Donkey Sports Update...

NFL
With Green Bay's debacle at home to the Giants my energy and excitement level has dropped significantly. I was hoping that the Pack could take down the Pats in the Super Bowl, but alas I must rest my hopes on the shoulders of Eli Manning and the Giants. I don't know why it is that I am so vehemently opposed to the Patriots, but I get frustrated watching them win... a lot. The real question for the Super Bowl in my mind is who would win a fight between Belichick or Coughlin. I would take Coughlin --- I think he is just a bit meaner. The game will probably come down to the Giants establishing some type of running game to keep the Pats off the field as much as possible. They will also need to make a big play on defense and probably special teams as well. Eli can't make mistakes (which he hasn't been lately) and the O-Line has to give him time. All this probably needs to happen for the Giants to win the game, but hey it could. I'll try to make an honest prediction here, instead of playing the optimist. Pats 31, Giants 21. And I will be sad.

Major League Baseball
Pitchers and catchers are due to report to Spring Training on February 19th. With fewer than three weeks until the fever kicks in, I'll admit that I haven't been following the offseason activity as well as I normally do. I have taken note of the Roger Clemens PR fiasco that no matter what is true, has really tarnished the Rocket (and make Mike Wallace look old). Of note this past week was the Santana deal to the Mets. This could really put a damper on the Phillies fans, who are doing their best to remind Mets fans of the Metrostars collapse at the end of the season without mentioning their own meltdown in the Playoffs.


College Hoops
UNC vs. Duke should be good this year, but of course name a time when it is not. The ACC beat up the Big Ten again, but of course name a year when they don't.
The Big Ten itself has IU, Wisconsin and Michigan State floating on top of a large swath of possible, but young teams. I think we will see six teams make it, but who the other three are is up in the air. Tonight is the matchup of the Hoosiers and Badgers here in Madison, to which I have wonderful tickets. I'm really torn on this one, because I have as of yet been unable to abandon my roots of IU basketball fandom in favor of the Bucky tradition to which I have transmogrified my other College leanings. I hope it will be a good game and I look forward to seeing Eric Gordon in live action. I'm going to root for nobody, and hope it is a great game. Bo Ryan is a great coach and should have the Badgers ready to rebound from a tough loss at Purdue, while Sampson's crew must go on the road after a not pretty loss to UCONN on Saturday. I'll take Wisconsin tonight, but IU to win the Big Ten. IU will also go deeper than any other Big Ten team in the NCAA tourney... maybe even knocking on the door of the Final Four.

College Football
So Ohio State made the Big Ten look silly again. No suprise there. Hawaii getting bulldozed by the Bulldogs also hurt my very slight enjoyment of the BCS Bowls. At least last year when we didn't get a playoff I got to watch the Boise State Awesomist Show on Earth. A playoff is coming, I'll give it three years. The structure is up in the air, but I just can't imagine that the public won't eventually win out on this issue. Of course, the NCAA has proven me wrong before with their complete disregard for the interest of the fan (and often the players it seems). Oh well, Wisconsin will come out next fall with a new starting QB and three proven studs in the backfield. I'm looking forward for the chance to go to the Michigan game (hold on that may be in Ann Arbor next year)... Oh well. Go Bucky! Maybe the Hoosiers can make a second consectutive Bowl appearance? Now that would be news.

NBA
OK, I don't really care about the NBA, but the Celts were looking so sick until recently. Now they look beatable... and I'm hoping King James takes them to the mat in the playoffs. I really believe the only way I'll watch the Finals is if Lebron gets to showcase his talents again. His unselfishness and hustle are amazing to watch in a player who could definately (and excusably) get by without it.

NHL
I haven't been paying much attention, though I know the Red Wings are doing well. I also got to watch the Penguins in the outdoor game at Buffalo. All I can say is, wow, "The Next One" may be a deserving title for the Kid. Very fun and energetic. I just wish I had cable to watch more NHL games, much more exciting than the average sports coverage (e.g. PGA) on network coverage.

ICE BOWL II

I'm going to be in a warm little tavern to watch today's Pack v. Giants game. It should be interesting to see if the Cheeseheads will do us Badgers proud by taking off their shirts in sub-zero weather. This really shouldn't be taken as an indicator of our collective intelligence however, since if you give anyone enough Miller Lite they will do some stupid crap.

Packers 24-14. with only one or two cases of hypothermia reported.

Badgers fall to the Vols...

I watched the entire Outback Bowl, featuring the hometown Badgers pitted against the Vols of Tennessee. This may very well be the first time I have ever watched a bowl game front to back play by play (Even those I was interested in I had some breaks for beer or cigs). The vols pulled it out 21-17, but the Badgers did at least offer a fight after trailing 21-7 in the mid second quarter. A slightly over or under (it's all relative) thrown ball by Donovan in the waning moments was the difference, as he was picked at the goal line. The Badgers overcame a couple of miscues, and were unable to capitalize fully on the opportunities given by the Volunteers.* According to the box score the Vols were 8 of 18 on 3rd down conversions, but I know the folks watching were I was felt that it was much closer to 80% success rate... maybe they just got the big ones? The Badgers never got a solid footing in the passing game, due to the inability to protect the QB... Tyler took shots all day. The good news on offense was that all three backs looked to be ready for next year... especially PJ Hill. Defensively, it was nice to see a second half shutout, but significant work needs to be done in spring practice to cut down on the big yardage allowed after the catch. A 9-4 campaign isn't great, but given my preseason prediction of 8-5 - I'm pleasantly suprised.

In other bowl news, my alma mater Hoosiers fell to the Cowboys (led by "I'm the Man Gundy")49-33. The game wasn't as close as the score indicates, as the Hoosiers came out flat on both sides of the football.

* One of these opportunites was a fumble in the second quarter when the Vols tried a trick play that involved a nearly all standing offensive line and a razzle dazzle dippy doo between the legs hand off.... If anyone can explain what was going on on this play, I would appreciate it.