Musings: 'Tis the Season, by Coby DuBose, 12/16/05

Few things in life confuse and befuddle the ardent sports fanatic more than the month of December. Trees are left without stipule and the occasional 1/4 inch of snow shuts down entire states in the southeastern United States. While some folks take pride in their holiday light shows and Santa's little helper decides on the definitive decorative pattern for the family Christmas tree, men are left with a plethora of sports programming options to sift through over the cold winter nights.

The NBA and NHL are in full swing by December, but who noticed? Quick, name the NBA division leaders. Ok, name one? Maybe you got that one. College basketball is beginning to take form as conference matchups are just around the corner. The majority of college football fans are forced to decide whether or not they will follow their 7-4 teams to "Insert Company Name Bowl" somewhere in the middle of nowhere. To top it all off, the NFL playoffs are quickly approaching and fantasy football owners everywhere are in search of  their league title. With all of these options, what is a sports fan to do? Sit back, grab a cold one, and enjoy the ride that is, December. By the time it is all over and the college season culminates in Pasadena, the sports fan will have been treated to a great holiday season.

NFL

While the most confusing question of the 80's may have involved children's television character "Alf" and exactly what is he?, the bigger dilemma for Joe Sports Fan this December is the NFC playoff picture. Is the NFC for real and can anyone mount a challenge to the AFC champion Indianapolis Colts? (Wait, haven't they already won it?)

Alf: We weren't sure what it was, but we watched it.

The NFC South seems to set up as the most interesting division. With three teams in the hunt and the hapless fighting Tom Bensons of New Orleans lurking to play the role of spoiler, anything could happen. The Panthers should be able to capitalize on Michael Vick's underachievement and re-claim their spot atop the division, but don't sleep on Tampa Bay either with that defense.

Can the Bears keep up their remarkable run? Like an amatuer in the World Series of Poker, it seems like their luck has to run out eventually, right? The Bears have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for the last 9 weeks, and it is unlikely  that their luck will continue in a push towards the Super Bowl. Bears fans can hold out hope though, that more Vikings will be indicted in the love boat scandal and Minnesota will concede defeat. Stranger things have happened (See Alf). That said, Lovie Smith is class personified and for that, we wish him luck.

College Football

The obvious focus will be on the the granddaddy of them all as USC takes on Texas in the Rose Bowl. Woah nelly! While this promises to be a great title game, there are other "can't miss" bowl games out there for college football fans.

The Peach Bowl should be an exciting game with perennial southern football powers LSU and Miami matching up in a coaching matchup that could be coined "The Replacements". With all due respect to Keanu Reeves, these replacements have found more success than Shane Falco ever imagined. While Larry Coker stumbled upon a national championship in his first season at the U, back-to-back Peach Bowl appearences have some questioning if he is the man for the job. His success has declined since the departure of Ken Dorsey. A win over LSU would do wonders for sending Miami back into the perinnial national championship hunt.  Les Miles, in his replacement of Nick Saban, led the Tigers to the SEC championship contest, where they dropped a Dumpty-sized egg against the Georgia Bulldogs. Like a dog in wait for his master, these coaches could both use some pats on the back from their respective athletic directors.

Fans will also want to consider tuning into the "Smurf Bowl" in Boise, Idaho. A disappointed Boston College squad will take the the blue field to tangle with a Boise State squad who has underachieved in what turns out to be coach Dan Hawkins' final season before moving on to Colorado.

This holiday season is sure to have its share of rude relatives, embarrasing gifts, and disappointing elementary school caroling expeditions (Could they please find some talent amongst America's youth?). For the love of all things athletic, sports fans can hope for a Christmas season filled with turkey legs, overtimes, and big time bowl games. In this spirt of Christmas however, it is time for athletes to ante up with some gifts to all sports fans.

Vince Young and Reggie Bush: Give us some answers! Whatever your decisions, NFL fans deserve to know exactly what the 49ers and Texans will be playing for come week 17.

Adam Morrison: Give us greatness. If Adam Morrison were to pick the names of any American sports fan in a secret Santa setup, he could fulfill his commitment easily by maintaining his level of play. What the 6'8 junior has done is bordering upon greatness and sports fans demand to see more.

Tony Dungy: Give us history. While I am admittedly no Colts fan, the overwhelming consensus indicates that fans would love to see the Indianapolis franchise give history their best shot.

Terrell Owens: Give up your spot in the welfare line. Like many before you, your antics have rendered your talents useless and it is time for you to get a real job. I hear Drew Rosenhaus is looking for minions and you would fit right in. If that does not work, see a fast food manager, your quickness and concentration would be a boon to any local fry line.

Samkon Gado: Give us some confidence. This goes for Mike Sherman, too.  Samkon Gado has proven his worth in the NFL, and it is time for him to step up to the plate and at least claim some of his success.

Dick Vitale: Give us a break. For just one season, could sports fans enjoy a Duke or North Carolina basketball game without your obnoxious bias that precludes any notion of proper sports journalism.