FINALLY!

well, it took a while but NORTHERN ILLINOIS finally stumbled friday night which means we won't have to watch another snooze-fest like last year's orange bowl against FLORIDA STATE. niu has a cute program against mediocre competition but they don't belong in a major bowl. this is no different than the years we suffered with BOISE STATE.  how tenuous is the position of a mid-major team? well, after just one loss, the huskies dropped from the FIESTA BOWL in arizona against OKLAHOMA STATE on january 1st in prime time down to the POTATO BOWL on december 21st against UNLV played on the tundra in freaking boise, idaho, but it's EXACTLY where they belong. thank the football gods that we will NEVER have to see another mid-major in a big time bowl after this year when the BCS is dissolved and legitimate playoff teams are chosen by committee.

the BEARS check out of the playoff race last week with one of the dumbest coaching decisions in a long time but the fact of the matter is that they weren't going to the dance anyways. PLAYOFFS??? with a "defense" that allows almost 200 rushing yards per game??

i will have to say that JOSH McCOWN has been a pleasant surprise after cutler's injury a month ago.  you have to remember that he was coaching high school football last year after bouncing around the league for 10 years. if mccown doesn't desire a permanent starting qb job, he could have a very comfortable 4 or 5 years as cutler's backup and draw a very healthy paycheck.

DERRICK ROSE has now started down the same road as former nba stars PENNY HARDAWAY & DANNY MANNING. once you have that second surgery on the same knee, father time begins to run after you rather than walk. just a hair short with your jump shot, a 1/2 step behind on defense and sitting out every fifth or sixth game because your knee is swollen & achy. i hope not but we'll see.

where in the world did the blackhawks find backup goaltender ANTEE RANTAA? this guy is terrible! he constantly loses his stick when a crowd gathers around the net and flops like a fish during shootouts.  he's be perfect in rockford.

hey cub fans: feeling juiced now that RICK RENTERIA is on board as the new manager?? that's what i thought.

the WHITE SOX are keeping pace with the north siders. they 
re-sign PAUL KONERKO and now they have THREE guys to play first base. two of them can't hit and none of them can run and only one can field. swell,  just swell.

if we don't talk again, HAVE SAFE & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!