Finally, it's Gameweek!!!!!!

First topic of the night though is now Tropical Storm Katrina. Katrina made landfall at 7:10am as a Category 4 (145 mph winds) after weakening during the night. It crossed over Southeast Louisiana, passing to the east of New Orleans, then moved inland again over Mississippi just west of the Gulfport-Biloxi area. Although New Orleans didn't get a direct hit, the winds caused windows to blow out, structures to collapse, and debris to be ripped off various structures, including the Superdome. Part of the teflon roof cover of the Dome was ripped off by the wind, which exposed the panels that make up the physical structure of the roof. 2 panels were blown off, causing it to rain inside the Superdome. Imagine how those people felt for the 2 hours or so that the western eye wall (one of the strongest parts) of the hurricane was directly over them. When they showed it on tv, it sounded like Katrina was trying to blow the roof off. Some of New Orleans is flooded, but in a way they were lucky.

This wasn't the case for Gulfport-Biloxi and even Mobile, Alabama, which is 60 miles east of where the eye came ashore (that's just how big and damaging Katrina was). Waves as high as 30 feet, coupled with the winds, created massive flooding of the Mississippi and Alabama coast. The devastation there is/wlll be tragic.

Now, Katrina is moving toward us, dumping rain and also creating tornadoes. Tomorrow and Wednesday will be rainy days here, with a little wind, so get ready. But it'll be nothing compared to what the Deep South had to go through today.

This is actually a big week for both of my alma maters in football. My Northmont T-Bolts make the trip down I-75 to Cincinnati to play LaSalle. LaSalle is 1-0 after beating Cin. Sycamore 35-7 in their opener led by Bowling Green-bound quarterback Tyler Sheehan's 4 TD passes. Inexplicably, Sheehan was still in the game in the 4th quarter when the game was out of hand. LaSalle paid for this mental error when Sheehan suffered a broken collarbone. LaSalle still has a potent offense, but Northmont definitely gets a break by not having to face him. Still, Northmont is playing a Cincinnati team in Cincinnati, one of the private schools nevertheless. The last Division 1 team from Dayton to win in Cincinnati was, I believe, Wayne over Fairfield during their run to the state finals. And that really doesn't count because Fairfield, although a good program in themselves, is still a level below the Elders, Colerains, Moellers, St. Xaviers, and LaSalles of the world. This will be a big test for the T-Bolts.

Then there's Saturday. Tonight we'll talk a little offense. The quarterbacks for each team have something to prove. Despite throwing for 3,500 yards and 23 TDs last year, Josh Betts has something to prove. 9 of his 14 interceptions came in Miami losses and at key moments during the games. Can he play big in the big games??? Then there's Justin Zwick for OSU, who will start in place of the suspended Troy Smith. Zwick was supposed to be OSU's offensive savior after breaking numerous Ohio high school passing records at Massilon Washington. Instead, Zwick struggled last year, being replaced by Smith at the end of the year. Can Zwick take advantage of the opportunity given to him, or will he continue to be inconsistent. It doesn't help that he's coming off of a sprained ankle suffered a couple of weeks ago.

Both quarterbacks have multiple weapons they can get the ball to. Betts will have Martin Nance on one side of the field, 6'5", 4.4 speed, and Miami's leading receiver 2 years ago. He was lost for the year to a torn ACL at Marshall, but he's back and reportedly at 100%. On the other side will be 5'8" Ryne Robinson. He may be small, but he makes big plays, whether at receiver or punt returner, he makes you pay attention when he has the ball. He was Miami's leading receiver last year. Also returning are R.J. Corbin, Josh Williams, and Ryan Busing, who all have seen significant playing time.

For the Bucks, the conversation starts with Ted Ginn Jr. Teddy was the reason why Ohio St. has earned preseason Top 10 recognition. He single-handedly jumpstarted Ohio St.'s offense last year with his receiving and punt returning. When he has the ball, hold your breath. Then there's Santonio Holmes, your more traditional big-play receiver. He has speed, great quickness, and great hands, everything you want. Ginn and Holmes will also return kickoffs, making them the most dangerous kickoff return duo in the country. Also back at receiver for OSU are Anthony Gonzalez, who can be forgotten as the 3rd receiver with Ginn and Holmes drawing so much attention, and Roy Hall, who has waited his turn to get on the field.

The biggest question mark for both teams is at running back. Miami lost their two leading rushers to graduation, so the starter becomes Brandon Murphy, former Ohio Division 1 Player of the Year. Murphy has the ability to break off long runs, but can he carry the load, especially when he only stands at 5'8"? Backing him up will be Jimmy Calhoun, former Division 1 track champ (4x100m relay) from Middletown. During his redshirt year, Calhoun added some bulk to go along with his 4.3 speed, but he's yet to carry the ball in a college game.

For OSU, Antonio Pittman will get the start. There's no question Pittman has the physical ability (5.2 yards per carry last year), but can he stay mentally focused and stay out of trouble. Also getting some carries will be Erik Haw, a talented freshman who has size and quickness.

Up front, Miami returns all 5 starters, led by center Todd Londot. Londot, Nate Bunce, and Mark Kracium will be 3rd-year starters, while fellow linemates Charlie Norden and Steve Meister being their 2nd years up front. In this game though, can they establish a running game to take the pressure off Josh Betts and the passing game. Up front is where MAC teams usually lose these type of games. The depth of the opposing defense historically wears down MAC teams, which makes the difference in the end.

Ohio St.'s line is also led by their center Nick Mangold. The Bucks' line, although experienced, has not been the dominant offensive line of the 90s the Bucks always possessed. Although more physical, can they deal with the speed and quickness of Miami's defense and establish a running game themselves?

Tomorrow will be defense.

The US Open began today with only a couple of upsets. Defending women's champ Svetlana Kuznetsova and 2004 French Open men's champ Gaston Gaudio both lost. Among those winning were: Serena and Venus, Maria Sharapova, and Andre Agassi.

Random thought: MTV has their Video Music Awards. I didn't know they still showed/cared about music videos. Maybe they should have the Reality Show Awards. I think that's a better reflection of their programming.

Oh, Maurice Clarett was released by the Denver Broncos. How bad is it when you get cut after not playing at all during the preseason?!?!?! Even Mr. Irrelevant (the last player chosen in the NFL draft) got to play in one preseason game. Clarett was a 3rd round draft choice and may never get his chance in the NFL now. Clarett may be the biggest waste of talent in sports. Because of him, Ohio St. won the 2002 National championship. Yeah, they had a great defense, but he was the X-factor on offense that allowed them to score points. Without him that year, they would've lost to Washington St. and Michigan. But Maurice thought of himself as bigger than the game of football, which has now caused him to become unemployed. Hey Maurice, three words: Arena Football 2.

I think that's all I've got tonight. My sinuses are acting up again with Katrina approaching. 90% humidity = pounding headache.