Out With 2009, In With 2010

As I haven’t written anything in awhile and the new decade stars in approximately 5.5 hours, I thought I might share some of my wishes for sports in oh-ten (I would do a retrospective of the year, but let’s face it, that takes much longer and there is revelry to take part in).  I apologize in advance for demonstrating my proclivity to include my favorite teams and to repeat some topics I may have already discussed, but hey, it’s my blog and my wishes.  Here we go:

1. A revision, almost any revision, of the BCS system

2. The Big Ten regaining some dignity and actually winning some bowl games (unlikely I know)

3. Rich Rod finally getting things sorted out over at Michigan and producing a team that goes to a bowl game (see wish 2)

4. Someone, anyone, other than the Lakers winning the NBA Finals (aside from the Celtics of course)

5. The new Chicago Cubs ownership maintaining the tradition associated with the team and the stadium and overhauling pretty much everything else.  100+ years is way too long

6. The US having a respectable showing in the World Cup.

7. The Bears making it to the playoffs (next season) by whatever means necessary.

8. The Yankees putting together another championship caliber team with all the changes and trades (I’m still nervous about letting go of home-grown guys like Melky.  You know Cano is secretly crying himself to sleep)

9. Professional athletes managing to keep their philandering out of the news.  We all know some pro athletes cheat, they’re no different than the rest of us and probably experience more temptation than the average Joe/Jane.  I just don’t want it to dominate my sports coverage for weeks on end (ahem Tiger).

10. A job as a sportscaster (highly unlikely, but arguably more likely than some of the other items on my list)

Happy New Years everybody!  Thanks for a great 2009 and hear is to an even better 2010!

I know I’ve been talking about Michigan football a lot lately (I do promise to mix it up a bit), but there is no one in the football world that isn’t talking about Michigan football this Sunday following their epic late game win over ranked Notre Dame.  Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com sums up the game so well, I’ll leave all the hard work to him.  I’m just going to sit here and gloat for a bit.

Back in the top 25 baby!

Why I Still Have Faith in ‘09 Michigan Football

Michigan pummeled Western Michigan 31-7.  Things are looking a bit brighter for the team that has been bogged down by controversy in the past week. They may still have a long way to go, but this video gets me pumped for the rest of the season.  Bring it on other teams (ND I see you), let’s hear it for the underdog.  (Michigan should never be the underdog, but that is another discussion for another day)

Hit the Road Jack

Week one of college football started off with a bang.  From two consecutive blocked kicks to last minute interceptions there was no shortage of heart-pounding college football action to watch this Labor Day weekend.  While watching key plays and and slow-mo highlights up close from the comfort of the couch is a miraculous thing (I did an inappropriate amount of this during the past weekend), there is nothing like seeing a college football game in person.

Dan Ackman of the Wall Street Journal, understanding the thrill of watching the game live and in the flesh, put together a list of super-charged college football weekend road trips.  Two games, one weekend, non-stop madness.  Of the five, my pick would be Oklahoma/Texas and Texas A&M/Texas Tech. match-ups.  Football in the land where football is damn near a religion, yes please.

But then again I don’t have a car, or vacation days leftover for that matter.  And really, did you look at the picture I posted above?  Could there possibly be anything better than that?  Ackman, I know we’re not ranked and still building the team under Rich Rod., but how could you leave Mich off the list?  Loved the suggestions, but if I go anywhere is season it’s back to A2 and the Big House for me.

For the Love of the Games

I love pretty much everything about sports.  I love watching them, I love reading about them, I love playing them and yes I love the athletes (Robinson Cano, I see you.  Call me).  Unfortunately this universal love for all things sports and my undying love for specific teams and activities can occasionally pose a conflict of interests.

I recently posted about playing rugby.  I went out and practiced with a team and had a great time.  I was completely gung ho about joining.  That was until I discovered that fall season league games occur during the days on Saturdays.  If you are a sports fan of any merit, you also know that college football games typically take place on Saturdays.  So it has come down to my incredible allegiance to Michigan football (GO BLUE!) or my passion for actually playing sports.

Which one is better: Watching the magic of pro and college level sports where we are often in awe and usually sitting on the ends of our seats viewing some of the best athletes in the world continue to amaze us or being part of the excitement when actually playing the game?  I grew up consistently playing sports of different sorts and know that there is no other feeling like being part of a team and actually being the one making plays.  Ordinarily I suppose my love for playing would outweight my love for watching.

BUT, this is Michigan football we’re talking about.  Sure, these are building years.  Rich Rod has not fully come into his own as the new coach.  Sure last season was the first in 33 years that Michigan did not make a bowl appearance.  It doesn’t matter.  September through November (and hopefully, fingers crossed here, beyond) I live and breath maize and blue.

So for now, I’m sorry rugby, it’s just not working out.  Michigan is my number one.  I hope you’ll answer when I call you in the spring.  No hard feelings.