The Morning Tailgate: Feb. 5

Let’s face it. Most college basketball fans dislike Duke. If you didn’t go there, live in the area or you’re not in the media, the constant love affair with them by said media has probably turned you against Coach Mike Krzyzewski's squad at some point.

It doesn’t help that the majority of years, they’re amongst the top teams in the nation, this year being no different with them going into yesterday’s ACC game ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press poll.

Fans are forced to watch as Coach K runs a group of average-looking white guys onto the floor with predictably positive results and listen as Dick Vitale and the gang at ESPN slobber over them at every turn.

And all of that is why the Clemson Tigers are the recipient of today’s "Bratwurst," not just from Joe Sports Fan, but from a nation of grateful basketball fans.

Last night, No. 10 Clemson administered a severe pounding to the Blue Devils, 74-47, handing them their worst loss since the Runnin’ Rebels of UNLV crushed them in the 1990 NCAA title game.

We here at JSF headquarters didn’t watch a minute of the game, but the score was enough for us to offer up high praise to head coach Oliver Purnell and his Tigers.

Tonight you weren't just representing Clemson, you were representing all of us who hate Duke.

Congrats.

February 5

Hammerin’ Hank Aaron is born, and as a 75th birthday present, he gets to watch Barry Bonds continue to go down in flames.

Roger Staubach is born, and as his 67th birthday present, he gets to watch the franchise he helped build—the Dallas Cowboys—continue to whore itself out for reality television shows.

WWF makes its first prime time appearance with “The Main Event." In the broadcast, Randy "Macho Man" Savage takes the Intercontinental Championship from Honky Tonk Man by DQ, the Strike Force defeats the Hart Foundation to retain their belt, and Andre the Giant uses some help from the sinister Ted DiBiase to defeat Hulk Hogan.

Frankly, we’re still reeling from the fact that Strike Force were tag team champions.

You Should (watch three hours of television on NBC), Because (Tiki Barber) Said So…

Tiki Barber randomly appeared in America's living rooms unannounced, again, on Wednesday night instructing viewers to stay tuned to NBC over the next three hours because he was going to appear on one of the listed shows. He wasn’t going to tell you. You see, that was the game. Stay tuned, and you get more Tiki.

What a bunch of a-holes.

As an early celebration of the upcoming arrival of spring training, Josh Bacott offers up another edition of the Worthless Card Awards.