I Deserve A Medal

. . . for preaching a sermon after having to watch the Bengals self-destruct. I was actually able to forget about it until after the service. Anyway, midway through the third quarter I started getting this Dave Shula/Bruce Coslet feeling in my stomach. It proved to be true. FORTY-TWO POINTS IN THE SECOND HALF. I can't imagine how it could be anymore embarrassing for the defense. There are so many issues with this team, it's pathetic. If they don't finish at least .500 for the year, you have to fire some coordinators.

Good job Carson, Rudi, and CJ. Chris Henry has to go. I can't talk about the defense or special teams.

Honestly, 9-7 could still get them a Wild Card. Not holding my breath.

Now We Can Talk About It

One week until Michigan. This is the one we've been waiting for.

Who D'oh!

Things aren't looking good in Bengals land. Cincinnati's at 4-4, two games behind the Ravens. If you check out the local media, people are jumping off the bandwagon as if we're hauling anthrax. I'll admit: I'm nervous, but I still think a play-off berth is possible. Both Baltimore and Cincinnati have three games until they play each other again. The Bengals have a more difficult stretch [San Diego, @New Orleans, @ Cleveland] while the Ravens seem to have a cake-walk [@Tennessee, Atlanta, Pittsburgh]. If Cincinnati could sweep these next three, difficult but doable if they're really going to compete for the play-offs, then they're right there. I would doubt the Ravens will go undefeated in that span [a five-game winning streak?] which would make the Thursday night against Baltimore in Cincy a chance for the Bengals to equalize in the division.

I know, sounds like a lot to happen, but this is still the modern-day NFL. Parity reigns supreme. There's always a sure-fire team that fails to make the play-offs [I think New Orleans]. And there's always be a team that everyone writes-off that makes it there [re: Cincinnati]. I'm cracking up that all these people are ready to bail on the Bengals. They haven't played a consistent game all year. They're due. If they can bust one open next week against play-off bound San Diego, then it'll get things rolling.

Ye of little faith.

Bring On Some Hoops

College basketball's back, and I'm glad. Sure, this might be the worst season of UC basketball since Tony Yates coached, but I'm rather excited about it. Anything this team of hastily recruited team of misfits does will be a bonus. Following last year's team was heart-wrenching because they had the talent to perform but injuries, transfers, and academics all played into the disaster. This year the Bearcats will be total underdogs. Heck, they could actually lose their exhibition to NKU tonight.

But I'm still looking forward to it. Mick is going to bring a National Championship to Cincinnati again, I just know it. And it all begins with tonight's new page being turned.

I should get off my butt and go to the game tonight.

Sucks To Be Cincy

Pittsburgh backs into a Super Bowl Championship in January and the Cardinals reverse on in to a World Championship tonight. Not good for the Queen City. I do believe, however, that we've got next.

And Yet Another Thing . . .

I've not written much about the Buckeyes lately, but it must be said that things are setting up nicely. Michigan is now #2, and as both teams play out the cupcake portions of their schedules, I think we're looking at an epic rivalry game. In years past this would make me nervous, but I have no doubt in Jim Tressel's ownership of Lloyd Carr [absolutely no relation]. It's humorous that last year's team was probably much better but because of an early season loss to the eventual national champion, they never got the chance to prove it.

Perhaps karma does exist . . .

Who-Dey!

Even though it was a tight game, that was a great win. Carolina's defense is tough. And that fourth down play action pass to Chad was huge. That could be the pivotal play of the season. Pittsburgh lost and the Ravens were idle. Things are back on track.

You Never Know

We were exhausted last night so I didn't bother to stay up and watch Arizona finish their drubbing of the Chicago Bears. And while watching the kiddies today, I hadn't seen that the Bears overcame a 20 point halftime deficit to win the game. Crazy. I did smirk when I saw that Neil Rackers missed a 40-yarder that could've won it for the Cards. That's the Neil we grew to love . . . er, despise, here in Cincy.