Trading Places

Photo courtesy of ibtimes.com. Terry Francona (pictured above) is the newest member of ESPN's baseball broadcast team.

By Josh Kramer

It may be freezing outside, but the baseball world is still as hot as ever.  With the winter meetings currently underway in Dallas, the baseball world is as vibrant as one could possibly hope for in December.  Sure much of the attention has been centered on the second coming of the “MonStars” being formed in Miami and the next stop for the Albert Pujols train.  But how about the major deal between Beantown and ESPN?  This was not a one-sided move by any means.  For once, there appears to have been a fair deal made in baseball.

Week 13 was jam-packed

Photo courtesy of toledoblade.com. Yesterday was likely the last game of the Luke Fickell (pictured above) era at Ohio State. He will be a hotly sought after commodity in the very near future.

By Josh Kramer

Rivalry weekend is always a very highly anticipated one.  The state of Ohio goes to war with the state of Michigan, South Carolina divides, Georgia goes up for grabs, and of course there is the “Iron Bowl.”  Thanksgiving time is all about the food, family and of course football.  Come Saturday, the spotlight is focused on the collegiate ranks.

Fickell era ends

-Surprisingly, the one rivalry game today that really lived up to the hype took place in Ann Arbor.  I for one expected the Wolverines to blow the Buckeyes out, despite OSU’s recent dominance in “the Game.”  I was wrong.  Ohio State put up a heck of a fight, and nearly pulled it out.  Had Miller put the ball somewhat on the money to DeVier Posey late in the 4th, Ohio State would have made the “Big House” their house, yet again (heading into yesterday, Michigan had gone 2,925 days without defeating the Buckeyes at any venue).

College Football Week 13: This is where things get mean

Photo courtesy of alaskanhawg.com. Can Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson (pictured above) help the Razorbacks turn the BCS world upside down on Friday?

By Josh Kramer

The College Football season is finally hitting the stretch run.  Rivalries galore fill the Thanksgiving weekend, while the BCS is in as much chaos as I can ever remember it being in.  This weekend could potentially be the weekend where the BCS gets exposed worse than it ever has.  What if Arkansas beats LSU?  Then what do you do?  But let’s focus on what actually is rather than the “what ifs.”  The slate this week is packed with great games and also will be the final showcase session for many Heisman hopefuls.  Week 12 was a wild one, but Week 13 has the makings of being one of the all-time greats.

Here are the marquee matchups.

Arkansas at LSU:  Tigers by 10

Food for Thought 7-12-11

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Mike Trout (pictured above) is just 19-years-old and is currently up in the Major Leagues. Bryce Harper has received much more attention, but it appears Trout's time has come. Get to know Mike Trout.

By Josh Kramer

Finally something positive in Columbus

It has not exactly been a pleasant past six months in Columbus.  Ohio State went from a national title contender, to rule breakers, to having the faces of the program resign and/or quitters, to a program that is currently waiting further instruction from the NCAA.  Not exactly the place where Buckeye Nation would like to be heading into a season where many had considered them a national title favorite before all of the recent shenanigans.

On a day where a recruit decided to forego heading to the Horseshoe and take his talents up North to the hated Big House (Kyle Kalis), at least something good finally happened.  Ohio State added a new coach to the staff.  A home-grown Ohioan.  A Buckeye legend.  A former two-time Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the year.  And of course a 3-time Super Bowl Champion.  None other than a man who most definitely bleeds scarlet and gray, Mike Vrabel.