Let Me Explain

Ahhh, I've snagged my first Buckeye fan with my Miami optimism. So let me explain why I like Miami's chances in 26 days:

No Intimidation Factor. Miami has played everyone, everywhere. This particular senior class has played at Iowa, Michigan, and LSU among other places. Many of the players are from Ohio, so they will come in with something to prove after being overlooked by the Buckeyes.

Tressel-ball. The comment was made that Miami will get "blown out". The last time a Jim Tressel-led football team blew anyone out was 3 years ago, and that was with the hired hand, Maurice Clarett. Just last year, OSU only beat Cincinnati 26-7 and Marshall 24-21 at home. This will most likely be a low scoring game. Just 2 years ago, Bowling Green only lost 24-17 in the Horseshoe. The longer you keep an underdog in the game, the more you give them reason to believe they can pull off the upset.

So, naturally the OSU fan will respond by saying the OSU offense is vastly improved from the beginning of last year. Yes, but can they be consistent, especially with Justin Zwick as the QB. The OSU offense didn't come to life until the end of the year against Michigan and Oklahoma St. In addition, who's going to be OSU's starting tailback?? And, the Bucks don't have Mike Nugent or BJ Sander to rely on kicking the ball, who's going to step up in those areas? Miami's defense is good enough to force turnovers with 9 returning starters, including all 3 linebackers, leading sackman, and top cornerback.

And don't give me the MAC vs. Big 10 argument anymore. 2 years ago, Miami finished ranked #10 in the country, with Bowling Green joining them in the Top 25. That Miami team was proclaimed by OSU alum and ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit as, "The best team in Ohio." Miami, Bowling Green, Toledo, Northern Illinois, and Marshall (no longer in the league) have consistently hung around the Top 25. All 5 teams went to bowl games last year.

And there will be more insight into this game as September 3rd approaches, but as you see, I think I have good reason to be optimistic.

Alright, what else:

Remember Jason Gore. He was the feel-good story of the US Open until his final round 84. I talked about him at length back in June. Well, Jason has put his US Open experience to good use. Today, with his win at the Nationwide Tour's Cox Classic, he won his 3rd Nationwide Tour event, which automatically gets him on the PGA Tour for the rest of the year. It's the equivalent of a promotion from the minor to the major leagues. Congrats Jason, you have a new fan in me. Maybe you can play more consistently than Mr. Mickelson......

In the finals of the US Women's Amateur, it was all Morgan Pressel. Pressel won 9-and-8, basically a blowout victory over Maru Martinez. I think she's ahead of Michelle Wie because she's learned how to win. She's just not there to get better and enjoy the experience, she wants it. I like her competitive spirit.

Wayne Gretzky will reportedly become the next head coach of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes. It will be interesting to see how good of a coach Gretzky will be. Here is just a sampling of great individual players who have failed as coaches/owners: Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas (although he's trying again with the Knicks), Michael Jordan, Bart Starr, and Clyde Drexler. It's not easy going from a great individual player who relied on athletic ability and raw talent, to coaching fundamentals and teamplay, things maybe you weren't shining examples of during your playing days.

I did 7 miles at the Englewood Reserve. My goal for Saturday's 5k is to beat my PR of 22:30. With all of the running I've done, I think I can do it. And that was 4 years ago.

Tomorrow night, a certain team begins its drive toward the Super Bowl. A team that is from a city whose name begins with a C ends with an O and has a HICAG in the middle. A team known as Daaaaaa Bears.

Did I mention Miami's Ryne Robinson has more punt return TDs than Teddy Ginn Jr??? Five.