2008 just started and already I've experienced my first sports disappointment of the year.

I'm not normally a fan of college sports, but when a team from Illinois has success I support them in their run for a championship. Perhaps it makes me a bandwagoner of sorts, but I'm proud of the state where my roots lie. I watched my first Bowl game in 1996 when Northwestern faced USC in the Rose Bowl. It was a big deal in the Chicago area, since Northwestern had long been a pretty bad team. Unfortunately, they fell short in the big game. This year the Land of Lincoln was supposed to avenge that loss with Illinois beating USC in the Rose Bowl. Once again, the Trojans emerged victorious. At least Northwestern lost by only 9. Illinois lost by a score of 49-17. Ouch. It was so ugly that I couldn't even watch the last quarter.

Happy New Year, indeed. Oh well. At least I still have the sports I normally follow. I also get to watch the Blackhawks on TV tonight for the first time all season.