A College Football Rant

Last night was a sad evening as both Mizzou and West Virginia lost virtually locking Ohio State into the National Championship Game again. Now the only question is will it be LSU, Georgia, or USC who will blow them out in the game. Ohio State has played nobody. Three of their out of conference games were against teams other teams FROM OHIO including the bottom two teams in the mighty MAC conference. They did leave the state for a tough test against 4-7 Washington, the last place team from the PAC-10. The Big Ten was weak this year, and Ohio State couldn't finish out a perfect conference season in spite of this. They lost to a resurgent Illinois AT HOME. You can't lose at home (to a then unranked opponent nonetheless) in college football as the number one team in the country. That's inexcusable and should be devastating to your season Hawaii's schedule and to some extent it's conference are really weak too, but they haven't lost and they have a win over a higher ranked team (then 19 Boise State) than Ohio State has played this year. To me, they have as much of a claim to the title game as OSU. But none of this matters, Ohio State is a virtual lock, and I will be utterly shocked if they do not lose by at least three touchdowns. Of course, LSU has been number 1 twice, lost it twice, and has played rather unimpressive football lately so it wouldn't shock me if they got in, that they blew it too. All in all, I have followed college football more closely this year than any other year, and the way it works almost strikes me as a joke. For example, despite playing in what is easily the toughest conference, the SEC, it wouldn't shock me if LSU and Georgia were overlooked for the National Title game for USC because somebody probably thinks USC would draw better tv ratings and generate more revenue. They may not be the better team, but they could be worth more money, and that's way more important in determining a National Champion. College football is the only sport that I can think of in which the process to determine a champion is so strongly based on subjective opinions. Oh well, despite my frustrations, this was an exciting season which should produce some exciting bowl games in the coming weeks no matter who is playing where, and it has sparked a lot of really fun debates with friends and by analysts. On a side note, if Tim Tebow does not win the Heisman, I might have to stop watching college football just as our fan/sport relationship was starting to blossom.

In other exciting news, I hit a Springfield Mass Transit bus yesterday. Not my shining moment to be for sure. Despite driving slow and braking in what I thought was more than ample time, my car decided it wanted to be an ice skater, and it wasn't stopping until it hit that bus. No damage was done to either vehicle or anybody, but man did I feel stupid, despite the fact it was out of my control to prevent at that point. It is quite a helpless feeling to be slowly sliding towards a vehicle and knowing there is nothing you can do to stop it.

If you are in to Mexican Food, I would recommend checking out Los Agaves across from the White Oaks Mall on Wabash. This place has some great food, especially the Agave Cheesesteak, and the food gets to you incredibly fast. They also have some awesome cheese dip for tortilla chips.

One more week til finals, can't wait for Christmas break.

The Collegiate Conundrum that is Thanksgiving

I hope everyone enjoyed the four f's of Thanksgiving: family, friends, food, and football. Some people think that Thanksgiving gets lost in the shuffle between Halloween and Christmas, and this to some extent may be true. But if you think about it, Thanksgiving is really awesome. You sit around with loved ones all day eating delicious food while watching the Cowboys win. Sounds like a great day to me. You even get extra time off from classes. This is where the conundrum comes in.

After Thanksgiving break is over, there is a minimal amount of time left in the semester. Like most students, I am ready for my hard earned, much deserved break. Most everyone is really ready for a break by this time of year, and the general concensus is that it can't get here soon enough. The problem is, the time period between Thanksgiving and Christmas break is perhaps the most difficult time of year for a college student. Everyone has visions of breaks and catching up with old friends and rest and relaxation and a White Christmas dancing in their head. Professor's, on the other hand are envisioning 10 page essays, fifteen minute presentations, and three hour long final exams. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I have a lot to do before break begins. But that's ok, I'm guessing most of what I have left is a product of my own procrastination at some point so I have no one to blame but myself. I'm sure I'll be spending more time being amazed in Brookens over the next couple weeks.

In the meantime, if it's going to be cold, I could really go for some snow.

It's Saturday night with Lonestar

After another busy week at UIS, yesterday was a great opportunity to have a relaxing evening. The Prairie Stars men's basketball team played its first home game in the TRAC yesterday afternoon, looking pretty impressive in doing so. The new monstrous gym is a far cry from the old beloved Assembly Closet, but I know I personally couldn't have loved it more.

After the game, some friends and I ventured to Lonestar for supper. The wait was 45 minutes when we got there, but Brett's girlfriend Lindsey works there and already had a table waiting for us. Having connections is awesome, kind of like my New York Strip Steak. That thing was delicious. After that we all came and chilled and my place til 1 or 2, depending on what your daylight savings time interpretation is.

Today kicks off a pretty exciting 8 day period for me. Today marks the 5 year anniversary my girlfriend Amy and I have been dating. It is kind of rough that we can't spend it together since she is in New York, but she'll be home in just a few short weeks, and I can't wait. My high school's football team remained unbeaten last night in advancing in the IHSA state playoffs, and I will get to see them play for the first time this year next week. Congratulations to those guys. And just when week from today is when I turn the BIG 21. Yes the monumental twenty-first birthday and I am really looking forward to being able to... go to the casino. Man I love poker.

Bold prediction: Colts beat the Pats today by a field goal, you heard it hear first, 41-38 final score.