A Wonderful Time of Year

On Saturday, there was plenty of college football.

On Sunday, the Patriots and the Colts managed to make their game really interesting in the final minutes.

On Monday, more football, even though it wasn’t that interesting.

On Tuesday, ESPN did their 24 hours of college basketball.  I forgot how much fun college basketball is.  And both #1 and #2 in the nation found themselves in tight games as the clock wound down. 

On Wednesday, I took a break — I’m not that in to the NBA.

On Thursday (tonight) I was able to switch between college basketball and college football.  After watching Colorado return a kickoff for a TD, I saw Ohio State cut a 19-point deficit to 2 points in the final seconds against North Carolina.

Gotta love the variety.  And that’s why, despite the colder temperatures, earlier sunsets and biting wind, this is a wonderful time of year. 

Thursday Night Football

I don’t know why, but Thursday seems like an odd night for a regular-season NFL game.  With options like The Office, why do you need a football game?  Especially when it’s available on a station that requires a bit of effort to get. 

But no one asked me, so I guess my thoughts really don’t matter.

What is a bit more interesting is the matchup for this Thursday’s game.  The Chicago Bears vs. Coach Mike Singletary.  Based on the previews, you’d think that Singletary will be on the field.  But “they” do have a point — many dedicated Bears fan would like to see the 49ers coach do well.  After all, he did the Super Bowl Shuffle despite his complete lack of dancing ability.  You have to appreciate that kind of a player.

Compare the wonderful memories of Singletary on the field with the reality that Jay Cutler isn’t Superman, and the past seems to be rosier than the present.  The thing is, Cutler has dealt with borderline unrealistic expectations since the 2009 Bears season started.  Add in the injuries throughout the roster, and you’ve got a disappointing season. 

It will be interesting to see how the Bears recover from the loss at home to Arizona…but I also look forward to seeing the guy on the other sideline…

What’s Bill Lynch Done to Deserve This?

(Disclaimer: I am not, nor will I ever be, a Hoosier.  I can, however, appreciate it when guys get shafted.)

Bill Lynch is a nice guy.  He’s a quality college head coach.  He’s committed to his team, his staff, his program, his state. 

And he doesn’t deserve all that he’s had to deal with this season.

But let’s back up.  Bill Lynch took over as head coach for the Indiana Hoosiers football team after the death of head coach Terry Hoeppner from complications related to a brain tumor.  Coach Hoeppner passed away in June, and just a few months later, Lynch coached the Hoosiers to one of the best seasons they had experienced in more than 20 years.  Not an easy thing to do given all the circumstances.

Lynch has Indiana improving.  And this year they’ve really shown that improvement.  Or they would if the officials would get over whatever it is they have against Lynch.

Indiana opened their 2009 Big Ten season at the Big House.  And they led Michigan as the game was winding down.  But a poor call led to a Michigan score.  The Hoosiers saw a slim lead disappear.  A theme for the season. 

Leading Northwestern in Evanston, the Hoosiers saw a 20+ point lead slip away in the second half.  Then this week, the Hoosiers took an improbably 21-7 lead over the #4 Hawkeyes into the pink locker room in Iowa City.  And came out to allow Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi rack up the stats — by throwing them 4 interceptions in just 1 quarter.  But a few questionable calls overturned by the review booth and a freak pinball interception for a TD pushed all momentum to the Hawkeyes, who went on to win by 18 points, a deceptively wide margin.

So, what’s Bill done to the refs or the system to deserve such treatment?  Nothing, as far as I can see.  Granted, I’m not following the Hoosiers closely.  But really.  Give the guy a break.