A FULL BAG OF SPORTS

well, the irish haters get their wish with a title clash against ALABAMA, the pride of the SEC. the irish are definitely over-rated but they have found a way to win close games all year, including two overtime calls although both were aided by phantom referee calls. the oddsmakers say 8 or 9 but i think it'll be more. ALABAMA 24-7.

the CHICAGO BEARS deserve whatever happens to them regarding the playoffs. LOVIE SMITH makes a horrible coaching decision by eschewing a field goal and the defense has seattle buried 97 yards away at the end of the game but lets them escape to force overtime.  they beat the bad teams and can't beat the good ones.
the game sunday is an absolute MUST if they want to make the post season.

the CHICAGO BULLS play great basketball for 3 1/2 quarters but they don't have a closer and let the games slip away. get used to it until #1 comes back.

ready for some hot stove chatter? the just released HALL OF FAME ballot includes first time eligibles SAMMY SOSA, ROGER CLEMENS and BARRY BONDS along with 3rd year nominee MARK MCGUIRE.  discuss.

the NHL blows. simple as that. they've cheated the shrinking fan base twice in five years and for what? the players ALWAYS lose when negotiations and lockouts drag on because once they start missing paychecks, they start conceding to the owners.  look for the lockout to be ended sometime this month.

BRET BIELEMA is about to find out what real football is all about. he leaves wisconsin prior to the rose bowl to take a job at ARKANSAS, in the best football conference in the world. bielema, who struggled with in-game adjustments will get crushed if he brings 'big ten football' to the SEC. watching 'big ten football' is like watching paint dry.

and how's this for the ultimate ego trip? BARRY ALVAREZ is the athletic director at wisconsin and HASN'T COACHED IN 7 YEARS but when bilema leaves, alvarez promotes HIMSELF to head coach for the rose bowl! bet that made the top assistants feel real good but it did send a message to all the assistants that bielema hired. get your resumes updated.

finally, what do poinsettias, potatos, roses, pizza,  oranges, pinstripes, a compass, cotton and the alamo all have in common?   give up? scroll down



















they all have college football bowl games named after them!  adios for now.