Happy Labor Day

The holiday weekend ended with the big clash between The U (Miami(FL)) and Free Shoes University (Florida St.). In a very ugly game, FSU prevailed 10-7, beating The U for the first time since 1999. In an ironic twist of events, it was The U struggling with their kicking game, having a punt blocked, missing 2 field goals, and suffering a bad snap on a 3rd which would have tied the game late. The U finally gets a taste of what FSU has had to go through in the last 15 years of this series.

So after the 1st weekend, here's my Top 10:
1. USC. They may not be as good on defense, but they have weapons all over the field on offense.

2. Ohio St. I seriously think the Bucks may have the defense to stop USC. Plus they have weapons of their own on offense. The key to their season is their offensive line and how well they play. They should beat Texas.

3. Texas. We'll see if they're for real this week in Columbus. Can Vince Young throw the ball under pressure. The Ohio St. defense is similar to and may be better than the Oklahoma defense he faced last year.

4. Michigan. They may be overrated here. We'll find out against Notre Dame Saturday. Chad Henne got off to a good start Saturday.

5. Virginia Tech. Marcus Vick showed some flashes, and VT has a solid running game. They gave up some yards passing, but they shut down the Wolfpack in the 2nd half.

6. LSU. They didn't play this past week, but they have the most returning talent of anyone in the SEC. It will be interesting how they come out Saturday night now that the game vs. Arizona St. will be played in Tempe and not in Baton Rouge.

7. Tennessee. Only beating UAB 17-10 isn't a good way to start. This team seems more undisciplined than normal.

8. Florida. For 1 week, the hybrid works in Gainesville. Wyoming is a solid team that will contend for the Mountain West, so a good win for the Gators.

9. Iowa. Yes, it was against Ball St., but 49 points in a half is pretty good against anyone.

10. Florida St. Good running game and good on defense. Special teams, despite a missed field goal, look to be solid. If they can get anything from the quarterback position, they'll contend for the ACC.

In US Open action, Lindsay Davenport, Andre Agassi, and James Blake all advanced to the quarterfinals. Agassi needed 5 sets and Blake needed 4, setting up a quarterfinal matchup between them Wednesday night that should be electric. It's going to be tough rooting against Blake because of what he's had to go through to make it back playing tennis. Last year 25-year-old Blake suffered a neck injury after slipping and hitting a net post during a practice session in Rome. That kept him from competing on court for at least two months.

In that summer he contracted Zoster, a condition that affected his vision and hearing and caused temporary paralysis on one side of his face. And if the loss of his senses weren't enough, Blake also lost his father who died in July. Blake started the year ranked in the 200s, but has gotten his ranking back up to 49 after his strong summer, which includes a win at the Pilot Pen just last week. Blake is the type of feel-good story sports needs.

In New Orleans, there's more good news to report. The pumps are working, which means the water level is starting to recede. Also, one of the levees has been repaired, so no more water is coming into the city. It will still be months before the city is servicable, but this is a start.

Also, other countries such as: Australia ($10 mil), France, Germany, China, , Cuba (yes Cuba), Taiwan, and Sri Lanka (still coming back from the tsunami yet still donated $25,000) among others have donated money and/or resources to assist the relief effort.

After falling to 4th on the Denver Bronco Wide Receiver Depth Chart, Jerry Rice called it quits after playing 20 years of professional football. Rice didn't go to a name college (Mississippi Valley St.) and wasn't the fastest or the strongest, but he worked the hardest. His offseason workout program is legendary. He is the greatest receiver of all time, holding the records that matter. Arguably, he may be the greatest football player of all time. Too bad he wasn't able to retire as a 49er, because that's what I'll remember him as.

Lance Armstong and Sheryl Crow are now engaged to be married.

Well, another week brings on another week of waiting. I would be lying to say I'm not anxious, but I think I'm handling this as well as can be expected. Now that the summer vacation period is over, I do think things will progress a little quicker now. As I've said, if I get an offer, great; if not, this wasn't meant to be the time for it to happen. I've been grateful to keep receiving positive news in the process, but I think one has to be ready to hear negative news as well because it could happen. So I'm not too high or too low, enjoying the break from everything, appreciating the little things.

Catch ya tomorrow.