Hey, what's going on? Seeing as how I have been lying low for the past three weeks without writing a column, I feel as though I was under a rock.
In actuality, I have been finding my spiritual side, as I took a leave of absence since the Ohio State game. Coincidentally, that was the last time the football team actually won a game, so here's hoping my return will spell victory for the red and white.
Speaking of victories, how can Miami, the No. 1 team in all the land, hammer a West Virginia team 45-3 at home, while Oklahoma loses at Nebraska, and yet the Sooners stay ahead of the Hurricanes in terms of the Bowl Championship Series standings.
In my mind, Miami is the best team in the nation right now. Perhaps the Sooners should be in third or fourth, but not ahead of an undefeated team.
However, in the end I think Miami will be in the National Championship game against Michigan because Oklahoma and Nebraska will cancel each other out. (But I reserve the right to change my mind.)
Could it be? The National Basketball Association tipped off Tuesday night? Seeing the Lakers receiving their championship rings, watching Jordan's return and the Bucks' comeback victory over Utah reminded me of why the NBA was great and what it could be again. Early NBA Finals pick: Bucks over Lakers in seven. (But I reserve the right to change my mind about the Lakers.)
College hockey is on again. As of right now, the top three men's teams in the USA Today/American Hockey Magazine poll are Minnesota, St. Cloud State and Denver. All three of them are from the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Throw in Colorado College, North Dakota and a Wisconsin team that split with the Fighting Sioux the week before, and the WCHA is looking mighty tough this year.
My gut feeling is that St. Cloud State will win the NCAA Title. (But I reserve the right to change my mind to the Gophers.)
While we're on the subject of hockey, the National Hockey League looks completely different from a year ago. Sure, the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche are good again, and the Philadelphia Flyers are strong as well. But the surprise of the year has to be the Chicago Blackhawks, the New York Islanders and the Calgary Flames, all doing so well early on. Here's to hoping that all three of them make the playoffs.
I believe the Avalanche will repeat as champions, especially with the expected return of center Peter Forsberg. But I also like the Toronto Maple Leafs, especially with former UW goaltender Curtis Joseph.
And finally, with the National Football League one-third of the way through the season, who would have thought the Chicago Bears would be 5-1 and riding high atop the Central Division?
Here's to hoping they win next week to set up a huge showdown with 6-1 Chicago and 5-2 Green Bay, should the Packers beat Tampa Bay this weekend. I would pay good money to see that matchup. No disrespect to the Bears, for I like to see them back to prominence, but I have to go with my Packers in a three-point road victory. (I will not change my mind on that one.)
