his season to prove that he is the champion Ohio State was looking for, the one the fans were looking for, and the one he was looking for.

College Football: Four Ways To Make It Better

Michael Cline — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:31:46 -0400

Change doesn't come easy, as you can tell by reading the political section of your favorite newspaper, but change is both necessary and inevitable.

Change is what keeps your rivers clean, your car running properly, and your baby happy and fresh.

In order for college football's popularity to grow, a change needs to happen and happen fast.

In college football, having unanswered questions at the end of the season has become a trend. These questions never go away, and they continue to stay hidden in the back of our busy minds:

What if Alabama was ranked higher in the preseason?
What if LSU played Penn State instead of Appalachian State?
What if Notre Dame had a conference schedule?
What if Utah would have played Florida?

If you have the answers to these questions, please tell me because I'm tired of thinking about them.

However, because I have been thinking about it, I did come up with a solution and a question of my own:

What if there were no questions?

Without these questions, my mind could rest easy, and I could, maybe, paint the house before next season begins.

So, while I was not painting the house, I've derived four basic and doable ways to make college football better in the years to come.

Step 1: Get Rid of the Preseason Poll

The idea of ranking teams before they even play a game is nothing short of insanity.

Who's to say that USC will be better/worse than Oklahoma this year when there's nothing to base that opinion on except for last year's statistics on returning players.

Last year, as many of you know, Alabama didn't even make the preseason Top 25. But, somehow, those "mediocre" players overperformed, and the Tide finished the season at the No. 6 spot.

Even more ridiculous, the preseason poll influences the final rankings, which determine who will play for the National Championship.

Step 2: Stop FBS Teams from Scheduling FCS Teams

Seriously.

I should not have to argue this point, but I will, briefly.

LSU scheduling Appalachian State is like the Boston Red Sox scheduling a series with the Columbus Clippers.

Now, I know that some will say, "But Appalachian State beat Michigan!" OK, yes they did, but how often does that happen? LSU demolished them 41-13.

I can't believe a game like this even counts. Maybe playing Appalachian State in a preseason scrimmage makes sense, but playing a FCS team during the season does not.

Step 3: Independents Should Choose a Conference

This year, there will be three teams playing as independents: Army, Navy, and Notre Dame.

Last year, there were four, but the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are now a part of the Sun Belt Conference.

The other three should have to follow suit and join a conference that best fits their program needs/wants.

I don't care which conferences they join; they should just make it happen.

Many fans believe that the independent schools have an unfair advantage when it comes to BCS bowl bids.

One way to discredit those arguments is to stop them from happening in the first place.

Step 4: Implement a Playoff System

Of course, this is on the list.

In order to determine a champion, every major sport has some type of playoff or tournament, but college football is left with computer rankings and the coaches' opinions.

It doesn't make sense unless you somehow benefit monetarily from the current system.

I'm glad that Congress is investigating the matter; however, I wish that the government wasn't needed to sort this matter out.

How blind do you have to be to see that the BCS system is flawed?

A playoff would at least give us a true champion, no questions ask.

Final Outlook

I am sure there are more needed changes, but these four suggestions are the most plausible changes.

By implementing these steps, the scope of college football would change drastically.

These changes would indeed make the game better for fans, players, and teams.

But, if not, at least I have a good excuse for not painting the house.

Michael Jackson: The Super Bowl Legacy

Michael Cline — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:12:29 -0400

With the passing of Michael Jackson yesterday, people around the world have gathered to remember his life and his legacy, to try and share the shock, the feeling of loss with others who feel the same.

And although I haven't attended a prayer vigil, or made a trip to The Apollo to be a part of the mourning crowd, I have had conversations with friends and family about the King of Pop's tattoo on our memories.

When Michael Jackson released his famed album "Thriller", I was just seven years old. But my youthfulness didn't keep me from realizing that what I was listening to was genius at work.

The sounds of "Thriller", "Beat It", and "Billy Jean" as heard from MTV, mesmerized my eyes and ears as I grew from just an intrigued listener to a fan from then until now.

Michael Jackson was an amazing singer, dancer, and entertainer.

And nothing demonstrates that more than the halftime show at Super Bowl XXVII.

The Cowboys were playing the Bills that day, and Dallas came out victorious with a 52-17 romp of a Buffalo team making their third consecutive appearance, and getting their third consecutive loss.

There was a lot of talk about the game afterwards, how the Cowboys were the new 49ers, and Buffalo's inability to win the big one. But there was also a lot of talk of the halftime show.

Michael Jackson performed in what is to many, the best Super Bowl halftime show ever.

I, for one, will never forget it.

I was 14 years old at the time, and I can still see the image of Michael on the stadium's big screen TV, as if he were trapped, and suddenly an impersonator is seen on top of the monitor in a cloud of smoke.

The same happens on the second stadium monitor and the crowd is just going wild, awaiting for the actual King of Pop to appear.

The camera pans to center stage, and suddenly from below the stage Jackson is catapulted into everyone's view.

The crowd goes wild, and my jaw is on the floor.

It was one of those moments in time when you realized that what you were seeing would never be seen again.

He stood there in black, except for the classic white socks, and gold trim on his infamous jacket.

He stood there knowing that although Dallas had the stars on their helmets, he was the real star in the stadium that night.

For over seven minutes, all eyes were on Michael Jackson and for every Super Bowl from that moment on, other performers would live with the knowledge that they could only hope to be second-best.

Michael Jackson's fame permeated all aspects of human society, even that of the greatest game ever invented.

He stole the show that Sunday night and will be remembered by sports fans for that thrilling performance.

So thrilling we realized "Thriller" was more than a name of an album, or the name of a song. It was the very word to describe the man behind the music. The man we'll all remember as the guy who rocked Super Bowl XXVII.

Detroit-Pittsburgh: The Complete Stanley Cup Finals Guide

Michael Cline — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:52:47 -0400

No. 4 Pittsburgh (45-28-9) vs. No. 2 Detroit (51-21-10)

Saturday May 30, 2009, 8:00 PM EDT

How They Got Here:

The Pittsburgh Penguins have made their way back to the Stanley Cup Finals after losing here a year ago—to the same team—in six games.

The fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Penguins have powered their way through the playoffs, led by their young captain, Sidney Crosby.

Crosby, just 21 years old, has 28 points this postseason, matched also by teammate Evgeni Malkin.

Malkin has plummeted the opposing goalies with a total 80 shots on goal. He has scored 12 times, surpassed by Crosby's 14.

Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has won 12 of 17 playoff games, saving 91 percent of the shots that have come his way.

The Detroit Red Wings return to the Stanley Cup Finals to defend their trophy and their honor.

After beating Pittsburgh in the 2008 campaign, the Red Wings finished second in the Western Conference behind the San Jose Sharks, who were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

Detroit's playoff run hasn't been without a scare though.

After sweeping Columbus in their first playoff appearance, the Red Wings went the limit with Anaheim in a seven game thriller.

Johan Franzen has led the offensive charge, scoring 10 goals in 17 games. His teammate Valtteri Filppula adds 13 assists.

Marion Hossa, a Penguin just last year, has kept opposing goalies busy with 77 shots on goal.

Detroit's star net-minder Chris Osgood as been incredible to say the least. He has won 12 games with an astounding save percentage of .925.

Statistically Speaking

In the postseason alone, Pittsburgh is outscoring their opponents 65-47. Sixteen of the goals have come off the power play.

In 17 games, the Penguins have only allowed 10 power play goals.

Fleury has 445 saves with a GAA of 2.62.

Detroit, on the other hand, has scored 59 goals, but has only allowed 34.

Fifteen of those were allowed coming off the power play, while scoring 19 power play goals of their own.

Osgood has 417 saves with a GAA of 2.06.

Pittsburgh Wins the Cup if...

...they continue to dominate on offense. Twenty times the Penguins had the puck in the net in their series sweep of Carolina. That's five per game people. The Crosby/Malkin combo is going to give Osgood a run for his money.

But Pittsburgh cannot rely too heavily on their 2 stars. To beat Detroit's defense, the Penguins will need contribution from every player on the ice.

Fleury will have to play his best. Giving up 47 goals in 17 games is OK if your team is scoring 65, but I doubt that the Pens are going to have those numbers against a good Detroit defense.

Detroit wins the Cup if...

...Osgood is "as good" as he has been the whole postseason.

Averaging just over two goals a game should be enough to secure their second straight defeat of Pittsburgh in the Stanley Cup Finals.

But nobody is perfect. Osgood will have his hands full with Crosby and Malkin swarming his post. He will need help from his line to keep them from getting clear shots.

Marian Hossa will also be on a mission to prove that he made the right decision in leaving the Penguins for the Motor City. He'll play inspired hockey against his former teammates to insure that he gets the last laugh.

With solid, consistent defensive play, Detroit should be able to hoist up the Stanley Cup once again.

Sam Bradford's Championship Season

Michael Cline — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:19:24 -0400

There's been a lot of talk this offseason about the Florida Gators, and rightfully so.

Their run for the 2008 National Championship was nothing short of impressive, but the talk this spring has been how the Gators should just simply be handed the AFCA National Championship Trophy to accompany last year's in the trophy case.

Now I'll admit that a repeat in 2009 isn't entirely out of question. Florida is, for the most part, returning everyone, including star quarterback Tim Tebow. And they have a swagger that is unmatched by even some NFL teams.

As the spring pushes towards summer, the question has turned away from if they'll win to who will they win against.

The usual suspects come to mind: Oklahoma, Texas, USC. But to name the Gators our 2009 National Champions before the lines are even painted on the field would be witless.

And if Sam Bradford has anything to say about it, he'd probably say it was laughable.

Bradford made a tough decision a few months ago. It was a decision I'm sure it took many hours and many talks with his family, friends, and coaches to decide upon.

Bradford decided to come back and play another season at the University of Oklahoma.

He didn't come back because he thought he'd raise his draft stock with another year of experience under his belt. No, Detroit probably would've taken him first overall. Even if they thought he wasn't ready to play this year in the NFL, it would have been a huge investment.

Bradford also didn't come back to finish his education, as important as that may seem.

Bradford came back for one reason, and one reason only: To win the BCS National Championship.

Many have questioned this decision, mainly because on paper, the Sooners don't look as deep as they did previously.

But Sam Bradford is a leader, and great leaders make things happen.

After losing to the Ole Miss Rebels, Tim Tebow gave one of the most inspiring post-game speeches ever heard by a college football player.

That speech, and his will to make good on his promise propelled his team to a remarkable finish in the SEC and in Miami for Tebow's second National Championship as a Gator.

It is leadership like that that will do the same for the Sooners this year.

Sam Bradford has the desire to do for Oklahoma what Tebow did for Florida—to literally will his team to victory.

However, we all know that will alone won't get you far. But will along with skill and strength can go very far in this sport.

If Bradford takes a page out of Tebow's playbook, he can be remembered alongside Tebow for their incredible resilience, leadership, and play on the field.

If he doesn't, he'll be remembered as the guy who, along with other Oklahoma stars of the past, were unable to win the big one—unable to fulfill their dreams and grab college football's greatest prize.

In 2008, after a tumultuous year in the Big 12 South, filled with drama and controversy, Bradford missed his goal by only two touchdowns.

You can be assured that that night in Miami will be in the back of his mind for the entire 2009 season— the entire season that will be remembered finally as Bradford's Championship Season.

Rich Rodriguez: Next Second Year Coach To Win National Championship?

Michael Cline — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:21:05 -0400

Ridiculous? Probably. But history has a strange way of repeating itself.

The Michigan Wolverines had a forgettable year (or unforgettable, depending on your allegiance) under Rich Rodriguez in his first season as head coach. They finished the 2008 season a humiliating 3-9, missing out on post-season play for the fist time in many of our lives.

However, one bad season doesn't define a team nor a coach.

Rodriguez came to Michigan after having a very successful career at West Virginia. But it didn't start out so successfully.

His first year as Mountaineer head coach pitted him with a 3-8 record, sound familiar? But it didn't take him long to turn things around.

In the following season, Rodriguez led his team to a runner-up spot in the Big East and ended the season with nine victories to only four defeats.

Quite the accomplishment.

Of course we're all aware of the accolades that followed. Rodriguez will be remembered as one of the best coaches ever to hold the position in Morgantown, WV.

He himself won multiple Big East Coach of the Year awards and the team won their conference championship a couple of times.

So what does this mean for Michigan in 2009?

It means that you can't count the Wolverines out based on their performance last year.

Many pre-season conference rankings have the Maize and Blue located at the bottom of the barrel in the Big Ten, but I have a feeling they'll prove otherwise.

Everyone was shocked by the Wolverines 2008 season under Rodriguez. I'll never forget the video of the fans, disbelief in their eyes, arms crossed, just staring at the scoreboard unable to believe their eyes, week after week.

Rodriguez is a good coach, he's already proved so at West Virginia, and that's why Michigan hired him.

But one thing we must remember is that Rodriguez isn't a conventional coach.

He went to Ann Arbor with a plan, and he's sticking to it.

Fans, and professionals relished the thought of finishing 3-9, missing a bowl game, but I'm sure Rodriguez is still confident in his vision for the team, and I'm sure he feels like the ship is still on course.

Success is only a short distance from failure.

If you make the right moves and take advantage of all opportunities, you'll do well in life, whether its coaching, or flipping burgers at Wendy's.

And success seems to be a pattern for coaches entering their second season at a university.

Three times since the BCS inception, a coach in their second season with their new team has won the national championship.

Bob Stoops was named the head coach for Oklahoma in 1999. That year, the Sooners went 7-5 and were invited to a bowl game for the first time in four years.

The very next year, Stoops and the Sooners completed an undefeated season and won the national championship.

In 2001, Jim Tressel took over the helms as the Ohio State Buckeyes head coach. That season, the Buckeyes finished the year 7-5, beating Michigan for the first time after two consecutive losses.

The following season, Tressel led Ohio State to an undefeated season and a national championship, the first since 1968.

Urban Meyer came to the University of Florida in 2005 after much success as head coach of the University of Utah.

In his first year in Gainesville, Meyer led the team to a 9-3 season, and finished his second year with his first national championship under his belt.

Now it is a bit of a stretch to say that Rodriguez and the Michigan Wolverines will win a national title this year, but my point is that several coaches have had great success following their inaugural season.

I listed three coaches who took their teams to the pinnacle of college football, but there are several others whose accomplishments in their second year as head coach made incredible improvements, many above and beyond expectations (Alabama rings a bell).

So as the offseason begins to dwindle, let's not be so quick to count out certain teams before a snap is even taken. Strange things happen in college football, and that's what makes this sport the best of any.

Will Rodriguez turn the Wolverines around in 2009? Will he bring them back to winning, and business as usual for everyone in Ann Arbor?

I can't foretell the future, but one thing I'm certain of: The only way to go when you're on the bottom is up.

Brett Favre Seen Leaving Dairy Queen With Blizzard (Humor)

Michael Cline — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:48:51 -0400

It was reported by ESPN that Brett Favre was "throwing" at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

It was NOT reported, however, that after the practice Favre took some of the young players to Dairy Queen for a cold treat.

Although the whole order was not revealed, Favre was seen leaving the facility with a Blizzard in hand.

Closer examination from the guy on the roof with a mega zoom lens showed that the Blizzard included only purple and yellow Skittles.

Purple AND yellow Skittles.

Coincidence?

After leaving Dairy Queen, Favre and rest of the gang went back to his place for a Madden tournament.

Favre, as reported by an undisclosed insider, played as the Vikings. After losing in the first round to a kid playing as the Packers, Favre was heard shouting expletives from across the street.

The purple and yellow Skittles Blizzard and the subsequent Madden tournament definitely should lead fans to believe that Brett Favre will return as a Minnesota Viking in the fall of 2009.

It is unknown how ESPN failed to see these two obvious clues that Brett so visibly displayed.

When asked, ESPN executives simply stated that they are committed to reporting relative issues with lots of relatively, based on facts and facts alone.

When asked if they prefer Blizzards or Peanut Buster Parfaits, one said Oreo Blizzard and the other Peanut Buster Parfait.

Updates will come as more details are revealed.

Third Time's a Charm: Terrelle Pryor—Next Sophomore Heisman Winner

Michael Cline — Fri, 01 May 2009 04:29:54 -0400

Tim Tebow is more than a great quarterback. He's a trend-setter.

Before Tebow came around, no sophomore had ever won the Heisman Trophy, now including Sam Bradford, two sophomore's have won the trophy in consecutive years.

And with the arrival of Terrelle Pryor on the college football scene, one has to ask; "could it happen again?"

Pryor, since obtaining the starting quarterback position at Ohio State University last season, has sent shock-waves across every conference.

He is a phenomenal player, and when you watch him play you know you're watching something special.

He's been described as having the "it" factor—the one thing that separates not only good players from great players, but great players from Hall of Fame players.

Everyone will agree that Pryor has something special, but not all would say that he is as skilled at the quarterback spot as Tim Tebow or Sam Bradford.

His throwing mechanics were that of an eighth grader learning his fundamentals from his Biddy Football coach. It was almost hard to watch.

But on the flip side, watching him scramble from the pocket and zip down the field without a lick of effort was like watching your mom spread peanut butter on Wonder Bread; smooth and effortless.

After a couple of gut-wrenching losses in his first starting season (USC doesn't count, he didn't start), Terrelle Pryor has had the opportunity to face defeat in the eyes and either bow, or stand up and learn from his err.

The best players we remember are those who stood in the sorrow of defeat only to come back and grab the reigns of victory by simply seeing their shortcomings and fixing them.

If Pryor has indeed learned from his mistakes, the Big Ten, and the rest of the nation better be prepared to see this young man in New York City for the Heisman Trophy presentation.

Last weekend, during Ohio State's Scarlet and Gray game, Pryor gave the record-breaking 95,000 fans a glimpse of what he's been working on in the offseason.

I mentioned his throwing mechanics, and according to our own Kristofer Green, who attended the game: "There was no sign of the awkward, shotput-like throwing motion he sometimes displayed last season."

Terrelle Pryor is a winner, and losing the games that were lost last season really took a toll on his player personality. He owned up to the losses, even going as far as to say that they were entirely his fault.

As a fan, that's one thing I love to hear.

I love to hear the star taking responsibility. To stand up and say to his teammates that he understands his weaknesses and is making strides to make them his strengths.

One year ago, Pryor was a high school senior in Jeanette, PA, probably preparing for his senior prom. This year he's working with the best coaches college has to offer, who are trying to mold him into the best quarterback ever to pass through Columbus, OH.

You can take your money to Vegas and bet that he'll be much improved from last season.

Will Pryor improve enough to be standing with the likes of Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford?

Will he make it a 'three-peat' of sophomore Heisman winners?

There are plenty of games to be played, passes to be thrown, and options to be run. It's a bit premature to be talking about Heisman hopefuls, but the question remains.

Pryor has all the hype a player could hope for. Let's sit back and see if he can live up to it this fall.

Will Todd Boeckman Find a Home With The Cincinnati Bengals?

Michael Cline — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:51:44 -0400

Todd Boeckman spent most of his senior season on the Ohio State sideline, watching as freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor began to send waves across the college football waters.

He also spent all of Saturday and Sunday watching as player after player was chosen in the NFL Draft, but failed to hear his own name mentioned.

But on Monday, Boeckman got a call that might just change his life forever.

The Cincinnati Bengals have invited Todd Boeckman, as well as others, to attend their rookie mini-camp this weekend for a potential spot on the Bengals roster.

Does Boeckman stand a chance?

In 2007, Boeckman was selected first-team All-Big Ten. He led the Big Ten with a 148.94 passer rating, completing nearly 64 percent of his passing attempts. He also had 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Boeckman definitely has the skill, and he has the arm strength, but Boeckman's main dysfunction was the big game.

On occasions where it was needed for Boeckman to step up and lead the Buckeyes to the next level, he fluttered.

Ask any Buckeye fan about Boeckman and you'll see the pain in their eyes.

Boeckman was loved by Buckeye Nation. He was the hometown hero. The guy from St. Henry who would bring The Ohio State University their second National Championship this decade.

But when the game was on the line and the team needed Boeckman to make a big play, he'd drop the ball.

Literally.

Or he'd make a brilliant completion, only to a player on the opposing team.

It became a commonality, and after Boeckman and the Buckeyes fell to Rose Bowl rivals USC, Boeckman also fell in the depth chart.

From there Pryor took the reigns and Boeckman finished the season manning the headsets instead of the offense.

On the bright side, Boeckman did make a few appearances throughout the remainder of the season and he played well. He played as good as we all remembered him playing (minus those primetime games we've mostly forgotten).

Honestly, he is a good quarterback. He makes mistakes, but the boy has got talent.

I hated to see Boeckman take the backseat, but I knew that it was necessary.

But hearing the news of Boeckman's invite to Cincinnati's mini-camp did my heart good.

Here's Boeckman's final chance to prove that he shouldn't be defined by the few games that have been his Achilles heel.

His final chance to prove that he is still the player we knew in 2007.

I hope he does well, I hope he makes the team.

There are many story lines in the world of sports, but my favorite has always been those of redemption.

Here's to Todd Boeckman getting his.

The Cost of Being Carey Price

Michael Cline — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:28:12 -0400

"What do you expect?"

The popular website Twitter asks people daily "What are you doing?" Maybe I'll start a website that asks people "What do you expect?"

Expectation is a funny thing. We always expect things to go better than they actually do. We want the best for our lives, for those of our families, kids, and friends. It would be strange for us not to have those strong feelings.

And as a fan in the world of sport, we always have high expectations for our teams. From the owner down to the guy who rides the pine, we want nothing more than our expectations to become reality.

But there is always that chance that our expectations really aren't reasonable.

Carey Price is the 21 year old starting goalie for the Montreal Canadiens, the most storied team in the NHL.

The 2008-2009 season was his first as the team's number one goalie, and expectations for his first full season in net were astounding.

They were reminiscent of a man who was walking the streets of Galilee a little over 2000 years ago. Crazy thing is that it took Jesus Christ 30 years before anyone recognized him as their Messiah.

So why are fans so quick to give a new young player such expectations to live up to entering the league? Especially entering the league in Montreal?

Welcome to the life of Carey Price.

Given the reigns this year, fans were sure that they'd see him hoisting the Stanley Cup over his head when it was all said and done.

But nobody anticipated the set-backs that would occur.

He started the season off great, and everyone was happy! But then came injury, and then what some would say a hasty return.

Price struggled to find his mojo and was battered by the opposition, all the while back-up goalie Jaroslav Halak was making his name known in Montreal and around the league by having exceptional performances in net.

But as the season was winding down, Price regained his composure and was playing the hockey that everyone knew he was capable of playing. He was excelling at a level that most knew he'd achieve at some point in his career.

The dream was back; hope was alive.

The fans of Montreal gained faith in Price and were believing that the Canadiens, who as a team struggled for most of the season, were going to knock off the top seeded Bruins from Boston.

The dream quickly faded.

The Bruins offense was simply incredible and the Canadiens' defense was despicable.

Carey Price was bombarded with shots for the whole series, and fell in four straight games, giving the Bruins fans an opportunity to carry around a broom in celebration.

And who carries the blame for these losses? For the quick departure from the 2009 playoffs?

Carey Price.

But to blame one player for an entire team's failure is just ridiculous.

Sure Price let a lot of pucks fly by him, but his offense failed to control the puck and the defense failed to keep the Bruins out of their zone.

The truth is, Carey Price is an exceptional goalie and he will hoist the Stanley Cup over his head in the near future.

At 21 years old, its just not his time. He has a great foundation of skill and talent, and with the proper training and experience he'll be one of the greatest goalies Montreal has ever witnessed.

But you can't build a house in a day, and you can't turn the Titanic on a dime. It takes time.

As a fan, its upsetting to see your team go down in defeat, but don't let the expectations outweigh reality.

Allow room for improvement. Allow the players to fail and to learn from their mistakes.

Allow the young players, who the team has invested in for the future, to actually become the players of the future.

The 10 Best NBA Hairstyles of All Time

Michael Cline — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:45:50 -0500

Basketball. You gotta love the game. The thrill of this fast paced sport is like no other. The players are astounding athletes, and it's daily that we watch highlight reels with our mouths wide open in shock. But the NBA is more than the game, its the players. Their personalities, there attitudes, and of course their style. So today we look back through history to find the best hairstyles ever to grace the hardwood.

Begin Slideshow

March Brings Spring, New Life for Montreal Canadiens

Michael Cline — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 01:32:43 -0500

February, oh February, how I loathe thee, February.

The duration of February '09 will be one to forget for all Canadiens, players and fans alike.

But the ending couldn't have been sweeter.

The Montreal Canadiens ended the month with a four-game winning streak, beating the No. 1 team in the West, San Jose, on Saturday night in a 3-2 decision.

And the timing couldn't be more perfect.

Heading into March, the Habitants are full of momentum and their upcoming schedule leads fans to wonder, when exactly will this winning streak end?

Sure the Canadiens will begin this spring month on the road, but all three teams on this trip are below 70 points in the standings. Their toughest opponent will be the Sabres on Wednesday night in Buffalo.

After Buffalo, the team heads to Atlanta to take on Mathieu Schneider's former team and then on to Dallas to face the Stars.

Away games are never easy, but I'm sure that Guy Carbonneau is happy with this venture. It is very possible that Montreal comes off this road trip with three more wins, extending their streak to seven games.

Upon returning to the Bell Centre, the Habs will have four consecutive games on their home ice.

First, on March 10, they face Edmonton followed by matches against the Islanders, Devils, and Rangers.

Now I'm not one to speculate, but I feel like doing it tonight.

If the boys in bleu, blanc, and rouge play their cards right, they could very possibly have a 9-, 10-, maybe even 11-game winning streak heading into Ottawa to face the Senators on March 19.

And why not? With the month we just had, we deserve a little victory, a little champagne on our lips.

On our calendars, March is a catalyst for warmer temperatures and brighter days. March for the Canadiens will bring several wins for a team desperately needing momentum and confidence heading into the post season.

Thirteen games will be played in March, nine of them at home. If the Habs can finish the month with 16-20 more points in the standings, they'll be sitting real pretty come April and the beginning of the playoffs.

Redskins Deal Albert Haynesworth $100 Million as Spending Continues in D.C.

Michael Cline — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:55:24 -0500

Maybe its something in the water, or maybe money really does grow on trees in our nation's capital.

Just 10 days after President Barack Obama signed the $782.5 billion economic stimulus package, the Washington Redskins tried to do some stimulating of their own by signing Albert Haynesworth to a seven-year, $100 million contract.

On a slightly smaller note, the Redskins also came to terms with cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who signed a six-year contract worth $54 million.

So as our government has taken to the philosophy that spending money will cure our economic disease, the Redskins hope that spending money will bring a much-anticipated NFC East Championship which hasn't occurred since 1999.

But will it work?

Will spending $782.5 billion really save our country from going bankrupt? It could happen, but I'll leave it to CNN and Fox News to decide.

Will spending $100 million on a defensive tackle really save Washington from finishing behind the New York Giants for the sixth straight year? It could happen, but the Redskins might consider focusing more on the other side of the ball.

Last season, Washington was ranked fourth in overall defense, but only 19th in overall offense.

So why is all the money being spent in an area where they seem to be doing pretty well? Why put all your eggs in one basket, when there are plenty of baskets in which to spread the wealth?

Now, we all know that you have to spend money to make money, and I'm sure that the Redskins are well aware of this adage. By spending big bucks on big names you get big numbers in attendance. Which in turn drives hot dog, nacho, and beer sales.

Which, by the way, puts more money into the owner's pockets, allowing him to buy more players that you as a fan don't think the team needs.

And the cycle continues.

So as Washington continues to spend their money, whether its on stimulus packages or football players, here's to us, the common fan, spending our money a little more wisely.

After all, money really doesn't grow on trees.

Jaroslav Halak Is Stealing Carey Price's Job

Michael Cline — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 14:18:17 -0500

In the 2003 NHL Draft, Jaroslav Halak was the 271st pick in the 9th round by the Montreal Canadiens.

In the 2005 NHL Draft, Carey Price was the 5th pick in the 1st round by the Montreal Canadiens.

Two goalies within two years.

One, an average player taken as a backup with little hope of being the No. 1 guy in the net for a team such as the Habs.

The other a poster boy. A goalie to build the team around and win the prestigious Stanley Cup.

But as the 2008-2009 season continues to unfold, the certainty of those drafting intentions begin to look a little muddled.

Carey Price is fluttering.

In his last 10 games, Price has given up 35 goals, not including the shootout against the Capitals. His save percentage is a dismal 87.

On top of his poor play, his name continues to show up in the press concerning behavioral issues and other things you don't want to read about in the waning moments of a season where you're in danger of missing the playoffs.

Halak, on the other hand, continues to impress.

In Halak's last 10 games, he's given up 33 goals with a save percentage of 90.

Last night against the Ottawa Senators, Halak stopped an astounding 44 shots and the Canadiens walked out of Bell Centre with their first win in over a week.

Now we all know that both of those save percentages are far below the leaders in the NHL. The top five goalies in the league all average around the 93 percent mark. And speaking of rankings, Halak and Price are ranked at 30th and 31st respectfully.

But something is to be said about Jaroslav Halak's performance during Price's continued journey to "find himself".

Halak has heard opportunity knock, and he's running to the door.

But is it possible?

Is it possible for a guy picked 271st in the 9th round of the draft to steal the job from a player who was picked 5th overall?

Yes. It's happened before and it can happen again.

In Halak's last 10 games, he's won six of them. In Price's last 10 games, he's won two of them.

Who do you want in the net? The guy with the big contract who was suppose to be great, or the guy bringing the results.

Among all the statistics and numbers, the only ones that really matter are the ones in the "Win" column.

If Jaroslav Halak continues to provide the Canadiens with opportunities to win games, good stats or not, Coach Carbonneau will have no choice but to play him ahead of Carey Price.

And might I mention, this might be exactly what this team needs.

If Halak thinks he has a chance of winning the starting job, he'll play harder to get it, thus bringing better results and more wins.

If Price thinks he has a chance of losing the starting job, he'll play harder to keep it, thus bringing better results and more wins.

See the pattern?

So I say, let the games begin! And let the best man win.

Tom Brady Stole My Girlfriend

Michael Cline — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:11:54 -0500

It was bound to happen. And I'll admit, I'm a fool.

A fool for not seeing the signs, for not hearing the alarms, for not feeling the thorns being pushed in my side.

But how was I to know? How was I to predict this outcome of fated betrayal?

After all, Tom Brady is a professional quarterback in the National Football League. Surely he is too far displaced to have any real impact on my life, aside for beating the Bengals every time they met.

But I was wrong. I was clearly mistaken. For indeed Mr. Brady was closer than I assumed, he was well within reach.

And reach he did.

Let me share the story with you.

It begins with a boy (me), and a girl (Ann).

Ann was every guy's dream. Perfect in every way, totally devoted to me and my happiness.

And she was beautiful.

Like a rainbow on a warm spring day, she made the storms of life much more bearable.

I loved her.

One fated Sunday afternoon, after cleaning up the kitchen, Ann came into the room and sat down on the couch next to me. I was enjoying a game of football as I normally do.

The Patriots were taking on the Colts and the game was terrific as always.

A timeout was called and Brady headed for the sideline to discuss the play with the coaches. He took off his helmet and grabbed the bottle of Gatorade handed to him.

Suddenly, breaking the monotony of the moment, Ann quickly asked, "Who is that?"

Now this wasn't uncommon. Ann would watch games with me often and if she had a question she would just ask.

I didn't mind, I actually enjoyed helping her learn this game I love so dear and loved seeing her interest grow in it.

"Tom Brady," I replied. "One of the better quarterbacks in the league."

Silence.

Then the response, "He's cute."

Followed was the slow turn of my head in her direction. You know what I'm talking about. The turn to try and catch a glimpse of the expression on her face as she spoke these words in front of me.

Cute?

What did she mean by "cute"?

Teddy bears are cute. Kittens are cute. NFL quarterbacks are not cute.

Cute?

I didn't say a word. Didn't want her to know that what she said sent tremors through my brain as I tried to figure out how concerned I should be with this four letter word usually reserved for animals with fur.

Then I broke the silence, "Cute? Nah, he went to Michigan, he can barely spell his last name."

Nothing.

No chuckle, no smirk, no comment in response. I just saw her intently looking at this high definition picture of Tom Brady on my television screen. As if she were in some kind of trance.

Stupid HDTV. Why did I buy that thing in the first place?

Tom might as well be standing in the room with us. Sweat trickling down his contoured face. His hair still perfect even after wearing a helmet for almost three hours. His eyes...

What is going on here?

Red flags are flying around my head and I hear that stupid voice announcing "Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!"

"So, honey, anything else you'd like to watch? Isn't that John and Kate Plus 8 marathon on today?" I said.

"Oh, no, babe. It's OK, you can finish watching the game. I'm kind of getting into it," she countered.

Getting into it?

I clutch the pillow in my lap a little tighter.

Freaking Tom Brady.

He's got some nerve.

Doesn't he have it all already? And now he wants to destroy my life along with it.

I sat in silence for the rest of the game as I watched Brady meticulously drive the Patriots down the field for another touchdown and another win.

Freaking Tom Brady.

The days and weeks following this newly claimed "worse day of my life," were completely out of control.

Ann was enamored by her new interest in Tom.

She researched his career on the Internet, watched SportsCenter in the mornings to hear the latest news, even had Tom's picture set as her computer's background.

But I knew that it was over the day the package arrived.

The UPS man arrived about 10:30 that morning bringing a nice sized box mailed from nfl.com.

"What could this be?" I questioned.

She bought me a gift!

But it's not my birthday, not Valentine's Day. What could be the occasion?

I would soon find out.

Ann came home and saw the box immediately.

"Oh! It's here!" she exclaimed.

She skipped over to the box and began to open it like a child on Christmas Day.

I watched, very much confused by the whole scene.

Suddenly I see the objects causing such excitement on a normally dull Wednesday afternoon.

Ann pulls out of the box a blue and white jersey. I stare in silence as she opens it up and reveals the No. 12 and the name "Brady" on the back.

A Tom Brady jersey. Great. Just great.

I could have dealt with the jersey, but it was what followed that really sealed the deal for me.

She laid down her new jersey and reached for the item left in the box.

My eyes intently staring at the brown cube that was vicariously ruining my life.

And in slow motion, like seeing Tom throw a touchdown in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter, I see the love of my life pull from the box the new object of my resentment: a Tom Brady bobble-head doll.

----------

It's been several weeks since the debacle. Several weeks for me to sit and contemplate the events that occurred. And I've come up with this simple revelation: Tom Brady wants to ruin my life.

In 1999, he stole the game from the Ohio State Buckeyes with a fourth-quarter touchdown.

At the turn of the century, he stole three Super Bowls in four years.

And in 2008, he stole what mattered most in my life...yes, ladies and gentlemen, Tom Brady stole my girlfriend.

Bearing the Burdens of My Buckeye Dad

Michael Cline — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:24:44 -0500

Inspired in part by Kristin Hamlin's touching tribute to her father...

As most of you reading this article, I got my first glimpse into the wide world of sports largely because of my dad.

It's what fathers do.

Aside from teaching us wrong from right, how to hammer a nail or use a gun or keep the car between the lines, they teach us about sports.

My earliest memories involve my dad taking me and my brother into the backyard and just throwing the baseball with us.

It's amazing the impact he had on me just by taking the time to play pitch and catch.

I remember him instructing me to always aim for the chest.

When I'd get it right he yelled, "Nice throw!"

When I got it wrong, he'd say, "Come on Michael, try it again. You can do it."

My proudest moment as a kid was hearing my dad shout after my attempts to throw a "curve" finally ended in result.

"Did you see it! It broke three feet," he exclaimed, although I'm sure it was only a couple of inches.

And baseball was just the beginning.

As the years went by my interest in other sports grew, and my father was there to help me in every one that demanded my attention.

When I told him I wanted to play basketball, he took me to the store and bought a goal.

And not just any goal, one with the adjustable frame that would allow the rim to be lowered and get me started.

I thought it was the greatest thing ever invented.

Me and my brother would take turns shooting and dunking the basketball as my dad laughed and took pictures of the memories unfolding before his eyes.

Then came the greatest day ever (for me at least)—the day I beat my dad in a game of one-on-one.

Although the moments playing baseball and basketball were tremendously fond, the fondest memories with my dad involve my beloved Buckeyes.

Growing up in central Ohio, Buckeye blood is bred into your veins, and families everywhere spent Saturdays during football season together going to games or watching them from home on the TV set.

My family was no different.

My dad taught me about the Buckeyes—the team, the traditions, the history, and even the band, and I was enthralled with the enormity of it all.

During the games he'd give me the play by play, explain the rules, and exactly what the referees meant by a word like "encroachment".

After the games, I'd go to the yard and run around like a lunatic on early release from the mental ward, singing the fight song and throwing the ball in the air just to see how far it'd go.

I'm sure my dad was proud to see my interest in the Buckeyes growing.

The days of learning are gone and to this day he and I still watch the games together on Saturday afternoons as if I were still nine years old and he 38.

The memories of childhood are always the best to recall, but recently they flooded my mind after my dad underwent minor surgery.

I say minor surgery, as if any surgery is really minor. He had a simple procedure done to correct the acid reflux he's been suffering from for years.

After the surgery, I met him back in the recovery room.

I saw my dad laying on a gurney, tubes everywhere, his eyes barely opened.

Immediately, my heart dropped into my stomach.

The strongest man in my life looked entirely too weak.

After about an hour of sitting there with him, feeding him ice at his request, and watching ESPN, the nurse finally came in and gave him the OK to return home.

She gave him his street clothes and helped him up out of the bed. I just stood back and watched, my heart still taking residence in my abdomen, as my dad shuffled to the restroom to change.

When he came out, I helped him sit down and he struggled to put on his socks. I saw him fighting, wanting to do it himself until he realized that it was just too much.

Finally, he looked up at me, "Son, can you help me put on my shoes?"

I wanted to cry.

But as he was always strong for me, I would be strong for him.

I got down on my knees, and helped put his feet in the shoes. I made a joke about his feet not being able to fit and it broke the awkwardness of the moment.

I began to tie his laces and for some reason the thought came to my mind that this is what he use to do for me. Now, I'm returning the favor.

Life takes on different meaning in times like that.

I'm sure that a lot of you have had similar situations and have felt the same feelings that I felt that day.

It made me appreciate my dad and everything that he has given me in life. I am the person I am today largely because of him.

The time he spent with me, teaching me all the "guy stuff" and the time he spent teaching me about sport, allowing that passion to grow and accumulating into a new passion to write about it.

It inspired me to be that kind of father when eventually I have kids of my own.

To be the dad who will take the time to throw the ball even when I've been at work all day.

To spend the money on a new basketball goal even if it means making monetary sacrifices for a couple of weeks.

To be that dad who just enjoys spending time with his kids.

Thank you dad for being that for me.

Even though at times you may feel weak, in my eyes you are still the world's strongest man.

The NFL Draft: Making Fools of Football Fans Since 1936

Michael Cline — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:24:35 -0500

The offseason.

Isn't it glorious?

Without it, when would we find time to chop that pile of wood that's been sitting in the backyard since September, or catch up on those Hallmark Classic movies with your wife?

Life doesn't get any better.

OK, enough of the delusions. The offseason sucks. I'm going out of my mind and it's only the first week without any form of football (aside from the headlines that Brett Favre is making).

So I find myself anticipating the next event on the football schedule: Draft Day.

That beloved spring Saturday when suddenly your team doesn't suck anymore. When there is hope of victory in a young quarterback named Stafford or a stud running back named Wells.

This is the day you forget your team only won four games last year, or zero for that matter (sorry, Detroit fans).

This is the beginning of the football season.

But there is one small catch, one tiny problem with the draft, and with football in general from the fans' perspective.

You see the problem comes when your favorite NFL team decides to pick up a player from your favorite college team's rival.

Uh-oh.

"With the ninth pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select...Malcolm Jenkins, defensive back, Ohio State."

I'll say it again...Uh-oh.

Malcolm Jenkins? A Buckeye? In Badger country?

Suddenly you're faced with a dilemma.

The Packers do need a DB, and Jenkins (swallow) is one of, if not the best in the country.

BUT, this is the same guy who intercepted Wisconsin's Allan Evridge with 53 seconds left in the game to seal the home loss for the Badgers.

The player that had Evridge admitting "...just didn't see [him]."

And now this player, this rival, is a part of YOUR team.

What do you do? What can you do?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Except swallow your pride, make your sign, put the foam cheese on your head and your newly purchased No. 2 Jenkins jersey on your back.

Sure he wreaked havoc for four years of his college career against your Alma Mater, but lets let bygones be bygones. And hopefully he'll be as much a benefit to your NFL team as he was a thorn in the flesh for your college team.

So here's to the NFL Draft, our little sunshine in the winter gloom of the off-season.

Here's to past heartbreaks and futures victories.

And here's to all the fans who will once again learn to love the player they use to loathe.

Ohio State-Texas: The Complete Fiesta Bowl Guide

Michael Cline — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:45:49 -0500

No. 10 Ohio State (10-2) vs. No. 3 Texas (11-1)

Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, 8:00 PM ET

University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ

Spread: Texas -8

How they got here...

The Ohio State Buckeyes started the year of with very high expectations. With 20 returning starters, the Buckeyes, who went to the previous two BCS National Championship Games, were expected by many to make a third consecutive appearance.

In the pre-season AP Poll, the Buckeyes were ranked second, behind the Georgia Bulldogs, receiving 21 first place votes to Georgia's 22.

But the Buckeyes ran into trouble early.

In the third week of the season, Ohio State traveled to Los Angeles to take on the USC Trojans in a game considered by most to be the game of the year. But the Trojans proved to be too much for the Buckeyes, and USC went on to win the game, 35-3.

From that point on, the word "overrated" was generally used when discussing the perennial Big Ten powerhouse, and much respect was lost.

The rest of the season was built upon gaining that respect back.

The Buckeyes went on to win five straight before losing their second game of the season to Big Ten opponent Penn State 13-6 in a thrilling conference matchup.

Ohio State was given the "at large" bid to the Fiesta Bowl over Boise State, and are playing in this bowl for the fourth time in seven years.

It's hard to believe, but Texas was ranked as the third best team in the Big 12 at the start of the 2008 season.

Oklahoma and Missouri were both ranked ahead of the Longhorns early on, and it wasn't until Oct. 11, when Texas beat Oklahoma and Missouri lost to Oklahoma State, that the Longhorns moved past the two conference foes and also grabbed the No. 1 position in the AP Poll.

But Texas would run into some trouble of their own.

After winning six games to start the season, the Longhorns fell to in-state rival Texas Tech, 39-33.

This game would prove to be very significant in the Big 12 standings. Texas Tech would go on to lose to Oklahoma, thus creating a three way tie in the Big 12 South.

There was much debate about which of the three teams would represent the South division in the Big 12 championship game. But ultimately it would go to Oklahoma because they were ranked higher in the BCS standings.

Texas would argue their case for not only the Big 12 championship game, but also the BCS National Championship game, because they are the only team to have defeated the Sooners.

With Oklahoma going to Miami, the Longhorns were invited to the Fiesta Bowl to face the Ohio State team that beat them 27-7 in 2006.

Statistically speaking...

Ohio State's storied defense was once again a major factor in the Buckeyes' success.

Led by senior linebacker James Laurinaitis, the Buckeyes only gave up 16 touchdowns to their opponents and only 279 yards-per-game. Ohio State ranked seventh nationally, allowing only 13.1 points-per-contest.

The Buckeye offense, on the other hand, went through two major changes during the 2008 season.

First, Heisman hopeful and star running back Chris Wells was injured in the first game and wouldn't return until week five. Despite missing three games, Wells was able to rack up 1,091 yards on 191 carries.

The second change came as coach Jim Tressel decided to start freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor instead of senior Todd Boeckman after the USC loss.

Pryor won the hearts of many Buckeye fans as he led the team to a final 10-2 record. He had an impressive 152.1 QB rating and passed for 1,245 yards. He also added 553 yards rushing.

Texas was famous this year for their high powered offense, led by junior quarterback Colt McCoy. McCoy was a Heisman trophy finalist, and threw for 3,445 yards. He also led the nation in passing percentage, completing his passes 77.6 percent of the time.

McCoy was also a running threat, tacking on 576 rushing yards for the season.

The Longhorns boast the best defense in the Big 12 conference. Allowing only 18.6 points-per-game and 339.9 yards-per-contest, Texas' defense also came up with six interceptions.

Ohio State wins if...

...they keep pressure on Colt McCoy. The Buckeye defense will need to play the game of their lives. If they can keep McCoy uncomfortable in the pocket, he is more likely to make mistakes.

Ohio State will also have to use up the clock on offense to keep the Texas defense on the field. Chris Wells is one of, if not the best, back in the country and will need to have a big game running the ball and keeping the Longhorns winded.

Texas wins if...

...their defense stops Ohio State's running game. Chris Wells averaged over 121 yards-per-game, and that was with an injured toe. Wells is said to be at 100 percent for this game, and that could be trouble for the Longhorns. Wells is known for being big in big games.

Colt McCoy will also need to handle the intimidating Buckeye defense and play his style of football. Texas is averaging more than 44 points-per-game, thanks to McCoy's arm, and Ohio State has only scored 44 points twice this season. Even if the Buckeyes have a good game offensively, the Longhorns are very capable of just simply outscoring them.

B/R Expert Picks:

Trey Bradley Texas

Lisa Horne Texas

Mitch Texas

Brian Scott Texas

David Wunderlich Ohio State

Justin Goar Texas

GeorgiaDawg Texas

Michael Cline Ohio State

Kansas-Minnesota: The Complete Insight Bowl Guide

Michael Cline — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:41:14 -0500

This postseason, B/R college football writers are teaming up to preview every bowl game. Be sure to check them all out!

Kansas (7-5) vs. Minnesota (7-5)

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, 6:00 PM ET

Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ

Spread: Kansas -9

How they got here...

Although both teams finished the 2008 season with winning records—neither team will be satisfied leaving Tempe without a win.

Kansas finished the season on a high note, beating the Missouri Tigers in championship fashion, although there was no championship at stake. The Jayhawks played inspired football and were assured a victory with a last-play blocked field goal. And even though the Jayhawks lost five games, three of those were to Top 10 teams.

Minnesota started their season off running, winning eight of their first nine campaigns. The lone loss came to the Big Ten co-champion Ohio State Buckeyes. But the Golden Gophers would run out of room it seems, losing their final four games including a 55-0 romp at the hands of Iowa.

Statistically speaking...

Kansas, like other Big 12 teams, put up huge numbers on offense. They average just over 33 points-per-game, and are ranked seventh in total passing yards, lead by quarterback Todd Reesing.

Reesing, being overshadowed by three other Big 12 quarterbacks (I'm sure you know their names), completed 65.7 percent of his passing attempts, accumulating 3,575 yards. He also threw for 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Minnesota trusted in their defense, mostly, in the first half of the season, but as mentioned earlier, this all fell apart. In the first six games, the Gophers defense only allowed 18.5 points-per-game, the last six they gave up over 28 points-per-game.

Offensively, Minnesota will look to their star wide receiver Eric Decker, who had 76 catches for 925 yards and six touchdowns. Throwing the ball to Decker is sophomore quarterback Adam Weber, who has a 128.55 rating with 2,585 yards in his second year as Minnesota's starter.

Kansas wins if...

...Todd Reesing takes advantage of playing on a day when the other Big 12 quarterbacks are watching. Reesing is as good of a quarterback as any in the country, and his aerial attack will prove to be the final nail in Minnesota's season.

Minnesota wins if...

...they forget about their last four games and just play ball. Minnesota won one single solitary game last year, and they've improved to seven this season. They've already made a huge difference in this program, and they can make more by just going out there and getting dirty on the Sun Devil field.

B/R Expert Picks:

Trey Bradley Kansas

Lisa Horne Kansas

Mitch Kansas

Brian Scott Kansas

David Wunderlich Kansas

Justin Goar Kansas

GeorgiaDawg Kansas

Michael Cline Kansas

Boston College-Vanderbilt: The Complete Music City Bowl Guide

Michael Cline — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:37:09 -0500

This postseason, B/R college football writers are teaming up to preview every bowl game. Be sure to check them all out!

No. 24 Boston College (9-4) vs. Vanderbilt (6-6)

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, 3:30 PM ET

LP Field, Nashville, TN

Spread: Boston College -4

How they got here...

Boston College is making its 10th-straight bowl appearance, and they're also leading the nation with an eight-game bowl-winning streak. The Eagles were the ACC Atlantic Division champs, but failed to beat Virginia Tech in the conference championship game finishing the season 9-4 and ready to extend their winning streak to nine.

Vanderbilt was the nation's Cinderella story early in the season with a 5-0 start that was sending shockwaves through college football circles, especially those in the SEC. But after their fantastic start, the Commodores lost seven of their last eight games finishing fourth in the SEC East.

Statistically speaking...

The story for both of these teams are the defenses.

Boston College led the nation with 26 interceptions. They also accumulated a whopping 36 interceptions and three shutouts.

The Commodores also had big numbers in the interceptions category with 18, second in the SEC.

Offensively speaking neither team had a 1,000-yard rusher and neither team had a quarterback with a completion percentage better than 55 percent.

Boston College is averaging 25.5 points per game compared to Vandy's 19.4. Expect a low-scoring game that will boast of turnovers and big plays on the defensive side of the ball.

Boston College wins if...

...Mark Herzlich and the Eagle defense control the game. With starting quarterback Chris Crane out of the picture with a fractured collarbone, redshirt freshman Dominique Davis will have to stay poised and lead the BC offense down the field.

In only his third start, and first bowl game, he can't be expected to be particularly effective. In the conference championship game against the Hokies, Davis threw two costly interceptions.

Vanderbilt wins if...

...They end the season like they started. The Commodores aren't bringing much to the table except for an exceptional all-SEC cornerback D.J. Moore.

Moore is a multi-threat player who also returns punts and kicks and has even caught two touchdown passes. They need to get the ball in this playmaker's hands, and put it all on the table, and try to get their first bowl win since 1955.

B/R Expert Picks:

Trey Bradley Boston College

Lisa Horne Boston College

Mitch Boston College

Brian Scott Boston College

David Wunderich Boston College

Justin Goar Vanderbilt

GeorgiaDawg Boston College

Michael Cline Boston College

Missouri-Northwestern: The Complete Valero Alamo Bowl Guide

Michael Cline — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 12:07:31 -0500

This postseason, B/R college football writers are teaming up to preview every bowl game. Be sure to check them all out!

No. 21 Missouri (9-4) vs. No. 23 Northwestern (9-3)

Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, 8:00 PM ET

Alamodome, San Antonio, TX

Spread: Missouri -12

How they got here...

The Missouri Tigers started the season off with a Sports Illustrated cover and a pre-season No. 6 ranking.

With proficient play early by quarterback and Heisman hopeful Chase Daniel, the Tigers were ranked as high as No. 3 in the AP Poll before losing to fellow Big 12 member Oklahoma State.

With another loss a week later to the Texas Longhorns, Missouri was in desperate need of a win if they were to make it to the Big 12 Championship Game.

They did just that, winning their next four outings. But in the season finale, they lost yet another heartbreaking game to Kansas.

Missouri won the Big 12 North title and faced off against Big 12 South champion Oklahoma. The Sooners' offense proved to be too much for the Tigers, and Missouri lost their fourth game of the season and would settle for a trip to the Alamodome in the post-season.

The Northwestern Wildcats were one of the biggest surprises in all of college football. After finishing a dismal 6-6 a season ago, the 'Cats fought their way to a very impressive 9-3 record.

Northwestern began their season a perfect 5-0 before falling to a ranked Michigan State team. The Wildcats' other two losses came from Indiana and Ohio State.

Most impressive in the win department was the one they pulled off in Minnesota. The Wildcats came out of the No. 17-ranked Golden Gophers home with a 24-17 victory.

In another road win, Northwestern handed Michigan their eighth loss of the season, beating them for the first time since 2000.

Statistically speaking...

Missouri's story is their offense. The Tigers are ranked 6th in Total Yards (offensive), 4th in Passing Yards, and 6th in Points Scored.

Chase Daniel has 4,135 yards passing, completing nearly 75 percent of his attempts. On the ground, Derrick Washington is eight yards short of 1,000 and is averaging 6.1 yards per carry.

Thankfully, Northwestern's offense will have star running back Tyrell Sutton back from injury. In eight games, Sutton racked up 776 yards and averaged 5 yards per carry.

On the defensive side, the Wildcats only gave up 19 points per game.

Missouri wins if...

...Chase Daniel doesn't turn over the ball. Daniels attempted fewer passes this year, yet he managed to throw four more interceptions. The Tiger losses this year were due mainly to costly turnovers. Northwestern is hungry and will take every inch given to them.

Northwestern wins if...

...they capitalize off of Missouri's mistakes. Northwestern is completely outmatched on paper, but paper doesn't factor in heart. Northwestern hasn't won a bowl game since the 1949 Rose Bowl. This group of men play hard and are hungry to be the team that makes history at their beloved University.

B/R Expert Picks:

Trey Bradley Missouri

Lisa Horne Missouri

Mitch Northwestern

Brian Scott Missouri

David Wunderlich Missouri

Justin Goar Missouri

GeorgiaDawg Missouri

Michael Cline Northwestern

The 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes: Images of the Year

Michael Cline — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 08:38:10 -0500

With the exception of the upcoming Fiesta Bowl game against the Texas Longhorns, the season is all but over, and for Ohio State fans the world over, the season was a mix of emotions. From high expectations to miserable disappointments. From a pre-season Heisman frontrunner, to wondering who was going to be THE runner. And from a senior starting quarterback to a true freshman starting quarterback. The 2008 season had it all, and I had all the Pepcid AC. But as the season comes to a close, I hold to what was taught and what I learned. And to you I offer the Buckeye season in the images we will remember for years to come.

Begin Slideshow

Will a Big Ten Team Win a Bowl Game This Post-season?

Michael Cline — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 12:37:18 -0500

The Big Ten conference sent seven of its 11 teams bowling this holiday season, but maybe they should have sent them fishing instead.

It's Saturday night, Dec. 27, and the Florida State Seminoles have just overwhelmed their opponent, and Big Ten representatives, the Wisconsin Badgers.

Overwhelmed is a good word, but there are others that would certainly do justice as well, because ladies and gentlemen, it got ugly.

Florida State proved to be too much for a struggling Badgers team. Their defense was too fast, and while their offense didn't play to expectations, they did what needed to be done, and the Wisconsin defense was no match.

One Big Ten team up, one Big Ten team down.

The question is how far will this go? Will any Big Ten team walk away with a win this Bowl season?

I for one would hope so, but looking at the schedule for the next week, there is a possibility that the Big Ten teams go 0-7 in postseason play.

The next team to step up to the plate for this Midwestern conference is Northwestern. The Wildcats will face the Tigers from Missouri in San Antonio for the Valero Alamo Bowl.

Just hearing this matchup makes you wince if you're a Big Ten fan.

Northwestern is perennially at the bottom of the standings in the Big Ten, but finishing their season at 9-3 has the Wildcats in postseason play for the first time since 2005. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they haven't won a bowl game since 1949.

Missouri finished first in the Big 12 North division and is powered by Chase Daniels and an explosive offense. The Tigers however proved to be inferior in big games and didn't beat a ranked opponent all year.

Two days after Northwestern takes the field, Minnesota takes on Kansas in Tempe, AZ for the Insight Bowl.

Minnesota started the season off strong, going 7-1 in the first 8 games, their only loss at the hand of co-Big Ten Champions Ohio State. And when the first BCS standings were released, Minnesota sat at the 24th position.

The very next week they lost to Northwestern and then proceeded to lose every game after that. The finished their regular season losing to Iowa 55-0.

Kansas is a struggling Big 12 team, but have momentum heading into this game after beating Big 12 North champ Missouri in the season finale. Aside from that victory, their season looks unimpressive, and the Golden Gophers certainly feel that they have a chance for a "W".

The first game of 2009 has South Carolina pitted against Iowa in the Outback Bowl.

Iowa started the 2008 campaign slower than anticipated, but have recovered some of their swagger after beating No. 3 Penn State in November. In fact, the Hawkeyes have won their last three games including the blow out game against the Golden Gophers, in which their offense put up Oklahoma-like numbers.

South Carolina has been mediocre at best, losing three of their final five games. The Gamecocks are making their third appearance in the Outback Bowl and have won both of their previous appearances. History might be the only thing on their side.

Before the South Carolina/Iowa game is concluded, Michigan State will begin their battle with the Georgia Bulldogs.

Michigan State sports an impressive 9-3 record, but their losses tell the story of their season. They lost their opening game to California, and added losses to Ohio State and Penn State. Both of their Big Ten losses were complete embarrassments for the Spartan team.

The Spartans lean heavily upon star running back Javon Ringer, but will this be enough to stop the Georgia team?

Georgia saw a promising season slip right out of their hands. The preseason No. 1, the Bulldogs lost the games they needed to win and ended their season at 9-3.

Offensive stars Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno will try to salvage their season with a win against their Big Ten foe.

And then the Granddaddy of them all: The Rose Bowl. Thursday night Penn State will strap their cleats on and take on the Trojans of Southern California.

This is a highly anticipated game and country will be watching for sure. The first of the BCS games, the Nittany Lions hope to prove a nation wrong by beating a USC team that many believe should be playing in Miami instead of Pasadena.

Penn State had a most impressive season, going way beyond expectations and finishing tied for first in the Big Ten. Their only loss came to Iowa, a surprise to not only Penn State but most any other NCAAF fan as well.

USC had their national title hopes crushed as well by Oregon State in their third game of the season. But upon being embarrassed by the Beavers, the Trojans have outplayed their opponents the rest of the way, leaving no doubt that they were the Champions once again of the Pac-10 conference.

Finally, on Jan. 5, the last Big Ten team takes the field. Ohio State will once again travel to Glendale, Ariz., to take on the Texas Longhorns.

Ohio State has been under much scrutiny after losing its two previous bowl games, which just happened to be national title games as well. And after losing to USC in early September, the water didn't get any cooler.

Ohio State finished their season at 10-2, co-champions of the Big Ten and are looking to show everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, that they are still one of the best football programs in the country.

But the Texas Longhorns have some proving of their own to do. The Longhorns, feeling snubbed by the BCS are out to show the computers and the pollsters that it should have been them, not Oklahoma, playing Florida for the National Championship.

Those are the remaining match-ups for the Big Ten teams. Will they in fact go 0-7, as the ESPN polls would suggest, or will they surprise everyone and win some of these key games?

Much is on the line, and if the Big Ten teams can't produce victories against these other major conferences, they might as well grab their tackle boxes and head to Florida for reasons other than post-season football.

No, Bleacher Report, Thank YOU! How B/R Treated My College Football Withdrawal

Michael Cline — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 07:50:59 -0500

The period of time between the last regular season college football game and the first bowl game is always strange for me.

Strange because for months I've been pouring myself into all things college football. I've read the stats, watched the games, and read (and written a few) articles on Bleacher Report.

Yes, this has been one of the best seasons ever: big games almost every week, the Big 12 domination, the one-loss controversies, and Michigan's debacle (God, I love it).

But once again, as the season ended I found myself lost. Suddenly, as time expired for the last time, I was left to my own devices. Left to fill my life and time with something other than football.

You probably know the feeling. Waking up on Saturday morning, the sun shining through the window onto your face, the warmth of the covers pulled up around your neck, and then the sudden tightness in your stomach as you again remember and realize that there is no football on today.

No ESPN GameDay. No tailgating. No meeting your buds at your favorite sports bar.

And then the question of all questions:

"What in the world am I supposed to do now?"

Now the funny thing about this question is that there really isn't a good answer. Because nothing you do will be able to adequately fill the college football void. So we're left to occupying ourselves with menial tasks and tortures until somehow we manage to make it to Bowl Week.

Luckily, however, Bleacher Report anticipated that their college football creatures would be in for a tough few weeks waiting for this wave of post-season play.

Being loyal to their fellow sports readers and writers, they made a move.

A move that nobody foresaw.

A masterfully devised plan that would not only take everyone by surprise but provide hundreds with the one thing that can fill any void.

"What is it?" you ask.

Love.

Yes, that four-letter word that we all like to feel, but never like to say.

The most powerful word in all the universe. A word that people are built on and empires are destroyed by.

In my most troubled time, when I felt like all was lost, Bleacher Report gave me love.

Let me explain.

The first Saturday after the season had officially ended, I was aimlessly surfing the web, going to sites I haven't visited in months and even stumbling upon some that I've never been to before.

But out of habit, I clicked on Bleacher Report on my bookmarks toolbar and was taken to my most familiar site.

"Oh how I love this open source sports network," I said to myself.

But something was different—something had changed.

As I was reading an article, I noticed an advertisement.

Now when you think of ads, you think of commercials for huge super duty trucks to take all your friends mud-bogging in. Or a banner telling you how great the new Snuggie is for keeping you warm on cool winter nights.

But this was none the such. This was like nothing I've seen on Bleacher Report before.

For the ad was for a woman. A beautiful blond Russian woman.

I was a bit taken back by the spectacle. Why would this ad be on this network? This doesn't belong here! This is a sports website!

But as the beautiful blond stared at me through the other side of the computer screen, I got curious.

"Well, maybe this is a good thing," I told myself. "Maybe these women need a good, college football-loving, American man in their lives, and this is the perfect place for them to find one."

I moved my mouse pointer over the ad. Debating whether or not I should just click. Just click to see how far the rabbit hole goes, how far it would take me.

So I did it. I clicked.

I know. I'm pathetic, but surely I'm not the only one.

And even though going to a website to browse through potential wives from a foreign nation may sound a bit absurd, I'm actually glad I did.

For I found what Bleacher Report was trying to show me.

I found Klavdia.

5'8", 140 lb. Klavdia. Beautiful blond hair and sparkling blue eyes. She's all I ever wanted in a Russian wife.

And she arrives on Jan. 23.

So thank you, Bleacher Report.

Thank you for providing me a place to express myself in writing. A place to show the world my love for sport. A community of people just like me, who are enthralled in the competitiveness of this world we live in.

And thank you for Klavdia.

Or as she would say, "Spasibo."