When did we break down the schedules in two parts?  It just doesn't make sense to me.  Or does it?  Usually the OOC vs IC schedule parts SEC vs well, everyone else.  Fans of Team A blasts Team B for a weak conference.  Then Team B attacks Team A's out of conference schedule.  Blah, blah, blah.  There's truth in both. 

Just take a look at the two highest profile games this upcoming year:

Ohio State at Southern Cal

Georgia vs Florida @ the Cocktail Party

Both games are being treated like it's the plus one system in effect.  Two games, most likely both will be a top 5 matchups.  Here is my point, I think.  Ohio State and USC went outside their conference to get their Top 5 matchup while Georgia and Florida have their Top 5 matchup built into their schedule.  I'm not saying either is better or worse for it.  What I'm saying is that when the season is over, all four of these teams will likely be in the Top 10 in strength of schedule.  So can we please put to rest the OOC vs the IC?  It's a weak arguement. 

Lance Briggs to the Redskins - Great move for Bears in my opinion.  There is tons of defense in the top 10 picks and maybe even a QB that they need so bad.  I'd trade the disgruntled LB and my 31st pick for the sixth pick overall. 

I don't think Billy Donovan is going anywhere.  He's saying the things he has to say while his team is still playing.  The president said Billy can go look, but he won't let him leave.  Donovan will be a well paid man in Gator Country next year.  Florida fans have got to love having both Urban Meyer and Billy Donovan as coaches. 

Anyone else besides the states of Florida and Ohio State excited about another rematch?  Could this be the next big rivalry?  We'll have to see.  I for one would love to see the Gators repeat over the Buckeyes.  It'd make it that much sweet.  I know OSU would love to finally stick it to the boys from Gainesville.  It's amazing how far these football schools have come in basketball.  I'm calling Ohio State vs Florida in Omaha this summer!

Does anyone else smell something fishy about this tourney?  After no upsets in the opening rounds, the high seeds sweep through.  Throw in some questionable calls and it makes you take notice. 

I'm also finally getting excited about basketball again.  Grant Hill killed my love.  Well, next year his $16 million plus will be off the books in Orlando.  Throw in a scoring threat that Jameer Nelson can pass to and another year of progress from Dwight Howard and the Magic could start to make a deep run in the playoffs.  (I know they are a few years away, but at least they will be competitive)

Please Orlando don't resign Grant Hill.  Please!

Peyton Manning is hilarious.  "I'll kill a snitch."  SNL is hardly watchable anymore.  Justin Timberlake is the only decent host in the last two years until Manning this last Saturday.   The only skits that are somewhat funny are Target (sometimes), Two A-holes (always), Blizzard Man (which only I find funny apparently) and Bronx Beat (most of the time).  Peyton's United Way is up there with Omletville.  (I'm only comparing SNL skits from recent years.  There is no way anyone could beat Steve Martin era or Adam Sandler era)

Baseball update.  It's about to start.  Dice K mania is everywhere.  I say he has 12-14 wins with an ERA of about 3.50 or so.  Hitters will eventually find him out.  If pitches come across the plate, Major League players will find ways to put it into play.  MLB has turned into an offensive game, I don't see one pitcher changing that. 

Could Bobby Cox and John Schuerholz really be retiring next year?  What will happen to the Braves?  Will John Smoltz wear another uni?  If Atlanta is out of the running, will Andruw Jones change his mind about the no-trade clause?  Can Chipper stay healthy for a full year anymore?  Will their starting pitching mirror their bullpen last year?  The Braves have lots of questions.  Every team does this time of year.

Will baseball ever have a salary cap?

I don't care if A-Rod leaves the Yankees without winning a title.  If I'm correct, Derek Jeter didn't win one while A-Rod was there either.  The Yankees just aren't as good as they once were.  They just don't have the pitching anymore. 

P.S.  Kobe is not better than Jordan.  It's an injustice that you even mention the two together. 

I wrote a super long post only to have it disappear in thin blogness.  So I am going to give you the short and sweet. 

Key aspects for Florida:

Reggie Lewis and Ryan Smith

Chris Leak

Key aspects for Ohio State:

Offensive Line

Anthony Gonzalez

Pick:  Florida 31, Ohio State 28 (I have a strong feeling that a Chris Hetland field goal will be the difference in this game.  It's will be an ironic end to his season for sure since he's been 4-13 this year.)

These are the alumni of both Florida and Ohio State that are currently in the NFL.  I'll let you be the judge.  Info from scout.com.

Florida Offense:

• QB - Rex Grossman, CHI
• RB – Fred Taylor, JAX
• WR – Travis Taylor, MIN
• WR – Ike Hillard, TB
• WR – Darrell Jackson, SEA
• TE – Ben Troupe, TEN
• OL – Cooper Carlisle, DEN
• OL – Tavares Washington, SF
• OL – Kenyatta Walker, TB
• OL – Zach Piller, TEN
• OL – Mike Pearson, MIA

Florida Defense:

• DE - Jevon Kearse, PHI
• DT – Gerald Warren, DEN
• DT Ian Scott, CHI
• DE - Alex Brown, CHI
• LB – Mike Peterson, JAX
• LB – Andra Davis, CLE
• LB – Channing Crowder, MIA
• CB - Lito Sheppard, PHI
• CB – Keiwan Ratliff, CIN
• S - Gus Scott, NE
• S - Todd Johnson, CHI
  
  Ohio State Offense:  
• QB – No current QB in NFL
• RB – No current RB in NFL
• WR – Terry Glenn, DAL
• WR – Michael Jenkins. ATL
• WR – Joey Galloway, TB
• TE Darnell Sanders, CIN
• OL – Orlando Pace, STL
• OL – Rob Sims, SEA
• OL – Nick Mangold, NYJ
• OL – Shane Olivea, SD
• OL – Adrien Clarke, PHI  

Ohio State Defense:

• DE – Darrion Scott, DE
• DT – Marcus Green, SEA
• DT – Dan Wilkerson, MIA
• DE – Will Smith, NO
• LB – Bobby Carpenter, DAL
• LB – Mike Vrabel, NE
• LB – A.J. Hawk, GB
• CB – Shawn Springs, WAS
• CB – Nate Clements, BUF
• S – Will Allen, TB
• S – Donte Whitner, BUF

Here is a list of five things that won't matter between the Buckeyes and Gators when they meet in two weeks from Christmas.  We’ll get to the more important stuff later.  Enjoy. 

Weather:

The weather in Columbus on Dec 20, 2006 is 47 degrees and cloudy.

The weather in Gainesville on Dec 20, 2006 is 74 degrees and cloudy.

Winner:  Florida Ohio State fan about Gainesville "I couldn't live here, cause I like seasons.” Gator fan replies "Yeah we do too, but we got rid of the #### ones"

The Mascot:

Florida has the gator

Ohio State has the buckeye

What is a buckeye? It is a fruit or poisonous seed:  a prickly or smooth fruit of a tree or bush of the horse chestnut family, or the large shiny brown poisonous seed it contains

Winner:  Both will kill you.  So I guess a tie.  I still would rather be killed by fruit than an alligator that has all those teeth and no toothbrush. 

Stadiums:

The Horseshoe:  Largest Crowd 105,708 Mel Kiper has even said that Ohio Stadium has the second-best atmosphere of any college venue. 

The Swamp:  Largest Crowd 90,716 EA Sports’ NCAA Football has Ben Hill Griffin Stadium the #1 toughest place to play in every version in which home field advantage has been ranked. 
Winner:  The Swamp, The Shoe is close though, besides, I never listen to what Mel Kiper's hair tells me

Cool Traditions:

The Gator Chomp:  Whether during kickoff or just cheering for a certain “Touchdown Maker” standing in the end zone, this tradition is fun for everyone. 

Script Ohio:  The script is an integrated series of evolutions and formations. The band first forms a triple Block O formation which will slowly unwind to form the famous letters. The drum major leads the outside O into a peel-off movement around the curves of the script, every musician in continual motion. The middle Block O revolves counter-clockwise as the other two rotate in a clockwise manner. Slowly the three blocks unfold into a long singular line which loops around, creating the OSUMB's trademark.

Winner:  Script Ohio.  While everyone can do the gator chomp, only a special few can do the honors at Ohio State.  Besides the fourth or fifth year sousaphone player, there has been Bob Hope, Woody Hayes, Buster Douglas, and Jack Nicklaus. 

Helmet and Uniforms:

Gators:  The blue jersey with the blue helmet with a gator head on it.  It’s not very stylish.   

Buckeyes:  Sure the plain silver helmet (wich looks like it was painted with boat paint) isn’t that cool either.  It’s those darn pride stickers or whatever they are calling them these days. 

Winner:  Buckeyes.  Sure maybe one little buckeye won’t hurt you, but if you see a helmet full of buckeyes you might want to pack some antacid and have the number to your physician ready. 

*I want to start a petition to have Florida wear the helmet and jerseys that they wore for the Alabama game this year.  Those were sharper than a razor blade.

I'm putting together an all Ohio State vs Florida so nobody steal my idea.